Title complications

Hey Lovelies,
It is no secret that I have trouble with titles. I'm working on a second New Adult novel. Beneath the Scars is currently with Jenn, she's worked on Family Ties both edition and is owner of Modern Electra Editing. So while she is editing Beneath the Scars I'm looking for cover ideas and writing other stories. I'm going to enjoy my time before classes start up once again. I don't know how much time I'll have for writing, I'm hoping some because I don't want to work myself into bad stress point like last time. I'm going to try to find the balance in grad school, that and I'll be working two jobs, yay. I do have an idea for the cover though :)

So the title problem I'm having is with my New Adult story The Four Purposes of Oil. I like the title, it is different, but I worry it might be too long. It is a bit of a mouthful. So do you guys like The Four Purposes of Oil or would you like Service and Repair better? Or is Service and Repair too corny? Figures I have a cover idea for this and I'm only a little over 13K into it...

The Four Purposes of Oil/Service and Repair

Chapter One Noah
Chapter Two Payton

Belated National Friend's Day/Sample Sunday

Hey Lovelies!

I found out after I did my post yesterday that it was national friend's day, but I still wanted to do something fun for it. I might not have had the best of luck with friends in the past, but at the end of the day we really do need them. I have a couple of close friends in my life. I'm one of those people who wasn't part of the "popular" everyone knows me group. In high school I had the tight small group of girls that I was close with, I was friendly with people outside my circle, but usually stuck close. As the years have gone by, most of that group and I had a problem arise in the group after my ex-boyfriend and I broke up, I was a victim of social media bullying. Part of the group attacked me on a status on Facebook then they didn't get when people stood up for me on there, hello world wide web. I've always been picked on one share or another growing up so that might be where some of my wall comes from. It took me a little bit to grow comfortable again, but I took is as I found out who my true friends were, and in the early twenties I really feel like you grow into yourself, figuring out who you are as a person. Sorry for the TMI today. I have a small string of people I'm close with and know I can count on. I know I have a weird relationship with every friend I have, gees I'm close friends with my ex.

Now some of my relationships you might notice in my books a lot of them start off as friends. I know for me it's easier to enter a relationship when I knew the person as a friend first. So if that is where the samples come from heads up. I'm picking the samples as I go along.

To the friends that make our heads spin...

Family Ties:
Chapter 3 Cory

At work we were getting the tables ready for the day.  Abby and I were working one table, trying to remember which side the forks were on.  We had already walked around placing plates and glasses on the table, remembering that with the word bed as help, bread on the left and drinks on the right.  Abby, the nice girl she was, was placing the napkins, leaving me with the silverware and trying to remember where they were suppose to be.

“Are you sure that this is right?”

She looked up at me with a smile.  There was something formulating in those eyes of hers.  This was not going to end well for me.  She sighed, slowly shaking her head while placing another napkin down.

“Cory, what am I going to do with you?  I mean, you can’t even figure out where spoons or forks are supposed to go.  You might as well just plain give up on life and become a hobo.  Living the rest of your days in a cardboard box on some street corner,” Abby spoke, her voice even.

“You suck, just so you know that,” I shot back as she stuck her tongue at me.

Abby’s eyes were bright and laughing at me.

That was when our boss came out of his office, still holding the door open.  His eyes were on us with a raised eyebrow.  He always thought we were up to something or other just because of our sarcasm and us being so close.  That was when a girl, who must be around our age, maybe a couple of years older, came out of his office.  She was a goddess, beautiful.  The girl had commercial prefect mink brown hair that had big full curls.  She was around my height while wearing those thin heeled shoes that had ribbons to laces up the long legs under the short skirt.

She turned her back to us so that she was facing the boss in which was able us sight of her tanned back from her hot pink halter.  They exchanged some words.  I couldn’t turn away from them.  I wish I could hear their conversation.  She turned away from him and headed for the door to leave.  She left all the guys in the room to watch her legs from her dark jean skirt as she left the restaurant.  Shaking my head a little, I turned back to the table with Abby narrowing her eyes on me.  Her lips were tightened with her knuckles popping out from her grip on the cloth napkins.  She was going to kill me.

“What?” I asked with wide eyes.

Her mouth was starting to open as our boss walked over to us.  I was being saved from a very painful death.

Our boss stood between us around the circular table.  His arms were behind him with a stern expression on his face.

“Okay, before any of you go telling people, I’m not having an affair.” He paused as he turned to look at me. “That girl is starting work tomorrow and was here for an interview.  Also, she is my niece, Toni, so if one of you even thinks about going near her I will have your head.”

He was looking at me again when he said that last part.

How was that divine woman related to him?!  I turned to look to where she had left.  She wasn’t in sight anymore, but I had to check.  Our boss walked away as I kept looking over there.  That was when I felt a punch between my two shoulder blades.

“Ow!” I yelled as I turned around to see who did it.

There was Abby, her lips tight.  Even though she was shorter than me I felt like she could kill me quickly with ease.  Short people and their short fuses…

“I have a feeling she’ll be more of a distraction than actually doing work,” Abby grumbled as she gave me a small push as she went around me.

I couldn’t answer as I bent my head to see her driving away.  Yup, she was a little older then us since we had our permits and not licenses.  I was hit with something light and looked at Abby again.  She was holding a cloth napkin looking annoyed.

