Madison's Life Lessons on the Road to Hell: Pandora's Box T-Shirt Contest

COME JOIN us for a fun contest that YOU get to participate in for a chance to win a Pandora's Box T-shirt! Click on the link below for the T-Shirt Contest...



Madison's Life Lessons on the Road to Hell: Pandora's Box T-Shirt Contest: "I want to turn YOU into the author for this contest. I'll give you the scene, you just need to finish it out with a sentence or two, a parag..."

HAPPY SATURDAY the 14TH

I'm sharing some unknown facts about myself today over at the Daily Dose of Decadence: Just the Facts with Gracen Miller!

I have a new release out too, a short erotic read, Fairy Casanova. If you read it, I'd love a review! My first book in the Road to Hell series, Pandora's Box, has been sent off to line edits! YAY! Progress...but I have no idea how long this process will take. *sad face*

Does anyone have any plans for today or this weekend? I hope to take my kids to see Thor today! I love to see Priest too. But the 9 year old says the commercials scare him and I would never dream of taking him anyway! Mighty Joe Young scared him and he called Mighty Joe Young a monster. My eldest watched that move so many times we could've repeated the lines right along with them.

I'd like to invite everyone to join my Road to Hell series fan page on Facebook...or even my prequel to Pandora's Box. Here are the links:

Facebook Fan Page
Madison's Life Lessons

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!

Huggles,
Gracen

Errand Insanity!

Errands yesterday became interesting. A rainy day that ended in severe weather, but as I dashed into the post office Friday morning a twenty-something year old guy dashed in ahead of me. He held the door open for me, greeted me with something along the lines of “good morning” and then an inane comment about the severe weather we’re supposed to have later that day. He insisted I go ahead of him in line even though he arrived before me. I thanked him and proceeded to wait my turn. Standing in line, I’m growing frustrated by the post office’s clerk’s hateful attitude over a girl who was attempting to conduct business and quiet her crying infant. Anyone that has a wee bit of sense realizes parents cannot control their crying infants.

The young man that held the door for me leans in and says, “You smell good.”

Me: “Thanks.”

*I’m mentally running through my morning shower and whether I used my Bath & Body scent or plain ole soap* For the record, it was plain soap.

Young Man: “What perfume are you wearing?”

Me: “None.”

Young Man: “Well, rain just makes you smell good then.”

Me: *double take while thinking he cannot be serious* I realize he’s smiling, I avoid eye contact and mutter an awkward, “Thanks”, while wishing I’d hit the grocery store first.

Young Man: “You married?”

Me: *still avoiding eye contact* “Yep, twenty years this year. I really didn’t expect the line to be this long with the weather the way it is.”

At this point I’m praying the line picks up speed so I can get out of there or he takes the hint and changes the topic! Rudely, I didn’t think to ask him if he was married and frankly I don’t care if he was or wasn’t. I finally got out of there without too much personal information shared.

Now, off to the grocery store. I push my buggy up the coffee isle and it’s really narrow. In order for two buggies to pass side-by-side, you’ve gotta maneuver them carefully and then you’re probably going to scrap handlebars. I’m in a hurry because I want to beat the rain home and I wheel into this narrow isle. Twenty something young man tugs his cart back like he thinks he’s in my way and I tell him, “You're okay”. Young Man chuckles and when I glance at him, he says, “Why thank you, you’re not so bad yourself.” I died laughing.

Grocery young man was teasing and obviously has a great sense of humor, while post office young man was a little creepy! LOL On the drive home I got to thinking about the two of them and how friendly they were with a total stranger, nothing at all like the guys I knew back in my twenties. What will the next generation be like? I worry about them with all their technology, especially after my 13 year old son sent and received over 7,000 text messages in the month of March alone. Insanity!! I guess in 50 years, we’ll be a silent society and conduct all conversations telepathically. ;-)

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Huggles,
Gracen

SPICY SATURDAY

I've been MIA lately, and I apologize for that. With family life and working on edits, I failed to devote the time needed to my Saturday blogs. :-( I thought I'd share a spicy snippet with you today from my soon to be released short story, Fairy Casanova. It's a short story in Decadent Publishing's 1NightStand series. Hope you enjoy!

