tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47364348650327138242024-03-13T10:05:50.629-05:00Nicole HicksUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-80340923823607938372014-09-13T22:38:00.000-05:002014-09-13T22:38:51.829-05:00WOO-HOO!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
WOO-HOO! Yep I'm back! And I may be bringing in an AWESOME guest soon! But we'll kepp that on the DL for now right?<br />
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I know I've been a bit....well gone lately- I've been a busy busy bee my dears~ but guess what? I'm BAAAAAAACK! And steaming along! Just warning you all ;-) heheheheh. More later, but for now it's time to WRITE! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-43622381604050961982012-10-17T04:22:00.003-05:002012-10-17T16:55:32.214-05:00Sweet Heat Trick or Treat Blog Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Sweet Heat Trick or
Treat Blog Tour</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: medium;"><b>Trick or Treat</b></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: medium;"><b>Gawd the Heat</b></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: medium;"><b>Book Boyfriends are mental-sweets!</b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The word in the photo is just one of your “treats”! Make sure you keep that word in a
safe place. “Visit” the Road to Hell series (<a href="http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com/">http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com</a>)
tomorrow, and each day thereafter, to find the next “treat”! The Sweet Heat
Trick or Treat Blog Tour ends October 31<sup>st</sup> and on Halloween you’ll
return to the <a href="http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com/">Road to Hell
series</a> blog and receive your final word. Here’s the “<b><i><u>trick</u></i></b>”—you’ll
have to arrange all the words you’ve received each day into a sentence and then
provide the sentence in the rafflecopter provided. New entries will be added to
the rafflecopter each day so be sure to check back at the <a href="http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com/">Road to Hell series</a> every day
to increase your chances of winning!</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Ready for your other treat? </span></div>
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<i>Like me</i></div>
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<i>Love me</i></div>
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<i>Lick me</i></div>
<i>Bite me </i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I figure we should stick with the season yes? I asked on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nicholandria">facebook</a> what they preferred and they said a lil bit of anything, lol. And since its the season of ghouls and ghost, witches and bitches, hounds of hell and all other kinds, I would give you a short scene or tale of terror. What say you? Interested? Well my friends, both new and old, just read on! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Things are never scary in the light of day. Right? But what
do you think happens to the creatures of the night? Do you think we magically
disappear simply waiting for night rise again? I hate to be the one to burst
your sunlit soaked bubble of hope here, but ehhhhh <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wrong</i>! We may slink, slide, or fly away from those harsh rays, but
we’re still around. And some of us… well some of us merely find the hours of
daylight annoying. A pestilence of hope in our lives of darkness. Who amongst
you mere humans want your lives scrutinized? Every act dissected? Every meal
looked upon as a heinous act? No, I’m sure you don’t. And neither do we…. Ok,
maybe I can’t speak for the collection of the night, but I don’t.</span></div>
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I always hear you day lovers talking about how hard it is to
find the right girl/guy. How there’s ‘not enough hours in the day’ to work, be
yourselves, and find someone to love. You have the day and part of the night-
so stop your belly aching! Try only having from sunset to sunrise. Think about
trying to date a vamp for instance. You’re making out and the sun starts to
rise. You think things are really heating up between you two- when all that’s
heating up is your date as he bursts into a small flames. Talk about a mood
killer. </div>
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Or how about a zombie? There’s just nothing sexy about loose
skin, my friends. Or spending half the night looking for something your date
lost, when it turns out to be a finger or an eye. (shudders)</div>
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And yeah, I’ve tried to date a shifter. Talk about hormonal!
They’re worse than I was when I had a period! All wanting to cuddle and neck
one moment, then thinking you’re their next meal another. Or the hairiness, oh
my god! Really they should buy stock in Nair. Or Gillette. They could be the
cure for baldness! “You want more hair? Just go to your local woods on a full
night! Lack of hair will be the least of your worries!”</div>
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<br /></div>
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And ghosts? Do you really think I want to date another one
of me? Talk about a lifeless relationship! And you can’t hold an argument- they
will literally disappear on you. </div>
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So I think I want to try humans now. After all I use to be
one. I know the ins and outs so to speak. And there’s nothing quite as fun as blowing
a man while he can’t see you. Have you ever seen the confused look turn to one
of pure ecstasy? It’s a wonderfully powerful feeling. Even if they don’t know
its me at the time.And speaking of I think that its almost evening, and the hotel I've been staying at has quite a few eligible bachelors, if you get my meaning. Thanks for coming by! Oh.... my name? Sharon, my friend. Sharon Stanley. And don't worry we'll meet again. The next time you feel what you think is the wind blowing softly on your neck and ear, just think about me. </div>
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Thank you for coming by meeting Sharon, spending time with us, and being a part of this blog tour. Now don't forget about the rafflecoptor, and as an added bonus I will give one lucky commenter a $10 Amazon gift card! So spread the word and spread the love! And thank you again for coming by! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><br /></i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-38091103170963702512011-12-20T12:07:00.000-06:002011-12-20T12:07:44.103-06:00Winner of Name that story!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">To everyone who entered~ thank you for all the awesome suggestions! You guys and gals are VERY inventive! And I'm sure you don't want me just keep blathering on~ so let me announce the winner!<br />
<br />
*drum roll*<br />
<br />
The winner of the name that story contest is Feral Wish by Andie! Grats Andie! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-37639875066309968862011-11-29T07:51:00.000-06:002011-11-29T07:51:55.442-06:00Second part of name that book contest~ Poll for voting on the right!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal">I apologize I apparently save this in Drafts instead of setting it to post Sunday. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> The first part of the contest consisted of me giving you, the readers, the following information: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Setting Hotel in Texas</div><div class="MsoNormal">Female lead~</div><div class="MsoNormal">Andria</div><div class="MsoNormal">Feline shifter</div><div class="MsoNormal">From Texas</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mother and erotic author</div><div class="MsoNormal">Friend to Kenya from No Dogs Allowed</div><div class="MsoNormal">Uses the 1Night Stand service to find a match</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Male Lead~</div><div class="MsoNormal">Clarenzio</div><div class="MsoNormal">Fox shifter with powers to enhance feelings of love and magic</div><div class="MsoNormal">From Southern Italy</div><div class="MsoNormal">Father Anteros italian god of love and passion</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mother Kitsune demon</div><div class="MsoNormal">Uses 1NS service to find a woman who loves him for who he is not the powers he got from his parents</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In an effort to find a man like the ones in her stories Andria elicits the help of Madame Eve and her 1Night Stand service. Is it possible to find a man that can deal with all the sides of her life~ including the brat squad that are her children? Or is it only in the pages of books that you can find a good man. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Clay is tired of women fawning over him for all the wrong reasons. How can you trust someone who says they love you when they've never been with you outside your power area? Is true love only a myth? Can he find a woman who loves him for who he is and not what he is?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And letting you come up with the offering title for my next short book.. You guys came up with some great ideas! Seriously you made it very hard for me to choose only five. The poll for voting for your favorites is there on the right, and I even made it easier for you~ you can vote for multiple ones! I figured since I had such a hard time I would make it a little easier for you gals and guys! You CAN post comments here~ HOWEVER they won't count in the votes. For that you HAVE to go to the poll in the right sidebar. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now Spread the word, have fun, and help one of the lovely people get into my dedication! :D </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Nicole</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-47983829845471316762011-11-17T11:08:00.005-06:002011-11-17T15:31:14.534-06:00Name that story Contest!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Would you like to be in the dedication of a book? Well here's your chance!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">I'm having a 'naming' problem with my newest novella! I'll give you the jist of it~ Choose three to five names and use those to see which gets the most votes! Now to get to the meat of it eh?<br />
<br />
Setting Hotel in Texas </div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Female lead~</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Andria</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Feline shifter </div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">From Texas</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Mother and erotic author</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Friend to Kenya from No Dogs Allowed</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Uses the 1Night Stand service to find a match</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Male Lead~</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Clarenzio</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Fox shifter with powers to enhance feelings of love and magic</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">From Southern Italy </div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Father Anteros italian god of love and passion</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Mother Kitsune demon</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Uses 1NS service to find a woman who loves him for who he is not the powers he got from his parents</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>In an effort to find a man like the ones in her stories Andria elicits the help of Madame Eve and her 1Night Stand service. Is it possible to find a man that can deal with all the sides of her life~ including the brat squad that are her children? Or is it only in the pages of books that you can find a good man. </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Clay is tired of women fawning over him for all the wrong reasons. How can you trust someone who says they love you when they've never been with you outside your power area? Is true love only a myth? Can he find a woman who loves him for who he is and not what he is?<br />
</b><br />
<b><br />
