Sunday, June 30, 2013

Anger, Betrayal, Lies, and Deceit: If I didn't Live Through It Myself, I Would't Believe It Was Happening...AGAIN! #poetry

I've never made it a secret that my first book of poetry chronicled my journey through some of life's toughest challenges. It was a hard path to take, full of pain, tears and finally joy. I found myself at the end of it and my soul mate. I had to go through all of that in order to finally find the happiness I knew was in my destiny, but there was a time when I didn't think I deserved it. 

You may be thinking to yourself that those feelings are quite common for many people and you would be right. Large numbers of individuals get through those dark times with barely a scratch, but then there are folks like me who were to the point they didn't feel they could go on any longer. Yes, it was during that very dark part of my life I was suicidal. I had just filed for legal separation from my now ex, and was betrayed by a someone who had promised me the moon and stars only to shatter my heart and soul into a gazillion pieces by deciding I wasn't what he wanted in his life.



It was during those days I wrote many of the heart-wrenching poems in Follow Me: Poetry from the Heart and Soul. With each and every stanza I was able to mend. It was a painstakingly slow process and one that had many set backs. The biggest one was that I kept letting this man who broke me back into my life. You see, I had been in love with him in high school and I never told him. After 25 years we had reconnected around the time my first marriage was ending. It was the friendship that held me together at the time and he was a great shoulder to cry on.

Unfortunately, instead of keeping it on a friends only level, he decided to amp it up and "confessed" he loved me too.  I fell for hit hook, line and sinker. We made so many plans for our future together, but none of them came to fruition. The promise of a new life with me wasn't enough for him. He wanted to keep things going with the the woman who he claimed was an ex-girlfriend but turned out he had been continuing with her the whole time he was wooing me. I was just a pawn to get her jealous enough to want him back. 


Fast forward to three years later and I'm living it again. This time I'm not the one to fall victim to this person, but another friend had to experience the train wreck. The deja vu was so powerful with this one it nearly knocked me on my backside, but I kept silent, hoping that they would work it out and be happy. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be and they broke things off. 


That's when the shit hit the fan.


Instead of just letting things die down, there was a lot of ugliness spewed and I couldn't take it. I decided that I didn't want to be stuck in the middle of all that and cut off the friendship. If I was honest with myself right from the very start, I would have to say this was the only way it could end. Our relationship was definitely one-sided, especially after I married my current hubby. Since I wasn't available all the time, it strained the already lopsided relationship we did have. 


Trying to cut all ties has now made this former friend very angry and you guessed it. It's all my fault...at least according to him. For someone who wants me to "but out of his life" he continues to try to draw me out into an argument. I won't do it anymore. I'm done. To help remind myself of all the pain this person caused me, I've reread a few of those poems. The following is one that I think fits the situation perfectly and is once again helping me to move on with my fabulous husband, Liam. He is the one who mended my heart and soul when I thought it was forever broken and raw. Now my cup runneth over...



Enough is Enough


You’ve broken my heart 
After promising me the moon and the stars.
And now you are back with her
Who’s only happy if she’s the center of attention
At all the local bars.

All traces of me and our friendship 
Have been removed from your life.
No more laughter. 
No more talks of future hopes and dreams.
All destroyed with slashing keystrokes
That cut deeper than any knife.

Enough is enough.
I can’t take it any more.
Getting over losing you has been rough
But it’s time to close the door.

No longer able to tell you that I am still there
Whenever you need, no matter the hour.
I wait and watch and try to mend my heart
And stand by helpless while she hurts you 
Again and again…
Because you give her all the power.

Enough is enough.
The wounds in my soul are just too deep.
The meager messages you send off the cuff
Are all I cling to giving me false hopes
And robbing me of sleep.

The fights with her never stop
And  you lose more of yourself 
With each passing day.
She takes and takes 
And gives nothing back
While you continue to lose your way;
You refuse to see what she has done
And continues to do to keep control of your life
While you just take it and stay there
And let her fill your nights and days
With anger and strife.

Enough is enough.
I can’t watch it play out any longer.
The salt you keep rubbing into my wounds
Make healing tough,
But I can’t let go of the love
That started when we were younger.

