Diane Rapp's Blog: She's a Mystery and Science Fiction Writer! - Posts Tagged "wolves"
Excerpt from The Havenshire Resistance
Lauryn and Tessa must find the missing wolf:Amber? Where are you? Tessa’s mind called out.
You must be near, Amber answered. Pain lanced through Amber’s body and Tessa doubled over as an echo of the pain shot through her own chest.
Lauryn steadied her sister as the icy wind penetrated their cloaks like paper.
The wolf’s mind felt weak, not a good sign! Remembering Amber’s intelligent eyes, her gliding gait, and her unfailing courage, Tessa’s ring glowed hot in her hand. Both girls “saw” Amber’s memory of the attack.
They inched their way along the snowy trail, their hands and feet numb. Lauryn forced blood to circulate through their cold limbs and prayed she could use the same energy to help Amber.
The trail widened. The bush where Amber hid was nearly buried under a snow drift but they dug through and crawled inside the hollow. As Tessa stroked the whimpering wolf Lauryn opened her locket and used her healing power to stop the bleeding.
Lauryn sighed. “She lost a lot of blood. I’m not sure she’ll make it.”
Tessa’s eyes filled with tears. “Help me keep her warm while we wait for the storm to stop. She doesn’t want to die alone.”
Tessa stroked Amber’s head as Lauryn spread their cloaks over their bodies. They huddled together and shared body heat as snow drifted against the bush. The heat from their breath formed a thin film of ice and trapped their warmth…When Lauryn opened her eyes, she found Tessa holding Amber’s cold body.
“What happened?” Lauryn asked. The wolf was dead but when Lauryn tried to touch Tessa’s mind she found it barricaded. “Don’t cut yourself off from me, Tessa. Amber knew you tried to help her, and I just want to help comfort you.”
Tessa nodded. “I know. She’s not in this body, so let’s get out of here.” She covered the stiff body with a blanket and sliced at the icy roof with her knife. When they climbed out of the snowdrift, snow collapsed through the opening.
Be sure to visit the other authors blogs to read more excerpts from their books. And go to www.booksafire.com to find two daily Free or discounted books.
Calinda B http://blog.calindab.com/?p=1421
J. Heather Leigh http://jheatherleigh.blogspot.com/p/b...
Charles Dougherty http://www.clrdougherty.com/p/excerpt...
Tami Kidd http://www.tamikidd.com/?page_id=5
Jennifer Donohoe http://wp.me/p2zxAX-4Q
Reb MacRath www.rebmacrath.blogspot.com
Excerpt from HOWL OF THE WOLF
Donovan meets the wolf, Kriegen, for the first time:It was not a wolf of earthly variety but Donovan’s mind labeled the creature a “wolf” in honor of the animal it most resembled. The lean well-muscled canine body looked similar to its cousin. The head looked long and narrow with alert golden eyes and pricked ears that shifted with each new sound. The eyes displayed an intelligent depth of expression.
He noticed a marked difference between this wolf and its earthly cousin. The creature stood on its hind legs, easily the height of a healthy grizzly bear. Although it was more slender than a bear, its muscled limbs looked formidable. With almost scientific detachment, Donovan noticed elongated front paws as the wolf extracted a deadly blade from a sheath strapped to its rib cage, a challenge on any world.
Donovan met the wolf’s steady gaze, his thoughts racing. An intelligent species, this wolf looked ready to fight. What rotten luck! I wish I could communicate. How can I avoid bloodshed?
“Greetings friend,” he said in a nervous croak.
The sound caused the animal to shift its stance. Donovan thought he saw curiosity in the alert eyes. If any creature on this world had the right to be called king, this regal animal was the one.
We accept acknowledgment of our superiority and spare your life.
The message formed inside Donovan’s head, not in words, but mental impressions that he translated into words.
The wolf sheathed his blade and “spoke” again. We are Kriegen, leader of the Forest Guardians. The wolf lowered his body to all fours.
Donovan sat—a fortunate choice as he later learned—since a standing position offered challenge. To avoid battle a weaker creature observed a subservient posture.
Be sure to visit the following links to read excerpts from other authors in Books-a-Fire. www.booksafire.com
Calinda B http://blog.calindab.com/?p=1421
J. Heather Leigh http://jheatherleigh.blogspot.com/p/b...
Charles Dougherty http://www.clrdougherty.com/p/excerpt...
