Monday, October 21, 2013

Cover Revealing ~ Beneath the Scars

Hey Lovelies,
I'm revealing Beneath the Scars' cover finally! I went through a couple different ideas some of which fell through which is why it was causing some trouble. Then I started to show my friends some of my ideas and whatever one liked another hated which only caused more confusion. Needless to say this cover was causing more of a mess than I would have ever thought. I didn't want anything sexual because that's not the story, it's more about an emotional connection so no girl only wearing lingerie would have fit. I didn't want a model where you can see the female's bones, I've mentioned in other posts I refuse to support anything that might promote bad self image or eating disorders. Then there is also the factor I couldn't have a guy on the cover because Riley is covered in scars and it would have been really hard to get that. I don't think I've had such trouble, and hope never to again! So I got the image from Shutterstock and the wonderful Alexia Purgy who is an author tweaked the image for me. :)


Beneath the Scars



Corporal Riley Nolan is back home and out of the hospital after sustaining severe injuries in a skirmish overseas. His physical injuries may be healed, though he is left with horrible scars all over his body. His mind is still healing, and he has almost no contact with the world outside his small dark apartment.

After the death of her parents and being forced to sell their house and move into an apartment in a new town, Eponine is left picking up the pieces while trying to maintain a normal life for her little sister, Genevieve.

Can these new neighbors help each other heal, finding the light and laughter in the world again? Most importantly, can Eponine help Riley see he's not the monster he believes himself to be beneath the scars?



Saturday, October 19, 2013

Leading Ladies ~ Eponine

Hello Ladies,
With Beneath the Scars coming up this year it is only fair to have the characters be introduced before hand. I had Riley not that long ago and his counter part is Eponine! She was a fun character for me, she is probably a little like Lauren with the motherly instincts, but she has an inner spit fire that Riley needs to kick his butt.

                     Eponine

Light brown hair
Runs every night
Bleeding heart
Favorite book is Pride and Prejudice
Despite all the healthy food she cooks, she has a big weakness for Chinese food
Dropped out of college

