tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62326287235762414482024-03-13T20:00:23.922-07:00Dance on FireThe Official site for Horror & Paranormal author James Garcia Jr.James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-7976381413130682442015-11-01T13:14:00.000-08:002015-11-01T13:14:49.549-08:0099 Cent NovemberHello, Fire Enthusiasts. Seasons Greetings to you as we enter the stretch run of 2015. Once you get to Halloween the next thing we know it's New Year's Day. Am I right? Hopefully it won't really be like that. Here in the California central valley the heat has finally left us, although it hasn't really gotten that cool yet. Yes, I wrote "cool." We don't really get winter here. Whatever. I'm just glad the heat is gone. Summer is overrated here, and I'm so pleased it's gone. Summer is my latest favorite season, as you may have guessed.<br />
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In any event, November is here. I find myself fighting against my nature, willing myself to slow down. As I mentioned before it can really race by if you don't force it to stop. Thanksgiving is my wife's favorite holiday. For me, I'm already looking forward to that afternoon when I start moving furniture and preparing to decorate for Christmas. Yeah, that's me. How about you? What's your favorite? Was it Halloween? You'd think a horror guy like me would love All Hallow's Eve, but not so much. Yeah, I'm evil that way.<br />
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Once again I have been invited to join what we call <a href="http://www.milojamesfowler.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">99centnovember</a>. It is the brainchild of author Milo James Fowler. If you're looking for a great read now is the time. Follow the link and fill that virtual bookshelf. You'll find my paranormal novel <i>Seeing Ghosts</i> there. Here's the cover. I hope you'll give it a chance.<br />
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The e-magazine that I used to write for, <a href="http://kingsriverlife.com/10/31/infernal-by-james-garcia-jr/" target="_blank">Kings River Life Magazine</a>, featured my latest novel, <i>Infernal</i>. They gave me a positive review, featured an interview and also are giving away copies of the series so far. Check that out and feel free to throw your name in the proverbial hat for the giveaway.<br />
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This has suddenly become the season for book events, which I am very pleased about. I was invited to speak at my local branch of the public library. You always worry that no one will show, but I had a good group, and I think it was a successful event. I was able to sign several copies of my books, I met new readers and had a lot of fun doing it. Next, we have the Kingsburg Ladies Night Out event. Last year's event was big, so hopefully this one will be bigger and better. There will be another opportunity in December as well. In addition, I was invited by the librarian of my local high school about potentially speaking to the students. I'm very honored to have been asked, and look forward to having that opportunity.<br />
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Have a great November and a Happy Thanksgiving, you guys. As always, thanks for stopping by.<br />
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We'll talk soon. James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-79735914403663929652015-10-03T13:16:00.002-07:002015-10-03T13:16:59.764-07:00October Greetings Hello, Fire Enthusiasts. Now that summer is officially in the death throes I have finally climbed out from beneath my air-conditioned rock. *laughs* You folks who know me know full well that I think summer is over-rated. Of course here in central California our winter is a season in name only. It might get grey and there will be Tule Fog, but that's about it. I realize that if I actually had to live through a real mid-west, upper east coast kind of winter, I might be a lot less cavalier about it.<br />
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Well, summer isn't the only think that's dying around here. If you follow me on Facebook you know that my youth is dying as well. As I type this note I am sporting my new glasses. Yep, I understand I now belong to the distinguished-looking group! What say you? Thankfully I only need to to see the real small print...<br />
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Anyway, I'm cool with it. Go ahead and give me your comments. I'm just glad I can read a menu again, and certainly the bill!<br />
"How much does this say, Dear?"<br />
"If you wouldn't have had that second drink..."<br />
"No, I'm trying to figure out the tip." *sigh*<br />
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I have had two book events since last we've spoken. The first was a release event for <i>Infernal</i> in my hometown. It was held at the store that sells my books. I did pretty well there. I signed about 33 copies, if memory serves. We were slammed that first hour, but it was a lot of fun. There were certainly friends and family in attendance; however, a lot of fans came out, too. That never gets old!<br />
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The other was a street event where downtown was closed off and there were bands playing on stages on either end. It wasn't bad, although it was all day and quite warm. I only signed about 18 copies or so, but four new people bought all four books at once, and many others stopped by to get to know me and what I do. It's what it's all about, isn't it? I have another event coming up on Halloween morning at my local library. It sounds perfectly delightful to me and I'm looking forward to sharing. More on that later...<br />
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My wife and I took some time to get away again. We headed for the coast to attend a concert in Paso Robles at a relatively new amphitheater that turned out to be really cool. The weather was great in the evening and I finally got to see Tears for Fears. It was a very good show, and I'm hearing rumors of a new album in the works.<br />
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I finally have a <a href="http://jamesgarciajr.jimdo.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. I've been fairly quiet on that front because I wanted to live with it for a time before letting the proverbial cat out of the bag. Before this I had been using this blog as my base of operations. Hopefully, this new site will be another step forward in my attempt at global domination. *winks*<br />
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Lastly, I am taking part in a vampire books for blood event this month which benefits the Red Cross. If you have yet to take a bite into my crossover vampire series, this would be the month. 100% of the proceeds for each and every ebook sold this month will go to the American Red Cross. It's a very cool event and I hope people will consider buying. You get the book(s), I have the word spread about them and the Red Cross gets the money. It's the brainchild of author <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SWBAuthor/timeline" target="_blank">Scott Burtness</a> and there's a bunch of vampire authors participating. Check them out <a href="http://www.vampirebooksforblood.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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That's all for now. Thanks for stopping by. We'll talk soon. <br />
<br />James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-6747309634131065812015-08-15T08:18:00.000-07:002015-08-15T08:18:57.217-07:00Introducing the Devil... Infernal (Dance on Fire 3)<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Greetings
and salutations, Fire Enthusiasts. It has been a while, hasn’t it? I hope you
and yours are well. I am doing fine, thank you very much. In fact, I am better
than fine. As you can probably guess, I am quite ecstatic…because at long last
my latest novel has been released.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If you have
yet to read </span><i style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Dance on Fire</i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">, it is the
crossover horror story of the vampire Nathaniel who saves a woman and her twin
infants from another vampire. Not just any vampire, but the one who killed <i>his</i>
family, kidnapped and ultimately turned him into one as well. Although he knows
the Bible front to back, and knows all too well that he has no place in the
Kingdom of God. The woman he saves in not so convinced. This starts him on a
journey of self-discovery, as well as making him the family's protector. You can get it here on <a href="http://mybook.to/DanceonFire" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or on <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/505155" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> for
99 cents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the
sequel <i>Flash Point (Dance on Fire Book 2)</i>,
Nathaniel lives in a monastery with monks. He has not yet heard God speak, but
he seeks Him nonetheless. Unbeknownst to him, one of the vampires that escaped
in book one has returned with four others. She seeks revenge upon him and
his extended family for a wrong done to her. When he races back to town he will
find it is too late to do much but enact some revenge himself. At the end of
that chapter, the Devil himself steps out of the shadows and proclaims that it
is he that has been after Nathaniel all along. <i>Flash Point</i> is also available at
<a href="http://mybook.to/FlashPoint" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/505158" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In this
third book, Satan has returned, armed with over 100 vampires and an <i>Infernal</i> plot to destroy Nathaniel and
his extended family once and for all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaser:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel looked down at his
hands and closed his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t tell me you’re praying
now?” Satan asked. “Why do you even bother? Look what it’s got you! Before this
next act is through, there will be many more bodies under many more sheets. And
you will be among them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Do your worst, Devil,”
Nathaniel said calmly, his eyes still closed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan relented and laughed. The
sound reverberated off the walls as if a multitude of devils were celebrating
their dark deeds. “Remember you said that.” Satan was delighted to see
Nathaniel open his eyes once again and look upon him. He went to say something
more but turned, distracted by a presence. He glanced behind him as if he could
see down the hall and through the closed front door. He heard the hum of a
motor as it powered itself up the lane. “It seems you have visitors. Good. I
enjoyed a fantastic barbeque on one of my last visits. Perhaps it’s time for
another.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel leapt to his feet and
jumped into his face, surprising him, albeit only momentarily. His expression twisted
into a hard grimace and he noted spittle on his mouth. “<i>Get thee behind me, Satan!</i>” he roared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Ah, you do care,” Satan said.
He reached up and made a move to wipe the spittle from Nathaniel’s mouth, but
the vampire caught his arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>Do not touch me!</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan allowed himself to be held,
and simply stared at the grip on his wrist, the wrinkled fabric of his suit. He
glanced up and looked deeply into Nathaniel’s eyes as if he could now crawl
inside them and up into his mind to read his thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel pulled his arm down
and released it. He backed away slowly, like someone retreating from a venomous
snake, and then moved back near the chair he had graced, but didn’t sit down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Go, Satan,” Nathaniel said. His
voice was calm again. “You are not welcome here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’d be surprised,” Satan replied.
He put his hands back into his pockets and turned to retrace his steps. At the
doorway, he stopped and turned back. “The next time we meet, you will beg for
mercy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“There is no mercy in you,”
Nathaniel said. “I learned that lesson long ago in an old dilapidated castle in
Romania.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh, yes.” Satan smiled. “I
remember it well. Your mother was there. Nasty business, matricide.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My mother died at home,”
Nathaniel said. “What I met that night upon my escape was not her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,” Satan cooed. “Dogs, was
it?” He shook his head. “Hilarious.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Footfalls echoed loudly in the corridor
as someone came running toward them. Satan turned, as did Nathaniel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My God!” Luis cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Good guess, but no,” Satan said.
He looked down upon the monk and touched the brim of his fedora. “Hello, Luis.
You’re looking well. Must be all the exercise. Hiking up mountain sides, long
walks, running from a legion of vampires…?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luis said nothing. He merely
glanced Nathaniel’s way as if looking for direction. Satan followed his gaze and
held it as he heard the sound of many others entering the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Wonderful,” Satan said and
stared the vampire down. “I just love an audience.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>Satan!</i>” Nathaniel shouted. He took two steps forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Raising his left hand, he held
it in the air between them. “I’m leaving. And I was only kidding about barbequing
your friends. These are not the friends I am interested in. Go to California. I
believe Marie is outside, waiting to usher you away from the sleeping vampire
horde.” He spun on Luis. “Isn’t she?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luis’ face dropped in shock at the
revelation. Satan frowned. “Please!” he said and turned back to Nathaniel. His
look was a serious one. “I have written this entire play. The monks are safe. I
will make sure the vampires know exactly where you have gone. Don’t doubt that
for a moment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan adjusted his fedora, turned,
and walked through the doorway. The hall was lined with monks. Some respectfully
moved away and allowed the stranger some space to navigate; others held their
ground as if suddenly troubled for reasons they couldn’t readily explain. Satan
stood before them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Nathaniel,” he called without
turning. “Would you have the men step aside, or shall I do it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel entered the corridor.
“My brothers,” he began. “’Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will
flee from you.’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s cute,” Satan replied. “James:
four, seven. I have a scripture for you,” he said, staring into the faces of
those standing before him. “Second Corinthians: six, fourteen. ‘For what
partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light
with darkness?’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You left a part out, Satan,”
Nathaniel said calmly. It begins: ‘Do not be bound together with unbelievers.’
I <i>believe</i> in God, my Savior.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You are the only one here who
doesn’t believe,” Luis added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Oh, I believe,” Satan replied. “I simply choose
to disagree.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMKuG-PP1lumBxCCjEFYkYXrs91D3YlPy9BQ3TnqH_CH_4HRCU6CKm0kQ7hdKK-i0Rr_pl9pYIB7nTwzJ5IksdQgRADu9gn9rTlJlh5iGZGFaFXvYmqvV2LiLW50aJQwy_2JlQm-wbdM/s1600/Infernal%252C+FINAL%252C+6x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMKuG-PP1lumBxCCjEFYkYXrs91D3YlPy9BQ3TnqH_CH_4HRCU6CKm0kQ7hdKK-i0Rr_pl9pYIB7nTwzJ5IksdQgRADu9gn9rTlJlh5iGZGFaFXvYmqvV2LiLW50aJQwy_2JlQm-wbdM/s320/Infernal%252C+FINAL%252C+6x9.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just like
all of my novels, <i>Infernal: (Dance on Fire Book 3)</i> is available at <a href="http://mybook.to/DOFInfernal" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/567805" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> and all other
outlets. For the locals who live in Kingsburg, California - my hometown and the setting for the novels - the paperback will be available here in two weeks. We'll be having a release event at the Trinkets & Treasures store. Details will be forthcoming. A heartfelt thanks for all of you who have supported me, encouraged me and have eagerly awaited this next chapter in the saga. You rock!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We'll talk soon.</span></div>
</span></div>
James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-84157136199214916182015-05-30T09:25:00.003-07:002015-05-30T09:25:35.572-07:00Is This the End?Greetings, Fire Enthusiasts. How is summer treating you? Do you enjoy summer? Here in central California the teachers only teach three seasons... *laughs* We have plenty of sun and no water to spare. Between November and February the skies get grey and we can get some fog, but that's about the extent of it. From June to October it is very hot here, reaching 108 degrees at its worst. *sigh* Can you tell I'm not a fan?<br />
<br />
At long last, my latest chapter in the Dance on Fire series is about ready. If you are new to the series, I call it crossover vampire horror. The series explores whether a vampire can actually be used for good or not. Let me catch you up:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaUMQZvD05SqrbvcauV1TH0s5saIVQqO5nJRX4EbOogU-i2vV8SN9kQ0ovXJTI5Rlr0Wx6AesLeUANMx1fbYTw6ywAvYHy7kZqXdF0PLXNmParnBJtQVChsPX6njYMrxW7sJMkAaFh-A/s1600/Dance+on+Fire%252C+FINAL%252C+Kindle+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaUMQZvD05SqrbvcauV1TH0s5saIVQqO5nJRX4EbOogU-i2vV8SN9kQ0ovXJTI5Rlr0Wx6AesLeUANMx1fbYTw6ywAvYHy7kZqXdF0PLXNmParnBJtQVChsPX6njYMrxW7sJMkAaFh-A/s320/Dance+on+Fire%252C+FINAL%252C+Kindle+size.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br />
In <i><a href="http://mybook.to/DanceonFire" target="_blank">Dance on Fire</a></i>, the vampire Nathaniel saves Barbara Lopez and her infant children from another vampire. Knowing the Bible front to back, he is aware there is no place in God's kingdom for undead flesh. Barbara is not so sure. Their chance meeting causes them all to band together against the second vampire, provides him with a family once again, and leads him on a journey that causes him to question everything. Follow the link and get the e-book for 99 cents.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBXFa_g8IbTQnzKX-_i3l5CD_RPywIP-pmd_r9RbYf7ges_ngudcuHuZ3AiS6GvrEZ0CvcuqUnIb04_HQ6aiybczBX-y7E8qSQrtw0qfZpmSMGg3PVKyw3PrSzCoak7ZOw_6cpOwRXfk/s1600/Flash+Point%252C+Kindle+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBXFa_g8IbTQnzKX-_i3l5CD_RPywIP-pmd_r9RbYf7ges_ngudcuHuZ3AiS6GvrEZ0CvcuqUnIb04_HQ6aiybczBX-y7E8qSQrtw0qfZpmSMGg3PVKyw3PrSzCoak7ZOw_6cpOwRXfk/s320/Flash+Point%252C+Kindle+size.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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In <i><a href="http://mybook.to/FlashPoint" target="_blank">Dance on Fire: Flash Point</a></i>, five vampires descend upon Nathaniel and his extended family, enacting some twisted revenge upon them all for actions taken in book one. Does what happens cause Nathaniel to lose what he has gained? Will another family be taken from him? Who is the mystery figure that is ultimately shown to be pulling these strings that make him dance?<br />
<br />
This summer in Dance on Fire: Infernal, the Devil himself and an army of vampires converge upon Nathaniel and the extended family he has left - because undead flesh that seeks God must not be allowed to live.<br />
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The series is a crossover, so there are Christian themes at work here, but it is also definitely horror as you will see. I hope you will give it a chance...<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Marie?” Josef asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hello, brother,” she said as she followed Satan’s outstretched
hand and entered the room. She didn’t take it, but it seemed to lead her just
the same. “Meet Lucifer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I really must insist that you refrain from calling me that,”
Satan instructed. If he was displeased that Marie refused to take his hand, he
made no show of it. “In spite of what you may have read, Lucifer is no more. I
prefer Satan. Scratch. The Devil, if you must. <i>Pleased to meet you. Hope you guess my name,</i>” he sang and giggled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan marched into the room. “Sit,” he said to the vampires
who lurked closest to him. When they didn’t, he paused and stared back at them.
