Mid-Week Blues Buster Week 10

So, it’s been awhile 🙂  And I’m getting this in just before it ends for the week.   Click the picture to check out all of the other entries to this weeks Mid-Week blues Buster.

Cassidy took her friends advice, if she was going to get a true feel for Louisiana she had to spend time in the country.  She needed to get a real idea for her newest horror romance novel about a Were-Panther and his bride to be.  She knew more than most living in Atlanta, but born in the country, there was more to life than what was seen in the cities.  She wanted to see the real flavor of the Cajun atmosphere.
The young man who had told her about the ball seemed charming enough with his deep dark brown eyes.  She was quick to take notes on his odd pupils when she was back in her car, they were odd in a way she would spend a lot of time describing them in her next novel.  They were perfect for her lead. 
She had searched for the Voodoo Eclipse on the web and knew immediately it was something she wanted to experience.  Once a month on the full moon the club would host a swinging dance, costumes of many varieties and she could only imagine what would happen when the moon was high and the patrons were as well.
It was harder for her to find something to wear.  She couldn’t just stroll into the club with her hair back in a ponytail with t-shirt and jeans.  She didn’t want to stand out having seen the pictures posted on the website.  Something she couldn’t help but smile about, there was a map to the club as they made it clear most gps would only get her lost.
The thrift shop she found was a blessing, mostly for the long flowing white dress, it was a size too big and longer than she wanted.  A quick trim with scissors took care of the length and a couple well placed over sized belts fixed the rest of her look.  She was lucky, she had packed her favorite boots and though they looked out of place with most outfits but with stocking and the dress she felt happy as she peered in the mirror.
“This isn’t real…”
She felt like she had stepped into the pages of a novel, the front yard had two large full willow trees.  The club itself looked like an old plantation home, lights strung across the porch and into the yard making a walkway.  She crossed the yard and as she walked up the screaming steps the man appeared from the shadows.  She had not seen him before but he startled her as she reached the top.  He never said a word or even looked her in the eye as he opened the door.
Cassidy was just as shocked by the inside, the long stairway just inside the front door but to its left was a dance floor filled with dancers.  She couldn’t contain her amusement, mouth open there was a band across the room on a small stage jumping and dancing and having a good time.  She could barely make out the music all her senses were on fire one after another grabbed at her demanding attention.  She could smell the sweet candles as they hung high but she couldn’t identify the scents but it was not long before she again found herself starring.  The women in their sleek dresses swinging with their partners in their pressed clothing and none of them gave her even a glance as she circled about the room.  She had finally closed her mouth but forcefully held there as she could not stop biting her lower lip.  With each step she felt her heart in her throat.  It was magnificent.
He stepped into her path, leaning on his cane she slowly looked up into his eyes.  He was much taller than her, frighteningly so.  But the eyes were familiar and she knew them immediately.  Though he was much older than the boy who had told her about the club the odd pupils were distinctive.  He starred down into her and he smiled showing his enlarged canines.  She felt her heart stop in the fright of the moment, she felt as if she had stepped into another world.  

Let’s talk about Werewolves!

Let’s talk about Werewolves! 
Today I threw myself back into editing Howling Moon. I haven’t made any progress really since I got feedback from my beta and realized I was going to have to go all the way back over the novel again.  We all know I hate editing right?  Right???  This will be the third time since the first of December I’ve gone over this manuscript and I realize now I probably should have gotten someone else to look at it after I went over it the first time.  Okay, I did want to ask someone…and tried throwing the hint out there but was afraid to ask that person.  Because after my first go over I knew at least it was complete with no gaping holes in the story.  Though saying that there has been some stuff I’m going to change as I’m going over it this time and fix the couple problems I have with the story.  Okay, not problems as much as a couple nitpicks I have with the final five chapters of the book.  After all, I have to be 100% satisfied with it or I will always have these nerves about others reading it.  And why should anyone else like it if I still have those doubts. 
Okay, this topic isn’t about my novel as much as I’m seeking opinions.  Opinions on types of werewolves.  It isn’t going to sway my opinion or even the type of Were which is in Howling Moon.  That is set in stone, err, on paper anyways.  I’m just more curious to see who prefers what types…
Type One:  The Wolfman –  the most classic but also probably the least used.
(Picture is from 2009’s The Wolfman, don’t own the picture)
Type Two:  The Hybrid – And I’ll admit, this one has always been my favorite.  And it’s the one I’m most familiar with.  Prime examples such as Underworld, The Howling, Bad Moon, Silver Bullet, Dog Soldiers, etc.
(From 2002’s Dog Soldiers, don’t own the picture)
Type Three (and my least favorite):  The wolf – The version of the werewolf which is most popular now days…  Examples – Twilight, True Blood, even the new Hemlock Grove on Netflix. 
(From HBO’s True Blood, don’t own the picture)
I know there are other types, Ginger Snaps I’m looking at you…
Another question, favorite werewolf movie?
And for anyone interested…sometime this summer I will have a blog begging for betas for this novel…  Just have to wait and see (that is if I get through this edit, 🙂 )  And if you are curious about more information on this story, check this blog entry out:  Be Inspired Blog Hop:  Howling Moon

