Author George Dismukes has a new novel on the horizon. George has chosen Vella to release this Paradise My Prison.
Book Blurb:
Charley Flynt awakens from a deep sleep and finds himself alone on a tropical beach surrounded by a palm-tree jungle and exotic animals. He cannot even remember who he is or anything about his life. First, he must figure out how to survive, to find food and build shelter and protect himself from hidden dangers. As his memory gradually returns, it reveals what a very flawed person he is, a man who made too many mistakes, made too many enemies. Will he save himself?
You can find the book on Vella and read the first three chapters for FREE! Just click the Amazon icon and take a journey!
Greetings to one and all. Today, author D. L. Finn stops by The Indie Spot to share her latest creation. Take it away, Denise . . .
Thank you, Beem, for having me here today to share my latest release, In the Tree’s Shadow.
In “A Day at the Lake,” Cathy sits on the lake’s edge, enjoying her peaceful moment of having it all to herself. She’s there to release her mother’s ashes and start a new chapter in her life or retirement.
I spent much of my youth with my great-grandparents in Clear Lake, CA. I loved sitting on the lake’s dock at night, fishing with the adults, and taking in the peace and beauty of a star-covered night. My imagination wandered even with all that peace, and the occasional catfish caught. What if a creature existed under those murky lake waters?
Cathy discovers that everything has its season and that what lives in the lake has theirs. In this story, I give both perspectives on the event.
This is also my first short story challenge on Vocal. It was a Horror Fiction Challenge set by a body of water. Couldn’t pass that up, could I?
BLURB:
A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares coexist.
Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.
EXCERPT:
The hazy sunbeams vanished under Lake Vera’s icy surface as a bald eagle dove and captured a rainbow trout. The bird and its victim soared to a padded nest on top of the cedar. Cathy snapped shot after shot on the camera she’d saved all year to buy. The heavy new lens gave her a close-up of the steely determination in the eagle’s eye and the blood seeping from the squirming fish. The eaglets would eat well tonight.
On a red plaid blanket, Cathy sat as still as the alert deer with her fawn drinking from the water’s edge. She slowly turned the camera on the gentle creatures, adding to her growing collection of nature shots. When the deer finally got their fill of the algae-ridden water, they disappeared into the tree’s shadows. She took a break from photography and pulled out the carefully packed roast beef sandwich with mayo, mustard, pickles, and lettuce on a sourdough roll—all the fixings, as her mom used to say before she faded away into dementia.
After finishing her meal, she wiped her mouth with a soft red cloth napkin that smelled of spring. She cleaned up her area to reflect her love of nature. As the sign said, Pack it in, pack it out. It had been the perfect day to go to the lake and have it all to herself. Today was how Cathy had pictured retirement, but until now, she’d spent it as her mother’s sole caretaker, which was the real reason she was here.
“Goodbye, Mom. I hope you find some peace now.”
She bent down at the lake’s edge and released the ashes. This was the place her family had come for summer picnics. Now Cathy was the only one left. She snapped pictures of what remained of her childhood, slowly floating away on the mirror-still lake toward the bald eagle’s nest and the creepy old oak tree.
My best birthday decoration was on a family camping trip. It was a banner made from paper towels wishing me a happy birthday.
I used to ride horses often as a child. I was offered one, but it would have been too far away to walk there daily to care for it.
BIO:
D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
I am honored to share my blog today with someone I admire and consider a dear friend! Welcome Gwen M. Plano.
Thank you, Beem, for inviting me to your site today. It’s a pleasure to visit your readers and share a bit about my new release.
Redemption, A Father’s Fatal Decision is a mystery thriller that takes place in the Southeast corner of New York state, in the towns of New Rochelle and Cortlandt. In the excerpt below, the characters travel to Ossining, midway between those two cities. Having spent about twenty years in and around that area, it was exciting to visit as a writer.
The book tackles themes of forgiveness and redemption through suspense. We accompany the son and daughter of the deceased as they try to uncover the reason for their father’s murder. What they discover prompts them to ask if they even knew him.
Sometimes complicated situations help us see our own challenges in a different light. That is my hope for this book. Most of us won’t experience threats like those of my characters, but pain is universal, as is joy. Seeing either in the extreme helps us recognize our own—and severe or elated, those emotions are impactful.
