I'm Over At Totally Bound Publishing's Blog Today

2015 ~ The Year Of Me

What's The Plan

I’ve got so much to get through this year and I’m seriously finding it hard to get started. It’s not helping that the kids are on school holidays. Mind you Em no longer lives at home and Ethan has gone to work with his dad today so I have some sense of peace.

For some godforsaken reason my head is pressuring me to fully spring clean the house. The only problem is no one else wants to lend a hand. And I may also have been a little side tracked by Pinterest… I somehow managed to set up an account that I don’t even remember doing—I hate it when Facebook links me to everything… But that hasn’t stopped me for putting up pictures—you can take a look HERE

So I have 4 contracts with books coming out early 2015 so I will be finishing them up and doing edits while still working on new stuff:

1. Experimentals 2: Running Into Zero Tolerance

2. The Lines Of Marsden 3: You Make Me Die In Pieces

3. The Diamond Rose 1: Gateway To Kalethia

4. Storming Love: Flash Floods ~ Adrian & Lockie

I’ll be trying to keep up with my blog every day, and will welcome guest bloggers should the need a spot to show off their wares… So let me know if you want to borrow my blog for a day.

I really should clean out my office again as over the holidays the rest of the family seemed to use the desktop as a dumping ground for everything they didn’t want to put away. So it’ll be left up to me once again… I’ll teach them all a lesson—if it isn’t mine I’ll throw it away.

I’m still blogging over on the TEB BLOG on the 6^th of every months so feel free to stop by and see what I’m on about. It’s mainly my work with & for TEB. I think doing a post helps me keep motivated to write for them.

GOOD NEWS: we finally had rain and all our tanks are full again. So I’m happy as all get go… I wish I had another tank to fill up with water so I never run dry again. I may have to talk to the hubs about that idea.

BIG PLANS: home wise I want to try and get the bathroom renovated. We have a huge spar bath, which is a bloody useless thing to have when you’re on tank water (it came with the house). It’s just taking up space in my bathroom. Space I could be using the space for better things… Another thing I’ll have to talk to the hubs about.

The hubs & Ethan have started renovating part of the kitchen—building an extra cupboard to house all my pots and pans. It’s fricken awesome—only the edging and doors to go and it’ll be done. And the hubs also fixed my washing machine for which I’m very grateful for.

Today I'm over at: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words.com

Down Under Author Showcase

If it's not today then it'll be live tomorrow.

Beautiful According To Me [Inspirational]

Guest Blogger ~ Author David Russell

Explorations

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Blurb:

Both newly divorced and trying to make sense of their newly acquired freedom, Janice and Cedric simultaneously gravitate to live model drawing classes and swimming, their increasing acquaintance leading to a more private modeling experience. Great story, with wonderfully descriptive narration and profound insights into the void left by the absence of a long attachment, whether pleasant or not. A lovely non-threatening interlude for two people looking to get back in the game. This story has a sequel entitled Further Explorations.

Excerpt:

Sure enough, it was Cedric! Quite impressively dressed in the black of his hair colour—cords, suede shoes, velvet jacket and fine polo. In spite of blushes on both sides, recognition did not falter.

“Well, well. Worlds are ridiculously small. How come you’re here?”

Cedric fumbled a few moments for words… at length to come out with the routine truth… “I left a book here a few days ago. I just came to collect it. But fancy us both knowing Marcus!”

“We follow life’s currents, its winds and waves…come on, sit down.”

* * * *

How ideal! Everything laid on! It would have really spoiled things if either of them had overstepped their customary manners and tried to arrange a meeting, as the telephone advisers always said, in a neutral public place.

Janice put on an album of Beethoven String Quartets and kept the volume low, but with quite a lot of bass. The music blended, unobtrusively, with their sensations. Its sombre explorations penetrated their minds, their hearts, their groins, punctured their inhibitions, free their breath. Ripples registered on both sides. Their dark outfits made a spectral blend, poised to melt into each other. The non-verbal was sustained, as they mentally undressed—first each other, then themselves, down to their bathing suits, at the water’s edge, ready for the plunge.

* * * *

“Well,” she giggled, “first leading question, what do you do? You give the impression of having quite an exciting occupation.”

“I’m a journalist, articles about fashion and health products. And how about you?”

“The dreaded legal profession, highly stimulating at times, but it does stress me.”

“You’re not alone; one does need things to counteract the stresses.”

