Julie A. Rainey's Blog, page 9
June 1, 2012
Random Thought - Turtles and Roadways
Okay, it's time for another edition of animal vs. the highway. The last animal to attempt to outrun a two ton vehicle careening down the road at about sixty miles per hour was a squirrel. It didn't end well for the squirrel. Next up is a turtle.So this is how I envision a conversation between two turtles sitting on the edge of a road way. I did say the thought was random. You were forewarned.
It's chilly morning on the busy roadway. The sun has finally ventured high enough into the sky to start warming the asphalt...
Frank the Turtle: "Man George, it's freezing out here."
George the Turtle: "Don't even think about it Frank."
Frank: "I can't help it. It's just so damn cold and there's a freaking heater two feet away. I'm just going to stand there for a second."
George: "Don't do it."
Frank: "I'm going for it."
*Crawls onto the road*
Frank: "Come on George. It's great. I don't understand what you were so worked up about. Nothing..." **splat**
George: "I tried to tell him."
May 31, 2012
Author Spotlight - Brandon Hale
Description:For ten years now, humanity has been at war with the creatures of
darkness. The war has changed the world. The day now belongs to humanity and the night belongs to things once thought to exist only in myths and legends... but there is hope. This new enemy has united humanity and an army has stepped forward to protect the light from the darkness. An army of heroes.
The Day Soldiers.
Eighteen year old Lily Baxter always knew the Day Soldiers would be a major part of her life. She had been preparing for it since she was eight. She was ready to go to war. The one thing she wasn't prepared for was the day the war came to her.
Part horror, part comedy, part adventure, Day Soldiers will take you on an exciting ride through a world you'll hope never becomes reality.
Where to Buy:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
iTunes
Author Website:
Brandon Hale
Reviews:
I was looking for a quick-entertaining read and ended up swallowing the book in very few days. i love vampires and all creatures of the night but in recent years have lost the taste for them.
this book presented a refreshing view of the same topic and i loved it! the only negative is there is not a second book...
loved the chracters and action packed-fast paced story.. kudos, mr. Hale!
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This was really a nice surprise and a great read for a lazy day at home. I'd give it 4.5 stars if there was a way to do that, but instead of 4 I had to give it 5 stars to be fair. The only thing detracting from this book was a few minor editing errors. But based purely on the quality of writing and the entertainment value it's a great book. I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series.
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I read the book due to a friends suggesting it and I loved it. The take on how the world works and the writers view on how we as a people would react, I enjoyed the spin on the vampires and werewolves. If your into a great read and want something worth waiting for this is your book. Take the time give this book a read you will not regret it.
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To read more reviews, click here.
Interview:
Wicked Ways Productions
May 30, 2012
Author Spotlight - Tami Parrington
Description:A slightly twisted version of the battle between good and evil that
all comes together in the character of Alexander, the discontented
demon who finds his way to earth and joins up with an unlikely pair of
angels.
When a disillusioned demon breaks the bonds of Hades and discovers the wonders of earth and its inhabitants, he becomes mankind's only ally in the war between heaven and hell where the human soul is the
ultimate prize. Join author T. L. Parrington in this often humorous
look at the darker sides of the human spirituality experience as
witnessed by two humans each on their own path of enlightenment as
they struggle with the realities of hell on earth in the form of an
unusual new friend.
Where to Buy:
Amazon
Author Website:
Tami Parrington
**Watch for Book Two in the Demon Series "Damned if You Do" coming in
2012 in the fall.**
May 29, 2012
Author Spotlight - Kate Evangelista
Where to Buy:Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Author Website:
Kate Evangelista
Goodreads
Crescent Moon Press
Hidden Link listed somewhere below takes you to an exclusive third excerpt.
Hint: Rise from the ashes.
Excerpt:
I sat up and followed Calixta’s gaze upward. I rubbed my eyes. I didn’t know what I was seeing at first. A statue? My brain refused to snap together coherent thoughts. I didn’t realize I’d fallen so close to one of the garden benches until I stared up at the boy that sat on one. He was strikingly beautiful. His tumble of blonde hair curled just above his sculpted cheekbones. He wore a silk shirt and a loosened cravat, like he’d become bored while dressing and decided to leave himself in disarray. His ivory skin and frozen position was what had me mistaking him for something carved from marble by Michelangelo. Then he sighed—a lonely, breathy proof of life. If I had to imagine what Lucifer looked like before he fell from heaven, the boy on the bench would certainly fulfill that image. My brain told me I had to look away, but I couldn’t.
“Luka,” Calixta said again, her voice unsure, almost nervous. It no longer contained the steel and bite she had threatened me with, which made me wonder who the boy was.
