Content: friendship

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Who could know counting heads would be so dangerous? Laura Beth Copeland, the stay-home mother of two and half, decides to become a census-taker just for the experience. When she discovers a decapitated head at one of her canvassing addresses, she is catapulted into a fight for her life. Upon finding only the head of a witness against a drug lord, Laura Beth becomes the hit man’s next target. Thinking she can identify him, Laura Beth first receives warnings to remain quiet. When she cooperates with police, the assassin targets her. Investigation shows the killer has ties far up the political ladder and the head count mounts as every witness in a federal case has already been eliminated. FBI moves in to try and catch the killer and protect Laura Beth. Their attempts prove to be in vain. Laura Beth’s husband is killed and she is taken into protective custody. Laura Beth goes on the lam with the local police detective, Tanner McGill. Weeks spent together create a spark that will smolder for a while. By the time the killer is identified, it becomes apparent that he himself is only a pawn and the real criminal links all the way the State Department of the United States. Multiple branches of law enforcement join together to find the real culprit and save an innocent woman. Standing at approximately 54,000 words, Head Count is a romantic suspense set in the smallish town of Sunrise, Mississippi. Head Count is a novel to bridge literacy gaps. It is easy to read and tells an enticing story, sure to captivate young and old, male and female. Come along and enjoy the ride in this first book of an intended four involving an ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances who rises to the challenge. This is the story that finished as a finalist in Novel in Progress category at the 2012 Faulkner competition. This story came to me when I worked the 2010 census and had a woman slam her door in my face. I began to wonder why she was so adverse to being counted. What did she have to hide? I went back and saw her feet through her blinds, but she would not answer the door. You will see that I have a vivid imagination as the head count mounts in this story.

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This the second in the Draconis saga. It is a mixture of fantasy, family saga, and historical fiction. This book is an endeavor that proved to be a great challenge. It is two stories in one. The lust for adventure leads Rennin O’Rourke to read the memoirs of his ancestor and namesake as he shares parallel exploits. His quest brings him to his wife, the California gold fields, close encounters with death, a murder charge, The War Between the States, and ultimately back to a mythical land where only exceptional people may go. Rennin meets Rebekah Sinclair, and the two of them embark on a lifetime of love and adventure as both are constantly compelled to return to a mythical place they have only read about. Draconis calls them home. Any an all comments welcome. Of all the stories I've written, my daughter says this is her favorite. See if you agree.

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Who could know counting heads would be so dangerous? Laura Beth Copeland, the stay-home mother of two and half, decides to become a census-taker just for the experience. When she discovers a decapitated head at one of her canvassing addresses, she is catapulted into a fight for her life. Upon finding only the head of a witness against a drug lord, Laura Beth becomes the hit man’s next target. Thinking she can identify him, Laura Beth first receives warnings to remain quiet. When she cooperates with police, the assassin targets her. Investigation shows the killer has ties far up the political ladder and the head count mounts as every witness in a federal case has already been eliminated. FBI moves in to try and catch the killer and protect Laura Beth. Their attempts prove to be in vain. Laura Beth’s husband is killed and she is taken into protective custody. Laura Beth goes on the lam with the local police detective, Tanner McGill. Weeks spent together create a spark that will smolder for a while. By the time the killer is identified, it becomes apparent that he himself is only a pawn and the real criminal links all the way the State Department of the United States. Multiple branches of law enforcement join together to find the real culprit and save an innocent woman. Standing at approximately 50,000 words, Head Count is a romantic suspense set in the small town of Sunrise, Mississippi. Head Count is a novel to bridge literacy gaps. It is easy to read and tells an enticing story, sure to captivate young and old, male and female. Come along and enjoy the ride in this first book of an intended four involving an ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances who rises to the challenge. This is the story that finished as a finalist in Novel in Progress category at the 2012 Faulkner competition. I just entered it in ABNA, so tell me ANYTHING to make it better. I appreciate all comments. Take note that this story came to me when I worked the 2010 census and had a woman slam her door in my face. I began to wonder why she was so adverse to being counted. What did she have to hide. I went back and saw her feet through her blinds, but she would not answer the door. You will see that I have a vivid imagination as the head count mounts in this story.

