Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The San Pinto Times is moving


The San Pinto Times has moved from blogger to wordpress. This will be my last post on blogger. I've moved over all of the content but I'm still working on the little details. The site is going to change and I think it is going to look great! On to bigger and better things...and stuff.

http://gwjefferies.wordpress.com/

soon to be gwjefferies.com

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Coexist (Keegan's Chronicles #1) - Chapter Excerpt


Check out the first chapter to Julia Crane's Coexist (Keegan's Chronicles #1)
Coexist book excerpt - Chapter 1

Product Description for Coexist

Sixteen-year-old Keegan is struggling to keep her huge secret from her friends--she's an elf, descended from a long line of elves that live in secrecy alongside humans.

In elfin society, mates are predetermined but not allowed to meet until they are eighteen. Against tradition, Keegan's brother Thaddeus told her Rourk's name because his visions warned him she'd need Rourk's protection, especially since Keegan will play a key role in the coming war between the dark and light elves.

Rourk finds himself drawn to Keegan's side every time she thinks his name. He wants to talk to her but remains in the shadows, silently guarding her every time she mentally beckons him. A twist of fate thrusts the two of them together when Rourk is forced to step up his protection and make his presence known.

An ancient prophecy deeply entwines Keegan's family and the future of their society. Somehow they must find a way to thwart fate and win the battle...without losing Keegan. With war brewing, and dark forces aligning, will Keegan and Rourk ever have the life together that they both desire?


Book 1 - Coexist (Keegan's Chronicles #1)

Book 2 - Conflicted (Keegan's Chronicles #2)

--

Friday, September 16, 2011

Fall From Grace by Matthew Munson - Chapter Excerpt

Fall From Grace ... Chapter One
The Celestial Observatory



He stood at one of the large, arched windows, his shoulders tense with frustration. His eyes were staring blankly out over the star-flecked darkness of the cosmos and his mind, usually absorbed by the awe-inspiring sight of entire galactic discs, was elsewhere; he was distracted by the almighty row he had just had with his Father.



The ever-changing view of the galaxies swirling slowly past usually helped calm him after one of their arguments - but it failed today. This row had been more intense, and the bubbling, underlying resentment between them had seemed far closer to the surface. The stars weren’t doing anything to disperse the bubbling anger he felt inside. His ire was too great; the argument with his Father was still fresh in his mind, scattering any other thoughts.



“Brother?”



He looked round and saw Gabriel walking towards him, a look of concern on his youthful features.



“Gabriel,” he said softly – more softly than he had spoken with his Father. After all, it wasn’t Gabriel’s fault that his older brother and Father couldn’t last more than five minutes without arguing. “You shouldn’t be here. Return to the Chamber. They’ll think you’re allying yourself with me.”



He couldn’t keep the cynicism out of his voice, and immediately regretted not trying harder. He’d always suspected that their parents preferred Gabriel over him; he had learnt to accept it a long time ago, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t occasionally find it irritating.



Gabriel had always been the peacemaker between his older brother and their Father, trying to stop their arguments before they started – or at least soften the edges when they did, inevitably, erupt. It didn’t usually work, but to his credit, he always tried anyway.



“I don’t care if they think that,” Gabriel retorted. “You’re my brother. Why should I not stand with you? I agree with everything you said.”



His elder brother blinked in surprise at the passion in Gabriel’s voice – a passion that he didn’t often hear coming from his mild-mannered sibling. Gabriel usually kept his own counsel, because the last thing his family needed was someone else shouting in the Ruling Chamber. He knew, however, that Gabriel was old enough to make his own choices now.



Wasn’t that what my Father and I were just arguing about? he thought. Choice?



“Just ... be careful,” he cautioned. “I’m the thorn in our Father’s side; there’s no reason for you to be tarred with the same brush. You know what Father and I are like. We argue. It will pass, as it always does.”



Gabriel nodded. “I won’t disagree with you on the first point,” he conceded, and gave a wan smile. “Your arguments seem to be getting more frequent, though. They’re always about the same thing, that tiny planet. Is there anything you two can find common ground over?”



