Jessica L. Elliott's Blog, page 6

Nerissa's Visit

This past Monday was my first ever character chat and I think it's safe to say everyone had a great time. Nerissa sure did! And she's here with me again to fill in those questions she missed and reminded me to include the ones she got in case some of you missed seeing them. So without further ado, here she is!

Welcome to my blog Nerissa.
Thank you! I'm so very excited to be here.


So, we're going to recap the questions asked during the event first and then move on to some new questions, all right?
Fair enough.

(Julie)How do you travel between different bodies of water?
Well, the oceans are pretty easy to travel between. There aren't exactly fences or anything like that. But, in order to visit places that are more inland I have to find submerged caverns or tunnels from old lava flows. There's a lovely one that leads straight to King Lysander's garden lake. I visit that one a lot. Lorelei has the hardest time traveling as there's nothing for her to go through to reach Charming Academy. Poor dear has to be subjected to some very difficult fairy magic. Probably why she only comes back to visit every five years.

(Julie)When I'm in the water for any extended period of time my skin shrivels up. How do Mermaids keep from getting all pruney?
That sounds like a question my sister could answer. I'm not all that scientifically minded. But I do know that we have a certain chemical (is that the right word?) in our skin that keeps it smooth and beautiful. Of course, humans who have transformed into merpeople have a tough time of it for the first couple of weeks. Poor Gerald...
Ahem. *shakes head firmly* 
Oh drat. I think I "spoiled" something...

(Julie)I recently read this article about a Mermaid School. What do you think about Humans impersonating Mermaid?
Oh now that could be a lot of fun. I think humans impersonating mermaids is rather amusing personally. Just put on fins that look like a tail? There's really a lot more to being a mermaid than just swimming. But, that would be a fun way for humans to experience a little of our world. Of course, if there's a young man out there who wants to make a permanent switch, I could help him out.

(Peggy)Should a child tell someone if they run into a mermaid playing in the waves? ​
I suppose that depends on who they're going to tell. Mermaids tend to be a little on the shy side, we don't like too many people knowing where we're at. I suppose in part because some people are rather like sharks on land. But if a child saw me playing in the waves, I wouldn't mind so much if they told a person they trusted. To add to this from the last visit, if a child sees something or someone that makes them uncomfortable, they should always tell a trusted adult. Being safe is important for everyone.

(Brianna)So why do you have to take humans? Are there no mermen born?
Well, there are mermen born. I have six brothers, after all. But mermen are notoriously picky when it comes to choosing a mate. And humans tend to fall in love a little easier. That's what makes fairy stories so grand! And to be perfectly honest, mermaids tend to be a little flirtatious. Okay, maybe a lot flirtatious. There's something incredible about watching someone make the change from human to mermaid (or merman). You just don't hear very many stories about mermen taking humans. Although I do know...
Ahem. *shakes head again* 
*slaps water with tail* Is there anything I can say? Apparently that story is for another day. *pouts*

Which books can readers find you in?
Well, it should have been all of them. I'm very interesting.
And vain.
Of course, I'm a mermaid! Alas, I'm only in three of the books. Finding Prince Charming is the one I make my debut in and have an important role in the story. I also appear in The Ultimate Prince Charming and in Prince Charming's Quest. I've been told there will be a story written just for me, but I have to wait my turn. *pouts*

Do you have anything else you'd like to tell readers before you go?
Am I allowed to?
*glare*
*rolls eyes* So touchy. Most of the things I'd love to say are on the top-secret list, but I can say that Celesta is getting very excited for her story, Leaving Shenivarthol, to come out. Jessica has been working very hard on it and is hoping to release it in July following the release of To Keep a Star which should be end of June, early July if she can stay on schedule.

On that note, I think we'll say goodbye. Thanks for visiting with us, Nerissa. Will you be around to answer questions in the comments?
Certainly! Bye everyone! *splashes into the water*  For this weekend only (May 27 - May 30), Finding Prince Charming will be free on Smashwords. Get your copy today! If you enjoyed this character interview, comment below with which character you would like to chat with next!.

A Disappearing Clue (Chapter 12)

I've had so much craziness the last couple of weeks, so I am very sorry that I'm behind on the video readings. Now that school's out here, I should be able to get those up faster! Hopefully by the end of next week I'll be all caught up. Comment below to let me know what kind of bonus video you'd be most interested in watching. I can do an art talk, book talk, just about me talk, I'm pretty open. Also, don't forget to stop by Facebook Monday morning for a chance to chat with Nerissa! She'll be giving some insider views at what's going on in Sanalbereth and she's put together some fun little prizes for those who attend. Mom met me at the police station after I’d finished writing up my report for Sheriff Henley. “I’m so sorry, Blizzard, I should have been there to pick you up.” Tears filled her eyes and I hated the guilt I saw furrowing her brow. 
“Mom, I’ll be fine,” I said, trying to smile but failing. With a split lip and my eye swollen, it must have looked pretty bad.
She wrapped her arms around me, holding me like she’d never let go. “I’m so, so sorry. It’s always been safe. I should have been there.”
“Really, Mom, I’m going to be okay. The doctor says everything will heal fine. It looks worse than it is, really.”
“Miss Jannsen, I am going to need you to come back to testify should they go to court,” Sheriff Henley said, his face grim. “I would guess they’re going to try for a plea deal, using the information they have about Mr. McFinney to lessen their charges. In that case, there might not be much for you to do. But, if it goes to court are you willing to come in and testify?”
“Absolutely,” I said, my chin high. “I’m not scared of them.”
“You’re sure a ball of spitfire, Blizzard. I think that’s all I’ll need. You ladies have a nice evening.”
“Sheriff, those men, they’re going to be in jail for a long time, right?” Mom asked.
He sighed, “I don’t have a good answer for you, Mrs. Jannsen. All it would take is someone posting bail for them to be out. But, they won’t be allowed anywhere near your place and I personally will be monitoring your road for any threats. Go home, try to rest and get your girl feelin’ better. You should be proud of her. She knocked them just about as good as they did her. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go finish up with the other two witnesses.”
“They’re not going to be in trouble, are they?” I asked. “I mean, Josiah and Franky were trying to help me.”
“Sometimes, honey, the law is a complicated thing. Beatin’ people up, deserved or not, tends to be on the illegal side of things. They should be just fine though, seeing as they were defending you. In any case, they won’t be spending the night in jail if that’s what you’re worried about. Now you go on home and get some rest.” He tipped his hat and then walked away.
Mom walked with me out to the car, noticing every limp and wince. “Do you need any help?”
“Nope, I got it.”
The way Mom looked at me reminded me of the movie I’d seen in eighth grade about a woman giving birth. I’d always thought it was a myth that people counted all the fingers and toes on new babies. But it’s true. She sat there and counted those little fingers and toes, kissing them and cooing at her baby. Mom was looking like she wanted to count my fingers and toes just to make sure they were all still there. I wished there was something I could say to reassure her that I was going to be fine, but nothing came to mind. As we came up our driveway, I could see Scarlett pacing in front of the window. She saw the car and disappeared from sight, soon throwing the front door open and coming to help Mom get me inside.
“I’m not dying, for Heaven’s sakes!” I complained as the pair of them fussed over me.
“But you might have,” Mom cried and I suddenly wished I’d kept my mouth shut. “Blizzard, I don’t know what I’d do without you here.”
“Mom, I don’t know how to help you realize this, but I really am okay. I hurt everywhere, I’m tired and I feel half-starved. But I’m okay.” I took Mom’s hand. “Really.”
She wiped at her tears and nodded. “I know, baby girl. But, I don’t think I’ve been so scared in my life as when we got the call.”
My stomach growled loudly and Scarlett chuckled. “Well, that’s something we can take care of right away. I kept dinner warm waiting for you. Potato soup and fresh salad. I’m afraid the pumpkin pie ended up a little burnt though. Mom rushed away just as the timer went off and I was in such a daze I didn’t take it out until it was far darker than it’s supposed to be.”
“I’m sure it will taste fine anyway,” I smiled.
That night, once Mom and Scarlett were finally convinced I was okay, I crawled into bed. The details of the attack played over and over in my head. I was supposed to be a message for Josiah, but it didn’t really make sense. If they’d wanted to deliver a message of that sort to him, why me? Why not corner Scarlett? Not that it was easy to do and maybe that was the real reason. Maybe Scarlett had been the one they wanted but since she so rarely leaves the ranch, I became an easy target. The other question nagging me was why not just beat up one of Josiah’s hands? Someone at the ranch would be missed if they couldn’t work due to injuries. It would create more work on the others, making it more likely that Josiah and his father would be forced to sell. If they were trying to destroy Josiah’s business, that would be the best tactic. Unless they weren’t interested in the ranch and were just trying to inflict as much pain as possible. Which brought me back to Scarlett. 
My thoughts continued to jumble themselves into a confusing mess. I finally succumbed to sleep as a dimpled smile and brilliant green eyes rose in my memory.

