Happy Release Day Glenbrook!

I probably should have posted this earlier, but Glenbrook is officially out!  The fourth book in The Ethereal Crossings series, ah that's so weird to say.  I hope everyone that has followed Liv this far enjoys the next adventure.  And thanks again to everyone who has bought/downloaded the books!  You're the reason I've come as far as I have as a writer!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE SERIES!

NaNoWriMo 2014, Day 1

Today marks the start of NaNoWriMo!  I've been waiting for this for what feels like forever, because I'm so excited to get working on Misled Souls, the second novel in the Astral Bodies series!  To kick off day one I thought I would post the temporary cover (that may also turn into the official cover!).

Arrowood was a quiet city, or so Tess thought.  Until she met Adler she never thought much of murders, warlocks, or ghosts; not in real life at least.  But now that she knows what’s out there she’s more determined than ever to develop her skills and help those that can’t be helped by normal means.

With the Arrowood Vampire gone, Adler brings Tess to their next case; finding the missing bodies of Arrowood.  Over the past week dead bodies have been disappearing from graveyards and morgues, and the police believe they’re being stolen.  Adler thinks they’re breaking themselves out.

Evidence shows that a man dug himself out of his own grave, and a woman walked herself out of her own autopsy.  The undead are rising all over the city, and it’s up to Tess to figure out why.

Now, I'm off to start some writing!  You can track my progress on my NaNoWriMo page here.  I'll most likely start posting excerpts on Wattpad within the next couple of weeks as well!

Anyway, to everyone participating this year, Happy NaNoWriMo!

Complete Release of Astral Bodies

My serial novel Astral Bodies completed in August, so I thought it was time to set up the compilation!  You'll be available to buy it for the same price as the individual parts ($3.99), but with the convenience of one file :)  Pre-order it and get it as soon as it's available on December 1, 2014.  Or I mean, if you can't wait, all parts are already up for sale!

There’s been a murder in Arrowood with only one witness, and she can’t come forward with any information because she technically wasn’t there.
Twenty-year-old Tess has the ability to astral project, and while going for a midnight walk in the woods she stumbles across a ritual murder. Not only that, the killer was actually able to see her when nobody else could.
After leaving an anonymous tip with the police, Tess thinks her life can return to normal, until Jonas Adler contacts her and offers her a job she just can’t refuse. He wants her to become his apprentice and work with the FBI using her unique ability to find the killer.
Tess is soon thrust into a world that both terrifies and excites her, and into a job she never knew she wanted.

Smashwords Pre-Order

Amazon Pre-Order

Excerpt - Phasing

Chapter two of Phasing is up on Wattpad for all to read :)  The writing is going well but I'm a little behind.  I'm hoping to catch up near the end of the month when I have more time off of work.  For now I have to live with just a few sentences here and there.

Here's a part of chapter two!

It was kind of unfair that we had to go back out on assignment so soon after coming back.  Okay, our assignment with the fire elemental was in our hometown, but I’d gotten hurt.  I thought that meant I could have a little time off, but Cress clearly thought differently.

I sat in my usual chair with Colt next to me, each of us waiting for our assignment.  Cress sat in her chair, almost looking uncomfortable.  I wasn’t sure I’d seen her uncomfortable before; usually she controlled a room.

“We gonna get started or…” I let my sentence trail off, hands in the air.  Cress looked to Colt, and I kept flicking my eyes between them.  “What?”

“Go ahead,” Colt said with a shrug.

“You’re next assignment isn’t going to take you far,” Cress began, “it’s only about an hour up north.”

I groaned.  “Please tell me the fireman didn’t get out.  I don’t think I could—”

“That’s not it,” interrupted Cress.  “It’s the Antiope tribe; they’ve run into a…problem.”

“Tribe?” I repeated.  “Antiope?  Never heard of them.  What are they a tribe of?”

Cress and Colt were silent.  After a few seconds Colt answered, “Amazons.  They are…my tribe.”  His fingers gripped the edge of the armrest, cracks beginning to form along the wood.

