A.A. Schenna's Blog, page 3
December 25, 2020
Q&A with Kristina Gallo
One of the most exciting things in the Publishing industry is meeting interesting people who are talented authors and write intriguing stories.
After reading I will kill you in my dream by Kristina Gallo, I had a few questions about her story and the characters.
About I will kill you in my dream
Helena is an inexperienced teenager. She wishes to fit in, but local bullies marked her as a weirdo. After unexpected events happened, she will know her power to predict the future in dreams. The principal victims are her enemies and she can’t stop their terrible fate. The war in ex Yugoslavia is the background of this book. Social and national differences destroy many friendships and relationships at that time.
1) You are a multi-genre author writing intriguing Young Adult stories. What are the biggest challenges for teenagers in our days?
1) The biggest challenges are social media. Teenagers think they don’t need education, and promote themselves on Instagram, Tik Tok hoping they will earn money and become celebrities. There are dangerous traps, like posibilities of abusing, human trafficing or possible prostitution.
2) Bullying, what do you think? Can we stop it?
2) I was the victim of bullying in a high school. To stop bullying, we all must collaborate. Authorities must work fast. In my time, authorities did their work bad. They did not get seriously the consequences of bullying. Also, some parents are rich and they protect their bad mannered kids.
3) Predicting the future in dreams, is it a curse or charisma?
3) I think that is both. If someone has nightmares, that is curse, it has bad effect. On the other hand, a person that predicts in dreams has a power.
4) What is the role of a teacher?
4) The teacher should educate kids about moral values and respect. Also, the teacher can’t lose authority.
5) What does family mean to you?
5) My parents and my husband always support me, and they mean everything to me. I love to protect my privacy.
6) Tell me a few things about you.
6) I am Croatian multi-genre writer and blogger. I am writing a blog for Croatian internet portals. My profession is a lawyer, I work as higher law advisor for the state firm.
I am football supporter, love parties and journeys. I love to meet new people and collect new experiences.
7) Where can readers find your books?
7) Readers can find my books on Amazon .
Here is my link: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B076PBWSTK
Buy the book!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
After reading I will kill you in my dream by Kristina Gallo, I had a few questions about her story and the characters.
About I will kill you in my dream
Helena is an inexperienced teenager. She wishes to fit in, but local bullies marked her as a weirdo. After unexpected events happened, she will know her power to predict the future in dreams. The principal victims are her enemies and she can’t stop their terrible fate. The war in ex Yugoslavia is the background of this book. Social and national differences destroy many friendships and relationships at that time.
1) You are a multi-genre author writing intriguing Young Adult stories. What are the biggest challenges for teenagers in our days?
1) The biggest challenges are social media. Teenagers think they don’t need education, and promote themselves on Instagram, Tik Tok hoping they will earn money and become celebrities. There are dangerous traps, like posibilities of abusing, human trafficing or possible prostitution.
2) Bullying, what do you think? Can we stop it?
2) I was the victim of bullying in a high school. To stop bullying, we all must collaborate. Authorities must work fast. In my time, authorities did their work bad. They did not get seriously the consequences of bullying. Also, some parents are rich and they protect their bad mannered kids.
3) Predicting the future in dreams, is it a curse or charisma?
3) I think that is both. If someone has nightmares, that is curse, it has bad effect. On the other hand, a person that predicts in dreams has a power.
4) What is the role of a teacher?
4) The teacher should educate kids about moral values and respect. Also, the teacher can’t lose authority.
5) What does family mean to you?
5) My parents and my husband always support me, and they mean everything to me. I love to protect my privacy.
6) Tell me a few things about you.
6) I am Croatian multi-genre writer and blogger. I am writing a blog for Croatian internet portals. My profession is a lawyer, I work as higher law advisor for the state firm.
I am football supporter, love parties and journeys. I love to meet new people and collect new experiences.
7) Where can readers find your books?
7) Readers can find my books on Amazon .
Here is my link: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B076PBWSTK
Buy the book!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
December 18, 2020
Broken Hearts & Empty Souls
Have you ever wondered about the most pleasant activity for our souls? Is there anything that can make us feel wonderful?
Doing good works that help others or society as a whole and offering whatever you can -when you are able to support those who need help- is just great and admirable.
Philanthropy can include donating money to a worthy cause or volunteering time, effort, or other forms of altruism.
Christmas is coming very soon and sharing magical moments with your family and friends is a privilege that many people don’t have.
Let’s make everyone happy.
Broken Hearts & Empty Souls
A Portion of all of the proceeds of this book will be given to: The Epilepsy Foundation
Learn more and if you want support those who need our help.
https://www.epilepsy.com/
Excerpt
There was no reason to fight back tears, she was in desperate need of someone who would make her feel safe and happy again.
For the last ten weeks she was strolling around the port since she had no idea what to do. She had lost everything, she didn’t have a home to stay.
Sarah was living a hell. A few months ago she thought she had more than she’d ever dreamed, but life had decided to take her everything.
The sunlight was her only friend because she had the chance to discover the next best place to spend the night. Being alone was hard, being alone and homeless was a tragedy that couldn’t be compared with anything else.
Her long, curly hairs had lost their glow while their golden color was just a memory of the past. She had lost weight and her big, blue eyes were swelled showing off her constant fatigue and despair. Although she was only thirty years old, her silver hair made her look older than her age.
She was wearing the same cloths for many days and she really missed having a hot shower and a bed to rest her body and her soul for a few hours.
She was hungry, but she didn’t care about food anymore. She was lucky enough to find support for her physical needs by strangers who wanted to help her with anyway they could.
Sarah took a deep breath and moved to the last gate of the port. She had seen a small cabin where she could stay warm and protect herself from the severe weather conditions of the winter. It looked like the house of hell since it was covered by debris and garbage, but at least she could hide herself from the dangerous and wild homeless men. They were unlucky people like her, but they were different because they would not hesitate to attack and even do worse things. She hated being exposed to criminal eyes…
Buy the book!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
Doing good works that help others or society as a whole and offering whatever you can -when you are able to support those who need help- is just great and admirable.
Philanthropy can include donating money to a worthy cause or volunteering time, effort, or other forms of altruism.
Christmas is coming very soon and sharing magical moments with your family and friends is a privilege that many people don’t have.
Let’s make everyone happy.
Broken Hearts & Empty Souls
A Portion of all of the proceeds of this book will be given to: The Epilepsy Foundation
Learn more and if you want support those who need our help.
https://www.epilepsy.com/
Excerpt
There was no reason to fight back tears, she was in desperate need of someone who would make her feel safe and happy again.
For the last ten weeks she was strolling around the port since she had no idea what to do. She had lost everything, she didn’t have a home to stay.
Sarah was living a hell. A few months ago she thought she had more than she’d ever dreamed, but life had decided to take her everything.
The sunlight was her only friend because she had the chance to discover the next best place to spend the night. Being alone was hard, being alone and homeless was a tragedy that couldn’t be compared with anything else.
Her long, curly hairs had lost their glow while their golden color was just a memory of the past. She had lost weight and her big, blue eyes were swelled showing off her constant fatigue and despair. Although she was only thirty years old, her silver hair made her look older than her age.
She was wearing the same cloths for many days and she really missed having a hot shower and a bed to rest her body and her soul for a few hours.
She was hungry, but she didn’t care about food anymore. She was lucky enough to find support for her physical needs by strangers who wanted to help her with anyway they could.
