All I want for Christmas...

I have a secret wish for Christmas... do you?

Inspiration!

But with you I belong, because you help me be strong...

Sunday Ponderings

It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.

~ Leonardo da Vinci ~

Inspiration!

Don't let your dreams be dreams...

Inspiration!

Another day in the land of Jinn and our main characters need some hope...

Sunday Ponderings

I watched the movie Big Miracle' a while ago with my kids and curled under a blanket because just looking at that much ice made me cold. The movie was good... based on a true-to-life story. And as I came across this quote for the day I felt the truthfulness of it... whether it be winter or spring, summer or fall, each journey we take may hit a 'winter' that seems longer than the rest.

Every mile is two in winter.
~ George Herbert ~

Inspiration!

A heart can't erase once it finds its place...

Inspiration!

Stop and look at something from another point of view... the results may surprise you.

Inspiration!

I never felt like this before...

Sunday Ponderings

After a month of being parked in front of my computer this quote really hit home...

“A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.”
~ John le Carré ~

Inspiration!

I want to make you try to be the best yet...

Sunday Ponderings

At this last Sunday of NaNoWriMo I leave you with a quote about success and failure... it is a fine line we travel.

It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might has well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.

~ J. K. Rowling ~


*Photo By Greg Colbert

Inspiration!

Can't go on not loving you...

Inspiration!

A little research never hurt ;)

Inspiration!

I watched it begin again...

One Year Anniversary for I Wish...

Wow!!! It has already been an entire year since I Wish... has come out. Thanks to all of the support of everyone we have spread the word and really grown a fan base.

On this Anniversary nothing would be more appropriate than gifts, so here is the lowdown on how to get them...

First: just share one thing about I Wish... on any medium (ie: Facebook, Pintrest, Email, IM, Two Peas,...) and you are automatically entered to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card (Just in time for the holidays)

Second: share again and earn a chance for a free e-copy of I Wish... to give as a present to a friend or keep for yourself.

The most important part of this is to report back to me in order to be entered into the drawing.

Thank you all again for all of your support!

Inspiration!

I know my heart will never be the same...

Sunday Ponderings

On this week of Thanksgiving my mind unfortunately tends to turn toward my doubts and regrets before it stumbles upon the mountain of blessings that I have been given. I shared a lesson this week by an amazing man, Dieter Uchtdorf, who said... "So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial.
The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness.
We do matter. We determine our happiness.
You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness."

I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving this year!

Inspiration!

I start to compromise my life and my purpose... is it all worth it. Am I going to turn out fine?

Inspiration!

Ever time I think of you, I think of how you pushed me through, and showed me how much better I could be...

Inspiration!

If I can be like that I would give anything...

Inspiration!

Dating the wrong person can be more than just a bad decision...

Inspiration!

If I should stay, I would only be in the way...

Inspiration!

A little comedy, throw in some tension, and a hint of what could be... Check, check and check for today's writing inspiration.

Sunday Ponderings

If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do things worth writing.

~ Benjamin Franklin ~

Inspiration!

So, please take what's left on this heart and use... please use only what you need.

Working hard...

I took a break from NaNoWriMo today and curled up to a good movie. I watched The Help and cried and laughed right along with the characters. It surprised me how much I loved the movie. I loved the simple, stark impact that the moral held. I loved the quotable passages and the connection that I felt with each one of the characters. I even loved the unquiet of the ending. No happily ever after promised, but a courage to take on a new future.

I also loved the last line of the movie...
My boy... always said we gonna to have a writer in the family some day. I guess it's gonna be me.

Do you ever feel that way? I do. Now I must get back to my writing... to move forward with courage into a new future.

Election Day Inspiration!

I have thought a lot about the ultimate moral of the I Wish... series. If you haven't noticed the trail of human and Jinn bound by their own fears and misconceptions... bound by honor and bound by pride. My goal is to unravel it all and let the dust settle before the gift of freedom gives back to them.

On this election day I wanted to share a speech by a great president where he expresses the need of our great country to remember who we are and where we come from and, most importantly, that freedom is fragile.

Inspiration!

I think of my writing much like the presentation of this goofy, backwoods guy. I don't look like a writer. I don't sound like a writer. Heck, I didn't even publish my book in the traditional manner... But once you sink into one of my stories you can feel it.

Sunday Ponderings

In honor of NaNoWriMo... determination.

