The Accidental Wife by Simi K.Rao

About the Book:

From the author of Inconvenient Relations Simi K Rao!

If you enjoyed Inconvenient Relations, you'll love The Accidental Wife, a new contemporary romance from Simi K. Rao.


Some accidents are meant to happen…

Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?




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The Accidental Wife is now available on kindle for 99 cents Only! Go get it now as the offer is for a short period only !!

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

“Another beer to calm the nerves?” A distant cousin who Rihaan had never the pleasure of meeting before, suggested with a knowing smirk.

This was followed by a loud burst of laughter. It was close to midnight, but the party had just begun at the usually serene Mehta abode in South Delhi. “Rihaan doesn’t need anything to cool him down. He’s going to be a full-on man tonight! Can’t afford to disappoint bhabhi, right?” This was promptly followed by another outburst of mirth.

Rihaan submitted to several friendly thumps on his back, returning them with the obligatory wry smile that could be interpreted any which way they desired. He didn’t care about their opinions.

It was true, he hadn’t let a single drop of alcohol pass through his lips. Not because he was anxious to perform well on his wedding night and impress his new wife. On the contrary, he wanted to keep all his faculties intact so he could confirm the suspicion that had been gnawing at his brain ever since the wedding ceremony. And with each moment that passed, his unease had grown steadily.

Unable to bide his time any longer, he stood up and went toward his room paying no heed to the numerous whistles and catcalls that followed in his wake.

Thrusting the door wide open he strode toward the marital bed. It was bare except for his bride’s wedding finery that lay in a neat pile in one corner. His heart now thudding at a frantic pace inside his chest, he scanned the vicinity, fervently hoping his concerns were for nothing.

He approached the wide open balcony door, and his pulse slowed down slightly. Perhaps he’d just been imagining it all?

A girl stood there leaning against the railing, her face upturned toward the full moon. On hearing him approach, she turned around. “Finally! I’ve been waiting like forever!”

He frowned, straining to decipher her features obscured by deep shadow. “Deepika?”

“Naa…, not Deepika.” She stepped forward into the light, a bright smile illuminating her strikingly graceful features.

His heart sank. Not Deepika.

“I am Naina—the girl you married. Goodbye, Rihaan.”

About the Author:

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. She is the author of multicultural contemporary romantic fiction.

The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.

Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.

A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.

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Normal Days #44

And So It Goes

I was quite apprehensive when I was thinking to write this post. There were many questions, doubts, speculations going on my mind whether to write what am I feeling or to write what I should feel. But then I thought if I can't be honest with myself then what's the use of this blog. I started writing it coz I can be my moronic self here, with all the self loathing and naughty self.

I don't have to pretend anything with anyone. And also I don't like human population much when it comes to sharing emotions. They are always with the rules:

Don't whine!
Don't be a sissy!
Why are you always complaining?

Here? Here I can hide and rejuvenate myself, let myself feel whatever I want to and come back again to civilized world with a smile and happy face which they always expect from you. Too much explanations, doubt clearing sessions, interrogations, I'm not the kind of guy who can stand that. I get bored very easily and hence I do the best thing I know. I run and hide.

Oh & I forgot one more thing

Coward!

Too much is happening around me and my make believe world is collapsing under realities of life, the cruel truths and amidst all that destruction I want you to show some emotion for me, a real one, which is entirely for me. I'm selfish and I want all of you for me. But then when everything is going away and I've been struggling to stand on my feet I don't expect you to extend a hand. Even if you did I'm so down below I'd choose to ignore it wondering when you'll say enough is enough, man up already.

I'm getting up, to live another day, to smile, to laugh and to never let anyone know sometimes what I need is all.

Where's my poker face?

Damn you! (My favorite)

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #43

Don't Forget To Write

I'm here, thousand of miles away and sometimes ocean & I talk to each other, he has the same loneliness as I do. But he has horizon, a place where he meets the sky and I, I just watch their love as a voyeur, shamelessly. I wonder how magical it'd be like to have that much of love and infinity. To meet the intensity of that it has to be sky only.

I'm at loss of words here. To form the intangible into a physical form and giving it a meaning too is always a difficult task. And to do that for loneliness, for a longing for someone you miss who is oceans apart from you is always impossible. One can do nothing but hope and wish the warmth of love flowing in the air and making you smile as you feel the caress of your lover. You dream of 'em whispering in your ears some sweet nothings, some promises for you and some naughty things that they have planned for you once you are in their arms.

So, here I'm dreaming, hoping, wishing for your love. Lie to me that you love me, make me hope and shatter it all over again. I love the pain and I'd welcome anything from you, leave me without saying good bye so that I'd always watch the sea and hope that one day like this sun you'll rise from the ocean bed and in the wake you will wake my smiles too. I want to dream again, of you, of all that is not possible and that you're mine, all mine.

You know I'm a dreamer

(To be Contd..)

