tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57301489988929260432024-03-05T16:41:04.363-08:00Rebecca T. LittleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-84108929002194499322013-12-31T18:27:00.003-08:002013-12-31T18:27:59.638-08:00Happy New Year!Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-68099006940726201352013-04-16T09:07:00.001-07:002013-04-16T09:07:03.318-07:00Boston 2013
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The desire
to see justice served for what happened in Boston is strong, nearly
overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But step back for a
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realize that we don’t know yet
who did this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t jump to conclusions,
don’t become a part of that old-timey lynch mob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Innocent until proven guilty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Remember,
also, that we have incredibly talented and hard-working investigators from many
agencies and departments working on finding out the “who,” “why,” and “how” of
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Step back and allow them to apply
their intelligence and diligence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is why they are there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not your
job.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your job,
currently, is to support those injured and affected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sign up to give blood, donate to the Red
Cross if you can, find agencies that are sending support and go help, or organize
a blood drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We, the general
population, need to care and nurture for our injured and fallen and their
families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are that safety net, that
outstretched hand that says, “it’s ok, I’ve got you” even if we don’t get to
say it in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is simply
horrific, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, because the
specific damage the explosions caused, mainly injuries to legs, this feels like
an attack on the running community, not just Americans in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cop from Rhode Island, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Roupen
Bastajian,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> was quoted as
saying, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"We started grabbing tourniquets and started tying
legs. A lot of people amputated. ... At least 25 to 30 people have at least one
leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing."</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Think what that kind of injury means
to a runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the running community
is strong and amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Runners who just
finished 26.2 miles turned around and helped the injured to safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about those good people when the world
seems full of bad people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three people
died, one of whom was an eight year old boy waiting to see his dad finish the
race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What should have been a time of
jubilation, personal triumph for the finishers, joyful embraces from the
friends and family, was turned into carnage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, it is easy to want vengeance and want it right the hell now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But step back for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be too busy helping to point fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time and place will arrive when we can
say with conviction that we know who did this awful thing and then, and only
then, will it be okay to lay the blame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then we can see that the responsible person or persons is punished to
the full extent of the law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right
now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go give blood. Be the voice that
says, “I’ve got you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-69430990035964235372012-05-28T08:28:00.001-07:002012-05-28T08:28:30.177-07:00Just when you think reality can't get any stranger......Reality begins copying fiction...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://io9.com/5913643/how-the-zombie-apocalypse-starts-naked-man-found-eating-victims-face">http://io9.com/5913643/how-the-zombie-apocalypse-starts-naked-man-found-eating-victims-face</a><br />
<br />
This was made especially intriguing to me as I'd just finished watching Zombieland with the son (was his turn to pick a movie). Not going to stop writing about vampires in favor of zombies, but wow. Just wow. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-18862846385833904862012-04-04T10:12:00.002-07:002012-04-04T10:12:48.480-07:00Important Info<br />
Ok this has nothing to do with vampires or cookbooks, but here it is all the same. Being a responsible pet owner I feel obliged to share this with others after seeing it on HuffPo. I had no idea macadamia nuts were harmful to dogs. Here's the updated no-no list for pooches:<br />
<br />
Macadamia nuts, avocado, grapes,raisins, chocolate, coffee, caffeine, garlic, onion, or xylitol (in sugarless gum)<br />
