tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44784204864307654592024-02-18T22:16:41.952-08:00C.M. MichaelsC.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-1803307548862915822013-12-30T21:27:00.001-08:002013-12-30T21:27:09.007-08:00My Blog has moved!Please visit my new Blog site at:<br />
<a href="http://www.cmmichaels.com/index.php/blog-posts/">http://www.cmmichaels.com/index.php/blog-posts/</a><br />
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Thanks!C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-72443169313645054952013-09-05T04:16:00.003-07:002013-09-05T04:16:38.542-07:00Dangerous Waters is now available!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKstC0jS2Zs8y18q8Qo-57jlIL7F80h5d-d4cUP_6dflfLH8GjjJCcJBWr4qfOl2RgcdMPDmgQZCGayfHPgtcrMIOyP8PfbI778gMMFvOlntOwLJbA5nXO1G9zjsCGdnn_nu2XOeitWg/s1600/Book+jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKstC0jS2Zs8y18q8Qo-57jlIL7F80h5d-d4cUP_6dflfLH8GjjJCcJBWr4qfOl2RgcdMPDmgQZCGayfHPgtcrMIOyP8PfbI778gMMFvOlntOwLJbA5nXO1G9zjsCGdnn_nu2XOeitWg/s400/Book+jacket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Barnes & Noble (Paperback): </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-waters-c-m-michaels/1116827370?ean=9781617981043" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-waters-c-m-michaels/1116827370?ean=9781617981043</a><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Amazon (Pape</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">rback): <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Waters-C-M-Michaels/dp/1617981044/ref=sr_1_27_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378349287&sr=1-27&keywords=dangerous+waters" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Waters-C-M-Michaels/dp/1617981044/ref=sr_1_27_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378349287&sr=1-27&keywords=dangerous+waters</a><br />Freya’s Bower (Paperback): <a href="http://www.freyasbower.com/books-c-3/dangerous-waters-p-290.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.freyasbower.com/books-c-3/dangerous-waters-p-290.html</a><br />Freya’s Bower (eBook): <a href="http://www.freyasbower.com/urban-fantasy-c-46/dangerous-waters-p-289.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.freyasbower.com/urban-fantasy-c-46/dangerous-waters-p-289.html</a></span>C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-47804294689001892522013-08-27T18:22:00.003-07:002013-08-27T18:22:34.329-07:00Dangerous Waters jacket revealGreat news!<br />
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The Dangerous Waters jacket is set and the book is off to the printers (9/5 release date).<br />
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Can't wait to get my hands on the first copy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzP9Bqp1gVpbTm3gd9jYXD0wIAMX9QN1310M01X6heV-VHbPRasrMFbdyW6d-JtiIpyfOOGgtntHE66WqdqHCG4zNwiW3lM79pJbmISfnQVE0OOxC_jutE_hia5AASKdb42jCY1WaZ_0/s1600/Book+jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzP9Bqp1gVpbTm3gd9jYXD0wIAMX9QN1310M01X6heV-VHbPRasrMFbdyW6d-JtiIpyfOOGgtntHE66WqdqHCG4zNwiW3lM79pJbmISfnQVE0OOxC_jutE_hia5AASKdb42jCY1WaZ_0/s400/Book+jacket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-81886525740945099872013-08-12T17:26:00.001-07:002013-08-28T19:18:23.236-07:00Dangerous Waters will be available on September 5th!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4N6SoX9uJ0IkwxjjrtKdppLRtgqLtU84b1MSbTzeOx9oNg4MCXo3DZEAIRoBblBICkcUN7KwegBwYzUbL26Kc4tMchOGvbqlk3EqRvl313F6IT2RVwtWHkuWcqNKPQw7W95bL-9htFhA/s1600/DW-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4N6SoX9uJ0IkwxjjrtKdppLRtgqLtU84b1MSbTzeOx9oNg4MCXo3DZEAIRoBblBICkcUN7KwegBwYzUbL26Kc4tMchOGvbqlk3EqRvl313F6IT2RVwtWHkuWcqNKPQw7W95bL-9htFhA/s320/DW-large.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
We have a release date!!<br />
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Dangerous Waters will be available in eBook and paperback on September 5th!<br />
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You can pre-order now:<br />
eBook: <a href="http://www.freyasbower.com/urban-fantasy-c-46/dangerous-waters-p-289.html">http://www.freyasbower.com/urban-fantasy-c-46/dangerous-waters-p-289.html</a><br />
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Print: <a href="http://www.freyasbower.com/books-c-3/dangerous-waters-p-290.html" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.freyasbower.com/books-c-3/dangerous-waters-p-290.html</a><br />
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<br />C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-15132612476616781822013-06-20T18:53:00.001-07:002013-06-20T18:53:14.230-07:00Dangerous Waters book trailer premiere!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqPLzC71w662rJebEzhgmZiT8czYOQvnNr5huRQEnV1HKFUawnDxAQjv5FuBGUzkPwADWhyphenhyphennUSsBz2IO_WMdPpYoO74HC6APlj8yRsoELTAu9fXdPY45IgsnVW_Pe-MyMC8gYejCdWn8/s1600/DW-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqPLzC71w662rJebEzhgmZiT8czYOQvnNr5huRQEnV1HKFUawnDxAQjv5FuBGUzkPwADWhyphenhyphennUSsBz2IO_WMdPpYoO74HC6APlj8yRsoELTAu9fXdPY45IgsnVW_Pe-MyMC8gYejCdWn8/s320/DW-medium.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Dangerous Waters book trailer premiere has finally arrived!! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Please check it out and spread the word to all of your friends and family!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Q7m0MrwlQ" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Q7m0MrwlQ</a>C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-4335329549757044012013-06-06T19:33:00.002-07:002013-07-03T21:40:11.017-07:00Michigan book signing tour is in the works<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo3kSPFtj9UqQpNMYqUm6yyaelR8QIZawRyvMbBy2hsJAG3uggGWpsKssUDdXR0JdpyqF_bBe1-kPWTzx0oi8unAoAvmB-JbLld3QOxe_9hVP31wpOD9EwjHQGxo4VC7PwOBSDpqb7p8/s1600/DW-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo3kSPFtj9UqQpNMYqUm6yyaelR8QIZawRyvMbBy2hsJAG3uggGWpsKssUDdXR0JdpyqF_bBe1-kPWTzx0oi8unAoAvmB-JbLld3QOxe_9hVP31wpOD9EwjHQGxo4VC7PwOBSDpqb7p8/s320/DW-medium.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I'm working on setting up a Michigan book signing tour from 9/21 - 9/28 with planned stops in Lansing, Novi, Mt. Pleasant, Saginaw and
Traverse City! </div>
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The trailer will be playing at theaters in Canton, Traverse
City, Lansing and Louisville from 11/1 - 11/29.</div>
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Check back for details on each of the tour stops!</div>
C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-89676725588847142852013-05-10T04:00:00.000-07:002013-05-12T20:34:23.339-07:00Guest blog with Terri Talley Venters, Author of Copper Cauldron <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Terri Talley Venters,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Author of </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Carbon Copy, Tin Roof, Body Of Gold, and
Copper Cauldron</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Terri received
her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Master’s degree in Taxation from the
University of Florida. She is a licensed CPA and a Second Degree Black Belt in
Taekwondo. She lives in St. Augustine, Florida, with her husband, Garrison, and
their two sons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Carbon Copy, </span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">currently available from Wild
Child Publishing<i>,</i> is the 1st
thrilling novel in the <i>Elements of Mystery </i>Series. The title of each
novel will contain an element from the Periodic Table of Elements. <i>Tin Roof</i>, the sequel to <i>Carbon Copy, </i>coming soon from Wild Child
Publishing<i>. </i>And Terri’s romantic/suspense
novel, <i>Body of Gold</i>, is coming soon from Freya’s Bower. Terri just
finished writing, <i>Silver Lining</i>, the
final book in the <i>Carbon Copy</i>
trilogy. For more about Terri’s upcoming releases, please visit her website </span><a href="http://www.elementsofmystery.com/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">http://www.elementsofmystery.com/</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Terri is the daughter of Leslie S. Talley, author of <i>Make Old Bones</i> which is also available
from Wild Child Publishing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjgqO5ZTC1RF76qLin-SGA39IBjqZCIL80tYV2Wvo0QqUmhZ4G3g30C3-d_S5EkEpLghiTdUqzWWzcEwlDsL_XO0mjMHyAxxf1TIv4m6x_b5tZmTEYsglWGMzM5ZW9nY2WXiyXiZUHwo/s1600/coppercauldronnewbookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjgqO5ZTC1RF76qLin-SGA39IBjqZCIL80tYV2Wvo0QqUmhZ4G3g30C3-d_S5EkEpLghiTdUqzWWzcEwlDsL_XO0mjMHyAxxf1TIv4m6x_b5tZmTEYsglWGMzM5ZW9nY2WXiyXiZUHwo/s320/coppercauldronnewbookcover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Copper Cauldron</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Penelope Manchester, a good witch with one green
and one blue eye, awaits her destiny: a warrior of God with the face of an
angel, the heart of a saint, and eyes which match her own. St. Michael the
Archangel flies into her life and sweeps her off her feet. Meanwhile, an evil
sorcerer captures witches, steals their powers and most of their nine lives,
and shrinks them to the size of a doll--a </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia-Italic; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Nürnberg,</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> doll. But when he turns two of the Manchester witches into dolls, the
Manchester clan fights back with St. Michael and divine intervention. Armed
with the legendary copper cauldron, a fire breathing dragon, and an arsenal of
spells, good battles evil.</span></div>
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<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/paranormal-c-84/copper-cauldron-p-417.html">http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/paranormal-c-84/copper-cauldron-p-417.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/copper-cauldron-terri-talley-venters/1115186471?ean=2940016435336&isbn=2940016435336">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/copper-cauldron-terri-talley-venters/1115186471?ean=2940016435336&isbn=2940016435336</a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Copper-Cauldron-Elements-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00CHXIT06/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366811182&sr=1-1&keywords=copper+cauldron">http://www.amazon.com/Copper-Cauldron-Elements-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00CHXIT06/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366811182&sr=1-1&keywords=copper+cauldron</a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<a href="http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=83&products_id=382"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Click here to purchase Carbon Copy</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://twitter.com/TerriVenters">Follow Terri on Twitter</a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px;"><i>Terry was kind enough to share another of her wonderful elemental short stories! Check it out!</i></span></span><b> </b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 114%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">SILICON<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 114%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">By: Terri
Talley Venters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 114%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">You
are cordially invited to a Valentines’ Day Party<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 114%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">February
14, 1913<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 114%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">8
o’clock in the evening <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 114%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">At
the beach home of Jeb and Shelby McAlister<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 114%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">In
St. Augustine, Florida<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Priscilla squealed with excitement as she danced in circles, delighted
to receive the coveted Valentines’ Day party invitation hosted by her friends,
twins Jeb and Shelby. Priscilla, along with everyone else fortunate enough to
attend, looked forward this annual party of the season. The tradition started several
years ago when Jeb and Shelby’s parents wanted society to mingle with their
teenage children on Valentines’ Day in hopes to find good matches for their
twins amongst the children of their wealthy friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Everyone anticipated an engagement between Priscilla and Jeb. In fact
Priscilla let Jeb kiss her on the beach at last year’s Valentines’ Day party.
