M.M. Kin's Blog, page 4
December 29, 2016
my next book
The holidays have been hell for me. Between work, stress at home, and dealing with two concurrent illnesses that reduced me to little more than a Catherine's Wheel of sick and other bodily fluids, I have not done any work on Worthy of Love, after a long night at work I just didn't want to look at my editor's notes. Other people have been sick as well.
However, I am on the mend, and am happy to share some news with you.
Worthy of Love is slated for release Jan 21, 2017. It will be in the same format and size as Seeds, paperback-wise. Of course, it will also be available in e-book, for 4.99. The paperback should be about 13 dollars, depending on the printing costs.
I have also FINALLY decided on the title for Hades' Story - Khthonios. Worthy of Love with include a sneak peek of Khthonios as a treat for my readers for their support and patience.
Happy New Years!
However, I am on the mend, and am happy to share some news with you.
Worthy of Love is slated for release Jan 21, 2017. It will be in the same format and size as Seeds, paperback-wise. Of course, it will also be available in e-book, for 4.99. The paperback should be about 13 dollars, depending on the printing costs.
I have also FINALLY decided on the title for Hades' Story - Khthonios. Worthy of Love with include a sneak peek of Khthonios as a treat for my readers for their support and patience.
Happy New Years!
November 15, 2016
Worthy of Love is complete!
Ladies and gentlemen, I am absolutely chuffed to report that Worthy of Love is finally done. Manuscript has been edited, new scenes have been written and added to the appropriate places within the manuscript, scenes have been tweaked and details modified, and all that! It's now ready to be sent to my editors, and I have given my cover designer the go ahead to proceed. I am hoping for a release date of Jan 1st. Keep your fingers crossed!
September 9, 2016
Major Update
Well, folks. i finally did it... up till almost a week ago, I had roughly half of the original manuscript of Worthy of Love left to edit. Over the last few days, I have really pushed myself to this task, and powered through the rest of the book, doing all the necessary editing. Sentences and even a few paragraphs were deleted or rewritten, one scene was deleted and a smaller one put in its place, and various little words here and there were tweaked.
Yes, folks. The edit of the original manuscript is done!!!! Whee!!! All that is left is to write out the couple of new scenes I have left to add to the story, and then to send that off to my editors and contact my cover designer about the book.
THIS IS HAPPENING. IT IS HAPPENING FOR REAL.
Yes, folks. The edit of the original manuscript is done!!!! Whee!!! All that is left is to write out the couple of new scenes I have left to add to the story, and then to send that off to my editors and contact my cover designer about the book.
THIS IS HAPPENING. IT IS HAPPENING FOR REAL.
July 5, 2016
it's a dick move, fellas
Piracy, that is. I, and many other authors have to deal with assholes ripping our books for illegal downloads/torrents. I can’t tell you how many DMCA notices I’ve had to file since I published my first book.
People who want to whine and be all like ‘but I can’t afford a book/movie!’ STFU., The Internet costs money, and so do the devices that access the Internet. If you have a desktop, tablet, laptop, or mobile phone, then you certainly can afford the price of a book, or movie, or song, or whatever it is you’re looking to pirate. Said devices cost a hell of a lot more money than the few dollars it takes to purchase an e-book or movie download. So does that Internet/service/data plan.
I price my books with my readers in mind - my books are only 4.99 each for the Nook or Kindle, which is cheaper than most meals, and cheaper than nearly every form of entertainment out there, including, yes, your Internet and device!
Complaining about the price of a book/movie/music download and going to illegal sites to torrent it is no better than bitching about prices at a brick and mortar store, and helping yourself to a five-finger discount. Either way, it’s stealing, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. There really is no excuse for stealing, unless you have absolutely no money and your children are starving so you steal a loaf of bread and some milk so you can feed them.
