There’s a Catch: A Love Bites Blog Hop Entry
This is my entry for Love Bites: The Anti-Valentine Blog Hop. What a fun idea! I couldn’t resist penning a tale. Enjoy, and please visit the other stories in the hop by following the link at the end of my story!
“There’s a Catch . . .”
Carissa exulted in the burn of her calves, the searing of her lungs, and the blessed, all-encompassing silence. As she adjusted her backpack and continued climbing, snow crunched beneath her boots.
True peace. No Jared. No nagging friends or family asking soul-slicing questions. Just the snow-laden, rocky path up the mountain, leading to a breathtaking view Carissa could enjoy—alone.
A bird twittered nearby, and a couple of squirrels chased each other up a tree, chattering away.
Carissa envied the easy balance found in nature. Humans didn’t live in harmony. Oh, no. When they twittered, it was to announce every freakin’ thing they did online. When they chased and chattered, it usually led to trouble.
Valentine’s Day. The day for looove. For Cupid’s arrow to strike. For flowers, candy, and romance. For diamond rings in velvet boxes.
Or not.
To Carissa, Valentine’s Day was akin to pouring acid in an open wound. She’d just as soon put her own eye out than subject herself to anything red or pink or sickeningly sweet. The memory of Jared’s hands all over one of her ex-friends took care of that.
Carissa breathed deeply, pressing the ugly away. The peak was in view, and she was armed with a bottle of wine.
A few more steps up the steep, craggy trail and Carissa reached Diablo Peak—chosen for its name, of course—and threw her arms wide. The sky was crystal clear with puffy white clouds. Carissa sighed with contentment as she looked out over the valley. “Perfection.”
As her gaze panned the area, she noticed a figure poised on the opposite edge of the peak.
“Wha—nobody’s supposed to be here!” Angered, Carissa marched over the rough terrain. “Hey, you!”
The figure remained statue-like. As Carissa drew closer, she noticed his lack of proper attire. The tall, broad-shouldered man wore a charcoal suit and dress shoes. Inky waves of hair hit just below the collar of his suit jacket.
Carissa had to admit he filled the suit out nicely. He was also insane. For a moment, she forgot her desire to be alone and strode forward until she was a few feet from the lunatic. “Aren’t you cold? Where’s your coat? And how about some hiking boots, Einstein?”
Just as Carissa was starting to wonder if he was a statue, the man came to life. He turned his head her way, a wry grin sliding across his full lips. His face was angular with a jaw that might easily cut glass, and behind a pair of designer frames blazed the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.
“No,” he said.
“No what?”
“No coat, boots, or Einstein.” He looked off into the distance again, hands in his pockets.
Carissa felt dismissed—though his tone wasn’t unkind. “I came up here to be alone.” Acid dripped from her words.
He shrugged. “So did I.”
“You don’t understand. I climbed up here to get away from the male population and get drunk.”
He side-eyed her. “A pretty girl like you alone on a day like today?”
“I hate Valentine’s Day!”
“Ah.” He nodded as if it all made sense.
Carissa gritted her teeth. “Why are you here?”
“Same reason.”
“You want to get away from the male population and get drunk?” A half-smile played about Carissa’s lips.
He matched her grin. “No.”
“How did you even get up—” Carissa’s foot slipped, sending her sliding off the edge of Diablo Peak into freefall. She shrieked, squeezing her eyes closed.
Carissa’s plunge abruptly slowed, and she cracked an eyelid open. The man held her suspended in the air. “This is a dream.”
“Afraid not.”
“Who are you?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” He guided them back to the mountain. “You’re safe now.”
Carissa placed her hands on his muscled chest for stability and opened both eyes. Beneath his white button-down, a swirl of red, yellow, and blue showed through.
She opened her mouth to thank him, but what came out was, “You’re—you. Why would you hate Valentine’s Day?”
“My existence is a solitary one.” His blue eyes lasered into hers with meaning. “You have a choice.”
The End
700 words
Please visit the other awesome stories here!
Release Day Blitz & Giveaway: Delerious by Suzannah Daniels
DANGEROUS, and their romance continued in DEVIOUS. DELIRIOUS is the third and
final book of their love story. After a long engagement, Stone and Dara
desperately want to be wed. But a lot can happen in four years. People come.
