Wednesday Briefs: Rose and Thorne 6 #4 (1.4)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day ! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.  

When we left the boys, Ethan and his sister were having a bit of a spat over her revelation that she might actually be going back to the ex who abandoned her. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Rose and Thorne. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Rose and Thorne 6 #4 (1.4)

For a long moment, neither of us spoke a word. Then Ethan moved toward the back door and pulled Benny’s leash from a hook on the wall. “C’mon, Benny,” he said so softly that I wasn’t sure the pup would be able to hear him. But I underestimated his keen canine auditory abilities. He scurried up to Ethan and assumed the position with a joyful bark that indicated his willingness to venture into the outside world, aka the neighborhood.

I remained where I was, standing indecisively. My gut instinct told me I should go with Ethan, but my insecurity insisted that if I was needed, he would have said something and maybe he wanted to be alone. But then he turned toward me and the look in his beautiful eyes told me everything I needed to know—he wanted and needed me with him, and I certainly wasn’t going to let him down.

“Here, let me.” I removed the leash from his hand and bent down to connect it to Benny’s collar. Then I rose and, taking that same hand in my own, raised it to my lips and kissed it gently before returning the leash. “Let’s give Benny the chance to work off some of that breakfast.” I was rewarded with a small smile. That had to be a good sign, right?

We exited the house through the front door. I followed Ethan’s lead as he chose a direction, probably at random, and we began a leisurely stroll. Benny didn’t try to get us to any greater speeds, content to simply amble and explore everything along our path, sniffing curiously at what he could see. I held Ethan’s free hand in my own and asked no questions. He would talk when he was ready.

Sure enough, after a few minutes, I heard Ethan sigh before he began. “I’m sorry you had to witness that,” he said.

I wasn’t even sure exactly what I’d witnessed, so I kept quiet. Sure enough, he went on without any prompting from me.

“I have no idea what she’s even thinking. I mean, the way he just left her in the lurch when she needed him the most. The terrible things he said to her. Who abandons the person they supposedly love, not to mention his own child? What has he done to make her think he even deserves a second chance?”

He fell silent again, so I decided it was time for me to at least say something. Benny had paused in his perambulation and was examining a particularly suspicious bush. No one else was within sight. Not like I’d expected Sarah to come running after us or anything. She didn’t seem the type to do something like that. She and Ethan were both stubborn that way.

“You don’t think maybe there’s a chance he’s really changed? I mean, how well do you really know him?” He was Sarah’s ex, after all, and since Alex was just three years old, he had been conceived since Ethan and I had become partners, in either sense of the word. Maybe he just needed the opportunity to get to know this James guy a little better.

“That’s the trouble, he has changed.” An atypical frown furrowed Ethan’s blond brows. “He was nothing like that when we were kids. At least I never thought he was. Not until he did that to Sarah.”

Now it was my turn to be confused. How did Ethan know what James was like as a kid.

Ethan’s next words cleared up the mystery.

“James McDavid was my best friend.”

The pain in those words tore at my heart.

 to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

Wednesday Briefs: A Witcher Christmas

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day ! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.  

In honor of the season, I bring you a Christmas tale from one of my favorite fandoms. This is also the first fanfiction I have written from this fandom. I hope you enjoy a little bit of Witcher for the holidays! Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

A Witcher Christmas

“Tell me something. Has Geralt always been so…” Jaskier floundered for words, something he was generally not at a loss for, and finally finished his question with “crotchety?” The petulant bard kicked disconsolately at an object situated alongside the path, then yelped in dismay after discovering said object was a rather hard rock which would not yield to his misguided efforts to dislodge it.

The slim platinum blonde he’d addressed patted Roach’s cheek and briefly nuzzled the patient horse before turning back to her companion. “You’ve known him far longer than I have,” she said bluntly. “You tell me.”

“Well, yes, I know…” Jaskier waffled. “But you’re his… I mean, I’m not…”

“His child of surprise?” Ciri raised blonde brows at him. “Is that what you mean?”

