Sanctuary 6: The Journal of Sanctuary One - Announcement

I have had more than a few of my wonderful readers contact me regarding the disappearance of Sanctuary 6 which was due to be released on the Silver site on Saturday...<br /><br />DON'T WORRY! The book will still be available on Saturday... I have it here to post onto my own sales site... I will link everyone to the new site as soon as it is live which will DEFINITELY be Saturday...<br /><br />For anyone who pre-ordered it from Silver the order will be filled as you would have expected.<br /><br />NEW COVER ART COMING SOON...<br /><br /><b>Hugs you all and thanks you for your patience...</b><br /><br />RJ XXX<br /><br /><b>EXCERPT</b><br />"You're thinking about Sean aren't you?" Kayden commented with his uncanny perception as to what the hell was in Jake's head at any given point. Adopted brother he may be but Kayden still had a freaky connection to Jake's thoughts.<br /><br />"No," Jake lied. <br /><br />"Liar. Manny got a hit on him in Albany, but he didn't get any further than notice that Sean was accessing bank accounts. Oh, and he used the access to follow a money trail for Sean and it's not looking good. Regular deposits from two sources, one we can link to the Bullens directly." <br /><br />Every tiny hope that Jake had about Sean being redeemable died at that moment. So Sean had been paid for information. Sean had also disappeared. On a hijacked prison transport he had been released and literally gone to ground to God knows where. Damn good at his job, he had even evaded the normally infallible Manny. Jake concentrated on the road for a second as it forked, and he took the left that led him higher into the mountain. <br /><br />"Sean is still a person of interest," Jake confirmed. Like Kayden or Manny or anyone at Sanctuary would think otherwise. The bastard had made friends with everyone, come across as the consummate FBI guy with a smile that lit up the room and a brain that would not quit. He'd come into Jake's life and turned it upside down and then without a second thought betrayed every single one of them. Why did thinking that in black and white hurt so much? <br /><br />"You going to be okay up there on your own?" Kayden said. He was evidently moving away from the Sean situation and focusing on Jake. Jake was more than happy with that. <br /><br />"More food than I need, a generator with a month's fuel, books, the internet, the comms room for work, TV, a spa bath, and a steam shower? I'll manage." <br /><br />Kayden groaned. The cabin may well be old but it was luxurious and relaxing. "Promise me one thing, Jake?" <br /><br />Great. Kayden was using his 'I'm your brother and I love you and you worry me' voice. <br /><br />"What?" Jake said. He knew exactly what Kayden was going to say and already Jake had his defenses up. Kayden was going to go on about not working, and sleeping, and eating right, and all the other shit that he threw at Jake when he was worried. Jake hated when Kayden got his doctor's hat on. <br /><br />"Have at least an hour a day when you don't think about work?" <br /><br />Jake was a little startled by the soft tone. He and Kayden were close but his brother was usually more telling than pleading. Clearly Beckett was having a softening effect on him. <br /><br />"I will." Jake could promise that easily. After all he had to sleep. And not all of his dreams revolved around Sanctuary. Some of them, the ones he pretended he didn't have, were about Sean.<br /><b><br /></b><b>WATCH THIS SPACE</b>

Sanctuary 6: The Journal of Sanctuary One - Announcement

I have had more than a few of my wonderful readers contact me regarding the disappearance of Sanctuary 6 which was due to be released on the...

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Silver: December Promo Scavenger Hunt With Free Holiday Story Book Give Away and Site Wide Discount Code Scramble

