Complicated Relationships...

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Today, I thought I'd give you all a peek into one of my favorite character's background. Enjoy! :-)

Excerpt from Childish Things (Chessie's Story):
Once Chessie had forced her friend to shower, brush his teeth, and find clean clothes to put on, she escorted him to his small kitchen and made him sit at the table. She found stim tea, an Upworld luxury that was rare in Under City, in his pantry, and she made some for him. He glared at her when she plunked a mug full of the tea down in front of him.

"Drink!" she demanded.

Grumbling about how she had killed his buzz, Nax complied.

"I need your help."

"I figured," he mumbled.

"I need to go to Western sector."

Cocking an eyebrow, he peered up at her. "Why?"

"Does it matter? I need a pass; can you get me one?"

He shrugged and huddled over his tea.

Sighing, Chessie plunked down into the chair across from him. "It's important, Nax, or I wouldn't be here. And I'm in a hurry. Can you help me, or not?"

Mumbling under his breath, Nick-Nax glared at her.

"You never paid me for that last job you contracted out to me; this could be payment," she tried in a last-ditch effort. Truth be told, what he owed her for the small job was a trifle, nowhere near what a pass was worth. But he did owe her, and bringing it up was worth a try.

The only response the swinger gave her was more glaring.

Seeing he was in a mood, Chessie got ready to leave. It was pointless to ask Nax for help when he decided to sulk. He would string her along, wasting her time, and ultimately refuse to give her what she needed. He'd done it before, and she knew all the signs. She liked the irascible swinger, but sometimes he was impossible to deal with. It was just her bad luck that this was one of the times he decided to be difficult.

Standing up, Chessie turned her mind to other possibilities. Unfortunately, there weren't many. Before she left their apartment, she had collected her and Petri's cash savings from under a loose floorboard. It was pitiful and wouldn't come close to covering the purchase price of a pass if she had to go to another high-level diddler.

Absent a diddling job of her own, which she didn't have at the moment, the only means Chessie had for getting quick creds was turning tricks. She grimaced. Working as a dolly sucked. People who wanted a candy egg dolly were almost always looking for a freak, and that's how they treated her.

Glancing at the chronometer over Nax's cook-top, Chessie realized she'd better get a move on. She'd have to service a lot of johns, and probably do some things she'd rather not do, to get the kind of money it would take to buy a pass. Turning to Nax, she patted his shoulder.

"Sorry I bothered you, Nicky. I'll let you get back to your game."

He turned watery eyes up to her. "Why d'ya only come around when you need something? Huh? Why don't you ever come just to hang out?"

Sighing, Chessie leaned down to kiss his cheek. "I'm sorry, Nax. I don't have time to argue with you about this, now. I need to get my ass to Western sector."

He kicked at the chair she had pushed back against the table and grabbed her wrist. "Sit down!"

Peeling his fingers away, Chessie glared at him. "Nax…"

"Sit down and talk to me, and I'll get you what you need," he grumbled.

Cocking an eyebrow, she asked, "You swear? You'll get me a pass to Western sector, and you'll do it tonight?"

Nick-Nax nodded.

Chessie went back to the chair and sat. If Nax promised to do something, he'd do it. In the rainbow, a diddler's only commodity was their word. All of them took promises seriously, and Nick-Nax was the best in his field.

"Alright, hun. Whatcha wanna talk about?"

"I want you to tell me why you avoid me. Why do you only come around for business?" He reached out to take one of her hands, which were lying on the table. "I want to be your friend, Chessie. Why won't you be my friend?"

Squeezing his hand, Chessie answered. "We are friends, Nicky. You know that."

Shaking his head, Nax said, "No, you only come around when I have a job for you or to deliver something for me. Or, like now, when you need a favor. Why don't you ever come by just to chill?" He slid his hand up her arm to caress her shoulder. "You know I like you. You think I'm ugly?"

Chessie smiled and shook her head. "Nah, hun. You're cute enough. When you shower."

He blushed.

Taking a breath, Chessie closed her eyes and massaged her temples. "I just…"

"You come by when you've had a TGRP," he husked as he gazed at her with heavily lidded eyes.

It was Chessie's turn to blush. "It's different then."

"You know I like you either way. It's not what's under your clothes that I like, it's you."

Sighing, Chessie raised his hand to her lips and laid a kiss on his knuckles. "I know, hun. It's just…hard for me."

Nax caught her eyes and held them, his gaze intense. "Chess, you gotta make peace with this. Not for me, but for you. It's not healthy to be so down on yourself." He gestured around at his home. "Just let go and enjoy. There's no right or wrong when it comes to a good time, so just relax."

"I know, love. But it's easier said than done."

He snorted. "You're giving me the 'it's not you, it's me' speech, aren't you?"

"Nax…"

He waved her objection away. "I know; I believe you." Running a hand through his still wet hair, he grimaced. "It's just my fucking luck to like someone with as many issues as me," he sighed.

Chessie didn't know what to say, so she just shrugged.

Shaking off his funk, Nax grinned. "Alright, babe. How long you need in Western sector?"

It was Chessie's turn to sigh. "Well…"

Nax's grin faded. "You aren't coming back, are you?"

Her shoulders hunched, Chessie turned sad eyes on her friend.

Nick-Nax took a slow breath. "Are you in trouble?"

She shook her head. "Not me."

He sighed. "Petri."

It wasn't a question, so Chessie didn't respond.

"Did someone find out what she is?"