Jace stopped in front of her and stared at her mouth. He knew many places he wanted those lips, but mostly he wanted them rounded on an orgasmic scream.

"I'm Jace."

She swallowed and cleared her throat, but her voice came out low and raspy. "Sadie."
He dipped his finger into the crystal glass she held poised below her chin. A fat droplet of liquor clung to his forefinger, and he spread it across her pouty bottom lip. Her eyes widened, and her breathing noticeably accelerated. As if prompted, her tongue swiped away the moisture, and his cock twitched in reaction.

"You're perfect. Stunning."
She laughed, a charming sound, as a blush crept across her cheeks. For the first time since beginning his adventure, he considered the horrible ramifications of falling hard for a human. Impossible! There wouldn't be enough time to grow attached to a one-night stand

. I sat for my first ink job...getting inked wasn't bad, nothing like I expected. It took about 3 hours to ink the entire tattoo and I could've sat longer, so definitely not bad. Here's the photo...the three skulls represent my 3 books (either published or soon-to-be published), the 3 roses represent my three guys (husband and two sons), the fairy represents the paranormal genre I love, and the words "Written from the Soul" is how I feel about my writing. Everything I write comes from my soul. Tell me what you think!

To SPICE things up a bit more, here's my spicy Saturday photo...Enjoy!

Hope everyone has a spicy Saturday!

Huggles,
Gracen

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS

I know everyone is busy today with the holidays, so I won't keep you long. I received my first round of edits yesterday on Christmas Eve! YAY! But that's not what my post is about...

This question is something I've been thinking a lot about lately. Do you as a reader prefer to read longer length novels (say 60K-100K words) or shorter length novels (anything under 60K)? I prefer the longer novels so I can really get to know the characters and if there's a sequel to them, even better! Sometimes I like the shorter length novels because it gives me something to read quickly and then I can get back to my own writing.

What about you? What type of novels do you prefer?

Thanks so much to all of our readers! You guys are what make this blog worth all the effort!

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! And any other saying I've forgotten!

~huggles
Gracen

LIFE LESSONS ON THE ROAD TO HELL

You may or may not be aware that I contracted the first book in my Road to Hell Series, Pandora's Box, with Decadent Publishing. I'm presently awaiting the first round of edits on Pandora's Box, I have completed book two and have started writing on book three in the series. In the meantime, I'm writing a prequel to Pandora's Box, so that those who read Pandora's Box will understand how dysfunctional Madison's relationship with her father was and how much it shaped her life...for the good and bad. So, I thought I'd share Madison's First Life Lesson...If you enjoy it, please click over to the blog that's dedicated to Madison's Life Lessons (HERE). A second Life Lesson is already up, with a third one coming next week. To learn more about Pandora's Box, please visit my website by clicking HERE.

WARNING: The content of this prequel may be considered highly inflammatory to those with a sensitive nature. I do not endorse or reject Christianity in any manner whatsoever. This is a fictional story only and does not reflect my personal beliefs as it relates to Christianity. If you have a question about my belief in Christianity, I'll be happy to discuss it with you in a civilized manner through e-mails at gracen.miller@yahoo.com.

LIFE LESSON ONE…

“You’re morally damned, Madison Grace Wescott!” Bruce Wescott screamed the outraged whisper into his daughter’s face. “It shames me to recognize you as my daughter.”

Madison shrunk further into the corner of the church bench, wishing she could shrink out of sight. Maybe if she were out of Daddy’s sight, she’d be out of his mind too, she thought as she blinked back the stinging tears. A hurried peek around the church sanctuary confirmed no one else witnessed her setback.

Unsure what she’d done to receive his censure this time, she offered a weak, “Yes, sir, I’m sorry, Daddy.”

Not that an apology ever appeased him.

“It’s not me you should be apologizing too, young lady, but the Lord,” he snapped drawing to his five-foot six stature. “If you don’t repent and alter your ways, God’ll see you burn in Hell.”

