On The Shore, Hatchling's Mate #wewriwa #SundaySnippit

 

  

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Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Visit the other participants on the list and read, and comment on their 8sunday posts.

​Today's excerpt is from the fantasy romance Hatchling's Mate. To set, the scene, To set the scene, against all orders, Talann attempts to swim across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. (Crossing Halted).  His ribs are broken by debris. (A Question Answered)  Some help arrives (Unexpected Help), but it isn't enough. (Dive Deep) The crossing continues with unexpected help from dragonkind. (Crossing Continues)

After following the crossing for so long, it wouldn't be fair to you, the reader, not to tell you Talann's future ... at least for now.

And now the Sunday Snippet.

* * * *

Excerpt
 
Gathering strength, Talann pushed back the redness still clouding his consciousness. One by one, other sensations penetrated his awareness. An iron grip suspended him above the waves, high enough to breathe, although spray stung his eyes. Movement replaced the feeling of weightlessness. Mud sucked at his hands. Pebbles scraped his knuckles and snatched at his feet. Huffs of breath in his ear let Talann know the price of the effort being made to shift his not insubstantial frame up the bank. ...

Muirea laid Talann on the ground beneath a tree with the effortlessness of a woman placing a babe in a cradle.

* * * *

Although safe for now, it is not the end of Talann's experiences with the river. He is still trapped on a hill that is rapidly being flooded by the rising waters. Be sure to read Hatchling's Mate for the next chapters.

Buy Links: / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / More Sales Sites 

Visit the Dragshi's page for more on the Dragshi Chronicles.

​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Talann / Glynnes this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

5Crossing Continues, Hatchling's Mate, #wewriwa

  

​ 
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Visit the other participants on the list and read, and comment on their posts. And don't forget to visit the  Sunday Snippet group for their teasers.

​Today's excerpt is from the fantasy romance Hatchling's Mate. To set, the scene, To set the scene, against all orders, Talann attempts to swim across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. (Crossing Halted).  His ribs are broken by debris. (A Question Answered)  Some help arrives (Unexpected Help), but it isn't enough. (Dive Deep)

The crossing continues with unexpected help from dragonkind.

And now the Sunday Snippet.

* * * *

Excerpt
 
A glow, like that of thousands of fireflies enveloped his body. Confusion did not affect his eager grasp of the potential savior. No human, not even the dragshi had that kind of magic. The ancient ones, the true dragons, controlled such power, but they did not usually help un-bonded humans, only their own kind—and the dragshi.

Dragon-sent energy warmed—and healed—Talann’s body and soul. Could he be a dragshi after all? His pulse sped and frozen muscles thawed. Where before the surface appeared unreachable, within two heartbeats he breached into life-giving air.

Long gasps drew breath deep into his lungs. The burn lessened to be replaced by anger. He could not move. A wave washed over his head, then another.

* * * *

Buy Links: / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / More Sales Sites 

Visit the Dragshi's page for more on the Dragshi Chronicles.

​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Talann / Glynnes this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

Dive Deep, Hatchling's Mate #WeWriWa, #SnippitSunday

 

​ 
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Visit the other participants on the list and read, and comment on their 8sunday posts.

​Today's excerpt is from the fantasy romance Hatchling's Mate. To set, the scene, To set the scene, against all orders, Talann attempts to swim across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. (Crossing Halted).  His ribs are broken by debris. (A Question Answered)  Some help arrives (Unexpected Help), but it isn't enough.

And now the Sunday Snippet.

* * * *

Excerpt
 
Handhold by handhold, he moved along the muck. His lungs burned until the need to suck down anything, even water, overwhelmed. Only his steel-tight grip on his will prevented giving in and he blindly fought toward the next purchase. The filtered daylight did not reach the black object in front of him enough for a clear identification. He couldn’t tell if what blocked his path was the bank he sought, or he feared, a boulder with raging water on the other side.

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Buy Links: / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / More Sales Sites 

Visit the Dragshi's page for more on the Dragshi Chronicles.

​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Talann / Glynnes this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

Unexpected Help, Hatchling's Mate #WeWriWa, #SnippitSunday

 

​ 
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Visit the other participants on the list and read, and comment on their 8sunday posts.

​Today's excerpt is from the fantasy romance Hatchling's Mate. To set, the scene, To set the scene, against all orders, Talann attempts to swim across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. (Crossing Halted).  His ribs are broken by debris. (A Question Answered)

And now the Sunday Snippet.

