:: Jhada Addams ::

http://www.examiner.com/books-in-madison/are-authors-what-they-write-the-controversy-over-judy-mays

Ever see the cover of a steamy romance novel with a muscular guy in a kilt brandishing a broad sword and wonder who writes this stuff?  The fact is, women and men from all walks of life write romance–lawyers, waitresses, insurance agents, housewives and yes…even high school teachers.  And readers of romance are just as diverse.  So when Pennsylvania news station WNEP broadcast a heavily slanted story outing Judy Barunich, a tenth grade teacher in their community, as erotic romance author Judy Mays, the writing community on the Internet rose in her support.

The issue being raised by some parents and WNEP is whether someone who writes steamy novels should be molding the minds of children.  One parent went so far as to insinuate that Barunich might be looking at her teenage son in a sexual way while in the classroom.  (This slanderous comment was allowed to be aired without being qualified by the WNEP.)

“Gone. It’s just all… gone.”

He jumped at the touch of fingers, brushing against his own. Taking a step back, he almost fell off the roof of his house into the floodwaters surrounding it.

“Careful.”

He looked around for the source of the voice and blinked as he saw a small, girl standing beside him, looking down into the swirling, violent water as it looped and whorled around cars, and a shed that had been yanked out of its moorings. The water was pushing it down the street and the man’s eyes moved to track it, recognizing it as his neighbor’s.

Man, Fred loved that shed, he thought to himself. Damned shame.

When he looked back over at the girl, he met almond shaped eyes that filled him with a sense of calm – of peace.

“You’re almost ready,” she said softly, still smiling.

She spoke with an accent, but he couldn’t place it without actually hearing her speak in her native tongue. It struck him that it should be unnerving, this odd girl standing alone with him on his roof. For some strange reason it seemed right somehow. He wasn’t entirely sure why.

“Ready for what?” he asked, frowning.

“They’re waiting for you – on the other side. Your family,” she explained, a look of infinite patience in her eyes.

“Wait, they got out? They’re safe?” he asked, excited – hopeful.

She pursed her lips and shook her head, “Not in the way you’re thinking. Still, they’re waiting to meet you. To explain.”

He shook at her words, his eyes looking back out at the devastation around him. It boggled him to see the painful evidence of the power of water, the might of liquid unchecked and raging out of control. He was briefly reminded of the high, rolling seas he had experienced during his tour on a naval ship a lifetime ago and nodded, understanding now. It was at once terrifying and majestic, this event.

Small fingers brushed against his hand and he sighed softly, then took her hand, squeezing it briefly. She smiled and he could hear the sound of children laughing, singing in a language that he didn’t quite understand.

Small, pale pink petals began falling around them and windchimes sounded softly in the distance as she looked up at him and asked, “Ready now?”

He thought of his mother, who had died over four years ago. He missed her so much. It would be so good to see her again. A tear trailed down his cheek as he nodded and smiled back at her.

“Yeah. I’m ready.”

Today’s episode is the entirety of chapter 9 from my novel, It Never Ends.

In this chapter, Jilah encounters a new friend and begins an unusual trek.

The intro theme music for this episode is track 25 off of the Nine Inch Nails creative commons release Ghosts III. You can find them online at nin.com

“With sexual assault already a significantly under-reported crime, survivors have now been given even less of a reason to go to the Police, for fear that they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear; it’s not even about sex; but using a pejorative term to rationalize inexcusable behaviour creates an environment in which it’s okay to blame the victim.

Historically, the term ‘slut’ has carried a predominantly negative connotation. Aimed at those who are sexually promiscuous, be it for work or pleasure, it has primarily been women who have suffered under the burden of this label. And whether dished out as a serious indictment of one’s character or merely as a flippant insult, the intent behind the word is always to wound, so we’re taking it back. “Slut” is being re-appropriated.

(continue reading…)

Tonight’s episode is the entirety of chapter 8 from my novel, It Never Ends.

In this chapter, confrontation, nausea and wacky hijinks ensue.

The intro theme music for this episode is track 25 off of the Nine Inch Nails creative commons release Ghosts III. You can find them online at nin.com

Today’s episode is the second half of chapter 7 from my novel, It Never Ends.

In this chapter, a minor water skirmish ensues and a decision is made.

The intro theme music for this episode is track 25 off of the Nine Inch Nails creative commons release Ghosts III. You can find them online at nin.com

Her lips curled into a grin and she felt her cheeks flush as she read the message on the screen. She’d been flirting back and forth with Mr. Mysterious for several days now, and the IM’s between them had quickly gotten hot and heavy. Her fingers flexed and a shiver raced down her spine.

(continue reading…)

Tonight’s ep is chapter 7 from my novel, It Never Ends.

In this chapter, Jilah learns a little more about her mysterious new companion’s past – a great deal more than she’s comfortable with. Ah, love and politics – it’s never easy.

The intro theme music for this episode is track 25 off of the Nine Inch Nails creative commons release Ghosts III. You can find them online at nin.com

Gather ’round, children – it’s time for another Mr. Sucky and Mr. Licky vignette.

This series is narrated by my good friend, Mark Mandolia, who also did the featured art for this series.

The theme music for this installment is a song called Frost Waltz by Kevin MacLeod over at http://incompetech.com/