His brother hesitated. It was true, there had always been a lot of heat between him and his Father, and their arguments had been increasing. He knew why, as well; he was no longer afraid to stand up to his Father, as he once had been. In his darker moments, he wondered if this was always a good thing, or whether he was picking a fight simply because he could.



He also wondered if he cared about the answer; he knew he liked to argue just for the sake of it. Shaking his head, he smiled back at Gabriel.



“Not much.” He sighed. “I ... I dislike Father being so obsessive.”



Gabriel interrupted with a nod of his head, and neither needed to say any more on the subject – they understood each other. He nodded back, and sighed again. He’d had the argument; he didn’t want to go over it again with his brother. Gabriel was purely here as peacemaker - as he always was.



“I wish there was something I could do,” Gabriel said. “Metatron is fuming, as you can imagine. Michael is taking the brunt of it so you don’t have to, I suspect.”



His brother laughed. “Metatron is always fuming. I think the heavens would fold in on themselves if she ever found peace. As for Michael ...” He hesitated. “I admire how he stands up to her. I think he’s the only one that ever does. I can see why my Father made him commander of his armies; if he’s not afraid of Metatron, there’s not much he can be afraid of.” He raised an eyebrow. “I wonder how much trouble she’d give me if it wasn’t for Michael”



Gabriel laughed in agreement. He and his older brother fell into companionable silence, staring out of the window and watching the heavens float by.



“I need to fly,” he said after a while. “I ... I need to centre myself, and I can’t do it here.”



Gabriel nodded, and watched his older brother go. Just as he was about to leave, a thought occurred to him and he called out his brother’s name.



“Lucifer!”



His brother turned.



“You’re my brother, and I love you,” Gabriel said. “But sometimes I wonder if you argue with Father because you enjoy it or because you’re convinced you’re right.”



Lucifer stared at Gabriel for a moment, then turned and silently left the Observatory. He didn’t reply because he wasn’t sure which statement he agreed with more.

The San Pinto Times Author Interview With Matthew Munson

Author Matthew Munson stops by The San Pinto Times for an author interview.

Author Name: Matthew Munson
Book Title(s): Fall From Grace
Book Category/Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Link to book(s): www.facebook.com/MyDebutNovel
Any other links you would like to share: www.matthewmunson.co.uk (my personal website) and http://vikingbay.blogspot.com/ (my personal blog)

Tell us what the book is about:
Fall From Grace is a fantasy novel about the tribulations of a group of angels 2,000 years ago, led by Lucifer, and how their destinies are interlinked with a group of humans in the present.

Lucifer, his brother Gabriel and his friends Satan and Beelzebub fight the Almighty, who wishes to see Heaven united with Earth under his leadership. At the same time, Metatron – the Almighty’s second-in-time - is clearly increasing her influence in heaven.

Peter is an ex-priest with little direction in his life; he and his friend Lauren have begun experiencing visions of an angelic life. Joseph, Peter’s best friend, tries to look for a more rational explanation – and that brings the three of them into direct conflict.

What would you say the theme of the book is?
It's about three ordinary humans who come into contact with extraordinary situations; Paul, Lauren and Joseph are people that I think we could all identify with in one way or another, and it's their journey into the fantastical.

Do you have a favorite character from your novel(s)?
I love all of them, of course! However, if I had to pick one I identify with most of all, it's Joseph, one of the main characters; our belief systems are very similar and I suspect I would react in many of the same ways as him if I were in the same situation.

What motivates you to write?
Do you write everyday? Oh yes, I have to write everyday - I couldn't imagine not. My ambition motivates me to write - I want to be able to connect with people though my writing and perhaps even make them think - and laugh from time to time.

Who would be most interested in this novel?
Hmm, good question. Any fantasy fans, obviously (I hope!) and anyone who likes to be challenged by a book and its concepts - and to read something fresh and new.

What prompted you to write the book?
The beginnings of the story have been swirling round my head for years, ever since I went to a Catholic secondary school (I'm British, so the education system is different over here if you're reading this "abroad!"). I never had the confidence to ever put it down on paper, because I wanted to get it right - and eventually I was confident enought to write it, having written first drafts of two other books first and various short stories!

