M.L. LeGette's Blog, page 31
March 22, 2014
March 17, 2014
Monday Book Lines :: The Orphan and the Thief
Every Monday I’m going to be pulling an image that showcases a moment in one of my books, along with an excerpt. None of these images (unless otherwise stated) are mine.
From THE ORPHAN AND THE THIEF:
“Why aren’t Spit-Fires bigger?” [Toad] said aloud.
Melena looked up from her map. “Sorry?”
“Spit-Fires,” he said, pointing at Hazel as she did a figure eight. “Why are they so small? Why can’t they breed bigger ones that can pull carriages? Just think of how much faster this would all be. Jump in a buggy and off we fly!”
—————-
I know that’s Santa’s sleigh, but it was too perfect to ignore.
—————-
THE ORPHAN AND THE THIEF is on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.
March 14, 2014
Melissa Reads :: The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Synopsis:Many hundreds of years ago, the city of Ember was created by the Builders to contain everything needed for human survival. It worked…but now the storerooms are almost out of food, crops are blighted, corruption is spreading through the city and worst of all—the lights are failing. Soon Ember could be engulfed by darkness….
But when two children, Lina and Doon, discover fragments of an ancient parchment, they begin to wonder if there could be a way out of Ember. Can they decipher the words from long ago and find a new future for everyone? Will the people of Ember listen to them?
My Rank: 4 cups of coffee
I think I should read more apocalyptic books. I absolutely enjoyed City of Ember. It’s a speedy, exciting read that may not hold tons of action, but there is great urgency within it. Whenever the lights went out, I felt myself hunching over, as if mine were about to expire, too. The thought that at any moment, the generator down below in the Pipeworks might sputter out and die was utterly terrifying. There were many things that I loved about this book and one of them was how void the society was of problem solvers … of explorers … of thinkers — it made the plight of the city even more dire. DuPrau handles a post-apocalyptic society with skill. I’m looking forward to reading book 2.
Favorite Lines
“The trouble with anger is, it gets hold of you. And then you aren’t the master of yourself anymore. Anger is.”
—-
In the city of Ember, the sky was always dark.
—-
He had a light. He had the only light in the entire city.
—-
March 10, 2014
Monday Book Lines :: The Tale of Mally Biddle
Here’s something new. Every Monday I’m going to be pulling an image that showcases a moment in one of my books, along with an excerpt. None of these images (unless otherwise stated) are mine.
From THE TALE OF MALLY BIDDLE:
The castle stood tall and powerful. Mally stared up at it, simply trying to take it all in. Rain lashed at the tall windows and the many towers stood out menacingly against the dark sky. It was huge, much bigger than she had expected. How would she ever find her way around it?
—————-
THE TALE OF MALLY BIDDLE is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
March 9, 2014
Melissa Reads :: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Synopsis:For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.
Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter’s defeat of You-Know-Who was Black’s downfall as well; and the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, “He’s at Hogwarts . . . he’s at Hogwarts.”
Harry Potter isn’t safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.
My Rank: 5 cups of coffee and a plate of biscotti
I should start off by saying that I have a great dilemma when deciding which Potter book is my favorite. Fellow Potterheads will understand the predicament, I’m sure. But, if you really force me into picking one and just one, I’m going to go with Prisoner.
I could spend an hour listing all the reasons why, but I’ll spare you that and go with the one word I know that best describes my experience when reading Prisoner of Azkaban: joyous.
This. Book. Makes. Me. Happy.
And thank god for that because it gets pretty rough from here on out in the series, which isn’t a bad thing. (If you’re curious to know the other Potter books that constantly compete for top spot, it’s Goblet and Phoenix.)
But let’s get on with Prisoner! Where to begin? I ADORE Remus Lupin. He’s right up there with my love for Hagrid and Dumbledore. A sort of unconditional, in the gut, can do no wrong sort of love. And of course we have the newest addition, Professor Trelawney. Is it bad of me to say that I love her ridiculousness? And the ending — perfection.
Favorite Lines … um, the entire book?
“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”
—-
“I don’t go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me.”
—-
“Where is Wood?” said Harry, suddenly realizing he wasn’t there.
“Still in the showers,” said Fred. “We think he’s trying to drown himself.”
