tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33571646255571596522024-03-13T05:32:40.466-04:00When Stars CollideUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger85125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-17045499622841412082019-12-05T19:46:00.000-05:002019-12-05T19:46:12.717-05:00Wow. It's been a few minutes since I last posted. Sheesh!<br />
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Whelp, the GOOD news is that I have finished another book. It's in the editing phases, then will go out to my beta readers, so it won't be ready until after the new year, but I've actually FINISHED another one. It's not Ishira, but it's still human women in space. ;)<br />
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Storms is still in the works. I've got 2/3 of it done now, just need to finish things up and then do edits and rewrites and pull everything together. There's a LOT there, so I'm taking my time to get it all together in a form that makes sense and isn't a huge information dump.<br />
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On the personal front, DEPRESSION SUCKS DONKEY BALLS.<br />
Ahem. Sigh. Yes, I'm still being treated for it. We're having a lot of issues with finding the right med that works for more than a month or two. I have been under treatment/therapy for my PTSD, which helped a whole lot. If you have PTSD and have access to a therapist who does EMDR, DO IT. It is life-changing. It really helps!<br />
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So I'm still fighting, but I'm not giving up. It might still be a bit, but you WILL get more Ishira. There's so much story I want to tell still! Just gotta get my brain working with me to make it happen. :P<br />
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Okay, shutting up now. Just wanted to update you and let you know I'm still here, I'm still writing, and I'm still trying to keep my head above water as far as my mental health is concerned. Love you guys! I'll post on my FB author page when the new book gets closer to being done. :)<br />
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Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-69740160940172578732017-11-12T18:35:00.002-05:002017-11-12T18:36:22.062-05:00Taking my life back... <div data-contents="true">
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<span data-offset-key="47cl-0-0"><span data-text="true">I realized that I haven't posted in awhile. Again. I wanted to give an update on what's been going on, because I've been working very hard this year to get control back, and it's happening, though slowly. :) </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="47cl-0-0"><span data-text="true">So... this year has been about taking my health back. In a lot of ways, I've done that. I had the gall bladder and ovaries removed, and those surgeries have helped a LOT. There was a cancer scare with the ovaries, but even though they were huge, there was no sign of cancer. (One was the size of a grapefruit, the other the size of a lemon, when they were removed). Since ovarian cancer runs in my family, it was a huge concern, and pretty much all I could think about until I was cleared from that. The gall bladder issues had me in so much pain and so sick all the time that I was unable to do much of anything for several months, until I got that taken care of. I know there are writers who are able to compartmentalize and escape from their issues through their writing. I am not one of those, apparently. I had so much pain in so many different areas, I pretty much existed on pain meds, sleep, and reading. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="47cl-0-0"><span data-text="true">I got the MRI on my hip/back finally, but it showed nothing. Unfortunately, I'm still stuck where that's concerned, but I've accepted that it's part of life now, until we can get me to a neurologist to see if there's anything going on in that area. I'm learning to live with my limitations and adapt so that I can still do the things I love, though that means giving up other things simply because I no longer have time to do all of it. I can only sit up for an hour or two at a time before I have to go lie down and rest my hip/back (I call it my bip, just to save time), then I can sit up again for a little while longer. I have to split this time between writing, taking care of personal and writing business online, and spending time with my sweetie, because he deserves some of my 'upright time', as well. ;) I'm figuring it all out, though. I now write until I'm done with that scene, then rest, or I write until the pain drives me to bed, take copious notes while I'm lying down, then try to write like crazy when I can sit up again. It's not efficient, but it's working, so there's that. lol </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="47cl-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="47cl-0-0"><span data-text="true">Two major things
happened to derail it all earlier this year... we lost one family
member to prostate cancer, and another lost his battle with depression.
Those losses sent me into a writer's block that lasted nearly four
months. But I've mostly dealt with that, though with the holidays coming up, it's going to be difficult without them. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="47cl-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="47cl-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br />Moving on... </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5dfc4-0-0"><span data-text="true">We'll be downsizing further, moving into a smaller/cheaper place next year, and hopefully moving back toward the mountains, if life works out for that to happen. If it doesn't, then there are other plans in the works. ;) I did my best work when we lived up there and I miss the area so very much. I need mountains and woods and babbling brooks in my life again. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="209m1-0-0"><span data-text="true">This year was about taking my health back. This coming year, I'm determined to take my life back. I'm committing myself to get my Ishira sequel finished and published, as well as getting out at least three in a series of shifter books that I'm working on right now.I have seven planned so far, but I'm determined to get three FINISHED before I put out the first one, and schedule them so that they release a month apart. The first three will be as stand-alone as I can make them, but still have them in a series with an over-arching storyline, and that will end with the first three. The same 'world' and characters will be in the following books, but with different over-arching storylines for that series, and again, I'll try to get them all finished before I release any of them, so we won't have this 'five years between books' problem again. ;) That means the first one won't come out as soon (I'm almost done with it), but when I have the three done, it'll be better for all of us, I think. ;) </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9kbfb-0-0"><span data-text="true">I need to not get distracted from this path. I need to remember that the writing is the most important thing I'm doing, and put that at the top of my priority list. That doesn't mean giving up everything else, but it does mean committing to writing more each day, no matter what, and not letting myself get distracted thinking I need to be working on other things. A few days focused on something else is okay, but I'm going to try to post my word counts daily on my Facebook page, to keep me accountable. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="eov44-0-0"><span data-text="true">So if you're following me on Facebook, keep me accountable! LOL </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="eov44-0-0"><span data-text="true">No nagging, but if you see a few days go by without a word count, holler at me. Honestly, as fast as I write, I should be putting out several books a year, instead of sitting here at 5 years without a sequel. It's ridiculous, and though I've had valid reasons for not getting it done, I also need to take control and make it happen in spite of some of those reasons. the other reasons have been taken care of. It's time to get serious and let me control the situation, instead of letting the situation control me. Ugh. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2eue2-0-0"><span data-text="true">Heh. I think the new meds are working. ;) </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2eue2-0-0"><span data-text="true">Okay... enough of that! </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2eue2-0-0"><span data-text="true">It's NaNoWriMo, and I've been working on the first one in my shifter series, Mama Bear. (Working title, might not be the finished title. Not sure yet.) She's an older heroine, which a lot of people have asked for. The rest of that series will be younger folks, but she's hooking up with the crew's alpha, and he's older, too. I'm having a ball writing this one, and I'm working on Ishira at the same time. I've been waking up in the middle of the night with ideas for scenes and story details for both, rushing out to the computer to get it all down while it's fresh, and the word counts are coming up in great leaps and bounds. More importantly, the stories are coming together in ways that make my heart happy, which I hope translates to you guys loving them as much as I do! :) </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2eue2-0-0"><span data-text="true">I'll try to do better at keeping up with the blog... I've felt so guilty about not finishing books that I haven't had much to say here, but I'm doing to do better about that, too. You guys deserve to know what's going on! </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2eue2-0-0"><span data-text="true">So that's it, in a nutshell. Lots going on. This coming year promises to be exciting in many good ways, if I can keep it going! I'm going to try to get more book reviews up, as well. I've discovered some new-to-me authors this year that I HAVE to share with you, so I've got plans for those. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2eue2-0-0"><span data-text="true">Keep an eye out and subscribe or keep checking back. I'm hoping to get back up to speed soon! :) </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2eue2-0-0"><span data-text="true">And as always, thank you so much for your support and continued understanding. The amount of love that has poured in as I've dealt with all of this has been humbling and amazing. I have the best fans in the world, some of whom have become good friends, and I appreciate each and every one of you. <3 </span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-416723730455831572016-08-03T11:54:00.001-04:002016-08-03T11:54:52.723-04:00Greetings, all.<br />
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Sorry that I've gone so long between posts. The past year has been, well, hell. I have not been able to get a lot of writing done for several reasons, and right now, I'm dealing with a major medical issue that kind of has my brain in lock-down until we get it sorted out.<br />
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The past year has seen a major increase in my back/hip pain and I'm now in a wheelchair most of the time when we go out and about, even for regular household shopping. I tend to have to lie down a lot, and haven't found a good solution for my computer when I'm stuck in bed for hours at a time.<br />
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Two weeks ago, I had two horrible pain episodes unrelated to my back/hip and went to the ER for them. Thought it was my gall bladder, but an ultrasound showed nothing to worry about there, but my blood work showed some alarming liver numbers. I was told to see an upper GI ASAP, which I did. I went for more blood work (since there was a week and a half between the ER and the doc), and I'm waiting to get the results from that, since my doc has been out of the office until yesterday. Tomorrow, I go for a liver MRI to check for fatty liver (which I already know I have) and scarring. In five days, I go for a HIDA scan, which tests gall bladder function. The GI doc thinks it could still be gall bladder, but without obvious stones. I PRAY that's the answer, because I have had liver issues before, have had fatty liver for almost a decade (non-alcoholic, but probably brought on by pain meds, since I reacted to ibuprofen back in the 90s by turning yellow), and if it IS liver damage, from the symptoms I've read, it's not good. I shouldn't be having this much pain, apparently.<br />
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So basically, I AM working on the sequel to Hearts of Ishira. I have been all along. I am also working on a few other projects that I hope folks will enjoy, and those are in various stages of completion. I don't have any publishing dates at this time, because we're trying to get my health under control. Once I'm no longer terrified of cirrhosis or something else life-altering/threatening, it will be much easier to concentrate on my writing again.<br />
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Right now, most of my heroines tend to either be in a wheelchair (with hunky doctors and physical therapists helping her through and loving her in spite of her limitations, of course!) or I'm writing the darker stuff for the various stories, since I'm not in a good head space for the light, sexy stuff at the moment.<br />
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All that being said, I AM still writing, never fear! I'm also reading a lot, so hopefully I'll be able to get some good books up on my review page soon.<br />
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If you're the praying type, please hold me up. If you send energy, please think of me. I accept well-wishes and love from anyone! I don't discriminate. ;)<br />
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We're hoping for gall bladder/no liver issues, since the gall bladder is a very easy, simple fix.<br />
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Wish me well for tomorrow's MRI! We're hoping to see no/minimal scarring and just fatty liver. Fatty liver, btw, can be reversed with diet. Completely. Scarring and cirrhosis cannot. Eep! <br />
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PS for all the morbid folks out there, I am going to write a 'this is what was going to happen' post, just in case I kick the bucket at some point before I can finish anything, and my hubby will post it at that time. Not that we're expecting anything like that, but I'd hate to leave you all hanging forever. ;) LOL<br />
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PPS on the bright side, I've made some great strides in my abuse recovery, which has led to freed inhibitions with my writing. I won't go into detail, but I FINALLY made it to the 'anger' stage against my abuser, and that has opened all sorts of doors and windows in my mind. It will truly help, when we get the other medical stuff sorted. <3<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-85695030021653579102014-09-03T20:36:00.003-04:002014-09-03T20:36:51.155-04:00Near and dearRecently, a book blog's facebook page asked about books with disabled heroines. I've read a few and really liked them. I particularly enjoy Catherine Anderson's books because the heroines usually have either a physical or psychological limitation that the hero has to deal with... and does, because he loves her that much.<br />
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In light of the degradation of my own mobility, I'm thinking more and more about the need for those imperfect heroines.<br />
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I am now in a wheelchair 99% of the time when I go out, or I am in one of the motorized carts at stores. The other day, my father let us take a motorized chair that was left from a deceased relative. I can now join my hubby on walks and might even be able to venture to the nearest store, in case of emergency. :) It's nice knowing that I can, to be honest.<br />
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Doing things as simple as gathering up the trash from around the house on garbage pick-up day is enough to send me to bed in pain for hours. I'm still hurting from that ten minutes of working and bending and walking, and that was almost 12 hours ago.<br />
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But you know what? My hubby is still right there, with me. I got the chair, he looked up all the specs on it so we could see if there were accessories that would help me out. He walked with me as I got used to the controls, even laughed with me as I did donuts in the driveway under the guise of seeing what the turn radius was like. ;) I was able to ramble over to my container garden and could even reach my plants without bending over and hurting myself further. (note to self, time to put those up on a table!)<br />
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Anyhow... So yeah. I'm only 43 (nearly 44) and I'm going through this. I know a bunch of people my age and even younger who are also going through the same issues.<br />
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It's hard to feel sexy when you're confined to a recliner, a wheelchair, or even a super-speedy rolly-chair (it'll hit 4 mph!). It's hard to lose weight when you can't move the parts of your body that need to be worked on. Hell, my aerobic workouts these days include yarn and either a crochet hook or knitting needles. I'm pretty fast and I honestly do work up a sweat. Doc says it still burns more calories than just sitting here watching TV, so I'll take it. :)<br />
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So I've started a story with a totally cheesy title that I will endeavor to change before I release it.<br />
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The thing is, I recently read an article that mentioned something about 'Mary Sue heroines'. It talked about the writers making themselves the star of the book, just adjusting for looks and age, usually. Mary Sues have the same talents and skills as the author, as well as some of the same weaknesses.<br />
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This book would be very much a Mary Sue, in that the heroine's limitations would be the same as mine. The way she deals with her growing lack of mobility, how she is constantly in pain, hurting herself with daily chores, and how she has to learn to rely on the kindness of strangers (who later become her loves, of course!), is very much me. (Except for the 'loves' part... I have one. Singular. ;) ) She's also a writer, like I am, but that's mainly because it's a job that someone can do who finds themselves suddenly resigned to a wheelchair when they used to be active. Not everyone can write a book, of course, but she can and she does. Just as I have started a new life with my writing, mostly because I became unable to do what I was going to school for, she finds herself learning to live alone with her disabilities and making friends despite her limitations. :)<br />
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This story is very dear to my heart, mainly because it's about finding and keeping love in spite of a major life situation.<br />
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But what do you think? What do you think about a heroine in a wheel-chair or a motorized chair? I just got one of those, so I want to include the experience in the story, make it as real as I know how. :)<br />
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I'm just curious as to whether you'd read it or if it would mainly be for my own entertainment. :)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-37742056144653688042014-08-26T15:50:00.003-04:002014-08-26T15:50:46.173-04:00A happy thought.Yesterday, I read an article about the 10 worst pieces of writing advice every author hears. It was a good article in that it listed the things, told why they were important, then reminded us why we need to not adhere to them religiously. I like articles like that.<br />
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But I've been thinking since then, about all the advice I've received over the years. I've been writing stories since I was in elementary school. Once out of high school, I realized that I'm not a very good student. I went to college... several times. But I'm just not a great student. I do pretty well the first couple of semesters, but then something happens and I'm done. When that happened in my early twenties, I joined a local romance writers' group and a national organization.<br />
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That's when the real writing advice started. Some of it was great, some of it made no sense for my way of writing, and other parts were just... things that make you go 'hmmmm'. I went to a lot of workshops, joined several critique groups, read a lot of amazingly BAD writing from my writing friends.Watching those same friends learn and grown and get much better was awesome. :) Getting better myself was awesome.<br />
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And I wrote. I wrote a LOT. I got several books close to the 'ready to submit to publisher' point, and that was back in the days where you printed out everything and sent it to New York and then held your breath for months, waiting for a response. Any response! Man, if I had a way to translate my Brother Word Processor disks to something readable, or even print them out, I'd have a gold mine.<br />
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But several years into the effort (I have a problem with finishing things), I heard something that made so much sense and I thought to be absolute truth at the time.<br />
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"Publishers hate a happy romance writer."<br />
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In my experience, to that point, this was gospel. When I was in a relationship, I wrote more of the happily-in-love romance and much less angst. I didn't write much about couples fighting, because I'm not a fighter. I wrote mushy-gushy stuff that made people go 'Awww!'. I guess I still do, but then, I'm a happy romance writer. :)<br />
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I learned, as I grew older and gained more life experience and met my husband, that yes, it's much easier to write about 'what if' when you're still searching for that one true love. It's easier because you're already in dream mode. You already have a thousand different scenarios going through your head every time you meet a new potential mate or even just hold the gaze of a handsome man for more than just a moment. Boom! There's a story, right there. Off you go to your notebook or computer to capture that moment and see where the story goes.<br />
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But what about us happy folks who have found our Prince Charmings?<br />
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Well, we dream in different ways, I suppose. We look at what we've got and write the opposite. Or we write those stories where the hero/ine fall in love early and work together, conquering all odds to get to their HEA. There's a place for those sorts of romances, as well, in my opinion. Not everyone fights. Not everyone has to hate their mate when they first meet them, in order for love to form.<br />
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And there are just some couples who don't fight. Like, ever. HoBA and I have been together for nearly 18 years now, married for 7 on September 8, and I can count on no hands how many times we've had a nasty fight. Oh, we've had discussions and misunderstandings. I think every couple does. But actual fights with screaming, slamming doors, calling names and bringing up the past? We don't do that. Both of us grew up in situations where fighting was common and we both have a deep need for peace, so we stew for a bit, talk about what's wrong, do what we can to fix it, then keep on going.<br />
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I guess I'll have to learn how to write the scenes where the hero/ine have negative sparks until they get together, but I honestly don't like writing those. I like to focus on the 'love' part of the story, not the bitterness and anger. But the market seems to like the angst, so I have to figure it out. :P<br />
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Ah well...<br />
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On another quick note, with one more book sold, I'll officially hit my second major sales milestone. It might not seem like a lot to some authors, but for me, it's fantastic. :) Cross your fingers that I get it! I've got five days left in the month, so hopefully there will be at least one more sale by then! :D<br />
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Happy author is happy! :D<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-60272728279361096342014-08-18T21:55:00.001-04:002014-08-18T21:55:56.442-04:00Interesting... If you wanna pay that much for my book... :D<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">So my
mom calls me today. She'd googled me and saw a few things that made her
say "hmmm...". Apparently, there are book outlets out there that are
selling my hard-copy for twice the cover price and more. One seller has
it listed for $53 and some change! <br /> <br /> Dude... if you wanna spend
that much on one of my books, PLEASE let me know! I'll order it for you,
sign it, number it, and maybe crochet a book<span class="text_exposed_show">
jacket for it. Sheesh! $53 dollars?? PLEASE don't pay that much for my
book. The one that is available at Createspace at the moment is the
ORIGINAL published book. Same cover, all the mistakes, etc. I'm leaving
it up for just a bit longer, but will be updating it September 15th of
this year. <br /> <br />
So here's the deal... I'm planning on buying 10-20 of the original
printings very shortly. If you'd like to join in on that, the price will
be $20, but includes me signing it and mailing it to you. There might be extras in the mailing. <br /> <br />
Basically, if you want a signed copy of the original, comment here or
PM me with your e-mail address. I'll send you a Paypal invoice for
however many copies you'd like and will mail them out the moment they
come in, in September. <br /> <br /> Thanks, and please share where folks
might want to know. I don't want my readers bilked out of money, and I'm
