Snippet

As requested:

Beauty from Ashes

I swallowed hard.  He withdrew a couple paces from me and seemed to be getting a bearing on our location.  I took a deep breath, and regained some confidence.  I didn't know whether saying anything would help, but it was worth a try.  "Who are you??"  (Don't get me wrong.  I had many more questions; but I came to the conclusion that if I asked that first, it would lead me to all the others.  Of course, I didn't want to overwhelm him.)  At first, I thought he didn't hear me or he was ignoring me.  Then again, he could be pondering for just the right words.  Or he could be reaching for something...like the pistol concealed behind his dark apparel.  I took another deep breath, but it didn't calm my nerves, as I had hoped.  Finally he whirled around, and I almost screamed from the sudden movement.  I could see his eyes now: cold, menacing, vivid, blue eyes.  Like the color of the summer sky; Bilbo's sword, Sting; and Neptune's blue storm.  He was looking at me as if he could see my life, thoughts, and emotions.  I tried to stay calm, but I ended up feeling nervous and weak.  I don't know how long he stared at me, until I heard him whisper, "Death."

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Spoiler Story Snippet

                      

Going??  Finally?!?!!!  Barek could not contain himself.  The moment he had dreamt about for years was finally here.

"Yes, sir." Barek nodded heartily.  He gathered his things and started for the door with Nyaz where the baker and Sir Randell were conversing.  They got out the door and suddenly it came to Barek that he was leaving; for good.  No more playtime with Rowena, no more fireside story times, no more bread leftovers for teaching Nyaz tricks.  He turned and looked back at the doorway.  The baker had Rowena at his side with his hand on her shoulder.  She had been crying, Barek thought.  And she looked like the world was ending.  He sighed and set down his travel bag.  He first went to the baker.  They shook hands and then the baker did something queer.  He pulled Barek closer to him so as to whisper in his ear.  "Here is something for later." He rasped as he plunged a scrap of parchment into Barek's hand.  "I'll miss you boy."  

"I'll miss you too."  Barek put the scrap of paper in a fold of his tunic for later, then knelt next to Rowena and looked into her face.  Barek wiped a tear from her cheek. "It's ok, Rena.  I'll come back.  I promise."  She seemed to be softening.  She suddenly threw her arms around Berek's neck.  

"I love you, Barek." She whispered as she squeezed him.  Barek was taken aback, but then put his arms around her also.  

"I love you too."  Barek had never really cried since he was a baby, but he found tears running down his face.  Then, he let go of Rowena, took a deep breath, and mounted the horse Sir Randell was holding for him.  Nyaz took his place on the right side of Barek's horse as Sir Randell mounted his horse.  

"And we're off!  Thank you all!" Sir Randell tipped his hand to the Baker, chirruped to his horse and it trotted down the road.  Barek spurred his horse also and let out a faint "goodbye".  He didn't dare look back.  The baker would be rubbing his hands together and getting back to work.  But Rowena, with her tear-stained face, would look after him until he was but a speck on the horizon.  

I can't believe I just did that 😳😱  You're welcome people, I hope you enjoyed it.  

Let me know what you think in the comments below!!! 😉 

The Birthstone Book Tag

Hey guys!!!
I got tagged by my sweet friend Hanna (read her post here), to do The Birthstone Book Tag.  You basically answer these questions about books that you've read and it's super fun!!!  So, without further ado, here goes!!!

1. January Garnet: Name a character you think is evil/dark: 

Uhh.........I have a lot there, girl.  Sauron from The Lord of the Rings, The White Witch from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Monks and Fagin from Oliver Twist are the ones that come to mind at the moment.  (Great, now I'm creeped out.  Did this have to be the first question??) 

2. February Amethyst: Name a book you think of as regal:

(Pardon me as I look up 'regal' in the dictionary)  

Uhh.......wow.  Umm..........I've always thought that Little Women could be a book that I'd read to a queen or princess but I also think Pride and Prejudice when I hear the word royal, so....yeah.  I don't know.  

3. March Aquamarine: Name a character that you think of as weak, or more of a follower:

Well.......for more of a follower I'd say Violet from The Boxcar Children. 

4. April Diamond: Name a book you love, but isn't very well known:

My friend Savannah's Sleeping Beauty story.  It's awesome, guys.  Oh shoot, does it have to be published??  Well, if it does, then The Growly Series by Philip and Erin Ulrich.  Love those books!!!  Oh yeah, and The Roman Briton Trilogy by Rosemary Sutcliff.    

5. May Emerald: Name two characters that balance each other out well:

Merry and Pippin form the Lord of the Rings.  And just for the fun of it: Gandalf and Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit, Growly and Chippy form the Growly Series, Beth and Jo from Little Women, Emma and Mr. Knightley from Emma, Marcus and Cottia from Eagle of the Ninth, Wilbur and Charlotte from Charlotte's Web, Jason and Andy from The Farm Mystery Series, and Thacia and Daniel from The Bronze Bow.  ;-)  #goingoverboardisfun  

6. June Pearl: Name a character who is loyal:

Lad from Lad A Dog.  If that's not loyal, I don't know what is.  Also, Sam from Trumpet and the Swan and Anne from Anne of Avonlea.  