“Sit or I shall remove your legs. Trust me when I say that I can do this in a
great many ways. You no doubt have heard I am not a man of my word, but you will
be alive to endure it. I promise you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The four turned and glanced at Josef who nodded silently.
All in the room sat except Josef. Marie stood her ground. Her body language
read that being present there was not her choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">“We’re supposed to believe that you’re the Devil?” Josef
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes, Josef,” he said, nonplussed. “I am he.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The elder-general gritted his teeth. “I’m having a difficult
time believing this,” he added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Devil ran the fingers of his left hand over his goatee
and scratched the bottom of his chin. Then he flipped his hat onto the large
table. It slid across the surface and stopped dead in the center of it. “Said a
vampire,” he said sarcastically. “I could show you my true nature, but it isn’t
pretty. I could kill every living thing in this board room with my will alone;
however, I have need of you, so I won’t. I actually live for these moments—relish
them even. Yet, I find myself strangely disinterested. I have much to do, you
see. Much to do.” His voice trailed off momentarily, but he quickly snapped out
of it. “I like you guys. We’re brothers in a way. All of us outside the
so-called Kingdom of God. My disdain for mankind is legendary because of this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Josef and the Devil held eye contact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Are you familiar with a vampire named Nathaniel?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I am familiar with many vampires by that name,” Josef
replied. “Felipe?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Immediately, Felipe clicked open a database and began typing
away. There were a great many references with that name. Some deceased. The
data went all the way back to before the printed word. This was the cyber
version of original material, which had been researched and compiled well
before computers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I have a Nathaniel who was involved in the deaths of
several other vampires?” Felipe offered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Bingo,” Satan said. He rubbed his face and tapped his
forehead. “It is curious you know of this, yet allowed him to live. I thought
killing vampires was an offense punishable by death? Perhaps I have been
misled.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hmm,” Josef remarked. “I believe I recall this one. Our
investigation concluded that he was not the only one at fault. In fact, was it
not discovered that others were to blame?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,” Felipe replied. “A vampire named Vincent is
referenced, as well as another. A newborn. Tiffany.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s correct,” Josef said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan thrust his hands into his perfectly pressed pants and
glared at Josef. “No, this is not correct, and I am here to finally get you to
do something about this egregious oversight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hmm.” Josef put on a thoughtful face. “Let me take a wild
guess at this. You had something to do with these vampires attacking this
Nathaniel. They failed and you’re coming here to get more vampires to do your
dirty work for you. How am I doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan said nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Bingo,” Marie said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Just what has he done to you exactly?” Josef inquired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And why can’t you simply take care of this yourself?” Marie
asked. “Surely you don’t need our permission?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I like you, Marie. You have spunk,” Satan replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Forgive me, my brother,” Marie said, leaning into Josef.
“But perhaps as the evidence suggests, the great Satan has already failed twice
in this personal vendetta of his.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Until the sky rolls back like a scroll, I have failed
nothing,” Satan said, and it was clear to all that he was trying very hard not
to lose his temper. His countenance softened as he quickly seemed to regain his
composure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The vampires waited him out, until Josef broke the silence.
“Satan,” he began. “Forgive us for making sport of you…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You confuse me with another, Josef.” Satan glared back at
him, crossing his arms at his chest. “I am no good at forgiving.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Very well then,” Josef said. “You do well to say that it is
a crime in our community to kill another vampire. It is rare that such an act
is sanctioned by the board, much less its elder-general. But I ask you – if I
may – just what has he done?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It really doesn’t matter what he’s done, Josef,” Satan
said, approaching. “What matters is I want him destroyed. He has no love for
the vampire community or its elder-general. He seeks to change his nature, to
become a Christian, and to follow God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Satan?” Josef asked. “What will you do if we respectfully
decline to intervene in this matter?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All eyes quickly moved from their elder-general to Satan.
Satan glanced about the room and thrust his hands back inside his pants
pockets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">“I would be very disappointed.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CPdz9GBS0JgFR54iLCJHnMGh4blzy94Mj5kv9dDcjzNE8VmB4gxIKGo3AwaMBUqQeYdir3W1Zfy-rPbYyS70ptXPZRj6-F-asstgZO6hz8bN9nOqGgso-gkLXq5rZfTkjR6eSUzo29U/s1600/Infernal%252C+FINAL%252C+6x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CPdz9GBS0JgFR54iLCJHnMGh4blzy94Mj5kv9dDcjzNE8VmB4gxIKGo3AwaMBUqQeYdir3W1Zfy-rPbYyS70ptXPZRj6-F-asstgZO6hz8bN9nOqGgso-gkLXq5rZfTkjR6eSUzo29U/s320/Infernal%252C+FINAL%252C+6x9.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">We'll talk soon.</span></div>
James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-1845246379641153102015-05-10T07:41:00.000-07:002015-05-10T07:41:06.035-07:00The Devil Returns with an Infernal PlotGreetings, Fire Enthusiasts. It has taken longer than I thought, but the next chapter in my crossover vampire series is nearly ready. As of this writing, I have completed the edits that my wonderful editor had for me. All that is left is for me to do is to venture back into Writer's Cave and work through the painstakingly slow process of reading the book aloud - to make sure that every paragraph, every sentence and every word is just right. Today I have a teaser for you, hopefully to whet your appetite or capture your curiosity...<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel felt sudden remorse. “I apologize,” he said, but didn’t
elaborate exactly what he might be sorry for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I don’t believe you,” she said quietly. “You don’t want me
here. I am not welcome.” She leapt to her feet. “I don’t know why I bother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With that, she marched off into the woods and was gone.
Nathaniel felt torn, but merely sat on the chair and waited for his clashing
thoughts to clear, curious to see which side of the argument would emerge
victorious. He didn’t know why she bothered, either, but tried not to worry
about it. At least, that was what he told himself. After all, he had much
larger concerns. Whether he would see Marie ever again wasn’t one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What he could not afford to do was have her presence
distract him from his mission, which was to seek God’s face and protect those
under his charge. He had allowed himself to be unfocused too many times before
when it had had mattered most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unfortunately, she had proved to be a distraction after all.
The smell of sulfur hit him when it was far too late to do anything about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The chair beside him was no longer empty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan sat there, in far finer clothing than even Marie had adorned
herself with. He stared back at the vampire with the vilest grin Nathaniel
thought he had ever seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Greetings,” he said as he fingered the fedora in his lap.
“You really have a way with the ladies, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel bristled, but wasn’t afraid. It was far too late
for that anyway. Satan had caught him unawares. And with an army of vampires
well on their way, he never once considered the Devil doing anything but
taunting him with that fact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Apparently so.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“She is a fine woman, you know?” Satan chided. “There’s an
opportunity there. Her perverted brother keeps her chained up inside that
estate of theirs, while he does what he pleases like Caligula. Not really in
chains, of course, but she may as well be. She just sits in that garden of
hers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So, she wasn’t lying about that?” Nathaniel asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And of course I can trust you to tell me the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan shrugged. “Believe what you want.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why did you bring her here?” Nathaniel asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Who says I did that?” Satan laughed before he could get the
words out. “I’m sorry. It’s too much of a lie even for one as accomplished in
the skill as me. She’s a gift.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel shook his head. “The level of your contempt knows
no limits, does it? She is a person and not a thing to be given or thrown out
with the trash.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“She’s a vampire, but I won’t split hairs with you,” Satan
countered. “So you do like her then. Good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I didn’t say that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes, you did. Of course you did. She is my gift to you.
Take her and do as you please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Forget it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And why not?” Satan asked. “You’re both alone. Why not be companions?
Besides, I brought her here, but your God routinely turns things around for
good, does he not? Romans eight; twenty-eight, I believe. Why don’t you ask God
about it?” He leaned close. “Still not talking to you?” When Nathaniel didn’t
take the bait, he sat back. “I see,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eventually, Satan slid down in his chair in his expensive
Italian suit and kicked one leg over the other. The moonlight leapt onto his polished
leather shoes and held them far stronger than it had with Marie’s blouse.
Nathaniel wasn’t surprised at the unearthly glow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Great shoes, huh?” Satan remarked, following his gaze. “It’s
amazing how quickly they wear out. They last days at best.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It must be all the ground you have to cover,” Nathaniel
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan nodded. “You would be correct.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Couldn’t you retire and see the world?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Ha!” Satan laughed loudly and some birds flew off the
trees, making a loud ruckus. “Oh, I couldn’t do that. I have only my work.
Seeing the world is not all it’s cracked up to be anyway. In any event, seeing
it is a part of the job description.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Are there not wars being waged that you need to attend to? Famines?
Mankind being woefully unprepared for the next hurricane, earthquake, drought,
tsunami?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,” he replied. “And infinitely more. However, I have
everything covered, thank you so much. I have more than enough time for all of
that, to handle what goes on here as well as what transpires in the central
valley of the State to our south.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel blinked, but said nothing. He crossed his arms and
did his best to fight the urge to take his sword off of his lap and run the Devil
through with it. <i>If only it were that
easy.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What’s the matter?” Satan asked. “Don’t you worry about
Barbara and her children? Especially with Michael being here with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He said nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No, of course you worry.” Satan nodded. He took his hat and
set it back on his head. “You shouldn’t bother. Soon there’ll be nothing to
worry about.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel began to pray in his mind, but showed no outward
appearance of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Stop that!” Satan ordered as he climbed to his feet. He
threw an arm out as if tossing something away. “I was afraid you were going to
start praying!” He spun around and faced him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If Satan became riled and decided to kill him, there was
really very little he could do about it, he knew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Look around,” he spat. “What has God done for you? I mean,
really? What has he gained you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel stared up at the Devil. This was perhaps his
defining moment and he knew it. His chance to stand in the face of the greatest
threat to God and man, and declare his allegiance. Satan leveled his cold, dark
eyes at him, as if he fully anticipated what was coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I am nothing without the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Satan sighed and merely smiled. “Soon, you will be
only nothing.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If this is the first you have ever heard of my series, I hope you'll take a look at the first book, Dance on Fire. The e-book can be had for 99 cents at any of the major e-book stores. Here's the <a href="http://mybook.to/DanceonFire" target="_blank">Amazon link</a>. The series is definitely crossover or edgy, if you will. I don't label it Christian, though the themes are obviously present. You're going to find some language and a whole lot of blood being shed. Sometimes you will find your nose in the stuff. On the other hand the horror isn't so gratuitous that it turns all except the die-hards away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anyway, I hope you'll like it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We'll talk soon. </span>James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-28803345936475440752015-04-04T19:27:00.002-07:002015-04-04T19:27:34.798-07:00Hope Springs Eternal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mississippi River cruise</td></tr>
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Greetings, Fire Enthusiasts. How is everyone? I am well. As I pen this we have just recently returned from a vacation that a few of you may have heard about. More on that later.<br />
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Usually, all I do is complain about the day job, and the length of my work day - the 12 hours days and all of that. However, I can report some very good news. Since I took this supervisor position at my company's Cold Storage Facility, I had really been in an unofficial acting-Manager role. Now, I am pleased to announce that I have been officially promoted to Facility Manager. It's a big thing for me, and they will be making it official this week.What's big is the recognition of the hard work I had already been doing.<br />
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For book news, it's taken a bit longer than I'd hoped, but I should have my edits back any day now. I guess that's what I get for writing something that is about 40k words longer than I usually write. The hope is to have the book available in all formats by the middle of May. We'll see. As soon as I get those back and begin the final phase of this production, I will begin sharing the cover more - as well as teasers.<br />
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I was interviewed recently by Fiona McVie for her Author Interview site. It's been a while since I have taken part in one of those. It was a bit of fun, and she's a cool new buddy. You can find it <a href="https://authorsinterviews.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/here-is-my-interview-with-james-garcia-jr/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bank of the Mississippi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast, anyone? </td></tr>
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We just had the opportunity to follow our 17 year old's high school Jazz Choir to New Orleans. Many have asked me how the choir did - and they did fine. They took silver in the festival; however, the performance was secondary to the trip. Originally, there was supposed to be a New York trip, but that fell through on New York's side of things. The choir teacher then began looking for some other trip to take the kids on. I had hoped we wouldn't do anything since my wife and I celebrate twenty-five years of marriage this summer. I wanted to find something just for us in June. However, when the idea to visit New Orleans came up, it proved too tempting to pass up. We called it early celebrating.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cemetery Tour</td></tr>
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In any event, we took in a swamp tour, an old cemetery tour, a ghost tour, cruised down the Mississippi River for lunch and visited the National World War 2 Museum. Perhaps New Orleans might not have been the most appropriate city for the teens to be visiting; however, all in all, I think they had a good time. It might be one of those deals where they look back at some future date and look upon it very fondly. It's not Disneyland. It's a historic and old city, and one might need to be a bit older to fully appreciate where you're standing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KHS Jazz Choir</td></tr>
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Thanks for stopping by.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rian & a 3-ft gator.</td></tr>
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Oh, and it's baseball season. I'm wearing one of my Cubs shirts as I pen this post, and my beloved Cubbies start the season Easter Sunday night by playing against the hated Cardinals. "We" haven't won a World Series since 1908, and haven't played for a championship since World War 2 ended in 1945. But hope springs eternal. Let's Go Cubs! This is the year!<br />
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Yeah, I'm a glutton for punishment.<br />
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We'll talk soon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Bourbon Street Hard Rock Cafe w/ Morrison.</td></tr>
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James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-78156059396257858192015-02-22T19:37:00.001-08:002015-02-22T19:37:41.111-08:00One Extraordinary MotherGreetings, Fire Enthusiasts. How are you? Please forgive me. I realize it's nearly March, and you haven't heard from me since early January. Well, there's a reason for this. There hasn't been much going on, and it's far too early to begin inundating everyone with the new release until we get closer. *laughs*<br />
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A month from now there should be lots to discuss. I could have my novel back in my hands after a professional editing. It is book three in my crossover vampire series. I was so refreshed after <i>Seeing Ghosts</i> that I ran back to my vampires. I have a major new character that I am introducing; I'm killing in droves; and the devil is returning. There's a lot going on, and I can't wait for you to see just what I've done. Stay tuned. I will have had another birthday at next we meet. 46. Yikes! How did this happen? We're also heading for New Orleans. We'll be following my youngest and his high school choir as they have a visit planned. We've never been there before and we can't wait. Hopefully I'll be taking pictures...and sharing!<br />
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So, why am I here? I'm here because I took another chance, and stepped off of the well-traveled path of horror and paranormal books I usually read, and I want so badly to tell you about it. I do this because I famously did this once and ended up falling in love with <i>Beach Music</i> by the genius who is Pat Conroy. And I keep doing it. This time I read something that was inspiring, and that arguably contained more horror than I usually read - because it was all true. It was all...real.<br />
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The book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/NAKED-Stripped-Man-Hurricane-Katrina-ebook/dp/B00T25NPUG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1424659140&sr=1-1&keywords=julie+freed" target="_blank">Naked: Stripped by a Man and Hurricane Katrina</a> by Julie Freed.<br />
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The Synopsis:<br />
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A house and marriage violently disintegrate. Abandoned by her husband and left alone to raise an infant in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Julie is surrounded by the rubble of her life - stripped bare by love and loss.<br />
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What happens when one woman loses everything? It is a time of unprecedented clarity. She must unflinchingly face her marriage, her womanhood, her husband's alcoholism, his infidelity, and the remains of a shattered home. Acknowledging her own pain, she also shares the heartache of others in her coastal community rebuilding the ruin of their lives. As she reflects on choices past and present, Julie emerges anew.<br />
