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5/31/2018

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Work In Progress ♣ Handle With Care (May 2018)

5/24/2018

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Kai Akiyama illustrated by Cynthia Hlady

Word Count 63K
*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

I have given a partial draft to a long-time CP (crit-partner) that is reading and giving me notes on how to improve the story.

This is always an exciting time for me. To have readers help me improve the story, share ideas, show me possibilities I never thought off. This is when the story actually becomes real for me.

When a character is illustrated it gives me that extra push on breathing life inside them. But getting feedback is the exciting time. I think of my stories alone, outline alone, and write alone.

A critical eye on these stages helps form the story after these things are done. But I get excited with the story is done and I have editing to do. Editing is where the story is truly made. I like collaboration after I've baked the ideas.

This story probably has another 27K more to go. Well see how fast I get those words out! As my CP says... I'm in the home stretch.

Liam Kroll illustrated by Cynthia Hlady

Excerpt from:

Handle With Care

© S.N.McKibben
No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted without written prior permission from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, events, incidents and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

This is a totally unedited chapter. It may or may not stay the same after final edits and it may or may not remain in the story.

If you find any grammar, spelling or punctuation errors, please let know via the comments!! I may not get to them right away, but I will get to them. Thank you!

If you are totally lost & would like to start at the beginning of (working title) HANDLE WITH CARE, click the button below.

Handle With Care (Chapter One)

Below is an excerpt of (working title) HANDLE WITH CARE
Happy reading!

Chapter 11

I parked in front of The Muffin Cap, spotting Liam in one of the outside tables of the shop. He was sipping on a porcelain café cup and I got out to join him.

“Oh, good, you’re here.” Liam jumped up. “Here sit.” His hand swept over to the opposite chair. Strange how I bent to Liam’s whims. I was used to taking orders but from superiors with more experience, not teenagers not out of high school. Liam was the exception.

Soon as I sat he went back inside. The place was a hole in the wall, but clean. Black and white vinyl floors made the shop look larger than it was. Five round tables surrounded by wrought iron heart-shaped backed chairs gave a Paris feel to the place. People enjoying their baked goods occupied all the tables inside. A glass baker’s display case sat in the back. Liam’s work was a quaint neighborhood bakery and it was busy. Customers stood in line and walked out with to-go cups and brown paper bags. For a small coffee shop it was popular.

Liam returned with a porcelain café cup and a plate. He set both in front of me and smiled with proud confidence that reminded me of a child serving their first Mother’s Day breakfast. The coffee was welcome but the perfect powdered dollop gave me pause.

He sat and pushed a set of cutlery next to the plate as I tried to determine what type of pastry stared back at me.

Liam’s knee jittered. He was wired for sound. “It’s mochi,” he said.

“Ah.” Unusual. A house special perhaps?

Mochi was ice cream covered in sweet rice. This one was of the chocolate variety. Time consuming to make. Seconds to enjoy. Much like Thanksgiving dinner.

I took the knife and cut the ball into fours. The ice cream inside was frozen solid and the knife split the delicacy in clean quarters. A toothpick within the napkin rolled out and I used it to spear a piece of mochi. Liam seemed to be holding his breath. Even his fiddling ceased. The moment the cool chocolate treat touched my tongue the ice cream started melting. The sweet rice wrapping dissolved and the only thing left was the taste of chocolate.

Not one to jump to profanity but… holy heaven. This was a fucking orgasm in my mouth. My eyelashes might have fluttered. Might have. After spending hours being overheated this was a welcome delight.

“You like it?” Liam sat with the tension of a cornered cat.

“Mmmmm…” Speaking with my mouth full was rude. I gave one sharp nod. It was the best I could do. But I was not sure how to convey the gratitude for this refreshment.

“I made it.” Liam’s eyes searched mine. “I’ve tried several recipes. The rice cake was always so thick, I like it but I wanted a wrap to hold the ice cream and not get in the way of the taste.”

Our eyes locked in that special connection we shared. The heat between us melted the ice cream in my mouth to a sugar puddle. When I swallowed, I allowed my defenses to drop so Liam could witness my true reaction. Closing my eyes, I lifted my chin and let the last rays of sun warm my face. The warmth outside tempered the frozen inside. A sip of coffee washed the aftertaste, letting me relish in the last of the dessert.

“If you can make such a thing, why have you not been the one to cook?” I gave him what I hoped was a joking smile.

His blush was precious. Liam was every bit as desirable as a shy, naïve virgin. Irresistible. He lifted my mood. The last of this morning’s fury burned off like fog in sunlight. Liam was safe, wonderful company and sexy. Memories of the twelve-year-old boy were being overwritten by the man Liam became. But every so often, his boyish charm appeared. Like now, as he peeked over his lashes, preening at my praise.

“I can bake,” he said. “But cooking is something entirely different. Besides…” his eyes danced around to everything but me. “I like your cooking.”

“My cooking is average. You like me serving you.”