She gave him a sustained gaze. “Hmm, hope I’m not being intrusive. I’ve been keeping an eye on you in the swimming pool for some time. You’re looking really good now—got into swimming well…must admit I was a bit worried about you before. You seemed a bit head-heavy, imbalanced. But now you’ve accepted your body, toned it up and relaxed the tensions. It’s the best exercise, you know involving all of you.”

“I guess I’ve conquered some fears. I’m so glad to do it properly…” he grew a bit shy and hesitant. “It started… when you bumped into me and gave me those tips on how to improve that really clinched things for me, and…”

“Don’t be shy,” Janice patted his knee to assuage his hesitation.

“I had seen you before! At that party here… you did that beautiful dance; your skirt billowed.”

“And?”

“Then to see you in your bathing costume.”

“And when you did, you took the plunge, bless you.”

“I just had to come in the water with you. And then, when I saw you at the art class, I was just dying to pose for you. I was secretly longing for the model not to turn up so that I would have my chance.”

Janice unbuttoned Cedric’s jacket, felt his shoulders and his chest. “You’ve got your body in trim and you can really carry yourself in trunks. Clothes look good on you, but your height of fashion is around your loins.”

* * * *

The jacket dropped to the floor. Elation welled up in them both. Chemistry and magnetism made their chain-reaction. Slowly edging their heads towards one another, lips meeting eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks, chins, each other. Two deep drawn breaths were held for an ecstatic clinch with tongues. Her hand rose to his crown, massaged him through that full, drawn-out embrace.

His left hand unbuttoned her jacket, feeling her shoulder pressing from waist to hip. Breeze-like, his right raised her skirt, to rest on her thigh as high as was aesthetic at that moment. Her centre took the signal, hips pressing forward. The two of them had dived and surfaced in love’s stream. What a catch for her—this controllable gentleness combined with fathoms of passion—and for him, this beauty of experience that he could now match. Aquiver, they drew back.

“You’re so lovely,” he panted, “I want to see you undressed.”

Review:

This novelette tells a story of emerging or perhaps re-emerging sexual vitality, as told from both male and female perspectives. While it describes adults, it has the quality of being both a projective look by adolescents, toward their sexual future, and retrospective looks by adults, toward their earlier, and now re-awakened sexuality.

Much of the sexual energy is diffused in the telling of the story, and the climax (which is both literal and figurative) is really a plateau. The reader could stand on it, along with the protagonists, feel satisfaction at having reached this place, and then gaze out and wonder, "what new sexual adventures await these two sexual adventurers?" It's certainly not "deep" as one commentator suggested, but the novelette is introspective, and does build to a satisfying conclusion. It is work of surface textures, well suited to the milieu of swimming. Definitely well worth reading. The author also has poems and original artwork that build on this motif of sex and swimming, at eroticpoems.org [Dreamers Reality] & [Valterra magazine - Bathing Girl]

~Paul Dolinsky

Further Explorations

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Blurb:

Energised by their lovely liberating experience, Janice and Cedric are determined to ‘spread their wings’ and take the world by storm, a two-person conspiracy. They head off physically in different directions, but remain in constant depth communication electronically, ever comparing notes, monitoring each other’s minds and experiences for a depth of mutual understanding. They may meet again fully equipped with a great depth of self-knowledge, and a knowledge of each other’s depth. They negotiate giddy peaks of high finance; Janice even does into ‘dreamscape’, making a pact with the devil. Further delights of sensuality are explored by both, with exotic partners; the depths and shallows of life are all embraced…

Excerpt:

They beamed at each other, sizing up their physiques again, comparing their respective performances which had led up to that climax. Then Janice breathily broke the silence. “You were an astral rocket, surging, grounding, resurging.”

“And you the booster supreme.” After a final hug, they wistfully shrugged, along with smiles and suspicions of tears. “We’ve both got our planes to catch, darling…we’re all wired up.” They turned their backs on each other going down their separate lanes.

Janice and Cedric’s bittersweet parting, executed with watertight composure, froze that moment of perfection. Their state-of-the-art arrangements, so efficient in sustaining long-term contact were so effortlessly executed—miraculously, none of the hitches either of them experienced with their other contacts—that they simply had to have been exquisitely premeditated, but all the more because, regarding functioning in the immediate present, they were both prone to fumble and stutter.