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwWEoZJ0etglzuJ4_uy-PbzslTwm91pnfmrnx2Z_ZtUv-v_6PqYeN-g01E_kkCKasOfk0K3CQbJaMDthZeRN1PKURa_1cDkZCOsMVP66Bw6LdU0JvGrGpJC4IAYJD_K5n_ByDa_7u4dQ/s1600/Blog_Badge.jpg" /></div><br /><b>News from Silver Publishing</b><br /><br />Happy holidays! Silver Publishing wants to give our fans more than 60 chances to win either a free Holiday Story from our 25 Days of Christmas Releases or for a lucky random five 20% off codes! And if you are really dedicated there is a Word Scramble included that will provide a discount for titles purchased during the last week of December! <br /><br />To make it even more exciting, the authors participating may offer new and interesting content or contests of their own to help distract from the frantic pace of the holidays. <br /><br />So, how does it work? <br /><br />In a nutshell: Find all the snowflakes every day, email us at <a href="mailto:promotions@spsilverpublishing.com">promotions@spsilverpublishing.com</a> with the author name/date for each snowflake you find, check our blog daily to see if you won and then use the pertinent snowflakes to spell out an additional discount code to use at the end of the month.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-za2w_X7w1YU/UKsjfws7ivI/AAAAAAAAE7o/5h_D5N-DVi4/s1600/flake12_Y_150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-za2w_X7w1YU/UKsjfws7ivI/AAAAAAAAE7o/5h_D5N-DVi4/s1600/flake12_Y_150.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Example Image</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Not in a nutshell: Participants go to the following blogs every day in December and find the hidden snowflakes. There will be at least two, sometimes three snowflakes to be found among the list of facebook/blogs/websites below for our authors. The snowflake will look like a variation of the image to the left<br /><br /><b>Find them all for the maximum amount of chances to win. </b><br /><br />Once you find the snowflake, note the letter, number or character as well as the numerical indicator (if present) on the snowflake for the scramble. The numbered snowflakes will line up to spell out your discount code. <br /><br />Email us at promotions@silverpublishing.com with the name of the blog/website where the snowflakes were hidden on that date. <br /><br /><br /><a name="more"></a>Important email format: Please put only the name of one author and the date in your subject line - for maximum chances to win, each snowflake/author found should be its own email for an increased daily chance to win. <br /><br />If your email subject line includes the correct answer you will be entered into a random drawing to win the Christmas Release for the day you found the snowflake. There will be at least 2 winners per day; five days there will be 3 winners. <br /><br />Winners will be notified in our new BLOG here: <a href="http://bit.ly/Wi7uyq">http://bit.ly/Wi7uyq</a> = (bookmark this link so that you can check back each day.) If you are the winner for that day, email us with your email address and format desired to <a href="mailto:promotions@silverpublishing.com">promotions@silverpublishing.com</a> so that we can get your prize to you quickly.<br /><br />Helpful hints: Some authors will have more than one snowflake during the event. But authors will only post one snowflake per day so search them all every day. Don’t leave any out for maximum chances to win.<br /><br />Once you have found all the snowflakes, line up the letters, characters and numbers based on the numerical indicator (when present) to spell out our Holiday message and receive a discount code that will be active from Dec 25 – 31st.<br /><br />Not every participating author has a Holiday release but you’ll want to collect the snowflake on their site for another chance to win the story being released that day. And…they might have one of the five valuable discount snowflakes we’ve hidden with your chance to win that day.<br /><br />If the authors are running additional contests, take advantage for additional ways to win throughout the month.<br /><br />Here is your list and GOOD LUCK!<br /><br />R.J. Scott <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/UMshK8">http://bit.ly/UMshK8</a><br /><br /><br />Meredith Russell<br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/QPvCae">http://bit.ly/QPvCae</a><br /><br /><br />Lisa Worrall <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/RKzzKe">http://bit.ly/RKzzKe</a><br /><br />Trillium <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/Uyvhnv">http://bit.ly/Uyvhnv</a><br /><br />Jessica E. Subject <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/XQIgaW">http://bit.ly/XQIgaW</a><br /><br />RC Bonitz <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/T3dRjD">http://bit.ly/T3dRjD</a><br /><br />Lexi Ander <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/TQylNf">http://bit.ly/TQylNf</a><br /><br />Sarah Bella <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/Q2OBwD">http://bit.ly/Q2OBwD</a><br /><br />William Cooper <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/Q1QWb8">http://bit.ly/Q1QWb8</a><br /><br />D. McEntire <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/U0T8Ow">http://bit.ly/U0T8Ow</a><br /><br />T. C. Archer <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/ZPeanw">http://bit.ly/ZPeanw</a><br /><br />Tarah Scott <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/S5NQ3S">http://bit.ly/S5NQ3S</a><br /><br />The Mischief Corner <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/WjBZnv">http://bit.ly/WjBZnv</a><br /><br />Lily Harlem <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/T8sdSe">http://bit.ly/T8sdSe</a><br /><br />Maria MoonStar <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/U0QJDC">http://bit.ly/U0QJDC</a><br /><br />S.A. Garcia <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/Q1RgXj">http://bit.ly/Q1RgXj</a><br /><br />Marie Ashley <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/QlHvVl">http://bit.ly/QlHvVl</a><br /><br />Eve Tesoro <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/RKyiCQ">http://bit.ly/RKyiCQ</a><br /><br />Silver Blog <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/Wi7uyq">http://bit.ly/Wi7uyq</a><br /><br />Scarlet Blackwell - author of Homeless at Christmas <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/105J6z4">http://bit.ly/105J6z4</a><br /><br />NJ Neilsen - author of A Moon-Runner Christmas<br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/T8ETth">http://bit.ly/T8ETth</a><br /><br />TN Tarrant - author of A Not So Straight Christmas<br />Link: <a href="http://on.fb.me/U72w5h">http://on.fb.me/U72w5h</a><br /><br />Karly Maddison - author of A Puppy for Christmas<br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/T8rHDE">http://bit.ly/T8rHDE</a><br /><br />Toni Griffin - author of A Very Holland Christmas<br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/QPwBXG">http://bit.ly/QPwBXG</a><br /><br />Cheyenne Meadows - author of Christmas with Mesa<br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/ZPfDKx">http://bit.ly/ZPfDKx</a><br /><br />Heidi Lynn Anderson - author of Christmas Longing<br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/U0Rnkq">http://bit.ly/U0Rnkq</a><br /><br />LM Brown - author of Someone Like You <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/UMtXnb">http://bit.ly/UMtXnb</a><br /><br />Vicktor Alexander - author of Chocolate Vanilla Swirl <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/RKyO3J">http://bit.ly/RKyO3J</a><br /><br />Jannie Lund - author of Clear as Glass <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/SCpA7T">http://bit.ly/SCpA7T</a><br /><br />Piper Whitney - author of Fractured Heart<br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/T4jzlg">http://bit.ly/T4jzlg</a><br /><br />Nicole Dennis - author of 7 Days of Christmas <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/SW7Rc6">http://bit.ly/SW7Rc6</a><br /><br />Kim Fielding - author of Joys R Us <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/105Kz8z">http://bit.ly/105Kz8z</a><br /><br />Silvia Violet - author of Needing a Little Christmas <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/XmrQIb">http://bit.ly/XmrQIb</a><br /><br />Elyzabeth M. VaLey - author of Punishing Santa <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/T8ECGK">http://bit.ly/T8ECGK</a><br /><br />Freddy MacKay - author of Snowed <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/UMqEfI">http://bit.ly/UMqEfI</a><br /><br />Annabelle Jacobs - author of Snowflakes and Strangers <br />Link:<a href="http://bit.ly/S23OxE" target="_blank"> http://bit.ly/S23OxE</a><br /><br />Pelaam - author of Christmas Magic <br />Link: <a href="http://on.fb.me/Wjy5Lw">http://on.fb.me/Wjy5Lw</a><br /><br />Rebecca Leigh - author of The Angel's Fall <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/ZP8wBK">http://bit.ly/ZP8wBK</a><br /><br />N Phillips - author of The Christmas Mix Up<br />Link: <a href="http://on.fb.me/108x33S">http://on.fb.me/108x33S</a><br /><br />Grace Roselyn - author of The Treasure of Christmas<br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/QlEWCG">http://bit.ly/QlEWCG</a><br /><br />Ellen Heights - author of Three Men and a Christmas Goddess <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/XokyDJ">http://bit.ly/XokyDJ</a><br /><br />Mathilde Watson:<br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/U73dvb">http://bit.ly/U73dvb</a><br /><br />Andi Anderson<br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/QQzKGO">http://bit.ly/QQzKGO</a><br /><br />Lillian Frances - author of When Love Flue In <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/T8EYNw">http://bit.ly/T8EYNw</a><br /><br />Azura Ice - author of Wrapped Around Your Handlebars <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/TQx5tz">http://bit.ly/TQx5tz</a><br /><br />Ashlynn Monroe - author of A Most Unexpected Gift <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/UMrwRz">http://bit.ly/UMrwRz</a><br /><br />SJD Peterson <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/TKh8mv">http://bit.ly/TKh8mv</a><br /><br />EM Lynley <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/QlFDMi">http://bit.ly/QlFDMi</a><br /><br />Gregg A. Endless <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/SUVXPH">http://bit.ly/SUVXPH</a><br /><br />Elinor Gray <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/Xmt06v">http://bit.ly/Xmt06v</a><br /><br />Emma Paul <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/Jt6lLH">http://bit.ly/Jt6lLH</a><br /><br />Caitlin Ricci <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/T8FWt6">http://bit.ly/T8FWt6</a><br /><br />Vona Logan <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/U737nB">http://bit.ly/U737nB</a><br /><br />M.A. Stacie <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/S25gA1">http://bit.ly/S25gA1</a><br /><br />Dawn H. Hawkes <br />Link: <a href="http://bit.ly/SUWfpG">http://bit.ly/SUWfpG</a><br /><br /><br /><br />

