Katie Clark's Blog

August 14, 2023

Walt Disney World Summer Trip Report

June 2023 Summer Trip Report to Walt Disney World (part 1)


Ask anyone who knows me and you'll quickly learn that I heart Walt Disney World. It is one of my most favorite places, and a top spot for families with kids (or otherwise). The atmosphere, the nostalgia, the scents, the sounds, and even the lighting fill me with happiness and contentment. This summer, I took a special trip to "the World" with my mom and 2 kids. We got boarding groups for Tron and Guardians of the Galaxy, we ate at new and new-to-us restaurants, and we used Genie+ (Disney's skip the line service). What did we think of all this? Read on to find out!



Travel Day

On our first day we took an afteroon flight from BHM airport down to MCO. There were storms in the area (I hate flying, so storms were a bit...nerve wracking). We took a detour out over the Atlantic to avoid the storms, and while it took us an extra 30 minutes to land, all was well and smooth in the end. Upon landing, we picked up our checked luggage then headed from "A" terminal over to "B" terminal to catch our Mears Shuttle to the WDW Resort. 


In years past, we've taken the Magical Express, may it RIP. On this day, we lucked out and got one of the Disney Cruise Line buses (yippee!). For anyone who doesn't know, this means it was wrapped in Disney decor, versus a regular shuttle bus which...isn't. We did have to wait quite a bit before we left, as we were some of the first onto the bus and we had to wait for the bus to fill up. 


Soon, though, we were off! We had a few other stops first, dropping passengers at their designated hotels around the resort. Quickly enough, we were dropped at the beautiful Port Orleans Riverside Resort where we had booked a Royal Room. This was our first stay at POR, and let me just tell you--it didn't disappoint! The resort was beautiful, well kept, and well themed with Louisianna charm. There was even jolly jazz music piping throughout the resort's sound system, adding to the atmosphere.


We picked up a grocery order which had been delivered to bell services, and we made our way to our room. 


Throughout our stay, I would say we didn't have any complaints about POR. Our room was near a bus stop, and it was a quick walk over to the boat service to Disney Springs. We were also relatively near Pioneer's Hall and Ole Man's Island, where you'll find the quick service dining and the main resort swimming pool. The kids loved the swimming pool, and there was even a shower in the restrooms, so it was easy to wash off after every swim. We also used the quiet pool near our room throughout the week, which was nice.



Park Day 1 - Magic Kingdom



On our first park day, we rope dropped Magic Kingdom. We had early entry at 8:30AM, so we made our way to the busses at 7:30AM. We were able to get on the first bus that came through while we were there, and after a couple more stops around the resorts we were off to MK! 


Now, getting into Magic Kingdom for rope drop isn't for the faint of heart. The turnstiles were packed. Getting through security and then tapping in with our Magic Bands was a tedious, hot process. It made me question our strategy! Soon enough, though, we were "in" and my heart was full of gladness.


We lined up behind the rope near the Teacups. Our strategy for the day was pretty simple. We rope dropped Dumbo (because who wouldn't?!?), went straight to Barnstormer, then made our way over to Peter Pan's Flight (our first Genie+ selection of the day). Some people might call this a waste of rope drop, but no sir, not us! We had gotten in 3 of our top rides in the first 30 minutes!


While in the short line for Peter Pan's Flight I snagged our next Genie+, for Buzz Lightyear's Spaceranger Spin. I initially snagged Space Mountain, but my kids changed their minds. We made our way over to Tomorrowland, but once we got there we did some switching around. You see, we happened to get Boarding Group 1 for Tron. What did we do with it? Well, we chickened out.


I know, I know.


So, letting that drop, we went on to Buzz and had a blast. At this point, we were all hot and sweaty. We stopped for a water break then hopped onto the People Mover for a relaxing ride around Tomorrowland.


Again, I recognize that many WDW veterans are screaming that we totally blew our rope drop morning at Magic Kingdom. I promise you, though, we were having the time of our lives with no waits and fun times!


After the ride on Peoplemover, we headed over to Adventureland for a Dole Whip, a walk through the Swiss Family Robinson's Tree House, a ride on the Magic Carpets of Aladdin (Genie+), and the Jungle Cruise (Genie+). We grabbed another Genie+ at this point for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which we rode posthaste. 


By this time we were VERY hot and sweaty, so we took a rest at the Hall of Presidents (a first for me, and I loved it!).




After the show, it was time to check in for a new-to-us restaurant--Liberty Tree Tavern. We checked in and were called to our table almost right away. 