—-
“Harry!” said Fred, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply. “Simply splendid to see you, old boy-”
“Marvelous,” said George, pushing Fred aside and seizing Harry’s hand in turn. “Absolutely spiffing.”
Percy scowled.
“That’s enough, now,” said Mrs. Weasley.
“Mum!” said Fred as though he’d only just spotted her and seizing her hand too. “How really corking to see you-”
—-
“Don’t let the muggles get you down.”
—-
“Why, dear boy, we don’t send wizards to Azkaban just for blowing up their aunts.”
—-
“I’ll fix it up with Mum and Dad, then I’ll call you. I know how to use a fellytone now—”
“A telephone, Ron,” said Hermione. “Honestly, you should take Muggle Studies next year…”
—-
“I’m dying!” Malfoy yelled, as the class panicked. “I’m dying, look at me! It’s killed me!”
—-
“Sure you can manage that broom, Potter?” said a cold, drawling voice.
Draco Malfoy had arrived for a closer look, Crabbe and Goyle right behind him.
“Yeah, reckon so,” said Harry casually.
“Got plenty of special features, hasn’t it?” said Malfoy, eyes glittering maliciously. “Shame it doesn’t come with a parachute – in case you get too near a Dementor.”
Crabbe and Goyle sniggered.
“Pity you can’t attach an extra arm to yours, Malfoy,” said Harry. “Then it could catch the Snitch for you.”
—-
“That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger,” said Snape coolly. “Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all.”
—-
“Why would I go looking for someone I know wants to kill me?”
—-
“What would your head have been doing in Hogsmeade, Potter?” said Snape softly. “Your head is not allowed in Hogsmeade. No part of your body has permission to be in Hogsmeade.”
—-
“You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us?”
Ten Ways to Track Down that Name
Before I share the ways I pick names for characters in my books, I just want to give you a little insight into how I think about naming characters.
Names are important. It’s my personal opinion that the most important part of a book is the development of its characters. If I don’t relate or care about the characters, I’m 10 times more likely to stop reading. Plot, style, grammar, etc. are all very important, too, but the CHARACTERS! They carry the story on their shoulders. Therefore, if I can’t pronounce a character’s name or her name clashes with my perception of the character, my interest fades and my believability fades and I end up glossing over the impossible-to-pronounce-name or making up a new one that fits better. Not good.
So when I go about putting names to my characters, I have a very particular taste. I want them to have unique names with an old world vibe, but nothing too farfetched. The same goes with naming cities, towns, and whole countries.
Ten Ways to Find Quirky/Interesting/Unique Names,
M.L. LeGette Style
1. The Brain.
This is number one because 90% of the time that’s how a name comes to me, just popping into existence out of the blue. Toad, Hickory, Izzie Groot, Agatha, Hazel, Mr. Ogg, Melena, Bloodroot and Toadstools, York and Sons, and Wilson were some that came to me without any warning.
2. Friends and Family.
When I’m struggling to name a character or a species or a place, I’ll often turn to the help of friends. My mom is my number one go to. She’s helped me loads of times: Ol’ Joe, the Ramblers (my sister came up with that one), Slinkwing dragons (a friend), and Spit-Fire dragons (Mom again), to name a few.
3. Telephone Books.
So full of interesting last names!
4. Maps.
Maps are great. Especially if you’ve got foreign ones. They’re great for changing things up a bit, especially if I’ve gotten into a naming rut where suddenly everyone and everything starts to rhyme.
5. Traffic Signs.
Travel by itself sparks random bursts of creativity, so keep an eye on those traffic and street signs.
6. Books.
I knew I’d need serious help with quirky ingredient names when I realized I wanted to make Orphan all about potions. So I grabbed a few botanical books to help with ideas. I also used plant and seed catalogues. That’s how I came up with the name of the country, Calendula. It’s actually a flower. A marigold, I believe.
7. TV.
Watch sports and if you don’t particularly like sports just pay attention to the jerseys. I got Snead by doing this. And it fit so well with Melena – I just love it!
8. Name Generators.
I don’t often use name generators, but the few times I have, good things have happened. I’m particularly excited about one I found this way for a future book. It’s so fabulous. I could pinch myself.