In this excerpt, Lisa and Trace Holmes, along with their friend Ryan, drive to a storage facility. They have retrieved boxes of documents and cash from a hidden cabin belonging to their father. Lisa talks with the clerk at the facility and is humbled by what he explains.
EXCERPT
Tucked away from the main street, and enclosed by a tall steel security fence, George’s Storage units are barely visible from the road.
“Well, at least this is private,” Trace says. He nods at Lisa. “Come with me to sign the rental papers.”
They walk into the office and find an unshaven attendant seated behind the desk. The guy sets down his cell phone and looks at the siblings. “Monthly or yearly?”
“Monthly,” Trace says.
Lisa scans the room and spots boxes and packing tape. “We’ll have four boxes and this package of tape as well.”
“We have more in the back room, ma’am. I’ll show you.” The man maneuvers his wheelchair to a side door and turns on the light. “There might be something in here that would help you.”
Lisa notices his stumps and his dog tags. “Vietnam?”
“Yes, ma’am. U.S. Marine Corps. My last battle was the Tet Offensive in sixty-eight.”
“My uncle served on a sub. He came back a changed man. Thank you for your service, Marine. You’ve given more than most of us ever will.”
He studies her and sees her sincerity. “I’d do it again if I thought it would help our country. Some things are worth more than our lives.”
“Wise words, sir, and timely. Thank you.”
BLURB
Family secrets can be deadly. When Lisa Holmes visits her parents one fateful Saturday morning, she hugs her father and walks to her childhood bedroom. The doorbell rings. Her father opens the door, and one minute later, he lies dead on the floor—three bullets to the chest.
The Holmes family lives on a quiet street, but no one really knows Eric Holmes. He travels for business and comes home a few days each month. Unbeknown to all, Eric has multiple lives.
In this fast-paced psychological thriller, Lisa and her brother, Trace, embark on a quest to solve the mystery involving the murder of their father. The journey takes them into a secret world where nothing is as it seems. As the puzzle pieces begin to coalesce, they discover the meaning of Redemption.
It is my great pleasure and honor to welcome friend and author Joan Hall to The Indie Spot today!
Without a Trace
Thanks for sharing your blog today, Beem. I’m excited to be here and to talk about my newest release, Menagerie. It’s a mixed-genre compilation of thirteen short stories. Each tour stop features a different story and I tell how it came about. Today’s story is Without a Trace. It’s set in 1987 and falls into the mystery/suspense category.
Several years ago, I envisioned an old, abandoned house. The home’s original owner died in a freak accident, and some speculated his ghost haunted the place. Other than that, I wasn’t sure what I would do with it. The only thing I knew was the name of the street, so the working title was The House on Baker Street. That name came about not because of Sherlock Holmes, but from a popular tune from the late 1970s by Gerry Rafferty.
As I pondered what to do with the idea, I recalled an incident that happened when I was in my late teens. A new neighbor stopped by one day to ask us about a nearby abandoned farmhouse. Mom and I knew of the home—the owner died about ten years earlier, and her family left the house unoccupied and in a state of disrepair.
Our neighbor had stopped there to dig some bulbs that grew near the road. The door was open, and she went inside. Some of the woman’s clothing still hung in closets. I accompanied Mrs. B. another time. An old prescription medicine bottle sat on the kitchen counter. A spoon still rested on the stove. A few food items were still in the cabinet. Needless to say, it was bizarre.
That’s when I decided to write a story where a family disappeared during the night with not much more than their clothes came to mind.
In Without a Trace, a television reporter, Tricia Strickland, moves to a new town and wonders why an old home was left abandoned. When she learns about the family’s mysterious disappearance, she decides to investigate and gets permission from the station manager to do a special report.
After getting permission from the house’s new owner, Trisha and her cameraman film inside the house. But will she learn the truth of what happened to the family? Below is an excerpt.
Excerpt:
Trisha stepped into the foyer then followed the new owner throughout the first floor. Layers of dust coated the furnished interior. Magazines lay on the coffee table. The kitchen still had appliances. Dishes were in the cabinet. An open pantry door revealed rusting cans of food. Trisha didn’t want to think about what they left in the refrigerator.
