Tag Archives: Publications

New Release – help spread the word & win a copy

Out Today: Songs of the Wolf (Tales of the Holtlands)

The Wolf’s Sister and The Wolf’s Mate in a single print volume.

ISBN: 978-1605049205

It can be ordered from MBaM, BookDepository, Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

A love transcending race and culture…a love worth a fight to the death.

The Wolf’s Sister
Elite Fey’na warrior Shan is driven by hatred for the Lord of River Holt, the human who killed his sister. Vengeance is his only goal. Then he meets a woman on the run.

Jeren is desperate to escape her brother before his misuse of magic consumes his sanity. She finds safety and protection with Shan…but only so long as she hides her kinship with the Lord of River Holt…

The Wolf’s Mate
Jeren doesn’t expect Shan’s people to readily accept her, but she’s determined to prove herself worthy. Then the eyes of the beautiful sect mother fall on Shan, turning Jeren’s new world upside down.

Shan wants nothing more than to be with Jeren, but the sect mother has cleverly bound him to her service—full time. Yet he vows the suicide mission he’s been assigned won’t stop him from returning to claim Jeren.

Left alone to make a place for herself, Jeren’s own people seek her out—and force her into a terrible choice. She can set them free …but only if she forsakes Shan.

  • 4.5 Stars — “I haven’t read such a beautifully written tale in a very long time!” — Natalie, The Library
  • 5 Angels & a Recommended Read – “The fascination that I first felt when I had the chance to read the blurb for this book was well justified…I love to read books that make me feel the emotions that the players experience, be it fear, pain, anger, happiness, sorrow and frustration. The battles that these two go through make you ask yourself what next and when will it end, but the ending is very rewarding. Overall, I could read this book repeatedly and find something new in it. Thanks to R. F. Long for a very wonderful read.” – Darksnite, Fallen Angel Reviews
  • “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

The Wolf’s Sister Booktrailer

The Wolf’s Mate Booktrailer

Please help spread the word. Tweet, blog, review, link or whatever. (Anything to take my mind off the Budget and the weather here today!)

Competition

Leave a comment below and I’ll enter you into a draw to win a signed copy (or an ebook bundle if you’d prefer).

This competition is open to all (but for our friends across the Atlantic please bear in mind that the print copy might take a while to get to you as the row-boat is busy every other Tuesday! ;))

I’ll be selecting a winner at random (or by small child) on Friday.

With November rushing on

mainly powered by a hurricane and winter storms no less…

Here are a few bits of excitingness to keep us all going before December:-

WEXWORLDS // Sci Fi and Fantasy Fiction Festival 2010 // November 26th – 28th, 2010 // Wexford Town, Ireland

the Schedule is now available to download in .pdf format.

I’m hoping to get down on Saturday, but will definitely be there on Sunday as I have a couple of panels to be on.

12.00-12.50 Whites Hotel FREE

Current Sci-Fi TV Join Andrew Donkin with John Vaughan, Michael Carroll, Ruth Long, Peadar O’Gullinand C.E. Murphy as they discuss Dr. Who, Fringe, New V, Torchwood, Walking Dead and other popular programmes.

and

14.00-14.50 Whites Hotel FREE

Myth and Folklore in modern fiction – Join Herbie Brennan, C.E. Murphy, Oisín McGann, Maura McHugh and Ruth Long. Eminent authors discuss the uses and popularity of themes in Fantasy.

I’m also really looking forward to this:-

15.00 Alien 8 FREE

Grand opening of Alien 8 by Eoin Colfer – Join a vast selection of authors, who will happily sign your books among the many activities planned to celebrate the opening of this new Science Fiction Shop located in Selskar Square, Wexford.

Bookshops good! Free events wonderful!

There are also workshops (Lego! Rockets! Magic Swords!!!) which look amazing and all they’re asking for them is a fiver! What are you waiting for? 🙂

And speaking of December… only 26 days to go until …

SONGS OF THE WOLF comes out on 7th December 2010 and is available for preorder on BookDepository, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com and others. SONGS contains the two Holtlands novellas THE WOLF’S SISTER and THE WOLF’S MATE, previously only available in ebook format.

Reviews:

  • 4.5 Stars — “I haven’t read such a beautifully written tale in a very long time!” — Natalie, The Library
  • 5 Angels & a Recommended Read – “The fascination that I first felt when I had the chance to read the blurb for this book was well justified…I love to read books that make me feel the emotions that the players experience, be it fear, pain, anger, happiness, sorrow and frustration. The battles that these two go through make you ask yourself what next and when will it end, but the ending is very rewarding. Overall, I could read this book repeatedly and find something new in it. Thanks to R. F. Long for a very wonderful read.” – Darksnite, Fallen Angel Reviews
  • “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

A love transcending race and culture…a love worth a fight to the death.