A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.

~Colin Powell~

Inspiration!

So, today's inspiration is all about the relationship between mother-figures and sons. Respect earned on both sides and fun had, how they communicate and act toward each other. I L-O-V-E this clip of mother and son on Ellen!

Inspiration!

I have to admit that I had a VERY unsettling dream last night. One of my friends said that I should use it as inspiration for my book, but, just like this little vignette, it is so obscure that I can't even think of how I would be able to twist it into anything that would fit onto a page.

Sunday Ponderings

In celebration of Halloween...

There is no disguise which can hide love for long where it exists, or simulate it where it does not.

~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld ~

Inspiration!

It's hard to fall for someone who is 'different'...

Inspiration!

I'm just the same as I was. Now don't you understand... that I'm never changing who I am.

Inspiration!

No doubt in my mind where you belong...

Sunday Ponderings

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

~ Marcus Aurelius ~

Inspiration!

It feels like I am just too close to love you... so, I'll be on my way...

Sunday Ponderings

Women will always and forever be crazy and men will always and forever love us anyway.

~ Unknown ~

Inspiration!

You begin to wonder why you came... Lost a friend somewhere along in the bitterness.

Sunday Ponderings

As fall has crept in and left the door open for winter I feel lost in the day to day doings of ordinariness. I need a slamming door to waken my musings back into activeness. So, I offer the following quote...

To do anything truly worth doing, I must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in with gusto and scramble through as well as I can.
Og Mandino

Inspiration!

Peter Pan and Wendy turned out fine, so won't you fly with me?

Inspiration!

You love the chase, but hate it when I run around...

!!! October Challenge !!!

October is finally here and I am sooo excited! This is my favorite month of the year, and so I would like to make it a fun month for all of the I Wish... fans out there.
As many of you might remember, October is Jack's birthday month... So, in true 'Dating Game' style, we are going to test your knowledge of Jack throughout the month.

On his birthday, the 19th, we will have a drawing for a prize. Anyone who has participated in any of the little fun facts about Jack will be eligible to win.

Sunday Ponderings

Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.

~ Walt Whitman ~

Inspiration!

You seem so out of reach...

Inspiration!

My mind forgets to remind me, you're a bad idea...

Inspiration!

Two choices... to stay or to leave.

Inspiration!

This me praying that... this was the very first page, not where the storyline ends.

Inspiration!

Thinking about us... it was only just a dream...

Sunday Ponderings

Yesterday was 'National Hobbit Day'. So, today I offer you a thoughtful quote from The Hobbit.
"There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something."
~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, Ch. 4 ~

Inspiration!

Don't wake me up...

Inspiration!

Like the rain on a stormy day... I never thought I'd fall this way...

Inspiration!

I'm going to plug in a good movie and do some late night writing tonight. My inspiration for tonight...
A strong female lead, and a man who is willing to give up anything, including his pride, in order to keep her.

Inspiration!

I do choose you. So, why don't you choose me too...

Inspiration!

I don't know how to be fine when I'm not...

Inspiration!

Finally it's our time now...

Happy 'Talk Like A Pirate' Day!!!

I was raised on musicals and classic movies of all kinds. We would pile together around our tiny tv and rented vcr as a family and sing along with 7 Brides and then cringe and cheer our way through one of 007's adventures... But this movie, Pirates of Penzance with Kevin Kline, was the one that made us all whoop with excitement.
Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day to all of those Pirate Kings out there!!!

Inspiration!

Sun lights up the morning, moon lights up the night... I light up when you call my name.

Inspiration!

Who says you're not worth it?

Inspiration!

Because friends should be able to fun around...

Sunday Ponderings

“A life lived in fear is a life half-lived.”

~ Spanish proverb, in Baz Luhrmann’s movie Strictly Ballroom ~

Inspiration!

One of my favorite things about my book (I know its kind of pompous to comment on how much i love me book, but oh, well.) is the alternating points of view with each chapter. I love this 'other' side of the story.

Inspiration!

Because every book needs a little comedy to lighten the drama.

Inspiration!

Now here you are again. Let's skip the how you been...

Inspiration!

It's just been one of those, one of those days...

Inspiration!

Find out what we're made of when we are called to help our friends in need...

Sunday Ponderings

You cannot open a book without learning something.
~ Confucius ~

Inspiration!

