Virtual Book Tour: For You I'd Break by Hannah Jordan

 Good morning!  Please welcome author Hannah Jordan to Full Moon Dreaming today! She is here to tell us about her new release, For You I'd Break. Hannah will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour. The more you comment, the greater 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!

 

FOR YOU I'D BREAK

Hannah Jordan

 

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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

When Rowan’s two-year marriage ends with a crash, she returns home to Peace Falls, VA, riding shotgun in her sister’s 1990 Cadillac hearse. Everything about her is damaged: her heart, her pride, her bank account, and her spine—thanks to a tourist, a Segway, and finding her husband getting busy with her boss. But Rowan is determined to reclaim her career and city life as soon as she recuperates and lands a new job.

 

Caleb “Cal” Cardoso didn’t notice wallflower Rowan in high school, but the former football star, and Peace Falls’s newest physical therapist, can’t take his eyes off the stunning redhead now. Too bad he’s sworn off relationships. After his last hookup purposely tanked his online reputation, Cal stands to lose his job if a single patient leaves his care. Which is why he can’t let Rowan switch to another practitioner, despite the friction between them, and why he definitely can’t act on his growing attraction.

 

Rowan agrees to remain Cal’s patient if he helps her younger brother train for football tryouts. Though Cal hasn’t touched a football since the accident that killed his best friend, he agrees, and as Cal helps heal Rowan’s body, she begins to heal his heart.

 

For You I’d Break is a small town romance with a hefty dash of spice, a HEA ending, and a cast of memorable characters, including a goth sculptor who secretly loves to decorate cakes, a fearsome-looking felon with a heart of gold, a hothead with a sweet side, a karma-devoted barista who collects damaged pets and first dates, and a lovable dog with more emotional sense than everyone put together.

 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Just then, the second door opened and out walked Caleb Cardoso in a pair of slate gray scrubs. Years of watching him swagger down school hallways and sprint across football fields did nothing to prepare me. He’d added more muscle to his lean frame, his broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. His dark, tousled hair looked styled to suggest he’d just climbed out of bed after an all-night sexfest. His jaw was sharper, his cheek bones more chiseled. When he looked at me with those rich chocolate eyes, all the air left my lungs.

 

“Mrs. Norris,” he said, glancing at the tablet in his hands.

 

The sound of my married name lifted the lust fog from my brain. “Please call me Rowan,” I said, relieved I’d finally managed to speak in his presence.

 

He studied my face, frowned, and looked back at his tablet. “Nice to meet you,” he said, studying my face again. “I’m Cal. Take a seat on the first table.”

 

Lauren would have politely told him that we were two years apart in school. Poppy would have flipped the embarrassment of being forgotten back onto Cal with a snide comment about his observation skills. Not that anyone ever forgot Poppy. I just turned my back to him and hoped he hadn’t seen my cheeks burn. People often didn’t remember me, but it still stung, especially when it was someone I’d spent so much time fantasizing about in my teens. As I crossed the room, I could feel him behind me, watching my every movement.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Hannah Jordan grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia but wound up in South Jersey after falling in love with her complete opposite. She's got all the degrees of a "serious" fiction writer but only smiles when she's writing romance.

 

She lives with her husband and two daughters in a picturesque town outside of Philadelphia where she enjoys reading in all genres, especially the spicy ones, and confusing people with her half-Southern, half-Northern accent.

 

The first book in her Peace Falls Small Town Romance Series, For You I’d Break, launched July 17, 2024.

 

Website: https://hannahjordanauthor.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hannahjordanbooks

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hannahjordanbooks

Amazon Buy Link:   https://www.amazon.com/You-Id-Break-Second-Romance-ebook/dp/B0D5VNSHF3/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top

 

Free to read on Kindle Unlimited.

 

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 The Questions 

1)      You’re marooned on a small island with one person and one item of your choice—who is that person and what item do you have?

 

I’d want to be marooned with my husband since I’ve lived and worked with him for decades and haven’t wanted to get rid of him yet. If we’re being practical, I’d have a fully charged satellite phone. I love my man to bits, but eventually we’d both want creature comforts like air conditioning and warm showers. Not to mention, we’d miss our kids.

 

2)      Which musical would you say best exemplifies your life – and which character in that musical are you?

