Rachel Rossano's Blog, page 24
May 5, 2012
Sweet Saturday Sample
Welcome to this week's Sweet Saturday Sample. I am sharing pieces of a scene from Wren Romany over a few weeks. If you follow my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/RachelRossano...), you probably caught a few of my favorite quotes from Wren's novel. This week's Sweet Saturday Sample is written from Tourth's POV and continues last week's scene. Tourth and Wren are sparring.
~~~
A wooden club whizzed past my head. Striking the wall inches past my shoulder, it clattered to the floor. I stared for a second. Gone was the quiet, withdrawn woman I thought I knew. Hair wrapped around her head, stripped to her leather jerkin, shirtsleeves, and leggings, she moved like a sleek cat, feminine, yet deadly. Confidence radiated from her as she whipped another cudgel into her dominate hand.“Remember what I do for a living.” She advanced and I retreated to the fallen weapon. Scooping it into my hand, I swung it up into a defensive stance seconds before she struck at my shoulder.I retaliated with a series of strokes that should have reduced her to begging for leniency. Instead, she met me hit for hit, backing away into the center of the room. Although she gave ground, I grew wary. She was holding back. Fury boiled in my belly.I changed my attack. After feinting to the left, I jabbed at her right. She took advantage of a small defensive weakness and landed the first blow, a hard jar to the ribs. I renewed my onslaught, taking a risk. She saw the move and sidestepped at the last moment, dancing out of my reach. Breathing hard, we faced each other.“The point of this was for me to work out some frustration.”“I know.”“This is hardly satisfying.”She laughed, a clear sound that echoed in the rafters. “I am not about to submit to a beating just to help your frustration level. I will help you wear yourself out, though.” She leapt forward and attacked again.
~~~
Come back next week to find out who wins.
For more Sweet Saturday Samples, go to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
Wren Romany is currently in the last stages of editing. Keep checking back for more news as her story progresses toward print.
~~~
A wooden club whizzed past my head. Striking the wall inches past my shoulder, it clattered to the floor. I stared for a second. Gone was the quiet, withdrawn woman I thought I knew. Hair wrapped around her head, stripped to her leather jerkin, shirtsleeves, and leggings, she moved like a sleek cat, feminine, yet deadly. Confidence radiated from her as she whipped another cudgel into her dominate hand.“Remember what I do for a living.” She advanced and I retreated to the fallen weapon. Scooping it into my hand, I swung it up into a defensive stance seconds before she struck at my shoulder.I retaliated with a series of strokes that should have reduced her to begging for leniency. Instead, she met me hit for hit, backing away into the center of the room. Although she gave ground, I grew wary. She was holding back. Fury boiled in my belly.I changed my attack. After feinting to the left, I jabbed at her right. She took advantage of a small defensive weakness and landed the first blow, a hard jar to the ribs. I renewed my onslaught, taking a risk. She saw the move and sidestepped at the last moment, dancing out of my reach. Breathing hard, we faced each other.“The point of this was for me to work out some frustration.”“I know.”“This is hardly satisfying.”She laughed, a clear sound that echoed in the rafters. “I am not about to submit to a beating just to help your frustration level. I will help you wear yourself out, though.” She leapt forward and attacked again.
~~~
Come back next week to find out who wins.
For more Sweet Saturday Samples, go to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
Wren Romany is currently in the last stages of editing. Keep checking back for more news as her story progresses toward print.
April 28, 2012
Sweet Saturday Sample
Welcome to this week's Sweet Saturday Sample. I am obsessing about Wren this week. If you follow my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/RachelRossano...), you probably caught a few of my favorite quotes from Wren's novel. This week's Sweet Saturday Sample will be more of the same. Written from Tourth's POV, the scene displays some of Wren's character from an outside perspective.