Astonished, Chessie blurted, "You know?"

Nax nodded, his expression serious. "I could tell something was strange when I found an old signature of hers in the rainbow. I did some digging, and it was the only thing that made sense."

"And you never told anyone," she smiled.

Picking up Chessie's hand, Nax squeezed it. "I like that kid, she's good for you. I don't mind helping you help her. And I know you can't let her handle that kind of trouble on her own. But I'll still miss you."

"You know Yan? She hangs out at Abracadabra sometimes."

He blinked at the change of subject. "Yeah, I know her."

"She likes you. I think she'd be open to something more permanent."

Nax rolled his eyes. "You think I'm worried about how I'll get my nut off?"

"She's pretty!"

Another eye-roll. "She's gorgeous! But she's not you. It's you I'll miss, Chessie."

She blushed.

Kissing Chessie's hand, Nax pulled her out of her seat. "Come on. Let's get you your pass. Who knows what trouble that half-breed will get into without you."

Chessie smiled and pulled her friend into a hug. She had known Nick-Nax for years. He caught her in his system when she was still learning how to diddle and hadn't figured out what to stay away from yet. Instead of destroying her, as most other diddlers would have, he had helped her. Which led to them becoming good friends and sometimes colleagues. Chessie still learned new things about her craft from watching Nax work.

But she had never realized what an extraordinarily decent human being he was until now. That realization made her regret all the opportunities she had missed to get to know him better. Leaning down, she kissed him, trying to convey with her body what she didn't have the words to express. When the kiss broke, she held his gaze and smiled.

He patted her cheek. "I know, babe. Me too. Promise me something?"

She nodded.

"If you ever do make it back here, look me up?"

She kissed him again. "Definitely."

Want to learn more about Chessie's story...and the story of lots of other strong women? Grab your copy of Gems of Strength below! Happy reading! :-)

#APC #Spotlight: Wild Thing (C.O.A Series Book 1) By Kim Cormack!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Kim Cormack in my APC spotlight, today! Kim is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and her superhero, dragon, horror, dark fantasy, novel, Wild Thing, looks great! Here's the description:

Endearing antiheroes, wickedly titillating paranormal fantasy warriors and a heartbreaking, magical realism tale of survival against insurmountable odds. She was broken to fulfil an immortal destiny and granted a second chance as a sacrificial lamb for the greater good as a hitman for a Clan of immortals. They needed to create a Dragon, her sanity was collateral damage. It’s a hard knock afterlife.

Some people are born into this world, kicking and screaming. They calm down and manage to find a way to fit into society with a mother, a father or perhaps only one of those two. Alexandria Abrelle was the name on her birth certificate. Lexy had never known that girl. She’d come quietly, subserviently into the world. Born to a mother in a coma during her gestation, she’d been taken from her womb as she slipped away into her next life. Lexy had been living in group homes and foster care for as long as she could remember. There had only been a few that felt right, but either she’d outgrown them, or perhaps, they just hadn’t wanted her anymore. She’d never been given a reason. She decided to run away with a few of the older ones. Tired of allowing someone else to control their lives, they planned to hitchhike across the country. It seemed like a brilliant idea at the time.

She had been reborn in a place far worse than any version of hell, one could imagine. After many years lost in places void of humanity, Grey found her. He introduced her to a partially immortal family. She’d been saved in so many ways by the Ankh. They were the family that she had always been destined to find. They would teach her to embrace the Dragon residing within.

A  comic dark fantasy romp through the afterlife with three Clans of naughty certifiably insane antiheroes who battle while collecting human teenagers as they survive the exterminations of their family lines. If they have demonstrated an impressive level of bravery during their brutal demise, they shall be granted a second chance as sacrificial lambs for the greater good. They must join one of three Clans of immortals on earth and can be stolen at random by another Clan until their eighteenth birthday. Plot twist... to prove their partially mortal brains are capable of grasping immortality, they will be dropped into an Immortal Testing, which is a simulation of their personal hells. Like rats in a maze made of nightmares and other ghastly depraved thoughts best left locked behind mortal happy place filters, they must come out mentally intact after being murdered in thousands of increasingly creative ways.

No matter how far she ventured from this farm, she would always be the monster created within its walls of timber and shame. They would see what she really was. She was a murderer, a psychopath and a victim. She was all three of those things.

She’d an unapologetically feral hitwoman for a Clan of immortals, and sometimes just a girl in love with a boy destined to be her Handler. The only thing standing between them is cannibalism and intimacy induced amnesia. What could go wrong?

She slept a dreamless sleep free of Dragons for she had slain them once again.

If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:

Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1162

Hey Everyone! :-)

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal

Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)

Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Eleven-Hundred-Sixty-Two:

I decided to brave the gauntlet created by my hominid-servant’s periodic engagement in frantic and seemingly irrational motion in order to better determine precisely what might be agitating her. Despite several close calls, I was able to avoid any harm to my person. However, my hominid-servant did not appreciate my concern and, after several instances where her natural clumsiness nearly resulted in injury to one or both of us, she interrupted her frenzy and physically removed me to another room in my domicile.

After being so forcefully and unceremoniously relocated, naturally, I had to take the time to soothe myself and set straight the dishevelment of my coat my hominid-servant's actions had caused. By the time I was able to regroup and return, my hominid-servant had progressed to the portion of her new ritual during which she collapses in exhaustion. As a result, I still do not know what causes these random bouts of manic activity. I will, however, persevere in my efforts to determine what drives her to such apparent lunacy.

