Poppy Rhys's Blog, page 2
June 26, 2017
Cover Reveal & Pre-Order (Updated)
Have ya seen it? The awesome-ness that the cover artist whipped up? I'm in love. So in loooove! He did such a great job.
The manuscript is off, and in the hands of the Amazon wizards! It's set to release July 1st, and as soon as it pops up, I'll update this post, and Facebook, with the pre-order link!
Oh yeah, meant to say, I finally created a Facebook page today! Like and/or follow me there if that's easier for ya. :D
Pre-order link: Amazon
The manuscript is off, and in the hands of the Amazon wizards! It's set to release July 1st, and as soon as it pops up, I'll update this post, and Facebook, with the pre-order link!
Oh yeah, meant to say, I finally created a Facebook page today! Like and/or follow me there if that's easier for ya. :D
Pre-order link: Amazon
May 29, 2017
Derailed… But wait, there’s more!
Hey again! I know, it’s been a few months, and you’re probably wondering, ‘Where the flip is Val’Koy’s book?!’. To which I’d respond with, ‘Writers, it turns out, are flighty creatures prone to bouts of ‘ooohhh-shiny!’ moments, and frequently get derailed in their dark writing caves. Who knew?!’. Or, something like that.
Don’t be mad when I tell you this, okay? Well… I may have (definitely did) gotten sidetracked, and ended up writing two books that might have nothing (definitely don’t) to do with Val’Koy… Oopsies!
Sorry Val! I just had to lend a hand to Willa, and Tosh, before they got lost in my gray matter!
Have no fear! I’m back on Val’Koy like white on rice, hammering away to feed your need. (Sounded less creepy in my head.) I’m swimming in manuscripts!
I’d release them to you today, but here’s the thing… Instead of doing up the covers myself, like I did for the previous books, I decided to hire someone. He’s really, really good, and I’m hoping the upcoming covers will skyrocket past my expectations! Hopefully you guys will like them too. I felt like the Heroes were a little out of my photoshopping skillz, and I didn’t want the cover to suffer. Because, let’s be real, the hunks/beasts on the cover are the first thing we ogle, and it’s beyond awesome when those hunks/beasts match the description on the pages.
Anyway, because I hired someone, I’m a slave to their schedule. The artist has a few projects to complete before getting to mine. Sometime June is the projected date. So long away…
Thus, I’m really hoping for a late June or early July release for The Khyma. The Incuabri will follow sometime after, and Val’s story will hopefully be out early fall. As soon as I receive the covers, they’ll be released on Amazon!
Back to the books, though. The Khyma: Taken Part One, and The Incuabri: Taken Part Two. If you didn’t guess by the titles, they’re a pair; two halves of one whole.
It’s hard to explain, but simply put, I couldn’t write it all out in one book. Mainly because there’s two heroines. It would’ve been too weird, I think, to have one half of the book in Willa’s POV, then the second half in Tosh’s POV… and while it’s part of the same arc, they’re separate stories.
You may be thinking, ‘Noooo! Don’t be one of those authors that cut up stories!’, to which I’d respond, ‘I knooow! I’m so sorry, I just couldn’t figure out a way to merge two different stories into one!’.
To be fair, they're both their own, unique tales.
But this is good news, right? Soon, you’ll have two books to read, and then a third. I mean, I’m excited! I feel like I gotta make it up to you guys for dropping Hunter into your lives. Lol, I’m chuckling, even though I know some of you probably flipped me the bird a few times like, ‘Why the hell did you do this to me, Poppy? WHY?!’
He was just in my head, lingering around, and I had to write him. He’s an asshole, but he’s my asshole. I had to do it. Had to. I just can’t apologize for writing him (learned that tip from Anne Rice), but I can do my best to give you some nicer heroes to love. I’m trying!
I got sidetracked again.
Here’s the synopsis for The Khyma: Taken Part One
Swindled. Duped. Cheated. A back-alley game gone wrong leads to the loss of a precious family heirloom, and Willa is determined to reclaim what’s rightfully hers. Yet, when circumstances lead her to cross paths with a curious, protective alien, she begins to question what’s truly important.
I can’t give you the synopsis for The Incuabri yet without giving away what happens in part one. Sorry! I’ll just let you guys know, the Incuabri is the freakiest alien hero I’ve ever written. That is all.
