UNITED BY BOOKS: Blogversary Celebration Day 1 (4/30/12)

UNITED BY BOOKS: Blogversary Celebration Day 1 (4/30/12): Today is a day to celebrate ......no let me correct that this whole week is a celebration! Its been one year since I started up United By Bo...

PRIZES ARE GIVEN AWAY ALL WEEK, SO DON'T MISS OUT! 

White Embrace...Gracen's Poem

White Embrace

It reached out of the night

Desperately trying to find the lost soul.

It would not rest until it gained Its goal.

When It found the essence of life, It would find delight. 

A dog howled toward Its prey.

It pulled the boy into Its white embrace.

It was his Father and he would give grace.

It smiled and became the friend that would betray.

© Gracen Miller 2010-2012 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Gracen Miller. 

Hell's Phoenix Deleted Scene

This deleted scene comes in right after the honky-tonk bar when Madison's eyes are changing to pink for the first time. I removed this scene and wrote a new scene, because I altered the story. Initially, Zen was going to give this as part of his back story. Confess that Pandora had been his brother's wife and that was why he'd been given control over her. But the angels had not fallen during Zen's time. They fell after Atlantis fell when the humans were created and Zen came before Atlantis. Therefore, that was the need to delete this scene and rewrite. 


Plus, I decided it would be better if Zen had no idea why her eyes were turning pink and that Micah was the one to tell her the name of her demon. I believe the impact was/is stronger that way. What do you all think?

Disclaimer: This scene is unedited and was removed from the book prior to submitting Hell's Phoenix to my publisher, Decadent Publishing.

♥♥♥♥♥

“His second attempt at a daughter was Pandora. She grew angry when God wished her to marry a mortal man, binding her powers in a box he gave to her husband for safe keeping.”

Madison leapt to her feet and almost regretted it when she wobbled. She clenched the back of the chair and stared at Zen. “Pandora?” she whispered.

He nodded. Blackness narrowed her vision and she concentrated on breathing in through her mouth and out her nose. “Pandora felt God had punished her for her loyalty and she sought the dark arts on earth. Demons responded.”

King of Hell actually, Pandora clarified in her head, proving she was listening.

“She killed her husband in a blood ritual—”

“Call it what it is, Zen, a blood covenant with a King of Hell.”

Yes. Pandora’s slimy grin sickened her. Madison’s fingertips tingled from death-gripping the chair.

Zen continued as if she hadn’t interrupted him. “She opened the box, ingested all her former powers and almost succeeded in wiping out my race in retaliation for God’s actions.” Madison blinked. Gazing into Zen’s eyes, she realized Pandora was personal for him and he confirmed it with, “Pandora was married to my brother. I was granted power over her after God took notice and forced her into the box, but not before their war charred earth enough to send the dinosaurs into extinction. She has the power to enslave men and women, the power to feed lies to the world and incite wars with a thought.”

He’s almost right, Madison, but not quite. I can control the weather and rock the planet with wide-spread destruction, but I cannot coerce men to violence with a thought. Mortals are weak and whispering certain words into the ears of particular men is enough to spark wars. I covenanted with your King to help him obtain the rights to the world. 

Madison dropped into the chair. Who did she believe? “When I broke the lid to the box, she said something about she was coming for Yaweh.” She couldn’t remember Pandora’s exact words. It’d been a volatile moment and she remembered only bits and pieces of those dark moments. “She can’t survive outside the box can she?”

“Not without a host?”

“So, somehow Micah figured out how to make me…what’d you call it? Lynx?” At Petra’s nod, Madison continued. “Then Pandora wouldn’t be able to control me unless I allowed it. Micah wouldn’t risk losing me to a foreign entity.”

You sure about that? Pandora moved sneakily about, making her think of a stalker surveying its victim before the ultimate hit.

Without question, she replied back. She felt Pandora’s nervousness and knew with conviction she was right. Pandora wanted her freedom, but with or without Zen’s help, the entity was bound to Madison’s commands. Why hadn’t she realized that before now?

Fear. Yeah, fear had weakened her. No more. It was time to take control of her future once and for all. She felt Pandora slink into a corner, probably to rethink her strategy for control because she doubted the former angel would give up. Not yet. It was too soon.