Scene:
A couple of my shorter, brown strands fell out of my ponytail as I stood by the cash register at work. Shifting my weight from one foot to the other as I stared out of the wide windows, work was empty. My idle mind was trying not to think about the classes I could be sitting through right now instead of being in this building that was sucking the soul out of my body. A sigh escaped from my lips upward, blowing the thin hairs up as my lips quickly formed into a smile as an elderly woman came to my register.
"Good morning-"
"Oh good morning how are you?" the elderly woman asked cutting me off.
"I'm doing well thank you, how are you?"
She grinned. Her teeth were slightly discolored, "Oh I'm better than most my age. You must be new."
I continued to grin as I noticed all she had bought was an orange.
"Yes I am. I just moved into town with my sister. Do you have a FoodMart card or a reusable bag with you?" I questioned as my manager rounded the corner.
"No and no. What brought you to our town?" the woman inquired as I scanned the single orange.
The beep echoed as there was no one else around. She squinted at my name tag.
"My sister and I just moved to town. That would be seventy cents."
She placed her purse on the belt pulling out the money, with the exact change from a small coin purse in the shape of a baby's sock that had a clasp at the top.
"Eponine's an unusual name, is that from the story Les Miserables?"
I nodded my head, "Yes, actually that's where my mom got it from. She had a thing for different names."
The elderly lady grinned, "I'm Edith. Well have a good afternoon, Eponine."
"Thank you, you too," I called out as she waltzed out of the building.
"She's such a sweetie," Cleo spoke up behind me leaning on her hands so that her heart shaped face was between her hands with her dark red hair framing her face. "She comes in every single day to buy one orange, then on Sundays she does her real shopping. I've been working here since I got my working papers, and her routine has not changed. If she doesn't stop in I'd be worried."
Cleo's brown eyes left me as they turned to the side to watch Edith stroll off in a direction of the Active Adult Community down the street.
"She seems nice," I commented. Cleo was friendly and took to me real fast, like a kindergartener often felt with their knew classmates.
Cleo leaned over her counter to grab a copy of this month's Cosmopolitan. There was a loud ripping sound as she just whipped through the first page. Cleo started to twirl a section of hair between a couple of her fingers.
"So, Eponine do you need to know what the naughtiest sex tips are?" Cleo sang, her voice was even despite the smirk on her heavily glossed lips that shone in the bad lighting, and her eyes twinkled.
"Cleo, shh," I yelped trying to shush her as the heat was rising to my face. My eyes were round bulging out of my head.
Cleo rolled her eyes, thick dark eyelashes fluttering.
"Oh come on. No one is here plus you can't possibly tell me you don't have a sex life," Cleo raised a brow at me taking her eyes off the colorful pages.
"Cleo I live with my ten year old sister and our German Sheppard. I'm their solo caretaker and have bills to pay. I don't even know what spare time is. Spare time is a friend of mine who likes to be a tease and has hidden from me," I answered dryly pressing my back against my register to face her. She snorted. "Plus again I don't have time or even the energy to go out."
"Oh don't be such an old fart you're twenty one," Cleo snapped rolling her eyes.
"How about this? You spend a day with my sister, and tell me how much energy you have left."
Cleo narrowed her eyes.
"Don't use your sister as an excuse. You'll grow to hate her if you do."
I sighed, glancing out the window again. I scrunched my face hating that she was right.
"Look, I know I need to still be able to go out and have fun, but I've got responsibilities-"
"Does your sister have any friends?" Cleo probed placing her hands on her hips, her painted nails contrasting against the uniform.
"Yes?" I questioned raising an eyebrow.
"Have her go to a sleepover with one of her friends, and we can go out for the night."
I sighed letting the air go out of my nose.
"She probably does miss Bobby," I whispered under my breath.
Cleo clapped her hands together in front of her face, beaming.
"Oh we're going to have so much fun!"
"What's fun?" a deep voice behind me spoke, causing me to jump a little. I turned around almost forgetting that there were people in the store.
"Oh I'm sorry," I stammered as I caught eyes with the man before me who had greenish brown eyes framed by dark long eyelashes.
The man appeared to be around my age with a smile that made me go almost weak at the knees. His skin was slightly tanned with pearl white teeth. His hair was thick, mink brown, and curly like in the pictures of Greek Gods, while his jacket hugged the shape of his broad shoulders.
"Hey Blake, this is Eponine. She's new around here. I'm trying to talk her into coming out of her little shell of a life."
"You should totally come by Friday night for dinner. A whole bunch of us go out. It's kind of our thing," Blake responded placing his basket on the belt.
"Why didn't I think of that? Eponine, we go to this bar and food place. There's usually like ten of us. It'll be a good way for you to get out and meet people," Cleo chimed in as Blake took his items out for me to scan.
"If you want, give me your address and I'll pick you up and drive you over," Blake offered, his face was nearly glowing.
"I'll have to make sure I can get someone to watch my sister, but that sounds good," I answered unable to stop my smile.
"Cool, I'll ask Cleo for your number later so that we can work out the details."
I could feel how big my beam was getting and hated how silly I must have looked.
"Okay."
I finished ringing him up as he left, giving me a lopsided grin.
"So, now that we have that settled, what are you going to wear?"

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Interview ~ Amy Eye

Hey Lovelies!
Today I have a special treat. I did an interview with Amy Eye who is the owner of The Eyes for Editing. She is one of the two editors that I use. She is great, knowledgeable, and friendly. For me have trouble trusting services over the internet because you really don't know who is on the other end. With editing services too, you just don't know where you are sending your money or if the people will actually fulfill the services. Amy though, she will work with the writer and be what they need, straight to the point to hand holder. I love working with her and hope to do so in the future. She has worked on End of the Line second edition and Shadows from the Past. Here is an interview.


