Trotting with the Turkeys

Hello folks,

The holidays are here. As most of you do not know, I am an advocate for the annual Turkey Trot. Whether it is a 5K, a 10K, or whatever, getting in some exercise is always beneficial; especially when large consumptions of food are waiting to get eaten, enjoyed, and digested. The race is typically low-key and fun, but in some cities the race can grow quite large in the number of participants, so be prepared to maneuver around people along your path. It's great energy to participate in an event with people sharing a common interest and goal; running and walking is a great way to begin the holiday season.

Over this year's Thanksgiving holiday, I participated in my local Turkey Trot. Here in Long Beach, California, I ran a 10k race before I sat down to a lovely meal with family and friends. I had a great time. The path was a flat 3.1 miles out along the coastline, and then a turn-around with another 3.1 miles headed back along the same path. It was a gorgeous day, and there were well over 4,000 participants at the event. Afterwards, I felt accomplished and ready to restore all those lost calories! The holiday season may bring a lot of food, stress, emotion, and apprehension to our lives, and participating in a local run or walk for charity can greatly attribute to better health around the holiday season. Exercise can help keep things in balance; allowing you to spend some time working on you. So, if you see a local event in your area, I urge you to participate. If you don't see anything offered in your community, then maybe think about putting on your own event. Creating community involvement around better health is a positive force in the environment. Let's all work towards positivity, not just over the holidays, but over all the days. Take care, everyone! Cheers!

The Sequel is Here!

Readers, Writers, and Dreamers!

Hi :0)

Have you ever wondered why some families become members of the aristocracy? Does the universe choose them? Whatever happened to Constantinople? The Hunter and the Queen series welcomes these questions into its story.

I finished the II book in the Hunter and Queen series, Transcendence. Book II  is the sequel to Resurgence. Transcendence is not as long as the first book, but there is more action compared to the first book in the series. The first book provides a backstory for the journey.

In book II, you will learn more about Hadrian and the dark lords; and you will travel deeper into a world of fantasy, love, darkness, mystery, and history. Transcendence is a short novel that creates a bridge from the Order of the Hunters and the dark lords to the sky world and the sky beings. I will take a few weeks off before I begin writing the third book in the series. I do hope you enjoy the story, and please come back to learn more about the developments in the Hunter and the Queen series. To those people who have traveled with me during this process, thank you for your support, guidance, and information. Now, +Random House Books, +Simon & Schuster, and +HarperTeen, I am ready to submit, yet again, a work of fiction to your magnificent literary agents. I know I'm at the bottom of your slush piles. I know I need to secure a literary agent. I know I need to find a professional editor that doesn't charge a price equal to my monthly mortgage, but we all can dream! Time to celebrate with popcorn, extra butter! Cheers!

Honey, do you have some cinnamon and nutmeg?

Hey great people,

I have a confession. I like DIY face masks. Sure, I have purchased brand name masks, +Dermalogica gentle cream exfoliant, and I still do to this day; however, there is something special about a good DIY mask that perks up my lackluster skin.

Using natural ingredients to make a face mask is easy, efficient, and fun. I regularly alternate between store bought products and nature's choice, aka Virginia's batch, to save money. Honestly, this mask is one of my favorite facial masks of all time. I have tried oatmeal, avocado, clay, lemon and salt, but this mask reigns victorious compared to all those other natural masks. Honey has moisturizing properties that help aid sensitive skin. Honey also helps to remedy certain skin issues such as acne, enlarged pores, eczema, and rosacea. Cinnamon helps kill bacteria and prevent infections, so its antimicrobial properties can benefit your skin. Nutmeg is known to help achieve smoother and healthier skin; in addition, the spice can further help remove acne marks. The beauty mask can help your skin combat dryness, redness, enlarged pores, and acne.

Without further introduction, I introduce to you the Honey, Cinnamon and Nutmeg mask of beauty.

                                                          1 teaspoon Honey
                                                          1 teaspoon Cinnamon
                                                          1 teaspoon Nutmeg


I discovered this awesome little recipe via barefoot blonde, and I am eternally grateful for my find and for her post. Although this mask works great on my skin, it may not work for you; however, I urge you to try it yourself.

Mix all the ingredients together. You should have a chocolate colored paste. You do not want the paste to have too much honey, so make sure the mask is not too runny. If it is, then you want to add more cinnamon and nutmeg to firm up the paste. When the mask is firm, you are ready to smear the gooey mixture all over your face. Make sure your face and hands are clean before applying the mask. Smear the entire paste over your face. Do not put the mixture on your eyes or lips; the paste may aggravate these sensitive areas. Once you have covered your entire face with the mask, then leave on for at least 20-minutes. I typically leave my mask on for 30-minutes.