“Oh,” I breathed, “I’m so sorry.  What’s going on?”

“I think it may be best to go there  yourself; we’ve limited information,” admitted Cress.  “The Antiope tribe claim to be descendants of Antiope herself and are not quite…involved in our society.  They have a complete hierarchy.”

“Then how do we know there’s a problem?” I asked.  Colt seemed quieter than usual, and it was more than a little unsettling.  I’d never seen my partner like this before.

“One of their scouts has come to us seeking help.”

I only nodded, not wanting to question it.  If something was going on with Colt’s family, I didn’t want to mess it up by pointing out the Amazons weren’t under Legion rule.  Now that I thought about it, it was kind of weird that Colt even worked with Legion.  I looked to him, and was able to put together why he was so upset today.  But did he know about this last night?  I hadn’t noticed anything, and guilt sank in my stomach.

“Let’s get going then.”

And don't forget to add Phasing to your "to-read" shelf on Goodreads!

Astral Bodies 2 - Excerpt

Part one of Astral Bodies has made it to most retailers, and is already set to free at Amazon, so I thought I would post an excerpt from part two!

Adler huffed and stood.  After he tapped his hands on the desk a few times he began to pace.  “Well, despite your ignorance, I would still like you as an apprentice.  What do you say?”

“How generous of you,” I stated.  I sighed though, too, giving in.  “What would I be doing?”

“You would help me find whoever is responsible for the girls death,” he explained, “and stop them forever.  You’d also get to work with the FBI, I suppose, and fulfill most of your graduation requirements.  No pay though, such a shame.”  He looked away, clearly happy with that last part.

I held a finger in the air as he started to ramble about the job.  “Sorry, um, did you say fulfill most of my graduation requirements?  As in, less classes?”

He paused.  “Yes, I did.  Do you—want that?”

“Okay, let me nutshell this,” I said, more to myself than Adler.  “I will work with you and the FBI,”—Adler nodded—“and help solve a murder that was done by a—what did you call it?  Warlock?  Warlock.  And I’ll get to miss classes too?”

Adler nodded.  “If you work out for the summer.”

“And you can astral project just like me.”

Another nod.  “Yes; I’m not a natural like you, but I learned.  If you’re taking the job I would like you to decide now; I’ll need to make a phone call.”

“Right now?” I asked.  “I have to decide right this second?”

“Well the killer isn’t going to wait around for his next victim, now is he?” Adler questioned.  He had a point, but everything was happening too fast.  My head was spinning.

“Hurry up, now,” Adler pressured.

“I—okay, I’ll do it!”  The words escaped my lips before I could even think them.  Adler grinned and picked up his phone, already dialling the numbers.

“Wonderful,” he said, “I’ll see you this afternoon at the police station.  I think an hour should do it; don’t be late.”  He waved a hand towards the door.  “I’ll do my best to teach you; you can go now.”

I stood on quivering legs, barely able to hold myself up.  As I shut the door behind me I found I was exhausted from the encounter.  But also a little energized.

I’d never met anyone that could astral project before.  Ever.  Nor had I ever been so grateful to not get something I wanted.  Who cares about some sucky downtown couples counselling?  I was going to work with the FBI!  I just wished I knew more about Adler, and what the hell he thought was going on, before I’d agreed to take the position.

Climbing slowly down the steps I wondered what my next move should be.  Calling Mom and Rose and apologizing for ditching them was probably my best option, but I thought that could wait.  I had to tell someone about my new internship!  Apprenticeship?  Whatever.

As I began to dial Rose’s number, my best friend in the world, I stopped myself.  Just how secretive should I be when working on a murder case?  I glanced up the stairs, debating on going to ask Adler but found I couldn’t.  What if I didn’t even last through the day, after I told everyone about my great new job?

I’ll pass on that embarrassment.  So instead of telling anyone, or even calling my mother to apologize for ditching her at lunch, I decided to get myself a coffee and head towards the police station.  It was only an hour, and it would take half that just to walk there.

