Preorder #Giveaway #MMromance – All In

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Studying the Masters of Detective Fiction – Sue Grafton

Unknown's avatarDon Massenzio

graftonSue Taylor Grafton is a prolific author of detective novels. She is best known as the author of the ‘alphabet series’ featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone in the fictional city of Santa Teresa, California. The daughter of detective novelist C. W. Grafton, she has said the strongest influence on her crime novels is author Ross Macdonald. Prior to success with this series, she wrote screenplays for television movies.

Grafton began writing when she was 18 and finished her first novel four years later. She continued writing and completed six more manuscripts. Two of these seven novels were published. Unable to find success with her novels, Grafton turned to screenplays. Grafton worked for the next 15 years writing screenplays for television movies, including Sex and the Single Parent, Mark, I Love You, and Nurse. Her screenplay for Walking Through the Fire earned a Christopher Award in 1979. In collaboration with…

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Luke & Nyx: Who Got It Worse?

Luke Callindor– This is a really odd topic.  Even stranger is that we’re the only ones in the room.  Are we supposed to answer questions?

Nyx– Maybe after we talk for a bit.  Sounds like we have to voice an opinion on something the author has dealt with.

Luke– Oh, you mean how people react to the losses, torture, injuries, beatings, and victories that we have.  Well, it isn’t as bad as it used to be.  Mostly because people aren’t paying as much attention to him now as before.  Although, I assume people have gotten used to how he operates.

Nyx–  I think you missed the part where you explain the topic.  As usual, big sis, to the rescue.  That isn’t even a joke.  I think I’ve saved you and the others more times than anyone else.  Yet, there are people who still got sensitive when I was the one needing to be rescued.  I’m not perfect, so I do need help at times.

Luke–  Not to mention you leap into battle as quickly as I do.  You aren’t very strong without your magic, so anyone who gets around that will dominate.  Even so, you give as good as you get. It is funny how I get beaten within an inch of my life and nobody bats an eye.  You gaining a victory while getting injured used to get a lot of uproar. Remember one person a few years back that was angry about you getting punched in the face?

Nyx–  I was captured at the time too.  Wonder if that person read a little farther when I escaped, with your help, and went back on the offensive. Wow, the two of us really have taken a lot of physical, mental, and emotional beatings.  Sari might beat us on two and three and Dariana is up there too.  Still, I can’t remember a book where you and I don’t need a healer.

Luke– Technically the first book since you hadn’t debuted you.  Is this really a question that has to be answered?  Then again, there is the torture I went through in Ritual of the Lost Lamb.  That might put me ahead.

Nyx–  Definitely, but I don’t think as much people cared about that as they did when I get a little torture in Family of the Tri-Rune.  That was unexpected, especially since I was defiant the whole time and it ended with me coming out on top.  Well, sort of.  Passing out is fine as long as you don’t tell the bad guys what they want.  Do you think people expect you to get hurt more than me?

Luke–  I don’t know.  Being a warrior, they might expect me to get into more close range battles.  Casters tend to be in the back, so you’re unique in that respect.  Maybe people aren’t used to casters getting punched like warriors.  Then again, you have the more positive fan following.  Too many see me as immature and obnoxious, so they might just enjoy my suffering.

Nyx–  To be fair, I’ve been called a bitch at times.  Is this where the conversation was supposed to go?

Luke–  Maybe we open the floor to people asking us about our experiences.  I think we’ve established that we’ve both had it pretty badly.

Nyx–  Hey, how are you still talking considering what happened to you in the last book?

Luke–  I don’t think those things carry over onto these types of posts.

Nyx–  Okay.  So . . . any questions?

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Through the Fog and Storm and Crackling Speakers!

I’m actually writing this on Wednesday because I’m tired and might not be on the laptop, so much as my phone.  Today, I finished the final editing run on Legends of Windemere: Warlord of the Forgotten Age.  Although, I’m considering switching the title to Legends of Windemere: The Forgotten One.  Anyway, this means final edits on all the Windemere books are done and I handed them over to the alpha writer for clarity.  Things get a little shaky in the last book since revelations are made to shed some light on the evolution of the prophecy.  Fingers crossed that everything falls into place and people enjoy it.  Not everyone gets a positive or clean ending.