 





Some people have reported a tingly feeling. If the mask is uncomfortable for you, then rinse off immediately. I do feel a slight tingle when I use this mask, but I tell myself it's the cinnamon killing off all my face bacteria! So, I just suck it up and ride out the tingle. Once you have rinsed off the mask, then you will immediately see and feel the wonderful effects of the DIY facial. Your skin will feel smooth, refreshed, moisturized, and you will have a glow that lasts for days.

Right after rinsing the mask

The next morning

 

So, this is the recipe for the best DIY face mask. I use this mask at least once per month. I hope you like the recipe as much as I do; drop me a line and let me know your experience. I'd like to hear from you! Live, love, read, and laugh! Cheers!

 

 

 







My nasty, dirty little secret.......Cuticle chewing!!

Hello folks,

I have neglected my blog. I have developed a site that only highlights my books and my writing process. I didn't mean for this to happen, but it did, and I am making changes. So, as I begin to add diversity to my blog, I will continue to sprinkle my own book blurbs throughout the site (like here, Resurgence and Transcendence ). Now, let's talk about cuticle chewing! (When I make changes, I start huge!)  ;0)

 

A few people ask if I develop characters based upon people in my life. I have to say, no; however, I do compile a lot of different personality traits, quirks, and behaviors from the people I meet or have befriended. With that said, I have, however, provided the main character in my books, Jolán Vajnbirg, with a nasty little habit of chewing her cuticles (However, when she transforms she stops her habit, hehe). 

 

Her bad habit is a very real and habitual habit in my own life. I have managed to scale back my chewing, dare I say even close to kicking the habit, but I do have relapses. Yes, sometimes I chewed my cuticles until they bled, but not any more! I have successfully managed to minimize my chewing to the point where I go days, and sometimes even a week, without a single nibble! I will share what tricks I have used, but it takes persistence and willpower to stop cuticle chewing. It's a bad habit that often stems from nerves or even anxiety. I developed my habit at a very young age, and I am still trying to break the chewing cycle!! Often my cuticles get dry, and instead of grabbing cuticle clippers, lotion, or cuticle oil, well, I chew the dry skin. I know, sexy. I'll share something even a little more disgusting with you, I often laugh and tell people, 'My skin is so dry it tastes like jerky!' I tend to joke about the things that make me insecure.

 

Cuticle chewing is definitely not fashionable. I, however, am using fashion to curb my finger noshing. I have committed to painting my nails, and I usually use bright colors. When my cuticles feel dry, I typically would rip off the dead skin with my teeth. This is a very gross and sometimes painful process. However, when my nails are painted with bright colors, the colors often send a "don't chew" message to my brain. Instead of instantly putting my fingers into my mouth to chew, I will see the color on my fingernails, stop, think, and grab some cuticle oil. Once I add the oil, the jerky-like texture is gone and so is my desire to munch on my fingers. Keeping my nails and cuticles hydrated has really helped. Also, the extra care I take with my hands and fingers provides pause when I want to chew. Why would I want to chew on my skin when my nails look so pretty?

 

That's my remedy but, like I  said, I still have relapses. Some habits are harder to break than other habits, and some people have a worse time with their habit than other people. I would often chew until my cuticles needed Band-Aids, but I never got infections. Some people still chew despite the infections their habit brings to their life. I know fingernail painting seems like a superficial approach, but it has helped distract my attention away from chewing my cuticles. It may not work for you. If your cuticle chewing habit is causing sickness or other maladies, I urge you to seek the care of a medical professional. Cuticle chewing does have a psychological association; whether it's nerves, anxiety, anticipation, or boredom, you are the master of your own habit and you are able to quit all things terrible. We can do this! You have to want to quit, but let's go! Cuticle chewers of the world unite! :0)

 

 

 

 

Dreaming of You

Hello Readers, Writers, Thinkers and Wishers,

Happy Equinox! Enjoy a  Book Trailer for The Hunters and the Queen. I am winding down Transcendence, and the book is nearly complete. I had a few time snags, but I can see the finish line. As always, I'd like to hear from you.


"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." 

Cheers!

A Book Excerpt from The Gypsy Hunter

Hey Readers!
I am getting excited because the second book in the Hunter and Queen series is almost complete! Yippee! Yippee! I have included another excerpt from the book for you to enjoy (pre-edit before publication). The Gypsy is morphing, but she still has time to stop the process. Please enjoy this book excerpt about Sadeiq, the Gypsy.