“I suppose so, yes.” The bard scratched at his head, contemplating the cloudless sky with a thoughtful expression before continuing his lament. “What am I really? Other than the man who made the name Geralt of Rivia, the celebrated White Wolf, familiar to hundreds… no, I mean thousands, tens of thousands of people even,  in all the kingdoms and far across the land. Thank you very much.” This last sentence was half muttered to himself, and yet spoken loud enough to be easily heard. “I have suffered his slings and arrows, and endangered my own quite valuable life and reputation on more than one occasion in order to obtain the wondrous tales with which to regale his fascinated followers. And yet, what do I receive for my pains?” He paused dramatically, expectantly even, but was rewarded with silence for his efforts.

With an exasperated sigh, Jaskier reached for a bright red berry that grew on a clumpy bush beside the rock and plucked the fruit. He opened his mouth to prepare entry for his bounty, but the next moment, his hand had been brutally accosted and the berry had fallen to the ground. “Excuse me?” the indignant bard yowled.

“It’s poisonous,” Ciri said simply. And then added, with a knowing twinkle, “You’re welcome.”

Jaskier had to laugh, in spite of his attempts to remain glum. He really was a good-hearted fellow and generally rather happy-go-lucky. But sometimes, especially where Geralt was involved, he could be rather… sensitive. The smile turned into a slight frown.

“Doesn’t he believe in… you know… the season? As in ‘tis the season, good will on earth, and all the other sentimental dribble that makes the rounds at this particular time of year. Well, for just about everyone on earth but Geralt of Rivia, apparently. I composed a particularly well-worded and, if I do say so myself, well-sung composition proclaiming his vast prowess to the world, and what do I get in return?”

“But has he ever given you a gift at any time of the year, much less this one?” the practical Ciri pointed out.

Jaskier could hardly fault her logic, much as he would have liked to. Didn’t mean he was ready to admit to it, either.

“The Countess de Stael never hesitated,” he began but quickly realized maybe that wasn’t his best point of attack, which fact Ciri easily picked up on.

“Geralt isn’t sleeping with you,” she said. “And he also didn’t tell you to go…” She neglected to finish the sentence, for which Jaskier was grateful. He knew what the woman had said, and in just what tone those hateful words had been hurled at him. And while she had failed to wound his tender heart, his vanity had been pierced, which was just as painful, if not more. But in Geralt’s case, it was not vanity which cried out at the witcher’s seeming indifference.

“He’s had a hard life,” Ciri spoke up. “You have no idea what he had to endure to become what he is.” The look she gave him was at least somewhat sympathetic. Perhaps she could be a good influence on her guardian.

At some distant time in the future. By which time, Jaskier would most likely be dead and forgotten, except for a few lonely women whose lives he had enriched by his presence…

“I don’t ask for much,” Jaskier began on a different tack. “And I expect even less. Even so…”

“Even so, you hope.” Ciri’s voice was soft and somewhat gentle. He knew her life had gone to wrack and ruin ever since the death of her beloved grandmother, Queen Calanthe. Before that even, when her parents, Pavetta and Duny, had been lost at sea. She’d been on her own while searching for her destiny, aka Geralt. And although her experiences had toughened her, there still remained a shred of humanity. Something he often failed to find in his friend.

Was Geralt his friend, or did he simply tolerate the bard as a means to an end? The insecure bard pushed the thought away, but it insisted upon returning.

“I hope that he doesn’t just tolerate me,” he said in a rare moment of honesty which surprised even himself. He avoided the young girl’s direct gaze, instead busying himself with the brass buttons on his rather garish tunic instead. The sound of horse’s hooves mercifully brought the painful discussion to a close. Who could this be? Geralt had left on foot, and they were expecting no one else. Perhaps they should… hide?

He darted a nervous glance toward Ciri. She seemed not the slightest bit concerned. But of course, she was used to the unexpected, wasn’t she, after traveling with Geralt.

To his surprise, Geralt rode into view on a horse clearly not Roach. So not like him.

Geralt dismounted and tossed the reins at Jaskier.

“For me?” Jaskier was stunned.

“We need to make better time,” Geralt said abruptly. He mounted Roach and helped Ciri up before him. She gave Jaskier a knowing smile.

“Let’s go.” Geralt turned Roach’s head. Jaskier quickly mounted his gifted steed and followed.

“Merry Christmas, my friend,” he whispered.

