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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

The Story of Alexis Rose

The Story of Alexis Rose

New Looks and New Titles

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Book One
Barely Alive


Buy it now on Amazon:


Or Barnes&Noble:


Or even Smashwords:


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Book Two
Running Scared


Buy Book Two now on Amazon:


Or on Barnes&Noble:


Or even Smashwords:


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Book Three
Dead End


Buy Book Three on Amazon now:


Or get it on Barnes&Noble:


Or even on Smashwords:


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Books One-Three
The Complete Story of Alexis Rose


Get the whole story on Amazon:


Or on Barnes&Noble:


Or even Smashwords:


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Go check these books out or one of my many others.

Thanks for reading.
Raven K. Asher

Monday, December 29, 2014

Monday Update 12/29/14

Weekly Update

I know I've been absent for the last few weeks but its okay I'm still alive and I've somehow managed to pull myself from the mountain of toys my kids got for Christmas.
I also had the luck to finish my book "Bound" and I've already started on the edits.
Before Christmas hit I edited "Alone" It is now ready to be released when February comes.
These past few weeks have been crazy but I'm ready to hop back on this train and ride it through to next year.
This coming year has me so excited.
Being ahead in my writing I may actually have some time to sit back and relax a little bit this year.
Being able to release on actual release dates is a huge bonus as well.
So, anyway I would like to set myself a goal this week to add 5,000 words to my story "The Captured Angel" This story still has a long way to go but now that I've finished "Bound" it should be easier to focus on.
Next, I want to set a goal of 2,000 words for my story "A Touch of Frost." I'm already pretty far in this story and it might just shove the above story aside but I'd love to add a bit more to this so this will also be ready to release ahead of time.

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Happy Writing
Raven K. Asher


Monday, December 8, 2014

Weekly Update 12/8

Weekly Update 12/ 8

      Alright, today's weekly update is going to be short and sweet. I didn't nearly get the word count I wanted and sadly I only reached one of my goals, but I did go above and beyond it.

      For my story "Bound" I had set the goal of 8,000 words and I ended up with 9,965 words written. That's nearly 2,000 words over my goal. I couldn't be more excited since this places me that much closer to finishing book one in the series.

      For "The Captured Angel" I didn't write a single word, which trust me I want to kick my butt for. I hate not getting any progress even if its only a few words.

      I also didn't write anything for "A Touch of Frost", another kick to my butt.

      But what I did get done was lots of editing. Due to an injury to my wrist earlier in the week this was all I could really do, so I guess it wasn't all bad. Writing for long periods of time just aggravated the injury so all I could do was small bursts which is great when editing.

      For this week I am hoping that the injury won't hinder me, but I think I will be keeping my goals down low just so that I don't cause myself anymore undue problems.

      God only knows how much it killed me to take an entire day off.

      I didn't even know what to do with myself.

      So, this weeks goals are going to be, for Bound I would like to add 5,000 words. For A Touch of Frost I'd like to add 2,000 words, and for The Captured Angel, I would like to add 1,000 words.

      Ideally, I would love to go above any beyond these goals this week and I really hope I do, but again I don't want to set myself up to fail. That's not what any of this is about. I want to give myself that sense of accomplishment not bring myself down.

     That's the reason for goals, to build yourself up. And to give yourself something to be proud of for the week. Throw yourself a mini party for going that extra length. It's about the fun and challenge of getting to those goals. That's what makes me happiest.

     And that's why I encourage every writer to make goals for themselves, whether its public like mine or written down in a secret little black book, make goals and then break them.

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Happy Writing.
Raven K. Asher

Friday, December 5, 2014

Teaser for "Alone"

Alone

**Coming February 2nd, 2015**


(This small teaser is from Gale's point of view)

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I couldn't believe my eyes.
She had just run off without a word.
Glancing over at my brother with shock he shakes his head. “Well, what do we do now?”
“We run after her. She has to know of somewhere safe to hide.” He sighs.
I nod and head off in the direction the girl had taken.
Thankfully, it doesn't take us long to catch up to her.
Glancing back she lets out a low growl before speeding up. It was almost like she was trying to leave us behind, to lose us.
And I couldn't even begin to wonder why.
I run up next to her as I fight to keep her pace. “Where are we running to?”
She says nothing.
Suddenly, she stops in the middle of the woods and reaches down to life a hatch that we had just run over.
Looking towards me she groans and then motions for all of us to go down into the dark hole.
Glancing towards Evan he shrugs before heading down the ladder with Abby and Alice following.
Quickly following, the girl steps onto the ladder and stays at the top securing some sort of lock as we all descend down to the dark bottom.
Abby clutches my arm tightly in the dark as we all huddle together staring up at the one who had saved us.
Once a loud click echoes through the hole she slides down the ladder like a fireman on a pole.
Her eyes lock with mine with hatred once she reaches the bottom.

“Thank you.”I whisper trying to calm her.

****

Thanks for Reading.
Raven K. Asher

Thursday, December 4, 2014

A Touch of Frost "Teaser"

"Teaser"