sure you guys would rather have an autographed copy, much cheaper than
the 'used' books that are being offered on Amazon and other outlets. <br /> <br />
Hugs to everyone, and if you don't want to comment here or PM me, send
me a note with your e-mail and how many copies you want at
bethanyaanerotica@gmail.com. <br /> <br /> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-29583670102182377002014-08-12T02:33:00.001-04:002014-08-12T02:33:03.448-04:00TriggersToday started out nicely. Slept till 3pm, since I'm trying to get back into our 'school schedule' where HoBA works all day while I sleep, then we spend the evening together, have dinner, and I write all night while he sleeps. I wrote 7K words last night, so yay for that. Can't wait for you to meet Tillie, Falcon, and Walker. You're gonna love 'em!<br />
<br />
Then my MIL, who's moving in with one of my SILs stopped by with the moving truck to drop off the washer and dryer she's not going to need for awhile. YAY laundry!!!! Since we moved here, we've been going to the laundromat or to my folks' house to do laundry. NOT fun. But now we have a working washer and dryer, so all is well.<br />
<br />
But then, I read the news. You probably already know what I'm talking about.<br />
<br />
Robin Williams, incredible actor, inspiration to many, comedic genius, amazing humanitarian... gone. Just like that.<br />
<br />
What changed the direction of my day was not that he had died, but the comments that started up about his apparent suicide.<br />
<br />
I don't know if I've mentioned it before or not, but I suffer from several clinical depression, suicidal ideology, PTSD, binge eating disorder, and bi-polar disorder, plus a few others I don't remember. So yeah... Robin Williams' death is hitting me hard.<br />
<br />
People just don't understand depression and the impact it can have on a life. Yes, people get sad. Occasional depression is normal and just a part of life, especially after a traumatic event (good or bad). A few weeks and it usually passes.<br />
<br />
Those who suffer from chronic depression cannot get happy.<br />
<br />
Let me repeat that: People with actual clinical depression can't just look in the mirror and 'choose to be happy'. We can't. Well, we can say the words, we can look in the mirror. We can paste a smile on our faces and go about life as though nothing's wrong. Sometimes you'd have no clue that there was a problem at all.<br />
<br />
But we are depressed.<br />
<br />
Depression doesn't always mean sitting against a rainy window-pane, a lone tear trickling down a sad cheek. People with depression can laugh, can smile, can dance and sing and hug and make memories. But in the back of our minds, we're all wondering if people really care about us. If we're just being tolerated. We wonder if the 'gang' would even miss us if we were gone.<br />
<br />
Do we say anything about that? Nope. Because we don't want that answer. Do we show ourselves to be lethargic, sad, pensive, or write sad poems? Well, sometimes. We do tend to sleep a lot. You'll almost always find us taking a nap (or needing to) after a stressful situation. We also tend to brush off social engagements when a dark period comes over us. We'll make plans with folks then cancel them at the last minute. The irony is, we WANT to go to those things. We WANT to be social and enjoy the company of friends who love us, whom we love. But for some reason, we can't get up out of our chairs or bed, get ready, and actually make it to the 'out'.<br />
<br />
I have learned, over the past 30 years or so (I started suffering depression when I was in my early teens), that I have to have a support system in place. In the past decade, it's become so horrible for me to have any sort of deadline on me that even the mention of something coming up is enough to shut me down.<br />
<br />
Like Storms of Ishira. I want to finish it, so much. I want you to see where this story is heading. But a) I have other stories clamoring to be told, so I've been working on those as well and b) every time someone asks about it, I get a block against it.<br />
<br />
I hate that. I truly do. There's so much to this story that I want to share, but I get stressed out and I can't write about it. I can write about almost anything else, and I do. But I can't focus on Ishira, even though I dream about it. I daydream about it. I think about it when I'm doing laundry or dishes or taking a shower or stuck on the toilet for a bit. I think about it when I'm playing Bubbles (bubble shooter game) or when I'm knitting and watching TV with HoBA. But when I sit down and actually try to write on it, I get overwhelmed.<br />
<br />
Does this mean that there will be no Storms? HELL NO! Don't think that for a minute! I AM still working on it, but it is happening slowly. I've decided to stop promising it... it will happen with it happens. There's more to the story than I know and the characters aren't telling me what's up... yet. ;)<br />
<br />
As for the depression, this past year has been fraught with a bunch of stressors, which has caused me to be unable to write except in small bits and pieces. Most notable was the up-in-the-air status of where we were going to be living. We wanted to move back to the mountains, but that didn't happen. The good part of that, though, is that with the knowledge that we'll be in this location for at least another year, I feel secure enough to relax and write once more. :) Hopefully that will translate into Storms showing up in winter or early spring. We can hope! I refuse to publish quickly... I'd rather take my time and make sure the story is as good as I can make it. I hope you won't mind that!<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I have several other projects in the works, hopefully to be published in the near future.<br />
<br />
But please... If you know someone that has been diagnosed with depression, PLEASE support them. Don't tell them that they can choose to be happy. Don't tell them that getting right with the Lord will do the trick. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain and it should be treated as any other physiological illness... with good doctors, the right medications, and a support system that lets someone feel safe, loved, and most of all... supported. If you dont' know how to do that, please consider taking the time to research how to help someone with depression. I would urge you to use secular sources, rather than religious, simply because the religious ones tend to eschew medical means and imply that as long as your faith is strong, depression can be beaten. This is rarely the truth and only adds to the sense of failure depressed folks already have an abundance of.<br />
<br />
Instead, do the research, even so far as to maybe going with a friend to their therapy or doctor's appointments and asking how you can better support them when they need help. If nothing else, ask the person themselves how you can help them. Most of the time, all they need is a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, and someone to tell them they are loved, needed, and WANTED in other folks' lives. That means more than you can imagine, if you've never experienced true depression.<br />
<br />
Sorry so down on this post, but I am a huge advocate of mental health awareness and understanding. NO one should feel too ashamed to ask for help when they feel like they're fighting their own damn brain for the right to be happy. No one. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-37572151259406586122014-08-08T01:16:00.002-04:002014-08-08T01:16:45.909-04:00why I don't blog very often...A friend asked me today why I don't blog as often as a lot of other writers seem to.<br />
<br />
Well, the answer is really simple: I don't write until I have something to say, even if I'm the only one who thinks it's worthwhile.<br />
<br />
Case in point: I could have written about my new kitten when we got him. Do you guys come here for updates on what cute thing he's done today? Nope. You have facebook for that, I'm assuming. Not that I'll never post pics of him... if I ever catch him licking the aquarium again, trying to get to the fishies, I'll be recording and posting that! It was too adorable for words.<br />
<br />
I could have written about my summer shenanigans, if I had any. :P The highlights so far have been watching several different TV series we missed the first time around. Netflix is a wonderful thing, isn't it?? And since HoBA is home for the summer, thanks to being a teacher, we've been able to go through a number of series... Dexter, Farscape, Lost Girl, and most recently and still working on it, Game of Thrones. We're in season 4, right after the wedding, so no spoilers!!!! HoBA has been using my morning sleeps (since I write best at night, after he's in bed and the house is quiet) to watch movies he didn't have time to watch while school was in session.<br />
<br />
I could have written about my writing exploits, but as I have nothing amazing to update you on, I figured it was best to spend my writing energy elsewhere... like putting it into several books that are nearing completion... including Storms of Ishira. (I knew you'd ask, so I figured I'd just let ya know!)<br />
<br />
I might have told you of my gardening adventures, but again, you don't come here for that. Or my foray into aquaponics, since I'll be using it in several different books. I need to get that going again... hmm...<br />
<br />
And of course, there's always the usual 'here's what I did today, I'm sure it's far more interesting to me than it is to you!' posts.<br />
<br />
But look at the above: I've updated my entire summer break in several paragraphs. I could go into detail about each one. I'm writer... we like doing things like that.<br />
<br />
So here we are, all caught up!<br />
<br />
I will have more interesting posts coming up soon, I promise. I've read several really awesome books in the past few months and I want to sit down and review them for you so you can run out and get them, if you haven't already read them. :)<br />
<br />
I will also be posting teasers soon from a new book I'm almost done with.<br />
<br />
Oh! And there is one piece of business I should mention... I've updated Hearts of Ishira with the original cover of torsos. I've also done some revising and have added bonus 'preview' chapters at the end, leading into Storms of Ishira. So if you haven't read those yet, see if you can get the updated revision and look for it at the end of Hearts. :)<br />
<br />
Well, that's about it... Other than watching movies, cleaning, raising a rambunctious kitten, and writing when and where I can, things haven't been all that exciting. That should change in a month or two, though. Until then, I'll see about getting those reviews up for you! :)<br />
<br />
Have fun, read lots, and be sure to post reviews and links for the authors and books you support. Every time you share a link, there's a new sales potential for the author, but more importantly, you're introducing friends to a whole new world and new people to fall in love with. :)<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-70455618016221682492014-05-21T13:22:00.003-04:002014-05-21T13:22:43.627-04:00THERE ARE SPOILERS if you have not read Hearts of Ishira yet! <br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HERE BE SPOILERS!!!</span></b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Navigate away NOW if you have not </span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">yet </span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">read </span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-of-Ishira-ebook/dp/B009BUC4IG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380763887&sr=8-1&keywords=bethany+aan" target="_blank">Hearts of Ishira</a>.</span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></i><br />
Well, I decided that since it looks like book two will be a bit later than I wanted, I am going to post not just Chapter One, but also the Prologue and Chapter Two.<br />
<br />
There are a few things that I have omitted, mainly because I don't want you to know about them until you read the book, but here it is as it stands right now. Everything is subject to slight changes, pending finalization of the book and subsequent edits, revisions, etc.<br />
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This is NOT the final edit, so bear that in mind when reading. :) <br />
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For now... ENJOY!!!!<br />
<br />
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(all work on this page is protected under copyright. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please do not copy or re-post any of this without my express consent. Thanks!) </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Prologue</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> The stasis gel did its job admirably. When something jolted the spacecraft she was being held in, Stormy barely felt it. Lights flickered. Fires broke out and were quickly suppressed. Frantic movements from the various creatures beyond the clear tube that had been her home for far too long made her wonder what was happening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She watched, eyes wide, as the spacecraft seemed to separate from its other half. The other section blasted away as though it had never been. Stormy’s heart thundered as she fought to scream one word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">No!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She had friends in that other section. Women who had become sister through their ordeal, though most of them would never remember it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She wished she could be so lucky. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">As the ship seemed to whirl through a vortex of angry green and purple clouds with violent lightning streaking painfully against her eyes, Stormy could only silently mourn the loss of those friends, sisters… and more. She felt tears escape her eyes but they were instantly absorbed by whatever odd gel entombed her body. Had she been in control of her muscles, she would have beat on the glass, or whatever it was. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But she was forced to remain still, her limbs lax as her body drifted in the gel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">The bodies of her captors were ripped from the vessel, their terror touching her though she could not see their faces. A few used their insect-like limbs to grasp pipes or other equipment, holding on for dear life. Electric bolts splintered through the huge compartment, sparking along the tops of various stasis units. Stormy felt the short-lived confusion and horror as some of those units released their captives, spewing the girls out into the maelstrom that was the main stasis chamber. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">All Stormy could do was watch as more friends were ripped away from her, sucked from the whirling wreckage to land gods only knew where. In what seemed like eternity but was really less than a minute, the ship slammed into something. The impact was hard enough to jolt Stormy, even in the gel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">More units were dislodged or damaged. More girls expelled onto the mangled floor of the ship. Some screamed as the lightning-heated metal beneath them burned their flesh. Too weak from their long captivity in the stasis gel, the girls couldn’t lift themselves. And the creatures who had held them were no help. The moment the ship stopped moving, those who were still alive had rushed from the craft, their alien thoughts jumbled and frantic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">One by one, the wounded girls either died or managed to crawl out of the ship. One by one, the lights on some of the stasis tubes blinked from the blue of normal conditions to the orange that Stormy knew meant the woman inside was dead. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Within her mind, she heard the thoughts of the dying, the weak cries of the injured, the terrified prayers of those who had survived and were searching for shelter, as far away from the ship as they could get. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">And Stormy knew when even those girls were outnumbered by the carnivorous creatures somewhere out there, creatures who had never tasted human blood but were eager to try. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Her tears flowed until she was dry, when she realized that she was alone with her own thoughts once more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">And her memories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Because of all the women who’d been taken from Earth so many years ago, she was the only one who’d been allowed to retain consciousness the whole time. While her body might have been put into stasis on a regular schedule, her mind was alert and aware any time she wasn’t sleeping or drugged for a procedure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">As the seasons changed before her eyes, Stormy waited. And watched. And learned from the minds of the sentient creatures who visited the strange craft. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She was trapped in the stasis chamber, but she was by no means helpless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">If or when she found a way out of the tube, she’d be ready. She would not meet the same fate as her friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She would learn, she would pay attention, and just as she had on Earth, Stormy would not only survive, but thrive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Chapter One</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">Ishira Colony</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">10.7 AC - .5 THIA </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">-Years Ishira, AC (after colonization) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">-Five Months, THIA (Thorsani/Human Integration and Adaptation)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Arianna Hunter-Jace woke to the very pleasant sensation of being made love to, with one of her mates nibbling on her thigh and the other nibbling on her lips to make sure she was awake her for the fun. Murmuring approval at their methods, she sighed sleepily, rolled onto her back, and stretched. Muscles lengthened and pulled, aches and bruises reminded her that she was still recovering from an attempt on her life. But that was secondary to the palpable intensity of her mates, waiting patiently for her to finish stretching so they could devour her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Good morning, little warrior,” Hunter said, rising to one elbow to look down at her. She gave him a sweet smile and wrapped her arms around his neck as he lowered his head to kiss her. Only a thin, soft sheet covered her. It was slowly pulled down her body, the incredibly luxuriant material sliding over her breasts, her belly, and her thighs, as her other mate, Jace, bared her to the pre-dawn light for his delectation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Open for me, love,” he urged from his place by her hips, his voice husky with desire. She sensed the need in him, the hunger that he reveled in when he had her in his arms. He loved the taste of her, loved the noises she made, her responsiveness to his caresses. And she loved that he loved it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri willingly allowed her legs to fall open, then sucked in a breath around Hunter’s tongue as Jace’s mouth began worshiping her in the way he most enjoyed. Her body bowed away from the mattress when Jace tongued her clit and tortured it with tiny bites, but Hunter was there to steady her, his big hand on her swollen belly, sliding up to her breast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She watched him breathlessly as he plumped her flesh in his hand. He stared at her nipple as it gathered and tightened in anticipation of his loving. Ri gasped and wiggled as Jace adjusted himself so that he was lying between her legs, his face buried between them, his tongue, teeth, and fingers doing things that made her want to fly out of her skin. A soft, shuddering cry escaped her as Jace penetrated her with his fingers at the same moment Hunter took her nipple between his teeth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri shivered a gasp, her head arching back into the pillow with Hunter’s delicate bite. Jace’s tongue licked a path down her slit, lodging in her center and diving in to taste her there. He slid his hands down and under her thighs, gripping her rounded bottom and lifting her hips from the bed, giving him better access.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You are so very sweet in the morning,” Hunter murmured around her nipple, his tongue snaking out to taste the taut, small bud, lapping at it then blowing on it, letting the crisp morning air chill her skin. “So warm and soft from sleep.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“So good,” Jace agreed, rising up and positioning himself to take her. “I can’t wait. Ri….”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter nodded to his brother, then sheathed his teeth and bit Ri’s nipple with a roughness that she wouldn’t have been able to tolerate at first. She was so very sensitive. At the same moment, Jace slid easily into her warm, slick depths, seating himself fully within her for a breathless minute. She throbbed around his cock, her core eagerly latching onto him, desperate for the pleasure he brought. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">They all paused, allowing Jace and Arianna to enjoy the moment of possession before Hunter groaned and went back to ravishing her nipple with his mouth as his hand slipped down to torture her clit. Jace began withdrawing and thrusting in the tempo that he knew would drive Ri out of her mind, his hands still holding her up for the right angle of attack. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">When her body arched in helpless reaction, Hunter’s other arm slipped beneath it, bowing her back and effectively raising her breasts higher for his enjoyment. He switched his attention to her other nipple while his fingers danced on her clit, pulling and twisting, tickling and teasing. Using their mental connection, he played her like a master pianist, his fingers pulling every nuance of sensation from her body. Her breathing increased, as did the intensity of her gasps and cries. Jace picked up his pace, taking his cues from her sweet noises. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Feeling the tightening of her body that signaled imminent release, Jace held her hips between his big hands and thrust harder, deeper, drawing low moans, pleas for completion from her throat. Hunter, sensing she was close to her peak, suckled on her nipple, hard, dragging a shivering, gasping cry from her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Come, little one,” Jace said through gritted teeth, hunching his body over hers and taking her mouth as his hips ground against her body. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter slid from between them, giving them this precious moment to themselves. Jace fell above her, his hands on either side of her shoulders, his mouth attacking her full breasts. She wrapped her arms around his head, her legs around his waist, and clutched him to her as she plummeted over that peak. Her body shook and shivered with her climax, her hips jerking against Jace, her body nearly bent in half with the power of her orgasm. His body tightened at the feeling of her spasms, and he thrust one last time, falling to her and kissing her ravenously as he came inside her. Her core clenched around him with muscular contractions that milked him almost to the point of pain. He threw back his head and cried out at the exquisite sensations roiling through him, gritting his teeth against the onslaught.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri’s body was still shuddering when Jace slid from her, panting, and fell to her side. He slid up enough to kiss her as Hunter immediately took his place between her thighs and, hitching them up around his ribs, lifted her butt in his big hands and thrust powerfully into her slick depths. She was still trembling from her first completion, but with Hunter’s penetration, energy speared through them both, rushing outward from their joined bodies and shimmering with each thrust, building with their passion. Hunter held onto her, pumping into her body with the strength and determination of the warrior that he was… his mind, heart, and soul attuned to her every need. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Jace, knowing what was to come, backed reluctantly away for just a moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Arianna was weeping with the need to come again, begging incoherently for her mates to finish her. Hunter angled his hips perfectly, long months of making love to his woman having taught him just where she needed him most, how to attack her ‘g-spot’ for the most devastating effect. His eyes were feral and his face tight with need as he hungrily watched her breasts bounce with his thrusts. The difference between her soft, pale body and his muscular, hard form was intoxicating. She was breathtaking in her passion, and it made him feel like a god. His hard grin widened as he felt the quick spasms in her thighs, the uncontrollable shifting of her body against his, her desire to reach that precious pinnacle with him. Gods, he loved this woman! His eyes locked to her shifting breasts, as though mesmerized by their stiff tips and the tight little puckers that surrounded them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Jace, calmed a bit from his bout with their mate, took charge of those plump beauties, leaning over to do his share of nipping, suckling, plucking and pulling. Hunter slid one hand up from beneath her, his thumb finding and pressing on her clit with exquisite precision. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri’s eyes popped open at the multiple assaults on her senses, her body thrashing beneath her lovers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Hunter,” she whimpered, pleading. “</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Now!