And just like that, all was right with the world.

 

Now go visit the other Briefers and see what's up!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

Saturday is Horror Day #41 - Messiah of Evil, House on Haunted Hill (1959)

 Messiah of Evil

Arletty (Marianna Hill) is concerned about her father, Joseph Lang (Royal Dano). The artist kept in touch with her ever since he moved away, but his letters have become fewer and fewer and now they've stopped altogether. Arletty travels to the small seaside town of Pointe Dune to find him. But when she goes to his house, there is no sign of him. 

The next day she goes to a local art shop, but they know nothing of his whereabouts. However, a group of people have also been asking about him. Arletty meets the group, which consists of Thom (Michael Greer), Laura (Anitra Ford), and Toni (Joy Bang). Arletty is a little taken aback by their obvious arrangement, but when she questions them, they know nothing of her father. Later, they show up at her father's house, claiming she is the reason why they were kicked out of their hotel and can't find a place to stay. She reluctantly agrees to allow them to stay with her.

The town of Pointe Dune is... odd... to say the least, and the inhabitants are not particularly friendly. Arletty finds her father's journal and begins to read. But nothing is making sense. Laura decides to leave Thom and Toni and heads out. She is offered a ride by a strange man in a pickup truck. In the bed, a group of people sit, necks craned toward the sky. She quickly regrets her decision and tries to get away, but to no avail.

A bored Toni decides to go to the movies. Thom and Arletty begin to compare notes and realize, too 

late, that maybe Toni shouldn't be alone. Later, Arletty is taken to the beach, where a body has been discovered. They say her father had an accident while creating a work of art. But Arletty knows better.  Did she imagine someone breaking into her dad's house? What in the world is going on and how can she and Thom get to safety before it overtakes them?

This film was made in 1973, and it certainly looks like it, with minimalist sets, horrible fake blood, and off-screen violence. Although the filmmakers weren't shy about a certain amount of nudity (at least what they could get away with back then). I get the feeling whoever wrote this was on drugs, and not particularly good ones. It has the look and feel of a psychedelic trip. Also, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. 

If you look on IMDB.com, this film was tagged as vampire, vampire cult, and vampire messiage. But these are not vampires in any sense of the word, rather they are zombies. One reviewer called it a "macabre little gem". I would disagree with that. Surrealistic? Quite possibly. Dread? Not really. So don't expect too much. Do look for Royal Dano and Elisha Cook Jr. You might remember the latter from House on Haunted Hill, with Vincent Price. Or The Maltese Falcon, with Humphrey Bogart.

Reading the review on IMDB, I almost thought we watched two different films. I am giving this film 2 Stars. Watch at your own risk.

House on Haunted Hill (1959)

Frederick Loren (Vincent Price) is a millionaire with too much money and time to indulge his macabre sense of humor. To celebrate the birthday of his fourth wife Annabelle (Carol Ohmart), he rents out the House on Haunted Hill, but she is less than pleased when he makes up the guest list himself, and not a one of them is a friend of either one. The guests have all been chosen by him and made the same offer - spend the night in the haunted house and receive $10,000 in the morning! That's an offer few people could refuse. To add to the spirit of the occasion, Loren has them arrive in hearses.

Lance Schroeder (Richard Long) is a young, handsome pilot. Dr. David Trent (Alan Marshal) is a psychiatrist. Ruth Bridges (Julie Mitchum) is an older woman who has become jaded with her life. Nora Manning (Carolyn Craig) is a typist at one of Loren's companies, but has never met the man. Watson Pritchard (Elisha Cook Jr) is the realtor who rented Loren the house. They are all strangers to one another and unsure why they've been invited to the party.

Annabelle instantly shows herself as petulant and demanding, insisting she will not come to the party. 

Relations between husband and wife are obviously strained. But Loren insists she make an appearance, and makes his point rather handily. Pritchard is a doom-and-gloom sort of fellow, warning everyone about the murders that have taken place in this house, and the ghosts that inhabit it, helping to create an atmosphere rife with terror. Loren doesn't help allay their fears with his choice of party favors  pistols inside of small coffins.