Hominids can be so unreasonable! ;-) You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. ;-) Happy reading, everyone!

Finding The Right Song For The Occasion...

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Here's a little bit more of the third installment in the Petri Dish Chronicles! As always, the disclaimer is that this is a draft and, as such, it's unedited and likely full of errors and is subject to revision, revamping, and being completely scrapped and rewritten. But, with that in mind, I'm reasonably satisfied with the basics of it, at least at the moment, or I wouldn't have bothered posting it. Enjoy! :-)

Excerpt from the third Petri Dish book:
Taking a deep breath, Petri allowed her consciousness to drift. It was difficult for her to relax her control that much, especially with all that was riding on her success, but she knew from her experiences melding with the Collective and in connecting to the rainbow that all the thought and reason in the world wouldn’t help her here; she needed to feel her way through it. She had learned from the Arcanum that in order to connect to another mind without losing the pattern of her own, she had to allow her thoughts to shift slightly until they were close, in a compatible pattern, but not in exactly the same configuration as the mind or minds she wanted to meld with.

The Arcanum called it “harmonics," and thought about it like music. All the instruments needed to blend together into a complete piece of music, but they didn’t do that by all creating the exact same sounds at the exact same frequency in the exact same rhythm. Each instrument had its own part in the song, but only by coming together harmoniously could they make a symphony.

When she melded with the Collective, Petri found a way to weave her consciousness into the song that was already in progress. In retrospect, she thought the process might be likened to listening to a band play for a while, and then jumping in once she thought she understood the tune they were playing and where they were going with it. Vlad and the Arcanum seemed to believe she could do the same thing with the rainbow, but the rainbow didn’t play any music she could recognize. It was like trying to insert herself into a jumble of discordant notes being played directly on the neurons in her brain without going insane, and then trying to turn that into something pleasing to the ear. She had no idea how to even start.

When she had shattered the barriers within the Collective, she had simply overpowered their song with one of her own. Like a foghorn amongst a string quartet, she had blown apart their melody and made them dance to the tune she played. But that wouldn’t work in this case, either. The Arcanum didn’t want her to destroy the rainbow; they wanted her to meld with it.

Up until now, since Petri had learned to shield her mind enough to function within the rainbow. Her strategy involved keeping her mental pattern slightly out of sync with the patterns in the rainbow. She thought of it as being half a dimension out of phase with her surroundings; there, but not there. The way some people sometimes claimed to see ghostly apparitions in rooms they entered; or like a tune that wasn’t quite loud enough to pick up, but was just on the edge of one’s hearing. Doing that allowed her to protect herself, and she used the technology in the taps to bridge the resulting gap and interact with the rainbow.

But that was clearly not going to be sufficient for what the Arcanum now wanted of her. Still, she needed to start somewhere, and she wanted to check on her friends, so it seemed her best bet was to try to make the same sort of shift in her consciousness that would put her just out of sync with the rainbow. Enough so that she would be able to talk with the others and see if they had any ideas. And, so, she drifted, and as she drifted, she sent out tendrils of her mind to feel out where the fire around her was least intense. Moving in that direction, Petri eventually discovered the point where the heat was still perceivable, but tolerable, and settled her mind there. She then reached for her connection to the taps and brought the rainbow into focus, simultaneously dropping the last remnants of her protective bubble.

Something Worth Watching?

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. This one has gotten some discussion in the media, but not nearly enough, in my opinion. When governments start snatching people up off the streets without authority or accountability and holding them without charges, how far behind are the murders? This isn't something we can afford to accept without protest.

Cool Garlic And Dill Salad #Recipe!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

This is a cool, refreshing salad that's a perfect meal on a hot summer day. Enjoy! :-)

Ingredients:
2 cucumbers chopped
1 head cauliflower chopped
1 bell pepper seeded and chopped
1 head purple cabbage chopped
1 carrot peeled and shredded
1 chayote squash chopped
2 onions chopped fine
2 cups chickpeas cooked
1/2 cup chives minced
1/2 cup fresh dill weed chopped
8 cloves garlic minced
2 cups sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp white vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste.

In a bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayo, buttermilk, vinegar, salt and pepper, garlic, chives, and dill. In a separate, larger bowl, toss the vegetables and beans together until thoroughly mixed. Pour the dressing over the mixed vegetables and toss until evenly coated. Serve chilled.

Bon Appetit!

#NewRelease #Announcement: Beautiful, Frightening, And Silent By Jennifer Gordon!

DEBUT RELEASE

Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent by Jennifer Gordon

Blurb:

Adam, a young alcoholic, slowly descends into madness while dealing with the psychological scars of childhood trauma which are reawakened when his son and wife die in a car accident that he feels he is responsible for. After a failed suicide attempt, and more group meetings that he can mention. Adam hears a rumor of a Haunted Island off the Coast of Maine, where “if someone wants it bad enough” they could be reunited with a lost loved one. In his desperate attempt to connect with the ghost of his four-and-a half year old son, he decides to go there, to Dagger Island, desperate to apologize to, or be condemned by, his young son. Adam is not sure what he deserves or even which of these he wants more. While staying in a crumbling old boarding house, he becomes involved with a beautiful and manipulative ghost who has spent 60 years tormenting the now elderly man who was her lover, and ultimately her murderer. The three of them create a “Menage-a-Guilt" as they all come to terms with what it is that ties them so emotionally to their memories and their very “existence”. Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent is a poetic fever dream of grief, love, and the terrifying ways that obsession can change who we are.