Who are your favorite authors?
Well, where do I start ... Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, China Mieville, Joe Abercrombie. Utter legends. Stephen King - naturally. James Herbert is very cool - I loved Portents. They're all phenomenal authors, truely inspirational.

Would one of your books be a good movie?
It would be great, wouldn't it! What author DOESN'T think about that at some point? Fall From Grace would undoubtedly be an epic film!

What is your dream job?
Well, I've always wanted to be an author ... :-) I don't write full-time right at the moment (I can't afford to), but I do enjoy my other job as well. I'm 30 years old right now - who knows where I'll be in ten years time!

What projects do you have planned for the future?
I've started planning for a sequel to Fall From Grace; I blog regularly, which is starting to build, and I'm not sure how much else I've got time for these days!!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

I "like" you


Do you like me? You can "like" me on facebook at www.facebook.com/gwjefferies

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Author Blog Tour for 9-14-11


NOPE---NADA----EMPTY - It didn't happen. Sorry folks, no author blog tour for this week. However, if you are interested in being part of this blog whether you want to do an interview or a book excerpt...comment in this post.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Desert Waits [Kindle Edition] by J. Carson Black


The Desert Waits

"As sharp and prickly as a desert cactus. Thoroughly entertaining."
---Carol Davis Luce, author of NIGHT STALKER

A woman answers a terrified cry for help...
A husband betrays his wife one last time...
The owner of an isolated hotel harbors a dangerous obsession...
A man succumbs to a fatal attraction...

They are four strangers whose lives converge on a lonely stretch of Arizona desert...four strangers brought together by the brutal murder of a beautiful woman. Each of them has a secret. And all of them have a reason to be afraid.

Now, someone else is going to die. For in the desert, under the merciless sun, there is no place to hide.

* * * * *

Praise for J. Carson Black's DARK HORSE (writing as Margaret Falk)

"Should put Margaret Falk in the Winner's Circle."
---Tony Hillerman

"A terrific tale of murder and mayhem set on the quarter horse racing circuit in the American Southwest…Watch out, Dick Francis."
---J. A. Jance

Katie's Hellion (Rhyn Trilogy) [Kindle Edition]


Katie's Hellion (Rhyn Trilogy)


Katie’s having the worst day ever: she’s been dragged down to the police station for abandoning her son, a cute kid with big brown eyes. Only Katie doesn’t have a son. She’s never seen the five year old boy in her life, despite the insistence of the police, her doctor, even her own sister. She thinks she’s gone completely crazy until the five year old living in her house tells her his secret: he’s a baby immortal, and his guardians were supposed to wipe her mind so she’d forget he didn’t belong to her and raise him as hers. But Katie is immune to the power of immortals, and they don't react well to this discovery. Katie winds up in Hell, where she meets Rhyn, who recognizes her as an immortal's mate - and his key out of Hell.

Rhyn is a misunderstood immortal, the youngest of the seven Ancients, sentenced to Hell after accidentally almost destroying the world. Katie’s immunity to immortals creates an opportunity for them to escape Hell, so he snatches her and flees. At first, Katie despises the man who treats her like a portable food source, until she finds out he’s the only one willing and able to protect her from the dangers of the immortal world. Rhyn discovers that his little human has heart. With horror, he discovers she’s not destined to be any immortal's mate- she's destined to be his mate. He has no idea how to care for someone else let alone control his power, but he must learn, as his little human is endangered by both good and bad immortals determined to use her to their advantage.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Dead Is the New Black (Fashion Avenue Mysteries) [Kindle Edition]


Dead Is the New Black (Fashion Avenue Mysteries)

Laura loves fashion designer, Jeremy St James.

Not just the clothes, but him, and she’d be with him in a heartbeat – except that he’s her boss. And he’s gay.

So when she stumbles upon a dead body in his office, and Jeremy’s arrested for the crime, she sees it as a golden opportunity to turn her life around. If she can just locate a box of logo buttons, keep the cops off her tail, break up a counterfeiting ring, and get the show on the runway by Friday, she might earn his admiration, if not his love.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Apolo Drakuvich - Chapters 1 - 8


The first 8 chapters of Apolo Drakuvich are now free! Grab a copy below.



Apolo Drakuvich - Chapters 1 - 8 -- Free!


