Reappearing after My Disapperance

Once upon a time there was a woman who wrote novels about strong mythical women. Prophecy of Vithan and Stone of Cruento were well read and told of women put in impossible situations. They survived and even prospered coming out stronger than ever.


It is wonderful to read of women, whether real or imaginary, who overcome hardships. Sometimes, in real life, we don't come out on top. Sometimes, we sink. But as all women who survive, we eventually swim to the top of the muck and mire and start over again.


As many of you know, I am my husband's caregiver. He is the victim of stroke and a quadriplegic. For six years I have been taking care of him and his has been improving, little by little. Then about a year ago, he stroked again. He forgot how to drink, how to eat, everything. I was devastated. That is when I sunk into the lake of despair.


My husband is recovering. He has relearned and even gained ground.


I am back. It took a year for me to recover my writing, my sense of security, my strength.


However, I am coming back by not just swimming to the top. I am swimming and diving off the big board.


I have entered NANOWRIMO 2009. I will put myself on the line by putting my word count on MySpace www.myspace.com/charleneleatherman You can click on the NaNoWriMo icon to go to my page and see word count, excerpts and leave comments. Rooting me on is encouraged -- (grin).



I am going (if the creek don't rise) submit my wip (work in progress) to Cerridwen Press and see if it is accepted. The working title is Vials of Pyxis. I will be blogging on MySpace and my other sites about the novel now and then.



I am going to start blogging again. So check back here on the 18th of the month and every month after that to see what is going on with my work. There might be tidbits about life as well.



I am reviewing a book, and interviewing the author starting November 9. The book is Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor by Willow.



You can find the book on Amazon.com

So, for now, that is what is going on. I'll see you again, here, on the 18th. I'll let you know what is going on. Hopefully I'll have good news about Vials of Pyxis. I'll tell you all about Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor. And, (I'd cross my fingers but then I couldn't type) I'll have a wonderfully huge word count in the NaNoWriMo. See you then. Charlene.

Prophecy of Vithan Reviewed by Fallen Angel Reviews

I was pleasantly surprised when I recieved notice on myspace that Prophecy of Vithan was reviewed by Fallen Angel Reviews.

The link for the review is http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2008/June/Jean-ProphecyOfVithan.htm

It got 5 angels which rocked my world. Thanks Jean of Fallen Angel Reviews.

Charlene

Excerpt of WIP Vials of Aquilonia

Vials of Aquilonia is my currrent work in progress. It is about a mermaid and a sailor. To set up this excerpt a bit. The sailor found the mermaid in a marketplace in a tank of rancid water.The mermaid has been changed into a human woman. She no longer has a tail.

This except is unedited.

Jaden spewed a chain of expletives as she rubbed her hip. Using the staff she was practicing with to push up, Jaden got up off the floor. She looked at the synthetic wood planking. She half-expected to see a dent considering how many times she had fallen.
“That must hurt,” Khai said from the doorway.
“It does. It hurt every time I did it. I can’t figure out what I am doing wrong. I am quite capable as a warrior underwater. Now, with two legs, I am useless.”
“Not useless from where I can see,” Khai said smiling at his wife.
“What does that look mean?”
“What look?”
“Your eyes are smoky and I feel as though I should be embarrassed, but I don’t know why.”
“Probably because I am imagining you without clothes, the way you were when I pulled you out of the tank. Glistening, radiant, all curves and so beautiful you took my breath away.”
“That was the rancid water that took your breath away,” Jaden said smiling. She lowered her eyes to her clothes. Morgan gave her a trim fitting flight suit. It fit over her legs and hips smoothly. The front closure lay flat over her muscled stomach and cupped her breasts comfortably. She had the neckline opened to the place between her breasts. Even with long sleeves she was not too warm. According to the Regent the suit was made to accommodate the body with an optimum temperature. She had set the gauges for Jaden to a lower than normal human setting since she was used to being in cold water.
“Am I ugly in these clothes? Is that why you are imagining me out of them?”
“Ugly? No, not at all,” Khai took the two steps to clear the space from the doorway to Jaden. He took her in his arms, pulling her tight to his chest. “You are magnificent.”

Also, Look for my other novels Prophecy of Vithan and Stone of Cruento

Serial Novels, eBook Novels and Novel-tees

I have been writing a serial novel on my various blogs. This blog is shared with several talented writers so the serial has been on other blogs as http://www.charleneleatherman.blogspot.com/ or www.myspace.com/charleneleatherman

The title of the serial novel is A Rose By Any Other Name. Here is an excerpt. If you want to follow the serial you need to check in at the above blogs. The full novel so far is available in the archives.

Excerpt.

