R.J. Conte's Blog, page 2

New Steampunk by Shauna Black!

I have not read this book yet, but it looks amazing!

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As the Phantom Nightingale’s first mate, Brayde’s life is full of harrowing adventure. He and the crew of the intrepid Carpathia are devoted to Captain Xanthe and his mission to save children from slavery. But when news of Xanthe’s lost sister comes to light, Brayde must decide whether to follow him on their most dangerous mission yet—into the heart of the empire that wants the Nightingale, dead or alive.

Avilene’s plans after graduating...

You Miss Me

You miss me?

But I never left

You ran

When I was real

When my tears pooled

When I pushed back

When I said no

When who I really am inside

Was never what you wanted

Emotionally, you fled

You miss me?

But I never left

I am a chalkboard

I am a chalkboard

A magnet for scribbles

A smooth charcoal face

That none can resist

To soil

And once their words

Cover my skin

I am never the same

No matter how much erasing

And how much water

Tries to wash the smudgy remains

I am still smeared

With the dust and debris

Of words that were once written

On my heart

Who’s at Fault?

Who’s at fault?
Have you plugged your ears around me?
Or is it me?
Am I as obnoxious as they say?
When I scour my deeds am I blind?
Or are you perpetually impossible to please?
Have your passions overtaken your interest
In anyone other than you?
Or is this cycle an indication
That I’m unaware of how unlovable I am?
You make me feel insane, dear one.
Dare I try again?

HUGE GIVEAWAY – Free Book, Tumbler, Keychain, and Art!

HUGE GIVEAWAY:

Sick of winter? Many might hit a low in January. You’re tired of being cold, snowed in, sick with plague, and broke from Christmas.

Didn’t get that item on your wish-list? Can’t spend another cent but really want a warm, fuzzy, happy beach read to heat your heart?

CAPTIVATED BY CATALINA GIVEAWAY! – Estimated value of $75!!

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You’ll win:
*A free paperback copy of my clean Christian romance, Captivated by Catalina
*Captivated by Catalina keychain byLiterary Treasures
*Gorgeous,...

With You

I’m here

With you

“But what do you want to do?”

Be with you.

Maybe that’s not enough.

“But what do you want to see?’

Your face in front of me.

Maybe you don’t want to see mine.

“But what do you want to hear?”

Your voice so clear

Maybe you don’t want to talk.

I disappoint.

But I’m here

With you

And that is enough

Not Children, But Pre-Adults

I tried to grow herbs for my rabbit.

I tried really, really hard, but I had lots of things working against me. First, I live in a specific part of the pacific northwest, where we go nine months out of the year without sunlight. Secondly, the windows in my house face north/south, so even that little bit of sunlight we *do* get doesn’t come in any of my windows to reach that little box of dirt behind my big kitchen sink. And third, I have a black thumb. Seriously. I kill plants. I think I...

This Could Be

This could be fun

Frosty faces and Rudolph noses

Evergreen aroma filling the head

Long bumpy road trips through snowy mountains

But you’re upset with me

This could be joy

Tight-packed shopping

Surprise delight and perfect wrapped gifts

Dimly lit restaurants and candlelight

But you’re frustrated

This could be momentous

First steps and long-distance phone calls

Lit up chubby cheeks and monosyllables

Cheering cries of greeting

But you are stubbornly angry

This could bring life

The splintering...

Parent

Internal ecstasy when I see your dimples

Flushed with pride and gratitude when your little voice sings

Excited further when I impart knowledge

Yet open my mouth and my tongue stings

I watch the tears like little mirrors

Reflect myself back like sun burning my eyes

Even when I hush and whisper, “I love you”

You only hear what you want to hear

Do you see my every scold and not my lavish praise?

Can I be even clearer on how you’re adored?

Does my mistaken harshness once in a while

Negate the...

Midnight Fog

Outside my front door is a world of phantoms

A wonderland at midnight that no one will see

But me

I trot out into fog, my every step a cymbal

The street veiled in mists and silence thick

I stick

I imagine every rustle of my hand will bring

Every neighbor, pixie, and Sprite peeping through their curtain

I breathe loud, I’m certain

But this magical fog hides my form

I step lightly like a dancer immediately trained

I can’t be blamed

For hushing as if I’m in a cathedral

Out in the chill, the...