A to Z II - U is for Unique

Wow! It's Wednesday already! It's another day deeper in my personal A to Z challenge. Today's challenge is the letter u. U is for unique.

Unique is applicable to Trajectory in a few ways.

It is unique in that it is my first story with a male lead.

It is unique in that it is my first story with a bisexual lead.

It is unique in that it is not your typical love triangle story.

It is unique in that it is not just a love story.

It is unique in that it is not just a police story.

It is unique in that the characters are all very human: flawed and yet perfect. Deep, dark, emotional, each driven by their own hopes and fears.

There are many layers to Trajectory, and I have done that purposefully. I wanted to create a story of intrigue. Not just an LGBT story. Not just a SWAT sniper story. Not just... I wanted to create a story that was going to entertain, but also one that was going to make you think. Think about life. Think about the difficulties and perspectives that someone in Joe's position might have. Think about how much damage one unhealthy person like Michael can cause. Think about the importance of our relationships, like the relationships between Joe and Pete, and of course, Joe and Claudette.

Trajectory truly is unique.

A to Z II - C is for Claudette

Today is the third day of my personal A to Z challenge, which means we're up to the letter C. C is for Claudette. You can't have Trajectory without talking about Claudette.

Claudette is the great love of Joe. They are perfect together. To better understand their relationship, it's important to look at her as an individual.

Claudette is French-Canadian. Born in Quebec, Claudette's life was deeply enriched by the French Canadian culture, languages, art, and her family. Her parents were artistic, and they made sure that she grew up with the arts. She was surrounded by people and places that influenced her heavily. She was fortunate to experience all art forms, and to live a life most people only dreamed of. She was told she could do or be whatever she chose. She took that to heart. She found her passion for painting when she was sixteen. Within a year, she had won awards and some notoriety. She studied art tremendously in Canada, but she wanted more. So at the age of twenty, she moved to Detroit, where she studied art at Cranbrook.

She was a true artist: free-flowing, free-thinking, and very independent. While in school, she painted to make money. Whether it was painting your living room or your family portrait, she was happy to paint. She lived alone and did as she pleased. That kind of free-form painting and living continued on well past college. She took on all kinds of painting jobs, and she just lived freely and independently.

She and Joe met by chance in a cafe. He went in to enjoy a cup of his favorite coffee when he saw her painting the scene around them. He told her he liked her work. Once he looked into her eyes, he was completely infatuated.

The couple had a rather unusual relationship. He a cop and she an artist, they both enjoyed their freedom. Through their three year romance, they each maintained their own apartments. Their relationship was built on autonomy and respect. Neither judged the other for what they did, and they were allowed to fully be themselves. That also applies to Joe's bisexuality, which is incredibly important to him. Her knowledge of that, her lack of judgment and open-mindedness about it is absolutely tremendous.

In Joe, Claudette found stability and reason to balance out her artistic whims. She found someone who allowed her to live her own life, but still include her in his. For her, their relationship was the perfect balance - the perfect yin and yang.

As time progressed, Claudette yearned to have a family of her own. Coming from a small, close-knit family, Claudette wanted to share that experience with Joe. Despite his work, she knew he would have been the perfect husband and father. The only problem was that he did not want children.

The couple discussed the topic at length. Claudette brightened Joe's life in a way that no one else could. Neither wanted the relationship to end, but family became too important of a topic for her to continue to wait.

Unable to sever ties completely, Claudette continued to take care of Gertrude, Joe's cat, when necessary. His door was always open to her, hers always open to him.

Though she loved him dearly, Claudette was far stronger in her independence than Joe. The dissolution of their relationship shattered him far more greatly than it did her. One fateful and tragic event, though, brings them back together...potentially forever.

Claudette is stunning, both inside and out. She is a woman of great depth and interesting character. She is intriguing, creative, soft, and independent. Claudette is truly a remarkable woman.

A to Z Challenge - O is for Originality

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

It's time for another A to Z Challenge! This year, I want to tell you about a story that is currently a WIP (work in progress). It's the story I'm writing in honor of my baby lovebird, Robert. It's a fantasy story, but it's really a story about emotional healing. So let's examine it by going through the alphabet!

O is for originality

Robert's story is unlike anything you've ever read before. I know, every writer has said that about every book that has ever been written. In this case, though, I can prove it to be true.

First off, how many books have you read about or starring pirate Lovebirds? Yeah, that's what I thought. ;)

Seriously though, this story is highly entertaining while also bringing a wonderful message of peace, hope, and healing. It can be a children's book, while also being poignant enough to be an adult read.

