Carly Compass's Blog, page 3
February 16, 2018
About Family Is Live
About Family is live on Smashwords
and Amazon!
[image error]
Click, and come to the release party, February 17, and 18! Stop by for a minute and say, hi, read excerpts from my latest release and Chat with me live.
[image error]
Click to Enter to win a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card! Contest is open until February 19th! The winner will be announced on the 20th!
It has been an extraordinary journey getting these three books out this year! I will be busy with the release party this weekend and I hope to see you there.
About Family, Book Description:
From the author of the Electric Series comes a stunning new book, About Family. Carly Compass has compiled a collection of short stories about families. Who can you count on in a crisis? Who stands up for you and supports you in your endeavors? Is it the biological members known as blood relatives? Or have you gained a group of friends that stand by your side? About Family examines these different scenarios in thought-provoking stories that are sure to entertain. Issues between siblings, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, children and their parents and vise versa are all thoroughly examined in these twisting tales that reveal our strengths and weaknesses.
About Family, Excerpt:
Ivory Tower
Part 3
{Parts 1 and 2 are published in, About Love)
Sally Costanzo gave Jesse Worthington one last, long and lingering kiss before she opened the Jaguar X type door and jumped into the backseat, giggling.
“So, you two are a thing now?” her mom, Sheila asked, as Sally slammed the door.
“Yeah,” Sally said, putting on her seatbelt.
“Well, you don’t have to be so obvious about it,” Sally’s sister, Jemma huffed from the passenger seat.
Sheila shifted into drive with her foot on the brake, clicked on the left turn signal, looked into the rearview mirror and watched Jesse sauntered to Dr. Worthington’s SUV. Jesse’s 6’4” frame hopped into the black Escalade parked behind her. Sheila shook her head, and looked into the side view mirror and merged out of the parking spot.
“When did it become official,” Sheila asked.
“A few days ago.”
“You do know that Jesse is my professor’s son.”
“Yeah, I know. I know,” Sally said, rolling her eyes looking out the window as they drove.
“Did you know that Dr. Worthington was parked right behind us?”
“No,” Sally said shifting uncomfortably.
“A kiss good bye is fine. Keep it short and sweet,” Sheila said.
Sally hissed and huffed in the backseat.
Sheila knew there was nothing she could do about it, besides Jesse was a very handsome boy and not a bad catch, but the timing of this couldn’t be worse. Sheila left Dr. Worthington’s class and drove to the high school to find her professor parked right behind her. What a mess!
They arrived home and everyone went about their activities. Sheila had to get dinner on the table and write a paper for her Fiction Writing class. The girls went upstairs to their rooms while Sheila prepared the meatloaf, popped it in the oven and went downstairs to the computer to write her paper.
“Dinner,” Sheila called out an hour later.
The family gathered around the round table set for five.
“I got the lead in Marvin’s Room,” Jemma said.
“Congratulations,” Sheila said, passing the green beans.
“That’s terrific honey,” her father, James said, as he passed the mashed potatoes.
“Not another play,” her brother, Donny groaned.
“So, when do rehearsals start?” Sheila asked taking a bite of her meatloaf.
“Tomorrow.”
“What time will you need to be picked up?” Sheila asked.
“My parking permit came in today. So, can I take the van?” Jemma asked.
“Sure, you can drive Sally in the morning and I will pick you up in the afternoon,” Sheila said looking at Sally.
“Okay.” Both Sally and Jemma agreed.
***
In the preceding months, Sheila continued the grueling schedule of working and going to school while maintaining the family routine.
She had a strict schedule for maintaining the house with dinner on the table every night. She would get home from school most days and find Jesse on her couch. Jesse now had his own car and would drive Sally home, hang out and have dinner with the family most nights.
Sally would attend Dr. Worthington class where he always seemed to nudge in a comment into the writing prompts that seemed personal to Sheila as if Jesse was going home and reporting everything to his father about his experiences in the Costanzo home.
“Remember about character development, does your character make their bed every morning, or do they leave it in shambles? What does that say about them?
“Is dinner promptly on the table every night or do they order fast food? All of these literary devices give your readers clues to who your characters are. Don’t state the facts, reveal them in small doses. We don’t want a grocery list of telling, but subtle nuances showing that enable the reader to draw their own conclusions.”
Sheila tried to navigate the situation as best she could, feeling self-conscious and inhibited in his class, knowing that any paper she handed in could be seen by Jesse and thereby seen by her daughter, Sally.
Winter slowly shifted into spring, the crocus gave way to the daffodil and with it torrential rains. One Friday night during a particular bad thunderstorm James shouted, “the power is out,” as he looked out the window.
“Oh my god! What about the sump pump?” Sheila asked running to his side.
“I’ll go check it,” James said with Sheila following close behind. They grabbed the flashlights and went downstairs.
“The water is coming in,” Sheila said in a panic as she watched the water level rising, bubbling up from the sump pump pit and quickly spreading to the dirty laundry laying on the floor. She immediately picked up anything that was on the floor and remembered the power strip for their computer and ran into the office to make sure all of the electrical plugs were up and off the floor. She lit candles so that they wouldn’t run out of flashlight batteries when she heard a gigantic roar of machinery.
“What was that?” Sheila asked as the roar continued to reverberate outside the house. The couple went upstairs to investigate. James poked his head out of the sliding glass door as the rain pelted down on him and looked in the direction of the noise and saw their neighbors had, “Generators.”
“Oh shit, we need a generator” Sheila said. “Where can we buy one,” Sheila asked James.
“I don’t know, Home Depot, or the hardware store.”
“Why don’t you see if we can plugin to the neighbor’s generator while I look around,” Sheila said grabbing the yellow pages.
James put on his raincoat and went outside. He saw a figure wearing a hooded yellow rain slicker two doors down and called out, “Ron.”
Ron turned his head and greeted James as the rain came down in sheets, “It looks like a bad one,” he yelled over the roar of the generator and thunder clapping overhead, extending his hand to James in greeting.
“Yeah. We don’t have a generator. Sheila is in the house calling stores right now. Can I plug into yours until we find one?”
“Sure,” Ron yelled. “But you better get one. This happens all the time.”
“Really,” James yelled surprised.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“I’ve lived in Clancy for sixteen years, ten blocks north of here and we never lost power.”
“Yeah, it has something to do with the power grid. But you have to keep your sump pump going or your basement will flood.”
“The things they don’t mention when you buy a house,” James shouted, shocked. “Okay, thanks. Let me get my extension cords and I’ll be right back.”
End of Excerpt
Continue reading on Smashwords or Amazon
Be on the look out: I will be Spotlighted on Christy Kate McKenzie’s blog, Pink Heart Society, for the month of March!
Stay tuned for my New 3 book Series, Rituals Lost, coming out in June of 2018! The first book will be a #freeEbook
January 26, 2018
About Love, A Collection of Short Stories
[image error]
Enter a chance to win a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card!
Contest runs from January 27th thru February 19th at 8;00 p.m.
The winner will be announced on February 20th, 2018!
To enter the contest, go to my Facebook Author page and view pinned post, by clicking the link below.
20 for $20.00. If there are not at least 20 entries the contest will be null and void, so please share with friends by using this handy click to tweet option below..
#RT Enter a chance to win a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card. Go to my website and view my Facebook page pinned tweet to enter! Contest runs from January 27th to February 19! #RT
Click To Tweet
Feel free to stop by my Facebook, book release party and say hi on Saturday and Sunday at 12:00-3:00 p.m. talk live with the me.
I am happy to announce that, About Love is live on Amazon and Smashwords.
For Amazon outside the United State Click Here.
[image error]
Book Description:
Tired of the same old love stories, of boy meets girl in a mixed-up world? Carly Compass strives to give her readers originality in stunning, thought provoking short stories. About Love, is a collection of stories,and poetry that examines all facets of love. The ancient Greeks had six words for love: Eros, sexual passion; Philla, deep friendship; Ludus, playful love; Agape, love for everyone; Pragma, longstanding love, and Philautia, self-love. The Oxford dictionary has four definitions of love, and within those definitions there are sub sections and that is when love is used as a noun. As a verb, there are more definitions. Love is complicated. Love is a human necessity and can be beautiful, vexing, and a tremendous source of motivation, simultaneously. This collection of poetry and prose scratches the surface and plays with love everlasting in a thought provoking, humorous display of love in its many guises that will surprise you.
