by Joanne Wadsworth | Nov 30, 2012 | Author Blog
Aww, Cadence’s cute kitty.
Hey, everyone, please join me in welcoming Cadence Blue to my blog. Cadence is an animal lover and an aspiring indie author. Cadence and I first met on Goodreads at the beginning of this year, and we’ve been fabulous friends ever since. Check out her thoughtful tips below for pet safety during the Christmas holidays. Wonderful.
By: Cadence Blue
I want to offer my sincere thanks to Joanne for giving me this space on her blog to share a non-writing topic this week 🙂
With the holidays approaching I thought it was time for us to start thinking about pet safety.
Christmas time with its sparkly, shiny, glittery decorations and Christmas plants and trees present a wonderland for kitties and doggies. It is up to us as responsible pet parents to make sure that this wonderland doesn’t end up endangering our pets and causing enormous vet bills. No one wants a costly emergency during the most wonderful time of the year.
So let’s go over some things we need to pay attention to:
Christmas foliage:
Lilies are beautiful but can cause kidney failure in cats if they eat them. They are not toxic in dogs. Poinsettias are not poisonous and deadly to pets as urban legends claim, but they, along with holly and mistletoe will all cause stomach upset in pets. Silk plants are a good alternative if you want to avoid this problem or, keeping real plants out of reach of curious furries.
The Christmas tree is the main foliage most everyone will have in their house. All real trees will cause stomach upset and can be toxic if enough is ingested. Trees with long, thick needles can cause injury to the digestive tract of a pet that eats them and doesn’t chew them well. The needles aren’t digestible and can puncture the stomach as well as nearby organs. I have no personal experience with this issue but it has happened (according to my vet as well as my online research), so it’s important to be watchful of pets when they are around the tree. If your pet appears to be in distress with vomiting, drooling and/or pain, seek medical attention right away.
Where real trees are concerned the absolute most dangerous thing is the water they sit in. Many tree lots spray the trees with insecticides and fire retardants, which, along with the natural sap of the tree, get into the water—all of which are poisonous to pets. Also, it may have been recommended to add aspirin to the water. There is debate over whether this helps or hurts the tree. The National Christmas Tree Association (yes, there really is one!) says plain tap water is best and for cat owners it is the best option because aspirin is DEADLY to cats. (Aspirin is safe for dogs in small quantities. Ask your vet).
It is very important to cover the water your real tree is sitting in.
Cat owners may want to consider anchoring their tree so it doesn’t fall over if kitty goes on a climbing expedition.
Artificial trees can cause stomach upset and blockages because the fibers they are made with are not digestible.
Keep pets away from the tree if possible. I realize it isn’t always possible. We live in a small apartment. In cases like that you can buy pet repellents and spray the area around the tree. I don’t have a lot of faith in those but if they’ve worked for you then it is a good option. Another option is Bitter Apple spray. It’s non-toxic to cats and dogs, non-sticky and extremely bitter. Spray it on the tree where your pets can reach, especially the very bottom branches. Dogs and cats despise bitter flavors. We had mixed results with our cats and had to re-apply it a couple times when we noticed them munching on the tree. I still feel it is a good option as a deterrent.
Christmas decorations:
These pose another health hazard to pets who like to bat at them and eat them. Most experienced cat owners know that THE TOP NO-NO DECORATION is tinsel. Those shiny, dangling strings hanging from the tree branches are just too irresistible to kitties. They pull them off and eat them and it ends up tangling in the digestive tract, knotting up the intestines. Your cat (or dog) will die without veterinary intervention. That intervention involves stomach surgery to remove the tinsel. Some owners, unable to afford the cost, have to euthanize their pet—not a very merry Christmas for anyone.
Any stringy decorations, or even cat toys like fishing rods, pose the same hazard. My cats much prefer the cord on their fishing rods to the actual toy at the end. It is for that reason I never leave my cats unsupervised with those kinds of toys. Garland is another one you need to watch out for, though it can be sprayed down with Bitter Apple along with other tree ornaments to keep pets away. It is important to supervise pets around the tree at all times and place plain decorations at the bottom, like ornaments with no thing-a-mabobbers hanging off them. Plain plastic balls are best for those pet-reachable low branches. If you use glass ornaments watch out for any that fall and break so there aren’t any cut paws or mouths. Glass in the digestive tract is also a hazard.
