Wednesday Briefs: Super Trooper #46 (11.1)

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.

Following the unexpected death of Chan's parents, decisions have had to be made, including where they will all live, now that they are to become on big family. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Super Troopers. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow  my tale! Enjoy!

Super Trooper #46 (11.1)

True to his word, Chan kept Laksha and Kamal out of school for two days. But he did make sure they received their homework assignments, and apprised the school that he was their guardian now. The lady he spoke to in the office was very nice and very sympathetic, and told him she would let their teachers know. He gave her his contact information, and Evan’s as well. Better safe than sorry.

Mandy wasn’t available to babysit Madhu full time, Chan learned to his chagrin. But luckily, she told him her mother Denise was. Chan didn’t want to impose on her, and told Mandy he would find someone. But mere minutes after he hung up, a knock came at the door and there was Denise. She was in her early forties, with red and blue highlights in her brunette hair, and a wide smile. She assured him that she would be happy to watch Madhu, and the other two when they got out of school, and not to worry about anything. Turned out she had actually watched the kids before when Mandy couldn’t, and they all knew and liked her. Chan relented and accepted her offer. One less worry off his mind.

“She seemed nice,” Evan commented once they’d seen her to the door, having settled on various details to everyone’s satisfaction.

“She does,” Chan admitted. “And she doesn’t mind coming here, which is good. That way, she’s home when Laksha and Kamal get out of school.” He’d been worried about that too, not wanting them to come home to an empty house. Now they wouldn’t have to.

Even contacted the apartment manager, who told him she might have someone willing to sublet for the remainder of his lease, she’d let him know. Meanwhile, they had to decide what to keep and what to get rid of. They took the children to the apartment so they could be a part of the decision-making. Chan wanted them to feel comfortable with the choices they made, not feel as if they had no voice in anything.

They’d seen everything before, when visiting their brother. But this was different. Now they were to decide what was going into their home. Chan couldn’t help but feel nervous as Laksha and Kamal took inventory of what was essentially Evan’s furniture. He wasn’t sure what they might be thinking.

“Here, sit on the couch,” he beckoned to Kamal, patting it in what he hoped was an inviting manner.

Kamal sat on the very edge, looking as if he was ready to fly up at any moment.

“What do you think?” Evan asked from Chan’s other side.

The boy shrugged. “I guess it’s nice,” he said. “I like ours better.”

And that’s how he answered every question put to him. Laksha was more polite, but Chan could see that she too preferred what they had to what was in Evan’s apartment.

“I have an idea,” Evan said. He took Chan’s hand in his squeezed it.

Chan was trying not to convey his disappointment. He wished to please Evan too, and he didn’t want to hurt his lover’s feelings by rejecting everything he owned. The children had even turned up their noses at Evan’s lovely bedroom set. He couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated, but then admonished himself for having such uncharitable feelings.

“This is only stuff,” he said. “Your parents house is filled with loving memories. Maybe I can leave it for the next tenant, at least some of it?”

Chan’s heart expanded at Evan’s generosity. He must understand how much the children were clinging to what they knew. They’d been through so much already, how could he tear their familiar surroundings from them? He was relieved to hear Evan echo his thoughts.

“Thank you,” he said, then leaned over and kissed him softly. The beautiful smile he received in turn more than made everything worthwhile.

 to be continued

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

Cia Nordwell

J Alan Veerkamp

Carol Pedroso

 

 

 

Book Review: How to Catch a Queen: Runaway Royals #1 by Alyssa Cole

 

How to Catch a Queen: Runaway Royals #1    

Authors: Alyssa Cole

Publisher: Avon

American release date: December 1, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Kindle/Multicultural Romance/384 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Shanti has wanted to be a queen for all of her life. That has been her goal, and to attain that end she has worked very hard, enlisting the aid of her parents in the realization of her dream, and registering with the matchmaking site RoyalMatch.com. But the road she has chosen to travel is not an easy one, and many have scoffed at her for their perceptions of what they consider a foolish fantasy. But Shanti is nothing if not stubborn, and refuses to allow herself to be derailed from her journey. Her reasons for wanting to become a queen are clear to her, even if not to everyone else—she wants to make a difference, to be a force for good, to wield royal power in a helpful way. Her desires have nothing to do with money or glory… or even a king.

