Jan. News, Notes, & Something New

Welcome to my first post of the year!





 Let me start with
what you want the most-No, I'm sorry but there's no new news on Adrian's
Eagles. Yes, I've included a part from it at the end of this post. And I'm
hoping for feedback.





So why am I on here, when I should be working on AE?








News





Books 1-3 have been edited again and are now live on the
usual retailers. These copies are really good and they've been gone over a lot.
All the beta readers and the new editors involved have been wonderful.





I've been in contact with Amazon and they've agreed to
update current editions. They should be sending out emails about it in the next
few days, to everyone with a copy on their device. One book at a time, I would
imagine but you can speed the process up by contacting them yourselves at the
link below and asking for them to update it now.





Contact Amazon-Updating







This means Life
After War (LAW) will also be updated, so if you would like to have a copy
of both versions, I would suggest picking up the LAW edition, which contains
books 1-3, before Monday, Jan 30th. After that, all available books
will be the new copies.









I hope you'll like it more. There seems to be less confusion
due to the structural changes and I'll tell you now that Kendle's entire story
has been removed from book one. Her tale of horror and triumph now begins in
book two, where it should have all along.








Notes








Print copies are also now available on Amazon (Links below)
and I'm sorry about the pricing. I put them as low as I could for that many
pages. I personally love ebooks and
doubt I'll ever buy another bound book in my lifetime. Clearly, I'm a fan of
the new publishing industry.








The Survivors -Book One-Print





On The Road -Book Two-Print





Safe Haven -Book Three-Print








The schedule for this blog hasn't been chosen yet for 2012
but I hope to have that settled in the next few weeks, along with a firm and
final date for Adrian's Eagles.








Many of you have sent emails and left comments or reviews
and I just wanted to say how good it makes me feel to know other people love
Life After War the way I do. Thank you and I'm sorry if I haven't answered you
yet. I will, my word on it. Unless you're crazy and in that case, I'll have the
Witch email you. She's better at that stuff than I am.








I should also say a thank you to my two newest editors,
Dennis and Jill. Welcome aboard!









Book One, The Survivors, in PDf format, is now a free book
on this blog. I'm hoping that in time, Amazon will reduce its price as well.
Feel free to hit the report link below and notify them of the lower price. I
want this first part to be available to anyone so people can have a chance to
see if they like my writing before they spend any money. The Dropbox link
in the right side bar is for book one and provides a little detail about how
the download actually works. It will be free for a while, so tell your friends!









Report Lower Price








To report it, look for the Amazon direct
link at the bottom of the product details, which is below the description. It
will say tell us about a lower price












Something New





(These
scenes take place roughly half way through the book.)












Sam
groaned inwardly as she read her schedule. Babysitting? She didn't even like
kids. That she knew of, Sam amended. She hadn't been around many and they
intimidated her a little. What was she supposed to do with them?





Determined
not to whine, she got a mug of tea and headed for the children's area. Still
feeling awkward, she only gave a short nod or smile to those who called
greetings. When she saw the three Eagles waiting at the campers, she tripped,
sloshing steaming liquid over her injured hand.





"Damn
it!"





Jeremy
turned to frown at whoever was cursing so close to the kids but exchanged the
reprimand for a smile of welcome instead. He had personally asked Adrian to
assign the blonde woman here today.





"We're
waiting on two others and then we'll head out."





"Where
to?"





"It's
field trip day. This time, we're hitting the town."





Confused
but not wanting to look clueless, Sam waited near him, glad the high-level
Eagle was talking to her when Neil came through the shadows. He had questions
lurking in those beautiful green eyes, hard ones she didn't want to answer.





"There
they are."





Sam
stiffened. Cynthia was walking quickly next to Peggy. The reporter was asking
little Becky's mom things she didn't want to reveal either, Sam thought, seeing
the redhead's face tighten. Didn't Cynthia realize she was trying to pry
information from a convert? Even if she knew something, Peggy wouldn't tell the
reporter.





"Hey,
Neil."





"Mrs.
Kelly."