Silver: December Promo Scavenger Hunt With Free Holiday Story Book Give Away and Site Wide Discount Code Scramble

News from Silver Publishing Happy holidays! Silver Publishing wants to give our fans more than 60 chances to win either a free Holiday Story...

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The Christmas Throwaway New Cover Art

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_dVX0YNkh6CH2wbGtfVJhy_41Iaq8MKvwEx4zNQrx5koqH-QXVEQY3PFMrsuwsMqbu5DC1IIYhWJTR62AZGHzroZm_95Gnr4_NSRGABCyItvY3t0YH5jwjPybgdziCl8zOMQFJmFEtw/s1600/TCT4x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_dVX0YNkh6CH2wbGtfVJhy_41Iaq8MKvwEx4zNQrx5koqH-QXVEQY3PFMrsuwsMqbu5DC1IIYhWJTR62AZGHzroZm_95Gnr4_NSRGABCyItvY3t0YH5jwjPybgdziCl8zOMQFJmFEtw/s400/TCT4x6.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><i>Christmas is a time for giving - what do you do when no one gives a damn?</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Buy Links to follow...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">For Zachary Weston Christmas means sleeping on a churchyard bench in the freezing snow with nothing better in his future. Thrown out of his home for being gay, he is left without money or, it seems, anywhere to go.</span></div><br />Until a stranger shows him that some people do give a lot more than a damn.<br /><br />Ben Hamilton is a rookie cop in his small home town. He finds a young throwaway, fresh from the city, sleeping on a bench in the churchyard on a snowy Christmas Eve. Can he be the one to give Zachary his own Christmas miracle?<br /><div><a name="more"></a></div><div>*****</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Reviews for The Christmas Throwaway</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=1451" target="_blank">Hearts on Fire Reviews</a> This book surpasses even my favorite R.J. Scott book Oracle. Anyone interested in The Trevor Project needs to read this amazing and heart warming book of love, acceptance and compassion. I whole heartedly recommend this book to everyone you won’t be disappointed.<br /><div><br /></div><a href="http://qmobooks.com/index.php/component/content/article/15153-the-christmas-throwaway-by-rj-scott" target="_blank">Queer Magazine Online Reviews</a> <i>The Christmas Throwaway</i> is a charming, heartwarming love story about second chances, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of a loving, supportive family. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a sweet story which will not only leave you feeling good, but will also remind you to count your blessings.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/2010/12/13/the-christmas-throwaway/" target="_blank">Jessewave Reviews</a> The Christmas Throwaway touched me, not because Zach was homeless at 17 and had been thrown out of his home by his father one week before Christmas, but his character was so vulnerable and innocent that it would take a much harder heart than mine to resist him. However, this book is a dichotomy. It’s so sweet in some parts but quite harsh and realistic in others. Two years after they met the ending was everything I could have hoped for. There issex but it’s not at the level that some readers are accustomed to, however I would urge you to read Zach’s and Ben’s beautiful story. Definitely recommended.<br /><div><br /></div><div>*****</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Excerpt</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Zach had so hoped to avoid the law, cautiously optimistic that the churchyard might be a place of sanctuary on Christmas Eve.<br /><br />"Sorry," he said quickly, scrambling to his feet as fast as he could manage, which wasn't entirely that fast considering the aching cold that seemed to split his very bones in two. He cursed as his blanket fell from his numb hands and landed in the snow at his feet. That was the only warmth he had, a threadbare piece of material he had stolen from Goodwill when the woman in charge turned her back. And now the damn thing was going to be wet.<br /><br />Still, there was no time to worry about that; the cop wanted him moved on. He leaned down to pick it up, only to see the ground spinning up to his face at an alarming speed. Strong arms stopped him from face-planting in the snow, but he twisted out of them quickly. The man might be a cop, might wear a badge, but no one touched him. Zach knew what men could want from the child he still was. He wasn't stupid, and he had dodged enough of it in the city.<br /><br />"How old are you?" the cop asked, looking concerned and very much in authority.<br /><br />"Eighteen," Zach lied quickly. He took a step back until his thighs hit the back of the bench he had been resting on. The cop stepped with him, looming large despite being a few inches shorter than Zach, his face creased in a frown.<br /><br />"How old are you really?" the cop persisted, his expression calm, his voice low and curious.<br /><br />Zach bit his lower lip, feeling the hot blood against his tongue, the shivering inside him starting to manifest in shakes he knew even the cop would see. Carefully Zach lifted the blanket, damp and ice cold, trying to create a barrier between himself and the police officer with the intense gaze.<br /><br />"Seventeen," Zach finally said, willing his teeth to stop chattering, "but I'll be eighteen in a few days." He added the last bit, giving the cop an out. He wanted to add just leave me alone, I won't hurt anyone.<br /><br />"Ben Hamilton," the cop said softly, holding his hand out as if he wanted to shake Zach's. Zach was confused, waiting for the glint of cuffs, uncertain, and he dug his hands deeper in the wet blanket he was holding. The cop, this Hamilton, didn't move his hand, just held it firm and steady. Finally Zach thrust his cold hand out, the texture of the officer's leather gloves soft and strange beneath his touch.<br /><br />"Zach," he introduced himself softly, remembering not to mention his surname. The cop didn't push him on it, just nodded and pulled his hand away.<br /><br />"So, Zach, what's happened to you? Why are you lying on the bench at the Church of St. Margaret on Christmas Eve?"<br /><br />The officer wasn't shouting; he was asking quietly, but Zach immediately started to go on the defensive. There was a concerned twist to the cop's mouth, and he had narrowed his eyes as he asked.<br /><br />"I…" Zach stopped, assessing the lies he could spin, thinking of the stories he had used to persuade people to leave him alone. Nothing crystallized as right for this moment in time. There was something to this cop, a man who seemed not much older than he was, an officer who wasn't a city cop, but a small town cop. He wouldn't be part of the system the same way as the cops in the city who said he should go home. I don't have a home. Maybe… maybe he should tell him the truth?<br /><br />"I can't be at home right now," he said finally, wincing as the cop's gloved hand traced the bruises over his left eye and down his jaw line.<br /><br />"Who did this to you, Zach? Did this happen here in this town?" The officer's words spun a safe haven for sharing secrets, soft, insistent and not very cop-like. Zach shied away instantly from the gentle touch, an icy blade of uncertainty pinching his skin as he contemplated being in the dark church grounds on his own with this man. He seemed friendly enough, but what if it was just another act? Cautiously, and trying not reveal his intentions, he looked to his left and then to his right. If he was going to run, he needed a head start and being held or cornered would take that head start away. To the right, dense foliage blocked an exit, to the left was the gate to the churchyard and the shadowy grave stones. That was his best bet. He shifted his weight to his right foot, ready in a moment to push himself away and to vault the gate. His leg shook with the added pressure, and he knew he would probably fall at the first hurdle. Still, any plan offered more hope than no plan.<br /><br />"I fell," he said firmly, the same line he had used for most of his life, the same line that earned him looks that ranged from pity to doubt. When he had said those words to people from organizers at the soup kitchen, to cops on the corner, to the owner of the homeless hostel, he had been sworn at, propositioned, cried at, or pushed away in disgust. He wasn't expecting much from another man in authority.<br /><br />"Uh huh." The officer didn't push for any more information, just nodded at the simple statement and took a step back and away. He spoke directly into his radio. "I'm heading home now. It was nothing to worry about at the church." Static broke the calm of the snow-deadened air, and a tinny voice acknowledged the radio message with a series of codes and a single name, Ben. The cop looked back at Zach, and Zach gauged that now the cop was two steps away from him, heading for the gate would be easier. "You can't sleep here. I'll find you a room for tonight, and we'll deal with the rest in the morning."<br /><br />Zach's eyes widened. He wasn't going anywhere with any stranger, not unless he was under arrest. This cop was going to find him a room? Probably some out of the way no-tell motel. Shit. No way this side of never was that happening. He had barely got away with his life two nights before from a proposal far more wrapped in the suggestion of hope than what the cop was giving him. Zach was so past being gullible.<br /><br />Pulling himself to his full height, he thinned his lips in determination. He was not swapping one hell for another, not a chance.<br /><br />"No. Thank you, but, no, I have to… go to the station for the train." He tried not to let hopelessness into his voice, attempted to sound self-assured around the chattering of his teeth. He sounded out the words in his head, and he knew exactly what he was saying. He clearly had some sort of purpose for being on the bench in the snow on Christmas Eve and the cop should respect that. It was a free country.<br /><br />"Okay, Zach," the cop sighed, "we can do this one of two ways. It's late, and it is the night before Christmas. I really want to go home to be with my family and you are kind of making this all very difficult. Now you can come with me, get a decent meal, a shower and maybe some warmer clothes and then you can sleep for the night in a warm bed. This can be all your own choice, or I can make it official and arrest you, then force you to go."<br /><br />*****

The Christmas Throwaway New Cover Art

Christmas is a time for giving - what do you do when no one gives a damn? Buy Links to follow... For Zachary Weston Christmas means sleeping...

