Friday Five for April 8, 2016

1. My latest WIP is torturing me. I found a huge plot hole last week thanks to a character who pointed it out. So I've been rewriting (the third rewrite for this book) and now I'm finally on track toward the climax again. I had hoped to have it finished today, but now I'm aiming for next Friday.

2. I've been shopping for images this month. A late Christmas gift from my mom. I have the most perfect pictures for my Totem series. I hope I can do them justice when I create the covers. Now I'm picking images that would make awesome covers for other stories. I'm going to try to see if it is easier to write from inspiration from an image rather than trying to find images that fit a completed story.

3. Last night was my little guy's spring concert. He was so excited to sing on stage! Watching all the little kindergarten kids was cute.

4. One moment can change your life. One click can add The Thing That Turned Me to your "to read" list on Goodreads. I can't wait for this anthology!

5. I'll be easing off the blogging this month while sharing in the fun with the participants of the A to Z Challenge. I need more time to give my attention to these stories that are creating such havoc for me! I do have fabulous guest on my blog on Monday, and I'll be at her blog the same day. Stop by and see what we have in store for you!

Have a wonderful weekend!

#IWSG for April 2016

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.

I'm happy to be co-hosting this month along with these awesome writers: Megan Morgan, Chris Votey, Viola Fury, Madeline Mora-Summonte, L.G. Keltner, and Patricia Lynne!

Many of you are participating in the A to Z Challenge this month. My time is very limited this month, so I had to sadly opt out of doing it. But I'm here cheering you on!

The first time I participated in the Challenge I had no clue what to do. I was scared no one would like anything I did. So feeling that way, I wrote about a little girl who started off frightened and grew into a warrior. The story spanned over the entire month. Some of you might remember the tale of a brave woman who fought the monsters under children's beds with a snarky stuffed hippo as her guide.

Fearless received so much love. I went on to self-publish it and put it up for free. There has been over 70,000 downloads of the story since 2012, and that's a modest estimate as I don't know the number of downloads it has had on Kobo. I still am shocked when I think of that many people having read the book.

Many readers write me to say they read Fearless and it was so good, they bought my other books. It has been one of the best ways to market my work.

All of this because of the A to Z Challenge.

The Challenge might be scary, but you can do it. Slay your monsters and write.

P.S. Come stop over at the Untethered Realms blog. I miss doing the Challenge so much, I posted yesterday with my A to Z of funny paranormal things!

X has never been sexier

Check out a teaser at Untethered Realms from the third book in the 13th Floor series, The Dragonslayer.

X is one of the most difficult letters to come up with a post for during the A to Z Challenge. Find out what other clever participants are sharing today by clicking here.

IWSG for April 2015

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.

This month there are six awesome co-hosts: Tonja Drecker, Donna Hole, Suzanne Furness, Toi Thomas, Fundy Blue, and Rachna Chhabria.

A huge good luck to everyone participating in the A to Z Challenge this month. I'll be posting with the Untethered Realms group. Click over to our blog every day this month and get a teaser from our books.

Some days of the Challenge will feel like this:

26 days with 26 posts. That's a lot to write. So many fantastic blogs to visit. So little time.

But I believe in you. You can do it.

Take one day at a time. And by the end of the month, you'll be like:

A to Z and UR

One full week left of the A to Z Challenge!

How are you holding up?

There are only 9 posts left to go. Don't give up!

You can do it!

For fun with fantastical creatures,

head on over to Untethered Realms.

Discover a new creature to gaze at in wonder

or flee from in terror!

Good luck to everyone doing the A to Z Challenge

It's that time of year again.

The A to Z Challenge is here! Woo-hoo!

If you haven't heard about it, please visit the A to Z blog.

And there's still time to sign up!

Good luck to everyone participating in the Challenge this year. I considered doing it here on my blog, but April is too busy for me.

BUT I will be participating in it with a group effort.

Check out Untethered Realms this month. We'll be featuring mythological creatures. Famous beasts, not so famous ones, and others we created ourselves. It's going to be so much fun!

I will be doing B and P as my letters, and I'm in the group posts. You'll get a little taste from one of my books from the 13th Floor series and another that I'm querying this year.

A to Z Challenge Reflection Post

I survived the 2013 A to Z Challenge!
Congratulations to all the other survivors.
A big thank you to everyone who stopped by during April with your words of support and encouragement.

