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Hi Everyone
This is a short post today.
1) Was hoping to give you a sneak peek of the new cover but don’t have it as yet.
2) Will be sending a NL Monday as I’m taking part in an mpreg freebie promo. Will also post on FB and twitter.
3) Chose my last pig pic for the Idriador Chronicles bundle out this coming week. OMG so many of those pigs have wet noses especially when you download the pic and see it magnified. Ewww! Haha
4) Ignore me if I moan about pig pics in future. Trying to find the dice pic I wanted for the new book took me hours! One tiny pic and I thought I’d go mad. It has to be the right number and colour and couldn’t show any other numbers!!!!!!
There are five pics on the new cover and I sourced four of them. I really admire designers who spend their time searching for suitable pics.
Here’s a snippet from my work-in-progress.
***
The crowds surged around a pair of middle-aged tourists arguing and gesturing at a map on their phone while the man stabbed a finger at the screen. Theo hesitated before approaching them. “Hi. May I help? What are you headed?”
The woman flashed a smile but as she caught his scent, it faded, and her eyes darted to her husband. Digging his nails into his palm, Theo stepped around them, but the woman grabbed his arm and gushed, “Thank you. We’re supposed to meet friends at an Indian restaurant.”
As the alpha leaned over the phone and pointed out how to reach their destination, the man put an arm round his wife’s waist and pulled her closer.
“Go around the corner and it’s on your left. Walk up the set of narrow stairs and it’s on the first floor, though you’d probably call it the second. I’ve eaten there and the food’s really good.”
“You’re American?”
“Mmmm.”
“Do you live here?”
“Uh huh.” Theo glanced at his watch. “Enjoy your dinner.” Shoving his hands in his pocket, the alpha strode off.
***
Not a shocker I know, but I seem to have messed up the linky thing this week. So here is the link to Jena Wade’s post.
Firstly, a little plug for The Alpha’s Vow which is free until late on Sept 25.
And here’s the cover for the Lord Cuthbert ‘Cuddy’ Trenton Halloween freebie short story. This is the fourth Cuddy story and the final two will be at Harvest Festival (Thanksgiving) and Christmas.
A couple of weeks ago I was trying to come up with a title for the pre-made historical cover I had bought. I suggested The Alpha Highwayman but thought it was boring.
Take no notice of anything I say. Haha.
I came up with many different names, but none were as simple or as explicit as The Alpha Highwayman.
So, that is what is has become.
Last week I gave you a hint as to the location of my next book. This is what I said.
And now here’s the second hint.
Okay, enough about covers. Here are the first two paragraphs of my work-in-progress.
Theo pulled up his hoodie and hunched his shoulders as rain spattered between the garish neon signs onto his head. Cold splotches of water, from dripping air-conditioners in the apartments above street level, hit his already-drenched hair and trickled down his back. It’s summer, and I’m freezing.
Despite the crappy weather, the sidewalk was crowded with people, and their plastic shopping bags whacked the alpha as he shoved between the throngs and dodged the spikes of wet umbrellas. Groups of teens headed into one of the few remaining gaming arcades in the city, while multi-generational families spilled out of restaurants, doggy bags of leftovers clutched in their hands.
What happens when you’re thrown together and there’s no escape?
Seb is a wealthy alpha who pursued his passion for working the land despite his family’s objections. Covered in tattoos, he favors short-term relationships over anything permanent.
But when Max, a Shakespeare-quoting backpacker, meets Seb in less than desirable circumstances, a misunderstanding has the omega accepting an offer that sends him hurtling in a new direction.
And then there’s Trixie, a tiny, pink piglet who has the run of Seb’s home and has captured his heart. She adores apples, riding on the alpha’s motorbike and plenty of snuggles. And it’s love at first sight when she meets Max.
Set against the backdrop of an unspoiled landscape and a lake that’s both serene and treacherous, Seb and Max’s relationship blossoms until a storm disrupts not only the surroundings, but also their future.
This is a 28,000-word, non-shifter, omegaverse novella, and it’s the first book in the Idriador series.
The Alpha’s Bond is now live at Amazon. It’s the third and final book in the Idriador Chronicles. Find out what happens to Seb, Max, baby Isla and Trixie.
The last scene is all Trixie.
That means no more pig pics, and I can get rid of that folder on my desktop. I’m so tired of looking at pigs!
The Historical Cover
If you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ll have heard me banging on about a pre-made cover I bought months ago.
It’s this one (this is a screenshot from the designer’s website and the title and author are placeholders).
I had no idea what I was going to do with it, but I’ve been thinking. What about an alpha highwayman?
Imagine a dark and lonely country road late at night.
A carriage trundling along the narrow road as it returns its wealthy occupant home after he’s dined with friends.
A man in a flowing cape riding a black stallion gives chase.
The highwayman has to be dashing, right? And very sweaty after chasing the carriage.
Stand and deliver!
I have to start my new trilogy first, and then I’ll write this and put it wide.
Title? The Alpha Highwayman? That’s a yawn. Perhaps include the word ‘brigand’ instead? I love the way that word rolls off the tongue, but I’m not convinced it’d work in the title. I’ll give it some thought.
Part of a trilogy? Not sure.
Stand alone book? Maybe.
So many questions, so little time.
***
Here’s an audio file of me reading a scene from the previous book, The Alpha’s Word. This is just after Isla’s birth and Trixie is throwing a tantrum.