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

She walks slowly to his bed, leaving a trail of wet footprints in her stead. She is a ghost ship, silently making its way across the sea of his room. She looks at his sleeping form, he is curled in on himself. When he was younger and stronger, he would sleep like a warrior. He was so proud. He would dominate everything, his bed, his dreams, even sleep itself would bow down under his perceived strength. He is so much older now. These days he sleeps like a child, or a cat, both starving but petrified of the mouse. She hears the rattling of death, climbing out from the deepest parts of his lungs each time he exhales. It was the little things like these moments, she supposed, that she grew to love. They were her favorite part of all of this. Her favorite part of this very long endless day. This existence, it is not a life, but it is not death. She is in the in-between. She is in the empty. She climbs into his bed and into his world. She lies next to him; her body is damp and seemingly heavy. Her wet hair and wet face, and waterlogged body creep into his dreams. She is a memory revitalized, a nightmarish creature, a visitor come back to stay. She stares at him, intently, she is focused. You would think, after 60 years she would grow tired of his face, of this, her nightly ritual, but she hasn't, and she expects she never will. She stares until she feels something building in her throat, it's her anger, it's her fear, it's her rage. It feels like fire, it burns inside her, aching to get out. He opens his eyes, with the confusion of age, alcohol and too many dreams. Before thinking better of it, his arm reaches across the bed. It reaches for her memory. He finds the other side of the bed empty, but damp. She doesn't let him touch her, not for many years. In the morning, his sheets will smell like the ocean, at least her side of the bed will. It will have the aching scent of brine, salt, and wet. It is so different from the way his side smells, which is of tears, whiskey, and the sour sweat of fear. He gets up, ignores the wet foot prints she leaves on the floor, the ones that lead to his bed, the ones that circle him while he sleeps. He plods to the bathroom, washes his face, rinses the staleness out of his mouth, he thinks for a moment he sees her out of the corner of his eye. She will always look the same, with her soaked hair, white dress, her head down, no, she doesn't let him look at her face, not directly. His breath catches in his throat; he makes a sound, somewhere between a cough and a scream. He should be used to this by now, used to her. The simple fact she can still surprise him like this is what keeps all of this from becoming commonplace. He thinks he picks up on the sound of her laugh, the way it would ring like silver in his ears, but he is mistaken. She loves him. No, that’s not quite right. She loved him. She tries to remember the time before she felt those things. this task of hers is more difficult than one would expect, the simplicity of trying to remember when she existed before they met, before she wandered into his life. This a burden she has not yet managed to bear. Was there a time before they collided and destroyed each other's worlds? She hates him. She never hated him while she was alive, she should have, she knows that he deserved it. He deserved her hate. She does hate him now. She knows is both a beginning and an ending. Hate can be powerful, but not as powerful as fear. She fears him now. She feared him then. There are ghosts and memories in this house that even she fears. This man, he only fears her. It is what keeps her here. She opens her mouth, and she invites the rage that burns in her throat to finally have a voice and it feels like fire, waiting to be born. She feels it rushing out of her. It is a scream that has taken 60 years to finally be birthed. She opens her mouth, and all that's there is saltwater.

Book Links:

Beautiful, Frightening and Silent https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0854877HS Victoriana - Mixed Media Art https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087TC7ZXJ

Author Bio:

- Jennifer Anne Gordon is an award-winning ballroom dancer, performer, and choreographer, she studied acting at the New Hampshire Institute of Art, as well as English and Art History at University of New Hampshire. Past jobs have included professional actress, a magician’s assistant, a gallery director, an artist, a burlesque performer, as well as a horror novelist. Her first novel, “Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent” was published by Breaking Rules Publishing in late winter 2019. Her second novel “From Daylight to Madness” will be published during summer of 2020. When Jennifer is not busy writing or performing, she is an avid traveler who loves to photograph abandoned and forgotten places. Her mixed media artwork showcases her love of the late Victorian and Edwardian Era, as well as her passionate love for showgirls, burlesque, and vaudeville. Her work is in private collections throughout the world, and has been showcased in calendars, perfume labels, and has been featured in Somerset Studio Magazine, as well as Mixed Media Art Magazine. Victoriana is the first published collection of Jennifer’s artwork.

Author Links:

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Gordon/e/B0854PYTXX Website: http://www.JenniferAnneGordon.com Publisher (breaking Rules Publishing) - https://www.breakingrulespublishing.com/apps/search?q=gordon Facebook Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/JenniferAnneGordonAuthor/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennifergenevievegordon/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/JenniferAnneGo5

Blog Tour Hosted By KKantas Author Assist

What Happens at the Boiling Point?

Hey Everyone!

I thought I'd help you start your weekend off with a little food for thought. Peace!

Excerpt from Answers from Alyce:
"I don't understand the metaphor," said the big alien.

"Well, why does water boil?"

"Water boils when it reaches a temperature that creates sufficient kinetic energy within the water to speed up the water molecules enough to convert from liquid to vapor and for the pressure of that vapor to exceed the pressure of the atmosphere outside the water."

"Exactly. And many people in my country have reached that state. Things have gotten too bad for them to be able to ignore them anymore. So, now they're starting to act."

"What things?" asked Squid-boy.

"Ah, well, that's where it gets tricky. Lots of different things. You've covered some of them in this museum, but there are other things people are angry about, as well. Different people are upset about different things."