I feel a great affinity for Elphaba in Wicked. I’ve always been a bit of an outsider but attract outgoing extroverts who usher me through social situations. I’m also someone who sticks out physically. Everyone thinks I’m related to someone they know or a minor actor in a show they can’t name. In other words, I’m unusual looking enough to be memorable. It’s made me very self-conscious at times. I’m also very loyal, like Elphaba, and willing to stand up for my beliefs even if they aren’t the norm.

 

Many of my female heroines have quirky traits or physical attributes that make them a bit unusual. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized everyone has their weird, and the most interesting people embrace theirs.  They’re also all incredibly loyal and feisty.

3) Take these three words and give me a 100 word or less scene using them: hammer, saucer, traffic

lights

4) What is your idea of how to spend romantic time with your significant other?

We were 18 when we met and have been together our entire adult. It’s easy to get muddled in the mundane after so many years. For that reason, I love traveling with him or doing anything new. It’s exciting and always reminds me of when we first met in college, when everything was new.

5) When you start a new story, do you begin with a character, or a plot?

My work has always been character focused. I honestly struggle with plotting. Before I wrote For You I’d Break, all my publications were short-form nonfiction and literary fiction pieces. The plot in nonfiction is already there, and the plot in short stories doesn’t extend beyond ten to fifteen pages.

I love the high reader expectations for pacing in the romance genre. If there’s an expectation that the first physical contact happens at a certain point in the story, it helps me develop the plot to that point. But before I even start plotting, I build the characters in my mind until they feel like real people. This helps me decide how they would act at each point in the story.

7) Who’s your favorite horror villain and why?

I’m too chicken to watch horror films. I have vivid dreams, so I’m very mindful of what I watch and read. I’m much rather dream about a book boyfriend than a sadistic clown.

9) Is there a story that you’d like to tell but you think the world isn’t ready to receive it?

It’s usually the opposite. I’ll have a story that would resonate with others, but I’m not ready to share it. I write my best work though when I write the painful stuff. This actually happened when I was writing the second book in the Peace Fall series, For You I’d Mend. The Peace Falls trilogy centers on three men who lived through a horrific car accident when they were teenagers that claimed the life of their friend. For You I’d Mend was the hardest to write, not because I didn’t love the characters or their story, but because it often brought up my own feelings of loss. As a nonfiction writer, I use words to work through my emotions all the time. I didn’t anticipate doing the same in a romance novel. I contemplated omitting parts of the story because they cut too close and too deep. I’m still worried they might trigger grief in others. Ultimately, I left them because those sections of the novel are the most meaningful to me as a writer. And, perhaps, will be to readers. 

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Saturday is Horror Day #185 - The Stepfather(1987)

 The Stepfather(1987)

Jerry Blake (Terry O'Quinn) has only one desire in love - to have a loving family. And when things don't work out for him, well, there's always plan B.

Jerry leaves his old family (in bloody pieces) and heads to a new town, new life... and a new wife. Susan 

(Shelley Hack) is a recent widow, still grieving the loss of her husband, along with her teenage daughter Stephanie (Jill Schoelen). When Jerry arrives, he sweeps her off her feet and they are married within a year. Stephanie is not very happy about this. She misses her father and she doesn't trust Jerry, but she tries, for her mother's sake. Jerry tries to. He brings her an adorable puppy. But he is still very controlling and demanding and, despite the puppy, Stephanie is not comfortable with him.

The murder of Jerry's previous family went unsolved, and the trail has gone cold. But one man won't give up. Jim Ogilvie (Stephen Shellen) is the brother of Jerry's previous wife and he is determined to find his brother-in-law, convinced he is responsible. But where to look? As the pieces fall into place and Jerry's new life begins to unravel once again, he begins to make a new life for himself, and seeks a new prospective wife. But first, he has to rid himself of the old family....

This film is loosely based on actual story - the John List murders. John List murdered his wife, children, and mother, left them in the house and fled, gaining a month's head start on the authorities. He eluded capture for 18 years. Terry O'Quinn is chilling as the man who needs a family so badly that if they don't get it right, he'll just eliminate them and move on.  He is definitely the best part of this cast. The mother is a little needy, but maybe we should cut her some slack as she is a recent widow. The teenager is just trying to live her life and she is very well aware that Jerry is not her father, although he tries to be.

The brother looking for his sister was a little too much for me, in that he was over the top and irrational and often acted like a man man. That being said, Terry O'Quinn makes the movie and does it in a very creepy way. He is worth the price of admission all on his own. I'll give this film 4 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #28(6.5)

 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.

