Sherrilyn Kenyon's Blog, page 2

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Throwback Thursday

Here is something fun and apropos for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and for Throwback Thursday. When I was in fifth grade, we moved from Ft. Benning to Ft. MacPherson (yes, I, like my hubby– who made me an Army wife, am an Army brat). On my first day of my new school in Atlanta (the first school I ever attended where the majority of kids had civilian parents, and I was terrified), I met a WONDERFUL girl who embraced me like a sister.

Over the years, we have shared laughs and tears, and a whole lotta love and friendship. Some of you have met her at conventions and signings, and many more of you have heard me speaking about my friend “Nurse” Kim. When we were kids, Kim was one of my first critique partners, i.e. I cornered her at school and forced her to read my stuff and tell me it was good :D

While she was more interested in becoming a nurse, I was off battling aliens and demons. But she was always a fierce reader. In fact, below is a photo from a high school play where I was the lead and Kim came to see me (I think we’re 15, maybe 16 in this). In the photo, she playfully has her nose stuck in a book, LOL. Vintage Kim! Rebecca (who also has been to many events with me over the years, and who is the godmother of babies) is the other girl in the photo.

After many years of journey, Ms. Kim has finally started her own writing career! I couldn’t be more thrilled!!! She is so incredibly awesome and talented. Her first love is the same as mine (not really surprising since we grew up together)– Historicals!! Her great love is the Western period (she ADORES her cowboys) and she’s now started her own blog, Kim Turner Writes  http://kimturnerwrites.blogspot.com/ I’m so proud of her and happy for her that I had to share (Kim, don’t kill me— or you’ll have to raise my rowdy boys, LOL).

So if you get a chance, stop by and see what she’s up to. Hugs to everyone!! And Kim, stop reading this– get to writing, I want more pages!!!!    Ha! Payback, finally!!

Sumi or Simi

Having that moment while editing Born of Fury when I realize Sumi’s name is WAY too close to Simi’s. How many times did I mistype the poor woman’s name? Though the characters are nothing alike, my poor fingers just naturally type Simi :D Oh well, chalk it up to all the times I’ve typed Dark-Hutner.

Monkey Seeds

Excerpt from Born of Ice:

Devyn frowned. Alix didn’t really strike him as a rural kind of woman. “Really?”

She nodded. “I like the greenery and foliage. When I was little I used to try and grow plants on my dad’s ship.”

That had to be tough. Most living things didn’t like the recycled air and lack of natural daylight. “Didn’t work?”

She shook her head. “I never could get the hydroponics or lights right.”

“Sorry.” He stepped away from the machine and picked up his suit. “If it makes you feel better, I once tried to grow a monkey.”

“A monkey?”

Devyn laughed at the memory. “You know the candy, Monkey Seeds?” They were nothing but chocolate covered raisins- a nasty candy really, but it was one his dad had loved and it was something Devyn’s mother always kept in large supplies for him.

“Yeah.”

“I thought if I planted them, they’d grow monkeys.”

Alix laughed at the image of the fierce captain trying his hand at farming. And for something so ridiculous… He must have been adorable. “How old were you?”

“Five or six. I would run out every morning to see if my monkeys had sprouted. My mom didn’t have the heart to tell me I was wasting my time. So my dad created a monkey body for Vik and buried him in the garden. He crawled out one afternoon while I was watering the seeds.”

She gasped at the image in her head. “No, he didn’t.”

“Yeah, he did. Since my dad had also altered his voice track, it took me a full hour before I realized my monkey was really Vik.”

“Were you angry?”

“Nah. But Vik being Vik finally explained to me why he was the only monkey I’d ever have.”

“And I’ve been your monkey ever since.”

A charming grin broke across Devyn’s face as he looked up at the speaker. “Nah. You’re not my monkey, Vik. You’re my bitch.”

“Of course I am. And I’ll remember that the next time your shower door is stuck and you want me to open it… Wait. That does make me your bitch, doesn’t it? Damn, I am whipped.”

Busted Chops for Christmas

One day, I shall learn to kill Ravenna. But hey, can’t really blame her. I was the idiot who asked her to take a pic of me for my mom who was complaining that she had no recent photos. Since I knew Mom would flash it to every member, and more importantly, the daughter of every member of her woman’s club, I wanted a good photo. So I asked my demon protector (yeah, I choke and laugh when I say it, too) to take one. Rav did. Then she handed me the phone and said, “Look, I captured you in all your glory.”

This was the photo she handed me.

The dog was just a really nice touch. Have I said today how much I hate Ravenna’s powers? Yes, she protects my body, but really what about my ego? It’s far more fragile. Not that she cares.

And for the record and my busted ego, this was actually the photo she took.

To which, I stupidly sent to my mother, who promptly asked why my shirt didn’t have any sleeves. Had I been mugged? What kind of mugger only steals the sleeves from men’s shirts? Then she launched into a three day rant about how I was going to die, speeding around on those godforsaken (if only she knew the truth about that) motorbikes butt-naked. Yeah, I can’t win for losing. I finally gave up and sent her over this one.

Haven’t heard a word since. Not sure if that’s good or bad. But, my ears are grateful. It’s a most Merry Christmas gift for me.