<br />
Wishing you and all your furry friends the best :D<br />
<br />
R.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-19988397949622011392012-03-29T12:36:00.001-07:002012-03-29T12:36:57.196-07:00What I did today . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cQtX5bXqF-R2t81IZ1XbPfaiS6VzwVBQ3TihL5L3K2MEQJ8ioGUwRHix8CxlgNdgKHXqvwkoq8whywkWj_LAdsM2DD5qG46vnnIndYOaTabamBwHa9Y_WDcXodr-fgTwohvoVyrT2yU/s1600/IMG_20120329_130813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cQtX5bXqF-R2t81IZ1XbPfaiS6VzwVBQ3TihL5L3K2MEQJ8ioGUwRHix8CxlgNdgKHXqvwkoq8whywkWj_LAdsM2DD5qG46vnnIndYOaTabamBwHa9Y_WDcXodr-fgTwohvoVyrT2yU/s320/IMG_20120329_130813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-65568319223464406282012-03-27T12:14:00.001-07:002012-03-27T12:14:30.070-07:00Bookshow for Heritage Cooking<div style="text-align:left; width:450px"><object id="myWidget" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.blurb.com/assets/embed.swf?book_id=3085310&locale=en_US" width="450" height="300"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.blurb.com/assets/embed.swf?book_id=3085310&locale=en_US"></param><a target="_new" href="http://www.blurb.com/books/preview/3085310?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget"><img src="http://bookshow.blurb.com/bookshow/cache/P4123016/md/wcover_2.png"></img></a></object><div style="display:block;"><a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3085310?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" target="_blank" style="margin:12px 3px;">heritage cooking</a> | <a href="http://www.blurb.com/landing_pages/bookshow?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" target="_blank" style="margin:12px 3px;">Make Your Own Book</a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-23203648224730934772012-03-27T11:19:00.001-07:002012-03-27T11:19:14.130-07:00What I've been up to lately . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4RG4PltC5bXtVOlVr3ZtLqOlgYnoWkqm77vawOccRYS34OmIEzgQX8x3Omd_WzbysPvzc7USBUji0BKMCnsIKEUPbPZmHdLZYzCPXNDjcaVx-PL3YE_RoSmiqSERJXF3hycu2jiEnPU/s1600/heritagecooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4RG4PltC5bXtVOlVr3ZtLqOlgYnoWkqm77vawOccRYS34OmIEzgQX8x3Omd_WzbysPvzc7USBUji0BKMCnsIKEUPbPZmHdLZYzCPXNDjcaVx-PL3YE_RoSmiqSERJXF3hycu2jiEnPU/s320/heritagecooking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
My cookbook is finally available for purchase at: <br />
<a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3085310">http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3085310</a><br />
<br />
Please go check it out if you're so inclined! :D<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-54772796786349055662012-01-14T13:07:00.000-08:002012-01-14T13:07:58.436-08:00Just a few links (vampire related)Just a few links :D<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=32870">http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=32870</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/privateequity/2012/01/13/the-world-is-a-vampire-movie-lionsgate-grabs-summit/">http://blogs.wsj.com/privateequity/2012/01/13/the-world-is-a-vampire-movie-lionsgate-grabs-summit/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/nbc-sinks-teeth-potential-dracula-series-article-1.1005750">http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/nbc-sinks-teeth-potential-dracula-series-article-1.1005750</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-85963059717147194472011-12-18T12:25:00.000-08:002011-12-18T12:25:14.607-08:00Merry ChristmasWishing everyone a blessed and merry Christmas! Have been working lately so not as much time for blogging & writing, but I'm still at it . . . albeit in spurts. <br />
<br />
Here's a little song to put a smile on your face....ok, so it's not the normal pair of fangs I mention, but still worth a listen ;)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4LI-x06wfY&sns=fb">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4LI-x06wfY&sns=fb</a><br />
<br />
Merry Christmas, ya'll!<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-29143340354940691472011-11-01T09:53:00.000-07:002011-11-01T09:53:10.450-07:00Just a couple really awesome links for you today:<br />
<br />
Why We've Fallen in Love with 21st Century Vampires<br />
<a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/why-we-ve-fallen-in-love-with-21st-century-vampires-1.1132006?localLinksEnabled=false">http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/why-we-ve-fallen-in-love-with-21st-century-vampires-1.1132006?localLinksEnabled=false</a><br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
Planned Parenthood on How to Have Safe Sex with Vampires<br />
<a href="http://www.mediaite.com/online/this-exists-planned-parenthood-gives-instructions-on-how-to-safely-have-sex-with-vampires/">http://www.mediaite.com/online/this-exists-planned-parenthood-gives-instructions-on-how-to-safely-have-sex-with-vampires/</a><br />
<br />
Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween! :D<br />
<br />
RAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-67111346917113481032011-10-30T16:59:00.001-07:002011-10-30T16:59:47.265-07:00New InterviewI was interviewed by Molly Hacker on Lisette Brodey's blog! Go check it out at <a href="http://bit.ly/sz8RjC">http://bit.ly/sz8RjC</a> !Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-10416524688265529052011-08-25T07:41:00.000-07:002011-08-25T07:41:41.840-07:00I'm not dead!