Andrei has business nearby so Avram and Dracula stay on the boat. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #28(6.5)

“Are you sure you’ve rested enough?” Avram shot Dracula a concerned glance once his heart had returned to a more sedate pace. Sometimes he acted like a mother hen, he knew. Which was foolish when the chick in question was a vampire well over a hundred years old. And yet Avram worried about his employer/guardian. He knew Nico had his weaknesses as well as his strengths. He only prayed that others did not discover the former or fall prey to the latter.

“I am fine,” Nico assured him, his gaze wandering about the boat, as if searching for something. “Where is your friend? Why have we stopped here?” His brow furrowed. Avram wasn’t sure if he was more displeased or puzzled.

 “He had some business nearby. You are hungry?” Avram held out the bread and cheese he’d saved from earlier.

The vampire’s look of disinterest told Avram all he needed to know. He shrugged and set the food aside. “Maybe later.’ But somehow he doubted that time would come.

“And so we just sit here and wait?” Dracula leaned over the side of the boat, staring into the water intently..

“Yes, we sit here and wait. Unless you have a better idea? Perhaps we should swim to Vienna?” Avram brushed the remnants of his breakfast into one hand and set it on the rail for some passing bird to find. He dipped his hands, one at a time, into the clear water to rinse them, almost touching a passing carp. Shaking his hands, he swiveled toward Nico, awaiting some undoubtedly stinging and witty repartee. But the vampire was unaccustomedly silent.

“You can swim, yes?” Avram asked. Funny, he’d never considered the question before, the subject never having arisen. But to be fair, this was their first time fleeing over water. Hopefully the last.

“I can swim, no.”

Avram suppressed an internal groan as he realized what it was Nico was doing. Namely staring into his own reflection in the moving waters of the river.

Vanity, thy name is Dracula.

“Would you like to learn?” He bit back any commentary on the vampire’s preoccupation with himself, opting for something a little less caustic. “Or is it because… I mean…” He was trying to be delicate, but he had no idea if swimming was something vampires were inherently unable to do due to their nature, or if this was a lack of training. Or perhaps a lack of interest. Strange to live so long in a village situated beside a river, such as Bistritza was, and not learn to swim. But then he suddenly remembered that he had learned how thanks to Gunther’s family, not Dracula.

“No,” the vampire responded curtly. Avram decided to let the matter drop.

Several minutes passed in a silence that Avram would not have described as companionable. He couldn’t tell if Nico was grumpy, annoyed, angry, or simply had nothing to say.

“Do you need to…” Again with the delicacy. Why couldn’t he just come out and ask the man if he needed blood. Not a difficult question. So why the reluctance to speak the words? Perhaps because in a space as open as this, as opposed to being inside the castle, they could never be sure of not being overheard. And Avram was nothing if not cautious.

 to be continued

Now go see what's  up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

 

Virtual Book Tour: The Scheme by Amethyst Drake

 Good morning, everyone! Please welcome author Amethyst Drake to Full Moon Dreaming! She is here to tell us about her new release, The Scheme. Amethyst will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC and a signed copy of her book to one commenter, a $10 Amazon GC and a signed book to a second commenter, and a signed book to a third 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!

 

THE SCHEME

Amethyst Drake

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GENRE:  Mystery

 

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BLURB:

 

Katherine Carson, a former intelligence operative turned private detective, has never been in it for the money. But when a desperate CEO offers double her usual fee to find his missing daughter, she can't refuse.

 

Set in Baltimore, 2009, what begins as a simple missing person inquiry transforms into a complex case of espionage, financial crime, and deep-seated grudges. For Katherine, this case strikes a personal chord, stirring up haunting memories from her own past. As unexpected connections emerge, she must confront her unresolved guilt.

 

Can Katherine and her team of private detectives solve the case before it's too late, or will the turmoil of her past consume her?

 

 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Lee reached up and felt the top of the door frame. “No key. I guess Ames forgot to leave it.”

 

“He has his own key. He just said Olivia keeps it up there.” Katherine bent down to flip back the welcome mat. Still no key. She sighed. “Should we see if the manager has a spare?”

 

“The manager isn’t on site.” Lee slouched against the wall. “If only we knew someone who could pick a lock.”