Prince Sanyu is the heir to the throne of the kingdom of Nyaza. His father, Sanyu I, helped to reinstate the monarchy after driving out the Liechtienbourger colonizers, with the aid of his chief adviser and closest friend, Musoke. But that was a long time ago, and things are not going well. The king and his adviser have proven resistant to change, keeping their country mired in the traditions of the past, and refusing to entertain ideas concerning progress, or alliances with other countries. The trouble is that the king is dying, and soon Sanyu will sit upon the throne, and the very thought terrifies him. But even more troubling is that they have decided he needs to marry first. Marriages in Nyaza are different than in other places. Each time the king marries, there is a four month trial period, during which it is decided whether his wife is the True Queen or not. If not, then at the end of the trial period, she leaves and the process begins again. Sanyu has lost count of how many queens have come and gone, including his own mother, of whom he has no memories. And now they have chosen a wife for him from an online site? How can that end well?

Shanti is excited to have been chosen as the wife of the prince of Nyaza, even though relations between Nyaza and her home of Thesolo aren’t necessarily the best. She is determined to be the best queen ever. What does it matter that once she meets Sanyu, despite his less than warm attitude, she finds him desirable? That is immaterial. And it quickly becomes problematic, as he makes no move to get to know her. Shanti quickly learns there is a reason why there have been so many queens, and no True Queen. She is practically invisible inside her own home, unseen and unheard. How can she make a difference when no one listens to her? Maybe if she can put her finger on the pulse of the people… When she discovers the group Nyaza Rise Up, she rejoices to be able to offer them some of her great organizational and research skills. But is she secretly plotting with people to wish to harm her kingdom? How can that possibly endear her to her husband… or is that a lost cause anyway?

How to Catch a Queen is the first book in Alyssa Cole’s Runaway Royals series. It’s also related to the Reluctant Royals series, so look for some familiar characters. I have to admit that I loved this book from the start and devoured it in record time. Shanti is an amazing woman, strong, beautiful, intelligent, and with a mind and will of her own. What’s not to like? Sanyu had to grow on me because he appeared to be so weak and there were times I just wanted to shake him. But the nice thing about Alyssa Cole is that she makes her characters real. Even good people have weaknesses and faults, and those perceived as bad aren’t necessarily bad but misguided and simply human.

After Shanti, I loved Kenyatta, her guardswoman, who is strong and brave and not afraid to put a man in his place, even if he is a king. I hope she gets her own love story someday. I loved seeing some of the people I grew to love from the first series, especially Prince Johann, who has a special place in my heart.

This is a romance, without a doubt, but it’s also about friendship and family, and about standing up for what is right, and wielding the power you have to help those in your community, as well as the rest of the world. Everything just resonated with me. And I confess that no one makes me cry quite like Alyssa Cole does, tears of happiness and joy, and the satisfaction of having finished an extraordinarily good read.

Is anyone surprised that I’ve pre-ordered the second book in the series, which comes out next May? Once you read this one, I know you will too.

 

 

Book Review: Mexican Gothic by SIlvia Moreno-Garcia

Mexican Gothic       

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Publisher: Del Rey

American release date:  June 30, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/Gothic/Historical Fantasy/320 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Noemi is a pretty girl who likes to party and to socialize, happy to show off her extensive wardrobe of beautiful clothes. She’s attracted many suitors, but isn’t serious about any of them, including her latest, Hugo Duarte. She’s as fickle with her studies, having changed majors a few times, unsure what she wants to do. But when her father requests that she check on her recently wed cousin, Catalina, after receiving a disturbing letter from her, she reluctantly agrees to go. Catalina’s marriage was both shockingly sudden and secretive, and no one has even met the groom, Virgil Doyle. And now Catalina appears to be in distress, so what else can Noemi do?

