W is for Women of Foxwick

 

This year's A to Z Challenge theme is: All About Foxwick.

W is for ... Women of Foxwick

Women of Foxwick follows five women from Foxwick in a five-story fantasy collection.

A bard will lose her head, if she doesn’t find the correct notes. A dragon seer must decide whether to betray her dragons or her fair kingdom. An assassin will journey to the Shadowlands to destroy Death. Twins are selected for the Mage Game, and a princess will journey to Valdale in search of the sorceress who can save Foxwick.

Stories:
Lady Bard
Dragon Seer
Lady Death
Mage Game
Magic Seeker   

To purchase: Kobo  Amazon US / UK / DE / FR / ES / IT  Smashwords  Nook   iTunes
 
Add on Goodreads 

A brief excerpt from Women of Foxwick: 

A shadow fell over Lyrica. The lady bard paused mid-strum to listen to the forest sounds. Birds no longer chirped along with her music. The gentle babbling brook that flowed through Greymist Grove had become her only accompaniment. Not even a breeze rustled the leaves as Lyrica breathed in the floral scent of budding fruit trees. 

I must be imagining things.

Her fingers danced along the lute’s taunt strings. The melody bubbled with joyful laughter and matched the brook’s speech, note for note. The bard hummed to the cheerful tune and hoped she could lure the birds back out to sing with her.

A high-pitched screech startled her off the log she perched upon. Lute in hand, she scrambled to her feet. Men crashed through the forest’s undergrowth and surrounded her. She clutched her instrument to her body as if the wood and string could protect her against their swords. They bore the insignia of the fox upon their chests, but knowing they were the king’s guards did little to ease the fear strangling her.

“Who are you?” Her voice trembled over the words.

One guard stepped forward and produced a scroll. “By order of King Felix of Foxwick, all musicians are to report to the castle posthaste. State your name and instrument.”

Her eyes narrowed and she lowered her lute to her side. What did the king want with a bard? “I’m Lyrica, a lady bard. I play the lute and sing.”

Wednesday's Writing Update: February Goals, Price Change, Free Book

 

Happy Wednesday!

January is almost over. Part I of The Phoenix Prophetess is with my three critique partners. Act I of Starred is with my two new beta readers. "Blind Scribe," short story #1 in Men of Foxwick, is back from CP #2, so I need to make some more changes to it and then send it to CP #3. The only thing I've been unable to finish so far is the first thirteen chapters of The Loveless Princess.

But I do have February's goals:

1. Write "Dragon Spy" from Men of Foxwick. "Dragon Spy" is the second short story in Men of Foxwick. Like "Dragon Seer" in Women of Foxwick, this one will feature a dragon (Kona, this time instead of Attor) and a dragon seer (Harthro, instead of Vesta) as they work to pull one over on Queen Eirwyn of Wintermill.

2. Write The Loveless Princess. I need to finish this novella by the end of February.

3. Edit Act II of Starred and send it to my beta readers.

4. Edit Part II of The Phoenix Prophetess and send it to my critique partners.

I've been thinking quite a bit about pricing my ebooks and such. I've decided to change the price of Women of Foxwick to $0.99. I have also raised the price of Nightmare Ever After to $2.99. For the next few months, I have decided to place Once Upon a December Nightmare to free. So far, Smashwords, iTunes, and Kobo have made the changes. My hope is that Amazon will pick up the price match in the next few weeks. Of course, you can still get Once Upon a December Nightmare and Nightmare Ever After within The Nightmare Collection for $2.99 ($7.95 for print copy).

Oh, it's time to sign up for the A to Z Challenge as well. On my Surrounded by Books Reviews blog, I'll be talking about book series. On this blog, I was going to showcase a short story/novelette prequel to Starred titled Now Starring, but I've changed my mind. Now I'm going to showcase the world of Foxwick.

So what are you up to this week? Have you thought about your February goals?

2013 Stats to Date:

13,245 words written

224 pages edited

Friday Excerpt: "Magic Seeker" from Women of Foxwick

 

Today's the last Friday Excerpt featuring the Women of Foxwick. The excerpt is from the story "Magic Seeker."

You can find the excerpts from "Lady Bard" here, "Dragon Seer" here, "Lady Death" here, and "Mage Game" here.

