What Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett meant to me.

When I heard that Farrah had passed on this morning, I was saddened. I knew she was dealing with cancer and that her battle was nearing it's end but it saddened me to hear such a beauty was gone. Then I heard about Michale Jackson had passed away and I was shocked! How can this be? As far as I knew, he wasn't ill. Sure, I knew he wasn't well, hadn't been well for a while but he was planning a comeback tour. And now he's gone.

Two people who I grew up idolizing are gone.

Let's begin with Farrah Fawcett and how she affected my life. Charlies Angels.

Three women who were in charge of their own lives, in a world predominantly male oriented, they showed women they could be empowered. And who didn't love and want the Farrah hair? I know I did. I worked hard to get my hair to feather back like hers.

Even to this day I wear my hair similar to hers. I know, time to move on but still... Some things are hard to give up. But hair aside, I envied her for another reason. She was married to the six million dollar man. Come on, Lee Majors. Yummmyyyyyyy!!! I used to pretend to be Farrah on Charlies Angels. There was just something about her that I felt empowered by. Maybe because I was blond that I felt closer to her than the other Angels. In any case. She was a wonderful woman and she had a hard battle. I'm sad to see her go, but I'm glad her pain is over. Rest in peace Angel.

Michael Jackson. He was such an icon to everyone. Who doesn't know a Michael Jackson song? Well, maybe infants now but most know him for his music and yes, his wackiness. His music is what I remember and will always remember. When I hear Beat It, I know what I was doing when that song originally played on the radio. I was in my bedroom, small portable radio blasting the song while I danced to the beat. Pretty Young Thing reminds me of when I met my husband. Thriller reminds me of my father. My dad was never listened to rock music, well, rarely. When the video for Thriller came out, I knew I wouldn't be able to see it because my dad wouldn't let me. I was utterly thrilled when I walked into the room and found him watching it. My dad is gone now, and hearing of Micheal's death reminded me of my dad. Another memory I have of my dad is driving me to one of my chiro appointments and listening to Rock With You on the radio before my dad changed the channel. I used to dance to his music and okay, I'll admit it, I still do.

Micheal's music is phenomenal and will always remain phenomenal. I have several of his albums and tomorrow, I plan on listening to them all. He was suck a talented artist who inspired so many artists today. Despite his weirdness at times, the allegations of child sexual assault he was an incredible artist and will be deeply missed. I can;t believe he's gone.

Show the angels how to dance, Michael. You have a whole new audience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8

Are you afraid of the Dark?

Come on by The Fantasy Pages and read all about my addiction. You won't want to miss this. Two lucky commenters will win a Darkness T-Shirt or a Tote bag. Plus...I reveal the NEW Darkness covers. They are to die for. :)

http://fantasy-pages.blogspot.com/2009/06/afraid-of-dark.html

Featured author

I'm the featured author on Ann Lory's June Newsletter. Check it out!

Featured Author: Shiela Stewart

AL: Thank you so much Shiela for participating in my newsletter.

SS: Thank you very much, Ann, for including me in your wonderful Newsletter.

AL: Tell us about your Darkness Series? It’s set in the future and all sorts of things
are going down.

SS: The Darkness series is set in 2025, the not so distant future and for the most part,
things are relatively the same as they are now, except for a few minor details.
Technology is a little more advanced in that some things are more computerized. Originally when I wrote the first book, it dealt with the eclipse of the sun and the story evolved around it. After a few rewrites, I changed a few things, but the eclipse is still the catalyst to bringing the once evil king of all vampires back from his con­finement in the Realm of Dark Mystics by sacrificing five virginal girls during the eclipse. Trinity Ford and her once lover, Basil Hawthorne, want to stop it. What ensues in the following books is the desperation from these two to bring back the sunlight that was cloaked during the ritual, and protect the city they call home. Of course, love blossoms even in the darkest times and in each of the eight books, a relationship blooms and has a pivotal part in the stories.

Penetrating the Darkness is my current release and is the sixth book in the Darkness series.

Here is a glimpse:

Felicity Hawthorne is finally waking up—literally. Everything about her sheltered life in the Land of Mystics has been a lie, including the whopper that her natural mother is evil. Determined to find the truth, she breaks free…and touches down in the middle of stark, cold Jacob’s Cove, surrounded by a pack of bloodthirsty de­mons.

