Saturday, August 18, 2012

Blondie's Wrath


Wrath By Kirkus MacGowan 
Giveaway Contest Win $25 Amazon Gift Card and a Copy of Wrath

 I normally don't promote anything on my blog but water and the novel I'm working on so this is unusual to say the least. However, Kirkus MacGowan, a good friend from twitter, is celebrating the launch of his book, Wrath, on August 28. Kirkus is one of the biggest supporters of my writing career so I hope you give him a warm welcome and take advantage of his contest.

 Kirkus is giving away twenty FREE eBook copies of Wrath (A John Reeves Novel) in a format of your choice, and a $25 gift card to a random blog commenter. If we have a huge outpouring of support, he will increase the number of free copies accordingly.

 The best part? It’s so easy! Just leave a comment on this blog post to enter the contest. Multiple comments will not gain you extra entries. However, you may gain extra entries by commenting on other blogs participating in the Wrath giveaway. Not sure what to say? Tell me what you think the significance of the blue rose on the cover of Wrath is or tell me what book you are reading right now. 

 The contest ends at midnight, August 26, EST. Kirkus time will post the winners on his blog on the 27 along with the blog they commented on. On that post, he’ll tell the winners how to contact him for their winnings.
Not sure if you want a copy of Wrath?
Cover Design by www.ethinkgraphics.com, Copyright 2012
Tom Stronach, an avid reader and book reviewer, agreed to check out an advanced reading copy of Wrath. Head on over to his blog Is It Me? to check out the review. Click here.
If you prefer to read a sample of Wrath, click here to read the first chapter on Kirkus’ blog, Diapers, Bookmarks and Pipe Dreams.
What readers are saying about Wrath
I am lucky enough to have an advance copy and I can't get it out of my head! Wrath grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go! A few other readers checked out Wrath and here’s what they’re saying:
“I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!! The only problem I have with your books 
is that I can’t put them down!”
“Wrath will stick with you for days after you finish reading.”
“In my opinion it was even better than the first one!!”
“Like Criminal Minds on paper!”
Giveaway Summary
1. Leave a comment on this post! That’s all it takes to enter. If you’re not sure what to write tell us what you think the significance of the blue rose is on the cover of Wrath. Or tell us what book you’re reading right now or maybe your favorite book this year. 
2. Head over to Kirkus’ blog on August 27 and see if your name is on the list of winners. Diapers, Bookmarks, and Pipe Dreams: http://www.kirkusmacgowan.info/blog/
If you’re not one of the lucky winners, you’ll still be able to grab an eBook copy for less than $5! Kirkus and I thank you for your support.
My Guest Blog
After you've commented on this blog, please check out my guest blog on Kirkus' site, called Stealing Time, that I wrote last month: Stealing Time Guest Blog. In it I talk about my struggle as a working parent. Kirkus has a lot of great articles on parenting and writing so poke around a bit if you have time. 

Connect With Me

When I'm not working on Stealing Time you can find me on my social media at the links below. I hope to have my novel completed by spring 2013 with book two close behind.

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Friday, July 6, 2012

Blondie on the Atlantic Coast

Blondie on the Atlantic Coast

June 2012

I just got back from a month long vacation to recharge my water batteries. Where did I go? I visited my favorite coast from Florida to Maine! The fam and I started in Florida hitting the water and theme parks in Orlando, then to Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic to see my family. Another day's drive to Cape Cod for some gorgeous ocean and cape time and finally a week in Maine with friends on the coast! Amazing month! 

Jealous? Don't be because I'm back in dirtville and miserable because I have fresh memories of what I'm missing back east. At least I have my pool for therapy!

I've taken a lot of pictures and videos for future blogs so stay tuned! In the meantime here is the evidence of my travels. Now back to that novel I'm writing on hurricanes and time travel. (Prologue to Stealing Time.)
Discovery Cove -- read more here. Orlando, Florida. They had to drag me kicking and screaming when it was time to leave!


Me swimming with giant sting rays at Discovery Cove in Orlando, I have more underwater videos on my facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/KJ-Waters/206720056103502. 

