Shelly Schulz's Blog

Welcome to Wednesday Briefs which is a feature on my blog where I share a piece of flash fiction for you, and link you to some other amazing authors.

Focal Point Chapter 1 Part 1

Focal Point Chapter 1 Part 2

Focal Point Chapter 1 Part 3

By Friday the entire school was buzzing with the news of the party at the Marsh. The halls were electric, whispers, notes and tweets flew faster than the speed of light as the message spread. A couple of over achieving seniors had already figured out a schedule for cars to arrive and leave so there wasn’t too much attention drawn to the festivities.  The adults and authorities often turned a blind eye, but if there was a constant stream of traffic into the Marsh it would bring too much focus on us. I had already cleared my involvement with mom.

I shouldered my bag as the last bell sounded, escaping out one of the side doors. My last class of the day was actually a free period and I had been holed up in the darkroom in the photo lab working on developing classic film. I like everyone else had digital cameras, my birthday present to myself last year was a top of the line digital SLR with a case of various lenses. But there was something to be said for the art of developing pictures the classic way, with chemicals and light and absolutely no guarantee that they would come out correctly. I made my way through the crowds that had overtaken the sidewalk and to the student parking lot. Cal was leaning against my truck, his backpack at his feet.

He hadn’t seen me yet, and I hesitated, allowing myself to be swallowed by the crowd momentarily.  Jeans, paired with a dark red button up the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, I could see the stark white of his undershirt from how far he had unbuttoned his shirt already. He ran a hand through his hair, and I couldn’t help but follow the path of the motion, the muscles in his arms cording slightly as he ruffled the blond strands. My mouth was dry, and I found it hard to breathe as he smiled broadly, looking at someone.

“Logan!” He lifted his hand, calling out to me. I forced my heart to beat regularly, the thundering pace made it seem like the organ was going to leap out of my chest. I walked over to my truck the crowd parting for me.

“Cal?” I unlocked the driver’s side, throwing my backpack into the cab. “What’s up?”

“You’re still going tonight right?” He had followed me to my side of the truck. I could feel him towering over me, the heat of his body radiating off of him in near tangible waves. I really had to get a hold of this. I couldn’t let him see, couldn’t let him know.

“I don’t get a say do I?” I asked.

“Dude, if you really don’t want to go, I’ll let you off the hook.”

His weight collided against my back, his chin on my shoulder. I could feel him against me and forced myself still, mentally willing my body to ignore how good it felt. “I’m going, don’t worry.” I managed to get out.

“Good, then I’m coming home with you.” He pulled away and got into the passenger seat of the truck.

I rolled my eyes and got behind the steering wheel. “What made you decide on this.”

“We’re going to the Marsh together, it makes sense that I just come home with you. Less chance of my dad getting me caught up in one of his projects.” He buckled his seatbelt as I pulled out of the parking spot.

“It’s not like I was going to do anything exciting. I need to do some editing for the yearbook photos that were turned in.”

“I promise that I won’t bug you.” He flashed another grin at me. “I’ve got some reading to do for English, so you can edit, and I’ll do homework.”

“You haven’t done the reading yet?” I drove through town, headed for home. He smelled good, I couldn’t name the cologne he wore, but it wasn’t too overpowering. I snuck a glance at him. He was all arms and legs, sprawled out in the passenger seat. He was drumming along to the song on the radio, fingers rapidly tapping against his knee.

“I figured it’d be okay. It’s not due until Monday and I was more worried about getting the papers done.” He shrugged and poked my arm. “Smile, man, it’s the weekend.”

“I am smiling.” I pulled into the driveway. “Mom won’t be home until after we leave tonight, so you’ll have to come by again. She said she wants to spoil you.”

“Your mom is the best you know that?” He got out of the truck, slamming the door. “I will come bay again.  I miss talking with her.”

“We haven’t gone anywhere.” I locked the truck and opened the door to the house. Toed off my shoes and dropped my bag by the door. Cal mirrored me and followed me back to my bedroom.

