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……
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
Around her the bedroom was lit 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. All of the discs had been signed -all bar one. The one she held in her trembling hands.
Pre-order using the links below to ensure Riley is ready and waiting on your kindle on 18 Nov 2022
There nearly wasn’t a blog post this week…. a certain diminutive green haired teenager has been taking up all my spare time. Yes, you guessed it- Riley!
Some of you might have noticed that I shared my pre-order links for the e-book edition of Riley a couple of weeks ago but I’ll let you in on a secret…. Riley still looks pretty much like the picture above. Yes…I’m still typing furiously to get it all done. There’s about 3000 words still to be typed so not too much.
I’m also in the thick of proofreading and editing. My wonderful Infamous Five have been reading and giving me their feedback for the past few weeks. I seriously couldn’t do it without the love and support of those guys. Things are on track though so all is well…so far.
I put the feelers out this week to some book bloggers to see if they would be interested in receiving an eARC copy mid-October and reviewing Riley for their own blogs/websites. So far so good on that front too. If you are a book blogger and are interested in reviewing Riley then please drop me a message in the comments below.
There is one aspect of this tale that I do want to be transparent about right from the start. This book differs slightly from my previous book babies. I’ve included a scene of self-harm. There is also a smattering of social media bullying woven into the tale. (Trying not give any spoilers here) I wholly appreciate that these are sensitive topics and could put some readers off but I didn’t want to hide them and accidentally cause anyone distress. That is not my intention here.
I hope once you get your copy of Riley safely downloaded to your kindle or the Amazon courier delivers your paperback copy that you fall in love with this young lady as much as I have. Sometimes as an author you create a character that steals a piece of your heart. Riley is one of those…well to me anyway. I’ll let you make your own minds up in due course.
I’ve set myself the realistic target of 25 ebook pre-orders. Sorry to those who prefer a physical copy, there’s no pre-order available. So far as I type this, I’m at 7. So, if you’d like to pre-order, the links are below.
I’ll love you and leave you here for now. Work to be done to ensure Riley looks like the photo below by 18 November 2022!
“I have one last song for you,” began Riley. “I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves tonight. I’d like to say a few thank yous. Huge thanks to Dr Marrs, to the guys from Silver Lake, to my record label, to each and every one of you for making tonight magical. This really is a dream come true. A Firefly Dream. I have one final extra special huge thank you for Garrett for hosting this party and for giving me a chance, a job and a home. Garrett, I love you.”
As the cheers died out, Riley continued, “This last song was inspired in this very place. I’d never seen a real four-poster bed before Garrett invited me to stay here. You can work out the rest of the story. Folks, it’s been amazing. I’m going to leave you with Jumping On The Bed.”
The light-hearted song was the perfect choice to end the show with and left everyone in a buoyant mood as the lights came back up and the caterers began to circulate with trays of drinks and canapes. Not quite sure what to do, Riley stayed in the alcove tidying up her guitars and her lyrics folder. Suddenly, she felt two strong arms wrap round her. The hint of a familiar exotic spicy aftershave tickled her nose. Without a second’s thought, she spun round and wrapped herself round Todd.
“You were sensational, girl!” he declared before kissing the top of her head. “Awesome set.”
“Thank you,” said Riley, snuggling in close.
Pre-order using the links below to ensure Riley is ready and waiting on your kindle on 18 Nov 2022
Around her the bedroom was lit 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. All of the discs had been signed -all bar one. The one she held in her trembling hands.
Pre-order using the links below to ensure Riley is ready and waiting on your kindle on 18 Nov 2022
And to keep you going until 18 November, here’s another little sneak peek inside.
“I have one last song for you,” began Riley. “I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves tonight. I’d like to say a few thank yous. Huge thanks to Dr Marrs, to the guys from Silver Lake, to my record label, to each and every one of you for making tonight magical. This really is a dream come true. A Firefly Dream. I have one final extra special huge thank you for Garrett for hosting this party and for giving me a chance, a job and a home. Garrett, I love you.”
As the cheers died out, Riley continued, “This last song was inspired in this very place. I’d never seen a real four-poster bed before Garrett invited me to stay here. You can work out the rest of the story. Folks, it’s been amazing. I’m going to leave you with Jumping On The Bed.”
The light-hearted song was the perfect choice to end the show with and left everyone in a buoyant mood as the lights came back up and the caterers began to circulate with trays of drinks and canapes. Not quite sure what to do, Riley stayed in the alcove tidying up her guitars and her lyrics folder. Suddenly, she felt two strong arms wrap round her. The hint of a familiar exotic spicy aftershave tickled her nose. Without a second’s thought, she spun round and wrapped herself round Todd.
“You were sensational, girl!” he declared before kissing the top of her head. “Awesome set.”
Coral McCallum 