There’s this hunch I have that you guys will like Willa though. She reminds me of Lucia; carefree, independent, has her funny moments, and a little badass. Story also reminded me a little of The Melier in some ways.
I’m really tempted to release a teaser. You guys know me, I love/hate teasers.
In other news, I added an editor to my tiny team! She’s gone through the first three books to clean them up a bit so they can be ready for paperback release sometime in winter 2017! We’ve worked out a deal, so she’ll also be doing all my future books. Hoorah! J.T. Wynne is still with me, but he’s focusing more on beta reading, alongside his creative support role to me. (Which, I’m very grateful for!) He’s the guy that brainstorms worlds with me, and tells me if my technology is all wrong, or if “normal people” would find my little jokes funny. (Says I’m weird, so my sense of humor is an acquired taste. Whatever, J.T.!)
I argue with him about technology though, because, well, who’s to say intergalactic travel can’t be done in days, and weeks, and months instead of years? Maybe those aliens out there that’ve formed their own societies, and coalitions, and space travel have discovered equations and theories beyond our capabilities, or knowledge. We say it can’t be done, but they say it can. It’s science fiction! Let the ridiculousness commence!
For now, I think that’s all the news I have. Side note, I feel like I have diarrhea of the keyboard whenever I write up one of these things. It’s just, I barely do updates, and when I talk to you guys, it seems like there’s so much to say. Thought about creating a Facebook for quicker updates, shorter posts, etc. But then I thought, ‘What would I even do with a Facebook? Post memes? Snippets? Book recommendations?’
‘Guess what I did today? Paced my living room, and glared at my whiteboard, while I ate leftover movie theater popcorn out of a giant skittles bag.’ (Legitimately did this.) Is that what people want to hear?
Beats me. Though, I’m still considering the idea!
Take care, y’all!
-Poppy
Don’t be mad when I tell you this, okay? Well… I may have (definitely did) gotten sidetracked, and ended up writing two books that might have nothing (definitely don’t) to do with Val’Koy… Oopsies!
Sorry Val! I just had to lend a hand to Willa, and Tosh, before they got lost in my gray matter!
Have no fear! I’m back on Val’Koy like white on rice, hammering away to feed your need. (Sounded less creepy in my head.) I’m swimming in manuscripts!
I’d release them to you today, but here’s the thing… Instead of doing up the covers myself, like I did for the previous books, I decided to hire someone. He’s really, really good, and I’m hoping the upcoming covers will skyrocket past my expectations! Hopefully you guys will like them too. I felt like the Heroes were a little out of my photoshopping skillz, and I didn’t want the cover to suffer. Because, let’s be real, the hunks/beasts on the cover are the first thing we ogle, and it’s beyond awesome when those hunks/beasts match the description on the pages.
Anyway, because I hired someone, I’m a slave to their schedule. The artist has a few projects to complete before getting to mine. Sometime June is the projected date. So long away…
Thus, I’m really hoping for a late June or early July release for The Khyma. The Incuabri will follow sometime after, and Val’s story will hopefully be out early fall. As soon as I receive the covers, they’ll be released on Amazon!
Back to the books, though. The Khyma: Taken Part One, and The Incuabri: Taken Part Two. If you didn’t guess by the titles, they’re a pair; two halves of one whole.
It’s hard to explain, but simply put, I couldn’t write it all out in one book. Mainly because there’s two heroines. It would’ve been too weird, I think, to have one half of the book in Willa’s POV, then the second half in Tosh’s POV… and while it’s part of the same arc, they’re separate stories.
You may be thinking, ‘Noooo! Don’t be one of those authors that cut up stories!’, to which I’d respond, ‘I knooow! I’m so sorry, I just couldn’t figure out a way to merge two different stories into one!’.
To be fair, they're both their own, unique tales.
But this is good news, right? Soon, you’ll have two books to read, and then a third. I mean, I’m excited! I feel like I gotta make it up to you guys for dropping Hunter into your lives. Lol, I’m chuckling, even though I know some of you probably flipped me the bird a few times like, ‘Why the hell did you do this to me, Poppy? WHY?!’
He was just in my head, lingering around, and I had to write him. He’s an asshole, but he’s my asshole. I had to do it. Had to. I just can’t apologize for writing him (learned that tip from Anne Rice), but I can do my best to give you some nicer heroes to love. I’m trying!
