Friday, May 27, 2016
Hop for Visibility, Awareness, and Equality winner
And my winner is:
Mari
Email has been sent out. :) Thanks to everyone who took part in the hop.
~M
Pib’s Dragon by Beany Sparks – Early Download at Rainbow Ninja Press – 27th May
Title: Pib’s Dragon
Author: Beany Sparks
Part of a series? If yes, can it be read as a standalone? Yes and yes
Series Title: Twisted Fairy Tales
Number in Series: #1
Publisher: Rainbow Ninja Press
Release
Date:
Early Download at Rainbow Ninja Press – 27th May
Third Party Pre Order – 3rd June
General Release – 10th June
Early Download at Rainbow Ninja Press – 27th May
Third Party Pre Order – 3rd June
General Release – 10th June
Word Count: 21,699
Links:
Categories: M/M Romance, Gay Fiction, Paranormal, Humor
Rafflecopter:
Blurb:
After nine years, Pib is finally free from his contract with the newly wed prince. Slipping out in the middle of the night to avoid getting stuck in another contract, Pib shifts into his cat and makes his way home to the little village he foolishly left, hoping his best friend Wil still lives there.
Dray is bored. His services as a princess-guarding dragon are no longer needed and even his gold and jewels are unable to cheer him up. His mood changes quickly when he catches someone in his treasure cave, and it starts a series of events that change his life forever.
When the two finally meet, sparks fly, but Dray will have to move quickly if he’s to save his cat after Pib gets kidnapped.
Prologue
Pib snuck into the
darkened room, tiptoeing quietly so as not to wake the newly crowned prince
Geraint and his princess. Looking around, he both thanked and cursed his
shifter senses. While he was grateful he could see inside the room, the smell
of sex throughout the air was something he could have done without.
Reaching the desk on
the far side of the room, he paused and glanced at the couple. Once he was
satisfied they were still asleep, he eased open the cover and found what he was
after—his freedom. After nine long years as the bastard’s slave, the letter
freeing him from servitude almost brought tears to his eyes. Carefully folding
it and placing it in his inside pocket, Pib gently shut the desk and tiptoed
back toward the bedroom door, leaving the room as silently as he’d entered.
He knew there was only
a limited window of opportunity for him to make his escape. Even though the
pompous bastard had made a production of signing the form and granting him his
freedom, Pib knew it was all for show. If he didn’t escape now, Geraint would
get him alone and force him to sign another contract and then make some sort of
bogus announcement about how Pib wanted to stay.
Pib snorted, unable to
help himself. Luckily there was no one else around the castle at this time of
the night, though even if there was, Pib didn’t care. He was leaving, and no
one was going to stop him. Anyone who tried would have a close encounter with
his knife, or his claws, he wasn’t picky.
“Hey, Pib, where are
you off to in the middle of the night?” asked the guard at the front door of
the castle. Pib never bothered learning their names or getting friendly with
them, especially since Geraint could force him to kill any of them at a
moment’s notice. He’d learned that it didn’t pay for him to form any
attachments with those surrounding Geraint.
“Getting an early
start on my retirement,” Pib replied, smirking at the man while he continued to
stroll toward the exit.
“Sorry, Pib, but I
have to check. Do you have a signed letter from Prince Geraint?” The guard
shifted from foot to foot, showing his unease.
Pib stopped in front
of him and forced a smile. “Of course,” he said, carefully extracting the
letter and handing it over to the guard.
He waited, watching
the guard closely as he read the letter. One wrong move and Pib was going to gut
him. Nothing could happen to that letter.
“Looks good,” the
guard said, handing the letter back to Pib. “It’ll sure be different without
you around, but all the best. And, uh, don’t take this the wrong way, but I
hope I don’t see you again.”
Returning the letter
to his pocket, Pib looked up and smiled a real smile at the man. He wanted to
laugh when the guard’s face paled as he caught sight of Pib’s canines, but
restrained himself. “Don’t worry, I hope never to see you again either.”
With that, Pib walked
out of the castle and made his way through the sleeping village. Pulling his
hood up, he used the dark material to blend into the surroundings. He wasn’t
taking any chances that Geraint wouldn’t wake up any moment and send guards
running after him. After all, Pib was practically friends with all of the
skeletons in Geraint’s closet.
