Aurora Springer's Blog, page 5
May 13, 2023
I don't want a war! - excerpt from Bridget Bramble for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday
Happy Mother's Day!
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and SnippetSunday . Sample the work of anew author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.
My excerpt continuesfrom last week in the first chapter of the sequel to my fantasy romance Bridget Bramble and the Wandering Elf . In the opening scene, the young witch, Bridget Bramble,is carving charmed buttons under the fond gaze of her new elf husband, VanceleWindswift.
I have not completedthe story and this excerpt will need editing. I’d appreciate yourcomments.
You can read lastweek’s excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2023/05/bridget-bramble-at-queens-council.html
The lastsentence was: He answered her unspoken question, “’Tis the summons to theQueen’s Council.”
“A council of war,” she grumbled. “Hen’s teeth, the councilorswill be yattering for the rest of the day and I’ve only made five buttons. Whydon’t you go without me? I won’t be much help.”
“Indeed, your skills will be valuable.” His long silver-blondhair swayed as he leaned forward to caress the back of her hand. “Your buttonscan wait. Put away your tools, dear wife. Marshall Emrys invited both of us toattend the war council.”
She retorted, “Your uncle made the invitation sound like anorder.”
Tensentences and a little more.
Memories swirled through her mind of the assault on her village.The cruel raiders had killed her brother and his wife. They had plundered thecottages and dragged away her neighbors. She choked back a sob and blurted outthe true reason for her reluctance to attend the council, “Oh Van, I don’t wanta war.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “None of us wish for war. Thatis why the Queen is holding a council meeting. She wishes to discuss what wecan do to avert war with Emperor Raglan.”
She wrinkled her nose and sighed, “Then, I must go to thecouncil whether I can help or not.”
“Aye. You must attend.”
Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.
Book bargain for May : 99c for Grand Master’s Pawn, the first novel in my epicscience fantasy and romance. Empath Violet teleports across the galaxy on a quest to discover the secrets of the Grand Masters.
All mystories are discounted at my direct BookStore .
View mypictures and videos on Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , TikTok and Pintrest .
Find highquality prints of my art at WhimsicalArt , and art on clothes, mugs, and other merchandise at myRedBubble Shop .
May 6, 2023
Bridget Bramble at the Queen's Council - Excerpt for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday #fantasy
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday . Samplethe work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.
After a break of severalweeks, I’m returning with excerpts from my WIP. I’ve been busy in theintervening time. My husband and I spent a week in Florida and then visitedOxford, MS, to display his photographs and my digital art at the Double DeckerArts Festival. Now, I’m running a Kickstarter campaign.
Writing the next bookis moving slowly. It’s the sequel to my fantasy adventure and romance BridgetBramble and the Wandering Elf. The tentative title is Bridget Bramble andthe Dragon Ship.
Here are the openinglines (unedited and may change). It’s a spoiler for the earlier book, but not unexpected.
I’d appreciate yourcomments.
On the day they exchanged their marriagevows, Bridget Bramble and Vancele Windswift were summoned to the elf Queen’scouncil of war.
A horn blared.
Its deep notes vibrated throughthe canvas walls of the Stitchery where Bridget Bramble was carving an acorn ona charmed button of red oak.
Rattled by the strident sound,she dropped her carving chisel on the table and looked at her new husband,Vancele Windswift. A few minutes earlier, the elf had entered the Stitchery andstraddled the other end of her bench to watch her create the buttons.
The sight of his handsome visage andthe smile warming his cool gray eyes swept a thrill of delight through her. Heloved her. His calm demeanor reassured her. The raucous blare had not alarmedhim.
He answered her unspoken question,“’Tis the summons to the Queen’s Council.”
Look out for more nextweek. I hope to get back into the routine of posting snippets.
I’ve launcheda kickstarter campaign for a special illustrated edition of Super Starrella. Itwill include color illustrations and a custom chapter image. Please support myproject at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/auroraspringer/exclusive-special-hardcover-edition-of-super-starrella
(You can pledge as little as $1 and receive aprintable bookmark, or pledge more for the ebook, paperback, or hardcoverversion.)
All mystories are discounted at my direct BookStore .
View mypictures and videos on Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , TikTok and Pintrest .
Find highquality prints of my art at WhimsicalArt , and art onclothes, mugs, and other merchandise at my RedBubble Shop .
May 3, 2023
Kickstarter Campaign for Special Illustrated Edition of Super Starrella
This fun story has superpoweredvigilantes with quirky animal sidekicks, a comically evil villain, monsters,humor and romance!
You can see the detailsat https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/auroraspringer/exclusive-special-hardcover-edition-of-super-starrella
Please support mycampaign.
You can contribute aslittle as $1 to receive a special printable bookmark.