“I know, I just feel weird coming over without talking to you first. I mean you avoid me at school.”

“I don’t avoid you.” I sat at the computer chair and started up the beast. “I avoid everyone, don’t think you’re special.”

“What did you just say?” He asked as he threw himself onto my bed. “I am extremely special.” He pulled a tattered copy of ‘Animal Farm’ out of his back pocket and started to flip through it.

“That’s one way of putting it.” I muttered as I started to edit photographs. I hadn’t been working long when I heard slow, heavy breathing coming from behind me. I turned slightly in the chair to see Cal asleep on my bed, book on his chest. I couldn’t bring myself to say something to him, he looked actually rather peaceful curled up in my blankets. Pushing other thoughts aside, I bodily turned the chair away and continued working on the club pictures for the yearbook.

Check out the other flashers:

Presenting!

Embrace the darkness.

Murderous entities, haunted houses, screaming banshees, and sympathetic necromancers are just a few of the chilling things you’ll encounter in this anthology. Follow our authors into the shadows … if you dare.

Edited by: Jaidis Shaw

To Be Published:  June 28th, 2016

Publisher:  CHBB Publishing

Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Paranormal

Featuring Stories from:

“An Empty Building” by Jacqueline E. Smith

“Bump in the Night, Inc” by Melody Black

“Dorcha Scath” by Liz Butcher

“Living Nightmare” by Savannah Rohleder

“Lizzie” by Tania Hagan

“On Two Lane Roads” by Shelly Schulz

“Release” by E.M. Fitch

“Revenant” by Stacey Jaine McIntosh

“Scream for the Night” by Gina A. Watson

“Too Young To Kill” by Lily Luchesi

My story On Two Lane Roads:

On Two Lane Roads is a short story about Andrew Kane Snow, and his partner Casey who work for the shadowy Alabaster Order. The two are pawns in a game against the forces of darkness, often pitted against creatures of Hell and the darkness that lurks in peoples’ souls. Against standard procedure, Andrew and Casey are sent back to Andrew’s home town to deal with an urgent case–one that will test Andrew more than he’s ever been tested.

Welcome to Wednesday Briefs which is a feature on my blog where I share a piece of flash fiction for you, and link you to some other amazing authors.

Focal Point Chapter 1 Part 1

Focal Point Chapter 1 Part 2

“You’ve got me,” Mom said dramatically, clutching her hand to her chest. “I don’t love you. I’m trading you in for a new son. Or a cat, I haven’t quite decided yet.” She chuckled to herself as she ate, clearly proud of her teasing.

“And you wonder where I get it from,” I muttered pushing mashed potatoes around my plate. Dinner continued with her telling me stories about her workday, and me offering noncommittal grunts when questioned about school. I added more food to her plate before she could add seconds to mine.

“Logan.”

I winced, recognizing the tone.

“I had a snack at Starbucks, and we both know I’m going to raid the pantry while I’m working on my paper.” She always put seconds on my plate, when I knew she was hungry herself—though once again I couldn’t ever talk about it.

“I’m watching you, young man.”

“Yes ma’am.” I muttered again. She ate the second helping though without any complaint. Though she did swat at me when I got up to clear the table and do dishes.

“Homework, I can do the dishes.”

I let her have the victory of chasing me out of the kitchen. I had already won the ‘put more food in mom’s mouth’ battle, her doing the dishes wasn’t going to be too much for her. I walked down the hall, pausing by the door long enough to scoop up my backpack and entered my room. The walls were hunter green making the small space seem even smaller, but when I was eleven I HAD to have the walls that color. The thick pile carpet was an off white, my dirty laundry piled in a heap at the foot of my bed. I had managed to wedge a double bed in the space, a television bought with birthday money from my grandparents perched precariously on the top of my dresser. My desk was an Ikea purchase, my computer taking up most of the space. I had built the system myself, gaming and photo editing specs off the charts.  I fired up my computer and pulled my books out of my backpack, stacking them on the desk next to the keyboard. My phone beeped and I pulled it from my back pocket, clicked open the text icon.

