Proud Mama Moment

Last night was my youngling's first BSA Pinewood Derby. And his bff's mother is in the hospital, so this past week, the SU has been helping them build their cars.

B's is on the left; W's is on the right:)














Here are the two boys, showing off their 'Driver's Licenses'. Every scout who participated received one.















B's second heat; he consistently ran 2nd or 3rd place. Due to a computer glitch, W's name and car never made it into the computer, so they manually put his name in at the end, and ran him against several of the faster cars at the end.









W's car on the track during his 1st heat. His is the one with the white stripe.

What happened after all the heats had been run was a total shock. Because of the glitch, we hardly expected him to place well.









Surprise! W took 2nd place over all! And B won 1st place for his Wolf rank:) Unfortunately, my camera batteries died just as W was beginning to race, so I had a friend take pictures for me. As soon as they are uploaded to my computer, I'll post the ones from the award ceremony.

But what made this night even more special? Twelve years ago, W's older brother K won 2nd place in his troop with his PWD car! The three years K raced, he came in 2nd twice, and his car wheels were damaged in the 3rd year, so he didn't place. But since W is getting started at an earlier age, will the 2nd place hold true? Or will he do even better than his older brother? Stay tuned:)

Oh, and tomorrow, the SU has to build another car...for a Brownie Scout down the street. Yes, apparently even the Girl Scouts are getting into PWD:)

Currently Reading: Finished Deadly Illusions by Brenda Joyce, and now I want to read the others in this series. Not just your average murder mystery; there's a fascinating love triangle as a subplot! Now I'm reading a bio of Prince Charles. And in e-format, I'm still on Witch Ball. I neglected to take my e-reader charger with me last week. (Yes, I've sadly neglected this item lately...)

Terrific Tuesday with Jenika Snow:)

Welcome! Please introduce yourself and tell us about your latest release.

Hello. Firstly I want to say how happy I am to be here. My name is Jenika Snow and I am an erotic romance author. I currently write for Siren-Bookstrand, Total-E-Bound, Passion in Print, and Evernight publishing. I live in the Northeast with my husband, our daughter, and our two cats, Milo and Otis.

My latest release, Lush, is the fourth book in my Luecross Wolf series. Below is a blurb for your enjoyment.

Blurb

What is Ophelia to do when she comes into her mating heat and is irresistible to every male in her pack?

Ophelia realises she has just come into her mating heat and that she will not be able to resist the arousal that it causes. Being irresistible to every male in her tribe would be any girls dream come true, but when the two men she lusts after the most don't show an interest, Ophelia must decide if she can let her inhibitions go with the other males.

When Chase and Xavier offer to ease Ophelia's fierce arousal, she knows that although she may not be their mate, she can't pass up their offer. She spends a pleasure filled night with the men she has always dreamed about, but when Chase and Xavier announce they have found their mate, Ophelia knows she shouldn't have let her fantasy of being with them cloud reality.

Ophelia must now decide if she can finally let Chase and Xavier go and start her life with another male, or if the temptation to be with them again is too much to resist.

Reader Advisory: This is the fourth book in the Luecross Wolf series, but can be read out of order. This book contains a scene of anal penetration and double penetration.

Have you ever had an idea for a story which scared you after you began writing it?

Yes. I am actually currently writing a story that tells with forced seduction. I worry it is a little too strong a content, seeing as I have never written anything like it before, but when the idea came to be I was so engrossed I knew I had to write it.

Have you incorporated actual events from your own life into your books?

Yes. I have incorporated places I have lived, and small snippets of things that have happened to me or people I know. I think it makes the story a little more believable, even if the reader doesn’t notice what those small details are right away.

How much research do you do? Do you research first and then write, or do you write first, then research as needed?

I do quite a bit of research for my Blood Breed series, and have started delving into the BDSM research for my Dominance and Submission line. Normally when a story comes to me I just go with the flow and try not to worry too much about details that might take away from the plot and characters.

Is there any message you want readers to take from reading your work?

I want them to be able to see and feel what is going on not just read it. I want them to feel like they are right there, with the characters, experiencing what they’re experiencing.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? And have you ever had a story take on a life of its own?

I not plot out much. I see the main concept for the story in my mind and then start writing it. The story kind of unfolds on its own, and then when it is down I do another read-through which usually has me changing things around. It is all down on a sort of whim.

I think all my stories kind of take on their own life. I like to have the freedom to have the characters just go with the flow, so to speak. They speak and I listen, then I write down what I see.

How long did it take for you to be published?

I wrote my first story in 2008. I submitted it in 2009, got several rejection letters, but finally got it accepted around June 2009.

If you could go back and tell yourself anything when you first began your writing career, what would you say?

Don’t fret over the little stuff. When I got that first rejection letter it stung, badly, but I kept on trucking, despite my misery over my work not being “liked”. It is challenging, for sure, but I think I would tell myself that over and over again to not be so discouraged.

Laptop or pen and ink? What are your ‘must-haves’ when writing?

Laptop, for sure. Although I have to say when I first played with the idea of writing a story and jotted it down on paper. Now I have to use a computer because it is so much quicker, and eco friendly.

My must-haves? Good question. All I need is a computer, ideas, and a little motivation and I am good to go.

Who are your favorite authors? Who would you say influenced you the most?

I love so many that it wouldn’t be far too only name a few. When I first started writing it was Christine Feehan and Lora Leigh that inspired me to write. I loved their worlds and the characters they created. They were the ones that gave me the passion to actually go through with my book.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

I have OCD. I have lived with it since I was twelve. It has been tiring for me through the years, but right now it is manageable. If you want to learn more about OCD, check out International OCD Foundations. It has some awesome information.

http://www.ocfoundation.org/

For Fun:

What is your favorite Spring Break vacation?

Honestly? I don’t go on spring break. My favorite vacation thus far would have to be Holland. I went to Amsterdam with my mom, sister, daughter and husband. It was amazing! We went to Anne Frank’s house and saw some pretty amazing things. The weather was also a beautiful 70 degrees (in August mind you) the entire time we were there!

Favorite St. Patrick’s Day memory or ritual? (ie: Do you wear green? Fix corned beef and cabbage? Speak with an Irish dialect for fun?)

The last time I celebrated St. Patrick’s day was several years ago. My husband and I went down to Columbus with some friends and partied the whole night. I got pretty drunk, but I remember the night so I guess it wasn’t all bad.

