May 2019

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Sunday, May 26, 2019

WeWriWa: Memories . . . RISE BY MOONLIGHT


You can’t go home again . . . but you can revisit. That’s where returning hero, Max Savoie, of my “By Moonlight” dark paranormal shapeshifter series finds himself, looking for answers in the concluding book, RISE BY MOONLIGHT . . . if only in his dreams.

He dreamed of the frightened child he’d once been.

Max hadn’t visited that dark portion of his past for a very long time. Why now? Because of the life his mate carried? Or were the dangerous shadows of unfinished business reaching out from a swampy grave? A reminder of things he’d rather forget.

A rocking chair’s familiar creak. He tensed and twisted anxiously beneath the covers. Icy fingers of caution and loss clutched his chest. Unable to deny his desire to look again upon the worn elegance of his mother’s features, he faced his dread the way he’d addressed his life, with a cautious, reluctant need to know the truth . . . of who and what he was.

This is a bittersweet journey for Max, and for me. We’ve come a long way together, twelve years and going on 15-books, to be exact. He and his friends and enemies have made themselves mine. It’s so hard to think of them as no longer being a part of my life. Similarly, Max feels as if he’s stepping away from what he always believed himself to be way back where it began in MASKED BY MOONLIGHT.


I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me, stitching together plot points and potential loose ends into a satisfying ending. And I’ll be taking you along for the ride for the next few months in my planned race to release in 2019. Buckle up.

But this weekend is for lounging, sleeping in and welcome another birthday. Squee! I’m going to see HAMILTON – my gift to me! Another year older to binge Netflix, crack wise and sprout a few more grey hairs that will never see the light of day because only my hairdresser knows for sure.

Happy Memorial Day. Take time to remember it as not just a day off in May to fire up the grill and watch a parade. Remember those who gave all.



Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.

Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Sunday, May 19, 2019

WeWriWa: Daddy Issues – PRINCE OF DREAMS


Being the daughter of a police commissioner isn’t easy. Add family tragedy, instability, secrets and suspected criminality . . . what’s a girl to do? Especially a girl who’s fallen for a mysterious someone capable of destroying everything her life is built upon. But free-spirited Ophelia Brady, the steadfast cornerstone of her household, doesn’t march to Daddy’s orders . . . until a dangerous situation and a compromising romance pushes her into an uncomfortable corner in PRINCE OF DREAMS, book 4 in my “House of Terriot” dark shapeshifter series. (Excerpt creatively edited)

Made of stern stuff forged into unbendable iron by his ambition, Warren Brady rarely let personal feelings intrude upon duty, and he took his job as a single parent very seriously . . . or rather as a single parent in the overly critical public eye. His palm slapped down on the leather blotter, making her clear her seat cushion, as he rumbled, "Some thug gets aggressive with my daughter and you didn't think I’d find out?”

She’d missed the proverbial trap door beneath her feet until he gripped the lever. The floor fell away, leaving her dangling at the end of his carefully arranged noose of consequence.

"Pack up your crystals and cards and the rest of that nonsense. I no longer find it amusing or healthy, and it stops now before you supply fresh headlines to shame our family. Time to grow up, Ophelia, and do your part."

Her teeth clenched to keep her jaw from trembling and to prevent words she'd regret from tumbling out. There'd be no further argument. Her freedom gone, it was time to play the role of dutiful daughter.

Poor Phe! To protect her family and her father’s intriguing new employee, she must forfeit the freedoms that make life under a microscope survivable. Until she discovers some sacrifices are worth any cost. It’s then Ophelia Brady truly becomes her father’s daughter - a force to be reckoned with.


Because I’m seriously binge-ing my way through Riverdale, I found this musical number by the show’s crime kingpin’s pampered daughter a great fit. Because privilege isn’t always easy . . . and it doesn’t come without a price.

   

Once I visit everyone, I plan to spend this weekend doing some serious plotting on RISE BY MOONLIGHT, the concluding book in my shapeshifter series, while digging in the dirt to fill my patio pots with some colorful inspiration. And next weekend (everyone needs a birthday on a National holiday!), I hope to sit outside to appreciate the fruits of labor both manual and mental.

