Sunday, January 31, 2016

Sunday's Safe Word Shelf: Apishipa Creek Chronicles by Rain Carrington


Rebel Yells #1
Summary:
Jack Colton dedicated his life to two things, the law and the love of a good man named Martin. When Martin dies Jack goes into mourning so deeply that he starts to see his late husband everywhere. Martin tells Jack that he needs to move on and find another love but Jack is holding on too hard to his love and his job to see love when it speeds through the small sleepy town he watches over.

Rebel Marino lives up to his name. He fights hard not only with his fists but to keep from letting anyone get close. Rebel inherits a home and business from his favorite aunt, whom he sees even though she recently passed away. She tries to convince him that the tall handsome sheriff is worth a leap of faith.

Together they start to discover what it means to move on, to trust, and push the boundaries of not only their interest in BDSM but of love itself but will a third man who is secretly in love with Jack come between them and rip them apart before their love can fully bloom?

Penny's Lane #2
Summary:
Brokenhearted and lost, Lonnie begins to search for something to replace the long held love of a man who is in love with another. His search takes him on a dangerous slope with alcohol once more but there to pick him up and dust him off if an unlikely hero.

As his life begins to turn around he finds real love and his dreams are all starting to come true, including a dream he didn’t know he had. To be a man’s submissive. While his discovers new desires and feelings that are more intense and encompassing than ever, he finds the road to his dreams isn’t an easy one.

More explosive than Rebel Yells, Penny’s Lane will take you on a ride that will leave you breathless with hot love, evil vengeance and deepening friendships.

Warning: Contains scenes of BDSM and two men engaging in consensual sex.

Pappy Don't Preach #3
Summary:
They say opposites attract but in the case of a preacher and a man of science, things get downright incendiary. Mark (Pappy) Rafferty is an ex priest recently moved to Apishipa Creek to start his own church in the beauty of the Rockies. Nathan Lee is the smooth talking Atheist doctor of the town’s clinic. They start jogging together every morning for safety but their hearts become in peril from one another.

Dayton Binx is a submissive actively searching for a Dom. Travis Walton feels a kinship to the younger man because of their similar backgrounds but soon passes the pain in the neck off to Pappy. Pappy, who believes nothing can come of the overwhelming attraction he feels for the doctor, takes the sub on and begins to fall in love with him. A slip of long awaited passion between he and Nathan threatens to tear Pappy’s sub from him, but never underestimate a sub on a mission!

With more intrigue, suspense and hot action between sexy men, Apishipa Creek heats up once again as three men find an uncommon bond while two others are ripped apart because of stubborn pride. Can everyone live happily ever after or will those wishing revenge complete what they started and kill those who get in their way?

Crazy Little Man Called Love #4
Summary:
Running to America to lick the wounds of a broken relationship, Sidney Haxby still could not find the Dom he desired. Set to go back to London, he decides to stay a few more days, taking in the solitude and beauty of Apishipa Creek to spend a few days with his father, big bad Dom Lin.

When Brandon Love crashes a dinner party and offers to take Sidney home, they get snowed in for days, forced to confront the feelings they had for each other each time they met at the BDSM club, Manacle. Seeing in each other what they’d always longed for, they want to begin a relationship, putting Sidney where he wanted, on his knees at the feet of the Master he feared he would never have.

A trip to London so Sidney could settle his affairs and past puts him in peril. Can Brandon save Sidney? Will their pasts get in the way of their future together? And what is the mysterious stranger trying to tell them about the house in Apishipa Creek they all live in at one time or another? Find out in Crazy Little Man Called Love…

Big Bad Mooney #5
Summary:
Lin Mooney, a man that has always been in control of his own life, suddenly finds himself at the mercy of not one man but two. Joey Pino comes back to Manacle, beaten and in need, and Lin wants to be the person he turns to. That is except for the fact Lin’s already hopelessly in love with another man, The British beauty, Andy White. These much younger and smaller men have him by the heartstrings and he can no longer deny his feelings, despite his imperfect health and age. He wants them both more than he’s ever wanted anything.

Brandon is out to prove a point and Sidney goes along, blindly following his Master until he can’t do it anymore. Can bringing another man into their bedroom make them stronger as a couple or tear them apart?

