tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61407935555303616122024-03-13T10:09:07.833-07:00Brighton Hill's BlogI would rather die of passion than of boredom. –Vincent van GoghAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-21681408172168293462014-10-11T14:08:00.001-07:002014-10-11T14:08:00.385-07:00Sabine From BlueWicked: The Watermagic Series<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='width:600px;margin:0 auto'><div style='position:relative;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/sabine_from_bluewicked_watermagic_series/set?.embedder=12019610&.svc=blogger&id=137189493' target='_blank'><img force='1' border='0' height='748' title='Sabine From BlueWicked: The Watermagic Series' src='http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/51jLu4FiWS6Fz6Z2cLeRmg/cid/137189493/id/IqJXropR5BGpXjp27EzHKw/size/c600x748.jpg' alt='Sabine From BlueWicked: The Watermagic Series' width='600'/></a></div></div><br/><div style='text-align:center'><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/sabine_from_bluewicked_watermagic_series/set?.embedder=12019610&.svc=blogger&id=137189493' target='_blank'>Sabine From BlueWicked: The Watermagic Series</a> by <a href='http://brightonhillbooks.polyvore.com/?.embedder=12019610&.svc=blogger' target='_blank'>brightonhillbooks</a> featuring <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/nail_treatments/shop?category_id=223' target='_blank'>nail treatments</a></small></div><div style='width:600px;margin:0 auto'><small><div style='padding-top:16px'><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=12019610&.svc=blogger&id=114846953' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/114846953.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=12019610&.svc=blogger&id=114846953' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>Nail treatment</a><br/>etsy.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p></div></small></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-3238405199654739902014-10-07T05:02:00.000-07:002014-10-07T05:02:28.259-07:00Tove Lo - Habits (Stay High) - Hippie Sabotage Remix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq3OZaEgTR4/VDPK54FL1XI/AAAAAAAAAfo/WJA8gUHc4sA/s1600/tough%2Bgirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq3OZaEgTR4/VDPK54FL1XI/AAAAAAAAAfo/WJA8gUHc4sA/s1600/tough%2Bgirl.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, if you read my post yesterday, <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">you saw how I've been thinking about Violet Paris's sister, Ariel from <i>Heavenly Killers: Roseville Vampires</i>.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ariel was an enjoyable character to depict because she has a little edge and a bit of a wild streak. Yet, the more I think about Ariel Paris, the more I contemplate how she is suffering internally. Her mother ditched her family and her father is an abusive alcoholic. She tries to find ways to escape her mental torture through men and partying.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The music video below reminded me of Ariel and how she feels inside. She tries to escape her pain by inevitably creating more pain in her life. It becomes a cycle that only spirals downward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have a great one guys; you're the best!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">©</span> Brighton</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SYM-RJwSGQ8" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-24748807441481835722014-10-06T01:46:00.001-07:002014-10-06T01:56:24.922-07:00Wild Thing<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hey Guys,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is my vision of Ariel Paris in Heavenly Killers: Roseville Vampires. She can't help but be a little naughty.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">©</span> Brighton</span><br />
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/wild_thing/set?.embedder=12019610&.svc=blogger&id=136721418" target="_blank"><img alt="Wild Thing" border="0" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/6jL40AvXd22P7HmnSpqTDg/cid/136721418/id/1P3hODVN5BG2qjwaZFZllw/size/c600x752.jpg" force="1" height="752" title="Wild Thing" width="600" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/wild_thing/set?.embedder=12019610&.svc=blogger&id=136721418" target="_blank">Wild Thing</a> by <a href="http://brightonhillbooks.polyvore.com/?.embedder=12019610&.svc=blogger" target="_blank">brightonhillbooks</a> on <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/" target="_blank">Polyvore</a></small></div>
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<small>fashionserved.com</small><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-2769773187704439232014-10-03T04:02:00.000-07:002014-10-03T04:02:07.894-07:00Sirenas Mediterranean Academy subt ENG dipta Costa Daurada Tarragona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYoVdNTPcXk/VC59g0mWv3I/AAAAAAAAAfE/3U98ILzFtng/s1600/Fotolia_36480973_XS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYoVdNTPcXk/VC59g0mWv3I/AAAAAAAAAfE/3U98ILzFtng/s1600/Fotolia_36480973_XS.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello my fantastic readers,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I just discovered there is actually a real life MERMAID ACADEMY! How cool is that?!!! You can actually learn to be a mermaid at the Sirenas Mediterranean Academy in Spain. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Imagine swimming like a mer with your friends while vacationing on the shores of Tarragona Spain and making your magical fantasies come true in the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Sounds like a dream come true.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here is a little promo clip from the Sirenas Mediterranean Academy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"> ©</span>Brighton </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/95aTsfV6gCI" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-88500380223476272342014-09-22T10:30:00.000-07:002014-09-22T10:30:34.964-07:00Brody Kills the Beast - Jaws (10/10) Movie CLIP (1975) HD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4enzTCPiQRo/VCBQ_cLzoTI/AAAAAAAAAeg/KtZtAy3dbDw/s1600/Jaws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4enzTCPiQRo/VCBQ_cLzoTI/AAAAAAAAAeg/KtZtAy3dbDw/s1600/Jaws.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This photo is actually a part of a series where each picture shows the great white devouring the seal. Poor guy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So you know how I told you The Watermagic Series was inspired by the <i>Twilight</i> books and the film, <i>Jaws</i>? Well, here is a a little scene from <i>Blueisland (The Watermagic Series)</i> that shows the <i>Jaws </i>inspiration. And below the excerpt, is a clip from the movie! A lot of you have probably already seen <i>Jaws</i>, but those of you who haven't proceed with caution because it's the final scene and I don't want to ruin a masterpiece of a movie for you. If you have never seen <i>Jaws</i>, watch it!!! It is the legend of all legends and you won't want to swim in the ocean ever again unless you have a sexy mer like Marcel or Laurent with you for protection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlICZQVp09E/VCBWIKGzYyI/AAAAAAAAAew/bkp_Giiotq8/s1600/blog%2Bpic%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlICZQVp09E/VCBWIKGzYyI/AAAAAAAAAew/bkp_Giiotq8/s1600/blog%2Bpic%2B4.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is the excerpt. <i>Blueisland</i> is a self-contained novel that can be read in any order in The Watermagic Series.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> "<span style="text-align: justify;">But,
after a second the boat jolted again and without any time to think I was in the
ocean myself. It occurred so fast that I didn’t know what happened to Savannah.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
felt like I was literally being pulled under the waves. There wasn’t much time
to think about anything other than how do I get to the surface for air, then
save Savannah. But the surface wouldn’t come and something just kept pulling me
deeper and deeper into the depths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If
it didn’t seem so real, I would have thought I was hallucinating. I heard the
most beautiful, entrancing music. It sounded like the call of angels. The black
water lit up in a rush of sparkles of light. It looked like some kind of water
creatures… No, it looked like <i>human
beings</i> were pulling my classmates down and devouring them with their teeth
the way sharks feed in frenzy. They were tearing them to shreds. Blood flowed
fiercely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Soon,
my lungs felt like they were going to explode. The pain was excruciating. But,
worse, was the unbearable fear and then remorse. Now, I knew what my mother
must have felt when her boyfriend drowned her in the bathtub. That’s when the
pain intensified to the unimaginable—death is not an easy transition, no matter
what anyone says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Suddenly, I felt someone grab onto me. It must
be my turn to be ripped apart and devoured. But instead I felt soft lips
pressed against mine. I struggled violently to get away. The pain in my lungs
vanished. Such erotic sensations rushed through my body, better than sex and
better than the heroin my uncle’s friend shot into my arm once as a kid.
Everything went black."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading. All the best and enjoy the clip below,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brighton </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FpxOLhuNXfM" width="480"></iframe></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-45203111978443366942014-09-18T07:39:00.000-07:002014-09-18T07:39:44.091-07:00Amazing Mermaid On The Rock "Sirena" (Animal Planet, Special Analysis 10...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCvN5bVv3SE/VBq0BPhxnsI/AAAAAAAAAeM/luS1366VT9M/s1600/Marylin%2BMonroe%2BMermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCvN5bVv3SE/VBq0BPhxnsI/AAAAAAAAAeM/luS1366VT9M/s1600/Marylin%2BMonroe%2BMermaid.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a></div>
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Hey Guys!<br />
<br />
This Marilyn Monroe-esque picture brings Marine Thibault from <i>Bluehour</i> to mind. <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember? She was the sexy mermaid with attitude who went after Grace at the Santa Monica Beach party:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"'That’s Marine Thibault,' he stated, seemingly proud that he
knew her name. 'She’s the blond one, but you can’t tell because her hair is
wet.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I turned to look at her, trying not to stare, but I couldn’t
help myself. She stepped before the bonfire, the flames leaping in the air. I
could see the silhouette of her sleek, shapely body beneath the sheer white
fabric of her dress. She was voluptuous in all the right places. Others turned
to look at her. Her beauty was more than enchanting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to get up and leave. My stomach tightened into a
knot. I was sure she was coming to talk to me. It was a gut feeling. Maybe
Laurent said something to her about me. I must have offended him somehow. From
his reaction, it seemed like I did something awful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her last several steps after the bonfire were surprisingly
swift. Her clear blue eyes suddenly turned fierce. She came up to me at once,
without any sort of hesitation, and grabbed my arm roughly. In a shockingly
violent manner, she yanked me off of the ground and punched me in the stomach
with jarring strength."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for reading! Below is a video of a mermaid that was spotted by two hikers at the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Israel. Can you believe it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All the best to you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brighton</div>
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Here is a link that gives more info:</div>
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<a href="http://philnews.ph/2014/09/18/amazing-mermaid-caught-on-camera-israel-viral-video/">Real Live Mermaid in Kiryat Yam</a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cvsXiryu8jA" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-40003996443852400982014-09-16T11:59:00.000-07:002014-09-16T11:59:55.037-07:00Ozzy Osbourne And Lita Ford - Close My Eyes Forever (HQ)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2mSCMfEXXc/VBiC4obGMzI/AAAAAAAAAd8/0KP_VUYdG8Y/s1600/Violet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2mSCMfEXXc/VBiC4obGMzI/AAAAAAAAAd8/0KP_VUYdG8Y/s1600/Violet.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello there my lovelies,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This photograph reminds me of Violet in Heavenly Killers. Remember how she joined that rock band, The Hell Razors? Joaquin dug her, but the other girls were jealous of her extreme beauty and sexy allure. Isn't she hot?!!! Too bad her father was so mean to her and the evil vampire, Lord Dyson, wanted to suck her blood. What a shame.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The song below kind of makes me sick to my stomach because it is so intense and I feel the pain way too deeply, but I wanted to share it with you because it seems like a perfect melody for Radley and Violet to sing to each other. Just put glasses and a prairie dress on Lida Ford and make Ozzie hot like Justin Beaver and you get Violet and Radley. Imagine that while you are experiencing the song.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All the best,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brighton</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/foGkU6x3eSE" width="459"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-64930623267876489952014-09-14T23:56:00.000-07:002014-09-14T23:56:54.675-07:00Misfits Die, Die My Darling<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2G2M8ER3vU/VBaHT2gvgvI/AAAAAAAAAbA/O1Wt1CbMNYE/s1600/mermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2G2M8ER3vU/VBaHT2gvgvI/AAAAAAAAAbA/O1Wt1CbMNYE/s1600/mermaid.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey there my wonderful readers,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I think Blueisland should be first in the series of the Watermagic novels. I was thinking that this song by the punk rock band, Misfits, called, "Die, Die My Darling" would be a good song for the part in <i>Blueisland </i>when Raz goes into the ocean with Jason. After you listen to the song, read the excerpt below from the part of <i>Blueisland </i>that I am referring to. Imagine this song playing once Raz and Jason make contact.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have a great one,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brighton </span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WBPfC9FzDL4" width="459"></iframe><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“He
made it off the yacht,” Jason said while sitting in the makeshift tent with Raz on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My
eyes lit up. “He did?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Yeah,
it was some weird shit.” He leaned back with his hands behind him on the sand
as he shook his head again. “That criminal French exchange student—you know the
one who was in jail?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Marcel?”
My heart rate sped up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He
nodded. “Yeah, that’s the guy—long ass hair—the one all the girls fall over.”
Now he was chuckling and shaking his head more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Go
on,” I encouraged anxiously. “The dude made out with your boyfriend right there on the
deck, lips pressed together, shit…” he sighed, “…and then the punk kicked him
off the boat like he was a football. It was some weird ass shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Are
you serious?” I bit my finger much too hard. Was Marcel gay? He couldn’t be. I
saw him with Emily. But then again, he didn’t seem like he cared about her at
all now. Maybe he just messes around with girls to seem macho, but he’s really
into guys. That actually makes sense because what guy on the planet earth
wouldn’t be in love with Brigitte? She is utter perfection. And then when I
lost control and was making out with Marcel, he pushed me away. I thought about it
for a second. Well, that could just be that I’m not his type. Even if I am more
attractive than I used to be as everybody keeps saying, Marcel saw me before
the changes in my rag doll state and maybe that was enough to turn him off. “Do
you think Marcel is gay?” I asked Jason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He
laughed. “I think he’s just a weird dude. Maybe he is over sexed or into kinky
shit.” I had to move back as he stretched his long, thick legs out and crossed
his arms over his chest. Emily was sleeping like a baby now just a couple feet
away from us. “I saw him out at a club one night with Kitty Kole.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“The
supermodel?” I asked with surprise. My breathing sped up. I just felt so out of
control and desirous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Yeah.
Shit, she’s even more beautiful in person, long ass legs. She was all over him,
but he didn’t do anything about it. He left her there high and dry. She was
crying all over his friends. He’s crazy. Apparently, he does that to a lot of
girls. Attachment issues or something.” He laughed, rubbing his forehead. “I
heard the dude is rich.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“What?”
My voice lifted. “You mean his parents are rich?” Then I thought about it. Does
he even have parents?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“No,
I think their dead. He owns vineyards in France and does a lot of international
corporate shit—the guy is worth billions. I heard he’s even on the Forbes list.
Lucky asshole.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“You
want to go for a swim?” I asked him suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He
scoffed, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “You gotta be shitting me?”
His eyebrows pulled together. “I’m not getting in that ocean ever again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I
smiled sweetly. “Not even naked?” Before I knew what I was doing, I pulled off
my t-shirt and overly tight, stretched out bra.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Hello,”
he said staring wide-eyed at my bare breasts. I wiggled out of my jeans and
underwear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">His
jaw dropped. At once, I was out of the tent and running for the ocean. I
watched him from the water throw off his clothes and jump in after me. “Wait
up,” he called, but I swam out further.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Come
on.” I waved him out to me. Damn, it felt so frickin’ good in the water, almost
orgasmic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“I’m
comin’,” he yelled as he swam a fast, splashy crawl stroke out to me. It was so
dark out under the stars and moon, but there were little flashes of light on
the water from the cosmic array above.</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I felt tingling sensations throughout my body. I
could feel an aching burning in my groin. The tips of my nipples throbbed in
the saltwater. But Jason finally caught up to me. I took his thick, fleshy,
muscular body into my arms. A football player. Big and strong. He smelled
delicious. It was an indescribable scent—a bit like blood and wine and flesh.