The next few days were challenging. My wrist had been broken and while it was a relatively minor break, all things considered, it made doing my chores difficult. Josiah started coming back to Starwood regularly to help out. I knew no one had asked him to and his visits were fairly short. He would check on me and say hi to Cogburn, then walk out to the barn to take care of the horses. I saw him with Scarlett a few times. While part of me wanted to listen in when they sat out on the patio together, the other part decided maybe they needed a little space to work out their feelings. Mom caught me watching them from the window and she smiled. “Looks like things are going well for them, doesn’t it?”
“Do you think maybe Scarlett will stay, if they decide to get married or something?”
Mom frowned. “I don’t know, Blizz. I suppose she might. Then again, I don’t think I’d want her to.”
“What?”
“Well, Scarlett has dreams of her own. It took a lot of gumption for her to decide to chase them. I don’t want her to give that up. And from the last time I talked to Teddy, the Double Rocking B isn’t going to be theirs for much longer anyway.”
“They did decide to sell it then?” I asked as I watched Josiah and Scarlett walk towards the barn.
She nodded. “It was a hard decision, but with Teddy’s health the way it is I think it’s for the best. Josiah talked to me yesterday about working for us full-time.”
I couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled up. 
“What’s so funny?”
“I just think it’s a little ironic that after all the help they gave us so we could keep Starwood, now he’s going to be working for us. I wish it didn’t have to be that way. I can’t imagine life without the B.”
“Oh it will still be there. I guess a bunch of Josiah’s hands are coming together to purchase the ranch. Franky was at the front of the pack, from what I’ve heard.” Mom glanced over at me. “He’s a good young man, isn’t he?”
“Don’t you start too,” I said, my expression sour. “Aren’t you supposed to remind me that I’m still too young to be worried about boys?”
She laughed. “I suppose I could, but it wouldn’t be very fair of me. I fell in love with your dad at a young age. Not that you should start making any plans, but don’t cut yourself off from him either. He’s a good friend to have.”
Scarlett interrupted us by bursting through the door. “You’re not going to believe this,” she said, her face white.
“What is it?”
“I think I found something in the barn that will help Sheriff Henley with his investigation.”
“Wait, in our barn?” Mom asked, horror on her face.
“Yes, back by the shower stalls I found a gas can. It struck me as odd since we never store gas in the barn and I went to take a closer look. Guess whose name was on it?”
“John McFinney?” I asked.
“Bingo. I asked Shorty if he recognized it at all and he told me he’d never seen it before. I’m going to call Sheriff Henley and have him come get it.”
“Why would that have been in our barn?” Mom said slowly, voicing the question screaming in my mind.
“I’m not sure. I can only think that he must have brought it here to keep it out of sight after he set the B on fire. I told Shorty not to touch it though, because it is definitely evidence that something was going on and will give them reason to question McFinney, right?”
“It’s certainly suspicious as he doesn’t work for us, but it’s still rather unusual. I can’t imagine why it would be here and I’m not sure Sheriff Henley will be able to pin anything on him based on a gas can in our barn. Think of the other implication.”
“What?” Scarlett asked.
“It being here could lead to suspicion here,” I said. “Think about it. Everyone knows McFinney isn’t on our staff. It would be easy to argue that someone wrote his name on it in order to throw blame off the real culprit.”
“You think one of our men could be responsible for this?” Scarlett snapped.
“No,” Mom replied, “but Blizzard is right. It looks suspicious. Especially since this is just now showing up. Why wouldn't it have been seen sooner? I realize we don't use the shower stall often during the winter, but I've been in that area of the barn and never seen anything. Call Sheriff Henley, but don’t tell him exactly what is going on. I’d rather be able to discuss this with him face-to-face.” 
When he arrived, Mom and Scarlett took him out to the barn. I followed behind, taking the puppies with me since they needed a potty break anyway. Then I heard Scarlett’s shrill voice. “I don’t understand, I swear I left it right here.”
I walked in, the puppies playing in front of the stalls. “Scarlett, are you sure it was here?” Mom asked.
“I’m positive. Ask Shorty, he’ll tell you.”
“Where is he?” Sheriff asked.
As though he’d heard us talking about him, Shorty came in holding the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, Miss Scarlett, I don’t know who done it, but I left that can there like you said. I heard someone messing around and I came to see what was going on. Then someone clobbered me from behind. I didn’t see no one.”
Sheriff Henley frowned. “I’m going to need you to come to the station to make an official report, Shorty. Can you manage?”
“I can be there this evening, it that’s all right. I got chores to finish up and my head aches somethin’ awful.”
“We’ll take care of it, Shorty,” Mom said. “You go on down and make that report. We don’t need anyone else getting hurt. Sheriff, before you go, can I speak with you a minute?”
“Certainly, Mrs. Jannsen.”
I followed around silently and listened to them speak. “Sheriff, you guaranteed me no one would come near the ranch.”
“I did and I can tell you right now, Tabitha, somethin’ doesn’t add up. There hasn’t been a soul on the road today except me.”
“Does that mean what I think it does?”
“I’m afraid so, darlin’. If someone attacked Shorty, it was someone already on the ranch.”
I felt the blood drain from my face as the words sank into my mind. Someone already on the ranch. Starwood wasn’t as safe as we’d thought it was. What's Next? Scarlett and Blizzard need some light-hearted fun to take their minds off everything going on. What should they do? * Mom plans a surprise trip to visit TeddyJosiah surprises them with an at home dinner theatreTeddy is allowed to come home and they celebrate with a partyThe Jannsen girls enjoy a spa day in Jackson Submit

Author Interview - Annie Douglass Lima

Hi Readers! It's been a long time since I did an author interview. My friend Annie is releasing her second book in a series with a fun giveaway. Let's get to know a little more about her and her books. Give her a warm welcome and feel free to ask questions in the comment or visit her at the social media links below. Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Southern California but raised mostly in Kenya. After college (in Southern California), I spent a year teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Indonesia, which was an incredible experience. Shortly after returning to the States, I married my husband Floyd, and the two of us lived in California for several years. Eventually all the pieces fell into place for us to move overseas together, and now we’re serving at Morrison Academy, an international school in Taiwan. I’ve been teaching fifth grade here for nearly nine years now, and I love it!

How fun! What inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can recall. When I was seven years old, I had a sudden inspiration for what I thought was an amazing story and decided then and there that I was going to write a book and be the world's youngest author. I ran to my room in great excitement, found an old notebook and a pencil, and started in. Well, that first novel was never actually finished, let alone published, but it got me started. After that, I can't remember a time that I wasn't working on at least one book.

Seems many of us get started young. When you're not writing, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy reading (especially fantasy and science fiction) and scrapbooking. Hiking and other outdoor adventures are high on my list, as well as travel (especially internationally).

I love being outdoors. Who is your favorite author?
I have several, but if I had to pick just one, it would probably be Anne Elisabeth Stengl, author of the Tales of Goldstone Wood. I love the way some of the books in her series take place in overlapping time periods, from the perspectives of different characters. I did something similar in my Annals of Alasia fantasy series.

Tell us about the books you write.
I have a fantasy series called the Annals of Alasia. There are three main books in it so far, but each of them can stand on its own. Each book deals with events surrounding the same major political incident: the invasion of the kingdom of Alasia by the neighboring kingdom of Malorn. Prince of Alasia begins on the night of the Invasion and describes what happens to twelve-year-old Prince Jaymin after he is forced to flee for his life. In the Enemy’s Service features a girl as the protagonist and tells the story of those who were not able to escape from the Alasian palace when the enemy invaded. Prince of Malorn begins several months earlier and focuses on the Malornian perspective of the events leading up to the Invasion. In each of the books, main characters from the others make brief appearances and interact with each other at the point where the timeframes and settings overlap. I also have a short ebook of “interviews” that I conducted with the characters in the other three books. Annals of Alasia: The Collected Interviews is not available on Amazon, but I send a free copy to anyone who signs up for my mailing list (to receive updates once or twice a year when I release new books).
In addition, I have a young adult action and adventure series (with just two books in it so far), called the Krillonian Chronicles. They take place in an alternate world that’s very much like our own. Although most aspects of the culture are just about what they are currently on Earth, a few sports are different, such as the martial art known as cavvara shil. The main difference, however, is that slavery is legal there.

What a fun concept! Where can readers go to learn more about you and your books?
Readers are welcome to visit my blog, my Goodreads author page, or my author page on Amazon.

Congrats on your new release! This is the second book in a series. Can you tell us a little about both of the books and the world they’re set in?
Sure! The Gladiator and the Guard is the second book in the Krillonian Chronicles, the first one being The Collar and the Cavvarach.
The Krillonian Empire rules much of the world. An emperor governs from the capital city, Krillonia, on the continent known as Imperia. Eight separate provinces (originally independent nations before they were conquered) can be found on nearby continents.
The prevalence of slavery is probably what would stand out the most to visitors from Earth. There are nearly as many slaves in the city of Jarreon, where both books take place, as free people, and they are easily identified by the steel collars they are required to wear locked around their necks. From each collar hangs a tag inscribed with the slave’s name, their owner’s name, and a copy of their owner’s signature. On the back of the tag is their owner’s phone number and a bar code that can be scanned to access additional information.
To read more about the culture of the Krillonian Empire, take a look at this post on my blog.
Here’s the back-cover blurb for The Collar and the Cavvarach :
Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is desperate to see his little sister freed. But only victory in the Krillonian Empire's most prestigious tournament will allow him to secretly arrange for Ellie's escape. Dangerous people are closing in on her, however, and Bensin is running out of time. With his one hope fading quickly away, how can Bensin save Ellie from a life of slavery and abuse?
And the blurb for The Gladiator and the Guard :
Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is just one victory away from freedom. But after he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he is condemned to the violent life and early death of a gladiator. While his loved ones seek desperately for a way to rescue him, Bensin struggles to stay alive and forge an identity in an environment designed to strip it from him. When he infuriates the authorities with his choices, he knows he is running out of time. Can he stand against the cruelty of the arena system and seize his freedom before that system crushes him?

Sounds like quite the adventure! What was your inspiration for this story?
I’ve had the idea growing in my mind for the last few years. It started as just a picture of the setting and its culture: a world almost exactly like ours, but with legalized slavery. The main characters, Bensin and Steene (his owner and coach) emerged gradually, along with the plot (Bensin’s struggle to protect and free his younger sister, and then later his struggle to survive as a gladiator).

Which of your characters was your favorite to write? (We won't tell the others.)
I always enjoy it when characters step forward and decide they want a different role than the one I’ve planned for them. For example, a City Watch officer (the equivalent of a police officer) named Kalgan Shigo ended up playing a much bigger part in both books than I had anticipated. While still a minor character, he is a more important one than he was originally supposed to be, and he plays a different – and much needed – role in Bensin’s life. I loved watching him take charge and step into the position he wanted!