A special thank you to the A to Z team. You guys are awesome!

The Madlab Post - Nicole Ayers

Tossing It Out - Arlee Bird

Amlokiblogs - Damyanti Biswas
Alex J. Cavanaugh - Alex J. Cavanaugh
Life is Good - Tina Downey
Cruising Altitude 2.0 - DL Hammons
Retro-Zombie - Jeremy Hawkins
The Warrior Muse - Shannon Lawrence
The QQQE - Matthew MacNish

Leave it to Livia - Livia Peterson

No Thought 2 Small - Konstanz Silverbow
Breakthrough Blogs - Stephen Tremp

Spunk on a Stick - L. Diane Wolfe

This is the 2013 A to Z Challenge Reflection post. It's another way to visit more participants and see what everyone thought of the Challenge. Sign up on the linky list and let everyone know what your experiences were last month.

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Heather M. Gardner's. Her theme was Stormy the Weather Gnome's bucket list. It was hilarious! She also recently signed a contract to have her book, MAGUIRE'S CORNER published! Congratulations, Heather. On the final day of the Challenge, Heather bestowed upon me the Zombie Rabbit Award. I get to pass on this magnificent award to my ten favorite blogs from the Challenge. Thank you, Heather, and thank you to the ten bloggers who entertained me during April with your awesome posts.

1) Nick Wilford - wrote an amazing story about an angel with words supplied each day by his readers.

2) M. Pepper Langlinais - had intriguing snippets of her characters Peter and Charles (from her book St. Peter in Chains) traveling the world and looking for a place to settle down.

3) Elise Fallson - an A to Z of "ology" words. People study and collect the strangest things.

4) Lily - follows Spawn's descent into madness with his plans for world domination. Hilarious!

5) Sandy - excellent traveling tips and sharing her adventures.

6) Julie Flanders - her theme was Alaska inspired by her book Polar. I've always wanted to go there!

7) Mark Means - a whole month of obscure comic book characters. Even my geekery was put to the test!

8) Al Diaz - a tour of his magnificent dragon's cave and dwarf cheerleaders.

9) Shannon Lawrence - an A to Z of history's mysteries. Absolutely fascinating. Just up my alley.

10) Mina Lobo - an enthralling A to Z of aphrodisiacs. I learned so much. Made notes!

A to Z Challenge 2013 - Z is for Ziti

The last post for the 2013 A to Z Challenge.

It was so much fun! Thank you, everyone, for your comments and support.

I've been posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.
(Well, this one is a little longer than a snippet. But hopefully it's well worth it!)

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

Z IS FOR ZITI

Erik pounced on the monster's head and dug his fingers into its eyes. Both roared - each with their own sort of pain. It thrashed its head back and forth, but Erik held fast with hands deep into its eye sockets.

The tail unraveled, and Danielle gasped for air. She stumbled, righted herself against the dresser, and calling forth her blades again, she sliced her way along the serpent's body. It bashed Erik against the wall above the bed before she could decapitate it.

The monster's head rolled toward the closet, and Erik fell onto the queen-sized bed. Libby hopped up with him, crying and clutching her father.

Danielle stood ready for the serpent to reform. Her chest heaved and still burned from lack of oxygen. She'd do this forever if she had to. For Libby. For Erik.

The pile of ooze looked like over-baked ziti. It didn't even twitch. Not after three seconds or ten. Not even after a full minute.

Her glowing hands dimmed, the blades retracted, and the soft blue light winked out.

It's dead. What happened differently this time? Fenn's voice made her startle.

On the bed, Erik embraced Libby even as he winced. The girl wept as he murmured to her. "I have you, baby. You're so brave. I love you so much."

"Maybe he realized something that he was too blind with his own fear to notice before." Danielle pressed a hand to her bite wound. She gritted her teeth with the pain, but a smile turned up her lips. "I think they're going to be okay."

Perhaps. Several years of therapy won't hurt either. Make sure you suggest that. Fenn sniffed.

"Danielle." Erik beckoned to her. She hedged nearer, not wanting to interrupt their moment, but he grabbed her uninjured arm and pulled her into their hug. "Thank you. We owe you everything." He kissed her head, her cheek, and then her mouth. "Thank you."

Heat spread through her that had nothing to do with her wounds. Her lips tingled and her heart sped up again. Before she could say anything though, Fenn cleared his throat and Libby spoke.