Five men contemplate the question…How many in a life or a bedroom is too much? Love is tested again in this, the fifth book of the Apishipa Creek Chronicles, and the end will leave you breathless and ready to scream. One of the men of Apishipa Creek is on his way to the most important day of his life when tragedy strikes.

Warning: Contains scenes of consensual gay sex and BDSM

The Music Never Dies #6
Summary:
In this the 6th and final installment of the Apishipa Creek Chronicles, we find out the fate of Rebel Marino, who in the last book was in a terrible accident, left to the ghosts of the past and the tenacity of his fiancé.

This gripping look at the lives of all of the couples we have grown to love is a testament to hope, faith and endearing strength that they have found in each other and the friendship that holds them all together as they face maybe the hardest trials yet. Each of them come up against past demons and future fears as one of their own must stand against sickness and pain.

Rebel, Jack, Lonnie, Travis, Binx, Nathan, Pappy, Sidney, Brandon, Joey, Andy and Lin as well as the people of the town of Apishipa Creek and the leather club Manacle band together to save a new love that none of them saw coming as well as fight the evil of the young men who left Rebel to die.

Come once more to the town tucked in the mountains of Colorado and fall in love again…

Warning: This book contains BDSM and scenes of consensual sex between two or more men 

Apishipa Creek Chronicles #1-6
Summary:
Rebel Yells
Penny's Lane
Pappy Don't Preach
Crazy Little Man Called Love
Big Bad Mooney
The Music Never Dies


Author Bio:
When she isn't taking out gay bashers with her mean right hook she is at her desk writing steamy stories of man on man love. Rain also spends time with her beloved family and friends and in her spare time maybe sleeps for a few hours.

Rain is an ally in the gay rights crusade, she also loves animals and tries her best to stop animal abuse.

She is at her desk now getting some of her other stories ready for publication and will let them out as she they are ready so keep an eye out for Cabin Fever next!


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Rebel Yells #1

Penny's Lane #2

Pappy Don't Preach #3

Crazy Little Man Called Love #4

Big Bad Mooney #5

The Music Never Dies #6

Apishipa Creek Chronicles #1-6:  GOODREADS TBR

Illicit Desires by Rose B. Mashal

Title: Illicit Desires
Author: Rose B Marshal
Series: Illicit #1
Genre: Erotica, Romance
Release Date: January 27, 2016
Summary:
Her smiles brought my own to life. Her beautiful face was what made me get out of bed every morning. Looking into her eyes was my favorite part of the day.

She was in my every thought, in every passing second.

My lips craved her lips, and my hands yearned to touch her beautiful skin. My heart called out her name with every beat, and I only had eyes for her.

Her. My life, my soul, my personal Heaven-on-Earth.

She was everything I had ever wanted, but everything I could never have.

She was my flesh and blood.

She was my sister.

Prologue
Adrian
My heart started beating fast as I saw her coming down the stairs. Wearing her white, strapless sundress, with her hair down caressing her shoulders, she looked like an angel.

Her green eyes caught mine, and I saw the sadness filling them. She masked it right away, replacing it with a furious stare—trying to tell me that she was mad at me for what I did with her a while ago in her room.

Well, she could fool anyone else she wanted, but not me. She liked it, and I fucking knew it.

The hem of her short dress danced along her upper thighs as she took one hurried step after another. Ignoring her angry look, I licked my lips, knowing that it would make her look away because she wouldn't want me to see the need in her eyes.

And that was exactly what she did. But she was helpless against the redness of the blush which covered her face and neck as she passed me.

"Daddy?" she began as she approached our father, who was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking his coffee while he read the newspaper.

"Hmm?" He looked up from the papers in his hand, facing her.

"I… Um, I want to talk with you about something," she said, looking at the floor—her blush growing more intense.

"Sure. What is it?"

"I…Uh, I…" As Lily stood there, hesitant to say what she wanted to say, she looked at our mom, who was sitting at the table across from where Lily was standing. She even caught my eyes for a quick second, but then looked down right away.

"Do you want to go into my office, Lily?" he asked, placing the paper on the table.

