“Where there’s tea there’s hope.” — Sir Arthur Pinero
Pale Lady
by Langston Hughes
Pale, delightful lady,
How I love you!
I would spread cool violets
At your feet
And bring you lovely jewels
For your hair,
And put a tiny golden ring
Upon your finger
And leave it there
As a sign and symbol of my love,
My bright, bright love for you.
Oh, pale, delightful lady,
How I love you!
Ben McQueeney’s debut novel will release on Amazon on April 8th. I have had the pleasure of receiving an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.
I have only begun reading more of the Fantasy genre in the past year, but for those of you whose favorite genre is Fantasy, I think you’re going to like “The Spirit of Things”.
“The Spirit of Things” is a unique tale of Fulco, a Hume, living in the Elphen village of Tellusm. He is a young adult who is bullied by the local thug, and who finds it difficult to fit into the Elphen village. He gets into one scrape after another, not all through his own choices.
He feels a bit awkward as he takes an interest in an Elphen girl, but a romance begins to bud between them.
When he attends a sporting event with his brother, an event his mother has tried to keep him from for years, he discovers the power of Sapience. He is fascinated by this power and begins asking questions about it. His brother helps him get a horse and he realizes he has a special way with animals as he makes a special connection with this horse. Could he have Sapience that gives him control over beasts?
Then a stranger comes to town and Fulco’s life begins to change.
Fulco’s story is exciting!
There are also three gods who watch and fight over the land of Tellusm.
Ben McQueeney has created a world that is unusual and fascinating. He has also created some very unique fantastical creatures. His characters are realistic and believable. I found it easy to relate to Fulco, and I believe most readers will find they have something in common with Fulco as well.
“The Spirit of Things” is written for young adults and adults alike. If you enjoy the Fantasy genre or have thought about checking out a Fantasy novel to see why it’s such a popular genre, I recommend you read “The Spirit of Things”. I’m sure you will enjoy it.
“The Spirit of Things” drew me in and kept me turning pages to the very end. The end promises more to come and I eagerly await Ben McQueeney’s next book.
Photo by Esther Tuttle on Unsplash
Broken Love
by Kelly F. Barr
Allison placed her empty coffee cup in the sink, the bitter coffee taste still on her tongue, and returned to pace across the gray carpet in her living room, waiting for Skylar to arrive. She chewed her lower lip. How could she have been so blind? Thank God she had discovered the truth before the wedding.
The doorbell rang as she paced away from it. She turned on her heel, stomped to the oak door, and paused with a hand on the brass doorknob. She took a deep breath and released it in slow puffs. Then she opened the door and Skylar smiled, his brown eyes sparkling, before leaning in to kiss her lips.
Allison turned her head and his kiss landed on her cheek. He pulled back and searched her eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“We need to talk.”
“Can’t we do that at the restaurant? I don’t want to be late for our reservation.”
“Maybe you should cancel the reservation. I don’t think it’s a good idea to have this conversation in a public setting. You should probably come inside.”
“Allison, what’s going on?” Sklyar followed when she turned and moved back into her apartment.
She turned to face him. “I know.”
“Know what?”
“I know that you’ve been seeing someone else behind my back.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb with me Skylar. Late last night I received a text message from someone named Vivian. The text came from your phone. She told me she was with you… in your bed … that you had fallen asleep so she had taken the opportunity to inform me she wouldn’t let you go without a fight.”
Skylar pulled his phone from the pocket of his tailor-made black pants.
“I wouldn’t expect to find the text there. She probably deleted it.” Allison picked her own phone up from the living room coffee table, pulled up the text, and handed the phone to Skylar.
Skylar read the text and the color drained from his face. He met Allison’s gaze. “Babe, listen, I can explain.”
Allison held up a hand to stop him. “Don’t bother. How could you? What did you do, drop me off at my door last night, leave me with a kiss goodnight, then go pick up … Vivian?” Allison spat the last word as though it tasted vile on her tongue.
“Allison … I’m sorry. She doesn’t mean anything to me. You’re the one I love … the one I want to marry and spend the rest of my life with.”
She shook her head, her thick chocolate tresses waving side to side. “How can you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Treat someone like unwanted baggage? How can you take her to your bed, then throw her away and say she means nothing?” She lowered herself onto the edge of the overstuffed burgundy sofa. “And if she doesn’t mean anything to you, what was she doing in your bed in the first place? How long have you been sleeping with her?”
Sklyar’s eyes flashed with anger. “What did you expect me to do? I am in love with you and we have been engaged for eight months, yet you refuse to come to my bed. You insist on waiting for the wedding night!”