My teeth were pulsing and everything just ached all over. I was breathing so
heavy. All I remember him saying was “You’re so unbelievably hot…” And then, I
bit off his ear. <i>(Imagine the song playing here:)</i> Blood gushed. He screamed out in pain which only increased my
hunger. I started tearing him to shreds, eating and eating in hedonistic
frenzy.</span></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-29184955783693911012014-09-11T11:26:00.000-07:002014-09-11T11:26:35.561-07:00Tracy Chapman - Fast Car<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TO9Qa7MpAvw" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I used to listen to this song a lot as a kid. "Driving in a fast car" makes me think of a free life, one where the wind rushes through your hair and everything feels carefree and fun even if just for a while. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But I never really felt like I belonged no matter where I was or what I did. I think it's just like that for some people. I never felt part of a group. In a lot of ways I've always had an anti-group mentality. But, on the other hand, there is a part of me that finds being a part of a gang or coven appealing, a family where you are totally accepted and loved. Maybe that is why I like shows and books about motorcycle gangs or covens and why I like to write about them. I guess I like the fantasy of having a group of close friends who are there for each other through thick and thin and then getting in a fast car (or on a fast motorcycle) and speeding so fast "like I was drunk..." It's a dream of belonging. "I had a feeling that I belonged. I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone..." </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-28941304482711027792014-09-10T06:17:00.000-07:002014-09-10T06:17:02.462-07:00Photo of Lord Dyson and The Vampire Diaries - Move On Trailer<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/-Q0a0iNWKTgw/VBAUaRr__XI/AAAAAAAAAac/fSOrtin9550/s1600/LordDysonforBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0a0iNWKTgw/VBAUaRr__XI/AAAAAAAAAac/fSOrtin9550/s1600/LordDysonforBlog.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
Hey Guys,<br />
<br />
What do you think? How's this pic for the wicked Lord Dyson who rules over the Night Ryders and The Crimson Devils in <i>The Roseville Vampire Series</i>? I can imagine him looking like this.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you look closely you might be able to see Giselle, the woman Lord Dyson aches for but was snatched up by the even more sinister Lord Viparado. Maybe Lord Dyson wouldn't be so cruel to his teen vampire covens if he wasn't broken hearted. And the sad thing is, it seems Giselle wants Dyson just as badly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And here is some news--I just found this great contest where you can win a copy of the DVD of Season Five of <i>The Vampire Diaries</i>! Here is the link to enter: <a href="http://www.bopandtigerbeat.com/2014/09/exclusive-clip-from-the-vampire-diaries-season-5-dvd-plus-win-a-copy/">Bop Tiger Beat</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you seen the Season 6 <i>Move On Trailer</i> for <i>The Vampire Diaries</i> yet? Well, here it is. Check it out below. Can't wait for Season 6!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have a great one,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Brighton</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tdF6N5vMGzI" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-4607739717360639832014-09-09T09:36:00.000-07:002014-09-09T09:36:00.558-07:00The Vampire Diaries - My Dinner Date with...Paul Wesley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wNktjUWHEXk/VA8l28SM5DI/AAAAAAAAAZs/Gc310qBUvxA/s1600/vampireblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wNktjUWHEXk/VA8l28SM5DI/AAAAAAAAAZs/Gc310qBUvxA/s1600/vampireblog.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello my wonderful friends,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This picture reminds me of Violet Paris when Radley Aston shut her inside the coffin for incubation in <i>Heavenly Blood</i>. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Radley played his guitar in the graveyard waiting for her, but it was torture for the two lovebirds. Then when she was released, it was a shocker to both of them. Unexpectedly, their lives were forever changed. Poor Violet and Radley--will they ever live happily ever after?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was just cruising around and found this interview with Paul Wesley from <i>The Vampire Diaries</i>. Have you seen it yet? Well, here it is. Stephen's kinda cute in an Edward Cullen kind of way, but as you know from <i>The Roseville Vampire Series</i>, I'm partial to the bad boys. I like dangerous men with edge. Damon's more my type at least earlier on in the series when he was a little more unpredictable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brighton</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/V7wEbr64pso" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-74421518532426267242014-09-08T06:45:00.000-07:002014-09-08T06:45:58.954-07:00Catalina Island--The Magical Paradise for Mermaids and Mermen<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi01Bs2rP6Q/U_c3T7w7KVI/AAAAAAAAAV8/I982eA9NI7I/s1600/Catalina%2BIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi01Bs2rP6Q/U_c3T7w7KVI/AAAAAAAAAV8/I982eA9NI7I/s1600/Catalina%2BIsland.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mermaids and Mermen! Oh, my!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hello my beautiful <i>Watermagic Novel </i>fans,<br />
<br />
Rememeber when Grace took a field trip to Catalina Island in<i> Bluehour</i>?<br />
<br />
"<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">But as we arrived in Catalina’s town of Avalon, the
music faded and I was surprised to see how charming it was. Open storefront
shops, cafés, and quaint hotels lined the cobble stone promenade before the
harbor. It was a dreamy setting. The sun was bright and cheerful. There was a
light breeze with the scent of eucalyptus trees and wild fennel..." (<i>Bluehour (Watermagic Series)</i>)</span><br />
<br />
Well, I have posted these lovely pictures and a short video for you to see some of the shore and underwater landscape for yourselves. There is so much to this magical island and this is just a delicious little taste.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Grace, Agatha, and Ashton take a ride on a glass bottom boat just before she sees the enigmatic boy who has been haunting her mind and soul:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "The boat was beautiful. There were only a few other
passengers aboard which was nice. There was a lot of room to move around and
enjoy the ambiance. After boarding, we looked around before we set out. It was
relatively large in size with a nice deck. The glass bottom cabin was a lounge
area with a mini-bar, sofas and big submarine windows that stretched across the
walls. The room dropped down low in the water like a half-submerged submarine.
It was a fantastic sight to see the underwater beauty.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At first we leaned against the rails on deck and enjoyed the
sunshine and sea breeze as the boat set in motion. But shortly thereafter we
headed down below. The captain navigated the boat out to a coral reef with
stunning scenery. He cut the engine. We took seats on the plush furniture in
the cabin and gazed in awe at the magnificent underwater views.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYVVGIqEigc/U_c686N_tGI/AAAAAAAAAWI/2Va9XJcn1Ho/s1600/Catalina%2BFish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYVVGIqEigc/U_c686N_tGI/AAAAAAAAAWI/2Va9XJcn1Ho/s1600/Catalina%2BFish.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I enjoyed relaxing and talking on the sofas as we watched
the fish swim around and through the kelp. Some colorful sea anemones rested on
the impressive coral reef. I noticed that the prettiest fish were a bright
golden yellow. The gold contrast with the pristine blue water was breathtaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The captain called us on deck for drinks and snacks.
Everybody headed up, but I had to run back down because I forgot my sunglasses
downstairs. “I’ll be right back,” I said to the others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Agatha wasn’t paying attention to me. She and Danny were
playing Rock, Paper, Scissors and laughing up a storm, but Ashton nodded and
said, “Hurry up.” He winked playfully. “I’ll be waiting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I got downstairs, I had to stop and look at the beauty
beneath once again. I marveled at the varying types of seaweed and underwater
life. I saw a baby shark swim by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But, then the most surprising thing happened. I saw a boy
swimming. His hair was flowing wild in the water. He came alongside the window
of the boat and looked at me. I was in shock. It was Laurent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I gasped. And then I touched the window with my hand and
Laurent touched the same spot. He was gorgeous, a stunning figure. Our hands were pressed together with
only the window pane separating us. He smiled sweetly at me. My heart raced.
And then he swam away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I
nearly hyperventilated. I couldn’t believe what had just occurred. He was so
amazing. While we were doing all the touristy commercial stuff everybody else
does, he and probably the other French exchange students were swimming in the
bay, exploring the beauty without the confines of a boat. I so longed to be
with them, diving in the ocean blue." (<i>Bluehour (Watermagic Series)</i>).</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;">Soon Grace will discover a whole new world of mermaids and mermen that will shock her sense and tantalize her in a romance of a lifetime.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDASgnlK28A/U_dDIoyq76I/AAAAAAAAAWY/anexIev_X_E/s1600/Bluehour3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDASgnlK28A/U_dDIoyq76I/AAAAAAAAAWY/anexIev_X_E/s1600/Bluehour3.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"> This is an easy going</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;">short video of the town of Avalon on Catalina Island. It can give you a view into what real life is like on the island of magic.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;">If you haven't read Bluehour yet, it is FREE at online bookstores for a limited time. We are thinking about taking it off the free lists soon, so get your copy now.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;">You guys mean so much to me. Thank you!!!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;">Brighton</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"><br /></span></span><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Hs3pCkKktuU" width="480"></iframe></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-11698613356604229762014-09-08T06:38:00.001-07:002014-09-08T06:38:49.826-07:00The xx - "Chained" (Official Video)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SeWxEH9tb0c" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
"Chained" by XX reminds me of how devastated Violet and Radley were when they were apart. Violet's father forbid them to be together. Violet kept waiting for Radley's secret calls, but they never came. Both of them were crushed and pined in their hearts for each other. Yet, Radley had new secrets that would force him to shun her. The odds were against them from every angle, but true love will prevail even if death awaits around every corner.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This video was created in conjunction with the Creators Project where they are trying to combine mind and matter together. Using cancer cells and bacteria they create art. Beautiful and inspiring, a strange contradiction, like Heavenly Killers where "Heaven" and "Horror" are combined. I find beauty in contradictions of the extreme. Love and Hate, Holy and Evil, Beautiful and Ugly. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_NaA2HkWDT6dliWVcvnkuQ?sub_confirmation=1"> Check out the Creators Project and Their Art</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XX, Brighton </span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heavenly Killers<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Roseville Vampires)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Brighton Hill<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was dark in Roseville
Mountains at Blood Falls as Violet Paris and Radley Aston embraced at the edge
of the cliff. His fingers dug a little too strongly into her back as he held
her in his lean muscular arms. She felt the pain, but as weird as it was, she
liked it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The full moon overhead lit up the
riverbed below causing glimmers of light to dance like sparks of fire on the
black waters. A summer wind rushed through the trees and their hair as they
kissed breathing in each other’s essences for the last time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet pulled away just enough to
look into Radley’s scorching green eyes. She inhaled a long jagged breath. His
expression was unreadable which confused her. His thoughts seemed turbulent
like the waterfalls that rushed off the side of an adjacent mountain. If only
she could figure out what he was thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He stroked her long black hair
and then held the back of her head in his hand. She wanted to memorize his
perfect tan face like a clear picture in her mind that would last forever. His fingers
brushed across her cheek lightly, but then his jaw clenched. The tension in his
demeanor caused Violet to wonder if he was angry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At once, he pulled out his switch
blade and looked behind them away from the cliff’s edge, past the grassy park
and toward the woods. His eyes were wide, his glare intense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What is it?” Violet asked
looking around and not seeing anything suspicious just darkness, trees, and
flashes of light from the lodge in the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He didn’t answer for a minute,
but just kept still like a deer frozen in shock before the headlights of a car
right before it gets hit. It appeared now as if he was listening for something,
his eyes violent, his nostrils flared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet’s heart pounded fast in
her chest. “Come here,” she said taking his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At first he ignored her, but when
she took off her shirt, he relaxed and pulled her up against him, putting the
switch blade back into his pocket, and smiling wryly. “I sense an impending
doom coming my way,” he whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To her surprise, he took the shirt
from her hand and pulled it back over her head, dressing her. “I wish you didn’t
have to go,” he murmured into the night, looking out at the dark forest again.
He turned back, his mind in some other place. But then their eyes met. He
blinked. His irises looked glassy, deadpan as he leaned in and kissed along the
line of her ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She could feel the warmth of his
breath. Tingles rushed through her body, but she couldn’t help but sense by the
way his hand pressed powerfully against her lower back that he was subduing
some sort of inner rage unrelated to the skittishness toward the forest beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe it was over his mother who
had abandoned him on the side of a desert road as a young kid. She never came
back for him. Or possibly it was over his foster parents who he had run away
from. Maybe he was having second thoughts about returning to them as they had discussed.
It bothered her that he wasn’t open enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“This has been the best summer
vacation of my life.” She tried to keep her voice soft and steady. It would be
embarrassing to reveal the emotions she was feeling inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He grinned. “You better believe
it has.” His voice was teasing. “You were with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh, yeah?” she asked mockingly.
“As good as it was for me, it was better for you.” The inflection in her tone
was facetious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">His expression shifted and the
way his eyes bored into her now caused her stomach to flutter. Why was he
looking at her like that? Her mind spun. She tried to hold his gaze. She was
afraid she would never see it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He was good looking in a rugged
sort of way. She loved his thick dark lashes and his mop of disheveled black
hair. His voice was almost lyrical like a rock star. When he spoke, she often
felt like he was strumming her soul, each sound lifting her up to a higher
realm. How would she ever find another boy like Radley Aston? He was a drug to
her—her own personal ecstasy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Arizona all the boys weren’t
interested in her. Most of them made fun of her and her out of fashion
clothing. And anyway, they were boring. Life was dull there. Maybe the guys were
uninteresting in California too, but Radley sure wasn’t and he lived in Los
Angeles and she lived in Phoenix. And it seemed like he really liked her for
some unfathomable reason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Okay, love birds,” Violet’s
younger sister, Ariel, called from the rock bed set off to the side and below
the plateau of the cliff. She and her new
boyfriend for the night who they met at the tavern restaurant, Clark something
or other, climbed back up the rocky hill laughing and teasing each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“It’s almost 10:00,” her sister
hollered out to Violet again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Dude, this is steep,” Clark
exclaimed as he looked up at Ariel climbing above him. “I could pull you off
the side by your hair,” he chuckled hoarsely as he wedged his foot into the
dark crevice of a sizable stone. His hands held tightly to the branches of a
small tree before him. “Just yank that brown hair and throw you down under me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel flinched at that thought
and quickened her step up the side, now not as carefully. She didn’t really
know Clark. Was he joking? Not sure what to do, she tried to ignore him and
called out again to her big sister. “Violet, stop making out and help me up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Come on.” Radley released Violet
and motioned quickly with his chin toward the far side of the cliff where Ariel
and Clark were ascending. “I’ll get her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Did that guy say he was going to
yank her off the rocks?” Violet asked in a panic. The blood rushed to her
cheeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Sounded like it.” Radley hurried
over as Violet followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her pulse raced as she watched Radley
edge his way down the rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Clark was laughing and reaching
for Ariel’s hair from below her. “I’m going to get you,” he snorted. His face
was pale and ashen colored in the moonlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Radley looked at him fiercely in
the eyes and just as Clark caught a thin lock of her long hair in his hand, Radley
grabbed Ariel by the arm and kicked Clark on his chest. He fell backwards and
hit the rocks at the edge of the creek, landing right on his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Clark let out a loud cry. “Dude,
what the hell?” As he rolled over to his side, he coughed something up and spit
it to the ground. “What? Are you trying to kill me?” He moaned and wrapped his
arms around himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Radley ignored him and helped
Ariel up to the narrow plateau where Violet stood with her hands over her mouth
and her eyes wide in shock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Let’s get out of here.” Violet
pulled her sister to her clutching her in her arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But Ariel broke away and leaned
over the edge. “You freak,” she screamed out to Clark who was grasping his head
in his hands as he lay on his back still grousing. Furious, she coughed up some
phlegm and spit it at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If the wad landed on him, he
didn’t show any recognition of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Let’s go,” Radley said to the
girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Gladly.” Ariel’s tone was
incensed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Are you okay?” Violet took her
sister by the hand as Radley led them along the narrow plateau that led away
from the craggy rocks and to a grassy park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I’m fine,” Ariel responded in a
huff. “That guy was weird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You shouldn’t hang around with
boys like that,” Violet reprimanded her sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her eyes widened in indignation.
“Like, I was supposed to know he was a creep.” Her voice was condescending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I thought he was strange from
the beginning,” Violet retorted. “He had all those glass animals in his
backpack. Why would he carry stuff like that around?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel rolled her blue eyes in
annoyance. “He was damn cute and he said he won those figurines from the games
at the amusement park.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh, please.” Violet put her
hands on her hips. “They don’t give away glass animals for prizes at Red Lake
Pier.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel pulled out a tiny glass
fawn from her jean’s pocket, examined it for a second, and then stomped it on
the ground with her shoe. “Idiot,” she breathed, tossing her hair over her thin
shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You or him?” Radley lifted a
dark eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Very funny, prick.” She tried to
swat him with her hand, but he jumped back sort of dancing around in his cocky
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“We better call the police,” Violet
interrupted their play. Her face had paled and she looked nervous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Right then the girls’ dad pulled
up along the dirt road by the closed ranger’s station where they were supposed
to meet him at ten. He honked the horn to signal them to his car. For a minute,
Violet just stood there staring at Radley. A million thoughts twisted in her
mind. But Ariel ran over without hesitation and got into the backseat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“We should call the police,” Violet
whispered to Radley as she bit at the edge of her finger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He shook his head. “I’ll take
care of him. Don’t worry about it.” He took her hand away from her mouth and
kissed it lightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But she tried to ignore how tempting
his lips felt on her skin; she looked over at her father. “My dad is going to
be angry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He nodded. “Who cares.” His eyes
gleamed with mischief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her body sort of shuddered
involuntarily as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her like he had never
kissed her before. She dug her fingernails into his neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Ouch,” he murmured, his lips
still pressed to hers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At that, her father got out of
his vehicle in a rush. Before the kiss could end, his massive body was across
the street and pulling them apart. “Get in the car, young lady,” he commanded
in a self-contained rage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet hurried over to the car,
glancing over her shoulder to look at the boy she loved for the last time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You stay away from my daughter.”