Dark Fairy Queen Writerly Bridal Shower – With a Kiss

I’d like to Congratulate my dear friend Anna and her future husband Micheal on their coming nuptials   I wish you the best and all the happiness in the world!

Title:  With a Kiss
Author:  Steven Paul Watson
Ebook: Yes

“I do not believe she is coming my lord.”
Prince Elijah had counted to thirteen when the sound of the stone bouncing off of other hard surfaces followed by the faint sound of water reached him.  He glanced out to the distant horizon, the ocean drowned in the orange and reds of the setting sun.  He knew it would not be long, “She will be here.”
“And if she does not show?”
“All that awaits us is fire and death if I am wrong.  With it my father’s best laid plans.” Elijah missed his mail and boiled leathers, the silk and cotton attire he now wore felt unnatural.  Most of all he missed his sword.
“The coming winter will cause pause, if the wedding does not occur then the storms may allow additional negotiations,” the guardsman stated. 
“We hold numbers over them,” a second guardsman stated.
“Numbers are not an advantage in this campaign.  There is no mistake at wars end whose blood will boil and lands will be fertilized with the deceased,” he turned.  The other men were dressed in their plate and mail armor with horses at their sides.
“If your father heard you speak in such a manner…” the second guardsman spoke swiftly.
“I have many times over, and he always neglected my advice until now,” Elijah smiled.
“Why are you so confident my prince, why do you believe she will come and honor the arrangement?” the first guardsman questioned.
“I was still a boy in every way but age when I first met Princess Elisha.  The moment I saw her, my life was changed forever.  My heart beat in a way it had never before and has not since.  Only a few years younger than me, bluest of eyes and brightest of smile more beautiful than anything I had seen.  I believe she will come because I asked.”
“And if she does not?” the second guardsman tone remained cynical.
He picked another stone from the ground giving a last fleeting look at the sun now closing on the black waters.  It was a chance for him to gather his thoughts before he answered, “Then I will know I tried.  That is all I can ask of myself, for once I did what for so long I let fear stop.”  He twirled the rock around his fingers, “If she does not show I will be no more important than this stone lost in the pit of rocks and water below.  Without her there is no meaning to life.  I have known this much since that warm spring day with a kiss on my cheek.  I did not volunteer my life to wed merely to stop a war.”
He released the rock and again counted but lost his concentration for the loud commotion behind him.  He turned in time to see five dragons of variant colors land.
Elijah could not hide his smile as he watched her dismount her dragon with its green vibrant scales.  She pushed the short strawberry blond hair from her eyes as she approached.  She still wore the armor of war, stained with the blood of his brethren from battles of the past weeks.  Her sword hung to her hip, but none drew his gaze from her eyes as she approached.  Her lips, a light shade of blue, curved in a mischievous grin.    
“The sun is nearly set, Princess Elisha.” 
“I am never late, my husband to be.  This you will learn in time.”
He stepped closer running a hand down the side of her face until it rested under her chin and they shared a smile.  He leaned in for a kiss but she pulled away not allowing their lips to meet.  He knew then, just as before she had all the control.  She closed the distance and kissed him.  The crowd cheered, dragons roared but he heard none of it over his own beating heart.  With a kiss a kingdoms fate was sealed, most of all the emptiness in his heart was gone.

((PS:  After multiple attempts of trying to get the inlinkz tool to work I gave, be sure to go check out all the fabulous writers who are contributing to the Dark Fairy Queen Writerly Bridal Shower!)

VisDare 14: Normalcy

HA!  I actually did not think I would do this weeks VisDare…I had made a promise to myself for at least a few weeks I would continue to write my entries connecting them one entry to the next…  Until I saw this weeks picture and the first thought I had was how the heck am I going to do this….

