Don't Miss Dayling!

"The storyline is unlike anything in the genre...Dayling rocked!" -The Book Faery.

Buy Directly: Whimsical Publications

Turning eighteen is an exciting time for most girls. It means finally being considered a legal adult, having more freedom and a wild birthday party. For Haven Vigano, it means no longer being able to move around in the daytime, immortality and a craving for human blood. Haven is a Dayling, but in three weeks she will ‘Cross Over’ into the world of Nightlings.

Most Daylings live their lives as humans for as long as they can, which means they attend school, make normal friends and indulge in all the pleasures of being mortal… most Daylings except for Haven. She’s as antisocial as they come, even in the Dayling world. Haven cruises through life with cynicism and smart-alecky comments. She would rather stay at home and read a book then hang out with the locals, which is why she had to be dragged to a teenage party with her cousins. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, Haven escapes the party.

On the way home, Haven comes across a teenage boy being beaten by four other guys. Haven saves the boy, Philip, and takes him to the hospital. This single event changes Haven’s life and her perspective of the human world forever. This event also creates a new problem for her: she’s waited too long to live in the human world, and dating a mortal so close to Crossing Over would be a big no-no for the head of her Nightling family… her father.

To make matters worst, a friend from her past, another Dayling named Sébastien, arrives in Tallahassee with the news that an ancient group of Nightling hunters called The Holy Sect of Mântuitors are hunting down and killing her kind. Haven’s father fears a Nightling is helping the Mântuitors in their quest to rid the world of immortals.

Now Haven must deal with her growing attraction to Philip, plus understand Sébastien’s jealousy towards her human crush, and oh yeah, help deal with the threat of the Mântuitors. Times were a lot simpler for Haven when she felt indifferent towards everything and everyone.

EXCERPT:

“Yo, haven’t seen you around here before.” He slurred out as he gazed at Sophia. Her black eyes gleamed as she stared at the inebriated jock. A playful half smile slowly crept across her smooth, innocent-l-looking face. I’d seen that look before. It had gotten us into as much trouble as it had gotten us out of. But, it never failed in achieving whatever task Sophia conjured it up for.

“We’ve lived up the block for a little over two years. Never made the time to make the rounds. Making the time now.” Sophia moved her long black hair behind her ears. She allowed her seductive gaze to fully light up her beautiful Spanish face. “You’re Eliot right? The man of the house?” She spoke with a slow rhythm.

Eliot almost fell over with excitement. His eyes became glazed with longing. His entire body stiffened. He had no idea the game being played on him. Nigel knew, which is why he quietly laughed at the enthralled football jock. Personally, I just wanted to get this over with so I could go home.

Stumbling again, Eliot quickly re-gathered himself. “Yeah I’m the man of the house. And you and your friends are invited to my party.” He moved out of the way for us to enter; never once taking his eyes from Sophia’s as he closed the door behind us.

Teenage kids grinding against each other filled the first floor of the house. I’d never gone to a teenage party before. I’d only read about them and seen them on TV or in movies. I thought Hollywood exaggerated what went on at these events, I had no idea how tamed the Hollywood versions were compared to the real thing.

A few kids were scattered around making out. I saw an area where belly shots were taking place. And of course, no party would be complete without the triple-kiss being performed in front of a crowd of cheering onlookers. I’d learned about the triple-kiss from Angela, who swore she’d never participated in one, but saw them on MTV Spring Break.

“Okay, I’m ready to leave now. I came, I saw,” I quickly shook my body, “I danced. See you guys back home.”

Sophia stepped in front of me. The flashing lights bounced off her face, giving her skin a slightly unnatural porcelain glow. She locked her shimmering black eyes onto mine. Unlike Eliot, she wasn’t trying to seduce me. Instead she tried to intimidate me. And as much as I hated to admit it, it worked. “You’re going to stay here with us, mingle, and have some fun. In a few weeks Haven you’ll be like me. But for now, you’re more like them. So enjoy it while you can chica”

I stared back into Sophia’s eyes, trying not to show the fear building inside me. “I’m nothing like them. And I’m never going to be like you Sophia.”