I’ve witnessed shoplifting several times (both as an employee at the stores i worked in, and as a customer at other stores) and it was NEVER for something that was actually important/lifesaving (except for condoms, but that’s another matter…)
Authors and artists work hard at their craft. Every dollar an indie author earns means a lot to them. Not that I encourage ripping big-name authors like Stephen King or whatever, he works hard at his books like I do, and even if he makes a lot more money than I do, I feel he is entitled to every bit of it. All the books I own have been either purchased properly, were hand me downs (from people who presumably paid for them) obtained from Little Free Libraries, or were given to me by other authors for reading and reviewing.
Illegally downloading books is a total dick move. It hurts authors, especially indie ones who have to scramble for each cent they earn, and if you really could not afford a few dollars for a book, you wouldn’t be able to afford your Internet subscription or electronic device, so you just look like a lazy, cheap dumbass when you pirate.
People who want to whine and be all like ‘but I can’t afford a book/movie!’ STFU., The Internet costs money, and so do the devices that access the Internet. If you have a desktop, tablet, laptop, or mobile phone, then you certainly can afford the price of a book, or movie, or song, or whatever it is you’re looking to pirate. Said devices cost a hell of a lot more money than the few dollars it takes to purchase an e-book or movie download. So does that Internet/service/data plan.
I price my books with my readers in mind - my books are only 4.99 each for the Nook or Kindle, which is cheaper than most meals, and cheaper than nearly every form of entertainment out there, including, yes, your Internet and device!
Complaining about the price of a book/movie/music download and going to illegal sites to torrent it is no better than bitching about prices at a brick and mortar store, and helping yourself to a five-finger discount. Either way, it’s stealing, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. There really is no excuse for stealing, unless you have absolutely no money and your children are starving so you steal a loaf of bread and some milk so you can feed them.
I’ve witnessed shoplifting several times (both as an employee at the stores i worked in, and as a customer at other stores) and it was NEVER for something that was actually important/lifesaving (except for condoms, but that’s another matter…)
Authors and artists work hard at their craft. Every dollar an indie author earns means a lot to them. Not that I encourage ripping big-name authors like Stephen King or whatever, he works hard at his books like I do, and even if he makes a lot more money than I do, I feel he is entitled to every bit of it. All the books I own have been either purchased properly, were hand me downs (from people who presumably paid for them) obtained from Little Free Libraries, or were given to me by other authors for reading and reviewing.
Illegally downloading books is a total dick move. It hurts authors, especially indie ones who have to scramble for each cent they earn, and if you really could not afford a few dollars for a book, you wouldn’t be able to afford your Internet subscription or electronic device, so you just look like a lazy, cheap dumbass when you pirate.
January 26, 2016
come and see!
I really need to be more active on my sites, heh. I know I rarely update, but truth be told, I have little to say that I feel is relevant, and I would rather have a few good posts/entries than a whole bunch of silly, meaningless entries about what I ate or did that day, or some crap like that. Between real life, including a full-time job, and my writing, I prefer to not putter around on the Internet too much, hence my limited amount of journal/blog entries.
I have a Tumblr, blog, and Facebook. You can follow just one, as I post almost the same thing on all 3, or links to the same thing.
Tumblr http://mmkin.tumblr.com/
Blog http://ememkin.blogspot.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/MM-Kin...
My current projects include more stories set in the universe of Seeds, as mentioned in previous blogs - Worthy of Love, Hades' Story (title still to be decided on) and stories based on other myths from around the world. I also have a novel in the works set in a fantasy world, with a couple more planned to be set in that same world.
I have a Tumblr, blog, and Facebook. You can follow just one, as I post almost the same thing on all 3, or links to the same thing.
Tumblr http://mmkin.tumblr.com/
Blog http://ememkin.blogspot.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/MM-Kin...
My current projects include more stories set in the universe of Seeds, as mentioned in previous blogs - Worthy of Love, Hades' Story (title still to be decided on) and stories based on other myths from around the world. I also have a novel in the works set in a fantasy world, with a couple more planned to be set in that same world.
