Liss Thomas's Blog: Mingling Myths and Monsters with Mortals, page 7
August 14, 2013
FINDING MONSTERS - Who is Charlie?
INTERVIEW WITH A CHARACTER
Author: Please state your name.
Charlie: Sek-Atian, which means ‘son of Atian’. My monster name, given to me by my human, is Charlie
Author: What is your species?
Charlie: I am a monster. I look like a bull.
Author: What is your age?
Charlie: I was 17 in human years when it all started. Time slows and stops when I’m not in the monster realm so I don’t age like a human.
Author: What is your favorite food?
Charlie: In the monster world or in the human realm?
Author: Missy said the same thing. Both, please.
Charlie: *grinning* I guess my favorite food in the human world is ice cream and potato chips swirled together. In the monster world, there’s a wild game we hunt that is awesome with plum sauce.
Author: You eat meat? Aren’t you a bull?
Charlie: I am a monster, *demonstrates by transforming* Claws, large teeth, shaggy coat, large horns!
Author: Oh dear!
Charlie: I have the body of a human but the head of a bull. My features highlight our clans’ bull like qualities. We have aversions to the color red and we charge when angry but our physical make up is more like a human. Yes, we eat meat. Do you think my true bull form would just eat straw?
Author: No, actually you look like you could eat anything. Point taken. Do you have any siblings?
Charlie: *looks uncomfortable* No. I’m an only child. My baby sister died at birth. I’d rather not talk about it.
Author: I’m sorry, let’s move on then. Are you a morning person?
Charlie: Not really but Missy motivates me to get up.
Author: What are your hobbies?
Charlie: I’m not really the hunting sort but I enjoy fishing.
Author: So what type of music to you like?
Charlie: I can honestly say I do not like human music. What I’ve heard is so loud and in your face. I much prefer listening to wind instruments. We have something similar to a flute that Missy’s learning to play. It’s very peaceful even if she’s playing a Pearl Jam cover.
Author: What do you like to read?
Charlie: I’m a fan of historical fiction and books about war and strategy.
Author: Do you have a dark secret?
Charlie: No, I’m just an ordinary monster. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Author: What is your greatest strength?
Charlie: I think it’s my fighting skills. The other bulls thought I would be easy to spar against because most are much larger than I am but I set them straight pretty quick.
Author: If you had a superpower (or another one) what would it be?
Charlie: I think I’d like the power of fire, like Missy has. Shape-shifting is awesome but I would love to be able to disappear too.
Author: Final question, Charlie. What annoying habit do you have that drives others crazy?
Charlie: Missy says I chew like a cow in my human form. I’m not sure if I can fix that!
Author: Ok! Charlie, thank you for taking time out to meet with me today. I really enjoyed our conversation and I wish you all the best.
Charlie: Thank you, Liss.
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August 13, 2013
Finding Monsters - Who is Missy?
Finding Monster’s main female lead, Missy has granted me an exclusive interview.
Author: Please state your name.
Missy: Missy. I’m not fond of my real name so let’s leave it at that
Author: Absolutely. What is your age when you started this quest?
Missy: I was 15 when it all started.
Author: What is your favorite food?
Missy: In the monster world or in the human realm?
Author: Both, I guess.
Missy: *laughing* I guess my favorite food in the human world was pancakes from IHOP. In the monster world, I’d have to say the sweet bread that Dredge makes. It reminds me of angel food cake from my world but it melts like cotton candy in your mouth! I bet the calories are killer!
Author: Well, you don’t look like you need to worry about calories. Do you have any siblings?
Missy: No. I’m an only child but sometimes I think of Dozer as a big brother.
Author: Are you a morning person?
Missy: Yes
Author: What are your hobbies?
Missy: I enjoyed bird watching in the human realm, since that was all I could do from my sick bed. In the monster realm, I enjoy riding my cabayo. It’s like a horse, but much bigger with silky long hair and thick legs.
Author: Sounds interesting. I would like to see a cabayo.
Missy: I’m not sure that would be possible!
Author: Well, it doesn’t hurt to ask! So what type of music to you like?