Yet, there was a sense of permanence in that kaleidoscope world of fleeting acquaintances. Shattering glasses always sharpens, enriches the vision. Closet pyromania fantasy makes every dreamer dynamic—visions of the inferno, crashing of all solid architecture, but with the stench of charred flesh blanked off. Such an abundance of good looks and vibrant expressions passing by on the streets; it felt that any one of them had destructive potential, mighty cataracts at close quarters. The diffusion of that potential sustains the world’s equilibrium, global spark potential

Review:

David Russell doesn't hold back in Further Explorations. I enjoyed reading about Cedric and Janice. They share so many of the same qualities, thoughts and experiences. Reading about characters with a lot in common was a breath of fresh air, as most wo/man pairs are drawn together by their differences, opposites attract and all. Cedric and Janice, on the other hand, are drawn together as if they are one being no matter how much physical distance is between them.

As Cedric and Janice take off to different parts of the world, we get to experience the depth of their understanding of each other, their wild experiences, and how they communicate with one another. For example, Chapter 15 was especially memorable because their instinct told them that their beings had fused, that they were in absolute synch wherever in the world each of them was, whatever the physical distance between them.

Further Explorations is a great read because David really focuses on getting into the character's mind. This novel does a great job communicating the experiences of Janice and Cedric, and pulling your mind into their connection. David's descriptive writing is rich and any woman who loves a slow burning read will enjoy Further Explorations.

~Zee

Author Bio:

b. 1940. Resident in the UK. Writer of poetry, literary criticism, speculative fiction and romance. Main poetry collection Prickling Counterpoints (1998); poems published in online International Times. Main speculative works High Wired On (2002); Rock Bottom (2005). Translation of Spanish epic La Araucana, Amazon 2013. Romances: Self’s Blossom; Explorations; Further Explorations; Therapy Rapture; Darlene, An Ecstatic Rendezvous (all pub Extasy (Devine Destinies). Singer-songwriter/guitarist. Main CD albums: Bacteria Shrapnel and Kaleidoscope Concentrate. Many tracks on You Tube, under ‘Dave Russell’

Find David Here

David Russell Novelist

Sentinels Of Varnuse 2: Wind Walkers [1]

#1

As Vayne made his way through the ever thickening forest he sensed he was being followed—and followed by a man he didn’t want to see right now or ever again. He hated knowing they had something in common. He didn’t want to share he never had.

“What the fuck are you here for?” Vayne growled over his shoulder, hoping like hell his unwelcome companion would turn around and go back to where he came from.

Arron sighed dramatically, “You know why. Simian belongs to me just as much as he belongs to you. Why would you think I’d let you go off alone and look for him. I’m not a coward. I’m willing to help you search.”

Vayne spun around and glared at the younger man. “Stop saying that. Simian is my mate. Mine! Given to me by Varnuse. I’ve never even heard of people mating more than one person. So go find your own mate.”

Arron chuckled, “I can claim the same damn thing as you Varnuse gave me to Simian just as he did you. Stop denying what the world already knows. We both wear Simian’s mark. He doesn’t belong to us—we both belong to him.” Arron pushed up his sleeve and bared his forearm so the sunlight shimmered across the exact same marking Vayne knew adorned his own forearm.

“But I don’t have to like it.” Vayne growled.

He still hated sharing.

“No,” Arron sighed again, “You just have to accept it. Remember it was our constant fighting over Simian that allowed him to be kidnapped in the first place. If we had learned to get on and share his love then he would still be with us. I won’t rest until we get him back.”

“Can you just shut up for five-fricken-minutes? You are more annoying than a Juju bug in the morning.” Vayne stared at Arron and it struck him right then that he’d never before really looked at Arron—never took the time to notice what he truly looked like. Arron stared back calmly and Vayne could almost feel himself being pulled into those pale green eyes that seemed to see everything. They were so clear he swore he could see his own reflection. Arron’s skin was pale and flawless and his lips looked soft and plump. Vayne fought not to smile as those perfect lips pouted in his direction. Taking a deep breath Vayne asked. “Okay, now how pissed do you think Josep is going to be at us?”

“It’s not Josep we have to worry about. You know Lucas is the one who’ll kick our arses. That man may act like a pacifist, but he’s the fiercest one of us all.” Arron shuddered and took a step towards him.

Vayne took a step back, “Lucas will understand. He knows what Simian means to me.” When Arron glared at he corrected himself, “I meant to us. Lucas knows what Simian means to us.”

“Yes, it’s best you remember there are three of us in this little love fest. When and I do mean when we get our mate back we need to try for his sake not to kill each other. It hurts him when we argue.”

