MeiLin Miranda's Blog, page 55
March 14, 2011
Chapter 8 Part 7 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book One
Ansella did not wish to be found. She sat in the pear orchard beneath a tree; her head rested against a knee covered in dark green linen, smooth beneath her cheek. Pear blossoms scented the air, and bees murmured among them. It would be a good year for pears, she thought drowsily. She closed her heavy eyes.
"Annie, don't go to sleep," whispered her lover.
"If you keep playing with my hair, I will." The hand stroking her golden locks stopped, and she sighed in disappointment. It had been so pleasant, dozing in the orchard's dappled sunlight. Lovemaking always made her sleepy afterwards. "Don't stop," she said aloud.
"I won't, if you tell me how goes your foolish son's pursuit of Allis Obby," answered Ibbit.
March 11, 2011
Chapter 8 Part 6 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book One
Temmin told no one of his plans to visit the Temple--almost no one. He told Jenks that evening, and the happy valet burrowed into the Prince's wardrobe all Paggday to ferret out the proper clothes for a visit to the Temple. Though Jenks was discreet, Temmin himself let it slip to Ellika in the hearing of a footman. It spread through the Keep until it reached the ear of Gram, the King's valet, and thence to the King himself.
"Winmer!" said Harsin as he stomped into his study. "Harla take you, Winmer, I need you now!"
March 9, 2011
Vote for me in the Rose & Bays
I'm sure AE's Tales of MU is going to win, but it'd be nice to come in second in the Rose & Bay Awards for Crowdfunded Fiction. So if you could swing round and vote for me, I'd be appreciative. Thanks.
March 7, 2011
Chapter 8 Part 5 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book One
Temmin's face grew hot, as the image rose in his mind: Allis before him, Issak behind him, mouths and hands and-- He rolled over onto the pillows and pulled her atop him. The smile left her face, but she showed no fear. "What if that is what I want?" he said.
"Then you should chase us," she answered.
He gave her a tentative kiss, a brushing of the lips, shy and unsure after all his bravado. He felt his heartbeat, jumpy and fast, and wondered if she felt it too. Allis took his face in her hands and kissed him again, deeper, and he sighed into her mouth. Everywhere she touched him grew warm and shivery. He cradled her head in one hand, smoothing along her jaw with his thumb, and hoped he did it right. She ran her tongue over the roof of his mouth, and he shook violently. She gave an amused little hum, and did it again to the same whimpering reaction. "Very good," she murmured, breaking the kiss. "Now tell me, what have you learned?"
"Learned?" said Temmin, muzzy-brained. "I was supposed to learn something?"
March 4, 2011
Chapter 8 Part 4 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book One
"This is a splendid picnic, Temmin, thank you so very much," she said at last. She wiped her lips, Temmin following the napkin's course with his eyes. "Returning to earlier conversation, as we must," she said, "if your religious fervor is tepid, why are you here with me?"
March 3, 2011
B&N Strips Romance/Vaguely Erotic Indie Titles of Samples
Barnes and Noble is stripping samples from romance/erotica titles--but only if they're by indie authors. If you publish via their service PubIt!, they're stripping off your sample. Traditional publishers are unaffected. There was no announcement or anything. They just did it.
I verified this: They took down the samples of both "Lovers and Beloveds" and "The Gratification Engine," neither of which were at all off-color. This explains why I sell so few books at B&N. Books without samples don't sell, especially books by indies.
So fine, B&N, I'll put up my own damn samples. I used the book's description to include (again, no off-color) samples of both. Neener.
March 1, 2011
Skip Weeks | Scryer's Gulch
I'm taking some time off from the Gulch for a bit. I'm buckling down on book two and don't want to break stride. Back when I'm not so buried in Tremont. Watch this space for announcements.
February 28, 2011
Chapter 8 Part 3 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book One
"A question? I don't think so," said Temmin, dropping his reins. Jebby came to a halt, and turned his massive head to eye his nervous master.
Temmin picked up the reins, and Jebby sauntered away down the Road, until Allis suddenly sped up and wheeled Jinny around to block Temmin's way. "I said, ask your question, Prince Temmin."
Teacher had said Temmin might ask Allis anything, anything at all, but this was far too embarrassing to contemplate so soon into the ride. "I hadn't intended to ask you anything, Holy One," he said, echoing her formal tone, "until perhaps we'd gotten to know one another better--"
"Ask your question!" she repeated, still blocking the Road.
"Very well, then!" he said. "Do you--have you--what is the nature of your relationship with your brother?"
February 25, 2011
Chapter 8 Part 2 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book One
Temmin left his mother's rooms, so deep in thought he barely looked up until he took to the stairs leading down into the family's informal entrance to the Keep, Harsin's sigil in gold inlay upon the huge doors. He wanted to dirty it with soot. How could the King have hurt her so? How could Harsin prefer any other woman to her? She was kind and beautiful, she was cheerful and loving; she was his Mama, and how could any man be cruel to her? The footmen took one look at his scowl and swept the doors open just a little faster than usual, not a ripple of interest on their professionally still faces.
A groom held Jebby's bridle; the big chestnut pawed in good-natured boredom at the fine gravel beneath his hooves. Temmin's anger swerved to apprehensive excitement. He mounted and rode down the switchbacks and the long, long drive to the massive gates at the entrance to the grounds. There he waited, silently rehearsing a little greeting meant to sound nonchalant and sophisticated. "How terribly good of you to come, Miss Obby, or should I say, Holy One, ha ha." No, that didn't sound right...
February 23, 2011
Skip Week! Again! | Scryer's Gulch
But there's a good reason: I'm cookin' on book two and don't want to break stride. Back when I'm not so buried in Tremont.