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Fly, little warrior,” he murmured, dragging her body up against his in one powerful move as he sat back on his heels. She was completely surrounding him, her body fully open to his, her arms around his neck. Her head fell forward, resting on his shoulder, her mouth against the sensitive skin below his ear. He was seated as far inside her as he could go and they both pulsed in breathless splendor at the feeling. Using the peculiar rings of muscle that no human man possessed, he moved his cock deep inside of her as he held still. Contracting the ridges of muscle ringing his shaft, Hunter concentrated on dragging those hard bumps over her G-spot. Ri felt as though her body shimmered with each exquisite spasm, the tightness growing until ecstasy burst within her and she fell apart in his arms with a broken cry of joy, her head back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Her powerful climax and surge of ecstatic energy fueling his, Hunter shouted his release, dragging her head down so that he could kiss the breath out of her as they came in unison. Their energies swelled and combined between them. As though existing in two bodies at once, Hunter felt her elation, the throbbing of every nerve ending in her body, the deep spasms that gripped his cock rhythmically as her hips shook and jerked. She could feel the same in him: the hardness of his body, the power that moved through him as he gave up his seed to her, the hot grip of her core around him, tautness of his arms as his hands curled over her shoulders from the back and he pressed her down on him. She marveled at the effort he expended not to crush her to him like he wanted to. Each felt their own sensations and the other’s, at the same moment. It was like nothing either had ever experienced until they’d met.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri shook and shivered, her arms sliding limply from around his neck, her face buried between his shoulder and neck, as they both came down from their peaks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Knowing that Jace was behind her, Hunter opened his arms and allowed Ri to slide backwards. Jace caught her and eased her to the bed, brushing her long hair away from her face and fanning it over their pillows. Hunter, spent, collapsed beside her, his arm crossing just under her breasts, his hand resting on the other side of her belly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">As the three caught their collective breath, the men murmured softly to her, kissed her, and caressed her, reminding her of how much they loved and adored her. She panted, trembled, and fought to steady her breathing and heart rate as they soothed her. Gods, she loved her warriors!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Good morning,” she whispered brightly, kissing them both in turn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Aye,” Jace said with feeling, his sexy smile tugging at her heart. “That it is!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">On the balcony, only yards away, Sean, eldest son of Aleah-Karl, scowled at the sunrise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">The colors that washed in spectacular streaks across the eastern sky were amazing, the sky itself a study in all the shades of purple one could imagine. Teal foliage, now turning various hues of blue, purple, black, and aqua with autumn’s abrupt arrival, swept across the hills surrounding Ishira Colony. Nothing to frown at in any of that. Had Sean not been so distracted, he would have sworn that this was paradise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">No, the reason for his scowl was currently giggling and sighing her way through her morning love-making session with her mates. His brothers. The team he’d been separated from more than a decade ago and only recently reunited with, thanks to the fierce mental connection he had with Arianna Hunter-Jace. He had been mentally searching for his people when she had found him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">From the moment he’d touched her brilliant, sweet mind, he’d been intrigued. When he’d discovered that the little human woman was mated to his brothers, he’d become hungry. And when he’d seen her in person for the first time, smelled her sweet essence, touched her… the energy that stretched between them became a living spark that sent whips of awareness and desire through both of them. He could feel it in her, even as she tried to deny it. He could feel nearly everything about her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">His body clenched, even now, as he felt her heightening passion in the next room, heard her muffled cries through the thick walls of his brothers’ home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Shards of a </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">dantun</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> tree!” Sean muttered, his teeth gritting together. He closed his eyes, clenched his hands around the banister of Hunter’s balcony, and shook as his body fought not to give in to Arianna’s release. He breathed heavily, sweat popping out on his brow, on his chest, his back. His muscles spasmed as though he were the focus of the maelstrom of pleasure emanating from his brothers’ bedroom. And in a way, he was. He could feel a bit of what she was feeling. His skin was hyper-sensitive, his body throbbing in tandem with hers. Though he didn’t feel his brothers’ touches, he felt what those caresses did to </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">her</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">. He felt as though he was involved somehow, it just wasn’t </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">his</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> body reaping the rewards of that passion. He fought his reaction, fought the rising storm as long as he could. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But it was no use. Swept along in the flood of Ri’s energy, Sean’s head snapped back and he groaned to the sunrise, his body shuddering with her release… but not his own. Though he experienced the emotional release, his body remained hard, hot, full and throbbing, aching with the need to bury himself in Arianna. The passionate cries and shouts from the bedroom covered his moans before everything became quiet once more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Shaking with the aftermath, Sean whispered curses and ran a hand through his long, sable hair. His fingers were trembling, his arm shaking with weakness and pent-up desire. Eyes still closed, Sean fought to get his breathing under control. After struggling with it for only a moment, he gave in to Arianna’s rhythm, synchronizing his intakes with hers, slowing his inhalations even as she slowly came down from the emotional and physical high of her passion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I can’t do this,” he murmured after a long moment, his eyes opening to stare with bleak acceptance at the sunrise. “</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Ri</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">With an iron will, Sean forced his mental walls higher, sought for the power to strengthen them, to shut her out, at least some of the time. But she seemed to be a permanent fixture in his head, in his heart. His only solace seemed to be that she was unable to shield herself from him, as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">With one last muttered curse, he shoved himself away from the banister, only now becoming aware of the burning, stinging ache in his gut. The wound from the laser blast he’d taken in the belly mere days ago, to protect </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">her, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">pulled painfully. He’d probably opened the edges of the healing crater again. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">He pressed a trembling hand to the bandage, felt the sticky patch of blood that had seeped through. He'd have to get Jace to patch him up again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But not right now. Right now, he needed to walk. He wasn’t supposed to climb stairs yet, but he had to get away for awhile, to gain some distance from Ri and her joy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">He needed to walk. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">He wasn’t supposed to climb stairs yet, but he had to get away for awhile, to gain some distance from Ri and her joy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Joy that didn’t include him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Yet</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">He swore to the rising sun and all the gods of Ishira that he would change that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Finally managing to think clearly again, Ri felt her mates’ hands wandering, as they often did lately, over her swollen belly. She smiled, reaching up to touch first Hunter’s face, then Jace’s, a sweet grin on her lips. Jace leaned down to place a reverent kiss on Ri’s belly, murmuring his love to their children through her flesh, then rose to his knees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“We have a long day, Hunter. We should probably get moving.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri groaned a weak protest, still floating with contentment from their loving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Just another few minutes,” she begged, wanting this moment to last forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I hate to leave you when you are like this,” Hunter said quietly, his big hand splayed over her abdomen. As he held it there, a tiny foot kicked at his hand. The look on his face was priceless, and Arianna giggled up at him. Hunter stared down at her tummy, pressing a bit harder with his fingers, exploring the little foot that shoved against her from the inside. Grinning like a fool, he leaned down and kissed the protrusion. Ri felt the tiny surge of energy from the baby when he did so. Hunter did, as well. When he looked back up at Ri, his eyes were shining and moist with awe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I love you,” he breathed, leaning down to kiss her lips one last time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“And </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">I</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> love you,” Jace said, his hand measuring her belly. He stilled, frowning as his fingers spread over her flesh. “Ri, you’re bigger today.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You say that every day,” she laughed, placing her hand over his and entwining their fingers. “It’s okay, love. I’m fine.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m worried about how quickly the babes are growing,” he reminded her, shaking his head as he drew several lines over her tummy with his fingertip. “You have several new stretch marks since yesterday.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s what a woman wants to hear,” she sighed, chuckling ruefully at him. She smacked his hand when he realized he was tickling her and grinned devilishly down at her. “It makes me feel like a sexy beast, you know.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You are a sexy beast,” Jace growled, leaning down to nip at the tip of her breast. He delighted in the little squeal she emitted and the playful slaps she aimed at his head, but then sobered and pressed his palm against her belly. One of the babies kicked him, softening his gaze, but he still frowned at Arianna. “I want you to come to the med center tomorrow, make sure everyone is okay in there. And just so I’m the last one to say it before we start the day,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> I</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> love you!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I love you </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">both</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">,” Arianna laughed. “It’s not a competition, you know!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">This time when she stretched, she didn’t get attacked, but was able to sink back to the bed for just a moment before moving to get up for the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri and her mates took a quick shower together. The excuse was to conserve water and time, but it was really just more fun their way. The men were there to wash her back and she made sure they were clean absolutely everywhere. Much laughter and many happy gasps of discovery occurred, but with all three of them already sated, it went no further than mild teasing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">They quickly dressed then her warriors helped Ri get her shoes and socks on. Besides her belly making it harder for her to tend to her feet, she was still a bit stiff from falling in the bathtub several days before, when Amy had tried to kill her. The bruises on her hip, ribs, and the outside of her thigh were a testament to the least of what she had suffered that day. Hunter’s hand lingered on one of the bruises as he slid a hand-knit kimi thread stocking up her leg. She sensed his brief moment of remembered helplessness, when he and his brothers had fought so determinedly to save her life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">If it hadn’t been for Sean…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Hunter, I’m fine, love,” she whispered, her fingers caressing his cheek. He leaned forward and kissed the bruise, his fingers hovering there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I know,” he said, looking at her with troubled eyes. “But we nearly lost you, and the babies with you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I am here,” she assured him, smiling warmly. Her stomach growled loudly, making them all chuckle. “And so are they. And we’re all hungry. Now get up from there, before I get </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">ideas</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> and decide to have my wicked way with you again.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter looked like he wanted to seriously consider that plan of action. Ri’s libido had been off the charts the past few weeks, pregnancy hormones sending her into a frenzy at the slightest encouragement, much to her mates’ delight. Hunter’s body still hummed softly with the teasing they had done in the shower, and he knew that it wouldn’t take much for either of them to be hot and ready once again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Jace smacked him lightly on the back of the head in passing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“We have too much to do today, brother,” Jace growled pointedly, tugging a tunic over his muscular body in deference to the chill in the air. He turned and narrowed a thoughtful gaze on Ri. “Though I do have to applaud our mate’s thought process.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Aye,” Hunter said, smiling as Ri hopped down from the bed, her mates there to steady her when she landed slightly off. Her center of balance tended to alter a little each night with the accelerated growth of her babies, and she was having trouble adjusting to it. But her men were always there, ready to catch her if she fell. Love for them threatened to bubble over in joyful tears. Her smile was brilliant and caught both of them off guard as she hugged them to her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“How did I get so lucky?” she asked softly, rising on tip-toe to kiss each on the chin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“We are the lucky ones, little warrior,” Hunter chuckled indulgently. “Now, before this goes further, let us see to your hair, then we’ll eat. Whether we come back and finish this flirtation or actually manage to get a bit of work done today, we will all need sustenance.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Especially after such vigorous morning exercise,” Jace said, his face sober but his blue eyes dancing at Ri. She grinned helplessly at them, hugged them to her in an excess of happiness, then skipped back to sit on the stool before the dresser so that they could arrange her hair for the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She always felt a bit like a princess when her two big warriors brushed and braided her hip-length hair with their own special plaits, as was the custom of the Thorsani. Hunter wove ribbons in his team colors of black, teal, and purple into her long curls, as well, so that anyone catching a glimpse of her would know to whom she belonged. Arianna’s feminist sensibilities were far too content with the men today to quibble with ‘claiming’ and ‘belonging’. Besides, everyone in the colony knew who was really in charge in the Hunter-Jace household, and it was neither of the two big, muscular warriors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri grinned at herself in the mirror, then gazed admiringly at her mates as they worked on her hair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">With his green eyes and olive skin, dark markings that led into his hairline, and the slick black hair that eventually transitioned into soft fur when it reached his nape, Hunter was beautiful in an alien sort of way that managed to steal her breath every time he moved just so or took her into his arms. Except for the very long black hair that was normally pulled into a queue at his nape, he looked like a gray tabby cat from the back, minus a tail. Gray tabbies had always been her favorite breed of cat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Jace, on the other hand, was all golden… creamy burnished skin, gold markings at his hairline, and long tawny hair that melded into the markings of a gold tabby on his back. His eyes were a sparkling blue that could turn deep and stormy when he was feeling intense emotion but fairly flashed when he was up to mischief… which was often. When he was deep in the throes of a ‘geek-out’ as she liked to call it, his eyes turned bright with wonder and excitement and his entire body hummed with the need to delve further, learn more, discover more. She adored that about him, adored the adventurous nature and thirst for knowledge that stimulated her mind as much as her body. And he made her laugh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">They were both so beautiful to her, her mates. They were such different men, with varied abilities and skills, but they were so focused on loving her, on keeping her safe, on making her happy every day of her existence on this world. How could she not appreciate that, and do her best to return the favor? Each day brought new insight into their minds and souls, and each day she found a new reason to fall a little bit more in love with them both. A tiny shivering sigh escaped her as her eyes filled with happy tears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She realized that they had stopped brushing her hair and were watching her in the mirror, grinning indulgently at her. Hunter Read her thoughts, knew how close to tears she was and winked at her. Jace just chuckled and arched a tawny brow, crossing his arms over his chest as she blushed at being caught mooning over them. She scowled at him in the mirror and held her chin up high. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You can laugh all you want,” she informed them both, “But I will not apologize for adoring the two men I love most in the universe! So there.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">That took the smiles from their faces, but in response Jace spun her around and gave her a deep, passionate kiss that left her reeling on her stool. He grinned in triumph when she blinked up at him in breathless confusion. His kisses tended to do that to her, he knew it, and he loved it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m going to go check on Sean,” Jace chuckled, plucking his physician’s kit from a shelf near the door before hurrying out of the bedroom and into the family’s living quarters. Hunter and Ri left the room more slowly. Hunter strode to the lounge area, where their dad, Geoff, was sitting with a tray of morning tea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri went to the kitchen to help her mates’ mother with breakfast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You look awake and happy this morning,” Aleah murmured knowingly, smiling at the daughter-in-law she’d only recently met but already considered one of her own. Since Arianna was not normally much of a morning person, to see her up and about at this hour was note-worthy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Your boys make a wonderful alarm clock,” Ri said pertly, offering an impish grin to her mother-in-law. Aleah stared at her for a stunned moment then gave a sly smile in return. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“They take after their fathers, then!” She winked and both women giggled like high-school girls. Aleah sobered first, her gaze a bit troubled as she heard Jace calling for Sean out on the balcony. She sighed and offered Ri a smile. “How are my grandchildren this morning?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri patted her tummy. “Growing like crazy. I think Jace measures me every time he looks at or touches me lately. They’re growing much faster than humans normally do.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re only two months along, which is half-way there for a Thorsani,” Aleah agreed, her eyes narrowing on Ri’s expanding waistline. “But even for our people, you’re rather big.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Hunter felt one of them kick this morning, and was able to see a little foot,” Ri told her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s wonderful!” Aleah gasped. She went on to describe how Sean, Hunter and Jace’s fathers had reacted when she was pregnant with them, how goofy the men were while trying to communicate with their children in the womb.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">As they assembled breakfast and set the grains to simmer, Aleah’s speculative gaze kept returning to Ri’s belly until Arianna finally laughed, took the older woman’s hand and placed it over the babies. For a moment, nothing happened then Aleah sent a wistful shaft of energy through her hand. “Come on, kick for grandma.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">And the babies did. Delighted, Aleah squealed softly and pressed both hands to Ri’s tummy, concentrating hard on letting the babes know who she was and how much she loved them already. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri grinned as she watched her other-mother coo and talk to her baby-bump. The older woman certainly didn’t look like a grandmother, with her rich blond hair, bright blue eyes, clear skin, and golden tabby markings. Her face had the barest trace of age lines around her eyes. Arianna hoped she looked as lovely and young at two-hundred fifty. Hell, she hoped she was able to </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">live</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> that long! But Aleah was still young, in the eyes of her people. The Thorsani tended to live nearly seven-hundred years, so it wasn’t surprising that Aleah and her mate looked as young as their children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“What are you doing, Leah?” Geoff asked, coming up behind his wife and grinning at her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“The babies are kicking and communicating with me!” Aleah laughed, taking her mate’s hand and pressing it to Ri’s belly. Arianna rolled her eyes indulgently. Thorsani were naturally a touchy-feely people. She was lucky that someone wasn’t touching her tummy at all hours of the day and night. Then she decided that the only reason they weren’t was because they were usually busy running the colony. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter came over to be part of the fun as well and with all three focused on them, the babies were practically doing acrobatics inside their warm home. Ri could feel their delight and curiosity in the energies surrounding them and loving them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But as Ri laughed at Geoff and Hunter making fools of themselves talking to her belly, she looked up and caught Jace’s forlorn expression before he could hide it. Sobering, she sent the others, Readers all, a gentle command to quiet and back away. Aleah looked up, caught Jace’s scowl before he turned and disappeared out onto the balcony once more. Ri started to go after him, but Aleah held up a hand and shook her head. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Let me talk to him,” Aleah said softly. “He’s always wanted to be a Reader, has always been fascinated by it. I’m sure he’s feeling a bit excluded right now, though he knows there’s no one to blame for it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter watched his mother leave, stricken. He hadn’t thought about how much his brother was missing by not being a Reader. He blinked at Ri, helpless to fix this particular issue. Sensing his turmoil, she wrapped an arm around his waist, holding him and offering him soothing energy to help calm his thoughts. His arm automatically came around her, his hand landing on the side of her belly, gently rubbing there, as though unable to help but touch the lives within. She felt his guilt when he realized what he was doing, what his brother could not do. He started to remove his hand, but Ri pressed it to her, holding him there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s not your fault,” Ri reminded him gently. “He can’t be a Reader just from wishing it so, from what you have all told me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I just… I was so excited, I didn’t think of his feelings,” Hunter murmured, disturbed by his behavior. “I know the joy of talking to my child in the womb, but Jace can’t know it. That’s …”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Something you can’t change, love,” Ri interrupted gently. “Which drives you crazy, since you like making things right for people. You need to accept that you can’t fix this and just be there for him.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri sighed, hugging him once more before backing up. “Breakfast is nearly ready. Another ten minutes, and the grains will be done. Would you keep an eye on them while I go see if I can find Sean? I don’t think Jace found him out there.