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Naked is a beautiful true story about choices, strength, divorce, Hurricane Katrina, flawed diamonds, addictions, a mother's dream, life changing bridges, single motherhood, and a baby girl named Genoa. Struggling to find meaning in her journey while paving the way for her own and her daughter's future, Julie shares a remarkable story with humor and tenderness. The strength and resilience of the Gulf Coast shines through as does the love and purity Julie finds. Experience the vulnerability, hurt, love, loss, anger, intimate reflections, authenticity, and ultimately the freedom as Julie's shocking story unfolds.<br />
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My review:<br />
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Imagine suddenly finding yourself a single mother.<br />
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Imagine your husband e-mailed you to say that he thought you both would be better off living apart.<br />
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Imagine your beautiful home is directly in the path of Hurricane Katrina, and you and your one year old must evacuate – and all that’s left of your life is inside one suitcase.<br />
It would make a hell of a story, wouldn’t it? What if I told you it was all true, and that it happened to one extraordinary mother?<br />
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As a horror/paranormal author, you’d well expect that I would spend most of my time with the same sort of books – and you wouldn’t be wrong. However, I do love to venture off that beaten path periodically to see what else might be out there. The book I just described to you is "Naked: Stripped by a Man and Hurricane Katrina" by Dr. Julie Freed. She never asked to live through all of that, but as a mother of a toddler who suddenly finds herself abandoned by her husband – she does the only thing available to her. She survives.<br />
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I will tell you that this was an easy read. That’s not a critique of the writing. What I mean is I felt as if I were sitting across the table from Dr. Freed the entire time she was recounting her story. I could almost taste the wine we shared as she did so. It’s that personable; that engaging. She shares her life with the reader, once again stripped bare to the flesh to reveal everything. She’d already been left naked by her estranged husband, and the Hurricane that most of us followed over our flat screen televisions in total comfort while she lived through it with only her dear daughter to show for it.<br />
Not everyone can tell a story. Not only did Dr. Freed live through a terrible ordeal, but she did a masterful job of telling it. I think you’ll find that true as well.<br />
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If you guys like moving from the beaten path as I do, or you regularly read things that are based more in real life than fantasy, give this a look. I think you'll find Dr. Freed's story completely compelling and inspiring.<br />
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Follow her on <a href="https://twitter.com/JulieFreed" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and her <a href="http://www.juliefreedauthor.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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We'll talk soon. James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-4974165255929051912015-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-01T00:00:17.529-08:00Looking ForwardGreetings, Fire Enthusiasts. Happy New Year to you and yours. I trust the holidays were a good one, and that Santa brought you at least one good thing. I had an iTunes gift card in my stocking as well as a small stack of BluRays under the tree, so my Christmas was a good one. #brat<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, everything gets decorated in my house!</td></tr>
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The holidays were also good because I am on vacation and don't go back to the day job until January 5th. In addition, I had no writing projects and did nothing but sit back and enjoy them. My current work in progress is in the able hands of my wonderful editor - unlike 2013 when I was actually writing the thing. I wrote that first draft over four months (Nov. '13 to Feb. '14) and practically missed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years. *laughs* #writers So, no. I finished my 3rd draft in early December, spoke to the three beta readers (all were very pleased) and sent it off. Since then, I have simply been enjoying the season and hanging out with family.<br />
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This time of year media outlets typically spend a lot of time looking back at the year that was. In terms of writing I now have three novels self-published. The reviews have been very good and I can't complain. My latest novel - Seeing Ghosts - seems to have become everyone's favorite. That makes me very pleased. That book has everything in it that moves me. It's dark, haunting and very sweet. The only problem has been the chorus of readers who have told me they would love more of that story. Sadly, the book makes a perfect circle, with a lovely red bow on it, and milking it for another book seems wrong to me.<br />
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2014 has been my best year so far. Since my stories take place where I live, I have spent the bulk of my free time focusing on reaching that built-in demographic. I have my books in a local store, and have attended every event in town, doing my level best to get the word out. It's been working, but there's still more work ahead in 2015.<br />
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That is why I have titled this post: Looking Forward. 2015 needs to build on the previous year and propel me onward. I will publish my 4th novel this year, the third book in my crossover vampire series. Although I assume I will begin writing the next thing at some point, my focus will be to market the books I already have. I really hope to see them begin to pay for themselves. We all do, right? *sigh*<br />
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I'm going to keep this short, my friends. I wish you you the very best in 2015. I hope I encourage you the way you have encouraged me to keep pushing forward. I greeted many of you bloggers and writers before Christmas because I miss you all. If you did not hear from me, drop me a line here or on one of the other social networks and say hello. If not for you guys I might have quit this a long time ago. It isn't easy, is it? Not while our books float in a virtual sea of others out there.<br />
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The next time you hear from me you should see the blitz begin for my latest novel. There will be a cover release; blurbs, teasers and announcements - although I have not exactly been secretive when it comes to what's coming for our hero Nathaniel and his extended family. There will be other announcements, too.<br />
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In the meantime, Happy New Year!<br />
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We'll talk soon.James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-78002366374545176682014-11-30T20:00:00.002-08:002014-11-30T20:00:38.296-08:00An Army of Vampires<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Season's Greetings, Fire Enthusiasts. I hope the season finds you well, and well taken care of. I'm doing fine. I'm still working crazy hours for the most part, although not nearly as bad as in times past. As I pen this post, I am enjoying the last of my Thanksgiving break: four days away from the day job. I'm already looking forward to taking two weeks off at Christmas... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In between everything, I have been hard at work on my latest work in progress. I'm working toward finishing draft three of Dance on Fire 3. You may have already seen the title as well as the cover. I'm not actively promoting it yet, but haven't exactly been secretive about it, either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm aiming for a very early 2015 release, and then hope to spend the year promoting it as well as all of my novels. I don't have any plans to start writing the next thing, but we'll see. I say that because 2014 has been my best year so far. I'm still working on making a dent into the on-line markets, but in the mean time have been doing really well at home. I live in a small town and have had many opportunities for events. Considering I have set my novels either here in town or in the general area, I feel I have a built-in demographic that I need to continue to focus on. That's what I have been doing and it seems to be paying off so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, while I'm hard at work on the new book, I've got a very short excerpt for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where are we?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In <i><a href="http://mybook.to/DanceonFire" target="_blank">Dance on Fire</a></i>, we met the vampire Nathaniel. He saved a family from the notorious vampire Vincent, but somehow that family may have saved him. Believing himself to be forever excluded by the kingdom of God, the Christian wife and mother he meets is not convinced. The result is the vampire begins an incredible journey of self-discovery as he seeks whether God may have a use for him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In <i><a href="http://mybook.to/FlashPoint" target="_blank">Dance on Fire: Flash Point</a></i>, we find Nathaniel living among monks in the mountains of Oregon. God has not spoken to him, but Nathaniel continues to seek his face in the hopes that he will. When five vampires descend upon his extended family, seeking a terrible revenge, Nathaniel races to save them before it's too late. In the novel, we find that the devil himself is alive and well, and none too pleased that one of his creations is seeking God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the next chapter, we find Satan has been plotting to end Nathaniel once and for all. He has set the trap and planned his scheme perfectly. He need only to flip the switch. And flip it he does.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the following excerpt, a new vampire visits Nathaniel. Is she friend or foe? We must wait and see. She shows up at the monastery with advanced warning... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel stared at Marie, but said nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marie, for her part stared back, and seemed to wait for him.
“What are you thinking, Nathaniel?” she finally asked. She didn’t approach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I am wondering what your presence here means,” he said. “As
honored as I am to meet you in person, I worry you have not come alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marie breathed deeply. “You’re right to worry. I have only
come with attendants, but vampires are indeed on their way here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How many?” Nathaniel asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“All.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>All?</i>” he repeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“All of them,” she said. “They’re all coming.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel sighed and looked off into the distance. He saw
the same view he’d seen for a decade, but it no longer appeared to be anything
else but a shade. A shade that once pulled would reveal an army sent to utterly
destroy everything that he considered good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why have they come to destroy me?” he asked, approaching.
“What have I done?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I don’t know,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That is no answer, Marie. Forgive me, but I think you do
know. You are under no obligation to tell me, but I pray you will. What have I
done? What have these men behind me done? We have been here many years and have
been nothing but honorable to anyone we meet. For the most part we simply are,
worshipping God in our way, searching for His guidance and glory. What have we
done to offend you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It isn’t me you have offended,” Marie found herself saying.
“It is Satan who comes against you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel sighed. “I should have guessed. Why will he not just
leave me alone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You have met him then?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes. He came here once and killed everyone. I am haunted by
the smell of the dead. Not a day goes by that I do not recall burying my
brothers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marie seemed to hold her tongue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yet he comes with an army of vampires?” Nathaniel asked,
contemplating what was being foretold to him. “Why do my kind rise up against
me, my Queen? And why have you come to warn me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That is a good question, and one I am uncertain of,” she
answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel waited, but although he thought he had a great
many questions to ask of her, none seemed to come save one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How much time do we have?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Perhaps a day," Marie said simply.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So there you have it. I'm going to get back to work, so I can get this thing released. If you have yet to read book one, please follow this link and pick up a copy. The e-book is available at amazon for <a href="http://mybook.to/DanceonFire" target="_blank">99 cents</a>, and is getting good reviews. I hope you'll give it a chance. It's a crossover, so you'll get a good mix of horror as well as Biblical themes. I promise not to hit you over the head with any one of those.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We'll talk soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span>James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-64121436401581264922014-10-27T16:30:00.001-07:002014-10-27T16:30:35.882-07:00PNR Radio: The Paranormal Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings, Fire Enthusiasts. Once again I just want to thank you for stopping by. There is so much going on this time of year. I'm participating in three blog hops at the moment, myself. You will see those posts and all of the links involved in the posts that follow this one. Whatever you do, please don't let me stop you from visiting as many sites as possible. There are so many great authors out there, offering giveaways of their books, swag or simply free copies of their work. You've just gotta' grab as many as you can. I know I have entered as many as I could - and will continue to do so all week long until Halloween is over.<br />
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The reason why I've posted today is to let you know that I was a guest on a podcast recently which is now live. My long lost baby sister (inside joke), the author and multi-talented <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorarialburnz" target="_blank">Arial Burnz</a>, was good enough to interview me on her show. There's a giveaway attached to that as well, so you've got to check it out. Just follow the instructions given during the show to be entered.<br />
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Pretty cool, huh? I think so. Anyway, as I mentioned above, I know you're busy, so I'll let you go.<br />
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We'll talk soon.James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-16739901442813520772014-10-26T09:11:00.000-07:002014-10-26T09:11:04.690-07:00Creepy Freebies 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, Fire Enthusiasts. So nice to see you. Won't you sit down? What's that? Fire? Oh, that. Not to worry. <i>Dance on Fire</i> is a book that spawned a series. It has to do with one's reaction to stimuli, mostly negative. No, no, no; sit down. There's nothing to fear here. It all works out in the end. Trust me. Would I lie to you?<br />
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<i>Welcome to my home</i>. This is the site where I house everything I do and point you in other directions as to what I'm up to. And this time of year, I am up to quite a lot. It is Halloween, you know? Truth be told, I'm actually more of a Christmas fan myself... See, I told you there was nothing to fear. I'm actually a church-going guy who loves to read dark fiction. Because of that love, I ended up writing dark fiction. You won't find slasher/shock for shock's sake kind of horror here; however, it isn't exactly Christian fiction either. No. It is dark, and sometimes R-Rated. I do want to take you on a scary journey after all - but one that brings you back for more.<br />
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You are probably visiting because of several events and I am ever grateful to see you. In this post I am specifically discussing the <a href="http://www.milojamesfowler.com/2014/10/creepy-freebies-2014.html" target="_blank">Creepy Freebies event</a>, hosted by author extraordinaire Milo James Fowler. This cat can write, so if nothing else I strongly suggest you check him out. In a sea of books, I have been fortunate to read a couple of his works, and I came away very impressed. In this event, several fabulous authors of dark fiction are giving away their work. They are: Erin Cole, Cory Cone, Anne E. Johnson, Simon Kewin, Michelle Ann King, Rhonda Parrish, Christine Rains, Mary Rajotte, Kay Theodoratus, and of course, Milo James Fowler. You should check out <a href="http://www.milojamesfowler.com/2014/10/creepy-freebies-2014.html" target="_blank">Milo's site here</a> and catch all the links for the free stuff and giveaways that these great voices have offered. I know I will.<br />
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If you are here for the <a href="http://jamesgarciajr.blogspot.com/2014/10/coffinhop-2014-halloween-event.html" target="_blank">Coffin Hop event</a>, you may continue reading or head here for that post.<br />
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If you are here for the <a href="http://jamesgarciajr.blogspot.com/2014/10/fall-into-fantasy-2014.html" target="_blank">Fall Into Fantasy event</a>, you may also continue reading or head here for that post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6gxcwOK_MRcSUYuslx4l8jOJtklbwSttx4qDc0rvBCtl3erTav41GQ3ndZFhPWVZg9y_Raw9gtQcztmX-6cpzMviAB1LvRYO_-fkHKfzixdqfNXTSU1VgHIeO-uTs2RyXC0s32KliT8/s1600/Dance+on+Fire,+FINAL,+Kindle+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6gxcwOK_MRcSUYuslx4l8jOJtklbwSttx4qDc0rvBCtl3erTav41GQ3ndZFhPWVZg9y_Raw9gtQcztmX-6cpzMviAB1LvRYO_-fkHKfzixdqfNXTSU1VgHIeO-uTs2RyXC0s32KliT8/s1600/Dance+on+Fire,+FINAL,+Kindle+size.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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For Creepy Freebies, I am giving away copies of <i>Dance on Fire</i> and <i>Seeing Ghosts</i>. Dance is book one in my crossover vampire series. Christian vampires, anyone? I kid. No, it's not exactly that. You see, Nathaniel is a vampire, wanting nothing more to be left alone. But Vincent won't leave him alone. Vincent is the one who turned him, and he has found him once again in the small town of Kingsburg, California. I know this because I live here, and I saw it happen. Somebody had to write about it, right?<br />
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Back to my story: Nathaniel saves a woman and her twin infants from Vincent. The woman becomes convinced that there is good in the vampire and that he can be used by God. He knows this is incorrect, knowing the Bible front to back - but slowly but surely he becomes no longer sure.<br />
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In the second book, five vampires come after him. That one is called: <i>Dance on Fire: Flash Point</i>. In book three, the soon to be released third chapter in the series (more on that soon), the devil himself comes after Nathaniel. He's armed with over one hundred vampires - because undead flesh that seeks God cannot be allowed to walk the earth.<br />
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Interested in starting the series? Just comment that you would like to read <i>Dance on Fire</i> and you'll be entered.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUGq7braYEhKf0InYonCl474nt9lB8SJT6JNginuWvoJA_BWDZzsg_Zt-Mxo6U3yUFdKd05QzC408PWBESKhE-jE4K2DlfEnp_YtLUXywI7LOgIXpGMn2fUZTktQI5LAhFzkC0nBgMdE/s1600/Seeing+Ghosts,+FINAL,+RGB,+Front+Cover,+6+x+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUGq7braYEhKf0InYonCl474nt9lB8SJT6JNginuWvoJA_BWDZzsg_Zt-Mxo6U3yUFdKd05QzC408PWBESKhE-jE4K2DlfEnp_YtLUXywI7LOgIXpGMn2fUZTktQI5LAhFzkC0nBgMdE/s1600/Seeing+Ghosts,+FINAL,+RGB,+Front+Cover,+6+x+9.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Next, I have <i>Seeing Ghosts</i>. It isn't exactly a paranormal romance, but there definitely is romance in there. It is the story of a man who is three years removed from the tragic death of his wife and unborn son. He moves to an old farm house on the central California coast that he just inherited from a dead aunt that he doesn't remember. He stays for the week only to discover that it is haunted. The woman who shows him the place is the spitting image of his dead wife.<br />
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Again, all you have to do is comment that you want to read it and you're entered. Want to read both? Just let me know - and leave a way that I can reach you when you win!<br />
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As you can see there are so many great events taking place at this very moment. I hope you will follow the links and check them out.<br />
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It's Halloween, so there's so many events, so many giveaways. In fact, there are giveaway chances to win all my books over the course of the next week; so many chances to win literally hundreds of great books and swag if you visit everything that's going on. So get started!<br />
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We'll talk soon.James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-5871775600928756982014-10-23T19:29:00.001-07:002014-10-23T19:29:17.655-07:00CoffinHop 2014 - THE Halloween Event.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJIelStYBLzulBOBvPRszaIUwrekDJbTNBHHuejWMxmi8COacMXM7-nHc7dijfMqwIzq2HFpN9eadhSlvDvcEG3VdZeujiEQV64YJNzALZ4BxbzrYNA7a1LOh6JhwSKoh1tYRtzRdTfM/s1600/2013chbanner4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJIelStYBLzulBOBvPRszaIUwrekDJbTNBHHuejWMxmi8COacMXM7-nHc7dijfMqwIzq2HFpN9eadhSlvDvcEG3VdZeujiEQV64YJNzALZ4BxbzrYNA7a1LOh6JhwSKoh1tYRtzRdTfM/s1600/2013chbanner4.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></div>