 

Magic Seeker

Something—or someone—had spooked the horses. Their frantic pawing and whinnying sent a stab of worry through Zenia’s heart. When her mother had told her to meet her at the stables after supper, she knew something was wrong. Had Foxwick fallen to the Lochhollowans? Did they have to flee the castle? She attempted to hum a soothing tune to calm the horses, but her mouth was too dry.

“Shh,” Zenia said instead as she touched each horse’s muzzle. They slowly calmed at her voice, but her heart sped up. Where was her mother?

The stable doors creaked and Zenia froze in place. Her gaze flicked to the pitchfork against the far wall. If only she was closer, she could use it for protection. Should she risk it?

“Zenia?” Her mother’s gentle voice called to her.

“Mother?”

Queen Amelia, Zenia’s mother, opened the stall door and led Zenia’s favorite and fastest horse, White Lightning, to her. The horse was already saddled and ready for a ride, but what was her mother doing with the horse so late at night?

“What’s going on?” When her mother’s face came in full view, Zenia gasped at the concern sharpening her features. “What happened? Did Foxwick fall?”

“Let’s pray Foxwick never falls.” Amelia clutched Zenia’s chin. “Listen to me, child. The war in Lochhollow is coming to a head. The tide can turn either for or against us, so we must be ready. I need you to travel to Valdale. Within a monastery upon the hill, there lives a well-renowned sorceress. You must persuade her to help us.”

“Me?” If Zenia wasn’t worried before, she was now. The fate of Foxwick had settled on her shoulders like an iron shawl. “But, Mother, I’ve barely traveled outside of Foxwick. Why can’t we take my roc or even ride a dragon or gryphon there? Surely journeying by flight would be quicker than by horse.”

“It’s too dangerous.” Amelia glanced toward the opened stable doors. Her hand fell from Zenia’s face, and she pressed White Lightning’s rein into her daughter’s hands. “You won’t travel alone. Please, do enter, Umbria.”

A woman cloaked in darkness entered the stables followed by a unicorn, but not just any unicorn, a black one. Her hood fell away, revealing her face. Eyes like onyx gemstones focused upon Zenia, and the princess took a step back. Umbria laughed, a melodious tune. “Don’t be frightened. I am to be your guide into Valdale and nothing more.”

“B-but you’re—”

“Lady Death, yes, but I am also your Great-Aunt Umbria.” She smiled, but it didn’t put Zenia at ease.

“Umbria has business in Valdale, so she agreed to accompany you.” Amelia stroked Zenia’s hair. “She’ll keep you safe, my love. Please, we must do this. I wish I could travel with you, but I have to remain here for news and to oversee the kingdom.”

Zenia knew her mother couldn’t travel to Valdale, even if she could leave Foxwick at a time like this. If her Uncle Karden and Aunt Adetta hadn’t left with father and her brother Ivander to Lochhollow, then they could’ve journeyed with her. She hadn’t met her great-aunt before. Of course, most people hoped not to see Lady Death until it was their time.

“So are you coming, Zenia?” Umbria leapt upon the unicorn’s back. Her sword gleamed behind her in the warm lantern light.

“There’s no other way, is there, Mother?” Zenia wrapped White Lightning’s rein around her hand.

“I fear not.” Amelia kissed her cheek.

Zenia normally skirted away from such endearments, but she wished for a thousand more moments with her family. Those turns of the hourglass would disappear if she didn’t go. She climbed upon White Lightning. “Please take care of my many animals. Merryl, the butcher, typically brings fresh meat every other day for them. We should have enough fruits and vegetables for the others.”

“Your menagerie is safe with me. Be swift and careful. Come back.” Amelia stepped aside. “Be sure to come back.”

Umbria lifted her head in a curt nod before turning her unicorn around.

Zenia prepared to follow, and the two women with their mounts raced from the stables to Valdale.

Until the end of 2012, Women of Foxwick is only $1.99. If you enjoyed what you read, please consider buying a copy at these retailers: Amazon US / UK / DE / FR / ES / IT  Smashwords  Nook  Kobo  iTunes. You can also add on Goodreads.

Special Excerpt: "Mage Game" from Women of Foxwick

Today I have a special excerpt of "Mage Game" from Women of Foxwick. This will be my last post until next Monday where I have a special visit from Aubrie Dionne about her YA Science Fiction Romance novel, Colonization. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, or just a fantastic week, if you aren't in the US.