“Three weeks until your eighteenth b-day. Looks like someone has already started Crossing Over. Are we getting a little feisty there Haven?” Nigel said with a lopsided smile.

I turned from Sophia to face him. His skin also had a slightly porcelain glow to it. His frosty blond hair sat perfectly on top of his head. His light blue eyes gleamed with playfulness. He seemed as relaxed as always. I gave him a frown before I turned back to Sophia.

“Why am I here anyway? I thought this was supposed to be about Angela?”

She placed her left arm around her kid sister’s shoulder, pulling her in closer to her body. If I I hadn’t known any better, the embrace would have seemed comforting, almost loving. However, the malice in Sophia’s eyes always gave her true nature away. “It is about me mamacita. And she wants you to stay. Isn’t that right Angela?”

I looked at Angela hoping for her to say the words to excuse me from this torment. Instead, I got the top of her head as she stared at the floor; her telltale sign when she’s about to say something you don’t want to hear.

“It’s true. I’d feel better if you were here with me Haven.” Angela mumbled. Sophia kissed Angela on the jaw before she released her.

Sophia stalked up to me, only stopping inches from my face. I could feel her slightly cool breath, and taste her unnatural sscent as a chill gradually entered my body, leaving me frozen in place. “While Nigel and I check out this place for some after party fun, I want you to take Angela around for some introductions.” As she spoke, Sophia slowly leaned towards me, bearing her perfect white teeth while gazing longingly at my exposed neck. I tried to move. The fear flooding inside of me left me petrified in place. Sophia giggled before kissing me on the jaw, and then disappearing into the swarm of dancing teenagers with Nigel.

Sink Your Fangs into Deadly Encounters of the Supernatural Kind

Deadly Encounters of the Supernatural Kind
by Melissa Hosack

You won't want to miss this one!




“My grandmother was not a witch!” Bradley cried with a stamp of her foot.

“I bet she was, just like I’m betting you are. Witchcraft is also the only explanation as to why I haven’t
killed you yet. You’ve put some kind of charm on me to make me desire you.”

“Oh, I have not!” Bradley griped, resuming her trek through the downpour. “Besides, witches don’t exist.”

“Just like vampires don’t exist?” he came back almost smugly with a wave at his chest, as if he were the
living proof of a contradiction.

“You are not a vampire,” she informed him, sounding exasperated.

He sent her a sideways glance. “You have no idea how tempting it is to tear your throat out with my fangs
to prove my point.”

She narrowed her eyes, but suggested, “Why don’t you turn into a bat? That oughtta prove it.”

“We don’t turn into bats,” he came back in disgust.

“So, you don’t turn into bats and you eat burgers. Sounds like the real deal to me,” she taunted
sarcastically.

“I am the real deal,” Beau growled in agitation.

“Prove it,” she challenged. “Show me some fang.”

With an aggravated sigh, he stopped, pulling her to a halt next to him. “Fine.” He bared his teeth and his
face screwed up in concentration. “I don’t really do this unless I’m feeding,” he said in obvious annoyance
at the inconvenience of her request.

Bradley braced her hands on his forearms and stood on tiptoes so she could peer into his mouth. “I don’t
see anything.”

Confusion flitted across his features. “I don’t understand…” He concentrated with all his might, but
couldn’t seem to get his fangs to spring forward.

“They shy?” Bradley teased. Slapping him on the chest, she stepped back. “See? No proof. Not a
vampire.” With a little sigh, she started walking again. “Why do all the really sexy ones have to be crazy?”

Beau followed her, rubbing a finger along his teeth and gums, perplexed. “I just don’t get it. This never…”
He trailed off with a grin. “You said I was sexy.”

“I also said you were crazy,” she pointed out as they reached her building. Glancing over her shoulder at
the door, she said, “Well, this is me.”

When she spun back around, Beau stood with his hands in his pockets, his thumbs sticking out in a very
rugged and manly way. She had to mentally count to ten to keep herself from ogling him. “Goodnight,”
she said through clenched teeth.

