Monthly Archives: November 2007

REDEEMED IN DARKNESS is Out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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              redeemed_in_darkness_cover2.jpg  Well, here we are in the post-Thanksgiving glow of too much turkey and pumpkin pie.  It was a great weekend and all was quiet on the barrier front.  Remind me to throw a thank you card across the barrier next time I get a chance, thanking the Others for staying where they belong for once. 

                Did anyone else binge on football?   Actually, I’m not sure that it’s possible to OD on America’s sport.  A couple of the games I watched were real yawners, but sure can’t say that about the three that mattered most to me.  The Chiefs lost—‘nuff said.   The Seahawks managed to make it to the finish line with a win, so that’s good.  And last night’s game between the Eagles and the Patriots was a barn burner!  The Eagles fought the good fight, but I’m glad the Pats won.  History in the making and all that.

                Which reminds me.  Cullen owes me money.  I went looking for him to collect but can’t figure out where he’s hiding.  Maybe he’s afraid I’d gloat, but that’s silly.  He knows I’ll gloat because I always do.   That’s half the fun of winning the bet.   <insert wicked grin here>   Maybe I should charge him interest until he pays off.  Hmmmm.

                Seriously, though, I’m still worried about him.  At least his book is showing up pretty much everywhere this week.  Maybe that will improve his mood.  I hope so.  I miss his calming influence—but let’s keep that little comment just between us. 

                Oh, and just think, there’s football on tonight, too.  I know it’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta watch it.  

                I’d better sign off.  I’ve been watching the cool little seismograph Lacey installed for me and the needle is definitely doing the tango.  I’d better get my axe ‘cause it looks like we might be dancing later. 

Talking Turkey

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redeemed_in_darkness_cover2.jpg                  I figure a man’s gotta lot to be grateful for during the week of Thanksgiving.  First, you get back-to-back football games all day Sunday.  The Seahawks won, so that’s good.  The Chiefs lost, but it wasn’t a blowout—they hung in their with their new quarterback at the helm right up until the end.  Short of winning, they couldn’t have done much better.  And I don’t know about  you, but I’m loving watching the Patriots rolling through the season undefeated so far.  Could be some major history in the making.

                And then there’s Monday night football.  Enough said.

                But to top it all off, there’s football on Thursday, too!  I mean, what’s better than turkey with all the fixings eaten to the sound of crowd noise and halftime scores?  

                Okay, okay, I know there’s more to the holiday than the NFL.  There’s the whole getting together with friends and hanging out together.  I get that.  This year Devlin and Laurel decided to have a bunch of us over to the house to celebrate the holiday.  Should be fun watching Barak’s reaction to the overabundance of chow on the table.  Of course, he’s a vegetarian for some strange reason, but still there’ll be plenty of holiday fare for him to try out for the first time.  At least Devlin talked Laurel into having most of the meal catered.  I know he told her he wanted her to be able to relax with the rest of us, but I’ve heard some unsavory rumors about her cooking.  Either way, I’m not complaining.  Free food and a big screen TV is enough to keep me and Lonzo happy for hours.

                I’m bringing the beer. 

                Did I mention there’s college football off and on all week, too?

                On a different note, something’s up with Cullen.   Alexis says his book is coming out next week—it should hit the shelves at your neighborhood bookstores on November 27th.  I hope whatever happens works out well for him.  He’s my partner in all things computer related and he’s been a bit off his game lately.  It’s no fun hacking in to someone’s system if there’s no one to celebrate the victory with.

                I guess we’ll find out  soon enough what happens.

                So, take care and stay safe out there this week.  Alexis thinks we should all take a minute or two each day and think about something we’re grateful for.  I’m not much into mushy stuff like that, but I do like knowing my friends are all close by  and safe at the moment.  We all appreciate everyone’s support of our ongoing saga. 

                And it never hurts to put in a good word for some world peace. 

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody, from the Paladins!

Thank you to all those who serve—-

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This week I want to play it straight so D.J. won’t be blogging this time. 

Instead, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Veteran’s Day and honor all of those men and women, past and present, who serve our country.  You are all often in my thoughts and prayers.  There’s not much I can say to express how proud I am of all of you except to simply say:   Thank you and  stay safe.

Welcome Kade from SAVING DESTINY by Pat White!

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21k4cmt32il__aa115_.jpg                Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a seat with your back to the wall in a crowded coffee shop on Seattle’s Capital Hill?  I finally settled for one that snuggled up close to a big trash can, figuring if anyone came at me from that direction, I’d at least hear him coming.  I’ve got my Glock close at hand, but had to leave my sword in the car.   Devlin would have my hide if I skewered someone in a public.  Not that he’d be happy about me shooting up the place either.