I love those minor characters. What was your favorite scene to write?
That’s probably the final scene of the book. I can’t say anything about what happens in it without giving away major spoilers, but I will tell you that the original version was very different than the current one. I was never completely satisfied with it – I knew how I wanted the book to end, but I couldn’t find a logistical way to make it work. Finally I figured out what I could do, and I redid the ending to totally change things. I’m much happier with the new version!

I understand you're doing a giveaway with this release. What can you tell us about it?
Readers can enter to win an Amazon gift card or one of three digital copies of The Collar and the Cavvarach.

Where can readers go to order your book?
All my books are available through my author page on Amazon. In addition, The Gladiator and the Guard can be purchased in Kindle format at http://smarturl.it/gladiatorguard or in other digital formats at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/628699

Thank you for joining us today! Good luck with your release.
Thank you very much! It’s a pleasure to visit your blog.

Excerpt:
“This is scary.” Ellie clutched Steene’s hand with one of hers and Bunny with the other. “I wish we knew when it would be Bensin’s turn so we wouldn’t have to watch everyone else.”
“Yeah, me too.” Though Boris had alerted them that Bensin was scheduled to fight today, he hadn’t been able to tell them where in the program Bensin would come. Now Steene understood why.
And speaking of Boris, there he was, whip in hand, standing out on the sand with another guard. They were keeping an eye on the action through their face masks from a safe distance away, backing even further away whenever the fighting started to move in their direction.
Steene picked up the remote control with his free hand, thumb poised over the power button so he could turn the TV off if it looked as though anyone were about to die a bloody death. Bensin wasn’t out there yet, but he didn’t want Ellie to have to see anyone else expire on the sand either.
If it hadn’t been for the very real risk of injury and death, this would have been an interesting battle to watch. The martial artist in him found it fascinating to see the different styles of combat pitted against each other and to try to predict which warrior would emerge victorious. Some of the fighters were fairly evenly matched, some far from it. But things were made more interesting by the fact that it wasn’t one-on-one combat. Even now, the guy with the spear knocked his opponent’s scimitar out of his hands and then turned to aim a jab at a man wielding double daggers.
Already they had seen blood flow. One guy from Red Arena had gone limping back to the Cave. One guy from Yellow Arena had fallen after a hard blow to the head. A close-up of his face suggested that he was alive but barely conscious. No one came running out with a stretcher, though. That would probably have to wait until the whole event was over. Steene hoped the man would still be alive by then.
“Bensin will be okay,” he assured Ellie. “Most of those other weapons aren’t as long as a cavvarach. No one will be able to get close enough to hurt him.”
“That spear is longer.”
“Yes, but Bensin will have his shil. He’ll be fine.” I hope. From Annie:
I'm excited to announce that my young adult action and adventure novel,  The Gladiator and the Guard , is now available for purchase! This is the second book in the Krillonian Chronicles, sequel to  The Collar and the Cavvarach . 
First Things First: a Little Information about Book 1: 
Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is desperate to see his little sister freed. But only victory in the Krillonian Empire's most prestigious tournament will allow him to secretly arrange for Ellie's escape. Dangerous people are closing in on her, however, and Bensin is running out of time.  With his one hope fading quickly away, how can Bensin save Ellie from a life of slavery and abuse?


What is the Collar for, and What is a Cavvarach?
The story is set in a world very much like our own, with just a few major differences.  One is that slavery is legal there.  Slaves must wear metal collars that lock around their neck, making their enslaved status obvious to everyone.  Any slave attempting to escape faces the dilemma of how and where to illegally get their collar removed (a crime punishable by enslavement for the remover).  
Another difference is the popularity of a martial art called cavvara shil.  It is fought with a cavvarach (rhymes with "have a rack"), a weapon similar to a sword but with a steel hook protruding from partway down its top edge.  Competitors can strike at each other with their feet as well as with the blades.  You win in one of two ways: disarming your opponent (hooking or knocking their cavvarach out of their hands) or pinning their shoulders to the mat for five seconds.
Click here to order  The Collar and the Cavvarach  from Amazon  
for $2.99 a discounted price of just 99 cents through April 28th!
And now,  The Gladiator and the Guard , with another awesome cover by the talented  Jack Lin !
Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is just one victory away from freedom. But after he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he is condemned to the violent life and early death of a gladiator. While his loved ones seek desperately for a way to rescue him, Bensin struggles to stay alive and forge an identity in an environment designed to strip it from him. When he infuriates the authorities with his choices, he knows he is running out of time. Can he stand against the cruelty of the arena system and seize his freedom before that system crushes him?
Click here to order  The Gladiator and the Guard  in Kindle format  from Amazon 
for $2.99 a discounted price of just 99 cents through May 30th!
Click here to order  The Gladiator and the Guard  from Smashwords (for Nook or in other digital formats)  for $2.99 a discounted price of just 99 cents through May 30th!

Annie Douglass Lima spent most of her childhood in Kenya and later graduated from Biola University in Southern California. She and her husband Floyd currently live in Taiwan, where she teaches fifth grade at Morrison Academy. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since her childhood, and to date has published twelve books (two YA action and adventure novels, four fantasies, a puppet script, and five anthologies of her students’ poetry). Besides writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), scrapbooking, and international travel.

Connect with the Author Online:
Email: AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com
Blog:  http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AnnieDouglassLimaAuthor
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/princeofalasia
Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnGoodreads
Amazon Author Page:  http://bit.ly/AnnieDouglassLimaOnAmazon
Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AnnieDouglassLima
LinkedIn:  http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnLinkedIn
Google Plus:  http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnGooglePlus
Now, enter to win an Amazon gift card or a free digital copy of The Collar and the Cavvarach! Rafflecopter Giveaway

Mother's Day Cookies?

Princess Aurora ornament It doesn't usually take long for the men in a woman's life to figure out how to get on her good side. My Prince Charming learned early in our relationship that there are three surefire ways to win my heart:
1. Flowers
2. Chocolate (or Starbursts)
3. Anything Sleeping Beauty related, bonus points if you manage to find Aurora in the blue dress.
So when he was taking advantage of my absence to do some Mother's Day shopping and found this ornament, he knew it was the perfect choice. 

The only problem with his plan is that our Amazon account is attached to my email address. So he had to text me to warn me not to open any emails from Amazon. But you know, and I hope someone from Amazon is reading this, Amazon is really bad at keeping secrets. Unlike many companies which simply email you to let you know "Your order has shipped",  Amazon feels the need to remind you precisely what you ordered. In the email heading. So even though I dutifully did not read the actual emails. It was hard to miss the, "Your order has shipped: Authentic Sleeping Beauty...". Lucky for Amazon, the titles of the things Jonathan ordered (one is being saved for my birthday and I seriously might die of curiosity between now and then!) were too long for me to see all of them. But I did know one thing: my sweetheart was going to play into my obsession. Cards from my older two children But he wasn't the only one determined to make my day special. My children had some surprises up their sleeves too. Admittedly, they were helped by their Primary leaders. While I led the music for half of the children, my oldest announced quite loudly, "Mommy, I drew you a turtle with five heads on the back of my card, you see? And look, this turtle has a mustache!"

It was amusing and after a very long and stressful weekend, I appreciated his levity.

But I wasn't prepared for the second part of my surprise. While I was taking an afternoon nap, much needed after everything I'd had going on, my children decided to make cookies. By themselves.  If you're wondering why Daddy didn't help them, he wasn't told what they were doing and was busy working on projects of his own. I woke up and while my husband talked to his mother on the phone, my children came with their creations. "Look Mommy, we made you special Mother's Day cookies!"

Onto my lap were dumped dozens of pieces of bread, cut out into various shapes and sizes. An entire loaf-worth of bread had been squished, mutilated and torn. It would have been easy to get mad, to remind them that food is not to be wasted. But there were my two older children, beaming with pride. My heart melted a little bit. They weren't trying to waste food, though undoubtedly there were several pieces of bread that ended up discarded. They were trying to do something special for me. In their own sweet little way, they were trying to do for me something I often did for them.  I ate one of the "cookies" and said, "These are good, but you know what might make them even better?"

"What?"

"Let's put a little butter on them and drizzle some honey. Then we'll bake them in the oven for a while. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Thrilled beyond belief, they brought me butter and honey and we got to work. I couldn't stop smiling. Mother's Day hadn't quite gone the way I'd expected it. My children had stood on the stage at church and cried (my daughter loudly) while the rest of the children sang their Mother's Day song. Chores which had been neglected during my weekend Facebook event glared at me as though to question my skills as a wife and mother. I was sore and tired and stiff from too many hours trying to get Facebook to cooperate for the poor authors (including me) trying to present at our party. But even with all the things going "wrong," my children and my husband had done what they could to make it a good day for me. And you know something, those Mother's Day Cookies were the best cookies I've ever had.

So, in case you missed seeing it yesterday, Almost a Fairy Tale is available for free on Smashwords through tomorrow. 

