Monday 23 February 2015

Colourless (A life's journey through time)

This story is a stand alone. I couldn't see it progressing into a series. I loved writing it and I hope you enjoy it too. It's a story that just developed as I wrote. It's different, but hey, it's what came to me. 

Mental illness is real and people battle it everyday. I think the hardest thing for a patient is for them to keep going through the darkest times. Love and understanding is what is needed, because sometimes, when a person is in a dark place they see nothing else but what's in front of them. So I hope this story will open eyes and hearts. I also hope you just enjoy it! 

Trinity’s on a life journey to discover what life is about. On the way, people show up in her life and teach her new things about her life. Her love life has been an up and down struggle, and she begins to believe that real love doesn’t exist. It is only when she goes through her darkest moment, does she realise that love had always been around. She just had to open her eyes and see. Her breakdown gives her a chance to become the beautiful person she already is.










Excerpt

The beginning of time
There was no name at the beginning. Things worked differently. There was no gender, no colour at the beginning, things were just perfect. Trinity, that’s what she’d decided. She’d chosen to be a girl. She had hand picked her mother, a mother who smoked and drank herself to a stupor. Her father had been like a thief in the night. It was his purpose to fuck Trinity’s mother and bring her into existence. Trinity had it all planned. She understood why she wanted to do it all.
‘Are you sure you want to go to this place, be human and experience it all?’ The voice had asked.
‘Yes I do. There is something so wonderful about it all.’
‘How do you know it’s wonderful?’ asked the voice.
‘Because when I look at their faces.’ Trinity had watched the human race for a while. She’d studied them, she’d noticed that they had things she didn’t understand.
‘What is it about their faces?’
‘There is this light that shines from each one of them. Sometimes they don’t see it, sometimes they do. I want to experience that. I want to be that. I want that human experience.’
The voice was quiet. Trinity, even though that wasn’t her name yet, enjoyed the silence.
‘What about this life?’ asked the voice.
‘This life is eternal. I can always return, but that life. That life is limited. It’s governed by time. It is only for a period. So for that short period, I want to discover.’
‘What do you think you’ll discover? What do you think this glow on their faces is?’ asked the voice.
‘I think it’s love, I think it’s what we have and feel all our lives, but I think that if we choose to have this experience, we’ll understand it deeper than we’ve ever understood it.’
‘Very well, if that is what you wish.’
‘It is.’
‘You realise that when you reach that place, that place where people seem to be glowing, you’ll have no recollection of who you are.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean the moment you step onto earth, you will forget who you are.’
‘You mean I won’t remember I came from source?’
‘You may or you might not. But…’
‘But what?’
‘You’ve chosen your path.’
‘I have.’
Trinity had chosen the path she would take to experience this thing called life in a human body. On the way she’d put things in her way.
‘I will remember who I am, I’ve put signposts, I have a map.’
‘You will, how?’
‘You’ll see.’
‘I see.’
‘I know what I’m doing. I know why I’m choosing what I’m choosing. This human experience, I want to experience it to the fullest.’
There was silence again. Silence was always welcome. It was never uncomfortable. It allowed processes to unfold on their own. It was a good thing.
‘Okay. Whenever you’re ready,’ said the voice.
Trinity knew it was time.  Even though there was no time in the world in which she came from, there was time where she was going. Her mother was in labour. Soon all things would be labelled. She’d be labelled Trinity Philips, a girl.  She’d have dark chocolate skin, her hair would be kinky and difficult to deal with. Her nose would be larger than normal. As she’d got older, her hips would turn outwards and be bigger than usual. She’d see magazines and wonder what went wrong. She’d wonder why she didn’t look like the pretty women on television, or magazines. She’d see what was labelled pretty at school, in town…it would be all around her. Yes all these labels would be pasted onto her, and because she’d forget who she was, she’d live up to the labels she been given.
‘I’m ready.’
And just like that there was darkness. There was resistance. Something was happening, but she didn’t know what. The baby was coming. The baby didn’t know who it was. It was just in the womb of a woman who didn’t want it. The struggle was intense; it took a long while until finally there was bright light. The baby cried. It felt cold, it felt something it couldn’t understand. It heard sounds, it felt movement. It was warm, something was placed on it. Someone screamed ‘It’s a girl!’ But there was nothing after that.
‘Do you want to name her before we take her?’ asked the social worker.
The woman looked at the baby like it was a sack of oranges.
‘Trinity,’ she blurted.
‘Any reason?’ The social worker was interested.
The woman shrugged.
‘Okay then. Trinity Philips, welcome little lady.’
The baby was taken away. 

Available soon at Amazon, B&N, ARE and Apple.

Friday 13 February 2015

The devil on the throne (Behind the screen book 3)

The last of this series is done! Hope you enjoy.




















Money, Power! What would you do if you had unlimited resources? Harmony has it all, or so it seems. Life on an island couldn’t be better. But as the days turn into weeks, and weeks to months, darkness will soon engulf the happy couple.