Pib reached the edge
of the village and paused. After nine long years, he was finally free of
Geraint, his orders, and most importantly, his shackle. The magical cuff that
had decorated his right ankle for nine years had been removed after Geraint had
signed his release. The cuff was the only thing ensuring Pib’s obedience, and
finally, it was gone.
Taking a deep breath,
Pib stepped over the invisible boundary line and felt the remaining
enchantments shatter and disappear, leaving him standing as his true self for
the first time in years. Reaching inside, he called out his inner cat to come
out and play, and in seconds, his clothes disappeared and he was standing on
all fours in his serval form. Stretching, he threw one last glance back at the
castle and the village before slinking away into the trees, using the natural
camouflage to shield him as he made his way toward the start of his new life.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Finicky Friday - Maple Salmon - Early lol!
Hey everyone, I have a post for Friday, so I did FF early. :) And this one is a healthy recipe.
So, anyway lol... I thought it would be cool to post some recipes I had found online. I’m going to *try* to do some of these beforehand, but I’m sure there’ll be times I won't. I'm going to call this Finicky Friday. :)
So, anyway lol... I thought it would be cool to post some recipes I had found online. I’m going to *try* to do some of these beforehand, but I’m sure there’ll be times I won't. I'm going to call this Finicky Friday. :)
Maple
Salmon
Recipe by: STARFLOWER
Ingredients
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound salmon
Directions
Prep-10 m
Cook-20 m
Ready In-1 hour
- In
a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, garlic salt, and
pepper.
- Place
salmon in a shallow glass baking dish, and coat with the maple syrup
mixture.
- Cover
the dish, and marinate salmon in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning
once.
- Preheat
oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, and bake salmon uncovered 20 minutes, or until easily flaked with a fork.
Footnotes:
Note:
The nutrition data for this recipe includes
information for the full amount of the marinade ingredients. Depending on
marinating time, ingredients, cooking method, etc., the actual amount of the
marinade consumed will vary.
You never marinate fish for more than 30 minutes.
Tip:
Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook
it evenly, and make clean-up easier.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
It's a blog makeover!!! *gasp*
Bear with me as I try to decide what I want to do with my blog lol.
Recently I ran across a thread where readers commented they prefer a white background with black writing. The way I had my blog set up was right the opposite… I had a black background with white writing. So many people said it gave them a headache (lol I actually prefer it that way) so I decided to change it around.
While the blog *is* mine, the main point of it is for communicating with you guys, so I want to make it as a visually appealing healing as possible. So if you guys prefer the white background, would ya let me know?
Thank! :)
~M
Friday, May 20, 2016
Top 100 Most Popular Authors in Science Fiction
HOLY SHIT. I made the Top 100 Most Popular Authors in Science Fiction - Amazon Author Rank. This is not just LGBT Science Fiction... its science fiction as a genre. OMG
#100 in Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction
http://www.amazon.com/M.A.-…/e/B007A8JA4C/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
It updates hourly, so I probably won't be there long LOL, but for short time I am!
The simple truth is, I wouldn't be on that list or any other without you guys. Y'all buy my books, talk them up, and leave reviews. None of this would be possible without y'all and for that I'm eternally grateful. I'm a writer who cannot come up with the words to properly explain this, LOL, except to say thank you. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.
~M
Finicky Friday - Cookie Dough Candy Bars
Hey everyone, I thought it would be cool to post some recipes I
had found online. I’m going to *try* to do some of these beforehand, but I’m
sure there’ll be times I won't. I'm going to call this Finicky Friday. :)
Cookie Dough Candy Bars
Prep Time 20 MIN
Total Time 3 HR 55 MIN
Servings 16
Ingredients
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5
oz) Betty Crocker™ chocolate chip cookie mix
1/3 cup butter,
softened
1 egg
1/2 cup canned
sweetened condensed milk
1 cup finely
chopped Snickers™ candy bars (about 8 fun-size)
1/2 cup plus 2
tablespoons M&M's™ chocolate candies
Directions
- 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
- 2 In
large bowl, mix cookie mix, softened butter and egg until soft dough
forms. Press two-thirds of the dough in bottom of pan; bake 15 minutes.
Remove from oven.
- 3 Drizzle
condensed milk over cookie base. Sprinkle with Snickers™ pieces and 1/2
cup of the M&M’s™ chocolate candies. Crumble chunks of remaining
cookie dough over candy. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons M&M’s™
chocolate candies over top of crumbled dough.
