Motivational Monday - Why You're Still Waiting to Get Started on Your Dreams

Have you ever had this conversation with yourself?

I really want to start on this project, it is going to be amazing, but I must wait. It’s not time yet. I will start on [INSERT DATE HERE].

I’ll start the business I have been researching and consumed about after the kids graduate from college?

I’ll just wait until Memorial Day to begin my exercise program.

We’ve all done it—Seriously, been there, done that. There always seems to be a good reason not to get started right here and now. A self-imposed barrier we create to ensure procrastination born out of fear.

Consider these excuses. Is one of them yours?

• You’re waiting for the perfect time. Are you waiting for the stars to align and the heavens to tap you on the shoulder and give you permission? You’ll be waiting for a long time. The time will never be perfect to get started on something significant. Hello, life is never risk-free so just do it!

• You’re waiting for something else to happen first. Maybe you’re waiting for the kids to move out or for the mortgage to be paid off. Or you’re waiting until your next promotion. Or you’re waiting for some internal drama to pass. 

• You’re waiting until you have more money. There’s never enough money. You’ll find the money you need along the way.
  
  

• You’re waiting for Monday, or the first of the month, or the first of the year. So many people wait until Monday to start a diet, -- which makes no sense to me because Sunday is the first day of the week--or the first of the month to begin an exercise routine. Then the first of the month lands on a Wednesday and we say we will wait until Sunday – are you seeing a pattern here? There’s nothing magical about any date on the calendar. The calendar is a man-made invention to keep time. If you are feeling it now, do it now.
  
  

• You’re waiting until you know more. Some people believe they need to know every shred of information related to their quest before they can get started. This simply isn’t true. You don’t need to know a lot to begin, all you need is the desire and commitment.
  
  

• You don’t really think you’ll be successful. It makes sense that you won’t get started if you believe you can’t be successful. This is a sign that you might need to start with a smaller objective. A perfect goal is one that you believe you can achieve that also excites you.
  
  

• You’re afraid you will be successful. This sounds counter-intuitive; however, many people are afraid of success. We may not like our current situation, but we are comfortable. Let’s face it, comfortable is easy, predictable, and there is no risk involved. We would rather have predictable misery than uncertain success. There’s no way to predict 100% what your life will be like if you’re successful.
  
  

• You’re scared. If you’re honest with yourself, this is the most likely reason you’re postponing the pursuit of your dreams. Whether you dread the feeling of being hungry on a diet, sweating on a treadmill, or making a fool out of yourself with a failed business, you’re simply afraid.

In most cases, it’s better to get started immediately, rather than waiting for just the right time to get started. Even a little progress is better than no progress. Have faith in yourself and jump in with both feet.

You can’t be successful if you don’t get started. Your dreams are waiting for you.

Come Find Me!

Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!

Saturday Seven - 11th April, 2020 My Weekly Roundup!

Happy Saturday, what have you been up to this week? Here is a rundown of highlights for the week. I hope you find them useful in your life! My goal as a person and a writer are to always Pay-It-Forward, so please let me know how I can help you. YES, YOU!



Happy Easter :D


Enjoy your weekend & this post! Amazing things to come!

~Amy

What am I Reading? - Love is Blind by Nick Brady ~ A book published by one of my students and I am loving it! ~ Andrew and Ian are students in the same University. Andrew is sighted and Ian is blind. Andrew is curious about how Ian manages to adapt to a sighted world and an unlikely friendship develops. They have much to learn from each other. What begins as a casual friendship evolves into a lasting relationship as two very different people discovered that they are much more alike than they first thought. They share many trials and adventures and eventually make a life together





What am I Listening to? – Talk Like TED: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo and Macmillan Audio ~ This listen has helped me break through the barrier I built when it comes to writing my speech. It is a terrific read if you are thinking about public speaking or even if you enjoy TED Talks.


What Quote am I pondering? – We are all coping with an intense tragic event, be patient with yourself. It is okay to just vegetate and process.

Not sure where I saw this, but it affected me. Nothing like COVID19 has ever happened in modern times. The closest we’ve come here in the US is the Swine flu years ago. I am grateful my family and friends are safe and healthy. I have sympathy for all who are afflicted or touched by this Pandemic. I will be patient with the world, social media, and myself.


What am I Researching? – Virtual and Online Classrooms ~ Everything has shut down so Writing Warriors is going virtual. Honestly, I have been struggling with my perfectionist side and the need to move faster. I found Google Classroom, which funny enough my son’s school is using for their lessons as well. We will see how it goes!