A Touch of Frost

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Prologue


It was the first spring of my sixth birthday and mamma had brought me out to my aunt Ester’s garden to roam through the newly sprouted buds.
Happily, I skipped through the long winding paths.
I longed to take off my special gloves to touch the new green leaves, but even at this age I knew better.
Any plant would instantly freeze and die at my touch.
It made me sad as a child but mamma always told me it was gift that in time I would learn to control and love.
No one ever warned me of the trouble it would get me into over the next few years of my life.
Skipping along with my long braids of blonde hair tapping my back I reached the edge of the garden where to my surprise was one single flower already in full bloom.
It was a sight to my young eyes.
The blue center called to me as my fingers ached to touch the lighter blue petals.
Leaning in I closed my eyes as the sweet perfume overtook my senses.
And before my young mind could grasp what was happening I had already taken off my gloves and touched the petals.
But instead of that flower shriveling and dying it grew.
From the center a bright light shone as a song unfamiliar to me softly floated by my little ears.
It called me to walk forward, which I did.
For a moment I hesitated thinking what trouble this would get me into with mamma, but the soft welcoming voice pulled me in.
With a bright flash I was transported to a whole new world, one with vibrant colors.
My young eyes took as much of it in as I could saving every detail for later.
Touching the long green grass around me I laugh as it covers in a thin layer of frost but doesn't wither and die like normal plants do.
This world felt like home to me.
I don’t know how I knew that at just six years of age but I felt it in my heart.
“Who are you, little one?” A man suddenly asks as he appears before me.
I take him in, his soft blue eyes and his long golden blonde hair like mine.
He kneels before me holding out his hand.
My little hand, shakes in fear as I go to place it in his. “My mamma calls me Snow.”
The man searches the surrounding area and that’s when I notice his pointed ears before he turns his attention back to me. “Where is your mamma, little one?”
I look around and shrug. “I don’t know.”
Abruptly I’m pulled back and the scene before me fades until I’m back in my aunt’s garden in my mamma’s arms staring up at the dark clouds in the spring sky.
“God’s I hope he didn't find her.” Mamma pleads softly.
“You need to take her far away and hide, Nancy. You need to make sure she never remembers this place.” My aunt states as he hand cups my chubby little cheek.
I smile at her as the world around me fades to black and all my memories of the man in the field fade into nothing.

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Thanks for Reading.
Raven K. Asher

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Cover reveal for "Bound"

Cover Reveal for

"Bound"
Book One
in 
The Onyx Wolves Series


Here's the cover for my upcoming book called "Bound".
Don't you just love it? I know I do.
I'm nearly finished writing this story so I will be releasing the release date soon.
(Now, say that three times really fast)
I'm hoping to have this out sometime this spring, but I've got my plate full at the moment with so many other projects. I'm almost to the point of being overwhelmed and before long I'm going to have to take a step back and relax. 
Hopefully, if I plan things out well enough though it won't be too long of a wait until it's released.

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Thanks for Reading.
Raven K. Asher


Monday, December 1, 2014

Weekly Update 12/1

Weekly Update 12/1

      It's Monday morning and I'm tired, for some reason my mind just wouldn't shut down and let me sleep, but I wanted to share my past weeks success.

     With the holidays in full swing I really didn't think I would reach any of the goals I had set, but by some cosmic aligned luck I met them all, but just barely.

      The goal I set for "Bound" was 5,000 words which wasn't different from the previous weeks goal. I did achieve 6,557 words. This was the one instance I did get to write more than I expected.

      My goal for "A Touch of Frost" was 3,000 words, which was a thousand more words then the previous week. Let me just say that was a difficult goal to reach, I just barely got there with 3,356 words.

     My goal for "The Captured Angel" was 2,000 words, which was the hardest of all the goals to reach. I barely made my goal. It took a good portion of last night to get it done, but I'm happy to say that I did it. I wrote 2,478 words, another big hurdle in getting this book finished.

    Reaching these goals has been quite stressful but in the end I'm glad I've started this little project. It's not only made me work a bit harder but it's also giving me a chance to see how my week progresses.

     My weeks word count was actually up a few hundred words this week, believe it or not, at 12, 391 words written total.

     (Can I get a round of applause.)

     So, now that I've gotten all the dirty work done its time to set some new goals for the week. And this is the worst thing to do on a Monday morning when I'm so tired and desperately in need of a nap, but here it goes.

     For "Bound" I'm going to up the goal to 8,000 for the week. Since this story is so close to being finished I'm going to place my full attention towards it so I can finish and place my attention to the next project that's close to being done.

     For "A Touch of Frost" I'm going to stick with my 2,000 word goal.

     For "A Captured Angel" I'm going to make the goal 1,000 words, which I hopefully with go above and beyond, at least that's my dream, but we will see how that goes.

     Now, that those are all laid out, and I'm sure to regret these after my nap, I'm back off to bed for a little while before I need to pick the kiddo from school.

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Happy Writing.
Raven K. Asher



Friday, November 28, 2014

Black Friday Freebie

Black Friday Freebie

Eden One, Episode One


(Get it today, Free, on Amazon)

Today Only!!

What do we do when the world as we know it ends?
What will we do to survive?
Only we can decide the answers to those questions.

Now, fast forward 237 years into the future.

Earth is no longer livable, and only seven space stations hold the keys to our future.
Each station has its own special reasons, and each has a certain group that will be able to travel to any new planets they find and begin life anew.
The stations consist of the farmers, the engineers, the scientists, the breeders, the doctors, the military, and the alphas, or also known as the future leaders.
Mackenzie was lucky enough to be born on the military station, and  is quickly following in her father’s footsteps to becoming a leader of her very own squad, a squad that would someday be sent down to a whole new world.
They were the future.
As their future soon becomes reality Mackenzie and her team are tested to their limits. Mackenzie has to choose whether her lifelong enemy, Killian, will become their Alpha as her and her team are chosen to finally start a new life.
But when her old flame shows up out of nowhere will she be able to choose?
She has to fight her emotions and do what's best for everyone, but will it be enough?
Will it keep them all alive when they finally reach the ground?

Link:

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Thanks for Reading
Raven K. Asher

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Cover Reveal "A Touch of Frost"

"A Touch of Frost"
Cover Reveal

I couldn't wait any longer to share this cover. It' honestly the best work I think I've done cover wise and I couldn't be any happier with the way it turned out. Again, this is one of the many things in the process of writing and self-publishing that I'm growing in. I've also decided on a title for the series which I decided to keep simple. "The Winter Fae"

Hope you all enjoy the cover.