Your encouragement will inspire me to create new stories.
April 30, 2023
Celebrate Mothers Day with Original Art
Find beautiful floralart, hearts and fantastic creatures at https://www.redbubble.com/people/auroraspringer/shop
You can choose artprints with or without frames, and a wide variety of merchandise with originalart, including clothing, stickers, pillows and blankets.
April 28, 2023
Do You Celebrate National Superhero Day?
Everyone needs asuperhero in their life.
Need a superhero tosave the day? Look no further than the Superhero-Fiction .99 cent ebook sale!Get your superhero fix without breaking the bank.
https://superhero-fiction.com/salespage/
My book,
Super Starrella
is part of this special one-day sale.Superpowered teen and hersarcastic flying horse tackle the alien monsters threatening Atalanta in athrilling mystery with humor and a little romance.
Buy Links at https://books2read.com/u/4jDwOZ
Want a special edition ofthis story with color illustrations? Support my kickstarter campaign which launches in May.
April 3, 2023
New Art for Sale - Flowers and a Unicorn
You can find these images and others at my Fine Art Store: https://www.robertharrisonfineart.com/digital-artAnd at my RedBubble shop:
https://www.redbubble.com/people/auroraspringer/shop
March 18, 2023
Alarik's Story - Excerpt for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday . Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.
I’m posting excerpts from Karrik , Book 6 of SciFi series, Taxyon Space .
Karrik, an alien merman, lives in a small room in a hospice on his home world after being crippled in battle. Because their society is intolerant of physical weakness, his brothers, Alarik and Baswin, paid for his care by serving as spies on Earth. Alarik has just returned from Earth and is visiting Karrik for the first time in many months. Karrik cannot speak more than a stuttered word. You can read last week’s excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2023/03/gestures-instead-of-words-excerpt-from.html
Alarik gave a rueful laugh. “Our disguises worked well for half a year. We sent reports to the Triarch about the Earthers. He was especially interested in their sentiments about Warrish. They call us alien mermen.”
“Urg?” Karrik arched his eyebrows.
“One day, some of the Earthers detected the Triarch’s holographic transmission to me. Baswin and I had to flee. By good fortune, I had already hooked a flight to their red planet. I took passage on their space ferry to the outer planets and dove into cover in our Watcher outpost in the oceans of Europa.”
Ten sentences and a few more
Karrik spluttered a question, “B…Bas?”
“In our last conversation, he said he planned to swim to our embassy on Earth.” Alarik rubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t know where he is. He did not reply to my last message. Perhaps he has no privacy to transmit a message safely.”
Uttering a groan of distress, Karrik squeezed his brother’s hand in sympathy.
Karrik, Book 6 in Taxyon Space: The fates of six people are at stake.
Karrik Kenton Tallis, Third of the Flaming Comets, endures a miserable existence in a hospice on his home planet. Unable to walk or speak more than a single word, he misses his older brothers and is unaware of their sacrifice to ensure his care. He cherishes a faint hope of recovering his health.
Karrik’s life improves when his brothers return to Rishalt with their human companions. Alarik, First of the Triad, is escorting Phoebe Wong with her brother and a mysterious alien object for an audience with Prime Jadel. The middle brother, Baswin, is traveling home with Holly and Rosie Moon. The Moon sisters are enrolled in an experimental program to train human psychics to navigate in hyperspace and relieve Earth’s governments of their onerous reliance on Warrish tripilots. Rosie, a psychic healer, desires to help Karrik despite the conflict with her duty to humanity.
But the water world of Rishalt holds many hazards, both above and beneath the waves. Can the alien treasure help the three brothers to conquer the challenges and unite with their chosen partners? Read the scintillating story of the Flaming Comet brothers to learn the answers.
Karrik’s story is available in ebook and audiobook: https://books2read.com/u/3LNnVD
If you haven’t read this series, the first book, Europa , is discounted to 99c for a limited time.
Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.
NEW : I’m preparing to launch a kickstarter campaign to make a special illustrated edition of Super Starrella. Please support me by following the campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/auroraspringer/exclusive-special-hardcover-edition-of-super-starrella (You do not have to pledge any money to boost my campaign's visibility).
All my stories are discounted at my direct BookStore .
View my pictures and videos on Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , TikTok and Pintrest .
Find high quality prints of my art at WhimsicalArt , and art on clothes, mugs, and other merchandise at my RedBubble Shop .
March 11, 2023
Gestures instead of words - Excerpt from Karrik for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday . Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.
I’m continuing the scene from Karrik , Book 6 of SciFi series, Taxyon Space .