People go. People change. When their commitment to each other is put to the
test, they will have to decide where their loyalties lie.
Buy now on AMAZON
affinity for words for as long as she can remember. She grew up in North
Georgia with four brothers, so she learned at an early age to admire snakes and
motorcycles. When she wasn’t pestering her brothers, she could usually be found
reading or writing.
is the author of Viking’s Embrace, a historical romance, and Ghostly Encounter,
Book One of her Ghostly series (young adult paranormal romance).
she lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her husband of twenty-six years and
her teenage daughter. Her son lives nearby. The family pets include a Lab mix,
a Basset Hound, a Shih Tzu, and a sweet, little kitty.
invites you to email her at suzannahdaniels@epbfi.com.
series
Hamilton had never known fear…until the accident. Since then, his life has
spiraled out of control. He’s been kicked out of private school, deemed a
disappointment by his father, and forced to endure his own guilt, anger, and
grief. The last thing he wants is a relationship with someone who will have expectations
of him. But once he’s enticed by the shimmering-pink lips of the oh-so-popular,
academically-excelling, straitlaced hottie from his new school, he knows he’s
in trouble.
Seventeen-year-old
Dara Golding has one goal for the summer: make enough money to buy a car, so
that she can drive to school her senior year. After starting a new job, she
realizes that she’ll be working with the brooding, motorcycle-riding, bad boy
who started attending Quail Mountain High last year. With his less than stellar
reputation, he’s everything she’s afraid of…and that makes him dangerous.
Their
undeniable attraction has Stone struggling with his inner demons. As Dara
slowly allows Stone to claim her heart, a little white lie to cover an ugly
truth could determine whether she’s his savior or the final straw that will
break his sanity.
Hamilton had never been known for being the good guy. Just ask anyone who knows
him. But things have changed since he started dating the sultry goody-two-shoes
that he met over the summer. Now that it’s his senior year at Quail Mountain
High, can he manage to hold on to the girl who’s stolen his heart or is it only
a matter of time until he screws it all up?
If
someone had told Dara Golding last school year that she’d be dating an ominous,
wheelie-popping, biker boy her senior year, she would’ve scoffed. But she’s
learned there’s a lot more to Stone Hamilton than she originally thought. Or is
there?
How
far will Stone go to hold on to the girl who has changed his world?
Cover Reveal: Beyond the Binding
Today is the cover reveal for Beyond the Binding, an e-book anthology including twenty-nine authors. I was fortunate enough to participate in this awesome collaboration of stories based on musical prompts.
You can read my story, Akren the Redeemer, here. Please consider purchasing Beyond the Binding and the Composers for Relief companion album. All proceeds will be donated as detailed below.
Embark on an exciting journey “Beyond the Binding” of the imagination with 29 authors from across the globe, in a groundbreaking collaboration where music meets fiction. Surrender to soaring compositions as they surge through the veins of every story, capturing the triumphant pulse of the notes in heart pounding sci fi, enchanting fantasy and gripping slices of realism.
All proceeds of the ComposersforRelief album and Companion Collection ebook will go to Gawad Kalinga (“give care”) and GVSP (Gualandi Volunteer Service Programme), to support the relief efforts for victims of the deadliest natural disaster in Philippines’ history, Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Ebook available from Amazon, Amazon UK, iTunes, B&N, Kobo, Sony, Diesel & Smashwords.
BUY NOW AT AMAZON
Composers for Relief album available on ITunes, Amazon, CDBaby & Spotify
Blog Stop, Excerpt, and Giveaway: Never Say Goodbye
Liv’s childhood best friend, who she’s been inseparable from her entire childhood, moves out of state. She’s devastated and forced to move on with her life without “her
everything.”
Luckily, she finds a new best friend, Brynn. These two have been best friends
for so long, they decide to attend the same college as roommates.
After things don’t turn out so well with a failed relationship, Liv chooses to
forgo any romantic commitments. She’s in college after all, so why not enjoy
being single and free?
Brynn, however is in a happy relationship and wants nothing more than for her
best friend to be in one too. As much as she tries to play matchmaker, Liv
refuses to be tied down. Unfortunately, when it’s least expected, someone at
school makes Liv’s world turn upside-down. As much as she doesn’t want him to
affect her, he does.