"They aren't all working towards a common goal?" asked Yax.

I shook my head. "Nope. In fact, some of them are working at cross purposes; towards conflicting goals."

"That doesn't seem like it would be terribly productive," said Squid-boy.

"Well, sugar, that remains to be seen. Right now, all we have is a whole lot of angry people. What those angry people end up being able to accomplish hasn't been determined yet. It will depend on how many of them are able to get themselves organized and if they can reach agreements with other groups and unite to form groups big enough to apply pressure to politicians that's strong enough to counter the pressure exerted by their corporate overlords."

"Ah, the corruption you talked about earlier."

"Yep."

"Has that ever happened? Have your people ever successfully overcome their differences long enough to push back effectively against the authorities in your society?" asked Yax.

"Yes. It has happened in history and it's also happening now. What's going on now is just the beginning, but it has the potential to grow and spread and become game-changing."

"Can you tell us about what happened when such movements were successful in your history?"

"Well, sugar, we've already talked about that, some. The organized labor movement that gained momentum at the beginning of the last century radically altered the way employees were treated and the rights that they had. Many of those changes are still in effect, though their power has been diluted over the decades by corporate interests. But, without unions and the fights they won, we wouldn't have a standard 5 day work week, children would still be doing hard labor in dangerous conditions, employees wouldn't have safety equipment or emergency escape exits in their workplaces, and many other protections that only exist because regular people banded together and fought for them."

"But you say that some of the ground they gained has been lost?" asked Squid-boy.

I nodded. "Yes. Those in power were able to successfully use propaganda to demonize unions in the minds of workers, so a lot of people stopped supporting them. Which meant they no longer had the power to be effective advocates for the working class in our political system."

"How could the authorities in your society have possibly come up with a disinformation campaign effective enough to confuse your people if their unions had been such powerful agents of positive change in their lives?" asked Yax.

"To be honest, the unions did themselves no favors, in that regard."

The tall alien blinked at me and crossed his arms over his chest. "How cryptic. Please explain."

"There's a saying in my society, 'Power corrupts.' And it certainly seems to work that way, quite often. The leadership of some of the largest unions became corrupt, after a while. There were even quite a few persistent rumors that organized crime syndicates were actually running some of them. Members of unions pay dues. The dues are supposed to be used to fund strikes, support striking workers and their families, fund political engagement, and other things that protect and further the interests of the members of the unions. But some of that money started getting 'lost' and, understandably, the people who paid into unions weren't happy about that. And the corporate interests that oppose unions were able to capitalize on that discontent to an enormous degree with their propaganda campaigns. The fact that the unions had been so successful also, ironically, worked against them. A lot of people thought they didn't need unions anymore because working people had already won the protections and rights that they needed."

"And once the unions were no longer in place to push back against the forces that seek to dominate and control the labor pool in your society, the advancements that were made were lost."

I shrugged. "Some of them. And others were changed enough in management's favor that they might as well have been lost. That's what happens when regular people stop working together to protect each other. Those with more power take advantage."

"But this is changing now and that's why there's so much civil unrest?" asked Squid-boy.

"It's starting to. We've had strikes by teachers who were fighting not only for increases in their own pay, but also for increases in the pay of other employees who work in the schools. Like janitorial staff, teaching assistants, office staff, and librarians. And also for increases in funding for students and classrooms, so that students wouldn't have to try to learn in classrooms with no heat in the winter or using books that were 20 years old, or more. On one notable occasion, teachers even turned down a twenty percent increase in pay for themselves because they didn't think the needs of students and other employees were sufficiently represented in the proposed increase. And there have also been examples of people who belong to other unions supporting teachers who were striking. In one strike, truck drivers refused to cross the teachers' picket line, so deliveries couldn't be made to the state government buildings where the teachers were striking."

"That sounds promising," observed Yax.

I nodded. "It really is. Acts of solidarity like that give me hope that the people of my country are finally coming to their senses and realize what we all need to do if we're going to take control of our government back from the oligarchs who are running it."

"But the civil unrest isn't centered only around labor issues," said Squid-boy.

"No. As your museum shows, we've had marches for racial equality and justice, marches to protect the environment and protest against corporate destruction of natural resources, and protests against violence and abuse of authority by the police."

"Have there been any other examples of your people joining forces to influence your government? More importantly, have any of them been successful?"

"Yes to both questions...

...But will it work? In the final analysis, will these groups that are marching and advocating for change achieve their goals?" 

I shrugged. "I don't know. What's happening now is just a start, not a finish. A lot can, and I'm sure will, happen before anything is really decided. Like I said before, we'll have to wait and see what happens."

Want to see what other answers Alyce can come up with? Grab your copy at the link below. Happy reading!

Answers from Alyce

#APC #Spotlight: Red Queen Check: An Electric Eclectic Book By Elizabeth Horton-Newton!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Elizabeth Horton-Newton in my APC spotlight, today! Elizabeth is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and her mystery, suspense, crime thriller, revenge short story, Red Queen Check, looks great! Here's the description:

Mark loved young, beautiful women. With his wealth, he could afford any woman he wanted, cover up any deviant crimes he might commit against them. Vayda was stunning. Irresistible, sexy, and devoted to keeping Mark satisfied. But Vayda has a secret of her own. Mark will soon learn what that secret is; but what will the knowledge cost him? This is a hot story of revenge, a dish best served cold and the unexpected cost of vengeance.