“You’re eyes just shifted back to normal,” Alessa said.

Taking mental control of her life must’ve returned her to physical normalcy. Interesting concept, but it was the only logical conclusion. “Anything else I need to know about my Lynx?”

“Now that it’s awakened, you’ll need to feed it.” Petra glanced at Zen. “Or get a shot of angel spirit from one of the Kings.”

“Hell no to the angel spirit.” Madison stood and didn’t sway this time. “I’ll put a bullet through my brain before I endanger anyone for sexual feeding.”

© Gracen Miller 2010-2012 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Gracen Miller.

Whimper...Gracen's Poem

Whimper

In a wink

It's gone.

It takes only

a blink.

It's fast.

No cry.

No whimper.

It doesn't last.

It's on.

Lights out.

Darkness descends.

It's gone.

Last beat.

Last gasp.

Last moan.

Death greets.

© Gracen Miller 2010-2012 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Gracen Miller.

Hell's Phoenix Deleted Scene

This deleted scene came about right after Nix broke in Hell. There are several reasons why I deleted it. 1) Nix didn't sell his soul, so there would be no physical manifestation of his soul for Micah to wear. Nix covenanted his lineage, that's a huge difference from selling his soul. 2) I thought it worked better for Nix to feel Madison's magic on the opposing tsunami than for a demon to approach Micah with the possibility that Madison lived.


Which way do you think works better?

Disclaimer: This scene is unedited and was removed from the book prior to submitting Hell's Phoenix to my publisher, Decadent Publishing.

♥♥♥♥♥

Micah watched Phoenix peel skin from their newest victim. He fiddled with his pinkie ring and felt pride for his creation. In the final moments of Madison's life, she'd uttered the words to protect Nix from gross injustice from a multitude of demons. Smart, yeah, and he'd been so damn proud of her.

Being a former Sherlock, many demons wanted a go at the mortal's soul. But Madison's protection hung around him like a thick cloud, an odd mixture of violet, red, indigo and gold. A unique combination to express her soul.

        Micah stroked the twig shaped crystal dangling from the hollow of his throat. Inside resided one-half of Madison's soul, the mortal half because the demonic half already held honors of a spot in Hell. The soul swirled inside the crystal with the same colors as the ones surrounding Phoenix.

        If he could just locate the other half the immortal had murdered—the demonic half—he could recreate her. In his spare time he searched for her missing essence, but grew more frustrated with each day's failure. Demons searched non-stop, but all of them met with the same failure.

        The immortal had done a damn good job of destroying that half.

        Micah crossed his legs and rested his hand on his thigh. The ring on his pinkie caught his attention. Phoenix's soul was housed within the square crystal. In life the man had never been boxed in. For eternity, his soul rested in a box, a swirling mist of green and gold.

        His two most prized possessions. Madison's and Phoenix's souls. He didn't miss the irony that Phoenix's soul rested next to the white-gold wedding band Madison slid onto his finger twelve years ago.

        The soul screamed, ripping his thoughts to the present. Phoenix used the hook-like apparatus on the soul, ripping through flesh, muscles and tendons with ease. All the while Phoenix wore a wicked smile and a dark gleam in his green eyes, humming the tune Highway to Hell.

        Oh, yeah, Micah savored his new creation. The man had been difficult to break, taking longer than any before him, but the satisfaction of altering him ranked close to the delight he felt for Madison and Amos. Phoenix was a better student than he'd ever imagined possible, learning quickly, not dodging anything he asked of him. Most that broke couldn't execute every request without being placed back on the torture rack for reinforcement. The only time Phoenix had flinched was when asked to eat the heart of their victim. He hadn't balked over the orgies with males, females and demons alike, but embraced them with gusto. Neither had he recoiled when Micah invited him to his bed. The former Sherlock especially pleased him sexually.  

        Micah rose from his lounging position and neared Phoenix and his victim, the piercing screams music to his dark soul. He kissed Phoenix's neck and cupped his ass as Phoenix whacked the hook into the thigh of the male on the rack. Phoenix turned to gaze at him over his shoulder and blew him a kiss.

        "You're turning me the fuck on," Micah told him. He always grew hard when Phoenix doled out soul searing torment.

