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There are currently plans afoot for what I think are some truly awesome things. At the very least, I am enthused.

*

I really have to start taking pictures, though I’ve been holding off a bit so I can practice my different crafty things. I probably shouldn’t be so shy about it, but I am. I’ll have to force myself to get the camera out. (But I’ll try.)

The only thing I’m really scared of is that I’m going to suck. I’ve dreamed my whole life of being one of those arty people that can pick up a pen and make something beautiful. I feel like I’ve found a way to express that desire in a workable way, but it would kill me if I’m not any good at it.

I still remember how awful it was to discover that I can’t paint.

There are kindergartners that can paint better than me. I didn’t realize how bad I was at painting until I bought all kinds of acrylic paints and brushes. I don’t want to go through that nightmare again.

*

Money I’ve spent so far on the current project: $300. There’s so many tools and supplies I still need to get, so I’ve been focusing on the smaller pieces. They’re not turning out quite how I want them to be, so I’m praying I didn’t just throw that money away. I would seriously cry.

*

I’ve also been writing a script for this little thing I’m working on. (I’m not talking about the Ren’Py game; that’s been set aside until mid-March. I still can’t get the Android extension to work, which is a bit of a puzzler.) It’s a video we’re putting together for our YouTube channel. We haven’t gotten to the point of making sets yet, so it’s going to be a while yet, but I’m really getting into this show.

*

Title: Tuesday Night
Author: Harper Kingsley
Genre: superhero sci-fi

EXCERPT:

So right now, examining the scene that was Triangle Park, Seth felt his focus tightening. This could be for all the marbles, and he refused to be the one to fuck things up.

“Good luck,” he breathed.

“You too,” Tony said.

Then they were moving in opposite directions, Seth headed toward the swan-topped fountain, Tony toward the gazebo. If they survived, they were to meet up past the East Gate on the far end of the park. If they didn’t survive… well, then they’d be dining in Valhalla and none of this mattered anyway.

There were drones moving around the big tent. Carrying planks of wood and coils of wire, tromping around in their own little world. Seth was glad not to be noticed.

He stayed to the peripherals, moving amongst the trees. He wanted to use the cover as long as possible before he was forced to expose himself. He felt like he had a target painted on his skin. One drone catching sight of him too soon and everything would be over.

As he walked, he dropped tiny thumbtack charges. Unless they were being shoved into a keyhole to blow the lock on a door, they were mostly a popping firecracker sound and a bit of light. But they could be activated with a simple remote, and he figured a bit of distraction would do him good.

Ghosting amongst the trees, he set the camera on his helm to 360-degrees and hoped it was recording everything. No matter what happened, Overwatch would appreciate the enemy intel. Even if they got it from a satellite transmission after he was already dead.

He knelt down to pile the last of the thumbtack charges on the ground and smoothed a handful of loose dirt on top of them.

He wasn’t looking to start a fire, but the surrounding brush was dry and he could hope a little. It would make the perfect distraction while he made his getaway.

/EXCERPT

Uramichi Oniisan 01 at Amazon
0 comments on "Why can’t I ever win?"

There are times when I have to wonder how my father can be such an idiot. It seems as though he tries his hardest to be the worst kind of parent ever, then he wonders why people get enraged and hateful toward him.

The Kid came back from his father with a laser pointer, something I didn’t like the idea of and disapproved of, but it was something that he had. It was his.

My brother lectured the Kid, my father lectured the Kid, really drawn out and hysterical yammerings about people being blinded by laser pointers and dogs losing their minds and all kinds of drama. And after weeks and weeks of listening to the constant lectures, somewhere in there the laser pointer disappeared and was — for a time — forgotten.

Until today. When the Kid went on a desperate search for it. And unable to find it, he asked my dad if he’d seen it. And my dad admitted that he’d found it in the living room and taken it away. He wasn’t going to give it back because it was too dangerous and the Kid wasn’t responsible enough and… and… and…

By the end of it, I spent the next two hours calming the Kid down and getting equilibrium back in the house, while my dad played on his computer and took a nap. And after it was all done, the Kid had finally let things go and was willing to move on. Things were okay.

By the time 6 pm rolled around, the Kid and I were watching a movie and he was talking to me again. He’d come to accept the fact that the laser pointer was taken away and he wasn’t getting it back. Things were done.

So of course my father had to come out of his computer room with the laser pointer and start talking about “I’m gonna give this back to you on the understanding that you’re going to…” blahdy blahdy blahdy. And I had to step in and say No, don’t give it back. Because I was already tired of the lecturing and the yelling and the general misery of it all.