Guys, this restuarant is a must do. It was absolutely delicious! Served family style, we had traditional Thanksgiving type foods including turkey, beef, mac & cheese, stuffing, veggies, and ooey gooey butter cake. You are also served two appetizers--garlic rolls and a crisp salad with cranberries and a vinigrette dressing. I am dreaming of this meal right now. So good! Our server was a hoot, and overall I would absolutely recommend LTT.


After our meal, we made our way out of the park via the Emporium and other shops. It had been a FANTASTIC morning at Magic Kingdom. We spent the afternoon relaxing at the pool, resting, eating supper, and finally returning to Magic Kingdom for the evening.


The rest of our night we managed to ride Pirates, Winnie the Pooh, the Teacups, and the Speedway before attempting to find a spot for the fireworks. Unfortunately for us, we were all exhausted at this point. The crowds down Mainstreet USA got to us, and we bowed out of the fireworks show. (Maybe next time!) On the bright side, getting a bus back to the resort at this time of night was a breeze. We washed up and crawled into bed for a very nice night's sleep.


Where did we go next?! You'll find out in Part 2!!!


If you'd like to chat about Disney World or any vacation destination please reach out, and have a great day!

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 14, 2023 12:40

July 14, 2023

Summer Fun On the High Seas

Are you dreaming of a summer vacation filled with relaxation, adventure, gourmet foods, and majestic surroundings? It sounds like a cruise might be exactly what you're looking for! Cruise options offer an all-in-one pacakge where your accomodations, food, transportation, and attractions are all bundled into a single, fantastic unit price.



Cruises are a great idea because they can whisk you away to multiple destinations. Dreaming of the tropics? Cruise! The Mediterranean? Cruise! Alaska? New England? Mexico? Yep, they've got a cruise for that.



Along with the cruises themselves, you'll also be able to disembark at ports and take part in various activities. In the caribbean you might swim with dolphins or stingrays, or check out historic sites or popular shopping districts. In Alaska you can do a dog sled ride, a whale sighting cruise, or check out a glacier. Each port offers something unique and exciting for multiple personality types. This means finding something for you is highly likely.




There are also multiple cruise lines to help with your specifc needs. You might want to focus on romance or families, adventure or relaxation, luxury or budget. When you reach out to me for guidance I can direct you to the cruise line that'll be right for you. And here's a tip! There are online groups for individual cruises. Once your cruise is booked, you can join one of these groups and start "meeting" your cruise mates right away. This lets you start the fun earlier than ever.


If cruising is on your wish list this year, reach out to me to start the planning process. You can reach me @ boardwalktravelwithkatie@gmail.com, and find me on Facebook and Instagram @BoardwalkTravel.KatieC .

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 14, 2023 16:45

June 14, 2023

Grand Canyon Adventures?

Grand Canyon Adventures?

 

My family has always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon in the western United States. I’ve mapped out what would be (for us) a perfect itinerary. We’re checking our calendar now for when we can make this amazing trip happen!


What Is Important for Us?

It didn’t take long to realize this was an important question as we looked at all the options for visiting the Grand Canyon. Two of the most popular choices for families to consider are between staying in Las Vegas, Nevada, and seeing the Grand Canyon from the north rim or staying along the south rim in Arizona.


While visiting Las Vegas is a whole different bucket list item for us, we quickly realized the south rim in Arizona is what checks off the most boxes for us for this possible trip. Staying along the south rim has more of a western feel. It’s quieter and more relaxed. There are plenty of attractions, but they’re not exactly the type of attractions you’ll find in Las Vegas. We love science and history, and both of those things are ripe along the southern rim.



What Will We Find There?


Knowing which part of the Grand Canyon we wanted to visit, now we had to choose whether we wanted to stay inside the national park…or not. The hotels inside the park are historic and amazing, but there is so much outside the park that we also want to experience. That’s how we knew that, for us, outside the park was best.


We know we’ll want modern accommodation as well as a swimming pool. Because of these preferences, we plan to stay in Flagstaff, Arizona. This is a short drive to the Grand Canyon itself but also close to other area attractions.


With Williams, Arizona, nearby our family will be able to enjoy the Grand Canyon Railway. This attraction looks so fun! We will leave our car in Williams, and take the enclosed train into the Grand Canyon National Park. There’s even a train robbery performance while you ride!


Also found in Williams, Arizona, is part of the historic Route 66. We’re considering taking some time to follow this route all the way to California…but we’ll see. For now, we plan to shop at the fun shops and popular spots in the town for those wanting photos and memories in the area. We’re also looking at Bearizona Wildlife Park, a drive-thru safari attraction filled with various animals that kids love.