That got him to gape at me. “That’s—”

“It pleases me to serve you.”

He snapped to attention. Other people would have looked away from my gaze. Not Liam. He pinned me with his intense green eyes. His body froze as if the air would explode if he moved. His Adam’s apple bobbed. A question written on his face.

My gaze dropped to his lips, then lower. I snapped my eyes back up, but the damage had been done. He had the answer to his silent query. But I would not act on my attraction. Not for another five months.

Both the mochi and the coffee went down easy, it was time to go. “Ready?”

“Let me drop off the dishes.” He stood, took the cups and plate with the ingrained training of a Maitre d’ and scurried in the shop. My eyes roamed over his pert ass as he walked away. Mentally slapping myself, I looked away.

The first order of business was not what Liam expected. As we pulled into the Home Depot he glanced at me with curiosity.

I parked, got out and lead Liam straight to the locksmith area. I handed the guy behind the counter a set of keys while Liam looked around. Five minutes later he was back by my side.

“Pick out a key ring.” I pointed to the carousel of choices.

His eyes widened as he realized what I was doing. Soon as the copies and his choice of keyring was paid for, I handed Liam the set. His hand shook as he took the keys from me and twirled them on the metal holder. This meant a lot to him, or represented something significant.

“We will work on your own form of transportation.” Later. Taking him to school was my privilege. One I wasn’t eager to hand off. “For now, we should get you clothes.”

“I have clothes.” He clutched the keys and held them to his chest.

“You have rags.”

He snorted. “Sorry I don’t go around in Armani suits.”

“Azabu Tailor is not quite Armani.”

“Now you’re just throwing names around. I wouldn’t know a Azabu Tailor from the next guy.”

“It is the name of a shop. Not a person.”

“Yeah, see.”

“How about we settle for something more than three pairs of worn-out jeans, t-shirts with faded logos and shoes that actually fit your feet.”

“I can’t spend like crazy. I still owe you rent.”

I did not want his money. “No.”

“No?”

“You do not owe me rent. I told you, stay as long as you like.”

He stopped in his tracks. “No. If I’m staying with you I have to pay rent.”

I stopped and turned. We were out of the way of cars, but still meandering in the parking lot. “It is not a requirement of your emancipation.”

“No, but I want to pay. I need to pay.”

“Then buy food.” I shrugged.

“Not good enough. I hate bartering.”

So difficult. But understandable. Kids like Liam who never had it easy, felt they were taking advantage of people’s good will and did not want charity. I would have to appease his sense of pride. “Ten dollars a week.”

He shook his head. “That’s too little. You think I don’t know what rent costs?”

I shrugged. “Twenty a week.”

“Oh come-on, at least three-hundred a month.”

“What do you make? Minimum wage? That will take a third of your paycheck.”

“A third I’d be proud to contribute.”

Liam would choke if he knew how much my flat cost. “One hundred a month, and food.”

He went to argue again. I held up my hand. “Take it. I will not accept more.”

“Fine.” He sulked, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets.

We started walking towards the car once more. “And I will be purchasing your clothes we get tonight.”
He opened his mouth, but I waved a finger and said, “Ah, do not argue.”

“You don’t owe me.”

“No, I do not, but allow me this one concession.”

“You’re lucky I feel generous.”

“Oh thank you so much, Adonis, for allowing me to buy you gifts.” My lips may have curled into a sibilance of a smile. May have. “Are you hungry?”

“God, yes.”

He wanted fast and cheap but I was not tempted to rush my time with Liam. After a Mexican versus Japanese cuisine debate, we settled for a mid-grade Italian restaurant with good food for the price.

Candles lit a dark interior. Plush booth seating and white table cloths set the perfect intimate setting. Fresh bread promised quality ingredients. The tall seating muffled the conversations around us. The ambiance was right for a heart-to-heart talk. I hoped he would confide in me. If he did in fact blame me for his predicament, I would find out and compensate him. Though malice was absent from his banter and teasing, I wanted to be sure he did not harbor ill feelings. Any resentment on his part would wound me, but I had to know.

Ice tinkled in glasses as the waiter set down his soda and my iced tea. We ordered and I set my gaze on him. Liam matched my stare but sat back as if trying to make space between us.

“I want to know the truth.” I entwined my fingers together and leaned forward. “Why did you seek me out?”

His eyes widened, and he let out a small gasp. “I told you, to thank you. That was it.”

“You seemed adamant to stay at my place. Why?”

He looked away. “I’m not ready.”

“Ready for what?”

Liam turned back. “To tell you why.”

On one hand he was a predictable teenager. On the other, Liam was a mystery. “I will accept any revenge you dish out.”

“That’s not why.” He reached out for my hands but stopped himself and laid his palms on the table. “I swear, I only want to be with you. That’s all.”

“It is all right.” I pushed my hands forward so our fingers touched. “You will tell me in time.”