Review

A good tale. Gripping in places and emotionally freeing in some unique ways. When we find ourselves identifying with a repeat offender criminal our perspective is bound to be tweaked quite a bit - David Cleinman author of Toys In The Attic

Jefferies grabs you with this book and refuses to let go until you see it his way or no way. They say Texas is raw and gritty and this writer shows this truth in his writing. The story is mesmerizing and refuses to let go until it is finished with you. - Albert Robbins III of Free Book Reviews

Product Description

G.W. Jefferies' Apolo Drakuvich captures the life of a petty criminal on a strange ride ranging from bizarre and senseless to utterly tragic. Revolving around parasitic journalism, media and government corruption, and a ruthless, conniving judge who milks the citizens out of millions of dollars, Apolo Drakuvich can be described as a compilation of untamed and sheer madness--captivating the readers' attention from beginning to end. With its raw descriptions, penetrating dialogue and crisp writing, this book is like no other.

Within all the madness that so epitomizes the life of Apolo, G.W. Jeffries presents a life of regret in epic proportions. Sitting in a jail cell, Apolo reflects, "One thing is for sure, I let it all slip away...so many opportunities lost." Apolo sadly examines the events and decisions of his life, and the paths he took and should have taken. Apolo seeks peace of mind and justice, but flashbacks of his past continuously haunt him; moreover, he seems to be victimized by a corrupt justice system everywhere he goes.

As an offender, Apolo discusses pertinent issues of today's society, where it is next to impossible for offenders to live normal lives, despite the desire to do so. Essentially, law enforcement and authorities seem to systematically destroy the offender by placing constraints on the offender such as restrictions on where to live, GPS monitoring, registering as offenders on websites, and more.

Apolo Drakuvich is a microcosm of numerous real-life issues encompassing the wild, the bizarre, and the tragic.


Apolo Drakuvich - Chapters 1 - 8 -- Free!

-

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Vintage) [Kindle Edition]


Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt (Vintage) [Kindle Edition]


Shots rang out in Savannah's grandest mansion in the misty,early morning hours of May 2, 1981. Was it murder or self-defense? For nearly a decade, the shooting and its aftermath reverberated throughout this hauntingly beautiful city of moss-hung oaks and shaded squares. John Berendt's sharply observed, suspenseful, and witty narrative reads like a thoroughly engrossing novel, and yet it is a work of nonfiction. Berendt skillfully interweaves a hugely entertaining first-person account of life in this isolated remnant of the Old South with the unpredictable twists and turns of a landmark murder case.

It is a spellbinding story peopled by a gallery of remarkable characters: the well-bred society ladies of the Married Woman's Card Club; the turbulent young redneck gigolo; the hapless recluse who owns a bottle of poison so powerful it could kill every man, woman, and child in Savannah; the aging and profane Southern belle who is the "soul of pampered self-absorption"; the uproariously funny black drag queen; the acerbic and arrogant antiques dealer; the sweet-talking, piano-playing con artist; young blacks dancing the minuet at the black debutante ball; and Minerva, the voodoo priestess who works her magic in the graveyard at midnight. These and other Savannahians act as a Greek chorus, with Berendt revealing the alliances, hostilities, and intrigues that thrive in a town where everyone knows everyone else.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story is a sublime and seductive reading experience. Brilliantly conceived and masterfully written, this enormously engaging portrait of a most beguiling Southern city is certain to become a modern classic.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Vintage)

--

Michael Hart, inventor of the ebook, dies

Michael Hart, inventor of the ebook, dies

Ssad news to report in the ebook world. The inventor of the ebook has passed away. Michael Hart was the founder of Project Gutenberg and he invented the ebook in 1971.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Free Book Reviews - Apolo Drakuvich

Free Book Reviews - Apolo Drakuvich

Review

Overall Feedback: Jefferies grabs you with this book and refuses to let go until you see it his way or no way. They say Texas is raw and gritty and this writer shows this truth in his writing. The story is mesmerizing and refuses to let go until it is finished with you.

Point of View: Jefferies is direct with the point of view and really grabs the attention of the reader.

Voice: The voice again is direct in an entertaining way but the story itself is what draws you in.

