tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20000686249409080262024-03-13T14:47:06.306-04:00Isabelle Drakefiction writer, pop culture scholar Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.comBlogger378125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-15334163518367746132024-01-19T13:21:00.002-05:002024-01-19T13:21:00.141-05:00 Don't worry about it. This cocktail is just right for a festive afternoon.<p> This is not your run-of-the-mill sparkling wine cocktail, oh
no, it's the Figurati, and it's a concoction that dances to its own Italian
tune. And darling, when you lay your eyes upon its easy-peasy,
built-in-the-glass recipe and its low-ABV day-drinking charm, you'll understand
why this cocktail's name translates into "Don't Worry About It."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtkBElp0rX7EUS6eqpgUIm718z8E4eA0m-GFc1ZrBtbk1byflHwyInwQmPzpOlz9pfF4BacrlAGEYFMzXzWudR7gJQER9LQ-rhLR-rudtVf_eG3C5nGTFJ6SyaG-lPjfonrpTL7lCwGOR2QDVYT0j35D3viYSDayguPwE7wU8zYHmRxU4W7KG3FmbwXhE/s1578/figurati-vertical-karastokesphotography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1050" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtkBElp0rX7EUS6eqpgUIm718z8E4eA0m-GFc1ZrBtbk1byflHwyInwQmPzpOlz9pfF4BacrlAGEYFMzXzWudR7gJQER9LQ-rhLR-rudtVf_eG3C5nGTFJ6SyaG-lPjfonrpTL7lCwGOR2QDVYT0j35D3viYSDayguPwE7wU8zYHmRxU4W7KG3FmbwXhE/s320/figurati-vertical-karastokesphotography.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nathan Elliot, the mixology maestro and creator of the
Figurati, tossed aside the clichés of Champagne and prosecco, and even the
delightful rosé sparklers, daring to be different. In the Figurati, he unveils
the true star – lambrusco, the iconic Italian sparkler from the heart of
Lombardy. It's a match made in cocktail heaven, my dear, as the vivacious
lambrusco takes center stage.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But Nathan's a man of flair and pizzazz; he cranks up the
charm with a couple of dashes of Peychaud's bitters. These are the darlings of
New Orleans, famous for their role in the timeless Sazerac. A touch of gentian,
a whisper of anise, a hint of citrus, and voilà – you've got a crimson-hued
elixir that's bursting with botanical brilliance.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Figurati is not just any cocktail; it's the perfect
pre-dinner aperitif. Picture it – a sultry Italian evening, a charming table
adorned with charcuterie and cheese, and in your hand, a Figurati. It's an
invitation to an unforgettable soirée of the senses, and it's simply
irresistible.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But wait, darling, there's more. Take it to your next patio
happy hour, and bid adieu to your usual Aperol Spritz. The Figurati might just
be the spark you've been missing, and who knows, you might rekindle your love
affair with lambrusco along the way.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, darling, don't fret. Embrace the Figurati, and let it
whisk you away on an Italian escapade filled with flavor, charm, and, of
course, a touch of "Don't Worry About It." Cheers, to the cocktail
that dares to be different!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">INGREDIENTS <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>4 ounces lambrusco, chilled</li><li>1 ounce Cappelletti aperitivo, chilled</li><li>2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters</li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">DIRECTIONS<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Add the lambrusco, Cappelletti and Peychaud’s bitters into a
Champagne flute, stirring gently to combine.</li><li>Express the oil from a lemon twist over the glass and place
the twist on the rim to garnish.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">GARNISH<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lemon twist</li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-68157720650013573782023-12-01T15:05:00.002-05:002023-12-01T15:06:38.462-05:00sexy start, easy cocktails and holiday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSCuC049eGZZk924sOL6S2Ne7XXQQ6koZaWXOJwxwnonX5BHq2e9tSjNQaS8u3DqI8OuvNl5iI1WGhfIJK8a3yU9U5UscqXXA637JMILz7YDa3f5u97zkKGI28LilQtD6AEZU5yZhWnefio0w41wqTAAAi_G-duEJKMncNaa2d007pa8AODvaGzZSMZeA/s1500/73dc7d9deb3fa8179b23b7f6126dc93549f74bca.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1500" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSCuC049eGZZk924sOL6S2Ne7XXQQ6koZaWXOJwxwnonX5BHq2e9tSjNQaS8u3DqI8OuvNl5iI1WGhfIJK8a3yU9U5UscqXXA637JMILz7YDa3f5u97zkKGI28LilQtD6AEZU5yZhWnefio0w41wqTAAAi_G-duEJKMncNaa2d007pa8AODvaGzZSMZeA/s320/73dc7d9deb3fa8179b23b7f6126dc93549f74bca.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/539145/emails/105228285799040125" target="_blank">Hit here for the December newsletter <i><u>and </u></i>the cookie recipe </a></div><p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-75030160487406275132023-11-24T09:00:00.002-05:002023-11-24T09:00:00.137-05:00Christmas thoughts in unlikely places<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbXdQQoOq7i5jIjaESL0gHrV3KtzWaKq8BmkM_aisQR3ujKZFtuIGRrYIry10HPQ6iKq23A5njtrjXUv4ow45DSM5AEmcY3uyuHrw-gaLVsspEmqMO_xglk8h8fz0p1RqzRt7L9c57t8o3d_2teNbrLRPdlDAucuMJVXQOpPrLFN6-jpSk3coUE9SckYc/s1620/2nd%20ed%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbXdQQoOq7i5jIjaESL0gHrV3KtzWaKq8BmkM_aisQR3ujKZFtuIGRrYIry10HPQ6iKq23A5njtrjXUv4ow45DSM5AEmcY3uyuHrw-gaLVsspEmqMO_xglk8h8fz0p1RqzRt7L9c57t8o3d_2teNbrLRPdlDAucuMJVXQOpPrLFN6-jpSk3coUE9SckYc/s320/2nd%20ed%20cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> The inspiration for and the invitation to write a Hallmark
Christmas in reverse story came to me one spring afternoon while I was seated
in a row of black vinyl chairs and half-watching Pimp My Ride. Beyond the huge
single-pane window at the end of the row of chairs was a stunning view of the
interior of a garage. The whirr of air compressors and hum of car engines
rumbled through the glass, punctuated occasionally by a shout. To my left and
to my right were others doing exactly what I was doing: scrolling through their
phones, half watching the ever-cool guys at West Coast Customs transform what I
think was a late 80’s Cadillac Eldorado. <p></p><p>My scrolling was on Twitter; I was
reading the same thread that pops up occasionally, a conversation about the
predictability of Hallmark Christmas films. This time the conversation had a
twist: what if someone wrote a Hallmark Christmas in reverse. Lori Perkins, the
publisher of Riverdale Avenue Books, posted that she’d love to see such a book.