Dreamstime.com
~~~
I turned back before opening the door. Wren was close on my heels.“Care for a round of sparring?”Her strange eyes cleared from worried brown to an amused amber. “Do you have an extra sword?”I shook my head as I shoved the door. “I was thinking along the lines of staffs or cudgels, something that won’t kill you if I miscalculate.”“Miscalculate? You should be a bit more concerned about me hurting you.” The wooden door closed behind her with a muffled thump. “Do you want to be disturbed?” She indicated the repaired bolting system. “Lock it. Let them wonder if we are killing each other.”The worn stone floor, spread with rushes, lay empty. An old trestle table dug out of storage rested against the far wall, and the newly-beaten tapestries adorned the walls. I ignored them. Now was not the time to dwell on the past. I needed to drive history from my mind, far from my mind. Exercising until I was too exhausted to think would numb the pain. It would distance the ache enough so I might progress beyond the inclination to kill the enforcer slowly with my bare hands. “Weapons?” Wren’s voice cut through my thoughts at just the right moment.“Take your choice.” I indicated the rack of various implements next to the trestle table. Walking to the far end, I shed layers of clothing down to tunic and britches. “Are you sure you are up for this?” Discarding the last overtunic on the heap, I shivered in the frigid air. I welcomed the discomfort.“Of course,” she said from right behind me. “On guard.”A wooden club whizzed past my head. Striking the wall inches past my shoulder, it clattered to the floor. I stared for a second. Gone was the quiet, withdrawn woman I thought I knew. Hair wrapped around her head, stripped to her leather jerkin, shirtsleeves, and leggings, she moved like a sleek cat, feminine, yet deadly. Confidence radiated from her as she whipped another cudgel into her dominate hand.
~~~
Come back next week for more!
For more Sweet Saturday Samples, go to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
Wren Romany is currently in the last stages of editing. Keep checking back for more news as her story progresses toward print.
Dreamstime.com~~~
I turned back before opening the door. Wren was close on my heels.“Care for a round of sparring?”Her strange eyes cleared from worried brown to an amused amber. “Do you have an extra sword?”I shook my head as I shoved the door. “I was thinking along the lines of staffs or cudgels, something that won’t kill you if I miscalculate.”“Miscalculate? You should be a bit more concerned about me hurting you.” The wooden door closed behind her with a muffled thump. “Do you want to be disturbed?” She indicated the repaired bolting system. “Lock it. Let them wonder if we are killing each other.”The worn stone floor, spread with rushes, lay empty. An old trestle table dug out of storage rested against the far wall, and the newly-beaten tapestries adorned the walls. I ignored them. Now was not the time to dwell on the past. I needed to drive history from my mind, far from my mind. Exercising until I was too exhausted to think would numb the pain. It would distance the ache enough so I might progress beyond the inclination to kill the enforcer slowly with my bare hands. “Weapons?” Wren’s voice cut through my thoughts at just the right moment.“Take your choice.” I indicated the rack of various implements next to the trestle table. Walking to the far end, I shed layers of clothing down to tunic and britches. “Are you sure you are up for this?” Discarding the last overtunic on the heap, I shivered in the frigid air. I welcomed the discomfort.“Of course,” she said from right behind me. “On guard.”A wooden club whizzed past my head. Striking the wall inches past my shoulder, it clattered to the floor. I stared for a second. Gone was the quiet, withdrawn woman I thought I knew. Hair wrapped around her head, stripped to her leather jerkin, shirtsleeves, and leggings, she moved like a sleek cat, feminine, yet deadly. Confidence radiated from her as she whipped another cudgel into her dominate hand.
~~~
Come back next week for more!
For more Sweet Saturday Samples, go to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
Wren Romany is currently in the last stages of editing. Keep checking back for more news as her story progresses toward print.
April 21, 2012
Sweet Saturday Sample
Welcome back for another Sweet Saturday Sample. This week's excerpt is from Wren Romany, a fantasy adventure with a dash of romance. In the process of editing, I am hopeful the novel will make it into print this year.
In this scene, Wren is encountering a mainstay of her profession, a nasty customer.
It is the closest to stew in the free images on Dreamstime.com.