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Thought I would share this with you today since I've been a naughty blogger and have been far too quiet as of late. Blame getting ready for school to start back up ;) Feedback is ALWAYS welcome!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(for Blood Thief)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Too many people want vampire Celeste St. Ange
dead. After discovering the keeper of her bloodline’s reliquary murdered, she
takes the vessel from its hiding place, playing right into the hands of the
killer. Now that she's brought the reliquary out into the open, Celeste is
responsible when it is stolen and faces the ultimate penalty for its loss:
second death. <i>Permanent </i>death. When help arrives in the unlikely form of
a charming human thief, Celeste must choose who to trust and fast before a
murderer destroys her and those she loves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joss Larsen was a child when his mother was killed
by a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one believed Joss then
and now, after a string of foster homes and turning to a life of crime, he has
begun to think perhaps he imagined that aspect of his mother’s death. That is,
until he meets Celeste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wanting access
to her world in order to avenge his mother, Joss inserts himself into Celeste’s
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what begins as desire for
revenge turns into to desire of an altogether different variety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-79693900718433976432011-08-07T13:48:00.000-07:002011-08-08T10:31:13.584-07:00#7Virtues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw2d90pC8aCSoEe6t5RsNQSg-6rz6_aY9jUqewp2xIsIAiwsFY_VygHW5rUWTEf35iMSSFDIRm8Vaksm0eNTUlSL22gsK9LAiu9ZJupune4SDFcGBMeh3r2BdaiGC-0l3VgzNF-2SozM/s1600/7virtuesbtn.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw2d90pC8aCSoEe6t5RsNQSg-6rz6_aY9jUqewp2xIsIAiwsFY_VygHW5rUWTEf35iMSSFDIRm8Vaksm0eNTUlSL22gsK9LAiu9ZJupune4SDFcGBMeh3r2BdaiGC-0l3VgzNF-2SozM/s1600/7virtuesbtn.bmp" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The following flash fiction is for the 7 Virtues Blog Challenge hosted by the lovely Lady Antimony at: <a href="http://ladyantimony.blogspot.com/2011/07/repentance.html">http://ladyantimony.blogspot.com/2011/07/repentance.html</a> (sign up is toward the bottom of that page). Once again, as with the 7 Deadly Sins blog challenge, my entries are based in the world of my novel BLOOD THIEF, but are not canon for it. Enjoy and please be kind and leave feedback :D</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
(Updated 8/8/11 - I've posted the remaining virtues today rather than doing them daily this week as I'm not sure if I'll be in everyday or not this week)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chastity</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The mirror showed a strong jaw with just a trace of beard,
dark hair, and hazel eyes that were more green than brown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He relied on his looks when seeking female
prey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled, sensuous lips parting
to reveal straight white teeth and sharp fangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Women were a joy to drink, sweeter tasting than their counterparts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often they were willing, offering blood and
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Memories of his long-dead love
kept him from accepting the latter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
would break the skin of their soft supple throats, but his fangs were the only
part of him to gain penetration during the feast.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Temperance (self-control)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was sprawled in my bed, sleeping soundly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One arm rested above his head, the other
dangled over the mattress’s edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
pulse visibly throbbed in his bare wrist and I caught myself licking my
teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be easy to exploit his
vulnerable state, easy to drink from that unwittingly proffered arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would wake as I drank, of course, but it
would be to the flood of pleasurable sensation only a vampire’s bite can give.
I shook my head, I promised I wouldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Marshalling all my will-power I slipped out of the room, closing the
door behind me.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charity</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Faint weeping could be heard over the patter of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the rain cloaking my approach from my
prey, I found the sound’s source up under the supports of the bridge crossing
Jackson Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A woman clutched a
sobbing child to her side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both were
shabbily dressed and shivering. A rattling cough shook the woman’s thin
frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I approached, the woman
quickly pushed the child behind her. Wordlessly, I reached in my pocket and
handed her a couple of hundreds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gratitude shone in the woman’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I turned and walked away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
find sanguine sustenance elsewhere this night.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Diligence</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My shoulder throbbed where it had been ripped open by the
revenant’s teeth, but I switched the knife to my left hand and headed further
into the caverns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed no torch, my
pupils had fully dilated at the first hint of danger, one of the many
advantages of being a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
sent four of the damned creatures to their second death already, including the
one that bit me. I would make certain none remained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Revenants were an anathema, the result of
vampirism gone wrong, failed turnings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was my duty to eliminate them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every last one.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Patience</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wanted him, craved him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Absolutely nothing was going to keep me from having him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to enjoy every inch, every