Cornered (Chapter 11)

All caught up! At least on writing Scarlett and Blizzard. This weekend I'll work on getting the video readings caught up too. Did you know today and tomorrow I'll be part of a fantasy giveaway party on Facebook? Be sure to come! There will be lots of fun prizes, games and adventure to be had by all. See you there! ​School was back in session by the time I spoke to Scarlett again. I couldn’t believe she’d gone behind our backs to find a way to leave Starwood. I was especially hurt that she’d left me out of the picture entirely. When I got home one afternoon, Josiah was standing on the patio with Franky. They were talking in hushed tones and when he saw me, Franky called out, “Hey, cowgirl. How’s school?”
“Meh.” I kept walking. I just wasn’t in the mood for chatting or anything else.
“What, no hello?”
“Drop it, Frank,” Josiah warned.
I turned with as icy a glare as I could muster. “Hello.” I let the door slam behind me. 
I heard Franky whistle. “Dang, she’s mad. But yeah, I got it worked out with my landlord. You can stay for a while, but do you really think it will help?”
As curious as I was, I quit listening and headed straight for my room. If Josiah was going to be leaving Starwood, I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, things with Scarlett would doubtlessly become less tense. But on the other hand, I’d gotten used to him being there. It was like having a brother for the first time in my life. A big, goofy brother who would do my chores so I could sleep an extra ten minutes. Okay, so maybe he was really doing them to impress my bone-headed sister, but can you blame a girl for dreaming? It’s not every day you get someone who will muck out stalls without complaining.
Anyway, I tossed my backpack on the floor and sat down at my desk. After turning on my computer I started digging books out of my bag. I had a ton of homework to do. Within a few moments, Mom came upstairs. “Sweetie, are you okay?”
Tears I’d been stubbornly clinging to threatened to spill over my eyes. “I’m fine. I just want to be left alone.”
“Look, I know you’re upset about Scarlett’s pronouncement…”
“Why didn’t she talk to us?” I shouted. “Why didn’t she have the common decency to let us know she was unhappy? Or tell us she was thinking about leaving? She didn’t think of anyone but herself and it’s not fair.”
“You’re right,” Mom said calmly.
I gaped at her. I’d expected a rebuttal, not an agreement. My eyes narrowed. “And you’re okay with that? She’s just leaving us, Mom. She’s leavin’ us with the ranch and havin’ to figure everything out on our own.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time I was left to run a ranch by myself, sugar,” Mom replied, a mist of tears blurring her blue eyes. “I can manage it again. And we’re not totally helpless without her. We’ve got a great team here at Starwood.”
“It ain’t the same, and you know it.”
“Isn’t.”
I growled and threw my hands in the air. “Are you seriously more concerned about my grammar than the fact that we’re being abandoned again?”
“That’s what this stems back to, isn’t it?”
I couldn’t hold them back anymore. The tears flowed and I flopped on my bed. “It just isn’t fair. First Daddy and now Scarlett. Everyone leaves me. What did I do wrong?”
Mom sat next to me on the bed, her soothing hand running over my messy tangle of curls. “Baby girl, Scarlett isn’t leaving us forever. And you haven’t done anything wrong. Right now she’s upset and hurting in a different way than you are. Honestly, I’m surprised it’s taken her this long to want out. Scarlett’s always been my restless girl. She wants to be out in the world, chasing her dreams. And that’s how it should be. I always knew the day would come when she would leave Starwood. I just hoped it would be under happier circumstances.”
“What are we going to do without her?”
“Same thing we did with her. Run Starwood, go to school, live life and learn. But tears and tantrums aren’t going to keep her here. Perhaps it would be good for everyone if Scarlett went back to school.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because I know my daughters, Blizz. Come on now, dry those tears and let’s take the puppies for a walk. Mclintock’s got his energy back and I’m not sure I can handle all three pups on my own.”
A smile teased the corner of my mouth and I wiped the tears from my face. “I bet you could, but I’ll come with you anyway.”
As we walked around the house with the puppies, I tried to forget about Scarlett. Instead I focused on the snow-covered pastures. I could see our horses pulling what graze could be found and standing around a hay bale. Chickens strutted through the yard. The puppies, having finished with leash-time, were wrestling in the yard and chasing each other. It was soothing to see that at least some things had remained unchanged. I glanced toward the road and noticed the rattler wasn’t anywhere to be seen. In fact, I couldn’t remember having seen the car in a few days. Maybe he’d finally given up.
I should have known it wouldn’t be that simple.

A few days later, I was walking back to the house from the bus stop. When the weather was clear and beautiful, our bus driver would often just drive me straight to Starwood. But with the snow starting to melt and the threat of sleet and more snow, the school assigned mud routes which basically meant I’d get dropped off at the end of our road. I didn’t mind though. It was only a couple miles’ walk anyway and I needed the quiet to sort my feelings. My boots crunched in the snow and I tightened my scarf. The cold Wyoming wind bit my skin and tousled my hair, making it even messier than normal. Under the flurry of thoughts chasing themselves around in my head, I trudged home. I heard the sound of a car engine coughing behind me. When the car didn’t go around, but slowed down, I stopped to see who was on our road. The driver swerved and in a panic I leapt to the side, forgetting about the ditch along the side of the road. I landed in a heap, my ankle twisting under me. I struggled to get back to my feet as three men got out of the car. 
“Well, what have we here?” I recognized the speaker as the man Josiah had identified as John McFinney. He was short and thin with a pointy face. It was like seeing one of Santa’s elves, only with an evil smirk instead of a cute grin. “What’s your name?”
“Like I’m really stupid enough to tell you that,” I snapped, hoping he wouldn’t catch the quiver in my voice.
The men laughed and I found myself backed into a fence. “I don’t suppose you are, but it don’t matter. I know who you are, Blizzard Jannsen, and your pretty sister too.”
An icy finger of fear traced up my spine. “What do you want?”
“Scared?” John sneered.
“Of a measly shrimp like you?”
Apparently, little man syndrome is a real thing because John scowled at me and I swear I saw sparks in his eyes. “Who you callin’ a shrimp?”
Hoping I could get him distracted enough to make a break for it, I said, “I’m just sayin’ it like I see it. You’re not exactly built like a bear.”
“So, you think your pal the Bear can save you from me?” he asked. He was close enough I could feel his breath on my face. I cringed as he took one of my curls in his hand and tweaked it. “I have a message for Mr. Meddleton and you’re going to deliver it for me.”
“Do I look like a mailman to you?”
John grinned again, a malicious smile that took the warmth from me. “Don’t worry, honey, this ain’t the kind of message you can forget.” He turned to the thugs next to him. “Don’t do nothing you can get arrested for.”
As John walked away the other men closed in on me. “Hey, you do know assault and battery is a crime, right?”
“Only if you get caught,” the bigger one retorted with a smirk.
Right, because that totally makes it okay. My mind was racing as I tried to think of an escape. Maybe I could force my way between them. I could probably outrun them. I hoped. As the smaller one swiped at me, I jabbed an elbow in his side and started to run, but I didn’t get far. The other tackled me to the ground. I screamed. A blow to my stomach knocked the wind from me and I struggled to regain my breath. “Help!” I cried as they tore at my winter coat, down feathers scattering over the snow. I kicked and hit, but knew I was no match for them. They knocked me around between them. Pain racked through me and I prayed desperately that someone, anyone, would come to my rescue. Spots swam before my eyes and I felt myself slipping out of consciousness. “Someone please help!”
“There ain’t nobody around to help you now, missy.”
“Wanna bet?” 
I vaguely recognized the new voice talking and heard the sound of someone fighting off my assailants as a strong pair of arms wrapped themselves around me and pulled me out of the fray. I heard the coughing car engine sputter and roar as John drove off. “He’s getting away!” I moaned.
“Don’t you worry about him, Sheriff Henley should be here soon enough. We got his license plate number. We’ll catch that…”
I ignored the last word as I looked up and saw who was holding me. “Franky?”
He grinned, the merest hint of a dimple appearing in his left cheek. “Well, at least they didn’t knock the memory out of you. Come on, cowgirl, let’s get you in the truck and warmed up.”
“Who’s fighting out there?”
“Josiah has it well in hand. Quit worryin’.” He opened the door to Josiah’s truck and set me inside. The warmth of the cab surrounded me. “Now then, where are you hurt?”
“Everywhere,” I replied.
“Did they?” Franky blushed.
I shook my head. “No, they were told not to do anything they could get arrested for.”
Franky snorted derisively. “Assault and battery is a crime too.”
I grinned and winced as my lip split. “That’s what I said.”
“Well, let’s get you cleaned up. Your poor mother is going to have a heart attack when she sees you.”
“It wouldn’t be my mom you’d have to worry about,” I replied remembering our recent visit from Grandma.
Sirens blared in the distance and Franky turned his attention to me. “Let’s start getting you cleaned up. I gotta hand it to you, you did a fair amount of damage on those two yourself.”
“Really? I didn’t think I was making any difference.”
“Happens when you’re outmatched. But they’re gonna have bumps and bruises of their own. And that was before we showed up.” He held my chin gently as he wiped away the blood trickling from my lip. His eyes stayed focused on my injuries, but I couldn’t seem to focus my mind on anything. I tried to tell myself it was because I’d just had the crud beat out of me, but the more honest part of me knew it had a little to do with the handsome cowboy taking care of me. Concern darkened his eyes to a stunning shade of emerald. His work-roughened hands were gentle and warm. But I mentally shook my head. Franky was too old for me and wouldn’t be interested in a little country girl like me anyhow. What's Next? They can't catch the bad guy quite yet. What's going to happen next? * McFinney better lie low. Josiah and Scarlett ought to have a heart-to-heart.The thugs who beat Blizzard need to go to trial.Scarlett discovers evidence that maybe McFinney is only a small part of the problem. Most of you voted for a short story/novella of a Charming Academy character. Who should it be? * Nerissa (Finding Prince Charming)Wyn (Becoming Prince Charming)Rosetta (The Ultimate Prince Charming) Submit

Scarlett's Bombshell (Chapter 10)