When will you live up to the promise
You made to yourself and to me:
“When the fights start up again,
It’s time for me to leave.”
How many more fights and tears
Do you need before you let yourself see?
There are people who are still in your life
Who think you are worth so much more…
Why can’t you let yourself believe?

Enough is enough.
I can’t keep getting pulled back 
Into reliving the pain of losing you.
The edges of my heart will stay
Forever jagged and rough
Until I walk away
As painful as it is
And try to start anew.

©Tammy Dennings Maggy
1/22/2010



Saturday, June 15, 2013

@KaraLeighMille1 Is Under the Spotlight With Her New #YA #romance


This week for Saturday Spotlight, author Kara Leigh Miller is visiting to tell us about her new YA release, The Georgia Corbins As a special treat, this interview will also be shared with our sister blog Through Stephanie's Eyes. We thought it would be a great way to introduce Stephanie's followers to Kara and her work. So sit back and enjoy a bit of insight into this new book and the author herself. ~Tammy

Blurb for The Georgia Corbins


Ali Philips never thought anything could be more devastating than the day Levi and Tucker Corbin, her two best friends—her only friends—moved away. Three years passed without a single phone call, text message, or email from them and she’s resolved to the fact that she will probably never see them again. Until one morning when she comes face-to-face with Levi Corbin in physics class. 

Little does she know, the Corbins have returned to Haldeen with only one thing on their minds: winning Ali’s heart. Ali soon finds herself in the middle of a love triangle she doesn’t want any part of. As she tries to reclaim the friendships she’s lost and to adjust to the unfamiliar feelings she’s having, she struggles with making the one decision that will forever change their lives: Levi or Tucker Corbin? 

She’s always had a special bond with Tucker and feels most comfortable when she’s with him. But Levi brings her to life in a way she didn’t think was possible and makes her feel things she didn’t think she would ever feel. Torn between the two, Ali is certain of only one thing–by the time it’s over, she’ll lose one of her best friends.




In one or two sentences, give the core premise behind your story.
Levi and Tucker Corbin have been Ali's best friends her entire life, but when they begin to fight over her, she's face with the impossible decision of choosing between them.

When and where does your book take place?
The Georgia Corbins takes place in the present day. When I wrote it, I had a time frame of Spring 2012 in my mind, but really, it can take place at any time, that's what makes it so great.

It's set in the fictional small town of Haldeen, Georgia. Haldeen is modeled very closely on my own hometown, Mexico, NY. It's a very small town with one main road and two stoplights.

How does the time and setting weave into the plot and persona of the characters?
The time and setting play a large role in the story, even though it may not seem like it. Haldeen is like every small town: everyone knows what everyone else is doing and they're not afraid to talk about it. This leads to some pretty nasty rumors about Ali and the Corbins that she has to deal with. Also, the use of technology, cell phones mostly, play into some not-so-funny pranks. For example, Ali's biggest rival, Shelby Blake, records Ali doing something she shouldn't have been doing, and then Shelby sends it to Ali's boyfriend. 

Who is the heroine? What drives her?
The heroine is Alison (Ali) Philips. She's a seventeen year old junior in high school. Deep down she's a tomboy, but slowly she's become more of a girly-girl. All throughout elementary and middle school she was teased by her classmates. It was only once the Corbin boys befriended her that things got a little better. However, when the Corbins move away, Ali is once again alone and forced to fend for herself.

It's the need to show her tormentors that she doesn't need the Corbin's to protect her that drives her. Also, she's really driven by the all-consuming need to keep Levi and Tucker on speaking terms, to keep their friendship intact no matter what the cost to her own heart.

Who is the hero? What drives him?
There are two heroes in the story. Bonus! Levi Corbin and Tucker Corbin—they are seventeen year old, fraternal twin brothers. Levi is a true southern gentleman, always polite and always trying to do the right thing. Tucker, on the other hand, is more of a jokester, always getting into trouble, and trying to take Ali with him. Both Levi and Tucker are driven by the need to protect Ali and to win her heart from the other.

