Novel Excerpt

26 Apr

Into the Vines by Kim Troike

Kim TroikeAn Excerpt from part one, French Bleu:

Waving goodbye, she knew she was ready for this. Daniela did not like flying. She blamed the stomach twisting, chest tightening, and anxious thoughts on her parents long ago plane crash, but she bounded for the gate with her bag full of new clothes, nonetheless, showing no hesitation. She was going to Paris! I wish I had taken a French class or listened to audio books or something. I know nothing! Oh, well, I’ll just have to wing it, she mused, as she boarded the plane. The flight attendant, a pretty French woman with dark hair and red lips, set her up for a movie with ear buds and took her drink order.

“Mademoiselle Daniela, champagne for you. Please enjoy!” said the flight attendant with a light, gorgeous accent. She handed her the small bottle and a glass filled with bubbly.

Bleu MoonOoh la la, thought Daniela, thinking like a French gal, as she giggled. She sipped her champagne as she leaned back to watch the in-flight film in French, wanting to immerse herself in the culture as soon as possible. The male protagonist was very smooth talking and extremely handsome, and so far the plot seemed to involve him taking some beauty on a moped to the seashore. Daniela was at two glasses of champagne by the time the plane was mid Atlantic, and she didn’t have a care in the world. So much for being worried. Daniela drifted off and dreamt she was in a cabin, looking out the window towards the sea.

The Aegean Sea was a bright turquoise blue, and sparkling white caps were crashing against the sandy grey shore. The sky was washed denim, and she took it all in as her lover came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, pulling her into his chest. She shivered with anticipation and desire as his breath tickled her neck and his tongue traveled the outer shell of her ear. Daniela’s chest heaved, and his hands traveled down and moved lightly across her stomach. This sensation felt electric and radiated across her body. His right hand traveled up searching until he pushed her shoulder into him, causing her to gasp in pleasure. Turning her head, she met his mouth and they kissed luxuriously.

Daniela took a deep breath, startled, and tasted her lips, expecting something besides champagne. She had fallen asleep and had been awakened by a dreamy kiss. She straightened herself in her seat, embarrassed, before getting up to go to the bathroom. Champagne . . . Flying . . . Crazy dreams. Good dreams. When she was done, she returned to her seat. “You okay?” asked the lady next to her.

by Kim TroikeToday begins my promo for Into the Vines! The novel was released in January 2015 with a mellow celebration of sorts, similar to a coaster ride ending its journey after a thrill and then glides back into the station. Now, I’m ready to rock n roll and shake things up a bit! Up above in this excerpt you read the beginning, the opening of wonderful things to happen for a young nurse making a transatlantic flight. You can purchase this contemporary novel of fiction for teens, YA, or adults on Amazon and Barnes & Noble under my name Kim Troike or go here.

Once a week I’ll be posting full length articles, newsworthy or pertaining to the novel and definitely global at times. Please join me over the next nine months in my creative  and journalistic endeavor. Thanks for stopping by!

Kim Troike

photo credit Amazon.com & Thinkstock

Book Store Appearance

25 Mar

Welcome new followers to my blog here on WordPress! I’m happy to announce that I’ve been invited to appear at the FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock on Friday, April 3rd @6:30pm.

Here’s the Facebook post for the Shoppe: FoxTale Book Shoppe

by Kim TroikeIt’s located off the town center in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Recently, I had lunch there with Laura Lippman for the presentation of her new novel Hush Hush. Mary Kay Andrews was present and gave the introduction.

It was wonderful to speak with other authors and meet readers in a casual atmosphere. Another writer I met was from Sweden and she lives in Decatur temporarily. This was a wonderful and new experience for me.

Love to see you there!

Kim Troike

Thank you to FoxTale Book Shoppe for the event held on April 3rd.

See Facebook post for all the authors in attendance: Facebook

Microfiction: They took a boat

24 Mar

Read this story by Jane from WordPress. You’ll be delighted as I was. As soon as I get a handle on my time … very soon, I’m sure, I’ll be adding to this creativity on the net. For now enjoy a few items I gather at my leisure!

Jane Dougherty's avatarJane Dougherty Writes

Microfiction of less than 200 words
based on the painting by Odilon Redon: la barque mystique

Redon_barque_mystique

They took a boat, a blue boat with a yellow sail. Where could two runaway slaves go but the river? No one would chase them to the sea. Yet she shivered. He smiled and kissed her tenderly on the forehead, thinking to dispel her fears with his strength. He shrugged off the stories, but he knew nothing of the ocean. His people prayed for rain in the spring, died of drought in the summer. His land was parched; green was a colour he didn’t know.
Between river cliffs of yellow ochre they sped, until as evening fell, the little barque was borne out into the smooth ocean, green as glass. The current raced to the turquoise horizon, and thunder shattered the air into painful fragments.
What if the stories are true?
In her heart…

View original post 65 more words

The Oceans Of Love

18 Mar

Very nice Danny. When is enough? The picture, though, is a welcoming void.