Lovac rolled his shoulders, stretching, readying himself for the hunt. He despised what the government called entertainment. The hunt was a tradition centuries old. His father and grandfather were hunters. In the old days, a hunter sought a lioness, pursued her then if he captured her he was given the right to compete against the lions for her attentions. It was the way of Dyad to keep the gene pool level between the feline based humanoids and the covjecji, or the non-lion humans.
Female covjecji used to hunt with the lionesses, bringing game to the lions to compete for the attentions of the male feline. The government stopped the female covs as they were called from hunting. Human females could only mate with human males.
Lovac watched as the gene pool became weaker. It had been ten years since a healthy baby was born to a totally covjecji couple. Dyad was simply not meant to have the species separated. Lion and cov were meant to compete, to couple, to mate. It was the way the Ancients planned it. The Spirit of Dyad, Leana was pictured as a woman with the head of a lion. The two species combined.
The government changed the way it was meant to be. The government chose blood-thirsty hunters out of the thousands of registered hunters. They sent the men out to destroy the lions. Wiped out hundreds of lions. Orphaned thousands of cubs and widowed hundreds of lionesses.
Probably took the husband of the beautiful lioness standing before him. She certainly held the look of hatred in her eyes.
The government also took advantage of the mating instincts of the lionesses. The female felines were almost driven to mate. The powers that be wanted to keep the lion gene pool unchanged. They wanted the lioness to mate with the covs. Lovac didn’t know the reason why, he didn’t care. The government also wanted the process broadcast over the moon-wide holovision.
Lovac took a deep breath. He hadn’t been given a choice. If he had he certainly would not have chosen to be part of some twisted Minister’s idea of entertainment. His father, in his old age, became a prolific gambler. Lost everything his family ever owned. Lost more than everything. The government took Lovac as a young man and enslaved him. He could have run, but the government still had his mother and sister as hostage. If he didn’t hunt, the Ministers would kill his mother and sister. So, Lovac hunted. And he hunted a lot since he was the choice of most of the audience.
Hunters were chosen for their gene appropriateness. Lovac was considered a perfect mate.
Perfect! Yeah, I’m perfect. A perfect stud. I hunt, or pretend to hunt depending on how badly the lioness wants to mate. I capture and impregnate. There is no hunt anymore. No thrill in the chase, no pursuit, no competition. All there was any more was a moon-wide broadcast of my sexual exploits. I’m perfect alright, a perfect whore. Lovac eyed the lioness before him. Perhaps she would be different. There was something challenging about her. The way she stood perhaps. The confident swish of her tail. The way her ears laid back. Not to mention her curvaceous body. The hunting jumpsuit did nothing to hide her lush hips, the full globes of her breasts and her flat stomach. Lovac could feel arousal thrumming through his veins. He inhaled deeply, pulling from his training as a hunter to remove the evidence of his attraction. The Ministers would not be happy if he displayed too soon.

If you like stories about strong mythical women and prefer a sensuous novel you should check out Prophecy of Vithan or you prefer your strong mythical woman to be HOT and Erotic you might enjoy Stone of Cruento. Both eBooks can be found at Cerridwen Press

Simply click on the the cover you prefer

And

This Novel-Tee tells it all. (You are under my spell. You will Read the Tee. Read the Tee)

If you are a writer or just like neat tees you can get this tee-shirt at www.cafepress.com/promoho.

A Serial Story

I blog sporadically. You've probably noticed.
I am always at a loss of what to blog about. So I end up blogging about Invisible Space Alien Vampires (see yesterday).
I decided to start a Serial. Whenever I blog I will write the next installment. This serial will be written off the cuff, so I have no idea where it will go. You will find out as I do. I will let the Characters write the story.

Now, since I wrote about cats yesterday, I decided to develop a story about a moon in the thirteen planet system called Dyad. If you have read Prophecy of Vithan and/or Stone of Cruento you know that there is a Twin Planet System in which there is two planets Dkr and Sonij encircled with thirteen moons. Each moon has its own ecosystem, its own type of inhabitant based on different animals and mythic creatures.

Dyad is a moon based on the lion. The Spirit is named Leana. She is a lion-headed woman holding an onyx staff. The heroine's name is Zna Menita. The hero's name is Lovac.
That is all I am going to tell you tonight. Stop by for the next installment tomorrow.


By the way, Lise Fuller of the DangerZoneAuthors.com blogged about
Guatemala - Land of Volcanoes. She says "“Sweat beaded my brow, but when the afternoon came, the torrents of rain chilled me to the bone…”
~ Lise Fuller, her journal of Guatemala Stop by and read the full blog.

If you haven't read Prophecy of Vithan or Stone of Cruento you can go here to purchase your copy. Simply click on the cover picture of the book you want to purchase.

Stone of Cruento

Stone of Cruento is my latest book. I don't have a cover yet. I don't have a release date yet.

However, you have an excerpt. It is unedited.