Sarah took a deep breath and moved to the last gate of the port. She had seen a small cabin where she could stay warm and protect herself from the severe weather conditions of the winter. It looked like the house of hell since it was covered by debris and garbage, but at least she could hide herself from the dangerous and wild homeless men. They were unlucky people like her, but they were different because they would not hesitate to attack and even do worse things. She hated being exposed to criminal eyes…
Buy the book!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
December 11, 2020
Q&A with Margaret Egrot
One of the most exciting things in the Publishing industry is meeting interesting people who are talented authors and write intriguing stories.
After reading And Alex Still Has Acne by Margaret Egrot, I had a few questions about her story and the characters.
About And Alex Still Has Acne
Life for fourteen year old Alex is okay most of the time. He enjoys school, has a best friend Sam, and a pretty and only mildly irritating younger sister, Nicky. But then Sam starts acting strangely, and so does Nicky - and both insist on sharing secrets with him, making him promise not to tell anyone. Then Nicky goes missing and only Alex thinks he knows where to find her. But is Sam anywhere around to help?
1) And Alex Still Has Acne is a Young Adult novel, I loved the book and so did readers. What is the secret to keep teenagers turning the pages?
1) I write contemporary novels set in the real world. But I think my advice would be the same for fantasy, sci-fi, historical stories: the world you create has to be a believable one that a flesh and blood teenager can relate to. The story has to have young people of about the age, or a little older, than your intended reader. And the story has to move along at a reasonable trot. I try to follow the known experts at writing ‘page-turners,’ and end each chapter with a new plot development.
2) Tell me a few things about Nicky, what do you think about her and for teenagers living a life similar to the life of the young girl?
2) Nicky is adopted and, however consistent and loving the adoptive parents and siblings are, almost all adopted children have a feeling of insecurity, especially as they reach adolescence. Inquisitiveness about their real family and why they were abandoned run alongside those feelings of self-doubt that almost all children have as they hit their teens. Girls especially will worry about having friends, their looks, their weight …
Loving parents – which Nicky has – rarely get it right when trying to support them as, to them, their daughter is fine just as she is. But saying so is usually the wrong thing, and getting cross just makes it worse. It’s trying to understand what’s going on inside Nicky’s head that’s important. Alex, in his clumsy way, has a better grasp of this than their parents do.
3) Anger, despair, shame, loss, regret and curiosity. How are teenagers supposed to keep going and handle all these feelings and emotions?
3) Ha! How did we get through that phase in our lives ourselves? Parents tend to feel their teenage children don’t want them around (and it’s true, parents can be soooo embarrassing, at times). But actually you are needed just as much as when the teenagers were toddlers – to reassure, pick up the pieces, set boundaries they can ostensibly kick against, but actually help them feel safe. But above all to LISTEN. Sitting them down to ‘have a talk’ is a recipe for failure. Dropping everything to listen when you’re needed helps even a very upset teenager see light at the end of the tunnel. It’s hard being a teenager. Hard too being the parent of one. Maybe that is why many of my readers are in fact grown-ups.
4) What is family?
4) Good question. It’s definitely not just Mum, Dad and two kids all linked together by marital or blood ties. Foster parents, adoptive parents, same sex parents, single parents, grandparents, stepparents, can all offer children stable and happy homes. Or can really screw things up (like Sam’s parents at the start of And Alex Still Has Acne). I suppose the important element is at least one adult who takes the parenting role seriously and consistently. Two parents can share the load, but not if they are too caught up in their own troubles to notice the children. In real life, one of my heroes was largely brought up by his sister – who was only three years older than him.
5) What do you think are the biggest challenges for teenagers and their parents?
For parents - creating an environment where the children can talk about the good, and bad, things in their lives. Setting boundaries – you are not your kids’ best friends, you are the parents. Not being dependent on your children for your own self-worth – little Johnny doesn’t have to be top at everything for you to be a great Mum or Dad.
5) For teenagers – remembering that, however difficult your parents seem as you enter your teens, they will usually improve over time!
Life as a teenager feels more extreme emotionally than it was when you were younger, so trying to keep things in balance – friendships, schoolwork, social media, sports, as well as social pressures re drink and drugs, and sex - is hard. Covid-19 throughout most of 2020 has made it all a lot harder – but it will end.
Parents will normally be better at understanding if you mess up than you think. However, if the problem is home-based – and some parents are just not able or willing to be proper parents, then talking to a teacher, youth leader, a friend’s parents, phoning Childline or similar, is a must. There is help out there. Knowing when you need it is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of growing maturity.
6) Tell me a few things about you.
6) I worked a lot with teenagers as a youth worker and probation officer. Mostly boys, but some girls like Nicky too. Later I worked more with adults in Probation, prison, and in child protection settings. None of my characters are based on real people, but a lot of characterization came out of my experiences. These days I help run a charity for older people, take my dog for walks, swim, and write my blog (see link below).
7) Where can readers find you and your books?
7) I recently had the copyright for three books returned to me by my American publisher. I have just self-published them all at lower prices, including And Alex Still Has Acne. They, and books produced with other publishers, can be found on my author page on Amazon Books. One book Festive Treats, is an anthology of Christmas stories. I have one story in it and the anthology is FREE!
I also publish a blog – Writing and Breathing - about writers, writing tips, the meaning of words, and anything vaguely literary that’s in the news.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00RVO1BHO
www.writingandbreathing.wordpress.com
fb.me/margaretegrot.writer
https://twitter.com/meegrot
Buy the book!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00RVO1BHO
After reading And Alex Still Has Acne by Margaret Egrot, I had a few questions about her story and the characters.
About And Alex Still Has Acne
Life for fourteen year old Alex is okay most of the time. He enjoys school, has a best friend Sam, and a pretty and only mildly irritating younger sister, Nicky. But then Sam starts acting strangely, and so does Nicky - and both insist on sharing secrets with him, making him promise not to tell anyone. Then Nicky goes missing and only Alex thinks he knows where to find her. But is Sam anywhere around to help?
1) And Alex Still Has Acne is a Young Adult novel, I loved the book and so did readers. What is the secret to keep teenagers turning the pages?
1) I write contemporary novels set in the real world. But I think my advice would be the same for fantasy, sci-fi, historical stories: the world you create has to be a believable one that a flesh and blood teenager can relate to. The story has to have young people of about the age, or a little older, than your intended reader. And the story has to move along at a reasonable trot. I try to follow the known experts at writing ‘page-turners,’ and end each chapter with a new plot development.
2) Tell me a few things about Nicky, what do you think about her and for teenagers living a life similar to the life of the young girl?
2) Nicky is adopted and, however consistent and loving the adoptive parents and siblings are, almost all adopted children have a feeling of insecurity, especially as they reach adolescence. Inquisitiveness about their real family and why they were abandoned run alongside those feelings of self-doubt that almost all children have as they hit their teens. Girls especially will worry about having friends, their looks, their weight …
Loving parents – which Nicky has – rarely get it right when trying to support them as, to them, their daughter is fine just as she is. But saying so is usually the wrong thing, and getting cross just makes it worse. It’s trying to understand what’s going on inside Nicky’s head that’s important. Alex, in his clumsy way, has a better grasp of this than their parents do.
3) Anger, despair, shame, loss, regret and curiosity. How are teenagers supposed to keep going and handle all these feelings and emotions?
