Weekend Writing Warriors #SundaySnippet - 'Dancing With Fate' - ".."Do you sense danger—has someone followed us?"

Hi fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to  my Weekend Warriors post  and another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link below this post, there's something for all tastes.

Last week: Terpsichore, muse of dance, has been given a new mission by Apollo, to restore joy and the love of dancing to the Celts of 5th Century Wales. This week we skip ahead to another character, Myrddyn ab Morfryn.

SNIPPET:  (Some creative punctuation from published version, to comply with 10  sentence rule.)

Seven weeks later

Myrddin glanced around; unable to shake off the feeling he was not alone. Far above the outstretched arms of the nearby forest, beneath the slate cliff, a red kite hovered, its haunting cry sounding eerie and forlorn. He raised his arm in greeting,"Good afternoon, my friend, would that I could join you."

Mist drifted across the valley and the rays of the afternoon sun stained the sky in vivid shades of vermilion and orange. A doe, her fawn at her heels, touched his hand with her nose and a family of squirrels played around his feet. He moved forward slowly, gathering twigs for his fire pit, and glanced around every few moments. He must have imagined it, this sense of someone nearby, no sound disturbed the silence except the twittering of the birds, and the buzzing of tiny insects.

He turned to the doe, "Time to take your baby home now, little one, you too, squirrels." The doe gave him one last affectionate nuzzle, then trotted into the forest, and the squirrels scampered up a nearby oak.

Myrddin walked over to his horse, a sturdy beast, black as a starless, moonless night; its long mane fell in waves, nearly to its knees. Surely, Harri would know if a stranger was nearby, and would have warned him?

"Do you sense danger—has someone followed us?

BLURB

(Cover by Miss Mae)

When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 

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Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

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"For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

The Blind Alien - Book Tour and#Giveaway

The Blind Alien

The Beta Earth Chronicles Book 1

by Wesley Britton

Genre: SF Fantasy

"The Blind Alien is a story with a highly original concept, fascinating
characters, and not-too-subtle but truthful allegories. Don't let the sci-fi label or alternate Earth setting fool you--this is a compelling and contemporarily relevant story about race, sex, and social classes."--Raymond Benson, Former James Bond novelist and author of the Black Stiletto books

Told with one of the most original styles you'll ever experience, The Blind Alien begins when Dr. Malcolm Renbourn, a young history teacher, walks into an ordinary bank on an ordinary day. Suddenly, he feels excruciating pain. Unexpectedly, he loses his sight and discovers he has been drawn against his will across the multi-verse to a slave-holding country on a parallel earth. He doesn't understand a single word he hears, but he soon learns Betan scientists hope his

body carries the cure to an ancient plague that kills 3 out of 4 male babies their first year.

Branded state property, he must escape, but where can a blind man in a strange world dominated by desperate scientists run? And on a world where polygamy is the norm, how can a fugitive alien adapt into becoming the husband of five independent wives who never expected to be the mothers of a generation a planet hopes carry the genes that will change everything? How can Tribe Renbourn survive the aftermath of a catastrophic explosion that kills thousands?

And that's just part of the story.

"A most commendable and unique novel. I can honestly say I have not come
across anything quite like it. The Blind Alien follows the life of an unremarkable man who by some twist of fate is pulled from his world, into that of one parallel . . . What follows is a story of rebellion, politics, love, science, and religion . . . without a doubt, this is an admirably well crafted piece of work, that was both entertaining and very thought provoking."--Tosin Coker, author of The Chronicles of Zauba'ah

Blind Alien is free on KU and only 99c to buy.

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Immerse yourself in an extraordinary universe revealed by the most original
storytelling you’ll ever experience. “Science fiction yes, but so much more.”

Besides his 33 years in the classroom, Dr. Wesley Britton considers his Beta-Earth Chronicles the most important work he’s ever done. “I suppose an author profile is intended to be a good little biography,”

Britton says, “but the best way to know who I am is to read my novels.”

Still, a few things you might like to know about Wes include the fact he’s the author of four non-fiction books on espionage in the media, most notably The Encyclopedia of TV Spies (2009). Beginning in 1983, he was a widely published poet, article writer for a number of encyclopedias, and was a noted scholar of American literature. Since those days, for sites like BlogCritics.org and BookPleasures.com, Britton wrote over 500 music, book, and movie reviews. For seven years, he was co-host of online radio's Dave White Presents for which
he contributed celebrity interviews with musicians, authors, actors, and entertainment insiders.

Starting in fall 2015, his science fiction series, The Beta-Earth Chronicles,
debuted with The Blind Alien. Throughout 2016, four sequels followed including The Blood of Balnakin, When War Returns, A Throne for an Alien, and The Third Earth. Return to Alpha will be the sixth volume of this multi-planetary epic.

Britton earned his doctorate in American Literature at the University of North Texas in 1990. He taught English at Harrisburg Area Community College until his retirement in 2016. He serves on the Board of Directors for Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania. He lives with his one and only wife, Betty, in Harrisburg, PA.

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Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Weekend Writing Warriors #SundaySnippet - 'Dancing With Fate' - is danger where she least expects it?

Hi fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to  my Weekend Warriors post  and another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link below this post, there's something for all tastes.

Last week: Terpsichore, muse of dance, has been given a new mission by Apollo, to restore joy and the love of dancing to the Celts of 5th Century Wales. He warns her that she will have to take the form of a mortal and to be careful not to put herself in danger.

SNIPPET:  (Some creative punctuation from published version, to comply with 10  sentence rule.)

What was Apollo keeping hidden though? She could always tell when he was holding something back, what had he not told her? Still, he would surely have her best interests at heart, no doubt, he would reveal it when he judged the time to be right.