I got sidetracked again.
Here’s the synopsis for The Khyma: Taken Part One
Swindled. Duped. Cheated. A back-alley game gone wrong leads to the loss of a precious family heirloom, and Willa is determined to reclaim what’s rightfully hers. Yet, when circumstances lead her to cross paths with a curious, protective alien, she begins to question what’s truly important.
I can’t give you the synopsis for The Incuabri yet without giving away what happens in part one. Sorry! I’ll just let you guys know, the Incuabri is the freakiest alien hero I’ve ever written. That is all.
There’s this hunch I have that you guys will like Willa though. She reminds me of Lucia; carefree, independent, has her funny moments, and a little badass. Story also reminded me a little of The Melier in some ways.
I’m really tempted to release a teaser. You guys know me, I love/hate teasers.
In other news, I added an editor to my tiny team! She’s gone through the first three books to clean them up a bit so they can be ready for paperback release sometime in winter 2017! We’ve worked out a deal, so she’ll also be doing all my future books. Hoorah! J.T. Wynne is still with me, but he’s focusing more on beta reading, alongside his creative support role to me. (Which, I’m very grateful for!) He’s the guy that brainstorms worlds with me, and tells me if my technology is all wrong, or if “normal people” would find my little jokes funny. (Says I’m weird, so my sense of humor is an acquired taste. Whatever, J.T.!)
I argue with him about technology though, because, well, who’s to say intergalactic travel can’t be done in days, and weeks, and months instead of years? Maybe those aliens out there that’ve formed their own societies, and coalitions, and space travel have discovered equations and theories beyond our capabilities, or knowledge. We say it can’t be done, but they say it can. It’s science fiction! Let the ridiculousness commence!
For now, I think that’s all the news I have. Side note, I feel like I have diarrhea of the keyboard whenever I write up one of these things. It’s just, I barely do updates, and when I talk to you guys, it seems like there’s so much to say. Thought about creating a Facebook for quicker updates, shorter posts, etc. But then I thought, ‘What would I even do with a Facebook? Post memes? Snippets? Book recommendations?’
‘Guess what I did today? Paced my living room, and glared at my whiteboard, while I ate leftover movie theater popcorn out of a giant skittles bag.’ (Legitimately did this.) Is that what people want to hear?
Beats me. Though, I’m still considering the idea!
Take care, y’all!
-Poppy
February 9, 2017
So, what's next...?
Hello, hello, hello! Hope everyone is doing fabulous! I thought I’d do a little post, share a little teaser, and update while I have a late night cuppa tea. I’ve been working on a few different projects, exploring various storylines, filing them away, and him-hawing over them.
My eyes keep straying back to the Melier. Specifically, Val’Koy. For the longest time, I didn’t know what his story was, or what it could be. It’s still developing in my mind, but I’m scribbling it down as it comes. It’s also in the very early stages, and no, I don’t have any dates as to when it’ll be finished, but who doesn’t like teasers? :D
In case you're curious about Gi'Ren, his story will come eventually. There's something there about that mysterious, scarred big beastie!
This snippet is from Dania’s POV, but don’t worry, I’m pretty sure you’ll get to see a little something from Val’Koy’s standpoint eventually. This book may be a little grittier than the previous ones in the series, just a heads up.
On with the teaser!
********************
Dania couldn’t understand anything.
Why couldn’t she understand what the booming voice was saying? She had the latest update to her implanted translator. She knew so because she’d done it herself.
It was darkness behind the blindfold, and she couldn’t see any light at all filtering through the material. Black, that’s all there was. Blackness, and the hissing and barking sounds of something.
What was out there?
The Procurer didn’t give her any details. After he pet her under the chin, he blindfolded her and put her back in the crate. She’d thought to take it off, but sheer fear of what she would see kept her fingers glued around her legs. Her muscles ached with how tightly they bunched and shivered.
A cacophony startled her when the main booming voice finished and her nerves went on the fritz as her teeth chattered together. Nothing was translating. It was a symphony of hissing, barking, grunting, screeching and she could understand none of it.
Had they messed with her translator?
If not, then whatever was out there didn’t frequent Dor Nye. She had the predominant languages of all five trade planets programmed into her translator, including the registered merchant ones. It was a job requirement when working in the capital.
