Untamed Hearts- Series 1 (Red Collar): Chapter 1

Untamed Hearts is a spin-off series from the novel, Red Collar and follows the romance between Lorenzo and Libby. Series 1 focuses on their budding love.


Libby watched Kate brooding in the corner of their balcony. She noticed that her older sister rarely left the house since she had returned from Sitka. She didn't understand what was wrong except that something had changed in the course of her one week trip.

"Libby, can I have a drink of cordial juice, please?" Lily tugged at her pants.

Libby, reluctantly, turned away and looked down at her six year old sister. "Which one would you like? Raspberry or lime?"

"Raspberry."

"Yeah?" Libby smiled. "And why is that?" she asked, even though she knew exactly what her answer would be.

"Because it's red. And my favorite color is red and pink and purple."

"Mine too," she said, as she mixed her drink.

"What's wrong with Kate, Libby? Is she dying?" Her eyes peered over at Libby, filled with a depth of concern not suited to a child of her age.

Libby's heart lurched. Lily had endurably watched her mother die slowly from liver cirrhosis. She had never known her mother other than the invalid who occupied her time between the bathroom and the bed. The only mother she could relate to was Kate. It wasn't surprising to Libby that anyone who looked as solemn as Kate did now, could only mean she was ill and about to die to Lily. It was all Lily had known. It certainly wasn't surprising and it definitely was sad.

But Libby had also known no different. Lily, at least, hadn't witnessed the drunk mother she had experienced, in addition to the several different men that used to frequent their apartment. Their home would be teeming with emptied bottles of alcohol, boxes of squashed, empty beer cans and stunk of cigarette odor. It used to be a relentless task emptying the garbage three floors down the building. She used to be so ashamed of her drunk mother though, she would wear a balaclava over her head as she would empty the evidence of her mother's addiction in the garbage bins of the neighboring building.

It was no wonder then, she was so jealous of Kate. Kate had it all. She had seen the wonderful mother their mother could have been and she had a father who had loved her. Libby, like the rest of her half-siblings, didn't know which of the men their mother brought home, could have been their father.

She leaned forward on her elbows, watching the little girl seated across the table. "She's not dying, Lily. Everyone who is sad or sick doesn't necessarily mean that they're dying. I think she's... just tired. She's had a long trip to Alaska. And Alaska is pretty far away from New York."

"How far?"

"Very far."

"As far as the moon?"

"No, but it is far," Libby rolled her eyes. "Now, if you've finished your drink, maybe we can ask Kate how far it really is. But not now," she added, quickly, before Lily could ask her when. "Once Kate is feeling a little better, okay?"

Lily downed her drink speedily when she heard the television blare one of her favorite series' theme. She shot out of the kitchen, leaving Libby alone once more to worry about Kate.

It was true she hadn't gotten on with Kate and she had deliberately tried to vex her on numerous occasions. But that largely was due to her jealousy. She wanted her picky, bossy older half-sister back so she could return to her sixteen year old self she had begun to love playing. Since Kate had taken over the household responsibilities three months ago, she never had felt so light and burden-free. No longer did she have to slave after her drunk, slobbery mother, or endure the task of ensuring that there was a meal in the house for her three siblings. She didn't have to worry about the little matters of pickings and dropping-offs of Lily and Johnny to and from school and she never would have to be concerned about how much money their mother had left in her wallet to pay for the bills and their shopping. But she was darned if she would say it out aloud.

She slid open the door to the balcony. "Kate, is there something wrong? Do you want to talk about it?" she muttered.

Her concern should have surprised Kate because she never once had shown she cared for her sister. But Kate didn't move at all. She sat with her knees folded up to her chest and her hair strewn wildly about her.

"Kate, what's going on?" she asked, again. "You've been in such a depressive state since you've returned from Sitka. Did something happen?"

Kate wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Leave me alone."

"Kate...," she started again.

"Leave me alone! Go away! Let me be!!"

Free Reviews for the Debut Self-Publisher

For many independent authors, Amazon certainly ranks as the top preference for self-publishing and it's no big secret that Amazon gives more exposure to those books with a reasonable collection of reviews.

But where can you get a free review? After all, most independent authors do not have that supporting financing network privileged to their traditionally published counterparts.

A small search online will provide some good places to start with. I've personally found some success at websites such as http://www.theindieview.com and http://dlmorrese.wordpress.com.

Then of course, there is the popular https://www.goodreads.com. I can carefully surmise that almost every self-publisher I've met, is or has been a member of this website. While some despise it to the core, others find it an enriching resource for their writing. There are several groups which you could join to suit your needs. There is a place to vent, rant, explore your hidden literary desires and most definitely, find the reviewers you're desperately seeking for your debut novel.

There are several review groups on Facebook as well that you could explore at your will. Like any product, each group is different and does not suit the several personalities who surf them. One may appeal to you more than the other.

I've also had some stroke of luck with Twitter as well. There have been cases where readers have connected to request for a copy in return for a review. So, if you don't have a Twitter account, it may not be a bad idea to get one. Here is my Twitter link to add to your follow list, if you think it might help to ease your nerves; https://twitter.com/ccartharn

Not everyone is social media savvy. And it can be quite daunting to step into such a forum as a newbie. But each step is a growing process, contributing unconsciously to your evolution as an author. So remember to keep stepping, keep moving. You've completed the most important task of all. You've completed your book. Welcome to the publishing world.