Defined by Others by M.C.V. Egan

About the Book:

A word, a single word defines a moment for Anne. She needs to find a new one when her spouse leaves her at the age of 47, coming out of the closet literally in a closet. She finds herself back in her hometown amongst her high school friends which she left behind in her past.

An inheritance from a friend leaves her with the means to meddle and spy on the lives of some of their mutual acquaintances. In an attempt to run from her reality Anne gets engrossed in a game of "fun" and "flirtation" with her friend and fellow sufferer Connie at her side. Anne however did not read all the files and what to her is fun games turns into a deadly reality. It is no longer a game.

Life, death and not even a defining word can stop the reality of manipulation.



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TopTen about Defined by Others:

1. Amanda is dead, yet she controls the other women with a game she left behind.
2. Amanda, Anne & Allison were the Triple A’s buddies in Highcshool.
3. Anne loves words, not sentences, but single words.
4. Connie can cook the perfect food for any occasion.
5. Anne and Connie’s husbands Frank and Mike are in love.
6. Cyber Romances gone terribly wrong.
7. Deceptively dark
8. Midlife Crisis 
9. Snakes abound.
10. Entertaining and disturbing all at once.

TopTen about M.C.V Egan:

1. MCV in Roman numerals is 1,105
2. Some social media does not ALLOW MCV so people think I am McVegan.
3. I eat meat, often and a lot.
4. I am originally from Mexico City, Mexico.
5. I am the sixth child of eight.
6. I speak Spanish, English, French and Swedish.
7. To me writing is like breathing, I simply must.
8. I am pretty good at making Origami shapes.
9. I am really good at cooking
10. I am a MOTHER, Writer, Wife…yes in that order.

About the Author:

M.C.V. Egan is the pen name chosen by Maria Catalina Vergara Egan the author of The Bridge of Deaths and Defined by Others. Catalina is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. She has lived in France, Sweden and various parts of the U.S.A.

She has called South Florida her home for the last twenty-five years; she is a writer, a mother a wife and a pretty good cook.

Her first book The Bridge of Deaths is available in two different versions, her book Defined by Others is the first in a series Defining Ways exploring what makes us flawed and human.

Book two Climbing Up The Family Tree; Defined by Pedigree will be released in November 2015.

Contact the Author:

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Garden by Jane Yates

About the Book:
Inspired by the classic novel The Secret Garden, Jane Yates introduces us to a steampunk world of bio-domes, robots and mysteries. Eleven-year-old Aberdeen is so used to being by herself that all she has to fill her thoughts are stories of mighty dragons and grand castles. Aberdeen’s world is soon thrown into disarray however; her parents murdered.
Having no choice, Aberdeen is sent to live with her uncle back on Earth where her fascination into her new surroundings begin to take hold. Untrusting of new people at first, it isn’t long before Aberdeen comes across 3 other children, and taking a risk, befriends them as she tries to adjust to her new home. And yet, along with Maisy, Peter and Lenard, Aberdeen comes across a riddle – a set of clues to reveal the hiding place of a lost manuscript. A manuscript that forces more questions than answers.
Oh, and there’s Frank too, Peter’s robot dog, who completes this special circle of friendship.
Garden is a journey of self-discovery, of trials and friendship. With adventure boundless, Jane Yates follows up her acclaimed Paradox Child trilogy with a new tale for young fans of steampunk and science fiction.

Buy Links:
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Interview with the Author:

What inspires you to write?
My daughter Emily inspired me to write my first book. I was going to write a horror story first. Right up to the night before I started that’s what it was going to be about. But then a series of events happened and, to cut a long story short, I had to come up with a new idea. Emily said, why I don’t write a children’s book, as she said I was always making up stories for her as a child on the spot and never wrote them down. So that’s what I did. Also as I had to work still at the museum and its objects got worked into the stories.
Nice reviews from my readers keep inspiring me to write more stories.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story? 
My friend at work Beth gave me a copy of The Secret Garden as a gift. I had seen the film years ago and loved it. Then when I started to read the book I begin to imagine more of a story than there was. Read between the lines as it were. I thought the original was brilliant and, although it was written over 100 years ago, it still seemed fresh. However, I thought it be great to modernize it and as a steampunk writer give it a steampunk twist, but to still keep the message warm and the same – one of hope and self-discovery and dreams coming true.

Tell us about your writing process.
I have written three books for Nanowrimo, and two in between.
I would say I make no notes, just start writing. I usually write quick, as all my ideas come at once. My writing style can be jumbled. My second book of the Paradox Child series has taken the longest so far, being three months. What takes the time is getting the spelling and editing corrected. Poor people have to do that, as I am dyslexic.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?
I like all the bits were Maisy tells stories. I forget I am writing and feel as if I am listening alone. I write very quickly so I never really know how anything is going to end until it does. I liked the inner story of a tiger in India the best. I would love to go to India and travel on a steam train and see the temples and elephants.

