I’m up and at it again! Things have been quiet around here due to general life chaos, and in truth, some of my own slacking. Oops. But as spring gives way to summer, I’m looking to change that. As for where I’ve been, my April and early May were spent moving across the country on a surprisingly short timeline. It’s been a very exciting few weeks. I finally left my home in Texas and set out into the world, looking for a new place to settle. It was awesome to see more of the U.S. and spend time in some new places, living life, and feeling small in a big, big world. It’s been a much-needed grounding experience. Now that I’m settling into my new pad, it’s time to get back to writing!
The Queen’s War 2 is well into edits! Cover art is in production, I’m feeling good about where the story is at, and if all goes according to plan, I’ll be seeking alpha readers and critique partners in the next 6-8 weeks or so. There’s still a long way left to go, but for the first time, I’m looking at it and seeing the novel flow. Now that things are shaping up, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to keep my author secrets under wraps. Don’t look now, but there is a snippet at the end of this email. There will be a warning first, just in case you’d like to stay 100% spoiler-free. But if you’re hungry for a preview of what I’ve been cooking up, read on!
As for other things I’ve been working on, I did announce via Threads some time ago that hard copies are temporarily out of stock on Amazon. I’m also now properly re-announcing that, since the scope of the first announcement was limited. Oops. Sorry ’bout that. The good news: hard copies will be returning to Amazon soon! The new editions also have a bit of extra editing, updated formatting, and the print quality has improved over all. They’ll be dropping sometime in the next 6-8 weeks, barring unforeseen chaos. I’ve also got some plans in the works to expand physical book distribution. More news on that will come as I work out details! But for now, it’s a lot of not-so-patient waiting on my part.
Fantasy-genre fans: you’re in luck! Bookmojo has put together a Fierce Fantasy promo for May, filled with epic and urban fantasy. There are a ton of books to choose from, both fantasy and fantasy romance titles—including The Devil and the Deep by Amber Lynn Natusch, and The Devil You Know by Jena Gregoire. Want to read, but looking to save some money? Attached to the Bookfunnel promo is a 3-month free trial of Kindle Unlimited for eligible accounts, where many of the books on offer (including The Ties that Bind Them!) are available to read for free! Hop on over there, claim that trial, and get lost in a brand new world today!
Here’s that spoiler warning I talked about! It comes with a couple disclaimers, too. This is an early excerpt and still has a long way to go. Things will change in edits, quality will improve, and it may look wildly different when it reaches publication. There isn’t much else of interest for this month’s newsletter, so if you’d rather stay spoiler-free, you can safely click away now. One last chance… Still with me? Great! Now on to that sneak peek! Amos straightened to meet Sitri’s eyes, any hint of mischief long gone. “Your ward can’t hold formation to save her soul. I heard you were responsible for her training, and the lack thereof. What exactly did you teach her?”
Sitri glanced at me, then back at Amos. “My darling Lillia? I taught her to slay your former Duke. It would appear she executed just fine. She responds to praise, not abuse. If you have yet to realize that, perhaps she will slay you, too.”
Amos’ jaw ticked. I drew a sharp breath as Sitri’s smile widened, taking on a savage edge. This was the same technique that had undone Vapula’s champions—the stoking of desire to control an adversary. And whatever Sitri pushed him to want, Amos wanted it badly.
Oberon took a few steps back, shaking his head. I followed his lead, sheathing my sword, keeping my palm on its hilt, ready to step in when the exercise went awry.
“If you believe you’re fit to train the Duchess,” Amos sneered, “then why don’t you give us a little demonstration?”
Sitri reached for the twin spiral daggers sheathed at his waist. “Gladly.”
My Prince drew his weapons and raised them, spreading his feet in a combat stance. Amos stood still as a statue. He still held his training sabers, which lacked the serrated edge of my kingdom’s combat blades, but remained well honed. Their eyes locked. Their muscles coiled. In a heartbeat, both demons lunged with supernatural speed, their blades clashing with a deafening screech as they matched each other blow for blow.
Sitri feinted, drawing Amos’ sabers away from his chest and striking an unguarded stretch of torso. The general reeled back, missed his chance to retreat, and Sitri closed the distance between them. My Prince’s knee connected with his stomach, forcing him backward. When he lowered his weapons to regain balance, Sitri’s knuckles struck his shoulder. Amos grunted in pain, staggered, then hit the dusty ground. Sitri planted one booted foot on Amos’ chest and kneeled, pressing the dull edge of his blade to Amos’ throat, leaning his weight onto my legate’s chest.
“A word of advice?” Sitri growled. “Keep a tighter grip on your desires. Had you maintained your focus, you might have given me a challenge.”
Amos’ lip lifted in a sneer. “A monster through and through, still forcing your will on others. Did the Duchess learn that trick from you? Did she use it to lure my Duke and gut him like a fish?”
Sitri’s muscles tightened. His fist clenched around the dagger’s hilt. “Dare to continue disrespecting your Duchess, and I will teach you some manners. If I learn that you continued to slight her—”
“Sitri,” I interrupted in warning. “Amos is my legate, and I am capable of disciplining him. You won the duel. I’m sure he’s learned a valuable lesson. Now, please let him up.”
Lillia has inherited one hell of a court, and it’s looking like they aren’t about to fall in line without a fight…but with Zaleos still at large and noble demons vying for her favor, she needs her legates’ expertise. This will certainly end well. Certainly. That’s all I’ve got for today. As always, thank you so much for reading, and I’ll see you next time! -Alix |