Tami Kidd http://www.tamikidd.com/?page_id=5
Jennifer Donohoe http://wp.me/p2zxAX-4Q
Reb MacRath www.rebmacrath.blogspot.com
Excerpt from Dragon Defense
Dragon Defense
The dragon, Blaze tries to rescue prisoners from a mountain stronghold:
The sunrise illuminated a peculiar object that dangled below a large dragon. As the boat flew across the sky, superstitious villagers dashed into their mountain huts to escape the dreadful sight. The flock of dragons disappeared behind a mountain before people in Asbohar took notice.
Blaze carried the small red boat proudly in his talons as Felesia rode on his back. Swirls of red, gold, and blue moved across his billowing wings as the dragon squadron formed a large V across the sky. When Blaze reached the balcony filled with humans, his eyes swirled with concern, but Felesia sent him mental messages.
From inside the boat Brandon shouted and people retreated behind the door. The balcony barely seemed large enough, but Blaze lowered his burden and opened his talons. A gust of wind lifted his body away from jagged sandstone rocks overhead and children peeking out from behind the door gasped. The dragon crowed to his flock and circled overhead.
When Brandon stepped from the boat onto the balcony, he felt immense relief to be away from those talons. He turned as children rushed through the door and caught his breath. A stunning vision of lithe beauty stood before him with bronze rays of sunrise shimmering across jet-black hair and ivory skin. Her ebony eyes threatened to capture his soul as they held his gaze.
“You must be Shariel,” he said in a breathless gush.
She nodded and coaxed children toward the boat. “Shouldn’t we hurry?”
Brandon pushed windblown hair away from his forehead and flashed a beguiling smile, the one guaranteed to make a girl’s heart flutter. “I’m here to serve, milady.” He hefted small bodies into the boat.
“Take a seat on the benches or the floor and tie a rope around your waist. Ten go on each trip.”
Wide-eyed children followed orders while they stared at dragons overhead. “Don’t be afraid. Send the dragons mental pictures of bright colors and they’ll be friendly. How many of you can see color in the dragons’ minds?”
Several hands shot up, including older children who stood waiting inside the door.
“Felesia sends pictures and the dragons respond. That small dragon is Flash. She’s Felesia’s special friend and loves children.”
Shariel smiled as Brandon helped the children relax. He caught a glimpse of her smile and nearly choked. “Will you go in the boat?” he asked.
“No. Jordan wants me to ride on the back of a dragon. I communicate with wolves, so I might be able to speak with dragons. Besides, I need to keep the guards under control until the last minute.”
“I’ll wait and help you climb onto the dragon.” Brandon glanced at a vacant-eyed guard, who stood inside the door. “Is he all right?”
“He thinks it’s still dark outside and feels sleepy. I inherited the power of mind control from my father and I’m using it today.”
Brandon blinked. “Your father’s Jarrack?” he asked. He saw a frown tremble across her lips and decided he must make her smile again.
Children and adults filled the boat. Blaze folded his wings and dropped in a breathtaking dive toward the balcony, triggering screams from frightened humans. At the last moment the dragon unfurled his great wings, opened his talons, and grabbed the spar. He swiftly carried his prize away from the rugged cliff.
The boat rocked. Voices squealed but Blaze carried the burden with a steely grip and soared high above the foothills.
Felesia sent pictures to the wild mind. Blaze recognized the landscape he’d seen as a fledgling and stretched his neck into the wind. He banked to find a new thermal and let the warm air lift his body.
When the giant dragon swooped down to grab the bar, Brandon ducked. He stood open mouthed when Blaze angled away from the rocky cliff face and a smaller dragon landed on the balcony.
Brandon helped a tall boy climb onto Flash. He looped a long red rope around the dragon’s neck and tied it around the boy’s waist. “What’s your name?” Brandon asked with a grin.
“Duncan.” The boy’s lips curled into a timid smile.
“This dragon is Flash. Send her pictures of the spaceport with your mind and hold on tight!” Brandon shouted and gave the boy a “thumbs up” salute. The dragon launched from the balcony and Brandon heard a peal of laughter from Duncan. There was no time to waste as another dragon landed.
