Well, 2014 is done. I
have spent the morning doing my annual closet clearing. It was more in depth than usual. I finally reached the point where I gave up
on the hope of ever fitting in some of my old clothes again. They are going to Goodwill for a tax
deduction. It’s not that I’ve gained
weight over the year. I’m the same size
I was last year. I just don’t see the
point of holding onto clothes I will likely never fit in again. I have a permanent physical condition
preventing me from working out and diets have never really stuck with me. I don’t see the point of half my closet space
(I only get a third of it to begin with) being wasted by reminders of thinner
days. It’s depressing and creates a
clutter. Furthermore, if I were to lose
weight, I am sure I would want to go buy new clothes to celebrate. So I finally decided to part ways with my old
clothes. This year has had its ups and
downs. Due to my ailment I was unable to
work at my other job for nearly 3 straight months. That was a financial hurdle we are still
overcoming. On the other hand, things
with the books are going well. I have
had many positive reviews on “Quest for the Red Sapphire” and “Sapphire
Crucible.” Look for the next book, “Mandrean
Revenge” to come out in the next six months.
I will go over the new edits for “Sapphire” just as soon as I have time
after the holidays. Then a second edition
will be released with a great new cover.
No major catastrophes have happened to my family in 2014 and that in
itself was a blessing. We discovered the
reason my daughter had been so sick for so long. After thousands of dollars in tests and
countless missed days or school a simple test by our family doctor disclosed
she was allergic to wheat. I had heard
of gluten allergies but never wheat.
After some research we discovered it has become a very common problem and
the diet was the same as gluten free.
Now we keep my daughter away from wheat and she is finally well. I must say I am glad it’s not me because
gluten free food (what she normally eats) is both expensive and not usually
tasty. My son is starting to slowly get
some direction in his life. It’s hard as
a parent. Both good and bad, you compare
your children to yourself. When they lag
behind in a certain area you tend to lose sight of the things they have done
well that you didn’t. Some goals I
reached this year while others I missed. Overall the year flew by. There is much to be done next year and I have
goals in place. I hope to devote more of
my time to my writing. I get the most
joy from that. It is my hope that the
new editions of my books will help them rise to new heights. Staying healthy would be a huge help. I must work hard at my other job to provide
for my family. In all, I want to be a
better man who appreciates what he has instead of longing for what he doesn’t
have. 2015 is about to arrive and I
intend to tackle it head on.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Monday, December 29, 2014
Christmas Future
Christmas has come and gone once again. Many things are the same as usual while
others are not. The caramel apples
wrapped for the stockings were once again a success. The fruit in said stockings was not. I put far too much thought into my gifts I
gave and missed the mark as often as I hit.
The expensive foot massager for my wife was a particular flop. The new IPhone for my oldest daughter was a
huge success. Then I bought a new case
for my younger daughter’s cell phone only to discover Christmas Eve that her
phone had just died and we had to order her a new one. The postage to send the case back was going
to be as much as the refund on the case so here I sit with a case I can’t
use. It’s not a huge financial loss but
it was a gift I had planned for months and was now pointless. Waste always bothers me. The school apparel from our alma mater was a
hit with the wife. Overall the family
was pleased with the day. As I watched
them rummage through their stockings and tear open wrapping paper we snapped
photos. I started thinking it wouldn’t
be long before my oldest wants to move away.
My second oldest goes to college next year and plans to go to the East Coast,
as far in the continental U.S. as possible from us. Who knows if she will even be home for Christmas
next year? When I was in college the
last thing I ever wanted to do was come home.
