a word for publishing/ a sneakpeek

[Lt.Mac]

Howdy ya'll
Altough the ultimate goal for a writer is to be picked up by a "traditional" publishing house- here is a place to test the waters - at the very least you'll be read by family and friends -- and while your there look me up My poetry/shorts book is called Rambling On.
www.lulu.com

In the meantime I need opinions on my newest book in progress so here's a peek.

Her hands were cold as ice and trembling in anticipation, her knees weakened with each step as she made her way down the dark stone passage way. Apprehension pulsed through her veins with the force of a torrential flood. At the end of the stone hallway she came to a wall, painted ceiling to floor, with hieroglyphics and in the center an imprint of a hand. Slowly she lifted her hand up to the impression. Touching it lightly with her finger tips she gradually pressed the rest of her palm into place. Startled, she jumped back as a door began to slide open.
The sound of sistrums, ancient Egyptian ceremonial rattles, echoed loudly as she warily crossed the threshold, waving away a faint cloud of dust. Inside was a room, painted on the walls were scenes of Egyptian ceremonies the most prominent of which was the ancient goddess Isis presenting a crown to a woman. Roughly two dozen women all dressed in white linen and beaded collars made of lapis lazuli, turquoise and carnelian stood with rattles in hand.
They began to shake the sistrums more vigorously as they cleared a path, each bowing their head as she passed by. Before her sat a large stone chair, a throne, carved on the arms and backrest with more ancient Egyptian writing.
Reaching out her hand she touched the edge with her finger tips, then, the large clock on the wall chimed six times and Alexis startled awake. “Not again.” She whispered to herself as she slowly rolled out of bed. Alexis had been having that same dream every night since she began working at the British Museum three months ago.
At first she thought nothing of it, just a reaction to the new and exciting environment. She started at the museum only two weeks after finishing her graduate work in archaeology hoping to learn more about the specifics of Egyptology before venturing onto her doctorate studies.
Her first assignment, like all the other students, was to uncrate and catalog the new shipments of artifacts, any and all artifacts not just Egyptian. In fact there were no shipments from Egypt for the first two weeks and Alexis found herself a bit impatient and disappointed. She had been an avid fan of anything Egyptian since her uncle first brought her to see the mummies as a small child, not surprising since she, herself was born in Egypt.
Her uncle encouraged her to do and be anything she wanted, within reason, of course. Orphaned at birth, her biological mother had died in childbirth. The Sampsons, Alexis’ adoptive parents, had been living in Cairo on extended business, Mr. Sampson was a financial adviser for a large shipping company that did business with the British Museum, when they decided to adopt a child, as Mrs. Samson was unable to have any of her own. There where so many children in the orphanage but one look at Alexis and they knew she belonged with them. Just barely a year old her big dark eyes and one-toothed smile won their hearts over in an instant. Shortly after her second birthday the Sampsons returned to England with their new daughter in tow.

[Lt.Mac]

For the next three years Alexis had rather a normal life. Betina Sampson began educating her little girl very early. Alexis could read by the time she was four and was denied no subject in the scope of her curiosity. “Knowledge is power and my little darling with have all she wants. She will not grow to be a woman who is dependant on a husband for her identity.” Mrs. Sampson explained to anyone who would listen.
At the age of five, just a few days after the Christmas holiday, Mr. and Mrs. Samson were killed in a train accident. Alexis was then left in the care of her uncle, Harlen Wimbly, her mother’s older brother. Like his sister, Harlen, a professor of history, believed in education and continued with his sister’s plan to let Alexis have all the education she desired in whatever subject she chose, whether it was considered appropriate for the feminine gender or not.
By age nine she had developed an insatiable interest for cultural studies and later archaeology. The fact that she gravitated toward the increasingly popular scientific trend of Egyptology seemed only natural. The announcment, two years ago, of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb had brought Egyptology into the limelight, so to speak, as a science in itself separate from archaeology as a whole. Mr. Carter’s discovery had distracted Alexis almost to the point of obsession, causing her to temporarily fall behind in her studies. (She did catch up of course, after several weeks of sleepless nights and the ‘encouragement’ of her uncle.) She was equally ecstatic when she received the letter allowing her to continue her specialized studies through an internship at the museum.

[Lt.Mac]

this is of course just a first draft - enjoy!!!!:)

[Amarnagrape]

I'm intrigued!!:) I'm a huge fan of Egyptology as well.

