Nicole Zoltack's Blog, page 3
July 13, 2017
Throwback Thursday Excerpt Edition - Of Bones and Ashes
A little snippet from Of Bones and Ashes currently in the Twisted Flipped Fairy Tale Collection!
On this occasion, the mirror revealed to me another vision. Bedridden but still wearing a beautiful garment, the queen no longer resembled herself. Her impressive jewelry rested on her bedside table and not on her person. Premature wrinkles aged her, as did spots kissed by the sun. Her eyes sank within their sockets, heavy blackness marring the tender skin beneath them. It appeared as if centuries had passed since last I saw her. The touch of death was upon her, and time was clearly running out.Strange. The mirror never revealed to me the future, but she still breathed, as far as I knew. I would soon come to learn that, most likely, I had witnessed her ritual after she enacted the spell.Beside her necklace and teardrop earrings laid an intricately carved dagger and several candles burned almost down to the wick. Before my eyes, her lips murmuring all the while, her words inaudible, she lifted the dagger with great effort. She eagerly held the notched blade into the flames. Without hesitation, no worry, fright, or dismay visible, she then buried the weapon deep within her chest. She exhaled a breath and threw her head back.“With my death,” she uttered in that same voice full of unusual power, “I grant you unending life, my child, my dear, sweet child.”And so, the queen gave her life to her daughter. It would be a life that would bring many others and myself unending torment and anguish. It would be a life that will never give way to death.Believe me. I’ve tried. I’ve tried to kill her.
And on the morrow, she will kill me.
On this occasion, the mirror revealed to me another vision. Bedridden but still wearing a beautiful garment, the queen no longer resembled herself. Her impressive jewelry rested on her bedside table and not on her person. Premature wrinkles aged her, as did spots kissed by the sun. Her eyes sank within their sockets, heavy blackness marring the tender skin beneath them. It appeared as if centuries had passed since last I saw her. The touch of death was upon her, and time was clearly running out.Strange. The mirror never revealed to me the future, but she still breathed, as far as I knew. I would soon come to learn that, most likely, I had witnessed her ritual after she enacted the spell.Beside her necklace and teardrop earrings laid an intricately carved dagger and several candles burned almost down to the wick. Before my eyes, her lips murmuring all the while, her words inaudible, she lifted the dagger with great effort. She eagerly held the notched blade into the flames. Without hesitation, no worry, fright, or dismay visible, she then buried the weapon deep within her chest. She exhaled a breath and threw her head back.“With my death,” she uttered in that same voice full of unusual power, “I grant you unending life, my child, my dear, sweet child.”And so, the queen gave her life to her daughter. It would be a life that would bring many others and myself unending torment and anguish. It would be a life that will never give way to death.Believe me. I’ve tried. I’ve tried to kill her.
And on the morrow, she will kill me.
July 12, 2017
WIP Wednesday - Dark Hunt
Dark Hunt will release in late September! Here's a short snippet:
The dry season had just ended. The first rainstorm would be any day now. For once, the day was somewhat beauty.Perfect for an execution.“Bring forth the prisoner,” the queen said.The moment she opened her mouth, a hush fell over the crowd. Even before she spoke, those gathered only spoke in whispered, peaceful tones. Her voice contained incredible power. It would strike fear into the heart of vampires, hope into the hearts of humans, and acceptance and adoration in the heart of witches.
The dry season had just ended. The first rainstorm would be any day now. For once, the day was somewhat beauty.Perfect for an execution.“Bring forth the prisoner,” the queen said.The moment she opened her mouth, a hush fell over the crowd. Even before she spoke, those gathered only spoke in whispered, peaceful tones. Her voice contained incredible power. It would strike fear into the heart of vampires, hope into the hearts of humans, and acceptance and adoration in the heart of witches.
July 11, 2017
New Release Tuesday - How to Slay a Werewolf and Prime Shadows
Another Tuesday, another new release. Actually, two there are two of them!
First up is How to Slay a Werewolf, a standalone in my Bedlam in Bethlehem UF series!
It should come as no surprise that Blake Damon hates vampires. He’s a vampire hunter after all. But there’s one other supernatural creature that he hates even more.
Maybe he should’ve known better than to try to play at an ordinary life. He’d been weak.
Blake will never be weak again.
Free with KU or only 99 cents!
~~~~
Next up is Deadly Reflection in Prime Shadows!
Explore the deepest darkness and the gray areas that form the shadows in our lives. Read stories that are intense, dark, and intriguing. The Phoenix Prime authors that contributed their stories to this anthology are ones that have the ability to see into the dark places of human souls. They have written stories that show us the flaws that make us human and the tortured scars that sometimes result from traumatic experiences.
Free with KU!
First up is How to Slay a Werewolf, a standalone in my Bedlam in Bethlehem UF series!