Stone of Cruento coming soon to Cerridwen Press

Claren sighed as she shifted from wolf to human. She had been able to catch some small animals as a wolf but she was not adept at hunting. Perhaps if she hunted with Daniel sometime she would learn the how-to of it. For now, it was a miserable success. She hated chewing through the fur and the skin to get to the blood that the vampire in her craved. She wanted to be back on Earth in a club where sophisticated girls offered their throats and bored men desired to be bitten by her. All she saw as she pounced on a skittering animal was scenes from animated movies of singing deer and prancing rabbits.
She had roamed quite a way from where Vion and Theesal were encamped. She was still craving blood so it was not safe to go back until she was sated. She found a spring of blood water flowing between some boulders and stopped to drink. She was tired of Cruento. She wanted to be back on Earth pre-vampire where all she had to worry about was what stylish suit to wear to work and how to avoid her boss’s groping hands.
Kneeling down Claren scooped some of the blood water to her mouth. She could see her reflection in the water. Taking another scoop, her reflection changed from her face to that of a tall thin man with an angular face and antennae coming out of his head.
“We think you should come with us,” the man said.
Claren looked around. She didn’t see anyone else.
“I’m just leaving. I stopped for a drink,” Claren said as she stood. She could shift into wolf form or mist if necessary. She took a step away from the man.
“No,” a second man appeared at the other side of her. “We think you should come with us.”
Claren focused on misting. Nothing happened. She tried to shift into wolf form. Nothing happened.
A third man shimmered out of the first man, like a Twilight Zone episode. “We have stopped you from doing anything that will keep you from coming with us. We think you should come with us.”
The third man touched Claren on the shoulder.
An electric sensation shot through her. Claren swayed, her vision getting blurry. She blinked trying to keep awake. Her eyes closed. She could feel herself falling. In the background she heard three voices speaking at the same time.
“This one is strong with power. She would have escaped if we had not blocked her powers. She will make a good queen.”

If you like what you read here, and you haven't read it already, you may like

Prophecy of Vithan also at Cerridwen Press.

Isaac Asimov Robotic Rules

One of the Kings of Science Fiction Isaac Asimov wrote three laws pertaining to robots.
The three laws are:


1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

As a writer of science fiction you have to be willing to build on the inventions and the universal laws written by other people.

For instance, if I am writing about a device that takes a person apart at the molecular level and then reassembles them at a different location I could go thru that description over and over again ad nauseum or I could use the term coined in the Star Trek series -- transporter.

So as I am wandering around the Internet looking for something to blog about, I found a beginning of a thought about Asimov's Robotic Laws pertaining to every day items.

Asimov Laws of Robotics Applied to Materials

As Isaac Asimov famous laws of Robotics prevent robots from harming humans, imagine some examples of intelligent stuff like:

* spill-proof coffee: don't worry about your lovely white suede couch, if you spill intelligent coffee on it, the coffee will never reach the suede, its intelligent nano molecules will sense the imminent fall and quickly solidify midair, so you can put it back in your microwave oven to liquefy again.
* intelligent bullets will recognize VIP people and disintegrate before hitting them. This bullet-proof condition may be made reversed, like you are not more the President, so now bullets can hit you

These are copied as they were written.

Taking it a bit further:

1. The wrapper of the hamburger you just bought has nanobots embedded in it and determines that you are too heavy, or that you have had your full allotment of fat, meat, cheese and carbs for the day. As you go to take a bit, the wrapper disintegrates the hamburger and recommends you purchase a salad.
2. Your chair has nanobots and determines that you have been sitting too long for good health. It dumps you gently on the floor then chases you around the room until it determines your heart rate is up to an appropriate healthy cardiac rate.
3. You go to the library and are about to check out a book. The nanobots of your library card read your current state of mind and determine that the book you have chosen is not appropriate at this time. You are lonely so you need to read a romance. Your brain synapses are not firing quickly enough so you need to read a science journal. You are angry at so you need to read a pleasant comforting story. etc.

Maybe we should simply leave the nanobots and the robotic laws in the science fiction genre.

Charlene Leatherman,

Prophecy of Vithan - adventurous romance with a science fiction background. Available at www.cerridwenpress.com

Why is blogging so $%^&*( Hard???

Blogging to me is a trial. A tribulation. Hard work. A Punishment.

Now that is really strange, cause I can write over one hundred sixty thousand words about worlds, heroines, heroes, villains, and monsters. I can write about sex. I can write about torment, joy, mourning, and birth. I can write about universes, space ships, sword fights, and brawls. I can write just about anything far out imaginary and beyond belief.

But writing a blog about ordinary things is next to impossible for me. I get to the blog screen and I am brain dead. If I were writing a novel it would be called writer's block.

But if you are interested in my worlds of wonder and imagination, then I will give you an excerpt of my novel Prophecy of Vithan which is available at www.cerridwenpress.com.

