March 18, 2017 - Meet The Author - Berea Book Fest - Berea, Kentucky

Spring is in the air--although in the last few days it's become quite chilly here in Kentucky.  One of the wonderful things about spring, summer and fall are Book Fairs and Book Fests spring up around the country, giving readers and fans an opportunity to meet and greet their favorite authors.  The Madison County Public Library, 319 Chestnut Street, Berea, Kentucky will be hosting their annual Book Fest this weekend on March 18th, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. with a fabulous lineup of both authors and poets.

From 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. I'll be hosting a fun and informative workshop for both writers and readers on "The Writer's Circle, Where My Journey Began".  Bring a notepad, and don't forget to sign up for the door prizes on your way in.  For mystery/thriller lovers I'll also have several of my books available for sale, but for the most part I just want us to have fun and share our knowledge.  I'll be reading "Lessons From The Sparrow" a short story that won this year's Kentucky Monthly 9th Annual Fiction Contest.

 I hope you'll stop by and say hi, even if you can't stay for the full workshop.

Where: Madison County Public Library

319 Chestnut Street

Berea, Kentucky

When: March 18, 2017 3:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m.

New Release

PROLOGUE

“One more, sweetheart, and we’ll be finished.” He folded her hands across her chest, carefully arranging them to hide the missing fingers. “That’s perfect.”

The camera’s flash lit up the darkness for a moment, illuminating her pale features. He crouched beside her and gently brushed her blond hair away from her face. “You can rest now. Your memory is forever preserved.”

He placed the small digital camera in his pocket, stood, and reached for the tape recorder. A light breeze swept over the bow of the boat, and he closed his eyes. He’d stopped believing in God, but he still believed in Hell. And he was going to burn in Hell. Not because he’d killed her, but because he’d enjoyed it so much.

He opened his eyes and glanced at the recorder. He’d taped every scream. Recorded every moan. His purpose had been innocent enough in the beginning. He’d wanted a reminder of the sins he had committed. But then something had broken. Needs had awakened. Darkness had descended on his soul. He had become the very thing he abhorred. And worst of all, he liked it.

He pushed the play button and listened to her screams rise and fall. Desire swelled deep in his groin, intensifying each time a scream peaked. He licked his lips, yet he denied himself the pleasure of the sweet beauty of release. Later, he could watch the video, study the photos, and relive the excitement. Perhaps then he would allow himself the ecstasy of release, but only if it didn’t cheapen her memory. She didn’t deserve that. At the moment, reliving the feel of the scalpel in his hand and the rush of pleasure of severing the muscles one by one was enough.

His gaze fell on the hands still delicately folded across her bosom. He’d had to discipline her. But she’d learned quickly, and the missing fingers did nothing to diminish her perfection. And she’d been so perfectly exquisite. Her hair was a golden halo, her skin soft as silk, and her body… If goddesses existed, they must have cringed in envy every time she walked by. But her eyes set her apart from the others. Beautiful, gleaming sapphires. That was why he’d kept them. If the process worked, he would use them. If it didn’t, he knew where to find an identical pair.

He placed the recorder in his shirt pocket but left it running. His desire was gone, but something about her cries was soothing. They created a pleasant balm in the pre-dawn stillness.

He reached for the Ziploc bag housing the remnants of his first experiments and opened it. Although each had been beautiful in her own way, they had had no ceremony, no words of beauty spoken over them. He had simply weighted them down with rocks, and with a simple flip of a switch, the cargo hold had opened, expelling the cold, stiff bodies. They were not worthy of a starring role, but their lives had not been totally in vain, as they would have been had he not taken them. Although they held no place of honor on his board, he had immortalized them. They would be remembered. Holding the bag over the side of the boat, he whispered, “I cast your eyes to the ocean.”

He watched the white orbs flip and float on the waves. The screams on the tape tapered off into whimpers as the sun crested the horizon. He rolled the body to the edge of the boat and wound a rope around it. Then he secured the massive stone to the corpse and lowered the special-made railing.

“You, my darling, have the starring role in Act One.” With a smile, he pushed the bundle overboard. “I cast your soul to the sea. ‘Do not be afraid; our fate cannot be taken from us; it is a gift.’” He’d memorized the verse for the occasion. Just for her.
She had changed everything, cleared the fog from his brain, and given him a reason to live. Such beauty must be preserved, protected from the ravages of time or disaster. He had honored her by taking her life. Saved her from a fate much worse than death. The human race was fickle. Once her beauty had faded, she would have been forgotten, tossed aside for the next beautiful face and body. Now, she would never be forgotten. She would always be remembered as the first Eternal Beauty.
Dawn was approaching, but he still had time. Wiping his hands on his pants, he sat and reached for his journal.

My Darling Dakota:
How I wish you were here beside me now to share my moment of triumph. The play has changed, my love, but fear not, for I shall make you proud. I have my first, and although her beauty mirrors your own, it will never surpass it. Act I is now complete, and soon, Act II will begin.
I shall honor your wish, my love. It has taken me five years to realize what you knew all along—true beauty is art. And art must be preserved and protected in its purest form to be remembered and appreciated.
My quest is now clear. No longer will I linger in the shadows, waiting, watching, praying for a sign. Instead, I will blaze a path around this world, seeking those worthy and preserving them for all time. Soon, everyone will know your name, and all the world will know your beauty. You, my darling, shall be revered as the most beautiful of them all, and you will always be remembered.