But the universe was vast. Dania knew there were more species out there than she could count, and many who did not conduct trade with the five planets.
She gulped down thick, sour saliva. Where was she?
Her teeth continued to clang together causing her head to pound with the constant jolting as her mind envisioned towering, horrifying species getting their twiggy, spiny appendages on her body.
The sting in her eyes could no longer be ignored, and she felt the wet heat of tears slipping through the lashes of her closed eyes and gluing the blindfold to her skin. Another whimper slipped past her lips that were on the verge of being bitten off by her clashing teeth.
The monsters heard it, making them clamor louder until the glass of the crate vibrated and her ears rung with the nightmarish sounds she’d never be able to forget.
A new sound assaulted her. Silence, and then the loud, jarring howl of a medieval horn. The clang of metal against metal followed instantly, a garbled, wet wail trailed by the roar of a crowd.
She was in the arena. The monstrous buzz must’ve been the fighters. The clanging of metal had to be weapons.
Dania’s fingers shook with the need to see what was happening, who was winning, who would win her.
But she couldn’t. Her hands clenched her legs closer to her core until her chin dug into the tops of her knees.
The mixture of blood and loosened bowels wafted in through the holes of her crate, leaving an acrid taste at the back of her throat that had her gagging. Bile rose from her stomach, and burned her tongue as she tried to gulp it back down, and failed.
Her middle heaved, bile spilling from her mouth as she shakily wiped her lips, ropes of the slime sliding down her chin and chest. It was soon forgotten as the sounds of the clanging metal got quiet, and the crowd erupted.
Her crate vibrated beneath her, the sound of stomping feet feeling as if they were going to shake her apart.
There! A voice she could understand.
“The Emperor’s prized fighter! The Prince of the arena! The liberator of limbs from sector nine, and your victor!” It boomed to the cheering crowd. “I give you, VAL’KOY!”
Dania’s heart skipped, breath hitching.
It’s over.
This was it. These were the last moments of her life, and she was stuffed in a crate, soiled with her own bile, and face soaked with snot and tears.
She couldn’t take it laying down!
In a swift burst of bravery, she pulled the blindfold off, blinking repeatedly to wash the blur away and focus on the hazed, massive figure lumbering her way.
“Take your prize!”
********************
Mhm, who doesn't like an alien fighter? Off to bed for me. Toodloo!
My eyes keep straying back to the Melier. Specifically, Val’Koy. For the longest time, I didn’t know what his story was, or what it could be. It’s still developing in my mind, but I’m scribbling it down as it comes. It’s also in the very early stages, and no, I don’t have any dates as to when it’ll be finished, but who doesn’t like teasers? :D
In case you're curious about Gi'Ren, his story will come eventually. There's something there about that mysterious, scarred big beastie!
This snippet is from Dania’s POV, but don’t worry, I’m pretty sure you’ll get to see a little something from Val’Koy’s standpoint eventually. This book may be a little grittier than the previous ones in the series, just a heads up.
On with the teaser!
********************
Dania couldn’t understand anything.
Why couldn’t she understand what the booming voice was saying? She had the latest update to her implanted translator. She knew so because she’d done it herself.
It was darkness behind the blindfold, and she couldn’t see any light at all filtering through the material. Black, that’s all there was. Blackness, and the hissing and barking sounds of something.
What was out there?
The Procurer didn’t give her any details. After he pet her under the chin, he blindfolded her and put her back in the crate. She’d thought to take it off, but sheer fear of what she would see kept her fingers glued around her legs. Her muscles ached with how tightly they bunched and shivered.
A cacophony startled her when the main booming voice finished and her nerves went on the fritz as her teeth chattered together. Nothing was translating. It was a symphony of hissing, barking, grunting, screeching and she could understand none of it.
Had they messed with her translator?
If not, then whatever was out there didn’t frequent Dor Nye. She had the predominant languages of all five trade planets programmed into her translator, including the registered merchant ones. It was a job requirement when working in the capital.
But the universe was vast. Dania knew there were more species out there than she could count, and many who did not conduct trade with the five planets.
She gulped down thick, sour saliva. Where was she?
Her teeth continued to clang together causing her head to pound with the constant jolting as her mind envisioned towering, horrifying species getting their twiggy, spiny appendages on her body.
