Bite of Story Thursday

Night Children: Dark Birth

Chapter Seven: A New Beginning

Annabelle began to stir.  Her memories were spotty, but she remembered a horrible nightmare. 

Her body no longer hurt.  The terrible agonizing pain had vanished, and her left arm felt whole again.  She felt hungry, but she counted her blessings that she was alive.  The world could be quieter, however.  It sounded noisier than London at noontime.

Her heart sank when she opened her eyes.  Annabelle wished it was all a nightmare.  If only she could wake and find Mother smiling down on her.

Instead, she saw the cabin and her dress drenched in blood.  The nightmare was real, and there would be no waking from it.

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For more check out Dark Birth at your local online store. Links to Dark Birth on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Birth on Amazon.

Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Henry Dunston

HENRY DUNSTON

No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.

Physical characteristics:
Henry has brown hair and is in excellent shape due to the constant chores he must do on his father's farm. Like his younger siblings, Thomas and Polly, Henry wears worn hand me downs because his family has just enough to survive the harsh living conditions of Colonial America.

Personality:
Pessimistic, kind off mature for his age because his father is always gone from the house to other colonies for his trading business. Henry has had to take charge. He doesn’t approve of his friend Roland Foresight's recklessness. Very cautious of the vampires living near the town. Doesn’t trust them completely.

Abilities:
Henry has the normal abilities of a child and later, a full grown man.

Known History:
Henry grew up in Jorgantown, Massachusetts. He has two younger siblings, Thomas and Polly. As a child, he spent most his time with his chores. In his era (the late 1600's to early 1700's) children did not attend school. Instead they were apprentices to their parents. For Henry that meant helping with the livestock and the crops. He would also travel to town for errands.

After two children from London England moved to town things became very stressful for Henry. He became fast friends with Roland and Annabelle Foresight but only knew them for a day before they were lost in the woods. Shortly afterward they reappeared at the Dunston's home and announced they were now vampires.

Henry was no fool. He knew vampires to be dangerous creatures. He could never truly trust them. After Annabelle and Roland introduced him to their adoptive vampire mother, Eliza Pratchet didn’t help his fears when the vampire Fenroth captured him. Even though Annabelle and Roland helped Henry's brother to rescue him from Fenroth, Henry couldn’t help but wonder if knowing Annabelle and Roland made his family targets.

There is much more to say on Henry but it would include spoilers for NIGHT CHILDREN: DARK BIRTH.

Going to California

On Sunday the 15th we're leaving for California. I've been excited for this trip for a long time! My parents live in Fresno and I have a brother in Sacramento and a sister in Santa Cruz. My other brother lives in Fortuna.

I live in Utah so you can imagine how hard it is for me to visit family. We're going to go to Yosemite, the beach and boardwalk, the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, and even do some shopping. I can't wait for this vacation!

We'll be gone for a week so I'll see you all when I get back. I'll post some pics when I get back.

Bite of Story Thursday

Night Children: Dark Threats

Chapter Four: 1899

The new-fallen snow glittered under the bright moon like the unseen stars above.  The Foresight Coven House had a large front yard, showcasing the snow’s white beauty 

The white blanket seemed magical.  It almost felt to Annabelle like the snow wasn’t normal.

She ignored the silly thought and relaxed on the porch swing.  A new book rested on her lap while Charlotte snuggled under her arm. 

“Next year I’ll finally turn nine.”  The child vampire said with glee.  “I’ve been eight for a hundred years and I can’t wait to be older.”  She tried to make her voice deeper when she said ‘older’ but failed.  Ann suppressed a smile.

Memories flooded Annabelle’s head.  She remembered the night she woke after living a hundred years as an eleven-year-old.  Her body hurt and she had to relearn some abilities, but it was glorious to finally age.  Sure, others would still treat her as a child, but she was slowly catching up.

As long as Annabelle could remember, people were amazed at how mature she behaved.  Working with her father in his bookbinding business at a young age helped her mature a little faster. 

People assumed she was ignorant, so she simply worked around that obstacle.  Now, after two hundred years of people looking down on her, she couldn’t imagine anything else.  It simply meant more opportunities to prove them wrong.


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For more check out Dark Threats at your local online store. Links to Dark Threats on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Threats on Amazon.

Book Review: The Serpent's Shadow

Once again Rick Riordan has given us a masterpiece. Excellent pacing, strong characterization and adverse troubles all pack these pages. There is so much I want to go on about, such as Walt’s fate, Zia’s fate, Carter and Sadie’s growth as characters and the use of all the supporting characters and even some settings from the prior two books. All of this was perfect.

Personally I love not only the cameo from Lacy and Drew, two background characters from the Heroes of Olympus series, but the out right admission of a potential major crossover with the Percy stories! I knew it!

Read this, it’s worth it.

Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Wildes Blut Teir

WILDES BLUT TEIR

No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.

Other names: Wildes, slobber-puss, Wild Man, Blood Man, Wild Blood Man, Wild Blood Beast.
Wildes Blut Teir means "Wild Blood Beast" in German. When he met Roland Foresight for the first time, Fenroth mis-translated the name as "Wild Blood Man" due to his faulty German.

Physical characteristics:
Dressed in rags, smelly from his lack of hygiene, Wildes is unmistakable.  He has a small iron cage around his head with a small trap door to allow his mouth to stick out and bite his victims.  Most time the door is closed and only opened when his master allows it. There is an iron chain that drags from the back of the cage which allows Fenroth to restrain Wildes. He has crazy long hair that goes every which way.

Personality:
Insane. He is absolutely crazy. This vampire has more in common with a wild animal than a human. He eats, walks and behaves in every way like a savage. While on the hunt he lets out a primal scream/laugh which strikes terror in the souls of his intended victims.

Abilities:

He has the standard vampire abilities. This means he’s faster and stronger than humans, his senses are extremely acute as are his reflexes. However he can not fly or transform. He cannot mesmerize others either. He cannot communicate with animals.

His tracking skills are stronger than most vampires and werewolves. His senses are stronger and more acute, allowing him to sense other vampires, creatures, humans and animals for miles around. He is second to his master, Fenroth. He can jump higher than most vampires and his brute savageness allows him to constantly hone his strength and agility. He is more agile than most vampires, including his master, Fenroth.

Known History:

No one knows how old Wildes is or when he was turned into a vampire. The master tracker vampire known as Fenroth heard reports of a wild man that feasted on blood in the Black Forest of Germany. The locals called him Wildes Blut Teir  for wild blood beast. Fenroth successfully captured Wildes after a vicious battle. Fenroth earned Wildes' respect when he lasted through the battle. Wildes Blut Teir would follow Fenroth anywhere because he knows it means a constant hunt followed by a tasty meal.

