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8:56 AM
Here's the newest version of the Bound by Blood cover. I had to redesign it to Kindle specifications. It's not much different at all from the original one. It was fun to delve into designing again-- I haven't had any time at all for that lately and I miss it a little!
When we thought we were going to have to change the name of the book way back in the beginning, I toyed with a design and this was the result. I like this one but it doesn't really fit our story. The new one suits much better, I think. I always have a blast designing these things though.
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2:39 PM
After some last minute additions to the book and the need to edit them, we've decided to put the official release date for the Kindle edition of Bound by Blood as September 20th.
The print release will be sometime later, hopefully by Oct 1st.
We'll keep everyone posted on exact dates for the print launch!
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5:03 PM
Amazon has put Dréoteth in print on sale for $9.35! I'm not sure how long it will last, but take advantage of the sale if you've been waiting for a print copy!
Find it HERE.
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9:44 PM
Every Tuesday, a group of writers post snippets of upcoming or already published works. Since I've missed this the last couple weeks, I thought I'd get something up for tomorrow. This piece is from my soon to be released novel, Bound by Blood. It hasn't gone across the final editor's desk yet, so there may be some minor changes later, but this is pretty close to what the end product will be.
As always, comments are welcome.
* * *
He traveled from one patch of black to another until he stood inside Kyle's room, nostrils flaring at the stench. One brief sweep of the room told Luceph all he needed to know about Kyle Weller. The two other heartbeats in the row home were no threat to him, only an annoyance. With a thought and mild exertion of his will, he cast a cloak of obfuscation over Kyle's bedroom, blocking any sound from escaping.
Through a maze of discarded clothes, old food wrappers and random bits of trash, he walked to where Kyle still lay curled into a fetal ball against the wall. Luceph did nothing to hide himself from view.
Kyle saw his boots first and sat up with a gasp of pain, smearing spittle off his lips with his wrist. "Who the fu--"
"How long you live will depend directly on how prompt and thorough you answer my questions. I'll know if you're lying," Luceph said.
Kyle struggled for a breath, holding his ribs with one arm. Staring with wary eyes, he said nothing more.
Luceph thought Kyle may not be as ignorant as he looked.
"Very good. How and where did you meet Laurel Mayfield?"
"That whore," Kyle spat.
Luceph cocked his head a fraction.
Kyle swallowed, shrinking back. "Met her here, in Philly. She was a waitress and I was a bartender."
The scent of Kyle's fear was ripe on the air. An almost tangible taste Luceph absorbed through his senses. In reaction, his teeth started to sharpen and elongate. Keeping his predatory instinct in check, he asked, "And where was she from?"
"K…Kansas. She's from some podunk town in Kansas, man."
"What town?"
Kyle seemed to cast through his memory for the name. "Uh, Sally…somethin'. No, Salina. Yeah, Salina."
"And her parents?"
"She talked about 'em a few times. Dotty and…Roy, I think."
Luceph turned, strolling through the remnants of a wrecked life. The room reminded him of a dump. He passed a crooked mirror, his reflection warped like there was a ripple in the cheap glass. "How long were you together?"
Kyle faltered over the answer. He sat up as straight as he could, holding tighter to his ribs. His brow looked greasy with sweat. Luceph saw anger sift through the varied expressions the boy didn't seem to be able to control.
"We weren't really together. She went out with me like three times."
"You must have liked her quite a lot. You also don't take rejection very well. Either that, or you're one of the most vengeful men I've run across in a while. Hm?" Luceph made his guesses over Kyle's obsessive leanings toward Laurel. The way he tucked his chin to his chest and looked guilty told Luceph his guesses were founded in truth.
"Whatever, man. Are we done with twenty questions, here?" Kyle's attempt at bored irritation failed.
"Stand up," Luceph said. He could have squeezed the boy for more information but the nuisance wasn't worth it. Intimate details about Laurel's personal habits and demeanor could be retrieved other ways.
"In case you hadn't noticed, I got busted ribs." Kyle scowled and his eyes grew shifty. Back and forth, nervous, looking for escape.
Luceph reversed his circuit of the room until he stood before Kyle. There was no rush, no sense of urgency. He reached down and hauled the boy up by the throat. Slow, methodical. Almost mechanical.
"Your usefulness wears as thin as my patience, Kyle Weller." The wicked curve of Luceph's fangs distorted his speech.
