Lisa Hall-Wilson's Blog, page 16

Don’t Let The Demons Bite

This is chapter 19 of The Watched: Don’t Let The Demons Bite. Find all the chapters published so far here. Download the entire novel from a major retailer here.

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Aralyn couldn’t keep from laughing. Barric carried Lynna upside down away from the fire. Her feet kicked the air near his chin. Every time he pretended to drop her, Lynna erupted in giggles and begged him to do it again. All the men of Pisidia smiled. What was it like to grow up with a fa who loved you like Barric so certainly seemed to love Lynna?

Edric walked at her side. She slowed, watching Barric. When he ducked inside the tree with Lynna, Aralyn spun and pressed her front against Edric’s chest, her face tipped up to his. She had seen Felora kiss Oram dozens of times but had never initiated a kiss with Edric. She didn’t know how to ask and hoped he’d figure it out.

He swallowed. “Barric will return any moment.” His voice cracked.

What a silly child to think she could entice a man. What did she know of these things? She pushed away and turned toward the tree.

He grabbed her elbow. “Don’t do that. I want to kiss you.” He drew in a ragged breath. “I wake every morning having dreamt of kissing you.”

Edric tipped her face up and kissed her. She leaned into him and kissed him back.

He cursed under his breath. “If I don’t stop now, I won’t want to. And we can’t. Not yet. For now you share your bed with Lynna. I will sleep at the door.”

His rejection stung. But what had she expected?

Barric emerged from the tree. His brows shot up when he glanced at the two of them, but he said nothing. The agreement was that she had to respect Barric’s rules until she could ask him again for permission to marry. He had wanted her and Lynna to sleep next to him, given the surroundings, but she had convinced him to let them sleep in the tree with Edric at the door.

Aralyn bid them both good night and entered the dark tree. The cedar boughs covering the dirt floor lent a pungent tang to the air. She settled Lynna in next to her and pulled the furs up to her chin.

“I want to sleep with Fa,” Lynna said in the dark.

“You’re stuck with me.”

Boots scuffed the dirt, clearing away sticks and twigs, and blankets disturbed the dead leaves on the ground outside the doorway. Edric and Barric were settling in for the night next to one another, blocking the tree’s door. The deep rumble of their conversation went on for a long while. Aralyn had hoped to lie next to Edric when the place finally fell quiet, but Barric could read her mind it seemed. She fell asleep reliving Edric’s kiss in her mind.

Her eyes flew open. How long had she slept? A thumb stroked her cheek and she turned toward the touch. Aralyn stretched, exposing her neck to the kisses skipping across her jaw. Tingles spread out from her belly. Edric had read her mind too.

“Scīene. Beautiful. So much is planned for you.” The whispered voice stroked her ego. “Onspannan mē tō. Open to me.”

Edric had never touched her like this. Always insisted they wait for marriage. The voice was wrong. Warmth swept her body. The passion swamped her, like the river had overtaken Edric.  This wasn’t Edric. This wasn’t real. A weight pressed her hips down.

She shifted to escape. Tried to kick out or roll away, but her limbs would not obey. The passion subsided when she fought it, but the weight remained. Passion’s flames licked at her senses, curled around her mind like a vapour. She sensed Lynna next to her, still asleep.

Aralyn cried out but had no voice. She couldn’t see the walls, Lynna, or even a light where she knew the door to be. Tension coiled in her gut. Her muscles pulsed with need, she didn’t know for what. Why didn’t Lynna wake up? She kicked and struggled and screamed, but it was like she was bound to the ground. She made no sound and Lynna slept on. Aralyn fought. She’d fight until she had no strength left.

The weight shifted, spread her legs, and settled between her knees. Blood poured through her veins, exploding at the end of every nerve. She would not just let this happen, but her assailant had control of her body—drew the reactions she had not known to expect. How was this even possible? She didn’t want this.

Rancid breath heated Aralyn’s cheek. They will cast you out. They will never look at you the same way.

She fought whatever restrained her. Her heart thrashed inside her chest.

He will break his vow to marry you. Now you are mine. There is no point fighting.

Her shift was rent from top to bottom and a wet tongue licked her from navel to chin. Lynna bolted upright and screamed.