Readers, I owe you so big! This is way later than I had wanted to get it up and I am so grateful for your patience with me. I've been absent from Facebook, from Twitter, from here, and I definitely owe you guys for being out of it so long. So, instead of this chapter's poll being about the next chapter (because it's due in two days), this poll is going to be asking you how I can make up being gone for so long. Pick as many of the options as you like and be sure to watch my Facebook over the next couple of days for ways you can take part in the next chapter. Much love to you, readers! ​We had barely gotten in the house from our trip to the Double Rocking B when Scarlett cornered Josiah. “Why is there someone stalking our road?”
Grandma sucked in a gulp of air and Mom pushed her to the kitchen. “I think the three of you can handle this discussion on your own. Mom, why don’t you help me make some chicken noodle soup? I’m sure that would be just the thing to make Josiah feel better.”
Once they were gone, Josiah glared at Scarlett. “Really know how to make a grand entrance don’t you?”
“You’ve known about this for a while, haven’t you?” she accused.
“What makes you say that?”
“Why else would Franky have told us to warn you about a rattler?” I asked. “It’s far too cold for snakes to be a problem this time of year. And after a look at the junk heap that guy drives, rattler is a fitting pseudonym. Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
“Because I’m an adult, dagnabit,” Josiah snapped before rising from the couch. “I would never forgive myself if something happened to you or to Starwood. It’s bad enough Dad and I are having to have serious talks of selling the B.” His voice caught and I could see the emotion swirling in his brown eyes. “Do you think I want you ladies to have that conversation?”
“So you thought keeping that information to yourself would protect us?” Scarlett demanded, her arms crossed over her chest.
“I’m not an idiot, Scarlett, much as you seem to think I am,” Josiah retorted. “I told the sheriff and I’ve had Franky and Shorty taking turns watching out for him. We can’t prove he’s done anything beyond just drive up and down the road. But I’m not going to let him hurt you girls.”
“We can fend for ourselves,” Scarlett countered.
Josiah laughed and then fell back on the couch in a coughing fit.When he could breathe again he said, “You have no idea what this guy is capable of. He’d chew you up and spit you out faster than you could blink.”
“Then I suggest, Mr. Meddleton, that you start giving us a real clear picture of what we have going on here.”
“Who is that guy?” I asked.
Sighing, Josiah ran a nervous hand through his already tousled hair. “His name is John McFinney. He used to run a tack store in Oregon.”
“Used to?” Scarlett pried.
“Just after I went back to the rodeo, you know after my accident?” Scarlett nodded and he continued, “John approached me about accepting a sponsorship from him. He was tired of being just a local business and thought he was ready to go wider. I told him I wasn’t comfortable accepting a sponsorship from a company I didn’t know much about. At first he was understanding and agreed to give me some samples of his work. He was convinced if I used the products, I would be happy to accept the sponsorship.”
“But you didn’t.”
He shook his head. “The quality was terrible. Halters fell apart after only a few uses, reins snapped. I asked around and he didn’t have a lot of repeat customers. Everyone seemed to believe the price was too high for the quality. A few people related accidents caused by defective equipment. I told him I wouldn’t accept the sponsorship of a company I couldn’t support. He promised to improve things if I took the sponsorship, but I refused. I didn’t trust him to make good on his word. I made it clear things would have to improve first. It wasn’t just his company that would be affected. My career would be as well. If people were going to look to me for products they should get, I wanted those products to be ones I could proudly use myself. Just last year his company went bankrupt and he blames me for his failure.”
“Could he be the one causing your ranch trouble?”
Josiah sighed and ran a hand through his hair again. “It doesn’t appear that he is. Sheriff has already investigated and as far as we can tell, he has a solid alibi. While it’s possible he hired someone to do it for him, there’s no proof of that.”
“But why would he be stalking the road if he’s not involved?”
“I don’t have an answer for you, Lettie. I’ve been trying to figure that out myself. Something tells me he’s involved in what’s going on, but I haven’t been able speak to him since the rodeo in July.”
“He is the man you were arguing with.”
“Yes. He came to demand restitution for his company’s failings. Since I had no contract with him, I legally have no responsibility for what happened. He doesn’t have a leg to stand on, but it hasn’t stopped him from blaming me and sending some threatening letters. And before you ask, yes, I’ve already shown them to Sheriff Henley.”
“Maybe we can help you find out how he’s involved,” I said.
“No!”
“Well, you’re not having any luck yourself,” Scarlett pointed out. “Blizz and I can help you.”
“You don’t get it, do you?” Josiah scowled at us. “Whoever is responsible for this is willing to see people hurt or killed to get what he wants. If McFinney is involved, you girls would be next on his target list. I’m not going to have you on my conscience.”
“I hate to break it to you, but you living here pretty much already puts us on that list.”
Josiah stood and took Scarlett by the arms. “Do you think I haven’t already thought of that? If there was anywhere else for me to go, I would do it in a heartbeat to keep you safe.”
“Quit worrying so much about me. I’m a big girl. I can hold my own.”

The next few days were fairly quiet. We didn’t discuss matters again. In part, Josiah got sick enough that he totally lost his voice. The other problem was the puppies took up a lot of our time. House-training one pup is tough, but three? I thought many times as I cleaned up messes that I should have just gotten Mom a new halter or something for her horse. But I have to admit it, those three rascals got themselves all sorts of wrapped up in our heartstrings. They each had different personalities too. Mclintock had taken it upon himself to be Mom’s personal guard dog. You rarely saw her without him at her side. Rooster had immediately become his deputy. The two were inseparable. If someone came to the door, Rooster would bark and bark until he heard Mclintock stop. Cogburn was quieter and attached himself to Josiah. Half the time, he didn’t seem to know what to do with the tiny pup. Cogburn would paw Josiah’s legs until he was picked up before curling up on his chest. Normally that wasn’t a problem, except when the one time he had an accident. That was amusing, I mean unfortunate. When I wasn’t taking care of the puppies, I was working on Scarlett’s birthday presents. Mom had hidden most of them in my room, knowing that Scarlett rarely went in there. As I had time, I was responsible for getting them wrapped.
Two days before school started, I woke up early to the sound of arguing. “Can’t even give it a rest on her birthday?” I slowly got up, knowing that if I was awake the puppies would be too. As I got down the stairs I could hear Cogburn yipping and the others barking too. There was a gagging sound followed by a snort of disgust. “What’s going on?” I asked as I came into the kitchen.
“Mclintock is sick and did what sick dogs do,” Scarlett snapped, wringing a cloth out over the sink.
“Oh.” I said, noticing the mess on the floor. “And we’re arguing over that because?”
“Because poor Josiah’s coat got yakked on.”
“What am I supposed to wear to the ranch? It’s cold out Scarlett,” Josiah barked.
“Wash it off. He didn’t get it that bad.”
“That still leaves me with a wet coat.”
I could tell she was getting ready to fire back and I interrupted, “Woah, time out. First of all, Mom’s still sleeping.”
“No she’s not,” Mom said blearily as she walked in. Her hair was spiked out from sleeping and I tried not to laugh. Bed head is a curse in our family, especially if you get Mom’s genes. Mclintock whimpered and sat at her feet, gagging on the floor in front of her. She gently picked him up. “Oh, you poor baby. Come on, Mama will get you taken care of. Blizz, can you?”
“No problem,” I said. I took the cloth from Scarlett and wiped up the puddle. Rooster trailed Mom yipping to Mclintock and trying desperately to reach him. 
Cogburn had curled himself by Josiah and was watching with a look of confusion. I was with him. What was the big deal anyway? He whined and pawed Josiah’s leg.
I saw his coat on the table. Scarlett was right, it wasn’t a bad mess. I wiped off the vomit and handed the coat to Josiah. “If you toss it over the towel rack, it’ll be dry before you have to go anywhere.”
He scowled at me and muttered, “If it hadn’t been on the floor there wouldn’t be a mess to clean up.”
Scarlett growled and pushed past me out of the room. 
Cogburn whimpered again. 
“Have you taken him out yet?” I asked.
“What?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ll take that as a no. Come on, boy, let’s go potty.”
The puppy waddled to the door and I led the way outside. “Those two. I’m not sure how we’ll survive until the B is rebuilt, do you?” I asked Cogburn.
He barked at me and seemed to smile.
“I’m afraid we’re not all as adorable as you are.” I watched him prance around the yard for a few minutes. Oh to be so carefree. I glanced towards the front of the house. There was no sign of the rattler. Maybe he’d determined Josiah had been put through enough. In the back of my mind I knew that wasn’t the case, but I decided not to worry about it. There would be time enough to find out what was going on. Especially if we could find out what Sheriff Henley knew about the guy. 
Snow was falling gently, covering the pastures in a blanket of white. The horses whinnied and pranced. I watched yearlings dance together, blowing the flakes and chasing each other. It was a beautiful sight and so peaceful, I wished I could have infused it into the house. There wouldn’t be much peace until we figured out what was going on. I whistled and Cogburn came back. “Shall we go inside? I’m freezing!”
He yipped and we went back in the house. Just as we came in, Mom returned with Mclintock and Rooster following behind her. She set up an old pillow for Mclintock and cuddled him until he fell asleep. “Poor baby has an upset stomach. I wonder if he doesn’t like the food we’ve got for him.”
“I can ask Dad what type he’d had before if you’d like,” Josiah said.
“Thanks, I’d appreciate that. He didn’t leave me with an actual package to go off.”
Scarlett came back into the room and Mom turned to her with a smile. “I’m sorry to have your birthday start this way but…”
“I have something to say,” Scarlett interrupted.
The room went quiet and everyone stared at her. My heart started thundering in my ears. Something in the way she said that didn’t bode well. “Scarlett?”
“I think you should know that I have accepted a work study position at the University of Wyoming in their business school. It will start next school year. But in order to get myself settled in at Laramie and ready for my education, I’ve decided to leave in June. As soon as Blizzard is out of school for the year, I’m packing up and leaving.” 
It was so quiet a pin on the floor would have been loud. Mom looked like Scarlett had slapped her and I know I probably looked like a fish out of water.  I couldn’t wrap my mind around what she had just said.
“You’re what?” Josiah thundered.
“I’m leaving,” Scarlett repeated, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t keep doing this and it’s something I’ve been considering for a while anyway. Mom’s got a good handle on the ranch and I need to escape.”
“Escape from what?” Josiah demanded. 
“You! I knew as soon as you came back I would never get any peace with you here. I kept hoping your dad would get better and you would go back to the rodeo. But that’s not happening, so I’m going to go.”
“What happened to having a second chance? What happened to trying to make things work?” Josiah was holding her at arm’s length, searching her face as though he’d find a reason locked in her gray-green eyes. “Talk to me, Scarlett. Quit hidin’ in that head of yours.”
“We can still make it work, but I want to know it’s because I matter to you.”
“What do you think I’ve been trying to prove, woman?”
“No,” she argued, “it hasn’t just been you. You talk about what everyone else expects of you. I want to know that our relationship is your choice because you want it. Not because your dad wants it or you think the town wants it. Every little thing ends in an argument. I can’t handle that any more. And I can’t handle the gossip and the pressure. If you want to make things work, make things work. But I’m not going to sit around here the subject of everyone’s lunchtime gossip.”
There was silence. Mom finally found her voice and said, “If that’s really what you want, Scarlett, I will support you in it. But I do hope you’re not making a rash decision.”
“I’m not. Happy birthday to me,” Scarlett cried and then ran out of the room. Making Up To You How Can I Make Up Being Gone? * Scarlett and Blizzard themed coloring page & contestExtra author video - topic by fan choiceSneak peek at To Keep a StarSneak peek at Leaving ShenivartholShort story/Novella about minor character from Charming Academy seriesVideo reading of a Charming Academy series excerptExtra Scarlett and Blizzard chapterArt session video - see my creative processCharacter interview on blog - fan choiceFacebook Meet & Greet party Let me know what you'd like to see me do to make up being away so long. If you'd like a combination of options, list them here. * Submit