Allison rose from the couch and pulled the ring from her finger. She held it out to him. “I think it best that you take this and leave.” She brushed past him and moved to the door.
“Wait, what are you doing?” Skylar turned and watched her retreat.
“I think it’s obvious. I can’t marry someone I cannot trust. Someone who cannot be faithful.” She opened her apartment door.
Skylar stood rooted to the spot. “Allison, we’ve been together for nearly two years. Surely we can work this out.” He walked over and stood in front of her. He cupped the right side of her face in his hand, his touch warm and soft. “Things between us have been good.”
Trying not to cave in to her attraction to him and the musky scent of his cologne, Allison reached her left hand up, took hold of his right and removed it from her face. “Apparently not good enough. I have no doubt you’ll get over me. I’m sure Vivian will be eager to offer you comfort.” She swung her arm in an arc toward the open doorway, suggesting he exit her apartment.
Skylar gave her one last pleading look, tears pooling in his eyes. When she didn’t move, didn’t speak, he stepped through the door and Allison quickly closed it behind him.
The moment the door closed, Allison’s resolve broke and she slid to the floor and sobbed.
“Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world.” — T’ien Yiheng
So, take time to enjoy cup of tea today, and simply relax.
Covid-19
by Kelly F. Barr
Every person, couple, and family
Have had their trials
But have clung to hope,
Plowed through,
Weathered the storm;
And have survived.
Now people are panicking,
Rebelling,and complaining
At this larger, more encompassing
Trial — a trial that touches
Many nations and countries.
Take heart!
Think on the trials
You’ve already come through
And know that you will
Come through this one too.
There’s no need to panic,
Rebel, and complain.
Simply batten down the hatches
And hold on tight
To the hope you held to before,
And you’ll survive once more.
Hello Everyone,
I want to spend some time sharing some things that I am doing to keep my sanity while spending most of my time at home due to Covid-19 and the stipulations our government has put into place to protect us.
First, people reacted with panic, rushing to the stores and buying up all the toilet paper, paper towels, Clorox, and other items they could get their hands on. It was worse than Y2K. Either the panic has calmed, or because the stores have gotten a better handle on things and are limiting quantities of certain things people can buy, things are better in he grocery stores.
Now our government has shut down many, many businesses, allowing only “life-sustaining” businesses to continue operation. Grocery stores and any type of business related to the medical field are still operating. Even restaurants are operating on a “drive-thru” or “takeout only” basis. We are not currently free to meet friends at a coffee shop or go out with friends and family to dine in a restaurant. We have been told to remain at home as much as possible. Some people are fighting against this idea as well, saying things like, “the government can’t tell me what to do”.
I, however, choose to listen to what my government is asking. I may not agree with everything, but I do understand they are trying to keep us safe and prevent more deaths than necessary to this virus.
It is not easy to be housebound for the most part. I enjoy getting together with my friends as much as anyone, but I also do not want to become sick and need hospitalization or worse. I have been in the hospital for things in the past, and, though I am grateful that we have good hospitals with good medical staff, where I can get good care when necessary, I don’t want to deliberately that may land me in the hospital.
So, what am I doing to keep busy and not lose my head or become depressed?
Something I don’t do is spend too much time on Facebook or watching a lot of news. I do not want to hear about Covid-19 and all of the rumors all day long. I only want to hear the stuff of importance and the truth, which can be hard to determine, but I don’t want to dwell on the situation, for that only brings feelings of unease, concern, and worry — things I don’t need and that won’t help me during this time.
So, what about you? What are you doing during this difficult time as we all wait for this Covid-19 to pass?
Dream Man
by Kelly F. Barr
Callie walked down a street in the city of Lancaster where she was vacationing. She’d never been there before but was enjoying all the city had to offer. Last night she’d attended a production of “Wuthering Heights” at the Fulton Opera House. She sat in the balcony and was completely caught up in the turbulent romance between Heathcliff and Catherine.
She turned the corner and came to an abrupt halt—her senses reeling—overcome by an incredible sense of déjà vu. Everything around her was familiar—the old brick buildings, the little patio of brick and sidewalk with café tables and chairs of dark brown with red umbrellas; the scent of spices and something fried in the air, the sunshine on her face, and the sounds of voices and a violin tickling her ears. Callie had been in this exact place so many times in her dreams but she had never thought it was a real place.
