Thursday Thirteen - Lines from the Windmaster Novels

 

 

This Thursday Thirteen are teaser lines from the Windmaster Novels.

 

1. A strangling sense of horror woke Ellspeth from a deep sleep. (Windmaster)
   
   
2. Crashing waves broke on the Falcon’s bow and flowed over the deck. (Windmaster)
   
   
3.  The luminous blue of the wizard's spell spiraled upward, interweaving in and around the almost jet-black pillar of water. (Windmaster)
   
   
4. Ellspeth was unsure whether her hands or the councilman’s blue-veined ones trembled more when the mark of her rank was pulled from her wrists. (Windmaster Legacy)
   
   
5. Deep in the embers’ glow, Nobyn saw an image come into being.(Windmaster Legacy)
   
   
6. The flares shooting skyward revealed a face in the clouds. (Windmaster Legacy)
   
   
7. Silence accompanied the song’s end. The image of the lovers gradually faded, replaced by the reality of a high-mountain cave. (Windmaster Legend)
   
   
8. The decision to stay with her trade guild or to risk the fugitive life with Iol needed no time for reflection. (Windmaster Legend)
   
   
9. Warmth that nothing to do with the sun crept up Kia’s back, heating her neck. This is my escort. She scanned him with a new eye, noting his easy stance and the hilt of the sword peeking above his shoulder. (Windmaster Golem)
   
   
10. Not even the battle energy building in Brodie’s veins eased the heaviness in his soul. (Windmaster Golem)
    
    
11. His fingers brushed the hilt of TânOer and the cold steel took command until the last remnant of Kia’s passion shrank to a glowing coal that Brodie locked away in the deepest recesses of his heart. No spark of his love—or memory of hers—remained. Calm entered his soul and his mind. Ready for battle his senses turned outward, alert for any sign of the invading force.(Windmaster Golem)
    
    
12. . A damp spot chilled her chin where his blood-stained finger touched her jaw to tip her head up. His gaze bore a sadness that cut worse than Relliq’s dagger. (Windmaster Golem)
    
    
13. The creature hammered at the invisible wall with his fist. Deafening peals reverberated with each blow. The wall shimmered into visibility. A heartbeat later it exploded into splinters. (Windmaster Golem)

I hope you enjoyed this Thursday Thirteen and that you will come back again. If any of my published titles intrigue you, click on the cover in the banner or for the series, the pull-down menu for blurbs, excerpts, a free read of the first chapter, and of course, buy links.

And of course, be sure to visit the other thirteens.

~till next time, you're invited to hang out with mages. Helen

Hooked on Hatchling's Mate, Rescued? Or the River Wins. #mfrwauthor

To set the scene, against all orders, Talann swam across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. After successfully taking across a rope that served as the foundation to tow a barge back and forth. The women, children, and horses across, Talann is returning to the safe side of the river with his stallion, a mare and her very skittish colt. The makeshift barge capsizes and its precious contents are tossed into the raging waters.  

Excerpt:

Fear chilling her soul, Glyn continued the breakneck race to catch up to Kynan whose stallion closed in on the floating man. “Talann is still too far from the shore,” Kynan shouted.

The reality of the situation burned in Glyn’s mind. Only Lexii could save Talann, and Beylnea the dragon soul twinned to Lexii, was newly fledged and not that strong.

A shadow passed overhead and the yellow dragon that was Lexii dove. With a scream, her claws wrapped around Talann’s waist. She strained to catch air beneath her wings. However Talann weighed her down and no matter how hard Lexii tried, his feet still dragged in the wild surf.

“You can do it,” Glyn encouraged.

Talann slipped from Lexii’s grasp. Yet again, she dove to grab him. This time, she only gained enough height to lift his head and shoulders above the wave’s surface. His body limp in her clutch told a tale Glyn refused to believe.

Side by side with Kynan, Glyn raced into the water. Neither spoke a word but acted in the perfect unison of a trained team to drag Talann to the shore. It appeared every bone in Talann’s body was broken.

A moan escaped Glyn the sight of the unconscious man’s blue skin. “He’s not breathing.”

 ~ ~ ~

Hatchling's Mate - From their birth it was expected that Talann’s and Lexii’s destiny would be entwined. However fate had other intentions. Lexii and Talann could not stand to be together.

Ebook Available at:   Amazon   Kobo  
One click to more ebook stores

Paperback:  Amazon   Barnes&Noble

Click here for another excerpt and a free read of the first chapter.