“You home? Or dead in a ditch?”

I rolled my eyes, flopping back onto my bed. “I’m home. Shouldn’t you be working on your paper?”

Moments later, “I am MOM. Log into messenger, help me edit this as I write it.”

I groaned, flopping onto my stomach fingers ghosting over the keyboard on my phone but not typing anything. The phone buzzed again.

“Plans Friday?”

“Besides cramming for the rest of finals, no. You?”  I almost texted him that Mom wanted to come by.

“Party Friday night at the Marsh. You should come.”

“Lots of people, pretty girls, bonfire…”

The second text rattled my hands before I could respond. “I’d be out of place.”

“I’ll pick you up at eight. Now get on the fucking messenger. I really need your help.”

“I said I didn’t want to go.”  I texted back. I glanced at my computer, seeing my home screen wallpaper pulled up. “I’m a shitty editor, you do all my papers.”

“You said you’d be out of place, not that you wouldn’t go.”

He had a point, and we both knew that when he showed up Friday night that I’d get in the car with him. Mom would ask too many questions if I didn’t, and to be totally honest, blowing off some steam sounded like fun. There wasn’t a lot to do in our town, and for the most part the adults ignored what happened at Reever’s Marsh so long as the bonfire stayed under control and we cleaned up after ourselves. It would be a chance to get some pictures done, and work on a couple of photography assignments at the same time.

“A couple hours.”  I texted him, opening up a word document, mouse hovering over the messenger icon on my desktop. I clicked on it, letting it load as I started my paper. Almost instantly the message screen lit up as Cal switched to talking to me online.

It as well past midnight when I finally finished my paper. Cal had signed off half an hour before and I was seeing double. I printed the paper off, making sure to stow it safely in my school stuff before shutting down the computer. I got up, stretched, rubbed at my eyes, blinking blearily at the clock on the table next to my bed. Grabbed my coffee cup, and shuffled back through the house to the kitchen. Mom had left the lights on, the dishwasher running. I rinsed out my cup and turned off the lights making sure the house was locked up. It took me far too long to figure out that if I showered now there was no point in going to bed, since it would wake me up.

Whoever invented mattresses deserved god status in the afterlife. I collapsed under the blankets, pillows so soft and welcoming. I pulled the blankets up nearly to my chin, rolling onto my side, reaching down to the floor to grab my phone cord to plug it in. I set the alarm, closed my eyes and drifted off before I could even finish my thoughts.

Other Flashers:

Cia Nordwell

Johayan

Jon Keys

Mann Ramblings

Nephy Hart/a>

Louise Lyons

Elyzabeth VaLey

Ravon Silvius

Julie Lynn Hayes

Welcome to Wednesday Briefs which is a feature on my blog where I share a piece of flash fiction for you, and link you to some other amazing authors.

Focal Point Chapter 1 Part 1

I watched Cal leave, finding the table to be a little too big once he was gone. I flipped open my notebook that my laptop had been resting on and started scrawling down notes on the idea that he had given me. Art and photography were very much ‘my thing’, as soccer and anything athletic belonged to Cal. When we were kids I had an old point and shoot camera that took film and we’d spend hours in the woods behind my house hiking and taking pictures of nature—which often ended up being photos of my thumb or finger.

Even then I was drawn to Cal, in those days the feelings were simple. He was a friend and I really liked to hang out with him. It wasn’t until I was older that I pieced everything together. Then it was too late, I was so stuck on him that there was no way I would ever shake loose.

Thoughts of Cal and art swirled in my head, and I jerked when the alarm on my phone went off. I gathered up my things, and shouldered my bag. Starbucks had started to clear out, which was no surprise as it was dark outside, and a quick glance at my watch confirmed that it was past seven. I needed to get across town and pick mom up from her shift at the diner. My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten since lunch and I knew mom would be starving. I had parked down the street from Starbucks, my key sticking in the driver’s side lock before I wrenched the door open. Wedged my bag behind my seat and prayed that my truck would start the first time. Thankfully, the engine roared to life and I cranked the heat up and pulled out onto the main street.