To make matters worse, Brynn’s boyfriend knows more about Liv then he realizes
and eventually he’s able to put the pieces of her past together.
When tragedy strikes, the past and the present collide, allowing secrets to
come out and change everything.
Will friendships be torn and goodbye’s said or will they keep their promise and
never say goodbye?
sexual content and situations suitable for readers 18+.**
Excerpt
Here, I never once forgot about him and he looks like he can’t wait to
get away from me. ME.
remember you, but that was a long time ago. You don’t know me or anything about
since I’ve heard him call me by the nickname O, the one he gave to me when we were kids.
looking back.
Amazon Buy Now
www.trfike.com
Blog Stop, Review, and Guest Post: Éire’s Viking by Sandi Layne
I’m very excited to have the talented Sandi Layne here today! You like Vikings? If so, you’re in for a treat! Read Sandi’s guest post below, my review, and then go snag yourself a copy of this outstanding read! There’s also a Rafflecopter giveaway (link below). If you haven’t read the first book in the series, you can still read this one, but I highly recommend starting from the beginning. Oh, and . . . TEAM AGNARR!
Available from Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS
Don’t forget to enter: A Rafflecopter Giveaway
Summary:
Connect with Sandi Layne on
stories for extra credit for school and I could create a terrific essay over
night at need, but writing? No. I loved to read and lose myself in stories and
that was all I wanted.
I was struck by the notion that I could write a story I’d
like to read. “I’ve read hundreds of romances”was
literally what I thought. “Surely I could write one!”
what it was.
when I thought of writing, and had ideas about stories and plot lines and so
on, most of them were of the Regency Romance variety. Since this was before I
had access to the internet, I did research with my own books and encyclopedias,
as well as a trip to the local library. I kept copious notes in three-ring
binders and, back in those days, I printed out and re-read each page as I wrote
it.
words. I wrote it in thirty nearly sleepless days and I have kept that
badly-written draft to remind myself that I have improved mightily since then.
See, I had no idea about how to create a story; I just tried to make mine sound
close to the ones I read and liked.
awesome authors I have encountered along the way. I write both contemporary inspirational
romance as well as historical romance, and enjoy them both.
Regency. It was inspired by Thomas Cahill’s
book, How the Irish Saved Civilization. I thought I could have a romance
hero who was also a learned scribe who copied codices, like the monks used to
do. I had an idea for a heroine, too, and I was all kinds of tickled about the
characters and the time (6th Century, when I was initially dreaming this up)
and so on.
action to the plot. Some driving force. When I first began writing, just a story
about a guy and a gal was all I was trying to create, but that wasn’t
enough for this time, in my estimation.
concluded I needed Vikings. Then, it became a huge party for me, of sorts. I
wanted to get as close to my earlier timeline as I could, but I wound up
looking almost three hundred years ahead of it. Still, I found reference to a
fellow named Tuirgeis who was a Viking who claimed the High Kingship of Ireland
and everything clicked for me.
Author Bio: Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Hudson by Shayne McClendon
Cover Designer: Alexandra Andersen (the two photos are from
DepositPhotos)
Goodreads Link:
Buy Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hudson-
U0S
Synopsis:
Refuse to compromise.
Hudson Winters is in control of every aspect of his world. From his earliest
memories, he’s been driven to succeed. Starting from nothing, he built an
empire based on opportunity and intimidation.
Personally, professionally, and sexually – he ensures the reins are always
in his hands.
He never counted on a woman like Gabriella Hernandez.
From the moment she steps into his building, she proceeds to shake up his
entire existence. Her very presence causes him to question everything about
himself, his relationships, and his future.
This story features characters readers fell in love with in “The Barter
System” and gives you a chance to sit down and catch up. Prepare to be
twisted up and knocked around a bit. Another hot, emotional read from
Always the Good Girl, Shayne McClendon.
NOTE: This story contains explicit sexual scenes and language and is
intended for mature audiences only. Do not read this novel if intense sexual
situations offend you.
About the Author
ShayneMcClendon is an indie author who has received rave reviews for her
premiere novel “The Barter System.” Other projects recently released
are “In the Service of Women,” “Yes to Everything,” “Damaged,” “Being
Delightful,” “The Hermit,” “Hudson” – the second book set in “The Barter
System” world, and many more.