I’m a March Madness fan. Do you follow the college basketball tournaments? If so, who’s your favorite team?

I don’t watch sports, well, if you count gymnastics and ice skating then I do watch them. J

Thank you for being here today! Please tell us where we can find your books.

My books can be found at:

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/jenika-snow

All Romance Ebooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Jenika+Snow

Total-E-Bound: http://www.total-e-bound.com/authordetail.asp?A_ID=112

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/pages/Jenika-Snow.html

Passion in Print: http://www.passioninprint.com/future.php

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jenika+snow&x=0&y=0

Barnes & Noble: http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=jenika+snow&page=index&prod=univ&choice=allproducts&query=jenika+snow&flag=False&r=1&ugrp=1

Shampoo Woes

Why must companies always have to 'new and improve' stuff? Can't they keep well enough alone?

For years I used Ivory Shampoo and Conditioner. Then they decided to combine it. I HATED it. And since I was now a young mother with a baby, and had to take fast showers, I switched to Pantene.

Their 2-in-1 for normal hair was awesome! And when I decided to start color-treating my hair or perming it, I switched to the appropriate formula.

And then we decided to join Quixtar. I tried their shampoo and conditioner, and liked it. But four years later, we could not afford to stay in, so it was back to the store brands.

Now Pantene's 'normal' could not be found. But they has 'Classic Clean' as well as the 'Color-treated' kind. When I had my hair highlighted, I used the softer, color-treated. But otherwise, I used Classic Clean.

Until two months ago. Walmart doesn't carry it anymore, and Pantene now has formulas for Frizzy to Smooth; Dry to Moisture; Flat to Volume. WTH??? I checked at CVS: They still carried the Classic Clean. Thank God!

But two weeks ago, we were in a hurry, and I only wanted to make one stop.

I decided to try Flat to Volume.

UGH! It made my hair feel like it had glue in it!

Then I went to my mom's house for three days. She had the 'Smooth' kind. I used it, and it took the gloppy feel out of my hair. Oh happy day!

Coming home, I decided to try my daughter's 'Color Me Happy' from Herbal Essence. I hated the smell, but at least it didn't weigh my hair down. Convinced the hubby to take me back to Walmart, where I picked up a bottle of Frizzy to Smooth. And tried it this morning.

Success:) I like it!

As soon as I can afford it, I'm going to go back to CVS and buy up several bottles of Classic Clean, if they still have it. Otherwise, I'll lay in a supply of the F-S so I won't be caught in this predicament again.

Until they decide to 'improve' the line again....(eye roll!)

Flashback Friday

March 2001:
We were getting ready for another Youth Baseball season:) Since my van had been destroyed, and I was now reduced to a mid-sized Buick, the treasurer of the league and I put our heads together and decided to try ordering our supplies from our local Dairyland convenience store. He procured the catalog and showed me how to fill out the order sheet.

Some items couldn't be ordered, so I still made trips two or three times into Sam's Club or GFS. But the biggest change came with the addition of chili and the new cheese sauce, as well as a temporary loss of space.

I thought I was ordering the #10 can of cheese, same as I got at Sam's, but as it turned out, the cheese came in bags! I ended up buying a flat of cheese cans from Sam's, and using one can per week, refilling it with the cheese in the bags. This brought confusion to my concession reps, who didn't like the new system. But since I couldn't return the bags, I insisted on using them. Some reps refused; others threw away the cans and filled the cheese machine with the bagged cheese, creating a huge mess at the end of the evening.

Another issue was the chili. When I was a new c-rep, I HATED burning my hands on the crock pot. So I used my crock pot in the same manner as the cheese machine: Add a few inches of water, insert can. No burning your hands while taking the CP out of the microwave, right? Well, some reps still dumped the contents of the can into to CP, creating another mess for me to clean up!

Temporary Loss Of Space:
Our Youth League Board had decided it was time to light the baseball fields, or at least the bottom two. So for the month of March, my storage space was limited, as the equipment, poles, and wire were stored where normally stacks of bottled drinks stood. Our president had taken it upon himself to build me a set of shelves above the chest freezer, so that helped. But Pepsi wasn't too thrilled when I had to send about thirty cases of drinks back, because we simply didn't have the space to store them. And my driver had changed, and the new one wasn't as friendly and helpful as the last one. My old one would reload the cooler if it was low, and neatly stack everything in the storage area. My new one simply unloaded and left everything inside the main area. This did cause my arm muscles to improve, lol:) But it upset me the first time I arrived with a trunk load of supplies, only to find I'd have to first shift stacks of 20 oz bottles around first.

Our Vice President had resigned, and a new VP was installed. I got along fine with his wife and kids, but this man constantly got on my nerves. I very nicely ordered a flat a month of Diet Dr. Pepper, but he seemed to get pissed off if I sold any bottles to anyone else! WTH??? And as events would unfold the coming year, a power struggle ensued. But I'll tell you about that more in detail around June, heh heh heh...

Want Your Take On This:
Check this out: I say the blogger was a rookie who was afraid of rocking the boat. I'd have posted it; would you?

Have a good weekend; I played catch-up online yesterday; now it's time to play catch-up with my chores:) Laundry awaits...

Do They Really Think We're Stupid?

Saw this on the news this morning: The FDA wants movie theaters to post the caloric content of their concession snacks and/or start providing 'healthy snacks' for movie goers: yoghurt, fruit, or granola bars.

As it turns out, everyone's favorite snack, the buttery popcorn, has the same amount of calories as three Big Macs. The Big Mac combo has fewer calories.

My take on today's 'news': So what?

I've said this before: When I go to McD's, I know I'm getting calorie-laden chicken nuggets, the best french fries in the world, and the best sweet tea. If I want to eat 'healthy', I'll either fix it myself or go to Subway (although, to be perfectly honest here, I only eat ham and cheese on Monterray Cheddar bread, and only put mustard on my foot-long). When I go to Dairy Queen or any ice cream store, I want lots of chocolate syrup on my sundae, or Brownie Batter ice cream. I don't want to eat 'healthy' for these treats.

So why mess with the movie theatre? Granted, I don't go to the movies that often anymore; we can't afford it. But sometimes I'll recreate that feeling with some microwave popcorn and add my own melted butter all over it. Or, grab my bag of pistachio nuts while indulging in my favorite DVD or rented one.