Mild-mannered stenographer Nora is very sensitive and quick to pick up on strange things. When she and Lance explore the basement, Lance disappears and Nora sees a ghost. But no one will believe her. Again, later, when she finds a human head in her suitcase, the evidence disappears before anyone else can see it. She wants to leave but the unexpected departure of the servants, who have locked down the house in their wake, handily puts an end to that. They are all stuck there until the following morning!

Tensions begin to build as more and more eerie things happen, and Nora is just about at her breaking point. Armed and hysterical is no way to go through life, and may just lead to someone getting hurt. The question is, will it be by one of the trapped people inside the mansion, or by one of its ghostly inhabitants?

I've seen House on Haunted Hill many times and I never tire of it. Vincent Price is in his element as Frederick Loren, the millionaire with bad taste in wives. Annabelle is number Four. And yet, there is something mysterious about the deaths of the first three and the possibility that he had something to do with their deaths.  I love Vincent Price in everything he does. The film was directed by William Castle, who also brought us 13 Ghosts, both black-and-white films. Known for his gimmicks, for this film he used "Emergo" in theaters, which involved a skeleton on a wire that would swoop over the heads of the audience.

This film is still eerie and fascinating, even after all these years, and is definitely worth watching. I give it a sold 4.5 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Rose and Thorne 6 #3 (1.3)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day ! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.  

Ethan's twin sister Sarah is visiting for a few days, staying with them, along with her young son Alex. But at breakfast, Sarah drops a bombshell on her brother, and Vinnie nervously waits for the fall-out. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Rose and Thorne 6. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Rose and Thorne 6 #3 (1.3)

I had to hand it to Sarah, she didn’t look the least bit taken aback or thrown off by Ethan’s question. Not even the slightest bit embarrassed, either. I could see something of her minister father’s stubbornness in the set of her jaw, the way she held her head high.  “Not long,” she said.

“How long’s not long?” Ethan persisted.

I nibbled on a crisp slice of bacon and wondered if I should leave the room, give the siblings some privacy. I had a feeling Sarah had more to reveal and Ethan just might not like what he was about to hear. On the other hand, that was also a good reason to stay, namely to offer moral support to the man I loved. That brought me to the age-old question—should I stay or should I go? And since it’s easier to do nothing than something, I stayed.

And maybe I was just a touch curious to hear the answer, to be honest.

“We started talking about a year ago,” she finally admitted.

That’s not long?

Sarah’s cheeks began to pink, and her confidence seemed to wane slightly. She turned toward Alex and began to fuss over him. “You done eating? Oh my, such a mess. Let’s get you cleaned up, little man.”

Only then did I notice Benny hovering beside Alex’s chair. And the next moment I knew why, when the toddler let slip another scrap of food. Benny snapped it up before it hit the floor. Ever the opportunist, that Benny.

“Sarah, I don’t understand.”

Sarah swiveled toward her brother with an exasperated sigh. “What’s there not to understand, Ethan? James is Alex’s father. My son has a right to know him, doesn’t he? And maybe, just maybe, I miss him. Love him even. Love doesn’t die simply because someone makes bad choices. James wasn’t ready, I get it. But that was almost four years ago. People change.”

I was listening to Sarah’s words, but my attention was riveted on Ethan. I was afraid he might go ballistic, as odd as that sounds. My Ethan is a quiet man, a very calm man. But when a situation involves someone he loves, he can surprise me. Not now, though.  Quite the contrary. The more she spoke, the more stricken he seemed to be, and that alarmed me.

Sarah rose quietly. She pushed back Alex’s chair and lifted the child into her arms. “Time for a bath, I think. You can play with Benny after that.”

 Alex squirmed momentarily then smiled down at Benny with a knowing grin. “Puppy!” he exclaimed, wriggling his fingers in what could either be good-bye or let me have him now. Hard to tell.

Ethan scooted back his chair, which screeched as it scraped across the tiled floor. He stood and I hastily followed suit. “Have you forgotten how he abandoned you when you needed him most? The horrible things he said? The suggestions he made?”

I had no idea what those suggestions might have been but Sarah’s face turned alarmingly scarlet. What was going on here? I’d never heard such angry words exchanged between these two, who were normally closer than close.  Frankly, I didn’t like it.

