Tag: Autumn 2019

Blood Lines (IV) | McKenzie Richardson

May 2, 2020

This is the final part of McKenzie Richardson’s story, Blood Lines.  You can read the previous parts here: Part I, Part II & Part III

Carter and Mariette spent the rest of the autumn celebration talking in the moonlit garden, connecting over the shared pressures of coming from such esteemed families.

Passersby might have been surprised to see the pale skin of a member of the Vanium family consorting with a Consalez witch. But the garden was thankfully empty.

“What are we going to tell our parents?” Mariette asked.

Carter was quiet for a moment, then confidently took her hand. “We’ll figure it out when we get there.” Mariette smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder.

Then the conversation returned to things more magical.

McKenzie Richardson lives in Milwaukee, WI. Her work has been featured in various anthologies such as Mutate, Electromagnetism, and Doomsday, as well as online publications. Her first novel, Heartstrings, was published in 2018. McKenzie also runs a crafting blog: http://www.craft-cycle.com For more updates on her writing, you can follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mckenzielrichardson/ | Wattpad

Originally posted on the site: 25/10/2019

Mellow Yellow | Crispina Kemp

May 1, 2020

Red light slipping into yellow
Tones everything it touches mellow
Through the windowpane, it peeps
O’er the windowsill, it creeps
A welcome in the room it fills
Contrasts with the seeping chills
That this autumnal time of year does bring

Former art student, Crispina Kemp earned her crust in events and theatre management until illness stopped play. She’s now a volunteer (unpaid) poet, photographer, writer of micro-fiction and mega-length mythic fantasies set in prehistory. Check her out at http://crispinakemp.com

Selected by the editor as a featured submission, August 2020

Originally posted on the site: 21/10/2019

Blood Lines (III) | McKenzie Richardson

May 1, 2020

To read Blood Lines (I), click here…

To read Blood Lines (II) click here…

If he’d had any blood in his veins, it would have rushed to his cheeks then. Did he just ask out one of the most powerful witches in the last century?

She stared at him, wide-eyed and speechless, then burst out laughing.

After a moment, Mariette wiped her eyes and composed herself.

“My apologies,” she said in a well-practiced stately voice. “Were you working up to saying that all night?”

Carter nodded, shamefaced. He turned to float back to his own side of the ballroom, but Mariette grabbed his hand.

“That’s really sweet. I’d love get to know you better.”

To continue reading Blood Lines, you can find the final part here…

McKenzie Richardson lives in Milwaukee, WI. Her work has been featured in various anthologies such as Mutate, Electromagnetism, and Doomsday, as well as online publications. Her first novel, Heartstrings, was published in 2018. McKenzie also runs a crafting blog: http://www.craft-cycle.com For more updates on her writing, you can follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mckenzielrichardson/ | Wattpad

Originally posted on the site: 18/10/2019

For a Golden Moment | Padre (R. V. Mitchell)

May 1, 2020

Days still bright, but shorter now
Trees in their annual decline
The skyline for this moment golden
Say for the stands of pine
Yet this gold wont last forever
Its moment a splendid show
For all too soon it shall be covered
By the arrival of winter snow

Padre of Padre’s Ramblings has been a preacher, teacher, and served in the Forces. He is an ecclesiastical historian, and theologian, as well as a writer and public speaker. He has recently been widowed, but strives to stay positive and productive.

Selected by the editor as a featured submission, July 2020

Originally posted on the site: 14/10/19

Blood Lines (II) | McKenzie Richardson

April 30, 2020

To read Blood Lines (I), click here…

Without further contemplation, Carter allowed his feet to float him through the crowded room. All Hallows’ Eve was the biggest party of the year, the only time the Vanium family would be caught dead (or rather undead) at the same event as the Consolezes.

Carter glided past the dancefloor, displaying an impressive sharp-toothed smile in response to those who greeted him. But he did not allow himself to be detained for long.

Before he knew it, he stood before her. Mariette look up at him, confused yet curious.

“Will you go out with me?” he blurted in one shaky breath.

To continue reading Blood Lines, you can find part three here…

McKenzie Richardson lives in Milwaukee, WI. Her work has been featured in various anthologies such as Mutate, Electromagnetism, and Doomsday, as well as online publications. Her first novel, Heartstrings, was published in 2018. McKenzie also runs a crafting blog: http://www.craft-cycle.com For more updates on her writing, you can follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mckenzielrichardson/ | Wattpad

Originally posted on the site: 11/10/2019

Fall Fiesta | Daisy Bala

April 30, 2020

Plush leaves, changing hybrid colors,
Yellow red orange and raw greens,
Rich opulent shades, mystifying shadows,
The glamour of rains and fall chiming together,
On the rich palate of changing seasons.

Crunchy color under my feet, deciduous shedding exorbitantly,
Orange magenta brown lifting my spirits too.
The lemonade and pumpkin spiced latte tasting better with the fall foliage,
Checking in the flavor and bounty,
We welcome the ushering colors this magical fall!!

About the author: Writing is my nirvana and an escape from reality. You can visit my blog https://freshdaisiesdotme.wordpress.com/

Selected by the editor as a featured submission, June 2020

Originally posted on this site: 07/10/2019

Blood Lines (I) | McKenzie Richardson

April 30, 2020

Carter exhaled deeply, steadying his nerves. Today was the day. He was actually going to do it.

Across the ballroom, in a little alcove, he could see her: the dark-eyed Mariette Consolez, the eldest daughter of one of the oldest and most prestigious families in town. A witch well-known for her knack for divination.

And he was going to ask her out.

All of that would have been pressure enough.

But there was one other detail that complicated things even further. Carter came from the other most powerful family, a family of vampires.

And their families had a long-standing feud.

To continue reading Blood Lines, you can find part two here…

McKenzie Richardson lives in Milwaukee, WI. Her work has been featured in various anthologies such as Mutate, Electromagnetism, and Doomsday, as well as online publications. Her first novel, Heartstrings, was published in 2018. McKenzie also runs a crafting blog: http://www.craft-cycle.com For more updates on her writing, you can follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mckenzielrichardson/ | Wattpad

Originally posted on the site: 04/10/2019