* * * *

Excerpt
 
Strength from a source other than his own will surged through Talann’s body. Within a heartbeat, the pain receded to a more manageable level and he pushed away from his floating sanctuary. Where before he had fought a losing battle, now he cleaved through the choppy waves. Each stroke brought him closer to the shadowy figure frantically beckoning him on.

<Dive, Tal. Deep!> Glyn’s command rang in Talann’s head. <Debris will reach you in four... three... two...one.>

The countdown echoing in his head, Talann bent at the waist and, ignoring the pain in his chest, dove until he touched the rocky bottom.

* * * *

Buy Links: / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / More Sales Sites 

Visit the Dragshi's page for more on the Dragshi Chronicles.

​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Talann / Glynnes this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

A Question Answered, Hatchling's Mate #WeWriWa, #SnippitSunday

 

​ 
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Visit the other participants on the list and read, and comment on their 8sunday posts.

​Today's excerpt is from the fantasy romance Hatchling's Mate. To set, the scene, To set the scene, against all orders, Talann attempts to swim across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. Waves knock him against rocks, doing more than knock the breath out of him. On the shore, Glyn sends out a mental question. "How bad are the ribs?"

And now the Sunday Snippet.

* * * *

Excerpt
 
Talann groaned and tightened his grip on the log. Any thought of fabricating disappeared in the instant of its creation. You can’t lie with your mind, Talann’s honesty whispered.

And I never could dissemble with Glyn. With a resigned sigh at the inevitable, he answered the query. <Broken>

* * * *

Buy Links: / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / More Sales Sites 

Visit the Dragshi's page for more on the Dragshi Chronicles.

​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Talann / Glynnes this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

A Crossing Halted, Hatchling's Mate #WeWriWa

​ 
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Visit the other participants on the list and read, and comment on their 8sunday posts.

​Today's excerpt is from the fantasy romance Hatchling's Mate. To set, the scene, To set the scene, against all orders, Talann attempts to swim across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. Waves knock him against rocks, doing more than knock the breath out of him. On the shore, Glyn sends out a mental question. "How bad are the ribs?"

And now the Sunday Snippet.

* * * *

Excerpt
 
The lack of response from Talann raised questions as to his true condition. Did he have the reserves necessary to complete the mission? More than his life was at stake. A decision had to be made whether to allow Talann to continue on, or to use the ropes intended to save others to save him. Finally, Glyn cast a silent prayer to her ancestors—and his—to guide her choice, and pressed for a reply.


* * * *

Buy Links: / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / More Sales Sites 

Visit the Dragshi's page for more on the Dragshi Chronicles.

​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Talann / Glynnes this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

A Reward Claimed, Dragon Destiny, #wewriwa #SundaySnippit

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Today's excerpt is from the romance-fantasy Dragon Destiny. In celebration of the summer and outdoor activities, a little light-hearted competition. This scene is the result of Anastasia's challenge. And now the Sunday Snippet.

Excerpt:

Anastasia caught her bottom lip between her teeth.

After a few minutes, the noise level dropped and Elem continued. “There is a tie between Uaine and Anastasia. One hundred ten points each.”

Applause echoed toward the setting sun. Uaine led Anastasia to her uncle to receive their reward which had been increased to three coppers each. After the well-wishers returned to their tasks, Anastasia led Uaine off to the side. “There is one more prize to be awarded,” she said. “A private wager.” Untying the yellow scarf from her upper arm, she balanced it in her hand. With a flourish she presented it to Uaine. “Fairly won. This is yours, as promised.”

Uaine took the scarf and strung it through his belt. His lips worked into a smile. “And my other prize?”

Anastasia looked into Uaine’s mischievous gaze. Despite the coolness of the evening, heat filled her cheeks.

Destiny cannot be avoided --
especially when love controls the journey. 
Dragon Destiny, Book one of the Dragshi Chronicles. 

Click this link to Purchase Dragon Destiny 

Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and want more. For more sneak peeks, continue to the next stop in the Weekend Writing Warriors blog.

 ~till next time. Helen

Hooked on Fire and Amulet, Balance, #mfrwhooks

A few lines from Fire and Amulet using the BookQW "balance."