He put his hand on Radley’s shoulder. His eyes locked with his in a threatening
stare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“For now.” Radley backed away
from her father with his hands in the air and ran away across the grass and
through the trees. He howled into the wind like a wild animal as he leaped
agilely over a fallen oak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He hid in the forest for a while
listening to the night sounds as he leaned up against the outer rocks of a
cave. With his switch blade, he brushed
away some fallen leaves and dug into the damp earth carving a heart into the
ground. Somehow he would find a way to take Violet away from her horrible
father. They would steal away to some place absent from all this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As he was fantasizing about their
futures, playing guitar under the stars, rock concerts, endless nights of
revelry, he was startled out of his thoughts. Something was moving inside the
cave. In the darkness, he heard a rustling within. Were there wild animals in
there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He jumped up, holding the switch
blade tightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now it sounded like wings were flapping
inside and there was a clawing against the rocks. He backed away and hid inside
a bush. Did he hear a voice? There were angry whispers. He held perfectly still
and listened, his heart thumping madly against his chest, ready to kill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At once, a group of teenage boys in
black leather jackets rushed out of the cave tossing red wilted roses to the
air as they moved in odd form. Their knees seemed to bend backwards rather than
forward. Their faces were pale like bone, their eyes black as coal. A faint
high pitched squeaking sound seemed to be emitting from their bodies. One boy
grabbed up a frog from the muddy earth as he ran and bit off its head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As still as a stone, Radley held
his breath until they were gone. He wiped the sweat off of his forehead with
the back of his hand. His eyes were wide with shock. What the hell had he just
seen? It was unfathomable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As much as he didn’t want to
move, he couldn’t sit there all night. Those things might return. He made his
way back to the cliff. He still had to take care of Clark. But once he neared,
he heard the sounds of voices coming from below at the tide pools where he had kicked
Clark down. Who could be down there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Clouds covered the full moon. It was
even darker now. He could not see who was talking below. It sounded like
several boys speaking at once. The voices were muffled with the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Someone shined a flashlight up at
him. He ducked, trying to get out of the light. His adrenaline was rushing.
Something was not right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“It’s him!” One of the boys yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Get him,” another voice said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Radley started to run. He slipped
on some rocks and fell. The boys were climbing up the side of the cliff. Radley
hardly had any time to get away, but he struggled to his feet, ignoring the
pain from his fall. He felt around in his pocket for the switch blade as he
ran, but it was gone. It must have slid out when he fell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The boys were right behind him. It
was the same guys from the cave, but they looked perfectly human now. Had he
imagined their black eyes and disjointed legs? He heard the patter of feet
coming in on him. He ran through the forest, the branches scratching at his
skin as he rushed by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But when he got to the dirt alley
behind the lodge and the tackle shop, one of the boys grabbed him and threw him
down forcefully. He saw there were four guys about his age, almost eighteen. At
once, he scrambled to his feet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What’s your problem?” Radley
demanded, backing away from the angry teens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You think you’re so tough?” a
guy with a spider web tattoo on his face asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Radley looked around trying to
see if there was a way out. He was trapped. Two of the other boys had circled
around behind him. There were log walls on either of his sides and the spider
guy and his side kick were in his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What do you want?” Radley asked
sharply looking into the spider guy’s bloodshot green eyes. It almost looked
like the boy had been crying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The spider guy’s nostrils flared.
“You wanna kill my brother?” He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Who the hell are you?” Radley’s
body tensed up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But before there was a chance to
figure out what was going on, all four teenagers charged at him, slamming his
body against the back side of the tackle shop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You’re going to die,” The spider
guy said with Radley’s shoulders pinned against the wooden logs. He spit in his
face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Radley struggled to get away, but
the four of them threw him to the ground. In rapid repetition, they took turns
kicking him in the chest. He was gasping for air and moaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Finish him off,” one of the boys
said to the spider guy. He’s yours for dead.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chapter Two<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet was startled out of her
sleep by a tap at the window of their new log house in Roseville Mountains. She
threw the blankets off of her legs. Her sister was still asleep in the twin bed
beside hers. When she glanced over at the window, she was surprised to see a
black crow pecking at the pane of glass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Its eyes were dark as the night,
but somehow gentle. Once their gazes met, the bird held still. Violet froze. It
was the strangest thing to see a crow act like such.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But again, it began to tap its
beak against the glass. It stopped and lifted its talons. There was something
in its grasp. It looked like a gold chain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet’s heartbeat sped up,
pattering against her chest. She got the oddest intuition; she got the feeling
it wanted her to let it in. Before she knew what she was doing, she was opening
the window.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once she had the pane open, the
crow sat there. Violet’s body shuddered slightly. It made her nervous to see a
wild creature show no signs of fear. She ran her finger from the top of its
head, down its spine. Though the proximity made her uneasy, she liked the feel
of its soft, sleek body. At once, she plucked out a feather from its back. It
cawed at the sudden pain and flew away in a rush, dropping the necklace on the
ledge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She lifted it, holding it up. The
most beautiful big red gemstone carved in the shape of a rose dangled from the
center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet breathed in a jagged
breath—it was the most magnificent jewel she had ever seen. It looked like an
antique, but was polished to a beautiful shine. As she examined it more
closely, she noticed there was some sort of liquid trapped inside. And as she
held it, her fingers seemed to tingle ever so slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She walked around some big brown moving
boxes and stepped into the bathroom where she fastened the gold chain around
her neck. “I’ll wear this forever,” she whispered in satisfaction as a gentle
comfort surrounded her. It looked so beautiful in the mirror. Like nothing she
had ever seen before. She wondered what kind of liquid was inside. It seemed
strange for someone to carve a stone and fill it with something, but somehow
that made it more special. It was mysterious and unique because of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At that, she woke Ariel. “Come
on; wake up. You don’t want to be late.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What? Huh?” Ariel didn’t want to
go to their new school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You have to hurry or Dad will
get mad,” Violet insisted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel threw her pillow at her
sister playfully and got out of bed. “Let him throw a fit. I’m sick of his
crap.” She got out of her twin bed and threw all of her clothes off without
even closing the curtains or waiting for Violet to leave. She strutted in her
naked, thin body over to the shower, holding her messy brown hair up like she
was hot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet was used to her sister, so
she just ignored her antics. She perused her new walk-in closet for clothes and
quickly dressed without much thought. In some ways, she was a bit anti-social
and didn’t care much what other people thought of her, so she didn’t bother
with makeup and hairstyles. She just quickly ran a brush through her long black
hair and put some red lipstick on because it was all she had and it kept her
lips from chapping. Her pale white skin would have to suffice—she hated
bronzers and foundation. Okay, so she looked a little like Snow White, but who
cared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As she walked into the yellow
with white trim country style kitchen, she wasn’t surprised at all to see her
father on his laptop. But she was surprised to see him eating hot biscuits.
Usually, he just drank coffee and sometime he just had a shot of vodka instead.
But today, he had baked sweet smelling biscuits fresh out of the oven special
for their new start. Maybe he was going to turn around after all, she hoped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Good morning, Daddy.” She almost
sang the words as she kissed him on the cheek. “I’m so happy you made Mom’s
favorite recipe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">His cheeks reddened. “Do you have
to talk about her?” His voice was harsh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh.” Violet backed up. “I just
thought…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Well, don’t think,” he
reprimanded. He picked up his newspaper and opened it. “Take some before I
throw them out,” her father grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet picked up a biscuit and
ate it over by the refrigerator while she made her school lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Where the hell is your stupid
sister?” He looked toward their bedroom and called out, “Get your butt down
here, Ariel. It’s time to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even though it was morning, the
sun was already bright and hot through the leafy trees when Daryl Paris dropped
Violet and Ariel off at their new school. Teenagers were hanging around on the shaded
lawns, in the parking lot and in the quad. Some football players who were tossing
a ball to each other stopped playing to check out the new pretty sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Thanks Dad.” Violet stepped up
to her father’s open car window. “I’m glad you got the Roseville Mountain job
transfer. Even though Ariel’s mad about it, I think she’ll adjust.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Let’s go,” Ariel tugged at the
sleeve of Violet’s conservative long sleeved blouse. “Everybody’s staring at
your ass.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet turned to look and saw the
football players watching her. They looked more developed, harder than the
jocks at her previous school. She got the feeling that life was rougher in the
mountains of Roseville than it was in Phoenix. A knot formed in the pit of her
stomach. She wasn’t going to fit in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Okay, girls,” Daryl said with a
blank expression, checking his short hair sprayed brown hair in the rear view
mirror. As he cleared his throat, he straightened his tie. He seemed
preoccupied. “Have a good first day.” He didn’t even look away from the mirror
now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nervously, Violet leaned in to
kiss her father on the cheek, but Ariel just waited in annoyance with one hand
on her hip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Hurry up.” Ariel was already
walking toward the high school office building in her tight jeans, cowboy boots
and tank top without a bra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet got the feeling that
somebody other than the football players was watching her. She looked over her
shoulder and noticed a girl with golden hair duck behind a tree. It seemed like
she was trying to hide from her. How strange.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Confused at that, Violet jogged
to catch up to her sister, but her skirt was so long that she tripped and fell
on her face. “Oh, no!” Her purse spilt its contents on the ground. The knot
tightened in her stomach at the thought of what a geek she must look like. She
much preferred to go unnoticed. It wasn’t pleasant to be the one everyone
picked on. Been there, done that, she thought, trying to erase the painful
memories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh, my! Are you okay?” The same
girl she had seen hiding from her behind the tree helped Violet off the ground.
She had wild long hair like a lion’s mane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet looked up at her and was
surprised to see so much hair. The girl’s face was hidden under a shaggy mess
of golden locks. Only her blue eyes were just barely peeking through. She
seemed to be torn between leaving and helping her. How odd, Violet thought. Aside
from her disheveled hair, the girl looked quite beautiful and stylish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet tried to dust herself off,
but she wasn’t very good at it. In one way, she looked like an even bigger mess
than before she started to clean herself.
She accidentally smeared mud all over her blouse and skirt as well as on
her cheek. She leaned over and gathered
up the contents of her purse: a ruler, her retainers, sparkly pens, and a
bullet. Oh, no. She hoped the girl didn’t see that. At once, she stuffed
everything back in her hand bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Gosh darn it,” Violet mumbled as
she stood up. “I forgot my cell phone at home.” She was frustrated because now
she would have to wait until after school to see if Radley called her yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Here.” The girl kept her head
down as she pulled out a handkerchief from her purse. She tried to cover her
hands with her jacket sleeves. But wrinkly fingers protruded as she fumbled
with the cloth. “Let me help you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet tried to keep a blank
expression when she noticed her rough, parched fingers. What was with this
strange girl? On one hand she looked as gorgeous as a supermodel with a hot
physique and on the other hand she looked like a wild animal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But then a thought occurred to
her. Maybe she was a burn victim and was embarrassed of her face. That must be
it Violet decided. She was probably covered in scars after being nearly burnt
to death as a child. Oh, the poor girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bewildered, Violet shrugged and
looked around wondering how many people were watching them. But nobody seemed
to give them any attention. Maybe they were accustomed to this shaggy haired
diva and maybe clumsy geeks like herself were all too common. I guess that
would be a good thing if the students at her new high school were used to nerds,
she thought. Possibly she would fit in after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some cheerleaders were sitting on
a low brick wall nearby that circled around a tree. They were too engaged in
looking at pictures on somebody’s cell phone to care about some awkward new
girl. High school bitches, Violet thought thinking back to the time the cheer
squad in Phoenix filled her locker with condoms. That was a dirty trick. People
laughed at her for weeks after the condoms spilt out all over the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Hold still.” The lion girl said
in a sweet voice as soft as silk. Quickly, she spit on the hanky without
showing herself and wiped Violet’s face with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Ugh. That’s okay, Mom.” Violet
said sarcastically as she backed away in disgust. “Just leave it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I got the dirt off.” Her hands
started to reach for Violet’s neck, but then pulled back suddenly. “Where did
you get that necklace?” Her voice was harsh. Her hands even started shaking as
they fell to the sides of her body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh.” Violet blushed as she
fumbled with the rose shaped jewel. “I, uh… it’s a family piece.” She didn’t
want to tell her the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Can I buy it from you? My
grandmother is very sick. She collects roses. This would make her very happy.”
she pulled out a wad of cash from her purse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet’s eyes widened. “Oh, no.”
She shook her head in surprise. “It’s sentimental. I couldn’t sell it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Name your price,” she encouraged
as she counted out hundred dollar bills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wow! This girl is rich. Who
carries around that kind of cash? “I’m sorry, but no.” Violet felt bad for her ill
grandmother, but she felt like she could never part with the necklace no matter
what.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Putting the money back in her
wallet, the girl started to leave, but called over her shoulder, “You should be
glad I didn’t let you walk around looking like a mud patty. This school isn’t
kind to slobs.” She laughed sweetly; her tone had a musical quality to it kind
of like a movie star’s voice. She started to text a message on her cell phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh.” Violet wondered how bad she
looked. “I have to catch up with my sister. We’re new here.” But the girl was
too far away to hear by now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The cheerleaders looked up at her
and laughed. They were eyeing her clothing and whispering about her amongst
each other. Oh, no. Violet hoped she wasn’t going to have a repeat episode.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For a moment, her mind reeled
with ways to hurt them. But she didn’t want to be that kind of girl again,
doing evil things to bitches like them just to make herself feel better. She
wouldn’t dump a jar of red ants in the head cheerleader’s bed while she was
sleeping at this school. It was against the law to break into someone’s house
and she didn’t want to be that type of girl anymore. Now was a new start for
her and she was going to be good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She just shrugged it off and
headed toward the office. Her mind was on the girl with wild hair. She couldn’t
believe how striking she was in an unusual sort of way. All her curves were in
perfect proportion. So sleek and muscular. In fact, her body was a little too idyllic
which made Violet wonder if she had plastic surgery or some kind of hard core
personal trainer. She looked strong as hell. This school, way up in the
mountains, didn’t seem like the place for all her glitz.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even though the girl’s hair was a
wild mess, it was shockingly beautiful and as shiny as silk. She wanted to
touch it. There was just so, so much of it. It was the most attractive hair she
had ever seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet entered the office. To her
surprise, the lion girl was behind the counter now. And her hair was out of her
face. Oh my! Her face was like that of an angel’s. She was so damn pretty. And
there weren’t any burn scars whatsoever. And her hands were silky smooth, the
kind of hands you’d see in a hand cream commercial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The lioness straightened her
blouse over her voluptuous breasts and then leaned on the cool linoleum
surface. “Name please,” she said in a liquid smooth voice that was as alluring
as her face to Violet’s sister Ariel who was waiting at the counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Was she the school secretary? Violet
wondered. She looked way too young for that. A girl like her ought to be
famous, not working in an ordinary high school office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Ariel Paris and my sister, Violet.”
