As they walked along the snow-covered beach, Jake smiled. Watching the kids trying to run on ahead, occasionally throwing snowballs at each other and then lying down to make snow angels warmed his heart from the cold winter breeze that blew in off the ocean. With only two sleeps till Christmas both of them were hyper; both super excited at the thought of Santa Claus visiting.
“This way, kids!” he called as they reached a path that led up to the boardwalk.
Much to his surprise, they both came running towards him, slipping their tiny, gloved hands into his without being asked.
“What are you wanting Santa to bring you?” asked Melody as they walked along the boardwalk.
“Oh, I don’t know,” answered Jake, stalling for time. “Some new running shoes. Maybe a new guitar.”
“You’ve got lots of guitars!” stated Jesse bluntly.
“And you’ve got lots of trains, but you’ve still asked Santa Claus for another one,” teased Jake.
“I think Mommy wants a new computer,” announced Melody, changing the subject. “She was calling hers some bad words last week.”
With a laugh, Jake admitted that Lori had indeed called her laptop some choice names after it had crashed and deleted two days’ worth of work.
As the family group walked along the boardwalk, the kids ran on ahead to explore the small Christmas houses that had sprung up. The red Santa mailbox stood on the boardwalk opposite the bandstand.
Carefully, Jake removed the letters from his jacket pocket and handed them to the kids to mail. Pulling his cell out too, he took some photos of them posting the envelopes to Lapland then suggested that they go and stand by the town’s large Christmas tree for more photos.
“Ok, guys,” began Jake as he slipped the phone back into his jacket. “Who wants hot chocolate?”
“Me! Me! Me!”
(extract from Long Shadows)
If you want to read more then you can catch up with Jake and all things Silver Lake using the links below
It’s ten days since my favourite little green-haired girl, Riley, was released into the world. Been a whirlwind few days.
So far, everyone seems to be loving her and it warms my heart to see that she is sitting on Amazon and Goodreads surrounded by 5* reviews already. Hopefully over the coming weeks and months, as more folk get around to reading her story, this will continue. (Yes, that was a subtle hint to pick up a copy if you haven’t already.)
Marketing is the bit I struggle with most. I promote my work on a shoestring budget so most of it is done via social media, a website called AllAuthor (www.allauthor.com/author/coralmccallum )and this blog page. Word of mouth is also a great marketing tool (Yes, that was another subtle hint that if you’ve read Riley and enjoyed her tale, tell people, please!)
Books, actual paperback books, make great Christmas gifts. (Yes, that’s another subtle hint) Riley would look fabulous all wrapped in silver with a huge green bow, don’t you think?
So, what’s next? I’ve been asked that a few times over the past ten days! I’m still in the undecided mode on that to an extent. Yes, I have started “something” that may become book baby 8 but it’s too soon to tell. For now, it’s about relaxing a bit, enjoying the festive season and we’ll see what 2023 and beyond brings.
If you’re reading this, scratching your head and asking “Who’s Riley?” , you can find out using the links below
Hi. My name’s Riley and this is my story. You might remember me from Shattered Hearts when I burst into Jake Power’s class late and from Long Shadows but don’t worry if we’ve not met before. This book tells you about the release of my debut album and the formation of the RJ Band and well…I’ll let the rest speak for itself.
“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.
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.
The party had started, and she knew she was uncharacteristically late. She had almost changed her mind at the last-minute. The thought of walking in alone filled her with fear; the thought of finally seeing him again after so many long dark months filled her with excitement. She didn’t dare dream about where the night may lead…
She had dressed carefully, choosing a flattering LBD with his tastes in mind. Now that she stood hovering in the doorway, nerves were beginning to overwhelm her. She felt incredibly self-conscious in the short skirt and heels. There was still time to change her mind…
If she left now, he need never know she had been there. She could slip away unseen…
Suddenly, she felt eyes on her. Looking up, their gaze connected across the room.
Rooted to the spot, she watched as he excused himself from the company he’d been keeping. She watched him weave his way expertly through the guests, pausing briefly to lift two glasses of champagne from a passing hostess’ tray.
Before she had the chance to breathe, he was standing inches in front of her, offering her a champagne flute.
With a trembling hand, she accepted the glass and smiled up at him. She could feel that tell-tale flutter deep inside her as she drew her gaze over his sharp black tuxedo, open dress shirt, the bow tie hanging loose around the collar. Their eyes met.
“I thought you’d had a change of heart,” he said softly, as he leaned forward to caress her cheek with a kiss.
“Almost,” she confessed as she drank in the intoxicating fragrance of his aftershave.
As he was about to step back, he whispered in her ear, “I’m looking forward to coming in you in that dress…”
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……
Coral McCallum 