9. Keyboard.
There’s never a more frustrating moment when I’m clacking away and I suddenly need to mention a place or a character, and I draw a blank. There have been times early in my career when I literally picked a letter on the keyboard and started to make up random words. This did work for me. I named two characters in my first book this way: Leah Vindral and Lavena.
10. Be Open.
Inspiration for a name can come from anywhere at anytime. Words surround us – we can’t get away from them, so embrace them and let your surroundings help you. If a fun sounding name comes to you and there isn’t a character or story to match it yet, just jot it down and use it for latter. For example I just thought of a new name, right while typing this up: Fiddlefoot. Alfred Fiddlefoot.
Written for Tressa’s Wishful Endings
March 6, 2014
Books on Parade ~ Immortal Longings by R.G. Dole
Featuring books that have caught my eye — welcome to Books On Parade! If you are an author and would like your novel featured in Books On Parade, click here to find out how.
I’m very happy to feature R.G. Dole’s paranormal romance. She’s also done an interview with me, which you can find here.
Immortal Longings
Part I-
Alexandria is a spoiled pure blood vampire that has been given everything she’s ever wanted, except a chance to fall in love with the man of her choosing. Given the opportunity to run away, she takes it, but her hope of love is crushed by betrayal and she finds herself lost and alone with nowhere else to run.
Lucus is a nature loving werewolf and it’s his job to make sure no vampire’s cross into his packs territory. Except when he finds the lone Alexandria passed out from exhaustion he can’t do what he knows needs to be done. Instead in a moment of panic he hides her from the others, and does what he can to protect her from not just from his pack, but from a rogue bunch of vampires that have an unexplainable hatred of Alexandria’s family.
Part II-
Eric is half vampire half werewolf, and in the attempt to discover who he really is, he goes on the hunt to find his parents. To find out the truth about them and why they never came back for him.
Part III-
It is the end. The end of everything they have ever known, and Eric holds the key to final war between vampires and werewolves.
Excerpt
Part I
Love
the insusceptible
Element
both
Fire and Ice
the flame
of Passion
the chill
of Strife
Rage and Wonder
Power and Life
the beautiful burn
of
Fire and Ice
How should I start this most unusual story? Well, I guess in the end it doesn’t really matter. It’s merely too unbelievable, even to those who know it to be true. For those who don’t, this story will be placed under fiction in the corner of some library for some wistful romantic to find. But for me it is really just my history. The story of my ancestors. The story of how I came to exist. My name is Eric Lupir. My mother was Alexandria Connor and my father was Lucus Lupir. They met, they fell in love and they had me. And if the story was that simple well it wouldn’t be much of a story at all. The fact that my mother was a vampire and my father a werewolf definitely adds to the interest. Further more if you’ve ever read anything about such creatures you’d know that normally werewolves and vampires aren’t on friendly terms and that happens to be true. Most anything else you’d read about them isn’t but they are truly mortal enemies. Maybe it’s because they are the only things that can hurt the other or perhaps somewhere in the past there was some terrible reason that has long since been forgotten. But either way, I guess you could call my parents the mythical versions of Romeo and Juliet. Two families against each other and them the rebels stuck in between.
I know you’re thinking if that’s the case, then what am I? Very simply: half werewolf, half vampire. That thing stuck in between that can never really find its place in the world. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I must start from the beginning. Before I even came to be. Yes, this may seem the over told tale of forbidden love, but believe me no tale has ever been quite like this.
First let me give you an update, the true facts on both vampires and werewolves:
• They both appear to be immortal. There may be a time limit but neither has reached it ever before. Although plenty have died in the wars that have existed between them and even amongst their own kind.
• They can have children in which they pass on the vampirial and lupine genes. As proven by my existence. The main difference is that werewolves can actually have children with humans which is why there aren’t too many of their ancestors still around.
• Vampires can go out in sunlight. It weakens them almost like the same way going a couple of nights with out sleep would do you. It’s also disorienting. Bright sunlight confuses their vision since everything naturally shines to them sunlight can be nearly blinding.
• Werewolves can change at any time. The full moon is merely the peak of their strength. Like being a morning person or a night person. Full moon is just when they’re at their best, so to speak.
• They both can ‘make’ more of their kind. Werewolves only can during the full moon though. Vampires have a kind of gland that when they bite someone they can inject them with their venom instead of sucking in their blood. I’m sure either way it’s not pleasant.
