Sadie Jay

 Things are a little tense here at The House of Jones, as I'm sure it is in many homes across the USA right now. Hopefully, when I'm typing up next week's snippet, it will be with one less thing to be stressed about. This week's snippet is again from Smoke and Sparks . The first two weeks featured Vaughn inviting Daryl to a Halloween party ( part 1  and  part 2 ). Last week was the two of them with friend Lindsey, getting ready for the party (read here ). This week, I'm jumping ahead a few paragraphs (again). The three are in full costume, even though Daryl still isn't sure who they've dressed him up as (Levi from Attack on Titan, for anyone who is familiar with the manga/anime.) Lindsey came back into the room and tilted her head as she looked at the two of us. Pulling out her phone, she said, “Pose.” Vaughn laughed and pulled me against him.  “Daryl, look up at him like you’re in love. And in danger at the same time,” Lindsey instructed.  I looke

I've spent the last week editing and working on blurbs. I think we all hate blurbs! Even when I feel it's done, I go back and make changes. I wish there was some easy formula! This week's snippet from Smoke and Sparks is a little long because I'm hoping to finish the scene next weekend. The last two weeks featured Vaughn inviting Daryl to a Halloween party ( part 1 and part 2 ). This week I've skipped a few paragraphs and jumped ahead to the night of the party. Told from Daryl's POV:            Vaughn gave me a full-dimpled smile. “Cool. It’ll be great. You’ll see.”          I had my doubts the next evening as I studied the tangle of fake-leather straps that Lindsey was sorting by length. She was wearing a brown wig and square glasses and when I asked who she was, she said Hanji, as if it was perfectly obvious. “Your clothes are on your bed,” Vaughn told me. “Go get dressed and I’ll help you with your gear.” I watched for a moment as Lindsey started buckli

In writing news, I finally finished the first draft of Cinders and Ash , the third book in my Campfire Stories series and then I went right into the first rough edits. Soon I'll need to find beta readers, both for this story and for Smoke and Sparks . I'm so far behind on the goals I'd set for myself this year, but I guess we all need to give ourselves a little slack- there was no way any of us could have predicted this year! In  Smoke and Sparks , Vaughn is a fan of  Attack on Titan  and ships Erwin and Levi. Daryl, his roommate (and love interest), originally caught his eye because, to Vaughn, he looked like Levi. So come Halloween, Vaughn and his friends are dressing up as the various characters from the anime, and he wants Daryl to join them. This segment is from Daryl's POV.   Part two of four (or maybe five...). Part one here.                He was nervous about asking me, as if he feared I’d say no. “Are you asking me out on a date?” I queried because he was   c

The trees are starting to turn colors. It's been so dry I fear we'll have a predominance of brown in town, but at least the Nature Center, with its pond and wetlands, will have more to offer.    In Smoke and Sparks , Vaughn is a fan of Attack on Titan and ships Erwin and Levi. Daryl, his roommate (and love interest), originally caught his eye because, to Vaughn, he looked like Levi. So come Halloween, Vaughn and his friends are dressing up as the various characters from the anime. This segment is from Daryl's POV. (first of four parts. Or maybe five...)   Vaughn was fidgeting so I handed him the butter and knife and went back to the eggs. “Uhm, got any plans tomorrow night?” he asked, concentrating on getting the butter perfectly spread, more than budget-bread toast probably deserved. “Tomorrow’s Saturday.” I guess it was my turn to get sarcastic. “Yes it is. But that doesn’t answer my question. Do you have plans?” “Why?” His exasperation was evident and I feared h

I was born in the '60s so my earliest memories of the early '70s comes in snapshots. It was a fascinating time and I wish I had more than vague recollections. I did research while writing When Silverfish Dance (as we all do) and so much happened that I, as a young child, was unaware of. Plus, just trying to remember if Mr. Coffee and Sit-and-Spin were things in 1973 was interesting.    Still snipping from  When Silverfish Dance  --Part 4 of 4 ( read part 1 here ,   part 2 here  and part 3 here .)  Barry is reflecting on the man he met the night before at a club. He'd slipped him his phone number and was surprised when the man actually called. This is his thoughts after he hangs up. I also should note, the story takes place in 1973. (This is from the first draft, so please pardon any rough spots or typos!) He gave a shake to clear his head. It was a thought for another day because he couldn’t loll around in bed thinking about clothes and men who reminded him of comic boo