Although she’d hoped for a proposal last year, she understood the delay since
he and his twin sister, along with their parents, departed for Europe a few
days after last year’s party. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Priscilla worried why he never wrote to her during this last year. She
feared Jeb’s parents would try to marry him off to a lady of nobility during
their Grand Tour. She read the social pages everyday and felt thankful to hear
no news of him. Her heart would break if she learned Jeb got engaged to another
woman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">It didn’t surprise her to not see him since last year. The McAlister’s lived in Philadelphia, while
Priscilla and her family lived in New York. But like most wealthy families,
they spent their winters in Florida.
They took the Florida East Coast railroad to St. Augustine, Florida and
stayed in the luxurious Ponce De Leon Hotel. Since the beaches in Florida were
so beautiful, many wealthy families built their winter homes here including the
McAlister family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Valentines’ Day finally arrived and Priscilla arrived at the
McAlister’s enormous beach home located on the inlet leading into St.
Augustine. Her full-length, red satin gown would normally appear inappropriate
on an unmarried woman, but her mother acquiesced and allowed Priscilla to
borrow hers for this special evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Priscilla walked up the steps of the party and felt breathless at the
sight of everyone wearing their finery--the women in beautiful gowns and jewels
and the men in coats with tails and top hats.
She entered the beautiful home and fantasized about her future with
Jeb. She pictured herself wearing the
latest fashions from Paris, adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires,
depending on which gown she chose. But
the best part about her fantasy life was the title of Mrs. Jeb McAlister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">She entered the enormous ballroom and immediately searched for
Jeb. She took the glass of champagne
handed to her by a servant, but ignored the scrumptious buffet meticulously
laid out in the formal dinning room of the mansion. She knew eating like a field hand repulsed
most gentlemen, along with her waistline. She saw many of her friends which
delighted her, but she saw no sign of any of the McAlister’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Priscilla, darling, how wonderful to see you. Have you met Matthew Oxford of Boston?”
Madeline asked, kissing her cheeks to greet her friend since childhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Of course, I remember Mr. Oxford.
How do you do?” Priscilla asked.
She raised her gloved-hand and allowed him to kiss the silken fabric
protecting her delicate fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“How do you do, Priscilla. How
wonderful to see you again. I was just
telling Madeline how sorry I was to hear about her husband who went down on the
Titanic last April,” Matthew said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“I’m so sorry for your loss, Madeline.
And how unfortunate I must again compete with the beautiful Madeline
Astor. How can I possibly land a fine
husband when every eye is on you tonight,” Priscilla said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Thank you, Priscilla. But I’m
afraid you outshine me in your beautiful red gown,” Madeline said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Madeline and I were just discussing how the tragedy of so many lost
souls on the Titanic increased my business last year,” Matthew said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“How interesting. It’s good to hear something positive derived from
such a tragedy,” Priscilla said. She
tried to hide her shock to hear a man discussing business in front of ladies.
But his breach of etiquette reminded her of Matthew’s “nouveau riche” status.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Mr. Oxford makes headstones for a living and his father owns a
granite quarry,” Madeline said, catching Priscilla up on the conversation while
sharing her misery of the dreadful tale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“You see, tombstones are made from granite, although granite is
composed 65% of silicon dioxide,” Matthew said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Priscilla forced her eyes not to close with boredom from this dreadful
conversation. She needed to find Jeb
without appearing rude. “Sounds fascinating, Matthew. Although I don’t care to
ever see another tombstone again, I’d love to hear more about the tombstone
making business. But if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to search for our host,
young Mr. McAlister,” Priscilla said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Priscilla walked out to the beach and stood in the same spot where Jeb
had kissed her one year ago tonight. She missed him terribly and felt
disappointed she hadn’t seen him at his own party. She understood his duties as
a host, but she thought it rather odd that no one saw either Jeb or Shelby at
tonight’s party. In fact, no one saw or
heard from the McAlister’s since last year’s party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">She looked out at the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean and thought of
all the lost people who perished when the Titanic sank last spring. Priscilla prayed to see her beloved again.
“Oh, Jeb, I miss you terribly. I love you and I want to be your wife more than
anything in the world. Please come back to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Priscilla couldn’t believe her eyes at the sight before her. As her
vision watched the circling lights of the lighthouse across the bay, she saw a
figure standing on the rocks. He looked like Jeb. She blinked her eyes and thought her prayers
were finally answered. Her heart knew the image she craved to see again
belonged to her beloved, Jeb McAlister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">She walked towards him and yelled, “Jeb.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">He looked at her without saying a word. He started walking towards the
house and Priscilla followed him. Although it thrilled her to see him again, it
concerned her when he didn’t come to her now. After an entire year apart, she
felt disappointed at his lack of response.
She’d expected Jeb to take her into his arms because he missed her as
much as she missed him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">She watched Jeb head to the house and couldn’t keep up with his fast
pace. She watched him walk through the open front door, almost knocking over a
late arriving guest. He didn’t even stop to greet him. <i>What happened to his
manners?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Priscilla ran into the house and screamed “Jeb, Jeb, please wait, it’s
me, Priscilla.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Did you see Jeb?” someone asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Yes, he walked right through the front door a few seconds ago. Didn’t
you see him too?” Priscilla asked as she looked through the crowded party to
search for Jeb. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“No, in fact no one has seen Jeb, Shelby, or their parents tonight,”
the other guest said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Look, there he is. Jeb is so tall; I can easily spot his top hat from
here. But what’s the white thing around his neck? It looks like a life jacket,”
Priscilla asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Wouldn’t surprise me if Jeb decided to take a midnight sail by the
Castillo de San Marco. But I don’t see him. Where is he?” Matthew asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Look, he’s right there going out the back door. He’s probably headed
towards his boat. It’s docked at the rear of the property,” Priscilla said,
pointing towards Jeb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Hey, everyone, Jeb is taking us on a midnight sail in the harbor.
Follow the man in a top hat and life preserver and grab bottle of champagne,”
Matthew said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Hurrah!” the party guests cheered in unison as they headed out the
back of the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Where is he? I don’t see him,” everyone asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“He’s right there. How can you not see him? Everyone, follow me,”
Priscilla said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">She led the party outside, and everyone screamed in horror at the
sight before them. Four new granite gravestones now occupied the backyard.
Priscilla immediately read the engraving on the third marker. She now knew why she never heard from Jeb
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Here lies Jeb McAlister<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Beloved Son and Brother<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Born Jan 18, 1888<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Lost at sea on the H.M.S, Titanic <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">April 15, 1912.</span></i></div>
C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-90570746415718696132013-04-21T10:55:00.000-07:002013-04-21T10:55:30.559-07:00Check our Karie's Dangerous Waters promo pic!!One of my very talented new friends, Karie Shafer, created the awesome promo pic below for Dangerous Waters. Thanks Karie!! Very cool!!<br />
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C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-58159161505226191302013-03-30T05:30:00.001-07:002013-03-30T05:30:56.334-07:00More pics from the Dangerous Waters trailer shoot!Here are some additional behind the scenes pics from the Dangerous Waters trailer shoot. Enjoy!!<br />
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<br />C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-34676039618090837112013-03-29T15:19:00.000-07:002013-03-29T20:24:14.014-07:00Coming to a theater near you... the Dangerous Waters trailer!!The initial list of theaters the Dangerous Waters trailer will play in has been set!! The air date will be determined once the publication date is set, but it will play before all PG rated movies or above on all screens for two weeks.<br />
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If there isn't a location near you the trailer will also be available on my Blog, Website, FB Author page and on YouTube. And we may expand to more theaters if the first run produces solid results :)<br />
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<li>LANSING Ncg Lansing
Cinema 2500
SHOWTIME DRIVE</li>
<li>TRAVERSE CITY Horizon
Cinemas 10 3587 MARKET PLACE Cir</li>
<li>LOUISVILLE Baxter Avene
Filmworks 1250 Bardstown Road</li>
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C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-88635787437445101252013-03-25T19:14:00.001-07:002013-03-27T19:46:58.128-07:00Dangerous Waters trailer shoot picsHere's your first quick peek behind the scenes at the Dangerous Waters trailer shoot. These are just a few I had a chance to snap with my pocket digital camera. I should have our "behind-the-scenes-photographer" Terri's pics by the end of the week:<br />
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C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-6255237703154507792013-02-22T04:00:00.000-08:002013-02-22T04:00:14.630-08:00Guest Blog Q&A with Tessa Dawn, Author of Blood Shadows - the latest installment in the Blood Curse series!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Author Bio:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tessa Dawn grew up in Colorado where she developed a deep affinity for the Rocky Mountains. After graduating with a degree in psychology, she worked for several years in criminal justice and mental health before returning to get her Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tessa began writing as a child and composed her first full-length novel at the age of eleven. By the time she graduated high-school, she had a banker’s box full of short-stories and books. Since then, she has published works as diverse as poetry, greeting cards, workbooks for kids with autism, and academic curricula. The Blood Curse Series marks her long-desired return to her creative-writing roots and her first foray into the Dark Fantasy world of vampire fiction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tessa currently splits her time between the Colorado suburbs and mountains with her husband, two children, and “one very crazy cat.” She hopes to one day move to the country where she can own horses and what she considers “the most beautiful creature ever created” -- a German Shepherd. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Writing is her bliss. </span></div>
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<u>Blood Shadows:</u><br />
Nachari Silivasi is a bright light in a Dark World. As the youngest vampire in a family of warriors, he has studied Magick for four-hundred years and acquired a rare mastery of the universe around him. He is beloved by his family; legendary for his good-looks; and known for his uncommon valor. Unfortunately, he has just made the ultimate sacrifice – he has traded his immortal life for the life of the Vampyr King. <br />
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Deanna Dubois is as talented as she is independent, but she has developed a strange and terrifying habit: Night after night, day after day, she sketches one horrifying scene after another -- the body of a gorgeous male being tortured in hell by demons. Disturbed by her ever growing obsession, she sets out to Dark Moon Vale to uncover the truth. Only, what she finds is a web of danger, destruction, and deceit. <br />
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Separated by space and time, yet drawn together by fate, Nachari and Deanna find themselves in an epic battle against evil: Nachari is forced to forge a path in a world of shadows, where torture and lust rule the night; while Deanna struggles to decide between two polar opposites – to flee from the truth or trade her mortal soul for the <i><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua,Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua,Book Antiqua;">possibility </span></span></i><br />
of a stranger’s salvation.