I know it's kind of silly, but Sleeping Beauty has always been a favorite movie of mine, and today I am walking in the dreams of some of my characters. So, what better inspiration than 'Once upon a dream' when the girl meets the man of her dreams.

Inspiration!

I hope that you see right through my walls... I hope that you catch me 'cause I'm already falling...

Inspiration!

Surely something has got to give, because I can't keep waiting to live... How far do I have to go to get to you? Many the miles...

Inspiration!

Oh, if we call the whole thing off, then we must part... If we ever part that would break my heart.

Inspiration!

Looks like nothings gonna change... cuz this loneliness won't leave me alone.

!!! September Challenge !!!

I am barely catching my breath after our wild and crazy rush to conquer last month's challenge... but another month has begun. So, I thought that we could have a 2 level challenge.

The first level is for all of you that have yet to read I Wish... I have 6 free Nook copies of I Wish... waiting to be sent to you. (The handy thing about Nook is that it has apps to download onto your smartphones or ipads or even your PCs.) You can enter by doing any or all of the following:

1) 'Like' I Wish... on Nook
2) 'Like' I Wish... on Amazon
3) Follow this I Wish... blog
4) 'Like' I Wish... on Facebook
5) Share I Wish... on Facebook, Pintrest, Two Peas, or your Blog
6) 'Like' the I Wish... Book Trailer or Short Book Trailer
7) Any other way of sharing I Wish... with others

All you have to do is leave a comment here or on our Facebook page letting me know how many times you have entered. At the end of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks we will pick 1 winner, and at the end of the month we will draw another 3 winners. ______________________________________________

The second level is for each one of you that have read I Wish... and are eager for more of I Dream... I am asking a lot of you by having you leave a review on any of the following places:

1) Amazon
2) Nook
3) Goodreads
4) Shelfari

Once you have left one review... drop a note here or on Facebook, and I will email you Chapter 5 of I Dream... Leave a second review somewhere else and I will send you Chapter 6. _____________________________________________

On your mark... get set... GO!!! The September Challenge is on.

Happy Labor Day!

I recently went to a family wedding up in Washington. Twenty-two hours in two day with three kids under ten and four adults stuffed into my minivan. You can imagine the fatigue when we pulled up to my sister's home in WA and piled out of the car. It was around 3:00 pm, overcast, and busy busy busy! Just a day and a half from holding the wedding in the back yard and so much had yet to be done.
No problem! The new deck was number one priority. Now, there were approximately five men working on the deck... measuring, cutting, standing back and looking, measuring again. They were very precise and not getting a lot done very quickly. One thing I have learned over the years is that the fastest way to get the men moving is to throw in a hard working woman or two... or three.

Two sisters and I jumped into the mix (pic above). We got an assembly line motion going and knocked out a large portion of the spindles before dinner. My brother pushed the men forward. Another sister knocked out the food for all of the hungry laborers and the wedding. One more made the wedding cake. And my sister, whose home it was, ran the whole show.
I'm not saying that the wedding wouldn't have been fabulous without us... or that all of the other amazing volunteers didn't do an outstanding job. No, what I am saying is that the entire event was far more fun for us because we worked hard for it.
To me, this is part of what Labor Day is all about. Having a goal and working hard to achieve it. It is in those moments of achievements that man is better.

Happy Labor Day All!!! Celebrate all of those great accomplishments that have come from your hard work.

Inspiration!

Life is a maze and love is a riddle...

Sunday Ponderings

~ In dreams begins responsibility. ~
William Butler Yeats

Goal!!!!!

I am To-The-Moon excited!!! We set a big goal and reached it!!! We surpassed 150 'likes' on facebook this month and upped our review count on Amazon. It was such a good month for I Wish... fans and tomorrow you will all receive your reward.

Inspiration!

Because, today, I needed to hear Bruno Mars tell me that I am Amazing... just the way I am.

Inspiration!

I've got a thick tongue, brimming with the words that go unsung...

A prod in the right direction...

I had a VERY weird dream last night wherein Sean Astin popped by to make a movie with me. He was so supportive and fun... and yet he pinpointed all of the goals in my life that I have let slip and slide out of my grasp.

I woke from my dream feeling like I had just been given a prod in the right direction. It was amazing to wake up and feel like I can accomplish these hard goals that I have set for myself.

Thanks Sean, for the push I needed right now...

Inspiration!