It was easier to get through this run since it was editing.  Think I teared up a bit more on Path of the Traitors.  It’ll be much stranger when I hit publish on these books because of all the characters I’m saying good-bye too.  Some will return in cameos, but the others will officially be retired.  Part of the weirdness is that many people don’t realize that the end of this series isn’t the end of Windemere. Creating a world with multiple series doesn’t seem to be a common thing in the indie world.  At least, I haven’t come across many people who either do it or expect it. Guess we’ll have to wait and see since I’ll have to find a new cover artist too.

Speaking of covers, the Ichabod Brooks contest is coming along nicely.  Come to think of it, the voting should be starting up by this point.  (The voting is going on!)  99designs is an interesting site that can get you a cover in a week or so.  I will keep it on the list for the future in case I need it for Quest of the Broken-Hearted and War of Nyt.  It does look like 2018 won’t have much in the way of side projects.  Not 100% certain of another Bedlam story due to time and focus.  Maybe I will since the outline and characters are prepped.  Hard to tell since I love writing the series, but it doesn’t really sell.

Outside of writing, things have been a tad chaotic.  We went to the small zoo on Sunday and the heat got to me, which made Monday difficult.  My car has to in for inspection and the wife’s needs a part.  My laptop decided that it didn’t get along with the audio drivers, which caused a mess.  Finally go that fixed after depending on my phone and the desktop computer.  At least I think it’s fixed because you never know with machines.  There was also Flag Day at my son’s school and he got to perform with his class.  As usual, he was a bouncing ball of excitement in front of the crowd, which made some people laugh.  He’s also been told that the bigger zoo has baby bison, so that might be a weekend trip once he’s done with school.

Next week is going to be slow and partially dull.  It’s the last week of school for my son, but it’s kind of comical.  He has two full days, two half days, and then an hour on Friday.  I’ll be relaxing and tinkering with one of the Sin stories in the hopes of getting that done before he’s home for a week and a half.  There’s a new idea in my head that I’m trying to decide on, but I won’t mention it here until have more.  The concept is missing a lot like characters, setting, and goals.  Not sure if it will go into Windemere or Super Earth, but it could be its own.  Maybe I’ll make a midday Tuesday post to get feedback for the general idea.

So, what’s the plan?

  1. Rest
  2. Relax
  3. Outline Sin story
  4. Finish getting the Ichabod Brooks cover.
  5. Go over Quest of the Broken-Hearted since it’s the summer project.
  6. Get back to biking.  This week was a disaster because I had heat fatigue on Monday and Flag Day stuff on Wednesday.  The heat just came out of nowhere.
  7. Discuss the big zoo trip for next Saturday to see the baby bison.  Depends on the weather.
  8. Pizza for no reason other than I feel like it.

 

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Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Book Reading and Interview – William Savage

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100 Haiku for the Gamer’s Thumbs 73-100 + Bonus Level

Don’t think this is true, but Samus is badass

Zee Finale!

The Code

Our secret weapon

Giving us a needed edge

Against unfair foes

*

The Olden Days of Blocky Limbs

Razor edged pixels

A step above stick figures

Acknowledge your past

*

Striving for Beyond Realism

I see fluid curves

As if they are real beings

Nearing graphics pure

*

Are You Mouse, Man, or Master?

