Category Archives: Authors of the Week

Excerpt from Manuscript – Snow

28 Wednesday Sep 2016

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Excerpt from Manuscript – SNOW

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She lay there, in her expensive Donna Karen suit, carefully watching him, as his chest slowly went up and down with each reserved breath.

January knew she should change her clothes and grab a bite to eat, but she was afraid. She was afraid to leave his side.

In the past, she had taken life as it came. In other words, she hadn’t taken it seriously. Not until today.

Jack stirred, moving only slightly in his bed. Startled, January hastily pushed the lock of hair away from her eyes…digging in her purse for a bobby pin, quickly shoving it in her mouth, and nervously pushing her hair behind her ear.

Starring intently, only inches from his face, she waited, waited for him to wake.

“Jack Honey…can you hear me? Jack?”

The room fell silent once again…nothing could be heard, except for the breathing machine, as it went beep, beep, beep…driving January mad.

She wasn’t a religious person, although she had been around plenty of people claiming they were, but she needed to get her voice out…she needed God to listen to her prayer.

“Dear God, please bring Jack back to me…I promise to love him more and help him to get clean and stay clean.”

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 28, 2016

Excerpt from Manuscript – SNOW

21 Wednesday Sep 2016

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EXCERPT FROM MANUSCRIPT – SNOW

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They both lay in bed, exhausted, but satisfied by their late night excursion.
January cuddled up closer into Jack’s arms, nestling her head in between the nape of his neck, just under his ear, as her slender fingers gently glided over the dark hair that now appeared on his chest.

At first, she had thought she would hate the thought of her man having a hairy chest, Jack had always been a clean-shaving guy, but over the past few years, he had let it go. January loved it.

“I love you, Jack…you know that, right?”

“Of course, Sweetheart. And I love you too, with all my heart.” He said, bringing her lips up towards his, kissing them tenderly this time. “Why do you ask?”

“I just get worried sometimes…that’s all.”

“Worried about if I love you?”

“No, worried that it won’t last. It’s all too perfect and when everything is perfect there is always something that comes along and ruins it. It seems like I am never completely happy and when I am, it is taken away from me.” January sadly said, stretching out her long legs from under the sheets.

“Baby, I love you now and forever. That’s all that really matters for right now. We have the present…that’s all we can be certain, we can’t foresee the future, Sweetheart.”

“I know that Jack…I just hope you’re right.”

“Trust me.”

Sadly enough, that was what worried her.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photography By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 21, 2016

THE MONSTER UNDER MY BED

14 Wednesday Sep 2016

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THE MONSTER UNDER MY BED

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No one will believe me…I tell myself, as I try to drift off to sleep.

But sleep doesn’t come easy to me these days. I lay here in the dark, wondering if I would be happier, if I wasn’t me.

This is silly, I tell myself. I have people who love me. My mom loves me, but sometimes it feels as if she doesn’t understand me. But then again…what adult does truly understand a teenage mind.

One or two? I take that back. Zero.

Depression surrounds me, but I must not let it draw me in. I’m really trying, but there are days when I wonder if it is enough.

Written By: Unanimous Author
Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 14, 2016

Excerpt from Manuscript – SNOW

10 Saturday Sep 2016

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SNOW

ASKMSMANDI 05.01.2016

His sacred words echoed through her ears, reaching all the way up to the highest rafters in the blessed church. Rows of fragrant Calla Lilies lined the pews, sweet, succulent pink roses filled the air with just a hint of Baby’s Breath to add color to the arrangement; January was filled with peace.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Jack had a look of endearment upon his face, as he looked down and into his wife’s sparkling blue eyes.

He couldn’t believe that she was actually his. He loved this woman with all his heart. He had almost lost her once, but now redemption was on his side.

January batted her long, black lashes for less than a second, before closing them, as the anticipation grew, waiting for his kiss.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: PMW
Copyright September 10, 2016

Excerpt from Manuscript – Snow

31 Wednesday Aug 2016

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EXCERPT FROM SNOW

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The last few days had been anything but perfect, maybe perfect was too strong of an adjective, the last few days had been more than exhausting.

January closed her eyes for a moment, reflecting back on their conversation. It hadn’t gone well, with Jack storming out of their high-rise apartment.

This had been more than two days ago and she still had not heard from him. She knew he would be mad, but he was more than mad, he had been furious.

She remembered when they had first visited the city of San Francisco, now their home. She and Jack had just gotten married. He had applied to the city as an Engineer, just on a whim, not really expecting to get the job, but he had.

She couldn’t have asked for a better life, now that Jack was clean. But now it seemed their perfect, picturesque life had shattered into a million different pieces.

Tears slowly spilled down her face, as she quietly opened her eyes. It was a dreary, over-cast day, but when wasn’t it over-cast in the city.

Looking across the bay, she watched as the tour boat took the nostalgic guests across the ocean and over to the Rock…Alcatrass, making her ponder…had she made the right decision telling Jack. Only time would tell.

“Please Jack, come home to me.” She whispered.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright August 31, 2016

Excerpt from Manuscript – Snow

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

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SNOW

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“Oh my God, Jack. I am so sorry.” January had no words.

“It’s okay. I’m over it now.”