If you missed the previous excerpts for Women of Foxwick, you can click here for "Lady Bard," here for "Dragon Seer," and here for "Lady Death."

 

Mage Game

Bodies pressed and shifted around Amelia. Sweat’s sour scent permeated the air, and she wrinkled her nose. While she peered over the crowd to the raised stage, she yanked her limp hair into a bun. She didn’t see any sign of King Brum yet, but she did spy her twin sister Adetta, weaving through the throng of people.

“Where have you been, Det?” Amelia fanned herself.

“Checking out this year’s possible competition. I recognized a few from previous years.” Det bounced on her toes. A sword clanked behind her with each move.

“I don’t know why they’d come back.” Amelia’s gaze narrowed. “Whose sword did you steal this time?”

“Kar—” Det coughed. “Um, the blacksmith’s, but he gave it to me.”

Amelia lifted an eyebrow.

A trumpet blared, and the people drifted into silence.

King Brum stepped upon the stage. His golden crown gleamed in the late morning light.

“Citizens of Foxwick and neighboring friends, I welcome you to the Mage Game. Four boxes, one pair of names from each kingdom, a master of swords and a master of magic, will have the opportunity to win 10,000 gold coins. Shall I pick our contestants?”

The crowd roared its approval.

“Promise you won’t be mad,” Det whispered into Amelia’s ear.

“What did you do this time?”

On stage, the king reached into a box and pulled out a slip of paper.

“Promise me first.”

Amelia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Det’s insistence grated on her nerves. Again.

“Our contestants from Wintermill are Swordsman Valance Sharp and Sorceress Belinda.” King Brum’s voice boomed over the crowd as a tall, muscular man walked on stage followed by a beautiful woman whose dark hair shimmered in the heat.

How does she get her hair like that?

Det bumped Amelia out of her thoughts.

“Mel, pay attention. Promise me.”

“Sure, sure. I promise.”

“I signedusup.” The words rushed in a lump that made Amelia blink.

“What?” Amelia turned toward her sister.

“Our second group from Valdale is . . .”

Det’s shoulders dropped. “I signed us up for the competition.”

“. . . Swordsman Tyre Goodmaker and Sorcerer Thay Goodmaker.”

“You what!” Amelia’s voice screeched, and several people shushed her. She ignored them. “Adetta, what have you done?”

“There’s no guarantee we’ll get in, but we could use the money.” Det gave her crooked smile and begging gaze.

Amelia looked away from her sister. A woman bumped her, but she barely felt it. What had Det gotten her into? She didn’t want to be sucked into her sister’s schemes again. It was bad enough Amelia still found burnt jelly to clean when Det decided to sell jams.

“Our contestants from Lochhollow are Sorcerer Nold Kant and Swordsman Eri Hilde.”

Two men joined the others on stage, but Amelia had a hard time focusing on them. Anger and fear boiled within her, and she trembled from the raging emotions. If the king called their names, they would have to withdraw. They couldn’t complete against these real sorcerers and swordsmen.

“Det, I’m an herb witch, and you don’t even know how to use a sword.”

“I do too, but come on. We need this.”

“People died last year in the competition. We can’t do this.” A shudder raced up Amelia’s spine.

“And now I call upon our contestants from our very own Foxwick . . . Swordswoman Adetta Crestwood and Sorceress Amelia Crestwood.”

Amelia heard the king’s voice, but she couldn’t respond. A thin line spread through the crowd. When her sister pushed her from behind, she stumbled forward. The stage drew closer. Why couldn’t she stop her forward momentum? Her mouth went dry, as if she’d swallowed cinnamon.

“We can’t do this, Det. We can’t.”

“It’ll be fun. Don’t be such a worrywart.”

Amelia clomped up the stairs and stood on the stage. So many people stared at them while the other contestants sneered. Her breath stuck in her throat.

“Here are our contestants.”

A smattering of applause rose from the crowd. Most people craned their heads to compare the competition. The gambling had already started as money changed hands.

“You have one hour to prepare. You must collect three items:  a dragon’s scale, a phoenix feather, and a unicorn’s hair. After you collect an item, you’ll bring it to a designated checkpoint. The last person to arrive at each checkpoint will be eliminated from the competition. Magical transportation will be used between the tasks. Here are your maps. We meet when the sun is directly overhead.” The king motioned to the rising celestial orb before leaving them.

A servant gave them the maps.

