Crystal Collier's Blog, page 19

True Heroes: O for Osm (Sound that Out)

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

lson family, Jeffery and Julie Olson. I met these amazing people shortly after moving to NYC, but they were so important in our lives--more than they may ever know.

In 2006 my husband got a job in New York, on the border of NYC. It was one of those crazy moments where he got in the car, drove cross country, and found work. While searching for housing, he attended church. He had no idea where he was going to stay that night, and we'd mostly dried up the financial reserves. Suddenly, this lovely young lady at church asked if he needed a place to stay. Her father, Jeffery, was the District President and they often invited people to stay in their basement.

That was the beginning.

Over the next year and a half we got to know more about this amazing family, and I have to say, I've never met anyone more inspiring. Nine kids. Living on Long Island. He worked for a Catholic university, even though he was Mormon (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), and frequently took trips to Rome. Julie home schooled ALL OF THOSE KIDS, was involved in the community, and you couldn't help but feel her love instantly. I wanted to be exactly like her. She remembered all the little details about our conversations and was instantly invested in EVERYONE she met. Just WOW.

I remember clearly a year after we moved out of the city when she and I ran into one another. There was a big hug, some giddy jumping up and down, and excited chatter about everything that had changed in the last year. Even after we left, she continued to love us. They were the same way with everyone, and I suppose that's what impressed me the most.

I'm sure we didn't make that huge an impression on them, but in a time that was beyond turbulent for me, I was embraced by angels.


This is my week of excerpts, so I hope you like this one:

Kiren extended a hand to help her up, and she took it. Her feet were instantly below her—so quickly that she stumbled and landed against his solid form. An arm rounded her back tenderly, her legs threatening to give at the elation of his touch.

He turned in the direction of the house, pulling her forward with him, moving out of the garden and up to solid brick walls. They halted at a window, the study window. Father sat within, gazing at the portrait of Dana, fingers tracing the details.

“He gave her up.” Her attention snapped back to her breathtaking captor, inhaling his oaken tang. “He could have kept her for his own, and he gave her up.”

His eyes met hers. The azure depths broke in a myriad of lighter flecks, like stars reflected in an ocean tide. They consumed her, igniting a fire within her breast—an irrational hunger for the tremor in his arm against her back, the heat of his side against hers, the feel of his hand vacillating ever so slightly...

He released her and took a few steps back. “You need to go now.”

MOONLESS is on sale now for $1.99, but only for another couple days.


Have you met anyone who instantly loved and helped you? Who is it you most aspire to be like? Do you have alternate parent figures?

Kick-Trash Writerly Wednesday, and True Heroes: N

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

ikola Tesla. Yes, I'm a total fan of all things geek...except for maybe Darwinism, so it probably shouldn't come as any wonder I look up to Tesla, who was arguably one of the brightest minds to ever walk the earth. I mean, what I wouldn't give for his wireless electricity! How did we NOT patent that one into existence?

From Serbia, Tesla never graduated college. How's that for ironic? He slept rarely, as in 2 hour stints here and there, and ran 10 miles a day to keep his brain active. He claimed a photographic memory and definitely dealt with OCD.

He found himself working in electronics and migrated to the USA where he worked for Thomas Edison, until he got his own backers. And failed. He eventually secured another backer and went on to create car motors, and such things as X-rays, radio/remote control, transatlantic radio signals, and of course, the Tesla Coil. Heck, he even was working on a "death ray," or directed-energy weapon for the military.

I admire this man for his tenacity, for his pursuit of passion, even when funds were hard to come by. I admire his mind, and the dedication he gave to his work. Really, I'm in love with his brain.


Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 

Last week, Tara Tyler shared Pop Travel with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win one of three amazing prizes.

Tara's game:

1. Tara was a singing camel in a school musical.

2. She was a singing rebel in a school musical.

3. She was a singing penguin in a school musical.
And the lie is: 

#3. Tara was also a tree and a farmer and once had to turn down a part in Hello Dolly because the rehearsals were too far away. She's been in a lot of musicals. She loves to sing and has always had a big mouth that projects well =) She may try out for community theater some day.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winners are:

...DRUM ROLL...

Jennifer Hawes
and
Misha Gericke
Congrats ladies!
And now to today's feature, a book I can't wait to read that promises non-stop action and pure awesomeness (and whose author's name starts with an N! How cools is that?):

At the age of twenty, Kanze Zenjiro's bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of his beloved nation of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they are sure to send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.

Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns and somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness.
Pick up your copy HERE.
And now, let me introduce you to the amazing author: 
Jay Noel was born in New York but lives in St. Louis with his family. He received a degree in English, and despite what people say, an English degree isn't a big waste of time. Jay's been blogging since 2005, and he's a regular contributor to CultureBrats.com and inkPageant.com.
Right now, Jay is on a Farmer's Cheese kick. No artificial anything, and it's got enough flavor without overwhelming you. It's awesome when you shred it and put it on a salad, or you can just cut a chunk off and eat it plain. 
Jay gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for a chance to win one of these cool steampunk bookmarks. You have until Tuesday, April 22, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on April 23.



TRUTH OR LIE
1. In 2002, Jay had a near death experience. His heart stopped while in the hospital, and that's why he never takes anything for granted.
2. Jay's a big time extrovert, and spent a lot of time on stage. He participated in musicals, plays, speech and debate. He even got to the National Championships in humorous interpretation.3. Jay had a strange encounter with a ghost when he was 13 years old and it radically changed him forever. He's been infatuated with the paranormal ever since.


Okay friendlies, which is the lie? Do you look up to any intellectuals? Who is your favorite inventor? Favorite modern invention?

True Heroes A to Z: Few Men will Ever Measure up...

to this one.

Quickly, Michael Di Gesu is kindly featuring MOONLESS today on his blog. Check it out!

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

onson, Thomas. Okay, so if you don't know who this is, you really need to get to know him. Here's a man whose life has been consumed by service to others since the age of 22 when he was called as a bishop (lay service--non paid) in the Mormon church (officially called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Among the many tasks he was to carry out, 85 widows fell he under his care. He visited every single one regularly, and ended up speaking at each one's funeral over the ensuing 40 years.

He is a people person, one filled with stories who recites classics and thrives on beautiful poetry. He gives constant attention to "the one," spending many an hour at the sickbed or with downhearted families while leading a world-wide church of 15 million.

He's one of my personal heroes.




MOONLESS is only on sale at $1.99 for a short while longer. Have a taste of the awesomeness, eh?

Kiren unlatched the balcony door with a thin metal hook and slipped inside. He refastened the catch, gut twisting at the moonless sky beyond the glass. How long would his luck hold?

Alexia lay on her back, one arm lost in her dark hair, the other tucked across her chest. A foot dangled off the edge of the mattress, tempting him to slip it back beneath her blanket.

He grinned, envying her carefree abandon. Her latest read lay on the bed beside an extinguished candle. He lifted it. Fanciful words danced back at him. They too made him smile. She wanted adventure. He could supply that.

His eyes landed on the card he’d given her father and his smirk died. It had been shredded and reconstructed. His chest tightened. “Oh Alexia . . .”


Have you known anyone who inspired you to want to be better? Who is the most selfless person you know? Have you done any good in the world today?

True Heroes A to Z: L is for Forgiveness?

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

owe, Alva Johnson. This is a quiet, elderly woman most people might pass in a grocery store and think nothing of, but she is so much more. She married her husband at the age of 17, and became the wife of a very successful cattle rancher. Even during the depression, they had enough and were generous with others. She raised strong children and taught them each a stiff moral backbone.

Because of a childhood sickness, she battled deafness all her life. She served as an experimental patient in multiple procedures--many painful. She was proud that she'd be able to help pioneer hearing technology for those who would come after her, and despite her difficulties, I never heard her complain.

She could have.
God had taken her hearing.
She never complained.
When her husband was 65, she lost him to a heart attack because of medical malpractice.

She didn't sue.
She forgave.
She never complained.
When she was 78, she was hit by garbage truck while walking, and doctors didn't think she'd walk again. She proved them wrong.

Again, she didn't sue.
She forgave.
She never complained.
Feelings of anger can eat us up inside. They urge us to blame our lack of happiness on what we don't have, what was taken from us. Alva, "Grandma," has taught me that forgiveness is a choice. Happiness is a choice. She just keeps pressing forward, leaving behind the bad to make room for the good. She's my hero.


Time is running out. MOONLESS is on sale now for $1.99, but only for another couple weeks.

EXCERPT:
“There’s an old legend ‘bout these parts.” Their host sat his tired body down on a stool. “Dangers in the moonless night what’d make you shake in your skin.” He indicated the empty chairs across from himself and they took them willingly. “It’s said a hundred years back a wil-o’-the-wisp passed this way.”

“Like a faerie?” Alexia suggested.