 If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:

Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1159

Hey Everyone! :-)

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal

Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)

Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Eleven-Hundred-Fifty-Nine:

My hominid-servant, once again, has engaged in a mysterious bout of frenetic movement. I attempted to get a closer look in order to ascertain what was agitating her; however, due to a lack of attention on her part to her surroundings and the unpredictable nature of her motion, the risk of being stepped on or kicked was too great. And, so, I was forced to retreat and observe from a nearby vantage point. Perhaps due to this removal, I remained unable to determine the impetus for her odd behavior. Naturally, I will continue to observe and report back on any further discoveries.

Oh, those inattentive hominids! ;-) You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. ;-) Happy reading, everyone!

Exciting #Opportunity! #Halloween #Giveaway Signup!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

If you're a fellow author and/or blogger, and you'd like the opportunity to grow your social media following without spending a lot of $$$ on advertising, check out the details in the image above. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, click the link below and answer the questions. Happy writing! :-)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2020HalloweenGiveaway/

Something Worth Watching?

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. This is another story about the impending eviction crisis that's looming and that no one seems to want to talk about. This isn't some vague, ill-defined problem that might materialize in the distant future. This is something that's already happening and will likely reach critical mass within the next couple of months. So maybe we should all start paying attention, huh? Peace!

Sweet And Spicy #Snack #Recipe!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

This is a really easy side dish or snack that you can throw together in just a couple of minutes, but that never fails to hit the spot. Enjoy! :-)

Ingredients:
4 large carrots peeled and cut into sticks
4 tbsp caraway seeds
1 tbsp chili powder
4 tbsp honey
1 cup apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste.

In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, chili powder, salt and pepper, and half the caraway seeds. Once the marinade is combined, toss the carrot sticks in it and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and pour the entire contents into a saute pan. Sprinkle the remaining seeds over the carrot sticks and saute until the carrots start to soften and the seeds are toasted. Serve warm or cold.

For a variation, you can chop up an onion and mince a couple of garlic cloves and add them to the marinade. Toss in some chickpeas and serve this over rice to make a complete meal.

Bon Appetit!

#July2020 #IndieBooksBeSeen #Indie #Author #Books #Monthly #BookReview!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

It's the 18th again, so time for my #IndieBooksBeSeen monthly indie author book review!! Enjoy! :-)


Cry Havoc (War in the stars Book 1) by Jolie Mason:

Aiden is a young man who knows the meaning of responsibility. At an age when most people barely manage to take care of themselves, he's managing to be mother and father to three younger children who have lost their parents. Knowing his impromptu family is in danger, he's determined to get them passage off their space station with a company of mercenaries he has signed up to work for. Now, if only the rest of the universe will cooperate.

I really enjoyed this story. It's the kind of dystopian/space opera-y story that causes readers to just fly through the pages. The characters are interesting and well-developed, and the world-building is fun and thorough. This is a story that's based off a related series, so it might be a good idea to read it first. Overall, 5 stars, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

Pondering Temptations...

Hey Everyone!! :-)

With summer in full swing, I figured it might be nice to take a break from the hot weather...if not the heat. ;-)  Enjoy!

Excerpt from Captivated by the Winter King:
Ankou placed Kate on her feet in the middle of the room. Removing his belt and tunic, the Winter king walked back towards the door. Several pegs had been set into the wall there and he hung his clothing from one. He also removed his boots and left them by the wall. When he returned to stand before his Anamchara, he wore only loose, black trousers.

As the work of art that was Ankou's chest and shoulders was revealed to her, Kate's mouth went dry. Her hands itched to trace the outline of every chiseled muscle, and it was all she could do to refrain from hurling herself at him. She curled her fingers into fists and told herself to behave.


Want to find out how long Kate's self-restraint lasts? Grab your copy at the link below. Happy reading! :-)

Captivated by the Winter King

#APC #Spotlight: Pandora's Curse: Book One of Home Summonings By James McDonald!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got James McDonald in my APC spotlight, today! James is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and his dark fantasy, mythological, horror, fairy tale novel, Pandora's Curse, looks great! Here's the description:

Greyson Forrester was born and raised to be a powerful wizard. Then it all came crashing down when friends and family were killed when he was a teenager and he got the blame. His powers bound and banished from his home, he was given seven years to figure out what happened and to try and clear his name.

The clock has almost run out and he is chasing dead end leads when an old friend calls in a marker. Two girls have been kidnapped, and the few powers he has left to him have made him one of the best trackers in the supernatural world.
With his reputation following him, Greyson has made some interesting friends and influential enemies on this side of the veil, and beyond.

And they all seem to have their hands in this case. Or tentacles.

The Home Summonings series is a dark comedy set where gods and monsters, angels and demons, and obnoxious faerie are all trying to make their way in the world that has dismissed them as myth, or worse forgotten them.

Now, some of them want to be remembered.

If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:

Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1157

Hey Everyone! :-)

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal

Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)

Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Eleven-Hundred-Fifty-Seven:

I believe my hominid-servant may have finally taken complete leave of her senses. Today, she spent an inordinate amount of time hopping and jumping about to no apparent purpose or reason. It was clear that she exhausted herself because she collapsed in a heap afterwards and refused to move until I walked on her face.

Despite my efforts to reviver her, my hominid-servant remained unwilling to do more than shift me off of her for several more minutes. However, what drove her to exert herself to the point of near-insensibility still escapes me. I will, of course, monitor the situation and report back on any more aberrant behavior.

