Kismet Ryding Rocks - Expats Post

Kismet Ryding Rocks - Expats Post

Christmas Puzzle by Kenneth Weene

Hello everyone. Today the author Kenneth Weene has joined me in exile. Kenneth, the man who gave us the quote, "The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single frustration".  Yes, Kenneth has written a very special story for us today called Christmas Puzzle. Thank you for joining me today Kenneth! Everyone enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!

The cold, wet night was made more miserable by the reflection of Christmas lights in the puddles. The blare of carols echoed flatly off buildings. The racket of harried cab drivers filled the streets.

Matt Desmond was interviewing witnesses. Their stories were the same, not so much the same as would raise a flag, not as if they had been practiced. It was like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Pieces fit; and when they did, the picture got clearer.

Matt Desmond liked puzzles. Twenty-three years on the force, the last fifteen and a half working homicide, and that was what he liked about his job—the puzzles.

He had loved doing puzzles with Sally. They would spread the pieces in the middle of the living room floor while Jaquie groused about the mess and his teaching their only kid to be as big a slob as he.

“Daddy, when I grow up, I’m going to marry you,” Sally would peep.

Matt would laugh and say, “I love you, too, Sally-Sweet.”

He had shared her tea parties and gone to her school assemblies and games. Not a lot of fathers did, especially not fathers who were also cops; but Matt and Sally were different.

And they talked—about everything. He never told her she was too young, too little. When she asked, he shared cases: Maybe he shouldn’t have, but Sally never seemed upset. They were just puzzles, and she loved puzzles.

Then without warning, those days were gone. Sally was gone. That was a puzzle Matt had never solved. Neither had the entire New York City police department.

“Maybe somebody’s got her in Mexico or Haiti or one of them other countries?” Morrison’s comment had not been helpful. What the hell could the light of his life be doing in some other country, some other world? Matt had thought of drugs and whorehouses and wept.

The girl whose body was splayed on the road—bones broken and her body contorted—appeared to be about the same age as Sally, as she had been—fourteen-fifteen?

Matt hated days like this, days that reminded him.

Dumb kids.

“Just exactly what happened?” he asked the next one, a young guy who was scarcely bundled against the cold.

“Dunno. Didn’t see.”

“Your friend dies and you ‘dunno?’” Matt tried to mimic the boy’s tone. He took note of the piercings; for Matt they were just another offense.

Nose, both ears—not even the same size holes, chin, left eyebrow, and that big thing in his tongue. What the hell is the matter with them?

“That’s right, Chief. I dunno. See I was in the can taking a dump. I mean you wouldn’t want me going out here.”

 Matt grimaced. “Over there,” he commanded pointing in the direction of the kids he had already questioned.

The next was a girl, maybe a bit older than the dead girl maybe not. Thin, dull-eyed, long hair needing a wash. Something insubstantial about her.

“Who the hell’s Ralph?” she responded to his first question.

Matt pointed to the piercing-pocked youngster he had just questioned.

“Oh, Slim Jim, he was in the john. Missed it all.”

“What was he doing in the john?” Even as he asked, Matt regretted the question.

The girl didn’t crack a smile. “Taking a crap.”

“You call him Slim Jim?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Cause he eats them, Slim Jims. You don’t want to be around him when he farts.” Her tone stayed flat, her face unchanged.

“So, tell me about the accident.”

“What accident?”

“Your friend, she’s dead.”

“Not my friend.”

“But you were here.”

“Duh. Yeah, we were all here.”

“What happened?”

“We was car surfing, she wanted to try, she slipped. End of story. End of her.”

“What’s her name?” So far nobody had known.

“Don’t know. Never seen her before. That’s how it happens.”

“How what happens?”

It was gnawing at Matt: the absence of caring, of involvement. Not a tear, not a smile, not even a grimace. He glanced over at “Slim Jim.” The boy was staring at him. They all were. They weren’t talking, not the way kids should, not the way Matt expected.

“How we join up. People drift in. People drift out. Some stay. Them that stay got names; the rest don’t.”