The sting in her eyes could no longer be ignored, and she felt the wet heat of tears slipping through the lashes of her closed eyes and gluing the blindfold to her skin. Another whimper slipped past her lips that were on the verge of being bitten off by her clashing teeth.
The monsters heard it, making them clamor louder until the glass of the crate vibrated and her ears rung with the nightmarish sounds she’d never be able to forget.
A new sound assaulted her. Silence, and then the loud, jarring howl of a medieval horn. The clang of metal against metal followed instantly, a garbled, wet wail trailed by the roar of a crowd.
She was in the arena. The monstrous buzz must’ve been the fighters. The clanging of metal had to be weapons.
Dania’s fingers shook with the need to see what was happening, who was winning, who would win her.
But she couldn’t. Her hands clenched her legs closer to her core until her chin dug into the tops of her knees.
The mixture of blood and loosened bowels wafted in through the holes of her crate, leaving an acrid taste at the back of her throat that had her gagging. Bile rose from her stomach, and burned her tongue as she tried to gulp it back down, and failed.
Her middle heaved, bile spilling from her mouth as she shakily wiped her lips, ropes of the slime sliding down her chin and chest. It was soon forgotten as the sounds of the clanging metal got quiet, and the crowd erupted.
Her crate vibrated beneath her, the sound of stomping feet feeling as if they were going to shake her apart.
There! A voice she could understand.
“The Emperor’s prized fighter! The Prince of the arena! The liberator of limbs from sector nine, and your victor!” It boomed to the cheering crowd. “I give you, VAL’KOY!”
Dania’s heart skipped, breath hitching.
It’s over.
This was it. These were the last moments of her life, and she was stuffed in a crate, soiled with her own bile, and face soaked with snot and tears.
She couldn’t take it laying down!
In a swift burst of bravery, she pulled the blindfold off, blinking repeatedly to wash the blur away and focus on the hazed, massive figure lumbering her way.
“Take your prize!”
********************
Mhm, who doesn't like an alien fighter? Off to bed for me. Toodloo!
October 28, 2016
The Yarian!
“Welcome to Carnal Bazaar! A spectrum of colors, a myriad of fleshly talents…”
Venturing into Vishik’s underground with her best friend was not on Finley’s bucket list. So, when she’s locked in a cell with a vicious alien, her world, understandably, is turned upside down. Snatched from her normal life upon Dor Nye, and thrust onto a primitive planet, she risks losing her sanity, her very life, and possibly, her heart.
Stand-Alone Novel. M/F Romance.
WARNING: This story contains explicit sexual content, dubious consent, graphic language, some violence against women, and situations intended for mature readers.
It's arrived! The Yarian
Venturing into Vishik’s underground with her best friend was not on Finley’s bucket list. So, when she’s locked in a cell with a vicious alien, her world, understandably, is turned upside down. Snatched from her normal life upon Dor Nye, and thrust onto a primitive planet, she risks losing her sanity, her very life, and possibly, her heart.
Stand-Alone Novel. M/F Romance.
WARNING: This story contains explicit sexual content, dubious consent, graphic language, some violence against women, and situations intended for mature readers.
It's arrived! The Yarian
February 3, 2016
Home World Reached #1 Bestseller!
Imagine my complete and utter surprise when I checked Amazon this morning and saw 'The Melier: Home World' topped the charts at #1 in Science Fiction Romance! And I totally realize it's updated hourly, and by the time I post this blog, it's bumped down a spot or two, but it happened!
I even saved screenshots on my phone, just so I could remember that it was real.
I know. I'm a bit of a spaz right now. It just can't be helped though. I'm excited! So now I have to share, just so you can see it too, and know we're not hallucinating together.
Thanks for the reads, the reviews, and joining in on this awesome ride with me.
- Poppy
I even saved screenshots on my phone, just so I could remember that it was real.
I know. I'm a bit of a spaz right now. It just can't be helped though. I'm excited! So now I have to share, just so you can see it too, and know we're not hallucinating together.
Thanks for the reads, the reviews, and joining in on this awesome ride with me.
- Poppy
January 25, 2016
Update & Pre-Order Info
Hello all! Firstly, I want to say
thank you
to all who have been awaiting the release of Home World. It’s truly humbling. Secondly, I want to apologize for not answering the questions sent via the book pages, and the ‘ask the author’ feature, but I hope this blog post will provide the information you seek.