I got to the diner a little while later, dinner in take out bags on the passenger side floor. Mom was waiting outside the diner, her hair down around her shoulders, arms crossed over her chest as she talked to one of the regulars. I pulled up alongside the curb, and she got in.

“Is that roast chicken I smell?” She smiled at me, locking the door and putting on her seatbelt.

“I’m sorry I’m late, I figured dinner would be welcome.” I said, putting the truck in gear pulling away from the diner.

“I wasn’t waiting long Logan.” She said. “How was school?”

“Okay, I guess.” I shrugged, chewing on my thumbnail as we waited for the light to turn. “Met up with Cal at Starbucks.”

“I thought you were going there to work on your paper.” She fixed me with a look and I shifted in my seat, tugging lightly on my seatbelt.

“He actually gave me an idea for a topic. I’ll have it done tonight.”

“You’ve been saying that for the past three days. Isn’t it due tomorrow?”

“It’ll get done, Mom.” I muttered, following the windy road through town. “How was your shift?”

“Busy,” She said. “Remind me after dinner to soak my feet.”

I glanced at her feet, knowing that the low heels were probably killing her. “I could pick up a part time job. You know to help out?”

“School is your job Logan.” She said. “We’re doing fine, with the diner, and the checks from your dad.” She reached out, patting my arm. “You don’t have to worry about anything but school and graduation.”

It was the standard response. I knew better than to push it any further. The only time I had ever seen her lose her temper was when I suggested that the child support check that my dad signed off on went toward household rather than into a bank account for me. Not that I’d use it anyway—as far as I was concerned Jeremy DuMont was nothing more than a sperm donor.

“You’re making that face again, Logan.” She poked my arm, hard enough to draw me away from my thoughts. “You are my child, and I promised you that I would take care of you.”

“Isn’t it a son’s job to take care of his mother?” I parked the truck, ignition still running.

“When he’s grown, yes, but I will always be your mother.” She said. “Logan, I’m not going to lie to you, things are tight, but we’re okay. The house is paid for, your truck is paid off, and your tuition is paid for. We have food on the table, power in our house and you have clothes on your back.”

“Your shoes are shitty.”

“Language young man,” She waved a finger at me. “I will get new shoes this paycheck.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” I muttered, turning the truck off, and got out of my seat. I walked around the truck and held open the door for mom.

She walked past me and disappeared to get changed out of her work uniform. I set the table, opening the containers of chicken and side dishes placing them on the center of the table. “Dinner’s ready.” I called back to her.

“Thanks, sweetie,” She said pulling me in for a hug. “How is Cal doing? You haven’t talked about him in a while.”

“We’ve been busy.” I said with another shrug taking my seat at the table. “He’s got his friends, and I’ve got mine.”

“You two are still friends right? You’re okay?”

“We’re okay.” I said, pausing to let her bow her head over her plate and say grace. “We just move in separate circles, and we don’t run into each other all that often at school.”

“I don’t want you to lose that friendship.”

“I know, momma.” I said. “I’ll see if we can get together soon.”

“Bring him by, I want a hug from him.”

“My hugs aren’t good enough?”

“Child, I get enough hugs from you. I want a hug from other people once in a while.”

“It’s okay, you don’t love me anymore.”

Check out the other authors!

Cia Nordwell

Johayan

John Keys

Kazy Reed

Mann Ramblings

Nephy Hart

Carol Pedroso

Julie Lynn Hayes

It’s that time again, for the weekly top ten countdown. This week’s topic is 2015 releases you meant to read, but didn’t get to. As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Broke and Bookish

Thor: Goddess of Thunder. I originally had picked up issues of this, and didn’t get around to reading them. Then I just decided to wait for the trade, and I still haven’t read it.

Saga. Again, this is one that’s still sitting my tbr pile, and it’s killing me because I’ve heard so many great things about it.

Finder’s Keepers by Stephen King.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I haven’t purchased this yet, even though I pass it all the time and stare at it longingly. I’ve heard good things about this and the cover just is beautiful.