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Thanks for Reading.
Raven K. Asher





Thursday, November 13, 2014

My First Year

My First Year


It's been a year now since I first took that leap into the world of writing, and I wouldn't change anything I've experienced for the world. It's been a roller-coaster ride of learning, but I as an author have grown leaps and bounds.
I was an emotion mess when I placed that first book for sale on Amazon. I remember not sleeping at all that first night that it went live. 
And I'll admit I cried when it didn't sell at first.
Then that first sale came and I jumped for joy, and then that first amazing 5-star review came from that first stranger who enjoyed my story.
I mean, that is an overwhelming joy to feel. It's the best feeling in the world, you're on cloud nine that someone out there really liked what you wrote.
Someone was awesome enough to leave a review even.
Then that dreaded bad review comes, you always expect it but never really expect it to just show up one day.
That's the day you question everything you've done.
You ask yourself do I really want to continue writing?
That was the point I almost gave up, and again I cried, oh did I cry.
The next day though I re-read that review, and then I read it again.
And guess what, I learned from it.
And that was the first step to becoming a better writer, a stronger writer.
I learned from my mistakes and I went back to fix those mistakes.
My books grew as I did.
Now a year later, I look back and wonder how I made it this far, but then I think and wonder why I ever wanted to quit in the first place.
I love writing, I love this job, and right now I'm happy with what I'm doing and that's what matters most.
Am I still learning? Yes, and if I said I wasn't I wouldn't be a good writer.
I would be lying to myself and I would be doing a great injustice to my readers.
As a writer you should be constantly learning, refining your craft.
I hope to learn more every single year, day, and hour, after this first year. I can't wait to see how far this next year will take me, and I can already say I'm excited to see what I will accomplish.

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Thanks for Reading.
Raven K. Asher

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Release Date for "Alone"

"Alone" Release Date



Is going to be on February 2nd, 2015

Alone is going to be book one of  the Among the Dead Trilogy.

I'm choosing to wait to release this until February since that was the very same day that my first post-apocalyptic series was released and I thought that this would be a cool way to celebrate that.

It's even better since this is also another post-apocalyptic series

I know it's a long time to wait considering I just announced that I had finished writing the story but I have so many new stories on my plate at the moment that editing has gotten placed on a back burner for now.

Setting this date will give me more time to work on these other projects and will give me more than enough time to edit and refine the story before it is released, not to mention allow me to get through the holiday season without too much stress.

I will be giving sneak peeks and insights into the story over the next few months though so you'll get some ideas of what to expect.

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Thanks for Reading.
Raven K. Asher


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Alone "Teaser"

Alone


(This story is told from two different point of views, River and Gale)

"Below is a blurb from Gale's point of view"


Stepping out of my jeep as the final infected falls dead to the ground I search for the girl that had just ran right in front of me.
My brother, Evan, exits the jeep along with the two sisters, Abby and Alice, which we had just found a few days before.
“Where did she go?”He questions.
I shake my head as I search for her, or the five infected chasing after her.
I was really hoping that they hadn't caught her.
“I don’t know.”
“Do you think she ran into the trees?” Abby questions while coming up beside me.
Looking in that direction I nod.
She had to have gone into the woods.
Reaching back into the jeep I produce another hand gun with an extra clip and my favorite shotgun.
I was determined to find the girl.
I couldn't leave until I knew whether or not she had gotten away.
So few people had survived the first wave of infected, most died days after being infected, they were the lucky ones.
Some turned into the savage infected that roamed the deserted streets for a meal.
And some, like my brother and I, were immune to the virus that had taken over. Both of us had been bitten within those first days, and both of us were lucky enough to survive.
Those that were left were few and far between, numbering less than a few thousand for the entire continent of North America.
The odds of surviving were against us since the infected far outnumbered the still living.
If I could help at least one survivor out, I would.
And right now she needed my help.
“You’re not seriously going after her are you, Gale?” Alice questions.
“I am. I would have done the same for you and your sister. I have to at least try to save her from being eaten alive.”I state as I glance over to my brother who nods as he reaches for his weapons.
I knew he would have my back no matter what.
“Did you even see that girl? She looked as savage as the beasts chasing her.”Abby whines grating on my nerves for the last time.
It had been nonstop since we had picked them up.
The sisters wanted to sit around and do nothing while my brother and I waited on them hand and foot.
I was tired of it and their selfishness.
“I’m going. I don’t care what you do.”I nearly growl out.
“But who’s going to protect us if the infected come back?”She whines.
I scrub my hand over my face feeling as if I was wasting precious time with her.
She had no concept of life and death.
Just as I open my mouth to say something that I knew would have been nothing less than vicious my brother steps up to my other side and places his hand on my shoulder.
“I’ll hang back here with the princesses. If you need any help just yell and I’ll be right behind you, okay?”
“Alright, I’ll try to hurry.” I walk away. “Make sure you keep an eye on the road.”
The road was a dangerous place to be stopped, but on the road we were on I didn't worry so much about having someone else run into us.
Out of the other people that we had run across that weren't infected less than half had been friendly, the others were dangerous, ruthless, and deadly.
My brother and I had barely escaped some of those people.
Heading into the trees I only hoped I wasn't going to encounter more than I bargained for.

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Thanks for Reading.
Raven K. Asher


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

When Worlds Collide & Stars Align

When Worlds Collide and Stars Align


My name is Phoenix.
I’m your average kind of girl, long brown hair, medium height, and large brown doe eyes.
Yeah, yeah, I know you’re thinking to yourself that there’s nothing special about me, right?
Wrong.
I’m currently living in space on a far off, unknown planet with my ex- boyfriend and his best friend.
What I really find strange is all of the planets and creatures out here.
Think of every myth and legend that you've heard of as a kid.
Now, erase that because they aren't so much actually myths or legends, they are very real.
Angels and Demons are an everyday occurrence.
Instead of heaven and hell they have their own planets, their own worlds and that is just the surface that I have scratched.
And if you think things can’t get much stranger, you’re wrong again.
Thanks to my bond with my intended mate being broken I now have a split personality, and that my evil side wants to kill everyone around me.
Oh, and don’t let me forget to mention that I’m also in love with my dead mate’s brother.
Yeah, I know it sounds like a crazy story, but it’s all true.
 Who would have thought that on my eighteenth birthday that I’d be kidnapped and taken away from the only home I ever knew.
I really miss Earth and my family, but over the past few months I've come to find that home is where you make it, and that love will pop up in the most unexpected places.
Even though I’m millions, if not billions of miles from home I’m learning to live this life I've been thrown into. I’m going where few have ever even dreamed of going.
And there is so much more that I have yet to learn.
I am Phoenix Mason, and this is my story.

