Thanks to BillyCox.com for this lovely graphic. I began my career writing contemporary romance, a genre I love. The stories of love between two people, set in modern times. Even though I loved historical romance to read, I chose contemporary because, frankly, I was just too lazy to do all the research to write in that genre.
But lately, I've broken free of the contemporary genre and committed to writing paranormal and urban fiction stories. I have loved planning out an aggressive nine book series, and building a world my heroines live and love in. It wasn't in my comfort zone, but it fit a dream I've had since I picked up my first Anne Rice novel a gazillion years ago.
I thought I'd give you a peek into the first book I've written in the series. My plan right now is to begin releasing the stories in late 2016. Stay tuned!
But lately, I've broken free of the contemporary genre and committed to writing paranormal and urban fiction stories. I have loved planning out an aggressive nine book series, and building a world my heroines live and love in. It wasn't in my comfort zone, but it fit a dream I've had since I picked up my first Anne Rice novel a gazillion years ago.
I thought I'd give you a peek into the first book I've written in the series. My plan right now is to begin releasing the stories in late 2016. Stay tuned!
Tyranny
Book 1 - Goddesses of Delphi
Please forgive any grammatical or spelling errors. This is unedited copy
His eyes widened briefly, but then narrowed again. Shaking his head, he let his shoulders slump. “Then what is it?”
“You’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you.” Why would he? Gods and goddesses were merely myths in the eyes of the pragmatic world. They didn’t exist. She didn’t exist. She gestured to the sofa. “Take a seat. Can I get you a drink? Beer? Whiskey?” Giving him something strong to drink might make him more comfortable and willing to embrace what she had to tell him. She could use a stiff drink herself.
“Sure.” Jax took a seat on the edge of the couch cushion and bent forward, propping his elbows on his knees.
Clio went to the small cupboard opposite the fireplace. Crystal glasses were arranged on top, and she dragged two toward her. A decanter that matched the pattern of the tumblers sat on a silver tray on top of the cabinet. The amber-colored liquor was almost an exact match for the shade of Jax’s eyes as he’d moved within her a short while ago. Several drops of whiskey spilled out when her hand shook as she poured three fingers of the spirit in each glass.
Drinks in hand, she moved back to the sofa. After giving one to Jax, she took a seat next to him on the sofa. She took a healthy swig from her glass. The whiskey burned a path straight to her belly. Cold practicality iced a spot in her chest right next to burning uncertainty. This would the first time she’d ever revealed herself as a Muse to a mortal. Humanity had called on Muses throughout the ages, but never had either she or her sisters done a damn thing to confirm their actual existence.
Risking a glance at Jax, she found his gaze locked on her face. He nodded, his eyes wide and encouraging. “Clio, just spit it out.”
She set the glass aside and twisted to face him. She tucked one foot under the opposite leg and tucked the robe under her knee. Pressing a hand on his thigh, she took the plunge. “Jax, have you ever heard of the Muses?”
“You mean like the band?”
She snorted. Terri was to blame for the techno-rocker’s name. Clio remembered how her sister had laughed like a demented loon once that band had crashed onto the music scene.
Focus, dammit! She shook away the memory. “No, like the beings who serve to inspire people to achieve greatness in art, or writing, or science.”
Jax’s smile creased dimples into his cheeks. “Ah, you’re talking about mythology.”
Grasping his hand, she pulled it to her face and cupped it around her cheek. “Do I feel like a myth to you?”
“Huh?”
“Jax, I’m Clio, the Muse of history. Oh, and guitar.” She tipped her chin up. “I’ve been nudging generals, statesmen and inventors for thousands of years, inspiring them to achieve their destinies. And then I record their triumphs and defeats.”
He drew his brows together and leaned away. She’d try to pretend his withdrawal didn’t sting like a poisonous spider bite. Mouth opening and closing, it looked as though he was trying to understand a completely foreign language.
A smile broke out on his face, but it never reached his eyes. His laugh came out a skeptical, scoffing grunt. “Good one, Clio. You had me going there.”
Book 1 - Goddesses of Delphi
Please forgive any grammatical or spelling errors. This is unedited copy
His eyes widened briefly, but then narrowed again. Shaking his head, he let his shoulders slump. “Then what is it?”
“You’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you.” Why would he? Gods and goddesses were merely myths in the eyes of the pragmatic world. They didn’t exist. She didn’t exist. She gestured to the sofa. “Take a seat. Can I get you a drink? Beer? Whiskey?” Giving him something strong to drink might make him more comfortable and willing to embrace what she had to tell him. She could use a stiff drink herself.
“Sure.” Jax took a seat on the edge of the couch cushion and bent forward, propping his elbows on his knees.
Clio went to the small cupboard opposite the fireplace. Crystal glasses were arranged on top, and she dragged two toward her. A decanter that matched the pattern of the tumblers sat on a silver tray on top of the cabinet. The amber-colored liquor was almost an exact match for the shade of Jax’s eyes as he’d moved within her a short while ago. Several drops of whiskey spilled out when her hand shook as she poured three fingers of the spirit in each glass.
Drinks in hand, she moved back to the sofa. After giving one to Jax, she took a seat next to him on the sofa. She took a healthy swig from her glass. The whiskey burned a path straight to her belly. Cold practicality iced a spot in her chest right next to burning uncertainty. This would the first time she’d ever revealed herself as a Muse to a mortal. Humanity had called on Muses throughout the ages, but never had either she or her sisters done a damn thing to confirm their actual existence.
Risking a glance at Jax, she found his gaze locked on her face. He nodded, his eyes wide and encouraging. “Clio, just spit it out.”
She set the glass aside and twisted to face him. She tucked one foot under the opposite leg and tucked the robe under her knee. Pressing a hand on his thigh, she took the plunge. “Jax, have you ever heard of the Muses?”
“You mean like the band?”
She snorted. Terri was to blame for the techno-rocker’s name. Clio remembered how her sister had laughed like a demented loon once that band had crashed onto the music scene.
Focus, dammit! She shook away the memory. “No, like the beings who serve to inspire people to achieve greatness in art, or writing, or science.”
Jax’s smile creased dimples into his cheeks. “Ah, you’re talking about mythology.”
Grasping his hand, she pulled it to her face and cupped it around her cheek. “Do I feel like a myth to you?”
“Huh?”
“Jax, I’m Clio, the Muse of history. Oh, and guitar.” She tipped her chin up. “I’ve been nudging generals, statesmen and inventors for thousands of years, inspiring them to achieve their destinies. And then I record their triumphs and defeats.”
He drew his brows together and leaned away. She’d try to pretend his withdrawal didn’t sting like a poisonous spider bite. Mouth opening and closing, it looked as though he was trying to understand a completely foreign language.
A smile broke out on his face, but it never reached his eyes. His laugh came out a skeptical, scoffing grunt. “Good one, Clio. You had me going there.”
So there you have. The first time I've shared these words with anyone beyond my critique partners. Just another way I've broken out of my comfort zone.
Want to break free of yours? The KickAss Chicks are hosting an online seminar directed toward writers at every stage of their careers. The four-hour seminar on March 2, 2016 will be led by Penny Barber, and Editor with Lyrical Press. She'll walk us through how to write an opening scene guaranteed to make readers pick up their books. You can find more information here.
I do hope you will join us.
Want to break free of yours? The KickAss Chicks are hosting an online seminar directed toward writers at every stage of their careers. The four-hour seminar on March 2, 2016 will be led by Penny Barber, and Editor with Lyrical Press. She'll walk us through how to write an opening scene guaranteed to make readers pick up their books. You can find more information here.
I do hope you will join us.
RSS Feed