Sometimes hominid behavior is simply beyond fathoming. ;-) You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. ;-) Happy reading, everyone!

Conquering Instinct

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Here's a little bit more of the third installment in the Petri Dish Chronicles! As always, the disclaimer is that this is a draft and, as such, it's unedited and likely full of errors and is subject to revision, revamping, and being completely scrapped and rewritten. But, with that in mind, I'm reasonably satisfied with the basics of it, at least at the moment, or I wouldn't have bothered posting it. Enjoy! :-)

Excerpt from the third Petri Dish book:
The darkness was short-lived and ended in an explosion of light, sound, and color. It was exponentially worse than even the first time she had entered the rainbow, long before she had learned to shield herself, and Petri knew it was her first test. If she failed to find a way to cope with this sensory overload enough to at least function and interact with the others, she had no chance of forming the kind of meld with the rainbow the Arcanum wanted her to make. Which would mean she and her friends would die.

Not knowing what to do, and desperate to protect herself from what felt like having her mind immersed directly into a fire, Petri fell back on instinct. She encased herself in an impenetrable bubble, which walled her off from the chaos surrounding her. Once she had recovered from the psychic shock, her memory slowly returned to her, and she was able to start reasoning through what had happened. Then she just needed to figure out what she should do next.

It was the taps, she remembered. The next-generation technology developed by the Arcanum. Their bandwidth far exceeded that of even the HD taps her friends were using, and she had never experienced anything quite like them before. After recovering a bit more, Petri realized her last thought was inaccurate. She had experienced something like it before, when she was first learning to connect to the Collective. And she had reacted in much the same way, by cocooning herself in a bubble and locking herself in and everyone else out. But that wasn’t going to work in this case; at least, not in the long-term.

In order to complete the mission the Arcanum had sent her in here to accomplish, and save the her own life and the lives of her friends, she needed to find a way to wall herself off just enough to protect herself, but not so much that she couldn’t interact with her surroundings or other people. She had done just that when she had connected to the Collective but, unlike then, this time there was a time limit.

With that in mind, Petri focused on reducing the opacity of the bubble she had put herself in. Slowly, the walls around her thinned and she could see her friends and Vlad standing nearby looking at her. Waiting. Unfortunately, the thinner the barrier she placed between herself and the rainbow, the thinner the barrier was between the rainbow and her mind. It wasn’t long before she could feel the pressure and heat trying to eat into her psyche, once again.

Something Worth Watching?

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. This is something that I really don't think is getting enough coverage in the mainstream media, and I think it's important that everyone keep in mind exactly who the power-players in both major political parties in the US are serving. Because, make no mistake, this only happens because the people in control of our government allow it to happen. And that's something that only changes when we muster the will to force it to chance. Peace!

Colorful Confetti Coleslaw #Recipe!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

This is one of my favorite summertime picnic recipes. Enjoy! :-)

Ingredients:
1 head broccoli shredded
4 large carrots shredded
1 yellow bell pepper seeded and shredded
1 red bell pepper seeded and shredded
1 small head purple cabbage shredded
1 zucchini shredded
5 radishes shredded
1 apple shredded
2 tbsp sriracha
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2.5 cups olive oil
3 tbsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp salt

Put all your shredded veggies and fruit in a large bowl and toss together. To shred them all, you can pulse them in a food processor so that you don't have to do it by hand. Just make sure you drain any excess liquid before tossing them together. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Pour the dressing over the mixed veggies. Toss to coat. Serve chilled.

Bon appetit!

#NewRelease #Announcement: Second Edition Of Illusional Reality By Karina Kantas!

Illusional Reality book 1

Genre: YA fantasy PNR

Author: Karina Kantas

Publisher: Asteri Press imprint of Bolide publishing

Cover designer: Sharon Lipman from Fantasia Cover Designs

Editors: Michelle Dunbar, Anna Proofing, and Black Cat Edits

Blurb

Nobody expects to stare death in the face, only to find out their entire life is a lie.

When marketing executive Becky is saved from near-death by Salco, she is taken to Tsinia, a magical world filled with peaceful people who are trying to forget their land is on the brink of destruction.

Becky discovers that her arrival is no accident and that she is Thya, the heir to the enchanting land. As if that isn’t enough, she learns that an Oracle prophesied that she will save the gentle Tsinians from slavery and domination by Darthorn, the Warlord of Senx.

The Tsinian council and her kinsmen are certain that a union between Darthorn’s son, Kovon, and Thya will create peace between the two lands. However, Darthorn has plans for Tsinia, as does Kovon for Thya.

Her future has been written, and, if she is to save Tsinia, she must marry Kovon, but Thya gives her heart to another – a love that is both forbidden and dangerous.

Illusional Reality is a story about hope, courage, love, and sacrifice.

Book Links

KINDLE ONLY

https://bit.ly/KIRB1

Excerpt

The cool air refreshed her, and she was soon wide awake. Alkazar brought a seat out from the room and asked her to sit.

“As I was trying to convey to you, the gift you possess is named Flite. You have the ability to move objects with your mind. All Ganties possess this gift, and tis my pleasured duty to tutor you in the employment of your talents. To move an object, you are required to reach the Owto, a place between conscious and unconscious.”

“Sort of like a trance?”

“Similar to a hypnotic state,” he answered. “You ought to be aware of things around you and pay attention to conversations, yet you need to be able to detach yourself from reality so you can concentrate on what you desire. It is rather like splitting your mind in two.”