[dd in NH]

Love books on Egyptology, mummies, and the various gods. Caught my interest. Will it be published soon? dd in NH:)

[Lt.Mac]

How soon it's published depends on how much time family gives me to write. probably not before the new year
right now I'm in a research break-
plot hint:Tut's missing wife.:rolleyes:

[Lt.Mac]

During her third week at the museum a small shipment of jewelry came in from a dig near Thebes. As soon as she opened the crate an eerie sensation came over her. As she removed each piece from its wrapping a vision would flash in her mind, a vision of a young dark haired woman with a painted face. One piece in particular, a large gold scarab bracelet adorned with lapis lazuli and turquoise, brought her almost to tears. The piece seemed familiar to her and she began to feel loss and homesickness. After a minute or two she decided that it was just her imagination running away on the excitement of the moment and that she may have seen something similar in the past and her memory was making a connection.
Within a couple days time the dreams began and have continued, increasing in frequency, until now they haunt her nearly every night.
“You look tired, my dear.” Harlen speculated as Alexis shuffled into the dining room for breakfast. “Didn’t you sleep well again?”
Alexis poured herself a cup of tea and took her place at the table. “Not really, actually.” She tasted her tea then added a spoonful of sugar. “I’m still having those strange dreams. They drain the energy right out of me.”
“Perhaps you should speak to Dr. Lawry. He could give you something to help you sleep better.”
“I may just do that Uncle. Thank you. I’ll stop by his office on the way to the museum this morning.” She replied, reaching for her tea again.
Harlen plopped his napkin on the table and rose to his feet. “Well, I must be off.” He stood behind Alexis’ chair and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. “Try not to over work yourself today and do stop by Dr. Lawry’s office. You look exhausted.” He kissed the top of her head and hurried out of the room.
After her cup of tea and a bit of toast Alexis returned to her room and began to search through her clothes for something to wear. She thought that perhaps something colorful would help perk her up a bit. She came across a sky blue skirt that she had forgotten she even owned. “Hmm. I haven’t worn this in quite a while. It would go nicely with my ecru blouse. Perhaps some spring colors are just what I need to help fight off this dreariness.” She whispered to her self. “Maybe I’ll add a string of blue beads to set it off.”
Betty, Uncle Harlen’s cleaning lady, had just reached the top of the stairwell as Alexis emerged from her room. “You look bright and cheery this morning Miss Sampson.”
“Thank you Betty, I thought a little dressing up would perk me up a little bit.”
“Yes, Mr. Wimbly did say you were feeling a bit out of sorts lately. But you look radiant this morning.”
“Thank you again Betty.” Alexis headed for the stairway then stopped. “Have seen what I’ve done with my gray sweater? I thought I put it in my wardrobe but it’s not there.”
“I believe.” Betty paused a moment and bit her lip. “I just saw it a bit ago. Where was it now? Oh yes! Hanging by the kitchen door, you must have worn it out into the garden recently.”
“Of course! I had it on this past Sunday when it started raining. By the time I made it to the door I was soaked. I hung it there to dry. Oh Betty, see how my mind it going lately.” Alexis hurried down the steps.
“You’re quite welcome.” Betty called out after her.

[Amarnagrape]

Ankhespaten?

[Lt.Mac]

Anankhsenamen or anankhsenamun or anankhsunamun, depending on whose dialect your info comes from-mysteriously disappeared from the face of the earth. shortly after Tut's death she was forced to marry Ay (who would have been old enough to be her grandfather since she was only 3-4 years older than Tut)-she tried to get the Hittite king to let her marry one of his son's saying she wouldn't marry a servant, thus promising him the throne of Egypt- when one was sent to her he was killed as soon as he reached the border- but by who? no one knows. Anyway once she had married Ay she disappeared into oblivion, leaving much to the imagination and I have a wild one.
:rolleyes:Did you also know that her father Akhenaten is considered by some to be a possiblity for the origin of the Moses story? but that's another book.

Scentific Theories make great springboards for stories :rolleyes:

[appeace]

Another great story! What a blessing you have, Lt Mac:D Cant wait for more!

[Akashary]

...and you call me talented??:eek:

I love ancient Egypt and I love the British Museum. Everytime I am in London, I have to take a day off just for a visit there.
Great peak and I am very curious about the book and the story. I hope you give us more sneaks and of cause a note when it`s published, cause I definitly want one.:D

..waiting for more....Akashary;)

[JustBecause]

Interesting subject - makes you want to read more. :)

[Lt.Mac]

okay ya'll- but this is it for a while the rest of the book is still a jumbled mess of notes , then there's the writing and rewriting and rearranging will be a couple of weeks before there's more


