Is your New Year’s resolution to read more books? Why not start with Ellen?
Ellen “I vowed to prove them wrong.”
Tailz “I believe this is about where we got to before.”
Luke “You mess this up and you’re history! Hear me?”
Nana “You should be soulmates not lovers.”
Emotions run high when Ellen Lloyd steps up to the mic as the new vocalist for rock band After Life. Will she prove to be heaven sent or will her arrival see the band descend into the depths of hell?
Want to know more? Download Ellen for FREE for a limited period from Amazon – available worldwide
“Good evening,” began Garrett, a hint of nerves evident in his voice. “Welcome along to my humble abode to celebrate the launch of Riley’s debut album, Firefly Dreams.”
There was a polite round of applause before Dr Marrs began to speak, “I first heard this young lady when she visited JJL as part of a high school music workshop. Her voice immediately caught my ear. A few weeks later, I invited her back out to the studio to sing on Garrett’s solo record. Again, she blew me away with her raw talent. Move forward a few months to last summer. Riley spent a few weeks down at JJL with me and what you’re about to hear is the result of all the blood sweat and tears…. quite a few tears.”
“Without further ado,” continued Garrett theatrically, “We give you Miss Riley Johnson!”
Having offered up a silent prayer to the muses, Riley began to play the intro to Sand Dollars. Keeping her playing subtle, she felt her nerves beginning to ease as she sang her tale of walking the beach at sunrise in search of sand dollars, the flat sea urchins found along the shoreline. It was a song filled with hopes of a bright future where the sand dollars were a metaphor for real dollars.
Want to know more? Check out Riley on Amazon today!
Up on stage, Three Dead Mice brought Killer to an end.
“New York, thank you!” screamed Rob, glancing over towards them. “Now, we’d like to invite a friend… sorry two friends… up here to join us. New York, let’s hear it for the beautiful Riley Johnson and the legend that is Jake Power!”
The small crowd went wild as Riley and Jake stepped up on stage. Hurriedly a guitar was found for Jake then Rob stepped back up to the mic.
“Time to Shoot To Thrill!”
With a nod, Rob and Jake both began to play the distinctive ACDC intro before the others joined in on bass and drums. Gone was the quiet Riley from the album launch. In her place, centre stage, was a rock queen in waiting as she poured all her vocal power into the raucous lyrics. Both Rob and Jake joined in for the chorus, standing either side of her.
“Pull the trigger!” screamed Riley as she spun away, allowing the two guitarists to play together. No one watching would have guessed that the performance was entirely unrehearsed. Their passion for the classic rock track was clear for all to see and hear.
“Folks, give it up for Riley and Jake!” roared Rob, grinning from ear to ear as sweat ran down his face.
Is your New Year resolution to read more books in 2023? If so, you can kickstart things for free with Ellen.
Ellen “I vowed to prove them wrong.”
Tailz “I believe this is about where we got to before.”
Luke “You mess this up and you’re history! Hear me?”
Nana “You should be soulmates not lovers.”
Emotions run high when Ellen Lloyd steps up to the mic as the new vocalist for rock band After Life. Will she prove to be heaven sent or will her arrival see the band descend into the depths of hell?
Want to know more? Download Ellen for free today through to Jan 2nd
“Been a big week for you,” commented Garrett as he poured himself a second glass of red wine. “New album, album launch, a tour to Europe and a new band.”
“I know! So much is changing so fast!”
“No less than you deserve, my dear,” added Jethro warmly. “I have a good feeling in my braids about this for you.”
Riley giggled as she helped herself to another slice of pizza.
“We’re meeting for lunch on Sunday,” she explained, her mouth still full of pepperoni. “Will be good to get to know the guys a little better before we get to work.”
“You thought of a name yet?” quizzed Garrett.
“No!” gasped Riley, her eyes wide. “I hadn’t even thought about a name.”
“Molly and I had provisionally thought of the boys as The RJ Band,” revealed Jethro casually. “This is still all about Riley Johnson. It’s all about you so it needs to be Riley and the…”
“The old man’s right,” added Garrett calmly. “You’re the star here. It needs to be your name up there in the big letters. Those boys will just need to get used to being behind you.”
“Am I ready for this?” asked Riley quietly, a wave of fear seeping through her.
Teacher: Class, read and analyse the opening section of the novel Riley. Pay close attention to the imagery the author is conveying. Your answers are due in on Thursday.
Around her, the bedroom was illuminated by half a dozen candles, their shadows dancing on the walls. A delicate vanilla fragrance filled the room. The Gothic Palace lay silent. It was almost midnight. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the large four-poster bed, Riley sat staring down at the CD in her hands. Her CD. Her debut album that was due to be released worldwide on the stroke of midnight.