Yummy Meal of the Week – Gyros from Arby’s – I haven’t been Arby’s in forever, but my son and I went for a change of pace and good lord what I have been missing. I am a huge fan of Gyros and did not know they have the traditional lamb as an option! Love it!! Go eat now – ask for extra tzatziki for you Gyro and horsy sauce for your curly fries!



What did I Learn? – The average consumer is using more toilet paper – No seriously. Think about it. While the disappearance of toilet paper from grocery store shelves is a result of panic the fact is – we will be using more toilet paper. Normally people are not home from about 7 AM to 5 PM. Now they are, including kiddos. The need to restock toilet paper, paper towels, and garbage bags is going to be more frequent.



What am I Watching? – Raising Dion on Netflix ~ keep an eye out for a full review but wow, love the show. Here are the details. A widowed single mom discovers that her son has superpowers and tries to figure out how to raise him safely and responsibly.




That is all for this week, my lovelies!
I hope you have an amazing week, and I will talk to you all next Saturday!



*BONUS Content ~


Have any thoughts on my week’s activity or want to make a recommendation? Drop me a line or a tweet. One lucky commenter will win a free Romine book of their choice! Never want to miss a blog post or a Saturday Seven? Join my mailing list, and I will be happy to send it straight to your inbox!

###

Come Find Me!

Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!

#Friday Author Spotlight Interview with Roy McDowell

If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?

New Orleans would be my choice.

What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?

The number of hours I put into writing is roughly the same a regular full-time job

How do you come up with names for your characters?

I use the 60,000 Big Book of Baby Names and look for definitions of what the names mean. Though some do just pop into my head, either partially or fully formed.

Give a shout-out to a fellow author.

Clifford Morris, He has taught my sarcastic and ornery self how to be even more sarcastic and ornery.

What is your favorite word, and why?

It would depend on if the word had to be a real-world word or if it could be a fiction word. My favorite real-world word is ironic. Because it is the opposite of appearance.

The fictional word is Zome, it is the Gaioterran word for love. By adding an O or and A and different accents to the original o or e, it defines the type of love. Be it love of a friend, a sibling, a parent, or grand/great parent as well as a lover or mate.

Describe your writing space.

It is best described as Fur-baby central. I have a smallish corner desk with a small hutch and an bigger man office chair. Typically, I have a cat either helping me type, on my lap or on the back of my chair or any combination (I have 3). Plus, a dog laying on the floor behind my chair.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I have written almost two dozen books so far, of them eight have been published in one form or another. Death Inc series and especially Mot’s Diner has become my favorite of the newer books. Of the older books it is The Breed.

What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book(s)?

It shocked me that when I get into the groove of writing I can put down a large amount of words. I am not talking 180,000 over a two year period, but 80,000 in three weeks and I consider my typing speed as slow.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

In the new stories it has to be Roland and Farnsworth Faustian Darkholme. They are both characters who due to how their souls were born, they are forced to be in places that truly don’t belong. Roland as a child of Death is forced to remain in the realm of the dead, even though he has progressed to the point he should be in heaven. Faust is Roland’s 2nd cousin as the grandson of Lucifer but he is good enough that he deserves to be reincarnated.

Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Oh, plenty of secrets and hidden nods are all over Mot’s Diner, only a few are inside jokes most are pop-culture or historical references, like who Rome and Julie really are. River and Alice as well.

Does one of your main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

In Death Inc series there is Roland and Farnsworth Faustian Darkholme, both of them are forced to be something that they don’t want to be, simply because of their souls birth. Roland is Death 3rd child and Faust is one of Lucifer’s grandsons. Roland belongs in Heaven and Faust should be reincarnated but both a stuck.

If one of your books was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?

Death Inc Series –

Death (Mot) would be Jared Leto (his appearance) with a backup of Adam Lavine (his personality)

Roland would be Daniel Radcliffe (his appearance), with a backup of Dylan O’Brien (his personality).

Lucifer would be Adam Lavine (his look), with a backup of Tom Ellis (his personality and he has already done it).

Farnsworth Faustian Darkholme would be Thomas Brodie-Sangster (his appearance), Dane DaHaan (also for his appearance)

Alice would be Linda Lavine (she already is)

River would be Alex Kingston (she already is).