“You’re quite welcome.” Betty called out after her.
The doctor was not in when Alexis stopped by. “He’s off checking on Mrs. Wingate and her new little one.” His nurse explained. “Poor lady had an awful time of it. Nearly two days in the labor.”
“Oh, that’s terribly sad. Is the baby alright?” Alexis inquired politely.
“Oh yes, a bouncing baby boy.” The nurse continued on with her filing as she spoke. “The mother will be fine soon I’m sure, just a bit worn and weak.”
“Well, that’s good. I’ll stop by and give her my best wishes in a few days, when she’s better up to it. Please do tell the doctor I will come back later.” Alexis responded as she opened the door. “Good day to you, Nurse Downs.”
She tried to walk briskly hoping it would lift her spirits, however, she soon felt the need to slow down. It took a small bit of effort to climb the steps outside the museum but once she reached the top and caught her breath she seemed fine. Rounding the corner in the hall she saw that the other five interns were crowded around the door to the backroom where the incoming artifacts are uncrated and cataloged. Everyone was chattering excitedly about something. Coming closer she discovered the cause of the hubbub. A notice had been posted on the door by Dr. Winston, the director of Egyptology.
He was looking for second assistant to go with him on a new dig near Tel el Amarna, an area believed to be the site of the ancient city of King Akhenaten. As she read the notice Alexis felt herself become flustered and weak. There was a wash of excitement and fear that passed over her like a tidal wave. The next thing she knew she was lying on the floor with everyone looking down at her.
Roderick Fischer, Dr. Winston’s assistant, was cradling her head on his knees and holding a cold cloth on her forehead. “What happened?” She managed to mutter.
“I believe you fainted.” Roderick smiled a bit mockingly. “Are you hurt anywhere? You didn’t break anything did you?”
Alexis, a little befuddled and embarrassed, sat up and quickly, though somewhat painfully, sprang to her feet. “No, Mr. Fischer, nothing seems to be broken and I am feeling much better.” She replied nervously while straightening her clothes and hair.
“Well, that’s good. Maybe you should come and sit in Dr. Winston’s office for a few minutes just to be sure you’re alright, Miss Sampson.”
“No, thank you Mr. Fischer, I am quite satisfactory. I will just get straight to work like everyone else should be doing instead of gawking at me.” She retorted with exasperation at the others standing by and huffed off to her table.
Later that morning Dr. Winston began meeting with the interns, interviewing them for the assistant position. One by one each was called to his office and upon returning each had an optimistic level of confidence. However, one note of disappointment came when Hasan Yasid returned from his interview.
Dr. Winston asked him to stay behind to oversee the work at the museum as he was the most experienced and conversant of the interns, being in his second year, and someone knowledgeable needed to be at the museum to run things. Hasan understood that this was a very exceptional opportunity, to be temporary head of Egyptology, but still he felt disappointed. He was after all from the Emirates and hoped he could work closer to home for a few months.
“I am truly sorry, Hasan.” Alexis tried to offer some comfort as the group sat having tea in a nearby restaurant. “But think of it. You are essentially the number one of us all. The most trusted and revered by Dr. Winston and I do believe this is a paid position which if I am not mistaken makes you no longer an intern.”
“Thank you. I do not think I am all that important, my dear friend. Being closer to my homeland would have been nice but since you put it that way, it does sound rather highly distinguished.” Hasan smiled. “Now, if any of us deserve to go it is you. I watched you one day open a crate of jewelry. Its contents touched you so deeply that you looked as if you were about to cry, like a homesick child. Egypt is in you Alexis, physically and spiritually, something tells me that you belong there. Not just in that you should live there but that you, your soul, your whole essence actually belongs to Egypt.” Hasan instantly set his cup down and took her hands in his. “And if the good Doctor doesn’t choose you I will put every Arabic curse I know on him.” Both he and Alexis laughed loudly.
“Thank you Hasan, for your vote of confidence.”
“It is true and deep inside something is trying to tell you that or you would not be so deeply in love with Egyptology.”

[Lt.Mac]

It was nearly three o’clock when Dr. Winston finally called Alexis into his office. It worried her a bit that she had been the last but Dr. Winston assured her that it was just the luck of the draw. In actuality she was one of the top three interns he had been considering. He went on to explain that he would be observing those three, with great scrutiny, looking for special abilities and talents. He also mentioned that he was amazed at the speed and accuracy with which she was learning to decipher hieroglyphics. However, he was concerned about the fainting spell she had had early in the day and so asked her to have her health verified by a physician.
“The heat can become overwhelming in the desert and I want to be sure you will not become ill on me.” The director reclined against the back of his chair.
“Of course Dr. Winston.” Alexis agreed. “I understand your concern. It’s just that I have not been sleeping well as of late, a small touch of insomnia, and then I had only a very light breakfast this morning before I went out. I have an appointment with the physician this afternoon actually.”
“Very well then, do have him ring me here or just drop me a note tomorrow and that shall be settled.” Dr. Winston grinned as he rose from his chair and shook her hand. “And good luck to you.”
“Thank you very much Dr. Winston, I will do my very best.”





Dr. Lawry handed Alexis a small bottle of pills. “Take two of these roughly about an hour before you go to bed, have yourself a nice glass of warm milk and you should sleep like a baby. If this isn’t helping in a few days do come back to see me. As far as the weakness and dizziness, your iron may be a bit low. I would suggest eating a few more green vegetables, dark green is best, that and some deep sleep should be all you need. Stay home from church services on Sunday and relax a bit. One less pair of ears won’t hurt the good Reverend one little bit.”
“Thank you so much Dr. Lawry. I hope this works.” Alexis put her sweater back on and straightened her collar. “Oh, you will talk to Dr. Winston at the museum won’t you? This means so much to me.”
“Absolutely, my dear. As a matter of fact I shall drop by to see him this evening.”
“Thank you again.” Alex said as she stepped out of the examining room and headed for the front door.
“Good evening to you, Miss Sampson.” The nurse smiled.
“The same to you Nurse Downs, have a lovely evening.” Alexis rushed out. She couldn’t wait to return home and tell her uncle what had happened and to finally get a good night’s sleep.
“That is astonishing news!” Uncle Harlen’s voice thundered across the table. “What fascinating an experience this will be for you.”
“I haven’t been chosen yet, uncle. I’m only in the running and even that depends on whether Dr. Lawry’s medicine helps me get some rest or not. If I’m ill I won’t be picked.” Alexis clarified herself.
“Lawry is a good doctor. I’m sure whatever he prescribes will work just fine. But to be sure we will see to it that you follow his instruction precisely. As far as the rest you will out shine the others, of that I am definitely positive.”
“I am glad you think so highly of me, uncle. But I am still nervous.”
“There is no need to be nervous. You’re a shoe-in I can feel it in my bones.”

