Now that The Russian is live on Amazon and Smashwords as an ebook, it’s time to get it and a couple others ready for paperback. What with my husband’s knee surgery in January, things have been a little busy to deal with the aggravation of formatting.
And then?
I think I’ll spend some time to finish a couple other books I have nearly finished, but set aside to get The Russian published and out to the world.
There is Whiskey Jug Genie, my 2019 NanNoWriMo project, which is nearly finished–as far as a first draft. In thisSultonna Nadine book, a London herbalist tours the American Southeast and buys an old whiskey jug, not realizing it was inhabited. When he releases the genie in his living room, the fun begins.
Then there is Lady Calloway, another Sultonna Nadine offering, set in an alternate timeline of Victorian England. She’s a small town girl from up North. He works for the church down in London and comes from a family of confessors–psychically gifted people who can bring any sinner to confession, no matter the cost.
And then there is Protector of the Red Dragon, from Sultonna Nadine. A fantasy set partially in modern times and partially in the 16th century, it combines fantasy, romance, and a touch of magic to usher in an era of peace and prosperity involving twin sisters, a magical sword, and a dragon.
While that’s all happening, Mistaken Identity is with my editor going through the initial edits. This is another stand alone from Sultonna Nadine. Captured in a brief military strike against her world from their sister planet, Krista is mistaken for someone she’s not. By the time her captors are convinced of the truth, the commander of the facility has hatched a plan with her at its core. Can she learn enough fast enough to help bring off a plan which will benefit both worlds, without losing her life, or heart, in the process?
And then there are the other books in the Esperance and Gambler’s FollySeries to finish editing. A couple need finishing as well. And some are waiting to be written, with a new idea popping up earlier this morning.
So it looks like it will be a busy year here on the farm. The Monster and Miss Kitty have settled in to give me a hand, so we’re all set.
Have a marvelous week, and if you haven’t checked out The Russian, to over and take a peek. He’s one of my favorite characters, and his mate is a feisty little she-wolf you’ll adore.
If you’ve pre-ordered your copy it should be on your Kindle.
If you didn’t pre-order, you can still get it for the pre-order price for today. Tomorrow the price will go up to the normal selling price.
What is The Russian?
Book 3 from Gambler’s Folly, the story is set on the pleasure planet in Speranza, Dam and Kari’s hometown.
The Russian–Dmitri Ivanovich Volkov–is a unique individual. Having lived for over 500 years, this wolf-shifter hunts alone since his soulmate died 200 years ago. Relationships mean pain and he has enough heartache for several lifetimes. Everyone he’s ever known, except for his current acquaintances, has died, leaving him alone in a world of children.
Travelling to Gambler’s Folly on Interpol business, he is bowled over when he goes to the rescue of a young girl. Finding her at the office the next day is more than shocking. It is overwhelming.
It seems Mother Nature may be trying to give him another chance at happiness. But can he open his heart once more?
Danni has no time for romance. In her mid-twenties, she works at Interpol during the week, and on the weekends and after hours, she helps her frail mother. She tries to save enough money so they can share a place, but the rent keeps going up on her mother’s apartment, leaving her with not quite enough to make it happen.
And one night, her fears come to life on her way home just after dark. Several gang members surround her threatening violence until warm strong hands rest on her shoulders and a deep authoritative voice orders them to disperse.
With a scent of autumn leaves, musk, and tobacco, she is drawn to this stranger who has just saved her life. But she is not ready for the kiss she has to have before he leaves her at her door.
Imagine her surprise when he turns up at the office the next day.
Yes! Tomorrow is release day for THE RUSSIAN–Gambler’s Folly Book 3.
He is Dmitri Ivanovich Volkov, a wolf-shifter often referred to as The Russian. Born over five hundred years ago, he has been a lone wolf since his soulmate died in his arms. Since then he has avoided long-term relationships. But maybe the universe is giving him a second chance at happiness.
Dani works for The Agency, in Speranza, on Gambler’s Folly. Most of her time is spent working or caring for her mother. She’d been lucky up until now, but tonight she’s accosted by one of the street gangs and is sure she’ll soon be dead.
Until The Russian steps in, saves her life, and captures her soul.
