Werebunnies

Excerpt: Mercury

2009-05-17T04:42:00.001-07:00

Since we are going to the Fort Worth Zoo today, I felt a little compelled to give you an idea of my ideal type of day to go. Our zoo really is breathtaking, and while my YA/SF novel is a little more fiction than my experience would be, I still think you can get the idea.

Mercury is the first novel I wrote, wrote it in 3 weeks. Julia is the main character, and Michael is the one taking her to the zoo. Enjoy.

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The Fort Worth Zoo, open three hundred and sixty-five days a year, displays more than five thousand animals on sixty-four acres of well maintained vegetation. Every exhibit well managed, every creature handled with the highest care, every worker and volunteer truly happy about what they do and what their job stands for. Ranked as one of the best zoos in the nation on many reliable lists, the Fort Worth Zoo is spectacular, and I wished I could see it more often. I am very picky about the days I choose to go. Being in Texas, a perfect zoo day for me is either the spring or fall, on a day like today; clear and seventy degrees. Absolutely the most perfect day to go.

And to make it more enjoyable, I am with Michael and I’m supposed to be in school. Awesome.

We step through the rugged entrance gates after Michael paid our way in, and I was hit with the usual zoo smells. A sweet yet pungent mixture of flora, dirt, and animal droppings. Trees canopying paved and dirt paths, exhibits clean and inviting, animals going about their business and in their own little worlds. I also loved the sounds; water trickling in ponds and waterfalls, strollers and wagons carrying young and picnic baskets, children misidentifying animals, birds chirping, animals crying, a train horn blaring. Just a sensation overload that’s gloriously magnificent.

I stopped, took a deep breath, and when a gentle breeze kissed my cheek I closed my eyes. I love the zoo.

I stood there a few seconds before I felt warm fingers intertwine with mine. “Are you ready?” Michael asked.

I took another deep breath, and let his hand surge heat through my entire body. I opened my eyes and smiled at him. “Yeah.”

We strolled, hand in hand, through the maze that was the zoo. Every now and then, when we stopped to appreciate an animal in a replica of its natural habitat, Michael would drape an arm around my shoulders. Throughout the place, I noticed I was really letting my guard down around him, I was reciprocating his affections. Michael noticed this and was taking advantage of it. Not in a deceptive sort of way, just as an invitation to close the gap that was between us. It felt good. It felt really good to be this close to him. All of my insides were beaming and I couldn’t help but smile being around him.

After we were about halfway through, Michael excused himself to make a call. I waited patiently, and he strolled back up to me. “Did you know there was a new exhibit? It is temporary, but breathtaking.” He smiled. “I think you will really like it.”

My eyes got bright. “Really? I hadn’t heard of anything new.”

We walked a few minutes, and he guided me to within twenty yards of a set of pine doors that entered into what looked like an aviary. Netting draped high into the trees, I could tell there were exotic flowers behind the two sets of screen doors.

Michael stopped me. “Stay right here, don’t move.” He gave me his signature grin.

He went and talked to a man in a forest green polo shirt and khaki shorts, which was usual Fort Worth Zoo uniform. Michael spoke a few words to the man, the man nodded, and they shook hands.

Michael walked back toward me, and offered an arm for me to take, just like a gentleman would. “Shall we?”

I looped my arm in his. “We shall.”

As we walked closer to the double doors, the man Michael was talking to was putting a large sign just outside the door that read ‘This Exhibit is Temporarily Closed’. When we approached, the man opened the door for us, and after we walked through the first set, the man stood guard at the entrance.

“I arranged to have the entire exhibit to ourselves for a while. I hope you don’t mind.” He said, winking at me.

Michael slowly opened a second door to go through, and at first glance I saw vibrant colors of many different varieties of flowers and rich bushes. I could smell the sweet nectar secreting from everything surrounding the path, the lush greens of the bushes and small trees that were blotched in random places.

I padded my right foot on the gravel path, and although it was a slight movement and quiet sound to my ears, it rustled everything on the path immediately in front of me.

I froze and gasped.

My movement fluttered dozens of butterflies from their original position. I watched for a almost an entire minute as the butterflies of many different colors, shapes and sizes, settled into a new pose, gently flapping their delicate wings on their new vegetation.

Michael slowly appeared at my side, careful not to disturb them too much, and gently laid a hand on the small of my back. “Do you like it?” he whispered.

My hands reached my face, in awe of what I was witnessing. “Oh Michael…it’s beautiful,” I said, trying to whisper too.

He guided me, with his hand still on the small of my back, deeper into the exhibit. I crouched in front of a lovely bunch of yellow aster, and found my favorite species of butterfly; the Blue Morpho.

This Blue Morpho in particular was a magnificent shade of sapphire blue, my favorite color, and I was close enough to see the veins branching out into perfectly symmetrical wings, the deep black velvet lining, and the flecks of white dotting the tips. I put my fingers to within inches, wanting to touch it, but held back not wanting to disrupt its feeding.