• Silver doesn’t harm werewolves any more than a stake to the heart can kill a vampire. Garlic and crosses don’t do anything either. There’s really hardly anything mere humans can do to kill them.
• And although werewolves are shape shifters, vampires are not. They do not, I repeat, do not turn into bats. I’m already strange enough without being able to turn into both a wolf and a bat. I’d hate to know how that would’ve turned out.
Ch. 1
All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.
-James Thurber
The story really begins with Alexandria. She was a pure blood, one of the few. Even though vampires can have children they rarely do. Like humans there are those that for whatever reason can’t but for the most part vampires choose not too. They are nomads by nature and having a child slow them down isn’t their idea of a good life. But the Connor family is from a long line of pure bloods and because of such has become almost a royalty among vampires. Of course their immense wealth might have something to do with it. They definitely live in grandeur that makes many a kingdom look like squalor. And Alexandria was the perfect princess.
All vampires have an unearthly beauty about them; it’s part of their charm that draws their prey in. Alexandria, though, had a beauty that none could compare too. Her hair was like strands of the sun, radiant glistening gold, her eyes pure amber. And though pale skin is the norm for her kind it was as if she had been made from a pearl. Being a pure blood enhanced her in every way but she was the final step of perfection. She was naturally stronger and faster, every sense ever more alert. Yet perfection does not guarantee happiness.
Her family, like any other aristocrats, guarded their wealth carefully. They lived secluded in a deep wood far from the world. Thinking themselves much too good to be among the common folks. They were smart though and having been wealthy had invested in a blood bank. So they didn’t hunt or kill. They had hired help bring their food to them. But Alexandria didn’t want to just sit off in the woods surrounded by wealth waiting for her family to decide if it was okay for her to fall in love. Vampires love their mates better than any other creature on earth. They are faithful for all eternity. Divorce never happens. Revenging their loved ones does. Revenge is the number one killer among them in fact. For although they can love their mate till the end they do not seek to be merciful or care for anyone else. So being told whom it was fine to love is much worse than for a human. Humans have it in them to learn to love. Humans are natural lovers. Vampires are not. And so when she found someone she wanted to love she did what she thought was best. She ran away.
Wanted to, but as we all know love is never a sure thing. Seth was sweet though. He regularly came to her home to deliver their food and from the first day she met him she had felt a closeness. She loved to talk to him, he made her smile and laugh and even more so to hate the home that she felt trapped her. And with each meeting she felt more and more for him until finally she knew she had to run away. Seth was so excited that he decided to return the following night and they would run off to be bonded for all eternity.
And that night came.
Darkness had just fallen and the household would just be awakening. Alexandria, though, had stayed up all day knowing sleep would never calm her at this time. So as the blessed darkness fell she slipped out. Moving as silently as a ghost. But then the guards could hear the ghosts as well.
“Seth?” she barely breathed the word but she knew if he was near he would hear. She was as still as a statue.
“Come Alexandria.” The words were far away but she tracked down the exact spot in an instant and at the speed of thought she was standing next to him. He didn’t look at her but grabbed her wrist and began to run. She easily stayed beside him. Elated in her escape and the future full of freedoms to be enjoyed. They ran for a long time out further than she had ever been before. And then suddenly they were in front of a small home. Was this where he lived? She couldn’t believe she was alone with him. He opened the door and she quickly stepped in. It was suddenly bright in there. Too bright.
“Seth, the lights.” But as the words slipped from her mouth she was grabbed from behind. Her arms held tightly together she wanted to fight but the lights were too much. She couldn’t think straight. What was going on?
“Being a pure blood isn’t that great is it?” It wasn’t Seth. She could hear it was a woman’s voice. “Your senses are enhanced but that makes light even worse for you. Of course sunlight would’ve been better but these lights do just fine.”
Alexandria could barely make out a moving shape. But dark lenses were clearly visible on the woman’s face.
“What do you want?”
“Not much. Just the death of your family. Death to all pure bloods.” She spat. “We are tired of you thinking you are better than us. Tired of you trying to control us. It is time for the fall of the Connors. And we shall begin with you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. We don’t try to control anybody.” She could feel the panic rising. She was strong and fast. But the light! It wasn’t sunlight but she could still feel the dizzying effects.