(As always click on the picture to go to Anyonymous Legacy and check out all the other entries to this weeks VisDare!!!)
Previous entries (you really do need to go read them first I think…)  Whorl (part one), Waiting (part two), Atmospheric (part three)!

“Why?”
He knew it was a simple question without a simple answer, her lips parted to speak with a pause.
“My grandmother raised me, small town far from here.  Very conservative and anyone different was labeled so.  Every Saturday we would go to the farmer’s market she would always wear this old dress, complete with pearls, bracelets, and hat.  What always caught the most attention was Baxter, her pet duck, always at her side on a leash.  I loved those Saturday afternoon walks it wasn’t until years later I could recall the looks and whispers.  The idea my grandmother wasn’t quite all there.”   He watched her lean against the rail, “you were so out of place last night in the bar, and when you left you reminded me of her an odd duck not knowing he needed someone, a friend to look out for him.”
(145 Words)

VisDare: Atmospheric

My hat goes off to all those people who do VisDare week in and week out with the same story…  It’s not as easy as it looks and it took me multiple attempts to come up with one this week to continue the story from the last two weeks.  Whorl (part 1) –  Waiting (part 2)

So, yeah, if you haven’t read my last two visdare’s you will probably want to read them before this one.  🙂

(Click the picture to go to Angela’s page and check out all the other entries to this weeks VisDAre!!  I Dare you!  go for it, some great reading there!)
He knew the water was there hidden by the fog, he could imagine hands reaching up through the bleak shadows wanting to pull him down.
“Thought I would find you here.”
He turned.  He had left the bar at last call and was surprised, they had talked most of the night but he never thought he would see her again.  “How?”  She pulled the bonnet down covering her multicolored hair, “you said this was your spot, where you came to clear your head when the thoughts became too overwhelming.”
“I haven’t been home.”
“I would think not,” she leaned against the rail beside him, “It’s beautiful, the smell…okay the smell isn’t that much better than the bar but still beautiful.”
He never saw it the night before but now in the morning light, through his own sleepless haze he noticed her smile for the first time.  “I’m Alan.”
“Kimberly.” 
(149 Words)

VisDare 12: Waiting

This weeks VisDare is a continuation from last weeks, Whorl!  So I think you should read it before this one…

(Click the image to check out all the other entries to this weeks VisDare!)
She knew his smile was fake, “do you love her?”
“Does it matter?”    
“Love is all that matters.”
“Only when they love you back.”
“And she doesn’t, is that the answer you’re looking for?”
“Once maybe, how do you forget someone you wanted to share every good, bad, and weird thought with?  Even found myself in a church looking for answers and only empty voices talked down on me.”
She refilled the barely touched beer and one of her own.  “You never do.  They are a part of you, in the grand scheme of our story.  There are people who even if they don’t know it, we still wake in the middle of the night with their voice whispering in our ear and the taste of their breath on our lips.  And we wait, years sometimes, even when we know nothings coming.”  She raised her glass in a toast.  

(149 Words)

VisDare 11: Whorl

(Click the picture to check out all the other entries to this weeks Visual Dare!)

           “Been sitting there almost two hours and you’ve barely touched your drink.”

Everything was distorted.  His head on the bar he looked through the glass of beer only inches away.  “I’m lost in my thoughts, stuck really.”  He lifted his head pulling the drink around in front of him and everything was still out of focus.  The bar tender was his type, at least a half dozen noticeable tattoos and her short multi-colored hair pulled back into a pony tail showing the half dozen piercings in her two ears and her lip.  But he had barely noticed her.
“Get lost there a lot do you?”
“It’s a cloudy, confusing place,” he took a drink of his beer; he hated the taste but hoped it would give him an ounce of courage.  “I have all the answers but not the right one.”
“It’s a girl?”
He smiled, “it’s always a girl.”
(150 words)

Mid-Week Blues Buster Week 4

So missing last weeks Blues Buster I knew I had to try to get this weeks in…

(don’t own the picture, found on web)
(click the picture to check out all the other entries in this weeks Mid Week Blues Buster)

