Lynn Cahoon's Blog, page 28
October 20, 2013
More October News…
First things first – Last week to Like our page over at Sizzle and Sass and get your name in the running for a Kindle fire and a copy of Return of the Fae along with many other amazing Lyrical Press books.
Go here – - Now… I’ll wait. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sizzle-and-Sass/213212842173895
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UPDATE – I got a lookie at the cover for Guidebook to Murder: A Tourist Trap Mystery last week. I love it. Planning a cover reveal soon.
And speaking of the Tourist Trap Mystery Series, I’m on the back end of finishing book 3 and turning it into my Kensington editor. Having fun playing in my fictional California town.
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Another mystery note – I’m the newest member of The Stiletto Gang blog. I’ll be posting the first and third Monday’s along with my current blog on the second and fourth Tuesday’s over at Make Mine Mystery.
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On the romance field, I’ll have a short in Soul Mate Publishing’s Christmas Anthology. Look for Top Secret Santa soon.
And I’ve been getting a lot of fantastic reviews for A Member of the Council, Book 1 of The Council Series. If you haven’t read Parris and Ty’s story yet, check out the blurb over at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/A-Member-Council-ebook/dp/B00A262YW4
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I attended a Christie Craig workshop yesterday during my MoRWA chapter meeting. Thank you Claudia Shelton for such a great program.
Now it’s time to get back to Jill and the gang in South Cove and get this mystery solved. See you all on the other side of the deadline.
October 15, 2013
Witches, Fae, And A New Twist – Guest Post from Jessica Aspen
Witches, Fae, And A New Twist
Hi Lynn and thanks for having me as your guest today. For those of you who don’t know, I just published my first full length fantasy romance novel The Dark Huntsman and the funny thing is it has fae and witches in it. Does that sound like someone else’s books you know?
Of course it does. Lynn’s Council Series has those things too, but oh so different. One of the things I find fascinating about writers is our ability to take the same basic components of characters and come out with completely different stories. And as a reader, don’t you love when someone takes something you’re interested in and does something completely different with it?
I think that’s why Twilight’s sparkly vampires hit it big. Similar, but oh-so-different.
How many different ways are there to twist story elements? Billions? Tens of billions? A Googol? Maybe there isn’t a fixed number. After all we are talking not only about different people with different cultural backgrounds, but also different growth experiences and different ages. The amount of subtleties that influence how we view witches is mind-boggling.
You could think of the evil hags that consorted with the devil and hexed innocent people. That and the Salem witch trials influenced the movie Hocus Pocus, one of my Halloween favs. Or you could be thinking about Glinda the Good Witch’s sugary sweetness in the Wizard of Oz. That’s how we ended up with the amazing musical Wicked (Psst! Don’t read the book!) Or what about the more formal witches who are more like magician’s that we see in Harry Potter? (Lynn: Oh, Jessica, I so agree about Wicked. I wanted to love it, but no.)
I’ve used Wicca, the modern pagan religion as a basis for my magic and my witches, but since they interact with the fae and the more Tolkienish world of Underhill, it’s a twist. And that’s what authors do best. They take something we know, apply something else, wave their own wands and sprinkle in a little authorial magic and come up with a new world. A new tale. A new witch.
With Halloween coming up, what kind of witches do you like to read about? What witch romance or fae romances do you love? Have you read Lynn’s Council Series? Are you interested in reading a new twist on witches and the fae?
The Dark Huntsman:
A fantasy romance of the Black Court
An evil queen, a dangerous man, and a witch, tangled together in a tale of Snow White…
Desperate to save the last of her family from the murderous Faery Queen, Trina Mac Elvy weaves a spell of entrapment. But instead of a common soldier, the queen has released the Dark Huntsman, a full blooded fae with lethal powers.
Caged for treason, Logan Ni Brennan, is ready to do anything to win free of the manipulative queen, even if it includes running a last errand for her…murdering a witch. The sight of Trina, ready to fight despite the odds, gives him another option: use the witch as a chess piece, put the queen’s son on the throne, and bring down the queen forever.
As the queen slides into insanity and her closest advisor makes plans to succeed to the throne, Logan secrets Trina away in the enchanted forest and makes a decisive move in his dangerous game of manipulation. But the gaming tables of fate turn on him, and when Trina’s life is threatened he discovers he risks more than his freedom…he risks his heart.