“YOU PURE BLOODS ARE ALL THE SAME!” She felt hard hands grab her throat and the screeching sound of claws grinding into her skin. She wanted to scream but nausea was rising up. She could make out forms behind the woman and what looked like someone snatching her back. She heard voices but she couldn’t understand. Couldn’t concentrate.
God, please turn off the lights!
Why was this happening to her? She had just wanted to be with Seth, to be free. But Seth had betrayed her. That’s all it took, that one thought, to turn all the feelings she had mistook for love to quickly turn to wrath. She closed her eyes as tightly as she could to let darkness take her again. This wasn’t sunlight. It didn’t have the same weakening effects. She was still strong. Stronger than most. She felt the hands clamped down on her arms, heard the movement of about 6 others across from her grouped together. She could barely believe what they were saying. Their discussion of what was best to do with her. Just kill her or use her as bait to draw more of the pure bloods out to them. She knew her family would come. They cherished their bloodline and she was the only child they had. Having children wasn’t the easiest things for them to do. They usually didn’t do it more than once. All of this took mere seconds. The others wouldn’t even have noticed the change. And with her eyes tightly closed she let all hell break loose.
Faster than lightening she acted. She flipped up jolting her captors hold on her and giving just enough she slipped her arms free landing behind him. She didn’t need her eyes. Her hearing was good enough. She knocked him out of the way like he was a rag doll. These people made it quite clear that they were second hand vampires meaning she was naturally stronger than they were. Maybe not by much but it was all the leverage she needed. Like a tigress she struck out at all that got in her way. A few she wrenched off pieces but she wasn’t interested in their demise as much as getting away. She knew even with her other senses, without her sight she could easily be over taken. Also without her sight she couldn’t really find the door. She could tell from the sound where the people were and the walls of the building. And so without hesitation she threw herself through a wall and taking not even a moment for breath began to run faster than ever.
She had effortlessly kept up with Seth before but she knew they would not be able to keep up so well with her. They might be able to track her but she would have to worry about that later. As much as she might long for the guards of her home to be her protection she wished not to escape one prison just to return to another. Every where she turned it seemed she would only find people who wished to trap her when all she wanted was to live her life as she chose too.
Vampires sleep when they want, though they do not have to. But living forever awake can get old after a while. Being able to give yourself to dreams is a luxury they cherish. But Alexandria did not sleep. She ran. She ran for what felt like days. Time passed but she couldn’t find the will to stop. Perhaps it was fear or just the ability to run and run with no one stopping her. Either way she soon found herself in a new land. She wasn’t even sure if she would’ve been able to find her way home, at least not with ease.
She felt weak with hunger. She had not eaten for a long time. Though they do not eat every day the constant exertion had worn her down. She had never hunted before and wasn’t sure how to begin. The animals had cleared away from her and there weren’t any humans to be found. These woods seemed to go on forever. She had never thought about it before but it seemed that there was no other life except that back home. She knew there had to be a town close by but for all she knew she had run in the opposite direction of it. So she did the only thing she could do and that was run some more. But the weakness was getting worse and within a couple of days she could no longer run. Though she had wanted the woods to end when they finally thinned the sunlight came through and it was more than she could take. Falling to the ground feeling the sun drain her of the last bit of energy she lost consciousness. She didn’t mind for this reality was too much for her. She no longer wanted it.
Ch. 2
Fire and Ice: two basic elements in the world that can give life or kill in equal measure.
- Fire and Ice
Lucus Lupir was a bit of a lone wolf. He liked to go off alone for long walks. Disappear to places where he was free to think his own thoughts for once. Being a wolf was incredible. To change into something that was free and yet part of something more. He had a family that would always be there for him and that was something to treasure. But some of it was a bit out of date to him. They still lived by standards that were formed back when the first wolves came to be. Not saying that that was necessarily bad but times change. Lucus was a reader, a thinker and he knew that the other wolves didn’t like that about him. They thought he considered himself better than them. He didn’t, he loved his pack but he did think he shouldn’t be stuck here just because of what he was. In a way he was still very much human. He wanted to go out and live life. Experience the world. Even just getting to live off on his self without constantly being surrounded by werewolves would’ve been nice.