The second floor was more of the same. Furniture was still in place, and children’s toys were on the floors. A few clothes hung in closets.
It wasn’t hard to determine which room belonged to the daughter. It contained a white canopied bed—a style popular during the late sixties and early seventies. Cracked and fading posters of David Cassidy adorned one wall.
The second bedroom was all boy—bunk beds, model cars on shelves, a baseball glove, and a single sports trophy. Trisha ventured near to read the engraving. It was a first-place little league team award belonging to Rick Keller.
“Hey, Jeff. Get a close-up shot of this. What kind of family would leave behind items that meant something to their children? They must have fled for their lives.”
“I guess you could say that.”
Blurb:
King’s. The Tower of London. Glass. What do these have in common?
Each is a famous menagerie.
While this Menagerie doesn’t focus on exotic animals, it does contain a collection of stories that explore various trials people face and how their reactions shape their worlds.
Survivors of a haunted bridge. Women who wait while their husbands fight a war. Former partners reuniting to solve a cold-case murder.
These are just three of the thirteen stories in this compendium, encompassing past and present, natural and supernatural, legend and reality. The genres and timelines are varied, but there’s a little something for everyone who enjoys reading about simpler times and small-town life.
Greetings to one and all. Today, I am honored to present John W. Howell’s latest release, The Last Drive.
I am so pleased to be with you today, Beem. I want to thank you for helping spread the word about The Last Drive. Your stories have always impressed me with the authentic characters, setting and dialogue. Of course, I don’t reach your level in this stead, but it occurred to me that there were some historical events that could only have been crafted by the devil. I had not thought about creating a sequel to Eternal Road, but the opportunity to visit these historical events with my characters was too compelling to ignore and so The Last Drive was born.
Here is the blurb and then we can get to a short excerpt from the book.
The Blurb
In the sequel to Eternal Road – The final stop, Sam and James are reunited to look for two souls, Ryan and Eddie. Ryan was killed in Afghanistan, trying to avoid a schoolyard with his crippled plane. Eddie Rickenbacker, Ryan’s hero, is to guide Ryan to his Eternal Home, and now both are missing.
The higher-ups believe that there has been some interference in Ryan and Eddie’s journey by Lucifer, so Sam and James have the task of finding Ryan and Eddie to get them back on the road despite the evil interference. Unfortunately, the machinations designed to prevent Ryan and Eddy from completing their journey takes the pair to horrifying testing grounds. The places visited represent the best work of the Devil. They are the trenches of World War I in France, gladiators at the Roman Coliseum, the sinking Titanic in 1912, Hiroshima 45 minutes before the bomb, and the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1943.
This book is for you if you like plenty of action, strong characters, time travel, and a touch of spiritual and historical fiction. So, join Sam and James as they try to find the missing souls while staying one step ahead of the Prince of Darkness, who is determined to destroy all that is good.
An Excerpt.
Sam approaches James, who sits on a chair in a meadow, reading a book next to a glass of iced tea on a small table. Her old friend appears comfortable in his Eternal Home. Butterflies take wing in her stomach. Maybe not bothering James might be the best alternative. As she turns to leave, James glances her way. His eyes widen, and he thrusts out of the chair and makes a semi-sprint over to her. “My God, Sam. It’s you, isn’t it?”
Sam smiles. “Yes, it’s me.”
He turns, throws the book toward the chair, and takes Sam’s hands in his. “How’ve you been?” James radiates warmth.
With a squeeze of James’s hands, Sam gazes into his eyes. “I’ve been great. How about you?”
James releases Sam’s hands. “I can’t believe I haven’t sat around thinking about you.”
“That’s not what you’re supposed to do for eternity.”
“But you would think you’d cross my mind sometime.”
Sam smiles. “That’s the beauty of this place. You only have great thoughts about the things you want to think about.”
The Last Drive is available in paper and Kindle editions on Amazon. Here are the universal links. The Kindle edition is on sale for 99¢ through mid-February.
John is an award-winning author who after an extensive business career began writing full time in 2012. His specialty is thriller fiction novels, but John also writes poetry and short stories. He has written Six other books that are on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.
John lives in Lakeway, Texas with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.
Greetings to one and all. Today we welcome author and poet Harmony Kent to the Indie Spot.