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Greetings, Fire Enthusiasts. Welcome to my little part of the great <a href="http://coffinhop.com/" target="_blank">CoffinHop event</a>. It's so good to see you here. Let me thank old friends and new visitors for taking the time to visit. I hope I make it worth your while. If you are unfamiliar with the event, don't worry. Just follow the link. It is the Halloween event to end all of them; a chance to meet so many fantastic authors of dark fiction, and their work. Not only can you win tons of books, but there's swag, too. Trust me, and just follow the link.<br />
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For those who have yet to meet me, I am a writer of horror and paranormal fiction from a crossover perspective. I discovered horror novels in my teens and have been reading them ever since. I am a huge music fan and originally grew my hair long, thinking I might get into music. Soon, however, I came to realize that expressing myself in dark fiction was where my heart was. I attempted to continue writing into my 20's, but life got in the way. I went nearly two decades, thinking I would never find my name on the spine of a book. It was that potential regret that caused me to dust off that manuscript and see it published. I now have three novels and am currently working on book 4...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O40AOmEv50kPKtPQHHL8OK0SxIGLFCUY0pnYJYJq0_pueP9_NfGRXahjh-ueqs_Ip2IaFZ3z6pAgx-iQbFAEJY3Ztu0h7ewBgXaXltjhvcLOlR8HE35LeTkisp2r7s_P1hqnsyZWqfw/s1600/Dance+on+Fire,+FINAL,+Kindle+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O40AOmEv50kPKtPQHHL8OK0SxIGLFCUY0pnYJYJq0_pueP9_NfGRXahjh-ueqs_Ip2IaFZ3z6pAgx-iQbFAEJY3Ztu0h7ewBgXaXltjhvcLOlR8HE35LeTkisp2r7s_P1hqnsyZWqfw/s1600/Dance+on+Fire,+FINAL,+Kindle+size.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i>Dance on Fire</i> is my first novel. It was supposed to be a serial killer story, but then a vampire stepped out of the shadows - which was a hell of a surprise even for me. *laughs* The story was originally hard R-Rated. Then came another surprise. I made the story a crossover. Even back then I thought we needed another vampire story like a hole in the head. My idea to make it different was to explore whether a vampire could be used by God for good. It was then that a series was born. I don't label it Christian fiction, because there is blood and guts in this, and profanity - not a lot, but it's there. I wanted to cross over faith and edge of your seat horror, and not have to pull too many punches.<br />
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In the following snippet. the great beast Vincent has attacked a woman and her twin babies. Their mother lies in a heap on the floor of their nursery. She has no idea of the action happening above her...<br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The vampire has heightened senses: taste, smell, touch, sight and
hearing. All five are far more highly tuned to his world around him than that
of his victims. He has better vision than that of a hungry eagle in search of a
morsel from high above the forest. He can smell the presence of human beings
faster than the deer can smell a mediocre hunter. Not only can the vampire hear
a pin drop, but he can recognize the disturbance in the molecules as the pin
slices its way through the air toward the ground. In fact, just <i>one</i> of
these senses makes it impossible for the vampire to be taken by surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Except by another vampire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Therefore, when Nathaniel suddenly came out of nowhere and swept the
baby from his hands, knocking him into the far wall in the same motion; he
actually let out a cry of surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nathaniel replaced the baby in her crib and with but a touch quickly
pushed the piece of furniture safely behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Nicely done, Nathaniel. I wondered when you might show yourself,” he
added quietly, stepping away from the wall and running both of his hands
through his long hair in order to get it out of his face. “Cliché, I know, but
I taught you very well, indeed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“You taught me only to hate. And I hate you very much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Vincent sighed, and then took a threatening step forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Remain where you are, Vincent!” Nathaniel commanded. “These are under
my charge.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Oh, but Nathaniel, surely you don't think me gluttonous. I will gladly
share them with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nathaniel made no effort to respond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Ah, but that is right,” he quickly interjected. “You don't <i>feed </i>on
human blood, do you, Nathaniel? Such a pity. Cats and vermin!” he said with a
dramatic shudder. “It makes you considerably weaker than I, you realize. In
that instance, I guess I will have both!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“No!” Nathaniel stood his ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I will not be <i>ordered</i> around, Nathaniel,” Vincent said firmly,
taking another step forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nathaniel said nothing and made no effort to withdraw.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">Vincent stopped. “Ah, you mean to challenge me. I adore challenges. It
has been a challenge, my finding you. It has been a challenge following a cold
trail across the globe.” Vincent stepped closer. “And now that I have you…” He stared
his adversary down, menacingly. A moment later he reached out delicately with
his left hand and lovingly moved a stray hair out of Nathaniel’s face. He
whispered: “And I do have you, Nathaniel.” He lowered his hand back to his side
and changed his expression again, this time to a look of intimidation. Then, he
shook it off again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Just go, Vincent,” Nathaniel said, placing his hands on the back of the
little baby's crib. “It is
still early. I trust you have more than enough time to acquire for yourself
another meal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Vincent sighed again and smiled, turning his attention back to the
nearest baby. They were each still screaming their lungs out, red-faced panic
on their tiny faces. Something in that scene coerced a giggle out of him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“So lovely!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">He reached down into the nearest crib and gently and tenderly caressed
the skin of the baby boy's throat with his ugly discolored fingernail. The
infant recoiled at the touch and did his best to move away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“So warm!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Vincent pulled the hand away from the baby and then, glancing
dramatically into Nathaniel's eyes, stuck the caressing finger into his mouth
and licked the scent from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“No more games, Vincent.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Vincent turned his gaze back upon Nathaniel, his face devoid of
expression. He appeared neither pleased nor angered. “It is so good to hear you
speak my name again after all of these years.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“It has been much longer than years.” There was a pregnant pause where
Vincent’s name should have followed, but Nathaniel refused to satisfy the
monster any further. “And not at all long enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Vincent nodded with understanding or perhaps it was acknowledgement that
there was nothing more to discuss. No chance at reconciliation. “I'll not be
denied so easily the next time, Nathaniel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nathaniel gave no response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Vincent started to walk back towards the open window but stopped short.
“I’m almost sorry that this must end, my young Nathaniel: my hunt for you. This
chance meeting. Our next meeting.” There was the obvious threat in those words,
but he showed no hint of it on his face or in his tone. “It is good to find
you, finally. I have grown so exhausted with the travelling.” Vincent glanced
around the tiny nursery as if he could see the Sierra Mountain Range to the
near East, the Pacific Coast to the distant West. “I miss the old country. I
will be returning home soon.” He looked back at Nathaniel. His expression melted
slightly. It was almost sweet, he knew, were it not for his black, long-dead
heart. “Come back with me, my son. May this not end with the shedding of our
blood that mingles inside you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nathaniel steadied himself. He wanted to roar back a comment, but held
his tongue until he had regained some measure of composure. “I am not your
son!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“No? Are you quite certain? Consider your clothing.” Vincent lifted his
left hand as if meaning to reach out for the side of Nathaniel’s head, but did
not. “And your hair… is it not as long as mine?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“That was your doing. I can do nothing to change it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Vincent thought to say more, but did not. He just studied Nathaniel as
if he had expected as much, but had genuinely hoped for something else. He
seemed to sigh, but if so, quickly shook it off. He turned and stepped through
the window. Before he departed, he turned to stare deeply at Nathaniel a moment
longer. His prodigal son stared back. It had been so long since he had beheld
his own reflection in the eyes of the boy. Many years he’d swam in those eyes,
never to find comfort there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Apparently the comfort was to come when those eyes no longer held any
reflection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">And
then he was gone. The window seemed to slam shut of its own accord.</span><br />
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<br />
<i>Dance on Fire: Flash Point</i> is book two in the series. This book practically wrote itself. In it, it is five years later and all is seemingly well. Little do the characters know, however, that five vampires are coming with a terrible revenge in their hearts. They are led by the vampire Tiffany who escaped book one.<br />
<br />
In the following snippet, Nathaniel and his human friends have staged a rescue...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
Nathaniel had him immediately and slammed him
face first into the grass in the corner yard. He dragged him hurriedly, not
allowing him to get his balance, and slammed him repeatedly into a nearby tree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
“What do you want?” Erich yelled between
blows.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
“I want to know what happened to the two
women?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Why?” Erich asked, weak from both the body
damage and because he had yet to feed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<i>Because
I do!</i>” he yelled. “They mean something to me.” He pulled the vampire close
to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
“I don’t understand,” Erich groaned. He began
to wilt. If not for Nathaniel holding him, he would have fallen. “Both you and
Tiffany going to so much trouble. Who was this Victor who caused so much to
bear?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
Nathaniel paused, wondering whether he had
heard him correctly. “What did you say?’ he asked, releasing him. The idea was
simply too incredulous to be believed. “Did you say, Victor?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
“That was his name, wasn’t it?” Erich said,
glancing up from a seated position there in the yard. “Victor?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
Feeling a sharp spike of anger beginning to
swell within him, Nathaniel reached back down, grabbing the vampire by the hair
and quickly hauling him to his feet. He brought his face close as he snarled
through gritted teeth. “<i>His name was
Vincent!</i> <i>You have committed murder
and brought ruin to two families and do not know the name of the monster that
caused all of this to be!</i>” Blinded by fury, Nathaniel brought his hands
over the vampire’s head and slammed it repeatedly against the tree. It did
little to appease his anger. Eventually, he gripped the vampire’s ears as if he
were about to rip them off of his head. Instead, he gave them a turn, and twisted
Erich’s head around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
Chief Daniels came walking up as Nathaniel released
the vampire to the ground at his feet. He wasn’t dead, but would be soon
enough. He spun. The chief raised his hands quickly in fear. Nathaniel saw the
look on his face and waved him off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<i>Did
you hear?</i>” Nathaniel yelled. The chief raised his hands again, this time
motioning for him to watch the loudness of his voice, but the vampire would
have none of it. “<i>They don’t even know
why they are doing this!</i>” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
Having said this, he turned back around,
grabbed the body at his feet and proceeded to drag it behind him as he walked
with a renewed purpose down the sidewalk toward the Rosen house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Chief Daniels watched the incredible sight
before him, but quickly went over to the fence and fished for his radio.
“Michael,” he said when he had it back on. “Two down, but I think Nathaniel’s
just gone off the reservation!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
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<br />
At this point I needed a break from all things vampire. My love for haunted house stories and romantic films caused me to write my first paranormal, <i>Seeing Ghosts</i>. It isn't a romance, but it does have a heavy dose of romance in it. In the story, Paul Herrera inherits an old farm house on the California central coast. The woman who shows him the house is the spitting image of his dead wife, taken from him three years before, along with their unborn son. Dealing with ghosts from his past, Paul must deal with new ghosts, alone for a week in a haunted house that holds many secrets.<br />
<br />
The following snippet is how the book begins...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I suppose you
can say this whole thing began and ended with ghosts. Not all my life, of
course, but only all that ever really mattered. Everything before meeting Angie
happened simply to get me prepared for our life together. No real living had
occurred until that moment. After Angie died, I was left only with ghosts. Now tonight
I lie beside another woman who is not my wife, and who I have yet to touch. I marvel
at her even, peaceful breathing as I stare at the awful ghost that sits calmly,
but menacingly, near the foot of the bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aunt Flora is dead and has been for several months.
There’s really no reason on God’s green earth why she should be here, in <i>my</i> home, a place she’d never visited in
life, but here she sits just the same, and I’m sure I know why. Perhaps it has everything
to do with her not having a home of her own any longer, or because she’s lost
her husband once again. She seems to grin at me as if she can read my thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now she nods dramatically to say that she can,
indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“What do you want, Flora?” I finally ask, whispering.
I try to be as quiet as possible. It seems like a useless proposition. Peace is
an illusion to me at this point; like something so far out of my grasp as to be
laughable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You know what I want, Paul.” Her voice is low
and calm, but seems to reverberate against the walls. “You know <i>very well</i> what I want,” she says as the
all-too-familiar lightning flashes outside probe into the bedroom and illuminate
her. A gust of wind rattles the window briefly. It must’ve been the reason I
awoke in the first place. I’m pretty sure it was just wind, but who could know
at this point? In any event, there’d be no more sleeping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I see Flora’s terrible features—that aged and
deep-wrinkled skin pulled over high cheekbones; and that profound smile that
brings no pleasure, but only sets me on edge. Thunder roars in the distance as
if on queue. I am intimately familiar with this particular storm. Both it and
Flora seem to have followed me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I can’t help you with that, Flora,” I say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yes, I know. All you can do is bring
everything to ruin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I stare at the ghost and say nothing further,
taking in the sight of her with her long-sleeved white blouse, dark slacks and
black shoes. It’s incredible to me that I’m having another conversation with my
aunt. It’s clear she holds me to blame for what’s happened. If I wasn’t afraid
before, there’s no denying it now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Flora reclines against the winged-back chair
that was Angie’s favorite and smiles. Her arms remain atop the arm rests, the
perfect picture of quiet. Another bolt lights up the sky and my eyes
immediately find her claw-like fingers as they seem to be digging into the
upholstery. Now I know better and I shiver at this apparently perfect
culmination of events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“It’s not over, Paul,” Flora says. Her tone
is firm and reminds me of a wild animal’s growl. “You know damn well <i>what I want!</i> It is all that I have ever
wanted. But you have taken that from me. You have taken far too much. Now I
shall do the taking. <i>Do you hear me,
Paul?</i> <i>Do you understand what I am
telling you?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Now I’m the one who leans
back. I sit up first, positioning myself against the tall headboard. Here is a
trend I can’t shake free of—me being awake as the night wanes. Another burst of
lightning flashes across the Central California sky and then disappears,
casting the room back into shadow. Thunder sounds. The storm is fast
approaching. I say nothing more as I recline and simply stare at my dead aunt who
sits and stares back, composed for the moment. It would seem I’ve become quite comfortable
with ghosts, doesn’t it?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was so pleased with the way <i>Seeing Ghosts</i> came out that I came away refreshed and ready to sprint back to my vampire series. I am now working on book three in the series. I am aiming for an early 2015 release. The cover and title are ready to go. I'm just waiting to reveal that once we get closer to our release date. In any event, I can tell you that the devil is alive and well, and none too pleased that one of his vampires has been seeking God. He will step out of the shadows, armed with over one hundred vampires - because undead flesh that seeks God cannot be allowed to live. More on that coming this winter...<br />
<br />
Once again, thank you for stopping by. If you want to read one or all of my e-books, just leave me a comment here, telling me which one you'd like to win. I will be giving away several copies of each. One Grand Prize winner will receive signed softcover copies of the two <i>Dance on Fire</i> books, and another will win a signed copy of <i>Seeing Ghosts</i>. Just please leave me a way to get a hold of you should you win. The contest will be open until November 1st.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, please continue coffin hopping by following <a href="http://coffinhop.com/" target="_blank">this link</a>.<br />
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We'll talk soon. James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-42055219261814445942014-10-16T22:00:00.000-07:002014-10-16T22:00:02.852-07:00Fall into Fantasy 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Greetings, everyone. Welcome to my humble site. I really appreciate you stopping by. For new visitors, my name is James Garcia Jr - or Jimmy to my friends. I write horror and paranormal novels, usually with a crossover slant. That means me being a Christian influences the work, but I would not label them as such, considering how dark they can get.<br />
<br />
I began to swallow up horror novels in my teens, and then eventually began to work on penning my own stories until life sort of got in the way. In any event, just short of my 40th birthday - realizing the regret I was staring at - I returned to my dusty manuscript and saw it to completion. It is called <i>Dance on Fire</i>. It was the story of a vampire who saves a family from another - the one who made him what he is today. The woman is convinced that there is good in him, and that God can indeed use him. I then wrote the sequel. It is called, <i>Dance on Fire: Flash Point</i>. In that chapter, a third vampire who had escaped the end of book one returns for revenge, armed with four other vampires. I am currently editing the third book in the series and I will provide more of those details before the year is over. In that chapter, the devil himself will emerge from the shadows, armed with over one hundred vampires - because a vampire that seeks God cannot be allowed to walk the earth.<br />
<br />
After the second book in the series was published, I took a time-out from the vampires and penned a ghost story. It is called, <i>Seeing Ghosts</i>. I do not label it a paranormal romance, but it definitely does contain a healthy dose of romance. It came about from my love of haunted house books and movies like <i>An Affair to Remember</i>. What follows is the blurb:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Paul Herrera finds himself bequeathed a mysterious old
house near the California central coast by a deceased aunt he never knew. The
woman who shows it to him is the spitting image of his wife, taken from him three
years before in a senseless car accident which also took his unborn son. While
he deals with the ghosts of a past he cannot let go, there are new ghosts Paul
must deal with - alone for the week in the expansive two-story house that he will
soon discover holds many secrets. Eventually, he will see that he is surrounded
by ghosts as he struggles to hold onto the only thing that he has left in this
world - his sanity.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
The following is an excerpt. The woman who looks like Paul's dead wife and her son have become stranded at his house and he isn't dealing with their extended stay very well...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You’re throwing us out?” she asked and
turned away from me. She took one unsteady step and then turned back. “Where…?
