Thirty-one years of wild requests, screwy questions, bizarre behavior and outrageous demands have left me with a permanent twitch and an uncontrollable craving for chocolate. Don’t get me wrong. Working as a 9-1-1 dispatcher can be very rewarding. BUT - some days I felt like the whole world was nuts and Christmas brings out the worst in people. What? You actually thought that for one day a year folks would get along? Peace on Earth and all that goodwill crap? You’ve been sucking way too much eggnog, my friends. It’s a myth.
Instead of a nice honey baked ham and all the fixings I got to inhale a cold Banquet turkey dinner. Instead of the fairy tale of a happy family gathered around a roaring fireplace, I got to deal with reality and reality sucks. Take this call for example:
“I need to find Grandma’s house,” a drunken idiot said. Digging for my supply of Tylenol, I responded, “Sir, 9-1-1 is for life threatening emergencies. We don’t give directions.” The drunken fool cried, “You’re 9-1-1 you know everything.” Wonder where he got that idea? “Sir, I have no idea who your Grandmother is or where she lives.” He sputtered in surprise, “You don’t? But… But I’m late for dinner!” The guy was really starting to annoy the hell out of me, “Why don’t you pull over and I’ll have a nice officer come and help.” Yeah, right to jail, you moron, driving while intoxicated is against the law. “Okay, thanks.” “My pleasure and have a great Christmas.”
Downing a handful of Tylenol, I answered another call and could hear people screaming blue bloody murder. “9-1-1 emergency, what is your emergency? Hello?”
An out-of-breath woman cried, “We need the cops. My three brothers are fighting over the wishbone.” Not quite sure I had heard her correctly, I repeated, “They’re fighting over the wishbone?” There was a loud crash and the woman shrieked, “Omigod! There went the tree, please hurry.” I quickly typed the information in. “Ma’am does any of your brothers have a weapon?” The woman shouted, “What kind of stupid question is that?” One I need answered, dearie. “Ma’am, I need to know if any of your brothers are armed with a weapon.” She huffed, “Just get someone out here before Rex gets his chain saw started.” “Chain saw? Hello?” The line was dead. The moral to this story is; the family that fights together gets to go to jail together. Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Christmas.
Some citizens of our fair cities have absolutely no idea of what an officer can or cannot do. They aren’t plumbers, electricians, alligator wrestlers (don’t ask) or allowed to shoot your neighbor’s noisy Santa carousel. Give your poor overworked 9-1-1 dispatchers a break and don’t call unless you have a real emergency. And no, we won’t haul your Christmas tree away or help you take down your lights. Anyone have any chocolate?
Want a fun, fast read and a good laugh? Just My Luck was given 4 stars out of five by the Night Owl reviewer. They called it a freaky fantastic read. Here's a little peek:
JUST MY LUCK
How did all this start? Them. It started with them. In 2015 something nasty found our world. They call themselves the Tai-Kok. I still remember that first psychic contact. Their hunger slapped me in the face. It was sharp, visceral and constant. They were malevolent, depraved ghouls who lived to eat. Literally. And their image is forever burned into my mind. Tall, hairless, skeletal humanoids with a mouth full of sharp metal teeth. And to complete the total gross out, three blood-red eyes glared out of skin so transparent you could see their bones and innards. Ewww.
How they found our world or why they consider us good eatin’, who knows. It was my job to stop them. My name is Kaylee Jones. I’m a cop and a Siren. You can consider me the early warning system that keeps Earth from becoming an all-you-can-eat banquet.
The bad thing is, I’m also what you’d call a trouble magnet. Just ask my brothers. Chaos and disaster dog me where ever I go. Sometimes it sucks being me. My psychic abilities are the only reason I’m still breathing.
How did I meet the vampire aka the big bad Coletti Warlord?
Part of my job description as a Siren was mentally scanning our galaxy for any signs of the Tai-Kok. I was searching the asteroid belt for their ships when I sensed an alien presence. It was male. Definitely not human. His utter aloneness. His grief for those taken from him and his burning need for vengeance resonated so deeply within me that I instinctively reached out. Big mistake. He latched on and dug in tighter than a tick on a hunting dog. No matter how hard I tried to dislodge the little shit from my mind, he wouldn’t leave. And just my luck, his hold on me kept getting stronger. For awhile my uninvited guest seemed to be content to just observe. That and growl whenever another man got near me. I mean, c’mon. It was like having a rabid pitbull stuck in your head.
What did Talree, the Warlord, want? Me. How romantic, you think? Not! The rat bastard needed blood and it seemed only mine would do. Lucky me. And to make matters worse, he decided to make me his mate. Big honor, he said. Didn’t matter that I wasn’t willing and this mate thing meant he owned me mind, body and soul. Ever tried telling a Coletti Warlord no? Doesn’t go over very well. Unless you’re armed to the teeth and even then, it’s pretty iffy. They’re damned good at mind control and add in their ability to teleport and you’re toast.
Okay, I’ll admit that the sex is hot. Really hot. Melt your panties hot. Gotta admit the first time I saw his dick it was freaky and kinda weird. So weird that I almost forgot the cardinal rule. Never ever make fun of a guy’s penis. But it gets the job done. If you know what I mean. Really really gets the job done. If you’re in to the multiple orgasm thing. Doesn’t hurt either, that Talree is a hunk. Body of a pro wrestler and a face that could grace the cover of GQ Magazine.
And the bossy jerk did agree to save our world from annihilation. But, the bad news was, Warlords aren’t benevolent do-gooder types and there was a price for them helping us. Our women.