Getting into line at the coffee shop on campus, I found myself lost in a fantasy world.  Astral projection had always been a part of my life, but warlocks?  What was that anyway?  All I knew about warlocks was that Rose had once played one in some online fantasy game back in high school.  A time she likes to keep buried in her past but I often dig up during our many fights.

But with warlocks came demons, maybe, and that was something I wasn’t sure I could handle.  I stepped forward robotically, trying to remember what had happened last night, and question if there was anyone else nearby at the time.  I could only remember the one person, and their victim.  No demons there.

“You’re next,” a man said behind me.  I blinked out of a daze I hadn’t realized I’d fallen into, and looked at him.  “The young woman is waiting to take your order.”  

I almost fell over as I met his gaze; Niklas Rogues.  Four years older, and four inches taller, I also knew him as Nik.  AKA my high school crush; AKA, the guy that had rejected me and then laughed about it with his friends.

“Right, sorry,” I said absently, finally finding the words.  This was the moment I had so desperately wanted; the moment I could tell Nik off!  I’d never gotten the chance to do it after he rejected me, since I was way too hurt over his reaction; total disbelief that someone like me would even talk to him.  And then he graduated, and the next four years of my life I got to be known as the girl that was rejected on the first day of school.  I stepped forward and ordered a coffee, but as I went to pull my wallet out I realized I had forgotten my purse in Adler’s office.  “Damn.”

Nik chuckled.  “I’ll give you a hand,” he offered, giving me a smile that was far too charming.  After adding four black coffees onto the order, he paid with a single swipe of his credit card over the terminal.

While his back was turned I inspected his suit, looking for any signs that his life had turned to total ruin after he’d left Arrowood but sadly it looked immaculate.  In fact, even his shoes shined, and his hair was perfectly misplaced just like I remembered.  My heart sank; he looked like he was doing well for himself.  Jerk.

“You don’t have to,” I began, finding my chest was fluttering.

“It’s already done.”  He smiled at me, and a shining silver emanated from his eyes.  It was then that I realized he had no idea who I was.  “Good luck with whatever you were thinking about.”

He quickly grabbed his coffees and went out the door.  The girl behind the counter had to give me a poke to get my attention before I finally took my own drink, and headed back to Adler’s office, a dark cloud encompassing my thoughts.

New Release - Astral Bodies

It's finally here!  And by finally, I mean I've been dying to hit the publish button for like three months...and I'm still hitting it early.  It's only about a week early anyway...right?  So here it is on Smashwords!  It'll take a few days to get to other retailers.

There’s been a murder in Arrowood with only one witness, and she can’t come forward with any information because she technically wasn’t there.

Twenty-year-old Tess has the ability to astral project, and while going for a midnight walk in the woods she stumbles across a ritual murder.  Not only that, the killer was actually able to see her when nobody else could.

After leaving an anonymous tip with the police, Tess thinks her life can return to normal, until Jonas Adler contacts her and offers her a job she just can’t refuse.  He wants her to become his apprentice, and use her unique ability to help find the killer.

Tess is soon thrust into a world that both terrifies and excites her, and into a job she never knew she wanted.

Also, here's a reminder that part two will be available March 27, and the preorder is set up and set to go out to Kobo, Apple iBooks and B&N!  The covers are the same (just a different colour), but here it is anyway:

Astral Bodies - Sneak Peek

Here's a look at Astral Bodies, my upcoming serial novel.  This paranormal murder mystery will be out on or at least around March 1, 2014!  So be on the lookout for it :)

I jumped up, throwing my book across the room and knocking my tea over.  There was a scream trying to crawl out of my throat, but I managed to choke it down and breathe again.

“What the hell?” I questioned.  I searched my memory but everything began to blur together.  All I knew was that I found a body in the Arrow Woods, and the killer was still there.  Ignoring the spilt tea, I jumped from bed and grabbed my cell phone, ready to call the police.  But I had to stop myself.

How would I explain seeing that to them?  Another idea struck, and I headed from my dorm, not even bothering to put my robe on.