- 4 Bake
23 to 28 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool completely, at least 3
hours. For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.
Expert Tips
Fall, Spring, Christmas or Fourth of July -- take advantage of the array of seasonally colored M&M’s™ chocolate candies. This gooey bar will be a show stealer every day, whatever the occasion.
The secret for cutting bars easily is to line the pan with heavy-duty or nonstick foil. When it is time to cut the bars, just lift the baked bar with the foil out of the pan, and cut. This also makes cleanup extra easy.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Hop for Visibility, Awareness, and Equality
Hi! Welcome to the Hop for Visibility Awareness and Equality. You might know us as the Hop Against Homophobia, Bi and Transphobia.
Once again I'm proud to be taking part in this very, very special hop to help supports the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia on May 17th. If you've been part of the hop before then you know there are several people and publishers connected to this. I've been part of it since the very beginning. :)
And considering I live in Mississippi the timing is perfect. A week after Georgia governor Nathan Deal vetoed similar legislation, Mississippi governor Phil Bryant signed into law a “religious freedom” bill that would allow businesses to refuse to serve gay couples or transgender people on the grounds that doing so may violate the owners’ religious backgrounds.
Following Indiana’s passage of its Religious Freedom Restoration Act last year (not to be confused with the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993) and North Carolina’s slightly different anti-discrimination law in March, Mississippi is joining a list of states that will be risking financial sanction from business for their attitudes toward gay and transgender individuals.
*sigh* Way to go Mississippi. Wait to try and time travel back to the 60s. I swear, sometimes it's embarrassing living in the South.
Any way, let's get to the contest, lol! Drop me a comment below and make sure to add your e-mail addy! What does the winner get? An e-book copy of Trouble Comes in Threes.
At ARe - Sale on The Harvest : Taken and The Harvest: Journey's End
That's *only* at ARe. And it's *only* for twenty-four hours. After that they go back to their regular price.
Buy Link:
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theharvesttaken-1638245-145.html
Buy Link:
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theharvestjourney039send-1717002-145.html
Monday, May 16, 2016
Celebrating nine years - Dreamspinner Press!
DsP is celebrating its ninth year! They're having a sale on all authors who first published with them in year six and seven this week. (I'm year 6th lol.) So that means all of my DSP books are on sale for 30% off!
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/AuthorArcade/ma-church
Sunday, May 15, 2016
The Harvest Young: Bound by Fate release!
Blurb:
Half human and half Tah’Narian, Szin doesn’t fit
with either race. His appearance is mainly human, but he’s able to have a
young. Unfortunately, that’s his only Tah’Narian characteristic. He’s smaller
and weaker than other young.
Szin’s eighteenth birthday has passed and time’s running out. He has to stop his childhood friend, Takeo, from making the worst mistake of his life: claiming Szin as a mate. Takeo deserves an equal who’s as fierce as he is, something Szin most certainly is not.
Since before Takeo was born, he’s known Szin was his. Nothing and no one, not even Szin, is going to stand in the way of claiming his mate. He understands Szin feels he isn’t good enough, and he’ll do anything to convince Szin otherwise. Including taking drastic measures to ensure his mate listens.
Takeo is the ultimate blend of human, Tah’Narian, and Onfrevian DNA. He’s pure predator, and his sights are set on his mate.
Szin’s eighteenth birthday has passed and time’s running out. He has to stop his childhood friend, Takeo, from making the worst mistake of his life: claiming Szin as a mate. Takeo deserves an equal who’s as fierce as he is, something Szin most certainly is not.
Since before Takeo was born, he’s known Szin was his. Nothing and no one, not even Szin, is going to stand in the way of claiming his mate. He understands Szin feels he isn’t good enough, and he’ll do anything to convince Szin otherwise. Including taking drastic measures to ensure his mate listens.
Takeo is the ultimate blend of human, Tah’Narian, and Onfrevian DNA. He’s pure predator, and his sights are set on his mate.
~ARe: #1 on bestseller list
~Amazon: #2 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Szin stared out the passenger window of his twin’s flyer. Raiden’s fingers tapped on the console to some wild techno music he had playing. It wasn’t really something Szin cared for, so he fished his headphones out of the armrest. Holding the little disk to one ear, he tapped the On button, and it immediately adhered. He did the same with the other disk, and the feral music Raiden was listening to was silenced.
