The Rule of Seven

Hey, guys,

So, the lovely and amazing Jessa Russo tagged me on Facebook with this little game. So, you can all thank her for this teaser from SHATTERED SECRETS.

~ There are more psychos? Fantastic.

Boredas offered me his hand again. I took it, not because I wanted to touch him, but because I had to get out of the trunk, survey my surroundings, look for an escape. He pulled me from the car, and I landed on the crunchy gravel then glanced around. Black Dodge Charger, field of harvested corn in front of a dense forest across the street, rows and rows of scrappy pine trees to my left and right, and a shack of an A-frame house behind me.

I swallowed hard.~

So, here are the rules: Go to either page 7 or 77 of your manuscript. Count down 7 lines, then copy the next 7 lines to your status. After that, name 7 more authors to come out and play.

My seven authors:

Dawna Raver
Julia Hughes
Deborah Krager
Raine Thomas
Ayden Morgen
Jamie Ayres
Wendy Russo

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Haunted Clinic and Wilde's Meadow #TEASER!

Welcome back, Minions--see, that was much better than yesterday's intro!

Some of you are here because you're dying to quench your growing thirst for a glimpse into Wilde's Meadow, the third and final book in my Darkness Falls series. And some of you are here because you're part of the Curiosity Quills Haunted Writing Clinic and Contest.

I'm here because . . . ahh, well, I have what everyone's looking for.

So, to keep the rambling short, and to give you all what you desire, I'll shut up and get to pasting!

Enjoy!

(Clinic guests, please stay tuned after the first page!)

DISCLAIMER: IF YOU HAVE NOT YET READ WILDE'S FIRE OR ARMY--AND PLAN TO--PLEASE, DO NOT READ THIS TEASER!

Chapter One

"You let that greasy pig off too easily," Flanna mumbles, holding a sharp, wooden needle between her lips.

I glance down at the top of her red head. "If it weren't for that greasy pig, you wouldn't be sewing this ridiculous looking costume on me right now."

She removes the torture device from her mouth and glares at me, narrowing her brilliant blue eyes. "This is not a costume, and it is not ridiculous. You already died once. Next time you may not be as lucky."

Three days have passed since Arland and I committed our lives to each other, to these people and world—uniting everyone in the process—and as much as things have changed, a few of my friends still have issues getting over misunderstandings from a long time ago.

"Flanna, I know what happened to your mom, and I know you blame Dufaigh, but he is trying to be good." I jump from the creaking stool she has me standing on like an abused model, then take her hand in mine. "He's brought leather and metal for you to make armor for me, like you so oddly requested. He hasn't threatened to kill anyone, he hasn't argued, he hasn't done anything that should make us think otherwise."

She huffs, blowing hair from her face. "I know. I believe that is my problem. I have never trusted him, but now with him being . . . nice, I trust him even less." Flanna grabs the soft, muddy-brown suede draped over my shoulders and pulls me closer. "Now, hold still so I can finish this."

I roll my eyes and suck in a breath. I don't think I can handle another needle prick; I already have dried blood spots sprinkled over my shoulders.

"Flanna?" I watch her slide the pointed wood dangerously close to my skin.

"Kate?" she says in her usual sarcastic way, the one I've missed since Lann died. Prophecies or no prophecies, most people are still clueless as to their future, the fate of their friends, family, and loved ones. Flanna didn't have time to prepare for Lann's death, and his early end wasn't fair, but her panicky attempt at creating armor for me—when she is clearly not a dresser—makes me wonder what she does know.

"What are you hiding from me?"

Flanna growls.

"You seem so nervous about my safety all of a sudden. I mean with the armor, and never leaving my side, and—"

She shakes her head. "You—"

THE END! :-)

Wouldn't you all kill me if that was it?

Anyhoo, Clinic Guests, what did that first page do for you? Now, you have to remember this is the third in a series. I have a bit more room to move on with the story, but if you read the first page of the first novel in this series, you'll know that moving forward quickly--sucking the reader right in--is the best thing to do. And what better way to end a first page than with a big question?

I want you to get out there and WOW your readers!

<3 Krystal



 

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I'm The Next Big Thing

Or so I hope! For those of you familiar with this little blog meme, does this not make you think of THIS SONG every time you see this post?

What is your working title of your book?

Shattered Secrets

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I used Kid #2 for character inspiration (Abigail Nichols get's her spunk, defiance, skepticism, and NAME from my Abby) Where the idea for the story came from? Well, I saw this really cute guy by his flat black Dodge Charger on the side of the road. He was in HANDCUFFS, leaning casually against the guardrail, smug smile on his face. Later that night I got into a conversation about people who take role playing games too seriously and VOILA, bad guy born!

What genre does your book fall under?