“Oh sure,” he nodded, “only stronger. It liked our little town and settled down here. It aided people’s harvest, blessed our children with health, kept the cattle, stayed the plague.” He shifted. “A doctor on the hill housed the creature, fed it, took care of it and did its bidding on our behalf. Then one day he disappeared—he and his whole family.” He looked Alexia right in the eye. “A plague started upon us, things what appear on moonless nights and stealed away our children. There weren’t no more helps of a miraculous nature. Ones like this,” he pointed to the youth who’d saved them, “started popping up instead of the healthy pretty ones. No offense, lad.” The young man smiled a toothy grin. “It’s said the old man insulted the creature and earned its wrath. We been dealin’ with it ever since. Bein’ left to wander outdoors on a night such as this is as much a death sentence as hangin’.”



Have you been inspired by someone who was able to forgive? Do you have a grandparent you look up to? Have you dealt with deafness or other disabilities?

True Heroes A to Z: K with Love

Quickly, I'm guest posting over at Annalisa Crawfords place to help celebrate her reaching the big 40! Pop in and stretch your creative muscles with us.

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

Thus far I've shared with you so many of my world-known heroes, but I think the most inspiring ones rarely hear praise.


asper, Patricia Christena Lowe Hicken. (Does she have enough names?) This is "Mom." She's survived raising 8 kids, one of them special needs, living far away from family while doing that (or having very little family support through the process), and losing a husband to cancer.

Mom was always cleaning. Always. (With 8 kids, is that any wonder?) She spent an entire day every week doing nothing but laundry. Despite trying to get us kids to help with chores, she ended up doing most of it herself, and I know there were many, many years she felt so completely burned out, she didn't know how she put one foot in front of the other. But she did.

Dad was a doctor, and rarely home. He worked 12 hour days when I was young, and then often delivered babies in the middle of the night. Essentially, he left everything to Mom. I've often wondered how she survived. Some of us were not easy kids, especially my special need brother (Randy) and her youngest (looking at you, Jeff). I participated in so many extracurricular activities that I'm amazed she made it to even HALF my performances. But she did.

She looked forward to the day when her kids would be grown and she'd be able to do things with her husband, but right at the cusp of that transition, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Of all the difficulties she'd endured for so long, I didn't know how she'd survive it. But she did.

Now, remarried to a widower who also lost his spouse to cancer, they've just returned from a church service mission--the first of many. It's little wonder. Mom has never known how to stop serving.

The thing I've learned from her is that we are much tougher than we think we are. We have the strength to endure and even enjoy greater trials than our little minds can comprehend. Because of Mom, I know I can deal with grubby fingerprints on the walls, or raising my children far away from family support, or even home schooling while having a career. More than that, I've realized the joy of my children will grow long beyond the demolition stage of their youth. Because hers does.

To mothers everywhere, I salute you. To my mom, I adore you. Thank you for your everything.


Did you see my announcement on Monday? (Apologies to those of you who've seen it six times now.)The release date has been announced! MOONLESS is on sale now for $1.99! (But only for a couple more weeks.) Do you fear the Moonless night?

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.

Alexia must choose safety and an arranged marriage, or true love and being hunted by the Soulless every moonless night.

Do you have a good relationship with your mother? Have you had more than one mother figure in your life? What is the greatest lesson you learned from your mother?

True Heroes from A to Z: J

Quickly, I'm guest posting over at Annalisa Crawfords place to help celebrate her reaching the big 40! Pop in and stretch your creative muscles with us.

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

Heroes can be on a large scale, or on a personal and close one. Today I'd like to share one dear to my heart:

ohnson, Sofe Christen Wasden, AKA Great Grandma Johnson. Once or twice a year we'd hop in the van and drive 8 hours to go visit Grandma and Great Grandma. Grandpa passed away when I was 8, and since then, they'd lived together.

The best part about spending time with Grandma Johnson was talking. We'd sit and chat for hours. I remember interviewing her once. She told me about owning only two dresses growing up, and how a Native American stopped into her parent's home and offered to take her away and make her an Indian princess.

She learned to play piano by listening to her older brother's lessons. Her parents could only afford to have one child taught, so she'd wait until he was done practicing, then slip in to the piano and repeat everything she'd heard. It made him so mad.

When she learned about my love for music composition, she gifted me a sheet music notebook with a single inscription on the inside cover: "Music is poetry of the soul."

She passed away when I was 16 (she was 96), and it was a hard death for me. I had seen many loved ones pass away, but I wouldn't get anymore of those quiet conversations. I thought I'd lost her, but I swear Great Grandma Johnson has been my "musical" guardian angel ever since. Her influence is still with me long, long after her passing.