“I’m not doing your work so you can drool over a girl!”

I rolled my eyes and went back to work.

“I’m working too, and I’m not drooling.” I glared at her.

“Please!  You can see your jaw dropping a mile away!” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.  “I’m going to have to grab a bucket if you want to continue gawking at her.”

“Hey, wait, what is different at me looking at her and what you, Zoey, and Danielle do when we go to the beach and there’s all the shirtless guys?”

She sighed, shaking her head before answering.

“If a guy works out that much and has great abs and chest, it’s only appropriate to look at him for his great work and determination.  Everyone needs a little encouragement!” Her voice was making sure to emphasize every word she said, almost as if she wasn’t sure how I didn’t already know this.

“That’s such a double standard,” I snapped, I wanted abs.

“Oh, cry me a river,” she muttered before putting the last item on the table.

“I really have no chance of winning this, do I?” I asked as I noticed her shoulders squared off, chin held high, her brown eyes razor sharp looking at the table.

“Have you ever had a chance of winning any argument with me?” Her voice was light as she looked at me. She was trying to be sweet with me, her dark eyelashes framed her eyes, and a small smile on her lips.

I just sighed looking at my friend.  I started to laugh as a full on smile formed on her face, showing off her teeth.  I couldn’t picture her not being in my life.  Even though people thought we were seriously arguing, on the verge of killing each other, we both knew it was all fun and games.

To the friends who might not always understand why you do what you, but stay around anyway, and were friends with us when no one else was...

The Four Purposes of Oil
Noah Chapter 3

“You’re off from work and you’re washing your car?” Remy’s voice came from behind me.

Turning around she was wearing clothes much more relaxed and tamer then the other night. There she was in a dress and flats, with her hair tied back behind her.

“It’s my time off don’t judge me.”

“So what are the odds of me getting you to was my car as well,” she asked walking closer to me, taking a sip out of her ice coffee.

I smirked, “You make fun of me then ask me a favor?”

She batted her eyelashes, “You love me.”

I rolled my eyes as I finished the top of the car.

“I love this weather,”

“You’re saying that because your school year is almost over.”

“Someone’s grumpy.”

My head fell forward, pausing before I spoke, “Sorry I’ve been a little preoccupied lately. I almost forgot I have to do an oil change tomorrow.”

“Don’t you always do those? I mean you work at a garage,” her voice came out rough.

I glanced at her before moving to another section of the car.

“I do, but this client is special.”

“Sorry I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Sorry I haven’t been sleeping and been distracted.”

She raised an eyebrow at me as she stood next to me, “What’s on your mind buddy?”

I shrugged.

“You don’t have to pull that tough guy act on me, I’ve known you since we were little. I knew you when you went through your chubby stage of high school.”

I groaned closing my eyes, “I like to forget the chubby years of high school where no one talked to me.”

“So now I’m no one? Okay now I deserve a free car wash.”

“Didn’t your parents tell you not to insult a guy with a bucket of water that they could just dump on you?”

I smirked as she narrowed her eyes, “I really have some sense to call up your father and tell him how obnoxious his son is to women.”

I chuckled, “He would be torn of scolding me and laughing at what I said.”

She shoved my arm.

“I really don’t know why I’m friends with you at times.”

I chuckled. In the back of my mind I kept thinking about how it was a not so secret that Remy had a crush on me. I kept my eyes on the car instead of on Remy. Tomorrow I had my special client and I had to make sure I got enough sleep to be able to do the work.

To the friends who are also our siblings...

Beneath the Scars

Chapter 3

Rily

Turning off the engine after I pulled into the driveway I sat there listening to the music be cut off, as the engine slowed down till it stopped completely. I had to get out of the car and into the home. Sighing I tugged on the hood even though it was already up and covering my face. Slamming the door I walked to the front door ringing the doorbell than I waited on the front porch. Even though I was at family’s house I couldn’t bring myself to just walk in. My once stand up right posture was now slightly hunched over with my head hidden. Through the door I could hear the dog barking and shuffling of feet before my sister, Charlotte, opened the door with a wide smile. She stood aside as she let me in.

“I was starting to wonder when you’d show up,” my sister greeted her voice was so cheery giving me a hug before moving aside for me.

“Well I was waiting for it to get dark,” I answered as their collie ran over to me standing on it’s hind legs to put the front ones on my upper body.

My sister pulled the dog off me.

“Dumb dog, you are going to wake up the kids,” Charlotte pulled on the dog’s collar off me as she started in the direction of the kitchen. “Rily, I love you and the kids miss you. You are going to have to eventually come out in the daylight, can’t live like an nocturnal animal forever.”

I huffed, rolling my eyes at my sister’s back.

“Don’t you dare roll your eyes at me!” Charlotte snapped turning into the kitchen moving cups and the kettle around.

“Don’t use your mom ninja skills on me,” I sighed not in the mood to deal with my sister mothering me, again.

“I’m your older sister and a mother of two, it’s a habit,” Charlotte turned to face me, head titled slightly as her long, loosely curled, brown hair framed her pale face. “I worry about you.”