I recently lost a furry companion, and I was a bit of a shell for a while. She was my first pet, raised from a kitten after my mother rescued her, and her two littermates. We practically grew up together, since I was quite young when she burrowed her way into my heart. I got to spend nearly fifteen years with her, and her passing was fairly hard on me. Bawl-my-eyes-out-for-days kind of hard.
Ugh. I’m still trying to convince myself to wash the fluffy blanket she slept upon.
I realize some may think it’s silly, being so attached, but my animals are part of my family. I’m positive I’m not the only person who feels this way, (I hope).
So thank you, again, for being patient with me.
I do have good news though.
‘The Melier: Home World' will pop up on Amazon within the next 72 hours, ready for pre-order! It will be officially releasing January 29, 2016! A month late, but YAY! It’s here!
It’s bittersweet! So many things have happened during the time I’ve written this novel. I’m happy it’s finished, but I’m somewhat weepy Lucia’s story is complete.
“I’m in a glass case of emotion!” I guess, lol.
(I may be an Anchorman fan. Ahem.)
I’ll edit this post with a link when I see it pop up on Amazon. Until then, stay safe to all those who got caught in the crazy, blizzardy weather!
UPDATE: The Melier: Home World
-Poppy
I recently lost a furry companion, and I was a bit of a shell for a while. She was my first pet, raised from a kitten after my mother rescued her, and her two littermates. We practically grew up together, since I was quite young when she burrowed her way into my heart. I got to spend nearly fifteen years with her, and her passing was fairly hard on me. Bawl-my-eyes-out-for-days kind of hard.
Ugh. I’m still trying to convince myself to wash the fluffy blanket she slept upon.
I realize some may think it’s silly, being so attached, but my animals are part of my family. I’m positive I’m not the only person who feels this way, (I hope).
So thank you, again, for being patient with me.
I do have good news though.
‘The Melier: Home World' will pop up on Amazon within the next 72 hours, ready for pre-order! It will be officially releasing January 29, 2016! A month late, but YAY! It’s here!
It’s bittersweet! So many things have happened during the time I’ve written this novel. I’m happy it’s finished, but I’m somewhat weepy Lucia’s story is complete.
“I’m in a glass case of emotion!” I guess, lol.
(I may be an Anchorman fan. Ahem.)
I’ll edit this post with a link when I see it pop up on Amazon. Until then, stay safe to all those who got caught in the crazy, blizzardy weather!
UPDATE: The Melier: Home World
-Poppy
December 18, 2015
To tease, or not to tease?
You guys! It’s almost here! I’m so excited, and nervous, and excited, and… well, you get the idea. My nerves are jumpy and jittery just writing this. My heart’s all a’pitter-patter thinking about putting this out there into the world to be loved, judged, disliked, compared or otherwise. It’s been a bumpy, exciting, frustrating ride.
Oh man, I can’t tell you how many times I scrapped and rewrote parts of this second novel.
And pulled my hair as my characters ran willy nilly, unable to give definitive answers as to how their life, their future, was going to play out.
Seriously. I developed the very annoying habit of staring into space whilst tapping a pen in that way that annoys everyone within hearing range.
Yeah.
And sometimes during those spacey moments, I’d laugh to myself as I imagined one of the characters saying something. Or make generally weird, quirky faces. Ya know, because in my mind I’m thinking of how these people are interacting with each other.
I only found out about these facial expressions because apparently my husband is a bit of a creeper, and often pointed this out.
“Why do you look like that?” he would ask, usually followed by snickering.
“Like what?” I’d reply, thinking ‘this is just my face!’
He’s a jerk. A great jerk that I love, though.
Now, since we’re so close to the release, and I love/hate reading excerpts or book teasers… I thought I’d share one with you all. Just a tiny one! I promise it doesn’t give away a TON of information, and it won’t spoil the book for you. I’ve tried my hardest to not give away anything going on in book two thus far.
So hard to do!
I mean, the book two synopsis does give you the, well, synopsis. So I suppose you already know the direction of “Home World”.
Anyway, you definitely don’t have to read this excerpt. If you need a little time to debate the pros and cons of reading beyond this point, go ahead. I’ll wait. I do it too, you’re not alone. It’s a serious love/hate relationship, reading excerpts and teasers. Totally understand.