Where Wildes  is currently, that is if he's still around, remains to be seen.

Bite of Story Thursday

Unlike other "Bite of Story Thursdays", this one I'm giving a peice of something down the road. Keep in mind, any preview bits like this is due for changes upon future reviews.

This week, we're previewing Multi-Mart!

Multi-Mart
Chapter Three: Way More Than a Zillion Sold

Kyle took a good look at the customers in line.  In all of television, movies and comics, he’d never seen such an odd collection of beings in one place at one time.

In line stood a tall elf with a bow and a quiver full of arrows.  He glanced back, giving the customer behind him a rude stare.  Kyle almost jumped when he saw the huge werewolf but then spotted the two little werewolves jumping up and down, trying to grab the package of bones the monster held.

Behind them two Roman centurions waited impatiently.  A Velociraptor in custom high heels and a matching dress and purse stood behind the centurions.  It ignored the humans and continued to apply bright red lipstick to its horrific mouth.

Kyle shook his head.  The whole place was nuts.  He decided to look deeper into the store.  Maybe he could find someone friendly enough to help him.

Farewell to a friend

I attended a friend’s viewing just now. He was a special man. I should say “is” and not “was”. I haven’t really visited him in years so I felt it best to slip in, pay my respects and slip out. His family had wonderful mementos of his life, pictures of him smiling (not hard since that’s all I ever remember him doing) , scenes of him at the Junior High as the principle and various activities he has taken part in in his life.

After looking at these captured memories, my mind flooding with so much more, I approached the front of the room.  Someone who must’ve known this great man handed me a lolly pop sucker.  I’d forgotten that he loved those. A small group was standing in front of his coffin. I assume they were discussing his life and the many that he touched. I stepped closer to the feet end of the casket to take a peek.

It wasn’t him. No, I do not mean that in the literal sense. Yes it was the right funeral and yes it was the right man, but all I saw was a shell. It felt wrong to look at the body. Sure he looked peaceful, but something was missing.

Where was the jolly giant of a man who hugged me every time he saw me? Where was the spiritual giant who taught me so much, first as a fresh faced teenaged investigator who knew nothing of the gospel, then as a hopeful young missionary-to-be who chose him as a mentor who could escort me to the temple for the first time? Where was the man of God who knew by inspiration that miles away I was experiencing deep hurt and painful self doubts on my mission, and that it must be him who should write a powerful letter of encouragement, lifting my spirits and renewing my vigor?

Where was he? Well that’s an easy answer. Anyone who knew him, truly listened to him, observed him in life, knew that answer. He was elsewhere, with passed loved ones and with the Lord and God whom he dedicated his life to.

Good by President Killpack. May we forge ahead, living our lives as you have.

Bite of Story Thursday

NIGHT CHILDREN DARK BIRTH

Chapter Seventeen : The Offer

Dagda deflected another hex bolt. “I’ve lasted for hundreds of years.”  He sent streamers of fire at a sasquatch, pushing it back.  “What makes you think I can’t handle you lot?”  Dagda’s magic tendrils grabbed a nameless vampire and flung him at the charging Beufus.

“You can’t keep this up forever.  Some of us never tire.”  Gertrude shot out glowing red energy spikes but they deflected off Dagda’s shield.  Annabelle noticed a small crack in it, however, and she lurched forward. 

Despite the sweat on his brow, the warlock laughed. “You’d be surprised what I can handle.  Where’s your friend, Penelope?  Did she get tired of wasting her time following Dominic around like a love struck puppy?”

“The Master felt her special talents were of better use in a quiet little village just south from here.” Gertrude grinned as her red lightning chipped his green shield.

“Salem?  No.  Even he wouldn’t--”

“Why do you think the paranoia has gotten out of control?  The Master knows when to take advantage of foolish people.”

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For more check out Dark Birth at your local online store. Links to Dark Birth on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Birth on Amazon.

Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Polly Dunston

POLLY DUNSTON

No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.

Physical characteristics:
Polly has blond hair, usually in a ponytail. She wears simple dresses, usually plain. Most days she goes barefoot.
As an adult she owns a few nice dresses and one pair of shoes.

Personality:
Sweet, kind but shy. Readily able to accept anyone, no matter their faults. Easily scared but has learned bravery thanks to the example of her best friend, Annabelle Foresight.

Abilities:
Polly has the normal abilities of a child and later, a full grown woman.

Known History:
Polly grew up in Jorgantown, Massachusetts. She has two older brothers, Thomas and Henry. As a child, she spent most her time with her chores. In her era (the late 1600's to early 1700's) children did not attend school. Instead they were apprentices to their parents. For Polly that meant learning how to make candles, washing clothes and other activities to keep the Dunston household running.

In 1692 she met two friends, Annabelle and Roland Foresight. Shortly after she met them, they were reported missing in the woods. Polly was broken hearted until Annabelle knocked on her two story window. Once Polly invited her friends inside, Annabelle and Roland explained that they were now vampires. At first Polly was scared but after talking to Annabelle she realized they were still her friends and would never hurt her.
 

This began a lifetime of friendship. Polly got married at age 17. She and her new husband Patrick began their own farm on the outskirts of Jorgantown. She kept her last name so Annabelle and Roland could always find her. Polly told her children about Annabelle, Roland and Polly's vampire brother Thomas. She swore them to secrecy. Sometime after Annabelle, Thomas and Roland left the New World, Patrick got a better opportunity for their family in Albany New York.

Generations have passed by and it hasn't always been easy, but most of Polly's descendants have always provided help and encouragement to Annabelle's family throughout the last three hundred years. 

Age Line:

Born 1683

Age 9 in 1692 (Book 1 Darth Birth)

Age 17 in 1700 Got married to Patrick.

Age 18 in 1701 when she has her first child Annabelle

Age 20 in 1703 when she has her next child Thomas

Age 22 in 1705 (In-betweens Book 2 Dark Loss)

Age 35 in 1718 (Book 2 Dark Changes)

Age 69 in 1752 (Book 3, Dark Quest) Dies of old age

Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe REPOST. Annabelle Foresight

ANNABELLE FORESIGHT

By Adam Diller

Other names: Ann, Night Child, bossy sister

Name Origin:
ANNABEL: "Beautiful grace." A compound name consisting of English Ann, "grace," and French Belle, "beautiful." Variants include Anabel, Anabella, Anabelle, Annabal, Annabelinda, Annabell, Annabella and Annabelle.


Physical characteristics:
Short. Red bushy hair. Red eyes. Small white fangs. Wears a variety of clothing but likes to wear combinations of red and black.