Her blue green eyes softened their shade similar to my own. Heavy steps came down the steps and in a couple of seconds her husband, Paul, strolled into the room. Paul nodded in my direction as he looked over at his wife, she smiled at him.

“I’m finishing up the last bits of my paperwork, but the little monkeys don’t want to go to bed,” he stated, his eyes locked on my sister’s, as a crash upstairs occurred on cue.

“I read to you guys your bedtime story go to bed,” my sister yelled as she put water into the kettle.

“But Mom,” a small voice whined, I smirked ready for what my sister was about to bestow.

“But nothing, you two bed-“

Before my sister could finish I interrupted unable to control myself, “Get back into bed before the monsters tries to bite your ankles!”

Yelps and screams poured from the upstairs as thunderous steps came down the stairs. Charlotte glared at me as she threw the empty box of tea at me, I chuckled. The two nearly slid into the kitchen with the younger one almost falling from the footie pajamas against the tile.

“Uncle Rily,” my niece Madison glowed as she noticed me changing her direction to me with open arms.

Madison had only recently been that friendly with me, right when I came home she was in tears refusing to come near me or even lay eyes on me. Charlotte talked to her about what I did overseas and why I was burnt all over, Madison slowly came around calling me a hero despite the fact that I didn’t feel like one. Parts of my skin were grafted while others were just distorted. She was seven, but my nephew Elliot was four, and was still afraid of me, I couldn’t blame him I had the appearance of a malevolence Greek creature. Madison jumped into my lap giving me a hug while Elliot tip toed over to my sister nearly hiding his face in his teddy bear.

“Uncle Rily can you read us a bedtime story and check to make sure that monster isn’t there?” Madison begged, her eyes grew wide, bottom lip puckered out.

“Maybe,” I responded ruffling the top of her head, my fingers got tangled in her light brown hair.

“Aw come on,” Madison continued to plead. “Elliot don’t you want Uncle Rily to read to us too?”

Elliot buried his face into Charlotte’s leg.

“Elliot go on and say hi to your Uncle,” Charlotte encouraged her son, putting her hand on his back nudging him in my direction.

The grin on my face faded. My eyes drifted to the floor knowing that my once happy go lucky nephew who was so young when I left was no longer that way with me. Everything changed, now my own family was afraid to look at me, treaded on broken glass when they talked to me. My sister was the only one who acted like nothing ever changed. Even that I questioned. I felt sick and angry wanting to go back into my gloomy apartment.

“It’s fine Charlotte,” I mumbled, my hand formed into a fist by my side on the leg that was opposite of Charlotte.

“It’s not fine Rily, go on Elliot see Madison is fine,” she spoke gently.

Elliot didn’t even budge, my brother-in-law just picked Elliot up and brought him back up to his room. Paul had the personality of a wet rag. He managed to talk less to me since I’ve been home the past year.

“He’s four don’t-”

“I’m a beast I get it,” I cut her off my voice gruff.

“You aren’t a beast,” Madison responded she turned around so that she was facing me she place a hand on both sides of my face, even the deformed parts that were forever scarred. “You are nice.”

Madison then leaned in and kissed my cheek.

“Night Uncle Rily,” Madison smiled as she hopped off my lap.

“Night Madison sweet dreams,” I responded, she giggled as she went upstairs.

“See,” my sister grinned showing her smugness as she poured the hot water into a mug. “Do you want some tea?”

“Sure,” I answered bracing myself for the lecture that was about to be served with the steaming water.

“See Madison is not afraid of you, you can stop shutting yourself from the world,” Charlotte started while I rolled my eyes. “You did a good-“

“Your husband is a grown man and won’t even look at me,” I pointed out getting sick of this.

“Oh he’s just awkward around every person, it’s not because of the burn scars Rily.”

“Whatever,” I grumbled.

“Rily, you’re not Madison’s age, use your words,” Charlotte scolded her eyes narrowed.

“Yes mother,” I continued to protest stirring the liquid mindlessly.

“Rily seriously, you did an amazing thing and receive honors for-“

“Yeah the honors are really helping me I can’t even walk out of my house without being gawked at. My own nephew won’t come near me!” I snapped, not able to hold back the fury in my voice.

Charlotte walked over to me brushing the hood off my head; my brown hair was scorched off of my skin leaving red rippling skin. I cringed as she ran her fingers over the top of my head down to my chewed up ear. Her touch was so soft.

“Baby brother, you have a heart of gold, you always have. I just wish you could remember that and see past the reflection in the mirror,” her voice was a tender lullaby she bent down and kissed the top of my head while laying strokes on my scalp.

“Easier said then done,” I muttered my voice calmer then before.

“Uncle Rily you said you’d read me a story!” Madison pointed out from up the stairs.

“Your audience awaits,” Charlotte gave my back a little push.

I rolled my eyes and took sluggish steps towards the stairs to see Madison in her pajamas with a stuffed dog in her grasp.

“Come on, Uncle Rily you’re walking too slow,” Madison complained causing me to run up the stairs as she squeaked.

I scooped Madison up so that she was in a ball near my head, blowing a raspberry into her neck she giggled louder.

“Stop it!”

“Continue? Okay,” I tickled her stomach; her laughter filled the house as a door behind us cracked open to show a peeking Elliot.