Hi, Beem.
Thanks so much for hosting me today.
It’s always wonderful to visit with you.
Here’s a little bit I’d love to share about my latest book of poetry, Sorrowful Soul. Full of freestyle poems, which provide company and compassion through the devastating journey of grief and loss and onward, this heartfelt collection shows us we do not travel this lonely road alone.
Though I’ve organised this book of poetry into seven sections, which follow established stages of grief, I’d like to note bereavement is non-linear and messy. It’s common to move up and circle around, and progress to the so-called higher steps, only to come crashing down, especially on anniversaries or other meaningful dates. Not even meaningful, as it can be the most insignificant of everyday things that undoes us … a discarded shoe, an odd sock, or a simple visit to the shop.
Here’s an extract from the opening lines to a poem about a various triggers …
From Part 5: Depression, Loneliness, & Reflection
(Extract From Triggers)
a discarded shoe
an odd sock
or a simple visit
to the shop
who ever knew
the total
and utter shock
such simple things
could induce?
such tiny
inconsequential
bits n bobs of life
mere detritus
and mundanity
yet hold the power
to fell the hardiest oak
When my father-in-law passed away, a simple overnight stay in a hotel undid dear hubby. He had become so used to picking up the phone and calling his dad to share his experiences with him, and the realisation he could no longer do that hit him hard. I believe a couple of years had passed by this point, and most of the time, hubby got on well within his new reality. This small change, though, brought it all back.
Have you experienced fresh grief from unexpected reminders? If so, chat with me in the comments. I hope you enjoyed this poetic excerpt and would love to know what you think. Thanks for reading 😊
If we’re lucky, we meet twilight at the front door and old age creeps in on the night breeze.
Even if we make it to our twilight years, the more we age, the more loss we must endure as part of the cycle of life. Many of these poems lament death, but they also relate to broken relationships, severed friendships, and the loss of youth. This book of grief poetry is as much about saying goodbye and working through loss as it is about death and love split asunder.
This heartfelt collection provides company and compassion through the devastating journey of loss and shows us we do not travel this lonely road alone. Within these pages we share shock, numbness and denial, catapult into anger, bargaining, depression, loneliness, and guilt, and—eventually—make the seismic shift into testing the possibility of a new normal and finding acceptance.
Harmony Kent spent 13 years in a Zen Buddhist monastery, where she faced her demons and overcame devastating low self-esteem and found freedom. After a life-changing injury, Harmony returned to the world at the tender age of 40, and her life as a writer began.
Harmony is an award winning multi-genre author, and her publications include:
The Battle for Brisingamen (Fantasy Fiction) AIA approved
The Glade (Mystery/Thriller) AIA Approved/BRAG Medallion Honouree/New Apple Literary Awards Official Selection Honours 2015
Polish Your Prose: Essential Editing Tips for Authors (Writing/Editing) New Apple Literary Awards Top Medallist Honours 2015
As well as being an avid reader and writer, Harmony also offers reviews and supports her fellow authors. Harmony is always on the lookout for talent and excellence, and will freely promote any authors or books who she feels have these attributes.
Pete Risingsun is an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. He is recognized as a Ceremonial Man who is well-versed in his tribe’s ceremonies and traditions of the Creator’s circle of life. His experience includes serving as a spirit helper to medicine men in ceremonial sweat lodges, where traditional procedures are meticulously followed. Sweat lodge keepers earn their right to function in that role. After completing his vow to fast four times at the Sacred Mountain, he earns four paints, each of which has important ceremonial significance.
Pete is a proud fifth generation descendant of Chief Iron Shirt, his great-great-grandfather, who was a lodge keeper and powerful medicine man who lived to be 98 years old. At 95, he still rode his white horse to the Busby, Montana fair. Chief Iron Shirt is shown below on the left.
(L to R) Chief Iron Shirt, Philip Risingsun, Pete Risingsun (author Pete’s grandfather), and Harry Risingsun (Author Pete’s uncle.)(Picture taken c. 1927 by Dr. Thomas B. Marquis, Copyright Risingsun Family, used with permission.)