“Yes, sir, I understand.” She hoped she sounded meek enough to suit his temper or she’d find herself on her knees after church service praying for her soul. Depending upon his mood, she could pray for hours without a restroom break or a knee break. And boy, oh, boy, could her knees suffer brutal agony in that position.

It would be great if she knew what to repent so she could avoid the burn of Hell. She didn’t want to burn any more than he wanted her to burn. A typical complaint centered on her appearance. Her hair was too blonde, her eyes too blue, her boobs too big and her figure too lush for her too-tall frame. At 15 she was already three and a half inches taller than him. All these complaints apparently forced men to sin against God by lusting after her. Not that she encouraged men to lust after her, mind you, but on the off chance that they did, it was still her fault in Daddy’s eyes.

“Brother Wescott,” Becca Slayter said with her hand extended to her father, cheap red lipstick smeared outside the lip-line of her saggy mouth. The over-abundance of lipstick did not give her the appearance of fuller lips. Reminded of another one of her father’s complaints—her lips were too full and sensual—Madison pinched her lips together. “I wanted to extol how much your sermon last Sunday enriched my life this week. Why I was telling Cynthia Jones…”

Madison stopped listening to Becca Slayter’s conversation with her dad because she didn’t much like ‘Sister’ Becca or her high-pitched annoying voice. And she was old, like thirty or thirty-five, and all Sister Becca ever did was brag about some new object she’d received.

She peeked around the sanctuary and took special care not to openly snag the gaze of any man. Opening her worn leather-bound Holy Bible to the Gospel of Luke, she began to read and mentally pray God would forgive her for whatever sin she’d committed. If she were lucky, by the time Daddy finished his morning sermon he would forget all about her morally damned soul. She sure didn’t want to spend the afternoon praying on her knees.

30 Days of Decadence

Wish me congratulations—or maybe it should be commiseration—as I am officially the proud owner of a six month old blue Great Dane, named Ella. (Ella…such a sweet name for such a horse-breed dog!) I sure hope she and my Daschund learn to love one another. Can you think of a more mismatched pair than a Daschund and Great Dane? Ha! I can't. I'll post pictures of her next week, as she doesn't officially join my family until Sunday.

~~~~~

MADISON'S LIFE LESSON ONE

Where does the road to Hell begin?
With good intentions?
Or by demonic design?
In a small, sleepy Alabama town the battle for mankind's liberty has begun...

“You’re morally damned, Madison Grace Wescott!” Bruce Wescott screamed the outraged whisper into his daughter’s face. “It shames me to recognize you as my daughter.”

Madison shrunk further into the corner of the church bench, wishing she could shrink out of sight. Maybe if she were out of Daddy’s sight, she’d be out of his mind too, she thought as she blinked back the stinging tears. A hurried peek around the church sanctuary confirmed no one else witnessed her setback.

Unsure what she’d done to receive his censure this time, she offered a weak, “Yes, sir, I’m sorry, Daddy.”

Not that an apology ever appeased him.

To finish reading Madison's Life Lesson One (the prequel to my soon to be released book Pandora's Box), click (Life Lesson Two will be posted in the next couple of days): http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com/

~~~~~

"Dear Miss Havana" is a new kind of advice column we've added to my other blog, Moonlight, Lace & Mayhem. I don't like advertising stuff here for that site, but this is something you need to check out! Miss Havana is rude, crude, and her advice is often screwed!

The latest question posed to Dear Miss Havana:

"My neighbor squeals like a pig while having sex. I can hear this unsightly noise through the wall. How do I broach the subject with her? Sincerely, Itchy in Indiana."

Come check out Miss Havana's not-so-eloquent advice: http://mlm-dmh.blogspot.com/

~~~~~

30 Days of Decadence and giveaways is STILL going on through December 31st! Don't miss out. http://30daysofdecadence.blogspot.com/

~~~~~

~huggles~

Gracen

Howdy!

Every story has a beginning…

“You’re morally damned, Madison Grace Wescott!” Bruce Wescott screamed the outraged whisper into his daughter’s face. “It shames me to recognize you as my daughter.”