Still with me? Okayyyy, so without any more dilly-dallying, the excerpt!
(Pssst, please excuse the lack of indentation. Goodreads HTML doesn't seem to like it!)
********************
“What’s the proper greeting when meeting the king and queen?” Lucia was instantly reminded of her mother. Nova would probably already know, since she was adept at all things proper.
“To bow from the waist down and always address them formally as Queen Gi’Moy, and King Val’Qa,” Val’Zun instructed. “Only their progeny may address them informally in public as ‘mother’ or ‘father’. In private, you may call them whatever they allow you to.”
Lucia wiped her brow as she gave up trying to not look at the yellow mash because she was positive she was going to screw something up. She continued to stir it for no reason, and exhaled. “How am I to address your siblings or, you? Prince Val’Zun? Prince Gi’Ren?”
“That has a nice ring to it.” The smug look on Zun’s face made Lucia narrow her eyes and her fingers took over control, flinging a spoonful of the slop at him.
It splattered against his cheek and lazily dripped onto the table. Zun blinked slowly, his pupils blowing up as he continued to stare at her.
“See!” Lucia tried to explain and shake out her hands. “I can’t control myself.” She covered her face with her wicked fingers and moaned. “I’m going to offend the queen and she’s going to have me killed. Lenny will grow up without me and-”
“Loo-Sha,” Soren humorously soothed, tossing a cloth at Val’Zun. “You are worrying too much. Our people will not expect you to know proper Melierun etiquette.”
“Once again, that isn’t making me feel any better,” she whined, breathing faster as she felt panic set in. “You two are terrible at consoling. No offense.” Lucia clutched at her chest.
“Some taken,” Soren said before he coached her calming mantra and rubbed his warm, large hands up and down her arms soothingly. “Breathe slowly, Loo-Sha. You are safe. We will not let anyone harm you.”
Lucia tried her damnedest to calm down and breathe slowly, as Soren instructed. Closing her eyes, she inhaled through her nose and exhaled through her mouth.
I can do this. I’m Lucia Herana. Mother, survivor, and I’m amazing.
Yes, mostly amazing.
Not helping.
Woosahhhh.
Her breathing went back to normal and she opened her eyes. She had to remember, five years ago when she hopped that ship with Mima to join Raz’s crew, she was looking for adventure and to help people. She had to remember to look at this like an adventure. She’d be meeting new people, a new species, seeing a new planet and helping bring two worlds together that may never otherwise.
Lucia had this.
“Okay,” she sagged in the chair, nodding once and then sitting up straight with renewed determination. “I’m better now. I apologize, Val’Zun.” Lucia did truly mean it, and she tried to convey that sincerity through her gaze.
Zun’s pupils slowly went back to normal and he relaxed in his chair once more, accepting her apology.
“I still have more questions.”
He waved a hand, giving her permission to continue. Lucia opened her mouth, but before she could utter a word, Gi’Ren slid a wide box across the table toward her. When she wrinkled her brow in confusion, he gestured for her to open it.
Her heart squeezed a little that he got her a gift… until she opened it.
“Um…” Her eyes roved over the black velvet inside. Upon the cushioned interior sat a full set of… finger gauntlets? They were similar, but their tips looked too sharp, and each one was connected to a very tiny, delicate silver chain attached to a thin ring that fit around the base of the finger. “Thank you?”
“It is for marking,” Gi’Ren grunted, like Lucia should know this. Then he looked to Soren, who was rubbing a hand along the back of his own neck. “You did not tell her.”
“Tell me what?”
********************
Have safe and happy holidays you guys! -Poppy
Oh man, I can’t tell you how many times I scrapped and rewrote parts of this second novel.
And pulled my hair as my characters ran willy nilly, unable to give definitive answers as to how their life, their future, was going to play out.
Seriously. I developed the very annoying habit of staring into space whilst tapping a pen in that way that annoys everyone within hearing range.
Yeah.
And sometimes during those spacey moments, I’d laugh to myself as I imagined one of the characters saying something. Or make generally weird, quirky faces. Ya know, because in my mind I’m thinking of how these people are interacting with each other.
I only found out about these facial expressions because apparently my husband is a bit of a creeper, and often pointed this out.
“Why do you look like that?” he would ask, usually followed by snickering.
“Like what?” I’d reply, thinking ‘this is just my face!’