***

Info about Book:
Categories: Angels, Demons, Worlds, Aliens, Romance, Drama, Science Fiction
Roughly 261 pages, 51,171 words

***
*** Intended for Mature Audiences ***
Contains Mild Sexual Scenes and Some Adult Situations

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Available for purchase at the links below.

Amazon: $0.99


Barnes&Noble: $0.99


Smashwords: $0.99


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Thank You for Reading.
Raven K. Asher



Thursday, October 9, 2014

Writing Eden One

1 Day Left!!


The Writing of Eden One
(Into the writer's mind)

     First off, let me admit that Eden One came to me as just a title first. I randomly generated the title and absolutely couldn't get it out of my mind. (I do that quite often)

     Days went by as I mulled over what I wanted to write.

     It wasn't until I talked to my husband that I decided to write, Eden One, about space, (we both love movies about space) but then the next thing was what I wanted the story to be about. I knew I wanted to write a novella series and I thought this would be perfect time to try my hand at it.

     So, it went from there, but I still wasn't sure what to do. That is until I woke up from a dream, a bizarre dream, but the beginning dream that breathed life into Eden One.

     From there, I came up with a background story by just imagining what life would be like in the future, or at least what I hope life will be. I imagined us exploring space and planets. (I'm a firm believer in space exploration, and the need to expand ourselves into the universe)

     With that, I just dreamed of what life could be like living on a space station and what life would be like on a random planets, and the ideas just kept rolling from my fingertips.

     This story has really taken on its own personality and life as I explore more into the world I've created in my mind. I mean, it's awesome to be able to create and entire world on your own. I can make anything anyway I want.

     That's he best part about being a writer.

     I get to explore my own mind every day.

     And trust me my mind can sometimes be jumbled full of different worlds just screaming to get out. Eden One is by far my favorite world that I've created though. And even after season one ends I plan on taking the series farther.

     There is so much more to explore and other characters I want to create. My plan is to explore the other space stations, and follow a new set of characters each season.

     There are so many plans, but not enough hours in the day to write. One of the many writer woes. But I wouldn't trade this career for anything, it's been a dream come true.

Thanks for Reading
Raven K. Asher


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Eden One, Character List Part 2.

Just 3 more Days!!!
I am getting so excited.

Here is a continuation of the character list that I started Monday.
These characters are all native to Eden One.


Fox - aka. Duine King
Fox is the second Duine she encounters but the one she can't seem to get over. He also shares a strange bond with her old flame Cash that resulted from the previous time Cash had escaped Eden One. Fox is a one-of-a-kind fire Duine who can manipulate fire in many different ways.

Ash - aka. Plant Duine
Ash is a healer and a Duine that can manipulate plants and nature. He is a right hand man to Fox and is often a voice of reason for all.

Riker - aka. Water Duine
Riker is a big part of the beginning even though you wont know it, i'll leave that all a a bit of a surprise. But he does fall for Kenzie and he does anything he can to keep her safe.

Dax - aka. Gealtach Hunter, Catcher
Dax is one of the dark beings on Eden One. He is feared by the Duine as a bringer of death. When sent on a mission with his two brothers he's surprised when a little human makes him second guess his entire career as a hunter.

Jett - aka. Gealtach Hunter, Leader
One of Dax's brothers, also their leader.

Nixon - aka. Gealtach Hunter, Tracker
Nixon is another of Dax's brothers, and their tracker when on hunts.

Shade - aka. Gealtach Hunter
Shade is a hunter sent after Kenzie and her group to bring her back to Aden but his loyalties lie with the highest bidder.

Other minor characters
Mira - Plant Duine, and Ash's sister
Ella - Duine princess

I know there are other characters I haven't listed yet and there are more to come so I'll post another character list in a few weeks as I end this series.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Eden One, Character List Part 1

Since Eden One is going to be released this coming Friday, October 10th, I'm planning on all of my blog posts to have something to do with this new novella series.

There's going to be insights, teasers, and a possible giveaway before Fridays release. So, stay tuned so you don't miss these posts.

To start off the week I'd like to share a character list and short description of the characters you can expect to find within this novella series. This list is an introduction into the first episode, so I haven't added all of the characters to it yet. I will add another list within the week of others you can expect from the ground on Eden One.


Mackenzie Frost - aka. Mac, or Kenzie
Mac, is the main character for Eden One. Kenzie is a young girl who is brought up in a mostly male world upon the military space station. She is a commander, the only female commander, in fact. That status alone has placed her in a rough position. She's constantly having to defend herself but with the help of her squad, or teammates she can overcome anything.

Max Dunn - aka. Mad Max
Max is Mackenzie's best friend and her second in command. He's a character that takes a lot of time in the background but he keeps Kenzie going when things seem hopeless. He does make a more prominent appearance later in the episodes.

Grey Dixon - aka. Grey, or Dixon
Grey is a self-proclaimed ladies man and one of Mac's team. He's also a voice of reason and comedic relief for everyone around. He doesn't say much but when he does its either something funny, sarcastic, or completely serious.

Dash Brooks - aka. Dash, or Brooks
Dash is a very quiet character, mostly standing in the background listening and learning. Nothing gets past him.While Dash doesn't make many appearances in the beginning of the novella series he will become a important character and source of strength for Mac. 

Maddox Weaver - aka. Maddox, or Weaver
Maddox starts out as a bit of an enemy on Mac's team but it quickly turns when she learns that he actually likes her. Even though things don't go the way that he would like he sticks by her side and helps her through some of her most trying times. He is a main prominent character being some part of every episode. He never wavers in his faith to his leader.

Killian Wolfe - aka. Killian, Alpha Killian, Alpha
There's a love/hate relationship between Kenzie and Killian, but it's mostly hate on Kenzie's part. But all is not what it seems with Killian. Being an Alpha he is a leader, and a son to the evil Alpha Aden.

Cash
A love of Kenzie's and also the commander who trained her, Cash is one of the first groups to be sent to Eden One. He had been the only one to return to the military space station, but he didn't come back unchanged, he came back with red eyes. Without him in the beginning all would be lost on Eden One.