November 29, 2015
Author Spotlight: Rachel Alexander
It's been a while since I did an Author's Spotlight, and it gives me no small amount of pleasure to introduce a talented fellow author, Rachel Alexander! Recently, she released the first book in a duology based off the myth of Hades and Persephone (gods, I do love that myth!)
Receiver of Many is rich in prose and image, and the story itself is written fantastically. I have written a more complete review of the book over at Amazon and Goodreads. I can say in all honesty that if you enjoy the myth of Hades and Persephone, this book should not disappoint you.
The second book in this duology, Destroyer of Light, comes out next year. It is one book that I am having a hard time waiting for, given how much I enjoyed Receiver of Many. She also has a third book to be released, 'Thrice Plowed Field' which ties in with her duology.
My Amazon review http://www.amazon.com/review/R6XHP7M6...
goodread http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Ms. Alexander has other websites you can also follow, including her own Goodreads.
Blog https://rachelalexanderofficial.wordp...
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Alexande...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/receiverofmany/
Tumblr http://kata-chthonia.tumblr.com/
Receiver of Many is rich in prose and image, and the story itself is written fantastically. I have written a more complete review of the book over at Amazon and Goodreads. I can say in all honesty that if you enjoy the myth of Hades and Persephone, this book should not disappoint you.
The second book in this duology, Destroyer of Light, comes out next year. It is one book that I am having a hard time waiting for, given how much I enjoyed Receiver of Many. She also has a third book to be released, 'Thrice Plowed Field' which ties in with her duology.
My Amazon review http://www.amazon.com/review/R6XHP7M6...
goodread http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Ms. Alexander has other websites you can also follow, including her own Goodreads.
Blog https://rachelalexanderofficial.wordp...
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Alexande...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/receiverofmany/
Tumblr http://kata-chthonia.tumblr.com/
August 16, 2015
Upcoming new novel
This is a sneak peek for a upcoming novel, Moonshadows. (Rest assured, I continue to work on my Interludes in Myth books!)
All pre-publication material is subject to edits/change. Copyright 2015 M.M. Kin
Prince Kuoji stared at the vista that spread out before him, the white towers of the Palace of the Sun jutting up into the sky like an ivory dagger. Bleached from several centuries' worth of sunlit days, the pale stone was visible from miles around. To the people of the kingdom of Corona, the Palace was a testament of beauty and strength, and a symbol of the gods' blessings upon the land.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips as he recalled his time spent within the Palace. Back then he'd been nothing more than a servant, the bastard son of a woman who'd been taken as a concubine by an Atyamai man before she'd managed to escape him while she was pregnant. He'd endured the scorn and prejudice of adults and children alike due to his obvious mixed heritage.
It'd been nearly a decade since he'd last seen this place. However, he was no longer someone to be looked down at. When he set foot into the Palace, it would not be as a lowly half-breed servant. It would be as Prince of the Atyamai, son of the Emperor Imonje. He would relish the expression on King Helin's face when the old man saw who it was that had come to take his crown away from him.
He turned his head, his dark green eyes fixing upon the woman next to him. With hair as dark as his own, and skin like alabaster, the similarity between the two could not be missed despite the fact that he was only half Atyamainese. It'd been remarked upon more than once in the Imperial Court how the two could have such similar facial expressions. She had a slight smile on her lips that mirrored his own.
“How does it feel? Experiencing any nostalgia?” the woman asked, her eyes as dark as her hair as she regarded him. Like him, she was clad in armor of exquisite quality, lightweight compared to the traditional armor generally worn in Corona, yet no less efficient in its design, especially considering its wearer.
“Perhaps a bit, Aunt. However, I can assure you, that is no impediment to our goal.”
“I did not think it would be. However, I know there is a prize you seek. I will not impede you from it, but I must remind you that a long time has passed.” Her voice was gentle, yet carried an undertone of steel.
He took a deep breath. Azami was right, and he was already aware of the possibilities. Things could, and usually did, change with the passing of years, and people certainly were no exception to the rule. He'd been aware of this truth for years, especially as his own person was evidence of just how much weight this maxim held. In his case, the changes had been positive. He could only hope that for the person he longed to see, the years had not eroded away the positive things he remembered.