She left the Great Hall through one of the rear doors. Was it her imagination or did she hear the sound of footsteps, as if someone scurried away down a side corridor? She glanced around and narrowed her eyes as she saw what looked like a tall figure slip into the shadows, but she could not be sure. It might just be a trick of the light, had she imagined the dark form, the glint of torchlight on metal, gold or perhaps brass? Could someone have been eavesdropping on her conversation with Apollo? She hurried on silent feet to where she saw the figure disappear, but there was nothing. Nothing except a prickling at the back of her neck and the uncomfortable feeling she had not been mistaken. 

BLURB

(Cover by Miss Mae)

When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Don't forget to visit the talented authors who are also taking part in 'Sunday Snippets'

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Shattered Roads - Book Tour and #Giveaway

SHATTERED ROADS

The Skyfire Saga
Book 1

by Alice
Henderson

Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian

In a future laid waste by environmental catastrophe, one woman in a shielded megacity discovers a secret hidden within—and the nightmare of what lies beyond.

Her designation is H124—a menial worker in a city safeguarded against the devastating storms of the outer world. In a community where consumerism has dulled the senses, where apathy is the norm and education is a thing of the past, H124 has one job: remove the bodies of citizens when they pass away in their living pods.

Then one night, H124’s routine leads her into the underground ruins of an ancient university. Buried within it is a prescient alarm set up generations ago: an

extinction-level asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. When her warning is seen as an attempt to topple the government with her knowledge of science, H124 is

hunted—and sent fleeing for her life beyond the shield of her walled metropolis. In a weather-ravaged unknown, her only hope lies with the Rovers, the most dangerous faction on Earth. For they have continued to learn. And they have survived to help avert a terrifying threat: the end of the world is near.

Add to Goodreads

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Alice Henderson is a writer of fiction, comics, and video game material. She was selected to attend Launchpad, a NASA-funded writing workshop aimed at bringing accurate science to fiction. Her love of wild places inspired her novel Voracious, which pits a lone hiker against a shapeshifting creature in the wilderness of Glacier National Park. Her novel Fresh Meat is set in the world of the hit TV series Supernatural. She also wrote the Buffy the Vampire Slayer novels Night Terrors and Portal Through Time. She has written short stories for numerous anthologies including Body Horror, Werewolves and shapeshifters, and Mystery Date. While working at LucasArts, she wrote material for several Star Wars video games, including Star

Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds and Star Wars: Battle for Naboo. She holds an interdisciplinary master's degree in folklore and geography, and is a wildlife researcher and rehabilitator. Her novel Portal Through Time won the Scribe Award for Best Novel.

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Follow
the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Weekend Writing Warriors #SundaySnippet - 'Dancing With Fate' - "...I may not need to act the helpless female but I have a few tricks..."

Hi fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to  my Weekend Warriors post  and another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link below this post, there's something for all tastes.

Last week Terpsichore, Greek muse of Dance has been instructed by Apollo to go to 5th Century  Wales, but she has to temporarily lose her immortality and special powers. "...if you have a problem, I may not be able to help you."

SNIPPET:  (Some creative punctuation from published version, to comply with 10  sentence rule.)

Oh wonderful -- although my being allowed some freedom might not be a bad thing. She gave him a knowing smile, "I suppose I'll manage, I may need to act the helpless female, but in reality I have a few tricks that may serve me well."

Apollo frowned again,"take care not to get careless and reveal who you really are, the men of Cymru may not be as awestruck by a goddess as they once were. It could be risky, you would not want to be branded as a witch or an enchantress."

"You think I may be in danger?"

Apollo's frown deepened and his face registered concern. "No, sweet Terpsichore, I would not send you if I thought you might come to harm." He paused, "but you will need a name to be known by." He thought for a moment, "Cora -- you will go by the name of Cora, a name like enough to those of the common people."

Terpsichore nodded, she liked the sound of it, and it carried enough of her true name not to sound alien to her. 

BLURB

(Cover by Miss Mae)

When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Don't forget to visit the talented authors who are also taking part in 'Sunday Snippets'

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Weekend Writing Warriors #SundaySnippet - 'Dancing With Fate' - ""...I may not be able to help you"

Hi fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to  my Weekend Warriors post  and another snippet from my fantasy novella. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link below this post, there's something for all tastes.

(And my fellow author and Brit Rosemary Gemmell's post can be found HERE

I'm currently sharing snippets from my fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate'.

Last week:

Terpsichore, muse of the dance, has been summoned by Apollo to return t 5th Century Wales to renew the Celts' spirits and love of music and dance. His next words fill her with dismay.

"It is well; you will need to use subtlety, though. Times have changed since you were last there, it would be better for you to take the form of a mortal."

SNIPPET:  (Some creative punctuation to comply with 10  sentence rule.)

"What—give up my immortality?"

"No, not give it up, I doubt Zeus would allow that, nor would you want it from the expression on your face. Zeus and I have discussed the matter and feel you should pretend to be mortal for a while. Mingle with the people, bestow on them the enthusiasm to dance again." He paused, "of course you will not be able to use any of your powers..." She drew in her breath, unable to hide her dismay. That could present a problem, she was not used to being without her magick.

Apollo seemed to read her thoughts. "At least," he went on, "not before mortals, or in a way it could be discerned, you must not allow your inner psyche to glow when you are among them. Know also, that your powers may wane and you may not be able to get inside their minds or use the gift of foretelling." He looked even more serious, "if you have a problem, I may not be able to help you." 

Don't forget to visit the talented authors who are also taking part in 'Sunday Snippets'

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join