 

Katherine rolled her eyes, but smiled in spite of herself. “Breaking and entering could lose me my license.” Lee and Jake liked to tease her about some of her skills, although they always stopped short of mentioning the Espionage Services Agency.

 

“Sure, sure. But we do have permission to enter. And we’d have to drive to Wilmington to get another key from Mr. Ames..." Lee let his voice trail off and studied his fingernails.

 

Katherine chuckled and pulled out her pocket knife. “You know I don’t carry picks anymore.” She opened the knife and carefully slid the high carbon stainless steel blade between the door and the striker plate. Finding the latch, she pushed it out of the door jam and opened the door.

 

“Don't tell Sammi.”

 

“Never.” A huge grin spread over Lee’s face.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Amethyst Drake is a passionate storyteller. She excels at crafting delightful characters and enjoys developing com-plex relationships among them. Mystery has always been her favorite genre to read, making it a natural choice for her writing. She aims to blend her personal experience with mental health and the moral complexities of intricate interpersonal relationships into engaging novels.

 

Amethyst loves reading all kinds of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers and enjoys watching classic detective and espionage dramas like "Murder, She Wrote," "Perry Mason," and "Mission: Impossible."

 

She also loves hearing from readers! Connect by signing up for her newsletter at amethystdrake.com or email amethyst@agswordsmiths.com

 

Links

Author Website https://amethystdrake.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amethystdrake.author

Amazon https://amzn.to/3M5lmJO

Barnes and Noble https://bit.ly/3Z3VsOv

 

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Q&A with Author Amethyst Drake

 

Q: Which musical would you say best exemplifies your life – and which character in that musical are you?

A: Ooo! I love this question. I love musicals! I think I would choose the classic Irving Berlin movie musical White Christmas. And I would be the general who becomes an innkeeper. General Tom Waverly is not the main character of the musical, but he is essential to the story because the main characters are focused on cheering him up and helping him. Gen. Waverly has a perfectly fine life, but sometimes he feels unappreciated and lonely. He longs to have an impact on the world, but challenges block him from doing so. In his darkest hour, his friends and family rally around him to remind him of his true value and show their appreciation and love for him. I have had many times in my life when I have felt alone or discouraged. But my friends and family always build me up and encourage me not to give up. (It also happens to be my favorite musical.)

Q: Take these three words and give me a 100 word or less scene using them: hammer, saucer, traffic lights

A: Josh set a saucer of treats on the porch for his cat. He grabbed his hammer to make some repairs to the loose porch railing. He was proud of his historical craftsman. He stroked his cat as she licked the bottom of the saucer.

Suddenly, a car horn blared. Josh looked out toward the traffic lights. The traffic light was out! Josh scooped up his cat and took her inside. His hammer and repairs would have to wait.

Q: When you start a new story, do you begin with a character, or a plot?

A: I usually start with the plot, deciding what is going to happen in the story. But my thoughts quickly shift to how these events are going to affect my characters. Since I’m writing a series, my main characters are already established. So I don’t have to worry too much about developing them from scratch, just how the plot is going to play into their character arc.

Q: What is your idea of how to spend romantic time with your significant other?

A: My favorite date with my husband is going to Derby Dinner Playhouse in southern Indiana. We enjoy talking and eating dinner before the show, and the show is always fantastic. Any kind of live entertainment is fun. We enjoy interacting during the performance and talking about it during intermissions. Derby Dinner has a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere and it is on the top of my list of romantic dates.

Q: Do you have an historical crush and if so, who is it?

A: I can’t say I’ve really had a crush on a historical figure, but then I’ve never really thought about it before! I would probably choose a writer or poet. Someone who conveys deep emotion and meaning though their words like Shakespeare, Lord Byron, or Robert Frost. On the other hand, I am deeply moved by the art of Claude Monet, Rembrandt, and Da Vinci. So maybe I would choose an artist as my historical crush.

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Saturday is Horror Day #184 - It Follows

 It Follows

Jay (Maike Monroe) is 19 years old and life is just beginning - college, boys, weekend parties... But after having sex with her boyfriend, she learns she has become part of something she can't change - she is being stalked by a supernatural entity, and the only way to get rid of it is to have sex with someone else so the thing shifts it focus to the other person. Is there any way to break this curse?

I have seen some good reviews for this film, but this isn't going to be one. I'll be honest, I found it boring. 