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Opposites Attract

Being best man at his closest friend’s wedding is Spencer Garrett’s idea of hell. Reserved and quiet he hates being front and center of this big budget event.<br /><br />Gabriel Walker is chief groomsman and is the complete opposite to Spencer. He is loud and being the center of attention is exactly where he wants to be.<br /><br /><div>Gabriel can never resist provoking Spencer. For once, he'd like to see ‘Mr Ice’ lose control and have fun. He makes it his mission to give Gabriel a taste of hot and sexy for one night only. Just the kind of quick and satisfying meet-up which suits Gabriel down to the ground.</div><div>But before the wedding night is over, their unexpected connection will threaten to undermine everything they both believe about themselves and each other….</div><div><br /></div>

Opposites Attract

Being best man at his closest friend’s wedding is Spencer Garrett’s idea of hell. Reserved and quiet he hates being front and center of this...

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Wandmaker 10 - Amber Kell's birthday blog story

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiL4i2aPOTI6vDXmec4NyEe0u5AYJLjT2rgNLFRl8xonErX9_lGt0Zs1c3ga6w8OGEWtM-lgtl_PXtWoNNZAhCbE7HZvHwzdA8fWZGnlmx4dXXG2s8HLItwfbbTHVPj54oF47YMK5yGU/s1600/2012-BirthdayBadge1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiL4i2aPOTI6vDXmec4NyEe0u5AYJLjT2rgNLFRl8xonErX9_lGt0Zs1c3ga6w8OGEWtM-lgtl_PXtWoNNZAhCbE7HZvHwzdA8fWZGnlmx4dXXG2s8HLItwfbbTHVPj54oF47YMK5yGU/s1600/2012-BirthdayBadge1.jpg" /></a><br />Find out why I have one of the worst dates of birth EVER! Today I'm over at Amber Kell's blog taking part in her month long Birthday Bash... So, Happy Birthday Amber! Head on over and check it out <a href="http://amberkell.wordpress.com/">HERE</a><div><br />In case you missed one, find previous postings of her Birthday Bash story, Wandmaker, <a href="http://amberkell.wordpress.com/birthday-story-wandmaker/">HERE</a><br /><br />And with a small fanfare I give you the next chapter in Amber Kell's blog story...</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Wandmaker, by Amber Kell - Post #10</b><br /><div><br /></div><div>Cebrus didn’t know what to do with the handsome prince who watched him as if he were something amazing. He suspected Silvan was trying to get close to him to track what he did. If that meant the prince had to seduce him Cebrus was certainly willing to let the man try. </div><br />He brushed his lips across the prince’s letting Silvan taste him. Cebrus flipped them around and pressed Silvan against the wall. The taste of surprise made the kiss that much better. Stone bit into his hands as he put his palms on either side of the prince, trapping him between Cebrus’s arms. <br /><br />He hummed into Silvan’s mouth taking the flavor of the prince into his mouth licking inside to savor the sensation of heat and desire. Whatever the prince’s motives the man knew what to do with his lips. His cock hardened as he pressed his body against Silvan. Unlike the prince, Cebrus had no shyness about telling someone what he wanted. The life of a wandmaker had him going from place to place and he didn’t always have the luxury of building a relationship. <br /><br />Silvan sighed against Cebrus’s mouth. His big hands wrapped around Cebrus’s back pulling him even closer. Cebrus rubbed against the prince relishing the hard length against his own. <br /><br />“You will look perfect in my bed,” Silvan murmured. <br /><br />Cebrus laughed. “Does that usually work?” <br /><br />“What?” <br /><br />“Saying things like that.” <br /><br />A flush rose on Silvan’s cheeks. “Yes it does.” <br /><br />“Hmm. You might want to save your breath for more important things,” Cebrus said with a grin. <br /><br />“Hmm, I’ll take that under advisement.” <br /><br />“Prince Silvan!” A page ran towards them, his breath coming in gasps. <br /><br />“What’s wrong, Toby.” <br /><br />“A chimera is attacking the north village!” he shouted. <br /><br />“To arms!” Silvan shouted. He kissed Cebrus hard then ran down the hall. The sounds of dozens of feet echoed throughout the castle. <br /><br />Cebrus thunked his head against the stone wall. It only took him a few minutes to decided to follow. After all he’d never seen a real chimera. He’d heard of the dangerous beasts before but the combination of a creature formed of a lion, serpent and goat who could breathe fire would be interesting to see. <br /><br />He turned to walk down the hall and follow the others when two knights stepped forward and blocked his way. <br /><br />“Is there a problem?” He asked mildly. <br /><br />“Prince Silvan asked us to watch over you,” the guard on the left said. <br /><br />“Great you can watch me see a chimera,” Cebrus said. </div>

Wandmaker 10 - Amber Kell's birthday blog story

Find out why I have one of the worst dates of birth EVER! Today I'm over at Amber Kell's blog taking part in her month long Birthday...

