I am so pleased to have Fellow Story Empire member and author Marcia Meara with me today. She is here to discuss Book Three of her Emissary Series. Marcia the floor is yours. (Well, the walls too.)
Thanks so much for having me here today, John. I’m pretty excited to be sharing the news of my latest release with you and your followers, and I’d like to take a moment to chat about angels in today’s fiction.
I don’t know how many of you have noticed, but angels on book covers in recent years do not look like they did when I saw pictures of them in Sunday school. Nope. Not at all. For one thing, they aren’t wearing robes and carrying harps. Mostly, they’re bare-chested with those washboard abs that are so admired these days. This always leaves me wondering how they have time for typical angelic duties, what with all those workouts over at the Cloud 9 Gym. (Poor Clarence from “It’s a Wonderful Life” was robbed. 😉 )
And though the term “Nephilim” is mentioned in Genesis, and sometimes defined as the offspring of an angel and a mortal, that was another concept that wasn’t bandied about much in popular fiction decades ago.
Regardless, love affairs between humans and angels, with or without offspring, are themes that have been pretty popular in many of today’s romance and urban fantasy novels. With those trends in mind, I had a lot to think about before beginning my Emissary trilogy. Just how did I want to approach my own angelic-themed tales?
My decision was to go in a very different direction. While this little fantasy doesn’t pretend to be any kind of serious religious work at all, I still wanted my featured angel to be very different from most I’ve seen gracing book covers today.
Is Azrael’s chest finely sculpted and utterly swoon-worthy? I have no idea. He wears a long white robe. Always. Even on the beach. But one thing I know for sure—he doesn’t cavort with mortal women. Ever.
Azrael is the archangel in charge of all things connected to helping souls cross over into Heaven after death, and he has always had far more important things on his mind than any sort of tom-foolery like that—especially in recent years. Due to the drastic over-population of the planet, the constant strife between countries, and the plethora of unsavory temptations everywhere mortals look, Azrael’s current problem is what to do about angels being desperately overworked. In an attempt to ease this impossible situation, the archangel believes hired help is the answer. He decides to form a team of emissaries from Heaven-bound souls he’ll pull directly out of line at the Pearly Gates.
Jake Daughtry is his first choice. Giving him some new powers, including a limited form of immortality and an ability to help humans avoid making very bad choices, Azrael sent his first emissary back to earth on a sort of trial run. It goes better than the angel expected, and before too long, Jake is joined by a second recruit named Dodger. From that point on, the growing Emissarial Team has been Azrael’s main focus. That, and trying to keep the disapproving Council of Angels from ending his experimental program outright.
Over the course of my three novellas, the archangel’s stern and righteous character has expanded to encompass a new understanding of human beings, and his strong connection to his two first emissaries has resulted in some surprising insights on his part. But though he has gained a lot more understanding of mortals and his temperament has mellowed somewhat, Azrael continues to enjoy seeing Jake’s startled reaction when he pops up behind him unexpectedly. And he still has not learned to use contractions.
Azrael’s emissarial program was growing daily, but it still met with stubborn opposition from many on the Council of Angels. Dodger’s request to be allowed to experience what falling in love was all about didn’t help matters, but Azrael thought the boy was onto something. He agreed emissaries who’d shared a loving relationship during their mortal lives would have a deeper understanding of human emotions and motivations, thus enhancing the skills they needed to do their jobs.
With that in mind, Azrael gave Dodger one chance to search for true love. He then laid down a daunting set of stringent rules and guidelines that could not be broken under any circumstances lest dire happenings occur. But while the angel sincerely hoped Dodger would find a way to make this endeavor work, he feared an avalanche of unintended consequences could be in store for his youngest emissary.
Sometimes even angels hate to be right.
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Will Azrael ever tire of popping up behind Jake just to see his first emissary fall out of his chair in shock? Will sharp-eyed motel owners ever notice a big red and white semi mysteriously appearing and disappearing from their parking lots overnight? And will Dodger be able to track down the mystery girl who caught his eye two weeks earlier to see if she’s really The One?
To find the answers to these and other angelic or emissarial questions, come along on one last adventure with Jake, Dodger, and that ginormous, glowy-eyed archangel, Azrael. They’re waiting for you!
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Bio
Marcia Meara lives in central Florida, just north of Orlando, with her husband of over thirty years and four big, spoiled cats.
When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. She enjoys nature. Really, really enjoys it. All of it! Well, almost all of it, anyway. From birds, to furry critters, to her very favorites, snakes. The exception would be spiders, which she truly loathes, convinced that anything with eight hairy legs is surely up to no good. She does not, however, kill spiders anymore, since she knows they have their place in the world. Besides, her husband now handles her Arachnid Catch and Release Program, and she’s good with that.