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The stakes could not be higher. <br />
The enemy could not be more lethal. <br />
And the only way to <i><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua,Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua,Book Antiqua;">reach the light </span></span></i><br />
is to, first, enter the Blood Shadows.
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<br />
<u>And now for the interview!!</u><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hi Chad,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks for having me on your blog. I’m looking forward to the interview!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How did you come up with the very creative foundation for your series, the Blood curse? Did the specifics evolve as you wrote Blood Destiny or did you have everything pretty much nailed down up front?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many years ago, when I was still a teenager, I watched a documentary about an ancient civilization that went extinct after sacrificing all of their females to “male” gods (don’t remember the name). Needless to say, it left an impact (I was glad they all died, and I was appalled that they could’ve been so calloused and power-hungry). When I began the Blood Curse Series, I knew that I wanted to do two things: First, reinvent the mythology and origin of vampires (explain the what, how, and why of vampirism); and second, utilize the history I saw in that documentary. The Blood Curse allowed me to both.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your compelling series formula – with the shifting central character, primary romantic plot, and good vs. evil ongoing subplot (with some Vamps on the side of good) – shares some similarities with the Dark Hunter and Black Dagger brotherhood series (which I also love). Have you had an opportunity to read either series? If so, did you enjoy them?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have not read the Dark Hunter series; I have, however, read BDB by JR Ward. And just like you, I love it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I read that you penned your first full length novel at the incredibly young age of 11. What was the story about? Do you still have it with you?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have no idea what it was about… lol. I wrote SO MUCH…so often. I think that was just the age when I finally finished something full length. Luckily, those “books” never saw the light of day (I hope they still exist in a box somewhere, but trust me, they were pretty darn bad!) LOL<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m thinking with your background in criminal justice, there’s more than a little of yourself in Jocelyn Levi. What else do you have in common with the heroine from the first book in the series (Blood Destiny)? </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hmm, let me see: maybe her heart and some of her analytical qualities. Otherwise, not a whole lot. **Spoiler Alert** I would have felt great sympathy for Braden, too; and I would have made the same calculation in the shed about the Dark One (the enemy of my enemy is my friend – go for it). But I would not have tried to jump over the rail on the balcony; I would not have run out to help Nathaniel in the clearing (I would’ve hidden in a closet somewhere, under blankets, in a box…dialing 911…and praying); and it’s doubtful I would’ve been in that first cave to begin with…that depends. </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Blood Awakening , which happens to be my favorite book in the series so far, we are treated to a surprising twist, with the immergence of the daughters of King Sakarias (who was ruler of the Celestial Beings before the Blood Curse). Was this a part of the original series story arc in your mind or an ingenious addition?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was not part of the original series. To develop the series, I created the history and mythology; I went into great detail about who the vampires would be (dark v. light) and why. Then, I fleshed them out into 3D color so to speak, breathed life into them, and gave them the reigns. From that moment forward, I’ve followed their characters and the story – most of the time, I have no idea what’s going to happen next. Except for in the epilogue of book four (which will be the main story in book five); I saw that happening early on – just didn’t know when or how.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your diverse publishing history (poetry, greeting cards, academic texts, workbooks for Autistic children and novels) is extremely unique. Which of these did you do first? Which types of media do you still work in?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wrote poetry (for many years) and greeting cards first, and I think that background is evident in my writing style. I have to really concentrate on not going too far into the nuance and rhythm of the words: remind myself, “this is fiction!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I’m eagerly (and impatiently) awaiting Nachari and Deanna’s story in Blood Shadows (2/28 release), I’m also curious about the fifth installment. By process of elimination, I assume book #5 will feature the Ancient Master Healer Kagen. Do you know who his female interest will be yet? Have you started working on the manuscript?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, let’s see: All I can say is your “assumption” is…not happening. LOL (However, if it’s any consolation, that’s what most of my reader’s assume). Book five is a surprise. It is something I saw happening before I finished book one, but I just didn’t know when or how I would write it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And yes, as Kagen steps forward just a little bit more in each book, I’m beginning to get a deeper feel for him and where his character may need to go. While envisioning book five, I saw his destiny emerge in my imagination (for the FIRST time). As always, there will be a slight twist – but it won’t be in book five. Smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Will the series wrap up with Braden’s story (the apprentice) or will additional characters be introduced? </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, I have no idea. I do know that a lot of readers are really interested in Braden and would like to see his character mature…and his story unfold. There is a lot of possibility with Braden because he’s so multi-layered. Right now, I don’t have any specific plans…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you have your own favorite book in the series so far? If so, which is it and why is it your favorite?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Favorite book so far (and it was a total surprise) is Blood Possession. Favorite character: Nachari (so his book runs a close second).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who is your favorite author all-time? Why? Who are some of your current favorites? </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would have to take a month to think about my all-time favorite author, lol. However, I will say that Robert Masello (Blood and Ice) is the best “writer” I have ever seen. I don’t know if his books are great or not because I just get lost in his craft and sentence structure – the flow of his words and the easy perfection with which he wields them. It’s like staring at the Sistine chapel and wondering, how does anyone do that??? Ever? Really!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some current favorites are Kim Harrison and Anne Bishop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How long did it take you to write Blood Destiny? What was the hardest part for you? Do you start out with a detailed outline or use more of a free flowing style?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I start out with a not-so-detailed outline (like a skeleton), and then I fill in the “flesh and bones” in layers. However, it always changes as I write – sometimes significantly. Have you ever seen someone try to move a donkey that doesn’t want to budge? That’s what my characters do to me when I try to take them somewhere they don’t want to go – or that isn’t entirely authentic for them. They dig in and refuse to go. Surprisingly, even if it’s a “bad” or painful scene, if that’s where they’re going -- that’s where they’re going.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you track online reviews, rankings and sales figures closely? How do you handle less than complimentary reviews? Are you able to dismiss them and move on or do they get under your skin?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the first two weeks of a release, I will look at many (but not all) of the early reviews to see how the book is doing as a whole. After that, and as surprising as this sounds, I don’t read them! Really, I don’t. If I (or my publisher) have requested a specific review, then of course, I read every word. And many of my readers will contact me directly to share their reactions, reviews, or questions & concerns (if they have them) – I always read EVERY word my readers write to me, even if it takes me a while to respond.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With respect to negative reviews, every author approaches this differently, so there’s more than one way to go about it. Personally, I think it’s a mistake to single-out and read negative reviews (just as it would be a mistake to single out and read positive reviews). Maybe it’s because I studied so much statistics in college, but for me, I see reviews as a snapshot of the whole, where overall patterns and trends tell us much more than individual postings. Don’t get me wrong, I pay close attention to my editor’s notes; I use a BETA reading group for feedback, and if I noticed a negative theme, trend, or problem from readers (on a bell curve, that would be over 10%), I would definitely take a look to see what’s going on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Release Date</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">: February 28, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Title</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">: BLOOD SHADOWS by Tessa Dawn (Blood Curse Series, #4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Availability</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">: Paperback and eBook<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Links:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Website:<b> <a href="http://www.tessadawn.com/"><span style="color: purple;">www.tessadawn.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<u>Amazon:</u><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Shadows-Tessa-Dawn/dp/193722306X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1360098633&sr=8-5&keywords=tessa+dawn+shadows">http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Shadows-Tessa-Dawn/dp/193722306X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1360098633&sr=8-5&keywords=tessa+dawn+shadows</a><br />
<u>Barnes & Noble:</u><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-shadows-tessa-dawn/1114319770?ean=9781937223069">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-shadows-tessa-dawn/1114319770?ean=9781937223069</a><br />
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C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-42970395772577718042013-02-16T08:02:00.000-08:002013-02-16T08:02:32.509-08:00Dangerous Waters book trailer update!!Great news!!<br />
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The cast has been finalized for the upcoming March 23rd Dangerous Waters book trailer shoot on the campus of MSU! <br />
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And I've got a company lined up to take the raw footage we shoot and transform it into a professional trailer :)<br />
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A big, heartfelt thank you goes out to the cast below:<br />
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<li>Emily / Brooke - Jocelyn Elyssa Cutean</li>
<li>Sandy - Zachera Wollenberg</li>
<li>Ruby - Maryrose Jakeway</li>
<li>Raven - Britney Brown</li>
<li>Sienna - Sara Anne Ostrowski</li>
<li>Daniel - Chris Coy</li>
<li>Travis - Mike Burr</li>
<li>Teresa - Kat Orwig (still being confirmed)</li>
<li>Alexander - Hunter Lee Eagle</li>
<li>Wendy Taylor - Jenn Campbell</li>
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We've put together a list of 14 potential scenes we are thinking of shooting. The cast will be working together to iron out the details for each over the coming weeks. Once we finalize the scene selection I'll share the details here :) <br />
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While the big screen debut may still be a ways off (Doesn't hurt to dream :) ), it is so exciting to see some of my favorite scenes brought to life!!<br />
C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-74546413658214305692013-02-01T04:00:00.000-08:002013-02-01T04:00:02.972-08:00Guest Blog Post with Kenzie Michaels, Author of Class Reunion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-qhjZU2IPPJyQ88nvw4ZP4u_cT8_pbTYIeAgIkGrgcU3aES5Gc1puegjAOiq9dNvyjWa6Me_cpDmzATeQ0o97vZF9gFbQrweVfe-oVIEgrUz4twq9LqKFS3Ut4O7QNubEA8zbpT3cXQ/s1600/2010-07-14+23.52.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-qhjZU2IPPJyQ88nvw4ZP4u_cT8_pbTYIeAgIkGrgcU3aES5Gc1puegjAOiq9dNvyjWa6Me_cpDmzATeQ0o97vZF9gFbQrweVfe-oVIEgrUz4twq9LqKFS3Ut4O7QNubEA8zbpT3cXQ/s200/2010-07-14+23.52.05.jpg" width="110" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><u>Meet Kenzie:</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kenzie Michaels resides in the Midwest with her husband, three children, and various household pets. Her fifth-grade teacher showed this avid reader how to write the stories swirling in her head, successfully unleashing her imagination upon the written word.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kenzie is the 'wild child' of author Molly Daniels. They cohabitate nicely inside the brain of a woman in Indiana who's the mother of three and 'Aunt Molly' to the entire neighborhood. A devout chocoholic, her hubby has learned to watch out when the characters in her head take over and not get too upset when the words are flowing and all concept of time is lost. (LOL)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8QqODBzz_CkEmKzCO6RrHgfCfw_HLfgM6kJT29gXIx_vxXkMGK4J6IDgMpDWwgn3tCPgPK04E7Qo-jPoXHg0CMiFOpmLxN4p1EtUAJD_59Nk2kjFaozJ9CmKP4itLiYDl0o0nGYmmEQ/s1600/Class+Reunion+Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8QqODBzz_CkEmKzCO6RrHgfCfw_HLfgM6kJT29gXIx_vxXkMGK4J6IDgMpDWwgn3tCPgPK04E7Qo-jPoXHg0CMiFOpmLxN4p1EtUAJD_59Nk2kjFaozJ9CmKP4itLiYDl0o0nGYmmEQ/s320/Class+Reunion+Cover.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><u><strong>Class Reunion:</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After being burned pretty badly by two different women in his past, Brian Vellinger has sworn off romance. Commitment-shy for the past fifteen years, he is stunned by his sudden attraction to a woman he's not seen since the last day of their senior year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Natalie Collier thinks she's successfully put Brian Vellinger out of her mind. After harboring a secret crush all through high school and into college, she is both alarmed and thrilled when Brian makes his intentions known at their 25th class reunion. But will she succeed in softening his casual, 'sex only' policy, or will she end up just another notch on his belt?</span></div>