I posted that I’d love to write it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">And there it was, the challenge. My curiosity sparked, I
started to imagine what elements I’d flip and which ones I’d keep. Obviously,
the meet cute and happy ending would stay. The sparkling, festive, snowy
backdrop as well as the allover feel good vibe, also were a must. For the flip,
I focused on the heroine. I wanted to move her from a rural location to an
urban one and take her from a sort-of successful career into a high pressure
very successful one. The hero, I also wanted to flip. Why not a man seeking to
get out of his high stress job?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I knew I wanted the happy ending for my story to be a
small-town girl accepting a high-pressure job and moving to a city to be with a
business-suit-wearing urbanite. Inspired by my personal favorite Christmas
movies, I selected New York for my city. Inspired by my own experiences with
country living, I added in some chickens and small-town drama.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Curious? Grab your newly expanded, <a href="https://a.co/d/eicv8BY">paperback edition of Not Home for the Holidays.</a><o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-406834451815655742023-11-16T13:53:00.001-05:002023-11-16T13:53:00.133-05:00too much fun with scene structure<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y2yXFFSP_VM" width="320" youtube-src-id="y2yXFFSP_VM"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><div><div>Had fun with Marty Vee who I met at Rally of Writers. I was happy to accept her invite to join her on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@romancewriterstherapy" target="_blank">Romance Writers Therapy</a> and chat about scene structure, critique partners' best practices and The Sixth Sense. Enjoy this craft heavy episode!</div></div><div><br /></div>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-90684750993725363222023-11-10T13:28:00.002-05:002023-11-10T13:28:00.134-05:00pumpkin spice liqueur, DIY style. nice or no?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Blr-s695V8" width="320" youtube-src-id="9Blr-s695V8"></iframe></div><br />My adventure with making my pumpkin spice liqueur. Inspired by a cocktail recipe for a <a href="https://isabelledrake.blogspot.com/2023/09/this-cocktail-is-naughty-and-nice.html" target="_blank">pumpkin spice white Russian</a>, a cozy afternoon at home, and my curiosity. <p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-59367239938317773722023-11-03T13:12:00.003-04:002023-11-03T13:12:52.648-04:00sassy cooking, inspiration at the tire store & festive drinks🦃<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCm6qZStpiDZoOWvFgQifT6oXvSlcGXVgdCWgNEmMqcSOAL_0TepBC-NFnXiMF4695ux_MpCarMAzyNXKicRenMsoQYm7tJMFV4nAqh0ud2jMcwMFDXLxJ-pX0FdHPE7DYwNCG3tkIlgP40dpDs5gnCsbAmMEvAg-PpImP3aZK06JIe4fNzbbhqhrVLBJz/s1500/newsletter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1500" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCm6qZStpiDZoOWvFgQifT6oXvSlcGXVgdCWgNEmMqcSOAL_0TepBC-NFnXiMF4695ux_MpCarMAzyNXKicRenMsoQYm7tJMFV4nAqh0ud2jMcwMFDXLxJ-pX0FdHPE7DYwNCG3tkIlgP40dpDs5gnCsbAmMEvAg-PpImP3aZK06JIe4fNzbbhqhrVLBJz/s320/newsletter.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/539145/emails/103387872580600871" target="_blank"> Hit here for the November newsletter.</a></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-20889431505554345032023-10-20T09:00:00.001-04:002023-10-20T09:00:00.142-04:0047 minutes I won't get back<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YPmS_9ep_LY" width="320" youtube-src-id="YPmS_9ep_LY"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> Yes, I stood in line for 47 minutes to get one German pretzel, but I can honestly say it was a good time. As other people came and left (guess not everyone wants to wait that long) the line felt like a party of its own. I met some fun girls who took pictures of me taking pictures of the line. So meta. At the time, it was hilarious.<p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-65069348950754884252023-10-06T09:30:00.001-04:002023-10-06T09:30:00.136-04:00a reveal, a confession, or just a simple update...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcH3QOjpLANvW26MDtkTnLrXgocPcxoz65gcomk4zQPQmY-8NRSF8O8H_jgKAZZA8byxQ42QXaII3F9sBSCBSmqWhErCbnvcRR7I1uQ_zv1X2TmNoOBHbOixAtm9bwEDFEwWgpwPZBjm0i0fxcMuOpShzaYWvJ0k_j3EvUF4nVl0HEaDLp2mV8rz3hGB4b/s960/me%20holding%20book.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcH3QOjpLANvW26MDtkTnLrXgocPcxoz65gcomk4zQPQmY-8NRSF8O8H_jgKAZZA8byxQ42QXaII3F9sBSCBSmqWhErCbnvcRR7I1uQ_zv1X2TmNoOBHbOixAtm9bwEDFEwWgpwPZBjm0i0fxcMuOpShzaYWvJ0k_j3EvUF4nVl0HEaDLp2mV8rz3hGB4b/s320/me%20holding%20book.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Isabelle Drake was born in 2005, the year I (Melissa Ford
Lucken) published my first erotic romance, Everglades Wildfire, with Venus
Press. She, I, published several titles with Venus Press before moving on the
publish with the now infamous Ellora's Cave. For those more recently delivered
to this romance book scene, Ellora's Cave was the first big publisher of erotic
romance. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Being an EC author was, despite quick and sad the way things ended,
great. Big parties, big promotions, and truly great readers. I learned a lot
writing erotic romance. One thing I learned about my writer self is that I like
writing what "they" tell me I can't. If someone adds to that message
that I shouldn't write something....that doubles the likelihood that I will be
writing it.</p><a href="https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/539145/emails/100672278420784227" target="_blank">...read the rest in my October newsletter</a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-29016259270255242052023-09-29T13:48:00.004-04:002023-09-29T13:48:33.383-04:00this cocktail is naughty and nice<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTtmrskbw83DQc_ZbxFCuATzDWdRce7TVk0dZRwk6Vh8ONmlaqmqslWJf6hoVICyvNpf84zRk2FhD4PlP0LkGrhWkkfVE45SCIrJMLBeAiJTFdeNUR-tXJ189nH8-m6RDQysVyaBg4nO1vOyeRJysvCuZcXXW2CFjdc-I508GIT0C6pGIuMEcvFZl-nvV/s750/Screen+Shot+2022-08-29+at+4.34.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="750" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTtmrskbw83DQc_ZbxFCuATzDWdRce7TVk0dZRwk6Vh8ONmlaqmqslWJf6hoVICyvNpf84zRk2FhD4PlP0LkGrhWkkfVE45SCIrJMLBeAiJTFdeNUR-tXJ189nH8-m6RDQysVyaBg4nO1vOyeRJysvCuZcXXW2CFjdc-I508GIT0C6pGIuMEcvFZl-nvV/s320/Screen+Shot+2022-08-29+at+4.34.42+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">What's utterly fab about this cocktail is that it's a bit
naughty and nice, just like the heroine in your favorite novel. The vodka and
coffee liqueur bring that sophisticated, grown-up allure, while the pumpkin
spice syrup adds a touch of whimsy, like a quirky best friend who always keeps
things interesting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It's the kind of drink that's perfect for cozying up with
your latest paperback crush, or better yet, sharing secrets and laughs with
your favorite gal pals over brunch.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">So, sip it slow and savor every moment because the Pumpkin
Spice White Russian is more than a cocktail; it's a delightful plot twist in