        A smile twisted Phoenix's lips and he licked the blood of his victim off his fingers. Micah groaned. He understood why Madison had become enamored of this man. Elias claimed he was weak for the mortal world because he enjoyed defiling them. Maybe it was true, because Micah loved one mortal with everything in his fiber and adored the reformed mortal standing before him.

        "Your Majesty," a low-level demon interrupted just as Micah moved in to kiss Phoenix.

        At the interruption, Micah morphed into his demonic form, forcing back his rage at being interrupted. "What?" he growled at the kneeling servant.

        "A word in private, if you please."

        "This had fucking better be important or I'll eat your intestines."

        The demon didn't even shiver at the threat. That alone told him the importance of whatever the demon had to say.

        "Continue, Phoenix. We'll pick back up when I return."

        Phoenix nipped Micah's chin playfully and he shuddered at the teasing come-on. Fuck him, he couldn't wait to taste Phoenix on his tongue.

        Outside the torture room he glared at the low-level demon capable of producing a solid imagine here in Hell only. Topside, he had to borrow a human body. The demon was male, light brown hair, brown eyes, thin lipped, crooked nose and sallow complexion, most likely his appearance in life. He wouldn't have been a mortal to remember.

        "Speak," Micah commanded.

        "Your Queen lives."

            Three words and Micah's entire world altered.

© Gracen Miller 2010-2012 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Gracen Miller.

Ode to Eliel...Gracen's Poem

Ode to Eliel

Come, come said the demon to the mortals,

Welcome to my game of hellish portals.

Come, come humans, one and all,

So that I may snicker when you fall.

Come, come so that I may feast.

Resist?  Oh, no, not this sexy beast.

Come, come sip my juicy wine

And you can fuck me on my cloud nine.

Come, come my tasty treats,

On the cusp of death, Elias shall greet.

© Gracen Miller 2010-2012 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Gracen Miller.

Friday the 13th Voodoo Doll Giveaway

Being raised in the South superstitions is ingrained in daily life. We participate in them without thinking a lot of times. Here are some of my favorites and many I’ve participated in even though I am not superstitious:

Ф ~  7 years bad luck for breaking a mirror ~ Ф

₤ ~  Unlucky for the groom to see the bride before the wedding ~ ₤

Ӄ ~ Bad luck for a black cat to cross your path ~ Ӄ

Ѯ ~ Find a penny, pick it up and all day long, you’ll have good luck—My husband says you can only pick it up if it’s on heads. If it’s on tails, then it’s bad luck. I pick up all pennies! To me that’s the universe’s way of saying ‘howdy, Gracen, I see you’—nothing freaky about that, huh? *grins* ~ Ѯ

∂ ~ Bad luck comes in threes (Boy, oh, boy how many times have I said this!) ~ ∂

Ѱ ~ Make a wish on a wish bone (guilty of doing this every holiday growing up!) ~ Ѱ

Ђ ~ Cross your fingers for luck! Ha! I still do this! ~ Ђ

I could go on and on with superstitions, but I’ll stop there.

My favorite number is 13. And I celebrate Friday the 13th rather than fret over it. I had an employer once that was so superstitious about Friday the 13th, he wouldn’t leave home that day for fear of the bad stuff that would tackle him that day. A bit extreme? I think so, but according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina, about 17 million people fear Friday the 13th. Yowzers! My employer is so not alone.

Instead of worrying about some eerie superstitious malady that may befall us this Friday the 13th, let’s have a giveaway! I’m giving away these 2 Voodoo Dolls that I picked up in New Orleans. There will be 2 winners and the Rafflecopter entries are EASY! 

~RAFFLECOPTER CONTEST~

Hell's Phoenix Deleted Scene

This deleted scene was replaced with the honky-tonk bar scene. If you'll recall, Madison and Alessa went there to meet up with Vela--a friend of Nix's. Well, Genovela Maxwell, as she was originally called, became a staring character in the original draft of Hell's Phoenix. And here is where you meet her. While I loved Vela and I miss her quirkiness, she was unnecessary to the storyline. She was legally crazy, but so much fun to write. Also, this is the scene where Madison originally discovered she could be trapped in Demon Locks. 