We plan to buy some thick cardboard to block off the living room for times when we are away or when we are sleeping. More expensive room dividers can be found on Ebay if you want something decorative like an Oriental screen.
Wrapping supplies:
Here you mainly need to watch out for the ribbons because they’ll tangle in the pet’s stomach like the things I mentioned earlier. Even my older cats like to gnaw on ribbons when the gifts are out under the tree. For this reason I put the presents out last minute and keep a big bag on hand to immediately discard wrappings when a gift has been opened.
If you see your pet eating wrapping paper you should discourage it, especially if the paper is thick or if it is foil. Dogs sometimes eat paper and it can block their intestinal tract. Tissue paper on the other hand makes a marvelous toy that they can shred and jump about in safely. My cats will eat little bits of it and I haven’t had any problems, but do watch out for puppies and dogs having a feast of it. I sometimes offer a few sheets of tissue to divert my pets’ attention from items I don’t want them to play with.
My cats also enjoy those bows you stick on the top of presents. They bat them around and carry them in their mouths. I will replace them with new bows if the old ones come unraveled. Remember: those bows are just long pieces of ribbon so stay alert if you let your cats play with them. In twenty years I’ve had no problems with my cats playing with bows but every cat and dog is different in their habits. Always keep an eye on them.
Christmas treats:
My cats like table scraps and they’ll get some. They like rich holiday food the same as we do, but if you share, do so sparingly to avoid upset tummies.
Cookies and candy:
This is more for dogs, but there are cats out there who like sweets too: chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs unless it is white chocolate. I’ve seen dog treats that are dipped in white chocolate. Don’t freak out if your cat or dog wants to lick a little chocolate from your fingertips or a bowl but don’t feed it in large quantities or habitually. (We used to have a cat that enjoyed milk chocolate – just use common sense when sharing).
Last, keep the telephone numbers of local vets in a place where you can find them, ESPECIALLY an emergency clinic that is open during off-hours. If you’re having an emergency you don’t want to have to search for important telephone numbers. Better yet, program them into your cell phone. If you think your pet has swallowed something don’t wait! Seek help.
I am definitely not trying to scare people off decorating their homes. Just be aware, know your pet and his/her habits and what dangerous things he is attracted to and take precautions accordingly. A little common sense and a watchful eye go a long way!
For even more tips please visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and their article on holiday safety, good no matter what country you live in 🙂
Direct link: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/holiday-safety-tips.aspx
I hope you found this information helpful!
Now that you are armed with information, go forth and decorate, and have a safe and happy holiday with your pets!
If you have some safety tips to share, please feel free! There is no such thing as too much information on this topic.
Hey, thank you, Cadence. I have a new puppy, so I’ll definitely be keeping your advice in mind as I decorate for Christmas this week. Here’s a picture of my one-year-old little bundle of cuteness looking a little dazed. Yes, that’s because my ten-year-old son took this photo from very close-up. As you can see. 🙂
CADENCE’S BIO:
Cadence Blue has been entertaining family and friends with her writing for many years. Circumstances beyond her control caused her to step back from the art form for a time and she is just now making a tentative comeback as an aspiring indie author. When not writing she enjoys doing graphic design and video editing.
Cadence is married and is both mother and play companion to her four black cats, who demand much of her time and energy.
Links to connect with Cadence:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cadenceblue
Cadence Blue’s Fan Videos: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cadence-Blues-Fan-Videos/173496862665338
Email Cadence: SweetCadenceBlue@aol.com
by Joanne Wadsworth | Nov 26, 2012 | Author Blog
Let me introduce you to New Zealand’s Ninety Mile Beach. Here’s a picture of one of the most isolated and gorgeous beaches in the world, and being a Kiwi, I just had to bring it to you. The top map is for you to get a grasp of where it is within the country, sitting at the topmost peninsula of the North Island. The second map is of the beach itself and the whole 90 miles runs in a complete, straight line.