3) Ha! How did we get through that phase in our lives ourselves? Parents tend to feel their teenage children don’t want them around (and it’s true, parents can be soooo embarrassing, at times). But actually you are needed just as much as when the teenagers were toddlers – to reassure, pick up the pieces, set boundaries they can ostensibly kick against, but actually help them feel safe. But above all to LISTEN. Sitting them down to ‘have a talk’ is a recipe for failure. Dropping everything to listen when you’re needed helps even a very upset teenager see light at the end of the tunnel. It’s hard being a teenager. Hard too being the parent of one. Maybe that is why many of my readers are in fact grown-ups.
4) What is family?
4) Good question. It’s definitely not just Mum, Dad and two kids all linked together by marital or blood ties. Foster parents, adoptive parents, same sex parents, single parents, grandparents, stepparents, can all offer children stable and happy homes. Or can really screw things up (like Sam’s parents at the start of And Alex Still Has Acne). I suppose the important element is at least one adult who takes the parenting role seriously and consistently. Two parents can share the load, but not if they are too caught up in their own troubles to notice the children. In real life, one of my heroes was largely brought up by his sister – who was only three years older than him.
5) What do you think are the biggest challenges for teenagers and their parents?
For parents - creating an environment where the children can talk about the good, and bad, things in their lives. Setting boundaries – you are not your kids’ best friends, you are the parents. Not being dependent on your children for your own self-worth – little Johnny doesn’t have to be top at everything for you to be a great Mum or Dad.
5) For teenagers – remembering that, however difficult your parents seem as you enter your teens, they will usually improve over time!
Life as a teenager feels more extreme emotionally than it was when you were younger, so trying to keep things in balance – friendships, schoolwork, social media, sports, as well as social pressures re drink and drugs, and sex - is hard. Covid-19 throughout most of 2020 has made it all a lot harder – but it will end.
Parents will normally be better at understanding if you mess up than you think. However, if the problem is home-based – and some parents are just not able or willing to be proper parents, then talking to a teacher, youth leader, a friend’s parents, phoning Childline or similar, is a must. There is help out there. Knowing when you need it is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of growing maturity.
6) Tell me a few things about you.
6) I worked a lot with teenagers as a youth worker and probation officer. Mostly boys, but some girls like Nicky too. Later I worked more with adults in Probation, prison, and in child protection settings. None of my characters are based on real people, but a lot of characterization came out of my experiences. These days I help run a charity for older people, take my dog for walks, swim, and write my blog (see link below).
7) Where can readers find you and your books?
7) I recently had the copyright for three books returned to me by my American publisher. I have just self-published them all at lower prices, including And Alex Still Has Acne. They, and books produced with other publishers, can be found on my author page on Amazon Books. One book Festive Treats, is an anthology of Christmas stories. I have one story in it and the anthology is FREE!
I also publish a blog – Writing and Breathing - about writers, writing tips, the meaning of words, and anything vaguely literary that’s in the news.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00RVO1BHO
www.writingandbreathing.wordpress.com
fb.me/margaretegrot.writer
https://twitter.com/meegrot
Buy the book!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00RVO1BHO
December 4, 2020
#ComingVerySoon
Nothing can bring a real sense of security into the home except true love.
Billy Graham
Broken Hearts & Empty Souls Book 3
Sarah was living a hell. A few months ago she thought she had more than she’d ever dreamed, but life had decided to take her everything.
The sunlight was her only friend because she had the chance to discover the next best place to spend the night. Being alone was hard, being alone and homeless was a tragedy that couldn’t be compared with anything else.
Excerpt
There was no reason to fight back tears, she was in desperate need of someone who would make her feel safe and happy again.
For the last ten weeks she was strolling around the port since she had no idea what to do. She had lost everything, she didn’t have a home to stay.
Sarah was living a hell. A few months ago she thought she had more than she’d ever dreamed, but life had decided to take her everything.
The sunlight was her only friend because she had the chance to discover the next best place to spend the night. Being alone was hard, being alone and homeless was a tragedy that couldn’t be compared with anything else.
Her long, curly hairs had lost their glow while their golden color was just a memory of the past. She had lost weight and her big, blue eyes were swelled showing off her constant fatigue and despair. Although she was only thirty years old, her silver hair made her look older than her age.
She was wearing the same cloths for many days and she really missed having a hot shower and a bed to rest her body and her soul for a few hours.
She was hungry, but she didn’t care about food anymore. She was lucky enough to find support for her physical needs by strangers who wanted to help her with anyway they could.
Sarah took a deep breath and moved to the last gate of the port. She had seen a small cabin where she could stay warm and protect herself from the severe weather conditions of the winter. It looked like the house of hell since it was covered by debris and garbage, but at least she could hide herself from the dangerous and wild homeless men. They were unlucky people like her, but they were different because they would not hesitate to attack and even do worse things. She hated being exposed to criminal eyes…
The Other Side Series
Standalone-short-stories
The series focuses on Life, fate, and love.
No More Chances Book 1
We have to try every day to become better human beings. We shouldn’t fear death but whatever happens after the moment we die.
Confessions in the Air Book 2
Whenever you might feel angry, you should just count till ten because everything that would come out from your mouth it would never be erased and you would always feel guilty.
Broken Hearts & Empty Souls Book 3
Sarah was living a hell. A few months ago she thought she had more than she’d ever dreamed, but life had decided to take her everything.
Read more and discover my books,
https://www.amazon.com/A-A-Schenna/e/...
Billy Graham
Broken Hearts & Empty Souls Book 3
Sarah was living a hell. A few months ago she thought she had more than she’d ever dreamed, but life had decided to take her everything.
The sunlight was her only friend because she had the chance to discover the next best place to spend the night. Being alone was hard, being alone and homeless was a tragedy that couldn’t be compared with anything else.
Excerpt
There was no reason to fight back tears, she was in desperate need of someone who would make her feel safe and happy again.
For the last ten weeks she was strolling around the port since she had no idea what to do. She had lost everything, she didn’t have a home to stay.
Sarah was living a hell. A few months ago she thought she had more than she’d ever dreamed, but life had decided to take her everything.
The sunlight was her only friend because she had the chance to discover the next best place to spend the night. Being alone was hard, being alone and homeless was a tragedy that couldn’t be compared with anything else.
Her long, curly hairs had lost their glow while their golden color was just a memory of the past. She had lost weight and her big, blue eyes were swelled showing off her constant fatigue and despair. Although she was only thirty years old, her silver hair made her look older than her age.
She was wearing the same cloths for many days and she really missed having a hot shower and a bed to rest her body and her soul for a few hours.
She was hungry, but she didn’t care about food anymore. She was lucky enough to find support for her physical needs by strangers who wanted to help her with anyway they could.
Sarah took a deep breath and moved to the last gate of the port. She had seen a small cabin where she could stay warm and protect herself from the severe weather conditions of the winter. It looked like the house of hell since it was covered by debris and garbage, but at least she could hide herself from the dangerous and wild homeless men. They were unlucky people like her, but they were different because they would not hesitate to attack and even do worse things. She hated being exposed to criminal eyes…
The Other Side Series
Standalone-short-stories
The series focuses on Life, fate, and love.
No More Chances Book 1
We have to try every day to become better human beings. We shouldn’t fear death but whatever happens after the moment we die.
Confessions in the Air Book 2
Whenever you might feel angry, you should just count till ten because everything that would come out from your mouth it would never be erased and you would always feel guilty.
