Category Archives: Death by Starlight

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ The Betwixt and Between

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Hello and welcome to another round of Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where a bunch of diverse (and awesome) writers share excerpts of their work in snippets of ten sentences or less.  I’ve been sharing from my recently re-released urban fantasy/gay romance Death by Starlight. Our hero Zeke is having an altercation with Ysolde, the deposed queen of the svarta. I should explain that she’s attempting to hurl him through a portal into the realm of light. Zeke, being a dark elf (svarta) from the dark realm, will not be welcome there, to put it mildly.

***

“Too late! Let the guardians do what they will with you.” She released another torrent of fire. This time flames licked through Zeke’s shield and scorched his jacket. Time to stop resisting.

He sprang to his feet and ran toward the open doors. Better to enter upright and of his own free will than crouched and shoved. He stepped onto the stone terrace, briefly caught sight of Cleona and Dijeree on the sidewalk, their attention drawn toward the battle, and then he slipped into the familiar blackness of nowhere, the betwixt and between. For an instant, he thought he could redirect, end up anywhere except for where his enemy waited to kill him, but he thought of Ian, and that was enough to propel Zeke irresistibly into the realm of light.

***

Although pretty, the realm of light is not exactly hospitable, especially if you’re a dark elf.

And lo and behold, I have reached the end of the chapter. Hope you’ve enjoyed this little foray into the world of Ian and Zeke and my Edge of Night series. Next week I’ll return to Jacqui the Cat’s adventures, or possibly something completely different! So many stories…

 

Available on Amazon here. Currently a Kindle Unlimited book, so you can check it out and read for free!

***

In Betwixt and Between, Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together. Now, when they think they might settle into as normal a life as elves living among humans might be able to expect, a new enemy threatens to tear them apart. While Zeke helps the shaman Alistair in his hunt for an elusive mermaid, Ian is called to confront a wicked nymph preying on tourists along Seattle’s waterfront. Zeke and Ian soon discover that the defeated Queen Ysolde has spread her evil into the sea realms, and danger lurks beneath every wave, but it is too late to stop an escalating series of confrontations that lead to disappearances, death and the possible end of light in this world.

As Ysolde plots revenge and a mysterious prince seeks to win Ian for himself, the ancient war between light and dark sweeps Ian and Zeke into its maelstrom of hate, testing their trust of each other to the utmost.

***

I’ve had some inquiries if my books are available in formats other than Kindle. At this time, only Gryffon Hall is out there on B&N, Apple, etc. One reason is because I’m re-releasing all my Loose ID titles and am just flat out overwhelmed. The other reason is that I’m experimenting with Kindle Unlimited to see how that goes., which means if you have a Kindle you can read the books for free! When the KDP select term is up, I’ll distribute the books to other retailers. If you’d like to know when that happens, you can sign up for my nifty newsletter here!

***

Weekend Writing Warriors is a blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences or less.  Click the link to check out the other writers participating today.  It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book!

***

Thanks to Robin Ludwig Design, Inc. for the fabulous cover!

 

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Hostile Magic

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Hello and Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. I’m going to make this intro brief, because it’s 95 degrees outside and hotter inside, and I need to go find some shade and something frosty to drink. I’m reading a book that takes place in equatorial Africa and should really switch to something with snow and ice and lots of shivering. Any recommendations?

I’m sharing from Book 2 in my Edge of Night series, Death by Starlight. In this scene, Zeke has fallen afoul of the dark elfin queen, Ysolde. You can read previous snippets here and here.  The portal referred to in this snippet is a gateway to other realms. Enjoy!

***

Zeke scrambled behind a heavy settee and had to settle for weaving his fingers together and muttering a charm to strengthen his shield. He’d been rattled by the first hit and could think only of protection. He couldn’t best Ysolde in a fight, not without Ian by his side. She was too old and crafty, her magic too strong.

The settee smoked, its melting fibers emitting a noxious odor. He would have to flee soon and considered a flying spell, then realized he was already moving. Ysolde was pushing him, shield and all, toward the portal.

He sent magical spikes into the floor, but they didn’t take hold.

This was not the way to enter another realm—protections on the other side would already sense the approach of hostile magic and strike him down the instant he crossed.