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<u><strong>Your exclusive Class Reunion sneak peak !</strong></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He tried to be casual about where he was headed; he stopped and joked with others, but his mind and his eyes kept returning to the honey-blonde mass of hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nat had twisted it up in a knot on top of her head, but Brian felt himself growing hard, remembering how it had framed her face as she’d bent over him that morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Fuck it…if they talk, they talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s going back tomorrow anyway; what’s a little gossip going to hurt?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as she understands this isn’t going anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brian switched tactics and intercepted her, motioning her over behind the enclosed shelter house a few yards away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He made sure no one was looking and swung her into his arms for a thorough kiss, pressing his pelvis against hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt her soften as her arms crept around his neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Wow Bri…what was that for?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled after they came up for air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Can’t a man kiss a beautiful woman for no reason?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides…your tits are driving me crazy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brian unbuttoned her sleeveless shirt and placed kisses on the gentle curves above her bra cups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t satisfied, and pulled one taut nipple free to drink of her sweetness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly he stopped and tugged both her bra and shirt back into place, gathering her close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Christ, Natalie…what the hell have you done to me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What do you mean?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her words were muffled against his neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I haven’t dragged a female behind a building since the time I kissed Beth Lewis behind the bleachers in the seventh grade.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kissed her again and stepped back to rebutton her shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How much longer do we have to be here, anyway?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A look of surprise crossed her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“People can leave at any time, but I thought you were supposed to stick around until everyone left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless you put Sandy in charge today…she’s the one who pulled all the tables together and made sure this area was reserved.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I forgot to thank her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brian ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you hang around with me, or do you and Lisa have plans for tonight?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“No; no plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw my parents yesterday afternoon, and left the evening wide open for any suggestions.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Natalie bit her lip and clasped her hands together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Brian lifted her chin with one finger so she looked him in the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about room service at your hotel?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><u>Pre-order Class Reunion here:<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.freyasbower.com/contemporary-c-7/class-reunion-p-283.html">http://www.freyasbower.com/contemporary-c-7/class-reunion-p-283.html</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Kenzie's Social Links:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><br />Website: <a href="http://www.mollydaniels.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: purple;">www.mollydaniels.wordpress.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><br />Romance Books 4 Us: <a href="http://romancebooks4us.com/Romance%20Author%20Molly%20Daniels-Kenzie%20Michaels.html">http://romancebooks4us.com/Romance%20Author%20Molly%20Daniels-Kenzie%20Michaels.html</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Blog: <a href="http://kenziemichaels.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: purple;">http://kenziemichaels.blogspot.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Kenzie-Michaels/248105468603737">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Kenzie-Michaels/248105468603737</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kenziemichaels">www.twitter.com/kenziemichaels</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kenzie-Michaels/e/B004TYM7FE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1">http://www.amazon.com/Kenzie-Michaels/e/B004TYM7FE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Nook: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kenzie-michaels?keyword=kenzie+michaels&store=ebook"><span style="color: purple;">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kenzie-michaels?keyword=kenzie+michaels&store=ebook</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">ARE: <a href="http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html">http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-40245076619658360022013-01-22T15:55:00.002-08:002013-01-22T15:55:30.085-08:00Sneek peek #3 - Dangerous Waters prologue!!As promised, here is the entire Dangerous Waters prologue! This is set a few years in the future, and gives you a glimpse of what is to come further into the series. As always, keep in mind this is taken from my draft version :)<br />
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Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!!<br />
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<h1 align="center" style="margin: 12pt 0in 3pt 0.25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Prologue</span><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ornately carved golden doors of the global court swung open, and the raucous crowd settled into their seats. Soldiers outfitted in full battle gear streamed in, marching down the long marble aisle to the raised gallery that formed a half circle behind the five vampire containment chairs. They each carried a knockout stick and a shoulder-fired laser rifle capable of delivering three second bursts of one quadrillion watts. The electromagnetic waves generated by the RF frequency systems in their helmets shielded their thoughts and ensured that not even the strongest of their enemy could hijack their mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once they were positioned, the bailiff typed a code into the touchpad on the wall, and a steel panel slid open. Four hooded figures emerged, surrounded by several more guards who forcefully escorted them to their chairs. Their shackled ankles and wrists were smeared with conductive jelly then attached to electrical leads. As soon as they were seated, metal bands extended around their shins, thighs, chests, biceps and forearms, leaving them unable to move. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">None of the prisoners made a sound, knowing that even a whimper would be met with another punishing jolt of current from the collars that adorned their necks, but that did little to lessen the deafening noise in the room. Every seat of the three story grand hall was occupied for this momentous event, with another 750,000 people crammed into Central Park outside. Reporters from around the globe were scrambling to get their last pre-trial clips recorded before the court was called to order. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Some are questioning the tactics of the global court this morning,” an Austria reporter stated in her native German. “Using vampires and humans as bait in an effort to lure what most people consider to be the Vampire Queen out of hiding. So far their plan doesn’t seem to have worked, as there have been no sensor reports of vampire activity in or around New York, but with the executions moving forward today, things are expected to intensify.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“All rise!” the bailiff bellowed out through the hall. “This court is now in session. The honorable global court inquisitor O’Callaghan presiding.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An imposing figure with short, golden locks entered from behind the bailiff, motioning with his hands for people to take their seats. He gathered his floor-length white and purple robes in his left hand, made his way over to the furthest prisoner and yanked the hood from her head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So this is the all-powerful Sienna,” the inquisitor mocked, squeezing the bound woman’s cheeks with his hand. “How disappointing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her once beautiful face was disfigured by several charred-black electrical burns, blood and pus oozing out of the open wounds. The pungent salve packed into her broken nose made her eyes tear up, and prevented her from smelling anything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do you have anything you wish to say in your defense before I render my verdict?” the inquisitor asked, deactivating the device around her throat so she could speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This will never work—she knows her life is far more important than mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s possible she’d let you die,” he acknowledged. “But both of her parents, her mate and her best friend? No, I think that’s far too much to expect her to endure. Sooner or later she’ll come, and the world will celebrate her execution.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sienna snapped to attention at the news of who accompanied her. “You have no idea what you’ve done—everyone in this building’s going to die.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The crowd erupted at her outburst, and the inquisitor held up his hand to silence them. “And how exactly is your precious Queen going to manage that? She’ll be welcomed to our fair city by twenty thousand volts from the first alarm she trips. Not enough to kill your kind, but plenty to leave her unconscious until—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sir, a perimeter alarm’s been triggered just outside the north gate,” a soldier interrupted from the gallery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He wheeled on the man in a fit of anger. “Interrupt me again, and I’ll disembowel you! People have been jumping the fence all day—contact the guards at the gate and have them check it out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We tried sir. Calls have been placed to the guard desk, the three closest perimeter sweep teams and the north tactical unit—they’re not responding.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Who’s not responding, you imbecile!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Any of them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s too late,” Sienna said, gazing at his panic-stricken face. “She’s here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Clear the courtroom and take the prisoners back into custody!” he commanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before anyone could move a massive explosion rocked the third floor balcony, raining debris and body parts down on the crowd below, and filling the auditorium with a choking white smoke. The crowd flooded for the exits, which were soon hopelessly jammed. They started to push and trample each other in a desperate attempt to escape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The lone set of stairs to the balcony was located outside the courtroom, so the soldiers had no choice but to yield the high ground to their unseen enemy. Feeling trapped, several of them started to fire blindly into the smoke, only adding to the chaos. The commanding officer who’d been talking with the inquisitor raised his rifle—against his will—and sent a chest high laser beam though the entire gallery, cutting several of his fellow soldiers in half. The ones that survived were turned to dust by an energy burst that blew out the entire back of the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moments later a woman dressed in skin-tight black leather swooped down onto the marble floor, drawing two broadswords from the sheaths on her back. The inquisitor took three running steps and dove for a knockout stick that had come to rest a few feet in front of him. His body was suspended mid leap, as if he’d struck an invisible barrier of some kind, then catapulted sideways into the solid steel outer wall of the holding cells. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The vampire advanced but had to break off her attack when a laser tore through the floor inches in front of her black leather boots. In a move too fast to be seen, she coiled and launched herself across the courtroom, landing amongst the small group of soldiers that had fought their way through the crowd. A bright red mist filled the air as she executed her elegant dance of death, moving with the grace and agility of a jungle cat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the time she returned the inquisitor had managed to pull his body up into a sitting position and was taking short, labored breaths. She raised his chin with the tip of her blood-covered blade, wanting him to see who it was that was delivering him to hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He let out something between a choking sound and a chuckle, spitting blood from his mouth. “Releasing the locks requires an order from me, and the code can only be entered remotely by central command. They’re all going to burn.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Don’t flatter yourself—there’s nothing I need from you.” She fixed her gaze on the restraints binding Sienna to the chair. Within seconds they started to rattle, shaking more and more violently until they broke free and dropped to the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His eyes widened with fear. “Wh—what are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The last thing your wife and three kids are ever going to see.” She flicked her wrist, and his severed head fell into his lap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fire was rapidly engulfing the courtroom, sending waves of torrid heat washing over her face. She scanned the entire hall in search of any additional threats. Most of the remaining people had succumbed to the noxious gas that was making her gag. Those that were left were sprawled out on the floor, clinging to the last threads of life. Assured that they weren’t in any imminent danger, she sheathed her weapons and turned toward Sienna. “Hi Mom.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I told you not to come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She laughed, wiping some of the blood from her face. “You can ground me when we get home. Can you walk?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not far. Your father’s in worse shape though. Brooke, his heart—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I know—I can hear it.” Brooke reached behind her back, pulled a sports bottle out of the top of her pants and tossed it to Sienna. “You’ll need your strength.