Timeless
This is my small things check in- a reminder to count your blessings.
~My baby, Conner, was inducted into the National Honor Society! I'm so proud of him. He was nervous about taking advanced classes in high school, but he forged ahead and his hard work is paying off. He also scored a 4.17 on this month's report card!
*****
~On a sad note, our old dog passed away this week. Instead of mourning, I'm celebrating the 17 years we got to spend with her.
It was around this time, all those years ago, that my husband and I agreed to get our boys a puppy. In a large pen in this guy's back yard were all these yipping little pups. Most of them were perfectly marked Blue Ticks. Beautiful dogs.
Then out of the doghouse waddled this chubby, shrunken pup with tiny ears and the strangest markings. She tripped over her own feet and face planted in front of our boys. They found that hilarious and insisted she be our new dog.
They named her Spotty Girl- a name not nearly as original as this dog.
Oh, the Spotty stories we could tell, from her immunity/addiction to chocolate to her ability to open doors. She was the best of dogs. Always there for us...greeting us at doors, or quietly offering a wet-nosed nudge when anyone needed a pick-me-up.
She was one-of-a-kind, and we were blessed to get to love her.
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| Caleb and Spot |
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| Conner and Spot |
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| Conner again. He once told me Spot raised him. |
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| My husband and Spot...waiting for the atomic clock to set. |
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
—Roger Caras
Welcome Crystal Collier!! I got to read this book pre-release. As soon as I finished book two, I messaged Crystal and told her I wanted in the beta read loop...because I didn't want to have to wait for the release date to see what was going to happen! It's good to have connections.
Timeless is a 5 star read, you can read my review here.
Now, here's Crystal to tell you about her story and introduce you to YOUR Maiden of Time doppelganger!
In 1771, Alexia had everything: the man of her dreams, reconciliation with her father, even a child on the way. But she was never meant to stay. It broke her heart, but Alexia heeded destiny and traveled five hundred years back to stop the Soulless from becoming.
In the thirteenth century, the Holy Roman Church has ordered the Knights Templar to exterminate the Passionate, her bloodline. As Alexia fights this new threat—along with an unfathomable evil and her own heart—the Soulless genesis nears. But none of her hard-won battles may matter if she dies in childbirth before completing her mission.
Can Alexia escape her own clock?
Timeless is a 5 star read, you can read my review here.
Now, here's Crystal to tell you about her story and introduce you to YOUR Maiden of Time doppelganger!
In 1771, Alexia had everything: the man of her dreams, reconciliation with her father, even a child on the way. But she was never meant to stay. It broke her heart, but Alexia heeded destiny and traveled five hundred years back to stop the Soulless from becoming.In the thirteenth century, the Holy Roman Church has ordered the Knights Templar to exterminate the Passionate, her bloodline. As Alexia fights this new threat—along with an unfathomable evil and her own heart—the Soulless genesis nears. But none of her hard-won battles may matter if she dies in childbirth before completing her mission.
Can Alexia escape her own clock?
GUEST POST
These doppelgangers exist in life, so it makes sense they would exist in literature. Today, you can meet your alternate ego in the Maiden of Time trilogy. Answer 5 simple questions to find out which character is most like you. (Some villains included.)
Look at that! You're a story book character. What do you think? Didn't like your match? Maybe should have picked something else? Try again. Share your results. Buy the books and learn more. (Did she really just say that? Yes, yes she did.) You can also enter to INSTANTLY win some really cool prizes below.
Who is your ideal book character match? (Inside or outside the Maiden of Time trilogy.)
Crystal Collier is an eclectic author who pens clean fantasy/sci-fi, historical, and romance stories with the occasional touch of humor, horror, or inspiration. She practices her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, four littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese.Find her online HERE.
(Email address is required for awarding prizes.)
Very sorry about Spotty Girl. You were a blessing to each other.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Conner. That's a huge achievement.
