Mid Week Tease – Roxanne and Jonathon – Her Power

Click to see all the Mid Week Teases here at SJsWelcome to hump day my friends. Thank you to the amazing Sandra Bunino for bringing us together.

Today, I’m sharing a snippet from my Roxanne & Jonathon Love Story. I’ve been building it one flash at a time.

I picked today because it’s the first anniversary of my father-in-law’s death. I miss that proud Navy man and wish we had at least one more day to enjoy his company and his wisdom.

It’s been a tough year for all of us, but it’s been hardest of course on my mother-in-law. She lost her best friend and husband of fifty years. Her sorrow is deep and you can feel it hanging over her. I worry about her all the time.

At this point in the story, Roxanne and Jonathon have been separated by the villains, also known here as the Fates. Unlike my MIL, I have full control over Roxanne’s happy ending and I’m determined to reunite her with Jonathon. Until then, today’s flash is entitled “Her Power” Enjoy.

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It had been a year. Roxanne had felt this day coming. It was like a black hole pulling her towards the one thing she wished she had the power to change.

She’d spent the year trying to find a way to move on with her life. The Fates had won when they’d taken her Jonathon. They kept winning each day they kept them apart. The sharp pain in her heart nagged at her to move on, but she continued to pray she would find him again, that this horrible monotony would be broken.

111014She walked through the woods surrounding the cabin they’d shared during their last days together. It was her first trip back here. She’d thought it would hurt more, but in this place her memories seemed more alive.

In that moment, she knew she couldn’t move on. She wouldn’t. Not until they could do it together.

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If you’d like to read the rest of this free story, you can click here.

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Thank you so much for visiting me, it means a lot that you took the time to visit my little place on the web. Be sure to check out all the Mid Week Teasers:

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New Daily Picspiration Flash and FIVE Stars for TAKING CHANCES

takingchances1mI came across a review today for my debut, TAKING CHANCES from BDSM Book Reviews. They gave my story  5 out of 5 paddles for story and 5 out 5 for kink. *Queue SJ’s happy dance*

The reviewer wrote, “S.J. Maylee’s story is one of beauty and well researched” and “The journey that is embarked upon is gently done instead of pushed. Though a short story, this is well developed and the BDSM scenes are well written. It is not often that a short story can convey the beauty that a Dominant and submissive relationship can have.”

The reviewer had several other great things to say, the link for the full review is at the top. I’m so glad that folks are loving TAKING CHANCES. 😀

Today, I have a brand new flash. It can be seen here and over at Daily Picspiration where everyday there are new flashes by one of over a dozen different writers.

This pic here was one that I was given to inspire my words.

Enjoy.

Finding Love

“I’m not going to fall asleep again.” Jane forced her eyelids to open. “Just keep talking.”

“Right.” Robert shook his head and kept his gaze on the road in front of them. “Your eyes haven’t been open for more than five minutes this whole trip.”

“I know. I’m so sorry. I’m just so nervous about tomorrow.” She rolled her shoulders. “I was up half the night trying to figure out what to say to her.”

“I’m sure the words will come when you see her.” He reached out and rubbed her knee. “Why don’t you just lay back and rest. “Tomorrow’s a big day.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather wear myself out so I have a chance at sleeping tonight.” She pulled down the visor to see the tiny mirror and poked at the dark circles under her eyes.

“Why don’t we stop and stretch our legs.” Robert pulled the car to the side of the road. “I think it will be quite a while before we reach the next town.

Jane stepped out of the car and looked out over the open field. New patches of green were coming back in spots all over, but the harshness of winter could still be seen in the broken branches along the tree line.

Jane made her way through the field. It seemed empty of life and the desolation seeped into her skin like the cold hollowness her mother left behind when she disappeared two years ago. Jane picked up her pace as she lost her self in memories of long ago.

“Jane!”

She stopped, turned around and Robert stopped in front of her.

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know where I should be.”