ounce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His scent, the warmth of him, and
the thudding cadence of his heart bid me to come closer, to have just a
taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I watched as he kissed her goodnight and as she went
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stared after her a bit then
stepped blithely down the stairs, unaware of me watching him from the shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The whimsical relationships of youth did not last long among
humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When this was over, he would be
mine.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kindness</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He placed the envelope on the table as if daring me to look
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew what the medical reports held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could smell the cancer in him, hear disease
in his lungs, see the light fleeing his rheumy eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vampires have long been called the walking
dead, but this elderly man deserved the designation more than I. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It would be a kindness,” he wheezed.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A mercy killing?” </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He nodded, baring his throat.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gently holding him, I pressed my fangs through his fragile
skin, drinking deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sighed with
pleasure, sagging into my arms and slipping into oblivion.</span></div>
---------------------<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humility</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flakes of old leather broke away from the cover as my
fingertips touched the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gently
opening the slim volume, I found the print still legible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words it held were my guidance once. I
read the prayer aloud, sinking to my knees as I beseeched my creator’s
forgiveness for the grievous sins I’d committed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted a measure of immortality, pride was
surely the chief sin of the vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
curse of the vampire however is two-fold: out-living those you cherish and the terrible
memories one never out-lives. Blood tears coursed down my cheeks as I humbled
myself before God.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you enjoyed this, please visit the other participants in this blog challenge: <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://by.davidaludwig.com/"><span style="color: blue;">David
A Ludwig</span></a>, <a href="http://www.brycedaniels.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Bryce Daniels AKA
Poet</span></a>, <a href="http://lissawrites.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Lissa Bilyk</span></a>, <a href="http://www.climbingtothelight.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Rosie Lane</span></a>, <a href="http://jamilajamison.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Jamila Jamison</span></a>, <a href="http://rebeccaclaresmith.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Rebecca Clare Smith</span></a>, <a href="http://www.amyromine.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Amy Romine</span></a>, <span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.gormless-expression.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">The Gorm</span></a>,</span> <a href="http://brainhaze.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">brainhazewp</span></a>, <a href="http://surfing.wibsite.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Surfing Madness</span></a>, <a href="http://glitterword.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Glitterlady</span></a>, <a href="http://www.fictionpress.com/~jckitty"><span style="color: blue;">JC Kitty</span></a>, <a href="http://zadeforrest.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Zade Forrest</span></a>, <a href="http://my-imaginary-beings.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Emilia Quill</span></a>, <a href="http://abeautifulramble.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Kathy</span></a>, <a href="http://www.jeffreyhollar.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Jeffrey Hollar</span></a>, <a href="http://www.darcytodracula.com/"><span style="color: blue;">CharityGirl</span></a> </span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-53078626382901126402011-08-02T08:30:00.000-07:002011-08-02T08:30:34.719-07:00Vanishing PointThose of you familiar with art will know that a vanishing point is a point in a perspective drawing to which parallel lines not parallel to the image plane appear to converge. It is often used to represent a road that leads to the horizon and, because of distance, disappears from our view.<br />
<br />
Those of you familiar with L.A. Banks' VAMPIRE HUNTRESS novels know the vanishing point which she so wonderfully described . . . a place in time and space that is transcendent. <br />
<br />
Recently you may have heard that Ms. Banks was battling cancer. Her medical bills skyrocketed and people began pitching in to help out. She lost that battle this morning. So with a great deal of sadness, we watch the lovely and talented Leslie Esdaile Banks reach her own vanishing point and leave our collective view, leaving this world for the next. <br />
<br />
There are still bills to be paid though and in tribute to her the Liar's Club of Philadelphia is holding an event to help alleviate the financial burden on Ms. Banks' family. Go here for more info: <a href="http://liarsclubphilly.com/?p=1958" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3b5998;">http://liarsclubphilly.com/?p=<wbr></wbr>1958</span></a><br />
<br />
Last, but not least, I found this tidbit on the dedication page of THE FORSAKEN by L.A. Banks: "Through this life, so far, I've found that the greatest battle one faces is the one within, the greatest challenge to one's humanity being <span style="font-size: small;">the ability to be humane while being flawed and human." Oh how true.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-44380859415821724592011-07-25T11:37:00.000-07:002011-07-25T11:37:35.116-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRZxfhyphenhyphenBc_cvl9lT2tOo166QV84sN3GaPU65CFwEpbrig0ZUL3NKkEDiJMOBV2VLGV9m-6iJP6g9TOCtyKYL5fNVsS15oDlzyaB78C126JEC7fH-HxQ_Gefmxe-i7k5La79UigLwQ1V8/s1600/7virtuesbtn.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRZxfhyphenhyphenBc_cvl9lT2tOo166QV84sN3GaPU65CFwEpbrig0ZUL3NKkEDiJMOBV2VLGV9m-6iJP6g9TOCtyKYL5fNVsS15oDlzyaB78C126JEC7fH-HxQ_Gefmxe-i7k5La79UigLwQ1V8/s1600/7virtuesbtn.bmp" /></a></div>