Kids and Dining Out

Oh readers, it is so good to have a computer again! And I almost feel badly that my first blog is going to be another soap box post. But I hope you'll hear me out and understand my frustration. Some of you have probably felt this frustration and some of you, well, I love you very much but you have caused this frustration.

I kind of enjoyed my respite from social media, though I don't want a repeat experience. For several days I didn't have to see any negative posts about, well, anything. But I was sad to miss out on some of the really wonderful things you had going too. I missed being able to start the voting on my coloring contest (which by the way is going on right now on Facebook) when I'd planned. And we won't even discuss the total lack of writing that took place.

But one of the first things I saw upon returning to Facebook was someone ranting about a child being upset in a restaurant and how families with small children should be segregated or excluded from such establishments. And it just made my mama bear blood boil.

First, let me point out that I absolutely agree there are certain places children simply don't belong. About 90% of them are places I don't feel I belong. I don't have a problem with certain places being child-free zones because of their nature. But to say that every restaurant should have a separate place for families? Or that families with small children should have to pay an extra gratuity? (Yes, I've seen that suggested.) Let's really think about that for a second. Do you honestly and truly believe that is fair? Let me turn things around. I'm going to now suggest that restaurants exclude single people. Or they shouldn't allow for childless couples. Or if they do, they should be kept separate from my family or made to pay extra because they are somehow imposing on my family time. What do you think would happen?

A firestorm of, "that's not fair," would happen and rightfully so.

Look, I get it. When you go out to eat or to a movie, you want to enjoy an evening out. Guess what? That's what that family wants too. They aren't going to a nice restaurant to ruin your evening. They aren't going to the movies to make sure no one else gets to enjoy the experience. They're going out because they need time away from home too.

Think about dinner from a child's perspective for a moment. When you eat at home, Mom doesn't make you sit at the table until dinner is already prepared. She may have had you help set the table five to ten minutes before dinner is done. But for the most part, it isn't dinnertime until the food is on the table and everyone's sitting down. You eat and enjoy family conversation and there's no long waiting at the table or anywhere else. When the meal is over, you clear your spot and then go play.

Now Mom and Dad take you to a restaurant. You have to wait for someone to show you to a table. This can be upwards of ten minutes (more if the restaurant is crowded and your parents don't change their mind about eating out). Then once you get to the table you have to wait for someone to ask what you want to drink. Another five minutes. Then you're waiting again for your drink to arrive and then you tell them what you want to eat. If there haven't been any appetizers ordered, you're probably going to sit and wait for fifteen to thirty minutes (depending on how busy the restaurant is and how long the food takes to prepare) waiting for your meal. Finally your food arrives and you get to eat. But when you're finished, you can't just leave. You have to wait again for the server to bring the check. And then the waiting starts all over as you wait for her to come back for the check and bring back your parent's change/card. So, for one meal, you're going to do approximately thirty to forty minutes of just sitting. Again, I'm a grown adult and that's hard for me to do. I get antsy. I expect my toddlers to get antsy too.

I'm not going to say that all parents are doing a perfect job of instilling in their children proper public manners. I've seen children act out in ways that were embarrassing and annoying. And believe me, no one is more annoyed than I am when it's my children acting out. But should I really make my children wait until they're old enough to know how to act in public before letting them experience a nice restaurant? No, I shouldn't. Because the only way children will learn proper public behavior is to be given opportunities to experience being in public. 

There are many factors into how a child behaves whether at home or out. That child having a meltdown two tables down from you? She may have spent the entire day on the road and is tired and cranky and does not want to see the inside of the car again for the rest of her life. The child bouncing on his seat and talking non-stop? It might be his birthday and he's finally getting to go out because it's his special day. The family with loud toddlers might be in the process of moving and can't stand the place with "Happy Meals" one more time. And yes, sometimes a child's poor behavior is a reflection of bad parenting decisions. But who are you to decide that's always the problem?

Last year, my birthday was mostly wonderful. But there was a moment which put a definite cloud on my day. We were traveling and my husband and I had endured more fast food (particularly McDonald's) than any adult wants to eat. It happens when you're on the road. Being away from home for my birthday, we decided to go to Olive Garden where the whole family would be able to have food we enjoyed and have a nice evening out. We had spent a lot of time in the car that day. And we were all feeling antsy. The trip to the rose garden in Boise hadn't quite worked out all the wiggles. When we got to Olive Garden, we were taken to a table. My son sat next to me and behind us was a table with two older couples. A few minutes after sitting, my husband and I were talking and Gary was babbling happily next to me. What I failed to notice was he had discovered the chair he was on had wheels and was gleefully pushing it into the gentleman seated behind him. I felt a tap on my shoulder and the woman behind me said, "Your son keeps pushing his chair into us."

I was mortified. I immediately apologized, corrected Gary and told him he needed to say sorry, which he did. I pulled his chair up to our table and he stopped pushing into them. Despite my actions, I heard not long after, "Parents today just don't know how to parent."

"My child certainly would never have behaved so poorly."

"Just another spoiled brat from parents not old enough to know anything about the world."

I wanted so badly to turn around again and give them a huge piece of my mind. My children are not spoiled and I can guarantee you that at some point, their children (if they had any) were the perpetrators of some social faux pas because every child does at some point. And on top of that, I had just turned thirty. I think I'm plenty old enough to be a parent.

But this kind of thing happens far too regularly. Parents of today are looked down on as lazy, soft-willed, technology-absorbed children. While I recognize there are certainly cases of those out there, I've seen them too, not every parent is lazy or soft-willed or technology-absorbed. And it's not just the generation(s) before us looking down their nose at us. People our own age do it as well and often, they're people who don't have children. I'm sorry, but if you don't have a child you have no clue what it is like to be a parent. You can study it all you want, but it's not the same thing. 

How would those couples have reacted if I had turned in my seat and let them know exactly what I was thinking? Or just that I had heard them? Would they have been more patient realizing we had spent a long day traveling and my child was trying to release some pent-up energy? Would they have accused me of being too young if they'd known I was there celebrating my thirtieth birthday? Would there have been understanding realizing that children are sometimes children and aren't going to sit as quietly and patiently as an adult?

I don't know. I don't know that it would have made any difference at all to them. I've seen children behave horrendously in public. And sometimes, I'll admit it, I've wondered why their parents didn't appear to do more to correct them. But generally, I keep those opinions to myself because the reality is, I don't know what circumstances brought them to the same restaurant as my family. I don't know what factors have played into their child's behavior. It's none of my business and it's not my place to judge them. I'm grateful that for the most part, my children are really well-behaved when we're dining out. But even on the nights they make poor decisions, I would't change the choice to take them out for dinner. If I deserve time out of the house, then surely my children do too.

Yes, there are parents who could use a lesson in discipline. There are children who become monsters when unleashed on the world. But I think those of us who are adults, whether we are parents or not, could extend a little patience and understanding to those children who are struggling. Eating out is a fun experience, but it is also a departure from the normal routine. And for some children, that is very difficult to navigate. So the next time you hear a child cry when you're eating out, instead of viewing it as a personal attack on your evening, extend that child a little patience. Give that parent the benefit of the doubt. Not every parent of small children is too absorbed in themselves to recognize their child misbehaving. Often, they take care of the situation as quickly as they can. Have you ever recognized it? Have you even once noticed when the child stopped crying soon after he started? If you're saying no, perhaps the family isn't the one with a problem. Remember, you're not the only one who heard the child scream. There is probably a very embarrassed parent trying to calm their child down all the while knowing that there are people in the restaurant judging them and looking down at their child as a nuisance. It's not a pleasant experience as a parent. No one wants to feel judged. And I can tell you as a parent, that nothing makes me angrier than people judging my children.

Be patient, be understanding, be kind. And if you can't be, then perhaps it would be better for you to order take-out and eat at home. 

Get Your Color On!

 Well, readers, my word counts the past week have been pretty sad. Part of it was just being busy with lots of other things going on. I became an aunt on Tuesday (yay!) as well as taking my kiddos to a track meet to watch their daddy's students. But I've also been sick the last couple of days. Not sure what nastiness hit me, but boy do I not want that again! I'm feeling somewhat better today, though still weak.