Broken Hearts & Empty Souls Book 3
Sarah was living a hell. A few months ago she thought she had more than she’d ever dreamed, but life had decided to take her everything.
Read more and discover my books,
https://www.amazon.com/A-A-Schenna/e/...
November 27, 2020
#BookRecommendations
Reading is a conversation. All books talk. But a good book listens as well.
Mark Haddon
The Stranger
Jeremy was supposed to get off the train since he had to go to work, but he decided to follow the ‘femme fatale’.
Elena followed every step he made. She could see his black shoes and his blue jeans but her glance didn’t get any higher.
Although, the noise of the railroad was loud, she wouldn’t miss any of his words.
Excerpt
Do not lean against the door, it opens automatically.
After reading the sign, Elena loosened her shoulders and took a deep breath. She scratched her nose, trying to get used to the strange smell that was spreading in the railway carriage. A disturbing noise reached her ears as she gazed at an old woman eating chips in her seat, further back, in the railway carriage. She smiled at the woman and looked away.
Looking at her reflection, in the glass of the busy door, she pushed her red hair from her flawless face—she wore no makeup to hide her beauty. A couple of seconds later, she noticed a handsome man with beautiful blue eyes who fixed them on her. Elena, led by her curiosity, turned to look at the unknown man who, after that, started coming closer towards her. She tried to stay cool as the unknown, tall man with the well-shaped body and the nice haircut moved to the seat next to her. Without losing any time, she opened her bag and put on her sunglasses as her right hand was laid on her chest and her fingers started playing with the white buttons of her tiny, yellow shirt. She had no time to stay cool, she panicked.
Elena seemed annoyed but, on the other hand, she felt something burning in her body. He might be the pleasant surprise she was waiting for, since her breakdown, after her divorce from a man clueless of emotions, especially love and passion. Ten months had already passed since the tragic event and she sent those memories away from her mind. Miranda, her therapist, once told her, “Focus on you, satisfy your needs and leave all the nasty thoughts out of your life”.
In the meantime, Elena was able to see another woman staring at the handsome man and she felt a bit weird. Emotions she had forgotten started rising again. She is around twenty while I am forty. She has nice, blonde hair, nice lips while I have nothing. What am I thinking? I have no chance! she thought and stopped wishing.
A middle-aged mother with her two kids stood up from their seats and moved towards the door. The children were holding tight onto their mother and she seemed so proud of them. Every time she smiled, they seemed so happy. Elena tried to release some space for the kids and their mother but after a bad trip she was found leaning towards the mysterious man.
“I am so sorry!”
The kind man smiled and nodded while he felt lucky since he could look at her face-to-face. However, Elena was shocked and moved away. She wasn’t only shy, but she felt pretty surprised having such a man in front of her. He seemed like the dream guy from the Hollywood movies.
The unknown man didn’t waste any time and, pretty soon, he was standing opposite her and staring at her dazzling beauty. He tried to be discrete since they had already attracted the passengers’ interest. But he didn’t miss the chance to turn his gaze to her at every turn.
Oh man, I need to talk to this woman… definitely. She is so beautiful, he thought a couple of minutes after his first estimation.
Elena was able to guess his thoughts, so she searched for the cell phone in her small, black bag—in a vain effort to seem indifferent—until a woman in black attire stood up from her seat to get off the train and Elena didn’t waste any time. She went straight for the empty seat…
Read more,
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...
Mark Haddon
The Stranger
Jeremy was supposed to get off the train since he had to go to work, but he decided to follow the ‘femme fatale’.
Elena followed every step he made. She could see his black shoes and his blue jeans but her glance didn’t get any higher.
Although, the noise of the railroad was loud, she wouldn’t miss any of his words.
Excerpt
Do not lean against the door, it opens automatically.
After reading the sign, Elena loosened her shoulders and took a deep breath. She scratched her nose, trying to get used to the strange smell that was spreading in the railway carriage. A disturbing noise reached her ears as she gazed at an old woman eating chips in her seat, further back, in the railway carriage. She smiled at the woman and looked away.
Looking at her reflection, in the glass of the busy door, she pushed her red hair from her flawless face—she wore no makeup to hide her beauty. A couple of seconds later, she noticed a handsome man with beautiful blue eyes who fixed them on her. Elena, led by her curiosity, turned to look at the unknown man who, after that, started coming closer towards her. She tried to stay cool as the unknown, tall man with the well-shaped body and the nice haircut moved to the seat next to her. Without losing any time, she opened her bag and put on her sunglasses as her right hand was laid on her chest and her fingers started playing with the white buttons of her tiny, yellow shirt. She had no time to stay cool, she panicked.
Elena seemed annoyed but, on the other hand, she felt something burning in her body. He might be the pleasant surprise she was waiting for, since her breakdown, after her divorce from a man clueless of emotions, especially love and passion. Ten months had already passed since the tragic event and she sent those memories away from her mind. Miranda, her therapist, once told her, “Focus on you, satisfy your needs and leave all the nasty thoughts out of your life”.
In the meantime, Elena was able to see another woman staring at the handsome man and she felt a bit weird. Emotions she had forgotten started rising again. She is around twenty while I am forty. She has nice, blonde hair, nice lips while I have nothing. What am I thinking? I have no chance! she thought and stopped wishing.
A middle-aged mother with her two kids stood up from their seats and moved towards the door. The children were holding tight onto their mother and she seemed so proud of them. Every time she smiled, they seemed so happy. Elena tried to release some space for the kids and their mother but after a bad trip she was found leaning towards the mysterious man.
“I am so sorry!”
The kind man smiled and nodded while he felt lucky since he could look at her face-to-face. However, Elena was shocked and moved away. She wasn’t only shy, but she felt pretty surprised having such a man in front of her. He seemed like the dream guy from the Hollywood movies.
The unknown man didn’t waste any time and, pretty soon, he was standing opposite her and staring at her dazzling beauty. He tried to be discrete since they had already attracted the passengers’ interest. But he didn’t miss the chance to turn his gaze to her at every turn.
Oh man, I need to talk to this woman… definitely. She is so beautiful, he thought a couple of minutes after his first estimation.
Elena was able to guess his thoughts, so she searched for the cell phone in her small, black bag—in a vain effort to seem indifferent—until a woman in black attire stood up from her seat to get off the train and Elena didn’t waste any time. She went straight for the empty seat…
Read more,
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...
November 20, 2020
Q&A with Marie Lavender
One of the most exciting things in the Publishing industry is meeting interesting people who are talented authors and write intriguing stories.
After reading Second Nature: Volume 1 (Blood At First Sight) by Marie Lavender, I had a few questions about her story, her books and the characters.
Q&A
1. Alec and Desiree – strong characters, passion, love, attraction, and a chemistry that could ignite everything. In a normal couple in our days, are these enough?
1. Yes, and no. They are great building blocks for any couple. However, there should also be a decent friendship, and some common interests. Without some similar values or commonalities, what would the couple talk about? At the same time, you don’t want to be identical with your significant other. There should be some differences, too, just to keep things interesting. Case in point, with my fiancé, there’s never a dull moment. We have enough in common, yet some interests that make us entirely individual. I think it keeps an element of mystery in the relationship.
As for Desiree and Alec, they have enough individuality on their own – hobbies and other qualities that make them unique – to keep the relationship lasting over time.