And pretentious. Not in the least scary. Other reviews have praised it for its lack of gore, and its slow build-up. I still say boring. Not much of a plot. Acting so-so. Writing so-so. Apparently it was a childhood nightmare of the director/writer that started this. If only he'd kept it to himself.

I thought the premise was pretty shitty if you have to trick someone into having sex with you just to rid yourself of this entity that is following you. There is no real explanation of who or what this entity is, why it does what it does, and no clear resolution. I hear there is to be a sequel. I doubt I'll bother to watch it unless I see some indication that it's better. But even so, since people like this one, I'll be suspicious. I'll give this film 2 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #28(6.5)

  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.

Andrei has business nearby so Avram and Dracula stay on the boat. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #28(6.5)

“Are you sure you’ve rested enough?” Avram shot Dracula a concerned glance once his heart had returned to a more sedate pace. Sometimes he acted like a mother hen, he knew. Which was foolish when the chick in question was a vampire well over a hundred years old. And yet Avram worried about his employer/guardian. He knew Nico had his weaknesses as well as his strengths. He only prayed that others did not discover the former or fall prey to the latter.

“I am fine,” Nico assured him, his gaze wandering about the boat, as if searching for something. “Where is your friend? Why have we stopped here?” His brow furrowed. Avram wasn’t sure if he was more displeased or puzzled.

 “He had some business nearby. You are hungry?” Avram held out the bread and cheese he’d saved from earlier.

The vampire’s look of disinterest told Avram all he needed to know. He shrugged and set the food aside. “Maybe later.’ But somehow he doubted that time would come.

“And so we just sit here and wait?” Dracula leaned over the side of the boat, staring into the water intently..

“Yes, we sit here and wait. Unless you have a better idea? Perhaps we should swim to Vienna?” Avram brushed the remnants of his breakfast into one hand and set it on the rail for some passing bird to find. He dipped his hands, one at a time, into the clear water to rinse them, almost touching a passing carp. Shaking his hands, he swiveled toward Nico, awaiting some undoubtedly stinging and witty repartee. But the vampire was unaccustomedly silent.

“You can swim, yes?” Avram asked. Funny, he’d never considered the question before, the subject never having arisen. But to be fair, this was their first time fleeing over water. Hopefully the last.

“I can swim, no.”

Avram suppressed an internal groan as he realized what it was Nico was doing. Namely staring into his own reflection in the moving waters of the river.

Vanity, thy name is Dracula.

“Would you like to learn?” He bit back any commentary on the vampire’s preoccupation with himself, opting for something a little less caustic. “Or is it because… I mean…” He was trying to be delicate, but he had no idea if swimming was something vampires were inherently unable to do due to their nature, or if this was a lack of training. Or perhaps a lack of interest. Strange to live so long in a village situated beside a river, such as Bistritza was, and not learn to swim. But then he suddenly remembered that he had learned how thanks to Gunther’s family, not Dracula.

“No,” the vampire responded curtly. Avram decided to let the matter drop.

Several minutes passed in a silence that Avram would not have described as companionable. He couldn’t tell if Nico was grumpy, annoyed, angry, or simply had nothing to say.

“Do you need to…” Again with the delicacy. Why couldn’t he just come out and ask the man if he needed blood. Not a difficult question. So why the reluctance to speak the words? Perhaps because in a space as open as this, as opposed to being inside the castle, they could never be sure of not being overheard. And Avram was nothing if not cautious.

 to be continued

Now go see what's  up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

 

Book Review: One Piece, Vol 17: Hiriluk's Cherry Blossoms by Eiichiro Oda

 

One Piece, Vol 17: Hiriluk’s Cherry Blossoms     

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: March 4, 2008

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Action Adventure/216 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

King Wapol, the ne’er-do-well, pretend pirate has returned to Drum Island and intends to retake his throne, and especially his castle. He is very angry that Doctor Kureha has moved in behind his back. Not only that, there is a pirate flag, symbol of the late Doctor Hiriluk, flying there. That has got to change. Luckily, Luffy has no intention of allowing this idiot to besmirch the banner, and neither does the reindeer Tony Tony Chopper, who has some very amazing abilities of his own! Unfortunately, Wapol is not without his own secrets. Turns out, he ate some devil fruit too – the munch munch fruit – and he can eat anything!