Pete was born in 1950, the eighth child of ten, and raised on a small ranch east of Busby, Montana, where he became a horseman and hunter at a very young age. When he was twelve, he shot his first deer and also caught a young bald eagle. He and his uncle, David Seminole, raised it in a large cage for three years. They took four tail feathers for Pete’s traditional dancing bustle and then set the eagle free. This uncle taught him traditional dancing as well as how to ride a horse.
After graduating high school in 1968 he attended Montana State University for four years, then was offered a position with Exxon as an employee relations director overseas. He turned it down, instead completing a three-year apprenticeship in plant operations and working in that capacity for one additional year in Billings, Montana. Working in a refinery a hundred miles from home combined with the discomforts of shift-work made him crave the smell of fresh air as well as getting outside astride a good horse.
High School Senior 1968
Years before, his uncle, Ted Risingsun, had told him, “You younger Cheyennes with education need to come home and help your people. Do not forget where you came from.” Thus, when he was offered a job as adult education director for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe back home in Lame Deer, he accepted, grateful to see Billings and the refinery fade away in the rear-view mirror. Upon returning to the reservation, Pete also bred championship American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) horses, guaranteeing he’d have a good ride available whenever he wanted. He also raised black Angus cattle.
His Uncle Ted further encouraged him to follow in his footsteps and become a Tribal Council member. He heeded his advice and served on the Council for six years. In addition, Pete’s leadership includes being the first Northern Cheyenne elected as a Rosebud County Commissioner, a position he held from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2012.
He’s the proud father of one daughter, Echo Raine, who blessed him with two very special grandchildren, Sierra Star and Skyler Seven. He’s teaching his grandson about the Cheyenne way of life, which has so far included a sweat lodge and cloth ceremony. Upon graduating from high school, Skyler plans to attend college to earn a degree in a technological field.
Marcha Fox
Marcha Fox earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Utah State University in 1987, which led to a 20+ year career at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Her interests expand far beyond the world of aerospace and hard science, however. The esoteric realm of metaphysics and all things weird and wonderful hold her interest as well.
Forever fascinated by the heavens, when her attempt to debunk astrology backfired, she pursued knowledge in that field as well. She graduated from the International Academy of Astrology’s professional development program in 2012 and created ValkyrieAstrology.com. Much of the popular website’s informational content can be found in “Whobeda’s Guide to Basic Astrology.”
Her previous fiction work includes her epic Star Trails Tetralogy series which has been highly acclaimed for its family-oriented plot as well as its palatable and accurate science content. More information can be found on StarTrailsSaga.com.
Born in Peekskill, New York, she has lived in California, Utah, and Texas in the course of raising her family. She has six grown children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides writing, she pampers a spoiled 16-year old Bengal and a sassy tuxedo while trying to keep up with her astrology clients, home, yard, garden, friends, family, and of course, writing.
Greetings, readers! Today, it is my honor and privilege to introduce to you Lisa Burton, the robot girl and personal assistant to author C. S. Boyack. Lisa has stopped by to share the latest installment in Boyack’s brilliantly original The Hat series entitled The Midnight Rambler. Welcome to The Indie Spot, Lisa. . .
Oh, my gosh! I’m so excited to get away from the writing cabin for this tour. Thank you for having me over, Beem. I’m here to talk about The Midnight Rambler, Craig’s newest volume in The Hat Series. Don’t let that word, series, scare you away. All of these can be read as solo titles if one appeals more than the others. It’s October and this one has mad science. Just saying.
Anyhoo, there’s this ancient enemy of the hat and he’s come back to even the score. He’s a bad dude, spirit, whatever. He’s taking the tower fortress approach to make the hat to screw up. A desperate Lizzie and the hat might make a fatal mistake.
The Rambler kidnaps one of the local coven members, and he’s the only person who can make magical medicine for Lizzie’s new love interest. Without this medicine, Ray C. Adair is going to die. There’s a lot of pressure on our heroes.
This love interest is something new for the series, and Lizzie has to deal with always having the hat around, trying to save Ray’s life, and some serious bad weather while trying to get her private time in. It’s not easy being a paranormal heroine.
To celebrate mad science in all it’s glory, I posed for Sean Harrington to make this poster for everyone. For some reason he had these awesome mad science shoes laying around. They might have gone missing after the shoot. No idea where they went.