Revenge
                His spurs echoed as he stepped through the swinging door, he tossed his jacket to the first table inside and rested his hands on his hips.  His pistols only a quick motion away, he looked around the bar but was surprised to find it empty.  Most nights it would have been packed with men looking for liquor or sex and more often than not both.  But now, it stood empty despite the pouring rain outside.
                “He’s not here.”
                “Who?”
                She smiled stepping from the shadows bottle in hand, her Irish accent thick with each word.  “The sheriff but you knew who I was talking of.”  Of course it was her, curly blond hair pulled up but still managed to look as wild as he knew she was.  She pulled two glasses and set them to the counter and smiled her best friendly smile but he knew a lot about her.  Most of all she was anything but friendly and innocent.  “You came here to kill tonight; guns ready to blaze and paint this town red.  Can’t say I much blame you, your brothers left to hang in the center of town for the world to see stripped as the day they were born.”
                “We’ve not had the pleasure, you’re her.”  He already knew the answer but wanted it still.
                “Ah, sweetie, there is always a girl, I just happen to be the one in this tale.”  He never took his right hand from the pistol, ready to move at each sound of the creaking floorboards as he approached the bar.
                “The sheriff?”
                “For the right price I could be yours too,” she ignored his question.  He felt his heart skip but it wasn’t the notion of a night of passion with the curvy woman who was about to spill from her corset but her smile ate away at him.  Even knowing how deadly she was he found himself attracted to her smile alone.
“Stories from the beginning of time about the destruction left in a beautiful woman’s path.”  He looked into her bright green eyes trying to ignore her alluring smile.
He pulled his pistol and set it on the counter between them but she never flinched or moved away, only smiled as she leaned against the counter.  “I liked your little brother cowboy, he was sweet.”
“You got him killed,” he stated, his brown eyes glared into hers.  “You got them both killed.”
“Did no such thing,” she replied, “what went down between your brothers and the sheriff had little to do with me.  Idle hands and too much liquor got those sweet boys lives taken too soon.”  She lifted her glass up as if to toast and quickly tossed back her drink with a mischievous smile on her red lips.  “It had nothing to do with me.”
“Every week, he would spend every free dime he got on you…”
“No fault of mine.”
A crash of thunder captured his attention, turning back to the door for only a moment.  He shifted back, she had circled the counter and now he could smell the sweet perfume, sweat, and liquor.  Her finger drifted from his lips to the tip of his chin and then to his chest.  She continued to smile.  “You came lookin’ for blood I don’t think you much care whose, the sheriffs or mine.  There is an old saying ‘He who seeks vengeance should first dig two graves’.”  He felt her hand on his, she leaned in with her other hand grabbing at his shirt pulling him close.  He lost himself in the kiss, her lips tasted of strawberries and for a second he lost himself.   
A swift and sudden sharp pain in his side and he quickly pulled away.  Stumbling to the floor with another clap of thunder, he never saw the knife or knew when she removed her right hand from his.  She knelt down in front of him and he could see his blood on the knife.  “Sorry love, a girl can’t be too careful.”  He raised his own hand to see the dark red crimson just as the darkness took him.

VisDare 10: Whimsy

Click the picture to check out all the other Vis Dares on Angela’s page!

              Danny couldn’t stop; it had progressed beyond the smile and into laughter as he sat with his wooden sword across his lap.  The dozen snails crawled towards his outreached finger and the thoughts running through his 11 year old mind were nothing good. 
                All he had wanted was to see the elephants, but his older sister had refused.  Even though their parents had gave her permission to take him to the circus after his chores were completed.  Complete them he did, quest after quest he defeated the orcs and ghouls until all were gone.  All that remained was the great and powerful dragon.  To be victorious there he would need a steed worthy of the adventure.  An elephant with its great war tusks.
                Now the dragon would wait, there was a greater evil in the land, his wicked sister with a fear of snails.

VisDare 9: Alone?

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—–

 “What are we doing?” she hated the rain and protested the entire way to the center of the square. 
“I don’t know what the future holds,” he turned.  “When you came along, I was happy being alone even preferred it.  You could break my heart tomorrow for all I know.  You showed me a side of myself I didn’t know I had and I’m a better person.  I know what love is now.  I know what it means to smile for no reason other than to know someone.  All because of you.  If you were to leave me, I don’t know what’ll become of me but you need to know.  You’re the best, truest and most trusted friend I’ve ever had.  Because of you life makes sense.  And until my last breath, I will always love you.”  The umbrella fell to the pavement as he leaned in for a kiss.
—–
Kinda funny….this weeks VisDare can almost me seen as the before, and my Mid Weeks Blues Buster the after….