What happens when your world is turned upside down?
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.
***
What happens when your world is turned upside down?
Seb juggles his newborn daughter, a pet piglet, and insomnia while searching for his missing mate. And despite the risks, he heads for Max’s childhood home.
As the alpha learns more about the omega’s former life from those who know him best, he can’t piece the puzzle together. But luck, bravado and ingenuity bring the mated pair face-to-face, and they celebrate their reunion with their daughter and extended family.
Foes become frenemies, though Seb’s inflated alpha ego almost destroys what he strives to protect.
Trixie relishes her role as big sister to Isla, but as the piglet grows up, the omega has trouble letting go of his first ‘baby’.
No one is who Max thinks they are as his father hides behind a mask and pulls the strings.
This is a 30,000-word, non-shifter, omegaverse novella, and it’s the third and final book in the Idriador series.
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!
99c/99p until July 5. Free in Kindle Unlimited.
Hi Everyone
We’re hoping the #ohmympreg bloghop will become a weekly event.
The other participating authors are listed at the bottom of this post (you should be able to see their pretty icons***), so when you’ve read what I have to say, pop on over to their websites and enjoy the excerpts from their books and behind-the-scene tidbits from the intriguing world of mpreg writing.
Here’s a snippet from my next novella, The Alpha’s Vow, which is the first story in the new series the Idriador Chronicles. The book centers around Sebastian (Seb) and Max and a very special little girl by the name of Trixie.
***
My head!
Sebastian groaned and rubbed a palm over his pounding forehead. His shoulders ached and when he wriggled trying to get more comfortable, his back pressed against something hard. I’m never drinking again.
Images of the previous night flickered in and out of his thoughts like an old black and white movie reel.
***
And here’s a sneak peek at the new cover.
And yes, I’m a meanie as I haven’t shown Trixie. But trust me, she’s very smart! And a real cutie!
***
Before you go, here are my freebie shorts featuring Lord Cuthbert ‘Cuddy’ Trenton: The Omega’s Gamble, The Omega’s Wager and The Omega’s Pledge.
That was fun. Hope to see you back here again.
*** Due to my less-than-stellar tech skills, I’ve messed up the pretty icons. This is what they should look like.***
Instead, click on these links to reach the other fabulous mpreg authors.
The final book in the Longmead Woods Trilogy.
Free in Kindle Unlimited.
Grab a copy now.
Continuing the story of Lord Cuthbert ‘Cuddy’ Trenton.
Out this coming week.
99c/99p at Amaazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
Free in Kindle Unlimited.
Grab your copy before May 14.