He did love these woods though. The great oaks that towered high above him and the sounds of life that rustled about from beneath his feet all the way to the tops of his beloved trees. That’s when it hit him. The sounds. It was quiet here. Too quiet. Something was wrong. He sniffed the air. That scent, what was it? Some primitive instinct twisted inside him and he could feel himself shifting before he even realized what was happening. The wolf exploded from him. Its fur was a dark chocolate the same as his hair and his gray eyes shone as two silver orbs. The warning howl broke from his lips and he was on the run before he even had time to think. Within seconds he saw her lying there. The pale skin, the scent, it could only be one thing. Vampire. His teeth bared his muscles tensed as he crouched down, ready to pounce. He heard these things were deadly fast, even faster than werewolves at times. He thought they didn’t sleep. Oh well, it would make it easier to kill the threat. That’s when he heard the painful whimper escape her lips. He froze and for the first time really looked. She whimpered again and twitched like she was having a bad dream. Her skin seemed dulled like that of sickness. But for all he knew that could be normal. She was beautiful though. He had seen many women in his time. Pretty girls and gorgeous women but none could even begin to compare to this sleeping goddess.
He smoothly slipped back to his human form and slowly approached. Vampires had heightened senses like those of a werewolf. And he knew that even the most inexperienced of werewolves would have heard his approach and jumped to alert. Something wasn’t right. He touched her cool skin and thought how it refreshed his natural fever. She was like his counterbalance. He shook his head. What was he thinking? This was his natural enemy. He gently touched her face and watched her eyes flutter open. She jerked in surprise, fear flashing in her eyes. He wasn’t even sure if she clearly saw him. He had heard sunlight did strange things to them.
“Help.” It was barely a whisper. Her voice weak and what little conviction he had left to attack her evaporated. But what was he going to do? He had sounded the alarm. In fact he was surprised that they hadn’t arrived yet.
The alarm! I have to get her away from here.
He didn’t know why he was doing it but he couldn’t let them find her. He scooped her up and ran. He wasn’t as fast in his human form but he was still fast. He knew the woods well and that there was a stream up ahead. They would loose his scent in the water. He quickly dived in with her held close and let it sweep him down stream for a while. After going what he figured was far enough he reached out for the opposite bank and towed them up on to the shore. He ran on a little further till he felt it safe enough. They would wait for him to send up another alarm and if none came they would decide that it was a mistake. After all they hadn’t had a real enemy in their territory for at least a century.
He laid her down and couldn’t help but stare. She was beyond beautiful. Her skin seemed to have a bit of shine back to it since he got her out of the sun but she still seemed unwell. The best he could guess was that she was probably weak with hunger and he had only heard of one thing in their diet. He wondered if it was only human or if animal would suffice.
“Well you’re not getting human so let’s open up your meal choices.” He felt a little stupid talking to an unconscious woman but who was actually around to see. He stood still and listened. The animals were giving them a wide berth, most likely because of the company he was keeping. Not too distant he heard what sounded like a deer grazing. He sprung into the wolf and in a flash he was off. He was the perfect hunter. The deer never even saw it coming. Once assured that it was dead he dragged it back and laid it beside her not really sure what to do. With a claw he ripped the throat open thinking that the smell of blood might help awaken her again.
She could smell it. A strange scent yet so familiar. She could feel her lips pull back revealing her pointed fangs. She was upon the deer before even fully waking up. She had never before actually drawn the blood for herself but her body knew what to do. She drank until full and only then did her mind clear enough for her to realize what was happening.
She looked around to find a naked man sitting before her. She should’ve been startled but she couldn’t quite think clearly. He was well built and even though he was crouching down she could tell he was tall. He had dark chocolate hair and stern gray eyes that were studying her intently. She was still in the forest, much to her chagrin. She had almost hoped to wake up and find it all a dream. She looked back at the silent man to find him still staring at her like some interesting specimen.
“Could you stop staring?” Her voice was thick almost clogged sounding. She tried to clear her throat and found herself spitting out blood. She wiped her mouth off to find the bottom half her face coated in it. She self-consciously began trying to clean up as the man continued to merely stare. She looked at the deer before her a little shocked at realizing what she had eaten and very much knew that she wasn’t the one to have killed it. “Was it you that brought me this?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not a vampire. Who are you?”