His hands warmed my cool digits. “It’s just… I don’t want to burden you.”

Please burden me. “You are not a burden, Liam.” I sighed, trying to think of what to say. He would not confess until he was comfortable. “I know at the time it would seem I abandoned you. But you have been in my thoughts since that night.” That night didn’t have to be explained. It was the night I’d failed him.

“You were brave,” he blurted.

“It is what anyone would do.”

“Even someone who has hemophobia?”

I pulled back. No one knew that. It was a weakness and father never allowed me to be afraid. “How did you find this out?”

Liam sat back in his seat and crossed his arms. There was a long silence. I was not sure I would get an answer.
“I take shop at school. My class partner is Aubrey Cooper. She introduced me today to her patron. Moriel Reis.”

My stomach dropped.

No.

Overwhelming sadness crushed any hope of having a relationship with Liam.

“He told you,” my voice a growl. What were the odds of him meeting Mori? “Liam, I am right here. Ask me. Ask me. Do not ever go behind my back. If I want you to know something, I will tell you. If you ask, I will tell you.”

He looked like he would piss his pants. But his fear turned into anger. “Oh, that’s rich. Ask you? I would have, if you’d been there.”

“I was not in the right frame of mind. I could not take you in.” How could my world come crashing down because a kid knew my shame? Not just a kid. Liam.

“You didn’t have to adopt me or anything. I just wanted—” He covered his face with his hands. “I needed you. There was no one. I had no one. I fought and lived… for you.”

“I am not worth—”

“Shut up!” His fists pounded the table. Silverware clicked together. “You don’t get to say what you’re worth to me.”

I leaned back into the plush booth. “Even now that you know what I did? I still have value?”

“Yes.”

“I may have saved you, but it does not excuse what I did to Mori.”

“No. It doesn’t. But I think he sees it a different way than you.”

I huffed. “No matter. You would not have wanted me with you knowing what I did.”

“What’s your version of the story?”

“What does it matter?” I washed a hand over my face.

Plates settled on the table. Our waiter asked if we needed anything else and retreated once he was given a negative. I couldn’t eat anymore. Liam dug in like no tomorrow.

He eyed me as he slurped down his spaghetti. “Eat.”

“I have no appetite.”

Liam gulped his food down. “You’re thinner than I am. Eat.”

“Genetics.”

“What?”

“I am thinner because of genetics.”

He pushed his plate away and folded his arms.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I don’t like eating alone.”

He wanted answers. If it would make him understand why I did not visit him in the hospital, why I was a poor substitute for a father figure, why he was better off without me, then I would give him the gory details.

“How much did Mori tell you?”

“That you hurt each other. That you can’t be friends. That he still cares for you but it’s too painful for him. He didn’t give me details, but he said enough for even a moron like me to figure it out.”

“Do not degrade yourself.”

He waited me out.

Best to get this over with. “I was not interested in a relationship. Mori was different. He taught me English, I taught him Math. He was talented. I was disciplined. He thought to test my control. I do not blame him, but we tested each other’s will. An endurance game. It was stupid.”

“Meaning he teased you, stopping before you got off. How long did you have to wait?”

Thankfully Liam was a smart kid. A little too smart. “For release?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah. How long did you play your endurance game?”

“Fourteen months.”

Liam blinked. “Holy… over a year?”

“I was young. My parents did not know. I was unsure how they would react. I am not exclusively attracted to one sex or the other and did now want to cause them undue concern.” Or receive the beating from my father for not being discriminate of liking women only. I liked both guys and girls. It was a stigma even in the homosexual community to be a swinger. “He relented, giving me the chance to relieve myself. It did not go well.”

“You didn’t have any relief during that time?”

“Masturbation was a source of shame when I was young.” Then I let slip something I would never have admitted. “My father wanted all of my energy towards the ring. I was often too exhausted or too… worried to be caught off-guard.”
Liam leaned in. His eyes ablaze with intelligence. He was listening—to everything I said and did not say. The urge for him to understand made me continue.

“I hurt Mori, badly. There was so much blood.” I shuddered.

“But when it came to me, you won over your hemophia.”

“I… hesitated.”

“If you hadn’t gotten over it I’d be dead.”

“If I had not been there, you would have not been subjected to that.”

Liam threw up his hands. “Would you blame yourself for me being beat and diddled with too?”

“Diddled with?” I narrowed my eyes.

He back-peddled. “It’s just an expression.”

“Liam…” Anger welled in my gut. Had he been touched?

He winced. “You know my dad died in prison, right.”

“Yes.” So he did know.

“You also know child molesters don’t last in general population.”

“He was not charged for it.” My voice a growl, I leaned forward.

“Didn’t need to be. People can sniff them out.”

“Convicts knew, but none of us at the agency knew?” This new aspect of my failings made my despair plummet to absolute hopelessness. I was drowning in my incompetence.