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

I am working on two projects at present, but they are directly connected. The first is the 2nd book in the Death Inc series, “Return to Mot’s Diner” and the second which I am outlining for the April Camp NaNo is the 3rd book in the series which instead of a diner it is based in a motel.

How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?

I have a folder on OneDrive that is story ideas. I have well over a dozen in the folder.

One that might be interesting is on a nearly similar Earth to our own in which FDR was visited in a hospital years before he began president. His visitors were a group who not only told foretold him about his upcoming political life but warned him about Pearl Harbor. They eventually become a 4th branch of the government, PSION.

What are you reading now?

I am re-reading the Incarnations of Immortality series and Harry Potter series. I also have over 300 books on various subjects which are on my To Be Read list. They are all on my paper white.

What famous author do you wish would be your mentor?

I have three – Steven King, J.K Rowling and Piers Anthony all for different reasons. I have another three that would be backups for my main three.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Read, Harry Potter Fanfiction, regular stories or how-to

What is the best part of your day?

The evening or very early morning after everything else has settled down to sleep.

Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?

Snakes, I am scared of spiders.

What is your favorite word?

That depends, if it must be a real-world word or one that is in a story. Real world word would be irony. Story based word would have to Zome, it is the Breed word for love, simply by changing the accent, the portion that is stressed or adding an A or O changes the type of love. One word that can express love for siblings, parents, grand/great parents, friends and lover/mate.

What is your least favorite word?

Can’t and its variants

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

What if? I know I answered a question with a question, but that is what sparks for me, asking, what if?

What turns you off?

My own stubbornness and that of other people.

What is your favorite curse word?

Damn and all its variants.

What sound or noise do you love?

A babbling brook, well any natural sounding water.

What sound or noise do you hate?

Traffic sounds annoy the crap out of me.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Teacher, Minister and/or Councilor. The thing is I studied and am certified to be one of them. I just got burned by the people.

What profession would you not like to do?

The same answer as the previous question.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Something about being loved, otherwise being reincarnated until I did hear it.

~

Come Find Me!

Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!

Awesome Excerpt Thursday ~ Enchanted Traveler ~ Gabriella Bradley & Taryn Jameson

A wish upon a star, conjures up much more than Nailah bargains for…

Nailah Guevera, an enchantress and agent for the Galactic Bureau of Investigation, will do anything to find information about her missing father, including offering herself up as bait on a sting operation to capture the linchpin of a drug and human trafficking ring.

When the mission turns sour, Nailah finds herself captive on a ship bound for Earth, her only backup the one man who sets her heart on fire—her new partner, Agent Aragon Benoit.


Together they must trap the criminals before her undercover status is blown.

Buy Now!

Excerpt ~ 

Lightning slashed through the dark clouds illuminating the lake, causing the water to look like a pool of swirling mercury. Another bolt split the darkness above and struck the surface, then spread into a big, round circle, its edges and center a spiraling mass of violet colors. Through the misty substance, a round metal ring became visible. It had glowing symbols on it. Steps appeared leading down to the beach.

It was as if a door had opened to another world, and the thought of it intrigued her. A form took shape in the center of the ring—a man. Mesmerized, Nailah couldn’t take her eyes off him as he made his way down the steps. Fuck if I didn’t enchant a version of my dream man to materialize. Really? Just because I wished upon a star? How many times throughout my life have I made a wish, and nothing ever happened…

He wore a Galactic Bureau of Investigations uniform, the black and blue bodysuit hugging his body like a second skin, showing off his well-defined abdomen and the bulging muscles of his arms and thighs. He had a handsome face with a strong chin and full lips. Her fingers itched to explore every single inch of that smooth ebony skin. She shook herself out of her stupor when she realized he carried a sword in his left hand. What the hell was a GBI agent doing here of all places? Or was he a criminal impersonating an agent?

 “Odd…my paracorder didn’t pick up any significant life signs. Just the bird.”

Nailah heard his deep voice rumble. Her heart beat a tad faster. She didn’t scare easily, but this was freaky, and she wasn’t armed. Illusion or not, she wasn’t about to let him get the better of her. She stood and braced herself for an attack. “Who are you? Where did you come from? How did you—”

 “You shouldn’t be able to see me.” He gave her a perplexed look.

Nailah brushed the hair out of her eyes. “See you? I’m not blind.”

 “No one should be able to see or hear me. If you can, something is very wrong. My invisibility shield has failed.”