***

Barric jerked awake. Lynna bounced on his stomach with her knees and pounded on his chest. He sat up to end the assault. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Wake up.” Lynna scrambled off and pulled at his arm. “Help her. Help Aralyn.”

Barric threw off the blanket and jumped to his feet. He reached for his sword but saw nothing to fight. Lynna stood over Aralyn, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her words slurred by sobs and gulps of air. “Help her. Why won’t you help?”

Aralyn lay still, asleep under her furs. Barric looked between Aralyn and Lynna. Why hadn’t Lynna’s screams woken Aralyn? Lynna had warned them of the devil’s warrior on the Zamze. She’d seen him when no one else could.

“What do you see?” He dropped to one knee and held Lynna’s shoulders. He wanted to shake the truth from her. “Describe it to me.”

“There’s a man on top of Aralyn. He has no shirt.” Lynna pointed at the air above Aralyn. “She’s crying and yelling. Can’t you hear her? He won’t get off.”

Barric didn’t want to believe Lynna. This wasn’t done. He glanced back and saw that the whole camp slept on. He was the only one Lynna had been able to waken and she’d had to jump on him even at that. Every warrior in the place should be running with the noise she made.

Lynna grabbed his hand and tugged with all her weight. “He has ropes for hair and tattoos like my da all over. He’s ripping off her shift.” Lynna fell backwards when she lost her grip on his arm.

“Why can’t you see? Fa, help her! She’s scared.”

Barric dropped his sword and knelt over Aralyn. He lifted her head into his lap and put his hands on her shoulders. He looked at Lynna. “Wake Edric. Wake them all up. Keep screaming. We need them to pray.”

Barric bowed his head and prayed.

***

Aralyn found she could move her arms and legs. Lynna’s screams distracted her assailant. Long dreads of knotted hair hung down his back and demonic tattoos covered his skin. He lowered himself down on her. Aralyn twisted away from the pleasure overtaking her mind.

Barric was above her, his head bowed. His hands on her shoulders, the words he murmured were far off, a low hum buzzing in her ear. Aralyn realized her body was in two realms, only one visible to her fa. She repeated the words he spoke, the prayer for protection.

“He’s right there. It’s the man from my dream.” Lynna’s screeches reached Aralyn through the fog. Barric’s hands were warm on her shoulders and she focused on the hum of his voice.

“Show yourself,” Edric bellowed from the doorway.

The point of a blade appeared above her face, at the throat of her attacker. The blade glowed as if lit from within.

You’re too late, Slegna. The voice slipped around her heart and squeezed with the strength of a fist. One thrust and Aralyn’s back arched, her nerves at the edge of a precipice.

Her attacker leaped out of the way a moment before a sword sliced the air where his head had been. A giant warrior forced her attacker farther away with the point of his sword.

Come with me, the assailant said to her.

Answering the siren song, Aralyn moved to obey the voice. But Barric’s prayers continued in her mind and held her in place. The pull to stay where she was increased and the warm hands on her shoulders promised safety. Love.

You are broken and used. They will shun you. Come with me. See the future for our side.

Barric grounded her in the present, in the physical realm. The man touched the stiff rod at his crotch and bellowed in frustration. Then he was gone and the one with the sword after him.

Free. Aralyn kicked off the furs. Shaking and quivering like a nearly-drowned kitten, she retreated from Barric. Every nerve strung taut as a bow string. Her muscles ached from the strain of her struggling.

**Don’t forget! You can find a glossary of Old Language terms here.**

The post Don’t Let The Demons Bite appeared first on Lisa Hall-Wilson.

How Much Of Me Is From You?

This is chapter 18 of The Watched: How Much Of Me is from You? Find all the chapters published so far here. Download the entire novel from a major retailer here.

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Aralyn sat with Barric on her right and Edric on her left, a compromise since she had insisted on sitting next to Edric and Barric insisted she sit with him. She didn’t know any of the seasoned warriors around the fire. She edged closer to Edric.