Choose how hard to play

Testing your skills to their peak

Be easy or hard

*

The Inevitability of Death and Rebirth

All lives are fleeting

Which is why you have many

Earn more on the way

*

Gauged in Hearts and Bars

Shrinking with each blow

The life blood of the hero

Work to raise the bar

*

Another Chance After the Final Light

Your final life spent

After hours of hard work

Try again or fail

*

The Horrifying Click of an Empty Chamber

You unloaded all

Wasting ammo at a pawn

Now the boss is here

*

Nobody Wins as a Level One

Hours spent to grow

Bounding up the XP tree

Strength with every kill

*

Earning the Tools of a Champion

Start with weakest gear

That you replace on your quest

To win the hard fights

*

Homes of Monsters, Traps, and Festering Evil

We dive into them

Whether space or fantasy

To clear out the hive

*

Testing Your Thumbs and Mind

Forcing us to think

After bashing our way through

Puzzles block our path

*

We Shall Battle Because You’re There

Monsters out of air

Not seen until the fight starts

Pray you have high health

*

Why Do Monsters Have Cash and Relics?

The rarest of gear

Held by monsters in the wild

Who have no pockets

*

Wishing for a Time Out

Battle rages on

While I cycle through items

Searching for an edge

*

Jab, Cross, Mule Kick, Backhand, Mega-Uppercut

Masters chain their moves

Not allowing their foes to swing

Move goes into move

*

Ancient Nectar of the Gamer Gods

The precious potion

Returner of stolen life

Stocked within our bags

*

Oldest of the Storage Units

We all know you, box

Holding gifts or traps or air

We always open

*

Extra Toys for the Buying

You have beat the game

In time for newer content

Time to play again

*

Let No Table Go Unbashed

Take your sword or gun

And destroy all that you see

Break the scenery

*

Go About Your Lives as if I’m Not Here

Stranger in the house

Searching for items and cash

He is the hero

*

Movies within the Games

The plot has moved on

Using scenes that you just watch

Some push your patience

*

A More Pleasant Distraction, I Have Not Heard

I hear the music

That gently takes me away

Wishing I could pause

*

Where Did All Our Toys Go?

The hero returns

Yet stripped of all his up-grades

Now he starts again

*

The Hidden Treats We Hunt For

Not needed for plot

They bring to us great glory

Because we found them

*

An Ending Not Worth Earning

Thank you for playing

The most worthless of endings

After days of work

*

An Ending is a New Beginning

You have beat the game

And sat through all the credits

Now play level one

*

The Goal of the All True Gamers

One hundred percent

It is the number of dreams

Proof that we did all

*

(This was going to be hidden in the artwork.  The title and haiku add up to 100 letters.  Would have been a lot of fun if I got this off the ground.)

The Secret Level at the End of this Haiku Collection

All gamers seek you

But only the best will find

Without a walkthrough

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Help Needed! The Life & Times of Ichabod Brooks Cover Voting!

Morpheus from The Matrix

Go Here to Vote on the Covers!

Enter the world of Windemere with 11 action adventure short stories featuring a man who is out to make an honest living.

Some heroes seek fame. Some seek fortune. Others simply want to save the world. Ichabod Brooks only wants to put food on the table for his family.

Known and respected as the man who can get any job done, Ichabod has seen his share of adventure. Most of which have been highly exaggerated by bards. Still, the man has his famous reputation for a reason. Whether it be climbing a temperamental mountain for eggs or escorting orphans to their new homes, Ichabod takes every job seriously and makes sure he is as prepared as he can be. Not that it helps since things always take a turn for the worse.

(I just figured out how to do the polls, so hopefully it’s okay.  The first round is going to be ending in 20 minutes from this posting.  Although, 6 go to the next round and that’s what we have now.  Thanks in advance.)

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Dear Lisa Vol. 3, on #LisaBurtonRadio

coldhandboyack's avatarEntertaining Stories

“Welcome to a special edition of Lisa Burton Radio. We run these out every once in a while, when I find myself without a guest. This time, it worked out to my advantage, but I never planned it that way.

“At the time of this broadcast, I’m working with Sean Harrington to make promotional posters for The Yak Guy Project. We already have some cool ones for The Enhanced League. I’m super excited to share these with you, but we have to wait for Craig to get some things accomplished.

“On episodes of Dear Lisa, I answer listener questions on the air, and today we have some doozies. Let’s get to the mail.”