The Wolf’s Sister
Elite Fey’na warrior Shan is driven by hatred for the Lord of River Holt, the human who killed his sister. Vengeance is his only goal. Then he meets a woman on the run.
Jeren is desperate to escape her brother before his misuse of magic consumes his sanity. She finds safety and protection with Shan…but only so long as she hides her kinship with the Lord of River Holt…
The Wolf’s Mate
Jeren doesn’t expect Shan’s people to readily accept her, but she’s determined to prove herself worthy. Then the eyes of the beautiful sect mother fall on Shan, turning Jeren’s new world upside down.
Shan wants nothing more than to be with Jeren, but the sect mother has cleverly bound him to her service—full time. Yet he vows the suicide mission he’s been assigned won’t stop him from returning to claim Jeren.
Left alone to make a place for herself, Jeren’s own people seek her out—and force her into a terrible choice. She can set them free …but only if she forsakes Shan.
Warning: Contains violence, scary monsters, desperate acts, burning jealousy and timeless love. Readers may find their imaginations hopelessly ensnared in a beautiful and terrible world of magic.

Question time: Your mileage may vary

My LJ friend bogwitch64 (Terri-Lynne DeFino) asked me a question the other day so I thought I would blog about it in response.

“You published quite a few books with Samhain (unagented?) before landing your current agent–is there a difference in the way you write? In what you write?”

Yes, I was unagented when I subbed to Samhain and then signed with Colleen late last year. This is my experience, and what I’ve found on my journey so far. Your mileage, as they say, may vary. This is basically what happened: Continue reading Question time: Your mileage may vary

Soul Fire out in print today

I’m having a very happy Star Wars day (May the 4th, geddit??? 😉 ) as my paranormal romance Soul Fire comes out in print today. The author copies are sooooo pretty!

Currently its up on MyBookstore and More, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. I’ll add other sites as they pop up on my radar. In the meantime, here are the details.

“Soul Fire” from Samhain Publishing

ebook available now (978-1-60504-619-8)
paperback available now (978-1-60504-712-6)

“No question about it, Soul Fire is monumentally thrilling and exotic. I couldn’t put the book down. A rare treat for me, I devoured this story from beginning to end in one sitting and I want more! … An out of this world paranormal romance/fantasy story that will have readers clamoring for more, Soul Fire is one hot read I will be recommending to all of my friends.” — Amanda Haffery, ParaNormalRomance

“In Soul Fire, R. F. Long has created an intriguing world of light and dark magic. Of intense action and hot love. From the opening scene, she drew me in. Captivated me. She’s taken an age old tale of good versus evil and has freshened it up with unique characters … I recommend R. F. Long’s Soul Fire. It made me smile and love and not want to put the book down.” – Sandra Barkevich, Romantic Inks (read the full review here)

“a great fast read, like a snowball rolling and constantly gaining momentum.” Natalie, IReadRomance.com

“Let me start by saying “wow!”…R.F. Long has the amazing ability to drag her readers into the story and carry them along for the ride. The characters were unique and out of this world, yet they seemed like someone you could get along with and have fun with… If you want to read something mind-blowing and incredible then I would recommend you read this story.” ~~ Tulip, Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews, 5 Cherries

Iron born and iron bred.

Trust not iron, it will see you dead.

Rowan Blake could really use a magic wand to keep her struggling art gallery afloat. But the faerie key she stumbles across is far from a lucky charm. It’s a magnet for danger, and by touching it she’s unwittingly put herself in the middle of a war between the forces of light and dark. And in the arms of its rightful owner, Prince Daire.

While searching for his brother, Daire finds himself trapped in the Iron World with a mere mortal woman who ignites his passion like no other. Each stolen kiss deepens their attraction and sends him spiraling closer and closer to the edge of his inherent dark desires. Desires that act as a homing beacon for the Dark Sidhe, who are intent on forcing him to fight on their side.

The longer he lingers in her arms—and in her bed—the closer his enemies get to her door. And the greater the risk that the gateway to the Faerie Realm will shift, destroying not only his power to protect her, but his very life.

Warning: Contains enchantments, danger, some very scary monsters, a trip to the dark side and hot, soul-transforming sex with an immortal prince.