"Daddy, did you just kiss her?" Libby gasped and then giggled. "You like Miss Sawyer!"

"Yup, I sure do." Erik tugged them both to him, and Libby reached out to place a hand over Danielle's.

I'm sure this is a deeply emotional moment for you, but shouldn't you be getting everyone to a hospital now?

A to Z Challenge 2013 - Y is for Yawned

It's the penultimate post for the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

I can't believe it's almost at an end already. What a month!

I'm posting snippets from a story this year.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

Y IS FOR YAWNED

"No." Danielle's chin trembled. "No! I will kill this monster a million times before I ever hurt Erik!"

She charged the serpent.

You're not thinking with your head, Danielle. Fenn bellowed. The child's safety must come first!

The monster reared back, taking its head out of Danielle's reach. It whipped its tail around and smacked her, sending her flying against a set of drawers.

"I'll never let it harm Libby! But killing Erik isn't the answer!"

You don't know this!

"And neither do you!" Danielle's screech was cut off as the tail slammed into her. It wound around her body and squeezed. She couldn't get a breath. Hacking at the monster's body was doing nothing to deter it.

"No!" Libby ran at the serpent. "Leave her alone! Go away!"

"Libby!" Erik managed to roll to his hands and knees. His cry hoarse and wobbly.

"Go away! Go away!" Libby's tiny fists struck the monster. It hissed, almost like a chuckle.

Danielle wanted to scream for the girl to get away, but not even a squeak escaped her throat. Black dots decorated her vision.

The monster's mouth yawned, fangs glistened, and it descended upon the child.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - X is for Xanax

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

 X IS FOR XANAX

How fascinating. A monster born from an adult's fears. Fenn mused.

"What? It's not possible!" Danielle yelled, ignoring the blood streaming down her arm as she stood and readied herself for the next attack.

The monster was more wary this time. It curled up and watched her, clearly weighing its options. All the while, it shook that infernal rattle.

"It is! It is!" Libby sobbed and hugged her father's arm. "I like snakes. I'm not scared of them!"

I believe her. Fenn stated. Erik's fear for his daughter is powerful.

Danielle shook her head. She didn't want to believe Erik had created these nightmares. The man might need some Xanax sometimes, but no adult could be that terrified.

Images of Erik flashed through her mind. Him smiling, slow and sexy. His easy laugh. The glassy-eyed look he got when watching the news. Always with the news.

The bonnet and rattle. The baby store that had gotten robbed. Then the squirrel with the shotgun for the school shooting in Kentucky. The gangster mummy for the murder at the museum.

Damn.

I think the only answer to saving the child may be to kill Erik.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - W is for Wails

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

W IS FOR WAILS

The monster's fangs plunged into Danielle's upper arm. It flung her up against the ceiling, smashing her into the stucco. It fluttered around them like stage snow.

She screamed. Or at least she thought she did, but all she could hear were Libby's wails.

Danielle summoned her blades back to her, and they emerged from her palms. The serpent threw her against the far wall beside the open closet. The world swam before her eyes, but she'd been hit in the head enough times sparring to know how to push through the pain.

Kill it properly this time. Fenn ordered.

An eerie rattling filled the room.

"I did!" Danielle growled. When the monster struck again, she was ready. Kicking its lower jaw up, she raked her swords along the soft flesh under its head. It didn't deal with pain as well as she did. As it flailed, she loped off its head, and it lost form becoming goo. "Definitely dead."

For three seconds.

"Dammit!" Danielle jumped out of the way and crouched down in front of Libby and Erik. "Libby, you don't have to be afraid any more. I'm here. Your fear is giving the monster power."

"But it's not my monster!" Libby cried. "It's Daddy's!"

A to Z Challenge 2013 - V is for Vow

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

V IS FOR VOW

Quickly, Danielle! Fenn shouted.

Danielle didn't need to be told. In one smooth motion, she launched herself at the monster. Her arms crossed, and with a scissoring motion, she cut off its head.

Falling to her knees beside Erik and Libby, Danielle dropped her weapons. Her heart was hammering so hard, she thought it might punch its way out of her chest. "Libby! Erik! Are you okay?"

Erik only replied with a groan. She helped to turn him and sit him against the wall. Danielle couldn't tell without a light, but he didn't look any more than bruised. No blood stained him anywhere. Placing a hand on his bare chest, she could feel he was still alive.