***
And finally, here’s a snippet from the new book, The Alpha’s Bond. [Note: I’ve removed a couple of sentences containing F-bombs. My characters are very sweary–and so am I–but I usually omit the swearing from my website.]
Oh, Seb. What have you done?
“You had one job!” Dray leaned toward Seb, his nostrils flaring and the tips of his ears a brilliant red, bellowing at screech level 10. “You were supposed to tell Adam that Max was in Roselake. One little sentence. How hard is that?”
“You weren’t here, and it’s not your family being threatened.”
“My life’s been on the line since I started this work.”
“And who do you work for exactly?”
“Your government.”
Max cringed as Seb tuned out Dray’s tongue-lashing. What a balls-up!
“And not only that, you actually gave him money to leave the country.” Dray’s clawed hands made a choking motion at the older alpha. “I could have turned this around. But you had to make sure he left! Did you drive him to the airport? Hold his hand until he got on the plane? Kiss him goodbye?”
“Shut it. I got rid of one big threat. That’s a win. You kept that sad sack of blubber around, milking him for information and feeding him false leads.”
Max’s stomach recoiled at the idea of anyone milking Adam for anything. That’s an image I can do without.
“But that fool stood between your loved ones and Mr. Sharpe.”
“It’s one down and one to go. Now we have to decide what to do if Max’s father arrives.”
Not if, but when, Seb.
“Shut up. I’m thinking. And there’s no we. You…” he poked Seb in the chest, “stay…” and prodded the older alpha a second time as the omega observed his mate’s hands balled into fists. “…away. I have to fathom a way out of this mess.”
The younger alpha paced the floor and tugged his hair while Seb shoved his hands in his pockets and tried to catch Max’s eye.
***
Last time I promised I’d include an audio file of me reading the sibling rivalry scene from The Alpha’s Word. Once again, I have to apologize. I’ve been overwhelmed this week, so in a few days when I have time off, I’ll put it up.
New Book Cover
This is the new cover for the third and final book in the Idriador Chronicles, The Omega’s Bond.
The book will be out this coming week.
Here’s a snippet from a scene with Seb and the ever-delightful Adam. The alpha first met Seb and Max in jail in The Alpha’s Vow and also turned up at the farm along with Max’s father at the end of that book.
***
“Look what the cat dragged in.”
Trixie peeked from between Seb’s legs as Adam strode from his car to the porch. The visitor was unshaven, and there were dark shadows under his eyes. His fingers trembled as they clutched a key ring, but he shoved his hand in his pocket when the keys jingled.
“It’s déjà vu.”
“Nah.” The older alpha winked at the piglet. “Hello, pork belly.”
Trixie squeaked and took off inside and as Adam laughed, drool slid over his lips and he clamped his jaw on a wad of chewing gum.
I’ve never felt sorry for gum before. My condolences.
Adam placed a foot on the first step and the tight jeans emphasized his crotch.
Oh, God. It’s a delivery boy with a very small package. Hide that thing.
***
Newsletter
I’ll be sending a NL today and again when the new book is live at Amazon.
Labor Day Weekend
Whether you celebrate Labor Day on Monday or not, hopefully you’ll have some time off over the next few days.
I’ll be doing what I loathe most: text-to-speech. I’ve completed the shorter chapters but still have a lot to do, and for those of you who are part of my FB group, you know how much I hate this final part of the writing process.
I always need wine, but I can’t drink or I won’t be able to concentrate!!!!!
The Alpha’s Bond
I’d hoped to have the cover for this–or at least give you a peek–by now. It’s my fault because I haven’t decided what I want. I had chosen the pics, but the following day, I made a huge swerve in what I was writing and the book went in a different direction. I think I know where I’m going now and should be able to give instructions to the designer.
The problem is finding a suitable pic for Trixie! That piglet is always giving me grief!
Sorry, Trixie. I love you–really I do!
A snippet from The Alpha’s Bond
As usual, I’ve only skimmed over this, so please forgive any missing commas etc (commas are the bane of my existence).
Seb placed the piglet’s duffle bag on the scales. He crossed his fingers hoping she wasn’t too heavy.
“Wow! What do you feed her? She’s a big girl.”
The alpha fixed a fake smile on his face. “Yeah, she’s a little piggy.” Don’t say anything, Trixie. But instead of the pig complaining, Isla kicked her feet and sucked on Seb’s shirt.
The beta crinkled her nose. “I’d better let you go before your daughter’s sick again.” She stamped the pet passport without checking it. “Have a pleasant flight.”
Seb raced through the airport and took his seat next to the window in the third row. He tucked Trixie’s bag under the seat in front and slipped her some apple. “Go to sleep,” he whispered.
After the plane reached cruising altitude, and Isla snoozed, the alpha sipped a beer. We made it. But the alcohol combined with his lack of sleep, pressure at coping with a newborn, manhandling Trixie in public places, plus the strain of his mate being abducted left Seb feeling woozy. Perhaps the beer wasn’t a good idea.
The alpha pinched his nose and stared out the window. He’d never been to Idriador’s east coast though he’d seen many photos, and Max had waxed lyrical about its fierce beauty. But Seb wasn’t interested in the region’s rugged coastline and idyllic scenery.
A New Series
I had an idea for a new series, and I have the first scene written in my head. Once The Alpha’s Bond is published, I’ll give you a few hints. I’ve already found the pics for the cover.
See you next week!
Book 3 in the Roselake Trilogy. Find out what happens to Liam, Jake and Maisy in The Old Country.
Grab it now while the discount lasts.