Does the FDA really think we're that dumb, that we don't know what we're eating anymore? Yes; once upon a time, people played dumb and sued fast food restaurants because of their weight issues, or even the temperature of their coffee (massive eye roll). But in the past ten years or more, people have wised up to the calorie/heart healthy/diabetic diets. THEY KNOW what they should and should not eat. And it's their CHOICE. Don't destroy my CHOICE to indulge in a greasy, buttery, salt-laden bucket of movie popcorn. That's half the fun of going to the movies.

My second favorite movie food? Junior mints. Milk Duds were a close 3rd...until I had braces and they were too sticky. So I was then hooked on Junior Mints and popcorn. But as the prices rise, I'm more selective. And I still can't drink very much during the movie; they won't pause it while I dash to the ladies' room. Another reason to stay home and watch it on DVD.

Terrific Tuesday with Avah LaReaux:)

Welcome! Please introduce yourself and tell us about your latest release.

My name is Avah LaReaux and I’m a saga fiction author. My current novels are three installments in my Lost & Found saga series. The first two releases are What’s Done in the Dark and Song of the Siren. The most recent entry to the series is entitled Bastards. Though Bastards is the third book in succession, it is the last of the prequel piece of the series and tells the story of the Clayton family, specifically the main character Marcus, from the beginning.

Have you ever had an idea for a story which scared you after you began writing it?

I actually have been apprehensive of some of my storylines. My concerns usually stem from the desire to present a well researched product, but also touch on issues that are often uncomfortable to approach in conversation. Broaching many subjects often means running the risk of touching a sensitive spot with some readers. As an artist, that is very uncomfortable at times.

Have you incorporated actual events from your own life into your books?

My books focus on issues that are common to all people. I personally haven’t experienced each of them, but like many people, I know those who have. My work doesn’t focus on a set of events so much as the motives and underlying issues at the heart of the events.

How much research do you do? Do you research first and then write, or do you write first, then research as needed?

I do both. Which method I employ depends on the subject matter. With the Lost & Found saga series, I explore issues that required a great deal of research. The works involved medical issues, social complexities, and cultural traditions that must be presented in an accurate light. With this series, I’ve done hundreds hours of research. That’s actually the fun of writing.

Is there any message you want readers to take from reading your work?

The message for readers depends on the series or individual work. Each series has a focus, be it human motives or self-actualization. Each individual work also has a theme or purpose. Over all, I want readers to go away from my novels with a better understanding of the characters and the effects those characters had on everything around them.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? And have you ever had a story take on a life of its own?

I’m big on plot and all my stories have their own lives. A story has to be built from the ground up just like a sturdy building. Fiction is meant to entertain, true enough, but that is only achieved with a solid plot and well-developed characters. Scenery and voice make the foundation (plot) stronger. A story without a strong plot is like a paper without a thesis.

How long did it take for you to be published?

My first novel was published in 2008, but it was completed in 2006. I had actually been writing the series since 2002.

If you could go back and tell yourself anything when you first began your writing career, what would you say?

“Don’t worry about the critics. Tell your story, your way. Don’t worry about the powers that be. Make your mark on literature the way all artists have, be they Modernists or Renaissance artists. Tell the story for the readers. Be relentlessly true to yourself.”

Laptop or pen and ink? What are your ‘must-haves’ when writing?

Both. I usually type the first “sounds” of my novels and then make notes on specific facts or details I want to be clear about. I need both to build the foundation.

Who are your favorite authors? Who would you say influenced you the most?

I have an extensive list of favorite authors. I won’t fill the page with them all. I’m a poet first so Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou. Novelists include [James] Patterson, Eric Jerome Dickey, Nora Roberts, Toni Morrison. Those are just a few I draw inspiration from. I LOVE James Patterson and Nora Roberts:)

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

My readers would be surprised to learn that I am inspired by the British Women’s Suffrage Movement.

For Fun:

What is your favorite Spring Break vacation?

I don’t travel during Spring Break. I prefer to spend my time with my daughters, lounging and enjoying each other’s company.

Favorite St. Patrick’s Day memory or ritual? (ie: Do you wear green? Fix corned beef and cabbage? Speak with an Irish dialect for fun?)

I always take advantage of picking up Shamrock Shakes for me and my girls – if they are available. They’re hard to find sometimes.

I’m a March Madness fan. Do you follow the college basketball tournaments? If so, who’s your favorite team?

I don’t watch as much college basketball as I have in the past, but because I’m from Kansas City I always keep an eye on Kansas. My favorite college team, basketball or football, is Oklahoma, however.

Thank you for being here today! Please tell us where we can find your books.

Thanks for having me, Molly. Book lovers can always find me in Avey World at www.avahlareaux.com. I’m also on FaceBook atwww.facebook.com/avah.lareaux or they can follow me on Twitter as Avah LaReaux. All my books can be purchased online or at your favorite bookseller.

Blurb:
One life truly affects another. How much more accurate would that statement be if the lives were linked by blood? Meet the young Marcus Clayton and the residents of the Bradhurst community as they live, learn, and love according to their own rules. Will morals win out over physical desires or will lust overpower better judgment and foundational teaching? Join the journey, meet the players, and discover how what’s done in the dark leads to a siren’s song.



Excerpt:

It was ten o’clock when Poppa C looked up from his work to see Chad Richardson running into the shop.

“Hey, boy, stop yo’ li’l ass right there. If you want a haircut, bring yo’ mama. If not, go back outside.”

Chad was famous for running through the Clayton house. Poppa C was in no mood to babysit.

“Poppa C, c’mon! It’s Marcus! Poppa C, c’mere!”

“What the…?”

That statement brought Poppa C, Mr. Marvin, Mr. Tom, and Jake Jr., who was in the middle of getting his cut, out the door and up the hill to Paradigm Apartments. Before they even got close to where Marcus was, the crew from the barber shop could hear children shouting and cheering. Once the men reached the scene, they saw Marcus straddling another boy, punching him wildly. Poppa C had to drag Marcus off the boy.

“What hell is wrong with you, boy?” Poppa C asked as he smacked Marcus in the back of the head and walked him back down the hill. He left Mr. Marvin to disperse the rest of the crowd and take the punch-drunk youth, whose name was found to be Ronnie Ford, back to his aunt’s apartment.

“He deserved it!” Marcus yelled once he reached his grandparents’ house.

“You got a nasty temper, li’l boy.” Taking a quick whiff, Robert Clayton snapped, “What the hell is that smell, Dino?”

“Dog shit!”

“You playing in dog shit now?”

