MeiLin Miranda's Blog, page 15
April 17, 2013
Chapter 2 Episode 3 | The Machine God | The Drifting Isle Chronicles
Adewole's fingers stopped playing with the kikoi's fringe; his hands dropped into his lap, stilled by the grief flowing so close beneath his skin. "You are well-briefed, ma'am," he said as the ache spread in his chest. "I was not sure I could properly care for Ofira in a foreign country, and with our mother dead I could not leave her. I was going to wait until I had gotten tenure, and she was older." He paused and reached into his suit jacket. Inside his wallet he found a fading photograph: Ofira's bright little face. He turned it to face the Minister. "She would have loved Eisenstadt. She loved birds, and talking ones would have…" The ache nearly won, and he stopped to recollect himself, replacing her picture in his wallet. "River fever took her from me last year. She was only nine."
"You've never told me any of this," said Deviatka.
"It is hard for me to speak of it," murmured Adewole. "I have neither tenure nor sister now. The Creator, I suppose, took away my obstacles. She has played a fine joke on me."
April 15, 2013
Chapter 15 Part 2 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2
Tennoc awoke alone in his pavilion the next day. He'd been stripped of his armor and bloodied clothing, and lay naked on his cot under blankets and furs. A small camp stove burned nearby warming the winter air; on its hob a can of water heated. He found a towel and scrubbed dirt and blood from his body; goosebumps rose on his wet skin. He dressed in clean clothes, placed a gold circlet set with ruby cabochons upon his head and a fur-lined cloak around his shoulders, and walked outside. Men huddled near fires came to attention as Tennoc passed. He ignored them and left the camp.
April 12, 2013
Chapter 15 Part 1 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2
Temmin brooded in his study, saying little to either the nervous Fen as he juggled the luncheon service or Jenks when he came to check on his disciple's work. "What did he do to put you in a mood, sir?" said Jenks.
"What did who do--Wallek? Nothing. He's fine." Fen exhaled and dropped a fork. "A little less scrutiny, Jenks," smiled Temmin, rising from the table. "It's no wonder he's dropping things with you breathing down his neck."
Jenks propelled the trainee and the luncheon cart out the door. "Sir, if you need me--for anything--just ring. I will answer the summons."
"I'll be all right, Jenks. Teacher will be here soon to whisk me off into his fairy tales." Jenks lifted his eyebrows but continued into the hall and closed the door behind him.
April 10, 2013
Chapter 2 Episode 2 | The Machine God | The Drifting Isle Chronicles
"I thought perhaps you might prefer it to tea, Professor," came a charming, dry voice from the main door. It belonged to a woman of his mother's generation; she stood ramrod straight and elegant in a rich, dark blue business dress, her silver hair piled atop her head. Pinchnose reading glasses dangled from a handsome beaded chain round her neck. Piercing blue eyes fixed themselves on the two men.
Adewole and Deviatka stood, the one hasty, the other languid. "Minister Cecile Faber, may I introduce Professor Oladel Adewole of Jero, current holder of the University of Eisenstadt's Mueller Chair in the Humanities," said Deviatka.
Adewole extended his hand; the woman took it in a dry, firm grip and gave it a decided shake. "Have you had coffee?" she said in Jerian.
Adewole laughed, delighted. "That is how we say 'how do you do' in Jerian, Deviatka--we ask one another if we have had coffee. No, Madam Faber, I have not had coffee in many a day."
"Then please," she said, indicating the couches.
April 8, 2013
Chapter 14 Part 10 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2
Temmin headed toward the stables for his morning ride. He'd been trying the gentle approach, encouraging Alvo to come to him rather than forcing the issue, but it had been almost two weeks. Temmin didn't have time to wait for Alvo to come around. He had to get behind him and push.
He found the stocky young man in Jebby's stall. "How fortuitous. My horse and my best friend, just the two I want. Fetch a horse, Alvy, we're going riding."
Alvo froze midway through taking off his cap. "Your Highness, I have work to do."
"Balls to that. Saddle up. This is not a request." Alvo stomped off. Sometimes, thought Temmin, a man must use the tools at his disposal, and rank was such a tool.
April 5, 2013
Chapter 14 Part 9 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2
What Temmin hated most about leaving the book's spell was its lingering after-effects; the wounds, fear, hatred, even love and desire took time to dissipate and always left him confused and disoriented. "I'd wondered how magic worked in battles. I mean, if it were me, I'd just stand out front with you and let 'em have it. I guess it doesn't work that way."
"No," said Teacher, "otherwise we would own more of Inchar than we do. Your father has no magic in any event, and my magic has been greatly eroded over the centuries."
"Eroded? Eroded how?"
April 4, 2013
The Drifting Isle Chronicles Kickstarter Bundle
This is a collection of the first three Drifting Isle books: MeiLin Miranda's The Machine God, Joseph Robert Lewis's The Kaiser Affair, and Charlotte E. English's Black Mercury. It is for Kickstarters only, but if you want to pay me ONE MILLION DOLLARS I'll let you have it. 
$1,000,000.00
Quantity: *
The Machine God - Ebook in 3 formats (PDF, mobi/Kindle, ePub)
This one purchase gives you the .epub, .mobi/Kindle and .pdf versions of the ebook, all DRM-free.
For a free excerpt, click here.
Professor Oladel Adewole has lost tenure, and the beloved, much-younger sister he's raised has died. With no reason to stay, he leaves his homeland for the University of Eisenstadt.
$3.99
Quantity: *
Drawing for Drifting Isle Chronicle Ebooks!
I'm giving away one full set of The Drifting Isle Chronicles ebooks and two copies of The Machine God ebook in the winner's choice of three formats, starting Friday, April 5th and endiing April 12th. Bookmark this page and follow the instructions below!
Enter to win ebook copies of The Machine God and a full set of The Drifting Isle Chronicles!
April 3, 2013
Win a Drifting Isle book: "Black Mercury"
Charlotte English is running a giveaway for her Drifting Isle Chronicles book Black Mercury. Chronologically, it's the first Drifting Isle book, while The Machine God is the last (of the initial run). Go get 'em!