Another spot we’re considering is the Lowell Observatory. It was founded in 1894, and it was from this spot Pluto was discovered in 1930. You can also consider other options like catching a helicopter tour of the canyon or doing a guided donkey ride.



The Grand Canyon Itself!


When we do make it into the Grand Canyon itself, we know we’ll find adventure. We plan to check out the park ranger programs for kids. Our children will be able to take part in a scavenger hunt type event that’ll keep them on the lookout for various animal and plant species throughout the canyon.


We also plan to check out bike rental through Bright Angel Bikes right in the park. If there’s time and the weather is good, we’ll head for popular hiking trails for kids include the Grand Canyon Rim Trail or the Yavapai Point Trail.


I also hope to check out the stars at night, which seem amazing.

If visiting the Grand Canyon interests you, contact me today to get some options set up!

 

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on June 14, 2023 08:50

May 14, 2023

Going Down the Bayou

Wanting to travel but not sure where to go? Why not consider the bayous of Louisiana? My clients recently traveled to Baton Rouge where they stayed at a perfectly located hotel in the heart of the city. They enjoyed outings in the area including a swamp airboat ride and a guided tour of a sugar plantation. They also sampled fantastic southern food at cafes and restaurants near their hotel.


            


On their swamp airboat ride they were able to catch sight of the local flora, fauna, and alligators—a huge draw for those visiting Louisiana. The alligators are fed regularly, so they are likely to approach the boats in a docile manner. Make no mistake, though, they are still dangerous so no touching! My clients also enjoyed the stunning house and grounds of the Houmas House, an historic plantation. The plantation is circa 1840, and the main house is a Greek revival mansion. The guides dress in historic-period costumes, and the house boasts multiple fine dining spots on the property.


            



Louisiana is also known for other spots, of course, including New Orleans. You can enjoy major sporting events as well as parades, music, and nightlife. It’s a popular cruise port, so adding a day to the beginning or end of your cruise to explore the city is always a popular option for exploring Louisiana.




If visiting Louisiana piques your interest, give me a holler and we’ll get the planning started. Contact me @ boardwalktravelwithkatie@gmail.com, and find me on Facebook and Instagram @BoardwalkTravel.KatieC .

 

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on May 14, 2023 06:15

April 14, 2023

Paris Is Always A Good Idea


If you've been dreaming of Paris or London then now is a great time to start planning that getaway. We recently returned from an amazing adventure to Europe where we spent a few days in each of these cities. It was an easy flight into Paris from the US, and we returned home from London. The Eurostar train swept us between the cities without issue.

In Paris, we visited the Eiffel Tower, Hotel de la Marine, the Galeries Lafayette, Montmarte, Luxumbourg Gardens, and the Paris Catacombs. Of course, we also enjoyed a Big Bus city tour, and we stopped off to see the Notre Dame Cathedral as well as Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral. These amazing monuments and attractions were truly a sight to see as well as an experience worth having. Our favorites included the Eiffel Tower, Hotel de la Marine, and the Luxumbourg Gardens.



In London, we saw the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) and the Tower of London, along with Westminster Abbey. We enjoyed a Thames River Cruise, and we even stopped by Buckingham Palace. We also spent a day exploring the Engilsh countryside as we visited Stonehenge, Bath, and Lacock. The history and majesty in this area is impressive. The day we visited Stonehenge was our absolute favorite of the trip.


  


You might be wondering how you'd get around these enormous cities in another country. Luckily, we found it simple using the underground transport in both countries. The Metro in Paris and the Underground in London were both clean, quick, and efficient. 



There is so much more to see and do than we could possibly fit into one trip, so I'm already making plans for that next "someday" trip! If you'd like to start planning your "someday" trip feel free to reach out. We can talk about the hotels where we stayed (both fantastic) as well as other recommendations for your trip. And if your dream trip is somewhere else, I'd love to help you plan those dreams, too. Until next time, au revoir!

Contact me today @ boardwalktravelwithkatie@gmail.com

Find me on Facebook  or  Instagram  @BoardwalkTravel.KatieC



 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on April 14, 2023 15:40

July 1, 2015

ALIVE review!

Summer is in full swing here in blazing hot Alabama! I am definitely not reading by the pool (it's so hot that if I'm going to be outside at all, I am going to be IN the pool!). But I'm getting lots of reading done from the comfort of my air conditioned home :).