Fulfilling the #AtoZChallenge

Before the #AtoZChallenge the longest one I had participated in was the MFRW 52-week challenge. But that was only one post a week and the topic was provided. One of the challenges of the AtoZ was finding a topic that fit a specific letter. The theme I chose for 2019 was fantasy from A to Z and it used the settings, characters, and insights into the fantasy worlds of the Windmaster Novels and the Dragshi Chronicles with a dash of the writing life mixed in. Besides the difficulty in matching a topic to a letter (more on that later), the short time frame that required a post a day was an additional complication.

For some posts a topic to match the letter was easily done. The easiest post to write was  P is for Lady Pelra. Windmaster Legend had just been released so the link to the character was still strong. And besides, not even a fledgling mage is to be trifled with.

As to what was my favorite post? Like many, if not most authors, I love my readers so I chose Y is for YOU the reader as my favorite post. A special gift was offered and if you haven't done so, don't forget to use the FREE READS button to claim your free gift of a science fiction short story, a scifi romance short, or a fantasy dragon short story.

My answer to the favorite graphic is simple. I won't choose and you can't make me. The picture of the seisag made me want to run out and take a trail ride through the woods. Whereas the image that inspired the volcano home of the god Tagachin had me reaching to book a ship to the orient. Then there was the fleeting image captured of the werehound. Don't look too long or they'll decide you're their prey. But if I have to choose just one, it is the jardrese deck. I had fun selecting the images and making the deck of tiles. Now I just have to master the game itself.


The full list of posts from the challenge follows. I hope you'll find a topic or two of interest.

~till next time, Helen



A is for Anastasia
B is for Broch
C is for Cailin
D is for Diovi and Daxa

E is for Eurichin 
F is for FATE
G is for Givneh
H is for horses
I  is for Imprisoned 





J is for Jardrese
K is for the Kapuna Tree
L is for Legend
M is for Mage







N is for Najest
O is for One 
P is for Pelra
Q is for Queen
R  is for Redemption

 

S is for shipfish
T is for Tarekus
U is for uncommon mercy
V is for Ver



W is for Werehound
X is for Xelme
Y is for YOU
Z is for Zethar

Fulfilling the #AtoZChallenge, the Midpoint

The month of April is half over and we're at the midpoint of the #AtoZ Challenge. The theme I chose for the challenge is fantasy from A to Z. Settings, characters, and insights into the fantasy worlds of the Windmaster Novels, the Dragshi Chronicles, and a few words on the writing life.

Since the challenge takes Sundays off, the slot is being used to reflect on the topics covered so far. A list of posts for easier following of the challenge follows. I hope you'll find a post or two of interest and that you'll consider stopping by for the rest of the challenge.

~till next time, Helen


A is for Anastasia
B is for Broch
C is for Cailin
D is for Diovi and Daxa 
E is for Eurichin 
F is for FATE
G is for Givneh
H is for horses
I  is for Imprisoned
J  is for Jardrese
K is for the Kapuna Tree
L is for Legend

F is for Fate

F is for FATE

In mythology, one’s fate is controlled by three women. One who spins the thread of life, one who dispenses it, and one who cuts the thread.

Talann's destiny is at the hand of fate. As a child born of two dragon shifters, his heritage was to be a dragshi and everything in his life, from his formal education to the weapons training was geared towards that role. The reality of his life is that no dragons sang at his birth. No dragon soul awaited awakening and without a dragon soul twin, Talann could not become a shifter.

As to the thread that controls the moment of Talann's death, the action isn’t foreseen but when he was captured by the Parant, a cult leader determined to eliminate all dragons and dragon shifters from the world, an imminent demise would not be unexpected.

Despite fate's intentions, even though he was not a dragon shifter and believed he never would be, Talann must fight to save all of them—including his parents.

A quote summarizes the difference between the fate decreed by heritage and the one we make. “You are not who the past says you are, but who you choose to be.” Henrietta Lang, NCIS Los Angeles

Hatchling's Mate - one click to estores

Tomorrow’s post shifts from the land of the dragshi, to the world of Windmaster. "G" is for the land of the Oracle, Givneh. If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

~ till next time, Helen

Hooked on Hatchling's Mate, Orders, #mfrwauthor #bookqw

This week's entry in the MFRW Book Hooks hop uses the Wednesday quote word "Order." Just before this excerpt, mercenaries under the control of the Parant murdered two of the oldest dragshi, a couple named Gremeille and Turnaimh.