Morgan lowered her eyes to the phaser for only a second. She looked at Len, somber. She locked eyes with him. Her hands quietly in her lap. If Len shot, at this range, she'd be dead. If he moved his eyes away from hers, distracted for even a micro-second, she could knock the phaser off target. She might be wounded, but not dead. The crawler had made its way twenty feet toward the surface. She'd survive the fall. Her breathing receptacle needed filling. She wasn't breathing raggedly, yet. It would be close. The alternative would be to attack Len. She didn't want to attack him. It would be dangerous, exhausting and, well truth be told, she liked his kisses.
"So, is it?" Len asked again.
"What's funny," Morgan answered, not wavering from looking into Len's eyes, "Is Vespasian telling the Prots such a story. If I thought I could do it, I would kill Vespasian in a heartbeat. I had no reason to kill the King or the Queen. Why would I kill Khai? I killed two men and fought you to keep him alive. Does it make sense I would now try to kill him? I want Vespasian dead, more than you can imagine. However, he's too strong. His mental powers are too strong for me. I can't even keep him from touching me."
"You told the King you would rather see Khai dead than under the Regent's care."
"If I thought Khai would be under Vespasian's care and I could not stop it, yes, I would kill Khai to save him from destruction. But the kill would be fast and surgical. I wouldn't bother with killing Khai's friends, his bodyguards and Billy, my friend." Morgan inhaled raggedly. Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke. "Len, if you think I killed those people, shoot me. I'm tired of trying to fight this battle any more." Morgan lowered her head. Her disheveled black hair fell forward covering her eyes. Her shoulders shook with a sob.
"Morgan, I…" Len said softly. He let his hand holding the phaser drop slightly. He leaned toward her.
Morgan snatched the phaser from Len's hand. She swung and backhanded the Protector across the face. She swiveled inside the seat belt. Raising her leg, she planted her boot in the middle of Len's stomach. She pointed the phaser, still set to kill, at Len. "So, it is true, you killed -"
"I killed nobody, tonight. I don't like having a phaser pointed at me." Morgan pressed the phaser switch, turning off the gun. She opened the crawler window and tossed the phaser out. She kept Len at bay with her boot. "Vespasian killed the King and the Queen, and wounded himself. He's the one who killed Billy and the kids. I'd lay you odds on it. If you searched the area, you'd find molecular proof. He's too careful to leave any actual DNA around."
Len pushed against Morgan's boot.
Morgan pushed back, slamming him against the crawler door. "You have a choice. You can promise you will not fight with me and drive this thing to the surface, so we can find Khai. Or, we can fight and one of us will fall out of this thing. I notice your seat belt is not fastened. Even if you do push me out, I'll survive the fall. Will you? Humans seem very fragile. You've been unconscious twice this evening. Want to go for three?"

Don't Forget the First Annual Cerridwen Spring Giveaway is Underway

Are you ready to win an ebook reader?
Or downloads of fantastic romances, including a copy of Prophecy of Vithan?
Have you wanted to buy some romances from Cerridwen Press, but haven't got around to it.

Now all you have to do is participate in a scavenger hunt and you will be eligible to win downloads of romances from Cerridwen Press and an ebook reader.

Going on Right Now from March 1 through March 15 you will have the opportunity to hunt for a tree icon and for secret words. Go to www.charleneleatherman.com and check out the rules.

Be a winner in the First Annual Cerridwen Spring Giveaway.

Stone of Cruento

You've seen my cover of Prophecy of Vithan

Soon, you will be seeing Stone of Cruento

And I am working on Vials of Aquilonia.

All from http://www.cerridwenpress.com/

and all have women who

"Defeat the Villain, Destroy the Monster, Deliver the Hero and Never Break a Nail"

Charlene Leatherman, www.myspace.com/charleneleatherman, http://www.charleneleatherman.com/, http://www.charleneleatherman.blogspot.com/, and myriad other places on the net.

December, A New Year and Resolutions

Today is December 1. Can you believe it? This year as sped by and has crawled by.

I don't usually talk about personal things. I don't think the Internet is the place for personal things. But today I am going to write about my personal last year.

The year before, 2005, I made a resolution to write a book. On December 2006 I signed a contract with Ellora's Cave/Ceridwen Press for my first novel Prophecy of Vithan. For 2007 I have finished a second novel - Stone of Cruento and am starting a third novel - Vials of Aquilonia. My resolution is to finish Aquilonia and write oh, let's say two more books.

January 2006 I made a resolution to lose 50 pounds. I lost 50 and regained 40. I guess that is a 10 pound score for the resolution side. So, for 2007 I am resolving to lose those 50 pounds again and maybe lose another 50. (Yeah, I'm that big, but beautiful too)

In 2006 My quadriplegic husband started showing some improvement. Just this morning he started moving his paralyzed arm. He is eating two meals a day - where he had to have tube feedings last year. He has an electric wheelchair and we have a small hoist to put him in and out of the car so we can go places. 2007 resolution is to continue to work with him to get him improving even more.

In 2006 I had my first experience with blogs, websites, chats, and yahoo groups. I have 15 blogs. Just in trying to understand what I was doing, I over did. I also have 3 websites, or is it 4? In 2007 my resolution is to manage them all and to blog regularly instead of sporatically.

How many resolutions will I manage to keep? Who knows. The fun in resolutions is making them. The hard work is doing them. Maybe I will be able to keep one or two. Maybe none. But I had fun this year - granted life got in the way occaisionally - but I had fun anyway.