Vayne and Arron froze as they heard someone or something making their way towards them. Vayne reached out and pulled Arron behind him, while his free hand was wrapped around the hilt of his knife as he waited. Even though Arron was grumbling softly behind him he knew the man would be just as ready in case trouble came their way. A sentinel stepped out of the trees and stopped before them.

“Aren’t you a bit lost, brother?” Vayne asked not letting down his guard in case the king had sent men out to bring them in. He wasn’t going to allow something like that to happen. He wasn’t going home—not without Simian at his side.

“My name is Dominic Bourke.” The man said.

A growl erupted from his throat when he felt Arron move behind him. “If you have come for either Arron or myself, then we are taken. You would be best off going home where you belong. Sentinel or not the woods are dangerous for those unfamiliar with them.”

Dominic stood a little straighter. “I never came here for either of you. I came because Lucas told me I must. He also told me that my destiny lies in wherever you are going. He said it’s now time for my story to unfold. That you and Arron were to guide me.”

Vayne couldn’t stop the grin as Arron strode over and pushed up Dominic’s sleeve and sighed in relief when he saw the forearm. “He bears a mark, but it’s not the same as ours.”

“It’s okay, Arron,” Vayne chuckled, “fate would not give Simian another mate for us to contend with.” Shaking his head he turned in the direction they were going. “I just wished that we had found Ormand before we left… maybe we could have gotten something worthwhile out of him.” Arron bit his lip and Vayne knew he wasn’t going to like whatever it was he was going to hear.

“Yeah, about that… I may have killed Ormand just a little bit.”

“You did what?” Vayne demanded. Belated panic raced through him at the thought of Arron being hurt. He may not want the guy to share his mate—it didn’t mean he wanted the guy to be harmed in any way.

When Arron refused to look at him for the longest of times He wasn’t sure what he was going to hear. So many emotions ran across the guys face and not all of them were good. Finally after an eternity Arron spoke.

“He shouldn’t have put his hands on you. I saw you at the tavern. I saw him touching you. The idiot should have known you were off limits.”

Vayne studied his companion trying to figure the guy out. “You don’t like me, and yet you killed Ormand because he touched me?”

“I never said I didn’t like you. You’re the one who is hell bent on arguing all the time. I actually listened when Simian explained things to us—maybe you should have too.”

“As touching as this is, maybe we should get a move on. As you said these woods can be a dangerous place and nightfall seems to be heading our way fast.” Dominic said interrupting the conversation they were having.

Looking up through the trees to the darkening sky Vayne had to agree with the man. They needed to find shelter. Somewhere  where they could light a fire and keep away the more dangerous creatures of the night. He also needed time to digest the conversation he’d just had with Arron. He knew when Simian was back with them he’d have to change his ways if he wanted their relationship to last.

Happy New Year & Welcome To 2015

Well it’s the start of another year and I’m feeling much better than I have for the last month. My Ross River Fever is almost gone again and my brain feels like it can actually work, and think straight again.

Let’s play catch up for a bit… My son Ethan is entering into the great adventure know as grade nine… My Hubs is still running our construction company we co-own… Emily has moved out of home and is getting ready to start her Bachelor of Arts (majoring in music & business) at USQ… Mum is still mum and enjoying the summer of cricket (okay, I may be enjoying it as well)… As for me I’m ready to star my next year in the world of writing.

These are written in no particular order—but are what I have promised to work on in 2015—the only one I know I’m working on at a certain time is TLOM 4 as I want to start that for NaNoWriMo this year.

The Lines Of Marsden 3: You Make Me Die In Pieces

The Lines Of Marsden 4: The Trail of Red Roses

Sons Of Evenmore 3: Fear The Scarlet Moon

Sons Of Evenmore 4: Same Thing In Reverse

Lancaster’s Way 3: Pre-Loved

Lancaster’s Way 4: Riding Fences

Toowoomba Boys 4: Securing The Heart

Experimentals 3: Messages From The Dead

Hidden Hearts 1: Hello Lonely

Hidden Hearts 2: One Last Kiss Goodbye (Re write)

Moon Runners 2: I Won’t Let You Go

The Diamond Rose 2: Sometimes it Hurts

The Connelly Chronicles 2: Beautiful Goodbyes

Spam Inc 1: Claiming Roxby’s Heart

The Gaean Prophecy 1: Broken Serenity

The Soul Guardians 1: Loving Callum McKenzie

Other than that I’m going to live life and enjoy it… my words of advice to everyone for 2015 is this: “If you can’t say something nice, then shut the hell up!”