Ariel glanced over at Violet and winked. “I wondered what happened to your
skinny ass,” she said to her sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You should have waited for me.” Violet
frowned, feeling out of sorts and confused by this apparition before her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But before Ariel could answer, the
beautiful girl interjected, “Oh, yes. We were expecting you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She pulled their schedules up on
a computer screen and started typing away. After a couple of minutes, she
printed out the programs and handed them to the sisters. “Welcome to Roseville
High School.” She tapped the tips of her long nails on the counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel just scowled at her. “Am I
welcome?” she retorted in irritation. It seemed apparent to her that this girl
was just full of crap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The girl wasn’t put off. She looked
at Ariel and bit the tip of her finger, eyeing her as if to let her know that
she was checking her out, making opinions about her. “I see you don’t want to
be here.” She grinned like she was in on a secret.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel shrugged her off, rolling
her blue eyes. “Come on Violet.” She pulled her sister by the arm toward the
door, but when she got there, she couldn’t get it open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">An old woman waddled out of the
office bathroom. Her eyes darted to the lioness. “Get out from there,” she
yelled in a crabby voice. “Students are not allowed behind the counter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The golden haired beauty just
shrugged while she subdued a smile. “Just wanted to help out, Miss Marks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Well don’t.” The lady made her
way over and the girl sauntered over to the door to help Ariel who still couldn’t
get it open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What’s your name?” Violet whispered
to her as she made room for her to help. Violet was surprised at what a rule
breaker she was to take over the secretarial job without permission. It was
kind of funny. A secret part of her felt a kindred to people with guts to mess
around like that. That’s what she liked about Radley—he was always taking
risks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I’m Drew Collins.” She pulled
the doorknob right off and laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The sisters looked at each other
wide-eyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What the hell?” Ariel said as
she looked at Drew in wonder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But the girl held her hand out,
motioning Violet and Ariel through the exit. She just dropped the doorknob on
the ground. “I know your names already,” she smirked. “We have almost every
class together.” She looked at Violet as the three girls walked together
through the outdoor halls. “You’re going to love this school. Even though there
are only about four hundred and fifty students, most everybody’s so nice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet smiled wondering if Drew
was totally clueless. It was already obvious that the cheerleaders were snots
and the football players were lewd. But regardless of her unfounded optimism, she
already liked Drew even though she wiped saliva on her face with her hanky only
five minutes ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But Ariel looked bored as she
stared at her, eyeing her red jacket. “It’s a little hot for velvet,” Ariel said
to Drew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drew rolled her eyes and laughed
as she looked up at the cement overhang. “I’m always cold. And anyway, I wear
this because it’s my clique’s jacket.” She tilted an embroidered label on the
front toward Ariel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel read the words. Her voice was
laced with light condescension. “Crimson Devils.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What’s that?” Violet asked as
she repositioned her headband and placed locks of her long black hair over her
shoulders. She was surprised this girl would be in a club with such a dark
name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drew winked like they were close buddies
in on some inside joke. “Come, I’ll introduce you girls to my friends. They’re
in the quad hanging out before school starts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drew looked over at Ariel who was
walking beside Violet in boredom. “They are going to love you,” she whispered specifically
to Ariel. Violet wondered why she didn’t include her in that statement, but
when she thought about it, she realized, why the hell would they like
her?—hardly anyone ever did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They walked through a row of
lockers and stepped out onto the cement quad. Drew bent over to pick up a pen
she dropped, but when she stood up, her hair was all in her face again. She
rushed across the quad ducking like it was raining even though it was perfectly
sunny out while the girls followed behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The football players were talking
in a group now over by the lunch lines. Some of them were eating hot cinnamon
rolls that they bought at school while others snacked on French fries. A few of
them stopped talking or eating and stared at Violet and Ariel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Take a picture. It’ll last
longer,” Ariel snapped at them as she, Violet, and Drew passed by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some of the guys laughed and one
actually held his phone up and snapped a photo. And then he licked the screen
of his phone where the picture was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel rolled her eyes as she
mumbled under her breath, “So juvenile.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drew motioned with her head and
they joined her friends who were leaning against a brick wall looking off in
varying directions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Hey guys,” Drew almost sang the
words in her liquid voice. “Meet Violet and Ariel. They are new to Roseville.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The clique of pale faced girls
looked at the sisters coldly, except for one girl with shiny red hair who
smiled and backed away from them slightly like a wary fox. Violet was surprised
how gorgeous all of Drew’s friends were. They all had such thick, luxurious
hair. In different ways, each one of them had animal-like features. There was something
wild looking about the group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They were all wearing the same
red velvet jackets that were much too hot for late August. From the way they
stood, one crouched on the low wall, another with her fingers spread,
supporting herself against the lockers, and the other two watching with stony
eyes, Violet felt like prey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Hi, I’m Lucy.” The red head said
to the sisters. She seemed a bit unpredictable like she might snap off their
heads at any moment, but she was friendly. “Where are you from?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel was looking away down the
hall now and didn’t answer, so Violet took the lead. “My dad took a position at
a law firm in Roseville, so we left our hometown of Phoenix, Arizona.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh, I’ve been there,” Lucy added
as she twisted her long hair up into a knot with the ends fanning out of the
top like a fox tail. “Phoenix is so fricken hot!” She licked her lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet laughed politely. She was
not comfortable and wanted to get to her first class. “You’re right. We make
our houses as cold as refrigerators and never go outside in the summer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other Crimson Devils were looking
away now and Violet got the feeling they wanted them to leave. But before she
could excuse herself, Drew introduced the others. “Violet and Ariel, this is Angie.”
She pointed to the tallest skinniest one with long straight dark brown hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Angie nodded disinterestedly as
she held her hand casually on her hip. She started to say something, but Drew
interrupted motioning to her other friend, “This is Chanel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Hi,” Chanel said in an ambiguous
tone. She was thin with long legs and straight long blond hair. Her blue eyes
sparkled out of her pale skin. But, like the others, she looked almost dangerous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“And this is Nona.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nona’s eyes narrowed at the
introduction. She had pale olive skin with black long layers of silky hair. Violet
noticed that she had a dark, quirky air that reminded her of some of the gothic
characters she had seen in movies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Okay,” Ariel said suddenly as
she clapped her hands together once. “I’ve got to piss.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everyone, but Drew laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Want me to go with you?” Violet
asked her sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But she was already walking away.
She called over her shoulder, “I’ll be back soon.” As she started to jog, she
glanced at her watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet noticed that the girls were
looking at her conservative clothing. Uncomfortable, she felt entirely out of place
with this group. She sensed that there was something not quite right about
them. They were intimidating, maybe even a little frightening in some
inexplicable way. She wished she was off somewhere reading a good book under a
tree away from all people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Did you leave a boyfriend back
in Arizona?” Angie asked in her husky voice that overpowered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Why do you ask?” Violet
responded, trying to sound confident even though she felt like running away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You look love struck,” Chanel
said as she tucked a strand of her blond hair behind her ear. Unlike the
others, she slouched slightly in that cool girl way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her mind was whirling now as she
shook her head and looked down at her hands. “Interesting that you sensed
that.” She looked back at Chanel searching in her eyes as if they could give
her some sort of reassurance. “I met a boy while vacationing at Blood Falls this
summer. I thought we had something special, but I never heard from him again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What’s his name?” Lucy asked
excitedly. She couldn’t help but make a silly expression on her pretty pale face.
To Violet’s surprise, something about her ways seemed almost genuine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Radley Aston.” Violet blushed
when she said his name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Crimson Devils looked at each
other and laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What’s so funny?” Violet asked
in surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh, it’s nothing.” Drew put her
arm around Violet’s shoulders and gave her friends a dirty look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What was he like?” Chanel asked.
Her voice was edged with the slightest melancholy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet’s face lit up
uncontrollably when she described him. “Radley was the kindest, most genuine,
heroic boy I have ever met. He was just real. You know what I mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everyone but Drew and Lucy
chuckled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“He sounds very sweet,” Angie’s husky
voice was laced with sarcasm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Yes,” Violet agreed, wondering
why Angie was such a bitch. “He is very well mannered.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The girls laughed again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel couldn’t find the bathroom
and was too proud to ask anyone in the halls. The first bell directing everyone
to class was bound to ring anytime now and she still had to get back to her
sister to save her from the witch models. She cut across a lawn and passed the
library.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But just as she found the
restroom, she noticed some attractive, but dangerous looking boys in black
leather jackets joking around with each other under a thick cluster of trees on
the lawn. Is that who she thinks it is? She took a second look. One of the boys
looked like Radley Aston!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh, my God. Violet won’t believe
it! It is… It’s him! He looked so different now. His face was paler and harder.
His features looked sharper like anger had carved its way into the contours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She was about to walk over to Radley,
but then she heard her sister’s name. The idea of it was shocking. What could
he possibly be saying about her to those wild guys?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chapter Three<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“We don’t care about her name, bro,”
Shark teased Radley. “We just want the action.” He ran his hand over his curly
black hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel flinched as she hid from
them tucked away to the side of the wall of the entrance of the bathroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Violet.” Henry sang the name in
a high pitched tone. His smile broadened, showing his buck teeth, his only odd
feature on his otherwise perfect face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Come on man. Who is she?” Nathan
taunted as he unzipped his leather jacket. The blood rose to Ariel’s
cheeks—that guy was hot with black straight hair and dark eyes like the Devil’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Violet,” both Henry and Lewis
sighed melodramatically. Lewis was almost as hot as Nathan. He just had blond
hair which didn’t appeal to Ariel as much as Nathan’s black locks. And there
was just something about that dark eyed devil that made her blood boil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Violet was cool,” Radley
responded. “Big breasts.” He held his hands over his chest and squeezed. “Out
of town chicks are the best—hump ‘em and dump ‘em.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The guys laughed and gave each
other high fives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel was incensed at the way
they were talking about her older sister. She wanted to run out and slap Radley’s
face, but she refrained. Violet was a virgin. There was no way she had sex with
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What about her ass?” Shark asked
as he jumped around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Radley grinned. “Round and tight.
And she liked to use it if you know what I mean.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel couldn’t stomach anymore.
Anger rushed through her veins. She hurried into the bathroom and purposely did
not come out until the first bell rang, waiting until Radley and his friends were
gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Why don’t you and your sister
come with us to the race Friday night between the Night Ryders and the Dirts?”
Angie asked Violet in as sweet of a voice as she could muster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The weather was heating up. Violet
unbuttoned the top button on her blouse to cool off. “What kind of race?” she
asked in a soft voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh, do you think that’s a good
idea?” Drew said to Angie. She sounded concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Hell yeah.” Angie ran her
fingers through her dark hair. “It’s a motorcycle race.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Chicken,” Nona added. Her
expression on her fine features looked mischievous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What?” Violet wondered if she was
challenging her. “I’m not afraid. Should I be?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They laughed. “We weren’t calling
you chicken,” Nona said as she licked her lips. “It’s a chicken race. Two guys
race with high stakes. The winner gets the honor for their gang.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Well, thanks for inviting me.
Sounds fun. I’ll talk to Ariel about it.” Violet put her hands in her skirt
pockets nervously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Come,” Drew said to Violet.
“I’ll show you to English class. We’re in it together.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I wonder what happened to
Ariel?” Violet thought out loud as she looked down the hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“She’s a junior,” Drew sighed.
“She’ll be fine. It’s not like she’s a measly freshman, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet just shrugged, not knowing
how to respond. Because she was a year older than her, she couldn’t help but
feel protective. She worried about her, especially since she was known to be a
trouble magnet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When they arrived at class, some
of the kids were throwing wads of paper across the room. The teacher walked in
and frowned. He stepped up to the podium and turned to write his name
extraordinarily large across the white board. “Mr. Zappo!” He said it as he
wrote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The rest of the students filed in
as the bell rang and everyone took seats. Violet sat beside Drew, but at the
last second, Joaquin Elfman slipped in the desk beside her. In his conservative
slacks and button down short sleeved shirt, he looked conservative in dress
like Violet, but the tribal design tattoo down his arm confused her. He set his
guitar in the aisle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once his tall, lithe body got settled
in his seat, he glanced at Violet. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. He
was so enamored that he thought he was sitting beside an angel. For a moment he
fixated on her dimples when she smiled and her violet blue eyes that looked so
innocent and heavenly. She looked like the sweetest girl he had ever seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Zappo jabbered on and on
about all the books he was going to make them read and the endless array of
quizzes and tests ahead. Violet loved English class, but feared this one was
going to be challenging. Again, she noticed from the corner of her eye that Joaquin
kept looking at her. He tousled his short, preppy brown hair with his fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When class was over, he leaned
over on her desk. “I’m Joaquin Elfman,” he said coolly. He held out his hand
for her to shake it, but when she lifted hers to his he pulled it away and
winked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet tried not to laugh at his
play. “I know. The teacher called your name during roll call.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">His brown eyes lit up. “You
remembered?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet noticed his Adam’s apple
lifting in his throat. “It would be hard to forget.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He chuckled and then stretched
his arms over his head and leaned back in his chair. “So what do you do with
yourself?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drew leaned in, her golden hair falling
over one eye. “She likes hanging out with me and the Crimson Devils. Mostly, we
just cast spells, but voodoo dolls are our specialty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He stepped back. “Lucky her.” Do
you know how to dance?” He looked at Violet’s heart shaped lips and imagined
parting them with his tongue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet couldn’t help but gain
interest at his question. “I’ve been taking tap dance lessons for the past ten
years.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Perfect,” he chuckled, not
caring one bit if she was the worst dancer in the world as long as he got to do
what he wanted with her. “We need a new back up dancer for our rock band, Hell
Razors. We can work together.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Really?” Violet was very
interested even though she didn’t like the name of the band. She wasn’t that
comfortable with Drew and her friends. The idea of dancing in a rock band,
hopefully soft rock, sounded promising. “I want to audition.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A huge smile spread on his face.
“You’re hired. I just have to introduce you to Mr. Peters and the Hell Razors
will love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“It’s a paid position?” She had
been saving up for a Ruger 10/22 for her secret gun collection and with the
extra money she might just be able to get one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Sure is.” He tapped his fingers
on the table. “You get paid with every gig. It’s small time so far, but the Indian
reservations have us play and we’ve gotten some Ocotia Wells gigs. We practice
every day during third period for music credit and for two hours after school.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet looked at Drew who was
gathering her books in her designer backpack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Go ahead,” Drew whispered. “I’ll
see you after the break in history.” She smiled, showing her perfect white
teeth. “Like I said, we have almost every class together. I’ll save you a
seat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Thanks, Drew.” Violet was
touched at how kind she was being to her even if she did stare at her necklace
a little too much. She wasn’t used to having girlfriends. Aside from Ariel, she
had mostly been a loner at her other school. She had a few pals but she never
seemed to connect with them in a genuine way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And Drew looked like the popular
type with her good looks and designer styles. Certainly, none of her friends
had ever been popular. The whole idea of hanging out with the Crimson Devils was
much too foreign and intimidating to her. The band practice was just what she
needed to soothe her fears and keep her out of trouble. Maybe she could even
learn to play the flutophone or the bagpipes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Joaquin walked Violet over to the
band room and introduced her to the teacher. He was tall and skinny with a
hooked nose and dressed in slacks and a tie that he kept messing with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Peters liked her immediately
and enrolled her on the spot. Violet was relieved to have a place of refuge at
school. She got to swap her cooking class for band credits. Every day she was
to spend third period dancing and playing the tambourines and two hours after
school practicing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The teacher said that if they had
enough time, he might help her learn the flutophone or the bagpipes like she
asked, but he suggested singing with their voice coach. He explained that he
was too busy to focus too much on a beginner student.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aside from band class, she spent
every period with Drew. That seemed like an odd coincidence to her that their
schedules were the same, but it was reassuring knowing someone in all of her
classes. To her surprise, Drew wanted to sit by her in each subject. She wasn’t
used to getting that much attention from a girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“So you have to sit by us at
lunch,” Drew said as they were walking out of calculus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Uh.” Violet paused for a moment.
She wasn’t sure if she was up to spending time with the Crimson Devils. The day
had been stressful enough so far and she didn’t feel like Drew’s friends liked
her. Though, to her surprise, she was growing to like Drew. “Okay.” Her voice
was hesitant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Come on,” Drew said cheerily.
“They’re tough at first, especially Angie and Nona…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“And Chanel,” she interrupted
with a sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drew swayed her head side to side
as if taking consideration of what Violet just said, “Okay—you’re right—and Chanel.”
They started to cut across the lawn. Sunlight broke through the trees. “They
are a bit intimidating, but Lucy is a goofball and a lot of fun. And eventually
you’ll get used to the others.” She looked down and her hair fell in her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet smiled tightly. “I’ll go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drew shrugged, still looking down.
“Don’t let me force you,” she said in her sweet voice as she put her hands
under her hair that was covering her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“No, I’ll go.” Violet’s smile
lifted as the stepped under an overhang. “Thanks for inviting me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Okay, great!” Drew’s expression
was cheery now as she tossed her hair back and away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As they walked through the crowds
of students talking in the halls and hurrying off to lunch, Violet asked, “I
didn’t notice a cafeteria. Where do we eat lunch?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her voice lifted in pitch. “Everybody
just finds spots in the quad. Some kids eat on the lawns and others sit in
groups along the short brick walls that circle the grass and trees.” She waved
to a girl in the hall and blew a kiss to some guy with short hair in overalls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When they got to the lunch area
with their trays of food from the checkout, Violet was surprised to see Ariel
sitting in the shade along the wall with the Crimson Devils. She was even laughing along with Angie. They
looked like great friends already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Violet, come here—sit by me.”
Ariel motioned her sister over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet sat down beside Ariel and
Drew sat beside Violet, but she didn’t sit too close. As usual, she always
seemed to keep a considerable amount of personal space between them. That
didn’t bother Violet though. She was used to people always crowding in on her
and she considered Drew’s ways to be refreshingly polite and respectful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet looked at Ariel
suspiciously. “Have a good day so far?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Actually, it was,” she responded
nonchalantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“We have every class together,” Angie
said in her husky voice as she stared into Violet’s eyes making her
uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh.” Violet’s voice lifted to a
higher pitch. “What a coincidence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Yeah,” Ariel said flipping her
brown locks. “Angie invited us to the race Friday night between the Dirts and
the Night Ryders.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I know,” Violet breathed. “She
told me to ask you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel’s eyebrows scrunched.
