Monday 6 January 2014

My day!!!

















Away today as I'm being the receptionist/counter bitch
 At Sink the Ink Tattooz 
For Ted Saddo

Sunday 5 January 2014

I got gipped I tells ya!!! & Other news...

Yesterday I went with Emily and my hubs to Movie World - It's where Em wanted to go for her birthday (even though her b'day is Jan 9)... All I wanted was my picture taken with Marvin the Martian... but did I? Noooo.... there were only  2 characters that I saw dressed up and that was Austin Powers  & Marilyn Munroe. (Okay, so it might have been 45C/113F) but that's besides the fricken point. So anyway I decide second best thing is I'll buy some Marvin memorabilia-- I walk through every damn shop there was, and nothing - not one Marvin the Martian thing to be found... The good part is I never got sunburnt.

On a brighter note I hope to have the cover art for The Gaean Prophecies: Admetus Gaea in the next week or so - I'm so excited and can't wait to share - I just know Reece Dante will come up with something Amazing like she always does.

Okay, so far for 2014 I'm still 2 days ahead on my writing schedule for book 3 of the Toowoomba Boys: Dancing with Demons (Damon's story). I hope to be finished by the 16th. Then I hope to have  book 2 in Lancaster's Way: A Different Way Of Seeing (Chase's story) finished by the first week in Feb. At the moment book 2 in Sons of Evenmore: Blood to Blood (Jhex's story) is at the beta readers, and hope to have it subbed in the next week or so.

Friday 3 January 2014

Sentinels of Varnuse: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down #1

NOTE TO ALL READERS: This story is not a new blog story. Though aspects of it may seem that way. The truth is I have gone back through and have fixed the head hoping so it won't read so bad - LOL - I never promised to fix the punctuation, so you may have to bear with me on that one. Any way I hope you enjoy the new and improved Sentinels of Varnuse: When the Walls Come Tumbling Down... PS: there may be some added wordage throughout if I thought something needed more explanation. Also just to stop confusion I've removed all the original posts so you can see them through new eyes.

#1.
Brayden Caldwell stood off to the side of the gathering throng of people and studied the young man who looked so sad as he stood on the balcony above them all. There didn’t seem to be any light in his eyes as the man stared out over them all—Brayden had remembered a light which had sparkled in the man’s eyes so many years ago—in a time when both men were boys and the best of friends. Now the man before him was a complete stranger. The death of one's father could do that to a man. From where he stood Brayden had the perfect vantage point because he was above the rest of the crowd yet still mainly obscured from Quinlan’s vision.

Quinlan Macallister wasn’t anything like he pictured him to be. From the description Brayden’s Uncle had given him, he had thought that Quinlan would somehow look evil; but instead he looked the exact opposite, he looked Angelic. So beautiful with his long dark hair falling in ringlets to his waist. He was exactly as Brayden remembered him to be, and it made his heart flutter.

Brayden felt a slow aching pain in his chest as he took in the sadness in those pale green eyes that restlessly searched the crowd. He seemed to be looking for something, and Brayden wondered what.

“Are you just going to stand here staring all day? Or are you going to do what father has told you must be done?”

Brayden tensed in annoyance. He absolutely loathed his cousin with all that he was. Ormand was the type of person anyone would detest. Even though he kept himself immaculate, there was an offness about the man. Like some vital piece was missing, but what it was Brayden just couldn’t fathom it out. When he questioned his uncle once about it he had been told it was best not to dwell on it, and to stay away from Ormand as much as possible. He both loved and was terrified of his uncle—but there was something about the man that made Brayden think of safety and comfort. Even if the man did have a tendency to keep him locked away on the family estate. His thoughts came back to the here and now when Ormand spoke.

“Are you listening to me?” Ormand shoved Brayden in the shoulder hard enough to make him stumble. “My father wants this taken care of tonight. That throne belongs in our family. That fool up there is stealing my birthright.”

Brayden rolled his eyes at his cousin. “Don’t you mean my birthright?” The truth be told Brayden wasn’t even sure if he wanted to be the king, but he knew he’d do it just to stop Ormand from taking the throne. If a man like his cousin took control then the rest of their people could kiss their lives goodbye. Ormand was the type of man who would take what he wanted no matter who it belonged to. Brayden only wished he or his uncle was strong enough to stop Ormond.

Brayden turned again to watch Quinlan Macallister, his breath caught in his throat as he realised that Quinlan had in turn found him among the many and was now watching him. Brayden stepped away from his cousin’s side and slowly and nervously walked towards the final flight of steps which would lead him to the person he was here to see.

**~*~**

Quinlan found it hard to breathe as his heart accelerate with the recognition for one face in the crowd. It was a face he hadn’t seen for a very long time—and had believed he never would again—no matter how much he had searched. In the man standing before him, he saw the face of the boy who had once been stolen away from him. A boy he had loved with everything that he was, and still did.