“Can you honestly tell me you’re willing to forgive and forget?” Ethan continued relentlessly. “When he’s never been there for you? Not emotionally, physically, or financially? Doesn’t Alex deserve better than that?”

Sarah hitched Alex a little higher on her hip. “Down,” he insisted, but she ignored his command.

“And you think Dad has been all of these things?” she countered. “But we managed to turn out all right.”

I almost interjected with a comment about their brother Joe being an exception to that rule, but decided this wasn’t the time, even if I was right about him, so I kept quiet.

“Tell me something, Ethan,” Sarah said. I had a sudden premonition that what she was going to say wouldn’t be pretty, but I didn’t know how to stem her words, hoping and praying I was wrong and she could never say anything to harm him.

“Are you angrier on my behalf or yours?” She flung the words at him like a challenge, held Alex to her tightly, and made her exit, headed toward the guest room she was occupying.

I didn’t know what she meant, but one look at Ethan’s face told me he did, and she had just wounded him to the quick.

Shit.

 to be continued

Now see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

Virtual Book Tour: Behind the Mask by Thomas Grant Bruso

 Good morning everyone! Please welcome author Thomas Grant Bruso to Full Moon Dreaming! He is here to tell us about his new release, Behind the Mask. Thomas will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to ne randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on his tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!

 

Behind the Mask

by Thomas Grant Bruso

 

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GENRE: Horror, Mystery/Suspense, LGBT

 

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BLURB:

 

Seventeen-year-old Jesse has a babysitting gig at the Linderman’s house on Halloween. He loves watching Christie and Dylan and is thrilled to see them dressed up in cute, creative costumes. When he arrives at their house, Jesse knows it will be a fun-filled night of pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating.

 

But Jesse quickly realizes Halloween is not only about candy, pumpkins, and scary costumes. It’s known for tricks and ghoulish things and can bring out crazies. While trick-or-treating, he notices a strange person wearing a glow-in-the-dark mask watching him from the shadowy street.

 

The rest of the night turns into a cat-and-mouse game of survival. Strange things start to happen at the Linderman’s residence, setting Jesse on edge, making him apprehensive somebody might be taking the spirit of Halloween too far.

 

Will Jesse survive the things that go bump in the night, or will he become just another tall tale this Halloween?

 

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EXCERPTS:

 

I leaned my forehead against the doorframe and closed my eyes, waiting a beat. When I opened my eyes, I watched the vehicle reverse and slowly pull out into the street, braking for children running by. The headlights bounced up and down as the vehicle's wheels rolled downhill along the raised trajectory of the driveway.

 

As I watched the car drive off, its read taillights blinking as if in warning, my chest tightened like a clenched fist for some indeterminate reason, and an uncomfortable heaviness settled inside me. I let the curtain fall from my slippery fingers back into position, and I leaned against the wall to catch my breath and bearings.

 

I climbed the stairs and relieved Christie, telling Dylan he had to dry off, dress, and get into bed. He turned on his brotherly charm and debated with me about bedtime. “Your mom and dad were strict about what time you had to be in bed,” I told him.

 

“Just go to bed, Dylan,” Christie yelled from her bedroom.

 

Dylan sat on the bathroom floor, pouting and wrapped in a towel, as I drained the tub and put away his toys. “I’ll read you a story before I turn out the light,” I said.

 

“Batman, please,” he begged.

 

“Dry off and get into your pajamas.”

 

He stood and stomped out of the room.

 

“Stop being a baby!” Christie yelled from down the hall.

 

“I ain’t a baby!” Dylan shot back.

 

“I’m not a baby,” his sister corrected him.

 

I stepped out into the hall to referee their sibling mudslinging. “I can skip story time,” I said to both of them. “Is that what you want?”

 

A unison of “Nos!” shot out into the hall from their open bedroom doors, the only unanimous decision they’d made as brother and sister that night ...

 

I read to Christie, who couldn’t keep her eyes open for more than five minutes. I gave Dylan a glass of water and set it on his night table. I ran my hand through his floppy brown bangs that had been spared from the vomit, and he fell fast asleep from the steady, relaxing raking gestures of my hand in his hair.