Chameleon Logo


Interview

1. For how long have you been an editor?
I’ve been editing for as long as I can remember, it seems.  LOL  Some days it seems like it’s been decades, other days – maybe just a month or so.  Usually those days are determined by how quiet my kids are when I’m working, the pull of the moon on the tides and just how cranky I am that day.  :)

2. Was it hard to start your own editing company?
It was really scary, actually. You never know what is going to happen when you jump out into the world and start working for yourself, especially when you have three kids who depend on you to not mess up.  LOL And it was most definitely a challenge.  All I can say is THANK YOU to Journalstone Publishing for giving me a chance.  Had it not been for Christopher Payne, I never would be doing this for a living today.  No joke. 

3. You've edited just about every genre out there, what's your favorite to work on?
My absolute favorite is YA and Middle grade.  I love knowing that children will read what I am working on and, hopefully, encourage their love of reading throughout their lives.

4. What is your favorite dessert?
I would have to say raspberry cheesecake. That is heaven one little slice at a time!

5. What is your favorite pet?
My bearded dragon, Seraphina, would probably insist that I say it was her… but I love all animals.  I own a small zoo!  :P

6. What is your favorite book? (Can be a book you haven't edited!)
My favorite all-time books are the Harry Potter series. That book came to me at a time where I needed an escape from the world, and Hogwarts is my fantasy land. I love the interaction between the characters, the morals behind the books, the wisdom of Albus Dumbleore, the angst of Snape… I could keep going, but I think I’ve bored all of my friends enough for a lifetime.  LOL!!

7. What is your favorite movie?
I’m not a huge movie or TV person, but my latest favorite was The Hunger Games.  Favorite movie of all-time may be Clue.  Love Tim Curry!

8. You use to do Journal Jabber, how did you get started in that?
That would be another salute to Journalstone.  I was helping to book radio interviews for the authors at Journalstone, when Christopher thought I would be great at interviewing… as they say, the rest is history.  I began fumbling my way around the blog talk internet circuits on episode at a time until I really got the hang of it and found my stride. The show is still going strong, and one of my best friends Angela Yuriko Smith is hosting the show now, and I still pop in to conduct interviews from time to time.

9. You also work on Christmas Lites collection, which is a collection of short stories to raise money for the NCADV. What is your favorite process about working on that collection?
Knowing that I and the authors behind the book will be able to make a difference in the lives of people who need it the most.  The NCADV is an amazing organization that does so much to improve the lives of those who suffer at the hands of loved ones. This is just one way that we can all give to those who need it.

10. Can you tell us anything about the third edition of Christmas Lites?
That it is going to be absolutely amazing!  We have stories in there that cover just about every genre there is.  There is something in that book for everyone!

11. What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't working?
Well, I’m an avid reader, and I love to play video games. Right now, I’m blasting my way through Dragon Age Origins, and I try to eliminate zombies at least three times a week with my best friend, Mikey. I’m really a nerd in the true sense of the word.

12. What is your favorite season?
Spring.  I think that’s the case for a lot of people.  But I love when the chill in the air is replaced with the sounds of spring.  The birds pecking around in the new grass, the sound of kids yelling in the street on their bikes… After the heaviness of winter, the spring always feels like a new beginning.

13. Who is your favorite character of all time? Why?
Albus Dumbledore.  He was a patient, wise and good man. He gave unselfishly and knew his limitations.  Never before have I read a character who imparted such knowledge and wisdom, true wisdom, to not only the characters in his book, but to the readers.  He touched me as a reader in a way that none have before.