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A brief recollection. This was written a while back but only hours after the actual event and it remains largely and purposely unchanged. I welcome any and all feedback but I'd really like to know your immediate thoughts. Specifically if the experience resonates or falls short. Reaction to sentiment varies greatly and sentimental pieces run a great risk of devolving into emotional drivel, but, either way, I owed him this.

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Melanie Reyser is finally ready to confess her true feelings to her best friend, Aaron Price. When a new student suddenly shows up, capturing Aaron's immediate attention, Melanie is crushed. But Savannah Dalton is amazingly friendly and genuine and she and Melanie develop a fast friendship. Through a series of events out of their control, Savannah will soon introduce both Melanie and Aaron to a twisted world that they never knew existed. Their lives will never be the same. I welcome any and all feedback - you are the first people besides myself to read this!

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General consensus is welcome. Flow, interest, character, decrip, etc. Here are some things you dont have to point out: I dont have a setting nailed down. So, while I describe surroundings, I dont name towns/locations yet cuz I have yet to choose them, including military posts. The military deets will be a last step to research. The story should still be able to flow around these missing details since they dont play a focal role anyhow.

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For Richter or Poorer is the fourth in a series about four hillbilly boys who grow up to change their community. This is Alain Richter's story. It is a story of abuse, survial, incest, heartbreak, redemption, repentance, victory, frienship, and love. The last in the series, it ties all the lose ends together to form a lasting knot. Any and all feedback is welcome. Just enjoy the story.

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This is the third book in my hillbilly saga. Gator Jones grows up in impoverish Possum Holler, West Virginia. Along with MacKenzie Reardon, Tipper Campbell, and Alain Richter, Gator helps put the small town on the map. He overcomes extreme odds to become a successful businessman. Any and all feedback welcome.

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As Halloween, my favorite holiday, fast approaches, I thought I'd share this tidbit with my TNBW family. I submitted this to the Southern Sin essay competition back in July and have yet to hear a word either way, so I figure it's okay to share. This is creative non-fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, essy, opinion--not sure what to call it, but it happened. Yes, I started a war on Facebook.

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This is actually a short story - a prequel to Finding Sara. I'm not sure what the total length will be - probably in the vicinity of 12,000 words (unless I luck out and it comes together quickly). I plan to self publish it as an e-short and offer it for free to see if it draws any new readers to the novel. It doesn't really have a plot yet, but I have characters and a bit of tension. Hope something comes together.

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This is the sequel to Homegrown Healer. Mountain Moonshine gives Tipper Campbell's story and how he, along with the other three hillbilly boys (and one girl) put Possum Holler on the map. All comments welcome. Do you enjoy the story?

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This is a one-act, ten-minute play, quasi-autobiographical, based on real events in college. It is meant to be dark humor. Added the last bit of the two roommates b/c my reviewers weren't catching the joke about Iota nu better.

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A memory of a time long past. A bittersweet piece of prose as the anniversary of the loss of half the duo approaches. Submitting the piece to The Magnolia Quarterly.

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I am currently reworking these chapters to change some of the dynamics of Adin's affliction. The new versions should be posted soon. Feel free to continue reading, or wait for the new version.

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This novel is set in a remote indigenous mining town in Cape York Australia. The book is a coming of age story about a young women, Sam Tucker, and her friends. For Sam's 18th birthday, rather than another backyard party gatecrashed by everyone, she convinces her closest friends to going camping at Deadman's Crossing and the events that unfold change their lives forever. The story is about finding adventure, friendship, loyalty, love and betrayal. It confronts issues that face every day teenagers living in Australia and especially in Cape York such as drugs, alcohol, and the complications of relationships and cultural pressure. I've never written anything before. My recent addiction to blogging sparked an interest in writing and a sense of purpose(http:/cassielobley@blogspot.com) I found this site to be be a fantastic avenue to learn and mature my literary skills. All feedback - absolutely everything - would be greatly appreciated. Don't hold back.