So...honky tonk scene or this one...which way do you think works better?

Disclaimer: This scene is unedited and was removed from the book prior to submitting Hell's Phoenix to my publisher, Decadent Publishing.

♥♥♥♥♥

Madison signed in as Grace Birmingham on the guest log at Mahogany Psychiatric Ward in Chadron, Nebraska. The telephone number and address she listed, both false. Looking over Alessa's shoulder, she caught her signature—Melissa Jones. Simple enough name to remember.

"Grace Birmingham?" Alessa whispered as they walked the hallway toward room 222. "Difficult to guess where you got that from."

Madison sent her a can it expression. Alessa didn't take the hint. Typical.

"So obvious you don't have a thing for the man."

"So obvious you don't either," Madison said.

Frowning Alessa stopped at the door to room 222 and they faced one another. "What does that mean?"

"It means you've slept with him, not me. Tell me who that means is closest to him."

"Sex and intimacy do not mean the same thing. You should know that after marrying a demon King."

"Sex and intimacy should mean the same thing." Madison stared at her friend, but she knew Alessa was right. "Tell me his favorite color?"

"Red." And Alessa's expression grew whimsical over some fond memory with the color. Madison didn't ask.

"His favorite food?"

"Pie. He especially enjoys eating it off—nevermind."

Madison felt her cheeks heat up over the possibility of that unfinished sentence. "His favorite vacation spot?"

Alessa shrugged. "Beats me. He came to my home a lot to relax."

"I knew none of that." Their gazes snapped together and held like Velcro. "So, tell me, which of us knows the intimate details of Nix's life."

Open mouthed Alessa stared at her as if she tried to come up with a valid response.

Madison smiled, gave herself a mental pat on the back for managing to silence Alessa. A first and possibly damn near a miracle because the woman always had a response.

"This isn't over," Alessa whispered furiously as a worker approached.

She rolled her eyes.

"Dr. Birmingham!" an elderly male physician said as he neared them.

"Yes. This conversation is over," Madison said, ignoring the approaching male.

Alessa snorted. "You know it's not that easy. Not with me."

Madison opened her mouth to retort but realized the 'Dr. Birmingham' the approaching male attempted to hail was herself. Alessa must have realized it also because she turned to peer at the man at the same moment Madison gave him her attention.

"Dr. Birmingham," he said again.

"Um…yeah." Madison shrugged at Alessa's hasty questioning glance. She hadn't put down that she was a doctor on the sign-in sheet. But she'd learned to play whatever game necessary.

"Dr. Birmingham, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." The short, pudgy and balding clinic physician extended his hand.

Madison shook his hand. "I'm sorry, you are?"

"Dr. Morrow. I've treated Genovela Maxwell since her arrival. I understand you're here to see her."

"Mmmhmm." News traveled fast. They hadn't signed it five minutes ago.

"I should warn you, Ms. Maxwell is having a particularly bad day today. Since yesterday, she's decided two more of my workers are demons."

Madison and Alessa glanced at one another. Shooting a snappy glance down both hallways, she saw no other workers so couldn't gauge the possibility if demons were present. But, her skin hummed as if receiving a frequency on a different level and had been since entering the building. That weird feeling usually heralded demon kin.

"At present only myself and a handful of other employees remain demon free according to Genovela." He shook his head. "It's a shame. Genovela had such a bright future as an Engineer, but at the rate she's declining I can't foresee she'll ever leave here."

An approaching orderly walked with purpose toward them. Demon!

"How did you know we were here to see her, Dr. Morrow?" Alessa asked. Madison waited for the answer, but didn't warn Alessa of the demon's presence. Not yet. There was an off chance the demon wouldn't recognize her in disguise...wig with heavy bangs and spectacles.

"My nurse, Ms. Cumbie, told me you were here. She praised your accolades, Dr. Birmingham." Madison nodded at the erroneous accolades. "She reminded me that I saw you at a seminar about a year ago and that you specialized in psychosis that related to demons."

"Yep, that's me." Madison kept her gaze trained on the orderly. A couple other employees entered the hallway. "We have a problem, Alessa."

"What?"

Madison nodded at the dozen employees that now filled the hallway and approached, creating a perfect drumline pattern. Alessa looked in the direction she indicated and as she did each employee bowed.