7. July Ruby: Name a book that aggravates you/makes your blood boil:

Uhh........(do people really get that angry over books??)  Well, I guess when I read Stuart Little and it ended I was super mad because it did not end like I thought it should (seriously, go read the ending.  It's bad).  

8. August Peridot: Name a supporting character you preferred to the main character:

Malthace in The Bronze Bow and Whisper and Flurry in the Growly Series.  

9. September Sapphire: Name a book you found to be calming:

Calming??  Uhh.......maybe The Hobbit, or Charlotte's Web, or Oh, the Places You'll Go, or any kids book, really. :-)  #fanofkidsliterature

10. October Opal: Name a book with a pretty cover:

Oh my.  

Well, My version of The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien,

 all the Growly Series covers,

 Thimble Summer, 

A book that I got with my American Girl doll,

and On the Banks of Plum Creek.  

11. November Topaz: Name a book with a resilient protagonist:

(Pardon me while I look up 'resilient' and 'protagonist'.  Good grief, I need to study vocabulary words) Ok, um.....Frodo Baggins form The Lord of the Rings.  I mean, he almost died.  Ok, Aragorn, Gandalf, Sam, Merry, and Bilbo would qualify too then, I guess.  And Marcus from Eagle of the Ninth.  And Alexios from Frontier Wolf.  My, my, when you know what fancy words mean it's like a whole new world!!!!  

12. December Blue Zicron: Name a fictional friendship you would love to be a part of:

The Trio in Morning from The Growly Series, The Fellowship from The Lord of the Rings, and Anne, Stella, Pricilla, and Philipa from Anne of the Island.  

Well, that was fun!!!!  It's so hard to just pick one!!!!  There are SOO many good books out there.  *happy sigh*  Friends, literature, and blogs, what a happy combination.  :-)  

You all can feel free to snag this tag and put it on your own blog!!!  

Have a great week, guys!!!

Writer's Quirks Tag

I apologize to Savannah for not doing this sooner!!!  Life is slowing down but it's still spinning pretty fast!! :-/
Ok, here we go.

 

Rules…

• Thank the person who tagged you and link their post that tagged you.
• Put the tag created in your post and include the link to this post.
• Copy, paste, and answer all of the questions into your post.
• Tag as many people as you wish.
• Have fun!

 
Questions…

• What genre(s) do you like to write in?
• Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what artists/albums do you enjoy?
• How do you name characters?
• Do you like to snack on or drink anything while writing? If so, what?
• What inspires you to write?
• Where and when do you prefer to write?
• Do you read any books or blogs on the writing craft? If so, what are your favorites? 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Savannah!!!!!  You're so sweet!!!!  Here is the link to her post: https://scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com/2016/05/writer-quirks-tag.html (some of you might not be able to see it because her blog is private) 

Ok, questions!!!

• What genre(s) do you like to write in?

Well, I really love to read Historical Fiction and so I think that's what I'm drawn to when I write but I also like to write in modern day and fantasy.

• Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what artists/albums do you enjoy?

I don't really listen to music and write but I'm sure if I did, I'd listen to Disney Movie songs.....;-) 

• How do you name characters?

Well........;-P  I usually just 'nick name' them (ex. "Bob went and looked at Bill") and then start flipping through my name book or just scroll through the list of names in my head and try to 'fit' a name with that character.  

• Do you like to snack on or drink anything while writing? If so, what?

I think you all know that I really like to eat, so I just have to laugh when I read this question. ;-)  I really like to eat apples, I'd eat a strawberry and banana smoothie, carrot sticks, and ice cream cone, a popsicle, a lollipop, watermelon, candy, hot chocolate, anything else you'd give me........except veggies. ;-P  I do also like drinking water. :-) 

• What inspires you to write?

Everything.  Literally, everything.  I mean, logs, breezes, refrigerator smells, certain words, movies, stories, experiences, pictures, tape, computers, nursery rhymes, music.......and the list goes on forever.  

• Where and when do you prefer to write?

I don't really care.  I do like to write outside but inside is fine too.  Not really picky.  

• Do you read any books or blogs on the writing craft? If so, what are your favorites? 

I don't read any books on writing, but I do really enjoy reading these blogs: 

Hanna's

Katie's

Brianna's

My Sister's

Grace's 

I also love to read Savannah, Ariel, Skylar, and Jaidyn Perran's blogs (Their stories are GREAT!) but their blogs are private so I can't link to them :-( If you are interested in reading their stories you can ask them in the comment box below!! 

I'm opening this opportunity to anyone so anyone who would like to answer these questions, feel free!!!  You can just follow the rules ^^ and have fun!!  If you would put a link to your post in the comment box below, that would be awesome!  I'd love to see your post!!

Have a great week, guys!!