Yeah, wow! I drool just looking at all this untouched beauty, and I mean untouched. Because would you believe Ninety Mile Beach is an area with next to no residents? Seriously, I’m not kidding you. There is like a lighthouse overseer at the cape Ninety Mile Beach runs to, and apart from that, perhaps three houses along this entire stretch of land.
Now, to let you in on a little secret–Ninety Mile Beach isn’t in fact 90 miles long. No. It’s much shorter–very tricky. Let me tell you how the name Ninety Mile Beach came about. Around 1840-1860 (no one is actually quite sure on the exact date), missionaries traveled on horseback along this beach to estimate the distance. Back in the day, the average horse could travel 30 miles before needing to rest. (A fact I found most interesting since I’m not a horse-person.) Now, the clever missionaries took three days to travel the beach, thereby giving Ninety Mile Beach its fabulously incorrect name. Very dishonest of them, but they’re forgiven. So, to explain how they made this terrible error—it was because they walked their horses on sand, the pace of their travel slowing radically.
Ah-huh, these missionaries sadly covered only 18.4 miles per day, meaning, yes, you got it, Ninety Mile Beach is in fact 55 miles long. But hey, as is the Kiwi way, I’m giving them a hearty clap for at least trying.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s post and feel a touch more enlightened on some amazing New Zealand history. If you’ve noticed I’ve spruced up my website and it’s undergone a change. I’d like to point out that where I update my current weekly news under “News This Week”–it is in fact still there, although I’ve moved it to a tab-button position which means it’s not immediately visible. So, if you wish to see what I’m up to at a glance, just click on the “News This Week” tab to check it out. Which you should! 🙂 Just saying! 🙂
Okay, enough from me–who’s feeling in a cheeky kind of mood. Have yourselves a wonderful day, and I’ll catch you all next week.
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PROTECTOR–BUY THE BOOK: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Lyrical Press / Kobo.
by Joanne Wadsworth | Nov 19, 2012 | Author Blog
So true. 🙂
—-
Every time I even think of writing a synopsis for a completed manuscript, I groan. How on earth does a writer go about condensing their full-length novel into a brisk two to five pages? In some ways it’s cruel to even make us do this, but once all is said and done, there is a great reason behind the request.
First, let me detail what a synopsis is.
- Briefly it’s an orderly outline condensed chapter by chapter which catalogs the completed book from beginning to end.
- That’s right, you must chop down your two-hundred-plus pages within your book to a measly two to five pages. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Yeah, sometimes the dreaded synopsis is called a sucknopsis, and I can see why.
- Which reminds me–don’t go leaving the ending out as a lure. An editor needs to see it all in your synopsis. This is a common mistake made, which is why I’m particularly pointing it out.
Okay, now I’ll break down why editors considering your submission require a synopsis.
- The editor will learn very quickly if the story is suitable for their publishing house.
- It’ll also alert the editor to how well you can put together the sequences of your story in a clear and concise manner. If you will, your synopsis is the map they use to judge your skill in weaving a story, for there is a difference between storytelling and writing. Oh boy, that’s a biggy.
- A strong synopsis can also aid the editor in seeing the raw talent behind any possible writing faults. You see, we must all start somewhere, and for all debut published authors, an editor saw the diamond in the rough–and they read the synopsis first.
- Ah-huh, are you sweating yet?
Now, what does the synopsis do for the writer?
- Apart from the headache of writing it, you’ll soon see if there’re any problems with your manuscript. If you struggle to map out your story and show your hero/heroine’s journey in a clear way, then perhaps there might be parts of your book that need a little more attention to detail.
Which leads to–what’s the best part of writing a synopsis?