Where can we go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I don’t know,” I said, holding my head as
the pressure was mounting. I felt terrible, but completely powerless to stop
the avalanche of emotion from bringing everything down around us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anne suddenly jumped into my face. “Where can
we go?” she snapped, raising her voice to me for the first time ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I
don’t know!”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I matched her with a yell of my own—not mad
at her, but at the world. <i>“Anywhere but
here!”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“So, you’d have us live in the car until we
can get help!” she continued. “I really don’t believe you! You’re incredible!”
She walked away from me. I looked at her and studied everything as if I were
frozen in place. She spun back. “You’ve never liked me!” she said now. “I don’t
know what I ever did to you but be nice and professional. I thought today we
had gotten past all of that, turned a corner. Now I see I was wrong!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Angie, wait!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As if she couldn’t get any louder, Anne
snapped at me. “My name is Anne, damn it! Get it straight!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just then I felt something give, like a
weight being lifted off of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anne grabbed Jason by the wrist and pulled
him out of his seat by the doorway to the hall. He never uttered a word or
attempted to enter the fray, but other than that I couldn’t tell what his
expression had been. All this time I simply held Anne in my sights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Wait!” I said. The both of them turned and
stared at me. “Just wait.” I walked over to them slowly, but stopped short of
entering their space. “I’m being a total ass, I know, but there’s a reason for
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“What reason could there possibly be?” Anne asked
loudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Please,” I asked, raising my hands
unthreateningly before me. “I can promise you that this is nothing personal. I
have never disliked you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“That’s bullshit!” Anne said, as if she
didn’t realize that her young son was standing beside her. I’m sure it wasn’t
the first time in his life he’d been introduced to the ugly expression. “From
the first day you have been nothing but cold to me…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anne continued to say a collection of other
things concerning how I’d been anything but cordial to her, but by this point I
was tuning her out while contemplating how I could possibly win this argument.
In the end, I realized there was only one way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Please,” I interrupted her. “You’re free to
hate me if you want, but let me show you something first before you do.” I
walked around them and headed into the hall, and the stairs beyond. “Follow me.”
I turned back and asked them. I waited a moment on the second step while
neither of them seemed inclined to budge an inch. “Please, both of you.” I
didn’t wait for any reply. I turned and methodically headed up the stairs
toward my bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I sat on the bed near my nightstand and
waited for them to arrive. It took them a while, but they slowly followed. They
stopped at the doorway to the bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I reached for my wallet that sat there near
the lamp and plucked out the object I intended to offer them both. “Here,
Jason,” I said softly, without looking up. As much as I’d been staring at Anne
previously, I now stared just as hard at the photograph. Jason walked over
alone. I dutifully handed it over to him and then watched as he took in the
image of my dead wife—his eyes ballooning. He spun away from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Mom!” he cried out. “It’s you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“What?” she asked incredulously as she
approached us. He handed her the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I thought I noticed her legs buckle just a
bit. I totally understood the feeling. “That’s exactly how I felt when you
walked into the hotel lobby that morning. I knew you weren’t Angie, but it was
very hard to have her walk back into my life, even for only a millisecond.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t understand this,”
she said. “How can this be? I look just like her.”</span><br />
<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRsWC5MJyEcIGQkWhKu4S-7OhsK_zdE2AlnwhLs36D75wMH-j242f30NEmbt32AmQR4E8vd-LKH7tqte4K88DoN_zakeZ9dlFQ_6EkKTh2AqLAw5yJRU0zN1zh4HmepdcErfxLLzHyRg/s1600/Seeing+Ghosts,+FINAL,+Wallpaper,+no+text+72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRsWC5MJyEcIGQkWhKu4S-7OhsK_zdE2AlnwhLs36D75wMH-j242f30NEmbt32AmQR4E8vd-LKH7tqte4K88DoN_zakeZ9dlFQ_6EkKTh2AqLAw5yJRU0zN1zh4HmepdcErfxLLzHyRg/s1600/Seeing+Ghosts,+FINAL,+Wallpaper,+no+text+72dpi.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I would very much like to send you either an e-copy or a signed paperback. You don't have to jump through a bunch of flaming hoops or anything... Just tell me you want to read it, and leave a way for me to get a hold of you. The winners will be chosen at the end of the event and I will quickly contact the winners.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, follow the <a href="http://ash-krafton.blogspot.com/2014/08/do-you-want-to-fall-into-fantasy.html" target="_blank">Fall into Fantasy link</a> and take a look at all of the other books that are available. There are plenty of great books out there to be had, and from what I understand, plenty of swag.<br />
<br />
Thanks again for stopping by. We'll talk soon.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-3230042190582596242014-10-11T13:19:00.001-07:002014-10-11T13:19:50.289-07:00What kind of monster are you?<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Greetings, Fire Enthusiasts. Considering it's October and we're building up to some very cool events for Halloween, I thought I would post a bit more frequently than I typically do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The following is a slice of my first novel, <i>Dance on Fire</i>. It's the story of a vampire who unwittingly becomes a part of a family, after saving a mother and her twin toddlers from the notorious vampire who turned him centuries before. The woman is a Christian who comes to believe that there is good in the vampire, and that God can still use him. He disagrees, convinced that undead flesh has no place in God's kingdom, no matter what he does. Barbara is convinced, however, and her persistence begins to seed doubt in Nathaniel's mind.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It is the book that kicks off a crossover series. I promise not to hit you over the head with the Bible, but I do use it to flavor my story. This isn't your mother's Christian fiction as you will see, so I'm careful not to label it that way. It is horror, and if you like dark fiction, I hope you'll give it a look. I have edited it down here for the sake of time... </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>4:20 a.m.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>Lainie Bishop had had an extremely rough week. It had begun with two
police officers, that she had known well, dying horrible deaths during her
shift. She remembered speaking to them, and a short while later, they were gone.
It had taken her a couple of days to get her legs back beneath her. She missed
work and didn’t speak to anyone, not even Jeremy. She had only been seeing him
for a few weeks, and although she could definitely feel the love beginning to
swell between them, she needed some time to heal from the pain of losing those
officers that she had been responsible for. Both he and her dad phoned her
several times a day during the entire time that she had been off. It bugged
her, but she could never be mad at either one of them so she endured it. Her
dad phoned a couple of times last evening as well, so she finally drove over
and had dinner with him before she went off to work. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>It was not something that she had spent any real time deliberating
about, just a back of her mind kind of hope that she could simply get re-acclimated
with one quiet and by-the-numbers kind of night. She knew that the city was
being supported by members of other police departments, and that was going to
be more work for her, having all of these patrol cars crawling all over town.
Still she hoped for the best.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>Unfortunately, on her first real night back behind the desk, she was hit
not only with chaos, but well more than that. Now, she found herself being sent
home.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>She pulled her 2000 Volkswagen Beetle slowly out of the parking lot and her
eyes followed the front entrance of the police department as she slowly crawled
forward toward the street. Just then, she noticed a tall shape on the sidewalk.
Anywhere else she may have ignored him and continued on her way; however,
although she was being ordered off the premises by Detective Lopez, that did
not make her any less an officer of this city, and she would continue to do her
part. No matter what.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“May I help you?” she asked, opening the driver side window.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I sincerely hope so, my dear,” the odd-looking man said. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
am looking for four adults, one child and two babies.”</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>4:45 a.m.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>Michael Lopez surveyed the blinking lights and listened along for radio
traffic. There wasn’t much. He had lowered the volume so that it would not
distract them from any local noises. He was surprised that not one of the
multiple patrol units or even members of the fire crew had attempted to make
any form of contact with the dispatcher. Since the current dispatcher was no
doubt making plans to curl up in bed for the approaching day, and the fact that
he was too exhausted to fill in for her, he was glad that no one seemed
interested in following them.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“Michael,” Nathaniel spoke up. There was a directness to the tone.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“It is time.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>Michael spun. The vampire had found them. He was staring at them through
the thick glass at the front entrance, his nose pressed firmly against the
glass. He stood there like some statue that high school kids had removed from a
rival’s park and placed there to scare the graveyard dispatcher.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“Shit!” Michael whispered.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“My
sentiments exactly.”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>4:48 a.m.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>Vincent continued to stand unmoving against the glass front door,
staring at the occupants of the room like that statue. Nathaniel studied him. The
sunrise was about an hour away, but he did not seem to be concerned about the
time. Perhaps he simply knew that he had more than enough time to accomplish
whatever it was that he intended, which was no doubt as black as his shriveled
heart.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;"><i>“Go back with the others!” Nathaniel ordered.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“No!” Michael replied. “I’m not going anywhere!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“Not you.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>Nathaniel didn't turn around, but could see as Michael did so to catch his
partner who was now standing against the door frame at the mouth of the hall
for support. It was Mark that Nathaniel had been addressing. He had sensed him
join them.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“You are not yet ready,” Nathaniel said.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“Would you like me to come back tomorrow when I am, or the next day?”
Mark replied.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>Nathaniel heard him take a few more steps into the room, no doubt to get
a better look at Vincent. He did not answer his sarcasm. It was true that it
might take every one of them to subdue Vincent in order to destroy him once and
for all.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>As if on cue, Nathaniel saw Vincent begin to move. He was retrieving
something from his right pants pocket. It took him no time to remove the set of
objects and to begin to try each one until he had found the magic one which
would do the trick.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>Nathaniel saw Michael creep closer to the large front window which
separated the Dispatching Center from the Lobby and strain his eyes to see what
Vincent might be doing. The glass was five feet high from counter to ceiling
and twelve feet across from north wall to the pedestrian door on the south.
Michael stopped when he reached the counter. “What’s he doing?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“He
has keys,” the other two in the room answered in unison.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>4:58 a.m.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>At long last, Vincent had located the correct key, turned it in the lock
and gained access. Before entering fully; however, he leaned toward the ground
with his left hand and retrieved something. Michael could not make out just
what it was. While Nathaniel held his ground beside him, Michael glanced
nervously from door to door, deliberating and calculating in his head whether
or not he believed that the last door between them and the vampire might hold.
It seemed too much to hope for.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>When Michael tore his mind away from the what if’s and what might
happen, Vincent had reached the other side of the large lobby window.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“What’d he just drag in here?” Michael whispered the question. He waited
for the reply, but none came. “Nathaniel?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“You may wish to turn away.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>With still surprising little effort, Vincent reached up and slammed an
object against the glass. Michael cursed in horror as the lifeless body of
Lainie Bishop struck the glass with her back and head. The blow did nothing to
the thick bulletproof glass, but it collapsed several of the plates that had
once made up her beautiful skull. There was a sickening squashing sound as some
of the contents inside were loosed. Yet, there was very little blood.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>For good measure, Vincent pulled her down and slammed her three more
times in some sick, twisted rhythm as if she were simply the door knocker of an
even larger castle.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>“She did not seem pleased that she was being sent away,” Vincent broke
the silence between them. “So I decided to invite her back inside.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“My God!” </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Barbara cried as she entered the room just in time
to witness the carnage. “What kind of monster are you?” she screamed, unable to
hold back her outrage at the sight of the dead woman’s hanging limbs. Whatever
blood she had remaining stained the glass in dark splattered rivulets.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>All three in the room turned to look at her as she did so. Michael
wondered just the same thing. Though he and Mark had already seen and tasted
some of what the vampire had been capable of, only Nathaniel really knew what
the monster was like.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.7pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>Michael swallowed hard.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><i>For
it was all there—the proof of the monster Nathaniel considered Vincent to
be—written so clearly in the stark horror on Nathaniel’s face.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9IruEm-3lUdRMlgqAawl9EPurFcf9NyYm1taf-oz4ud2vhyvFWGcBzZF0eJj7aEpygUvUv7iQDsPKWlKW_2-Pg22Wy_ZU99geqS5EZnAsWT-3z_I91sYSlgLILIztHho5o3Qon_UKPE/s1600/Dance+on+Fire,+FINAL,+Kindle+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9IruEm-3lUdRMlgqAawl9EPurFcf9NyYm1taf-oz4ud2vhyvFWGcBzZF0eJj7aEpygUvUv7iQDsPKWlKW_2-Pg22Wy_ZU99geqS5EZnAsWT-3z_I91sYSlgLILIztHho5o3Qon_UKPE/s1600/Dance+on+Fire,+FINAL,+Kindle+size.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This scene takes place at the end of the novel. In Dance on Fire: Flash Point (book 2), the vampire Tiffany returns five years later to enact revenge upon Nathaniel and his extended family. I am currently in an editing stage on book 3 in the series, and hope to have it published early in 2015. <a href="http://author.to/JamesGarciaJr" target="_blank">All my books can be found on Amazon</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The e-book for <a href="http://mybook.to/DanceonFire" target="_blank">Dance on Fire is only 99 cents at Amazon</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We'll talk soon...</span></div>
James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-35830996325362263682014-10-05T14:05:00.000-07:002014-10-05T14:05:17.744-07:00The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYavjrGksG66S5l4XlOfOEiw-2gb8w_dNEIGZzd6BlcWm2Rn7xdHqt8zx1YSGplb74C5eCJb093dSpZB0bupac2OwzzOLNzXlhj_GofqQz8S5y0g3vHGO5AvgkwiY1ytZbnGpVjKNOnc/s1600/2013chbanner4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYavjrGksG66S5l4XlOfOEiw-2gb8w_dNEIGZzd6BlcWm2Rn7xdHqt8zx1YSGplb74C5eCJb093dSpZB0bupac2OwzzOLNzXlhj_GofqQz8S5y0g3vHGO5AvgkwiY1ytZbnGpVjKNOnc/s1600/2013chbanner4.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hello, Fire Enthusiasts. I'm so glad that's over. How about you? I'm talking about summer, of course. Here in the California central valley it can get well over 100 degrees and stay there. All you do is hide in the air conditioning. I know there are worse places to live in the world, but this is all I have to compare it to... In any event, I can't wait for fall.<br />
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It's been another month since I have posted. I've been working 12 hr days all year, but just last week began leaving early, allowing my new supervisor partner to close the place. I have to get to work at about 4 am, but am now leaving work at 3 pm, and thinking about leaving at 2:30 pm - especially since my manager has asked me to do so. My problem is my OCD, and nagging need to do everything myself. *laughs* It's a work in progress, but I'm hopeful it will become the norm. Stay tuned. Then, after nearly two years of being allergy-symptom free, my post nasal drip kicked on a few weeks ago (forgive the visuals, but I am a horror writer after all). I had to fight through the work week, being unable to allow the new supervisor to take over for me, since he's so new at the gig. Anyway, I survived. The allergy shot seems to be working.<br />
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I have a completed cover for my forthcoming book that I shall be revealing soon. Some have seen it, but I'll begin promoting it soon. I have been taking some time off from the novel, not necessarily by choice, but will be getting back to it soon. It won't be long before it's in the able hands of the editor. I think we can safely say this should be ready by very early 2015 - if not sooner. I'm going to take a wild guess and figure that the holidays will slow me down, but other than that it shouldn't be that much longer.<br />
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You can anticipate seeing more activity from me on these pages this month. There are several things in the oven for the month of October and specifically Halloween. There are interviews, giveaways, tons of events planned, etc. It should be busy, but a lot of fun, too. In fact, let's kick this off now. Take a look at my <a href="http://author.to/JamesGarciaJr" target="_blank">e-books</a> and let me know if you'd like to review something. I'd be happy to gift you one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17D4NtZqdE7x8RP9BPexHd-GuwcohZOqHlLvSJ5HlIlYjPE1A0rucov3DBIZNZIobYmHeaWMHu7sl-leeDEAxiX9INn_LJw2O9oxBrF85IrR8Dp5q9ZK1Pa96gRDyUBjJR7LMM6zuqus/s1600/Seeing+Ghosts,+FINAL,+RGB,+Front+Cover,+6+x+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17D4NtZqdE7x8RP9BPexHd-GuwcohZOqHlLvSJ5HlIlYjPE1A0rucov3DBIZNZIobYmHeaWMHu7sl-leeDEAxiX9INn_LJw2O9oxBrF85IrR8Dp5q9ZK1Pa96gRDyUBjJR7LMM6zuqus/s1600/Seeing+Ghosts,+FINAL,+RGB,+Front+Cover,+6+x+9.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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We'll talk soon.<br />
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James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-40537781995580211862014-08-31T12:46:00.000-07:002014-08-31T12:46:55.008-07:00The Devil is Alive and Well<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“What is that?” Luis asked, trying to compose
himself while his body seemed bent on bringing up the remaining undigested
contents of his stomach.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“One of our brothers,” Nathaniel stood and
said.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“What?” Luis managed to ask. “But how? Who?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“I am uncertain.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>Nathaniel was out of sorts. He was as
confused as he had ever been in his life, going back all the way to his home in
Cimpulung, Romania. The object at his feet was clearly a burned human form, and
one of the monks of the monastery. How he had been dispatched was unclear.