“No, sir. We rubbed that nigga’s face in it.” Marcus was breathing hard and obviously angry.

Looking up, Poppa C saw his clients walking back to the shop. He walked Marcus inside the house and kissed his forehead. “Alright, chief, go take a shower and change your clothes. Tell me what happened when you get back…” Before he could finish his sentence, Poppa C saw Chad coming through the door. “Boy, do you ever knock?”

Laughing lightly, Chad answered, “Nah, Poppa C. This is just like my house.”

“Well, in that case, I’m just like your grandpa. Get yo’ ass home and get cleaned up. Now! I want an explanation from you and Dino in fifteen minutes. If you late, I’m beating you like I beat Dino. Got it?”

“Yes, sir,” Chad shouted as he ran out the door and to his house.

In a little more than fifteen minutes, the boys had returned to the barber shop to entertain Poppa C and his clientele. More men had arrived since the time Chad had come for help and now the shop was filled with customers. Marcus and Chad took turns telling the story from the beginning.

“I was minding my own business, Granddad, and him and his cousins came down here talking sh—” Marcus caught himself before he completed the word. He could talk freely with his grandfather, but not in front of the customers. “I mean, talking crazy and playing the dozens. I wasn’t in the mood today, Pop.”

“No lie, Poppa C,” Chad chimed in. “They came down here being punks, talking bad about everybody. He started picking on Shelly and her sisters. He started it.”

“You say he was picking on Shelly?” Mr. Marvin spoke up. Marvin was actually Marvin Brenner, Shelly’s father.

“Yes, sir,” Marcus answered quickly. He wanted to get on with the story. “It was Ronnie, though, not his cousins, Mike and Darren. They weren’t saying anything.”

Chad joined back in. “Dino just told Ronnie to shut up. That’s when Ronnie started calling him a pretty boy and a half-breed.”

“That’s what he was calling Shelly and Angie and Melly. That wasn’t cool, Granddad. You said don’t let no nigga fuck with yo’ bitches.” That comment garnered plenty of hushed laughter from the customers, not including Marvin Brenner. “I told him to go on with that shit, but he kept talking.” Some of the men were now standing and walking toward the door. Marcus’ fervor and language was causing near mass hysteria. “So I told him to kiss my ass and leave.” Mr. Tom could hold his laughter no longer. He burst into a loud roar as he doubled over in the chair. The other men laughed, too, and slapped their knees. “He swung on me and I dropped him. The end,”

The End of The Mockingbird....

To borrow a line from my good friend J. Travis Grundon's blog - They Killed a Mockingbird...


As many of you know, the past six months I've enjoyed my 'home away from home' at The Mockingbird Book Emporium. I've loved cataloging each and every book; helping customers find their favorites; talking to local authors; and best of all, uninterrupted writing/reading/internet time!

It's been a dream of mine for several years to own my own bookstore, or at least work in one, so when my good friends BC Brown and J. Travis Grundon announced the timing was right, the money was available, and they were set to open one, I eagerly answered the call for help in any way possible. I sacrificed sales during my 'promotion period'; people saw my set up and assumed I was simply advertising the store, not selling books. But it was okay; people were picking up my cards and writing the name and location of the store on the back. BC and I made a trip north to my storage unit and I not only enjoyed a wonderful lunch with her and another one of my best friends, but brought back thirty boxes of books to peruse and catalog.

Early response was wonderful. But then issues cropped up.
-My SU objected to the time I was spending at the store, instead of being at home to supervise the youngling's homework, or doing things with him. He even made appointments during my shift, causing me to call other volunteers in to cover, or to put a sign on the door saying 'Back in an hour.'

-BC herself was involved in a six car pileup, causing her to not only miss six weeks from her primary job, but putting extra stress on her business partner to cover her sudden loss of income.

-At Christmas, we discovered our 'prime location' wasn't so prime. During the much-hyped "Santa Stroll', in which the three of us, plus three other local authors were the Grand Marshals of the parade, our tiny store hardly had any customers. Main Street was wall-to-wall people, but if you turned the corner, crickets were chirping. That was really discouraging.

-Bad weather during January and February caused us to stay closed; I certainly was in not mood to risk injury to myself or my car, and 'sane' people would stay safe and warm inside their own homes, so we only opened on clear days. I was thankful to get out of the house for a while, and we did a small amount of sales.

As BC puts it:
"But the fanfare quickly died away, the shine wearing off in as little as the first month in operation. After nearly 4 months of dwindling sales, sometimes full weeks going by without so much as a single customer, we kept hearing "This is just what this town needs!" and "Finally! A bookstore. I'll be back when I have a moment to actually browse." But those moments never came - no one's schedule magically opened up to reveal extra time to let them come in and support "what this town needs". And, while we did have a few very loyal customers, and cherish them more than anything, the lack of enthusiasm or even flat interest from the rest of the populace was overwhelming.

This said, many can understand how mine and Trav's own enthusiasm for the store began to wane. How the fire we had turned to ember. But we continued to fan those ember's hoping for some sort of phoenix to rise from the quickly accumulating ash. But, as the weeks progressed and our frustration for the lack of support of a town that can house so many bars, fast food restaurants, and tattoo parlors but can't manage to support one small used bookstore, we learned a valuable lesson."

And the past two weeks, we've had more 1st-time customers, who expressed their displeasure we were closing. This, despite flyers, front page news articles, and numerous radio interviews with BC. Two customers came in Saturday, as I was packing up books, and asked if we were just opening. When I explained it was our last day in business, their jaws dropped. My first thought was, "Where were you six months ago?"

So the store is closed; the mockingbird is dead. I'm back to writing at home, and driving my as-of-now-retired husband (he filed the papers today) crazy, due to my 'other job' involves answering email, writing, promoting other authors on this blog, promoting my own work on loops, and oh yes, keeping up with the laundry, the grocery shopping, the cooking, and whatever else is in the 'Mommy' part of my job description, ha ha:)

I am currently taking a much needed 'vacation'...my kids are on Spring Break, so we've left the SU at home by himself, and spending time with my dad. My mom is in Vancouver with my sister and hosting 'Camp Grandma' for my niece and nephew, who get TWO weeks of Spring Break!

Tomorrow, author Avah LaReaux will be here, and I'll check in periodically. I don't know if I'll post again until Friday, so enjoy your 'holiday' from my March Madness rambling:) And head over to Kenzie's blog, as she talks about her biggest writing challenges.