Missy: I was totally into 90′s retro alternative, Depeche Mode, The Cure. I liked a little of the newer stuff too like The Killers.
Author: No Justin Bieber?
Missy: *laughing* Ok, guilty pleasure, I like Justin Bieber too.
Author: What do you like to read?
Missy: I’m a big fan of yours, big surprise! But I also like that squirrel story Charlie would read to me. I’m not sure who the author was. I am also a big Eddings fan.
Author: Me too! Do you have a dark secret?
Missy: Me? No, no dark secrets
Author: What is your greatest strength?
Missy: People tell me it’s my determination. I had to struggle just to live so I don’t easily back down from a challenge
Author: If you had a superpower (or another one) what would it be?
Missy: I don’t think I need another superpower but I might give up hearing my cabayo, Egan’s emotions in my head. Although it sometimes comes in handy.
Author: Final question, Missy. What annoying habit do you have that drives others crazy?
Missy: I don’t think I have any annoying traits, not that I can think of. *eyes glaze a few seconds before snapping back*. Oh, so Charlie tells me I have a habit of playing with his horns when he’s in bull form. He makes little snorts of delight so I don’t think he’s really annoyed.
Author: Excellent! Missy, thank you for taking time out from your busy life and quests to meet with me today. I really enjoyed our conversation and I wish you all the best in the monster realm.
Missy: Thank you, any time.
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August 12, 2013
Serial Delay - Sorry!
Greetings mortals and monsters,
I don’t have a new episode for you today. I am dealing with some family issues. My mother had a stroke and is recovering but she comes home next week and we’ve been very busy getting things ready for her at home. She is definitely ready to come home and get our of the hospital, which is good.
I’m hoping to resume “Beyond Pacifica” next week.
In the meantime, I’ll resurrect a few older post this week that are too fun not to repeat.
Enjoy the week!
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August 8, 2013
Surprise Return - Chapter 26 - Beyond Pacifica
Photo credit: Alan Stokes / Foter / CC BY-SA
Kyran pulled Del from the floor and crept to the doorway. They heard shouts and more gun fire. Del realized she didn’t have her guns anymore.
“I need guns, Kyran,” she whispered. He turned to her and scowled.
“I guess you won’t stay here?” he asked.
“Hell no!”
“Fine, just stay behind me and stay close!” Kyran burst through the door with Del close on his heels. Bullets whizzed past but never hit them. Del watched as Kyran charged one of the poachers, who took aim. He pulled the trigger at near point blank range. An energy ripple ricocheted the bullet off to the right. Kyran punched the poacher, snatched his guns free and handed them to Del. She checked the clips and pulled two more from the downed man’s pockets before they moved on. They moved in rhythmic tandem through the sea of men assaulting the village wounding and disarming the poachers while the natives handled the rest.
Kyran rushed a group of three men shooting at the natives. When he got close, he dropped down as Del rose behind him, taking aim. She squeezed off several rounds, neutralizing the threat before the natives subdued the wounded men. The last of the poachers turned to run. Kyran ran behind them and thrust out his hands, an energy force rippled through the air and slammed into their backs sending them sprawling to the ground.
“Nice move, Aqua Man,” Del said as the natives secured their captives. She looked around searching. “Where’s Pedro?” she asked, her voice rising in panic.
“Lucinda has him, don’t worry. He’s safe.” He walked her to a larger hut where the women and children sat huddled together. Pedro sat near Lucinda, his face in a scowl. No pebbles to count, Del noted. Kyran knocked on the wall. “They’ve had trouble with these guys before. The walls on this hut are thicker. “
“What’s going to happen to the poachers they caught?” Del asked.
“The chief will turn them in. With the factory destroyed the authorities will make sure these guys get what they deserve,” Kyan said.
“And what about us?” Del asked. Kyran kissed her palm.
“It’s time for us to leave,” he said.
###
They collected their things and Pedro, thanked the tribe for their help and took one of the poacher’s jeeps back to the docks. Kyran checked Captain Velasquez’s boat, which was still moored to the dock. They found it empty and boarded. Del took Pedro below to a small cabin used by the crew and left him with a small collection of pebbles to play with. She came up and helped Kyran cast off.