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter nodded mutely, lost in his own troubled thoughts before she turned away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Jace, love,” Aleah murmured as she stepped onto the balcony. Her gaze immediately found her son at the other end of the lovely garden overhang, leaning against a muskywine fruit tree. His face was dark, his eyes brooding and his lips set in that thin line that Aleah knew meant he was feeling sorry for himself. He was such a happy person, normally. If he was any of her other sons, she would chastise him for being so self-pitying, but this was not a normal situation. He had every right to feel left out. Sighing, she wandered over to him, her fingers trailing through the last of the summer blooms that lay against the railing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You don’t have to say it, Mom,” Jace muttered, running a hand over his face. “I know I’m being a child, feeling sorry for myself.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Jace, love,” Aleah said, sliding her arm around his narrow waist and laying her head against his chest, “You are allowed, just this once, to feel this way.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I am?” he asked with an arched brow, one arm coming around her, hugging her to him. They had been separated for so long that both took comfort in the other’s nearness whenever they could. She nodded, watching the sunrise over the mountains. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You are. I’m sorry that we didn’t consider your feelings when we were interacting with the babies. It just didn’t occur to me, though it should have. I will try to contain myself from now on, when you’re around.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s okay,” Jace sighed, his body relaxing a bit. “I just… I want to feel the same thing Hunter did this morning. The look on his face when he traded energy with his baby… Hell, it could have been </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">my</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> child he was talking to, for all we know.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“It could have been,” Aleah allowed, nodding. “We didn’t know which was which when I was carrying Siae and Kale. But Karl, Kess and Geoff sent both babies their love and energy, every chance they got. And the boys knew it. It was truly amazing, and I’ll never forget it. Every single time I’ve been pregnant, my mates and children have been able to exchange energy with the babies.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Except for me,” Jace sighed, leaning his head back against the tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Except for you,” Aleah echoed. “But that doesn’t mean that the babies will love you any less, sweetheart.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I know that,” Jace said. “I don’t remember much about Kess or Karl, but I know that their energy got to me, even if I couldn’t send it back. I thought of them as my fathers from the start, just as I did Geoff.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“It is our way,” Aleah nodded. “But I can understand your frustration and your wish to take part. I wish I could make this better for you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“None but the Gods of Ishira can bestow the gift of Reading, as far as we know,” Jace reminded her gently. “I am sure that the gods have a reason for denying me the gift.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Perhaps,” Aleah said, looking up at her son. “Or perhaps they knew that, had you been born a Reader, you would have taken a path other than medicine, and they did not wish for you to do anything else.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I guess that’s a possibility,” Jace shrugged. Sighing one last time, he straightened from the tree and hugged his mother’s slim waist. He frowned when he felt her ribs. “But as my little one often says, ‘it is what it is’. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">I</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> will survive. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">You</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">, on the other hand, are still far too thin for my peace of mind. Some of the humans might be naturally slender, but Thorsani women are not meant to be so small.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve been eating almost non-stop since I got here, Jace!” she protested with a laugh. He shook his head, the sparkle back in his eyes. Aleah sighed silently in relief. Her other children could brood when the mood struck, but her Jace had always been the sun in her sky, her laughter and joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Not good enough,” he lamented. “I’m afraid I am going to have to prescribe extra helpings, snacks between meals, and Ri’s sticky buns at every available opportunity.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Aleah laughed, delighted at his quick return to playfulness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You only want to be sure Ri keeps the sticky buns on hand, so </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">you’ll</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> have them,” she admonished him. Jace grinned wickedly down at her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, now that you mention it, that </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">would</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> mean she’d have to have them around all the time, wouldn’t it? I hadn’t thought of that!” He chuckled as his mother giggled, then steered her toward the door to the suite. “Let’s go see how breakfast is coming along.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Chapter Two</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Streaks of purple and pink, orange and red spread across the sky, lighting the valley and the compound with a wash of rosy color. Above him, the sky lightened from star-studded black to dark purple, plum, before finally, with a flash of fuchsia, it settled into its normal amethyst. Scraping his hands across his face with weariness, Sean watched the morning break over the mountains that surrounded the colony. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">He walked slowly along the edges of the compound, careful not to step on the multitude of the furry little </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">kimis</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> that seemed to follow him wherever he went. The darn things adored him, just as they adored Arianna, and probably because they were both highly empathic. Sean sighed. The sight of her, laughing as the little creatures nuzzled her and demanded petting, stole his breath and his heart every time. The love she sent out to the creatures, the unconditional acceptance of them, made him want so badly to be part of her inner circle, to be included in that sphere of love that she bestowed on his brothers and the gentle animals that had made themselves part of the colony’s life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Cursing beneath his breath, he tried to force Arianna from his mind and instead focused on putting one foot in front of the other. How could he long for her when she was the reason he was out here? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Well, to be fair, she was only one of the reasons. He had slept on the balcony, but the couch that was so comfortable for whiling away an afternoon in the sun was not so comfortable for a full-grown, injured Thorsani warrior to sleep on through the night. He had aches in parts of his body he’d never imagined he would, which was impressive, since he’d been known to sleep in some strange places throughout his long and active military career. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Those aches and the pain of his recent laser wound hadn’t awakened him, though. No, it had been the sexual energy permeating the household this morning. The balcony ran the length of the living area of the suite, with his parents’ bedroom on one side and Hunter’s on the other. Between the two bedrooms, Sean was in a state of aching need. Having developed the skill very early in life, he’d managed to shut his parents’ energy out. That hadn’t been a problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But he was unable to block Ri. The way her mates made her feel, the way she responded so passionately and sensually, was tearing him apart. Every time he saw his brothers’ plaits in her hair, it hit him again that she belonged to them, but not to him. It felt wrong, on a soul-deep level, that she wasn’t his, as well. Not because he had once been part of his brothers’ team and was again, and not just because he had found himself in love with her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">If she had shown no interest in him, if she hadn’t let him see into her soul the day he saved her, he wouldn’t have fallen so hard and fast for her. But her guard had been down and he had seen the essence of her that day. He’d seen, in an instant, what had caused his brothers to fall in love with her, what made them so very protective of the tiny Earth woman. She was so strong and delicate, equal parts shy and sensual, incredibly intelligent and in some ways naive. She was a small, curvy bundle of contradictions that fascinated the Counselor in Sean and made him want to delve into her mind for hours at a time. He wanted to see how she worked, how she managed to smile when she had every excuse in the world to never be happy again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But she </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">was</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> happy. She laughed, smiled, giggled, and played as though her heart had never been broken, as though she didn’t know what it was like to lose her entire world, not once, but twice. She had managed to overcome all of the tragedies life had thrown at her, adapted, and found love again. She was thriving in a world that was completely new to her, with mates that were a different species, from a different planet and culture. The light within her was awesome to behold, a golden glow that warmed Sean’s soul each time he touched it. Just being near little Arianna was enough to renew his strength, to bolster his belief that life after the attempted genocide of his people would return to a new definition of ‘normal’. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But he wanted that life to include her. He wanted to be a part of her family before the babies came. He wanted to be there when she gave birth to children that he fervently hoped would one day call him ‘papa’. He wanted to give her more kits to love, children that would call his brothers ‘dad’, as well. He wanted his kids to have the huge, loving family that he’d grown up with. And just like his mother had been the center of their world so many years ago, Sean desperately wanted Arianna to be the center of his and his brothers universe, the shining star around which all of them revolved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But he couldn’t do that if the damned woman wouldn’t let him in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Scowling at the sky, Sean determined to figure out why she was being so stubborn and get her past it, so that he could finally complete their family. Then he sighed, frustrated. He knew that she needed time. She’d nearly died a few days ago. They both had. She needed time to recover from that, time to settle into life with her in-laws constantly underfoot, time to get used to </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">him</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s enough self-pity for one morning,” he muttered to himself, disgusted with the emotions roiling through him. He was a warrior of almost two hundred years, not an adolescent in the throes of his first crush. He needed to act like it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Taking a deep, calming breath, he went through a series of mental exercises to get himself centered and back to a more pacific state of mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">His belly was killing him, but he was determined to aid the healing of the laser blast he’d taken while trying to defend Ri three days earlier. He shuddered at the memory of Amy, whose insanity had very nearly cost both Sean and Arianna their lives. Amy’s death was regrettable, but Sean had seen into her heart and mind. There had been no bringing the girl back from the depths of insanity to which she’d surrendered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Recalling the murky, twisted fog of her mind in those last moment, darkness threatened to tug him into its morose embrace. Sean fought it off, searching for the bright light that was his alone, the center of his being. Such darkness often lingered in him after touching the mind of one such as Amy, but he’d never told anyone about that. There were no texts, no archived notes from former Counselors telling of that specific side-effect. He didn’t want anyone else to be affected by such insanity, so he’d kept it to himself. But perhaps he needed to tell Jace. The overpowering feeling of Amy’s sinister spirit remained, though Sean knew she was dead. He’d been looking at her when the top of her head blew off. She was gone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">So why could he not shake the feeling that she was still a threat?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s a beautiful morning,” he reminded himself in a final effort to get back to the present. He took breaths as deep as possible, stopping to lean against a tree in the courtyard, forcing his mind once more to </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">being</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">, instead of thinking. As though sensing his distress, the little kimis chirred and rubbed against him, offering comfort through their small but powerful empathic bond. He let their energy flow into him, accepted their simple gifts and allowed the sweetness of their innocent spirits to soothe his. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Smiling down at the cute little things, Sean sank to a bench just to his left. Every one of the kimis tried to jump onto the bench to be with him or tried to climb his legs to reach his lap. Sean’s spirits lifted and he scooped a double-armful of the things against his chest, letting them nuzzle him and thrum at him in contentment as he buried his face in their incredibly soft fur. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">After a long moment, though, they began sending him sweet but insistent demands to be groomed. Sean laughed and gently let them go, to fall onto his chest or against his lap. The little creatures were careful not to scrabble against his bandage, for which he murmured a heartfelt thanks. After the climax that wasn’t his, the muscles of his belly were tight and painful. The wound itself was screaming at a dull roar. He could handle the pain for a bit longer, but it was about time for another pain shot, if he allowed Jace to give him one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">He ached, and not just for Ri, he thought ruefully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">As though they sensed his turmoil and thought it less important than their needs, the kimis began chittering and snapping at him, their soft cries for attention growing, drowning out his black mood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“All right, all right,” he chuckled, reaching into his boot pocket and pulling out a curved, very fine-toothed comb. Hunter had developed the combs just for brushing the kimis, when it was apparent that they were a marvelous renewable resource for spinning fiber. Most of the inhabitants of the compound carried the combs in little sacks that Ri and her women had made from scraps of material, just so they could collect kimi fur whenever one of the little creatures decided they wanted attention. Or when they simply scampered across the path and left tufts of the fur behind. That happened a lot. The compound’s children found it great fun to startle groups of kimis, just to watch the wildly colored tufts of fur eject into the air as the creatures scattered. Then the kids would gather the fur, separate it into color groups, and dutifully hand it over to the spinners, if they didn’t sit down and spin it themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">And yet, the kimis returned time and again, knowing that they would probably be surprised again and again. Of course, they got their own back by dropping from tree branches and hitching rides around the compound, or by crawling up to someone’s shoulder and twitching their soft little whiskers in the child’s ear. They’d run away chittering gleefully, just as the kids did. At least animals and children kept it fair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“One at a time,” Sean laughed as several of the kimis vied for the honor of being the first one combed. He narrowed his gaze on them, finally settling on one that was very nearly red, with little streaks of gold in its fur. Hunter and Jace were working on a very special gift for Ri, and needed as much of the red wool as they could get for the embroidery on the gown. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Fortunately for the kimis, though, all colors of fur were needed. Sean quickly finished with the little red fur-ball and let it nestle on his shoulder, cleaning his earlobe with its tongue as the others pressed against him, pleading to be combed next. Making up a song about combing kimis at sunrise, Sean allowed his music to center and heal him. He let the kimis soothe him with their affection and thrumming approval as he settled in to his task.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">* * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Sean?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri wandered around the balcony for a moment, though she knew that Sean wasn’t here. She simply enjoyed the lingering traces of his energy. It was potent this morning, more than usual, considering he wasn’t even there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Opening her senses to search for him, she felt nothing more than the residual energy he and Hunter seemed to shed as they went about their lives. She had only become aware of it in the past few days. Perhaps the intensity of their emotions following Amy’s attack had heightened her awareness of her mate and his brother. Ri didn’t know, but she was learning to accept the wisps of energy, power, and emotion that surrounded her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">When her stroll brought her to the sitting area, she saw that Sean had slept on the couch out there. Again. The crocheted blanket he’d used as a covering was on the stones beside the couch. She stooped and picked it up, unconsciously bringing it to her nose. She wasn’t aware of breathing in his scent, nor of fighting her reaction to it. She was a pro at ignoring emotions she didn’t want to deal with. She’d had far too much opportunity to do so. Memories threatened to cloud her day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Shaking herself to keep the spiral of grief from beginning, she dropped the blanket on the couch and looked down at the cushions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">The restlessness that had made sleep impossible for him still lingered on Sean’s pillow. Caressing the indentation there, Arianna shook her head with regret. She knew that she was the cause of his turmoil, but wasn’t sure what to do about it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Well, that was a lie. She did know. She just didn’t want to admit it, either to him or to herself. The simplest answer was the most obvious. She could just take him as her lover, as her third mate. His brothers would welcome him, since the five brothers had been a team long before Arianna had crash landed on Hunter’s world. Two of the brothers, Siae and Kale, had been lost in a Solvari attack shortly before Hunter’s transport had settled on Ishira. Sean had been thought dead for several years before the Thorsani had been forced to flee their home planet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But once the humans had come, Ri had touched Sean’s mind far out into space, guiding him home, to Ishira. To his family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri, Hunter, and Sean were Readers, psychics by another name. Readers were highly empathic and had special skills to help understand their populace, to know when action was needed to prevent disaster. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Sean was an aberration, though a welcome one to his people, with the ability to see far more clearly into another person’s heart and soul, help them break down barriers and come to terms with traumatic events. He was a Counselor and beloved by his people. But even as powerful as he was, being able to reach into space just enough to beckon to Ri’s mind, he was only a fraction as powerful as Arianna. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri’s abilities were above and beyond anything the Thorsani had ever experienced. Jace had tried to measure her energy while she was Reading, but his equipment was not able to record her peaks. By accident, she had discovered that when she combined her energy with Hunter’s, she was able to soar out into the cosmos. She had done just that, finding and touching Sean’s mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She hadn’t known that the man she’d been sensing was brother to her mates until the second time she’d contacted him. Through their mental connection, Ri and Sean had talked several times before the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Adelphae,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> the ship carrying him and his parents, landed on Ishira. Their family was now as reunited as it could be, with two brothers lost in battle and their younger sisters commanding ships of their own, possibly wandering in the black of space. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But Arianna had a plan brewing that might change that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She smiled to herself, thinking how happy they would all be if she could find another ship and bring it home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter didn’t know about her idea. She was reluctant to tell any of them, in case it didn’t work. Being able to find Sean might just have been a stroke of incredible luck, something that she couldn’t hope to duplicate for distances outside of this star system. And perhaps her ability to touch his mind was solely because of their unique mental bond. She had no idea if she’d be able to duplicate such a feat with anyone else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She called his name again, stepping further onto the balcony and around the small stand of trees that grew near the railing, just in case he was trying to hide from her. She snorted to herself. As if he could. Neither of them could hide from the other, even if they wanted to. That was the crux of their problem. That connection had saved her life several days ago, but most of the time it was a bit disconcerting. Especially since the attack. Something fundamental had changed between them that day, and Ri had trouble allowing herself to analyze it too closely. For some reason, she was holding herself from embracing what he offered her. Perhaps in the deepest reaches of her mind, hidden even from herself, the reason waited, watching for the right moment to make itself known. She wondered if she would be able to handle it when that happened, or if she’d deny it, turn away, and continue being a coward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But for now… she opened her mind and reached out, scanning further from the suite. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">I am here, kimi,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> Sean’s mental voice was soft and amused. She followed his energy until her eyes lit on him beneath the tree several stories below the balcony. He was surrounded by kimis. Ri grinned helplessly, leaning on the balcony railing to watch him. He looked up at her, his smile sheepish. Her heart melted a little bit more with each of those dimple-framed smiles, every warm glance from his deep green eyes. So like Hunter’s, but so different, as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> In Hunter’s eyes, Ri could see herself reflected, only better than she’d ever thought she could be. Hunter took her as she was, saw in her the strengths that she hesitated to acknowledge. He might prod her to more responsibility than she thought she was capable of, but he knew she could do it, and his confidence in her had changed the way she thought of herself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Jace was the same, accepting who and what she was without conditions or reservation. He was very curious about her inner workings, as any good doctor would be when presented with an alien species. But he also respected her mind and adored her creativity, the delight she took in her new world, the curiosity she exhibited when faced with a new creature, plant, or piece of Thorsani history. The researcher in Jace loved that his mate was just as much of a student of life as he was, just as enamored of what made each living thing different from those around it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But Sean… perhaps part of her hesitance to accept his suit was that she couldn’t completely hide from him, shield her thoughts when he was around. Her mates allowed her to hold parts of herself back from them, but Sean wanted more than that from her. He wanted her secrets, wanted to light every dark corner of her mind. She blinked at the realization. Below her, Sean’s brow furrowed as he sensed her growing dismay. Reinforcing the walls around the darker parts of herself against his gentle probing, Ri sighed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Would you like some company?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> she asked tentatively, hoping to distract him. He hesitated, but then nodded. She could see the warmth in his eyes from here, feel his longing for her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">With you, sweet Arianna, always. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">He chuckled again, shaking his head. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Though you should know by now… if you can’t yet shield from Hunter, how do you hope to shield from me? And why would you wish to? There is nothing about you that I would use against you, nothing that you cannot tell me. Besides, if you keep having those heated thoughts about my dimples, there will not be a need to hide for much longer…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Stop that!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> She chuckled mentally, though she blushed at his tender words. His grin turned a little wicked and his eyes sparked up at her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Come down here and make me!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> he taunted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She laughed aloud, turned and hurried into the suite. Hunter and Jace, always attuned to her, looked up from their breakfast. They hadn’t waited for the grain mash that reminded her so much of oatmeal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Sean wasn’t out there,” Jace said, shaking his head. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You might have mentioned that when we passed at the door,” she retorted. “He’s down in the courtyard, covered in kimis again.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah,” Hunter smiled at her. “And you are going to go rescue him from the fierce little beasts?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I feel it is my duty, as lady of the house,” she sighed dramatically, hand over her heart. Then she scowled at them both. “And eat your grains. They’re good for your digestion and cholesterol.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Grabbing an empty basket and another kimi comb, Ri blew kisses at her grumbling mates and hurried down to the courtyard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“She will be his soon,” Jace murmured, once their mate shut the door behind her. Hunter nodded, not looking at his brother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“If that is what she wishes,” Hunter said. “It is our way.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“But how can you-“</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Jace,” Hunter snapped, planting his hands on the kitchen island with enough force to quiet the room. His parents, who had been talking on the couch, blinked up at him in surprise. “</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">It is our way</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">. Isn’t that what you continually told me when Sean first arrived?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">He twitched his shoulders, shrugging his tunic back into place, and forced himself to relax. He went on in a measured tone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Besides, had Sean been with us when we found Ri, he would be her mate now, as well, and neither of us would have thought twice about it. In fact we would have used his talents to our advantage, used her attraction to him to help cement our collective claim to her. If she wants him, she will have him. It is her choice. Always.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Jace stared at his older brother for a long moment, but finally nodded and went back to his breakfast, frustrated to have had his own logic used against him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“That doesn’t mean I look forward to sharing her with yet another of my annoying brothers,” Jace muttered. Hunter chuckled at that. Jace sighed. “I need to check on him when I am done here.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I think I will join you.” When Jace looked at him in surprise, Hunter snorted then grinned a bit mischievously. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I agree that it is our way. I did not say we had to make it </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">easy</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> for him.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Jace’s smile was slow but filled with glee as he started contemplating all the ways they could thwart Sean’s courtship. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter was right. Ri and Sean’s coming together was inevitable. But why make it easy for their brother to win their mate? Never mind that it hadn’t been particularly hard for either of them to win her heart… this was their brother, their </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">oldest</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> brother, they were talking about. Certain unwritten formalities must be followed when dealing with older siblings, after all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Making life difficult was first on the list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">* * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“There you are,” Ri sighed, settling beside Sean on the bench. Happy chirrings greeted her and half of the kimi immediately swarmed over, begging for a combing. Ri’s delighted laughter rang through the courtyard, clear and bright and echoing off the walls of the buildings and cliffs. The sound brought several of her friends to their balconies to call greetings down to Ri and Sean. He watched her as she returned their calls. She didn’t seem to realize that when she laughed like that, she broadcast her joy and love, which is what drew people to her. Sean was a victim of her sweet song, himself, but a perfectly willing one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“What a lovely morning,” she said once she’d settled down to combing a kimi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“It is that,” Sean murmured, watching her as she lavished affection on the ‘critters’, as she called them. She cut her gaze up to his then rolled her eyes at his open admiration of her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She would never get used to the way these Thorsani warriors made her feel. She was thirty-five Earth years and some days she felt like a veritable frump compared to the college co-eds that had been captured with her. Ri knew she looked her age, but to her immense frustration, the men did not. Hunter, Jace, and Sean all looked to be in their late twenties or early thirties, though she knew very well that Sean was nearly one hundred-eighty years old. They considered her to be quite a young woman, but she could not get used to their frankly admiring glances and their overt sexual advances. What a Thorsani felt, he acted on, as far as matters of the heart were concerned. Realizing that she hadn’t answered Sean’s comment, she gathered herself and smiled at him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Are we still talking about our surroundings?” she asked pertly. Sean’s slow smile revealed the dimples on either side of his mouth and the crinkles at the edges of his eyes. Her breath caught softly. She was such a sucker for dimples and laugh lines. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Sean’s eyes narrowed as she let out a shaky breath and he caught the faintest scent of her sudden arousal, barely restraining a pained groan as his body tightened in response.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">She liked his lines and dimples that much, did she? He filed the knowledge away for future use. He’d use anything he could to get to her, and smiles were free. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">I</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> am,” he shrugged, winking at her. “</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">My </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">view is beautiful.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">His pointed stare assured her that he was talking about her. She chuckled and shook her head, feeling a blush creeping up her neck and into her cheeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You are a shameless flirt,” she told him. He laughed, the sound rich and deep. It moved through Ri like a wave. When it passed, she felt oddly rearranged, different than she had been only a moment before. She was in trouble, here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I am that,” he sighed. Realizing how much he was unsettling her, he decided to relent for now. Resting against the bench’s slatted back he took in the brightening morning and changed the subject. “My brothers have found a lovely place for our people to rebuild our lives.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“They have,” Ri agreed happily, looking around the familiar area, trying to see it through Sean’s eyes. “Has Hunter told you his reasoning for settling in this valley?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Not in so many words,” Sean shrugged then smiled at her. “But I have had much of the same training he has. I have seen the topographical, geological, mining, and weather maps for this hemisphere. I probably would have made the same decision for settlement, as well as a number of the choices he has made in placement and direction of the buildings and gardens. Many of them follow the suggestions in our colonization directives and the way we set up our communities back home, on Thorsan.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Really?” she asked, absently combing the ecstatically thrumming kimi in her lap as she looked at Sean. She was so used to grooming the creatures that the motions were automatic now. Comb, swipe the tuft of fur from the teeth, comb, swipe, repeat. When her hand was too full to empty the comb, she dropped the fiber into her basket. She kept that up as he nodded in answer to her question. He squinted against the morning sun over the eastern ridge and pointed toward the residential building. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Aye. For instance, our balconies face the rising sun, taking full advantage of every moment of daylight. Being situated against the cliffs allows for less weather damage and uses the constant temperature of the ground for heating and cooling. Personally, I would have built further into the cliffs, instead of just against them. I have seen the reports of extreme heat and cold that our men have weathered here, and I think that building alternate gathering halls inside the cliffs would go a long way toward alleviating the ailments that come with both extremes.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You think so?” Hunter asked, amused, from behind them. They turned at Hunter and Jace’s approach. Sean shrugged at his brother’s words and Hunter went on. “To be honest, that was the plan for the winter months, now that we have so many more people to house. What else would you have done differently, oh venerable elder?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri barely suppressed a laugh at the good-natured teasing. God, she’d missed having siblings around to bicker at each other. Hunter, Jace, and Sean reminded her almost painfully of her own brothers when they were like this. Hunter stood beside Ri, planting one booted foot on the bench beside her, leaning casually on his knee with his crossed arms, watching Sean with genuine interest. While his pose was relaxed and he wasn’t touching her, his place by her side was clear, as was the low hum of energy that he was broadcasting, subtly warning Sean away from her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri wondered if Hunter even knew he was doing so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Jace joined them as well, but knelt in front of Sean. He gently shooed the kimis aside so he could pull back the bandage from Sean’s belly and inspect his wound. Sean hissed with pain and glared at Jace when the crusted blood on the bandage opened the wound along the edges, but he straightened his torso and spoke to Hunter while Jace worked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Interior chambers,” Sean repeated what he’d said to Arianna, glad to have a distraction while Jace worked on him. “Utilizing geothermal heating and cooling.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter nodded and rolled his hand at the wrist in a silent gesture for Sean to continue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Wind turbines on the cliffs and solar collectors all around. Roof-top gardens would allow for cooler buildings without any additional power sources, as well as provide possible habitats for local creatures. Egg layers, perhaps? The kimis?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Go on,” Hunter said, taking mental notes, though some of Sean’s suggestions were already on the duty roster for winter and spring construction projects. Hunter needed to create spaces for the humans to use during the hottest parts of the summer. The temperature had simply been too brutal for them, and they had been miserable, which in turn had meant their men were miserable. He did not wish to go through that again, though the visits to the waterfall had proved fulfilling for all involved, in several different ways. His body stirred in sleepy memory, but he was still too sated from Ri’s wake-up call to be too distracted by the recollection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“In deference to the women’s issues with the heat, I think that a swimming and fishing pond nearby would be a good idea. If it is big enough, perhaps stock it with aquatic animals for food, if that’s an option.” Sean’s eyes were narrowed in thought as he listed the ideas he’d had so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“It is,” Jace put in, frowning as he gently cleaned Sean’s wound and spread a salve over it. “We’ve tested a number of the local species of water-dwellers and they could easily be transplanted and farmed closer to home. We just happen to enjoy the trips through the woods to get to our favorite fishing spots so much that we have been reluctant to give them up. However, it will be problematic to try to transport enough fish now, when we could just install a small farming operation here.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I know that the rider beasts are sentient and that you’ve been able to collect milk from them,” Sean went on, his brow furrowing with thought, “But what non-sentient animals are there that could possibly be domesticated for food sources? I, for one, don’t like the idea of eating something that can converse with me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“We’ve been hunting various non-sentient animals in the forest,” Hunter said, his furrowed brow so like Sean’s that Ri gulped. She ducked her head to hide her flaming cheeks and continued combing the kimis, hoping that none of the men noticed her attraction. Hunter went on, “Until now, we have not needed to think about corralling and keeping them, but we will obviously need to advance to level-two colonization directives.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I was surprised that you weren’t already at level four,” Sean admitted. “You’ve been here more than ten years.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter shook his head, grinning a bit ruefully. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I held off because we were initially a small colony and I wanted to keep our environmental impact low, especially since there was a good chance we would die without progeny. It’s one of the reasons we didn’t burrow into the cliffs. Until recently, once we were dead and dust, the buildings could crumble and decompose naturally, with little impact. However, with the influx of the women I have already set a number of level two plans into motion. Now that your ship has arrived, I will need to add even more to the duty rosters and implement new plans. But we can talk about all that at the next officers meeting.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Sean nodded and started to say something else, but was interrupted by Jace’s annoyed voice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Crap on a cracker,” Jace muttered. Ri chortled at his use of her Earth saying. A sweet chorus of kimi chitters mimicked her laughter, which only made her giggle harder. He grinned up at her and winked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“What is it, love?” she asked. He held up his hands, covered with a film of the gel he’d been applying to Sean’s wound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I forgot to put a towel in my kit last time I used it. My hands are covered with the salve and I need to bandage Sean again.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll do it,” Hunter bit out, seeing that Ri was about to offer her help. Sean glared at him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t trust you,” Sean growled. “You tickle.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Tickling is for children,” Hunter scoffed. Ri raised her eyebrows at him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You didn’t seem to think that last night,” she reminded him with a saucy grin. “Or do you see me as a child, my love?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Tread lightly, brother,” Jace said in a sing-song warning voice. Sean grinned openly at Hunter’s dilemma. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Tickling is for children and love-making,” Hunter amended quickly, then got back some of his own as he tilted Ri’s face up, his gaze burning into hers with sensual heat. “Especially when the object of one’s love-making is tied up and can’t do anything about it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri glared at him for that as her cheeks went hot with memory and the fact that Hunter decided to reveal such an intimacy in front of Sean. Beside her, the older brother’s eyes widened with discovery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“She likes to be restrained, does she?” he asked, his eyes narrowing on her with approving speculation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Stop it!” Ri protested, laughing and trying to hide her deep blush by hunching her shoulders up and her head down. “All of you! This is not about me. We need to get Sean bandaged.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“And </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">I</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> will do so,” Hunter said, grabbing the roll of bandages from Jace’s kit and making quick work of wrapping Sean’s belly. He tied off the end. “See? Done.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I would have had more fun,” Ri murmured, her eyes locked to Sean’s muscular torso for a long moment. Did she just imagine that he flexed his pecs at her, or had he actually done so? His completely angelic smile assured her that he’d done it on purpose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Which is why </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> did it,” Hunter informed her with a wicked grin. Ri blinked at him, then stared. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Are you </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">trying</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> to keep me from getting to know him better?” she asked with sudden understanding, stunned that her mate would do something to frustrate her when he’d already as much as given his blessing on the match. He shook his head, chuckling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Nope,” he said. “I’m trying to keep him from making you fall in love with him.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Ri snorted and rolled her eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Is that how it’s going to be?” Sean asked quietly, glaring at his brother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Would I thwart my beloved older brother?” Hunter’s eyebrows went up in innocent question, his hand over his heart even though he’d just admitted that was exactly his plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“In a heartbeat,” Sean bit back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Definitely,” Jace nodded, his grin absolutely devilish as he teamed up with Hunter to face Sean. “It’s much more fun that way.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You are all idiots,” Ri announced, glaring at them as she got to her feet. She deposited her kimi comb in the basket, along with all the fur she and Sean had collected, and stood up with a fierce scowl on her face. She had no idea how she was keeping herself from laughing, but her men thought her adorable when she tried to look mean, so she gave them her best growl. “I’m going home to eat breakfast. You guys stay here and be brothers, if you must. When you can be human beings… er… </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">adults</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> again, you may join me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Awww, but we were having fun!” Jace called after her plaintively as she threw her chin up and stomped off, basket in hand. As she went, three little kimi heads popped up over the edge of the basket. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“We’re going to have more kimi poop for the garden,” Hunter sighed, shaking his head. Sean grinned, thinking about the mess the little creatures were sure to make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Too bad I’m not allowed to bend over to pick stuff up yet,” he lamented, shaking his head in mock regret as his hand touched the fresh bandages on his belly. “Looks like you’re on your own for poop duty.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter scowled at him. Jace shrugged. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“He’s not wrong.” Turning back to his patient, Jace held up a syringe. “No bending, no lifting, and once you get back upstairs I want you to stay there for another day or two. No stairs. Pain killer?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“No,” Sean sighed. “I’m fine for now.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re not healing as quickly as I’d like,” Jace sighed, then shook his head and, without warning, jabbed the needle into Sean’s arm. Sean grunted and gave his brother a look that should have burned him alive. Jace grinned and arched his eyebrow to make his point. “Mainly because you won’t hold still. So you’re going to take it easy and rest for the next few days. If I have to make it an official order and send two of my medics up here to keep you sedated, I will. Or better yet, I’ll put you in the med center and strap you down.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“I’d like to see you try that,” Sean said, an eager smile spreading his lips. Jace laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Right now, all I’d have to do is thump you in the belly and you’d be begging for mercy,” Jace snorted. “These kimis could take you, if I asked them to. So stay still and let the nanos work.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Then give me something to do while I’m convalescing,” Sean begged, relenting. “I’m going crazy with boredom.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Hunter blinked at him in surprise then exchanged wry glances with Jace and chuckled ruefully. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“What?” Sean asked, glaring at his brothers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“You sound just like our little warrior, when she was wounded and confined to quarters,” Hunter revealed. “You two are quite a pair, you know.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Then why try to slow my courtship of her?” Sean asked with frustration. Hunter shrugged and hung a long arm around his older brother’s shoulders as the three made their way back to the suite, Sean massaging the tender injection site. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Because you’re my brother, and thwarting you is my job,” Hunter said gravely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Since he’d been the one to teach Hunter that ‘duty’ in the first place, Sean couldn’t really argue. He was sorely regretting that he’d been such an excellent big brother, such a thorough teacher in how to annoy a sibling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Now, have you any ideas about what to do when winter comes?” Hunter asked as they walked. “We have had trouble keeping the greenhouses warm enough for fresh food during the snows. I’ve had to augment natural solutions with the precious fuel cells from the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Trephinia</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">, but that can only last so long. I didn’t get as far in my studies of alternative energy sources as you did, so your input will be greatly appreciated.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Let me see the reports from the past winters, and I’ll see if there’s anything you’ve missed,” Sean said, glad to be of use in some small way. “And I’d suggest a new geological scan. You haven’t had one in ten years. New fissures or chimneys may have opened up that we can tap into for free heat.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“We haven’t been able to scan because the necessary equipment was damaged when the ship was hit by lightning,” Hunter reminded him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“The </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Adelphae’s</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> systems are working,” Sean said speculatively. “We should see about cobbling together an entire working system between the two ships and your command center, and take new scans of everything. I understand the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Trephinia’s</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> were damaged, but we have the shuttles from the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Adelphae</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> that we can use, if we want to explore.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“We’ll add new scans to the duty roster,” Hunter nodded, taking mental notes. “We’ll be overrun with volunteers to fly the shuttles for that, though. My men have been land-locked too long. What of your medical facilities? Is the equipment there working well enough to perhaps establish a new compound further away?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Hunter, I don’t have the manpower yet for another med center,” Jace protested, scowling at him. “Whether we have the equipment or not, if we don’t have the medics, we can’t support another settlement.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">And that was how the great Second Site debate began. Talking about the coming cold weather and provisions that they needed to consider for their people, the three brothers strolled home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Coming Soon:</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Storms of Ishira</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Book Two in the Hearts of Ishira saga</span></b></i></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-328238359613710162014-05-21T09:25:00.002-04:002014-05-21T09:25:35.819-04:00ResearchHi all!<br />