Do you read? Who are your favorite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?
I do, read, only slowly. And I review the books that I like.
In fact Garden was edited by one of my favorite writers - Dan Thomson. He is a poet and every line of Garden he edited appeared to sing afterwards.
I love Amy Good and Sharon Sant, to name just a few. I was thrilled to have Sharon Sant endorse on the cover of Garden.

What is the best piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?
You are allowed to read out your work and not feel rubbish at it. I was told this just last week.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Don’t get discouraged. It’s free to publish your book on kindle amazon, go for it!! Even if under a pseudonym. Also join a NANOWRIMO group. Look out for free local writing groups. Read a lot of people’s work you like to give you inspiration.
If it’s too much distraction at home, write in a library or go for a walk somewhere away from everything and write there.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?
Go for walks, swim, bake, garden, talk to my children. I love to be near water. I used to live near the sea when I lived in Wales, I could just see it out my window. Now I live in Oxford, right in the middle of the country and nowhere near the sea.
However I live next to a river and there are canals.
I also have an allotment and I like to grow my own veg, herbs and flowers.

What do you have in store next for your readers?
I am writing the Octopus Pirate, which I wrote for Nanowrimo last year. It is a steampunk tale of a time traveling pirate that is part octopus.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?
My gratitude. Please message me on Goodreads. I love to hear your comments. It makes my day when I get a good review. You all make a difference to me. For years, until I was 50 years old, I did not think I could write or was even allowed to as I am so dyslexic and have low self-esteem. Then fate and friendship has brought me to this point and I hope to inspire other people, especially dyslexics to write.

Garden - ART

 

 

Book Trailer:

About the Author:

Jane lives in the historic city of Oxford, England with her two spaniels. She works at the Pitt Rivers museum there too and is amazed and inspired by its wondrous array of objects. Being a museum of anthropology and world archaeology, Jane often finds herself influenced by its exhibitions. And indeed it has helped Jane write a trilogy for children – the Paradox Child series.
Jane is not only a mother, artist and storyteller, but dyslexic too, which only highlights her success even more. Jane refuses to allow the disorder to halt her dreams and continues to enjoy her favourite hobbies. Jane is a lover of steampunk, adventure and children’s stories, which often play a huge role in her own books.

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Publisher:

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Buy the Book at an 35% discount for the duration of the tour from SMASHWORDS using the code - EN36V

Doesn't Matter

This one I wrote y'day. I was feeling low, sometimes being at sea leaves you with a sense of longing for someone and you can hear the voice of the pain spreading in your chest, you can feel it radiating through your marrows and the best part of that is when you've to smile amidst all that gut wrenching experience.

Yeah, it hurts like hell. I can write more about this feeling but I guess it doesn't require any preamble as all of us are aware of that feeling & in case if you are not, you're not living right.

Pain is the thing that keeps you grounded and of course reality has to play the boss. So, this for those moments when reality gets to me :

Doesn't matter how hard I try,
Some pains I can't seem to leave behind

Like sand which gets stuck in crease of your clothes,
& with you travels like memories off the coast

Some moments when it was sheer joy,
& when you turn around it is all emptiness & a void

Doesn't matter how hard I try,
Some pains I can't seem to leave behind

I laugh with you & smile at your smiles,
But I know those are for everyone, not only mine

There is a fierce pain stabbing my heart,
& all the dreams I built slowly fall apart

Hope is shattered & so is my smile,
I'll be fine but this time it might take a while

Doesn't matter how hard I try,
Some pains I can't seem to leave behind

Normal Days #42

Give It To Me

I'm feeling naughty today. No! Before you comment or say anything on my current state of mind or roll your eyes I just wanted to make it clear this is going to be quite descriptive, so read at your own risk & don't blame me that I didn't warn you.

So, I'll go straight for the juggler. I'm in love with the curls, the complete bald look doesn't do the deed for me. I'm here not talking about the '70s like bushes, just trimmed curls get me there. You know the feel of softness around my tongue when I'm down there tasting the flowing nectar, I'd love to see the moisture glistening on 'em as the ambrosia like smell captures my soul and I feel like God when I taste that. Yes, I'm talking about the same thing.

Also I love the curves, skinny look isn't for me. As I love to blow, lick and bite so if there isn't any flesh there would be a slight disappointment. The last part (biting) is kind of ecstatic. Hence the curves.

And trust me the curve of neck & shoulders are the most enticing part. They bring out the beast in me and I really want to devour you starting from there. Or from your toes. I've thing for those too. Come to think of that I'm not particular about any single body part, if you'd ask me to bite behind your knees or your ankles or inside of your thighs I'd happily oblige. There's one more thing I love the most, the hollow of your small of the back. When you get on all your fours for me and I see that curve on your lower spine, that dimple is my undoing. Are you imagining what am I doing to you? what I want to do to you?