Noemi travels by train to the home of her cousin and her new family. Known as High Place, it’s in a remote location, far from Mexico City. The house is huge, and at one time perhaps elegant, but now it is dark and forbidding and decaying. Besides Catalina and her husband, the other residents of the house are Virgil’s father, Howard Doyle, and Virgil’s aunt, Florence and her son, Francis.

Florence is buttoned-up and strict, and doesn’t hesitate to spell out the rules to Noemi, many of which seem ridiculous. No hot baths, only cold? No smoking? No using the car or leaving the house without permission or alone? Limited access to Catalina, who apparently sleeps a lot – doctor’s orders.  Is this a home or a prison?

Noemi tries to make sense of what is happening with Catalina, and thinks she may need psychiatric assistance. Not to mention a different physician, or at least a second opinion. The things her cousin says about the walls talking to her, and seeing things… this could be serious, beyond the ken of the family doctor, whom she doesn’t trust.

The house is dark and gloomy, a condition exacerbated by a dearth of light bulbs. But the inhabitants seem not to notice. The only person Noemi feels able to talk to, outside of Catalina, is Francis. But he’s so pale and weak, especially when compared to Catalina’s husband, Virgil, who is exceptionally good-looking. But there is something about Virgil that isn’t quite right either.

Can Noemi solve the mystery of High Place… or will it claim her and Catalina both?

Set in 1950 Mexico, this tale is both original and familiar. It kept me constantly guessing from beginning to end, wondering what was going on in this horrible place. And in the end, I wasn’t even close. Noemi might be a somewhat entitled heroine, and far from perfect, but she is engaging, and has spirit enough to match any traditional gothic heroine. I liked her as much as I disliked most of the inhabitants of High Place.

I will definitely have to read more of this author’s works, this is an amazing novel. I kept thinking it would make a great movie or series, and then I read that it is in development as a Hulu series, so keep your eye out for that. I know I will!

This is a must-read for those who love gothic novels and horror stories and appreciate twists. A definite page-turner. 

Wednesday Briefs: Super Trooper #45 (10.3)

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.

Still coping with the death of their parents, Chan and Evan take the children to say good-bye. See how everyone is doing in this week's chapter of Super Trooper. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Super Trooper #45 (10.3)

Although he dreaded it, Chan thought that his brother and sisters had taken the private viewing of their parents very well, all things considered. Even Madhu. Although Chan had originally decided to leave her at home, he’d changed his mind after talking to the branch manager of the savings and loan where he worked, who was very understanding of his situation. She told him that Madhu needed closure too, or she would never stop looking for her parents. That made sense. He’d discussed the matter with Evan, and in the end, they’d taken all three children to the funeral home.  

The funeral director, Mr. Waverly, had been very helpful and sympathetic. He had talked about death in terms young people could understand before taking them into a small salon, where their parents were. They almost seemed to be resting. Chan  told them how much Maa and Pita had loved them all, and how they had made plans that if something happened to them, Chan would take care of them and be their guardian.

 Everyone was given time to say their good-byes. Laksha maintained a stoic silence while gazing at the two coffins, while Kamal looked away and rubbed at his eyes when he thought no one was watching. Madhu was the enigma among them. She seemed to accept the idea that her parents weren’t sleeping, they were gone and they were in a happier place now.  But Chan wasn’t sure how much she truly understood. She put up a fuss when it was time to leave, kicked her feet and cried, then exhausted herself and fell asleep in Chan’s arms. Afterward, they bought hamburgers from a fast food restaurant, and Evan drove them to the park, where they sat at a picnic table and ate while they discussed the changes that were going to take place.

“Where’d you say we’re going to live?” Kamal scratched his head, giving the two men what seemed like a suspicious glance. Chan chalked it up to his confusion about what was going on. “In your apartment?” He wrinkled his nose at the idea.

“No, our apartment is too small for all of us. We thought we would come to live with you at your house,” Chan explained. “That way, things will stay the same for you, as much as possible. Don’t you think that would be a good idea?” He glanced between Kamal and Laskha, seeking a sign of acceptance from them. “Wouldn’t you rather stay in your own room, in your own bed?”

When Laksha nodded, Chan felt relieved. To be honest, though, he hadn’t expected any trouble from her. She was very mature for her age. He hoped Kamal would be as understanding.