 “Invisibility shield? Why? Who are you? Is that thing a portal?” She gestured to the swirling mass behind him but noticed it was beginning to fade. She lifted her arm and tapped her wrist, ready to call for backup.

The man stepped toward her and pointed his sword at her chest. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

 “And how will you stop me? Kill me?” She cocked her chin and raised a delicate brow.

 “According to my paracorder, you’re not here. I can’t kill someone who doesn’t exist.”

The blade of his sword touched her chest, then tapped her on the shoulder. Her heart thundered in her chest. For an illusion, the weapon felt very real, and she was beginning to kick herself in the ass for leaving her phaser at home. I am such an idiot.

 “Tell me who and what you are,” he ordered, the blade still hovering near her chest.

 “My name is Nailah Guevera, and it is who I am that you should be worried about.”

 “What are you doing here?”

The startled expression on his face at her name hadn’t escaped her. “I answered your question. Now you answer mine. Who are you?”

 “I am Agent Aragon Benoit, space detective. My friends call me Ara.”


This was getting better all the time. Not only was he hotter than hell, but he had just introduced himself as the detective assigned to be her new partner.

~

Come Find Me!

Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!

Friday Author Spotlight Interview with Diana Waters

Friday Author Spotlight Interview 

with Diana Waters 

1. If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?

Despite having lived in Japan for several years in the past, I’ve never written a book with that setting (probably mostly because so far, I’ve written only fantasy, and mostly of the alternative-world variety at that). If I was going to write a contemporary present-day romance though – and I’m not counting out the possibility – it would probably be set in rural Japan, and I know I’d go back there to live in a heartbeat. On the other hand, if I had to choose someplace I’ve never lived previously, I think it would be somewhere in Greece or Italy, and I’d write a historical fiction piece based around one of those settings.

2. How do you come up with names for your characters?

Usually I sit myself down for a couple of hours and write down a whole list of possibilities, just based on certain sounds or meanings that I like and think will suit the characters’ personalities. Using these as a starting point, I do a whole lot of baby name/meaning searches, because I really like my names to also have some kind of historical or symbolic significance to the characters if possible, even if they’re fictional variations of the real-life names.

3. Describe your writing space.

I currently live in a studio apartment under 250 square feet in size, so propped up on my bed with my laptop in front of me is usually my only comfortable option. I don’t like to write creatively in public, and when writing at home, my only requirement is relative privacy, relative quiet, and a soft place to park my butt with a decent amount of back support.

4. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Five so far (although the fourth isn’t due to be released for another month or so, and the fifth is still currently in the final drafting stages). I’m not sure I have a favourite though. Even though some of my books are no doubt better than others as I’ve continued to grow in experience, I’ve loved them all in their turn. If I hadn’t, I probably wouldn’t have been comfortable having them published in the first place.

5. Does one of your main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

Probably Daymon from my very first book, A Trust to Follow. He was the first character I envisioned for the story, and although I never base any of my characters on people I actually know (myself included), in many ways, Daymon is probably the most similar to how I usually see myself – bookish, on the shyer side, not especially confident in his abilities, but willing to put his trust in those who prove themselves faithful and don’t think of him as weak, even in those moments where he doesn’t view himself as a strong person.

6. Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

Right now I’m working on that final draft of the book I mentioned earlier – it’s about a rather snarky incubus and a too-curious-for-his-own-good magician’s apprentice. I don’t want to give too much away (especially since it’s still technically in draft form and some things are subject to change), but let’s just say this particular WIP involves a newly instated apprentice, a secret book, and several spells that don’t work quite in the way they’re intended.

7. What are you reading now?

It’s long overdue since I read the first and second books some time ago, but I’m currently reading the third book in Enlightenment, the M/M historical fiction series by Joanna Chambers. If there’s any genre of M/M I like just as much as fantasy or paranormal, its historical fiction.

8. What famous author do you wish would be your mentor?

Nobody. Not because I don’t have any favourite authors or don’t think I could learn from them – far from it! – but because I’d probably be way too intimidated and be paralyzed into inactivity – the old “better to write nothing than write something horribly disappointing” mentality, which as I’m sure we all know, does not serve any writer well.

9. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I love to swim. I’m an ex-competitive swimmer from way back, so while I no longer compete now (at least, not to a very high level), I adore being in and around the water and keeping fit that way. Typically, I like to lap swim about 3 times a week.

10. Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?