That would leave just my youngest daughter with my wife and me. As I watched the family laughing and having a
merry time I could not help but wonder what it was like for my parents when
they had their first Christmas with no one to wake them up and beg them to open
stockings. What was it like not to have
the big breakfast with all the artery-clogging food? Did they wait by the phone for calls from us
so they knew they were not forgotten in the season of giving? No pile of presents was under the tree. They just had each other. What was that like? Now it is just my father…alone. It has been 5 years since Mom died. I always call Dad on Christmas but he is
sullen and does not want to talk. Our
calls last 5-7 minutes at best. It
hardly seems worth the “Call Canada” plan I pay for every month but there is
always that hope that he will want to converse longer. Perhaps he is missing Mom…or the family…or his
degrading health has left him uncomfortable talking for long. For one reason or another, he is hurting,
especially at Christmas and one day that man is going to be me. How I will miss the days of being asked to put
the batteries in some toy. Will my
children carry on my traditions or start new ones of their own? Will I see them on Christmas or will I be a
5-7 minute call? I cannot choose the
paths my children will walk. All I can
do is enjoy the time when they are on my path and build memories to fill the
possible empty years ahead. Even if my wife
and I end up alone, we will have our treasure chest of memories to soften the
blow.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Sunday Excerpt, "Quest"
With all of their might, the goblin infantry pounded their spears
and pikes on the weary defenders. Three and four spears at a time would strike
each shield. The sound was deafening as they unleashed their might on the wall.
At the onset, neither side made progress. The pikes could
not penetrate the shields and the Valians could not reach the goblins with
their short swords. It was a stalemate that did not last long.
Though the pikes were not penetrating the shields, the force
from their blows was still jarring their targets. The unrelenting attacks began
to take their toll on the defenders. Of greater concern to the Valians, was the
fact that the attacks were too constant to allow fresh soldiers to rally to the
wall. It was only a matter of time before the pikes would force their way
through, to begin the slaughter. As the struggle continued, the situation for
the Valians became perilous, as the wall began to buckle under the beating.
It was at that moment of uncertainty that Linvin and his
cavalry attacked from the rear along the entire line. The goblins were so preoccupied
with the happenings in front of them, that they paid no heed to the cavalry in
the rear, forming a line along the length of their formation. Bewildered
goblins never saw the strikes coming that cut them down. The phalanx was so
tightly packed that Linvin’s troops could not miss.
Linvin struck like thunder with his long sword. He slashed
to his right and then his left, dropping goblins with each stroke. As quickly
as he could swing his sword, he would kill another.
Linvin was not alone in his success. His cavalry cut deep
swaths into the rear goblin ranks. The cavalry maintained their line and did
not get too far ahead of each other in order to avoid being surrounded.
The discipline observed among the goblins seemed to bleed
away in the chaos. Indecision took center stage. Due to the close formation,
they could not turn to fight without dropping their pikes. But without their
pikes, they would be at a great disadvantage to the horsemen. It led to carnage
on an unprecedented scale, courtesy of Linvin’s cavalry.
Indecision gave way to panic as the majority of what was
once a phalanx dropped their spears and drew their melee weapons. Rather than
continue to be attacked from behind, they chose to turn and fight as best they
could.
The change in tactics could not have come at a better time
at the shield-wall. The front line had collapsed and Sculla’s men were on the
verge of being routed. With most of the pikes discarded, there was at last a
moment to hasten fresh troops to the line and reform the wall. Personally
taking the lead, Sculla ordered an advance. They marched with their wall intact
to the front of the goblin line and engaged.
The cavalry was meeting with more fierce resistance with the
change of weapons. Their progress slowed and they began to take losses.
Linvin was striking more swords then armor as his enemy
rallied. At least one goblin had kept his spear. He struck Linvin’s horse with
a killing blow. The steed stood on its hind legs and then fell to its side.
Linvin was thrown to the ground with his sword and shield
flying from his hands. His helmet fell forward, covering his eyes. With a swipe
of his forearm he knocked the helmet off.
A goblin stood above Linvin with his sword in hand. He was
ready to strike. He propped his arm in front of him and braced for the blow.
Nothing happened. Linvin looked again and saw a blade erupt from the goblin’s
chest before sending him to the ground. Left standing behind the body was an
astonished Fardar.
Linvin could not believe it. They exchanged a brief nod.
Linvin regained his feet quickly, holding a sickle-sword and hand ax. He
immediately struck right past Fardar’s head with the sword. It caught a goblin
in the face that was about to kill Linvin’s savior. There was no time to thank
one another. The two stood back-to-back and continued the fight.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Guest Author @Solsticepublish, @Solsticeshadows
Today I have a special guest author, Bernard Young. He is here to tell us about his series.
A Harem Boy's Saga; a memoir by Young
"OMG! I can't believe this is a real
story!"