“Yeah,” Kamal said. He fell silent for a moment. “Will we have to call you pita now?” Chan’s heart ached for the pain he felt in his brother’s voice.

Chan shook his head firmly. “No. I’m still your brother Chan. The brother who is going to take care of you all, that’s the only difference.”

“Chan is still Chan,” Laksha quickly interjected. She held Madhu on her lap. The little girl had nibbled at her food after her brief nap but said little. Chan wondered what she was thinking, but he had no idea. At least she didn’t seem upset, not that he could see.

“Does this mean we don’t have to school?” Kamal asked, almost hopefully.

“Don’t be silly,” Laksha replied before Chan could answer.

“I can stay home with Madhu,” Kamal volunteered. “She can’t stay home alone.”

“She won’t be alone, don’t worry. But speaking of school, I think maybe I’ll keep you home for a couple of days. I’ll call your school tomorrow.”

That idea seemed to mollify Kamal somewhat.

Chan turned to Evan. “Maybe we should pick up a few things for tonight and then tomorrow we can decide what we’re bringing and what we’re not?”

“Good idea,” Evan agreed.

He would have to talk to Mandy and see if she was available for babysitting during the day. If not, maybe she knew somebody who was. So many adjustments to make. He was glad they would have the next couple of days to begin to adjust to the way things were now.

Hopefully, the worst was behind them now.

 to be continued

Now see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

J Alan Veerkamp

Carol Pedroso

Wednesday Briefs: Super Trooper #44 (10.2)

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.

On the day of the wake for his parents, Chan isn't sure what to do about his little sister, what to tell her. Death is difficult to explain at best, but to a child who isn't even three? See what's going on in this week's chapter of Super Trooper. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's going on with them. Their links follow my tale!  Enjoy!

Super Trooper #44 (10.2)

The next day, Chan was conflicted about what to do about Madhu. She had to be told the truth about what had happened, but he wasn’t sure what the best way to do that was. He and Evan did a little research on the Internet, and what they read suggested she was too young to truly understand death. He felt as though if he took her to the funeral home with them, she would just be confused by what she saw, especially when Maa and Pita didn’t move or respond to her entreaties. So he decided to tell her what he could before he left her with Mandy for the short time they would be gone.

Madhu was very bright, and she’d already realized something was wrong… she just didn’t know what. She wandered from room to room, calling for her parents, until one of her siblings distracted her with a toy or a book or something to eat. But Chan knew that couldn’t last forever.

Chan made pancakes for breakfast, covering the cakes in thick fruit jam, the way his mother had. Naturally, Madhu became a huge sticky mess, but he’d expected as much. While Evan sat with Laksha and Kamal, Chan washed his littlest sister and then took her into their parents’ room. On the nightstand beside the bed were framed photographs of the family. He picked up one that contained Maa and Pita when they were just married. How happy they looked. How young. He showed Madhu and she took it from his hands. “Maa,” she said in a confused voice, so pitiful that Chan wanted to cry. But he held himself together for her sake.

Madhu glanced around the room. “Want Maa,” she said, a requested she’d been repeating frequently.

“I’m sorry, baby,” Chan said softly. He pulled her onto his lap, still clutching the photograph. “I’m afraid Maa and Pita are gone. We won’t be able to see them anymore, because they have died.” He knew that the concept of death would be an alien one to her, but someday she would understand. He just needed to lay the foundation for that understanding now.

“See this picture?” He pointed to the photo in her hand. She nodded mutely.

“They were so happy that day because they got married and promised to love each other forever. And they were happy because they knew they were going to have babies to love too. Lasksha and Kamal and you. They loved you so much. Never forget that.”

She gave him a quizzical look. He was sure this words had gone over her head for the most part. Hopefully she would understand and retain the love message.

He kissed her cheek. “Love Madhu,” he said.

“Chan love Madhu?” she echoed. Chan nodded.

“Very much. Maa and Pita love Madhu too. Forever.” He had brought one of her favorite books with him, keeping it out of sight until the right moment. Now he reached for it. Her frown turned into a radiant smile. “Read story?”