“Lucus Lupir. And I’m in fact a werewolf.” It was at that time the winds shifted and she caught a quite ferocious animal smell. A hiss escaped her lips. “Now are you going to attack me after I saved you?” She looked back at the deer as it finally dawned that he had indeed saved her.
“But why?”
“Why not?” His lips slowly spread into a taunting smirk.
“I’ve never fed before. I can’t believe I knew how.”
“Animal instinct.”
“I am not an animal.” She practically growled.
“If you could’ve watched the show I just did, you might think differently. Course who am I to judge? I’m just a wolf.” She could tell he was teasing her and tried to relax, if he’d wanted her dead she’d be gone by now.
“Speaking of animal… Don’t you own clothes?” He looked down rather shocked. His tan skin almost appeared to turn a little red. She wondered if that was normal for wolves.
“Wow. I am sorry.” He appeared to be at a loss for words. “I um… I forgot about my clothes when I suddenly switched to wolf.”
“Here.” She tossed him the long jacket she had been wearing. “You can at least wrap that around your middle.” He quickly donned it and once he was fairly decent he stood and came closer. She considered backing away or just running some more but then thought what would be the point.
“Well, we can’t stay here all day. Let’s take a walk. I know an abandoned shack a little ways from here.”
“A shack?” There was definitely haughtiness about her. Of course with looks like that he figured she was probably use to heaven.
“As much as I would love to take you back home with me where I have a rather nice place that might be more suitable… I don’t think the rest of my pack would really like that.”
“So they’re not real accepting of your vampire friends?”
“You would be my first. And considering that at first scent of you I went into automatic attack mode I don’t think we’ll get a very nice welcome.”
“There are more of you?”
“Yes. Don’t you know wolves travel in packs?”
“I suppose. You’re the first I’ve met.”
“Same here. By the way. What’s your name?”
“Alexandria Connor.”
“Nice to meet you.” He stuck out his hand and feeling a bit odd she tentatively shook it.
“Your skin!”
“What about it?”
“It feels like you’re on fire.”
“And you feel like you’re freezing. Nice match, huh?”
He didn’t wait for a reply but began to briskly walk off. He knew they could’ve run there in a matter of minutes but he wanted to take the time to figure out what was going on with her. But long moments passed and she didn’t say a word. She did, however, keep a constant look out over her shoulder.
“So how did you end up in this neck of the woods? Hasn’t been a vampire sighting in a hundred years. Didn’t even know if you were still around actually. But that means you’re probably far from home.”
“I am.”
“Like to say why?”
“Not really.” She didn’t know him. Who was he to be prying into her personal business? Of course she highly doubted a werewolf would be in cahoots with Seth. Then again who else did she have to talk to? She took a deep breath. “I ran away from home. And then it turned into more of a kidnapping. And I ran some more and got here.”
“That was a wonderful story. I feel though that I’m missing some details.” He eyed her and saw that she seemed much in thought. Man, she’s beautiful. She looks like a golden flower. Stop thinking that! She’s your natural enemy. You might’ve saved her but that’s it.
“I’m a pure blood. And being so my family is very much concerned about keeping the line pure. I didn’t want them picking out my future husband and so I ran away with a man I thought I could trust. He turned out to want to use me to bring down my family for some reason. I really didn’t know what any of the gang was talking about. My family keeps to themselves we don’t try to control anybody. They had to have been confused…” She realized she was really talking to herself because Lucus just looked lost.
“What’s a pure blood?”
“A vampire that was born a vampire. My family is the longest line of pure bloods in vampire history. Most vampires don’t bother with having children. If they want a ‘family’ they usually just make them. Much easier actually. But pure bloods and second hand vampires, as they’re sometimes called, are different. Pure bloods are stronger. More vampiristic I guess. They’re also at times hated. Course we can be a bit pompous which doesn’t help.”
“So you’re a pure blood. And these second hand vampires tried to kidnap you.” He wasn’t quite sure if he was following it. Werewolves were just werewolves. Most were born that way but occasionally one got made and well there you were. Another werewolf.
“They thought they could use me to get to my family.”
“Could they?”