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Abstract Waiting on a Woman is a story of sculpting friendship and magnetic love that draws together two individuals obliviously drifting in the proverbial sea of people, places and passions, revealing their journey from the moment they converge in a divine accident, to the moments that become eternally etched on their hearts. In the face of the headwinds of life, the lovers discover the secret to their soul connection in a pair of crystal wings that enables them to overcome obstacles and soar to each other’s arms. The book is an invitation to both the lovers as well as the reader to don their own crystal wings and join in the exhilarating ride upon which to discover self, love and life. please hurl every literary insult at me. Thank you.

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Aidan O’Rourke never dreams that talking to old Diggory Danaher will take him on an adventure of a lifetime. After months of stories about a mythical island and his father, Aidan decides to find out for himself if his father is alive and living as a panther on the mythical island. Stowaway wives, a lost father, bewitched human beings, a wicked witch, pirates, and friendly dragons combine to draw Aidan into a web of intrigue of good versus evil as he becomes the champion of a land that only exceptional men can reach. Aidan proves how exceptional he truly is through the power of faith and unconditional love. Set between sixteenth century Ireland and a timeless, mythical island kingdom called Draconis, King Satin’s Realm relates the saga of four generations of the O’Rourke family as they battle evil in a strange world after finding it in turmoil. The O’Rourkes seem to be called to this enchanted world to be its champions. However, not even a place of such mystery can quell the wanderlust born in the O’Rourke family. Feedback on dialogue, character development, readability, description, and appeal to the audience. Yes, the word is SATIN. I can spell; it is not Satan. This story is as much family saga as fantasy, but there is no family saga category. King Satin's Realm is the first in a series of four books, which will span 600 years in the lives of The Clan O'Rourke and the unbreakable connection of mind and spirit to the dragons of Draconis. This is the first novel I ever wrote in 2000. It has sat on the self and is now ready to sprout wings and soar. This story was my salvation at the darkest point of my life. Enjoy.

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sequel to Impetuous Heart, a novel about a 15 year old Irish girl from Kerry who learns to weave, visits a cave, communes with spirits from Tir na Nog, relates to rebels, waits for her sweetheart to come from from WWI France and helps her mother with raising a dozen children. I.H. had a long run on TNBW and is now in the hands of Levellers Press in Amherst, Mass. In this sequel, Nora goes to Dublin to try out Trinity College, a British university for ascendancy Irish. She is shocked by the post-rebellion destruction she sees in Dublin. While living with Milly Bloom, daughter of Molly and Leopold Bloom, she sees first hand how terrible the British occupation is. She also sees that the rebels are still very active after the Easter Rising. Many have been jailed or interned, poverty is rampant and Dublin is a lot like Calcutta. Milly is a photographer who roams Dublin taking pictures and helping Sinn Fein resist the British occupation. Nora must decide whether to stay or return to the west of Ireland. Psychological conflict tears her apart. She is both attracted and repelled by conditions in Dublin. She bonds with Milly but misses Tim Keane who is home recovering from war wounds. This novel is being written now so you can actually influence its development. Many kind friends here had a big influence on Kilkenny Curse, aka Nora's Farewell, aka Impetuous Heart. Eternally grateful to all. Patti, Dags, Mish, Dill, RAK, Sonny, et al. You know who you are.

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The chase and executing of Bin Laden.

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Teens dealing with the untimely death of a peer and being forced into an early maturity of emotions and mind.

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A wreck and a feeling of betrayal among friends. Tell me if it makes you laugh.

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The holiday this week triggers a memory as it has each year since the day of remembrance was created. I always thought the holiday should have been placed on or close to April 4th. Comments welcome.

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A disappointing gift becomes important. Any kind of feedback OK.