"Peggy."





Neil
flushed at the tone. It said when, you marry my daughter, you'll call me mom,
and Neil refused to look at Samantha. Did she know?





The
camper door opened as their eyes met and the excited voices of young children
sent Sam's nervous tension up another level.





"All
right, everyone. Each chaperone will be responsible for two children. The kids
get to pick."





Sam
sighed resignedly, eying the sticky-faced kids with trepidation. Some days were
just hell.



















Kyle
moved toward the center table with casual steps, sure what he was about to do
would be hated by the sullen Marine on Adrian's right.





Steeling
his nerves (it still amazed him that he felt any hesitation at all considering
the missions he and his Eagles had completed since the war) Kyle moved to
Angela's side of the crowded center table.





"Hey,
Kyle. Did you come for the coffee?"





"Cause
this ain't it!"





The
table laughed at the obviously used joke and the Mobster grinned back, eyes
full of warning Adrian took note of, "Me and the boys are headin out. Thought
I'd see if the Rookie wants to come along."












Silence
fell over the table and those around them, and then the entire Mess.





"Great
idea. You interested in a taste of what's coming?" Adrian asked and Angela
grinned, able to feel his pleasure and Kenn's fury. It hadn't been planned.





"When?"





"Fifteen?"
Kyle answered.





Angela
snorted, "I'll be ready in five like the rest of the team."





Kyle
chuckled and they moved toward the tent area, not looking at any of the shocked
camp around them.





There
had been rumors and stories since the airfield and gun test but no actual
confirmation until now. It was true. She'd been accepted as an Eagle, a woman
who had only been in camp for a week.





Silence
reigned in the Mess and it took Neil's full control to play his part
convincingly. He and Kyle had worked it out last night.





"Never
seen a woman shoot that well. Not even before. She hits 90% of all targets in
level 4!"





Adrian
grinned, voice perfectly in awe, "Few more like that and we'd have enough
shooters in camp to keep any bad guys off our asses."





"Takes
guts to join the Eagles. You think there are more here like that?"





Adrian
let his blue gaze sweep the openly listening people, making pointed contact
with a few, one that caused even more frowns.





"Yes,
but they'll come out when they're ready." Adrian went back to his lunch and the
camp did the same, muttering and whispering. One of those he had looked at was
only 15!





Adrian
gave Neil a subtle nod of approval and then moved them onto camp business. "All
right, the day's schedules are out and we'll need to …"



















"He's
very happy with you."





Kyle
grinned at Angela's low words, "Then I'm doing it right."





"Thank
you. I know it's for him, but thank you anyway."





The
mobster raised a bushy brow, "It is for you. If you didn't deserve the chance,
he wouldn't be giving it to you." Kyle made a motion to the men in the parking
area, most of them loading the one Excursion.





Assuming
he had told them how long till he'd be there, Angela quickened her step. "I can
meet you there if you like."





Kyle
shook his head, eyes sweeping the area, "My team is your shadow today."





Realizing
what that meant, she ducked into the small tent that never failed to remind her
of her lost time with Brady, "Two minutes."












In
half that time, she emerged from the tent in the rookie gear that had been lying
near her tent flap this morning and slung the single bag over her shoulder,
still smiling. No secret guard. They would be outside the camp and away from
prying eyes for a few hours. Finally!





Kyle
could feel her excitement, her happiness rubbing off on him and he followed her
to the vet area with a light step. It was gonna be a good day.





"One
minute." Angela ducked into the tent to see her son and the vet in the middle
of feeding the ever-growing zoo and she stayed near the flap, out of their way.





"I'll
be out of Camp today. Have Mitch call if you need me."





Charlie
was glad she was still being cautious about their gifts, just like before.
"Okay. Be careful."





Angela
tried not to frown, "Okay mom."





The
teenager smiled, rolling his eyes and after a quick look at Chris, she joined
Kyle.





"All
ready."





Kyle
looked at his watch as he got them moving toward the waiting men. Less than
four minutes, including walk time. It was impressive for the team but for a
female? It was slightly unnerving and they moved in silence.