Extra and minor characters from the first Episode

Commander Frost - aka. Kenzie's father
Markus - Council Leader
Cato- Council member
Aden Wolfe - Alpha, and Killian's father
Silas - Commander on Military ship
Jace - Commander on Military ship
Clark - Commander on Military ship

Addie Lake - Farmers station
Demi Baker - Breeders station
Nova Star - Engineers station

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Thanks for Reading
Raven K. Asher












Thursday, October 2, 2014

Cover Reveal for "Alone"

Cover reveal for "Alone"

Here's the new cover for my new and upcoming post-apocalyptic book, "Alone". I couldn't wait another moment to share it with everyone.


I think this is the simplest book cover I've done so far, but it really represents the book well. I cannot wait until this story is ready for release.
I'm halfway through writing it and with a little luck, today, I hopefully will get closer to finishing it.

I expect it to be ready for release by December if not sooner.
I'll release dates as I get closer to the end.

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Thanks for Reading.
Raven K. Asher


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Author Interview

Here's some Questions and Answers from my author interview from Smashwords : )

What motivated you to become an indie author?               
My two little girls and my husband are my biggest motivators. Without my husbands support I would never have even written my first book which easily led to the next and created a strong passion for writing all of my other books so far.
               
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The greatest joy is having a stranger fall in love with a story that you, yourself, have written and have fallen in love with. There is no greater joy than knowing someone out there has been touched by your story.
              
What do your fans mean to you?
My fans mean everything to me, if I could I'd give every last one a great big hug for just liking my stories. Without them I wouldn't be where I am right now, in front of my computer, writing.
What are you working on next?               
Right now I am working on three different stories. One is a futuristic space, romance, novella series called Eden One. The second one is book two for The Angels Evermore series. And the third is another apocalyptic story called Alone, which is my favorite genre to write.
              
What is your writing process?
My writing process is unique considering I don't plan my stories. I come up with a title and characters, and from there I allow the story to flow from my mind to my fingertips. I find it easy to write this way, and it's also more enjoyable for me because I never know the life the story will take on. Sometimes I'm left staring at my computer screen asking myself if that really just happened. I like the freedom it gives me to change my characters and where the story might end up. And as much as I have tried to plan out books, because that's the way I thought writing should be, I just couldn't do it. I found myself growing bored with the story and I would eventually just scrap it completely.
              
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Ah, yes the first story I ever read, it was Fallen by Lauren Kate. This book and it's series quickly led me into reading well over 500 books within a few years time, and it ultimately gave me the first push into wanting to become an author.
               
Describe your desk
I don't really have a desk, my desk is literally my lap, while I sit on my couch with my writing buddy Daisy, the beagle, with my kids running around and normally with the TV turned to My Little Pony. My husband is currently working on converting one of our extra rooms into an office though, so hopefully I'll have my own space soon enough.
               
When did you first start writing?
For as long as I can remember I've been writing stories. I would make them up as a kid and write them into small books that I would staple together for my grandparents to read. as I grew up I wrote short stories and poems. It wasn't until just shy of a year ago that I took writing seriously and completed my first book, No Where to Run (The Story of Alexis Rose).
               
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes, I remember my first story, I even have it packed away in a memories box, laminated from my first grade teacher. It was about a farmer and his horses. It was a cute story and I even did all the illustrations myself (which actually looked close to what they should considering I was in first grade). I was so proud of that little five page story.
              
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
When I'm not writing I'm being a wife of an amazing husband, and a mom to two very smart little girls. I also hobby farm, raising animals such as pygmy goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and any other critters my husband will allow me.

I hope you enjoyed this little insight into my life, feel free to ask me any questions.
Thanks for Reading :)
Raven K. Asher

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Alone "Preview"

 
"Alone"
**Coming Soon**
 
So, I was able to get a good portion of this book written down this weekend and I'm excited to give everyone a little taste of what's to come, today.
I'm still thinking whether or not I want to turn this into a series, and I probably won't know until I move closer to the end of this book.
My plan was to just make it a single tale about two characters that meet in a post apocalyptic world, but as I've been moving on I've been diving deeper into the story and I'm just not sure if one book will cut it to tell the whole story between the two main characters.
Below is a rough description which I  still have a lot more to add to and a little teaser from what I've already written. Enjoy : )
 
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Description:
(It's a rough description so far, so please don't judge)
 
River has been alone for the last three years living in an elaborate bunker that her father had built in case of the very emergency that had happened in the beginning.
Three years ago there was an outbreak, people were infected and most died, but a small few turned into rabid creatures that would kill anything that crossed their paths.
As River survives on her own she ends up forced out of her shelter to find food but what she ends up finding is trouble, and a little luck.
Gale just so happened to be running from his own troubles with his brother and two sisters when out of the blue a girl runs into his path.
With a little luck they help each other out and end up becoming quick allies, but when Gales past comes around to bite him, will he throw everything away?
What happens when the trouble he and the other were running from catches up to them?
And will River get caught in the crossfire?
 
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This scene below is from the very start of the book and right before I introduce in the other main character Gale. This part is told from River's point of view.
 