He leaned on his hands and crossed his legs, all the while keeping his eyes fixed on the night sky. His movements spoke of elegance and control. I’d encountered many people with breeding before, but his took on the air of arrogance and self-assuredness of someone used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it.
I only realized I’d been holding my breath when my lungs protested. I exhaled. My heart sputtered and restarted with a vengeance. Luka tore his gaze away from the stars and settled it on me. I’d expected pitch-black irises, like the other Night Students, but blue ice stared back at me.
“Human,” he whispered.
He reached out, and with a finger, followed an invisible trail down my cheek. I stiffened. His touch, cooler than Demitri’s, caused warm sparks to blossom on my face. He lifted his finger to his lips and licked its tip. He might as well have licked me from the way my body shivered.
Luka’s curious gaze held mine. “Leave us,” he said, but not to me.
“But—” Calixta protested like a spoiled child.
He spoke in a language I hadn’t heard before, remaining calm yet firm. The words had a rolling cadence I couldn’t quite follow, like rumbling thunder in the distance. They contained a harsh sensuality. The consonants were hard and the vowels were long and lilting.
Footsteps retreated behind me.
Luka reached out again.
It took me a minute to realize he wanted to help me up. I hesitated. He smiled. I smiled back timidly and took his hand, completely dazzled. Even with my uniform soaked from melted snow, I didn’t feel cold—all my attention was on him and the way his callused hand felt on mine. Without moving much from his seated position, he helped me stand.
“What’s your name?” he asked. He had a voice like a familiar lullaby. It filled my heart to the brim with comfort.
I swallowed and tried to stop gawking. “Phoenix.”
“The bird that rose from the ashes.” Luka bent his head and kissed the back of my hand. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
My cheeks warmed. My head reeled, not knowing what to think. I couldn’t understand why I felt drawn to him. And the strange connection frightened me.
From behind, someone gripped my arms and yanked me away before I could sort out the feelings Luka inspired in me. I found myself behind a towering figure yet again. Recognizing the blue-black silk for hair tied at the nape, relief washed over me. Calixta hadn’t come back to finish me off.
Demitri’s large hand wrapped around my wrist. Unlike the night before, no calm existed in his demeanor. He trembled like a junky in need of a fix. The coiled power in his tense muscles vibrated into me.
“What are you doing here?” Demitri asked.
I didn’t know he’d spoken to me until I saw his expressionless profile. I sighed.
“Phoenix.”
I flinched. The ruthless way he said my name punched all the air out of me. “You owe me answers,” I said with as much bravado as I could muster.
“I owe you nothing.” He glared. “In fact, you owe me your life.”
“I don’t think so.”
Ignoring my indignation, he faced Luka, who’d remained seated on the bench during my exchange with Demitri. “Why is she with you, Luka?”
“I wasn’t going to taste her, if that’s what you’re implying,” Luka said. “Although, she is simply delicious. I wouldn’t mind if you left us alone.”
There it was again. Taste. The word that kept coming up between these Night Students and I was connected to it in an increasingly uncomfortable way. To taste meant to sample, but what? My flesh? They had to be joking because the alternative wasn’t funny.
“The sins of the father …” Demitri left his sentence unfinished.
Luka’s smile shifted into a snarl. “Obey my command.” His chin lifted. “Kneel.”
Demitri’s stance went rigid. His grip tightened around my wrist.
Okay, weird just got weirder. Why would Luka want Demitri to kneel before him? I thought back to Eli and the others bowing to Demitri when he questioned them, but they didn’t kneel. Seriously? Were they all living on a different planet or something?
“Kneel.” Luka’s detestable smirk made his features sinister rather than angelic. The real Lucifer: a fallen angel.
Without letting go of my wrist, Demitri knelt down on one knee and bowed his head, his free hand flat at the center of his chest. “Your command has been obeyed,” he said formally.
Luka nodded once.
Demitri stood up and pulled me toward the school without telling me where we were going. Not having the time to thank Luka for saving me from Calixta, I risked a glance back. Luka smiled at me. His smile spoke of whispers, secrets, and promises to be shared on a later date.
May 28, 2012
Chapter 1 - Lost Princess: The Journey Home
Arrows, alight with flame, streaked forcefully across the serene night sky above what was left of a once peaceful nation. Some slammed harmlessly into the ground while many more pierced the flesh of combating soldiers overhead, many of whom spent their last dying moments attempting to protect the now crumbling outer walls.
Drakeon ordered his men to ram the gate harder, eager to reach his prize inside. After several attempts, the gate finally cracked. One last hard hit made it explode into tiny shards of wood that sailed far into the air, landing precariously around the violent hoards now pouring into the courtyard of the besieged castle. Lunaria’s men, powerless to stop the onslaught, retreated to the castle, slamming the door hard behind them. They did not take time to secure it however, it did not matter. They knew defeat was imminent. All that mattered now was the protection of the King and Queen.