“We’re going.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Uh, alright.” Her sister’s
strong conviction surprised her. “I guess we can do that. As long as it’s over
by ten.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ariel shook her head in
annoyance. She was frustrated with her father’s strict curfews. But rather than
complaining, she simply rejoined in conversation with Angie and now Nona.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Suddenly, the loud roar of
motorcycle engines sounded through the lunch area as a gang of motorcycle
riders entered the parking lot in view of the quad.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-81566604566040468702014-09-07T08:14:00.001-07:002014-09-07T08:14:31.776-07:00Anaheim Ballet: Austin (Tiny Dancer) 2012<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Hey Guys,</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0C9Qt7Qy3fA/VAxzsV6cqqI/AAAAAAAAAZc/A1LDf-nWpJs/s1600/blog%2Bpic%2Bmaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0C9Qt7Qy3fA/VAxzsV6cqqI/AAAAAAAAAZc/A1LDf-nWpJs/s1600/blog%2Bpic%2Bmaster.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: large;">As you know I like beautiful things like mers with long flowing hair and sparkly jewels like I depicted in </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/brightonhill" style="font-size: x-large;">The Watermagic Series</a><span style="font-size: large;">. <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, I also love the beauty of dance. This young woman from the Anaheim Ballet (in the city of Disney Land!) has such a positive, refreshing attitude that I love and she's such a great little ballerina. I was just watching this for fun and thought I'd say hello to you guys. Here's the short little interview/video.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">xoxo :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brighton</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TPwH2fI-CFw" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-18734807651801752852014-09-04T09:39:00.001-07:002014-09-08T06:37:38.160-07:00Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqP0XnoG0wA/VAiK5qATmQI/AAAAAAAAAZM/UYtyCqfL2p0/s1600/blog%2Bpic%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqP0XnoG0wA/VAiK5qATmQI/AAAAAAAAAZM/UYtyCqfL2p0/s1600/blog%2Bpic%2B7.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In <i>Heavenly Rogues </i>Violet is separated from Radley and forced to live with the bad girl biker gang, The Fatals, and the even badder boy gang, The Dirts. <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She has to attend Wicked High where she is forced to seduce young men and drink the blood of her victims, then write papers about it for school. After experiencing death first hand, Violet retreats into herself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She plays Snow Patrol--Chasing Cars on her guitar and thinks of Radley and how much she yearns to be with him. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"If I lay here, if I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world?" </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Like the lyrics of the song describe, Violet imagines just laying there with Radley and escaping from their torturous lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do you have times like that, when you feel like it's all too much? Like you just want to escape this world and just lie there, anywhere. I've felt like that way too much. There have been times that I have just laid on the ground somewhere and just didn't care. There were times that I went to dangerous places and just laid there not caring what happened.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, I am not writing this to tell my whole story or how I made it through, but I want to reassure you that life does get better. Sometimes it all seems utterly hopeless, but if you can just wait it out, things turn. Life changes, we change. The problems that seemed too much, have a way of smoothing out. No matter how bad it looks, things will ALWAYS turn around and what looked so bad won't seem so with time. It could take days, weeks, months, or years, but eventually what was hurting you will smooth out. All the tough times mold us into who we are and hopefully, if we allow it, they make us into more caring compassionate people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This song penetrates my soul. "If I lay here, if I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world? Forget what we're told before we get too old. Show me a garden that's bursting into life..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Violet imagined herself laying in a field of flowers with Radley where they could forget all their suffering. Thanks for joining me on this journey. No matter how tough it gets, let's just lay here and forget the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings and love to you,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brighton</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GemKqzILV4w" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-56534794259892594742014-08-25T20:19:00.001-07:002014-08-25T20:19:25.349-07:00The Pack A.D. - Rocket [Official Music Video]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Nwkhv3kt5k/U_v35BDn7yI/AAAAAAAAAX0/e8Hx8AT4hEg/s1600/Motorcycle%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Nwkhv3kt5k/U_v35BDn7yI/AAAAAAAAAX0/e8Hx8AT4hEg/s1600/Motorcycle%2Blogo.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a></div>
Hey Guys, I hope you are doing well. I was listening to Rocket by The Pack A.D. Here's their video and a link to their website:<br />
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<a href="http://thepackad.com/home/">The Pack A.D.</a> </div>
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All the best,<br />
Brighton<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nR-Yc2msoLc" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-29719710591953056222014-05-11T02:16:00.000-07:002014-05-11T02:16:50.460-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0vlzIEg5nE/U288ARUwSZI/AAAAAAAAATY/FLq2D8UIjNo/s1600/sofia-coppola-s-little-mermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0vlzIEg5nE/U288ARUwSZI/AAAAAAAAATY/FLq2D8UIjNo/s1600/sofia-coppola-s-little-mermaid.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hey, did you guys hear that Sofia Coppola, the director of Bling Ring and Lost in Translation, is supposed to direct the live action adaption of <i>The Little Mermaid</i>? Wow, wonder how that will turn out? My mind is flipping at the thought! The above pic is from a MOCK trailer of the upcoming movie.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNnXpm8ve0w/U28-piH9qbI/AAAAAAAAATs/6eKfOkc3B4o/s1600/sofiamermaid-620x349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNnXpm8ve0w/U28-piH9qbI/AAAAAAAAATs/6eKfOkc3B4o/s1600/sofiamermaid-620x349.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Look out Hans Christian Anderson, Ms. Coppola is on the loose.</div>
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Here is the mock trailer poking fun:</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb3PjlEKls8">Mock Trailer of The Little Mermaid</a></div>
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See ya,</div>
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Brighton in her bubble</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-42601517798547533282014-02-18T03:37:00.000-08:002014-02-18T03:37:08.806-08:00Vampire Romance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0S11N_FVDw/UwNFgG30NYI/AAAAAAAAASM/RaX3PEkcBZY/s1600/blog+pic+roseville+vampires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0S11N_FVDw/UwNFgG30NYI/AAAAAAAAASM/RaX3PEkcBZY/s1600/blog+pic+roseville+vampires.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj7Cu-qwna4/UwM6Q9o4cZI/AAAAAAAAAR8/L0LVUuXkrzs/s1600/MonaLisa+of+the+Galilee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj7Cu-qwna4/UwM6Q9o4cZI/AAAAAAAAAR8/L0LVUuXkrzs/s1600/MonaLisa+of+the+Galilee.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
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Hey Guys,</div>
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This is the mosaic Radley and Violet looked at in the hotel as their passion heated up in <i>Heavenly Rogues</i>:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Radley placed his hand on Violet's lower
back at the edge of the low riding waistband of her black leather pants. Electricity shot up
her spine at his touch. She considered protesting to the placement of his
fingers, but could not force the words out of her mouth. He felt so good. With
gentle pressure on her back, he led her before one of the works of art of a
beautiful woman with leaves in her hair looking off serenely past birds and
greenery, a young naked archer in the distance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"This is a replica of a Byzantine-era
mosaic from the Holy Land. It reminds me of you. It is nicknamed ‘the Mona Lisa
of the Galilee’."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The electricity between them flamed
higher. She looked at the depiction of the young woman peeking out of the
leaves and flowers. “You think this woman looks like me?” she asked, her gentle
voice lifting in surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He gazed at the mosaic. “Her soft
lips and the sad, regal look as she stares off. Even in her suffering, she has
hope.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Goose
bumps lifted on her arms. “Oh. She looks like a queen or a Roman goddess,” she
swallowed, her cheeks heating up. She couldn’t believe he saw her like that—so
dignified, elevated.</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a link to more photos of mosaic: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=the+mona+lisa+of+the+galilee&espv=210&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=2TgDU8bDFqi9yAH4mIG4Ag&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=639&dpr=1.25">Mona Lisa of the Galilee</a></span></span></div>
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Thanks so much for your fan emails and five star reviews at the various online bookstores for the Roseville Vampire Series and Watermagic Series. You guys rock my world!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Brighton <3</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-30899796343278830962014-02-13T08:45:00.000-08:002014-09-08T07:33:12.925-07:00Watermagic Series<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by and checking out The Watermagic Series.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In these paranormal romances you will delve into the lives of the mers, sirens, selkies, and other mysterious water creatures. Originally inspired by Stephanie Myers <i>Twilight</i> and the film, <i>Jaws</i>, the Watermagic Series has taken a life of its own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These teen sea people are sexy, enigmatic, and dangerous both on land and in water. Each book is interlinked sharing the same and new characters while focusing on their romances. Bluehour is about the love between Grace and Laurent. Bluedawn is about the love between Haley and Dylan. Bluewicked is about the love between Sabine and Scratch. Blueisland is about the love between Jewel (Raz) and Marcel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I plan to write more books tying the stories together and bringing back characters from previous works developing their romances and rivalries further. We will see where the series goes. It has been FUN to write so far.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvfEOEYI3GE/UvzpET--FPI/AAAAAAAAAQg/aaEFiMXnb6o/s1600/Bluehour3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvfEOEYI3GE/UvzpET--FPI/AAAAAAAAAQg/aaEFiMXnb6o/s1600/Bluehour3.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A bestseller in Teen Horror</span></div>
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<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Bluehour is FREE for a limited time!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/search?q=brighton%20hill&c=books&hl=en">Free on Google Play</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brighton-Hill/e/B00APNFPWA/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0">Free on Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/brighton-hill?store=allproducts&keyword=brighton+hill">Free on Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/brightonhill">Free on Smashwords</a><br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful, Mysterious, Dangerous...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A clique of gorgeous teenagers with curious ways transfer to Grace's high school. They eat raw meat and surf under the stars. After Grace suspects one of the boys has inexplicable powers, she sets out to unravel his mysteries. During the process, they fall madly in love. But this romance has put Grace's life in utter danger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"I want to take you for a night swim," </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">he whispered. His eyes looked sad and mysterious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But before I had a chance to respond, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">he swept me up into his arms and carried me to the big French windows. My eyes </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">were wide with fear, but I thrilled at his touch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Laurent opened the windows. "Here, thread your legs under my arms on either side as we make our way down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My adrenaline was rushing as he easily </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">turned my body around and held me up. I put my legs under his arms and folded </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">them around his back. It was more than exciting being that close to him and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">feeling light as air in his strong grasp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Hold on." He started to climb out of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">the window. We weren't so high up, but still it was quite a drop that could </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">easily break bones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"I could fall," I stammered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Trust me." He arched way back so that</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I wouldn't touch the building with my body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The suctions above his pelvis and his </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">strong legs maneuvered us down the log house while his back curved away from </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">the structure, falling and then clinging to the wood intermittently until we </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">were at the ground. It happened so fast that I wasn't even able to protest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">He lowered me to the sand now that we </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">were on the shore. I sort of wobbled as I tried to catch my breath. "Whoa," I </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">breathed. "That was incredible!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Now for the fun part," he said, the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">moonlight shining on his shadowed body. "I'm taking you for a night swim."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I trembled at the thought, remembering </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">how last time in his pool I couldn't breathe so deep down. "I'm not allowed in </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">the ocean," I whispered. "My dad doesn't allow it." My heart ached at the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">thought of my family and how worried they must have been.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">He placed his cool hand on the side of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">my face. "Don't be afraid, Grace. You are my life now. I won't let anything </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">happen to you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My body rushed with feelings at his </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">touch, at his words. "I want to go with you, but I'm afraid because I can't </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">breathe under water."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">His expression was warm and beautiful. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Now that I can touch you, if we remain connected, you will receive all the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">oxygen you need. Just hold my hand. You can touch any part of my body and the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">transfer will take place for as long as you desire. Touch will protect you from </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">the water pressures also. Even upon separation, the effects will last for a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">short period of time."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Really?" My eyes lit up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Yes."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">He took my hand and led me to the ocean...</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"The most seductive creatures in the world... You will have eternal life... You will be extraordinarily beautiful... All guys will fall in love with you... Super strength will be yours..."</span></div>
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<b></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In a dark, woodsy beach town, Hailey Maize befriends a group of gorgeous teenagers dancing before a bonfire on the shore. They seem so mysterious and fascinating. But she is most drawn to their friend Dylan who is super hot and wild. She gets upset when he swims off with a seductive red head with long flowing hair and a body to die for. In her fury, Hailey swims out to the island where she uncovers the mysteries of these beautiful creatures. But before she can get away, the danger begins. Will Dylan save her before it's too late?</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sexy mers, Laurent and Sabine are matched to be together forever, but Laurent discards her like trash. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It doesn't matter that she is one of the most beautiful, seductive creatures that ever walked on land or swam the depths of the sea. He won't have her. But Sabine can't accept that. She will kill any girl who falls in love with him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That is until she meets Scratch Morrison. She just can't figure that gangster out. He seems to be a deadly killer like her and she is set on unraveling the mysteries of his gang. She soon suspects that he is not what he seems. He's not a mer, but he must be some other water magic creature. Certainly, he's not just the bad boy player he appears to be. He has secrets and she will unravel them. And she just might fall crazy in love while it's happening. Or will she?</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">Prom </span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">night has never been so frightening and romantic. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tomboy Raz is out of </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">control, drinking and taking dangerous risks on the after party yacht when she </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">discovers a sexy bad boy wading out in the deep ocean with a hot girl clawing </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">at his body. Are those the French exchange students from school that she heard </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">so much about? What the hell is she doing to him? Are there more girls </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">underwater? Holy crap! He just scowled at me.</span></div>
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<br style="text-align: start;" /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">Raz is immediately attracted to this mysterious guy with long dark </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">hair and blue eyes that sparkle in the night. She recognizes him from </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">reoccurring dreams, but the stakes are high and she has many obstacles to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">overcome before she can surrender herself to her sinful temptations of love, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">hunger, and uncontrollable desire.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-18274508936579690762014-02-13T04:14:00.000-08:002014-09-08T07:07:05.583-07:00Roseville Vampires Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by and checking out my Roseville Vampire Series.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So far there are three books in the series and counting. It's a series about love, friendship, and horror set in a quaint little town in the mountains of Roseville. There are four gangs. The Crimson Devils (a girl gang) and the Night Ryders (a boy gang) are two companion gangs under the rule of Lord and Madame Dyson. They are rivals to The Fatals (a girl gang) and the Dirts (a boy gang) who are under the rule of Lord and Madame Viparado. The series is structured around fights, loyalties, and romance between the gangs and struggles to survive and surpass under the evil dictates of the Dysons and the Viparados. But most of all, Roseville Vampires is a story of love between Violet and Radley.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Recomended for ages 16 and up. The second and third books in the series have sex and language.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Radley
was wild, dangerous, and exciting. During summer vacation, we fell insanely in
love. I thought I was never going to see Radley again, but then my dad got a
job transfer and we ended up at the same high school.</span><br />
<br />
He was completely different. He was in a
motorcycle gang. His skin was pale. And he had scratch marks on his arm and
face. What the hell was wrong with him?<br />
<br />
He didn't want anything to do with me. And I was
through with him.<br />
<br />
But he looked so sad.<br />
<br />
I just had to figure out how to help him. He
looked like he was going to die. And to top it off, I thought I was going to
die without him.<br />
<br />
And that's when things got really strange...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XvHJiKHK1zI/UvuV1Ru0DcI/AAAAAAAAAQI/nPayHzmFv4c/s1600/Heavenly+Blood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XvHJiKHK1zI/UvuV1Ru0DcI/AAAAAAAAAQI/nPayHzmFv4c/s1600/Heavenly+Blood.jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now that Violet is a vampire, she is lusting for blood and she wants it
now. Thrown into a world of coven rivalries, will Violet and Radley be able to
keep their love alive? Radley is acting strange. He seems so intense and
violent, but when they are in each other's arms, he rocks her world with his
sexy ways. Lord Dyson will kill them if he finds them together. But when it
comes down to it, they just can't stay away from each other. Will their love
end in death or will they surpass all barriers?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fcK1v9smfs/UvuWH-TlCHI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/-3-hE6oemkI/s1600/Heavenly+Rogues+with+title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fcK1v9smfs/UvuWH-TlCHI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/-3-hE6oemkI/s1600/Heavenly+Rogues+with+title.jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brighton-Hill/e/B00APNFPWA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1392298662&sr=1-2-ent">Buy on Amazon</a></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Step
into a world of coven rivalries, true friendships, and loyalties. Violet Paris
is shocked with the new Radley Aston. He is a whole new man, powerful, rich,
and stronger than ever, but riddled with secrets she longs to understand. Yet
even with all his torment, she is still madly in love with him. Will their love
prevail with so many dangerous obstacles?</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-7485231653311469592014-02-09T12:02:00.000-08:002014-02-09T12:02:15.577-08:00Heavenly Rogues is Finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sON3KH4nrO8/UvfavM9xZPI/AAAAAAAAAN4/WhESt7FklLA/s1600/Heavenly+Rogues+with+title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sON3KH4nrO8/UvfavM9xZPI/AAAAAAAAAN4/WhESt7FklLA/s1600/Heavenly+Rogues+with+title.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
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Hi Guys,</div>
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Guess what? Heavenly Rogues is finished. I'll have to let you know when it's available for download from the online bookstores. It's in the process of publication now!</div>
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Here is a sample of the first chapter of Heavenly Rogues (Roseville Vampires, #3). Let me know how you like it. Thanks so much for your readership. You are the best!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Brighton</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Copyright © 2014 by Brighton Hill<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Heavenly Rogues<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Roseville Vampires #3<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Brighton Hill<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
~Dreamspot
Publishing, Inc~<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Chapter One<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Darkness filled the cell, cold
and uninviting. Soon the sun would rise over Roseville Mountains, rendering its
soft pink glow, but for now the obscurity of night was ever present. A bat
flitted past the upper window away and up into the tall oaks beside the woods
that lined the castle property. All that could be heard from the dungeon was
the stirring of trees outside and a drip from the ceiling; occasionally there
were distant moans and faint voices coming from other rooms.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Suddenly, Radley Aston awoke. He
found himself chained to a grey brick wall in Lord Dyson’s dungeon. It was cold
like bitter ice against his pale skin. As his heart hammered against his chest,
his emerald eyes widened with horror. Strands of his black disheveled hair fell
over his dark brows giving him a sinister look while his battered and beaten body
slumped over.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Lord Dyson had cut Radley’s
t-shirt and motorcycle jacket off to torture him with more precision. He wanted
to get to the skin and veins where it really hurt. And that it did. Now Radley
was only in ripped, faded jeans and barefoot. His chiseled, bare chest oozed
blood in a thin line down to his navel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As a low moan rose up out of his
throat, his mind began to gain clarity. A doe-eyed, innocent young woman
floated into his thoughts like an apparition. Silky black locks cascaded over
her naked shoulders hiding her breasts coyly as she called out from the meadow
of roses. So beautiful.<o:p></o:p></div>
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His eyelids shot open. Violet!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, hell. He threw his head to
the side.<i> </i>A tear slid down from his
eye over his hard cheekbone. Was she okay? Did Lord Dyson hurt her?<i> </i>She is too trusting and inexperienced
to be out in the world alone. Struggling to free himself, he wanted to kill the
head vampire—Dyson, the bastard. He better not touch her. But Radley’s body was
confined and still so very weak to do a damn thing to help his pure, sweet girlfriend
who he so longed to touch.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
No. His memory came back to him.