</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Now with all of that in mind give me your thoughts! Here we go my friends! You have until Thanksgiving to give me suggestions! I will chose my favorites out of them and post the second part of the contest on the 27th! </div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">I can't wait to see what you all come up with! </div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Nicole</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-2348495649235633452011-09-04T08:27:00.008-05:002011-09-04T08:27:00.220-05:00RSSS 3 PostI didn't know what I would do today with the tragedy that struck a dear friend who was killed by her husband Friday night September 2, 2011, in front of her children. I was prepared to give an apology for not writing a Reader Scene Suggestion Sunday when I remembered one request that rather fit with my mood and feelings. So this goes out to Jamie. You were a great mother, friend, and member of my extended family. You will be dearly missed. I love you and hope you find peace in your afterlife. <br />
<br />
And to Sarah K. Here's my reply to your request for a scene of loss.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The shots rang out amongst the gasping cries of loss from children and disbelieving exclamations from strangers. She turned to run, blonde hair flying out, trying to run to freedom...safety while pain bloomed. Another shot rang out blood flying from her temple and she fell hard to the ground. Slowly a large shadow covered her as her husband stood over her. She saw the gun raise toward her again in the unnatural silence. She could see her children's mouths moving when she managed to turn her head, saying 'No Daddy! Mommy!'. She mouthed in return to the children she knew she'd never see again~ I love you. Watching the tears pouring down their faces she felt the bullets hitting her head and face.The silence ended as her babies cries reached out to her, and the pain from years of abuse finally faded.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As she felt the freedom from the chains of her harsh life she worried about her little ones. <i>How will they cope? Will they ever be ok? Who will take care of them?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">She started to feel light, her spirit move in the wind, up from the mortal shell that she had lived in for 30 short years. <i> </i>Fighting not to leave she cried out. <i>No! I don't want to leave. Don't make me leave them! </i>She looked over to tear stained faces. Her oldest daughter looking on with older eyes while holding on to her littlest sister, hiding her face from the horror of what was left of their mom. While the middle child stood in shock, arms around her siblings, body shaking. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Come now.</i>The voice sounded faintly around her. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>No, I want to know they're okay. That they understand and know how much I love them. I want assurance that they'll be safe.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>There are no assurances. </i>As the disembodied voice spoke it seemed to grow stronger.<i> They will live their lives, as they are meant to.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>I was </i>meant<i> to die this way? To leave my babies behind? What is that? How fair is that? Look at them! How can you say that this is ok or fair?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i>She got the feeling of arms wrapping around her, holding her.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Pain is a sign of life. They will grow, they will remember, they will love.... Just as you've taught them to.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">She felt the distance growing further<i> </i>and she turned to watch her children. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>I love you babies. Take care of each other for me.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">" I love you, Mommy. <i> </i>And don't worry I'll take care of them," she heard her oldest say...almost as if she had been heard. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Slowly the scene faded, and was replaced with a blue-black sky filled with sparkling diamond like stars.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Where am I going? </i>Her tentative question seemed to fill her.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Where you belong.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I truly hope that each and every one of us takes the time to tell our loved ones how we feel. You never know what might happen, so take that minute of the day to tell them before you leave the house, or call them up and let them know what they mean to you. Life and love are too precious not to. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And remember~ if you want to challenge me or join in on RSSS email me at authornicolehicks@gmail.com with a scene suggestion and whether or not you want to be acknowledged and tagged.May you have a blessed week. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Return to <a href="http://authornicolehicks.blogspot.com/p/rsss-posts.html">Main RSSS Page</a></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-24680620726600004862011-08-28T08:00:00.003-05:002011-08-28T08:00:03.851-05:00RSSS 2 PostI'm not going to add in the request until after the Scene because in my opinion it will ruin it for the reader. So here you go, my friends. I hope you enjoy it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Julie looked around at the sun dappled lawn as she sat between her son and husband. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Do you remember the first time we went to the new park? The one right down the street?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Silence answered her. Even the birds stopped chirping. She closed her eyes, smiled sadly at the quiet surrounding her, and leaned back with her face to the sun. With a small giggle she started sharing her version of the memory. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Rick I think you were as excited as Jimmy was. Neither one of you would sit still through lunch. On the walk over you and Jimmy kept skipping ahead of me. I remember the heat, Lord it was hot. Of course that could have been because of how fast you two made me walk.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Her grin grew into a smile.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“The sight of you two racing ahead, Jimmy’s legs pumping trying to keep up with his Daddy, had me laughing out loud.”<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Come on, Mommy!” Her boy was growing up. He’d start kindergarten in the fall. In just two weeks her baby would be a little man. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I’m coming honey. Rick, slow down. He’s going to be exhausted by the time we get there.” She laughed at the excitement that was in her man’s eyes. She couldn’t tell who was more excited, the newly turned five year old or thirty-five year old man. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Mommy, come on! Only old people are slow and you’re not old yet….”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shaking her head she gave in.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Fine race you there, you two!”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She started running, quickly passing them.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Up, Daddy, up! We can’t let a girl beat us!”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Hey no fair,” she laughingly hollered as they passed her. Her husband’s laugh and son’s smiling face looking back at her more than made up for the exhaustion that was beginning to claim her. She huffed to a stop as they came to the park.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Ok fine you two win. Now go play so Mommy can rest.” She winked at her husband. His troubled face looked back at her and she shook her head at the question in his eyes. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I’m fine, hon. Honest. The chemo just took it out of me this round. I’ll sit in the shade and watch you two act like monkeys and gerbils in the tubes and playground equipment.”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She shooed them away as she took a seat at a picnic table. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The treatments had been doing more than making her tired lately, but she couldn’t let her guys know that. Just yesterday the doctors told her she wouldn’t last much longer, that her body had fought as much as it could. But she refused to believe it. She would see her baby graduate into the first grade. And if she had anything to say about it high school and college. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A sharp pitched gleeful squeal had her raising her head with a smile. Her gorgeous guys at play. There wasn’t a more beautiful sight in the world. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">After three straight hours of play Jimmy was starting to droop around the edges as her mom would say. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Come on, guys. Time to head back to the house. I’m in the mood for a nice cool glass of lemonade.”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As she got up she stumbled slightly, making Rick glance at her sharply. She shook her head in denial and turned quickly to Jimmy. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Well, squirt, did you like it? Have fun?”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Oh YES Momma! Next time do you think you could come play too?”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tears filled her eyes at the innocent question. She glanced over at her husband who quickly intervened. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Come on buddy let’s go home. We’ll let Momma rest in the cool AC while we get the lemonade and snacks. Then it’s off to nap for you.”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Awww but I’m not tired.” </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It was a familiar whine. One she had heard a million times before…right before he passed out for a couple hours. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Come on champ lets go.”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rick picked him up in his arms and started walking toward the house. As they made their way he kept looking back at her making sure she was doing ok. Just as they got to the second crosswalk her foot caught in a crack and she started to fall with a yelp. As she hit the ground Rick turned to come back to her. A loud screech filled the air and her head swiveled towards the sound. A huge van was racing around the corner and coming straight for her guys. Rick turned and saw the car closing fast and had just enough time to turn back and open his mouth before tires screamed against the pavement and the two most precious people flew across the road. With dull thuds and sharp cracks against the pavement her life changed.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Mrs. Rightner? It’s time to go back to the hospice ma’am.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She looked up at the young man who stood above her. Noticing how young he looked she realized just what her precious boy would miss out on. No first crush, first kiss, or first love. No school plays, band or football tryouts. Closing her eyes, she nodded. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Just give me a moment more.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She waited as he went to sit away from her. Just close enough to hear her if she needed him, and far enough away to give her the illusion of privacy.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She turned to her right, looking at her son’s well groomed grave. Reaching out a shaking hand she laid it where she imagined his head would be.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“My brave boy. Today would’ve been your graduation day. You would have started first grade next year. I would have lived to see it.” Tears falling she bent and kissed his headstone. “I miss you so very much.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Turning she faced the ground where he husband of nine years lay. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Rick, I miss you. I miss seeing you first thing in the morning with your grumpy before his first cup of coffee face. I miss your laughter at life. I could never move beyond you but I’ll be joining you soon. Take care of our boy, at least until I’m there to hold you both in my arms again.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sitting back on her decimated body she raised her voice.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“I’m ready to go back now.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As she was lifted into a chair her eyes stayed on the headstones and blank plot waiting for her to join her men. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“See you soon, my loves.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This RSSS was requested to be anonymous. And the request for a scene was a simple one:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">"Make me want to cry. Give me a scene that will touch people's hearts."</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Well I hope I managed to catch the essence of exactly that for you. I look forward to even more RSSS in the future! See you guys and gals next Sunday! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">And remember~ if you want to challenge me or join in the fun email me at authornicolehicks@gmail.com with a scene suggestion and whether or not you want to be acknowledged and tagged! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Return to <a href="http://authornicolehicks.blogspot.com/p/rsss-posts.html">Main RSSS Page</a></b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-397084717782776922011-08-21T22:53:00.001-05:002011-08-26T16:45:40.741-05:00First Reader Scene Suggestion SundayWe're starting a new tradition here my friends. Reader Scene Suggestion Sunday, or RSSS. This is where a reader sends me a suggestion for a scene~ anything goes. Genre, heat level, everything is up for grabs. All you have to do is email me at authornicolehicks@gmail.com with your suggestion and letting me know whether you want to be tagged and acknowledged when it goes live. Easy huh? And here is our first one! <br />
<br />
Laurie Peterson thank you for this opportunity. It was a challenge (especially with this being the day before school starts lmao) and one I totally enjoyed! I went in a way I'm not sure that you were expecting, but here's hoping that everyone enjoys it!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">WARNING: SOME MAY FIND THE MATERIAL BELOW OFFENSIVE. IT INCLUDES A DARK HUMOR, M/M SITUATIONS, AND MULTI-SUPERNATURAL BEINGS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
So....not too racy but my scene is about a male werewolf and a male vamp who are already lovers and a zombie male who wants to join the party as it were...of course the lovers don't want a 3rd mate, because zombies and that whole eating brain thing and zombie comes back with " there's something much tastier to eat" and take it away Nicole!<br />
<br />
<i>Here you go Laurie! </i><br />
<br />
As Ken and Kevin’s sweat drenched bodies cooled in the night air, Ken knew he couldn’t be happier. You would think a couple with the whole cutesy name, and not to mention gay, thing would be a tad over the top, but you couldn’t be more wrong. In fact you couldn’t find two people more different who were as in love.<br />
<br />
<i>What do you get when you mate a vampire and a werewolf? A dog whose bite is worse than his bark. </i><br />
<br />
As he started laughing the breeze brought the smell of death. Not the dry smell that emanated from his lover, but one of rot. A stench filled with old and new blood, a putrid aroma. As a moaning groan filled the air around them they jumped up into defensive positions.<br />
<br />
<i>Hard to defend the one you love when you have dangling bits flying free.</i> The thought was fleeting as the bushes started moving.<br />
<br />
“What is it, Ken? Can you tell?”<br />
<br />
As he started to answer the smell grew stronger. He stepped back and to the side, tracking the god awful stench. As he opened his mouth again a form stepped between the bushes.<br />
<br />
“Shit.”<br />
<br />
“Not shit,” the stranger in front of them commented.<br />
<br />
“Well we don’t have brains for sale either.” Ken knew his smart mouth would get him in trouble one day. <i>Hopefully that day won’t be today.</i><br />
<br />
“Now why would I want what you obviously don’t have?” The voice held a hint of a southern twang. “But I wouldn’t mind putting my mouth around what you so obviously do have.”<br />
<br />
“Oh <i>hell no</i>!” Both men cupped their bare genitals. <br />
<br />
“I watched you from downwind, and you two are beautiful together. I could have taken you while y’all were occupied but I didn’t. I gave you a chance to see me. Only fair since I saw all of y’all.”<br />
<br />
The wretched being ran a hand through stringy thinning hair as he sighed.<br />
<br />
“Do you have a clue how hard it is to find someone to let you near them once you’re what I am.”<br />
<br />
“Besides smelly, brain deprived, and oh yeah <i>a zombie</i>?”<br />
<br />
“Shut up, Ken!” Kevin’s voice was surprisingly strong considering the strange conversation going on, and the fact that they were butt-assed naked in front of something that was known for eating people.<br />
<br />
<i>And not just in the metaphysical way either. </i>Ken shuddered. <i>At least when I eat something it’s already dead!</i><br />
<br />
“Oh like you’re gonna let him get anywhere near Mr. Happy? Or should I say Mr. Not-so-happy-at-the-moment. And ,baby, let me just add for the record…if you’re having one of those kindred moments and even considering it…if you decide to try it…you’ll have to take a bleach bath before I go down on you again…if you have anything left, that is.”<br />
<br />
<br />
Return to<a href="http://authornicolehicks.blogspot.com/p/rsss-posts.html"> Main RSSS Post Page </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-87808790591756899022011-08-20T23:42:00.002-05:002011-08-20T23:50:28.407-05:00Birthday Bash winners announcedI am such a bad busy gal! But that's no excuse. You lovelies came out to spend my bday with me and I am thrilled for that! I will announce the winners with no further ado.... *drums fingers on table to make it suspenseful*<br />
<br />
<br />
<dl class="avatar-comment-indent" id="comments-block"><dt class="comment-author " id="c6013607595561752383"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/09211858443168687667" rel="nofollow">rhonda</a> said... </dt>
<dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-6013607595561752383">I am an old follower and a old friend on Facebook. I shared on Twitter as well as Facebook. I also added you to my goodreads! I am excited to celebrate your birthday with you ;) heltondexter@yahoo.com
~And~
</dd>
<dt class="comment-author " id="c2041244381545427705"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/01394835340529761948" rel="nofollow">Gracen Miller</a> said... </dt>
<dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-2041244381545427705">How have I not already been following you here? I follow you everywhere else. I sound like a stalker...hehehe Rhonda Perkins-Helton sent me, but I'm glad she did! Woot! Huggles, Gracen a/k/a Momma Hellhound
<u><b>Congrats!</b></u> And because I was so very late I will let Random.org choose a third winner!
</dd>
<dt class="comment-author " id="c3687010173448177286"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/03149674382949805069" rel="nofollow">Dawn Hagan</a> said... </dt>
<dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-3687010173448177286">we are already friends on facebook and I sent you a friend request on goodreads :) Being with my wonderful husband and two boys are the best with out them my life would be meaningless dawnhagan18@yahoo.com If you lovely winners will email me with what format you would like your book in I will send those right out to you! :D :D *HUGGLES* </dd><dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-2041244381545427705"></dd><dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-6013607595561752383"></dd></dl>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-54231801434126381962011-08-04T16:01:00.002-05:002011-08-04T16:04:41.964-05:00Birthday Bash! Come to my birthday party and you may get the present!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKsRGrjIWao/Tjr_z5f8sbI/AAAAAAAAAKc/-R3tYIP2Uww/s1600/grfk_birthday_385x284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKsRGrjIWao/Tjr_z5f8sbI/AAAAAAAAAKc/-R3tYIP2Uww/s320/grfk_birthday_385x284.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Lets have a birthday celebration! My birthday is coming up and I'm in the mood to celebrate! So raise you glass and lets have a toast!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIsCiHflw4E/Tjr_zXliQfI/AAAAAAAAAKY/kNfE3UClg5g/s1600/fun-themed-party-ideas.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIsCiHflw4E/Tjr_zXliQfI/AAAAAAAAAKY/kNfE3UClg5g/s320/fun-themed-party-ideas.gif" width="320" /></a></div>Lets think of partying all week long!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZRET5Ol7pI/Tjr_0T2v1JI/AAAAAAAAAKg/NQhKO98Sxrg/s1600/Party1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZRET5Ol7pI/Tjr_0T2v1JI/AAAAAAAAAKg/NQhKO98Sxrg/s320/Party1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And no... I won't tell you how old I am! No matter how many drinks you ply me with! ^-^<br />
<br />
So how about we get this party started? <BG><br />
<br />
Here's what I was thinking my friends. Six easy peasy ways to enter!<br />
<br />
1. Follow this blog :) <br />
<br />
2. Friend me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nicholandria">Facebook</a> if we're already friends just say so in the comments.<br />
<br />
3. Friend me on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4880270.Nicole_Hicks">Goodreads</a> if we're friends there just say so!<br />
<br />
4. Recommend people to the contest. If they say in their comments that you sent them them you BOTH get an entry! <br />
<br />
5. Share this post! Just leave me a comment and link! For each place you share you get an extra entry! If you share on Facebook please tag me! :D <br />
<br />
6. And finally give me a comment on what your favorite thing is to do on your birthday! <br />
<br />
See easy ways to enter! From now until August 10th at midnight CST you can enter in so many different ways! I will choose (with the help of random.org) TWO winners of a pdf copy of Snow's Heat on August 11th! And you never know.... If we get enough entries we may just add to the prize packs! ^-^<br />
<br />
Here's a blurb of what you may win!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Snow's Heat</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText4854209396968818511">When your husband declares you aren’t enough after ten years, don’t get mad… Get a Bic and start a bonfire! <br />
<br />
When Sabrina’s husband decides to move on to greener, and freer pastures, she knows she has to move on herself. Wounded and alone, she escapes to a friend’s cabin to think about her future…and burn her past. Literally. <br />
<br />
Can she rise from the ashes of her marriage a new woman, or did she lose too much trying to salvage an illusion? Dealing with the heartache of her new reality, she meets a mystery man in the backwoods. One that makes her burn with desire. <br />
<br />
Once just a soldier, now Travis is something…more. His last tour changed him in more ways than one. Can he come to terms with what he is, while dealing with the mixture of lust and possessiveness Bree brings out in him? Or is her past too much for him to handle?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-66256501923336300932011-07-26T21:45:00.000-05:002011-07-26T21:45:13.155-05:00Treasure Hunt Blog Hop Winner!Winner winner winner! This is both my favorite time and the one I feel guilty about.... Why? Because there can be only one winner. First let me say thank you to everyone who participated! I was thrilled hearing all of your stories! It is people like you that make writing a thrill in so many ways!<br />
<br />
Ok ok I know you all want to know who won... You're yelling that I've gabbed enough... and so...Drum roll please..... The winner is (thanks to random.org):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598360761034826028" rel="nofollow">inga</a> said... Nice to meet you! I found you through this blog hop!<br />
<br />