Shattered Secrets is a genre bender. I'm writing it for young adults who are interested in thriller/suspense/fantasy/romance. I'm trying to keep the romance to a minimum in this and focus more on the crazy, life-altering action!

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

For Abigail Nichols, I really like Kaya Scodelario. She's cute, girl next door-ish, and has this spark in her eyes that says, "Watch out, people, I will use sarcasm!"

For Derick, I've chosen Chace Crawford. (And if you've read any parts of Shattered Secrets, you'll know that Derick's last name is Crawford. What better way to remember the actor you're using for inspiration?) Anyway, he has this boyish look, but also a handsome, I will get dressed up for a ball and sweep you off your feet look--no, there are no balls in Shattered Secrets . . . not that kind of book!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Abigail Nichols must decide if she trusts the boy she loves, a book that knows more about her than she does, or her instincts, because if she doesn't, her world just might shatter.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Independent Publisher.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? May we see an intro?

I've been working on Shattered Secrets off and on since April. I'm halfway through the first draft.

This is from the Prologue:

Derick and I were at The Griffin—a little bookstore in downtown Fredericksburg. He was reading his worn out copy of The Hobbit, and for the life of me, I can't remember what piece of literature I held in my hands. I was too busy staring over my book at him.

Burning tinders popped and sizzled in the fireplace next to us. He sat across from me, on a chocolate, micro-fiber sofa. I loved the way the warm, earthy hues of the furniture made his sky-blue eyes stand out against everything else in our favorite spot in the world.

He caught my eyes in their eternal lock on him, smiled—a nervous smile, but a smile nonetheless—then patted the spot next to him.

My heart fluttered. I closed my book—I wasn't really reading it—took a few trembling steps toward him, then sat as close as possible without touching.

He cast a sideways glance, and the corner of his mouth twisted up just a little when he said, "Since when do you think I bite, Abigail Nichols?"

My insides twisted into knots, and somehow I guessed he knew it.

Derick put his arm around my shoulders, pulled me closer to him, and for the first time in our long friendship, he spoke words we'd never dared bring up: "Are you ever going to let me kiss you?"

The question made my heart jump up and down in my chest, performing an insanely happy dance. I wiped the wide grin off my face then replaced the ridiculous look with a more respectable one. "I'm not sure why you felt you had to ask."

The close proximity of his face to mine, the firelight dancing in his eyes, the smell of coffee and chocolate and musty books—these are the things I will always remember. He approached slowly, closed his eyes, then he drew in a deep breath. Our lips met, and I knew he was what I've always wanted, what I've always needed.

We sat on the lovely little sofa, in the lovely little bookstore, with our fingers laced together, our mouths moving together, and our hearts full of happiness—at least my heart was.

He dropped me off at home a couple hours later and promised to drive me to school the next morning. He never showed up, never called, never—

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Erm. Well, I'm not sure I like comparing myself to anyone or anything. I'll have to get back to you on that!

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Told ya already . . . the guy on the side of the road. ;-)

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I'm hoping to release a teaser chapter, from a side-character's POV, at the end of Wilde's Meadow!

Thank you, Lisa Collicutt, for tagging me in this contest.

I'm supposed to tag five people, but I don't have the time to reach out to them first. So, I'm going to tag five people and *hope* they have time to play along!

Wendy Russo

Kelly Seguin

Kay Froebel

Jessa Russo

Cait Peterson

Rules of The Next Big Thing:

*Use this format for your post

*Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (work in progress)

*Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:

What is your working title of your book?

Where did the idea come from for the book?

What genre does your book fall under?

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? May we see an intro?

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Include the link of who tagged you and this explanation for the people you have tagged. Be sure to line up your five people in advance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wilde's Fire            -           Wilde's Army              -            Wilde's Meadow

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Wilde's Meadow

I've written. I've rewritten. I've cried. I've cussed. I've pulled a few hairs. Oh, and I've rewritten some more.

BUT!!!!!

Wilde's Meadow is now in the hands of my editor at Curiosity Quills Press.

That's right! On November 5, 2012, you will be able to read the final installment of my Darkness Falls trilogy!

*Throws Confetti*

This book was so difficult for me. I began writing it last year, but in the mean time, Wilde's Fire and Army were published, I started working for CQP, and everything else that is life seemed to stand in the way. Never mind the fact I was scared to finish this book.

Darkness Falls is my baby, the very first series--or book--I've ever written. Letting go of that and saying "NEXT" scared me.

Even when the next story pounded against my thoughts and screamed "LET ME OUT", I put Wilde's Meadow on the shelf. But, through some prodding by my very wonderful internal voice, I finished.

And now . . . the blurb!

Happy endings are hard to find, and even though Katriona is in the middle of a war with someone who's already stolen more than she can replace, she aches for a positive future with her Draíochtans.