I love the ribs too, just below your breasts, where your heart is beating and I want to feel it on my tongue. Yeah, that too. Open your eyes baby, see the animal in me, see what you do to me. Hold me in your hand and show me what your curls are hiding, let me feel the soft, the wet, the sensuous you. And while we are at it, feel free to mark me yours.

Let's bleed, bleed in love.

Give it to me
**growls**

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #41

Hate Me

Why don't I wish for a life filled with love? Why there's a doubt in my mind? I always say love like erasing yourself but then why I hold back myself, some part of me from being broken? Why don't I throw caution in the wind and let go of all the inhibitions?

 

May be I need to take a peek into my soul or may be there's something which will always haunt me. some ghosts never leave you, you just make friends with 'em and live like a haunted house, trapped, believing one day there'd be a miracle but when that miracle comes you're too afraid to let go of that ghost coz you're thinking you might lose this sense of belonging too, this friendship with your ghosts. So you shut the light out and laugh at the stupidity of the notion of some miracle along with your ghosts but secretly wishing that door would open and someone will hug you so fiercely and let you cry, sobs and all and won't hit you or push you away when you'd be insecure and cling on to 'em like lifeline. But then you'd get a tap on your shoulder from one of your ghosts and you'd smile and go back like the things were.

 

At night before you fall asleep you dream of some face you'd long forgotten, some memory you can't take out in the light of the day and you cry, silently feeling so broken that you know you can fix yourself but you can't, and you hurt yourself more, you hurt ppl around you. When they leave you, you scream from inside but your ghosts are too loud and too busy making you laugh at that. The dust settles, there's no one but you, alone in this world, fighting, laughing with ppl you know and they don't have any idea what is there inside you.

 

Polish yourself and smile bright you douchebag, nobody loves you.

 

(To be Contd..)

White Swans: A Regency World by Annamaria Bazzi

Tour Schedule

Kendíka’s second chance at life begins as a nightmare.

Will the eerie eyes always looking down from the sky reveal themselves?

Kendíka challenges the aliens no one has ever seen to bring about a better life for the humans trapped in the surreal Regency world she wakes up in. While getting to know her alien owner, she discovers the aliens aren’t so perfect and have much to learn about humans.

Will Kendíka survive or perish, attempting to make life better for the people living on Regency?





Book Links:
Amazon.com I Amazon.uk I Amazon.au 

Excerpt:

Startled by the lack of movement, Kendíka sat up in bed, scanning the shadows in the moonlit room. Perspiration beaded her forehead while her heart pounded against her ribs. The last thing she remembered was sitting in the limousine next to Mr. Vetrano, arguing about her future. He insisted the will mandated her future, not him. Did the pill knock her out? How dare he drug me!

She blinked and, holding her breath, glanced around the unfamiliar room. When her lungs screamed for air, she exhaled then took another deep inhale. What the hell? What happened to the limousine?

Butterflies unsettled her stomach. Her back stiffened. Her heart drummed. Oh, my God! When did I get out of the car or come to this room? Why would Mr. Vetrano bring me to such a freaky place? Fear and the thought of her parents’ death brought fresh tears to her eyes.

She slid out of bed and shuffled her bare feet along the stone floor, hands held out to make sure she didn’t bump into anything hidden by the shadows.

At the opposite end of the room, she could make out a dark blob, which she hoped might be the door. Somewhere along the wall near it, she would find a light switch. She advanced slowly, making sure not to stub her toes. Her fingertips ran along the smooth wood. The handle felt cold. She pulled on the knob, but it didn’t budge. Strange! Her heart missed a beat. Why is the door locked?

With all her strength, she pounded on the door. “Mr. Vetrano?” She paused. “Is anyone out there?” She beat her fists on it a few more times, but when no one came to investigate the commotion, she slid to the floor and buried her face in her hands. Think, girl, think. Standing again, she moved her hands along the smooth walls at the edge of the molding, feeling for a light switch. Why can’t I find it? She tried again…nothing but wall. Why is no one coming?


Fun Facts:

- One of the more challenging items I researched was how to address people. I had been under the impression that I could refer to a duke as ‘My Lord.’ Boy was I wrong! To do so is quite degrading. A duke is addressed as ‘Your Grace’, and he’s introduced as, for example, ‘Charles Emory, the Duke of Deverow.’ Yes, he is one of the leading characters in my book.

- What about the funny little hat maids wore that looked like a shower cap? Well, that’s called a mob hat, and no, it has nothing to do with mobsters and gangsters. It was an essential part of a maid’s uniform.

- Speaking of servants, I had to understand what a footman does versus a butler. A footman did a variety of indoor and outdoor jobs. Important to me were the indoor jobs. Learning that a footman laid out the table, served the meal and tea, and assisted the butler helped me determine what Wordsworth’s duties had to be in the book.

- During this research, I learned that the butler was responsible for household security and most important, the wine cellar. The butler didn’t wear a uniform, but he wore a black cravat instead of a white one so he would not be mistaken for a gentleman.

