excerpt tagged posts

Fire and Ashes, a UF dystopia, will be released later this year in the  EMPIRES OF SHADOW AND ASH boxed set!

iBooks ~ Nook ~ Kobo

Amazon COMING SOON!!

Isadora opened her mouth to ask when a hand grabbed the back of her head and wrenched her neck to the side. She stumbled, ducking her head to make her neck smaller, and jerked up and back with the Lucerne hammer. The weapon lodged into the vampire, and she turned around. It only struck his shoulder, though, and as she yanked it free, the vampire was reaching out to snap it.

The man stabbed the vampire with his dagger. The vampire twitched and fell straight toward Isadora. The man yanked on her broken arm, and she nearly slammed the hammer into him.

“I’m—” he started to say.

“Run!”

She could not see the vampires, but a wild...

The Flames of Death will release in January in the Wraith and Ruin boxed set! Here’s a short snippet:

‘Vita needs a slave to pick his teeth.’ Corinth opens his mouth, revealing two rows of razor harp teeth.

Mouth duty. One of the worst obligations ever. I hang my head. What did I do to get on Corinth’s bad side? But at least once I finish, I might be able to sneak away for a spell. That alone makes the terrible chore worthwhile.

As you desire, it shall be done.

Again, I press my forehead to the ground. I hate this position. All of us humans do, but we have no choice. We have no power here or anywhere else for that matter. We are weak. We are prey. We are slaves.

Or we are dead.

Dark Hunt will release in late September! Here’s a short snippet:

The dry season had just ended. The first rainstorm would be any day now. For once, the day was somewhat beauty.

Perfect for an execution.

“Bring forth the prisoner,” the queen said.

The moment she opened her mouth, a hush fell over the crowd. Even before she spoke, those gathered only spoke in whispered, peaceful tones. Her voice contained incredible power. It would strike fear into the heart of vampires, hope into the hearts of humans, and acceptance and adoration in the heart of witches.

A little snippet from Of Slumber and Discord:

There she lays upon her bed large enough to fit three persons her size, beneath a ruby red silk blanket. Her mouth is perfect, those terrible lips parted slightly. It is her tongue that is wicked.

As I stare at her, my will falter. She looks peaceful now as if she could not harm a single soul. To kill another is no easy task, and so she will remain asleep. No longer will she be a blight her kingdom, able to force others to submit to her every sung command.

With rushed urgency, I whisper the words of the sleeping curse, “Sleep and rest and know no more. You shall rest for all of yore. A single prick and deep sleep waits. Ne’er shall you wake ‘til evil abates.”

Read the story here!

A little snippet from Of Cinder and Madness:

Shoving aside my doubt, cloaking myself in my fear, I remove the key from my pocket.

At once, her eyes flash with understanding, a flicker of an emotion, fear of her own or maybe acceptance. Then her birds swoop toward me as one massive swarm. I barely have time to close the door and lock it before they slam against it. Thud, thud, thud.

A minute passes and then another, and I lean against the heavy locked door with my eyes closed. It’s done. She’s barred. She’s too far up. Her birds never leave her side for long, and only one at a time at that. We’ll be fine now. We’ll be safe.

I hope.

I pray.

I fear.

Read the story here!

ABOUT HOLLY AND HOPEFUL HEARTS

When the Duchess of Haverford sends out invitations to a Yuletide house party and a New Year’s Eve ball at her country estate, Hollystone Hall, those who respond know that Her Grace intends to raise money for her favorite cause and promote whatever marriages she can. Eight assorted heroes and heroines set out with their pocketbooks firmly clutched and hearts in protective custody. Or are they?

A Suitable Husband, by Jude Knight

As the Duchess of Haverford’s companion, Cedrica Grenford is not treated as a poor relation and is encouraged to mingle with Her Grace’s guests. Surely she can find a suitable husband amongst the gentlemen gathered for the duchess’s house party. Above stairs or possibly below. 

Valuing Vanessa, by Susana Ellis

Facing a dim...