Saturday's Stupid Saying

It is impossible to sell animal stories in the USA.
publisher's rejection of George Orwell's classic Animal Farm
(I wonder how long before the rejectee was fired??)

Awesome Update From Kristin!
"My oncologist told me yesterday that my immune system is working 3 times harder than normal. I have 3 times more white blood cells fighting the cancer right now. WOO HOO - You go, white blood cells!!!! Kick this cancer's butt!!! :)"

I'm posting over at the RBRU blog about Kenzie's characters; stop by, say hi, and tell me about your 'imaginary friends'?

Sad Day....
Today is my last day as Head Volunteer at The Mockingbird Book Emporium. We are officially closed as of 6pm today. I'll have more about this on Monday.

Today, I'm packing up the last of my books; keeping track of NCAA scores, and tonight will hopefully be attending the musical 'Funny Girl', as two friends have parts.

Tomorrow is the SU's 57th birthday, and we're taking K back to Purdue. It is still undetermined if daughter, younling, and myself will be staying up there for a few days; I still have to talk to Grandpa.

Have a good weekend and GO BOILERS:)

Flashback Friday:)

1991:
The current SU and I were dating at this point, and his birthday is March 20th. I sent him a balloon and three red roses (one for each month we'd been officially dating) at his job, and we enjoyed a special dinner at the Olive Garden that evening.

I also took him to the wedding of a good friend of mine, who was my very first boyfriend at the tender age of twelve. He and his wife just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary yesterday, and I'm still waiting for him to approve my friend request on FB. His brother and mother have already added me; I sent him a private "Happy Birthday/Anniversary" message. Yes, they married on his birthday!

Kenzie Has Another Cover:)
Click here to see Kenzie's awesome cover art! I posted two samples yesterday on FB, and within an hour, had women (and a few men!) drooling over the first cover.

NCAA Tournament, Round 2:
Yesterday, I was 12/15 (I missed getting my pick into one of the games) and today I'm hoping to do better. I posted my picks on FB, in the 'Notes' section. Three Indiana teams play today: Purdue, Notre Dame, and Indiana State. Good luck Hoosier Boys:)

Update on Kristin:
She's home:) She's getting evaluated today to see if she starts another round of chemo on Monday, or if they'll let her 'rest' a week. Prayers are working; she was able to come home on a beautiful day, and go for a walk with her kids.

In Other Family News...
My mother left for Vancouver yesterday, to host 'Camp Grandma' for my sister's children. They have TWO weeks off for Spring Break; apparently the school board crunched the numbers and determined they would save a lot of money that way. And since my sis has plans to come home in May, she could not afford to take time off from work. So Grandma to the rescue! And my BIL is on consultation assignment up in the Yukon Territory, with no word on when he'll return. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in May:)

And No, I've Not Forgotten Japan...
Word has arrived that our Japanese friends are all okay. Mrs Sato (the lady my father drives to and from lessons and cardio rehab) reports her family has contacted her and they are safe. My mother has heard from her friend Osako, and their family is doing well also. But the devastation is just heartbreaking. Thoughts and prayers to anyone who has friends and loved ones over there.

Have a good weekend! As I stated, the SU's birthday is Sunday; Daughter and youngling begin their Spring Break tonight, and K has determined the ignition module on his truck has gone bad. So it will probably be Easter Weekend before he gets his truck back up to Purdue. It's been wonderful having him home for the week, and I'm going to miss the 25' ethernet cord he brought with him: It's allowed me to have my laptop in the kitchen, the bedroom, and the living room, without hijacking anyone's unsecured wifi! Guess what I may get the SU for his birthday, hahahahaha....

"How Do I Get Published?"

This question was posed recently, and my knee-jerk reaction was to tell the person, "Don't do it the way I did." My next question was what genre? He hadn't a clue. So I asked him to tell me about his story. After a few moments, I determined he was writing fantasy, with a little sci-fi thrown in.

Now we're getting somewhere. Is the book finished? Not yet, but soon. Even better. Now we can start to search for publishers.

Here's what I told him:

-Write the book. Edit. Get someone else to read it, and make constructive comments.

-Go to the P&E site and search publishers, or google Fantasy Publishers, and double-check with P&E.

-Write a query letter and send it off.

-Get online and find a group of authors and writers to network with, within the genre.

-Join social media. I happen to be a fan of Facebook, but there are others addicted to Twitter and GoodReads. Start a blog; get a website. Anything to start getting your name out there.

-And Keep Writing:)

Anything else I should tell him next week?

It's That Time Of Year Again!
I picked UALR and Clemson to win last night. Only Clemson won. And I discovered I can watch the games on my laptop:) I no longer have to 'torture' my family by monopolizing the TV:) I don't know if this will hold true once the other games start on Thursday, but at least tonight I can watch to my heart's content...taking a break for Survivor, naturally:)

Tonight:
Alabama St
USC

Terrific Tuesday with Missy Welsh:)

Welcome! Please introduce yourself and tell us about your latest release.

Thanks for having me here, Molly, and hello everyone! I’m Missy Welsh and I write M/M Romance, specifically gay erotic romances. My latest is a short story called KLT23 published by MLR Press. It’s a story about a Sergeant Horatio Muir who works in a secret government lab monitoring a genetically enhanced super-soldier codenamed KLT23 who is suffering from an unknown illness that just might kill him. The possible cure? Sex, of course! Muir volunteers for the job, desperate to save the amazing man he calls Kelty.

Have you ever had an idea for a story which scared you after you began writing it?

I did have one idea for a story that freaked me out, yes. I wasn’t so much scared as a bit alarmed that something that dark had come out of my head. I’m sure anyone would be concerned if they suddenly had a serial killer chatting them up to tell his story. O.o He’s locked away for now.

Have you incorporated actual events from your own life into your books?

Oh yes. My first book, My Summer of Wes, was about a recent high school graduate who lived through four years of high school bullying. I made his experiences more violent than mine ever were, but the theme was one I knew well. It was both painful and therapeutic to write about Malcolm Small, but he still remains my favorite character.

How much research do you do? Do you research first and then write, or do you write first, then research as needed?

I write then research, so I’m only looking to answer the questions I couldn’t while writing. For example, in My Summer of Wes, Mal’s boyfriend restores classic cars. I like looking at them and I like car shows, but I didn’t know anything more about them like how long it takes, where you get parts, how much they sell for when complete. I wrote a lot of the scenes and bluffed my way through it, then I did my research and polished those scenes with my new knowledge. For my second book, Take The Shot, I needed information on the online porn industry and for KLT23, I needed to understand military ranks.