Lunarian soldiers, wet with the blood of the enemy, raced down the deserted halls towards the Kings chambers, the clanking of their armor echoing as they went along. “You have to leave now,” the leader of the group shouted as he flung open the door to the bedroom. The King stood with the blade of his sword mere inches from the man’s face before realizing he was not the enemy.
The King nodded his head and retrieved his terrified wife from the closet where she had been hiding. She emerged from the darkness nearly as white as the sheets on their bed, her hands trembling all the while. “We’ll hold them off as long as possible,” a soldier promised. The King nodded in humble appreciation for the man’s sacrifice, took his wife by the hand and disappeared around the corner.
The sounds of the enemy grew louder with each passing moment. The small band of soldiers left the King’s chambers to join the remaining forces near the front door of the castle. Each man was nearly completely physically drained. Their arms ached and their stomachs churned. This battle had been the most violent Lunaria had seen in centuries and no man had been prepared to take as many lives as each had to do tonight.
A young soldier vomited in the corner while another cried in desperation. Each soldier began to realize that they were the last line of defense and each one would have to lay down their lives. It was their sworn duty to never surrender and protect the Royal Family. No one would survive this night.
It only took one hit with the massive battering ram to cause the castle door to burst open. Drakeon’s soldiers came face to face with the remainder of the Lunarian army, which did not amount to much. The mustered bravery on their faces did not stop Drakeon’s men from placing blades and axes deep into their flesh.
“This way,” Drakeon ordered as the last remaining Lunarian soldier’s heart was pierced by the tip of a spear. He lay gasping for air for a brief moment before his chest stopped rising and his head rolled to the side. All was eerily quiet now.
Drakeon’s soldiers rushed to follow their leader only to find him screaming in rage. Drakeon had been leading his men into the Great Hall in an attempt to seize the King and Queen but, much to his despair, they had disappeared. Enraged at their escape, he sent the men throughout the castle looking for any trace of them.
One of the small bands of soldiers began making their way to the north-west wall of the castle, systematically checking and clearing every room along the way. They were about to move on to the north wall when one of them innocently leaned against a stone that was ever so slightly protruding from the wall.
A loud grinding noise began bellowing from behind. The soldier jumped forward to avoid falling as a large stone door slid slowly open, revealing a hidden passageway. The soldiers stuck their torches inside searching for any signs of life. “Look!” one of them shouted, pointing to footsteps that could clearly be seen in the dust. “Notify King Drakeon,” one of the soldiers ordered of another while simultaneously telling the others, “Let’s go!” The men took off down the dark, gloomy tunnel.
At the same time the soldiers were just discovering the tunnel, a great distance away, King Leon and Queen Pria were running for their lives. The tunnel was damp, dingy and covered with a century’s worth of cobwebs. The only light came from a torch the King grasped firmly in his hand.
Suddenly, the King stopped in his tracks. “What’s wrong?” the Queen questioned. Out of the darkness a slight clanking sound could be heard far off in the distance. It grew in intensity at a steady pace causing the King’s eyes to grow wide.
“Run!” he ordered, as he realized the sound was that of soldier’s feet slamming hard on the ground, their armor clanking as they went. They seemed to be running full force directly at them.
Adrenaline coursed through their veins as they bolted down the tunnel. The King led the way with the Queen just behind him. She was holding in her arms a small, tightly wrapped bundle, the main reason for their daring escape. They continued quickly down the tunnel, making a dizzying amount of turns left and then right until finally, they exited onto an immensely large polished granite platform perfectly shaped into a square. Engraved atop it was a large triangle that fit ever so delicately inside, almost spilling over the edge. Directly in the center of that triangle was a tiny section of granite colored darker than all that surrounded it with a brilliantly carved “S” showing proudly.
This was all part of an immaculate temple, surrounded by ten limestone pillars that encompassed the entire platform, forming a near perfect circle. The temple was a representation of the House of Sappanor’s family crest.
The Queen quickly handed over to her husband what she had been carrying. In the small bundle, snuggled deep within all the blankets was Lunaria’s treasure, their only true heir, Princess Isabella. The baby girl slept peacefully, knowing nothing of the turmoil surrounding her. The King looked lovingly at his precious daughter, wishing there was another way to protect her, but with the soldiers quickly closing in, he knew this was the only guaranteed way to save her life. The baby sleepily opened one eye and smiled before drifting back to sleep, as if to say goodbye. He held her close to his chest, feeling her breath and her tiny heart beat against his skin one final time.