[Akashary]

Great Lt. Mac....

...that will keep my fantasy busy to imagine, what will happen next!!:D

Akashary;)

[Lt.Mac]

One can checkout my other books at the following link:
http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1869454

there is a poetry/short stories
a stage play
and a revised edition of my first book

[Akashary]

I`ll surely check it out:D

[Lt.Mac]

Their dinner arrived and conversation dwindled down a bit into small talk as they ate. Alexis feeling quite satisfied set aside her food. “We’ve talked about my tasks today but what about yours? The scroll you were working on was much more detailed than mine and quite a bit longer. You seemed to be very deep concentration. I assume it was a temple story, which one?”
“It was a very interesting account of a battle actually, from the time of Ramesses II.”
“Really?” Alexis folded her hands in front of her and rested them on the table. “Please tell me.”
“It is a very common story as it is carved on the stela and obelisks of many temples. However, this scroll has some information not found anywhere else.” Hasan leaned in close and whispered as if he was being spied on.
“What kind of information?” Alexis asked.
“I’ll tell you at the end of the story.” Hasan grinned.
“Well then start telling.”
“According to the scroll Ramesses was preparing for a battle with the Hati, the Hittites. He had gathered all his army together at Pi-Ramesse in the taa-mahoo.”
Alexis paused him for a moment. “The taa-mahoo, give me a minute. Taa- mahoo? The Delta, right?”
“Yes.” Hasan agreed. “His royal residence there. He had divided his army into four sections. Each was named after the gods, one was the army of Amun, this is the one he lead. The other three were the armies of Re, Ptah, and Seth. The armies of Re, Ptah and Seth were sent on ahead, traveling along the Phoenician coast and cutting across land to rendezvous, with the Pharaoh and the army of Amun, who took the more direct route, near Kadesh in Syria.
As they came nearer to Kadesh Ramesses pulled his army forward thus separating the troops again. He was joined shortly thereafter by an army of Shosu who were claimed loyalty to Egypt. Two of the Shosu men, scouts who had just returned from patrol, were Hittite spies and informed the king the enemy troops were hiding in Aleppo, a land almost one hundred and ninety kilometers away.
Ramesses decided to make camp and prepare for the coming battle based on the recent intelligance. However, when some of the Pharaoh’s scouts were later patrolling the perimeter of the camp they discovered that the Hittites were actually much closer. They were only about three kilometers from the camp and mobilizing. The two spies were immediately sought out and after confessing to their deeds were executed.
But the other three armies had not yet caught up with the army of Amun. Ramesses gathered his generals and began to devise an alternate plan but before they could do anything the enemy was upon them. The men began to panic as the Hittite chariots came charging through the unprepared warriors. Many Egyptians soldiers were not armored or armed. A bloody one-sided battle began.
At this the Pharaoh quickly donned his armor, leapt into his chariot and ploughed straight into the Hittite masses. The scroll claims that he shone like the war god, Montu, and single handedly drove back the enemy., until the other troops arrived.” Hasan stopped for a sip of tea.
“That is a very exciting story.” Alexis exclaimed. “No wonder you were so engrossed.”
“Yes, but what I have said so far is written on monuments all over Egypt. But the scroll says more.” Hasan leaned in close again. “It says that three Hittite prisoners were brought to Ramesses to hear charges for which they would be put to death. According to this scroll the prisoners claimed the Hittite king, Muwatalli II, would not stop until the throne of Egypt was his. That it was promised to the king’s grandfather, Suppiluliuma I by way of an uncle who was murdered in his attempt to claim it, promised mind you, by none other than King Tutankhamun’s widow Ankhesenamun and thus should have been part of his inheritance.” Hasan explained.
“But the Egyptians and the Hittites had been at war with each many times before. And why would the grieving Queen of Egypt promise her throne to an enemy? It doesn’t make sense.”
“No it doesn’t. We are certainly not going to find any answers sitting here. It is nearly six o’clock. Are you ready?” Hasan paid the bill and offered Alexis his hand.
“More ready than ever. We seem to have a mystery to investigate.” Alexis smiled as she took his hand and rose to her feet.
“I’m afraid the detective work will have to wait until we have finished the other scrolls.” Hasan said with a smile as he opened the door for her.

[appeace]

WOW! Oh boy what a mystery:eek: Great reading---cant wait for more:D

[Akashary]

You still have me on.....:D

[Lt.Mac]

okay this is an excerpt from a different story set in Austria- still working on the Egyptian one.