So I will make my resolutions. And break them. What resolutions are you planning on breaking this year??

Chance to Win a copy of Prophecy of Vithan

Chance to Win a copy of Prophecy of Vithan

Prophecy of Vithan is being featured on Stifle the Squeal . I am interviewed as well.
If you leave a comment on the blog you will be entered to win a copy of my novel Prophecy of Vithan.
Stop by and get your chance at winning.

Change of Season Change of Residence

I live in the desert. Desert Center California to be exact. My little burg is near the Mojave Desert, Death Valley and the Salton Sea. The seasons are changing here.

Summer is hot - up to 130 degrees. This summer it was not so hot - only 120 but the humidity was high 89%. When it is hot like that we stay under the swamp cooler or the air conditioner.

Two summers ago we had a hamster in a habitrail. We lost electricity for three days. We had the hamster in the habitrail in breezes. However we tried keeping it cool we still lost it.

So, we got another hamster. This time we have the hamster in the habitrail during the winter and an open wire cage during the summer.

Summer just ended. Yesterday our weather was 101. Today our high is 85.

Today was moving day for our hamster. This entails capturing the little critter. Putting Scritch (that is her name) in a walking ball and letting her wander around the house while the cat watches the moving ball. The cat does not hit at the ball nor chase it. She just follows it around hoping the lid will come off and she will get some fast food.

Then we unmercifully rearrange Scritch's enviornment. Her bedding is changed from cool shredded paper to cushiony and warm paper filler. We made the mistake one day of putting pine shavings in her cage. We found out the hard way that most hamsters are allergic to pine and cedar. So, now for winter she gets warm mushed up paper filler. Her air-flo bars are replaced by warmth holding plastic habitrail walls. Next step is finding Scritch in her walking ball and putting her in her new home.

She snuffs around and digs around and makes herself at home. Scritch thanks us for moving her to her winter home by hibernating most of the winter.

Me? I'm just the opposite. I enjoy the winter. It is envigerating. I get more done. I have more energy. I work out more. Its just nicer. I even write more. Which is a good thing.

I wonder if there is a place that is always just the right temperature? Just the weather? A place where I would always have energy? Of course if there was such a place, I'd never see my hamster. She would always be in her winter home hibernating.

Charlene Leatherman, Author of Adventruous Romances
Prophecy of Vithan available at Cerridwen Press

October is Guest Blog Month

October brings fall weather with its cooler temperatures. October also brings the beginning of holiday season with Halloween. October also for the first time ever brings GUEST BLOG MONTH.

The Goddesses of Storytelling will be blogging with our usual brilliance. We will also be hosting authors of all genres and from all over the Internet.
Authors from Ellora's Cave
from Cerridwen Press and authors associated with Pump Up Your Book Promotion will be blogging here during the month of October.

So roll in the autumn leaves, put on your halloween mask, and come on over to Goddesses of Storytelling for some fun, exciting and definitely diverting blogs.


Charlene Leatherman, Prophecy of Vithan, available at Cerridwen Press
Defeating the villain, destroying the monster, delivering the hero and never breaking a nail.

70 Books

I got my first royalty check today. I was dreading the knowledge of how many books I sold. I figured that no one would like my book - after all it was not main stream romance. It was adventure. It had a strong woman who saved the day instead of a man. It had almost no sex. It did have romance. But I really figured that no one would like it. But guess what? I sold 70 books. The best thing is this: (1) I only bought one of the 70 and (2) I don't have 70 friends and family that would have bought the book. So that means that 70 STRANGERS BOUGHT MY BOOK. Isn't that cool?

70 strangers who in a small measure have become my friends. Thanks to all my new friends.

To see what the excitement is all about visit Cerridwen Press and check out my book

Prophecy of Vithan

How Rare and Unique Are You/ Am I?

I took a test at Blog Things this morning. The test was called "How Rare is Your Personality?" Why did I take the test, other than needing something to blog about? Well, I went to the doctor yesterday. I am healthy and even healthier than most - why, you ask ( if you cared about my health) Well, you see where normal people have one of this and two of that, I have double of that. (No I am not going to give gruesome details.)
I joked with the doctor about being a mutant - his shocked expression and attempt at telling me that so many in thousands had the same condition was amusing. I told him I write Sci-fi. the doctor agreed in that case "Mutant" sounded better.
This morning when I realized that A BLOG MUST BE WRITTEN I looked at Blog Things and found the HOW Rare test.
Not only am I a mutant, but I am rare.
Here are the results of my test:
***Your Personality is Very Rare (INTP)***
Your personality type is goofy, imaginative, relaxed, and brilliant.
Only about 4% of all people have your personality, including 2% of all women and 6% of all men
You are Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving.

If you would like to know how are your personality is check out
How Rare Is Your Personality?http://www.blogthings.com/howrareisyourpersonalityquiz/

As far as the mutant thing, you're on your own.