Then she saw him. At least she thought it was him. She couldn’t be sure from the back, but he had the strong, confident stance and jet black shoulder length curls. He wore the same sky blue suit coat with tan pants. When he turned, her breath caught in her throat as she looked into the same sapphire blue eyes and dark beard, just a bit more than a five o’clock shadow, on a strong jaw.
He smiled, revealing perfect dimples set deep in his cheeks. His eyes were locked with hers. “Is it really you?”
Could this really be happening or was she dreaming?
The man from her dreams took a couple long strides to stand before her. “I can’t believe you’re really here.” He reached his hand out to her.
Callie’s head spun and her knees turned to rubber. As she started to crumple, his arm slipped around her back. He held her up and guided her to the nearest café table where he deposited her in a chair before seating himself in one across from her.
“Are you alright?”
“Y…y…yes, I … think so. Do you know me?” She fanned herself with one hand, hoping some air would stop her head from whirling.
“Only in my dreams … until this moment. I always hoped but couldn’t be sure we’d ever really meet. My name’s Chase Bryant, and you are?”
“Callie … Callie Holcomb. What do you mean you only know me from your dreams?”
“I’ve had a recurring dream that I meet you in this very spot.”
Callie closed her eyes and massaged her temples. “This can’t be happening.”
“Are you sure you’re alright. Would you like me to get you something cold to drink?”
She opened her eyes and Chase was still sitting across from her, his sapphire blue eyes looking at her with concern. “It’s just … things like this don’t happen in real life … do they? I mean, I’ve had that same recurring dream, but…”
“I know. It seems crazy, but here we are … and, I take it, you’re not married?” He raised an eyebrow.
She shook her head. “You?”
“No, I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Woa, just because we’ve had the same dream and now we’re here and we’re both single, doesn’t mean I’m jumping into any marriage.”
Chase chuckled. “Of course not. I just meant, I’ve suspected the dream would come true. I can’t explain why—call it premonition or gut instinct or a prophetic dream … I don’t know. I just knew that some day we would meet, and here we are. Now we can spend some time getting to know one another … uh, unless you’re already dating someone?”
His eyes searched hers and a strong desire to quell his doubts caused her to blurt out, “No, I’m not dating anyone. And … maybe we could start by getting something for lunch? I’m quite famished.”
“Of course. Would you like a café experience, fine dining, or taking a tour through Central Market and making a selection which we can enjoy out here at this table?”
“Well, since I’m not from around here, maybe you could make a recommendation. However, I’d just as soon leave fine dining for a dinner experience.”
His face became serious. “You’re not from around here?”
She shook her head. “I’m vacationing here. I arrived day before yesterday and will be here the rest of this week and next.”
“I see.” His gaze moved from her face to his hands on the table.
“Is something wrong?”
He raised his eyes to hers again. “Well that explains why it took so long for us to meet, but I’m not willing to meet you, start to get to know, then say goodbye.”
A couple moments of silence passed between them, then Chase rose from his chair, clasped Callie’s hand in his, tugged her to her feet, and offered her another smile. “Well, that’s not waste time worrying about that right now. Let’s go find lunch in the market. It’s something every tourist must experience.”
Callie spent the rest of the day with Chase, who played the role of personal tour guide. They talked and laughed together and found they had quite a bit in common.
As the sun began to sink in the sky, Chase escorted her back to her hotel. He walked her into the lobby, then stood facing her. “Go and prepare for a fine dining experience. I’ll return in exactly one hour to collect you for the evening.” His dimpled smile made her heart skip a beat.
“As you wish.” She gave a theatrical curtsy and the two parted.
One hour later, Chase returned and the two of them walked a couple blocks then entered The Imperial Restaurant where they enjoyed a delicious meal and great conversation. After dinner, Chase escorted her to a sleek, blue Lincoln Town Car. He opened the door for her and closed it when she was comfortably seated. He drove to a large park, retrieved two lawn chairs from the trunk, and led her to a large open lawn facing an amphitheater. He set up the chairs and they sat down. He explained that during the summer, the amphitheater was used for free concerts. A few minutes later, Callie enjoyed listening to Latin music and dancing with Chase in a nearby area of open lawn.
When the last song faded, they returned to his car and Chase drove her to back to the hotel. This time he escorted her to the door of her room, where he faced her, holding her hands in his. “I had an amazing day. Sadly, I have to work tomorrow, but I’d like you to meet me for lunch, and I want to spend the evening with you as well.”
“I’d like that.” She smiled up at him.
He took a step closer, lowered his head, and place his lips on hers. The kiss began soft and light, but deepened quickly. When it ended, Callie was breathless.