Age Chart:
She was turned at age 11. Every hundred years she ages one year. She actually experiences her years longer than normal humans. Vampire children remain that age emotionally and mentally, perhaps for self preservation so they do not go insane living as an adult trapped in a child body.
Annabelle, however, is more mature for her age. How she handles immortality remains to be seen.

Advancement Chart:

b. October 13th 1681 d. 1692

born a vampire 1692-
Age 11 1692-1792
Age 12 = 1792-1892
Age 13 = 1892-1992
Age 14 = 1992-Present Day

No other ages available at the moment.


Abilities:
She gets dreams that show the near future (but is presently in the books is unaware. When she became aware of this has yet to be shown). She has the standard vampire abilities. This means she’s faster and stronger than humans, her senses are extremely acute as are her reflexes. She can fly and turn into a bat. In later years she has shown the ability to transform into a wolf, rat and mist but how she learn these things has yet to be told. She can control humans through mesmerization and communicate with lesser beasts.

Known History:

In 1692 Annabelle Foresight moved with her family to the wilds of Massachusetts. The Vampire Lord Dominic Pratchet killed her parents and left her and her brother Roland for dead. Dominic's wife Eliza turned them into vampires, taught them the things they needed to know and became a surrogate mother to them.

As the centuries have passed, Annabelle has become a hero to many, constantly fighting Dominic's forces as a member of the Order of Righteous Vampires. She prefers to drink the blood of animals instead of humans. Annabelle is deeply concerned about the safety of mortal children.

She is determined, loyal to family, feels love for others and angry if someone hurts her family. Annabelle is outward friendly,book smart, a quick learner and sometimes acts too serious to make up for her reckless older brother. She tends to pretend to be brave and mock the bad guys.

She takes life too seriously and can be bossy. She tends to take over when she should sit back. She can often make decisions before consulting others. She's afraid deep inside if she doesn’t just take over and make it happen it will fall apart right away.

Before vampirism she loved animals and winced when they got hurt. After becoming a vampire she now sees them as something to eat. Lost touch with who she was. She has a deep fear of two men, Hawke the vampire hunter and Dominic, the vampire who killed her parents.

Bite of Story Thursday

NIGHT CHILDREN: DARK THREATS

Chapter Six: 1941

Skilled from many battles, Thomas used his talent for shape-shifting to morph into a black snake.  He slithered around an attacking werewolf’s legs.  The beast’s claws barely missed him.  Tom said, “I never planned to fight werewolves tonight.  This isn’t my idea for a night on the town.”

Annabelle sped around another werewolf, scratching at its side.  “We fight monsters every week.  Why should this week be any different?”

Tom bit at a werewolf’s ankle, and then moved away before the savage beast could connect with its claws.  “I’d rather fight a few dumb mutts anyway.  It could be worse.  At least Dominic’s chief enforcer, Hyde, didn’t try and kill us.”

Grace, in full werewolf form, leapt over another wolf and slashed his back with her inch long red claws.  “Or that monster created by Frankenstein.  He still gives me the creeps.”

Annabelle never could match Tom’s speed at transforming, but she did manage to morph into a bat before a werewolf could connect his claws with her chest.  She fluttered out of his long reach.  “Count your blessings after we beat these dogs, no offence, Grace.”

The only female werewolf present somehow smiled just before trading slashes with her opponent.  “None taken.  They are dogs.”

“Guys!” Roland shouted to his friends while avoiding Blood Reaper’s silver claws.  “Focus!  They’re trying to kill us!”

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For more check out Dark Threats at your local online store. Links to Dark Threats on the web can be found on the Store Page.

How I feel about writing...

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

Anna Nalick – Breathe (2AM)

Night Children: Dark Trials On Hold

I thought I'd give a quick post to let everyone know that the second book in the Night Children series, DARK TRIALS, is on hold for roughly a year.

I'm truly sorry about this. I realise some of you have enjoyed Annabelle and Roland's adventures and I promise there will be more. But life being what it is, I was thrown a large curve ball back in February.

Not only had I thought it was time to move my family to another state, (which I found out it wasn't the right time for the move), but I got the reviews for Dark Trials at that point as well.

When we write books, we're so ingrained in our little worlds we have no clue the large problems that sit in plain sight. I have characters and situations that never had any resolutions, logic problems in certain situations, and other things like that in need of repair. I need to re-read it, go through the story, reshape it to flow better and make more sense. I'll cut entire scenes and change some character directions. Some problems will need deeper thoughts.

One review hurt really bad. I guess I got what I deserved. Not too long ago I reviewed another critique group member's manuscript. I was honest. Brutally honest. I hurt her and she was greatly offended. I suspect she still is raw about the event. I never wanted to hurt her, just be honest about my thoughts on the book. I see now I should have had more tact.

I've had raw reviews before. Ones that hurt really bad. Time does heal all wounds and in time I saw much of what they said. That doesn't mean I turned my manuscript to their vision, but thanks to a professional editor, I discovered the problems those toxic reviews were trying to show me. Doesn't mean Dark Birth is perfect but I still stand by my decision that it's ready.

Well, a different member of our critique group gave me a toxic review. I guess I had it coming, after how I treated the other critique member. I mean it really hit me hard. I still believe in my heart some of her stronger points are just her opinions. I believe that she is not the right audience and may not understand the audience as much as she thinks.

But what of I'm wrong? What if I have something that needs certain changes or it will be unfit for my audience?  As the author, I'm forever too close to tell, I think.

See? I still feel uncertain about the whole thing. That's why my preview posts stopped. I no longer posted bits from Dark Birth or Dark Threats. I no longer posted character biographies from the Night Children universe. I didn't actively search out speaking engagements, I stopped promoting my books on Amazon. I stopped everything.

If I could not trust whether my second book was appropriate for Middle Grade readers, than maybe everything I've written wasn't appropriate either. She'd read Dark Threats but she never read Dark Birth and there were things in that book just as questionable.

I guess I should name the elephant in the room. I was told that Dark Trials was too dark for Middle Grade (11-14) readers. That is was horrific. I still do not know if that's true.

Here we are, months later, and I tried to read her review but all I can feel as I read it is that I'm a terrible author and shouldn't even try anymore. Does she say that? Heavens no! She is a friend and was only trying to help. She never brings down my writing. But how she responds to my supposed horrific scenes makes me question myself. That's my personal garbage to work through, not her.

So you can see why I've had such a pause.

