Monday, March 17, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Sunday Review: Last of the Summer Tomatoes by Sherrie Henry
Author Sherrie Henry
Published July 17th, 2013
Source I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
BLURB
Kyle Jackowski, typical sullen emo teen, struggles to find a way to deal with his sexuality and finds himself in trouble with the law… again. But instead of being sent to a juvenile detention center like he expected, he is given a chance to commute his sentence by working on a farm for the summer.
Enter Sam, son of the farm owners, who shows Kyle what he feels is perfectly normal and that he doesn’t have to hide from his feelings. In turn, Sam’s parents show Kyle that his abusive stepfather and battered mother are not the norm. With their love and support, Kyle finds his place in the world—by Sam’s side.
REVIEW
I was very nervous about this book as I am not a huge fan of young adults and I have only ever liked one book that was a M/M themed romance. So when Sherrie and I were discussing it I tried to open my mind a bit more than normal and branch out into something new.
It is with great pleasure that I can honestly say that I really enjoyed this novel. While I opened the pages I was hit instantly with with the smiles that came to life of these two boys story. It was very easy to follow. There was not a lot of thought required when reading the book. But there was a lot of enjoyment.
It is hard for me to judge what the book is like in the genre since as I said before this isn't my usual, but, that being said, I feel like this was a very typical coming to age story about the struggles I imagine young men (and women) experience when they are first coming out to their family and friends.
I liked how accepting Sam's family was and how open they were to bringing Kyle into their lives.
If you enjoy YA and/or M/M I would suggest this book to you.
I give this book a solid four stars.
Thank you Sherrie for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Why I love Celeb Stalking - Veronica Mars Movie
Today is March 14th, 2014, the day all 'Marshmellows' have been waiting for since the end of our beloved Veronica Mars. The day that our television loves come back, and this time to the big screen. We are gifted with the amazing acting by Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring, Francis Capra and many more. Rob Thomas's writing and directing, as always, was phenomenal and now all that is left is the book coming out on the 24th that will top everything off.
Yes, 'Pi Day' as my hubby called it, is upon us and today we are blessed. Blessed to the reunion of Logan and Veronica.
Now I know that it is extremely hard for me to be partial. After all, Jen and I (my comiccon partner in crime, celeb stalker partner) met Jason and Francis back at ComicPalooza 2010 a few years back.
The whole time I was watching that movie I kept thinking, "OH MY GOD I'VE HUGGED THEM!!!" And let us not forget that Jason Dohring gave ME, yes ME, Ashley Nemer a present! I still have the wonderful sign of his appreciation of his fans sitting on my desk, nicely hidden from potential thieves, my glowstick. (I would show you a picture but then my husband would know what it looks like and he might take it and play tricks on me! Best to leave some things to Mystery!)
Oh!! And lets not forget the fact he took pictures, YES of Jen and I standing in line on his cell phone.
Ahh but lets talk about aboue Weevil. AKA, Francis Capra, the best smelling man at ComicPalooza. He had to be the absolute nicest man in the world. He let me take a bagillion (ok it was more like 40) photos with him. And God ...... he smelled heavenly. And the tats, just makes a girl purr, ya know?
The poor man probably thought Jen and I were psychos and lets face it, we kinda were, haha.
Then of course the arrival of Jason ~sighs~ he was so dreamy. He asked us what a good steak house was in Houston and my dumb ass only came up with Texas Roadhouse, LAME ASHLEY! Sheesh. But to be fair I was very shell shocked! Jason gave great hugs. And God that smile!
~double dreamy sigh at those two men!~
I digress, let us focus back to the movie at hand. It is hard to remember I'm trying to write a review when I keep flashing back to the most amazing Comic experience of my life!
All of these amazing moments deff enhanced this movie for me because the simple fact is these actors are just the best. So kind, considerate and friendly. More people should be like them.