Dare to enter Jessica Aspen’s world of steamy, fantasy romance in her new twisted fairy tale trilogy: Tales of the Black Court…
My Goodreads Book Giveaway is still underway. If you haven’t taken advantage of this opportunity to win a print copy of The Dark Huntsman, then what are you waiting for? And if you don’t want to wait for a print copy Amazon has The Dark Huntsman on sale right now for $12.00.
The Dark Huntsman by Jessica Aspen Giveaway ends October 22, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Buy on Amazon http://amzn.com/B00FN2P7A8
Add to Goodreads Shelf: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18481503-the-dark-huntsman
Author Bio:
Jessica Aspen has always wanted to be spirited away to a world inhabited by elves, were-wolves and sexy men who walk on the dark side of the knife. Luckily, she’s able to explore her fantasy side and delve into new worlds by writing paranormal romance. She loves indulging in dark chocolate, reading eclectic novels, and dreaming of ocean vacations, but instead spends most of her time, writing, walking the dog, and hiking in the Colorado Rockies. To sign up for Jessica Aspen’s new release email please go to: http://eepurl.com/zs4Sj
Author web links: (web, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads, etc)
Website: http://jessicaaspen.com
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5759763.Jessica_Aspen
https://twitter.com/JessicaAspen
https://www.facebook.com/JessicaAspenAuthor
http://pinterest.com/jessicaaspen/
Jessica Aspen’s non-spammy, new release email please go to: http://eepurl.com/zs4Sj
October 12, 2013
October is Breast Cancer Month – Get a mammogram.
I’m watching the latest Glee and bawling my eyes out. The loss of Finn/Cory brought a touch of reality to this feel good series. People aren’t supposed to die in the fantasy land that is television.
I’m naive, I know.
I understand people die for stupid reasons. Like drug use. And accidents. And cancer.
But I want the happy ever after that Cory will never have. For him. And for me.
October is Breast Cancer Month. Reminders of my own year of uncertainty are all over the internet, the television, and even in my local supermarket. Uncertainty of not knowing if my days were numbered rather than unlimited. Today, as a five year survivor, I still have moments of fear, but I also know to grab the things I want my life to express now, not someday.
If you’re female, do your breast exams, get a mammogram. If you’re male, remind your significant other, your sister, and your mother.
And everyone, hug the people you love. Because love is all you get.
Lynn
October 9, 2013
A Rake’s Progress- Guest blogger, Jenna Jaxon
A Rake’s Progress
I love rakes. And I don’t mean the garden tool used in autumn to gather leaves.
No, the rakes I love come from literary and romance novels–the original bad boys who make us swoon and do exactly what we know we shouldn’t do.
“The Rake burns with a desire that enflames the woman he is seducing.” Robert Green, The Art of Seduction
Nothing is more attractive to a woman than a man who desires her with a single-mindedness that takes the breath away. She cannot resist such a passion aimed at her–she must reciprocate no matter what.
Some great and famous rakes: Fronsac, Duke du Richelieu, John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester, George Gordon, Lord Byron, and Giacomo Casanova.
My favorite (and best in my estimation) rake in literature has to be Valmont from Dangerous Liaisons, adapted from the 18th century novel by de Laclos. His charm, wit, and persuasive talents, as he seduces not one, but two very different women at the same time, are spellbinding to watch. As John Malkovich portrayed him, he would have had me at hello.
My rake, the Marquess of Dalbury, has a very scandalous past. He began his affairs with women at the age of sixteen. And although he took several mistresses, he still managed to bed around 700 women in the course of ten years by his estimation. Duncan has a rake’s marvelous command of language and an innate knowledge of what a woman wants or needs to hear. He’s charming, witty, and quite an actor when he needs to be to get what he wants.
So how does my rake plan a seduction? In Only Scandal Will Do, he tries to seduce Katarina when he’s with her in the brothel. He plays on her need to believe that he’s accepted her story. So he treats her as a damsel in distress:
Excerpt from Only Scandal Will Do:
“You are distraught, my lady. It has been a harrowing night for you. Please allow me to come to your aid.” He brought her hands to rest on the soft black cloak that disguised the solid expanse of his chest. The concern and respect in his voice, which had so recently mocked and insulted her, broke through her crumbling defenses. Ready to drop from weariness, she could not reclaim the strength leached away by the excitements of the night. And his chest was so strong and warm under her palms. Incredibly warm. Kat sighed as that heat stole into her body, relaxing the muscles in her hands and arms inch by inch.