About the Author:

Although born in the United States, Annamaria Bazzi spent a great deal of her childhood in Sicily, Italy, in a town called Sciacca. Italian was the language spoken at home. Therefore, she had no problems when she found herself growing up in a strange country. Upon returning to the states, she promised herself she would speak without an accent. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Computers with a minor in Spanish.

Annamaria spent twenty years programming systems for large corporations, creating innovative solution, and addressing customer problems. During those years, she raised four daughters and one husband. Annamaria lives in Richmond Virginia with her small family where she now dedicates a good part of her day writing.

Contact the Author:

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Check in on Kendíka’s Facebook Page

Antique Forgery (Alicia Trent #2) by Eileen Harris

This second book in the series takes the reader further into the life of Alicia Trent and her friends. Magic, forgery, betrayal, and fabulous jewels surround Alicia as she struggles to find the reason for her friend's death.








Buy Links:

Wings e Press I Amazon I Barnes & Noble

Excerpt:

We were nearly halfway up the stairs when I heard Lawrence groan. I turned to see what had happened. He was deathly white, and while I watched, he sank down on the closest step. He was sweating heavily and clutching his stomach. He didn't seem coherent enough to answer any questions, so I ducked into my room and called for an ambulance. They only took about ten minutes to arrive, but it was horrible to wait. Lawrence was obviously in great pain, but couldn't tell me what was wrong.

The ride to the hospital took an eternity. They wouldn't let me ride in the ambulance, and I was so afraid of what would happen before he arrived. I was shaking and behind the wheel of a car was the last place I should have been, but as the ambulance tore through the streets with the siren blaring, I was right behind them.

I ran from the parking lot into the emergency room just in time to see them take Lawrence through a set of swinging doors where I couldn't follow. I slumped into a chair, and for the next two hours I sat in a waiting room with dull green walls and hard metal chairs. I never moved while I waited. My mind was busy begging Lawrence to hold on.

Since I was the only one waiting, when I saw an exhausted-looking man dressed in scrubs walk into the room, I took a deep breath and hurried to his side.

He said, “Are you the relative who brought Lawrence Hall in tonight?”

Afraid they wouldn't tell me anything if I confessed to not being a relative, I just nodded.

“Mr. Hall is a very sick man. He's been poisoned, and we think he must have eaten poisonous mushrooms. Our tests indicate they were probably green-spored lepiota.”

At this point I wanted to scream at him to just tell me his condition. He could explain the details after I knew how Lawrence was.

However, he wasn't finished explaining. “This particular mushroom doesn't normally cause death, but among its other symptoms it can dangerously lower blood pressure. Mr. Hall must be on some type of medication that has the same effect, or at least exacerbated the effect of the mushroom, because we nearly lost him. It's a good thing you got him here when you did. We have him stabilized now, and he should make a full recovery.”

I barely heard anything the man said except the last statement. Lawrence was going to be all right! My knees weakened with relief and I sank into the nearest chair.

He continued, “He's awake, and we need to monitor him closely for a while. We want to keep him tonight and tomorrow for observation, but he can probably go home after that. If you want to see him, you can visit for a short time, but first, can you tell me what type of medication he's taking? He was still pretty confused when I talked to him and wasn't able to tell me.”

“I don't know the exact medication. Lawrence is bi-polar, so it has to be something for that. I'll see if I can find out the name for you.”

I got the room number and was practically running in my need to see for myself that he was alive and recovering. I burst into the room, nearly knocking over a nurse on her way out. She cautioned me the patient needed rest and, with a frown in my direction, left the room. I pulled a chair up next to the bed and took Lawrence's hand. “You look so much better already. You have some color back.”

He said, “You look terrible. You can relax. I'm going to be fine. I was a little worried in the beginning because the confusion felt the way some of my episodes used to begin. The confusion is gone now, and I really am fine. It's left me very tired, but they don't want me to sleep yet. Tell me exactly what happened. I'm sure the gory details will help keep me awake. The last thing I remember is starting up the stairs, and then brief moments in the ambulance.”

I wanted to answer in the same matter-of-fact way he'd asked the question. I tried, but before I could begin, tears were running down my face and I couldn't find my voice. I didn't sob or howl. Strangely, I didn't make any noise at all. I just stared at Lawrence, horrified because he might have died trying to help me. All the while the silent tears kept coming.

He said, “Ali, we can't have this. I've seen you go through some horrible times, but I've never seen you cry. There's no need for you to be so upset. I promise you I will be out of here tomorrow, and all will be well. Even the doctor says so.”

I gulped a few times trying to find my voice. It didn't sound good, but I managed to say, “I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you. When you get out of here, you're going right back to Scottsdale! I should never have involved you in any of this.”