Dusty Ryder didn’t ask to be turned into a vampire. Even now, on the brink of his unwilling initiation, he is looking for a way out. A reprieve comes in the form of a dark-haired goddess whose beauty drives him to rescue her from his new “family”. Except she’s not quite as helpless as she looks.
As they embark on a journey of self-discovery, they uncover more secrets that bring Felicity face to face with her forgotten past—and make Dusty wonder if he’s gotten in over his head. But it’s too late. Now that he’s had her in his arms, he can’t bring himself to let her go.
Until Chaos rains down on them, threatening to end it all.

AL: Do you have any new or upcoming releases you’d like to fill us in on?

SS: There are going to be quite a few changes for me and my books in the
coming months including a new publisher, new covers and new release
dates. But the Darkness series will still be released in the order they were
written with Consuming the Darkness: A New Beginning, following shortly
after Penetrating the Darkness this summer. So stay tuned.

AL: When did you know you had to be a writer?

SS: Gosh, I’ve always written in one form or another. Even as a child I
would write tales or tell my cousins elaborate stories. I loved to fantasize.
It has always been a part of me. But it wasn’t until after one particularly
bizarre nightmare that the need to “write” became so gripping I was
compelled to do it. A lot of my stories come from my nightmares. After
putting it to paper, my husband read it and insisted I start looking for a
publisher. I laughed it off, thinking there was no way I was good enough
to be a published author. With his persistence, I began looking into
publishers and after several rejections, I was finally accepted. And here I
am now, and author with nine books published and contracts for four more.
Not bad I guess, for a woman who was nicknamed “The Dreamer” in
school. LOL

AL: Who inspired you to follow your dream of writing?

SS: My husband has always been a huge supporter of mine. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t be talking with you today. If there is one author that I would say inspired me to write it would be Nora Roberts. After reading one of her books for the very first time I decided this is what I wanted. I wanted others to read my stories.

AL: Who are some of your favorite authors?

SS: As I stated above, Nora Roberts is definitely on the top of my list. Her Alter ego, J.D. Robb would be sec­ond. I also love J.R. Wards Brotherhood series.
I’m a big paranormal nut and I love a good, seat gripping suspense.

AL: Do you have a favorite sport, &/or team that you follow?

SS: I’m not a big sports nut, but I do enjoy watching my hubby and sons play
occer. One of my sons was also in wrestling and though I tried to be a
supportive mom and watch a few of his matches, I did it with tense muscles
and held breath. I’ve seen plenty of boys come out of it with concussions and
broken bones. Thankfully the only wound my son incurred was a dislocated
finger and some bruises.

AL: What favorite movie; or T.V. show makes you hunker down on the sofa
and settle in for the night?

SS: Wow, there are several actually. Monday nights are my big, TV night. I
love Heroes, How I met your Mother, Bones, Eleventh Hour, CSI Vegas. But
my all time favorite show right now would have to be The Tudors. I’m a big
fan of the royal Tudor family and can’t get enough of their stories.

AL: If you had to write yourself as a heroine, what kind of heroine would
you be? What would you be named?

SS: Oh wow….now you have me thinking. I would be a no holds barred
kick ass type of heroine. Much like the Heroine, Trinity, in Seducing the
Darkness. I was once given the nickname of McNasty by some friends
because of my writing style and….bluntness shall we say. I guess it’s as
good a name as any.

AL: Now that we know what kind of heroine you would be, who is your
hero?

SS: My husband. I know, corny but it’s true. He never lets anything stand in
the way of what he wants. He worked his way from the bottom to the top
and even during some serious hard times he has risen above. He has a kind
heart, generous and is always there to lend a hand. And he puts up with me.
See…that’s why he’s my hero.

AL: Please share a favorite quote, or any quote that means the most to you.

SS: “It’s a dog eat dog world and I’m wearing Milk Bone underwear.” A line from the eighties TV series, Cheers quoted from Norm. Anyone ever watch it? I loved that show and Norm was so right. I feel that way sometimes. I guess every wife and mother does at some times. Hell, who doesn’t feel that way sometimes. :)

AL: Thank you so much Shiela for sharing with us this month.

SS: Thank you Ann for giving me this opportunity to share a bit of myself and my work with your readers.

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Ann Lory
Website: www.annlory.com
Blog: www.annlory.blogspot.com