While The Waters Were Rising.

Sitting here twiddling my thumbs was one of the way I could wait out the rising waters... but that would be boring, especially when my mind was already thinking up new story idea's about the aftermath of the floods. So for the past three days I have been writing three different stories in long hand (not as fun as I remember). The three stories are called: "Flood Gates", "Dancing to the Beat That's Broken" and "Mud Men/Mud Runners". I am hoping to get all the basics done and transfer them to the computer... One of these titles will belong to my Average Joe story for MLR I'm not quiet sure which one yet. But when I have the details sorted out enough I will keep you all updated... unless of course I forget, that's when you all have to prod me and remind me.

Here is a look-see at one of my thoughts:

This picture above inspired my character Adam... (I have no clue who the guy in the picture is; as I just Googled images of red haired men and he popped up on my screen.) Though in my story he has even redder hair, bright green eyes, a little on the OCD side, a total klutz, and has a tendency to babble quite a lot when his anxiety kicks in.

This guy whoever he is - has amazing eyes and is the basis of who I have made into Lachlan... he is more down to earth and very relaxed I am hoping he will be a calming factor on Adam. so far - no. 

This guys sees a problem and fixes it. Lately  all his jobs have been for the highly strung Adam who seems to create more problems especially when he is trying to fix up one of his own mishaps.

Will Adam and Lockie make it past the accidents which keep coming between them or will it pull apart the friendship which has only just begun?

What could possibly be heading their way with enough force to have them holding tight to each other and never letting go?

Flood Crisis!!!

Okay this is just a quickie to let you know I'll be in and out for awhile as we are in the middle of a flood again... they say it's not as bad as the 2011 flood. (We have the same amount of water) but this time it didn't come down in a wall of water - this time, it's rising slowly. Me and mine are all safe, and my front veranda and carport looks like a wildlife sanctuary. Talk to you when I can.

These picture are from around my area.

Forest Hill

Glenore Grove

Grantham

Helidon Rest Stop

Meaning To Stop

Murphy's Creek

Laidley # 1

Laidley # 2

Happy Australia Day.

Okay, today Emily and I are off to the boys house for a BBQ - It's raining here, and yes we still BBQ in the rain - As my hubs would say, "Everyone's waterproof". Mind you he's in New Zealand at a friend birthday party. Mum's going to my brother's place to have a meal with all of them.

Though my day hasn't gotten off to a good start - The damn cat bit me on the back of my left leg right behind my knee and it hurts like hell.

Em is designated driver because I'm still having trouble hearing - though it has come back somewhat. Just not quite good enough. Other than that I am trying to get all my chores done before it's time to 'hit the frog & toad'.

I hope everyone has a fantastic day whether you are Aussies or not!!!

I Just Received...

Today I received my copies of Bush Bashin'. I realised that even though I only wrote this book as a one off some off - The other characters are already talking to me... Okay, more like demanding I tell their stories as well... At this stage I'm just thinking about it - I'll let you know after I have had some feedback from whoever reads it. I should point out that this book has no sex scenes but only because of the time frame (amount of days)  I didn't want to turn Frog into a slut. If I wrote more in this series there will be definitely be SEX!!! So Please let me know what you think. If I did write more the series would be titled Boys From The Bush.

Things That Really Piss Me Off!!!

Yeah, hard to believe that I would get pissed off - NOT! Yesterday my hubs the wonderful guy that he is asked me for his passport number (He's going back to NZ for a 90th birthday bash - one of the birthday people is 50 and the other is 40 so they are having a 90th).  Believe me that isn't the thing that pissed me off - this is - when I went into the draw where we keep all our passports and birth certificates etc... I realised Em and my passports are missing. We used them for GRL and now they are just gone. I have searched everywhere and have found hide nor hair of them. I know wherever they are they are in a blue and yellow travel case but they are nowhere to be seen. Now it is going to drive me nuts until we find them.

The next thing to piss me off is: why the hell don't they make sheets to fit the mattress properly? I am sick and tired of the damn sheets sliding off Every damn morning I have to virtually strip the whole bed just to make it.

And the list goes on: Where in all my wisdom of hiding crap would I have hidden the keys to my safe? If anyone has a good idea please let me know. I am yet to tell the hubs they are missing - LOL.

Okay, so most of this is frustration because my ears still aren't working properly so I thought I would rant on here where I can vent freely. Feel free to vent back or just not listen.

Today I AM...

Today I am partially deaf... seriously the doctor told me the heat has made my eardrum swell so much it has totally closed, she informs me it should go down over the next few days and my hearing should be back to normal. I now have a whole new respect for people with hearing difficulties.

Today I am doing the galley on Bush Bashin' and getting them back to the wonderful Kris Jacen who is the Executive Editor over at MLRPress. I'm hoping to have it finished and back by this arvo for it to be ready for release.