Happy Writing, fellow Warriors!


Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Sunday, May 12, 2019

WeWriWa: (Grand)Mother Knows Best! PRINCE OF DREAMS

Happy Mother’s Day for those who are one, have one, or want to be one! In celebration, this video captures Momdom in all its glory (WARNING: Amy Schumer humor ahead. Not suitable for delicate ears.)


In honor of the occasion, my PRINCE OF DREAMS is going to the source for relationship answers . . . and because I’m proud to be one, that’s Grandma . . . 

“I want to do the right thing, but I don’t know if I’d be the right thing for her.” 

His grandmother smiled, a world of experience in that gesture, as she advised, “The right thing is never the easy thing, and I can’t make that choice for you.” Her chilly hand pressed over his, reminding Kip of her frailty while at the same time, her wise expression and strong reply reassured, “If you focus only on obligations, you’ll lose the joy of being alive. Your mother would say go boldly in the direction of your happiness, but I’d add, go wisely.” She stood, her thin frame beginning to shiver, perhaps from the cold, perhaps not. “We’ll love you and support you in whatever you choose, Christopher, just make it a choice you can live with. Don’t let someone else make it for you.” 

Instead of making that promise, he said simply, “I love you, Gram.” 

Ruth Terriot smiled in resignation, brushing the floppy hair back from his troubled brow, bending to kiss it before whispering, “Don’t forget where you live.” 

He took her veined hand and laid it over his heart as he told her, “Right here, always.”

Isn’t is just like (Grand)Mom to turn it back on you when you’re looking for answers! In plain ‘Mom Speak,’ “I don’t have a clue. Figure it out yourself!” And my poor hero will . . . eventually. Isn’t that what the rest of the book is for? Mom’s know these things! Trust us. Today, we don’t want to be your Yoda. We want a hot bath, a hotter book and an hour alone to enjoy both for Mother’s Day. And a call to wish us Happy Mom’s Day, if you’re not there in person (before or after said bath!) or to fill you with happy thoughts about us if we’re only there in memories.

Next week, I’ll turn it over to my heroine to address ‘Daddy Issues.’ Fair play, after all.



Where in the World has Nancy been? Sick, mostly, after a hell week of preparing for a huge event at work. Not much writing done, but with my new ‘baby’ (that looked much smaller in the store!) I’ll be back at the keyboard . . . once I remember it’s an All-In-One computer for writing and not a 27” Dell gateway to Netflix!


After visiting all of you, I should be writing . . . right after that bath.

Happy Mom’s Day and Happy Writing, fellow Warriors!!


Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Wednesday, May 01, 2019

IWSG: Power of the Written Word

Our Insecure Writers Support Group question for May 1 is: What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?


In my upscale elementary school, I was the painfully shy daydreamer wearing out-of-style, home sewn hand-me-downs from two older sisters, with small circle of close friends who enjoyed my vivid imagination. A huge reader, I never thought storytelling would be my super power until a sixth grade English assignment. Write a fractured fairytale. After telling my story idea to friends, they encouraged me to write, Sandrella, the tale of a young teen excited about going to her first school dance in hopes of catching the eye of her rich, handsome crush with a little supernatural help. But reality can’t live up to the fantasy because the ‘prince’ turns out to be a bore, the party a drag, and the night a waste of magic. Those few hand-written pages earned me an A+, which was reward enough. But then the school newsletter was mailed out to all the parents featuring student works selected by teachers at each grade level as the best of the best.There was Sandrella, finally the belle of the ball! And beneath the title was my name. In print. For the first time ever. The thrill of seeing that typed name was somehow better than all the sudden recognition from my peers. My name. In print. And I knew right then that this sixth grader was going to grow up to be a writer. Through the power of imagination spun into words, I’d found my public‘voice.’

And she wrote happily-ever-after.


What’s your super power?


Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.The awesome co-hosts for the May 1st posting of the IWSG will be Lee Lowery, Juneta Key, Yvonne Ventresca, and T. Powell Coltrin!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Twitter hashtag is #IWSG