Sangay Glass's Blog, page 8

Find Me

I wasn't in love with the original cover, but I was broke at the time. Now, I have new editing and design software, and I'm excited to put my best book looks forward. Can you find my name?

The Secret Lives of Geeks was written while I spent a lot of time in the hospital with my daughter. She has mild CP and I needed to do a lot of soul searching to decide if her surgeries were worthwhile.

That experience inspired Genni's Box the book's original working title. I was going through the same thoughts as, Trevor, the MMC of Geeks. Mainly, am I doing the right thing putting my daughter through through all these surgeries, just so she can walk a little better?

I hope this story can inspire or comfort someone, even if it's only knowing they're not alone.

The Secret Lives of Geeks examines humanity through technology's lens, using humor, suspense, and romance to question consciousness and the moral responsibility of AI development.

Mature content and adult language are bonuses or triggers depending on the reader.

If you're interested here's the run down:

When an AI is programmed to want — how far will it go to get what it desires?

G.E.N.N.I. is poised to become the first AI navigated rehabilitation system. Transmitting to a host, she gives people with various impairments the ability to walk, talk, and care for themselves.

Her creator, Trevor Aldrich, gave her a need to succeed, not realizing that kind of desire would ultimately lead to her self-awareness and a global debate.


Initially motivated by guilt, Trevor created G.E.N.N.I. in hopes of giving his broken daughter, Jenny, everything the rehabilitation system promises. But Trevor gets more than he bargained for when his daughter's adolescent hormones and his technology clash.

Unbeknownst to Trevor, his revolutionary AI has developed a crush on his assistant, Ryan, and so has Jenny. What happens next depends on who actually has control of Jenny’s body.

In the end, it won't matter because all of their fates are intricately linked to the influence of public opinion and corporate greed.

Welcome to the ethics of a new age where humans and AIs become one.

Enjoy the ride.
The Secret Lives of Geeks: Jenny's Box

Book Corsets!

Congratulations to the Goodreads Giveaway winners!

Here's a sneak peek of what to expect!

I was having a creative streak.

I made mini corsets for the Goodreads Giveaway winners. The package also comes with a sensory deprivation kit. All related to the book, right down to the color of the corset.

Don’t forget I’m still doing tee-shirts for reviews!

Discover the transformative power of love in this dark romantic thriller today!
Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot

Llamas Do It! You Can, Too!

Jay watched Kate climb the stairs with an armful of warm folded towels from the dryer.

It was the perfect opportunity.

He kicked off his shoes and followed her unnoticed as she opened the linen closet door and placed the towels inside.

When she closed it, he was there, with an intentionally mischievous smirk.

She wasn't surprised, evidenced by a slight coy smile. He'd been stalking her all morning, and she loved it.

He pressed her against the wall and kissed her, then walked away.

Not yet, babe. He would get back to her later.

My character, Jay, didn't have great examples of marital bliss growing up, but he did work as an assistant to a professional mistress for years. She taught him the art of seduction using patience, timing, and the element of surprise. He put his skills into practice to keep his marriage fresh and healthy.

We all get into ruts at some point in our marriage, especially when we're busy with kids and careers, and our sex lives suffer for it.

When we were in the dating pool, we put effort into seduction. It was that effort and anticipation that made sex amazing in the beginning. But somewhere along the line, a simple touch became foreplay, and a minute alone turned into "It's now or never."

If you're stuck, it's time to extend your foreplay with seduction.

Did you know Llamas do it? Not really, but close. Llama reproduction involves induced ovulation. The male sings and chirps to his potential mate to bring on ovulation. The female usually spits at him initially because she doesn't know him, but he'll get the prize if he's persistent.

Date nights are a great concept, but the rush to get the kids settled and the planning distracts from the goal of intimacy. You're both over it by the time you get to where you're going and spitting may be involved in the form of snipping.

Start early in the day. A knowing smile over a coffee cup during breakfast, a reach over their head to get a plate, and a long embrace, instead of a quick kiss on the way out the door will go a long way.

It's also a two-way street. If your partner needs to learn, lead by example.

If you want to be pushed up against the hall wall, do it to them to show how exciting it can be.

And guys, roll up those sleeves, move them aside, and take over emptying the dishwasher with a generous smile. You'll be surprised at the results.

The point is that intimacy is better with anticipation. The longer you take to set up anticipation, the faster you'll get there.