“We will see what happens. My commitment to our goal will remain the same regardless of what happens.”
Azami's smile became warmer. “I only want to see you happy.”
His response to that was a brief nod before he turned around to face the army that was massed before him and his aunt. Banners of white fluttered in the breeze, the black shape on them easily discernible as a hand with its palm facing the viewer, its fingers and thumb straight as if to signal 'stop'. The sigil was recognized across the empire of Atyamai, and even in Corona, where this dark hand stood for their greatest enemy. In reality, it was the crest of the rulers of Atyamai, the dark hand a literal and figurative symbol of their power.
One of the generals approached the pair, bowing his head before looking up at them.
“The men are in readiness, and those in the Palace are prepared for their part.”
“Excellent,” Azami replied. “Let us tarry no longer, then.” She lightly dug her heels into the side of her russet-colored horse, and Kuoji did the same, setting his own ebony steed in a brisk trot.
Seemingly as one, the army moved, the blacks and grays of the massed soldiers making it seem as if a shadow was moving across the verdant land.
All pre-publication material is subject to edits/change. Copyright 2015 M.M. Kin
Prince Kuoji stared at the vista that spread out before him, the white towers of the Palace of the Sun jutting up into the sky like an ivory dagger. Bleached from several centuries' worth of sunlit days, the pale stone was visible from miles around. To the people of the kingdom of Corona, the Palace was a testament of beauty and strength, and a symbol of the gods' blessings upon the land.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips as he recalled his time spent within the Palace. Back then he'd been nothing more than a servant, the bastard son of a woman who'd been taken as a concubine by an Atyamai man before she'd managed to escape him while she was pregnant. He'd endured the scorn and prejudice of adults and children alike due to his obvious mixed heritage.
It'd been nearly a decade since he'd last seen this place. However, he was no longer someone to be looked down at. When he set foot into the Palace, it would not be as a lowly half-breed servant. It would be as Prince of the Atyamai, son of the Emperor Imonje. He would relish the expression on King Helin's face when the old man saw who it was that had come to take his crown away from him.
He turned his head, his dark green eyes fixing upon the woman next to him. With hair as dark as his own, and skin like alabaster, the similarity between the two could not be missed despite the fact that he was only half Atyamainese. It'd been remarked upon more than once in the Imperial Court how the two could have such similar facial expressions. She had a slight smile on her lips that mirrored his own.
“How does it feel? Experiencing any nostalgia?” the woman asked, her eyes as dark as her hair as she regarded him. Like him, she was clad in armor of exquisite quality, lightweight compared to the traditional armor generally worn in Corona, yet no less efficient in its design, especially considering its wearer.
“Perhaps a bit, Aunt. However, I can assure you, that is no impediment to our goal.”
“I did not think it would be. However, I know there is a prize you seek. I will not impede you from it, but I must remind you that a long time has passed.” Her voice was gentle, yet carried an undertone of steel.
He took a deep breath. Azami was right, and he was already aware of the possibilities. Things could, and usually did, change with the passing of years, and people certainly were no exception to the rule. He'd been aware of this truth for years, especially as his own person was evidence of just how much weight this maxim held. In his case, the changes had been positive. He could only hope that for the person he longed to see, the years had not eroded away the positive things he remembered.
“We will see what happens. My commitment to our goal will remain the same regardless of what happens.”
Azami's smile became warmer. “I only want to see you happy.”
His response to that was a brief nod before he turned around to face the army that was massed before him and his aunt. Banners of white fluttered in the breeze, the black shape on them easily discernible as a hand with its palm facing the viewer, its fingers and thumb straight as if to signal 'stop'. The sigil was recognized across the empire of Atyamai, and even in Corona, where this dark hand stood for their greatest enemy. In reality, it was the crest of the rulers of Atyamai, the dark hand a literal and figurative symbol of their power.
One of the generals approached the pair, bowing his head before looking up at them.