Maybe I'll work out a way to make it back someday...

Inspiration!

They can't take that away from me...

Inspiration!

My go-to song for how I want my books to feel...

Sunday Ponderings

In memory of Neil Armstrong...

The important achievement of Apollo was demonstrating that humanity is not forever chained to this planet, and our visions go rather further than that and our opportunities are unlimited.

Neil Armstrong

Inspiration!

When everybody has somebody but you...

Inspiration!

Never prepared for what's to come...

Inspiration!

Sweet Sun, bring me the moon... bringing me closer to you.

Awesome New Feature!

This is a handy new feature for the I Wish... blog. It's called a QR code, and most of the smartphones out there can scan them. Why? Well, mostly for fun, but it is also an easy way to link to our website. If you have a smart phone... try it! And then share it!

Inspiration!

I'll be giving it my bestest...

Inspiration!

How can I move on when I'm still in love with you?

Inspiration!

Doubts... You shouldn't worry about what they say.

Sunday Ponderings

Little by little, one travels far.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Inspiration!

I've become what I can't be...

Inspiration!

Maybe I'm just dreaming out loud...

Inspiration!

My knees go weak, and my heart starts to pound...

Inspiration!

An important part of falling in love is learning about the quirky, little things that make us who we are.

A New Review!!!

This book has great imagination, character development, romance, and just the perfect amount of humor! I was quickly sucked in as it is a real page-turner! It is an engaging and well-written story with memorable moments and characters. It is not necessary to be a teen to enjoy it (I'm 35 and looking forward to the next book). For those who enjoy romance with a bit of fantasy woven in, this book is for you!

By Tyler Scott "Dream Builder"

If you would like to add your review click HERE. Thanks!

Inspiration!

Don't pay no mind to the daemons... they fill you with fear.

Did you know...

Kindle has made it easy for you to read e-books on your kindles, smartphones, computers and tablets?

I had 2 brothers pull me aside this weekend and ask for tech support on downloading my book to their devices (both brothers have tween daughters). So, I am posting Amazon's step-by-step to reading I Wish...

Click HERE and start reading I Wish... in 5 minutes =D

Home again, home again jiggity jig...

Well, I just pulled into town a few hours ago and am happy to find a lot of activity with I Wish...

Only 33 more 'likes' to go this month and several more reviews on Amazon.

The good news is that I have the first 8 chapters pretty fine-tuned and ready for a sneak peek. Who's in? Let's find those 'likes' and reviews =D

Headed Out of Town.

I am headed out of town to go and have fun with my sisters this week. Watch out Washington! What this means for you?.. I won't be able to spearhead the August challenge for about a week. Sooo, it would be awesome if some of you could take on the challenge. We only need 34 more likes to get the first 4 chapters of I Dream... On the other hand, we still need 25 more reviews to open up another 4 chapters to you.

Who's in?

Inspiration!

I see sparks fly...

30K Reward!!!

Alright everybody, I promised that even though I didn't quite reach my 3rd goal by the end of last month, when I did get to 30,000 more words I would give you a romantic scene. I reached my goal, so here it is.

Just a warning, this scene probably came more from my past of reading historical fiction (romance novels) than it did from YA novels... you can practically feel the steam rising between these two.

__________________________________

I Dream... Romantic Scene

The rain came as all summer rains tended to in Oregon, torrentially. One second Kira and Jack were serious and concentrating on practicing their powers, lifting large boulders and snapping downed trees in half, and the next moment they were soaked through from tip to toe.

Kira tipped her head back in shock and then lifted her arms to the sky and let out a squeal of laughter. She loved the rain! It made her feel alive and free. Like the child inside her had been let loose. She spun in a full circle before she paused, remembering that she wasn’t alone.

Jack. He stood just steps away with an intense look radiating from his eyes. In that moment Kira could literally see his thoughts. He was reliving the last rain storm they had gone through together. The memory was so vivid that Kira felt heat rise to her face as she saw herself grab Jack’s hand and run through the field together. She knew what was coming next. The feelings as Jack swung her up into his arms… the longing.

Kira turned herself away from Jack. Away from the memory that held so much of her feelings and desires. She didn’t know where she was going, but she knew that she had to leave now before she broke down in front of Jack. She took two steps before Jack grabbed her arm. The emotions pouring off of him were tangible. She could feel his pain and anger and… longing.