~~~~~
“Fifteen gold.” The steward spoke around a full mouth of stew without bothering to keep his lips closed.My stomach turned. I really needed to get out of this line of work for a while. Characters like Steward Farley were far too common. Moreover, they always hung out in slums like this tavern. The common room was dim with smoke from a badly vented chimney. The rushes on the floor stunk of rotting food, sour ale, and things much worse.“The bounty contract states twenty, steward.” I addressed the shining oil on his balding scalp. “I am willing to call any of these fine men as witnesses to it. Twenty gold flans for the return of your criminal.” I rested my hand on my first dagger, but he didn’t notice.The steward cursed, spewing bits of half-eaten meat across the already filmy table. “If a woman caught him, he isn’t worth the bounty set. Now take the fifteen and be thankful I am paying you at all.”“You will pay me twenty.” Planting the tip of my first throwing knife in the tabletop next to his left hand, I reached for my second. Before he could do more than jump slightly in his seat, the second warmed in my palm. “If you don’t, I shall take man with me.”Again the man cursed as the pain behind my eyes grew. The stench was getting to my stomach. If I didn’t resolve this soon, I would heave in the man’s lap. I didn’t really feel up to this argument, but I wanted the money. Argue I must.“Are you threatening me, wench?” he asked, rising half out of his chair. The mild sound of conversation around us died abruptly and the tension rose.“No.” Calmly flicking my second knife under his nose, I met his gaze evenly. “I only want what is rightfully mine. My twenty gold flans, if you please, or I shall speak to the enforcer.”
~~~~~
What grabbed you most about the scene?
For more Sweet Saturday Samples, go to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
Thank you for coming over!
In this scene, Wren is encountering a mainstay of her profession, a nasty customer.
It is the closest to stew in the free images on Dreamstime.com.~~~~~
“Fifteen gold.” The steward spoke around a full mouth of stew without bothering to keep his lips closed.My stomach turned. I really needed to get out of this line of work for a while. Characters like Steward Farley were far too common. Moreover, they always hung out in slums like this tavern. The common room was dim with smoke from a badly vented chimney. The rushes on the floor stunk of rotting food, sour ale, and things much worse.“The bounty contract states twenty, steward.” I addressed the shining oil on his balding scalp. “I am willing to call any of these fine men as witnesses to it. Twenty gold flans for the return of your criminal.” I rested my hand on my first dagger, but he didn’t notice.The steward cursed, spewing bits of half-eaten meat across the already filmy table. “If a woman caught him, he isn’t worth the bounty set. Now take the fifteen and be thankful I am paying you at all.”“You will pay me twenty.” Planting the tip of my first throwing knife in the tabletop next to his left hand, I reached for my second. Before he could do more than jump slightly in his seat, the second warmed in my palm. “If you don’t, I shall take man with me.”Again the man cursed as the pain behind my eyes grew. The stench was getting to my stomach. If I didn’t resolve this soon, I would heave in the man’s lap. I didn’t really feel up to this argument, but I wanted the money. Argue I must.“Are you threatening me, wench?” he asked, rising half out of his chair. The mild sound of conversation around us died abruptly and the tension rose.“No.” Calmly flicking my second knife under his nose, I met his gaze evenly. “I only want what is rightfully mine. My twenty gold flans, if you please, or I shall speak to the enforcer.”
~~~~~
What grabbed you most about the scene?
For more Sweet Saturday Samples, go to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
Thank you for coming over!
April 15, 2012
Update Time!
This year has been busy and there is much more in store.
Wren Romany just returned from the editor! I now have to work through all the little issues. When I glanced over the file, none of them looked too serious or difficult to fix. After working through them (on the agenda this week, Lord willing), I am going to spend some time consulting with the fearless leader of our Romany Epistles project (Rachel Starr Thomson) about the next steps and such. Also, My hubby will want to read the novel before it goes out into the world. I still need to polish the cover, format the inside, and pull together a book trailer.
© Uschi Hering | Dreamstime.comDuty is dominating my writing time these days. Irvaine and Brielle’s story frequently flies along, sometimes faster than I plan it out.
