Please join me in welcoming author DARLENE JONES on
Conversations! She’s giving away a copy
of her book EMBRACED to one lucky commenter.
So don’t be shy. Leave a comment
for a chance to win!
BIO
A long time ago, I lived in Mali. Every single day, I wished
I could wave a magic wand to relieve the heart-wrenching poverty. The story
line of my books reflects my desire to wave that wand and make the world a
better place. If only wishes could come true. And of course, every novel needs its
love story, so along with the sci-fi magic, I’ve added the requisite romance.
Initially, I intended to write “a” novel. The story and
characters took over and the ending of the first demanded another. Two books
became three and three became four.
I've always believed we can't be the only beings existing in
the vastness of the universe. There must be others “out there somewhere” and I
brought some of them along for the ride. The setting stays, for the most part,
within the realities of our world, but I've found that I love the magic the
sci-fi element of other beings can bring to the story.
EMBRACED by Darlene Jones
When Principal, Abby Davies, shows Curtis a page of
scribbles and asks him to try to figure it out, Curtis isn’t sure what to
think. He likes Miss D and all. She isn’t too bad for a school teacher. You can
talk to her and she doesn’t make fun. But, sheesh, a secret code from aliens?
That’s just too sci fi for him. To keep her happy, he says he’ll
help. Thing is, once he starts studying the scribbles, he can see
messages.
Coder Guy, as Abby calls whoever is sending the messages,
wants her to fix things. What things? Abby and Curtis find the answer when
letters with Abby’s signature appear in newspaper offices. The things asked for
come true. But, who’s writing the letters? Coder Guy? Or Abby?
Then the reporter shows up. What is a war correspondent
doing in their little town? He says he loves Abby, but he sells her story to
the world; her face splashed over every television and computer screen. The
next day Miss D and Curtis are the only ones who remember the reports.
That’s when real fear sets in.
Meanwhile, Yves, who fell in love with Em, has loved her
through her life as Jasmine, still loves her in this life as Abby. He fumes as
one of the rookie gods fumbles communication with her. Once again, Yves breaks
the rules to help Abby, but with deadly results.
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B0098LANXQ
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/223180
Website: www.emandyves.com
EXCERPT
“More drawings?” Curtis gestured at the papers she held.
Abby looked down at the pages and willed her hand to stop
trembling. The three pages of code drawings seemed to shimmer and shiver with a
life of their own. “Yes. Three pages. From Friday, Saturday, and last night.
They’re pretty … they’re … pretty well done, I’d say.”
But Curtis was no longer listening. He waved the papers she’d just handed him and
almost shouted with excitement. “These are amazing. Way better than the first
drawing you brought us.”
Abby stifled a small grin, but she had to agree. The
drawings outclassed her scratches a million times over. “My friend developed
instant artistic talent.”
“I’ll say.” Curtis shuffled the pages back and forth. He
shook his head slowly and muttered “wow” over and over. Finally he looked up at
her. “Miss D, thanks for getting so many. Now we have four to compare. We’ll
see if there are any repeated patterns or sequences of symbols. Your friend is
great to share these with us.”
“No problem.” Oh God, I’m such a liar. Of course there was a problem, and not just because she was lying
to Curtis. My friend. How lame was
that? The mere existence of the pages was the real problem. Some nights the
clickings chattered incessantly in her fillings, almost driving her crazy.
Those were the nights of very little sleep. The weekend had been eerily silent.
That was a new phenomenon since Friday, no clickings, instead Coder Guy had
begun leaving the pages filled with drawings. Either way—no escaping the code.
A while back, she’d grown tired of sharpening the pencil she
used each night and replaced it with a pen, which was now almost out of ink.
She’d have to remember to get out a new one tonight. Or maybe not? What would
happen if there was no writing utensil?
“What’s so funny?” Curtis asked. Abby hadn’t realized she’d
laughed out loud. The lack of pen wouldn’t stop her night visitor. She stifled
another burst of laughter she knew bordered on hysteria. Truth was, much as the
pages of code scared her, she’d be devastated if no more came. The
person—being, alien, Coder Guy—was an integral part of her life now; his
existence had established a rhythm that kept her balanced. Or so she thought.
Maybe she was completely off her rocker.
Whatever the case, she didn’t want to lose that contact.
Coder Guy’s presence warmed her, kept her from feeling alone and lonely. Oh,
man, I am losing it here. Really losing
it.