Last month, Windmaster was showcased in the weekly Wednesday post. May is a month of birthdays and anniversaries, so for the next five weeks, I'll be celebrating a special event of my own--the releases of the Dragshi Chronicles. Each week a different book will be featured. For a human, a dragon form comes with more than just the freedom of the sky.And since Mother's Day is just around the corner, in honor of the strong women in my lineage, a snippit from Dragon Destiny. Although she is not far removed from being a young girl, Anastasia shows her inner strength by performing in front of strangers--and her kin.
Excerpt:
With Uaine’s “good luck” still echoing in her ears, Anastasia climbed the two steps and walked to the center of the stage. Nerves she thought long conquered rose once again and grew stronger when she looked out over the sea of faces turned towards her.
She focused to shift the unease. They are just friends and kinsmen. This is no different than teaching the little ones their letters and numbers. Sucking a breath deep into her lungs, she held it for a mere second then released it as a single, clear note.
Once she started, her tension dropped away and she slipped into the familiar words. The broad smile on Uaine’s face and the surprised look on those around him removed the last of Anastasia’s uncertainty and she threw herself into the song. All too soon the last chorus filled the hall... and she realized, Nilbar and the other town musicians had been playing along with her. A flick of her fingers silenced the others, leaving only the sound of her voice. When the story told of the heartbroken Mirianth flying to the moon, Anastasia let her voice trail off until a profound silence filled the room.
A single clap shattered the thrall left by the music. The sound drew Anastasia’s gaze to the front row—Uaine. Trust him to support me and to show approval when no one else does.
~ * ~
If you're hooked, and want to know whether Uaine was the only one to show approval of the performance or just the vanguard, you'll have to get Dragon Destiny. Buy links are below. Or if you're not quite ready, more excerpts and a free read of the first chapter is here.
Buy Links: Links to ebook sellers
Paperback at Amazon Barnes&Noble
~till next time, hope you'll visit the other authors sharing their Wednesday snippits.
Always interesting to see where you take us next, Helen!
ReplyDeleteMy worst nightmare! Glad she can handle the public performance
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've done it successfully, I never enjoyed public speaking. It just takes too much out of me. And this was before her kin which to me is worse than strangers you'll never see again.
DeletePublic performances not my idea of fun. Brave heroine. Will be interested in hearing more about the series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. It means more coming from such a talented author.
DeleteI like this. A lot of people don't realize the courage that musical performance can take. After all, you just "play" music, right? But when you get to a passage that's hard -- and there's always at least one -- you have to screw up your courage give it everything you have, because the worst thing you can do it is let them hear your fear or uncertainty.
ReplyDeleteAs a musician yourself, I can see why the passage resonated. When I'm speaking the worst moment is that brief moment of silence when you finish. Will there be the single clap of applause from the organizer and everyone else sit silent? Thanks for stopping by.
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