Do you have a favorite fall memory linked to a train? What do you imagine you would see if you were riding a train in the fall? Join the authors of Wild CHild publishing and Freyas Bower as we Take an Autumn Train Ride through our blogs.

Prizes will include

• Four $50 gift certificates (two for Wild Child and two Freya's Bower)
• An awesome swag package that includes:
• Bookmarks
• Books
• Wild Child T-shirt and mug
• Wild Child and Freya's Bower bags
• Four handmade, crochet coasters by Kit Wylde
• An autographed copy of Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
• A rare DVD copy of the Matheson/Furst classic "Up The Creek" (lovingly used)
• One ebook copy of Nita Wick’s short story, The Dream (previously published as part of a Freya's Bower anthology.)
• Book trading cards
• Signed Dangerous Waters poster
• of "Battle for Blood: The Blood Feud"
• winner's name as a character in Kissa Starling’s next sweet romance story.
• A Yankee Candle
• more...

A Jump In The Fall

Patrick Royal

     It was the fall of 1984, and I had just graduated high school in May. I was indecisive of what I wanted to do, as most young men and women were after starting "the very first day of the rest of your life". I had searched for jobs, but I had to face the best I was going to get was minimum wage; back then was only $4.oo an hour at best.

     Back in the latter part of the twelfth grade year, a Marine recruiter came to our school and spoke about the benefits of joining. I still had the pamphlets he handed out and after a bit of consideration, I thought I'd give it a try.

     I hopped the train one morning in Gary, Indiana bound for Downtown Chicago. I grabbed an empty seat and peered out the window. This was my first time traveling on a train and going to the big city of Chicago, so I didn't really know what to expect. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous, especially being by myself.

     The train jolted forward, eased off, and jolted forward, continuing to zip down the track. The outside scenery floated by like if on a carousel but not as smooth of a ride. Now that the unit was moving, it gained speed with each passing moment. The train whipped by street poles, cars, people, buildings, and intersections.

     The view outside my window was interesting. Copper color leaves crunched and blew up and away from the bottom of the train, soaring into the air from the powerful gust. Trees that we passed were filled with red, yellow, and copper leaves. Many held some of each color while others had all of one.

     Halfway to my destination, the train jolted forward, nearly throwing me and the other passengers out of our seats. To my surprise, an object looking like a huge ragdoll shot out from under the train on the side I was sitting on and flew away from the track. A loud swish of air sounded, and the train jolted forward, slowing to a stop. Rumors instantly spread that a child got ran over while playing on the tracks. We learned later that a man jumped off a light pole and in front of our moving train. 

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Please visit these sites for more chances to win, the more you visit the more chances you have to win. We have 46 participating authors. You can stop at as many or as little blogs as you wish. At each stop, you will find either two chances to enter per blog to win some awesome prizes. If you visit all, that's 92 chances to win! There will be five, lucky winners.

Take the Blog Train and Visit These Blogs for more chances to win
Marci Baun/Kit Wylde Critters at the Keyboard Teresa D'Amario Judith Leger, Fantasy and Comtemporary Romance Author Writing The Fictional World of Jaime Samms Follow Where the Path will Take You The Wandering Mind of Lizzy P. Bellows Where Love and Magic Meet Kissa Starling Marianna Heusler Hell's Ambrosia C.M. Michaels The Shadow Portal The Blog Zone Blog By iMagine Ardyth DeBruyn Author Blog Shadows of the Past Dear Reader Cassie Exline -- Mystery and Romance Sarcastic Rambling & Writing That's What I Think Sue's Random Ramblings Make Old Bones Elements of Mystery Molly Dean's Blog Kenzie's Place The Forbidden Blog David Huffstetler Cassandra Ulrich Carol Marvell Andrew Richardson Nick Lloyd Fiddleeebod -- land of stories Nita Wick's Blog Ruth G. Too Poor for Texas Jenn Nixon City of Thieves Musings and Doodles Husein The Western Writer Bike Cop Blog The Character Depot Allen Currier Tracy Holohan

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