There was no wind about them, though the monastery was high in the mountains. It
was as if everything was dead - human, animal, plant, atmosphere – everything.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“What’s that other terrible odor?” Luis
asked.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“Sulfur,” Nathaniel answered. And then he
began to wonder.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“Sulfur?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“Yes. It used to be called brimstone.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Greetings, Fire Enthusiasts. *glances around, sighs* Still summer, huh?</div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This is the traditional end of summer weekend, and how I wish it were Halloween already. At least then the heat would be long gone. If you enjoy summer then I hope the season finds you enjoying all that is left. Me? Not so much. That's central California for ya'. *grins*</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I led off with a snippet of book 2 in my <i>Dance on Fire</i> crossover vampire series. The series that begs the question whether a vampire can be used by God. It's not a Christian novel, necessarily, but it does ask those questions and plays along those lines. The reviews have been good for </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dance-on-Fire-ebook/dp/B008QT9EX6/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1343750773&sr=1-2&keywords=dance+on+fire" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" target="_blank"><i>Dance on Fire</i></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> and </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flash-Point-Dance-Fire-Book-ebook/dp/B009UNH3XU/ref=pd_bxgy_kstore_img_y" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" target="_blank"><i>Dance on Fire: Flash Point.</i></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> I'm sitting on book 3 at the moment, patiently awaiting word from my betas as to how I'm doing so far. I've actually heard from one of them already, and she couldn't be happier. She says it's my best so far. That's always great to hear. It does have a title that I am not yet ready to reveal. The amazing </span><a href="https://twitter.com/MariaZannini" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" target="_blank">Maria Zannini</a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> is also whipping up her cover magic at the moment. I'm still taking my time and hoping for an early 2015 release. We'll see... </span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>Cautiously, they walked inside the monastery.
The sound of the door opening and closing behind them was loud. The monastery,
which had always been a place of quiet reflection, now reminded Nathaniel of a
crypt.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>He would soon hate himself for having thought
so.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>When they turned a corner they stumbled upon
two more smoldering heaps of human remains. In the candlelight they could make
out more of the details, but it did nothing but succeed in making them further sickened
in both stomach and heart—and for good reason. Not only did Nathaniel fully expect
to see more of these, but now he was certain that Luis might be the last of his
brothers left alive.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>At the end of the corridor, there was
another.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>They walked through a doorway and were met by
yet another. Luis covered his nose with both hands. They began to walk faster
now. Their footfalls echoed harshly against the stone and wood building.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>Outside the sanctuary, they found another.
They had to slide it out of their way in order to open the door. When they did,
they found precisely what they expected to find. The place was filled with
rolled up charred remains. In the light of the sanctuary, the smoke and heat
could be seen wafting off.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“My God!” Luis whispered.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“No, it isn’t.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>At the front of the sanctuary was a figure.
At first glance, he appeared to be a tall man with a medium build, although he
stood with his back to them, his hands clasped behind him. “I know you’re not
referring to me,” he laughed. “But I appreciate the sentiment.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>The man wore slacks and a dress jacket. His
dark hair was slicked back. The candlelight reflected off gold jewelry on
several of his fingers as well as his left wrist.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“You know,” he continued, but still didn’t
turn around to face them. “There’s something about this architecture that I’ve
always liked. I don’t know what it is. I guess it’s familiar.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“Whatever happens,” Nathaniel instructed. “Do
not speak.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>Luis turned as if to ask why, but Nathaniel
gave him a sharp look. He turned back just as the figure before them turned. He
was still holding his hands behind his back.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“That’s right, dear Luis. Don’t speak. Truth
be told, none of your brothers said anything either and it didn’t save them.
Who’s to say what may happen?”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
The reason I'm offering up what happens at the end of book 2 is because it is a fantastic tease as to what will be the entirety of book 3. Satan is not pleased that there is a vampire seeking God and thwarting his plans at seemingly every turn. It gets under his skin, as it were. And he will not put up with that...</div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“What do you want?” Nathaniel asked.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“What do I want,” the figure mimicked. “Hmm?
I wonder. No, wait. I know. I want you to stay out of my affairs!” With those
words, he swatted a smoldering ball of remains that was on the pew beside him.
It rolled along the pew and collided with another, causing both to fall onto
the wood floor. “I want you to quit killing my creations! How’s that? Is that
clear enough for you to understand?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“I have only become involved when it had to
do with my friends.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“Not true,” he said, and his voice was
suddenly lacking the vile anger of just a few moments before. “When you leaped
through that nursery window and interfered with my son, they were not yet your
friends.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>Nathaniel saw Luis out of the corner of his
eye. The man looked awestruck, but he couldn’t worry about that now. It was
obvious, however, that Luis knew who this was.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>The devil walked up the center aisle and
stood before them in all of his twenty-first century splendor. He was
impeccably dressed in a double-breasted grey suit, grey slacks and black
Italian dress shoes. He removed his hands from behind his back and clasped them
before him.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“So,” he said. “You boys have done well: four
vampires dead. And let’s not forget about Angie.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>Nathaniel said nothing.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>The devil looked away as if remembering
something. “Make that five vampires. I forgot about Mark.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>The devil tried to tempt Nathaniel into
reacting negatively. He wasn’t taking the bait.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“I mean, those were your bite marks on his
neck, right?” he sarcastically asked.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“Yes,” Nathaniel answered through clenched
teeth.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“I’m sorry,” the devil asked. “What was
that?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“Just what is it that you want, Devil?”
Nathaniel asked, trying to get the conversation away from that nerve that the
devil had begun to scratch.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>The devil straightened up his posture. “I
really don’t like that name,” he said. “I prefer Satan. You may call me that.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>Nathaniel said nothing. He knew enough about
the devil from what he had read in the Bible to know that he needed to speak as
little as possible. Anything more and he risked getting drawn into something
that this evil force might be able to use against him, or risk becoming angered
such that all of his control might be lost. As it was, things were tenuous at
best.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>And Satan knew that.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>“What may I call you, is the question.” The Devil walked up to Nathaniel and didn’t
stop until he had come before him, nearly touching his nose with his own. “I
created vampires. You are a vampire.
I imagine that you won’t quibble with this. That must make you my son. What do
you say?”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
So there you have it. I took a break from the series and these characters I have known so long when I wrote <i>Seeing Ghosts</i>. I was pretty burned out. It was such a wonderful break that I came back to my series, renewed. I wrote 143k words in four months. Soon I will take another pass at it before sending it off to my fantastic editor, <a href="https://twitter.com/natalie_g_owens" target="_blank">Natalie G. Owens.</a> If you have yet to sink your teeth into the books, I hope you'll take a look at them and give them a chance. Perhaps you'll like them enough to get caught up before Satan steps out of the shadows and attacks the vampire Nathaniel and his extended family with all that he has up his diabolical sleeve. Get the e-book that starts it off for only <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dance-on-Fire-ebook/dp/B008QT9EX6/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1343750773&sr=1-2&keywords=dance+on+fire" target="_blank">99 cents.</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
Have a great September.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
We'll talk soon.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-84778937889956205772014-08-09T09:20:00.001-07:002014-08-09T09:20:24.491-07:00Beta Time and a Time Out<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtwHBnT6XInwgX6cj9X3Tn0UNvO9Zu_UHNJRgJY2TKMzJXH6VWrcK_JSqiiMtj4jbRj_2VQ8JmQyfDQLz3L3H8qvMOODpPlycV7KSe0xyAtPR3KPkuRZs05qpR1Aq-_bOo84YRbOcG-s/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtwHBnT6XInwgX6cj9X3Tn0UNvO9Zu_UHNJRgJY2TKMzJXH6VWrcK_JSqiiMtj4jbRj_2VQ8JmQyfDQLz3L3H8qvMOODpPlycV7KSe0xyAtPR3KPkuRZs05qpR1Aq-_bOo84YRbOcG-s/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view for a couple of days.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Greetings, Fire Enthusiasts. It's August, and another hot month for those of us in Central California. Summer is my least favorite season, so I'm simply biding my time until Halloween when it will finally be cool again. On the other hand, I am reminded that we don't have to shovel snow here, so one could see why I don't dread winter.<br />
<br />
Well, as promised I have completed enough of my latest book to place it into the hands of a few wonderful beta readers. It's basically in the 94% finished range. I have some minor research opportunities to add some depth here and there, not to mention anything that the betas think I need to do to improve it as a whole. I really don't anticipate having to do too much in terms of plot, character development, etc., but we'll see. Then it will be off to the editor, but I'm not in any hurry. Taking time off allows my mind to wrap itself around the novel in such a way that I come up with little tidbits to add, or to recall plot twists or webs that could have been tied together much better than they were. At the end of this post I'll show you my working synopsis and allow anyone to be a beta reader for that, if they so desire.<br />
<br />
A year ago I could not imagine being away from work for very long. I had just transferred to my new location and, as a kind of acting manager, felt responsible for everything that went on. Perhaps it was all of the 12 hour days this year, but I finally pulled myself away. As I pen this post I am completing a one week vacation, and not once did I worry about what was going on in my absence. I did take my company cell phone, but basically only monitored the goings on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FPLKJocYVeOpA4-M-yMMOlll6ClJaKycUBeTcLN4Moc9zwFwZPzZEpDBYM-6dWcay05DNSqRVwTQd5tELyCwgSiGU4c1xx9YTTKkRawB9Si9k6RWSKV83L9mKvK045NHFGpb3Yg94_w/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FPLKJocYVeOpA4-M-yMMOlll6ClJaKycUBeTcLN4Moc9zwFwZPzZEpDBYM-6dWcay05DNSqRVwTQd5tELyCwgSiGU4c1xx9YTTKkRawB9Si9k6RWSKV83L9mKvK045NHFGpb3Yg94_w/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqSmzFDImcWAeMJArzVzFwAfuYKugUHY39O7fYu3cC0eUwTaS7g1dHWwCpDfFywwF6Wdnd7k0Hk07Q2b3l8fYrrP5-eQIFykDv8X6bhZSsSPrHQDpiHoZxANp43jznNMjgkuTWgcBCP0/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqSmzFDImcWAeMJArzVzFwAfuYKugUHY39O7fYu3cC0eUwTaS7g1dHWwCpDfFywwF6Wdnd7k0Hk07Q2b3l8fYrrP5-eQIFykDv8X6bhZSsSPrHQDpiHoZxANp43jznNMjgkuTWgcBCP0/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I thought teenagers slept a lot?!?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7ckW9zIgfio3Z7E2a5JxJXRvGSzLVMQl_JVROt0Hye2BawSz3ex7-UBF50Ci1tNRHS8amSNGJ2ApHA8bD8blaeSuKU2uJV3X3XiX8D9zAXm4rgjC2Sn-eSSpTUTfyZR4mSZTDo7O74A/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7ckW9zIgfio3Z7E2a5JxJXRvGSzLVMQl_JVROt0Hye2BawSz3ex7-UBF50Ci1tNRHS8amSNGJ2ApHA8bD8blaeSuKU2uJV3X3XiX8D9zAXm4rgjC2Sn-eSSpTUTfyZR4mSZTDo7O74A/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lion was huge when it got up moments later. And the growls they make? Yikes!</td></tr>
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<br />
We drove from the Fresno area down to beautiful San Diego and stayed there for a couple of days, before driving up to Anaheim for the rest of the trip. Sadly, we did not visit Disneyland this time. We go quite a lot, so it wasn't so bad. *weeps* Originally, the plan was to stay in San Diego. That was until my 16 year old began searching for baseball games in the neighborhood, and found the freeway series would be in full swing with the Dodgers visiting the Angels. In any event, here are some photos of San Diego, our visit to the zoo, the game, and anything else I might decide to throw in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eQvu_ZoBIb2kYGN8BdOUpktUiwYCuGUEwyQr1LABMjuoE2frfFQ9EghV0zlfnG2PWelpHShWbLegeNYjEFS6UMQR2rHAbaIrvhmSGLNn1O7LDtJGvp1tGeGZZJwFVYsX7utqpbgF9po/s1600/IMG_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eQvu_ZoBIb2kYGN8BdOUpktUiwYCuGUEwyQr1LABMjuoE2frfFQ9EghV0zlfnG2PWelpHShWbLegeNYjEFS6UMQR2rHAbaIrvhmSGLNn1O7LDtJGvp1tGeGZZJwFVYsX7utqpbgF9po/s1600/IMG_0604.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfX7fFfjlZac7Ug2WkpLjCm36B4L0EwhbFZyZbW6GpZHIScz8OCDY5Q8sh87HaOPo4C2axvrci64n30lKhEAeAPlkWFVbSr_mEMW-iRxNTWEbP8bwuS02p8aEIIw9cQaWqMBQAV1HcQ0/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfX7fFfjlZac7Ug2WkpLjCm36B4L0EwhbFZyZbW6GpZHIScz8OCDY5Q8sh87HaOPo4C2axvrci64n30lKhEAeAPlkWFVbSr_mEMW-iRxNTWEbP8bwuS02p8aEIIw9cQaWqMBQAV1HcQ0/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just had to see the Flamingos. :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijccg_4y8EhNq2o4zxRkj5yLzLvw4-caNb0NElH1mBWqcvuCS70ZeKFhroTatjoo9U-TlaMesOUCrKS0PbqX5QM0pr6ey6ioNwLD31oL_UCBNsIAl3bGbn3VDSUapTvAkxsSkLdwYHlV8/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijccg_4y8EhNq2o4zxRkj5yLzLvw4-caNb0NElH1mBWqcvuCS70ZeKFhroTatjoo9U-TlaMesOUCrKS0PbqX5QM0pr6ey6ioNwLD31oL_UCBNsIAl3bGbn3VDSUapTvAkxsSkLdwYHlV8/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had 2 babies. The youngest was 6 feet when it was born!</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctRCtnT77wzYEusNS6IItmar3jwhZzixE1e42wV8HOnuXqLofXA6kXeeI62Hf7DajWH20HKslK7INK2kPl96DhNkeijmtvxZ9HkoY64oEaGXcfZn65iVLXgy1nG9VLaPK5tHfddGzD1o/s1600/IMG_0628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctRCtnT77wzYEusNS6IItmar3jwhZzixE1e42wV8HOnuXqLofXA6kXeeI62Hf7DajWH20HKslK7INK2kPl96DhNkeijmtvxZ9HkoY64oEaGXcfZn65iVLXgy1nG9VLaPK5tHfddGzD1o/s1600/IMG_0628.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beside the USS Midway which is now a museum, there is a park dedicated to that wonderful generation. It's a must see.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXD6rNP2zaJ__6IRPYYBaRD0sHSxh3VofwrwtU595JeymFmOMN781EVTjzyRBNJP9pSa9uPQAbPywGyAWJdtZSrUCAUASJp-OIwxJzokz2Q5LkBM-Nqz_zrZMV9tWiG2Vz88N4IHMuNNU/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXD6rNP2zaJ__6IRPYYBaRD0sHSxh3VofwrwtU595JeymFmOMN781EVTjzyRBNJP9pSa9uPQAbPywGyAWJdtZSrUCAUASJp-OIwxJzokz2Q5LkBM-Nqz_zrZMV9tWiG2Vz88N4IHMuNNU/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view of the Dodgers 2-1 win over the Angels. Sadly, I was keeping one eye on the Cubs score until it got out of hand (13-4). *sigh*</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Okay, for those of you who have yet to read any of my crossover vampire series, let me set the stage for you. In <i>Dance on Fire</i>, Nathaniel is the "good" vampire. He knows that he is undead flesh, and because of this fact, is keenly aware that he is outside the kingdom of God. He meets someone who doesn't believe that, especially after he saves her and her family from certain death. He and his nemesis cross paths after many decades apart and battle it out in my hometown. In book 2, <i>Dance on Fire: Flash Point</i>, five vampires descend upon our hero and his extended family to exact some twisted revenge upon them all. Now, in book 3 (title to be revealed soon), the world's ultimate villain is back to destroy Nathaniel once and for all. Here's the synopsis. I'd love to hear your thoughts...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>The devil is
alive and well.<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>The vampire
Nathaniel lives in the mountains of Oregon, seeking God and keeping a watchful
eye on his friends and extended family, and keenly aware of this fact, having
met Satan once before in the flesh. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Robbie and
Rebekah Lopez are special, and have been since that fateful night Nathaniel
saved them from another vampire. As teens, they should be concerned with only
their studies, interests and friends. However, they know they are marked, and
must be ready for any threat. To do so, they keep constant contact with
Nathaniel as they watch over their parents, Michael and Barbara; brother Jerod;
and Aunt Vanessa and her daughter Grace. They are all that is left.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>They have
yet to meet the devil, but they soon will.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>It is Satan
who has orchestrated the destruction and ruin brought upon them from the very
beginning. And he’s not done. He has been setting the stage for his ultimate
revenge. At long last, the devil will step out of the darkness and the shadows,
with an army of vampires and an infernal plot to finish Nathaniel off for good.