The university still had a couple old pay phones hidden in it’s shadowy corners.  Nobody used them anymore, and I prayed they were still functional.  As I approached them I searched the lobby for anyone that might notice me, but found myself alone.  I was behind the front desk, the woman there busy playing some game on her cellphone.

I picked the phone up quietly, keeping my eyes on the front doors, and dialled 911.

When they picked up I interrupted them and said, “There’s a body in the Arrow Woods, near the falls.  The killer made a fire and they’re doing some sort of…ritual, I think.  You should hurry.”

I felt sick.  Every inch of my good natured being was ordering I answer the operator as they asked my name, but instead I hung up the phone.  I licked my lips and closed my eyes a moment, allowing my hands to shake.

I took a deep breath.  It was over now; I’d done my part.

Add it on Goodreads today!

Happy Holidays!

It's almost Christmas, so for the next couple of weeks I don't think I'll be able to post much of anything.  I thought I would post a bit more of Glenbrook, and in the new year will come Astral Bodies!

“How far is the…castle?” I asked, still feeling awkward about that.  We were heading into vampire territory according to Eyre, and it was to see the Lord of Vampires.  It sounded ridiculous, even after all I’d seen.  

“Not far,” Arick told me.  “Once we’re out of the forest we only need to cross the moat, and we’ll be there.”

Of course there would be a moat.  I didn’t reply, and it made him look back at me.  He repeated, “Once we’re out of the forest we only need to cross the moat!”

“She heard you,” Eyre growled, swatting Arick on the back of the head.  

Arick was baffled.  “But she didn’t say anything.”

“Because she did not want to,” Azazel replied.  “Liv Burnett does not speak often.”

I didn’t like this conversation much.

We continued to walk through the trees, the dirt path kicking up dust as we moved over it.  It was a little pink, similar to the smoke that I’d seen on the airplane.  It made me miss Luke even more.

Liv?

I stopped and turned towards the woods, wondering if I’d actually heard that.  I could have sworn he called my name, in the real world and not just in my head.

When he called again I realized it was just in my head.

Liv, how are you here? Luke asked.  It isn’t safe.  Someone is—

I grunted and fell to my knees, holding my temples in hopes of stopping the pain.  It had never hurt so much before to communicate with Luke—why did it now?  I thought it might have to do with being in Shadeland, but that didn’t make complete sense to me.

“What’s wrong?” Arick asked, instantly in front of me.  He kneeled down to my level and helped me up.  It was hard to stand.

“Nothing,” I said, “just a headache.”

I glanced at Azazel and he nodded, as if knowing the truth.  Eyre only pursed her lips; maybe she knew as well.  How either of them could know I wasn’t so sure.

The pain began to subside, and I was able to stand up straight.  I brushed off Arick’s hands, despite how determined he seemed to be.  When I nodded again he took a step back.

“Is someone—”

“She isn’t a case,” Eyre said, “not anymore at least.”

“You don’t know for sure,” Arick sniped.  “How do you—”

“She.  Isn’t.  A.  Case,” Eyre said, her voice low.  “Now let’s get to the castle so that I don’t have to bother with you or him anymore!”  She crossed her arms, and Arick did the same.  Their backs were to each other, and neither of them moved.

I stared, baffled.  Siblings? I thought.  They shared the same eyes and nose, hair colour too.  I was a little surprised Agent Eyre had a brother, and by the looks of things a younger brother.  I decided it isn’t something I’m going to ask about.

Reminders: 

1. Glenbrook is still in progress and does not have a release date yet.

2. My novella With Cross & Charm comes out in a month!  You can preorder on Smashwords, Apple iBooks, B&N, and Kobo!

3. Astral Bodies will be out around March, with some parts available for free :)

Cover Reveal - Astral Bodies

Astral Bodies

There’s been a murder in Arrowood with only one witness, and she can’t come forward with any information because she technically wasn’t there.

Twenty-year-old Tess has the ability to astral project, and while going for a midnight walk in the woods she stumbles across a ritual murder.  Not only that, the killer was actually able to see her when nobody else could.