Read An Excerpt Online

Buy from MBaM!, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

The official word

Irish writer Ruth F. Long’s contemporary YA fantasy MAY QUEEN, a darkly engaging mix of romance, adventure, fairytale, and folklore, about a teenage girl thrust into a faerie world where nothing is what it seems, no one is who they say, trust is a variable commodity, love can be used against her, and where the veil slowly lifts until she finds herself faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice—and not just her own, to Jessica Garrison at Dial Books for Young Readers, in a preempt, by Colleen Lindsay at FinePrint Literary Management (World).

— from The Swivet (and Publishers Marketplace)

So exciting. Unfortunately I’ve been a bit ill this week but working away on rewrites and doing some family history research as well – sick librarian cannot leave well enough alone… ever… Relax? What does that mean?

Back to work tomorrow. The headache is still lurking, but mostly gone. Planning to have a bath later on and try to soak some stress away. 🙂

LRC Voting is open

LR Cafe’s Best of 2009 Awards voting is open and The Scroll Thief has been nominated for Best Fantasy of 2009. If you’ve a vote to spare for The Scroll Thief, I’d really appreciate it.

To vote email at dawn_roberto @ yahoo DOT com with “LRC’s Best of 2009 Awards” in subject line. This is important as anything else will get deleted.

Voting ends on 22nd with the 23rd as a deadline for those in other time zones/countries to get their votes in. Anything after the 23rd is thrown out unopened so make sure the votes are in.

Award winners will be announced on 2/25 at NOON EST on the LRC’s yahoo loop from noon-2 PM EST. A full list of the nominees is available is LRC’s yahoo loop here.

The Fantasy Nominees are:

First Lord’s Fury (Jim Butcher-Ace)

Storykeeper (Jade Buchanan-AMP)

Lycan Tides (Renee Wildes-Samhain)

The Betrayal (Patti Nagle- Del Ray)

The Oath: Bound (Adrianne Brennan-Freya’s Bower)

The Apostle of Asphodel (Celina Summers-AMP)

Spying the Alcove (Laura Tolomei-Extasy)

Dragon Slayer (Fiona Jayde-Noble Romance)

Strange Fortune (Josh Lanyon-Blind Eye Books)

The Scroll Thief (RF Long-Samhain)

Dark Lady’s Chosen (Gail Z. Martin)

Any questions, please email Dawn at the above address.

Review for The Wolf’s Mate

A lovely review in for The Wolf’s Mate from ireadromance.com

Long has a wonderful gift when it comes to creating the fantasy world and weaving a tale which tests her own characters’ strengths.  Shan and Jeren had a lot thrown at them, it almost seems every five pages another conflict was added to the mix.  Looking back on it the romance actually sits quietly in the background while the growth of Jeren is very much at the forefront.  I look forward to the next chapter in Jeren and Shan’s quest for happiness.” ~ Natalie, rating 3

Many thanks Natalie.

The Scroll Thief nominated in Best Fantasy Book 2009 at Love Romance Cafe!

I was stunned to get an email yesterday to let me know that The Scroll Thief had been nominated in the Category of Best Fantasy Book of 2009 at Love Romance Café. Voting doesn’t start until the 15th February and runs through to the 22nd.

As soon as I have more details I’ll let you all know.

It’s amazing company to be in though. Yowsa!

Best Fantasy Book 2009

First Lord’s Fury (Jim Butcher-Ace)

Storykeeper (Jade Buchanan-AMP)

Lycan Tides (Renee Wildes-Samhain)

The Betrayal (Patti Nagle- Del Ray)

The Oath: Bound (Adrianne Brennan-Freya’s Bower)

The Apostle of Asphodel (Celina Summers-AMP)

Spying the Alcove (Laura Tolomei-Extasy)

Dragon Slayer (Fiona Jayde-Noble Romance)

Strange Fortune (Josh Lanyon-Blind Eye Books)

The Scroll Thief (RF Long-Samhain)

Dark Lady’s Chosen (Gail Z. Martin)

Out today: The Wolf’s Mate & a competition

I love release days. They’re also terrifying. They also sneak up on you far too stealthily and, in the manner of Keyser Soze… like that, they’re gone.

I’d never written a sequel before. I’d written some very long stories, but not a sequel to one I’d finished, believing it stood on its own. So when Jeren and Shan told me that they weren’t finished yet it came as something of a surprise.