- Ultimately, crafting a synopsis is a great warm-up of what’s to come when you have a contract. There are many working practices within each publishing house, and completing a great synopsis gives the writer a taste of the challenges to come.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s post. Don’t forget as I post each week’s blog, I update my current news. You’ll find “News this Week” at the top right of the main page of my website–and if you wish to see what I’m up to at a glance, well it’s all recorded right there.
I’d also like to point out some blog hops I’m participating in–and you’ll find those “hop buttons” pictured on the right-hand side panel of my website. I’m noting them because if you find you’re also publishing a book early in the New Year as I am, then you might like to blog hop yourself for your own book’s promotion. The hops are for readers, reviewers and writers to see what everyone’s up to, and there’re always great giveaways at each blog’s location.
You all have a fabulous week. We’re rocking great weather Down Under and about to head into summer on December 1st. Does that sound weird to everyone living in the Northern Hemisphere? Summer? Really? Yep, in New Zealand winter is out of the way, right in time for Christmas.
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PROTECTOR–BUY THE BOOK: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Lyrical Press / Kobo.
by Joanne Wadsworth | Nov 9, 2012 | Author Blog
Obviously this picture is just too cute not to use 🙂
A big shout-out to Jessi Gage who tagged me for “The Next Big Thing.” It’s a Q&A about one’s current work in progress.
Jessi and I share an amazing number of firsts. Her debut release, Wishing for a Highlander, is coming out with Lyrical Press, Inc, on the same day as mine–January 7th. It’s going to be so cool to share our release birthday together.
Now, let’s have some fun with the Next Big Thing’s questions on my current work in progress.
What is your working title of your book?
Witness Pursuit. (And if you didn’t guess, there’s a witness and some serious pursuit going on.)
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Ahh, I wrote this book over a year ago for the 2nd annual “So You Think You Can Write” competition run by Harlequin in 2011. Only there was one problem–they give you a month to write a 60,000 word novel. What? Now I know what you’re thinking–that’s crazy. And I totally agree. Yep, let me tell you, that is not nearly long enough to come up with an idea, write it, and edit, edit, edit.
What genre does your book fall under?
Romantic suspense. The story has action, intrigue and whodunit. It also happens to have a kick-ass hero who can’t tie down his sassy heroine.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Ooo, I love this question.
My hero is a bodyguard who acted as a human shield for my heroine, taking three bullets and almost losing his life. A year on, he has no memory recall of the shooting, but she is back, still running and now emotionally provoking him in ways he doesn’t understand. There are so many secrets, with riveting twists and turns, so for my hero it’s got to be Bradley Cooper. I need a man with A-Team experience to handle the firepower that’s going to come at him.
For my heroine I’d choose the young Ashley Greene. Now she stared as a vampire in the Twilight saga, and even though there’re no vampires in this book, I do need someone with spark and who can run real fast–and as far as I’ve seen, those vampires can certainly do that.
What is a one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Not all goes to plan when one witness on the run finds her path colliding with the bodyguard who once saved her life.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’ll be submitting it to an agency once it’s completed. It’s a category romance and will suit romance publishers for sure.
How long did it take for you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
So back to last year–I took the one month competition deadline and broke it down, figuring I’d need to write the first draft within three weeks–that meant 3000 words a day. (That was a tough one.) I then spent the last week of the month working the second draft. (An even tougher pull.)
Please note: One cannot write a pristine novel in one month. 🙂 Or at least, I certainly cannot.
Now, a year later, I’ve picked up this book again after completing two young adult fantasy romances. I’m working through the third draft of Witness Pursuit, but for me there are usually seven drafts to the full completion of a book. So, in about four to six weeks it’ll be shining like a pretty stone.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Any romance books where there is mystery and intrigue, where you can’t wait to turn the next page to see where the story will lead.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Gosh, I’d have to go back 4+ years to answer that question. That’s when I met Alegra Clarke, a local author from New Zealand who won the annual Writer’s Digest competition for 2007. From that competition she gained an agent and a contract for her book. I was in awe of what she’d done, but more than that, Alegra told me to enter as many novel writing competitions as I could, that they would push me to work harder at my craft and gain possible feedback from judges, editors, agents, etc.