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5/5 from The Paranormal Romance Guild - awesome review

<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AS5ryD-e1x8/TtFGd4ynBVI/AAAAAAAAAxo/vKB5l4E7Qts/s1600/The_Gallows_Tree-RJ_Scott400x600.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AS5ryD-e1x8/TtFGd4ynBVI/AAAAAAAAAxo/vKB5l4E7Qts/s400/The_Gallows_Tree-RJ_Scott400x600.jpg" /></a><br />"...There is also a mystery in the book and surprises, but mostly it is a look into the life of an abused person and how they fight to find themselves. This is a problem that is very prevalent in our society and one in which we constantly see the abused defending the abuser. I was very happy that this author did not shy away from this situation ..."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/reviewsrjscott.htm" target="_blank"><b>Full review >></b></a></div><div><br /><b><a href="https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/glbt-mystery-suspense-action-c-53_59/products_id/706/?zenid=2f60990ffd1c7d749805adda3c2d3dac" target="_blank">Buy at Silver</a> :: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Gallows-Tree-ebook/dp/B006UUX4QG/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1352365992&sr=8-1&keywords=the+gallows+tree+rj" target="_blank">Buy on Amazon</a></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Blurb</b><br />Cody Garret is only just finding his way after an abusive relationship ended with his ex in prison. Coming to England to restore Mill Cottage is his way of running so he has time to heal. His goal is simple—hire a company to help make the mill cottage saleable then go back to the States.<br /><br />What he doesn’t count on is meeting Sebastian Toulson-Brown, the brother of his contractor and the man who may be able to show him he can stop running.<br /><br />But first Cody and Sebastian must deal with the ghosts of lost loves and the destinies that are woven into the story of the mill and the sycamore trees that stand on its land, one of which might be the gallows tree.<br /><br /><b>Excerpt</b><br /><br />They reached central Milton Keynes in very little time at all. The change from village in the middle of nowhere to huge modern city was kind of eerie, almost as creepy as hearing non-existent horses and murmured words that made no sense. Sitting in Pizza Hut and ordering food was a welcome shot of normality, and grabbing the seat diagonal to Seb meant he could concentrate on his food rather than worry about staring at the poor guy. They talked about the film they were going to see, about American football versus rugby, and about the cute waitress that hovered every so often and stared at Tristan.<br /><br /><br /><a name="more"></a>"So you didn't want to bring your girlfriend over from the States with you?" Justin asked coyly.<br /><br />Cody stiffened at the personal question. "No."<br /><br />"What's her name?" Justin added another question with a teasing glint in his eye. "Is she pretty? What does she do?"<br /><br />"I don't have a girlfriend."<br /><br />"At the moment?" Tristan interrupted.<br /><br />"Guys—" Seb said through gritted teeth.<br /><br />"No. No girlfriend at the moment." Cody sipped on his Coke and concentrated hard on the poster proclaiming two for one on Thursdays. He could handle teasing; it's what his sister did best.<br /><br />"No girlfriend at the moment or no girlfriend at all?" Justin asked in a far too innocent tone of voice. Cody<br />looked at him suspiciously even as Seb snapped at him.<br /><br />"Bloody hell, Justin."<br /><br />"Cody, are you gay?" Tristan was clearly the one who had drawn the short straw. Cody put his drink down<br />and took a deep breath.<br /><br />"Why? Is it a problem if I am?" Cody asked.<br /><br />"Hell no…" Seb started, and then buried his head in his hands as Tristan handed a twenty pound note over to Justin with a resigned sigh.<br /><br />"Wait. You bet on whether or not I was gay?" Cody asked carefully. He wasn't entirely sure whether to laugh or shout, stay or walk.<br /><br />"They bet on anything. They bet on when I would come out to our parents. Tris won that one," Seb said with<br />more than a little sarcasm in his voice, which was muffled by his jacket. Cody felt amusement bubble inside, and he couldn't have held in his humor if he tried. Within seconds, he was laughing. He hadn't laughed like this in so long, and he couldn't stop. Seb lifted his head in bemusement, and Cody snorted at the expression.<br /><br />"Your brothers just won me ten dollars," Cody said, finally managing to get the words out. "I had this bet with my sister about how long it would take you all to ask."<br /><br />Tristan and Justin stared like he was mad, and then as they put two and two together, they joined in with the laughing.<br /><br />Seb simply buried his face again with a muttered "I'm surrounded by idiots".<br /><br />"Hey, Cody," Tristan said suddenly, and Seb raised his head with a look of pure horror. "You like Seb?" Cody smiled; he knew where this was going.<br /><br />"Don't start this, Tris; I can get my own bloody dates."<br /><br />"Just saying, little brother. You don't get to meet many guys in Lower Ferrers—"<br /><br />"Tris—"<br /><br />"Yeah," Cody interrupted, "I like Seb. What's not to like?" Wow. That was kind of a brave thing he had said<br />there, putting an actual opinion out there. Seb cast him a grateful look and mouthed "I'm sorry", but Cody dismissed it with a shake of his head. This was normal. This was sibling rivalry, teasing, and it was easy to lose himself in it.</div>

5/5 from The Paranormal Romance Guild - awesome review

"...There is also a mystery in the book and surprises, but mostly it is a look into the life of an abused person and how they fight to ...

