Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 259

The Midnight Trail - Part Seven

Part Seven
The sun was hanging low in the sky by the time I had come up with a plan. It wasn’t going to be easy though, and it relied on the things I had in my backpack and hoped that Chris had brought with him as well.
My leg ached as I sifted through the fallen rubble, searching for the bags among the rock, but I ignored it for the most part. Fortunately, they weren’t buried deep and I was able to find them within a few minutes, bringing them back to the shade of the tree to search their content.
What I was looking for was anything that I could use to make a sled. There was only one way to get Chris out safely and that was pulling him out with what little strength I had left. In my bag was a sandwich, lighter, a bottle of water and a light rain jacket incase it started to rain. It wasn’t much, definitely not enough to make the sled for Chris. I prayed that the other pack was better stocked then mine was.
The zipper was crushed by the rocks that had fallen on it, making it difficult to open. My arms strained as I pulled on the top of the pack like a bag of chips. It popped open suddenly, throwing me back onto the dirt. When I finally recovered, I noticed that inside the backpack was a treasure trove of hiking goodies. A knife, several packs of dried packed foods, three bottles of fresh water and the one thing was desperate for, a rope.
“Yes!” I screamed at the top of my lungs unable to hold back the amount of joy I felt. Climbing to my feet, I jumped up and down with joy. “I’m going to save you, Chris what ever your name is.”
With the rope in my hand, I went to work gathering long, straight branches that were thick enough to hold the weight of a person, but still not be too heavy to lift. I wasn’t sure how I was going to make this journey, but I had no choice. With the sun beginning to set behind the trees, I lashed the last branch together and sat back to admire my handy work. Four branches made up the frame, two long on the sides and two shorter branches top and bottom. They were tied together in the corners and then the rope weaved back and forth from side to side to make what could have been a terrible looking hammock. It wasn’t much to look at but it would do.
Carefully, I lifted Chris from the shoulders and pulled him onto the hammock. With his feet hanging off the end, I carefully lowered his head down, being wary of the wound on his scalp. It had stopped bleeding but there was no sign that he would wake.
I threw all the other supplies into one backpack and hoisted it on my shoulders. There was no time to waist, Chris needed a hospital and I was going to get him to one. With the light dimming, but still long from setting, I lifted the sled from the front with a grunt. It was heavy, but still easier than dragging Chris down the river bank. The sled dug into the ground as it moved along the lose ground, but we were making progress either way.
We rounded a corner and for a moment I thought I saw Jarrod standing among the trees, the smile on his face apparent, but when I blinked he was gone. A reminder that I wouldn’t let this trail take me down.

Finally, Shelbyis on her way to getting off the trail and she is taking Chris with her, but the sun is setting. Will she be able to keep going when the light is gone and the predators of the forest come out?

Of Blood and Snow - Release

OF BLOOD
& Snow(Erlanis Chronicles, 2)by Danielle Belwater
Check out my interview with the author
Paranormal/Suspense/Romance/TeenEvernight Teen Publishing/63K


Blood is thicker than water, or so the story goes…
As fast as Cora can run, there is no escaping the blood that ties her to an ancient, evil past.
Amongst the bitter cold and driving snow, Nate must find a way to protect the love of his life, before the darkness falls and Cora is lost to him forever.

Buy Links:   Evernight Teen   Amazon   
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Snow-Erlanis-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B01GULS2TI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1465913735&sr=8-2&keywords=Of+BLood+and+SnowEvernight Teen:  http://www.evernightteen.com/of-blood-and-snow-by-danielle-belwater/


 Excerpt:
14+ due to adult situations
Why? Why did I need to go home? Other than for shelter, no one needed me there. Nate was all I had left. He was my reason for breathing and now the sole reason I got up every morning. The thought of harm coming to Nate made my heart hammer in my chest even harder. I jammed my hands deep into my coat pockets and focused on letting oxygen flow into my lungs.In a single moment of clarity, I knew. I mean, I knew I loved Nate; that was without question. But if I didn’t have him in my life, it would be nothing but vacuous space.I brushed snow off the fallen tree trunk and sat down. My thinking tree. Nate and I came here often to sit and talk, read, or watch the day simply pass us by. I piled up handful after handful of snow, heaping them on top of each other until a small avalanche rolled off the log and into a heap on the ground.You are the key.I leapt off the log landing two feet together, crushing the peak of snow beneath my shoes.“Who’s there?” I shoved my fists into my hips and squared my shoulders. If there was someone there, they didn’t know who they were messing with.The rustling of leaves came from above and a sprinkling of disturbed snow flittered down in front of my face. The flapping of beating wings and the call of a solitary bird echoed overhead. I caught sight of white feathers tipped with black before they disappeared above the trees and out of sight.“Is anyone there?” I called out again, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t get a response.The softness of the voice rolled around my head as I lingered amongst the tall trees on my way back home.I am the key. The answer is within my blood. What did that mean?