After leaving an anonymous tip with the police, Tess thinks her life can return to normal, until Jonas Adler contacts her and offers her a job she just can’t refuse.  He wants her to become his apprentice and work with the FBI using her unique ability to find the killer.

Tess is soon thrust into a world that both terrifies and excites her, and into a job she never knew she wanted.

*Astral Bodies is a serial novel, with new parts out every month.  To keep the price of the total eBook under $3.99, some parts will be free!  Estimated release date of part one is March 1*

NaNoWriMo Ends for 2013

I didn't make my goal (although I guess I still technically have the day to make up? 30K words...possible in a day?!).  But I got a lot more outlining done than I thought I would, and have everything set up to (hopefully) make the writing go smoothly.
I will continue to post excerpts from Glenbrook, although they'll probably get shorter for now :)  Don't want to give too much away!

With that said, I am planning a giveaway for Shadeland in the new year through Goodreads, and my giveaway for The Warden in the Gates is still on.  And hey, don't forget that With Cross & Charm is still out there!

Anyway, here's a very early blurb on Glenbrook!

Luke is trapped in Shadeland, and there’s supposedly no way to get him out.  Everyone is keeping their mouth shut, since something’s happening within the Eidolon world that they don’t want the humans knowing.Liv is determined to find out, even if it means going against all warnings, and travelling to Shadeland herself.

Even more Glenbrook...

I feel like I haven't been blogging a lot lately, but that's mostly because when I have time to sit down and write, I want it to be on my books.  Glenbrook is still going, and I'm nowhere near the 50K word goal, but I'm getting a solid start on everything.

Before I get to the excerpt, here's a reminder that there is a Goodreads giveaway for The Warden in the Gates, with the new cover!  Currently it's only open to Canada and the US.

And now here's some more Glenbrook!

“Calm down,” Keiji said.  “I’ll get you out of here.”

We started to waltz as the music changed, and Keiji easily took the lead.  I wasn’t one to judge, but he was a pretty good dancer, even with me fumbling to keep up.  Soon I found my pace, and we swirled across the floor.  It wasn’t long until more Fenridge began to join.

It’s not me I’m worried about, I thought.  I felt frantic as I searched for Jared, still no sign of him.

Keiji was doing the same, but his eyes were more calculating.  He was just looking for Jared or Azazel.

“What’s happening?” I asked.

“I think Merelda might have left out a couple of details on the phone,” Keiji admitted.

“What kind of details?”

“The forced marriage between you and her eldest son,” he said quickly.

I held back a hiss.  “What?”

“If it makes you feel better, he doesn’t seem to want to marry you now that he knows you aren’t a pureblood.”  Keiji shrugged.

“Splendid,” I muttered.  “Anything else?”

“Just that you’ll have to start running soon,” he whispered.  “I’ll take care of Jared, but you need to go.”

The zipper to the kitchen opened and Keiji shoved me through.  On the other side I found a few confused dragons, and Azazel sitting by the far door.  Keiji shouted, “Don’t worry about him; I’ve got a plan!  Be sure to pick Azazel up before you leave; trust me!”

I didn’t trust his plan, but I didn’t have a choice.  While none of the cooks were trying to stop me, I could already hear voices on the other side.

Merelda shouted, “Do not let her go!  She is your next Queen!”

I did not like the sound of that.  Taking my chance to dash by the stunned cooks, I ran forward and scooped Azazel into my arms before slamming the door open.  A cold wind smashed into me, almost blowing me back into the tent, when my feet touched down on dirt.

Keiji shouted one last warning, “Don’t forget to breathe!”

More Glenbrook!

I've been at work on Glenbrook and haven't really had much time to update my blog...so here's another part of Glenbrook!

Liv? a voice asked.  Liv, I’m sorry.

“Luke?” I whispered.  I could feel him in my mind, just like when I’d talked to him outside the police station.  He was putting his thoughts in my head, but I wasn’t sure how.  Wasn’t he in Shadeland?