I stood up slowly and turned to Michael. “This is absolutely amazing.” I was shaking my head and I smiled at him. “You are something else, you know that?”

He smiled at me, and it lit up his eyes. “I am quite aware of that actually.”

Before I knew it, he had his toned arms around my waist, held me close, and his molten chocolate eyes looked deep into mine. My heartbeat started picking up pace, and my breathing became erratic. I was trying very hard to control it, but I don’t think I was succeeding. He stared at me for what I thought was an eternity, and next thing I knew, his lips were on mine.

At first, I was stiff, like I had totally forgotten how to do this. But the heat radiating from his mouth surged warmth into my entire body, and I melted in his arms. My hands found the back of his neck, my fingers finally got to touch his thick soft locks. His hands clutched at my shirt, pressing me against his body. Before I knew it, we both stopped, breathing rapidly, still locked in each others arms.

He closed his eyes, and leaned his forehead against mine, “Julia…”

I closed my eyes.

He brought his hands to my cheeks and held them there, staring into my eyes. “Julia?”

“Yes?”

“Do you trust me?”

I furrowed my brows at him. “Yes.” And I could feel I really meant that.

He paused for a few beats, and his face became serious before he started again. “I need to tell you something.”

Panic suddenly crept in. Does he already have a girlfriend? Is he moving? Does he have an incurable disease? You know what, now that I think about it, lately when people told they needed to tell me something, it got way too weird for comfort levels. “Okay…”

“Actually it’s probably easier if I show you.”

He completely let go of me, his movements fluttering dozens more butterflies from their perches. He stood about a foot away from me, and held his hands up, elbows down and palms toward me.

He waited, and it took me a few seconds to realize what he wanted me to do. I looked at my hands, and held them up to his, and paused an inch away. Michael didn’t flinch, no facial expression, just waited. I gently leaned my hands against his, and the surge of warmth ran through my body again. Every time he touched me this happens, and it always calmed me, and I don’t think I could ever get tired of it. When we made skin contact, it was like we were the only two people on the planet. Right at this very moment, it was like nothing else existed, no other breaths of life, no other sounds of nature, nothing else mattered but me and him.

Wait a minute…

I jerked my hand away and looked around, cautious. Nope, still in the same place I was sixty seconds ago.

My eyes caught his again, and he hadn’t budged, still no emotion on his face, still palms held out to me. I narrowed my eyes at him, and even slower this time, I pressed my palms against his. More aware this time, more conscience of what was around me.

He intertwined his fingers with mine, to keep them there.

I stared in his eyes, afraid to look away. There were no other breaths of life; there were no other sounds of nature. No bubbling brooks, no children whining, no wagon wheels hitting pot holes in the pavement, no rustling of leaves, no wildlife chatter behind gated enclosures, no gentle breeze on my cheek.

My breathing got heavy, and the hundreds of butterflies that were in my stomach were churning uncontrollably. I finally got the nerve to break our eye contact, and once again I froze. Once again, I gasped.

Not more than two feet away from my face, was the Blue Morpho butterfly that I was admiring minutes ago.

That Blue Morpho butterfly was suspended in mid flight.

Announcement!!!

2009-05-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

I have a new blog site for just novel reviews:

http://bunnyreview.blogspot.com/

Please sign up!!!

Maxywell Cynn's ArchAngelxx has been posted as my first official review! If you haven't read it, check it out!

Review: ArchAngelxx by Maxwell Cynn

2009-05-04T04:07:00.000-07:00

ArchAngelxx.net
If they control your computer, they control your mind.

"You have a virus on your computer. Its tracking everything you do. If you have a microphone it can hear you. If you have a web cam, they are even watching you. It can not be detected by any anti-virus scan, or blocked by any firewall, they make sure of that. It's not just watching you, it's communicating to you subliminally. Messages from them, flashing on your screen, just beyond your conscious perception. But your sub-conscious sees them: you are being brainwashed." CG

Maxwell Cynn had me at, "Trust no one."

Okay, let's forget for a moment that he quoted more than once my all time favorite television show, just so I can tone down my excitement.

Cynn shows us the world of a man on the run. Where paranoia is just another word for longevity, and he dances a fine line with what is meant to be real and what is pure fabrication of the human psyche. Or is none of it real, and just an elaborate brainwashing movement meant to lock contraints on humans as a race? When humans, as a whole, are stripped of our abilities to act 'human', what is left? Mindless drones that succumb to higher powers beyond their control?

Oh, I don't think so.

CG is on a mission, to destroy the very thing that is destroying what makes us human. This refreshingly unpredictable piece had me turning pages faster and faster, having no idea what was going to happen next. Cynn makes you feel exactly what the character feels, which is a remarkable feat. It has everything; romance, mystery, suspence, murder. The characters were vibrant and well played. Maxwell's literary voice is like hard candy; Cynn-fully sweet, and rolls on the tongue quite nicely. Even with the jargon, Cynn was sure it made sense to the technically challanged readers (such as myself). Everything was beautifully written and I am proud to back this and give it my seal of approval.