Those are the first lines of Madison’s beginning…Before Pandora’s Box and the Road to Hell series begins, Madison relives moments from her life, all of them leading to her showdown with fate in Pandora's Box. Come join her adventures: http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com/

I didn't get out for the Black Friday shopping, although I have in the past few years. How about you? Do you Black Friday shop? Instead of spending money, do you want a chance to WIN something fun? If so, visit Decadent Publishing's 30 Days of Decadence! Click HERE and be entered for a chance to win. Come back each day until December 31st and find something new to win everyday! I'll be spotlighted on 30 Days of Decadence on December 14th and I'll be giving away an e-copy of Pandora's Box (when it's released) and a skull tote bag.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving, if you celebrate it. If not, I hope you're having a fantastic weekend!

~huggles~
Gracen

THE CROW

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word "Crow"? For me, aside from the black birds that scavenge, it was the mystical belief that they are omens of death.

In my newly contracted book, Pandora's Box, I needed a mystical creature that could deliver a riddle from a higher power about the future. So, I started researching and quickly became fascinated by the Crow. Similar to the Raven it appears in mythology as a soothsayer, as a creator and cleanser and as omens of death. Okay, so I wasn’t completely wrong, but neither did I know near all of it.

Among the North America tribes the Crow was considered as the guardian of the sacred law that could see not only the past, but the present and the future. Ah, so a soothsayer that could easily be used in my story to deliver a riddle about future events.

In Celtic lore, the battle goddess Morrigan would shapeshift into either a crow or a raven and they were both seen as allies and companions.

Scottish folklore said the crow had 27 different sounds and each one of them correlated to an occasion, foretelling anything from coming guests to good fortune to an imminent death. Truly I found this fascinating and wanted to learn more about the 27 different cries. By the way, the number 27 was derived from the magical 3 x 9 derivative.

To the Greek, the crow was considered an unlucky warning. In fact, while crows were sacred to the Greek goddess Athene, she refused to allow them to perch atop the roof of Acropolis in Athens because they were omens of death. Even though they were considered omens of death, it did not prevent the Greek god Apollo from shapeshifting into a crow when he fled Typhon.

Medieval bestiaries saw the crow as birds of parental devotion and it was said that the crow led the migration of storks. Medieval Christians thought the crow was a sign of the devil because of its scavenging conduct, but it was also an icon of fidelity because it was thought that crows did not seek a new mate when its mate died. Magical properties were given to the crow as well, which included the skill to foretell the future, dismantle the past and to educate humans about how to mix humor, playfulness and love.

Interesting lore—or so I thought—was the Australian aboriginal legend. I found it in The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures, written by John & Caitlin Matthews © 2008:

“In Australian aboriginal legend, Crow, along with Tortoise and Frog, dissented in the corroboree (gathering) that suggested that Kangaroo and Emu, and Dingo and Goanna should mate. The animals fell to fighting but when they grew hungry, pelicans dived for fish to feed them and a fire was started to cook them. Crow warned them that to cook fish away from where they had been caught was illegal and the animals began to argue. Frog threw his voice to make it sound as if Crow was insulting Kangaroo, so confusing the other animals that they fell out even more and decided for ever after to have their own languages.”

All of this was a far cry from the 1994 movie, The Crow. In it, the lead character comes back as an undead entity bent on avenging his and his fiancée’s murder. Entertaining, yeah, and maybe he was loosely considered an omen of death, but he was really the cause of the death of those that murdered him and his fiancée. It was revenge and nothing more.

So, what do you think? Do you believe in the magical elements of Crows? For me, I don’t know, but I do know I had fun using the crow as a magical creature that showed up, shapeshifted into a beautiful woman with birdlike qualities and clothing made of feathers. Minor excerpt posted below staring the Crow in Pandora's Box.

I hope everyone has an awesome weekend! My baby turned 9 today! Wow! I cannot believe how fast they grow up!!!

Unedited Excerpt:

The crow shifted into that of a woman, with almond shaped eyes and long hair, both as black as a crow's feather, and a body to die for dressed in a black cat-like-pantsuit. Well, no, that wasn't quite accurate. The pantsuit wasn't made of cloth, but rather a seamlessly flowing feather-like garb. A black feather floated and came to rest across Madison's bare foot.