Kira turned her head further away from Jack as the first hot tear slipped out to mingle with the rain streaming down her face. She didn’t even have the strength of will to try to pull free. He needed her as much as she needed him, but to give in wasn’t an option any more. Kira closed the door on her heart before she turned back to face Jack. She felt stronger. She could do this. After all, she had told him, “No” once before. All she had to do was to remind him that the memories were in the past and that they were over.

Kira turned and looked directly into Jack’s chest. She opened her mouth and said firmly, “Jack, I don’t think…” Kira’s mind lost some of its direction as she noticed Jack’s chest rising and falling under his rain soaked shirt. She shook her head and raised her eyes to Jack’s stubborn chin. She tried again. “Look, our past has nothing…” He clenched his jaw and she found herself focusing on the firm line of Jack’s lips. She knew the touch of those lips. She… Dear heavens! Kira felt her mouth go dry.

She closed her eyes and tried one last time. “We can’t live in the past, Jack. It’s over.” There! She had said it.

Jack added just a little more pressure to Kira’s arm until she opened her eyes and looked up into his. He stared at her with his intense blue eyes for just a moment before saying, “It is far from over!” And with that, Jack pulled Kira to him and kissed her with an intensity that rocked her to her very core. She closed her eyes and gave herself up to his kiss… and then he was gone.

Kira swayed slightly and felt the rain cool her heated lips. When she opened her eyes it was to see Jack’s back walking in the direction of the cottage.

__________________________________

I hope you enjoyed this little preview of what is to come. Now let's accomplish some more goals so we can get some more previews out :D

Inspiration!

Get up and fall into my arms instead...

Sunday Ponderings

I chose to share this picture because Oscar Pistorius, the Blade Runner from South Africa, has inspired more than just me... he has stepped up and inspired a world.

“Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.”

Orison Swett Marden

Inspiration!

Coming home from a date with my hubby tonight this song came on; he turned the song up and turned to me with a smile on my face. Each of was lost in our own memories of our first date. I can't help but think that this is how Jack and Kira would feel.

Inspiration!

As I sat in my English class in high-school I couldn't help but wonder why Shakespeare was so popular when he wrote so many tragedies. I knew what good romance stories were about, and they all ended with happily-ever-afters... right? Well, now I don't know. I almost hate the books that skip along merrily with no conflict. Don't get me wrong, I L-O-V-E a good HEA, but it has to be earned...

Inspiration!

I may not ever be a superhero... but I will always be there for you.

Olympics Inspiration!

I really wanted to share this quote because it really is how I feel... I wouldn't be here today without all of the people who have pushed me up. Thank you!

“You Olympians, however, know you didn’t get here solely on your own power,” said Romney, who on Friday will attend the Opening Ceremonies of this year’s Summer Olympics. “For most of you, loving parents, sisters or brothers, encouraged your hopes, coaches guided, communities built venues in order to organize competitions. All Olympians stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them. We’ve already cheered the Olympians, let’s also cheer the parents, coaches, and communities. All right! [pumps fist].”

Inspiration!

Usually I insert bits and pieces of music or pictures as inspiration, but today is all about a story that deeply inspires me. The story of Rowlings. I love how she talks about her life experiences, and you can actually see the story of Harry Potter unfolding... people that inspired the good characters and the bad... scenery that was magical just outside her back door... the closet under the stairs and bad haircuts.

All of it came to life because it was real to her.

!!! August Challenge !!!

Like my parents always say, "It's not a challenge unless it's hard."

So, I would like to kick it up a notch. I Wish... made some big goals at the beginning of the year, and I would like to take a large step forward in accomplishing some of those goals this month.

The first goal I would like to work on is getting 200 'likes' for I Wish... on Facebook. Unfortunately I can only do so much about this... mostly it will all depend on you, the fans. So, we are starting out with the month with 111 'likes' (which is fabulous!!!), and that means that we only have 89 more to go to reach our goal for the year.

If: We can get the 'likes' up to 150 this month... Then: I will give you the first 4 chapters of I Dream...

The second goal I want to work on is obtaining 100 reviews for I Wish... on Amazon. Again, it would look hinky if I was to leave reviews on my own book, so... it is, again, up to you. We are starting with 25 reviews, and that leaves us with 75 to go. I know this looks daunting, but I also know that there are a bunch of you out there that have already read I Wish...