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Thanks.” Using both hands, she reset the bones in her nose, then popped the top, poured about a quarter of the bottle over her face and chugged down the rest. Within a few seconds the wounds healed over. They both jumped when one of the rafters crashed to the floor behind them. “I think that’s our cue. Let’s get out of here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brooke concentrated on her hunched-over father’s restraints. As soon as they broke free his body pitched forward into Sienna’s waiting arms, and she eased him onto his back. “Hang in there, David,” she whispered, removing his hood. “We’ll get you to a hospital soon.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The whirling noise from dozens of approaching helicopters sent them scrambling to free the others. Countless soldiers—an entire brigade at least—charged into the mouth of the blown-out opening just as the last of the restraints fell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“My God,” Sienna gasped. “There’s too many sweetheart, even for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m what they want,” Brooke said with a resigned nod. “Take my father and head north. Stick to the rooftops until you get outside the city, so you don’t trip any alarms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sienna was appalled. “We’re not leaving you here to die.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No fucking way!” the vampire next to her exclaimed. “You’re my wife—I’m not going anywhere without you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Neither am I,” her Goddess of a best friend added, still looking runway-ready in spite of her ordeal. “Like it or not, we’re in this together.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seeing her loved ones demand to stand by her brought tears to her eyes. Part of her wanted to say yes, to have them all fight together to the end, but she knew how selfish that was. Three vampires with too weak of a trance ability to penetrate the RF jamming would be all but useless against an army this size, and if she fled with them it would eliminate any chance they had of escaping. She’d resisted the stupid “Queen” title from the moment it’d been forced upon her—the first and only order she’d ever given her family was that they never bow to her—but invoking that authority was the only way she’d get them to leave. Using her telekinetic ability, Brooke pushed them away, knocking her mate to the floor. “As your Queen I command it! Move!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They all shot her stunned looks laced with an edge of betrayal. Without another word Sienna hoisted David into her arms and disappeared into what remained of the third floor balcony, the other two vampires close behind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brooke arched her hands out in front of her, and a glimmering light began to radiate between them. Once it had fully materialized she thrust her arms forward, hurling a ball of plasma into the advancing troops that obliterated the entire first wave. The hundreds behind them closed in, driving her back toward the flames. There was no escape. She defiantly drew her swords before the first blow from a knockout stick sent her tumbling to her knees. The second incapacitated her completely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When she came to she was in the back of a helicopter, and a soldier was fitting a voice restraint collar around her neck. Her boots had been removed, and her wrists and ankles were bound together with the latest alloy composite, stronger than even she could break with sheer force alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sir? We’ve got her,” the commanding officer called over his satellite phone. He listened for a few moments then handed the phone back to his first Lieutenant. “Bring me the laser shears.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes Colonel.” The First Lieutenant relayed the order and soon had them in his hand. “Here you go, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Prop her up.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two soldiers stepped forward and raised Brooke into a sitting position. The Colonel flipped on the shears, took hold of her chin and shaved off all of her milk chocolate colored hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This cap is packed with Lorazepam,” he said, sliding a black swim cap onto her now bald head. “It’s a potent tranquilizer that’s absorbed through your skin. In a couple minutes you won’t be able to remember your name, let alone trance anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He started to walk away then stopped and turned back toward her. “And this is a gift from me, for killing over three hundred of my men.” The Colonel removed the guard from the shears and stuck the tip of his combat knife into the beam, heating it to a molten red. The other soldiers moved aside as he bent down over her and burned a large V deep into her forehead. Brooke screamed in agony, causing 5,000 volts to fire into her throat. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and her jaw fell slack.</span></div>
C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-782701317399062122013-01-15T18:37:00.000-08:002013-01-16T03:33:25.250-08:00Dangerous Waters sneek peek #2 - Meet Travis and TeresaThis week I thought I'd introduce you to the seriously demented brother and sister antagonists :) <o:p></o:p><br />
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There is some swearing in the below so be forewarned. And keep in mind this is taken from my unedited draft copy. <br />
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Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!!<br />
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<h1 align="center" style="margin: 12pt 0in 3pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">Fight or flight<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Would you stop already?” Teresa grumbled, glaring at her ever-pacing brother. “No one’s following us. Relax.”<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Travis finished scanning Beacon Street then ducked back into the alleyway. “God damn it! Do you ever listen? I told you we had to cool it for a while. What the hell were you thinking?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The bitch spilled her drink on me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He sighed and tiredly rubbed his eyes. Arguing with her was like trying to reason with a bratty three year old grabbing candy in a grocery check-out line. “So we’re homeless because someone accidentally got diet coke on your shirt?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Quit being such a Queen,” Teresa said with a huff. “You know Stefan thinks of us as his kids, which is totally weird by the way. All he’ll do is make us listen to his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rules</i> again. If you wouldn’t have talked me into running we’d probably be watching TV by now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If they just wanted to talk they would’ve waited until we got back, not raided the building like a two man S.W.A.T. team. This is serious, Terr. If they find us, they’re going to kill us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the first time in as long as he could remember his snarky, narcissistic sister looked vulnerable. She crossed her arms to conceal her jittery hands and captured his eyes. “So what do we do? I’m not living on the street again, or in the skuzzy-ass hotels we used to stay in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Travis placed a comforting hand on his baby sister’s shoulder. “Things aren’t like they used to be, sis. Even you have to admit that Stefan taught us a hell of a lot. Once we get out of town we can trance a bank manager and get all the money we need. I thought we’d head south—you always wanted to see Orlando.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And what about the skank who started all this? We just leave her to her fairy-tale life, sipping wine in her mansion? No fucking way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Wake up!” Travis screamed, shaking her shoulders so violently that her teeth rattled. “You think you can take her? You don’t know jack shit. Raven’s been training for almost two hundred years, Einstein. She’d tear your ass apart like a piñata.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Teresa just rolled her eyes. “Not Raven, you douche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m talking about Emily.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Emily? What the hell did she do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If she wouldn’t have wandered up to us like a lost puppy we would never have fed with Alexander there, and Stefan would still be clueless. The bitch led Raven right to our door.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh come on. That’s a reach, even for you. Raven lied to her about our scent. You’re really going to blame her for that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I knew making her strip was a bad idea. All it takes is a flash of boobs and you turn to mush. Are you ever going to grow a pair? You’d still be Keri’s lapdog if it wasn’t for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Don’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oooh, don’t talk about my precious Keri,” Teresa mocked. “God you’re a pussy. She was never going to turn you, and you know it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That doesn’t mean I wanted her to die. I loved her. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Love shmove. You wanted to become immortal. I did you a favor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A favor? Are you serious? I asked her to marry me that night!” Travis caught just a hint of a smile on Teresa’s lips and froze. “You knew—that’s why you did it, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah, ri—“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like a stroke of lightning Travis smashed his fist into the brick wall just to the right of her head, opening up a gaping hole into the vacant building behind her. “Don’t you fucking lie to me! I swear to God I’ll kill you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Teresa calmly ducked out from under his arm and dusted the debris off her shirt. “So what if I did? Did you forget your promise to our parents, dear brother? Ten years is a long time. Remember the ambulance ride? Mom was coughing up blood, and dad was, well, dad wasn’t doing much of anything come to think of it. Hard to blame the guy, since he had a piece of metal stuck in his head. You promised them that you’d always look out for me—swore on your life actually. Where did I fit in your little family? You really think Keri would’ve let me keep living with you? She hated me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Travis collapsed to the ground and clutched his knees to his chest, tears stinging at his eyes. “How can you say that? She paid for you to go back to school. She even decked out your room with all the shit on your insane ‘must-have’ list. She was going to ask you to be her maid of honor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And when was she going to make me her sister? That’s right. Never. All she had to do was say yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes? Yes to what?” He stared at her in total confusion until it suddenly dawned on him. “Our walk in the park—you followed us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Of course. I’d only been pushing you to ask her for like three years.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So when she said she’d marry me, but she would never change me—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I knew I had to take matters into my own hands,” Teresa finished. “I figured she’d never be more distracted than that night. Boy was I right. She didn’t even wake up until the gas splashed her face. Once I lit the match all she could do is run around screaming. I’m glad you were at class. It was kinda gross watching her face melt away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You are seriously messed up,” he muttered without meeting her ice cold eyes. “You know that, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Teresa wrapped a strand of her curly blonde hair around her finger. “Whatever. We’re immortal now—that’s all that matters.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They both slipped back into the shadows when two figures emerged at the end of the alley, continuing on without even a glance in their direction. “It’s too dangerous for us to stay here. Will you at least come with me to Florida?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Once I choke the last breath out of that little whore you can take me wherever you want.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Travis slicked back his long, brown hair. “Fine. But if we’re doing this, we do it my way. Agreed?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“As long as she dies, I’m good with whatever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Their house is only a few miles from here. It’s surrounded by woods, so there are plenty of spots where we’ll be able to hear what’s going on inside without risking being seen. As soon as she’s left alone you can have your fun, but we’re waiting as long as it takes for that to happen. Even Sandy has had decades of training, and I’m not dying for your stupid vendetta.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hi ho, hi ho, off to kill a bitch we go!” Teresa sang out, dancing down the alley ahead of him like a giddy schoolgirl.</span></div>
C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-54021431816151251892013-01-08T18:20:00.000-08:002013-01-12T20:02:20.923-08:00Your first Dangerous Waters sneak peek!!Choosing one scene from an entire novel is tough!<br />
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Thanks Christy for your awesome suggestion to share the rather unique circumstances under which Daniel and Brooke meet :)<br />
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Here it goes... please let me know what you think!<br />