Below, in the village, it turns out that Dalton is not dead, just injured, and Usopp offers to carry him up the mountain to the castle, to seek the doctor’s help. But to Usopp’s dismay, Zolo grabs Dalton and heads toward the mountain. Usopp has no choice but to follow, angrily, as he shouts, “I was about to get serious!” Luckily, before they get too far, another mode of transportation becomes available! Onward they go!

Nami decides that three days in bed is long enough, so she gets up, only to encounter King Wapol, who has entered the castle. She flees from him, and he is too fat to follow. But he has a very unique cure for that which involves eating himself. Suddenly, he’s a whole lot thinner than he was!

Once the situation on Drum Island is resolved, it’s time to head toward Alabasta, to save Princess Vivi’s kingdom!  Little are they aware that someone else is on their way, none other than the top member of Baroque Works, Sir Crocodile!

I think the biggest take-away from this volume of One Piece is the growth of and addition to the crew of Tony Tony Chopper. The reindeer man learns to open himself to others, particularly Luffy and his crew, and he comes to realize that there is a whole other world waiting to be explored, places where he can use his medical talents. And that he is worthy of having friends! I think he will make a fine addition to the story and look forward to seeing more of them. Another great volume of One Piece!

 

Saturday is Horror Day #183 - Megan is Missing

 Megan is Missing

Megan(Rachel Quinn) and Amy(Amber Perkins) are best friends. Megan's other friends don't understand what she sees in Amy, and they are very harsh toward her. They won't want Megan to invite Amy to any of their parties, but Megan insists. Megan likes boys, where Amy is rather shy around them. Megan likes to chat with them online, and she has an ongoing chat with one she really likes, Josh (Dean Waite). They video chat, but she hasn't seen his face, because his camera is broken. But he does send her a picture of himself and she thinks he is cute, so she agrees to meet up with him.

Megan is never seen again.

Two weeks later, Amy goes missing.

Megan is Missing is a cautionary tale that all young people should watch about the dangers of talking to strangers on the Internet. And how much of a bad idea it is to meet up with one in a not public place. This was hard to watch, because what happened was so brutal, and I couldn't help but think of my own kids, who luckily are older and wiser than that. But Megan, like most teens, thought she was invincible and nothing could harm her. Both she and Amy ignored the biggest red flag of all - the broken camera. He even lied about how it happened, offering two different stories - another red flag. They should have done a reverse search on the photo he sent Megan to see if it came off the Internet somewhere. And Megan should never have agreed to meet him behind a store, where it was poorly lit and out of view of anyone else.

I thought the movie was well done, and the girls who played Megan and Amy did a good job. The true horror lies in the last twenty or so minutes, and I warn you, it's hard to watch. But I'm sure there are other predators out there like this one, so it's an important lesson to pass along. I'll give this film 4 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #27(6.4)

 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.

After a hard night's work, Dracula sleeps while Andrei and Avram converse. See what's happening in this chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #27(6.4)

“Someday I’ll be married, I suppose. My brothers too.” Andrei didn’t sound overly excited at the prospect, more resigned to its inevitability. What society expected, even in such a small place as Bistritz. “Still, it would be nice to know some of those ladies,” he added wistfully.

“Some of them are nice,” Avram admitted. To be honest, his acquaintance with the ladies who frequented the seamier sides of Vienna was limited and was usually on Nico’s behalf, never his own. Not in a sexual way, either. But occasionally, his needs weren’t easily met by other methods, and there were women who didn’t mind being paid for their blood. Avram let them believe his employer was a bit eccentric but harmless, and Dracula always blurred their minds so that their time together was a fond memory. He never harmed them or took more than he needed. He never availed himself of their services, but sometimes, while he waited for Nico, Avram found himself in conversation with other young ladies of the same ilk, a not unpleasant experience.

Thoughts of Nico led him to wonder when he should wake him. Or should he let sleeping vampires lie?

While debating the matter with himself, Avram was surprised to notice that Andrei had lowered the sail and was poling the boat toward a wooded area on the north side of the river. Once he maneuvered the vessel into position near a huge Hungarian oak near the water’s edge, he dropped the anchor. “I have to make a stop, Avram, I won’t be long.”

Avram understood immediately. Andrei had more business to conduct. Not surprising that he should have arrangements with other villages along his route toward the Danube. So far, they had not crossed paths with anyone else on the river. This place seemed secure enough, and he was sure the smuggler would return soon. They were far enough from Bistritz now that he didn’t believe anyone had followed them.