Edric had trimmed his beard, washed, and found new clothes. He looked younger and nobler. Looked like he’d had a bit more sleep also, maybe that was part of what she saw. She resisted the urge to run her hands through the loose curls on his head or feel the texture of his beard. He glanced at her and winked. Her cheeks flushed.

None of the men around the fire watched her openly, but she felt their stares nonetheless. When she reached back for her hood to cover her hair, Barric stayed her hand. “There is no need to hide your lineage here. Be proud of who you are.”

She reached her left hand down and laced her fingers with Edric’s. On her own, she didn’t know who she was. With Edric, she knew she was his. Their hands were tucked between them, hidden by the folds of her skirt. Barric cleared his throat. A warning. She ignored him.

Edric nudged her with his shoulder, as though she were his younger sister. Aralyn frowned as he gently pulled his hand from hers. “Be respectful,” he whispered.

Barric caught her gaze and his eyes narrowed. Don’t be so familiar. Yes, she remembered. She sighed and dropped her chin into her hands. Lynna huddled with her blanket in Barric’s lap.

“Sing.” Edric nudged her again with his shoulder.

She shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to draw further attention to herself.

“Felora taught you many of our songs. I’ve heard you sing them. They are not forbidden here,” Edric said.

Her mother was a terrible singer. She’d only get the tune wrong if she’d learned it from Felora. Besides, everyone here hated her mother. She’d overheard them using Felora’s name as a synonym for an idiot. What was it Felora had said just before she left? Don’t believe everything they’d say of her?

Barric leaned in. “These are not Oram’s men. They may look—remember, they thought all of our family were dead—but they will not harm you. You’re not in Ijon anymore.”

She chanced a glance at his face. His smile was Lynna’s, the same smile Felora said Lynna got from her.

“Our family is well thought of and your gift respected. If you can bring some light to this dark place, it would be most welcome.”

They weren’t going to let this go. She looked to Lynna. “Would you like to sing our special song for your fa?”

“He’s your fa too,” Lynna said and slipped out of Barric’s lap. A wide smile stretched across his face at her response.

Aralyn draped Lynna’s blanket over her head so her face peeked out. “Just like we did for Tavia?”

Lynna giggled and bounced. Aralyn started them off. Her part was the man coaxing a pretty girl to dance with him. Lynna, in her own exaggerated way, was the pretty girl who wasn’t sure about him. Lynna lifted her voice in a falsetto and mimicked the way Rowena would talk about the boys she’d met. The men were in stitches at Lynna’s acting.

When they finished and the men clapped, Lynna ran to Barric and hid her face in his chest. He pulled the blanket off her head. Barric looked at Aralyn and laughed, tears welling in his eyes. “Very good. That was my mother’s favourite song. I haven’t heard it in years. Sing another. It’s been a long time since there was singing in Pisidia.”

Buoyed by the response from the men, Aralyn recalled Felora’s favourite song. Aralyn loved to sing it while she worked. It was a happy tune with a quick beat. She began and the men grinned. One stomped the beat on the ground and others joined in as she sang. Barric joined in and added his deep baritone voice and she blinked, startled. She must have gotten her singing voice from him.

Her people? Yes, maybe.

The post How Much Of Me Is From You? appeared first on Lisa Hall-Wilson.

A New Beginning

This is chapter 17 of The Watched: A New Beginning. Find all the chapters published so far here. Download the entire novel from a major retailer here.

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Aralyn stared at her sister sleeping on Barric’s solid shoulder. How could Lynna accept him so easily? Was she so desperate for a father’s love?

As though he perceived her scrutiny, his arms tightened around Lynna and his nostrils flared with every exhale. “You don’t wish to marry someone younger than Edric? How well can you know him?”

“I know he is the kind of man who brought us food when we had none, who protected our home from thieves when our parents left us to fend for ourselves.” She refused to feel guilty about the flicker that crossed Barric’s face at the mention of Felora and Oram. “We stayed up talking in the dark for hours. He is learned and kind and honourable. He is able to provide for a family and I feel safe when I’m with him.”

She stared into the same blue eyes she knew her own face held. She searched for more of herself in him. The corner of his mouth pulled to the side the same way Lynna’s did when she was frustrated.