Writer, mom, and hermit…Shayne
listens to the voices in her head because their ideas are awesome.
Those around her have learned not to question the crazy. Coffee
consumption is too high, amount of sleep is too low, but the words
always feel just right.
She currently lives in Oklahoma wrangling
teenagers, opening doors for her pets, and running her content writing
company. She dreams of peace, quiet, travel, and always having a viable
internet connection.
You can contact her by email at
shayne@alwaysthegoodgirl.com, stop by her Facebook page, or visit her
website and subscribe for your free story!
Shayne McClendon’s work is available at all major e-book retailers. Print editions of her work are available on her website.
Current Book List:
The Barter System
Hudson
Yes to Everything
In the Service of Women
A Little Bit Country – Book One
Damaged
Obsession
The Hermit
Being Delightful
Gravity
Roadside Assistance
Somebody
Permission to Come Aboard – The Great Outdoors
Special Delivery – The Great Outdoors
A Sunny Heart – The Great Outdoors
Embrace the Wild – The Great Outdoors
Ready to Rumble – Love of the Game
Breaking the Ice – Love of the Game
Time to Make the Doughnuts – Love of the Game
Woman’s Best Friend
Revenge is Best Served Hot
Compilations:
Just a Little Kilted – with Alexandra Andersen
Just a Little Crazy – with Alexandra Andersen
Just a Little Extra – with Alexandra Andersen
Not a Bride – with Alexandra Andersen
All the Better To – with Christopher Southers
Books Available in Print:
The Barter System
Damaged
Not a Bride – with Alexandra Andersen
Official Website:
www.alwaysthegoodgirl.comAmazon:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/
Facebook Pages:
5 ecopies of Hudson
Bookblast and Giveaway: Rubber Soul by Greg Kihn
Rubber Soul by Greg Kihn
Greg Kihn is a rock star, seasoned radio host, and author. Rubber Soul, his latest novel, is inspired by intimate interviews that he conducted with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Pete Best, Yoko Ono and Patti Harrison. Though Rubber Soul is fiction, as Greg says, it is “100% historically accurate” and a candid glimpse of the phenomenon that is The Beatles.
Rubber Soul is a an innovation in the Rock Thriller genre, taking readers on a rollicking ride through The Beatles legacy from the early days in Liverpool to six sold out shows per night in Hamburg and full-fledged Beatlemania.
Dust Bin Bob runs into some lads from Liverpool at his second hand shop on Penny Lane. The lads: John, Paul, George, and Ringo and Dust Bin Bob become firm friends, sharing vinyl that will spark a revolution. Murder, mystery and Beatlemania mayhem ensues—with the boys narrowly avoiding an international incident and an attempted assassination. It’s the ultimate Beatles story that could have happened!
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo
Praise
“There’s no one more qualified to write a rock-and-roll novel than Greg Kihn. He’s the real deal and at his Kihntillating best in this book.” – Guy Kawasaki, former chief evangelist of Apple
“Rubber Soul is a magical mystery tour de force by Greg Kihn, a rocker who obviously has a way with words as well as music. His imagined story about the Beatles is fast-moving, full of twists and tension, and musical nuggets and insights. Great story-telling set to a Fab-four beat.” – Ben Fong Torres
“Rubber Soul captures what Rock-n-Roll is all about – and Greg Kihn would certainly know! This nearly-true story of the Beatles is pure magic and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.” – Eddie Money
“Greg Kihn is the most compelling author who ever had a top five singing career. Rubber Soul is a fantastic story by Greg, with an historical back beat. I urge you not to miss this.” – Joan Jett
“I’m happy to report that Rubber Soul, the latest work by my pal Greg Kihn, has correct punctuation, complete sentences, even full paragraphs – some of the exact same literary devices that can be found in the greatest novels our culture has ever produced! It’s also written in English, which happens to be one of my very favorite languages.” – “Weird Al” Yankovic
“While the RIAA may not be able to certify Kihn’s work with a gold disc, fans of Kihn and The Beatles, as well as those who long for the simpler yet magical time of the 1960’s will thoroughly enjoy and fall in love with Rubber Soul. They certainly don’t write ‘em like this anymore.” – Chris Shapiro, RetroPulse
Author Greg Kihn
NBC called Greg Kihn “Rock’s True Renaissance Man” and for good reason. As part of the eponymous band he has: toured the globe, had hit records, been inducted into the San Jose Rock Hall Of Fame, opened for the Rolling Stones and jammed with Bruce Springsteen. You may have heard of his smash worldwide #1 hit “Jeopardy” and “The Breakup Song”, not to mention the parody written by Weird Al Yankovic.