He watched Andrei until his figure disappeared among the many trees that sheltered them from view, hiding whatever homes might be nearby, if any. These oaks were so magnificent, he couldn’t help but admire them. Many such trees were to be found in the area around Bistritz. He and Gunther had spent many pleasant hours as boys beneath their shade, talking or reading. Sharing a meal, or flasks of ale, whenever they could acquire them. Sometimes evading Nico, when Avram was less than inclined to study, which was often enough. He had to chuckle, remembering how much of a pain in his guardian’s tuchus he must have been in his youth. Ah well, that was a long time ago. Those days were well behind him now.  He yawned and turned his gaze away from the shore then almost jumped in fright to discover Nico standing there.

“Oy vey, Nico! Do I need to bell you? Or do you just want to give me a heart attack?”

The vampire chuckled in amusement. “Be grateful I wasn’t an enemy with foul intent. You’d be dead by now for all the attention you’re paying to your surroundings.”

To his chagrin, Avram couldn’t argue with that, much as he would have liked to. He did need to be more aware of his surroundings. This was no pleasure cruise they were taking.

“You’re right. I’ll be more careful in future.”

to be continued

Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

Saturday is Horror Day #182 - The Deliverance

The Deliverance

 

Ebony (Andra Day) is having a hard time with life. Her husband is off in Iraq and she isn't sure when or if he's coming home. She is doing her best with her three kids, Andre(Anthony B. Jenkins), Nate(Caleb McLaughlin) and Shante (Demi Singleton), but that hasn't been easy. Ebony has had substance issues and she always seems to be just one step ahead of CPS trying to take her kids away. On top of that, she has her mother Alberta (Glenn Close) who is suffering from cancer and goes for regular treatments. Alberta has the men chasing after her, despite her age, and she is both sassy and outspoken.

The family has moved three times in the last year, due to circumstances, and she is hoping this time they'll be able to stay longer, put down roots, and provide greater stability for her kids. But strange things have begun to happen. Dre is talking to himself, although when pressed he says it's his friend Tre - the boy who lives in a hole in the basement. All three kids are acting up in school in horrifying ways, although they've never been behavioral problems before, and Ebony is at her wits' end trying to figure out what is wrong with them and is there some kind of evil presence in their home that is causing this?

My first problem with this film is that I could never muster up enough sympathy to care about the characters, not any of them. I didn't feel any emotion through the film, just one level throughout. Maybe the pacing could have been better. Or maybe the script. I have to ask what the hell was up with Glenn Close? At first, I thought she was meant to be playing a black woman, but that wasn't the case. And why she was a man magnet is beyond me. The plot seemed full of holes, including the one in the basement. And the explanation concerning Lucifer and the fallen angels that became demons and now one of them is in the children was totally simplistic and rushed. It felt like they didn't have any better idea than some generic demon. Why that house? I know it's based on a true story that took place in Hammond Indiana. I also know the family involved has been trying to milk what happened and that perhaps things were not quite the way they told it.

I was not scared and I was not impressed. I expected so much more based on what people were saying on Reddit. One person even suggested Glenn Close deserves an Oscar nod for her performance. I totally disagree.  On the whole, it was okay, worth one watch but I wouldn't do it again.  I'll give this film 3 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #26(6.3)

 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.

Avram enjoys a brief respite, conversing with Andrei while Dracula is at rest below. See what is happening in this week's chapter of Dracula! Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #26(6.3)

“So you are traveling to Vienna?” Andrei asked between hearty bites of bread and cheese. He offered a hunk of the cheese to Avram as well, who accepted it, appreciating its salty flavor.

“We are,” Avram replied cautiously. He had no reason to think the smuggler would betray their whereabouts. Not like he wasn’t aware of their destination anyway. He knew what the next leg of their journey was and where his cousin would conveying them from there.  But Avram was concerned that the man not possess any information that could potentially bring him trouble. Maybe he was just being paranoid, but better he should err on the side of caution than see an innocent person be hurt.  Truth be told, he didn’t believe the villagers would even have the desire to track them down, much less the extra resources. Why would they bother? Out of sight, out of mind. Life would go on as usual for all concerned. Not like he and Nico hadn’t left the village on its own before in order to travel. The difference this time was the circumstances under which they were leaving. Normally they would be scrounging for funds that would enable the nobleman to continue his entitled lifestyle. This was that, but also the need to distance themselves from the unfortunate situation and any possible repercussions. The death of the blacksmith and his poor wife would be the topic of gossip and speculation for some time to come, no doubt.  By the time they returned, hopefully not so much. The greatest uncertainty in the whole affair lay in not knowing how long this self-imposed exile would last. He was trying not to think about that.