These are some old gems I composed years ago, part of a musical we hope to see on stage in the distant future (and yes, I'm singing the female portions while 5 flippin' months prego):

Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen HEREOr HERE

The release date for has been announced! To celebrate, MOONLESS is on sale now for $1.99! (But only for the month of April.) Find out what the big deal is behind Moonless nights.

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.

Alexia must choose safety and an arranged marriage, or true love and being hunted by the Soulless every moonless night.


Do you have anyone who has encouraged you in a budding talent? Your own guardian angel? A relative you adore who has passed away?

True Heroes A to Z: : "I," as in INSPIRING

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

Do you ever wish you could make a difference in the world? Let me introduce you to...

rena Sendler, a hero we don't hear nearly enough about from Poland, a woman who smuggled around 2,500 Jewish kids to safety during the Holocaust and provided them false identities. She was a nurse, a social worker, and obviously part of the underground resistance during World War II.

A fighter from early on, she was stripped of her university education because she opposed the ghetto-bench system, a segregation tactic which forced Jews to sit in designated areas.

As a nurse and social worker, she was allowed into the Ghetto to "conduct inspections of sanitary conditions," during which she smuggled babies, small children and teens away to safety in ambulances and trams, getting creative and periodically hiding them in packages. Every day she risked her life, and when she was finally arrested, she was tortured, including the breaking of her feet and legs, then sentenced to death. Friends rescued her, and she remained in hiding until the war was over, still assisting where she could to save lives.

Irena's story is awe inspiring to me. She was in a position to help people, and she did, without regard to her own safety. I have to wonder how many of us would have the gumption, vision and courage to risk everything for others.


DID YOU MISS MY ANNOUNCEMENT MONDAY? Check it out for the release date. And to celebrate that announcement, MOONLESS is on sale for $1.99! (But only for the month of April.) Get your copy fast.

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.

Alexia must choose safety and an arranged marriage, or true love and being hunted by the Soulless every moonless night.

Have you heard of Irene before? Do you have any WWII heroes? Have you known or heard of anyone willing to give their life for others?

Writely Wednesday Giveaway and True Heroes: H

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

icken, Stephen Lloyd, aka, "Dad." Some of us have the privilege of having our parents around throughout most of our lives. Some of us don't. I was blessed to have my father until the age of 24, though his legacy is much longer lasting.

My father was crazy when it came to hobbies. He always had at least three he was actively invested in--as if being a doctor and father to 8 children, one of whom was special needs--wasn't enough. The thing I learned from watching, was a determination to always be progressing and growing, no matter how many challenges are on your plate. Dad didn't stand still.

Most of his time was dedicated to serving others, whether it was in the office trying to help people heal, delivering a baby in the middle of the night, as a scoutmaster, teaching his children, helping a neighbor move, repairing a vehicle, or off on a church assignment to help a needy family. He was quiet about these things, so that not even his children knew about all he did, unless one of us was directly involved in helping--like the year he had us crash his work Christmas party. It wasn't much of a party, more like a meet-in-the-lobby and chat kind of event. Lame, right? He had us younger kids dress up like elves and one older brother as Santa. We dropped in unexpectedly, bells jingling, and delivered candy canes to some very surprised nurses and receptionists, wishing them all a Merry Christmas.

There's also the time he learned of a patient who was really struggling during the holidays. Without telling anyone, he dragged one of my brothers out the door and had him ding-and-run, leaving a large box of necessities on the family's doorstep. My brother told me of several other deliveries he was asked to handle because no one would connect him with Dad, including envelopes of cash.

Dad took time to take each of his daughters on special "daddy-daughter dates," and I remember one time, even though he really was clueless about what girls like, he decided he just wanted to do something nice for his daughters. He filled a lunch bag with little prizes and treats for each of us. I remember the dorky Bullwinkle pencil in my bag, and how much it meant.

I suppose the point is, you never know how much impact you're making on someone else's life--even with the little things. No effort is wasted. No kind word or act should be forgone. Love endures long after a person leaves your life.


Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 

Last week, Kate Scott shared Counting to D with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win her eBook!