<br />
I know, I know... it's been way too long since I've posted. There's been a lot going on.<br />
<br />
First off, I AM working on getting chapter one of Storms of Ishira (book two in the series) finalized so I can post it. I promised I'd do that when I hit 500 likes on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BethanyAan" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>, and that has happened.<br />
<br />
Second, my health has made doing much of anything a real chore lately, and a simple half hour of housework will lay me low for several hours. I found that I was writing far too much pain into my heroines' lives, so I decided a break was in order.<br />
<br />
Now, all that being said, I have not been lying idle. I've been doing a lot of research on a great many different topics. But the nearest and dearest to my heart lately has been something I discovered on Pinterest (shocker, right???).<br />
<br />
It's called aquaponics and it's AMAZING! It will be utilized on Ishira and most likely in other books, as well, just because it makes so much sense. The premise is to use fish or freshwater edible critters to provide waste material that is then pumped up into grow-beds where plants turn the ammonia and fishie poop into nitrites and nitrates to help them grow. Then the cleaner water is drained back into the fish tank using a bell siphon. The draining process also oxygenates the fish water. Because the waste is filtered through the plants and the draining provides aeration for the fish, there are no other electrical devices needed, other than a pump.<br />
<br />
I have just set mine up... nine goldfish in a ten gallon tank (I had ten, but Fred decided to jump out yesterday). A small fountain pump lifts the water into my grow-bed, a 7" deep Sterilite container full of river pea gravel and my plants. There is no soil used... the rocks provide ample space for roots to grow and also help to add air to the water that gets drained off.<br />
<br />
The really fun thing about it all is that my fishies LOVE it when the draining starts. The force of the water is strong enough to create a fun current that they frolic in and swim against, giving them exercise. :) The moment they feel the water start to trickle in, they rush to the drain-side of the tank and wait for the big gush. So funny!<br />
<br />
Right now, I only have a bit of lettuce in the grow bed, but I'm going to finish rinsing my rocks today and adding them in, then I'll pull out some of the extras from my container garden outside, bring them in, wash off all the soil, and transplant them into the grow-bed.<br />
<br />
Now why, you might ask, would this be so fascinating to me?<br />
<br />
Well, I was trying to find a system that would work in a very limited space, such as a long-distance space-ship. Traditional gardening is fine if your ship is equipped for it, but what if you have just a small one-four person spacecraft, not intended for hauling much of a load? You'd need to maximize every inch of usable space and recycle as much water as possible.<br />
<br />
So I started with hydroponics, then stumbled onto aquaponics. Being the curious person I am, I clicked on the Pin and... well... the rest is history. :)<br />
<br />
Several of my folks will have variations on the aquaponics theme in their crafts or homes. Ishira Colony will have a much larger set-up, since this system can provide a lot of food in a smaller space, and because the nutrients are plentiful and constant, plants can be spaced much more closely, even vertically against a wall or something.<br />
<br />
Seriously, if this is intriguing to you at all, google aquaponics or check out <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/craftydoni/aquaponics-info/" target="_blank">my Pinterest board</a>. I'm not done adding things to it. I'll also be posting some pics of the system, once i've got all my plants in, so you can get a better idea of how it all works.<br />
<br />
Why the sudden intense need to garden?<br />
<br />
I honestly don't know. I think it's because my love of gardening comes from summers spent with my grandparents, who had a half-acre food garden in Charlotte, NC, when things were much less developed. I remember sitting beneath the grape arbor with Grandmama, swinging gently as we snapped beans, shelled peas and limas, or shucked corn. Big Band music would be playing on the transistor radio as Grandaddy wound his way through his garden, weeding and feeding and supporting and harvesting. He'd bring us baskets of stuff to work on, then go back for more.<br />
<br />
Such halcyon days have come back to me more and more often in recent years. Grandaddy died last July and I think that this urge to have my own garden this year comes from missing him. He was my last grandparent to go, and the world seems a bit colder without my grandparents. I was very lucky to have all four of them well into my 20s, but I had lost two more before 30. Grandaddy Bob was the only grandparent I had from 30 until 42. <br />
<br />
So this year, I started a container garden, since we're renting our home at the moment. If we end up having to move for HoBA's job, I can literally pick it up and take it with me. The aquaponics is much the same way. Moveable, adaptable, and expandable. If we end up buying a place in the next few years, I'll be able to create a larger system, produce more food, and maybe even stock the pond/much larger tank with fish I can catch and eat. :) I think Grandaddy would approve. ;)<br />
<br />
That's what I've been up to lately. The writing has had to take a break for many different reasons. I hate being one of THOSE authors, but I can't force the story. The characters start misbehaving if I try! LOL<br />
<br />
I do have some reviews I need to get up and posted here. And I WILL have Chapter One of Storms of Ishira up ASAP!!! Keep watching for it! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-10862575740440564112014-03-24T22:24:00.002-04:002014-03-24T22:24:14.879-04:00so you're probably wondering what's up... "It has been nearly two years! Where the *<i>insert expletive here</i>* is book two??"<br />
"I'm dying over here!!! When is book two coming out???"<br />
"PLEASEEEEEEEEEE tell me that book two is almost ready!!!"<br />
<br />
Repeat as necessary!<br />
<br />
This has been my life for the past 18 months or so. Not that I mind. I honestly don't. It means that my story stuck with folks and the desire to read more urges them to reach out to me. I love that!!!<br />
<br />
That being said, I promise that book two is about ready to be churned out.<br />
<br />
If you've been keeping up with my life, you know that the year after the book came out, I was writing furiously, while my hubby was in college. Then he graduated college. That was a bit of a life change. A good one, and awesome, but still a major life change. Hard to write through those, at least for me. Shortly after that, we moved in with my parents, which at 42 kind of tested us all. While there, my 95 year old grandfather died, with my mother and I holding his hands as he breathed his last.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I haven't written all that much since then. I've written on a bunch of different things, but it has been scattered, different stories, scenes from Ishira but not much of it cohesive. Oh, it will all meld together in the end. I have no doubt about that. Then I was just getting back into the swing of things around Christmas when we had another family crisis. My hubby and I had to find a place and move within a month. We managed it, but there was a lot of emotional turmoil over it all, which I'm still dealing with.<br />
<br />
He's now working as a teacher, we're settled into our own place once again, and I'm back to trying to get back into my major writing groove so that I can finish Storms of Ishira (book two).<br />
<br />
The good thing is that all this time has allowed me to put ideas into the crock-pot of my brain, write scenes here and there, but mainly, I've been working out how the storyline will come together. I think I'm just about done. And I feel like this time was very necessary, so that I COULD work out the series storyline first.<br />
<br />
When I first started writing Hearts of Ishira, it was going to be a stand-alone book, just a piece of fluff for the erotica market. But it turned into so much more than that. It grew into its own world, a world that is still unfolding and showing itself to me. I have to take notes when I figure something new out, just so I can keep things straight! LOL<br />
<br />
But what that means is that I have to figure out things that will happen in book seven that need to be set up in book two, things from book one that will be carried over, etc. I need to answer some big questions from book two, grow the mysteries that will continue gathering evidence and answers as the series goes, and give glimpses into more family units, more Thorsani, more humans, and establish a deeper connection to their adopted planet than the Thorsani have had until now.<br />
<br />
There's a LOT that will be coming up. But I'm kind of glad that I haven't been able to write so much of it yet, since that's made me slow down and analyze WHY I'm having so much trouble finishing book two.<br />
<br />
It's because something isn't there yet that needs to be. Once I figure out what that is, things will fall into place and I'll go on a major writing jag for weeks. Then I'll nag my beta readers incessantly to hurry up and give me feedback. Once the initial story is done, it won't take me long to finish the book. I don't send out my first draft. I send out the first version of what I consider to be finished. Not much usually changes from there, to be honest.<br />
<br />
So... to answer the questions from the top of this post... I'm still working, but not JUST on book two. I'm also working on aspects of book three (which is already half-way written), book four, and on. I know where the current story arc will end, but because I love Ishira so very much, my goal is to introduce new story arcs as we go, so that none of us have to say good-bye to this world until the day I type my last. Hopefully I'll have enough warning to wrap things up, but if I don't, I've got an 'If I die' file that should let folks know what would have happened, had I been able to write the rest.<br />
<br />
Not that I plan on going anywhere, anytime soon. But you know how life can be.<br />
<br />
There ya go! The answer to 'are we there yet??' is... Almost!<br />
<br />
I'm sincerely hoping for a late spring, early summer release.<br />
Wish me luck!!!! :)<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-87413365052374837532014-03-09T22:24:00.002-04:002014-03-09T22:24:29.243-04:00Cosmos...Just finished watching Neil DeGrasse Tyson's Cosmos.<br />
<br />My throat is tight and my imagination is off on adventures all over the place.<br />
<br />It's amazing... I didn't know who Bruno was or what he had done. I know... how is that possible? I'd heard the name, but other than that...<br />
<br />But hearing his thoughts on the universe... I believe like he did. He told the people of his time, "Your God is too small" and they called him a heretic. Perhaps he should have more diplomatically said, "Your <i>concept</i> of your God is too small. He is bigger than you can imagine."<br />Might not have been burned at the stake. Then again, talking like that today, with all we DO know, can get you looked at funny in some areas. (Ask me how I know!)<br /><br />I loved Cosmos then, I have a feeling I'm going to love it now. <br /><br />One thing that I've been contemplating since the beginning of the show, though... Neil said how knowing how very vast the universe is makes us feel small. But honestly, I've never felt that way.<br />
<br />
As long as I can remember, I've thought I was more than just a speck of dust on a bigger rock floating about in an endless expanse of space. I don't look at pictures of the cosmos and think about how tiny I am... I think about how big and wonderful <i>it</i> is, how very much I would love to be able to explore it, to visit other planets, see what other life is out there, to communicate with beings who have an entirely different existence from us.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Or what if they have been trying and we've been ignoring or misinterpreting the signs? What if sci-fi writers aren't just people with grand imaginations, but folks who are somehow tapped into that vast cosmic neural net of consciousness, connected to other beings who are attempting to show us their lives, in hopes that we'll show them ours in return. I know there have been books written where that sort of thing has happened. I've read them, I'll write them myself, my own version of it. :) <br />
<br />
Or maybe we're just dreamers, plain and simple, who look at the world around us and wonder 'what if'?' Maybe we are simply not able to be content where we are, with what we have, and we're the ones that feel compelled to push boundaries, imagine different ways of doing things, different ways of living that take us away from what we know. <br />
<br />
Maybe that's all a science-fiction writer is... just an amateur theorist of scientific leaning. A dreamer. Visionary? Well, maybe, though we just call it imagination. I think it's when science fiction becomes fact that sci-fi writers are called visionaries. We knew it was possible... we just didn't know how to make it possible, if that makes sense. :) We leave that part up to the real scientists and physicists that have read our books and think, "But that might be possible... why don't we see?" <br /><br />Okay... I've probably had enough wine! Time to step away from the keyboard! LOL <br /><br />Or at least away from the internet. I should go write, while I still have stars in my eyes. ;) Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-55952499035572176872014-01-20T11:27:00.001-05:002014-01-20T11:27:35.994-05:00A few tips to self-proclaimed e-publishing houses... I went on a rant on my personal facebook page and was urged to put that status up as a blog post, so here goes...<br />
<br />
<h4 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">(BTW this isn't aimed at anyone in particular, just a list that I've compiled over the past couple of years of research)</span></span></h4>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">okay... so I've been researching e-publishers, just to see what's out there. <br /> <br />
Pro tip 1: if you are planning to be a PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHER, you
might wanna have someone with a working knowledge of spelling and
grammar to work on your webpage. Seriously. If I'm a writer looking for
representation, you'd better have a site that looks better than my first
drafts. <br /> <br /> Pro tip
2: if you're interested in my stuff, you might want to wait until
you've read my book before you offer a contract. Otherwise, I'm going to
think that you're desperate to have another book to sell, not another
QUALITY book to sell. I want to know that my book is up alongside others
of equal or better quality. <br /> <br /> Pro tip 3: I understand that you
don't want to read really long books, but putting a word count cap on an
e-book is really dumb. If it's a good book, you won't mind the word
count. If it's not, you won't read the whole thing anyhow. Either way,
there's no difference in 'publishing' the book whether it's 3,000 words
or 300,000. You don't know what good books you're passing up simply by
not offering to read anything over 150K. (George RR Martin? Tolkien?
Melanie Rawn? Those are ALL high word count. They didn't exactly crash
and burn...)<br /> <br /> Pro tip 4: Tell me how you are different from
every other e-publisher out there. I am perfectly capable of
self-publishing my book. If you want a cut of that, you need to offer
something I can't do myself. And not something I have to pay for up
front... I'm broke. I'm a writer. If you have faith in my book, set up
blog tours, etc. before my book comes out. You know you'll get your pay
when the book releases. Don't ask for it from me ahead of time. I don't
have it. <br /> <br /> And finally, pro tip 5:<br /> EDIT YOUR DAMN WEBSITE AND STATUS UPDATES!!!! <br />
Seriously! If you're talking to your mom on FB, fine... don't use
proper grammar. But if you're supporting a page, site, etc where you
hope to attract writers, you have GOT to do a simple spell-check and
grammar check. If you don't, the writers that are worth supporting will
be passing you by, snorting derisively as they zoom past your home page
without clicking on anything else. Like a good receptionist, your home
page is the most important page if you want to drum up more business.
Use it. Make it attractive, memorable, and intriguing enough for a good
writer to keep clicking to find out more. <br /> <br /> Bonus tip:<br /> If
I'm already self-pubbed, offering me less than 70% of my returns is just
dumb, unless you're working for it. If I'm still doing all the
marketing and finding my own swag and paying for it, WHY do I need you?
Why send my book through you if I'm doing all the work?? <br /> <br /> Okay. Stepping down off soapbox now. <br /> Whew! <br /> What I've discovered so far: I'm really just fine self-publishing. Thanks for asking.</span></span> </h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-13665747632499592162013-12-25T13:50:00.001-05:002013-12-25T13:50:57.981-05:00Merry Christmas!!!! Here's a teaser...Okay, I'm running out of scenes I can use as teasers, without giving away too much of the actual story.<br />
<br />
So today, because of the holiday, here's a homey little scene that doesn't give too much away.<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas, happy Yule, or just happy hump day, for those who don't celebrate anything today. :)<br />
<br />
Enjoy!!<br />
Bethany<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“It really is just like bacon,” Ri all but wept, as the first crispy piece of slider meat melted on her tongue. She closed her eyes, lost in the wonder of the taste, the absolute thrill of sensation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Bev took up a piece and tentatively tried it, as well, tears coming to her eyes with the first taste. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh my gravy that’s good!” she whimpered, taking another small bite. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Rom and Erik watched Bev with wide eyes, making faces at her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“How you can eat this… animal… is beyond me,” Rom muttered. He had dutifully cleaned and prepared the animal, but his hands were red with irritation from the process. Jace was taking notes on the necessary steps for safe processing and had tested the meat each step of the way, until he finally declared it safe to eat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“If you’d just try it,” Bev told him, offering a small piece. He shook his head, sticking his tongue out much like a child might. Ri grinned and snagged another piece of the meat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“More for us,” she shrugged, looking at Bev. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“What is that incredible smell?” Sean asked, wandering in from his mother’s room. Aleah followed him, both of them yawning and stretching from afternoon naps. Ri loved how the Thorsani tended to nap when they pleased, and with whomever they pleased. It was not unusual to find several of the men curled up together on a couch or under a tree in the sun, now that the weather was growing colder. Apparently, they kept that much of the cat in them. They saw nothing wrong with snuggling together for warmth, and there was nothing sexual about it. Ri adored that part of their make-up. She wanted for her children to feel so completely at ease that they would find comfort in the touch of others. Considering that the world she’d left behind had come to the point where little girls and little boys were told not to hold hands for fear of being thought gay, seeing grown men in ‘puppy piles’ was welcome, indeed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“That incredible smell is what we are going to call bacon from now on,” Ri told him, not letting anyone else say a word. “Here. Try a piece.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Trusting her implicitly, Sean took a bite of slider straight from her fingers. The look on his face was priceless. His eyes widened in shock for jsut a moment, then closed in ecstasy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“What is that?” he breathed, once he’d savored and consumed his piece and snagged three more from the plate in front of Ri. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Salted and fried slider,” Rom told him baldly. Sean choked for just a moment, then shook his head. He looked from the plate to Ri and back again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Worth it,” he said, crunching another piece of the delight. Ri giggled and hugged his waist. Bev grinned up at him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s even better with eggs, toast, and shredded, fried tubers,” Ri told him. Sean’s eyebrows went up in disbelief. She nodded, chuckling. “I promise. It’s amazing like that. We had it for breakfast all the time back home. Though the sliders don’t have nearly the fat content that pigs do, the taste is almost identical to bacon from Earth.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">“Now if we could just figure out coffee and chocolate,” Bev lamented. “We’d be set.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Not to be out-done by his older brother, Hunter scowled and snatched up a piece of the bacon. Jace did the same thing, and both gave equal amounts of awed delight to their comments upon tasting the treat. Erik sighed and capitulated, but Rom, who had been badly wounded by a slider not too many months before, was holding out. But when Aleah, Geoff, and even his own children joined in their effusive enjoyment of the meat, Rom gave in and tried it as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Dinner that night was breakfast. Lots of it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Excerpt from Brothers in Arms, book two in the Hearts of Ishira series, tentative releasing in spring of 2014. </i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-24427245724537057392013-12-24T15:05:00.001-05:002013-12-24T15:05:15.850-05:00Merry Christmas!!!To all of those who celebrate, Merry Christmas Eve and Day!<br />
<br />
Searching for last minute gift ideas??<br />
<br />
So you've been wanting Aunt Mary to read my book?<br />
<br />
Remember that a book gifted through Amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com is the perfect way to introduce your friends and family to your favorite new authors! (and me! LOL)<br /><br />Amazon: <br />http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-of-Ishira-ebook/dp/B009BUC4IG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380763887&sr=8-1&keywords=bethany+aan<br /><br />Nook: <br />http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-of-ishira-bethany-aan/1112922324?ean=2940015689716<br /><br />And giving to them sends me a bit of a gift, as well.<br />
<br />
Two pressies with one gift! Booyah! You're a gifting god/goddess!!!! :D<br />
<br />
Shameless plug aside, I hope every one of you has a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.<br />
I have friends and family who follow many different faiths or spiritual paths, as do I, but Christmas is such a wonderful tradition, cobbled from numerous other winter celebrations over the centuries, I know that many of you are celebrating Yule, Solstice, or even Festivus.<br />
<br />
Whatever you choose to celebrate during this happy time, please do so carefully, respectfully, and with all the love and joy in your heart.<br />
<br />
And wait till you see how they celebrate on Ishira! :D<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-71040605758684291232013-11-04T22:34:00.003-05:002013-11-04T22:34:36.026-05:00Movie Reviews: Pacific Rim and Star Trek: Into DarknessOkay, so Sal and I finally managed to watched both of these movies, which we have owned for several weeks, but because we've been so wrapped up in watching Castle every waking moment *grin* we hadn't watched until yesterday.<br />
<br />
I have many thoughts and I'm a bit tipsy at the moment, so please excuse the typing, if there are any errors. :)<br />
<br />
THERE ARE SPOILERS!!! IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THESE MOVIES, DO NOT CONTINUE READING!!!! <br />
<br />
Pacific Rim:<br />
A friend of ours told us that there was not enough battling in this movie, far too much of the love story and back story. After watching it, I can only assume that she was off her rocker. (Love you, sweetie, but really??)<br />
<br />
There was plenty of action, lots of fighting between giant robots and giant monsters. I describe this movie as 'Godzilla meets Transformers meets Independence Day'. If you've ever seen all those movies, you'll most likely agree with me. The plot was RIGHT out of Independence Day (hereafter referred to as ID because I am tipsy). Especially the last part. I mean, really? Make a path? Sacrifice one or more of the leads? The head honcho volunteering because if you lose, it won't matter who's left? I mean, the entire last part of the movie is straight out of the ID script, with names and situation changes as appropriate.<br />
<br />
All of that being said, it was still a very enjoyable movie and I'm glad we own it so I can watch it again and again.<br />
<br />
Star Trek: Into Darkness:<br />
I was raised on Star Trek.<br />