This story contains characters, who not only differ in species, color, and everything else, but who have such depth and sincerity about them. They are as palpable as the emotions this book is founded upon.

It is technically a good versus evil story, but what the evil is, and how it is conquered is incredibly unique. It's anything but cliche.

The tale of The Good Pirate, Robert is a great, unique one that will take you on many adventures, and it will reside deeply in your heart.

Tune in tomorrow for the letter p!

A to Z Challenge - D is for Different

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

It's time for another A to Z Challenge! This year, I want to tell you about a story that is currently a WIP (work in progress). It's the story I'm writing in honor of my baby lovebird, Robert. It's a fantasy story, but it's really a story about emotional healing. So let's examine it by going through the alphabet!

D is for Different.

The Good Pirate, Robert is different from anything else I have ever written. It's first person, and it's fantasy. It is unlike anything you've ever read from me in the past.

I think that it's good to challenge ourselves artistically. This story has evolved in its uniqueness and differences, and to me, that's even better.

This story truly is different. It's different from my other work, but it's also unlike anything you've ever read before. It's got a wonderful message while keeping you highly entertained.

When The Good Pirate, Robert hits the press, you'll want to grab your copy immediately!

Check back tomorrow. It's the letter e, and you don't want to miss it!

Character of the Week: Linda from The Mechanic/the Loving Her series

Linda Scott wears her heart on her sleeve, and gives you the shirt off her back. She is an amazing character.

Linda comes from a "traditional" family with her parents, Chuck and Melanie, and her brother Jerry.

Linda was always a tomboy, following very closely in her older brother's footsteps. Her parents - Melanie, especially - had hoped for a more "typical" little girl, but they loved Linda nonetheless.

As Linda was growing up, it didn't take her long to realize that she was gay. Scared and confused, she confided in her older brother. Jerry was a good, supportive brother. As time wore on, he felt that she needed to be brave enough to come out to their parents. He'd tease and encourage her day in and day out. Finally, unable to withstand the pressure of the secret, he finally tells the family at dinner. This is where Linda's story begins.

The pain and disappointment of what follows eats Linda at her core. Her relationship with her parents is strained at best. She lives a quiet life, maintaining a good relationship with Jerry.

Throughout the story, we see how much Linda loves '80s music, '80s television shows, etc. Her obsession with all things '80s comes from her childhood. The music and shows remind her of a time when her family loved and accepted her.

For as much as she has been hurt, she is not one to take things lying down. When she is teased in school by the biggest bully, she knocks him down to size. When she is rear ended by a bigot, life gives her the opportunity to retaliate later on. She refuses to be victimized.



Linda maintains a tough exterior. It's the only way she can protect herself from the pain that resides deep in her heart.

When she meets a gal named Donna, she has no idea that she has met a kindred spirit. Later on, Donna approaches Linda, looking for any kind of camaraderie. What ensues is an incredible friendship.



Linda and Donna truly are two peas in a pod. They're both tough and stoic on the outside, but incredibly tender underneath. They share an understanding and respect that run incredibly deep. When either is in trouble, they know the other is there. They become each other's family. Through thick and thin, they are always there for each other.

When Linda sees Katie for the first time, she sees more than a cute little blonde. She sees someone who exudes compassion and understanding. Without even speaking to her, Linda knew that Katie was like no one else she had ever met before.

The more she learned about Katie, the more she realized that true love did exist. That people could fully love and accept her for who she is. Katie brings her a reassurance and a self-confidence Linda never had.


It is that commitment and that confidence that gives Linda the bravery needed to open the door to having a real relationship with her parents yet again.

Linda is strong, solid, fun, gentle, generous, caring, and sensitive. She is a woman of many layers and many emotions. She is real. Her story came from deep within my heart, and it is sure to touch you deeply as well.

Favorite quote from Linda: "What the hell are you? A sasquatch that you need an hour to shave your hairy legs?!"

Happy reading!
http://www.amazon.com/Mechanic-Loving-Her-Book-ebook/dp/B00GMPBKS8/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1426901979&sr=8-14&keywords=lauren+shiro

Character of the Week: Elfi from Amnesie

Strong, compassionate, smart, wise...Elfriede Krupse is a heroine in her own right.

Elfi is from Stuttgart, Germany. Her life as a child growing up in a larger metropolis in Germany was one that was filled with great opportunity. Her education was a good one. Stuttgart offered her the best of the arts, a zoo, various festivals, botanical gardens, museums, and of course, Porsche.