Character Development: You can not help but feel for Apolo and empathize with him throughout the book.

Plot: We all know that a corrupt system exists and we all know this HAS happened in some form or another.

Dialogue: Gritty, fast paced and delivered flawlessly.

Pacing: Imagine the open expanse of the Texas Country Side fit inside of Rhode Island and that is how the plot moves. Meaning it feels wide open but the author finds a way to fit it all in between the pages he allowed. WOW!

Setting: Again we all know this could or did happen somewhere in some fashion.

Continuity: The bow is a little skewed but the author does a nice job of making it tied and in place.

The Halloween Collection - FREE


The Halloween Collection

Ebook Short Description

The Indie Eclective: What is it, who are they, and why can they spell neither “eclectic” nor “collective” correctly? The Indie Eclective is an ensemble of authors operating under the assumption that Readers like Good Books. The Halloween Collection showcases spooky reads from nine very different authors.


Extended Description

The Halloween Collection from The Indie Eclective

Rhyn Trilogy: Origins, by Lizzy Ford: Gabriel's fate as an assassin seems set until he meets a courageous half-demon child named Rhyn, whose plight rekindles the humanity he thought he'd lost.

Ralphie the Special Werewolf by P.J. Jones: Ralphie doesn’t want to get snipped, but his pack is tired of watching him defile the sofa cushions. Now, he’s got to find a mate by Halloween night—or else.... (Read more) The Halloween Collection from The Indie Eclective

Rhyn Trilogy: Origins, by Lizzy Ford: Gabriel's fate as an assassin seems set until he meets a courageous half-demon child named Rhyn, whose plight rekindles the humanity he thought he'd lost.

Ralphie the Special Werewolf by P.J. Jones: Ralphie doesn’t want to get snipped, but his pack is tired of watching him defile the sofa cushions. Now, he’s got to find a mate by Halloween night—or else.

Sunwalker's Kiss by Shéa MacLeod: While searching for a magical bloodline, Sunwalker Jackson Keel discovers magic of a different kind.

The Village of Those Who Touch The Dead by M. Edward McNally: "All obligations will be paid. There are no exceptions."’

Haunting in OR 13, by Alan Nayes: Halloween never frightened Sara McCaffe, until she stepped into Operating Room 13!

To Taste of Shimmering Revenge by Jack Wallen: A vampire is awakened after four hundred years only to find his kind embarrassed and shamed by the rash of shimmery, hunky vampires on the big screen. His revenge will be sweet and tasty.

Magickal Vendetta by Heather Adkins - Revenge is a dish best served up in a pink saucepan for accident-prone blood witch, Gretchen. By harnessing the power of Halloween, she hopes to break the bond with the soulmate who did her wrong.

From the Keegan’s Chronicles series: Haunted House by Julia Crane - Keegan, Lauren, and Anna find much more than they bargained for during an innocent trip to a commercial haunted house. Someone long dead awaits them on the second floor...

From the Gifted Teens series: Mind-Blower by Talia Jager - Kassia and Daxton’s romantic picnic is interrupted by the arrival of creatures bent on her destruction. Will her powers fail her when she needs them most?

About The Halloween Collection:

The Indie Eclective: What is it, who are they, and why can they spell neither “eclectic” nor “collective” correctly? The Indie Eclective is an ensemble of authors operating under the assumption that Readers like Good Books. The Halloween Collection showcases spooky reads from nine very different authors. Whether you enjoy light or dark paranormal, YA or adult-themed genres, there’s bound to be a story to suit your tastes. Thanks for reading!

The ebook is free and available on Smashwords in multiple formats.
Check it out...here!

The San Pinto Times - Author Interview with Laura Yirak


Author Laura Yirak stops by the San Pinto Times for a wonderful interview.

Author Name: Laura Yirak

Book Title(s): Delivered to Eternity

Book Category/Genre: Adult thrillers and Children’s books

Link to book(s): Amazon

Any other links you would like to share: http://dreamsofdiamondsauthor.blogspot.com/


Tell us what the book is about:

Alesta is a nurse with a secret. When babies start disappearing from her hospital, the police investigation implicates her. The police, however, are the least of her problems, as her past comes back alive. Such is the way with vampires.