“I suppose I’ll be seeing you soon,” he said. “We’ve still got unfinished business to discuss.”

“Not really. I’m not giving your vampire wannabe butt my necklace, so that pretty much deters me from
having any further interaction with you.”

“Oh, there will be plenty more interaction.”

Bradley couldn’t help but notice that the low, husky sound of his voice sent tingles along her skin,
affecting her like no one ever had before.

She studied the way little water droplets glistened on the ends of his shoulder length, jet-black hair. Her
eyes skimmed over his broad chest, hungrily taking in the way his shirt clung to every muscle.

She was so busy admiring his physique that she didn’t notice he was going to kiss her until it was too
late. Before she could even think about stopping him, Beau’s lips were on hers.

They caressed across hers, soft and tentative as his arm snaked around her waist. He pulled her gently
toward him until her body melded against his.

As if they had a mind of their own, Bradley’s arms wrapped around his waist, clutching the back of his
shirt in her fists.

His mouth became more persistent against hers, nudging her lips apart.

Pressing her body to his, she mumbled into his mouth, “This means nothing.”

He nibbled at her bottom lip, drawing a gasp from her.

“This is just…” She tightened her fists, nails raking briefly against his skin. “This is just that freebie. You
know that, right?”

Beau hissed at the sensation of her nails, his free hand rising to bury itself in her hair, gently gripping it
at the scalp. “Then I’ll use it wisely,” he growled into her mouth.

“I still think,” she said between kisses, “that you are arrogant, delusional, and should really see a
psychologist about this vampire-” She broke off with a surprised yip as he pulled her more forcefully
against his chest.

“Shut up,” he grumbled, pausing only briefly before crushing his lips to hers again.

Bradley relaxed against him, making a happy mewing noise when he caressed her cheek with the back of
his hand. She was just starting to fully enjoy herself when a sharp pain invaded her lower lip. An instant
later, she tasted blood.

Beau moaned, drawing her lip into his mouth, sucking at her bleeding flesh.

She let out a squeak of protest and pushed her hands against his chest, shoving roughly as she tore her
mouth from his.

His eyes were dilated, the irises darker than usual. He had a set of sharp fangs protruding from his
mouth with her blood clinging to them, and his breathing was coming in shallow gasps.

She could see blood lust in his eyes almost as plain as his desire. She backed up a step in horror as his
tongue flicked over his bloody teeth.

“Bradley,” he practically begged as she took another step back, “I tried to warn you.”

When he reached a hand out to her, she gave a cry of terror. “Stay away from me!” she shrieked before
turning and racing into the building. As she shut the door behind her, she prayed that she was shutting
Beauregard Channing out of her life indefinitely.
***
Get yours here: Whimsical Publications

Not Your Average Vampire Story...

"Unlike any other Vampire story I've read, this one caught me in chapter one. I just couldn't put it down!" -LASR

Find out what makes this book so special! Check it out here:
Whimsical Publications

Deadly Encounters of the Supernatural Kind
by Melissa Hosack



Beauregard Channing has devoted the past four hundred years to tracking down items that, if put in the wrong hands, have the ability to cause destruction and damage to innocent lives. Though sworn to defend mortals, Beau feels removed and detached from humankind. He loses all desire for personal interaction with mortals until his next target, Bradley Hildebrand, turns out to be the one woman he cannot seem to get off his mind.

Against his better judgment, Beau attempts to charm his way into Bradley's heart while simultaneously trying to coax her into giving him the relic he seeks before the wrong people discover its location. Bradley immediately annihilates Beau's plan of a peaceful compromise by refusing to believe that a world of vampires and supernatural creatures could exist without her knowledge.

While he is attempting to make Bradley see reason, Beau's worst fear comes true. A group that intends nothing but devastation to those around them discovers the location of Bradley and her artifact. After an attack that leaves Bradley lucky to be alive, the men take off with the widely sought after historical object.

Now it is up to Bradley, Beau, and Bradley's slightly unorthodox and eccentric best friend Camden to track down the artifact and save innocent lives from falling victim to its powers. If the three of them don't end up killing each other, Beau just might be able to persuade Bradley to fall in love with him.