“Stop blaming yourself.” Liam sat up. “It’s done. I’m over it. That was one good thing the system did for me. I saw a shrink. She helped. A lot. Now eat.” He started in again on his meatballs.

“I hold on to memories to not forget.”

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten.” He smiled and sucked noodles through his very delectable mouth. “Can’t say I’ve forgiven either.” He paused. “That doesn’t mean you. I’m not one to blame the gun… or the knife in this case. You saved me.”

“Still feels like a failure,” I murmured.

“Eat.” He pushed my plate of chicken alfreado towards me.

I picked up my knife and fork and forced down what I could. For Liam. It seemed best to forget about any romantic relationship for when he turned eighteen. How could he want me after the disaster with Mori?

Liam Kroll illustrated by Cynthia Hlady

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The Beginning of the Notice Me Senpai Series

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Moon Blood: The First Blood Son (Book One) ♣ Book Review

5/17/2018

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Blurb

Kane de Medici, the first blood son of Brogio, the original vampire, saves Moon, a hybrid wolf pup from certain death. The kindred two are soon immersed in a world of corporate espionage, murder and intrigue and forced to fight for their lives. Escaping capture and torture when human predators discover their vampire nature, they exact deadly revenge.

While Moon Blood Is loyal to Kane, her sire, she is a strong-willed female with a mind of her own. Readers will enjoy the unique perspective of this tale told through her mind’s eye.

Book Trailer

Inside Scoop

This is the first book of The First Blood Son series with another four to come. It follows in the footsteps of Snow Blood, another series of five books in the same vein.

I expect Carol McKibben to write more series through the eyes of a dog (or wolf) with her other vampire characters set in the same world (as this one is).

Since Brogio had such a faithful, magnificent canine companion in Snow Blood, I'm sure his other vampire generals will experiment with varying success on companion animals.

Author Bio

Carol's love of animals, especially dogs and horses, is obvious in everything she writes. When Carol isn’t feeding her horde of canine rescues, she’s out riding her beloved Friesian on the plains of Texas. Her love of animals leads her to write through a dog's eyes. Carol’s message is clear. "If a dog can love us unconditionally, why can't we do the same with each other?" And, her paranormal stories are often filled with characters that might be the most difficult to love.

Carol's writing career began at 14 years of age when she started telling her stories to Labrador Retrievers, Basset Hounds, and any stray that happened by. It wasn't long before people stopped to have a listen as well. Now, Carol writes for people and speaks to large audiences, dogs included.

Contact Carol at http://www.carolmckibben.com or join her at https://www.facebook.com/CarolMckibbenAuthor

My Review

I started with the SNOW BLOOD series so MOON BLOOD was self-explanatory for me.

It's a bit of a spoiler actually to read the blurb of MOON BLOOD if you know anything about SNOW BLOOD, but, I'll leave you to notice it...

In the spirit of SNOW BLOOD --- THE FIRST BLOOD SON SERIES is told through the eyes of a hybrid-wolf named Moon. She is feisty, curious, highly intelligent and finds Kane intriguing. But danger follows Kane around like an obsessed ex that won't go away. Of course, Moon is drawn into harm in relation to Kane but he saves her. In doing so, he turns her into a vampire, just like her father --- Snow.

Together, Kane and Moon make a good team. In the hybrid-wolf, Kane finds a mettle-some, curious child and dispenses the discipline his blood father bestowed to him. If Brogio could see him now...

In her vampire master, Moon finds a life meant for her. She was different from her litter mates from the start and being a vampire is more a natural development than it was for Snow.

I know the author wanted to take Moon Blood in a different direction than her past series and I think she's done that. Moon is a totally different voice, and a totally different vampire dog.

Here are some themes you might be interested to know if this story is for you:
Gore and blood will be spilled in this book. There is sex implied but not graphic. No, for the love of Friday's, the dog isn't the one having sex. You're just gross for thinking it. The storytelling is unique. It has a happy ending. It's the first of a new series and a stand-alone however reading the Snow Blood series first will make this story more enjoyable.

I Recommend This Story to Fans of:

Vampire Series

Shifter Series

Unique Reads

Dog Lovers

Blood, Guts & Glory

Excerpt

This is an excerpt of Moon Blood: The First Blood Son (Book 1)
© 2018 Carol McKibben
Episode One – Birth
Following Kane de Medici demands stealth. I weave among the midsized shrubs, white cedar hemlock, spruce, and maple trees indigenous to Nova Scotia. Sure-footed steps avoid the rustling of leaves and the crunching of sticks. Sniffing the mild July night air, I catch his spicy scent. I am not naïve. I know his vampire skills sense my presence.

I first opened my eyes to his strong face and that scent two years ago. I love my wolf hybrid brothers and sister, my husky sire, Snow Blood, and my wolf mother, Nova, and our pack. We all live with Brogio and Selene and their family, but I imprinted on Kane, my vampire uncle, when I was born. We have a special bond. When he visits every few months, I stop at nothing to be near him.