Standing, he lingered at the rail, watching where the long blond hair had sunk beneath the water. Taking the recorder from his pocket, he waited in anticipation. The screams grew quiet as the tape neared its end. The boat rocked slightly as his heartbeat quickened, his hands growing sweaty. The tension was nearly unbearable. The recorder paused for a moment of silence before her voice filled the night.

“Please… remember me.”

Other Books You Might Enjoy:

Libraries - So much more than just books! Lexington, KY

I've always loved libraries from the first time I set foot inside one. The row upon row of wonderful reading material, the classes, the knowledge. I really loved the knowledge at my fingertips. Lexington, KY has a wonderful group of libraries, with community outreach in many areas. Look what's happening in March:

March 13 and 14 - Homework Help - Resources and volunteers to help K through 12 students with their homework.


March 14th - Eagle Creek Writers Group - Open to all levels of writing experience. All genres welcome.

March 14th - Bright with Colors - A bilingual family storytime program with books, songs and activities celebrating spring. Children will use their imaginations while building early literacy and school readiness skills.


March 14th - King Arthur Book Club - Join us each week for the adventures of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table!


Central Library Gallery Exhibit: The Makings of a Master: Kentucky Folk Art Apprenticeships

Kentucky is filled with folk traditions, old and new, from basket makers and banjo players to dancers and drummers. Explore the relationships between master folk artists and their apprentices.

As part of Makings of a Master, the Central Library's newly renovated Farish Theater will host several events in April.

AARP Tax Assistance - March 14, 16th and 21st

AARP volunteers will offer free assistance with non-business/personal returns for both Federal and Kentucky filers--available regardless of age or income. By appointment only. For adults. Reservations Required.

Toddler Storytime
Stories, songs, rhymes, and special activities to help develop a love of reading and literacy skills.

Daycares and preschools please call ahead for all children's programming.

Storytime Length30 Minutes

ReservationsNot Required

Age Group(s)2 - 3 Toddler

BranchBeaumont Branch

Date/Time
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - 10:00am
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - 10:00am
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 10:00am
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - 10:00am
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - 10:00am
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - 10:00am
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - 10:00am


Boogie Down Dance Party!

Join DJ Miss Abby as she spins some great tunes from her old mix tapes. Wear your best dancing shoes and outfit and get ready to boogie down (grown-ups too!).

Daycares and preschools please call ahead for all children's programming.

Date/Time

Wed, 03/14/2012 - 10:00am

LocationCentral Library

ReservationsRequired - Call (859) 231-5500

Audience2 - 3 Toddler
Audience3 - 5 Preschool


First Steps Storytime

Experience fun with songs, finger plays, and books! This story time lasts approximately 15-20 minutes. Great for wigglers!


And that's just a few of the upcoming events for March and April. From taxes to homework and dancing to the Knight's of the Round Table - it's fun for the entire family. Looking for a great night out that won't cost this week's paycheck? Check out the upcoming events and visit your local library. You may just be surprised at how much fun you have.

For a full list of upcoming events:

http://www.lexpublib.org/events/upcomingevents




TODAY'S FEATURED BOOK - Happy Reading!

Travel Around the World - And Never Leave Home

For one who reads, there is no limit to the number of lives that may be lived, for fiction, biography, and history offer an inexhaustible number of lives in many parts of the world, in all periods of time.
Louis L'Amour


Valerie Maarten - Florida Author

The Nation's Daughter - Set in Florida

Visit Val's Amazon Page and travel with her characters through Florida, Georgia and New York





Donna Montgomery Fasano - Delaware Author

Merry-Go-Round - Sterling, Delaware

Visit Donna's Amazon Page and travel with her characters to Maryland, VA, Delaware, New Jersey - Delmarva Peninsula






Linda S. Prather - Kentucky Author

Bet you can't...FIND ME
From the horse farms of Kentucky to the seductive pull of the Louisiana Bayou

Visit Linda's Amazon Page and travel with her characters to West Virginia, Virginia and North Dakota




Libby Hellmann - Chicago Author

Doubleback - Arizona and Wisconsin

Visit Libby's Amazon Page and travel with her characters to Chicago, Michigan, Armenia, Soviet Georgia and Iran






Mel Comley - British Author who lives in France

Impeding Justice - Throughout London and France

Visit Mel's Amazon Page and travel with her characters through London and France and on a Caribbean Cruise or Florida






Tania Tirraoro - British Author living in Farnham

Sweet Seduction - Surrey, UK

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Jim Bronyaur - Pennsylvania Author

The Devil's Weekend - Pennsylvania

Visit Jim's Amazon Page and travel with his characters through Pennsylvania






Lia Fairchild - California Author

Finding Lucy - From L.A. to Texas

Visit Lia's Amazon Page and travel with her characters through Northern California






Barbara Silkstone - Florida Author

Wendy and the Lost Boys - From the Caribbean to a goat farm in Georgia then to Nevis Island and Nevisland

Visit Barbara's Amazon Page and travel with her characters from Miami to London





OR YOU CAN - TRAVEL OUT OF THIS WORLD

Catrina Taylor - Pennsylvania Author

In her debut novel, Catrina takes us to another world to build a new empire