your taste adventure, leaving you craving for the next sweet chapter. Cheers to
fall, darling! <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">🍂💕</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pumpkin Spice White Russian Cocktails for Two</span></p><div><div><b>INGREDIENTS for the drinks</b></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 ounces good quality vodka</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 ounces pumpkin spice creamer</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.5 ounces glass Kahlua</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>INGREDIENTS for the rims</b></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon sugar or sparkling sugar</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 tablespoons crushed graham crackers</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>DIRECTIONS </b></span></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mix the ingredients for the rim together on a shallow plate. Dip the edge of two glasses in water and then dip into the graham mixture. Press to coat. Set the two glasses aside.</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pour vodka, creamer, and kahlua into a large cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake lightly until combined and cold.</span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice.</span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></blockquote></blockquote><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>GARNISH</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">whipped cream & pumpkin pie spice</span></div></div><div><div><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";"><br /></span></p><p>
</p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-86407126602035089632023-08-04T10:00:00.003-04:002023-08-04T10:00:00.150-04:00Vacays, a Sneak Peek, and a Bowl of Gin Punch 🥝<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJQ0k8dwcfz7_0VAn5lSmalGtNecD5xv1svsJH-rfwZ5EVHj7A1PLbein8agizQ01ZQvQ6BtZwBDXiWAy4JMusZKnslCLqLxGMi4Z3w7epaEybfmlvaz4Xvg8GA3tHk2CBbxitgblHclJOUV__C9LLgVXc9DP4-rFXlpkXOvMYadF8OGk44b1tyiCQekYI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1500" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJQ0k8dwcfz7_0VAn5lSmalGtNecD5xv1svsJH-rfwZ5EVHj7A1PLbein8agizQ01ZQvQ6BtZwBDXiWAy4JMusZKnslCLqLxGMi4Z3w7epaEybfmlvaz4Xvg8GA3tHk2CBbxitgblHclJOUV__C9LLgVXc9DP4-rFXlpkXOvMYadF8OGk44b1tyiCQekYI" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/templates#email" target="_blank"> Hit here for the August Newsletter</a></div><p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-89533058939519410702023-07-13T09:30:00.001-04:002023-07-13T09:30:00.136-04:00Pittsburgh, for the Ann Radcliffe Conference<p>Last month I presented my academic paper, Three Ties the Victim: The Unique Traumatic Terror of the Child Victim in 'Guilty Mom' Horror, at the Ann Radcliffe Academic Conference in Pittsburgh. </p><p>I'm happy to say, the presentation went well--except for a silly mishap, check out the video above. I had a great time, hearing the other presenters and checking out the Horror Writers Association event for the first time. Curious about my paper? <a href="http://mfaland.blogspot.com/2023/05/three-times-victim-unique-traumatic.html" target="_blank">You can read the abstract here. </a></p><p>I hadn't been to Pittsburgh in a while, so I arrived a day early to take a look around. The thing that surprised me the most was how beautiful the hills and roads were. Each curve of the road led to another cluster of quaint brick buildings and pretty painted wood homes. I grew up in Cincinnati, so I have a special place in my heart for the long, narrow rows style homes and buildings you often see in hilly and mountainous cities. I did a bit of shopping, bought a little antique pin to commemorate the conference, and went to bed early. Check out this video for a quick recap of my events.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ovfqi0th_60" width="320" youtube-src-id="ovfqi0th_60"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-80655472868995885752023-07-04T00:00:00.023-04:002023-07-04T00:00:00.130-04:004th of July, happy day<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezyFIYvNojp-fV15DZ2O-0Qv81Oq0dYx-p-ApBuMKkPfy68aVGW3PpRT95EX8TXzCq6AEG5wf1SFSCgiVVOwBTdiO3SisWYOSnXhrBhqrjUf9tprTj42h2sIOgvHBSAoozRxZ91hZwkVDNfHsChwz4CGSck3LELRs9Y0EpynVte3yWpNi4hO-v0wfzYBe/s309/974a132a41c9e5d9d99caa3685ffdfef--fourth-of-july-vintage-holiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="236" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezyFIYvNojp-fV15DZ2O-0Qv81Oq0dYx-p-ApBuMKkPfy68aVGW3PpRT95EX8TXzCq6AEG5wf1SFSCgiVVOwBTdiO3SisWYOSnXhrBhqrjUf9tprTj42h2sIOgvHBSAoozRxZ91hZwkVDNfHsChwz4CGSck3LELRs9Y0EpynVte3yWpNi4hO-v0wfzYBe/s1600/974a132a41c9e5d9d99caa3685ffdfef--fourth-of-july-vintage-holiday.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><b><p><br /></p><p><b>Need a festive cocktail?</b></p></b><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUez5dv7tZxdRnnRB9hcciK05QQK1yfClleI5B6o05k7JM1hj5UCOuECwiclWmppF6bavFBn68udgRZsgJYWzWRZ0dKqVAhss6vjkha9hpKS8ztOXtvui-jK-oi6PVOR29NdpiggIDZKOHVPqMcFDb81svvc5ovxQdkwJ-GPid2Oi6wqUsLFoQrzSEQ98/s1077/Easy-Frozen-Bomb-Pop-Cocktail-Recipe-15-735x1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="735" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUez5dv7tZxdRnnRB9hcciK05QQK1yfClleI5B6o05k7JM1hj5UCOuECwiclWmppF6bavFBn68udgRZsgJYWzWRZ0dKqVAhss6vjkha9hpKS8ztOXtvui-jK-oi6PVOR29NdpiggIDZKOHVPqMcFDb81svvc5ovxQdkwJ-GPid2Oi6wqUsLFoQrzSEQ98/s320/Easy-Frozen-Bomb-Pop-Cocktail-Recipe-15-735x1077.jpg" width="218" /></b></a></div><b>Try The Bomb Pop</b><p></p><p>First some tips:</p><p>Be sure to use a tall glass for this recipe. We used 16-ounce glasses. If you use a smaller glass, it will be more difficult to see the different colored layers since you will need to use smaller portions of the ingredients. Also, the min bomb pop popsicle is more likely to tip over the glass if it is smaller.</p><p>While I used blue raspberry vodka for this recipe, you can also use other blue colored liquors like blue curacao or blue raspberry rum.</p><p>For a lower alcohol content cocktail, you can use regular lemonade instead of Mike's Hard Lemonade. The flavor will be very similar but the cocktail will be a little less potent.</p><p>If you are looking for a kid-friendly version of our Bomb Pop Cocktail, substitute Mike's Hard lemonade with regular lemonade and use blue raspberry kool-aid instead of the blue raspberry vodka!</p><p>INGREDIENTS</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1 12 ounce bottle of Mike's Hard Lemonade</li><li>2 ounces Blue Raspberry Vodka</li><li>2 ounces Grenadine</li><li>2 Mini Bomb Pop popsicles</li><li>2 cups of ice</li></ul><p></p><p>DIRECTIONS</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Pour one ounce of grenadine into a tall glass. Try to pour the grenadine into the center of the glass so that it does not get on the sides of the glass.</li><li>Carefully fill the glass with ice and then pour in ½ bottle of Mike's Hard Lemonade-there should be about 1 inch left at the top of the glass. The grenadine should stay on the bottom of the glass since it is heavier and thicker than Mike's hard lemonade.