WIP Wed.
I’ve finished Assassins Core 3. It’s a long one. I haven’t sent it off to the publishers yet because I’m still grappling with one issue. However, I’ve cleaned up the manuscript and noticed it’s pretty action-packed and includes lots of scenes with Alexi and Tatiana too.
In this one Alexi’s hard edge really shows and I’m debating whether to tone it down by taking out one scene that might be a bit objectionable. I think the scene is warranted in some ways. It ties up a few loose ends and leads into the next story subtly.
Also, as I start the fourth book I contemplate not making Alexi the star. The new character I’m bringing in will take some attention from Alexi and Tatiana as it includes a love story between this new character and Cattail. I will be working on this story for at least the next four weeks.
I have started–and am almost done with the fourth Cozy Bend Romance story. It’s longer and leads into a different story arc with new characters. A few of the old ones come into play, but this one still remains contemporary though I’d like to add some supernatural elements in in the future.
That’s my thing. I like the paranormal and the supernatural. Can’t escape it, but I admit that comes from living in a house where odd things happen. I wouldn’t call them supernatural, but well, what do you call seeing a ghost and things that move at will on occasion.
Well, here is one more excerpt from Assassin’s Core 3.
“I was trying to protect my daughter,” she
screamed.
“That’s the reason I wouldn’t have killed
you,” Alexi said. “I love Tia, but I’m not in a very generous mood today. If I
hadn’t spent the night in jail thanks in part to what you did, I’d be willing
to negotiate, but all bets are off.”
“I’ll start screaming and Tatiana will
hear me.”
“Slate get Tia on the phone,” Alexi said.
“I want her to say goodbye to her mother. I think April might even like to say
her goodbyes as well.”
“What?” Melissa whispered, eyes wide.
“April is vey much alive,” Alexi said.
“I—you’re lying. You failed to save her
and that’s part of the reason I did this.”
“What’s the other reason?” Alexi asked.
“I want you away from my daughter. She’s
not safe with you.”
Alexi studied her, wishing she could
believe that. She’d heard enough in that call to convince her Melissa’s motives
were only a fourth altruistic.
Slate walked into view from the kitchen
holding her sleek smartphone out.
“Tia,” Alexi said, still holding her gun
on Melissa.
“Alexi? Is that really you?”
“Yes, Melissa can attest to that,” she
said. “I’m with her now. I thought you’d like to say goodbye to her. She’s
going on a trip.”
“Goodbye Mother,” Tatiana said. “Have a
nice trip.”
“April?” Melissa called, desperation in
her voice. “Alexi is going to kill me.”
“She’d never do that Mother,” Tatiana said
coldly. “Now, who’s being dramatic.”
“Tatiana,
listen to me, Alexi is going to kill me,” Melissa said. “She thinks I betrayed
her.”
“You did, and more importantly, you
betrayed me. I wish you’d just realize how happy Alexi makes me.”
“Mom,” April said. “I’ll see you—”
“I’ll arrange for a hotel,” Alexi
said quietly. “You won’t be able to get back into Gwen and Charles’s just yet.
It’s still a crime scene.”
“Thanks,” April said. “I’ll see you
in a few minutes, Mom.”
Alexi nodded to Slate who ended the
call. “Slate, leave us alone.”