                The real question is how I came to be interviewing a demon in the first place.  Seems Alexis and Pat White are good buddies and they thought the two of us would have a lot in common.  Can’t imagine what, but I’m willing to talk to the guy.  I just hope I recognize him when I see him coming.   All I know is he’s tall (aren’t we all?), has long black hair and green eyes.  Sounds a lot like Devlin, but as far as I know, Dev doesn’t run in the same circles as Satan.

                Wait—I bet that’s him.  Alexis mentioned something about devilishly handsome.  Gack.  But yeah, it’s easy to pick a warrior out of the crowd.   I move to stand up and he immediately spots me.  Okay, here we go—

DJ:  Kade?   I’m D.J., Alexis sent me.

Kade:  (his eyes narrow as he approaches the table)  What the hell are you anyway?  You’re not human.  Not completely anyway.

D.J.:  I’m a Paladin. 

Kade:   You’re not from the dark realm. 

D.J.:  No, I’m from Seattle. 

Kade:  Very funny.  I repeat—what are you?

D.J.:  (looking around) Look, I’ll answer your questions, but can we sit down.  People are staring.

Kade  drops into the chair next to D.J., stretches his legs out and crosses his arms over his chest.   

Kade:  Okay, I’m listening. 

D.J.:  Like I said, I’m a Paladin.  There’s a barrier between this world and another one.  When there’s an earthquake or volcanic eruption, it goes down and these crazy bastards invade.  I spend much of my time, sword in hand, showing them the error of their ways.  If I die, I come back from it.   Well, at least until I turn into one of the crazies and my own people kill me. 

Kade:  Sounds like fun.  At least you aren’t stuck tracking down a helpless mortal who you have to protect so she can be come the Crystal Goddess.

D.J.:  What does a Crystal Goddess do?

Kade:  Other than destroy my kind completely?  

D.J.:  Well, that sucks!  So why would you protect her?

Kade:  To save my brother’s life.  Besides, I plan to seduce and control her  . . . and encourage her to free my brother.   My powers of persuasion are, shall we say, prodigious. (his smlie was definitely predatory)

D.J.:  If that’s the case, why do you look so worried? 

Kade:  Because as an Ash Demon, I’m constantly tempted by my mortal weaknesses of compassion and love.   

D.J.:  And what does that mean in the scheme of things?

Kade:  Destiny’s a threat to us all.  I suspect I’m not the only one hunting for her.  For my brother’s sake, I need to control her, not damage her. 

D.J.:  Well, good luck with that.  How do you plan to get close to her?

Kade:  (arching an eyebrow)   Getting close to her isn’t the problem.  Walking away might be.

D.J. shifts in his chair, as he considers what to ask next.    

D.J.:    So moving on, like I said, I’m damn good with a sword and heal faster than mortal man.  What spidey  senses do you have?

Kade:  I can fly.

D.J.  (arches a skeptical eyebrow.):     Get  serious! 

(this guy obviously thinks he’s hot stuff and judging from the way the waitress keeps staring at him, maybe he is)

Kade (definitely smirking):  Why ask if you’re not going to believe me? 

D.J.:  Fine.  You fly.  What else?

Kade:  (looking smug)  I can shoot lightning bolts from my fingertips.

D.J.:  I’m thinking we got screwed.  I have got to talk to Alexis.  This is so not fair.   I bet you’re immortal , too?

Kade:  Pretty much.  Unless the Crystal goddess sucks us into a crystal and then we’re suspended indefinitely.   That’s both painful and humiliating.

D.J. :  Sucks to be you, then.  

 (His cell phone rings.   He glances at the text message.
          Oops, sorry, gotta go.  The barrier has decided to go yo-yo on us again.   Can I give you a lift?

Kade:  No, I’m heading for Seattle U.  It’s only a couple of blocks from here.

D.J. holds out his hand.  Kade reluctantly shakes it.  As they walk out, D.J. slaps Kadeon the back and grins.

 D.J.  Good luck with that whole seduction scene. 

Kade’s eyes gleam:  Luck?  Who needs luck?

D.J. watches the demon walk away, and then heads for his car.   He pulls out his cell phone and punches a number on speed dial.

Alexis:  Hey, D.J.   How did the interview go? 

D.J.:  Fine, that Kade’s a cocky s.o.b., but I figure it’s part of the whole warrior package.  He’d fit right in with the Paladins.

Alexis:  Yeah, I thought you’d like him.

D.J.:  But I want to talk to you about the whole flying and lightning bolt thing . . .

Alexis:  Oops!  Gotta go, D.J., my other line is ringing.  Watch your back in the tunnels. . .