Today I am also going to work some more magic on my Mixed Tape story 'I Should Have Known Better'. It's in a whole different place then the story I first started writing.

Today I am kinda celebrating cause all the visitors have left and my house is finally getting back to normal. Let's just hope it stays that way. I think I have had my fill of visitors for the rest of the year... Mainly because I forget how loud our family is when they all get together - then add alcohol into the mix and you wind up with people getting hurt - Yes, I do mean you, Dylan. I'm seriously thinking the Meow-Meow should be permanently banned.

Updates!!!

 Okay, I am about a fifth of the way through Living in Shadows, book two in - The Lines of Marsden series. and I like the way it is turning out... for all of you who like Doyle in this book we learn more about him along with the other characters while I introduce even more people into the mix... even if you don't know how important they will be until later books.

 I'm also working great on I Should Have Known Better for the MLR 80's Mixed Tape Anthology. I'm about to start the second chapter... mind you this book I have actually restarted three times, but I am happy with this version... even if the story is quite different from what I first envisioned.

 Dancing with Demons, book three in the Toowoomba Boys is going under a major overhaul so that it focuses more on the two main characters and less of the others from previous books.

 A Different Way of Seeing which is book two in Lancaster's Way I am taking my time with because I want to get Chase's book right. I want to do the man justice.

 Other than that I have had visitors all week so I will get back on track with my writing schedule at the start of next week.

Bush Bashin' - My Australia Day story

Blurb:

 G’day mate. For a true blue ripsnorter of a time, stop by and have a chin wag and some tucker at the annual Aussie Day barbie…I’ll even shout ya a stubbie or two if ya lucky.

 My name is Jeremiah Haines, but most people call me Frog. This is the story of how I uprooted my life, moving from Brisbane to a small cattle station in Western Australia. Between the crocs in the yard, the station hands giving me the cold shoulder, and the neighbouring station recruiting me to put their Australia Day barbie together, it’s no wonder I’m in over my head. And that’s before I take into account my unexpected attraction to sexy cowboy Ren Fielding. What’re the chances I’ll make it through Australia Day with both my mind and heart intact?

I will add the BUY LINK when it is available which should be in about 9 days...

I Woke Up This Morning...

The first thing I see/hear is about 45 Wood Ducks all standing in front of my house and waiting for me to feed them... They are only here for about six weeks and then they migrate to elsewhere... And believe me they are noisy things when they want to be.

After getting them sorted out I notice the twenty or so Galahs they aren't as noisy as the ducks unless they are fighting for position on the water and feed bowls I have set up in my yard.

The eight King Parrots sitting in the trees are waiting for the Galahs to leave so they can come in and fill up their bellies.

Three Pale Faced Eastern Rosella's are the quiet ones in the wildlife that visits my house everyday.

The meanies of the visitors are the Lorikeets which chase all the others away so they can eat in peace and quiet.

Lastly, is my boy Hector, he is an African Love Bird (aka Peach Face) and Gods honest truth I reckon he is the most viscous of them all. If you get anybody part near his cage and I can guarantee it will get bitten at some stage.

My yard has turned into an open bird sanctuary- I miss the days when I felt like Noah - when I only had two of each species - Thank the be-all-and-end-all they are only here for certain times of the year or I would go broke feeding them all...

Sons of Evenmore ~ The Crimson Grimoire

Blurb:

When war calls the Sons of Evenmore answer… who will stand at their side?

Mannix Lunos is given the task of watching over the keeper. When he's needed to he rescues and names the man ‘Jynx’, only to find himself unexpectedly mated. And now he has the job of keeping Jynx safe. A task which he doesn’t know if he's capable of doing by himself.

Jynx is more than what everyone believes he is. Which soon makes him the most wanted commodity in the known world.

When war comes knocking at their door the Sons of Evenmore and their new allies find themselves not only guarding Jynx but fighting for the right to exist.

Release Date: March 2013

My Writing Schedule...

This is the schedule I have worked out for my writing until the end of May... and I will need you all to make sure I stick to it...Please. The TLOM picture is part of the trading card template that the awesomely talented Lex Valentine is making for me. I can't wait to see the final product.

TLOM 2: Living In Shadows - May 31- 90K (660 wpd) = Jan 31 wordage: 28'188

I Should Have Known Better - Mar 15 - 40K (665 wpd) = Jan 31 wordage: 13,137

TB 3: Dancing With Demons - Feb 28 - 30K (560 wpd) = Jan 31 wordage: 12'940

LW 2: A Different Way Of Seeing - Feb 28 - 30K (560 wpd) = Jan 31 wordage: 10'640

PITOL: Untitled - Feb 15 - 25K (780 wpd) = Jan 31 wordage: 14,820

On another note: I have received mock ups on my cover for Sons of Evenmore: The Crimson Grimoire. And I should have them soon for my Australia Day Story: Bush Bashin' I can't wait to share them with you all.