Dear Lisa,

My dad ran over all my video games with his lawnmower! What a jerk. Just because I’m 30 years old and still live at home with no job, he thinks it’s okay to destroy my…

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Thriving Thursdays: Danger! – Guest Post by Teagan Riordain Geneviene…

Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

It’s good to see everyone.  Thanks to the Story Reading Ape for hosting me once again for another Thriving Thursday.  These mini-posts are my humble way of encouraging everyone to thrive.

Thriving Thursdays:  Danger!

Robot WarningWere you taught to dream?  Or were you told to “just be glad for what you’ve got” as I was? I think both are necessary. To thrive we need both dreams and gratitude.  

An attitude of gratitude is hugely important.  However, that does not exclude goals and dreams.  A comment from a comedian years ago stuck with me. He said “Don’t just dream big. Dream even bigger!”

Back to the title of this post… what is that peril we all face?

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it…
But that it is too low, and we reach it…  –Michaelangelo

Wishing you a Thriving Thursday.

Mega…

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100 Haiku for the Gamer’s Thumbs 45-72

Yahoo Image Search

Here’s some more.  Sorry about not being clear on topics.  Been a while since I looked at this, which is probably when it was clear to me.  Nice to get it all out there though.

*

Evil at a Lesser Scale

Chosen of the boss

The deadly lords and ladies

Who guard the dungeons

*

Cast of Characters We Cannot Touch

People of the town

They grant us quests and rewards

As we save their world

*

Her Guards Must All Be Drinking

A princess of games

Who is captured early on

Must always be saved

*

Making Money off the End of the World

As darkness takes hold

They will always have a price

No matter your need

*

Early Days of Lights and Sirens

The predecessor

With silver ball and paddles

Pinball will live on

*

Join the Virtual Landscape

World that sucks you in

Join thousands within the game

Prove you are elite

*

Looking Down the Barrel with a Smile

You see what you shoot

Unable to see behind

You are the hunter

*

The Art of Jumping Over Pits

You must go forward

Though the path has many holes

Jump to live and win

*

Adventures of Our Lifetime

Embracing a world

Your party fights to save all

And tell their stories

*

Never Play Them in the Dark

Games of pure terror

Where monsters leap from shadows

Making you scream high

*

Winning a Championship without Getting a Tan

Your favorite team

They are waiting for your play

You are coach and star

*

Tires Screaming on the Virtual Asphalt

Middle of the pack

Falling into the tight turn

Will you hit the wall?

*

The Games that Vent Our Fury

Sprites that dole out pain

Beating each other senseless

With fists and fireballs

*

Join Us in the Trenches

Bullets and grenades

Fill the air with sounds of war

Fight for your country

*

Love with the Luxury of Replay

You try to woo them

Virtual girls of the game

Hoping to get laid

*

Strike from the Shadows or Reset

Ninjas, spies, and thieves

They must always move unseen

No brute force allowed

*

Take the Path of Wandering

Game with no set path

We wander your streets and wilds

Free to dodge the plot

*

There is Nothing Beyond the Path

From scene one to two

You can only go so far

Lest the story stirs

*

A Second Serving of Success

We loved the first game

All were sad to see it end

Sequel must be made

*

The Days of Blowing Life into the Game

Cartridge filled with dust

We blow until we pass out

Dizzy for first stage

*

Destruction of Our Life’s Work

Our precious save files

Holding all the work we did

Dread the corrupt file

*

Pounding on the Buttons to No Avail

I stare at the screen

While the graphics do not move

Causing me to cry

*

An Unclear Path that Makes You Fall

The camera swings

Leaving me to guess my way

As I look at clouds

*

Game So Epic That It Made Me Puke

The hero fights on

Causing world to spin and twist

Until I throw up

*

Hazards of the Hobby

Blink away the pain

With eyes that have been shot red

One stage left to play

*

Marks of the True Gamer

Knuckles creak and pop

As you flex your numbing hands

Earning thumbs of steel

*

They were More Fun on the Small Screen

A popular game

Developed into a film

Will it be the one?

*

From the Theater to Your Fingertips

You want to play them

Becoming the big screen star

Game may let you down

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