Tag Archives | The Almost Assassin

Hope is like a giant carnivore.

Or I could have said hope is like claws the size of a school bus.

For several years I’ve been searching, hoping for a flicker. Some sign that eventually my nine-year-old son might take even a tiny bit of interest in his schoolwork.

In third grade, when completing his spelling homework, he still wrote large and messy and refused to start the words on the pink line. (Not because he couldn’t but because he didn’t care. His teacher was shocked when I told her last year that he really doesn’t care about schoolwork unless there’s a competition involved.)

Basically, his words were all over the place like a star constellation, scattered here and there, but if you studied hard enough you could find meaning.

Yeah, spelling homework is not supposed to be like that.

He rarely uses capitals and periods and definitely takes advantage of creative spelling.

We made small strides last year. When he wanted to he could write small and on the line. Maybe it depended on where Venus was in the sky or the direction the wind was blowing that day. Who knows?

But the other day, he handed me a gift that sent hope careening through me like the clubbed tail of a monster swinging through a Lego set.

This is part of a story he wrote:

I was sitting at my computer when I herd a cry for help. I went on the porch I could of fained there was this giant carnivore about 20 feet away from me bitting on this guys arm. I took my riffle and shoot it. the guy thanked me and went on. I still thout I was dreming But I wasn’t. I went for a walk but when I got up to Clock Road my mind went black my eyes went blind. I finnley realized what was going on. I was out cold.

When I woke up all I could see were, you know, monster’s yellow teeth, brown skin, and the claws the size of school busses. Then my eye caught something it was silver. I knew what a gun was but this was some other kind of wepon then my mind worked it’s a sword. I saw these in the movies. I ran and slid under the monster’s leg I grabbed the sword and stuck it in the monster’s behind.

The story continues, high in action and incredible detail of fighting this and several other monsters. I loved it. The strong verbs he chose astounded me. The way he fleshed out the scene sent me over the moon and back. And then, he ended with this bit of humor.

I told my dad I want to be a epic phenser. (fencer)

The spelling wasn’t perfect for sure. He threw in minimal punctuation. But the writing was small and on the lines and the story took up almost three handwritten pages. This is summer. No one told him to do it.

Like I said, hope is like a giant carnivore.

Now my hope is that he’ll read something other than Diary of A Wimpy Kid.

Where have you found hope recently?

 

 

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The power of FREE – does it work?

For years, businesses have always offered freebies to lure you in, sample their product, and hopefully buy more. But does it work for authors? Or are we undervaluing our work and our art?

The Indelible authors have proven over and over again that going free works. Some of us have seen tremendous benefits and other just fantastic benefits. But either way, the power of free brought more visibility to our books, which then resulted in more sales for the paid books. And often, going free with the first book in a series, not only brought short term results but long term results too.

And I’m not talking about using Kindle Select but the authors working to go free on Amazon long term.

My short story The Almost Assassin finally went free a couple days ago! Yay! Click through the below picture for Amazon or click on the link to Smashwords on the sidebar.

A teen attempts to follow in the family business but a beautiful “spy” may be be his downfall making him The Almost Assassin.

In this short story, you’ll experience Malcolm’s point of view leading up to his first date with Savvy – the date that ended in disaster! You’ll also find a longer sample of A Spy Like Me.

If you’re looking for some great reads here are some freebies from the Indelible authors:

Short Stories:

Mind Games by Susan Kaye Quinn
Before by Jessie Harrell
Unspeakable by S.R. Johannes

Novellas:

Day Of Sacrifice by S.W. Benefiel (First of a six part series)
Blood and Snow by Rashelle Workman (free for a limited time)

Novels:

Ethereal by Addison Moore
Bound by C.K. Bryant
Clockwise by Elle Strauss
Anathema by Megg Jensen
Sleepers by Megg Jensen
Into the Shadows by Karly Kirkpatrick
Running Wide Open by Lisa Nowak
Beautiful Demons by Sarra Cannon
Watched by Cindy M. Hogan
Glimpse by Stacey Wallace Benefiel
The Soulkeepers by G.P. Ching
Exiled by Rashelle Workman
How To Date An Alien by Magan Vernon
Loramendi’s Story by Angela Carlie

Grasping at Eternity (Karen Hooper is offering her book free in exchange for honest reviews!)

I’ve seen lots of debate about FREE books. Of course, going free doesn’t always work. It helps to have a network in place to help spread the word through Twitter and Facebook. It helps to have the series completed or near completed. And it helps if you start with a professional product and well written story.

So what do you think about all the free books? 

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An Indelible’s Beach Bash with lots of books!

So I was chatting with my Indelible buddies one chilly afternoon and we realized that a bunch of us had new releases of novels, novelettes and short stories. So it didn’t take long for a promotional event to spring up.

Starting tomorrow (Monday), we’re holding a giveaway where you can win an ereader of your choice: Nook or Kindle.

But guess what? It will be loaded with the Indelible’s new releases! Woo hoo!

  1. Visit the Indelibles Website between May 21st-May25th. (Starts Monday)
  2. Follow the chain of links to each of the blogs on the hop.
  3. Collect the secret word from each blog.
  4. Submit the secret sentence for your chance to win.

I’m also announcing the re-release of The Almost Assassin: the short story prequel to my novel. It includes an excerpt of A Spy Like Me.

