Launch Party for Medieval Muse

(Cover by Art By Retta)

Welcome to my launch party for Medieval Muse! This is the official start of my book's availability at Smashwords.com. I am extremely happy to announce that this novella is available as a free download in all the different formats so you can read at your leisure.

I want to thank all those that participated in this launch party and those that have taken the time to mention my book on their blogs and/or websites. If I missed anyone, and I hope I didn't, please let me know so I can correct my error.

Alex J. Cavanaugh
Loretta Stephenson: Art By Retta
Elysabeth: Elysabeth's Writing Emporium
Heather Musk: Reading, Writing and Everything in Between
Amanda Rose: Flowering Fiction
Susanne Drazic: Putting Words Down On Paper
M. Pax

Medieval Muse is my first publication and I am thankful to the people who have helped me make this possible. Loretta Stephenson not only was the cover artist, but she was the first to read and critique my story. Kerri Nelson at Deep Cover Edits did my editing. M. Pax helped me through the deluge of formatting issues and I am forever thankful. Last but not least, my daughter Heather Hedberg put up with me while I sat at my computer for hours on end. Thank you all!

Medieval Muse

What happens when Victoria Budroix receives a cameo that promises to give her the desires of her heart? Since she doesn’t know what that would be, a trip to medieval times, intrigue, threat of war and an overbearing lord are on the list for her to choose from. Or could it be meeting her one true love?

Sir William of Conrad has escorted a stranger home to be under his protection. He discovers this woman speaks her own mind and melts his heart. He faces his father’s outrage and a broken alliance with the neighboring clan by falling in love.

Medieval Muse is available as a free read from Smashwords.com. Click HERE to download your free copy.

Dragon Kind - Coming Soon!

I'm happy to announce that my new novella, Dragon Kind will be coming out on the heels of my launch party for Medieval Muse. The date isn't exact yet, but I expect to see it published by August 15th. It's been a busy month for me, but an exciting one as well.

When Marsilynda Weston’s grandfather dies, he leaves her a magic sword that sends her through a time portal, on a quest to kill a dragon. Plus, he requests that his associate, Richard Carnes, become her protector. But what happens next is a total surprise when the dragons turn out to be her friends and the nearby king and his knights her enemies. Will Marsilynda accept Richard, who she thinks will foul up her quest? Will she return with Richard through the time portal or will she stay with the dragons and fight their enemies?

In Part Two, Richard decides he can’t allow Marsilynda to be stranded on the other side of the portal, so he races after her, only to find that she has bonded with a dragon. What does that mean? Will she ever come home? He has to find a way to convince her that she needs to return to the modern world. But he is captured by a forest gnome who takes him on his own quest to release a dragon’s mate from captivity, after being held by the king for many years. Will he succeed in earning his own freedom? Or is it all a ruse?

Dragon Kind will be available August 15th through Smashwords.com.

Launch Party!

Stopover at the Backworlds Edge By M. Pax

The Backworlds Book 2 is Out!

The sequel to The Backworlds is now available. Craze and his friends continue their adventures in Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge. See what role chocolate plays in the galaxy this time.

The interstellar portal opens, bringing in a ship that should no longer exist. A battleship spoiling for a fight, yet the war with Earth ended two generations ago. The vessel drops off a Water-breather, a type of Backworlder thought to be extinct. She claims one of Craze’s friends is a traitor who summoned the enemy to Pardeep Station. A betrayal worse than his father’s, if Craze lives to worry about it.

Available for all ereaders from:

Amazon / Amazon UK / B&N / Smashwords

iTunes and Kobo will be available shortly.