Excerpt:


An overwhelming sorrow came through the ethereal connection. Unshed tears burned Talann’s eyes. Desperate, he searched the mindlink for his parents. Their presence, when found, failed to ease his fear. Somewhere, he knew, a dragon lord had passed beyond the veil. Tied so closely to Llewlyn and Jessian, the dragon souls connected to his parents, Talann realized the lament had not come from human throats, but those of dragons. Somehow, the twinned soul, instead of coming into its own as a true dragon, had also died.

Eirwen, her mental tone filled with rage and sorrow blanked out all thought. < Gremeille and Turnaimh are dead. All dragshi are to return to Cloud Eyrie.> Her steel-hard, < Immediately,> left no room for argument. < On the wing if possible, with guard if not.> Thoughts too fast to be caught flickered through Talann’s mind as Eirwen issued orders to individual dragshi.

“I can’t stand here and do nothing,” Talann growled at Glyn. He brushed past and snatched his saddle from the stall post. “Glyn, you go to Lexii. She’ll need your strong shoulder. I’ll head to the meadow.”

“No, Talann. You can’t be risked.” Glyn’s move to block the aisle mirrored Buar’s. Although she had stood complacently being brushed, the mare reared forcing Talann back.

“I don’t have to obey Eirwen’s decree,” Talann snarled. “I’m not dragshi.”

Glyn grabbed ahold of Buar as the mare’s bugle added to the tension in the stable. A few feet away, when with a toss of his mane, Ohlmar slid out from underneath the unbuckled saddle. The heavy weight dropped to the floor at Talann’s feet.

“What the?” Talann snarled. Each time he tried to get the stallion ready for travel, Ohlmar refused to cooperate. Finally, Talann gave the battlefield command, “Stand,” but the stallion skittered aside.

Spinning, Talann advanced on Buar to drag the mare out of the way.

“Talann, stop,” Glyn called. “Son of the head stallion of Cloud Eyrie or not, Ohlmar will not disobey Buar.” A wry smile twitched Glyn’s lips. “Don’t under estimate a female.”

~  ~ ~

Hatchling's Mate - From their birth it was expected that Talann’s and Lexii’s destiny would be entwined. However fate had other intentions. Lexii and Talann could not stand to be together.

Click here for another excerpt and a free read of the first chapter.

Ebook Available at:   Amazon   Kobo 
One click to more ebook stores

Paperback Available at:  Amazon  Barnes&Noble  IndieBound

Don't miss the Dragons of Fyre. The link in the blog hop got attacked by gremlins, or maybe fired by dragons. The link to their post is https://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com/2019/01/wednesday-dragons-of-fyre-mfrwhooks.html.

Hooked on Dragon Destiny, A Question #mfrwauthor #mfrwhook

It's winter and there are storms rolling one after another across the land. It's not happening just outside the windows, but also in the mountains that are home to the Dragshi.From the dragon shifter fantasy, Dragon Destiny.

Excerpt:

Branin grimaced as the cold winds from the ice fields tugged at his wings, the frigid air piercing even thick dragon skin. Ranks of clouds on the horizon warned of the nearness of winter storms. Soon, he would need to return to the sanctuary of Cloud Eyrie. He could not survive outside sturdy walls, even if he remained in the dragon form of his twinned soul, Llewlyn. Still Branin soared higher, seeking solace from his dark mood. He dreaded the long months during which weather isolated Cloud Eyrie from the world. Snow-blocked passes and roof-high drifts prevented travel in human form by foot or horseback. Gale force winds prevented escape by wing. Winter trapped him inside walls of stone, denying him the option of escaping his loneliness in the skies above. All the other dragshi had met their mates. Their happiness, the depth of their attachments, especially that of his friends, Liam and Dealan, just emphasized Branin’s solitude.

His plans to winter over somewhere other than the high mountain complex of the dragshi vanished with the unexpected summons from Lady Eirwen. After his first rebellious thought to ignore the order from the ruler of the dragshi to return, he surrendered to the inevitable. Within the walls of Cloud Eyrie, even the temporary companionship of a woman disappeared.

Until his true mate appeared, he resigned himself to lesser relationships with the opposite sex. Over the years, many women had tried to seduce him in order to claim they’d bedded a dragon shifter or to garner the power a dragshi- wielded. At their first contact, he always made it clear no dragshi could have a permanent liaison with a true human, and that his favors could not be bought with money or wiles. Most women took his word and remained satisfied with the companionship. If they pursued their relationship to a physical level, it was done with no expectations beyond mutual pleasure. He pictured the red-haired beauty he just left. Broch went beyond the usual flattery and flirtations. Sharp words always seemed to lie just beneath her light tone and apparent sincerity. Despite her physical beauty, he sensed a ruthlessness within her. No matter how hard she tried to throw herself at him, the fire never kindled.