I’m in trouble, he said, bringing another onslaught of pain.  I fell to my knees, gripping the counter but failing to hold myself up.  There’s nobody else again.

“Where are you?” I asked through another groan.

Shadeland, he replied.  They need—help—it’s not—

He cut out, along with the pain.  I blinked my eyes a few times, unsure if the pain was really gone or I was just dying.  I stood on shaky legs, feeling my hands sizzling with the residual connection to Luke, to Shadeland.  A fine pink mist drifted from me and dissipated into the air.  I watched it a few moments until it stopped and I knew it was safe to return outside.

If only my hands would stop shaking.

I didn’t understand much of Luke’s message, only that he was in trouble.  The more I thought about what he said, the more I couldn’t figure out.  If he was in trouble, why would they need help?  Who was “they” exactly?

I shook my head and dried off with paper towels.  They were smooth against my skin where I imagined they would have felt scratchy.  I sighed, another reminder of my not-so-human half.

“Mom,” I whispered, “what’s going on?”

NaNo Updates

NaNoWriMo is going fairly well so far, but I can feel it starting to slow just a bit.  That second week really is a killer!  I miss the good old days when I only worked part time and even when I was working I was able to read a book (not because I didn't do my job, but because it was just THAT bad at the place I worked).  Good times.

Anyway, I'm up to about 14K words for my NaNo WIP Glenbrook (The Ethereal Crossings, #4).  Some things I've found while getting back into Liv's head is that A) I missed it, and B) I needed a break.  Taking a few months off to work on other things really helped, I think!
Although during my absence from The Ethereal Crossings I forgot many side character names :/ LOTS of rereading to do lol.

With that said, here is an excerpt from Glenbrook (a rough first draft!).

***CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST THREE BOOKS***

Azazel was no longer in my arms, as he decided to start walking on his own.  I thought it might be a power thing, him trying to show the Eidolon that he still is in control despite his cat form.  By the way Carson and Taia treat him it was clear he still holds some authority in the Shade, but Sera didn’t seem to even notice him.  I wonder what it will be like if I ever get to the other side.

I knocked on Emerson’s door, hoping she would be the one to answer.  I didn’t want some other faerie to talk to me first, and I certainly didn’t want it to be her brother, Harker to either.   He would never let her do it, I was sure.

But my knocking was met by silence.  I listened closely, trying to find the small puffs of breath on the other side of the door to tell me someone was inside, but there was nothing.  I knocked again, and this time feet shuffled.

It wasn’t Harker or Emerson that greeted me, although I didn’t count his look of disgust as a greeting.  It was Breccan, the tall bleach blond faerie that had attempted to negotiate with the wolves.  The way his fingertips barely touched the door reminded me that he hated just about everything human.  I resisted rolling my eyes.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I need to speak with Emerson,” I told him, careful to control my tone.  It was getting harder and harder to keep my temper at bay, knowing that everyone was able to help me but wouldn’t.  Why was it the only people willing to help were the ones that could do nothing?  People like Jared and Azazel were determined to get Luke back, yet Sera and Dr. Wineman weren’t?

It wasn’t right.

“She’s resting,” he said, “come back later, or better yet, not at all.”  His hand flicked and the door almost shut.  I slammed my hand flat against it, pushing it open wide.

“I need to get to Shadeland,” I said.  My voice wasn’t desperate as I thought it would be, but rather furious.  Threatening.  Thankfully I couldn’t feel my eyes changing to their scaled counterparts, not yet anyway.  It was there, just below the surface.

I took a step inside, but Breccan didn’t budge.  He stood his ground, but I could see the sweat beginning to form at his temples.  If anything he was nervous.  After all, my kind was supposed to be extinct—he probably had no idea what I was, much like the rest of the Eidolon.

“Let her in,” called Emerson.  She was in a room to my right, the room that belonged to Charlie, the first owner of this apartment, and the room that used to be Kat’s.  I looked towards the half shut door, memories swirling.  I shook them off, along with any guilt.