His nightly hunt for animal prey to quench his bloodlust takes him to the woods surrounding Brogio’s Wolfville wine estate. I track him on these adventures. Maybe I can protect him if he needs me. Brogio warned Kane of a rabid bear on the loose that the locals have tried to kill. “Be cautious of people in the woods this night,” he admonished Kane who laughed it off. “It is the humans who should be careful.”

Kane is arrogant, intelligent, and handsome. His wit and charm fascinate me, but I fear for him and will be on the lookout for this bear.

I chase after him as he takes down a mountain lion with his lightning speed some distance ahead. I pause to test the surrounding air for danger. Sensing no other predators or immediate prey, I step forward. Pain slices through my right front leg and takes me to one knee. It shoots up like fire through every fiber of my leg, spilling over into my shoulder. I cry out, howling and struggling with the steel-jawed trap, only sawing my cut leg further into the bone.

This man-made torture trap is meant for a bear and has bitten into me just above my right knee. Blood gushes and covers the mossy ground. I try to twist and fall over. The agony intensifies. I fight to free myself from this monster, but it only tears into me tighter. The movement spurts more blood, and I feel the bones in my leg and shoulder breaking. Terror runs up my spine and into my brain. My strength wanes, but I cannot stop my howls of agony.

Kane reaches me only seconds after I am caught. Strong hands reach to comfort me. I feel the pressure of the sharp steel teeth in my leg release. He bends to try his healing lick, one of his vampire gifts, on my damaged leg.

“Hold still, Moonlight, I need to stop the bleeding.”

He licks for several moments, and this brings minor relief to my throbbing leg. I moan and whine. I can’t stop shaking. A pool of blood spills around me. I have never been hurt in my whole life, and fear of the unknown consumes me. I want to run.

Kane’s strong hands still me. “You’ve lost too much blood, girl. I’ve got to get you home.” He scoops me into his arms as if I weigh nothing, holds my leg up, and sprints with me in vampire time to the front door of our home. His speed covers his naked body with my blood. As he kicks the door open, my vision blurs, but I can make out Brogio and Selene, holding their small son, Adam, jumping to their feet.

“What happened?” Brogio’s deep voice queries.

Selene sets the small boy in his playpen, rushes to us, leans her beautiful face into mine, and places her hand on my head.

“A bear trap.” Kane sprints into the den and lays me down on my plush bed.

Snow Blood, Nova, and my pack surround me. Selene pushes through with towels to stem the blood flow. My mother tries to lick my face. My sire hovers nearby. My brothers and sisters yap with agitation.

“Can you heal her?” Brogio kneels next to my head.

“Brogio, her leg is almost severed.” Selene points to my mangled leg as she tries to stop the bleeding.

“No, I tried.” Kane shakes his head. “She has lost too much blood. Her struggle to break free made it worse. The leg is irreparable.”

Selene applies pressure to the now-numb wound. “There’s so much blood.” Selene throws one towel aside and applies another.

I feel the world fading away. Only their voices hold me to them.

“It’s my fault. She followed me into the woods. I should have made her stay home,” he choked out his anguish. “I can save her if I turn her as soon as she dies.” Kane’s voice seems far away now.

“Do I have your permission?”

I don’t wait for their agreement. My tongue finds his hand on my head, and I move to lick it. Kane has always linked to me telepathically, as he has all of my pack. I think hard. Yes, make me like you. Let me be with you always.

His hand tightens slightly on my head in response. As my life drains away from me, I hear Brogio and Selene say “yes” in unison.

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Jack the Bodice Ripper ♣ Chapter 3

5/10/2018

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"Old Warrior" illustrated by ArtofReza Is what I imagined Paul Cartell, the queen's aide, looks like.

Paul is a character from The Spoils of Allsveil I incorporated into Jack the Bodice Ripper. While the two stories don't have much to do with each other, they are portrayed in the same world. Only Jack the Bodice Ripper happens about 100 years after The Spoils of Allsveil. Things have changed, the people changed, only the time period is different.

Though Paul is a minor character and has little to do with this story, I incorporated him as a passing of the guard from one generation to the next.

If you are completely lost, and this is your first time here, you might want to start from the beginning. I suggest clicking on "Jack the Bodice Ripper" under the CATEGORIES on the right hand side of the screen. Or clicking the button below to start at the beginning.

For the rest of you...enjoy!

Jack the Bodice Ripper Chapter 1

This is a FREE internet story for my fans. This is a fantasy somewhat historical called "Jack the Bodice Ripper"

© S.N.McKibben

No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted without written prior permission from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, events, incidents and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

If you find any grammar, spelling or punctuation errors, please let know via the comments!! I may not get to them right away, but I will get to them. I'm aware of the tense change, but alas, this was written when I was young and tense changing was a thing for me. I will try to do better in the future! Thank you!