“Rily I wanted them to sleep stop winding them up!” my sister ordered. “So help me when you have kids karma is going to get you in the butt! And if karma doesn’t I sure as hell will!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I stuck my tongue out at Madison she grinned, Elliot shut the door.

I sat on Madison’s bed as she grabbed a picture book. Madison scurried under her sheets curling against my side. I started to read the book as her eyes slowly drifted to close and before the book was done Madison was asleep. Getting up slowly I tucked her in before tip toeing out of her room, closing the door lightly. My sister was standing there at the top of the stairs smirking, her arms crossed over her chest.

“You’re great with kids.”

I rolled my eyes for what felt like the billionth time tonight.

“So?”

“You’re going to be a great daddy one day,” Charlotte continued.

“A girl would have to be able to stand to look at me to make that happen.”

“You would have to actually leave your house at normal hours to start with. I just want you to be happy Rily, you know that right?”

“I do, but I probably should get going,” I spoke she gave me a hug and I made my way out into the night.

Sequels, shops, updates

Hey Lovelies!
So there needs to be a lot of updates. I'm currently applying all over New Jersey in search for a teaching job,  so my head is spinning with applications. The other night I sent out seven that night alone, I'm really hoping for a couple of the schools I applied to, one of my friends just got a job in E so it would be nice to have a friend, H is a high school my uncle and aunt live in, and HL is even closer than the other two. Sorry for using letters I just don't know if I should be putting the actual school names in here, because honestly I've probably applied to over 50 at this point. I hate the waiting game...

I'm getting in some real quality TLC time with my characters. I am getting to write fiction again, no footnotes needed! I'm putting a little pause on End of the Line trilogy because I did finish the second one, but the third one is a little weird, and I'd hate to put out a series just for the sake of putting out a series. I might come back to the series, but right now it's on the back burn. However Family Ties' sequel Invisible Bonds is doing pretty well, I wasn't sure how it would do, but the characters are taking me in a different direction. Abby knows what she is doing so I'll trust, it is different the first I will warn people now, even the format is different. That and I am working on a couple other projects like The Four Purposes of Oil which I broke through the writer's block on! If I can work on it more it could be a fun New Adult book :)

If you haven't already checked out my giveaways going on to the right is the one on Goodreads, and two entries down or HERE is a big giveaway that is going on till June 23 which is the biggie. It is my way to celebrate graduating college, I'm giveaway signed paperbacks of End of the Line and Family Ties and an Amazon gift card. Also you can check out the little store tab, I changed things up a little since I did change two of my covers. If there is a quote you like I can try to work it into the store. I know I did get a request for putting in the store tab to get it so I can sell signed copies, after the giveaway is done I will try to work on that because I do think that would be fun. So I will work on it!
~Ottilie

Sample Sunday ~ The Four Purposes of Oil

Hey Lovelies!
I know it's been awhile since I have posted a sample Sunday, especially since I was working on sequels, but I am posting one! I had posted the first chapter while back, and it was flipping back and forth between first and third person, I finally settled on first person. I'll using third on another story to play with, and I'm so happy this story is picking up pace, I'm hoping I just didn't jinx it though ::knocks on wood::. It's going to be taking some interesting turns and I'm liking the characters.

Chapter One Noah

The Four Purposes of Oil

Chapter Two

Payton

Standing in the kitchen in a tank top and shorts I leaned over to open the window above the sink. Coffee started to radiate through the air. Yawning big I press my back to the counter rubbing my face from last nights lack of sleep. The scrapper of nails made its way from upstairs and towards me. Then there before me were big brown eyes stared up at me with perked brown ears. Daisy was a mutt, mostly Border collie we think, since she was fluffy and had white and brown patches on her. Daisy sat down with a loyal plop against the tile floor.

“It’s coffee dog, you don’t want that.”

Daisy tilted her head. Shuffling around I grabbed a mug then poured some of the coffee into the light blue cup. My eyes scanned the pale blue kitchen that I visited every summer while growing up. My Nana was very into the pastel colors, each room was a different color. Sipping the liquid gold I made my way over to 
the cabinets to see if I had any oatmeal left. Shifting through the shelves it was apparent that I needed to go food shopping. I just was happy I got Nana’s medicine the night before even though she waited to the last minute to tell me she needed any.

“You scrunch your face that much you’ll look as old as me in like ten years,” a gentle voice traveled over.

“Just noticing I need to go shopping,” I responded.

“We can go after breakfast, shorter lines, and it’ll be good to be out,” Nana walked across the tile floor before opening the refrigerator.

“Let me get you something to-”

“Payton I’m fine, I’m on meds not disable.”

Nana pulled out a gallon of milk as her long braid of white and grey hair was thrown over her shoulder. Her features that were once sharp were now softened a bit. She was wearing a sweater over her nightgown.

“Nana I can go by myself there’s no reason for you to have to go,” I spoke up as she pushed me aside to get her box of cereal. “Let me help you.”

Nana swatted my hands away, “Girl I love you, but you’re not too old for me to punish you. I can handle making myself a bowl of cereal, the doctor even told you that I should be doing some stuff around the house would be good for me.”