Bull Run, Civil War site in Manassas, Virginia. Does it look like it's almost 100 degrees? It was. 

Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland. Yes, I'm a Balti-moron. It's better than a Mass-hole though!


Inner Harbor, Baltimore (Or as they say, Ball tee more, hun.)

Crow's Pasture Beach, Cape Cod 

Dennis, Cape Cod. Found some amazing welk shells on this beach!


Stonington, Maine. Could it get any prettier? 

Otter Cove, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine. The water looks warm, but it was about 58 degrees. Brrrrr! You bet I got my feet in!

Connect With Me

When I'm not working on Stealing Time you can find me on my social media at the links below. I hope to have my novel completed by spring 2013 with book two close behind.

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Friday, May 11, 2012

Blondie in the Hurricane - Stealing Time Prologue

Blondie in the Hurricane Prologue to my Upcoming Novel Stealing Time


To give you a taste of my novel, Stealing Time, I am including the prologue in this blog post. It's a short piece that sets the tone for the novel. I am currently finishing up the novel and hope to have it out soon. I appreciate all of the encouragement you have given me so far and would love your feedback in the form of a comment or tweet. 

To get you in the proper frame of mind, I've included a brief video taken during Hurricane Charley in Captiva, Island, Florida.

Stealing Time


Stealing Time By KJ Waters
Prologue

Friday, August 13, 2004, Punta Gorda, Florida

It was three o’clock in the afternoon but day had turned to night. The hurricane’s grayish-black fingers descended—reaching, clawing, and greedily devouring the land.

The plan hatched in Scott's mind had been helped along by a little too much vodka. If he took a video of the hurricane and sold it to a news station he could make his Florida gig last a little longer. Scott had graduated from college in June and managed to spend most of the summer hanging out at the beach, waiting tables, and clubbing every night.
His mom's biting comment from their morning phone conversation still replayed in his head, "Scott, all your friends are starting jobs and you're down there partying like a high school loser on spring break!" She didn't understand. With work to look forward to the rest of his life, why not have a bitchin’ summer first?
With luck, he could catch the eye of the storm by setting up in the apartment pool house to record the second half of the hurricane. It was a once in a lifetime chance. Charley was making a direct hit at nearby Captiva Island with 140 mile-an-hour winds. Here, only a half an hour from Captiva, the winds were whipping around pretty bad, but couldn’t possibly be anywhere close to 140, could they?
Power and cell service had been out for the last few hours but luckily his iPod still worked. He switched between the news and jammin' out to the Black Eyed Peas’ "Let's Get It Started."
A loud crash rattled the front window and caused him to spill vodka on his pants. "Damn it!" He stood up and yanked open the blinds. His neighbor’s white plastic lawn chair clung to the window at an odd angle. It was crazy—he had seen the guy sitting in it only a few hours ago.
The chair fell off and tumbled away. The rain still came down in torrents but the trees flailed around less than before, weren’t they? Maybe the eye was approaching!
Hurricane Charley sported 140 mph winds http://www.livewxradar.com/modules/WeatherPhotos/album26/c57

He flipped the iPod to radio to catch the latest weather report. "The eye of the storm is approaching southeastern Punta Gorda. The outer eyewall of the storm has the most severe winds so be prepared for more intensity as the center of Charley approaches. The eye may only last a few minutes so don't be …" Scott pulled the earphones off and dropped the iPod on his chair.
"Woooo hoooo!" he yelled, trying to psych himself up. It was now or never. He crossed the tiny living room, snatched his video camera from the kitchen counter, and shoved it in a Ziploc bag and into his cargo shorts pocket.
He grabbed his Detroit Lions windbreaker off the edge of the couch, put it on, and walked outside. The jacket soaked through in seconds but the hood protected his eyes from the driving rain.
Surprisingly, the wind was relatively calm outside the door—maybe the eye was here! Scott continued along the ground floor towards the side of the building closest to the pool.
As he turned the corner, the wind caught him full on, almost throwing him to the ground. Adrenaline coursed through his body and made his legs shake. Why was it windy again? It was supposed to be the eye of the storm. Fear began to worm its way past the booze and made his stomach clench.