EXCERPT:

The vampire holding Bradley began dragging her toward a car.

Bradley kicked and struggled against him. Somehow, she knew that if he got her into that car, she was dead. They would torture her to find out what they wanted and then they would kill her. She wasn't stopping him with her resistance though. He was too big, too strong.

"Beau!" she screamed in horror. She twisted violently in her assailant's arms, trying to loosen his grip on her. "Beau!" She pushed her feet off the ground, kicking them wildly in the air and forcing all of her weight onto the vampire. She knocked him off balance, nearly dragging him to the ground with the sudden movement.

"Quit struggling!" he snarled.

He had her nearly to the car when in a last ditch effort, Bradley threw her head back, hitting him in the face. She felt fangs sink into the back of her head, stinging her flesh, but at least he dropped her. Breathing raggedly from the effort used to get free, Bradley started crawling in Beau's direction.

She didn't even make it a few feet before the vampire grabbed a fistful of her hair. She was pulled backwards, her butt hitting the pavement.

Still clutching her hair, the vampire began dragging her backwards toward the car behind him.

Bradley grabbed his wrist, trying to pull herself free while her feet scrambled and kicked at the pavement. To her horror, she saw Beau take a two-by-four to the gut and double over.

The vampire fighting Beau loomed over him, his weapon raised for another blow.

That was the last thing Bradley saw before she was hauled from the ground and tossed into a trunk.

***

Find out more about Melissa here: Melissa's Site

What do you see...

As a publisher, I see the beauty of a story, or not. I see how the idea can be shaped into a masterpiece and how the cover can be made into a work of art. I see the joy of laying out a story into book format and sending it to the printer, only to return as a wad of paper glued together with a colorful outer shell. I see, or rather can imagine, the smile on the author's face as he/she opens the package with their copies inside.

This thrills me to no end.

But what do I see as a person?

The other day I was working at another facility instead of my usual hospital. I had the day from heck but I was in heaven. I saw new ways of doing things; I expanded my knowledge; I smiled; I laughed; I made mistakes. But then again, who doesn't.

I marveled at the way canisters from different departments shot through a tube system into a holding bay. Way cool! I met some really nice people. I marveled at how different the two facilities were, even though they're under the same company.

When I walked outside, I was met with a loud whooping noise. It was a helicopter landing on the roof of the building I had just left. I grinned just like a kid let loose in a candy store, craning my neck to look up and watch it disappear.

Today, I had the pleasure of staying home instead of having to go to work, on call. I was able to converse with people on the computer and marvel over my house. Even though I've lived here for a long time, and the place needs some minor maintenance, it still thrills me to think it will be paid for in a few short years.

The oak tree I planted as a sapling has grow so large grass won't grow under it due to the folage. I watched a squirrel rummage through the dirt, looking for a seed or two. Once it found one, it scampered up the tree to sit on a branch and nibble on its find. Afterwards, I watched the squirrel sprawl out on the same branch and fall asleep. It was so cute!

Now, I'm looking out my window, watching the clouds form, becoming dark and heavy. Rain will soon be here, and I plan on watching that, too.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Whether it be a book, a car, a house, a pet, or even a squirrel, take a moment to stop and look. You might be pleasantly suprised at what you see. Or want to write about.

Leave a comment, if you so wish, and let everyone know what you find beautiful. It will bring a smile to your face.

:)

ebooks

For those of you who read ebooks, what is it that causes you to purchase a book? Is it price, content, the author? Do you see a cover that catches you eye and want to take a peek?

I was on a site recently where a book by former President Clinton was offered. I saw the price and thought, I hope for that price it is an actual book. Out of curiosity, I clicked on the link. To my suprise, it was an ebook. For $45. An ebook...$45. Wow.

I'm not sure I would pay that much for a print book, no matter who the author.
I prowled around some more and saw other big name authors with their books priced in the $15 to $20's range, or more. All of these were ebooks. Is it me or does those prices seem a bit high?