Chase remained close to her, looking into her eyes. “I feel like I’ve known you all my life … like we were made for each other. I believe I love you.”
When Callie opened her mouth to speak, Chase put a finger to her lips. “Don’t say anything. You don’t have to respond. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He gave her a light kiss, then turned and moved down the hall to the elevator.
Callie entered her hotel room, leaned her back against the door, and closed her eyes reliving the past few minutes in her mind. Could he really love her? Could she really love him so soon? It did feel as though they’d known each other a long time. They’d obviously met in their dreams over and over again. Other women had said they had found their “dream man”, but for Callie … that statement was really true.
With all the craziness in the world right now with the coronavirus, I thought this picture might be helpful, as it is sometimes hard to be positive in a world filled with doom and gloom, so take a moment to have a cup of tea and enjoy the poem below. I hope both will help you feel better — more positive.
by Thomas Hardy
O sweet To-morrow! –
After to-day
There will away
This sense of sorrow.
Then let us borrow
Hope, for a gleaming
Soon will be streaming,
Dimmed by no gray –
No gray!
While the winds wing us
Sighs from The Gone,
Nearer to dawn
Minute-beats bring us;
When there will sing us
Larks of a glory
Waiting our story
Further anon –
Anon!
Doff the black token,
Don the red shoon,
Right and retune
Viol-strings broken;
Null the words spoken
In speeches of rueing,
The night cloud is hueing,
To-morrow shines soon –
Shines soon!
While many people shied away from group gatherings on Saturday, due to the coronavirus, one of my friends and I drove two hours to attend the Susquehanna Valley Writers Luncheon. Our speaker, Roseanna White (pictured above), did an excellent job with the two presentations she gave.
Before lunch, Roseanna shared about the importance of having a good relationship with your editor. Even editors know how precious your writing is to you. Your stories are your babies and you like to think and want to believe you wrote your story perfectly the first time, but this is not the case.
You need to realize editors are not the bad guys. They don’t want to ruin your story. They want to help you make it better, to help you please readers and make them want to keep reading your stories. Editors do not make suggestions on changing things in your story to “change” or “destroy” your story. Their suggestions will strengthen and improve your story. You need to build a relationship with your editor, and you need to trust your editor.
Getting defensive and justifying the way you wrote something and refusing to “fix” or “improve” it, isn’t going to enable you to learn, grow, and improve your stories. If you really want to be a good writer, maybe even a great writer, it’s important to humble yourself, build a relationship with your editor, and trust that your editor knows what he or she is doing and that their suggestions will make your stories better.
Roseanna shared that when we are “called to write”, if we don’t write, or we don’t release our writing into the world, we are stealing from our readers. If we have something that needs to be written, it’s because someone needs to read it. Therefore, it is our responsibility to write it and get it out there.
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After lunch, Roseanna shared a presentation about marketing. She talked about the importance of connecting with your readers. She shared that a weekly email newsletter is a great way to connect with readers and that, when done well and faithfully, readers miss your newsletter if it doesn’t show up in their inbox on the day it’s supposed to.
She also shared that that it is important that we give our readers what they need, whether that is encouragement or hope or something else, we need to give our readers what they need.
Marketing isn’t all about us and making sales. Marketing is about serving; giving our readers something they need.
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It was a good day with a good speaker, good messages, time with friends I hadn’t seen for a while, and making some new friends.
As I listened to the speaker, then spoke with my friend on the two-hour drive home, I realized I had taken a wrong turn, made a wrong decision in my writing. If you read my November post titled, “My Writing Life”, you know that I began working as a freelance writer in November. Well, I found it to be very hard work and much of it was frustrating. In addition, it took me away from my fiction writing, which hadn’t been my plan. I thought I could do both.
However, I realized about three days before this luncheon that I needed to make a change, but wasn’t sure what that change was supposed to be. I considered trying freelance writing on my own but decided that wasn’t the answer.
Saturday, it became clear to me that I need to return to my fiction writing because that is what I have been called to do. Because that is what I have always wanted and dreamed of doing. But with one difference — with looking at it like it is a job that I need to devote time to everyday. Therefore, I will be keeping the schedule I created for myself to do freelance writing and use it to write my blog posts and my novels. I will also attempt to write historical articles to submit to places, so as to use my research for more than just my novels. I will also start a newsletter soon, and I hope many of you here will be interested in being part of that. I am also thinking of starting a Facebook group.
So stay tuned and join me on this journey.
Kelly F Barr 