Persephone’s heart raced as she impatiently waited for her grandparents to retire for the night. She had planned to sneak out through the window and make her way up the mountain path to Thierry’s mansion. Meeting him had been the most exciting experience she’s had since she arrived in Austria two weeks ago. He was so mysterious, never leaving his house, a house that was filled with such beautiful antiques and paintings from hundreds of years ago. He had nothing from this century, no electricity, no indoor plumbing, no central heating, no phone, nothing.
His eyes were dark. But the darkness was more than just coloring, they seemed lost, lonely, empty, but when he looked at her they were not cold. Not cold as they were when he would stare at the fire or out over the balcony. Then they would be cold and emotionless. His eyes together with the coal black hair that hung to his shoulders and the darkness of night made him look deathly pale. She wondered if he had a phobia of some kind that kept him from wanting to be out in the daylight or leaving his estate or if he was perhaps fighting a disease, cancer maybe. She could sense that he had a secret, a profoundly deep secret, and that only made her want him more.
Halfway up the dirt path Persephone heard footsteps behind her. She started to quicken her pace, almost to a sprint, but the footsteps continued to match hers. Through the breaks in the trees she could see the candle light glowing in one of Thierry’s second floor windows. She started running, remembering that her Grandfather had told her the wolves would prowl for food near the paths on the nights of the dark moon. The recently transplanted city girl knew how to defend herself against the kind of wolves that prowled the streets of New York but her self defense class would be useless on the four-legged kind of the Austria woods.
She glimpsed behind her as her hurried around the bend in the path as she turned her gaze back to trail a large shadowy figure sprung out from the trees and grabbed her by the arm. She screamed in terror.
“Persephone?” A deep voice calmly came from the dark. “It’s just me. Thierry.”
Persephone gathered herself enough to focus her eyes on his face. “Thierry!” She sighed in relief and flung her arms around his neck. “I think I was being followed.”
“You were being hunted.” He slid one arm around her waist and pulled her closer. His cold, pale hand brushed her cheek as she rested her head on his chest. “What are you doing out here in the night? Hasn’t anyone told you not to come in the forest when there is no moon? It’s dangerous,” “and foolish.” He released her from his embrace and held her by the shoulders. You could have been killed.” He released her from his embrace and held her by the shoulders.
“I wasn’t thinking of that, I just wanted to see you.”
“You’re lucky I was out here taking a stroll, I don’t think you would have made it to my door.” He took his long cloak off and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Here, you’re shivering. Let’s get you inside and sit by the fire.”
Persephone, still wearing Thierry’s cloak, curled herself up in the large wing-backed chair next to he fireplace in the parlor. Thierry had told her to wait there for him. He had some personal matters he needed to finish before he could sit and chat. She stared up at the portrait which hung above the mantle. She had seen it several times now and still could not get over the remarkable resemblance between the woman in the painting and herself. She favored more her mother structurally than her father, though she had his olive skin and dark hair. The lady in the painting was a fairer version of her own mirror image.
“Here, drink this.” She heard from behind her. She opened her eyes to see a hand holding a wine goblet. “It will help you relax.” She took the cup and the very handsome man who was attached to the hand came around the chair.
“Thank you.” Persephone replied as she raised the goblet to her lips.
Thierry crouched down in front of the chair. “It was not wise of you to come out tonight.”
“I know that now. But I wanted to see you.”
“You missed me that deeply? So much so that you would walk through a dense wolf infested forest on a moonless night?”
“Don’t make it sound so terrifying.”
“But you were terrified, my dear. Weren’t you?” Thierry touched her chin with his finger. She placed her hand on his and cradled her cheek in his palm. Right away she noticed that his hands were warmer. For the first time since she had met him his skin felt warm. She liked it.
“Yes,” She said softly, “very terrified.”
Rising to his feet, he kissed the top of her head and then her hand. “Well, you are in safe hands now. So if you will allow me, my fralein, I will escort you back to the edge of the dirt path so you can return home.”
Persephone jumped from her seat. “No!”
“But you must go home. Your grandparents will be worried when they discover you missing.”
Persephone gripped the lapel of his jacket. “No, I’m not ready to go back yet. Please, I want to be with you.” She reached up and caressed his cheek.
He looked down into her tear filled eyes. “But you must.”
“Look, I know you’re older but I am not kid. I’m eighteen and I can do what ever I choose.”
“Persephone, you have no idea who I am, what I am.”
“But I want know. I want to know everything about you.”
“Maybe some day but-” Thierry stopped himself short.
“I love you Thierry. I don’t care about what you might have done in the past. I don’t care about how old you are. I don’t care, even, how many ex-wives or girlfriends you’ve had. All I care about is right now and right now I want to love you.”
“Please don’t do this.” Thierry tried to gently push her away from him but he wanted it too. It had been so long, so many centuries of endless loneliness. So long since his heart felt anything but hatred, so many days of tortured memories. Now finally he had the chance to feel human again. He managed to back away and face away from her. “My dear,” He started calmly, “This is far to complicated from you to understand and it is my own fault. I never should have lead you to believe that-”
“That you love me?”
“Yes, it was wrong of me.” Thierry sat in one of the strait back chairs at the chess table across the room.
“But you do love me.” Persephone came slowly across the room. She put one hand on his shoulder and the other she used to caress his face. She straddled his lap and sat down, her one hand went from his shoulder up through his hair that she began to gently wind around her fingers. With the other she lightly brushed her thumb across his lips, then, gently brought her own to his. “Love me Thierry.” She whispered. “You know you want to.”
At this he seized her by the hips and pulled her against him. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he lifted them both from the chair. She continued to passionately caress his neck and shoulders with her soft lips as he carried her up the long mahogany staircase and through the door to the room she had occupied when they first met.
Persephone released her hold around his hips and set her feet on the floor. They groped zealously at each other’s clothing, like ravenous children turned loose in a sweetshop, tossing each piece aside until there was a garment trail from the door to the bed. Thierry reached above her head and pulled the bed curtain away. Persephone gracefully sat herself on the edge of the bed letting her hands slowly glide down his body to the inside of his thighs and back up again.
Lowering himself to his knees, Thierry cupped both hands along her jaw line and tenderly kissed her forehead, then her cheek, her nose, her lips, her shoulder, finally down to her soft, tan breast. She gasped and coiled his hair around her fingers as his mouth lightly encircled her already hardened nipple. She pulled him in closer as his tongue ran across her chest and over to the other nipple.
Persephone allowed herself to lie back onto the bed and Thierry came up beside her.