Karrik, an alien merman, lives in a small room in a hospice on his home world after being crippled in battle. His brothers paid for his care by serving as spies on Earth. His older brother Alarik has just returned from Earth and is visiting Karrik for the first time in many months. Karrik cannot speak more than a stuttered word. You can read last week’s emotional excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-reunion-excerpt-from-karrik-for.html
“You seem to be alert,” Alarik said. “Can you understand me?”
Uttering an inarticulate grunt, Karrik pressed his brother’s fingers again.
“Urish. You can understand, but you cannot speak words clearly. Is that correct?”
Another squeeze and Karrik panted, “Uh…Uh…Urish.”
“You don’t need to speak. Press my fingers if you agree. If you wish, I’ll explain why Baswin and I were unable to visit you.”
Ten sentences and a few more
Karrik pressed for yes.
“After you were injured, we were desperate to secure proper care for you. You were unconscious for days. Even after you woke, you seemed befuddled, as helpless and incoherent as a baby. Triarch Webale offered to place you in the care of the Pearl Sisters as an inducement for Baswin and me to serve as his undercover spies on Earth. We had minor surgery to merge into Earther society.” He held up his hand and waggled the fingers. “Look at what we surrendered.”
Marveling at the sacrifice of a finger, Karrik touched his forefinger to each of the five fingers on his brother’s hand. The full implications filtered slowly into his fuzzy mind. His elder brothers were mutilated, and like him, they were dishonored and unfit for normal society.
Karrik, Book 6 in Taxyon Space
The fates of six people are at stake.
Karrik Kenton Tallis, Third of the Flaming Comets, endures a miserable existence in a hospice on his home planet. Unable to walk or speak more than a single word, he misses his older brothers and is unaware of their sacrifice to ensure his care. He cherishes a faint hope of recovering his health.
Karrik’s life improves when his brothers return to Rishalt with their human companions. Alarik, First of the Triad, is escorting Phoebe Wong with her brother and a mysterious alien object for an audience with Prime Jadel. The middle brother, Baswin, is traveling home with Holly and Rosie Moon. The Moon sisters are enrolled in an experimental program to train human psychics to navigate in hyperspace and relieve Earth’s governments of their onerous reliance on Warrish tripilots. Rosie, a psychic healer, desires to help Karrik despite the conflict with her duty to humanity.
But the water world of Rishalt holds many hazards, both above and beneath the waves. Can the alien treasure help the three brothers to conquer the challenges and unite with their chosen partners? Read the scintillating story of the Flaming Comet brothers to learn the answers.
Karrik’s story is available in ebook and audiobook: https://books2read.com/u/3LNnVD
Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.
NEW - I'm preparing to launch a Kickstarter to fund a special illustrated edition of Super Starrella with a new superhero cover. See https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/auroraspringer/exclusive-special-hardcover-edition-of-super-starrella
New My RedBubble Shop is currently featuring crystal shamrocks and leprechauns to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
All my stories are discounted at my direct BookStore .
View my pictures and videos on Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , TikTok and Pintrest .
Find prints, T-shirts, mugs, and other merchandise at my site for WhimsicalArt .
March 4, 2023
A Reunion - excerpt from KARRIK for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday . Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.
I’m continuing the scene from Karrik , Book 6 of SciFi series, Taxyon Space .
The title character, Karrik, lives in a smalle room in a hospice on the alien home world after being crippled in battle. His brothers paid for his care by serving as spies on Earth. Karrik has just been told that he has a visitor. You can read last week’s excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2023/02/a-visitor-excerpt-from-karrik-for.html
The last sentence was: Which type was this visitor?
He turned toward the door.
And froze in astonishment.
A man with a flaming wave of yellow-tipped orange hair stood behind the white-robed sister. His brother Alarik, First of their triad.
The sister glided aside.
Alarik stepped forward, saying hesitantly, “Calm seas, Karrik.”
Karrik rolled over, rocking the hammock, and stretched out his one hand. He forced a croak out of his stubborn mouth, “A…Al…Alarik.”
His brother rushed to kneel by the hammock and embrace him.
Ten sentences and a few more
Feeling his brother’s strong arms around him, Karrik burst into gasping sobs.
“Oh, Karrik, it’s been too long since we were together. I’m sorry.” Alarik also wept, silent tears trailing down his cheeks.
After the first rush of emotion subsided, Alarik leaned back and sighed, “By the Great Mother’s blessing, I’ve been recalled home. Our supreme Tol-Jadel summoned me and my companions. While I’m in Pucklerakt, I’ll visit you as often as I can.”
Karrik smiled through his tears. Catching hold of his brother’s hand, he squeezed the fingers and dipped his head in a nod. Gestures were easier than speech.
Karrik, Book 6 in Taxyon Space
The fates of six people are at stake.
Karrik Kenton Tallis, Third of the Flaming Comets, endures a miserable existence in a hospice on his home planet. Unable to walk or speak more than a single word, he misses his older brothers and is unaware of their sacrifice to ensure his care. He cherishes a faint hope of recovering his health.
