Hooked on Windmaster, A Treacherous Trail, #mfrwhooks

Freezing temperatures, storms of a generation, and inches of snow on Bourbon Street inspire a reprise of bad weather captured in one of my worlds of fantasy. In sympathy with those suffering from winter's rage, a snippit from Ellspeth and Dal on a rainy trail.

Excerpt from Windmaster:

Ellspeth’s world reduced to the shifting gray shadow that was Tairneach. Her eyes hurt from straining to see through the curtain of snow and rain that almost obscured the stallion. She rode with one foot scraping the rocks on the side of the narrow trail while her other hung over a thousand-foot precipice. One misstep and both rider and mount would plummet to the valley floor. The driving rain stung every spot of unprotected skin like a thousand cuts. Icy rivulets ran off her wide-brimmed hat. They sneaked beneath the collar of the lake seal cloak and ran down her neck. Waterlogged, her clothes sucked every ounce of heat from her body. Only where her legs lay against Cadno’s coat did she have vague feeling. Hours of riding in the howling maelstrom of cold and wet had dulled her mind to anything beyond the need to stay in the saddle.

Dal’s bellow penetrated Ellspeth’s consciousness. “This storm isn’t going to stop. Taer can’t take much more of this, and neither can we. There’s shelter not far up the trail.”

Chattering teeth made a reply impossible, so she just nodded. Even that slight movement threw her numbed body off balance. Fighting not to fall into the abyss, Ellspeth dropped the reins onto Cadno’s neck and wrapped nerveless fingers around the saddle horn to let the colt pick his way across a stream of water rushing over the rock-strewn path. The crunch of ice beneath his hooves reminded Ellspeth of the snap of the Sea Falcon’s canvas in a stiff wind. If I can stand on the Falcon’s deck, I can stay in this saddle. She clenched the leather horn tighter with a renewed sense of determination.

~ * ~

Hooked on First Change, Aim #MFRWHook #bookqw

 

This week's excerpt is from "Fire and Ice," one of the tales recorded in First Change: Legends From The Eyrie. To set the scene, Mirabeesh's friends come to rescue her.

Excerpt:

Shadows showed the reaction to her silent cry. Qaralzha put an arm around the two girls and pushed them downhill. A crack sang out and Aneko slipped on the ice, falling to her knees. Her blade skittered across the ice.  

“Kill them,” Xelme yelled. Those of the temple who carried both sword and bow, fumbled with to string arrows. The cold slowed their movements and when the twang of released strings filled the air, spoiled their aim. The flood of bolts splattered harmlessly onto the ice.  

He grabbed the nearest man and pushed him after the running figures. He kicked and slapped other daxa. “After them, you fools. The one who lets them escape dies. He who kills the soldier, gets Aneko.”

“No.” Mirabeesh formed the word, but her cry died unborn. Its life ended with a swing of Xelme’s boot in her side. The image of Garu held down on the black altar in the depths of the temple sent a surge of strength through frozen muscles. She screamed, not in pain but frustration. Merged with the ice, her body belonged to the mountain god—she couldn’t move.

  ~ ~ ~

Buy Links: Links to ebook sellers

Additional excerpts from the three novellas (and two bonus short stories) in First Change. 

Hooked on Windmaster, A Parting, #MFRWHooks

From the sword and sorcery fantasy, Windmaster, an excerpt of a parting as Ellspeth comes to an insight. This scene preceds "Destiny Awaits."


Excerpt:

Dal was not running away from her. In battle he could not afford the luxury of emotions. He was walling himself off in preparation for the fight to come. She remembered the way he looked at her at the well when they made their last preparations to leave. First he pulled something from his personal pack. She couldn’t see what he held except for a flash of brown, maybe wood. An expression of regret flickered across his face. His face reddened when he lightly kissed the item and slipped it over his head to hang beneath his armor. Must be a personal talisman of some kind she decided. The wink he tossed to her matched the smile he flashed in her direction. They both disappeared as he put on his armor.