The devil wants his end of the deal met. If this doesn’t happen, then things can go wrong fast. Soon Derek is exposed to the truth, and what has been asked of him goes against his conscious. In the end one of them will have to make a sacrifice. Who will it be? Will the devil have his wish? Only time will tell. 

Thursday 5 February 2015

HARMONY (Behind the screen book 2)

I can honestly say I had no idea where this story would take me. I just sat down and wrote. My writing style is strange. An idea or thought comes to me when I sit down to write. It never just appears, inspiration doesn't hit in the middle of the night. The magic happens when I'm at my computer. I always know deep down the story will sort itself out. I have no idea yet how it will continue, but I do know that it must continue. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!


The plot thickens. Harmony allows the darkness in. It can’t be helped. A law abiding man, detective Price is forced into a difficult situation. Why won’t his heart let this woman go? She seems like more trouble than she’s worth. But as things unfold and he starts to discover a dark secret, his loyalties begin waver.


Harmony. Who is she really? The amazing surgeon has a past that is so dark she believes only God can deal with. But for now, the devil is on the throne!









Excerpt

Chapter One
Focused
Harmony had no choice but to focus. She scrubbed in and barged into the operating room.
‘What do we have?’ she asked.
‘Ruptured appendix! Too late for keyhole surgery. We need your expert hands on this one,’ said a surgeon.
She was in. Harmony became the doctor, the surgeon. There was no time to focus on the look on Derek’s face, no time to justify the tears she’d shed! Peritonitis had occurred, and the appendix had already formed a huge mass.
‘Lord Almighty!’ She couldn’t believe the patient had waited this long. Had there been no early warning sign?
‘My words exactly!’ said the surgeon.
They worked fast, the mans abdominal was packed. Harmony did her best to make sure the man didn’t die on her. She couldn’t deal with that today. It took a while, but finally everything was under control.
‘That was close,’ she said. ‘Could you close up?’ She asked the other surgeon.
‘Sure thing.’ He could tell there was something on her mind.
Harmony left the O.R feeling victorious and defeated at the same time. It was always great to save a life, give good news to a family, but she’d lost Derek. It seemed that way. It hadn’t been part of the plan. Harmony hadn’t expected to fall for him. It had just happened, and now she was left feeling alone.
****
Bumping into Harmony had hit him! It was so unexpected. She was supposed to be at a school teaching children. But instead, she was saving lives. Why couldn’t she just tell him the truth? Why had she hidden that important part of information from him! It hurt! Online dating had taken its toil on him, were there any women who were honest online these days? The world had gone crazy, people lied, they wanted instant gratification. Was he doomed to be single for the rest of his life? The thought shattered him. It was a hopeless case.
He tried to put Harmony to the back of his mind and concentrate on the work ahead. It was a relief the women had been found. At least that was good news. He waited until the doctors were done checking them over. He’d spoken to Yasmina to give an update, she was briefing the chief. The chief was happy and could address the media with confidence.
Derek stepped into Rose’s room. The colour had come back to her face, but looked tired.
‘Miss Armstrong, I’m detective Price. Is it okay if I ask you some questions?’
She nodded. He pulled a seat up towards the bed and sat down.
‘I’m sorry for what you went through. If anything is too hard to answer, you don’t have to answer it. If you’d rather speak to a female instead, I can arrange that for you.’
‘I’m fine thanks,’ she said.
‘Okay, great. I need to find out about the man who took you. He’s gone missing.’
She gazed at him, but there was no change in her face.
‘When was the last time you saw him?’
‘I’m not sure. I was in and out of sleep. My body felt so weak.’
‘I understand. Did he say or do anything specific? Do you know why he held you hostage?’
‘He held us to paint us.’
‘Paint you?’
‘Yes, paint me, capture me into a picture.’ She welled up as the thoughts about the days spent in that bedroom hit her.
‘It’s okay. Are you okay to continue?’
She sniffed and nodded. ‘He was crazy. He kept going on about how he wanted to capture our beauty. He had some theory we’d be kept young forever.’
‘That sounds bizarre.’
‘Yes I know. I think he wanted to sell the picture.’
‘To who?’
‘I’m not sure. But I’m sure he wanted to do that. All I know was that he was missing a third woman to complete his picture.’
Derek thought about Harmony.
‘I know he planned dates with her, but he never came back with her, and each time he came back empty handed it infuriated him.’ A tear drizzled down her cheek.
‘Do you have a name? Do you know who he dated?’
‘No, he never mentioned a name. He did however say she was tougher, than us. I was a fool.’
‘No you weren’t, you were just too trusting. Believe me, I’ve done that myself. It’s not you who’s done wrong, it’s the other person, always remember that.’
She nodded. ‘I just should’ve been more aware. I’m not happy that I fell for his charm.’
‘Please don’t blame yourself. You’re safe now.’
‘Yes I am.’
‘Could you describe him?’
‘Erm…’ She sniffed. ‘About six foot four, dark hair, blue eyes.’
‘Okay, any distinctive marks?’
‘Not that I noticed.’