Being a famous and successful rock star is only one part of the mosaic that is Greg’s story. In the 90s Greg poured his passion for lyrics into writing fiction—publishing four novels, one of which “Horror Show” was nominated for the prestigious Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel.
In this vein, Greg merged his love of writing with Rock and Roll and wrote “Rubber Soul”—a unique rock murder mystery featuring The Beatles. The inspiration for this novel came from Greg’s interviews with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Pete Best, Yoko Ono and Patti Harrison. In this way Greg gained exclusive access to the biggest band ever to exist. “Rubber Soul” is a work of fiction, but it is 100% historically accurate and a story that only rock veteran Greg Kihn could have written.
Website * Twitter * Facebook
BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 2/10/14
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Bookblast and Giveaway: Warrior’s Moon
Warrior’s Moon
Medieval Historical Romance by Jaclyn M. Hawkes
Never in all the kingdom has there been a more brave and protective champion. Nor such a loyal and capable maiden. And they loved each other desperately.
But is their love strong enough to withstand all their dark age holds—danger, feudalism, disease, and unfair oppression?
Yes, they truly loved each other desperately.
They loved their kingdom more.
Amazon * Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Praise for Warrior’s Moon
“This book has adventure, memorable characters, and tons of action. There is even romance! I absolutely loved it!!!” ~Laura (Goodreads)
“I loved this book! Great characters, I love a strong female lead. I really enjoy all of Jaclyn Hawkes books, but I must say this in one of my favorites!” ~ KMon (Amazon)
Author Jaclyn M. Hawkes
Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any number of pets. (It was never boring!) She got a bachelor’s degree, had a career and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging children. She loves shellfish, the out of doors, the youth and hearing her children laugh. She and her fine husband, their family, and their sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe.
BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 2/10/14
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Bookblast and Giveaway: The Dream Killers
The Dream Killers
“The Dream Killers” is geared for fans of “Once Upon a Time”. The first season (2013-2014) consists of 6 novellas called episodes. It follows River as he tries to escape the pirate Captain Bo, the guardians of the Sea of Dreams, the runners, the elders, and the master mechanics.
Captain Bo is after the dreamnet that River stole from him. He uses it to capture dreams to power devices for all those who sail the Sea of Dreams. They’re all the Nightmare Realm’s failures. They have no place and no purpose. Some are good. Some are bad. Most are just in it for themselves. Bo doesn’t care what price he has to pay in order to get the net back from River.
The guardians of the Sea of Dreams are also after that net, and all those like it. The nets are dream killers, and the guardian Teandra has sworn to destroy any who hold it.
The runners, elders, and master mechanics are searching for any rogue Dreamlander. They need strange gifts, anything of power they can use to bring down Dreamland and rebuild her in their image.
As River struggles to figure out who and what he is, he also has to protect Bo from the sea’s guardians, the kids he’s collecting from the rabid dreamplanes, and himself from a mysterious force that seeks to send him back to where he came from–wherever that might be.
Each episode takes River, his merry crew, and our set of villains through adventures where we discover nuggets of information that will help the heroes in the main novels (Dreamland Stories – Nightmare’s Dream). Each “Dreamland Story” novel can be read as a stand-alone, but there are tons of compelling nuggets that will be revealed through reading each book, and the supporting stories of “The Dream Killers”.
Graveyard of Dreams (The Dream Killers #1)
My name’s River, and I’m a dream killer.
The Sea of Dreams spat me out without any memories of who was or where I came from. I’ve spent years traveling Dreamland in our gypsy caravan, searching for clues. All I’ve discovered is that the all-powerful elders are collecting people like me—Dreamlanders who don’t fit in.
Then I met a man who sails the Sea of Dreams, the one place all Dreamlanders fear. One touch of those ocean waves could shred the soul. Yet, he’s like me. He can hear the water’s whispers, touch her waves, and watch her dreams. My answers are out there—on his ship, on that sea.
Somewhere out there is the graveyard of dreams.