About the Author:Danielle Belwater adores the concept of true love and that everyone has their Prince Charming or Snow White out there somewhere, even if they have to fight demons, ghosts, and wizards to find it.Danielle has been having a love affair with words since she was young and in primary school, writing some rather imaginative tales. This love has followed her into adulthood. She lives in rural South Australia with her husband, young daughters and way too many animals to mention. She spends most of her time dreaming up characters, stories, ghostly tales, and watching Firefly re-runs.  She also cooks the odd meal for her family to avoid them looking like skeletons at official author functions!  Danielle is passionate about reading and her interests include pretty much anything with words from rolling four volume epics to the daily newspaper. 
Website :  http://www.daniellebelwater.com   Blog:  http://daniellebelwater.blogspot.com.au Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/DanielleBelwaterAuthor/?fref=ts Twitter : https://twitter.com/DBelwater Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/DBelwater/?etslf=5390&eq=Danielle%20Belwater

Of Blood and Snow - Release and Giveaway

OF BLOOD & Snow (Erlanis Chronicles, 2)by Danielle Belwater
Paranormal/Suspense/Romance/TeenEvernight Teen Publishing/63K


Blood is thicker than water, or so the story goes…
As fast as Cora can run, there is no escaping the blood that ties her to an ancient, evil past.
Amongst the bitter cold and driving snow, Nate must find a way to protect the love of his life, before the darkness falls and Cora is lost to him forever.

Buy Links:   Evernight Teen   Amazon   
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Snow-Erlanis-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B01GULS2TI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1465913735&sr=8-2&keywords=Of+BLood+and+SnowEvernight Teen:  http://www.evernightteen.com/of-blood-and-snow-by-danielle-belwater/


 Excerpt:
14+ due to adult situations
Why? Why did I need to go home? Other than for shelter, no one needed me there. Nate was all I had left. He was my reason for breathing and now the sole reason I got up every morning. The thought of harm coming to Nate made my heart hammer in my chest even harder. I jammed my hands deep into my coat pockets and focused on letting oxygen flow into my lungs.In a single moment of clarity, I knew. I mean, I knew I loved Nate; that was without question. But if I didn’t have him in my life, it would be nothing but vacuous space.I brushed snow off the fallen tree trunk and sat down. My thinking tree. Nate and I came here often to sit and talk, read, or watch the day simply pass us by. I piled up handful after handful of snow, heaping them on top of each other until a small avalanche rolled off the log and into a heap on the ground.You are the key.I leapt off the log landing two feet together, crushing the peak of snow beneath my shoes.“Who’s there?” I shoved my fists into my hips and squared my shoulders. If there was someone there, they didn’t know who they were messing with.The rustling of leaves came from above and a sprinkling of disturbed snow flittered down in front of my face. The flapping of beating wings and the call of a solitary bird echoed overhead. I caught sight of white feathers tipped with black before they disappeared above the trees and out of sight.“Is anyone there?” I called out again, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t get a response.The softness of the voice rolled around my head as I lingered amongst the tall trees on my way back home.I am the key. The answer is within my blood. What did that mean?

About the Author:Danielle Belwater adores the concept of true love and that everyone has their Prince Charming or Snow White out there somewhere, even if they have to fight demons, ghosts, and wizards to find it.Danielle has been having a love affair with words since she was young and in primary school, writing some rather imaginative tales. This love has followed her into adulthood. She lives in rural South Australia with her husband, young daughters and way too many animals to mention. She spends most of her time dreaming up characters, stories, ghostly tales, and watching Firefly re-runs.  She also cooks the odd meal for her family to avoid them looking like skeletons at official author functions!  Danielle is passionate about reading and her interests include pretty much anything with words from rolling four volume epics to the daily newspaper. 
Website :  http://www.daniellebelwater.com   Blog:  http://daniellebelwater.blogspot.com.au Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/DanielleBelwaterAuthor/?fref=ts Twitter : https://twitter.com/DBelwater Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/DBelwater/?etslf=5390&eq=Danielle%20Belwater


Giveaway:$20 Amazon Gift Card
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Menu: Week 150

I'm trying not to post too many pictures of my kittens, but I cant help it. They are just too cute. I shared this picture on twitter with the local new station and they put it on TV during their broadcast. Ah, so adorable!