“Yes, I’m going to read the story,” he assured her. The book was about an elephant named Babar, and it was one of her favorites. She snuggled into his arms, holding the photo securely, as he began to read.

 to be continued

Now see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Virtual Book Tour: Mimi's Paris Dilemma by Elizabeth Cooke

 Good morning everyone! Please welcome author Elizabeth Cooke to Full Moon Dreaming today! She is here to tell us about her new release, Mimi's Paris Dilemma. Elizabeth will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC 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!

 

Mimi's Paris Dilemma

by Elizabeth Cooke

 

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GENRE: Mystery

 

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BLURB:

 

Mimi’s Paris dilemma overwhelms her. She feels desolate, unappreciated, her celebrity status lost. The Parisiennes, the women of Paris, have turned against her. They are sympathique to the fate of a woman incarcerated for murder and reject Mimi, who was instrumental in bringing about that fate.

 

In this, Book Two of The Mimi Series, new crimes are committed. Mimi again is instrumental in helping solve them because of her sensitive petit nez, which pursues nasal clues where no human can follow.

 

Where few are aware of how truly skillful the little dog is, they slowly come to realize her value, and Mimi’s reputation is gradually restored to its full power.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

“Different indeed,” Nicole exclaimed. “More like unique.

 

Imagine having a dog as co-anchor on an interview show like the popular TONIGHT!”

 

“Unique, eh?” Rene countered.

 

“I can’t wait,” Nicole enthused. “But let us start after the fate of Stephan Ledax is decided and the trial done.”

 

*     *     *     *     *

 

Three weeks went by before Nicole Marcel and Mimi became full-time co-anchors on the TONIGHT TV interview show. They waited to take up their duties until the trial of Stephan Ledax was over.

 

Nicole testified before the court, as did Rene Couteau, to the attempted rape in the changing room of the studio. The verdict was unanimous: guilty of sexual assault.

 

During the course of the proceedings, there was testimony from six other women, relating to the pattern of behavior Stephan Ledax evinced over the period of several years -  involving  a variety of predatory acts – some even cruel: abandonment, abortion, lack of child support.

 

Stephan Ledax was sentenced to eight years behind bars. As he was led away by a policewoman, his face was distorted and wet with tears.

 

*     *     *     *     *

 

And so it came to pass.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Elizabeth Cooke, born and bred in New York City, graduate of Vassar College and The Sorbonne, is the author of several books about Paris, where she lived in the 1950s.

 

Facebook: @ElizabethBuffyCooke

Instagram: @elizabethcookebooks

Pinterest: elizabethcookebooks

 

https://www.amazon.com/Mimis-Paris-Dilemma-Mimi-Book-ebook/dp/B08L9T9YTD

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54433406-mimi-takes-paris

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Ring Shout by P. Djèli Clark

 

Ring Shout     

Author: P. Djèli Clark

Publisher: Tordotcom

American release date:  October 13, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/Historical Fantasy/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

1920s Macon Georgia is a time filled with prejudice and hate… and filled with the evil that is the Ku Klux Klan. But there is something not right about these Ku Kluxers, other than the obvious. Some of them are not what they seem, demons in human form, inhuman incarnations of hate. But Maryse Boudreaux can see them for what they are. And she has a sword that can whup them real good. And lots of friends who feel the same way and want nothing more than to send these misbegotten demons back to where they came, if not worse.

Now they’re about to re-release that damned movie, that Birth of a Nation, that stirred up so much trouble, so much hate, and so much violence, the first time it saw the light of day. There’s trouble brewing in the air, and Maryse isn’t about to sit back and let it be… she’s going to do something about it, no matter what the cost… and no matter how terrified she is of what’s coming.

I literally drank in this book in just a couple of days, a fascinating, brilliant tale that combines history with fantasy, and introduces us to some damn memorable characters. I cried at the end. Was it relief or sorrow? Read the book and find out for yourself.

This is my first book by this author, but it won’t be the last. He writes with a rich colorful language that sings, much like Maryse’s sword, and it’s filled with people you won’t soon forget. Even hateful ones, like Butcher Clyde. I look forward to reading more of his work.