Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 14
August 23, 2023
Thursday Thirteen This Or That
This Thursday Thirteen takes a fun look at options. Introducing "This or That." Just remember this is for fun. Add your own choice or this or that in a comment.Star Trek or Star Wars (depending on the movie or series will flip from one to the other)
Captain Kirk or Han Solo (Han Solo)
Farscape or Firefly (Firefly) Captain Picard or Captain Malcom Rogers (Rogers) Ice cream: vanilla or chocolate (vanilla) Pie: Apple or shoo fly pie (yes, please) SeaView or Sea Quest (sailed first with the one, then travelled deeper with the other As far as vessels, Sea Quest gets the nod.) Dog or cat (Grew up with dogs on our family farm and am still an honorary member of a pack, but a cat stole my heart.)
Spaghetti or lasagna (Although spaghetti is a go-to meal when I don't feel like cooking, prefer lasagna.)
Ebook or print (ebook to-be-read piles may take up less space, but print is preferred.
Beach or mountains (mountains)Roses or orchids (Doesn't matter, I can kill them both.)Magic or dragons (I like to hang out with mages and fly with dragons. I won't choose one and anger the other. One can turn you to stone, the other to ash.
I hope you enjoyed this Thursday Thirteen and that you will come back again. If any of my published titles intrigue you, click on the cover in the banner or for the series, the pull-down menu for blurbs, excerpts, a free read of the first chapter, and of course, buy links.
~till next time, Helen
http://newthursday13.blogspot.com/
August 22, 2023
Hooked on Imprisoned in Stone, Kin by Magic or Blood
Showcasing magic of a darker kind, Imprisoned in Stone.
To set the stage, last week described Colwynn's search for a means to escape the inescapable cell. This week Maerva learns she is in danger, but fights the order to leave.
Excerpt:
Recognizing the intractable look on Gareth's face, Maerva dumped her spell book, the journal and a few other personal belongings into the bottom of a knapsack. With quick movements she snatched clothes from the press and stuffed them into the bag. A push compressed the contents enough to add a spare dagger, and wrapped packages of cheese, bread and salted meat. She was already dressed in clothes suitable for the road, so all that remained was to shrug into a coat and strap on her weapons. The cold steel of the sword on her hip and the comforting weight of her short bow in her hand gave Maerva strength. She turned and faced Gareth, “I’m not leaving without Colwynn.”
“I will find him,” Gareth insisted.
“How?” Despite herself, a hint of bitterness entered her tone. “Your magic is not strong enough.”
“I will manage.”
The realization of the meaning of the strange feeling flooded into her mind. It was Colwynn telling her to leave.
I cannot do that. I WILL help Gareth rescue Colwynn, whether either of them likes it or not.
** END OF EXCERPT ***
Purchase Imprisoned in Stone at these sellers
~till next time, Helen
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August 21, 2023
Come Join the Hunt
To celebrate Long and Short Reviews 16th anniversary, let's have a scavenger hunt! Every day there are new clues (AKA books) to learn about. Today's clue is the fantasy romance, Windmaster Golem.
There are two ways to enter to win and it’s easy to play– first read the blurb below, then answer the question on the first Rafflecopter. You might win a $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC (along with other prizes). Follow and visit authors’ social media pages on the second Rafflecopter and you’re entered to win another $100 Amazon/BN GC (along with other prizes)!
Don't wait too long to enter. Each contest is only for a few days. Then it's on to the next book.
August 19, 2023
Unusual Weather, Windmaster #wewriwa
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write ... and read!
Today's excerpt is from Windmaster, the first book of the fantasy, romance series, the Windmaster Novels.
To set, the scene, Sea Falconencounters unusual weather. But is it natural or something to do with the wizards being transported?
* * * *
Ellspeth and the first officer moved among the men, not only to help dispel the growing restlessness, but also to see if any of them had ever encountered the unusual weather they found themselves in. For three days and three nights, an unearthly fog kept the Sea Falcon trapped in an endless sea of muted sounds. Crewmen clustered together and spoke only in whispers. Her uneasiness grew so strong Ellspeth ordered weapons distributed to all hands.
The thick curtain of gray covered the area from white-capped waves to the banner that hung limp from the center mast. Only when the ship crested an especially high swell did the sailor posted to the crow’s nest get a glimpse of the star-studded sky above the haze. No matter to which heading Ellspeth steered the Sea Falcon, the haze clung to it. The miasma absorbed Dal’s magic and resisted his repeated attempts to disperse it.