I know I posted a note about ebook readers. Now I'm posting about ebooks.

A war is raging between the large publishers and Amazon. Amazon wants to keep all ebook prices at the $9.99 or under range. The publishers don't. Just to make things more complicated, Apple joined in. They are allowing the publishers to price the books higher. I don't agree with either business model; it's their way of operating, not mine. Just stating what is going on.

I understand an unknown author makes one hesitate. What if it sucks; what if I get partway through and absolutely can't read any more? (I did this with a Stephen King book once. Forced myself to finish it.) Is $4.99 and $5.99 too much for an unknown?

If you've read an ebook, post a comment about what helped you to get that book. What features did you like? What infomation swayed your decision? Now is the time to post so those who are riding the fence on ebooks can decide if it is worth it to them, and how they can benefit from your knowledge. I still love a good book that I can hold in my hand, but I'm open to other methods of reading, too.

Leave a comment. Help readers to understand. :)

WP

Do you ever wonder...

Do you ever wonder what the reader thinks of your book? Do you ever worry they will catch every little thing that is wrong? Like a period out of place, a semicolon instead of a colon?

Before I get into the "business", I simply read a book. I never noticed whether it had the right grammar; I just wanted a story I could sink my teeth into, a story where I could get to know the characters and live their lives through their words and actions.

I can't tell you how many times I wanted a dragon, like the ones in Anne McCaffrey's Dragonrider series. Or even a firelizard after they were introduced into the stories. I didn't care if the sentences were off a little, or they were too long or too short, or even if an extra comma or two was thrown in. I just wanted to sink into the book and "feel" how it was to soar into the sky and flame thread. When Moreta died after going between (those who read the dragorider books know what I'm talking about), I cried. Not because I felt the grammar was awful, but because I felt the story was real, like I was living with the characters.

The same goes for a lot of the books I read. I love a good sci-fi book that takes me to other worlds, worlds where the imagination can run rampid. I don't know if anyone remembers the Fuzzies books. I have all three of them. I'll never part with them. The writer created a world so real I had a hard time not seeing a little fuzzie standing close by. Again, I cried when one of the little guys was killed by a cruel, nasty man.

I love a good mystery that makes my heart race, a good horror book that scares the snot out of me. Darkfall by Dean Koontz absolutely scared me when I first read it. I still have a hard time reading it unless I'm in broad daylight, in a crowded room. LOVE that book. Did I worry about it having all the grammar correct, or the story lines in alignment? Nope. Just worried about hearing scratching noises in the walls and loving the fact that my bed frame sits on the floor so nothing can hide under it (it's an old waterbed frame).

Yes, I do look at the grammar now a bit more than I used to. But I still strive to get into the story, to "live" with the characters, to yell at them to not go in that room, you idiot! If there are too many errors, it can make a book distracting. A little amount...not so.

So, if you are a writer, don't let comments from reviewers get you down. Listen to the readers. If you are a reader, let the author know what you think. Tell them if they achieved their goal: to write a believeable story. Tell them if they helped you to soar, to discover new worlds, to cringe when the victim walks into the wrong room. I know for a fact they will appreciate it. I do. If the author falls short, tell them. How can they grow and improve unless told. Make sure to be nice, though. The world is already full of inconsiderate dweebs. Let's not add another. Manners, people. They go a long way.

Through my own books, it was a thrill to create a new species: a humecat. Even though I know it's not real, I "feel" as though the creature is. (I have four examples of a humecat living with me. They are called "cats." lol) I hope I conveyed that to my readers. Even with the grammar errors.

Thanks for reading this posting. Feel free to comment. Oh, and by the way, pick up a book and enjoy it, regardless of whether the author is famous or not.

What it takes to write a good story.

Many an author has asked this very question. Many an author remains unsure as to how to do this question.

Submissions come in and I look at them to see if the manuscript will be a good fit with Whimsical Publications (WP). A few are, but many are not. Here are some of the reasons why the book fails to grab me:

1-too many grammatical errors.
2-too much narrative, not enough description.
3-telling the story rather than showing the story.
4-poor sentence structure.
5-boring.

