Monday, March 29, 2010

Book Excerpt Tidbits

 Okay so I thought it would be fun to post a little excerpt today.  The funk is over and I am back, grrrrr.  I'm sure this needs more work but oh well I want to have FUN!  Feel free to comment away.  Hope you all enjoy.  Thanks for being such great blogger buds!  Your blogs are a constant source of encouragement and inspiration.

Scene setup:  Poor Elliot (werewolf) ran after Jana (half wolf/vampire) to get sliced by a silver blade.  In his desperate attempt to escape death he begs to be healed by any means.  A dark witch takes advantage of his begging.  Her angelic face makes it easy for Elliot to agree to anything she has to offer in his semi conscious state.

      Elliot wondered if someone on the inside made an alliance with Underworld.  It seemed everyone knew Jana or was after her down here.  This so called “payment” he knew would haunt him for a long time. “Let’s hear it witch.”

    “Just remember wolf I saved your life.  There are not many who are equipped to heal a wound encased with that much silver.  Argust is powerful down here and has many contacts on the outside.  It is hard to come by a sword that pure. I’m sure he paid a pretty penny for it.  I only ask a simple thing in return for healing you.”

   Elliot knew she was right. Argust held power down here by the way his lair was richly decorated.  He also knew if it wasn’t for this angelic looking dark witch he would be a pile of ash.  He did owe her but hopefully not the price of his soul.  He braced himself for the words she was about to spill.

    “So here goes it werewolf!  All you need to do is stay away from the mixed blood girl.  I know how you fancy beautiful girls and seduce them.  But that girl will be off limits to you.  You sealed it with blood.  You begged for me to take away your pain by any means necessary, so I obliged.  I will know if you disobeyed because news of your death would travel fast.  You are free to leave now,” She pulled at his arm not giving him any chance to argue his case, and let out a cackling laugh. A push out the door sent him into his awaiting pack.  He went pale faced, fully absorbing the witches contract.  To his awaiting pack it looked as if someone had died.

   “Elliot!  What happened man?” Josh asked.


     He tried to come off casual, not to let his pack know the details of his trickery. “I knew Argust was back in town,  He would have information about the Wood’s so I took Jana to question him.  While I was inside a renegade pack rushed in, kidnapped Jana and maybe vampire bat for brains.  I smelled him as I ran to try to find her.  They were heading northwest.  One of them ripped off her necklace. I found it while tracking Argust. I then had a little encounter with a silver blade and was healed by a witch.  Let’s get out of here and get the rest of the pack together for a search party.  Vince is who is after Jana.”

     Josh stood aghast as he looked at Elliot.  “Vince?  Are you sure.  We would have know if he entered our territory.”

    “Not unless he had help. I’m sure. It makes sense because he is afraid Jana would take over her birthright and lead over his pack.  He is assuming the girl will want the power.  We need to be careful his pack has become very powerful over the decades.”

    “Go get us a car.  I have a tracking chip in Jana’s cell phone.  We need to intercept them and find her.  I think Isaac is involved with Vince since he has just as much to loose,”  Elliot grunted.

       His cell phone rang he answered it to hear Andi yell into his ear.  “What were you thinking taking her into Underworld without consulting me in the matter.  I should curse you right now!”

        “Join the party of witches who curse me then, stop hollering.  I’m going to intercept them with my pack and bring her home.  I want her away from the vampires.”

      Andi was furious at his comment as she punched the wall. “Shay is capable of keeping her safe too.  I’m moderating not you. I won’t allow you to fight over her.  I know you have feelings for her it is written…..”

      “Stop and listen would you firecracker,” Elliot was in no mood to deal with a cranky witch. “There is reason to believe Isaac was involved with getting Vince over territory lines and possibly plotting to kill Jana.”

    “That is preposterous,” she stated, “And never call me firecracker again.”

     “Oh is it so preposterous? Then explain why Argust is not clan leader after Anja gave her allegiance and confidence in him. What about your Aunt Erica? I need to have a little talk with your grandmother.”

    “I…I…I was unaware I had an Aunt,”  she was at a loss for words.

    “When I catch up to Isaac they will be escorted to council so I won’t kill him.”

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Excuse my Funk

Yup it's kind of like the picture of don't mess with me kitty!

Pardon my funk and still being m.i.a. It has been one of those weeks were crawling under a rock looks most welcoming.  I have been hanging out with my peeps at their blogs but updating mine was on a back burner.  Here I am alive and still kicking!

It was a heartbreaking week here on my farm and the first time in almost eight months I have not written anything for a week straight.  Miserable as I was I still brainstormed for my current WIP.  Writing has it's perks though, escaping into your own little fantasy world. Darn I should have made the setting a tropical beach sipping martinis.  I will have to keep a WIP like that just in case LOL!

I really need to suck it up and start querying though. Sheesh how long have I been saying that?  Forget that don't tell me.  So next week I'm going to get my butt back in gear!

Encouragement needed Bloggerville.

Escaping has also let me read quite a bit.  Oh Yea my eyes are bugging now I read so much!  Hush Hush (Patch was a great character), The Hunger Games, Catching Fire (addicted and can't wait for the next book Mocking Jay), Brotherhood of Blood Book 1, Talions Book 1 and Paladins Book 1.