 

The Gypsy’s Dark Lord

     Her eyes darted around the restaurant. The bamboo divides cluttered the dining area, but she didn’t care. She was hungry and starting to morph. She picked up her chopsticks and grabbed a piece of tuna; she liked this chef because he always prepared his cuts within seconds of the kill, if he didn’t already cut the meat while the fish was still alive. The gypsy dusted her sashimi with freshly harvested smelt roe; she then placed the bite into her mouth and chewed the fish flesh until it liquefied on her tongue. The Gypsy tried to enjoy her meal, but she felt nervous. She smelled darkness in the air.

     Sadeiq, the gypsy hunter, sat at the sushi bar. As she quietly chewed her raw fish, her eyes rolled back in the sockets and the whites of her eyes were exposed. Her head dropped back and her mouth opened wide. The chewed fish remains were displayed on her tongue. She stayed in this demonic looking state for several seconds, no one took notice. The sushi chef witnessed her do this before, and he assumed she was possessed; but by what he did not know. After several minutes, Sadeiq regained her composure and finished chewing her food. She swallowed, and she nervously looked at the chef and faintly smiled. She was morphing into a hunter, and she wants to stop the process. She still has time, but she must find the elements; she must find Jolán.

     Sadeiq feels a need to leave England. She wants to go to Asia for a few weeks. She can’t track down Jolán, but she feels she may have luck finding her in Asia. Sadeiq decides to book a train ticket and leave England on the next available trip. She pays for her food, and she thanks the chef for his service. As she leaves the restaurant, she thinks of her finances. Sadeiq has a lot of money, but her soul was what she cared about securing. Her soul had no price, but the Order had a contract to claim her life. Sadeiq made a bad decision, a haste decision, and she hoped she could correct her mistake and save herself from becoming a hunter. Although her train ride to Asia won’t take her to Jolán, unbeknownst to her, but the trip might bring her closer to the elements. She still has some time left, she has time to save herself from turning into a hunter for eternity.

     Within an hour of leaving the sushi bar, Sadeiq arrived at the train station. She purchased a few items, and she had a change of clothes for her trip. She knows she can purchase additional items along her journey, but she prefers to travel light. As her trip to Asia necessitates several days of travel, Sadeiq decides to reserve a sleeping cabin on the train. The Trans-Siberian Railroad traveled along beautiful landscape, but it is a very lengthy ride. Sadeiq wants her privacy.

     After her ticket was purchased, she immediately boarded the train and walked towards her cabin. Since she only had a small carry-on, she was easily checked and escorted towards the boarding area. As Sadeiq walked towards her reserved area of the train, she had another eerie feeling. She felt someone watching her; she turned around but nothing looked unusual. She continued towards her sleeper cabin. Before she reached her quarters, a tall man with grey tinged skin, black hair and aquamarine colored eyes exited the cabin directly next to where Sadeiq was booked. He surprised her, and she moved back a step as he closed his cabin door. He noticed her, and he released a sinister smile. Sadeiq lowered her eyes and stepped aside. As the man walked by, she kept her focus on the ground and quickly made her way to her room. Once inside her cabin, she put her bag on the small chair tucked under the cabin table. She sat on the bed and took a deep breath. She wanted a drink of alcohol, but she knew she couldn’t have one because she had to stay focused. The gypsy didn’t want any attention, she only wanted to stay human.

     The train left London and was headed to Russia. It would take nearly 48-hours before Sadeiq would arrive in Moscow. From Moscow she would head towards Asia. She had packed a few puzzles and a few books, so she could pass her time while in her cabin. She didn’t want to socialize while on her journey, she knew her morphing state only alarmed the unaware and alerted the aware to her identity. Sadeiq wanted to stay as below the radar from society as possible. She didn’t want to turn into a hunter.

     As the train glided over the railways, she took notice of all the beautiful trees, waterways, and green pastures on her ride. She knew her trip was on its way towards Amsterdam, and she looked forward to the 45-minute delay in the city. Sadeiq wanted to pick up some smokes; she was grateful she could still smoke. She had to stay under the radar about most everything else, but, she thought, at least there was still smoking to enjoy. She stayed in her cabin, and she watched the afternoon slowly turn to evening. She had a few hours until she arrived in Amsterdam, she decided to take a nap. She didn’t lock her cabin door.

     As Sadeiq rested on her mattress, she drifted away as the train sped over the smooth tracks of the railway. She felt the electricity in the air, and she felt the speed of the moving vessel. Although she felt rested, she didn’t feel completely safe. She never felt absolutely protected.