“Whoa there, girl! In the first place, I'm a grown man and you can't involve me in anything I don't choose to be involved in. In the second place, you and your crazy mixed-up life are the main thing keeping me from getting old and bored. Bad things happen sometimes, but none of this is your fault. Now dry those tears and tell me how I got here.”

I hiccuped a few times but got myself under control. “Okay, I'm not trying to take the blame for what happened, but I was so scared. It seems you were poisoned. I wasn't in much shape to listen to the doctor, but it was some kind of mushroom. There were mushrooms in the food we ate at supper, but we both ate those. Someone targeted you specifically. At the moment, I have no idea why they did it, but I don't think whoever did this was trying to kill you. The doctor said the symptoms were severe but not normally fatal. The problem seemed to be a reaction between the poison and your medication. Whoever did this couldn't have known that you take anything, or at least not that your medicine would react with the mushrooms. The doctor asked me to find out the name of your prescription.”

“I vaguely remember him asking me, but I was pretty confused then and couldn't remember. It's Geodon. They tried dozens before, but nothing worked until this came along. I'm one of the lucky ones, because it not only keeps the problem in check, but I don't suffer from any severe side effects. This reaction with poison mushrooms is something I certainly never expected. I should have told you ages ago in case of a relapse or some bizarre circumstances like these.”

“I'll let the doctor know the name of the medicine. I don't know if your medication lowers your blood pressure, but it dropped dangerously low. That's what had the doctors worried.”

“I don't know either, but the doctors will figure it out. I understand I have to be in here until tomorrow evening, even though I tried to talk them into letting me go sooner. You need to promise me you won't do anything the least bit dangerous until I get back. One day isn't going to make any difference. Whoever did this may have planned it to separate us for some reason. So promise me you'll be careful and not spend time alone.”

The frowning nurse came back and warned me I needed to leave. Visiting hours were over and the patient needed rest.

I said, “Don't worry about me. I promise I will take every precaution until you're out of here. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon and will drive you to the house when they release you. Just get well!”

Outside the room, Detective Wilton was waiting for me.


About the Author:

From living off the grid in the Arizona desert, Eileen has moved to the woods of upstate New York. She has authored a standalone adventure novel called Desert Shadow. She is also the author of Alicia Trent Series. The Black Cane : Dowager Diaries Book 1 is her latest release.








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How to create a successful arc for your character by Johanna K. Pitcairn

About the Author

Johanna K. Pitcairn has dreamed of becoming a writer since childhood--authoring her first novel at the age of nine, and countless poems, stories, and screenplays by the age of seventeen. Later, rather than pursuing a career as a director and screenwriter, she decided to go to law school, driven by her father's opinion that "writing does not pay the bills."

Ten years later, she moved to New York City, which inspired her to go back to the excitement, wonder, and constant change of being a writer. Pitcairn is a huge fan of psychological-thriller novels and movies, and delves into her hopes, fears, friends, enemies, and everything in between in her own writing.

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How to create a successful arc for your character 

First and foremost, thanks for the opportunity to be featured on your blog. Every indie author needs all the support they can get, and I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve received and am receiving.

Every character has to be as realistic as possible to be believable. The psychology of a character plays a really huge role in the plot and the overall quality of the story. Many timeless tales have shed light on a character’s evolution throughout a perilous journey by diving into the character’s mind. His/her internal conflict, coupled with the external conflict, gives depth to the plot, and more room to play to create a beautiful arc.

The arc is your beginning and ending point. Each character has its own arc. The story itself has an arc too. The arc can be huge, if your protagonist is the main player, or it can be very small for secondary and tertiary characters. The size of the arc doesn’t matter. The arc will act as a measuring stick for the character’s evolution throughout the story.

Let’s take an example: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. There are many characters in this book with many arcs. Let’s focus on two of them, Javert and Jean Valjean.

Beginning of the arc for Jean Valjean. A good man, trying to do the next right thing by stealing bread for his sister’s children during a time of economic depression, Valjean is sentenced to spend years in prison. He becomes this despicable character in the eyes of society. The world sees him as a bad person, unworthy of trust and love. Picture his arc growing from the ground up.

Javert is depicted as the ultra-self-righteous police officer who doesn’t believe in forgiveness, and redemption. His arc actually starts high and gradually goes down.

Valjean will mature, and evolve, to become this man everyone loves and respects, even when he tells the truth about his past acts and demands to be brought to justice.

Javert will turn into a bitter individual, bloodthirsty for revenge, becoming the super villain everyone will hate. Javert will realize that his sense of justice was wrong, and Valjean, despite being a criminal, was a better man than him all along. He ends up taking his own life because he cannot accept that truth.

Valjean and Javert represent the sides of the same coin, and their arcs certainly bear similarities. But as Valjean’s arc goes toward good/order, Javert’s arc goes toward bad/chaos, his sense of justice morphing into abuse of power and personal vendetta.