"Uh, no… It's fine. I just… Uh, well, I’m going to graduate soon, and … uh, there is that guy in my school—"

Fucking what?

"H—he asked me out more than one time and … uh, I want to say yes."

"Lily, sweetheart, we’ve talked about this before, and you know the rule," he said in his calm voice.

"But, Dad, I'm almost eighteen; I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm the only one my age who's not allowed to date!"

"Lily, I—"

"Dave," Mom interrupted, "I think Lily is mature enough to make good decisions."

Fuck that, she doesn’t know shit.

"But, Beth, she's not even eighteen yet."

"Honey, it's just a matter of a few months before she leaves for college. It's better that she starts dating now and learns more about the kind of relationship she wants before she starts a new phase in her life. Don't you think?"

My blood started to boil in my veins. My own mother was convincing my dad with logic. Now he was actually thinking about it. I didn't want him to fucking think about it; I want him to say a clear no.

"Sweetheart, I don't think it's—"

"Please, Dad. Even Adrian is allowed to date, and we’re the same age. It's not fair," She pointed in my direction without looking.

"I'm older!" I called out, correcting her.

"By ten minutes, asshole!" she yelled back at me.

"Language, Lillian," Mom warned.

"Sorry."

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! They were actually considering this bullshit? I had to set my glass of orange juice down on the table so I didn’t end up throwing it at one of them.

"The only reason I don't want you to date is that you’re so innocent, and I don’t want someone to break your heart, sweetie."

Or break your fucking hymen.

"I'm old enough to know how to choose, and I'm mature enough to face the responsibilities of my choices, Dad."

My Dad let out a long sigh, and then I saw the hint of a smile forming on his lips.

No! No! No! No fucking way. Come on!

"Okay."

"So… That’s a yes?"

"Yes, Lily, you can say yes." He smiled.

Fuck! A million fucking fucks!

"Thanks, Dad. You’re awesome." She bent down and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"You’re welcome, sweetie. "

She did the same with Mom. "Thanks, Mom."

She walked over and stood right in front of me. She was so close I could smell her soft peach shampoo as she leaned in a little bit, picking my glass up off the small table.

"I'll take that if you don't want it," she smiled softly, not waiting for me to reply as she took a sip without taking her eyes off of mine. I'm sure that the green in them was replaced with the darkness of my anger.

I only snarled at her.

She leaned forward again, her lips just an inch away from my face. She was so close I could feel her warm breath on my cheek. It took everything in me not to moan.

"I win, Dear Brother, "she whispered and then touched her soft lips to my cheek.

Fuck!

She thought she was going to date now that she had permission?

She thought that she'd go out with a guy and kiss and hug and fuck?

She thought I'd ever allow anyone to touch what was mine?

No fucking way in hell!

When she was about to back off after kissing me, I gripped her forearm and whispered back. "Over my dead body, little sister."

Author Bio:
Rose is a loved mother, wife, and a stay at home lawyer. Writing is her passion, and reading is her obsession. Music is her best friend and sarcasm is her speaking trend. One of her joys is bringing happiness to others and her biggest wish is that they stay true to one another. Through her stories, she wants to spread nothing except understanding, peace and love.









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Saturday, January 30, 2016

Saturday's Series Spotlight: DS Billings Victorian Mysteries by Olivier Bosman Part 1


Detective Sergeant John Billings is a Quaker. He sees God in everyone and takes other people's suffering to heart. He is an honest and hard working man who has risen swiftly through the ranks to become one of Scotland Yard's youngest detectives. But in his private life he struggles with the demons of loneliness, morphine addiction and homosexuality.

Death Takes a Lover #.5
Summary:
The year is 1888. Detective Sergeant John Billings has been sent to a remote house in the Yorkshire Moors to investigate the suspicious death of Roger Thornton, a young man who seemed to have everything to live for. He gets a frosty reception from the lady of the house and her rag-tag collection of domestic staff who try to put him off the scent, but as Billings delves deeper into their lives, he uncovers hidden passions, bitter rivalries and a truth so dark and sinister, it will shock you to the core.