This was a 5 star hit, deff! The acting was better than I remembered. The writing was top knotch and the shocks and awes were great. I just have jumped from surprise four times in my seat, gasped for a breath six times and verbally awed a dozen.
Rob Thomas did such an amazing job, and hopefully this kickstarter will empower the Hollywood Actors to embrace their fans and give them more of what they want.
Yes, 'Pi Day' as my hubby called it, is upon us and today we are blessed. Blessed to the reunion of Logan and Veronica.
Now I know that it is extremely hard for me to be partial. After all, Jen and I (my comiccon partner in crime, celeb stalker partner) met Jason and Francis back at ComicPalooza 2010 a few years back.
The whole time I was watching that movie I kept thinking, "OH MY GOD I'VE HUGGED THEM!!!" And let us not forget that Jason Dohring gave ME, yes ME, Ashley Nemer a present! I still have the wonderful sign of his appreciation of his fans sitting on my desk, nicely hidden from potential thieves, my glowstick. (I would show you a picture but then my husband would know what it looks like and he might take it and play tricks on me! Best to leave some things to Mystery!)Oh!! And lets not forget the fact he took pictures, YES of Jen and I standing in line on his cell phone.
Ahh but lets talk about aboue Weevil. AKA, Francis Capra, the best smelling man at ComicPalooza. He had to be the absolute nicest man in the world. He let me take a bagillion (ok it was more like 40) photos with him. And God ...... he smelled heavenly. And the tats, just makes a girl purr, ya know?The poor man probably thought Jen and I were psychos and lets face it, we kinda were, haha.
Then of course the arrival of Jason ~sighs~ he was so dreamy. He asked us what a good steak house was in Houston and my dumb ass only came up with Texas Roadhouse, LAME ASHLEY! Sheesh. But to be fair I was very shell shocked! Jason gave great hugs. And God that smile!
~double dreamy sigh at those two men!~
I digress, let us focus back to the movie at hand. It is hard to remember I'm trying to write a review when I keep flashing back to the most amazing Comic experience of my life!
All of these amazing moments deff enhanced this movie for me because the simple fact is these actors are just the best. So kind, considerate and friendly. More people should be like them.
Onto the review ....
This was a 5 star hit, deff! The acting was better than I remembered. The writing was top knotch and the shocks and awes were great. I just have jumped from surprise four times in my seat, gasped for a breath six times and verbally awed a dozen.
Rob Thomas did such an amazing job, and hopefully this kickstarter will empower the Hollywood Actors to embrace their fans and give them more of what they want.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Spotlight: Fire & Ice Book Tour: The Fallen

Blurb:
For hundreds of years, the Blaukenev clan has wandered across Tilzam, from one end to the other and back. Each wagon carries history, love, laughter, pain, sorrow, and secrets. Their greatest secret of all may be Chavali, the clan Seer.
Spirits claim/use/save/damn her.
With her gift/curse, nothing surprises
her anymore, no one keeps secrets from her. She, on the other hand,
has more than enough secrets to keep. Secrets of her own, secrets of
her clan, secrets of the world, secrets she even keeps from herself.
There are always people who want
secrets.
Some will do anything to get what they want.
Some will do anything to get what they want.
The Fallen is the first story of The
Greatest Sin, of a world adrift from its God that desperately wants
Her back. Chavali's comfortable, predictable life will be ripped
apart and burnt to ashes as she's forced into the middle of that
struggle. Change, she hates it passionately. It hates her right back.
Buy
Link:
Excerpt:
“Come in.” They did not speak the
clan tongue in front of Outsiders, not without dire need, lest
someone overhear enough to translate it and learn it. Instead, they
spoke Shappan, the dominant language of Tilzam. Nearly everyone knew
it, regardless of country or native tongue. Along with the words,
spoken in the light accent of the clan, she lifted a hand to gesture
to the stool opposite herself. “You are welcome here.”
He was timid as a mouse and small like
one, too. Keino could probably lift this man over his head with one
hand, or break him in half over his knee. Chavali watched him take
small steps and dart his eyes all around. “Um, you’re the Seer?”