Diaspora continues to lurk in my subconscious. Ruhan and Myah keep talking out of turn. Their story is pressing to be told.
My other backlogged stories keep seeking attention. If only I had more time. *sigh* They will all eventually make it into print or at least ebook. Check out the new status bars at the bottom of the blog for the latest on your favorite of my WIPs.
A writing friend of mine (Joyce DiPastena) offers periodic new sentences from her WIP as she writes it. I liked the idea so much, I started doing it myself. Here are some of my #newsentence entries from the past three months.
New Sentence from February:
Memories of my father’s hands guiding my ten-year-old fingers into position on the bow brought tears to my eyes, but I willed them not to fall. - Duty
New Sentences from March:
Sunlight cascaded through the kaleidoscope of clear and tinted glass to trace an intricate pattern of light, shadow, and color across the tiled expanse below. - Diaspora
"Unlike us, her exile isn’t the ripping away of a hazy, dream of Eden. For her, all hope of ever treading a familiar lane of memory is gone." - Ruhan from Diaspora
If hatred could murder, the man at my side would have breathed his last then and there. - Duty
"Never assume an enemy simply hates." - Lord Irvaine from Duty
The indelible markers branded forever across his back spoke of a man who had fought his way through life. - Duty
Somewhere behind those searching eyes he still faced the world alone. - Duty
New Sentences from April:
“Oh?” He raised his eyebrows in obviously mock surprise. “Then what has your lovely brow all in winkles?” - Duty
Despite his mildly distracted expression as he examined the mortar of the wall to her right, the arm beneath my hand tightened like a bow string. - Duty
"We rubbed well together, but not closely.” - Duty
The three years since my father’s death seemed an eternity of hardship and toil, but when I lingered on the strength of my longing to see him again, his death felt like it happened only yesterday. - Duty
Do the new sentences tease your interest?
April 14, 2012
Sweet Saturday Sample
Welcome back for another Sweet Saturday Sample! This week I am featuring a bit of Wren Romany, a fantasy novel. I am in the final stages of editing this one. Hopefully it will be making its debut later this year.
This excerpt is from the first chapter, written from Wren's POV in first person.
~~~~~
Wind rustled the leaves, shushing and nipping as it passed. It smelled of winter and my prey. Perched high above the forest floor, the scents of unwashed male and sour ale still turned my stomach. The birds ceased their chatter. A squirrel sniffing the air on the branch to my left remained subdued, scampering off without a glance for me, the stranger in his tree.Curses and the sharp cracks of broken branches broke the silence. He stumbled along the widening path, berating the bush for jumping into his way. Matted hair splayed out from his head. He limped across the clearing, dirty bottle in one hand and a rusted sword in the other, and stepped solidly into my trap. I signaled Brone, my horse. He leapt forward and the noose cinched closed.With a wordless yowl that reverberated through my head, the man whipped into the air and snapped upside down. Left foot restrained, his right floundered wildly as he cursed and spun.
~~~~~
Do you want to read more?
For more succulent sweets, return to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
Thank you for stopping by. :)
This excerpt is from the first chapter, written from Wren's POV in first person.
~~~~~
Wind rustled the leaves, shushing and nipping as it passed. It smelled of winter and my prey. Perched high above the forest floor, the scents of unwashed male and sour ale still turned my stomach. The birds ceased their chatter. A squirrel sniffing the air on the branch to my left remained subdued, scampering off without a glance for me, the stranger in his tree.Curses and the sharp cracks of broken branches broke the silence. He stumbled along the widening path, berating the bush for jumping into his way. Matted hair splayed out from his head. He limped across the clearing, dirty bottle in one hand and a rusted sword in the other, and stepped solidly into my trap. I signaled Brone, my horse. He leapt forward and the noose cinched closed.With a wordless yowl that reverberated through my head, the man whipped into the air and snapped upside down. Left foot restrained, his right floundered wildly as he cursed and spun.
~~~~~
Do you want to read more?