“Is this considered stealing?” Del asked.
“I prefer to call it confiscating drug property. We’ll use it to get where we’re going and then turn it over to the police. Where are we going anyway?” he asked.
“Well if I was still looking to go home, I would go to The United States. Palo Alto, California to be exact near Stanford University. The first plausible time travel theories came from there,” Del said. “But it’s quite a ways from here. It’ll take too long to get there by boat.”
“Not if we have help,” Kyran said. “I can drive a little faster once we get outside the shipping lanes where fewer boats travel. Plus we can get a little extra help at night from our old friend.” Kyran took them out to sea and mapped out his headings taking into account fuel stops and a place to stock up on food. A storm brewed on the horizon just as dusk began to settle over them. Kyran dropped the anchor and went below to the captain’s quarters where Del rested.
“How’s Pedro?” he asked.
“Asleep. He’d play with those rocks all night if I let him. It’s strange to watch him. He creates the same patterns over and over. It’s not just counting, it’s more than that but I can’t put my finger on it,” Del said.
“We’ll figure it out later. There’s a storm coming tonight so I dropped the anchor and made sure we are secure. It doesn’t look like a big storm but I thought it best we wait it out before we continue. Let’s get some sleep.”
###
Pedro’s screams woke them up in a panic. Del shot from the bedroom toward the small cabin next door. Empty. Kyran ran up on deck with Del behind him. They stopped short when they saw him.
A warm breeze blew the steady rain across the deck. Pedro stood at the railing, his dark hair plastered to his face as he wailed. Captain Velasquez stood beside him, holding fast to the boy’s neck. His other hand held a pistol to the boy’s temple.
“You got a hard choice to make, Merman,” Velasquez said.
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August 5, 2013
Tearful Reunion - Chapter 24 - Beyond Pacifica
Photo credit: rishib1988 / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Sunlight invaded Delphina’s sleep and announced the dawn of a new day. She stretched her arms and stifled a yawn before she froze. Her eyes popped open and she found herself in the small hut, lying on the straw bedding. Remembering the events of the previous night, she wondered how she got here. She sat up and glanced around; no Kyran, no Pedro. Del snatched on her clothes and shoved her bare feet into her hiking boots and rushed from the dwelling.
Glancing around she spotted Pedro sitting on a log near a small camp fire. The old woman sat across from him. Del could smell the warm bread baking on hot stones with a hint of honey wafting on the breeze. She walked over to them and sat beside Pedro wrapping her arms around his and planting a small kiss on his head. He didn’t look her way but offered his bread to her. The old woman protested.
“No, comer su desayuno,” she said before she handed another warm piece to Delphina. Pedro took another bite of his bread, his fingers searching for pepples in the sandy area.
“Thank you for everything,” Del said as she sat eating. Her eyes searched the camp for Kyran.
“Your husband sits with the older men, Delphina,” the woman said pointing to a group of men who sat under a shade tree engaged in animated conversation.
“Oh, we’re not married,” Del said as she caught Kyran’s eye. She looked away quickly and focused on the woman before her who had a mischievous look on her face. “What do you know that I don’t know?” she asked.
“Our tribe has know of the mer-people of Pacifica for many years. They are similar to us in that they protect ocean and land creatures from harm. I also know they mate for life with only one person.”
Del’s mind raced with this new information. She stared open mouthed at the woman before she turned her gaze back to Kyran. He’d been watching her, his casual expression turned to concern. Del rose and rushed back to the small hut. She felt Kyran’s presence closing in behind her but she didn’t turn. Once inside the tears pushed rebelliously from her eyes and she covered her mouth to silence them. Kyran’s arms wrapped around her and brushed a kiss through her hair.
“Why are you crying?” he asked.
“Because I can’t stay, Kyran. I have to return to my time. You knew that,” Del sniffed.
“Why can’t you stay with me, Delphina? You don’t have to return.”
“But what about my father and Harper? I can’t imagine what they must be going through. They’ll think I’m dead. What about my life, my work?”
“I need you, Delphina. Pedro needs you,” Kyran said. He turned her around in his arms and wiped at the tears. “Will you at least consider it?” he asked.