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<div style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I continued sweeping the crowd I saw the waitress who had served us drinks earlier handing beers to three guys a few tables down. The guy closest to the waitress was hitting on her, and she was clearly enjoying it. He seemed pretty full of himself which instantly turned me off. The friend to his right was acting like the typical side kick, laughing at his innuendos with the waitress and slapping hands as they talked about girls walking by. Then I noticed the guy sitting with them. He wasn’t chiming in with any of their crude jokes and looked like he couldn’t wait to get out of here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What can you tell me about the guy sitting on the end of the table over there?</i> To my horror everyone turned toward him at once, catching the waitress’s attention. She took a seat in macho man’s lap to stake her claim. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Real subtle, people. Jesus! You’re killing me here!</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a quick round of muffled giggles Ruby spoke up. “He’s a virgin—as far as I can tell he’s never had a girlfriend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He’s a junior and lives off campus with his family,” Sandy added. “He’s majoring in chemical engineering. The one flirting with the waitress is his older cousin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And your thoughts were right, sis,” Raven said. “He dreads going out with them. He’s wishing he would’ve taken his younger brother’s offer to watch the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord of the Rings</i> trilogy tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do his friends give him as much shit as I think they do about being a virgin and not having a girlfriend?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes,” Sienna replied flatly. “His cousin thinks he’s gay. They only invited him along so they could make fun of him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are you picking up anything I should be worried about?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They all concentrated on him for a couple minutes. Finally Ruby spoke. “Only that he’s really lonely. If you choose him you should make sure he doesn’t expect a relationship with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can do that. Do you think he’d sleep with me tonight?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He’s not thinking about taking anyone home right now,” Raven said. “Once you introduce yourself we’ll be able to tell.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What’s his name?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Daniel. And he actually goes by Daniel, not Dan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good enough for me. If tonight can’t be special for me it can sure as hell be special for someone. Wish me luck.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone cheered me on as I stood up and walked toward his table. When I got within a few feet the jackass cousin started staring at my breasts with a disgusting smirk on his face. I turned and walked behind the sidekick then leaned in toward Daniel. “You’re Daniel right? I’ve seen you around campus. Would you like to dance?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only his friends looked more shocked than he did. I smiled and waited for him to recover. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What’s your name?” he finally managed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Brooke,” I replied, dancing a little in front of him. After an awkward silence, it became apparent that I was going to have to force the issue if I wanted this to go anywhere. I grabbed his hand and pulled him out of his chair. “Let’s go!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As soon as we started to dance I could tell he’d never done this before in his life. All he did was step from side to side, his arms glued at his waist the entire time. I glared at his friends, who were now bent over the table in laughter, then slid in behind him and leaned up to his ear. “Do you mind if I show you a few things?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sure,” he mumbled, flinching slightly from the close proximity of my voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Man this was going to be hard. I seriously thought about searching for someone who wasn’t such an introvert, but I couldn’t give his friends the satisfaction of seeing him get rejected. Placing my hands on his waist, I cradled my body up against his. “Let yourself feel the rhythm of the music then move your hips with it—like this.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I started to swing my hips to the beat and used my hands to keep him with me, relaxing my grip only after he began to move on his own. His timing was off, since he was waiting for me to move rather than going off the music, but at least he was trying. “Much better. Now, instead of waiting to feel my hips move, listen to the music and see if you can pick up on the rhythm I’m following. Even though this stuff sounds fast, it still follows a regular beat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before the end of the song his entire face lit up with a childlike smile. “I think I got it!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Only one way to find out.” Removing my hands from his hips, I backed off a couple of steps and watched—he was right. “Perfect! Now let’s get your arms moving. There are no hard and fast rules for what to do, just keep your arms up and let them bounce with the music. Turn around and watch me for a minute.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I closed my eyes and let myself fall into the music. Once I was moving to the tempo with my usual ease I peeked at him. He was trying to mimic my arm movements, and looked kinda awkward, but not embarrassingly dorky like he had before. “Look at you!” I called out with a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Daniel laughed and shook his head. “Like it’s not obvious that I’m copying you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You just need to work on changing it up a bit.” I motioned toward two girls dancing nearby. “Their movements seem random don’t they? But if you watch long enough, you’ll notice that they’re repeating the same moves over and over again. They’re just disguising it well.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We continued to dance as we watched. He finally turned back toward me. “The blonde does four different sets of moves and changes the order. The brunette is a lot simpler—she only has seven moves.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For someone who’d never danced before, it was amazing how rapidly he caught on. “Damn! You nailed it! Now see if you can pick up what I do.” I settled back into the music and drowned out the fact that he was watching me. About half way through the next song I heard him speaking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“God, you’re tough. I’ve seen you repeat a couple sets of moves, but I also continue to see new moves all the time. What are you doing?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t know ahead of time,” I yelled over the music. “I have a lot of individual moves that I use, but I let them come out in whatever order feels right with the music. The less you think about it the better you’ll dance. Just let the beat take over your body. Enough teaching—let’s just have fun!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I quit watching him and let myself enjoy the feeling that dancing always gave me. A couple of songs had passed before we were close together again. I couldn’t believe it was the same guy. He blended in perfectly with everyone else on the floor and looked like he’d been club dancing for years. He had a wide grin on his face and was really getting into it. When the song ended we made our way over to an empty table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I can’t believe how much fun that was!” he shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ve never seen someone pick it up so fast. You’re a natural!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah, right—more like you’re a hell of a teacher.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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“Thanks Daniel.” The affectionate, almost star struck look in his eyes reminded me of what Ruby had said. If I didn’t want to hurt him I couldn’t afford to wait any longer. But like the true blue coward I was, rather than taking the plunge I chose to study a particularly interesting piece of lint on the floor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What’s wrong?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I need to ask you something that is going to sound really bizarre.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Okay…” Fear of where this might be headed had him gathering his legs underneath himself like a coiled up house cat preparing to leap out of danger.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After a long pause I met his gaze. “You can sleep with me tonight if you want to.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Jesus Brooke, we—”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Please let me finish,” I interrupted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m a virgin, which I can’t exactly fake, so I’ve obviously never done anything like this before. If you say yes I’ll expect you to make love to me, and all I can offer you is tonight—it’s your choice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Why only tonight?” The disappointment and sadness in his words was palpable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I wish I could explain Daniel, but I’m afraid it’s extremely complicated. Part of saying yes is agreeing not to ask questions I can’t answer.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We sat in silence for a few uncomfortable seconds before he reached out and took my hand, gripping it like he could make my question disappear if he only squeezed hard enough. “I’m a virgin too. I get my ass ridden constantly for it but I’m not ashamed—I sure as hell didn’t come here expecting to go home with someone tonight. I get the feeling that you did, and I just happened to be the guy you picked." <o:p></o:p></div>
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Daniel pressed his forehead against the palm of his free hand and closed his eyes. "Damn it! I really like you, Brooke, but I gotta know why you’re so desperate to lose your virginity tonight, and why you can’t have a relationship with the person you give it to. If you can’t or won’t answer those questions then I’ll have to say no.”</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The stinging pain of rejection filled my chest as I pulled my hand away. How could it hurt this bad to be turned down by someone I just met? Did I really like him that much already? Trying to salvage what little pride I had left, I stood up and turned to leave, tears streaming down my cheeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before I’d even taken a step Raven sat down next to Daniel and glared at him with an anger I’d never seen in her. “You horse’s ass. My beautiful, innocent, loving sister offers you a chance to share a wonderful moment together, one that you’d remember for the rest of your life, and you say no! You want answers to your fucking questions! Fine! I’m taking her to the Mayo clinic tomorrow to start chemotherapy. The doctors only give her a five percent chance of seeing her nineteenth birthday, and she didn’t want to die a virgin. That’s why it has to be tonight, and why she isn’t looking to get involved with anyone.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She paused. Her intense, fuming stare made Daniel lean away and glance down at the table. “She teaches you to dance and you make her cry—you worthless piece of shit!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In one quick motion Raven had her arm around my shoulders and was rushing me off to the bathroom. I almost had to break into a jog to keep up with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You were awesome Raven!” I said once we were safely inside. “You should totally be an actress! You had me believing I had cancer for God sakes. I think Daniel might have wet himself though…easy on the death stare, sis.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She acknowledged my compliment with a smile. “Now, when we go back out there we’ll head to our table, and you’ll look all sad while we console you. Daniel feels terrible about forcing us to tell him what I did. It won’t be long at all before he comes to our table to apologize. He seems like a pretty good guy. I was really impressed that he didn’t jump on your offer, in spite of how badly he wants to sleep with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seeing my expression, Raven cupped my chin with her hand. “I can tell that you’re into him to. It’s nice that your first time can be with someone you like, but be careful not to get too attached—this really does have to be a one-time thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I know,” I whispered. “I thought I was going to have to block out memories of sleeping with some disgusting pig tonight. I wasn’t ready for this.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-28836827663668945502013-01-02T09:18:00.000-08:002013-01-02T09:18:06.679-08:00Dangerous Waters teaser Promo!<div class="shareUnit attachmentUnit">
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<span class="userContent">Help spread the word by sharing my FB Author page (below) and receive your first Dangerous Waters teaser! <br /><br />I'll share the first teaser when my page reaches 500 likes (at 471 right now) and another when it reaches 550. If we can get it to 600, I'll share the entire prologue!!</span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/UFAuthorCMMichaels"><span style="color: #247cd4; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.facebook.com/UFAuthorCMMichaels</span></a></span></span></div>
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C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-2174680486764859352012-12-20T16:18:00.000-08:002012-12-20T16:18:03.631-08:00Bonus scene delivered!!By popular demand, here is a Bonus scene from Christy Mathis's work-in-process novel. <br />
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Leave a comment and let her know what you think!<br />
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Enjoy :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>As I stood in front of the class to begin my side of the debate, I realized that I couldn’t feel my hands; my stomach began to churn and beads of sweat began to develop across my forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warmth of the saliva in my mouth was not a good sign; it meant that I would be throwing up at any moment and I had only spoken one word so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The room slowly began to twist into shapeless, colorless blobs of what was once a clear view of my classmates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darkness began to fill the edge of my vision and I vaguely noticed a sudden movement at the back of the room but I didn’t have time to process what was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My knees buckled and I grasped at the podium for support, unable to hold onto it, I fell to the floor in crumpled mass with my hands at my head trying to force my eyes to see normally again. </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Please stop!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please just make it stop!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The screeching sound of the fire alarm was one of sweet relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The class cheered and shrieked as I vaguely heard Mr. Abernathy telling them to walk out in an orderly fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally I stopped fighting against it and let the darkness overtake me and I passed out.</div>