If you haven’t read The Backworlds yet, it’s available as a free read from many outlets. See HERE for links. [http://mpaxauthor.com/the-backworlds-series/backworlds-the/]

Inspiring the words M. Pax writes, Mary spends her summers as a star guide at Pine Mountain Observatory in stunning Central Oregon where she lives with the husband unit and two loving cats. She write science fiction mostly and has a slight obsession with Jane Austen. Mary blogs at http://www.mpaxauthor.com/blog/

Excerpt from The Chameleon Effect #6

Chavez works for The Agency and has been assigned to rescue Kira Rostropovich and return her to Vega Minor, where she resides with her parents. After being in prison and being 'bought' by Chavez in an auction, Kira is not happy about being searched by Chavez. But he finds a tracking device on her right before a mercenary, Captain Maddeson, finds them and demands that Kira be turned over to him. Chavez immediately makes a sudden jump across the galaxy, much to Kira's surprise! While exploring Chavez's ship, Kira finds a plush garden, but is startled by a watchful Chavez who she keeps at arms length. Kira continues to have nightmares and is haunted by the fact that her life is in danger. She demands to go back to Prison Planet 452, but Chavez has someone to add to his crew complement first.

Chavez set coordinates for Arcturus in the Delta quadrant and engaged the engines. He would have to push it to get there as soon as possible, since Kira was deteriorating rapidly. He needed some expert advice and there was only one man who understood the latest studies on genetics and laser irradiation that Chavez trusted. He would be able to tell what was happening to Kira and whether Chavez had gotten to her in time.

Chavez hadn't slept since bringing Kira on board. The strain was starting to wear on him, but he didn't dare leave the bridge unguarded after her attempt at removing him so she could fly the ship back to Prison Planet 452. He needed to find out what happened there. He finally had his opportunity to question her when she woke up from sleeping and calmly entered the bridge. The dulled night time lights suddenly brightened as 0600 hours was announced.

"Good morning, Kira." He offered her a steaming hot cup of Earth coffee.

She eyed the cup. "Aren't you the gentleman this morning? What's in it?"

"Coffee, Earth style."

She accepted the cup, but waited for Chavez to drink from his cup first. "Thanks. I guess I am a little paranoid this morning."

"Why? All I've done is try to protect you."

"That's what I don't understand. Why was that Captain Maddeson accusing me of being an escaped prisoner?" She paused to take a sip of coffee. "I was sold."

"It's part of the game of acquisitions. They sell you, and then take you back. Then sell you again and take you back again. It's a slave trading racket that keeps you caught in the middle. And the few idiots who buy from the auctions either hand you over or get killed. Either way, the warden gains a profit."

Kira looked blank for a moment. "How do you know so much about the warden's game?"

"I was sold as a slave when I was a young boy. That's how I got these." Chavez gritted his teeth and pointed to the scars running down both sides of his face. "I made a smart remark about the warden and he didn't like it. He said they would help me remember my place. I vowed then and there to learn everything about my place and then get out of it. And I did. I escaped when I was a young man. That's how I know so much and why I know it's such a bad place."

"What happened to your family?"

"I only remember my mother and we were separated after we were sold. They told me she died. That's when I escaped." Chavez had a faraway look in his eyes for just a moment, and then his face became hard. "You need to stay as far away from there as you possibly can. The warden has a long memory and will continue to hunt you down."

"But you don't understand. I need to go back. It's not just a whim I have, it's important that I go."

"I think you've been programmed to go back. It's their guarantee that their property, you, will continue to be theirs."

Kira's eyes grew large and her eyebrows shot up. "Programmed? Like in a room, with a table..." She stopped talking and looked away.

"What? Do you remember something?"

Kira let out a breath. "Just a dream."

"Dreams are important."

Just as she was about to start explaining her dream, the alarm on the incoming monitor flashed red. Damn! Just when I was getting somewhere! It was a call from Arcturus. Chavez pressed the sensor to bring the image on the forward screen.

To be continued...

I hope you enjoyed this excerpt from The Chameleon Effect. Don't forget to sign up for my launch party for my new novella Medieval Muse, which will be offered as a free read from Smashwords starting August 1st.