For more succulent sweets, return to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
Thank you for stopping by. :)
April 7, 2012
Sweet Saturday Sample
Welcome back for another Sweet Saturday Sample. Today's sample will be from Exchange. Although I have been working diligently on Duty, The futuristic world of Exchange and Diaspora are never far from my thoughts.
~~~~~
Drug therapy came next. Strapped to a cold metal table tilted so that I half stood, the puncture processor whirled about on whispering treads. The sound would have been soothing if it hadn't come from a machine sprouting seventy glinting needles. The hushed regulated bleeps of the machines monitoring my blood pressure, heartbeat, and brain activity undercut the silence between the punctpro's movements. With sharp clicks, it loaded a large measure of the weapons of horror.
The mind claw smoothly reached down from above spreading its talons toward my head. A web of tiny needles draped from the prongs.Two larger probes jutted inward aligned to where my temples would rest when the claw clamped over my skull. My head itched and burned as panic swelled in my chest.
"Present left arm," the robot commanded the table's interface. I fought, but servos whirred and my arm extended out from my body, exposing the inside elbow to the punctpro. I couldn't even turn my head away. Closing my eyes, I tensed for the prick.
~~~~~
Exchange, a short story, is available for 99 cents on Amazon and Smashwords
For more succulent samples of fiction return to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/.
~~~~~
Drug therapy came next. Strapped to a cold metal table tilted so that I half stood, the puncture processor whirled about on whispering treads. The sound would have been soothing if it hadn't come from a machine sprouting seventy glinting needles. The hushed regulated bleeps of the machines monitoring my blood pressure, heartbeat, and brain activity undercut the silence between the punctpro's movements. With sharp clicks, it loaded a large measure of the weapons of horror.
The mind claw smoothly reached down from above spreading its talons toward my head. A web of tiny needles draped from the prongs.Two larger probes jutted inward aligned to where my temples would rest when the claw clamped over my skull. My head itched and burned as panic swelled in my chest.
"Present left arm," the robot commanded the table's interface. I fought, but servos whirred and my arm extended out from my body, exposing the inside elbow to the punctpro. I couldn't even turn my head away. Closing my eyes, I tensed for the prick.
~~~~~
Exchange, a short story, is available for 99 cents on Amazon and Smashwords
For more succulent samples of fiction return to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/.
April 5, 2012
Stumbling onto Treasure
Do you remember Exchange? You know, the science fiction short story I published back in October of 2011.
Excerpts from Amazon readers reviews -
"If you want romance with some action in a futuristic society and only have a few minutes, this is a wonderful way to fill it."
"This engaging short story left me fascinated and wanting more!"
"I would enjoy reading more about the characters. I would be thrilled to read Ramend's story!"
"I would love to read more about these characters and learn more about this world that Rachel has opened up."
"This really wanted to make me read even more of this."
"I hope there is a sequel that delves deeper into this world. I would give that one a shot."
I got the impression I should write more. ;) The world of Exchange offers many more riches than I first expected to find.
I am working on a prequel titled Diaspora. I plan on delving into the beginnings of Ruhan and Myah's relationship as well as the history between the outwarders and the earthwarders. Unlike my other series, this sequel features the same protagonist. Myah narrates roughly half the story. I am enjoying spending more time with her, exploring her decisions and choices, the very ones that lead her to Exchange.
I am a character writer and reader. I appreciate and enjoy the other aspects of storytelling, but characters, people, draw my attention and focus. They pull me into the story. I want to know how they make decisions, where they came from, their history, their family relationships, and their preferences. However, my work also needs to appeal to a reader seeking more than just character. I need to make sure I answer those reader's questions as well.
If you have read Exchange, I would love to hear from you. What questions would you like me to explore or answer in Diaspora or Ramend's story (a sequel I plan to write someday)?
If you haven't read Exchange, I would be honored if you would. It is available for 99 cents on Amazon and Smashwords. Totaling under 10,000 words, it is a short story. Diaspora is promising to be much longer.
What pulls you into a story?
Excerpts from Amazon readers reviews -
"If you want romance with some action in a futuristic society and only have a few minutes, this is a wonderful way to fill it."