Today is the last day to get The Russian for the pre-order price. So go on over and check it out!
Book 3, The Russian, releases this Friday, so if you’d like to catch up, go on over to Amazon, Smashwords, or most any other retailer and get the first two books.
Yes, you can read The Russian as a stand-alone, but books 1 and 2 give you a little more background about the world of Gambler’s Folly and our merry cast of characters.
If you liked Gambler’s Folly, you’ll certainly love The Russian. Book 3 in the series of books from Gambler’s Folly, this is the story of wolf-shifter, Dmitri Ivanovich Volkov, and his soul mate, Danni.
No one knows for sure how old Dmitri–known to his friends as Dima–actually is, but he’s been around over 500 years at least. His earlier years were spent in what had been known as Russia, but since then he has travelled all over the know universe, mainly as a mercenary.
A little over 200 years ago, he met his soulmate Ilyana and they were together for fifty years. When she died, she took his heart with her to the grave. Since then he has hunted alone, neither wanting nor needing any type of romantic relationship.
He currently works with the Special Unit of Interpol, alongside Damiano, Dante, and the bear shifter who is the chief. On a trip to Gambler’s Folly, he finds a young woman threatened by gang members and goes to her rescue.
Maybe Mother Nature is giving him a second chance at happiness.
The Russian is now available for pre-order at Smashwords for $0.99. Once it is released, the price will go up, so go on over and check it out.
How about an excerpt before we go?
If it hadn’t been for her scent, he would have been fine. Lilacs with honeyed-vanilla and white musk had wrapped around him softly. Hazel eyes under blonde curls had drawn him in. He’d thought, after all this time, he had control over his urges. What had possessed him to kiss her?
Her mouth now, there was a treat. Fresh raspberries and sweet white wine still teased his palette. Between her scent and her taste, he was one messed up wolf. He wanted to run through the forest, roll in the leaves, and howl to his pack mates about this delicious female he’d met.
No, he wouldn’t see her again. He didn’t need a relationship. Life around him was too uncertain. Besides, he’d had a mate long ago and, when she’d died, she’d taken his heart to her grave.
He was here for a job. He had no time for females.
Happy Sunday everyone! Hope your day has been wonderful. With any luck, the rain is finished here for a little while. We had flooding here in our area after eight inches of rain on Friday. Restaurants are closed due to rain swamping the water and wastewater systems.
We have our own well, and our water is fine. But everyone in town is boiling water or drinking bottled drinks.
If you’re on Facebook or Twitter, you can follow me there as well!
Set in an alternate timeline of North America, where the French had a much greater influence and the country was divided into various kingdoms rather than states, magic is part of everyday life.
Richard Lemarnier is a weather-shaper, commanding wind and water. As CEO and Master of the Fleet for the family company, he is in the upper echelons of society. And still single, he’s considered the most eligible bachelor on the Cote d’Or.
But he only has eyes for one–Anne_Marie…
Excerpt:
“I will not have any man dictate my actions,” she shouted, rising to her feet. “If I’d wanted a task master, I would have stayed under my father’s roof rather than cross half the continent to get away.”
The jewelled dagger flashed in her hand as she thrust it at him. A skilled swordsman, Richard easily parried the attempt as he rose to his feet. The dining area was too crowded to deal with the situation.
Backing away from the table, he suggested, “Anne-Marie, drop the dagger and sit down. You’re making a scene.”
She stalked after him, dagger in hand and in an absolute rage, as he retreated toward the dance floor. This was getting a bit sticky. With room to maneuver, Richard was ready when she lunged at him again. Grabbing her wrist with one hand, he slapped her with the other. As the dagger dropped, she tumbled to the floor and her glare was pure venom.
With the dagger tucked safely into his belt, Richard turned back toward the table. This should end the matter, and the relationship as well.
“I hate you,” Anne-Marie screamed, as she snatched a sword from a nearby table.
Swinging wildly, she came at him with murder in her eyes. Lord Richard drew his blade. While defending himself was not a problem, disarming her without harming anyone else might be. Anger rising, he waited for his opening. After the time and money he had spent on this trip, would she murder him in front of the high table?