Book Excerpt:
Desiree
The garden party spilled out onto the cobblestone road of the tiny village. Desiree descended the small hill looking down upon the landscape, noting the tiny white twinkling lights that sparkled and lit up the designated area. A fair-haired young man of in-discernible age walked swiftly up to her, kissed her passionately on the lips, and just as quickly turned and walked away. Standing still from the shock of it, she became incensed at the utter audacity of this young man.
She soon found her footing and followed after him. He wasn’t going to get away with it! She was determined to give him a piece of her mind. The young man’s pace quickened as she pursued him. He vanished through a cellar door in one of the cottage’s outhouses.
Desiree thrust open the door with a passionate fury of her desired intention to find darkness and a stone staircase leading down into the abyss. Her psyche was so bruised, and her intention so clear, that fear of the unknown never entered her mind. Slowly, she descended feeling the air and atmosphere cool exponentially with each step as goose bumps rose on her flesh; the cool air went straight up her white frilly frock, sending chills through her body as she continued.
She heard in the distance, stone on stone rubbing together, as she descended the spiral stone staircase and soon heard the click clack of hooves on stone, like a horse trotting, and the ripping of cloth, like a Hulk transformation. She reached the bottom and entered the grotto of a limestone fortress, with torches blazing from the walls.
Now all she heard was the lilt of flutes, and the murmur of congenial conversation and laughter as she adjusted her eyes to the lighting. The smell of sweet wine, and something roasting in a nearby pit entered her nostrils.
All fell silent as she advanced. The entourage of toga clad natives bearing laurel leaf crowns, stopped basking in each other’s glow and sipping wine from their golden goblets to take note of her. Now all Desiree could hear was the gurgling of a babbling brook, and the crackling of burning fire.
Desiree looked off into the distance to find the fair-haired boy that she had followed.
Pan stood proudly with a devilishly mischievous aura, exuding sexuality from every pore. He displayed a knowing grin on his Rex Harrison face, framed by unruly curly brown hair.
He looked straight into her eyes with a burning desire and smiled, revealing brilliant white teeth. Desiree’s eyes followed his curly brown locks down his broad hairy chest and muscled build as chills went down her spine, she shivered a moment.
There was a familiarity there in his eyes. She felt their deep connection. Desiree smiled sweetly, remembering him, as if their paths had crossed innumerable times, for centuries.
Instantaneously, she knew he was her spiritual companion and then she started to recognize everyone, as the throng of people gather around her in greeting.
Euphoria set in, she was so happy to be there with all the people that she loved and loved her! The multitude enveloped and embraced her in a welcome that she never had experienced in this lifetime, but knew was familiar. The gathering offered her food, song, stories, music, dance, wine and merriment!
This went on for hours…until Desiree woke up with a feeling of orgasmic ecstasy! She felt refreshed and light-hearted.
She stretched out, eyes closed, wanting to hold…
End of Excerpt.
Thank you so much for your time and attention.
I must get back to writing, there are only three weeks until, About Family, A Collection of Short Stories is out!
[image error]
Take care until then, feel free to contact me with any questions.
January 5, 2018
New Release
Greetings All and A Very Happy and Prosperous New Year to you.
I spent 2017 doing research and writing my new series, About Life, About Love and About Family.
I am happy to announce that, About Life, is now live on Amazon and Smashwords for iBook, Nook et. al and available for sale.
[image error]
About Love, will be released January 27, 2018.
About Family will be release, February 17, 2018!
Book covers are at the end of the post.
Book description for, About Life:
From the author of, The Electric Series, Carly Compass, has compiled a collection of short stories and poems about life. The Fortune Cookie is a modern-day nod to the murder/mystery writer, Agatha Christie. Seven willing participants win an all expense paid trip for a cruise off of the coast of California, but who is the paying for this trip and why? The second story, Mind Over Matter, is an account of the birth experience and how the mind can heal the body. The third installment, The Unexpected Guest, is a tale about religion, neighbors and misunderstandings. The fourth story, Pharmacy, takes the reader into a world of thieves, drugs and money. The fifth story, The Dress Shop, is a tale of suspense and intrigue with dirty cops and wily characters. The sixth story, A loaf of Bread, tells an Iranian immigrant’s, coming to America. The seventh story, 25 years of marriage, is a stunning tale of the love and sacrifice of a 25-year marriage. And the final story, Suitcases of Apollonia, is a Bosnian refugee story. This collection of prose and poetry has something for everyone, with a central theme of resiliency.
And as promised an excerpt from the book:
The Fortune Cookie
Jane spotted the TMZ reporter waiting outside her house when she was about to leave. Will they never let up! She thought as she decided to confront them and get it over with once and for all.”Mrs. Franken!” The reporter called out.
“Yes.” Jane shouted back, as she pushed the button on her key ring to unlock the Subaru in the driveway.
“I just have a few questions.”
“You always do,” Jane said walking at a brisk pace as the reporter and cameraman rushed up to her on the driveway.
“Have you spoken with Miles?”
“As I stated on numerous occasions. We fostered Miles from the age of 12 to 18. When he graduated from Merriville High School he never looked back. We haven’t spoken to Miles in close to four years.”
“So, you’re not on speaking terms?”
“No!” Jane said as she slammed the door on her SUV, started the engine and pulled out of the driveway onto the side street of her modest home in Indiana.
***
Miles Westfield was a bit of an anomaly, raised in the foster care system from the age of 12, he gained attention and admiration in Merriville High School for his writing and producing 15 award-winning screenplays by the age of 17. This accomplishment generated attention of business executives at CBC talent agency in Hollywood, California who worked feverishly to get him hooked up with the studio executives for a 10% commission!
After signing with Atlanta Studios, Miles achieved great success writing two number one television sitcoms, “She is Alright” for CBS and “Don’t Change a Thing” for Cinemax while attending college at Stardom University in Orange County! There was no doubt in the minds of studio executives that Miles Westfield was an up and coming boy genius.
His book, Party on Bart, became a New York Times Best seller, the first week it was published in 2015, right after he graduated college. He gained notoriety, fame and fortune for his accomplishments.
Because of his flawless reputation as a producer, Paramount Pictures paid $2.5 million dollars for his screenplay, “Another Brother, Another Mother” that was currently in production.
There was no doubt that Miles was a rising star with a bright future. He achieved monumental success and status in his 24 years! Every up and coming college student and seasoned professional wanted to hitch a ride on this rising star for his phenomenal talent as a drama/comedy screenwriter.
Encore Studios hired him to write and produce a new reality television show with a $15 million dollar, budget.
Miles Westfield could do no wrong in the eyes of the studio executives, and it had gotten to his head as dreams of fame and grandeur grew to catastrophic proportions. With great privilege comes responsibility, but because Miles was so trusted, he had free rein on all of his projects. No one needed to handhold him; he was a self-starter with amazing time management skills.
***
July 17th, 2017, Miles sat at the control panel at Encore Studios putting the finishing touches on his new reality television series, “The Fortune Cookie” when Trenton, his 19-year old college intern, joined him in the screening room.
“I can’t believe today’s the day!” Trenton said excitedly.
“Well it is! Finally, after a year of work, we’re about to get this party started.” Miles mused excitedly, as they looked at 16 monitors in the sound booth.
***
47-year-old, Thaddeus, exited the cab and approached his Fifth Avenue office building, in New York, wearing a silk blend suit, when a sharp dressed young man accompanied by a cameraman, approached him at the front campus of the structure. “Thaddeus Martinson?”
‘Yes?”
“I was just coming up to your office. I’m so glad I caught you. My name is Frank Stanford,” he said extending his hand in greeting. “I’ve been hired by ARG Resources. You have gotten the attention of the head honchos on Wall Street,” He continued smiling broadly. “You have been invited, for an all expenses paid trip to California, to attend, ‘Unleash the Power Within,” Seminar!”
Thaddeus was apprehensive as he listened over the hustle and bustle of the Manhattan Street, looking over to the cameraman; self-conscious, Thaddeus stood a little straighter and taller.
“We have taken care of everything for you, but you have to leave with me right now if you are going to make your flight.” Frank said pointing to the limousine double-parked on the street.
“Where is this taking place?” Thaddeus asked stunned and thinking, I still have three reports to finish before our quarterly meeting.
“On a yacht off the sunny California Coast near Catalina.”
Thaddeus raised his hand to his unshaven face and bristled the whiskers, as his thick blonde hair blew in the breeze and asked, ‘Tony Robbins?” Very aware of the camera angle, he quickly dropped his hand down to his side.
“Right you are!”
“Who will be attending?”
“Every up and coming Wolf of Wall Street.” Frank said and gently nudged Thaddeus’s elbow to lead him to the waiting limousine.