     Sadeiq fell asleep in her room. Her minimal belongings were still neatly packed in her travel bag. She enjoyed a deep sleep for a couple hours before her cabin door handle turned open. Once the door was open, her cabin neighbor with the aquamarine eyes entered the room. He wanted to smell her cabin, he wanted to identify her and seek her destination. He smelled her before, and he knew the smell.

     She slept quietly in her bed; her slumber was deep. Sadeiq did not know anyone had entered her room. The man roamed around the small cabin, and he kept his eyes on the gypsy. He knew what she was, and he was going to confirm his suspicion. The man walked up to the bed; he placed his hands on the wooden rails. He leaned closer and smelled her breath, he smelled her skin. Yes, he thought, he knew exactly what she was and he was excited.

     The gypsy began to stir in her bed; she tossed and turned before she opened her eyes. Her first vision was of the man standing over her bed. He immediately grabbed her hand and held it tight to his chest. Sadeiq didn’t feel a heartbeat. He grabbed her, leaned over, and forced his tongue in her mouth. She squirmed and moaned, but he read her thoughts. He could see her visions. Sadeiq tried to push the man off her, but then she relaxed and let his tongue take control. She knew he was a hunter; Sadeiq was aware he was a very important member of the Order. She received glimpses of his memories, but he blocked many images from her view. His power was stronger. Sadeiq was not fully developed; and she doesn’t want to ever transform into a hunter.

     After several long minutes, the man stopped and pulled away from Sadeiq. When he stepped away from the bed, he had some information; and he knew the gypsy was aware of the elements.
     Sadeiq looked over at the image of the tall man in the shadow, and she said, "Rupik. That’s what you want me to call you? That is your name?"
     She hated her telepathy, she knew it was part of becoming a hunter. She was nervous. A fully developed hunter had found her on her journey. She was anxious because she felt her journey put her on the radar of the aware.
     Rupik leaned in close to Sadeiq and he said, "I am watching you, gypsy. I know you have a final destination that collides with your contractual path with the Order. You can’t hide from the hunters, you can trust my words."
     He then licked her face and walked out of her room. He locked her door before he made his exit. Sadeiq felt nervous. She started to shake. Her eyes rolled back and the whites of her eyes were exposed. Her mouth was wide open, her head was completely leaned back, and she started to gently shake…..

     After several moments, Sadeiq returned to a lucid state. She needed a smoke. She couldn’t wait to get to the next stop. As she looked out of her window, she noticed the landscape had turned bleak. The pastures were dry and dead. The skies looked black, and the air was filled with smoke. Her horrors were too close for comfort. The gypsy knew she had to stay focused. Time is of the essence.

The Gypsy Hunter is Coming Soon!!

Hello Readers,

The second book in the Element series, The Gypsy Hunter, is almost finished. If you have not checked out the first book, The Hunters and the Queen, then you can purchase your copy for $0.99 cents on Amazon. The Gypsy Hunter has a release date during late summer 2013. Thank you for your support! I have attached chapter one from the Gypsy Hunter for you to read. Cheers!

The Gypsy Hunter

The Element Series

Book II

 

“She is not fully developed; we can stop her before she reaches full development. We cannot let the other elements regain their strength. We are the rulers, and we have worked too hard to lose this battle! Once we find her, then we must kill her. The other ones will follow her death. This world is ours. The Queen can be destroyed again.”

 ~Hadrian

Rushing Water

    

     Jolán looked down the waterfall towards the bottom. She watched the water circulate in the water pool gathered at the base of the falls. She knew she could jump off the cliff. She knew she would make it to the bottom unharmed, but something prevented her from jumping. There was a voice in the back of her mind that told her to wait. She raised her arms like an eagle and she then bent her knees, but she quickly dropped her arms to her side and stood straight. She leaned forward a little more and took another look into the pool of water swirling around at the base of the waterfall. Jolán knew she could jump, but today was not the day.

     The sun was setting behind the tallest tree in the forest. The air was cool and the birds were resting above Jolán, the birds were perched along several tree branches. The birds watched her, and Jolán knew they were her friends.

     Although it was still winter in Turkey, it was unseasonably warm; but not warm enough for Jolán to go swimming. After a few minutes staring at the rushing water, she heard a voice.

    From inside her cottage she heard Colemund say, “Jolán, what are you doing? I’m almost finished making dinner, so come inside. I want to see you.”