“I’m sorry Nana I’m-”

“I know you’re just looking out for me,” Nana kissed me on the forehead and poured her cereal. “We’ll eat and get ready to go out. Looks like a pretty day for a drive.”

Nana started to eat her cereal at the table with Daisy laying loyally at her feet. Glancing over while I made my own meal periodically peering over to her, getting no peace of my own while she hummed and ate.

Throwing on a tank top and shorts after my shower quickly in hopes that we can get in and out of the store. Brushing my hair I was thankful that it was cut short and that I didn’t have Nana’s long hair. Grabbing my purse and unlatching the keys that were clipped to the strap I went to Nana’s door and knocked.

“Nana are you ready?” there wasn’t any response and my heart sped up, so I knocked again. “Nana?”

When there was still no answer I opened the door searching her room. Nana came waltzing out of her bathroom putting on a necklace.

“Are you in a hurry?”

Shaking my head as Nana continued down the stairs after walking by me.

“No but-”

“Then nothing, do you have your keys?”

“Yeah I-”

“Okay then we can get going

Rolling my eyes I let out a huff of breath. Nana was already halfway out the front door causing me to skip stairs to catch up with her. Who was glancing at the flowers along the walkway to the car. Nana’s fingers seemed to grazing each flower as she walked by.

“When we come back I should put on a hat and water these. Especially that spot it looks like it is drying out,” Nana leaned over to sniff a couple of her roses. “Despite the thorns they are quite beautiful don’t you think?”

Speaking quietly, voice drained, “Yes Nana, but can we go-”

“Take my advice, life is too short not to smell the roses.”

I unlocked the door and tried to help Nana into the car. Laying a hand on her back and trying to take her other hand only to get it swatted away.

“What did I say about helping me?”

I gave a weak smile while muttering in my head. Once Nana was fully in the car I closed the door and went into the driver’s side. Once the car was started I took off out of the neighborhood. Nana rolled down her window down before she started to play around with the different radio stations till she found one to sing with. I glanced over at Nana, I began to wonder which one of us was the twenty one year old and which one was the grandparent. People waved to the two family members in the car as they drove by. Nana waved to everyone back as I kept both hands firmly on the wheel. The small homes, each had their own gardens surrounded by bright green lawns. The local stores were in the center of the town.

Passing the recreation center with the soccer fields I turned into the heart of town. There was a small bookstore, movie theater that had two screens, toy store, and several more including the food store that I was targeting to get to for my mission. Parking up front I attempted to help Nana out of the car who ignored my offer. Before moving in with Nana, I moved around a couple of times so I did not get the full attachment that Nana had to her house.

Nana left Payton behind at the car to pick out a cart and started to head into the store. I turned towards the entrance to have my eyes widen at her lost family member. Jogging to catch up with Nana I ended up in the aisle with the apples. Nana was putting some in a bag.

“You can’t do that to me,” I muttered a little out of breath.

Nana pointed her index finger at me, “Watch your tone with me. You’re going to end up with more wrinkles then me at this rate you are going at.”

“Oh Beverly,” a woman called from across the section waving her arm high in the air, she pushed her cart over till she was standing in front of Nana. “It is so nice to see you about again.”

Nana just grinned politely at one of her neighbors not letting her know that she had no interest in talking to her.

“Good morning Patty I saw that your flowers were coming in beautifully,” Beverlyresponded. “You’ve met my granddaughter Payton?”

Patty turned her head to glance over at me who was wearing a tight grin. Another person I was being introduced to. I had been introduced to so many people my head was spinning with names. It amazed me that Nana was able to keep everyone straight, the entire town seemed to not only know each person’s name, but their entire biography known. It took all of my strength to not sigh in exasperation.

Updates on End of the Line series :)

Dear Lovelies!
Sorry been a little MIA this semester is doing wonders for my stress level. I preferred last semester of student teaching far more! So anyway like I was saying I've been busy so I haven't been able to write much, pretty much a couple of sentences at a time kind of business. Not fun. Mostly it was between Walking a Thin Line (end of the line 2) and The Four Purposes of Oil. The Four Purposes of Oil I really like, but what had me stump with that one was me going back and fourth on which tense I want for it. That can slow things down. So Walking a thin Line prevailed! I finished it last night! Well at least the first draft! I'm so excited, but I wasn't sure how it would turn out or if it would finish because I kept stressing about whether the story needed to be told or not and not letting the words flow. Anyway! This book might take awhile to be released because of I still need to go back and edit it. While I edit it when I can I will try to write the third and last installment. If for some reason it isn't long enough then it will be a part 2 of the second one! Because how I ended the second one I'm pretty sure it is not a recommended situation to leave things ;)

Lastly, I did at one point I did have a title for the last book in this series. However much like a lot of things in my life, I misplaced that title somewhere. I remember liking it, so I have a couple of ideas, and I'm willing to hear your options, you can either click HERE and vote or voice your own opinion! Or you can click on vote on a title off to the right! Pass the word :)
~Ottilie

The Ultimate Sample Sunday 2

Hey Lovelies!
Again sorry it's been so long. Even though I am only taking two classes they are seriously kicking my butt. One class is a book a week and the other is a research class which will lead to a 30 page paper due in April!  Plus I have been working on a portfolio so that I can get hired for a teaching position. So needless to say I have been a little busy. I am working on a couple of a sentences at a time on 3 stories, 2 of which are part of series so you won't see those samples here ;). So below I have all the samples I have ever posted for my Young Adult and New Adult genres! That is 9 stories and 14 samples! That's a lot, so enjoy! :) all the images I found on Google by the way...