Dad had introduced him to what he called classic rock from his days on Earth, and Szin had taken a liking to it. Already programmed, music started playing immediately. His thoughts fluttered just like the butterflies in his stomach. Turning eighteen wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, contrary to popular belief.
Their birthday had already passed, and they were on their way to the capital city of Tah’Nar. A large celebration had already been held for them by their Tah’Narian dabba, Keyno, and their dad, Dale, who had taught both young early on to call him that from his first language.
A more private party was planned for later. As a gift to themselves, they’d booked a hotel for an overnight stay and planned to hit the nightclubs and party hard. Did their parents know what they had planned? Most likely. Dad didn’t have a problem with their plan, but their dabba had reservations. Dabba finally gave in to Dad—he usually did. It was a private joke between Szin and Raiden.
Szin, in particular, had plans for tonight. He was a male on a mission. One way or the other, he planned to break the bond between him and Takeo before Takeo made the worst mistake of his life: claiming Szin as a mate. Szin knew he was running out of time. Over the past month, Takeo had been very aggressive in his courtship now that he’d celebrated his eighteenth birthday.
As soon as they entered Tah’Nar airspace, they were immediately hailed. Raiden identified himself and Szin, and once verified, they were allowed on planet. As the flyer descended, Szin watched the darkness of space fade into first clouds, then lights from the surface.
Raiden maneuvered his way into the air traffic going into the capital city. The bright lights of the city beckoned, but Szin closed his eyes, listening to the music. His thoughts wandered back to the first time his parents brought him and Raiden to the capital city. He might have only been ten at the time, but that trip certainly left a lasting impression. It was also one of the first times he truly understood how different he was. Even now he could hear Dad’s voice as clear as a bell.
“Why do we have to do this?” Szin demanded once again as Dad ushered him toward the flyer.
“You and your brother turned ten today,” Dad said for the fifth time in as many minutes. “It’s when young are tattooed with the royal symbols, sweetie. That’s why we’re going to Tah’Nar. They’ll match what your dabba and I have on our necks. It's an honor to be tattooed. Our traditions only allow the best warriors and royalty this privilege. After that, we’ll visit with Hamza. He’s excited about seeing you both.”
Szin dragged his feet as he and Dad approached the flyer where his dabba and Raiden waited. “Dad? Raiden says it hurts, really bad.”
Szin stared out the passenger window of his twin’s flyer. Raiden’s fingers tapped on the console to some wild techno music he had playing. It wasn’t really something Szin cared for, so he fished his headphones out of the armrest. Holding the little disk to one ear, he tapped the On button, and it immediately adhered. He did the same with the other disk, and the feral music Raiden was listening to was silenced.
Dad had introduced him to what he called classic rock from his days on Earth, and Szin had taken a liking to it. Already programmed, music started playing immediately. His thoughts fluttered just like the butterflies in his stomach. Turning eighteen wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, contrary to popular belief.
Their birthday had already passed, and they were on their way to the capital city of Tah’Nar. A large celebration had already been held for them by their Tah’Narian dabba, Keyno, and their dad, Dale, who had taught both young early on to call him that from his first language.
A more private party was planned for later. As a gift to themselves, they’d booked a hotel for an overnight stay and planned to hit the nightclubs and party hard. Did their parents know what they had planned? Most likely. Dad didn’t have a problem with their plan, but their dabba had reservations. Dabba finally gave in to Dad—he usually did. It was a private joke between Szin and Raiden.
Szin, in particular, had plans for tonight. He was a male on a mission. One way or the other, he planned to break the bond between him and Takeo before Takeo made the worst mistake of his life: claiming Szin as a mate. Szin knew he was running out of time. Over the past month, Takeo had been very aggressive in his courtship now that he’d celebrated his eighteenth birthday.
As soon as they entered Tah’Nar airspace, they were immediately hailed. Raiden identified himself and Szin, and once verified, they were allowed on planet. As the flyer descended, Szin watched the darkness of space fade into first clouds, then lights from the surface.
Raiden maneuvered his way into the air traffic going into the capital city. The bright lights of the city beckoned, but Szin closed his eyes, listening to the music. His thoughts wandered back to the first time his parents brought him and Raiden to the capital city. He might have only been ten at the time, but that trip certainly left a lasting impression. It was also one of the first times he truly understood how different he was. Even now he could hear Dad’s voice as clear as a bell.
“Why do we have to do this?” Szin demanded once again as Dad ushered him toward the flyer.