14. What is your favorite kind of muffin?
Poppy seed!  OOHHH, now, I’m hungry…  thanks a lot.  LOL!

15. It is fall, and everything is coming up as pumpkin flavored everything, do you have a favorite pumpkin flavored item?
I’m actually not a huge fan of pumpkin.  :P  I love to carve them and I love eating baked pumpkin seeds, but I don’t like the whole pumpkin flavor thing…

16. What advice can you give for authors?
Read, write and revise.  Reading helps give you an idea of what you like and what you don’t. It helps build your creativity.  You get to see what other authors have done and it really does help to give you the sense that anything is possible when you write.  Writing is important.  If you don’t do it, you will never improve. Writing is a skill that takes years to perfect, and if you don’t continuously write, your skills will get rusty. Revising is great for learning as well. Go through what you have written and look at it from an outsider’s view. How can you make it better?  How can you trim out extra words.  How can you develop your feel and tone with your choice of words?  These exercises will make a huge difference in your writing.  And the more you do it, the more it will become an ingrained part of your writing.


17. What advice can you give for people who want to become editors?
LEARN, LEARN, and then LEARN some more. Rules are always changing, the needs of the clients are always changing.  Learn the grammar rules, learn about the market you are working in, learn how to be patient.  Learn to have a thick skin.  Learn to love your job and your authors.  Without them, you are nothing.


Saturday, October 12, 2013

New Release ~ Shadows from the Past

Hey Lovelies,
Today I released a paranormal novella, Shadows from the Past just in time for Halloween! This story might be short, but it is packed with action, suspense, and a little romance. It was edited by Amy from The Eyes for Editing. This is a little different then my other writings so there is a little something for everyone. Well, be prepared there is some violence so if you are not into that, this might not be for you.


Shadows from the past
Children fear what lurks in the shadows. After the tragic loss of her best friend, Renee learns that what stalks the shadows wants her. She will have to choose the darkness or die.
all ebooks: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/366574

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Faith Sullivan's new release

Hey Lovelies,
I am here to share information about Faith Sullivan's new book which is the last book in the Heartbeat trilogy! It is now available! It's on my to read list, because I need to know what happens! Adam when we last left him was in a situation that had the readers screaming where was the next book...


Title: I Am Yours (Heartbeat, #3)
Author: Faith Sullivan
Expected release date: October 8, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Ebook available at: Kindle | Nook | Smashwords ($2.99) 





Book Description:

Book 3 in the HEARTBEAT series

Adam is at a crossroads.

He has Katie on his mind and Jada in his bed.

Now with the ultimate choice before him, he must decide between fantasy and reality.

Katie's his dream girl, but Jada's his best friend, his partner. As a paramedic, he's supposed to save lives, not wreck them. Yet his failure to commit leaves a trail of heartache in his wake.

Things come to a head at his brother's wedding when a surprise announcement leaves Adam scrambling to pick up the pieces. Sure, women find his shaggy blond hair and aquamarine eyes irresistible. But to him, sex is nothing more than a means of escape ... until it turns into a psychological trap.

His mind is telling him one thing, while his heart is beating another. He's not sure what he wants when it comes to a serious relationship. Sorting out his feelings, he finally comes to a startling realization. He is capable of love.

But what if it's too late?


Excerpt:


His shaggy hair is falling in his eyes as water drips from the ends. The buttons of his shirt are undone and droplets cling to his bare chest. His lips are parted and his blue eyes radiate a mixture of elation and desire. He knows that he’s trespassing where he doesn’t belong, but he doesn’t feel the need to ask anyone’s permission to enter my bedroom either.

I tilt my head and gaze up at him, my hair tumbling over my shoulder. He advances toward me, looking somewhat guilty, bordering on apologetic. He realizes he shouldn’t be here, but he is. And I don’t want him to leave. I like the danger of having him so close.

He blinks and raindrops fall from his eyelashes before running down his face. And that’s all it takes for the sheer happiness of the moment to light up my face. I rush toward him as he greets my smile with one of his own. Its sincerity warms my heart as he looks at me like he’s just completed the longest journey of his life, filled with relief at finally reaching his destination. He’s come home. He’s where he’s supposed to be. And if I’m being honest with myself, I feel like I’ve been waiting for him all along.

The force pulling me to him is too strong to ignore. I don’t fight it. I give into it. I let it take me over. I stride up to him, reaching up on my toes, my fingers dancing across his neck as I take his lips with mine. Pressing myself into him, the front of my white t-shirt is soaked instantly. But instead of experiencing any kind of chill, I feel like I’m burning up.