Kate's game:

1. Kate is allergic to ketchup.

2. Kate's left foot once stayed asleep (pins and needles) for three years.
3. She once built a 15-foot snowman with a forklift.
And the lie is: 

#1. Kate is not actually allergic to ketchup.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Susan Gourley/Kelley!
Congrats Susan!
And now to today's feature, a book I read and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it (seeing how it's WAY out of my usual reading zone):

In 2080, technology has gone too far for hard-boiled Detective J.L. Cooper. He thought he could avoid the Pop Travel teleportation craze, until he stumbled onto a video of a traveler who turns to dust.
Cooper's discovery of Pop Travel's deadly flaw sparks a series of murders, attempts on his life, and threats to his brother. He’d like to pass off the evidence but knows he’s being watched and can’t trust anyone. And who would believe him?
The only way he can save his brother is to fool his observers while looking for a way to expose the problem. With help from the neurotic, genius “Creator” and a beautiful Southern charmer, Cooper pop teleports around the world to escape corporate killers and find a way to shut down Pop Travel or die trying. No problem.
Pick up your copy HERE.
And now, let me introduce you to the wonderful author: 
Tara Tyler started out as a math teacher and has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. Having lived up and down the Eastern US, she currently resides in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. In addition to her novels, she has published short stories and poetry in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, and Humor. She is also working on a non-fiction book of tips for women who hate housework. So many stories to tell! Read more here, http://www.taratylertalks.blogspot.com

Tara loves to eat free samples of cheese at the grocery store, some are yummy and some are not, but she love trying new cheeses. 
Tara gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for a chance to win your choice of 1. POP Travel Print book, 2. Pop Travel (eBook) or this very cool QV bracelet. There will be TWO winner s , so guess away! You have until Tuesday, April 15, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on April 16.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Tara was a singing camel in a school musical.
2. She was a singing rebel in a school musical.3. She was a singing penguin in a school musical.


Okay friendlies, which is the lie? Do you have a relative who's passed on that left you a legacy? Who is your real life hero?

True Heroes A to Z: G for the King of America

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

eorge Washington. Yeah, this guy kind of fits in yesterday's club, but I admire him for a completely different reason than his pal, Benjamin Franklin.

George Washington was raised in a prominent family with acclaim, money and expected decorum. He was constantly working to be the man of his upbringing and often came across as the strong silent type. We've all see my favorite portrayal of him, a general of a raggedy band of American rebels, battling a foe with unconquerable resources while his soldiers suffered every privation imaginable. My heart goes out to this man as he watched his troops and prayed for deliverance.

I love him for that, but that's not the part I admire most. George Washington had the admiration of an entire country when the war ended. He was the first elected president of the United States of America, and it was a whole-hearted and unanimous election. Everyone loved him. After serving two terms as president he could have easily decided to stay in office, and the people would have happily allowed it. He could have become our own King George, but Washington believed in the ideals established by our founders. He stepped down that his country might be the entity it was intended. That's why I love him.


Did you miss my announcement yesterday?
Check it out HERE.
 (And grab your discounted copy of MOONLESS now for $1.99. Sale ending soon.)

Have you ever had to swallow your pride in order to do what's best? Can you imagine what would have happened if America had become another dictatorship? Speculation? What are your feelings about Washington?

True Heroes A to Z: F, For a Fabulous...

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!
But first, the A to Z.

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

ranklin, Benjamin. This is one of my favorite people in ALL OF TIME. Seriously, the guy had a sense of humor, he was brilliant, and he was a bit of a ladies man--even as common or unattractive as he may have been. What's not to love?

When paying for school proved impossible, he started a library to fuel his love for reading and education (even though he never graduated). He became the publisher of a newspaper and started as a writer under a pen name (YES, I totally love this guy,) to write controversial columns that would move the U.S. toward becoming an independent country. Not only did it sell papers (he was a brilliant business man), but it lit a spark.

I wish you and I could take a tour of his house. This guy was constantly innovating, creating little conveniences through contraptions such as bifocal glasses, the beginnings of a modern oven, an odometer, and the lightning rod. That's just the beginning of the list, but that's not what I'm going to rave about.

His biggest contribution in my mind is the service he provided in the founding of the United States. That alone would be a reason for me to love him, but his diplomatic mission to France is probably what saved this country in the middle of the War of Independence. It's because of him the French became our allies (and don't think I've forgotten the importance of that assistance my French friends).

One of the reasons I adore Franklin is because of his focus on building a strong character, and cultivating it in those around him. Here are 13 values he worked to perfect through his life:
"Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.""Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.""Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.""Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.""Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.""Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.""Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.""Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.""Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.""Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.""Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.""Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.""Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."I would totally love to sit down to lunch one day with this guy.




Announcement time!!! Book 2 in the Maiden of Time trilogy will be released October 13, 2014! To help celebrate this announcement, MOONLESS (book 1) is $1.99--but only for a short time. Grab your copy now.


Who do you admire most in history? Do you like Benjamin Franklin? Who is your favorite founding father? (If you're American.)