Spiders aside, the one thing Marcia would like to tell each of her readers is that it’s never too late to make your dreams come true. If, at the age of 69, she could write and publish her first book (and thus fulfill 64 years of longing to do that very thing), you can make your own dreams a reality, too. Go for it! What have you got to lose?
“Twiggy. What are you doing.” “Staying occupied till Friday. “Only two days to go.”
It is Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week, we were there when Carolyn pretty much told her father that she didn’t want his help. ADA Thomas now has a problem if she wants the case against Cortez to move forward. She must arrange to have Carolyn taken by the Mi5 agents. She rushed off to make some calls, and she is back in the room. We better get there so as not to miss anything.
“So, I just got off the phone with the FBI. They contacted the Mi5 agents, and it is all set.”
“What do you mean, ‘All set.’
“The agents have their orders, Lazar. They are within a few minutes of arriving at Carolyn’s dorm. They know to take her if she doesn’t come willingly.”
“Maybe I should try calling her again.”
“Sure, if you can get her to stay put, that might help.”
“Okay, it’s ringing. Hi Carolyn, aw, it’s voicemail.”
“Don’t leave a message.”
“Okay, I hung up. Why not leave a message?”
“If she wants to talk, she’ll call back. I didn’t want you to warn her and cause her to spook and run.”
“I guess leaving a message could do that. Good advice.”
“Thank you. Hold on. Here’s my contact from the FBI. This is Thomas. Uh-huh. Look, I have a few interested parties here. Can I put you on speaker? Okay good. Can you hear me?”
“Yeah, I can hear you fine. You hear me?”
“Yup loud and clear. I have with me a couple of officers from the Boston police, Lieutenant Mayfield of the State Troopers office, Robert Stennis, the defendant’s counsel, and the defendant Lazar Popović. Lazar is Carolyn’s father.”
“Thanks, Ms. Thomas. I appreciate the update.”
“So, where are we?”
“The Mi5 agents have reached the dorm. They are waiting for the go-ahead.”
“I would tell them to go ahead and take Carolyn into custody.”
“Okay, Hold on. I’m going to mute you while I talk to them.”
“We wouldn’t mind hearing the conversation.”
“Well, okay. It’ll only be one-sided. I’ve got them on the satellite phone.”
“Understood.”
“Hello, Reggie. Yeah, I’m with ADA Thomas, and it is a go. You need to take Carolyn into custody. Yes, that’s correct. It will be protective custody. Okay, I’ll be standing by. Ms. Thomas?”
“Yes.”
“You heard. They are going into the dorm now and will be apprehending Carolyn. They will call me when they have her.”
“I guess we can only sit and wait.”
“It shouldn’t be too long. Here’s a call. Yes, Hanover here. Uh oh. That doesn’t sound good. She did, huh? Going home? How long? Okay, call me back. Bad news I’m afraid.”
“What bad news?”
“Looks like she is gone. The agent reported that she is not there, and most of her things are gone too. They talked to the roommate, who said Carolyn packed some clothes and told her there was an emergency at home, and she was leaving.”
“You asked how long?”
“Yeah, the roommate said less than an hour ago.”
“She must have hung up and taken off. Lazar, how many rings on her phone until it went to voicemail?”
“Uh, two, I think. Could have been only one.”
“Yeah, she’s turned it off. This is not good. We could track him if it was on. I guess she knows what she is doing. She may have even dumped the phone.”
“What do we do now?”
“Got to put out a BOLO with an ATL.
“What does that mean?”
“Be on the lookout and attempt to locate. Don’t worry, Lazar we’ll find her. If she tries to leave England, we will get her.”
“I wish I were as confident, Priscilla. Now that my daughter’s life is on the line, I think I can call you Priscilla.”
In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
This week marks the 93rd anniversary of the beginning of the construction of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota. We should go there to mark this historic occasion. We do need to take our list of the things we should avoid doing so that we will not inadvertently put a tear in the time continuum. Let’s all get on board and get ready for an exciting trip.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Start of Construction of Mount Rushmore in 1927 by John W. Howell
10 If you go, do not stand under the ‘falling rocks’ sign. If you do, at best, the dynamite process has not started yet. At worst, you will need to get a very hard hat. (Just like a tourist, Marton. You see a sign that says not to do something, and you do it. Hope that boulder heading your way is a close miss and not a direct hit.
9 If you go, do not accompany Tiny, the WWF champ, as he climbs to the top of the Black Hills. If you do, at best, you both will make it safely. At worst, Tiny, who has a severe case of agoraphobia, might panic at any moment. (The sad thing is, Marylu when Tiny panics, he tends to throw things off of high places. Now that I mentioned that, it looks like he has changed and is now prepared to throw people off high places. Hope the landing is gentle.