Well, before I go to your questions and answer them I loved the blurb. I am quite in the same situation in my life where your Sabrina is. the only difference is, that I haven't burned anything literally yet :) Your book sounds interesting and hot!<br />
<br />
Now to the answers: I have a semi-childish spirit, so doing something fun comes easy to me. I can organize treasure hunts to my friends for birthdays, I do not mind playing and fooling around with my friends, like singing my heart out in the middle of the night; I love reading children's books, especially Astrid Lindgren's ones; I have always had some friends who are much younger than me and they have kept me young, too! for Easter Holidays I hide eggs in my garden and make my family or friends finding them - the list is long! <br />
<br />
Of course, I always choose a right place and time for that :)<br />
<br />
I follow your blog with GFC inga.<br />
<br />
Congrats Inga! I'm emailing you now! I hope you enjoy Snow's Heat! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-50321757816752648742011-07-17T22:29:00.002-05:002011-07-17T23:00:50.321-05:00TREASURE QUEST: DISCOVERY LIES BETWEEN THE COVERS:MEGA AUTHOR BLOG HOP TOUR (July 18-25) Pirate Booty!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4YfYholYrL0/TiNkpBFccxI/AAAAAAAAAJo/wsFKbVF7Ey4/s1600/264092_10150225321906741_594681740_7716122_6074068_n%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4YfYholYrL0/TiNkpBFccxI/AAAAAAAAAJo/wsFKbVF7Ey4/s320/264092_10150225321906741_594681740_7716122_6074068_n%25281%2529.jpg" width="259" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>First let's get the tour rules out of the way eh? ;-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">TOUR RULES:</span></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1) HAVE FUN!!!</span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!</span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, July 18 and ends July 25.</span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW PARTY DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!</span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERY AUTHOR SOME LOVE!</span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Now when we first started talking about this blog hop I immediately thought ohhhh Pirate Booty! Yep you know where my mind went! How well you know me! hehehe ^-^ And then I felt a tad bad. When I was a child pirates meant treasure chests<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NoOpCaTc6DA/TiOf2qoHVZI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/H1rLaSvIwWw/s1600/images4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NoOpCaTc6DA/TiOf2qoHVZI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/H1rLaSvIwWw/s1600/images4.jpg" /></a></div>and adventures:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro-LBbzw7Ro/TiOgE5SrUWI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Zjycy5vcRlc/s1600/images3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro-LBbzw7Ro/TiOgE5SrUWI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Zjycy5vcRlc/s1600/images3.jpg" /></a></div>It meant a cooler game than cowboys and indians, because even girls could be bad ass!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsaS6VU4wBc/TiOgUWYH10I/AAAAAAAAAKA/P3-2kqVYnAk/s1600/pirate-booty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsaS6VU4wBc/TiOgUWYH10I/AAAAAAAAAKA/P3-2kqVYnAk/s1600/pirate-booty.jpg" /></a></div>And now instead of the adventures outside, where porches were planks to be walked and areas of unmowed yard were possible hiding places from enemies all I could think of was one movie with a particular hawtie! ^-^<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hNLlBMtrDqc/TiOgwXpgPHI/AAAAAAAAAKE/Zbqg5yHhB9M/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hNLlBMtrDqc/TiOgwXpgPHI/AAAAAAAAAKE/Zbqg5yHhB9M/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And when I asked my husband and his friends? *snicker*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6VySM9NLbM/TiOhFn2KdqI/AAAAAAAAAKI/mjrmMHlv7-0/s1600/images5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6VySM9NLbM/TiOhFn2KdqI/AAAAAAAAAKI/mjrmMHlv7-0/s1600/images5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7XGT4NeeGeM/TiOhHX9ewNI/AAAAAAAAAKM/eQ27AOrofa0/s1600/images7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7XGT4NeeGeM/TiOhHX9ewNI/AAAAAAAAAKM/eQ27AOrofa0/s1600/images7.jpg" /></a></div><br />
*shakes head* See what I mean? *snicker* our youthful thoughts turned to areas we use to ewwwwwww at. Our adventures turned more toward internal than external....unless we turned them in a more...sensual direction. lol. At least that's what I thought for a while. Then my teen (of all people) reminded me while I was bemoaning the lost bits of childhood adventure "Oh no Momma! You STILL go on treasure hunts! You and Daddy go geocaching. Remember? You drug us kids around all day through the woods looking little, itty bitty hidden....stuff!"<br />
<br />
And with those words I realized my husband had indeed gotten me started in adventures. He had brought a part of my childhood back with an adult adventure that didn't involve the bedroom. One that I enjoyed...even if I bemoaned it in the beginning. I mean as adults we are "serious" in most aspects of our lives. And really who of us thinks that moving around in the woods with a GPS looking for a film container or pill bottle will be fun?<br />
<br />
But surprisingly when we actually manage to worm our way through the tall weeds that scrape our legs (that we once thought of as great hiding places), trees that tangle and pull out hair (which we climbed and jumped out of thinking it such fun), and climb through muddy ditches (that we way back when would enjoy trundling through) to find that small thing that holds a tiny pencil and piece of paper for us to add our names to the list of those lucky(or dumb) enough to go through all of that a spark ignites and we are eager to go on to the next treasure. And despite all of that I smiled. Because you know what? It was fun. It was an adult version of hide and seek mixed with Treasure chest. Instead of a map we have GPS (its not as easy as you think) and instead of treasures of toys, it is a treasure that you did it. You managed to find that small bottle, that many color to match the surroundings. You didn't give up. :D<br />
<br />
Now thinking of that, I wonder. What do you do that is semi-childhood fun? What adventures do you go on? Are they mental? Physical? How do you have fun and stay young?<br />
<br />
The contest part of this is comment below. Tell me what you think, how you play.<br />
<br />
You can also friend me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nicholandria">FACEBOOK</a> for an extra entry! <br />
<br />
I will pick a winner of an electronic copy of Snow's Heat with the help of random.org at the end of the hop! ^-^ And so that you know what you are trying to win I am adding the blurb below. :)<br />
<br />
BLURB:<br />
<br />
When your husband declares you aren’t enough after ten years, don’t get mad… Get a Bic and start a bonfire!<br />
<br />
When Sabrina’s husband decides to move on to greener, and freer pastures, she knows she has to move on herself. Wounded and alone, she escapes to a friend’s cabin to think about her future…and burn her past. Literally.<br />
<br />
Can she rise from the ashes of her marriage a new woman, or did she lose too much trying to salvage an illusion? Dealing with the heartache of her new reality, she meets a mystery man in the backwoods. One that makes her burn with desire.<br />
<br />
Once just a soldier, now Travis is something…more. His last tour changed him in more ways than one. Can he come to terms with what he is, while dealing with the mixture of lust and possessiveness Bree brings out in him? Or is her past too much for him to handle?<br />
<br />
Now don't forget to comment below and if you would like an extra entry friend me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nicholandria">FACEBOOK</a> and return here to let me know! <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And the next stop on the tour is <a href="http://randialexander.com/2011/07/treasure-quest-discovery-lies-coversmega-author-blog-hop-tour-july-18-25/">HERE</a> with Randi Alexander!!! </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-54712784926283932382011-06-26T01:00:00.006-05:002011-06-26T01:00:04.292-05:00SSS Snows HeatIn honor of Snow's Heat release this past Friday I am going to do a 6 from that! I hope you enjoy!<br />
<br />
She pushed up into a sitting position and listened again before groaning louder.<br />
Wouldn’t it just figure that some backwoods idiot was up at this hour and thought since<br />
they were everyone else should be too? She clambered to her feet before starting for the<br />
front door. If this were just a neighborly meet and greet, they would not like the<br />
greeting they were about to get! She pulled open the door, fully aware she had<br />
bedhead, her breath stank of the wine from the night before and she was pretty sure she<br />
still had those annoying sleep marks on her face mere humans got—ones she never saw<br />
in the movies. But what stood on her porch was enough to make the woman in her perk<br />
up and come to attention before hanging her head in shame at the way she looked, even<br />
if he was way younger than she was.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in buying Snow's Heat you can find it at:<br />
Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snows-Heat-Prowling-Around-ebook/dp/B0057P6PSY/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308859565&sr=1-2">HERE</a><br />
All Romance <a href="http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-snow039sheat-565640-140.html">HERE</a><br />
Summerhouse Publishing <a href="http://summerhousepublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_book_info&cPath=0&products_id=29">HERE</a><br />
<br />
And if you want to read more 6Sentence Sundays you can find links <a href="http://www.sixsunday.com/">HERE</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-19575376906308349552011-06-23T16:00:00.000-05:002011-06-23T16:00:59.582-05:00Celebrate!Celebrate! Raise your glass with me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UBfNqayRwSk/TgOn6TvMfAI/AAAAAAAAAGw/Q9_5Ea867fU/s1600/01834AI23607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UBfNqayRwSk/TgOn6TvMfAI/AAAAAAAAAGw/Q9_5Ea867fU/s1600/01834AI23607.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Wondering why? Well because.... <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snows-Heat-Prowling-Around-ebook/dp/B0057P6PSY/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308861605&sr=1-2">SNOW'S HEAT</a> is available at Amazon! The link is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snows-Heat-Prowling-Around-ebook/dp/B0057P6PSY/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308861605&sr=1-2">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--G0T837dnGo/TgOojidVpvI/AAAAAAAAAG0/DSJyg9k8nCs/s320/NH_Snows+Heat+300.jpg" width="228" /></div> <br />
<br />
Yep! That's right! It's a day early release on Amazon! Tomorrow it will be available at Barnes and Noble for Nook and Smashwords! <br />
<br />
So as I dance around the house annoying people I thought I would share my good news, give y'all the link, and make a regular pest out of myself in my exuberance! ;) <br />
<br />
Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful evening! :D<br />
<br />
*Huggles*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-18714934020787684002011-06-21T14:32:00.000-05:002011-06-21T14:32:58.765-05:00PJ Party : Mega author blog Party Til Your Heels Fly Off! Winner announced!Wow! I *LOVED* everyone who came visiting for the PJ Party! It was a blast learning what others think hehehehe ^-^<br />
<br />
But I know you are all waiting to learn who the winner is huh? *taps fingertip on lip* Hmmm should I tell you? Hmmm? Well? <br />
<br />
LOL! Ok, ok I'm not *that* mean! The winner is..... *drum roll*<br />
<br />
<dl class="avatar-comment-indent" id="comments-block"><dt class="comment-author " id="c5427424859492803181"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/14929817630779731177" rel="nofollow">June M.</a> said... </dt>
<dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-5427424859492803181"> Definately would go with boxers/boxerbriefs or in the buff! Since I tend to like to sleep in tank tops and boxers, we might fight over the boxers!