Lord Dyson only took <i>him</i> away. Not
her. His precious Violet was left behind suspended in the tree in the nightclub
parking lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If only he could get one of his
gang members, the Night Ryders, or even someone from his sister gang, the
Crimson Devils, to check on her. She needs protection. Damn, she needs it now. He
slammed the back of his cuffed hand against the wall. His knuckles broke open
and blood slid down over his hand and wrist. He hissed through clenched teeth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Anxiety over Violet’s safety
pierced through his heart. Did his coven even know he was locked away in the
dungeon below the castle? Sweat dripped off his face as he considered the
circumstances. They couldn’t have known.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If Nathan was aware of Radley’s
imprisonment, he would be down in the lower chambers of the castle in a hot
second. Radley and Nathan were like brothers. Nathan was loyal. He would risk
his life for him and Radley felt the same about Nathan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Most jerks didn’t know Nathan
like he did. They thought he was bad with his reckless black eyes and black
hair. Nathan came across as dark and brooding and he had a wicked temper.
Violet’s sister, Ariel, who was one of the Crimson Devils now, referred to Nathan
as a rogue, but she was all twisted up over him, so she must have seen the good
in him like Radley did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But Radley wasn’t just tight with
Nathan. All the Night Ryders: Shark, Lewis, and Henry would try to save him if
they knew Dyson had Radley locked away down there. Ariel would help Radley for
sure just because she loved her sister Violet so much and she knew Violet would
want Radley safe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He wasn’t so sure if Drew would
come for him though. Lord Dyson had messed her up bad a while ago because she converted
Violet into a vampire behind Lord Dyson’s back. Last he saw of Drew she was
docile and jittery. Lord Dyson had chained her up for a short while in one of
his dungeons. Even though it wasn’t for long, she hadn’t been the same since.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
At the time, Radley wanted to
rescue Drew, but they all decided that it was safer for her to take her
punishment because it was expected to be short. If they had broken her out of
one of the cells down there, the risks far outweighed the benefits. But Radley
knew that wasn’t the case with him. Surely, Dyson was planning to kill him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Only a relatively short time must
have passed since that unbelievable hot sex he had had with Violet. No girl
compared to her. Her long, sexy legs in that lingerie, her undone hair, and her
breasts were the perfect, voluptuous handfuls. It was hard to believe that she
was a virgin. But she was so tight and wet when he entered her. The perfect
fit. And there was the blood on the sheets when he popped her cherry. Damn, she
was sweet. The pit of his stomach clenched as a sort of emptiness hollowed
through his bones.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Even though it was dark in the
dungeon, he could see pretty clearly—the benefits of being a vampire. His
wrists ached from the metal cuffs that clasped his hands over his head, causing
a disturbing numbness in his fingers. His raw ankles were spread apart and
chained to the wall. Lord Dyson must have taken his t-shirt and leather jacket just
to make his suffering more intense. The chill was biting. And oh, how his body
ached.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He careened his neck up to see a
window so very high above his head. If he could break loose, could he climb
out? It didn’t seem possible. There wasn’t anything to help him scale the wall.
His wings couldn’t get enough momentum in such a small space. He needed more room
to get a running start. If he tried to climb up, surely, he would just slide
back down. He looked around the damp, moldy cell. Grey bricks covered on all
four sides. What a nightmare. His shoulders slouched forward as he tried to
support his weight against the coldness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Why wasn’t he dead? He would have
expected Lord Dyson to kill him for his betrayal. Maybe the prick had another
plan. What would be the worst thing he could do? Radley contemplated the idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After a moment, his face paled a
lighter shade in the darkness. He could hurt Violet! Possibly he would torture
her in front of him or maybe he would molest her like he was known to do to his
young virgins that he kidnapped. His gut wrenched. Would he do that? That would
provoke war with Lord Viparado, the head vampire of Violet’s coven, the Fatals,
and the brother coven, the Dirts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, how his head ached. He had to
get out of this cell, so that he could protect the one he loved. As he yanked
at the thick heavy chains, blood oozed from his wrists and ankles. He was a
mess. His body still felt weak from having sex. Enough time had not passed to
rejuvenate. His eyelids grew heavy and his head fell forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After a while, dosing
uncomfortably in the dark, Radley heard a noise coming from outside of his cell.
His scalp prickled with anticipation of the worst. It sounded like a key in the
lock to the main entrance of the dungeon turning. Who was there? His shackled
fists opened. His fingers spread against the cold wall behind him. Maybe it was
Lord Dyson. Radley’s pulse raced in anticipation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He heard footsteps trudging
through water. Groundwater must have leaked into the hall leading to the cells.
Now the keys dangled against each other before the door of his cell. Damn. Whoever
was there put one of the keys in the lock, turned it, and then opened the door.
Radley sucked in a sharp breath as he looked over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It wasn’t Lord Dyson. Holy shit! An
ogre tramped into the dark cell. His overweight body was enormous like a giant
with a huge belly and oversized head. Shaggy gold hair draped around his heated,
wrinkly face. His strawberry blond beard was short and burly framing his big,
dribbling mouth. In his massive hands he held a platter decorated with
radicchio and endive lettuces.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Radley gasped when he saw what was
on top of the accoutrements. A human toddler lay upon the lettuce. Shit.
Radley’s head fell forward as he shook it back and forth below his shoulders
and chained arms. “You can’t be fucking serious,” he scoffed with his head
still down. Dyson must be trying to mess with his mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Recognize her?” The ogre asked
in a low, deep, gravelly voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Radley just kept his head down
still shaking it. His throat contracted and he spit on the stone floor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Isabelle—your foster sister,”
the ogre growled. “Remember the tyke? She missed you, son, after you ran away
from your foster parents. You should have called, Radford.” He tilted his fat
head to the side of his gigantic shoulder and stared at Radley before belching
very loudly. “Hurry up, son. Drink the blood. I just made the kill minutes ago.
She sure was a cry baby.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Every muscle tensed up in
Radley’s body as he jerked violently at the handcuffs and chains.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Drink the blood.” He picked up
the girl’s body and held it before Radley’s face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Radley thrust his torso upwards
in a rush and smacked the ogre hard with his head. The ogre stumbled backward
and fell to the floor. Radley’s heart ached at the sight of the little girl. He
used to read her story books back when he was living with his foster parents.
He hated it at that house, but he cared about Isabelle. She was young,
innocent, and so very sweet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Oh, you have made a big
mistake,” the ogre grumbled as he picked Isabelle’s frame back up off the floor
and set her on the tray. He wobbled a bit as he tried to make his way to his
huge flat feet, but after some struggle he managed to retain an upright
position.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The ogre trudged out of the cell
without saying a word. His heavy step caused the ground and walls to shudder.
Shortly thereafter, he reentered the dungeon room with a whip.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Radley tensed at the sight of the
long black whip. Ogres were brutal man eating creatures and Radley could tell
this ogre was no better than the rest. Like all ogres, he enjoyed watching
others suffer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Before he could think anything
else, the ogre started whipping him across the shoulder and back as he hunched
over, powerless to fight the beast off or to protect himself in any way. All he
could do was accept the pain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, and how intense that pain
was. The black leather broke through his skin and the ogre continued hitting
him to no avail. At first the blood dripped from the raw membranes to the
floor, but in no time it flowed. It felt like he was being ripped apart over
and over again until the pain just stopped and he passed out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Lord Dyson, dressed in a designer
suit with his short dark hair tousled seductively like a model in <i>GQ</i> magazine, sat at a gold table in the
center of his library. Books lined the walls on all four sides of the small
room and reached all the way up to the edge of the vaulted ceilings. “Drew,”
Lord Dyson said as one of the guards, a man with a shiny bald head and a waxed
mustache, brought her into his archive. “I’m delighted you’ve come to join me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
With her shoulders slouched,
Drew’s eyes were cast down at the ground while the guard held her by the wrist.
“Yes, sir,” she mumbled, feeling her knees wobble slightly. “Your wish is my
command.” Her throat ached at that admission, but she ignored the sensation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“I like that,” he said with a wry
smile on his fine featured face. He ran his fingers through his black hair and
patted the seat beside him. Ooo-La-La she was one fine vixen with that blonde
bedroom hair and those dreamy ocean blue eyes, he thought to himself. But the
whore needs a little meat on her bones. She is looking gaunt, almost like a
drug addict.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
With a grunt, the guard released
her, pushing her forward slightly. She walked over to the gold seat that was
embroidered in old world crests with shiny purple thread and sat down without
looking up. Her fingers fidgeted with the pearl buttons on her mauve silk
dress. She hadn’t showered in a week and her blonde hair looked brassy and
slightly greasy under the candle light twinkling down from the overhead
chandelier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Lord Dyson put his hand on the
silk fabric covering Drew’s knee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Her stomach rolled, but she
managed to remain perfectly still. It was a talent of the vampires to be able
to hold positions without moving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“I invited you here…” Lord Dyson
whispered, “…because I have a favor to ask of you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Her finger lifted to her lips
absent mindedly. “Anything you like,” Drew said, unable to lift her eyes to
meet his.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He held an impassive expression
on his perfect, porcelain face. “I want you to arrange a meeting with Violet
Paris tonight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Drew’s heart rate sped up. “I haven’t
been in touch with her.” As she spoke, she felt like her throat was
constricting. She had to swallow a couple of times before continuing. “But I
can try. Anything to please you, sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Lord Dyson’s hand slid under the
edge of her dress and caressed her knee. “Lure Violet to the castle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Her body was so tense she hardly
knew what to do. “How shall I accomplish that?” she asked, her eyes meeting his
hesitantly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Now, Drew, dear, that is a
stupid question.” The side of his lip quirked up into a half-grin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She knew she didn’t have a
choice. If she was to decline, he would send her back to the dungeon. Her short
stay, locked within those cold grey walls, her arms suspended, and the terrible
things done to her was too much to bear. Lord Dyson owned her and she knew it.
But how could she betray her best friend. And what did he have planned for
Violet? Whatever it was it couldn’t be good...<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-73909486509028149872013-10-30T12:40:00.000-07:002013-10-30T12:40:16.924-07:00Latest Update on Blueisland (Watermagic Series, #4)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TMFch0z9YDs/UnFepsG4FFI/AAAAAAAAAM4/TVNZ0v_kmqc/s1600/9781310197345_frontcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TMFch0z9YDs/UnFepsG4FFI/AAAAAAAAAM4/TVNZ0v_kmqc/s320/9781310197345_frontcover.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi Guys,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Blueisland</i> just went live on <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Brighton_Hill_Blueisland_Watermagic_Series_4?id=nQO5AQAAQBAJ&hl=en">Google Play/Books</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best wishes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brighton</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-65687763213448043252013-10-23T08:12:00.000-07:002013-10-24T02:58:43.502-07:00Blueisland (Watermagic Series, #4) Available Now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJw6RkjLJYU/Ula-hIn7dDI/AAAAAAAAAMU/Lh8lQctslfw/s1600/Blueisland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJw6RkjLJYU/Ula-hIn7dDI/AAAAAAAAAMU/Lh8lQctslfw/s400/Blueisland.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey Guys!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blueisland (Watermagic Series, #4) is up on <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/370356">Smashwords</a> and on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blueisland-Watermagic-Series-4-ebook/dp/B00G4D1YXY/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1382606837&sr=1-7&keywords=brighton+hill">Amazon</a>! Can't wait to share it with you:)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Prom
night has never been so frightening and romantic. Jewel is out of control,
taking dangerous risks on the after party yacht when she discovers a sexy bad
boy wading out in the deep ocean with a hot girl clawing at his body. What are
they doing? They could be killed. Jewel is immediately attracted to him and
recognizes him from reoccurring dreams.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is the preface and the first chapter:</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
Copyright© 2013 by
Brighton Hill<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Blueisland<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Watermagic
Series, #4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">by Brighton Hill<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sabine’s School of Mers Formed Twenty
Five Years Ago on an Island in the Atlantic Ocean<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This is how Jewel, Savannah,
Emily, Logan, Andrew, Steve, and Jane became a family<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Preface<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Back
in tenth grade my high school only had three baton twirlers and I was one of
them. Geeky—that’s an understatement. I must have been crazy to volunteer
because everyone thought twirlers were total nerds. At least that’s the way it
was at my high school. It wouldn’t have mattered what other people thought so
much if they left me alone. But, you know how it is, kids love to bully the
underdog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
should have known that, but at the time my mind was in other places. Mostly, I
just wanted to get my mom who had been a baton twirler in high school to notice
me more than her druggy boyfriend who had become her number one obsession. It
was my hope that if I followed in her footsteps, she would come to the football
games to watch my dances and love me again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That
didn’t happen. I don’t think she even knew I was ever a baton twirler. I told
her, but she just couldn’t listen to a damn thing I said. “Not, now, Jewel,”
she sighed waving me away with her hand. Instead, I became the school buffoon
all for nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
wore these out of style maroon colored body suits with lots of sequins and
fringe around the hips that made my classmates laugh. I understood because the
design made me cringe. I was more of a simple, plain dressed girl with messy
brown hair and all that gaudy flash and sparkle wasn’t my thing. And, aside
from the pathetic costumes, I was so skinny from malnutrition. Because my
mother was so wrapped up in Steve’s life, she kept forgetting to pick up the
food stamps from the government office. That year I looked like I was dying. A
pale, waify teenager in a goofball leotard wasn’t a pretty sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
other two twirlers weren’t much to look at either. The poor girls were as fat
as elephants. Mary had short, curly orange hair that looked like a clown’s wig
and Genie wore six pony tails on her head and had glasses as thick as storefront
windows. People called them the bun sisters and me the baloney girl. I was the flat
piece of meat between the buns. A popular football player named Jake Stevenson
came up with that one. What a moron.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well,
one dark night when the moon was full in the sky and the stars were falling
like sad tears, I waited in my baton twirler costume for my uncle to pick me up.