“I suppose. I mean my family will not be happy if they think their line has been cut off. They’re a long line of only children. So no other real branches. Like I said. Vampires don’t much like having children.”
“Well now you’re far away and they won’t hurt you.”
“They can always track me. And I don’t think hiding out near a village of werewolves is my idea of safe.”
“Do you not feel safe with me?” She looked up at him but couldn’t tell if he was being serious or just teasing some more. She did realize, however, that he was rather handsome. When she thought about it she could feel the natural instinct to flee or even fight him. But looking up into his deep gray eyes she really couldn’t help but feel comfortable with him. But she couldn’t tell him that.
“Well you may be ok but your pack doesn’t sound too friendly.” She tried to laugh it off but she couldn’t help glancing at him wondering what he thought of her.
“We made it.” She looked to find a partially fallen in home. And the little comfort she had felt quickly drained away. How she missed her luxurious room.
Ch. 3
There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable.
–Mark Twain
“I’m going to head on back to my place.” Lucus turned as if to leave.
“You’re leaving?” She felt a strange panic at the idea of being alone.
“What? No, of course not. I was just going to grab some more suitable clothes and some things to make the stay here better.” He very much had thought about just leaving her for the night and coming back in the morning but the worry in her voice made his heart ache. What was it about this creature that affected him so? Maybe it’s the vampire in her. They say they can twist a man’s mind. He just wasn’t sure.
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March 5, 2014
Books on Parade ~ The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Featuring books that have caught my eye — welcome to Books On Parade! If you are an author and would like your novel featured in Books On Parade, click here to find out how.
The City of Ember
Many hundreds of years ago, the city of Ember was created by the Builders to contain everything needed for human survival. It worked…but now the storerooms are almost out of food, crops are blighted, corruption is spreading through the city and worst of all—the lights are failing. Soon Ember could be engulfed by darkness….
But when two children, Lina and Doon, discover fragments of an ancient parchment, they begin to wonder if there could be a way out of Ember. Can they decipher the words from long ago and find a new future for everyone? Will the people of Ember listen to them?
Praise
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
“Thanks to full-blooded characters every bit as compelling as the plot, Lina and Doon’s search parallels the universal adolescent quest for answers. An electric debut!”
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
“Well-paced, this contains a satisfying mystery, a breathtaking escape over rooftops in darkness, a harrowing journey into the unknown, and cryptic messages for readers to decipher. The likeable protagonists are not only courageous but also believably flawed by human pride. The cliffhanger ending will leave readers clamoring for the next installment.”
March 3, 2014
Spotlight on the Review #7
Happy readers make happy writers
Jennifer’s full review:
I had promised myself to review books deserving special recognition. While I have neglected this special gem, I recently finished another novel, and wanted to finish this while it’s fresh on my mind.
The Unicorn Girl looked appealing initially because of its fantastic cover art. A former art major, myself, I have always found hand drawn covers appealing, when done right. The designer truly hit the mark, evoking memories of “The Last Unicorn.” The girl on the cover beckons you to read her story.
I kept it on my shelf a while, hoping to eventually devour it in one sitting.
Opportunity knocked weeks later, when I truly did consume the story of the unicorn girl.
It is hard to say what I loved most, be it the author’s gift of feeding you words that breathe, or the nostalgia. Perhaps I loved this novel most because I was a fan of unicorns since childhood, when I first picked up Bruce Coville’s “Into the Land of the Unicorns.”
While “Unicorn Girl” is somewhat YA, I found many of the elements and her emotions, things I could relate with. It was as though someone reached inside me and woke up the little girl, longing to cross over into a similar world.
Leah Vindral grows up through the course of her journey, and carries the reader along with her. Not only does she live in an ancient castle, but has a witch for a godmother, and the legend of unicorns surrounding her life in perpetual mystery. While at times her light tantrums come across as annoying, it fits well with the age and her situation. Leah is a heroine who is unafraid to find the answers for herself, while being wholly vulnerable at the same time. My favorite part of her character is her weakness, because her true power shines through during those darkest moments.
M.L LeGette gives us not just a coming of age story, but a world we can sink our claws into.
I would recommend this novel to all you lost little girls who still secretly dream of falling into the land of unicorns.
THE UNICORN GIRL is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
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