Your fans are welcome to use the poster as wallpaper, share it to Pinterest, or whatever else turns them on. Robot girls can always use a boost.
The Hat Series consists of short novels, which Craig insists on calling noveloids. He’s a weird dude, but you kind of want that in an author. The books are all stand-alone stories, so you don’t have to read every volume before picking up The Midnight Rambler. You can start right here if you like and won’t feel lost at all. Side note: I’m bucking for a Christmas bonus, so if you did pick them all up, it would really help. Maybe some cute Chiristmas boots with little bells.
Something evil is after the hat. The ageless enemies have battled many times, but this time Lizzie is wearing the hat. She’s also up against a ticking clock, in that if she can’t find the maker of her new friend’s medicine he will die.
The Rambler has kidnapped the only witch capable of making Ray’s medicine in an attempt to make the hat sloppy in his efforts. He’s also flooded the streets with deadly minions to impede any progress our heroes might make.
As if that weren’t enough, Lizzie is facing more of life’s struggles, both financially and mechanically. This all goes down in the middle of a huge flood event that she’s ill equipped to handle.
Join Lizzie and the hat as they battle the elements, the paranormal, and a being of pure evil. Lizzie might be battling some personal demons along the way as she and Ray grow closer.
I am excited to help announce the latest release from my friend and fellow author D. L. Finn here on The Indie Spot!
Thank you, Beem, for having me on your blog today to celebrate the release of A Voice in the Silence.
I live far enough away from neighbors that they may not see if I need help, but will hear cries or screams. During a big snowstorm with a power and phone outage, it is guaranteed no one will hear or know help is needed over the loud symphony of generators. Our only option would be to walk down our long driveway, cross the icy road, and trek across our neighbor’s property. Although, it’s doubtful they’d have better luck getting any help.
Luckily, since we’ve lived in the woods, there has never been that scream for help, only cries from wild animals. Perhaps I write the bad away.
Fun Finn Facts
I love to take nature photos and write poetry about what I see and feel.
Nothing pulls me into a story more than a personal journey—whether it’s horror, science fiction, mystery, drama, fantasy, or romance.
Blurb
Drea Burr has experienced more than her share of loss when a stray dog, cat, and rat enter her life. Although the animals start to mend her broken heart, there is something very unusual about them. During a snowstorm, Drea discovers a chilling set of footprints leading to her front window. Both the police and a ghostly messenger warn her about a killer stalking widows. Help comes from her late husband’s best friend, Adam Hale. As the two try to discover answers, more questions arise— about a killer, ghosts, and animals experimented on in a lab.
Can Drea and Adam survive the threats coming from so many directions and save themselves and the animals they’ve grown to love? Or will more tragedy destroy her second chance at happiness? Find out in this thrilling, cozy paranormal adventure.
Excerpt
The fading day’s dull orange glow filled the void in Drea’s attention usually occupied by the TV and computer. The landscape held no movement, not even the expected high winds that had caused her power to be shut off to prevent forest fires. A surge shot through her body in the same uncomfortable fashion that the flu had done last week. But it wasn’t a virus relapse—it was a warning that someone, or something, was watching her.
Perhaps it was a wild animal. A deer, or even . . . “Rob, is that you?” She held her breath, waiting for a sign. Finally, she blew out the empty hope when she couldn’t keep it in anymore. Two years of this had worn her down.
The cold gun on her lap offered no protection against the dark thoughts that took her to a place that was getting harder to climb out of. She pulled her sweater tightly around her and scrutinized the tree-lined driveway that led to the curvy country road. She shifted her weight in the yellow-and-white lounge chair and studied the weapon in her hand.
“You understand, don’t you?”
The .45 pistol her husband had bought her for protection ten years ago had become her confidant when she tired of talking to ghosts. Today, though, it carried the heavy weight of her existence.
“It’s too much. Just too much loss. I’m so alone, and to top it off, Robbie’s so far away.” Her throat tightened. She sipped some water and took a deep breath. “I must disappoint you, even thinking about using this gun on myself, Rob. It would devastate Robbie if I—”
Drea’s shoulders slumped, and her head followed when her glance caught a prominent headline in the morning paper she had retrieved from the end of the driveway. An unidentified woman’s body had been found, and a killer was on the loose. She used the gun to cover the fearful headline, even though her chances of being murdered by a serial killer were slim to none.