While the King relished in his final moments with his only daughter, the Queen took a few calming breaths before going about her duty. She knelt down to the small place in the platform where the “S” had been carved, removed her necklace and touched the golden amulet to it. The moment the amulet touched the square, it began to glow from within. The square slowly rose out of the ground, revealing a small limestone column underneath. It reached as high as the Queen’s waist and with still trembling hands, she again touched the amulet to it, activating four squares in the center of the platform that also seemed to be illuminated from within.
The four squares slid apart revealing an empty space below. Then, as if from a void in space, a small, black, egg-shaped craft with thin wings on each side appeared and slowly rose out of the opening. It was only large enough for one person and tonight it became a life boat for the Royal Family bloodline.
The King turned his attention back towards the tunnel. He could hear the soldiers approaching as he gave the Princess to her mother one final time. She held her child close and kissed her forehead. “I love you my darling Isabella,” she said as the emotion began to take her voice, “I hope one day you can return and save our land from this evil.” She reluctantly placed her daughter, so innocent and sweet, onto the seat of the craft.
The lid closed and the Queen touched the amulet to the side causing a small keypad to appear. She entered in a few numbers which made the engines roar to life. Tears streamed down her face as the craft began to lift off the ground. The King held back his wife, struggling to keep his own composure. He held her close as she sobbed, turning his back to the approaching soldiers. A single tear escaped his eye and traveled down his cheek for a moment before he hurriedly wiped it away. Emotion and weakness were not qualities to display to an enemy.
The soldiers were nearly on top of them before a beam of light suddenly appeared from the heavens and sucked up the tiny Princess’s craft in a blink of an eye. As the King turned his gaze from the heavens back to the platform, twenty men surrounded them with swords, their points nearly touching their flesh.
Out of the shadows, another man appeared. His pants and shirt were as black as coal, a perfect depiction of the blackness of its wearer’s heart. Behind him a scarlet red cape billowed in the wind, signifying the trail of blood he left in his wake. His face was hard and emotionless as were his coal black eyes. This was the most evil man in all the heavens, it was Drakeon.
He looked upon the helpless couple before him with a piercing gaze and shouted, “I will find her and when I do, nothing will stop me from destroying her.” As he walked away, a flick of his wrist gave the signal to kill.
“Drakeon, you traitor, you will not rule for long! My people will not stand for it!” The King yelled back at the devious man.
Drakeon looked back at the King, smiling devilishly. “We will see about that,” he said turning and walking away. As he disappeared out of sight, the soldiers attacked.
King Leon tried his best to defend his wife, but he was outnumbered. He was quickly taken down with a blade through the chest. As he lay bleeding on the ground, receiving blow after blow, the soldiers mercilessly stabbed and beat his wife to death. She screamed in horror and pain as each dagger pierced her flesh.
He tried to stand, tried to grab his sword, but it was no use. Once their evil deed had been done, the soldiers formed ranks and left the King and Queen to die, blood pooling all around them. Queen Pria was already dead when the King grabbed her hand and for the last time looked upon her face, now completely distorted from the savage beating given out by Drakeon’s men. He tried to speak, to tell her that he loved her, but all that left his mouth was blood. With his final breath, he gazed back towards the heavens and mouthed, “Isabella…” and with that, he finally expired.
At that moment, from the surrounding woods, a small weeping sound appeared. A woman, dressed in rags singed from the fires in Olmosis, tried desperately to contain her grief. She was surrounded by several others who had also witnessed the entire horrific spectacle. As soon as the soldiers had returned to the tunnel, the onlookers began trickling out from their hiding spots. They gazed upon their fallen rulers in utter disbelief and continued to weep quietly. After a few moments of mourning, the men of the group carefully picked up Leon and Pria, carrying them gently into the forest.
The peasants traveled deeper and deeper into the dense forest until a small village finally came into view. The men gently laid them on the ground at the town square and the women began to fetch water in order to clean them. There was some discussion amongst the officials of the village as to what they would do next.
Some wanted an elaborate ceremony befitting someone of royalty, some wanted to bury them immediately and some were afraid to bury them at all. All agreed that marked graves would be an unnecessary risk as they could be discovered by Drakeon or his men. After some debate, the men began digging the graves with the agreement that the only identifying feature was to be a tiny engraving of the House of Sappanor’s crest at the base of the stone that would be concealed by dirt.
Once the work had been done, the entire village, which only numbered fifty, came out to pay their respects for the once great and powerful leaders. There was no grand parade or show of grief. Instead, there were just a few words of gratitude said around a small fire. In the coming days the men would carve primitive stones with the royal crest to mark for only those who knew what they were looking for, where the great King and Queen were at final rest.