Hooks and Hangings

This post is about those sentences you make to begin and end your chapters. The beginnings are usually called hooks and the endings and those that leaving you wanting to turn the page and continue reading. I would like to propose to you that you might try using those hooks and hangers on each scene in your story where possible.

Using them in each scene will push your story forward and create more tension. Here are some examples of hooks and hangers. These are from my story Call of the Dragon and these first are from the opening chapter.

The King died in his sleep, most unexpectedly.

And the end to that scene is:

 The mages were always full of trickery and deceit, but murder! That was going too far.

By the way, the murder at the end wasn't referring to the King (at this point).

You can use these sentences to build tension, drama and take breathers in your story. In chapter 3 I open with dialogue, but notice the urgency in the voices.

“Again! Elias, you must concentrate!”

Elias struck another blow. “I’m trying!”

However you choose to use it, your beginning sentences will set the tone for your story. Spend the extra time and work wither your sentences; hook and hangers. They will be the first thing that your reader gets a tatse of and they will make the decision whether to continue from that small bit. You ending sentences will cause your reader to either put the book down for later, or continue reading until the end. And that last sentence is what your reader is left with. Did it satisfy them?

I'm not going to post my last sentence here, it would be giving away the ending of my book. But do you have some good beginnings and endings? Are your scenes good hooks also? Is there plenty of tension in the beginnings? Do the endings leave the readers ready to turn the page?

Medieval Muse - Coming in Two Weeks!

I was delighted to find an email from artist Loretta Stephenson at Art By Retta today, telling me she made a special post about how she made my book cover. I've always been fascinated with my sister's artwork. It's always been imaginative and unique. Today she told a story in pictures, starting with the drawings to the final product. If you want to visit that post, click HERE to take you to her fascinating world.

Medieval Muse will be launched in a Launch Party August 1st - 6th. Join us by signing up HERE.

What happens when Victoria Budroix receives a cameo that promises to give her the desires of her heart? Since she doesn’t even know what that would be, a trip to medieval times, intrigue, threat of war and an overbearing lord are on the list for her to choose from. Or could it be meeting her one true love?

Sir William of Conrad has escorted a stranger home to be under his protection. He discovers this woman speaks her own mind and melts his heart. He faces his father’s outrage and a broken alliance with the neighboring clan by falling in love. This could mean war.

Medieval Muse will be offered as a free read at Smashwords beginning August 1st.

Excerpt from The Chameleon Effect #5

Announcement: I will be having a launch party August 1st - 6th for my new novella Medieval Muse. If you would like to sign up for the party, CLICK HERE for the list.


Chavez works for The Agency and has been assigned to rescue Kira Rostropovich and return her to Vega Minor, where she resides with her parents. After being in prison and being 'bought' by Chavez in an auction, Kira is not happy about being searched by Chavez. But he finds a tracking device on her right before a mercenary, Captain Maddeson, finds them and demands that Kira be turned over to him. Chavez immediately makes a sudden jump across the galaxy, much to Kira's surprise! While exploring Chavez's ship, Kira finds a plush garden, but is startled by a watchful Chavez who she keeps at arms length.

Back on the main deck, Kira entered her small quarters. She made a close examination of her compartment. It was a single room with a private bathroom, where everything was shiny and clean. She didn't see the sensor she was expecting to find. She had been watched with sensors and cameras in every place she went for as long as she could remember. But that wasn't long. All she could picture in her memory were cells with bars, a common sonic shower, and the dining area which she was only allowed to go to if she behaved. But thinking about the prison made her head hurt. She rubbed her forehead and pressed the button to release her bed from the wall. Lying down, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

I'm in a white room again. I'm still strapped to a cold, metal table with blinding white lights above me. Someone is coming towards me. He's holding something in his hand. Help me... please!

Kira jumped up from her bed, drenched in sweat. Her hands were shaking as she steadied herself. She grabbed a towel to wipe her face and neck, as she thought about the dream she'd had several times now. What did it mean? The dream was the same each time and she knew from its message that her life was in danger.

