SISTERHOOD - by author A.R. NORRIS

The dictionary defines sisterhood as the state of being a sister, a community of sisters, or the solidarity of women based on shared conditions or experiences.


...The definition is just so...dry and flat, like a cracker...don't you agree?

I was blessed with my big sister -- though at the time, it often felt like a curse. What I didn't appreciate growing up was the reality I was gifted with my best friend. My sister is the one who'll always know everything about me...yet love me anyways. She'll be my champion for life, as I will be for hers.

But bonds of sisterhood didn't just end with my sibling. Throughout the years women have drifted in and out of my life, with many never leaving. They enrich my world and, hopefully, vice versa.

There's a lot more to sisterhood than a female relation or female friends. Banded women have done amazing things in history. Heck, if Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton hadn't befriended, the women's rights movement might not have gotten off the ground with the same impact or success.

Not only that, but sisterhood has social and health benefits as well. It provides a sense of identity, validation, and self-esteem. This can result in lower heart rate, blood pressure, stress and better nutritional habits.

There's nothing (or practically nothing I should say) that I wouldn't do for a girlfriend in need. So important are the women in my life, I made sure to integrate that experience in my first release, Duty and Devotion. Besides the obvious relationship of sisters Nettie and Rinny, I created an all women crew for Nettie and made sure Rinny had a female friend in Journey and Emiko. The unification of these various relationships is what helps the two survive the stress and heartache of war. The excerpt below the moment Nettie knew her, Kaitlin, and Jenny were friends. Fair warning, there are a couple curse words.

To celebrate the awesome power of sisterhood, I'll be giving away a sister themed gift package to one commenter today.

Excerpt

She struggled to find her equilibrium. "It's Officer Matterville, Captain Branz. And no harm done. If anything, you've given me a reminder I sorely needed. Have a good day, sir."

Nettie walked out without looking back. She'd closed the door to her old world and focused on the one she was heading to. Her insecurity followed, trying to break through her anger and reserve. It almost worked too. She reached the locker room ready to break, her body trembling from hurt, anger, and fear. Absently, she caught the call from Jenny and Kaitlin, but continued her headlong rush to the locker.

She collapsed on the bench in front of it and covered her face as the tears fell. That asshole! She mentally screamed and then conflictingly, He's right, I'm not cut out for this!

Hands rubbed her shoulders, and the bench creaked with the weight of someone. Another set of hand rested on her knees. She tried to shake it off and opened her eyes to find Jenny beside her as Kaitlin knelt in front of her.

"Talk, don't talk. Whatever works, friend," Kaitlin said with a squeeze to her knee. And she broke. Through heaving tears and hiccups, she told them. Jenny pulled Nettie against her shoulder and soothed her hair. After she was done with the story, Kaitlin wiped her tears.

"Fuck him," Kaitlin said simply. Nettie snorted and she continued. "Chauvinistic ass. He doesn't know you. You're definitely not a little weak rich girl like he thinks. Little prick."

Nettie laughed again as Jenny seconded the statement. She squeezed their hands and smiled. Everything she needed for the war was right here. This was her back-up. We're each other's back up... .and as Kaitlin said, fuck him.

*****

Hope you liked the excerpt. If you want to learn more about me, stop by my blog: Adventures of a Sci-Fi Writer or email me at mailto:ambernorris2000@yahoo.com

Duty and Devotion is available at Desert Breeze, All Romance Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Kobo, and the Apple iBookstore.