Del nodded and smiled. “I may not have a choice.”
Kyran smiled and kissed the tears from her eye lashes and lips. He paused, listening hard before he threw her and himself to the ground. Del heard the gun shots a few seconds later.
“They came back for Pedro!” Del said. She turned her face to Kyran. “They can’t have him!” Kyran’s eyes turned cold and when he spoke it came out as a hiss.
“No, they can’t.”
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August 1, 2013
Kyran - Chapter 23 - Beyond Pacifica
Photo credit: Alyssa L. Miller / Foter / CC BY
Delphina sobbed quietly as she followed behind the group of jungle natives as they carried Kyran back to their village. Her thoughts drifted back to Miguel and inwardly she blamed herself for his death. She held Pedro by the hand now as they followed the procession. After an hour, Pedro grew cranky and started to cry, unwilling to walk any further. Del scooped up the scrawny little boy and carried him. He clung to her neck and continued to cry. Soon others of the tribe, women and children appeared from nowhere. They chatted and followed along through the small village and on through until they reached a small watering hole. It looked to be no more than fifteen feet in diameter. Tall grass kept it mostly hidden from view. They pulled Kyran’s sleigh over to the edge and set it down. Del put Pedro down and crouched near Kyran. She tested the water and put it too her lips. Salt water!
Kyran sensed it too. He gave her a weak smile, crawled from the sleigh and slid into the water, sinking to the bottom. Satisfied, the natives went back to their village. They pulled Del and Pedro along with them and left them in a small hut by themselves.
An elderly woman appeared a few minutes later with warm bread and a hearty soup. Del thanked the woman and gave Pedro the bread. He seemed uninterested but collected small pebbles to stack and count. Del dipped small pieces of the bread in the soup and held it out for him to eat. He opened his mouth obediently and ate what she fed him until he pushed her away. Del ate the rest and watched him play with his rocks. She studied the meticulous way he would lay them out before he would scoop them into a pile again. He continue doing this until his eyes grew heavy. She had to pull him away from his collection and made him lie down on a straw bed. She covered him with a blanket and waited for him to fall asleep.
Del shed her clothes except for the white bikini she wore underneath, put on a jacket and left the hut. The elderly woman smiled at her and went inside to sit by Pedro. Del thanked her again, pulled a small pin light from her jacket pocket and found her way back to the salt water pond. She saw no signs from Kyran and although she knew he’d be fine below the surface, she still worried. She removed her jacket and slipped into the water with her small light.
The burn of her lungs didn’t hurt so much as it felt weird as she took in the salt water. A few small fish darted away from the light as she waved it in front of her to see. The mossy walls hid small fish and crabs withdrew into their tiny homes. She saw the bottom and gauged it to be only 50 feet deep. She stood on the bottom searching for Kyran. Her small like flashed across and electric eel and she jumped back from contact with it. A hand touched her shoulder and she jumped again. Del whirled around and gasped.
Kyran stood behind her, eyes a bit larger than normal. His skin seemed tinted green and she saw webbing between his fingers. He took her light and turned it off. A natural glow appeared around them. Kyran smiled, took her hand and led her through a curtain of kelp to a small cave.
Del followed as Kyran showed her the cocoon he must have just emerged from. White scaly skin coated the inside in a perfect outline of his body in fetal position. Del also couldn’t help notice, he was naked. He didn’t seem concerned as he pointed to various objects as if giving her a tour. Neither spoke, not even mentally. Del could tell he still needed to gain back his strength but he didn’t look sick anymore. Finally he turned and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. He dipped his head and let his lips trail kisses along her shoulder and neck. He found her lips next, sending tingles through her body as his lips worked magic on hers. His fingers urgently fumbled with the strings of her bikini.
Del broke free from his kiss and touch. She stood back, catching her breath. Kyran seemed confused. He tilted his head to the side, his large eyes blinking as if questioning her actions. She had wanted his kiss since they first met but he’d seemed distant to such a thing. She’d seem glimpses of what lay beneath the hard shell of his emotions but he kept them in check. Now, in his true form, the walls were gone and his emotions showed openly on his face. She knew what he wanted and it scared her that she wanted the same thing. It scared her that finally she found someone she wanted to give herself to. He would be her first.