Kira felt a tingling at the base of her spinal cord that slowly moved upwards until it reached her neck. Then, her compulsion to override the ship's computer returned. Looking at her chronometer, she saw it was still early in the morning. Maybe Chavez would be asleep and she could take the ship. But she would have to make sure he stayed asleep.

*****

Kira saw Chavez dozing in the captain's cushioned chair, next to the main read outs and displays, as she entered the bridge. The doors swished closed behind her, but Chavez didn't move or acknowledge her approach. Her footfalls were slow and deliberate. Kira saw his body tense as if he was preparing for a confrontation. The last few steps before she arrived, he whirled around in his chair to find Kira about to club him with a piece of railing off her bed. But Chavez reached up with his arms and stopped its downward momentum.

"Alright, what's going on? You don't like your accommodations?" Chavez glared at Kira as he held up the makeshift club. "You're going to fix your own bed. I'm not doing it for you."

Kira shook with rage. "You bastard! Why won't you take me where I need to go?"

Chavez blinked. "I don't understand. I told you, I'm taking you to Vega Minor. That's where your family is waiting for you."

"But that's not where I need to go." Kira's pale face blushed pink.

"And where is that?"

"I need to go back to Planet 452."

"That's a prison planet. You don't need to be there. You never did. You are Kira Rostropov, daughter of the ambassador to Vega Minor. You were snatched from your home a year ago by slavers who sold you into prison. I've been looking for you for the last ten months and I'm certainly not going to let you get near that planet again."

"Don't you understand? I have to go back. I can't tell you why, but if I don't, I know I'm going to die!"

Kira watched Chavez contemplate her last statement and she knew he had made a decision. "We have somewhere to go first. I have another passenger to pick up."

To be continued...

I hope you enjoyed this excerpt. I will be adding more excerpt's of The Chameleon Effect soon. 

Launch Party Sign Up

Sign up for the launch party for my new novella Medieval Muse here. We will be  launching this free read August 1st -6th. I hope to see you all here!

Launch Party!

(Cover by Art By Retta)

Hi Everyone! I'm having a launch party for my new novella, Medieval Muse during the week of August 1st - 7th. If you would like to participate in the launching of my first book, please sign up below.

I will be sending anyone who's interested a link to where they can get a copy of Medieval Muse. This is a free ebook I'm offering through Smashwords.

Sign up for Launch Party Here (click to go to link).

What happens when Victoria Budroix receives a cameo that promises to give her the desires of her heart? Since she doesn’t even know what that would be, a trip to medieval times, intrigue, threat of war and an overbearing lord are on the list for her to choose from. Or could it be meeting her one true love?

Sir William of Conrad has escorted a stranger home to be under his protection. He discovers this woman speaks her own mind and melts his heart. He faces his father’s outrage and a broken alliance with the neighboring clan by falling in love. This could mean war.

Medieval Muse will be available starting August 1st as a free e-book from Smashwords.

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Okay, so I'm a day late! For me, it's Wednesday, the first in the month of July. That's when I'm supposed to post, right? Wrong! Because of the holiday, Alex Cavanaugh, host of IWSG changed the day without consulting me. Of course, why would he? I'm just teasing here. Anyway, what I wanted to post about:

My upcoming book Medieval Muse is set to be launched August 1st and my stomach is in knots. Not just worrying if people will like it, but worrying about the formatting, publishing and all that stuff that goes with publishing an ebook. What did I forget?

Of course, I've had some expert help along the way. M. Pax, author of the newly released The Backworlds, has graciously been offering me tips of the trade. This has helped enormously, especially since it's my first time doing it myself.

I also had help from Loretta Stephenson at Art By Retta. She did a beautiful job on the book cover and I am indebted to her for the hours she spent making it look so great.

I'm glad to have so many friends that have been so supportive during this process of learning and doing something new. I can always remember that every author has been in the same place at one time in their life. So what have you been doing recently?