2. Mystery – what about Desiree’s powers?
2. In the story, Desiree finds out she has some psychic abilities she never knew about, and she starts to wonder who her birth parents were. So, it’s definitely a shock when she learns some of what she can do.
3. You’ve written many books, which one is your favorite and why?
3. That’s always a tough question, as I love them all. Still, I must say that Directions of the Heart is a favorite. There are so many diverse characters in that collection, and ‘Touch of Dawn’, in particular, is such a touching tale. Caitlyn and Jack are special people, and one of my favorite couples in the literary world. I’m just blessed that they decided to harass me into writing their story. LOL!
4. Would you like to talk about your latest release?
4. Upon Your Return is my latest release. The second edition just came out through my new publisher. This is a Victorian romance novel, set in France during the Second Empire. Prepare for intrigue and drama, as an unlikely pair – a young heiress and a clipper ship captain – come across each other in a perilous situation, in the dark part of town. From then on, they are irrevocably drawn to one another, to the chagrin of numerous parties involved.
https://books2read.com/UYR
As for Second Nature, my first published paranormal romance, the next edition will be out again very soon.
5. You write about love, what do you think about true love?
5. I definitely believe in it and know it’s real. I found it in my own life. But I’m not saying that real love doesn’t take work, either, just like any other romantic relationship. It requires a lot of effort, but if it feels right, then it’s totally worth the trouble.
6. What does family mean to you?
6. Family means a lot to me. Witnessing my parents’ relationship encouraged me so much in my personal beliefs about how love should look. I am close to my sister, and my brother…well, he’s all right, I guess. LOL. But, on a more serious level, I don’t know what I’d do without them. My fiancé, as well, has become my family over the years, and as soon as we make it legal, we can start a little family of our own.
7. Tell me a few things about you and where can readers find you and your books?
7. I’ve known I wanted to write books ever since I was a kid. Stories just flowed through my imagination, and I had to figure out a way to get them all down on paper. It became natural to work on my story projects. I’ve been infected by the writing bug for years.
Readers may visit my website at marielavender.com for more information about my work.
A list of her books and pen names are as follows:
Marie Lavender: Second Nature; "Lovers Like Us" (featured poem from the book anthology, Poets & Writers in Action); A Little Magick; Second Chance Heart; Directions of the Heart; Blood Instincts; Blue Vision; The Missing Piece; Chasing Ginger; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Return (second edition released on 11/23/20)
Erica Sutherhome: Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life
Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things
(**Author's Note -- Upon Your Honor, Upon Your Love, and The Heiresses boxed set are unavailable right now, until my new publisher, Foundations Books, can release them back to the public. Additionally, in subsequent years, I will be fully revising and re-releasing my backlist into collections of various genres, just to keep all my work organized under one pen name.)
About Marie Lavender
Multi-genre author of Victorian maritime romance/family saga, Heiresses in Love, and 20 other books. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and two cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 21 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, dramatic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. An avid blogger on the side, she writes adult fiction, as well as occasional stories for children, and has recently started some young adult fiction. She also contributed to several anthologies. Though Marie has standalone titles on the market, her current published series are The Eternal Hearts Series, The Magick Series, The Code of Endhivar Series, The Misfits Series and The Blood at First Sight Series, but she has many others planned. Her Victorian maritime romance series is returning, and the second editions of the trilogy will be released under her new publisher, Foundations Books.
Discover more about her and her work at the following links.
Universal Author Links:
https://linktr.ee/marielavender1
Fan mail email: authormarielavender@email.com
After reading Second Nature: Volume 1 (Blood At First Sight) by Marie Lavender, I had a few questions about her story, her books and the characters.
Q&A
1. Alec and Desiree – strong characters, passion, love, attraction, and a chemistry that could ignite everything. In a normal couple in our days, are these enough?
1. Yes, and no. They are great building blocks for any couple. However, there should also be a decent friendship, and some common interests. Without some similar values or commonalities, what would the couple talk about? At the same time, you don’t want to be identical with your significant other. There should be some differences, too, just to keep things interesting. Case in point, with my fiancé, there’s never a dull moment. We have enough in common, yet some interests that make us entirely individual. I think it keeps an element of mystery in the relationship.
As for Desiree and Alec, they have enough individuality on their own – hobbies and other qualities that make them unique – to keep the relationship lasting over time.
2. Mystery – what about Desiree’s powers?
2. In the story, Desiree finds out she has some psychic abilities she never knew about, and she starts to wonder who her birth parents were. So, it’s definitely a shock when she learns some of what she can do.
3. You’ve written many books, which one is your favorite and why?
3. That’s always a tough question, as I love them all. Still, I must say that Directions of the Heart is a favorite. There are so many diverse characters in that collection, and ‘Touch of Dawn’, in particular, is such a touching tale. Caitlyn and Jack are special people, and one of my favorite couples in the literary world. I’m just blessed that they decided to harass me into writing their story. LOL!
4. Would you like to talk about your latest release?
4. Upon Your Return is my latest release. The second edition just came out through my new publisher. This is a Victorian romance novel, set in France during the Second Empire. Prepare for intrigue and drama, as an unlikely pair – a young heiress and a clipper ship captain – come across each other in a perilous situation, in the dark part of town. From then on, they are irrevocably drawn to one another, to the chagrin of numerous parties involved.
https://books2read.com/UYR
As for Second Nature, my first published paranormal romance, the next edition will be out again very soon.
5. You write about love, what do you think about true love?
5. I definitely believe in it and know it’s real. I found it in my own life. But I’m not saying that real love doesn’t take work, either, just like any other romantic relationship. It requires a lot of effort, but if it feels right, then it’s totally worth the trouble.
6. What does family mean to you?
6. Family means a lot to me. Witnessing my parents’ relationship encouraged me so much in my personal beliefs about how love should look. I am close to my sister, and my brother…well, he’s all right, I guess. LOL. But, on a more serious level, I don’t know what I’d do without them. My fiancé, as well, has become my family over the years, and as soon as we make it legal, we can start a little family of our own.
7. Tell me a few things about you and where can readers find you and your books?
7. I’ve known I wanted to write books ever since I was a kid. Stories just flowed through my imagination, and I had to figure out a way to get them all down on paper. It became natural to work on my story projects. I’ve been infected by the writing bug for years.
Readers may visit my website at marielavender.com for more information about my work.
A list of her books and pen names are as follows:
Marie Lavender: Second Nature; "Lovers Like Us" (featured poem from the book anthology, Poets & Writers in Action); A Little Magick; Second Chance Heart; Directions of the Heart; Blood Instincts; Blue Vision; The Missing Piece; Chasing Ginger; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Return (second edition released on 11/23/20)
Erica Sutherhome: Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life
Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things
(**Author's Note -- Upon Your Honor, Upon Your Love, and The Heiresses boxed set are unavailable right now, until my new publisher, Foundations Books, can release them back to the public. Additionally, in subsequent years, I will be fully revising and re-releasing my backlist into collections of various genres, just to keep all my work organized under one pen name.)
About Marie Lavender
Multi-genre author of Victorian maritime romance/family saga, Heiresses in Love, and 20 other books. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and two cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 21 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, dramatic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. An avid blogger on the side, she writes adult fiction, as well as occasional stories for children, and has recently started some young adult fiction. She also contributed to several anthologies. Though Marie has standalone titles on the market, her current published series are The Eternal Hearts Series, The Magick Series, The Code of Endhivar Series, The Misfits Series and The Blood at First Sight Series, but she has many others planned. Her Victorian maritime romance series is returning, and the second editions of the trilogy will be released under her new publisher, Foundations Books.