Kyran took a step toward her, taking her hand in his. He kissed at her palm and each finger as he pulled her to him again. He let his webbed hand caress her neck and throat, gently lowering his lips there to kiss her again. Del felt as if the water around them was boiling. She closed her eyes and savored the feel of his lips exploring her skin. Soon she felt soft earth and vegetation against her back. She opened her eyes to find herself lying on a bed of seaweed with Kyran close beside her. She hadn’t remembered lying down. His hands roved over her bare skin, his touch gentle and easy. His eyes drank in the sight of her as if seeing her for the first time. His hands glided over her hips and massaged her there. He next let his hand glide over her stomach. She trembled at his touch. Kyran paused as if sensing something. He shot her a look, his eyebrows raised. He knew he would be the first. Del watched the expression on his face turn from surprise to a question. He waited for her answer. Del closed her eyes and bit back the last of her fears. Her heart broke a little when she realized forever would be impossible. She had to return to her time, separated by a hundred years.
Pushing it all aside, she opened her eyes and nodded.
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July 29, 2013
Getaway - Chapter 22 - Beyond Pacifica
Photo credit: Plasticsturgeon / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Miguel couldn’t pull his eyes from the sight. Del called to him but he wouldn’t budge. Tears streamed down his face and through the grate. Del grabbed him under the arms and pulled him along the ventilation shaft until they came to a junction. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight as he continued to cry.
“We have to keep moving Miguel. Don’t worry, if you help me, we can save my friend and your brother. Si?
“Si,” he sniffed.
They continued through the ventilation with Miguel in the lead. He’d only been to the factory once but remembered the layout remarkably well.
“They hold prisoners in the back. There are no windows.” He scurried along and came to a vent above one of the cells and looked down. “Empty.” They checked three more before they found him.
“That’s Kyran,” Del said as she looked through the grate.
“He doesn’t look so good,” Miguel said. He was right. Kyran lay on the floor shaking uncontrollably. She only saw a portion of his face that wasn’t hid by the hood and noticed the ashen skin.
“How are we going to get him out, if he can’t climb?” Miguel asked.
“We’ll have to time it just right. We need to find out where they put your brother at night. Maybe we can crash through the walls with the truck,” Del suggested.
“Or I just sneak down and get the keys,” Miguel said.
“I don’t like that idea. They’ll catch you.”
Miguel gave her a withering look before he moved through to the back side of the complex. He jimmied the vent loose and they found themselves on the roof.
“Go get the truck and try to get it back here without being seen. Go several miles around before you get near. I’ll get the keys.”
Del grabbed his arm, “You don’t even know who has the keys!” she countered.
“The captain always has the keys. Relax, lady, I can do this.” He moved past her and dropped from the roof without making a sound and hid behind a drum barrel. He motioned her down and Del dropped down beside him. He picked up a rock and pitched it through the jungle to the left. The guards pulled their guns up and crept over to investigate. Miguel pointed her to the right and quickly slipped through the unlocked door. Del swore under her breath and sneaked away into the jungle. She moved cautiously through the brush for half a mile before she stopped. There was no way should could get the truck back behind the building without being noticed. She watched the road and soon a Hummer rambled toward the building and parked by the back door. The guards had returned and they helped take supplies into the back door. Del slipped up close to the Hummer and peeked in. She quietly opened the door and checked the ignition for the keys. Bingo! She slipped the keys into her pocket and scurried back into the jungle to wait.
Delphina sat and waited for several hours before Miguel slipped through the door, unseen by the guards and back into the woods. He found her easily.
“Where’s the truck?” he asked. Del dangled the Hummer keys lightly.
“Nice,” he said. He fished a key ring from his pocket for her to see. “They keep my brother in a cell close to your friend. It should be easy to get them both. He’s in his room now. I saw them put him in.”
“But we need a distraction,” Del said. As if timed by her words, an explosion rocked the front of the building. The guards tore through the door in route to find the cause. Del looked at Miguel who smiled smugly at her. She pulled a gun from her backpack and shoved in the waist of her pants. They slid through the door and down the hallway toward the two cells. Miguel worked the key into the lock and popped Kyran’s door before he went down to get his brother. Del rushed to Kyran.