     Colemund loved his beloved Jolán. There was nothing in life that made either Jolán or Colemund happier than being together with each other. Jolán took one last look at the pool of water gathered beneath the waterfall, then, she ran quickly inside to meet her love.

     As soon as she entered the cottage, Colemund noticed her flushed cheeks, her porcelain skin, her blonde dreadlocks, and her bright green eyes. Her body was tall, lean, and athletic. Jolán looked animalistic and more beautiful than she had looked in the last few weeks. Colemund couldn’t help but briefly stare at his beauty.

     After a few moments, he returned his attention to the task at hand. He had prepared two glasses of white wine for the couple to drink before dinner. Colemund handed one glass of wine to Jolán, as he looked into her eyes and said, “It’s nice to have you back inside, Jole.”

     Jolán took her glass, stepped a little closer to Colemund and gave him a nice kiss on his cheek. As she backed away from her love, she kept her eyes focused on Colemund and said, “Being with you is my favorite place, Cole. You know I’m never too far away.”

     Colemund liked when Jolán said such things to him. Colemund then grabbed his wine glass. As he placed a kitchen towel on the counter, the couple then raised their glasses in a unison toast and simultaneously said, “To us.”

     As their wine glasses clinked, the couple enjoyed a hearty drink from their glass.

     Colemund returned to the stove to toss the wok of vegetables and the sesame seeds. Dinner was almost ready. As Colemund grabbed a handful of spices to throw on the food, Jolán walked to the enclosed patio located off the side of the kitchen. The enclosed patio was spacious and modern. There was a medium-sized eating table, dinner chairs, and additional recliner chairs placed throughout the patio room. The hardwood floors were the color of burnt sienna; and the floor-to-ceiling windows provided a perfect opportunity to dine with nature. The perimeter of the room was highlighted by windows. Colemund and Jolán always admired the natural beauty of their outside surroundings. The forest encompassed their cottage.

     Colemund always managed to have a bouquet of fresh plants or flowers displayed in the middle of the eating table. When he traveled down to the local marketplace, he always stopped at a flower cart to purchase local bouquets. She really liked Colemund’s approachable disposition, and she thought herself lucky for finding her prince charming, or, rather, she felt lucky because the sky world chose him for her.

     Jolán sat down in one of the soft chairs that surrounded the eating table, and she looked outside. The dusk of the evening was settled, and the night crept close behind the sunset. She took another drink from her glass of wine and watched Colemund in the kitchen. As she looked in the kitchen, she watched his natural prowess. He was tall, athletic, handsome, kind, trustworthy, composed, and he dearly loved Jolán. As she watched Colemund move about in the kitchen, Jolán thought the sky world had created and sealed her fate with her lover; and she was thankful for the decision of the sky world.

     Once the vegetables were cooked to Colemund’s satisfaction, he removed the wok from the stovetop burner. As he placed the hot wok on a trivet located on the center bar, he looked up and noticed Jolán watching him cook. He loved Jolán, and he couldn’t help but smile at her.

     Once Colemund had their two dinner plates ready, he immediately dished out a nice portion of rice on to each plate, then, he spooned out a healthy portion of veggies on to each plate. As he placed the wok in the kitchen sink, he grabbed his glass of wine and took another hearty drink. The wine went down smooth, and he felt the warm sensation from the spirit warm his body. He left the dinner plates sitting on the kitchen bar, and he walked in to the patio room to see Jolán.

     As soon as Colemund reached the table, Jolán stood up from her chair and gave Colemund another kiss on his cheek. As Colemund held his glass in one hand, he took his other arm and wrapped it around Jolán’s waist. The two shared a loving embrace, and Jolán looked up at Colemund and met his eyes and said, “I love you.”

 

     Colemund was happy. As Jolán stayed in his arms, he looked at her and replied, “I love you more.”

 

     Jolán smiled, waited, and then said with a grin, “I’m hungry, let’s eat.” Jolán then went in to the kitchen and grabbed silverware, napkins, and the two plates of food. Colemund followed right behind his love; he grabbed the bottle of wine from the refrigerator. The couple met back at the table and sat down to enjoy their evening dinner in their cottage home.

     As the couple ate their meal, Jolán enjoyed the clean and satisfying taste of her food. Colemund always prepared the most nourishing meals for Jolán; he learned how to cook from his family’s housemaid, Nicole. Nicole worked in the royal house of the Van Oranje-Nassau family. She always enjoyed Colemund’s interest in her work. The royal family often allowed Colemund to visit the kitchen while he was a young boy.