He looked towards the parking lot where the rain blew at an impossible angle. He swore that it went upwards at times. The palm trees bent nearly to the ground with the stronger gusts as if a giant gorilla shook them. Buffeted by the wind he inched his way towards the pool. A section of metal roof as long as his apartment flew across the road and smashed into a car. The battering wind held it in place. Scott jumped at the noise that echoed in his mind like his mom's shrill voice. Fear weighed him down. He looked back towards his apartment. Don’t wuss out! 
The fence separating the parking lot from the pool kept him steady as he pulled himself along. A huge palm frond smacked him in the face and blew away. He touched his forehead and his fingers came away bloody. “Shit, back off Charley!” The storm threw the first punch, but it was just a scratch.
A loud crack sounded overhead. Scott covered his head in reflex and let go of the fence. The wind threw him to the ground and shoved his face in the mud. “Aaaaaagghhhh!” he screamed. A palm tree smashed down inches from his legs where it crushed the fence he had been holding.
Heart racing he looked back at the apartment building again. His brain screamed—STOP, GO BACK! His heart said—You're almost there! Rolling over, he crawled towards the pool house in a fight against the wind that wanted to fling him into oblivion. He grabbed a light post to pull himself upright.
All he needed was a few more feet to the overhang and through the door to get to the safety of the pool house. A red blur from the parking lot caught his eye. He turned in time to watch it slam into his chest. Pain punctured the vodka haze as the metal pierced his flesh. He tried to put a name to the red horror that trapped him, pinning his body against the pool house. Scott worked it out in his mind just before everything went blank, 

"Fucking stop sign!"


Scott's brain screamed STOP, GO BACK!

Connect With Me

When I'm not working on Stealing Time you can find me on my social media at the links below. I hope to have my novel available for presale on Amazon in November with book two close behind.

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Location: Punta Gorda, FL, USA

Monday, April 23, 2012

Blondie in the Pool


Blondie in the Pool

You may wonder why my blog is called Blondie in the Water. Obviously, my name plays a part but also it is because of my love of water. For the first time in my life I find myself somewhere far from the ocean and for that matter any really nice big body of water.  As a tonic for my soul I’m reliving some of my fond water memories with this blog and creating new ones in my novel that I hope to have out this winter. My novel, Stealing Time, is about a blondie who gets herself in a lot of hot water in the middle of the worst hurricane season in Florida’s history. See my blog Blondie in the River for a small sample of one of her more harrowing water adventures and Blondie in the Hurricane for the prologue.

Maybe I was a mermaid in my last life . . .

My heaven is being in the water. Pool, hot tub, ocean, lake, river, bay, water park I don’t really care. I love the way it makes me feel. The contrast of the hot sun on my skin and the cool water caressing my body is pure bliss. I love the soundlessness of being underwater while watching the sunlight bounce around like lightening in the night sky. The water supports me, lifts my spirit, washes away my worries, soothes my hurts, and purifies my soul.


I could look at this all day!

                                                          
During my childhood I spent every possible second in the neighborhood pool during the summer. My girlfriends and I would plan our entire day around when the pool opened and closed. They enjoyed swimming and sunning, but not in the same way that I did. I would flit along the bottom of the pool marveling at the shimmering sunlight in constant movement before me.

They were all fine until I began my swimnastics routine.


I made up new ways to practice my gymnastics routine underwater and not without my friends begging me to stop because the cute lifeguard was in the chair. “Ah ma Gawd KJ, you so totally have to stop. He’s looking at us.” They’d say. I’d think, yea he’s looking at us because he wishes he was swimming instead of sitting in that chair, so let’s give him something to watch. Then I’d do 10 back handsprings in a row, 5 back flips, and finishing with a string of walkovers. My friends would get out of the pool and sit in the sun shaking their heads. Can you tell that I was the rambunctious one of my friends? Don’t even get me started on what I talked them into during high school. My mom might read this so we’ll have to keep that one under wraps for now.
Lifeguards like it hot and wet.
                                                             
Fast forward ten years and I was the lifeguard in the chair, still marveling at the glistening sunlight electrifying the pool with energy. The tables were turned and I was the one watching the kids wishing I was in the pool. During my breaks I couldn't resist getting in the water and if it wasn't crowded I’d take to the diving well where I would practice my no handed handstands and all my anti gravity tricks. It is here where the blend of gymnastics and swimming became fully developed into my own quirky blend of swimnastics.  