The face beneath the mask softened, his lips turned up in a tender smile. He traced a line down her cheek with the back of one finger. “Allow me take care of you, my dear.”
His touch, like fine silk drawn over her skin, sent a pang of longing through her. Could she permit someone else to be strong for her, just this once? He understood the fears she faced tonight and sought to vanquish them, as any knight errant would seek to make amends. He continued to stroke her cheek, her jaw, her chin, his touch feather light. A powerful, unreasoning desire assaulted her to feel his strong arms around her, sheltering her from the harsh world. She was hardly surprised, then, to find him gathering her against his broad chest.
“Lean your head just there, sweet.”
She could hear the strong beat of his heart, smell the clean, comforting citrus of his cologne. The fresh scent reminded her of home.
“You will be all right now,” he whispered, holding her securely to him. Safe at last. She closed her eyes and leaned into his caresses, contentment stealing through her for the first time since leaving Virginia.
With a finger beneath her chin, he lifted her face up to his. Her eyes flew open and peace fled as he pressed her mouth with a gentle kiss that stole what breath she had left. His lips–soft, warm, insistent–generated heat all the way to her toes. A sensation so overpowering she forgot everything around her, giving herself completely to the pleasures of that kiss.
Not a bad strategy. Looks to be working. But all seductions don’t go as planned. Always keep that in mind when designing yours. J
I hope you enjoyed spending time with my rake today. And to help you Enjoy the Scandal, I’m offering a copy of Only Scandal Will Do to a random commenter who tells me if you’ve ever been seduced by a rake/bad boy before?
He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?
Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.
Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?
WARNING: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.
Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance. Her historical romance, Only Scandal Will Do, the first in a series of five interconnecting novels, was released in July 2012. Her contemporary works include Hog Wild, Almost Perfect, and 7 Days of Seduction. She is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America as well as a member of Chesapeake Romance Writers. Her medieval romance, Time Enough to Love, is being published this year as a series of three novellas. The first book, Betrothal, released on April 19th.
Jenna has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, she has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own stories. She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets. When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director. She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage.
She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.
Only Scandal Will Do
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Jenna Jaxon
Author Links:
Blog: http://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/
FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Jaxon/146857578723570
Twitter: @Jenna_Jaxon
Buy Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/only-scandal-will-do-jenna-jaxon/1112953790?ean=9781616504328
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-onlyscandalwilldo-889554-160.html
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/only-scandal-will-do/id536593279?mt=11
September 27, 2013
Winner – announced!
Barb Bettis has randomly chosen by using a little person pulling a name and the winner is…
Selena Fulton.
Selena – Barb will be reaching out to deliver your $10 gift certificate.
Don’t forget to grab a copy of Silverhawk for your very own…. 
September 25, 2013
Meet the Neighbors Welcomes Ellen Parker author of Starr Tree Farm
It’s a MoRWA week again here on Meet the Neighbors. I met Ellen a few years ago when I joined my first writer’s group. Ellen just released her debut, Starr Tree Farm, with Crimson Romance. Please welcome Ellen to the blog…
Time for your interrogation, I mean, interview…. What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
Join a writing group! Acting on this advice led me to MORWA, a local chapter of Romance Writers of America. The group has given me education, support, and the occasional swift kick to get going again. I strongly recommend that any serious, or not sure if you’re serious, writer seek out either a local or on-line writing group.
Great advice, I’ve learn so much from my membership – What’s your writing schedule? Are you a full time writer?
Since retirement from my day job a few years ago I’ve been able to devote more time to writing. I’m a morning person and my most productive hours are before I slip into a mid-afternoon slump.
I hear you! I’ve had to train myself to write at night. But I love morning words. – What’s your writing must have snack? Or drink?
Morning fuel is coffee – hot and black.
Is there any other kind? – Tell us about your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?
Starr Tree Farm, my debut book, is a sweet romantic suspense. My hometown gave inspiration for the setting and then I tried to tell a story that you could share with either mother or daughter. It’s a reunion story, with a young widow and a hero that she always considered a pest during her childhood visits to a small Wisconsin community. They haven’t seen each other for sixteen years and a lot of experiences have happened.
I love reunion stories and I really enjoyed reading Starr Tree Farm. What do you enjoy most about writing?