“Perhaps we can negotiate, Ysolde!” he called over his shoulder.

***

Available on Amazon here. Currently a Kindle Unlimited book, so you can check it out and read for free!

***

In Betwixt and Between, Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together. Now, when they think they might settle into as normal a life as elves living among humans might be able to expect, a new enemy threatens to tear them apart. While Zeke helps the shaman Alistair in his hunt for an elusive mermaid, Ian is called to confront a wicked nymph preying on tourists along Seattle’s waterfront. Zeke and Ian soon discover that the defeated Queen Ysolde has spread her evil into the sea realms, and danger lurks beneath every wave, but it is too late to stop an escalating series of confrontations that lead to disappearances, death and the possible end of light in this world.

As Ysolde plots revenge and a mysterious prince seeks to win Ian for himself, the ancient war between light and dark sweeps Ian and Zeke into its maelstrom of hate, testing their trust of each other to the utmost.

***

I’ve had some inquiries if my books are available in formats other than Kindle. At this time, only Gryffon Hall is out there on B&N, Apple, etc. One reason is because I’m re-releasing all my Loose ID titles and am just flat out overwhelmed. The other reason is that I’m experimenting with Kindle Unlimited to see how that goes., which means if you have a Kindle you can read the books for free! When the KDP select term is up, I’ll distribute the books to other retailers. If you’d like to know when that happens, you can sign up for my nifty newsletter here!

***

Weekend Writing Warriors is a blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences or less.  Click the link to check out the other writers participating today.  It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book!

***

Thanks to Robin Ludwig Design, Inc. for the fabulous cover!

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Killing Spells

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Hello and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where a diverse group of writers share their work in ten snippets or less. Anyone can sign up and share, and anyone can enjoy the snippets, comment and share. It’s great way to connect.

I recently re-released my Edge of Night series, and I’ve been sharing from Book 2, Death by Starlight. Zeke, a dark elf, is having an unwanted encounter with his former queen, Ysolde. After Ysolde attempts to convince Zeke to join her cause again, things go South rather quickly.

***

Zeke’s skin crawled as he remembered his centuries of servitude, of doing evil to feed her the power she craved. Although he tried to remain impassive, something in his stance must have alerted her to his rejection of her plan. He couldn’t hide his revulsion.

With the barest shift of position, she attacked. A bolt of fire like the ones that had ripped through Rellyk’s house lanced toward him. Zeke had of course shielded himself, having known Ysolde was lurking nearby, but the blow knocked him off his feet. He rolled to avoid a rain of bolts that blistered the wood floor and caused flames to shoot out from where he’d stood.

“You’re right, Stormshadow. I want nothing more than to see you dead!” Ysolde continued to throw killing spells at him, her arm thrusting forward as if hurling physical spears.

***

Don’t piss off the evil queen, Zeke.

***

 

Available on Amazon here. Currently a Kindle Unlimited book, so you can check it out and read for free!

***

In Betwixt and Between, Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together. Now, when they think they might settle into as normal a life as elves living among humans might be able to expect, a new enemy threatens to tear them apart. While Zeke helps the shaman Alistair in his hunt for an elusive mermaid, Ian is called to confront a wicked nymph preying on tourists along Seattle’s waterfront. Zeke and Ian soon discover that the defeated Queen Ysolde has spread her evil into the sea realms, and danger lurks beneath every wave, but it is too late to stop an escalating series of confrontations that lead to disappearances, death and the possible end of light in this world.

As Ysolde plots revenge and a mysterious prince seeks to win Ian for himself, the ancient war between light and dark sweeps Ian and Zeke into its maelstrom of hate, testing their trust of each other to the utmost.

***

I’ve had some inquiries if my books are available in formats other than Kindle. At this time, only Gryffon Hall is out there on B&N, Apple, etc. One reason is because I’m re-releasing all my Loose ID titles and am just flat out overwhelmed. The other reason is that I’m experimenting with Kindle Unlimited to see how that goes., which means if you have a Kindle you can read the books for free! When the KDP select term is up, I’ll distribute the books to other retailers. If you’d like to know when that happens, you can sign up for my nifty newsletter here!