A bit of heaven in my own backyard -- just add kids!
                         
At the time I thought it was the best job in the world and pitied my future self who had to stay inside and work. In some ways I do envy that woman. But now that I have a pool of my own and lifeguard my beautiful blondie children and the many friends who come to enjoy my little piece of heaven, I think she’d envy me.



Connect With Me

When I'm not working on Stealing Time you can find me on my social media at the links below. I hope to have my novel completed by winter 2014 with book two close behind. Stop by and tell me what your heaven is.

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Sunday, April 8, 2012

Blondie in Bermuda


Blondie in Bermuda



As you’ve gathered from my blog posts I love water -- rivers, beaches, pools, lakes, and especially Bermuda. I have included many good and bad water adventures in my first novel, Stealing Time, about hurricanes and time travel. You can find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, in paperback and other places here! In the meantime join me while I relive a day on the pink sandy beaches of Bermuda.  

Bermuda is a bit 'o heaven.

It was July and Bermuda was the only place in the world I wanted to be with the sun on my shoulders and the gorgeous blue sea in front of me. I was excited by what I might find in the tranquil coves and lagoons that littered the coast of Bermuda. The fact that a handsome and amazingly well-muscled man joined me on this adventure did not hurt the excitement factor one iota.

We rent a scooter and make our way along the narrow winding roads avoiding the overloaded trucks taking their half of the road from the center. The island is breathtaking, full of pastel cottages in shades of pink, blue, and salmon all with impossibly white roofs. Meandering along oleander lined streets, pink and white flowers reaching out to touch us as we drive by, we make our way to the outskirts of the island looking for an isolated beach to explore.

Little Pink Houses

Once there, we park the scooter and head to the water with snorkel gear in hand. While standing knee deep in the water he cheerfully informs me that, “Several years ago three people were eaten by a shark at this very spot.”

Please not me! Take the man he's bigger. 

I look around at the lack of bystanders we will need to pull our bodies out of the water. With false innocence, he looks at me and continues his grisly lesson, pointing at the lagoon’s edge. “Over there a ten year old boy lost his leg.” 

I look but don’t want to see. Seriously? These are not thoughts I want swimming beside me in the water. I was satisfied with the blissful ignorance we had at the beginning of the journey. What happened to the tranquil coves? Unhappy with my new found knowledge on the subject of bloody and dismembered people, I take another swig from my water and toss it in the sand.  

“This is the part where you stick that snorkel in your mouth and bite it.” I say trying to scrub my brain free of the horrible images he planted there. He obliges by sliding into the water smiling, knowing his tease worked. It only takes me a few minutes to brush it aside since I am too enamored with the tranquil blue lagoon and tiny squid flitting just inches below the waterline, yet always out of reach.

Cute little squid will save me from the shark.

After awhile the breathtaking beauty of the coral reefs teaming with life overcomes my ill-begotten fears. The colors of the palm trees, flowers, and lush greenery of the land seem pale in contrast to all of the fuchsias, yellows, and blues of the fish darting and diving around the pink coral rocks. 


Can I stay under here forever?


The view of my man in swim trunks and snorkel gear is mighty fine, too. Later we return to the scooter with my soggy bikini-clad body pressed against his ready to explore another isolated beach -- this one just secluded enough.

Secluded enough? 

At the end of the day we return to our room, aptly named ‘A Bit ‘O Heaven,’ for a steamy shower and fresh duds. With a blanket and a bottle of champagne in hand we take a short walk down the rocky slope to the beach in front of the hotel. We arrive just in time to watch the sun fade into the sea, both ready for part two of our exciting time in Bermuda.

All we need is champagne and a blanket.