For all that she had in Germany, Elfriede wanted more. Germany was...boring. She wanted to see the world. She wanted to explore and experience. So, she did.

In her early twenties, Elfi walked, back-packed, and hitchhiked her way through Europe. The people she met, and the places she saw were unbelievable. She was experiencing life to its fullest.

After a while, she began to experience a nagging feeling. The sense that she needed to do something with herself. Her time traveling the world was over. Now it was time to focus on her career.


Elfi had always been very good in science, so when the time came for her to pursue an education, it was no surprise that she went into nursing.

After she graduated, she looked to focus on pediatric nursing. She applied to schools and hospitals across the globe. She was accepted into an internship at Rome Memorial Hospital, in Rome, NY.

One day, the hospital was having problems with their phone system. By late morning, the phone company had a woman there to work on the phone lines. At one point, the woman (Maryanne) was in an office where Elfriede was working. Maryanne asked for Elfi's assistance. In the short time they worked together fixing the phone line, there was a chemistry that neither woman could deny. Maryanne gave Elfi her number. Elfriede was quite smitten, though she wanted to play it cool. So, she waited for a couple of days before calling Maryanne.

When they went out on their first date, Elfi just knew that Maryanne was the one for her.

After her internship, Elfi was able to land a position at RMH, and soon thereafter, she moved in with Maryanne.

Life was good for the two women. They both had jobs they loved. Elfi loved the old farm house she shared with Maryanne. Life was good, stable, and peaceful.

One horrific night changed all of that.

On her way home from work, A drunk driver ran into Maryanne head-on. When Elfi got the call, it was unknown whether or not Maryanne would live. The medical staff was very guarded about her prognosis.

Like any dutiful spouse, Elfi sat next to Maryanne day in and day out while she lay in a coma, completely unresponsive. It was all she could do.

After about a month, Maryanne awoke. It was miraculous, but it was also obvious that she had a long way to go.

She went through extensive therapy and rehabilitation in order to live and function as a normal person. Elfriede was by her side as much as she could be. There were days when Maryanne made phenomenal progress. There were days when she couldn't recognize Elfi.

For all that Maryanne was enduring, this situation was incredibly taxing on Elfi. Not only did she have to work, she had to take care of the house and chores by herself, she spent as much time as she could to be with Maryanne, and no one seemed to care about her feelings, or how deeply this affected her. Elfriede stifled her emotions as best she could, but for when Maryanne didn't even recognize her, the pain cut right through her.

Finally, Maryanne was able to come home. Things had changed, though. Her memory loss was severe enough that she could no longer work. She recognized Elfi, but her memory of her time in the hospital and in rehab was fuzzy at best. She didn't fully understand - or remember - everything that had transpired.


When she first arrived, it was a wonderful time for the couple. They were both relieved to have her back home. Elfi did all that she could to keep Maryanne comfortable and happy.

As time wore on, things began to change. Maryanne, who had always been so jovial, was suddenly dark, angry, and bitter. A great distance came between them. Conversations always seemed to turn into arguments. What was once a happy home was now a house filled with tension and turmoil.

For as difficult as things wore, Elfi could not let go. She loved Maryanne, and she wanted things to be as they once were. She often told her that Maryanne had her undying love; now it was time to prove it.

The divide simply grew and grew, until Elfriede couldn't take it any more. She loved Maryanne, but she couldn't continue to live like this. She finally had to bring her to one of her doctors for a kind of intervention. Elfriede wanted to save the marriage, Maryanne, and even herself. With the help of one of the best doctors in upstate New York, Elfi was able to remind Maryanne of what truly happened.

Maryanne became incredibly frightened at the "intervention." She had no idea what her life or future would be. Elfi wanted her to know that she would always be there. She loved Maryanne, and she loved their life together. Elfi was willing to do whatever was necessary to save them.

Elfriede is an incredibly strong woman. Her resilience, her dedication, her selflessness are all amazing. She is the kind of woman we should all aspire to be. Through thick and thin, Elfi is completely committed to Maryanne. She was - and is - a true hero.

Favorite quote from Elfriede: “Honey, I love you.” I know this has been very difficult for you. I try to help you, but I am not doing well at it. You need help and I need to know how I can help you more. That is why we are here today. I want things to be the way they were. Or as close to that as we can get.”

Happy reading!

http://www.amazon.com/Amnesie-Lauren-Shiro-ebook/dp/B007NJQZZA/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428801539&sr=1-9&keywords=lauren+shiro