"This engaging short story left me fascinated and wanting more!"
"I would enjoy reading more about the characters. I would be thrilled to read Ramend's story!"
"I would love to read more about these characters and learn more about this world that Rachel has opened up."
"This really wanted to make me read even more of this."
"I hope there is a sequel that delves deeper into this world. I would give that one a shot."
I got the impression I should write more. ;) The world of Exchange offers many more riches than I first expected to find.
I am working on a prequel titled Diaspora. I plan on delving into the beginnings of Ruhan and Myah's relationship as well as the history between the outwarders and the earthwarders. Unlike my other series, this sequel features the same protagonist. Myah narrates roughly half the story. I am enjoying spending more time with her, exploring her decisions and choices, the very ones that lead her to Exchange.
I am a character writer and reader. I appreciate and enjoy the other aspects of storytelling, but characters, people, draw my attention and focus. They pull me into the story. I want to know how they make decisions, where they came from, their history, their family relationships, and their preferences. However, my work also needs to appeal to a reader seeking more than just character. I need to make sure I answer those reader's questions as well.
If you have read Exchange, I would love to hear from you. What questions would you like me to explore or answer in Diaspora or Ramend's story (a sequel I plan to write someday)?
If you haven't read Exchange, I would be honored if you would. It is available for 99 cents on Amazon and Smashwords. Totaling under 10,000 words, it is a short story. Diaspora is promising to be much longer.
What pulls you into a story?
March 31, 2012
Sweet Saturday Sample
Welcome back for another Sweet Saturday Sample. Thank you for visiting again.
Today's excerpt is from my current WIP, Duty. Brielle passed out from lack of food. She didn't eat for a whole day and after barely eating enough to sustain her for months, the lack of food and intense stress of marrying a stranger proves a bit too much for her body. POV is first person from Brielle's perspective.
~~~~~
"I can't believe you forgot to feed her!"
The man's voice resonated in my head, jerking me to awareness but leaving my sense of balance behind. I took five steadying breaths before opening my eyes. By then, Irvaine's voice grew soft with restrained anger.
"I gave her into your care, Antano, because I trusted you. I thought that you of all my men would know how to treat a lady. Now I see that I was wrong."
Silence stretched as the tension in the room thickened the air. I blinked up at an intricately woven tapestry, my mother's work, suspended over the bed by the four thick posts. It was my parents' bed. Heavy curtains fell to the floor drawn back by thick loops of the same fabric. When closed, they shut out the rest of the room. The mattress beneath me gave more than it had the last time I slept there half a decade past. I turned my head cautiously to the left.
The gold of the firelight cast the two men in high relief. Irvaine's lanky form loomed over Antano's bent head.
"It wasn't his fault. I wouldn't have been able to eat even if food was offered."
Both men straightened at my voice.
Irvaine glared at Antano. "He still stands responsible for not offering it." He dismissed Antano with a flick of his hand. "See to it we are not disturbed."
~~~~~
Do you want to read more?
Since this is an excerpt of a WIP (work in process), some or all of it is subject to change without notice.For more Sweet Saturday Samples: http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/I am sorry I wasn't able to respond to comments as promptly as I wished over the past few weeks. I hope to be able to fit responses, reciprocal reading and commenting in this week. Thank you for being so kind and coming back.
Today's excerpt is from my current WIP, Duty. Brielle passed out from lack of food. She didn't eat for a whole day and after barely eating enough to sustain her for months, the lack of food and intense stress of marrying a stranger proves a bit too much for her body. POV is first person from Brielle's perspective.
~~~~~
"I can't believe you forgot to feed her!"
The man's voice resonated in my head, jerking me to awareness but leaving my sense of balance behind. I took five steadying breaths before opening my eyes. By then, Irvaine's voice grew soft with restrained anger.
"I gave her into your care, Antano, because I trusted you. I thought that you of all my men would know how to treat a lady. Now I see that I was wrong."