I’ve longed to go back and relive those amazing moments on the beach. But I’m afraid that adventure will have to wait awhile. As it would happen a few small problems have arisen since then, namely my beautiful blondie children. Right now they are clamoring for dinner and a chuck under their collective chins so I must dash off.  My current bit ‘o heaven includes the laughter, hugs, and everything else that comes with being their mom. 

Connect With Me

When I'm not working on Stealing Time you can find me on my social media at the links below. I hope to have my novel completed by spring 2013 with book two close behind.
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Saturday, March 31, 2012

Blondie at the Beach

By far the most magnificent place I have ever lived was the beach. My time there was very fleeting but I somehow managed to live two blocks from the non-commercial section of the beach where all the fancy pants people live. Mind you, I am not, nor will I ever be a fancy pants. I wear very normal pants I assure you. I lived in the rundown house neglected by an old couple for thirty years. Hey, don’t judge. It was a fixer upper and I could walk to the beach in minutes and watch the dolphins play in the surf or ride my bike to the best state park in the universe. The boardwalk, although teaming with the ungodly masses, was a mere ten minute bike ride or a minute by car where the best beach front restaurants could be found.


One beautiful June day sporting my new aqua bikini and matching wrap I gathered my things and walked to the beach. I was enjoying the beautifully landscaped spreads of the very wealthy that increased in size and expense as I neared the beach. I was also enjoying the way that I filled out my aqua bikini top, a little extra jiggle in each step. I had my sweet shades on and a wagon full of necessary items.


When I reached the hot sandy beach I didn’t fail to notice a few looks from fellow beach goers. I strutted my stuff just a little extra and continued to stroll the fifty feet or so to the prime location near the breakers. 

Unfortunately, I don’t think they were looking at my cleavage, although in my head I’m still going to remember it that way. They were looking from me to my three year old who was about ten feet behind me whining, “It hot. Mommy, it too hot.” While lifting his flip flop clad feet.
“Come on darling. You’re slowing me down.” I was desperate to get to the water. To put my feet in the cool delicious waves, feel the squish of the wet sand between my toes. Those people probably didn’t know that I’d been itching to get to the beach for over two hours. If you’ve ever taken a toddler to the beach you will know what I’m talking about. I scooped him up, kissed his chubby sun screened cheek and carried him the rest of the way, pulling the wagon and starring down the nay-sayers.


My other precious cargo was my eight month old baby girl whom I had to thank for my additional aqua endowment. She was snuggled safely in her boppy pillow in the wagon. The problem with taking two babies to the beach are too numerous to count but let's start with the timing. You have to be sure everyone has napped and has been fed. Both beautiful blondies need to be put in their bathing suits, one with a swim diaper, slathered in sunscreen that will instantly become a sand magnet upon arrival. Sun hats, extra diapers, snacks, blanket, umbrella, shovel and pail, and drinks are packed. By the time you’re ready you can't help but think, “Is this really worth it?” I was born an optimist so I was sure it would be.
After getting settled the kids have a great time playing in the sand. My baby daughter has never seen sand before and dipped her spit soaked fist into it. She proceeded to put it where everything else ends up, in her mouth. The change of expression from blissful ignorance to pure disgust had me laughing pretty hard. I hoped that the sand I scraped off her tongue did not contain seagull poop, dog pee, or any other unsavory things.
As I sat on the blanket marveling at my son’s adorable chubby form chasing seagulls and snuggling baby girl on my lap, I counted my blessings: How lucky we were to be in such a beautiful place with such relatively little effort, in comparison to the tourist who traveled hours. I looked longingly at the ocean. It was calling me to frolic in the waves. 
I longed for the cool caress of the saltwater.
Certainly not with two short people who can’t swim yet. There is nothing more I wanted to do than jump through the surf and dive into the cool caress of the saltwater. It will have to wait for another day. After one heavenly hour at the beach, baby girl needs to eat, shorty-boy is doing a special “I gotta go” dance, and so I begrudgingly repack all of our sandy items and cringe at the outdoor shower fiasco that I will have to endure once I reach home.  Once I figure out how to hold a baby and wash a three year old I'll let you know.

Connect With Me

When I'm not working on Stealing Time you can find me on my social media at the links below. My time travel novel is out now at the links below with book two close behind.

 Book Links:

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