Kyle's howl of pain turned into a scream when he realized the outcome of this meeting would be quite different than the last one. He flailed, swinging his unbroken fist and kicking his feet, face pinched and red. Luceph felt not one ounce of compassion for his plight or his fate.
Jamming his hand under Kyle's chin, he wrenched it up at a sharp angle and exposed the length of his vulnerable throat. With a vicious lunge, he sank his fangs in. Blood splashed hot and thick over his tongue.
The blows Kyle delivered were useless, ineffective. They became weaker, like his screams.
Draining him with deep swallows, Luceph held Kyle pinned until the boy's knees sagged and his flesh grew pale. When Kyle hovered on the brink of death, he sank all his teeth in and ripped out a chunk of his throat. Spatters of red streaked over Luceph's face, his clothing, the wall.
He spat out the mouthful of flesh and let go of Kyle at the same time. The young man sank to the floor, twitching, eyes open and staring at a fixed place in the room.
Luceph did nothing to disguise the murder. Let the police wonder and search in vain for answers. It would end up being one of those odd, unexplained situations that baffled detectives and forensics experts for years. A bite, but not quite a human one. Not an animal, either. No DNA to follow, no forced entry, no fingerprints.
Licking the blood off his teeth, he stepped into an inky sliver of shadow, leaving Kyle in the capable hands of death.
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10:42 AM
My original blog list got axed when I changed themes. Trying to add people as I can.
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11:06 PM
In anticipation of my upcoming release, Bound by Blood, I'm offering Dréoteth Kindle edition for .99!
This promotional offer is for a limited time only!
Check out the ebook edition HERE.
Thanks!
Danielle
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7:52 PM
I've been crazy busy editing Bound by Blood with my co-author. It's finally starting to really come along. I'm in my final revision now before it goes out to editors and I'm hoping to have it completed before next Monday.
Things are hopping. I plan to do a giveaway both here and on Goodreads for a free print copy of the book come launch time, so stay tuned!
Cheers!
Danielle
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5:50 AM
Thanks again to everyone who bought books for the contest and for those who signed up to win an Amazon Gift card. The winner has been chosen!
Congratulations, Nancy!
Your gift card is on its way.
Danielle
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10:38 AM
Congratulations to Kari Sutherlin, the winner of the Goodreads giveaway. Hope you enjoy reading Dréoteth!
Cheers,
Danielle
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7:40 AM
Nick Spalding was kind enough to host a bunch of indie author books on his site. Dréoteth is featured today!
Check out Spalding's Racket.
Thanks!
Danielle
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7:31 AM
Don't forget to add your name to the comments section on the Launch/Contest post below if you've bought a copy (Kindle or Print) of Dréoteth in the month of July. The contest ends today!
Check back tomorrow for the announcement of the winner and good luck to everyone who entered.
Cheers!
Danielle
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6:21 AM
The latest installment for Teaser Tuesday. This is from Dréoteth.
The forest, the forest, the forest.
Too dark to really see.
Branches cut at her face and leaves thrashed as the wind ripped through them.
She knew it was close.
The dragon.
Every fierce flap of its wings teased the treetops.
It was trying to flush her from cover and into the open. She could see the meadow beyond the thick trunks with bark so rough it shredded her skin off.
Running, running, zig-zagging her way anywhere but into the open. It felt like a maze, though after twenty feet there always seemed to be nowhere to go but out. Out –there-, where it would get her. She felt a gust of hot breath down her nape and swallowed a scream.
Left.
Right.
Left.
Suddenly she burst into the open.
No!
Spinning around, she stumbled and put an arm up to ward off an attack.
It swooped down for the kill, blue eyes glowing in the gloom. It looked even more sinister here with ambient moonlight turning the black scales blue. Its talons were wickedly sharp and extended.
For her.
It opened its mouth—look at those teeth!-- with the intent to snap right down over her body.
She felt the hot sting of its gaseous breath… and suddenly there were no dragons, no fire.
She stood before a much taller man, dark hair brushing against his masculine jaw, staring down at her intently. They were in the midst of an exchange, fingers brushing as he grasped her dandelion and straightened.
His eyes were blue, so blue.
It was the only color in the gray meadow, under the gray sky.
They narrowed, almost becoming slits. Reptilian.
She knew those eyes.
Around the dainty stem of the weed, his fingers grew claws.
He took a step closer; she took one in retreat.
Her spine became ice, drip-dripping numbness into her legs, which didn’t want to run when she told them to.
He laughed, a growling, gravelly sound. His hand shot out to grab her--