"Miss Sawyer." Libby whispered.

"Your dad will be okay. You don't have to worry." Danielle let out a long breath. She'd made it just in time. Libby's monsters were getting stronger. So strong they could show up in front of an adult. How she was going to remedy this, she didn't know, but she made a silent vow that she would do anything to help Libby.

"No. Behind you." Libby whimpered.

And the serpent struck.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - U is for Ululation

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

U IS FOR ULULATION

Danielle ran through the neighborhood's backyards and sent dogs to howling. Her hair whipped against her face and tangled as she leapt over fences.

Please let Libby be okay.

She heard a child's scream as she raced across Erik's back lawn and barreled through the glass door. Glass rained over the kitchen floor, and the alarm went off sounding like a dying siren's last ululation. Skating along with the shards, she darted down the hall and took the stairs two at a time to the second floor.

There was another scream and an ominous hiss. Not from Libby's room, but farther down the hall.

When Danielle kicked open the door, she found herself in the master bedroom. A gigantic serpent with a pink bonnet and a baby's rattle clutched in its tail loomed over its victim.

No. Victims.

Erik used his body to cover Libby's. Perhaps as his last act, because he didn't appear to be moving.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - T is for T-Rex

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

T IS FOR T-REX

Hooking the T-Rex's lower jaw with one blade, Danielle yanked it down and sliced through its neck with her other sword. The monster tried to roar, but black ooze gushed forth instead. Danielle darted to the side as it lost its form and fell to the floor in a jiggling pile.

That was a dangerous move. You couldn't guess how strong its jaws were. Fenn chided.

"I was well in control of its head. And those tiny little baby arms would never have reached me. Whoever said that was the T-Rex was one of the most ferocious of carnivores needs to spend a night with me." Danielle snorted and then paused to take in her own words. She corrected herself. "Not like that. I meant slaying monsters."

I didn't think anything else, Fenn said dryly.

"Yes, that's right. You're no fun." She then quickly added, "Not that I want you thinking anything like that." She shook her head at herself. The boy whose room it was had fled to his brother's bedroom, so there was no need to stick around. She headed to the window when she stopped and stared at her hands.

They were still glowing.

"My hands." Danielle surveyed the room. There were no monsters left. None in the house that she could feel. "What's going on?"

After a few seconds, Fenn spoke. How close did you say Libby lived to this boy?

"The next block." Danielle leapt out the window and ran.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - S is for Soothing

We're on the last full week. I love the posts I've been reading this year.

We can do it! We will survive the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

I'm posting snippets from a story this year.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

S IS FOR SOOTHING

Danielle dropped her iPhone on the couch beside her. She kicked at the air with both feet before flopping back. "Erik ditched me tonight. I can't believe he cancelled."

Did he give a reason? Fenn inquired.

"Just that he was tired." Danielle scoffed and leaned sideways letting gravity take her over onto the pillow so she could bury her face in it. The noise from the television was muffled and the faint scent of Lavender Febreze tickled her nose. It wasn't the least bit soothing.

At least he didn't say he had a headache.

Startling a bit, Danielle raised her head and stared at the little dog. "Did you just make a joke?"

No. Clearly I did not. Fenn said in a monotone. You're not laughing.

"I know that I'm truly pathetic when you make a joke to try to cheer me up." She groaned and smashed her face against the pillow again.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - R is for Restless

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

R IS FOR RESTLESS

Breathe deep. Focus your energy. Fenn's voice was low and hypnotic.

Danielle sat cross-legged on the floor of her living room with her eyes closed. Meditation helped after a work-out. Usually if she didn't, she remained restless for hours afterward. Perspiration dried on her flesh and called forth rows of goosebumps.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Fenn continued. You are one of the Fearless. Nothing shakes your core. You are strong. You are a warrior.

A fighter she was. After killing her first monster, nothing terrified her. She wished she could pass some of that onto Libby. Poor kid. And Erik. It was hard to be a parent in today's world.

Okay, maybe she was a little afraid of losing him. They'd just started to get to know each other. It could be something great. Danielle could see herself making a life with him and helping him raise Libby. Maybe another baby . . .

Her eyes snapped open. What was she thinking? She and Erik weren't even officially a couple yet. It was ridiculous to even think beyond the next time she saw him. How did she suddenly become one of those silly girls planning a wedding with a guy she'd only kissed?