Silence stretched as the tension in the room thickened the air. I blinked up at an intricately woven tapestry, my mother's work, suspended over the bed by the four thick posts. It was my parents' bed. Heavy curtains fell to the floor drawn back by thick loops of the same fabric. When closed, they shut out the rest of the room. The mattress beneath me gave more than it had the last time I slept there half a decade past. I turned my head cautiously to the left.
The gold of the firelight cast the two men in high relief. Irvaine's lanky form loomed over Antano's bent head.
"It wasn't his fault. I wouldn't have been able to eat even if food was offered."
Both men straightened at my voice.
Irvaine glared at Antano. "He still stands responsible for not offering it." He dismissed Antano with a flick of his hand. "See to it we are not disturbed."
~~~~~
Do you want to read more?
Since this is an excerpt of a WIP (work in process), some or all of it is subject to change without notice.For more Sweet Saturday Samples: http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/I am sorry I wasn't able to respond to comments as promptly as I wished over the past few weeks. I hope to be able to fit responses, reciprocal reading and commenting in this week. Thank you for being so kind and coming back.
March 24, 2012
Sweet Saturday Sample
Welcome back for another Sweet Saturday Sample. This week, I have a bit of Word and Deed for you.
~~~~~
"Come. Eat, child, the mutton will give you strength."
I followed her up the stairs, bolting the garden door from within as Bryn bid me. I would do it for him, not Silvanticus. Not that I meant Silvanticus ill. My irritation came from the fact he wanted me for my coastline. Bryn saw me, the woman I was.
Or did he? We had spoken four times, not even a full handful.
"My maid, you must eat to keep your health. The wedding is not far off. Lord Silvanticus petitions your brother to move the day nearer."
"Why?"
"He says he has been bewitched by your beauty."
A harsh laugh escaped. The stoic man of our first meeting couldn't claim bewitchment. He barely moved toward me, touched me not, and spoke only of my father's death. Not the words or manner of a lover beguiled. Bryn, his man, however, acted and uttered the part of a friend.
"He barely spoke anything beyond discussing my father's death, hardly the words of a man in love."Ealdine hushed me with a flap of her hand. "He was too overcome to speak of love without losing countenance. It is a common ailment among wooing men."
I swallowed another retort. I needed to cease such thoughts. I was betrothed to Silvanticus. Despite the fact I didn't agree to the marriage, honor bound me to him. He paid my bride price and I, for the sake of my father's name, would pledge my life to him.
~~~~~
Will she or won't she?
Word and Deed is available for 99 cents on Amazon and Smashwords
For more sweet samples for your Saturday go to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/.Thank you so much for stopping by. :)
~~~~~
"Come. Eat, child, the mutton will give you strength."
I followed her up the stairs, bolting the garden door from within as Bryn bid me. I would do it for him, not Silvanticus. Not that I meant Silvanticus ill. My irritation came from the fact he wanted me for my coastline. Bryn saw me, the woman I was.
Or did he? We had spoken four times, not even a full handful.
"My maid, you must eat to keep your health. The wedding is not far off. Lord Silvanticus petitions your brother to move the day nearer."
"Why?"
"He says he has been bewitched by your beauty."
A harsh laugh escaped. The stoic man of our first meeting couldn't claim bewitchment. He barely moved toward me, touched me not, and spoke only of my father's death. Not the words or manner of a lover beguiled. Bryn, his man, however, acted and uttered the part of a friend.
"He barely spoke anything beyond discussing my father's death, hardly the words of a man in love."Ealdine hushed me with a flap of her hand. "He was too overcome to speak of love without losing countenance. It is a common ailment among wooing men."
I swallowed another retort. I needed to cease such thoughts. I was betrothed to Silvanticus. Despite the fact I didn't agree to the marriage, honor bound me to him. He paid my bride price and I, for the sake of my father's name, would pledge my life to him.
~~~~~
Will she or won't she?
Word and Deed is available for 99 cents on Amazon and Smashwords
For more sweet samples for your Saturday go to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/.Thank you so much for stopping by. :)
March 19, 2012
A Revealing Interview, a New Book Trailer, and Other Updates
Whew! What a month! February was a month of sickness for us. I am delighted to report we are all healthy again and enjoying the beautiful spring weather.