Never have I read a story that has me
exclaiming "OMG, OMG, OMG" every few chapters. This autobiographical
story shares the intensely personal journey of a young boy as he comes of age
in the midst of a male harem in the Middle East. He experiences all the things
that forbidden and taboo...you know those "unmentionable elephants in the
room" that we are warned about from an early age. I had to read this real
life adventure to find out how messed up and damaged he must be. Imagine my
surprise to meet an emotionally healthy young man who successfully grabs all
life has to offer and does it with an innocence that is simply beautiful.
Don't read this book if you aren't ready for
your ingrained beliefs and values to be challenged. Don't read this book if you
are not ready to delve into a side of our global society that is well hidden
from most. Don't read this book unless you too are ready to step into a new
adventure. Initiation will change how you view the world.
5-star
review by Wendy Acosta
A
Harem Boy’s Saga; a memoir by Young series is published by Solstice Publishing, Can you tell us
how it begins?
The first two books; A
Harem Boy’s Saga – I - Initiation and II - Unbridled were originally self-published.
A year later I found my literary agent, Emerantia Antonia Parnall-Gilbert
(Gilbert Literary Agency) after searching for a publisher and a literary agent.
It was Emerantia who
hooked me with Solstice Publishing. I’m blessed that Solstice Publishing is
interested to publish the entire 7 book series.
What is A Harem Boy’s Saga; a
memoir by Young
about?
Let me give you a synopsis of each of the books. I’ve
completed three books in the seven volume series
A Harem Boy Saga - 1 – INITIATION; a memoir by Young
This provocative story is about a young man who
was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited to the Middle
East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in
The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy
and elite.
It is also a love story between the young man
and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperone and mentor during the boy’s Harem
service.
Author’s Note:
I had a privileged and unique upbringing in
Malaysia. Following in my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive
boarding school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine
organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For four years, unbeknownst to
my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.
My story has been kept under wraps for close to
45 years. The correct moment has arrived for me to make known my unique
education.
A Harem
Boy’s Saga – II – Unbridled; a memoir by Young
This is the sequel to Initiation - A provocative story about a young man who was
initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited to the Middle
East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in
The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy
and elite.
It is also a love story between the young man,
his ‘Big Brother’ and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperones and mentors
during the boy’s Harem services.
This book
follows the teenagers’ erotic and exotic adventures and experiences at
their 2nd Arab Household Harem, the Sekham. They were apprentices and models,
for the household patriarch’s controversial photography project, “Sacred Sex in Sacred Places”.
The author's experiences present facts that are truthful.
Through these truths, which are often demonized by contemporary societies that
deem such behaviours inappropriate, the author hopes to dispel condemnations
and negativity which relate to his experiences.
A Harem
Boy’s Saga – III – Debauchery; a memoir by Young
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you
strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
Lao Tzu
Debauchery is the triquel to A Harem Boy’s Saga, a provocative story about a young man who was
initiated into a clandestine sexual society through his UK boarding school.
From there, he was spirited to the Middle East to attend the Bahriji (Oasis)
School in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for Harem services for the
wealthy elite.
It is also a love story between the young man, his ‘Big Brother,’ and
his ‘Valet,’ who served as his chaperones and mentors.
This book follows the
teenagers’ erotic and exotic adventures and experiences at their third Arabian
Household Harem, the Quwah. There, they became confidants to a prince,
assistants in an international dance club venture, “Carousel,” and apprentices and models in a controversial
photography project, “Sacred Sex in
Sacred Places.”
This story
is an account of the author’s experiences. Through these truths, often
demonized by contemporary societies that deem such behaviors inappropriate, the
author hopes to dispel condemnation and negativity related to sexuality, love,
and personal freedom.
What inspired you to write about your harem
experiences?
I believe my
geographical location (being in spiritual and beautiful Maui, Hawaii) inspired
me to pen my seven book series.
Now that I’m
semi-retired from my once very active fashion lifestyle, it is time for me to
reflect upon my unique early experiences and to inform the world what my positive
experiences in the Middle Eastern harems were like.
I believe my early
experiences shaped my adult life to who I am today.