In other news: Today is my little guy's 3rd birthday! We'll be having a picnic at the park if the weather cooperates. Happy birthday to the best boy in the world!

Thanks to everyone who has been complimenting the photos with my A- Z this year. He had fun checking out the Monopoly game, and wanted the hotels and houses to be cars zooming around the track.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - Q is for Quintessential

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

Q IS FOR QUINTESSENTIAL

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Libby hugged Danielle around the waist, bouncing with each word.

"Uh, you're welcome?" Danielle smiled, unsure of what this was about, but glad to see the girl so happy.

"Thank you for talking to my dad. This weekend was perfect. He didn't get all grumpy with too much to do. We played games and cleaned up the garden together. We're going to buy some flowers next weekend and plant them. It's going to be awesome!"

Or he could just be happy after all the canoodling the two of you did on Friday night. Fenn huffed. 

Danielle burst out laughing and put a hand over her mouth as if she could contain it. Seeing Libby gazing at her with raised brows, she shook her head. "Sorry, just thinking funny, uh, gardening stories. That's wonderful. It sounds like a lot of fun."

"Yup! Gotta go!" Libby waved, the quintessential happy little girl in pigtails skipping down the hall.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - P is for Pie

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

P IS FOR PIE

"Have you ever thought of not watching the news?" Danielle gazed at him from across the small kitchen island. Even with the dark circles under his eyes, he still managed to be the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen.

"What?" Erik blinked, cocking his head to the side as if he truly didn't understand her question.

"Let's turn off the TV. We can sit and talk. Maybe play some cards, or if you really want to watch something, let's find a movie. Something funny. You look like you need a good belly laugh." She fingered the rim of her bottle, not sure of how he'd react.

Erik stared at her for a moment and then breathed out, smiling. "I haven't watch a comedy in ages."

Her shoulders relaxed as he walked to the TV and grabbed the remote. Erik flipped through the channels and found one that made him grin. He came back to lean on the island next to her. "Here's a good one."

"American Pie? I do love to watch teenage boys taking advantage of baked goods." Danielle bumped her hip lightly against his as she turned to rest against the island as well. Erik laughed, low and sweet. A hopeful tingle went from her smile down to her quivering stomach and a little lower.

In other news: My short story, "No One Believed Me" was accepted by Every Day Fiction. Yay! I'll let you know when it will be available on their site. I needed a boost this week, because I'm behind schedule with my writing and I'm making some major changes with no extra time to make them.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - O is for Opened

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

O IS FOR OPENED

Erik opened the front door and smiled at Danielle as she stepped into the foyer. He shut the door with a quiet click, motioning her to follow him. No hug or kiss. Not even a "good evening."

They entered the kitchen at the rear of the house. A single light was on its lowest setting and a small television whispered the news. The black cupboards and gray marble counter tops made it appear as if the room were made of shadows.

"Sorry about that. I didn't want Libby to know I have anyone over." Erik opened the fridge and took out two bottles of beer. He twisted off the caps and offered one to Danielle.

"I understand." And she did. There was no point in Libby knowing about them when Danielle didn't even know if there was a "them." Yet part of her was still hurt by him sneaking around with her, even in his own house.

She took the beer with a thank you and downed half of it in a few gulps. "Couldn't find a babysitter?"

"I didn't bother calling one. I didn't want to leave Libby at home." Erik sipped his drink and motioned to the TV. "Have you seen the news lately? Nowhere's safe anymore. An armed robbery of a baby store. How horrible must someone be to do that?"

A to Z Challenge 2013 - N is for Night after Night

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

N IS FOR NIGHT AFTER NIGHT

"There's not enough coffee in the world to keep me awake today." Danielle pressed her cheek against the desk's cool surface. She closed her eyes for a minute, and when no one responded, she opened one eye to peek at her Scotty dog. "What? No comment on how coffee is bad for me or that I shouldn't have stayed up all night?"

The pewter piece had no expression. You were comforting a child. Your compassion is one of the most admirable things about you.

Danielle smiled, but there was little joy in it. "Do you think maybe Libby might be one of the Fearless? Night after night, monsters come for her. Maybe they know."

No. Fenn sighed. I would know. And if she was, she would've displayed her powers with the first monster.

"I wish I knew how to stop them. Why do they keep coming?" Danielle yawned, teetering on the edge of sleep, but not finding it. Somehow she'd find a way. She had to for Libby's sake.