Amelia’s hand shook when she accepted the scroll. Greymist Forest and the Blackden Barrens swirled before her eyes. Det grinned and Amelia’s heart sank further. Of course, her sister got her way yet again.

Until the end of 2012, Women of Foxwick is only $1.99. If you enjoyed what you read, please consider buying a copy at these retailers: Amazon US / UK / DE / FR / ES / IT  Smashwords  Nook  Kobo  iTunes. You can also add on Goodreads.

I'll see everyone next Monday! 

Friday Excerpt: "Lady Death" from Women of Foxwick

 

I am terribly sorry I haven't been visiting blogs much since last Wednesday. I had my five-day vacation from the day job, and I've been busy with NaNo and proofreading The Nightmare Collection, so I can publish it in the next few days. I hope to catch up on visiting blogs and emails by Saturday. *crosses fingers*

Today's Friday excerpt comes from "Lady Death" in Women of Foxwick.

For an excerpt of "Lady Bard," click here. For one of "Dragon Seer," click here.

 

Lady Death

The clashing swords rang in her ears like a cacophonous symphony. Peeping from behind the red velvet curtain, Umbria spotted King Leon and his sword master Fallon. She rippled the curtain, dust motes flying in the candlelit air, to alert Leon of her hidden presence.

When Fallon’s sword skidded across the floor, the sword fighting ceased.

“That’s enough for today, Fallon. Leave me.” Leon waved him away.

“As you wish, sire.” Fallon bowed, retrieved his weapon, and exited.

As soon as the door closed, Umbria slipped into the room with her broadsword raised.

“Hello, sister.” Leon’s weapon clanged with hers. “Is it finished?”

“Would I have returned if it wasn’t?” In a swirl of fabric, she removed her cloak and parried his move. An amused smile curled her lips. The blade whistled through the air, and her feet danced as she thrust and jabbed. She always enjoyed a good sword fight.

His breathing increased and sweat beaded upon his brow. Was her brother already winded from his previous exertion against Fallon? The sword mirrored her movements, but Leon wasn’t nearly as quick. She blamed the rich meats he enjoyed.

“So, the quacksalver is dead?”

“Yes, the false healer won’t be practicing his witchcraft anymore.” She slowed long enough to produce the thick gold ring Thaddeus enjoyed wearing, his finger attached.

“Thank you. He wanted to kill my wife to save the child.” Leon gnashed the words. His grip tightened around the sword, and he spat upon the floor and attacked. “The other healers aren’t much better.”

She grasped her weapon in both hands and took the brunt of his anger. What would her brother do if his wife and child didn’t survive? She couldn’t begin to imagine his despair and frustration. “Is there any news about Verona and your child?”

“They keep bleeding her, but she remains gravely ill.” He grunted. His movements grew wilder, more erratic, and Umbria struggled to keep up. “She’s delirious most of the time. They want to take the baby. Cut into her. Can you believe it? She’s been with child only six months. He won’t live without her.”

Umbria ducked and his sword banged into a marble column.

Leon’s chest heaved. “I can’t lose her, sister. Our relations with Lochhollow are tepid at best, and they will attack Foxwick, if she . . . .”

“Doesn’t Lochhollow realize how much you love their favorite daughter?” Her eyes narrowed in concern. She would do anything to prevent another war, to help him. “Would you like me to travel to Valdale? They have some of the finest physicians.”

“Did you know Verona’s parents first denied my marriage to her? They won’t hesitate to attack.” He swung the blade wide, completely missing Umbria. Frustration huffed from his nostrils like a bull snorting before attack. “There’s no use to journey to Valdale either. They can do nothing for her.”

“Tell me what to do. I’ll do anything for you and Verona. You know that.”

He swung his sword toward hers. “I want you to assassinate Death.”

“What?” Her eyes widened and mouth dropped open. When their weapons connected, hers flew from her hands and clattered on the floor. She flipped backward three times and stood with sword in hand again. “You want me to do what?”

“Kill Death.”

Until the end of 2012, Women of Foxwick is only $1.99. If you enjoyed what you read, please consider buying a copy at these retailers: Amazon US / UK / DE / FR / ES / IT  Smashwords  Nook  Kobo  iTunes. You can also add on Goodreads.

I am also taking most of next week off from blogging. You can see an excerpt of "Mage Game" on Monday before I take a brief vacation due to Thanksgiving.