Showing posts with label Blog hop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog hop. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

WEP - BURNING BRIDGES



BURNING BRIDGES



          “Quit daydreaming!” A large crack sounded as pain registered across Heather’s back.

       “Sorry, Master.” Heather bowed despite the pain and hurriedly lifted another crate of canned goods onto the wagon. And then another and another until all the vegetables were loaded for market. Taking a deep breath, she added the final two crates of fresh goods. Fear and an intense need to please the master had her finishing in no time.

       “Loaded and secured, Master.” She knelt at his feet.

       “About time.” He jumped into the seat and grabbed the reins. “I’ve left a list of chores to keep your idle hands busy. The most important is the wedding dress. Finish it. Mr. Humphries paid a handsome price for your lazy hide, so make sure you’re ready.”

       “I will, Master.”

       “You will or you’ll marry naked. Make sure your room is cleared and ready for your replacement. She’ll return with me.”

       “Thank you, Master.” She bowed and kissed the dirty hem of his robe. “Please have a safe trip.”

       He snapped his whip. Heather flinched at the sound but watched his departure until he was out of sight and the dust cloud created by thundering hooves dissipated.

       Joy radiated from her toes to her fingertips as the Master’s distance grew. Bliss filled her soul. Her body swayed, and a song rose from her throat. Heather sang and danced until breathless, then sank to the ground and lay among the forget-me-nots.

“Have you decided?” a tiny voice asked. It came from a small body. Transparent wings vibrated faster than a hummingbird. The nymph flitted from flower to flower before settling on Heather’s knee as she sat up.

       “I’m not sure,” she told him.

       “What’? Are you daft? Either you cross the bridge to freedom or marry old man Humphrey and slop his swine until he decides to kill you.

       “Ethan, don’t be so dramatic.”

       “My best friend Bertrand saw it. He tried to intervene and lost both his legs because of it. I wouldn't lie to you.”

       “Nymphs are bewitchers – little devils.” She gazed at him through her eyelashes, embarrassment reddening her cheeks.

       “Master told you that?” The small nymph stood on her knee his hands on his hips, his wings still and glistening in the sunshine.

Heather nodded. She found the creatures’ bright blue eyes mesmerizing despite his ugliness and spindly limbs. He looked like a twisted twig, only his eyes and perfect white teeth were human in nature.

“Have I not healed the many wounds he’s inflicted or aided you when the chores became too much? Why do you question me?” He sat down in the lotus position on her knee cap. His arms crossed and his eyes wide and questioning.

She giggled. “You’re always so serious. The horrors you describe just can’t exist. The world is too beautiful.” She threw her arms open to the heavens.

“You would be concerned too if Master didn’t have you enthralled with black magic. Do you remember how you got here?”

“I’ve tried, but no. My only memories are of Master’s love for me.”

“Love? You call daily beatings love?”

“He says I’m a silly girl given to a restless mind. He’s right. I have daydreams. He took me in when I was homeless, and he’s given me everything.”

“The Master lies!” Ethan flew up from her knee in a huff and sprinkled her in sparkling dust. “REMEMBER!” He flew off in a blur.

Glittering remnants of the dust settled onto her exposed skin and then disappeared. Memories began flooding her mind. Recollections of another life, another place and time. A family. The mother she resembled, her adoring father, the sister who looked up to her. Even the wedding she’d planned to a handsome young man named Cody. But most surprising was her name – Logan Marshall, not Heather.

Her scream brought Ethan back. “Now do you see?”

“Where am I?” She looked at the world differently.

That doesn't matter, but if you follow me, I’ll show you how to get back to your life.”

“Show me.”

Ethan flew toward the forest, and Logan followed. The plowed fields were densely packed but easy to traverse. She stopped right before entering the dark forest.

“Why do you hesitate?”

“I’ve heard screams. Master says wild man-eating beasts live here.”

“Peacocks. This is my home. There’s nothing to fear!”

Logan looked back at the log cabin, the farm that had been her home, but memories of a family tugged at her. Hesitation vanished. She joined Ethan who waited just inside the foliage. He led the way to a clearing. The gorge opening yawned wide before them. The end of the road.

“Where’s the bridge?”

Ethan whistled and threw out more glittering dust. A bridge of fire appeared. “See, salvation.”

“Fire? No way!” She backed away.