Watching my characters develop as I answer the “what if…” question dozens of times.
Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or…?
I tend to begin with a situation and then pose questions to myself to discover how the character, or characters, got there. I tend to know the beginning and end of a story and then need to plot and research how to get from one to the other.
What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?
I’d like a reader to close my book with a feeling of hope and some confidence that justice, truth, and love will win in the end.
List two authors we would find you reading when taking a break from your own writing.
Only two? The first ones that come to mind write historical. Jeannie Lin — her books get better with each one. And I’m looking forward to Joanna Bourne’s next release.
Ellen, thanks for stopping in – now tell us a little about your book.
Starr Tree Farm -
One year after her husband’s murder, Laura Tanner’s grief has turned to frustration at the stalled police investigation. She accepts an invitation from relatives to leave St. Louis and tend their Christmas tree farm near Crystal Springs, Wisconsin, for two weeks. The small, peaceful community full of fond childhood memories is just the place for her to move plans of a bookstore off paper and into reality. Plus, she’ll prod her reluctant private investigator uncle — there must be something he can do long distance to find justice for her husband. Brad Asher’s military career ended when he lost an arm in Afghanistan. He’s returned home to Crystal Springs and works part-time in real estate. When he learns of Laura’s plans to settle in the community, he makes a few of his own. As the neighbor boy during her summer visits, he bumbled the opportunity to express his admiration for her. He’s determined to make the most of this second chance.
But Laura’s arrival from St. Louis threatens this future as events around her husband’s murder follow
her. Can Brad keep her safe and in his life?
Readers can find Ellen at: www.ellenparkerwrites.wordpress.com or: www.facebook.com/ellenparkerwrites
Starr Tree Farm is available from:http://www.amazon.com/Starr-Tree-Crimson-Romance-ebook/dp/B00DV0XJB8/
and: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/starr-tree-farm-ellen-parker/1116059079?ean=9781440571596
September 18, 2013
Meet The Neighbors Welcomes Barbara Bettis author of Silverhawk and a Giveaway!
Meet the Neighbors is thrilled to have on of the nicest writers out there on the blog today. Barb is one of my chapter mates over at MoRWA and I’ve been honored to get to know this woman. Barb’s a debut author with Silverhawk, so I’ll let her take over the page from here. Welcome Barb.
I’m thrilled to be here with you, Lynn, on this Special Day. J My book SILVERHAWK is FREE today for download at Amazon. This is the second day, actually. Here’s the link: http://amzn.to/1bQX3td
To celebrate my FREE days, I’m giving away a $10 Gift Certificate for one lucky commenter. Don’t forget to leave your email addresses.
The book will be free for the rest of the week, too. Through Saturday. But don’t wait 
I’ve got my copy! So, what’s it like as a debut author?
Well, it makes me say things like I just did (don’t wait, download now J). And putting myself forward like that sends me way out of my comfort zone. I’m rather quiet (until I know someone really well). That’s odd, too, because I worked as a journalist for several years. But getting a story was different, I suppose, because I wasn’t the focus.
Promoting does seem to be the burden of most writers. What’s your writing schedule? Are you a full time writer?
I write in the evenings and on weekends, because I teach. I say I would like to write full time, but the reality is, I think I’m better organized when I have more demands on my time. It’s like having an external deadline. Goodness, that implies I lack self-discipline. Not always, but too often, true.
I agree with you. When my time is short, I’m more focused. But I’d love to have the challenges of a full time writer. What’s your writing must-have snack? Or drink?
Munchies, including red grapes. Because I’m perpetually on a diet, I try to stay away from sweets, but it doesn’t always happen. And I always have a cup of tea, sometimes coffee, at hand. I’m trying to keep a bottle of water as well, because that’s really healthier.
Seems like I’m always on a diet anymore too. Ugh. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
May not be a quirk, but when I have a knot in the plot, or my characters are rebelling, I do one of two things. One: I go for a drive. I have no idea why that seems to clarify issues, but it does. Often on the way to school in the mornings, I work out problems (then hope I remember them when I get home to write them down.) Two: I read. It seems to occupy one part of my mind and free up another to work out dilemmas.
What did you learn from writing your first book?
Don’t try to make it perfect the first time through. You will change that scene you spent two days polishing to a sheen. Just get it down, make major corrections from your periodic critique sessions, then be ready to do the major edits after you type that first, “The End.”