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The Decisions We Make

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz3RNCHdceg/T0_3TcC_ZmI/AAAAAAAABCM/hfeYVxKDG7w/s1600/Decisions200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz3RNCHdceg/T0_3TcC_ZmI/AAAAAAAABCM/hfeYVxKDG7w/s1600/Decisions200x300.jpg" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Daniel Keyes is an orphan, fostered by the Walkers. The product of a lonely childhood, he is thrown into the chaos of the Walker family and into the life of his new foster brother Jamie.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">This story is the journey of Daniel and Jamie finding their place in the world. Through Jamie being a victim of hate crime to coming out to family and friends, there are many decisions the boys have to make before they become men.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=rj+scott" target="_blank">Smashwords </a> :: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Decisions-We-Make-ebook/dp/B0070MVAV4/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> :: <a href="http://lovelanebooks.wazala.com/" target="_blank">Love Lane Books</a></span><br /><br />* * * * *<br /><br /><b>EXCERPT:</b><br /><br /><i>Daniel arrives at the house...</i><br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Chapter 2<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Daniel let himself be dragged along by this boy called Jamie, who pulled him into a room at the end of the corridor at the corner of the house, overlooking the yard and with views of California hills. It was far from a large room, but it held a bed that looked soft and welcoming, and just like he’d said, Jamie had put posters of people up on Daniel’s wall. Not sheet music, not a pinboard of timetables and practices, but some guys in uniform with a ball. Basketball, Daniel thought. What team he wasn’t sure. He didn’t actually know a whole lot about sports, and the idea of a contact sport where he might hurt his hands had always scared him. Well, scared his mom anyway. Athletics, group games, had inevitably clashed with extra practice for this recital or that exam. The boy—Jamie—dropped to the bed, waving a hand and enthusiastically indicating the whole room.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><a name="more"></a>"Whaddya think?" he said.<o:p></o:p><br /> <div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Daniel thought he detected excitement, and swallowing, he pasted a smile on his face and hoped he looked enthusiastic enough for what he had been given.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"It’s fine," he said gently.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Don’t cause trouble. It’s only for a few months. You can do this, you can talk to people, you can form words and look happy, you know you can because you have been practising in front of a mirror.<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Cool, wanna play Madden?" the boy asked, crossing to the room opposite his and coming back with a gray box trailing wires, tripping into the room with a broad grin.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"I’m a bit tired," Daniel said softly. That answer always worked now. Those few words were guaranteed to get sympathy and were a surefire way to get people to leave him alone.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Okay." If the boy was upset he didn’t show it. He just dumped the confusion of wires on Daniel’s bed and flopped down after it, sprawling completely over the quilt.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Daniel coughed and looked at the boy, at his height, his long, lanky arms and legs, with his short, spiky blond hair and his smile. What was his name again? Jamie. It didn’t go down well to not remember names. But with a head full of music, things like names weren't a priority. Okay. He could do this.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Where’s my piano?" Daniel asked softly, his voice a little husky from lack of use.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Oh yeah, it was delivered on this huge ass truck, and they were swearing and everything when they put it in my den. Well, like, it’s not my den now. It's your den. Whatever, come on then." Jamie started to leave the room, looking back expectantly. Daniel blinked then followed, down the stairs, past the kitchen where Sue and the social worker sat drinking coffee, and through a door at the back, leading out to flooding sunshine and warmth. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And there she was, standing in the corner, his only real link to his parents. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">He crossed to her and sat on the seat, running fingers over highly polished wood.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">He was aware of Jamie watching him curiously.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>This is wrong.<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">He and the piano both belonged in shadows and musty rooms, rooms that his music stayed in, rooms where he felt safe. Sitting in sunlight, breathing in California air, was all wrong. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">He wouldn’t be able to play here. That much was certain.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If he couldn’t play, he wouldn’t be happy.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>It's only for a few months.<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">He just wouldn’t play.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>It will kill me, but it won’t be for long.<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jamie looked at Daniel, his head to one side. "You going to play?" he said curiously.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Daniel didn’t look up even as Jamie launched into more words.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"'Cause Ellie can play like this Chinese thing, and she got up and did it in ’sembly, and it was rubbish. 'Cause like, Ellie, she has this piano at home, and she has this man come over and show her how to play, and she has had lessons for three years, and if that Chinese thing is all she can play, then that is just rubbish."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Daniel looked up at the boy who couldn’t seem to stop talking, blinking at him from under his long fringe. "I’m not going to play," he said softly.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Oh." Jamie looked flummoxed and then frowned. "Why?"<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"I can't—"<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"My mom said you might not play 'cause your mom died. Is that why? Megan likes nursery rhymes so can you play them? Josh likes rock. It’s really noisy, and I kind of hate it, but I guess if you can only do that Chopsticky Chinese thing, then other stuff would be way too hard. Can you do nursery rhymes… hmmm?"<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"It’s too sunny in here," Daniel blurted out. The talking that Jamie was throwing at him had started to sound too confusing—just a jumble of noise. Nobody talked to him like that; they talked quietly and firmly and didn’t make him want to talk back at all. No one mentioned his mom being dead. Or his dad. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Huh?" Jamie looked confused, looking out of the window. "We can play <i>Star Wars </i>in here, and yeah, sometimes it gets hot with the sun, but not all the time. Maybe you can go under the piano and just play the pedally things at the bottom? It would be cool under there."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"I … I can’t… can’t play, the sun… it's not right."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Okay. So under would be a good idea? I think that's a good idea. I get ideas all the time. Well, mostly good. ’Cepting the time I broke my ankle jumping off the garage roof. Hang on, I got an really cool one."