I had no idea where it was going to go, or the things they were going to face. It got a lot darker than I expected.But Jeren and Shan grew as characters in ways I hadn’t imagined. Now, as I write The Wolf’s Destiny (part 3) I have two strong, determined people who are more than a match for the terrible things I throw at them.

In the course of writing The Wolf’s Mate there was a certain song which I listened to (almost all the time) and which sums up the major themes of the story. It also expresses some of the fear and pain that Jeren endures.

And its very very beautiful.
~

The Wolf’s Mate: a Tale of the Holtlands

ISBN:   1-60504-702-3; 978-1-60504-702-7

“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

Their love is a forbidden gift. Keeping it means a fight to the death…

A Tale of the Holtlands, Book 2

After escaping from her Holtlands home and her brother’s madness, Jeren looks forward to a new life with her beloved Shan and his people. She doesn’t expect the Fey’na to readily accept someone of her bloodline, but she’s determined to prove herself worthy. Then the jealous eyes of the beautiful sect mother, Ylandra, fall on Shan—handsome, strong, matchless among warriors—turning Jeren’s fragile new world upside down.

Shan wants nothing more than to be with Jeren, the courageous beauty who’s captured his heart. But their ancient enemy has attacked, and Ylandra cleverly uses an archaic oath to bind him to her service—fulltime. As he sets out on a suicide mission into the heart of enemy territory, he promises Jeren he’ll return—somehow—to claim her as his mate.

Jeren is left alone to make a place for herself among the elite Fey’na warriors, until a Holtlands envoy arrives bearing her ancestors’ sword. This magical artifact calls to the innate magic in her blood and forces her to make a terrible choice. She could lead the battle to free her people…but only if she forsakes Shan.

Warning: contains scary monsters, desperate acts, burning jealousy and the consummation of a timeless love.

Read An Excerpt Online

Buy from MBaM

So: as is traditional it’s competition time.

I’m going to give away a copy of The Wolf’s Mate so someone who comments below, telling me what songs you think tell the best stories and I’ll pick someone using Random.org by Wednesday evening.

Comment away.

Excerpt Monday: The Wolf’s Mate

Excerpt Monday Logo
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.

The Wolf’s Mate: a Tale of Holtlands releases tomorrow, which is of course making me very excited indeed. I love these two charaters. I love their story, their romance and the way they interact. I am currently writing part 3 The Wolf’s Destiny, and things are really getting dramatic!

Tomorrow, I’m going to have some more information about the story, the things that inspired it, the elements that changed along the way and a little competition or two. I like them.

