My Cardboard Balcony

Yesterday, I returned from a week-long trip with my fiancée, and it was a blast. Not only did I get to spend quality time with my future in-laws, but I also got to travel to a beautiful city, go to an aquarium, and simply have a wonderful time with the woman I love. Part of what I like about a vacation, of course, is the return home. As much as being away from the routine was extremely refreshing and fun, going back to my apartment and familiarizing myself with my own bed again was definitely a treat. And of course, there's still a lot for me to work on now that I'm home. I received an official offer letter from my new second job, and I continue to look at old projects while working on new ones. I'm still reading books and sending publishing reps blurbs. I'm still working at the bookstore, where a lot of changes, especially staff-wise, are happening. And of course, I'm still planning for my wedding (which has an official date now; I believe I brought that up a few...

A Coral Crown by Belinda Roddie Otters are secretly the monarchs of the ocean. Now kneel.

A man forces a woman to marry him. When she arrives at the altar, she is dressed in white, but the event seems to demand black attire instead. This is not a wedding for her, but a funeral - the death of her freedom, the death of her happiness, the death of her soul. The man is waiting for her to kiss him. He is dressed in red. The priest looks very nervous to be officiating the ceremony. When the woman finally takes the man's hand, his skin is very hot. It is as if she is grazing her fingers against the bricks of Hell.