His Shappan was obviously better than her own, she could tell even
with so few words spoken.
“Yes. No one can see into the tent,
it is safe, you are safe here. Sit, be calm.” Coaxing a scared
little man onto the seat was not her preferred way to spend her time,
and she stifled a sigh and a roll of her eyes. “If you do not sit,
I cannot help, yes?”
“Oh, right. Of course.” He moved
quickly, practically jumped onto the stool while shooting terrified
looks all around the tent. “I’ve just never done anything like
this before, and, um, I’m worried about…”
Holding out her hand, she kept her tone
calm and patient. “Give me your hand. I cannot help if I have no
connection to you.”
His
audible gulp made her want to roll her eyes again, but he tentatively
offered her his hand. As she seized it, the spirits rushed him, eager
as always for new people to interact with.
DearCreatorIhopeyoucanhelpmeI’mdoomedthisissocrazy
“Calm,” she told him, shutting her
eyes to make it easier to focus on this pile of crap. “If you do
not calm down, I see nothing, just a bouncing jumble of nervous. Deep
breath in through your mouth, out through your nose. Come, do this a
few times.”
His thoughts began to settle as he
followed her orders. It became less a rushed mush and more actual
coherent ideas. Amy is going to kill me for this. I shouldn’t
be doubting her, but I am, and I need to fix that. She’s a sweet
girl, this is all my fault.
“I see a name. A-something, Anna? No,
Amy. Does this name mean something to you?”
As expected, he gasped a little. How
does she know that? Is this the real thing? If she knows that, she
must know if she’s seeing Marcus or not. “Yes, that’s my
wife.”
“You worry about her, you think she
is meeting someone else?”
“Yes!” His mind flooded with images
of Amy, who he loved, deeply, but also with images of a man much more
virile than himself. That other man wore armor and used a blade for
his work. A city guard, perhaps, or a soldier.
“There is another name, with a…’c’.
But not at the front, maybe in the end? No, no, the middle. Arcu,
Marcus. Yes, Marcus. He wields authority.”
“Yes, he’s in the Order of the
Strong Arm, one of their knights. I need to know.” He already knew,
of course. That was the beauty of what Chavali did. All the answers
were in his mind already, he just needed someone else to say it out
loud because he couldn’t, the poor fool. People really were the
same no matter where she went.
Still, it wasn’t good to just say
things like this aloud with no feeling or props, or anything to give
her an air of more authority than just pulling things out of the air.
Her free hand dipped into the pouch tied to the thin belt around her
waist (it also held a small blade in a sheath at the small of her
back), pulled out five objects at random and tossed them on the
table. Keeping hold of his hand, she peered down at the bones,
finding it amusing that all five were actually bones. The pouch also
had crystals, stones, and even bits of shell and wood, all minimally
shaped and etched with ink-stained runes by her own hand.
It wasn’t that the bones were only
props - they had meaning for Chavali. It was that they weren’t
tools for divining. In this context, she used them as prompts, as
ideas for how to word things. “Mmm.” Starting with the one
closest to him, because she didn’t like having them out of her
control for any longer than necessary, she picked up a chicken wing
bone, displayed it, then deposited it back into her pouch. “Pain of
the soul, for you.” The next was a finger bone, from Seer Marika’s
dead body. “Betrayal. Face down, the betrayer is a woman.” A bone
from the paw of a dog was next. She liked that dog enough to preserve
a part of him. “Love, but face down, so actually just lust.”
This was all so stupid and predictable.
His mind raced as her words confirmed everything he feared. The next,
a horse’s tooth, was an amusing addition. “Secrets. Many
secrets.” The last one almost always turned up when she did this.
It was a chunk of unidentified bone, picked up some time ago just
because of its odd shape. “Fear. There is much fear through all of
this.”