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Sitting on the edge of the woods I watch as a horde of infected roam past, towards the small town nearby.
Holding my breath I wait patiently and nervously as they pass.
All it would take is one noise, one smell, one little mistake and I would have them rushing after me in an instant.
It had taken me awhile to learn everything I knew now about the infected walking around.
Three very long years had passed.
Standing to my feet a twig snaps and I inwardly curse as I stand as still as possible hoping and praying that the infected would just keep on walking.
Luck wasn’t on my side.
Cursing again I grab my backpack from the ground along with my homemade bow.
I had to get out of there now.
Looking up I watch as one after another the infected turn to sniff the air in my direction before beginning their mad rush to get me.
I curse my luck as I turn to run.
This wasn’t at all what I wanted to be doing.
The only reason I had left the underground bunker in the woods was for food and water.
I couldn’t go back without anything, considering I had nothing left.
My food supplies had run out, my water wasn’t any good, especially after I found an infected doing the equivalent of swimming around in the pond where I collected my water.
I hadn’t even wanted to touch that water after that for fear of catching whatever had killed so many others.
My hair snags on a low branch and I curse as my head is jerked back before the branch snaps as I right myself and tug against it tearing hair out of my scalp.
It was a small price to pay in order to get away.
But I should have pulled my long brown hair back into a braid like I normally did. I don’t know why I choose today to wear it hanging down loose.
That was my first mistake of the day.
Second was the infected gaining on me.
This day couldn’t possibly get worse.
As my hair snags yet again I turn back towards the edge of the woods, towards the open field that was between the trees and the small farm house that I had planned on raiding for supplies.
I figured I could at least barricade myself inside until I came up with a plan to ditch these infected or at least until they found something more interesting to go after.
Running full force my legs ache as I beg them to go farther. The house wasn’t far off now.
Reaching the road I rush across it with the infected only feet behind me.
Tires squeal behind me as I hear the crunch of bones.
I don’t stop.
The living was sometimes worse than the infected could be and I didn’t want anything to do with someone that could be so easily killed.
I had lost enough in my life.
At least luck was on my side and a few of the infected had been taken out and some had been redirected towards whoever had been in the vehicle.
As gunshots ring out I turn back towards the trees. The last thing I wanted to do was lead these potentially dangerous people into a place I knew little about.
The woods were where I was comfortable. It was familiar and I knew how to use it to hide. Of course I wouldn’t be able to hide with these infected on my trail.
           I had to lose them, and fast.
 
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As Always, Thanks for Reading
 
Raven K. Asher
 
 


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Hiden Angel, "Chapter One"

"The Hidden Angel"
 
(Book One)
The Angels Evermore Series
 

Chapter One

Moving from town to town wasn’t exactly my idea of a great summer vacation, but with the way things were mom insisted that every summer we had to move.
It was an exhausting task, but we were all use to it now. We had been at this since I had turned twelve, and I was only a week away from turning eighteen.
The towns had begun to blend into one another, and looking out my window now, watching the newest small town pass, I knew it was just like all the others.
We would live there, go to school, and then disappear.
Rinse, wash, and repeat.
Just once, I wished we could stay in a single town, but it was far too dangerous for me.
My mom and sister on the other hand, they deserved not to have to move from town to town, always having to make new friends just to lose them later on.
I felt like a burden to them, and just as soon as I was out of school, which would be this year, I would leave them so they could finally stay.
I would take my turn to run, and run alone for once.
“Are you alright, Piper?” My mom, Helen, asks from the driver’s side of the car, her strawberry blonde hair’s waving in the wind from her window being rolled down. Her blue eyes meet mine in concern, so I plaster on a fake smile.
“I’m fine, mom.” I lie easily. Lying had become normal for me, what my mom and sister didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them, at least that’s the way I like to think of it.
“Are you two excited to see our new place?” Mom asks with enthusiasm, to which my sister and I groan.
“Awe, come on, Piper, Hannah, you’re going both love this house. We’re even going to have neighbors.”  My head swings around from my watch out the window to meet her face, and my eyes go wide with fear.
“Are you crazy, mom? We can’t have neighbors. It will be too hard to keep me a secret.” I snip out and she sighs loudly.
“I just thought that……that maybe this once you could try harder to hide. I want to try for a more normal life here.” She states.
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks.
I knew she was tired of moving, but there it was, in her own spoken words.
I had to get away from them this year.
I had to allow them the freedom that I could never have.
“Well, I think that having neighbors for once will be awesome. Are there any cute guys?” Hannah squeals from the backseat. I glance back to watch her flip her own strawberry blonde hair over her shoulders, and then sit up straighter to look out at the town with a renewed interest.
I look nothing like my sister and mom, other than sharing their eye color.
I have dark black hair with a slight curl, and baby blue eyes.
My skin is pale, unlike their sun kissed skin. I was always jealous of that, but no matter how much sun I had gotten I wouldn’t even begin to show a hint of a tan.
My mom had once told me that I looked a lot like my father, or sperm donor as she put it. She had told me that she had been raped when she conceived me.
It took me a long time just to get that answer from her. As you can imagine, it was a very touchy subject to bring up.
“I haven’t had the chance to meet them, but there might be.” Mom answers and I groan.
“I think this is all going to blow up in our faces.” I mutter and turn my face back to the passing town.
“Nonsense, this will all work out, Piper, you’ll see.” Mom sing songs and it makes me want to gag.
This will blow up in our faces, and they will be the ones to pay for me being….different.
“All I can see is us having to run so no one throws me into a lab, I can’t see any of this ending well.” I answer honestly.
The rest of the ride goes by in complete silence, since everyone is mulling over my words.
It’s one of our biggest fears, or at least mine. If anyone was to find out my secret I would be taken to some government lab and dissected like some sort of animal.
I mean, how many humans out there could possibly have wings, and not just wings, but could fly with those wings?
None, that’s how many, I was the only one of my kind.  At least that’s what I thought.
Maybe, there were others out there like me.
I could only hope.
Pulling up to a fancy white two story house, I look questioningly to my mom. We’ve never had a house this big, or this showy, and I was beginning to wonder what her plans for this town really were.
My curiosity is only met with a quick wink before she is exiting out of the car, and signaling to the moving truck that had been following us.
“Don’t screw this up for us, Piper, look how happy mom is. I want us to be able to stay here, and for once I want to finally be able to have a steady boyfriend. Not just somebody I’m just going to have to leave behind again.” Hannah demands before exiting the car as well. I groan and place my face into my hands.
As if I hadn’t already felt bad enough, she had to go and bring up the past.
The last town we had lived in, Hannah had made a lot of great friends, and she even had a really good boyfriend that would have done anything for her.
She thought it was my fault, and that I had ruined all of that up for her when mom told us that we had to move, yet again.
 In truth, It wasn’t completely my fault that we had to leave, and I had thought that we could have stayed in that town a while longer, but mom didn’t think like that, well until now that is.
I wondered what had changed.
“This is going to be a nightmare.” I whisper before I too exit the car. As I shut the door I glance over to the neighboring house that is just as large and grand as ours.
My eyes scan over the windows to spot a man with dark hair standing in the shadows watching us. I can barely make him out, other than the sparkle of his eyes in the sunlight.
I watch him as he watches us, and when his eyes meet mine they darken, his lips turn into an angry frown and I’m left puzzled as he disappears deeper into the shadows.
I shrug it off when mom passes me with her hands loaded down with boxes.
“Go help your sister, Piper.” She yells over her shoulder before entering into the house.
I glance back at the window once more, but don’t see anything so I walk over to the moving truck where my sister’s blatantly flirting with the moving men.
“Do you guys live around here?” She asks twirling her blonde hair around her finger.
 