If: We can get up to 50 reviews on Amazon... Then: I will double the prize to 8 chapters of I Dream...

Gulp!!! Now this is a challenge. Who's in?

Inspiration!

Don't want to fly if you are on the ground... This song really conveys a perfect young love.

Inspiration!

There is no denying a connection of the soul...

Inspiration!

A new spin on an old classic...

Sunday Ponderings

In honor of the Olympics I will post several thoughts over the next couple of weeks. Thoughts by amazing people who have set goals and surpassed them and brought nations together through the process.


When anyone tells me I can't do anything, I'm just not listening any more.

Florence Griffith Joyner (American athlete, 1988 Summer Olympics)

Goal 2 Achieved!!!

As promised for reaching my 2nd goal this month I am inserting a fan's name into I Dream... I sorted through the messages and chose one from South Carolina... Congratulations Eden M. So everyone keep your eyes out for the name Eden once I Dream... makes its debut.

Inspiration!

Why you wanna... make me keep wanting you?

Inspiration!

Dreams... that's where I have to go.

Inspiration!

Two of my favorite singers singing a song for Jack today...

Inspiration!

As my husband sat down for our quiet time after dinner he looked over at me and said, "I sent you some inspiration today."
I almost scratched my head in confusion. I had no idea what he was referring to.
He looked hopefully at me and clarified, "You know how you are inspired by music and pictures... for your books. I sent you a castle."
My heart cracked a little and I fell even more in love with him at that moment. I have no idea where to use this castle, but... now I must.
Any suggestions?

Inspiration!

A true, lasting love will stay if you become friends first...

Inspiration!

I read a quote yesterday that said, "Everything will be okay in the end... If it's not okay, then it's not the end." Whether I like it or not, there is a lot of turmoil that has to happen before the end can come... but everything will be okay in the end.

Inspiration!

I am at a point in the book that is hard for me... the storm before the calm.

Sunday Ponderings

“We humans are conflicted beings. Our beliefs don't always harmonize with our instincts, and our behavior doesn't always reflect our beliefs. ... We wage war between the person we are and the person we hope to become.”
Brandon Mull

Inspiration!

When Bruno Mars tells you not to give... that's what you do ;)

Inspiration!

Jack is dealing with prejudice for the first time in his existence, and now he has to decide how many times will get up...

1st Goal Achieved!!!

I have reached my first goal tonight and am more than happy to share a small picture of I Dream... with all of you.
Thank you all for your support this month. Keep it coming, and you all will reap the benefits.

Hand to Hand Combat.
Jack smiled and flexed his inner powers like they were muscles rippling down his arms. Now this was a class that he would enjoy.
Jack stood with his mentors in the middle of the wide expanse of nothing but sand... waiting eagerly. Liam smiled at him and stepped forward, "I'll teach him all he needs to know."
Yamin crossed his arms over his chest and snorted, "No... Gemma, you're up."
A petite girl with smiling eyes and a mop of bright red hair skipped forward and shoved Liam back into place before turning to Jack and rubbing her hands together, "Oh, it's on!" Jack looked incredulous. He couldn't hit a girl! She looked more like a porcelain doll than an action figure.
Thwump!
Jack flew through the air and landed on his back. He groaned, rubbing his chest and wheezed out, "What the?"
Gemma's face appeared just above him, "Giving up already?" She offered him a hand to help him up, and he felt her strength flowing through his arm. "I can't hurt you, right? I mean..."
She raised an eyebrow and said plainly, "Jack, you need to get past what I look like. Imagine I'm the enemy... a fairy with enough power in this little hand," Gemma brushed an imaginary piece of dust off of her shoulder with her delicate fingers, "to snap each bone in your body." Gemma leaned in a little closer and put one finger in the direct center of his chest, "If you don't kill me, I will kill you."
Jack felt a shock of electricity emanate from her finger and radiate to the very tips of his toes. His mind flashed back to the small cottage in the field, and the... He tried, and failed, to swallow down the mass of fear literally clawing its way up his throat.
His heart rate picked up, and before his eyes Gemma morphed into the fairy that had attacked him just months before. Jack could see it all again. Kira. She was so frightened and silent as that thing reached out his filthy hands to grab her. Something inside Jack snapped. He flew through the air and tackled the fairy at his waist. Their bodies rolled end over end; a whirl of color in the pure white sand.
The fairy pulled out of the roll first and landed on his toes… ready.
Jack came to a sudden stop in a crouch... eyeing his enemy. Taking two steps his foe flew into the air. Jack launched himself and rolled his body around. He thrust out one leg and connected with the fairy’s chest.
The fairy grunted and grabbed Jack’s ankle… twisting it fiercely. Jack's body rolled wildly before being thrust to the ground.
Jack flipped in the air and landed on his knees.
"Enough!" Yamin's voice cut through the air.
The fairy rolled his wide shoulders and took one intimidating step forward, looking suddenly like a mirage… there, but not. The mirage shook and Gemma stepped out of the rolling air with a smile lighting up her face. She shook her spritely hair with one hand and said, “Not too shabby for a..,” Her eyes held his with surprised respect as she looked down at him. She half-whispered the last word with a bit of wonder, “human.”