Charlene Leatherman
Prophecy of Vithan available now at CerridwenPress
Defeat the Villain, Destroy the Monster, Deliver the Hero and Never Break A Nail

Master Plots

I have a book that I bought from Writer's Digest Book Club. The book is titled 20 Master Plots and how to build them by Ronald B. Tobias. It takes the classic plots of literature and breaks them down and tells you how to build a story using the same type of plot.
My problem is this:
My characters never want to follow a simple plot line.
Take Moby Dick for instance:
It is considered a pursuit plot. According to Mr. Tobias "The pursuit plot is the lieterary version of hide-and-seek." "One person chases another."
So, you have three phases of the chase - the stakes of the race, the pure chase, and the resolution of the chase.
Simple, huh?
Not for my characters. Oh no. No simple chase for them. There has to be the chase, and a traitor, and a pseudo-traitor (you know - the one you think is the traitor but really isn't), and then we have a monster who chases the chaser and the hero who chases the heroine and cathches her but not before she catches the monster who was chasing her while she was chasing the thing that the chase is all about.

Well, you get the idea.
I was once told that I have a convoluted, devious, and totally insane mind.
If you read Prophecy of Vithan available with Cerridwen Press You will see my mind at work. My current wip Stone of Cruento is even more convoluted, devious and totally insane. However, there is one difference. Stone of Cruento is going to be hot hot hot. So it will probably be offered through Ellora's Cave.
Now, how would you characterize a simple pursuit plot with lots of sex? Hmmmmm,

Anticipation

Anticipation is supposed to make what we are waiting for all the better.

When we were kids and our parents told us we were going to "Disneyland" or whatever the special kids place was at the time, we would be all a-twitter with ANTICIPATION. We couldn't sleep. We didn't want to eat or do homework or even play. We wanted the promised trip.

As adults, maybe our anticipation was based on a wedding, a promotion, a new car, kids, all sort of things. But the ANTICIPATION thing was still desiring for the THING to be completed.

That is where I am right now. My novel Prophecy of Vithan released in August. Now I know there have been some sales. The people who bought the book have told me. But I am now in the thrall of ANTICIPATION waiting for the report that tells me how many books total I have sold.
You see, if I have sold a lot, then that means that people like my book. If I sold only a few, then that means I have a few friends that bought my book out of pity.

I really really want to know. Do people like my book?

For a taste, (and if you like what you read, you can be one of my fans by buying my book hint hint) Here is an excerpt:

"God, I want to." Len whispered. "I want to be inside of you so bad I can taste it. Not simply to take care of the erection they gave me, I want to make you completely mine. I want to be part of you. I want to know you so completely, I finish your sentences."
Morgan struggled to get loose. Len held her easily. She strained against his hands. He was much stronger than she realized. Morgan glared at Len. Her heart pounded wildly, with his body on top of her. Every inch of her body touched him. Morgan wanted Len inside of her. She wanted to pummel him. She wanted to hold him. Morgan wanted to strangle Len. She tried to get her legs free, to kick him. Len shifted. Pinning her with his legs holding hers. Len's desire touched Morgan. She shivered. She tried to raise her hips to him.
"If you want to, then why not? Why -" Tears of frustration, of hurt threatened to spill down Morgan's cheeks. "I don't understand."
Len leaned down, his lips brushed against Morgan's lips.
Len cursed. "I can't stay on top of you like this. I'll mess up for sure. I'm going to let you go. Beat the crap out of me. Maybe it will kill the need I have for you."
Len let go of Morgan's wrists. He rolled off her. He lay flat on the floor, his arm covering his eyes in a defeated, exhausted manner. He grimaced as his sore back touched the wood. Len inhaled deeply. Morgan sat. She watched Len use his breathing and a healing technique to relax his body.
He's using healing techniques he learned from my father? Could he have been the familiar presence I sensed in the throne room?
"Mess up? What are you talking about?" Morgan asked.
"Anthes called me. I got the same information from my father, although he didn't realize it. If I have sex with you before the eclipse and before you do your warrior thing, the world will end. My father wants me to gain my power and to nullify you. Beat me, or kill me. Kill me would be better. Put me out of my misery. I will not have sex with you." Len paused. "I want you so bad."
Morgan crawled over to Len. She looked at the cameras and wondered what the watchers thought.
Len peeked from under his arm and followed her gaze.
"They're off. I finally agreed to come in here if they gave us some privacy. That's when they stopped beating me. Nathe promised the cameras would be off. I figured the only way I could refuse to screw you would be if they didn't know."
"You would deny yourself to save people you don't know?" Morgan said softly. She reached out to touch Len. Morgan withdrew her hand.
"I know, it's not the Protector thing to do…"
"Len, look at me." Morgan looked at the man beside her. Len lowered his arm. He winced as his back complained. "I have never been with a man who would forsake sex for anything. You are willing to sacrifice your pleasure," Morgan looked at Len's bruised face, "And your health to help others. I think it is wonderful. It makes me love you all the more."
"Love me? Did you say you love me?" Len asked.
"Yes. I assumed you knew." Morgan said.
"Why would I know? Do you know I love you?"
"I hoped. Do you, because so far all you've talked about is lust."
"Weren't you listening? I said -" Len started.
"Enough talk." Morgan bent her head over Len. She started coaxing Len out of relaxation.
"Stop that!" Len pushed Morgan away from him. "Didn't you hear what I said? Did they drug you or something?"
"They did. Mine was a pill. I didn't take it." Morgan crawled back to Len. She let her training take over. She came forward like a wild cat, slinking lazily toward him. Her eyes devoured him. Her mouth opened slightly. She licked her lips, promising more.
Len sat and pushed himself away from her. "Will you stop? You're driving me crazy."
"Good. I want you crazy for me." Morgan got on her knees. She swayed her hips in a large circle, undulating in front of Len. She smiled a wicked little smile. Morgan raised her arms over her head, drawing her fingers over her arm until one hand reached for the ceiling, the other hand touching her shoulder. The hand on her shoulder continued its movement over her breast, pausing a moment. She circled her fingers lightly around the nipple, making it stand erect. She licked her lips, watching Len squirm.
"Morgan…please."
Morgan dropped to all fours. She crawled over to Len. His back to the wall, his legs outstretched. She crawled over his legs, letting her breasts glide over his chest. Morgan came face to face with Len. She nibbled his neck. Her tongue flicked the outer edges of his ear. Len moaned. He inhaled raggedly trying to keep his composure.
Morgan put her mouth close to Len's ear. She blew gently. She knew the delicate hairs in Len's ear would respond to her breath by giving his shivers of delight. "Len," Morgan said with a husky whisper. "Anthes has the translation wrong. I don't have to be a virgin.