      During Colemund’s adolescence, Nicole began showing him various culinary dishes to prepare. Colemund developed quite the penchant for cooking, which served him well while he was often away for long periods of time during archaeological digs; and the luxury of homemade cooking was not at his beckon call.

     As Jolán and Colemund ate their dinner, Jolán took a moment from eating and looked at Colemund and said, “Dinner is delicious, Cole. I always love what you prepare for us.”

 

     Colemund was pleased to hear Jolán’s compliment, and he took his glass of wine and raised it in the air and said, “To our love.”

 

     Jolán joined in on his toast, and the couple enjoyed the last drink of wine from their glasses, then, Colemund poured a hearty amount of wine into each glass. Food always tasted better with wine.

     After Colemund finished pouring, he looked at Jolán and asked, “Are you ready to see Crispus? I know your brother is concerned about your well-being and he is anxious to see you, Jole.”

 

     Jolán dearly loved her brother, Crispus. She knew Crispus was somewhat prepared for the changes that occurred over the recent weeks; however, Jolán also knew seeing such changes, as opposed to hearing about such changes, warranted an adjustment period. Jolán wondered how long Crispus would take to adjust to her new appearance, to her new title, and to her new responsibility.

 

     As Jolán took another sip from her glass, she looked at Colemund and replied, “Yes. I am anxious to see him too. I hope he is able to process all of the information.”

     Colemund knew Crispus would adjust to the current situation. Colemund looked at his love and said, “Crispus is an intelligent and strong man. His utmost concern is your safety, your mental strength, and your physical well-being. He is going to be pleased with your developments. When he arrives, I’m having a trusted chauffeur escort him here from the airport. I am also having another car delivered for his personal use. I am looking forward to his visit too, Jole.”

     As Jolán continued eating her food, she was nearly finished with her plate, but she was still hungry. She was grateful Colemund was in her life. As she took her last bite of food, Colemund looked at her and asked, “Are you still hungry?” He smiled at her for a moment, and then he said, “Go get more food. I need you strong.”

 

     Jolán smiled, she licked her fork, and she went to the kitchen to get another plateful of food. Jolán was hungry.

~~~~~~Thank you for reading~~~~~~~~

Bewitching Book Tours: Now scheduling a 2 week tour for The Hunters and the Queen by Virginia Vayna

Bewitching Book Tours: Now scheduling a 2 week tour for The Hunters and the Queen by Virginia Vayna

A Romantic Saturday at the Palace

A romantic Saturday with modern-day Colemund, the Prince of Gallia Belgica, and Jolán. Their love is traced back through the centuries. An excerpt for you to enjoy from Resurgence.
 


Palace Conversation
     

Colemund walked Jolán around the perimeter of the Palace ballroom, and then he guided her towards a quiet area behind long red velvet drapes. As they walked through the drapes, Jolán observed several people taking notice. Once Colemund and Jolán walked through the curtains, Jolán noticed a rather gigantic area that overlooked the back of the Palace courtyard. There were large bay windows lined along the back wall. The enormous room was illuminated by soft lights, and there were large white stars that hung from the ceiling in a creative and dramatic fashion; and the stars supplied a warm and rosy glow to the room.

Colemund escorted Jolán to a table in front of one of the windows. She looked out the window, and she noticed the magnificent hedge maze located off the center of the courtyard. The back side of the Palace was vast; it was probably a few miles in length and diameter.

As she continued to stare out the window, Colemund looked at her and said, “Jolán, I am going to leave for a moment to find a friend who will locate Eshe, and I will return momentarily.”

Colemund then leaned closer to Jolán, held her hand and whispered in her ear and said, “I just want to get a better smell of you, my dear.” Colemund lingered close to Jolán for several seconds and then he said, “It’s very nice being this close together, right?”

Jolán became shy and she dropped her head, but she immediately raised her head and met Colemund’s eyes and responded, “Yes, very nice.”

Colemund then released Jolán’s hand, he flirtatiously smiled at Jolán, and then he turned and walked away to locate his friend Alastair.

Jolán sat patiently. She could not shake the surrealistic feeling that was developing. She looked through the large bay window, and she gazed over the massive courtyard. Everything was brilliantly lit. The shrubs, the hedge maze, the beautifully landscaped patio, and the rolling hills were all punctuated with a glow of romantic soft light. Some of the illuminants were pink, others were blue, and then others were white.

Before Jolán could dive deep into her thoughts, Colemund appeared with a goblet of water to share; a beer for him, and a vodka and soda water with lemon slices for Jolán. As he set the beverages on the table, Jolán was impressed Colemund knew what to bring her to drink.

Colemund searched Jolán’s face for an indication he brought the right drink, and he received his confirmation when Jolán looked him in his eyes and questioned, “How did you know?”

Colemund jokingly replied, “How did I know what, my dear?”

Jolán was already getting used to Colemund calling her, “his dear.” She then replied, “What I like to drink. How did you know?”

Colemund pulled his chair closer to Jolán, and he placed her drink in front of her and said, “I believe you may have met a friend of mine.”

Colemund was referring to Alastair; however, Jolán was unaware and replied, “Really?”

Colemund sat in his chair, smiled, and said, “You’ll have your memory jogged soon enough.”

Colemund opened his beer, and he took a decent drink from the bottle. Jolán watched as his Adam’s apple moved up and down as he swallowed the liquid down his throat. Jolán was smitten, but so was Colemund. As Jolán took the cocktail straw in her drink and mashed the lemon to a fine pulp, Colemund watched her. He admired her long fingers and her elegant hands. He watched her wrist turn as she moved the straw. He felt dreamy, and he liked the feeling. He thought about Jolán since the day their paths crossed at the Academy. Colemund knew their meeting was fate, and he was not going to let her out of his sight. He wanted to hear her talk more; he already loved the sound of her voice. He liked watching her mouth move. He adored watching her become a bit shy, but then confident. He felt like he already knew her, but he wanted to reacquaint himself with her. Colemund was positive they were a match. This was not something he immediately knew, but it was something he magically felt.

As he watched Jolán pulp up the lemon, he jokingly asked, “Are you making lemonade?”

Jolán sweetly looked at him and replied, “I do like the taste of lemons.”

Colemund couldn’t stop thinking about kissing her lips, but he was so calm and cool on the surface, Jolán couldn’t really get a read on the prince. After Jolán took her first sip of her drink, she quickly felt the cool vodka slide down her throat and fall to her belly.

She looked at Colemund, and he grabbed her hand and said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I want to be as close to you as I can right now. I hope I am not too forward.”

Jolán loved the attention from Colemund. She felt they were intimately together before, but she knew they were not. Jolán tried hard to contain her excitement, but her exuberant energy often appeared through the warmth of her cheeks as she occasionally blushed when Colemund said something that made her feel like the center of the universe.

As Colemund and Jolán sat holding hands and drinking their beverages, Eshe, Alastair, and Aidan approached the table. Jolán immediately recognized Alastair and Aidan.

Jolán smiled at the young men. She looked at Alastair and said, “I see you found my friend,” and then she smiled at Eshe. She looked back towards Alastair and Aidan and said, “It’s good to see you two again.”

Eshe couldn’t believe what she was seeing; it was like one of her dreams about Jolán and the prince unraveled in her reality. Alastair noticed how comfortable Jolán and Colemund were with each other, and he knew Colemund had his interest fixed on Jolán. In Alastair’s heart of hearts, he knew Colemund and Jolán had a love created by the universe.

    

Enjoy a Book Excerpt...

Hello, Readers!
How is your book? I hope you're enjoying the story line. Some books move fast, some books start slow and some books are full of pictures or facts. It's a big reading world out there. Whatever you're reading, I hope you're finding enjoyment. I have provided an excerpt from The Hunters and the Queen for you to read. Remember, keep your books open and your fonts enlarged! Cheers! :0)

Excerpt:

     As she began to vacuum the carpet in long back and forth motions, Jolán looked up and saw a red cardinal and a black crow sitting outside her window. As she stood there staring at them and running the vacuum back and forth, the birds started pecking at the glass window. Jolán thought this amusing at first, but then wondered if the birds were trying to come inside the house. As the birds kept tapping on the window, Jolán turned off the vacuum and listened to their tapping. As she listened, it sounded as if the birds were banging out the message for SOS on the glass. Jolán knew this was ridiculous, but she couldn’t shake the similar sound of the bird’s tapping to the actual SOS distress signal used in Morse code. Three short and quick taps followed by three longer taps which were then followed by the three short and fast taps. The birds kept doing this in unison with each other. Jolán stood their looking at the birds as both birds were banging their beaks to this rhythm on the window.

     As Jolán approached the window the birds instantly stopped and looked up at Jolán. The red cardinal cocked its head to the right and the black crow cocked its head to the left. Jolán felt a whirlwind stir inside of her and she felt an immense connection to something, but she did not know what it was that she felt connected. The birds stayed in their spot staring at Jolán; and Jolán stayed in her spot staring at the birds. Jolán felt she was in a trance-like state for what seemed like several minutes; the trance was instantly broken when her mother called up the steps to Jolán. Mrs. Vajnbirg yelled out, ‘Jolán, after you finish vacuuming, I’d like for you to fold your clothes.’ At that moment the birds flew away and Jolán snapped back to reality and took a deep breath as she answered her mother. Jolán answered, ‘Yes, mum, I was planning on doing that before I started reading.’ Jolán felt she was a part of something larger than her, but she tried to forget about the birds; however, she knew she would think about the bird message again.

A Book Excerpt and a Story Summary...

Hello, Readers!

How is the reading world treating you today? I have attached an excerpt from the book, The Hunters and the Queen, and I have also included a summary of the book. I hope you enjoy.

Excerpt:

Hadrian didn’t care about what Akuji was currently doing at the moment; he violently said, "Return to Komi. Do not waste time, do not waste resources, but return on the next flight out of England."

Akuji said, "I still have to finish one more assignment. I need to find and follow this girl named Jolán."

The mere sound of such a name caused Hadrian’s stomach to turn, and his unnerving sensation returned. Hadrian dryly inquired, "Who is Jolán?"

As soon as Hadrian spoke Jolán’s name, he felt his insides turn and his stomach ache. Hadrian felt weak.

Akuji said, "She’s some assignment I have to figure out, but I’m not having any success."

Hadrian gathered as much strength as he could for the moment, and he said to Akuji, "Get on the next flight back to Russia. We have heavy issues of concern we need to assess for action."

At that moment, Akuji heard several voices come through her phone; but she was unsure what had happened or where the voices were located. She asked Hadrian, "Are you ok?" All Akuji could hear was the sound of a thousand whispers.

Hadrian kept saying, "Akuji are you there? Answer me."

Hadrian received no response from Akuji. Hadrian finally hung up the phone, but Akuji still heard the voices. Akuji was caught in a trance for several minutes until she received a piercing headache.

Book Summary:


While working on her studies at the Churchill Military Academy in Kinsburgh, England, Jolán Vajnbirg’s final year at the academy develops into a year of competition, aristocratic love, reincarnated spirits, and a calling from the sky world to help save earth from the death and destruction caused by the Order of the Hunters.


Jolán Vajnbirg is an often reserved, yet occasionally outspoken young woman living in Kinsburgh, England. She has a relatively easy life living in her quiet England town. She has a full-ride swimming scholarship to the Churchill Military Academy. She has a strong mind, she has an athletic body and she has a loving family and caring friends; however, more is written in the stars for Jolán.......

She is developing into another being. She has a calling from the sky world. A battle is on the horizon.The sky world is steadily preparing Jolán for her future fate. Jolán will need her friends and her new love, Colemund, to help her battle the Order of the Hunters. The hunters have upset the universal balance of earth, and the hunters have upset the sky world. 

Errr, errors?

Hello Readers,

I hope all is well in your reading world. I just want to drop a line and ask for your help. If I have been fortunate enough to have your readership, I sincerely thank you.  

 

I know your time is valuable, but if you would take a brief moment to return to Amazon and leave a review I would really appreciate your efforts!

Reviews help new readers find my work and accurately decide if the book is for them; and reviews also provide valuable feedback for my future writing.

Thank you again, and be sure to check out the sequels in the Element Series!

All constructive feedback is welcome. Thanks in advance for your help. As always, cheers! Keep your books opened and your fonts enlarged ;)) The Hunters and the Queen


Thanks, Readers!

The Hunters and the Queen

Hello Readers,

I hope everyone is able to check out my E-book on Kindle. I have attached a link to the E-book for you to view at your reading leisure. The book is available at a $2.99 cent purchase price. In the meantime, I have started the second book in the Hunter and Queen series; and I will update my progress as the book develops. I hope everyone enjoys whatever it is they are reading! Cheers! The Hunters and the Queen

Finished Manuscript

Hello!

Here we are with another day's adventure. What are you doing with your 24-hour period? Feel free to let me know about your daily journey. At any rate, I have finished my 87,954-word manuscript about Jolán Vajnbirg and her young adult adventures. She has already fallen in love, and her transformation from human to worldly being of the sky world is underway! She must develop her strength before the Order of the Hunters cross her path! I truly enjoyed writing the first book in the Hunter and Queen series. I'll drop back in and keep you updated on my progress as I try and break into the YA book world of authors. On a side note, I'm new to the blogger site too; so if my adds offend anyone, I apologize in advance. I'm just trying to build my literary circle, +Janet Reid,  Cheers!