He’s a jerk. A great jerk that I love, though.
Now, since we’re so close to the release, and I love/hate reading excerpts or book teasers… I thought I’d share one with you all. Just a tiny one! I promise it doesn’t give away a TON of information, and it won’t spoil the book for you. I’ve tried my hardest to not give away anything going on in book two thus far.
So hard to do!
I mean, the book two synopsis does give you the, well, synopsis. So I suppose you already know the direction of “Home World”.
Anyway, you definitely don’t have to read this excerpt. If you need a little time to debate the pros and cons of reading beyond this point, go ahead. I’ll wait. I do it too, you’re not alone. It’s a serious love/hate relationship, reading excerpts and teasers. Totally understand.
Still with me? Okayyyy, so without any more dilly-dallying, the excerpt!
(Pssst, please excuse the lack of indentation. Goodreads HTML doesn't seem to like it!)
********************
“What’s the proper greeting when meeting the king and queen?” Lucia was instantly reminded of her mother. Nova would probably already know, since she was adept at all things proper.
“To bow from the waist down and always address them formally as Queen Gi’Moy, and King Val’Qa,” Val’Zun instructed. “Only their progeny may address them informally in public as ‘mother’ or ‘father’. In private, you may call them whatever they allow you to.”
Lucia wiped her brow as she gave up trying to not look at the yellow mash because she was positive she was going to screw something up. She continued to stir it for no reason, and exhaled. “How am I to address your siblings or, you? Prince Val’Zun? Prince Gi’Ren?”
“That has a nice ring to it.” The smug look on Zun’s face made Lucia narrow her eyes and her fingers took over control, flinging a spoonful of the slop at him.
It splattered against his cheek and lazily dripped onto the table. Zun blinked slowly, his pupils blowing up as he continued to stare at her.
“See!” Lucia tried to explain and shake out her hands. “I can’t control myself.” She covered her face with her wicked fingers and moaned. “I’m going to offend the queen and she’s going to have me killed. Lenny will grow up without me and-”
“Loo-Sha,” Soren humorously soothed, tossing a cloth at Val’Zun. “You are worrying too much. Our people will not expect you to know proper Melierun etiquette.”
“Once again, that isn’t making me feel any better,” she whined, breathing faster as she felt panic set in. “You two are terrible at consoling. No offense.” Lucia clutched at her chest.
“Some taken,” Soren said before he coached her calming mantra and rubbed his warm, large hands up and down her arms soothingly. “Breathe slowly, Loo-Sha. You are safe. We will not let anyone harm you.”
Lucia tried her damnedest to calm down and breathe slowly, as Soren instructed. Closing her eyes, she inhaled through her nose and exhaled through her mouth.
I can do this. I’m Lucia Herana. Mother, survivor, and I’m amazing.
Yes, mostly amazing.
Not helping.
Woosahhhh.
Her breathing went back to normal and she opened her eyes. She had to remember, five years ago when she hopped that ship with Mima to join Raz’s crew, she was looking for adventure and to help people. She had to remember to look at this like an adventure. She’d be meeting new people, a new species, seeing a new planet and helping bring two worlds together that may never otherwise.
Lucia had this.
“Okay,” she sagged in the chair, nodding once and then sitting up straight with renewed determination. “I’m better now. I apologize, Val’Zun.” Lucia did truly mean it, and she tried to convey that sincerity through her gaze.
Zun’s pupils slowly went back to normal and he relaxed in his chair once more, accepting her apology.
“I still have more questions.”
He waved a hand, giving her permission to continue. Lucia opened her mouth, but before she could utter a word, Gi’Ren slid a wide box across the table toward her. When she wrinkled her brow in confusion, he gestured for her to open it.
Her heart squeezed a little that he got her a gift… until she opened it.
“Um…” Her eyes roved over the black velvet inside. Upon the cushioned interior sat a full set of… finger gauntlets? They were similar, but their tips looked too sharp, and each one was connected to a very tiny, delicate silver chain attached to a thin ring that fit around the base of the finger. “Thank you?”
“It is for marking,” Gi’Ren grunted, like Lucia should know this. Then he looked to Soren, who was rubbing a hand along the back of his own neck. “You did not tell her.”
“Tell me what?”
********************
Have safe and happy holidays you guys! -Poppy