“Blue flame is magic, cool.” Ethen flew through it. “See, move closer, you’ll feel no heat. You’re pure of heart. An innocent. Strip first, you have to leave everything from this world behind to make the journey.”

Logan stepped forward, and a mixture of blue, green and purple flames formed a solid looking bridge with massive girders. Instead of crackling the fire sounded like the flutter of hundreds of nymph’s wings. Ethan was right, she felt no heat.

She kicked off her shoes, removed her smock and underclothes, but hesitated.

“Go on, your family is waiting.”

She smiled and took the first step forward. “Thank you.”

“No problem, saving virgins is my calling.”

Logan’s eyes grew wide. “But I’m not . . .

Ethan laughed.

Logan screamed as the flames consumed her.

“I know. But each sacrifice brings me closer and closer to becoming a full demon and owning a kingdom of slave maidens of my own.” His skin turned red and horns popped out on his bald head.

970 words
© Yolanda Renée 2017

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE OTHER ENTRIES!







Monday, January 4, 2016

LOST & FOUND - JEWEL

I hope you've all had a wonderful holiday and are excited to start the New Year! To begin my blogging year I wrote a new piece of flash fiction. Enjoy!



JEWEL
I love her. She loved him. Now she's grieving and blames me. I've waited a lifetime for her, but she'll never forgive me.

Why?

I loaned her husband my plane.

He was a pilot; he shouldn't have taken off in that weather.

Agreed, but I've seen the accusation in her eyes.

How long have you known her?

Since time began.

A romantic, are we?

I'm so glad you're amused.

Sorry, I've never seen you so serious. So what's the story?

I met her ten years ago.

Ah, the girl who got away.

I knew her brother, but the first time I saw her was across a crowded room.

Cliché.

Quit laughing, it's true. Perfection in a maroon blouse. It draped across perfectly shaped breasts like liquid silk. Luscious. Hair the color of the sun through honey, thick and long, softly curled and down to her waist. Her eyes were the color of a spring forest that brightened when she smiled. Her smile warmed me, taunted me, tempted me, and thrilled me.

Our eyes met, and all evidence of a twelve-hour workday was gone, she was my life force, and I hadn't even met her yet. Her brother had told me a little about her, but he'd also warned me - hands off.

Did you keep your hands off?

Yes, I honored my promise to him. God, what a struggle. I was drawn to her. I attended every social function she did. I visited her brother more often. Jewel was my reason for getting up each day. I loved her, needed her, and wanted her like I've never wanted another. To be honest, my sex life was and is thrilling. Each woman I bed, I do so with her in mind. She's my aphrodisiac, my fantasy, my muse. It isn't enough. I want more. I want it all! I always have.

But she met Paul.

Does she know how you feel?

No, I've always just been a friend. Someone she could count on. The jokester with a heart of gold.

Are you giving up?


Never!
344 / words
Yolanda Renee © 2016

*****

Speaking of love 
today I'm helping Arlee Bird and Guilie Castillo-Oriard introduce a bloghop just 
in time for Valentine's Day!
Called
Lost & Found: Valentine's Edition


Love can be a many splendored thing, a reason for murder if unrequited or for some, a lifelong desire. Love can be all you want, always on your mind, or crazy – as some love songs claim, but in February, a new blog hop is happening.

Lost & Found: Valentine Edition

February 1, 2016

As Arlee askes, do you remember that special feeling of love found? And who hasn't experienced the emotional experience of love lost? Some of you might have even lost a love only to find that person later for another go around.

         Tell your story about love lost or found in our special Valentine's blogfest. Your post can be a short fiction, an essay, poetry, or even a song--let your imagination run free. Any genre is fair game, be it romance, historical fiction, memoir, or even science fiction. After all there are no limitations when it comes to love.

Lost & Found: Valentine Edition is brought to you by Arlee Bird and Guilie Castillo-Oriard, and strong armed into joining them are Elizabeth Seckman,  Yolanda Renée,  Denise Covey. and  Alex J Cavanaugh.

So, don't be left out on 

FEBRUARY 1, 2016

Sign up to participate by adding your 
link to the list below.





*****
Also in February 
the WEP is back
Our first challenge is all about the 
VALENTINE!

More information to follow soon!