Is there a villain? Who is he/she? What’s he/she like? Why is he/she the way they are? What motivates him/her to cause oppositional force to the characters? Without giving any spoilers, can you give a hint as to what sort of opposition he/she gives to the main characters?
The biggest "villain" in this story is Shelby Blake. She's been a classmate of Ali's since Kindergarten, but it wasn't until middle school that Shelby became a true villain, or rather, a bully. It's hard to stay too much without giving away some spoilers, but I can say this, Shelby has always had a thing for Levi and Levi has never had eyes for anyone but Ali. Shelby doesn't handle rejection well and has made it her mission to make Ali's life hell by spreading rumors, making snide comments at the most inappropriate times, and butting her nose into places she has no business being.

Is this book a part of a series?

Yes, this is actually the first book in a trilogy. Ali eventually makes a choice at the end of this book, but that's not where things end. The Corbin brother she didn't choose isn't going to give up so easily. Book two will lead to a final and resolute choice along with the reveal of a huge, life changing family secret. Book three will follow the brother who wasn't chosen on his path to finding love. Oh, and there is going to be a major accident that will threaten the lives of one of the boys. 




Where to find the book 

Barnes and Noble

Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of The Georgia Corbins, Kara Leigh Miller is giving away exciting prizes. The Grand Prize, which is open to US residents only, includes a signed copy of The Georgia Corbins, The Georgia Corbins hardcover journal and postcards, The Georgia Corbins tote bag, Kara Leigh Miller pens and notebooks, and Legasea bookmarks. 

Second and third prizes are an ebook copy of The Georgia Corbins, and one lucky person will win a first chapter critique. International entries are welcome. Good luck! Winners will be announced July 1st.




Make sure you visit Through Stephanie's Eyes to learn more about Kara Leigh Miller and to read an excerpt from The Georgia Corbins.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Sensuous Promo’s Book Tour for Fairy Dust by Carol Shenold #fantasy #paranormal #romance


Welcome to the first stop in Sensuous Promo’s Book Tour for Carol Shenold’s, Fairy Dust.


Can a half-fairy and a were wolf find true love and save the world the same day?


Fairy Dust by Carol Shenold

Half fae/half witch, Ande Ryan’s deepest desires are simple: a stress-free, fun evening with a nice guy, to earn the respect of her peers in the Paranormal Investigation Unit, and at long last, learn to use her Goddess given fae magic.

Instead, she fights a demon, gets mugged by a pixie, meets her soul mate and oh yeah, has to try and defeat a wizard with the help of a six-foot elf and a wolf—Cal Masterson.

Cal had no idea that his first encounter with Ande Ryan would include a fight with a demon or an intense attraction to the red-haired fairy who displays as much courage and determination as any wolf in his pack. Will Cal overcome his need to protect her as they both fight the odds and allow her fulfill her destiny?

Purchase from AMAZON



Excerpt


The thing coming at me barreled out of the trees, leaping from shadow to shadow.

Its rotten-meat smell drove me back. It didn’t hesitate before it threw itself at the circle shield. Sparks flew off, crackling in the air and weakening the shield. It kept coming, like the crazy it was, slamming itself into the arc, weakening it more and more until one of the impacts threw me back, into my own energy and through it. 

Okay, out of protection here. I threw myself over to land on my knees and came up in a crouch.

The ghoul looked around as if it couldn’t figure out where I went. When it saw me, it let out a snarl and flew toward me. I sent a stream of earth fire at his sorry ass but missed because I levitated at the precise moment I let the stream of fire loose. Ahhhhh.

It always happens at the wrong time. If I ever get control of the flying thing, it will be so great. 

Now the darkling was truly confused, and I sent another tiny but forceful fire stream toward him. This time I didn’t miss, and he burst into flame, at least his arm did.

He screamed with frustration because he couldn’t see where I was, flailed around a bit, and ran back into the trees.

“Damn it.” I needed down before the hell dog came back so I could get rid of it.

What if some kid came along. Not one child but several, in a group, with a leader came skipping toward the bridge. Damn, I shouldn’t have had that thought out-loud.

“Go back,” I yelled as loud as I could. “Hurry. Run.” The kids were chattering at the top of their lungs. The leader tried to push them faster, wanting out of the park before the sun set altogether I guessed. They didn’t hear a word I said.

Shadows crept toward them, and one shadow moved away from the others. It was back and heading straight toward the kids.

“Up here, idiot. Leave the kids alone. I’m your prey. Come on, use that one cell you have for a brain.”

“Oomph.” I dropped like a dead fairy, directly in front of the thing. I was toast.


Wildfire Romance Series