Watch this space! Coming up on August 7th will be the first of the entries for the #7VIRTUES Blog challenge. If you'd like to enter the challenge yourself, please visit: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://ladyantimony.blogspot.com/2011/07/repentance.html">http://ladyantimony.blogspot.com/2011/07/repentance.html</a><br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-91252181327559962562011-07-09T15:13:00.000-07:002011-07-09T15:13:30.623-07:00Author InterviewCheck out my interview on Morgen Bailey's blog here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wp.me/p18Ztn-nu">Blog interview no.52 with urban fantasy and paranormal romance author Rebecca Little</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-3606916858062059382011-07-02T14:02:00.000-07:002011-07-02T14:02:13.454-07:00Seven Deadly Sins Blog ChallengeI signed up for the Seven Deadly Sins blog challenge at Antimony's blog: <a href="http://thoughtsmusingsandbrokenpromises.blogspot.com/">http://thoughtsmusingsandbrokenpromises.blogspot.com/</a> The challenge in a nutshell is seven days, seven deadly sins, seven flash fictions of 100 words or less.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8Q75H3e5BJ-8xQPKSr2mRqOBXWD44aM4UNrnnbBOfLyTNmiObQz09ZOfOf8ho_aF6d-wuNJXfiyiOfz2Aa01BBTmEt3TPefManaJ3LEoktARi0sEMg737tC0a8SDgjbLPHquaCWGa14/s1600/7deadlies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8Q75H3e5BJ-8xQPKSr2mRqOBXWD44aM4UNrnnbBOfLyTNmiObQz09ZOfOf8ho_aF6d-wuNJXfiyiOfz2Aa01BBTmEt3TPefManaJ3LEoktARi0sEMg737tC0a8SDgjbLPHquaCWGa14/s1600/7deadlies.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Since my week is going to be a little crazy I'm going to go ahead and post my entries here in one big post. You can read them all now or read them one a day - - up to you ;D<br />
<br />
These are inspired by the Blood Thief world, but not from Blood Thief directly. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LUST</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m going to hell anyway, it would be a favor,” he argued with the vampire as his eyes roamed over her, drinking in her </span><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">preternatural beauty.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What have you done to imperil your soul?” she licked her lips.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What haven’t I done?” he asked, self-loathing in his voice.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“An example,” she demanded, examining her perfectly manicured-nails.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Lust is one of the 7 deadlies, right?” </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A knowing smile curled her lips, revealing white teeth and wicked fangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heartbeat had already stated his desire, but it was still nice to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unrepentant prey marched towards its predator. “I’m already damned.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ENVY</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It wasn’t fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She watched the bitch walk away with what should have been hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody should be that damned self-confident, that smug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Social custom was that a vampire visiting the territory of another should come bearing gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That bitch had the nerve to bring that tantalizing human male with her, offer nothing, and leave with him in tow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what if she didn’t know local custom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just wasn’t fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The male had smelled so good, looked so tasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her teeth positively itched for him now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d have him before they left the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He should’ve been hers already.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SLOTH</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The weeds in his yard were a foot high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dishes were piled up in the kitchen sink. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judging by the smell his trash should’ve been taken out days ago. He’d already called in sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was sort of true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in bed and sick to his soul. Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did she have to be a vampire?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was the most intriguing woman he’d met in years, if ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dammit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A blasted vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sunk further down into the pillows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t ever want to leave his bed again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better to sleep his life away than face what lay ahead.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">PRIDE</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She rubbed the brass rail with a soft cloth, a smile lingering on her lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glass bottles full of various spirits sat waiting for thirsty customer on the shelves behind her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The polished wood of the bar reflected the myriad neon signs hung on the walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was all hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wished that her no-good ex would dare to show up here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wished he could see how much she didn’t need him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wished he’d have a run in with the vampire that had become her benefactor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sauntered toward the front, flicking on the open sign and unlocking the door.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">GLUTTONY</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He dropped the motionless body, its heart silent, and wiped at his bloodied lips. Normally he drank from two a night at most, never draining them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight he’d had seven and killed them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t even bothering to dispose of the bodies. Worthless pieces of trash, that’s what they were. He’d read their minds, seen the disgusting thoughts there. </span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thinking about his dead lover, he decided his gut felt nearly as heavy as his heart. He slid into the shadows moving toward his next mapped out target, thoughtfully provided to him by the sex offenders database he’d found online.