An impersonal cold emanated from the wizard, a demeanor that increased with each weapon he removed from his pack and strapped to its place. By the time he draped the carry strap of his great sword’s scabbard over his shoulder, no remnant remained of the lover...only the soldier–mercenary.

Beneath Ellspeth, Kaleigh’s sure-footed gait acquired an unfamiliar ragged footing. “It’s not far now, girl,” Ellspeth encouraged. “I hope,” she muttered to herself. Suddenly the gathering of magic swirled around her as the air fluoresced with crimson sparks. The dancing motes grew brighter until, in a final blinding flare they eclipsed the silvery predawn light. When her vision returned, the spire that had been hours away now towered above her head. “Magic can move people?” 

 “No,” Dal said at her ear. “I just dispelled the illusion created as part of the circlet’s protection. Dismount. We’re here.”  

The buff-colored grass seemed unusually thick and pulled at her boots. When Ellspeth stepped down she had to fight the urge to leap into the saddle. 

“Ignore, it,” Dal ordered. His stern voice cut through her increasing anxiety. “When I leave, don’t stand in one place too long or the tendrils will wrap around your feet. Once you are trapped, the vines will pull you down and eventually smother you. However, as long as I’m here the grass isn’t dangerous... Elle, I...”  

An edge in his voice drew her attention.  

His brown eyes glowed with an inner fire, a passion at odds with his controlled expression. “I know the plan called for me to follow you into the spire after you released the wall that keeps out mages. But Bashim’s people are too close.”  

The cold steel of the dagger he placed in her hand distracted her from the emotion she saw in his eyes.

~ ~ ~

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And be sure to check out the rest of the Windmaster Novels by clicking on the top menu item.

Links to the rest of the hop follows.

Hooked on Windmaster, Destiny Awaits, #MFRWHooks

From the sword and sorcery fantasy, Windmaster, an excerpt continuing Dal and Ellspeth's parting on the eve of battle. The scene picks up where "A Parting" left off.

 

Apologies, due to a blip in scheduling, Destiny Awaits posted this week. A Parting Will Be Next Week.

Excerpt:

The cold steel of the dagger he placed in her hand distracted her from the emotion she saw in his eyes. “Tairneach and the colts will go with me to lead off Ruaridh and his men. We’ll buy you as much time as we can. You memorized the book of clues. You have your flute.” He draped the loops of a soft velvet bag over her neck. The amber jewel within pulsed with hidden energy, a power Ellspeth could feel, despite the cloth and protective wards placed around the jewel.

“I think my dagger will provide the magic direction you need deeper into the cave. Don’t release the protective spells when you get inside. Keep going. Please, Ellspeth, promise me.”

Shaken by the intensity of his request, Ellspeth nodded. 

Dal’s grasp on her shoulders generated a heat out of proportion to the lightness of his touch. “I just saw Bashim in my crystal. I’m sorry, Elle, but he breached the defensive wards of the Isle. I had enough time to send a warning to Sea Falcon. It set sail for Montrat moments ago. They’ll stop there for a day at the Cszabo compound, then head on to Stratven. 

“If I... I mean...” 

In front of her, the glow faded from his eyes and a shadow passed over his face. His hands fell to his side. A cold determination replaced the inner sparkle of amusement she had come to know. “I gave you the master spells. When the time is right, you will remember them. As Archmage I charge you to use them and the power wisely. Kaleigh will take you and the circlet safely to the Falcon.”  

Before Ellspeth could move, Dal leaped into the saddle. She swore she saw a message pass between Tairneach and the wizard. Then the stallion spun on his haunches. One long leap later the faint smell of dust was all that was left of Taer’s, and the wizard’s, presence. The urge to jump onto Kaleigh’s back and race after them almost overwhelmed her.

~ ~ ~

 

Buy Links: Ebook Sellers
Paperback at Amazon / Barnes&Noble

And be sure to check out the rest of the Windmaster Novels by clicking on the top menu item.