“What is Vienna like? I have never been there myself. From what my cousin says, there are many interesting things to see there.”

That was probably true… if you had money. And weren’t Jewish. Antisemitism was far from dead in the Habsburg empire, and Vienna was no exception. Although there did seem to be some relief on the horizon, as more enlightened thinkers published their philosophies. Writers such as Voltaire and Locke, Hobbes and Mary Wollstonecraft, among others. He owned a few volumes of their works… or, rather Nico did, although Avram was sure he never read them and only purchased them to please Avram. Ironically, while Voltaire advocated freedom of religion, and rejected the notion of the Jews as “Christ killers’, he was also antisemitic in that he hated Jews for what he considered to be their innate, degraded character. As Avram explained to Nico, he read Voltaire, despite that, because he preferred to see all sides of an argument, and not make judgments without obtaining sufficient information to do so.

“To be honest, we don’t go out much. We stay with some people Dracula knows, and our time is taken with them.” That was technically true, although far from telling the entire story.

“He’s told me there are many pretty ladies there. Ladies who will… well, you know… allow you liberties.”

Avram could have sworn Andrei was blushing. He and his brothers were still young, and lived together, which made it easier to run their smuggling operations.

“I’ve heard that too,” Avram agreed. Actually, he’d a number of those ladies where they were going. They were called courtesans.

A rose by any other name…

 to be continued

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

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

Book Review: The Way of the Househusband, Vol 12 by Kousuke Oono

 

The Way of the Househusband, Vol 12       

Author: Kousuke Oono

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: August 20, 2024

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Comedy/168 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

When another baseball shatters a window in the Boss’ home, he becomes fed up and determined to do something about it. So he sends for the troops, his purpose to go to war. Tatsu and the others arrive on the field to face their opponents – a baseball team of youngsters, who promise to “crush them inta dust.”  Can age hold its own in the face of youth?

Masa decides he wants to be a YouTube content creator and hopes to grow it to be his main source of income, as he explains to Tatsu. Tatsu notices that Masa’s view counts are rather sad, though. As Tatsu is visiting and relaxing with Masa, Masa suddenly starts filming for his channel, and announces he has his first guest – none other than Tatsu, who is taken by surprise. Masa’s intent is to review convenience food items, but maybe Tatsu wasn’t his best choice?

Tora is annoyed to find new competition for his crepe cart in the form of a nearby oden cart. He and Tatsu come down a little hard on the owner of the cart, especially considering the poor guy hasn’t even had a customer yet and isn’t doing very well. So Tatsu and Tora decide to help the newcomer out by critiquing his food.

A group of parents and kids, including Tatsu, are attending a traffic safety class being given by Officer Masaki and the police department mascot, a monkey named Fuzz. Masaki demonstrates safety by putting Fuzz into dangerous situations so he can explain what to do if that happens, but Tatsu is having none of it, and butts heads with Masaki, concerned over the mascot’s own safety.

It’s Halloween, and Tatsu is determined to show the kids the ins and outs of trick or treating!

While taking tea with some of the women from the committee, Tatsu reveals that a Starbox Coffee has opened in their town! They decide they need to check this out and hurry over there, only to be met by a rival gang with the same idea. The leader and Tatsu get into a contest to see who can outdo the other with their orders.

Tatsu and Masa are on a mission to thoroughly clean Tatsu’s apartment. But when Masa mistakenly tries to burn one of Miku’s Policure figurines, she decides to bring in an expert to show them how it’s done.

Miku invites Tora’s sister, Koharu, to go with her to buy a Valentine’s present for Tatsu. Koharu buys a chocolate making kit and Miku decides to help her so they can both give chocolates. Miku has a unique style, perhaps influenced by Tatsu, and she turns the experience into a game of Russian roulette for Tatsu and Tora, who are less than thrilled at spending time together.

Another great volume of The Way of the Househusband. Tatsu is always up to something and it’s invariably entertaining. By now, everyone has become a familiar character and I look forward to seeing them all and what they are up to. I never get bored, and I look forward to the next volume, which I have already pre-ordered.