There are also a series of goals
I hope to achieve through writing A
Harem Boy Saga:
·
Provide
Tolerance to Sissy Boys by understanding parents/peers and
the community.
Anderson Cooper 360 documentary on the
devastating treatment of effeminate boys influence me to tell my story.
·
Bullying
can be Avoided through Big Brother/Big Sister
volunteer programs in school or outside school system. Older students acting as
mentors to younger students.
·
Gay
Adolescent Tolerance
– parents/child/siblings relationship issues.
Support/mentorship program to all
parties involved to foster understanding and acceptance of Gay kids.
·
Provide
an Alternative Educational System;
Understanding Big Brother/adolescent
mentorship programs in schools, BB as protector to keep younger kids from being
bullied.
·
Human
Relationship Building Program;
Between parents/teachers and young students on
sexual topics/issues, especially when adolescent are just discovering their
sexuality. They can be guided on a healthy and honest sexual journey instead of
“don’t ask, don’t tell” hide it
behind the closet policy.
What challenges did you face while writing your memoirs?
Remembrance of things past. Luckily I’ve an abundance of
photographs, diaries, journals to spur me to remember what transpired during
those early years of my Middle Eastern harem experiences.
Although, I’ve taken creative liberties when it comes to the
individual dialogues spoken by the various characters in my autobiography. I
remember the gist of what transpired.
I’ve also changed the names and places to protect the
identities of those involve in the secret society and the unique school and
Arab Households I was in service at.
Historical accuracy is
an important factor to consider when writing memoirs/autobiographies and
biographies.
Where can readers buy your books and are they available in
e-book, print, or both?
A
Harem Boy’s Saga e-books and print
books are available at (Audio books will be available in 2015):
Canada amazon: http://amzn.to/16pcUPC
No Distance Between Us (A Yuletide coming-of-age gay true love story): e-book: http://amzn.to/1Asn0fO
https://www.facebook.com/aharemboysaga
Twitter https://twitter.com/aharemboysaga
Video trailer for all the 3 books in A Harem Boy's Saga series
(conservative version): http://youtu.be/F0Lv80yhhq0
Video trailer for UNBRIDLED (sensual version): http://youtu.be/6J4ewXGxl-UVideo
trailer for DEBAUCHERY (sensual version): http://youtu.be/y8g-hLjRJr8
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Hoping for David Eddings
Here it is; Christmas Eve and I still have so much to
do. One thing I was able to strike off
my list last night was seeing “The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies.” You will get no spoilers here but I can
safely say the movie didn’t disappoint.
That being said, the purest in me was still baffled by the excess
content added by Peter Jackson to make one book into three but I could only
hope to have someone do that with my books one day. It was a great movie and I would see it again
today if time permitted. One thing I
hope to find under my tree tomorrow is books.
I particularly would like to read more by David Eddings. He is an unsung hero in the fantasy genre and
helped pave the way for people like me.
I have read his first book, “Pawn of Prophecy” and look forward to
reading the rest of the series as well as his other works. He has a totally different writing style than
I do and that alone keeps my interest.
His characters are fallible like any other person and easy to relate to
as you read. Fantasy is such a wonderful
field to read because anything can happen. Characters can be of any race or have any
special abilities. The limits really are
your imagination. I was asked the other
day about science fiction and which I liked better. I love science fiction but there are times it
either makes no sense to me or simply makes my brain hurt. (I still don’t think
I have all the nuances of “2001, A Space Odyssey” figured out.) With fantasy I always feel like I’m coming
home. These days the lines have become
blurred between the fields as evaluators seek to classify books and
movies. The way I like to think of it is
this: If there is a robot or computer in
it then it is not likely fantasy. One the
other hand, if there is magic in it, it not science fiction. People can argue those definitions but they tend
to ring true. So with the big day around
the corner I am hoping for some fantasy or science fiction but really hope for
more works by Mr. Eddings. He could be
next in line for the cinema.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
My Jingle Bells
You are familiar with the song “Jingle Bells.” Well I happened to have a similar incident in
my own life. Back when I first started
writing I was thirteen. My father’s
health was dangerously poor and it led to him losing his job and our family
losing our home. We moved out of Toronto
down to my grandmother’s cottage on the north shore of Lake Erie; still in Canada. The home was not heated so we huddled around
the fireplace in that particularly cold winter and chopped wood in all-weather
after school. The cottage was across the
street from my father’s boyhood farm (long since sold off after Grandpa’s
passing years before.) We were getting
by with government and church help.