There are others but these are the worst offenders.

Here are my replies to each of the above. Of course the answers are subjective, but that is the beauty of being human: we all have a choice.

1-too many grammarical errors.

When a writer is in the grove, the muse, whatever you want to call it, grammar is something not to be worried about until after the story is complete. You do not want to edit at the same time you write. Editing is for the second or even third go-round. Before you submit to a publisher or an agent, the manuscript should be "clean".

What I mean by "clean" is the has to be a period where one belongs and a comma where it belongs. The words need to be the correct version. An example: whose vs who's. Or write vs right vs wright. There vs their. Each is correct depending on its use. If the writer is using MS Word for their story, the spell checker may not catch the wrong word due to the fact the word is not misspelled. Having a dictionary close at hand helps.

Make sure to give the manuscript a good once-over to make sure everything is correct. Minor errors are nothing and can be fixed. Too many will drive an editor nuts and cause the publisher to turn your work away.

2-too much narrative, not enough description.
3-telling the story rather than showing the story.
5-boring.

These three can go hand in hand.

Picture yourself sitting in a lecture hall. Picture two people standing up on the stage, sitting on stools, reading to each other. After a while you, the audience, get rather bored and tune out. You start thinking of chores you have to do, errands needing to be done, meals to be cooked, and all kinds of others activities in your busy life.

Jane went to the curtain and looked out. She said, "A car is sitting near the end of the driveway. The man inside is watching the house."

"Why would someone do that?" Rick asked.

"I have no idea."

"Well, neither do I."

"Maybe we should go outside and ask."

"Whatever for. If the man wants something, he'll come to the door and knock."

You get the idea. This is telling and is rather dull. It involves a lot of narrative and not a lot of showing. A good way to understand how to show a scene is to close your eyes and "see" with your minds eye what is going on. If you can't actually see it, you have to describe it so another understands what you are seeing. Example:

With a huff of frustration, Jane walked over to the window and shifted the curtain. The view of the lilac bushes outside the window always calmed her after an argument. She watched as a small flame flashed to life in the car near the end of the driveway. Just as quickly, it was gone.

"Rick, there's a sedan with tinted windows sitting across the street from the driveway. I just saw a man with dark hair light a cigarette. I get the feeling he is watching the house."

Rick turned away from the source of the argument, the TV. "What? Why would someone be doing that?"

"I don't know, but it frightens me." Jane's voice crept up in tempo and she crossed her arms before her, rubbed her upper arms. (Notice I did not make a comment about her facial expression. She can't see her own face unless she is looking in a mirror.)

Rick crossed the room in a couple of strides and peered over her shoulder. "I don't know why someone is out there, but I'm going to go find out."

Jane saw the firm set of his jaw and knew nothing but trouble would come of Rick going outside to confront the observer. She spun around and grabbed his arms, halting his progress to what she knew was certain harm. "No! Wait! I don't want you to go out there!" Her heart raced and her breath picked up speed.
-------
Okay, you get the idea. As you read, you wonder what is going on and why the person sitting in the car is there. It keeps you interested and wanting to read more to find out why Jane is so frightened. You "see" her fear and emotions rather than merely reading them. The description helps builds the story. If the story is boring, the reader goes away. If the story grabs the reader right away, he/she stays for more.

And finally, 4-poor sentence structure.

If the sentence structure is awkward when reading it, it tends to make the reader upset and they quit, likely to never read another of your works again. A way to prevent this is to read your story out loud. If you stumble on a particular section, so will the reader. Smooth that part out and reread it. Once it is fixed, move on to the next until the manuscript is finished. It will be well worth the time.

If the sentence goes on and on and on and on and...well, you get the picture, break it up into a couple of sentences, or more if warranted. I remember being taught that if you have to stop for a breath, toss in a comma. Or start a new sentence.

Okay. Now that I've typed your eyes off, I hope I've helped in some way. Remember, these are my opinions and are what I use when reading a submission. Others may have different ways of methodology.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. Happy writing!