“The men are in readiness, and those in the Palace are prepared for their part.”
“Excellent,” Azami replied. “Let us tarry no longer, then.” She lightly dug her heels into the side of her russet-colored horse, and Kuoji did the same, setting his own ebony steed in a brisk trot.
Seemingly as one, the army moved, the blacks and grays of the massed soldiers making it seem as if a shadow was moving across the verdant land.
March 1, 2015
Upcoming Books
Some of you doubtlessly know about my upcoming Interludes in Myth series. Originally I had planned for the first book to be a collection of two stories - one featuring Hephaestus, and one featuring Hades, both set in the world of Seeds but at different times (Hades' story being a sort of prequel, and Hephaestus's story happening after Seeds' conclusion)
However, a decision has been made regarding my future project(s) Given the feedback I've gotten and the thinking I've done, I've come to the decision to publish Worthy of Love and Hades' Story separately. Worthy of Love is already done, but it still needs to be edited, and I've gotten a couple of new scene ideas for it since I finished it. That story will be the debut of my Interludes in Myth series. Hades' Story will be Interludes vol 2.
Worthy of Love will be about 250-275 pages, and Hades' Story will be about the same length. Both of them weren't planned to be as long as they were, and now it makes sense to publish them separately. I plan to have Worthy of Love released before the end of this spring, and Hades' Story before summer's end. Since these books will be slimmer than a volume of Seeds, they will be priced cheaper/fairly. Keep an eye out for updates and future announcements!
However, a decision has been made regarding my future project(s) Given the feedback I've gotten and the thinking I've done, I've come to the decision to publish Worthy of Love and Hades' Story separately. Worthy of Love is already done, but it still needs to be edited, and I've gotten a couple of new scene ideas for it since I finished it. That story will be the debut of my Interludes in Myth series. Hades' Story will be Interludes vol 2.
Worthy of Love will be about 250-275 pages, and Hades' Story will be about the same length. Both of them weren't planned to be as long as they were, and now it makes sense to publish them separately. I plan to have Worthy of Love released before the end of this spring, and Hades' Story before summer's end. Since these books will be slimmer than a volume of Seeds, they will be priced cheaper/fairly. Keep an eye out for updates and future announcements!
February 2, 2015
Authir Spotlight - Kathryn White
Today, my author’s spotlight falls on Kathryn White!
I have enjoyed Kathryn White’s books, and like me, she writes in different genres, with a little bit of different things, to create a collection that I really enjoyed. I would say that my favorite out of her books is Being Abigail, but I have enjoyed her other books. She has a style of writing that I really enjoy, with a nice mix of serious and humor, both applied at appropriate moments within her books. She just released a new book, Everybody Hates Abigail, , and will be releasing another book, Poison Ivy, which I am more than eager to read. Give this author a try – you will not be disappointed!
Kathryn has a blog where she reviews books http://kathrynwhiteauthor.blogspot.com/
Her FB page https://www.facebook.com/kathrynwhite...
Her Amazon, where you can find her books in paperback and e-book http://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-White/e...
Her Goodreads page http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
I have enjoyed Kathryn White’s books, and like me, she writes in different genres, with a little bit of different things, to create a collection that I really enjoyed. I would say that my favorite out of her books is Being Abigail, but I have enjoyed her other books. She has a style of writing that I really enjoy, with a nice mix of serious and humor, both applied at appropriate moments within her books. She just released a new book, Everybody Hates Abigail, , and will be releasing another book, Poison Ivy, which I am more than eager to read. Give this author a try – you will not be disappointed!
Kathryn has a blog where she reviews books http://kathrynwhiteauthor.blogspot.com/
Her FB page https://www.facebook.com/kathrynwhite...
Her Amazon, where you can find her books in paperback and e-book http://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-White/e...