“Sounds hard.”

Alkazar laughed. “It can be. It depends on how receptive you are. Let us attempt?”

“Sure, what have I got to lose?”

“Start by relaxing your body. Close your mind and relax in the chair; feel your body loosen. When you think you cannot go further, push your body deeper.” He saw Thya push herself back into the chair. “Employ only your thoughts. Do not employ your physical being.” Thya relaxed once again. “Better. Melt into the chair. Become one with the wood. Breathe deeply. Inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth. That's it. Keep breathing deeper. Good. You ought to feel as though you are drifting.” Thya nodded slightly. “I require you to imagine space as you understand it to be: be darkness all around you, apart from the stars and planets surrounding your view. You are alone, moving through space, drifting. Detach your mind and focus on the darkness – on the silence. Concentrate, Thya.” He paused for a moment. “The stars and planets are fading, and there is naught but utter darkness. Still, you move through the blackness.”

Thya was coming to the crucial part. Alkazar moved closer. He lifted one of her eyelids and saw her pupil was stationary and her breathing steady. Both were good signs. Just for a moment, he felt the urge to lean in and kiss her but pushed the thought aside. He scolded himself. He was supposed to be teaching her how to concentrate yet struggled with his own.

“Continue moving through the darkness,” he continued. “Soon, you will come to a suspended door. Tis grey in colour. When you arrive, grasp the handle until I instruct you to –”

“I sight the door,” Thya called out.

“Continue to grasp the handle. When I command you to unlock it, I want you to open your eyes. Are you prepared?”

“I am,” she answered.

“Unlock.”

Thya opened her eyes, blinked twice, and then smiled at him. “So, how did I do?”

Alkazar wasn't surprised she did not reach the Owto; they rarely did on their first arrival at the door. However, he was surprised by how far she had gone.

“Very good. Only you have to concentrate harder. Relate to me, what colour was the door?”

“Umm… a light grey with black marks.”

“You have done well. We will discontinue for the moment. You ought to rest, as you will be tired. I will request that Pertius does not announce himself.”

“Thanks, Alkazar. I do not think I can take any of his talk of doom and gloom.”

Alkazar laughed. “Pertius has much to instruct you about your legacy, the past, and of your future. It does not have to be as doomed as you remark. I am confident that once you have conversed you will find a sudden interest to learn all.”

“If you state so,” she replied casually.

“Rest if you can. However, I declare that after our session your mind will be wandering.” He turned to leave, pausing at the door. “Understand this, Thya. If you ever require me as a friend or as a tutor, you have only to summon and I will attend you. This I vow. For the present, farewell.” He bowed then left.

Reviews

“With most books, you have to back up a page or two. That is something I NEVER had to do with this one! It is well written and captures the imagination, guiding you into the new land and language with such easy grace that you hardly are aware of it.”

“This is a unique story filled with intrigue, deception and danger. As you read along so much unfolds.”

“The detailed descriptions let me see the magical land of Tsinia, with it's tree-top dwellings and it's friendly and peaceful inhabitants. Senx, the home of her 'intended', Kovon and his father, Darthorn, is a much darker and gloomier place.”

“Karina sets up some great and compelling characters. Thya, Alkazar, Omad, Kazer, Kovon, Siren are all intriguing for their own reasons. We love them, we hate them. I'll let you make your own opinions.
This truly is a fantastical world with magical gifts, a reluctant princess, an angry warlord and oracles, and contains lots of espionage, treachery, suspense with a bit of romance thrown in.”

“What a delightfully touching love story! Our author entwined our world with a fantasy one with action, magic and of course, love.”

Meet Thya ,rightful ruler of Tsinia and guardian to the Changlins

Meet Alkazar, tutor of the Arts

Author’s Bio

Karina Kantas was born in the Midlands, UK, and has lived on the island of Corfu for twenty-seven years.

Karina Kantas is an award-winning, prolific author of thirteen titles, including the Outlaw books—the gritty MC thriller series—and the exciting YA fantasy duology, Illusional Reality.

She also writes short stories, and, when her imagination is working overtime, thought-provoking, dark flash fiction.

There are many layers to Karina's writing style and voice, as you will see in her flash fiction collection, Heads & Tales. In Undressed, she opens up to her fans, giving them another glimpse into her warped mind.

Karina writes in the genres of fantasy, MC romance, young adult. sci-fi, horror, thrillers and comedy, romance, paranormal romance, dystopian, and erotica.

When she’s not working on her new books, she helps her clients by offering affordable Author Services five days a week.

Titles To Date

***The OUTLAW series*** - MC thrillers
In Times of Violence
Huntress
Lawless Justice
Road Rage

***Collections***
Heads & Tales – mixed genres
UNDRESSED - poetry, prose, short fiction mixed genres
A Flash of Horror

In Times of Violence Young Adult Edition - MC romance
Stone Cold - YA supernatural thriller
Toxic - dystopian erotica

***Illusional Reality duology***
Illusional Reality – YA romantic fantasy
The Quest/fantasy – YA paranormal romance

***WIP***
Broken Chains (Mafia Romance) currently on Wattpad

Author Links

http://bit.ly/FBFPKK - FB fan page
http://bit.ly/INSTKK - Instagram
http://bit.ly/TwittKK - Twitter
http://bit.ly/BLOGKK - Website
http://bit.ly/KKGRE - Goodreads

Facebook pages:

http://bit.ly/IRFBPAGE - Illusional Reality FB page