5 Reasons I Like to See the End of Summer…

by Kacey Hammell

I know many would say, YAY the kids are returning to school (Sept 4 here in Canada) so what else is there to say? For me, it will mean a lot more writing time most definitely but I detest the routine of morning lunches, homework in the evenings etc etc. I like having the kids home to keep things always entertaining, and so the crazy routine is forgotten for a while.  End of summer for me (my household) means return of our fave shows. Here are my top 5 reasons to love the end of summer this year!

1.   REVENGE Returns!!! This show instantly became an addiction. I confess, while Jack and Daniel are hot (hell, as is the whole cast!), the fashion is gorgeous, the scenery is spectacular, it was Nolan Ross that kept me hooked! That dastardly, geeky sexy kind of guy, wealthy, mischievous – okay, vengeful and secretive – he’s the type of mystery I love. Plus his humour and devotion to Emily (with more secrets!) is charming and sexy. The added bonus of course is Emily getting answers/revenge against the Grayson’s is equally addicting. While I believe forgiveness is the best course of action, I have to say, I LOVE how Emily does it.

2.   SUPERNATURAL Returns – need I say more than just Jared Padalecki (Sam) & Jensen Ackles (Dean) ??  Castiel…Hell… No, I didn’t think much explanation was in order.

3.   GRIMM Returns (well already did about 3 wks ago) but love the spin on old fables and tales the GRIMM way. Plus the relationship between Monroe and Nick is amazing. The show weaves in some humour with the intensity of each episode.

4.   NCIS Returns – can you believe how things were left last season? Explosion, Abby & McGee seemed to be in the midst of it straight on. Ducky on the beach!! I plan to have tissues handy and try to keep the nail biting to a minimum when it returns. I can’t even begin to say what the demise of any of the main characters would mean to me. I mean, don’t you get the feeling when you watch a show every week/every year faithfully that the characters feel like old friends? I’m just hoping I’m not going to have to scream at the TV for anything the writers pull! I need my Gibbs & DiNozzo every week! The others too of course, but those are my top two.  And this year, I’d love to see Jamie Lee Curtis return!!!! *fingers crossed*

5.   HAWAII FIVE-0 Returns – Dylan, who was introduced in ILLUSIONS as Brady’s partner, is a tad bit modeled after Alex O’Loughlin from this show. I mean, how could I not? O’Loughlin inspires a lot of naughty thoughts and various scenarios to put him in. Plus the finale, where he sees his mother! I have to hear the story behind how she’s back from the dead!

But back to the more writing time. Yes, it’ll be quiet around here and Dylan’s story will really take off…along with the other 3-4 WIPs that are all battling for time.  However, be on the look-out for these THREE titles coming soon from Decadent Publishing and me.

Feel free to let me know what shows/adventures you’re most looking forward to seeing this fall.

And what will you miss most about summer?

Modest Dreams & Awakenings

by Kacey Hammell

When I was growing up, people constantly asked what I wanted to be when I was older. Of course, it seemed to change every time – teacher, dancer, singer, and Equestrian rider – but as I got into my mid-teens one thing became clear. I just wanted to be a Mom. I didn’t care about anything else or that my friends wanted to be doctors, lawyers, movie stars, executives, I had my sights set on being a Mom.

And I’ve been blessed with three wonderful kids. Nothing matters more to me than my three rascally heartbreakers who tend to have me wrapped around their finger sometimes…don’t tell!

When I first wrote Awakenings (years ago), the sequel to Illusions (now available with Decadent Publishings), my oldest son was just 7 years old. TODAY…he turned 13 !!!!  To say the years have flown by is an understatement. And how mature he’s also become! When I was re-working Awakenings earlier this year in order to submit to DP, he was a great help when thinking from Roger Osborne’s POV.

Roger is a young boy, nine years old, whose mother is killed by his father. In Awakenings, Roger is hiding from his father, as well as the police, and Alicia is desperate to find him. I don’t want to give too much away, but Jacob was sitting beside me while redoing those scenes and really got into Roger’s mindset. Jacob let me know that the pain, fear, worry and doubt that Roger feels in the story was spot on, and off, in some places and I really found myself digging deeper into Roger than ever before.

So, today, as one of my baby boys turns 13, I wish him a very happy birthday and much love. Without his help, I don’t think I would have enjoyed revising Awakenings as much as I did. He’s my little man. I’m so proud of him! J

And I’m thrilled to say that my biggest dream, to just be a Mom, has definitely come true. It’s my favourite job!

Though unedited, I wanted to share a brief snippet of Roger Osborne, as we meet him in Awakenings.

Awakenings, Coming Soon with Decadent Publishing

Excerpt © Kacey Hammell, 2012

Cold, so cold.

Huddled behind the wall of his apartment in a secret room equipped with a pillow and blanket, some rations of food—crackers, nutrition bars and juice boxes of orange juice—Roger Osborne wrapped his arms around his body to keep himself warm. Though he had a blanket, he wasn’t sure he’d ever truly be warm again.

Tears ran down his cheeks. He closed his eyes and felt the sobs overtake his body. All he saw behind his eyelids was his mom’s body on the ground.

When his father started to pound on the door of their apartment, his mother had rushed him to her room where she had built the hidden room behind the wall. She’d given him strict orders to keep quiet and not come out for any reason.

The door could open from the outside by pushing firmly on the top right corner. Hinges were only seen from the inside and a chain kept the door locked from the inside. Anyone in the bedroom would never know the hidden room was there. His mother had been precise in her cuts in the wall to make the door and made sure it would never be noticeable.

When he heard the patio door bang open and his father’s voice bellow, his body shook and knew no matter what, he couldn’t let his father find him.