“Bray,” the name slipped out of him on a sigh. Quinlan looked past Brayden’s shoulder and saw Ormand standing in the shadows and the warmth that was spreading through his heart for the first time in years froze. So this was how it was going to end. Death by the hands that had always held his heart. Steeling himself for the final blow he faced his once best friend.

“So you’ve come to kill me, haven’t you?” Quinlan asked quietly. He wanted to reach out and pull Brayden into his arms, but didn’t.

“Yes,” Brayden answered, but shook his head ever so slightly in the negative just enough for Quinlan to see. “My cousin wants or family to rule again. He believes our birthright was stolen from us.” Brayden said loud enough for Ormand to hear, and also letting his Quin know exactly who was behind this plan to take control. Quinlan saw what he assumed was pleading in Brayden’s eyes for him to understand.

Quinlan stared hard for a long moment letting his gaze travel out over the crowd. He needed to let Brayden know he got the message. “Bray, do you know why all these people are here today? I mean why there are mostly women here?”

He saw the pain fill Brayden’s eyes. The man took a deep breath before he answered. “You’re next in line to rule. By law you must be wed at the end of your father’s mourning ritual to be able to take the throne.” Each word felt like a knife to Quinlan’s heart. Bring back to the forefront of his mind the death of his beloved father—God he missed the man.

“Yes, I have to marry to take the throne. Each of these women gathered here wants me to choose them, but I have another solution.” Quinlan just hoped his plan didn’t backfire in his face.

“I’m listening.” The wariness in Brayden’s eyes was enough to make Quinlan think Brayden thought he was going to be asked to pick out the perfect wife—boy was he going to be in for a shock.

Quinlan smiled at Brayden and whispered, “Trust me.” As he took Brayden’s hand and walked them both to the edge of the balcony. A hush instantaneously fell over the waiting crowd. All eyes turned to him waiting for his decision.

Hell, they were all going to be in for a rude shock.

“I have chosen the person I want to have standing at my side during the duration of my rule as your king. Nowhere in our laws does it state who I have to marry or what class they must be born into. I am able to choose anyone of our people.” Quinlan held their still joined hands up so everyone could see them. “I would like it know to all here that I have chosen Brayden Caldwell to be my Kings Consort.”

Quinlan smiled as Brayden stood in opened mouthed shock while the crowd below broke out into a chaotic uproar at his declaration.

This should make their lives very interesting.

Thursday 2 January 2014

Day 2... What's the Hap!!!

I had a crap night's sleep last night - my mind just wouldn't shut down - could be because of all the voices in my head wanting their stories written next. Believe me that can get bloody noisy as hell.

To be honest I don't know what I will work on next. I'm just going to see what takes my fancy as soon as I write the last 2K of Sons of Evenmore: Blood To Blood. This will be finished today and sent to my beta James A.

"DONE!"

I can't wait to see what the wonderful Reece Dante comes up with cover wise for The Gaean Prophecies: Admetus Gaea

I need a new office chair - the one I have the lock keeps popping out and I nearly topple backwards - so not fun.

Why is it whenever you decide to clean your office/work station you always end up losing shit? I seriously have no clue where I've put some of the things I lose - though some people will find this funny the missing cheque book (that I lost way back in the beginning of last year) finally turned up. Em found it in her room - how it got there I'll never know.

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Happy Fricken New Year...






















I must admit I was asleep well and truly before the midnight hour struck...

Blog Stories:
Okay, so I've been thinking - you can all stop laughing now - I've actually been thinking about my unfinished blog stories and realised why I just stopped... I think I need to go back through and revamp them and start again from the beginning... If that makes sense. I honestly believe that The Sentinels or Varnuse & Jettermane are missing something.

Thoughts on 2014:
Set Little goals often and then at the end of the year look back and see just how much you have achieved - you will be amazed... My first goal starts today Jan 1: Finish the last 3K on Sons of Evenmore: Blood to Blood and send it to my Beta reader - James A.

Tuesday 31 December 2013

2013: memories, dreams, & future plans.

Boys From The Bush: Bush Bashin' is the book that started of my year. This was one of the hardest books I have ever written for MLRPress - the reasons being:

I had never attempted to write in first person before - and found out that I totally suck at it.

I also wrote no sex in this book even though I knew it would lose me sales - the reason being is the time line of the book was so short I didn't feel right turning Ren & Frog into sluts... I love them just as they are.

I have been asked by some readers to write a prequel featuring the meeting of Lester and Alec the guys who own  Hazeldowns Station - I have put this off due to having to contemplate writing in first person again and if I have the guts to try if I did it would be called: Something That He Said

I wonder if I could just change to third person?