Everything Everything by Nicole Yoon. Everyone’s read this–everyone but me, and I’m having serious feels about that.

I Was Here by Gayle Forman. I bought this, and kept intending to read it but never got around to it. My mom actually snagged it from me, read it and enjoyed it. I’m hoping to get to it soon.

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone. My twitter/blog feed exploded with this book, and I got it in a package because I put it on my TBR list. I haven’t read it yet and it’s killing me because everyone seems to really enjoy it.

Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski. I really liked Winner’s Curse and was really excited to get my hands on the sequel, but I just didn’t get a chance.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. This is another book that exploded all of my social media. I need to get my hands on it.

Winter by Marissa Meyer. I’m so far behind on this series that I haven’t even thought about reading the most recent book.

That is my list for this week. You’re more than welcome to leave your link in a comment if you’ve done a Top Ten Tuesday post this week. What books did you mean to read in 2015 but didn’t get a chance to get to?

Title: Nightwing V. 1 Traps and Trapezes

Writer/Illustrator: Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows

Published: October 10, 2012

Publisher: DC Comics.

Rating:

Synopsis:

Dick Grayson flies once again as Nightwing! And as he embraces his destiny, Haley’s Circus, the big top where Dick once performed, returns to Gotham City: bringing with it murder, mystery and superhuman evil. Nightwing must confront his past among former friends and enemies from his circus days, while uncovering a greater evil.

Collects Nightwing #1-7.

This launch of Nightwing isn’t necessarily a re-telling though they nerf some of the history/canon. The hero of this story, Dick Grayson, former first Robin and stand in Batman is back in his place as independent masked vigilante Nightwing. Bruce has reclaimed the Batman cowl–and while there’s no ‘on-screen’ discussion, Dick seems to be okay with the demotion.

Note: I would read Batman Vol. 1 Court of Owls before reading this trade. There are some tie-ins and some things that won’t make a lot of sense.

Haley’s circus returns to Gotham, and Dick stops in to visit with the family he had before being taken in by Bruce. He reconnects with old friends, family and an old flame (he really can’t stay away from redheads can he?) And as this is Gotham, and DC nothing stays golden for long. The owner of Haley’s dies, and bequeaths the circus to Dick. While working on accepting that new role, a new advisory rises focused on destroying Dick.

With cameos from Batgirl, Alfred and the return of Bruce later in the trade this is a very character heavy story. Members of the circus are featured–fleshed out and given backstory that ties in with Dick’s. The action is fast paced and nearly continuous, though one of my major peeves with Dick is the fact that he talks.all.the.time. He even mentions in one panel that he talks too much, and yet continues to do so. I’m not sure if this is a characteristic of Dick, or a running gag within the series, but it’s not something that I’m really fond of. The art stands on its own, though at first pass it was a little difficult to differentiate between Raya and Barbara when they meet face to face. Other than that the characters are individual and have distinguishing characteristics. The story is a little predictable, but it’s decent. The end of this trade is leading into a massive plot arc which I like a little bit better.

Overall: Not terrible, good action and art make it decent. I won’t add it to my collection, but I’ll continue reading the story.

TITLE – Juniper’s Princess

SERIES – Angel Crest Trilogy Book 1

AUTHOR – Chelsea O’Neal

GENRE – Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

PUBLICATION DATE – July 2, 2013

LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 256 pages 126,174 words

PUBLISHER – Mirador Publishing

COVER ARTIST – Mallory Rock’s Art

Daniah is different, she always has been and now her dreams and visions of the future are increasing, she knows her life is changing. She just doesn’t know by how much…

Jaiden is different, but he knows why and he knows his responsibilities. He must find the savior of his race, the angel human half-breeds who are fighting a war for humanity’s souls.

If he can’t convince Daniah she is more than just a little different – she is a princess of their people – they are all going to hell.