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Daniel didn’t move one inch. He was absolutely frozen to the spot with confusion. Jamie left the sunroom and then bounded back in to a startled Daniel. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">He busied himself, placing the items he had collected on the floor under the piano, and then popping back up, a huge grin split his face.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Get under here, Daniel; it’s dark under here." He looked at Daniel expectantly.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"I can't," Daniel said, feeling his chest tighten with anxiety. He was wearing his best pants. His mom wouldn’t have liked it if he got dirty when wearing his best pants let alone the cream shirt with the clip tie. Then his new mom, the pretend one, she would be cross, and then everything would be ruined.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Come on, s’fun. I have Oreos," Jamie wheedled and shook the bag of cookies in encouragement.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"My clothes," Daniel said helplessly. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"What?" Jamie asked with a frown.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"They’ll get dirty."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"S’ok," Jamie started, and then cupping his hands round his mouth, he yelled so loud Daniel was sure that people outside heard it. "Mom, can Daniel play in the den with me in his best stuff?" <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There was a pause; Daniel didn’t know what he wanted Mrs. Walker to say. If she said yes, then this meant Daniel had no excuses not to get on the floor; something he had not really done before.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Of course he can," came the reply from the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh no.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"See, Danny, can I call you Danny? ’Cause you can call me Jamie. Come under with me, and then, d’ya want a cookie?"<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Daniel swore the other boy’s words were running into one another. Still he gathered all his reserves of bravery and slid off the piano chair and under the piano. It was kind of dark, and Daniel had never seen the underneath of any of his pianos before so it was a bit intriguing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Cookie?" Jamie crossed his legs, leaning back against one of the piano legs and holding out squashed cookies.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Okay," Daniel said softly. Cookies were not often on his menu, and the last time he had had one, it had been at his mom’s funeral because no one told him he couldn’t have one. He bit into the dark chocolate biscuit, his tongue poking out to gather stray crumbs as they collected at the corner of his mouth, brushing others from his pants.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Wanna see what I can do?" Jamie asked conspiratorially, darting a quick glance out from under the piano. "It's a secret though."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Okay."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Promise you won't say?"<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"I won't say." Unless he really needed to.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Solo-swear?" <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"What?"<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Solo-swear. Means like you have to be Han Solo and you can't tell no one what you see."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Okay I… er… Solo-swear… I won't say a word." Daniel wondered if this is what all families in the real world were like, with stupid promises and sitting on dusty floors in best clothes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jamie grinned, that goofy, sparkling-eyed, happy-with-the-world grin and proceeded to push a whole cookie in his mouth in one go, looking kind of like the hamster Daniel’s English class had babysat for a whole term. Crumbs flew everywhere as the poor cookie met its demise in the cavern that was Jamie’s mouth, and Daniel just watched, totally fascinated. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Finished, Jamie leant forward, his eyes intense. "Betcha can’t do that," he said, throwing the challenge into the den.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Daniel swallowed. This was a new feeling inside him, a small nagging push to prove Jamie wrong, but it was quickly squashed by the overwhelming need to not do anything stupid.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"I can't," Daniel said finally.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jamie just dropped back, his face a picture of win, and he began munching on his next cookie. Clearly realizing Daniel was still nibbling on his first, he emptied half of what was left in the packet into Daniel’s lap. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This Jamie? He seemed really cool. A bit odd but cool.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Daniel looked from Jamie to the crumbly sticky cookies in his lap, hoping he could keep his pants clean and cataloguing Jamie in his mind as being ever so slightly scary and ever so slightly odd.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When they were finally made to come out from under the piano, they were both covered in dust bunnies and chocolate, and they had learned a lot about each other. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Daniel had learned that Jamie loved drama, art and playing basketball. Daniel also found out that Jamie had a girlfriend, Tina, she was only eight, but she had a mom who, on a daily basis, sent her to school with a decent supply of candy, hence Jamie’s attraction. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jamie learned that yes, Daniel could play chopsticks and some other stuff with really long sounding names, no, he didn’t have a girlfriend, no, he couldn’t swim, and horror of horrors, he had never even watched basketball, let alone played it.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What really marked the difference in them as children was <i>Star Wars</i>. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jamie had everything; the quilt cover, <i>Star Wars</i> curtains, action figures (including the Boba Fett with removable head; Daniel didn’t like to point out that to him it just looked broken), DVDs, books, sticker albums… the list was endless. He could quote parts of the movies verbatim, and in fact did so on a regular basis, much to Daniel’s confusion. He even tried to encourage Daniel to play <i>Star Wars</i> under the piano, but it was at this point Daniel had to admit the terrible truth.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">He had never seen <i>Star Wars</i>, none of them, ever, not once, not in the entire nine years he had been alive.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jamie looked alternately horrified and gleeful. Horrified that Daniel had somehow missed this vital part of his education, gleeful that he could start from the beginning and educate Daniel himself.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Under the piano, Jamie began to plot with Daniel, or rather plot while Daniel listened, the plans for the great stealing of Mark’s prize Optimus Prime, the first Jamie-Daniel prank on the older brother that Daniel hadn’t even met yet. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was planned with so much excitement that Daniel was caught up in it, forgetting he was in a foster home with no parents and with no real long-term plans in place for him. He became embroiled in Jamie’s world, and with no holding back, Jamie started to build a new family around him, a family with a mom, a dad, a sister and two brothers.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Scary.</div>

The Decisions We Make

Daniel Keyes is an orphan, fostered by the Walkers. The product of a lonely childhood, he is thrown into the chaos of the Walker family and ...

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