She needed nothing more from this man
to make her pronouncement, and she didn’t care in the slightest if
it turned out to be true or not. They would be gone tomorrow morning,
and likely wouldn’t return for several years, if ever. Letting go
of his hand, she gave him a mildly sympathetic look. “The bones
have spoken. She has betrayed you, and you must deal with that in
your own way. The bones, I think, suggest you confront it head-on,
but this Marcus may not be wise to cross.”
He nodded, resigned. “Thank you.”
“It is not a thing I wish to be
thanked for. Good fortune to you.” She watched him get up and
leave, and snorted at him as soon as the tent flap was shut again.
Idiot. He was, of course, the first of today’s parade of idiots and
twits, each of them with a story as uninteresting as the next, a
story Chavali had heard dozens of times before.
About
the Authors:
This book has two authors, Lee French and Erik Kort.
This book has two authors, Lee French and Erik Kort.
Giveaway:
The
authors are giving away five print copies of The Fallen –
autographed by both authors! Enter at Goodreads! Entry will be open
the length of the tour. Enter now by clicking here.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Spotlight: Fire & Ice Blog Tours: Blood Beginnings by Alison Beightol
Virtual Book Tour Dates: 2/11/14 - 3/11/14
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Blurb:
Only a day after Eamon Rutherford
destroys a cadre of vampire hunters sent to kill him, he decides to
take his human lover Amelie to London to turn her into a vampire and
look for Bernard Townsend, the vampire who sent the hunters to kill
Eamon and declared a blood war on him.
This war isn’t just to settle a
rivalry. It’s a war for power.
Bernard wants control of the European
Shadow Government, the vampire governing board, and bring his plan to
fruition, a plan that begins with the revelation of vampires to
humans and ends with the domination of the human race. He knows that
this will never happen as long as Eamon is alive. Bernard also knows
that to get to Eamon, he has to get what he cares about most. To
ensure the success, Bernard brings forward his secret offspring
Reinhard Heydrich, the Butcher of Prague, who will kidnap and kill
Eamon’s beloved Amelie.
Eamon must find
and save Amelie before Heydrich kills her and Townsend’s plan
unfolds. If he doesn’t, there is no limit to what a vampire like
Heydrich might be capable of. But saving Amelie won’t be easy.
Everywhere he turns he finds intrigue and deception. Even from those
he trusts the most.
Excerpt:
You
Don’t Declare a Blood War on Me and My Line without the Expectation
of Retaliation
Kill
Townsend. That was what needed to happen. And as soon as possible.
Eamon Rutherford rubbed the bridge of his nose and again tried to
come to grips with the events of the past twenty-four hours.
A
scowl appeared on his face and the muscles of his shoul- ders knotted
before he could even process anything. Eamon took in a deep breath
and exhaled it slowly. Destroying a makeshift band of vampire hunters
in his former companion’s nightclub wasn’t something he would
have chosen, but he was forced to do that very thing. And it had been
ages since a hunter had threatened him personally. Or tried to
threaten him. The ones last night were far from what he remembered
from centuries past. The group he destroyed were nerds and armchair
warriors, not organized, well-practiced hunters. However, before
Eamon killed one of them the hunter mentioned a name, the name of an
ancient rival, Bernard Townsend.
Bernard
Townsend was a half-assed, one-time knight from centuries ago, an
on-again-off- again problem for Eamon. Townsend fancied himself to be
more powerful than Eamon despite the age gap of many centuries. In
the late seventeen hundreds, Eamon almost imposed a final death on
Townsend, but at the last moment Eamon spared his rival, figuring
that leaving Townsend with the humiliating knowledge that he only
survived through Eamon’s mercy was enough to keep the repugnant man
away once and for all.
Since
that time, Townsend had avoided Eamon and any- one, human or vampire,
that Eamon knew and Eamon had all but forgotten about him up until
last night. And his sudden reappearance raised an alarm in Eamon’s
mind. Why would Townsend send a group of poorly trained vampire
hunters after him?