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">GREED</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His new bloodline was going to be magnificent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put the vessel containing countless vampiric essences into the safe with the others he’d accumulated, closed the door and spun the dial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had enough now, combined with his rare blood, that the bloodline he’d create would be unparalleled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would be a god among vampires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legendary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unrivaled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was only one more vial to steal and he would be ready. Pleasure washed over him at the thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The anticipation of drinking the blood of ages made the fine pale hairs on his arms stand as his goosebumps dotted his flesh. </span></div><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">WRATH</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bloody bastard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That low-down, conniving, murderous, conceited jackass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slid forward a couple of inches on the gritty concrete, groaning at the pain flaring from the gunshot-shattered bone in my hip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d kill him if it was the last thing I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mouth-watering smell of blood pervaded the air, but the aching trumped the hunger and it only served to anger me further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d set this up knowing I’d have to turn on my unconscious human companion in order to gain the strength to free myself before dawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted me to sink to his level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was twice-dead.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-58907194851501465382011-06-25T14:37:00.000-07:002011-06-27T14:31:41.601-07:00Birthday Blowout First Page Contest with Victoria MariniHere is my entry for the Birthday Blowout First Page Contest with Victoria Marini. Happy Birthday, Shelley. Thank you for giving us all a gift for your birthday :D<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Email address: </span><a href="mailto:rebeccatlittle@aol.com"><span style="color: #d55d00; font-family: Calibri;">rebeccatlittle@aol.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Follow both blog and on Twitter<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Re-tweeted this to spread the word: </span><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Shelley_Watters/status/84299787964395522"><span style="color: #d55d00; font-family: Calibri;">http://twitter.com/#!/Shelley_Watters/status/84299787964395522</span></a><o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Title: Blood Thief</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br />
<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Genre: Paranormal Romance</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <br />
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Word Count: 65K </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First page (250 words):<o:p></o:p></span></div>(With re-write)<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">"It's Celeste, anybody home?" I called out cheerily, but received no answer as I headed to Catherine’s brightly-lit kitchen. I've seen enough death. I should have recognized what I was seeing, but I stood there frozen looking at Catherine. She was sprawled on the floor, her head severed. A dark pool of blood was spreading out beneath her, the red a stark contrast against the cool white tile. I stared a bit before my brain made sense of what I was viewing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">Sinking to my knees, I sobbed. Losing those you love is part of being a vampire, but it always hurts. Wiping red tears, I got to my feet. My friend was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d given all to protect the reliquary vital to my bloodline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would see it safe. I sped silently through her darkened living room, fearing the worst. Holding my breath, I ripped open the bottom panel of the Grandfather clock. A relieved exhalation escaped me as my hand found the heart-shaped enameled glass vessel that held the comingled essences of my bloodline. This was the safety and source of our vampiric abilities.<br />
<br />
Stepping outside into the dark pre-dawn hours, I opened my phone to check the time, squinting at the bright screen. Snapping it shut, I realized my mistake as faint footsteps followed me. I'd taken the reliquary from its hiding place and whoever had killed Catherine was now somewhere behind me, waiting on the chance to take it. I had played right into their hands.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<br />
(Before re-write)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <strike>"It's Celeste, anybody home?" I called out, but received no answer as I headed to Catherine’s brightly-lit kitchen. I've seen enough death that I should have recognized what I was seeing, but I stood there frozen as I looked at Catherine. She was sprawled on the floor, her head severed. A dark pool of blood was spreading out beneath her, the red a stark contrast against the cool white tile. I stared for a bit before my brain registered what I was viewing. When it did, I knew what I must do. <br />
<br />
Catherine was the Keeper. She guarded the reliquary vital to our bloodline. Now, temporarily, that task would fall to me as few members knew where it was secreted away. I moved silently through her darkened living room. Barely daring to breathe, I opened the panel at the bottom of the Grandfather clock. A relieved exhalation escaped me as I lifted the reliquary from its hiding spot. My fingers caressed the heart-shaped enameled glass vessel that held the comingled essences of my bloodline. This was the safety and source of our vampiric abilities.</strike> <br />
