Sunday Sneak Peek

My Sunday snippet from ESTELAN.... Elnor and Pallia followed the Mage through a series of corridors, completely bare except for the magically lit torches equally spaced along each hallway. The nameless Mage came to a stop before a pair of dark walnut doors. He bowed and walked off in the opposite direction. Elnor nodded to Pallia, pushed the heavy iron handles before them and allowed the doors to swing inward to expose an atrium. Pallia followed him in and withdrew her hood to get a better look at their surroundings. Cobblestone paths led from several entrances to a basic stone fountain in the center. The rest of the atrium was devoted curtains of hanging vines, several native herbs and florals commonly used in potions. The lofty hexagonal ceiling above was comprised of glass panes allowing a completely unobstructed view of Moon. “Welcome Lord Elnor and Lady Pallia.” A chill ran down Pallia’s spine as the higher than usual pitch reverberated through the atrium. She turned toward the unfamiliar voice and from the shadows emerged Master Ikaine wearing long robes of deep navy intricately embroidered and beaded silver around the belled sleeves and hemline. His eyes seemed to glow as he stepped further into the moonlight. Lord Ikaine’s face was marked by harsh features and a closely cropped gray beard that did little to soften his appearance. A wicked smile broke across his thin blue lips, “Come, we have a new regime to plan.”

New project woes....

So, I am collaborating with my daughter on a middle grade book called WeatherGirl. It is a great idea for a seven year old - believe me - and I am so proud of her. The issue arising is creative differences. Yes, I said it. Creative differences between myself and my seven year old child who apparently has a firm idea in her head of what WeatherGirl should sound like. Apparently I made the mistake of thinking my thirty-eh-hem years and already published books meant something to my child. Fortunately, it means a little more now that I made her sit down and start some character development and scene-setting. I mean, we have been kicking this idea around for weeks before I started her in on the writing process. She had no idea how much work went into a story, let alone a book. This is all good for her to learn, I mean, she is very bright and needs a new challenge which this will give her. So, the real challenge here? I think her idea is so brilliant that I am incredibly eager to work on it. I just started hashing out a general synopsis, a potential beginning, nothing serious because as I said, I am putting her through the real process. Anyway, she hated it. Tears, frustration, the whole thing. The little bit she read upset her so much. I'm hoping it is just a combination of her being tired and me going too fast, but we are definitely off to a rocky start with WeatherGirl. *sigh* Incidentally, what do you all think? Autumn Lavender lived in a large white house with fading black shutters and the best kept lawn in Kempsville. She had two loving parents who reminded her every day that they loved her. Autumn also had three younger brothers who reminded her every day that they didn’t love her. She walked to Briarwood Middle School with her best friend, Amelia. Her family believed in Sunday dinners together (though her brothers tended to kick her under the table and try to steal her dessert). Autumn played sports, especially soccer and basketball, but she loved to read. In short, Autumn Lavender was just like every other twelve year old girl in the great, big world. Except, she wasn’t.

Sneakpeek Sunday

Please enjoy this bit from ESTELAN.....

Elnor awoke in a strange place, disoriented and certainly not alone.  He opened his eyes to three strange creatures peering at him with dark, almond eyes.  No taller than his babes at birth with skin the color of oakenwood bark but somehow smoother, shimmering as one of Pallia's gowns in the moonlight.  Their slight frames and pointed noses were overpowered by the thick, earth colored locks curling wildly in every direction.

He is awake.

Certainly he will choose now.

She will want to see him first.

Elnor could hear the voices in his head, three very distinct sounds but higher pitched than a normal man.  “You are very curious, what are you if I may ask?”

What are we?

What are we he says?

What are thee?

Sneakpeak Sunday

Perhaps you noticed the Sneakpeak Sunday graphic on the side of my blog, perhaps not.  Either way, check it out and support some fabulous authors!

My contribution to the hop - an excerpt from ESTELAN

Tyla felt her breath catch in her throat, the Nymph at her bedside was beautiful.  His face angled in somewhat effeminate lines, clear gray eyes fringed in silvery lashes, and skin of the deepest blue.  Long white locks fell in waves about his shoulders.  He was certainly slighter than Kriton and the Twins but stood nearly as tall.  “My lady, we are Nydin of the Water Nymphs and we feel pleasure at your wakened state.  How does your arm fare?”

“Many thanks, My Lord.  I owe you a great debt for your aid in saving me.”  Tyla gave a nod of her head in lieu of the customary bow, hoping he would forgive her weakened state.

“Certainly, we understand you are unwell and would not expect such formality from you.  Though we would not ask for such trite customs if you were completely well, Lady Tyla.” Nydin tilted his head to the right, a smile played about his lips as he registered Tyla’s surprise, “You knew of course that most Nymphs are telepathic?  We have a connection now, as if you were of our kind.” Nydin seated himself upon the edge of her cot, across from Kriton, and took her hand in his, “We feel pleasure at arriving in time to aide you.  Of course, Lady Kitin was adamant you be saved, and whole.  There will be more to discuss of course, we merely wanted to see for ourself that you were recovering.  We will retire to our quarters now.  Please be well, Lady Tyla, we look forward to speaking with you again this eve.”  Nydin stood and left with little more than a nod to Kriton.  Tyla looked up to Kriton, puzzled and slightly embarrassed at the exchange he just witnessed.  She could not read his expression.