“Kyran! We have to get out of here now! Can you walk?” she asked. He looked shocked to see her but got shakily to his feet. Del wrapped her arms around him and pulled him through the door. Miguel was already down the hall carrying Pedro as he ran. Del picked up the pace and got Kyran through the door just as they were spotted. They loaded Kyran and Pedro into the back before Del crammed the key into the ignition and turned the truck over. The Hummer roared to life just as the first spray of bullets zipped through the air. Del punched the gas and the Hummer lurched forward and down the dirt road. They made it several yards before other vehicles appeared on their tale.
“Lose them!” Miguel shouted.
“How? This is the only road!” Del yelled back. She bounced over downed trees and tore through small bushes.
“Give me the gun!” Miguel said.
“Not on your life! You know how to drive?” she asked. Miguel grabbed the wheel and switched places with Del with ease. Del rolled down her window and fired off several shots at the truck behind them. She hit the tires and the suv spun out and flipped.
“Cool!” Miguel said.
“Not cool! Keep going!”
Bullets hit the back of their truck. The truck fishtailed but they kept going.
“I think we blew a tire!” Miguel shouted. The truck drove rough and plowed through the jungle awkwardly. Large leaves smashed at the windshield until they saw a large tree too late.
“Look out!” Del yelled!
Miguel turned the wheel but they still sideswiped the tree and slammed into another before the truck ground to a halt. Del gripped the dash to keep from slamming into it. She checked Miguel and the others in the back. Miguel unlocked the door, grabbed Del’s gun and jumped out firing at the remaining truck.
“No!” Del shouted but he was already gone. She pulled Pedro down to the floor of the vehicle and pushed Kyran as far down as she could. She ducked just as bullets riddled the windows and shattered them. And then spears and arrows started flying. Del got low and jumped out the truck on the driver’s side. Miguel still had her gun but only a few shots left. She reached him just as several bullets slammed into his chest. She grabbed him and fell to the ground shielding him with her body. The smugglers’ shouts and screams rose as the natives descended upon them. She heard their screams until they died away to nothing. The natives chanted a war cry and knocked their spears together.
Del rolled Miguel over. Blood poured from several wounds in his chest and he struggled to breathe.
“Miguel!” Del screamed as she tried to plug the wounds and stave off blood loss but she knew it would be futile.
“Pedro,” Miguel whispered. “Don’t let them..” he trailed off.
“I’ll take care of him. I promise. I won’t let them take him,” Del cried as tears streaked her face. She held Miguel to her chest and rocked him but he was already gone. She looked at the natives around her. They had pulled Kyran and Pedro from the truck. Kyran lay on the ground shivering with Pedro sitting confused beside him. The natives chatted amongst themselves and created a sleigh of sticks. They secured Kyran on the sleigh and started pulling him toward their village. One pulled Pedro along with them.
“No! Stop! I have to get him to the ocean!” Del shouted but they ignored her. One of the men created another sleigh and took Miguel from her arms. Del stood as she watched them carried him away. Del followed in their wake trying to communicate.
“He’s sick, can’t you see? I have to get him the ocean. He needs water! Agua!” she cried.
“Si, agua,” one of the men acknowledge as they continued.
Del had no choice but to follow them deeper into the jungle and further away from the ocean.
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July 28, 2013
Back on Schedule Next Week
the Blogging Book Fair
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Next week, Beyond Pacifica returns with a vengeance.
Don’t miss an episode, subscribe below to get it in your inbox.
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July 26, 2013
The Book Hook - Eliza Tilton
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Hopeless he’ll never be more than the boy who didn’t save his brother, 17-year-old Avikar accepts his life as the family stable boy, trying to forget the past. But when his sister, Jeslyn, is kidnapped, the thought of losing another sibling catapults him on a desperate quest. With his best friend by his side, and using the tracking skills he learned from his father, he discovers Jeslyn has been taken, kidnapped by one Lucino, the young lord of Daath, a mystical place thought only to exist in fables.