Selfies and Snarky Demons

One day, I shall learn to kill Ravenna. But hey, can’t really blame her. I was the idiot who asked her to take a pic of me for my mom who was complaining that she had no recent photos. Since I knew Mom would flash it to every member, and more importantly, the daughter of every member of her woman’s club, I wanted a good photo. So I asked my demon protector (yeah, I choke and laugh when I say it, too) to take one. Rav did. Then she handed me the phone and said, “Look, I captured you in all your glory.”

This was the photo she handed me.

The dog was just a really nice touch. Have I said today how much I hate Ravenna’s powers? Yes, she protects my body, but really what about my ego? It’s far more fragile. Not that she cares.

And for the record and my busted ego, this was actually the photo she took.

To which, I stupidly sent to my mother, who promptly asked why my shirt didn’t have any sleeves. Had I been mugged? What kind of mugger only steals the sleeves from men’s shirts? Then she launched into a three day rant about how I was going to die, speeding around on those godforsaken (if only she knew the truth about that) motorbikes butt-naked. Yeah, I can’t win for losing. I finally gave up and sent her over this one.

Haven’t heard a word since. Not sure if that’s good or bad. But, my ears are grateful. It’s a most Merry Christmas gift for me.

Merry Christmas/Happy Solstice

I’m still trying to get my bearings on this whole new world I awoke to. Things here are so strange. It helps a lot that Styxx isn’t all that interested in leaving my temple in Katateros. He’s quite happy to spend time quietly with Ari and I. And I’m slowly learning more about my little brother who is a huge delight, and whose quirky humor is only matched by my husband and eldest son. I’m still not quite acclimated to calling Galen, Urian, but I am adjusting and learning.

One of my greatest new adventures is exploring the world with Tory and Lydia. Their joy of living is infectious. I’ve never known anyone quite like them. Tory has been busy teaching me all about Christmas and its celebrations. The three of us, with Simi, even went Christmas shopping for the babies and came home with some interesting things. Lydia and Seth, with their son, helped us to decorate our tree. It’s even complete with a bottle of barbecue sauce that Simi tied to the highest branch.

But I have to say, my favorite item Tory insisted I buy didn’t become my favorite until I saw Styxx with it after he’d bathed Ari. It was such a great moment to have my husband decorate my youngest son with a holiday memento that I must share. Now I’m off to wrap the last of my presents, call my father and brother, and check on my children and husband to make sure they’re safe. I hope everyone is having as a magical a time as we are.

Halloween, my surfboard

I’ve always known there was a good reason why I didn’t bother with human holidays. How I let the Grom talk me into going to Sanctuary for their annual party, I’ll never know. But like an idiot, I went. At first it wasn’t so bad. The bears were all dressed up as superheroes. I’m told Aimee had on a Catwoman costume, but Fang made her change into a bear costume. And so Aimee came to the party with a cardboard doghouse and told Fang he’d be sleeping in it, out back.

And he did, too. But what gripes me… there I was, minding my own business when in walked Acheron who was dressed as normal with a shirt that said “I am the scariest thing you’ll ever meet.” Ironic really since he is the farthest from the scariest thing I’ve ever encountered. His boys were dressed in Buzz and Woody costumes. Bethany and Soteria were both dressed as Charonte and Ari was dressed as Bethany’s Charonte egg. As much as it pains me to admit it, it was adorably funny. Then in walks Styxx. He was dressed in a pair of loose white cargo pants and a linen shirt, holding a boogie board painted to look like my prized surfboard.

Unamused, I asked him what he was supposed to be. With an equally dry tone, he replied, “I wanted to come to the party dressed as an ass.”

And now we all know why Chthonians don’t get along. He’s lucky he’s not a stain on the floor.

2 Days To Halloween And Counting…

No list of my favorite Halloween things would be complete without horror movies. For those who don’t know, my mother raised me on them and they are my comfort genre. What always fascinated me though was that my mother would never actually watch them. She’d cover her eyes and then ask me to tell her what was happening. So as a result, I’m immune to most “scares” but that doesn’t stop me from trying them out. That being said, trying to pick a favorite is like trying to choose a fave child.

My newest addition is a recent find. Now I admit, it’s not for most people. It is B-A-D, but in a wickedly fun and campy way. Dead Before Dawn http://deadbeforedawnthemovie.com/

Other faves:

The Cabin In The Woods https://www.facebook.com/TheCabininTheWoods

Undead or Alive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vHU_38NET8

Drag Me to Hell

Nightmare on Elm Street

From Dusk Till Dawn

Fright Night (the latest one)

and of course, Army of Darkness

Happy Hauntings!

3 Days To Halloween And Counting…

Next on my list of favorite Halloween tie-ins has to be my friend Tish’s store, Goddess and the Moon. I’ve been a frequent visitor there since I discovered it back in its Berry Hill days right after I moved to Nashville. It has all kinds of fun finds and best of all, it has Tish! Those who’ve been to many of my events have probably met her. She’s the wonderful lady who reads tarot cards and palms at many functions. She was also kind enough to help staff some of the Dark-Hunters at the Acheron launch. The world is definitely a better place with sweethearts like Tish in it. She’s also done a paranormal investigation with me :) If you’re ever in Nashville, I would encourage you to stop by for a cup of tea and a unique shopping experience. You can also find many of her offerings online and she will even do readings by phone, and don’t forget to check out the books she’s written! http://www.goddessandthemoon.com/store.html

Happy haunts!