End of the Line
Chapter 1 Lauren 
Chapter 2 Aaron

Family Ties
Chapter 3 Cory
Chapter 4 Abby 

Beneath the Scars
Chapter 1 Rily
Chapter 2 Eponine

 

Project US
Old Prolgue
Chapter 1 Rachel
Chapter 2 Nick

Runaway
Chapter 1

Beaker to Life
Prologue & Chapter 1 Derek

Pirates' Life for Me
Chapter 1 Jocelyn

Within your eyes
Chapter 1 Sonja

The Four Purposes of Oil
Chapter One Noah

Sample Sunday ~ The Four Purposes of Oil

Hey Lovelies!
Sorry that I haven't posted one of these in awhile, especially since I couldn't with working on Walking a Thin Line, since it is a second book I feel like posting a sample would be a major spoiler for the first book. So today I'm going to post a sample from The Four Purposes of Oil! I'm getting attached to the characters already so I hope you enjoy this Romantic Fiction ~ New Adult book. Heads up though, I will be changing this book to 3rd person instead of first. I will tell you though I will be learning more about cars so it will get a little fuller with details. Again this is just eh skeleton of the first chapter and I hope you enjoy :)

**I'm tossing and turning over if it should be in 3rd or 1st person that's why it changes sorry!!**

Chapter one

Noah

The speakers were shot, more static then music was really blaring out, but with the constant sounds of the machines it was hard to hear the music anyway. The sounds of the engines and tools roar as they fixed the inner workings of a car all were tranquil peace. There was nothing greater then working on a car. The warm air drifting into the garage and as a young man wiped his forehead with his forearm not caring that there was probably new smudge of grease on his face.

“Noah, did you figure out what’s wrong with the Wyant’s car?” a voice called out from the office, the door was open with a small fan blowing.

Glancing up the young man, Noah saw his boss Stan holding a box with the lo mein hanging over parts of the box. His t-shirt was half tucked into his jeans and baseball cap on his head; he was in his early thirties.

“Yeah I got it, it’ll take another couple of minutes if we’ve a piece that needs to be replaced,” Noah responded wiping his hands on his own t-shirt.

Stan’s face stretch into a half smile, “That’s my guy, I knew I kept you around for a reason.”

Noah raised an eyebrow and smirked, “Yeah so you don’t have to do the work.”

“I thought it was so he could look at our fine asses,” another voice shouted across the garage, Justin.

“I swear if your head inflates anymore Justin you won’t be able to fit through those doors,” Stan shot back pointing over to the garage door with his fork.

Justin grinned, his blond hair was held back by a bandana. He twirled a wrenched in his hand.

“Stop thinking you’re a pretty boy and finish that carbonator,” Stan rolled his eyes before going into the office.

“I swear it’s on a daily bases I feel bad for your poor mother,” Noah muttered heading out back with the supplies.

“My mom or my girl?” Justin asked for clarification.

Noah grabbed the part that he needed and headed back to the car he was working on.

“Both I guess, possibly more for your mom because your girl could leave if she wanted to.”

“Hey she got a taste of Justin, and now she doesn’t want to leave,” Justin chuckled, but he was peering into the hood of the car he was working on to see what Justin was doing.

“Oh so you’re drugging the poor girl,” I responded back moving parts around.

“Ha! Nothing, but with my charm.”

I shook my head. I had met Karen and he was a lucky guy.

“My butt you have charm.”

“Will you two Chatty Cathy’s put a sock in it or do I have to bring out the tea set for this ordeal?” Stan yelled out.

My body ached as I got home late that night, I always worked longer then what the hours said at GARAGE NAME. Trudging my feet across the tile floor of my apartment I opened the fridge to find something to eat. The light from the fridge lit up the small apartment, and it was pretty close to empty. There was a carton of orange juice, a box of baking soda, and something in a Styrofoam box. Narrowing my eyes I picked it up not remembering when the last time I brought something home was. There was a buffalo chicken wrap with some curly fries. How was it possible I brought home food from Angelia’s Diner? I usually ate the entire thing when I was there. Looking at the top of the box I smiled at the sticky note on there.

Miss you Idiot!

Remember to eat, noticed no food!

What’s wrong with you?

Remy

The best friend a guy could have. She must have dropped it off today since she was using my laundry room. Glancing over at the top of oven to see what time it was, a little after eleven. She probably would still be awake. Putting the food onto the small tray then into the toast my stomach growled as if it finally realized it was hungry. Pulling my cell phone out of my pocket using my short nails that were still dark from the grease from work I searched for her name. Pushing her Remy on the contact list I heard it ringing.

“Hey you’re alive! Or are you still in the garage?” Remy responded.

I chuckled, “Nah I’m home sorry for being a little MIA lately. Thanks for the food by the way.”

Remy laughed a little, “It’s the least I could do is give you food, I mean you work so much you need food. You use to be organized and on top of things.”