And Lucino has plans for Jeslyn.
BOOK HOOK
She didn’t reply, but I could hear her changing. I rapidly struck the flint, focused on creating a spark and not turning around. The fire lit, and I fanned the flame until the fire swarmed over the logs.
“I’m done.”
I turned around and stood. Her body still shivered, and she hugged herself. I grabbed a blanket, lying across the sofa, and draped it around her.
“Thank … you.”
“Come here.” I guided her to the couch and sat next to her. Slowly, I pulled her into my chest and wrapped my arms around her.
“What are you doing?” she fussed.
“I’m going to make sure you’re warm, and then I’ll leave you alone.” Her dark eyes questioned me. “Be calm,” I said softly.
She pouted, but gave in. I rubbed her arms and we sat in silence. The fire cracked and popped and the flames jumped with each sound. She leaned against my chest, letting me fully embrace her. Her breathing returned to a normal pace.
For what seemed like hours, I held her in my arms. The fire had died to barely a flicker. She’d fallen asleep, and I was content to hold her until morning, but I told her I’d leave and I needed her to trust me.
Sliding out from underneath her, I moved the blanket to create a pillow, and then tucked the rest around her. Her damp hair hung around her face. I bent down and swept it back behind her ear.
You are so beautiful. I grazed her cheek with my finger. I wish you could understand how sorry I am. I never meant to hurt you.
I kissed the top of her forehead and left.
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Eliza Tilton is the author of the YA Fantasy, BROKEN FOREST, published by Curiosity Quills Press. You can find her blogging about video games and writing on her blog and doing bi-weekly posts on author media over at YAStands.
She graduated from Dowling College with a BS in Visual Communications. When she’s not arguing with excel at her day job, or playing Dragon Age 2, again, she’s writing. Her stories hold a bit of the fantastical and there’s always a romance. She resides on Long Island with her husband, two kids and one very snuggly pit bull. Twitter / Tumblr / Website / Pinterest / Facebook
BUY LINKS: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / KOBO Goodreads
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The Mythology of MORE by T.M. Franklin
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The Mythology of MORE
By T.M. Franklin
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I’m often asked about the inspiration for MORE, and where the idea of the First Race and the Half-Breeds came from. Well, the mythology of MORE was inspired by a number of real-life myths and legends you might be familiar with, and a few that might be new to you.
The Nephilim
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The original inspiration actually came from the first book of the Bible, Genesis, and a reference to the mysterious creatures known as the Nephilim.
“When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the LORD said, ‘My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.’
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.” – Genesis 6:1-4 (NIV)
Now, there’s a lot of debate over who the Nephilim were—we’re not even sure if they were actually the “sons of God” or perhaps the offspring of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men.” Some say they were the children of fallen angels and human women. The Nephilim are only mentioned twice in the Bible. The other place is in the book of Numbers, where they are described as giants. (Goliath, of David & Goliath fame, is believed by some to have been a descendant of the Nephilim.)
The idea intrigued me—the existence of a group of people who were bigger and stronger than normal humans. What if they were superior in other ways as well? What if they were more developed mentally as well as physically, giving them superhuman abilities? The “heroes of old, men of renown” phrase led me to think of similar creatures in myth and legend.
Titans, Gods, and other Mythological Creatures
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Medusa, by Alice Pike Barney, 1892
There are a ton of them—the Titans, the gods of Greek or Roman mythology, giants, creatures in fairy tales or even comic books. What if they were merely exaggerations of people who really existed? Members of an ancient race—the First Race—who were a little more than human? (Heh. Yeah, that’s where the title came from.)
What if Medusa was really a member of this Race, who had the ability to paralyze nerves, and the snake-hair was just added in by a creative storyteller? What if the Hydra was based on a real-life person who could regenerate body parts? People who could hypnotize and manipulate others with their beautiful voices could have given rise the legends about the Sirens. Perhaps Zeus was a man who could manipulate electricity, giving him the ability to throw lightning bolts. In MORE, Ava describes some of the Race members who are so unusual-looking, they can’t go out into the human world.