I saw the first Star Trek movie in the theaters. I saw the second one as well.<br />
When the first 'new' ST movie came out and I saw it for the first time, I was the only one who chortled when Bones said that he thought he was gonna like that guy (referring to Spock. I KNOW! Right???)<br />
I purposely did not read much of anything about Into Darkness, because I didn't want to be colored against it.<br />
It was so much more than I'd hoped. Yes, it was Khan. But it was Khan as we'd never seen him. The twist with Kirk and Spock at the end... that broke my heart, even though I knew what was coming. How did I know? Because it was predictable.<br />
But sometimes, predictable is okay. <br />
Sometimes, you need to know that somehow, some way, the main character who just died is gonna pull through. And that's perfectly fine. You just wanna know HOW.<br />
<br />
And they left it with plenty of room for a sequel or three, which also doesn't break my heart.<br />
<br />
I love Chris Pine as Kirk, but I adore the rest of the casting, as well. Spock is just... perfect. Bones is just as perfect as Spock. I think the casting directors deserve a huge round of applause. They done good. :D<br />
<br />
All that said, there was just something... missing from this one. There was lots of action, lots of spectacular special effects, great shots of the various spatial phenomenon that were recognizable in the background (thanks, NASA!!!!), and all that. But with all that was there, there was still something missing, IMHO. I did love how much Kirk grew in this one. That is undeniable and Pine did a fantastic job as the emotional hothead that we all know and love. His growth into a true captain was clear and beautiful. I also loved that they gave Sulu the com for awhile, paving the way for his eventual promotion to Captain. <br />
<br />
I wish I could put my finger on just what was missing, but I can't. Maybe it was a love story... I am such a sucker for those that I do miss it when one isn't there. :P Ah well... that's probably it. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
So there you have it. My two cents' worth on both movies. I know they've both been out awhile, but hey... it's the first time I've been able to see them.<br />
<br />
However, I should be seeing Thor this weekend, so I WILL post a review of that as soon as I can! You know how much I love me some Chris Hemsworth, so you'll get a review just as soon as I get home and my fingers can type one up. :D<br />
<br />
In book news, I am reading the last of the stories in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hotter-On-The-Edge-ebook/dp/B00757WOT6/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383622300&sr=1-1&keywords=hotter+on+the+edge" target="_blank">Hotter on the Edge anthology</a>. It's free as of this posting, and I HIGHLY recommend it! I will be buying the second installment, which seems to have sequels to each of the stories in the first book. I will also be looking up the authors in these books, to see what else they've got going. PLEASE do yourself a favor if you love sci-fi romance, and grab this one while it's free. It's great so far!!!!<br />
<br />
I'll let ya know when I've finished with the second one and review it. :)<br />
<br />
Okay, that's all for now. Hope you have a great day and that my reviews help in some small way to bring adventure and delight to your life. :)<br />
<br />
See ya!<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-1066784032918487792013-10-24T19:21:00.000-04:002013-10-24T19:23:26.992-04:00The search for good art...I have a problem.<br />
<br />
I collect pics that I might use for covers.<br />
<br />
Right now, I have more pictures than I could probably use for the number of books I am capable of writing in the foreseeable future.<br />
<br />
I'm gonna have to write a lot more novellas, just to use them all.<br />
<br />
But they're so yummy!!!<br />
<br />
Bare male bodies, muscles sliding beneath tanned, oiled skin. 5 o'clock shadow that makes you shiver just to think of what it would feel like against your flesh. Brilliant eyes in all shades and colors.<br />
<br />
And then there are the females... Not nearly as inspiring for me, but they serve their purpose in the romance/erotica cover-art world.<br />
<br />
Then there are the backgrounds, artists' renditions of various planets, galaxies, space ships, eco-systems... not to mention the graphic backgrounds to put teasers and quotes against and the very real shots from the NASA website.<br />
<br />
And once I collect all these fantabulous pics, I have to decide which way I want to go with the cover... artsy? Graphic heavy? Naked writhing bodies? A combination of them all? Or do my best to come as close to representing the characters and the world they inhabit in the book?<br />
<br />
I should have been born with artistic talent as well as crafting skillz. :P I can't draw very well. True story.<br />
<br />
So if you go to my Pinterest <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/bethanyaan/boards/" target="_blank">boards</a> and look at 'book cover elements', you'll get an idea of what I'm looking at. Of course, I would use various pics, meld them with others to create a 'scene', make whatever changes I need to make to come close to my characters, etc. But you get the idea.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, one of my author friends is working on a possible cover for me. We'll see how that goes. If she can get the hair color right on the woman, it'll be awesome and as close to perfect as I'm going to get without paying a sketch artist to do the whole darn thing from scratch. And it's such a pretty cover... if it works out, I can't WAIT to share it!!! It will go on the revised edition of Hearts, once I have all the revisions done and can upload all the changes. :) And of course I'll post when that happens, in case you want to go get the revised version (hopefully I'll be able to do it in such a way that it will automatically update to anyone who already bought the book. Checking into that.)<br />
<br />
<br />
Sigh... There are so many aspects of being an author that you just don't really think about before you start writing. Or is that just me?<br />
<br />
Ah well... Got almost 10K words written last night. Pretty thrilled about that. It was on a new story, but hey... it's another story coming out. That's a very good thing! And I think you'll like this one, when I get it done. :) So far, it's full of surprises for the heroine, which is fun. Her guys really like springing things on her, apparently, the rats! But she'll love 'em anyhow, because that's how she rolls. And she might even be able to turn the heart of the one that doesn't want her but is stuck with her. Can't wait to see how that one plays out...<br />
<br />
Okay, that's enough teasing for one day, huh?<br />
<br />
In other news, I'm only 3 'likes' away from 400 on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BethanyAan" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>!!!!! That's so exciting for me!!!! AND.... *drumroll please* I'm only 2 sales away from breaking my one-month record at <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a>!!!! Here's the link to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-of-Ishira-ebook/dp/B009BUC4IG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380763887&sr=8-1&keywords=bethany+aan" target="_blank">Hearts of Ishira</a>, in case you haven't read it yet and want to take a sneak peek into the first chapter....<br />
<br />
WHOOT!!! Okay, it's not a best-seller or anything, but hey... breaking your own records is still kinda awesome. :) <br />
<br />
On that note, my sweetie just got home from a very long day at work. I'm going to go watch Castle, then football with him, then hopefully get a bunch more writing done after he goes to bed. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-63687196534497622662013-10-23T17:47:00.003-04:002013-10-23T17:47:47.370-04:00Things that make me wanna throw my e-reader at the wall...Ya know, back in the old days, before e-readers, when you got a book that made you positively insane, you could throw it at the wall, get a satisfying thunk out of it, and then either keep reading, give it to a local charity, or in very rare cases, throw it away- since nobody needs to be reading such crap.<br />
<br />
With the advent of e-readers, you can't really do that. Unfortunately.<br />
<br />
I read a book yesterday that I won't divulge because, well, your mileage may vary. It was free, thank goodness, but that didn't excuse it, IMHO.<br />
<br />
When a book says it's a romance, I expect certain things.<br />
<br />
Romances should have happy endings, and this one kinda did... but not really.<br />
Romances should be about building a relationship, and even if there is subterfuge in there somewhere, there needs to be an actual resolution BEFORE THE END OF THE DAMN BOOK.<br />
Romances should have good sex, if they're going to have sex. Sex should ONLY be painful the first time, if she's a virgin or he's really hung. I do NOT want to read about it hurting every damn time. That kinda takes the fun out of it. <br />
<br />
These are my opinions, so feel free to disagree.<br />
<br />
In this book, there were aliens and humans. The heroine was a virgin, caught the eye of a rich alien CEO. He decided he had to have her. She decided she had to betray him because she had no other choice. She does give in to sex, though she hates the guy and feels trapped.<br />
<br />
The sex is painful for her. Every. Time. <br />
She's not all that likeable.<br />
She betrays him, he uses her to betray the people she's betraying him to, but he still wants her in his life, even though she keeps telling him she wants to be free.<br />
He's got a superiority complex from hell and doesn't let her forget that he's better than her and that she can't run.<br />
And at the very end, when she realizes that she can't kill him because she's falling for him (why???), he decides to take her to his home, where they'll start their happily ever after.<br />
<br />
And the book ends there.<br />
<br />
No 'happy' DURING the book at all. Nothing but constant fighting, scorching (to them) sex that she then has to have medical attention from him to recover from. Nothing but betrayal and threats keeping them together. HE likes her, she doesn't like him, but she likes his cooking. Go figure.<br />
<br />
Bottom line... HOW was this a romance novel?? And if it was intended just to be an erotica novel, the sex was rather vanilla and perfunctory. A bit of nipple tweaking and kissing, a little finger action elsewhere, and then pain, discomfort, and only in a passing sentence did the author go into the bit about something else that made the sex 'mindblowing'.<br />
<br />
Basically, this was '50 Shades' with aliens. Only the writing wasn't as good.<br />
<br />
So why did I keep reading it?<br />
<br />
Well, I THOUGHT that at some point, it had to get better. There had to come a time when the hero and heroine actually resolved their differences, admitted they were falling in love with each other, and had sweet, real love-making that didn't involve pain and -literally- drugging kisses.<br />
<br />
I thought that there would be more of an explanation of why the heroine was being such a bitch and why the hero just had to have her, in spite of that.<br />
<br />
I thought that at some point she'd grow a personality that would explain his obsession with her.<br />
<br />
And I kept thinking that no way could this book have that many good reviews and be this bad.<br />
<br />
Guess that'll teach me! :P<br />
<br />
Sorry... I hate it when I pick up a book that's supposedly from a great author and end up hating it. I devoted far too much time to the story, and that's my fault, but still... I was incredulous that it was actually that bad.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
So this is my version of throwing my Kindle against a wall. I can't do that, because I LIKE my Kindle and want to keep reading wonderful books on it.<br />
<br />
But I can eviscerate the book. Even if I don't tell you the title. I'm sure the author is a perfectly nice person. Maybe her other books are awesome. I don't know and won't likely find out. I'm certainly not inclined to read the rest in this series!<br />
<br />
GAH!<br />
<br />
I had to read a mindless menage to get the taste outta my brain. Turns out the menage was much better written and more entertaining. :P Who knew? :)<br />
<br />
Ah well.<br />
<br />
When a book makes you want to throw something, what do you do to relieve that stress?? I'm curious! :)<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-11157640535910432732013-10-15T15:20:00.001-04:002013-10-15T15:20:47.023-04:00Life is finally calming down, I hope!I know I've been absent a lot... but I think life is calming down, finally. And NO, that is NOT a challenge for the universe! I'm quite in awe of your life-attack skills, thanks, and do not need another lesson at the moment. Kthnxbai!<br />
<br />
Anyhow, while I'm getting a series of book reviews together, I will tell you that I got a LOT of reading done this summer, with my back and my arm in mostly un-usable condition. So today I present to you the authors and series that I think you should check out, if you haven't already.<br />
<br />
(I have not been asked nor paid to endorse any of these authors. These are my honest opinions and suggestions.) <br />
<br />
In no particular order:<br />
1) Anything by <a href="http://www.jrward.com/" target="_blank">JR Ward</a>.<br />
*The Black Dagger Brotherhood was all it was reported to be, and then some.<br />
-Vampire/paranormal, sexual content-HOT, HOT, HOT!!!<br />
I love her writing style. It's raw, edgy, and because the back-stories interlink, you keep seeing glimpses from past characters in each new book. I will mention that you want to start at the beginning, though. This is NOT, IMHO a stand-alone series. You will want to know a lot of things about each character in subsequent books, so just do yourself a favor and start at the beginning. Also, "Lover at Last" is a very touching, wonderful love story, but it does contain gay sex, so if you're not into that, either skip the sexy bits or risk missing bits of the saga.<br />
*I'm currently on book three of the Fallen Angels series, and it's really good!<br />
- Angels and Demons<br />
I love the concept of what's going on, the fight for souls that could go either way, and the raw fight between good and evil, sometimes within one person. I'm in love with Jim!<br />
<br />
2) <a href="http://www.victoriadanann.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Danann</a><br />
*''The Order of the Black Swan' series. <br />
-Vampire hunters/paranormal/demons, sexual content- spicy!<br />
Fun, feisty, fast reads, all of them. Again, the stories of each character intertwine, so you'll want to start at the beginning and read through. This a different series concept, in my experience, in that the main character is introduced in the first book and seems to be much of the focus of subsequent books, with each 'couple' in the following books being sort of a side story to the main story. Not always, but for the most part. Hard to explain, but the fun part is that the characters you get to know and love in the first book are seen again and again, which is what I love about sagas. I HATE falling in love with book folks and then never seeing them again in a series.<br />
The caveat to this one is that with the last book, I felt just a bit disappointed. The story was good, but the only sexy bits were mistaken identity, and that kinda turned me off just a bit. But the rest of the story was good enough to keep going, and in the end, I was very glad I did.<br />
<br />
3) <a href="http://www.rebeccaethington.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Ethington</a><br />
*The Imdalind Series<br />
-YA, Paranormal<br />
I started reading this before I realized it was YA. Since I tend to like my books spicy, I steer away from YA and NA most of the time. But sometimes, fate intervenes. I started this one and was hooked from the very beginning. I HAD to know what was going on. Before I knew it, I was downloading book two, and I just bought book three. I haven't read it yet, but I'm confident it will be as enthralling as the first two books. Highly recommend it!<br />
<br />
4) <a href="http://authorpenelopeking.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Penelope King</a><br />
* Demonblood and Spellbound series<br />
-demons, witches, paranormal. Sexual content: not much at all in the Spellbound series, but there is some in the Demonblood series... not too hot, but definitely there.<br />
Demonblood:<br />
This was something completely different from what I've read before, which is why I kept with it when, again, it was a NA novel, instead of my usual. :) Two aspects of the same person, living in one body, with completely different personalities and lifestyles. One exists by day, one by night, and though they know about each other, they are unaware of what the other aspect does during their 'body time'. It's a very intriguing series, and I can't wait for the third book!<br />
Spellbound Series:<br />
A sweet YA series, dealing with coming-of-age witches. Predictable, but in that good way, when you know what's coming, but you love the characters enough to want to know how they get there. There's a reason the 'formulaic' stories work... if the characters and plot twists work together, it's a hit. I thought these books were definitely well-done and enjoyed them thoroughly. :)<br />
<br />
5) <a href="http://www.kearytaylor.com/" target="_blank">Keary Taylor</a><br />
* Branded: Fall of Angels<br />
paranormal/angels, first book: no sexual content, though there is some sweet attraction and kissing. :)<br />
Another one that I started reading without realizing it was YA. But WOW. What a story! I was blown away! I can't wait to get the rest of the series (so many books, too little income!!!!) but the first book is AMAZING. Very well-written, emotionally engaging and with such an intriguing plot that I could not put it down. I'll report on the others in the series as I'm able. :)<br />
<br />
So there ya go. 5 authors that, if you haven't already experienced them, you should. I have very eclectic reading preferences, so while things like the Spellbound series are sweet and clean, the Black Dagger Brotherhood is definitely not either of those.. it's raw sex and violence, but in a way that makes you want to wade into the fray and start busting heads. Demonblood straddles the two categories, with parts of it being innocent and timid, and the other parts being bold, courageous, and sexual. Black Swan is just outright fun, with some gory parts (I mean, they're vampire hunters. There will be blood) and interesting cross-overs, literally, since you're dealing with different dimensions. And the Imdalind series is a class unto itself, IMHO, as is Branded.<br />
<br />
Have fun, and feel free to let me know what you think of these authors, if you decide to read their stuff. :)<br />
<br />
Now that I've done an update... time to get back to Ishira! :D<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-14624253355863725492013-08-01T14:53:00.000-04:002013-08-01T14:53:01.546-04:00Long time, no see...I know, I know... I've been gone awhile!<br />
<br />
I wish I could say it was because I was deep in a writing frenzy during which all I came up for was food, sleep, and bathroom breaks.<br />
<br />
Alas, that is not the case.<br />
<br />
Between the physical stuff, moving, and the fairly sudden death of my grandfather, things have been a bit crazy, so the blog has fallen by the wayside. I apologize for that.<br />
<br />
I <i>have </i>been reading, a lot, during this time, and I've picked up two new crafts, so that's a plus. I'll try to get as many of the reviews out as I can, as I have time.<br />
<br />
And I have started writing once more, which is making me very happy. Now that we're settled and life seems to be calming down (gods, did I say that out loud???), I'm hoping I can get my stories straight. Literally! :D<br />
<br />
In the meantime, though I'm sure you were hoping for an update from Ishira, here's some of what I've been up to. The good news is that once I have the wire wrapping looking more 'professional', I might be inclined to make some of the tree pendants in Ishira's colors, and maybe use them as prizes for upcoming contests. We'll see how that goes. :) <br />
<br />
Anyhow, this was just to let you know I'm still here, still working, just not being as vocal about it here as I am on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BethanyAan" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. I either need more hours in the day or I need more of ME in the day! lol<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTl7TZAB_DaqWKZlX4oCWbxd6_rzK-hR4eCIUVyx6Kw_920ta-9F0ot3tCyGy0wmwBKzmUcZiN9O0fmzc9rhyphenhyphenCliruCXy2tyLjxbyRbRFljJxrjaHW8AYW1iYO9IVyLq8PAgoF6o62_Q/s1600/punch+needle+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTl7TZAB_DaqWKZlX4oCWbxd6_rzK-hR4eCIUVyx6Kw_920ta-9F0ot3tCyGy0wmwBKzmUcZiN9O0fmzc9rhyphenhyphenCliruCXy2tyLjxbyRbRFljJxrjaHW8AYW1iYO9IVyLq8PAgoF6o62_Q/s320/punch+needle+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Punch needle embroidery. Very easy, quick, and<br />
fun! :) </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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Wire Wrapped jewelry/ornaments:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpqQ7l1cW3dVjGl6Ue6O5gT9dC_7YBnIx9tzOz7x4VVzmRNNAiVWpcUaC9pav2h2C59vMSTjMdYbJcIczg58zy7GrDbhQJLoLragRKb9-vNHWjeFTy7BIeip9IZ85uy51gHpX_pIHh08/s1600/cleaning+the+loft+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpqQ7l1cW3dVjGl6Ue6O5gT9dC_7YBnIx9tzOz7x4VVzmRNNAiVWpcUaC9pav2h2C59vMSTjMdYbJcIczg58zy7GrDbhQJLoLragRKb9-vNHWjeFTy7BIeip9IZ85uy51gHpX_pIHh08/s320/cleaning+the+loft+011.JPG" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first piece, with supplies I had on hand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVnbk2IMjOT1pMjJGrmLwKEbWqZV3yVpk9CgbY84HVklXB_WxJ-wDDmSgY4QTsPVSEo0a6wxcpRqtNqDYVFBCQ3Xk1IPkk4fsYrHZ6wkXu_OICeqvFxu0iVmJKCckNg7dMQS6NPHIdQI/s1600/cleaning+the+loft+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVnbk2IMjOT1pMjJGrmLwKEbWqZV3yVpk9CgbY84HVklXB_WxJ-wDDmSgY4QTsPVSEo0a6wxcpRqtNqDYVFBCQ3Xk1IPkk4fsYrHZ6wkXu_OICeqvFxu0iVmJKCckNg7dMQS6NPHIdQI/s320/cleaning+the+loft+009.JPG" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree of Life, Autumn, again with supplies I had on hand. Second piece... first try at a tree. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-FBoNrxdgz28jz59SSWM1oFH7_5JyKVPCcpJAs92JgOpwgGVCimkvdwJpIWFoVfK03cthIlvdaMy28RJcCXBTv1pTygMtByyyhxiErnofq5XQGOZdFVC5JHPaCSQLdCf7HIO0T8-opQ/s1600/cleaning+the+loft+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-FBoNrxdgz28jz59SSWM1oFH7_5JyKVPCcpJAs92JgOpwgGVCimkvdwJpIWFoVfK03cthIlvdaMy28RJcCXBTv1pTygMtByyyhxiErnofq5XQGOZdFVC5JHPaCSQLdCf7HIO0T8-opQ/s320/cleaning+the+loft+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl Be Seeing You, a few purchased bits, the rest was stuff I had on hand or found in my late grandmother's jewelry-making stuff.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxFaeL_gzb-FQ-us_BfcpaOhBSkc9oM1Ax_WpXKrgppIDX8jEOSxC0_a2-Q3vriHVbE9kNyr7EHygXyx0myeH99h2S2C0K71C5aCIfDxoRXFZsjTi6gd3A5Jmq2erG3E6ABqqM2ugN_I/s1600/Into+Each+Life+Raincloud+Pendant+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxFaeL_gzb-FQ-us_BfcpaOhBSkc9oM1Ax_WpXKrgppIDX8jEOSxC0_a2-Q3vriHVbE9kNyr7EHygXyx0myeH99h2S2C0K71C5aCIfDxoRXFZsjTi6gd3A5Jmq2erG3E6ABqqM2ugN_I/s320/Into+Each+Life+Raincloud+Pendant+026.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into Each Life, silver tone wire, glass beads, Swarovski crystals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAPKw_TQKql_NpwcJ1_G8oWfRtn5g8sztTwK8T7eQF6waVGPe5QaEb3nydZTVfSSUqWTe4cLVxuVQyCz_UfAs_P3GDwL7R6xjUs0fsgOzPooWygE911WYZm74jtYph6XTx5X3U30L-rw/s1600/seaglass+paisley+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAPKw_TQKql_NpwcJ1_G8oWfRtn5g8sztTwK8T7eQF6waVGPe5QaEb3nydZTVfSSUqWTe4cLVxuVQyCz_UfAs_P3GDwL7R6xjUs0fsgOzPooWygE911WYZm74jtYph6XTx5X3U30L-rw/s320/seaglass+paisley+024.JPG" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Paisley, glass beads, silver-tone wire.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb-XayTsnn6mNZgpE1oztiJjcdUz4TNpcMUC8cJ3lA7kpAhqnFTl_dbLur1F8yEYEAYnVlVM26QQiJBrAFcVkIFO0BxHQha8dTXqlvBYcAL2YPbpAfpoxL2sbk9_aAttu8lx-aAMKFVc/s1600/Glass+dragonfly+pendant+1+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb-XayTsnn6mNZgpE1oztiJjcdUz4TNpcMUC8cJ3lA7kpAhqnFTl_dbLur1F8yEYEAYnVlVM26QQiJBrAFcVkIFO0BxHQha8dTXqlvBYcAL2YPbpAfpoxL2sbk9_aAttu8lx-aAMKFVc/s320/Glass+dragonfly+pendant+1+054.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Smile; copper wire, metal and acrylic findings, stone chips, glass mosaic piece as the back-drop. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So there you have it. That's what I've been up to. :P <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-36130770476071133172013-06-21T21:33:00.003-04:002013-06-21T21:54:11.320-04:00Hearts of Ishira going on sale!<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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Sorry I've been an absentee blogger for the past few weeks. Between getting the hubby graduated from college and then moving, then recovering from moving, then ending up with my back in worse shape AND with a sinus infection, to top it all off, I've somehow managed to tear my rotator cuff in my right shoulder. I'm a complete mess and being online kinda hurts. I can't find a position that doesn't piss off the pain gods and send me whimpering to my bed with Mr. Oxycodone and Ms. Flexiril fornicating within my system. :P</div>
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Re1YA3EVL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-53,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="main-image" rel="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81a3vkAFBgL._SL1500_.jpg" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Re1YA3EVL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-53,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="display: inline; height: 300px; width: 300px;" width="200" /></a><br />
SO as sort of an apology for my neglect and because I'm overjoyed that my bestie is back in the US for a month, after being in Turkey for the past three years... I'm putting <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-of-Ishira-ebook/dp/B009BUC4IG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1347882588&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Hearts of Ishira</a> (amazon) on sale for half price until July 5th. (Here's the link for Nook: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-of-ishira-bethany-aan/1112922324?ean=2940015689716" target="_blank">Hearts of Ishira by Bethany Aan</a><br />