Do you dare download ArchAngelxx to rise with the resistance? Are you human enough to rage against the machine?

The online version of "Archangel" is up and running. You can read the book, and join the ArchAngel network free. Just visit http://archangelxx.net/ and the complete unabridged text is available online. When you sign up (at a certain point in the story CG, the main character, will ask you to join ArchAngel) make sure you give your correct e-mail address because you can expect an email from CG.

Excerpt: Sizzling Summers

2009-04-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

The six-foot six-inch, two hundred and fifty pound mass that was Sam Derringer looked ridiculous behind the commercial grade desk, sitting in a chair that he could turn to kindling. His rust colored hair was slightly aglow from the intermittent rays of sunlight that shone through the cracked blinds of his office. He closed his emerald green eyes and started rubbing them with his meaty fingers. “Look Evie, I don’t have the strength to fight with you today.”

All five-foot five-inches of Evelyn’s frame stood in front of his desk and pointed a finger at him. “You’re punishing me for not going to dinner with you Friday night.”

“Don’t start Evie. I invite you to dinner every Friday night.” His brows furrowed in sadness. “Grace misses you. She needs you.” His tone softened. “She needs her sister.”

She plopped down in the brown leather chair, her navy polyester pants sliding a bit, and looked at her black work boots. They seemed to really show against the awful teal carpeting.

Sam leaned his elbows on his desk, and raked a hand through his hair. He looked tired. “She was up all night throwing up. She’s miserable.”

Evelyn looked at him with slight sincerity. “That can happen in the ninth month of pregnancy.”

He shook his head and looked down. “This didn’t happen with the other three,” he said softly

That comment made Evelyn swallow hard and look at her hands. “Is she drinking enough water? Resting? Did she call the doctor?”

“Yeah, but she’s not good Evie. She wants to see you.”

She fiddled with her watch and cleared her throat. She looked back up at him. “Can we get back to work now? I am not training the new guy. Why can’t Jerry do it? He always trains the new people.”

“Jerry is already training a new guy. We are drowning Evie, we’ve lost too many people with all this mess. Corporate is breathing down our necks to clear up the ‘confusion’.” Sam looked at her, serious. “I need my best man on this one anyway, and that’s you. This is a … special circumstance.”

Evelyn lifted a brow. “Special circumstance?”

Now Sam was clearing his throat. “He is sort of a special case.” He paused. “All I can say is that he knows some higher ups, and he was given a job here. We need to show him our best. That’s you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Sam, you know damn well flattery doesn’t work for me, so don’t even try.”

He grinned slightly, trying to lighten the mood. “Yes it does. Besides, you have no choice.” There was no point in trying to be a demanding boss to Evelyn, so he threw up surrendering hands. “I promise I will make it up to you, don’t worry.”

Evelyn shook her head and snatched the day’s paperwork from him as she stood up. “You better, or else.”

Sam grimaced and raked another hand through his hair.

She turned to storm out of the office, and there was a guy leaning against the doorjamb with his arms crossed. At first glance, Evelyn thought beach bum; shaggy sandy blonde hair, nice golden tan, plaid surfer shorts, a white t-shirt stretched over well formed muscles, and sandals. She estimated him to be around her age, early thirties, and a good six inches taller than her. If he didn’t look so damn smug and lazy, she would have thought him to be kind of attractive.

“Who the hell are you?” Evelyn asked, not at all trying to hide her disdain.

Joshua just looked at her and grinned. “Well, aren’t you just a ray of sunshine in this drab office.” Noting the irony, he actually thought seriously of what he just said. She was pure beauty, her inky black hair was swept into a ponytail showing off her heart shaped face and crystal blue eyes. Hardly any makeup, he could tell, and her naturally flawless complexion probably did better without it. Her uniform, although intended to be unflattering to either gender, was tailored to show off every feminine curve of her sleek figure. The pale blue button up shirt only intensified her icy eyes, and just looking into them gave Joshua a surge of heat in the pit of his stomach. Looks like she’s feisty too, he thought, and I enjoy a challenge.

He offered a hand to her. “Joshua McKenna. I do believe we will be working together.” His grin widened.

She turned back to look at Sam, and he acknowledged with a nod. She let out a hot breath and looked back at Joshua.

Sam stood up to try to ease the tension Evelyn was protruding, which was comical considering he intimidates most people just by volume. “Joshua, this is Evelyn Summers.” He turned to look down at Evelyn. “You two need to get along, you will be working together for two weeks.”

“Two weeks?! Do you think I am that incapable?” She shot a look at Joshua. “Or is he that incompetent?”

Joshua finally retracted his hands, and folded his arms again. The smile was still plastered to his face. He thought it best to not say anything.

“Evelyn!” Sam said, with definite authority now in his deep voice. “Just do your job and train him. You don’t have to like it, but don’t be rude about it. Do I make myself clear?”