Her Goodreads page http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
August 10, 2014
New Book
I have other projects planned that do not have to do with Greek mythology and the universe I started with Seeds and will continue to explore in future books related to mythology (like Interludes in Myth, which will have Hades as one of its stars)
I have a couple of books that will be based off favorite fairy tales. I recently completed the prologue to one of them. It will not be easy to guess which tale gives this book it's origin, but I hope you enjoy this prologue nonetheless. Please keep in mind that this is a draft, and will be edited/refined later on as I write more of the book. Without further ado, here is a sneak peek of one of my future books!
o0o
Ear-splitting squalling filled the chamber, and Iriandril turned toward the source of the noise with a grimace, walking towards the cradle. The shrieking only stopped when she loosened her bodice and put the baby to her breast, gritting her teeth as he clamped down on the nipple. Even before he teeth started to come in, he had an all-too-firm grip on his source of sustenance. Since then, the task had become even more of an ordeal for her.
In the beginning, she’d tried to pry him off her breast in an attempt to teach him to not hurt her when nursing, but it only made him scream even harder, which in turn would rouse the wrath of his father.
Once the baby was sated, she put him back in his cradle and looked out the window. Many would have appreciated the sight before them, but to Iriandril, it only further reminded her of what she had lost. The manse was set in relative proximity to the edge of the mountain range, but it still sat a forbidding distance from the more fertile lands that her husband also ruled over.
These lands, the hills and valleys of her youth, were still visible between the peaks and crags that lined the path to the manse.
She glanced down at the courtyard, noting with a bit of surprise and a far greater amount of satisfaction, that the servants were making preparations for one of her husband’s trips. Well! Life in the manse was marginally better during his absences, and for the first time in over a month, she had something to actually look forward to.
His absence meant quite a few things that she could enjoy. The nights would be peaceful, without trepidation that she would have to satisfy her husband’s libido upon his whim. She wouldn’t have to look at her husband’s disgusting face at mealtimes or listen to the gravelly rumble of his voice. She would be able to effectively discipline her son, and let him scream all he want without having to give in to his demands and tantrums. And most of all, she could go into his library, and read and study as much as she wanted to.
It was the latter that lent a silver lining to the lord’s rampant misogyny. To him, women were nothing but servants, caretakers, and broodmares. Never did it occur to him that his wife might have an interest in anything more than romance, fairy tales, or poetry. That would prove to be his undoing.
She bustled around the room, changing out of her sleeping robe into a proper gown and summoning a servant to help her with her hair. Though she did not care for the color pink, her gown nonetheless bore that color, a heavy rose-colored velvet over a plain violet silk underdress. Her wheat-hued hair was pulled back in an elegant braid, several gold pins placed strategically to display on their tips rose quartz carved into the shape of its namesake. The color of her dress brought out the blue in eyes that were the color of aquamarine.
Were Iriandril to have absolute free choice in her appearance with no consequence, she would have chosen a much more somber color to match the unhappiness that was as palpable as a lump within her chest. Traces of that unhappiness lingered outwardly in the set of her lips, which had not been put in the shape of a smile for a long tme.
The maid gave out a small shriek and Iriandril turned around to see her son pulling various items out of the chest that she had left open in her search of today’s outfit. Her first instinct was to punish him, but she could wait until after her husband’s departure.
“Get him ready,” Iriandril commanded with a wave of her hand. The girl nodded and hoisted the kicking toddler in her arms.
Her husband not giving her notice about his trips was a subject that she didn’t care to bemoan. The talk at the long table in the dining hall was perfunctory as she ate her meal with small bites while her husband was quite the opposite, shoveling food down his maw, his face and fingers greasy with the mutton he was eating almost whole.
Since he thought so poorly of women, she was mistress of the manse in little more than name only. He alone made the final decision on anything that went on in the home and its surroundings, and she was expected to see that his orders were carried out during his absence. As she listened to his rumbling voice drone on between slobbering bites and gulps of his morning meal, she nodded, putting in an appropriate ‘As you wish, my lord’ or ‘I will see to it’, knowing that the servants knew what they were supposed to do, and the consequences of not performing the tasks he set to them.