Is there any message you want readers to take from reading your work?

Not so much a message as a feeling. I want the stories I read to have satisfying and happy endings, so I want to give those same feelings to my readers.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? And have you ever had a story take on a life of its own?

I think I’m a little of both, with frequent bouts of pansting. I might see a photo that immediately inspires a short story that I can bang out in a few hours. Sometimes, though, I’ll get an idea that comes with a series of events that will form the plot.

How long did it take for you to be published?

I started writing when I was 12 and was published the first time when I was 34. :) Technically, though, I’d say it took about a year. After reading a ton of M/M Romances, I finally decided to give writing one a try -- heretofore, I’d only written M/F and only for my own happiness. A year later, when I couldn’t polish that story any more, I submitted the story to Loose Id and they gave me my first contract. Within 5 months, I was published.

If you could go back and tell yourself anything when you first began your writing career, what would you say?

I think I would’ve told myself to jump in and submit something a lot sooner than I did. Self-doubt is a b*tch. I waffled back and forth for way too long between feeling like I so had this and feeling like I couldn’t possibly measure up. What was the worst that could happen? A rejection letter? You know, most electronic publishers or small presses actually send you the reasons why they’re rejecting your submission. Fix it and send it in again!

Laptop or pen and ink? What are your ‘must-haves’ when writing?

The things I need are my MacBook, a beverage, white noise of some type (fan, fish tank bubbles, street noise), and being left alone for several hours. It’s the last part that can sometimes be really hard to come by. LOL:) Isn't it the truth? I've joked about locking myself in a motel room for a week by myself!

Who are your favorite authors? Who would you say influenced you the most?

Suzanne Brockmann and her Jules Cassidy character sent me down this road, but it was really authors like Jet Mykles, J. L. Langley, M. L. Rhodes, Josh Lanyon and Jordan Castillo Price who gave me my M/M Romance education. And I’m still learning! I’ve been reading Stephani Hecht’s Lost Shifter series and thinking about writing my own series soon.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

I’m really very shy around men :)

For Fun:

What is your favorite Spring Break vacation?

My family is big into Disney and our favorite time to go is late winter/early spring. It’s not necessarily Spring Break, but we love the smaller crowds and cooler weather of Disney World around this time of year. I don't blame you! I've only been to Disney in the summer time and 90-100 degree weather!

Favorite St. Patrick’s Day memory or ritual? (ie: Do you wear green? Fix corned beef and cabbage? Speak with an Irish dialect for fun?)

Technically, as a Protestant Irish, I’m supposed to wear orange, but I’m kind of a rebel and get my green on instead. I have a pair of earrings that say “Kiss me, I’m Irish” that I love because most people follow through seeing as how they had to lean in to read the message anyway ;)

I’m a March Madness fan. Do you follow the college basketball tournaments? If so, who’s your favorite team?

The only time I followed basketball was when Lebron James was in high school here and later playing for the Cavs. Now that he’s abandoned us, the sport is dead to me :P

Thank you for being here today! Please tell us where we can find your books.

Thanks so much for having me here, Molly! This was fun! You can find my books at most eBook sellers, but you’ll always find the latest information, blurbs, excerpts and links at http://missywelsh.com.

BLURB FROM KLT23

Sergeant Horatio Muir has fallen hard for the genetically-engineered super-soldier he’s been assigned to observe for the past several months. Now, when Kelty′s life hinges on the scientists who made him finding a cure for the illness slowly killing him, Muir might just be exactly what Kelty needs. Muir’s willing to sacrifice anything to save his man, including his heart, but will it be enough?

EXCERPT FROM KLT23

I seriously loved my job, despite it consisting of me sitting like veal in a booth all day long. What I loved was the part where I got to watch the man of my dreams on that monitor and through the glass window in front of me. Every day, all day long.

Except now, I was seriously not looking forward to having to watch the man of my dreams fuck some woman even though the brass thought it would save his life.

He had been genetically engineered to be the perfect man and perfect soldier. He was their twenty-third try and the one that looked like he was going to make it. The others hadn’t made it to this stage, having never achieved consciousness after they came out of the incubators. This one, KLT23, had been exceeding expectations from the very beginning. Until he’d gotten this illness they couldn’t identify and couldn’t cure. Until Dr. Miles came up with the theory that KLT23 needed to get laid like Spock had in that Star Trek episode. Fuck or die. And in came the women.

I called him Kelty in my head, and I was growing to enjoy his method of telling these bastards he very much did not want yet another naked woman brought into his domain. This last one had walked in stark naked, gone straight for his bed, laid down and spread her damn legs. In the air! I’d held my breath in horror as he’d gone over there, but he’d grabbed her by her hair and encouraged her to get the hell out.

She’d just left, sobbing, and I watched him stalk back over to his bed and flop down. His gorgeous dick rested against his abs and he stroked it almost absently, closing his fevered blue eyes with a loud sigh. My dick grew that much harder as I watched him. He’d been walking around naked and hard as a rock for three days now. Three fucking days! And I got to watch him for every hour of my shift. It was like some kind of superhero porn channel. Except… I sighed yet again, staring and feeling that niggle of worry swim around in my gut. They said his brain wouldn’t be able to take much more of the fever. If they didn’t figure this out, he would die and it would be horrible. The most amazing man I’d ever known and I might have to sit out here and watch him die.

It wasn’t just that KLT23 was a physical embodiment of everything masculine and drool-worthy. He was smart as all hell, a really quick learner, had a huge stubborn streak, and a wiseass sense of humor that always cracked me up.

He’d picked up six languages already and got a kick out of having a Russian day or a Farsi day where he’d only speak that language regardless of how much they yelled at him to knock it off. He read the military biographies they gave him so fast that I was having trouble keeping up with reading the same books at home in my off hours. I didn’t know why I bothered since they’d never actually let me talk to him about them. Well, I guess I just wanted something to connect us more than me staring at him for eight hours a day. More than him occasionally staring back.

Like now. He watched me, sweat on his brow and cheeks pink, looking so alone. I wanted to go in there and give those amazing lips a reason to smile. He kept making me want to take care of him like I’d never wanted to with anyone else. And we’d never said a word to each other, so that was just…pathetic.

I sighed and tried to refocus on the conversation happening beside me.