The two men’s eyes rake over my sisters well formed body, and I roll my eyes. I grab her arm and force a smile as I point two the men sternly.
“Hands off, boys, she’s only sixteen.” I command and their eyes go wide before they rush off to lift up the heavy boxes.
Hannah wrenches her arm from my grasp, and turns to glare at me with her hands on her hips.
“Why did you do that, Piper?” I shrug and plaster on a fake smile just to bug her.
“I hate you, I hate you for all of this, for us having to move all the time, for us not being able to have friends or even boyfriends, I wish you weren’t my sister. I wish that bastard father of yours would come and take you away.”
I back away from her as if slapped.
Some days I knew they secretly hated me, but to hear it said out loud breaks me.
I take a few more steps back as mom comes back to the truck.
She glances between the two of us before her eyes settle on me. She must see my pain and sadness because her face softens as she takes a step toward me, but again I back away with my hands up.
“What’s wrong, Piper?” Mom asks softly.
I only shake my head as tears fill my eyes. Her eyes turn to Hannah who is still staring daggers into me. “What did you say to her, Hannah?”
When neither of us answers she throws her hands into the air in surrender.
“Someone answer me, now.” She demands.
“I hate you, Piper.” My sister growls and I finally break.
Moms jaw literally hits the ground as tears begin to run down my cheeks.
“Why would you say that, Hannah?”
“Because it’s true, mom, I hate her, and I wish she would just disappear so we could have a normal life for once.” My mom bows her head and pinches at the bridge of her nose as she tries to reign in her anger.
“It’s true, isn’t it? You both want me gone, don’t you?” I whimper and her eyes turn to mine with pity.
My heart sinks and I turn my back to them and begin running.
I didn’t know where to go, but I had to get away from them, if only for a little while.
“Piper, please come back so we can talk.” Mom yells as I continue to run. My feet hit the sidewalk with a smooth rhythm of thuds and it calms me.
I run and run until my legs feel like jelly, I slow to a walk as I approach a small empty playground. I walk over to the swings absently to sit.
My mind rewinds painfully to the words that my sister had said. It breaks my heart to know that I am hurting them this much.
Why did I have o end up being special, I didn’t want this life.
I lean my head against the chain and swing myself gently as I look up at the graying sky.
“Are you ok?” A soft squeaky voice asks coming up beside me. I glance over to a short, girl with long brown hair and glasses. Her smile is friendly as she sits down on the swing next to me.
“Yeah, I’m ok.” I answer simply.
She nods and then begins to swing a little higher. I watch her as she stays silent and closes her eyes. I turn my head back to look up into the sky once again.
“My names Beth, what’s yours?” She yells breaking the silence. I chuckle and turn to look back at her.
“I’m Piper.”
“I like that name. So, I take it you’ve just moved here?”
“Yeah, I did, with my mom, and my sister Hannah.” I answer quietly.
She stops swinging and watches me for a few minutes.
“Are you sure there isn’t something you want to talk about?” She asks softly and I shake my head. “Well, if you ever do want to talk everyone always tells me I’m a good listener.”
“Beth, I don’t want to be mean or anything, but I’m not really looking for friends, I won’t be around for long before we just end up moving again.” Her lips form an “O”, and I instantly regret my words.
“That’s ok, I don’t really have many friends anyway, but maybe I’ll find some this year at school.” She whispers sadly.
“You don’t have any friends?” I ask looking at her in surprise.
“No, I don’t. Nobody really gives me a chance." She answers.
“Well, you know what I take back my comment. I guess I could use one good friend. I need someone who can show me around school, are you up for that?” I ask and her frown quickly turns into a grin, and before I know it she is slamming into me.
She hugs me tightly and I awkwardly hug her back.
“Oh my God, thank you. You just totally made my day. I promise you won’t regret this.” She bounces on her feet as she pulls back and I can’t help but feel some of her excitement.
Turning my face to the darkening sky I groan. I had to start back now if I ever want to get back home before it grew completely dark.
“I have to go, I’ve got a long walk and I want to beat the sunset.” I state and Beth bounces even more wildly on her feet.
“I can drive you.” She blurts. “I mean I can if you want me to, that is. I don’t mind at all.” She rambles and I chuckle.
“Alright, I’ll let you drive me just this once, but next time I’ll drive you, ok?” I state and she nods, biting down on her lip. When she doesn’t move I wave my hand allowing her to go first, she jumps into action with a squeak. I hold back my laughter.
Maybe having a friend like her wouldn’t be so bad, no one had made me laugh this much in a very long time.
Once in her tiny little blue VW bug, I direct Beth back to my house.
She sings along to the songs on the radio as I stare out the window wondering what to say to my mother and sister. I didn’t know if I even want to face them, let alone talk to them.
“If you want to talk, I will listen, Piper. Whatever is bothering you, I won’t judge.” Beth states softly, turning off the music. I turn to her and for a moment wishing I could tell her all my problems.
Abruptly, I just let one slip.
“I had a fight with my sister, and she said some things….” I trail off.
“Well, that is bad.” Beth states and I roll my eyes, letting out a laugh.
“Yeah, she’s sixteen, and she thinks she the queen of beautiful.”
“Well, then she will get along great with my sister Sara.” Beth answers with a sigh.
“If she is a mean girl, then yeah they probably will.” I whisper and Beth nods. At least we had something in common.
“So, do you want to hang out tomorrow? I mean, if you’re not doing anything.” She rambles conveniently changing the subject and I smile.
“Yes, we can hang out. Do you just want to meet somewhere?” I ask and she shrugs.
“Let me have your number, and I’ll figure out a place that will be easy for you to find, then we can make plans. Does that sound good?”
“Yeah, that sounds good.” She hands me her phone and I quickly punch in my number before handing it back to her.
Pulling up to my house she lets out a low whistle, and I look to her in question.
“You live here?” She asks and I nod. “Have you met your neighbors yet?”
“No, I haven’t, why?”