Readers will root for Valjean. Who doesn’t want the underdog to win? Javert could have earned some stripes if Hugo had decided to shift his arc upward toward good again. But he didn’t do that.
A well-executed arc will manage to draw the readers in and keep them glued to the pages like it’s crack-cocaine (it’s actually an expression I heard from fellow authors when talking about books they devoured in one sitting).

The arc offers thousands of possibilities, shapes and directions. There can be a million plot twists, which will shape the arc with multiple peaks and valleys. The arc can never be a straight line (because a straight line doesn’t show evolution). Ultimately, the arc will reach its high or bottom. However you want the character to evolve, a powerful arc will resonate with readers and make them addicted to the story and the character. Bear in mind that a character can evolve while not radically changing his/her point of view. The storytelling will guide the character to cross-roads (climax of the plot): change or remain the same but there must always be evolution.

About the Book

To the average onlooker, the city of Los Angeles represents glitz, glamour, and the celebrity lifestyle. But to seventeen-year-old Julie Jones, the city is a vast host of problems she’s longing to get away from. The latest? An unfortunate disagreement with her ex-boyfriend Mark—one that could land her in some serious hot water.
So rather than face the troubles that torment her, Julie decides to run away from her old life and start fresh somewhere new. But her parents aren’t on board with the plan, and she soon finds her bank accounts frozen and her wallet empty.
With just seventy-five dollars and a full tank of gas, the troubled teen is far too stubborn to turn around and head home. So what’s a girl to do?
What Julie doesn’t know is that her travels are about to take her somewhere unexpected—a place where she’ll be forced to come face to face with the ghosts of her past in order to secure her future.
A tale of redemption, hope, and freedom lost and found, 32 Seconds is a thought-provoking exploration into the human spirit and the nature of forgiveness.

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Blood Monarch by Drako

About the Book:

A king's duty never ends, even when his kingdom changes. Vladimir Dracula is one of the most famous and misunderstood figures in all of history. One thing is true, he is a king, and he is a vampire. He is the true king and enforcer of the vampire race. Feared by all of his own kind, he is perhaps the most lethal of the Black Dragon God's mortal born servants. At the same time, he personifies sex. None can resist his charms, save one.

Vax King is the Chosen of Hecate, the Heir of Mjolnir, and has no plans on a mate. When he's called on to enter Fae lands, he's surprised to find the legendary vampire there. Looking to aid the beautiful Fae, Anaya, and her soul mate, Galen, Vax must enter a world of sex of violence with only Vlad to accompany him. Here, there can be no denial, no hesitation. Only truth....and dominance.

A war is brewing in the Fae lands, as the fallen angels rise to lay claim to the power of their goddess, Verlaine and topple their higher brethren. Older than most, Vlad must accustom himself to having a soul mate, and use all his legendary power to stop the forces of darkness long believed to be controlled by him. A new kingdom is the prize, and none knows better than the famed Dracula that the secret to power lies in the blood.



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Meet the Characters:


Vladimir Dracula


AKA: Vlad, Vlad the Impaler, Dracula

Height: 6’10”

Weight: 315 pounds

Hair: shoulder length, brown

Origin: A human follower of Jarel, the Black Dragon god. He was caught in the crossfire of Jarel’s disagreement with a demon god and the result changed him into one of the first vampires. 

More info: Contrary to popular belief, he has never sired another vampire. The entire race descends from the married couple, Vacker and Deidre. He has functioned as the final enforcer of the race since its creation. He is lethal in battle, being one of those fortunate enough to have had Jarel’s favor in mortal life first. He is also extremely sexual, with an appeal that draws others to him. He should not be confused with the prince who became known as Vlad the Impaler. He’s far older and earned the name in a far different manner. 


Vax


Height: 6’4”

Weight: 220 pounds

Hair: long, red

Origin: A mortal born witch, servant to Hecate, the patron goddess of witches. He was chosen by the goddess himself to wield the legendary hammer Mjolnir to expel Lucifer from the mortal world.

More info: Vax originally had a bit of a self-confidence issue. Because he’s mortal born, he is not used to the strength and power gifted to him by the goddess. He’s a quick learner, and in fact, had a bit of conflict with Vlad in his first story. He’s the first person to resist Vlad’s charm when the vampire is really pouring it on. 


Anaya


Height: 5’3”

Hair: long, red

Origin: An orphaned Fae, she comes into contact with Brandon during his mortal life and the two have a son, Theo, who eventually becomes one of the Three Fates. She is actually the daughter of the Fae queen and the very first angel, Apollyon.

More info: Anaya was captured due to her softer and trusting nature in the second book, and the reasons are complicated. Her ties to the father of her child as well as her soul mate, in addition to her parentage, made her a target. But she’s certainly come into her own and is no damsel in distress


Galen


Height: 6’6”

Weight: 258 pounds

Eyes: blue

Hair: long, black

Origin: A warrior angel created by an ancient goddess, he has only known war and duty and has not adjusted to the idea of having a soul mate.