Armed with hope, confidence in her abilities, and a strange new gift from her mother, Kate ventures into the Darkness to defeat a fallen god.

Losses add up, and new obstacles rise to stand in the way. Is the one determined to bring Encardia light strong enough to keep fighting, or will all the sacrifices to stop those who seek domination be for nothing?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N 

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Sisterly Love #wildesarmy #teaser

A bunch of lines from Wilde's Army, because I'm feeling generous . . . .

I'm screaming. I have no control. Opening my eyes, I jump to my feet. Flames erupt from my chest and spread to my arms and legs like fire on dry straw. I run to the winding path leading down to the horses, without sparing a second to tell Perth what's going on.

He calls to me.

I'm vaguely aware of shrieks coming from the forest, but I don't care. That monster was about to kill my sister, and I couldn't do anything to stop him. My eyes don't fill with tears . . . I'm not going to cry. I refuse to let anything happen to Brit.

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Teaser with a Tune

Today is Kid #2's 5th birthday. She couldn't be more thrilled. Somehow she thinks she'll be riding on the bus and going to school with the rest of the kids starting . . . um . . . today. For a while we've been trying to explain she won't be going to school until the fall, but she's just not catching on. Anyway, enjoy the teaser, I'll be planning the surprise party she's been asking for. :-)

Listen to this while reading the teaser:

“Katriona?”

There’s so much I want, but is it really that much to ask? I want the life I was beginning to have. I want family, friends . . . this is all a dream, it’s just a dream and I’m going to wake up any moment. None of this is real. I smack my face, hoping to snap out of this, to open my eyes and be in my dorm room at Virginia Tech, or to open my eyes and see the stars Brad and I put on my ceiling all those years ago. Again and again I bring my palm to my cheek, pinch my hand, punch my thigh, but I’m still trapped in this dreadful place, still sitting atop a beautiful horse, still face to face with a man I don’t want to be face to face with, no matter how far we’ve come.

“Katriona,” Perth says, wrapping his bony fingers around my wrist.

I jerk away from him and punch my thigh again.

“Kate! You are in shock. Let me take you to The Meadows. The giants said the town is clear; we can go to Arland’s childhood home, assuming it is still standing.”

Arland’s childhood home. It may smell like him, may have something that I can touch and feel, something I can hold onto while I cry. “Okay.”

“Hand me her reins,” Perth says, holding out his hand.

“What? Why?”

“In case you change your mind before we arrive.” He opens and closes his palm, demanding the leather straps.

I sigh. “Here.”

Digging his feet into Luatha’s sides, Perth leads Mirain, and Bowen follows.

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Tuesday Teaser with a Tune

How’s that title for alliteration? So I thought I’d try something a little different this week (and maybe in weeks to come). On Sundays I post six lines from my first novel (soon to be published, visit my site for more details), but I’m thinking maybe I can make Tuesdays a day to share from my current novel. Yes, they are from the same series, but I won’t post anything that spoils all the fun . . . just tidbits I feel confident and happy with . . . and the inspiration for that segment.

Oh dear, I said inspiration.

I once guest blogged with Derek Flynn about how Music is My Muse. When I’m writing deep, dark scenes—or light, fun ones—you can be sure I’m listening to music.

There’s a horrific battle scene in Wilde’s Meadow that I am still tweaking, but am insanely happy with. The music I listened to (on repeat) while writing this is by Great Northern. The song is Numbers. Enjoy . . . and I hope you enjoy the tidbit.



~The creature [hound] lunges at Perth and lands just shy of taking a bite out of his ankle. Arland drives his sword into the beast, yanks out the bloody iron, then spins around on his heel and slices the head off a coscartha. The daemon’s dead, hollow eyes stare at me. Blood covers the sleeve of Brit’s left arm, but I can’t tell if it’s hers or another creature's. Flanna stands with her back to my sister, eyes flitting in all directions, breathing heavily, then releases an arrow into a tairb. The four of them are trapped in the center of thousands of daemons. Our allies are stuck on the outside, fighting desperately to get to my family. We need to use magic, and we need to use it fast.

"Look at them, Katriona." Dughbal's hot breath burns my ear. "They will all die because of you."

My mouth fills with the salty fluids always preceding throw up. I swallow, praying I don't lose control now. "No, if they die, they die because of you."

He wraps his hands around my throat and squeezes, but not enough to strangle me, just enough to make me strain for air, to make me wish his hands would catch fire. "I could kill you now, but the boy’s soul yearns for your safety. He knows not of your betrayal...."

Well, I can't share the rest of that line with you or I'll give way too much away. So, hope you enjoyed Tuesday's Teaser with a Tune. :-)

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