8 If you go, do not tell Sculptor Gutzon Borglum that you think the figures on the mountain should be Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. If you do, at best, he won’t hear you. At worst, he will offer you a ride in a handbasket to the top. (You see, Massimo, Borglum wanted to have Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea, Oglala Lakota chief Red Cloud, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Oglala Lakota chief Crazy Horse. He was overruled by South Dakota historian Doane Robinson who thought up the idea.)
7 If you go, do not ask Gutzon when he thinks the project will be finished. If you do, At best, he’ll walk away. At worst, he will sit you down and describe in detail what needs to be done. (The project started in 1927, Mateus and was halted in October 1941 after funds ran out. Gutzon Borglum died of an embolism in March 1941. His son, Lincoln Borglum, continued the project until it was halted.)
6 If you go, do not mention to Gutzon that only the heads of the figures would be depicted on the mountain. If you do, at best, Gutzon will think you are joking. At worst, you will get into an argument with Gutzon. (The original plan called for the Presidents to be finished to the waist, Matias. When fining ran out, the work stopped. I see Gutzon is talking to some pretty big looking workers and pointing this way. You might want to get off the mountain under your own power.)
5 If you go, do not ask how much all this is going to cost. If you do, at best, no one will hear you. At worst, you will be overheard by Doane Robinson, the originator of the idea. (The matter of funding was turned over to a Congressional delegation and Calvin Coolidge. It was finally funded in 1925. Just for the record, Mats the whole thing cost $$989,992.32, which would be over $14 Million today)
4 If you go, do not only compliment Gutzon Borglum for the work going on. If you do, At best, none of the 400 workers will hear you. At worst. you will be overheard by Luigi del Bianco, the head carver. (Luigi did a lot of the work, Mattius. He Used dynamite and then a process called ‘honeycombing.’ This involved drilling holes spaced a short distance apart and then chipping the rock away. Luigi wants you to hold his pneumatic hammer for a minute. I wouldn’t if I were you.)
3 If you go, do not make bets about the amount of rock removed from the mountain. If you do, at best, no one will be interested. At worst, you have some takers. (Now the problem is how do you either collect winnings or pay losings, Maur. When the final tally is in, you may or may not be able to come back. I think the best thing s for you to stay until it is finished. I see a lot of the workers agree with me. By the way, the correct guess is 410,000 tons.)
2 If you go, do not try to measure the lights of the Presidents. If you do, at best you won’t find a way to do it. At worst, someone will give you a rope. (I thing dangling on the end of a rope with a tape measure is a little risky, Mauro. Maybe you should just get back to the top and forget it. The answer is sixty feet. There satisfied?)
1 If you go, do not ask Gutzon Borglum why the mountain is not named Borglum instead of Rushmore. If you do, at best, Gutzon will be busty planting dynamite. At worst, he’ll want you to light the fuse. (Mount Rushmore was named after wealthy investor Charles E. Rushmore who visited the area repeatedly in 1885, Maverick. It was made official in 1930 by The United States Board of Geographic Names. Goes to show not what you know but who. Of course, the name was originally Six Grandfathers given by the Lakota Sioux)
Since we are getting close to Halloween I thought it would be a good idea to check around the neighborhood to see if folks are getting into the spirit. Come on along. Today we are serving hard cider and donuts. We also have Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band playing on the bus.
So jump on board and we’ll be offLooks like everyone is asleep. We’ll have to come back to see them when they are awake.Looks like Mickey and Minnie Dracula are ready.Love the spider web. Those witch’s hats a very colorfulA black cat and pumpkin headed skeleton are enough keep me off the lawnAnother spider web and a skull in the flower bed.Another sleeping monster. Yes we will come back before HalloweenA cute topper for the mailbox
I hope you enjoyed the tour today. You can stay around and have more cider and listen to the music. Here is a Night Moves video
New day means it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. “Hi, John. I see you got a haircut. looks good. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “new/old.” Use either or both of the words “new and old” any way you’d like. Bonus points for starting and ending with either one. Have fun!”
🎶 “New is another word for not having to worry about this old thing breaking down.”🎶
“What are you singing?
“A song I made up. I’m finally getting rid of this old lawnmower, and I’m just singing a farewell to it.”
“How long have you. put up with that old thing?”
“Let’s see. I got out of school in 2001. Got a job, and bought the mower.”
“You are kidding? That was 20 years ago.”
“I bought the best they had.”
“Did this old thing give you any trouble in all those years?”
“Nope. Had to sharpen the blade each year is all.”