The angry babble of their son drew her attention from her husband, and a small fist pounded the plate in front of him in an obvious demand for more.
“Like father, like son!” Iriandril’s husband said with an approving growl, and he tore off several pieces of meat from his own considerable portion and laid them on his son’s plate.
Finally, it was time for him to depart. His carriage awaited, drawn by the biggest horses that most people would ever see in their lifetime. She’d been so intimidated by them when she had first come here, nearly two years ago. Even now, she maintained a healthy wariness of the horses, and preferred to not go near them at all, letting the servants handle them.
The velvet of her gown insulated her against the chill of the autumn mountain air, though she welcomed the briskness on her face, deciding that she would take a walk later. She gave her husband a perfunctory farewell, wishing him luck and safety as she always did, though she never meant it.
As the sturdily-appointed carriage passed the gates, she glanced at the servants. “You have your orders.” It was all she had to say as she turned and went back in the manse. Her husband called it a ‘manse’ but it really was more of a palace, as befitting a man of his stature and wealth. For all its luxury, it was her prison.
Her stride quickened as she came closer to her refuge, the only place amidst the vastness of her husband’s personal property that she felt comfortable in.
For all her husband’s power and avarice, it also served as a double-edged sword. He was so focused on his wealth and strength that he neglected other pursuits. Iriandril smirked coldly as she crossed the expanse of the book-lined chamber to the window, tugging open its drapes and letting in clean, bright light that illuminated the dust motes she had disturbed.
Iriandril turned to the bookshelves, which she had started organizing last year during her pregnancy. She doubted her husband knew the secrets this library contained, all the better for her. It’d been made clear to her in her time here that her husband was more than satisfied with his considerable strength and abilities, and why not? He ruled his lands with an iron fist, and none dared stand against him. What was one man, or even an army, against a monster?
Well, the beast would rue the day that he took her. He may not fear the strength of men, but he was no match against the intelligence and cunning of a woman. She’d been planning her revenge every day for two years, not only against the one who had imprisoned her, but those who had betrayed her.
I have a couple of books that will be based off favorite fairy tales. I recently completed the prologue to one of them. It will not be easy to guess which tale gives this book it's origin, but I hope you enjoy this prologue nonetheless. Please keep in mind that this is a draft, and will be edited/refined later on as I write more of the book. Without further ado, here is a sneak peek of one of my future books!
o0o
Ear-splitting squalling filled the chamber, and Iriandril turned toward the source of the noise with a grimace, walking towards the cradle. The shrieking only stopped when she loosened her bodice and put the baby to her breast, gritting her teeth as he clamped down on the nipple. Even before he teeth started to come in, he had an all-too-firm grip on his source of sustenance. Since then, the task had become even more of an ordeal for her.
In the beginning, she’d tried to pry him off her breast in an attempt to teach him to not hurt her when nursing, but it only made him scream even harder, which in turn would rouse the wrath of his father.
Once the baby was sated, she put him back in his cradle and looked out the window. Many would have appreciated the sight before them, but to Iriandril, it only further reminded her of what she had lost. The manse was set in relative proximity to the edge of the mountain range, but it still sat a forbidding distance from the more fertile lands that her husband also ruled over.
These lands, the hills and valleys of her youth, were still visible between the peaks and crags that lined the path to the manse.
She glanced down at the courtyard, noting with a bit of surprise and a far greater amount of satisfaction, that the servants were making preparations for one of her husband’s trips. Well! Life in the manse was marginally better during his absences, and for the first time in over a month, she had something to actually look forward to.
His absence meant quite a few things that she could enjoy. The nights would be peaceful, without trepidation that she would have to satisfy her husband’s libido upon his whim. She wouldn’t have to look at her husband’s disgusting face at mealtimes or listen to the gravelly rumble of his voice. She would be able to effectively discipline her son, and let him scream all he want without having to give in to his demands and tantrums. And most of all, she could go into his library, and read and study as much as she wanted to.