“Honey, your long search is finally over.” He reached out and caressed her face. “It only makes sense that you’re feeling this anxiety.” He picked up her hands. “You know what you need now?”

“What?”

“A piggy back ride.” He turned around and helped her up on his back and he started to run in circles.

The wind almost blew off her hat and an easy giggle reached her ears. It took her a second to recognize the foreign sound as her own laughter.

“Robert, I love you.”

He sat her feet on the ground and turned around. “I love you too.”

Flash Fiction WIN – more from Roxanne and Jonathon – Taking Chances Review

I have news to share: A Flash Fiction win, a new flash in the Roxanne and Jonathon saga and a new review for my debut, TAKING CHANCES.

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You know I love Flash Fiction. Last Thursday, I participated in Siobhan Muir‘s #ThursThreads and my flash was picked as the winner. Yeah! 😀 It turns out, my flash is a perfect fit for the epic Sci-Fi Romance I’ve been developing.

click to see the post at Siobhan's

The fabulous A.S. Fenichel was the judge last week and here’s what she had to say about my flash:

The tone was set from the very start. It grabbed me and didn’t let go. I’m ready to read the entire book. I loved the way the author conveyed a huge amount of information and even backstory with so few words. Really well written.

“Fucking war.” Jocelyn turned around and watched the explosions lighting up the night sky. “We never should have agreed to this.”

“We weren’t given a choice.” Nathan packed his canteen into his satchel.

As darkness reached out and touched her ships, she knew the real end was coming. With each fleet that left for their chance in the sky, she knew it was just a matter of time before Nathan would need to leave.

She pushed her fingers into the glass, sending the last of her day’s power to the troops. She gave all she could and in the end it was only a small aid to their feeble attempt to remove the evil from her safe place.

“You can’t go, not yet.”

“Jocelyn, you know I must.” He wrapped his arms around her. “If I’m going to secure a new source for your power, I must go now.”
She fell to her knees. The strain of war was leaving its mark. “It’s no time for tears. I know, but I fear what losing you will do to me.”

“Jocelyn, my love you’re the strongest of us all.” He caressed her cheek and dragged his fingers over the emptiness left behind from where her magic once lived. His lips slipped over hers and he confirmed what she already knew. It was the one thing she had to believe. “I’ll always come back to you.”

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click to see my Roxanne and Jonathon pageOn Monday, I added the 6th installment in my ever growing story of love. You can find all the other flashes in this series at my Roxanne and Jonathon page.

The pictures that inspire this flash can be found at Daily Picspiration. I have linked each flash on the R&J page to the original post at DP and I’ve also done so below.

January 6, 2014 – Safety First (Roxanne’s POV)

“Jonathon, look. He has little pictures back here.” Roxanne dragged her gaze over each little beauty. Strong arms wrapped around her and Jonathon snuggled close. His public displays of affection were just one of the many reasons she loved about him.

Love.

She swayed as warmth spread through her limbs. In such a short time, Jonathon had become a life necessity. She could no longer imagine life without him.

“Is it odd that the photographer has captured so many of the places we’ve been?”

Jonathon stilled.

“What is it, honey?”

“It is strange and I’m not sure what to make of it.” He looked towards the back of the shop. The door opened to a little room, but no door, just a barred window.

“You’re starting to scare me. What’s going on?” She pulled at his arms and finally grabbed hold of his chin. “Jonathon?”

“I think we should leave as quietly as we came in. No eye contact with the clerk, okay?”

“Fine, but then you need to tell me what’s going on.”

He leaned in and gave her sweet chasted kiss. “Fine, I just want you safe first.”

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taking-chancesThe Romance Market Place posted a fabulous review of TAKING CHANCES on Sunday.

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Lydia and Jake’s story? What can I say?! The way Ms. Maylee entwines the reader into their lives and story was sheer joy! Hard to believe this is a debut book and author.