I didn’t want the Kid to have the laser pointer in the first place. It disappeared and I was relieved. The Kid was angry at me for agreeing with my dad about him not having it, but he’d started to get over it. The decision had been made, he’s a good kid, it was over and done with.

So of course my father had to blow the whole situation up. Because that’s what he does. Whenever things are smoothed over and quiet, he steps in and releases a bomb into the room just because, then retreats back to safety where he doesn’t have to deal with the anger and the tears and the resentment.

And now I’m the bad guy. Again.

An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good at Amazon
Faizel 02 at Amazon
1 comment on "Ends Dec 31. Lt3 sale. 25% off books"

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There’s been a sale happening at Less Than Three Press. 25% off books.

If you’re looking to pick up a copy of “Heroes & Villains,” “Allies & Enemies,” or “Rocking Hard: Volume 1” to add to your Harper Kingsley collection, now’s a good time to hit that.

Heroes & VillainsAllies & EnemiesRocking Hard Volume 1

Heroes & Villains
Genre: mm, superhero, urban fantasy
Word count: 135,000

Blurb: All Vereint ever wanted was to be a superhero, to fight alongside the other great heroes of the city and beat down the villains that plague them. There’s just one problem: he sucks at it, at least according to the other heroes and the majority of the city. Instead of the greatness and glory of which he dreamed, Vereint spends his days alone, exhausted, and depressed.

When the mockery and derision finally go too far, Vereint decides he’s reached his limit. If he’s never going to be good enough to succeed as the hero Starburst, maybe it’s time to try the role of villain instead…

Allies & Enemies
Genre: mm, superhero, urban fantasy
Word count: 130,000

Blurb: In the wake of the death of the Fabulous Kims, Vereint cannot forget Melissa, the little girl they left behind, a girl that now has no family. Certain he and Warrick can be the family she needs, he pushes to adopt her. That she proves to have superpowers only confirms he’s right. Melissa is their darling daughter by day, and by night she trains to become Blue Devil, sidekick to Blue Ice.

Then the unthinkable happens, destroying the happiness Vereint and Warrick worked so hard to build — a tragedy so great that the long-vanished Darkstar returns with murderous intent…

Rocking Hard: Volume 1
Genre: anthology
Word count: 104,000

Blurb: Less Than Three Press presents the first of three volumes of amazing stories along the theme of rock ‘n roll. Authors familiar and new combine for a collection of stories all about music and love.

Centrifical | Sol Crafter
Marty Sheer, one of the stars of a B-rated sci-fi show “Centrifical,” receives a phone call letting him know that his old friend Jim Sheppard, who left years ago and has since become an acclaimed rock star, has bought a new home close by. Renewing their friendships is easy—becoming something more is a challenge that makes fame look easy.

Fringe Benefits | Diana Sheridan
Depressed after the death of his lover, and having lost his job at the same time, Dale distracts himself by going to see one of his favorite rockers. But a simple concert and trip backstage lands him an unexpected job as her new assistant, and brings him into the path of her intriguing, appealing make-up artist and hair dresser, Luis. But if there’s one thing that Dale has learned, it’s that life is never easy and love doesn’t always last.

Courage Wolf Never Sings the Gorram Blues | Talya Andor
Bailey Kravitz, lead singer of Courage Wolf, is a high-strung, perfectionist diva of a front man. Gunner Lansing, bassist of Courage Wolf, is a laid-back, hang loose ladies’ man who is only serious about guitars and sex. They say opposites attract, but Bailey’s terminal crush on oblivious Gunner is tearing the band apart. Meanwhile, his longtime friend, quiet but intense guitarist Tor Macleod, helps him pick up the pieces yet again. Between annihilating everything they’ve built and reeling from total rejection, there may be a third option Bailey has been overlooking all this time. Problem is, Bailey’s always been more than a little difficult when he’s out to get his way, and that may ruin his prospects after all.

Put You In a Song | Lacie J. Archer
Ten months ago, on a whirlwind New Year’s Eve, Garrett and Rich enjoyed a wild night together. Back in town for the final performance of his band’s tour, Rich can’t wait to see Garrett again, unable to forget him. But a wild night and a lifetime are two different things, and the first real challenge they face may be more than their fragile new relationship can take.

A Haunted Melody | Angel Propps
A decades old tragedy, an old guitar, and a bright new star… A struggling musician on the verge of losing her band, Kara spies a guitar in a pawn shop that she can’t resist. One year later she’s on the verge of fame, and meets a woman who not only can help her get there, but introduces Kara to an intriguing, beautiful woman… But bad history is coming back to haunt, and Kara stands to lose not just fame and love, but her life.

Now’s a great time to stock up on your favorite Less Than Three books.