Jack the Bodice Ripper

Chapter 3

Fayola stood next to her father, head down, hands clasped together. She was either a natural or someone taught her obedience. Real obedience. A placid woman was never my style. One able to hand over her trust easily held little interest. Yet I must say the allure of having one so open was a temptation. So was her apparent loyalty.

She looked up and searched the room. Honey eyes met mine and froze.

The thrill of the chase pumped my heart as if I were a fox in the hunt. She was exquisite. My imaginings picked-up where they left-off.

We were in my bedroom, her spread over luscious crimson sheets. Peeling off the unbound corset, my hand reaches for her belly and wanders up. Parting the cloth from skin her breasts are milky white. Thick from want, my cock grows ever more impatient.

“Is this what you want?” I ask.

Mute, she reaches out to me.

Lips eager to taste the buds of her bosoms I lower my head and suckle on those pink eyes of hers. When I pull away, I give lavish attention to the other. Both nipples stare at me begging for more.

“Jack.”

Broken from our connection I turn and see white hair piled high. Mrs. Eldridge’s beautiful, wrinkled face peeked up at me with a knowing smile.

“Dutchess! How are you?” I try to recover. But by the twinkle in her eye, she knows what I’m imagining. In truth, I’d looked at her the same way in my sixteenth year. It took another twelve months to convince her I should be in her bed, between her thighs. The chase was well worth the effort because she was a challenging but eager obedient.

Mrs. Eldridge looked to the lover I’ve chosen tonight and smiled back at me. “Oh darling, tell me we’ll still have tea when you get married.” A genuine smile spans her face from ear-to-ear.

“You don’t fool me, dutches, you have plenty of young stallions in your stable to let go of one.”

Her hearty laugh rang out.

“Tell me my dear," I edged closer and whispered, "Who does the constituency think I should marry?”

Mrs. Eldridge snapped her fan open and fluttered it so her lips couldn’t be read. Ever discrete Duchesses were such the feather in one’s cap.

“They think you should ask Ms. Nelly.

I scoffed.

The dutches raised a hand. “Tut-tut, lovely. She would be a good alli. Good for the treasury.”

“She’s an awful bore.”

Ms. Nelly and I in bed would be a disaster. She was just as dominant as I. The pairing wouldn’t due.

“Marriage isn’t all about sex, my dear boy.”

Pinching the bridge of my nose I nodded to her wisdom. “How am I going to be true to my wife when I can’t even be true to my mistresses?”

“You don’t.” Mrs. Eldridge sniffed.

Casting another glance to Lady Fayola our eyes meet again. This time her gaze is reserve. My heart sinks. The trust in her expression is gone. She turns away, dismissing me.

“I don’t…” A sudden moment of failure, rejection has me doubting myself.

“Foolish.” Mrs. Eldridge said. “Marriage isn’t about love. Stop being so unrealistic.”

I took a step forward. My chest pulling me toward Lady Fayola.

Another ex-lover ran up to me, her gold satin dress floating behind her. I smiled the best I could and bowed at Lady Sophillia. “My dove, how have you been?”

“I’ve been well.” She stood rigid, expectant, blocking my way to Lady Fayola.

I stood with nothing to say to her.

“Don’t you have a proposal for me?”

My jaw went slack. We hadn’t seen each other for a month. All my lovers had enough experience to know I was never serious about them. Didn’t they? “Lady Sophillia, I do have to weigh my options, and I must do what’s best for the crown.” I peered over her shoulder.

Sir Ahibodeau shook hands with his companion, turned and walked away, leading his daughter to follow.

Paul, still by my side all this time, waited.

I cleared my throat and said to Paul, “Master Cartell, would you be so kind as to give me an introduction?”

“So that’s it then?” Lady Sophillia grabbed my arm.

I glanced at her hand, soured my face and looked at her. “One must survey all options, my Lady. If you will excuse me.”

She was askance, but let me go. Accosting a prince was done at one’s peril. Though I could see through the guards smiles and poorly hidden chuckles behind their shinny helmets, they were ready to escort her out.

Sir Ahibodeau seemed intent on avoiding me, but I would not be deterred again.

“Paul, detain Sir Ahibodeau.” Other men and women seemed intent on gaining my attention. But I only had interest for a warm honey eyed Lady Fay.

“Sir Ahibodeau!” Thank Paul for calling out. Sir Ahibodeau was about to take the hallway to the main porch to the outside and away from the palace.

“Yes, Master Cartell.” Sir Ahibodeau turned to Paul but ignored me. His expression could peel butter off the walls.

Lady Fayola swung around, standing behind her father even though he’d made an about face to greet us.

“Lord Ahibodeau,” I said.

"Sir, Ahibodeau." His steely eyes cast threats to my person as he corrected me on his correct title. His station was of little bother but I wanted him to understand his insolence in ignoring an approaching prince would not be tolerated. To ease the slight to his title, I nodded, slow and shallow. Not a bow, but enough acknowledgement for a knight.