[JustBecause]

Sigh... I guess you had to stop there. The next couple of sentences may have been to hot to print. :eek:

[renate]

:D:D:p:rolleyes:
renate

[Lt.Mac]

actually I quit writing and headed for the shower with a bucket of ice. ;)

[appeace]

WWWWWWHewwwwwww! Was the keyboard on fire???;)

[Lt.Mac]

excerpt-from Bloodline- due out in the spring--


PROLOG



The young Baroness Von Lager stood on the small balcony of her bedroom gazing out upon the lush Italian countryside. Her deep far off stare was not the dreamy kind for her eyes were sad and weary. The silent beauty of the dusky sunset was shattered as Baron Von Lager burst into the room. Frantically, he flung open the closet doors and pulled out his wife’s luggage. “You must take Drake and leave here immediately!” He begins to haphazardly fill the suitcases with her clothes.
“Why? What is happening?” She was startled but not entirely surprised by this sudden outburst. Her husband’s outbursts of irrational behavior had become more and more intense over the past several weeks. She feared that he would lose his mind completely and end up locked away in a sanitarium.
It all began with an onset of nightmares that, over a few months time, gradually became worse. He became increasingly paranoid day by day. Finally, even more obsessed and reclusive he closed himself up in the library, spending hours and hours relentlessly searching through book after book for answers to something.
A week before this episode an old gypsy woman had come to see him. After the old woman departed he locked the door and did not emerge from the room until now.
“Please! Annia, you must leave now and never come back!”
“What are you talking about Richard? Why are you acting like this! What is wrong?”
“Vito!” The Baron called down the hall for the butler.
“Si, Signore?” The butler asked as he approached the open door.
“Take my wife and son to the train station right away. Have the nanny go as well. Get them tickets on the first train out of here. It doesn’t matter where as long as it is far away from here. Do it quickly.”
“Si, Signore.” Vito promptly retreated, taking the Signora’s bags with him.
“Richard! What are you doing? Why are you sending us away like this?”
“Annia, please just do as I say. I must protect you and the child. I need to end this forever!” The Barron hurried his wife towards the door.
“Protect us?” She pleaded for an explanation.
“My family—my family has a curse. I must protect-“
Annia clutched his arm, forcing him to stop long enough to look her in the eye. “Protect us from what? Richard, what is happening?”
Richard gently pushed the Baroness into the hall and quickly slammed the door shut and locked it. “I must protect you from me.” He replied calmly as he sank to his knees and rested his head against the door. Tears streamed down his face as he listened to Annia plead with him to unlatch the door.
Richard’s shadow clung to the window as he peered through the drawn curtains. The nanny, with the sleeping child in her arms climbed into the back seat of the large black limo. Annia paused for a moment and glanced up at the balcony. Her face stained with tears, she climbed into the car.
The car slowly passed through the estate gates. Baroness Von Lager gazed through the back window as the silhouette of the house disappeared from view. Solemnly she turned to the child’s nanny.
“Listen to me carefully. Take Drake back to London to your family.”
“Why? What is happening?” Alex covered the boys ears so he wouldn’t be awakened by their conversation.
Annia firmly touched the girl’s hand. “You must do as I say. Leave here and never look back.”
“You’re going back aren’t you? You can’t! The Barron said to-” Alex, the nanny, already confused about the night’s events, became even more startled by the young mother’s request.
“If I don’t come for Drake within the week you must raise him as your own and never tell him about his real parents.”
“I can’t do that!”
“Please Alex! You’re all I have now!” Annia lifted Alex’s hand and clutched it tightly. “Promise me!”
“But, I can’t-”
“Promise me, now! You must!” Annia glared at her, reaching out and firmly squeezing the girl’s shoulder.
The girl stared diligently at the child’s mother with amazement not knowing what to do or say. “All right Ma’am, I promise.”
“Grazie, Alex.” Annia whispered. She took a pen from her purse and wrote out a check for a very large sum. “Here is some money to help you out. It should last a while.” She handed the check to Alex then calmly asked Vito to stop the car.
“But Signora, you must go to the train.”
“I said stop the car, Vito, now por favor!”
Vito pulled the car over to the side of the road. The Baroness kissed her sleeping son, knowing this may well be the last time she will ever lay eyes on him. Her lips soaked in the sweetness of his innocence and the beauty of his youth, locking it away in the depths of her heart. “Remember, never tell him about this night. Never.” Placing her hand briefly on Vito’s shoulder she thanked him as she opened the door.
Softly weeping, Alex held little Drake close as she and Vito watched the distraught lady disappear into the darkness. “Let’s go Vito.” Alex whispered.