Drakeon ordered his men to ram the gate harder, eager to reach his prize inside. After several attempts, the gate finally cracked. One last hard hit made it explode into tiny shards of wood that sailed far into the air, landing precariously around the violent hoards now pouring into the courtyard of the besieged castle. Lunaria’s men, powerless to stop the onslaught, retreated to the castle, slamming the door hard behind them. They did not take time to secure it however, it did not matter. They knew defeat was imminent. All that mattered now was the protection of the King and Queen.
Lunarian soldiers, wet with the blood of the enemy, raced down the deserted halls towards the Kings chambers, the clanking of their armor echoing as they went along. “You have to leave now,” the leader of the group shouted as he flung open the door to the bedroom. The King stood with the blade of his sword mere inches from the man’s face before realizing he was not the enemy.
The King nodded his head and retrieved his terrified wife from the closet where she had been hiding. She emerged from the darkness nearly as white as the sheets on their bed, her hands trembling all the while. “We’ll hold them off as long as possible,” a soldier promised. The King nodded in humble appreciation for the man’s sacrifice, took his wife by the hand and disappeared around the corner.
The sounds of the enemy grew louder with each passing moment. The small band of soldiers left the King’s chambers to join the remaining forces near the front door of the castle. Each man was nearly completely physically drained. Their arms ached and their stomachs churned. This battle had been the most violent Lunaria had seen in centuries and no man had been prepared to take as many lives as each had to do tonight.
A young soldier vomited in the corner while another cried in desperation. Each soldier began to realize that they were the last line of defense and each one would have to lay down their lives. It was their sworn duty to never surrender and protect the Royal Family. No one would survive this night.
It only took one hit with the massive battering ram to cause the castle door to burst open. Drakeon’s soldiers came face to face with the remainder of the Lunarian army, which did not amount to much. The mustered bravery on their faces did not stop Drakeon’s men from placing blades and axes deep into their flesh.
“This way,” Drakeon ordered as the last remaining Lunarian soldier’s heart was pierced by the tip of a spear. He lay gasping for air for a brief moment before his chest stopped rising and his head rolled to the side. All was eerily quiet now.
Drakeon’s soldiers rushed to follow their leader only to find him screaming in rage. Drakeon had been leading his men into the Great Hall in an attempt to seize the King and Queen but, much to his despair, they had disappeared. Enraged at their escape, he sent the men throughout the castle looking for any trace of them.
One of the small bands of soldiers began making their way to the north-west wall of the castle, systematically checking and clearing every room along the way. They were about to move on to the north wall when one of them innocently leaned against a stone that was ever so slightly protruding from the wall.
A loud grinding noise began bellowing from behind. The soldier jumped forward to avoid falling as a large stone door slid slowly open, revealing a hidden passageway. The soldiers stuck their torches inside searching for any signs of life. “Look!” one of them shouted, pointing to footsteps that could clearly be seen in the dust. “Notify King Drakeon,” one of the soldiers ordered of another while simultaneously telling the others, “Let’s go!” The men took off down the dark, gloomy tunnel.
At the same time the soldiers were just discovering the tunnel, a great distance away, King Leon and Queen Pria were running for their lives. The tunnel was damp, dingy and covered with a century’s worth of cobwebs. The only light came from a torch the King grasped firmly in his hand.
Suddenly, the King stopped in his tracks. “What’s wrong?” the Queen questioned. Out of the darkness a slight clanking sound could be heard far off in the distance. It grew in intensity at a steady pace causing the King’s eyes to grow wide.
“Run!” he ordered, as he realized the sound was that of soldier’s feet slamming hard on the ground, their armor clanking as they went. They seemed to be running full force directly at them.
Adrenaline coursed through their veins as they bolted down the tunnel. The King led the way with the Queen just behind him. She was holding in her arms a small, tightly wrapped bundle, the main reason for their daring escape. They continued quickly down the tunnel, making a dizzying amount of turns left and then right until finally, they exited onto an immensely large polished granite platform perfectly shaped into a square. Engraved atop it was a large triangle that fit ever so delicately inside, almost spilling over the edge. Directly in the center of that triangle was a tiny section of granite colored darker than all that surrounded it with a brilliantly carved “S” showing proudly.
This was all part of an immaculate temple, surrounded by ten limestone pillars that encompassed the entire platform, forming a near perfect circle. The temple was a representation of the House of Sappanor’s family crest.