End of Excerpt
* * * *
Windmaster - Available at these online bookstores
I hope you like the snippet I shared this week for Dal and Ellspeth. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads.
~till next time, Helen
August 15, 2023
Hooked on Imprisoned in Stone, An Inescapable Cell #mfrwauthor
For the next several weeks, the posts will showcase magic of a darker kind, Imprisoned in Stone.
To set the stage, last week Maerva searched for a means to find the missing Colwynn. This week brings some insights into what happened. Colwynn is a prisoner of the Brethren. And his tormentor is Nemor, second in command of the Brethren.
Excerpt:
The grace by which the older mage faced her death awakened Colwynn’s own inner strength. He pushed himself to a sitting position and then slowly to his feet. Even though the blocking spells absorbed most of the light emitted from the single candle high on the wall, he used the wan glow to examine the room. Stone by stone, he searched for a way out, either through magic or physical force. His questing fingers found only walls worked smooth by those of countless prisoners. Each time he found a hint of magic and tried to summon his own powers, the prison absorbed them, eating away his strength. Although he spotted his own spell interwoven among those who over the years had placed the restraint on the cell, the faint hope it provided quickly vanished. As he watched in hopeless frustration, his spell faded, dispersed by those of the Brethren members.
His back against the wall, Colwynn slid to the floor. He considered one approach after another, then discarded it. Who could he call upon for help? Gareth’s powers were too weak. And the only other wizards he knew were confirmed members of the Brethren. Only one person had the possibility of reaching him—Maerva.
Gathering his magic, he pictured her in his mind. A prayer on his lips, he cast out a desperate call.
Dead silence greeted his effort.
** END OF EXCERPT ***
Purchase Imprisoned in Stone at these sellers
~till next time, Helen
August 12, 2023
An Encounter Amongst Friends, Dragon Destiny #wewriwa #SundaySnippit
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Today's excerpt is from the romance-fantasy Dragon Destiny.
To accommodate the age of Anastasia (17 years-old) at the Competition and A Reward Claimed, the awarding of the final prize is left to the reader's imagination. To aid in that vision, this post captures a reunion between Uaine and Anastasia. Albeit, both are a few years older.
To set the scene, Anastasia now studies at the Ceoltier Guild. Since no female can be trained as a ceoltier, to protect Anastasia from those who would kill her because of her association with the dragon lords, she is disguised as a male apprentice and goes by the name, "Stosh."
Excerpt:
Throwing on a faded apprentice tunic, Anastasia ran down the stairs two at a time until she caught herself on the locking bars of the front door. A tug and the heavy wood panel swung open to reveal a changed Uaine. No longer the beardless youth of her first acquaintance, a muscled, self-confident male stood before her.
“It is good to see you, Anastasia,” Uaine said. He picked her up and swung her around in an abundance of exuberance.
She felt a warmth creep up her back. The power of his arms brought back a reminder of another embrace, one now seasons past. Branin was far away, Uaine was here.
A cough broke the direction of her thoughts. “I don’t want to intrude on old friends reuniting after several seasons apart,” Vivel’s wry tone said. “However, two male apprentices embracing on the front steps might set tongues wagging.”
The emphasis on male reminded Anastasia of the slip of her disguise.
Destiny cannot beavoided --
especially when love controls the journey.
Dragon Destiny
Book one of the Dragshi Chronicles.
Click this link to Purchase Dragon Destiny
~till next time. Helen
August 8, 2023
Hooked on Imprisoned in Stone, Encounter #mfrwauthor #BookQW
Magic of a darker kind. Imprisoned in Stone.
For the crime of healing without payment, the Brethren imprisoned Dylan’s soul in stone. Every full moon, they awakened him and renewed the bonds. When the blood dried on the stone, his awareness faded, but during those few brief moments, he had one thought--revenge. He embraces the pain of an awakening to reach out into the world beyond his stone prison. When a mind touches his and hope for escape from his eternal prison soars. However, his possible savior is unaware of her latent magic, the power needed to free him.A snippit using the BookQW, "Encounter." To set the stage, Colwyn has disappeared and Maerva searches for him. All is not what it seems, there is magic involved.