Normally I don’t read and review higher than sensual reads but something about this book spoke to me and I am so glad to have read it. If you’re looking for a quick read, I highly recommend Taking Chances. I look forward to more books from Ms. Maylee.

I don’t want to give away what happens but… be prepared for some ‘cold shower’ references when done reading.

My favorite line “When he moved away she whimpered at the loss of his warmth, but he slithered down the bed, and it became clear he was not leaving the bed or her body.” What woman doesn’t want that!

I love that review. 😀 For more information visit my TAKING CHANCES page.

Daily Picspiration – A Bench Out of Reach with Roxanne and Jonathon

– Don’t miss my Release Party for UNTANGLE ME –

I’m back at Daily Picspiration today with a brand new flash and it’s also listed below. This is the fifth flash in the story of Roxanne and Jonathon. I haven’t been telling their story from beginning to end which has been strangely fun. 🙂 Today’s flash enters the story line right in the middle of it all. You can find all the flashes listed in story order on my Roxanne & Jonathon page here.

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A Bench Out of Reach  (Jonathon’s POV)

Jonathon kicked the gravel under his feet. It had already been seven long days since they’d taken him from Roxanne and dropped him at the opposite end of the world. The fates had offered no explanation for their interruption, something they’d always done in the past. They’d only told him to look for the bench. The change in their tactics had festered like a tick under his skin.

The bench he and Roxanne so often shared was nowhere to be found and with each passing day she slipped further and further away.

He worried about Roxanne, he could only hope they were leaving her alone, but if they changed one tactic, he wouldn’t put it past them to change another. The bastards would pay regardless. Every second without his Roxanne felt like an eternity of agonizing deaths.

The rumble of a train in front of him broke into his thoughts. He looked up and watched the passing train. One train car had its large doors wide open. There was nothing inside but a bench.

“Fuck.”

Jonathon took off. His knees pulling up higher and higher with each punishing stride. A spark ran through his legs and he felt the pull. If only he could get to the bench, they’d take him back to his heart’s desire. They’d have to do it, if only he could reach the bench. The train picked up its speed and with each second got further away. He tripped and rolled down the embankment. Stone tore into his palms and burned a stinging path to his heart.

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I have so much more I want to add to this story, more to add to the beginning, middle, and the end. I’ll share another flash soon You’ll have to let me know if you have a preference  on what part of the story you want to read next.

Hope you enjoyed my flash. Visit Daily Picspiration to read a little about each contributing author. You can go back daily for something new and go today to see the pictures that inspired these words.

See all of my flashes at Daily Picspiration here –> http://picspiration.blogspot.com/search?q=S.J.+Maylee

Daily Picspiration – Backwards and Forwards with Roxanne and Jonathon

Click here for the Thankfully Naughty Giveaway Hop!

I’m back at Daily Picspiration today with a brand new flash. This is the forth flash in the story of Roxanne and Jonathon. I’ve been telling their story backwards which has been a lot of fun. Below you’ll find them in reverse order, I mean chronological order. I’m really not trying to make this confusing, lol. 🙂

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The date listed on each is the date they were posted at Daily Picspiration and the title links to that post where you can see the inspiration pictures.

The flashes are listed here in the order they occur, from before they meet and right on through to the happy ending. Enjoy.

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November 25, 2013 – A Cold Cute Meet (Jonathon’s POV)

Jonathon wandered the streets. Up and down, he weaved a senseless pattern. He stopped at the top of the hill, turned around, and watched the movement below until it disappeared into the fog.

This time and place was just as monotonous as the last. There was nothing here to capture his interest, no sign of what he was truly looking for. The cars may look faster and the architecture was definitely getting more interesting, but it didn’t deter him.

The fates claimed he’d find her soon. They were determined to prove love wasn’t real, that it couldn’t last. His kind were just a piece in their little game.

