Category Archives: Weekend Warriors Snippets

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Love Magic

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Greetings fellow writers and readers.  It’s time for another round of Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where a bunch of really awesome writers share excerpts from their published works or works-in-progress.  I’m very excited this week because Death by Starlight, the sequel to Betwixt and Between, will launch on July 18, just ten days away!

I missed a few weeks of WWW, but the good news is I was able to visit the area where Zeke and Alistair go mermaid hunting. Didn’t actually get to the right patch of water, but I was on San Juan Island, which is just north of where the adventure takes place.  Here’s a nice shot to get us in the mood.

***

Alistair turned off the motor, and instead of rising and falling the boat began to rock side to side, riding the waves, the tide pushing them none too gently toward land.

Mermaids loved lighthouses—the lonelier the better.

Zeke dug into his coat pocket and removed a large blue agate. Any shiny bit of mineral would do, but a stone that had tumbled around in the ocean for millennia had added appeal. Zeke had spent an hour weaving the mermaid lure and anchoring it to the porous structure of the rock. He suspected his recent proposal to Ian had strengthened his love magic, something he’d never excelled at in the past. Seduction, yes, he was a master at that, but true devotion eluded him, until now. He observed the powerful glowing stone in his palm and wondered if he was doing Alistair any favors.

Mermaids were very romantic by nature. They often killed their loved ones in a jealous rage and then pined for centuries.

***

Edge of Night 2: Death by Starlight    Release date July 18!

Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together, but just 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.

AD_EON1_BetwixtandBetween_cover large

Edge of Night: Book 1

Betwixt and Between: 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

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Nymph Hunting

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Welcome to another round of Weekend Writing Warriors.  It’s June, so in Oregon that means beautiful sunny days interrupted by freakish monster hail storms accompanied by terrifying computer wonk-outs followed by rainbows and plague toads.  Okay, might be exaggerating slightly but it was one of those classic weird days.  And yet here I am getting my post up anyway. Yeah for me.  I’m continuing to share from my upcoming release, Death by Starlight, Book 2 in the Edge of Night series.  Last time our intrepid hero Ian walked into a garbage can, drawing the attention of unsavory types lurking beneath the viaduct on Seattle’s waterfront.

***

Thankfully Ian and Dijeree reached the car before the gang decided they were worth messing with. They threw their stuff in the cramped back seat and climbed in. The lurkers faded away.

“Let’s get you home. You won’t be good for anything until you hook up with Zeke.” Dijeree fired up the engine, and the headlights beamed across the mostly empty parking area. A green woman wrapped in a gauzy shift stood in front of them. The nymph they’d been hunting had come out to play. She lifted a graceful arm and flipped them off. Then she vanished in a swirl of green and silver mist.

***

Edge of Night 2: Death by Starlight    Release date July 18!

Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together, but just 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.

AD_EON1_BetwixtandBetween_cover large

Edge of Night: Book 1

Betwixt and Between: 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

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Nefarious

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Hello and Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors.  So, it’s June already, the weather is lovely, the flowers are going crazy and it’s only six weeks until the release of my new m/m fantasy, Death by Starlight.  I’ve had a long dry stretch between releases, and I’m hoping this marks a turning point in what has been a…challenging…year.  The snippet I’m sharing this week picks up right after last week, when Dijeree suggested that Ian could use a sort of opposite mood light to beam dark energy at him while his dark elf lover Zeke is away.

***

“That’s not an entirely bad idea.” Already, with Zeke’s energy coursing into him, Ian felt less uptight. The crippling worry that had been building ever since Zeke left lightened ever so slightly, like mist burning away at the first hint of dawn. As fear retreated, anger crept into its place. Damn inconsiderate svarta.

Ian tried to form a more substantial link, to find out what was happening, but still, Zeke wouldn’t respond. The tiny piece of Zeke that resided in Ian’s heart and never truly went away, like a speck of smoldering ember, flared and warmed Ian from the inside out. Not seeing what was before him, he walked straight into a garbage can. The resulting clang and clatter echoed off the cement bridge above them and drew the attention of some nefarious types lurking between buildings, the tips of their cigarettes glowing in the murky shadows. There were more creatures than nymphs and fairies on the waterfront to be concerned with… humans were every bit as dangerous.

