Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Tank's Wed upon a Christmas Eve, excerpt from Tarnished Stars, Pagosa Cliffs Series

 



Tank's Wed upon a Christmas Eve

 Watch it here >>> Tank's Wed Upon A Christmas Reading

Thomas stood fidgeting like a schoolboy. He hadn’t been this nervous since their first kiss or maybe since the NFL draft.

As the pianist and string quartet began playing soft wedding music, the bridesmaids paraded past the guests wearing identical green velvet gowns and carrying bouquets of evergreens and red poinsettias. They all looked very pretty but they were not the ones he wanted to see, he was waiting for the bride. His son walked toward him carrying imitation rings tied securely to a green velvet pillow. Thomas Jr. took his place next to his dad as best man, grinning like he was full of mischief and happiness.

The bridal march began, and everyone stood. The beading on her winter white velvet dress sparkled as she walked down the steps, carrying a bouquet of white poinsettias and flocked evergreens. Her fine cornrows had been woven with iridescent ribbons into a crown that was covered by the sheerest veil he had ever seen. The softly twinkling globe lights hanging all around created a magical atmosphere as she passed under the arched trellis and started toward him. The weather had held warm and the stars were bright over Texas tonight.

Irene had always wanted a Christmas Eve wedding, a real wedding and not the one at the courthouse, with only her seminary student brother and Thomas retired grandfather with them. She had been terrified Thomas would leave her when she told him she had gotten pregnant, but that had been the happiest day of his life until his son was born. He had sold his truck, bought an old Blazer; a carseat and a wedding set from a pawn shop. Tonight, was exactly what she wanted. It was the least he could do for the woman who had given him so much. She was his angel, and it seemed even more perfect that she looked like the angel on top of the tree in the living room.

His brother-in-law Isaac gave him a wink and started the ceremony with his best impression of the bishop from the Princess Bride movie.

“Mawiage iz wah bwingz uz togethew today.”

Thomas choked to keep from laughing as Irene’s expression changed to something akin to murder. She reached out and fisted the shoulder of Isaac’s preacher’s robe and pulled his face to hers. Amused chuckles and smothered giggles came from the audience and the bridal party. It echoed in the silence of their backyard as everyone heard her hushed threat.

“I will maim you, patch your corpse back together, and maim you again. Do you understand, little brother?” She then brushed his shoulder like she was dusting off the wrinkles she made before she took Thomas’s hand again.

Isaac cleared his throat as he stood back up, speaking very clearly. “Erherm. I mean, marriage is what brings us together today. A holy institution ordained by the Lord between a man and a woman, a joining of two souls. The history of marriage is a long and...”

“Skip to the end,” Thomas said loudly, and Irene elbowed him as the audience laughed again.

“Do you, Thomas Tanner, take Irene Bauman-Tanner to be your awfully wedded wife... again?”

“I do,” Thomas said quickly before Irene could scold her brother, who just kept going as if she wasn’t about to murder him in one of the many horrific ways that only a nurse would know.

“To love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer and to always eat her horrible cooking without complaint for as long as you both shall live?” The audience was really laughing now.

“I always do.” Thomas squeezed her hand to get her to look at him. When she glanced at him, all her outrage vanished as he kissed her knuckles.

Thomas Jr pulled on his pant-leg. “Naow, Dahdah?”

“Not yet, little guy. It’s Mommy’s turn,” Isaac told the toddler.

Thomas put his hand on T.J’s head and Irene smiled at their son, then answered Isaac’s questions with two quick ‘I do’s, never looking away from Thomas’ eyes.

Isaac intoned, “May I have the rings?”

Irene looked at her brother surprised and whispered, “Isaac, we aren’t doing that part.”

“Actually, Tank insisted.” Isaac grinned.

Thomas was holding T.J., who held out a red velvet box. They weren’t supposed to exchange rings, but Thomas has borrowed against his end of season bonus to buy her the ring he thought she deserved. A real princess cut diamond surrounded by a dozen smaller ones, to replace the simple solitaire and band he had bought from a pawn shop when they were struggling college students.

“Iz fur you, momma. ” T.J. announced to a chorus of ‘awws’ from the female guests. “Itz shiny like duh kissmaz tree. Hold out yur hand.”

Irene’s hand trembled as Thomas carefully slipped the new set on next to the old one, “With these rings, I thee wed, again and forever. I love you, Irene.”

“I luv you, momma,” T.J. added.