The Queen quickly handed over to her husband what she had been carrying. In the small bundle, snuggled deep within all the blankets was Lunaria’s treasure, their only true heir, Princess Isabella. The baby girl slept peacefully, knowing nothing of the turmoil surrounding her. The King looked lovingly at his precious daughter, wishing there was another way to protect her, but with the soldiers quickly closing in, he knew this was the only guaranteed way to save her life. The baby sleepily opened one eye and smiled before drifting back to sleep, as if to say goodbye. He held her close to his chest, feeling her breath and her tiny heart beat against his skin one final time.
While the King relished in his final moments with his only daughter, the Queen took a few calming breaths before going about her duty. She knelt down to the small place in the platform where the “S” had been carved, removed her necklace and touched the golden amulet to it. The moment the amulet touched the square, it began to glow from within. The square slowly rose out of the ground, revealing a small limestone column underneath. It reached as high as the Queen’s waist and with still trembling hands, she again touched the amulet to it, activating four squares in the center of the platform that also seemed to be illuminated from within.
The four squares slid apart revealing an empty space below. Then, as if from a void in space, a small, black, egg-shaped craft with thin wings on each side appeared and slowly rose out of the opening. It was only large enough for one person and tonight it became a life boat for the Royal Family bloodline.
The King turned his attention back towards the tunnel. He could hear the soldiers approaching as he gave the Princess to her mother one final time. She held her child close and kissed her forehead. “I love you my darling Isabella,” she said as the emotion began to take her voice, “I hope one day you can return and save our land from this evil.” She reluctantly placed her daughter, so innocent and sweet, onto the seat of the craft.
The lid closed and the Queen touched the amulet to the side causing a small keypad to appear. She entered in a few numbers which made the engines roar to life. Tears streamed down her face as the craft began to lift off the ground. The King held back his wife, struggling to keep his own composure. He held her close as she sobbed, turning his back to the approaching soldiers. A single tear escaped his eye and traveled down his cheek for a moment before he hurriedly wiped it away. Emotion and weakness were not qualities to display to an enemy.
The soldiers were nearly on top of them before a beam of light suddenly appeared from the heavens and sucked up the tiny Princess’s craft in a blink of an eye. As the King turned his gaze from the heavens back to the platform, twenty men surrounded them with swords, their points nearly touching their flesh.
Out of the shadows, another man appeared. His pants and shirt were as black as coal, a perfect depiction of the blackness of its wearer’s heart. Behind him a scarlet red cape billowed in the wind, signifying the trail of blood he left in his wake. His face was hard and emotionless as were his coal black eyes. This was the most evil man in all the heavens, it was Drakeon.
He looked upon the helpless couple before him with a piercing gaze and shouted, “I will find her and when I do, nothing will stop me from destroying her.” As he walked away, a flick of his wrist gave the signal to kill.
“Drakeon, you traitor, you will not rule for long! My people will not stand for it!” The King yelled back at the devious man.
Drakeon looked back at the King, smiling devilishly. “We will see about that,” he said turning and walking away. As he disappeared out of sight, the soldiers attacked.
King Leon tried his best to defend his wife, but he was outnumbered. He was quickly taken down with a blade through the chest. As he lay bleeding on the ground, receiving blow after blow, the soldiers mercilessly stabbed and beat his wife to death. She screamed in horror and pain as each dagger pierced her flesh.
He tried to stand, tried to grab his sword, but it was no use. Once their evil deed had been done, the soldiers formed ranks and left the King and Queen to die, blood pooling all around them. Queen Pria was already dead when the King grabbed her hand and for the last time looked upon her face, now completely distorted from the savage beating given out by Drakeon’s men. He tried to speak, to tell her that he loved her, but all that left his mouth was blood. With his final breath, he gazed back towards the heavens and mouthed, “Isabella…” and with that, he finally expired.
At that moment, from the surrounding woods, a small weeping sound appeared. A woman, dressed in rags singed from the fires in Olmosis, tried desperately to contain her grief. She was surrounded by several others who had also witnessed the entire horrific spectacle. As soon as the soldiers had returned to the tunnel, the onlookers began trickling out from their hiding spots. They gazed upon their fallen rulers in utter disbelief and continued to weep quietly. After a few moments of mourning, the men of the group carefully picked up Leon and Pria, carrying them gently into the forest.
The peasants traveled deeper and deeper into the dense forest until a small village finally came into view. The men gently laid them on the ground at the town square and the women began to fetch water in order to clean them. There was some discussion amongst the officials of the village as to what they would do next.
Some wanted an elaborate ceremony befitting someone of royalty, some wanted to bury them immediately and some were afraid to bury them at all. All agreed that marked graves would be an unnecessary risk as they could be discovered by Drakeon or his men. After some debate, the men began digging the graves with the agreement that the only identifying feature was to be a tiny engraving of the House of Sappanor’s crest at the base of the stone that would be concealed by dirt.