Dragons knew how to conserve strength and seldom pumped their wings. Dazzle flanked Blaze with Jordan riding on her back. He greeted her with swirls of gold and orange and saw Flash fly nearby with a small human on her back. The boy waved at people riding in the boat. Blaze heard shouts of encouragement and felt Dazzle’s pride as he carried the burden.
The dragons enjoyed this new game.
Visit www.booksafire.com to find two new discounted or free books every day until May 31. Be sure to visit the following links to read excerpts from other authors in Books-a-Fire.
Calinda B http://blog.calindab.com/?p=1421
J. Heather Leigh http://jheatherleigh.blogspot.com/p/b...
Charles Dougherty http://www.clrdougherty.com/p/excerpt...
Tami Kidd http://www.tamikidd.com/?page_id=5
Jennifer Donohoe http://wp.me/p2zxAX-4Q
Reb MacRath www.rebmacrath.blogspot.com
The dragon, Blaze tries to rescue prisoners from a mountain stronghold:
The sunrise illuminated a peculiar object that dangled below a large dragon. As the boat flew across the sky, superstitious villagers dashed into their mountain huts to escape the dreadful sight. The flock of dragons disappeared behind a mountain before people in Asbohar took notice.
Blaze carried the small red boat proudly in his talons as Felesia rode on his back. Swirls of red, gold, and blue moved across his billowing wings as the dragon squadron formed a large V across the sky. When Blaze reached the balcony filled with humans, his eyes swirled with concern, but Felesia sent him mental messages.
From inside the boat Brandon shouted and people retreated behind the door. The balcony barely seemed large enough, but Blaze lowered his burden and opened his talons. A gust of wind lifted his body away from jagged sandstone rocks overhead and children peeking out from behind the door gasped. The dragon crowed to his flock and circled overhead.
When Brandon stepped from the boat onto the balcony, he felt immense relief to be away from those talons. He turned as children rushed through the door and caught his breath. A stunning vision of lithe beauty stood before him with bronze rays of sunrise shimmering across jet-black hair and ivory skin. Her ebony eyes threatened to capture his soul as they held his gaze.
“You must be Shariel,” he said in a breathless gush.
She nodded and coaxed children toward the boat. “Shouldn’t we hurry?”
Brandon pushed windblown hair away from his forehead and flashed a beguiling smile, the one guaranteed to make a girl’s heart flutter. “I’m here to serve, milady.” He hefted small bodies into the boat.
“Take a seat on the benches or the floor and tie a rope around your waist. Ten go on each trip.”
Wide-eyed children followed orders while they stared at dragons overhead. “Don’t be afraid. Send the dragons mental pictures of bright colors and they’ll be friendly. How many of you can see color in the dragons’ minds?”
Several hands shot up, including older children who stood waiting inside the door.
“Felesia sends pictures and the dragons respond. That small dragon is Flash. She’s Felesia’s special friend and loves children.”
Shariel smiled as Brandon helped the children relax. He caught a glimpse of her smile and nearly choked. “Will you go in the boat?” he asked.
“No. Jordan wants me to ride on the back of a dragon. I communicate with wolves, so I might be able to speak with dragons. Besides, I need to keep the guards under control until the last minute.”
“I’ll wait and help you climb onto the dragon.” Brandon glanced at a vacant-eyed guard, who stood inside the door. “Is he all right?”
“He thinks it’s still dark outside and feels sleepy. I inherited the power of mind control from my father and I’m using it today.”
Brandon blinked. “Your father’s Jarrack?” he asked. He saw a frown tremble across her lips and decided he must make her smile again.
Children and adults filled the boat. Blaze folded his wings and dropped in a breathtaking dive toward the balcony, triggering screams from frightened humans. At the last moment the dragon unfurled his great wings, opened his talons, and grabbed the spar. He swiftly carried his prize away from the rugged cliff.
The boat rocked. Voices squealed but Blaze carried the burden with a steely grip and soared high above the foothills.
Felesia sent pictures to the wild mind. Blaze recognized the landscape he’d seen as a fledgling and stretched his neck into the wind. He banked to find a new thermal and let the warm air lift his body.
When the giant dragon swooped down to grab the bar, Brandon ducked. He stood open mouthed when Blaze angled away from the rocky cliff face and a smaller dragon landed on the balcony.
Brandon helped a tall boy climb onto Flash. He looped a long red rope around the dragon’s neck and tied it around the boy’s waist. “What’s your name?” Brandon asked with a grin.