Kyle
halted near the bumper and the men gathered around him, "Let's do the usual
check. Weapons?"





Each
of the nine men started checking their guns and Angela did the same, feeling
awkward despite her fingers doing mostly what she wanted them to. They were going
over their other weapons now, guns in boots and knives on belts and she did a
quick look to make sure her wrist blade was fastened securely, received
approving looks that she had a backup.





"Communication?"





Each
man had a belt they were strapping around their hips and securing to their
right pocket and Angela barely had time to wonder if she should ask for one
before it was being held out to her.





A
simple walkie-talkie setup, she grinned in recognition and flipped through the
dials to channel 107 before powering it up. The set cracked to life, blaring
static and she flipped the filter switch and then adjusted the volume.  Very glad she didn't have to wait for them to
show her or worse, have to suffer through the jolt, she didn't look up, "Did he
give you the headsets yet? Those are great. They automatically catch the spark
and adjust."





There
was silence, thick and long and she glanced up to see them sharing upset looks,
"Did I do something wrong already?"





Kyle
moved her way, "Not you."





She
frowned in concentration. What had… her eyes narrowed, "He didn't tell you to
go to channel 107 first so there's no shock."





There
was only the sound of their anger and she stiffened in surprise when she picked
it from their thoughts, "Not on purpose. He just didn't want to say he forgot
and makes the rookies test it out." she shrugged. "That's the Kenn I know."





The
Eagles were muttering, casting dark looks toward the man still sitting stiffly
on Adrian's right and Kyle continued, voice not quite calm anymore, "Gear?"





They
were comparing their bags to the sheets of paper from their pockets and Angela
was ready this time, going to Kyle instead of the other way around. She did her
look fast, frowning at all the items she didn't have.





"I'm
short a canteen."





"I
need a battery pack."





Angela
sucked in a breath, "I need a complete pack."





There
were more approving nods and then one was in her hand.





Not
sure if her own items were off-limits, she settled for the three she used the
most and then tossed her bag through the open window of her blazer.





"All
right. Who's the sucker on drive detail?"





"Rookie."





"Rookie."





"Rookie
drives."





Angela
flushed as all eyes swung to hers and she shrugged, "Okay."





Daryl
tossed her the keys and she was very aware of the camp watching her get into
the driver's seat of Kyle's vehicle. The black Ford Excursion was long, with
three rows of seats and she had to move hers all the way up to reach the
pedals.





She
strapped herself in, waiting for Daryl to climb in beside her and she leaned
closer, "Why is the driver a sucker?"





The
Eagle grinned, instantly liking the way she smelled, "Cause Kyle likes to go
where no man has gone before."





Understanding
her driving skills were about to be tested, Angela waited calmly for everyone
to get set. She loved driving.





Kyle
paused at the back door, eyes going to the center table and he caught Adrian's
nod. It said to do his job and the mobster gave a motion in response. He would.



















It
took a while for the kids to pick their chaperones and Sam smiled uneasily when
a girl with short brown spikes pointed her way. The girl looked to be about
eight and was sporting a signature-covered cast on her wrist. Next to her, was
another girl of roughly the same age, this one so thin that Sam's heart
clenched.





The
smile she gave this time was more genuine and both girls moved her way with
giggles. Each one wanted her hand and Sam reluctantly surrendered her tea to
let them hold onto her.





Sticky
and warm, she waited restlessly with them as everyone got set, trying not to
look at Neil. She'd seen little Becky's blunder yesterday and though the
trooper had refused, the idea that he was willing had to have come from
somewhere. Did he have a thing for cute teenager? If so…





"What's
your name?" They were both waiting; thin girl's face hopeful and Sam put her
thoughts away for now.





"Sam."






They
both giggled. "That's a boy's name!'





Not
offended, she grinned back,  "I've heard
that."





"Why
do you have a boy's name?"





 "Is it a shortner?"