"Christ on a stick," Alessa muttered.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Morrow," Madison said.

"For what?"

"This." She pulled out her gun and struck him on the back of the head with the butt of the weapon. He hit the floor with all the grace of a sack of bricks.

The lead demon—the male orderly—looked up at her. "We thought you dead, my Queen. We are honored to serve you."

"Viix. Xea wik pa," Good. Die for me.

"Fucking shit!" Alessa exclaimed as each worker hit the floor and ember lit smoke exited their bodies. "What'd you say?"

"I told them to die for me. We gotta get moving."

Madison shoved the door to Genovela's room open and Alessa moved inside, weapon drawn. Genovela rose from her seated position on the bed. Short stature, cute with soulful brown eyes and chin length curly brown hair. One of the few women Nix had helped that he hadn't slept with.

"Genovela Maxwell?" Madison asked business like. At the woman's nod, she moved into the room and slammed into an invisible wall. "Shit!"

"You're a demon," Genovela hissed and went for a butter knife she'd obviously pilfered from the kitchen.

"What the fuck? How—" Alessa said as hers and Madison's gazes were drawn to the floor. A Demon Lock penned with a sharpie circled her and from the jagged lines, it'd been drawn hurriedly.

Trapped by a Demon Lock was a new dilemma. Not that she'd ever found herself in one before since she was typically the one drawing them.

Madison looked at Alessa and dragged in an impatient breath. "Get me out of this fucking Demon Lock."

"She'll kill us both if you release her," Genovela tackled Alessa—literally—to the floor like a linebacker after the quarterback. "Demons are everywhere," Genovela shrieked. "They're trying to drive me crazy!" She clasped her head between her hands, butter knife saluting the ceiling like the suggestive one-finger salute telling the world to fuck off.

"I know. I know." Alessa patted the woman's arm patiently, but Madison's patience waned. In an hour, all this would probably be funny. Right now, she had at least a dozen demons lining the hallway, all murdered with her Queen mojo and a doctor she'd brought low with a crack to the head. Best of all, all of it had been caught on security cameras. Thank goodness she'd had the sense to cover her blonde locks with a dark brown wig boasting heavy bangs. The spectacles were a good decision too. Nothing about a brunette with glasses would tag her as Madison Wescott.

Madison looked around the room, spied a rare camera in the corner and lifted her gun.

Wonder what the viewer will make of me coming up short in the Demon's Lock?

One shot and the camera exploded into fragments.

"I'm Madison Wescott and Phoenix Birmingham saved you from demonic possession." Genovela looked up and her eyebrows drew together. "I am part demon. Yes, I can't deny that." Not everyone could be perfect. "My mother was a succubus and my ex-husband is a King of Hell. I make no apologies for either while admitting my soul is probably damned to the nether regions of Hell. But what is important at the moment isn't my soul, but rather Nix's soul."

"What do you mean?" Genovela asked, peering up at her from the floor, butter knife extended in warning. Certainly the woman didn't think that knife would harm a real demon.

"Did you hear Nix sold his soul to Hell?"

"Yeah," the woman said sullenly as Alessa shoved her away and rose to her feet, dramatically knocking imaginary wrinkles out of her clothing. "A demon or two mentioned it. I thought they lied. They're new tactic has been trying to trick all hope out of me."

"They didn't lie."

"Why would he do that?" Genovela's forehead a crease of bewilderment.

"No time to explain right now," Alessa said.

"I've got a plan to get him out." Madison kicked at the invisible shield.

Genovela looked at Alessa. "She's crazier than me."

"You can say that again," Madison muttered, blowing the heavy bangs of the wig out of her eyes.

Alessa nodded. "It'll take crazy to do this. And you'll have to sell her your soul too."

Madison was impressed Genovela didn't flinch over the 'selling her soul' spiel. Instead, the woman considered them both for a long moment before asking, "Do I get to kill some demons?"

"As many of the fuckers as you can," Madison said. She looked at Alessa. "Demon Lock if you freaking please! We don't have all day!"

Alessa smiled. "Only if you admit you're in love with the Nixster."

"I swear I'm going to beat your ass when I get out of this."