"You've been found worthy of the crows," the crow said, her voice as melodious as a bird's warble. "Keep the feather secure and if you ever need assistance, grip it in your hand and consider our help a one time deal."

"Lucky me." She pushed out of her chair and heard Nix rise beside her. She palmed the dagger Nix had given her. In the paranormal world, she was learning things could turn on a dime, so she trusted no one. Not even a shape-shifting crow. And she grew weary of feeling defenseless as each new supernatural entity arrived on her doorstep. Grew restless sitting and waiting on them to come after her.

Crow shuddered like she'd seen a bird do a million times, her feathery black hair buzzing with the movement. "I came with a message only."

"You're an omen of death," Nix snarled, glaring.

Startled, Madison looked at him, every muscle in his body alert, his pistol gripped tight in his hand.

"Sometimes, yes," Crow agreed looking him up and down. "You're cuter in person, Phoenix Birmingham."

"You…" he made a face of disbelief, "You know my name?"

Crow clucked her tongue at him and then swiveled her head to look at Madison. She blinked, slow, like a bird assessing its prey. "The boy has risen from the puppeteer's hell. Evil has been dismantled from his past, but his future isn't set in stone. The choice is his. A blood-father born of the pit will test the mettle of his son again, but the boy owns his future."

Chills scattered across Madison's body. "What does that mean?" She looked at Nix, feeling more than a little paranoid, "What does that mean?" Did it mean Amos could make his own future or would he own the future the demon planned for him? How could she plan if she didn't understand the message?

It frustrated her that Crow did not answer. Nix could only offer an 'I don't know' shake of his head.

Crow looked from Madison to Nix, indicating the next message concerned both of them. "Nix, if you continue to squander and push aside that which you desire the most, you'll fall to a torturous death of your own making. A pact with a devil in a hell you cannot fathom. Leaving those who love you to mourn. After months of agony, you'll break to his satisfaction, become the monster he desires. In your honor, allies will come to your aid and a new Phoenix, battle hardened by flame, pain and shame, will rise from the ashes."

That strange, bird-like piercing stare settled on Madison and she resisted the urge to fidget under the crow's penetrating gaze. "Madison, you'll be plagued by doubt and uncertainty. A mother from the grave complicates everything, leading to a life chiseled with years of wandering war. Lifelong friends will be made and they'll come when you call. Only when he," she nodded toward Nix, "falls will you find your wings and build a fearsome empire. You're strong enough to crush a King, but it'll take courage to do the impossible. Forged in fire, you'll come out the other side, supernaturally strong and greeted by a lover that'll die for you. Trust in the goodness you've instilled in your son and a formidable ally will be forged, one to defeat a second King."

"What does that mean?" Nothing Crow said made sense.

"A death omen," Nix said, disgust darkening his voice.

Crow smiled. "No, a life omen," she said.

~Photo snagged from photobucket. I do not own the photo and do not claim any rights to it. No copyright infringement was intended.~

The Road to Hell...

I finished Phoenix Rising, Book Two in my The Road to Hell series yesterday!! Woot! Woot! The satisfaction of writing "To Be Continued" or "The End" is soooooo amazing. In this case I wrote "To Be Continued". Nothing compares to the excitement that bursts inside me each time I finish a book. Absolutely nothing compares...well, okay, maybe hearing my children cry the first time trumps this feeling, but nothing else comes close. The accomplishment is so singularly stellar it's hard to compete with.

Book One, Pandora's Box (click here for more information on Pandora's Box), doesn't even have a release date yet, so I'm hoping this is a good thing. Ideas for Book Three are already tormenting me. And here I thought I'd get a small break during NaNo so I could write something else! LOL I should have known my Muse wouldn't cooperate. =D

I hope everyone has a killer Halloween!! Stay safe, but scare the pants off someone if you get a chance! Mwhahahaha....

~huggles~
Gracen

MY NEW BOOK COVER!!!!

BLURB:

Where does the road to Hell begin?

What happens when your son turns homicidal overnight, killing the family cat before gutting the family dog? Do you cower in fear or fight for your life? Madison Wescott fights against the odds. Distrustful of a God she doesn't believe in, she finds herself face-to-face with a demonic world she didn't know existed and discovers her own soul is darkened with demonic connections.