Discover more about her and her work at the following links.
Universal Author Links:
https://linktr.ee/marielavender1
Fan mail email: authormarielavender@email.com
November 13, 2020
#BookRecommendations
"Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world."
Malala Yousafzai
Another Day
"Where there is love, there is life." Mahatma Ghandi
Excerpt
“Till death do us part,” Linda whispered.
“Till death do us part,” Stephen confessed while watching her eyes.
It was the most enticing moment of their life. After so many years they had finally made it. They would seal their devotion to one another in a few days during their favorite season. They both loved Christmas and the mood of the most lovely winter holidays. There were no words to describe the glow of their happiness in their eyes. Mutual love since they were children. Mutual respect since they were teenagers. It was obvious they were made to be together forever.
“What’s that?” Linda’s smile enlightened his face.
“It’s just a small gift for my fiancé.”
“You meant another gift for your fiancé,” she said while it was his turn to show off his charming smile.
Linda opened the small, red box and released a carefree sigh. The shinning, diamond necklace was enough to steal her thoughts for a few moments.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said and kissed his lips.
“It’s not as beautiful as you, but when I saw it I thought of you.”
“You saw this amazing necklace and thought of me?” Linda wondered.
“It’s an anchor, my love. From now on, I’ll be your anchor. Wherever you are and whenever you feel sad and lonely, you’ll be holding this anchor and I‘ll be there next to you.”
“How is this going to happen? Are you a time traveler?”
Linda laughed out loud and started teasing him. She loved teasing her man.
“I am not a time-traveler, but my thoughts are constantly absorbed by your existence. I guess it’s a kind of a visible and continuous communication. They call it telepathy. That’s how I could explain our connection.”
His big eyes confirmed his words; his sight was hooked on hers.
“Did I cause this to you?” Linda whispered.
“From the moment you were born,” Stephen said.
“Have I ever told you how lucky I am?”
“I guess because you found me,” he said.
“Just because I found the one and only man who stole my mind, and because in a few days, I am going to get married with the first baby who was thinking another baby that was brought to life a couple of weeks later,” Linda said and buried her head in his chest, trying to hide her laugher.
“Will you stop teasing me?” he said as he closed his arms and locked his girl in his hug.
Stephen loved these moments, he felt blessed he could feel his heart becoming one with another heart, Linda’s heart. It was so nice feeling the butterflies of love lifting their bodies and spirits up, making them fly above the worries while traveling toward the zone of true love and happiness.
“I will never stop teasing you; it’s the most entertaining experience for me.” Linda said and tried to get up from the bed.
“Going somewhere?” he said and held her hand.
“It’s time for us to get up, put on our clothes and go out,” she said and sounded like begging him.
“Do we have to do this?” Stephen asked vaguely.
“It’s almost Christmas; let’s start making obvious the joy in our house. I need to come across the spirit of nostalgia and euphoria. And I want to do this with you!” she said and squeezed his palm in hers…
Find more books…
https://www.aaschenna.com/
Malala Yousafzai
Another Day
"Where there is love, there is life." Mahatma Ghandi
Excerpt
“Till death do us part,” Linda whispered.
“Till death do us part,” Stephen confessed while watching her eyes.
It was the most enticing moment of their life. After so many years they had finally made it. They would seal their devotion to one another in a few days during their favorite season. They both loved Christmas and the mood of the most lovely winter holidays. There were no words to describe the glow of their happiness in their eyes. Mutual love since they were children. Mutual respect since they were teenagers. It was obvious they were made to be together forever.
“What’s that?” Linda’s smile enlightened his face.
“It’s just a small gift for my fiancé.”
“You meant another gift for your fiancé,” she said while it was his turn to show off his charming smile.
Linda opened the small, red box and released a carefree sigh. The shinning, diamond necklace was enough to steal her thoughts for a few moments.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said and kissed his lips.
“It’s not as beautiful as you, but when I saw it I thought of you.”
“You saw this amazing necklace and thought of me?” Linda wondered.
“It’s an anchor, my love. From now on, I’ll be your anchor. Wherever you are and whenever you feel sad and lonely, you’ll be holding this anchor and I‘ll be there next to you.”
“How is this going to happen? Are you a time traveler?”
Linda laughed out loud and started teasing him. She loved teasing her man.
“I am not a time-traveler, but my thoughts are constantly absorbed by your existence. I guess it’s a kind of a visible and continuous communication. They call it telepathy. That’s how I could explain our connection.”
His big eyes confirmed his words; his sight was hooked on hers.
“Did I cause this to you?” Linda whispered.
“From the moment you were born,” Stephen said.
“Have I ever told you how lucky I am?”
“I guess because you found me,” he said.
“Just because I found the one and only man who stole my mind, and because in a few days, I am going to get married with the first baby who was thinking another baby that was brought to life a couple of weeks later,” Linda said and buried her head in his chest, trying to hide her laugher.
“Will you stop teasing me?” he said as he closed his arms and locked his girl in his hug.
Stephen loved these moments, he felt blessed he could feel his heart becoming one with another heart, Linda’s heart. It was so nice feeling the butterflies of love lifting their bodies and spirits up, making them fly above the worries while traveling toward the zone of true love and happiness.
“I will never stop teasing you; it’s the most entertaining experience for me.” Linda said and tried to get up from the bed.
“Going somewhere?” he said and held her hand.
“It’s time for us to get up, put on our clothes and go out,” she said and sounded like begging him.
“Do we have to do this?” Stephen asked vaguely.
“It’s almost Christmas; let’s start making obvious the joy in our house. I need to come across the spirit of nostalgia and euphoria. And I want to do this with you!” she said and squeezed his palm in hers…
Find more books…
https://www.aaschenna.com/
November 6, 2020
Q&A with Vicki-Ann Bush
One of the most exciting things in the Publishing industry is meeting interesting people who are talented authors and write intriguing stories.
After reading The Garden of Two by Vicki-Ann Bush, I had a few questions about her story and the characters.
About The Garden of Two
Charlie Murphy and Lillie Whitman couldn’t be any more different. His Irish immigrant parents worked hard for the little they had, while Lillie enjoyed all the comforts of wealth as the daughter in a prominent Long Island family. Drawn together by grief, the two overcome class conflict and fall deeply in love, creating a bond that no one can break.
Or so they thought.
When the dawn of World War I comes to their hometown, and personal tragedies threaten their future, they fight to hold on to their love. From the horrors of Germany's front lines to the emotional battle fields fought at home, Charlie and Lillie must find a way to navigate a path back into each other’s arms, and to a very special garden that is their consummate symbol of hope.
Q&A
1. Charlie and Lillie, wonderful characters, a happy couple that finally became one. Why can’t we see couples like them in our days?
1. Oh but I think we can. This couple is loosely based on me and my husband who recently celebrated our forty year wedding anniversary.
2. Charlie adored his mother, and I loved the way you described his stance after his mother’s condition. Is he the exception to the rule? Do you think everyone would do the same?
2. No, I don’t believe he is. I’m not sure if everyone would do the same but I know families who’ve gone through similar experiences and they fiercely stand loyal.
3. What do you think about Lillie’s father? I felt he would never accept his wife’s loss.
3. I agree. I feel he will forever miss his love and choose not to replace her with anyone else.
4. War, is there anything we could do to prevent this nightmare from coming back?
4. Compassion.
5. Insecurities VS true love, what do you think?
5. I’ve seen both and in the end, insecurities aren't enough to carry on. Only true love gives you the strength to endure.