Laughing, Alessa snatched the butter knife out of Genovela's hand and scratched a line through the Demon Lock.

"My souls yours," Genovela said abruptly.

"No," she shook her head and stepped out of the trap. "I want you to come with us, discuss this with Alessa and the others. You need all the facts before you make up your mind. I know you have a lot of questions. We have a long way to go, so you have plenty of time to ask them. But we have got to get out of here because it won't be long before someone higher up in Hell realizes I just murdered a slew of demons."

They burst out of the psych ward, Madison on high alert just in case a demon planned an ambush. Her greatest fear was that one had gotten away and run tattling to Micah. She didn't want her gig to be up, but realistically the chances of that were slim.

    "Christ on a stick," Alessa muttered and Madison whipped around expecting a horde of demon assassins or even Micah in the flesh. It was only Zen. But that wasn't fair because although it was only Zen, the anger flaring from his silver eyes was potent enough to knock them on their collective asses. Like a live entity needing feeding.

    "Get in the car." Madison tossed Alessa the keys.

    Alessa nodded, threw a cautious glance toward Zen and yanked a stumbling, heavily blinking Genovela with her. Obviously, the woman hadn't been out of her room and ingested sunlight in a while. Maybe not since her imprisonment if the demons had anything to do with it.

    "I told you not to use your Queen power." Zen's voice was low, dark with suppressed fury. Most people wouldn't realize he presently felt any emotion, but Madison knew him well enough to pick out the telltale signs. Flaring nostrils were the first give away, the tiny tick at the corner of his right eye the final tell.

    "We don't have time for this, Zen." She scanned the area, the tide of demon presence swelling with pinpricks of awareness. Only problem, she couldn't pinpoint the exact location. "We'll discuss this in the car."

    At breakneck speed she dashed to the passenger side of the vehicle, yanked the door open and jumped in. Zen turned to glare at her. Of course that wasn't fair either because his expression hadn't altered. So, to say he glared was a bit extreme…if you didn't know what to look for anyway.

    Madison depressed the window button and waited until the window lowered half way before speaking, "Get in the car or don't, Zen. You've got five seconds to join us before Alessa burns rubber."

    Alessa didn't give him that much time. She threw the vehicle into reverse and punched the pedal. Madison's head snapped back striking the head rest. Just as fast as she punched it, Alessa slammed on the brakes. Genovela crashed into the back of Alessa's seat, while the dash broke Madison's launch forward.

    "Shit!" Madison yelled, her forearms suffering from halting her impact against the dashboard.

    Zen walked with controlled aggression toward them. Cool as a cucumber, he opened the back door and slid inside. "Drive," he commanded Alessa. "Explain to me why you used your Queen power."

    "I didn't have a choice," Madison said, swiveling in her seat to look at him over the backrest.

    "There are always choices." 

    Had the temperature dropped in the vehicle or was that her imagination?

    "There were at least a dozen fucking demons in there, Zen! It was kill them or have them running back to Micah."

    "I can't take you seriously wearing this." He yanked her wig off and tossed the short black strands into the back.

    "Wow, much better as a blonde," Genovela remarked, squinting from the hard glare of the sun.

    "Here." Madison handed Genovela a pair of sunglasses and scuffed her fingers through her hair, straightening the strands, thankful the thick brown bangs were no longer crowding her forehead. "You can bet your immortal ass those demons wouldn't be screaming 'the sky is falling, the sky is falling'." She snatched the spectacles off her face and threw them in the side pocket of the door. "Oh hell, no, it'd be more along the lines of 'the queen is alive, the queen is alive'."

    Alessa snorted, but held back an outright laugh. Genovela gawked between them.

    "I do not understand that reference. It is impossible for the sky to fall," Zen said.

    Madison sighed. "I was being sarcastic!"

    "She was quoting a famous children's book, Zen," Alessa explained.

    "Why do you terrorize your children with impossible apocalyptic scenarios?"

    "Are they brother and sister?" Genovela asked.

    "No," Madison and Zen said in unison.

    "Lovers?"

   Zen stared at Genovela, his face devoid of expression. Madison laughed.

   "What's so funny?" Genovela scrunched up her features and pushed the Ray Bans higher on the bridge of her nose.