I hope you all had a wonderful father's day? We spent the morning in the garden and then my husband took some time to go kayaking in the Clackamas River. He took some awesome photos of a beautiful day. We also spent some time with the n-laws having root beard (As the boys all it) floats. They loved them.

I set up some family favorite meals for you this week. Enjoy!

Monday- Spaghetti
Tuesday- Chicken Teriyaki
Wednesday- Creamy Bruschetta Chicken
Thursday- Loaded Chicken Taco Salad
Friday- Cheesy Taco Skillet
Saturday- Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
Sunday- Tuna Sandwiches

Up the Clackamas River Oregon City, OR.

June Movies - Part Two

I watched some pretty crazy intense movies this week, no lying. I was on the edge of the couch almost the whole time. Its rare for me to see one nail bitter in a month, but to find three in one week is unheard of. You will love these picks.

End of Watch (2012) - This movie has Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena. Two outstanding actors that always give you a reason to get into the move. End of Watch is shot in a documentary style from the view of two LA cops. They are known on the streets as bad asses, taking down drug dealers and saving lives when a building is on fire. They take no crap from no one.

The good feelings take a turn for the worst when they step on Mexican drug cartel turf. n the end, poo hits the fan and bullets fly. I wont ruin the ending for you because you have to watch it yourself, but you will need your tissue box.

The only down side to the movie is every word is the "F" word. Every word. I couldn't let the kids anywhere near the living room when I was watching the movie, I had to wait till they went to bed.

If you want to check out the trailer, click this link.

I'm going to give this movie 4 out of 5 stars for language.


Gone (2012) - When I first started watching this movie the girl Jll (Amanda Seyfried) pulls out a map that says Forest Park and she is marking of areas of the map. I'm thinking to myself, that map looks a lot like Forest Park in NW Portland, but how generic is the name Forest Park? There has to be a Forest Park in every state. Little did I know, the movie was filmed in my stomping ground, Portland Oregon.

It was weird to see the actors running around deep SE Portland and then they turn a corner and they are in the rich area of NE, or they are hiding out under the Marquam Bridge, then they are driving over the Saint Johns Bridge. Either way, I loved this movie and I probably still would have even if it wasn't my Oregon.

The story is about a girl named Jill who is suffering from PTSD after she escaped being kidnapped by a serial killer. When her sister goes missing, she finds out it was the serial killer coming back for her. Of course, non of the cops believe the serial killer ever existed and they brush her off, so Jill takes things into her own hands. In the end, she tracks down the man who kidnapped her and confronts him. It is a very intense movie that you will need lots of popcorn to keep your hands busy. There is no stop thriller action and a satisfying ending that says, "In your face Copper!"

Check out the trailer here. I'm giving this movie a 5 out of 5 stars because its awesome and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Struck by Lightning (2012) - All right all you school news paper nerds (me included.) This movie is about a kid who cant seem to get anyone to respect his opinions or read any of his articles. He finds himself to be above the rest of his school even his teachers, but you have to give him a break, he's had a pretty messed up life.

When Carson (Chris Colfer) learns that the college of his dreams won't accept his application unless he does something unique, he decides to start a literary magazine, but no one wants to write for it. What does Carson do? He blackmails a bunch of people and makes them write articles.

Things get screwed up as they usually do when you blackmail people, and in the end no one reads the literary magazine anyway. Well, As the title says, Carson gets struck by lightning and dies. I can tell you that because that's the first scene that they show in the movie.

Please check out the trailer here.

I'm going to give this movie 3 out of 5 stars because it was a little depressing but still funny. P.S. It also has Rebel Wilson in it...

If you have any suggestions on movies I should see, please message, comment or email me. 

R.I.P. Anton Yelchin

It seems like more and more these days we are losing young people to senseless tragedies and accidents. It's really heart braking. These young people whether they are actors or not should be remembered for the amazing people they were.

If you haven't heard by now, actor Anton Yelchin was found pinned by his car during the morning hours of June 19th. By the time anyone came for him he was already gone. It seems to be a terrible accident that took this young man's life. In honor of all the achievements in film that Anton has made, lets take some time this week to watch one of his movies.
I've compiled a list of movies that I have personally seen of his and would recommend to anyone.

Any of the new Star Trek reboots.
Star Trek (2009)  Star Trek - Into Darkness (2013)  Fierce People (2005)  Alpha Dog (2006)





















Terminator - Salvation (2009)   





















Let this be a sad reminder to keep your loved ones close and always tell them you love them, because you never know when they will take their last breath. R.I.P. Anton Yelchin.