Since that day they’d given him a glimpse of her, he couldn’t get her out of his thoughts. He wondered first what her voice would sound like and then he began to think about how soft her hair would be. Then, he worried she wouldn’t like him. Of course, if he believed the fates, it wouldn’t matter because he wouldn’t love her anyway.

A piercing light split through his mind. Moments later, a chill traveled through him and snow kissed his cheeks. He turned in a circle, caring nothing for when and where, only hoping he’d find her in this place, but there was nothing.  He continued to look, there had to be something in this freezing city.

Movement caught his attention and he turned back around. He lost his footing and slipped on the cold pavement, landing right on his ass.

“Are you okay?”

He looked up into the beautiful blue eyes that had been enchanting his dreams.

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September 2, 2013 – A Punishment (Jonathon’s POV)

Waves crashed all around him, but Jonathon felt nothing. He was frozen through with the emptiness breaking apart his heart. Once again the fates had stolen his life.

No longer would he accept where they threw him. No longer would he accept these punishments. No longer would he accept the sentence of his kind.

He had to get back to his Roxanne.

He prayed that she’d wait and hold tight to his last words. It would take everything in him, but he’d get back to their bench. He’d get back to her.

They must have sensed he was about to tell her the story. A story of fiction turned to bitter reality each time the fates chose to punish his kind. However, this time their punishment touched Roxanne as well.

She would be their undoing. He had to believe it would be true.

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August 19, 2013 – The Empty Bench (Roxanne’s POV)

Roxanne stood at the gate, kicking her shoe against the wood. The need to see Jonathon again had burrowed deep. Missing him had become one with each breath and it was burning a hole in her heart. She didn’t know when he’d come back, but he had to. She couldn’t imagine a future that didn’t have Jonathon right by her side.

I’ll meet you at the bench …

She replayed his last words again and again. It had been a week since the wind took him away. Since that dreadful night, she’d been replaying the scene. There had to have been words left unsaid. After replaying all their conversations, she couldn’t figure out what she was missing. Instead, she stood at the gate. Waiting.

He’ll come back. He has to come back.

A tear tumbled off her cheek and splashed her hand. She pushed the gate open and ran. With each foot fall she got closer to the bench.

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August 5, 2013 – Simple Instructions (Roxanne’s POV)

The evidence was right in front of Roxanne. He’d been here. He was real.

Seven years after he disappeared in front of her eyes, he was still fresh in her memories. She might have stopped looking at the things he’d left behind, but she could never forget the time they’d shared together.

Memories flashed before her eyes this evening when a chance encounter with a medium mentioned his name.

Jonathon.

The woman’s candles had warmed the cool room with their spicy scent until they changed when she’d said his name. There was no mistaking the musk of his aftershave. Roxanne cried out when it dissipated.

“Will it come back? Can you get it back?” The crack in her voice matched the feeling in her heart.

“You can get it all back.” The woman reached and touched her hand. “Simply look at what’s left.”

Roxanne had run all the way home to set out each of the items. Nothing new jumped out. She scrunched her face and clamped her jaw tight. It has to be here. Her fingers touched each piece again and landed on the little notebook.

She flipped through the familiar pages, but the last page had something new. The short passage was followed by a simple instruction.

Say it and it will be true.

“Jonathon, come home to me.”

A piercing light filled her room and then was gone, revealing her heart’s desire.

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I have so much more I want to add to this story. As you can see there is lots of story to tell between the flashes, before the first and more to tell even after this last flash. Well, that was actually the first flash I wrote in their story, 😉

I’ll definitely write more about Roxanne and Jonathon, but I’m not sure what I’ll share next. You’ll have to let me know if you have a preference.

Hope you enjoyed my flashes. Visit Daily Picspiration to read a little about each contributing author. You can go back daily for something new and go today to see the pictures that inspired these words.

See all of my flashes at Daily Picspiration here –> http://picspiration.blogspot.com/search?q=S.J.+Maylee

Daily Picspiration – A Beautiful Day

I’m back at Daily Picspiration today with a brand new flash. See the words here or there, but the picture that inspired these words can be seen there at this link.