Karrik’s life improves when his brothers return to Rishalt with their human companions. Alarik, First of the Triad, is escorting Phoebe Wong with her brother and a mysterious alien object for an audience with Prime Jadel. The middle brother, Baswin, is traveling home with Holly and Rosie Moon. The Moon sisters are enrolled in an experimental program to train human psychics to navigate in hyperspace and relieve Earth’s governments of their onerous reliance on Warrish tripilots. Rosie, a psychic healer, desires to help Karrik despite the conflict with her duty to humanity.
But the water world of Rishalt holds many hazards, both above and beneath the waves. Can the alien treasure help the three brothers to conquer the challenges and unite with their chosen partners? Read the scintillating story of the Flaming Comet brothers to learn the answers.
Available NOW at my Direct store (and discounted) - https://payhip.com/b/5g7lt
OR Pre-order for release on March 8that other retailers: https://books2read.com/u/3LNnVD
Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.
NEW : I have set up a RedBubble Shop for my whimsical art.
All my stories are discounted at my direct BookStore .
View my pictures and videos on Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , TikTok and Pintrest .
Find prints, T-shirts, mugs, and other merchandise at my site for WhimsicalArt .
February 25, 2023
A visitor - excerpt from Karrik for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday . Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.
I’m posting from Karrik, Book 6 of SciFi series, Taxyon Space. I skipped last week since I was visiting family in North Carolina. The previous week, somehow my post didn’t register at the WeWriWa site. You can read it at https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2023/02/an-alien-water-world-excerpt-from.html
Brief recap: due to crippling battle injuries, Karrik is in a hospice on the aliens’ home world of Rishalt. My earlier posts introduced Karrik’s older brother Alarik and his human lover, Phoebe. Their story began in Book 4, Alarik . Alarik and Phoebe have arrived on Rishalt.
I’m jumping to the next scene with Karrik.
Karrik turned his head to gaze at the window. The upper section of the window was open to air the room and a gentle breeze caressed his face. The breeze carried the scents of herbs and flowers overlaid with salt and an occasional whiff of fish. It cooled his fevered brain and evoked his memories of the sea.
The window overlooked a courtyard enclosed by white walls. From his prone position in the hammock, he glimpsed wispy clouds in the cyan sky. The wind ruffled the leaves in the upper branches of shrubs, but metal bars in the lower pane obscured the flower beds. The swish of water hinted at the pond in the middle of the courtyard.
Nine sentences and a few more
Sometimes people visited the courtyard garden. He heard laughter and splashes. He wished he could join the happy people. But, they would despise him for his missing limbs and lack of speech. They would ignore him and whisper behind his back.
The door hissed open.
The cheery voice of one of the Pearl Sisters called, “Calm seas, Karrik. Wake up. You have a visitor today.” She walked to his hammock, raised his head onto the pillow and pulled the blanket up to his chest.
Some visitors were good. Others were not. They poked at his body and asked too many questions despite his inability to speak the answers. Which type was this visitor?
Karrik, Book 6 in Taxyon Space: The fates of six people are at stake.
Karrik Kenton Tallis, Third of the Flaming Comets, endures a miserable existence in a hospice on his home planet. Unable to walk or speak more than a single word, he misses his older brothers and is unaware of their sacrifice to ensure his care. He cherishes a faint hope of recovering his health.
Karrik’s life improves when his brothers return to Rishalt with their human companions. Alarik, First of the Triad, is escorting Phoebe Wong with her brother and a mysterious alien object for an audience with Prime Jadel. The middle brother, Baswin, is traveling home with Holly and Rosie Moon. The Moon sisters are enrolled in an experimental program to train human psychics to navigate in hyperspace and relieve Earth’s governments of their onerous reliance on Warrish tripilots. Rosie, a psychic healer, desires to help Karrik despite the conflict with her duty to humanity.
But the water world of Rishalt holds many hazards, both above and beneath the waves. Can the alien treasure help the three brothers to conquer the challenges and unite with their chosen partners? Read the scintillating story of the Flaming Comet brothers to learn the answers.
Available NOW at my Direct store (and discounted) - https://payhip.com/b/5g7lt
OR Pre-order with release on March 8that other retailers: https://books2read.com/u/3LNnVD
Here’s a picture of Karrik and Rosie, the main romantic couple in this story. You can read about the tools I used to produce the image in my previous Blog Post .
Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.
NEW: I have set up a RedBubble Shop for my whimsical art.
All my stories are discounted at my direct BookStore .
View my pictures and videos on Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , TikTok and Pintrest .
Find prints, T-shirts, mugs, and other merchandise at my site for WhimsicalArt .
