Life is too short
Jul 13, 2025 4:21 pm
Live, Love, Read
Many of you know my husband was killed in 2016 at 46. This weekend I went to the funeral of a co-worker from AT&T, she was 50. It brings home that we never know how long we have and that every time you see someone it might be the last. I've been working hard on normalizing telling people I love them. Because I do. I have friends and family that I love and I want them to know it. I have fans (you guys) that I love and appreciate and I want to remind you that I do.
Life goes by so fast and we get caught up in all the drama and the bad things, and forget that good things are happening too. So this is my reminder to you - you are amazing, I am so glad you enjoy my writing, and the world is better with you in it.
Book Recommendations!
For sci-fi adventure, check out book two of The Midnight Society in Guardians of the Cosmic Rift. Five friends, a dog, and an alien threat. Can they save Earth?
Or check out this free prequel about a magical vet. It turns out taking care of mythical animals involves more dodging of diarrhea than dealing with phoenix or dragons. When she gets involved in animal abuse, she might be in over her head. Check out First Rain!
Weekly Micro Story
Red Cloak
Luciana wrapped the red cloak around her a bit tighter. It was a vibrant red, meant to draw the eyes, but the point was people saw the cloak, not the person wearing it. Everyone knew what it meant, but few knew the women who wore them.
The gondolier wore a mask as well, and had only nodded when she handed him the piece of paper with the address on it. Moving through Venice the sounds of the city around her, she sat in a bubble of isolation. It was her first job as a Red Cloak and she hoped she would not embarrass herself or the other women who put on this mantle.
The boat pulled up t the house and she was assisted up, her hood shadowing her face. One hand clutched it tight, the other held a small under the cloak. A knock at the door, and it was opened immediately by a woman, her clothes and bearing saying she was the mistress of this house.
"This way."
Luciana nodded, but did not speak. She followed the woman to a bed chamber, where a man lay. Age and disease had taken away his vitality and he murmured in pain.
"Please, it is time," the woman said, a catch in her voice.
Luciana nodded, but kept the hood over her face. She opened the small bag and pulled out a small container. She moved over to the man, and opened his mouth, then dumped the contends into it. He choked for a moment before the saliva in his mouth dissolved it. A few hard gurgles, then the stress bleed away, as did his life, leaving a body, now at peace.
"Thank you," the woman whispered. She handed Luciana a bag that jingled. Luciana nodded, took it, then left the room as the woman sat down and started to sob. In the kitchen, devoid of servants, Luciana took the robe, and bundled it up small and night, , then pulled out a white cap from her pockets, put it on, and walked out the servants door with a basket, heading to the market. Her job was done, and no one would know who had eased the man from this life. Luciana had no guilt, just relief and understanding that sometimes death was the best gift of all.
~*~
I am trying to work through the edits on Exiles' Refrain and get it to the printer, so hopefully soon as I need to order books for DragonCon!
Remember find me here:
Bookbub - follow me! You'll see books I recommend and alerts to releases.
Tiktok - @meltoddufbooks and @BAP_badashbooks