Unfortunately Daniah doesn’t have many reasons to trust Jaiden, especially when he is caught in a web of his own lies. In a world where half-breed angels walk among us, fighting an evil for our souls, Daniah must find the strength to become the princess we all need.

Chelsea O’Neal has a unique voice in storytelling, threading the characters lives together intricately to give us a complex web of good versus evil in a world descending into chaos…

AMAZON KINDLE US

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AMAZON KINDLE UK

AMAZON PAPERBACK

BARNES & NOBLES NOOK

BARNES & NOBLES PAPERBACK

SMASHWORDS

GOODREADS

I round the corner to the living room and I see Trev lying on the sofa, asleep. I stop and stare; I’ve never noticed how incredibly handsome he is. I mean of course he is cute, but Jaiden is closer in age to me and I have hung out with him more than Trevor. I study him as he lies perfectly still, the only movement coming from him his chest raising and lowering with each breath.

He has strong features, a square jaw and smooth skin, with high cheekbones. His hair is short and mocha colored, his eyes, if they were open, are a stunning sky blue. Jaiden’s eyes are green, if I remember correctly. Trev is a little taller than J, probably six foot six or seven, and built.

He may be a Secret and not a Rector but we would be evenly matched if we were to fight. His chest is broad and muscular, his biceps are huge, and in the t-shirt he’s wearing it looks like they are trying to break free. The bottom hem of the t-shirt has ridden up and his skin is tanned and chiseled, with just a slight trail of hair disappearing under his jeans. While I’m staring at his abs, I notice his breathing has changed. I bring my gaze back to his face and he is looking at me in a demure, almost coy way. If I were to have been standing here checking out Jaiden his face would have been full of arrogance with a haughty smile, knowing he’s gorgeous of course. With Trev, he’s almost asking with his eyes if he is good enough.

“Um,” I say clearing my throat, feeling my face heat. “I knocked, but you didn’t answer, it was unlocked,” I say, gesturing at the door. “I’m early, so I thought I would just come over. I’m sorry to have woken you.”

I look down, feeling bad for not thinking of his need for sleep, he still has dark circles under his eyes. I should have walked back out instead of ogling him while he slept.

“Cord,” he says, waiting for me to look up. I finally meet his eyes and he continues. “It is okay, really, you don’t have to apologize.” He stands from the sofa. “I was just waiting for you, and I apparently fell asleep.”

For some reason my belly flutters when he says he was waiting for me. Don’t be stupid, I tell myself; of course he’s waiting for you, he told you to be here at four. I mentally chastise myself and answer him.

“Yeah, okay. Do you need help carrying anything?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

“Nope, I’ll grab my bag and be right back, we can get going early,” he says, smiling at me then leaving the room.

I sit down on the sofa to wait for him, and sift through the feelings that are floating through me. I haven’t really noticed Trev before, he has always been around, but I have always been so focused on J that Trev never stood out. He sure does now. I feel my cheeks heat again and I duck my head to hide it even though I’m alone.

Chelsea O’Neal lives in her fantasy world where people can fly, vampires could be real, money is never an issue and the romantic meeting of your true love is a normal happening. When not relaxing in Chelsea-ville, she enjoys talking with animals who talk back and taking long walks with her prince charming.

Actually Chelsea lives in the United States in Nebraska, where she was born and raised, with her black lab Daisey, who hasn’t spoken actual words to her but she is pretty sure Daisey understands her. She is yet to meet her prince charming, though she is quite sure he is out there. Chelsea enjoys working as a youth librarian. She is an avid reader and writing has always been her passion. Chelsea has written 3 novels and a novella, she is working on her next book now.

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This blitz was organized & hosted by

Title: Hawkeye My Life as a Weapon

Artists/Writers Matt Fraction, David Aja (Illustrations), Javier Pulido (Illustrations), Alan Davis (Illustrator)

Published: March 13, 2013

Publisher: Marvel

Rating:

Synopsis:

The breakout star of this summer’s blockbuster Avengers film, Clint Barton – aka the self-made hero Hawkeye – fights for justice! With ex-Young Avenger Kate Bishop by his side, he’s out to prove himself as one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! SHIELD recruits Clint to intercept a packet of incriminating evidence – before he becomes the most wanted man in the world. You won’t believe what is on The Tape! What is the Vagabond Code? Matt Fraction pens a Hawkeye thriller that spans the globe…and the darkest parts of Hawkeye’s mind. Barton and Bishop mean double the Hawkeye and double the trouble…and stealing from the rich never looked so good.