[Lt.Mac]

if ya'll find any typo's let me know- I tend to miss them the first 40-50 times I read through.

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Oh how heartbreaking!:( sniff---I cant see any typos thru the tears--Ackkkkk

[Lt.Mac]

bloodline cont.- (in bit and pieces)

As he entered the kitchen Drake was greeted by a cup of coffee and a kiss on the cheek. “Feeling better?”
“You call that a kiss?” He took the cup from Abby’s hand.
“Hey, if you’re catching something, I don’t want it.”
“What happened to in sickness and in health and sharing every part of our lives.”
“Drake, honey, I love you but we don’t have to share everything.”
“You’re no fun.” He half whispered as he took a sip of his coffee then set the cup down on the counter. “I have to get going I’m late.”
“How many more finals do you have left?”
“Two. One today and one tomorrow. Then it’s bye-bye Parkview Community College and hello Italia.”
“I can’t wait and the boys are so excited.”
“Me too.” Drake started towards the door then stopped and looked back. “Oh yeah, I almost forgot. If the lawyer calls tell him he can reach me at my office. I’ll be home around five. Bye sweetheart.”
The short drive to the college felt like an eternity. Drake just could not shake the uneasiness of last night. These strange dreams had started about a month ago and he decided to chalk them up to stress but they have become more and more intense.
Last night was the worst one yet. The deep eerie panic he felt as his own image leered back at him in the mirror scared him to death. He saw something reflect back at him from his own eyes, a sensation of evil that caused him to be terrified of his own soul. Even now, in the daylight it made him shiver.
As he pulled into the college parking lot, a young lady came running up and nervously knocked on the window.
“Professor! I need to talk to you.”
Drake grabbed his briefcase from the seat beside him and stepped out of the car, locking the door as he did. “Good morning Jenna. How are you this morning?”
“Professor, I have to talk to you right away!”
“I’m running behind so, walk with me and talk.”
The dark haired girl spoke frantically as she followed him to the front doors of the building. “Professor, I don’t how to explain all this to you. You’re going to think that I’m really nuts but I have this feeling…” Drake interrupted as they stepped through the automatic doors.
“Look, I’m sorry, but can you come by my office after lunch?” He briefly glanced at his watch. “I have a class in ten minutes and like I said, I’m running late.” Drake left the girl standing in the empty hall with a desperate look on her face as he rushed to his office. She anxiously shouted after him.
“It’s really important, Professor!”
“My office.” He sounded back as he rounded the corner and disappeared from view.
Two o’clock. Drake had just finished grading the last of the day’s papers when Jenna, the young lady from the parking lot, knocked at the open door. “Professor, I need to talk to you.”
Drake walked around to the front of the desk and leaned against the corner.
“Sure, Jenna. Come on in and sit down.” Jenna closed the door behind her and sat in the chair at the front of Drake’s desk. “Are you okay?”
“Professor, something bad is going to happen to you.”
“Really?” Drake was caught a bit off guard.
“Look, I know you’ll think I’m crazy but I have these dreams. I’ve had them all my life and they always come true.”
“Those are called coincidences. I thought you were smarter than that.”
“Don’t give me that, Professor! I’m serious!” The girl jumped to her feet.
“Take it easy, sit down.” Drake put his hand on her shoulder. “Look, I don’t know if I can help you out here. Maybe you should go speak with the campus Psychologist, Dr. Renald.”
“No, Professor. You don’t understand. I’m here to help you. You are in serious danger.”
“Jenna, they’re only dreams. You’ve had a heavy schedule this year and graduation is in a couple of days. I’m sure it’s just stress.”
Jenna anxiously rose to her feet again and started to pace across the room. “I have seen Dr. Renald! I’ve talked to him everyday since freshman year!” Jenna sat down again. “You’ve been having strange dreams too, haven’t you? You wake up in a cold sweat, can’t catch your breath. You feel like you’re being chased by some unseen thing. You feel like this evil thing is hiding in your own soul.”
Drake felt his stomach jump into his throat and for a moment he stopped breathing. Shocked, he said nothing. He quickly walked over to the window and stared out at the sky. “That’s a pretty common dream, Jenna. Many people have those kinds of feelings and it usually turns out to be something completely normal that’s bothering them.” Drake could not believe what he had just heard. Things like this just don’t happen. Every ounce of his intellect, his common sense, knew that this was not possible. How did she know?
“I’m right aren’t I, Professor?” Jenna came up behind him and touched his arm. He instinctively jerked away. “I know I’m right. You had one last night that scared the shit out of you. You saw inside your own soul and it scared you to death. Didn’t it?”
His heart was racing. He could feel the blood draining from his face and the sweat pouring from his temples as he sunk down into his chair. Incomprehensible images from his dreams spilled over into his conscious thoughts. He turned the chair around so his back was to her once more. He couldn’t let her see his face.
“I know about your trip to Italy, Professor and about your inheritance.”
Drake tried to sound calm. “Well, that’s pretty common knowledge around here, just about everyone knows that.”
“I also know that you are apprehensive about it all and you don’t know why. You try to hide your fear from everybody, but you can’t hide it from me.”
He felt as if his heart was about to leap from his chest. Reaching into his pocket he took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his face. “It is quite natural for any educated person to be leery about news like that.”
Jenna stood with her arms cross across her chest gazing out of the window. She slowly drew in a deep breath and let it out. “My family’s ancestors are from that very same village.”
“Another coincidence.”
“One of my ancestors was a servant to one of your ancestors.”
“And that proves what, Jenna?”
“That we are connected. Our families have a spiritual connection of some kind.”
“Oh, come on Jenna.” Drake was beginning to feel like he was in a science fiction story.
“All the first born women of my family have this ability. But suddenly mine is tuned solely into you. I see what you see. I feel what you feel. I don’t know how or why but I do.” She walked over to the chair across the room and rested her elbows on the back. “I’ve had this ability as far back as I can remember. I’ve pretty much treated it as a game because all I’ve ever seen were little things like someone falling off their bike or that my friend was about to be dumped, you know harmless stuff like that. But over the past few weeks the dreams have been getting a little hairy. I didn’t understand until last night when I saw your face, only-” She paused.
“Only what?” Drake whispered.
“Only, it wasn’t your face, it looked like you but there was this evil shining in the eyes and it was surrounded by flames.” Jenna walked up to his desk. “Your life is in danger, your whole family is in danger and it has to do with this inheritance.”