Hooked on Windmaster, A Treacherous Trail, #mfrwhooks

The original snippit for this week book hook picked up where last week's left off. However, I received news that changed things--a sale. In honor of April showers, which besides bringing May flowers, also brings a 99 cent sale for Windmaster (more later in this post). So in sympathy with the northeast for yet another nor'easter this winter, a snippit from Ellspeth and Dal on a rainy trail. The scene takes place after the excerpt, Leave or Die, where Dal and Ellspeth leave his clanhold.

Excerpt from Windmaster:

Ellspeth’s world reduced to the shifting gray shadow that was Tairneach. Her eyes hurt from straining to see through the curtain of snow and rain that almost obscured the stallion. She rode with one foot scraping the rocks on the side of the narrow trail while her other hung over a thousand-foot precipice. One misstep and both rider and mount would plummet to the valley floor. The driving rain stung every spot of unprotected skin like a thousand cuts. Icy rivulets ran off her wide-brimmed hat. They sneaked beneath the collar of the lake seal cloak and ran down her neck. Waterlogged, her clothes sucked every ounce of heat from her body. Only where her legs lay against Cadno’s coat did she have vague feeling. Hours of riding in the howling maelstrom of cold and wet had dulled her mind to anything beyond the need to stay in the saddle.

Dal’s bellow penetrated Ellspeth’s consciousness. “This storm isn’t going to stop. Taer can’t take much more of this, and neither can we. There’s shelter not far up the trail.”

Chattering teeth made a reply impossible, so she just nodded. Even that slight movement threw her numbed body off balance. Fighting not to fall into the abyss, Ellspeth dropped the reins onto Cadno’s neck and wrapped nerveless fingers around the saddle horn to let the colt pick his way across a stream of water rushing over the rock-strewn path. The crunch of ice beneath his hooves reminded Ellspeth of the snap of the Sea Falcon’s canvas in a stiff wind. If I can stand on the Falcon’s deck, I can stay in this saddle. She clenched the leather horn tighter with a renewed sense of determination.

~ * ~

Hooked on Windmaster, You Can't Return Home #mfrwauthor #mfrwhooks

Windmaster – choose between the sea, magic... or love.

Prophecy decreed Ellspeth marry the Archmage. However, despite the attraction to him, Ellspeth’s heart fought the announced destiny. For to be with Lord Dal meant she had to take all that came with him, including magic. Love meant the loss of her ship and crew because to a mage the sea meant death.

Excerpt:
 
     Dal looked beyond Ellspeth to the trail outside, its length still lined with stern-faced villagers. His thoughts kept going back to earlier, happier times. He had not expected his return to be acknowledged with a day of celebration, but he never thought he would be greeted with a death sentence. And not just for him. His anger threatened to erupt at the risk to Ellspeth. But what could he do? His magic prevented him from reaching the circlet. And Ellspeth was the only one in the world who had magic, but whose powers weren’t active.
    Ellspeth broke the deep silence that filled the room. “Eilidh, King Fraunces will be told. Yours is not the only clan being threatened.” Ellspeth hesitated then looked at Dal. “I am gathering weapons to stop the attacks.”
    “We need the amber,” Dal blurted out. “The teardrop that MarEilidh gave me. The one with the winged insect in it.”
    “Padraig has it. He claimed it for his dowry gift.”
    “We need it.” Ellspeth leaned forward on her stool. “Can you speak to him? Or should I?”
    Eilidh sat back in her chair. Her arms found their usual resting place. “I will do what I can. By rights it should be Dal’s. It was given him by his great-grandmother. In the meantime, eat and rest. No one will bother you in the place of sanctuary.”
    “Thank you.” Dal and Ellspeth replied in unison.
    “May the ancestors guide you and protect you.”
    At the obvious dismissal, they rose.
    Eilidh waited until Dal turned back. “And Dal, you have my blessing.” Although she had spoken to him, Dal saw his mother looked straight at Ellspeth. How did she know? At the door he framed his features into an impassive mask that hid his true feelings.

Windmaster  - Complete List of Ebook sellers
Paperback Available At: Amazon / Amazon UK

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Tuesday's TItle - Seducing the Baker by Janet Lane Walters

What happens when business and a wedding collide?