It should come as no surprise that Blake Damon hates vampires. He’s a vampire hunter after all. But there’s one other supernatural creature that he hates even more.
Maybe he should’ve known better than to try to play at an ordinary life. He’d been weak.
Blake will never be weak again.
Free with KU or only 99 cents!
~~~~
Next up is Deadly Reflection in Prime Shadows!
Explore the deepest darkness and the gray areas that form the shadows in our lives. Read stories that are intense, dark, and intriguing. The Phoenix Prime authors that contributed their stories to this anthology are ones that have the ability to see into the dark places of human souls. They have written stories that show us the flaws that make us human and the tortured scars that sometimes result from traumatic experiences.
Free with KU!
July 10, 2017
Monday Writing Report
Big surprise here - I'm working on another story! This one will be released in September. I'm so excited for it! It's called Dark Hunt and it features vampires and witches and humans and action and adventure and romance and dystopia and more!
July 7, 2017
Phoenix Prime Feature Friday - Prime Fiction
From moonshine runs to thought-provoking experiences, this anthology from the Phoenix Prime writer group will entertain you. The intriguing perspectives and sometimes hilarious situations in these stories showcase the quality storytelling that enables the reader to experience the story that they are reading.Come join us for the fun!
Free with KU!
This collection contains Crystal's Conviction, a look at Crystal and her faith before the events in A Question of Faith.
July 6, 2017
Throwback Thursday Excerpt Edition - Of Slumber and Discord
A little snippet from Of Slumber and Discord:
There she lays upon her bed large enough to fit three persons her size, beneath a ruby red silk blanket. Her mouth is perfect, those terrible lips parted slightly. It is her tongue that is wicked.As I stare at her, my will falter. She looks peaceful now as if she could not harm a single soul. To kill another is no easy task, and so she will remain asleep. No longer will she be a blight her kingdom, able to force others to submit to her every sung command.
With rushed urgency, I whisper the words of the sleeping curse, “Sleep and rest and know no more. You shall rest for all of yore. A single prick and deep sleep waits. Ne’er shall you wake ‘til evil abates.”
Read the story here!
There she lays upon her bed large enough to fit three persons her size, beneath a ruby red silk blanket. Her mouth is perfect, those terrible lips parted slightly. It is her tongue that is wicked.As I stare at her, my will falter. She looks peaceful now as if she could not harm a single soul. To kill another is no easy task, and so she will remain asleep. No longer will she be a blight her kingdom, able to force others to submit to her every sung command.
With rushed urgency, I whisper the words of the sleeping curse, “Sleep and rest and know no more. You shall rest for all of yore. A single prick and deep sleep waits. Ne’er shall you wake ‘til evil abates.”
Read the story here!
July 5, 2017
WIP Wednesday - The Cost of Greed
The Cost of Greed will be released on August 22nd!
Some have feared and hated witches. Fear, now that I can understand. Witches are powerful and not all are kind or generous with their abilities.
But, hate? That confuses me. Some witches are cruel, granted. Not everyone is good, humans and witches alike. Does that mean we desire to be despised, disdained, or disrespected?
No, most certainly not!
Some have feared and hated witches. Fear, now that I can understand. Witches are powerful and not all are kind or generous with their abilities.
But, hate? That confuses me. Some witches are cruel, granted. Not everyone is good, humans and witches alike. Does that mean we desire to be despised, disdained, or disrespected?
No, most certainly not!
July 4, 2017
New Release Tuesday - The Cost of Dominance
Two weeks ago, Of Gold and Deceit, my twisted take on Rumpelstiltskin, released. Now, you can read the tale of how he came to have his magical powers in The Cost of Dominance! Free with KU!
July 3, 2017
Monday Writing Report
I finished When Sirens Screech. I'm really pleased with the story, and I'm so excited for the new adventures Clarissa will face. Now it's off to be edited!
What's up next? A few short stories for more anthologies and then the next fairy tale. Have to give my twisted take on Hansel and Gretel! What fairy tale would you like to see twisted?
What's up next? A few short stories for more anthologies and then the next fairy tale. Have to give my twisted take on Hansel and Gretel! What fairy tale would you like to see twisted?
June 30, 2017
Phoenix Prime Feature Friday - Phoenix Galactic
The amazing visions of future life in space and on the new planets that many expect us to find are portrayed in the stories from the talented Phoenix Prime writers in this anthology. Their visions of adventure, romance, and conflict in future worlds provide unique perspectives on what might be. Come visit their worlds, step into their high-tech shoes. See what the future may hold for you and yours.This anthology has my second ever mil scifi story. Salore was so much fun to write. I'm really excited to dive into scifi, and I hope you'll enjoy the stories in this set! Read more here!