Eamon
rose from the bed and walked to the window over- looking Amelie’s
back garden. Normally, he enjoyed the col- orful, fragrant roses and
oleander bushes filling the quaint yard, but not today. He rubbed his
shoulders, removing some of the tension, and sighed. The phone in his
pocket vibrated, but he ignored it. The vampires of his line had
nagged him the better part of the day, leaching as much of his time
as they could before he left. His phone had vibrated non-stop with
their calls and text messages. Should the meeting of the United
States Shadow Government be arranged? Could they call him while he
was in London or was he serious that he wanted no contact while he
was gone? The main question was when was he coming home? He wondered
if he was leaving children or vampires. But that was part of being a
Primigenio of a vampire line. You were a father to them and had to
deal with many of the same issues as a human father.
Because
of this and Bernard Townsend’s unknown motives plaguing his
thoughts, Eamon had gotten little day sleep. Fortunately, at his age,
he didn’t require much rest. He also had the added benefit of being
a day walker, a vampire who could move about without a problem when
the sun was up. It was a lucky trait the vampires of his small line
carried. Eamon looked back at Amelie and remembered they were leaving
soon. He sent a text message to Jason, the pilot of his private
plane, and verified the departure time. Eamon didn’t want any last
minute surprises or problems.
Eamon
returned to the bed and kissed Amelie’s forehead. He hated to wake
her, but they’d be leaving for London in a few hours. He took a
moment to watch her sleep. She was snuggled up next to him with a
tiny, contented smile on her lips. Whatever she was dreaming about
seemed to make her happy, and he wanted that for her more than
anything. He wanted her to have a life of happiness and love with him
and to never have any worries. If he had his way that would always be
the case.
His
phone vibrated again, shattering the moment of much-needed quiet
Eamon craved. He hesitated before answering, thinking it was one of
his vampires trying a last minute grab for his time and attention.
“Yes?”
Eamon said and climbed back out of the bed.
“So
you killed Sanchez and his followers? I expected as much. I didn’t
honestly think they would succeed but they wanted to do it.”
The
caller’s voice reignited a centuries-old anger within Eamon. He
paced back and forth, wanting to reach through the phone and snap the
caller’s neck. It was Bernard Townsend.
Instinctually
Eamon checked on Amelie, who still slept. He turned away so as not to
disturb her, his rising angst causing him to grip his phone until the
plastic cracked.
“I’m
coming for you, Townsend. You don’t declare a blood war on me and
my line without the expectation of retaliation.” Eamon would rip
Townsend’s throat out right now if he could, and put an end to
whatever scheme Townsend was formulating.
Townsend
laughed his hearty, jovial laugh. “The humans I sent after you last
night were a warm up, a bit of target practice. I felt it would give
you a sporting chance.”
“I
will find you and when I do, you’re dead,” Eamon said.
“Rutherford,
you’ve been a problem for me for as long as I can remember. Now, I
have the advantage.”
“You’re
nothing but a two-bit gangster.” Eamon looked around the room,
calming himself. “I should have killed you when I had the chance.”
“But
you didn’t, which shows how weak and short-sighted you truly are.
Well, until we see each other, Eamon. And we will see each other,”
Bernard said.
The
sudden dial tone cooled Eamon’s ire and he withered with regret as
he turned back to Amelie. Their trip to London would not be the same.
Townsend would see to that. Eamon wanted the trip to be perfect for
Amelie. He wanted to show her London, the city he had known for
centuries, not the What’s
On version
of the city. For a moment, he considered not taking Amelie with him.
He could find and kill Townsend and then bring her over afterward.
But he knew how much she wanted to go and he wanted her to go as
well. After their recent separation, he didn’t want to be away from
her any longer than he had to be. No, he refused to let Townsend ruin
this. After all, Eamon had waited too long for Amelie.
And
he could kill Townsend at any time.