The kiss is gentle this time, lasting only a few seconds before he draws me into a hug, laying his sopping head against my shoulder while wrapping his arms around my waist, drawing me as close as he possibly can to his body. He winces when I squeeze him back tightly, causing him to loosen his grip on me and step away. I reach up one hand at a time to examine his face as he tries to look down, refusing to meet my gaze. Finally, he gives me a mournful smile as I persist. Silencing my worries, he runs a hand lightly across my face before bringing me in for another kiss. He’s so careful with me, so tender. He breaks away to smile at me again, a look of wonderment in his eyes, before resuming our kiss.

Slowly releasing my lips, I allow my hands to roam down his chest as I start to tug on his shirt. He complies with my request, but he seems to be in pain as I help remove the sleeves from his arms. I glance up at him in concern, and he whispers, “My ribs. They were broken not too long ago. I don’t think they ever fully healed.”

He hangs his wet shirt on the bedpost as I run my hand gently over his chiseled abs. He bends his head to the side, closing his eyes. He doesn’t open them as I glide my fingers over the scar on his forehead, where undoubtedly he had stitches at one time. My heart contracts as I ponder what happened to him. He submits to my touch, moving his head along the path of my fingertips, yielding to my efforts to examine him. He doesn’t resist, but I can sense he doesn’t want me to linger on his injuries either.

His hair appears darker now that it’s wet, and I can’t help twisting my fingers through the strands at the back of his neck as he rests his forehead against mine. He’s so close to me. All I can see are his eyes. He leans back, pushing my hair away from my face. The way he is looking at me is like he’s taking in every part of me. It’s hard for him to keep his lips off mine as he brushes a featherweight kiss across them. It feels so intense. I have to look down for a minute.

When I’m ready to meet his eyes again, his hands travel up my sides, encouraging me to lift my arms. I do so, and within seconds, his fingers are at the hem of my shirt, pulling it up and over my head in one swift movement. I help him free my long hair from inside the collar, reaching behind me to hold it up, trying not to think about my bare breasts being visible. He drinks in every inch of me, and that smile is back on his face as his hands caress my back. This time, it’s Adam who lifts my hair away, entwining it through his fingers while resting his chin on my shoulder, allowing his free hand to roam the full expanse of my back from shoulder to hip. I slide my arms around his lean, muscular body as he buries his face against my neck. When he stands upright again, he nuzzles my ear as I extend a trail of kisses along his jaw. He sighs in contentment as his stubble bristles against my lips.


Books in this trilogy:
(linked to Goodreads)

 photo romancingthera_zps4500577c.jpg  photo behindcloseddoors_zpsf588478c.jpg


About the Author:

Faith Sullivan is an author of New Adult contemporary romances including the HEARTBEAT trilogy, the TAKE ME NOW series and the 9/11 novel, UNEXPECTED.

Where to find Faith Sullivan:


 



Goodreads Book Giveaway

Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan

Heartbeat

by Faith Sullivan

Giveaway ends November 15, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win



Goodreads Book Giveaway

Come What May by Faith Sullivan

Come What May

by Faith Sullivan

Giveaway ends November 15, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win



Goodreads Book Giveaway

I Am Yours by Faith Sullivan

I Am Yours

by Faith Sullivan

Giveaway ends November 15, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Men of Ottilie ~ Riley Nolan

Hey Lovelies,
I haven't done a new one of these in a long time, and I love these. Now this post of Men of Ottilie is an actual man! Riley is one of the main characters of my New Adult novel Beneath the Scars. He was a lot of fun to write, and hopefully people enjoy reading him as much as I had writing him. Because of his character, and his look I had trouble figuring out a person to kind of represent him for this. Riley is a burn victim and has no hair, and is covered in scars like JR Martinez. So keep that in mind while reading this.