“They stared at her curiously, and Ava couldn’t help staring back. Some were so tall—so incredibly beautiful—that they took her breath away. They glowed brighter than Caleb without the Veil, their eyes shimmering with light, their every movement poetic and graceful.”
-MORE, Chapter 13
What would you call a creature like that if you met him? An angel, perhaps? A fairy or witch?
But if these people existed, why wouldn’t they be in charge? Well, because they had a moral code, of course—a mission to help humans along in their development. And, because they were fewer in number than the ever-multiplying humans, they were in some danger if they were ever exposed. Everybody knows humans fear what they do not understand, and even a member of a superior race might fear being burned at the stake!
The Demigods
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Hercules Kills the Nemean Lion, 5th Century B.C.
Now, back to Genesis for a moment—apparently this relationship between the “sons of God” and “daughters of men” was a bad thing, because the next verses in Genesis talk about the wickedness of the human race and God’s decision to wipe it out with the Great Flood—you know, Noah and the Ark?
So, the idea that this relationship was forbidden got me thinking. Why would that be? Well, perhaps it was because their children would be potentially dangerous and unpredictable. Maybe they’d be like the demigods of mythology—human, but with power and strength superior to ordinary mortals, or perhaps even with gifts of their own. But if these people didn’t know how to control their gifts or use them properly, they could pose a danger to others, and also a risk of exposure. This is what led to the idea of the Half-Breeds, and why the Race would be so worried about them.
Of course, all of this helped to set up the relationship between Caleb and Ava in MORE. What happens when a member of this Race gets a little too close to a human? Talk about coming from two different worlds! His job is to get close to her, but loyalty to his people is tested when he gets to know her.
How they deal with that, and the people who want Ava captured—or possibly killed—is what MORE is all about.
So what are your favorite myths and legends? Let me know in the comments!
About T.M. Franklin
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T.M. Franklin started out her career writing non-fiction in a television newsroom. Graduating with a B.A. in Communications specializing in broadcast journalism and production, she worked for nine years as a major market television news producer, and garnered two regional Emmy Awards, before she resigned to be a full-time mom and part-time freelance writer. After writing and unsuccessfully querying a novel that she now admits, “is not that great,” she decided to follow the advice of one of the agents who turned her down—write some more and get better at it. Her first published novel, MORE, was born during National Novel Writing month, a challenge to write a novel in thirty days.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mike, is mom to two boys, Justin and Ryan, and has an enormous black dog named Rocky who’s always lying nearby while she’s writing. Whether he’s soothed by the clicking of the computer keys or just waiting for someone to rub his belly is up for debate.
In addition to MORE, Franklin penned the Amazon best-selling short story, Window, as well as another short story, A Piece of Cake, which appears in the Romantic Interludes anthology. The sequel to MORE, The Guardians, will be released in the fall of 2013.
Connect with T.M. Franklin
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About MORE
Ava Michaels used to think she was special.
As a child, she fantasized about having magical powers . . . making things happen. But Ava grew up and eventually accepted the fact that her childish dreams were just that, and maybe a normal life wasn’t so bad after all.
Now a young college student, Ava meets Caleb Foster, a brilliant and mysterious man who’s supposed to help her pass physics, but in reality has another mission in mind. What he shows Ava challenges her view of the world, shaking it to its very core.
Because Caleb isn’t quite what he seems. In fact, he’s not entirely human, and he’s not the only one.
Together, the duo faces a threat from an ancient race bound to protect humans, but only after protecting their own secrets—secrets they fear Ava may expose. Fighting to survive, Ava soon learns she’s not actually normal . . . she’s not even just special.
She’s a little bit more.
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About Window
Chloe Blake has a unique gift, an odd connection to her house that results in glimpses of the past, present, and future via the picture window in her living room. Unfortunately, it’s a gift that sometimes proves to be more of a curse. Especially when she tries to help out Ethan Reynolds, the gorgeous boy who lives across the street – an endeavor that, for some reason, always seems to backfire. Or leave her covered in mud.
But the house is convinced Ethan’s life is in danger and Chloe’s the only one who can save him. The problem is, he thinks she’s more than a little crazy.
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Mingling Myths and Monsters with Mortals
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