GFC: June M.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
</dd><dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-5427424859492803181" style="text-align: left;">Thank you all for playing! I look forward to seeing everyone again for the next blog hop! ^-^ You will be here.... yes? ;) And don't forget there is another chance to win a copy of Snow's Heat <a href="http://amaras-place.blogspot.com/2011/06/interview-and-giveaway-snows-heat-by.html">HERE</a> and that Snow's Heat is released on FRIDAY! *Big Grin*
</dd></dl>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-75002268193002975782011-06-12T23:04:00.007-05:002011-06-13T15:43:51.371-05:00PJ Party : Mega author blog Party Til Your Heels Fly Off!<div style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>We have a MAJOR Blog Party going on here! w00t w00t! </b></u></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b><br />
</b></u></span></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><b>Now How about we get the "rules" out of the way before we get this party started, hmmm?</b></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><b>1) HAVE FUN!!!</b></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><b>2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!</b></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><b>3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, June 13, at Midnight (Arizona Time)</b></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><b> THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, June 20, at Midnight (Arizona Time)</b></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><b> Winners will be drawn and posted June 21st! *** </b></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><b>4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW PARTY DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!</b></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><b>5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERY AUTHOR SOME LOVE!</b></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><b>6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! <i>HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!</i></b></div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="color: #cccccc;"><i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***</span></b></i></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Now let the fun <i>BEGIN</i>!</b></u><b> PJ Party! </b></span>Who's up for one? Ohhh I'm not hearing a lot of me's yet... Let's start this party off right hmmm?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LcGo3Jq6U8s/TfWJjBhCoYI/AAAAAAAAAGk/_68czzuy9UE/s1600/men_striped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LcGo3Jq6U8s/TfWJjBhCoYI/AAAAAAAAAGk/_68czzuy9UE/s320/men_striped.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>Now who's ready to party?<br />
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Hmmmm, still not hearing too many.... maybe we should heat this up more?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u2gMKuFNL6c/TfWKJvp7bNI/AAAAAAAAAGo/wcCjNJ3hlV8/s1600/mg_84222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u2gMKuFNL6c/TfWKJvp7bNI/AAAAAAAAAGo/wcCjNJ3hlV8/s320/mg_84222.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br />
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Hehehehehe.... Now I'm hearing a lot of cyber drooling! :) You know most of the PJ/Slumber Parties that I remember were all about talking about guys, watching scary movies or chick flicks, and PIZZA! But for some reason the men we talked about never quite looked like that! ^-^ hehehehe<br />
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So for my party what do you think of this? Let's talk drool worthy hunks! Why? Well because they are what I use to write about, because they are what we desire, and.... because we CAN! That's right! Uh huh! This is a slumber party so kick off those shoes, get into your comfy PJs, grab a soda and some goodies, and get ready to gab about men, PJs, and anything that grabs your attention! What the hell, this is our party... right?!?!?!?<br />
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So why a Pj Party? Darn didn't know you were thinking that loud did you? Well, because I figure after all the partying that's been and will continue to go on we'll need some relaxation time... hehehe. Oh you know you are looking forward to letting down your hair and getting out of those killer shoes and tight outfit's y'all have been wearing! <br />
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So tell me, do you prefer your men to sleep in pants? Shorts? Undies? Or in the buff? Heheheheh I think we all know what I prefer! ;)<br />
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Now wondering what the prize is? A pre-release ebook of my upcoming novella Snow's Heat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvcgforAgIU/TfWfLaS_w2I/AAAAAAAAAGs/P9plpD__x2Q/s1600/NH_Snows+Heat+300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvcgforAgIU/TfWfLaS_w2I/AAAAAAAAAGs/P9plpD__x2Q/s320/NH_Snows+Heat+300.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />
<div><i>When your husband declares you aren’t enough after ten years, don’t get mad… Get a Bic and start a bonfire!</i><br />
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When Sabrina’s husband decides to move on to greener, and freer pastures, she knows she has to move on herself. Wounded and alone, she escapes to a friend’s cabin to think about her future…and burn her past. Literally.<br />
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Can she rise from the ashes of her marriage a new woman, or did she lose too much trying to salvage an illusion? Dealing with the heartache of her new reality, she meets a mystery man in the backwoods. One that makes her burn with desire.<br />
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</div>Once just a soldier, now Travis is something…<i>more</i>. His last tour changed him in more ways than one. Can he come to terms with what he is, while dealing with the mixture of lust and possessiveness Bree brings out in him? Or is her past too much for him to handle?<br />
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<u><b>To enter:</b></u><br />
Two easy ways to enter!<br />
1) comment below including your email address <u><b> </b></u><br />
2) Friend me on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nicholandria">HERE </a>and come back and tell me you did it in the comment section! <br />
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Winner will be announced June 21st! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking for the next link? The next blog party? We are stopping at Sue Brown's <a href="http://suebrownsstories.blogspot.com/2011/06/party-til-your-heels-fly-off-mega.html">HERE </a>for a Sex Toy Party! You know you don't want to miss that one! ;) </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-29872715325501409882011-05-27T13:15:00.003-05:002011-05-27T13:17:39.907-05:00Reviews- fear or excitement?I'll be the first to tell you getting a book reviewed scares me silly! Number one I'm use to being on the other side of the table, and two- that is my "baby" that is getting critiqued. So when I saw that I had a review up for my upcoming novella Snow's Heat I held my breath as I opened it. Then held my breath again as I went to the review site...<br />
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First review?<br />
From Vampires, Werewolves, and Faries Oh My! with a rating of 4.5<br />
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<div style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">My thoughts: Oh were do I start on this nov</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">ella? I know, it was GREAT, loved it my only problem was I wanted more, lots more of Travis lol. I actually felt like I was reading parts of my own life from this book. And yes I wish it was the part with the hot young stranger who wanted sex. Ok I will get back to the book, Bree is coming off a horrible divorce from a jerk of a husband who completely stomped on her self worth and said hateful things to her before he walked out the door. After a year of dealing with the heartache and divorce she needs a weekend alone to deal with healing her heart and starting her life over without the baggage of her old life. She decides to spend some time alone in a cabin in the woods, while there her neighbor comes to warn her of the danger of a leopard in the woods. The snarkiness from Bree when she first meets Travis is great but his reaction to her is even better...</span></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">To see the rest of the review go</span> <a href="http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/2011/05/nicole-hicks-snows-heat-novella.html">HERE</a> </span></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">SQUEEEE! So excited! </span> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-59186518799151817772011-05-26T11:47:00.001-05:002011-05-26T11:59:26.201-05:00Ohhh guess what was in my email last night? And other news lolLOL yep yep that's right! Snow's Heat! How exciting. Seeing it all put together is awesome, and makes it just a bit more real. Seeing the different formats and the ISBN number is definite *SQUEEEEE* time! :D Am I bouncing and acting like a loon? You betcha! Now for the part that is a tad harder... finding reviewers for Snow's Heat, LOL it is definitely different being on this end of the reviewing table... :) <br />
<br />
I also have a couple of other projects going on-<br />
Working on Book 2: Tentatively named Snow's Fury right now<br />
Starting a super short (less than 12k) HFN (Happily for now)<br />
Working on a prequel to Snow's Heat- giving readers a free look into Travis :)<br />
And trying to find time to work a bit more on Catting around.<br />
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Of course this is also summer- so the kids are home- and I still have to find time to do edits, housework, animals, to play, try to relax, oh and sleep! Can't forget that can we? *snicker* <br />
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So that's my exciting *beginning of the summer* news. How are you all doing?<br />
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And before you head off! Let me share with you the book Trailer/Tease for Snow's Heat! Video done by JoAnne Kenrick! (If you haven't read her book When a Mullo Loves a Woman you are missing out!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/VE302b1OTOA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-42541291787220789352011-05-06T18:52:00.000-05:002011-05-06T18:52:32.650-05:00Official cover art for Snow's HeatIsn't it always fun when you get the official cover art! Here's the cover for Snow's Heat- artist Mina Carter. :D Can I get a w00t w00t!?!?!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9241osSOFY/TcSJF-IEntI/AAAAAAAAAGc/lZC10EzRB1g/s1600/NH_Snows+Heat+300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9241osSOFY/TcSJF-IEntI/AAAAAAAAAGc/lZC10EzRB1g/s320/NH_Snows+Heat+300.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-59022885483535075012011-05-01T14:35:00.000-05:002011-05-01T14:35:02.747-05:00When do things go too far? Speak out!Are you wondering about the blog title? Things going too far. That's a bit vague no? Ok so let's break it down.<br />
