I rarely watch the View and now I know why… What happened with Whoppi and the Judge was vile. I am disappointed that these women acted so juvenile. Is this what this country has come too? Grown women yelling and screaming on afternoon TV about politics. Morning TV is supposed to entertain and inform. ABC you have crossed the line.
Dietland is about Plum Kettle (Joy Nash), a ghostwriter for Kitty Montgomery (Julianna Margulies), the editor of the teen fashion-and-beauty magazine Daisy Chain. Plum transcribes Kitty’s Letters to the Editor column, she reads and responds to young women stuck in various states of desperation. Plum, herself, is in an even more desperate place in her life: A morbidly obese woman who has tried every diet that exists (sounds like me). Plum is preparing to get her stomach stapled, and money is an issue because it’s expensive and then she will need inevitable skin-reduction surgery that will follow. Not sure I like the new series on AMC. The first fifteen minutes drown in depression. Plum seemed paranoid and irritating. The dream scenes made me nauseated. Sorry AMC I’m passing on this one!
Okay, I admit what Rosanne Barr said was horrible but what the media is doing excommunicating and bullying her now is wrong. I rarely watch Inside Edition and Entertainment Tonight but this evening I just happened to be flipping through the channels while I elevated my leg. What I saw was terrible. I was stunned listening to the judgmental celebrities and their hateful bashing toward Rosanne. What do they want her to do? Hang herself? Killing her off on the sitcom! That is outrageous! Why doesn’t ABC fire Joy Behar? What about Jimmy Kimmel’s antics. If words matter why is the media being so hateful? They should practice what they preach.
Hey all,
So sorry I haven’t been on lately. So many things have been preventing me from writing. On Good Friday I was involved in a four-car accident which left me pretty banged up. Thank God I was not seriously injured. Talk about counting your blessings. I sure have. But it motivated me to work on my memoir. Yeah I know I have been talking it about it for some time. But listen. I mean it this time. I already have been busy working on it along with more artwork.
Stay tuned. Sorry this is short but I have to go make some popcorn for the Haidmaiden’s Tale! LOL
Sorry for all the delays with my new publisher. The light at the end of the tunnel is coming. In the meantime. I decided to get my ancestry DNA. And what I found out blows my mind.
A year later and I have a new publisher and a new illustrator for Rocky. I feel like its ground hog day over and over.I can laugh it off because I know when one door closes a new door opens!
Coming July 20, Christmas in July. The latest edition of Rocky: The Rockefeller Christmas Tree with vibrant new digital illustrations by Dina Colangelo of Murrysville, PA.
The most magical time of the year in New York City comes in November with the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Because of the significance of the occasion, evergreens from all around the world dream of becoming the Rockefeller Christmas Tree – and young Rocky is no exception. The only problem? As a small, rather unattractive sapling, Rocky can barely compete with the more robust specimens seeking to steal the spotlight he so desperately craves; however, with a little help – and a strong belief in himself – Rocky may just see his long-held dream finally come true…
Published by Ingram Lightning Source. Rocky: The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is a heartwarming tale for readers of all ages. Touching on such universal themes as keeping the faith, believing in oneself, and persevering through adversity makes the story particularly appealing to young readers. By crafting Rocky as a flawed, yet determined tree – rather than an immaculate, undefeatable hero – readers easily relate to his passionate quest to succeed, despite the obstacles standing in his way.
Available in e-book, paperback and hardback through by Ingram Lightning Source and amazon publishing LLC. Rocky is available for pre-order now on amazon.
The From The Sky series was picked up by Story Merchant. What can I say things weren’t happening with Indigo Sea Press. I am not going to bash my old publisher because I truly think he tried. But I will say. Do your research before you put your trust in a publisher. An author’s manuscript is their blood, sweat in tears.
Louis Joseph is available free thru June 5th!
Hello Peeps,
There are a lot of changes going on with my publisher these days. Secondwindpublishing.com is changing to Indigo Sea Press, which is delaying the sequel and the new edited and illustrated Rocky. Although this change is a positive, it is nevertheless frustrating to the author. Patience is not my best virtue. This time is letting me acquainted with my spirit which is always good.