“Aralyn, lā, this is a hard life.” He waved at their surroundings. His accent was more pronounced than it had been. “There is a war coming and you need to be trained. How will you do that when you are distracted by a husband?”

“Why can’t I do both—”

“Whether you want it or not, you have the gift, and if you don’t learn how to control it, you’ll go mad.”

“Men older than he are married to women younger than I,” she said. She knew about a hard life. Being with Edric couldn’t be as bad as living under Oram’s thumb.

“You don’t need a husband; you need a teacher. It is my duty to keep you and protect you and his duty to watch over you—from a distance.” Barric’s voice softened. “I would have a chance to get to know you before I give you to another.”

“But we go to war,” she said. Tears welled in her eyes. He didn’t understand. She didn’t have time. “What if we are meant to be together and this is all the time we’ve been given?”

Barric straightened. “Love is a choice, pure and simple.” Lynna squirmed and Barric set her on her feet. Her little sister leaned against his thigh and held the blanket he’d given her to her nose.

“There’s more to marriage than love. I understand why your mother filled your head with that nonsense, but—”

She spun away before he saw the tears spilling from her eyes. She needed him to agree. She needed to marry Edric.

He grasped her upper arm gently and turned her to face him. “What else is there to this? Why the rush to marry? Unless your mother has radically changed her views on marriage, this did not come from her.”

It wasn’t fair that he could guess at her motivations like that. She barely knew him. Oram couldn’t remember Felora’s favourite colour, but Barric knew her views on marriage and they hadn’t spoken in … She glanced at Lynna. In at least five years. The tears streamed down her cheeks, now unchecked. “I have no time,” she blurted. She swiped at her tears. She’d said too much.

He studied her face. “What do you mean, you have no time?” Barric pulled away the wet strands of hair stuck to her face and neck with a fingertip. “What have you seen?”

Her eyes widened. How did he know? He gave her that wry smile and pressed his forehead to hers. “My family has had this gift for a long time. I may not have the sight, but I understand your gift better than most.”

He pulled back and rested a hand on Lynna’s head. “Being near to me keeps the dreams at bay. That is why she stays so close. I spent those years on the Argob learning to pray and forgive. I cannot share what I do not have within myself to give.”

Barric looked down at Aralyn with a look she didn’t know how to interpret. He tipped his face toward her. “Now, tell me what you have seen.”

The words tumbled from her mind and out her mouth before she could stop them. “I am drowning in a river before a tall stone wall. Men stand on the wall looking down on me with bows drawn.” She shut her eyes. “I can smell the smoke from the fire consuming the city.”

“Jabbok?” Barric dried her cheek with his thumb. “Listen, the dreams are only glimpses of what could be. They are glimpses of experiences perhaps not your own. This is why you need training, to learn how to interpret what you see instead of living in fear of it.”

“But it’s so real. What if it is my future?” A sob burst from her throat. “I’ll never have children. I’ll never see my sisters again. I’ll never—”

He pulled her against his chest and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. She leaned into his strength and understood the safety Lynna found in his arms. It was a warm cocoon of love that drove out the fear and uncertainty. She could trust this. It was different than the safety she found in Edric’s embrace.

“Do not rush to marry Edric because of this dream. For your sake and his.”

Barric pulled away and tipped her face up. “You need training, not a husband. There are still a few weeks until the snow stays for winter. Ask me again when the snow on the ground stays. In the meantime, we will work on understanding your gift.”

She let him embrace her again. He hadn’t said no.

The post A New Beginning appeared first on Lisa Hall-Wilson.

The Forest City

This is chapter 16 of The Watched: The Forest City Find all the chapters published so far here. Download the entire novel from a major retailer here.

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Aralyn ducked as they passed through a curtain of ivy and moss and vines and branches. The fetid air of rot and perpetual damp from the swamp they’d just passed through diminished and she breathed deep. They entered a large open area surrounded by towering hardwoods in the middle of a softwood forest. By rights, this should not be here.

“Welcome to Pisidia,” Edric said. He jumped down and reached for her. She let herself fall against him so he had to catch her against his chest. He growled in her ear. “Don’t be starting something you can’t finish.”

She didn’t know what that meant. “Then marry me today.”