Branin screamed his frustration to the sky. Liam and Dealan had found each other within weeks of their first shift into dragon form. According to the ancient records in the back recesses of Cloud Eyrie, he and Llewlyn had already waited longer for their mates than any other dragshi had ever done. Llewlyn woke more frequently from the shadowed corner of Branin’s mind where he slept and the dragon’s discontent echoed Branin’s own. They were alone and, Branin feared, destined to remain that way forever. Again, he yelled to the winds. However, what echoed back from the ice-covered peaks sounded more like a moan than a dragon’s trumpeting call.

A hint of emotion whispered at the edge of his senses. He could tell the feeling did not come from his fellow dragshi, or, from one of the old dragons. That left only a true human.

The depth of the other’s longing called to him. His own hunger answered. Reaching out with a gentle mental summons, he asked, <Who are you?>

~ ~ ~

Buy Links: One click to ebook sellers
Paperback at Amazon / Barnes&Noble

 

Tuesday's Title - Mist Falcon, fantasy by Ryan Doughan

Destiny - will it cost everything you have ever believed or gain you everything you have ever dreamed of?

Title:  MIST FALCON
(Book One, the Warrior Poet Archives)

Author:  Ryan J. Doughan

Date of Release:  April 2015
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Buy Links: Amazon (http://amzn.to/2iAOCby)

Blurb:

“I write this now, chiseled in stone and wrapped in wind with the hope that you may yet be saved from my folly. Avoid my errors and do not follow in my footsteps, save in greater preparation and wisdom than I have shown. Do not be fooled by the appearance of things. They are so rarely as they seem in this.”

In a kingdom shattered by war and never properly healed, Aiden is whirled out of his ordinary life scraping-by, scavenging the outskirts of Oustenbasch, one of the Nine Cities. Through total loss and driven by revenge, Aiden finds himself fretfully navigating a world of political mayhem while floundering through power in a magic he never dreamed to control.

Willem is a traveling musical prodigy, his voice and talent drawing crowds and filling taverns along with his troupe’s coffers. All the golden eagles in the realm can’t protect him, though, when the Swaar raiders attack the town of Bellcross, sending him scurrying into a life he would never have chosen, questioning the meaning of his existence while wrestling with a music that may be more powerful than he had ever imagined.

Known amongst all the Swaar as “Wolf Rider”, Ren Tako lives and dies by his axe and the strength of his arm. Tako finds himself blown into a situation where he must choose between loyalty to his Dal, the famed Rock Giant, and following a new destiny that could cost him everything he has ever believed or gain him everything he has ever dreamed.

Welcome to the Nine Cities and the Waste beyond to the East. Come ride with me. Soar above a broken land in search of a glimmer of hope, an uncut gem hidden to all but the most perceiving eyes. Come fly with me to the towers of Holmsguard and beyond, and see what it is to be Mist Falcon

Behind the Scenes: I’ve always been a big reader, loved getting lost in the depth and power of stories. As Guy Gavriel Kay stated to Robert Crew from the Toronto Star, “I do want to give you that escapist adventure, I do want you crying with my characters, but I also want you to be brought home to the situation in your own world by the themes I explore within that setting.”

In short, stories offer us something more than the delightful escape (though that is certainly there). Stories can teach us something that we might struggle to realize while bogged down in the surroundings of the real world.

Writing for me, is reading on steroids. Not only am I swept along in a tale of someone else’s creation, but I get to play an active role in that creation process. It is wonderfully messy and tangled and thrilling all at once.

I hope to offer delightful stories of escape while offering a few nuggets of take away here and there.

Read with Joy and I’d love to hear your thoughts on my books!

Author Bio:

Ryan J. Doughan grew up on a steady diet of Narnia and Middle Earth and quickly fell in love with the magic of fiction. This love of stories led him to Northwestern College where he received an English degree in Writing and Rhetoric with a Religion minor.

Ryan lives in Iowa with his beautiful wife and children.

And on the web at:
Blog: http://www.ryanjdoughan.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ryanjdoughan 
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanjdoughan/

A Note from Ryan: If you enjoy Mist Falcon, be sure to check out The Touch Heist, a novella staring two of the characters from Mist Falcon. If you like your fantasy with a twist of heist action, this shorter tale may be just for you. Available on Amazon http://amzn.to/2j4ndQn