“You and your brother turned ten today,” Dad said for the fifth time in as many minutes. “It’s when young are tattooed with the royal symbols, sweetie. That’s why we’re going to Tah’Nar. They’ll match what your dabba and I have on our necks. It's an honor to be tattooed. Our traditions only allow the best warriors and royalty this privilege. After that, we’ll visit with Hamza. He’s excited about seeing you both.”
Szin dragged his feet as he and Dad approached the flyer where his dabba and Raiden waited. “Dad? Raiden says it hurts, really bad.”
“I’ve heard that it does, yes.” Dad ran his hand over Szin’s hair. “Your dabba insisted I be given pain relief so I couldn’t feel anything. Oh, I forgot. Here. I brought this just in case you get thirsty on the way.”
Szin took the bottle containing his favorite drink.
“Come on,” Raiden yelled. “By the gods, you are slow!”
“Shut up,” Szin mumbled as he climbed into the flyer and walked back to where Raiden sat.
“You shut up,” Raiden hissed back.
Once everyone settled in, Raiden reached into Szin’s pocket and grabbed the small machine that played music.
“Hey! Stop! I had it first.”
“I wanted to listen to the imuzic. I just downloaded some new music,” Raiden complained.
“I remembered to bring it, so I get it first.” Szin plugged the imuzic in to the flyer’s power source in the back of the flyer. “You have the comp.”
“But I want the imuzic,” Raiden whined.
“Tough,” Szin replied.
Raiden reached over and tried to pull it away from Szin, who wouldn’t let go. A short, snarly argument broke out quickly.
“Stop it, you hair ball!” Szin yelled.
“You knew I wanted to listen to it on the way there.” Raiden growled as he wrestled with Szin. “Give it to me!”
Szin slapped Raiden’s hand, which resulted in a loud, distressed yip. “Oh, stuff it. That didn’t hurt.” Szin rolled his eyes.
“That’s enough,” Keyno said loudly from the front seat. “Szin had it first, so he gets it for now. I’ll tell you when it’s time to switch. And Szin? No name-calling or hitting, I mean it. Raiden? Leave him alone.”
“Awww, Dabba, that’s—”
“Or Szin can keep it the whole way if you argue with me. Your choice, Raiden,” Keyno said.
Raiden muttered softly next to Szin.
“If you have something to say—”
“I didn’t say anything, Dabba.” Raiden huffed as Szin snickered. “Daa-aad! Szin’s laughing at me. Do something! I didn’t do anything to him.”
“By God, don’t make me come back there,” Dad threatened, turning around to face them. Silence reigned in the back seat. Dad maintained eye contact for a moment more, determined to make his point.
Satisfied, he turned back around. “I sound like my parents, Keyno. Those two have turned me into my parents. Mom said I’d get repaid for all the fighting Susan and I did as kids. She’s right,” Dad said softly.
“It’ll be okay, love. They’re just excited and nervous about the tattoos. Did you fix Szin something to, ah… drink?”
“Yeah, I did. I feel bad about the pain blocker I slipped in it, but since he’s so close to being human—”
“It would be bad for him, my mate.” Dabba reached for Dad’s hand. “He just doesn’t have the tolerance Raiden has, and I don’t want him to hurt any more than necessary. He’ll feel enough to be able to say he endured it.”
Dad glanced back at his young, who were now sharing the drink. “Damn,” he whispered. “Raiden’s drinking Szin’s drink too. Great.”
Buy
Links:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/635797
Friday, May 13, 2016
Finicky Friday - Cheese-Stuffed Taco Meatballs
Hey everyone, I thought it would be cool to post
some recipes I had found online. I’m going to *try* to do some of these
beforehand, but I’m sure there’ll be times I won't. I'm going to call this
Finicky Friday. :)
Cheese-Stuffed Taco Meatballs
Up your appetizer game and make these tasty taco-seasoned meatballs that are stuffed with cheddar cheese!
Prep Time 15 MIN
Total Time 30 MIN
Servings 12
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
1/4 cup Progresso™ plain bread crumbs
1 egg
6 oz Cheddar cheese, cut into 12 equal-size chunks
Directions
1. Heat oven to 400°F. Line cookie sheet with
cooking parchment paper.
2. In medium bowl, mix beef, taco seasoning mix,
bread crumbs and egg, using hands to mix well.