</li><li>Carefully layer blue raspberry vodka on top of Mike's Hard Lemonade. You can do so by using a pour spout on the bottle of blue raspberry vodka or you can flip a spoon over and slowly pour the vodka over the rounded portion of the spoon. This will cause the vodka to enter the glass slower and will end up becoming a layer on top of the other ingredients.</li></ol><p></p><p>GARNISH</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Garnish with a mini bomb pop popsicle!</li></ul><p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-82214198729461374752023-06-30T09:30:00.001-04:002023-06-30T09:30:00.147-04:00pink nails, when its 🔥 and the bomb pop cocktail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/53VWWfyN2h4" width="320" youtube-src-id="53VWWfyN2h4"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;">Funny story or not, its what happened.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://app.mailerlite.com/emails/view/58619902" target="_blank">Hit here for the July newsletter</a>.</p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-34159189645145854942023-06-14T13:23:00.001-04:002023-06-14T13:23:00.139-04:00 Daiquiris are easy...this video is proof<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X2XSxbSgEzQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="X2XSxbSgEzQ"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>The Daiquiri was supposedly invented in 1898 in the eponymous mining town of Daiquiri on the southeastern tip of Cuba by an American mining engineer named Jennings Cox. It was introduced in the United States a decade later, when a U.S. Navy medical officer brought the recipe from Cuba to Washington, D.C.</p><p>This three-ingredient gift has pleased millions of palates over the ensuing years, including household names like Ernest Hemingway and President JFK.</p><p>INGREDIENTS</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2 ounces light or dark rum</li><li>3/4 ounce simple syrup or demerara sugar syrup</li><li>1 ounce fresh lime juice</li></ul><p></p><p>DIRECTIONS</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Place ice in serving glass and chill.</li><li>Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake for 60 seconds.</li><li>Pour into chilled glass. </li></ul><p></p><p>GARNISH</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Garnish with lime twist.</li></ul><p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-57020827165116222062023-06-07T18:02:00.001-04:002023-06-07T18:02:00.141-04:00WHY I'M NOT AFRAID OF CHAT GPT, PART 2<p> No doubt you’ve heard about ChatGPT and know that it is a generative writing tool that creates written work on demand. It’s AI, and it’s here. As a writing professor, its arrival has given me reason to rethink my assignments and my concepts about academic writing. As a fiction writer, its give me reason to ponder my future as an author. Will we soon be reading fiction created by AI? So, I zipped over to the site to see what “we’d” create.</p><p>A while back I <a href="https://isabelledrake.blogspot.com/2023/02/why-im-not-afraid-of-chat-gpt-part-1.html" target="_blank">posted the story ChatGPT wrote for me</a>, pretending to be me. Below is another.</p><p>Here’s what I asked it to do for me: Write a 500 word like Isabelle Drake’s Servant of the Undead.</p><p>Here’s what it started to write:</p><p>________________________________________</p><p><i>As a servant of the undead, Lily knew that her life was not her own. She had been born into a family of vampire hunters and had been trained from a young age to fight against the creatures of the night.</i></p><p><i>But when she met Marcus, everything changed. He was a vampire, but he was also kind and compassionate. Lily found herself drawn to him, despite all of her training and all that she had been taught.</i></p><p><i>Their relationship was forbidden, but they could not resist each other. They would meet in secret, sharing stolen moments of passion and love.</i></p><p><i>But as their relationship deepened, Lily began to question everything she had been taught. Was it possible that not all vampires were evil? Could she truly love someone who was a creature of the night?</i></p><p><i>As she struggled with these questions, Lily found herself caught in the middle of a war between the vampires and the hunters. Her family saw her relationship with Marcus as a betrayal, and…</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"> ________________________________________</p><p>While it was still writing, I interrupted to inform: Servant of the Undead is about zombies.</p><p style="text-align: center;">________________________________________</p><p>It replied: My apologies for the confusion. Here's a new story:</p><p><i>As a servant of the undead, Mia had a unique role in the world. She was tasked with taking care of the zombies, ensuring that they were fed and kept under control.</i></p><p><i>It was a lonely job, but Mia was used to it. She had always been drawn to the world of the undead, ever since she was a young girl and had seen her first zombie.</i></p><p><i>But when a new zombie arrived at the facility, everything changed. He was different from the others, somehow more alive. Mia found herself drawn to him, despite her better judgment.</i></p><p><i>As she tended to him, she began to learn his story. He had been a musician before he was turned into a zombie, and he still had a love for music. Mia found herself fascinated by him, wanting to know more.</i></p><p><i>But there were others who did not approve of their relationship. The other servants of the undead saw Mia's behavior as dangerous, a threat to their way of life. And as tensions rose, Mia was forced to choose between her duty and her heart.</i></p><p><i>In the end, she knew what she had to do. She would stand by the zombie's side, no matter the cost. Together, they would find a way to live in a world that did not understand them.</i></p><p><i>Isabelle Drake's ability to create a world full of complex characters shines in "Servant of the Undead". Through her vivid descriptions and powerful storytelling, she brings to life a world where love can be found in the most unexpected of places. Mia's journey shows that sometimes, the greatest love stories are the ones that defy all expectations.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">________________________________________</p><p>I suppose that last bit is the AI’s attempt to flatter me and make me want to visit again. But…it doesn’t make any sense. Yes, my characters are complex, but there is nothing romantic about the Tribe of the Undead novels. Nobody is finding love, that’s for sure. </p><p>So, I’m not worried. And I’m still vaguely (and ridiculously) insulted by silliness of the idea that I write horror stories that show “a world where love can be found in the most unexpected of places.”</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLD4121S?binding=paperback&qid=1684447565&sr=8-1&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk" target="_blank">The Tribe of the Undead</a> is a gothic inspired horror series, available on Amazon and most everywhere else.