She inched out her chin and wisped her bangs to the side. “Crystal.”

Sam nodded and went back behind his desk. “Good, now get out of here, both of ya.”

Joshua was taking up most of the three foot doorway, but Evelyn found a way to slink past him. Fuming, she stormed out of the offices at a brisk pace, the bland cream color of the walls a blur. Finally figuring he should follow her, Joshua made a fast break to close in and get in stride next to her. They made it through the double glass doors and toward the parking lot outside.

Being that it was the end of June in Fort Worth, Texas, it was already ninety-five degrees at nine o’clock in the morning. The air was thick and stagnant with no breeze, and after only ten seconds out in it they had already started to perspire. This is why I don’t wear makeup, Evelyn thought, and why in God’s name do we have to wear polyester? My ass is already sweating.

They were halfway to the lot when Joshua finally had to ask, “Do you have a problem with me?”

Evelyn stopped abruptly to face him. The fire in her eyes made him take a step back and bump into the concrete wall. She had a finger pointed into his hard chest. “Listen, I work alone, that is why I took this job a year ago. I also get a lot of crap from guys because I’m a girl. I don’t tolerate any of it, which means I won’t take it from you either. I don’t care who it is you know, or did, to get this job. I wouldn’t even give a shit if your dad was my boss, the CEO of this company, or better yet, the ruler of the whole goddamn universe. I. Don’t. Care. Just learn your job. The faster you learn, the sooner you can leave me alone. Do you think you can handle that?”

Joshua glared at her in thought. His pulse quickened, but not with fear, because that would be what she wanted. He had the unsettling feeling it was because he liked her talking to him this way. He brushed away the thought, grabbed her finger that was digging into his chest and brought it down to her side. He spoke very coolly. “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? I’m sorry, but you are going to have to watch your language around me. It’s very unbecoming anyway, especially for an exquisite ray of sunshine such as yourself.” He gave a sincere smile that was just sweet enough for her to know it was slightly dripping with sarcasm.

Making a disgusted sound with the back of her throat she started walking again. “I am not taking you out dressed like that.”

They made it to her work truck and she stopped just short of the driver side door. It was a white late model Ford F-250, with a topper on the bed. Many distinguishable tools were organized around the truck, and a ladder rack equipped with a twenty-eight foot ladder was safely in place. The royal blue and silver Linex Cable Communications logo was on the driver’s side door.

Joshua looked down at his clothes, then back at Evelyn. “Well, as appealing as it may sound to you, I can’t go around naked. I am almost positive it is against the law.”

She gave an impatient sigh and wiped sweat off of her upper lip. For a second, she almost wanted to picture him naked. “Do you have other clothes or not?”

“Sam said I was only observing today, so I thought I would stay cool and casual. What? Do you not approve?”

“You will never look cool or casual in one hundred degree weather. And I can’t take you out meeting customers looking like that. So, if you have nothing else, I guess we will have to start over tomorrow.”

Evelyn opened the driver side door to angle into the truck. Joshua gripped the top of the frame with a hand to stop her. She looked into his pale green eyes and registered a flicker of authority and irritation in them. “It just so happens that I have some work clothes in the car. If you will give me a minute I will change.” He stared at her a beat for understanding, and ambled away.

She watched him walk toward his car, and wondered why he was getting under her skin. Sure, she has plenty of reasons to want to work alone. She works better alone, she thought. More precise, less distractions. Joshua McKenna will be a distraction. Evelyn nodded her head and pouted her lips, watching his shorts hanging dangerously low on his hips and perfect ass as he walked away. Yep, definitely a distraction. She sighed, shook her head and got in the driver seat to get the air condition running.

April Showers

2009-04-17T06:31:00.001-07:00

So, I knew April was going to be a busy month for me. I guess it didn't sink in as to how busy it was going to be.

I am on round two for Sizzlin' edits, and getting ready to send out the 3rd copy for edits. This novel is turning into something that might actually be marketable! I love what it's turning into, and what my editors have done with it. I completely and totally *heart* my editors!

Script Frenzy is, well, not going so well. I am still working on it though, adapting Mercury into a screenplay was a brilliant idea, so even if I don't finish the 100 pages in April I am definitely going to finish it at some point.

As always, thank you to everyone for all of your support, love, and inspiration.

squee

2009-03-29T06:33:00.001-07:00

There is no one word to describe how this week went. I busted ass to get the first draft of Sizzling Summers out before Script Frenzy, and I did it with 2 days to spare! So now, it's up to my super editors to polish it and make it sparkle.

Thud, the short story I wrote that Sizzling Summers is based off of, made it through round one of the WOW! Women On Writing Winter '09 Flash Fiction contest. Strange coincidence that I finish the rough draft of the novel on the same day I receive the confirmation email from WOW!

So, I am off to do research for my screenplay. I have 2 days to polish my mad screenplay writing skills and researching.