Even to this day with my debut novel releasing with Lyrical Press, I’m still keen on entering writing competitions provided I meet the criteria and can fit the project in. You never know what could happen with the submission you present.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
(Oh, let me throw together a blurb to whet your appetite.)
Twenty-one-year-old Lydia Sands calls New Zealand home, only after witnessing a brutal hit-and-run outside her residence, she finds herself in the path of a killer. Her assigned bodyguard takes a direct hit in order to save her life, and following his near death she is thrown into the Program. A year on, her handler chooses to remove her from the killer’s reach by having her board a super-yacht traveling the South Pacific with the very man who saved her life the first time.
Bodyguard Tyler Whitehall has recovered from a shooting, but a year on, has no recall from the direct hit. Now he runs security for his family’s shipping firm, only the last thing he expects during a trip on one of their super-yachts in the South Pacific, is to encounter a woman who stirs him on a physical and emotional level he doesn’t understand.
Now Lydia must run from two men, evading a killer and keeping the man who’d die for her safe. It’s a decision which sees her undertaking re-identification, although her bodyguard has only just begun his pursuit…and Lydia may have just underestimated the full extent of his abilities.
Okay, now to continue the fun of the chain blog, I’d like to tag the following authors to post their Next Big Things. (Of course, only participate if you wish to.)
Lacey Devlin is a wonderful Australian writer who I met on Twitter during the 2nd annual “So You Think You Can Write” competition. Lacey didn’t enter, but was certainly there to cheer on those of us who did.
Odessa Black writes young adult paranormal, her debut self-published novel having released with Smashwords on 26th October 2012. Congratulations to you, Odessa. You’ll find her blog and wicked cover on this link.
Serena Akeroyd is a fledgling romance writer with amazing talent. Serena entered the same SYTYCW competition with me, and we struck up a fabulous friendship. (PS: the people you meet are also another great reason for entering these competitions.)
Susan Buchanan wrote The Dating Game, a self-published novel which launched on 2nd November 2012. It’s her second book and we got to know each other during the promotion of her first novel’s release earlier this year.
Serenity Woods is not only a fellow Lyrical Press author, but a Kiwi girl too. Serenity has over a dozen published books and is a true inspiration.
by Joanne Wadsworth | Nov 4, 2012 | Author Blog
WEATHERING ROCK
Drawn together across centuries, will their love be strong enough to defeat an ancient curse?
Colonel Caleb DeCardian was fighting America’s Civil War on the side of the Union when a freak shower of ball lightning transported him to the present, along with rival and former friend, Seth Reilly. Adapting to the 21st century is hard enough for the colonel, but he also has to find Seth, who cursed him to life as a werewolf. The last thing on Caleb’s mind is romance. Then fetching Arianna Hart nearly runs him down with her car. He can’t deny his attraction to the outspoken schoolteacher, but knows he should forget her.
Arianna finds Caleb bewildering, yet intriguing: courtly manners, smoldering sensuality and eyes that glow silver at night? When she sees Civil War photographs featuring a Union officer who looks exactly like Caleb, she begins to understand the man she is falling in love with harbors multiple secrets–some of which threaten the possibility of their happiness.
Finding a decent guy who’ll commit is hard enough. How can she expect Caleb to forsake his own century to be with her?
Hey everyone. Please join me in welcoming Mae Clair, author of Weathering Rock to my blog.
Joanne: Mae, please tell us a little about your debut novel.
Mae: Thanks so much for inviting me to be here, Joanne. It’s a pleasure to be a guest on your blog! WEATHERING ROCK is a paranormal romance with time travel. ! My hero is Caleb DeCardian, a former colonel for the Union Army during America’s Civil War. He’s a man who’s used to being in charge and having others respond to his orders without question.
Shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg, he’s transported to the 21st Century by a freak shower of ball lightning. When the novel opens, he’s already been living in the present for three years, hunting for the man who doomed him to life as a werewolf. Seth Reilly is his former friend, now a bitter rival, and the man responsible for cursing him with lycanthropy.