“Soon.” Edric ran his hands over her ribs.

Barric eased out of the saddle with Lynna asleep on his shoulder. He walked to Aralyn and handed her the sleeping girl. Barric paused a moment to brush the curls out of Lynna’s eyes. Her face was creased from the folds in his tunic.

“I would speak with you,” Barric said for Aralyn alone. “I know this is all new for you, but you don’t—”

“Come, let’s gather the men.” Cilix strode to the centre of the clearing where men stood waiting. Edric followed.

“We will speak soon.” Barric nodded to Aralyn before jogging to catch up to Edric.

She hung back with Nara. The forest canopy opened above the clearing, allowing the sun in. The forest didn’t seem so gloomy and heavy here. Still, there was a weight on her chest, aside from her sister, between recalling her own dream and remembering Lynna’s from last night, she couldn’t shake.

The men all dropped to one knee as they entered the clearing. Nara came alongside Aralyn and pulled her down to one knee as well.

“What are they doing?”

“They are praying,” Nara whispered. “They are asking for guidance.”

“They are praying to the Slegna?”

“The King.” Nara held a finger to her lips.

Aralyn studied the men in the clearing. The clothing Barric and Edric wore set them apart as being wealthier than their companions. Where the other men had tunics and cuirass covered with leather, Barric and Edric had padded tunics with mail shirts under their cuirass for added protection. Aralyn’s knees ached by the time the men stood.

Aralyn left Nara and moved toward Edric. Barric met Aralyn halfway across the clearing. Lynna stirred long enough to reach for Barric and settle against his shoulder once more. He opened his mouth to speak just as Edric called to Aralyn.

She fled Barric’s presence. Edric smiled when he found her at his side and turned her by the shoulders to face a large tree. The top was dead, but the massive trunk had been hollowed out. “That is where we will sleep.” He stood straight. “If I can get Barric to agree to our match.”

She glanced back at Barric standing where she had left him. “He loves you,” Edric said. “He’s only ever wanted what’s best for you. We just have to convince him that a marriage between us is what’s best for you.”

Barric strode toward them. A flutter of panic caught in Aralyn’s throat and she stepped closer to Edric.

“He’d do just about anything to have you in his life,” Edric said. “He does not want to let you go so soon to another man.”

“I will ask him for permission to marry you.” Aralyn brushed Edric’s fingers in a fleeting touch. “Does your tradition allow this? He is less likely to deny me.”

“It does.” Edric held her back with a hand on her arm. He leaned in. “Be respectful. You win more favours with kindness than anger.”

She strode toward Barric, mustering courage with each step. Edric followed her. When they reached Barric, Edric excused himself. “I go to find clean clothes and a bath.”

Barric looked down at Aralyn after Edric had walked away. “We will speak now.”

She cleared her throat.

Barric held up one hand. “I’ll say my piece first.” He stilled and held her gaze without wavering. “I don’t like the way you’re behaving with Edric. He’s a good man, but I’m your fa and you need to trust me. It is unseemly how familiar you are with him.”

She clamped her mouth shut.

“Felora likely saw no need to explain the things that happens between a husband and wife. About propriety or appearances … she never cared herself so why would she. You can’t carry on the way you have. It’s not proper.”

Kindness not anger, Edric had said. Aralyn clamped down on the retort that sprang to her lips and forced herself to speak softly. “I know enough. Edric has asked me to marry him and I have said yes. He says I need your permission. May I marry him?”

The post The Forest City appeared first on Lisa Hall-Wilson.

5 Tips for Awesome Author Facebook Launch Party

Ever done a virtual book launch party through a Facebook group? How has that gone? I’ve attended a few, some were OK – most were…not a lot of fun. However, this last week I joined a friend’s Jamberry nails Facebook party. I’ve never had a manicure. I paint my nails black and am done with it — however, even I was participating for prizes in this group because it was so well done. This is something I’m seeing a lot more of from these home-based businesses, but this was a stellar online party with lots of participation IMHO.

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I thought I’d share some of the best parts of this party and how authors can adapt some of these ideas for their own release or book launch party.