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7ehz1kT3bND_IqE32f1l2ooye_3PNIhp7jVd-w_iuEtM9AlfQZ7N6GWJHEfQP-vbZpk7TI6iooDzxUM3sq6STTHQPluabDxCH0jdNioDtAqQLhEfu7T_vraO12Z3aWu4pK_OgAYGNDmc49x4IaraTVeWlooO1CLlSdRqbnRKXuTYRGaOvsy5VSjg_g/s1620/Servant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7ehz1kT3bND_IqE32f1l2ooye_3PNIhp7jVd-w_iuEtM9AlfQZ7N6GWJHEfQP-vbZpk7TI6iooDzxUM3sq6STTHQPluabDxCH0jdNioDtAqQLhEfu7T_vraO12Z3aWu4pK_OgAYGNDmc49x4IaraTVeWlooO1CLlSdRqbnRKXuTYRGaOvsy5VSjg_g/w133-h200/Servant.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Having sex with an ice-covered, smudgy-eyed woman in tattered fishnets and a barely-there mini-skirt is Hayden Thomas’ first mistake. His second: thinking he’s in control of what happens next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The city of Boston is hostage to Snowmaggeddon and rumors about zombies roaming the streets, looking for human flesh, drift among the citizens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hayden Thomas, tabloid newspaper writer, is out to get something fresh about the phantastic creatures. At the Boston Public Library, he uncovers some dubious research suggesting that some zombie tribes use human sexual energy, not flesh, for sustenance. The next thing he knows, he’s tangled up with a brutal woman who is as merciless as she is demanding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In a city frozen by fear, there is no escaping the punishing depravity of the tribe.</div><div><br /></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGN3ONlna7JvnNJ4dPgNJEwH7tayqQjehfv0trjPLOwqrm-7dsilBvxVk6CldC2nCsnFp9bKxhHUIWZQ91k1KY7gCCvucy51tAGbnIuNXACyBLFD2SaGWNs8pgYaPeOn2_MVl6dxFNKlJn9-fAKnjsy7GPH-5VCLm2PlIFDTIzc1QNI-Mn0iA65JOEvg/s1620/Mistress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGN3ONlna7JvnNJ4dPgNJEwH7tayqQjehfv0trjPLOwqrm-7dsilBvxVk6CldC2nCsnFp9bKxhHUIWZQ91k1KY7gCCvucy51tAGbnIuNXACyBLFD2SaGWNs8pgYaPeOn2_MVl6dxFNKlJn9-fAKnjsy7GPH-5VCLm2PlIFDTIzc1QNI-Mn0iA65JOEvg/w133-h200/Mistress.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The city of Boston is infected with zombies, roaming the streets and seeking human flesh—not to eat but to use as sexual servants. Mattie, one of the tribe, wants out. She’ll do anything—manipulate, cheat, lie—to get what she needs to break free from the sex cult.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hayden Thomas, tabloid reporter and wonderkid, knows first hand how cruel and consuming Mattie can be. Book smart, a good writer, and willing to do anything to get the story that will take his career to the next level, he’s made some depraved enemies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In a city that thrives on scandal and conspiracy, nothing is coincidence. Beware: once you’re in, you’re in.</div><div><br /></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AfYMHVGFqBFAuqJEEJ0woibBHfUtA5wTy_gim_lnZg17-F4MtKh8nLRExqEdgyk_6VR-33DJg83075etR6YTVZFAo-vj0eJBHPfqHiR4SjJhBOf9SscbbBkSfTM6BOapBUnTs282E5rBEU51GEJGFxvQozk784efNU71OnmJw5MedwxziYeCncTZGQ/s2700/DiscipleOfTheUndead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AfYMHVGFqBFAuqJEEJ0woibBHfUtA5wTy_gim_lnZg17-F4MtKh8nLRExqEdgyk_6VR-33DJg83075etR6YTVZFAo-vj0eJBHPfqHiR4SjJhBOf9SscbbBkSfTM6BOapBUnTs282E5rBEU51GEJGFxvQozk784efNU71OnmJw5MedwxziYeCncTZGQ/w133-h200/DiscipleOfTheUndead.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">The city of Boston has a new infection, the Tribexx fandom. Tribexxers imitate the perverted and cruel lifestyle of the Tribe of the Undead, the mythical sex-cult zombies that capture humans to use as sexual servants. Its all fun and games, they say, because no one actually gets hurt.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">Reluctant rich kid, Nidhi Bansal, made some mistakes. Now out of rehab and in a prestigious graduate program, she’s walking the straight and narrow path to a respectable professorship. Hooking up with a tantalizingly dangerous girl who seems to have two things Nidhi wants—sexual adventure and inside information—rapidly goes from difficult to dreadful. Nidhi’s research and relationship drive her deep into Boston’s most deviant crowd, a group of elites who do not want to be disturbed.</span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">In a city that thrives on wealth and power, everything is up for grabs.</span></div><div style="color: #0f1111;"><br /></div></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLD4121S?binding=paperback&qid=1684447565&sr=8-1&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">The Tribe of the Undead</a><span style="text-align: left;"> on Amazon.</span></span></div><p></p><div><br /></div>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-44713615908200650302023-06-02T09:30:00.004-04:002023-06-02T09:30:00.144-04:00steamy beach vibes and a festive cocktail video <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2LaeySZG_X9uVkug0KL7QshedOgTK8nxxGqynCMLAPQY4hZPPjD7tpXanCFHFpvvTXhCAg9iM6B3S9MOU-5KD5ucv9Av_p_XH9Q9efIka7SEKVMdCKw7FZS3dj-dr38evFROZsn4XoEzQTic0w4-6dXpvtMpoOdQ_GmHllgAG9TfcwGNKfKs2Jrngiw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1000" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2LaeySZG_X9uVkug0KL7QshedOgTK8nxxGqynCMLAPQY4hZPPjD7tpXanCFHFpvvTXhCAg9iM6B3S9MOU-5KD5ucv9Av_p_XH9Q9efIka7SEKVMdCKw7FZS3dj-dr38evFROZsn4XoEzQTic0w4-6dXpvtMpoOdQ_GmHllgAG9TfcwGNKfKs2Jrngiw" width="320" /></a></div><p>June will start off with my first event of the summer, the Farmington Author & Book Festival book signing on Saturday, June 3 in Farmington Michigan. This will be my first time attending this festival. I hear its huge, so I'm planning to arrive early...so I don't get lost.</p><p>You are are in the metro Detroit area, come find us. The address is 33430 Grand River Avenue, Farmington, Michigan.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi7IpQT6K7pH_4etGQeVDE0pGXALJ7p1hK40caoky9XPciooXOz8KcPph8IhpdWssP-IJ1AAlv2yWSlwyb_mIdO4Jq9RWQWz5Zq6k1ZcyFBRxzfOIdObJjVLyM1q4Hp9hKGT2OVG_hoaLddh7vfG0ynFI9J03Skje2DTCZBYIemeDmP5HqIZC3d3diw/s1500/newsletter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1500" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi7IpQT6K7pH_4etGQeVDE0pGXALJ7p1hK40caoky9XPciooXOz8KcPph8IhpdWssP-IJ1AAlv2yWSlwyb_mIdO4Jq9RWQWz5Zq6k1ZcyFBRxzfOIdObJjVLyM1q4Hp9hKGT2OVG_hoaLddh7vfG0ynFI9J03Skje2DTCZBYIemeDmP5HqIZC3d3diw/s320/newsletter.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://preview.mailerlite.com/l6l9f3s4c4" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hit here for the June newsletter</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-14499940753891347852023-05-31T10:00:00.002-04:002023-05-31T10:00:00.136-04:00Cowboy for Hire ~~~ now available from Audible<p>Anxious for adventure and the chance to prove she’s not the
spoiled socialite her friends and family believe her to be, Victoria Moore buys
the Circle Cat ranch, rolls up her sleeves, and begins the repairs that will
turn the ramshackle place into the best dude ranch in Arizona.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One thing she didn’t plan on was a dark, down-on-his-luck
cowboy smashing into her barn. But when he does, she turns the problem into an
opportunity. Armed with limited experience, but a lot of determination,
Victoria sets out to get what she wants from the wandering cowboy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The last thing Lang Thompson wants is to get tangled up with
a woman. Especially one who’s used to getting what she wants when she wants it.