What most of my readers don’t know is, I deal with chronic back pain and the winter months are challenging. I eat Advil like skittles these days. I also deal with and Sjögren’s and Hashimotto. Sjögren’s causes severe dry eye not and something an author needs because it limits writing time. I’m not complaining some people have a lot worse to deal with. Both are auto immune diseases. Stress plays a key trigger so this publishing nightmare contributes to flare ups. Hopefully, 2016 will be better for me.
November was a great month for me. Because of my publicist and personal assistant I was able to establish a relationship with Barnes & Noble. On November 7 I had my first book signing which was a success. So much so the manager invited me back! Since my publisher is not one of the ‘Big Five’ brick and mortar stores are reluctant to take on the smaller press. With this success I hope my signing will open the doors to emerging authors.
Please encourage your friends and young adults to read From The Sky! I wrote this book to take readers on a journey without having to have a dictionary to look up words. This is a great book to read on holiday and Christmas break.
Don’t forget Rocky: The Rockefeller Christmas. This lovable tale of courage and believing in oneself is a great holiday read for all children.
And please don’t forget about Louis Joseph’s Ooh Rah. I am donating all sales to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Jennie
Chapter 11
Dr. O’Neil left me to unpack my suitcase. As soon as the door shut, Victoria decided to approach me. I started putting my clothes in the drawers not at all neatly when she opened her mouth.
“Don’t worry; you’ll get your phone back,” Victoria said with a dash of smug. “What are you in for?” She got up from her bed and walked towards me. She was much shorter than I, and her red hair reminded me of Emmy after a bad dye job. For a second, I was homesick for Pittsburgh.
“I didn’t do anything—not that’s it’s any of your business,” I said. “Excuse me––” I pushed her away from my face.
“Sure you didn’t. That’s what everyone says, but we––know better, don’t we?”
“I didn’t do anything. I don’t know what’s gotten into my father.” I finished putting my clothes in the drawer.
Victoria went back on her bed and sat cross-legged. “Want to know what I’m in for?”
“Not particularly,” I said flatly.
“Oh––okay, if you must know. I got busted… for coke.”
“Drugs?” I was not going to indulge her with my indiscretion to prescription pills, that’s for sure. I’m stuck with Ms. Ginger ale coke head, just what I needed.
“So what are you here for… alcohol, heroin?” I didn’t answer. She edged in close.
“Do you mind?” I said, not looking at her while I shoved my clothes in the drawer.
“Okay, ‘I don’t-do-drug’ priss, you must have tried to kill yourself. Huh?” said Victoria.
“No… I didn’t.” God, she was annoying.
Victoria stared at me like I was the freak and not her. Victoria continued to enlighten me on her sentence at Oakridge. I really didn’t care, but what choice did I have? She just kept talking.
“Anyways––my boyfriend took his father’s gun, okay, and blew his head off. It was right after we had a fight. Can you believe that? I told him I wanted to break up. I never thought in a million years he would do something so stupid over me.” Victoria’s eyes welled to the brim with tears. “E-Ethan, that was his name, ran out of the house carrying his dad’s gun. His parents went after him… but it was too late. They heard the gun go off…found him lying… on the ground… with his brains splattered all over the woods behind their house.”
“That’s horrible.” I suddenly felt sorry for her.
“Yeah, now my parents think I’ll either OD or slit my wrists.”
“Are they right?” I said curiously.
“Hmmm, I don’t know––maybe.” Victoria shrugged her shoulders, put her earbuds in and walked out of the room. I stood there for a couple seconds amazed, then turned and followed her.
It was almost 5 p.m. There weren’t very many kids here unless they’re hidden somewhere. The kids whom I did see all looked normal enough, like any kids you’d see at in-school suspension or detention. Some looked like the kids in my biology class or AP history, your average messed-up high school student. Nevertheless, they all had a little secret. It was scary to think that these kids, like me, were so messed up.
Chapter Ten
“It’s not that bad here, Samantha.” The doctor strolled up to me, putting her hand on my shoulder. I pulled back from her touch.
“I’ll show you to your room.” Dr. O’Neil nudged my hand. My room for the next ninety days was down two hallways. We walked the length of the hardwood flooring not saying a word. I glanced briefly at a sunroom at the far end of the hall. On the left was my room—number 13—great, of all the numbers.
Dr. O’Neil tapped on the door before opening it. A petite girl with fiery red hair, the color of lava styled in a neat shoulder-length bob, sat cross-legged on the bed.