Buy Links:
About the Author:
Alison
Beightol formerly lived in an active haunted house in rural northern
Florida but now lives in a non haunted but still active house with
her author husband, Scott Baker, her daughter, two ice cream craving
Boxer dogs, a rescued cat that thinks he’s a dog and a rabbit. For
as long as she can remember, she's loved vampire stories, romance and
gothic tales that keep her up at night. Although she works as a
registered nurse, she studied both history and theatre at the
University of Florida and loves intertwining history with a
theatrical touch in her writing. She is the author of Blood Betrayal:
Book One of The Primigenio Tales and its sequel Blood Beginnings,
which introduces a sinister historical figure as an adversary for her
vampires. Alison is hard at work on the third and final installment
of the Primigenio Tales.
Connect with Alison Beightol:
Giveaway:
The
author is giving away a tote bag filled with swag and goodies...
Valued at over $150! Includes a t-shirt, a copy of the book, an
amazon gift card, an iTunes gift card, vampire themed pins and knick
knacks. USA only, please! The giveaway runs through the length of the tour.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Discoveries Of A Writer - More Ashley Randomness
I should be writing Blood Gold right now, but instead I am sitting on my blog looking at the screen and thinking, "Man we need some Ashley Randomness right now." And that is exactly what I am going to do.
I just got finished watching NATIONAL TREASURE with Nicholas Cage and it has me in the patriotic and explorer mood. Some of you might know but most of you probably don't know that for many many years I wanted to go into politics.
It all started on a Sunday afternoon in the Kansas City Airport when my mother was picking my brother and I up from the airport. We were just arriving home from visiting my father's house and that is when my life, as a seven year old, changed forever.
I was standing at the carousal in luggage claim with my mom's friend Lowanda. We were looking up at the television screen and there was this beautiful emblem looking back at us. I asked her what it was and she told me it was the national seal, the bald eagle. And that President Bush was getting ready to be shown. (The first President Bush, remember this was 1990) Now I don't know if this was a live address or if this was just a playback of something previously done, I don't remember that detail. But what I do remember was impacting.
The airport silenced (as much as an airport can) and everyone's attention went to the President. He controlled the room, a room he wasn't even technically in. Men and women were looking up, watching as the words that came out of his mouth resonated throughout luggage claim.
Now to a seven year old shy girl, this was cause for shock and awe. I was myself mesmerized by what this man was doing. I had of course heard of him before, The Gulf War I had just started and we had been taught about where Iraq was in relation to the United States during school.
But I never had any idea of what power a president could wield. And by power, I didn't mean the ability to force yourself on others. To myself at seven I meant the ability to capture an audience and control a room.
And I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, - President.
Now this isn't the first time that a 'Nemer' had wanted to become president. I later found out that my father's paternal grandmother, who came here from Lebanon had one phrase she knew in English, or at least one phrase my father remembered. "Mike will be President." I laugh about this now - the irony I find knowing that. But it makes me laugh and brings me comfort because it gives me some kind of mental connection to a matriarch of my family that I never had the privilege to meet.
Of course, I am not yet thirty-five so my ability to become president hasn't quite yet even been able to come up in actual conversation but that doesn't mean that that childhood dream doesn't still exist somewhere in the depths of my heart and mind.
I attended Sam Houston State University. My dad and I fought over what I was going to major in. We came to an agreement, I will do Business as my major and Political Science as my minor. Because I wasn't going to let anyone tell me I can't be the first woman president.
And then, Spring 2002 I met Dr. Frank, an Economics Professor who was instructing my introduction to macro-economics class and bamm, it was love at first chapter. I fell in love with Economics. It was like it was in my blood. My entire essence thrived when I was studying this field. I took forty hours of Economics classes while attending Sam Houston State University - and thirty seven of those hours I got a grade of an "A". I tutored it on the side for money, I tutored it while employed with the economics department student aid. I was even accepted into PhD program at Oklahoma State University for it.
My passion had changed and my political life was over before it even began. Now that isn't to say I didn't love my Political Science classes because I did. I loved them a lot. 4.0 in my minor. And I'm damn proud of it.