**~*~**

Sons of Evenmore: The Crimson Grimoire I loved writing... I loved the concept of this book. and the fact that it brings closure to two other series I have rattling around in my head (Pack Matters & Watson Falls).

I know I've published them arse-about - but that's just how it happened. Next year I hope to introduce you to Scott Creely and the guys from Pack Matters and then maybe the Sons of Evenmore will make more sense. 

But for my first submission in 2014 I will be sending book 2 Blood to Blood to the wonderful Christie N at MLRPress for perusal. Fingers crossed she likes it... This is Jhex's story... 

The next off the list will be Phoenix's story: Beneath a Red Moon.

**~*~**

The Connelly Chronicles: Family Connections has gone through many changes... most of all being it's name. This story has been close to my heart I have been dreaming of writing Ray and Viv's story for as long as I can remember. I've had many a late night phone call with one of my nieces as I bounced ideas off of her - So thanks Leigh Walker.

There are five stories in this series all revolving in and around the Connelly family. Book 2: Beautiful Goodbyes is more of a filler and definitely a happy for now book, but I feel you need it so book 3 & 4 can take place.

Ray & Viv may be a huge present in the following books but the stories do not revolve around them as some reviewers have suggested.

**~*~**

By The Way is part of the Blokes In Love anthology. which was a give-away at the OZMMMeet in Sydey in October. It is also availabe at Goodreads and other places.

I truly liked this story even though it was light and fluffy. I try not to take reviewers words to heart but at some point you have to say - "You know what? I don't give a rat's-arse what you think." I'm now using the mantra. If I please one person then that's all good. Even though some people thought the story moved too fast - I gained some new fans/followers from said story so all is good.

Shawn & Corey will always hold a spot in my heart... though to give due this story came about because of a conversation with Z Allora & Jambrea Jo Jones on Facebook.

**~*~**

Experimentals: Blessed With A Curse is a long time coming and will be my 1st release for 2014 - it will be releasing through MLRPress on January 17th.

I submitted this way back in June/July and due to some changes in editors it is only now just being released. I can't wait for this book to be released. The story introduces Storm Gennaro & Heath Madden and the world they live in where not everything is exactly human.

I've already started on book 2: Running Into Zero Tolerance (Linc & Gideon's story) and have ideas for book 3: Messages From The Dead (Delaney & Sydney's story).

I'm not sure if you would class this story as Urban Fantasy or Paranormal. I just know I had a hell of a lot of fun writing it.

**~*~**

The Gaean Prophecies: Admetus Gaea will be my 2nd release in 2014 and will be releasing on January 25th from Silver Publishing (I will add cover art when I receive it). This is the first story I ever wrote. 

**Background Info** when I was just starting high school my dad had not long passed away. so mum kept me close to home and my one outlet was writing and so I began to create this other world parallel to our own. Grayson & Jondalar became a huge part of my life... 

Back then did I ever think I would publish them - no way! I put the story away - okay, I may have lost it for around 30 years... cleaning up a couple of years ago I found the story and all the notes... and while re reading it for shits & giggles it occurred to me with some minor adjustments to modernise the story and adding punctuation I had a chance of getting this story published... there are three parts to this series the following two stories are: Broken Serenity & New World Alliance.

**Note to possible readers** This is a story that is told through the Pov of three different people (Grayson, Bailin, & Jarkebb)... they are not all in a three-way relationship- each has their own mate and roll to play in this story.

**~*~**

The Lines of Marsden: Living in Shadows. This will be my 3rd release for 2014 from MLRPress and will be coming out some time in March.I know we're not supposed to have favourite characters- But I have to admit these are mine.  I have loved Michael Marsden & Doyle Kerwin since their inception.

There are 18 books planned in this series, and most are partially written in some form or another Living In Shadows follows on from Rules Are Meant To Be Broken... and will hopefully soon be followed by book 3: You Make Me Die In Pieces

The series will follow 3 lines, and each line will have six books/stories to tell - though the stories themselves may have different main characters as wel - people from within the coven and pack.
  1.  Michael, Gypsy, & Benj.
  2. Raphael, Michaela, & Vladimir (who was named after the cat).
  3. Isaac, Rory, & Charlie.
**~*~**

Future Plans and Resolutions:
They're on in the same really -  I tried to make them as achievable as possible:
  1. Get Ten books published and/or mostly written.
  2. Catch up on filling in my character profiles so that I have them all on hand when needed. It will make my life so much easier.
  3. Keep on top of cleaning/yard work - I may have been a tad slack this year on the yard work - my small measure of OCD won't allow for a dirty house.
  4. Save up money for repairs/extensions - about 60K all up so this will be an ongoing resolution until everything gets done.
  5. Get rid of the surplus crap around house and yard - if we don't use it then it needs to go.