Christmas did not promise to be anything special and so my expectations
were low. We exchanged gifts we already
owned and figured Christmas was done.
Remember this is the rural community where my father grew up. There came a knock on the door. An old family friend was there who had been
friends with my father’s family for generations. Halloween consisted of going to just his
house and eating treats and hot cocoa all night. It took too long to walk to many farms. His name was Mt. Larimee. Aside from farming, he raised prize winning
ponies of a rare Belgian breed of great size.
He had one hooked up out front to a sleigh and wanted to take us for a
sleigh ride. Who could say no? We went all through the neighborhood and
around the farms under a blanket in the sleigh.
He even had the bells on the horse as he trotted through the foot deep
snow. I was thrilled and didn’t care
about the cold wind on my face. It was a
once in a lifetime opportunity. It was
as though the Grinch had stolen our Christmas and it was brought back to
us. We had no presents or ham or candy
but we had the best Christmas ever. And
it was all because a kind, old family friend whom we rarely saw, came out of
the blue with his jiggle bells. This
year, don’t regret what you do not have. Be thankful for what you do have. Merry Christmas.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Sunday Excerpt, "Crucible"
Within the walls was the castle itself. It too was a
paradox. Rather than being built as a fortification, it was made to be a
palace. Undoubtedly, the structure was being constructed to proclaim someone’s
glory rather than protect it.
The city was a hive of congestion and urban sprawl lining a
narrow north-south running river. With no thought having been put into
planning, it had grown around the palace and followed no logical path. As they
came closer they saw merchants clogging the streets peddling everything
imaginable. The entire city was one giant marketplace. Not a single house could
be found within the market. Only shops, stands and tents lined what had to be
called streets for lack of a better term. Shacks which dared to be called
homes, encircled the trading zone
Linvin stuck his face between the bars of their cell and
called to a nearby soldier marching alongside. “Is that where we are going?”
“Yes,” replied the guard who looked around to make sure no
one saw him talking to a prisoner.
Linvin asked more. “What is that place?” Again the goblin
looked around and then said, “Marinhalk...It is the capital of the Empire.”
“Why are we being taken there?” Linvin inquired. Before the
goblin could speak a whip struck him from behind. “Silence,” ordered his Goblin
Sergeant. “You do not speak with the Emperor’s prisoners.” Linvin found the
comment to be strange. They had become ‘The Emperor’s prisoners’?
Linvin could not help but compare Marinhalk with the other
capitals he had known, Sarice and Fraylic. In the comparison, Marinhalk was the
dismal poor cousin.
Sarice was the finest fortification in the world. Its
inhabitants built a dense, well-organized capital for an endangered kingdom.
Her walls displayed might and her stone interior resisted fire that could be
used in a siege. The complex multi-level buildings made all possible use of the
protected area.
Fraylic was an entirely different, though equally impressive
capital. Having no pressing defense worries, the Sartanian Capital took no
measures to fortify its exterior. The founders laboriously planned an
infrastructure of wide, straight streets stretching out from the city’s center
like the spokes of a wheel. As the city expanded, so did the roads. Trade could
flow swiftly and efficiently through the economy. It was the perfect hub for a
trade route.
Marinhalk possessed none of the others’ characteristics.
Linvin needed no history lesson to discern the seat of power had been chosen in
the empire’s early days due to its central location and proximity to fresh
water. A wooden fort had been built and merchants clustered around. As the
empire grew, engineers spent their energies building roads and distant
fortifications to project the empire’s borders. Clearly the philosophy of the
empire was to take the fight to the frontiers and never let it near the base of
power. Such an aggressive and expansionist viewpoint meant the capital was left
to grow on its own, without guidance or direction. In addition to a lack of
adequate streets was a total neglect of sanitation and access to drinking
water. With the addition of the autumn rains, the city was a quagmire of refuse
and human misery. In the capital of the mightiest empire in the world crime,
poverty and starvation held greater power than any army.
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