The Midnight Trail - Part Six

Part Six,
My sobs came out uncontrollably as I sat under the oak tree and let the day wither away around me. My vision was blurred and I was beginning to feel the pressure in my head from a long hard cry, not to mention the ache in my leg that was driving me nuts.
In the distance I thought I heard my name being called. Shelby, Shelby. At first I ignored it. There wasn’t anything there, but as the nose came closer and I was sure that my name was being called, I wiped the tears from my eyes and stumbled to my feet.
“Who’s there?” I called out into the forest hoping that whoever was coming could help me get Chris back to the road. “Is somebody there?”
The forest was quiet again. I listened for the sound of foot steps coming closer through the underbrush, but there was nothing. My name wasn’t being called anymore. The birds had stopped chirping and the wind no longer rustled the leaves in the canopy above. There was nothing, not even the sound of the river close by.
I turned around, looking for anything moving in the trees around me, my feet the only thing making sounds.
“Hello?” My voice was shaking and quiet.
“Shelby.” A familiar voice sounded behind me, startling me out of my skin. I turned around quickly nearly stumbling over my own feet to come face to face with my brother, Jarrod.
“What are you doing here? You’re dead.” My voice caught in my throat as I spoke the words. He had been gone for months now, but yet here he was standing in front of me.
“Shelby.” His words were calm and slow. “Are you going to let this young man die because you’re feeling sorry for yourself?”
A single tear rolled down my cheek as I glanced down at Chris who was still unconscious on the ground under the tree. He looked so pale already. “I don’t know what to do, Jarrod.”
Jarrod smiled at me, that knowing grin that he always gave me when he knew that I was holding back. “What happened to me was not your fault. You did the best you could to save me, but right now, you are letting this young man die when you have the strength to bring him to safety. You must save him Shelby.”
“But how?” I threw up my hands in defeat crouching down to check Chris’s breathing.
“You’ll find a way.” Jarrod’s words were distant and quiet. I turned back to look him in the eyes and he was gone, vanished into thin air like he was never there. I glanced around the small clearing trying to find him, but he was no where to be seen. He was gone.
As I looked back down at Chris’s unmoving body my mind suddenly cleared. He was going to die if I did nothing and I couldn’t just sit here and allow that. Thought started to form a plan, pieces of something that I had once been taught by my brother a long time ago. There was a way, but I would have to move quickly.

Now that Shelbyhas a new direction and a clear mind will she be able to get Chris back to the road before his injures take him. Find out next time on The Midnight Trail. 

Ronan's 6th Birthday Pictures

Every year for my boy's birthday, I take them to a park and take some photos of them that show of their personality, and no one has more personality than Ronan. He is a fun packed fire cracker, full of energy and imagination. There is nothing that this kid hasn't tried or wants to try. He also never stops moving, not even when he is sick. Love my medium boy!

Book Review - The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan

The Great HuntBy Robert Jordan
Ladies and Gents, there are somethings in life that take a little more time than normally should and this was one of them for me. I started this book while on vacation when I was eight months pregnant with my first child. For all of you who know me, you know that my first son is almost nine. Yes this book took me almost nine years to read. This shouldn't say anything about the quality of  the writing thought, it says a lot about how fast I read and how much time I have on my hands.
My husband has been a long time fan of Robert Jordan and he was the one that turned me on to these books. I started off with New Spring and quickly moved on to the Eye of the World. Loved them both. With the birth of my first son, I put The Great Hunt down and never picked it back up until recently. 
I love the world that the characters live in and am enthralled by the Aes Sedai and their use of the One Power. Its total magic and wonders that only a mind like Robert Jordan can think up. This was truly an epic fantasy for anyone to get lost in.
The characters are all torn apart and sent on their own adventures through out the book. The women to Tar Valon and the men on an epic journey to bring back the Horn of Valere. Somehow, through strange magic and even stranger circumstances, the group finds themselves in Falme, a city that has been over run by invaders. There are battles, Dark Friends and the return of Heroes from the past. The main Character Rand even comes to terms with his title, which we have been wondering about since the last book.
I loved this book and if you like epic fantasies then you will love t too. This one gets 5 out of 5 stars for all over content.  

Menu: Week 149

We had a busy weekend. Pictures for Ronan's 6th birthday, pictures of my sisters family, my little sisters bridal shower and dinner with the in-laws. And that was all on Sunday. What a weekend.

I also finished my second edits on my book and sent it back to my editor with a dedication and teaser excerpt. I think we are coming to the end, but I don't really know how the time line works. All I want to see now is my cover.

Here is the menu for the week Enjoy!

Monday- Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken
Tuesday- Nacho Skillet
Wednesday- Chicken Teryaki
Thursday- Mongolian Beef

Friday- Pork Schnitzle
Saturday- Spaghetti

Sunday
- Tuna Sandwiches