His opening came and he threw her blade clear of the floor. With the point of his sword at her throat, Anne-Marie backed away, eyes wide, as anger became fear. Richard moved toward her, his blade never wavering as she retreated. Finally shrinking against the high table, Anne-Marie’s retreat was blocked. Sidestepping, he grabbed her hair to expose her throat fully to his blade.
In a room as silent as a tomb, every eye was focused on the frozen tableau before the baron’s table.
“My good man, were you planning a human sacrifice on the high table? Who are you and what is the meaning of this?” the baron demanded.
A large man, with dark hair turning gray at the temples, and neatly trimmed beard, his presence commanded the attention of the room.
“Your Excellency, I am Lord Sir Richard LeMarnier, from Côte d’Or. The lady and I have travelled for more than a week to attend the festival here in her homeland. At least she claims it as such. After courting her for over a year and asking for her hand in marriage, I dance on her leash while she toys with my affections. Though she hasn’t refused my offer, she has yet to accept it.”
“What do you do?”
“I am in shipping, Your Excellency, with access to goods up and down the coast and from overseas. I have brought her gifts from every part of the world, given her everything she’s asked for, and more. She’s been blessed with everything within my power to give.”
“We’ll agree you’re a generous man. Why are you here?”
“She begged me to travel to your kingdom for the harvest festival this year. Besides transportation and chaperones, I paid for passage and accommodations across two kingdoms to please her.”
The Baron’s frown deepened. “What has that to do with all of this?” he demanded.
“This evening, Your Excellency, I asked if she could spare me some of the attention she’s lavished on every other man in the room, acknowledge me as her escort, and grace me with an occasional word or smile. Heaven knows her eyes have promised more to every other man she’s met this evening.”
Pausing in his explanation, he heard the murmured agreement of others around the room.
“In her anger, she tried to cut my heart out with a dagger. When I took it from her, she snatched a sword from some poor soul and tried to kill me.”
The baron took a moment to ponder the question, glancing at the drop of blood trembling at the tip of Richard’s sword.
“Is this true, woman?” he asked Anne-Marie.
Not answering for a moment, she eventually replied, very carefully, “Unfortunately, it is, Your Excellency.”
“Given the circumstances and from what I have seen tonight, I pass judgment. Your life is forfeit, woman. Have you anything to say?”
With her eyes on Richard, she answered, “If you expect me to beg for my life, you will be disappointed. I will not. Look into your heart and do what you must. If you require my life, then take it. If you find mercy, I would be grateful, milord.”
The silence deepened, with everyone stunned at the scene playing out in front of the high table, while Richard pondered his options. Still holding her head with one hand, sword in the other, he forced her into the center of the floor. Releasing her with a shove he commanded, “Kneel, Anne-Marie. Your life is forfeit. I see no reason to prolong this farce.”
Taking a stance, he raised the sword and swung it down in an arc which would separate head from body. Gasps and a few screams echoed in the room before, he stopped a scarce half-inch away from her neck. Stepping in front of Anne-Marie, he lifted her chin with the tip of his sword, and studied her face. Her eyes were wide with fear, and silent tears streamed down her cheeks before staining the bodice of her gown.
“I have spared your life, which was forfeit. It is now mine to command. Does anyone disagree?” he challenged.
There were murmurs all around, but no disagreement. The baron shrugged his shoulders and sat down, quaffing a large quantity of wine.
Reversing his grip on the blade, Richard held it point down and perpendicular to the floor.
“Kiss the blade that spared your life and swear your loyalty to me.”
The hoarse whisper echoed to the farthest corners of the banquet hall. Trembling, Anne-Marie pressed her lips against the sword.
“On pain of death, I, Anne-Marie Desplaines, swear loyalty to Richard LeMarnier, until his death or until released from my vow. Repeat it to me,” he demanded.
As she did, the baron rose from his seat and cleared his throat.
“After the events of the evening, I will allow this to stand under one condition.”
“And what is the condition, Your Excellency?” Richard was careful to keep his tone respectful.
“An oath which will keep her safe and make you her protector,” the baron replied. “Draw your dagger.”
Richard did as commanded, as the baron circled the table.
“Make a small cut on your hand and on the woman’s.”
“A blood oath, Your Excellency?”
“You question me?”