***

Weekend Writing Warriors is a blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences or less.  Click the link to check out the other writers participating today.  It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book!

***

Thanks to Robin Ludwig Design, Inc. for the fabulous cover!

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Bring Him Back

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Hello and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where readers and writers come together to share in the magic of storytelling, one ten-sentence snippet at a time.  I’ve been sharing from my freshly re-released urban fantasy romance, Death by Starlight.  In last week’s snippet, Zeke, while on the trail of his lover Ian, instead found Ysolde, the ousted evil queen of the dark elves.  Ysolde has offered Zeke information about Ian in exchange for his cooperation.  Zeke speaks first.

***

“How can I possibly trust you when I know you want nothing more than to see me and Ian dead?”

“You’re wrong. I respect you, Stormshadow. I thought your dallying with Evernight was merely a weakness of the mind and heart, but you saw what the rest of us took longer to see. He is a catalyst for the melding of dark and light powers, a resource to be exploited rather than a mutant to be despised.”

“You tried to kill him at the market place.”

“He’s too dangerous to be running free. Bring him back to the svarta, where he belongs. This will benefit all our people.”

Zeke knew Ysolde wouldn’t tolerate Ian benefiting anyone but herself. She’d enslaved Zeke and wanted to do so again with Ian as the lure.

***

Available on Amazon here. Currently a Kindle Unlimited book, so you can check it out and read for free!

***

In Betwixt and Between, Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together. Now, when they think they might settle into as normal a life as elves living among humans might be able to expect, a new enemy threatens to tear them apart. While Zeke helps the shaman Alistair in his hunt for an elusive mermaid, Ian is called to confront a wicked nymph preying on tourists along Seattle’s waterfront. Zeke and Ian soon discover that the defeated Queen Ysolde has spread her evil into the sea realms, and danger lurks beneath every wave, but it is too late to stop an escalating series of confrontations that lead to disappearances, death and the possible end of light in this world.

As Ysolde plots revenge and a mysterious prince seeks to win Ian for himself, the ancient war between light and dark sweeps Ian and Zeke into its maelstrom of hate, testing their trust of each other to the utmost.

***

I’ve had some inquiries if my books are available in formats other than Kindle. At this time, only Gryffon Hall is out there on B&N, Apple, etc. One reason is because I’m re-releasing all my Loose ID titles and am just flat out overwhelmed. The other reason is that I’m experimenting with Kindle Unlimited to see how that goes., which means if you have a Kindle you can read the books for free! When the KDP select term is up, I’ll distribute the books to other retailers. If you’d like to know when that happens, you can sign up for my nifty newsletter here!

***

Weekend Writing Warriors is a blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences or less.  Click the link to check out the other writers participating today.  It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book!

***

Thanks to Robin Ludwig Design, Inc. for the fabulous cover!

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Throne of Thorns

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Hi everyone!  I’m switching gears here on Weekend Writing Warriors this week. I’ve just re-released Book 1 in my Edge of Night series, Betwixt and Between, and Book 2, Death by Starlight, is set to publish this Tuesday, July 10 (available for preorder here).  Death by Starlight has a shiny new cover that I’d like to share with you, so I thought I’d share a snippet or two as well, in order to celebrate and, uh, entice you to buy several copies 🙂

Death by Starlight is a gay urban fantasy set in Seattle (which you might guess from the cover). Zeke Stormshadow is a svarta, a dark elf, and in this scene, the ousted Queen of the Svarta, Ysolde, makes an unwelcome reappearance in his life.

***

“I can tell you who it is you seek, Stormshadow.” The voice came loud and sharp from a dark corner behind him. Zeke turned swiftly, Alistair’s dagger in his hand.

Ysolde emerged from the shadow spell she’d cast around herself. Her skin was still as white as bleached bone, her lips burgundy, black hair cascading down her back, but she appeared smaller than when she’d sat on her throne of thorns and ruled from the roots of the great tree. Now she looked like any other svarta royal after a sleepless century or two. Her silver-blue eyes still cut into him, seeking weaknesses to exploit.

“And what is the price for this knowledge, Ysolde?” he asked.

Ysolde held her hands out, palms up, in a gesture that didn’t match the carnivorous glint in her eyes. “I seek a truce with you and your clan.”