He knows what rich girls like her expect, and he isn’t interested in playing
games. But he’s no match for Victoria’s hardworking determination and sexy
brand of innocence.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAB3BMU31y1Xw2z76eMmD-Pk09Ra7CEKHLY_NmQGjWK_ehAf2iKlZdO36hixtggHRrU7oLW8AHM5BB1cnbvcCUmaI-achLVH6QBk0brdGef0JcumyZs7ywQDRs4euMXNX3WfD-W5hFuaYODzmYNeomrFdP2Znj-z9l0liUox-dLZJbHBwRKF6cSEqdw/s2400/91nMVD9I7aL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAB3BMU31y1Xw2z76eMmD-Pk09Ra7CEKHLY_NmQGjWK_ehAf2iKlZdO36hixtggHRrU7oLW8AHM5BB1cnbvcCUmaI-achLVH6QBk0brdGef0JcumyZs7ywQDRs4euMXNX3WfD-W5hFuaYODzmYNeomrFdP2Znj-z9l0liUox-dLZJbHBwRKF6cSEqdw/s320/91nMVD9I7aL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Cowboy-for-Hire-Audiobook/B0BQSDD3MC" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Cowboy-for-Hire-Audiobook/B0BQSDD3MC" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cowboy for Hire on Audible</span></a></div><o:p></o:p><p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-91924043809788029402023-05-25T17:20:00.001-04:002023-05-25T17:20:00.134-04:00Farmington, Michigan book festival and signing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoSo9prpwLlseaXuqMrL7MhZKrEo0nsN-qWfjFlYsile63TdtimNvQxPzQpYq8w3nF7od2hFL5e_MAE3gt7Kbe8DuGxUT7U3s2YaGCVcKKRx6LoUYrYfe5wSHsLhXIeOmpl5su2vJu7S4rtqqR-IH85_MH5xogl1Yo5JYYsAeRHLLMPch12oEFFKGUQ/s1200/farrrr.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="1200" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoSo9prpwLlseaXuqMrL7MhZKrEo0nsN-qWfjFlYsile63TdtimNvQxPzQpYq8w3nF7od2hFL5e_MAE3gt7Kbe8DuGxUT7U3s2YaGCVcKKRx6LoUYrYfe5wSHsLhXIeOmpl5su2vJu7S4rtqqR-IH85_MH5xogl1Yo5JYYsAeRHLLMPch12oEFFKGUQ/w409-h119/farrrr.png" width="409" /></a></div><p>Saturday, June 3, I'll be attending the Farmington Author & Book Festival. </p><p>When: 10 am - 7 pm EST</p><p>Where: 33430 Grand River Ave. Farmington Michigan</p><p>For more details, check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/862448718385390." target="_blank">events Facebook page</a>.</p><p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-53166068376133989292023-05-19T10:00:00.015-04:002023-05-19T10:00:00.136-04:00cowboy romance, pet peeves, & beaching 🌴<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLRtA1x5NA1PC6x7QFGSqjSI17gvJg4nO3EP_eaDvVHDONZAhWjpcGkO01XU_oVSlUc8sqcXIGnFinZ_j9t7RdApnM1n6ETw4ubshStAJU_x0iArwfe7vKzhjlp3YCycvkbSzIrTGgPYe99_hYtzftacWaoO0yxymLrmFYqSuSUaflh6XUWwHLn2xvRw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1500" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLRtA1x5NA1PC6x7QFGSqjSI17gvJg4nO3EP_eaDvVHDONZAhWjpcGkO01XU_oVSlUc8sqcXIGnFinZ_j9t7RdApnM1n6ETw4ubshStAJU_x0iArwfe7vKzhjlp3YCycvkbSzIrTGgPYe99_hYtzftacWaoO0yxymLrmFYqSuSUaflh6XUWwHLn2xvRw" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://preview.mailerlite.com/z8b3r9v5q9" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://preview.mailerlite.com/z8b3r9v5q9" target="_blank">May newsletter out now</a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">For me, May is the end of the academic year and the start of
summer. I usually spend my summer catching up on projects and starting new
ones. This summer follows that pattern. My first focus will be assembling the
pieces selected for this year's edition of the Washington Square Review, my
college's literary journal. As the editor, it’s my task to arrange the selected
pieces (stories, essays, and poems) and work with the formatter and cover
designer to get the issue all put together. In addition to that work, I
recently began hosting episodes of Washington Square On Air, a radio
show/podcast on which I interview authors whose work is published in the
journal. Its a new role for me, and I've found that I really like asking
questions and learning about other authors' writing processes.<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">My first episode aired a couple weeks ago. I interview an
author from California. Check it out if
you like: <a href="https://player.captivate.fm/episode/05a34b85-77c6-483d-8fee-5b97824ff88e" target="_blank">Washington Square On Air</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Being on the other side of the desk, working as an editor
instead of an author, has been interesting and eye opening. I'm learning some
things. You can hear about one of them in the video below.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/23jvGMv_HY4" width="320" youtube-src-id="23jvGMv_HY4"></iframe></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-23938656634326777662023-05-01T15:25:00.001-04:002023-05-01T15:25:00.127-04:00May, hello <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipy7Tw3Jl5dSliJiANVWGAiUikTPoufbQLR8JtPlNirQipjvvb61ZE_gDBiMfEEUi9p1JqF4gxmA6eFiCYKhEGKS77wSGMioGaF5nqSPumyFl0sb-pYWtpbdtFOpjEr3DM7xbEdC_NitUAEh5yGH8ak_eHFBf-_8v8yDZ0iflr_ziCoYB7ndLzKufDyw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="550" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipy7Tw3Jl5dSliJiANVWGAiUikTPoufbQLR8JtPlNirQipjvvb61ZE_gDBiMfEEUi9p1JqF4gxmA6eFiCYKhEGKS77wSGMioGaF5nqSPumyFl0sb-pYWtpbdtFOpjEr3DM7xbEdC_NitUAEh5yGH8ak_eHFBf-_8v8yDZ0iflr_ziCoYB7ndLzKufDyw" width="265" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-45718611957349785182023-04-02T17:55:00.002-04:002023-05-18T18:32:23.737-04:00unedited and unfiltered, no nonsense reading of zombies <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AbcDxDEeAIA" width="320" youtube-src-id="AbcDxDEeAIA"></iframe></div><p>Here is my no nonsense reading of Chapter 12 from the <i>Disciple of the Undead, Tribe of the Undead </i>book 3.</p><p>I know, the camera angle is not great. I couldn't find my camera stand, so I had to find a spot where I could prop up the phone that also had good lighting. Look for a better angle next time.</p><p>Meanwhile, if you'd like to hear, just tap.</p><p>Disciple of the Undead, Tribe of the Undead - Book 3</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mB345zSCcNRz8H02T9PZ8_sCYxZYCSq8pKv_BwdqRYY95gXEFeP6zfnAw0yPYE5dQ2stz4eQa6k70pbVnqnTLClPVixP1AWLVHM-4tqM2Uzp-Dcj59nM1kmyJtSJrK_NmKvyje88Mn3_QHXUUAQ6H_yhPCLgVbF50N1hF9FP6Qw-Qt3WHOZ-Ha8-nw/s600/thumbnailDISCIPLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mB345zSCcNRz8H02T9PZ8_sCYxZYCSq8pKv_BwdqRYY95gXEFeP6zfnAw0yPYE5dQ2stz4eQa6k70pbVnqnTLClPVixP1AWLVHM-4tqM2Uzp-Dcj59nM1kmyJtSJrK_NmKvyje88Mn3_QHXUUAQ6H_yhPCLgVbF50N1hF9FP6Qw-Qt3WHOZ-Ha8-nw/w133-h200/thumbnailDISCIPLE.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>The city of Boston has a new infection, the Tribexx fandom.
