tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18662566332189602892024-03-13T15:47:41.565-04:00Amethyst Raven The official blog of Becca Boucher Author Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17372424835029780092noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1866256633218960289.post-73719202770992876992020-11-03T12:55:00.000-05:002020-11-03T12:55:43.064-05:00What I'm Reading <p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Hi All, what's everyone reading? I am so excited to finally get a couple books I have been itching to read. So, my TBR pile for November is looking very full. Check out these two books, I'll be back to let you know what I think after I get them read. :) </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">First is, <i>Tales of Two Planets; Stories Of Climate Change And Inequality In A Divided Word, Edited by John Freeman.</i> This one is pretty heavy reading. I am a climate change believer, and even took a class this spring on line from the Harvard School of Public Health on climate change and it's effects on global health. ( I didn't post on Facebook, or talk about it because everything seems to spark controversy these days. But, it was an immensely interesting non credit course, and very eye opening.) I can't wait to dig into this one. It is filled with essays, poems, and articles, from people like Margaret Atwood and Lauren Groff, and covers different communities around the world and how climate change is, and will, effect them. Inequality is a driving factor in a lot of global issues, impacting everything from how we live to how we vote. Well worth the read.</span> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Two-Planets-Stories-Inequality/dp/0143133926/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1L891O75ARLJE&dchild=1&keywords=tales+of+two+planets%2C+by+john+freeman&qid=1604425232&sprefix=tales+of+two+planets%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="218" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bnYVgoOUmIA/X6GWI9fdsKI/AAAAAAAABBA/Axq10KFTlG0abJIF0ZUoBFghQlUOPkZIwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="160" /></a></div><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Two-Planets-Stories-Inequality/dp/0143133926/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1L891O75ARLJE&dchild=1&keywords=tales+of+two+planets%2C+by+john+freeman&qid=1604425232&sprefix=tales+of+two+planets%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1">Building from his acclaimed anthology <i>Tales of Two Americas</i>, beloved writer and editor John Freeman draws together a group of our greatest writers from around the world to help us see how the environmental crisis is hitting some of the most vulnerable communities where they live</a></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p>The next book is <i>Etched In Shadow Hill Cemetery by Jocelyn Dorgan and Sandy Fairbanks</i>. I have been wanting to read this book for forever. Sandy Fairbanks is a local author, from Ware Massachusetts, and the book is set in North Brookfield MA where I lived for 4 years. It's a coming of age story set in the 70's but covers a lot of topics relevant to today. It came highly recommended, and I'm super excited. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f2zhhr0Tijk/X6GXy_Wk8EI/AAAAAAAABBM/otdyhImUL6c0NrWVFyPrc4_4K4IkG_4PgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f2zhhr0Tijk/X6GXy_Wk8EI/AAAAAAAABBM/otdyhImUL6c0NrWVFyPrc4_4K4IkG_4PgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">A nostalgic tale of an unbreakable friendship.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Etched-Shadow-Cemetery-Jocelyn-Dorgan-ebook/dp/B01KYL7PHU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22QAMJJ6G9W3T&dchild=1&keywords=etched+in+shadow+hill+cemetery&qid=1604425656&sprefix=etched+in+shdow+%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">The 1970s was a time of war, a time of innocence, a time of renewal, and a time of hope. For Eva Thompson and Justine Andrews, the 1970s was a magical time and North Brookfield, MA was a magical place. Eva, the introvert who found happiness in the pasture with her beloved horse, Smoky, wanted to be left alone. Justine, the spitfire who spent summers with her family in Eva's hometown, wanted a friend. Together, the unlikely duo forged a friendship that would span decades.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Each summer, Justine returned for three months, reuniting the girls and reigniting their sense of mischief and adventure. Together, they come of age in the era of sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. Until one fateful night. What happened to Eva when her car broke down on a deserted country road? And, what will the fiery-tempered Justine do if she finds out?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">The adventures, growing pains, joys, and sorrows of Eva and Justine will draw you in, keep you riveted, and make you root for Justine as she begins to uncover Eva's secret. How far would you go to avenge your best friend?</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Now I just need to figure out which one to read first! </span><br /><br /><p></p>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17372424835029780092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1866256633218960289.post-67715695693610017672020-10-26T17:13:00.000-04:002020-10-26T17:13:05.229-04:00Flash Fiction<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AeqG_XdcgQs/TWRuv4Sd31I/AAAAAAAAAfU/nGwA1_hhktEuplCFz9weaJrjXDgDXYcUACPcBGAYYCw/s600/writinggirl.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AeqG_XdcgQs/TWRuv4Sd31I/AAAAAAAAAfU/nGwA1_hhktEuplCFz9weaJrjXDgDXYcUACPcBGAYYCw/s320/writinggirl.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">What is flash fiction?</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Flash fiction is a genre prized for its ability to convey deep truths and universal human emotions in just a few short paragraphs. When done well, flash fiction resonates with readers from all walks of life. I am using flash fiction writing prompts to challenge myself, get my head back in the game, and sharpen my thinking on the fly, so I can better focus on my novels. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.2px;"> For my 'practice' I am limiting myself to 750 words and staying within the parameter of the prompt. Mainly because a lot of contests I have looked at use those guidelines. There will be no telling which story I will submit to a contest, I am just trying to post one a week here on the blog to see what you guys think, and mainly just to challenge myself in the event no one reads them. (lol) </span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">This one is a quick one with kind of a horror flavor, keeping with the theme of the month. Enjoy! :) </span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Queen</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The cold wind stung the side of Travis's face like ten thousand razor blades. From the parking lot the dark water hadn't looked so tumultuous, but the closer he got to the dock, he noticed the direction of the swells. They were angry, roaring over everything in close proximity to them, covering the shipyard with a cold, almost frozen mist. It was September? Wasn't it? He found himself questioning everything in his life lately. Funny how one seemingly small moment in time could wreck a man. He got that now. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">He turned and walked down toward where the pleasure crafts were located. He passed the fishing boats and tankers, envying the men who worked on them. They had simple lives he supposed. The idea of getting up, going to work, working hard all day, and going home when you were done, seemed like heaven to him. A much better way to spend your time than kissing the asses of suited men, only to have them turn around and stab you in the back. Shit, if he made it through this mess he was going to disappear on to the back of a fishing boat. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 13.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">He knew there was no coming back from here though.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pulling his collar up tighter around his neck, he lowered his face toward the changing wind. It was coming right at him now. Whatever storm was blowing in was going to be a good one. But all Travis could think of was the last time he set sail on The Queen. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It had been a glorious summer day, sun high in the sky, and he was high off the beautiful woman next to him. He had promised her the world. Diamonds, vacations, mansions in the sky. In the end they were all empty words, words of a disillusioned fool.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Suddenly The Queen loomed in front of him, her gleaming hull a stark white contrast to the dark mist following him. He glanced quickly over his shoulder as his hand found the ring in his pocket. No one had followed him, mark it on the calendar. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">He stopped just short of her plank, steadying his breath, he needed his nerves to be rock solid for the task at hand. He reached out to grab the rope when suddenly he felt a large hand on his shoulder. “Congressman, funny to find you out here. Is there anything we can help you with?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">He felt the dread in the deepest parts of his soul. The voice was icy, mechanical, and familiar. He turned to meet the black eyes that had started the whole mess. “Jacob. No, I think I’m good. Just tying up some loose ends, making sure she's closed for the winter before I head back to Washington.” The laugh that came from the other man was humorless, almost condescending. “I bet you are. But as you know, we really can’t let you do that. October first the story hits the press, we need you to play your part. The grieving husband and all.” </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Travis cringed. Bile rose into his throat and threatened to come up all over the other man’s shoes. If he was going to end this, he needed to end it now. He slowly pulled the ring from his pocket, with one last glance he pressed it to his lips and then threw it over his shoulder into the dark water. Jacob grabbed him by the neck and pulled him back from the dock’s edge. “Now I appreciate the theatrics but we can’t have anymore of that.” </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">With all the strength he could muster, Travis pulled free of the larger man and jumped for the edge of the dock. He slipped, whacking his face on the side before he managed to push himself off the ledge. Welcoming the cold water as it infiltrated his lungs, he didn’t even struggle. He wanted death like a shot of whisky, stinging, yet warm and comfortable. He saw her, his love, as he floated in the last grips of his consciousness, welcoming the sweet relief of not existing. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-79c9953d-7fff-aa83-e8d3-643970e7dc9b"></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5999999999999999; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Suddenly Travis’ eyes opened, the cold gray sky the same one he wanted to escape. The icy rain still pelting him, the waves still beating the shore. Jacob’s face all he could see. The man got closer to him, their noses almost touching. “Did you forget? You can’t escape hell. There is no death. Only the dying.”</span></span></p>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17372424835029780092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1866256633218960289.post-87867063807675808652020-10-20T19:32:00.002-04:002020-10-20T19:32:59.443-04:00<h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well hello there.....</span></h1><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you've followed this blog for a long time you know that I haven't posted on it for years. If you're still following, thank you. If you are a new follower, welcome. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wJcjG5Zt6-I/X49yroi9ABI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/E4rl5wMTaYEE3Boep1j9tzpXYWCm86J8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/86659870_3013540812011566_2464615378777538560_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wJcjG5Zt6-I/X49yroi9ABI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/E4rl5wMTaYEE3Boep1j9tzpXYWCm86J8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/86659870_3013540812011566_2464615378777538560_o.jpg" width="150" /></a></div> You'll also see that I have changed the name and feel of the blog to better reflect where I am now in my career, and the type of books I've published. My goal with this newly styled blog is to better reach all of you, and to get myself back on track with my writing. Accountability is important. <p></p><p style="text-align: left;">This blog will be a safe place for the exchange of ideas, information, and for all things to do with writing. Bigotry, disrespect, and hate speech of any kind will not be tolerated. It will get you banned from the blog. The world right now is harsh enough, I want to explore the positive sides of my spirituality, family, friendships, and books. There will be links to my Wattpad page where you'll find short stories and other projects I am working on. Also check the pages here on the main blog from time to time, I hope to post flash fiction every few weeks. And as always there will be updates on Mist. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">If there are any books you want me to review, I hope to get back into reviews, or books you want to know of, send me a message. Feedback is always welcome on all of my books. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I hope to see everyone back here. Let's get back to the simple times when we all met on each others blogs and immersed ourselves in the books we loved. <3</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Happy Reading </span></h2>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17372424835029780092noreply@blogger.com0