Irene opened and closed her mouth, tears of joy shined in her eyes as she looked at the two people who were her world. Finally, she said, “I love you, little man.” And kissed T.J. on his curls, then she smiled up at Thomas, “And I love you, big man.” She leaned forward to kiss him only to have her brother put his hand between her face and Thomas’.

“Sis, we haven’t gotten to that part yet.” The audience snickered as Thomas put T.J. down and Irene glared at her brother.

Isaac cleared his throat and announced loudly, “What the Lord in his infinite capacity for love and humor has joined together for...”

“Say, man and wife,” Thomas interrupted.

“Man and wife, you may kiss your bride.” Isaac grinned.

Thomas pulled Irene into his arms and kissed her like no one was watching. Most clapped and cheered, but there were also catcalls and shouts to ‘get a room’ as the music started to play again.

Everyone but Isaac had left by 9:30 PM. As a diligent uncle, he insisted on reading T.J., ‘The Night Before Christmas’ story. Both Grandma Bauman and Pappy Tanner had retired for the evening. It was almost midnight when Thomas finished carrying in the presents and Irene carefully arranged them around the tree. He stood looking up at the angel.

“I think you wore it better,” He said.

She looked at him, “What?”

“Dressing as an angel on Christmas Eve, I think you wore it better. ” He smiled as her arms circled his waist, her lips were soft against his chin, so he tipped his head down and kissed her deeply.

“You need to get to bed, Thomas, you have a game tomorrow.” Irene chided and tried to step away, but he held her firmly.

“Not just yet, my angel.” He murmured as his lips followed the path of her robe, slowly sliding off her body.

“Thomas, what about our guest?” she panted breathlessly.

“They are all asleep, ” he murmured against her skin, then he treated her with the adoration he always felt when they made love. She was his one and only, forever and ever, till death parted them.


To read more from Pagosa Cliffs 

Red Velvet and Anemones  by M. M.  Ward 

Divorced six weeks before Christmas, wedding cake artist Milli Velvet Haywood left her busy life in Vegas behind for the small town resort community of Pagosa Cliffs, Colorado. 

Red Velvet and Anemones

https://amazon.com/dp/B08CF33YGH/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_aKb4FbJNEZ01R via 

@amazon



Merry Christmas to All! Be Blessed and may your holidays be better, Mama Magie


Monday, December 21, 2020

New Release: A Huntsman's Honor, The Huntsman of Adamos Book 1

 

I did it! 

Two book releases in one month! 

Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Yule, and Merry Christmas to us all!








A
Huntsman's 

Honor
The Huntsman of Adamos Book 1
Relic of Time and Shadows War Prequel
By M.M. Ward


 

Lord Yurieth was the firstborn of the House of Adamos. Birthed in the Pools of Destiny changed his fate and his magic. His only hope to gain honor would be to prove his destiny as a huntsman would be greater than any oracle, mage, or warrior.

A destiny that would take him from the forest his family’s holdings to the battlefields of another world. It would cost him his innocence, his friends, his marriage, his children, and almost his soul. Through it all, his honor will be his greatest burden.

 

 

Dedicated to Ruthie, Mara, and Jenn

These are the stories I started with my daughters when I was learning to read, write, and speak again. I had a stroke. I should have died, but I didn’t, and every extra day with them is a blessing. I am grateful for the time I have been given.


 

 

Chapter 1


High Lord Adamos, the fourth in fifty thousand years to bear the name of his house, carried his beloved Yllumina as she struggled in childbirth. She was the last Oracle of the High House of Yophriel, and possibly the only surviving priestess oracle. The Temples of Light were falling to a stealth attack by their enemies, the Xelusian Umbracruor. Only the warriors of Adamos and Yophriel had answered the distress call of the temple, but the small houses and the token temple guards were no match for the savage Berserker warriors of the Umbracruor. The battle for the temple raged as the armies of the twin kingdoms waged a war for the ability to see the future. 

Adamos' uncle, the Guardian Ambros of the House of Adamos, and Yllumina’s brother, the Guardian Yuriah of Yophriel had ordered him to take Yllumina and flee through the Vault of Relics as they faced hopeless odds. The pair of Guardians fought to give Adamos and his allies, the Mage Lord Ouray of Odini and his nephew the Oracle Novice Odini the fifth of the House of Odini, the precious time to carry Adamos' in-labor sealed one to safety. The Mage Ouray had cast a spell to blow up the entrance to the escape tunnel and the Vault of Ancients. The ceiling behind them thundered down and sealed them.

Suddenly Yllumina screamed, “No!” Sobbing, she choked out, “Yuriah is dead... forever dead... Berserkers and Umbracruor are taking his blood.”