 

As much I enjoyed story time with the kids, I couldn’t wait to delve into my quiet corner of the house with a cup of tea. I wanted to start on my homework, especially after Dylan’s stomach-churning episode.

 

I pulled the comforter up around his back and reached over to shut the lamp off. I left the Godzilla nightlight lit up across the room and cracked the door open ajar. I checked on Christie one last time before heading downstairs. I poked my head into her room to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. After I’d finished reading Dr. Seuss to her, she told me that she didn’t sleep well when her parents were not home.

 

I told her that I’d be downstairs, and if she woke up scared to come down, I’d fix her a glass of milk. She felt safer with the door wide open, she told me. I wished her goodnight and crept downstairs to the kitchen.

 

I microwaved a cup of water and brewed one of Mrs. Linderman’s decaf black tea bags for five minutes while I rummaged in my bookbag for my math homework. Before sitting at the kitchen table, I plated three chocolate chip cookies from Mrs. Linderman’s fresh-baked stash.

 

I blew on the hot tendrils of steam wafting up from the teacup and dunked a cookie. My empty stomach growled at the aromatic chocolaty smell. I looked around the silent kitchen, chewing and dipping. Peace and quiet, finally, I thought, resting my elbows on the tabletop and sitting hunched forward under the yellow globe of light from the stained-glass ceiling lamp hanging overhead, savoring the deliciously sweet dessert.

 

Without Christie and Dylan talking and nagging and carrying on about something, I felt my thoughts winding down, the wheels in my mind slackening to the speed of a snail. My heightened anxieties dwindled like the setting sun. I worked on the half dozen Algebra questions for class, showing my work on separate pages in my notebook, and struggling with a few questions when a sound from outside jerked me out of my reverie.

 

I looked up and stared down the hall leading into the living room. Shadows danced beyond the drawn lace curtain on the front door. I thought I heard footsteps on the porch steps, but it was the wind tugging on the screen door, yanking it open, and slamming it against the side of the house.

 

I thought I had locked it.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Thomas Grant Bruso knew at an early age he wanted to be a writer. He has been a voracious reader of genre fiction since he was a kid.

 

His literary inspirations are Ray Bradbury, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Ellen Hart, Jim Grimsley, Karin Fossum, Joyce Carol Oates, and John Connolly.

 

Bruso loves animals, book-reading, writing fiction, prefers Sudoku to crossword puzzles.

 

In another life, he was a freelance writer and wrote for magazines and newspapers. In college, he was a winner for the Hermon H. Doh Sonnet Competition. Now, he writes and publishes fiction, and reviews books for his hometown newspaper, The Press Republican.

 

He lives in upstate New York.

 

 Buy Links:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Mask-Thomas-Grant-Bruso-ebook/dp/B09K8RWG7D/ref=sr_1_1

 

 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/behind-the-mask-thomas-bruso/1140394427

 

 

https://www.jms-books.com/thomas-grant-bruso-c-224_236/behind-the-mask-p-4043.html

 

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: Soft Heart by Megan Slayer

 Good morning! Please give a warm welcome to Megan Slayer, who has returned to Full Moon Dreaming to tell us about her new release, Soft Heart! Megan will be awarding a prize pack featuring a necklace made by her to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!

 

Soft Heart

by Megan Slayer

 

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GENRE: Contemporary Paranormal Erotic Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

 

Can two broken souls be repaired with a lot of love and a little power from the gods?

 

Leto, the goddess of motherhood and womanly demure, wants to be anything but bashful. Working in Las Vegas in the music business has proven she can’t be coy if she has desires, but the man she loves isn’t available. What’s a goddess to do?

 

Help break a curse, that’s what.

 

Tommy has loved Leto since the day they met, but he never thought she’d want to be with him. He’s also got a girlfriend. When his girlfriend leaves him for his brother and curses him, it’s up to Leto and Tommy to admit their deepest desires—they want to be together.

 

There’s just the matter of breaking that pesky curse…

 

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EXCERPT:

 

 

Hera sighed. “I’ll need to contact Zeus to get this fixed. Keep an eye on him and I’ll get the security team to move him inside, too.” She left Leto alone with Tommy.