“This isn’t working,” General Derringer said, rubbing the bridge of his nose under his glasses. “Why the hell isn’t this working?”

“I think I have a theory,” Miles said, and I couldn’t help leaning a little closer to hear. I loved how that little nerd’s brain worked.

“Well?” Dr. Rudolph asked impatiently, his face flushed like a wino at Christmas.

“I don’t think he likes women.”

I nearly fell off my fucking chair.

Saturday's Stupid Saying

Question on BBC One's Test The Nation: Who was Winston Churchill-a rapper, US president, the PM, or king?

Miss Great Britain 2006 Danielle Lloyd: Wasn't he the first black president of America? There's a statue of him near me-that's black.

On Miss Great Britain, sharp as hell...

Prayers Needed:
If you've been following my updates on Face Book, you know the person I consider my other little sister is currently undergoing intense invasive chemo treatments for her melanoma. I woke up Thursday to a scary update; she'd had trouble breathing during the night, and the doctors were going to cut short her treatments.

Then yesterday, she was doing well and even getting demanding...and K isn't the demanding sort! One of her friends joked to her husband to 'watch out; this side effect might last a long time!"

This morning, I was scrolling through the updates and saw she'd had a bad night again. Around 2am, they'd moved her into the cardiac ICU, with fluid in her lungs. And just after I posted it to my wall, and offered up a prayer, I clicked over to her brother's wall to send him a message. He had just updated she'd pulled through, but the docs were keeping her one more day. She's due to go home tomorrow, to be with her family.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers? She's only 41; she'll be 42 next month, and is the mother of a 10 and almost 7 year old. Way too young to have their mother taken from them.

Flashback Friday

1981:
To recap the story thus far: I captured the attention of popular senior while at a Youth Group pool party. Some girls in my grade were jealous, especially after he hugged me in November. I worked up the nerve to offer him a 'kiss' at Valentine's day; I had a handful of Hershey Kisses. He declined, but then we laughed about it ten seconds later.

In March, one of our scheduled Youth meetings were canceled, so a bunch of us decided to meet at someone else's house. I went, and after my father dropped me off, he mentioned he'd be back for me around seven, as he was taking me to see 'Excaliber'. I was excited; this would be my first 'R' rated movie! But the closer we got to the seven o'clock hour, plans changed.

The movie 'Joni' was also playing, and I had tried unsuccessfully several times to see it (this was before the days of advance tickets). When we got bored with 'Myron Uno' (playing Uno, only cheating was okay, as long as you didn't get caught: Fined 7 cards when caught!) and Pit, talk turned to the fact it was the final night for this film. I was invited to go, but had no way of getting a hold of my father. Fortunately, Dad was on time, and when I begged to be allowed to go with my friends, he relented and gave me some money. Friend D came out to talk to him, and filled him in on where the film was playing, what time it would let out, etc. Dad took off; I climbed into D's car, along with his brother, and we left for the movie theater.

Once we arrived, I had a shock. I was the only girl who had decided to go! We ended up sitting in one row of the theater: Two other senior boys; D; his brother; me; and A, a boy in my class, who shared his popcorn with me. Yes, you counted right. I was at a movie with 5 boys.

We had a great time, but the next day, I shocked my Home Ec classmates silly. We had begun our Interpersonal Relationships course, and were discussing dating. I casually raised my hand and asked if going to a movie with 5 boys, where one drove me and another bought my popcorn, was considered a 'date'.

The 'popular' girls' mouths dropped open. Shy, timid, me, had gone out with 5 boys? Needless to say, I had the spotlight and wasn't giving it up. Over the next week or so, several girls who turned their noses up at me now wanted to know how I'd accomplished this coup. And they were NOT impressed when my advice was 'just be yourself'. Boys in my grade who had never tried to talk to me outside of asking for help on an assignment, suddenly smiled at me in the hallways. But my friend B, who was still my bff in English class, was proud of me, and told me I should have lied and said D and I had sat by ourselves in the back row. I just shook my head and ignored him.

Oh, about a week after seeing 'Joni', Dad and I did go see 'Excaliber'. I drooled over the sight of Sir Lancelot's bare backside...and wished he'd turn around!

"Just A Minute..."

Sometimes I miss the days when I didn't have to keep one eye on the clock. Just write...and write....and write.

I used to get up in the morning, take the kids to school, check my email, drink one more cup of coffee, and write until they arrived home, or I happened to take a break and go pick them up.

And then there were the days I'd write all the way through until the kids came in to kiss me goodnight.

All that came to a screeching halt when I had my youngling. Suddenly, I had three years of only writing during nap time. And that was if I didn't fall asleep with him!

And then I enrolled my youngest in Head Start.

If I didn't set a timer, I was habitually late. I'm fortunate to live in a small town, so unless I catch a train, I can get across town in five or ten minutes. But his teacher soon realized my baby would most likely be the last one picked up every day, because his mom was 'in the zone'.

My SU has threatened several times to pull the plug on the computer, if I happen to be working all the way up to dinner or bedtime. After all, in his eyes, he's worked hard all week and would like to see more than the back of my head all day, and why should he have to cook, clean, and bathe the baby? That's my job as Mommy.

But now his health has gone downhill, and is no longer able to return to his job. So now he helps out around the house, especially if I warn him ahead of time I'm promoting via chat; writing; or preposting a blog interview.

But he's also likely to interrupt me if something is perceived to be 'more important'.

What about you? Ever lose track of time and forget to do something, or forget dinner's boiling dry on the stove? I've burned spaghetti, due to a brain storm which was 'only going to take a minute...' and ended up taking fifteen.

Terrific Tuesday with Elaine Cantrell:)

Welcome! Please introduce yourself and tell us about your latest release.

I’d be delighted to! My name is Elaine Cantrell. I was born and raised in South Carolina so I eat grits, and I say ya’ll which is always plural. (Try shrimp and grits sometimes. Yummy.) I have a Master’s Degree in Personnel Services from Clemson University, and I’m a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary sorority for women educators. I’m also a member of Romance Writer’s of America and EPIC authors. My second novel, A New Leaf, was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest and was published in 2004 by Oak Tree Books. At present I teach high school social studies. I spend my spare time-if there is any-collecting vintage Christmas ornaments, reading, and playing with my grandchildren. I usually have to go to bed to recover after keeping the kids, but who cares?

Have you ever had an idea for a story which scared you after you began writing it?