3. Grab a golf ball-sized amount beef mixture, and
flatten into patty. Place chunk of cheese in center, and fold beef mixture up
and around cheese to seal it in. Shape into ball. Place on cookie sheet. Repeat
to make total of 12 meatballs.
4. Bake 15 minutes. Serve hot.
*I haven't made these, but I plan to for a birthday party on the 21st for someone in our little gang. He had tongue cancer and had part of it removed. Needless to say, he doesn't do well with any kind of hard type foods, so I'm going to try these. They look soft, which is what he needs. :)
~M
Recipe by Karly Campbell
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Behind the Eight Ball coming soon as an audiobook!!
OMG, I got word tonight that Behind the Eight Ball is going to be made into an audiobook. *bounce* I got a list of several folks to listen to, and I picked Derrick McClain as the narrator. He has a wonderfully smooth voice and has done several DSP audiobooks.
I was hoping this would qualify for audio, and I can't tell you how pleased I am that it has. I have no idea when the release date will be, but if I remember correctly with Trouble, it's going to be at least six months.
~M
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
The Harvest Young: Bound by Fate pre-order links! Release date: 5/15/16
(The links below won't change once they go live.)
Smashword pre-order: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/635797
ARe pre-order:
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theharvestyoungboundbyfate-2037056-148.html
Amazon pre-order: Still waiting on that one.
Blurb:
Half human and half Tah’Narian, Szin doesn’t fit with either race. His appearance is mainly human, but he’s able to have a young. Unfortunately, that’s his only Tah’Narian characteristic. He’s smaller and weaker than other young.
Szin’s eighteenth birthday has passed and time’s running out. He has to stop his childhood friend, Takeo, from making the worst mistake of his life: claiming Szin as a mate. Takeo deserves an equal who’s as fierce as he is, something Szin most certainly is not.
Since before Takeo was born, he’s known Szin was his. Nothing and no one, not even Szin, is going to stand in the way of claiming his mate. He understands Szin feels he isn’t good enough, and he’ll do anything to convince Szin otherwise. Including taking drastic measures to ensure his mate listens.
Takeo is the ultimate blend of human, Tah’Narian, and Onfrevian DNA. He’s pure predator, and his sights are set on his mate.
Excerpt:
Chapter
One
Szin stared out the passenger window of his twin’s flyer. Raiden’s fingers tapped on the console to some wild techno music he had playing. It wasn’t really something Szin cared for, so he fished his headphones out of the armrest. Holding the little disk to one ear, he tapped the On button, and it immediately adhered. He did the same with the other disk, and the feral music Raiden was listening to was silenced.
Dad had introduced him to what he called classic rock from his days on Earth, and Szin had taken a liking to it. Already programmed, music started playing immediately. His thoughts fluttered just like the butterflies in his stomach. Turning eighteen wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, contrary to popular belief.
Their birthday had already passed, and they were on their way to the capital city of Tah’Nar. A large celebration had already been held for them by their Tah’Narian dabba, Keyno, and their dad, Dale, who had taught both young early on to call him that from his first language.
A more private party was planned for later. As a gift to themselves, they’d booked a hotel for an overnight stay and planned to hit the nightclubs and party hard. Did their parents know what they had planned? Most likely. Dad didn’t have a problem with their plan, but their dabba had reservations. Dabba finally gave in to Dad—he usually did. It was a private joke between Szin and Raiden.
Szin, in particular, had plans for tonight. He was a male on a mission. One way or the other, he planned to break the bond between him and Takeo before Takeo made the worst mistake of his life: claiming Szin as a mate. Szin knew he was running out of time. Over the past month, Takeo had been very aggressive in his courtship now that he’d celebrated his eighteenth birthday.
As soon as they entered Tah’Nar airspace, they were immediately hailed. Raiden identified himself and Szin, and once verified, they were allowed on planet. As the flyer descended, Szin watched the darkness of space fade into first clouds, then lights from the surface.
Raiden maneuvered his way into the air traffic going into the capital city. The bright lights of the city beckoned, but Szin closed his eyes, listening to the music. His thoughts wandered back to the first time his parents brought him and Raiden to the capital city. He might have only been ten at the time, but that trip certainly left a lasting impression. It was also one of the first times he truly understood how different he was. Even now he could hear Dad’s voice as clear as a bell.