Suddenly, she gritted her teeth and growled out in an animistic sound between her panted breaths. “They're coming... Adamos! The twins, they're coming... I have to push... I cannot wait any longer.”

“Adamos, come in here. There's water for her to birth in,” Called their apprentice, the young Oracle Odini, who waved his hand, so oracle light appeared in the torch crystals. “Quickly, put her in.”

“The Pools of Destiny? Are you mad?” His father Ouray exclaimed, “It's blasphemy.”

“We have no choice. The waters possess healing properties, and we cannot lose the last of the Yophriel Oracles,” Odini shouted at his father then he bowed his head, with tears dripping down his face. “I’m sorry, Father. I can feel... the other oracles are all dead.”

A rumble echoed from high above them. The cavern vibrated with the magic of war detonating on the surface.

“They’re trying to get in,” Ouray worried aloud, “We need to hurry.”

Adamos looked down at Yllumina, who was panting in his arms, “My beloved?”

She unclasped his cloak, letting it fall on the floor behind him. “My lord, I do not know what the waters will do to our sons, but Odini speaks the truth about the healing power. Our sons and I will live, however, the magic of the Pools of Destiny is unpredictable. It affects each person who bathes in it differently. What it will do... to a newborn... I can... I cannot... Say!” Her voice rose and fell, then she screamed out the last words as another contraction racked her body. 

Without hesitation, Adamos carried his wife into the sacred waters, which began glowing and swirling in the colors of magic around them. Tendril wisps of white, blue, gold, red, and green curled around them. Yllumina sagged in relief as the birthing pain waned. 

“He's coming!” she gasped as she clung to Adamos. she bucked her feet out of his arms as her back arched impossibly, while Adamos struggled, kicking violently to keep them afloat after the floor of the pool dissolved from underneath his feet. He had no choice but to tread water as he held onto his beloved.

“Help us!” Adamos called out as the water swirled healing gold, oracle white, and brilliant green. 

“Stop!” Ouray shouted too late to halt Odini, who rushed in to aid Adamos. “Odini! NO!”

A wave pushed the youth away from the struggling couple and sucked him under in a whirlpool of magical water. Lightning flashed through the water and suddenly Odini surfaced in a different pool, choking and coughing as he clawed at the edge. “Help! Father, I can’t get out.” The water held him like quicksand.

“Odini.” Ouray ran to aid his son. Kneeling on the edge, Ouray reached out to Odini but drew back when Odini looked up at his father through eyes that glowed with swirls of magic. “What is... happening... to me?” the young Oracle gasped raggedly. 

Ouray could do nothing to help him beyond holding the shoulder of his tunic. “Your magic is changing, don't fight it. Just let it happen. Breathe, son.” 

Suddenly, Odini was pulled under again and Ouray leaped into the water only to find that it had solidified into an invisible layer like ice between him and his son. The sacred waters swirled the white of the Oracles, but also the brilliant blue of Warriors and the molten red of Mages. As the father knelt on the top of the barrier, the son thrashed beneath.

Yllumina's scream echoed through the cavern then she curled to pull her firstborn son from her heaving birth canal. A baby cried in answer. Tearing his eyes from his son, Ouray saw a baby floating on a swirl of green and white glowing water. The baby boy seemed content to let the water cradle him and cooed as he kicked his legs. 

Beyond the child, Adamos and Yllumina struggled through the birth of their second son. A burst of blueish magical water lifted the baby into his mother's arms, and she cried in relief as she stood up in waist-deep golden and white water. “Sons... we have sons, Adamos... Adamos?”

Suddenly, Adamos was gone and the water boiled with the white magic of the oracles, blue of the warriors, and blazed with molten red streaks of mage magic. Yllumina staggered to the edge. She laid her second son on the stone edging before wading to where her firstborn floated in the glowing green and white waters. The child cried when she lifted him from the water, only quieting when she laid him with his brother. 

Turning back to the pools, she looked desperately for her husband. The water swirled around her and a single oracle stone floated to the surface in front of her. A finger of water flicked it out of the pool and onto her firstborn's chest over his heart.

“Thank the Light!” She cried in relief that her eldest son's destiny had not been taken from him. 

“Yllumina, help us!” Ouray begged, drawing her attention from her newborns as she wrapped them in Adamos’ cloak.

 She glowed more brilliantly than Ouray had ever seen any oracle glow. “Release them!” The power of her demand caused the pools to rush up and overflow. Adamos surfaced next to his wife and sons. 