“Well okay then,” Thaddeus replied with a chuckle, thinking: I need a new deal quick! This is the break I’ve been looking for; it is only a matter of days before I go down like Madoff. I can feel the wheels of fortune smiling down on me, and I simply have nothing left to lose! He threw his shoulders back and walked proudly with Frank to the stretch limousine double-parked on the bustling street.
***
52-year-old, Nadia Narcette, stumbled through her Florida ranch trying to reach the incessant doorbell that woke her from a stupor in the back of the house as the dogs barked and the bird cawed. “Hold your horses! Hold your horses! I’m coming,” She yelled as she stubbed her toe on a pile of trash that was strewn in the hallway. “Mother of God!” She shouted as she grabbed her toe. “Holy hell, what can be so damn urgent!” She shouted as the doorbell continued. Shaking her foot, she patted down her unruly hair and pulled the silken robe tightly around her anorexic frame and proceeded through her hoarder house to the front door, which hadn’t been opened in months. “Calm down! I’m coming.” Nadia said, as she pushed debris out of the way to open the door a crack to reveal a handsome young man wearing a pinstriped suit. “What in God blazes do you want? You’re not a Jehovah’s Witness, are you?”
“No, I can assure you I am not. I am looking for, Nadia Narcette?”
“Yes. Well, what in the world do you want?”
The young man was taken aback by her appearance and the shabby conditions of her house and said, “My name is Frank Canton and I am here to tell you that you have won an all expense paid trip to California, from a secret admirer.”
“What in the Sam Hill are you talking about?”
“Someone from your past has sought you out and is whisking you away to California for a one week cruise. The Yacht is docked in Marina Del Rey. But your flight leaves in an hour, so you have to come with me now.”
Nadia looked down at herself. She hadn’t bathed in days and she was so hung over that she couldn’t even think straight.
“Go quickly and get dressed. I will explain more on our way to the airport,” he said standing to the side, revealing a limousine in the driveway and a cameraman to his left.
Stunned and shocked, she yelled, “Okay! Okay! Just give me a minute,” and slammed the door shut and locked it tight. Panicked, Nadia looked around her trash-strewn house! Who could it be? Nadia wondered. She met many rich men during all the 25 years she had been a stripper up and down the state of Florida. She figured she was forgotten by all of them as she walked carefully back to her bedroom that was piled to the ceiling with stuff and wondered what she should wear.
She took off her clothes and grabbed a bottle of witch hazel and proceeded to rinse her body down with it. The water had been shut off six months ago and she had been using a bucket as a toilet. Her house was in foreclosure, so she had nothing to lose. She grabbed an old shirt from the floor and poured the witch hazel over it and wiped out her armpits and crotch.
Her two dogs continued yipping as she shouted, “Settle down!” She pinned her hair down, put a net over it to hold her nappy hair in place, and placed her best wig over it, adjusting it to sit right. I really don’t care who it is, as long as I can get out of this hell hole, she thought as reached for her dusty old Channel black suit hanging from a nail on the wall. She shook it out and put it on.
All of the beautiful things she had acquired during her stripper days, that had made stripping seem worth it, were now buried under a sea of trash that had essentially been ruined by neglect. She fished out her best Christian Louboutin black pumps, grabbed her black quilted Coach purse and shoved her cosmetic bag in and went to the back door.
She released her two dogs, three cats and Macaw into the back yard saying, “Good luck fellows. Maybe I’ll see you when I get back? If I get back!” She locked the door threw her keys in her purse, and pulled out her bottle of Channel Number 5 and spritzed herself from head to toe. She replaced the perfume and pulled out her Jackie O, dark sunglasses, before walking around the house and through the gangway to meet her mysterious handsome prince in the driveway.
“Here, I am! So sorry to have kept you waiting,” Nadia said in a long drawn out southern drawl as the stunned driver couldn’t help but react to the transformation.
“Your chariot awaits,” he said with a bow.
“I am so excited to find out what this is all about,” she said smiling to the camera.
“We must leave now. We’re running late. I don’t want you to miss your flight,” Frank said, as he closed the door of the limo and proceeded to get into the driver’s seat.
Nadia looked down at her ashen legs in horror and proceeded to rub them in an effort to remove the dead skin as the car backed out of the driveway.
She took off her sunglasses and fussed with her makeup and asked, “What can you tell me about my secret admirer?”
“I work for a limousine service and I’m instructed to tell you to look for your driver when you deplane at the John Wayne Airport in Newport Beach. In approximately six hours.”
“It’s all so mysterious and exciting!” Nadia said and thought, finally my prince has come. “But why was there a cameraman?”
“Just to record the momentous event, I imagine,” Frank said, unsure himself. With a deep sigh of relief, she sat back and enjoyed the rest of the ride to the airport.
***
56-year-old Sally, sat praying in the foyer of her Baptist church in Chicago. She was patiently waiting to speak to pastor John about job placement, when a modestly dressed woman walked in and asked, “Sally Trivalous?”
“Yes,” Sally said and rose to greet the woman.
end of excerpt
Continue reading on Smashwords for Nook iBook and other formats.
About Love, is due for release, January 27th, 2018!
[image error]
About Family will be release February 17th, 2018!
[image error]
Be on the look out: I will be Spotlighted on Christy Kate McKenzie’s blog, Pink Heart Society, for the month of March!
Rituals Lost, A Pagan/Wiccan tale, Books 1, 2, and 3, will be coming out, June 2018.
A side note: While doing my genealogy after my cousin’s death, I met cousins in New Zealand who have invited me to a 90th birthday party in July. It is my hope to be able to go to New Zealand, Australia and make a quick stop in Sri Lanka on the way back. Funny thing is I think it is winter in New Zealand in July and monsoon season in Sri Lanka…I have to check with my good friend and author, Devika Fernando, who just opened a bed and breakfast in Sri Lanka to make sure, since I will be staying at her place if all goes well!
I’ll keep you posted.
Happy Reading! I read forty books in 2017.
How many do you plan on reading in 2018?
March 28, 2017
The Journey and Process to Self Publishing.
It is difficult to believe that it has been 10 weeks since Book 6, The Finale of my Electric series has been published.
My process and results to self publishing a series. #NewRelease #IndieBooksBeSeen #WIP #supportIA…
Click To Tweet
Sales are good and the reviews are still coming.
This has been a spectacular journey spanning the last three years.
Starting on Facebook in March of 2014 I developed my platform across all social media six months before publication in late September and early October, publishing each book, a week apart, has proven to be quite successful. Ideally, an author would want to have all their promotional items made before publication, some suggests, two years before you publish. I made it up as I went along, creating this website in July that same year trying to attract readers. I had a release party, after some reviews of the three book series came in, with 33 authors from around the world, in November, that lasted three days. You can learn more here in an Article by fellow Author Graham Watkins. After the holidays I started to write and publish books, 4, 5 and 6 the following years! I just came up on my three year anniversary since I started this and all six books are finally out! This article will examine the process of how it all came about. Enjoy a snippet of book 1:
[image error]
Find my books, and reviews here: download your free eBook while you are there!
In Book 1, the reader is introduced to an average American family. I wrote this for posterity and tried to stay true to the trials and tribulations that raising a family entails. I added for enhancement of the storyline a stalker and many clues to upcoming events to see what might transpire. Here are some reader responses:
[image error]
In book 2, the reader gets a deeper glimpse that all is not as it seems, giving heed to the old adage that you can take the ten people you admire most in the world and put their problems in a bag and then switch bags with any one of them and you will always want your bag back. The reader learns more about the main character, Gina, as she begins to stumble.
[image error]
Here is how some of my readers reacted to Book 2:
[image error]
Considering cameras are in everyone’s hands and installed at almost every traffic light, bank, parking lot etc… and our society has become filled with exhibitionist, posting and tweeting every event in their lives across all social media and with the popularity of reality television shows, we have all become voyeuristic in nature too. So I decided to add the voyeuristic piece to the storyline. In book 3, stunning new developments are revealed and the story reaches a crisis of epic proportions with two characters dead and a cliff hanger as to how and why! Enjoy an excerpt from book 2.
[image error]
Here are how some of my readers reacted in their reviews:
[image error]
I had these three books written at the beginning of my journey. Originally, that was going to be the end, but at the last minute I decided to end with a cliff hanger and flush out more from these characters. I announced that I was writing a forth book in the series and got to work immediately. In the following year, 2015, I made book 1 free, which made me a best selling author on Amazon, and decided to combined all three books at a discounted rate. Learn more here.