Becoming an author is a tender tight rope of almost falls and positive balances. As I've stated before, I found my mojo again in the form of Multi-Mart. A new story and fresh start. But this story is a trick, because it involved other stories, including the Night Children series. So now I'm on the chapter that ties Dark Threats to the Multi-Mart continuity. This means I've had to reread parts of Dark Threats and feel what those stories make me feel. It also reminds me of those few who have read Dark Birth and Dark Threats, and how that like Annabelle and Roland and want more. Heck, I still want more.

So carefully, timidly, I am starting to climb back. I will continue to work on Multi-Mart and Myths, but I'm starting to think about Dark Trials and what I need to do. Will I remove the dark stuff inside? Not completely, but I will look at it and see what would be best.

I guess I need someone who is 11-14 years old and likes Middle Grade books (Early Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Kane Chronicles, Vampire Assistant) to read it. Or at least someone who reads a lot of those types of books.

I'm not trying to put the Night Children though Deseret Book or Shadow Mountain. It doesn't need to be read in Sacrament meeting or at church. But I don't want to do Steven King, either. I do want it to be appropriate for Junior High School readers. Heck, I know it's not as dark as the Hunger Games series and those Young Adult books are in the Junior High.

So Dark Trials is on hold, but I am coming back. Watch this space for more to come.

Where will Avengers go from here?

I thought I'd save this post for here. I was originally going to post this in my Avengers review but that got kinds long.

Everything we've seen in the Marvel films was only phase one. Time for phase two. Loki got his army from Thanos, the mad god of Titan! We learn this at the closing credits scene when Thanos is told to face the Earth's forces would be like courting death. Thanos simply smiles. Why? Because in the Marvel Universe, concepts like Love, Hate, Eternity, Chaos, Order and Death all exist as cosmic beings. Thanos is in love, nay, obsessed with Death. He wants to court her.

I figured we might see Ultron or Grim Reaper or the Masters of Evil or something more home grown (i.e. Avengers threat that comes from the Avengers themselves) in the sequel. But Thanos? As in Marvel's version of Darkseid? As in the user of the Infinity Gems who, in his obsessed desire to court Death, once destroyed half the universe? That Thanos? Jeeeeze.

We need more heroes! Back up that sequel and introduce new heroes in every movie. Ironman 3, Thor 2, Cap 2, the mystery Marvel movie, all of them. You don't have enough time and to show this big bad's power correctly, you'll need plenty of heroes!

My thoughts on cameos:
2013
Ironman 3: Sure, give us those plans already leaked online, a variation of the Extremis story with Ben Kingsley's Mandarin lurking in the background and Black Widow cameoing.  Maybe set up Ms. Marvel as Carol Danvers. Also make reference to Hank Pym (Antman, etc) and Janet Van Dyne (the Wasp). Reference Wakanda and their mysterious king, the Black Panther. Show the old Stark mansion and we meet the man Tony's computer voice is named for, his family British btler, Jarvis!

Thor 2,: show Loki trying to get into the Hall of Artifacts because his hidden benefactor wants something there. But Loki fails, this time. Make mention through Thanos' off screen voice of the Guardians of the Galaxy and what pests they are. While Thor visits the 9 realms with Jane Foster, maybe have a cameo of Hercules. Sure, he has no reason to be visiting the wrong set of gods, but there is no reason he cant, either. Maybe drop a clue about Earth's magic and show hints to Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch.

2014
Captain America 2: While dealing with AIM and MODOK set up in Ironman 2, introduce Falcon, drop another clue about the Pyms, and guest star Hawkeye. Maybe hint at Winter Soldier. Bucky is alive?

Mystery Marvel Movie:
1st choice Antman (showing us Hank and Jan with some foreshadowing of Ultron, following on the prior hints.
2nd choice, Black Panther, following on the hints.
3rd choice Doctor Strange (gust staring Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. She could be his apprentice) following up on hints.


2015
Avengers 2: Do a more character piece like Marvel has said they want to. Stark sets them up with a mansion and his old family butler, Jarvis. Bring in the heroes from before but have Antman, Wasp, Scarlet Witch all join. Maybe others. Have Ultron rise up.Fun robot invasion big time smash up. Vision is unleashed on Avengers and switches sides. More hints to future. Carol Danvers shows up at end of film, been abducted by aliens (the Kree) and now has powers. If Antman isn't the Marvel Mystery Movie, then do something that brings in Doc Strange or the Panther. Maybe a Masters of Evil story that brings in Panther or a magic story that brings in Strange and the Witch?

New Marvel movie 2: One of the other options that didn't get done before complete with above notes.

New Marvel movie 3: One of the other options that didn't get done before complete with above notes.

2016 and 2017 would continue the trend with the next set of sequels, with the purposed Guardians of the Galaxy movie leading into Avengers 3 where everyone has a smack down with Thanos.

Whew! Yeah, cameo heavy. Still, we'd have tons of things ready for Thanos. Those are my 2 cents. What's yours?

Movie Review: Avengers No Spoliers

The following contains no real spoilers. Some bits are mentioned but actual plot points are not. If you're afraid of the bits, don't read.




What did I think of Avengers? Oooooh wow! Yes I saw it opening night a month ago. I would've posted sooner but life is life. Regardless I was out-of-my-seat excited, belly acheing laughter and loudly cherring at all the moments. Yes, like everyone else, I loved it.

There are a lot of films I enjoy. Some I actually enjoy at the theatres and later on DVD I wonder why I liked them. Some I love and can't wait till DVD. But never do I want to have a return visit to the theatre. Budget constraints being what they are, I'm content to wait till DVD to see them again.  Not this one. This one I yearned to go back in and watch it all over again. I'm even willing to watch it over and over when I do get the DVD so I can see the commentary, and I never watch those.

It's good to see Marvel's hard work pay off.  The second Hulk film was OK. So was the second Iron Man. The first Ironman was great. Thor and Captain America both had amazing films. But this one was off the charts. So they're building in enjoyment.

They also build in story. It's nice that all the set up moments are in those other films. No time was wasted in Avengers. Instead of telling us who the big four (Cap, Tony, Hulk and Thor) were, they just continued from their movies, all threading into this one, meeting and crossing over seamlessly until the story is over and they unthread back to their films.

And my hopes for Black Widow were confirmed. She IS a former Russian spy turned agent of SHIELD. Excellent. My favorite Avenger, Hawkeye, could've had more time but where would you put it? Yeah, what happened to him at the beginning could've gone differently but I'm good with it. Especially after the archery skills shown. Said skills put Smallville version of Green Arrow to shame. Plus the tech-bow was a nice touch. Quick note: Ollie on Smallville, then we have Katness on Hunger Games and now Hawkeye on Avengers, with Arrow returning for a new series that looks closer to his comic roots. It's an amazing time to be a fan of archer characters!