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Being in a new place without a friend is a scary situation for everyone. Sometimes, when making friends, the right person isn’t around for you. People might not like the same things as you, you might not get along, the person might just like to be alone, and, even sometimes, people just don’t have a reason for not wanting to be friends. It’s okay to not make friends with the first people you meet. You just need to have patience to find the right friend for you! Join Squiggle the Tiggle in his quest to find a friend. The star shape eyed, sparkly nosed, and pudgy-bodied Tiggle must wiggle his way through sand, water, bubbles and mud in his search through the land of Pibnee. Along the way he encounters many creatures kind and unkind and many spectacular new places in Pibnee, before he finds the right friend for him. Any feedback is appreciated

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Hailey and Beth were once best friends. Since Beth fell in love with a popular boy, she ditched Hailey for a taste of popularity. Hailey copes by listening to music, especially a band that her father is the lead singer of. All her life she's dreamt of meeting him, but her mother's sensitivity on the subject has prevented her from ever seeing him in concert. No one understands her need for music, until David. He's a bad boy that she spent all senior year avoiding, but when he starts to creep under her skin, she can't shake him. Soon, he becomes her best friend, even better than Beth ever was. He's the only one she can talk to about music and her dad. But he's made it clear that he wants to add 'benefits' to their friendship, without taking that step into a dating relationship; which is something she is opposed to, but tempted to fall into. Looking for whether this story is identifiable. Are the characters likeable? Can you feel the conflicts in Hailey's life? Is this something that you would recommend to a teenager? Adult?

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Title temporary. Work unfinished.. most likely this will be the second verse as don't feel it stands a lone. Just needed to get back in the saddle after yesterday's fiasco of losing one of my best pieces and all forty four reviews! It was like losing a friend! So get back up and post something! As you know I am stepping my writing up or at least making the attempt. I am a serious writer when I am serious!! haaaaaaa So be tough on me. I won't melt.

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Shout out of love and appreciation to a strong, beautiful woman in my life.

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In the semi-small town of Cedar Creek, some people don’t care to lock their doors, even though the woods hold secrets and the children are terrified to venture into them. The warm sense of security is shattered for Majesty Alistair, a feisty but grief-stricken teen, when she uncovers a mass murder plot deep in the thick. She struggles to find and defeat the would-be-killers before they act, but they have an agenda far bigger than she ever assumed. Violence rocks the town, leaving residents reeling and drawing Majesty into the middle of it all. With danger always pressing, police seemingly getting nowhere and those closest to her looking guilty, she continues hunting and charges into an evil web, but the truth and her actions threaten to haunt her forever, especially since she’s left with blood on her hands, the blood of someone she loves.

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This one is a birthday gift (a day late) for a lovely lady and most excellent author. It's an older poem that I felt good about after some revision. Which fits, I guess. Comments welcome.

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This is another in a series of "coming of age" memoir pieces that I'm working on. Comments welcome.

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Some have been calling these things prosetry which is okay, but an unsettling sounding word. I tried this one with punctuation and that is unsettling to me as well. This might be a true story for the most part. It happened a long time ago. Comments welcome.

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A wealthy doctor who travels the world finds contentment when he returns to his home, and a lot more.

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This one started last fall and got finished next to the fire last week. Comments welcome.

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Charisse finally has it “all�?: an adoring fiancé, a great job, a dream car, and a McMansion. Her former bum magnet status has also left her with a heaping entrée of fear of commitment served with a large side of wedding jitters. Even worse, her family is pushing her to reconcile with her "sperm donor," an estranged father with whom she’s never had more than a casual relationship, and invite him to the wedding. Her jitters are sent into hyper drive when she discovers Prince Charming has some major chinks in his armor and she’s not sure if she can go through with the wedding. Unfortunately, time to thaw her frozen feet and decide if Mr. Right Now is Mr. Right Forever isn’t on the schedule, as a series of unfortunate events sends a slew of drama-filled family and friends—including a mother on the run from the police, a jilted best friend, and a father diagnosed with cancer who she’d vowed to alienate—to be couped up with her at Chez Charisse for the two weeks before the ceremony that might not happen. Can Charisse survive the two weeks with her relationship, family, and sanity intact? ***This is a slightly less rough first draft. Shorter chapters with new information added, so you may want to start reading from Chapter 1. Still needs work but does the story line work? Are the chapter hooks effective? How is the dialogue? Does the shift in POV work? If you had a problem with anything, please let me know. All feedback welcome.

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Some memories seem to fly into consciousness on darker nights. Letting them loose is probably necessary but not usually a permanent solution. Comments welcome.

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A chicken, a cat with nine tails and a dog with a candy stripe coat come together as friends in an cosmetics testing lab. This is the story of their great escape from the barn and their subsequent adventures in space. This is my first attempt at writing novel so any feedback on structure, style and content would be most appreciated. Thank you.

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I am revising and restructuring this novel as of Jan.21, 2012. I'm one-fourth done and still getting new ideas. I recommend not reviewing this till further notice. Impetuous Heart is a completely revised novel and worth taking a look. Wait for further news breaks. Nadine

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No soul should be alone.

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Just days ago, Madelyn Jacobs thought not getting into any of her top three colleges or snagging the guy who serenaded the summer stars were the biggest nightmares in her life. That was before being raped by her best friend’s boyfriend. That was before being put in a coma by the jealous bitch when she misinterpreted the scene. That was before trying to function after waking up all broken and torn, only to have a demon or something bust into her bedroom and tag her as The Keeper of some freakin’ list.



When the first person of ten dies in her presence, that’s way weird. The second time, it’s bloodcurdling. She can't avoid people, she tries. She can't run, she tries. An unseen hand always ushers her to the next demise, randomly shows her the list, in windows, in mirrors, on scraps of paper, even behind closed lids, and makes her feel more powerless than ever. And the sweet singer she loves now stands at number seven. As tattered as she is, can she find a way to break the curse before others die and the lover of her heart is gone forever?



*Strong language

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A young woman, on her own for the first time, finds wisdom and humor from the other waitresses at the Red Top Diner. Feedback: All comments are welcome. I'm not sure I captured this story in the allotted words. Maybe it needs to be longer. Your thoughts?

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Eccentricity and isolation shows in the lives of two people who are strangers to one another, until a fateful meeting at The Cave changes everything.

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All received responses WILL be recorded for quality assurance and training purposes.

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Mollie and Jim are moving in together. Can their love for each other overcome the scars from the past?

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It is a tough road to navigate with someone, but when done in synch with the other, it is this perfect, difficult dance.

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Novel written like a transcript...1/4 of the way through chapter one, it will become easier to read... Two years ago, twenty-nine year old Jayne, a reclusive writer and single mom, suffered a tragedy. After two years and many therapy sessions later, she decides to move to London to continue her writing there. And, in the process move on with her life. By the way, this book will not be in chapters it will be by conversation. Each conversation is its own chapter so on this site, each chapter might have more than one conversation.

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Relationships you invest heart and soul in leave you baffled when you are the one left out in the cold.

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A romantic relationship eroded to dust is sad enough, a longtime friendship with someone who is like family to you, is too tragic to think about.

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What makes a human, human? Are heroes born, bred, or created?

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Sequel to 'Into the Light'. The boys are back and, let me tell you, they gave me a hell of a time writing this one. I have never dealt with two more ornery, hard-to-manage characters. If you were thoroughly disgusted by 'Into the Light', you will be utterly horrified by 'Beneath the Blue'. The We-Hate-Meghan Fan Club is going to have a field day with this one.

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This is my emerging memoir. For the time being, each chapter is a stand-alone "episode," and I have not yet determined the framework for tying them together. Don't worry about reviewing them in order. Imagine that I am making a necklace, and I am crafting the beads one at a time; once they are crafted, I will string them in a pleasing and relevant order, adding the necessary transitions at that time. This memoir will include my childhood in the 1970's, teens in the 1980's, motherhood beginning in 1994. The main themes of the larger work relate to three diagnoses in my forties: Borderline Personality Disorder, Bi-polar Disorder, and Breast Cancer.

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Two men, who can barely stand each other, set out on a road trip from England to Béziers in the South of France. It is a journey of love, fulfilment and ultimately, one of closure. (this short story is taken from a novel in progress)

--- My Tribute to the summer of love:
Although a short story about loss (a long one at that - 3800 words - flash fiction fans beware) this is also essentially a love story.

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True story about this man's best friend. In the blink of an eye (and a few tears) he was gone, but not before he shared one last moment with me so I could remember him so full of life.

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