“What the eff!” she scoffed, pulling out her earbuds.
“Your new roommate, Victoria,” Dr. O’Neil said.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” the fiery red-haired girl said, springing from the bed.
She held her earphones and iPod. Her eyes were pale blue and her ivory skin was freckled. She wore a tight pink sweater, showing off her full bosom and tiny waist. Wow, I wonder if they’re real. I almost looked down at my own briefly but caught myself. Her clothes looked to be something bought at a preppy expensive store in the wealthy section of town somewhere. Satisfied with what she saw, she put her earbuds back in her ears.
“Victoria, this is your new roommate, Samantha. We use first names only for privacy’s sake. Now if you want to exchange last names, that’s your prerogative.”
“Victoria,” Dr. O’Neil said with a knife-like shrill voice cutting into the air. Victoria kept listening to whatever was on her iPod.
“Victoria,” Dr. O’Neil repeated. Reluctantly Victoria took her earbuds out.
“What?” she said, irritated, giving me a cold disturbed look as if I were the cause of her pain.
“This is Samantha; she’ll be sharing a room with you. Why don’t you help her put her things where they belong, and please try and be pleasant by making her feel at home.” Victoria nodded and put her earbuds back in her ears.
“At home? This is not my home,” I said.
“Well, it is now—at least for the time being,” Dr. O’Neil said and smiled.
“Bitch,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Excuse me—what did you say? I didn’t think so… Samantha–– I have the power to make your stay here pleasant or not so pleasant.” She held her tongue. “Okay, Samantha?” Dr. O’Neil held out her hand. “Let me have your cell phone.” Puzzled, I backed up a step.
“Hand it over,” she said, staring.
“What!” I stared back.
“Your cell phone,” she asked a second time.
“No—I’m not giving you my phone,” I said, letting my voice get louder. The way she looked at me, I got the impression Dr. O’Neil wasn’t accustomed to anyone defying her.
“It’s best you get rid of the attitude, Miss Hunter. The quicker you know the rules, the better it will be for both of us. Don’t get your panties all in a knot; it’s only for the first week,” Dr. O’Neil said with a smile.
“Ew––I wonder if my father will think that’s any way for a doctor to talk.”
“Samantha––let’s get one thing straight from the get-go. Your father isn’t here. I am, and the quicker you understand that, the better it will be for you. The nurses, the aides and counselors are here to help you. I run the show here. Oakridge Estate is small and isolated so there’s no way for you to try and run home. And––if you do try, you’ll freeze to death before you even make it to the highway. I want to help you—do you understand? So if you have any thoughts like that, put them out of your head now. This is not a punishment. It is a treatment center.”
“Okay, but—I’m still not giving you my phone,” I snapped.
Doctor O’Neil folded her arms across her chest, “And I’m not leaving here until you do.”
“No…I’m not giving you my cell,” I repeated. “There’s nothing wrong with me. I shouldn’t even be here! My dad’s the one who’s crazy, not me.”
“That’s not how he sees it.”
“Of course, that’s not how he sees it,” I said with a frown.
“Samantha, please let me have your phone.” Dr. O’Neil held her hand out in front of my face. By the look on her face, she wasn’t going to drop it.
Defeated, I pulled out my cell from my back pocket. I hadn’t used it all that much since Lucien left. My best friend Emmy from back home was the only one I talked to. I kept it close just in case Cassiel would try to call me.
I handed over my phone to Dr. O’Neil, not happy doing so. For what seemed like hours, O’Neil explained my routine for the next three month. I can’t believe I had to live here for three months with no phone for a week. I’ll never forgive my father for this or Lucien.
My days were penciled in like a prison schedule. At 6 a.m. wake up, shower; breakfast at 7 in the dining hall. Group therapy was at 7:30, followed by art therapy at 10. Each day at 11 sharp, I had to have one hour of exercise––how lovely. I had a choice of yoga or kickboxing. I decided to beat up a punching bag instead of O’Neil’s face. Lunch was at noon and individual counseling at 1 p.m.; unfortunately I still had to have class. It was required so when I got back to my normal life, I wouldn’t be behind. Nothing in my life was normal. My days would end with dinner at 6 and free time until bed––oh, goodie.
file:///C:/Users/mom/Desktop/From%20the%20sky%20for%20fanfiction%20double%20space.pdf
J.E. Nicassio 