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby showed us back in the beginning of Marvel Comics, in the early 60's, that heroes didn't have to be perfect. They showed us flaws. We see that in the separate Marvel films. Heck, we even see that in the films made by studios who are leasing Marvel characters, like Sony's Spider-man and Ghost Rider films or Fox's X-Men and Fantastic Four films. This shows heavily in Avengers, too.

Part of the imperfect hero image Stan and Jack gave us what the "heroes don't always get along" concept. Marvel stars have been beating on each other since the 60's.  I think it's wired in us to want to see which of our fan concepts could beat the other. One of those great Marvel rivalries is Hulk vs Thor and man did they deliver! We also got several other match ups including Cap's shield vs Thor's hammer. It was wonderful. Makes you with Sony and FOX would give up the cash cows and failed ghosts and give all the properties back. Imagine Thing vs Hulk?

I like to watch several shows like Eureka, Doctor Who and Warehouse 13 very closely. I do this to see if I can catch all the wonderful foreshadowing. I do the same for multi-movie serials. So I caught most the clues laid out in the earlier Marvel films. It was a nice touch to see those bits followed up on. Steve learning about the Abomination/failed Super Soldier formula events in Hulk. Coulsen's fan boy crush on Cap touched for two seconds in Ironman 2. That sort of thing.

I could go on to explain how I've always loved the comic, how I learned to read by combing the pages of Avengers and Justice League, how at age seven I mailed away for an Avengers patch and have longed for this film for a very long time. I could say how this film was worth the considerable high hopes I've built up for long decades.

Actually I think I just did say those things. I give it a 20 out of 10. Go see it. It's not just for fan boys, despite my mindless ravings. It's for the average Joe out there who has never watched any Marvel or hero films.

Multi-Mart is coming along

"Wait," you say. "I thought he was working on Myths?"

Well true, I was. And I will be again. But for a while I'd have a lot of false starts on the project. Sure, I feel the tale and want to tell it, but something was blocking me from getting fully motivated.

So last week I decided to reread the beginning work I had on Multi-Mart. I found myself editing what I had done and then plowing through with more stuff. I'm on a Multi-Mart high. I've flushed out more of the outline, created most of the cast and finished more chapters.

Blame it on the fact that I'm watching Sliders on Netflicks. Blame it on the huge desire to write this book that I've kept in check for a long time. Whatever it is, I'm back on the saddle again and it feels wonderful!

Multi-Mart is the story of Kyle Jordan, a kid who winds up at a store that sits in between all alternate universes.  The store caters to a wide variety of customers from many alternate Earths. When it gets taken over thanks to a greedy assistant manager, it's up to Kyle to find help among the many worlds.

It stars Kelli, the kid vampire from NIGHT CHILDREN: DARK THREATS, and Bril, Eli's younger brother from MYTHS. It also stars James from Tyme Travels. Together, these unlikely heroes must use their separate strengths to help liberate the Multi-Mart from the clutches of the Warlord Oskar and his chief assassin, Gerwulf.

It's a middle grade novel and fun to write. I hope it'll be just as fun to read.

I will return to Myths as well as editing Book Two of Night Children. Watch this space for further developments.

Updates!

Hey there!
I've been pretty busy with life, not so much with writing. Between work, family and so on, the days are speeding by but not much has happened with my writing goals.

It's time to re-establish my goals and plans. I need to re-dedicate myself. I suppose that's the life of any author, to constantly learn to get back in the chair and bang away at the keyboard.

What's going on?
Night Children
The first book (Dark Birth) and the short story anthology (Dark Threats) are still available on Amazon and Barns & Noble.com.  Book Two needs a rewrite after some heavy reviews. There is a great deal I will keep, but some things just don't work. After I finish another manuscript for something different, I'll return to this.

Myths
"Another manuscript for something different". Those few of you whom have read Dark Birth have heard of the fantasy home of elves, fairies, fauns and unicorns called Farnalla. Myths is about a handful of runaway youth from that world, and their dangerous quest to the mythical land called "Earth". I've got eight chapters finished and several more to go. My goal has been to finish it before I return to Night Children.

Multi-Mart
Another story that features the multiverse, including characters from both the Night Children series and Myths. I want to write this sooo bad and I might play with it when I've having mental writers cramp.

So there you go. Also, I need to do more entries here. Coming soon is my review of the Avengers movie.

Speaking engagement

A big thank you to Mrs. Christensen's Creative Writing class at Tooele High! I had a great time meeting you and am grateful for all the questions. I hope you enjoyed my presentation. Some of your questions gave me much to think about and I hope some of the things I said inspired you and your future writing endeavors.

Thanks! Hope to do it again.

Movie Review: Hunger Games, no spoiilers

Hollywood has always pulled ideas from the literary world. As a struggling author my ear is constantly to the book-to-movie world, curious how it all works. True I don't read many adult novels so I don't follow their movie conversions. I write Middle Grade (think 11-14 year olds or Jr High School) and I read Middle Grade and Young Adult. I even plan to write YA at some point as well.

So when a MG or YA book makes a lot of noise I hear about it. When it's scheduled to get a movie I hear that too. I knew Hunger Games had the movie treatment coming and was curious. Yes I love super heroes, time travel and monsters but I've enjoyed my dark future fiction before. I've only discovered it in comics, TV and movie but why not try the books and see what the fuss is about?

It helps that I've got kids in Elementary, Jr High and High School so they have their collective ears on what's hot in fiction.

As some may have seen in my Goodreads account, I recently read all three books and enjoyed them. They are a tough read and deserve the young adult category (13-18) due to strong themes and violence. Regardless they show themes we need to explore, big government, forgetting the little guy, losing oneself in reality TV and instant gratification, sacrifice and finding out whats really important in life. I borrowed my daughter's copies and read them. Couldn't put them down.

 I was concerned about the violence and graphic nature of the book. It's fine for the actual book because it's age specific but a movie would be more shocking due to actually seeing the killing and strong events and themes. I decided to not let my 14 and 11 year olds see it. I went with my 18 and 16 year olds and my daughter's close friend.

I suspected the PG-13 rating was due to the themes more than the violence, and that the violence would be handled in a safe matter. I was right. Sure you have a blood bath at the cornucopia but it's handled with brief moments and no actual weapons in flesh. In other words the attackers charge the victims, we flash away and then when we go back the victim is dead. It's an old Hollywood trick that works well here. There are occasions where we see weapons in kids but it's simply after the violence and actually not bad.

Yes book readers, a certain character does die in Katniss' arms and yes it's done very well. Bring tissues.