 

Leto spread her hand on his arm. Unlike when Hera touched him, he felt this contact. Her touch, warm and inviting, seeped into his skin. He looked into her eyes. What’s happening to me?

 

She smiled and kept her hand on him. “So, here’s the problem. You were cursed. I don’t know how it happened, but you were. I can’t fix it right now, but Hera can.” She stroked his arm. “You’re not dying, but it’s like you’re being frozen.”

 

The revelation wasn’t very comforting.

 

“Who hates you so much that they’d curse you?” Her brow crinkled. “I learned the hard way that no one should be punished this way.”

 

He wished he could tell her the truth, but without his voice, he was helpless.

 

“I’ll make sure you’re in our suite, so I can keep you company.” She yanked her fingers away. “Sorry. I shouldn’t touch you without your approval.”

 

I don’t mind. He liked the way she touched him with reverence. Like he mattered. I wish you could hear me.

 

She tipped her head, then frowned. “When I left you out here, Missy passed me. She had a guy with her. I don’t know him.”

 

Of course she didn’t. He refused to subject Leto to Duncan. He might be Tommy’s brother, but Duncan was a rotten man. Duncan couldn’t handle not being on top and Tommy couldn’t lose Leto, especially not to him.

 

“I’ll fix this,” she said. “I refuse to let you stay in the stone. Promise.”

 

When she said those things, he believed her. He trusted Leto, too. When she smiled, he saw her in a different light. She could be his salvation.

 

Right now, she was his only hope.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

 

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.

 

Find out more about Megan and Wendi at: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm

 

Sign up for the newsletter here: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj

 

Website - http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm

 

Blog - https://wendizwaduk.wordpress.com/

 

Fan Page - https://www.facebook.com/wendizwaduk.meganslayer/

 

Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Slayer/e/B008BJCFSC

 

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/megan-slayer

 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wendizwaduk/

 

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5330530.Megan_Slayer

 

Twitter  - https://twitter.com/#!/MeganSlayer

 

 

Buy links:

 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3D1h8Nn

 

Evernight: https://bit.ly/3ELskhr

 

Smashwords: https://bit.ly/3BGZ6hD

 

Nook: https://bit.ly/3EPTcNn

 

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3BLCqNr

Apple: https://apple.co/3o0kCJn

 

https://books2read.com/u/bzdlqG

 

 

 

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Book Review: Bleach, Vol 48 by Tite Kubo

 

Bleach, Vol 48       

Author: Tite Kubo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: October 2, 2012

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Supernatural/216 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Gin returns to Aizen’s side claiming to have killed Matsumoto. However, Aizen’s no fool, and he realizes Gin wants to kill him, but he just isn’t sure how he intends to do that. But why would Gin want to kill Aizen?

Ichigo has finally returned and is ready to face Aizen. Aizen is disappointed, telling Ichigo he feels no spirit energy from him. “You’ve failed to evolve. You’ve failed to take advantage of the final opportunity I gave  you.” Ichigo tells him he wants to fight him somewhere else, and while Aizen is still voicing his objections, Ichigo has overpowered him and pushed him to another place, shocking Aizen. Suddenly Aizen realizes why Ichigo has no spirit energy… he’s converted it into physical strength.

Is this truly the final battle? How much can Aizen change? Has Ichigo learned the final stage of his bankai, and at what price? And what has Kiskue to do with anything?

This is really it, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The battle of battles between Ichigo and Aizen. And let me tell you it does not disappoint, neither is it clear from the start who will emerge victorious. Naturally, we all hope it will be Ichigo, and of course it is because there still many volumes of this series left to read. Even so, if you don’t know that, it’s very exciting to watch. For the first time, I felt empathy for Gin, even though he has been nothing but a rat in previous volumes. But now all has been revealed, and I actually cried for him, and feel bad for Matsumoto. She actually helped to humanize the snake that was Gin, and when push comes to shove, Gin, we hardly knew ye.

Aizen deserved worse than he got, wonder if we’re through with him. I hope so, I’ve seen enough of him to last a life time. Now life goes on, but for Ichigo it will bring serious changes. How will he handle them? Only time will tell. Wonderful end to the Arrancar arc, looking forward to seeing what is in store for them next!