Confused
by the garbled word, Sam shrugged, "My mom wanted a girl, Samantha. My dad
wanted a boy, Sam. This way, they both got their wish."





They
laughed harder, sharing amused looks. "That's silly."





Smiling
Sam let them enjoy themselves; thinking until they made it here, there probably
hadn't been much of it.





She
saw Neil get chosen by two very energetic boys that looked to be the same age
group as her charges. The kids were bouncing, excited and she realized field
trip day must be something they looked forward to. The rest of the time, Adrian
kept them isolated for their safety and these moments out of the camper area
were probably treasured, she thought.





Their
lives had been turned around too and she felt the need to give them a good day
if she could. They were war orphans and the bond she suddenly felt was
something she wouldn't tell any of them but it was there just the same. She'd
lost her family too, along with everything else she had depended on for
stability, sanity. Her grip tightened just a bit. They deserved a fun day and
she would be proud to help give it to them.





"Everyone
ready?"





There
was a loud cheer from the kids. "Yeah!"





"All
right, first stop is…Safe Haven's secret hideout!"





This
cheer was twice as loud and Sam let the girls lead her through out of the area.
They were right behind Peggy and her group of five tweens and Sam didn't envy
the redheaded woman's sulky twelve year old charges.





The
line moved slowly across the camp, drawing attention from those already up and
everyone waved. Kids roaming the streets before the War were a sight to be
frowned upon or ignored for their poverty. Here, children were rare and
welcome, no matter their condition.





"Must
be field trip day." Seth joked, stopping in front of the group, "Unless you
guys snuck out again?"





There
were snorts and giggles all around.





"We
didn't escape." one of Peggy's girls retorted sharply, tossing a dark braid
over her shoulder, "And you know it. So come on and let us in!"





Sam
frowned at the rudeness but noticed Seth and Neil only smiled.





"But
I don't know for sure." the cute guard protested, "Bad guys look like anyone,
right?"





The
younger kids nodded, quieting at their own mental horrors and the girl's voice
was grave, "Yes. Even like you and Adrian."





"Exactly
and that's why I have to ask every time anyone comes through."





"Little
kids can't be bad guys."





This
came from another of Peggy's group and again, Sam was glad of the two calmly
listening kids that had chosen her.





"Yes,
they can."





Neil's
hard voice snapped Sam's head to him.





"They
don't always know because the grownups are sneaky. Sometimes they ask kids to
do things that are wrong."





"And
do you banish them too?"





One
of his little boys asked, clinging to his arm and Neil shook his head, "Never.
It's not a kid's fault when a grownup makes them do bad things."





"Then
the grownup should be punished." the braid-swinging girl exclaimed brutally,
"Not us!"





"Yes.
If a grownup tries to get you to do things you think are bad, don't. Lie to
them and say you will and then come tell Adrian." Seth instructed and Sam began
to realize this was a training moment.





The
redheaded guard checked his watch and looked around, "I wonder where he is this
time?"





The
kids all let out another loud cheer, startling Sam and she watched warily as
they all began darting around, dragging their chaperones. Hide-n-seek?





"There
he is!" Ponytail girl screamed, pointing up and the kids clustered around the
trunk of the tree Adrian was sitting in.





"What's
the password?" Adrian barked at them, making Sam jump and then grin when the
kids all responded.





"We
love America!"





Adrian
snapped a salute,"You may enter!"





He
jumped down and was immediately smothered with little bodies hugging, tackling,
and wrestling him to the ground.





Sam
grinned again, surprised Adrian was so popular with the kids and when she
started to move closer, worried about the little girl with the broken wrist,
Neil caught her eye, "He's got them."





And
he did. From tickling back and chasing, to a quick hug and smile, it was clear
the kids adored Safe Haven's leader.





"How
are you?"





Sam
shrugged, aware of more than one set of ears listening, "Adjusting." she raised
a brow, unable to resist even though she had serious doubts about his sense of
humor, "Did he get all the mud off his jacket?"





Neil's
face went red and he pleased her by lowering his voice and returning the joke,
"I was afraid to ask."