She shook her head. What she needed to focus on was her relationship with her son. They used to be so close, before he met that woman. Now he barely called his mother to check on her after his father died or when her beloved pets passed. This morning had brought an unwelcome text from him.
Tammy isn’t feeling well. It wouldn’t be a good time to visit right now. Sorry, Mom. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.
“I hope he wakes up someday, Rob. That woman is toxic. Of course, you saw through her the first time you met her. I should have listened to you. Do you hear that, Rob? It’s me admitting I’m wrong, which we both know hardly ever happens.”
L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include adult fiction, poetry, a unique autobiography, and children’s books. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
I am truly honored to host my dear friend Harmony Kent today on The Indie Spot. I am excited to help her with the launch of a new collection of poetry. Take it away, Harms!
Hi, Beem. Thanks so much for hosting me today. It’s always wonderful to visit with you. Here’s a little bit I’d love to share about my latest book of poetry …
From Lonely Soul:
Hello?
Sitting at a crowded table
Good food, good friends, good wine
And still a silent tear escapes
The corner of my eye
Surreptitious wipe
Hoping nobody sees
Their sympathy will only
Bring me to my knees
And who could truly understand
This empty chair in which I sit
Or the ache masked by my laughter
Is there anyone there?
When I wrote this poem, I had recently moved down to Cornwall after leaving the Zen Buddhist Monastery, where I’d spent about 13 years in a thriving community. The juxtaposition from being surround by people, even if we spent much time in contemplative silence, to the utter emptiness of a house with only me in it, was massive. While I soon made friends, every night—and most days—saw me alone with my own company. Disabled and aged forty, I held little hope of meeting a soul with whom I could spend my life. Also, because I had suddenly entered such a different life than that of the monastery, I felt the odd one out. How many of us have felt alone in a crowd at some point in our existence?
Hello is all about that search for belonging. I hope you enjoyed this poem and would love to know what you think.
The Book!
Life & Soul is the second book in the Soul Poetry Series by acclaimed author Harmony Kent.
This beautiful collection of over fifty poems will take the reader through the highs and lows of everyday life via contemporary poetry in a range of styles and themes. Within these pages, you will find reflections on the Lonely Soul, the Seeking Soul,Brief Soul,Friendly Soul, and the Loving Soul—states of mind and living and longing we each experience over the course of a life.
Life & Soul offers something for lovers of poetry from all walks of life.
Praise for Slices of Soul, Book 1 in the Soul Poetry Series:
“I found my answer in this wonderful treasure-trove and have already read it three times.” Robert Fear
“I found in Slices of Soul something approaching aesthetic bliss, a sense of being connected in some way to other states – like tenderness, kindness, ecstasy – where art is the norm.” Colm Herron
“A stunning collection of poems that I read in one sitting! Unable to simply put this down until I had read the last. I love the clarity of the short poems, such clear images created in so few words or phrases. Many of them touched my heart and I will be giving them a 2nd and 3rd read!” Audrina Lane
Harmony Kent spent 13 years in a Zen Buddhist monastery, where she faced her demons and overcame devastating low self-esteem and found freedom. After a life-changing injury, Harmony returned to the world at the tender age of 40, and her life as a writer began.
Harmony is an award winning multi-genre author, and her publications include:
The Battle for Brisingamen (Fantasy Fiction) AIA approved
The Glade (Mystery/Thriller) AIA Approved/BRAG Medallion Honouree/New Apple Literary Awards Official Selection Honours 2015
Polish Your Prose: Essential Editing Tips for Authors (Writing/Editing) New Apple Literary Awards Top Medallist Honours 2015
As well as being an avid reader and writer, Harmony also offers reviews and supports her fellow authors. Harmony is always on the lookout for talent and excellence, and will freely promote any authors or books who she feels have these attributes.
(L to R) Chief Iron Shirt, Philip Risingsun, Pete Risingsun (author Pete’s grandfather), and Harry Risingsun (Author Pete’s uncle.) (Picture taken c. 1927 by Dr. Thomas B. Marquis, Copyright Risingsun Family, used with permission.)
The Indie Spot! 