If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what would it be?
Write. Now. Forget your silly reasons for not, and do what you really want to do. Write.
Good heavens, Lynn. You have a way of making your guests do way too much introspection—does this mean you’re sending me a bill for consultation? LOL.
Bill is in the mail. 
Here’s the blurb for Giles and Emelin’s story, Silverhawk.
He’s everything a proper lady should never want; she’s everything a bastard mercenary can never have.
Sir Giles has come to England to kill his father, who seduced and betrayed his mother. First, however, he’ll seek sweet revenge—kidnap the old lord’s new betrothed. But when Giles uncovers a plot against King Richard, he faces a dilemma: take the lady or track the traitors. What’s a good mercenary to do? Both, of course.
Lady Emelin has had enough. Abandoned in a convent by her brother, she finally has a chance for home and family. Yet now she’s been abducted. Her kidnapper may be the image of her dream knight, but she won’t allow him to spoil this betrothal. Her only solution: escape
Rescuing the intrepid lady—while hunting traitors—is a challenge Giles couldn’t anticipate. But the greatest challenge to Giles and Emelin is the fire blazing between them. For he’s everything a proper lady should never want, and she’s everything a bastard mercenary can never have.
https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraBettisAuthor
The buy link for Amazon: http://amzn.to/1bQX3td
September 13, 2013
Cover reveal -The Dark Huntsman by Jessica Aspen
Happy Friday the 13th! To celebrate, Jessica Aspen has agreed to share the ‘hot’ cover for her upcoming indie release, The Dark Huntsman. So here we go… Jessica’s giving away 10 e-copies through Rafflecopter, so make sure you click through for your chance to win.
The Dark Huntsman:
A fantasy romance of the Black Court
Author Name: Jessica Aspen
Name of series and book number in series: Book one, Tales of the Black Court
Genres: Spicy, Fantasy Romance, Twisted Fairy Tales
Publisher: Abacadabra Publishing
Release date: October 2013
ISBN e-copy: 978-0-9899558-0-5
Word Count: 88,000 words
Formats available: kindle, epub, pdf, paperback
Cover Artist: Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Designs www.covertocoverdesigns.com
Add to Goodreads shelf: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18481503-the-dark-huntsman
Blurb/Book Description:
An evil queen, a dangerous man, and a witch, tangled together in a tale of Snow White…
Desperate to save the last of her family from the murderous Faery Queen, Trina Mac Elvy weaves a spell of entrapment. But instead of a common soldier, the queen has released the Dark Huntsman, a full blooded fae with lethal powers.
Caged for treason, Logan Ni Brennan, is ready to do anything to win free of the manipulative queen, even if it includes running a last errand for her…murdering a witch. The sight of Trina, ready to fight despite the odds, gives him another option: use the witch as a chess piece, put the queen’s son on the throne, and bring down the queen forever.
As the queen slides into insanity and her closest advisor makes plans to succeed to the throne, Logan secrets Trina away in the enchanted forest and makes a decisive move in his dangerous game of manipulation. But the gaming tables of fate turn on him, and when Trina’s life is threatened he discovers he risks more than his freedom…he risks his heart.
Dare to enter Jessica Aspen’s world of steamy, fantasy romance in her new twisted fairy tale trilogy: Tales of the Black Court…
Author Bio:
Jessica Aspen has always wanted to be spirited away to a world inhabited by elves, were-wolves and sexy men who walk on the dark side of the knife. Luckily, she’s able to explore her fantasy side and delve into new worlds by writing paranormal romance. She loves indulging in dark chocolate, reading eclectic novels, and dreaming of ocean vacations, but instead spends most of her time, writing, walking the dog, and hiking in the Colorado Rockies. To sign up for Jessica Aspen’s new release email please go to: http://eepurl.com/zs4Sj
Find Jessica here -
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5759763.Jessica_Aspen
https://twitter.com/JessicaAspen
https://www.facebook.com/JessicaAspenAuthor
http://pinterest.com/jessicaaspen/
Tour giveaway – Ten e-copies http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NGVlYzlmNGM1MjM2OGUzOTI4MzJhOTg4MjhkNzczOjI=/
Excerpt:
Trina raced out the door, forgetting again about the broken bottom porch step. The rotting wood gave under her foot. She hit hard on her hands and knees. The heavy duffle bag swung down and slammed into her arm, tipping open, the sacred ritual tools scattering into the dirt.