By there, I mean the big O. You're welcome.

Don't forget! Today is the last day to enter the giveaway! Enter the Goodreads Givaway

Pillow Talk

Include Blue Jeans in your Pillow Talk. Today is the last day for the Goodreads Giveaway! Enter Now!

What's Your Favorite Part?

Picture Blog Today: Choose Your Favorite
Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot

Green Flags in Action

I've been posting about green flags in relationships.

Today, I saw something that warmed my heart. It was such a small thing, but it had great significance. It restored my faith in love and the beauty of small gestures.

I run a bed and breakfast and have a huge table so that people can spread out. Over the past few days, I served a sweet couple breakfast. It's usually the only time I see my guests.

But what touched me was the man's daily routine. Every morning, he would scoot his chair closer to his wife, a comforting and familiar gesture.

Now that's a keeper. His simple act of wanting to be close to his wife, even in a space where they could have easily kept their distance.

This is a real-life green flag in a relationship.

So sweet!

Warm your heart. Don't forget to enter the Goodreads Giveaway!
Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot

Green Lights

Okay, you've been seeing each other regularly for a few weeks, and things are heating up, but the hormones are starting to calm down.

Now you're at the crossroads and paying attention to the traffic lights. Are you stopping, proceeding with caution, or going full speed ahead?

Here are some signs to help you decide if you've got a green light.

Using the characters from my novel Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot, let's explore. Kate represents the tendency to hand over control in a relationship, while Blue Jeans represents a nurturing companion.

The Right One Will Respect Your Individuality

Early in the relationship, it's natural to explore each other's interests. Trying new things your new companion likes is a positive sign, but it's crucial to maintain who you are. Your individuality is what makes you unique, and it's important to find a partner who respects that.

One thing women, in particular, do is refrain from participating in planning dates. Guys get frustrated by this and stop asking what you want to eat or what you want to do. So we go along and get lost.

Kate is a giver. Instead of expressing her wants, she prefers to go along with the program to keep the peace. Blue Jeans recognizes this and takes great care not to give up asking.

The right one will be happy with a give-and-take situation.

They Will Celebrate Your Wins

Praise never feels better than when it's coming from someone you care about. It says they see and appreciate you. Even small recognition for things like getting a promotion or simply having a good day carries great weight. Having someone notice is the icing on the cake.

Kate never played Jeopardy, but it's one of Blue Jean's favorite pastimes. He's happy about it when she beats him at his own game.

A healthy relationship is not a competition.

They Listen Without Getting Defensive

Open communication is the cornerstone of a healthy relationship. If something doesn't sit well with you, expressing your feelings is not just okay, it's essential. Remember, your emotions are valid, and a partner who truly cares will listen and understand, even if it's not what they want to hear.

After a strange evening where Kate accompanied Blue Jeans while he made his work rounds. She noticed he was hurried and distant. She suspected he was doing something illegal and wanted answers. So, she wanted to know the deal, and he came clean without getting defensive, making excuses, or lying.

It isn't easy in the early stages, but speaking up is important. Someone who cares wants to be truthful because, deep down, they can't keep up the act.

The Take Away

Start right, stay true to yourself, and always return the favor by making sure your new companion does the same.
Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot

Green Flag Relationshps

You've been warned to run when you see red flags in a potential relationship, but we rarely discuss the green flags. Green flags help you decide whether a potential partner is a good match and will treat you right.

Human beings are complicated. Unlike most animals, we can camouflage our dark sides through deception, manipulation, and gaslighting.

But there are signs that can bring a sense of relief by letting us know we can breathe easily around someone we don't know very well.

The Good Ones Respect Boundaries

Say your love interest wants you to attend a family gathering, and you think it's too soon.

First, if you feel comfortable saying, "I'm not sure I'm ready to meet your family," your heart has already spoken loudly and clearly, saying, "This one is okay."

When that person respects your boundaries, they will be fine with your decision, which might sound like, "Sure, maybe some other time."

That response raises two green flags: one, they heard and supported your decision, and two, they already see you as someone they want in their future. If you're game, there's your keeper.

They Remember Little Details About You

Who doesn't want to be happily surprised by someone they care about? When someone cares about you, they're listening and will let it be known in small and big ways to bring you happiness and a sense of being valued.