I’ve come to accept that I’m a DC girl. I’ve tried to claim that I enjoy both for a little while now, but frankly I favor DC titles over Marvel. That’s okay though, because while I favor DC I still read Marvel and enjoy them. Fraction’s Hawkeye is literally gold. One of my friends had been telling me for months to pick up Fraction’s Hawkeye and I kept putting it off and finding other things to read. Another one of my friends picked it up when we were in the comic book shop, bought it, read it and then slipped it into the pile of trades we were swapping. I stared at it, glowered at it, picked it up and fell in love.

I get it now. My Life as a Weapon has some amazing art. The characters are well drawn, distinguishable and what I found really interesting is the tonal focus in each arc. The trade starts heavy with blues and purples then moves to sepia tones, then in the final arc it’s full of vibrant primary colors (red and yellow to be more specific) which really makes the story even more dynamic. The writing is brilliant. Clint says what everyone is thinking, drinks coffee directly from the carafe of the coffee pot, bemoans inanimate objects and what I like most of all, doesn’t take himself seriously. Kate Bishop is a thing of beauty and I love her and Clint’s interactions and relationship. Her character is written strong and stands on her own against adversaries and Clint’s presence in a scene. What I like even more is the respect that they have for each other.

My Life as a Weapon features three stories that wrap up within the volume, so there’s no cliff hanger. There is a short fourth story featuring Kate when she was with the Young Avengers and how she and Clint first met. This story also maintains the beautiful art and rich color saturation and great story telling as the other three main stories.

Overall

Beautiful artwork, great story telling and amazing characters. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.

This is exactly why you need to read this title if you haven’t already.

Welcome to Wednesday Briefs which is a feature on my blog where I share a piece of flash fiction for you, and link you to some other amazing authors.

I dropped my backpack into the chair across from me. The café was crowded, noisy and I claimed the last table in the back corner, wedged between the wall and a column it was the perfect place to work uninterrupted. My laptop took a few minutes to power up; it was in desperate need of a few updates. I couldn’t afford to get a new one, and there was no point in asking my mom to help me out. She worked hard enough to keep food on the table without worrying about whether my electronics were going to make it.

The headphone jack was secured into the port via a piece of electrician’s tape, and soon the sounds of screaming guitars and heavy rhythmic drums drowned out the coffee house noise. I stared at the blank word document, glaring at the cursor which blinked, seemingly mocking me. Balanced precariously on the table edge, next to my mocha was my history book. There were only sixteen hours left before my midterm paper was due, and I was still absolutely no where started with it.

Frustrated with the lack of motivation and the fact that the paper hadn’t written itself, I closed my eyes, hoping that an idea would come to me. I was jerked out of my inner Zen when the table jerked, history book falling into my lap. I yanked out my earbuds, and glared at the person who had settled himself in the chair opposite me. My bag was on the floor next to his, and he had a coffee in his other hand.

“Can I sit here?” He asked after the fact, flashing a toothpaste-model grin my direction.

“If you have to,” I muttered, wiping the spilled coffee from the table.

“Come on Logan,” He flashed another grin my way. “We’re both not working on Mullens’ paper, and I figure you could use a bit of distraction since you were falling asleep in a Starbucks.”

“I wasn’t asleep, Cal.” I pushed the sodden napkins to a corner of the table. “I was thinking.”