Today, however is Excerpt Monday, so here is an excerpt from The Wolf’s Mate. Hope you enjoy.

~~~***~~~

Their love is a forbidden gift. Keeping it means a fight to the death…

A noise in the night woke her. Only cold air met her when she rolled over. There was no sign of Shan, just a faint outline in the furs and blankets where he had lain. Beyond the shelter of the tent, the fire had dwindled away to a dull red glow and the chill in the night made her shiver.

“Shan?”

There was no answer. Her side ached as she sat up, reminding her to move slowly and with care lest the wound rip open again. Twice now she had done that and Shan had drilled into her the need to protect it.

“Shan?” she tried again.

A hand touched her shoulder, a cold hand like that of a corpse. Jeren turned with a cry and found herself looking into the face of Mirrow, the handsome young guard who had once been her friend and companion, who had died before she met Shan.

Terror killed the words in her tight throat. Mirrow raised a finger to his lips. “Shh…” His icy breath struck her face and her body stiffened in alarm. She stared at him.

It was him, in every detail. His thick brown hair, the little scar on his chin and the lopsided grin. She had found it endearing, a little rakish. Once, before she met Shan and truly knew the emotion, she had thought she might love Mirrow. A childish infatuation. She knew that now.

“You’re dead,” she told him in a tiny voice, though whether to remind herself or impart the truth to him, she couldn’t say.

His eyes glittered darkly. Not the coppery warmth she remembered but endless black, two windows on the void.

Jeren’s mouth opened but no sound came out. She heard thunder, fierce and loud, and only after a moment did she realise it was her own heart.

“Kiss me,” said Mirrow, leaning closer. “You always wanted to kiss me. It wasn’t fitting though. That’s over now. Kiss me.”

She jerked back, but his arms closed about her like iron, his touch so cold it drained what little warmth she had left. She needed help. She needed Shan.

“Ah,” came the sigh of realisation, of understanding. It flowed around her, chilled her. “Not this face. Not anymore. How fickle you mortals are. Something else then, something more like this.”

Transfixed, she watched Mirrow’s features flow and change, colour draining away, his close-cropped hair growing and twisting itself into braids. Tiny braids of silver-white.

Now Shan was holding her.

Jeren gazed into his eyes. The sorrow was gone. For the first time since she had known him there was no trace of pain. No shadow of the past. No scars left by her brother’s blight on his life. Dazed and confused, she struggled to focus. Her mind dragged its way sluggishly to accommodate this change. Had she been dreaming?

“Whatever were you thinking?” he asked.

“Shan?”

“Shh…” He brushed his long fingers down the line of her jaw and her skin shivered beneath his touch. Her lips parted in a gasp of surprise as the tip of his forefinger played across her bottom lip.

In the back of her mind, some instinct struggled wildly. This was wrong. Shan’s smile never looked so hungry, quite so ravenous as this. If anything, this smile reminded her of her brother Gilliad, and her subconscious mind rebelled to see it on Shan’s handsome face.

Then he kissed her.

Shan’s hand closed on the back of her neck, tangling her hair in his fingers so she was trapped. In his strong grip she couldn’t help but let him have his way. And this kiss was far more than his chaste and respectful kisses. Even they stirred every sense she possessed. This time he sent her desire out of all control.

She clawed at his shoulders, hungry for him, desperate despite her discomfort or fear. It wasn’t right. She knew that. Her heart hammered against her ribs as all the time he held her in check, pushing her relentlessly back down onto the soft furs. This was wrong. Shan wouldn’t act this way. His honour was everything to him. And his honour would not allow him to do this to her, not without vows exchanged, a handfasting at the least. But this new, dark-eyed Shan was different. His mouth consumed hers, his kisses tearing away some vital part of her pitiful resistance.

Jeren opened her terrified eyes wide as the first jerk of energy within her snatched away her remaining breath. Now his lips devoured not just her own, but her very life force, tearing her soul and her very essence out with his kiss. Her body sagged, helpless under the enchantment, and her consciousness flickered like a candle in a gale. This wasn’t Shan. Couldn’t be Shan. But then, where was he?

The light in her gutted once more and went out.

~*~

The sight of the grey wolf drew Shan through the night. Fluid and beautiful, she crossed the snow without leaving a trail. As she looked back, her glance beckoned him on. It was almost too late when he realised his mistake. Anala would never deliberately draw him away from Jeren. The wolf’s ghost had brought them back together, had helped them to escape.

Dismissing it as another animal, albeit one almost as beautiful as his former companion, he turned his back. As he did so an alien movement caught the corner of his eye and the wolf was gone. Dull dread beat hollowly inside him as he looked instead to find a woman standing in the snow. Her eyes glistened, completely black without iris or white, and her long hair trailed behind her, as black as the smoke of a funeral pyre. Beneath the wolf skin draped around her shoulders she was naked, her pale skin both a lure and a warning.

“What are you?” he asked on a hitched breath.

She smiled, her lips parting to reveal sharp canines. “Am I not your desire? Both woman and wolf?”

Shan frowned and curved his left hand on the hilt of his sect knife, the right one against his sword. Both weapons felt cold, but wholly real. The only real thing about the scene before him. He acknowledged it to himself, swallowing hard on the lump in his throat. “You are not Anala’s ghost.”

“No.” She stepped closer and her features shifted subtly, her hair paling and rearranging itself in a thousand slender braids. Now his sister stood before him and yet he knew it was not, if only by the deviant gleam in her unnaturally black eyes. It could not be her, for Fa’linar would never look at her own brother in that way.