I considered my readers and their reactions, and they were always at the forefront of my mind while creating book 4! Here the reader is introduced to an afterlife that I created with influences of Albert Brooks, from his movie, Defending Your Life and Rebecca Rosen’s book, Awakening the Spirit Within. With a rise in popularity of television shows like, John Edwards, and The Long Island Medium, I went to town to imagine and create what the afterlife might be like, with many messages and a lot of heartfelt meaning. I published book 4 in April of 2015, and here is an excerpt.
[image error] And here is how some of my readers reacted to book 4:
[image error]
I left another cliff hanger and had to proceed. While learning the ins and outs of promoting on social media and especially on twitter, I had been confronted too many times with pornography. Sadly upon further investigation I was shocked and appalled at how women were either willingly or unwillingly portrayed. With all the fuss and popularity of E. L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey, I decided that I wanted to understand and delved into the BDSM scene in book 5, all while balancing, and deconstructing the aforementioned storyline. I published book 5 in 2016. Enjoy a short excerpt:
[image error]
Here are some of the reactions of my readers:
[image error]
Now I was presented with wrapping up the storyline and through many volatile happenings in my personal life, I forged ahead and completed the series in the beginning of 2017. Here is an excerpt from book 6:
[image error]
And finally, here is how my readers reacted to book 6:
[image error]
Publishing all three of the first books within weeks and the last three books within a year and a half, I suggest having the series completed in advance and publish each book within a few weeks of each other as I seemed to have lost that initial excitement that I experienced with publishing the books a few weeks apart. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but I am sure you will want to read every word.
One of my readers created movie posters as to how he saw the books. You can see Shadrach Del’Monte’s work here.
I am currently working on getting these books into paperback editions that should be out by the end of May 2017. I have decided to forgo using Roman Numerals as chapter headings in the 187 chapters work, choosing instead to use numbers for each book, for example in book 1, the chapters will be 1-1, 1-2 and so forth, in book 2, 2-1 and 2-2 all the way through the series that I think will look better for the print edition and be less confusing in general.
I am simultaneously working on a three book series of short stories: About Love, About Life and About Family due for publication starting, September 31st, through November 2017 and another series about women and their misunderstood witchy ways, working title, Rituals Lost, coming April through September, 2018!
I will have both series completed before publication, to try and grab onto that initial excitement that I experienced with the publications of the first three books. Although the collection of short stories will not have any cliff hangers, there might be a story or two continuing on the character from my Electric series found within the collection along with poetry and some stories that were previous published in Literary Magazines that are no longer in print.
I will post about these new releases in the coming weeks and months ahead, sharing excerpts and book cover design ideas.
Before you go be sure to check out my goodreads reviews contained on this website I have read ten great books this year and you might like to learn more. Also feel free to look around my website for previous published articles with tips on social media as well as free chapters from the Electric series…
Thank you for your time and attention. Until next time, think about working a little bit each day toward your goal to bring about great achievement, not over night, but little by little, each day building something, to reach your authenticity. That is how I did it and will continue to flourish. No one is an over night success, it takes hard work and consistency to reach your goal in anything you want to accomplish.
Ya’all come back now, ya hear…there is more to discover.
January 30, 2017
Electric, The Finale, Book 6 is Live!
Electric, The Finale, Book 6 is Live!
[image error]
The reviews are in:
Read Stuart Kenyon’s review of Electric, The Finale, Book 6
Read Devika Fernando’s review of Electric, The Finale, Book 6.
To thank these two great authors for all their help, I wanted to feature their two new releases too!
Stuart Kenyon and Devika Fernando also had new releases this week!
Please read on to learn more:
#IndieBooksBeSeen check out these #newrelease #supportIA #ASMSG
Click To Tweet
Stuart Kenyon’s New book, Swiftly Sharpens the Fang is available in Kindle and paper back edition. Please Click here to learn more.
[image error]
I have been reading Kenyon’s books for the past year and have given 5 star reviews for all of his work. You can check out his writing here: Subnormal Trilogy.
Kenyon’s writing style can best be described as a cross between George Orwell’s 1984’s dystopian epic mixed with the modern day grit and realism of Chuck Palahniuk (author of, Fight Club)!
Kenyon lives in England with his wife/editor, Vicky and their two beautiful children. Portions of the proceeds from his Subnormal Trilogy goes to charity to help children with autism.
While I am here, I have one more indie author that I wanted to include. It appears all three of us had a #newrelease in the same week, so I thought I would also include author Devika Fernando. I have featured Devika before, so you might recognize the name.
I have read and reviewed Devika’s work and I would compare her to Nora Roberts for her romanticism and Debbie Macomber for her wholesome Hallmark appeal.
Devika Fernando’s new release, The Princes’s Surprise Bride is book 3 in her series and is available on Kindle and other formats. Please Click here to learn more.
[image error]
In comparison to the two authors I have selected today, I like to think of myself as right in between the two. I would compare myself to Virginia Woolf, for true documentation of a particular time in history, Joyce Carol Oates, for her family saga and relevance to current events and Margaret Atwood for her other worldly appeal in the Handmaid’s Tale.
I only hope to become as successful as these aforementioned authors.
That is all for today kids. I hope you get a chance to pick up these great stories from around the world.
I am currently working on a collection of short stories for release this summer! Stay tuned.
Until next time, make it a great day.
January 9, 2017
Last Sneak Peek
If you haven’t yet, download Electric, The beginning, Book 1 to catch up on the fun of the series before Book 6 comes out on 2/1/2017!
[image error]
As promised this is the last sneak peek or Tuesday Teaser before the release of my final book in the series.
CHAPTER CLXX
NORMALCY
The next morning, Gina’s phone was charged, there were several missed calls: Bill, Gene, Detective Casey, Carlotta and Reggie. Reggie had called. Gina’s heart skipped a beat. No, as exciting of a prospect that might be, mustn’t touch, he is bad news. Gina thought as she listened to the messages.
“Just checking in with you Gina. I hope you are well. Give me a call so we can discuss the finer details of the case,” Detective Casey said in his message. Finer details. What am I supposed to do, work against the only people who are helping me?
“Hey babe, what’s going on,” was one of five messages Carlotta left.
There were three, ‘Happy New Year! And: Where are you?’ messages from Bill and Gene.
There was no message from Reggie.
After breakfast and getting the kids out to play dates and Duncan over to the baby sitter next door, Gina was surprised that there weren’t any messages on her home phone answering machine. Where were her friends and Juniors wishing her a Happy New Year or checking in on her to see if she was okay or if she needed anything? The only messages were from Detective Casey asking her to call him. There were no calls from her sisters or her father. None of her family or Brad’s family had called. Well, Brad’s family probably knew from Glenda that she was out-of-town, but as for her family, I guess they’re all worried they might have to help me in some way. Boy when the chips are down. Thank God for Carlotta! If I didn’t have her what would I have done these past few weeks? I would have just sat here in my sorrow, misery and pain. I am so glad I have her! Gina thought as she dialed her number:
“Happy New Year! Where the hell have you been?”
“Happy New Year,” Gina said with a smile, “Where to start?”
“So what happened?”
“I don’t know, a lot!”
“Well, start at the beginning, Reggie took you to New York! Start there.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Aw, come on, you were in New York with Reggie! What happened?”
“I’ll save it for another time.”
“Like hell you will, dish!”
“What can I say? Reggie is a creep!”
“WHAT? Reggie is what?”
“Oh Carlotta, it all came tumbling down,” Gina proceeded to tell her the whole story ending with finding Don in the hotel lobby!
“Oh my God! What a pig! So what did you do with the rest of the week?”
Gina finished up the story of meeting Dick Clark and Utopia. Once she got started on Utopia she wouldn’t stop, but once she exhausted the subject, she finally asked, “and how are you? What did you do for New Year’s Eve?”
“Well, nothing as exciting as going to New York, seeing the ball drop in Time Square and meeting Dick Clark! I can’t believe Don has never taken me to New York!”
“Oh, I am sorry dear…” Gina said despondently and then added, “I have to say, Don is a life saver.”
“So have you heard from Reggie?”
“He actually called me, but he didn’t leave a message.”
“So the two of you are through?”
“Over and done with. What else could I do? I can’t go back to those crazy sex games or whatever you want to call it!”
“No, you are right.”
“Look Carlotta, I just wanted to call and say thank you. When I sit down and think about it, you were the only one that was there for me, and because of you introducing me to Don I am now going to build Utopia! So, thank you, thank you, thank you so very much.”
“Oh, hey, honey. What are friends for?”
“Well I owe you big time. So thank you again.”
“How are the kids doing?”