Thank you to all of my family and friends, who inspire me always, and give me a swift kick in the ass when I need it.

Script Frenzy '09

2009-03-20T04:44:00.000-07:00

Mercury was my NaNoWriMo '08 winner, and my first novel, and I am very proud of it. The forums kept asking who was doing Script Frenzy '09, and I have to admit, I told myself it wasn't going to happen. Writing is a fairly new experience for me, Mercury being my first big project, so Script Frenzy sounded little intimidating.

Well, behold the Script Frenzy website: http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/

So, after much debate and research, I thought 'okay, its doable'. Why would I try to complete a script in April when I have other projects that need to be done? For the thrill of the competition. For the deadlines, for the late night/early morning caffeine surges, and relating to six thousand other people doing the exact same thing. NaNoWriMo was one of the hardest, yet most exciting things I have ever done, so here's hoping script frenzy gives me the challenges that I crave.

I have been debating doing this for a week, with no fresh ideas in my mind. After a really bizarre dream last night, I now have not only an idea, but half a script ready to be pumped out!

Sizzling Summers is almost complete, and I am going to rush to finish it before April.

Waiting is the hardest part

2009-03-14T04:40:00.000-07:00

So, while Sizzling Summers is moving along nicely, I am playing a waiting game with everything else. I am really glad I am so involved with my novel, it keeps my mind off of other things. I am in, oh lets say, about a million contests and its all about waiting, waiting, waiting. I can be a patient person when I want to be, but its really hard.

Aside from some smaller scenes throughout the novel that I haven't written yet, I am actually working on the ending to Sizzling Summers right now. I want it to be good, really good, and this novel deserves it. A short story once, not even 750 words that I entered into a short story contest, has blossomed into a beautiful romance novel and I am very proud of it so far. I just hope the ending does the novel justice. I hope the novel lives up to its sizzlin' cover.

Just wanted a quick note out. Hope everyone finds what they are looking for.

Sizzlin'

2009-03-06T10:38:00.000-08:00

So, the weather is in the 90's this week! That's Texas for you!

You know what else is hawt?! The new cover Cathy did for Sizzling Summers! Totally captured the essence of the novel! This picture is worth 50K in words!

I get to meet my idol, my favorite author tomorrow; Richelle Mead! Can't wait!

Just letting you guys know I have been busy, busy, busy with writing. Thanks for all of the inspiration!

It's not you ... it's me

2009-03-03T03:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, must update you guys on some writing projects I am working on. Muse is very picky and .... temperamental to say the least, so I am kind of limited on which projects to do in which order. *shrugs* She's the big boss lady, so I have to do as she tells me.

Which brings me to another point; I officially do not have a full time job anymore. I was on disability for six months, and after 180 days of leave, they can terminate employment. The doctors were pretty set that I wouldn't see much of an improvement, if at all, until Dillon is in grade school. That's years ya'll. So I knew this was going to happen at some point, was just a matter of when.

I do love being home with the kids, and in the last six months I have found a passion in me that has been bursting to come out. I mean, hell, I have a complete novel now, and I am currently working on three other projects as we speak.

So, that said, my projects. Muse started Venus, then got a little sidetracked on what was supposed to be a short story I was going to enter into a contest. It's a humorous Mystery/Romance that looks into the life of an Undercover Officer trying to find a cable theft ring. This story started after I read an article that the cable industry lost 7 BILLION in revenue in 2000 due to stolen cable. So, I set out to write a short story about it, and I am halfway and its been so awesome I am trying to lengthen it to novel status. So, Muse decided this project a priority all of a sudden. There is no reasoning with her, I've tried. But I do jot down things for Venus so when I am ready to write it, it will be brilliant and live up to Mercury standards.

Tell me what you think about the awesome cover art one of my fearless editors did for me, Cathy! She rocks, as always!

The other thing is I need a flash fiction story that I am brainstorming for another contest. It's in the beginning incubation stage, so no need to get into it yet.

Yes, contests, contests, contests. If I can't get published the old fashioned route, I must set out and enter pieces into contests in hopes of winning and getting published in magazines and anthologies. Will this ever happen? I don't know, but I am going to fight trying.

I will fight trying.

Lots of love to my family, friends, fans, and hired help. Yes, I know I cannot pay with monetary compensation, but I do pay in friendship, love and humor, and always will.

Thrill me, chill me, fulfill me

2009-02-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

So, venturing into uncharted waters I dove, head first, into the murky water below.

And it was wonderful.

Brilliant in every sense of the word.

Simply Brilliant.

Did I ask for it? No.

Did I deserve to submerge myself? Maybe.

Am I glad I did it?

Absolutely.

And I have you to thank.

Thank you.

Inspiration from any and every thing

2009-02-23T07:45:00.000-08:00

I was asked once where my inspiration comes from. Anything and everything I say.

I was driving to the grocery store, and on the side of the road a hawk, yes hawk, watched me drive by. The second I saw him I had a name for a blind ferret for one of my characters, which loves to steal things and replace them with other things (ie: like hawking things for money).