Summary: A teen attempts to follow in the family business but a beautiful “spy” may be his downfall making him The Almost Assassin.

This is my gift to all of you! Download any version from Smashwords for FREE!

(The story will be 99 cents on Amazon and Barnes and Noble until they price match.)

Good luck winning the ereader! And return here all this week for guest posts and giveaways from S.R. Johannes, Jennifer Hoffine, Becca Puglisi, and Gina Robinson!

My secret word is “on”. And the next stop is Lisa Nowak!

Party on! It’s almost summer!

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A Valentines Day read – In His Eyes.

A Valentines Day read for anyone.

Why for anyone?

Because you won’t find the happily-ever-after in each story. You’ll dip your heart into the emotions of the guys and their intense conflict over the girls. You’ll experience a moment of their lives. Maybe it’s the first time they met. Maybe it’s when they realize they can’t be together. Maybe it’s the first time these guys realize they can’t live without the girl.

You’ll have to read these short stories to find out.

Valentines Day is more than just a mushy gushy sentimental sappy feeling. It’s about feeling emotion, the highs and lows. That’s what you’ll find in In His Eyes.

In my short story, The Almost Assassin, you’ll be meet Malcolm. He tries his hand at the family business but his conscience and a beautiful “spy” may be his downfall.

Here’s a sneak peek.

He hated to admit it but there was something mystifying about watching this girl in this beautiful park, her long dark hair teasing him. She seemed sad. Yet she was in Paris, the city of romance and light. He wanted to comfort her, to put an arm around, to play with her hair and bring a smile to her face.

Before he knew it, Malcolm was five feet behind her, then three feet. His breath hitched. He could almost reach out and touch her. So close. He peered over her shoulder, hoping to catch sight of her scribblings.

Hair whipped his cheek as she turned around, her face trapped between rage and fear. “What’s your problem?”

Malcolm froze, every bone and muscle refusing to cooperate. All his training drained from his mind and body. Her eyes, deep and blue, pulled him in and wouldn’t let go.

And this is just the beginning of Malcolm’s rocky road, which continues in A Spy Like Me. (Spring 2012)

Check out the rest of the authors and their stories in the anthology.

99 cents at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Free on Smashwords.

Surprise, Surprise by Stacey Wallace Benefiel, author of Glimpse: Half the women in Melody’s family can see the future, which makes it nearly impossible for Raleigh to surprise her. What’s a guy to do for Valentine’s Day when his girlfriend is always one step ahead of him?

First Kiss or First Kill? by C.K. Bryant, author of Bound: Love isn’t always rainbows and kittens, sometimes it can be downright deadly. (A deleted chapter from Bound.)

Shattered by Ali Cross, author of Become: James and Desi use each other in an effort to cling to the darkness in each of them, but in the end they discover that love changes you. (A chapter of Become from James’ POV.)

Before by Jessie Harrell, author of Destined: When a younger Eros is exiled to a land that doesn’t believe in the Greek gods, he finds the first love of his immortal life. Read Eros’ first person account of his romance, and heartbreak, in the time before he met Psyche.

The Qualm Before the Storm by Karen Amanda Hooper, author of Tangled Tides. Yara Jones doesn’t want to be a mermaid. Treygan doesn’t want to be the monster who turns her. You can’t always get what you want. (A short prequel to Tangled Tides.)

Unspeakable by S.R. Johannes, author of Untraceable: When Mo sees a strange girl in the woods, he follows her. He soon realizes they are both in a dangerous position and might not get out alive.

In the Beginning by Katie Klein, author of Cross My Heart: Seth is falling hard for Genesis Green, but the guardian angel is determined not to interfere, until an accident changes the course of their lives forever. (A short prequel to The Guardian.)

A Chance Encounter by Cheri Lasota, author of Artemis Rising: Finnian’s eyes hide a terrible secret. But a girl on the train home, the girl in tears with a secret of her own…She sees right through him. A scene from the upcoming novel, Echoes in the Glass.

Family Bonds by Heather McCorkle, author of The Secret of Spruce Knoll: A Halloween party filled with teens who can channel energy and use it to kill, what could go wrong? For Spruce Knoll fans who are dying to read more about Fane.

Getting Closer by Lisa Nowak, author of Running Wide Open: Megan is smart, hot, and an upperclassman—in other words, way out of Cody’s league. So why did she choose him? (An excerpt of Getting Sideways.)

The Almost Assassin by Laura Pauling, author of A Spy Like Me, releasing Spring 2012: Malcolm tries his hand at the family business but his conscience and a beautiful “spy” may be his downfall.

Mind Games by Susan Kaye Quinn, author of Open Minds: Raf wants to take Kira—the only girl in school who doesn’t read minds—to the mindware Games, but his friends have other plans. (A short prequel to Open Minds.)

By The Firelight by Elle Strauss, author of Clockwise: When Nate McKenzie asks an unpopular girl to dance on a dare, he’s in for the time of his life.

A Very Alien Valentine’s Day by Magan Vernon, author of How To Date An Alien: After surviving confinement and an intergalactic war for his human half, Alex, now he has to live through the biggest challenge of them all: Valentine’s Day.

Aligned by RaShelle Workman, author of Exiled: A half-Eternal boy and an Eternal girl must free millions of tortured souls from a creature whose been feasting on their pain and suffering.

So are you a mushy gushy sentimental sap on Valentines Day? Or do you think it’s just a big marketing scam?

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