Daniel Kemp's avatarDaniel Kemp

f53c3c54b1d1004b7e6736f720e0cfef

“I have a fear of life, a fear of myself. Living is falling, ending, smashing and destroyed.

A life of flaming hell lived within a void.”

So spoke the lady of tarnished love as she recalled her time.


Time is relative to a moment, a particle of space, so abstract as not to exist or feel.

Yet a time is so tangible, so physical, that it is real!


“My time was palpable, it pulsed, it beat.

It threw passion, it threw heat!

My time was invisible, not seen, nor heard.

My loving invitations were ignored or spurned.”

Indiscernible now stands the lady of tarnished love,

As words that are hidden inside a conspectus glove.


The oceans carry the tears that were cried when love confessed.

The crashing waves of the ocean are like the fears that love expressed.


© 2015, Danny Kemp. All rights reserved.

View original post

Hawa

12 Mar

 

Hawa

Hawa dreams of flying a plane someday, while Francis possesses natural talents of the musical kind. Together they keep a secret for fear of retribution.

The above words are from the back cover of my novel “Into the Vines” parlaying thoughts about one of my young characters, the protagonist named Hawa. There’s a whole story behind my story as I followed newsworthy events, tragedies and people from all over the world. As a nurse we care about people, we take an oath toward healing. It just comes natural after you do it for so long. It feels good and right.

Hawa came to me easily and she developed before my eyes and pen as I wrote about someone I’d never met. But, you see I have, through all the countless patients and families I’ve met over my lifetime. I was also a little girl a long time ago.

I invite you to come and read about her and others in this contemporary story of realism set amongst global ideals.

The island of Dorado fuels the explorer in those that are privileged to set foot there. A small island with a volcano set amongst the islands in the south seas of the Pacific Ocean holds mysteries and adventures one only dreams about. This is where the Ceremonial Cliffs face the west and can be reached by foot, if so inclined, or helicopter. Those who reach the Cliffs, reach it together through teamwork.

Map to DoradoHawa has faced hardship through no fault of her own and comes to friendly arms by way of grace from another. In turn, she faces situations foreign to her, and the unknown begets a willingness to be strong and fearless, yet her heart beats on. There’s a softness she seeks. What is this?

Excerpt ... Silently, she watched as a man opened the door and went around to the other side to let his passenger out. When he did this, she saw and her eyes grew wide; it was her hero, her Olivier.

Just as fast as a snake can strike, a crocodile can flip over, she opened the door and leapt like a lion, not parting from her gaze as she ran to see her favorite person in the entire world.

“Olivier,” she whispered as she realized her lack of breath. The couple turned and looked in surprise to see Hawa running toward them. Olivier and Hawa exchanged hugs and more hugs.

Olivier picked up Hawa and gave her a big squeeze and asked, “How’s my favorite fishing lady? Or is it now garden lady?” He teased her and they laughed.

By Kim Troike

Into the Vines

Google Images Credit

Amazon

 

Someday

10 Feb

SOMEDAY  is a poem I wrote for my novel “Into the Vines.”

by Kim Troike

 

Maybe you’ve dreamed of visiting the city of light and love. Growing up, I can say it is the place I wanted to go to, especially when I was in my teens.

Someday I will get there. Though, I’m not worried as it will fall into place.

Thanks for visiting, and let me know if you if you get a chance to read my novel. I hope it makes you feel enlightened towards others in this universe.

 

 

 

Someday

 
Someday when I’m in Paris,

Touring the Avenues along the Seine;

My eyes will venture to the sky,

Noting Gothic Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower line.

My francs exchanged for euros to pay for Louvre Art;

Rich history and beauty fill chambers in my heart.

But first a café and selected sinful fruit tart . . .

 

“Qui, Qui. S’il vous plait,” I say.

“D’accord.” She hands me the baked sweet.

“Merci,” I add.

“De rein,” she replies.

“Donnez-moi, s’il vous plait un verre de vin.”

“Qui.” She smiles.

“Merci, ou est the Louvre?” I ask.

“La tout droit.” She points.

 
Translation of Quotes

 

“Yes, yes please,” I say.

“Okay.” She hands me the delicious sweet.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Please give me a glass of wine. I changed my mind.”

“Yes.” She smiles.

“Thank you. Where is the Louvre?” I ask.

“There, straight ahead.” She points.

 

By Caroline Clemens~pen

 

Into the Vines

26 Jan

by Kim Troike

 

This is the cover reveal for my novel “Into the Vines.”

 

I think it turned out perfect. It is up on Amazon for print and later will be available per e-book or kindle.

 

Have a look … Into the Vines on Amazon here.