I’ll wrangle them snakes any day – spiders scare the bejesus out of me, even when I know perfectly well they’re of the harmless variety. Then again, I’ve never had to really deal with snakes before. We don’t have any at all in New Zealand, and in Japan, I never had any invade my house (though I did occasionally see one in school, since I taught English in a very rural area. The kids usually chased them back outside).

11. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Travel. I’m not saying that any particular place or country inspires the actual stories I write, but for whatever reason, living overseas did inspire me to finally write at all. Maybe it was about being tossed way out of my comfort zone, or maybe it was just about being in a brand new space. Whatever it was, it definitely lit a creative fire under my ass.

12. What is your favorite curse word?

I don’t have any single favourite curse word, but I do like it when people combine a curse word with something else to create a new insult. Whoever invented “fuck-knuckle” (which is apparently mostly a New Zealand and Australia thing) also deserves a round of applause, I feel. 

13. What sound or noise do you love?

I love the sound of waves crashing on the shore, either from close up or far away, and of rain drumming on the roof at night, and windchimes ringing in the breeze, especially on a hot summer’s day or evening. To work or write to, I like either complete silence or soft, non-lyrical music playing in the background – think calm, casual and slow-paced, like lo-fi hip-hop or jazz-hop. In fact, that’s what I’m listening to as I write down these answers.

14. What sound or noise do you hate?

This goes for writing or otherwise – I just don’t like very loud, sudden noises, especially shouting, doorbells buzzing, phones ringing or cars revving/backfiring.

15. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Not that I’d ever actually want to run my own business (I think the stress of that would probably do me in), but aside from the actual day-to-day financial operations part, running my own used bookstore sounds pretty cool to me. Naturally, said bookstore would come with plenty of spirally staircases, artfully carved gargoyle statues and secret little reading nooks. I’d stock only the weird and indie stuff, of course.

16. What profession would you not like to do?

Accounting. Ew. The thought of anything involving too many numbers frankly terrifies me. 

17. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

I’d want God to be the type of guy (or gal) who’s deliberately casual and prefers to avoid fuss. You know, not much one for fanfare? Possibly also a chill surfer. So I’d imagine him just saying something like, “Hey, brah. You made it. Nice one,” before waving me on in like it ain’t no thang.

Author Bio:

Diana is an M/M romance author from New Zealand, although she currently resides in New York and has previously also lived in Japan and Thailand. She has no idea where in the world she’ll be this time next year and is pretty okay with that. Other than reading and writing, her main passions include travel, amateur photography and competitive swimming.   Author Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/author/dianawaters Author Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/diana.c.waters Author BookBub link: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/diana-waters Author Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/diana_waters

###

Come Find Me!

Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!

Awesome Excerpt Thursday ~ Renewed ~ Maggie Blackbird

When two former enemies fall in love, family secrets threaten to destroy their fragile union and everything they hold dear.

With their extreme ideas about traditional Ojibway life, the radical Kabatay clan have made enemies in their fight to rid the reserve of Western culture and its religion. Disowned by her family for daring to love the church deacon’s eldest son, Jude, Raven Kabatay longs to put an end to the feud started by her mother, brother, and sisters against the Matawapits…people she’s come to think of as her own since Jude changed her life.


Jude Matawapit suffered a humiliating divorce after his wife left him for another man, but with Raven, he’s created a beautiful, new sanctuary after losing his previous one, and his new haven is everything he’s ever wanted for himself and his children. Only two things could destroy his pristine bliss: the secret he holds close to his chest, and the vengeance Raven’s family wants to exact on the Matawapits. A secret and vengeance that could cost the unlikely lovers their hard-won, much longed for happily ever after.

Buy Now!

Excerpt ~ 

By eleven o’clock this evening, Jude would learn whether his brother-in-law or a man who despised his family and aimed to rework the reserve into a dictatorship would become chief of Ottertail Lake. Although the rich scent of coffee beckoned him to pick his mug off the desk and sip, the tightness in his gut forced him to rise from the high-back chair.

He slid his hands into his pants pockets and stood at the window. Snow covered the school parking lot. Winter was refusing to call it a day and let spring take over.

The office door opened. Jude didn’t have to turn around to see who’d bypassed his secretary—his brother-in-law.

“Did you go to the community center and put an X by my name yet?” A hint of concern lurked in Darryl’s question.

“Not yet.” Jude leaned against the windowsill.

Carrying a mug full of coffee he’d readied at the side bar, Darryl plopped in the chair facing Jude’s desk. “How’s Raven doing?”