Fusing Gothic romanticism and fin-de-siecle melodrama, 'Death Takes A Lover' is a chilling entry into a world which some may not want to enter, but if you do, don't say you haven't been warned...


This is a great introduction to the DS Billings Mystery series although it is a little short for my liking.  It's pretty obvious that Billings is a gay man who is not ready to admit that part of himself, whether it is his Quaker upbringing or the era that he lives in, who is to say.  I did appreciate the fact that it is not an overused plotline but looked upon in the the detective's inner monologues.

RATING: 

The Ornamental Hermit #1
Summary:
The year is 1890. Detective Sergeant John Billings is a Quaker. He sees God in everyone and takes other people's suffering to heart. He is an honest and hard working man who has risen swiftly through the ranks to become one of Scotland Yard's youngest detectives. But in his private life he struggles with the demons of loneliness, morphine addiction and homosexuality.

While Scotland Yard is in the midst of foiling a Russian counterfeiting operation, Billings is asked to investigate the cold blooded murder of Lord Palmer. The main suspect is a rough looking vagrant called Brendan Lochrane who was employed by Lord Palmer to live as an 'ornamental hermit' in a grotto in his estate. When Billings visits Lochrane in his holding cell, he is moved by the look in the man's eyes. This is not the 'Wild Man' the press have made him out to be. Lochrane is mute, docile and unresponsive. A gut feeling leads Billings to suspect that the man is being framed. But who is framing him? And why?

Billings travels the length and breadth of Britain investigating the case. As he pieces together the fragments of Lochrane's extraordinary life, he slowly finds himself becoming embroiled in a web of corruption and deceit which goes right to the heart of Scotland Yard.

'The Ornamental Hermit' is a thrilling mystery which leads the reader on a colourful journey into Victorian England. This is the 2nd book in the D.S.Billings Victorian Mysteries series, but it can be enjoyed as a stand alone story.


I highly enjoyed this second installment in the DS Billings Mystery series, once again the fact that Billings is a gay man in a time when it is against the law is not the center of the story, although I do think that the detective is more likely to finally admit the fact that that is who he is to himself.  The mystery is intriguing and his Quaker past does factor in when his foster family asks for his assistance, and the two cases may not be as separate as once thought.  I look forward to seeing what future trouble DS Billings gets himself into.

RATING: 

Author Bio:
Born to Dutch parents and raised in Colombia and England, I am a rootless wanderer with itchy feet. I've spent the last few years living and working in The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sudan and Bulgaria, but I have every confidence that I will now finally be able to settle down among the olive groves of Andalucia.

I'm an avid reader and film fan and I have an MA in creative writing for film and television.


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Death Takes a Lover #.5
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The Ornamental Hermit #1

Aurora's Song by Cherime MacFarlane

Title: Aurora's Song
Author: Cherime MacFarlane
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: January 28, 2016
Summary:
Algen is finally home after spending most of her teen years, and young adulthood in Washington State. She has never been clear on the reason she was sent to live with her father’s relatives. But she has a job she loves and can finally live in the place she loves. The Aurora Borealis fascinates her; Algen has missed the lights and winter terribly. The Grannies want her to be careful. Should she be careful of the new hire at the native corporation? She’s sure if he gets too close her heart is going to be in grave danger. The cultural anthropologist is pursuing her with the single-mindedness of a big predator. Gunrik is too smart, too much of a hunk and far too tempting.


Ignoring the question, I sipped my tea and considered exactly what I was prepared to reveal to the man. I decided to keep my cards concealed. "I've made an offer, and I refuse to go into details about my reasons. You may accept or reject the offer. I do need to tell you there may not be another."

"Offer accepted. What time will you be there? May we sit together?"

"We may. If all goes well, perhaps you can escort me to brunch afterward. We shall see."

I thoroughly enjoyed the game we played. Gunrik interested me. I hadn't met a man who would spar with me in a long time. He could think fast on his feet. Verbal fencing could be so much fun. 

But I sensed he was almost as careful about who he let into his private world as I was. We resembled two tigers playing mating games. When tigers finished mating, the females went off to have and raise their young, and the males went back to their solitary existences. 