Not scared as in frightened, but it has daunted me to think of the tremendous task ahead of me. Some books are far more difficult than others to write. Right now I’m working on a time travel novel. My research for this book gave me a splitting headache. It took me all day to finally grasp what the scientists say about it, and I only skimmed the surface. I’m a bit of a perfectionist too, and it does concern me that I’ll send a book out into the world before I’ve caught all of the mistakes. My first book sat on my computer from 2002 until 2011because every time I’d read through it I’d find something I wanted to change. I finally bit the bullet and sent it out, and Astraea Press picked it up.

And I have to say that March 15 is release day for that first book! It’s called A New Dream, and you can get it at http://www.astraeapress.com I hope you won’t mind if I tell your readers about my cupcake party which I’m giving at my blog on March 15. My heroine is a baker, so a cupcake party sounded just right. I’m sharing excerpts and giving away prizes, all of which have a cupcake theme. My blog address is http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com

Have you incorporated actual events from your own life into your books?

Oh, sure. I tried to change them just a little so people wouldn’t recognize themselves, but I use them all the time. For example, in A New Dream my hero becomes a grocery store manager after he’s in an accident that destroys his pro-football career. I got some info from my granddaughter who worked in a grocery store.

How much research do you do? Do you research first and then write, or do you write first, then research as needed?

How much research I need really depends on the book. I’ve already mentioned my time travel novel. I had to do a lot for that one. And for A New Dream my granddaughter helped me. After he retired, my dad worked part time as a motel desk clerk. The stories he’d tell about the people who checked in would raise your hair. I put a lot of those into The Welcome Inn which is about a motel. (http://www.wings-press.com) I usually write and then research as necessary.

Is there any message you want readers to take from reading your work?

I want my readers to see that even though things go wrong in life, there’s always reason for hope. Matt McCallum in A New Dream lost a leg and couldn’t play pro-football anymore. He thought his dreams were lost forever, but he was wrong. There was a lot of good things waiting on him.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? And have you ever had a story take on a life of its own?

More of a punster than a plotter. I know my starting point, and I know what the finish line looks like, but between those two points I have no idea what’s going to happen. A New Dream is one of those stories that took on a life of its own. I had dreadful trouble keeping one of my secondary characters in line. He wanted to hog the show! I noticed how many times he forced his way into a scene and realized that one day he might need a book of his own.

How long did it take for you to be published?

Not too long. I started writing in 2001, and A New Leaf won the Timeless Love Contest in 2003 and was published in 2004.

If you could go back and tell yourself anything when you first began your writing career, what would you say?

I’d say to enjoy the journey and write from your heart without worrying how other people will view your work. I’d also say not to let someone edit your book to the point that it isn’t your story at all.

Laptop or pen and ink? What are your ‘must-haves’ when writing?

Laptop. Can’t write without it. I also need a tall glass of cold ice water and a tapping straw. I bet you never heard of that, did you? A tapping straw is one of those bendy, plastic straws. I was having trouble with a scene one day, and I started tapping with a straw I’d put on the coffee table. I swear it helped me think! From that time on, I keep one handy. The other members of my family have picked up the habit too. You’d be surprised how hard it is to keep one! Actually, I’m twiddling a straw now as I read over what I’ve written. (You can laugh if you want to. I know it’s kinda weird.)

Who are your favorite authors? Who would you say influenced you the most?

I’ve read so much in my life it’s almost impossible to say. Right now I do enjoy Karen White, Elizabeth Peters, and Gemma Halliday.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

A lot of things I expect, but let’s go with this one. I adopted a rescue dog a week or so ago. To say he’s challenging is an understatement. Today he pulled a huge amount of fringe from my oriental rug in the dining room. I had given him a pig’s ear to play with, and I thought he was being good. No such luck.

For Fun:

What is your favorite Spring Break vacation?

Charleston, SC. It’s totally beautiful and so historical. I teach history, remember?

Favorite St. Patrick’s Day memory or ritual? (ie: Do you wear green? Fix corned beef and cabbage? Speak with an Irish dialect for fun?)

We don’t celebrate it much around here. I wear my emerald earrings to nobody will pinch me.

I’m a March Madness fan. Do you follow the college basketball tournaments? If so, who’s your favorite team?

Sorry. Don’t follow.

Thank you for being here today! Please tell us where we can find your books.

I’m on Amazon, but the cheapest place to buy them is from the publishers. Go to my website at http://www.elainecantrell.com and click on a cover. It’ll take you to the publisher’s website. A New Dream is coming out March 8. You can find it at http://www.astraeapress.com

Thanks so much for having me today! I enjoyed your interview.

Blurb:

After an auto accident destroys his pro-football career, Matt McCallum struggles to find a new dream for his life, but nothing engages him the way football did. After a stint in rehab, he takes a job managing a grocery store where he meets Violet Emerson.

Violet works in the bakery department, but her dreams carry her far beyond the doors of Chef’s Pantry. As soon as she can save the money, she plans to open a catering business. And she thinks the new manager’s broad shoulders and blue eyes are simply divine.

Thrown together at work, Matt and Violet find a common dream for their lives, but a loose end from Matt’s past returns to jeopardize their future. Will love be enough to save their new dream before it turns into a nightmare?

Excerpt:

Prologue

The red convertible cut a path through the moonlight, its headlights dancing along the arched limbs of the trees above the road.

“Oh, Matt, it’s such a beautiful night,” Stacey declared with a sigh. “I’m going to miss you when you leave tomorrow.”

Matt reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’ll miss you too, but if I don’t report on time, I’m in trouble with the coach.”

“That’s what I get for falling in love with a pro football player,” Stacey teased, her blonde hair turned to frosted silver by the light of the full moon above them.

Matt squeezed her hand that wore his engagement ring. “It’s too late to back out now,” he teased. “You’re mine.”

“Mmm, do I like the sound of that!”

The car rounded a curve, and without warning a deer bounded across the road.

"Look out," Stacey screamed.

Matt braked sharply to avoid the animal. The tires slid on a patch of loose gravel in the road, and he lost control of the convertible. It fishtailed and started to spin in the road.

He hauled the steering wheel to correct the slide, but it was useless. The car turned around once more and skidded backwards for a short distance before it slid off the road. It jumped a steep ditch and went airborne. All Matt could see was a blur of trees and darkness as the car careened into the woods. It made a lazy turn in the air and came to rest bottom side up.

The last thing he remembered was the sound of Stacey’s screams.