Now was not the time.

Azazel and I marched into Emerson’s room to find her laying in bed, covered with about a dozen blankets.  She was shivering, her skin a strange pale blue.

“She’s sick,” Breccan explained.  “She cannot take you.”

“Why—Why do you want to go to Shadeland?” Emerson asked, sitting up.  It looked like she was struggling.

“Luke is trapped,” I said.

Her eyes widened.  “Is he…?”  She looked to Breccan, as if to convey a message I couldn’t understand.

I shifted my eyes between them as Azazel jumped onto the bed.  He was doing the same thing he had done with Taia and Carson; he simply wagged his tail back and forth, and stared them down.  “What is it?” I asked the faeries.

“It’s time for you to go,” replied Breccan.  “Emerson needs to rest.”

I looked at him.

He glared back at me.  “If you want to get to Shadeland so badly, why don’t we bargain?  I’ll gladly take you there; I just won’t guarantee you come back.”

I thought of Harmony’s warning about faeries.  She said they liked to take first borns, or lifespans.  What would he want?  I wondered.

I looked back to Emerson but she had passed out.  Azazel stepped down from the bed, clearly not worried I might bargain anything away with Breccan.  Maybe that meant it wouldn’t be so bad.

I asked, “What kind of bargain?”

I’d seen in the past just how bad a witch’s deal could go, and imagined a faeries wouldn’t be much different.  But this was for Luke…

Breccan shrugged at me.  “What have you got?”

Not much, I thought, and probably not enough.  Azazel circled at my feet, showing an unusual restlessness.  Breccan watched him with mild curiosity, not the respect others showed.

I never gave Breccan and answer, and instead waited for him to come up with something.  After a moment of silence he rolled his eyes and said, “Ten years.  I’ll make it easy, since you’re trying to help a friend.  And if you die in the Shade, I’ll get whatever you would have had left.”

Ten years of my life?  I thought about what I might miss, or even how old I was going to be when I died, and thought ten years didn’t sound so bad.  Not if it meant I could have Luke for another fifty.  I asked, “Ten years of my life taken away, or in servitude to you?”

He cocked an eyebrow.  “Nobody has ever asked that.  Clever.  But it will be the former.”

He was certain I was going to take the bargain, maybe even more certain than I was.  I told him, “Let me make a call.”

Breccan held his hands up.  “Of course.”

Glenbrook - Prologue

As you may know, Glenbrook: Book Four of The Ethereal Crossings is my WIP for NaNoWriMo.  So here's a peek at it!

Luke stood in the shaky haze of violet and pink that always came with a transition from Ellengale to Shadeland.  It was blurry, and anything further than ten feet from him was a mess of shapes and colour, but that didn’t matter.  What his eyes focused on was the body at his feet.

A man no older than himself, with wide brown eyes and throat slashed, it stared at Luke with growing questions.  Luke shivered in the cold of the Shade, finally able to rip his eyes from the body to peer around him.  He was completely alone.

His own clothes were coated in blood but he couldn’t remember where it had come from.  A frail hand touched his shirt, and came away wet with red.  He tried to focus on feeling pain, but he felt fine; no injuries.

He looked back at the man at his feet when he suddenly felt the weight of a dagger in his hand.  He dropped it, letting it clink against the concrete at his feet as he stumbled backwards and fell to the ground.

It had always been hard for him to remember what happened during the first few minutes of his transitions, but his memories weren’t coming back anymore.  He waited, heart beating hard against his ribs as he tried to crawl backwards. Head swimming, he squeezed his eyes shut to block out the blood and haze of the Shade.

What had he done?


In other news, I've set up a preorder for With Cross & Charm, with the scheduled release date at the end of January 2014.  You can download a sample from Smashwords (and soon other retailers), or check it out on Wattpad.  

New Release: Igniting (The Dark Origins)

Today marks the release of the second instalment of The Dark Origins trilogy, Igniting!  Still available for a short time at the discounted price of $0.99 until the new price is distributed!