How would this work out? Would teeth and claws come into play? He had piqued my curiosity, and I do love puzzles.



Author Bio:
Although born in New Orleans, Cherime MacFarlane am proud to call myself an Alaskan. I have lived here since 1977. I have seen -40 degrees, hauled water, made bear bacon and I live in a cabin. I have used a fishwheel to catch salmon coming up the Copper River. I was my second husband's chief mechanic's helper and roadie. I have cut firewood on shares. I worked as a cocktail waitress during pipeline days in a small lodge on the Richardson Highway.

My second husband, a Scot from Glasgow, was the love of my life. When I write Scots dialect, I personally experienced hearing it from my in laws. When my husband got on the phone to Scotland, after 5 seconds I could barely understand a word.

We moved to Wasilla to get warm. It barely drops past -25 degrees here in the winter. I became a paralegal and worked for over 26 years for the same firm.

Alaska is my home. I never thought I would love it so much, I never want to leave. The beauty of Alaska is a draw I cannot resist. I love the people and the history. I have been captured by a place I came to under duress. Life does play some interesting tricks on one. My love and I were not apart more than 24 hours for 20 plus years. I never wanted to be anywhere but with him. He was a man to run the river with and was my biggest fan.


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Re-Release Blitz: Tendrils by Holly Barbo

Title: Tendrils
Author: Holly Barbo
Genre: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary, Thriller, Historical
Release Date: January 29, 2016
Cover Designs: JC Clarke of The Graphics Shed
Summary:
Stories come from any number of places. One could start from a memory, a photo in a magazine or from pondering a news item and wondering, "What if?"

This collection arose from that sort of random stimuli. Some are pure imagination of science fiction or fantasy. Others developed from random historical facts or the disturbing news stories of war-torn regions.

This is a collection of stories for those who like to think.

Includes 4 award-winning short stories.


The Tin of Honey
Zoe knelt by the tiny trickle of water that seeped out around the rocks. She wet some dirt and caked it on the stings that liberally dotted her face and arms. Zoe breathed a sigh as the mud eased the discomfort. The little girl would be filthy by the end of the day, but she doubted anyone would notice.

There was a scuff of sound and Zoe whirled low into the deepest shadows of the rocks. “It’s just me,” came the whisper. Bright green eyes under a messy thatch of brown peered over the edge of the gully.

The little girl sagged in relief. Sam wouldn’t tell on her.

The boy studied his small friend. “I see you found the bee’s nest. Did you get the honey Robson wanted?”

The little girl nodded. She knew the man’s desire for the sweet. He had impatiently pried open the can and grabbed a honeycomb as soon as she delivered it last time. Zoe pointed to the large tin. She stood and brushed the drying mud off her palms as she moved to the container and lifted it into her arms. Sam shook his head at the picture. The tin seemed almost as big as she was. “You got that okay? Both of us have to get back to the work team. We’re late. I’ll see you there.”

Zoe shook the tangle of tawny-colored hair out of her eyes and nodded toward the top of the gully. Sam picked up his bucket of berries and, with a wave, disappeared over the rise.

The youngster scrambled up the slope. The tin was big and awkward in her arms and she stumbled, jarring the container. She struggled to get her balance. Though she knew Sam would have helped her, she couldn’t allow that. There were consequences if she didn’t pull her weight.

Stopping at the edge of the wheat field, she set the big tin down again and rubbed at the bee sting at the edge of her collar of obedience. Nothing could be done about that particular sting. It was just going to chafe against the hard edges of the band. The collar was impossible to take off. All the kids wore one. Robson had found them in the old prison storage room and used them to ensure the orphans did as they were told. The collar was constructed in a series of overlapping metal flakes. It reminded her of the scales of the snake she had seen near the compound last week.

With a sigh, she squatted down and wrapped her skinny arms around the tin. She got the weight balanced and started through the waving grass. Running was impossible, but she hurried the best she could. Sam was far in the distance and would reach the other orphans probably ten minutes ahead of her.

A Crystal Snowflake
Orion gave a quick scan of the room. He needed to make sure he had everything important. His backpack was stuffed and the computer case held so much that there were edges of paper sticking out of it in a haphazard manner. The slender young man slung the strap of the computer bag over his shoulder, grabbed the backpack and headed for the front door. His hand paused as he reached for the knob and he looked out the window.