Sam
chuckled, drawing more attention, "I'm sure he's had worse." she commented,
watching Adrian start a game of tag.





"You
two ready for some coffee?" Peggy called and Sam was glad to hear that her tone
was friendly enough.





"No
thanks." Neil answered.





Sam
moved to get a cup, needed the caffeine rush to fully wake (that or danger) and
was careful to throw out the air that she wasn't to be messed with.





She
watched Peggy's eyes cool. Good. If she decided she wanted the uptight trooper,
Peggy and her spunky daughter wouldn't get in the way.





"Thanks."





Peggy
nodded and Sam hung around her for a moment as she sipped the strong brew,
waiting to see if there might be a threat but there was only a series of cool
looks exchanged. Because the mother wanted to keep the peace? Becky didn't care
about the rules. Why would her parent? From all appearances, she wanted Neil to
be her son-in-law even though her child was only that, a 15 year old kid.





Some
mother, Sam thought, moving back toward Adrian and the happily running orphans.
To Sam's mind, Becky was a baby compared to Neil. Did that mean she was
attracted to another man with mental problems? Maybe that was the only kind…





"Okay
everyone, line up."





Peggy's
voice echoed firmly and all the dusty kids flew her way after promises of
another round from Adrian.





"Get
with your chaperone and you can go on in." the redhead instructed.





Sam's
two girls clutched her hands eagerly, almost dragging her forward, "Come on!"





Laughing,
Samantha moved faster into the area she'd noticed a few days ago and wondered
about. Hilda had said it was where Adrian taught his army to be men and she
stepped inside almost as eagerly as the kids. To her amusement, she loved it as
much as they did.





Instead
of the adult setup that would have to normally be used, the long tent was
filled with half-sized equipment. Kid-sized, she corrected herself, letting the
little girls lead her to the circular obstacle course in the middle.





"We
hafta warm up." Sam surrendered the second hot drink in an hour and began
helping the girl with the cast remove her shoes and socks.





Thinking
she might have to learn their names soon, Sam paced them as they walked the low
beam, rolled under empty boxes, and jumped over gaps in the mat. She kept a
close eye on the girl in the cast and finally had to call out; "Hey you", when the
little girl leaned too far over the beam. "Be careful...what's your name?"





The
girl hopped down with a grin, cast bumping against the hard wood with a loud
thunk that made Sam wince, "Tracy. That's Leeann." she turned to point at the
thin girl, "The rest of them are…"





The
recital went on for a while and Sam tried to keep up and still watch out for
Leeann.





"Your
turn!"





Sam
blinked. Turn? Surely it wouldn't…She watched Peggy heft herself onto the first
beam and move across smartly before rolling under the boxes in an awkward shove
that sent cardboard flying.





The
kids giggled hard and Sam moved to the beam with Tracy, who was now ready to do
the paralleling. "When ever you're ready."





The
little girl called, holding up her casted wrist and Sam grinned. They knew to
take her place. How cute…and terrible that it was necessary. Sighing, she moved
steadily along the wood, trying not to wince at a lane of pain in her old
injury that keeping her leg straight was causing. If Peggy could do it, so
could she.





"You
want me to do what?"





Cynthia's
voice drew Sam's eye. She had mostly forgotten about the reporter and she turned
to see a boy with a bandage on his hand hopping up and down in protest.





"Run
course!' he ordered and Cynthia shook her head, "Not me."





"But
I can't ifin you don't!"





The
child shouted but the woman only shook her head again, "Sorry, kid."





Sam
looked down at her girls, "Wanna run the course with him? You'll have to show
me how."





"Yeah!"





They
drug her to Cynthia and Sam snagged the boy's uninjured hand, "Come on."





The
child's face lit up and Cynthia stuttered her thanks, embarrassed.





 "Uh-hu." Sam didn't offer more but her tone
said shame on you! and Neil grinned
along with the other adults. The Storm Tracker was okay.









Adrian's
Eagles- $3.99- Available for preorder.





I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the New Year!




See you next time,

Angie