Charlene Leatherman, Prophecy of Vithan by Cerridwen Press,
released August 2, 2007
Defeating the villain, destroying the monster, delivering the hero, and never breaking a nail. www.charleneleatherman.com

Can you see me? I'm Dancing!

Can you see me? I'm drinking virtual champagne and eating virtual strawberries and dancing in the street.

Why?

My novel PROPHECY OF VITHAN is available to buy today. Yup, you can go to http://www.cerridwenpress.com and buy Prophecy of Vithan.

Today I have chatted and interviewed and watched my my head spin around and around. All because my book is now on sale.

Can you tell I am jazzed?

Here’s a look at Prophecy of Vithan, my August 2 release from Cerridwen Press!

Blurb:
Morgan doesn’t have time for marriage. She has to rescue the prince and save the galaxy. Len, the man she was forced to marry and her attraction to him, simply gets in the way. Morgan has to put aside her distrust and convince Len to help her rescue the boy she loves as a son.

Lead into to excerpt: Rated PG - 13

Excerpt:
"Going somewhere?" The man in white, Len Braxton, stood leaning against the door jam, arms crossed over his chest.
Morgan put her hand to her chest.
"Need alcohol." Morgan gasped. "Low blood alcohol level."
"Really? Hildai 37 zeta 845 beta delta 599 unit 2, what is Morgan's blood alcohol level?"
"I prefer Hildai, only. The rest is so pretentious." A mechanical voice said from inside Len's pocket.
"Answer the question, you annoying piece of junk."
"Ninety-eight percent."
"Does she need a drink?" Len asked.
"Only if she wants to forget you, you pompous ass." Hildai said. "Sorry, Morgan. He overwrote my programming."
"Where did you get her?" Morgan demanded.
"Your room. I met the technician there. Very clever getting him out of the way. I'm not clear how you shut down the shield without setting off the alarms."
"I know the codes." Morgan lied. "I'm an escaping Sonij slave. Quite a reward. Are you going to turn me in?"
"No. I'm not interested in rewards. Seems the Royals are having a dinner party tonight. Some bigwig coming and you're to be extra special pretty tonight.” Len looked Morgan up and down. For some reason, Morgan felt self-conscious in her jeans and leather jacket. “I came to escort you to the harem."
"Harem?" Morgan's throat constricted. She tried to keep the alarm out of her voice. She failed.
"Is this fear I see on your face? I thought all female Sonij slaves are comfortable in brothels or harems." Len said sarcastically.
Morgan swung at Len. He stepped out of reach and held his hands in surrender.
"I'm not fighting with you again. I have several badly bruised ribs to mend before I do. If you get nasty, I'll simply put you out." Len pulled a phaser from his pocket.
Morgan shrugged. "Get the med-tech to heal you. You have your disk, don't you?"
"The ribs will heal on their own. Besides, I don't have a disk."
"A Protector without a disk?" Morgan shook head in disbelief. "Tell you what. I'll be good. But,"
"OK," Len interrupted. "Let's go to the harem."
"But," Morgan continued, "First I want to check on Khai. I'm concerned about him."
"No. You were accused of trying to kill him."
"I was exonerated." Morgan said firmly.
"The answer is no. Let's go to the harem." Len said. He waved the phaser in the direction he wanted Morgan to go.
Morgan raised her fists. "Do you know anything about Sonij physiology? We are a strong race. Phaser shot does not affect us as it does others." Morgan lied. "When I reach you, I’ll hammer your ribs. I don't know much about human anatomy. Do the ribs house anything vital?"
"Okay, you win, but I stay with you and the boy at all times." Len agreed.
Morgan lowered her hands. "Call him and ask him to meet me in the armory workout area. I promised him a lesson."
"Call him? Why should I call him? You're linked to him."
"Only in emergencies." Morgan lied. She did not want this man to know she could not touch Khai's mind. "I prefer to give him his privacy."
"Cat told me she interrogated you. Any residual effects, like being unable to link with Khai?" Len asked.
"Unlike you Protectors, I will not invade someone's privacy."
Len looked at Morgan. She couldn't tell if he believed her or not.
"Back against the wall." Len motioned with the phaser. "I want to check for weapons."
"You know I don't have any weapons on me. You searched me before you put me in here."