Use A Lot Of Images

This party incorporated a lot of images. Collages worked really well, but every question asked of the group and game was in an image. Now, images tend to get better reach on Facebook, so that is one aspect to consider. Also, it was super easy at a glance to see what the game was about and how I could participate. Even the game rules were all image-based as well. Here are a couple of images they used (I’m sharing with permission).

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Below is an image from the Guess the Sesame Street character game. This is a clever branding trick. They are using their own products to help you play the game — all colour coordinated for those of us who find that particular skill a challenge.

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Stay on Brand

This is pretty important. Every image you share in your launch party group should incorporate something about you – the author, or your book or series in some way. Is your character a book worm? A movie buff? If you’re one of those writers who has an entire backstory for your main characters, now might be a good time to pull a few things from that to get your readers guessing (don’t be too obscure though). Remember to always add value. How can this info help them further enjoy the book or test their knowledge? You might not be able to do this with every image, but it’s a goal.

How would you do that as an author?

Why not make a collage and get launch party attendees guess the character? Guess a character’s favourite book, piece of music, pet, or vacation spot. Guess the character by their wardrobe? Have a character who’s a cop, a firefighter, a bartender — the possibilities are endless. Here’s one that might work for you — Guess which would be Grandpa Joe’s idea of a good vacation spot: Hawaii, Ireland, Kenya, or New York City.

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Here’s a collage to guess a main character in the series I’m writing right now. I used free clipart and images from Unsplash.com and put it together in fotojet.com (you can buy that ring on etsy here.) I find fotojet easier for collages than canva.com but I’m a big fan of canva too. (No affiliate links.)

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(The answer is Aralyn)

Require Participation

Whatever games you play, require public participation (within the group). Don’t let the only interaction be a private message. Create games that require people to comment. As more people comment, Facebook notifies other group members of the interaction essentially shouting — hey look, these people are having fun. Go check it out! However, the more participation you require, the fewer people will respond. Most people will leave a comment. The Jamberry party had a household photo scavenger hunt and I didn’t see as many participating in that.

People are busy

Remember that people are busy and restricting the party to just one night might mean people who are really passionate about your book will miss out. This Jamberry party lasted for a week. Every day the hostess had a new game to play. You had all day to play, though most of the interaction was in the evening. If you have readers in multiple time zones, don’t leave anyone out. At the same time though if you are only available in the evenings, for instance, be up front about that and let people know they can play all day but that you’ll be there at a certain time. Especially if this is a party that will stretch out over a week or a couple of days, no one expects you to sit at your computer 24/7.

Reward participation

You don’t have to offer extravagant rewards, or even rewards that require you to mail things unless you want to. What do readers want? What would be a valuable gift to them? Maybe you buy 5 $5 gift cards for Amazon or something? What about discount codes for the upcoming release? A signed book? A visit to a book club via Skype or other technology? How about a fanfic type short story about a character of their choice? Maybe they can win the chance to have you use their first name in the next book?

What tips would you offer about running a book launch or release party via Facebook group? Can you guess the Sesame Street character from above?

P.S. I’m releasing my first book for writers called 31 Days To A Facebook Platform in December. Sign up here so you know when it goes live!

The post 5 Tips for Awesome Author Facebook Launch Party appeared first on Lisa Hall-Wilson.

Should We Still Celebrate Remembrance Day?

**Edited** It has come to my attention – repeatedly in fact, over the last few years, that some people do not believe that the Church should observe or pause for Remembrance Day. Some say it’s upsetting to refugees, others that it celebrates war, still others can’t see the relevance. The Church is a house of worship and prayer after all.

**Edited to add: my sincere apology to the person who was offended by the first intro to this post that I wrote.**

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I have had agents/editors tell me no one will buy my writing — not because the writing is bad, but because they don’t know how to sell it, they don’t know what shelf it would go on, or I break too many “rules” for Christian publishers. “One of  your characters says the word ‘panties’?”

(...

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A Tank Of Gas And $50

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A pic from Port Dover

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If you want to write a novel, you just sit down and write. That’s what I thought. My very first attempt at a novel was a story about talking squirrels. Laugh it up. Thirty years ago that was insane, but now we have Hoodwinked‘s Twitc...