<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>And anyone who stands with him.</i></span></span> <br />
<br />
If you have yet to pick up my books, I have the links on the side of the blog. The first ebook in my crossover vampire series is only 99 cents. I'd appreciate it very much if you grabbed a copy and gave me a chance. I think you'll be pleased.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovR7Fp91Cunj_6vI110aOUilrXa7z2beY7weJ0hgQoYTbWP4wZzZzno_0O7pgvWP_qzQeLYqCyN7EGRHGN_xkxTHxlN3rFx6xgREvH66hlAQxSB3EKDi6yI6sitAfldyk1SPjzqVUA1U/s1600/IMG_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovR7Fp91Cunj_6vI110aOUilrXa7z2beY7weJ0hgQoYTbWP4wZzZzno_0O7pgvWP_qzQeLYqCyN7EGRHGN_xkxTHxlN3rFx6xgREvH66hlAQxSB3EKDi6yI6sitAfldyk1SPjzqVUA1U/s1600/IMG_0607.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't end on a sweet note, could I? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In any event, we'll talk soon. James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-41092583838361576592014-07-06T17:30:00.000-07:002014-07-06T17:30:20.476-07:00Things Are Getting Hot This SummerHello, Fire Enthusiasts. It's good to see you. It's been a while, hasn't it? I apologize for this, but those of you who know me are well familiar with the drill. I just continue to be super busy, juggling the demanding day job as well as doing all that I can to keep pushing this writing career. And, no, the title of this post does not mean I have begun penning erotic. *laughs*<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmXdME0BqUyulQ3Vzf_pQOsFHoEvgiKKVlkQo_xVPrfW2Yyq2X21xcjcoSiZ7_pmD5fupqDPActYqpQRBBO67tCTZ8gds1BikIIIBQGF5Xu_6YytrHg3ud9gPoeJetGQrg5bvzKaovus/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmXdME0BqUyulQ3Vzf_pQOsFHoEvgiKKVlkQo_xVPrfW2Yyq2X21xcjcoSiZ7_pmD5fupqDPActYqpQRBBO67tCTZ8gds1BikIIIBQGF5Xu_6YytrHg3ud9gPoeJetGQrg5bvzKaovus/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wife & I at Union Square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I swear I didn't plan to write during the summer because I can't stand the heat. Unless it's some subconscious thing, it really just worked out that way. It is true that I am hiding inside the air conditioned house and avoiding the 100-plus degree Central California summer, but it's because I'm working on the second draft of Dance on Fire 3. I should be revealing the true name of the book sometime in early fall or so. I'm fighting the urge to begin revealing teasers like synopsis and title, but I think I should wait a bit longer. The book is really beginning to come together quite nicely and should speed up very quickly in the coming months.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B-9zFRUkG3bnqjxq5_hN6nwlWfqRo8krSdrYSnXAaLosRm-p00gBycHoU7homNKnnfZCDyzUeEimJgvJOFY35G8ll3YGY884jMPxU7V4sBL71HBQFpKnLZRn6dRSSA_XfjBLmrOyAPI/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B-9zFRUkG3bnqjxq5_hN6nwlWfqRo8krSdrYSnXAaLosRm-p00gBycHoU7homNKnnfZCDyzUeEimJgvJOFY35G8ll3YGY884jMPxU7V4sBL71HBQFpKnLZRn6dRSSA_XfjBLmrOyAPI/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley (20) in the background, Rian (16) in the foreground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
I find myself half way through the second draft, and not changing too much in regard to plot. That's a good thing, because it means I haven't been second-guessing myself, in spite of the hard questions I'm asking. You see, I really don't want to simply write another chapter in the lives of these characters, but want to really push the envelope here. I want these characters to grow, and I want to take my readers beyond the comfort zone that I have staked out for them thus far. I don't want to turn them off; however, I do want to push myself, too. I hope we can all grow together, and come out with a fantastic story that moves all of us.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLj186-j7HpPpEu-lOWRQ33uatDGTnh-fQZ5KoEQc07HyLyBe80to6z_tQx-iQdXVnblofp2zK8CiqIdRpAHvZysynK8HE1tVkE4h7EAgYYzpoUivJO3pamj6SFzsTN0gJRllY1Cp5z4/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLj186-j7HpPpEu-lOWRQ33uatDGTnh-fQZ5KoEQc07HyLyBe80to6z_tQx-iQdXVnblofp2zK8CiqIdRpAHvZysynK8HE1tVkE4h7EAgYYzpoUivJO3pamj6SFzsTN0gJRllY1Cp5z4/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No smiling until after I've had my coffee. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It hasn't been all work. We did take a weekend and visit San Francisco last month. We saw Jamie Cullum at the legendary Fillmore, and had a great experience. My oldest son turned me on to Jamie's music, and we've been huge fans of his ever since. As soon as word dropped that he was coming to California, we had tickets. We usually end up in southern California, so visiting the north was relatively new. We did some sightseeing, shopping and bonding as a family. My oldest son will be 20 next week and my other son is already 16, so it won't be long before taking off together will be out of the question - or simply too difficult to plan with all the schedules. I ran across a bookstore while there (you remember those, right? *winks*) and picked up the Keith Richards bio, <i>Life</i>. It was so good, and not just for fans of the Stones. It was a walk through the history of rock n roll - old Keef remembers if all - and brutally honest. It was a hell of a read. The only way it could have been any better was if I sat on a chair beside him, drink in hand and had him tell me the whole thing in person.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0Hs1gKpOudAW35aSyVzwy90U-jyyAKDM3l0CtOEg7cuzQR6NZaRctjpn85fhT2nZthcuz6P_fjTk0l4eQ9H2f0LzMZZeYB4DdHEzvYioSGhKgW7vqID177BD79F7dYtmeG9WI056mWA/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0Hs1gKpOudAW35aSyVzwy90U-jyyAKDM3l0CtOEg7cuzQR6NZaRctjpn85fhT2nZthcuz6P_fjTk0l4eQ9H2f0LzMZZeYB4DdHEzvYioSGhKgW7vqID177BD79F7dYtmeG9WI056mWA/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The book store where I came away w/ ole' Keef.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
What's next? As I said, I'm half way through the second draft of my fourth novel. I have already begum reaching out to beta readers, and look forward to getting a near-final draft into their eager hands. This coming week I am being interviewed for a podcast - I'll have to update you when that goes live. In a week I am being interviewed at my church for the service we call Outpour. It's aimed at the youth and has the loudest worship service of the week. We live in a small town, so they'll be curious how all of this works. We'll also discuss how a Christian could possibly write about all things horror and paranormal. I've done this before, and am sure to survive the experience... I hope. *laughs*<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrPRvLWds-naVxrKiCM8YRW0BlhTcO8RG8akLiCYcu6Zxq2JrZA3KIvfUd-TeBGns10ah-JoHyt9dXlLf4lwuo5wDXtsELBBOsjrS48P4k0mQ903iVc_HaYupnJVdxLcDsvKr8MRdwcA/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrPRvLWds-naVxrKiCM8YRW0BlhTcO8RG8akLiCYcu6Zxq2JrZA3KIvfUd-TeBGns10ah-JoHyt9dXlLf4lwuo5wDXtsELBBOsjrS48P4k0mQ903iVc_HaYupnJVdxLcDsvKr8MRdwcA/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is for all the Mel Brooks fans out there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Once I get through this process I'll look to get more involved in blogging again. I miss all of my writer/reader pals out there. *hugs to you guys* I also look to working a lot less hours, but God knows when that might be. If nothing else, my friends, I'll see you in August.<br />
<br />
We'll talk soon.James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-42634609132609928312014-06-02T03:00:00.000-07:002014-06-02T03:00:08.819-07:00A June Update<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello, Fire
Enthusiasts. Jimmy, here... <i>Jimmy!!</i> You
remember. My name is plastered all over this site… Oh, Good Lord! No wonder you don't remember... *clears
spider webs, squashes three as countless more scurry, accidentally kicks over one dead rat* Sigh!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So I was
going to title this post: <b>Jimmy's Last Will and Testament</b>, but I was sure the only
one who would find it amusing was me. I was equally assured that I would offend
some, and I don’t want to do that. There’s nothing wrong with me, and many
others out there in the world do have health issues that I do not want to
belittle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The heart of
the matter is that the day job has taken over my life and doing its level best to kill me slowly. Many of you have not heard anything
out of me in many weeks. That is why. I am penning this post from work on a
Saturday morning coffee break where I have a fairly large crew working on a
“hot” project. I will finish the week at about 58 hours which isn’t much until
you recall that the week began Tuesday. I did get most of Memorial Weekend
off, but did have to come in for a few hours last Saturday, too. Nearly all of May has been 11 to 13
hour days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5lSSfVIfl8i9IB7tu6NJxpCx4SU9zcKeD8kmS6OZK51IOGr8firSoz9HuVnhPDyiIUK5Zli70XeS-oSmaoj-W-abkUzrxUfel6lg7j1I6rY-QMXcszwZD7ht0u9mPdefeGsmW_FanJ8/s1600/Festival22014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5lSSfVIfl8i9IB7tu6NJxpCx4SU9zcKeD8kmS6OZK51IOGr8firSoz9HuVnhPDyiIUK5Zli70XeS-oSmaoj-W-abkUzrxUfel6lg7j1I6rY-QMXcszwZD7ht0u9mPdefeGsmW_FanJ8/s1600/Festival22014.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I did have a
good turn-out for The Swedish Festival last month where I sold many copies of my books. My
first book is actually set in my town and takes place just before the festival.
I enjoyed sharing that with people who stopped at my table. Their eyes got big
with surprise, and many bought a book because of it. Here's a few photos. That's my pal Lisa. These events also provide opportunities for internet friends to "meet" which is what we did.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrApClEK2_rww_6yH89GXO-nsl3Gwrngdspjx_jISS1uOw2XEALjm1Qfg3D0S8Ri3B9qAURmJMIguxORp8QntZOMqGvXTEsYAz5EfRVhOmOfmXDPVb6JO3JKkz2cTGxydQ-X8HvXE7NyE/s1600/Festival2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrApClEK2_rww_6yH89GXO-nsl3Gwrngdspjx_jISS1uOw2XEALjm1Qfg3D0S8Ri3B9qAURmJMIguxORp8QntZOMqGvXTEsYAz5EfRVhOmOfmXDPVb6JO3JKkz2cTGxydQ-X8HvXE7NyE/s1600/Festival2014.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Other than
that, however, there hasn’t been much to share. No treadmill. No writing. No
laptop. I promised I wouldn’t spent time ranting about my day job here this year, but
since it’s actually gotten worse rather than better, I figured I’d better let
you know I’m okay – just swamped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Earlier this
month I did have an opportunity to meet a frequent visitor to this site over
the years, the multi-talented author and dear friend Diana Murdock. I was thrilled that my wife
and I were able to find time on a trip we were on to stop and spend it with her. We exchanged autographed copies of our books which was awesome. I read her novel <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Again-Diana-Murdock-ebook/dp/B003PPD93M/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-2&qid=1401667016" target="_blank">Again</a></i> a few years ago and loved it. I hope it won’t be the last time we meet. Next time Vegas, right Diana?
Anyone else want to join us? You think I’m kidding… ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, what am
I going to do this summer? Well, I hope things will calm down at work. I was
all set to dust off the manuscript for my fourth novel today, but here I sit.
In any event, I need to begin that second draft immediately. It is book three
in my vampire series and I am introducing a new character who I’m naming after
my 90+ year old grandmother. She lives in town and is doing
great. She has been one of my biggest supporters and a real inspiration for us
all - believe me. She lives alone, but can still take care of herself. My mother checks up
on her daily and drives her to wherever she needs to go, but other than that
she’s very much self-sufficient. I call her and stop by periodically for coffee
every few weekends or so as I can. I am dedicating this book to her as well, so
as you might well guess, I don’t want to take too long getting it into her
hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, if you
still do not hear from me, that’s where I’ll be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope all
of you are finding time to do what you want to do. I wish you a great summer,
and every success with everything you do. If nothing else, I’ll check in again
in July.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’d better
get back to work. As I said it's a "hot" project…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We’ll talk soon.</span>James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-15222278900101939422014-05-05T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-05T00:00:21.033-07:00April Showers...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG6k_eutCn98F97_FrrJ4IRput3_QhyaxZo-5k6m1v4FqqRm3Rl8Iuc44f8hvyfg8q7eRJTTpuFKwDg54-ElUkCYB1jl6SeP_IqgzgYFNWsRQhQL0zxPC9KZWDg-skbsW-PnTlmC-x1U/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG6k_eutCn98F97_FrrJ4IRput3_QhyaxZo-5k6m1v4FqqRm3Rl8Iuc44f8hvyfg8q7eRJTTpuFKwDg54-ElUkCYB1jl6SeP_IqgzgYFNWsRQhQL0zxPC9KZWDg-skbsW-PnTlmC-x1U/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello, it’s
Me, Fire Enthusiasts. How in the world are you? Does everyone over 35 have Todd
Rundgren in their head now? *evil grins* Sorry. With me I need music to live on
and I had that song in my head as I penned this greeting. #notsorry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, what
can I tell you? I could bore you with work details. It certainly explains why
you rarely “see” me. As I pen this draft (Saturday 4-26) I am nearing a 70 hour
work week. How does that new commercial with Gary Oldman go: “Blah, blah,
blah…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alright,
I’ve been working too hard and not spending near as much time on my trusty
laptop. That about sums it up, doesn’t it? I’ve been averaging an hour a day during
the workweek. During this time I basically clear e-mail, address a
select few items of interest and check in on social networks. The only thing I
have been doing is selling some paperbacks…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wait! What?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay, but
before I explain, I should probably remind you about something first. Although I
initially set my debut novel <i>Dance on
Fire</i> in a fictional town called Madison Heights (way back in the day, as
they say), I decided I was spending way too much energy world-building that
town. Since it was a mirror image of my own town I eventually decided to simply
set my crossover vampire tale in Kingsburg, California. If Uncle Stevie could
set his tales in and around Bangor, Maine, why couldn’t I do the same? So, I
did, and I didn’t stop there. My sequel <i>Flash
Point</i> begins in the real central California coastal town of Morro Bay before
moving back to Kingsburg. With my latest novel <i>Seeing Ghosts</i>, I very briefly begin the tale here and then quickly
transport the action to Salinas. All you Steinbeck fans will recall the
Monterey and Salinas areas. It’s a frequent weekend getaway spot for my family.