“Everybody has a name.” One name kept repeating itself in Matt’s head, “Sally, Sally.” He would never give up loving her, wanting to find her. That was what had ended their marriage. Jaquie had had enough. Matt figured any sane woman would have. No, it wasn’t that I missed her so much. I did. I do. But I can’t put it together. I got to figure—

“Sure,” the girl responded, “we all got the names our Moms and Dads gave us, but those aren’t our names, not once we’re here.”

“And you don’t know her name?”

“Nah. Not here long enough.”

“What about you?” Matt asked. “You got a name?”

“Sure. They call me Homer.”

“Homer? Why’s that?”

“’Cause I tell the stories.”

“What stories?”

“’Bout the first ones.”

“The first ones?”

“Yeah, the first ones.”

Uncomfortable, Matt did something he often did, something of which he was usually unaware. He pulled out his wallet and flipped it open to the photograph, the one he always carried. The one that gave him a moment of—not peace, but respite. Yeah, it gave him relief.

Sally and him at Coney Island. That had been the summer before. They had ridden the Cyclone and eaten hotdogs, and laughed. He had felt good, young, alive. Father-daughter time. Then she had told him about Harris, her first love, her first lover. Matt had taken it well, only threatened to kill the bastard twice, cut off his balls—well that was a few times.

But they had laughed. At the end, they had laughed and asked one of the Japanese tourists to take their picture. That had been outside the House of Horrors. “Monsters, Zombies, Vampires,” the loudspeaker had proclaimed in tinny loudness. And Sally held the orange-rag dog he had won throwing rings at soda bottles.

“I hope your mother won’t be too jealous,” he had said; and they had laughed some more.

Coney Island: that had been her choice. Not Great Adventure or a water park. Sally loved New York. Matt figured that came from him, certainly not from Jaquie. His ex had remarried and moved to Atlanta. What the hell was in Atlanta?

Then Sally was gone, disappeared. Matt had found Harris, just a kid who had a new girlfriend. No leads. Nothing.

“Where’d you get that?” Homer demanded, breaking into Matt’s reverie. Her voice was louder, but it contained no hint of emotion.

“You know her?”

“Sure. That’s Her.”

Matt stood dumb.

The girl reached out for his wallet. Matt handed it over. 

“That’s Her,” she repeated.

“Who?”

“Mrs. Drac. You know, Her?”

“That’s my daughter. Do you know—”?

He had no time to finish. The girl had wrapped her arms around him. With strength that belied her slight frame, she pulled him to her and sank her teeth into his neck.

Then Matt understood. He thought of weeping, but his feelings had died. At least his Sally hadn’t forgotten. She had sent for him. It would be a good Christmas. That much he finally understood. 

Tales from a New Amsterdam - The Legend

THE LEGEND

The first in my experimental series, Tales from a New Amsterdam.

A short story of love and Cherokee Magic in a Heavy Metal world of the 1980s.

Available FREE via Kindle.Fun lunch reading. Download it today.

http://www.amazon.com/Tales-New-Amsterdam-Legend-ebook/dp/B00AP6ET1K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1355753438&sr=1-1&keywords=Tales+from+a+New+Amsterdam

Respectable - Nic Taylor

Hello everyone. We are going into a new realm of authors today. This is the continuation of my Respectable authors. Dare I say it? We're going undercover with crime, political thrillers and who knows what we will find eventually.This series began in November with a visit from crime novelist Steve Christie as he discussed the best-seller, Good Deed. 

Today we welcome Nic Taylor to Exile on Peachtree Street. Nic is from England and has just released his first novel, A Plague of Dissent which is based in the United Kingdom. This is a book full of political corruption, corporate greed and illicit sex, something Americans know absolutely nothing about, so he will be explaining it to us.

Welcome to Exile on Peachtree Street, Nic. How are you? Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello Hunter, thanks for having me here today. I grew up in Penzance, Cornwall, England. I have taught diving and escorted dive parties to remote locations throughout the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Indonesian archipelago. I have designed the odd hotel or two in the Maldives and Thailand and expanded my photographic repertoire to become one of the foremost photographers in that region. 

I eventually diversified into the motion picture industry to eventually shoot several short films and documentaries including Burning Earth for the Discovery Channel. I spent many weeks camped out in the burning jungles of Borneo and hung out of helicopters with a camera on my shoulder.