Progress thoughts...

I feel like writing a book is akin to dating someone new. You are attracted to the idea and then get to learn piece by piece about each other. Each chapter is a new date and by the end of the book you can't imagine your life without one another.

Inspiration!

I think we all get those shy insecurities when love sets in.

It only takes one...

I am a through and through fan of YA fiction. It pulls me in and makes my imagination come alive... Well, I guess I am not alone in this since studios have been grabbing up promising books to turn into the next box-office hits.
The top book on the list, Tiger's Curse, was actually optioned by a studio before the author, Colleen Houck even had an agent for her book. One of her fans of her self-published book badgered a relative to check it out. That relative happened to work in the movie industry, and now Tiger's Curse is destined for the big screen.

Click HERE to read more.

I Stand...

Book three will be the final book in the Jinn Series. (I am playing with the title of I Stand...) I saw this clip on youtube and it conveyed the feel of what I want for I Stand... Alex Boye' says it perfectly when he talks about this song not being just for one group or another, but putting an umbrella over the the entire world and all of its inhabitants.

A good thing to remember...

Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way. E. L. Doctorow

Inspiration!

Kira and Jack are at cross purposes today... too lost in their own realities to see the big picture.

Sunday Ponderings

My family stopped along the Oregon / Mormon trail in Wyoming this week. The stories of all of the struggles of the pioneers struck deeply. Above all else, they kept their faith... which inspired today's quote.

In a word I was a pioneer, and therefore had to blaze my own trail.
Major Taylor

Inspiration!

I wanted to share this song for several reasons....
First: I just got back from a week long vacation where we spent many hours on the road and I had this song humming through my mind each time I climbed back into the car.
Second: I love the twist on an old classic. It is still a classic, but tweaked to give the new generation a reason to love it... much like I Wish...
Third: I am several thousand words into my first goal for I Dream... and need to get back into the proverbial saddle again.

Sunday Ponderings

Come hell or high water you will never take me back to the place I was before. I have been through too much to let life whoop me again. My faith is stronger than it's ever been, my mind is more tenacious than it's ever been, my soul is more absolute.
TD Jakes

Inspiration!

Teenage hopes...

Inspiration!

Have you ever been around someone that flipped you upside down so much that it made your heart stutter?

God Bless The USA!

Nothing strikes closer to my heart than people gathering to celebrate the heroes that have fought to for our country. Although John Adams was a couple of days off, he said it best:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
----John Adams (to his wife Abigail)

Inspiration!

Jack really is struggling with being the weak one in the relationship. He would love to be Kira's hero, but it seems like she may be his instead.

The Pursuit of Happiness

One of the fundamental rights that each American has is the right to pursue happiness. This movie ranks among my top 10 movies because it teaches me over and over that I should never feel held back by someone telling me I can't accomplish what I set my heart and mind to. If I want something, I need to go and get it. Period.

Inspiration!

This song says it all.

And The Winners Are!!!

Lots of participation this month with multiple entries by several participants.

So, now we get to announce the prize winner:

4th and 5th Place winners receive copies of I Wish...
Kristy L. of Tucson, AZ
Kim M. of Meridian, ID

2nd and 3rd Place winners receive a Jack T-Shirt
Marni C. of Beaverton, OR
Natalie T. of Sacramento, CA

And the 1st Place winner receives a $20 Amazon Gift Card
Chris W. of Boulder, CO

Thank you everyone for your support!!! It has been a fun month for I Wish... and I hope that you will all participate in the next Challenge we have.