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I'll post more as I have time, but for now, that's the big announcement. I do have TONS of book reviews I need to get to, but haven't read anything great until today.<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41mvC0Nj5kL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-52,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="main-image" rel="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41mvC0Nj5kL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-52,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="display: inline; height: 300px; width: 300px;" width="200" /></a> <br />
I don't have a review ready for it and it might be an older book, but <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enforcer-Cascadia-Wolves-ebook/dp/B0030H26FW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371864687&sr=1-1&keywords=enforcer+lauren+dane" target="_blank">Enforcer by Lauren Dane</a> is a freebie and a great werewolf read. :) Go check it out. I mean... it's FREE.<br />
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Get that one after you get Hearts, if you haven't already read my book. *cheeky grin*<br />
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Love you all, and I hope to check in more often. It has been REALLY hectic, and life and health come first, but I think things are calming down enough to get back to it for the foreseeable future.<br />
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Ah, man... Did I say that out loud??? EEEP!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-77420927508017425932013-05-21T01:49:00.002-04:002013-05-21T01:49:55.012-04:00so sorry!!!I'd like to send out a huge apology for falling down on the job in the past few weeks.<br />
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First off, at the age of 42, my sweet husband, my hero, partner in crime, and all-around silliness angel, graduated from university! He now has degrees in mathematics and education. While that is an amazing accomplishment at any age, it's harder when you have a broken wife, a mother who had a horrible cancer incident in your first semester, and the constant worry of both of their failing health issues.<br />
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I'm so proud of him, I can barely stand it! Anyone who's also a friend on Facebook will see me refer to HoBA. That's Husband of Bethany Aan, a name he picked out himself. :) He IS my every inspiration, my every achievement, and the rock upon which I build my every dream.<br />
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I kinda like him, can you tell? :D<br />
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Anyhow, with his graduation and the party we held for him afterward, I was a *wee* bit busy the week before last.<br />
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Last week, I was recovering from the week before. :P Those health issues, you see.. they hit me hard. I thought it was Tuesday and was quite surprised to find out it was Friday. Yeah. That was last week in a nutshell.<br />
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This week, we're moving. Yup, college kids gotta move back into the 'rents' house for the summer while HoBA looks for a job. :) We're looking at a few different counties in North Carolina, as that's our home state and where he'll be licensed, but we're also looking at Turkey.<br />
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Yup. You read that right. Turkey.<br />
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Why? you might ask... Well, I'll tell you. My best friend in the world (other than HoBA of course) has been teaching in Turkey for the past three years. She shall be teaching in Turkey for at least one more. They made her an offer she couldn't refuse. :) But I am damned tired of part of my heart being overseas. So, as they say in the Muslim world... if Muhammad will not come to the mountain, the mountain must come to Muhammed. Or something like that. Please don't burn me in effigy if I got that wrong. I mean absolutely NO disrespect! So when I talked to her on Skype this past weekend, I let her know we were absolutely serious about moving over there for HoBA to teach, if she could give us a few leads on jobs.<br />
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I thought she was gonna cry. I know I about did! But it turns out that she JUST signed a lease on a three-bedroom apartment right across the street from the school she'll be teaching at, and she would LOVE to have roomies. :D Us. Yup. So not only do we have an 'in', but we have a place to live, with my best friend. :) Have I mentioned I haven't seen her in THREE frickin' YEARS??? The cookie dough shall be epic...<br />
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Ahem. I digress.<br />
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Anyhow, if you've been wondering why the dearth of reviews, updates, etc... well, now you know. :) I've been a wee bit busy.<br />
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But I'll try to get a few reviews up in the next few days. If I'm not able to, please forgive me. We still have a LOT happening between now and the end of the month. June should be a lot calmer, and YES I'm still trying to get Brothers in Arms, the sequel to Hearts of Ishira, published by the end of August. Don't hold me to that, as things could change if we DO end up needing to move to another country, but right now, the goal is end of August. :)<br />
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And there are a few other things in the works, as well. If you know me by now, you know that I am pathologically incapable of writing only ONE story at a time. So I have several going at once. But it's okay... my betas tell me that so far, so good, on all of them. :)<br />
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Okay, champagne ramblings ending now. Bear with me as I get my life back into some semblance of order! I'll be back soon, with reviews, snippets, and much more! In the meantime, try to keep up at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BethanyAan">www.facebook.com/BethanyAan </a><br />
(seriously... go like! I'm only 20 likes away from 200! I will squee so loud when that happens!!!!)<br />
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Okay. done now. Nite nite! <br />
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Oh, in case you missed them... here are a few teasers from my FB page... all from Brothers in Arms...<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-44248027731461500652013-04-29T20:02:00.001-04:002013-04-29T20:05:43.553-04:00Review: Falling for Heaven by Anne Conley <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Recently, I was delighted to exchange books and interview questions with author Anne Conley. The questions she sent me were so good, I sent them right back at her. Lazy? Perhaps, but I've never been good at coming up with interview questions, so hey. I work with what I've got. :) </div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Fk7eBQR9L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-53,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="main-image" rel="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61LjW7FQ0LL._SL1345_.jpg" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Fk7eBQR9L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-53,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="display: inline; height: 300px; width: 300px;" /></a> </div>
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<u><b><i>The book: </i></b></u></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Heaven-Four-Winds-ebook/dp/B00CH1PC1W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367279639&sr=8-3&keywords=anne+conley" target="_blank">Falling for Heaven </a></div>
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by Anne Conley</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSE2TpnGwFlBOpmP6gN8SPUgYJGmyX_IJOLj3i2JdXo6Sa5AoXG2rYt1iBt0TZ_BVQr-T6S8AfSuVMj0oeopTi7e0uMinU6_dOxuPrhSKWufbpb4cRAlSHawQ4_8Vh76lwbeaWJuftjY/s1600/5+hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSE2TpnGwFlBOpmP6gN8SPUgYJGmyX_IJOLj3i2JdXo6Sa5AoXG2rYt1iBt0TZ_BVQr-T6S8AfSuVMj0oeopTi7e0uMinU6_dOxuPrhSKWufbpb4cRAlSHawQ4_8Vh76lwbeaWJuftjY/s200/5+hearts.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u><i><b>Blurb:</b></i></u></div>
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Uriel is one of God's Four Winds, the Archangel of Destiny. He has
helped thousands of people throughout the ages find their destiny
according to His will. This time however, what he doesn't realize, is
that it's his own destiny he's supposed to fulfill.<br />
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Heather is
an exotic dancer, who's stage name is Heaven. It's not that that's what
she's always wanted to do, it's just that it helps her pay the bills,
and she's got a lot of bills, with taking care of her mother and her
sister. When the mysterious Uriel comes into the club, she can tell
he's different, just how different will rock her world...</div>
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<u><i><b>My Review:</b></i></u></div>
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<span id="freeTextContainerreview597427575">I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Falling for Heaven, and I was hooked from the first word. Ms. Conley's writing style flows very well, and Uri is just... *swoon* Such a sweet, strong, wonderful being. There's really not much I can say without spoilers, but rest assured that there's a HEA and some really steamy bits!<br /><br />It's a short read, but felt like a much longer novel, as far as action, depth, and pacing. That's really hard to do, in my experience.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book, and can't wait for the rest of the Four Winds stories! </span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Interview with Anne Conley:</i></b></span> </div>
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<b><i>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Describe your
writing process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b></div>
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My process is a lot like dating…. I fantasize about the
perfect story for a long time before I actually sit down to start writing
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I put down an outline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there, I type up a rough draft, this is
the first date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subsequent revisions are
like the entire courting process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
revision allows me to delve deeper in the characters, the conflict, and what
they're up against.</div>
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<i><b>2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What motivates you
to sit down and write?</b></i></div>
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I'm very goal-oriented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I set goals for myself, both long-term and short-term, and every
morning, I wake up and decide what to do to accomplish those goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that I can't sell books if I'm not
doing everything I need to be doing to sell them, and I need to sell books so
that I can justify all the time spent in front of my laptop to my family.</div>
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<i><b>3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where does your
inspiration come from?</b></i></div>
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Everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get a
lot of inspiration while I'm in the car, either listening to music, or being
quiet inside my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also enjoy
listening to my Aunt and my Mom talk about people in my family that lived years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some pretty interesting
stories to be told there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I
enjoy listening to everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right
now, I'm sitting in a tiny café, listening to a loud-talker telling stories
about living in Austin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There's probably a story there, too…</div>
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<b><i>4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have any
writers that you consider mentors?</i></b></div>
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Liliana Hart, without a doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard her speak at a RWA meeting in
November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told about her experiences
as an Indie Author versus the traditional routes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It inspired me to get my butt in gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave us a written plan to follow, and has
been open to email questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Liliana's
offered me much support in the past several months, that I appreciate
greatly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn't be where I am now if
it weren't for her.</div>
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<b><i>5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you think
your greatest strength is in your writing?</i></b></div>
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My focus is probably my greatest strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am able to focus on one thing, and get it
done in a relatively timely manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
may have to go back and fix it, but I get it done.</div>
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<i><b>6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is your
biggest challenge?</b></i></div>
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Patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm not a
patient person, and I have trouble sometimes taking a step back and looking at
the big picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll send my stuff out
to beta readers, then check my email every hour on the hour for weeks until
they reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I publish something, I
check my reports daily, trying to figure out what I can reproduce that caused
that one person to buy my book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
figured out that Smashwords published their reports quarterly, and I had to
wait three more whole months to figure out how I was doing, I cried.</div>
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<b><i>7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you ever
experience writer's block?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you
get through it?</i></b></div>
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The old fashioned way…Pen and paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have discovered that if I close the lap
top, and go someplace different, I can usually get through whatever scene or
character I'm working on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to
teach writing to High school kids, and some of those crazy brainstorming tricks
still apply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, your brain works
differently when you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">write</i> as opposed
to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">typing</i> and I find that that
usually does the trick.</div>
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<b><i>
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<b><i>8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Name some authors
who have influenced or inspired you?</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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JK
Rowling, Stephen King, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Liliana Hart,
honestly there are too many to name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Almost every author I've read has influenced me in some way…</div>
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<i><b>9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell a little
about your most recent work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Title,
genre, and tag line.</b></i></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Falling for Heaven</i></b>
is a paranormal romance about the archangel Uriel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tag line would probably be…"She was
his greatest sin…"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell us about
your favorite character from the book.</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would have to be Heather, who is an exotic dancer because
it earns her enough money to support her sister and her mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">think</i>
I'm sexy when I dance, but the reality is something altogether different, I'm
sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She's down to earth, and is just
trying to make her life the best she knows how.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like most of us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are there
specific themes that you would like your reader to grasp while they're reading
your novel?</i></b></div>
<b><i>
</i></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, for a novel of it's length (about 45,000 words), I
think <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Falling for Heaven</i></b> touches on
some pretty deep stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are the
obvious religious implications of good vs. evil, but there are also issues of
addiction, care of the elderly with dementia, and dealing with death of loved
ones.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have any
words of advice or encouragement for other writers who are looking to publish?</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make a plan, write it down, and try to stick with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not everybody does it exactly right on the
first try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most everybody has to go back
and re-do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just know what you
want, and have a plan to get it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes a good
story?</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A good story is one that the reader can relate to on some
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The characters need to be
likeable, and their reactions to their experiences need to be realistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion, anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you market
your work?</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How do I not market my work?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If there's anything I haven't done, please let me know, I want to try
it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No really, I try to be everywhere
online, although building up a presence is time-consuming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will book for people to review, I'll talk
to anybody about my work, and I'm not shy, although when the little old ladies in
my church group ask about it, I tend to blush a little.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
www.conleycorner.blogspot.com</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facebook:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>www.facebook.com/anneconleyauthor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
www.anneconley.wix.com/anneconleyauthor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
www.anneconley.wix.com/anneconleyauthor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have a
current work in progress?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you tell a
little bit about it?</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm currently working on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hot
Mess</i>, a continuation of my Stories of Serendipity series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's about a firefighter named Sam (yes, he's
devastatingly gorgeous) and a woman hiding her HIV status from the small
community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>16.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell us about
yourself, outside of writing.</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm a wife and a mother, living on a goat farm in east Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I’m not writing, I'm planning menus that
my children will eat, cheering on tee ball games from the sidelines, or
pretending to be an awesome dance mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
also spend a lot of time reassuring my husband that he doesn't have to look
like the heroes in my books for me to love him, although it is funny to watch
him preen for me when he's feeling self-conscious.<br />
**********************************************<br />
<br />
If you'd like to read my answers to the above questions, and see what Anne Conley has to say about my book, head over to <a href="http://conleycorner.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-hearts-of-ishira.html" target="_blank">The Conley Corner</a> and check it out. Leave some love for her there. :) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-9018460625761420932013-04-25T17:05:00.000-04:002013-04-25T17:05:45.107-04:00Review- Restraint by Erica Chilson<img alt="Product Details" class="productImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zXW-xHPjL._AA160_.jpg" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Restraint-Mistress-Master-ebook/dp/B007X6GZDK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1366923674&sr=8-3&keywords=erica+chilson" target="_blank">Restraint, Erica Chilson</a><br />
(free at time of review) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7yIO6GY8-Om3G1sTZoWqzKzxBDuPrmpeNXVG11CEc0ej4Vk0Hl1cJs2BEqwI5EsiHX9oZLAYsOeAaoUgJ_YoXoHuPVW34x88srXtRUqzcq1TJ2PvcxA2Kt3CN0JxKXtjgADI-U4ONZ0/s1600/4+hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7yIO6GY8-Om3G1sTZoWqzKzxBDuPrmpeNXVG11CEc0ej4Vk0Hl1cJs2BEqwI5EsiHX9oZLAYsOeAaoUgJ_YoXoHuPVW34x88srXtRUqzcq1TJ2PvcxA2Kt3CN0JxKXtjgADI-U4ONZ0/s200/4+hearts.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
3 batteries<br />
************************************ <br />
<br />
Wow. <br /><br />That was quite a ride!<br /><br />Whew. Okay. Catching my breath and soothing my mind. Speaking of minds, this is totally a mind-fuck book. <br /><br />The people in this story are BROKEN. Understandable, once you find out why, but still... wow. <br /><br />Not really sure how much I can say without giving it all away, so I'll just say this: HOT, even though there's only one sex scene, which I was surprised about.<br /><br />I WILL post this as a warning: There is a possibly triggering scene. I'm usually very sensitive to those, but the way Ms. Chilson handled it was... amazing. You'll know what I mean if you read it. <br /><br />People can be so fucked up. What amazes me every time is how they can overcome and live with their various issues... and find people that need to give them just what they need to heal. I've seen it in real life, and I love reading about it. It gives me hope. :) Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3357164625557159652.post-86497447977903152312013-04-24T13:12:00.001-04:002013-04-24T13:12:14.619-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="" id="main-image" rel="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91Wmt1OZyIL._SL1500_.jpg" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Dv2b9kKVL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="display: inline; height: 300px; width: 300px;" /> </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Branded-Fall-Angels-Keary-Taylor/dp/1450572375/ref=la_B003EUG2ZK_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1366821528&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Branded (Fall of Angels) by Keary Taylor</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQgFe8u4nhjWJ13geJiVYt-zwshTI8AueqcrfmLTd0pocyWho0475HKoNzF4tGSR4bbJc0DJ8FrB_Sbp6_-OSQJwBwbCzPde8_JazMmxHpmsMdN0XE8-wd3t9s4a1Dt1_86UlmY1oTZY/s1600/5+hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQgFe8u4nhjWJ13geJiVYt-zwshTI8AueqcrfmLTd0pocyWho0475HKoNzF4tGSR4bbJc0DJ8FrB_Sbp6_-OSQJwBwbCzPde8_JazMmxHpmsMdN0XE8-wd3t9s4a1Dt1_86UlmY1oTZY/s200/5+hearts.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwybU_Oy-Xdxa9QhnId5W5x_4TwT2dBz75klJrSv7HkYR7vYcBhzp9lZjoseC-sD6Yg0a5ZL3cCUsCGTCcNa3mVB3cd1R4kX8fGueGJtGpWAHzj-XwkA7XvPVxKD__n2Q8jvnHyfEAEL4/s1600/coffee+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwybU_Oy-Xdxa9QhnId5W5x_4TwT2dBz75klJrSv7HkYR7vYcBhzp9lZjoseC-sD6Yg0a5ZL3cCUsCGTCcNa3mVB3cd1R4kX8fGueGJtGpWAHzj-XwkA7XvPVxKD__n2Q8jvnHyfEAEL4/s200/coffee+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Picked this one up for free, but I'm an instant fan of Keary Taylor.
Like many other reviewers have said, I've never read anything quite like this,
and though there are moments where you can draw correlations to
Twilight, it's definitely its own unique story. Definitely planning to
read the rest of the series!<br />
<br />
I enjoyed this take on angels and the humans that interact with them. It's not often that you find someone scared spitless of them, but Jessica has very good reason for her terror. She doesn't sleep much, she looks horrible, and yet when she meets her new 'boss', the grandson of her previous bosses, there's an instant connection. Though her social skills are a mite rusty, Jessica finds herself wanting to come out of her shell for Alex. She might even consider telling him about the night terrors that have plagued her for most of her life.<br />
<br />
But then Cole shows up, and he's just as interested in her as Alex is, and just as compelling...<br />
<br />
No heat to this at all... but the romance is sweet and awkward in that cute way. <br />
<br />
4 coffee cups because it kept me up till 4 a.m.... I couldn't put it down. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0