Two things have changed my life, the first my marriage and children. The second is my awakening to environmental issues.  In Plymouth, UK I have joined forces with Plymouth University to continue with my environmental research and work towards a PhD.

I spend time equally divided between my research, the Plymstock Oaks Rugby Club, and I run several projects including coaching rugby.

I have worked as a photographer, cameraman and scientist and now I am trying to concentrate on my writing.

What inspired you to write A Plague of Dissent?

I guess the main answer to that question would be anger. Over the past few years I have been getting increasingly angrier with both the government and the main stream media. That probably seems an odd combination, you’ve read my book Hunter, so will understand, but for those that haven’t, for many years they have been working together for each other’s mutual advantage. 

I will cite a specific example of how our present Prime Minister (Cameron) employed a News International editor as his PR man. The same editor that is now being charged with corruption along with one of Cameron’s best friends Rebecca Brookes another former Murdoch editor. This and a government that has completely lost touch with its populous, that is driving the country even deeper into a depression and making the rich richer and the poor poorer - those were the original drivers for my book.

Is this the first book you've written?

It is yes, although over the years I have sketched out a few ideas but never had the confidence to pursue them.

How did you develop your novel?

As I mentioned before the original driver came from what was occurring around me and I felt I needed to say something. This I could have done through a blog but I choose a different route.

I decided to wrap up the message I wanted to get across into an entertaining story, obviously it was going to contain a great deal of intrigue so it naturally became a thriller. I took the scenario of greed, corruption, strikes and riots that I saw around me and asked the question. What would happen if these events where used by others to further their own aims? A situation we have seen a lot of in the Middle East recently, into this I introduced the main protagonists and let the story develop from there, some of which is based upon my own experiences. I didn’t want to write just a thriller, so the plot contains a love story with lots of sex and moments of humour, I hope.

What is the message you want readers to take away from your novel?

Although I believe in freedom of speech, being a writer I think it would be very hard not to, I am of the opinion that the media who hold a great deal of influence and therefore power over many of their readers and need to use this power with restraint and a conscience . I also wanted the reader to think about of corruption that is happening in today’s society particularly amongst those that are supposed to represent us.

How do you believe A Plague of Dissent will translate to an American audience?

Good question and I don’t really know, you’ve read it and I think enjoyed it, so there should be no reason why the general American audience shouldn’t. There is as much corruption and personnel greed there as there is here and as Dianne Harman said in her review of my book “I am married to a man who has been in the highest echelons of California politics for years and I will tell you that, sad as it is, his insight into politics has merit”

Do you have any future novels planned?

A Plague of Dissent is just being published and I am presently working on two sequels, Gaia’s Warriors and another with a working title of Revenge.

Thank you for joining me today in exile, Nic. How can readers connect with 

you?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Plague-of-Dissent-book/dp/B00AKIEP3U/ref=pd_rhf_cr_p_t_1

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16204097-a-plague-of-dissent

http://nictaylor.net

http://www.aventuraebookstore.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=0000000026GB

http://plagueofdissent.wordpress.com/

Femmes of the Frisky Quill-Featuring-Sommer Marsden!

Today we welcome the winter season by hosting Sommer! Yes, the Dominatrix of Desire, the very talented erotica author Sommer Mardsen joins me in exile. I am so thrilled! Everyone knows that I adore Sommer and believes she greatly underrates herself as a writer and author. Personally, when I read 50 Shades of Grey, I thought if people like this, wait until they discover Sommer. Yes, the one and only Sommer Marsden is here and she is going to give us some insight into her art, and maybe even let us know what her neighbors are up to…let’s find out more!

Sommer, please introduce yourself in fifty words or less to our readers.

Professional dirty word writer, gluten free baker, sock addict, fat wiener dog walker, expert procrastinator. Sometimes NSFW but only when you least expect it.

Oh, interesting – we will all make a note of that. Now, tell us Sommer, why are you a writer?

I don’t know how to be anything else.

Have you always been a writer?

From the moment I could hold a crayon. But somewhere in there I was also a catering assistant, deli worker, cocktail waitress, grocery store cashier, lipstick tester, bookstore customer service rep and administrative assistant (that one lasted the longest).