It was dark and he could see the snow falling through the street lights. There didn’t seem to be anyone about, so he slipped from the house and walked casually to his trusty old Chevy, his breath coming out in rapid visible puffs. The nonchalance was an act. He wanted anyone watching to assume he was going to M.I.T. to get in some late night work. He scanned the shadows, hoping that no one was there. He threw his backpack on the passenger seat then wedged the computer case between it and the seat back. He wanted both within easy reach. Once buckled in, he allowed his nervousness to slip out and thoroughly checked the view from his mirrors.

He eased onto the street and when there was no sign of his tires slipping, increased his speed. Orion reached into the pocket of the backpack for the pre-paid phone that he’d picked up when he determined his cell had been tapped. At the stop sign, he punched in a number. The snow flurries were increasing and he switched on the wipers. Orion waited for his friend to pick up.

He smiled when he heard her voice and responded by saying, “I’m on my way and no one is following me. Just in case, I sent instructions to our safe place. Don’t worry about retrieving the envelope unless I don’t get there by morning. Okay. Gotta go. I’ll be at your door for breakfast with your favorite croissants. Have the coffee brewed.”

Orion laughed at the response. “Okay. I need to concentrate on driving in this stuff. See you soon, Chayse. Bye.”

Beyond the stop sign, the road sloped to a picturesque country bridge, one of many that dotted the New England states. He had to admit it was beautiful in the snowfall but with the driving conditions worsening, he focused on how the car responded to his small adjustments in steering. In the weak light, he didn’t notice the watcher standing in the shelter of some trees on the far side of the road. The muffled figure took a box out of his pocket, pointed it at the car and pushed a button. The loud sibilant schwuff of the slush hitting the car’s undercarriage drowned out the pop.

Without any warning, Orion’s power steering quit. Working to compensate on the slick road, he fought to correct the fish-tailing motion of the car. “Shit!” He tapped the brakes and was horrified as his foot went all the way to the floor.

Fighting the wheel and the momentum of the old Chevy on the slippery surface became his entire focus…and he was losing. He tried gearing down and applying the emergency brake, but the car went into a spin and he caught a glimpse of the bridge railing coming up too fast. “Shit!” The car broke through the wooden barrier and sailed into the darkness over the side.

Octopus’s Garden
“Come on, Allie, wake up! Your fever’s broken and we’ve got to get out of here. They plan to kill you!”
A girl with big dark eyes looked over her shoulder from the look-out position near the hallway. “Shh! Keep it down, Mitch! See if you can get her upright. She’s going to be worthless until she gets some fluid and one of those energy bars inside her.”

He lifted the pale girl to the edge of the bed and propping her up, touched a glass of water to her lips. “Allison, take a sip. Open your eyes and look at me. I need you to pay attention.”

The weak girl made a protesting sound but took a sip of water. Her eyelids fluttered. “Where am I?”

Sensing his building impatience, the girl at the door whispered sharply, “Tell her and get her to eat the bar!”

“All right, all right, Pilar!” Mitch returned his focus to Allie. “Can you hear me? I’ll tell you but not until you take a bite. The food will help you feel more like yourself.”

With her eyes still closed, Allison chewed. “Answers now!”
“We’re in the medical research pod of Oceania Four, the Underwater Habitat west of California. A hundred and twenty of us were recruited to help the scientists find ways for humans to adapt to living and working for long periods of time underwater. Do you remember any of this?”

Half of the bar was gone and Allison was sitting up on her own. “Vaguely. Keep talking.”

“We came here to work in the labs. Our college debt would be forgiven and we were guaranteed research jobs.” 

“So…I got sick?” The bar was gone and Allie started on the second. She could focus now and was looking around the dimly lit room as she listened.

“We all did. It turns out we’ve been guinea pigs for their gene manipulation experiments.”

“Oh shit. Give me the bottom line.” Allison slipped off the bed and onto her feet. Shaking a little, she reached for the glass of water and a third of the highly-efficient power bars.