With good intentions?

Madison had it all…or thought she did. A husband she adored and a son that brought joy to her life. Then one morning her husband kissed her goodbye, headed off to work and disappeared. Life turned upside down, Madison grows desperate and despondent to help her bloodthirsty son after numerous attempts have failed. Only one man dares to challenge the supernatural forces manipulating them.

Or by demonic design?

Phoenix Birmingham breaches her life in a whirlwind of sarcasm and sexual appeal. A hero for the masses—and for her jaded heart—but few will ever know the sacrifices he has made or the sacrifices to come. Discovering her entire life has been influenced by multifaceted paranormal beings, Madison is determined to defeat the apocalyptic blueprint fate has decreed. Even with Phoenix's aid, can destiny be denied? Or will demonic design prevail and they pay the crucial price with their souls?

In a small, sleepy Alabama town the battle for mankind's liberty has begun...

Paranormal Bad Boys...

Do you love them? Hate them? Or have a love/hate relationship for them? I'm not talking about the "good" bad boys that are the heroes in romance books or movies. I'm talking about the real bad boys of those books or movies. I'm referring to the antagonist that brings the hero and heroine so much angst. The ones you love to hate, but are so sensual, sexy and irresistible, you find yourself cheering for them when you know they're evil! Some memorable evil bad boys for me are:

David in The Lost Boys, who was played by Keifer Sutherland, was a particularly bad boy vampire. I loved him! I wasn't into the "bad boy" hero, Michael, because he was really a "good boy" wanting to be a "bad boy". He lacked conviction and any heartfelt desire to want to be a bad boy. And he was only rebelling because he was upset his mother had relocated them from their friends. I've loved Keifer Sutherland ever since this part. David was sexy, evil, manipulative and, but oh, so easy on the eyes. And I was heartbroken when he was killed…*whimpers* Further complicating my devastation was that his death was unnecessary because he wasn't the master vampire!

Other "bad boys" I loved are Gary Oldman as Count Dracula in the 1992 version of Dracula. Step aside Jonathan Harker and hello, Dracula! Yum! I wanted Count Dracula to win in this movie too!

Another that must receive a mention is Lestat in Queen of the Damned. I read Anne Rice's vampire series and fell in love with Lestat. Lestat was moody, angsty, misunderstood, selfish and immature and I loved all of these flaws. Stuart Townsend did an admirable job—in my opinion anyway—of the character Anne Rice painted on the page.

I can't forget Damon from The Vampire Diaries either. I wouldn't even be watching that show without Damon. He's fun and quirky, brings a level of spice and entertainment to the show. He likes being a vampire and isn't angsty and whining about being one. Seriously, why do the chicks adore a whiny vampire? Who would want to listen to that for an eternity? Ugh! I love a vampire that embraces his/her inner darkness and enjoys being what they've become. So, quit whining already!!!!!!

My final love would be Nikolas, my heroine's ex-husband in Pandora's Box. Pandora's Box is the first book in my The Road to Hell Series that was just contracted with Decadent Publishing. Nikolas is a really evil bad boy and he makes no apologies for his demonic character. In fact, he has reasons for his attitude and he feels they're valid reasons. Nikolas makes demons look like puppy dog kisses and long walks on the beach. And I am so in love with him I don't want to get rid of him. Any girl would be crazy to love Nikolas once he shows his true colors, but he could charm the pants off anyone when he's not showing his inner demon.

So, that leaves me wondering why do I love Nikolas so much and why do I love bad boys in general? Is it because they bring an element of fun to the book or big screen? They keep things spicy? Maybe I love the bad boys because they make our heroes and heroines show their own "inner demon" in order to overcome whatever the bad boy is throwing at them. With Nikolas I can let boundaries drop when I'm writing and he can do anything and get away with it because he's the bad boy. That doesn't mean he gets the girl in the end…or maybe he will. That book is yet to be written…

So, who are some of the "bad boys" you loved, or loved to hate?

~ special thanks to Rie McGaha for giving me the idea for this blog today!~