   "Not an hour ago I was accused of being in love with Nix. Now I'm Zen's lover. You gotta laugh over the irony of that," Madison said.

   "You are in love with Phoenix," Zen said.

   Madison huffed, spun around in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. "You don't know everything, Mr. Immortal, especially not what's in my heart."

   "Yes, I do. Do you wish for me to share with the class?"

   "Fuck off, Zen!" She snapped back, although she was mildly impressed that he threw sarcasm back at her.

   Alessa laughed. "Give me some knuckle fives over that, Zen." She swished her arm between the seats but Zen stared at her hand.

   "I don't understand."

   "I swear you've been in a cave for the past twenty years." Alessa shook her head.

   "Yes," he said. "Almost."

   Groaning, Madison glanced at Alessa's speed as she hit the interstate. "Keep it at the speed limit. We can't afford to be stopped. If any of them got to Micah, he could have demons swarming in the guise of Troopers. We need to stay as low as possible."

   With a nod, Alessa set cruise control.

   "Could someone explain this queen and immortal stuff to me?" Genovela asked into the resulting silence.

   They recognized me with my disguise, Zen, Madison said to him telepathically.

   I've thought of that as well. He reached around the seat's headrest and squeezed her shoulder. She knew Alessa and, of course, Genovela, grew curious over his action. I wonder what the video shows since video always picks up signs of a demonically possessed person.

   Madison closed her eyes, recalling how easily the Demon Lock trapped her in Genovela's room. Would she be as monsterishly distorted as possessed individuals looked? Or since she was closer to a pureblood would she look worse?

   Zen must have heard her thoughts because he squeezed her shoulder again and she pat his hand, thankful for his support.

   I'll go back and get the video, he said.

   Madison nodded. Wait until I tell Genovela everything. Explaining how you appear and disappear will be a lot easier after she knows what you are.

   Zen said nothing, just removed his hand as she began to lay everything out for Genovela to make an informed decision.

© Gracen Miller 2010-2012 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Gracen Miller.

Honor and Obey...Gracen's Poem

The following poem is horrid, and I didn't even remember writing it. I've been going through some of my poems for Mindy Janicke and posting them so you can all see how awful of a poet I am. And believe me some of these poems should be burned!!! But this poem was written on November 20, 1987. I would've been 16 at the time. I find it poetic and a tad ironic--or a creepy kind of fate--that I'm now writing a series based upon the Queen of Hell. 

Honor and Obey

She stepped forward and accepted the crown.

People began to bow respectively down.

Every part of her felt like a queen.

She would help prepare every scheme.

She held up her right hand to swear.

The rules she would now declare.

She was the Queen to Honor and Obey.

The Queen of Hell no one should ever betray.

She held the power to send them to slavery for life.

She would make him proud that he had chosen her as his wife.

She would proudly hold her royal seat.

She would show her husband her cunning deceit.

For death and destruction she holds a flame.

Her husband's desire is the same.

© Gracen Miller 2010-2012 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Gracen Miller. 

Tattoo Tuesday

Welcome to Tattoo Tuesday where I feature ink from one of my Hellhounds. For the last Hellhound featured, click HERE.  Next up is...

Hellhound Regina Havenbrook-Mathers

Immortal Kiss...Gracen's Poem

Immortal Kiss

Through your mortality I live.

Stealing carnal nourishment.

Feasting upon the soul you give.

Alive! Beyond earthly bounds.

With life, you pulse.

You tease with warm, soft skin.

My need results.

You are forever mine.

I swell with you alluring scent.

Mind exploding -- chest heaving.

Your offering is my intent.

Senses reeling, I take you.

With love, I give my immortal kiss.

My bloody embrace

Transcends you with waves of tainted bliss.

My arms caress death.

Your life explodes around me.

On memories and emotions I feast.

Revealed for my eyes to see.

To know you and love you intimately.

His blood mixed with mine.

In death, I awoke

Trapped for all of time

In immortality.

© Gracen Miller 2010-2012 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Gracen Miller.

Road to Hell series CONTEST

The items pictured below are up for grabs in this contest. You will have to of read the books before you'll be able to enter the majority of the contest. That means this contest is for those that have taken a chance on my Road to Hell series and my way of saying THANK YOU to hitting the Road to Hell with me. I love all my Hellhounds...each of you ROCK! 