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<b>Censorship</b> isn't necessarily a bad thing right? I mean we censor what our children watch, read, and hear. We censor ourselves when speaking to others, so as not to hurt feelings. We censor our actions to suit others more often than not, most notably would be how we act around our families. So you are thinking yes, yes, yes these are all good things, right? Things that everyone does. <br />
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But what about censoring something that someone else does? What they say/think/feel? Ok how about what they write? That seems to be a bit ridiculous don't you think? We live in America, a free country. One that people try to run INTO for that very thing freedom. <br />
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Yet just the other day I hear something that simply blows my socks off, truly. A teacher was successful in her art- writing. Something you would think that her town would be proud of right? Something they have known that she has done for some years. Oh wait did I tell you what she writes? No? Fanatsy/paranormal erotica.<br />
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Now some of you may gasp, some may snicker, and others I have intrigued. Yes erotica, she writes hot "smut" as one irate parent complained. And before you join in on the "bashing" bandwagon, let me give you a bit more info. She wrote under a pseudonym, not her real name. She never brought her work on campus to pass out to her high school classes. She never tried, by all accounts, to even make herself famous in that town by her work as an author. She was quiet about it, sedate in her home town even. But recently, she was "recognized" and this was brought out to the news.<br />
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News, now would you think this would be news? A teacher has a second job... ohhhhh. She is not a topless dancer. Nor is she selling her body or drugs. She is selling her imagination. She is making money on her ability to use words.. Oh yes, did I mention she was an ENGLISH teacher?<br />
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One of the parents interviewed in this 'oh so newsworthy' story said- and here is a direct quote from the news stations site people-<span style="font-size: small;">"Now my son knows so how is he thinking when he's sitting in her class knowing what she does on the side." Seems an incongruous statement- insulting but harmless correct? Watch the "video" and it tells a different story. You hear the insinuation. Ok now let me reiterate something else- she teaches HIGH school. So this parent is insinuating that this author/teacher is also a pedophile? Ok excuse me for a moment to be unprofessional-- PUH-LEASE! By all accounts this is a hard working, well liked by her students, GOOD teacher. Her only fault? To have a job that some others think is "dirty".</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Well, let me tell you (yeah, I know you already know this) if erotica wasn't popular there wouldn't be multiple Houses, authors, OR have its own set of genre! Erotica is something that is no longer in the darkest of rooms or the dark corner of your mind. It is out there for everyone to see and experience. We are SUPPOSE to be in the age of acceptance. We are suppose to stop our children from bullying and being bullied. We are suppose to be numerous things, but these parents show just how far we are from what our society would like us to be. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Granted I am a bit of a sh!t starter. I live now in the bible belt. A non-alcohol selling, quiet, church going every Sunday, listen to country, non-cussing bible belt. And what do I do? I go through the town blaring S&M or Down with the Sickness, or Bodies. I DON'T go to church. And I (gasp) cuss. Yeah no fitting in here, lmao. But you know what? The people who know me in town are PROUD of me for getting published. Heck they asked all about my "adult" book, and told me they wanted to read it. <u><b>That </b></u>is what should have happened to this author! </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Now I have a question for you. What do you think of this? What do you think about a teacher having a second job as an erotic author? Is it a bad thing in your mind? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Below are links to both news articles and the Youtube video by one of the former students of this teacher, as well as the link to her Support page on Facebook. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.wnep.com/wnep-sny-parents-buranich-english-teacher-writes-racy-novels-20110426,0,4057307.story">Original Story</a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.wnep.com/wnep-snyder-teacher-racy-novels-supporters-judy-buranich,0,6923268.story">Second Story</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/SupportJudyMays">Facebook Support Page</a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8gqyq-NRSE&feature=feedf">Youtube video from a former student</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-31127005663124610782011-04-23T21:33:00.000-05:002011-04-23T21:33:31.217-05:00w00t! Celebration time!Yep that's right! It's time to celebrate! Why do you ask? Because Snow's Heat was contracted last night! w00t w00t! Yeah, that's right, uh huh, do the happy dance with me! <br />
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Writing a book isn't easy- but getting published is harder! And when you get that email that makes you "an official author", well it's like the sky opened up and is crying rainbow tears of joy. You hear "hallelujahs" being sung in sweet young voices. The day seems brighter. Your heart tries to beat its way out of your chest and your feet seem to fly away with the urge to dance. In other words- total bliss.<br />
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I tell all my friends who are new authors- revel in that feeling. Roll in it like catnip! Suck in all those rays of sunshine and laughter and awe that you did it- because now the fun/hard part comes. Lol, I'm just so nice right? But seriously folks, it is an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G feeling to get that email- more so after rejections, just don't forget you still have work to do!<br />
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If you have yet to do this- it is a mixture of OMGOMGOMG and a mixture of oh HELL! You get the contract! w00t w00t! BUT read through it! Don't let your excitement get ahead of you. :) Just a word to the wise. I have seen others go through this- if you have questions on the contract ASK! Better safe than sorry.<br />
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Next you have your "author bio sheet". UGH Author bios. Like we really want to talk in-depth about ourselves in third person? >.> Lol, my suggestion would be look at your life, look at a couple of author's bios of people you read, and after you write it up ask a friend to look it over for you. Getting that mixture of personal and professional can be tricky.<br />
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The one you would think would be *SQUEEEEEE* fun is the cover info... LOL! It was fun up until "What is the TONE of your book" .... tone? really? *sigh* It would be more simplistic if you asked for a blurb or suggestions or what the author would like.... but tone? *headdesk*<br />
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But once all of those are done it is back to *SQUEEEE* time! You did it! Not only did you manage to write the darn thing- you managed to get a House INTERESTED in the darn thing- next (after edits) will be to SALE the darn thing! So yes- with Snow's Heat now accepted, contracted, and I am now awaiting edits and the cover art it is official. More than with publishing poem, or contests, or writing shorts for pleasure. Now I can call myself an author, in my mind it is official. :)<br />
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LET'S CELEBRATE!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-82742369529363818502011-03-06T02:52:00.004-06:002011-03-06T02:52:00.412-06:00SSS2 More Catting<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></span></i></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Check out </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://sixsunday.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span">Six Sunday</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> for more Six Sentence celebrations, contests and snippets! </span></span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">When I saw the line of bikes, a mixture of Harleys and crotch rockets, I thought I might’ve hit the jackpot. The sight of all that shiny chrome, and imagining the rumble between my thighs, definitely revved my engines. I made a mental note of Randy’s RoadHouse and Pool hall as a possible. I snorted as I pulled away. <i>Randy’s RoadHouse. Yeah, in three days it sure will be</i>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Just another excerpt from my erotica WIP Catting Around. This is a fun one to work on, and I hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out the other authors sharing their Six Sentence Sunday excerpts! </span></div></div></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></span></span></span></span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></span></span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></span></i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-47954946419693890662011-02-18T13:18:00.007-06:002011-03-03T12:29:39.562-06:00A Win/Win Raffle As some of you know, I started taking Amazon Gift Card Donations to help four kids get Kindles after their home caught fire and their family lost everything (see post <a href="http://authornicolehicks.blogspot.com/2011/02/call-out-for-help-for-family-that-was.html">HERE</a>). Many people didn't understand why I would want to get them Kindles instead of clothing, food, or other essentials; my reasoning is simple. I want to give these kids a sense of security in <i><u><b>something</b></u></i>. They have their family together banding around them, helping with essentials right now, but hearing that they cried because of their lost book collections and not laptops, Christmas gifts, or clothes gave me an idea on how we could band together and help out in a way others wouldn't think of. While we cannot get them back their copies of books, we can give them a way to always take their collections with them. A way they won't have to worry about leaving them behind and this happening again. Knowledge that something of theirs is safe. Members of the publishing industry across all genre have taken an interest in this, as it is something very dear to their hearts as well, and have banded together for prizes to be included in the raffle in an attempt to raise the money and in offering Young Adult PDFs to be adding to the Kindles.Any and all proceeds will be used towards this. Any amount that goes over and above the amount needed to procure the Kindles will be used to fill them with books.Help me not only give them a sense of security in something they own, but to bring back the fantasy in their lives.<br />