Tribexxers imitate the perverted and cruel lifestyle of the Tribe of the
Undead, the mythical sex-cult zombies that capture humans to use as sexual
servants. Its all fun and games, they say, because no one actually gets hurt.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Reluctant rich kid, Nidhi Bansal, made some mistakes. Now
out of rehab and in a prestigious graduate program, she’s walking the straight
and narrow path to a respectable professorship. Hooking up with a tantalizingly
dangerous girl who seems to have two things Nidhi wants—sexual adventure and
inside information—rapidly goes from difficult to dreadful. Nidhi’s research
and relationship drive her deep into Boston’s most deviant crowd, a group of
elites who do not want to be disturbed.</p><p class="MsoNormal">In a city that thrives on wealth and power, everything is up
for grabs.</p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Get your copy from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLD4121S?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn" target="_blank">Amazon.</a><o:p></o:p></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-3561910042679329532023-04-02T17:52:00.002-04:002023-04-02T17:52:08.720-04:00me on film and pink cocktails🎀 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8FPAlOQ0xJqkbsy897kG0Gn4k74HC34K5dXCsyxQCAACJoUCN9cJXEum0axLaHlLqB0RY6uLhEGOfHdo8RUznCWKPGtThHIeAt61OCuyvD4B0-Nzy9b8jO-Fjpjl8wdySQ_VE2SHi2uTzM0OGAZvig5HbOAy_gSR2ADa-Qq7sggV0W1hHmzMv_cXrg/s1500/newsletter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1500" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8FPAlOQ0xJqkbsy897kG0Gn4k74HC34K5dXCsyxQCAACJoUCN9cJXEum0axLaHlLqB0RY6uLhEGOfHdo8RUznCWKPGtThHIeAt61OCuyvD4B0-Nzy9b8jO-Fjpjl8wdySQ_VE2SHi2uTzM0OGAZvig5HbOAy_gSR2ADa-Qq7sggV0W1hHmzMv_cXrg/s320/newsletter.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://preview.mailerlite.com/p6j0b0d8z4" target="_blank">hit here for the April newsletter</a> </p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-17615718918056653922023-04-01T15:34:00.002-04:002023-04-01T15:34:24.595-04:00Rally of Writers, in Lansing on April 15<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-Lpq_O1lGyGr7Y0AH6d_zlfjWxTtET9AibsuN0cm9FToJd7qsCD2mpJn4zRZxiNqzdm4kC0IlwNLYy8ZlW2VRVVQ2Y_vhBTp7oykOrbyAuc2YWLvMSYXSo0G5yEUZU4uF-kDTUsmo9p7a1GqLJh1kgl6ovBp5w9OA34kzaDPjFdGNZ9tubY8QnWxcYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-Lpq_O1lGyGr7Y0AH6d_zlfjWxTtET9AibsuN0cm9FToJd7qsCD2mpJn4zRZxiNqzdm4kC0IlwNLYy8ZlW2VRVVQ2Y_vhBTp7oykOrbyAuc2YWLvMSYXSo0G5yEUZU4uF-kDTUsmo9p7a1GqLJh1kgl6ovBp5w9OA34kzaDPjFdGNZ9tubY8QnWxcYg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><b>I'll be presenting: Scene Structure 101</b><p></p><p>Feel lost in the plotting process? Need to tighten up the sagging middle? Scene structure may be what you need. </p><p>This session explores the function and structure of scenes, the elemental building blocks of plot. Attendees will gain insight into types of scenes, how to craft effective and well-paced scenes, and how to use concepts to revise and strengthen early drafts works. </p><p style="text-align: left;">*********</p><p style="text-align: left;">I'll be signing paperbacks: <i>Servant of the Undead</i>, <i>Satisfaction Guaranteed</i>, and <i>Make Me Blush</i>. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">*****</span><span style="text-align: center;">*****</span></p><p>A Rally of Writers is one of Michigan's longest held writer events. It's the perfect blend of genres and experiences. A great way to meet up with other writers and get and stay motivated. </p><p>Would you like to join us? <a href="https://arallyofwriters.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Link to Register</a></p><div><br /></div>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-50930517806456151442023-03-03T09:00:00.001-05:002023-03-03T09:00:00.212-05:00steamed up classic, chickens, and the new better ending 🐓 <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceIMCVQVGiDMFd72bL11NRJK0txi3pYXwF5tbBoCokTR5F4oTX6OJ07YfmRk3nqZ1JXfbWaAblYStyPoBxVcuc-9qR7RmqoUJnhVWnKcjVsBSzDq65rW6Axs_LvTnf4keN0UrUJgHkdLtqwWo6GEb7RRuYbwWWNHWeab4Asug4wPIADSDaTb3nOoH4Q/s1500/newsletter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1500" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceIMCVQVGiDMFd72bL11NRJK0txi3pYXwF5tbBoCokTR5F4oTX6OJ07YfmRk3nqZ1JXfbWaAblYStyPoBxVcuc-9qR7RmqoUJnhVWnKcjVsBSzDq65rW6Axs_LvTnf4keN0UrUJgHkdLtqwWo6GEb7RRuYbwWWNHWeab4Asug4wPIADSDaTb3nOoH4Q/s320/newsletter.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">hit <a href="https://preview.mailerlite.com/j1m7z6s0e2" target="_blank">here for the March newsleter</a></div><p></p>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000068624940908026.post-76247602510431524942023-02-28T08:30:00.001-05:002023-02-28T08:30:00.209-05:00why I'm not afraid of Chat GPT, part 1<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">After a faculty discussion on the invasion of AI, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChatGPT" target="_blank">Chat GPT</a> in particular, I did what I'm assuming many other writers have done these past few days. I asked Chat GPT to write me a story. Specially, I asked it to "write a 500 word story that reads like author isabelle drake." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">It gave me a story.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooz5Vzu9A42wIpeiYwkC_7JztXdaDmU_DrzSqfef56Za6kJAITTDaT8RjoOPgofHcZffyLalsfKZa0MWy4syaXeLEYf6Bq_i6egZ-OYIUQkpqRnwiuxWXErJUYeFLbzkNRBi6B0GTu_BLNmgQrH9WUH9K2qolRagw_uSjqGTEa6EsNnDax5UyMCWCBA/s640/ChatGPT_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooz5Vzu9A42wIpeiYwkC_7JztXdaDmU_DrzSqfef56Za6kJAITTDaT8RjoOPgofHcZffyLalsfKZa0MWy4syaXeLEYf6Bq_i6egZ-OYIUQkpqRnwiuxWXErJUYeFLbzkNRBi6B0GTu_BLNmgQrH9WUH9K2qolRagw_uSjqGTEa6EsNnDax5UyMCWCBA/w230-h230/ChatGPT_logo.svg.png" width="230" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, there is some satisfaction in knowing that Chat GPT can find me online and form a concept of what I write. But, can it write like me?