‘Okay, this is helpful.’
He asked her a few more questions and then her parents arrived. The joy in their eyes was a sight to treasure. He left them and went to see Zara.
Zara said more or less the same things as Rose.
‘Do you know what kind of woman he was looking for? Was there any pattern to his painting?’
‘I don’t know. I was too scared to know anything.’
‘I understand. This has been very helpful.’
He left her and decided it was best to go back to the office and speak with Yasmina.
‘Derek!’ She ran after him just as he was about to step out of the hospital. ‘Derek, please wait!’
He stopped and swirled around.
‘Derek, please give me a chance to explain,’ she said. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt or disappoint you.’
‘What possible reason could you have? You lied, that say’s it all. What else are you lying about?’
‘Please…I’m sorry.’
He wanted to reach out and touch her, but his heart wouldn’t let him. It hurt. The last time a woman had lied to him, he’d found himself alone.
‘I can’t do this right now, I have to get back to work.’
‘Can we meet? Set a date?’ She pleaded.
‘I don’t know. I’ll let you know.’ He started to walk.
‘I really do like you.’ She shouted after him, but he didn’t turn.
Harmony felt defeated. There was nothing she could do. No amount of convincing would make him change his mind.
‘Doctor Moore,’ a nurse called. ‘You’re needed in the O.R!’
Harmony understood her place. She understood that when it came to work, there were no excuses. Heartbroken or not, her job demanded of her. Like a soldier she picked herself up and went to fight the battle. There was no room for loathing or self pity.
****
There was too much going on in his mind. Harmony, the woman he’d fallen for so quickly had lied. It was stupid to put his heart on the line like that. As he drove his mind moved from Harmony to the case. He had to focus on the case, find out what had happened to Marcus.
‘Any luck?’ asked Yasmina the moment he walked in.
‘The women are all right. Not so sure where he could’ve disappeared to. This whole case is strange.’
‘Did the woman give the reason for their capture?’
‘Yes. A painting.’
‘A what?’
‘He was painting them. He had some crazy idea he’d capture their beauty and keep it there forever.’
‘Wow, he’s crazy.’
‘That’s an understatement. Who does that?’
‘Were there any signs of sexual force?’
‘No. I think he got sexual pleasure from the art. The capture must’ve heightened it.’
‘We are looking for a sick man.’
‘Aren’t we always?’
She watched him a moment. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Yeah, I’m fine.’ He sat at his desk.
‘You sure?’
‘Yeah, why?’
‘You seem, distant, almost disappointed.’
‘I’m fine. Did you dig up anything on him?’
‘Erm…’ she hesitated a moment. She’d known him long enough to know that something was wrong.
‘I’m fine, can we focus on the case.’ He felt she would not let up, but he didn’t want to discuss it with her.
‘Not much information on him. It’s like he doesn’t exist.’
‘He exists. I think the reason we can’t find much on him is because it’s been made to seem that way.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘This guy is rich. He probably has parents who can buy the earth. He’s probably an only child who lacked attention when growing up.’
‘You think he’s been doing this awhile?’
‘Yes, I think if we go to the source. That would be his parents, we’ll find the answers.’
‘How the hell are we going to do that?’
‘We’ll find a way. There is always something somewhere. Some slip up. Perhaps we could start at the house or the gallery. He has friends, colleagues. Someone knows something.’
‘Yes you’re right. Gosh. I wonder where he is.’
‘I honestly don’t care. I mean…’ That didn’t come out right. ‘As long as he’s not hurting anyone else, I’m fine with it.’
‘Yeah well who knows? Why would he leave the women alone?’
‘Apparently he had a date.’
‘A date?’
‘That’s how he captures the women. He takes them on dates.’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘According to the women, he had his eye on someone and had made it a point to bring her back to complete the painting.’
‘If we could find this woman. What about the woman you’re dating? Perhaps we could ask her some questions.’
‘I don’t know. The description she gave me and the one Rose gave me are different.’ He thought about her lie. What else had she lied about?
‘I see. Okay, but what if he’s still our guy. It’s the name that gets me. Prince Charming. How many idiots use that online?’
‘Could’ve been, but she decided not to continue to go on any future dates with prince charming. Even the names are different.’ The more he said it, the more it felt like Harmony had lied to him about other things too.  
‘Hmmm. There might be something she could help us with. They were on the same dating website.’
He hated how Yasmina kept pushing this. Had she not heard a word he’d said? His personal feelings for Harmony had come in the way of his work.
‘Yeah, I’ll set up to see her. Maybe it is the same guy.’
‘Good. The chief would like us to question the assistant who called this in.’
He nodded.
‘I’ve asked her to come in, in a few days.’
‘That’s great. I guess we can have a look around his house.’
‘Yes that’s an idea. I know forensics are still there.’
‘Yes, let’s go and have a feel of who this guy is and what he’s about. And I can’t wait to see what’s on his computer.’
‘That’s if he hasn’t erased everything. Guys like that are cautious.’
‘I know, but they’re also human. If we look close enough I’m sure we’ll find something.’ 

Available soon at Amazon, B&N, ARE, Kobo and the Apple store.