“From what I know of them, which isn’t much, they are a very creepy bunch. There are four kids that live here and all of them are strange, especially in school, they only talk to each other.”
“That is weird, what else do you know about them? I ask absently as I look to the neighbor’s house.
“They are weird, but the one brother or whatever, Joel, he was nice to me. He’s the only one who has ever stuck up for me in school before.” She confesses quietly.
We stay quiet for a few moments each of us lost in our own thoughts.
“You have me now, Beth.” I whisper and then quickly exit the car. I rush to the door, and only look back once I hear her leaving.
I take a deep breath to prepare myself for what’s going to happen as soon as I open the door. I know my mom will have a ton of questions for me to answer, and I won’t know how to answer them.
Taking breath after breath, I try to get up the nerve to go in, but instead I opt to sit out on the porches white swing.
After only a few moments of swinging my mom slowly and cautiously comes out to sit with me. She stays silent as she grabs my hand into hers.
“I’m sorry about your sister, Piper. You know how she gets when we move.” I nod. “I know saying sorry for her isn’t going to fix things but I want you to try, I want us to have a normal life here.” I nod again looking out at the road.
“I saw a girl drop you off earlier, did you make a friend?” She asks with hope lacing her words.
“Yeah, I guess I did. She seems really nice and she made me laugh.” I whisper and I know my mom with get the gravity of that, she knows how sad and lonely I feel.
I can’t help feeling like an outcast, and I hated getting close to people for fear of them stabbing me in the back. It had happened far too many times to count.
“Am I going to get the chance to meet her?” Mom asks.
“Yeah, she wants to hang out tomorrow, I’ll have her come by afterwards.” I state and for once it feels like I might just have a chance at a normal life.
“Good, I’m going to head back in. I’ve almost gotten the kitchen stuff unpacked, so we can have breakfast in the morning.” She gives my hand one last squeeze before heading inside.
I resume my swinging and close my eyes as a slight breeze brushes through my hair.
I shift around after a little while in discomfort when my back begins to hurt from keeping my wings hidden for so long. I groan as I bend over to relieve some of the pressure.
When it becomes too much though, I rush inside and into the kitchen. My eyes go wide when I realize there are no curtains up in the house.
“Mom, where are the curtains?” I state in a panic and her eyes go wide in fear.
“I completely forgot. Oh god, what are we going to do?” She asks as she begins dumping out boxes frantically. I panic and rush up the stairs, heading down the hall to a room I think should be hidden best.
Mom follows me closely as I rush into the empty room and fall to my knees as I rip off my shirt.
“Are you going to be alright, Piper?” Mom asks quietly and I nod gritting my teeth in pain.
“I’ll be fine, mom. I just held them in too long today.” I whisper and she nods before leaving the room and shutting the door.
I let another loud groan out as my wings slowly unfold from my back. It feels freeing when they are finally free and I fan them a little as I stretch them out in the room.
The breeze they create blow through my hair and I close my eyes and smile. I really wished that I could go out for a flight, but it was too risky just yet.
I open my eyes after a few calming moments only to spot someone watching from a window directly across from me. I gasp and back away into the shadows, praying that they hadn’t seen my wings. I couldn’t ruin things this fast, and it would suck considering we had just gotten here.
I kneel down to the floor as I continue to watch the shadow in the window.
I try my hardest to fold my wings away but they refuse, so I make a quick decision to just rush into the hall and yell for my mom.
I just wanted to go to bed and forget that this even happened. I hopped it wouldn’t blow up just yet.
“Mom, I need you here now.” I yell and she rushes out of a room nearby. I let out a deep breath realizing she was hanging curtains in a room for me.
“I was just about to hang the curtains for you.” She holds up the dark fabric and I smile, but then point to the room behind me.
“Can I have that room as mine? My wings can really spread far in there.” I say softly and she nods.
“Sure, I’ll be just a moment.” She goes in and I watch from the doorway as she hangs the curtains. I finally let out the breath I had been holding and walk back into the room.
Spreading my wings once more I shiver as my mom runs her hands gently across the soft feathers.
“I always thought they were beautiful, Piper. They have gotten so long….” She trails off as she steps in front of me.
“What’s it feel like to fly?” She whispers and I raise my brow to her.
She had never asked me anything like that.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I feel free when I’m in the air, I feel complete.” I answer and she nods her head as her eyes stare off at the wall.
After a minute of silence she pats my shoulder and then makes her way out of the room. She turns back as she begins to shut the door.
“I’ll bring up some blankets. The movers didn’t get everything moved in yet. Your bed should be here tomorrow though.” I nod and she closes the door. I make my way over to the window and peek past the curtain.
I gasp and rub my eyes thinking for sure that I’ve lost my mind because what I’m seeing can’t be real, can it? Through the shadows I spot wings similar to my own, and they are attached to the dark figure that I had seen earlier in the day. I place my hand against the glass and I watch in amazement as the figure does the same.
The door opening startles me and I quickly pull back, shutting the curtain as my mom struggles with a pile of blankets.
“This is all I could find. I hope it will be enough.” She states as she helps me form them into a bed on the floor.
“This should be fine, mom.” I answer.
When we are finished I lay down and she covers me up. I smile as she tucks me in and then walks out of the room shutting the light off.
As I lay in bed I wonder if what I had saw was real, was I really not alone?
As my eyes grow heavy, I drift off to sleep dreaming of a world less lonely.
 
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If you enjoyed the first chapter of "The Hidden Angel" please check the rest out for purchase with the following links provided below.
 
Amazon: $2.99
 
Smashwords: $2.99
 
Barnes&Noble: $2.99
 
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Thanks for reading.
Raven K. Asher