[Lt.Mac]

sneek peek at yet another project entitled The Mage King:


Crouched behind the trunk of an ancient willow tree I watched helplessly as my village, the only world I had ever known burned out of existence in the valley below. I fell to my knees and covered my ears with my cloak in an attempt to block out the cries of anguish and terror that echoed through hills surrounding the small, once prosperous valley. When the outcries ceased I peered out from behind the tree once more to see the few surviving Windillians being herded north by the invaders. My heart sank heavily as they passed by my hiding place in the brush. Sarean caught my eye, she was still alive and for that I was thankful, but the look on her face told me that there was more danger to come.
The Windillians were a quiet and peaceful people. Barely taller than the long-haired ponies they used for working in the fields, their willowy fingers, pointed ears and big round eyes were far different from my own. Sarean, the Windillian who raised me, once said I was human. She found me as an infant hidden in a hollow tree not far from a camp where four human men and a woman, presumably my mother, were slain and left to rot by the Phantom Raiders. She supposed that I had come from the Black Valley, a dark and dangerous place far in the Northern Mountains. The unfortunate occupants of the camp had most likely escaped from that dreadful place only to be hunted down by the Raiders. Sarean said she was surprised that they had made it this far.
The Phantom Raiders were abominably cruel soldiers who served the odious King Malvor. Malvor ruled Oridia, the kingdom in the center of Black Valley. He was a heinous, heartless man who destroyed simply for pleasure. After killing his predecessor and claiming his crown he had the rest of the royal family slaughtered to prevent any heir from retaliating against him. It is rumored that one of the previous king’s daughters and her husband escaped. For nearly sixteen years King Malvor has had his Raider troops out searching for her, although they had never bothered with the Windillians or Zephyr Valley before now.
It was just before dawn when Sarean woke me with some urgency in her voice. “Varek wake up. There is not much time, you must hurry.” She placed my cloak across my shoulders as I slid my feet into my boots then she handed me a sack containing some cheese, bread and herbs. “You need to leave the valley.”
“But why?” I asked half yawning.
“The why and where with be revealed to you soon.” She led me to the door. “Don’t try to travel through the valley, go up into the hills behind the trees and do not return here no matter what happens.”
“But Sarean I-”
“No questions. There is no time.” Without as much as a finger being laid upon it the door opened behind me. I remember thinking for a brief moment how I wish she had taught me to do that. “It is your destiny.” She spoke softly as she gently pushed me out into the darkness and shut the door.
I heard the rusty bolt slide across the wooden door frame and lock into place. Never before did I remember her ever bolting the door against me. With that I knew there was no turning back, the life I had known was taken from me. I did not understand why until I reached the crest of the hills and saw the Raiders riding hard toward the village.
I could do nothing to help, I was but a single boy. I could not fight. I could not do enough magic to harm a group of warriors. All I could do was hide myself as Sarean instructed. When the soldiers and their prisoners had passed I began to head south along the perimeter of the valley keeping to the cover of the trees. My only chance of saving Sarean and the others was to go across the mountains to the Cirian valley and hope that the inhabitants there were willing to help.

[Lt.Mac]

BTW: this is the link to my storefront where you can find my (finished)books
for those who are interested.

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1869454

just copy and paste

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Wonderful! Brava--More!:D