Dream Killers will be FREE from January 8th to 11th.
Download your copy from Amazon.com
Author SM Blooding
SM “Frankie” Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, and Jack the Bird. Jack has refused to let her to take up the piano again, but is warming to the guitar. It might help that Frankie has learned more than two strings. She’s added a few more Arabic words to her vocabulary, but don’t invite her into conversation yet—unless, of course, you’re willing to have a very . . . slow . . . conversation.
She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories.
BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/31/14
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Composers for Relief: Akren the Redeemer
On November 8, 2013, the deadliest natural disaster in Philippines’ history, Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), stole the lives of over 6,000 mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, brothers and sisters, and countless children.
More than 16 million people have been affected by this horrific tragedy, their world ripped apart with every loss…their hopes torn from tortured hearts.
Though we are scattered across the globe, we are connected to their anguish, we feel their sorrow as if it were our own. They need our help, our empathy, our compassion, our action!
Over 30 gifted composers hailing from 16 countries collaborated on an inspirational album, initiated by Peter Ebbinghaus to raise funds for the victims of this catastrophe. All profits from the album, and companion ebook, will go to Gawad Kalinga (“give care”), supporting the efforts in distributing food and rebuilding the devastated lives and damaged cities across the Philippines. More information on the album can be found at the Soundtracks and Trailer Music site.
Each of the 28 tracks instills a sense of hope, whispering of a new dawn. Every note holds the promise of rebirth, strengthening the power of will to rise again. The soul of the music demands that we fight back, it is in our nature to survive, to persevere, to strive for a life that is once again beautiful. This is not the end–a new dawn shall find their hearts healed, once again whole.
In the spirit of collaboration, 28 writers from across the globe will join together in discovering the stories of triumph lurking in the notes of each track, waiting for us to pull it into words. The final tales will be compiled into a companion ebook anthology for the album, with all proceeds going to Gawad Kalinga.
Together, we are a commanding force for change, forging a global act of kindness that will ripple through the sea of souls and restore the broken, battered pieces of our humanity.
Tracklist: Available NOW on ITunes & Amazon
It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of this anthology alongside many of my fellow authors. The piece of music that inspired my story was New Days by Coldnoise. When choosing which track to write to, I had a hard time because this album is overflowing with beautiful music. There were many possibilities on my list, but New Days was my first choice and happened to be available.
When it came time to pen my tale, I popped in my ear buds and listened to this awesome track on repeat until the story appeared. New Days is an uplifting song that speaks of triumph over adversity, of overcoming all obstacles, however high. I invite you to listen to the song while reading the story, and please consider purchasing the album. I purchased my own copy and have been enjoying it immensely. The complete list of tracks and the authors writing for them follow my story.
Akren the Redeemer
Meggy rushed through the darkening woods and entered the concealed entrance to the caves. Gravel crunched beneath her boots, giving way to silence as she entered the main chamber, which was filled with the finest pearly sand. A soft glow emanated from the embers of a dying fire just bright enough to see by.
“Akren, I need your help. I’ve speared a great stag nearby. Tonight, we feast.”
The enormous dragon curled by the fire raised her head. Akren’s usually luminous green eyes were dull and clouded. She managed a soft grunt, indicating indifference. Akren knew Meggy could easily feed herself; the girl’s concern was for the dragon, who was injured and hadn’t eaten in days.
“You drag it back, I’ll skin it, and you can roast it for us.” Meggy stood, hands on hips, and waited. The dragon lay her head back down, a clear sign she had no intention of leaving her lair.
Meggy crouched by her dragon’s nose and ran loving hands over one flared nostril. “I won’t allow you to give up. Now get off your scaly arse and help me with dinner.”
With grudging respect, Akren watched Meggy retreating. Meggy fully expected to be obeyed, and it was a rare day when she didn’t get her way. The dragon rose and lumbered after her rider, ignoring the dull ache throbbing over her left wing.
There’s no flavor quite like dragon-fired venison. Dragon and rider spent the evening in companionable silence beside a crackling fire as they ate their fill.
* * *
Meggy led Akren outside the following afternoon. She’d already removed the remains of scorched leather harnesses and pieces of dragon wing from around the edges of the training field so Akren wouldn’t be another witness to the carnage.