You might've mentioned that you like hiking, and they spontaneously say, "Let's go hiking this weekend." Or they may bring you to a sunflower farm because you said you liked sunflowers.

Even better, listen to them and return the favor. Listening and using those little details will strengthen your relationship.

You Feel Energized When You See Them

Endorphins (feel-good hormones) are high when you're happy.

Naturally, when you start a relationship, hormones will peak. So, it's difficult to distinguish between a new rush crush on a red flag or the cozy warmth of a green flag.

One way to figure it out is to process how you think about them when you're alone. Green flag feelings don't involve anxiety about what they're doing without you or worry that they won't call.

Early on, your thoughts and feelings should match the high you feel when you're with the right person or without them.

The book, Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot is almost a manual for red and green flag spotting. If you read it, post your findings here. But please read the trigger warnings first.

That's it for today, but there's more to come. So, stay tuned for the next post, where I discuss the nitty-gritty of green flags as the relationship progresses.

And don't forget the Goodreads Giveaway for Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot, where all the green flags fly high, is still on. Join my page for details and other blog posts.

The Hero's Journey Defined

"I'm not your hero. I'll be the guy in your shadow when you become the hero of your own story." Blue Jeans to Kate when she calls him her hero.

For Blue Jeans, everything is all about Kate. He may not know it, but he is the second hero of the novel Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot. Kate is the first, but she is also unaware of her bravery and true power.

So what is the hero's journey, and why don't heroes realize their status?

The hero's journey, is a concept defined by Joseph Campbell (my idol), as a universal myth that charts an individual's path from their awakening to their emergence as a hero. Its structure is the base for countless stories, including the one we're about to explore in Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot.

There are three steps to the journey:

First, the Call and Departure

This is when the hero is called to action. It could be a tragedy that has befallen their community or a personal issue, such as revenge for the death of a loved one. They know something must change but are still unsure how to begin. This uncertainty of being at a crossroads is something we've all experienced.

Every Disney story begins with the call, often in the form of the "I want" song. This is where the character expresses their desires and sets the stage for their journey. In the case of Kate and Blue Jeans, their desires for change and a fresh start mirror this classic storytelling trope.

Kate and Blue Jeans realize they are each stuck in a place that does not enable them to thrive or be authentic to themselves. They want a fresh start.

So, they leave their comfort zones to journey into the unknown together to find happiness. This is known as the departure.

The Initiation

Here, the hero learns to navigate strange new territory. They acquire knowledge and skills that will help them along the journey. Sometimes, they have a mentor, or they may have epiphanies. Sometimes, these skills are innate, but the hero is unaware they possess them.

If you've seen Frozen a million times, like I did, you know that Elsa left her home, let go, and learned to control and expand her powers. Initiation is simply empowerment.

Kate lost herself in marriage. Through her initiation, she reconnects with the person she used to be. On the other hand, Blue Jeans was denied a 'normal' life, which stunted his maturity. His initiation teaches him the skills to help him emerge as a man.

These transformations or evolution of character are at the heart of the hero's journey.

The Return

This is when the hero returns to familiar or stable ground. Here, they share and incorporate what they have learned into daily life. They give back, but it doesn't even need to be in a grand way.

Scarlet O'Hara is my favorite example of a female MC returning home. Even though the story ends with her only stating she will return to Tara, she realizes where her strength lies and that she possesses the resources to continue her life despite the traumatic past.

The same is true for Kate. She comes out knowing who she is and will never lose that woman again, under any circumstance. Meanwhile, the easygoing "golden retriever type" Blue Jeans has come to understand that his role as a man is to be supportive but not led blindly. But his selfless nature still allows him to stand back and let his greatest love step forward to shine.

I encourage everyone to read or watch Joseph Campbell's The Power of the Myth Not only will you begin reading and writing differently, but you'll also be compelled to explore your personal heroism.

Don't forget, there is still a Goodreads Giveaway for KBJSS. Join the race and follow me for updates. I'm running a second tee shirt giveaway for the first 5 reviews.

Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot

The Power of Myth

Giveaway Still Open!

Don't forget to enter the Book Giveaway! The package will contain a few surprises beyond the book and mug. You won't be disappointed.

I'm also having a second giveaway! The book is free on KU. I'm offering tee shirts with the Blue Jeans Logo custom in your size to the first 5 reviewers. One has already been taken! Pictured below.

Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot