Fiction

In The Wyverian Wilds By Crimson Kildare And Kat Marlow (An Excerpt)

~ Rachel Rueben ~ Leave a comment

Excerpt of In The Wyverian Wilds for, “The Fantastic Blog Hop!”

…

In the Wyverian Wilds by Crimson Kildare and Kat MarlowThe Village of Drysor Y Ddraig was laid out at the foot a large, sloping hill. The back end of the hill and the far edge of the village were bordered by a rushing river that flowed over the edge of a cliff. It was a lush, green land full of trees, plants, wild life and small insects. A view filled with beauty and tranquility.

Jamie sat on the lawn behind the house of Yates looking out over the cliffs at the roaring water of the falls. He was lost in thought when the older man, Henry, who’d come with the visiting dignitaries walked over and sat down beside him. He looked up and offered him a small smile. His eye wandering over to see Idris still deep in conversation with Charles and …Val…Val was walking down along the edge of the cliffs on the far end of the lawn. He really, really needed to talk to Val, but where to begin?

Henry watched Jamie for a few minutes and then chuckled. “You’ve so many things on your mind at once you can’t form a single coherent thought about any one of them can you young one?”

“No, I guess I can’t. I…I just have so many questions…” Jamie answered.

“May I ask what sort of questions?”

“About how I got here to begin with…I mean yeah I was frozen and they thawed me out, okay…but how is that possible after all this time, without…any kind of medicine or science…with nothing to help them but a fire?

Henry looked at Val and then at Jamie and gave him a smile in return. “This is where you wish to begin? Talking with me, about the nature of things?”

Jamie spared a guilty look for Val whose back was turned to him in that moment. “I…I…yes, because I don’t know how to begin…anything else…”

Henry nodded as he errantly picked a few blades of tall grass and began to weave them in an intricate pattern as he considered the concerns mentioned.

“You have old knowledge Jamie, compared to what is known to most now. However compared to what I know and more importantly what Thera knows it is the knowledge of the young, of a child. Long, long ago, before the times your people were able to map out and attempted to explain with their analysis and sciences there was another world, another people. These people, they were the first ones, the first of all peoples, of all beings.

They were not like you or I or anyone you’ve ever met. They were beings of…possibility. They took form as it pleased them, from them came all the variety of life that has ever existed from the smallest to the largest, from the most benign and powerless to the most clever and powerful. These people had knowledge to be sure, but their knowledge did not come from learning or analysis, but from the source of all things. They were born knowing. They also had healing and power, but theirs was made of the essence of all that is. You would call this magic. They did not have medicine, science or tools, because they did not need them. They had will. There came a time when some of these first ones grew to like physicality, to favor various forms and they chose to take on these forms permanently. This is where life on this world as we know it now and as you once knew it came from.

Now I could explain this all in much greater detail, as I used to do for Charles and his brother Cedric when they were young, but my point is that Thera, the land, the earth herself she knew what was coming. She is part of all that is and is connected to it still. She knew that great rock in the sky would come and hit her. She knew the cataclysm it would bring, the harsh reality that would be brought to bear on the peoples on her surface. So she spoke to the Great Mother and together they began to make preparations…they began to rework the nature of the people so that they might survive. They rewove the power of their will for them, giving them back the magics they had abandoned long ago…

“Okay, okay whoaaa Nelly! So what you’re telling me, is that the Earth, who you call Thera, and the Great Mother…by which you mean the spirits of all nature and the planet re-engineered the DNA of the people to give them magic, because they would be robbed of all their tools and sciences?”

“Exactly.”

“Okay…And even “IF” I choose to believe that, it explains what happened to me how?” Jamie asked.

“Easily. You are sitting on the ground in the land of the Lords of Wyveria, a people who can slip their skin and become Dragons. A people who can cast spells and affect the elements, who can speak to the wee creatures and you find my explanation what…too farfetched? How does it explain you? Do you not listen when others speak to you Logan? Did you not yourself hear Idris say he felt you in all that ice, sensed you were there, that you were pulsing with life. Does that not ring any bells for you, as it were?”

“Are you saying that I…have some sort of…magic?” Jamie asked.

“As you said yourself, you were frozen in a block of ice for many thousands of years and yet you thawed out whole and undamaged, not even the biting of frost upon your fingers and toes. What else would that be, but a great ability to heal oneself?”

Jamie blinked, “You mean I can…regenerate?!” he asked startled.

Henry merely nodded and smiled. Then he looked at Val again. “You have it in you to be a great healer Jamie Logan, go start now. Heal with words, heal with your heart.” He said nodding toward Val and gave Jamie a small shove.

Excerpt From Lone Wolf By Dellani Oakes

~ Rachel Rueben ~ Leave a comment

fantastic blog hop bus

Today, the Fantastic Blog Hop Tour pulls into Daytona Florida, where we meet Dellani Oakes, romance novelist, blogger, and podcaster.  Shew!  I’m exhausted just saying it all!  🙂  Anyways, let’s get down to business, I promised excerpts and that’s exactly what you’ll get.  Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, Dellani Oakes’ Sci-Fi novel, “Lone Wolf.”

Once he was up and dressed, Marc was all business. It seemed odd for him to be so professional when they had just been so intimate, but she knew something was bothering him.

Lone WolfAs Matilda followed Marc to the docking bay where the ship was locking on, she noticed he was armed. The energy weapon he wore was hardly standard Guild issue. On the maximum setting, it could take down a 300 pound man, putting a sizable hole in him.

“Expecting an army? You can kill a xar beast with one of those.”

“I wish I had something bigger. If I order you to fire, Commander, you fire. No questions. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

Marc opened the door to the docking bay. The other ship had attached and the airlock was pressurizing. As the door spiraled open, Matilda sensed a shudder pass through Marc. He raised his weapon, covering the entrance.

Slowly, with a casual air, a man entered the airlock. Nearly as tall as Marc, he was leaner of build. His curly, dark brown hair fell to his shoulders. He stood still while Rubee scanned his identification tag before releasing the force shield in front of him.

He wore a black eye patch over his left eye and a scar ran from his left temple to the corner of his lips. It was an old scar, worn and somewhat sunken. A slight stubble of beard shaded the lower half of his face, all but the scar line, leaving a pale crescent in the dark. His uncovered eye glittered, black and dangerous in his ruggedly handsome face. Holding his arms from his sides, he waited as Rubee scanned him for weapons. Finding none, she gave clearance for him to pass.

He stepped forward, lighting a dark, thin object. The pungent odor of a cheroot filled the confined space. Squinting past the smoke, he gazed into Marc’s eyes. Marc’s weapon remained pointed at the other man’s head, his calm expression strangely predatory.

Their visitor sized Matilda up with a glance, dismissing her as non-threatening. He puffed on his cheroot thoughtfully. A crooked grin cracked his face in half, the scar pulling his left lip up at an odd angle.

“Marc, it’s been a long time.” He held out his hand.

Marc remained aloof, not taking his eyes off the visitor, lowering his weapon or acknowledging the proffered hand.

“Kind of a cold reception, isn’t it?” His voice was rasping and low.

The smile was replaced by a slight frown, a hint of sadness in the obsidian eye. Then the same placid expression took its place. Nothing in Marc’s face betrayed what he was thinking or feeling.

Marc spoke calmly. “Commander Dulac, please show Colonel VanLipsig to the lounge.”

“Of course, sir.” Looking puzzled, she did as he asked, feeling his eyes on her.

Marc followed, covering the man from the rear. When they had seated themselves, Matilda ordered three cups of joe from the synthunit. Marc kept his weapon out on his knee with his hand resting upon it. The other fellow leaned back, seemingly unconcerned and at ease. Taking a sip of the joe, he grimaced, glancing down at his cup before matching his gaze with Marc’s.

“I know we parted under difficult circumstances, but is this really necessary? I’m here to do a job, nothing more.” He carefully kept his hands in plain view, moving slowly, talking with deliberate ease.

Marc looked at him blankly. “I thought you were dead, Wil.”

VanLipsig nodded slowly, thoughtfully. “You were sure you killed me.” His voice was flat, toneless, unemotional. He shrugged casually, tilting his head to the left. “I got better.” There was a flash of a chilling smile.

“The reports….”

       “The reports of my death were greatly exaggerated,” VanLipsig quipped, dark eye glittering mischievously.

Marc’s fist dented the metal table with a furious blow. “Dammit, Wil! Can’t you stay dead?”

VanLipsig threw back his head, laughing caustically. The laugh became a long, high pitched, chilling howl. Matilda felt a shiver run through her to the very bone. She did her best not to show it, but a subtle shift of her bearing betrayed her. His gaze penetrated her soul, laying it bare, finding it wanting.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to the lady, Marc?”

“No.”

Marc hid his anger, but Matilda knew he was furious. His attitude toward VanLipsig was puzzling. They seemed to have known one another for years, obviously parting on less than amicable terms. Though VanLipsig seemed to harbor no ill will, Marc certainly did.

“May I present myself, ma’am? I’m Colonel Wilhelm VanLipsig, also known as the Lone Wolf. Perhaps you’ve heard of me?” He attempted to look humble. “Pleased to make your acquaintance.” His glance flicked to her name tag and insignia, dark eye lingering hungrily on her chest. “Commander Dulac.” His mouth formed the words, enjoying the feel of the consonants on his tongue.

He waited patiently for a response. Getting none, his eye locked with hers, curious, intrigued. “Do you speak?”

Matilda studied him quizzically, raising an eyebrow. “There seemed little to say.”

Wil chuckled deep in his throat. It was a seductively menacing sound. He put his feet up on the table between them, relaxed, but all business.

“So, what’s this load I’m supposed to pick up?”

Matilda glanced at Marc, his blank face betraying nothing. He gave no indication that he was going to speak, so she took over the conversation.

“Trimagnite.”

VanLipsig, who was staring openly at her full breasts, raised an eyebrow. He grinned wolfishly, dragging his gaze to meet hers.

“Really? Nasty stuff.” He sounded almost gleeful.”How pure?”

She met his eyes with a challenge as his smile became predatory. Her personal scanner showed him the basic specs. His brow furrowed slightly as he read, then he handed it back to her, whistling softly in surprise.

“Show me the full scan.” All joking aside, he stood expectantly.

Matilda ushered VanLipsig to a console and typed in the commands. He leaned over her right shoulder, his face mere inches from hers. His scent tantalized her. It was  disconcerting, made all the more disturbing because he was dangerously handsome, well built, virile, wickedly seductive and extremely close. Forcing herself to look back at the screen, she felt his warm breath on her neck, tickling her skin in a very sensuous way.

He leaned forward, tapping the console, watching as the view and number readout changed. The very air between them was charged with energy. His shoulder brushed hers from behind, making her shiver

VanLipsig put his hand on her shoulder, brushing her neck slightly with his thumb, leaning in as if to kiss her. He checked himself abruptly, nearly brushing her ear with his lips. His breath stirred wisps of hair, tickling her neck.

“I’m sorry, Commander. Are you cold?” His raspy voice seemed loud, although he whispered.

She ducked out from under his arm, stepping aside. “No, I’m fine. Really. Thank you.”

Marc stood a few feet away, his eyes on the other man, saying nothing. The muscle in his jaw worked rapidly, bulging and relaxing as he fought for control.

Wil seemed unaware of them both as he read the screen, making mental calculations; sensuous lips moving as he spoke to himself. He nodded, clearing the screen, turning to them with a dazzling smile.

“No problem,” his smile broadened, but didn’t reach his eye. “I’ll just get my bots to work, then.”

He made for the door, but Marc stopped him with a powerful arm across his chest. Wil halted, pressing aggressively against Marc’s elbow.

“Old man, you know that’s dangerous.” Wil’s body stiffened defensively.

Marc glared at him, cold fury erupting. “By God, Wil! I killed you, you bastard!” Marc pounded the table next to him, scattering the cups of joe.

Wil didn’t even blink. “I told you, I got better.”

Marc’s huge fist shot out suddenly from shoulder height, all his weight behind it. Wil caught Marc’s fist, twisting up and away from his jaw, forcing Marc’s arm to bend back on itself, elbow by his ear.

“Don’t make me do this, Marc. ”

Wil held Marc’s arm, their muscles swelling and knotting as they fought for control. Marc tried to free himself from the other man’s unyielding grasp. Suddenly changing tactics, he swung at Wil with his left hand. With an audible crack, his enormous fist connected with Wil’s face. Neither man seemed to notice. Marc drew back, swinging again from the left.

Wil dropped Marc’s right hand in order to block the blow. He grabbed Marc’s arm in an elbow lock. Using the force of the attack, he spun Marc to face him, slamming his fist into Marc’s abdomen.

Instead of recoiling from the blow, Marc moved in, utilizing Wil’s momentum and his own greater weight, to put his opponent off balance. He threw Wil to the floor, hitting him with a bone grinding body slam.

Wil exhaled sharply as he grappled with one hand in Marc’s hair. Wil forced Marc’s head back at an odd angle. Marc’s face grew dark red as he gasped for breath.

Matilda reacted instinctively, her weapon trained on Wil automatically. Stance defiant, her eyes glittered with dark fire.

“Let him go,” she spoke quietly, teeth clenched.

Wil held Marc’s head, but stopped twisting.

“Why don’t you put the gun down, Ma’am, before you hurt yourself?”

Wil’s face registered momentary surprise when she didn’t immediately comply. Instead, her grip shifted on the weapon, her aim true, right between his eyes. The astonishment was quickly replaced by a placid expression. VanLipsig allowed himself a glance in her direction. Her face held a determination equal to his own. Slowly, he let go of Marc, who straightened up, shaking his head.

“Move away from him.”

VanLipsig stood in one fluid motion, taking two steps back. His hands were shoulder height, out from his body. He made no sudden movements, his demeanor passive.

“Now would one of you testosterone glutted males tell me what the hell is going on?” Her dark eyes flashed dangerously.

Lone Wolf is available through Second Wind Publishing as well as Amazon, and Barnes and Noble

About Dellani Oakes:

DellaniDellani Oakes doesn’t claim to be an expert on anything, but she has a lot of experience making something out of nothing. Thrown into the world of publishing four years ago, she found that trying to promote her work was the hardest part of being an author. Since then, she’s branched out, lost her inhibitions and faced the publishing world head on.

Dellani once told her publisher that she had enough books, finished & unfinished, to keep him busy for the next 10 years. He didn’t believe her, but he should have. Two novels, Indian Summer and Lone Wolf are published by Second Wind Publishing, but she has 42 finished romance novels and at least that many (she won’t count them) that are still in the works.

One of the 42, a romantic suspense, The Ninja Tattoo, came out September 24th from Tirgearr Publishing. The sequel to Lone Wolf, Shakazhan, is coming soon from Second Wind.

Dellani Oakes is a former A.P. English teacher, photo-journalist. She’s an avid reader & reviews the work of others. She hosts two shows for the Red River Radio Network – Dellani’s Tea Time the second Monday of each month, @ 4:00 PM Eastern and What’s Write for Me, every fourth Wednesday @ 3:00 PM Eastern on Blog Talk Radio.

Dellani Oakes WordPress site http://dellanioakes.wordpress.com

Writer’s Sanctuary http://writersanctuary.blogspot.com

Dellani’s Choice Book Reviews http://dellanischoice.wordpress.com

The Ninja Tattoo http://theninjatattoo.wordpress.com

Indian Summer http://indiansummerbydellanioakes.wordpress.com

Lone Wolf http://lonewoldbydellanioakes.wordpress.com

Look for Dellani Oakes on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter & Good Reads, among others.

Character Interview: Daytona Dead By Karen Vaughan

~ Rachel Rueben ~ 1 Comment

For those of you not keeping up, I’ve been participating in the Fantastic Blog Hop Tour and have been featuring this week author, Karen Vaughan author of Daytona Dead, Dead Comic Standing and Dead on Arrival.  Today, we’re gonna have a little fun and talk to one of her characters to see just how she feels about her circumstances in crime/murder mystery.  Enjoy!

Character Interview: Daytona Dead By Karen Vaughan

Interview with Laura Hamilton-Fitz

What is your biggest fear?Daytona Dead By Karen Vaughan

LHF: I fear that one day all my amateur sleuthing is going to catch up with me. Gerry or I could get really hurt or Gerry could get sick of me playing Nancy Drew and leave.

What would you give up everything to have?

LHF: Children

What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever made and are you going to be able to rectify it?

LHF: Hmm that’s a hard one but getting to involved in the Leena situation in OVER HER DEAD BODY. I could have been Killed and it nearly ended me and Gerry.  I tried to lay off but again death found is in DAYTONA DEAD.
What food would you never eat?

LHF:  Entrails- I don’t do liver, tripe, tongue or kidney –makes me want to yack!

You’ve dressed to impress. What are you wearing?

LHF:  Me a fashion maven? I am most comfortable in a pair of sweats and a t-shirt.

What one thing have you found unattainable thus far in your life?

LHF:  Motherhood and a winning lottery ticket.

What is about to change for you?

LHF:  I am not sure but Gerry and I are trying for that all important baby. The clock is ticking.

Where do you live? (and is this your only life?—for para stories only)

LHF:  We live in the north end of Toronto in Canada. We just moved from Scarborough.

When did you live?

LHF:  Why did your writer pick this time in history? (if this is not a contemporary story)

Who are you? (ie: warrior, demon, doctor, mechanic):

LHF:  Building superintendant for a high rise building  and amateur sleuth as it turns out. Some even call me a corpse magnet.

What do you see when you look in the mirror? (more than physical description, please)

LHF:  Someone who is trying to find herself and who is insecure.

Who do you hate and why?

LHF: Not really hate but I do have a few people I would be happy not to see again.  Tiny Todd Crawford(DEAD ON ARRIVAL), Leena Dubois Brown(OVER HER DEAD BODY) and Killer T. Ford (DAYTONA DEAD)

***

Previously posted articles about Karen and Daytona Dead:

Karen Vaughan: Breakout Star

An Excerpt From Daytona Dead By Karen Vaughan

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About Karen Vaughan:Author Karen Vaughan

Karen Vaughan lives in Peterborough Ontario with her husband Jim and a four legged off spring named Sugar. She is the mom of a 22 year old daughter and four grown step children and a 2 1/2 year old grandson named Ike. DEAD COMIC STANDING is her second novel. Her first novel DEAD ON ARRIVAL garnered praise from friends, family and online gamers.  She also enjoys doing crafts and other hobbies. Her latest book is called OVER HER DEAD BODY is the second book to DEAD ON ARRIVAL. DAYTONA DEAD is the third in that series which is soon to be released.

An Excerpt From Daytona Dead By Karen Vaughan

~ Rachel Rueben ~ 2 Comments

Yesterday, I interviewed Karen H. Vaughan for the Fantastic Blog Hop Tour and today, I’ll be giving you a peek into her latest book, “Daytona Dead.”  For the next few weeks I’ll be interviewing and sharing excerpts with you from some of the most amazing authors so stay tuned!

Daytona Dead By Karen Vaughan
Available on Amazon and Barnes & Nobel

Plans for the next day included getting some of our pictures saved on a CD, so I could clear the card in my camera. So I figured I might as well develop the ones from Lou’s camera.  I was at a Kodak kiosk doing just that, when I felt the hair on the back of my neck prick up, so I whipped around to find the creepy cop behind me.

“Ok, this is getting old really fast. Do you have an odd fixation with following tourists around? Or are you just being a jerk?”

“Mrs. Fitz, dear, no need for a meltdown. I just happen to be at the same photo kiosk as you “

“Ya, I bet!”

“Oh my, someone is paranoid.” he laughed, “Maybe you really are guilty of that guy’s murder and used the road kill scenario as a cover up. Maybe, you staged it to divert attention. I may have to take my thoughts on this to the detective on the case.”

People were staring at us and backing away out of the store. The police officer was in his civvies and couldn’t do anything at that point.  He was grinning evilly, thinking he was getting the better of me.

I stood straight up, “Too late Fife, we’ve been cleared of all charges so don’t even go there.”

His weasel-like face turned bright red, “Quit calling me Fife, my first name isn’t even Barney! It’s Dave, Dave Meecham. With that he turned and stomped away from the kiosk.

Okay, so now my would-be stalker had a name, should I need to use it?  I continued to copy the photos from my card and printed off the ones from Lou’s SIM card.  I went to pay for my pictures and the clerk looked at me oddly.

“What do I owe ya?”

“Um, six dollars.” She was clearly rattled by clash with the creepazoid.

It’s okay, dear, I’m not going to rob or kill ya. There’s no need to be nervous. My friend who just left is highly delusional…thinks he’s a cop or something. Most people have a thing for FBI or the CIA. He just wants to be at home in Mayberry with Andy, Aunt Bea and Opie”

The counter clerk laughed, took my money and moved on. I walked out with my photos and CD and Lou’s hard copies.

When I got back to the hotel I was still angry at the nerve of Dave Meecham implying we still might be responsible for Lou’s death.  This made me angrier as no one should be pissed off on their honeymoon. What did the little dip wad know anyway. He had been at the scene and saw the condition of Lou’s body. In my shock I hadn’t even realized that Lou had been shot after he was killed by the car. Maybe one of those guys in Lou’s pictures was Meecham.  I shook my head. I was going to turn what I had over to the authorities and back way off. I was on a mission to enjoy myself with Gerry, not get dragged into a homicidal mess.

Copyright © 2013

***

Author Karen VaughanAuthor BIO:

Karen Vaughan lives in Peterborough Ontario with her husband Jim and a four legged off spring named Sugar. She is the mom of a 22 year old daughter and four grown step children and a 2 1/2 year old grandson named Ike. DEAD COMIC STANDING is her second novel. Her first novel DEAD ON ARRIVAL garnered praise from friends, family and online gamers.  She also enjoys doing crafts and other hobbies. Her latest book is called OVER HER DEAD BODY is the second book to DEAD ON ARRIVAL. DAYTONA DEAD is the third in that series which is soon to be released.

Fedelta

~ Rachel Rueben ~ 2 Comments

Fedeltà

By Rachel Rueben

Fedelta By Rachel Rueben
By JetSetModels via Dreamstime.com

This picture was begging for someone to tell its story.  So here it is, Fedeltà (which means “loyalty” in Italian)—enjoy! 

Cassandra sat in the corner of the restaurant as Armand made a B-line to her table.  Throwing his cell phone on the table, it bounced around until Cassandra clumsily picked it up.  On it she saw a pic of her with a boss from a rival family.  “What, I can’t turn my back no more Cassie?” he said as though he were hurt by the betrayal.  Cassandra just sat there stone faced while Armand ranted on about loyalty and family.  From an untrained eye one would have thought Cassie was petrified, anyone else in her position would be.  Armand’s body count spoke for itself, family, friends, rivals, all met their end at the whim of this monster.  Paranoid and delusional, he imagined himself another Al Capone.  He even went so far as to hang Big Al’s portrait in his office at the construction company he was fronting.

And just like his hero big Al, Armand, considered nothing and no one off limits.  Not even Cassie’s father, Ernesto Fenetti, his most loyal general wasn’t beyond reproach.  Like a fool, her father bought into the family loyalty spiel that Armand spat.  As Cassie went over this in her mind, she slipped her hand into her purse and felt for her glock.  Though repulsed by the object, she forced herself to securely gripe the gun.

As Armand turned his back to her, he reached into his waistband saying, “I don’t wanna do this Cassie, but I ain’t got no…”

Before Armand could even finish, a light flashed from Cassandra’s chair followed by a deafening boom.  Through the bottom of her tiny, pink Chanel purse, a nine millimeter bullet fired directly into his chest.  Cassie watched in disgust as Armand clutched his chest, “Bitch!” he whispered falling to his knees breathless.  This time without hesitation, Cassie stood up, took her gun out of her purse and put another bullet in his skull.  She watched hypnotized as Armand’s body shook on the diner floor, expelling his final breath.

Quickly she gathered her purse, and Armand’s phone then, made her way back to the kitchen of the diner before his goons filed in.  As Cassie fled the scene, she smiled to herself knowing she had done the one thing no one dared to ever do.  Making it out of the alley, Cassie looked both ways to make sure the coast was clear.  When she turned the corner, she saw the street totally deserted, slowing down, Cassie started walking normally as though nothing happened.  Watching her back, she made her way down the street until she disappeared into the foggy mist.  That night, Cassandra left town a marked woman.

Summer of My German Solider By Bette Greene: A Review

~ Rachel Rueben ~ Leave a comment

Summer of My German Soldier By Bette Greene: A Review

Summer of My German Soldier is a YA story about Patty Bergen, a Jewish girl growing up in the south during World War II.  Patty, a strong willed girl was unfortunately born to a mother who seems neglectful, if not indifferent to her, and a father, who has a quick temper and abusive streak.  This awful parenting combination leaves a hole in Patty’s heart which leaves her so vulnerable that she craves to love, or be loved by anyone.  The only compassion she gets is from their cleaning lady Ruth, an African American woman who acts as a surrogate mother to her at times.

One day while working in her family’s store, she runs into a German POW named Anton, who seems to be on a field trip of some sort with the Sheriff and a few other inmates.  Anton, an educated man who knows English, chats up Patty and buys a pin from her which, he’ll ultimately use to escape.  One day while wondering by the railroad tracks, Patty encounters Anton trying to hop a train out of town.  She inadvertently foils the plot and he winds up stuck in Memphis. Feeling guilty, she hides him in the garage just a few feet from her house!

Say what you will about the plot, I ended up loving this book.  The author Bette Greene, was able to make her characters almost leap off the page.  The only problem is, the entire scenario of a Jewish girl helping a Nazi prisoner.  I’ll admit, it’s a tad out there, but if people can believe in teenage vampires attending high school then, this should be a breeze!

There is however a bit of realism in this book, as the author herself is Jewish and grew up in the south.  This is why I believe she managed to capture the attitude of that particular generation perfectly.  Her sprinkling of gentile southern colloquialisms and racial slurs bring the Jim Crow south to life.  The reader has to watch not only the internal threat to Patty, but the external one as well, as Patty’s mere existence is an offense to this very white Bible toting society.

I won’t spoil it but the ending leaves me unfulfilled because it never really addresses Patty’s fate clearly.  We’re left to wonder about a girl we’ve come to care about, but I guess that’s what serials are for.  Hint, hint!

I give Summer of My German Soldier 5 stars ★★★★★

“In years past.” Chapter 1 – 2

~ Rachel Rueben ~ Leave a comment
In Years Past
By Heo2035 via Flickr

A must read story with a shocking twist!

via “In years past.” Chapter 1 – 2.

Some Nights Part 1

~ Rachel Rueben ~ Leave a comment
Some Nights By Jo Ramsey
Photo Via Flickr

A great story about a teen cross-dresser and his only friend. Thank you Jo Ramsey for being brave enough to represent the voiceless in your art.

Some Nights Part 1.

via Cereal Authors

Ebook Giveaway!

~ Rachel Rueben ~ 1 Comment

 

Rachel Rueben's Hag
Available for free on Amazon!!!

In anticipation of the release of my vampire novel “Eternal Bond” I’ve decided to do a little giveaway.  “Hag” my first YA novel is on Kindle for free all weekend!  You heard me right, just hurry up and get there soon before it’s too late!  Here’s the link: http://buff.ly/T6ocjH

There’s even a three chapter excerpt from Eternal Bond as an added bonus!

 

It Wasn’t Supposed To End This Way!

~ Rachel Rueben ~ Leave a comment

As I got closer to the end of Eternal Bond, I got more and more anxious because I had no idea how it was going to end.  This confuses the heck out of people.  They always ask, “How can you not know how your story is going to end?”  Easy!  I let my characters decide how they’ll end it and what my characters did shocked even me.  The heroes I so carefully created failed miserably and the bad guys wound up stealing a victory that was never meant for them.

I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I will share a little more from my novel Eternal Bond:

Eternal Bond By Rachel Rueben
Coming this Dec.

When Clara awoke, she wasn’t in the carriage house anymore instead, she was lying on a couch in a dimly light room.  Hearing a creaking sound, she thought someone was approaching and she slowly got up from the couch.  Turning around, she saw James hanging from the ceiling.

With a leather noose wrapped around his neck, the leather creaked, as the body swayed back and forth.

Though her lips moved, nothing came out, but a whimper.  Then a small feminine hand appeared pushing the body, making it sway faster.

Cheerfully, a familiar voice said, “Morning.”

Needing no introduction, Clara recognized who it was.  It was the devil’s consort herself, Apollonia.  Stepping out from behind the body, she revealed herself and the enormous smile on her face.

Grabbing a candle, Apollonia went over to the body and examined it with a spectacle remarking aloud, “Nicely executed, just deep enough and very clean!”

Shaking from head to toe Clara stood there scared silly.

Running her fingers through James’ hair, she said, “He was chosen just for you young, strapping—delectable.”

Clara began feeling ill, upon hearing it was all just a set up.

Looking over her shoulder at Clara, Apollonia said, “I told you Clara, thou art highly favored.”

Apollonia went back to amusing herself with the corpse, using pressure points to making the eyes bulge and lips move.

Eventually, she tore herself away from her entertainment to talk further with Clara.  Reaching out to touch her, Clara immediately jerked back from her.  Though Clara had failed in a most miserable way, she wasn’t ready to embrace those failures.

Instead, she was drawn to a window that looked like it was slowly shedding tears.  To her, it seemed as though the angels themselves were shedding tears from heaven.  Watching as the drizzle slowly crept down the glass, Clara found herself unable to react anymore, so she didn’t.  Looking over at the body and out the window again, she stood still.

Sinking deeper and deeper into despair, Apollonia spoke up and said with a tender compassion, “I know what you’re thinking, and none of it is true!”

Bewildered said, “You know not my thoughts, only God does” and she believed that, but she questioned whether He even cared anymore.  Her very soul was being eaten alive by her enemies, and all she received was silence from the throne of The Most High.

Taking the more sensitive approach, Apollonia spoke aloud everything in Clara’s tortured mind.  “You spend all your life following their commandments, whipping your very thoughts into submission.  Then, just as you taste mortality you discover, there’ll be no reward for you!  All those years of fearful sowing, yielded nothing but the whirlwind!”

Clara looked back at her in shock, because Apollonia had managed to recite every single one of her thoughts.  Clara knew she was in trouble, because Apollonia was starting to make sense.

Meeting her in the middle of the room, Clara asked, “What do you want?”

“Salvation just like you!”  Apollonia answered.

“After death comes judgment, not salvation.”  Clara said.

Sensing she was on the verge, Apollonia continued her assault asking, “Death itself was judgment on man, so what is this?”

“I do not know.”  Clara said confused.

“Then let us teach you!”  She said trying to secure the victory.

To seal the deal, Apollonia extended her hand in friendship and without looking, Clara accepted it.