Once the work had been done, the entire village, which only numbered fifty, came out to pay their respects for the once great and powerful leaders. There was no grand parade or show of grief. Instead, there were just a few words of gratitude said around a small fire. In the coming days the men would carve primitive stones with the royal crest to mark for only those who knew what they were looking for, where the great King and Queen were at final rest.
May 27, 2012
Author Spotlight - Peer Kryog
*This title is written in German*Description:
The story I tell is about grief, heteronomy, sex, sadism, being torn apart and the will to survive. Peer Kryog balances accounts with himself and the world ruthlessly. Father and Mother are judged, friendships break and are to be found.
Finally, Suzzie Queenz and Mike Hamptom find the way to the stars.
Where to Buy:
Amazon.de
May 26, 2012
Memorial Day Tribute
Many more wonderful pics at Rolla Daily News
Remember those who have fallen for our freedoms this Memorial Day weekend. While we are all having BBQ's and partying it up, they are over in a foreign land getting shot at and avoiding being blown up.
Some, however, are not so lucky to avoid the bullets or bombs. That rang ever true this past week when a young man from my own town was killed in Afghanistan.
The worst part of the whole thing was the fact that he was supposed to come home in three weeks...when his wife was due to give birth to their first child. That poor baby will never know its father.
These photos are from the motorcade that brought the soldier home to rest.
Rest in Peace PFC Richard McNulty
Remember those who have fallen for our freedoms this Memorial Day weekend. While we are all having BBQ's and partying it up, they are over in a foreign land getting shot at and avoiding being blown up.
Some, however, are not so lucky to avoid the bullets or bombs. That rang ever true this past week when a young man from my own town was killed in Afghanistan.
The worst part of the whole thing was the fact that he was supposed to come home in three weeks...when his wife was due to give birth to their first child. That poor baby will never know its father.
These photos are from the motorcade that brought the soldier home to rest.
Rest in Peace PFC Richard McNulty
Author Spotlight - Karina Gioertz
Description:It had been clear from the beginning, that Emma, Eli and Evey Wilson would be tied together by more than just a name and the blood that flowed through each of their veins. They would be bound for life by the secrets of their past and the lies that kept them hidden. After a fire devoured their family home and left them orphaned at an early age, Emma, Eli and Evey found themselves being raised by their grandfather and learning the ropes of life on the ranch. A life that quite suited Emma and Eli, but left Evey desperate to seek out a way to escape and run off to the big city. An escape she soon found in Preston Mercer. It wasn’t long after Evey rode out of town on Preston’s white horse that he revealed his true colors and what had been her dream come true became the stuff of nightmares. While Evey weathered the storm on her own at first, out of spite and sheer stubbornness, she finally broke her silence and called her sisters. They instantly rushed to her side, just as they had always done. Just as she had known they would. As Pandora’s Box was opened for the second time in 25 years, the sisters prepared for what would be their greatest battle yet. Would Evey be able to escape Preston’s wrath? Would Emma be able to face the monsters of her past? Would Eli find a way to heal the scars that had not only bound her body but shackled her very soul? And, most importantly, would there be room amongst the skeletons to hide another body? Join them on their journey, as they fight the enemy, embrace the ally and find out if love really does conquer all.
Where to Buy:
Amazon - Paperback Edition
Amazon - Kindle Edition
Author Website:
Karina Gioertz
Reviews:
'This is a great read that keeps you turning the pages. It's not your run of the mill story of family and the bond between sisters. It's got unexpected twists and turns to it. I laughed and cried as I followed the emotional journey of how their lives unfolded. Karina Gioertz is a master storyteller and as always, you walk away feeling like you really "know" her characters and where they've been. Karina has been writing most of her life. I'm excited to see her finally offer her gift of writing to the world :) Grab a cup of tea and curl up in your favorite chair with Country Girls, you'll be glad you did.'
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'I admit that being anything BUT a country girl; this book took a little warming up to. However, once I picked it up, I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! The country was merely the stage for this wildly entertaining look into the lives of three sisters whose love, strength and courage help them to conquer the demons of their past,stir up a lifetime of trouble, and blaze a path straight to their future. It was an unexpectedly emotional journey that I hope goes on for generations to come! YEEEHAAW, what a ride!'
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'Let me start by saying that I'm not the biggest fan of fiction books. However, I have been swayed in my opinion by "Country Girls". I immensely enjoyed the mixture of humor and heartbreak. It kept me entertained throughout as I anticipated each chapter and every sarcastic remark to come out of Eli's (my favorite strong female character.) mouth.