Not sure I have a fictional match...
Have a great weekend, ladies!
I don't know there is any match for you either. :)
DeleteCelebrating their life is the way to be as they sure are a member of the family through and through. Congrats to your son too.
ReplyDeleteYes they are. They each have their own personality that can never be replaced.
Deleteahhhhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're celebrating her (on the outside). I send you love and prayers (for the inside). My Molly turns 16 in days and stumbles around like a drunk and it kills me to think how little more time I have with her.
They become such an integral part of us and our lives. God bless.
(Oh, and congrats for your son's wonderful accomplishments.)
Thanks Mac. I hope your Molly stays health until the end. It is sad to see those signs that they are aging. First thing that went on Spot was her sight, but that was years ago. We were lucky she had a slow decline. It wasn't until her last days that she got really bad.
DeleteGod bless you too. And some hugs for Molly.
Loved the quote on top of blog, awesome pictures and a wonderful read.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and your family.
Yvonne.
Thanks Yvonne!
DeleteCongrats to your son for the NHS induction and the good GPA!! That's one smart kid! I'm so sorry you lost Spot. I'm amazed she started so small and got so big. Congrats to Crystal on her new release. Wishing her much success and the both of you a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteAnd she went from a silvery gray to black. If I didn't know better, I'd never thought that was a puppy picture of the same dog.
DeleteThank you, Lexa!
DeleteWhat fun that was, Crystal! I was Mae!!
ReplyDeleteNow you KNOW we should be scared of you. ;) Kidding, kidding. Mae rocks, almost as much as you do.
DeleteAwww...what a great tribute to Spot!!!! Our animal babies give us unconditional love and for 17 years that's amazing!!! We recently had to say goodbye to our baby too. Not 17 years but 15 glorious years.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Crystal!! Seeing her marvelous book all over the place!!!
And last but not least Congrats to you son!!! You must be so proud!
Thank you, Cathrina! (Go big or go home, eh?)
DeleteCongrats to Conner, but I'm so sorry about Spot. My heart breaks for you guys. 17 years is a great, long life. I hope my dog lives to 17. My first dog (the only other one I've ever had) died at 9. :-(
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Crystal!
Yay! Thank you, Stephanie.
DeleteWoman! I thought I came by and commented first thing in the morning, but apparently my brain is recording false information. Whew! Time for an upgrade, eh?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, huge congrats to Conner. He is killing it!
17 years? My goodness, that's a long time. What a wonderful, sweet tribute. Sending cheese and love to you and your family.
Maybe you should stop hanging out with the likes of me...I'm rubbing off on you. LOL.
Delete17 years is a long time for a big dog, and she was blessed with excellent health all the way until the end.
I love the doppleganger quiz! It's so cool!
ReplyDeleteAnd, hooray for Honor Roll!
Dogs are sweet blessings. 17 years is a good time to have with a doggy family member.
Isn't that an amazing quiz? I'm a little jealous of the cool stuff Crystal comes up with!
DeleteThanks, Tyrean and Elizabeth. It was so much to put together.
DeleteGood to see Crystal going strong with her Timeless launch!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Spot. She looks adorable in those photos. I definitely think dogs choose their owners, and she introduced herself with perfect timing :-)
That she did. She definitely caught a little boy's eye!
Delete*waves* Hi, Annalisa!
DeleteSo sorry about Spotty. sad.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Crystal!
Thanks Nas :)
DeleteThank you, Nas!
DeleteCongrats to Connor! He's a credit to you. Sad news about Spotty, but 17 is a fantastic innings. Congrats to Crystal - she's certainly getting around on her tour.
ReplyDeleteYes, we were very blessed. We miss her a lot, but boy did she have a good, long life.
DeleteThanks, Nick! Well you know what they say. Go big or go home!
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your lovely dog. It's always hard to lose a member of the family. I lost two beloved cats earlier this year and it broke my heart. My dad just lost his companion too - he was absolutely distraught :( But wonderful that you celebrate the 17 years you had together as a family. I love the pictures.