Somebody had stolen my backpack with my clothes in it. Everyone had already left
the football game except for that jerk, Jake Stevenson. He was standing there
under the light of the moon by the back fence that closed in the bleachers. Most
everyone considered him good looking with his brown short hair and muscular
physique, dark eyes that switched back and forth, but he wasn’t my type.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jake
kept glancing over at me from across the parking lot as he chucked rocks at a
metal trashcan. I wished my uncle would hurry up. I knew he probably wouldn’t show up like he
promised, but I had to wait until ten just in case before walking home
otherwise he’d whip me good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
body tensed as I noticed Jake was walking through the parking lot toward me. “Razzle,
my dazzle,” he called to me, strutting a little more suavely than I was used to
seeing. He was teasing me about my last name, Razzen. He liked to make fun of
me at school too. “Whatchya doing out here all alone?” He winked as if that was
cool or something. What an idiot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
stopped right before me and leaned his hand against the wooden light pole next
to where I stood. Looking at him made me very uncomfortable and I felt even
more awkward talking to him in my French cut costume with the fringe blowing in
the night wind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
swallowed hard, the heat rising up to my cheeks. “I’m waiting for my ride.” My
voice was more of a whisper because he made me nervous. Just because he was
popular didn’t make him good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">His
shifty eyes glanced at his watch. “If your folks haven’t picked you up yet,
they aren’t coming.” His low voice lifted teasingly. Whatever!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well,
I’m embarrassed to say, tears welled up in my eyes. I think the fight I had
with my mother’s boyfriend after school was making me feel out of whack. Steve
said he was thinking about putting me in foster care. Jerkoff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
Jake Stevenson didn’t have to rub it in that my family didn’t give a crap about
me. I turned away so he wouldn’t see how I was feeling, being so pathetic and
all. “You’re probably right,” I said coldly without looking at him. Before he
could respond, I started to walk away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
he jogged up to me as I crossed the parking lot and grabbed hold of my frail shoulder
spinning me around. We were standing in a dimmer part of the lot now where the
light from another lamppost was flickering on and off. The dark shadows and
flashes of light on his angular face made me uneasy. There was something about
the look in his eyes that were much steadier now that made my skin crawl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“There’s
no one around,” he said, looking through the parking lot and back up toward the
stadium.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
rolled my eyes. “That’s obvious.” My voice was sarcastic because I didn’t know
how else to act to such an absurd comment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Let
me give you a ride,” he suggested. “My Camero is over there.” He pointed at the
black sports car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
knew a lot of girls who would die to go anywhere with Jake Stevenson in his Camero,
but I wasn’t one of them. “No, thanks. I want the fresh air.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
smiled, one eye narrowed more than the other. “I’ll roll down the windows. Take
off the T-tops. Can’t get more wind than that.” To my surprise, he took my
hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That
made me even more uncomfortable. His palms were clammy and hot. “Thank you for
the offer, but I think I need some alone time.” I tried to drop his hand, but
he clasped it tighter. Even though it was cool out, my forehead was perspiring
and a thin stream of sweat rolled down my back where my costume was too baggy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I
won’t take no for an answer.” He started leading me to his car. “It’s dangerous
for a little girl like you to walk home at night. I won’t have it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
was right. It wasn’t safe for a girl to walk home at night by herself. I was
used to that sort of thing and had learned to hide in the shadows and run
behind the bushes so passing cars wouldn’t notice me. But I knew that was risky
all the same. I would probably be better off hitching a ride from the moron. My
best friend Savannah would just die to hear I got a ride home with the one and
only hot Jake Stevenson. Just giving her that thrill made it worth it. We’d
have something to laugh about. But even still, I didn’t feel good about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Come
on, come on,” he said, opening the door with a smile on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">His
insistence surprised me. He acted almost caring. I think that’s what got me to
lose my mind and go against my own better judgment. This was not the way I
perceived him at all. So even though I didn’t want to go with him, I did. I
should have never ignored that warning in my gut because my life was never the
same since. For a long time after, all I could hear in my head was his
groaning, “You want it, girl. You want it.” And then, there were my screams:
“No! No!” The blood was the worst part. So much blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Almost Two Years Later</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Party
on,” I yelled out to my classmates on the deck below as I edged my way up the
mast of the yacht we rented to celebrate senior prom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Below
me, I heard some football players chanting, “Raz, Raz, Raz…” They saw me as a
tomboy and apparently liked to tease me about it. I didn’t care if they thought
of me as a dude—I just wanted to get away from it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“That
whore’s a geek,” one guy said. My blood boiled at that. I just knew that was
Jake Stevenson. He loved to put me down. If I could, I would kill him with my
bare hands. Nobody knew him like I did. And I would never tell a soul the truth
about him. “Baloney Girl,” he yelled, even though I quit baton twirling after
that night that he drove me home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Some
stupid girls were screaming too. I heard blond, beautiful Emily Monroe crying,
“Get her down—she could die!” She was just another one of the phonies I wanted
to avoid. We used to be friends in elementary school, but that all changed once
she became popular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Like,
I cared if I died. That was what I wanted, I thought as I took another swig of
vodka from the bottle I was holding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">During
the dance earlier, Emily Big Boobs and I had been crowned prom queens. It was
the first tie in school history, they said. Whoop-dee-do! What a joke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
knew the principal and teachers elected me because of what happened to my
mother and that Emily was the real queen chosen by the other students of our
senior class. I wasn’t the glamorous, popular type with my shaggy brown mess of
hair and childish body in boy jeans. I didn’t even run for prom queen. People
who run for those things are idiots. And, anyway, the only reason I even got a
date to the dance was because Donny Smith’s so called girlfriend dumped him for
Jake Stevenson and he needed someone to go with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
Emily was thrilled to get the honor and after the dance she insisted we wear
the idiotic crowns the entire night even though I had already changed back into
my jeans and t-shirt. Every time I took the dang crown off, she put it back on
my head. It was so absurd that it almost became funny. I said <i>almost</i> because in truth it was just
annoying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
arms started to ache as I pulled myself up the sleek lengthy pole. The night
wind was thrilling as it thrashed through my tangled hair, but it knocked the crown
off my head and onto the deck. Once it landed, Emily let out a loud sob. “Oh,
no! Jewel Razzen’s beautiful tiara!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
clouds were thick above, graying in the night and the air was fresh and salty. The
higher I got, the less obtrusive the sounds below became. And even in my mental
state, I relished in the escape. Screw them all—superficial snobs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">With
the view around me, my mind drifted to other thoughts. The ocean is awesome. Since
childhood, I’d been obsessed with the vast underwater depths and all its life
forms. I used to dream of sailing the seas. In my fantasies I found sparkling
treasures and was romanced by the same confusing guy of mythological wonders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Maybe
that was why I found high school a bore with its rules and predictabilities. The
social cliques were absurd. Why can’t people just be who they are rather than
something that everybody else expects them to be? I wanted adventure, magic,
and passion. That’s why I was damn glad that we would be graduating next week,
so I could get away from Sunshine Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
I reached the top of the mast, I guzzled down the rest of the vodka, relishing
the burn in my throat. I pulled the note I wrote earlier out of my jeans pocket
and pushed it inside of the empty bottle before capping it. And without further
thought, I chucked the thing hard and fast out into the ocean as planned. More
screams. Jerks were below me. I’m not joking. Like I would smash their heads
with glass. I wasn’t such a douche bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">At
that thought, I broke off the flag flapping violently in the wind. Feeling as
free as a bird, I waved my prize in the air. A part of me wanted to just let go
entirely and fall through the night, plummet into the thrashing water and drown
like my mother did six months ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
pushed the flag in my jeans pocket and grasped onto the mast now with both
hands. Two years of gymnastics gave me enough upper body strength to support my
waify body for a while. I had filled out some over the last couple of years. The
sounds below were muffled now from the approaching storm. It was good to have
relief from their jabber.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
yearned to see the stars, but they weren’t visible through the thick masses of
graying clouds. But then, through the wind, I thought I heard the voice of my
best friend, Savannah Kilmore. We went through some unconventional and hardcore
Girl Scouts together as kids. Nobody’s been in a troop like ours. This wasn’t
some prissy kind of club like you might expect. It was downright dirty. Even
our cookie sales kicked ass—#1 in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Raz—get
the hell down.” The words sort of washed through the wind, so I wasn’t certain
if it was Savannah or someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
gazed out at the immense black ocean. The unpredictability of the great expanse
mesmerized me in its vastness. My view was so open and dark with just specks of
light on the water. That kind of beautiful kills me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
yacht started to slow and come to a stop out in the middle of the ocean. It was
probably a whale sighting. The captain said he would stop for those. I heard
people running to the other side of the deck away from where I was at.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
thoughts began to blend into the night. A sort of serenity started to take over
my senses. I felt tired, sort of dreamy like I was floating. My mind was on a
good buzz. That went on for some time. But just as my eyes started to lower,
the strangest thing happened that jarred my senses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Holy
crap! A flash of light. Did I see what I thought I saw? Could it be? I rubbed
my eyes with one hand as I looked out at the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
seemed to perceive something glowing beneath the dark waters. It looked like sparkly
lights jetted through the waves and across the surface. Did someone lace my
vodka with something? My body tensed as my breath quickened. Was there some
sort of submarine shining lights up at us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
the lights appeared to grow more prominent and grander like fireworks shooting
out from the depths. My adrenaline rushed fast now. What the hell could that
be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Suddenly,
to my utter shock, a guy about my age maybe a little older swam up through the
spray. I felt my heart pounding hard against my chest. I could hardly breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
mind raced with so many thoughts, but I swear he looked like the same guy from
my dreams. It couldn’t be. He appeared to be about nineteen or twenty. His skin
was an enticing shimmer. I tried to gain focus. In the light, his eyes looked fiercer
and bluer than mine—more stunning like that of a tropical sky. It looked like his
hair was long and dark with a masculine array of jewels woven into his locks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
he didn’t seem like a nice guy. He looked downright mean with scratch marks on
his stunning face. I wasn’t sure but I thought I saw a tribal design tattoo on
his shoulder kind of like the one I had on mine. He bit down hard on his lip
and closed his eyes as his body shuddered briefly while exhaling. The only time
I had seen an expression like that was in a movie that I shouldn’t have been
watching. He swung his head of long hair up and to the side sending a spray of
water out that glistened in the light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Suddenly,
he peered up at me for a moment and snarled. I shook my head in astonishment.
My body shivered. I couldn’t believe my eyes. What was this? It wasn’t possible
for a guy to swim so far out into the ocean. Did he swim out of a submarine
somehow? I don’t think that was possible. Or was it? No, no, no. Crap. Was his
boat anchored nearby and I just hadn’t seen it in the dark sea? Maybe he dove
in for a short swim before returning to his vessel. What an odd thing to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What
were the lights? And then, as I was trying to figure it out, suddenly, some
hands shot out of the lit water below him and grabbed onto his body. It
happened so fast. Long nails dug into his neck causing his forehead to frown. At
once, a girl surfaced and kissed along his neck. He brushed her off. The girl
was utterly gorgeous with long ass hair too. Then to make matters even weirder,
suddenly a whole bunch of feminine hands shot out of the water at once and
pulled the stunning couple under.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What
the hell? I was shaking. This didn’t make sense. I kept looking out, waiting
for them to resurface, but they did not. A group of people had just drowned them.
This was crazy. It couldn’t be happening. Was I going insane? My heart
tightened so tight just like the evening when the police officer told me my
mother was dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Who
swims at night out in the middle of the ocean? It is dangerous to swim up so
close to a yacht. What if the captain started it up again? The propellers could
shred them to pieces. What kind of reckless teenagers would take such risks?
And who would swim after them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
guy wasn’t even normal looking and neither was she. Hello! He was gorgeous, the
epitome of my ultimate fantasy, anyone’s ultimate fantasy—the vision of a
pirate-ess out at sea too long perhaps. Yet, we had only been on the ocean for
a few hours. And he looked so much like the guy from my dreams. Some kind of
demented serendipity perhaps? And now he was dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">A
strange feeling swept over me. How could my reoccurring dreams actually be
real? I felt like I knew this guy. During those whims, we swam together to a far
off island, hung out in his secret tree house in the jungle, and messed around
in a cave behind the waterfalls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
engine to the yacht started back up. The other kids were back from looking on
the other side of the yacht for the whales now, talking amongst themselves
below me. I couldn’t reason away what I had seen. I wasn’t prone to
hallucinations. Sure I was buzzing, but that never made me this loony before.
There was no way I imagined that. I wasn’t that creative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Crap!
Suddenly, the yacht rocked in a jolting start and I lost my grip in the thrust.
At once, I flew backwards. Oh God! Girlish screams sounded from below. I was
upside down now with my legs wrapped around the pole above me as my heart
slammed against my ribcage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
hadn’t expected that. Adrenaline rushed through my body again. That felt good,
like I was alive. <i>Now or never</i>, I
thought. With that, I drew in a quick breath and tried to inch my legs down the
pole, but the position was awkward. Damn! A bead of sweat rolled off my
forehead. Just do it, I told myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So
at once, I just let go and threw myself upwards. Somehow, I managed to grab the
pole as I fell and I slid down fast. My thoughts were spinning in my mind, but
to my surprise, I landed upright on the deck, relatively unscathed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Everybody
down below in their prom dresses and tuxes rushed over to me. It was like a
sequin, satin nightmare. What a pathetic scene of teeny boppers. It was like I
was on the set of <i>Beverly Hills</i> <i>90210</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Put
this back on your head,” Emily insisted as she set the crown atop my windblown
hair. She probably didn’t even notice that my face was as white as a ghost. I was
disappointed that the rush of danger was leaving my body. I hated that dead
feeling that weighed down upon me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“You
should be more careful,” she complained, cracking her knuckles. “And whoever
saw a queen without any makeup on.” She pulled some lipstick out of her
sequined purse and ran it over my lips before I grabbed her hand and threw it off.
I glared at her much too intensely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Rolling
her eyes, she turned away. She wasn’t afraid of me even though she should have
been. “You are out of control,” she huffed as she repositioned the homecoming
king’s, Logan Townsend’s, crown on his head now like she was in charge of both
of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Logan
Townsend, with his brown short curls and swamp green eyes was an arrogant snob.
It didn’t matter that his nose was crooked because all the girls wanted him
anyway and nobody cared that he flunked two grades. Maybe that was because he
was acting on a soap opera in Los Angeles and that made it okay—whatever!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
I was a kid, I wished Logan would ask me out just as most everyone did, but I
knew that would never happen. He didn’t like skinny rag dolls. He was better
off for it because after one night, I’d just grow bored. I wasn’t much for
attachments. And I didn’t like the smell of his cologne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As
expected, Logan didn’t even notice me. He was busy staring at Emily and her big
tits spilling part way out of her sequined formal as was every other guy in our
high school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
tried to ignore them as I looked over at my prom date, bony Donny Smith in his
vintage tuxedo. He was nice and intelligent with his glasses and shy face. He
wasn’t my type though, kind of waify like me, but taller. Yes, he was better
than the brainless jock idiots that chanted my name when I was climbing the
mast, but still, he could never really understand me. And he was only with me
because I was his last resort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Raz—I
was worried about you,” Donny mumbled awkwardly, sticking his hands in his
pockets and leaning more on one leg than the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">His
hair was sandy blond and just a little frizzy. He looked good enough with his
chiseled features, but I preferred the dark waves of hair and confidence of my
dream guy in the vision I had seen in the sea just minutes before. Too bad he
was with another girl and too bad they probably drowned. My heart clenched at
the thought, not knowing what to make of it all. A sort of ugly nausea waded in
my belly. And even if they were still alive and kicking, a guy like that would
never be interested in a girl like me in real life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
muscles in Donny’s thin forearms flexed as the wind rushed over. I noticed the
way he scrunched his eyes when he looked at me too long. It made me wonder if
he was detecting a pimple between my eyebrows or something. I bet he wanted to
pop it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
was about to say something else when Savannah smacked me on the back. “You
scared us, girl.” She pulled her blouse down over her hips. Her dark straight
hair was in disarray. “What were you doing up there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I
wanted the flag.” I lifted the thing out of my pocket and cocked an eyebrow. “Did
you see that in the ocean?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
before she could respond, Donny started pulling me by my belt loop, which took
me by surprise. He was leading me with the crowd back into the party room. I smiled
wryly at Savannah as I grabbed my backpack stocked with another bottle of vodka
and followed Donny inside. From the look on Savannah’s face, I guessed she
hadn’t seen anything in the ocean except maybe whales. Everybody must have
missed it because they were all on the other side of the yacht looking at
blubber, otherwise everybody would have been freaking out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
classmates took to the tables, the bar, or the dance floor. Donny and I went
with some other friends to play cards at a round wooden table off to the side
of the room. A lot was going on for a boat ride. And people were making too much
of it, posing for pictures in their stupid evening attire. Weirdo Harry
Kingerton with ginger hair and skinny legs pulled up Ashley Baker’s dress. Her
face turned as red as a tomato before she swung around and slapped Harry across
the cheek. And then his dopey friends pulled him away like wannabe heroes as
she cursed him out. He just laughed like a horse, blowing air out of his freckled
nose and snorting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As
we sat at the round table, I noticed Donny watching preppy Albert Martinez a
little too intently while he shuffled the deck of cards. That just made me
wonder why he was so focused on him. Did he know that he and I went together in
elementary school? That was a short, awkward relationship that never even made
it to first base.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What’s
wrong?” I asked Donny, my eyebrows drawing together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I
don’t really like games,” he responded while running his fingers through the
frizzy sections of his hair. His nails kept getting caught in fine tangles that
he ripped through. “You just lose all your money and the only way to win is to
cheat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What?!
That’s what he was thinking? I tried not to roll my eyes, but instead forced a
smile and nodded empathetically. But then I started thinking about his
confession. Who the hell doesn’t like cards? And who cheats? What was he
talking about? His admittance irritated me. I wanted to hang out with Savannah
and try to have fun—attempt to forget my problems. I loved games of all sorts. Now
I was stuck with a prom date that was as boring as hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Please
don’t make me play.” He scrunched up his nose and searched my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
eyelids shot up. Was he kidding? I wasn’t making him do anything. At first I
laughed thinking he was joking, but when his eyes widened and his lips pressed
shut, I realized he was serious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Trying
to keep a pokerfaced expression on my face, I twisted a strand of my shaggy
dark hair in my fingers and observed him as he tapped his fingers on the table.