Do you have any other artistic inclinations?

I love to craft. I don’t do it as much as I used to but I do my fair share when the mood strikes. I’m in the process of relearning how to crochet and trying my hand at the ukulele.

What lead you to be an erotica writer and author?

Complete accident. I was doing research for a mystery novel (thought I was going to be a mystery writer…surprise!) and I found a short story online. I read it and was impressed by how good it was. And I thought: I wonder if I could write this stuff…?

And, the rest is history, as they say. What is the most interesting proposal or proposition you have ever received from a fan? Did you do it?

Actually, most people are super nice and super sweet and very respectful. They just send nice notes. Sometimes they also send along thanks from spouses. But no one has ever propositioned me that I can recall. If they did, I’ve blocked it out. Sometimes I get a bit TMI from folks, but hey, it comes with the territory I guess. J

You’ve gotta love that – thank you notes from spouses! Your fans are very thoughtful.What inspires you?

Everything! My family, my friends, TV, movies, people watching, eavesdropping. I can find inspiration in almost any situation - which is a blessing.

What inspired your current work?

Hmm. Right now I am working on a love story that’s a bit more…um…tame than most of my work. I was asked to do it by an editor I respect immensely. I looked at it as a challenge (which I always find inspiring) because it’s a bit more toned down than my normal stuff. I have no idea if anything will come of it or not, but I’m enjoying the ride.

Please tell us about your latest work.

I don’t talk in great detail about works in progress. I’m very superstitious that way, I guess. I’ll say that I have a series in progress. The first book Lion Hearted (Divination Falls Trilogy) was out in October. The second book Beast in Me is imminent and the third book is rattling around in my brain as we speak. Can’t wait to write it! But first I have to write the one I mentioned in the question above. If only I had two more sets of hands and an extra 12 hours in the day!

Where can we purchase your book?

Lion Hearted is currently on Amazon and Amazon UK. It will be coming out in other venues (ARe, iTunes etc) in January 2013.

Can you tell us about any future releases or events?

Like I said, upcoming is Beast in Me, the second Divination Falls book from Xcite and a little ghost story I’ve very excited about, Under My Skin, will be releasing from Resplendence Publishing in January 2013. There’s some other stuff in the works but no firm dates yet.

Lightning Round:

Wine - red or white?

Red!

Favorite food?

French Fries

Favorite movie?

Gah! That’s impossible. I’ll give you a top 5. Lake Placid

Favorite person from history?

I’ll give you a nation. The Cherokee Nation.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs (but technically the answer would have to be both)

Connery or Craig in James Bond?

Connery but I’m really warming up to Craig. I mean…really.

Jack White, Jack Black or Jack Daniel?

Jack White

Satin or silk?

Silk

Heels or flats?

Flats. Unless we’re talking about the bedroom.

The readers and I would like to find out more about being a lipstick tester and exactly what that involves. Of course, we can’t wait to find out about the TMI from your fans either, so please plan on visiting again in the future Sommer Marsden! You are a fabulous author and a fun guest. Continued success and thank you for joining me today on Exile on Peachtree Street!

Fables of the Reconstruction - A Whole New Genre

  

The reviews are coming in and readers are finding Fables of the Reconstruction original and intelligent.

Reviews from Fables of the Reconstruction (Kindle Edition)


5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual, December 30, 2012
By James - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Fables of the Reconstruction (Kindle Edition)
The author has written an unusual story that absorbs the reader and is one of those 'can't put down' books.

Fresh and Unique! December 1, 2012

By Regina Mitchell

I started reading this book as a recommendation from a friend and am so glad I did. Hunter S. Jones takes the erotica genre and mixes it with zombie horror. It's exciting, fresh, and extremely steamy!

I never would have thought of zombies as sexual beings, but in Fables of the Reconstruction all things are possible. I loved how the author combined the idea of voodoo zombies with horror film zombies and created a whole new sexual monster. Back up vampires! Zombies are the new thing!

I highly recommend this book to other lovers of both erotica and horror. The writing is so smooth and the book is filled with non-stop action. You won't want to put this one down for a second! Very well done!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Whole New Genre? October 27, 2012

By Beth H. 