In Case You Are Wondering...

This is a picture of some of our workers and what they do as part of their job... Okay, not so much the standing around and getting their pictures taken, but you get the gist of what's going on... Not sure what it is they are building but if you go to our Niepe Construction Facebook page it might tell you - stop by and give the company a like if you can... My hubs is far left and still wearing his safety harness.

Two Movies I really Wanna See:~

I must admit that I loved 'The Host' more than I ever liked the 'Twilight Saga' - I am hoping they do the book justice.  Stephanie Meyer wrote a fantastic story and if you haven't already read it I am telling you now go get yourself a copy as you won't regret it.

This series 'The Mortal Instruments' was a complete and utter happy surprise when I read them as my sister recommended them and I was like "yeah, whatever." I got the first two books and had read them both over that same weekend.... Bloody brilliant so I have to thank Cassandra Clare and her awesome story telling gift.

3 Birthdays & Some Good News.

Happy Birthday To ~

Emily Saddo 

Paolo Nutini

& NOW THE GOOD NEWS...

I just signed another contract with MLRPress

For:

Sons of Evenmore: The Crimson Grimoire

David Bowie's Birthday

For my hero's birthday

 I want to play you a couple of my fave Bowie songs.

Finishing with my all time fave

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

David Bowie

Talking Books - Sherrilyn Kenyon's: The Dark-Hunters #7

The truth is I have been a little under the weather and I have been run flat off my feet. I tells ya, between dentist and doctor appointments with Emily and Mum I never have a minute to spare. Though seeing as once I get to these appointments I have plenty of time to wait, I have been re reading => Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series... I've just finished #7: Seize the Night

Blurb:

 Valerius isn't a popular Dark-Hunter he's a Roman, which means that the largely Greek Hunters have a major grudge against him and his civilization for superceding them. To make things worse, he's very conscious of his aristocratic background and breeding. So it serves him right when he runs into Tabitha Devereaux. She's sassy, sexy, and completely unwilling to take him seriously. (Not to mention that she's the twin sister of the wife of former Dark-Hunter Kyrian - Val's mortal enemy.) What Tabitha does take seriously is hunting and killing vampires - and soon she and Val have to grapple with the deadliest of all Daimons - one who manages to come back from the dead, and one who holds  a serious grudge against both of them. To win against evil, Val will have to loose up, learn to trust, and put everything on the line to protect a man he hates and a women who drives him nuts

BUY ME LINK

Anyway after finishing this book I realised that this particular story in the series is one of the most pivotal points in this series between good and evil. I also realised that I think this is one of the best warrior series I have ever read. So much happens in this book which effects nearly everyone in the whole series. The Dark-Hunter's is definitely a series that needs to be read in order to get the full effect of the story-line.

If you haven't already read this series that I definitely think you should give it a go... once I finish with the Dark-Hunters I am moving onto the Carparthian series by Christine Feehan.

Getting Tattooed Today...

Today I'm getting Tattooed at

Sink the Ink

By the awesome & talented

Ted Saddo

Press on the shop name link and you can go take a look-see at what they are all  about. heck you may even see some of my other tats there as well as Emily's and my hubs.

My Tatt is similar to this one but where as she holds pumpkin goo mine doesn't she holds a human heart... mainly so she matches in with my other horror/paranormal/gothic pictures in my full left sleeve.

The beautiful artwork was done by 

OmriKoresh

over at 

DeviantART

HAPPY FRICKEN NEW YEAR...

Here's hoping 2013 is the start of something wonderful for us all.

The past year has taken me to some wonderful places in my work and I got to meet the most amazing people when Emily and I attended GRL in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Though there are some people I would like to thank for talking me through stuff and keeping me on track.

Embry Carlysle

Cinders

Lex Valentine

Carol Lynne

Ethan Day

Z Allora

Lavinia Lewis

Cherie Noel

Barry Smith

James Adkinson

Erika Orrick

Erica Pike

Sue Main

Kimberly Brandt

Mark Hopkins

Thorny 

(Who has the best blog ever)

My family

Emily 

&

David Bowie 

(Just for existing)

PS: If I've forgotten any one - you know who you are... just add yourself to the list. 

I would like to especially thank the staff at both

MLRPress & Silver Publishing

For giving me the opportunity to share my stories with you all.

New Years Resolutions:

This year I thought I would keep it simple and  only have two to try and stay on top of...

1 - Keep up with my writing (10 books to have subbed buy the end of 2013)

2 - Fix all the bloody head hopping in my WIPS (& boy is there a lot of it)