Ouray felt the strange surface crack like ice on a lake then he fell into the water with his son. He grabbed Odini, shocked to see his youngest child’s hair had changed from the family's auburn color to raven black. Odini’s eyes still glowed like he was having a vision.

Pulling him from the water, Ouray demanded, “Odini, what is it? What did you see?” 

Odini shook his head as he inhaled and coughed. “He... they... Everyone dies. Everyone everywhere... We have to stop it!” The one-hundred-eighty-year-old curled into a ball against his father’s chest and sobbed inconsolably.

Another concussion shook the chamber as rocks began falling into the pools. Several of the feathered serpents who lived in the caverns with the Sacred Pools, dropped into the waters from their burrows and began swimming as the waters drained away. Yllumina quickly wrapped the infants in Adamos’ abandoned cloak.

“We must go now!” Adamos shouted, lifting his wife and both his sons into his arms as Yllumina clutched the newborns to her chest.

He felt stronger than he ever had. His magic had been changed, he was no longer just an oracle. He could feel the strength and speed of Warrior's magic flowing through his veins and the power of the Mages burning in his bones. He was the third born and could have been born a Guardian if his Uncle Ambros had not still lived, instead he had been born an oracle, but now he was neither and both and something else. He strode through the tunnels with new confidence and purpose.

The pools had shown him a vision. In a century more than a thousand years, his youngest son would be born to be the greatest guardian of many generations, a Guardian of Guardians, and a Light Bringer like his mother. At the end of the age, when the War Oracle with his grandson, the King of the Sacred Blue Flame, led the Remnant against all the powers of the Darkness, his youngest son would lead the Warriors of the Celestial Veil in the battle against the Devourer and all that was profane. But for now, Adamos needed to make sure his newborn sons survived long enough to aid their younger brother to be born after this war ended.

Yllumina looked up at him, Her golden-amber eyes reminded him of every beautiful dawn, as she studied him. “You saw?”

“For how long have you carried the burden of our family legacy?”

She looked at her sons. “Since my first vision at eighty-two, I have known our houses would be the last to stand against the Devourer with the grandsons of the Odini.”

“For almost two thousand years... You did not have to carry the burden alone,” Whispering, he pressed a kiss into her temple.

“It was not your vision or your burden to bear.”

“We will not fail them. We will give them all they need to correct our ancestors' mistakes,” Adamos vowed.

Still carrying her, he walked out of the tunnel and into the forest of the Northlands. They were only a few fields from the territory of his family’s holdings and their escape ship. Adamos and his Uncle Ambros had already decided that they needed to hide for a time, the attack was the perfect excuse to disappear with their children. They worried the King would allow this attack as punishment for not turning over the ancient relics of the First People and they were right.


On Amazon 
A Huntsman's Honor


Book 1 A Huntsman's Honor 
Book 2 A Huntsman's Heart
Book 3 A Huntsman's Hatred
Book 4 A Huntsman's Horror

Reading of 'Christmas Eve with the Eloh' from Ghost with Cats

 



Ghost with Cats

by M.M. Ward 

 

Dr. Anneliese ‘Annie’ Winters-Dove isn't your usual semi-reclusive ghostwriter with PTSD and cats, in fact she’s never actually owned a cat. They just find her as she struggles to live within her rules. But her rules aren’t enough when the ghosts of Christmas Past come back and bring trouble. This December's trouble started with her dead parent's experimental energy research, Project Pandora, almost a decade ago. The holidays are supposed to be a time to remember when life was simple and happy, right?  Not for Annie, and her rules don’t apply to being on the run with three aliens from Omni-Energy Mercenaries, or do they?

 


  


Available on Amazon Kindle and for Print On Demand 


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P3M9FH8/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_rvfWFbT9FK4A4 via @amazon

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

NaNo and CoVi19 in 2020




I did not finish #NaNoWriMo2020 I only got about 35K.
I fell into the Editing Rabbit Hole with my inner Grumpy Goat Editor chewing through 444 pages multiple times while having CoVi19...
Hubby caught it from an asymptomatic paint-rep coworker who developed symptoms after we did, then sadly, passed away. We always wore our masks and isolated ourselves and got tested the day eldest showed symptoms. She then I got it from Hubby Bear. Hubby and youngest were symptom-free except the taste thing and 4-day headache, eldest and I were not so lucky. Coughing, fevers, weakness, and a ten-day migraine sucked.  Believe me people, you don't want it! My lungs still hurt and two weeks  eating food without flavor or smell is not fun. 

Asymptomatic Guy gave it to dozens, we shared it with no one.
Wear your mask, if not for yourself, then for the people around you.