6. What’s the meaning of family? What does family mean to you?
6. For me, I was raised in a large Italian family and family always comes first. It means true, supportive love. What that means to me is no matter how difficult my challenges are in life, I always have warriors standing by my side.
7. Tell me a few things about you and where can readers find you and your books?
7. My favorite author is Dean Koontz. I write primarily YA paranormal because I have sensitivity to what lies beyond, from mom’s side of the family. I can trip over a piece of thread on the carpet and I love to sing and dance...not well, but I love it anyway.
You can find my books at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several online bookstores.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vicki-ann+...
Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Vick...
As a thank you to all my readers, I’d like to offer a free copy of Ophelia, the novella that led the way for Alex McKenna’s trip to the Academy of Souls.
https://www.amazon.com/Ophelia-McKenn...
Buy the book!
https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Two-Vic...
After reading The Garden of Two by Vicki-Ann Bush, I had a few questions about her story and the characters.
About The Garden of Two
Charlie Murphy and Lillie Whitman couldn’t be any more different. His Irish immigrant parents worked hard for the little they had, while Lillie enjoyed all the comforts of wealth as the daughter in a prominent Long Island family. Drawn together by grief, the two overcome class conflict and fall deeply in love, creating a bond that no one can break.
Or so they thought.
When the dawn of World War I comes to their hometown, and personal tragedies threaten their future, they fight to hold on to their love. From the horrors of Germany's front lines to the emotional battle fields fought at home, Charlie and Lillie must find a way to navigate a path back into each other’s arms, and to a very special garden that is their consummate symbol of hope.
Q&A
1. Charlie and Lillie, wonderful characters, a happy couple that finally became one. Why can’t we see couples like them in our days?
1. Oh but I think we can. This couple is loosely based on me and my husband who recently celebrated our forty year wedding anniversary.
2. Charlie adored his mother, and I loved the way you described his stance after his mother’s condition. Is he the exception to the rule? Do you think everyone would do the same?
2. No, I don’t believe he is. I’m not sure if everyone would do the same but I know families who’ve gone through similar experiences and they fiercely stand loyal.
3. What do you think about Lillie’s father? I felt he would never accept his wife’s loss.
3. I agree. I feel he will forever miss his love and choose not to replace her with anyone else.
4. War, is there anything we could do to prevent this nightmare from coming back?
4. Compassion.
5. Insecurities VS true love, what do you think?
5. I’ve seen both and in the end, insecurities aren't enough to carry on. Only true love gives you the strength to endure.
6. What’s the meaning of family? What does family mean to you?
6. For me, I was raised in a large Italian family and family always comes first. It means true, supportive love. What that means to me is no matter how difficult my challenges are in life, I always have warriors standing by my side.
7. Tell me a few things about you and where can readers find you and your books?
7. My favorite author is Dean Koontz. I write primarily YA paranormal because I have sensitivity to what lies beyond, from mom’s side of the family. I can trip over a piece of thread on the carpet and I love to sing and dance...not well, but I love it anyway.
You can find my books at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several online bookstores.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vicki-ann+...
Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Vick...
As a thank you to all my readers, I’d like to offer a free copy of Ophelia, the novella that led the way for Alex McKenna’s trip to the Academy of Souls.
https://www.amazon.com/Ophelia-McKenn...
Buy the book!
https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Two-Vic...
October 30, 2020
#BookRecommendations
A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever.
Martin Farquhar Tupper
Fear The Darkness
She was hiding in a cruise ship cabin and could do nothing but wait. The nervous woman kept standing behind the locked door while the screams and the agony of the people who were trying to escape continued invading her soul, disturbing her peace and the balance she looked forward to finding again.
She remained silent and avoided moving around the small, white room praying to God to save their lives, and hoping that the nightmare would come to an end where things would become the same as usual.
The sweat kept running down her face whereas she could hear her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn’t stand the heat, she felt suffocated, she was scared to death and, as time passed by, she could hardly breathe. But she knew she had to be patient and wait for her boyfriend. She was sure he would do anything to save her life.
In a flash, everything changed since she could hear nothing, and no one, while the panic along with uncertainty came up and looked ready to haunt her spirit forever. She started shaking like a fish out of the water and couldn’t control her temper; she missed the safety she felt a few hours earlier and hoped someone would come and save her.
There was still no power. She could see nothing in the small room. It was like being stranded in hell, where many people used to claim that there would be only dark and cold and no one would ever be able to feel his skin, the warmth of his body and even his breath.
Amelia felt like a rat trying to escape from a dangerous trap while avoiding the enemy silently, and didn’t stop thinking about her future and her best options.
When she heard a woman screaming next door, and calling for help, she realized she was running out of time. She believed she had to do something, but she couldn’t take a step. She was petrified.
“What are you doing? She is my wife!” the helpless man kept screaming, until the dark swallowed his voice and took his tears away.
Amelia rushed to protect herself since she was sure it was her turn to experience the violence she had come across. She took a few steps and hid in the small closet where she closed her eyes and leaned on her clothes.
***
“It is summer solstice. The first day of summer,” the captain said, and they all looked up at the sky watching the fireworks and the countless stars.
“You are so beautiful, Amelia,” Patrick said, and held her hand.
“Thank you, my love,” she whispered, as her boyfriend knelt and locked his eyes on hers.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
Suddenly, the ship’s lights turned off. The following minutes the ship was offline and, soon, the dark took over making everyone wondering about the cause. There was no power and no one could hear the captain who was standing on the ship’s bridge, trying to calm the passengers by using his hands.
There were more than six thousand people on the cruise ship and everyone knew that it would be too difficult to keep the balance.
“What is happening?” Amelia asked.
The power came back and the lights took her worry and fears away. The music changed their mood and they started dancing, enjoying themselves and forgetting the unexpected, unpleasant incident.
“I’m going back to the cabin to put on a jacket, do you need anything?” Amelia asked.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Martin Farquhar Tupper
Fear The Darkness
She was hiding in a cruise ship cabin and could do nothing but wait. The nervous woman kept standing behind the locked door while the screams and the agony of the people who were trying to escape continued invading her soul, disturbing her peace and the balance she looked forward to finding again.
She remained silent and avoided moving around the small, white room praying to God to save their lives, and hoping that the nightmare would come to an end where things would become the same as usual.
The sweat kept running down her face whereas she could hear her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn’t stand the heat, she felt suffocated, she was scared to death and, as time passed by, she could hardly breathe. But she knew she had to be patient and wait for her boyfriend. She was sure he would do anything to save her life.
In a flash, everything changed since she could hear nothing, and no one, while the panic along with uncertainty came up and looked ready to haunt her spirit forever. She started shaking like a fish out of the water and couldn’t control her temper; she missed the safety she felt a few hours earlier and hoped someone would come and save her.
There was still no power. She could see nothing in the small room. It was like being stranded in hell, where many people used to claim that there would be only dark and cold and no one would ever be able to feel his skin, the warmth of his body and even his breath.
Amelia felt like a rat trying to escape from a dangerous trap while avoiding the enemy silently, and didn’t stop thinking about her future and her best options.
When she heard a woman screaming next door, and calling for help, she realized she was running out of time. She believed she had to do something, but she couldn’t take a step. She was petrified.