Glancing around my place that was just the opposite of what Remy just described.

“I’m never home, I pretty much live at the garage.”

“Yeah I noticed I went to your place and a couple of your neighbors asked if I was a new tenet.”

Turning the lights on in the place I peeked into the toaster and took out my food.

“I think I’m at your place more then you are,” Remy continued as I took a bite out of the food, best thing ever.

“Oh my God I think I love you,” I mumbled with food still in my mouth.

Remy broke out fully laughing.

“Well I know how you love their buffalo chicken wrap.”

“It’s food for the Gods,” I spoke with food still my mouth and I leaned back against my counter tops.

“So I’ve decided you and I need to go out,” Remy randomly blurted out.

I raised an eyebrow and stopped chewing.

“What are you talking about?”

“God way to make hanging out with your friend sound like a chore.”

I sighed rolling my eyes now waiting for the punch line.

“Sorry.”

“I haven’t seen you in what weeks?”

I narrowed my eyes trying to back track in time in an attempt to remember the last time I had seen my friend, or anyone who I didn’t work with.

“I’ll take your pause as a sign that I’m correct if not longer. So I know for a fact that the garage closes at eight so on Friday I will be kidnapping you at nine and we’re going out. You’ll be showered, shaven, and wearing something that does not have grease on it before we go to Murphy’s.”

“Why do I have to get so dolled up?”

“Showering is getting dolled up? If that’s a case you and I need to have a discussion about hygiene.”

“I’ll be clean, don’t get your panties all in a twist.”

I grabbed a couple fries and shoved them into my mouth.

“Sorry for wanting to hang out with my friend?”

“You should be, how dare you,” my voice was even before eating a couple more fries.

Crunchy fries were the best.

“So you want to meet there or do you want to car pool?”

“I’ll drive it sounds like you need a drink,” I offered.

“I work with kindergarteners all day, you do that and see if you need a drink.”

I chuckled.

“What happened to, ‘I want to have eight kids’?”

“Hey when they are my own kids I can do what I want!” Remy’s voice was borderline shriek.

“That’s a comfort.”

“Oh shove off.”

“What a friend, no wonder we haven’t hung out in awhile,” I joked with her.

“You’re a pain.”

“Woah, wait a minute,” Justin’s voice came from behind me in as I was inside the office. “You know it’s time to check out right at a normal rate?”

“No I didn’t notice that, I thought the moon and sun switched roles,” I muttered standing back up and took my car keys off of the hanger on the wall.

“Justin leave him alone this means I can actually close at the right time,” Stan responded locking the door behind us.

“So what’s up?” Justin asked as we headed to our cars.

His car was next to my baby.

“Remy said we needed to hang out so she is kidnapping me,” I replied opening my car door and standing out still looking over at him as he fiddled with his car.

“She’s still working on you isn’t she?” Justin glanced over me with serious eyes.

“I’m kind of hoping if I keep playing obvious the girl will give up,” I groaned running my fingers through my short hair.

Justin chuckled, “Yeah? How’s that working for you?”

I rolled my eyes and paused.

“That good huh?”

“Life isn’t a romantic comedy, you don’t always end up with your friend that you’ve known for years.”

“I know those damn movies are making our lives hard.”

“Just treat your girl for a night out every once in awhile and she’ll stop throwing these movies in your face.”

Justin raised an eyebrow at me, “Whose side you on?”

Laughing I replied, “Didn’t know I had to pick sides, but her cooking is better then yours.”

Justin smiled, “It is she’s cooking dinner tonight.”

“Pick up flowers for her or something maybe she’ll go easy on you tonight,” I suggested inching a little into my car so I wouldn’t have to face the wrath of Remy tonight myself.

Justin shrugged, “I should, so see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Sitting in I slammed my door and headed home. Once I parked in the lot behind the apartments I waved to one of my neighbors while grabbing the mail. The neighbor squinted and awkwardly waved back. I guess Remy wasn’t joking about my neighbors not knowing who I was. I jumped the stairs taking a couple at a time and unlocked my door. Dropping the junk mail onto my counter with my keys top since I didn’t have a table I started to yank my shirt over my head as I walked to the bathroom. Turning the shower on and waited for the water to heat up. While waiting I decided to brush my teeth and check the facial hair situation, got to love the few moments of being able to multitask.

Once I was showered and dressed for the evening I grabbed my keys once again and headed towards Remy’s place. She was renting a place till the condo she was buying was done being built. Texting her to let her know that I was there I bopped my head around a little to the music. Finally she came strolling out of her place. I had to give it to her, she walked in heels like a well trained model. Remy tossed her hair over her shoulders as she made her way over, in jeans and a off the shoulder shirt. She got into the car and turned to look at me grinning.

“See you clean up well when you actually leave the garage!”

I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, yeah whatever,” I muttered pulling out of her complex.

“Oh don’t be such a sour puss or this night is going to suck,” Remy responded as she fiddled with my radio stations.

Shaking my head I finally pulled into Murphy’s place where most of the spots were taken and people were crossing the parking lot laughing. When we got out of the car the live country music roared causing the two of us to smile. Remy grabbed my hand and pulled me across the parking lot and into the restaurant. The whole middle was wooden floors in front of the stage where the live music was held so that people could dance. Off to the side was the bar and around the perimeter were tables for everyone to sit at. I prefer the seats near the bar so I had a nice view of the poor guys who got dragged across the floor.