Fables of the Reconstruction is an original and fascinating tale told from several perspectives, taking place during the time of Jack the Ripper. Author Hunter Jones offers an alternate recipe for turning the alive to the undead, in this extremely erotic novella. This is certainly a book intended for adults, but the writing is solid and intelligent, and the story interesting, particularly within the context of Whitechapel and the era represented. I recommend Fables for any fan of zombie fiction, historical romance, erotica, and just plain fun (adult) reading!

Musician Gerg Anidem of UNIR1 Empower Radio says Fables of the Reconstruction is "Erotic, Exotic and Hypnotic!"

It's called "Original"-"Psychedelic"-"Racy"

Buy it now - only on Amazon.com!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009SCXVMK/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_w0tHqb0PVYPFZ

Lucy Felthouse - When the Whip Comes Down

Please join me in welcoming the fabulous Empress of Erotica - Lucy Felthouse!

Lucy, it is my pleasure having you join me in Exile today. How are you?  What have you been up to lately? 

Why don't we begin by you introducing yourself in 50 words or less. 

I'm an erotica and erotic romance writer from the UK. I'm with several publishers and write in several sub-genres and pairings – and it's great fun!

What books are you currently reading? Who are your favorite authors?

I'm currently reading Eighty Days Red by Vina Jackson. My favourite authors in erotica and erotic romance include Portia Da Costa, Saskia Walker, Janine Ashbless, and many, many more. I discover new favourites all the time!

What inspires you to create?

My imagination, I guess! The more I write and get published, the more I want to write and get published. Also hot guys are pretty inspirational—I tend to write my celebrity crushes into my books.

Didn't you get into writing erotica because of a dare?

I sure did! It was when I was at University. I decided to do a Creative Writing degree because when I left college I still had no idea what I wanted to do as a career, so I thought I'd buy  myself three more years to decide. When I was there, I was sitting around the dinner table with a group of friends. I don't remember the exact conversation, but I suspect it must have been quite dirty because it spurred one of my friends on to make a comment that I should try writing erotic fiction. I laughed it off to begin with, but then he dared me to do it, so I couldn't say no, then! The rest is history!

What lead to the creation of the book we're discussing today?

I'd wanted to write for Ellora's Cave for a long time, so when I saw that they were launching a range for men – Ellora's Cave for Men – it spurred me on to have a think about aiming at that range to start with, then hopefully to write other things for them. I like writing from the male perspective, and I had a good think about what I could write that would be suitable for men, utilising their fantasies, etc. I came up with the idea of a young man on his gap year, having all sorts of sexual adventures. And that's where it all started. A Taste of London just released, and I can't wait to see what readers think. Also, there's no reason why women shouldn't read it, too, if they enjoy hard erotica.

Do you have more planned? Is this book part of a series?

Yes, this is the first book in a series. Each one will be set in a different place that the lead character, Ryan Stonebridge, visits on his gap year. After London, he visits Paris, then Rome. After that... who knows? You'll have to wait and see! J

Any plans to be in Atlanta soon?

I'm afraid not. If my books start to sell really well and make me lots of money, then I'll definitely go travelling. And if I end up in Atlanta, I'll be the one trying to sneak onto the set of The Vampire Diaries in order to seduce Ian Somerhalder...

Thanks so much for having me here, I appreciate it! And thanks to those who have stopped by J

*****

Ryan Stonebridge and his friend Kristian Hurst are heading off on the trip of a lifetime. They’re spending their gap year traveling the world and expect lots of sun, sights and sex. The guys have a couple of days in the English capital before catching the Eurostar to Paris. Unfortunately, a family emergency means that Kristian has to head back home for a while, leaving Ryan to continue the trip alone.

Luckily for Ryan, he’s an attractive guy and there is no shortage of gorgeous women available to help take his mind off Kristian’s family drama.

More info, excerpt and buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/a-taste-of-london/

*****

Lucy is a graduate of the University of Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Constable and Robinson, Decadent Publishing, Ellora's Cave, Evernight Publishing, House of Erotica, Ravenous Romance, Resplendence Publishing, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books. She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour, Seducing the Myth, Smut by the Sea and Smut in the City. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9