Hope you all enjoyed “Old Friends” and meeting Tyria.
Speaking of kick-ass female characters in fantasy, I wrote a guestblog. It went up while I was away, but come and talk Our Heroes and Self Rescuing Princesses at Paranormal Romantics!
So, here it is, the last part of the story. I hope you have enjoyed this. It’s been a bit of an experiment so if you have enjoyed it please let me know.
If you missed previous instalments, you can read Part One Here, Part Two Here, Part Three Here, Part Four Here.
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The light burst into a million fragments, whirling about them like a nest of fireflies struck in two. Reese gasped for breath, as if doused in water. The shock from the breaking of his spell, and horror to see how close he had come to succumbing covered his face. He stumbled back, clinging to Elysse.
The Enchassa screamed a curse. Her body swirled to smoke and shadows and, an instant later, she reformed right beside the lovers. She lashed out towards Elysse and the twisted claws she bore for nails sliced into the girl’s throat. Reese tried to turn, to defend his betrothed but too late. His mouth distended in a silent scream. The Enchassa turned on him, ready to finish the slaughter. But before she could, the power Tyria had always sensed in him detonated.
Today its part Four of Old Friends. If you missed them, you can read Part One Here, Part Two Here and Part Three Here.
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Old Friends: a Tale of the HoltlandsTyria only heard the faintest sound to warn her of attack. Turning, she caught the Fell’s stomach with the swinging blade, disembowelling it. It kept coming, momentum propelling it. The extended claws sliced through the heavy leather of her jerkin.
Armour, she thought through the wave of pain that engulfed her. I need armour. She kicked the next attacker in the gut, and beheaded it. Lots and lots of really strong armour.
Hot slick blood spread through her cotton undershirt.
Keep moving, she ordered herself. Don’t think about them, about Reese, about anything. Keep moving. If you stop, you die.
The blob of light moved further out over the lake of blood and all around her the dark shadows, with claws as sharp as steel, writhed and thickened. Their own rancid blood pooled beneath her feet, and splattered across her face. She spat it out.
I got home this morning to a lovely (and early) review for The Wolf’s Mate.
“It’s well written, fast paced and filled with interesting and unique characters….The best part of the story is Jeren herself. I liked her in The Wolf’s Sister but in this release, she really grows and shines, as she turns into a confident and determined woman, willing to fight for her man. I’m very curious to see what happens to these two mates with the next and last release.” – 4 Nymphs, Mystical Nymph, Literary Nymphs Reviews Only
You can read the full review on their site, but I’m delighted. It’s like an early Christmas present!
The Wolf’s Mate: a Tale of the Holtlands comes out in January.
Part Three of Old Friends today. If you missed it, you can read Part One Here and Part Two Here.
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The cave, which formed the entrance to the abandoned mine, was a dark cleft in the rock face, as if a giant had smote a gash through the side of the mountain. Nothing would induce the horses to go any nearer. They couldn’t have taken them in there anyway. But the reaction told Tyria all she needed to know. Dancer’s instincts were good and Tyria trusted the horse. There could be no doubt now. Too many pieces slotted right into place. Tyria drew her sword and lifted it as if in salute. Closing her eyes, she whispered a prayer to Al-V’Annin the Bright, Warrior god and Avenger of the Lost. He remained the one god in whom she felt able to place her trust and here, now, she needed his protection. The metal pressed cold and hard against her palm. It sucked away every last weakness from her. Her foster sister, had once declared that the sword was Tyria’s true love, her one and only bedfellow. Sometimes that thought was a comfort but there were also times when Tyria prayed for it not to be true.
Part Two of Old Friends today. If you missed it, you can read Part One Here
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They rode through the forest Tyria remembered as bright and green, filled with birdsong and the rustling of living things. Around the manor, the forest remained the same, but as they climbed into the hills, the birdsong died away, and shadows clung to the edges of her vision. Fewer flowers crowded the edges of the path, and finally they vanished, leaving only briars and weeds.
Reese sagged in the saddle, more affected by the change than she was.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes. But it hurts inside, as if this will never recover. Can’t you feel it? The earth itself is fighting a sickness.”
“What sort of sickness?” She knew, or could guess, but she asked anyway to keep him talking. It always started like this. A poison, a curse, the Fell.
I’m still a little shaky (there may be typos).
The Scroll Thief on Fantasy Book Review.
“an enjoyable, entertaining romp through the bloodstained streets of a city rife with ethnic hatred, soul sucking witches and councillors who don’t know quite what they’ve let themselves in for…”
7/10 – that’s kind of awesome, right?
Thanks Julia!
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
Old Friends: a Tale of the HoltlandsInvitations weren’t part of a warrior’s day to day experience. Tyria knew two things: people who wanted to see or spend time with her always had an ulterior motive; people in need of help just came straight out and asked.
Reese’s note was curt, almost rude. As her oldest friend, there should have been some sort of greeting at least. It had been four years and she hadn’t even had word he was home. He asked to see her, but didn’t say why. It had to be bad. Read more…
Who doesn’t love getting something for Christmas? Something free and packed full of excitement?
Starting Monday 14th (and tying in with Excerpt Monday too), I’m planning to post a five part Holtlands short story up here for you guys. Set in the same world as “The Wolf’s Sister” and the forthcoming novella “The Wolf’s Mate“, “Old Friends” introduces a new character, Tyria Scion of Tyr. Her story takes place many years after Jeren and Shan’s, but also features their enemies the Fell, some True Blood magic, and the mystery of a missing woman to be solved. You don’t need to have read the Holtlands stories before however. This one stands entirely on its own.
There are more Tyria stories on the cards too, one day.
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(dates maybe subject to change but I’ll try to keep you up to date).
Come one, come all, invite your friends, blog me, tweet me and please please please comment!
I think I’ve said before I get a lot of my inspiration from music. And sometimes the song comes after the story, but still manages to encapsulate everything I was trying to say.
This just happened for May Queen, my YA paranormal/fantasy with this song, “Green the Whole Year Round”.
Plus, its Christmassy too! A bonus!
Or perhaps its lining up for a place with the sequel, should I write one. Hmm…
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