ReplyDeleteCrystal's book sounds amazing. I really must read some of her stuff!
Suzy xx
www.suzyturner.com
You most certainly should read Crystal's stuff. You won't be disappointed. :)
DeleteAw! Thanks, Elizabeth. Suzy, you brought a grin to my face.
DeleteWhat a beautiful dog. Looks like she had a extraordinary and loving life.
ReplyDeleteLooks like I'm most like the character Kiren. Since I've read the book, I'll take that as a compliment. That was cool.
You are the king of the characters. Yes, definitely a compliment.
DeleteTamara, woot! Don't know that you can do much better than that.
DeleteI just wish dogs lived as long as we do. I have the worst time coping with their deaths. So sorry, but you've put a positive spin on your loss by appreciating the years you had together.
ReplyDeleteI know right? Surely, they get to be with us in Heaven. Pets are too special not to be eternal beings too.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about Spotty. :(
ReplyDeleteBut I am happy for your son. Good for him!
Woot woot! Glad to see Timeless popping up everywhere:)
ReplyDeleteLOL. I always chuckle when people say that, because it means, "Gosh, will this book tour ever end?!" The end is near, I promise.
DeleteCheers to your boy! That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sorry to hear about your pooch, but at least she made it 17 happy, chocolate-filled years. Most dogs are not so lucky (in both age and in chocolate tolerance).
I know!! The first time she gorged on chocolate- by eating the entire contents of 4 little boys' Easter Baskets that the absent-minded Easter Bunny hid in the yard because he thought that would be fun- I thought she was toast. We finally decided that like any addict, she evidently had built up a tolerance to her drug of choice. We had to keep locks on lower cupboards if she could smell chocolate...or Rice Krispy Treats.
DeleteIt sounds like your Spotty Girl was a very special dog, and it also sounds like she chose your family equally as much as you chose her. I'm glad you had so many good years with her. One of our dogs lived that long, too, and even though he's been gone for ten years, I still miss him. They aren't just pets; they're family.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right about that. Our pets add a lot of love to our lives. I can't imagine not having my pets.
DeleteSorry to hear about your dog, Spot. She was a beautiful dog!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kimberly.
DeleteSpot raised a beautiful family. My condolences, while being happy you have countless loving memories.
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations on Conner's more than perfect grades.
Third, may Crystal's success be timeless.
Thank you, Robyn!
DeleteCongrats to Conner! Fantastic news. Sorry to hear about Spotty. Cherish the wonderful memories. The photographs are so cute. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Crystal and thank you for the super review, Elizabeth!!
Thanks, Nicola!
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your dog. I think my dog might be getting there soon. She's nearly 12 years old. At least your son's news is a happy note.
ReplyDeleteGrats Crystal! 5 stars woot woot!
We counted on 12 years. The additional 5 were bonus years, so I really can't complain.
DeleteThanks a ton, Loni!
DeleteI'm a little scared of taking that fiction test since I just shared an excerpt from my horror NA manuscript about Huntress eating a man's tongue. Talking about not taking Tara Tyler's request for an uplifting line from my manuscript to heart at all. I had to be evil and give her a scare in her comment section instead. I better not post that excerpt on just any blog.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm so sorry about Spotty. I got a lump in my throat seeing the pictures of her with your boy Liz. She was clearly a loving pet. Glad you can celebrate her life. Congrats to Conner and Crystal. Both have done well with themselves. All the best with your book Crystal and with both her and you Liz all the happiness in the world. :)
I do things like that all the time...inside jokes that people don't get. Oh well, I guess it comes from living inside our heads a little too long. Hehe.
DeleteShe was the sweetest animal. Loyal and patient to the end.
Sheena-kay, you did what!?! LOL. That's hilarious.
DeleteThank you for the wishes!