“Over it! How can you say such a thing. What happened is just terribly horrible. I don’t know what I would do, if that happened to me.”

“January, you are a strong girl. You would get over it and move on.”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you would and just like me. I know I sound heartless, but there are only two ways to go in a situation like this, you can either not accept it and go insane or you can accept it and move on. I am not the insane one, he was. I can’t beat up on myself for his poor choices and his insanity.”

“Gosh Jack…I don’t know if I could be as brave as you. That’s a lot of stress for a kid, you know.”

“January, we are not kids. We may be only 17 years old, but we are both much older than our years and very wise.” He reached down, pulling her face up to his, softly kissing her sultry lips.

“I love you, do you know that…do you Jack?” At that moment, she realized actually how much she really loved this man.

“I know that, silly girl. I love you too. You are my hero!”

She smiled sadly, knowing she would always love him and would do anything for him… she knew she would even die for him, but she hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: PMW
Copyright August 24, 2016

Monster in my Closet

20 Saturday Aug 2016

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MONSTER IN MY CLOSET
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It was late. The sun had disappeared hours ago, casting a light glow from the moonlight, across the alley.

She wasn’t scared, but she was feeling the first signs of doubting herself. She knew better than being out in the night late and alone. Her mother had taught her the dangers of the city over and over again…so why was she not listening, especially now.

Because she had a gentle soul… a caring soul… she trusted people. She hated when her mother looked down on people, always judging them. Why was she always judging? After all, people were good… weren’t they?

Perhaps this was true or maybe it’s just from the mind of a thirteen year old girl.

Lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t hear the footsteps sneaking up behind her. Seconds before, she had decided to turn around and go home… consumed with her mother’s voice in her head.

“Hello.”

But it was too late. He stood there, in front of her, staring down at her, as if she were his prey.

All the blood drained from her face, as her breath caught in her throat.

“Shit!” Was all she could think to say.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
August 20, 2016

Excerpt from Manuscript – SNOW

17 Wednesday Aug 2016

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Excerpt from SNOW…

08.03.2016

January couldn’t help but stare. It didn’t feel real. She felt as if she were in a dream. Her once perfect life seemed to have shattered. Everything she had once known was gone.

She felt betrayed. She was lost. Defeat became her.

But she couldn’t help but think how beautiful it looked. It looked just like snow. Soft white snow that had fallen down onto the glassy, icy lake.

She was startled, seeing herself looking back through her own reflection in the mirror.

“Baby, what are you doing?” January jumped, half out of her skin.

“Woa…there baby girl. Are you okay?”

“My God, Jack. You scared me half to death.”

“What are you doing? We are all outside on the patio playing Quarters.”

“I was just coming back. I got lost, I guess. I didn’t know Ice did cocaine?”

“I guess…” Jack stammered.

“Did you know?” January asked.

“Of course not…how would I know!” Jack snapped.

“I don’t know, Jack. Calm down…I was just asking. What’s your problem?”

“No problem, babe. Let’s get back to the party and get another beer. You in?”

“Sure…” January replied, looking back at the table.

“Jack, may I ask you a question?’

“Sure.”

“Never mind.” January knew better to ask him, besides, she already knew the answer, so why bother.

January smiled weakly up at Jack as he pulled her hand, leading her across the room.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright: August 2016

The Lost Diary of Jane Doe

03 Wednesday Aug 2016

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The Lost Diary of Jane Doe…

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As she sat in front of the full-length mirror, intently staring into it, but not really seeing anything, she glanced down at the telegram that now lay crumpled up on her lap.

She felt numb, as no tears came. She knew she should cry or scream or laugh, just something, but she couldn’t. All sense of any emotion had escaped her.

It was funny to her, but all she was concerned with, at that very moment, was that she didn’t mess up her mascara or her prettily made-up face. She had spent hours on her make-up, spending thousands of dollars on her beautifully crafted, red-velvet dress, and even more on the stupid party.

The party that was going on downstairs and which she should have been attending with the man of her dreams on her arm, but instead she was lost in her own thoughts and paralyzed to her chair, without any destination of leaving her white-oak vanity desk.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright: August 2016

The Lost Diary of Jane Doe

31 Sunday Jul 2016

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The Lost Diary of Jane Doe

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She quickly pushed her self-doubt out of her mind. She knew she still loved him, time had no relevance with a love like they shared.

It hadn’t been love at first sight, but had grown out of the need to be protected and sheltered from the harsh elements of the world. He had been her hero from the beginning of their relationship. This was something he craved, something he needed, the need to be needed. And she had needed it too.

However, it was much simpler for her. She just loved him the way he was, with all his flaws and all. She didn’t care about his past, she didn’t care how much money he made, all she wanted from him was his heart, his honor, and his commitment to her and only her.

When they had said their goodbyes, she believed him when he told her he would come back to her. He had promised not to forget her. He had promised not to leave her behind, without him.

She had believed him. However, as each year past, without a letter or any communication, she had developed a horrible case of self-doubt. She was afraid he wasn’t coming back.

But she had been wrong. The dark cloud that had been following close behind her, had parted. The telegram had explained it all. He was coming home. He wasn’t lost or dead, he was alive and coming home to her.

Setting down her brush, she smiled into the mirror for the first time in five years.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photography Bye: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright July 2016