Excerpt:
Maerva halted in mid-step. She glanced around the kitchen to see if she could find the cause of her unease, but nothing seemed out of place. The canines lashed to the spit yelped as they ran in circles. For a second time, the faint tickle whispered at the edge of her mind. Something or someone summoned her. The sensation felt different than any mental contact she had ever encountered. The caress of a lover’s touch mingled with the sharp edge of a blade. After making sure no one paid attention to her, she strode from the kitchen. Once out of sight of the workers, she raced in response to the irresistible summons.
The closer she approached the rooms the headmistress of Sleuchdair said were being used by special visitors from Bleve Aibheis, the surer her belief became that danger was nearby—and Colwynn was at the heart of it.
** END OF EXCERPT ***
~till next time, Helen
August 4, 2023
A Reward Claimed, Dragon Destiny, #wewriwa #SundaySnippit
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Today's excerpt is from the romance-fantasy Dragon Destiny. In celebration of the summer and outdoor activities, a little light-hearted competition. This scene is the result of Anastasia's challenge. And now the Sunday Snippet.
Excerpt:
Anastasia caught her bottom lip between her teeth.
After a few minutes, the noise level dropped and Elem continued. “There is a tie between Uaine and Anastasia. One hundred ten points each.”
Applause echoed toward the setting sun. Uaine led Anastasia to her uncle to receive their reward which had been increased to three coppers each. After the well-wishers returned to their tasks, Anastasia led Uaine off to the side. “There is one more prize to be awarded,” she said. “A private wager.” Untying the yellow scarf from her upper arm, she balanced it in her hand. With a flourish she presented it to Uaine. “Fairly won. This is yours, as promised.”
Uaine took the scarf and strung it through his belt. His lips worked into a smile. “And my other prize?”
Anastasia looked into Uaine’s mischievous gaze. Despite the coolness of the evening, heat filled her cheeks.
Destiny cannot beavoided --
especially when love controls the journey.
Dragon Destiny, Book one of the Dragshi Chronicles.
Click this link to Purchase Dragon Destiny
~till next time. Helen
August 2, 2023
Thursday Thirteen - Lines from the Windmaster Novels
This Thursday Thirteen are teaser lines from the Windmaster Novels.
A strangling sense of horror woke Ellspeth from a deep sleep. (Windmaster)
Crashing waves broke on the Falcon’s bow and flowed over the deck. (Windmaster)
The luminous blue of the wizard's spell spiraled upward, interweaving in and around the almost jet-black pillar of water. (Windmaster)
Ellspeth was unsure whether her hands or the councilman’s blue-veined ones trembled more when the mark of her rank was pulled from her wrists. (Windmaster Legacy)
Deep in the embers’ glow, Nobyn saw an image come into being.(Windmaster Legacy)
The flares shooting skyward revealed a face in the clouds. (Windmaster Legacy)
Silence accompanied the song’s end. The image of the lovers gradually faded, replaced by the reality of a high-mountain cave. (Windmaster Legend)
The decision to stay with her trade guild or to risk the fugitive life with Iol needed no time for reflection. (Windmaster Legend)
Warmth that nothing to do with the sun crept up Kia’s back, heating her neck. This is my escort. She scanned him with a new eye, noting his easy stance and the hilt of the sword peeking above his shoulder. (Windmaster Golem)
Not even the battle energy building in Brodie’s veins eased the heaviness in his soul. (Windmaster Golem)
His fingers brushed the hilt of TânOer and the cold steel took command until the last remnant of Kia’s passion shrank to a glowing coal that Brodie locked away in the deepest recesses of his heart. No spark of his love—or memory of hers—remained. Calm entered his soul and his mind. Ready for battle his senses turned outward, alert for any sign of the invading force.(Windmaster Golem)
. A damp spot chilled her chin where his blood-stained finger touched her jaw to tip her head up. His gaze bore a sadness that cut worse than Relliq’s dagger. (Windmaster Golem)
The creature hammered at the invisible wall with his fist. Deafening peals reverberated with each blow. The wall shimmered into visibility. A heartbeat later it exploded into splinters. (Windmaster Golem)
I hope you enjoyed this Thursday Thirteen and that you will come back again. If any of my published titles intrigue you, click on the cover in the banner or for the series, the pull-down menu for blurbs, excerpts, a free read of the first chapter, and of course, buy links.
And of course, be sure to visit the other thirteens.
~till next time, you're invited to hang out with mages. Helen