Len motioned with the phaser again. Morgan sighed. She backed away from the Protector. She put her hands behind her head and spread her legs, her back against the wall. Len pocketed the phaser. He walked to Morgan. He put his hand behind her neck, searching for a knife. Morgan breath came a little quicker. Len stood slightly taller than she did. She could smell the cologne he wore. Len stood close enough for his cheek to brush hers. Morgan closed her eyes to keep from going cross-eyed. Fantasy images of her and Len drifted in her mind. Len edged himself between her legs, forcing her feet wider. Morgan, startled, opened her eyes. The Protector pinned her against the wall, holding her wrists against the back of her neck.
Len leaned in and kissed her on the mouth. Hard. Morgan struggled to get loose. Len tightened his grip on her arms. He kissed her again. Morgan's knees weakened after the second kiss. She wanted to wrap her arms around Len and keep him there. She felt desire rising in her. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Her mind swirled with emotion.
With his other hand, Len slipped a black collar around her throat. The collar snapped on.
Rage curled in Morgan's mind, pushing every other emotion. She wanted to scream. She let herself be caught by the mind control of a Protector, so he could put a slave collar on her. Morgan glared at Len.
Morgan saw the look in his eyes. The kiss affected him, too. Len looked visibly shaken. He swallowed and composed himself.
She shut off her emotions. She willed her eyes to blank. He's a Protector, she reminded herself. She wanted nothing to do with Protectors, especially this Protector. Her only concern must be Khai. She needed to talk to him. The broadsword lesson would be good cover.
Gaining control, Len grinned lewdly. He released Morgan and stepped out of punching and kicking range.
"I'm a slave." Morgan said, irritated with the man. "You're a freeman. You could have told me to put on the collar. You could have ordered me to kiss you, or fuck you. Was the kiss enough? Do you want to have sex? You can have me before the guest arrives. I am a Sonij slave. I am used to brothels and harems. Isn't that what you said? Well, Protector, do you want to fuck before I check on Khai, before I'm ordered to pleasure the guests?"
"Knock it off." Len said, angrily, coloring with embarrassment.


Get your copy of Prophecy of Vithan at www.cerridwenpress.com on August 2!

Charlene Leatherman, Prophecy of Vithan by Cerridwen Press, released August 2, 2007Defeating the villain, destroying the monster, delivering the hero, and never breaking a nail

Blog Monster

Today is my day to blog. Oh, and by the way, my novel Prophecy of Vithan is coming out August 2. For some reason, blogging is intimidating to me. Which is odd since I am a writer and deal with words. With words I create fantastical worlds filled with dragon people, centaurs, almost vampires, mermaids, shape-shifters, and always women who are strong and able and who would laugh at me if they knew I was trembling at the idea of typing a few words on a computer screen.
I can hear Morgan now. "Charlene, after all you have put me through, you are afraid of a blog? Where is it? Give my my broadsword, I'll make short work of it. What? That's it? A few digital dots?" Morgan sweeps her hand over the computer and knocks the dots onto the floor where they scurry around in confused circles. Deliberately, Morgan raises her booted foot and stomps and grinds them into the ground. She raises her face and looks at me. Her lavender eyes flash angrily, then she grins. "There, the Blog Monster is gone. Now get back to the computer and type."
For some reason, creating worlds and scenes is easier than writing something about the real world. But then, in my worlds, you can solve problems with a broadsword. Not in the real world. So I guess that is why it is harder to blog than to write.
Oh, did I mention that Prophecy of Vithan is coming out August 2? I am so excited.
Now, before Morgan stops grinning at me I better get back to the easy part - writing about other worlds and women like Morgan who are strong, resilient and able. Women who are able to defeat the villain, destroy the monster, deliver the hero, and never break a nail.
Morgan says she sometimes breaks a nail but has a good sense to have a manicure after she gets done bringing the villain to justice, getting rid of the monster, and of course the only hero for her is Len.
Did I tell you Prophecy of Vithan is coming out August 2? Oh, I did. Okay, then bye for now.