To set the stage, Deneas is on her quest. The wide sandy beach narrowed to strip of coarse sand mixed with pebbles and broken shells. Waves crashed against a staggered row of rock pillars standing between the cliff face and the deeper water before retreating to make way for the next row of waves. She was going to brave the water and stones to continue on.

Excerpt:

The hypnotic effect of the deep roar of the long rows of waves against the beach made it hard to think. Deneas shook her head to clear the cobwebs. Counting the heartbeats between the swell and the resulting explosion of spray allowed her to calculate how much time she would have to cross each sentinel stone.

Her world narrowed to quick dashes, long leaps, and using all her strength to hold on to slick rocks. Sea spray soaked her hair until water ran down into her eyes. A toss of her head cleared her vision. One wave, then two, rolled between the stone she balanced on and safety.

A deep breath and she leaped. Wet sand clutched at her. Two rolls brought her up against a piece of driftwood. When the sparks cleared, she stood and worked her way around the headlands to a wide beach with a row of undulating dunes covered with clumps of scrub grass.

Determination filled her frame. She looked at the last place her mother had described. A jagged stone outcropping so tall she couldn’t see the top without going wagon lengths out into the water towered above the beach. Four large black circles interrupted the sheer wall. The lowest offered access from the water. Each of the upper entrances had a ledge extending from it and a winding series of narrow steps connecting the different openings.

“I made it, Mother,” came out in a whisper that was quickly snatched away by the breeze.

Except for the difference in their entrances, the site reminded her of Trelleir’s sanctuary. She winced in pain at the knowledge she would never see it or its owner again.

~ * ~

Having a slayer as a friend is dangerous when you’re a dragon.

Available in Ebook or Paperback at Amazon
Additional sites at Books2Read

 

Hooked on Fire and Amulet, Everyone, #MFRWhooks

 

A few lines from Fire and Amulet using the #bookqw EVERYONE. To set the stage, fate led Karst to a deserted cabin in a mysterious valley.

Karst stood on the porch and looked out at the thick gray cloud that once again covered the valley. Unbroken by the sun, the heavy damp chilled any exposed skin, keeping everyone near their fires. Bare feet sent the cold up his spine until he clutched the blanket tighter around his shoulders.

The fog absorbed the sound of both voice and craft until he felt he was the last man alive. Only the occasional muffled hoof fall broke the sense of total isolation. As he had for the past sevenday, he cursed the weather that delayed his leaving even as he welcomed the excuse for more meals with the traders.

Besides the good food and company, they had already been a source of information. Feldt had revealed the reason few traders took their wagons to Darceth. The ruling council and its leader were as likely to confiscate the wares as to bargain for them.

Karst came up with another justification for not taking to the trail besides the weather. Feet sore from the forest’s tripping roots felt better that morning than they had since his father sent him on the cursed quest. Several more days of rest and he might even be able to keep his boots on for more than a candlemark or two.

Trapped by an uneasiness he couldn’t pinpoint, he returned to the confines of the logs.

~ * ~

Having a slayer as a friend is dangerous when you’re a dragon.

Available in Ebook or Paperback at Amazon
Additional sites at Books2Read

 

Hooked on Fire and Amulet, Free For Now, #mfrwhooks

 

A few lines from Fire and Amulet continuing the underground journey.

To set the stage, Trellier shows Deneas a magical place at the end of the labrynth.

The circle of pale light that marked the end of the latest tunnel grew larger with each step. It provided just enough brightness to silhouette Trelleir’s frame. “Not long now,” he said.

Deneas barely heard the encouragement above the low rush of water. She breathed a sigh of relief. If it hadn’t been for Trelleir’s stolid support, the journey through the interminable darkness would have been unbearable. Softly voiced directions in her ear and his hand on hers guided her around one last series of stone pillars and onto a narrow ledge. “It will take a moment or two for your eyes to adjust."

Repeated blinks cleared away some of the haze. Several more revealed that the world outside wasn’t shrouded in fog, she was looking at it through a living curtain of water. The tunnel opening was behind a waterfall. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

“Welcome to the outside world.” Pride filled Trelleir’s voice. Leading the way, he headed down stone steps carved by water. And, Deneas realized, also by man. The walkway ended at the moss carpet of a clearing. He dropped his pack and waved for her to do the same. “We can take a good rest here. No one from Darceth outside of your mother knows of this place’s existence.”

~ * ~

Having a slayer as a friend is dangerous when you’re a dragon.

Available in Ebook or Paperback at Amazon
Additional sites at Books2Read