A Lucky 7 Sneak Peek

Over the past few weeks, I was tagged by a few blogging/writer friends with the Lucky 7 Meme.  I got quite a few tags, and I couldn’t decide which work to give you a sneak peek of, so I’ve decided to do two posts!  Which means today you get an excerpt from my newly released novel, Dry Spell, and you should come back next week for a super sneak peek at my current project: the third book in my Elemental Magic series.  Sounds good, yes?

First, the basic rules of this meme:

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS/WIP
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines, sentences, or paragraphs, and post them as they’re written.

4. Tag 7 authors
5. Let them know

I was tagged by T.F. Walsh, Tiffany A. White, and Alina Sayre.  Go check out their excerpts from a variety of genres!  And next week I’ll post the links to the excerpts from others who tagged me.

Dry Spell

Excerpt

“She does talk to sea creatures.”  Colin quirked a smile at me.

Paige glanced at Keenan.  “So you’re one too?”

“We’re telling you this because we intend to stop Drake from trying to hurt you again, and we want you to understand that this is something we’re equipped to do.”

Paige bobbed her head along with Keenan’s explanation.

“Paige, this has to be kept secret,” Colin said, and fixed her with a serious stare.

Paige snorted.  “I know that, Colin.  I wouldn’t tell Sean’s secret; of course I won’t tell Aileen’s either.”  She looked at me again and smiled.  “That was cool, just now, by the way.”  Then she laughed and gave Colin a playful punch on the arm.  “Do we know how to pick ‘em or what?”

Dry Spell is available on Amazon.

Want to play this game?  I think, instead of tagging specific people, that anyone who wants to should be able to post an excerpt.  Enjoy!

Cover Reveal ~ Dry Spell

I am really excited for the second Elemental Magic novel to come out some time in the next couple months.  I can’t give an exact date because I’ve learned I really can’t predict the future or control unforeseen events (though I’m shooting for early April, fingers crossed).  But take a look at the awesome cover, done by BookGraphics.

Aileen Donovan is an elemental with magical control over water.  When Aileen finds a mummified body at a scientist’s convention in Seattle, she suspects supernatural foul play.  Her amateur sleuthing, however, isn’t the romantic getaway her human boyfriend, Colin, had in mind.  Breaking into crime scenes and fending off black magic doesn’t really set the mood.

As more bodies turn up, Aileen’s insatiable desire to solve the mystery not only pits her against a serial killer, but also a cunning vampire lord, and an elemental agent with ulterior motives.

But the closer Aileen gets to the killer, the further she finds herself from Colin.  Can she try to salvage their relationship and stop a murderer, or is she out of her supernatural league?

You can add the book to your TBR list on Goodreads.

***

And here’s a Mash-Up of Awesomeness for your reading pleasure:

Kickass Heroines: Danielle from Ever After, by Tameri Etherton–We like our women strong and feisty!

Rhinestones and Diamonds, by Alina Sayre–It’s not easy living with integrity in a rhinestone world.  (Exceptional post)

Diana Murdock Feels the Cyber Friends Love, by Diana Murdock via/ Elena Aitken’s blog–Cyber friendships don’t have to be superficial.

The Final Word on Fear, by Kate Wood–Have courage in the face of fear.

Amazon: Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts, by Kristen Lamb–A very thought-provoking look at the future of publishing.

Now Released: Elemental Magic!

I am thrilled to announce that Elemental Magic has finally been released!  After several setbacks trying to work out the cover art and then my illness, which has frankly left me little more than a puddle of mush (has it really been a month of that?!), everything has come together.  It may not have been on my timetable, but it was worth it.  Check out that cover art!

Aileen Donovan is an oceanographer with magical control over the element of water. While her normal focus is on research and fighting poachers, she’s about to go up against the stuff of legends—and that’s saying something for a supernatural.

A transport ship is missing and everyone’s eager to get their hands on the cargo. No one knows what exactly it is, but when fragments resembling coral begin to drive local residents insane, Aileen suspects a preternatural source. Whatever is at the bottom of the ocean, a power-hungry alchemist wants it, and releases a sea dragon to eat the competition—literally.

Aileen sees this as an opportunity to win the professional recognition she desires, but keeping secrets is complicated when she’s working with local Coast Guard officer Colin Benson. Her sense of love and duty will be put to the test, and when the tide washes out, it might have been better if that lost ship had stayed lost.

Available on Amazon and Smashwords.

Custom Pony Contest!

Welcome to Imagine That on Wednesdays!  Rebecca Enzor is hosting a contest where writers design their own custom My Little Pony based on their completed novels.  Being a lover of My Little Pony and drawing them, I couldn’t resist.  So here are my ponies based on Phoenix Feather and Elemental Magic!

Phoenix Feather is my official entry for the contest.  This pony represents the character, Aidan Quinn, in both her human and phoenix form.  As a human, she has deep, vibrant red hair, which is one of the features that fits the serial killer’s type in the story.  As a phoenix, she has wings of fire, and the feather plays a key role in the novel, though I can’t explain without giving too much away.