Alexandria, Scotland has no idea what’s coming!

This tale is fast-paced, thrilling and delivers it all, with a bit of bite, fear, all wrapped up in Scottish humor.


What would you say the theme of the book is?

What really happens to one’s soul?


Do you have a favorite character from your novel(s)?

My favorite character is Alesta. She is so much more than just a regular old vamp. She has a dark past which involves her abusive vampire husband William, a stable lad, and a human named Patrick.


What motivates you to write? Do you write everyday?

Writing gives me a place where I can focus my over-active imagination. I write passionately everyday.


Who would be most interested in this novel?

Vampire lovers of course!!!! And if you like to be scared ;)


Who are your favorite authors?

Colleen Mccullough


Would one of your books be a good movie?

I love movies. It would be a dream to have Alesta on the big screen.


What is your dream job?

To write full time. I only get 2 hours a day to do it.


What projects do you have planned for the future?

I am working on a psycho-thriller now----ooooooo

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Bossypants [Kindle Edition]



Once in a generation a woman comes along who changes everything. Tina Fey is not that woman, but she met that woman once and acted weird around her.

PRAISE FOR TINA FEY:

"You'd be really pretty if you lost weight." (College Boyfriend, 1990 )

"Tina Fey is an ugly, pear-shaped, overrated troll." (The Internet )

"Mommy, where are my pretzels?" (Tracy Morgan )

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR BOSSYPANTS:

"I hope that's not really the cover. That's really going to hurt sales." (Don Fey, Father of Tina Fey )

"Absolutely delicious!" (A Guy Who Eats Books )

"Totally worth it." (Trees )

"Do not print this glowing recommendation of Tina Fey's book until I've been dead a hundred years." (Mark Twain )

"Hilarious and insightful. Laugh-out-loud funny -- oh no, a full moon. No! Arrgh! Get away from me! Save yourself!" (A Guy Turning into a Werewolf )

Bossypants

Friday, September 2, 2011

'That stupid b**** got what she deserved (I'll bet she was fat and black too)'. Shocking emails of Texas police hacked and dumped online

This is disgusting.

----
'That stupid b**** got what she deserved (I'll bet she was fat and black too)'. Shocking emails of Texas police hacked and dumped online

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2032981/F--guy-sounds-like-good-police-work-Embarrassment-Texas-police-emails-hacked-dumped-online.html#ixzz1Wp8VLooH

The guilty list - books you should have already read

The guilty list - books you should have already read. If you have not read these books...get them now. Read them...they are classics.

In no particular order (more to come soon):


















Not What She Seems [Kindle Edition]


Not What She Seems [Kindle Edition]
Victorine E. Lieske

A New York Times bestseller!

Steven Ashton, a billionaire from New York, and Emily Grant, on the run from the law...and when they meet he can’t help falling for her. What he doesn’t know is that interfering in her life will put his own life in danger.

Not What She Seems holds you in suspense from the moment you begin down the path of murder and romance.

Synopsis:
When billionaire Steven Ashton couldn’t stand his high society social life anymore, he left the stress of New York on a vacation for his soul. The need to meet real down to earth people led him to a small Nebraska town he remembered visiting as a child. He didn’t want to lie about who he was, but he couldn’t exactly tell them the truth.

Emily could have easily fallen in love with Steven, under different circumstances, but her past was catching up with her and she needed a new life. If the authorities found out about her, she could lose the one thing that meant everything, her four year old son.

Not What She Seems is approximately 67,000 words long.

This book is a "sweet" romantic suspense, appropriate for all ages.

Also by Victorine: The Overtaking - Book One of The Overtaking Series. (YA Romance)




Thursday, September 1, 2011

Until Death [Kindle Edition]


Until Death


Product Description

Darla longs to work magic but when, on her 18th birthday, a demon reveals to her she is a sorcerer, one of the most powerful creatures of magic that can exist, she discovers that nothing comes without a price. Long ago, the Council of Mages declared that sorcerers were too powerful to exist and hunted them almost to extinction. Her family pleads with Darla to renounce her powers, but can she give up what she has sought for so long? Faced with a choice between death and giving up the only thing she has ever wanted, Darla desperately searches for a third option. Perhaps, with the help of a good demon, she can discover how to change her fate.