***

Edge of Night 2: Death by Starlight    Release date July 18!

Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together, but just 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.

AD_EON1_BetwixtandBetween_cover large

Edge of Night: Book 1

Betwixt and Between: 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

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Mood Light

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Hello and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors.  If you’re in the States, I hope you’re enjoying the three-day weekend, and if you’re elsewhere, hope you’re enjoying whatever sort of break you get!

I’m sharing snippets from my soon-to-be-released m/m urban fantasy, Death by Starlight.  Last time, Ian and Dijeree were interrupted during their search for a wayward nymph when Ian received a signal that Zeke had returned from the underworld of the dark elves.  Ian sensed that something was amiss.

***

“How long has Zeke been MIA?” Dijeree asked.

“Six weeks. He said he’d only be away one.” Ian shouldered the heavy duffel bag and started walking toward Dijeree’s VW bug.

“Seems longer. You’re a bitch when he’s away.”

“I won’t argue with that. He keeps me grounded.”

“Yeah, that whole dark elf, light elf business. What you need is the opposite of one of those mood lights, something that beams dark, gloomy energy at you while Zeke’s away.”

***

What a Dark Mood Light might look like. Image by xX-TaintedTears-Xx from Deviant. art

Edge of Night 2: Death by Starlight    Release date July 18!

Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together, but just 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.

AD_EON1_BetwixtandBetween_cover large

Edge of Night: Book 1

Betwixt and Between: 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

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ She’s On To Us

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Welcome to my little corner of  Weekend Writing Warriors. I’m continuing to share from my upcoming release, Death by Starlight, a paranormal gay romance featuring sexy elves, vindictive mermaids and nefarious nymphs.  This weeks snippet follows directly after last week’s, in which Ian received a magical message that Zeke had returned to Seattle after a long absence in the dark realm.

***

The nymph they’d been tracking had vanished the instant Ian blew his cover. In search of tourists to cajole and roll, she’d been roaming the parking area beneath the elevated viaduct that ran along the waterfront.

“She’s on to us now.” Dijeree sighed and pulled the goggles from her head. She peered at him and tugged on his sleeve. “So is Zeke all right? You look dazed.”

A good part of Ian’s mind was taken up with interpreting signals traveling along the lines connecting him to Zeke. Zeke was alive and free, and apparently robust. A hot, tingling energy coursed beneath Ian’s skin, but something was off.

***

Edge of Night 2: Death by Starlight    Release date July 18!

Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together, but just 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.

AD_EON1_BetwixtandBetween_cover large

Edge of Night: Book 1

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

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Zeke’s Back

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Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors! Thank goodness it’s May is all I can say.  I experienced an unplanned hiatus in April due to surprise surgery, but everything seems to be back where it belongs, stitched into place and healing.  During recovery I learned that Death by Starlight will be released on July 18th so I’m sharing a bit from Chapter Two, this time in Ian’s point of view.  Ian and his friend Dijeree on the waterfront in Seattle tracking down a trouble-making nymph.

***

From a crouched position behind a cement pillar, Ian stood upright, lowered his camera and stared north.

“What are you doing?” Dijeree hissed, still on one knee beside him, night-vision goggles giving her a frog-woman appearance.

“Zeke’s back,” Ian said. It took all of his self-control not to drop everything and start running up Alaskan Way toward home.

“Oh, that’s great! Shitty timing, but great.” She stood as well, shoving the goggles back into her spiky red hair. The top of her head came to the level of Ian’s chin. Diminutive in stature, Ian’s best friend and former roommate was in no way diminutive in personality. She wore all black, the better to blend into shadows, but her hair was like a glowing flame and the porcelain skin of her face shone like a miniature moon.

***

Edge of Night 2: Death by Starlight    Release date July 18!

Ian and Zeke fought a battle against the queen of the dark realm in order to be together, but just 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.

AD_EON1_BetwixtandBetween_cover large

Edge of Night: Book 1

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