This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from their current work in progress. Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! I heartily invite you to participate as a reader, writer, or both. Click the link above or copy & paste this address: www.wewriwa.com
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Curse of Salar
Mira sat back on his calves and filled his mouth with the strong red wine, which he spat out into the clay pot. Then he stood, smoothed out his silken tunic and wiped his mouth with the back of his wrist. He rarely had a moment alone, and usually he had to fake a rage in order to drive away the spying servants who dogged his footsteps. Lashmi would soon be returning with whatever offering she deemed necessary to sooth his temper.
He wouldn’t be slow and confused at the dinner tonight, but he’d have to act like it. Mira had become such a skilled actor that he could make a living with a traveling troupe of troubadours if need be. Life in the palace, and the small degree of freedom remaining to him, depended on everyone believing he was a heedless wastrel, a spoiled figurehead content to waste his life in coddled luxury. The only one who suspected his deceit was his sister, and that was only a suspicion, or so he hoped.
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Curse of Salar is an erotic fantasy novella, third in a series set in the world of Salar. Prince Mira, along with his sister, is the last in the royal line of Jahar, a ruling family of powerful magicians. Mira and Alandra are held as virtual captives in their family’s own palace, kept alive to placate the masses of peasants who are traditional royalists that still believe in the fabled powers of the Jahar. Mira chafes under confinement and dreams of escaping. Rayn Matisse is a soldier in the rebel army. He has no interest whatsoever in seeing the royals reinstated until he meets Mira and begins to fall under the prince’s magical sway. Rayn’s people were cursed by the Jahar centuries ago, and though long thought to be a myth, the curse begins to assert its powers once again. As assassination and rebellion upset the false calm of the kingdom, Rayn finds himself torn between love and fear of the young man who possesses an uncanny ability to control him.
Alexis Duran 
Interesting premise, and the excerpt was very well-written! Mira sounds like such a fascinating character. Great job! 🙂
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A very intriguing snippet. Mira’s complex character should make for an interesting story. Nice descriptive writing Alexis.
The Murders of Polly Frisch
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Fantasy and intrigue… you’ve got my interest. The snippet is very visual and Mira seems like a very interesting character. I look forward to more.
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Good opening that draws the reader in.
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Living a double life to no doubt save his life. Very well written scene.
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You got it. Thanks for stopping by.
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Complex character, nicely drawn. Good job.
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Wow! Nice word weaving.
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Wonderfully descriptive writing, Alexis! “… a heedless wastrel, a spoiled figurehead content to waste his life in coddled luxury.” Excellent. I wonder if he will escape the palace and get to live the life he wants. Good 8!
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I am appreciating this guy already, and glad he’s gotten so good at deception : ) Looking forward to reading more of this!
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Thanks. He’s gotten very good at deception, but his patience is at the breaking point (of course!)
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So many people would just let themselves coast along, but he’s struggling to keep a little bit of control. I quite admire that bravery–and his caution. If he gets busted, I bet he’ll have an ‘accident.’ They still have his sister, if he gets to be too much trouble.
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Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you’re interested in Mira’s plight. He’s in for a rough time!
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Intriguing snippet, leaving me wanting to more about the character.
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Thank you!
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Great character development. Nice 8!
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Thank you!
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