LAYLA - Second Edition

Because of a host of reasons having to do with what I am finalizing in a living trust for my kids, I am putting all of my novels under my partner’s banner: RJ Parker Publishing, Inc. RJ and I are friends, and since starting this, we’ve worked together without contracts or anything in formal writing. My wife passing away so suddenly has left me with decisions to be completed, making certain my estate transfers to my kids smoothly. I am shifting my other five novels under my name, we haven’t had time to fool with, under the banner. Then we can get legal papers made up in the event of my passing.

The first of my novels to be switched over is LAYLA with a new cover, and an added bonus ‘what if’ story at the end. It is a second edition, of course, but I wanted to make certain as I convert each one over to RJ Parker Publishing, Inc. that our readers don’t think we’re pulling a stunt. Here is the blurb, and link for the second edition of LAYLA for RJ Parker Publishing, Inc.

Cole Warren finds a paranormal answer for his problems at ABC Auto Repair - a Djinn named Layla. Cole embarks on an adventure where he and the beautiful Djinn gather a new crew for Cole's ABC Repair Shop: a Werewolf, Wraith, Witch, and of course, Layla. Together, they face down all manner of mythical monsters, while practicing ABC's main purpose: auto and truck repair.

LAYLA

Escape into a New Year

A new year dawns in troubled times. No year passes without leaving the dregs of itself spewed across our present day’s mindscape, filled with bittersweet moments lost in hurried lives. Welcome 2015. I have no idea what new kindness, nostalgia, or torment you bring. My many pulp fiction characters stand ready to shield me from your darker moments with stories and plots to bend your bleak reality. They remain loyal, steadfast sentinels, eager for new fictional forays into their worlds, unhampered by your yoke of promised sadness yet to come.

Happy New Year to my many Ethernet acquaintances, writing their own escape into fictional vistas, or reading a new flight of fantasy. May 2015 be a year of renewed hope, with a sunny day once in a while, to help in this unknown trek into reality ahead.

I passed my New Year’s Eve goal of 70k words in Hard Case Book V: Blood and Fear before the heralding horns, gunshots, and fireworks struck. John Harding and his crew helped ring in the new year with me, their voices blotting out the real world’s shadowed realm once again.  :)

I'm sorry the sale is over on the first book in John Harding's first adventure - HARD CASE, but it's still a bargain, as a 100k word action packed, pulp fiction adventure for only $2.99.  :)

Something New and Blue

As the year end seeped into my conscious thought this morning, accompanied by the usual stroke of reality until I can get my fingers on the keyboard's fictional escape, this poem blasted in on the changing year and times - bittersweet awakening to label what lies ahead.

I can see her smile so far away.

Eternity blinks in shadowed hours.

Only darkness remains of yesterday,

Grainy visions where time cowers.

Beyond my grasp her reaching hand,

Into blackness, despair now guides.

Hope filled vistas, now barren sand,

On evening’s tide, death soon rides.

Cold bleak mornings, dreams shattered,

Leaving gray dawn’s sad leeching care.

Strong fists tremble, only she mattered,

Her laugh, her touch, in our secret lair,

Where once we built a castle to abide,

With love we thought lasting forever.

Death’s parting shot, no place to hide,

Done in Reaper’s web, not so clever.

Alone once again, as in youth long past,

Day yet to face with promises to keep,

In dull acceptance of fearful fate cast,

I await with open arms dreamless sleep.

Final lesson learned after all these years:

Nothing lasts forever, except our tears.

A final farewell to my wife Joyce in this 2014 year of hell's kiss, loved one beyond measure... and beyond time. Yeah... baby, you will be missed to the end of days.