Saturday, May 30, 2015

HEAVEN ON EARTH

"My Favorite Summer Vacation Spot" Blog Hop
is sponsored by
Summer Reads that Thrill & Chill!
For the Linky List and Book Giveaways visit the 6 Co-Hosts:
I wanted to post pictures of various vacation spots, and some of the exciting places we visited during our many vacations, but alas, my computer ate them. No matter, because the ending of that montage would have been the same, a picture of my grandmothers farm. Heaven on earth and filled with memories – the most ideal place on earth to escape the rat race. The poem is recycled from a previous blog, but says it all.
 
When I was seven
I found heaven
my grandmother's house
I was the city mouse.

With a large bed just for me
not one bed, shared by three
awake each morning
to a bird song melody.

Peace and quiet
and a pancake diet
amid the flowers and the trees
I explored alongside the bees.

A crowing rooster, cows, and chickens
I helped out in the barn and the kitchen
a sewing lesson with needle and thread
soon exhausted, I curled up in my large bed.

Snakes and storms, roses and thorns
homemade ice cream and fresh corn
my escape from a family of seven
Grandma's earthly home was  heaven.

Yolanda Renee © 2013

How about you - do you have a heaven on earth?

To find more on favorite vacation spots go
HERE!
 
 

Friday, December 20, 2013

'TIS MORE WITH ROYAL SECRETS!



The Royal Series -Book 3
by
Francine Howarth

My Review:
        Until I saw the series The White Queen, I had no idea of the treachery in the royal courts, but Francine Howarth brings that same intrigue to her story of 17th century England and the royal court of Charles II, in her historical romance Royal Secrets.
        A young aristocratic girl, Justine Thornton sets her eye on Richard Viscount Axebury, but Richard has a reputation for being a cad. Justine is naïve, infatuated, and determined to win his heart. Francis Axebury the more sensible brother is in love with Justine and the man her father favors for a match, but Justine is as wild as her horse Lancelot, and will not be reined in. Justine is willful - a true handful for her parents, but her father is determined to see her find true love. It is the relationship between father and daughter that was the true gem of this novel, at least for this reader.
        There is plenty of intrigue in this lovely historical romance and it's also the reason you'll want to read the next book in the series! I thoroughly enjoyed intrigue of the ladies in waiting, the power held by the King's mistresses, and all the Royal Secrets of this well-written novel.
              Although part of a series, Royal Secrets is a complete and stand-alone story, and I can't wait to read the other books in Francine Howarth's Royal Series, as the fight for power goes on!
Yolanda Renee © 2013
***** ***** *****

It's 1669, and Justine Thornton's heart is lost to that of Richard Viscount Axebury. Although wise and malicious counsel from family and friends warn of his reputation as a courtly rake, a chance encounter with James Scott Duke of Monmouth causes her heart to waver and suddenly her life seems infinitely charmed. But family indiscretion at the court of Charles II turns Justine's life from one of carefree bliss to that of surviving rogue intrigues and political ambitions.

As old and new feuds take precedence at court Justine becomes party to information that cannot be allowed to reach the King's ears, for not only does she pose a threat to one of the King's mistresses, the King’s brother too will be called to account for his actions. Upon Justine’s sudden abduction the heroic camaraderie of Viscount Axebury and the Duke of Monmouth pose an even greater threat to her kidnapper, and her father the Earl of Loxton is soon face to face with an old adversary. But who will prove to be Justine’s champion, the viscount or the duke, and can the king’s mistress be toppled from her elevated position?


Francine writes contemporary romantic suspense, historical murder mysteries and sensual historical romances. She has an eclectic reading taste, but history has always been her greatest love in terms of educational subject matter (since she was old enough to read), and historical novels became her life-blood in terms of entertainment value. A portrait, a landscape, wind whispering through trees, droplet of rain or snowflake on eyelashes can stir Francine's imagination and result in either a modern contemporary romance or that of a steamy historical.



Find Francine on Facebook 
Visit her blog
Buy her book at Amazon.com
 or 
Amazon.com/uk





 ***** ***** *****




A Blog Hop of Giveaways hosted by Milo James Fowler!

Remember just tell us in a comment your favorite romance, whether a book, movie or you own personal experience and you could win an eBook copy of Murder, Madness & Love and Memories of Murder the first two books in the Detective Quaid mystery series
&
Francine's book Royal Secrets!

*****

Congratulations Jo Wake!
The winner from last week's Ghosts of Aquinnah post! 


*****

Have you signed up for the What Works Marketing Symposium?
It's scheduled for January 20, 2014
And it's for everyone - a sharing of marketing success and also those things that didn't work and why...
Please join us!