It was the latter that lent a silver lining to the lord’s rampant misogyny. To him, women were nothing but servants, caretakers, and broodmares. Never did it occur to him that his wife might have an interest in anything more than romance, fairy tales, or poetry. That would prove to be his undoing.
She bustled around the room, changing out of her sleeping robe into a proper gown and summoning a servant to help her with her hair. Though she did not care for the color pink, her gown nonetheless bore that color, a heavy rose-colored velvet over a plain violet silk underdress. Her wheat-hued hair was pulled back in an elegant braid, several gold pins placed strategically to display on their tips rose quartz carved into the shape of its namesake. The color of her dress brought out the blue in eyes that were the color of aquamarine.
Were Iriandril to have absolute free choice in her appearance with no consequence, she would have chosen a much more somber color to match the unhappiness that was as palpable as a lump within her chest. Traces of that unhappiness lingered outwardly in the set of her lips, which had not been put in the shape of a smile for a long tme.
The maid gave out a small shriek and Iriandril turned around to see her son pulling various items out of the chest that she had left open in her search of today’s outfit. Her first instinct was to punish him, but she could wait until after her husband’s departure.
“Get him ready,” Iriandril commanded with a wave of her hand. The girl nodded and hoisted the kicking toddler in her arms.
Her husband not giving her notice about his trips was a subject that she didn’t care to bemoan. The talk at the long table in the dining hall was perfunctory as she ate her meal with small bites while her husband was quite the opposite, shoveling food down his maw, his face and fingers greasy with the mutton he was eating almost whole.
Since he thought so poorly of women, she was mistress of the manse in little more than name only. He alone made the final decision on anything that went on in the home and its surroundings, and she was expected to see that his orders were carried out during his absence. As she listened to his rumbling voice drone on between slobbering bites and gulps of his morning meal, she nodded, putting in an appropriate ‘As you wish, my lord’ or ‘I will see to it’, knowing that the servants knew what they were supposed to do, and the consequences of not performing the tasks he set to them.
The angry babble of their son drew her attention from her husband, and a small fist pounded the plate in front of him in an obvious demand for more.
“Like father, like son!” Iriandril’s husband said with an approving growl, and he tore off several pieces of meat from his own considerable portion and laid them on his son’s plate.
Finally, it was time for him to depart. His carriage awaited, drawn by the biggest horses that most people would ever see in their lifetime. She’d been so intimidated by them when she had first come here, nearly two years ago. Even now, she maintained a healthy wariness of the horses, and preferred to not go near them at all, letting the servants handle them.
The velvet of her gown insulated her against the chill of the autumn mountain air, though she welcomed the briskness on her face, deciding that she would take a walk later. She gave her husband a perfunctory farewell, wishing him luck and safety as she always did, though she never meant it.
As the sturdily-appointed carriage passed the gates, she glanced at the servants. “You have your orders.” It was all she had to say as she turned and went back in the manse. Her husband called it a ‘manse’ but it really was more of a palace, as befitting a man of his stature and wealth. For all its luxury, it was her prison.
Her stride quickened as she came closer to her refuge, the only place amidst the vastness of her husband’s personal property that she felt comfortable in.
For all her husband’s power and avarice, it also served as a double-edged sword. He was so focused on his wealth and strength that he neglected other pursuits. Iriandril smirked coldly as she crossed the expanse of the book-lined chamber to the window, tugging open its drapes and letting in clean, bright light that illuminated the dust motes she had disturbed.
Iriandril turned to the bookshelves, which she had started organizing last year during her pregnancy. She doubted her husband knew the secrets this library contained, all the better for her. It’d been made clear to her in her time here that her husband was more than satisfied with his considerable strength and abilities, and why not? He ruled his lands with an iron fist, and none dared stand against him. What was one man, or even an army, against a monster?
Well, the beast would rue the day that he took her. He may not fear the strength of men, but he was no match against the intelligence and cunning of a woman. She’d been planning her revenge every day for two years, not only against the one who had imprisoned her, but those who had betrayed her.