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In short, I don't think so. I have to admit, I like the story's final two paragraphs, the concept of them anyway. But the <i>actual writing</i> is pretty poor. Here's something I am sure of: readers prefer good writing over bad. So, I'm not worried about AI replacing me any time soon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first paragraph is OK. But the literary wheels fall off pretty quick with the excessive filtering. In the story below, I highlighted the filtering by </span>italicizing<span style="font-family: inherit;"> it. Filtering is bad writing because its telling rather than </span>showing<span style="font-family: inherit;"> or describing. Its called filtering because the experience is being filtered through the author; the author is telling the reader how the character feels rather than giving the reader direct access to the character's emotions and physical sensations. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The upside of this bad piece of writing is that I now have a fun (meaning terrible, lol) sample of writing I can use with my creative writing students. I'll call the assignment: find the filtering. It'll be a writerly blast.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's Chat GPT's "Isabelle Drake" story. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm calling it </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">Dragged from Darkness</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*****</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">As the sun began to set over the small town of Willow Creek, Georgia, the people went about their daily routines, unaware of the terror that was about to befall them. Abigail Jameson had just finished up her shift at the local diner, and was looking forward to getting home to her husband and two children. Little did she know, her life was about to be turned upside down.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">As she made her way down the deserted street, <i>she felt</i> a sense of unease settle over her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and <i>she felt</i> as if she were being watched. She quickened her pace, her heart pounding in her chest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Suddenly, <i>she heard </i>a rustling in the bushes behind her. She spun around, but saw nothing. She shrugged it off and continued on her way. But then she heard it again. This time, it was closer. She whirled around, but still saw nothing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Panic set in as <i>she realized</i> that she was being followed. She broke into a run, her feet pounding against the pavement. But her pursuer was gaining on her. She could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck.</span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(</span>Spatial<span style="font-family: inherit;"> problem here... is she being followed by a dragon?)</span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, she saw the lights of her house up ahead. She ran faster, her heart pounding in her chest. She reached for the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge. She tried again, but still it wouldn't move. She looked up and saw the man standing in front of her, a wicked smile on his face.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">She screamed, but no one came to her rescue. She was alone with her attacker. He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the darkness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the next few days, Abigail was held captive in a dank, musty basement. She was beaten, tortured, and humiliated. She prayed for someone to come to her rescue, but her prayers went unanswered.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>(Yeah, that is darn awful. Kind of shades of the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLD4121S?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk" target="_blank">Tribe of the Undead </a>vibes, I guess.).</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just when she had given up hope, she heard a sound coming from upstairs. It was faint at first, but it grew louder and louder. She recognized the sound of a police siren.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>(What? The police just show up and save her? She doesn't get to save herself? Ugh.)</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">She mustered up all her strength and screamed for help. The police heard her cries and rushed to her aid. They found her lying on the floor, battered and bruised, but alive.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">As the ambulance drove her to the hospital, she realized that her life would never be the same. She had been through hell, and she would carry the scars with her for the rest of her life. But she was alive, and that was all that mattered.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the weeks that followed, Abigail struggled to come to terms with what had happened to her. She sought therapy and support from her family and friends. Slowly but surely, she began to heal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>(Okay, but how?)</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then one day, she decided that she would not let her attacker win. She would not live in fear for the rest of her life. She would stand up and fight back.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the help of the police, Abigail tracked down her attacker and testified against him in court. He was sentenced to life in prison, and she finally felt a sense of closure.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Abigail went on to become an advocate for victims of violent crimes. She shared her story with others, in the hopes that it would inspire them to fight back against their own attackers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>(That's pretty cool I guess. She finally does sort of save herself.)</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the end, Abigail's story became one of survival, strength, and courage. She refused to be a victim, and instead, she became a warrior.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>(Yeah, Isabelle Drake likes warrior women, so okay.)</i></b></span></p><div><br /></div>Author Isabelle Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693244206966698565noreply@blogger.com0