But enough of poor pitiful me. I've been able to get another coloring page ready for you! It occurred to me that I may not have set the last one up in the easiest way to download. So I'm going to update that later today. Here is a setting from Prince Charming's Quest . I had planned on putting Moira in there working on the dress, but I couldn't find a good place to put her that didn't block the gown. It turned out super pretty, don't you think?

So have fun coloring and be sure to share with me how you interpret Moira's sewing room! You can email pictures of your coloring at jessica@jessicalelliott.com By the way, don't forget about the Fantasy Fan Art Contest! There will be awesome prizes and lots of fun. Not to mention the Charming Academy series is way under-represented (it's not there at all). Be creative and most of all, just have fun! [image error] coloringpage.pdfFile Size: 1565 kbFile Type: pdfDownload File

When I Feel Like Quitting

Before you panic, no, I'm not considering quitting. Right now I should be working on my Camp NaNo project, but I saw on Facebook an author looking for advice because she's feeling down on her writing. Many comments later and I noticed it was a common problem for many authors. I gave her a brief answer, but wanted to delve a little more in depth. 

First, you should know that I consider writing to be my professional hobby. It's fun, it's enjoyable and I even make a little money from it, which is wonderful. But my purpose in writing isn't to make tons of money. My purpose in writing is to touch, even in a small way, someone out there with the stories I have to tell. 

Professional hobbies like writing, visual arts, music, etc are wonderful because they allow for a combination of pursuing passion and enhancing (or making up) your income. But they're not easy. There's a lot of "in-job" training, if you will, as you learn what works in the market and how to provide the best-quality product to your audience. There are bumps in the path and it can be a brutal world. It's also a very fluid world. There is no real right or wrong way to go about it and everyone has their own solution to the same problem. This can make it difficult to seek for or give sound advice.

I don't think there's a writer out there who has never once questioned their ability. And if there is one, wow, I applaud your confidence! (Seriously, that's awesome!) Even I have had my moments of self-doubt when I hated everything I wrote and wondered why I bothered. Occasionally, I still have those moments. Being self-published is tough. In a world with thousands of authors, it can be hard to make your own work stand out. And there is of course the occasional, "I'll never be as good as fill-in-the-blank." There are low reviews and some are just downright mean-spirited. I've been lucky so far that the dreaded one-star has never been bestowed on my books, but the reality is it's only a matter of time. I know not everyone is going to love my stories and I'm okay with that. But dang those reviews sometimes sting the pride!

So what do you do? What do you do when everything in you screams you're wasting your time and efforts? What do you do when you feel like a minnow in an ocean of rainbow trout? 

There are different answers, because every author is different. Here are some things that I do.

1) Research. I love learning new things and I love being able to sound like I actually know what I'm talking about. As writers, we have to sound knowledgeable about what's going on in our stories or we lose credibility. So I research. I spent countless hours reading articles and books, as well as watching movie extras and online videos about swordsmanship. I would rewatch the same scene in a movie over and over, watching the footwork, observing hand motions, and listening to the dialogue. That scene in Lord of the Rings when Boromir is teaching Merry and Pippin to fight? Yeah, I watched that a ton! Because of that, I feel the scenes in which I've had swordplay are more rich.

2) Take a break. Sometimes I get myself so involved in my writing that I start to burn out. When I spend more time staring at a blinking cursor than writing, that tells me my brain is fried. Writing is fun and enjoyable, but if it's all you do it becomes monotonous, no matter how interesting your characters. After completing Prince Charming's Quest I had a dismal showing at NaNoWriMo. I tried for a while, but quickly realized I was just too tired. Writing had ceased being fun and started to be a chore. So I took a break. I had started a fun story that was supposed to be just a giant month long free write, but even that felt like work. Instead of writing, I spent November illustrating my Christmas story, spending time with my kiddos and just relaxing. I quit worrying about deadlines and getting a new story out and just focused on me and my family. When I jumped back into writing near the beginning of this year, I felt more energized and focused than I had in a long time.

3) Work on something else. This can be another writing project or a different hobby all together. You know why I have a garden? Well, yes, I do love flowers, so that is part of it. But it's mostly because it gives me a refuge. It's the hobbit in me I suppose that loves to dig in good earth and smell the fragrance of flowers and trees. It's inspiring on many levels and the time I spend out in my garden is time I can let my thoughts wander. Sometimes those wanderings turn into ideas and sometimes it's just a mental reprieve. In either case, it's helpful. Recently I had been trying to force myself to work on A House for Charity. Forcing myself and hating every moment of it. I was stuck. I was really stuck. Then my talented friend Faith posted on Facebook with a cover she had designed and the announcement that she would be starting to make premade covers for authors. That cover brought to mind the idea for To Keep a Star. I decided to put Charity away and work on something new. And you know what? The story is coming great! I've had great lines that inspire me, or just make me laugh. I'm enjoying my writing, I love my characters and I even like my story.

4) Read. There is no better place to escape than a good book. I love reading and especially enjoy reading in the genres I'm writing to see how others are interpreting them. Recently I have enjoyed delving into Shanna Hatfield's fun stories. Not only does it help me get a better feel for Western writing which has helped me in writing Scarlett and Blizzard, but it also allows me to fall in love with someone else's characters and root for them. I can just relax and enjoy the ride. If you need suggestions, I have many wonderful friends who write fabulous books. I can definitely hook you up. 

5) Just keep trying. If you have a story in you, write it. No one else can do it for you and you never know how that story will impact someone else. My sales aren't extraordinary, but the occasional email from someone who read and loved my books more than makes up for the lack of financial success. I recently received an email telling me my books belonged on the shelf next to the Grimm Sisters. Talk about a huge compliment and honor! 

What can you do as a reader to encourage your favorite author? There are a few things and each of them is meaningful.

When you read a book that you just absolutely love, write a review. It doesn't have to be long or complicated, but let the world know, "I loved this book!" That not only gives your favorite author a much needed boost of confidence, it also helps their books become more visible. Visibility and word-of-mouth are authors' best friends. It's the easiest way for us to gain new readers.

Send them a note. Traditionally published or indie, all authors need some words of encouragement and love. Whether you write long hand and send them a letter or you send an email, those messages from our fans mean the world to us. Hearing from you about how my books have made you smile is the best feeling in the world. When you tell me you're anxious to read my next book, that definitely lights a fire under me. 

Like and follow their social media posts. It's such a little thing, but it really makes a big difference. For one, visibility plays in and more people can see what we're up to. But it also lets us know that someone out there is seeing our posts. When I post pictures or blogs or just status updates, I love to see your comments and likes. I especially love reading your comments. You readers have had me laugh out loud and just beam with joy at the things you've said on my posts. And I will be honest, a couple of you have teared me up with your heart-felt messages of love and encouragement.

Are you an author? Comment below with your solutions to writer's block and feel free to include one link to your website or social media. Are you a reader? Tell me what you love most about your favorite author (and then send them a note saying the same thing!).

An Old Grievance (Chapter 9)

Well readers, here we are! Thank you for being patient with me. As a reward for being so amazing and just 'cause I love ya, here's the full cover to Scarlett and Blizzard. This is what will be used when the book is completed and released in November. Gorgeous, isn't it? Charlene did a great job and has a wide selection of premades available for those of you in the market for a great cover. 
Be sure to vote in the poll below when you finish reading this chapter. I'll get the video up just as soon as I can. It's been a crazy week here. Speaking of crazy, Scarlett's birthday is coming up and things are going to get wild. What's the craziest thing (good or bad) that ever happened on your birthday? Comment here or on my Facebook page and your memories might make it into the story.