That’s when I discovered the Coletti’s dirty little secret. Chemicals used in their Great War created a genetic anomaly and their women are going the way of the Dodo Bird. To save their race from extinction they must convert females of other species. Lucky us. Okay, I’ll live a very long time, heal quickly and can do neat stuff like teleporting and mind control but... Fangs! C’mon. Makes you want to bite something.
A neck or an arm or...
And don’t get me started on my father-in-law Zarek, the Overlord of the Coletti clans. One scary dude that makes Darth Vader look like Little Orphan Annie. Did I ever mention, that I’ve got a big mouth and don’t take orders well? Yeah, kinda suicidal when dealing with Warlords. The mate bond with Talree and my abilities as a Siren are the only things keeping Zarek from mind-wiping me. For now.
And the really bad news was, Talree’s low-down conniving brother, Malik, had joined forces with our alien freaks and now we have to stop them from destroying the galaxy. For better or worse, our fates are intertwined. To survive what is to come, I have to embrace my destiny. Become something not quite human. Sometimes to protect and serve was a real bitch. But on the bright side, I can use that power to change the system. Introduce a little truth, justice and the American way. If we fail, not only would Earth be destroyed, but countless other worlds would fall, too. So not happening on my watch.
Visit Gail at http://www.gailkoger.com/ and at the Whispers site http://www.whispershome.com/
Would you like to win a free pdf of Just My Luck?
Then leave a comment on this post telling us one thing you hate about Christmas.
Make sure to include email contact info.
20 comments:
lets see...the one thing i hate is cleaning up. Washin all the dishes, esp. since my brothers love to leave their plates everywhere haha
mvreyes31@yahoo.com
I hate the way Christmas has become all about how much you can buy or how much you spend. It seems like everybody has forgotten exactly what we're really celebrating.
sstrode@scrtc.com
Can't stand fruitcake. We'd get some every year in the office, and then my father brought more home from his business associates. None of us liked it, so we'd regift them, lol.
One thing I miss from when I grew up, life was simpler and less hectic, and we had more time, and, fun, visting all around on Christmas Eve, knocking on doors for both friends and strangers, singing Christmas carols. Don't really see that around my way anymore. Put all in a good, cheery mood. Then after our dinner, more singing at Midnight Mass.
Bah-Humbug!
I am a horrible scrooge per my husband. Which is sad b/c I am really trying not to have that rub off on my 2 year old son. But I hate the crap in people's yards, besides the point they leave them up until well after the new year. I hate the mess and effort of a tree only to trash it. Why we have a fake. I don't decorate AT ALL. My poor husband does, then I take all the trinkets down and say we can't have it with the baby. How long can't I use that one...huh!
I hate the people at the stores, this is SUPPOSE to be a special festive time and most are at their worst!
I can not stand the music!! I mean it goes on for a month. I do agree with Sherry the meaning of Christmas is so commericalized it has lost it's meaning. Oh lordy I could go on!
bjwaldron@gmail.com
Hate is a pretty strong word, but by the end of the season I absolutely hate Christmas MUSIC. It is everywhere and most frequently BADLY SUNG!
There...ahhh...my inner scrooge is out... kinda feels good :)
Miranda
mdwartistry@yahoo.com
Hi :)
Thank you for the guest post and excellent excerpt Gail. I love discovering new (to me) authors and you are now on my ToRead list.
I hate the commercialism of Christmas. :(
I love the family get-together big Christmas dinner.
:)
Happy Holidays,
RKCharron
PS - Gail's on Twitter!
She's @Askole
Gail you are a new author to me. This is one of the main reasons I enjoy the blogs, bringing out new authors or ones some of us might have not hear of yet. Your book sounds very good!!
There is not much I hate about Christmas. Maybe the way it is so commericalized.
I love it for the little ones. I love to see their eyes when they see the trees, lights, and presents :)
Judy (magnolias_1@msn.com)
The thing I hate is I'm expected to do all the cooking and have all the requested dishes prepared.
Crowded malls with rude people is what bothers me about xmas.Everything else I love.
I've got one word to sum up my personal Xmas hatred: SHOPPING! It's supposed to be a joyous time, but people flip you off in the parking lots, shove you out of the way when you're about to pluck the last toy off the shelf, and are generally nasty. If tradition were really followed, pretty much everyone I encounter while shopping would get coal in their stocking.
Crowded stores, rude people and not enough checkers open.
My biggest pet peeve about Christmas is how the stores start with the Christams decorations so soon after Halloween!
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com
Oh, this is an easy one to answer: shopping, crowds, and cold weather. Don't do well with any of those! annhonATaolDOTcom
The worst part is taking down the decorations. I hate lugging the boxes yet again.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
The shopping hands down. I'd rather take a beating than go Christmas shopping. Thank goodness I finished mine last week.
seriousreader at live dot com
I hate family arguing at this time of year it seems it always happens and is uncalled for. I mean can't we all just get along for 1 day.
I also hate the pressure I sometimes feel on the gifts i buy. I also have to add that I wish my husband got into Christmas just a little bit. Everything is left up to me or it wouldn't happen at all and I think he should be apart of it with me.
misty_labean yahoo com
Ok I hate the crowds in the stores when I have to drop in for one thing and it take a half hour in the check out line.
usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom
The one thing I hate... MOST ... about Christmas is the heart-deadening commercialism. If I see one more ad on TV representing that the true spirit of Christmas is only found in spending above my means, I think I'll vomit. Anyway... Merry Christmas!
Marty Hollis
marty_hollis@yahoo.com
I wouldn't say hate but by the time Christmas comes, I'm pretty fed up with the Christmas music!
tamsyn5@yahoo.com
I hate all the focus on shopping instead of being together with friends and family.
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