Her throat swelled tight. She swallowed back forbidden tears, sat up, and brushed off the tiny rocks embedded in her flesh.
“Damn it!”
She didn’t have time for this.
Scrambling around in the dirt and weeds, she grabbed the precious tools, tossing them like discarded toys into the duffle. Why hadn’t the Goddess Gifted her with time manipulation? Then she wouldn’t have to worry about all this crap.
Ignoring the gorgeous dusty golds and ambers of fall in rural Wyoming, she hauled the loaded duffle up the rapidly darkening hill. Something was coming to the peaceful valley. Cassie had dreamed it, and even if her dreams were subject to interpretation the meaning had been clear. Tonight at sunset, the queen’s dog would descend.
Whatever the hell “queen’s dog” meant.
Sometimes it took more talent than a whole family of witches to figure out the symbolism of Cassie’s visions. Whatever creature the Faerie Queen sent tonight didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was that the last of her family was safe, speeding away in the ancient avocado van.
Doubt quivered low in her belly. The trap spell required more knowledge and power than she possessed, but she had to try. She didn’t know if they’d have another opportunity to grab one of the queen’s scouts before the reinforcements arrived. It was all up to her. They needed information and they needed it soon, before they ran out of places to run.
She reached the point where the rocks began near the old cottonwood at the entrance to the sage labyrinth. An exact eighteen feet across, the sacred three-times-three-times-three, and barely hitting two and-a-half feet tall, it had taken much of her green talent to get it to grow into the classic winding spiral walk used for meditation and spells. No longer the place where she and her cousins had come for spiritual practice, now the stubby double spiral of green and its small center circle would have to change gears from sacred meditation spot to the place she made her stand.
Trina swallowed her fear and reluctance down deep in her gut, dumped her duffle, and stripped off her clothes. A hard gust of the ever-present Wyoming wind shook her. The newly bared skin of her belly shivered and dread trailed chilly fingers down her spine.
She caught herself checking over her shoulder, finding nothing but the empty landscape. If there were any other way to do this besides bare-assed-naked, she would. But cotton was a downer, it dampened magical fields almost as much as wool. And tonight she had to be unfettered, able to draw as much power as she possibly could. She would need it all.
As soon as the goblin, halfling, or whatever, was in her trap, her clothes could go back on. Then she’d tackle the interrogation and be gone before the big guns arrived. Trolls, ogres, a horde of goblins, no, she’d be long gone before any of those arrived to do the actual killing.
She hoped.
Trying not to rush her steps, the wind lashing dirt against her bare skin, she walked the perimeter of the small labyrinth heading sunwise.
North, East, South, West. She set candles into lanterns at the four corners and lit each one with a prayer to Danu. With each step, apprehension uncoiled in her stomach, radiating out and shaking her hands until it was near impossible for her to light the last candle.
She shoved her anxiety back into her aching stomach and pulled her white handled athame out of the duffle. Breathing deep, she moved the ritual knife, sharp double-blade point up, between her breasts. Energy skidded across her skin. Small hairs on her body rose and her nipples puckered tight.
Time to begin.
Earth magic throbbing under her feet, Trina took the first step into the labyrinth to walk the outer circle and set the wards. Her Gift opened wide. The darkening valley glowed magical colors as the earth’s swirling energies, the soft green of growth and the rich brown of decay, flowed up her legs and into her solar plexus.
She used her body, her anger, and her fear. Anger at the Faery Queen for the constant harassment and extermination of her family and her tribe. Fear of what came next, what might be riding on the coattails of the sunset.
Pulsing with power, she paced deeper and deeper into the labyrinth, static lifting her long black hair into a crackling wild nimbus. She pulled and twisted the vibrant orange and red of her anxiety into the alchemy of the earth’s brown and green energy, weaving them together into an invisible net.
Each measured step layered power into the fabric of her spell. Each movement of the athame directed the energy where it needed to go. Just as darkness dipped its toes into the valley, she turned the last curve into the double spiral’s center.
Her rage and fear coalesced into the final strands of the spell leaving her shaking and exhausted as the last of the afterglow faded from the sky, a stunning show of deep purple on grey. A sonorous quiet descended. No birds, no coyotes. Just the wind sending small trails of skittering leaves through the labyrinth. Prickles of anticipation trembled on her bare spine.