          Riley Nolan


Naturally has Brown hair

Was a Marine
The youngest out of two children
Middle name is Johnathon
Stubborn
Lion Heart
One of the few characters of mine that has a full name

Scene:

3
Rily

Turning off the engine after I pulled into the driveway I sat there listening to the music be cut off, as the engine slowed down until it stopped completely. I had to get out of the car and into the house. Sighing, I tugged on the hood, even though it was already up and covering my face. Slamming the door, I strolled quickly to the front door, ringing the doorbell and waiting on the front porch. Even though I was at family's house I couldn't bring myself to just walk in. My once stand-up-right posture was now slightly hunched over with my head hidden. Through the door I could hear the dog barking and shuffling of feet before my sister, Charlotte, opened the door with a wide smile. She stood aside as she let me in.
"I was starting to wonder when you'd show up," my sister greeted, her voice was so cheery, giving me a hug before moving aside for me.
"Well I was waiting for it to get dark," I answered as their collie ran over to me, standing on it's hind legs to put the front ones on my upper body.
My sister pulled the dog off me.
"Dumb dog, you're going to wake up the kids," Charlotte yanked on the dog's collar as she started in the direction of the kitchen. "Rily, I love you and the kids miss you. You're going to have to eventually come out in the daylight. You can't live like a nocturnal animal forever."
I huffed, rolling my eyes at my sister's back.
"Don't you dare roll your eyes at me!" Charlotte snapped, turning into the kitchen, moving cups and the kettle around.
"Don't use your mommy ninja skills on me," I sighed not in the mood to deal with my sister mothering me, again.
"I'm your older sister and a mother of two. It's a habit," Charlotte turned to face me, head titled slightly as her long, loosely curled, brown hair framed her pale face. "I worry about you."
Her blue green eyes softened their shade similar to my own. Heavy feet came down the steps, and in a couple of seconds her husband, Paul, strolled into the room. Paul nodded in my direction as he looked over at his wife, she smiled at him.
"I'm finishing up the last bits of my paperwork, but the little monkeys don't want to go to bed," he stated, his gaze locked on my sister's, as a crash upstairs occurred on cue.
"I read to you guys your bedtime story, go to bed," my sister shouted as she put water into the kettle.
"But Mom," a small voice whined. I smirked, ready for what my sister was about to bestow.
"But nothing, you two bed-"
Before my sister could finish, I interrupted, unable to control myself, "Get back into bed before the monster tries to bite your ankles!"
Yelps and screams poured from the upstairs as thunderous steps came down the stairs. Charlotte glared at me as she threw the empty box of tea at me. I chuckled. The two nearly slid into the kitchen with the younger one almost falling from the footie pajamas against the tile.
"Uncle Rily," my niece, Madison, glowed as she changed her direction to me with open arms.
Madison had only recently been that friendly with me. When I came home she was in tears, refusing to come near me or even lay eyes on me. Charlotte talked to her about what I did overseas and why I was covered with burn marks. Madison slowly came around calling me a hero, despite the fact that I didn't feel like one. Parts of my skin were grafted while others were just distorted. She was seven, but my nephew, Elliot, was four, and was still afraid of me. I couldn't blame him. I had the appearance of a malevolent Greek creature. Madison jumped into my lap, giving me a hug, while Elliot tip toed over to my sister, nearly hiding his face in his teddy bear.
"Uncle Rily, can you read us a bedtime story and check to make sure that the monster isn't there?" Madison begged, her eyes grew wide, bottom lip puckered out.
"Maybe," I responded ruffling the top of her head, my fingers getting tangled in her brown hair.
"Aw come on," Madison continued to plead. "Elliot don't you want Uncle Rily to read to us too?"
Elliot further buried his face into Charlotte's leg.
"Elliot go on and say 'hi' to your uncle," Charlotte encouraged her son, putting her hand on his back nudging him in my direction.