Grandma didn’t stay long after Christmas. She declared three puppies yapping all the time was too much for her sensitive hearing. Personally, I think the decision to go was based more on a second argument with Scarlett. Realizing she couldn’t force her own way, Grandma told us three days after our Christmas celebration, “My dears, it has been a wonderful visit, but I believe I have stayed too long. I haven’t been to Sarah’s house in a while. I think I’ll just drop in on her.”
“Oh, Mom, please call her first,” Mom begged. “You know she’s got her hands full with that new baby.” 
“Exactly. She needs me there,” Grandma replied.
Unable to talk her into some semblance of reason, Mom reluctantly helped Grandma pack her bags and set up a flight for her. She grabbed my arm when Grandma was out of earshot and said, “Call your aunt and let her know Grandma’s dropping in.”
I nodded and grabbed the phone from the kitchen before heading up to my room. I could hear Scarlett’s voice coming from her own room and I paused. “Yes, I did receive the email and am considering it. There are several factors I need to look into before committing. Yes, I understand that the position may not be available if I wait too long. Yes. Thank you.”
What position? I wondered. I knew I couldn’t ask her about it. So I continued to my own room, worry gnawing at me. What was Scarlett up to? I tried to clear my mind before calling Mom’s youngest sister, Sarah. She lived in northern Utah with her husband and large family. I’d always felt pretty close to her. Perhaps because she, like me, was the baby of the family. She was also just fun and had a heart of gold. She and her husband had just adopted a little baby girl and I knew from emails that she was struggling with colic. I hoped I was calling at a good time for her. When my aunt’s tired voice answered I said, “Hi, Aunt Sarah. It’s Blizzard.”
“Hey, Blizz. How’s our little country star?”
“I’m doing well. Listen, Mom asked me to call because…”
“Don’t tell me. My mother has decided it’s been too long since she visited and is going to be dropping in unannounced soon.”
I laughed. We were all pretty used to Grandma’s flighty nature. “That’s about the size of it.”
Sarah sighed, “Mother. Do you have any idea of when she’ll arrive?”
“Mom’s helping her set up the details as we speak, so I would guess it’ll be tomorrow at some point.”
“Great. Well, I suppose I’ll tell Roy to skip lesson planning and we’ll get the house prepared. Thanks for the warning, Blizz. Tell your mom I owe her one.”
“She probably wouldn’t say no to a box of cookies. Just sayin’.”
Sarah laughed. “I’ll see what I can do about that. Have a great day, Blizz.”
“You too, Aunt Sarah. Love you.”
“Love you too.” 
The line went dead and I took the phone back downstairs just as Josiah was coming out of the second guest room. “Well, good morning,” I said brightly.
“Mornin’,” he yawned. “What time is it?”
“D’you really wanna know?”
“I can’t have slept that late,” he murmured, running a hand through his sleep-tousled hair. 
“It’s nearly ten.”
He almost swore, but caught himself. “Horses are prob’ly half-starved.”
“No, I took care of them,” Scarlett said, appearing next to me. “I figured the fact that you weren’t out there meant you’d either decided to sleep in or were busy doing something else. You doin’ all right?”
Without answering, Josiah went into the kitchen. I looked at Scarlett and she shrugged. We followed and found Grandma fussing over Josiah. He turned to Scarlett with a pleading look. It was clear he was trying to be rescued from our overanxious grandmother.
“Grandma, do you need me to help you pack up your Christmas presents? I’d be happy to,” Scarlett said.
“Oh no, dear, your mother already helped with that. But just check this boy’s temperature. He’s definitely feverish. He shouldn’t be out of bed.”
“I’m sure he’s fine, Grandma, see?” Scarlett replied, placing her hand on Josiah’s forehead. Then she frowned. “Actually, Joe, you are feeling kind of warm. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” he growled.
“I’m going to make him some herbal tea. Then you’d best lie down, Josiah,” Grandma demanded.
“I said I’m fine. I have too much to…” A racking cough interrupted him and I fought down a giggle. He glowered at me. “Just what is so funny?”
“Josiah, you sound awful and you look worse. Take a day off.”
“There’s no such thing as days off on a ranch.”
“Sure there are. Blizzard and I will run by the B after we do some shopping in town. We’ll make sure your hands have taken care of the cattle and see if there’s anything they need.”
“I can do it myself.”
“Oh no you can’t,” Grandma retorted, pushing him back into his seat even though he hadn’t actually moved to get up. “You’re going to rest and get yourself well again. Until I leave for the airport, you are under my command.”
Josiah sent one last pleading look in Scarlett’s direction. “Don’t look at me,” she said with her hands up. “I can’t trump Grandma when you’re actually sick. Don’t worry about the ranch, we’ll check up on things and I’ll give you a full report when I get back.” She kissed Josiah’s forehead. “Promise.” 
After helping Grandma get things set up and seeing Josiah was comfortable, though irate, Scarlett and I took the puppies out for a potty break before heading to the truck. “Poor Josiah,” Scarlett laughed. “He was probably feeling henpecked enough before getting sick.”
“Poor you. Depending on how long he’s been sick, you might fall next,” I said.
“Don’t you start on that again,” she warned. “I’ve had just about enough of everyone asking about what happened Christmas Eve. It was just a kiss.”
“A peck on the cheek is just a kiss, Scarlett. Even a brief touching of lips is just a kiss. Making out isn’t just a kiss. There’s more to it than that.”
“Blizzard, drop it.”
“No, Scarlett. You need to be a little more honest with me,” I said, irritation rising in me. “You need to quit keeping secrets.”
Her face blanched and then flushed. “Who says I have any secrets?”
“Don’t play dumb, Scarlett. You’ve been holding a lot back recently. I get that you’re an adult and you don’t have to answer to me or anyone else, but the least you could do is let us know what’s going on in that head of yours.”
“You wouldn’t want to know,” she replied quietly. 
I was about to retort that I would actually love to know how her infuriating mind worked when she frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“That car,” she said, tipping her head towards her window, “do you recognize it?”
Turning in my seat to look at the car she was referring to, I gazed back. A nondescript, rusty car was slowly driving down the lane. “Hmm, no. Maybe one of Josiah’s hands is using it. He’s been saying that Franky goes through cars like a woman goes through shoes.”
“What would Josiah know about women’s shoes?” Scarlett muttered. “Anyway, Franky is upgrading his cars and he’s only done it twice. Stupid for a guy working on a ranch, but how he spends his money isn’t any of my business.”
“Maybe he finally decided a junker would be better.”
It wasn’t until we got to town that I realized Scarlett had effectively gotten me off topic long enough that bringing it back up would be awkward. Dang her, I thought as we walked through the aisles of the supermarket. I knew she had something going on that I was pretty sure even Mom didn’t know about. What made me nervous was the fact that I was also pretty sure that if we found out about it, it would not be pleasant.
When we’d finished shopping, Scarlett and I got back into the truck. We dropped by Starwood long enough to have Mom help us take the groceries in. “I can’t believe you allowed my mother to adopt Josiah as a patient, Scarlett.”
“Hey, it’s keeping her busy, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but if Josiah doesn’t get some relief from her soon, one of them might die.”
Scarlett and I giggled. “Don’t worry, Mom. We’re just going to run by the Double Rocking B and check on things before coming back. I’m sure we’ll get here before the house explodes.”
“You better.”
We drove down the road laughing and as I looked out my window, I saw the old car again. I took a longer look at it this time. It wasn’t one we’d seen before that day. Everyone knows when you live in a small town, you know everybody. You also know everybody’s vehicle. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got two in the same make and model, you’ll know which one belongs to John and which belongs to Jane. It’s just sort of the way things are. This car didn’t belong to anyone in town. I tried to get a look at the driver, but we’d already passed by. “Scarlett, is that…”
“The same car? Yeah, pretty sure it is.” She was frowning. “Look, I know we try to be open with Mom and all, but I don’t think we should tell her about this. At least, not with Josiah in the room.”
“Why? He’s the one having trouble with strangers.”
“Exactly. If he hears about a strange car being on the road, he’ll shut us out again. Besides, maybe it’s just a coincidence.”
“Sure,” I said. “Because random cars show up on our road all the time.”
She glared at me, but I could see the worry in her eyes. 
“Scarlett, this isn’t something we can just keep secret. We’ve got to figure out who’s been targeting Josiah before they do something to our ranch. At this point, it’s got to be common knowledge that he’s staying with us. This is a small town and there aren’t exactly tons of apartments at the ready.”
“I know.” Scarlett chewed on her bottom lip as she parked the truck in front of Josiah’s ranch. “But what else can we do?”
We got out and were silent as we looked at the ruined remains of the barn and ranch house. I thought of the memories and treasured heirlooms which had gone up in smoke. In my mind, I didn’t see the green-trimmed, white house of the B. Instead I saw our own creamy ranch house, its blue trim like a piece of the sky. Imagination set it ablaze and tears filled my eyes as I wondered what would happen if the attacker decided to come after Josiah again. “Scarlett, we can’t let this happen to Starwood. Josiah would never forgive himself. He already can’t forgive himself for what happened here.”
“It won’t happen to Starwood,” she said, determination in her voice. “We’re going to catch the jack that did this.”
I gaped at her. That was the nearest to swearing I’d ever heard from my sister. “How?”
“I don’t know yet, but somehow or other we’re going to. Come on, let’s find Franky and see how things are going.” 
We walked past the rubbled and towards the pastures the cattle were kept in. We could see a large crowd of them around a strewn bale of hay. Out in the fields, men on horseback were driving more into the pasture. A tall, wiry young man was leaning on the fence post barking orders. He heard us approaching and his handsome face broke into a grin. “Hello, ladies. What brings you to the B?”
“Josiah’s not feeling well, so we came to check things for him,” Scarlett replied.
Franky rolled his eyes. “I told him to stay home yesterday, but would he listen to me?”
“You noticed he was sick yesterday?” I asked.
“Not hard to tell,” Franky replied. He took a long look at me and I felt my cheeks go red under his scrutiny. Franky wasn’t much older than me, just nineteen. But he worked harder than most and after disappointing his parents with no desire to attend college, had come to the Double Rocking B without a place to call home. Teddy had immediately taken him in and though he no longer lived at the house, having an apartment in town, he was still considered part of the family. I wondered why we didn’t see him more often, but my thoughts were interrupted when he asked, “Winter break ought to be over soon, huh?”
“School starts again next week.”
 “Bummer for you. Enjoying the break?”
“Yeah.”
“Good to hear. I heard you at the diner the other night. You’re sounding real good.”
I blushed again and could see Scarlett grinning. “Thanks,” I mumbled, looking away from Franky’s sparkling green eyes. There was a little too much mischief in that smile. 
“So, anything for me to report to Josiah?”
“Just tell him the rattler is back.”
“Rattler?” Scarlett repeated. “It’s too cold for snakes.”
“Wrong kind of snake. Trust me, Josiah’ll know what I mean.”
“Franky, do you know anything about a car that’s been up and down this road?” I asked.
“You’ve seen it too, huh? Josiah’s been watching it for about a week and a half now. Ever since the fire, he’s been seeing that junker. Most times it’s just parked outside the B, but he’s seen it driving down the road too. He’s called the sheriff out a couple times, but Sheriff Henley’s never seen it once during his patrols. You gals be careful, got it?”
Scarlett nodded and thanked him. “We’ll see you around.” 
“Yep.” I looked up again and Franky winked at me. Blushing furiously, I turned away and walked to the truck as fast as my legs could carry me, Scarlett still grinning that fool grin of hers. “What?” I demanded.
“So, how long have you been making moon-eyes at Franky?”
“Can we not discuss it please?”
“Ha! Not so fun when the tables are turned, is it?”
I glared out the window and saw the rusty old car sitting outside Josiah’s place. As I looked at the driver, he smirked at me and my mind took me back to July. “Scarlett, I know who’s driving that car.”
“What? Who?”
“The man we saw arguing with Josiah at the county fair.” What's going to happen next? Josiah's going to have to let us know about his stalker. What is his grievance? * Jealousy: never had the crowds of fans Josiah enjoyed.Jealousy: never placed as well in the rodeos as JosiahRevenge: blames Josiah for his company failing after Josiah refused to accept his sponsorship. Submit