“You were snoring.” He pushed a hand through his hair and settled back into the chair. He was taller than me, all arms and legs with a broad chest and narrow waist. He couldn’t sit still, energy radiated out of every pore, and seemed to make everything around him move in slow motion. Captain of the Varsity basketball team for the third year, he also played soccer, rugby, and somehow managed to rig it with the school that he ran track—which was the same time as soccer. His hair was a little long, curling into his eyes when he didn’t comb it back, a dirty blond color that offset brilliant green eyes. Gorgeous, and could easily pull anyone that he wanted in school to date. And he did. Often. Shamelessly.

I wasn’t quite sure if my resentment toward him was the fact that he could fart and amazing things would fall into his lap, or if it was the way he could say my name and everything else faded away.

Crushes were stupid anyhow.

“Wasn’t asleep,” I muttered again, rolling the cord to my earbuds up and shoving them into my backpack. “What are you writing for Mullens?”

He shrugged, swallowing a sip of his drink. “I was thinking about touching on the comparison of Post World War Germany with the modern economic downfall of the past few years, but I’m not sure.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“It really is.” He grinned again, a different grin that seemed to go right through me and deliver a closed fisted punch to both my heart and gut at the same time. “A little terrifying if you look at it, but I mean Mullens is always going on and on about history is a circle, and the similarities are startling, if not fascinating.”

He talked with his hands, gesturing widely, punctuating his words with sweeps of his fingers. He did that when he got excited about something. We grew up together, separated only in middle school when his parents put him into the private school across town. I ended up getting into the high school with a scholarship, and once he found me he latched on. To the dismay of most of his friends and the general population at West Pierce Prep; he dragged me along until I told him to shove off.

And yet, here he was. Again. As if nothing had ever changed between us.

“Logan,” He waved his hand in my face. “What are you thinking about?”

“I told you I was trying to figure out something for Mullens’ paper, but I’m coming up short.”

Cal was quiet for a few moments, though his foot was tapping against the floor. “What about talking about the psychological impact on war propaganda posters and images? You’ve got the knowledge of art during that period and your photography brain would make it easy to write.”

“That’s actually…really good.” I said, typing the idea into the laptop before saving it and closing it down. Research would be easier at home, and so would writing the paper now that I actually had an idea to go with.

“Of course it’s good, I came up with it.” He said, and reached across the table, his fingertips brushing my hair. “Did you put blue in it?”

“Yeah,” I managed to get out around my heart which was now hammering in my throat. His fingers carded through my hair, playing with it before he drew back.

“I have to get home to get this paper done. You need a lift, man? Or are you going to hang here a little longer?”

“I think I’m going to hang here for a little while longer. I’ve got to pick mom up from work tonight.”

“Cool,” He said as he got to his feet, flashing me another grin. “Text me later so I know you got back.” He shouldered his backpack and sauntered through the packed café.

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It’s that time again, for the weekly top ten countdown. This week’s topic is top ten resolutions for 2016 (be it bookish or otherwise). As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Broke and Bookish

I resolve to finish the projects I start, and the ones that I have laying around that are “one day I’ll…” projects. I have a list of projects to get completed and I want to have it all checked off by the end of the year.

To create and gift 12 creative/crafty gifts in 12 months to 12 different people. I really love crafting projects and I love giving gifts so I thought I would combine the two.

To properly update, upkeep and maintain this blog. I really enjoy blogging and the friends I’ve made–but as you can see I’ve let things slide, which really upsets me.

Finish and publish (either through self publishing or a publishing house) my writing projects. Yes these are different from the projects mentioned above, and I need to get them done rather than just talking about it and thinking about it.

Read more, judge less. I’ve missed out on some really amazing books because I judged the hype, or the author. I’m going to really work on that this year and read things that I want to read without judging them or others.

To complete a 5k fun run each month.

Continue on my current path to a healthier me.

Set aside one day a week for self care where I unplug, avoid anything with a screen and just relax and unwind.

To say no. I take on too many tasks, too many activities and I really struggled a lot last year getting burned out and not taking care of myself. I resolve to stop, think and really take into consideration if I can do something before saying yes.

Surround myself with the people who help me be the best possible me I can be.

Those are my resolutions. Feel free to share yours in the comments and link to your Top Ten Tuesday post!