“I think everyone is good. Aside from having some spoiled milk and rotting food in the refrigerator and a house full of Christmas decorations to take down, the distraction of the Chicago/New York trip did us all good. That is how I will have to look at Reggie. He was just a distraction for me to get through the roughest time in my life. And I think I needed it to be as weird as it was to really snap me out of it and wake me up! That’s just me trying to make the best of it,” Gina said wiping at a tear in the corner of her eye.
“Well, I’m glad. You sound good. Go take care of that rotting food. I think I can smell it through the phone,” Carlotta quipped.
“Okay dear. Thanks again Carlotta, and remember, I am here for you.”
“Okay, we will talk soon,” Carlotta said and disconnected the phone.
***
Carlotta dialed Don to give him a piece of her mind.
***
Gina dial Detective Casey:
“Detective Casey.”
“Hi Detective Casey, it’s me, Gina. How are you?”
“Fine, but where have you been?”
“Long story, but I am home now.”
“I have a meeting with Agent Charles on Monday, January 5th.”
“Really, have you found more on that website?”
“No, but they are using proxy servers. They jump from one to another so that you can’t find the exact IP address.”
“So the website is still up?”
“I haven’t found it, but that is what I am going to talk to Agent Charles about.”
“Okay. Keep me posted.”
“Seriously Gina, where have you been for the past week.”
“I just had a little trip to New York. I lost my cell phone so I wasn’t able to get messages or call anyone.”
“What were you doing in New York?”
“Just celebrating New Year’s Eve.”
“Did you bring the kids?”
“No, I went by myself.”
“How did you get there?”
“I’ll save it for another time. Right now I have to take advantage of a kid free zone and do some house work.”
“I feel you are not being straight with me Gina. You know you are in danger dealing with these people!”
“To tell you the truth, I am so grateful for the distraction. I have plans to build this health club and Don is going to finance it.”
“You can’t be serious, Gina! This man has been voyeuristically watching you for over a year, sending the images out onto the Internet, and you are going to go into business with him?”
“What else am I supposed to do Detective Casey? I have to come up with an income source to raise my children. At least Don is helping me.”
“Helping you? He is exposing you.”
“I still don’t know anything about that. I haven’t seen any proof of it.”
“I am not lying to you. How would I have known all those things that transpired at Carlotta’s condo if I wasn’t watching it.”
“I don’t know detective. I don’t doubt the Carlotta has her every move documented on the Internet. But that doesn’t mean Don has anything to do with it. All I know is that for the first time in my life someone is listening to me. Someone is listening and hearing me and actually going to do something about it. I have a shot at something here and I have to take my chances.”
“I’m here to protect you Gina and you are taking unnecessary risks.”
“I appreciate that you think you are trying to help me, but I need to follow this through. I really need to get off the phone. I was just returning your calls. I don’t even know what to think of all of this.”
“Okay, Gina. Mark my words, you are messing with the wrong group of people.”
“I will take that under advisement, but I really must be going. Thanks for your help and let me know how things go with your meeting on Monday.”
“Okay,” Detective Casey said dejectedly as Gina disconnected the call.
Oh my God. Why does this man think he can stick his nose into my business? I don’t even think there is a case here. Gina thought, as she got up to clean out the refrigerator. Mr. Vladimir bugged my house. He was watching me. Don or whoever picked up on the wireless feed and sent it out to a website with a million subscribers. So then millions of people were watching my family, according to Detective Casey, but were they? Where is the proof of any of this? In the mean time, Don is helping me to build Utopia, a dream that I have always wanted to see come to fruition and Detective Casey is just offering me trouble with a capital T. No, I will not have it. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, Gina chided as she sealed the garbage bag and took it out to the can. How do I know I can trust Detective Casey? Maybe he is the one who is after something. Well he is not going to get it from me that is for damn sure. He is a small-minded loser. He doesn’t have the connections or the potential that Don has, I am going to have to separate myself from him. Gina thought as she continued the mad rampage to get the house in order.
Gina gathered, sorted and started the laundry, made a grocery list and went to the supermarket. As she was rounding the aisle her cart bumped into another cart. The jolt of the collision caused her to look up at Tonya Vladimir!
“Hello Gina,” Tonya said with venom in her voice.
“Hello,” Gina said and lowered her eyes.
“Isn’t it funny running into you here. Is there another husband that you wish to steal lurking around the next corner?” Tonya asked, looking around dramatically.
At that point Gina had the realization that Tonya was suffering the loss of her husband too, even though they were separated. “I’m sorry for your loss,” Gina replied trying to steer her cart away from the entanglement.
“Are you now? BITCH!”
“There is no need to take that tone,” Gina said noticing the other shoppers taking a keen interest, as she pushed her cart at a hurried pace.
“They’re going to get you Gina. They’re going to get you for the murder of your husband and mine! Mark my words you conniving cunt!” Tonya shouted through the store.
Gina didn’t dare reply, but was shocked by the assault. That woman has lost her fucking mind. Gina thought ignoring the onlookers as she quickly grabbed anything, just so the kids would have fresh food in the house to be able to function for the next few days.
It was obvious that the cashiers, baggers and stock personnel all had some opinions about Gina. She felt the sneers and heard the whispered snickers as the warmth rose to her cheeks in flushed embarrassment. She longed to get the hell out of there. Maybe she should consider moving out of Riverdale all together. These people were unforgiving, and who knew what they actually thought. It was none of their business, but since when did that stop anyone. She was mourning her husband. She was mourning the death of her husband, the father of her children. What did they know about it? Furthermore why would they make it their business? Gina made quick work of shopping and retreated to her home. She was so glad the children weren’t with her to witness that scene at the grocery store.
She went about the robotic routine of doing the laundry, making dinner and feeding the kids. Saturday was done and when she got everyone to bed she settled into her own bed and felt completely alone.
end
Please click to tweet and share!
Last peak before Electric, The Finale, Book 6 comes out on 2/1/2017 plz #RT #ASMSG…
Click To Tweet
Thank you for your time and attention. I hope you enjoyed the snippet.
I am busy putting all the final touches on the Finale. I sincerely hope you enjoy the series.
Until next time. Make it a great day!
Last Sneak Peak
If you haven’t yet, download Electric, The beginning, Book 1 to catch up on the fun of the series before Book 6 comes out on 2/1/2017!
As promised this is the last sneak peak or Tuesday Teaser before the release of my final book in the series.
CHAPTER CLXX
NORMALCY
The next morning, Gina’s phone was charged, there were several missed calls: Bill, Gene, Detective Casey, Carlotta and Reggie. Reggie had called. Gina’s heart skipped a beat. No, as exciting of a prospect that might be, mustn’t touch, he is bad news. Gina thought as she listened to the messages.
“Just checking in with you Gina. I hope you are well. Give me a call so we can discuss the finer details of the case,” Detective Casey said in his message. Finer details. What am I supposed to do, work against the only people that are helping me?
“Hey babe, what’s going on,” was one of five messages Carlotta left.
There were three, ‘Happy New Year! And: Where are you?’ messages from Bill and Gene.
There was no message from Reggie.
After breakfast and getting the kids out to play dates and Duncan over to the baby sitter next door, Gina was surprised that there weren’t any messages on her home phone answering machine. Where were her friends and Juniors wishing her a Happy New Year or checking in on her to see if she was okay or if she needed anything? The only messages were from Detective Casey asking her to call him. There were no calls from her sisters or her father. None of her family or Brad’s family had called. Well, Brad’s family probably knew from Glenda that she was out of town, but as for her family, I guess they’re all worried they might have to help me in some way. Boy when the chips are down. Thank God for Carlotta! If I didn’t have her what would I have done these past few weeks? I would have just sat here in my sorrow, misery and pain. I am so glad I have her! Gina thought as she dialed her number:
“Happy New Year! Where the hell have you been?”
“Happy New Year,” Gina said with a smile, “Where to start?”
“So what happened?”
“I don’t know, a lot!”
“Well, start at the beginning, Reggie took you to New York! Start there.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Aw, come on, you were in New York with Reggie! What happened?”
“I’ll save it for another time.”
“Like hell you will, dish!”
“What can I say? Reggie is a creep!”
“WHAT? Reggie is what?”
“Oh Carlotta, it all came tumbling down,” Gina proceeded to tell her the whole story ending with finding Don in the hotel lobby!
“Oh my God! What a pig! So what did you do with the rest of the week?”
Gina finished up the story of meeting Dick Clark and Utopia. Once she got started on Utopia she wouldn’t stop, but once she exhausted the subject, she finally asked, “and how are you? What did you do for New Year’s Eve?”