Grace has finally escaped her past of foster homes and mall-cop jail cells. What she hasn’t escaped is her deadly temper, if she loses control black flames lash from her at high velocity, causing fires that can’t be put out by anything but time. When a boy named Noah drags her through a magic portal after getting attacked she realizes she isn’t the only one out there with bizarre powers. But can she really trust someone with her biggest secret? 

Now available at: Smashwords   |   Kobo   |  Apple iBooks   |   B&N   |  Amazon

Cover reveal: With Cross and Charm

The WIP I was working on, Ithinara, finished a little while ago, and I've since decided to change it's name, and give it a new cover.  So, introducing With Cross & Charm, a YA paranormal suspense!

Willa Queen had gotten used to her life in Hollow’s Point, where she’d go to school, volunteer at the animal shelter, and play volleyball for the Wayward Tigers.  She thinks her life is pretty normal, considering she’s been possessed by a demon for fourteen years.

Ithinara has never made as big a deal out of anyone as she has the Steele family.  She wants Willa to stay away from them, claiming they’re dangerous.  Willa believes Ithinara, because this wouldn’t be the first time the demon has protected her.

But Willa becomes torn between the life she’s used to and the life she could have.  Getting close to Bray and the Steele’s might be what finally lets Ithinara take over for good, or it could be exactly what sets Willa free.
(Rated PG 13, for some violence).

READ THE FIRST DRAFT BEGINNING HERE

Anticipated release is for January 2014.

NaNoWriMo 2013

NaNoWriMo is approaching fast, don't you think?  Personally I'm not sure where October went >.>  But I'm looking forward to it!  Last year I managed to write Shimmering within the month, so here's hoping to another good year!  Especially because I didn't reach my Camp NaNo goals (ah, well.).

This year I'm going to be working on Glenbrook: Book Four of The Ethereal Crossings.  I've technically already started the story, but it's been a little slower than I want, so maybe NaNo is the kick I need to really get going!

So, since I'm working on Glenbrook for NaNoWriMo, you know what that means?

EXCERPTS AND SNIPPETS.

November first I'll post the prologue!

And remember that it is all first draft :)  So what you read may change.

The Warden in the Gates Cover Redone!

I recently had the cover for The Warden in the Gates redone by www.bookcoversale.com.
So, here it is!

Currently it is still getting sent out to various retailers, so it might be a couple of days before you see the changes.

Des Grayson is the descendent of druids, along with everyone else in the Eclipse Gated community. And when they turn sixteen, they must go through a sacred ritual called a Placement Ceremony. When placed, they receive a gift from their ancestors, making them Wardens and giving them the ability to control the elements and more. But after Des goes to her ceremony, her gift is like no other, and she begins to hear whispers about a war. A war that she is destined to start. She’s told to just allow it to happen, that she must accept her fate but instead she runs away with the new boy in town, Rayne. He claims he can help her, she just has to trust him. But can she really trust a boy that she knows has lied to her about everything in his life? Can she trust the boy that teases her, and makes her heart jump into her throat? She doesn’t know, but she’s determined to find a way to defeat her “destiny”, and Rayne might be her only chance.

Writing Updates

As I said in a previous post, I put Shimmering for free until the end of October.  And guess what?  It's reached number nine in the iBooks teen chart!

I'm very excited about this, so thanks to all those that have been downloading it! :D  

In other news, Ithinara is up to chapter eight on Wattpad, and I've actually managed to keep my attention on it lately.  Miracles do happen.  As for how many more chapters are going to be posted, I'm not sure; for now I'm sticking with the chapter a week thing.

There's also only a couple more weeks until Igniting is out!  You can read the first couple of chapters on Wattpad as well, and preorder it at Apple, B&N, Smashwords, and Kobo.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shimmering is going FREE!

With less than a month until Igniting it out, I thought I would do a one-month giveaway of Shimmering, setting it's price at free!  (Keep in mind it will take a few days to get to every retailer).

Currently it is free on Smashwords, and soon other retailers!


PS: Chapter five of Ithinara is now on Wattpad.