Szin stared out the passenger window of his twin’s flyer. Raiden’s fingers tapped on the console to some wild techno music he had playing. It wasn’t really something Szin cared for, so he fished his headphones out of the armrest. Holding the little disk to one ear, he tapped the On button, and it immediately adhered. He did the same with the other disk, and the feral music Raiden was listening to was silenced.
Dad had introduced him to what he called classic rock from his days on Earth, and Szin had taken a liking to it. Already programmed, music started playing immediately. His thoughts fluttered just like the butterflies in his stomach. Turning eighteen wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, contrary to popular belief.
Their birthday had already passed, and they were on their way to the capital city of Tah’Nar. A large celebration had already been held for them by their Tah’Narian dabba, Keyno, and their dad, Dale, who had taught both young early on to call him that from his first language.
A more private party was planned for later. As a gift to themselves, they’d booked a hotel for an overnight stay and planned to hit the nightclubs and party hard. Did their parents know what they had planned? Most likely. Dad didn’t have a problem with their plan, but their dabba had reservations. Dabba finally gave in to Dad—he usually did. It was a private joke between Szin and Raiden.
Szin, in particular, had plans for tonight. He was a male on a mission. One way or the other, he planned to break the bond between him and Takeo before Takeo made the worst mistake of his life: claiming Szin as a mate. Szin knew he was running out of time. Over the past month, Takeo had been very aggressive in his courtship now that he’d celebrated his eighteenth birthday.
As soon as they entered Tah’Nar airspace, they were immediately hailed. Raiden identified himself and Szin, and once verified, they were allowed on planet. As the flyer descended, Szin watched the darkness of space fade into first clouds, then lights from the surface.
Raiden maneuvered his way into the air traffic going into the capital city. The bright lights of the city beckoned, but Szin closed his eyes, listening to the music. His thoughts wandered back to the first time his parents brought him and Raiden to the capital city. He might have only been ten at the time, but that trip certainly left a lasting impression. It was also one of the first times he truly understood how different he was. Even now he could hear Dad’s voice as clear as a bell.
Why do we have to do
this?” Szin demanded once again as Dad ushered him toward the flyer.
You and your brother turned ten today,” Dad said for the fifth time in as many minutes. “It’s when young are tattooed with the royal symbols, sweetie. That’s why we’re going to Tah’Nar. They’ll match what your dabba and I have on our necks. It's an honor to be tattooed. Our traditions only allow the best warriors and royalty this privilege. After that, we’ll visit with Hamza. He’s excited about seeing you both.”
You and your brother turned ten today,” Dad said for the fifth time in as many minutes. “It’s when young are tattooed with the royal symbols, sweetie. That’s why we’re going to Tah’Nar. They’ll match what your dabba and I have on our necks. It's an honor to be tattooed. Our traditions only allow the best warriors and royalty this privilege. After that, we’ll visit with Hamza. He’s excited about seeing you both.”
Szin dragged his feet as
he and Dad approached the flyer where his dabba and Raiden waited. “Dad? Raiden
says it hurts, really bad.”
I’ve heard that it does, yes.” Dad ran his hand over Szin’s hair. “Your dabba insisted I be given pain relief so I couldn’t feel anything. Oh, I forgot. Here. I brought this just in case you get thirsty on the way.”
Szin took the bottle
containing his favorite drink.
Come on,” Raiden yelled.
“By the gods, you are slow!”
Shut up,” Szin mumbled
as he climbed into the flyer and walked back to where Raiden sat.
You shut up,” Raiden
hissed back.
Once everyone settled
in, Raiden reached into Szin’s pocket and grabbed the small machine that played
music.
Hey! Stop! I had it
first.”
I wanted to listen to
the imuzic. I just downloaded some new music,” Raiden complained.
I remembered to bring
it, so I get it first.” Szin plugged the imuzic in to the flyer’s power source
in the back of the flyer. “You have the comp.”
But I want the imuzic,”
Raiden whined.
Tough,” Szin replied.
Raiden reached over and
tried to pull it away from Szin, who wouldn’t let go. A short, snarly argument
broke out quickly.
“Stop it, you hair
ball!” Szin yelled.
You knew I wanted to listen to it on the way there.” Raiden growled as he wrestled with Szin. “Give it to me!”
Szin slapped Raiden’s hand, which resulted in a loud, distressed yip. “Oh, stuff it. That didn’t hurt.” Szin rolled his eyes.