“Prince Tyilasuir.” He bowed with enough respect this time. Enough to sway the tassels of his uniform.

“The Prince has yet to met Lady Ahibodeau.” Paul said. “And I have a matter to discuss with you.”

Finally an introduction.

Sir Ahibodeau stared at me, his commanding authority trying to persuade me to shrivel to a prune. The dominance inside me meet his challenge. He did not back down, but he waved a hand back to her and said, “Daughter, this is Prince Jackson Tyilasuir.”

“Please call me Jack.” I extended my hand to her.

Her delicate fingers glided from her father’s care and a white elbow length gloved hand slipped into mine.

I bent low and kissed her knuckles. “Lady Fayola Ahibodeau, a pleasure to meet you.”

Her father growled low. “Bodice ripper—”

I shot a warning glance to the knight.

Paul swung his arm around Sir Ahibodeau and guided him around. “About the Lydia situation—”

The knight turned his intensity towards Paul. “Not in public.”

My loyal doorman stepped to a private alcove bringing his companion with him.

I turned back to Lady Fayola.

Wide eyes and stiff reception, I expected my reputation might frighten her. Such a beautiful bunny needed to be soothed, eased with calm words. She was a bird caught to stillness on the precipice of flight.

Chapter 4

I corrected a few mistakes in this chapter and I hope I've addressed them all but if you see something that doesn't make sense or grammar errors, drop me a line or tell me in the comments!

Your feedback helps me create better stories. Better stories lead to wonderful entertainment.

Thank you for reading!
XO ~ Stephy

You have been reading JACK THE BODICE RIPPER
S.N.McKibben
Taboo Fiction story line
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Comments

Hellsing ♣ What I'm Watching

5/3/2018

Comments

The Bird of the Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame.

Synopsis

This blurb is off the Wikipedia site.

Hellsing is named after and centered around the Royal Order of Protestant Knights originally led by Abraham Van Helsing. The mission of Hellsing is to search for and destroy the undead and other supernatural forces of evil that threaten the queen and the country. This organization is currently led by Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, who inherited the leadership of Hellsing as a child after the death of her father. She witnessed his death which turned her from a once innocent and shy little girl to a tough and deadly force. She is protected by the faithful Hellsing family butler Walter C. Dornez, a deadly foe in his own right, and Alucard, the original and most powerful vampire that swore loyalty to the Hellsing family after being defeated by Van Helsing one hundred years before the story takes place. These formidable guardians are joined early on in the storyline by former police officer Seras Victoria, whom Alucard turned into a vampire.

As the scale and frequency of incidents involving the undead escalate in England and all around the world, Sir Integra discovers that the remnants of a Nazi group called Millennium still exist and are intent on reviving Nazi Germany by creating a battalion of vampires. Millennium, Hellsing, and the Vatican section XIII Iscariot clash in an apocalyptic three-sided war in London, and Millennium reveals its true objective: to destroy the vampire lord Alucard, ending a feud begun during World War II.

My Interpretation of the Synopsis

Newly minted police officer turned vampire, Seras Victoria fights her blood lust while navigating her new life at The Hellsing Organization.

Seras Victoria's first assignment as a police officer is an encounter with ghouls. In the small town of Cheddar, England she confronts the vampire who made the undead servants terrorizing the town and is almost turned into a mindless zombie herself.

Master vampire, Alucard, is the protector and servant of the Hellsing Organization headed by Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing. When Integra sends Alucard to investigate ghoul activity in the suburbs, he finds, saves and turns Seras into a blood-sucker such as himself.

After turning into a vampire, Seras struggles to keep her humanity, control her hunger for blood and master her new found powers. All the while Alucard, Seras and Integra uncover a deadly scheme that will engulf the world in ghouls.

Main Characters

Seras Victoria

The first thing I noticed about Seras--what knockers! I mean if I had her size E boobs I'd be strapping those things with duct tape. I can't imagine shopping for a bra for her. Those things are just unwieldy. Poor thing. Dealing with those through eternity would be hell itself.

Anyway.

Seras followed in the footsteps of her father to become a police officer. Though naive and unsure of herself, as a vampire she becomes a force all her own fighting ghouls, other vampires and her own cravings for blood.

I can't tell if she admires Alucard or loves him, though in her eyes he saved her from a fate worse than death so there's got to be a bit of hero worship mixed with Stockholm Syndrome.

But her willpower alone is something to be admired.

Alucard

Someone, somewhere thought it was clever to name Dracula backwards and just call him that. Thus we have Alucard.

Onward.

Here is a man (or vampire) that knows who he is. He is a monster and doesn't pretend to be otherwise. His flat, dry humor comes out as sarcastic and at the expense of those who are inept. Poor Seras. Though she tries to please him he she's her as a stubborn child and gives her little insight.