But somewhere that passion I had as a child, that used to drive everything I did had left me. And now, I
am not sure where its gone. At my day job, Senior Inside Sales Rep at a construction rental company I use my economics training on a daily basis. Profit, loss, margin, supply, demand and the list goes on and on. My education isn't wasted but that passion I held for America and the American dream somehow dissipated.
My junior year at Sam Houston State University I took an internship with Congressman Jim Turner at his Huntsville Field Office. I had wanted to go work for his office in D.C. so badly but it just didn't line up. I learned a great deal of the workings of our government, watching Anne, my boss, work to fulfill all requests that were needed. And there were a lot.
As a child I could have sworn it was my life's fated path to join politics, but now, sitting at the edge of my thirty first birthday only a few months away I question - Is that really what I was fated to be?
I can make a difference in this world with out joining the rat race of deceit, corruption and bureaucracy. Or maybe it just isn't my time quite yet.
Who knows .... But as my Ashley Randomness often do I have digressed a great deal - the point of all this was I was sitting here, on a rainy Sunday enjoying a movie about a legend of this great country I live in and it made me realize, I wish I was an archeologist. Someone who is discovering old worlds that are long forgotten. Making new finds that could change the way life as we know it exists.
And then I realized, I'm a writer ... I discover old worlds, new worlds and things long forgotten every time I start typing.
So maybe there is a greater plan out there, a path you don't notice until you've passed by many steps along its journey. But here I am ... a Writer, and as Stacy and my motto at the Art of Safkhet is, Uncovering Myths and Creating Legends.
I just got finished watching NATIONAL TREASURE with Nicholas Cage and it has me in the patriotic and explorer mood. Some of you might know but most of you probably don't know that for many many years I wanted to go into politics.
It all started on a Sunday afternoon in the Kansas City Airport when my mother was picking my brother and I up from the airport. We were just arriving home from visiting my father's house and that is when my life, as a seven year old, changed forever.
I was standing at the carousal in luggage claim with my mom's friend Lowanda. We were looking up at the television screen and there was this beautiful emblem looking back at us. I asked her what it was and she told me it was the national seal, the bald eagle. And that President Bush was getting ready to be shown. (The first President Bush, remember this was 1990) Now I don't know if this was a live address or if this was just a playback of something previously done, I don't remember that detail. But what I do remember was impacting.
The airport silenced (as much as an airport can) and everyone's attention went to the President. He controlled the room, a room he wasn't even technically in. Men and women were looking up, watching as the words that came out of his mouth resonated throughout luggage claim.
Now to a seven year old shy girl, this was cause for shock and awe. I was myself mesmerized by what this man was doing. I had of course heard of him before, The Gulf War I had just started and we had been taught about where Iraq was in relation to the United States during school.
But I never had any idea of what power a president could wield. And by power, I didn't mean the ability to force yourself on others. To myself at seven I meant the ability to capture an audience and control a room.
And I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, - President.
Now this isn't the first time that a 'Nemer' had wanted to become president. I later found out that my father's paternal grandmother, who came here from Lebanon had one phrase she knew in English, or at least one phrase my father remembered. "Mike will be President." I laugh about this now - the irony I find knowing that. But it makes me laugh and brings me comfort because it gives me some kind of mental connection to a matriarch of my family that I never had the privilege to meet.
Of course, I am not yet thirty-five so my ability to become president hasn't quite yet even been able to come up in actual conversation but that doesn't mean that that childhood dream doesn't still exist somewhere in the depths of my heart and mind.
I attended Sam Houston State University. My dad and I fought over what I was going to major in. We came to an agreement, I will do Business as my major and Political Science as my minor. Because I wasn't going to let anyone tell me I can't be the first woman president.