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When I woke, I could feel warmth spreading across my face and a gentle breeze blowing around select strands of my hair so that they tickled my skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to lift my hand to brush the hair away and found that I couldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that my brain was telling my body to move but nothing was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to panic; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I should be able to move my arms</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to flail, scream and run but I couldn’t move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly, I heard the faintest hint of a humming melody that sounded very distant, I couldn’t pinpoint the origin, but it was slow and soothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I had to calm down and clear my head to figure out what had happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I focused my breathing to match the pace of the calming tune until I could form a rational thought.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where am I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the last thing I can remember? </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recalled the alarm; but nothing after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I listened for any sound to give me a clue to my location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could hear birds in the distance and what sounded like wind blowing tree leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that I was outside, but not how or where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried opening my eyes and the brightness of the sunshine forced them to close again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was promising that I could at least control some part of my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At my second attempt, I was able to adjust to the light and slowly my vision began to focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more clearly I could see the less I could hear the melody.</div>
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I looked straight ahead at a never-ending sky of blue and questioned why I was lying on the ground and how I had gotten here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if in answer, a face moved to obstruct my view. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a moment for my mind to acknowledge what it was seeing; because it made no sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.</div>
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C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-45220743234428455002012-12-19T17:50:00.003-08:002012-12-19T17:50:54.606-08:00Special Feature! - Author sneak peek with Christy MathisChristy Mathis, a close friend and aspiring writer, kindly agreed to share the prologue from her yet to be titled, work-in-process novel for us all to enjoy. <br />
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Want more?? To receive a bonus scene just leave a comment on this page or on my FB post. Once we get 5 comments I'll post the additional scene!<br />
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Thank you so much, Christy!!<br />
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I think I had always known that this would be the way it would all end. I tried to deny it, tried to think of another way because I cared so much for him, but only one of us would survive this and I knew that it couldn’t be me. I wasn’t marked as destined. He was, and I knew that his destiny was the one that mattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I stood with both feet firmly planted to display the bravery that I most certainly did not feel. Knowing you’re going to die doesn’t make it any easier to welcome death with open arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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He stood across the cavern, eyes glowing with anger, wanting me to die. I could see it in his expression. I couldn’t blame him—I’d left him with no choice. He moved toward me with the grace of a predator stalking his kill, watching me carefully. He expected me to run or cry, but I couldn’t show my fear or my feelings. Once he had his full power he could defeat any evil—including the Kalieria—and in three days the ascension would begin. He needed his power to stop it.</div>
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He would never believe that this is what had to happen, that I had accepted my fate. I had been preparing for this day from the moment we’d met. I’d pushed him to this point, forced him to fight, and forced him to want to destroy me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I knew what he didn’t and couldn’t...I knew that I had to die, so that he could live.</div>
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C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-18854675344756465802012-12-15T22:34:00.000-08:002012-12-16T21:27:10.546-08:00Dangerous Waters Promo material is here!!The Dangerous Waters promo materials arrived today and are attached below. <br />
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Gotta say, Stephanie (Mooney Designs) really came through! <br />
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Look for an opportunity to have one sent to you in the coming days as part of a promo for liking my new FB Author page (once it's constructed).<br />
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Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of them!<br />
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C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-33269598556562452272012-12-12T20:47:00.003-08:002012-12-29T20:22:00.457-08:00It's Write-Along Wednesday!!Each Wednesday I will post the beginning of a scene, then each of you can leave a comment to continue the story from there. Be sure to read all of the comments before posting as they will build on each other. Only rule is to keep the comments PG rated. Let's see where the story takes us!!<br />
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“Let’s try this again,” Airenne commanded in a flat, composed voice, as if the thug she’d just ordered to bind my hands wasn’t lying dead at her feet. “And let me remind you, I only need the oath and blood of a Shelby female to release our dark lord from his earthly tomb. The oath bound female will be bred to Baal and transformed into the very essence of evil, so I’m sure you’d prefer that we not use your daughter.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u6:p></u6:p><u7:p></u7:p><u8:p></u8:p><u9:p></u9:p>“You’ll release Jessie totally unharmed if I cooperate?” I couldn’t believe I was seriously contemplating letting her do God knows what to me, not to mention releasing this Baal guy—I’m thinking anyone nasty enough to get themselves locked away in an earthly tomb probably should stay there—but given the alternative what choice did I have? While I was fairly confident I could take out Airenne, there were far more powerful demons outside this room, and I had no idea what realm we’d been sucked into or how to get back. Nor did I have any clue where Jessie was being held.</div>
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“If you complete the ritual, I give you my solemn oath that your daughter will be released into your care unharmed.”<u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p><u12:p></u12:p>Her words tore the fight from me like I’d been run through with a sword. When her ashen hand pressed down on my bare shoulder I collapsed to me knees, lowering my head in defeat.<u9:p></u9:p><u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>“Much better,” she purred, fisting her hand in my calf length golden hair. She pulled up slightly and began to hack it away. Tears streamed down my cheeks as my never-trimmed locks—the source of our family’s magic—gathered in deep piles around my knees. After a couple of minutes there was nothing left for her to cut. My head was lathered in a warm, red cream then shaved completely bald with a straight razor, suppressing what little power I had left. <u9:p></u9:p>There was no turning back—I wouldn’t be able to stand against Airenne now even if I decided to fight. Struggling would only get my precious Angel turned into a monster and a slave. If one of us had to face that fate—which looked all but certain—it sure as hell wasn’t going to be her.<u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>“Rise and remove your clothing.” <u9:p></u9:p><u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>I did as she instructed, shedding the black sheath dress and stiletto heels they’d forced me to change into earlier along with my panties. The tears were coming so fast now that they blurred my vision. My little Jessie Lynn was going to lose her mother just when she was starting to come into her powers and needed me most. <u9:p></u9:p><u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>I felt my body being guided over to a gargoyle shaped stone alter. I moved as if under a deep trance, barely conscious of my feet touching the floor. After lowering me onto what I guessed was the seat my hands were slid into holes on either side of the gargoyle’s mouth, locking my arms into place. <u9:p></u9:p><u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>Airenne unsheathed a rune-covered black dagger from her waist and walked behind the stone statue to where my arms were held. A fiery pain tore through me as she carved several deep slits in my wrists. </div>
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“Do you, Anabelle Eirene Shelby, renounce your Goddess Astraea and accept Baal as your lord and master?”<u9:p></u9:p><u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>Astraea wasn’t just some abstract Goddess of innocence and purity—she was also the mother of our entire family line. She’d devotedly held my hand while I gave birth. “Y- yes,” I mumbled through my sobs. <u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>“Do you freely relinquish your soul and pledge to use all of your immense power to serve Lucifer for eternity?”<u9:p></u9:p><u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>“Yes!” I cried out, knowing I had no other choice. </div>
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She lifted a blood covered finger to my forehead and drew some kind of symbol. As soon as it was complete it started to burn.<u9:p></u9:p> “With your sworn oath and blood I damn your soul. You are now Satan’s child, and will be known by your demon name Lamashtu.”<u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>Airenne opened my mouth wide and leaned my head forward until the beak of the stone beast was inside of it. A blood-red glimmer slowly appeared in its eyes, glowing brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding. Brutal images of death, war, torture and unimaginable cruelty streamed into my mind. I tried to pull away, only to find that my body was frozen in place. I wasn’t even able to blink or avert my gaze from the searing light. Things only got worse as a viscous, acidic fluid began to stream into my mouth, forcing me to repeatedly swallow in order to keep from choking. </div>
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After what felt like hours of unrelenting mental barrage and gut wrenching swallows I lost the will to pull away. The scenes of death and destruction no longer horrified me. In fact, they were—fascinating. How could I have been so blind and misguided before? The only value humans had was as pawns in our battle against an all too arrogant God. They deserved to be manipulated and slaughtered like the mindless sheep that they were. I only hoped that Baal found me worthy of being his mate. Oh, what powerful Demons I would spawn for him—half Goddess-enhanced witch and half demon, inheriting the magical abilities of both. <u9:p></u9:p><u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>“It is done!” Airenne called out in wild celebration as she danced around the statue. “I can feel our dark lord rising! Come, Lamashtu, you must sacrifice Jessie and take your fill of her blood before he arrives!”<u9:p></u9:p></div>
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“But what of your oath to me?” If Airenne broke the promise she’d made to obtain my soul our pact would be severed. She’d be banished to the realms of hell and I’d be returned to my human state. </div>
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Her entire face lit up in a wicked, victorious grin. “I swore that your daughter would be released into your care unharmed. Should you choose to kill her—that is entirely up to you.”<u12:p></u12:p><u8:p></u8:p><u7:p></u7:p><u6:p></u6:p><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u11:p></u11:p>An animalistic roar of approving laughter bellowed out of my lungs. How very clever. I grabbed hold of the blood covered dagger she offered and raced after her, pausing briefly to glance at myself in the full length mirror at the end of the hall. </div>
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Glowing red orbs resided where my eyes once had been. My skin was covered in shiny burgundy scales, and I had broad, ink-colored horns protruding from my temples. My lower legs now ended in cloven hoofs and were covered in a wiry black fur. The black pentagram tattoo on the center of my forehead still felt warm to the touch, and my nails had thickened and extended into lethal four inch talons. But the most astonishing thing of all was the two rows of razor sharp teeth that filled my lipless mouth. My barbed tail wagged almost doglike above my right shoulder. I was magnificent! The thought of feasting on my daughter’s pure, innocent blood while I ended her short life made me groan in anticipation. <u9:p></u9:p><u12:p></u12:p><u6:p></u6:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-11740820823479162512012-12-05T21:14:00.000-08:002012-12-05T21:14:21.249-08:00It's Write-Along Wednesday!!Each Wednesday I will post the beginning of a scene, then each of you can leave a comment to continue the story from there. Be sure to read all of the comments before posting as they will build on each other. Only rule is to keep the comments PG rated. Let's see where the story takes us!!<br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> How do you tell your best friend that she’s about to die?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Trina would never have kids. She’d never marry or become a chic fashion designer like she’d dreamed since we were in preschool. She’d never step foot on the campus of UCLA, in spite of her softball and academic scholarships. She wouldn’t even see the latest yummilicious Chris Hemsworth flick we were headed toward on our no-boyfriends night out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In a little less than three miles, a flatbed tow truck with a totally smashed driver was going to lose control and veer into our lane—hitting us head on and killing us both instantly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So why wasn’t I screaming at the top of my lungs for her to pull over? Simple. You can’t change fate when it involves death. Oh I could alter <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i> we died easy enough, but similar to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Final Destination</i> movies, when it was time for your sole to move on there was no stopping it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times like these, being psychic really, really sucked. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I love you, Trin,” I muttered, my chest so filled with anguish that I could barely choke the words out. It was odd that in my last moments my mind was so preoccupied with the things she would never do, almost as if my own life didn’t matter. Then again, I’d given up hope for a happy-ever-after for myself long ago. Most people with my “condition” eventually went mad or killed themselves. My mom and dad were no exception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She cast a curious glance over her shoulder, arching a brow. “Okay… not sure what to do with that. I mean, you’re hot and all, but—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re such an ass,” I groaned. Leave it to Trina to never take anything serious. She’d probably have me laughing my ass off as we both watched our funerals from beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She stuck her tongue out at me and smiled. “You know I love ya, Cass, but what’s with the heartfelt confession and the my-cat-just-croaked attitude? You’re kinda freaking me out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I caught my first glimpse of the truck as it rounded the corner in front of us and instantly lost my nerve. Fates be damned, I wasn’t letting her die without at least trying. “Pull off to the shoulder,” I screamed, feigning like I was about to be sick. “Now!!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The threat of me coating her BMW interior with the remnants of my dinner did the trick. We skidded to a halt so fast I just about hit my head on the dash. After I popped open my door I bent over the grass and made some deep coughing sounds while I watched the truck pass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Now came the fun part—pitting my precognition powers against whatever the gods threw at us next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-58369845878578526592012-11-23T06:48:00.000-08:002012-11-23T06:48:59.183-08:00Guest Blog with Bastian Caldwell, Author of The Complete Lily Lansing <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuwBsMVEvY-3PSUD8O88lz32CkLXuhVOxyyGkzglpB8fvgVUKNc8Tl2gmV7i9VrFgLPbd1xqRnr1W7HC-ckJFb8VsFsXIiU5vBTpBothGESXERz_Imzuv1IwwmW_9C_sY7KPcK3gSt34/s1600/looking+down.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 207px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 201px;"><img border="0" height="186" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuwBsMVEvY-3PSUD8O88lz32CkLXuhVOxyyGkzglpB8fvgVUKNc8Tl2gmV7i9VrFgLPbd1xqRnr1W7HC-ckJFb8VsFsXIiU5vBTpBothGESXERz_Imzuv1IwwmW_9C_sY7KPcK3gSt34/s200/looking+down.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Living my dream life at the beach with my family and my poodles.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Website: <a href="http://bastiancaldwell.weebly.com/"><span style="color: purple;">http://bastiancaldwell.weebly.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Blog: <a href="http://bastiancaldwell.weebly.com/blog.html"><span style="color: purple;">http://bastiancaldwell.weebly.com/blog.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/BastianCaldwell" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="username_path"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/BastianCaldwell" target="_blank">BastianCaldwell</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bastian.caldwell" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">http://www.facebook.com/bastian.caldwell</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="msid4271"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Publisher: Wild Child Publishing</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Lilike Avrill Lansing is damaged. She is also unemployed, barely surviving a loveless marriage, and hiding a secret so painful that it’s eating her alive.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The damage began when, as a student, Lily, inhabited a unique and dangerous world: Whitman College. Located in a small city with big murder and crime rates, it is nothing like the suburb she was raised in. But the harsh city is not nearly as dangerous as the predators that roam the Whitman campus, preying on innocence and leaving a trail of ravaged souls in their wake.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The damage culminates ten years later at a dinner party where in the span of an evening Lily destroys her marriage and alienates her friends. She finally realizes that she must tell everyone the truth about what really happened during her years at Whitman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But can her marriage, her friendships, survive the truth?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Complete Lily Lansing takes you on an emotional and often humorous journey of one woman's life as she struggles to overcome the secret of her college years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But is the support of friends, the belief in honesty, the sharing of tears, the power of love, and especially the ability to laugh through the hard times enough to help her become whole again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<u><strong>Book Excerpt:</strong></u></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Let’s Go<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">1988<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Lily spent Friday afternoon at the library, trying to study for a quiz on the Romantic Period. But the hours passed and she didn’t read more than two pages. The only thing she wrote was “Romance Sucks,” which she doodled on her notebook. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>She returned to her room and began arranging her school supplies on her desk but her efforts were pointless. Thoughts of romance occupied her mind to the extent that there was no room for ballads, sonnets or odes. When I find a boyfriend, the first thing we will do together is study, she thought. She sat down at her desk and narrowed her list of potential boyfriends:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Her friend Ben was quiet and sweet, but she thought he might already have a girlfriend. Randy, a senior and the captain of the Whitman football team, had asked her out a few times before. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>She couldn't think of anyone else to add to the list so she leaned out of her window and observed the buzz of activity at the Omega Delta Fraternity. The brothers circuited the house like ants, carrying kegs of beer in, overstuffed trash bags out, cleaning, sweeping. She smiled, like a spider admiring its well-spun web. Chances were good that she would see both Ben and Randy at the party. And if the night went well she would have a date for Saturday, maybe even a boyfriend by Sunday.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>She closed the window and flopped down on her bed. It was all so confusing. If her heart belonged to Seth, how could she still be attracted to both Ben and Randy? They were all so different.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Seth kissed her greedily like he was devouring a delicious cake, losing interest when his hunger was sated. She knew it would be different with Ben, and smiled as she pictured kissing him over a bouquet of buttercups, like a scene in one of Erica’s favorite movies. The blooms would tickle their chins, sweetening the kiss. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Her face grew warm when she thought of Randy’s hands on her; she couldn't picture him kissing her chastely. It occurred to her that maybe Randy was another Seth, a taller, bolder Seth, who only wanted to eat her cake and be done with it. She would have to be careful.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Lily was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Petra enter her room, even though Petra's stilettos cracked like hammers on the bare wood floor. A tight black miniskirt stretched to cover Petra’s ample derrière, worn with a shiny pink blouse and enormous gold hoop earrings. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“I can’t believe you’re not ready!” Petra said with a toss of her thick auburn hair. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Lily rose from the bed and went to look at herself in the mirror. “I’m ready. I just need to brush my teeth.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“Didn’t you wear that outfit to school today?” Petra sized up Lily’s jeans, blouse, and loafers.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“So? It’s still clean.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“I thought you might want to wear something a little more sexy. We’re going to a frat party, not the library.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Lily took in Petra’s outfit, which seemed more appropriate for a street corner.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“I’m not trying to impress anyone,” Lily said.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“Not even Seth?” <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Lily frowned, drawing her brows together as if she were in sudden pain; she had been hoping to see Seth at the party, but would never admit it to Petra. “I don’t have anything like what you’re wearing,” Lily said, and suddenly wished that she did. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“Well I don’t feel like waiting around for you to fix your face, and there’s not much we can do with your hair. What other shoes do you have?” <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“I have black sneakers and tan cowboy boots.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Petra touched three red-tipped fingers to her forehead as if it were all too much to bear.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“And sandals,” Lily added in an apologetic voice.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“That’ll work. Here, give me your brush.” <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Petra wet the brush with hairspray and made a deep side part in Lily’s flaxen hair, coaxing each strand into place. “Keep this side tucked behind your ear, and let the rest fall into your eyes. That’s sexy.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“Thanks.” Lily said, pleased with what she saw in the mirror.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Petra unfastened two buttons on Lily’s demure blouse, revealing a peek of her pale lace bra. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>“Still a little Debbie Gibson, but much better. Put your sandals on and let’s go. You can put on your lipstick while we walk. Let's go.” <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>As she walked, Lily admired the clear sky, crescent moon, and luminous sampling of stars. She always mourned the end of summer, and knew this was one of the last soft nights of the year before the low gray skies set in. Petra marched heavily beside her, eyes fixed straight ahead, and Lily shot her a superior look, wondering how she could be so impervious to the beauty around her. And she thinks I’m clueless. She stopped walking to better smell the night air, earning a scowl from Petra. If I’m lucky, Lily thought, there will be one more perfect night like this, and I’ll have someone special to share it with. She focused on a shining star and made a wish, careful to keep walking. “Star light, star bright, please grant me a wish tonight.” Lily whispered to herself. She closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them, the star that she had wished upon blinked and appeared to be headed for Philadelphia International Airport. She cursed herself for choosing the brightest.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">* * * *<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<strong><u>Links to Buy:</u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wild Child Publishing:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=91&products_id=407&zenid=644d48c35ce0ffeddf934777486967db"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=91&products_id=407&zenid=644d48c35ce0ffeddf934777486967db</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amazon:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Lily-Lansing-ebook/dp/B009RWBXBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352913689&sr=8-1&keywords=the+complete+lily+lansing"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Lily-Lansing-ebook/dp/B009RWBXBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352913689&sr=8-1&keywords=the+complete+lily+lansing</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barnes&Noble:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-complete-lily-lansing-bastian-caldwell/1113510099?ean=2940015516753"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-complete-lily-lansing-bastian-caldwell/1113510099?ean=2940015516753</span></a></div>
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C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478420486430765459.post-62087886376490453042012-11-21T17:24:00.001-08:002012-11-22T10:30:42.366-08:00It's Write-Along Wednesday!!Each Wednesday I will post the beginning of a scene, then each of you can leave a comment to continue the story from there. Be sure to read all of the comments before posting as they will build on each other. Only rule is to keep the comments PG rated. Let's see where the story takes us!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Another Devereaux Thanksgiving in all its splendor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">My brother David and our father had already assumed their positions on the couch in front of the flat screen, in spite of our mother’s complaints that dinner wasn’t finished. My closet-anorexic, want-to-be-Goth sister Jamie was hard at work pushing food around in circles with her fork—as if that was fooling anyone. And if my criminal defense attorney sister-in-law didn’t shut up about her latest case it wouldn’t be at all fair to hold me accountable for my actions. I mean seriously, sharing all the gory details about a double homicide while we were eating? What the hell? My appetite had bailed on me before the stuffing made it half way around the room. If she’d only brought the machete-like murder weapon with her. Damn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You okay, baby?” Aaron whispered, giving my thigh a nervous pat under the table. After five years of marriage he knew all the signs that I was about to go postal—from the rocking of my right foot to the continual running of my fingers through my hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Can we go yet?” I begged, keeping my voice low enough so only he could hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">That earned me one of his snort-like laughs. “I’d make a break for it with you, but you know we’d never make it. Your mom moves like a Ninja.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">True enough. Even now she was watching us out of the corner of her eye. Besides, we had rather big news to share if I could only get up the nerve. Of course, I’d also have to convince my father to drag his eyes away from the Lions game for a few seconds so I could tell him he was going to be a Grandpa. I rested my hand protectively on my belly while I debated what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Holy Shit! Crocodile Dundee knocked you up!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The room fell eerily silent as all eyes shot to my slightly distended stomach. I’d considered a hundred different ways to tell my parents over the last four months, carefully weighing the pros and cons of each, and in one microsecond my bitchy-ass sister had stolen the moment from me. But it was her derogatory nickname for my Australian husband—one she knew I hated—that pushed me over the edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“God damn you, Jamie!” Aaron and David’s wife had to work together to restrain me while I took reckless, roundhouse swings at her across the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
C.M. Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07516812338610584258noreply@blogger.com0