If in the neighborhood you should really check it out. The Monterey Bay
Aquarium is world famous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, now that
you know all of that, you might be able to see how I could have a built-in
demographic for my novels. Last month I finished work on getting all three of
my novels produced in paperback with Amazon’s CreateSpace. They sit on a shelf
in a store in Kingsburg called <i>Trinkets
& Treasures</i> that is aimed mostly at the female demographic, although
there is a man-cave section. It is a Co-op store. I obviously don’t have time
to work in it, but I do help with promotion and man a table during any events.
We had a grand Re-Opening several weeks back and I sold 12 copies of <i>Seeing Ghosts </i>(at the time the only
paperback available). Recently for Kingsburg’s annual car show (with all novels
available) I sold 23 books. During the third weekend in May, Kingsburg will
celebrate its annual Swedish Festival. That event is huge and we should get a
thousand visitors or more. If you have read my debut <i>Dance on Fire</i> you will recall that I set that story just before
this event takes place one year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Having said
all of this, you can see that there are many reasons why people in the
California central valley might be swayed into picking up copies of my novels.
Since I have limited time it is where I have been focusing all of my available
energies. I have also been in contact with two local libraries in one manner or
another, as well as a local book club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is still
just the beginning of what I can possibly do with my writing. I don’t know if
this information can help any of you with getting the word out with any of your
novels, my friends, but I thought I would share it in hopes that it might. Have
some of you been working the same local channels in your part of the world?
How’s that going? Any advice for me? I have been selling on the world wide web,
but very few and far between, I’m afraid. I guess part of me thinks if I can’t
sell here then chances are slim to none that I will sell anywhere. It’s not
negativity speaking, but just reality talking. After all there is a literal sea
of books out there. I’ll let you know over the course of this year how it goes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Very soon I
will begin the second draft of book 4. It is the third chapter in my vampire
series and will once again find itself in and around Kingsburg. I can tell you
that readers will find themselves in the tranquil mountains of Oregon and then
the beautiful city of San Francisco. Of course when there is an army of angry
vampires that number one hundred, nothing can remain tranquil or beautiful
forever…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why, yes, I
am a tease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope the
month of May treats you and yours well, my friends. If you drop me a line I’ll
drop by one of the social networks and say hello. It’s the least I could do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We’ll talk soon.</span><br />
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James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-85887858835048021672014-04-15T20:20:00.001-07:002014-04-15T20:20:50.208-07:00How a Horror Writer Penned a Paranormal RomanceHello, Fire Enthusiasts. No, you don't have to check your calendar. It's not yet May. I know I usually only post once a month, but I just happened to have something that needed sharing and thought I would post a quick hit and run. By the way, are we tired of the Fire Enthusiast bit? Three novels and there's fire in all of 'em. Hi, My name is James Garcia Jr. and I'm a pyromaniac... Not really. I swear there's no fire in book four whatsoever.<br />
<br />
I promise.<br />
<br />
But I digress.<br />
<br />
Today I hung out metaphorically speaking over at the awesome <a href="http://clarissajohal.blogspot.com/2014/04/tangled-tuesday-guest-author.html" target="_blank">Clarissa Johal's site</a>. I was there to talk about my latest novel, of course. However, I addressed that subject by explaining how I went from a horror series and transitioned to a paranormal romance. It's not the typical romance, but it definitely has some very romantic moments and themes. I spoke about how I knew nothing about losing a wife and unborn child as my character does, and how I managed to channel that place. I spoke about how I rarely watch horror movies and explained what you'd find me watching instead. It may surprise you.<br />
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Actually, that kind of sums up what I'd like said about my writing: It may surprise you.<br />
<br />
Anyway, if you find you have a moment to check out the post, I hope to see you there.<br />
<br />
We'll talk soon. James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-31115229902641362642014-04-02T18:45:00.000-07:002014-04-02T18:45:19.503-07:00April Already?Well, hello there, Fire Enthusiasts. How are you?<br />
<br />
What's with this rumor that it's already April? How did this happen? Where has the time gone. I'm a Christmas guy, and I'm fairly certain I just put the decorations away weeks ago. *sigh*<br />
<br />
Perhaps not, but it has flown past.<br />
<br />
Well, what can I tell you? I'm still treading water over here. Regular visitors will understand what I mean. Don't get me started talking about the day job. Nothing has changed, and it's a tired story. Let's talk about other things, shall we?<br />
<br />
If you were here last month you know I just had a birthday. I'm 45 now. My thanks to the 200 friends and family that blew up my Facebook page and/or other social networks with birthday wishes. It's my favorite thing. Had I not received a single gift, I still would have felt special. For that, I am very grateful.<br />
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By this time next month I should have <i>Dance on Fire</i> and its sequel <i>Flash Point</i> available in paperback. As you can see from the photo I am at the proof stage. I had a ton of work to do with formatting for "Dance", but I think I finally have it where I want it. With <i>Seeing Ghosts</i> I spent the money to have CreateSpace/Amazon do the heavy lifting. With these two I'm doing it all myself. It isn't that I don't have the money. I'm just hoping to start reversing this trend of me spending wads of cash for very little ROI.<br />
<br />
So, what am I planning next? Once I get these paperbacks completed, I will have all three of my published novels available in both formats: E-books and paperbacks. I will have them stocked in the store that carries my work. We have two large store events on the calendar this spring, and I have already reached out to some people to hold my own events. With all three of my novels having their setting in the California Central Valley, and more specifically my hometown area, I really want to attack this area with everything I've got. That's my focus this year.<br />
<br />
I will also be working on my next novel. Overall it is book four, but book three in my crossover vampire series. It was nice to get away from those characters while I wrote <i>Seeing Ghosts</i>. I had lived with those characters for two decades. However, once I had been away, I basically ran back because I was so excited to get to their next chapter. I was so excited, in fact, that I wrote 143 thousand words in four months. I will begin working on the second draft very soon. I don't plan to rush this project. If it doesn't see the light of day until 2015, that's okay. I want this to be big. I'm not interested in simply giving the characters another "mission." Book three needs to be bigger and better.<br />
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Alright, my friends. I hope all is well with you and yours. I am trying to get out every once in a while to have some fun. This weekend my wife and I will be attending a performance of <i>Wicked</i> just up the road in Fresno. I've heard nothing but good things so I'm looking forward to the show. There's a Disneyland trip coming soon. It's a brief one. My youngest will be there due to a school trip, so we're planning to follow along. In June we'll be in San Francisco to attend the Jamie Cullum concert at the legendary Fillmore. Can't wait for that!<br />
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What are you guys up to? Is it all work and Indie stuff? Are you at least taking time for yourselves? I hope so.<br />
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Take care, you guys. We'll talk soon.<br />
<br />
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<br />James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-58131820384372431762014-03-08T08:05:00.000-08:002014-03-08T08:05:42.653-08:00Another Year OlderHello, Fire Enthusiasts. How in the world are you? It's been a while, hasn't it?<br />
<br />
I titled this post the way I did because on the 22nd of this month I will be turning 45. That number seems outrageous to me, mostly because five years from now seems like something that should really be happening to someone else. The good news is I don't feel 44, about to be 45 or eventually 50. That really is all that matters, isn't it? I hope you feel that way, too.<br />
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The other reason for discussing birthdays is because that has been what has driven me these past seven years: the feeling that I wasted a lot of time. I didn't, not really. My wife and I started our family, had careers, raised our sons. If you're a church-going person, then you will also understand God's perfect timing. Yet, there still is that feeling that I didn't start writing again until I turned 38, and that means I can't really waste too much more time. Do you understand where I'm coming from?<br />
<br />
So, here's where I am with regard to my writing. I'm still climbing out from beneath the loss of my small publisher last summer. I have three e-books that are available on Amazon: <i>Dance on Fire</i>; <i>Dance on Fire, Flash Point</i>; and <i>Seeing Ghosts. "</i>Dance" is my crossover vampire series. "Ghosts" is my stand alone paranormal romance. Late last year I turned my attention to producing paperbacks and decided upon getting "Ghosts" printed first. I was extremely proud of the way the story came out, and I thought it would do really well with the female and paranormal demographics. I did that. It is also available on Amazon, as well as a local store in my hometown called Trinkets and Treasures.<br />
<br />
In November 2013 I began writing the third book in my vampire series (and fourth novel overall). I just finished the first draft. It is just short of 143 thousand words which makes it the longest novel I have written to date. It does have a title,but I am keeping that news close to the vest for the time being. I will now give myself a break before I begin working on the second draft, and begin working on producing paperbacks of my other novels. I hope to have this done in the next two months. I'm very anxious to have the paperbacks done because they have since been given new covers. My first novel was a paperback several years ago, but it has also been given a new edit as well as the cover. Can't wait to hold that in my hands.<br />
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With any luck "Dance 3" will be completed before the end of the year, but there's no rush. This one is a much larger book, with a much larger scope. It also charts the course for a future book, so I want to make sure everything is not just a good story, but epic in many ways.<br />
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Now, although I promised I wouldn't say much about my day job anymore, I have had people ask, so I will quickly address what has been going on there. Just when you thought my hours couldn't get any longer, they did exactly that. I now work 11 hours minimum, and quite often 12 plus. Somehow I managed to find the time to write that first draft. How? I have no idea. Actually that's not true. I do know. I did it by ignoring social media and blogging.<br />
<br />
But I really want that to change.<br />
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My hope is as I take that break and allow my brain to begin preparations for draft 2 - make mental notes, consider new possibilities and mentally double-check that I haven't neglected anything - and during this time reach out to all of you and drop by for visits. Drop me a line and I'll come say hello.<br />
<br />
You might begin to see some promotions out of me. That was another thing that had to go as I devoted the little time I had to writing. Here locally I have already reached out to a local ladies' group that has a book club, I visited them once before and it was a fun evening. I also reached out to the friends of the library in my town, and hopefully will schedule another visit with them, too. Next month we have a car show in our little town and in May we have the annual Swedish Festival, an event that I featured in my first book. I plan to be manning a table outside the store for both of those events, selling books and meeting people.<br />
<br />
Well, that's what's been going on with me. As the year progresses I will begin sharing about the new book. If you have yet to read it, you can find the e-book on Amazon for 99 cents. The links are all there to your right on this site. The reviews have been good. All of my reviews have been good. The trouble is getting the word out in a virtual sea of books. Am I right?<br />
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Best of luck to all of you writers out there and much success. It isn't easy, is it? Then again, nothing good or noteworthy ever is.<br />
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We'll talk soon. <i> </i> James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-7427425029380472782014-02-10T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-10T00:00:05.499-08:00February 2014Hello, Fire Enthusiasts. How's it going?<br />
<br />
2014 has been crazy as I look for a routine that has yet to present itself. Yeah, I'm that guy! Life at a particular moment may not be tough, but if its inconsistent I find myself struggling. *sigh* Something to work on, huh? *grins* How's your year? Do you have a firm routine?<br />
<br />
In the past I have spent a lot of time whining about my day job, but I'd rather not continue that trend this year. My hours have changed, but they are still crazy-busy. I was hoping not to work as many hours this year, but I think I'll have to content myself with starting early and getting home before dark. We'll see. A couple of weeks ago I worked 70 hours. Blah, blah, blah...<br />
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You bloggers probably noticed that I haven't been around. I miss you all, and wish I could take the time to reach out, but it isn't possible. At least not right now. For the meantime I'm going to treat this site like a website and just keep everyone updated once a month. It's all I can do. Hopefully our paths will cross on social networks or something. My wife has had enough of me attempting to cram 30 hours of work (day-job and writing) into a 24 hour day, and I absolutely cannot blame her.<br />
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Okay, I have three e-books and one of them is also a paperback. You can find them on Amazon.com. A local store in my hometown is selling my paperback - which is very cool. We just held an event and I sold a stack of books. I had people I have never met come up to me and tell me they had already read my books. That was very cool. I may never be a best seller - God knows - but the few people who have read my work say they loved the experience. That's got to account for something, huh?<br />
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I am now one-hundred thousand words into book four (book three in my crossover vampire series). I'm having a ball writing this first draft. I even made myself tear up the other day during a particularly moving moment for a character I first created over twenty years ago. She was dealing with a sudden loss. Those moments are few and far between, but very special. I can't wait to share it with the readers. Hopefully the book will be completed and published before 2014 is over, but we'll see. I want to finish the draft and then turn my attention toward publishing my first two e-books in paperback formats. This should give me a nice time-out between drafts.<br />
<br />
What else can I tell you about? My wife and I attended the second to last Pink concert of The Truth about Love Tour which just ended. I had some Pink tunes on my trusty iPod, but had no idea how cool her shows were. Thankfully my wife wanted to go, so I bought us tickets. What a spectacle! It was so good that I just bought the Blu Ray concert. If you have no idea, check out clips on You Tube. You'll see. From now on, anyone who just stands there is going to bore me to tears. Seriously, check out the clips!<br />
<br />
Well, I'll see you in March with another update. My 45th birthday will happen on the 22nd. Yikes! How did that happen? Thankfully the Rolling Stones are in their 70's. Know what I mean? *grins* <br />
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We'll talk soon.James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232628723576241448.post-85217693440355181522013-12-27T00:00:00.000-08:002013-12-27T00:00:14.536-08:00'Tis More Blessed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings, Fire Enthusiasts. How was your Christmas? Did Santa forgive that bit of bad behavior this year and make a visit to your house? I hope so. I was very pleased to receive iTunes gift cards - which I am well on my way to burning up! *laughs* I also welcomed the huge Blu Ray editions of <i>The Exorcist</i>, <i>Casablanca</i> and <i>Lawrence of Arabia</i> into my collection. Very awesome. I am particularly fond of that last one. As you may have heard, we lost Peter O'Toole just recently. I was a very big fan of his and will miss him. Thankfully his work lives on in film. Our work will live on, too, after we've gone, but I digress.<br />
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For those of you who have missed me - bless you! I have missed all of you. I am venturing out of writers' cave only momentarily, however. As I pen this post I am at 48 thousand words and counting as I put all of my free time into writing this first draft. It is book three in my <i>Dance on Fire</i> crossover vampire series and I am very happy with its progress. That is why you haven't seen me in a while. I am on my traditional holiday vacation from the day job, but am still working at disciplining myself to write in the morning and then stay off the laptop and focus on family for the rest of the day. As I have mentioned previously, I spent far too much time with my nose glued to the screen these past five years or so, doing all of the promotional stuff that we have to do. Sound familiar? :) I'm getting better, but there's still much to do.<br />
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So, you may ask, have I given up on the social media? No. I am instead shifting my focus temporarily from the Internet world to the physical one. As you can see from the photo, my latest book <i>Seeing Ghosts</i> is now available in paperback - something which just happened. I have been giving some copies away and turning my attention to locating a store in town to sell them. Now, if you are unaware, although I live in a small town in Central California, my stories take place here. In other words, I have potentially a built-in audience that I need to do a better job of reaching. Nothing is official, but I spoke earlier this week with a shop owner and she is incredibly excited to do business together. It isn't a book store, but its clientele is the perfect demographic for my paranormal romance, and my book would be the only one there. It was my first choice and we should be announcing our partnership in the next week or so. We have already discussed book signings and other events to get the word out. She's excited and so am I.<br />
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A moment ago I mentioned something about giving copies of this new paperback away. Today is week four in author Milo James Fowler's <b>'Tis More Blessed</b> Christmas giveaway extravaganza. I am pleased that he asked me to be involved, and especially pleased to offer a couple of autographed copies to raffle winners on the domestic side of things. My apologies to my friends around the world, but I haven't sold any of these yet. I hope you will understand.<br />
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So, what must one do to win one of these, you ask? Nothing. It's the holidays. We've all been running around, going crazy with the shopping, finding time for family, etc. For once let's make something stress free. Just leave me a comment, saying you'd like to be entered and make sure I can get hold of you. In the figurative sense, of course. Not the sketchy sense... *pauses momentarily, recalls how cute many of you are* Look at me! Already getting in trouble with Santa for next year! *slaps hand*<br />
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Alright, I'm going to sneak back into the cave. Love you guys! I should have more news soon, as well as news about my long awaited reduction in hours at the day job.<br />
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Leave your comment and we'll leave this giveaway open until January 6th. I would like to encourage you to check out each of the other giveaways. You can find them listed at <a href="http://www.milojamesfowler.com/" target="_blank">Milo's site here</a>. I know I'll be there.<br />
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I hope you've had a blessed Christmas and, from my house to yours, I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year.<br />
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We'll talk soon.<br />
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Peter O'Toole<br />
1932 - 2013<br />
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"...Good-night, sweet prince..."<br />
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James Garcia Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559119178720751963noreply@blogger.com10