The movie portrayed all the themes listed above in a very real manner. The book is 1st person from Katnis' perspective.  These is a great deal of emotion in those words. Most of it deep inside feelings about her world and those who inhabit it. Jennifer Lawrence showed this through her face and acting. As did Josh Hutcherson in the role of Peeta. He showed his stuff in Bridge to Teribithia and shows it even more so now. Woody Harrelson could have played drunk Haymitch with comedy but instead he gave the role dignity. He played what mattered in this character who gave up on the world, gains inspiration from Katniss and Peeta and changes who he is. I expect a Best Supporting actor nomination.

Suzanne Collins, the author of the series, was one of the executive producers and it shows. This movie was the closest I've seen in book-to-movie translations. Yes they gave us a glimpse of the game makers and some brief moments with President Snow. All the better to build up to what's coming in the sequels. Yes the creatures at the end were altered but I didn't want to see an exact rendition of those. Yes she gets the Mockingjay pin from the Hub, causing the Mayor's family to be written out. But there just isn't time for every character in the book and quite frankly they never really amounted to much in the books anyway.

The book still had all the important events and fell from the book. Very well executed and yes, my 14 year old can see it after all. Maybe even my 11 year old, too.

I give it five out of five stars.

Update

Hello gentle beings!

Yes, I've been away for awhile. Currently it feels like everything is happening at once. My position is set to be dissolved at work in over a year. My job has always been temporary. I draft for a government contractor and their mission is finished. The lay offs have begun and I'm set for 2013.

My aged father has had poor health. He lives in Fresno California while we live in Northern Utah. With the upcoming job change, it's a good time to job search and a good time to search near my dad. So a lot of my time has been spent job hunting.

Meanwhile I've been reading the Hunger Games series. Couldn't put it down. That took some time, too. I've also been reviewing a fellow critique group member's work so that also takes time.

All in all I haven't had a lot of timer to write or blog. I hope to fix that soon.

On the writing front, I got my mark ups back for Book 2 of Annabelle's series. There are lots of continuity errors and other issues. I'm hearing that it's too bloody for the Middle Grade age group. Of course we all know Jr High students read older books like Hunger Games (an example of something far more bloody and violent) but I am marketing the Annabelle series for Middle Grade (11-14 year olds) so I need to be sure it's right for them.

Needless to say I'm lost and confused on the issue. I've decided to take a break from writing about Annabelle and focus on another story idea.

So there you have it. Crazy times indeed. I'll post more real soon.

Bite of Story Thursday

Night Children: Dark Trials
Chapter Twelve

It took the Bloodfeast three weeks to finally approach its isle home. During that time, they would feed on the surviving Sea Wing crewmembers. Roland didn’t want to be tossed overboard so he ignored the helpless human’s desperate pleas. He avoided their desperate eyes, even though their cries for help ripped his soul apart.


Roland watched the crew unload the stolen goods onto the dock. They seemed to gaze at their Captain with a mix of fear and respect as he forcefully shouted commands.

The sounds of excited people drew him to the shore. The port looked normal. He could sense vampires nearby but it was probably the crew. He wondered what new adventures this place would bring. An unnaturally strong hand gripped onto his shoulder and spun him around. Blood-Eyed Bill glared, his dark red eyes skewered him like two hot pokers.

“It was a mistake to bring you,” his voice deep as a powerful drum, “You shouldn’t be a vampire. You’re too small. Too young. One day he won’t be able to protect you.”

Roland wanted to scratch the fool’s eyes. Prove his merit. Instead of causing a fight he might not win, he simply brushed off Bill’s hand with an equally strong push.

“Touch me again and I’ll make you Black-Eyed Bill,” he snarled. So did Bill.

Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Fenroth

FENROTH

No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.

Other names: Trapper, Vampire-Trapper, Hunter, Fen

Physical characteristics:
"The imposing stranger towered over him, standing well over six feet tall. Dressed in furs from head to toe with the exception of his pants and belt, which were leather, the man looked rugged. A large fur cloak covered his ensemble.

He had a thick beard and mustache with heavy eyebrows. A large hat covered his forehead and cast a long shadow over his hairy face. His glowing red eyes stared through the shadowy night."

Personality:
Clever, smart, gruff, silent, confident and careful.
 
Abilities:

He has the standard vampire abilities. This means he’s faster and stronger than humans, his senses are extremely acute as are his reflexes. However he can not fly or transform. He cannot mesmerize others either. He can communicate with animals.

His tracking skills are stronger than most vampires and werewolves. His senses are stronger and more acute, allowing him to sense other vampires, creatures, humans and animals for miles around.

He is an expert tracker with a collection of kills. He uses every trap known to man or vampire as well as many he has devised himself.

Known History:

Fenroth is a Northwestern tracker turned vampire by a mysterious Native American vampire in the early 1600s. He has two werewolves that the dark witch Gertrude trapped in werewolf form. They look like big wolves on four legs. Fenroth named them Set and Hades. Fenroth is loyal to Dominic and serves him well. Dominic put Fenroth in charge of his empire in North America. This means the trapper can create as many vampires as he wants, as long as they are loyal to Dominic first and foremost. He has two assistants, Isi the Choctaw squaw and the crazed Wildes Blut Teir.

Fenroth originally met Roland Foresight when Roland traveled through the woods of Massachusetts in order to rescue a friend. Fenroth befriended Roland in order to trap him, but Roland found out Fenroth’s plan and escaped. Fenroth captured Roland and Annabelle Foresight had to mount a rescue with their friend Thomas Dunston.

The Foresight children have dealt with Fenroth over the last three centuries in stories yet to be told.

Night Children: Dark Trials is ready for the crit group!

I belong to a local critique group. We review each other's books, give advice where needed to make the books stronger and support each other in our endeavours. Sometimes we're brutally honest. It's hard but necessary.

Dark Trials is the second book in the Night Children series. When I first wrote the rough draft for what would become Dark Birth, I actually had a great deal of Dark Trials in it too. I later broke the books in two.

A friend at work read Dark Trials and liked it. He was the only one so far. Now it's time for the group to review it. They'll read it this month and in February we'll discuss it. I expect some parts to entertain them but I know there are unknown problems throughout it. There always are things that I think are OK but I later find out it didn't quite work.

I know I'll be hating some of the things I hear but it's necessary. It's part of the journey that I need to do.

Bite of Story Thursday

Night Children: Dark Birth

Chapter Twenty-One

They traveled together all night. Roland watched Fenroth closely, trying to learn from the experienced tracker.


“How long have you been tracking and hunting?”

“For the better part of eighty years. I was turned into a vampire shortly after I moved to this continent.”

They were running quickly through the dark woods. The moon lit up the path at certain intervals but Roland’s night vision made the moonlight unnecessary. Fenroth never turned into a bat or flew. Roland followed his lead because he didn’t want to look like a show off.