“That’s enough,” Keyno said loudly from the front seat. “Szin had it first, so he gets it for now. I’ll tell you when it’s time to switch. And Szin? No name-calling or hitting, I mean it. Raiden? Leave him alone.”
“Awww, Dabba, that’s—”
“Or Szin can keep it the whole way if you argue with me. Your choice, Raiden,” Keyno said.
Raiden muttered softly next to Szin.
“If you have something to say—”
“I didn’t say anything, Dabba.” Raiden huffed as Szin snickered. “Daa-aad! Szin’s laughing at me. Do something! I didn’t do anything to him.”
“By God, don’t make me come back there,” Dad threatened, turning around to face them. Silence reigned in the back seat. Dad maintained eye contact for a moment more, determined to make his point.
Satisfied, he turned back around. “I sound like my parents, Keyno. Those two have turned me into my parents. Mom said I’d get repaid for all the fighting Susan and I did as kids. She’s right,” Dad said softly.
“It’ll be okay, love. They’re just excited and nervous about the tattoos. Did you fix Szin something to, ah… drink?”
“Yeah, I did. I feel bad about the pain blocker I slipped in it, but since he’s so close to being human—”
“It would be bad for him, my mate.” Dabba reached for Dad’s hand. “He just doesn’t have the tolerance Raiden has, and I don’t want him to hurt any more than necessary. He’ll feel enough to be able to say he endured it.”
Dad glanced back at his young, who were now sharing the drink. “Damn,” he whispered. “Raiden’s drinking Szin’s drink too. Great.”
You knew I wanted to listen to it on the way there.” Raiden growled as he wrestled with Szin. “Give it to me!”
Szin slapped Raiden’s hand, which resulted in a loud, distressed yip. “Oh, stuff it. That didn’t hurt.” Szin rolled his eyes.
“That’s enough,” Keyno said loudly from the front seat. “Szin had it first, so he gets it for now. I’ll tell you when it’s time to switch. And Szin? No name-calling or hitting, I mean it. Raiden? Leave him alone.”
“Awww, Dabba, that’s—”
“Or Szin can keep it the whole way if you argue with me. Your choice, Raiden,” Keyno said.
Raiden muttered softly next to Szin.
“If you have something to say—”
“I didn’t say anything, Dabba.” Raiden huffed as Szin snickered. “Daa-aad! Szin’s laughing at me. Do something! I didn’t do anything to him.”
“By God, don’t make me come back there,” Dad threatened, turning around to face them. Silence reigned in the back seat. Dad maintained eye contact for a moment more, determined to make his point.
Satisfied, he turned back around. “I sound like my parents, Keyno. Those two have turned me into my parents. Mom said I’d get repaid for all the fighting Susan and I did as kids. She’s right,” Dad said softly.
“It’ll be okay, love. They’re just excited and nervous about the tattoos. Did you fix Szin something to, ah… drink?”
“Yeah, I did. I feel bad about the pain blocker I slipped in it, but since he’s so close to being human—”
“It would be bad for him, my mate.” Dabba reached for Dad’s hand. “He just doesn’t have the tolerance Raiden has, and I don’t want him to hurt any more than necessary. He’ll feel enough to be able to say he endured it.”
Dad glanced back at his young, who were now sharing the drink. “Damn,” he whispered. “Raiden’s drinking Szin’s drink too. Great.”
Friday, May 6, 2016
Finicky Friday - Green Grape Salad
Green Grape Salad
Ingredients
*4 pounds seedless green grapes
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
,
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream (you can use French vanilla yogurt or just vanilla yogurt, but I haven't tried that yet.)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces chopped pecans
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Directions
Prep: 15 m
Ready In: 15 m (but it really needs to be refrigerated a
couple hours before served)
Softened cream cheese at room temperature before
preparing(makes it easier to blend). Wash and dry grapes. In a large bowl, mix
together the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla. (If you have never
used softened cream cheese be prepared. It will take a few minutes with the
blender lol.)
Add grapes and mix until evenly incorporated. Sprinkle with brown
sugar and pecans, mix again and refrigerate until serving.
*You can use fewer grapes or even use different kinds. It’s
just the hubby and me here now and the recipe--if you use how much they
stated--makes quite a bit.
~I will have to say this is not the prettiest salad I’ve
ever seen, but it does taste really good. Next time I might use a different
type of nut. Maybe walnuts chopped up. I may also add different fruits, like
strawberries. Really easy to make too.
Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/24378/green-grape-salad/
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