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Charlie pushed past the swings. He was done waiting for Susan. He couldn’t believe he’d agreed to her request and come to this forsaken place. The kids ran around with not a care in the world. Their giggles grated across his nerves like sandpaper. The cloudless sky pissed him off too.

This day was an exact replica of the day Susan broke his heart and refused his proposal. 

“I’m not ready.”

Those three words were on a constant repeat today. He couldn’t get them out of his head. It didn’t matter that he still loved her or that she might have been right. He could find nothing redeeming in being here again.

His phone rang with a new text. “Look up.”

Amongst all the blue, he spotted a plane with a sign dragging out the back.

He was wrong. This day could be fixed by letting go of just one word. The three words repeating in his mind were now replaced with a new message and it made a drastic change to the path of their future.

It was a beautiful day.

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Hope you enjoyed my flash. Visit Daily Picspiration to read a little about each author. You can go back daily for something new and go today to see the picture that inspired these words.

See all of my flashes at Daily Picspiration here –> http://picspiration.blogspot.com/search?q=S.J.+Maylee

Daily Picspiration – Memory Box

I’m back at Daily Picspiration today ~~> http://picspiration.blogspot.com <~~ with a brand new flash.

In this flash, I was inspired by a picture of a pair of hot pink Chuck Taylors. I thought it could be an image of a memory long forgotten. The moment she remembers falling in love and losing her best friend at the same time. You’ll need to read the flash to find out if things worked out for Jessica.

Daily Picspiration has new posts everyday. Each member posts once every other week. I post every other Monday. A couple of pictures are chosen and the writer chooses the length, genre, and subject matter, but we have to tie in one or both of the photos into the story.

You’ll have to let me know if you’d like to read more from this story.

Visit Daily Picspiration to read a little about each author. You can go back daily for something new and, of course, go today to read my new flash, Memory Box. Enjoy.

Daily Picspiration – Stay

I’m back at Daily Picspiration today ~~> http://picspiration.blogspot.com <~~ with a brand new flash and it’s there First Anniversary. Wahoo! A whole year of daily flashes. I’m kicking off the new year with a flash I’ve titled Stay.

Fireworks by Melissa Bowersock

Fireworks by Melissa Bowersock

Remember, Daily Picspiration has new posts everyday. Each member posts once every other week. I post every other Monday. A couple of pictures are chosen and the writer chooses the length, genre, and subject matter, but we have to tie in one or both of the photos into the story.

You’ll have to let me know if you’d like to read more from this story.

Visit Daily Picspiration to read a little about each author. You can go back daily for something new and, of course, go today to read my new flash, Stay. Enjoy.

Daily Picspiration – Magic’s Trap

I’m back at Daily Picspiration today ~~> http://picspiration.blogspot.com <~~ with a brand new flash.

Remember, Daily Picspiration has new posts everyday. Each member posts once every other week. I post every other Monday. A couple of pictures are chosen and the writer chooses the length, genre, and subject matter, but we have to tie in one or both of the photos into the story.

You’ll have to let me know if you’d like to read more from this story.

Visit Daily Picspiration to read a little about each author. You can go back daily for something new and, of course, go today to read my new flash, Magic’s Trap. Enjoy.

Daily Picspiration – Lyrics Required

I’m excited to share with you the flash fiction talents of fourteen different writers. The fun happens daily at http://picspiration.blogspot.com. My posts will occur every other Monday starting TODAY. A couple of pictures are chosen and the writer chooses the length, genre, and subject matter, but we have to tie in one or both of the photos into the story.

I was inspired by my pics for today and I’ve already seen my pics for Monday, June 10th and I can’t wait to write that one.

Visit Daily Picspiration to read a little about each author. You can go back daily for something new and, of course, go today to read my first flash, Lyrics Required. Enjoy.