“Duncan.” The boy’s lips curled into a timid smile.
“This dragon is Flash. Send her pictures of the spaceport with your mind and hold on tight!” Brandon shouted and gave the boy a “thumbs up” salute. The dragon launched from the balcony and Brandon heard a peal of laughter from Duncan. There was no time to waste as another dragon landed.
Dragons knew how to conserve strength and seldom pumped their wings. Dazzle flanked Blaze with Jordan riding on her back. He greeted her with swirls of gold and orange and saw Flash fly nearby with a small human on her back. The boy waved at people riding in the boat. Blaze heard shouts of encouragement and felt Dazzle’s pride as he carried the burden.
The dragons enjoyed this new game.
Visit www.booksafire.com to find two new discounted or free books every day until May 31. Be sure to visit the following links to read excerpts from other authors in Books-a-Fire.
Calinda B http://blog.calindab.com/?p=1421
J. Heather Leigh http://jheatherleigh.blogspot.com/p/b...
Charles Dougherty http://www.clrdougherty.com/p/excerpt...
Tami Kidd http://www.tamikidd.com/?page_id=5
Jennifer Donohoe http://wp.me/p2zxAX-4Q
Reb MacRath www.rebmacrath.blogspot.com
THE ALPHAS, a novella
I've just proved that I'm a split personality writer with my new novella, THE ALPHAS. It's a mystery/science fiction, guaranteed to give you a fun read and make you want more. Here is the description:
THE ALPHAS is a prequel to HOWL OF THE WOLF, Heirs to the Throne Trilogy. It takes place in modern day on the planet Earth and is a mix of Mystery and Science Fiction. Has your dog ever stared into your eyes, trying to send you a message you can't quite understand? Learn what happens when you finally “get” that message.
What starts off as a perfect day for Carra Taylor, quickly spirals into a terrifying race to solve a deadly mystery. Carra learns that her friend, Frieda, has been murdered and the dogs in Frieda’s kennel are missing. Frieda was the breeder of Carra’s beloved German Shepherd, Kriegen, who was stolen five years before. Now Carra learns that she’s the heir to Frieda's hefty estate and the next target for a group of killers.
As she searches for clues to Frieda’s murder and a series of dog thefts, Carra and her husband Mike, find themselves on a dangerous journey through Frieda’s past. They uncover painful secrets about the woman and learn about a secret breeding project Frieda initiated over fifteen years earlier. Can two amateur sleuths blast through a web of lies to unravel the truth and rescue endangered wolves? Will they survive against a ruthless company that is determined to exploit helpless animals to complete research that might be worth millions? Carra is faced with decisions that might affect generations of sentient beings.
The Alphas, Prequel to Howl of the Wolf
THE ALPHAS is a prequel to HOWL OF THE WOLF, Heirs to the Throne Trilogy. It takes place in modern day on the planet Earth and is a mix of Mystery and Science Fiction. Has your dog ever stared into your eyes, trying to send you a message you can't quite understand? Learn what happens when you finally “get” that message.
What starts off as a perfect day for Carra Taylor, quickly spirals into a terrifying race to solve a deadly mystery. Carra learns that her friend, Frieda, has been murdered and the dogs in Frieda’s kennel are missing. Frieda was the breeder of Carra’s beloved German Shepherd, Kriegen, who was stolen five years before. Now Carra learns that she’s the heir to Frieda's hefty estate and the next target for a group of killers.
As she searches for clues to Frieda’s murder and a series of dog thefts, Carra and her husband Mike, find themselves on a dangerous journey through Frieda’s past. They uncover painful secrets about the woman and learn about a secret breeding project Frieda initiated over fifteen years earlier. Can two amateur sleuths blast through a web of lies to unravel the truth and rescue endangered wolves? Will they survive against a ruthless company that is determined to exploit helpless animals to complete research that might be worth millions? Carra is faced with decisions that might affect generations of sentient beings.
The Alphas, Prequel to Howl of the Wolf
WOW! Two Print copies are up for Grabs!
She's a Mystery and Science Fiction Writer!
You've heard of split personalities, well, Diane Rapp spends part of her time sailing the high seas to solve mysteries. When she feels seasick, she travels to the planet Drako to check in with her fri
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