 

 

The book synopsis is on the back cover and here is what it says:

Into the Vines is a novel of discovery, personal triumph and heroism. French Bleu, a vintage-jazz nightclub in Paris offers a reprieve to its inhabitants from death, illness and captivity. Olivier is a pilot who rescues stranded and desperate souls from famine and war torn areas of Africa, while Daniela, a young nurse, seeks that which is amiss in her own life. Brie, a strong woman, must find a destiny which awaits her own ambition. She celebrates a milestone birthday after encountering an illness, bringing grace and experience in her search for something more.

Daniela dreamed. “I want to be as confident as Brie on a sunny day in Savannah in the summertime” From the vineyard cooking school in the garden-like Loire Valley, where these three lives meet, to the streets of Paris, where fate brings blessings from angst and longing. This story revels in realism.

This sanctuary seemingly held an inspirational deity as they witnessed a spiritual unity on the Ceremonial Cliffs. Hawa dreams of flying a plane someday, while Francis possesses natural talents of the musical kind. Together they keep a secret for fear of retribution. “I heard LOVE lasts forever and my mom says there are all kinds of love. So maybe you should find another kind of love, since your first love lasted forever” said Francis.

My Author page on Amazon can be seen here: Kim Troike Author page here.

Other books I’ve written can be viewed here as well: Books by Kim Troike here.

Thank you for stopping by today. Of course, I’m very proud of myself and actually, it’s quite unbelievable! I think I’ve got this writing thing somewhat developed, and therefore may try to write another self-published novel for summer. You see, I’m quite goal oriented and probably have my mother or father or grandmother’s to thank for that. Maybe, it’s just being one of five and recording everything in my brain that later tries to retell it making new outcomes. I think it’s plain old creativity you are born with. Who knows?

Self-promotion is difficult but a must do for us Indie Authors. Period. I will post on Tuesdays something relevant to my novel on one of my blogs, which will make it to Twitter and Tumblr. Then, I’ll be hanging around on Fridays for fun! Please comment as I’d love to hear from readers, authors and others. 😉

By Kim Troike

~Into the Vines is for teens, YA, and contemporary fiction adult readers.

My Novel

20 Jan

River SeineI will be promoting my novel “Into the Vines” beginning today January 21st through May 1st. It will be released any day now on Amazon and other venues for consumers. I have sent it to 12 book bloggers to obtain reviews and I look forward to their input. Also, I’ve entered three contests around the globe, so wish me luck with that. I’ll be doing related posts on this site about items or issues in the book. For now here is a picture of the beautiful River Seine in Paris, where some of my book’s activity takes place.

By Kim Troike

Thinkstock photo credit

Miracle; Out of The Woods

9 Jan

lone survivor A seven year old girl survived a plane crash in the woods. Sailor Gutzler, survived her father’s plane crash after he had reported engine problems before going off radar. The plane landed upside down, and it is reported she was in the tail section or last seat.

Unharmed, except for a broken wrist, she walked approximately three quarters of a mile, or thirty minutes until she reached a home owned by Larry Wilkins. The crash occurred in the woods of Kentucky.

Plane CrashSailor was able to get out of the plane, look for her parents, and then navigate towards the light. She walked through thick brush, trees, and briar patches or prickers. Larry Wilkins, the homeowner, believes she probably saw his security light over the house. She and her family were leaving Key West after a holiday vacation, and heading home to Nashville, Illinois.

She lost her parents, Kimberly and Marty, and also a sister named Piper. A cousin named Sierra was with them and lost her life, too.

plane crashThe Piper PA-34 crashed in the dense woods after the pilot reported engine troubles. The NTSB or National Travel and Safety Board will investigate further for details of the exact cause.

Walking through the woods in summer style clothing with temperatures in the thirties, the brave little girl named Sailor is miraculously alive. The crash occurred in Kuttawa, Kentucky last Friday night. The pilot, her father, was considered to be a knowledgeable pilot, and very meticulous. He was also a certified flight instructor, and the family flew with him a few times a year.

Incredibly, Sailor, the seven year old girl apparently used survival skills, and found her way out of the woods in the cold with no shoes. Flying at eighteen hundred feet, and after fueling in Tallahassee it seems most likely both engines failed, maybe due to icing, or inclement weather. The report is expected to be out in a week or so from the NTSB.

plane crashMarty Gutzler, age 48, was an experienced pilot with more than thirty years of aviation history or hours. He’d made this trek to Florida numerous times.

Sailor has already been released from Lourdes Hospital in Paducah after spending only one night. The man who heard the slight knock at his door and answered it, saw a little girl who asked if she could stay with him. He washed the blood from her and comforted her, then called 911. She told police that she attempted to wake her family before she walked through the briars and rough terrain.

Sailor Gutzler becomes a member of a small group of lone survivors, or lucky ones that survived plane crashes where everyone else aboard dies. This miracle story happened January 2nd, 2015 and her hometown is gathering around in grief and support for Sailor.

By Kim Troike

Google Images Credit

ABCNews

CNNNews

NBCNews

Happy New Year to you all! I’ll be watching television and some fruit fall to the earth!;) 2014 in review

30 Dec

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,100 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 18 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.