“What are you doing? She is my wife!” the helpless man kept screaming, until the dark swallowed his voice and took his tears away.
Amelia rushed to protect herself since she was sure it was her turn to experience the violence she had come across. She took a few steps and hid in the small closet where she closed her eyes and leaned on her clothes.
***
“It is summer solstice. The first day of summer,” the captain said, and they all looked up at the sky watching the fireworks and the countless stars.
“You are so beautiful, Amelia,” Patrick said, and held her hand.
“Thank you, my love,” she whispered, as her boyfriend knelt and locked his eyes on hers.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
Suddenly, the ship’s lights turned off. The following minutes the ship was offline and, soon, the dark took over making everyone wondering about the cause. There was no power and no one could hear the captain who was standing on the ship’s bridge, trying to calm the passengers by using his hands.
There were more than six thousand people on the cruise ship and everyone knew that it would be too difficult to keep the balance.
“What is happening?” Amelia asked.
The power came back and the lights took her worry and fears away. The music changed their mood and they started dancing, enjoying themselves and forgetting the unexpected, unpleasant incident.
“I’m going back to the cabin to put on a jacket, do you need anything?” Amelia asked.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
October 16, 2020
#BookRecommendations
Men want a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. That is what is written in their hearts. That is what little boys play at. That is what men's movies are about. You just see it. It is undeniable.
John Eldredge
Trapped in Timelessness: Lake’s Curse
Green Lake was a beautiful place any time of year. A beautiful place where ten people disappeared every century at the end of a muddy rope.
On the verge of graduation, Nick and Leona knew nothing of this. It wasn't until the nightmare came for them that the curse became real, and their futures changed far beyond what they could ever have dreamed.…
Excerpt
“Brad! Welcome home, darling.” Tracy looked fine. She was happy and seemed to have forgotten the previous night.
“Thanks Mom, it’s nice to see you again.” The young man left the newspaper on the table and stood up. He had missed the incredible view and his family. He looked forward to hugging his mother and sister again.
The handsome man held his mother tight while she kept caressing his black, curly hair.
“Where’s your sister?” Tracy wasn’t able to remember the details.
“I have no idea. Her cell phone is here.” Brad showed her Leona’s phone and, that moment, he found his mother’s behavior strange.
“She must have slept at Kelly’s house. Now tell me, how is college?” Tracy was acting as if nothing had happened.
“Everything’s fine, Mom.” Brad was puzzled about his mother’s reaction. He sat down and began reading the newspaper, masking his concern for his mother and missing sister.
Brad knew his mother very well. He was sure she was pretending. In his eyes, Tracy looked exhausted and helpless. She could hardly move. Moreover, her attitude confirmed his suspicions about her addiction to alcohol and drugs.
“Okay, what are you reading?” Tracy wanted to talk with her son.
“The news.” Brad didn’t look at her. He decided to ignore his mother to make her realize her responsibilities. He hated acting like this way, but Tracy didn’t give him another choice.
“Anything interesting?”
Tracy stood behind her son’s back and kissed Brad’s head. It was her way of saying sorry. She wanted to apologize. She was looking for sympathy.
“As always.” Brad turned back and stared at his mother. He smiled and she shook her head yes. She would change things.
“Read for me.” His mother said.
“Four students along with their two teachers are still missing and we have the legend of the lake--”
“What lake?” Tracy sounded curious.
“The one which lies near our house, Mom,” Brad said.
“Read the article for me.”
“Mom…” Brad never liked reading articles concerning tales, traditions, and mystery.
“Please, honey.” Tracy took her favorite white cup, filled it with coffee, and sat next to her son.
“Many centuries ago, a fatal disease had killed more than the half of a village which was covered by towering cypresses.”
“They are talking about our town,” Brad said.
“Yea, I know.” Tracy wanted to hear everything.
“The Burning Tree, the tribal leader.” The young man made a pause and looked at his mother.
“Now that’s a beautiful name,” he said.
“Brad!” Tracy smiled.
“The leader of the village, a Native American young man, called the four spirits of nature to make a deal to save the village and the lives of his people.
“When his raft reached the middle of the lake, the night birds notified the four spirits. He was scared to death, but he was determined to save his people.
“After many hours, they made a deal, but the terms were harsh. For ten days, every century, the leader of the village would have to deliver ten souls to the spirits of nature. For ten days, he would have the power to do anything, as long as he was in the lake…
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
John Eldredge
Trapped in Timelessness: Lake’s Curse
Green Lake was a beautiful place any time of year. A beautiful place where ten people disappeared every century at the end of a muddy rope.
On the verge of graduation, Nick and Leona knew nothing of this. It wasn't until the nightmare came for them that the curse became real, and their futures changed far beyond what they could ever have dreamed.…
Excerpt
“Brad! Welcome home, darling.” Tracy looked fine. She was happy and seemed to have forgotten the previous night.
“Thanks Mom, it’s nice to see you again.” The young man left the newspaper on the table and stood up. He had missed the incredible view and his family. He looked forward to hugging his mother and sister again.
The handsome man held his mother tight while she kept caressing his black, curly hair.
“Where’s your sister?” Tracy wasn’t able to remember the details.
“I have no idea. Her cell phone is here.” Brad showed her Leona’s phone and, that moment, he found his mother’s behavior strange.
“She must have slept at Kelly’s house. Now tell me, how is college?” Tracy was acting as if nothing had happened.
“Everything’s fine, Mom.” Brad was puzzled about his mother’s reaction. He sat down and began reading the newspaper, masking his concern for his mother and missing sister.
Brad knew his mother very well. He was sure she was pretending. In his eyes, Tracy looked exhausted and helpless. She could hardly move. Moreover, her attitude confirmed his suspicions about her addiction to alcohol and drugs.
“Okay, what are you reading?” Tracy wanted to talk with her son.
“The news.” Brad didn’t look at her. He decided to ignore his mother to make her realize her responsibilities. He hated acting like this way, but Tracy didn’t give him another choice.
“Anything interesting?”
Tracy stood behind her son’s back and kissed Brad’s head. It was her way of saying sorry. She wanted to apologize. She was looking for sympathy.
“As always.” Brad turned back and stared at his mother. He smiled and she shook her head yes. She would change things.
“Read for me.” His mother said.
“Four students along with their two teachers are still missing and we have the legend of the lake--”
“What lake?” Tracy sounded curious.
“The one which lies near our house, Mom,” Brad said.
“Read the article for me.”
“Mom…” Brad never liked reading articles concerning tales, traditions, and mystery.
“Please, honey.” Tracy took her favorite white cup, filled it with coffee, and sat next to her son.
“Many centuries ago, a fatal disease had killed more than the half of a village which was covered by towering cypresses.”
“They are talking about our town,” Brad said.
“Yea, I know.” Tracy wanted to hear everything.
“The Burning Tree, the tribal leader.” The young man made a pause and looked at his mother.
“Now that’s a beautiful name,” he said.
“Brad!” Tracy smiled.
“The leader of the village, a Native American young man, called the four spirits of nature to make a deal to save the village and the lives of his people.
“When his raft reached the middle of the lake, the night birds notified the four spirits. He was scared to death, but he was determined to save his people.
“After many hours, they made a deal, but the terms were harsh. For ten days, every century, the leader of the village would have to deliver ten souls to the spirits of nature. For ten days, he would have the power to do anything, as long as he was in the lake…
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