 

One of my recent reads was ALIVE by Scott Sigler. What a ride! I received the book for free from NetGalley, and while I wasn't obligated to say a single nice thing about it, I have plenty of nice things to say!

 

ALIVE was a super fun read. It was intriguing and kept me guessing until the end. "Em" wakes up inside a coffin and fights her way out. She finds herself inside some sort of compound filled with coffins, and lots of the other coffin occupants are waking up as well (but not all of them; some of them are genuinely dead). None of them knows who they are or how they got there, but they know one thing: they want out.

 

I never saw the ending coming, which was cool. The story was a mash up of The Maze Runner and Across the Universe (and since Across the Universe is one of my most favorite books, this was a good thing!). There were hints at romance, but just enough to keep it interesting. That was refreshing, though I do love romance.

 

As for the not-so-good points--the story felt a little *too* much like The Maze Runner and Across the Universe. While it had its own unique points, I had a hard time separating the stories. Besides this, because "Em" had no idea of her past, it was hard to connect with her. She didn't exactly have an emotional journey I could root for her to complete.

 

Still, overall I highly enjoyed ALIVE. I recommend it to anyone who geeks out over YA sci-fi!

 

 

 

ALIVE

Book One in the Generations Trilogy

By Scott Sigler

A Del Rey Hardcover On Sale 7/14/15

 

“I open my eyes to darkness. Total darkness. I hear my own breathing, but nothing else. I lift my head . . . it thumps against something solid and unmoving. There is a board right in front of my face. No, not a board . . . a lid.”

 

A teenage girl awakens to find herself trapped in a coffin. She has no idea who she is, where she is, or how she got there. Fighting her way free brings little relief—she discovers only a room lined with caskets and a handful of equally mystified survivors. Beyond their room lies a corridor filled with bones and dust, but no people . . . and no answers.

 

She knows only one thing about herself—her name, M. Savage, which was engraved on the foot of her coffin—yet she finds herself in charge. She is not the biggest among them, or the boldest, but for some reason the others trust her. Now, if they’re to have any chance, she must get them to trust one another.

 

Whatever the truth is, she is determined to find it and confront it. If she has to lead, she will make sure they survive. Maybe there’s a way out, a rational explanation, and a fighting chance against the dangers to come. Or maybe a reality they cannot comprehend lies just beyond the next turn.

 

 

Advance praise for Alive

 

“A ripping, claustrophobic thunderbolt of a novel, Scott Sigler’s Alive gives us an unforgettable young hero who must find the inner strength to lead without knowing where she is, who she is, and how bitterly the odds are stacked against her.”—Pierce Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Red Rising

 

“Sigler has created a wonderful and engrossing character in M. Savage. Strong and smart, but with the naïveté and misgivings of any teenage girl, she’s someone you’ll definitely want on your side when s*** hits the fan, which it most certainly does.”—Veronica Belmont, host of Sword & Laser

 

“A tense, unsettling page-turner of a story—both deeply strange and wildly compelling.”—Cherie Priest, author of Boneshaker and Maplecroft

 

“From the first page I was hooked. The puzzle unfolds masterfully, right down to the last page.”—Dr. Phil Plait, author of Bad Astronomy

 

 

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 01, 2015 02:55

May 19, 2015

Goodreads Reading Challenge

Are you a reader? If you're on my website I'm guessing the answer is yes! I love to read, something I've done for entertainment ever since I can remember. When I was a little girl, my grandpa used to take me to the library. It was where my love was born.

This year I discovered the Goodreads Reading Challenge for 2015. (You can learn more here: https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/2712378) I set a goal to read 52 books this year (one for every week of the year), and so far I'm not doing too bad. At this point in the year I should have read 19 books and I'm at 18, but I've got two on my Kindle I'm currently reading.

Right now I'm reading One Lavender Ribbon by Heather Burch.

[image error]

 

I'm also reading Alive by Scott Sigler.

 

Both have started with a bang! What about you? What are you reading today?

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on May 19, 2015 14:50

February 18, 2015

Free Ebooks Everywhere!

I can hardly believe it, but Pelican Book Group is offering an amazing promotion for Lent 2015! All ebooks in their catalogue (other than their subscription-only books) are free for Lent. This means you can get Vanquished, Deliverance, and Redeemer for FREE! (click on the covers below to be taken to the purchase page)

 

    

 

If you have a Nook you will need to purchase the EPUB file; if you have a Kindle you'll need the MOBI file; if you will be reading on your computer you'll purchase a PDF file.