***

So shiny.

In Betwixt and Between, Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together. Now, when they think they might settle into as normal a life as elves living among humans might be able to expect, a new enemy threatens to tear them apart. While Zeke helps the shaman Alistair in his hunt for an elusive mermaid, Ian is called to confront a wicked nymph preying on tourists along Seattle’s waterfront. Zeke and Ian soon discover that the defeated Queen Ysolde has spread her evil into the sea realms, and danger lurks beneath every wave, but it is too late to stop an escalating series of confrontations that lead to disappearances, death and the possible end of light in this world.

As Ysolde plots revenge and a mysterious prince seeks to win Ian for himself, the ancient war between light and dark sweeps Ian and Zeke into its maelstrom of hate, testing their trust of each other to the utmost.

***

I’ve had some inquiries if my books are available in formats other than Kindle. At this time, only Gryffon Hall is out there on B&N, Apple, etc. One reason is because I’m re-releasing all my Loose ID titles and am just flat out overwhelmed. The other reason is that I’m experimenting with Kindle Unlimited to see how that goes., which means if you have a Kindle you can read the books for free! When the KDP select term is up, I’ll distribute the books to other retailers. If you’d like to know when that happens, you can sign up for my nifty newsletter here!

***

Weekend Writing Warriors is a blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences or less.  Click the link to check out the other writers participating today.  It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book!

***

Thanks to Robin Ludwig Design, Inc. for the fabulous cover!

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Afraid of the Sea

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Greetings and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. As I write this, smoke has devoured the sun again, so I guess it’s going to be another good weekend for hunkering down and reading everyone’s snippets! (Always look on the bright side, I say, even if it is feeling a little end-of-the-world-ish around here).

At last! I have arrived at the end of the chapter. I’ve been sharing from Death by Starlight, specifically a scene where Zeke the dark elf and Alistair the incompetent shaman go out on the Salish Sea in search of Mellosa the mermaid. They find her, but all is not wine and roses for the besotted Alistair, and things aren’t looking too good for Zeke, either. I must beg your forgiveness for some creative editing in order to fit the last few lines of the chapter into this snippet.

***

“Let go of me!” Alistair shouted, jerking to free himself.

“You’ll drown, you idiot!”

“It’s a test! How can I be afraid of the sea if I hope to be with her?”

“You’re mad!” Zeke held Alistair tighter and hoped a quickly devised buoyancy spell would be strong enough to hold both of them.

Mellosa breached again—this time, she brought her tail down square in the middle of what now seemed like a tiny craft. Fiberglass shattered, wood splintered, and water quickly flooded the boat.

Alistair slipped out of Zeke’s grasp as they both tumbled into the sea and Mellosa’s infernal tail smacked Zeke in the chest, knocking what was left of the air out of his lungs. He took a big choking swallow of saltwater before he bobbed to the surface alone, thinking Ian will never forgive me, as another waved crashed over his head and webbed fingers tugged at his ankles, testing the buoyancy spell to its limits.

***

Edge of Night 2: Death by Starlight

In Betwixt and Between, Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together. Now, when they think they might settle into as normal a life as elves living among humans might be able to expect, a new enemy threatens to tear them apart. While Zeke helps the shaman Alistair in his hunt for an elusive mermaid, Ian is called to confront a wicked nymph preying on tourists along Seattle’s waterfront. Zeke and Ian soon discover that the defeated Queen Ysolde has spread her evil into the sea realms, and danger lurks beneath every wave, but it is too late to stop an escalating series of confrontations that lead to disappearances, death and the possible end of light in this world.

As Ysolde plots revenge and a mysterious prince seeks to win Ian for himself, the ancient war between light and dark sweeps Ian and Zeke into its maelstrom of hate, testing their trust of each other to the utmost.

***

Currently on sale for $3.74 at  Loose ID

Books2Read (nifty link that will show you all the places you can purchase the ebook)

Betwixt and Between: Edge of Night Book 1 is available at these retailers:  Amazon   Kobo   Barnes & Noble  Books2Read

***

This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight to ten sentences from a published work or perhaps 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. It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book. Click here or use the address: http://www.wewriwa.com