Through Karina Gioertz's writing I could feel the love + pain and the loyality + disdain that each of her characters felt. It is wonderful to read that karma is still alive and well and that revenge can be sweet.'
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To read more reviews, click here.
May 25, 2012
Learning Curve
So this week's random thought isn't actually a random thought at all but a collection of experiences from over the last few months that I felt the need to share.
When I started this adventure of writing I had no idea what I was doing. Plain and simple, I was inexperienced. I didn't even have a Facebook page (criminal, I know). Since then I have learned a few things, mostly from the advice and instruction of friends on Goodreads. So I've decided to list the proper steps (in my opinion) for publishing your own novel. Note that I did not follow these steps. I tripped and fell a few times before getting on the right path.
1) Write the Book (okay that one is obvious)
2) Get a beta reader! - I can't stress this one enough. Your work is great and perfect in your eyes but it might not be in everyone's as I learned. My beta reader is awesome. She has helped me unlock my potential and strive to be a better writer.
3) Edit - That is the worst four letter curse word in the English language. We all hate to do it but it must be done. It's just one of those necessary evils. The best analogy I can use for it is...It's like giving birth. It's messy and painful but in the end, it's totally worth it.
4) Re-read and edit - Again, totally hate this part but you have to do it.
5) Beta reader - One last time before you publish, just to make sure everything is polished.
6) Release - Something I was unaware of before I published is that some authors set release dates and promote that way. I'm not sure if this is beneficial or not as I have not done it myself.
7) Publish - Take a deep breath and click that button.
8) Reviews - One of the most crucial aspects to an e-book are reviews. Most people seem to only read books that are highly rated although there is a debate about if that's true or not. Some people have noticed authors using fake reviews to bolster sales and it's backfiring so people are paying less attention to the reviews than before. Personally, I have never used fake reviews. Trust me, the ones I do have are purely honest. It was quite gut wrenching to read them. One thing I can say about bad reviews is, take the criticism and use it as a motivator to write better.
9) Promotion - I will just reiterate what I've heard from a million other bloggers. Social media. You need a blog, you need Facebook and you need to be genuine. No one wants to be spammed to death.
10) Keep Writing - One of the most difficult things to do. It's hard to juggle writing a second novel as well as trying to promote the first, but it can be done.
When I started this adventure of writing I had no idea what I was doing. Plain and simple, I was inexperienced. I didn't even have a Facebook page (criminal, I know). Since then I have learned a few things, mostly from the advice and instruction of friends on Goodreads. So I've decided to list the proper steps (in my opinion) for publishing your own novel. Note that I did not follow these steps. I tripped and fell a few times before getting on the right path.
1) Write the Book (okay that one is obvious)
2) Get a beta reader! - I can't stress this one enough. Your work is great and perfect in your eyes but it might not be in everyone's as I learned. My beta reader is awesome. She has helped me unlock my potential and strive to be a better writer.
3) Edit - That is the worst four letter curse word in the English language. We all hate to do it but it must be done. It's just one of those necessary evils. The best analogy I can use for it is...It's like giving birth. It's messy and painful but in the end, it's totally worth it.
4) Re-read and edit - Again, totally hate this part but you have to do it.
5) Beta reader - One last time before you publish, just to make sure everything is polished.
6) Release - Something I was unaware of before I published is that some authors set release dates and promote that way. I'm not sure if this is beneficial or not as I have not done it myself.
7) Publish - Take a deep breath and click that button.
8) Reviews - One of the most crucial aspects to an e-book are reviews. Most people seem to only read books that are highly rated although there is a debate about if that's true or not. Some people have noticed authors using fake reviews to bolster sales and it's backfiring so people are paying less attention to the reviews than before. Personally, I have never used fake reviews. Trust me, the ones I do have are purely honest. It was quite gut wrenching to read them. One thing I can say about bad reviews is, take the criticism and use it as a motivator to write better.
9) Promotion - I will just reiterate what I've heard from a million other bloggers. Social media. You need a blog, you need Facebook and you need to be genuine. No one wants to be spammed to death.
10) Keep Writing - One of the most difficult things to do. It's hard to juggle writing a second novel as well as trying to promote the first, but it can be done.
May 24, 2012
Lost Princess: The Journey Home Update
Hello All,Not that there are throngs of readers out there reading my book, but I thought it necessary to mention that I'm currently editing and revising the book. As I mentioned before I had no clue what I was doing when I started this venture into indie publishing and published the book way too soon.
I have since found a magnificent, wonderful, awesome beta reader named Mary who has been invaluable to the revamping and relaunch of my book, along with many other friends from Goodreads who have helped in guiding me to the new version. I will periodically post revised chapters to get some feedback, so don't be shy. If you think something isn't quite right, let me know. :)