Shan slid the sect knife free. It formed a comfortable weight in his hands, his anchor in reality.

The woman’s gaze darted down to it for the briefest moment and when they returned to his face, her features had changed again. Her hair was brown, the deep glossy chestnut of Jeren’s hair. She flinched back from him.

“Shan? What’s wrong?” Her voice rang out in the night air—definitely her voice, every nuance correct. “Don’t you know me?” She reached out with trembling hands. But her eyes were still wrong. So desperately wrong.

Shan shook his head, trying to clear the image, but it remained before him, the human girl he loved, scared of his sudden aggression. Her face paled and she bit on her lower lip, as she always did when unsure.

He almost dropped both knife and sword. His eyes lingered on her face, then dropped down her nubile length. The perfect curve of her side. Without even the trace of a wound. Not even a scar. Flawless.

She stood no more than two feet away from him when he slashed out with the blade of his sect knife.

With speed and dexterity far beyond any mortal, she twisted aside and all her pretence fell away.

“You’re not my Jeren!” He kept the knife between them, and fear clawed at the back of his throat, though he used everything in his power to push it down.

The creature laughed, her illusions tumbling to the snow like the spring thaw.

“No. And soon your Jeren will be our Jeren and you, Shan’ith Al-Fallion, will be mine.”

“Never.” The word was a low growl. “You’re Fell’na. You’re everything my people despise.”

She turned away, her body twisting to smoke and shadows, but her voice lingered on the breeze like a taint. “So is she.”

Jeren!

Shan sprinted back to the camp, the knife heavy in his hands, the sword dragging at his arm with every step. He tore over rocks and through deep snow, reckless in his haste.

The dark form of a Fell’na cradled her, leaned over her mouth like a lover. But instead of kisses, it stole her life itself. Jeren’s arms hung limp at her side, her eyes stared vacantly at the skies overhead, and a thin covering of frost glistened on her perfect skin and twisted through the strands of her chestnut hair.

“No! Jeren!” Shan tore the creature off her and held it so it could not dissolve into mists and shadows. His knife flashed moonlight for the second before it bit into the darkness. The Fell’na cried out in a tongue close enough to his own that he recognised a curse. Then it sagged in his grip, nothing more than deadweight. He dropped it and pulled Jeren from the ground, gathering her in arms that suddenly felt weak, helpless.

Her body hung from his grip, so cold, dangerously cold, and her heart fluttered like that of a wounded bird.

“Curse it, Jeren,” he whispered, trying to rub some warmth back into her body. “Can I not leave you alone for a moment?” The feeble attempt at humour to rouse her fell sickeningly flat. He kissed her unresponsive lips and his heart plummeted when she remained still and cold as stone.

“She’s ours now,” a teasing voice carried on the breeze and he jerked his head up to meet the threat.

“No. I’ll keep her from you, Enchassa, Sorceress, Witch!” He rubbed Jeren’s arms furiously, trying to will her stolen life force back into her while the Fell’na Enchassa laughed.

“If you had the fire of the desire you claim to hold for her, that might do you some good. But it isn’t proper is it, Shan? You can’t save a lover with your love alone unless she’s your wife. That would shame you. And so would mating with a creature like that.”

“You won’t touch her.” He slashed towards the figure as it coalesced from the darkness. But her smile didn’t fade, no more than she did.

Beautiful as night, her skin like water under a moonless sky, iridescent waves of hair tumbling down her back, she moved towards him, each step more bewitching.

“She’ll be our thrall. Her magic ours to use. And so will you.” She laughed, the noise ripping through the air to caress his skin, setting the sensitive hairs vibrating with alarm and unwilling desire. “Ah yes, you can feel it too, Shan. Part of you even wants it. Come with me now and spare your people.”

“My…my people…” A fog drifted over his mind, the Enchassa’s power falling over him. He knew it even as he failed to shake it off.

“She’ll bring ruin to you all.” A fingertip slid down the length of his arm, leaving ice and terror in its wake. “This I prophecy. And though you think you love each other now, that will never endure. She lives for but a moment next to us. She is a brief light and at best you’ll spend countless years in mourning once she is gone. Her home will draw her back and I see only blood there, blood spilling all around, blood covering her, drowning her. And the blood of the Fey’na will stain the ground. Your blood, your people’s blood billowing through the pools beneath the Vision Rock. And all drawn because of a sword, a sword like a grasping hand reaching out from River Holt.”

The Enchassa’s grip closed around his throat. “Let’s end this, you and I,” she whispered, her breath like the first warning of a snowstorm.

“Don’t forget me,” Jeren hissed, her voice brittle from beneath them. She seized Shan’s hand and thrust the knife he was still holding right at the Enchassa’s heart. With a howl of rage the Fell’na threw herself back, turning to avoid it, and the blade sliced along her forearm, trailing a smear of tarry blood behind it.

~~~***~~~
Links to other Excerpt Monday writers
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site. As Excerpt Monday is an international affair, some of the links might not be live as yet, so remember to check back.
Links:

Our hosts:-

Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)

and

Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)

Joining us this week:

Stephanie Draven, Fantasy with Romantic Elements (PG 13)
Danie Ford, Contemporary YA (PG 13)
Babette James, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Cynthia Justlin, Thriller with Romantic Elements (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary Romantic Elements (PG 13)
Shawntelle Madsion, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Debbie Mumford, Science Fiction/ Fantasy (PG13)

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Remember to come back tomorrow, for release day music, chat adn a chance or two to win The Wolf’s Mate. Spread the word.