“Why the song then. Sounds like its been an excellent mower.”
“Yeah but I have been worrying about it breaking down for years.”
“Goes to show the stuff we worry about seldom happens.”
“I suppose that’s true. Here let me start it one more time for old times sake. Hmmm. Usually one pull does it. Ugh. Looks like it’s not going to start.”
“Out with the old and in with the new.”
“I think I should have been a little more respectful.”
“Dad. Lucy won’t ruckus with me.” “I’m sure that’s not true, Twiggy.” “Believe her, Boss.”
Well, it’s Friday at last. I hope you are glad the day is here. I know Twiggy seems to think it is pretty special. I’m still trying to figure that out. Her treats don’t change and there is nothing special about her menu that would warrant a celebration. Maybe she senses a finish to the week that Friday represents. That is a good feeling.
Since it has been relatively quiet the last two days you can assume the tour for Eternal Road is over. I certainly want to thank all the bloggers who were kind enough to invite me to their blog. The scope of the tour was quite impressive. We traveled to eight countries, and the message was delivered to over 100,000 followers of the blogs. Yes, there were some duplicates but the figure still blows me away.
In addition, I used universal links on this intro, which meant I could track the clicks on those links. Again, there is an unknown amount of duplicates but during the period of the tour, over 3200 clicks were reported from nine countries.
So when I’m asked how the tour went, I respond with high praise.
To those who visited all these posts, I am also very grateful that you did and hope you found some interesting folks to follow.
So that’s a wrap. I’m going back to work on the next one. (yeah, I took a half a day off) Thanks everyone. Today’s JohnKu talks about support. Have a great weekend.
“Okay Ladies. I understand your request but I don’t have the power to turn Wednesday into Friday.” “I told you, Twiggy.” “I still don’t believe it.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again and last week we were there when Lazar made contact with his daughter, Carolyn. He is talking to her by phone and meanwhile the British Mi5 agents are about an hour away from her dorm. Carolyn has an idea that her dad may be in a lot of trouble. Let’s get back to her and Lazar as they continue their phone conversation.
“I don’t have much time, sweetheart. There are two men coming from London. They work for the government and will be taking you to a safe place.”
“What do you mean a safe place?”
“We need to make sure you are safe from anyone who wants to hurt you.”
“You mean like Cortez?”
“Well. Yes.”
“Daddy. I think you ought to think about what you are doing. I don’t want to leave the university and certainly don’t want to go into hiding because of what you have done.”
“I’m sorry, darling, but we have no choice now.”
“Okay, explain that statement.”
“The fact I am in custody places you. At risk.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Cortez knows I’ve been arrested. He will want to make sure I don’t say anything. He can’t get to me as long as I’m being held, so naturally, he will want to get to you to make sure I don’t talk.”
“Talk about what?”
“Sweetheart, please believe me when I say I know everything about Cortez’s business. I know enough to put him away for years.”
“That means you have been working with him?”
“Yes, Carolyn, I have.”
“I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Hold on, Carolyn. We need to give you instructions.”
“You don’t need to give me anything. Cortez traffics in drug and human slavery. You know that, I suppose.”
“Just the drugs, Carolyn. I swear.”
“Just the drugs, Daddy? Do you know how many young people have died as a result of Cortez’s drug business? When Jerry overdosed. Oh, wait. You remember Jerry, don’t you, dad? He was the one you thought wasn’t good enough for me. Well, he shoved a needle in his arm and never woke up. I suppose you were right. I didn’t expect him to do that and I was very hurt and disappointed in him. So I guess he wasn’t good enough for me. After he killed himself, I decided I would study the whole underworld of the drug trade. I ran across Cortez many times since his name kept rising from the filth. While studying this monster, it became clear to me that he was the scum of the Earth. And now, I find my own father was one of his associates. Well, dad, you can do your thing, but I need to do mine. This call is over. I really hope you are successful getting him behind bars, and maybe you two will be cell mates. I’m sorry to say this to you, father, but as of this minute, I’m an orphan. Good bye. I will always love you, but I hate what you’ve done.”
“Wait, Carolyn, don’t hang up. Carolyn?”
“I think she hung up.”
“What the hell do we do now?”
“We have no choice but to take her by force if she refuses to go with the agents on her own. I can’t have this operation jeopardized by your daughter being unreasonable.”
“I think you know if you are not successful in saving Carolyn. You can kiss the testimony goodbye.”
“Yeah, and we will also let this criminal continue to exist. Your daughter is not safe, no matter what you do. If we can’t get her, you both are at risk. Let me get to work on changing the scope of the mission. We will try to take your daughter, but no there are no guarantees.”
“I understand, Ms. Thomas. I pray you are successful.”
