Hail Yeah!

It hailed for a few seconds yesterday.

I sat alone in my office, typing away at my laptop. I had the window blinds open to let in light without wasting electricity. The sky started growing darker and I heard the gentle patter of rain on the window. Within seconds the water was beating harder against the glass, getting louder and louder. Then it sounded like rocks were being poured on the roof. My husband yelled out from the next room, "It's hailing!" Before I could jump up to watch the show he called out, "Oh, it stopped already!" Too bad.

I love watching hail come down. It's the closest thing we get to snow in this area. I just wouldn't want to be outside when it was happening. Ouch!

Plagiarism Sucks

I read an article today about the overabundance of plagiarized stories on Amazon. These are books by self published authors, something I plan to be. An author, not a plagiarizer.

I was shocked. People were basically stealing short stories from message boards and simply putting their own names on them. Who does that? Jerks!

Thankfully some people discovered this was happening and reported the culprits.

This is exactly why I will not be publishing full stories as anything but a book. Sure, I will keep posting short stories here on my blog, but they are just writing exercises done in the spur of the moment, not in depth novels.

Pirate Fantasy, part 10

Carina sulked. She should be happy, she knew, but somehow the thought of being married to a pirate had excited her. Now she was married to a merchant? At least she was free of her "father".  It was a pity that her true father had been kept from her, a man who would have loved her, rather than seen her as a burden.

She watched her mother interact with John Lafitte and smiled. It was as if they were young sweethearts, both of them attentive to each other. Then she looked over at her new husband. She took a bite of delicate fish while she studied him. He was actually a fine looking man with his light brown hair and kind grey eyes. He smiled quite often, which was a pleasant change from the dreariness that had surrounded her at home.

"You have a beautiful smile," Edward commented.

"Thank you." She reached for another bite, but noticed she had finished her food.

"Would you stroll about the deck with me?" He stood and held out his hand.

She took it and followed him outside. It was a beautiful evening. The moon was bright and there were more stars than she had ever seen.

"Evenin', Eddie."

"Cookie, allow me to present Carina Lafitte, my wife."

"A right pleasure it is, Missus."

"Thank you. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Cookie? Did you happen make that magnificent feast we had tonight?"

The older man swelled with pride. "I did indeed, ma'am."

"It was the most delicious meal I have ever eaten. Thank you." She impulsively kissed his cheek.

"Aw, now, I'm just doing my job."

"And you do it so well," Edward replied, narrowing his eyes in mock jealousy as he steered his wife away from his friend.. "Have a good evening."

"You, too," Cookie said with a wink.

The newlyweds walked over to the railing. "So...you fear we will not suit?" Edward asked.

Pirate Fantasy Haiku

This poem was inspired by the pirate fantasy my heroine has.

stormy seas beckon
leading us to distant lands
adventure is nigh

Pirate Fantasy, part 9

Edward watched as Captain Lafitte stared at Carina and she stared back at him. A sparkle returned to the old man's eyes, something that had been lost for years.

"My daughter?" John touched her cheek. "I never even suspected."

Helene leaned against him with tears in her eyes. "I thought you had changed your mind about me, or that something had happened to your ship when you never returned."

"But I did--" he began.

"I know. My father told me years later on his death bed. He wanted forgiveness for giving me to Chester Hopewell. He saw how unhappy I was in my marriage and felt guilty. He honestly thought he was giving me a better life, but I would have been happier had we sailed away on your ship and never returned." She buried her face in his side and started to cry. "We've lost so much time."

"We are together now, my love. Nothing else matters." He held her tight. "For me it's as if no time has passed. I still love you as much I did then. I could never love another. I have been married to the sea."

Carina smiled through her own tears. "I am so happy to know my father was not that cruel man who cared only for money."

Edward took her hand. "Your true father is a good man. He took me in when I was a young boy living on the streets. He gave me a job and taught me how to take pride in my work. And now I am a successful merchant."

"A merchant? So you're not even a sailor? I thought I would at least get to travel." Carina pouted.

Edward laughed. "Not to worry, my dear. I do sail occasionally. John and I do some trading in other countries when the weather permits. But our main venture is a string of shops we own together."

"We are quite wealthy," John added with a wink.