“Forty-nine died screaming in agony. Thirty-four mutated into…things beyond nightmares. Eighteen of us made it through the fever and were lucky enough to wake at night and slip out of the facility between security shifts. We’ve come back for you but we’re nearly out of time. There are eighteen remaining and they’re all in beds in this ward, desperately ill. They’ll not get a chance to win or lose their personal battle in the cellular war. We’ve learned the decision’s been made to do a major cover-up and ‘sanitize’ this facility. They plan to euthanize all their test subjects in the morning. That means us if we’re caught!” 

The Ball
Baakir slept curled against his little brother in the dusty darkness. He woke as his mother touched his shoulder. “We must go. Now!” 

The boy didn’t question but rose from the sleep mat and waking his brother, lifted the child to his feet. There were sounds from the end of the village: a cacophony of harsh shouts and screams. He took Azizi’s hand and hurried to the doorway where his mother crouched, peering out. The flickering firelight from burning huts glinted on her face and the wire jewelry around her neck. There were shadowed figures moving around the far huts.

“Stay low and follow me.” She looked at her sons to see if they understood.

Both boys nodded.

Slipping a bundle onto her back, Kofi melted into the blackness. Baakir was close enough to touch her skirt but didn’t loosen his grip on little Azizi’s hand. The three became part of the moonless night as they dashed for the depression of the wadi and the deep grass beyond. Each knew they could be discovered at any second!

They were going to the safety of Kofi’s old village. It was isolated in a remote region of the country and away from most of the fighting. The journey would be dangerous but staying was certain death. Baakir heard the throaty grourff of a hunting lion in the distance to his left and swinging little Azizi onto his back, quickened his pace.

At dawn, they hollowed a place in the tall grass. Azizi slid off his back as Baakir sank to his knees. Within minutes both little boys were curled up and sound asleep, the tears on Azizi’s cheeks drying to leave salt trails, which glistened in the morning light.

The Heart of a Shadow
Giselle came to awareness with a confusion of pebbles and dust pelting her. A stench of concrete powder, burnt plastic, acetone and something she couldn’t place overwhelmed and made her cough. Elle lay disoriented, wondering where she was…what had happened?

The last thing she remembered was walking through the village. The stalls in the open air market were closing for the day. Elle exchanged cheerful banter with the merchants as they gathered their goods and earnings, preparing to go home and spend an evening with their families. She’d grinned at the antics of the flower seller’s daughter who’d been mischievously peeking through the cheerful yellow blossoms. Charmed, Elle had taken her picture. The child’s bubbling laughter was so contagious that several shoppers had stopped just so they could share in the merriment. Abruptly, there was a flash of bright light and the world exploded.
*****
At first Elle could only hear the patter of falling debris. The young woman tried to raise her hand to brush the grit out of her eyes. Her body was sluggish and it was a few moments before she managed to touch her face. Elle’s fingertips brushed against painful areas and her hand came away sticky. She was alarmed to see blood smearing her dusty hands.

With a small groan, she turned her head. Chunks of bricks, concrete and boards littered the street. Shock and denial froze her body and took her breath. The beautiful little girl from the flower stall lay broken and still not eight feet away, tossed against the cobbles like a lost doll. Elle stretched her arm toward the child in desperate supplication, beseeching the little girl to blink or move, but it was too late. The muscles in the young woman’s face and chest contracted painfully in grief as she drew in a shuddering breath and began to cry in wrenching bursts.

The sound of running feet and shouts filled her ears. A young man knelt beside her. Efficient hands ran over her, searching for injuries. He leaned low and placed his cheek against hers, making soothing sounds between his questions as her body wracked with sobs. Finding nothing broken, he lifted her to lean against his chest. Water sloshed and a woman’s soothing hands gently washed the cuts on her face. Gradually, Elle’s breathing settled enough for her to answer.

“I’m Giselle Bouvier. People call me Elle. I’m shooting pictures of life at the edge of the war zone. Thought you were out of shelling range.”

The young man brushed her hair away from a cut on her forehead that a woman was swabbing with antiseptic. “Elle, you are one of the lucky ones. The missiles came without warning from miles away. There are rebels in the hills.”