“Well, nothing as exciting as going to New York, seeing the ball drop in Time Square and meeting Dick Clark! I can’t believe Don has never taken me to New York!”
“Oh, I am sorry dear…” Gina said despondently and then added, “I have to say, Don is a life saver.”
“So have you heard from Reggie?”
“He actually called me, but he didn’t leave a message.”
“So the two of you are through?”
“Over and done with. What else could I do? I can’t go back to those crazy sex games or whatever you want to call it!”
“No, you are right.”
“Look Carlotta, I just wanted to call and say thank you. When I sit down and think about it, you were the only one that was there for me, and because of you introducing me to Don I am now going to build Utopia! So, thank you, thank you, thank you so very much.”
“Oh, hey, honey. What are friends for?”
“Well I owe you big time. So thank you again.”
“How are the kids doing?”
“I think everyone is good. Aside from having some spoiled milk and rotting food in the refrigerator and a house full of Christmas decorations to take down, the distraction of the Chicago/New York trip did us all good. That is how I will have to look at Reggie. He was just a distraction for me to get through the roughest time in my life. And I think I needed it to be as weird as it was to really snap me out of it and wake me up! That’s just me trying to make the best of it,” Gina said wiping at a tear in the corner of her eye.
“Well, I’m glad. You sound good. Go take care of that rotting food. I think I can smell it through the phone,” Carlotta quipped.
“Okay dear. Thanks again Carlotta, and remember, I am here for you.”
“Okay, we will talk soon,” Carlotta said and disconnected the phone.
***
Carlotta dialed Don to give him a piece of her mind.
***
Gina dial Detective Casey:
“Detective Casey.”
“Hi Detective Casey, it’s me, Gina. How are you?”
“Fine, but where have you been?”
“Long story, but I am home now.”
“I have a meeting with Agent Charles on Monday, January 5th.”
“Really, have you found more on that website?”
“No, but they are using proxy servers. They jump from one to another so that you can’t find the exact IP address.”
“So the website is still up?”
“I haven’t found it, but that is what I am going to talk to Agent Charles about.”
“Okay. Keep me posted.”
“Seriously Gina, where have you been for the past week.”
“I just had a little trip to New York. I lost my cell phone so I wasn’t able to get messages or call anyone.”
“What were you doing in New York?”
“Just celebrating New Year’s Eve.”
“Did you bring the kids?”
“No, I went by myself.”
“How did you get there?”
“I’ll save it for another time. Right now I have to take advantage of a kid free zone and do some house work.”
“I feel you are not being straight with me Gina. You know you are in danger dealing with these people!”
“To tell you the truth, I am so grateful for the distraction. I have plans to build this health club and Don is going to finance it.”
“You can’t be serious, Gina! This man has been voyeuristically watching you for over a year, sending the images out onto the Internet, and you are going to go into business with him?”
“What else am I supposed to do Detective Casey? I have to come up with an income source to raise my children. At least Don is helping me.”
“Helping you? He is exposing you.”
“I still don’t know anything about that. I haven’t seen any proof of it.”
“I am not lying to you. How would I have known all those things that transpired at Carlotta’s condo if I wasn’t watching it.”
“I don’t know detective. I don’t doubt the Carlotta has her every move documented on the Internet. But that doesn’t mean Don has anything to do with it. All I know is that for the first time in my life someone is listening to me. Someone is listening and hearing me and actually going to do something about it. I have a shot at something here and I have to take my chances.”
“I’m here to protect you Gina and you are taking unnecessary risks.”
“I appreciate that you think you are trying to help me, but I need to follow this through. I really need to get off the phone. I was just returning your calls. I don’t even know what to think of all of this.”
“Okay, Gina. Mark my words, you are messing with the wrong group of people.”
“I will take that under advisement, but I really must be going. Thanks for your help and let me know how things go with your meeting on Monday.”
“Okay,” Detective Casey said dejectedly as Gina disconnected the call.
Oh my God. Why does this man think he can stick his nose into my business? I don’t even think there is a case here. Gina thought, as she got up to clean out the refrigerator. Mr. Vladimir bugged my house. He was watching me. Don or whoever picked up on the wireless feed and sent it out to a website with a million subscribers. So then millions of people were watching my family, according to Detective Casey, but were they? Where is the proof of any of this? In the mean time, Don is helping me to build Utopia, a dream that I have always wanted to see come to fruition and Detective Casey is just offering me trouble with a capital T. No, I will not have it. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, Gina chided as she sealed the garbage bag and took it out to the can. How do I know I can trust Detective Casey? Maybe he is the one who is after something. Well he is not going to get it from me that is for damn sure. He is a small-minded loser. He doesn’t have the connections or the potential that Don has, I am going to have to separate myself from him. Gina thought as she continued the mad rampage to get the house in order.
Gina gathered, sorted and started the laundry, made a grocery list and went to the supermarket. As she was rounding the isle her cart bumped into another cart. The jolt of the collision caused her to look up at Tonya Vladimir!
“Hello Gina,” Tonya said with venom in her voice.
“Hello,” Gina said and lowered her eyes.
“Isn’t it funny running into you here. Is there another husband that you wish to steal lurking around the next corner?” Tonya asked, looking around dramatically.
At that point Gina had the realization that Tonya was suffering the loss of her husband too, even though they were separated. “I’m sorry for your loss,” Gina replied trying to steer her cart away from the entanglement.
“Are you now? BITCH!”
“There is no need to take that tone,” Gina said noticing the other shoppers taking a keen interest, as she pushed her cart at a hurried pace.
“They’re going to get you Gina. They’re going to get you for the murder of your husband and mine! Mark my words you conniving cunt!” Tonya shouted through the store.
Gina didn’t dare reply, but was shocked by the assault. That woman has lost her fucking mind. Gina thought ignoring the onlookers as she quickly grabbed anything, just so the kids would have fresh food in the house to be able to function for the next few days.
It was obvious that the cashiers, baggers and stock personnel all had some opinions about Gina. She felt the sneers and heard the whispered snickers as the warmth rose to her cheeks in flushed embarrassment. She longed to get the hell out of there. Maybe she should consider moving out of Riverdale all together. These people were unforgiving, and who knew what they actually thought. It was none of their business, but since when did that stop anyone. She was mourning her husband. She was mourning the death of her husband, the father of her children. What did they know about it? Furthermore why would they make it their business? Gina made quick work of shopping and retreated to her home. She was so glad the children weren’t with her to witness that scene at the grocery store.
She went about the robotic routine of doing the laundry, making dinner and feeding the kids. Saturday was done and when she got everyone to bed she settled into her own bed and felt completely alone.
end
Please click to tweet and share!
Last peak before Electric, The Finale, Book 6 comes out on 2/1/2017 plz #RT #ASMSG…
Click To Tweet
Thank you for your time and attention. I hope you enjoyed the snippet.
I am busy putting all the final touches on the Finale. I sincerely hope you enjoy the series.
Until next time. Make it a great day!
December 31, 2016
Happy New Year 2017
Happy New Year!
Here, as promised, another chapter of Electric, The Finale, Book 6!
CHAPTER CLXVIII
THE NEW YEAR
Gina walked into the living room, wearing her terrycloth robe and slippers with her hair up in a towel.
“Good morning beautiful! How did you sleep?” Don asked from the chaise lounge.
“Good!” Gina said, holding her shoulders down and throwing her arms out at chest level, she made a perfect pirouette, spinning three times in her clunky slippers, before Don interjected, “Whoa there, slow down!”
“I am just so happy, or at least I am trying to be!”
“Well, you should be.”
“I am so excited about Utopia, but how are we supposed to get the money to build it? I wonder if my design will cost more then a Hilton by the time we’re done.”
“Investors. I have investors.”
“From where?”
“I have a lot of contacts. I am your moneyman. You are the designer and brains of the operation. You focus on the design and implementation, and I will get you the money!”
“Really! Just like that!” Gina mused with excitement in her eyes. “I can’t believe my good fortune, but why? Don, Why are you doing this,” Gina asked as she sat across from Don.
“Why ask why? Just enjoy it.”
“I ask why, because I don’t want the bottom to fall out. I don’t want to get my hopes up on a pie in the sky idea, waste my time and energy, and have it all come crashing down upon my head.”
“Ye of little faith. Calm down and trust me,” Don said looking above his readers. “It delights me to see you in such fine spirits. You are a beautiful, intelligent woman who deserves the very best. Your problem is that you are not used to getting things done. You just have to accept that it is your turn now. I wouldn’t invest in something unless I believed in it. I plan on making money from this venture, and so do all of the investors. Once the first property is built, we can franchise it and sell the franchises for a pretty profit. Don’t you worry Gina; I am not doing you any favors. You are my partner in this and we both stand to make a lot of money.”