“I can’t wait to get a drink,” Remy was bouncing in her seat as she grabbed the menu even though I knew she that whole menu by heart.

“Good to know that you need to drink to be out with me,” I spoke dryly smirking at her.

“I didn’t know I had to threaten my friend to hang out with me,” She responded not taking her eyes off of the menu.

I rolled my eyes as one of the waitresses came by, she was friendly with Remy as she took out drink orders then left.

“See so far, all is good right?” Remy asked smiling at me as she leaned on her elbows on the table.

“Yeah, yeah, I never had any doubt about that, I’m just busy,” I replied with a shrug.

“And I sit around eating Oreos all day?”

“Well you deal with five year olds,” I smirked.

Remy slapped my arm from across the table as I laughed.

“You’re rotten! I know your daddy raised you with more manners!”

Chuckling, “Yeah he did, but you know I got his humor.”

Remy rolled her eyes down to her drink stirring it a little, “What are the odds of me getting you on the dance floor?”

I snorted, “Not on your life is that happening.”

I started to pat around my pockets for not only my release, but also my escape. Finally I pulled out my box of cigarettes and Zippo lighter. Remy’s face scrunched.

“Ugh, I don’t get you and that nasty habit,” Remy spat.

I shrugged, “I don’t smoke near you and never have so chillax. I’ll be right back.”

Once I was outside I opened the cartage and cursed under my breath. There was an IOU from Justin. What kind of guy takes a man’s last cigarette?

I made my way to the side of the road and waited till there was slow enough traffic for me to cross the pharmacy. The beep greeted me and I made my way over to the only cashier on duty. This woman with short black hair carrying a small bag up as well. I waved her to go in front of me.

“They couldn’t take this back there?” The cashier questioned with a raised brow and mid chew of the gum.

She shook her head, “He said they were closing and to go here.”

The cashier popped her gum then finished the young woman’s transaction. She bent her head over her small plastic bag as she fished for her wallet once again to put her money away, but she stepped aside so that I could pay.

“Hey Dawn, the usual,” I spoke taking out my own wallet as the cashier took out a pack of cigarettes for me.

The young woman walked out of the store. I paid for my pack and walked outside breaking the seal. Once outside the girl was still there searching through her bag frantically. A curse was uttered under her breath before she started to glance around on the ground.

“Do you need help?”

She glimpsed up before biting her bottom lip, “I think I dropped my keys somewhere I can’t find them in my purse.”

“Is there anything on the keychain?”

She raised an eyebrow at me.

“I want to know what I’m looking for.”

She nodded, “There’s a flat monkey on it, and they are to my Nissan.”

Nodding my head I helped her search the ground for something shiny. Pacing the sidewalk to two of us searched in the dim parking lot lights. Finally something twinkled near the bushes alongside of the pavement. Bending over my hand grazed the woman’s, she retreated her hand. Picking up the pieces of metal I straightened back up to look at her. Handing over her keys once again her eyes did not meet up with mine.

“Here you go.”

“Thanks,” she brushed some of her short hair behind her ear after she took the keys from me. “Well thank you again I’m going to go now.”

“Okay, by the way-” before I could introduce myself the woman hopped off towards her car leaving me behind not sure what really happened. She was really in a rush.

“I swear you make us all look bad,” Justin called from behind my back as I was hunched over a hood.

“Morning to you too,” I replied straightening up and cracking my neck.

“Do you live here? I swear I saw you leave yesterday,” Justin continued before taking a big gulp of his coffee.

“I left, hung out with Remy, came home slept, then came here. You can call Remy if you don’t believe me, but if you wake her up I’m not taking responsibility for your death,” I replied hunching over once again working on a couple of things so my voice came out short.

“Fair enough, so I took your advice and brought home something for Karen. She’s been wanting a puppy-“

“Woah,” I backed away from the car I was working on. “I said flowers not a living creature.”

“I didn’t get her a real puppy, I’m not ready for that commitment, sharing an animal together. No I got her a stuff animal dog of the one she mentioned she wanted once. This way it shows I’m listening to her, but that we’re not ready to have a dog yet, especially since her place doesn’t allow dogs.”

Nodding my head I pointed the wrench at him, “I change my mind, that’s a nice touch.”

Justin with a wave of his hand bowed.

“So how was getting out last night,” Justin questioned again walking over to the wall of tools.

“Good, but that reminds me,” I chucked a hand rag at him. “When were you planning on telling me that you took my last cigarette?”

“Sorry Karen has been trying to get me to quit so I haven’t bought any and I really needed one.”

“Wow really,” I spoke quietly. “Good for you though, guess I should go hide the pack I got last night then.”

Justin just nodded his head as his hands jittered about.

“When I was getting a pack last night I met this strange woman. She was in such a rush to get out and lost her keys. I had to help her find them then once I did she like disappeared into the night.”

“What’s weird about that?” Justin called out as he wheeled himself under a car that was left before he showed up. “What thought she was good looking and didn’t get her name?”

“She didn’t have bad legs, but just a gut feeling.”

“You’re over thinking things.”