A box of CDs had been delivered that morning with a note from the record company saying simply, “Autograph these in time for the launch party on February 29th.” She’d signed her way through two silver Sharpie markers before all the CD inserts were autographed. At Garrett’s suggestion, she’d practiced her autograph on a few sheets of paper before deciding how she wanted to sign it. Initially, it had been fun sitting at Garrett’s huge rosewood dining table signing the insert for each disc but, after the first fifty or so, the novelty swiftly wore off. Two hours later she had finished the chore. Each of the discs had been signed -all bar one. The one she held in her trembling hands.
Her dream was on the verge of becoming reality. Everything was falling into place. Since she’d finished recording the album at JJL back in June, Dr Marrs had worked his magic on the mixes then, together with Jethro, had convinced Jason Russell to act for her and to support getting her signed to the same label as Silver Lake and After Life. For the past few months, Jethro had been acting as her manager but when she had spoken to him last, just before he flew out to Australia with Silver Lake, he’d said that he would need to hire someone else to help him manage her after the launch party. Not knowing who that “someone” might be was adding to her already growing anxiety levels.
Beside her on the pale pink patchwork comforter her phone screen read 12:01am. Her album was now live around the world.
With a final look at the album’s cover, Riley laid it down on the bed. Stepping down first onto the soft dark pink rug then onto the cool hardwood floor, she went round the room blowing out the candles one by one before jumping up onto the bed to snuggle under the covers before the “dark” captured her. She’d never been a fan of the dark.
Thursday- English class
Teacher: leave your homework on my desk on your way out of class, please.
Following Monday – English class
Teacher: (handing back the marked homework to the class) Let’s go over the passage and pick out the key imagery. We’ll start with the candlelight. The author is creating the suggestion that there’s something religious or ritualistic about Riley studying the CD in her hands. There’s connotations that this is a moment of prayer as she dares to hope for a successful music career.
Author – Riley just likes candles……
Teacher: the vanilla fragrance implies simplicity and purity
Author – vanilla is a favourite fragrance.
Teacher- the four-poster bed creates the image that this is all a fairytale to Riley
Author – Garrett likes antique furniture, and it ties in with the Gothic décor theme. The room had a four-poster bed in it long before it was Riley’s room.
Teacher – the author is trying to create an air of mystery when they mention that Jethro would need to hire “someone” to help manage Riley. This raises the tension levels and creates an element of suspense
Author – Jethro tells Riley he needs to hire help as he can’t do it all himself and she’s anxious about working with a stranger
Teacher – the pink patchwork quilt is creating a feminine side to Riley.
Author – it’s an antique handsewn quilt that compliments the décor in the room.
Teacher- the dark pink rug, is creating the suggestion that there’s a dark side to Riley
Author – the rug was a darker shade of pink. A far more practical colour than light pink for a rug.
Teacher- blowing the candles out is symbolic of the end of Riley’s childhood and ties in with the religious implications of the opening sentence.
Author – Riley blows the candles out because it would be dangerous to go to sleep with them lit and there would be too much light in room
Teacher – the author is trying to create a metaphor for Riley’s fears about how her CD will be received by using the “dark” as something that could come and capture her.
Author – Riley is scared of the dark.
All a bit tongue- in- cheek and not intended to offend English teachers. I’d be beyond flattered if anything I wrote became subject a class’ critique. In reality, that scenario is highly unlikely.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that sometimes authors do just write things as they are without the need for any deeper mystical hidden meanings.
If you want to read Riley and judge for yourself, the book is released worldwide on 18 November 2022….ten days to go……
The restaurant was busy but, when Jethro gave the hostess his name, they were led straight through to a table at the back of the room, affording them a little privacy. A few moments later, Riley became aware of a tall, slender woman with waist length rainbow coloured hair weaving her way through the table towards them.
“Jethro!” greeted the woman enthusiastically. “So sorry I’m late. Traffic out there is horrible. All snarled up.”
Standing to hug the new arrival, Jethro assured her, “It’s fine. We only just got here ourselves.”
Indicating that she should take the empty seat between them, Jethro said, “Riley, meet Molly. Molly, this is Riley.”
“Lovely to meet you at last, sweetie,” said Molly shaking Riley’s hand. “Sorry I missed your launch party last night. My flight from London was delayed. It was after midnight before I got in.”
“Nice to meet you too,” replied Riley shyly.
Pre-order using the links below to ensure Riley is ready and waiting on your kindle on 18 Nov 2022
Coral McCallum 