For someone who thrives on being in control, Caleb finds himself at the whim of a curse he’s powerless to resist, while facing the challenges of a new and confusing century. He has a highly defined sense of right and wrong; is noble at heart, but conflicted by what he’s become.
Then he meets Arianna Hart, my heroine, and suddenly he’s battling a different set of feelings. Romantic feelings. The path to true love and an HEA is never smooth, but these two have enormous odds stacked against them!
Joanne: How long have you been writing, and what drew you to the genre you’ve chosen?
Mae: I’ve been writing stories since I was six years old. Spinning tales just always came naturally for me. My dad dabbled in writing (he as an artist) and both of my parents were avid readers. From the time I was a kid, they encouraged that gift in me. As for my genre, over the years I’ve written everything from fantasy, sci-fi and horror to romance, inspirational and urban fantasy. I love to read across genres and enjoy writing across them too, but for now I’m content creating romantic stories. I love an HEA and given it’s now acceptable to add other elements (fantasy, myth, etc.) it feels like a perfect blend.
Joanne: What’s your biggest tip in the submission process that helped you land your contract?
Mae: Honestly, I just went out on a limb and submitted. I was fortunate enough to get a contract the first time out, but I like to think I’d learned my craft through years of study, critiques and growth. I’d reached the point where I knew I was ready and it was time to get off my duff and start submitting. Without doing that, I would have stagnated and that wasn’t acceptable. I felt like a bird being pushed out of the nest. It was time to see if I could fly 🙂
Joanne: When you got your contract, and you realized your book had been accepted, what was your first thought?
Mae: Um . . . is it real?
I remember speed-reading through the email because it seemed like an acceptance and I couldn’t believe it had happened. Then I went back and read it more slowly, savoring the words. The first thing I did was send my husband a text. I was at work (my day job) and wanted to bounce off the walls but had to wait until I got home. I think I walked around with a silly grin on my face for the rest of that day.
Joanne: With the contract for Weathering Rock in your hands, how long was it until your book was released?
Mae: I signed the contract with Lyrical Press on March 5, 2012. The official release date for WEATHERING ROCK was October 8th, 2012, although it showed up on Amazon, B&N and most other sites about a week early.
Joanne: What’s your next book or books?
Mae: Thanks so much for asking! I have another release with Lyrical Press, called TWELFTH SUN, scheduled for August 2013.
It revolves around a treasure hunt for a valuable marine artifact. My heroine, Reagan Cassidy, has been asked by her uncle to work with a friend who’s a renowned authority in the field of marine archeology. She agrees, thinking he’s going to be a stodgy old man, close to her uncle’s age. Instead, she gets Dr. Elijah Cross, a quirky twenty-five year old who looks like a grunge musician and who has held a Ph.D. for several years. Reagan is an ‘older’ woman at thirty-five, but once they start working together, the sparks and attraction fly.
I’m also working on the sequel to WEATHERING ROCK and a romantic mystery with inspirational undertones.
Joanne: I’m going to have a fun rapid fire question round.
Tea or coffee? That’s a tough one, LOL! Right now I’ll say coffee because I’m addicted to my Kuerig, but I also love tea.
Have you ever traveled to New Zealand? No, but I would love to. The scenery is beautiful. Can you bottle some and send it my way? 🙂
Dog or cat? Cat. They’re a weakness of mine.
Beach or skiing? Definitely beach!
Chocolate, or vanilla, or rocky road ice-cream? Rocky Road. Although if that hadn’t been an option, I would have chosen vanilla.
Lemons or lemonade? Lemonade. I’ve always been a glass half-full person.
Do you write on holiday? You mean like a vacation? I generally don’t write, but it’s a great time to gather ideas and be inspired. I always have a tablet with me and take lots of notes.
Do you brainstorm during your sleep? Constantly!
Favorite food? Maine lobster tails.
What three things would you take to a desert island? My hubby, my Kindle Fire and a cat.
Joanne– Where can readers find you, and your book?