More info: Galen has loyalty that cannot be questioned, even falling from grace to aid in the fall of Lucifer. He’s powerful and ruthless in battle, but unfamiliar with the concept of love. It’s taken him a long time to accept Anaya.

About the Author:

Drako resides in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, which you may notice is part of the setting of this series. When he isn’t writing, he’s busy editing for other authors, reviewing books, working, going to college, and spending time with his friends and two nieces. He blogs often and is very active on Facebook while trying to readjust to activity on twitter. His subject matter varies as he likes to talk about more than just his writing. You can check out his posts at his website, drakosden.weebly.com







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HOPEBREAKER by Dean F Wilson

In the world of Altadas, there are no more human births. The Regime is replacing the unborn with demons, while the Resistance is trying to destroy a drug called Hope that the demons need to survive.

Between these two warring factions lies Jacob, a man who profits from smuggling contraceptive amulets into the city of Blackout. He cares little about the Great Iron War, but a chance capture, and an even more accidental rescue, embroils him in a plot to starve the Regime from power.

When Hope is an enemy, Jacob finds it harder than he thought to remain indifferent. When the Resistance opts to field its experimental landship, the Hopebreaker, the world may find that one victory does not win a war.

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Book Review:

Imagine a world where human births are a thing of the past. Instead demons are born. And the government in power actually manufactures a drug that the demons need to survive! Yes, you read it right… welcome to the world of Altadas, the world that Hopebreaker is all about. Now when you live in a world like that, there is bound to be some rebellion and the Resistance is fighting to change the world. Our protagonist, Jacob, gets entangled in the war between the Regime and the Resistance. But will he be able to bring any change into this odd world?

The world of Atladas is unique and intriguing as are the people who live in it. The regime and the resistance are the two faces of this world that are so very opposite that it helps us create a whole picture of it. The world building and the plot holds great promise and I personally would have loved to read more about its history and how it worked. More details would have been welcomed as I felt that the author often took some things for granted and did not give enough explanation about. Then again, when the character of Jacob pops up in the story, it gives us a complete new perspective of a person who has nothing to do with either the regime or the resistance. He is happy ignoring both and staying under the radar to carry on his illicit activities to earn his living. When a chance capture and an even more chance rescue brings him in contact with the resistance, his life changes forever. It was really interesting to see Jacob’s character change and develop over the period.  Also, the author certainly has some sense of humour because the drug that the demons need to survive is called ‘Hope’, isn’t that funny now?

This book has a lot to offer in terms of a new world, action and drama. A little more details/backstory would have made it even better – sometimes a little goes a long way. I would rate this book a 7/10 and recommend it to steampunk and dystopian lovers.

About the Author:

Dean F. Wilson was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1987. He started writing at age 11, when he began his first (unpublished) novel, entitled The Power Source. He won a TAP Educational Award from Trinity College Dublin for an early draft of The Call of Agon (then called Protos Mythos) in 2001.

He has published a number of poems and short stories over the years, while working on and reworking some of his novels. The Call of Agon is his first published novel.

Dean also works as a journalist, primarily in the field of technology. He has written for TechEye, Thinq, V3, VR-Zone, ITProPortal, TechRadar Pro and The Inquirer.



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Normal Days #40

Molly's Lips

I've been thinking about this song & wondering if I'd achieve Nirvana if I kiss your soft lips, pretty girl?

I wonder if Kurt Cobain got inspired by your sweet luscious lips when he was touring all around the world. Like I want to keep tasting you over and over again. Come to think of it, this rotation I've been very perverted. And I can't blame you once again as I already did before but something have to give.

Come here let me taste you, I've been living in this cold hard world for so long, I need to witness the other side. The side where there's no life no death, just we become part of God from where we have emerged. I wonder if kissing you will give me all that. What would we become when we'd make love? God?

But I don't want to be God. For the first time in my life I want to be enjoy you, carnal pleasure and everything. Being God will keep me busy and I can't lust after you. So I better be same human being that I'm today, thinking of your ripe, succulent body, as I'd trace it, you remember how I like it, right?

Blow,
Lick,
Bite

;)

So think of me making love to you, while all of Nirvana's classics would be playing or any other song for that matter as long as I'd be listening your moans and screams and whimpers on my mouth, devouring every sound you make, like music to me. And I'm lost, my eyes closed, concentrating on the sensation which is rumbling in my chest.
You're nirvana alright babe :D

Come to me
wearing nothing
but your smile
shy and blush
creeping on your neck
and heat spreading all over your breasts
and let me find where you're hot
and a lil wet
Let me make you scream
as you fall apart
Me underneath
and in your closed eyes
you see stars..

Let's become God

So, I don't think Kurt Cobain mind was so dirty when he wrote that. Mine is ;)
Clean me up a lil, yeah. I need your hand :P
Will you help me pretty girl? In your mind you can say, Damn, but I love you!

(To be Contd..)