After a while of traveling at top speed and never quite catching up with Fenroth, Roland began to get tired. Suddenly the man stopped. He held up his right arm to signal for Roland to stop as well.

“Smell it?”

“Yeah. What is that? It smells stronger than the beavers and raccoons I’ve eaten.” The thin, musky odor tuned Roland’s nose. He could pick up the tasty aroma of lots of blood.

Fenroth nodded towards the moonlit stream through the brush where a bear drank greedily. “Watch closely.”

Roland instinctively held his breath.

-----


For more check out Dark Birth at your local online store. Links to Dark Birth on the web can be found on the Store Page.

Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Eliza Pratchet

ELIZA PRATCHET

This is the closest I have to a pic of them.

artist:(if you know the artist, please let me know so I can credit him or her).

Other names: Laila, Dear wife

Name Origin: Form of Elisabeth, "pledged to God." Variant, Liza, exists.
“Eliza” is her English name. Her real name is Laila, like her 4th great grandmother. She was named Eliza by her Grandmother Laila and she took it, quite honored.

Physical characteristics:
She appears in her early twenties, has long dark hair and olive skin like her fellow European gypsies, except it seems more pale due to her vampirism. She has long fingernails and wears long flowing black and white dresses and robes.

Personality: Very patient, caring, loving and kind. She walks and speaks softly and appears gentle unless you threaten her adoptive children, Annabelle and Roland Foresight. She gained confidence the longer she was with the Foresight children.

Abilities:
She has the standard vampire abilities. This means she’s faster and stronger than humans, her senses are extremely acute as are her reflexes. She can fly and turn into a bat. She has ability to transform into a wolf, rat, bat and mist. She can control humans through mesmerization and communicate with lesser beasts.


Known History:

Born in 1589 a daughter of gypsies. She and her family were mortals whom traveled with the Mullo tribe, a family of vampiric gypsies. The tribe members, after a certain age where they might die, can chose the Right of the Dark and get turned so they can live on. Some stay mortal because they choose to while others desire vampirism.

Her 4th great grandfather, the vampire Nicu, died in 1591 defending the tribe and young Eliza in particular. A small group of evil vampires under Dominic’s command tried to slaughter them but Nicu drove them off, earning a steak to the heart. Eliza’s parents died as well. Her 5th great grandmother Laila raised little Eliza.

In 1609 she met Dominic. Eliza fell in love with him and he stole her away to America when he was back in Europe gaining supporters. Eliza carries a great deal of guilt over allowing Dominic to take her.

In 1692 she rebelled against him and saved Annabelle and Roland. She turned them into vampires. She teaches them because she at first felt sorry for them, because Laila taught her to help the downcast and because she loves them.

Bite of Story Thursday

Night Children: Dark Threats

Chapter Six

In her werewolf form, Grace appeared thin but healthy. The attacking werewolves all dwarfed her due to her smaller size. She was roughly the same height as Roland and possessed his defiant temper. Despite being two different creatures of the night, Roland and Grace seemed perfect for each other.


Her opponent smiled a toothy grin. “You would do well to join up. We’ll find your precious clan. And when we do, I’ll take your head to your brother Coinín as a trophy. He’s the king of your tribe now, correct?”

She grinned as well. It took a lot more than false bravado from one of Dominic’s trained mutts to get under her fur. “You’re welcome to try.”

The werewolf lunged. Grace dropped to the ground and darted between his legs. She flipped, grabbed the extra fur on his back, pulled herself up and slashed at his eyes and throat. He let out a dreadful gasp as she bounded off his shoulders and somersaulted in the air. Grace outstretched her feet, landing on a table. She picked up a silver knife with a napkin and crouched, ready for his attack.


-----

For more check out Dark Threats at your local online store. Links to Dark Threats on the web can be found on the Store Page.

Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Servo Guardante

SERVO GUARDANTE

No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.


Other names: Ol' Stinky, Smelly, Mr. Creepy


Name Origin: Watching Servant in Italian.

Physical characteristics:

Always hunched over, filthy, wild eyes, creepy smile, balding with pock marks and scars on skin and dressed in dirty rags.

Personality:
Creepy, back stabbing spy who only serves his master and himself. Clever enough to know the value of escaping to live another day. Completely devoted to Dominic and will betray or kill anyone if it means gaining his master's favor.

Abilities:
Servo is a ghoul. If a vampire bites a human twice in rapid succession their physical and mental being becomes corrupted. They become stronger and faster than most humans. Their reflexes and senses are sharper. In short, they gain a small fraction of the power of a vampire. They cannot mesmerize others, fly or chance shape. The sun weakens then a fraction but does not burn them. Ghouls have long life spans but it is unknown if they can achieve the full immortality that vampires have. Most die in the service of their dark masters.

Known History:
At some point in the past Dominic found Servo in Italy and made him a ghoul. Servo has served Dominic for centuries, spying on Dominic's enemies across two continents and within many nations. He always puts Dominic first and travels a lot to fulfill his master's wishes. He mortally wounded Thomas Dunston, forcing Annabelle Foresight to turn Tom into a vampire. Most of Servo's dark history is so far untold.

Merry Christmas!

 


Just a quick message to wish all my blog followers and those hidden in Lurky-ville a wonderful and merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Hope your holidays go great and bring you peace and joy.

Scott

Bite of Story Thursday

Night Children: Dark Trials
Chapter Five

She caught a glimpse of Eliza. The men held her tight, pulling her to the center of town. Why didn’t she try to defend herself? Annabelle punched and scratched her way to Eliza. The angry shouts and constant attacks from her attackers made it impossible to concentrate. If she could think for long enough to change her form or mesmerize the mob, Annabelle might be able to rescue Eliza and escape.


Where are Roland and Thomas? she thought in panic.

Henry continued to shout over the mob, “Reginald Worthing told me they were killing Johnny. He said they lied to me and they’ve always served the devil.”

The crowd of hostile villagers tripled in size. Men were joined by their wives, fathers by their sons. Annabelle wondered if the entire town had gone insane. Other voices joined Henry: “We have to stop them before they kill everyone in town.” “Don’t let them murder our children.” “Let’s hang them at the town square.”

Henry shouted over the mob, “Hanging won’t work. We’ve got to burn them!”

Her body tired and her mind in panic, Annabelle couldn’t stop the mob from dragging her after Eliza. Bloodthirsty cheers roared in her ears while her voice was raw with all her screaming.

Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Grace Faolchú

GRACE FAOLCHÚ

No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.