It would be here soon. It was coming fast. And it was coming for her.
And one more look…
September 11, 2013
Meet the Neighbors gets a sneak peek at Going Down in Flames by Chris Cannon
Meet the Neighbors is pleased to have debut author and MoRWA chapter mate, Chris Cannon here to talk about her upcoming Entangled Teen release, Going Down in Flames.
Bryn’s tattoo is a yin yang symbol representing her mixed dragon heritage.
I’m so looking forward to reading Going Down in Flames! And I love Bryn’s tattoo. Tell me your call story.
I pitched to Theresa Cole, from Entangled Publishing, through an online contest and was thrilled when she asked for the full. Then I waited, compulsively checking my email on an hourly basis. I was in IHOP when I learned that she planned to pitch my story to the editorial director of the Entangled Teen line for acquisitions. I may have made one of those girly high-pitched squealing noises, but it was ten on a Saturday night so most people didn’t pay much attention.
When a senior editor came on board, I was so excited. Then I waited while it went to the acquisitions committee who would decide if it was marketable. Five nail-biting months later, I received the email telling me they were purchasing my book for the new Entangled Teen line, Ember.
What’s your writing schedule? Are you a full time writer?
I work for a school district, so I joke that I’m a full time writer from the end of May to the beginning of August. During the school year, I come home from work, fix dinner, do the dishes and then shut myself in my office until I write the desired number of words. I try to write 1000 words a night, but that doesn’t always happen. When my husband feels neglected, he calls out, “I used to have a wife, but then she started writing.” That’s my cue to wrap up and join him and the furry beasts in the living room or on the deck outside if weather permits.
Juggling a full time job, beasts, a husband and a writing life is hard. I get it. Tell us about your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?
Going Down In Flames is a paranormal young adult romance, which I hope will have crossover appeal. I’ve always believed that young adult means the age of the characters, not the reader.
If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what would it be?
Never give up. It took five years to find someone who believed in my dragons. Also, keep writing while you’re waiting for the call.
I agree – the determined win in this environment. I’m glad you stuck to it. Any thing else?
I think all aspiring authors should read Stephen King’s book, On Writing. I am a writing craft book junkie. On Writing is the best book about writing I’ve ever read.
My favorite writing book as well!
Going Down in Flames Blurb:
Bryn McKenna knows life isn’t a fairy tale, she doesn’t expect to be treated like a princess, but finding out she’s a shape shifting dragon is a shock. On the eve of her sixteenth birthday a tall, dark and tattooed Zavien Blackthorn follows Bryn home and scares her into breathing fire for the first time.
It turns out her parents ran away from a secret society of shape shifters to escape arranged marriages. They never told her of their true nature because they weren’t sure if cross breeding between dragon clans would produce a functional shape shifting dragon. Breathing flames whenever she’s pissed off is a problem, but that doesn’t mean she’s happy about being shipped off to a boarding school where she’ll learn to control her new powers or be forced to wear a muzzle. Bryn fights the archaic society head on, because if her life is going down in flames, she’s taking everyone with her.
Thanks Chris for stopping in!
Website link www.chriscannonauthor.com
September 8, 2013
Rainy Sunday Musing
At least it is here in St. Louis. We woke up to rolling thunder. 
I’m still hunkered down in the editing cave, working on the second Tourist Trap mystery and thinking about sunny California and my adventures a few years ago.
I was divorcing my husband of 17 years and needed some time alone to figure out where my life was taking me. Later I realized that mental exercise would take years and still isn’t complete. As I visited with my sister during the evenings over dinner, I talked about my adventures during the day. 
I drove the Santa Barbara road where James Dean crashed his car. I had lunch in a Mexican restaurant in a plaza – feeding the pigeons at my feet. I found a rose on the San Diego beach, washed up from a burial at sea. I visited missions and walked through the cool rooms, feeling the history. And I found a small tourist town with a run down dilapidated house that wouldn’t leave my memory.
As an author, I’m often asked where I get my ideas for stories. In fact, my 87 year old mother doesn’t understand how I make up that many worlds. (I would think she of all people would understand my gift for the story.)
My only answer, is the stories come to me. Mostly from places, like that old house. And a dark bar, smelling of beer. And a rodeo parade, watching the horse teams ride by. And an airport. And a big cat sanctuary.
And I’m glad they choose me to tell their stories.