What Others are Saying:
"I enjoyed every story in Tendrils! I am impressed with the versatility and well thought out environment in each setting. Obviously good research was put into writing these stories as well as a wonderful gift of empathy with a delightful touch of practical wisdom. In my opinion the last story would even make a good movie!" (Cynthia)

"An excellent compilation of short stories over different genres. I was highly impressed by the quality of the writing and her use of words, which dragged me in on every page." (Bookcollecter)

"I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I had a hard time putting the book down. Some stories are short, some long. All are suspenseful & of different genre. I am amazed at her extensive vocabulary and her overall knowledge on so many subjects. Her imagination takes you on a great trip every time with every story. None are ever boring. I highly recommend this latest book of hers. You will not be disappointed. Sit back & take yourself on an adventure. You will learn something too along the way." (Paul and Patti L. Jordan)

Author Bio:
Holly's world is shaped by her love of family, the beauty of the natural world and an irrepressible creative drive. She has always been curious and sees life through questions. These four characteristics color her writing voice. Holly's stories are mostly in non-urban settings and usually have some focus on nature, building discordant themes inside a seemingly peaceful refrain.

My motto: Weaving Alternative Worlds with Threads From Today.


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Friday, January 29, 2016

Friday's Film Adaption: Ruggles of Red Gap by Harry Leon Wilson


Summary:
A humorous adventure about a British valet out of his element in a small Western town in the USA. Ruggles becomes the servant of an American couple after his employer uses him as a stake in a poker game. He travels to the West and is mistakenly identified as a wealthy Brit. He becomes a small town celebrity with many humorous twists in the plot.

Ruggles of Red Gap was initially serialized beginning December 26, 1914 in The Saturday Evening Post and became a best selling novel in 1915, adapted for the Broadway stage as a musical the same year and made into a film several times, most famously in 1935 starring Charles Laughton.

Film
Ruggles of Red Gap
A Western rancher wins a British valet in a poker game.
Release Date: February 19, 1935
Release Time: 90 minutes

Cast:
Charles Laughton as Ruggles
Mary Boland as Effie Floud
Charlie Ruggles as Egbert Floud
ZaSu Pitts as Mrs. Judson
Roland Young as Earl of Burnstead
Leila Hyams as Nell Kenner
Maude Eburne as "Ma" Pettingill
Lucien Littlefield as Charles Belknap-Jackson
Leota Lorraine as Mrs. Belknap-Jackson
James Burke as Jeff Tuttle
Dell Henderson as Sam
Clarence Wilson as Jake Henshaw

Awards:
1935 Academy Awards
Best Picture -- Nominated


Fancy Pants
A wild West family wins a British valet in a poker game and passes him off as a nobleman.
Release Date: July 19, 1950
Release Time: 92 minutes

Cast:
Bob Hope as Humphrey aka Arthur Tyler
Lucille Ball as Agatha Floud (singing voice was dubbed by Annette Warren)
Bruce Cabot as Cart Belknap
Jack Kirkwood as Mike Floud
Lea Penman as Effie Floud
Hugh French as George Van Basingwell
Eric Blore as Sir Wimbley
Joseph Vitale as Wampum
John Alexander as Teddy Roosevelt
Norma Varden as Lady Maude
Virginia Keiley as Rosalind
Colin Keith-Johnston as Twombley
Joe Wong as Wong




Trailer

Fancy Pants

Author Bio:
Harry Leon Wilson (1867-1939) was born in Oregon, Illinois, the son of a newspaper publisher. In 1896, he began writing for Puck magazine in New York and became its editor in 1896-1902. With the success of a novel, The Spenders (1902), he resigned and devoted the rest of his life to writing. He is the author of 16 novels.

Collaborating with Booth Tarkington, he also co-wrote successful plays and two novellas. During 1919-1935, he was a frequent contributor to The Saturday Evening Post, and some of his stories were adapted to film. He lived much of his life in Carmel, California. Wilson is remembered today as a humorist whose novel, Ruggles of Red Gap (1915), was made into a Hollywood classic starring Charles Laughton.


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Film
Ruggles of Red Gap
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Fancy Pants
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