“No, Your Excellency.”
With the tip of the dagger, Richard made a nick in his hand, and its twin in Anne-Marie’s. Droplets of blood beaded up in their palms.
“Clasp hands,” the baron instructed them.
Over their joined hands, the baron traced arcane symbols in the air. Tingling magic swirled around their hands to bind the oath.
“By the mingling of your blood, do you, Anne-Marie, swear absolute loyalty and obedience to Lord Sir Richard LeMarnier, on pain of death, for as long as you shall live?”
She was crying and shaking so hard Richard wasn’t sure how she was still upright.
“I do so swear,” she replied through the tears.
“And Lord Sir Richard LeMarnier, do you swear to spare her life and guard her, as her sworn protector, for as long as she lives?”
“I do so swear.”
“You will remain together, blood-bound, for as long as the oath shall stand, neither one leaving the other, nor causing harm, one to the other. Breaking the conditions set forth will bring forth the penalty. The oath can be revoked before death by the skills of a baron only. Take heed.”
Yes, autumn is my favorite time of the year. The garden is winding down, with the last few tomatoes and peppers ripening, the air is drier and crisper, and the scents from the fallen leaves and grasses fill the air.
I don’t know, there is something about the smell of autumn that draws me. Here in the woods, there are scents which hint at tobacco and hay drying , exotic incense, and woodsy loam, with a pinch of aromatic spices thrown in. Add to this the sweet smell of wildflowers, which are giving us one more colorful show before winter.
If I could bottle it, I’d be a millionaire.
When I’m writing, I try to involve all the senses. It’s easy to forget how much more there is to life besides sight and sound.
How does the world around your character smell?
How do things in their environment feel? Is the tree bark rough or smooth? Is the fabric of his shirt warm or cool to the touch?
And don’t forget taste.
Everyone perceives the world differently. While the sound of the wind might be comforting to you, the way it touches and caresses her skin might mean more to someone else.
So while I love the scent of autumn, let’s not forget the crunch of dried leaves beneath my feet, or the beautiful mosaic of reds, oranges, and yellows they make in the drive. Or the brittle feel of a leaf as you trace its patterns. And how about the taste of crab apples freshly fallen to the ground?
Yes, I love the scent of autumn, but the scent alone would make a hollow world. We need the sights, sounds, and tastes as well.
Autumn is a great time for a good book as well. What have you been reading lately?
This is the question people always have. What was the inspiration?
Most of my story ideas came from dreams–recurring dreams which wouldn’t stop until I’d written the scene. These stories include all theEsperance books and a couple of my stand-alones.
One–Gambler’s Folly–came from a folk song I heard about a man winning his wife in a card game. I got to wondering how that could happen now, or in the future.
The next story in the Gambler’s Folly series, The Russian, was inspired by a face. I decided the person involved looked like someone who could be a werewolf and wondered how he would fit into the series.
And Master of the Fleet?
Well, I have at various times been involved with the SCA–Society for Creative Anachronism. Taking inspiration from the feasting and tournaments, my mind wandered from there to choreographing sword fights. Somewhere along the way, staging a fake sword fight as part of the entertainment at a feast began to play around in my head. But what if the fight wasn’t staged? What if it was real?
And that is the idea I built the first part of Master of the Fleet around. The wealthy owner of a shipping firm hoping to marry a successful seamstress agrees to take her home for the festival season. What he doesn’t know is that she is only playing him for what she can get, never intending to marry.
At the baron’s feast, she gets tipsy, and begins flirting with every man around. When her escort mentions it, she draws a dagger and attempts to stab him across the table. In self-defence, he takes the dagger away and decides the affair is over. Still angry, the lady grabs up a sword from somewhere and again tries to kill him, only to be disarmed and backed up to the baron’s table.
From there, I developed the setting for the story–an America much more heavily influenced by the French and divided into kingdoms, SCA fashion, instead of into states. This is an America without the internal combustion engine, set around the end of the 1800’s in an alternate time-line, where elemental magic is real. Magic is used to bind contracts, marriages, and control the weather for shipping.
Haven’t read Master of the Fleet? It’s available on Amazon, Smashwords, and at most major book sellers.
This is the question people always have. What was the inspiration?
