My New Friend

So I was at work, and I just happened to glance into one of the kid's washcloths bins. This little guy stuck out like a sore thumb, looking all gothic in a rainbow of washcloths. He came from a quarter machine right by the registers, and for whatever reason, the person who bought him didn't like him. He was still in his plastic case with a yellow lid, of all colors, and he hadn't even been touched. I guess finding him was just a little funny because I kept telling myself I wanted one of those stupid black and red voodoo dolls, but I didn't really want to waste 75 cents on one because I like to keep my quarters for doing laundry or spare change when I'm running low on the green stuff. And even worse, this poor little guy has already been through so much in one day. The dog got a hold of him when I was using the bathroom, and he started to unravel at the bottom. Luckily, I was able to tuck his goods back inside, but I had to rinse the dog slobber off in the sink and dry him with a paper towel. I hate to say it, but he might not survive another attack because this dog eats everything from toilet paper to shoes.

Some fun in the sun!

I have had a blast this summer. As a kid, I used to go to the beach every other weekend, but now as an adult, I am barely able to take off work to head to the beach for some fun in the sun. I have gone to the beach this summer more than I have gone in the past five years put together. Now, that's a lot!

The beach isn't a place I go to check out hot dudes with ripped abs or to bake in the sun in my bikini. It is a place I like to relax and feel comfortable, and I always end up bringing home souvenirs that most people wouldn't even think to look for while playing in the hot sand.

Do you see all those lovely rocks? They will one day be the death of me because I will literally sit in them all day, searching for indian beads and beach glass. I always end up going home with a bag full of beach goodies, but I also always end up going home with a body covered in sun burn. It's a price I'm willing to pay, though, because I love playing in the rocks and having a good old time. The first time I went, my friend and I decided to collect a bunch of big rocks and spell our names in the sand. It was pretty neat and ended up staying on the beach for the next three weeks until people eventually trampled the remains and mother nature slowly tore down our brilliant art work. The last time I went to the beach, only my friend's name remained, and it was barely legible, but I was still amazed to see something she and I had done together almost a month ago.

As for how beautiful the beach is, the sunset picture alone explains it. The way the sun bounces off the clouds and water is absolutely wonderful. It reminds me of all those times as a kid when I was taken to the beach just to watch the sun go down, just to see mother nature following her normal nighttime rituals.

There I am again, literally playing in the rocks like a little girl. I guess some things just don't change over time. --- Last but not least, it a sight just to see Chicago across the lovely Michigan Lake. At times, you can't see anything at all, but every once in a while you'll get a glimpse of the big city so small across the water. It's mesmerizing to see and totally worth the two hour drive.

Sworn to Secrecy

Hey guys! I know I don't blog enough; mostly because I have been extremely lazy. Nothing new has been going on with me. I am constantly trying to work on my books, but things get hectic sometimes, and it has been hard to focus on my own words lately. For a while there, I was working on the second book in my series Zombies Don't Throw Rocks, but right now I am working on the second book in my series Supernatural Living. The book itself is called Sworn to Secrecy, and I can't say that it will be published any time within the next month because it needs a lot of work and I haven't quite finished writing it. I am also struggling with which cover I should use for the book because I can't decide if the pink one makes the story seem like some sort of erotica involving Werewolves. I'm going to let you guys tell me which one you like more, and we'll see what's to come when the book gets closer to being finished. I like both covers, but pink is definitely not my color; the Werewolf on the front, however, fits with the story in certain aspects. Lots to think about.

Updated Version of Beyond the Walls!

Just updated a new version of my book. I believe I changed the last 5 chapters or so. I'm going to say that I didn't give a whole lot more information on the newer characters towards the end of the book because the second book (The Chosen One) has a lot more information on those particular characters! Please buy for .99 cents and leave a review!

No Money?

Ok... so when kindle says they will pay you in 60 days as long as you passed the ten dollar threshold for direct deposit, it really means you'll get your money when you get your money I guess. I started selling Cursed for Centuries on March 3rd, and I have passed the ten dollar threshold, yet I do not see any money in my bank account. It is now the 28th of May, and I'm starting to get a little perturbed. Does anyone have any ideas as to why it is taking longer than usual?

Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye

Second Review on Beyond the Walls.

I never mentioned my first review on Amazon because I didn't like it much. The reviewer was blatantly honest, which is something I respect, but I wish it could've been a little better. If you would like to read that review go to Beyond the Walls Reviews. The second review is 4 out of 5 stars, and I am very pleased. The reviewer was also honest, but he gave his opinion on everything --- both good and bad parts of the book. I respect him so much more for that, and I just wanted to share this review because maybe it'll make you more interested in reading Beyond the Walls.

___________________________________________

     I think I would like to split this review into two parts to give it my "real rating"...

     The concept is interesting and grabs your attention. Years after the "zombie apocalypse", people are now living "behind the walls". This is an enclosed area where everyone is divided into "classes" - the people, the guards, the doctors/scientists.

     The people are all the same - you live in white buildings, you wear white clothes, you eat the same "mush" each day, you take the same pills each morning and night (to keep you emotion free), and while you live in "units" with your family, there is no touching, no hugging, no "I love you", no caring...unless, that is, you are immune to the medications that in everything from the food to the toothpaste to the "air freshener" that is sprayed in your room each night.

     And, if you are immune, you must hide it otherwise, otherwise, you become one of the "chosen" and that is not a good thing.

     October is immune to the medication but has lived her entire life hiding her emotions and fitting in - except when she is with her boyfriend Kay. Kay has been teaching her in an old library how things were "before" and wants her to now escape the Walls and run away with him because living, even for a short time, is better than existing, like they do inside the compound.

     October is not ready to leave her family and take the last step of running away but Kay takes his sister and runs anyway. At this point, the story splits into two paths - that of October and her life in the compound and that of Kay on the outside while he is waiting for October to show up while still trying to stay alive.

     The first 3/4 of the book was really good - I didn't see the spelling errors that the other reviewer had (I must have gotten the revised version) and the concept and "mystery" attached to the Walls kept me wanting to find out what happens next.

     The last 1/4 of the book though got a bit "rushed" to me - like the author is trying to fit a whole lot of concept and information into a little bitty section. The newly introduced characters did not seem as "real" as October and her friends and the Kay story line kind of went downhill too although I really liked Juliana.

     That being said, I give the first 3/4 of the book a 4 star and the last portion 2 1/2 stars. I really hold out hope though for the sequel that is going to be coming out before too long and will purchase it. That is how I came up with the 3 1/2 to 4 star rating.

     I do encourage the writer to perhaps look a bit more into how they write the new characters - they are almost caricatures of evil instead of perhaps "real" people like the others in the book. Just my opinion...

     Despite the last part of the book, I will be purchasing the sequel because I do want to find out what happens to October next..   

____________________________________________

Now, with that shared, I'm going to say this review inspired me to fix Beyond the Walls a bit. I think I'm going to focus on the last 4 or 5 chapters and give them a little more detail. The book will be free again at some point, for those of you who have already bought it and would like to read the changes, and I will update on here as well as twitter and amazon when it is free. Please keep an eye out and be supportive. I thank everyone who has read the book for supporting me and giving my book a shot!

The second book in the series called The Chosen One will soon be available on kindle!