The grin on my face faded. My eyes drifted to the floor, knowing that my once happy go lucky nephew who was so young when I left, was no longer that way with me. Everything changed. Now my own family was afraid to look at me, and treaded on broken glass when they talked to me. My sister was the only one who acted like nothing ever changed. Even that I questioned. I felt sick and angry, wanting to go back into my gloomy apartment.
"It's fine Charlotte," I mumbled, my hand formed into a fist by my side on the leg that was opposite of Charlotte.
"It's not fine Rily. Go on Elliot, see Madison's fine," she spoke gently.
Elliot didn't even budge. My brother-in-law just picked Elliot up and brought him back up to his room. Paul had the personality of a wet rag. He managed to talk less to me since I've been home the past year.
"He's four don't-"
"I'm a beast I get it," I cut her off my voice gruff.
"You aren't a beast," Madison responded. She turned around so that she was facing me. She placed a hand on both sides of my face, even the deformed parts that were forever scarred. "You're nice."
Madison then leaned in and kissed my cheek.
"Night Uncle Rily," Madison smiled as she hopped off my lap.
"Night Madison, sweet dreams," I responded, she giggled as she went upstairs.
"See," my sister grinned, her smugness shined in that smile as she poured the hot water into a mug. "Do you want some tea?"
"Sure," I answered bracing myself for the lecture that was about to be served with the steaming water.
"See Madison's not afraid of you. You can stop shutting yourself from the world," Charlotte started while I rolled my eyes. "You did a good-"
"Your husband's a grown man and won't even look at me," I pointed out getting sick of this.
"Oh Paul's just awkward around all people. It's not because of the burn scars Rily."
"Whatever," I grumbled.
"Rily, you're not Madison's age, use your words," Charlotte scolded her eyes narrowed.
"Yes mother," I continued to protest stirring the liquid mindlessly.
"Rily seriously, you did an amazing thing and received honors for-"
"Yeah the honors are really helping me I can't even walk out of my house without being gawked at. My own nephew won't come near me," I snapped, not able to hold back the fury in my voice.
Charlotte sauntered over to me brushing the hood off my head. My brown hair was scorched off of my skin leaving red rippling skin. I cringed as she ran her fingers over the top of my head down to my flamed chewed up ear. Her touch was so soft.
"Baby brother, you've got a heart of gold, you always have. I just wish you could remember that and see past the reflection in the mirror." Her voice was a tender lullaby as she bent down and kissed the top of my head while laying strokes on my scalp.
"Easier said then done," I muttered my voice calmer then before.
"Uncle Rily you said you'd read me a story," Madison pointed out from up the stairs.
"Your audience awaits," Charlotte gave my back a little push.
I sighed and took sluggish steps towards the stairs to see Madison in her pajamas with a stuffed dog in her grasp.
"Come on, Uncle Rily you're walking too slow," Madison complained causing me to run up the stairs as she squeaked.
I scooped Madison up so that she was in a ball near my head, blowing a raspberry into her neck she giggled louder.
"Stop it!"
"Continue? Okay," I tickled her stomach; her laughter filled the house as a door behind us cracked open to show a peering Elliot.
"Rily I wanted them to sleep stop winding them up!" my sister ordered. "So help me when you have kids, karma's going to get you in the butt. And if karma doesn't I sure as hell will!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I stuck my tongue out at Madison. She grinned, Elliot shut the door.
I sat on Madison's bed as she grabbed a picture book. Madison scurried under her sheets curling against my side. I started to read the book as her eyes slowly drifted to close and before the book was done Madison was asleep. Getting up slowly I tucked her in before tip toeing out of her room, closing the door lightly. My sister was standing there at the top of the stairs smirking, her arms crossed over her chest.
"You're great with kids."
I shook my head.
"So?"
"You're going to be a great daddy one day," Charlotte continued.
"A girl would have to be able to stand to look at me to make that happen let alone touch me."
"You would have to actually leave your house at normal hours to start with. I just want you to be happy Rily, you know that, right?"

"I do, but I probably should get going," I spoke, and she gave me a hug and I made my way out into the night.