Title:  Seducing the Baker
(Book 6, At First Sight series)
 
Author:  Janet Lane Walters

Date of Release:  June 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Books We Love
Buy Links: Amazon


Blurb:

She was the only girl to turn him down. What will happen when business and a wedding bring them together again.

Jules Grayson was a player as a teen and that hasn’t changed. Business and a friend’s wedding join to bring him to the place where his life had imploded and where his trust issues began. A Ponzi scheme and a suicide forced him into a group home he hated. For ten years he has avoided returning.

Grace Sutton is faced with a dilemma added to by the appearance of Jules in her Sweet and Spicy Cupcake bakery. Years ago she turned Jules down but she had a crush. His appearance erodes the vow she made years ago. Men had used her mother and led the woman into drugs and alcohol. Grace vowed to forego relationships with men until she could support herself. Though the bakery is making money, she doesn’t feel secure. When Jules arrives with a contract for a magazine feature, she is conflicted and attracted. 

Behind the Scenes:

As to the inspiration the hero was a silent participant is several of the other stories and he wanted a story. He was a player and I thought "what about the only girl to turn him down." She had appeared in the fifth story with a bit of her backstory.

Author Bio:

Janet Lane Walters is experience her 48th year of being a published author. She doesn't mention the ten years she returned to work as a nurse to help children through college. She began with short stories and poetry then advanced to novels when an editor remarked her short story sounded like the synopsis for a novel. She was published by NY publishers but in 1998 discovered electronic publishing and has continued there. She calls herself an "eclectic writer" since she writes a number of genres or sub-genres. Cozy mysteries, suspense, contemporary romance, historical, fantasy for YA and adults, paranormal romances featuring alternate worlds or reincarnation. She also has several non-fiction books to her credit. She is an award winning author and shares an EPIC award with Jane Toombs for a non-fiction book on writing.

Find her on the web at: Twitter     Goodreads     Facebook     At Books We Love

Reader's Favorite Review -- 4 Stars for Dragon Destiny

Dragon Destiny -- 4 Stars at Reader's Favorite

"Helen B. Henderson gives the reader a powerful tale of young love, of holding back, of understanding and of making life work."

Read the full review at readersfavorite.com/book-review/dragon-destiny 

 

Tuesday's Title - His Texas Heart

He thought he had nothing to give...until she showed him what love could be.

HIS TEXAS HEART by Lisa Mondello

(Book Six of the Texas Hearts series)

Genre: contemporary romance

Buy Links -  Amazon  Barnes and Noble   Kobo    

Blurb:

Time was running out for Cole Rivers. He may not have been born in the United States, but Texas was the only place he'd ever called home. He had just weeks to find the proof he needed, or risk being deported. All he needed was a little help from the daughter of the local doctor who'd treated him years ago. He didn't count on Dr. RaeAnne Daniels being so difficult to work with. But despite his own troubles, and the distraction this beautiful woman became with each passing day, how could he leave her in her time of need?

RaeAnne Daniels never knew why it was so important for her father had set up his medical practice on the border of Mexico instead of working in a thriving Texas city like the one she practiced in. But when her father died and left RaeAnne in charge of cleaning up his office, she found it hard to leave the border town and people she'd always resented growing up. Cole Rivers had been her father's patient and he had problems of his own. The break-ins at her father's clinic and the drugs being stolen were her problem. But that didn't stop her from falling for the devastatingly handsome cowboy with a heart of gold...or stop him from showing her how wonderful true love could really be.

About Texas Hearts:

Book 1 - Her Heart for the Asking

Book 2 - His Heart for the Trusting

Book 3 - The More I See

Book 4 - Gypsy Hearts

Book 5 - Leaving Liberty

Book 6 - His Texas Heart

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Lisa Mondello, has held many jobs in her life but being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have.  Her first book, All I Want for Christmas is You won Best First Book in the Golden Quill. Her books have finalled in the HOLT Medallion, and the Colorado Award of Excellence contests. Writing as LA Mondello, her romantic suspense, MATERIAL WITNESS was named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Indie Books of 2012. You can find more information about Lisa Mondello at lisamondello.blogspot.com.