Enter the contest through the Rafflecopter below.

♥♥♥♥♥

Skull checkbook cover, Nix Nectar Pin, Micah Kool-Aid pin,

Gracen Miller's Hellhound pin and a Skull Brooch/Pendant Combo

 Road to Hell Hellhound Log Keychain

Hell's Phoenix T-shirt (size L or XL--winner's choice)

Road to Hell Hellhound Logo Magnet for car 

OR 

Bumper Sticker--both look identical--(winner choice)

Autographed Hell's Phoenix Poster

~RAFFLECOPTER CONTEST~

Hell's Phoenix Deleted Scene

As with all the deleted scenes, they were removed because Hell's Phoenix became too long and it wasn't necessary for the story line. This particular scene comes in right after Madison stabbed Petra (the deleted scene I posted last week) and as Madison and Alessa are headed to the honky tonk bar where they run into Micah and Nix. 


Disclaimer: This scene is unedited and was removed from the book prior to submitting Hell's Phoenix to my publisher, Decadent Publishing.

How I picture Alessa

Owned by 123rf <---click to be taken to photo

Owned by 123rf <---click to be taken to photo

Owned by 123rf <---click to be taken to photo

♥♥♥♥♥

Madison cranked her Land Rover, checked the position of her mirror and adjusted the volume of the radio.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fantasized about stabbing that demon. What’d it feel like?” Alessa swiveled in the passenger seat to face Madison.

Madison sent the other woman a half-hearted smile. “I lost my cool in there.” She backed out of the garage, hit the button to send the garage door back down and shifted the vehicle into drive. “Sometimes Petra gets on my last nerve.”

“Madison, that demon is as fun as lemon juice in your eye. The only two people she doesn’t affect are Amos and Zen. And nothing bothers Zen.”

Untrue. Yanking the lid off Pandora’s Box had bothered him very much.

“Buckle up,” Madison said as she turned left out of the driveway.

“Yeah, like I’m not about to dive headfirst into steamy waters.” Alessa winked, but dutifully buckled up.

“You can still change your mind.” She liked Alessa, respected the woman and had no problem understanding why Nix liked her too. Maybe if Alessa and Nix hadn’t met over her husband’s death, they’d have hooked up as a real couple instead of as ‘friends with benefits’. Maybe once they saved his ass from Micah’s clutches, they could still have that ‘real’ relationship. She wouldn’t suffer them that privilege. She wanted Nix to be happy and if that someone turned out to be Alessa, then Madison would be pleased for them. More than once since meeting Alessa, she wondered if the horsewoman could be the woman Georgie spoke of, the woman Nix would end up with.

“How many times do I have to tell you, my soul is yours?”

“Until you dive headfirst into steamy waters.” Madison shot her a teasing smile.

“I’ve already sold you my soul a million times.”

A million times? That was a bit melodramatic. “It’s not binding yet.”

“I’d do anything to help Nix. I can’t listen to this shit.” Alessa shut off the octane radio station. “I love him, not the same way as you, but I still love him.”

“Don’t start,” Madison flung up a hand. “I’ll turn that shit on and make you listen to it if you start chatting about that hogwash.” Not a warning, a promise because Madison wasn’t in the mood. Strung tight, knowing they were running out of time, she lived on the edge of panic. She didn’t need the ‘you love him like a lover’ argument again. It was bad enough she couldn’t get Zen’s comments out of her freaking head anytime he felt like discussing it. She wouldn’t listen to Alessa discuss the topic at will either.

“Touché.” They were silent through three intersections before Alessa broke the silence. “What do you think Nix is going to say when we show up in Hell?”

“He’ll be pissed off.” She smiled and made a right-hand turn onto I-459, powered just over the speed-limit and set cruise. Flying would’ve made this trip easier, but driving wouldn’t leave a paper trail.

Alessa snorted. “I think ‘pissed off’ is a mild description of what he’ll feel.”

“You sure you want to do this, Alessa?”

“I owe that man my life.”

Most likely she would pay with her life, but Madison said nothing and neither did Alessa.

© Gracen Miller 2010-2012 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Gracen Miller.