I was dancing to radio disney on Saturday with my lovely daughter, and 'Walking on Sunshine' came on. Since in my of my short stories I am writing a guy nicknamed a girl 'Sunshine' I aptly put the song in there meant to woo and annoy at the same time.

I just have to look, and see it. The world is full of stories bursting to be told. If you stop and smell the flowers sometimes, the sweet essence can tantalize the imagination to infinite possibilities.

It was about time

2009-02-17T04:39:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since I blogged. Just been a little busy. Lots to do, not enough hours in the day blah blah blah, you know all the excuses.

Chris and I finally had the kids stay the night at the parents' house and we had a wonderful date night. Shopping, dinner with friends, Dave and Busters to drink and shoot things, you can't get much better than that (well, for me anyway, since I Heart all those things!). We didn't go pick up the kids until 1 in the afternoon! And then Sunday Chris went to his parents house and left me home to work, which BTW I got tons done. So I had a relatively childless 3 days, and it was fabulous. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but being home now all the time with them, well its nice to get some time off.

Today, we get our iPhones! My phone is a lot outdated, and we thought we would splurge this year on new phones for each other. I'm so excited!!!

And, as always, peace out suckahs!

Excerpt: Venus

2009-02-02T05:30:00.000-08:00

[Please excuse unedited and unpolished verion; I just had to share]

I was having a serious bout of déjà vu.

The ding of the door had me look up, and a tall, dark and mysterious man ambled into the Homegrown Café. He has russet colored skin, hair as dark as the night, and weathered molten chocolate brown eyes that were absolutely delectable. His six foot frame is lean and muscular, and today he was wearing a black button up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, un-tucked over a nice pair of designer blue jeans, and shiny black steel toed boots. He tapped the pin on his sleek titanium watch as the glass door closed behind him. He looked up at me, an eyebrow shot up, and he flashed me that million dollar grin.

Damn.

Not taking his eyes off of me, he slowly walked over and lazily took an open seat at the bar. His elbows propped up onto the white speckled counter top, and he clasped his hands together. Waiting to be waited on I suppose.

Of course, I couldn’t help but flush and smile at him. He was too gorgeous for words. He looked just like the James Dean we love and remember just darker skin and jet black hair. Quite possibly the sexiest man I have ever laid eyes on. I pushed some stray hairs behind my ears. “What can I get ya?”

The grin widened. “Just coffee.”

I grabbed a beige coffee cup from behind the counter, and poured him a cup of joe. I eyed him, and noticed he was staring at my chest. Because the girls are well endowed, they tend to get a lot of attention. I cleared my throat. “My eyes are up here.”

His vision lingered at the girls a tad longer and then made its way up to my face. That grin was still plastered to his face. “So, Paige is it?”

I fluttered my lashes and smiled. “Yes?”

He picked up his cup, the steam curling in front of his face, and he took a careful sip. He watched his cup as he set it down, and looked back at me, arms folded again. “I heard Julia was working today, do you know if she’s made it in?”

Paige Redding is my complete opposite in any and every way possible, which is probably why we are great together in the best friends department. We work as waitresses here at the Homegrown Café, and sometimes for shits and giggles we change everyone’s name badges. Okay, it might be slightly immature, but it’s good clean fun, and the locals get a good kick out of it.

My dark brown hair was nice and wavy today, and was done up in a complicated loose bun held in place by two gently worn pencils. I pulled them out, did a sexy little head shake and put the pencils in my forest green apron, appropriately embroidered with Homegrown right across the crotch. I was sporting a tight fitting solid red flannel shirt today to help against the December chill, with the top two buttons cleverly unbuttoned to show just a hint of cleavage, which helps to aid in the cushioning of my tips.

I pushed his coffee cup to the side and leaned my arms against the bar top in front of him. My hair fell across the sides of my face, and my arms were pressing my cleavage up to an all time high. I watched my finger lightly skim across his forearm, looked at him under thick eyelashes, and gave him my most sultry voice. “I can make you forget about Julia.”

This tall, dark and mysterious guy in front of me is actually no mystery at all. That is, not to me anyway. His name is Michael Vega, and he literally crashed into my life about three weeks ago, and I haven’t been able to shake him since. Not that I’m complaining or anything, I mean we are technically dating now. We haven’t officially held a press release on it or anything, but I guess it was kind of understood. Very unlike me, Michael is cool and collected and has this reputation for being able to tame my volatile temperament that can get quite out of control sometimes. So when his face fell and he dropped his jaw at what I just said to him, I couldn’t help but be smug about it. I grinned ear to ear.

He brought a fist to his mouth, coughed to gain control of himself, and I noticed he looked around the room to see if anyone was noticing our little conversation. He turned back to me, a grin tugging at his lips, and glared at me. “You need to be careful doing things like that, it can be very … distracting.”

I pouted my lower lip at him.