My friend is now dragging me out of the house and the funk should be over.  Ahh shopping should work wonders. Did I mention a good dose of chocolate. Woa look at the time I really have to get ready because she threatened to drag me out kicking if need be.

Catch ya later Bloggerville!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Indoor Tornado

What happens when you have kids running wild and a husband home from work while mom is brainstorming?

I assure you it was a scary site!   So, I had to become M.I.A. last week to tend to things around here.  It was a good week to play catch up on all things kids, cleaning, errands.  I also had to attend a first aid training.  Watch out people I am first aid certified and can help save lives, very scary indeed!    Now if only the snow would hurry up and melt so I can clean out the barn I would be a happy camper indeed.

As it stands now:       Association by Blood is complete and has
                                 been sent to test readers.  

                                 A Grave Choice is complete and has been
                                 sent to test readers.

                                 Dream Realm is a WIP (brainstormed my way
                                 to chap 7).

Bloggerville seemed a bit quiet last week. So watch you all been up to?  Catching up like me, writing, on vacation, spinning in a tornado.

Anyone else anxious for new tv shows to start?  I am!  Glee is coming back!  Also, Vampire Diaries, Weeds, and The Tudors!  Yes Tivo will be working overtime next month.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Unicorn Writers Conference

The Unicorn writers' conference will be held Saturday April 10th in Stratford, CT.

It covers craft to career!  Thirty-three sessions, special guests, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, live band and dancing.


This has peaked my interest and would be fun to go to! 

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Contest Alert

Elana Johnson is having a Fantabulous Followers Giveaway

Hop, skip and click over to her blog for a chance to win.

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zinc
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Gone by Lisa McMann
Captivate by Carrie Jones
The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

They also will be signed!  Holy cow isn't that an awesome list! 



I dusted off the i-pod with Lady Antebellum.  I likey!
A box of cheesy romances have come my way and I have been totally having fun reading my little heart away.  The Savage series by Cassie Edwards.  I am such a geek for Native American or western romances.  The problem is I had to put my WIP aside because they were starting to have indian chief traits lol.  Oh boy that would not be good if my main dude starts walking with a copper gleam in a breechclout picking up damsels in distress.  I hope to be back in writing mode by next week.  Please tell me I am not the only one this happens too.  Ahh the magic of getting lost in a book!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Geek Squad

Cool! I am on the geek squad today.  Move over tech nerds because I figured out this new layout and may have fixed the kinks (cross your fingers).  The pink was a little dizzying.  I will keep it for my CK Farm blog but I like the darker colors for the Craft Junkie.  Yea, dark and mysterious (the Twilight Zone song comes to mind).


Well maybe I googled my woes to fix things around here.  Ok I googled a lot!  Call me a search engine freak.  Have you ever tried Bing.  That is my favorite for digging up fun clip art.  I have a small, teensy weensy addiction for clip art.  My picture folder is screaming for me to stop but it is like eating potato chips (preferably Cape Cod salt and vinegar).  You just can't eat one.  

Anyways, hope you enjoy the new layout and happy Friday to all. 
 Write on fellow bloggers.

   My i-pod is getting dusty throw me some new songs to check out.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Wicked Lovely

I have been wanting to read this book and waited patiently for oh like five months.  I knew my Aunt had bought it and was waiting to borrow it (I admit it takes me 1-2 days to read a three-hundred page book).  After reading Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr I can't understand how it took her five months.  Seriously, I could not put it down hence the puffy eyes, yawning, and dragging my body around like a zombie today. Coffee!  I need lots of coffee!

I was a bit confused reading the first chapter.  You are thrown into the fairy world and I was like huh!  After chapter two you get the feel what is going on.  From that point I could not put this book down.  It was an interesting plot and a good page turner.  BUT...there is always a but, right?  I had a hard time liking Keenan the Summer King and Seth had no flaws.  I mean he had piercings and seemed like the bad boy but didn't act it.  Overall it was a good read.  I am anxious to wait (lets hope it's not another 5 months lol) for the sequel that my Aunt has.  The sequel is not about the characters in this book so I hope I won't be disappointed.

The reason why I like a series is the characters.  This bums me when they go off on other characters.  Once I get attached I just want to keep reading about them.

So....I am curious on your take on a series.  Do you mind the spin off of other characters OR do you like to see the same characters?

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

On the Farm

It is almost that time of year again when the snow thaws and breeding season begins.  The farm has been and will be keeping me on my toes.  It is time to clean up from the winter freeze.  In a couple of days I will have a whole bunch of theses coming via your friendly neighborhood post office.


Which got me thinking (Well it's not actually my idea).  My friend came up with it and we have been shooting ideas back and forth.   Wouldn't it be cute to do a  picture book using silkie chickens.  They could have a big adventure going to the city.  I'm just saying!  I don't think I could pull it off because it would turn into a novel and the chickens would probably become zombies sporting lightsabers or something to that extent.  If I could pull it off I think it would be pretty darn cute though.  The pictures in the book would have to be real chickens, no cartoons. 

Okay so maybe these little chickens are cute ugly.  Maybe they would scare kids.  I think they are cute little fluff balls.  What do you think cute, ugly or cute-ugly?

Monday, March 1, 2010

Contest Alert

Hop skip and jump on over to Guide to Literary Agents blog for a contest and all the juicy details.  Urban fantasy and paranormal romance writers this one is for you!