Tuesday, July 19, 2016

A Stranger Came to Call

 
 

 
 
A Stranger Came to Call
(From Writing Club)
 
Fog settled over the countryside just as a stranger appeared at the front door of a well-kept farmhouse on the edge of a dried up cornfield. When he knocked on the door the sound echoed and kept time with the footfalls within.
The door swung inward to reveal a thin woman, her graying hair a match to her tired eyes. She pulled her bulky sweater around her shoulders and squinted at the stranger against the fading September sunlight. “Yes?”
“Good afternoon.”
“Hello.” She peered up at the tall man, as if trying to recognize his face. “May I help you?”
“Perhaps.”
When he didn’t elaborate she glanced over her shoulder, as if seeking reassurance from the warm light of the kitchen behind her. “Who are you?”
“A traveler. In need of respite and a meal, if you have one.”
Wary eyes flickered from the top of his head to his toes. She took in his carefully brushed tweed and the hint of leather loafers from beneath his pants. He kept his hands in his pockets, his stance unthreatening. “Come in, then.” She stepped back to offer him the room. He had counted on the generosity of these country people. He also had no doubt that she kept a loaded shotgun on the other side of the kitchen counter, tucked away by her cured cast iron and her grandmother’s prized baking dish.
She followed him down the hallway and into the kitchen, where she pointed to the kitchen chair and told him to sit with a wave of her hand. He sat, and folded his hands carefully on the tabletop where she could see them.
“Where are you from?” She reached into the old icebox and took out a covered dish; his mouth watered instantly at the smell of red meat. She plated up the casserole and heated it quickly in her large microwave oven.
He took the fork from her hand and said a polite ‘Thank you’ as he tucked into the meal. He wiped away the last greasy smudges of her cooking and pushed the plate away a few moments later.
“You were hungry,” she observed.
“Yes, and thank you again for your hospitality.”
“My pleasure.”
“Now it is my turn to offer you something in return.”
Her eyebrow went up, but she did not comment.
“May I show you something?”
She nodded and he reached into his inner jacket pocket, removing the small velvet bag that housed his greatest treasure. When he poured the diamond into his palm her eyes widened.
“Now where did you get that?” she asked, entraced despite herself by the flash and sparkle of the gem.
“Never mind the wheres or hows.” He held the diamond out to her. “Only that it now belongs to you.”
“To me?” She took a step back, sensing danger.
“I want to give it to you. In payment for the meal.”
“I can’t take that.”
He stood, standing closer to her, the diamond directly under her nose. He let his voice fall into that low,  lulling drone that captivated and controlled. “You must. I insist.”
“If you insist,” she said docilely.
He almost felt sorry for her, the poor sheep. But he could not bother himself with her fate now, he had his own sad destiny to meet. “I must go.”
“But wait!” She held the diamond cupped in both hands, and already it was precious to her. “I don’t even know who you are!”
He left the way he’d come, striding across the cornfields toward the setting sun. She was in the doorway, backlit by the warm glow from her cozy kitchen. When he was far enough away he allowed himself a sad smile. “No, you don’t,” he answered the poor woman to whom he’d just bestowed eternal damnation. “No one does.”



Sunday, July 10, 2016

SFRB Blog Hop 2016: Other Worlds



A World of the Far Future

Welcome to Pavitra City
Nuestra Year 4567



When I sat down to write a story about a man who finds himself in the far future, I imagined a world where everything was shiny and beautiful on the surface. The people would be happy, the city peaceful and clean. Everything needed was provided, and the citizens dwelled in unparalleled utopia. But, while this city was perfect on the outside, it would be crumbling away to nothing beneath its beautiful surface.

Enter Pavitra City. The world has been devastated by war that left the survivors lost, lonely, and afraid. The Planetary Council convened, erasing all borders and previous governments. It created great cities for its survivors to make their new homes, rebuilding the civilization that had begun to die out. Everything was automated, convenient, and easy. The people could finally relax, and begin to heal.


One thousand years after the creation of the Council, our hero, Dr. Rand Hazen, finds himself in Pavitra City, a traveller from 2018 in the distant year 4567. The city is still beautiful, but something terrible has happened to its people. Depression became disinterest, and then apathy. Humanity has become nothing more than docile, wide-eyed cattle. They are fed, clothed, and validated by the city, and the city is dying. What will happen to the inhabitants of Pavitra when the energy resources are finally gone?

What energy powers this perfect, gleaming city? Fossil fuels are long gone, and wind, solar and hydro-electricity could not be sustained. So how is Pavitra maintained? Funnily enough, the main power source of the city is PIZEOELECTRICITY. (The power created through kinetic movement.) The more the citizens moved, the more power could be stored in the great chambers beneath the city. But now the citizens don't bother walking. Only the continuously moving Drogher (taxi system) maintains the tiny bit of power Pavitra has left.

So, readers, it seems our intrepid Dr. Hazen will have a lot of discovery, and a lot of work, to do in Pavitra City. Want to know more? REDSHIFT will be published in December, 2016!

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Monday, July 4, 2016

Summer of Magic Blog Hop!

 
 

 
Summer Has Arrived & Now is the time to READ!
 
 
One of my favorite things about summer is that it gives us ample time to soak up the sun. What goes better with sunshine than a great book? 
 
In honor of all those days we can read by the pool, or in our lawn chair while we bask in the rays I want to share a few of my favorite summer books with you!
 
Currently Reading:  What am I currently reading, you ask? Well, I have started a wonderful historical fantasy series by J. Kathleen Cheney called Tales of the Golden City. The first book in the series is The Golden City. If you love Sirens, Selkies, historical fantasy and exotic locales (Portugal) this book is for you! The characters are charming and likable and all the while the mystery keeps the whole thing churning.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Favorite Series:  What's my favorite summer series, you ask? Well...I'd have to say that I can read the PsyChangeling Series by Nalini Singh at any time of the year! Her latest release, Allegiance of Honor, is a wrap-up of all the previous stories in that world, and begins a new story arc written in the same world for subsequent novels. A rip roaring good time all around, with swoon-worthy heroes and kick-ass heroines! My favorite book (ever) is from this series: Heart of Obsidian.
 
 
 
 
 
Next up?: What's next on my TBR? I have Releasing Rage by Cynthia Sax! This is book 1 of the Cyborg Sizzle series. I have no doubt that hunky cyborgs will help me work up a sweat in the hot summer sun! I'll make sure I have plenty of sweet iced tea on hand to keep my temperature in check.
 
 
 
 
Well, that's it for my favorite summer reads! Now strap on those reading glasses and throw your Kindle (or other reading device) into a plastic bag and hop in the pool with these awesome books AND a glass of wine (or other beverage of your choice). It's SUMMER, and it's time to act like it!




 
 
DOWN TO BUSINESS:
 
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Sign up for my newsletter (side bar) and each subscriber will be entered to win their choice of my currently published works!
 
 
 
Remember to return to the hop hub to see the rest of the participants and enter to win the GRAND PRIZE!
 
 
 

**WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT**

ASHLEY MARTINEZ!! Congratulations and thanks for participating, Ashley!
 




 



 


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