My greatest accomplishment this month has been creating a new book trailer for Joyce DiPastena. Her Illuminations of the Heart kept me enthralled the whole way through. If you enjoy clean medieval romance, her books are a joy to read. :)
In my recent review with Indies Umlimited, I revealed my greatest challenges as a writer. I would be honored if you dropped over for a visit. http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2012/03/18/meet-the-author-rachel-rossano/
Writing Endeavor Updates
Diaspora - (short story, science fiction, prequel to Exchange, romance) - Plotting, plotting, and more plotting to come. The wisest move would have been to keep plotting, but my characters had other ideas. I added slightly over two thousand words to the manuscript and landed Myah and Ruhan in the middle of a huge situation. I am not sure who is the villain or how they are connected to the whole political situation on Domestica. It is safe to say, I need to do some serious plotting before I let my characters talk me into more writing. (current word count = 12,755)
Duty - (short story, adventure, romance, Medieval, set in the world of The Theodoric Saga, started out as an opening line competition) This story has taken off in so many ways. Standing at nine chapters and over eighteen thousand words, Irvaine and Brielle's story doubled in size this month. The more Irvaine reveals of himself, the more I like the guy. I think he is growing on Brielle too, especially since she is stuck with him. The story has been taking some surprising turns. I have a fourth villain, a second one from Irvaine's past, who insists on playing a part in the plot despite my arguments that three villains are enough for any story. Irvaine seems more concerned about this guy's timing than his antagonism. I have some serious plotting ahead to get all four of these guys' efforts coordinated enough to have a cohesive story. (current word count = 18,142)
Wren Romany - (fantasy, adventure, with a dash of romance) Wren has been sitting on my shelf too long. After a few tweaks, I plan on sending her off to the editor. Hopefully by the end of today.
Now back to work for me. Hopefully March will be a productive now that I have more sunshine and warm weather to keep me moving. :)
Until Saturday,
Rachel Rossano
My greatest accomplishment this month has been creating a new book trailer for Joyce DiPastena. Her Illuminations of the Heart kept me enthralled the whole way through. If you enjoy clean medieval romance, her books are a joy to read. :)
In my recent review with Indies Umlimited, I revealed my greatest challenges as a writer. I would be honored if you dropped over for a visit. http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2012/03/18/meet-the-author-rachel-rossano/
Writing Endeavor Updates
Diaspora - (short story, science fiction, prequel to Exchange, romance) - Plotting, plotting, and more plotting to come. The wisest move would have been to keep plotting, but my characters had other ideas. I added slightly over two thousand words to the manuscript and landed Myah and Ruhan in the middle of a huge situation. I am not sure who is the villain or how they are connected to the whole political situation on Domestica. It is safe to say, I need to do some serious plotting before I let my characters talk me into more writing. (current word count = 12,755)
Duty - (short story, adventure, romance, Medieval, set in the world of The Theodoric Saga, started out as an opening line competition) This story has taken off in so many ways. Standing at nine chapters and over eighteen thousand words, Irvaine and Brielle's story doubled in size this month. The more Irvaine reveals of himself, the more I like the guy. I think he is growing on Brielle too, especially since she is stuck with him. The story has been taking some surprising turns. I have a fourth villain, a second one from Irvaine's past, who insists on playing a part in the plot despite my arguments that three villains are enough for any story. Irvaine seems more concerned about this guy's timing than his antagonism. I have some serious plotting ahead to get all four of these guys' efforts coordinated enough to have a cohesive story. (current word count = 18,142)
Wren Romany - (fantasy, adventure, with a dash of romance) Wren has been sitting on my shelf too long. After a few tweaks, I plan on sending her off to the editor. Hopefully by the end of today.
Now back to work for me. Hopefully March will be a productive now that I have more sunshine and warm weather to keep me moving. :)
Until Saturday,
Rachel Rossano