Other names:  Graine, Grainné, Princess, Wolf Princess, Hot-headed mutt

Name Origin:
Graine : Irish name meaning "love."  Graine was translated into English Grace.
Grace: English name derived from the vocabulary word, meaning "grace."
Faolchú: Wolf.

Grace's father, Alastar, changed his last name after exile. He was exiled from his clan after being bitten by a werewolf in the first part of the 1600s. He roamed early Britain, found other exiled werewolves and formed his own clan.

Physical characteristics:


She's thin and short. She has long red hair that flows down to her butt. For awhile she cut it to a cropped short look. Thin facial features. When she transforms, she gains a thick red coat of fur. Her bright green eyes turn yellow.

Personality:
Aggressive, strongly opinionated, strong minded, like her father. She can also love fiercely. Everything she does, she does with passion.

Abilities:
Grace has the standard werewolf abilities. She can transform into a half-wolf half-human form or all wolf form. In both forms she's stronger, faster and has better agility and enhanced senses. She can access her enhanced abilities and sharp nails and teeth even in human form. As an Alpha Wolf, she's immortal. She seems to age slowly, perhaps a year per one-hundred human years.

Known History:

Like her little brother Coinín, Grace was born a werewolf to two werewolf parents, Alastar and Maureen Faolchú. She is a werewolf princess and a member of royalty among the clans. She is a Alpha Wolf, like her father and brother. This means she'll live forever and has the makings of a future pack leader like her father.

As of this writing, much of Grace's history has not been chronicled. She met Roland and Annabelle in the mid 1700s when the Clan Faolchú paid their yearly visit to the Mullo gypsy tribe. She has helped Roland multiple times and in 1941 was referenced as his "girlfriend" by Annabelle. It remains to be seen if Annabelle was speaking out of turn or if Grace and Roland ready did/do have that kind of relationship. It should be noted that it is taboo to romantically link a vampire with a werewolf.

Night Children: Dark Birth - the Proof is here!

The printed proof has arrived for Dark Birth. I actually hold in my hands a copy of my 1st novel, the one that I've been blogging about since '06 and working on since '04. It's so surreal to open it and see text I've tweaked and revised for so long. Originally it was called Annabelle & Roland: The Night Children. I like the new concept of titles I'm using.

As an actual novel, Dark Birth is thicker than Dark Threats. I compared it to several books on the shelf and found it to be about the same size.

I learned from my formatting errors on the proof of Dark Threats. There are very few things wrong with the Birth proof. I'm revising Book Two's title (sigh, again) so I need to change that bit on the last page. Other than that I think it turned out great.

Next step, order copies to give away at speaking engagements/book signings and also to loan out for reviews. Meanwhile it's set up so Amazon will soon have it available to order.

It's so exciting to finally hold it in my hand!

Bite of Story Thursday

NIGHT CHILDREN: DARK BIRTH

Chapter Eighteen

She rushed deeper into the forest, sweat running down her brow and pooling behind her neck. Her undead body shouldn’t be having these reactions. Annabelle had no pulse yet it quickened. Terror caused her body to tremble. Her inhuman mind was demanding certain responses of her body and it was following suit.


She didn’t want to die and if this madman found her everything would be over. She wondered if all their training on how to kill vampires would be used on them. The man almost got Roland’s heart. He could have any weapon at his disposal. Deep fear rippled through her body as she continued to blur away from each arrow.

The stranger seemed to get closer by the minute. While he didn’t have her speed, he did have a certain skill with his weapon. Every time they would emerge from one set of trees, more arrows pierced the night. It took all her speed to avoid them.

He’s good, she thought, I can only stay a step ahead of him. If we keep running, he’ll get us. Where do we go? She looked through the trees and then glanced up. Annabelle leapt high into the branches while holding her brother. Once on a limb, she gently leaned him against the trunk and remained deathly quiet.

Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Penelope Chesterfield: Bride of Domi

THE THREE QUEENS / BRIDES OF DRACULA

This is the closest I have to a pic of them.

artist:(if you know the artist, please let me know so I can credit him or her).

Who:
Elizabeth Báthory, Roxana Dawn and Penelope Chesterfield.

What:
Their mission is to watch over Domi's interests and keep an eye on the Seven Tyrant Lords.

Penelope Chesterfield

Name origin:

Latin form of Greek Penelopeia, meaning "weaver of cunning."

Physical characteristics:

Long, straight light-brown hair. Bright brown eyes with thin eye lashes. Likes to dress in long black robes with a long flowing cape.

Abilities:

Typical vampire abilities:

She possesses the abilities of all vampires. This means she is faster and stronger than humans, her senses are extremely acute as are her reflexes. She can fly and can mesmerize humans. It took her a long time to learn how turn into a bat and mist.

Special abilities:

She’s an expert witch. Penelope has mastered dark magic and loves to use it on Dominic’s enemies. There are very few warlocks and witches who have become vampires. Of their limited number, Penelope is the greatest. She’d rather focus on her spells than master her vampiric abilities.

Known History:

Insane, Penelope Chesterfield lost her parents to illness in Colonial America of the late 1600s. She was found by Dominic Pratchet, whom brought her to one of his witch covens in North America because she showed a penchant for witchcraft. She became part of the coven and lived with his senior witch, Gertrude. Penelope was always more comfortable with her cats (familiars). She has a familiar named Moonlight that she hexed into a werecat.

She is obsessed with Dominic. She continuously tried to prove herself to him until he finally turned her into a vampire. Her goal is to one day be one of his queens. Eventually she proved herself and became one of his Brides. She recruited the Invisible Man.

Met another fan!

I found out today that one of the copies at the Purple Cow bookstore sold yesterday. You can imagine how excited I got.

Well that excitement went into overdrive when I was at Wal-Mart. A boy came up to me, admitted he was the one who bought it, and told me he loved it!

I love meeting fans! THAT is what it's all about. Writing stories that entertain. Sharing characters who inspire and help others.

I LOVE THIS!

Bite of Story Thursday

Night Children: Dark Threats
Chapter Two:


A twig snapped ahead in the darkened wood. Annabelle and Roland stopped in their tracks and stiffened. Two heartbeats pounded nearby and Annabelle silently chastised herself for not listening closer to the surrounding woods.


“Smell that?” she whispered to her brother.

“Yeah,” Roland agreed. “The breeze was blowing the other way before, hiding their scent. It’s them.”

Two familiar women hid just ahead. Menace oozed off of them.

“Who?” Tom peered into the dark wood fearfully.

“The witches, Tom,” Ann explained. “I need you two to run as fast as you can.”

“That’s not going to work,” Penelope said. Sixteen years old and completely devoted to evil, the younger of the two witches stepped onto the path with the much older Gertrude beside her. “Time to die.”