He smiled and lifted an eyebrow. “Besides, I don’t want to be responsible for what happens to you if Julia finds out you are flirting with me. She can be a little scary when she’s angry.”

It was my turn for my face to fall, and I glared at him.

Michael laughed softly.

We turned our attention to the front door, since a new patron was entering. It was Marvin “Chubs” Chobowsky who came in, a regular to Homegrown. He is a sixty something man with thinning white hair, very stout with a giant belly that jiggled when he did anything, especially laughed. He has a white beard, rosy cheeks and nose, and I swear if he was wearing a red suit and black boots, I would have no qualms with calling him Santa Claus.

Chubs is a single, lonely man that comes in almost every day. He is a prison guard for the Sanders Estes Prison Unit which is conveniently located less than two miles from our High School. Consequently, there are ‘Do Not Pick Up Hitchhiker’ signs all over the roads by the school. It’s a very comforting thought.

Michael nodded in his direction. “Hey Chubs.”

Chubs nodded, a mouthful of food. “Michael.”

I decided my glare should be directed at Chubs now. Homegrown was gently nestled between Richy’s Doughnut Shop and Ferrari’s Dry Cleaning, and it looked like Chubs was next door before he made his way here. “Chubs, you know you’re not supposed to bring outside food in here. If Julia finds out she might have to confiscate those doughnuts and eat them herself.”

Chubs glanced at my chest, and took a big bite of a doughnut. A glob of viscous red jelly hit his blue jean overalls. “Good thing Julia isn’t here.” He opened the box as an invitation to offer us doughnuts.

I smiled and shook my head. I took an éclair and Michael went in a regular glazed direction for breakfast.

Chubs smiled at my acceptance of defeat. “Besides, you know I’m still going to order breakfast here. You know darn well these doughnuts won’t fill this stomach.” He rubbed and patted his belly like a pregnant woman.

Out of politeness, I tried to hide my involuntary gag reflex. Gross.

Hank, one of our cooks, came through the kitchen doors with an empty cup. Hank was a couple of inches taller than my five foot seven inch frame, in his forties but looked like he was in his sixties, skin slack with lots of wrinkles. His gunmetal grey hair was buzzed as close to his head as it could get, and he had eye color that matched his hair almost perfectly. He was sporting a grease stained plain white t-shirt and a white apron over his black Dickie’s pants, and a name tag that read ‘Francine’.

Hank was pouring coffee into his cup when Michael said his greetings. Michael nodded and smiled at Hank. “Francine.”

Hank, who was standing next to me, looked up at Michael and then down at his name badge. “Ah hell.” If you knew Hank, it was a statement that really said, “Those damn teenagers are at it again! Why me?” With that he went back to his post behind the grill.

Michael, Chubs and I all looked at each other, and then burst out laughing. Hank was a man of few words, and didn’t like our little name badge games. Of course, that didn’t keep us from playing them.

Paige rushed herself through the back door, ready to begin her shift, flustered as usual. She’s a petite five foot nothing, a good forty pounds thinner than me, black hair straight out of a L’Oreal box and cut into a sleek bob with bangs. She was wearing a cute lavender sweater with tight fitting black jeans and some black Chucks, and no doubt everything she was wearing probably came from the children’s section of a department store.

A cute little purple headband popped against her black hair, and she fluttered toward me. “How come I have to be Hank? He’s a mean old fart.” She was yelling, which in Paige’s case means she was barely audible to the people standing not ten feet from her.

I rolled my eyes at her. “You snooze you lose. When you get here at the ass crack of dawn, then maybe you can pick out your own damn name badge.”

Michael grimaced. “Real classy Julia.”

I crossed my arms and stared at him.

“Sorry. Real classy Paige.”

I nodded in acceptance and gave a fake smile. “That’s me, all class all the way baby.”

Michael folded his arms and gave me a smug grin. “So where is Julia? I was hoping to catch her on break and take advantage of her before I left.”

Andrew must have heard us and sauntered through the kitchen doors. Andrew is a new cook Francine hired a couple of weeks ago, who is dreamy and adorable. He’s our age, sixteen, a couple of inches taller than me, short platinum blonde hair and attractive navy blue eyes. He is the sweet, quiet, sensitive type, the average boy next door, that actually isn’t average at all. I like him, still have feelings for him, and I think he still has feelings for me.

Andrew’s cute pout was in a sweet smile, he batted his eyelashes and gave Michael a finger wave. He was wearing a pale blue long sleeve shirt that brought out his eyes, some faded blue jeans that were frayed at the bottom, and very broken in sneakers. His name badge said ‘Julia’.

And this is how we entertain ourselves in a tiny town called Venus, Texas. We may look normal and functional on the outside, but Venus is filled with its own small town secrets. Without an actual discussion about it, no one would have ever guessed a couple of weeks ago people here started finding their supernatural abilities, and a war broke out between good and evil. Okay, that’s a little overdramatic; it was really a kidnapping involving a precious child I care about and there were only a dozen or so kids involved to get her back. The good thing is it’s over now, all parties are now in a truce and act like nothing has happened. That’s what you do in small towns; if you screw up you really can’t run away. You have to hope it blows over and everyone moves on. I still love it here, Venus is my calling. It’s not much, but it’s my home.

