Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Are You Mad?

December 29, 2018 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to the last Weekend Writing Warriors of the year. I hope you all had a peaceful holiday and are looking forward to the new year. I know I am. I started 2018 out with a bang, releasing three new books and re-releasing seven more, but have run out of steam here at the end. My New Year’s goal is to release Wild, Jacqui the Cat Book 4, by the end of January, and Snow, my current work in progress, before summer, when a book titled Snow might not have as much appeal!

So here is the next snippet from Snow, a re-imagined fairy tale inspired by the tale of Snow White. Prince Gabriel and his servant, Webster, are on the road, returning home after a long absence, when they are surprised by a fleeing stag pursued by a pack of hunting dogs. You can read last week’s snippet here.

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“Oh, dear Astrid preserve us,” Webster whispered, eyes shut. His nervous horse, who’d stood frozen a moment before, turned and bolted. Two of the dogs pursued.

“Webster, stop!” Gabriel called after his servant, who jangled up and down in the saddle, stiff legs bouncing free from the stirrups.

Another horse burst out of the fog, a huge, black stallion that looked as if it would charge straight over Gabriel and his mount.

Tempest stood firm, not a horse to be intimidated, and finally the other rider reined in, horse rearing up, hooves kicking the air between them.

“Are you mad?” the rider shouted, as other horsemen galloped up and joined the now chaotic mix of dogs and horses.

Gabriel ignored the disrespectful question. “This is the king’s land. What right have you to hunt here?”

***

Blurb-in-progress:

Following the death of his mother the Queen, Prince Gabriel is called home by his brother, now King. Gabriel hopes for a reconciliation with his estranged brother, but all is not well at Castle Rosenthal. King Tristan has fallen under the sway of a scheming alchemist, the magical denizens of the bordering Black Forest are on the move, and Gabriel begins to fear for his life. Is the handsome huntsman in on a plot to assassinate him, or is there an even darker, more evil force afoot? A forced flight into the Black Forest may expose ancient powers at work, if only Gabriel can survive long enough to uncover them.

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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!

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Deep Within

December 8, 2018 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share excerpts of their work in ten sentences or less. Travel the world and the universe without leaving the comfort of your current hidey-hole.

I’m sharing from one of my current projects–I always have a few stories brewing–titled Snow. It’s a reimagined fairy tale based on Snow White, with a handsome prince in the lead role. Currently Prince Gabriel is traveling home on horseback after a long absence. HIs only companion is Webster, his manservant. Webster was stung by a bee and is having some allergic (probably imagined) reactions. Gabriel speaks first. You can read last week’s snippet here.

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“That’s the castle there—see the flag? Only a few more hours ride. I suppose you’ll make it that far, in time to be seen by the herbalist. Or, I’ve heard my brother has engaged an alchemist.”

“Looks lovely,” Webster said in a strangled voice.

“It looks nothing of the sort.” Gabriel nudged Tempest forward, and Webster followed, whispering prayers to whatever gods he worshipped beneath his breath.

They had only gone a few more yards, to the point where the road was about to dip into the fog, when the sharp yap of a dog, then many dogs, reached Gabriel’s ear. This was soon accompanied by the thunder of pounding hooves.

Deep within the fog, a roiling black mass began to take shape.

***

Blurb-in-progress:

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Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Death by Bee

December 1, 2018 by Alexis Duran

Hello and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, a blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences or less. A literary smorgasbord, to be sure.

I’ve been sharing from my current work-in-progress and will continue to do so until I run out of words or another project captures my fevered imagination. Snow is a re-imagined fairy tale with a prince in the title role. In this scene, Prince Gabriel and his manservant Webster are traveling home to Castle Rosenthal after a long absence. Webster, neither horseman nor outdoorsman, has been stung by a bee. He’s the first to speak. (You can read last week’s snippet here.)

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“Are bees poisonous? I feel a little faint.”

“Not usually, though some people puff up and find they can’t breathe after being stung.”

“I, ah, my breathing is a little…” Webster patted his chest and wheezed.

“Nothing to worry about, I suspect.” Gabriel turned to look down the road again. The fog had thickened. Only a flapping black and white flag on top of the tower was visible now. “Though some people do die from bee stings.”

“Rare, though, isn’t it? Death by bee?”

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