Excerpt:

Nervous, I peeked into the break room. It was vacant. I realized I had been holding my breath and
exhaled. Hands shaking, I set out my spelling
regents, lit incense, purified the area, grounded and then readied myself to cast
the spell. It would work this time. It had to work. If it didn't ... I shuddered.
I couldn't think about that, it could jinx the spell.

I cast a circle of power, starting in the north then working
my way through east, south, west and then back to north. Feeling the circle close I called the
guardians of air, fire, water and earth.
As the last guardian was invoked I felt a stirring of power, like a
light electric charge, infuse the incense laden air.

It was an encouraging beginning but I'd come this far before
only to have the spell fall flat as a soufflé on an artillery testing range.

Shaking myself -- no negative thoughts! -- I began the main
spellwork. Since all spellwork is fueled
by magical energy I needed to raise some.
There are as many ways of raising energy as there are magical
practitioners. Certain ways are faster
than others but almost any repetitive activity will work if you stay focused
and keep at it long enough. I love to
sing and dance and so used my body and voice to shape the rising currents. This was another reason I wanted
privacy.

When the hum of building energy plateaued I began to weave
the spell. The idea was that at some
point the energy would peek and, at just that point, the last part of the spell
would be spoken and the energy raised would be directed into it to fuel the
working. If there wasn't enough energy,
or if the timing was off, the spell wouldn't have a power source and would be
as useful as a cell phone with a dead battery.

This last bit was the tricky part, the part I had never been
able to pull off. People were beginning
to whisper that I was a mundane -- a person not able to bind energy into a
spell. Sure, I could invoke spells someone
else had bound to an energy source and stored in an object, a wand for instance,
but even a mundane could do that.

As I sang and danced around the break room I could feel the
tingle of magical energy glide over my skin.
The energy was building. I
smiled. It was close. So close.


Keeping my awareness on the magical currents, I uttered the
last words of the spell and gave the push of will that would drive the two
together, sending the spell to feed off the energy raised and release itself
into the world. Only a little more ...
There! As I uttered the last syllable of
the spell I felt something begin to swirl around me like a breeze. It was
working!

And then .... nothing.


At the last moment a wash of cold radiated from my solar
plexus, driving the hot airy currents of energy down, grounding them. For a moment I felt the spell reaching for
the hot energy, hungering for it, but then it began to unravel.

I fell down on my butt, tears in my eyes. Why!
Why did this always happen? I had
been so close that time. So close. But close is never good enough, is it?

Noises outside the door, garbled words. Eli's voice.
Crap! I lunged toward my spelling
supplies and tried to extinguish the burning incense. I wasn't supposed to be spelling in the break
room. It had been banned last year after
a neophyte practicing an implosion spell had destroyed half the school.

From the Author

When I began writing Until Death I started with the idea of a teenager who wants, more than anything, just to be normal. In her world, this means being able to use magic, but she can't. She is a mundane. At the beginning of the book, it turns out that she isn't a mundane, that she is a very powerful kind of magical critter and, when folks find this out, they become scared of her and want to kill her. There's a lot more to the book than that, but Darla and her apparent lack of magical ability was the idea the book unfolded around.

Some writers can sit down and the story pours out of them on the first draft and they come back and tweak some things and clean up others and, a couple of drafts later, their book is done. Oh how I envy them! I'm a multiple drafts kind of gal, starting with a first draft that is little more than a rough outline. I think I went through nine drafts with Until Death.

I enjoyed writing this book and I hope you will enjoy reading it. Information about my blog and how to get in contact with me is on the right hand side of this page, I would love to hear from you!

F*ck yeah! 18 Kurt Vonnegut Books for $3.99 Each


18 Kurt Vonnegut Books for $3.99 Each

Now through September 28, Amazon is offering 18 books by Kurt Vonnegut for just $3.99 each. That's a great deal!

Free eBooks for Fiction Writers


Are you a fiction writer and you need a few pointers? Here is a list of free eBooks for fiction writers that will help you out.

70 Solutions to Common Writing Mistakes

Ask a Literary Agent (Year One)

How to Write a Great Query Letter