<br />
Now for the Raffle!<br />
The Raffle will continue through until March 14th. <br />
Winners will be announced On March 16th.<br />
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Entries:<br />
For every $10 worth of Amazon Gift Cards sent to authornicolehicks@gmail.com you will get one entry for the raffle. So if you send a $30 Amazon Card you will get three entries! Are you wondering about the prizes? They are wonderful!<br />
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1. I am offering a pre-submission edit- Winner's choice of either an edit for an 80,000 word manuscript or 2 edits for manuscripts up to 45,000 words each<br />
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2. Two people will be able to choose any piece of Author Margie Hall's jewelry. Just a couple of examples of her designs- Winners will be emailed with a listing of all designs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Pn-__zHS6Y/TV7DJO3gc8I/AAAAAAAAAE4/KunKAOsgmdc/s1600/168949_1813286261757_1528070003_31871178_7949430_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Pn-__zHS6Y/TV7DJO3gc8I/AAAAAAAAAE4/KunKAOsgmdc/s1600/168949_1813286261757_1528070003_31871178_7949430_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vS_KYjwbGA/TV7DJ8jrGjI/AAAAAAAAAE8/H7JVd0Ib3dI/s1600/172152_1786894681984_1528070003_31822906_4829065_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vS_KYjwbGA/TV7DJ8jrGjI/AAAAAAAAAE8/H7JVd0Ib3dI/s320/172152_1786894681984_1528070003_31822906_4829065_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYBIljlFb-Y/TV7DKLoTnjI/AAAAAAAAAFA/xlnDrI4OIew/s1600/180386_1813290341859_1528070003_31871182_7095610_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYBIljlFb-Y/TV7DKLoTnjI/AAAAAAAAAFA/xlnDrI4OIew/s1600/180386_1813290341859_1528070003_31871182_7095610_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UW0asTQXTOY/TV7DK4nXhkI/AAAAAAAAAFE/y9-VUPiGGP8/s1600/180420_1814145643241_1528070003_31872592_2747124_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UW0asTQXTOY/TV7DK4nXhkI/AAAAAAAAAFE/y9-VUPiGGP8/s320/180420_1814145643241_1528070003_31872592_2747124_n.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
<br />
3. One lucky winner will win a cover designed by Author and Cover Artist <a href="http://mina-carter.com/">Mina Carter</a> example below<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFUantoSggE/TV79WmBimEI/AAAAAAAAAFI/kf00pTKknow/s1600/snowsheat_Mina.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFUantoSggE/TV79WmBimEI/AAAAAAAAAFI/kf00pTKknow/s320/snowsheat_Mina.png" width="211" /></a></div><br />
4. One lucky winner will get Prince's Courtesan by <a href="http://mina-carter.com/">Mina Carter</a> (winner must be 18 or older as book contains adult content)<br />
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5. One lucky winner will win Thrill of the Night by <a href="http://mina-carter.com/">Mina Carter</a> (winner must be 18 or older as book contains adult content)<br />
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6. One lucky participant will win a <b><i>signed</i></b> copy of <a href="http://www.dcjuris.com/">DC Juris</a>'s Finding Sanctuary (winner must be 18 or older as book contains adult content)<br />
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7. One lucky participant will win the first two books in the Hunter series by <a href="http://staceythompsongeer.com/default.aspx">Stacey Thompson-Geer</a> offered by <a href="http://wickednights.info/">Wicked Nights</a> (winner must be 18 or older as books contains adult content)<br />
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8. One lucky Participant will win the ENTIRE World series by <a href="http://staceythompsongeer.com/default.aspx">Stacey Thompson-Geer</a> offered by <a href="http://wickednights.info/">Wicked Nights</a> (winner must be 18 or older as books contains adult content)<br />
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9. One lucky person will win FIVE books offered by <a href="http://ashlynnmonroe.webs.com/">Ashlynn Monroe</a> offered by <a href="http://wickednights.info/">Wicked Nights</a> (winner must be 18 or older as books contain adult content)<br />
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10. One lucky person will win The Lawn Boy and books 1-4 of the Captivation series by <a href="http://julielynnhayes.com/home.html">Julie Lynn Hayes</a> offered by<a href="http://wickednights.info/"> Wicked Nights</a> (winner must be 18 or older as books contain adult content)<br />
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Prizes may be added to the raffle as the raffle continues. Entrants for the raffle must return to this post and comment leaving their email or emailing me at authornicolehicks@gmail.com so that they can be notified of their winnings.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-32461395632994515432011-02-15T08:08:00.002-06:002011-02-15T08:18:00.050-06:00Deena Remiel bringing awarenessToday we have a post from author Deena Remiel. One that will touch you and make you think. Please welcome Deena to the blog.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cccccc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Human Trafficking is global, insidious crime. Everyday a child, a woman, a man is sold into slavery- whether for work, drugs, or for sex, it is happening all around us. Even to families we know. One young woman has been rescued from her years of captivity by a brave champion, Dottie Laster of Laster Global, Inc. To commemorate the 6 month anniversary of her freedom, and to bring about awareness, I present here today, FREEDOM IN CHAINS, a short story. Blinders off. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cccccc; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">~Deena Remiel</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><a href="http://www.deenaremiel.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.deenaremiel.com</span></a><u><span style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><a href="http://www.millionkids.org/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.millionkids.org</span></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4736434865032713824&postID=3246139563299451543" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://lasterglobal.com/">http://lasterglobal.com/</a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Freedom in Chains</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">By Deena Remiel</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I am born. Without forethought. Without intention. Without love. I am thrust out of a darkness so warm, sheltered, and secure. Thrown into another kind of darkness so cold, exposed, and depraved. I cry and reach out, instinctively, for a mother’s love that should be there, instinctively, and is not. I learn instead to reach inward. I learn to design my own world in a corner of my mind. I learn not to cry. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Bad things happen when I cry. Bad things happen anyway… when you’re not intended. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">In my world, it’s best to be invisible. If She can’t see me, I’m forgotten for a while and safe from the brutal attacks on my fragile heart. I know She can’t help herself yet, and I forgive her… over and over. She is Mother. If He can’t see me, my body is safe from unwanted, unwarranted intrusions. I just can’t be invisible long enough, though. I know He can’t help himself. He tells me so as He hurts me and cries… or laughs. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">No longer a person, but a receptacle for other people’s basest desires, I exist. I am pissed on and passed on to innumerable faceless people who don’t see me, a precious child, but see me, a thing to be exploited. This is not my choice, but I have no voice. It was stolen sound by sound, thread by thread, each day sucked up more and more by the vacuum my family surrounded me with, veiled as “protection”.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">My name is Freedom, and it was my birthday, once.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Freedom’s not my real name, but I chose it on that one birthday. The one that was actually remembered. The one that made Mother angry at remembering, angry at me. My birthday dinner was Rice Toasties and milk. My birthday gift? I got visited by Him and his friends. As my body was repeatedly invaded, I made plans for my revolution, my escape. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">To freedom. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Today is the dawn of my revolution. Mother isn’t home, and He’s too doped up to lift his head when I walk into our apartment. So I gather my few belongings and walk right back out, never looking back. The streets have to be safer than where I have been for the past fourteen years. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I walk along the bustling city streets of my town, seeing everything just a bit differently than I had only minutes before. I see, for the first time, because my head is up and not turned down in shame. The store windows sparkle brilliantly in the sunlight, just for me. In upstairs apartments, window shades are pulled down and then up to let in more light. But I know they’re really winking their approval at my decision. My heart is light, my cheeks lift, and I touch them. I am smiling. What a strange feeling.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Awareness and attention to detail assault my brain like a battering ram. There’s an old lady with wrinkled tissue paper skin pushing a shopping cart, but I know she’s not shopping anywhere. I see her lips moving but nothing’s coming out. There’s a pack of boys, acting as if they owned the corner they were hanging out on, whistling after pretty girls walking by. Some of the girls give them nasty looks, while others ignore them altogether. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I notice the smells. The sweet, succulent aroma of the flowers from a flower shop is tucked away in a little box in my heart labeled “sweet things”. Next, I smell pizza. I know pizza. I eat it a lot. My nose wrinkles in defiance of the familiarity. No more pizza for me! I smell garbage. I know that smell, too. It perfumes my apartment. It creeps into my nostrils and lingers. I put my hand to my face and smell my skin. Anything is better than the smell of where I came from.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Darkness is inevitable. Hours fly by in a dizzying swirl of sights, sounds, and smells. More swiftly than I would think, the insipid darkness descends upon the city. I am tense, anxious. My stomach grumbles. I haven’t considered where or what I might eat. I haven’t considered where I might stay. I haven’t considered how I might pay for anything. I simply haven’t considered. My thoughts wander as I stand frozen in the middle of the sidewalk. I am now one of those people, the street people, who lay on benches or cardboard boxes on the ground. It’s still better than who I was before.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> An unnatural breeze, sour and rank, wafts over my face. I know that smell, and a shiver snakes its way up my spine and clenches hard at my neck. It is Him, and my stomach roils in abject humiliation. My revolution, only in its infancy, has been suppressed. I am tugged and pulled and squeezed by his cruel hands. And He smiles at the people we pass on the way to his car that He left parked in the middle of the road. He calls me an incorrigible teenager to mollify the onlookers while shoving me into the front seat, and they respond with an understanding glance. But they don’t understand! I scream that I’m being kidnapped and they shake their heads disbelieving me, believing Him instead. How can they believe Him instead of me? His right hand forms a manacle around my wrist as He drives one-handed all the way back to the apartment. I am barraged with insults and curses and threats meant to intimidate me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">They will work… for a while.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">A closet, a very dark closet with some matted carpeting, becomes my home, and I am chained by my ankle to the floor. But not before my whipping, not before cigarettes are burned into my flesh, and not before I am reminded of what my only purpose is on this earth. I don’t know what day it is. I only know day from night when the door opens and I’m given a sandwich and water. And when They come to fetch me. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">In the darkness I hear them scheming. I know they have to send me to school. It’s the law. But they won’t until I’m healed. Mother told me she called me out sick so the police won’t come. They’ve told stories to everyone at school about how difficult I am at home and how I’m a habitual liar. Mother told them she’s getting me into counseling because I hurt myself intentionally. My teachers don’t believe them. Do they?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I am scheming, too.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I am finally set free to go to school. I have no clue what’s going on in my classes and no friends to ask. I’m never there enough to string concepts or friendships together. My stomach is cramping, so I ask to see the nurse. Denied. I’m only allowed to have stomach cramps in between classes. I see my assistant principal at lunchtime and decide to approach her. Maybe she can help me. We go to her office and she leans back nonchalantly in her seat and stares blankly at every tale I tell. I even show her the scarring from the cigarette burns and the chain marks around my ankle. I’ll look into this, she says, as she walks me out. I turn around to see her shaking her head and tossing her notes into the waste basket. She doesn’t believe. They’ve gotten to her. She’s one of Them now. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The end of the school day brings no relief, as He is there, waiting for me in his car. He waves me on and I can do nothing but obey. Mother’s gone. On and on, my days blend together. Every day the same routine- chains unlocked, get ready for school, go to school, go home, chains locked. Sometimes He comes, sometimes his friends, sometimes it is people he doesn’t even know. I am His meal-ticket. I am His drugs.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> I am His. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">He has a computer on the table in the kitchen, right next to the pizza boxes and dirty paper plates and cups and empty beer bottles. While in my closet I have been busy. I have found a way to get out of my chains and back in them again. Malnourishment has its advantages. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The front door slams shut and I wait. I listen. There is silence. Boldly, I remove the chain from around my ankle and I stretch. Reaching up for the doorknob, I hesitate. What if He’s testing me and He’s really laying in wait, ready to pounce? What if the door is locked and I can’t get out? Enough of the what-ifs, I scold myself. What if you just open the Goddamn door? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I do, and I am alone. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Energy hums through my body as I rush to the computer. Now what? I search for freedom. I had been in Civics class once where the teacher taught us about human rights violations around the world. He had mentioned human trafficking and children being sold into slavery as a couple of examples. I remember hyperventilating and being sent to the health office. I retched and dry-heaved for a while and then she sent me back to class. Only other people get to go home when they’re sick.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Human trafficking brings up 9,000,000 pages to view. I only need one to confirm that I am what is called a victim. It takes a couple more clicks and I find my savior. Someone actually saves people like me, victims of unspeakable human rights crimes. I quickly write down a phone number, put it in my pocket and return the computer to exactly the way it was before.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> I hear loud cursing and laughing coming from the hallway. He’s back, and he’s got company. Scurrying like a mouse, I scramble to my closet, close the door, reattach the chain to my ankle and curl up in a ball. I say my nightly prayer, “Please make me invisible tonight.” Tonight, it works. His company is female. Poor woman.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">At school today, I skip out of English. I borrow some kid’s cell phone. Okay, I steal some kid’s cell phone and race outside to make <i>the</i> call. The call to freedom. My finger trembles as it pushes each number. It knows this is my last effort to be free. The thrumming of my heart threatens to drown out the voice on the other end. Hello?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I am born. Again. It is a long row I hoe with many ruts and boulders in my way. Nightmares and depression replace my former reality. But I have people in my life now who help me plant the seeds of strength and trust and happiness. People who show me what it is to be treated with human kindness. People who show me I am deserving of such. The evil that bought me when I was but a child has his own shackles to wear now in his own “closet” for the next forty years. It should bring a smile to my face, but that’s still hard to do. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">My name is Freedom, and I had a birthday once. I named it my Freedom Day. My Freedom Day dinner was a real steak, a baked potato, green beans, and a Coke. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">My Freedom Day gift? My new life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">©Deena Remiel, 2010. All rights reserved.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736434865032713824.post-80894983751851407442011-02-12T18:53:00.007-06:002011-02-18T18:32:25.876-06:00A Call out for help for a family that was burned out of their homeA friends brother's house <i><u><b>JUST</b></u></i> burned down. They were on their way to a Renessance Fair when they got a call to turn around and come home. Literally just yesterday. They had put one dog in a kennel, and left one at home to be looked after by a neighbor. Someone broke into their home right after they left Friday, took their gas can from the garage and started fires in the kids rooms. This family lost everything they left behind on what they thought would just be a weekend trip. From pictures, clothes, books, and laptops, to their beloved pet that was left in what they thought was the safety of their home. <br />
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The dad when asked what he needed answered "I have everything I need right here." He pointed to his wife and children. One of his daughters started crying, "I won't ever hold my books again." I was called to see if I could send the kids some of the Young Adult books that I have reviewed, since they are all avid readers. <b><u>I would like to go one step further.</u></b> We will never be able to put the things they lost back in their hands, but I would like to be able to put smiles back on the kids faces, with your help. I am taking donations of Amazon Gift cards, YA ebooks, or Kindles. I want to buy these four kids Kindle Wi-fis, and load them with books that they lost-as well as new ones. I want them to shed tears of joy if tears must be shed, instead of tears of loss and sorrow.<br />
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The ages of the kids are:<br />
16 year old girl<br />
13 year old boy<br />
11 year old girl<br />
9 year old boy<br />
<br />
Please share your love and show the kids some heart on this holiday weekend. Help me to help them with donations of Amazon Gift Cards for Kindles and PDFs of Young Adult books to fill them.<br />
Send all donations to:<br />
<a href="mailto:authornicolehicks@gmail.com"><b>here</b></a> or authornicolehicks@gmail.com if you don't have outlook. <br />
If donating books please use Fire Donations in the subject line. I will add all of the names of the participants to the card that is sent to the kids, unless the you wish to remain anonymous. Thank you so very much in advance, for making a difference in this tragic time for these kids!<br />
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I am starting donations with my own $25 Amazon Card. Any amount from $10 on up will help.<br />
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We have started a raffle as well- see <a href="http://authornicolehicks.blogspot.com/2011/02/winwin-raffle.html">HERE </a>for the post and list of prizes available.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3