<strike>Stepping outside into the dark pre-dawn hours, I opened my phone to check the time, squinting at the bright screen. Snapping my phone shut, I realized my mistake as faint footsteps followed me. I'd taken the reliquary from its hiding place and whoever had killed the Keeper was now somewhere behind me, waiting on the chance to take it. I had played right into their hands.</strike></span><o:p></o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-43186994565311417932011-06-08T12:02:00.001-07:002011-06-08T12:02:56.559-07:00What makes a vampire?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A pair of fangs does not a vampire make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither does pale skin or an aversion to garlic or any other myriad physical traits that vampires have been ascribed with over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve read far too many vampire tales where the bloodsucker in question relied on the physical to convey “otherness.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean really, how much are you going to stand out if you flipping sparkle in daylight or burst into flame at the touch of the sun’s rays?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While having distinguishing physical characteristics that make your vampires different from their human counterparts is all well and good, there has to be more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do my vampires have fangs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You bet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they’re self-conscious about them around humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do they have pale skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re creatures of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that what makes them vampires?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is their life experience and their actions that define them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise they are no different from the humans that visit nightclubs decked out in dental-grade fangs and bad hair dye jobs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Imagine what it would be like to live 300+ years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of the history you’d have to have seen in that time, the people you would have known, loved and lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That sense of timelessness makes a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having to live with humans as your source of sustenance, preying on someone that is what you once were, that makes a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dealing with the secrets, guilt (or lack thereof) and, yes, hunger are what make vampires <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>interesting, appealing and even terrifying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the fangs - though they do make for a wicked smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-33140317419402093432011-06-02T10:26:00.000-07:002011-06-02T10:26:59.591-07:00The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRqGoVCQv8eRwxQjOwQlgws9iJTY0MmWsHLc0WTLnP_Ly2SaL3zecbg8Ns4M87aa3GU49tfxfV0r157VUNhpxho7IXqFcjes6aRLEam_Aws53RQqR64X-w1f8tiAvBeoGTjE1v5g8s-k/s1600/sweet.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRqGoVCQv8eRwxQjOwQlgws9iJTY0MmWsHLc0WTLnP_Ly2SaL3zecbg8Ns4M87aa3GU49tfxfV0r157VUNhpxho7IXqFcjes6aRLEam_Aws53RQqR64X-w1f8tiAvBeoGTjE1v5g8s-k/s1600/sweet.png" width="178" /></a></h3><div class="post-body entry-content"><br />
<br />
<br />
Reggie Ridgway nominated me for Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award<br />
<br />
<a href="http://characterswellmet.blogspot.com/">http://characterswellmet.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
Thanks, Reggie! </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br />
The rules are simple:<br />
1) Thank and link to the person that nominated you.<br />
2) Share 7 random facts about yourself. <br />
3) Pass the award to 3 of your blogging buddies. </div><div class="post-body entry-content">4) Notify the recipients <br />
<br />
Here are my 7 random facts:<br />
<br />
1. I am a writer, but also a mom, a runner and a pretty decent cook.</div><div class="post-body entry-content">2. I love to fish.<br />
3. I am married. </div><div class="post-body entry-content">4. I adore sushi, coffee and Pernod (just not all together!)</div><div class="post-body entry-content">5. I am an amateur nail artist.<br />
6. I have a large collection of high heels.</div><div class="post-body entry-content">7. I like shiny things.</div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br />
I am nominating the following three blogs for the award.</div><div class="post-body entry-content"><a href="http://anniesisk.com/">http://anniesisk.com/</a></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><a href="http://rosannedingli.blogspot.com/">http://rosannedingli.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><a href="http://loreleismuse-lorelei.blogspot.com/">http://loreleismuse-lorelei.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-83034583570102151672011-05-28T13:05:00.000-07:002011-06-06T11:45:45.048-07:00Thanks for all the wonderful input and kind words! Here's the slimmed down (exactly 250 words!) entry for those of you following along:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Title: Blood Thief<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Word Count: 65K (but prone to increase as I continue to tinker with the finished product)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
"It's Celeste, anybody home?" I called out, but received no answer as I headed to Catherine’s brightly-lit kitchen. I've seen enough death that I should have recognized what I was seeing, but I stood there frozen as I looked at Catherine. She was sprawled on the floor, her head severed. A dark pool of blood was spreading out beneath her, the red a stark contrast against the cool white tile. I stared for a bit before my brain registered what I was viewing. When it did, I knew what I must do. <br />
<br />
Catherine was the Keeper. She guarded the reliquary vital to our bloodline. Now, temporarily, that task would fall to me as few members knew where it was secreted away. I moved silently through her darkened living room. Barely daring to breathe, I opened the panel at the bottom of the Grandfather clock. A relieved exhalation escaped me as I lifted the reliquary from its hiding spot. My fingers caressed the heart-shaped enameled glass vessel that held the comingled essences of my bloodline. This was the safety and source of our vampiric abilities.<br />
<br />
Stepping outside into the dark pre-dawn hours, I opened my phone to check the time, squinting at the bright screen. Snapping my phone shut, I realized my mistake as faint footsteps followed me. I'd taken the reliquary from its hiding place and whoever had killed the Keeper was now somewhere behind me, waiting on the chance to take it. I had played right into their hands.<br />