The group sat down to dine on a seafood feast. Carina ate with abandon, explaining how she had dreamed of such delicacies for years.

"There is something you should be made aware of," Edward announced grimly. "Hopewell was behind the attacks on several trading ships, including His Majesty's own vessels."

"That is how I lost my arm," John whispered.

Helene touched his hand. "You are still just as handsome as ever, with or without that arm."

He brought her hand to his lips. "You honor me, my lady."

Edward continued. "There has been an ongoing investigation these past few years. That was the reason we were on the island."

"You are agents of the King, too?" Carina gasped. "Is there no end to your accomplishments?"

"It appears Hopewell made the right choice of husband after all, my daughter." Helene laughed. "Not that it was his intention."

"Even if it hadn't gone as planned, we would have found another way to save you."

"So why did you marry me? You could have had your crew simply hold a gun to my father, er, Hopewell, while we made our escape."

Edward blushed. "I suppose I could have done it that way, but the simple truth is... I wanted you."

Carina shook her head. "You didn't even know me!"

"I saw you from afar as we were entering the bay. There was something about you that drew me in. Maybe it was love at first sight."

Carina shrugged. "We shall see. Perhaps we won't be able to stand each other by the time we return to your home, wherever that may be."

"London."

"Of course. You are agents of the crown. Silly me. How exciting." Carina did not look excited at all.

Writing With Partners

I used to write with a partner years ago and it was an amazing experience! We both fueled each other, pushing us to write more, better, faster. We bounced ideas off each other and developed several projects together.

I miss that.

I need to find some writing groups and make some new connections.

Pirate Fantasy, part 8

Edward took a deep breath before knocking on his bride's door. The moment it opened he was momentarily speechless. Carina had changed into a sky blue gown that matched her eyes and he found himself drowning in them. "Ahem. Good evening, my lady."

"Sir?" She looked at him in confusion.

He smiled, realizing she might not recognize him without his disguise. "Forgive my earlier ruse and allow me to officially introduce myself. I am Edward Lafitte...your husband."

Her eyes went wide. "You are not a pirate?"

"Sorry. You seem disappointed." He held out his hand.

She took it and smiled shyly. "No, not at all. Well, maybe just a bit. I was hoping for a grand adventure."

"Speak for yourself, daughter."

Edward looked over at the maid in surprise. "Mrs. Hopewell?"

"Now I must beg your forgiveness," Carina clutched his hand between her own. "My father was a cruel man. I wanted my mother away from him. It was my idea to dress her like this."

"Oh, not to worry, my dear. She is most welcome. In fact she should join us for supper with the captain."

"Thank you, sir," Mrs. Hopewell replied.

"The captain? I thought you were the captain."

"Well, I am, though not officially. The captain is ill, so I have been running the ship in his stead."

Mrs. Hopewell removed her cap and apron and the three went to dinner.

Edward introduced his new bride. "Carina, may I introduce my captain and adopted father, John Lafitte."

Captain Lafitte stood and bowed, holding out his good hand. "A pleasure, my dear girl. Beautiful name. It was my mother's name." He squinted at her and looked sad for a moment. "You remind me of  someone I used to know. I loved her so." He looked down at the floor.

"John?" Mrs. Hopewell stepped forward.

Captain Lafitte looked up at the older woman. He shook his head. "It cannot be," he gasped. "Helene?" He held out his good arm.

She nodded and ran to him. "Oh, John! I tried not to let myself hope, but when I heard the name Lafitte I did wonder." She touched his cheek. "When my daughter came up with the plan to sneak me aboard, I jumped at the chance. At the very least it would take me away from my horrid husband."

"Yes, you married another. You didn't want me."

"I did! I did want you! My father kept us apart! All I wanted was you!"

"Why did you marry Hopewell?"

"Because of me." Carina whispered with tears in her eyes. She leaned back against Edward for support. He held her to him and stroked her arms gently, watching the exchange with fascination. It was clear to him what was going on. His captain had been telling the truth about his damsel in distress all along.

"John, I was forced to marry Hopewell. After my father sent you away I confessed to him that I was with child. Your child." She took his hand and placed it in Carina's. "Meet your daughter."