Phoenix Feather–Can a phoenix find happily ever after with a mortal before a serial killer finds her?

And, because I couldn’t help myself, I also designed a custom pony for Elemental Magic, even though it’s not officially part of the contest.  This pony represents the element of water.  The main character, Aileen Donovan, is a water elemental.  The upside down triangle is the symbol for this element, and in the novel it is used as an identifying tattoo for elementals.  Inside the triangle are two dots representing Aileen’s status in her elemental society–Apprentice.  She needs to pass credentialing exams to become a full-fledged Steward and receive her third dot to complete the tattoo.

I hope you guys enjoyed these My Little Ponies.  Check out Rebecca’s post on the contest and read the comments to find others who are participating.  Voting will commence Oct. 5th-15th.

For the rest of September, everyone who leaves a comment will be entered into a drawing to win a free e-book copy of Elemental Magic when it releases in October.  Five winners will be selected.

Aileen Donovan wants nothing more than recognition as an elemental scientist by her supernatural community.  What better way to do that than to solve a mystery involving a power-hungry alchemist, hallucinogenic coral, and a homicidal sea dragon?  The hardest part will be working with Coast Guard officer Colin Benson—until the tides turn, and Aileen realizes that love and duty may not have to be mutually exclusive.

Elemental Magic: What’s your element?

Welcome to Imagine That on Wednesdays!

In honor of my soon to be released urban fantasy novel, Elemental Magic, I’d like to share some of my research on the four classic elements and what they represent.

Water is a restorative, life sustaining element. Characters with an affinity to water are often peaceful, although they can also respond with violence when provoked.  Somewhat like the sea–calm one moment, violent the next.  Water personalities tend to be emotional, deep, nurturing, sympathetic, empathetic, imaginative and intuitive; however, they can also be sentimental, sensitive, escapist and irrational.  Water environments are tranquil and abundant with life.

If your element is water, then your animal buddies would be the dolphin, seal, turtle, frog, and all types of fish.  Mythical creatures associated with this element are the Mermaid (salt water), Naiad (fresh water), and sea dragon.

Earth is an element of stability.  Characters who wield this element tend to be physically strong or imposing, but they can also be either passive or aggressive.  Earth personalities tend to be calm, practical, hard working, wise, stable, patient and sensual; however, they can also be stubborn, possessive, jealous, nearsighted and very harsh.  Its environment can be either barren or abundant in life.

If your element is earth, then your animals would be the stag, bull, bear, snake, and of course all burrowing animals.  (Ground squirrels anyone?)  Mythical earth creates are the Satyr/Faun, Gnomes/Goblins (I really hope they don’t meant the garden variety), and Dryads (tree nymphs).

Air (also referred to as wind) represents freedom and whimsy, and is often wielded by carefree characters. This element often emphasizes speed over strength.  Air personalities tend to be kind, intellectual, communicative, social and helpful. However, they can also be cold, superficial, vicious and very insensitive to other people’s emotions.  Environments associated with this element tend to be at high elevations or actually suspended in the air.  (Who wants a floating castle in the sky?)

No specific animal is listed, though you can assume anything with wings could personify this element.  The only mythological being linked to air is the Sylph, an air spirit probably resembling a fairy or pixie.

Fire is often depicted as a destructive element, but it also gives life.  For example, forest fire burns away old, dead foliage to make room for new growth.  It is often regenerative and formative.  Fire tends to be wielded by aggressive characters, or warm and passionate ones.  Fire personalities are believed to have good leadership qualities, and also tend to be extroverted, rebellious, passionate and enthusiastic, brave and valiant; however, they can also be moody, hot-tempered, snappy, uncontrollable and angry.  Fire environments tend to be hot, hostile and dangerous.

Interestingly, the animal most closely associated with this element are cats, especially the lion and tiger.  Any predatory animal, such as the fox, can personify fire, and sometimes the hawk is linked to this element, even though many associate it with air.  The mythological creatures are the phoenix, dragon, and salamander (related to the myth that they mysteriously emerge from flames).

My personality leans more towards Water and Earth, though I have always been fascinated with Fire.  (Opposites attract, maybe?)  I certainly have a greater love for Fire’s elemental creatures.  😉

What’s your element?  Which one would you like to be, or which one would you like to have magical power over?  I love hearing from you!

Watch for the release of my latest book, Elemental Magic, the first in my new urban fantasy series:

Aileen Donovan is an oceanographer with magical control over the element of water.  While her normal focus is on research and fighting poachers, she’s about to go up against the stuff of legends—and that’s saying something for a supernatural.

A transport ship is missing and everyone’s eager to get their hands on the cargo.  No one knows what it is, but when fragments resembling coral begin to drive local residents insane, Aileen suspects a preternatural source.  Whatever is at the bottom of the ocean, a power-hungry alchemist wants it, and releases a sea dragon to eat the competition—literally.

Aileen sees this as an opportunity to prove her worth, but as the stakes are raised, she’ll have to choose between duty and renown.  When the tide washes out, it would have been better if that lost ship had stayed lost.