Even though he was kind of awkward, he was a pleasant enough guy. Give him a
chance my inner voice urged. Don’t be so afraid of everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
decided not to mind if he was a little difficult and odd. I mean, I wasn’t
exactly a barrel of laughs. At least he wasn’t a phony like so many other kids
at my school. And at least he wasn’t a monster like Jake Stevenson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
vaguely wondered what he was interested in. It was hard to believe now, but Donny
used to be popular with the girls in middle school. In seventh grade he teased
me a lot in a sort of flirtatious way, but nothing ever came of that. It
probably meant nothing to him. That was probably just his way with girls at the
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Now
he wasn’t at all as good looking and gregarious. He seemed different, not
really the popular type anymore. That was a good thing, but I wasn’t sure what
he was. Often I saw him sitting off by himself at school reading. I heard he
was a surfer. That was probably why his hair looked so sun bleached with the
frizz on the ends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There
was laughter. I looked away from Donny at our circle of friends at the table. Savannah
and the others were joking around. She cut the deck before Albert dealt the
cards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Why
don’t we lounge over on the sofa and just talk then?” I wasn’t in a
conversational mood, but I didn’t want to be ornery either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“That’s
cool.” He looked relieved, so I was glad I’d made the suggestion even if it
could lead to some awkward dialogue. “As long as I’m with you,” He coughed
looking down and then back up at me with his puppy dog brown eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">His
comment surprised me. Was he flirting with me? I wasn’t sure how I felt about
it. But, to my surprise, the more I looked at him, the more I decided he <i>was</i> still cute in a different kind of
way. That was probably the alcohol tricking my senses and the awful loneliness
that I felt deep in the pit of my stomach that never seemed to go away no
matter how many people I was around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
he wasn’t the guy for me. Was I leading him on somehow? I hoped he didn’t think
anything was going to happen between us because I accepted his date to the
prom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
stood there for a minute thinking about what he said while he ordered sodas at
the bar for us. He handed me the glass a little clumsily as we sat down on the
plush sofa. “I’m so pissed off at my mom,” he said suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Why’s
that?” I shifted my position uncomfortably. I didn’t like thinking about
mothers now that mine was dead. And even at that, I was surprised at his sudden
intensity. I wasn’t used to people opening up about their feelings so quickly,
if ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“She
called the swim team coach and told him I can’t participate at the special end
of the year meet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
unzipped my backpack and reached inside for my vodka bottle as I glanced around
the room for narcs or teachers on staff. They were all in a social huddle
talking and joking with each other. The students purposely asked the younger,
less strict faculty to chaperone us. “Why doesn’t your mother want you in the
meet?” I asked now looking over at Savannah who was raking in the money from
all her wins. I wished I could join the game. Family issues weren’t my thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“She
put me on restriction when she caught me making out with Liddy Devonshire in
her bedroom.” He laughed and leaned back, crossing his leg over his knee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“You’re
dating Liddy?” I knew all about her. She was his original prom date who dumped
him, the girl with a big ass that made all the guys excited when they looked at
her. I don’t know why guys think it is appealing to talk about other girls
they’ve been with. It’s a huge turn off. And Liddy was way too hot for Donny. I
could have seen that relationship in middle school, but not now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Not
anymore.” He smiled. “If I was, I wouldn’t be here with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
was relieved the subject had at least moved away from mothers, but the other
stuff confused me. My mind twisted up with thoughts as I unscrewed the lid to
the vodka bottle and poured some into my soda. “Why did you stop dating?” Why
the hell did I just ask that? Stupid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
looked uncomfortable with the question, but when I held up the bottle to offer
him some he smirked and shook his head somewhat amused. “We weren’t in a
relationship and now she’s going out with Jake Stevenson.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
body tensed. “Jake’s a prick,” I said shifting in my seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“No
kidding.” He frowned. I wasn’t sure, but it looked like he started to perspire
on his forehead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
followed Donny’s eyes as he looked over at the other kids. Jake had his hand on
Savannah’s shoulder as she cut the deck for the next round. I cringed. Heat
rose up from my chest to my cheeks. “You want it, girl. You want it,” I
imagined him saying. I wanted to jump up and sock him in the face, but I knew
that would not be smart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As
upset as I felt, I imagined that Savannah loved getting attention from that ass.
Like everyone else, she thought he was hot. Savannah hadn’t seen his bad side
like I had. If Savannah’s date hadn’t gotten sick at the prom and went home,
maybe Jake would have laid off. If he got too friendly, I’d have to step in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">With
that thought, I looked over at Liddy to see if she was angry that Jake was
flirting with Savannah, but from a distance, it appeared as if she was busy trying
to talk to the new French girls I heard about, Brigitte Couture and Marine
Thibault. Oh my—those vixens weren’t even normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Though
I kept glancing over at Jake to make sure he didn’t get too friendly with
Savannah, the French girls caught my focus over everyone else. I had never seen
them close up. They were gazing out into the room in no particular direction,
seemingly uninterested in Liddy’s chatter. From where I was at, the rumors were
right—they looked like divine creatures with jewels and sparkling trinkets in
their long hair. Their bodies were sleek and perfect. And their faces were as
stunning as movie stars or super models, but they had a dangerous air that got
me wondering about them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Donny
shook his head in bewilderment. “I love swimming and I don’t think it’s fair
that my mom would punish me for doing something so normal like kissing a girl.”
His Adam’s apple lifted in his throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oh
boy—back to his mother again. “You’re right.” I responded, not knowing what to
say. I was squinting to get a clearer look at the pearl ensemble in Brigitte’s
long shiny black hair, but I could not get my focus. I rubbed my eyes.
Everything about her looked exotic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“My
mom is so annoying too,” he continued, biting his already chewed up nails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What
do you mean?” I cringed as I took a drink of my soda and tried to ignore what he
was saying. Crap, I wanted this conversation to end. I felt my palms sweating.
That was really bothering me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“She’s
always singing these dumb country western songs around the house. She thinks
she’s going to be the next big star.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
turned to him, stretching my arms over my head. “Maybe she’ll audition for
American Idol?” The more I looked at him, the more his face started to blur.
Maybe I was drunk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Donny’s
face lit up. “That is exactly what she’s trying to do! She’s so pathetic.” He
ran his fingers over the gelled part of his hair and then put his hand on my
knee. “When I was little, she used to tuck me in at night and sing country
western songs to me! She never hugged or kissed me or even said prayers. She
just sang like a geek!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Okay.
I like geeks,” I said trying to subdue the irritation rising up in me. I guess Donny
wasn’t as shy as I thought. At the dance, he was more reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">His
face twisted a little. “After Dad left us, Mom got this really horrible
boyfriend. She said she liked him because he was so good looking. I thought
that was an imprudent reason to like someone.” He rubbed his eyes. “He got
cruel one day and threw her on the ground…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Okay!”
I looked at him with a blaze of hatred in my eyes. My stomach felt nauseous. I
thought I might just puke right on him. “I don’t want to know about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What’s
wrong?” he asked, putting his hand on my shoulder. “She dumped him. It’s not
like he hurt her that bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“It’s
nothing,” I responded, shaking my head and moving away. I just couldn’t stop
thinking about Mom and her freak boyfriend drowning her in the bathtub. It felt
like a blanket was smothering me all of the sudden. “I gotta get some air.” I
stood up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Can
I come too?” he asked with concern in his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“No.”
I looked at him directly in his puppy dog eyes. “I need some time alone.” With
that, I walked out of the room as calmly as I could and headed for the deck. I
wanted out of this life. Maybe if I died, I could join my mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
hall that led outside was dimly lit and relatively quiet. With the back of my
hand, I wiped the tears out of my eyes and tried to pull myself together. I
could hear the muffled sounds of kids in other rooms laughing or talking.
Someone was playing a Duran Duran song: “Hungry like a Wolf.” Oh, brother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
then I heard something. The hardly audible sounds were coming from behind a
slightly open door. “That’s good,” the girl panted. “You’re a master…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
couldn’t help but look in. To my utter shock, it was blond, beautiful Emily
Monroe. Her prom queen crown was on its side on the floor next to her sequined pumps.
Her dress was hiked up and a guy with long dark hair had his hand in her
panties. He glanced down at his designer wristwatch. I couldn’t see his face,
but his body looked sexy as hell. I didn’t know who he was, but he seemed
familiar. His dress shirt was torn open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Emily
looked like she was in so much pleasure as he did things I had never
experienced. I wondered what it felt like to be touched that way. The guys I
had been with were self-centered and awkward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So
many feelings rushed through me. I could have sworn that guy reminded me of the
one from the ocean and my dreams. I remembered how good he had made me feel in
those nighttime fantasies. No other guy compared. Embarrassed and jealous, I
hurried back down the hall just as Emily cried out, “Marcel…” Her breath was
getting caught in her throat. “…you are the hottest guy alive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
waited at the hall door for a minute trying to catch my breath. Marcel? Who was
Marcel? In a moment, I would walk back down the hall, past their room, and out
onto the deck like I hadn’t seen a thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
before I could start walking, the guy stepped out of the room. I only glimpsed
the side of his face before his long hair whipped around and covered his
profile. He wore slacks with some sort of tuxedo shirt reminiscent of another
century. It was ripped in the front like Emily tried to pull it off him. From
the brief peek I had, it looked like he had a rockin’ chest. The way he
strutted revealed a confident demeanor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Marcel
must have been one of the French exchange students. They dressed like that,
kind of crazy like rock stars with a touch of eighteenth century couture. This
was probably the one that was rarely at school. The bad boy who was in jail.
Marcel Paradis. That’s his name. Right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
looked back over his shoulder. But when he saw me, our blue eyes met. Heat rose
up from my groin into my chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What’s
wrong with you?” he asked in a cocky voice. “Got a staring problem?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“You’re
nothing much to look at,” I snapped and then bit down on my lower lip. What a
jerk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Damn!
Don’t do that with you lip,” he scoffed, glancing down through his black heavy
eyelashes at my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Then
it got strange. His head jerked up and his fingers curled before his chest. And
just like that he fainted on the floor. Totally passed out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
couldn’t believe it. What the hell?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
before I could figure out what to do, his thick lashes flew open. For a moment his
insane blue eyes stared up at the ceiling, wide and intense. Then, he scrambled
to his feet. “Stay away from me,” he said, searching my eyes. His tan, olive
skin had paled and a purple vein in his neck lifted up underneath his skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
face flamed. “My pleasure, asshole.” My knees felt weak like they were going to
buckle beneath me. I held my hand against the wall to steady myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
just scoffed and rushed up the stairs, out the door, and onto the deck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
was a bit shocked and not thinking straight. How could I have missed this jerk
at school? It was probably because I had been absent so much with my mom’s
funeral arrangements, depression leave, and my general lost mindset. But now I
remembered who he was. He was Brigitte’s boyfriend! Boy did she have bad taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oh,
man, I wouldn’t mess with her. Emily was a fool. Brigitte could kick her ass
and then some. French girls were tough like that. Something about her seemed
deadly kind of like those sexy assassin types in movies that have great
manners, but then sniper someone through a window from another building. She
just had that kind of air about her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That
dude looked so much like the guy in the ocean. At that recognition, I rolled my
eyes. Of course, he wasn’t the guy I saw. Even if he didn’t drown, he couldn’t
climb up onto a yacht from the water below. He would need some kind of ladder
or help from the deck. But if it was the same guy somehow, this dude really got
around with the girls. And just my luck stumbling in on him twice. Serendipity?
Ha! My ass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Marcel
Paradis was a prick and I wanted to tell him off good. I jogged to catch up
with him, but when I stepped outside into the night air, he was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
looked around. He was nowhere to be seen. He must have taken the back route
into the main room where everyone was hanging out and playing cards. It was a
good thing because I would have just made a fool of myself cursing him out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">A
lump grew in my throat. I felt so out of whack that I started pacing right
there on the deck. I was so sick of people. They were so mean. I didn’t do a
damn thing to Marcel Paradis and he treated me like trash. Life was hell. Was
he going to start calling me names and making fun of me at school now like Jake
Stevenson did? I just couldn’t take that. Not from him especially. Oh, what was
I thinking?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Only
recently, the doctor said I suffered from anxiety and clinical depression.
Whatever! I wasn’t going to take his stupid pills. My eyes kept drifting out to
the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That’s
when I noticed the sound of a woman’s voice coming from a radio in one of the
rooms below. She sounded like she was complaining about her man on some
psychology AM radio show. Thoughts of my mother rushed back into my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Steve,
my mom’s alcoholic boyfriend, was choking her, holding her down in the bathtub.
Her face was pale. Her eyes bulging under the water. Her arms and legs flailing
to and fro. Desperate. Bubbles and bile coming out of her throat. The last
thoughts of how she ruined her life by choosing a scumbag. How she destroyed my
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Stop,
stop!” I said to myself. If only my mind would still.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
leaned way over the rail of the yacht and considered letting go. What was life?
There was no reason to it. It would be so easy to just let go. Fall into the
ocean and die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
swung my legs over so that I was hanging off the side of the yacht that glided
so swiftly over the wake. Wind rushed over my body. My hands still held fast to
the rail, but the bottoms of my shoes were only feet away from the black water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It
was an exhilarating feeling. I was so close to the edge of death. My heart was
slamming against my chest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If I let go I would surely die out at sea alone. Is
this what I wanted?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">But, before I could make a decision, something
grabbed my leg.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">All the best,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Brighton</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-70161686561812269442013-10-01T10:54:00.001-07:002013-10-01T10:54:28.970-07:00Vampires, Mermaids, Sirens, Selkies<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/-HiZoIfoui_o/ULJxBzp30OI/AAAAAAAAACo/r-jmO7Xz6jM/s1600/Bluehour3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HiZoIfoui_o/ULJxBzp30OI/AAAAAAAAACo/r-jmO7Xz6jM/s200/Bluehour3.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkxKUmNdcCw/UWb8gWdkthI/AAAAAAAAAIc/HqG3hhPJQCI/s1600/Title+is+Watermagic+Novella+Bluewicked+Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkxKUmNdcCw/UWb8gWdkthI/AAAAAAAAAIc/HqG3hhPJQCI/s200/Title+is+Watermagic+Novella+Bluewicked+Book+Cover.jpg" width="127" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KUx93YEUYO8/UOWxtGH43dI/AAAAAAAAAGs/yhbWTGwk2Ck/s1600/Bluedawn+A+Watermagic+Novel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KUx93YEUYO8/UOWxtGH43dI/AAAAAAAAAGs/yhbWTGwk2Ck/s320/Bluedawn+A+Watermagic+Novel.jpg" width="203" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0FILru3yLw/UULkTwwwrQI/AAAAAAAAAH8/O8EZ5Y-a3Do/s1600/HeavenlyKillersRed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0FILru3yLw/UULkTwwwrQI/AAAAAAAAAH8/O8EZ5Y-a3Do/s200/HeavenlyKillersRed.jpg" width="127" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr6YxcKwkqk/UYv1IoNUM_I/AAAAAAAAAIs/oDA8Bg1Fk1w/s1600/Heavenly+Blood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr6YxcKwkqk/UYv1IoNUM_I/AAAAAAAAAIs/oDA8Bg1Fk1w/s200/Heavenly+Blood.jpg" width="127" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey Guys,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Great news for you Google fans. The Watermagic Series and Roseville Vampire Series is now on Google Play and Google Books! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bit.ly/19kkZON">Google Play</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bluehour and Heavenly Killers are up for free. Keep a look out for Blueheat (Watermagic Series, #4). Coming soon!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best wishes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brighton</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140793555530361612.post-24015198095773339972013-09-02T23:30:00.002-07:002013-09-02T23:30:55.242-07:00Sexy, Dangerous Mermaids, Oh my!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e13UvcDEIjE/UiV_D4QEKYI/AAAAAAAAALo/StTdJl5fO1M/s1600/Bluehour3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e13UvcDEIjE/UiV_D4QEKYI/AAAAAAAAALo/StTdJl5fO1M/s320/Bluehour3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brighton-Hill/e/B00APNFPWA/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0">Brighton Hill Books</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey Guys, Guess what? Bluehour made it on the bestseller list again! I just looked at it and there it is on Teen and Young Adult Horror as a paid e-book! I took a picture to celebrate! Thank you guys for all your support!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OFm6h6HUR28/UiWAlp-YbhI/AAAAAAAAAL0/QyeGOmBKAHc/s1600/bestseller+list+bluehour+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OFm6h6HUR28/UiWAlp-YbhI/AAAAAAAAAL0/QyeGOmBKAHc/s640/bestseller+list+bluehour+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best wishes!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brighton</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10128239307429584348noreply@blogger.com