Mae—
I’m at the following haunts:
Website
Blog
Twitter (@MaeClair1)
Facebook Author Page
Lyrical Press Author Page
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads
Book Blogs
Buy WEATHERING ROCK at:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Lyrical Press
iBooks
View Book Trailer for WEATHERING ROCK
Joanne– Thanks for stopping by, Mae, and huge congratulations to you on your debut release. (Which I’m currently reading, and thoroughly enjoying.)
Mae– Thank you for having me, Joanne. It was such a delight to be here. You were one of the first authors I connected with when I ventured online and it’s been a true pleasure to get to know you. I’m flattered to be able to share a little of myself and my book with your readers!
EXCERPT–
“Stop it!” Arianna shook off Wyn’s grip, pivoting to face him. “Are you crazy?”
Before he could answer, something slammed against the door. Caleb screamed. The sound knifed through her like the violent jolt of an electrical wire.
“Caleb!” She launched herself at the door, panicked and terrified by the thought of the man she loved in horrific pain.
“Don’t!” Wyn stiff-armed her aside and grabbed the knob, forcibly holding it in place. “Get a chair. Something, anything! We’ve got to keep him locked inside.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Arianna, get a fricking chair. Now!”
There was another crash, and then a bang as something heaved against the door, making it shudder from top to bottom. Arianna heard a snarl that turned her blood to ice. The door rattled in its frame, weakening as something battered against it. Something inhuman locked in the room with Caleb.
A cold fist clamped over her stomach.
“Wyn, what’s going on?”
“Chair!” he spat. “Get me a damn chair.”
The raw urgency of his voice plowed through her confusion. She darted into the dining room, snagged a chair, and dragged it into the hallway. The thing in the parlor was still hammering away, heaving itself against the door in an attempt to burst through. Wyn’s face was white with strain as he struggled to hold the door shut with both hands. He rammed the top of the chair beneath the knob, wedging it securely into place. A blood-thirsty howl exploded from the other side, kicking Arianna’s heartbeat into overdrive.
“My God, Wyn, what’s going on?” She lurched for the door.
“Don’t. You don’t know what you’re doing.” Wyn caught her around the waist and swung her up against the wall.
She tried to squirm free. “I know Caleb’s trapped in there. We have to help him! There’s something in the room. Can’t you hear it?”
He held her wrists, pinning her arms to the wall. “Listen to me!” His eyes were wild, his face inches from hers. With a single frenetic skip of her heart, she realized he was as terrified as she was.
“There’s nothing in the room. Only Caleb. Do you hear me, Arianna? It’s Caleb.”
“No!” She shook her head, unwilling to believe what he told her, but another ear-splitting snarl fanned her fear higher. Nothing made sense. Not the stark fear in Wyn’s eyes, the sweat-slickened grip of his palms crushing her wrists or the chillingly inhuman sounds coming from the parlor. The man she loved could never sound so guttural or barbarous.
“I don’t care!” She ripped free of his hold. “I don’t care if he’s by himself or in there with something else. You have to help him!”
She lunged for the door, but Wyn grappled her around the waist, holding fast. They were still struggling when the sound of shattering glass rang through the narrow center hall of Weathering Rock.
BIO–
Mae Clair knew from the time she entered grade school that she wanted to be a writer. She credits her parents with instilling in her an insatiable love of reading through weekly trips to the library when she was a child. Her father, an artist who tinkered with writing, encouraged her to create characters and make-believe worlds by spinning tales of far-off places on summer nights beneath the stars.
Inspired by folktales, legends and things-that-go-bump-in-the-night, she loves to blend the fantastical with the ordinary. Her heroes are known to be flawed and complex, her heroines capable, independent and sexy.
Throughout the years she has been actively involved in various writing and critique groups and is a past President of the Central Pennsylvania Writers’ Organization. She lives in Pennsylvania and is married to her high school sweetheart (a.k.a. the Love of Her Life). In her downtime she enjoys reading, digital scrapbooking and unwinding with her husband by the pool when the fickle PA weather permits. A self-admitted idealist, Mae is passionate about writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.
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