Gina’s head was spinning at the thought that she was a bona fide businesswoman. She was someone to be reckoned with, and for the first time in her life, she saw her own potential and it was limitless. All she needed was someone to believe in her, and now she finally had someone. Don believed in her. She had to stop thinking she was only good for one thing. She had to stop thinking that her best assets where her looks and what she could do with them. She had a mind! Don was taking her seriously and if she didn’t start acting like she deserved it, he might stop.
“Gloria, bring in some coffee and scones, will you dear?” Don called out, folding his newspaper haphazardly placing it on the end table.
“I was planning on being back home tomorrow. You haven’t heard anything from Reggie, have you? I was just wondering about my phone?”
“No, I haven’t heard from him.”
“Funny we didn’t see him last night,” Gina mused. “I had such a great time Don, it was like something out of a fairy tale and I was the princess. Are you sure you want to give me that coat though?”
“Gina, will you stop. Start acting like you deserve the good life and the good life will come to you. Lose the negative thoughts or you will have a negative life. “‘Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative,’ There is a reason that song is popular. Its because of its sage advice.”
“Okay. Okay. So, will we leave tomorrow?”
“Sure, if that is what you want to do.”
“Yes. I need to get back to my children, but before we go back, can we take a nice long walk in Central Park? I have only seen it from helicopters so far.”
“Sure, finish your scone and coffee and get dressed,” Don said, standing already dressed in his three-piece suit, reaching into his vest pocket he pulled out his pocket watch, looked at the time, surmised and said, “Let’s do lunch in the park.”
“Sounds good, but isn’t it too cold?”
“Definitely dress warm, but I have plans Gina.”
“Okay,” Gina said smiling, knowing she wouldn’t be disappointed.
****
The couple strolled through Central Park visiting the famous zoo and had dinner at Tavern On The Green. They enjoyed a horse drawn carriage ride back to the penthouse. It really was a fairy tale kind of day and trip. She had seen New York by helicopter, visited Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Sax Fifth Avenue, as well as Broadway’s Fathom of the Opera and lastly she had actually seen the Ball Drop in Time Square and met Dick Clark. It all seemed like a fantasy and all of those wonderful experiences outweighed the horrible experience with Reggie. Gina had a blissful sleep, dreaming of the possibilities that lay before her.
end
I hope you enjoyed this snippet. I will post one more chapter before the book’s publication on 2/1/2017!
You can find my book here. As always, where every you are and what ever you do, make it a great day! Thank you all for another successful year. Happy New Year. Happiness Always. And Happy Reading!
December 28, 2016
The 12 days of Christmas
I wrote a review of my favorite book, which turned out to be a not so humble brag. I have to admit that Simple Abundance, A daybook of Comfort and Joy, had a very profound affect on me and I just wanted to give Sarah Ban Breathnach a huge shout out, because her book changed my life.
You can find all Goodread book reviews on my website by clicking here.
Unfortunately, I am going to have to postpone the publication date of Electric, The Finale, Book 6 until February 1st, due to conflicting schedules, and some extraordinary events that have made it impossible to publish by, January 1st.
I will however, publish another free chapter of Electric, The Finale, Book 6, on January 1st, to keep you going until the book comes out.
In keeping with the Simple Abundance Theme: I wanted to share my 12 days of Christmas, previous published on my Facebook Author page, that can be read anytime of year.
“On the first day of Christmas, I gave my true loves: The gift of my undivided attention.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
During this season it is so easy to get caught up in commercialism, shop until you drop, mindset. Stop, before you work yourself into a tizzy. I gave up on giving gifts years ago, when I realized the amount of pressure and stress it caused me and my pocket book. You don’t have to give up on everything just because you decided not to get into commercialism. You can always use your gifts, which consists of your time and talent, to make a person smile or ease someone’s suffering. Use your gifts which contain your creative spirit to make this a holiday season one you will remember and enjoy! Peace on earth and good will toward everyone!
“On the second day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves: The gift of enthusiasm.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
Continuing with my little series, I would like to talk about the gift of encouragement. Everyone needs it from time to time. We all need support from the ones we love. Never take for granted that the people in your life already know how you feel. Be generous with your praise and affection. Resolve to encourage all you meet with your enthusiasm. You never know when a little nudge in the right direction can be just what the doctor ordered. Enjoy your day in every way. Until tomorrow, peace be with you.
“On the third day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves: The gift of my creative energy.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
It always makes me smile when I hear a person say, “I’m not creative.” I realize when someone say this it is because they don’t realize how creative one has to be just to get through a day. People are always creating and when they come to realize it, they just become more creative. It is like the old adage, ‘thinking makes it so.’ Once you fling open the doors to your creativity a vast array of possibilities lay before you! Whether it is creating: a self image, a warm and cozy settings in your home, or an appetizer, meal or desert, your creativity knows no bounds. You can write a poem, song or sonnet, you can sing, dance or snap your fingers to create a rhythm. You can, color, draw or paint a picture. You can glue a plethora of things together to create something new. There are probably many things that you have on hand to create with, but there are also many stores and websites that can give you ideas. There is no substitute for the feeling you get when you look at something that you have created with a sense of pride and accomplishment. So today explore the many ways that you are creative and share your creativity with the world. It is easy to share yourself with the world via social media. Until tomorrow, I bid you peace.
“On the fourth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves: The gift of Simple Seasonal Pleasures.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
What are the simple seasonal pleasures that immediately come to mind? I have a few ideas: peppermint sticks, hot chocolate with marshmallows, whipped cream, hazelnut, buttered rum, baked squash, sweet potatoes, baked, boiled and fried…roasted chestnuts…Wassail simmering on the stoves of enclosed houses, locking out the cold, replete with apples, cloves, citrus and cinnamon sticks, their aroma wafting through the air adding warmth and cheer. Yule logs burning on the hearth emanating their special scents that fills the air with a feeling of sacred togetherness, a knowing that once it was our only source of heat through the winter months. Snow: men being built by giggling children, balls being thrown to the shrieks and delights of all that gather, shovels scrapping the walkways, sleds racing down hills, skies slaloming down slops, or cross country roads. Ice: skates cutting through a frozen pond, hanging from the gutters of roof tops in spherical beauty, sparkling like crystal in the sun light and on tree branches where the snow starts to melt but decides to freeze, creating a shiny slick surface on the resting trees. The sights and sounds surround us with music coming from the hidden speakers, placed in stores, shopping malls, and on radio waves. We hear sleigh bells jingling and choirs proclaiming, the cacophony of orchestra’s blending in unison sounds that herald back through the centuries….and these are just a few of the Simple Seasonal Pleasures that I share with you, and why it is nice to live in the Midwest this time of year! Keep warm, and keep it simple, there are so many pleasures in life that don’t cost a thing.
“On the fifth day of Christmas, I gave my true loves: The gift of tenderness.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
To be tender, to be sweet…sugar and spice and all things nice: do you remember when you were a child? To be a kid again would be wonderful. It is too bad that we cannot turn back the hands of time, but maybe we can go back in our minds? I can only speak for myself when I say that when I was a kid, I was so open, loving, kind, generous, forgiving, hopeful, and tender! I was tender because I knew what it felt like to be hurt and I never wanted another soul to feel that, not if I could help it. My psyche was a recipe of many different experiences as I am sure your’s and everyone’s is, that is what makes us unique and special, but our shared experiences are what brings us together. So if only for today, try and remember how it was to be young and tender and go out of your way to be kind: forgive someone, and let it be known, as we lighten our hearts so follows are moods, spirit and psyche…today try a little tenderness….and your shared experiences are sure to be enhanced! Until next time, enjoy your day.
“On the sixth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves: The gift of Good Cheer.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
Let’s face it, with our recent social, economic, and political climate it is difficult to be cheerful, but as we steer the negative away from our children, we could also steer our negative thoughts from the ones we love. The negative and positive aspects of our lives always lay side by side waiting for our attention. It is an individual choice which one we decide to dwell upon. When given the choice isn’t it easy to decide? When we dwell on the positive we bring about positive change and those aspects of our life that are good. When we live in gratitude we enhance our lives in positive ways. When we accentuate the positive we bring all that is positive to the forefront of our mind, body and soul. And that which we dwell upon we become. So today live in good cheer, and you will find it becomes a habit year after year. Cheers, until tomorrow.