 

I hope lots of you take advantage of this fantastic promotion. And if you're so inclined I would absolutely love it if you'd leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes and Noble after you read the books. You don't have to have purchased the books on Amazon to review them there (and same for B & N).

 

While you're on the Pelican website, you should also check out the other great books they are offering.

Happy reading!

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 18, 2015 08:20

February 8, 2015

The Making of Mardan's Mark

Today I'm excited to announce a two-book giveaway! You can win a copy of Kathrese McKee's new pirate adventure novel, Mardan's Mark. You can also win a copy of my own YA novel, Vanquished! The details are at the end of this post, but first let me tell you a little about Mardan's Mark!

 

[image error]

 

Pirates plan to sell the royal siblings to their enemy, the King of Norland.

In this coming of age fantasy, seventeen-year-old Princess Srilani is prepared to die for her country, but she has to live long enough to make sure the heir survives.

After pirates abduct Srilani and her brother and sisters, they are stranded across the Great Gulf and far behind enemy lines. She convinces Aldan, the pirate captain’s slave, and his two brother slaves to share their perilous journey home.

These unlikely allies set out on a quest of heroes — against cutthroat pirates, merciless priests, and countless soldiers — to return the heir to his kingdom, but will coming home mean the end of happiness for Srilani?

Hi Kathrese! Welcome to the blog. Here are a few questions for you.

How would you describe Mardan’s Mark?

 

Mardan’s Mark is an epic adventure fantasy set on Earth, but with a completely different time line and slightly altered geography.

 

The series centers around two kingdoms founded by King Mardan, the first king, for his twin sons; thus, they are the Twin Kingdoms, Northern and Southern Marst.

 

 

The story of Mardan’s royal descendants is taken up three centuries later. The Southern line is threatened with extinction, and a usurper plots to take control of the country. The Northern line is worried about civil war with the Southern kingdom and invasion from the barbaric nation on its other border.

 

Events come to a head when the royal children of the Northern kingdom are abducted by pirates. And that’s pretty much when the series begins.

 

What are your plans for the series?

 

I have definite plans to write two more books in the Mardan’s Mark series, and I have ideas for two more. We will see how things turn out. Book Two is Mardan’s Anointed. I haven’t made the final decision about the title for Book Three.

 

A companion novella to Book One is almost complete; it is entitled Healer’s Curse. So much of the action in Book One takes place away from the Twin Kingdoms, I thought readers would like to know some of what was going on back”home,” and so I wrote the novella and tried not to include any spoilers.

 

 

How and why did you choose the title for your book and series?

Mardan’s Mark was originally entitled The Twin Kingdoms, but it turns out that there’s already a series by that name. And a rock band. Then the working title changed to The Great Gulf, but that was only ever supposed to be a working title. Finally at the last minute, I decided to name the series after the first king, Mardan, and his mark that is an important part of the story.

BIO

Texas author, Kathrese McKee, writes epic adventures for young adults and anyone else who enjoys pirates and princesses combined with life's difficult questions. She is committed to exciting stories, appropriate content, and quality craftsmanship.

Mardan's Mark, the first book in the Mardan's Mark series, has won a couple of awards:

Winner: 2014 Novel Rocket Launch Pad Contest, MG/YA Category

Finalist: 2014 Phoenix Rattler writing contest, Christian Writers of the West (CWOW) - Arizona's ACFW affiliate

The sequel, Mardan's Anointed, is in process along with a related novella, Healer’s Curse.

Once upon a time, Kathrese worked as a systems engineer for EDS and various oil and gas companies. After that, she taught Reading and ESL at the middle school level. These days, she edits fiction, home schools her children, and turns a blind eye to the feral dust bunnies lurking beneath her desk.

Kathrese is Treasurer for Writers on the Storm, a chapter of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) meeting in The Woodlands, Texas, and a member of the Houston Writers Guild. She is also a Contributing Member and website administrator for The Christian PEN.

Author Blog: kathresemckee.com http://www.kathresemckee.com

Devotional Blog: christsreflections.wordpress.com

 

 

Now for a sneak peek at Mardan's Mark!

EXCERPT:

Aldan crept past the sleeping crew members drooping in their hammocks, his bare feet soundless on the well-worn boards. One of the men mumbled. Aldan froze, the daggers hidden in the belt beneath his ragged tunic pressing into the small of his back. The pirate turned his head, but his eyes stayed closed.

Keep moving. The skin between his shoulders itched. Nobody’s there. Stop imagining things.