And then, Spring 2002 I met Dr. Frank, an Economics Professor who was instructing my introduction to macro-economics class and bamm, it was love at first chapter. I fell in love with Economics. It was like it was in my blood. My entire essence thrived when I was studying this field. I took forty hours of Economics classes while attending Sam Houston State University - and thirty seven of those hours I got a grade of an "A". I tutored it on the side for money, I tutored it while employed with the economics department student aid. I was even accepted into PhD program at Oklahoma State University for it.
My passion had changed and my political life was over before it even began. Now that isn't to say I didn't love my Political Science classes because I did. I loved them a lot. 4.0 in my minor. And I'm damn proud of it.
But somewhere that passion I had as a child, that used to drive everything I did had left me. And now, I
am not sure where its gone. At my day job, Senior Inside Sales Rep at a construction rental company I use my economics training on a daily basis. Profit, loss, margin, supply, demand and the list goes on and on. My education isn't wasted but that passion I held for America and the American dream somehow dissipated.
My junior year at Sam Houston State University I took an internship with Congressman Jim Turner at his Huntsville Field Office. I had wanted to go work for his office in D.C. so badly but it just didn't line up. I learned a great deal of the workings of our government, watching Anne, my boss, work to fulfill all requests that were needed. And there were a lot.
As a child I could have sworn it was my life's fated path to join politics, but now, sitting at the edge of my thirty first birthday only a few months away I question - Is that really what I was fated to be?
I can make a difference in this world with out joining the rat race of deceit, corruption and bureaucracy. Or maybe it just isn't my time quite yet.
Who knows .... But as my Ashley Randomness often do I have digressed a great deal - the point of all this was I was sitting here, on a rainy Sunday enjoying a movie about a legend of this great country I live in and it made me realize, I wish I was an archeologist. Someone who is discovering old worlds that are long forgotten. Making new finds that could change the way life as we know it exists.
And then I realized, I'm a writer ... I discover old worlds, new worlds and things long forgotten every time I start typing.
So maybe there is a greater plan out there, a path you don't notice until you've passed by many steps along its journey. But here I am ... a Writer, and as Stacy and my motto at the Art of Safkhet is, Uncovering Myths and Creating Legends.
Sunday Review: Forsaken by Jaquelyn Frank
Title Forsaken
Author Jacquelyn Frank
Publication January 7, 2014
Source I received this from Net Galley in exchange for an Honest review
Purchase Links AMAZON
Blurb
New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank continues her scorching and sensual new series set in the world of the Nightwalkers, where alluring entities known as Bodywalkers are the vanguards against the raging forces of darkness.As a mercenary, Leo Alvarez has signed on for a lot—but he never signed on for his best friend becoming host to the soul of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. Jackson is now inhabited by a Bodywalker, and Leo is forced to grapple with a realm of supernatural beings far more dangerous than anything he’s ever encountered.
But when Jackson is wounded by an attack from a demon god, Leo must team up with another supernatural creature—a Night Angel—to save his friend from utter destruction. With skin as black as midnight, hair as white as snow, and a body of pure perfection, the Night Angel arouses a burning desire in Leo, even as he refuses to be intimidated by her power—or the power of those who would destroy his friend. An unusual alliance is forged, electrified by sexual temptation, and together the two must unite their strengths to bring down a supreme evil.
Review
I think what I love most about Jacquelyn Frank's novels is that you can pick any one of them up, it doesn't matter where in the series it is, and completely fall in-love with the world and characters. This was most certainly no exception. Leo was great. I loved this character. His hard outer shell that seemed unbreakable. Then the Night Angel. Who slowly chipped away at the exterior. And let us not forget the genie who made it all possible.Every time I pick up another night walker or day walker book I just get completely sucked into the reading and I wish more authors had worlds so captivating as this one. The mix of characters and character types (Genies angels etc...) make it interesting and never dull.
The only thing I wish was that we didn't have to wait months for the next installment. And if that's the worst thing about a book then I'm completely okay with that.
This was a five star book, hands down, because an action packed, never dull and totally captivating story deserves nothing less.
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