“On the seventh day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves: The gift of beauty.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure. No matter where you stand on the beauty spectrum, beauty is subjective, fleeting and superficial! But isn’t it wonderful to surround yourself with beautiful things? Money needn’t be an obstacle in acquiring beauty, we can find beauty in a moment, sight, sound or feeling. When we feel at one with the collective consciousness, universe or G*d, there is no more beautiful a feeling. It is after all our objective here on earth. When we live in gratitude, have forgiven everyone their trespasses, and freed our souls to reveal our authentic self, there is no stopping us! So today work on revealing the beauty of your authentic self and share it with those you love.
“On the eighth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves: The Gift Of Communication.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
This installment reminds me of Saint Francis Of Assisi’s, Prayer For Peace. In particular the line, “…Oh Devine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek…to be understood as to understand…” I find that this particular line has been very difficult for me to live by, because my desire to be understood is so strong! I am not sure of the percentage of people who would stand beside me in this particular instance, but I will venture to guess that it is high. In other words we all tend from time to time be bigger talkers than we are listeners. Have you ever in a heated conversation been thinking about the next thing you are going to say, rather than truly listening to your opponents rhetoric? I know I have. So today try speaking less and listening more to the people in your life. You might be surprised what you learn. We must truly understand the people we love if we are going to communicate with them. Communication is key to developing a great relationship, one that is meaningful, honest, and precious to hold. Until tomorrow, have an contemplative and reflective day.
“On the ninth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves: The Gift Of Surprise.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
The gift of surprise coming at this hectic time of year might not be very welcome. But is there anything worse than having your expectations dashed? Or being at the beck and call of someone who has the air of entitlement? My guess is no, especially at this time of year when your needs are already put on the back burner. So surprise the ones you love with delegation. Delegate some of those awesome tasks on your todo list and your mood shall improve one hundred fold! And then you will surprise the ones you love with a relaxed and even tempered demeanor for the holidays. Don’t stress out, share the responsibility and your life will enter a new level of tranquility. Just three more days now, breathe deep, until tomorrow.
“On the tenth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves: The Gift of Wonder.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
I wonder if you know where many of the Christmas traditions that you celebrate actually originated? The Christmas tree for example was brought into the home to protect the woodland spirits from the cold. Little treats were hung on the tree to provide the spirits sustenance, and bells were hung so that an appreciative spirit could ring them. The tree was topped with a star or pentagram representing the five elements in nature. Druids sought out mistletoe to hang above doorways to ward off bad luck or evil spirits in the coming year. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, from this day forward the days get longer, so it was a celebration of the return of the SUN! I wonder if you see the startling similarities? Until next time, peace on earth.
“On the eleventh day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves: The Gift of Peaceful Surroundings.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
Feng Shui comes to mind with this installment. I found it to be very true that the placement of objects in your home has an effect on the occupants moods and overall well being. Unorganized homes add stress to life because things are always lost. Messy, dirty homes lead to illness. Neat, clean homes are beneficial to the occupants and the base for creating peaceful surroundings. Adding simple touches enhances the atmosphere. Love and light makes your home welcoming and warm so that even your guests want to stay longer to soak up the lovely atmosphere you created. Until tomorrow I bid you peace.
“On the twelfth day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves: The gift of Joy.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
This is the last installment of my twelve days of Christmas. I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I did writing them. For a season with so much preparation and expectation riding on it, it sure goes by in an instant. I am glad that you had the opportunity to stop and read a post (our online version of, smell the roses) it is in the details and small moments that joy resides. It is in that still quiet voice that recognizes beauty, peace and harmony. When everything is harmonious, joy surely follows. Joy comes from contentment, and contentment comes from acceptance. The acceptance of wanting what we have and having what we want, comes from living in appreciation of every thing in your life, taking the good with the bad. Acceptance and appreciation lead to harmony which brings joy to our lives! Today I bid you joyous peace, concentrate on appreciation and acceptance and joy shall surely follow! Happy Holidays!
If you enjoyed this post and want to see the original publication, click here and like my page.
As always, thank you for your time, attention and support. I appreciate every single one of you and wish you a New Year that is filled with Peace, Love, Joy, Prosperity and most of all Good Health!
Happy New Year Everyone.
You can find my books here.
December 13, 2016
Tuesday Teaser! Electric Book 6 part 2
RT Sharing is caring! #ASMSG #IndieBooksBeSeen #IARTG #SNRTG Electric, The Finale, Book 6! Excerpt…
Click To Tweet
I wanted to take a moment from my writing schedule to drop off another Tuesday Teaser, from my WIP, Electric, The Finale, Book 6, Chapter 167 for those of you who are Roman Numeral challenged, aptly titled New Year’s Eve.
I must apologize for the formatting of this post. WordPress had a recent update and did away with the justify and underlining options.
Justify gives writing a more polished and professional feel. I went to the trouble of trying to fix it by adding a plug in, to no avail. So here, my copy sits all unpolished.
Let me take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Happy and Healthy Holiday Season as well as a Prosperous New Year.
I am writing a feature on my Facebook author page if you are interested in reading my 12 days of Christmas, please click here and like the page while you are there. I consider it a gift to have all of you my readers supporting me. So Thank You so much for all of your support.
Please enjoy this passage from, Electric, The Finale, Book 6, Chapter 167:
CHAPTER CLXVII
NEW YEAR’S EVE
It was a cold 13-degree night with a 7-degree below zero wind chill factor as Gina climbed onto the helicopter to take a tour of the festivities in Time Square wearing her sparkling blue sequined Versace and full-length mink coat that Don surprised her with last night. Gina was able to beat Don with the four-move checkmate only twice before he caught on, but he still lost best three out of five before they called it a night.
“This is amazing,” Gina said fastening her harness.
“Its The 25 annual New Years Rockin Eve,” Don said as they peered down at the festivities that were in full swing as the Helicopter lifted off the 30 Rockefeller Center building. The helicopter circled the event, as Dick Clark narrated the views the camera was picking up, staring at the monitors from down below on his platform. He wanted to make sure that the viewers at home were getting a full sense of the atmosphere and fun that was happening in Time Square.
“This is so exciting. I can’t believe we are up here.” Gina exclaimed as Don motioned for her to be quiet, as they didn’t want to interfere with the pilot’s concentration. They were not supposed to up there, but Don had pulled some strings to make it happen. “There are at least a half a million people down there,” the pilot disclosed as they looked down upon the crowd with four stages set up for musical entertainment with Dick Clark’s stage right in the center. After circling Time Square four times they were whisked over central park and back around for good measure, landing back on the 30 Rockefeller Center building where they took the elevator down and walked through underground tunnels to join in the festivities.
Gina and Don stood on the same platform as Dick Clark announced the computerized ball drop. Don bent in and gave Gina an innocent kiss on the lips at the final moment ringing in the New Year, followed by a 3,000-pound confetti drop. The 26 searchlights kept scanning the crowd, as fireworks went off in the distance at Central Park. “It looks like it is snowing,” Don noted as the confetti fell upon the masses.
“Oh Don, this has been the single most exciting event in my life. Thank you,” Gina said with tears in her eyes, as she gave Don a big hug.
A few moments later, Gina met Dick Clark, and wished him a happy New Year, giving him a big hug before dragging Don off to watch the rock band, Kiss, preform on one of the nearby stage. It wasn’t easy moving around, but luckily they had the help of a security detail to get them to where they were going.
Gina woke up New Year’s Day with renewed vigor. She had a plan! She had a business venture. She was doing something proactive to save her family. She was going to build Utopia! Utopia, Mind, Body and Soul! Yeah that’s it. She thought as she stretched out on the bed. Wow, three weeks ago, I was just living my life, working, raising my kids and now I am a business entrepreneur! But where am I getting the money to build this? Her mood quickly dissipated as reality slapped her in the face. Not wanting to completely blow her mood, she thought of last night and how she was flying around in a helicopter over Time Square. It was amazing and soon a smile crossed her face again. From the simple life in Riverdale to a life of jet setting amazement!
Yes, she was happy! But then thoughts of Reggie came to mind and she shuddered. How can I be so lame to have allowed that to happen? He was so strong, and so sexy, so commanding and so generous, that’s how. What the fuck happened? Why did he change so abruptly and turn on me. Actually allowing, no not allowing, probably ordering that woman to…NO! NO! NO! I must get all these thoughts out of my mind. She thought as she pulled the covers back and made a beeline for the shower.
end
I hope you enjoyed this installment. The completed edition should be available the first of the new year. Happy reading, Happy New Year, Happiness always!
and lastly: Electric, The Holiday’s, Book 5 just received another 5* review!