Brilz!

2009-01-28T13:42:00.000-08:00

Because of the awesome people like you, Mercury is pulling great numbers on Authonomy! And here is a lovely picture of the tentative cover for Venus, who my super editor Cathy has graciously made for me. I totally Heart it!

I am currently working on marketing and preparing Mercury for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, which starts February 2nd. If I need anyone's help with it, I will make sure to post the links for it. I am also working on the sequel to Mercury, Venus, and have 2 chapters done. I have about half of the novel outlined and ready to roll out. I have 3 new characters, with a possibility for a 4th, so it has been like wading through mud to get names and histories for all of them. But it is getting done, so don't you worry.

I am off to plan an offbeat birthday party with teenagers having superhuman capabilities! I am having too much fun with it!

Check out sites from a couple of my favorite authors, which I have read everything available from each:

http://www.richellemead.com/

http://www.evanovich.com/index.html

Mercury posted: Please Help!

2009-01-22T11:51:00.001-08:00

Mercury is now posted and ready for reading! Please help!

Authonomy is a site where people submit their novels for reading. People read, comment, and back the novels, and they get ranked every month. The top 5 manuscrips every month beat the 'slush' and land on an editors or publishers desk for reviewing.

So if you are interested, please read, comment and BACK the book! I love any and all constructive criticism.

http://authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=5221

Mercury: An introduction

2009-01-21T15:52:00.000-08:00

After bleeding Mercury blood for months, I have decided to finally enter my first novel into a couple of contests. Mercury has been written, criticized and edited to perfection, and I think it's time to get it out there. I did not set my hopes high in actually getting it published, considering it is very difficult to get published, especially for the first time. I did, however, anticipate to enter my piece into several contests in hopes of some sliver of recognition to keep my excitement levels up and keep doing what I love.

So, with that, I will slowly leak excerpts from Mercury and when it is readily available to read in its entirety where anyone can critique it, I will make sure I post it and you can see it for yourself.

Mercury is a young adult novel science fiction novel.

The plot bunnies have multiplied!

2009-01-18T07:54:00.000-08:00

They are not out of control yet, but I have so many ideas running through my plots I am having a hard time sorting them all out and organizing them. I actually have had to write out an outline, which I have in the past prided in the fact that I could write a novel without one. I guess my conscience can't keep up with my rampant imagination. That's okay, I tell myself, this is a zero draft, not even sufficient enough to be name a rough or first draft. We are just throwing all the ideas on paper, and hoping it will all come together in the end.

I do want to add that Muse is being good to me and I am taking full advantage of it:

The girl was a different story. I could see over Michael’s shoulder and with her heels she is almost as tall as him. She is very slim, skin flawless and the color of a rich mocha latte, hair straight and sleek and the color of warm cinnamon, glistening even in this horrible lighting. Her eyes are caramel, and I could tell she wore more makeup than me, but it was tasteful and she knew how to accentuate her high cheekbones and gloss her perfect lips. She was wearing a very feminine green, navy blue and cream argyle sweater that was long, with a navy blue pleated skirt that peeked out under the top and rode to about two inches off of the knees, and she had on suede brown boots with a high heel that hugged tight against her calf and went up to two inches below the knee. Absolutely breathtaking.

I hate her already.

They had not noticed me yet, and I saw this girl lightly brush her hand along Michael’s forearm and giggle, flashing an all too perfect smile.

The girl and I locked eyes, and Michael turned and finally noticed me standing there. He dropped his arm so that the girl wasn’t in contact with him anymore. He gave a nervous smile, which was strange because Michael never lost his composure. “Julia, hey.”

The girl gave me a warm smile and extended her hand. “Vivica Dunham. I am a … very good friend of Michael’s.”

I bet you are. I plastered on a smile that obviously didn’t want to be there. “Julia Lewis.” I reluctantly shook her hand and probably let go too quickly.

Vivica turned back to Michael, and batted her eyes. “I will see you around Michael.” She glanced my way and nodded a goodbye. “Julia.”

I nodded in return, and she sashayed her perfect ass out the door.

Beware: There is a first for everything

2009-01-14T12:03:00.000-08:00

My first official blog, and I hope to not disappoint.

I am Amanda.

I live in a magical world with thousands of ankle biting werebunnies. Where temper tantrums are drummed up only through inconceivable fictional horror stories, toilet seats put themselves down, and Pluto is still a planet. I love it here, because dust motes are replaced with bubbles, cleaning is a dirty word, and chocolate and coffee are the plentiful base of the life sustaining food pyramid. It's nice, yet I can only visit in short spurts throughout the day, or else mini-me's of the real world claim dominance on my already weak and feeble heart.