Phoenix Prime Friday Feature

Phoenix Prime is a writing course I took. The writers involved, the instructors, we all became a family. I've decided to start a weekly feature of one book of theirs. Happy reading!

Red Riding Hood's Not-So-Bad Big Wolf (Grimmer Fairy Tales Book 1)

Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

Arrested and put on trial for his life, a frightened wolf is desperate to tell his side of the story. You may have heard tales of a vulnerable girl dressed in red, proudly taking a basket to her lonely grandmother. You may have heard of evil plans and a costume misdirection. You may even have heard of a terrifying wolf who fitted two people into a rabbit-sized belly.

Lies. You've been fooled with wicked lies. 

So, listen now while the wolf is talking and pay him due attention. Who knows if he'll survive to recite his fearful tale again?

Throwback Thursday – Excerpt Edition

Here’s an excerpt from Of Rose and Cruelty:

A large shadow stirs behind me. The beast.

Shakily, I turn to face it. It remains in the shadows, and I cannot see its hideous face up close. It sniffs loudly, and steam exits its large nostrils.

“I… I am the gardener.” I thrust out the weeds I’m holding as proof.

Suddenly, it lurches forward, its face inches from mine. It’s studying me. I cannot tell what it thinks of me or my purpose, but slowly it slinks back to the shadows.

Try as I might, I must confess that encounter frightened and even shamed me. Focusing on my task at hand soothes me slightly, and I reach for the moss covering the castle wall.

A loud, horrific, animalistic roar bellows from behind me. Moisture covers my back and then my front as I turn around to see that the beast has not left. I use the weeds to wipe his saliva from my cheeks.

“I’m only trying to do my job,” I protest, forcing my words to contain fear and not anger.

It opens its mouth again, tusks glistening.

“Not the castle. Understood.”

The beast huffs and returns to the shadows once more.

It takes me a long time to settle after that encounter. If only I had my musket or my sword on me! But, alas, I had neither at the time.

WIP Wednesday

 Here’s a little excerpt from When Sirens Screech:

The gloom of the night enshrouds me like a blanket. I shiver. Winter is almost here, and already, snow falls. It glistens in the moonlight, pretty, beautiful even.

But the shadows can’t be kept at bay for long. Especially not now.

New Release Tuesday

This week’s new release is Of Gold and Deceit. It’s my twisted take on Rumpelstiltskin!

The king is a terrible, vile man. Cruelty and hatred are his only allies. Rich beyond measure, none dare to defy him, not even the miller’s daughter here in the royal spinning room with me.

She is as delightful as he is detestable, as beautiful as he is boring, and as charming as he is critical.

Her blond hair gives me hope for a brighter tomorrow, and if my magic and I can keep her safe, then I will. Yes, magic can come with a terrible price. Yes, she may not know my given name. Yes, she will not appreciate what I will demand from her.

Some might call me an imp, but what am I is powerful. I may not be king, but I have worth and my own interests.

This tale of a magical man with the ability to spin straw into gold is unlike any other version you've read before.

Free with KU!

Monday Writing Report

On Friday, I started writing my first every western romance. Saturday, I finished the rough draft. (It’s a short story.)

Yesterday, I started When Sirens Screech! It’s up for preorder. I’m dying to know what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sirens. What do I absolutely have to include? Keep in mind that in this series, the paranormal creatures are all evil.