 

 

Virtual Book Tour: The Abandoned by Jake Cavanah

 Good morning everyone! Please welcome author Jake Cavanah to Full Moon Dreaming! He is here to tell us about his new release, The Abandoned. Jake will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter via the tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on his tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!

 

The Abandoned

by Jake Cavanah

 

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GENRE: Dystopian Fiction

 

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BLURB:

 

Once an uninhabited island off the California coast, the government used Morple to quarantine minorities during the sonoravirus pandemic from 2030 to 2045. At its conclusion, Morple became the country’s fifty-first state. This is where sisters Robin Karros’ and Ariana Jackson’s tragic journey began. As two of the first children officials checked into and raised in a state-run program responsible for inflicting severe abuse on Morple’s youth, they shared hardships that strengthened their bond. After a social revolution put an end to the program and freed them, Robin and Ariana went their separate ways. Now that it is 2089 and each has achieved prosperity, their paths intersect after spending the latter portion of their lives apart. Even though it goes against protocol, Ariana reestablishes a relationship with her older sister and integrates with her family. In doing so, she risks her marriage and husband’s business interests, but it causes her to realize she must make up for her life’s biggest mistake. It soon becomes apparent the fate of Robin, Ariana, and others has been more intertwined than they ever could have imagined.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

 

When he wasn’t indulging himself in a novel or soaking in his multimillion dollar vantage point, Reginald often reflected on his accomplishments and miscues. To the dismay of many, accolades riddled Reginald’s resume. He negotiated the details of historical mergers with clean energy companies that heavily impacted Morple’s economy, boosting the state’s impact on the US’ role in clean-energy initiatives across the globe. He bullied through legislation allowing the advancement of A.I. in The District to pass. He orchestrated deals involving Morple-based companies selling clean resources to states running out of them. Reginald’s fingerprints were all over Morple’s foundation. The good and the bad.

 

The years Reginald mentored Robin and Ariana were the most fulfilling of his life. Possessing that much power over two untouched girls was an incredible opportunity he felt extremely fortunate to experience. Regrettably, Reginald let it get away from him prematurely.

 

The night he let himself into the Sorens’ shitty apartment and found Robin on the couch alone he knew he had stumbled upon someone special. During their first interaction, he could feel their connection begin to take its shape, as she showcased her toys to him and explained what made each one unique. A gesture he would always remember with great fondness is when he rubbed her soft cheeks with his thumb and she smiled up at him with those jaw-dropping eyes, even so early on in her life. Robin was too young to express her thoughts, but Reginald detected their bond right off the bat. From that point on, everything he did was in an effort to earn

 

Robin’s genuine love. Reginald became more enamored with her as she continued to develop throughout the years. Her body and mind began to take shape at quite a young age, and he considered it a privilege he was the first and, what he thought at the time, the only man who will ever have her. As in love as he was with Robin, Reginald was regularly depressed at his inability to mold her into who he wanted her to be. Yes, he punished her periodically by way of sex, but he had the best of intentions. He thought if he demonstrated what followed unacceptable behavior she would no longer act in that manner. This proved to be counterproductive because her disobedience continued, and she associated them becoming one as a punishment, as opposed to immersing herself in their affliction. If it weren’t for Richard, Reginald would have likely committed suicide well before Morvo, when he realized Robin would never truly love him. A few times standing at the ledge of his property, he almost found enough courage to do it, but

he was too much of a coward to act on his true intentions. He told himself it was because he didn’t want to leave Richard without any parents, but the truth was he was too craven. Reginald’s disheartened love life took precedence over his only son’s well-being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Jake Cavanah is passionate about writing imaginative stories that include messages he wants readers to apply to their own lives, utilize to better understand others, or both. If after reading his work people find themselves more capable of seeing particular situations they encounter from another perspective, he accomplished his goal.

 

When Jake is not writing he is reading, golfing, playing tennis, cooking, or enjoying the company of his dogs Murphy and Sophie with his girlfriend Scout. Aside from becoming a full-time author, one of Jake's main aspirations is to move to Oregon and start a family.

 

Website: https://jakecavanah.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jakecavanah_author/

http://twitter.com/CavanahJake

http://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-cavanah-43546a90

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20928380.Jake_Cavanah

 

 

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