It's Anthology Day—Lunar Rising Awaits You 🔥

Oct 04, 2022 3:16 pm

Guess What Today Is???

(As if you didn't already get newsletters from other authors talking about this.)

🎉 It's release day for the Lunar Rising anthology! 🎉

My fellow indie authors and I are SO excited to see our collaboration hanging out on all the retailers. If you're the type of reader who prefers to wait until release day to buy a new book, now's your chance! Remember, the anthology will be on sale for 99¢ ONLY until early next week.

Deal hunters? This is your moment to shine. 📚

What Readers Are Saying

I've got some more ARC reviews of Gift of Air—my short story that's in the Lunar Rising anthology—to share with you today. Several of my fellow authors have put out ARC copies of their stories, too, and reviews are piling in on both Goodreads and BookBub. You can check out Lunar Rising's page on either of those sites if you'd like an early taste of some of the other stories.

Oh, and a quick apology to my ARC readers. Yes, I sent you a call-to-action at midnight EDT asking you to share your reviews of Gift of Air on the retailers. But of course Amazon still had Lunar Rising listed as a pre-order as of 2:00 a.m. 😑

By now, you ought to be able to post your reviews if you haven't yet. UGH.

Here are 2 more reviews from BookBub and Goodreads:

Now let's take a look at one more snippet from Gift of Air—the moment when Ilsa learns that a conclave of Teuton priests are conspiring against her. 😱

Gift of Air Snippet

I departed the church as quickly as I could without displaying my element, my heeled sandals inhibiting my footing as Nelke and I descended to street level. The breeze outside whipped my peach dress around me and nearly carried away my sunhat. Shoving it tighter upon my head, I planted myself in front of my friend before she could sprint toward our houses. “Do these idiots not know I have the heart-bond with Horst?” I demanded. “They can’t lock me up without his permission!”

“They probably don’t know,” Nelke said, her body shuddering as she worked to stifle her snow. The street was empty since most of our neighbors were at church, but one could not be too cautious. “You’d better summon your beau through the bond, if that’s possible, so he can speak for you when they come.”

I pulled myself up straight. “I can speak for myself. But if he’s there to support me, they’ll realize they have no authority over us. Ugh, why are Teuton men so stupid? It’d be better if I can get out of here before they confront us.” I glared toward the Kaenel house, its gables visible at the far end of the street. “Come on. You can help me decide what to pack.”

On the way there, I endeavored to send a pointed message to Horst through the stressed throbs of my heart. I need you here, now. The bastards from Innsbruck want to take me. Whether he heard my exact thoughts or simply sensed my yearning, I could only guess. But not long after Nelke and I charged into my bedroom, Horst’s spirit appeared before my window seat, radiant flames comprising his robes.

Nelke did not see him at first, since she wore glasses. Invoking her snow into her eyes would blur things for her unless she took her glasses off. But I kept my air on high alert as I cast two travel bags onto my quilt. When I raised my eyes to my master’s, comfort washed over me like a pristine sea. “Hey. We’ve got a problem,” I said in greeting.

Nelke was digging underwear from my dresser, flinging bras and panties onto the foot of the bed. Horst’s fiery eyes followed their path for a second before he asked, What’s going on?

My friend shrieked and jerked back from the dresser; Horst had sent his thoughts into both of our minds. I put my hands on my hips and lifted my chin as I told him, “Nelke’s father is conspiring with the priests on Innsbruck’s council to get rid of me, and she thinks they’re coming today. Apparently they’ve decided I’m not just a threat. I’m insane.”

Horst cursed, and I sensed his fury clawing at my element. Nelke, meanwhile, had set her glasses upon my dresser, her snow-white eyes gawking at my master. “I guess you’re Horst?”

My master ducked his ethereal head at Nelke, his lips curling into an elegant smile. I am. I apologize for my language. Thank you so much for supporting your friend. You’ve spared me the heartache of extracting her from the clutches of evil Teuton physicians. He placed his right hand against the flaming robes at his chest and bowed to Nelke again.

Her lips parted, but she said nothing, seeming stunned by Horst’s courtesy. I turned for my closet to retrieve a few pairs of shoes, rolling my eyes as I repeated his words. “Evil Teuton physicians. What are they going to do, try to drug me and lock me up?” I laid my pair of sneakers aside, along with one pair of dress shoes and casual sandals.

They could attempt far worse than that. Frustration laced Horst’s thoughts. You two keep packing. I’ll make a quick sweep of the area, and then I’m going to get backup. Ilsa, I’ll be here with you in five minutes. I promise.

I sensed his spiritual hands closing around my heart as his vow entered my mind. Offering him a shy smile, I said, “Sounds good. I need to change, anyway.”

In his absence, I swapped my Easter finery for a pair of slacks and a flowing blouse. Nelke seemed overcome by jitters. She sputtered a few phrases about Horst’s fire, about how he might have to fight the priests from Innsbruck. “Maybe we should run to the train station after you’re packed. Maybe you can get out before they come, and Horst can ride with you in spirit form.”

“Maybe.” I stepped to my dresser to study my appearance. My makeup was untainted as yet, and my brown braid remained coiled upon the back of my head. Should I pack my makeup and jewelry, or just the basics? Adrenaline mixed with anxiety impeded my reason, but I snatched my brush and tossed it toward the bags. I would need that for sure.

By the time Horst returned, I had stuffed the extra shoes and underwear into the larger bag, Nelke and I having turned our attention to outfits. I detected an unusual number of Teutonic elements lurking in a smaller house across the street from this one, my master reported, his expression vigilant. Most seemed competent enough to be priests.

“They’re at my house with my father,” Nelke groaned, pulling several folded shirts from one of my drawers. “They’ll be here before we can get Ilsa out.”

I heaved a sigh as I stood before my closet. “I was hoping we could flee before they get organized, but it sounds like we’re out of time.” I turned pleading eyes toward Horst, fearing the outcome if the three of us had to grapple with trained Teuton priests.

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Schafberg Peak In Austria

Today's picture is one I didn't take myself. I swiped it from a Facebook group where people share photos from Alpine regions of Bavaria and Austria. This particular peak, with its spectacular view of the lakes below, is called the Schafberg. Ilsa and Horst visited this very place during their honeymoon—and Swanie, the lead female from my His Name Was Augustin series, vacationed here with a group of high school friends in my very first novel!

Have you ever visited the Schafberg? If so, send me a reply & tell me about it!

Photo credit goes to Noel Walter from Facebook.

Bookpalooza—Over 100 eBooks For YOU!

Lots of my fellow authors have put together some spooky promos on BookFunnel this month in honor of Halloween. 🎃 First up is this fantastic batch of books that are available on ALL platforms. You don't have to swipe through a bunch that are Kindle only—YAY! Grab yourself some new reads today.

✨ Show Me The Books! ✨