“Good, but I think she’s a little lonely.” Jude pushed off the windowsill and sat at his desk.

“Y’mean Clayton still hasn’t tried to talk to her?” Darryl asked in disbelief.

Jude shook his head.

“I thought he might’ve come around when he backed off at the forum.”

“She hasn’t heard anything from them. None of her family’s been around.”

“Then I guess they’re still on the warpath.” The expression on Darryl’s face was a man experiencing a migraine headache. “If I don’t make chief—”

“You’ll win.” Jude crossed his fingers beneath the desk, since he couldn’t sign the cross as all Catholics did. Doing so might unnerve Darryl, and as his campaign manager, Jude’s job was to keep his brother-in-law as relaxed as possible today.

“I dunno, man. Clayton’s change in attitude at the forum really impressed everyone.” Darryl drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair.

“His new face didn’t fool me. He only agreed with you about if a leader can’t take care of his own family, he’s not fit to lead so clan Kabatay wouldn’t come across as jerks for disowning one of their own.” Jude made no attempt to hide his pfft of disgust.

“A lot of people said he seemed sincere.”

“He’s not any more sincere than a crocodile shedding tears after downing a live meal.”

“Welp, I told Em he has to vote for himself. Did you know he wasn’t gonna?” Darryl finally cracked a half a smile. “I mean, yeah, he’s voting for me for chief and band councilor, but not voting for himself? Geez.”

“Uh…that’s Emery for you.” Leave it to Jude’s too-modest little brother to put an X beside everyone else’s name on the electoral roster but his own. “Sometimes he takes fairness too far.”

“I reminded him each vote counts. I said if Clayton gets in, we’re in for a fight. We should get over to the diner. I need to feel everyone out.”

“I imagine it’s busier than the four-o-one during rush hour.”

Darryl set aside his mug. “You wouldn’t catch me driving that highway. Way too busy.”

“Where’s your zoo?” Jude stood and wandered to the coat tree.

“Outside somewhere. They came down with us in the truck.” Darryl stood, not having to bundle up because he’d yet to remove his coat or mukluks. “Em’s in the adult ed. wing. He has a lecture to listen to first. I told him to meet us there.”

Jude tugged on his thigh-length black leather commuter jacket, the one he’d worn last year when he’d still resided in Thunder Bay. The stylish coat was overdressed for the reserve, but just because he lived in the bush didn’t mean he had to resort to plaid and toques like ninety-five percent of the men around here.

“Walking over?” Jude ambled to the door. The school and diner were downtown, what everyone referred to as the main part of the reserve.

“Sure. It’ll do me good to stretch my legs.”

In a few moments, they exited the school. The three dogs converged on them, local strays Emery and Darryl had adopted.

“Hey, Bandit. How ya doing?” Jude petted her black-and-white patched coat while peeking at Darryl. “Have a good smudge when you got up?”

Darryl’s lips straightened to a line of trepidation. “All I can do is leave today in Creator’s hands. I did the best I could. So did you. You’re a great campaign manager.”

“And you’re gonna make a great chief.”

“We’ll find out tonight when the last ballot’s counted.”

Minutes later, they were at the diner and entered to the scent of frying bacon, diesel fuel, and fresh coffee. As predicted, every booth and chair was occupied. The rest of the customers stood, holding their mugs.

“I don’t think we’ll find a place to sit.” Darryl glanced around.

“It’s the chief,” someone called out.

“The chief!” another hollered.

“Laugh it up, you guys. But we won’t know until tonight.” Darryl wormed his way through the mob.

Jude followed.

Raven was at the congested main counter, pouring refills into mugs, a pink apron wrapped her tiny waist. Leggings hugged her slim thighs.

“Hey, I’ll catch up with you.” Screw waiting around for Darryl’s answer, not when Raven was in the vicinity.

Jude snuck around the counter and crept up behind her. A laugh sat in his chest. He placed his hands on her waist and leaned in, whispering, “Need any help, gorgeous?”

Raven jumped. The tail of her black braid hit Jude’s face. “You scared me. I could’ve poured coffee all over George’s lap.” She motioned at the man seated at the counter responsible for the stench of diesel fuel and sans his false teeth.

“Hey, George.” Jude nodded. He squeezed Raven’s waist. “I know what I’m doing, beautiful. I made sure you were done pouring.”


“Just for that, you can start refilling the tables.” She fluttered her false lashes and shoved the pot between his still-gloved hands.

~



Come Find Me!

Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!