Dawn’s dull gray fingers poked through the latticework of the hatch in the deck above--barely enough light to maneuver around the sea chests and discarded clothing littering the deck. Aldan ducked into the dark passageway and down to the pitch-black hold. The hot, musty air closed in around him.

He stopped and held his breath. The skitter and scrape of a ship’s rat in the beams reassured him. The gulf slipped past the ship’s hull, a constant rush of water. Satisfied, he hurried to the forsaken space reserved for Captain Rozar’s slaves in the hold near the stern, picking his way by memory through the maze of barrels, crates, bolts of sailcloth, and coils of rope.

“Sam. Linus. Wake up.” He shook Sam’s shoulder and received a grunt in reply. Aldan pushed harder. “Get up.”

“Go away.”

“You’ve got to see this.” He reached out to wake Linus and found an empty hammock. “Where’s Linus?”

A quiet voice answered near his ear. “I’m behind you.”

Aldan whirled around with a hiss. “Don’t do that.” He sagged onto the foot of Sam’s hammock. “I think my heart stopped beating.”

Sam’s bass voice rumbled in the darkness. “How’s a man supposed to get any sleep around here?”

“Never mind sleep. Linus, light the lamp so you can see what I found.”

A tiny spark jumped from the flint to the char cloth, sizzling bright in the depths of the hold. A single point of red light glowed, followed by the birth of flame in the lamp as Linus held the cloth to the wick.

Aldan looked into the obsidian glitter of Linus’s eyes. “Where have you been?”

“Behind you.”

“How long?”

“The whole time.”

Aldan blew out a breath and pushed his hair away from his forehead. “I woke you?”

“Indeed.”

Aldan shook his head and dropped the subject--Linus would do whatever Linus would do. “Look.” He drew three daggers from the back of his belt and handed one to each of his fellow slaves. He unsheathed the remaining blade and ran his thumb along the edge.

“I could do some damage with this,” Sam whispered. He struggled to swing his legs over the side of his hammock and straightened to his full height. Sam was the most heavily muscled of the group and the oldest at twenty-three summers, but he wasn’t as tall as Aldan, four years his junior.

Linus, younger and taller than the others, re-sheathed his dagger and made no comment. He reached into his tunic’s neckline and drew out a small leather pouch. He loosened the cord, and five gold pieces clinked into his palm. They gleamed against his brown-black skin.

Aldan jumped to his feet. “Where did you get that?”

“Fratz’s sea chest.”

“What?” Aldan and Sam asked in unison.

Linus shrugged. “I saw Fratz steal it from Biscuits.”

A grin split Sam’s face, and his red beard bristled. “So Fratz can’t cry about losing the gold pieces he wasn’t supposed to have in the first place.” Sam punched Linus’s arm. “Well done.”

Aldan frowned. “Are you out of your mind? What if you’d been caught?”

Linus leveled a meaningful stare. “What if you’d been caught?”

“It’s not the same,” Aldan said. “Nobody’s counted the weapons we captured yesterday. Not Captain Rozar. Not Scar. So nobody will know they’re missing. But even if he can’t say anything, Fratz will know the gold is missing. And he’s going to look for it.”

Linus shrugged again. “I’m good at hiding things.”

“He’s got you there,” Sam said, and he grinned. “That means we’ve got weapons and gold. Now all we have to do is figure out how to get ashore.”

Aldan rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Aye, that’s the problem, isn’t it?”

“You think? We’re stranded in the Great Gulf, leagues from any shore.” Sam’s mouth pulled down at the corners. “Our chances of getting off this cursed ship are almost nil.”

“We’ll think of a way. We must.” Aldan took the dagger from Sam’s hand and gave both weapons to Linus. “Hide these and the gold. I’ve got to get things ready for Rozar before Scar figures out I’m not where I’m supposed to be.”

“That sea serpent.” Sam’s fists clenched at his sides. “Scar’s getting bolder every day and the men listen to him. Rozar had better watch his back, and we’d better be gone by the time Scar makes his move. Once he’s the captain, we’re dead.”

Linus nodded. “Indeed.”

Aldan swallowed and looked away. And I’m at the top of Scar’s list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 08, 2015 03:40

January 14, 2015

Vanquished is on Sale!!!

Hi everyone! I'm just posting to let you know that Amazon has the Kindle edition of Vanquished, book 1 in the Enslaved Series, on sale for only 99 cents! This is fantastic news, especially for readers who have been holding off on buying. I hope you'll check it out! Click on the photo to be taken to Amazon.

 

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 14, 2015 22:55