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----------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
As most of you may already know, Shelley Watters is holding a contest on her blog "Is It Hot In Here Or Is It This Book?" The rules say that today, May 28, we should post the first 250 words of our mss for critique, <strike>so here are the first 250 words of Blood Thief. Ok, so it's more...but the first 250 are in BOLD. The reason I posted more is because I don't feel that the first 250 adequately gives you a sense of what is going on. Perhaps the hook could be set earlier and I may edit for the contest's sake before the 31st. We'll see. Please leave feedback if you are so inclined,</strike> but most of all ENJOY :D<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-79779990081737682562011-05-20T08:49:00.001-07:002011-05-20T08:49:32.693-07:00Similarities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy04NXyF6omKRaUTL-KT3irn0NJE2ylCKZu5cg6o90ihNviFB74cBFS9lAIKACJOD9Djpimy05AmXYf8AzL604GtLwajq3pW1CSn5sWK43gOtJZCkl-in5qM1G_vjPcepee6D4LgrtKbM/s1600/sherekhanstrausskahn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy04NXyF6omKRaUTL-KT3irn0NJE2ylCKZu5cg6o90ihNviFB74cBFS9lAIKACJOD9Djpimy05AmXYf8AzL604GtLwajq3pW1CSn5sWK43gOtJZCkl-in5qM1G_vjPcepee6D4LgrtKbM/s320/sherekhanstrausskahn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-80699335583239094922011-05-04T08:09:00.000-07:002011-05-04T08:09:54.391-07:00Blood Concept perfumesReceived my compatibility test yesterday! Am liking Type O the best (and am a Type O myself). If you haven't heard of Blood Concept yet, the Italian company has designed four separate scents based on the ABABO blood groupings. Each scent is distinctly different and has a metallic base note (they don't smell like blood as some places are reporting erroneously -- they smell really good!). The scents are unisex, though I think O is more feminine. A reminds me of Italian food a bit with its hints of basil, tomato and anise. AB and B are both a little more masculine. Check 'em out at <a href="http://www.bloodconcept.com/">www.bloodconcept.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fxxN_k_YKrZGSKCxXXxbIP0SctxSef-qOfFCMyxcv0oWHmencICyQgfpPjl0_eykoWs2Gg-RxXqUFo8O3uskRkHsVzmP4tx16ALFcgxl33D4z7hvkBsYawVB9BF-62VuYd9YvRd1TBI/s1600/IMG_20110502_152840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fxxN_k_YKrZGSKCxXXxbIP0SctxSef-qOfFCMyxcv0oWHmencICyQgfpPjl0_eykoWs2Gg-RxXqUFo8O3uskRkHsVzmP4tx16ALFcgxl33D4z7hvkBsYawVB9BF-62VuYd9YvRd1TBI/s320/IMG_20110502_152840.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-65639276580844189562011-04-27T10:51:00.000-07:002011-04-27T10:51:51.570-07:00It Gets In Your Blood<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have heard a lot of authors referring to their own works as their children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine is more surreptitious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has worked its way into my consciousness with the cunning of a kleptoparasite (go on, Google kleptoparasitism, I’ll wait).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Menial tasks that should have zero to do with my book bring the characters to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find myself thinking things like, “Oh, Celeste would like that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Places I’ve never given much consideration before suddenly look like really good hiding spots for a vampire hunting a meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that when an old Triumph motorcycle with a rider dressed all in black whipped past me on the interstate the other day that my first thought was, “Hey look, it’s Joss!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Writing is like that for me, it flavors everything I do with the spice of the particular piece I’m working on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My experience in the theatre was similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every role, every play worked its way into the mundane moments of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess you could call me a method writer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve found that submersing myself into the topic helps me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It brings points up that I would not have otherwise considered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am almost glad I waited until this point in my life to push forward with this book because without the internet a great deal of the vampire culture would have slipped my grasp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it is I have my paper.li news, Vampaper, bringing me all the daily scoop on the subject of vampires, several vampiphilic (my word, don’t bother looking it up) groups I take part in and plenty of wonderful vampire related links to peruse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, I’m not young enough to fit in with the crowd in person (not a word), but online it really doesn’t matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve discovered several musical artist/groups that I’d never have found without an interest in the subject too.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently a Twitter pal teased me about being a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I’m quite grounded in reality, I found it rather complimentary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The topic of my book has gotten into my blood enough, if you’ll pardon the pun, that it is a part of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s pretty cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bonus stuff:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two massively cool things I’ve found recently:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://bloodconcept.com/">Bloodconcept.com</a> – a new perfume I can’t wait to try despite my love of D&G’s The One and StumbleUpon (<a href="http://stumbleupon.com/">stumbleupon.com</a>) a very intuitive way to discover awesome new sites based on what you like. In fact, if you liked this post, please take a moment to click the SU button over on the right side of this page!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730148998892926043.post-72043740430658503652011-04-19T10:41:00.000-07:002011-04-19T10:41:55.911-07:00Absolutely hilarious vampire videoPortsmouth NHS has this wonderfully funny vampire ad to promote dental health...had to share :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ByBGMIkNCI&feature=player_embedded">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ByBGMIkNCI&feature=player_embedded</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16435583525995915313noreply@blogger.com0