But Alucard is honor bound and if you look deeply, a romantic. His devotion to Integra is not short of love and admiration. His actions can be confusing as some may think him complicated, but I see a being who is loyal to his own code of conduct. Something mortals couldn't understand. He admonishes those who let their baser needs take hold yet relishes the times when he allows himself to let go.

Alucard is the original master vampire. Demon of the night. Hellspawn. And when he tells you he is immortal, it is the true meaning of immortal. As in--can not be killed. Ever. You can obliterate him. He just comes back. It's a curse. He knows. But he also loves being a vampire.

Alucard is every bit of the "romantic" vampire those of the supernatural lovers wish every bloodsucker to be.

Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing

I just like the fact that she's a knight. Otherwise, any one of those last names would have sufficed for England's super secret head of the Hellsing Organization.

With unlimited funds and a matching ego, Integra is one of my favorites. She lacks fear, her expectations are high, she's haughty and is a perfect "master" for Alucard.

I think her insufferable conceited confidence out does even Alucard's contempt for other vampires. And with two titles and three last names you bet she thinks highly of herself. But not without reason.

Integra is an impressive vampire hunter in her own right and the people she commands are powerful, ego driven, pompous killers. Watching her put incompetent shit-bags in their place is a personal type of satisfying.

But her determination, her soul, her absolute conviction to hunting down anything that harms humans is bar none. She's a zealot. But I'm glad she's on our side.

There is one supporting character that deserves a mention. Walter C. Dornez is Sir Integra's butler. He's the only one that might be able to give her and Alucard a run for their money. In one of the renditions of Hellsing--he does. Walter fights with spider-like strings strong as steel and flexible as thread.

Review

This anime is responsible for my love of this particular art form. It was also the inspiration of my first fan-fic.

That should at least tell you something.

In the past I loved art, but I was not into comics or visual novels. This series changed my mind. I absolutely love this genre of art we call anime because of this story, artwork, music, story-line and dialogue.

There are a few renditions of Hellsing and the one I saw was not the Nazi manga version but the ghouls take over the world version. So I think that's not the "ULTIMATE" story-line. But I'm not sure. I prefer the ghouls take over the world version because Nazi's have been done to death for me and I didn't really feel that story-line "fit".

The jazz music is awesome with the mood of the visuals and the dialogue at the time was witty to me. It let me follow Seras Victoria while keeping Alucard and Sir Integra mysterious with snacks of information about them I ate up like chocolate.

The plot moved. There was none of this... here's a character because we want you to care about them. This anime integrated the characters into the story. I didn't have to suffer through plotlessness that only served as filler. Each episode brought you closer to the world ending problem. When Integra and her band uncovered the take-over-the-world plans it was an unveiling that felt natural.

Left with a cliff-hanger that has me still wondering, but I'm too afraid to seek out an official second season. I'll stick with my fan-fic and dream of the second season on my own.

I Would Recommend This to Fans of:

Vampire Fiction

World Domination Stories

Jazz fans

People who like to watch Double D boobs bounce

Update:

As of October 30th, 2018, I created a video that I put up on my author Facebook page and which I will put here for your amusement.

Thank you for watching!

Comments

S.N. McKibben

Play Hangman for Free Sizzling Party Prizes!

More than 100 participating authors!!!
More than 100 prizes to be won!!

Good Luck!!
Have Fun!!

Work In Progress ♣ Handle With Care (May 2018)

Word Count 63K
*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

Handle With Care

Chapter 11

Want to catch up with the series?

Moon Blood: The First Blood Son (Book One) ♣ Book Review

Blurb

Book Trailer

Inside Scoop

Author Bio

My Review

I Recommend This Story to Fans of:

Excerpt

Buy Link:
(FREE on KU)

Jack the Bodice Ripper ♣ Chapter 3

© S.N.McKibben

Jack the Bodice Ripper

Hellsing ♣ What I'm Watching

Synopsis

My Interpretation of the Synopsis

Main Characters

Review

I Would Recommend This to Fans of:

Update:

Categories

Archives

S.N. McKibben

Play Hangman for Free Sizzling Party Prizes!

More than 100 participating authors!!!More than 100 prizes to be won!!

Good Luck!!Have Fun!!

Work In Progress ♣ Handle With Care (May 2018)

Word Count 63K*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

Handle With Care

Chapter 11

Want to catch up with the series?

Moon Blood: The First Blood Son (Book One) ♣ Book Review

Blurb

Book Trailer

Inside Scoop

Author Bio

My Review

I Recommend This Story to Fans of:

Excerpt

Buy Link:(FREE on KU)

Jack the Bodice Ripper ♣ Chapter 3

© S.N.McKibben

Jack the Bodice Ripper

Hellsing ♣ What I'm Watching

Synopsis

My Interpretation of the Synopsis

Main Characters

Review

I Would Recommend This to Fans of:

Update:

Categories

Archives

More than 100 participating authors!!!
More than 100 prizes to be won!!

Good Luck!!
Have Fun!!

Word Count 63K
*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

Buy Link:
(FREE on KU)