Meggy had Akren stretch her injured wing out so she could remove the herbal poultice. Meggy stroked the pads of her fingers over the papery surface. “Almost healed. I know you’re still in a great deal of pain, but we have to take to the sky soon. Others are counting on us.”
Akren knew Meggy spoke the truth. Calling upon the love she had for her mate, Rylarth, and her unhatched egg, Akren mustered every drop of strength she could gather. Flapping her great wings, she flew low to the ground, rising higher with each pass around the field.
With pride, Meggy watched the regal dragon soar through the air. The golden rays of the late-day sun refracted off Akren’s gleaming scales, creating rainbow arcs.
When Akren’s ache morphed into burning agony, she coasted back to the ground and regarded her rider with a hint of triumph in her eyes.
“I knew you could do it! Once you can bear my weight, we shall return for the others.”
Akren lowered her head for a snout rub, something she enjoyed immensely.
The snap of a twig in the nearby woods sounded in the dragon’s sensitive ears. Without warning, Akren stepped back and turned, taking a protective stance in front of Meggy. Smoke curled from Akren’s nostrils in anticipation, and she utilized the mind connection with her rider. Intruder.
“You should get back in the cave,” Meggy whispered. “If they see you . . .” She thought of their flight with the other dragons in search of safety from the King of Rosehollow. Akren’s wing had been damaged by a flaming arrow. The rest of the dragons had no choice but to go on without them.
Dragons had always been revered in Rosehollow, but when King Elis Lockwood came into power, all of that changed. Now, dragons were being hunted into extinction.
Akren refused to budge, instead sounding a warning roar. Stay back, rider.
Ignoring the dragon’s instruction, Meggy slipped alongside Akren and panned the area for the threat. A lone figure stepped onto the training field. The setting sun blinded Meggy and created a halo of red-gold light that left the face of the intruder in deep shadow. His arms rested at each side of his body, and his demeanor seemed friendly enough; nevertheless, Meggy drew an arrow from the quiver resting at her back.
“Identify yourself!” she called out.
He walked forward slowly. “I shall ask the same of you, for it’s you who trespasses.”
A warning rumbled in Akren’s chest as she rose to full height behind Meggy and let loose a lick of fire that lit up the young man’s features.
Blue eyes full of wonder, high cheekbones, and a strong jaw seemed at odds with his informal garb and too-long, mussed hair. Despite facing possible incineration by a fierce dragon, his lips canted up on one side, and he continued forward.
Meggy’s eyes widened. “Are you daft?”
“Maybe I am. That’s a dragon.” His smile widened.
“Indeed. An angry one who’s about to cook your foolish arse!”
“I’m Larkin of Wellcrest.” He walked slowly until he was well within Akren’s fire-range and fell to one knee. “Welcome, fierce dragon. I’m so very glad you’re here.”
“You are?” Meggy wondered if she was dreaming.
Larkin lifted his bowed head and gazed at Akren with wonder. “Great white dragon . . . we’ve been waiting so very long for you.”
Akren tilted her gargantuan head and regarded the boy with interest, her emerald eyes gleaming.
“What do you mean?”Meggy asked.
“May I ask your names, Miss?”
“I’m Meggy and this is Akren.”
Larkin bowed low at Akren’s feet. “Akren the Redeemer, you have come to save us all. Thank you.”
“Explain.” Meggy waved an arm impatiently.
“In Wellcrest, there’s a prophecy that’s been passed from generation to generation about a great white dragon that will arrive to save our people when all seems lost. King Lockwood means to destroy Wellcrest. The time has grown nigh.”
“What happened here?” Meggy indicated the abandoned training field.
Larkin rose, his eyes full of sadness. “There were dragons here, and they were worshiped and revered. King Lockwood’s men attacked, wiping them out. We had a traitor in our midst, sent from Rosehollow. Once they determined our weakness, they spared not one dragon.”
Akren trumpeted mournfully, and rush of cold descended over Meggy.
“But why the dragons?”
“Whenever an attack has been imminent, we’ve always been able to cast a spell over Wellcrest that diverts our enemies. They simply cannot locate our lands, so they wander around until they give up. King Lockwood’s spy was able to discover the one thing that would prevent the spell from working—the saliva of a baby dragon.”
Meggy gasped. “Why a baby?”
“The saliva must be culled before the dragon has fire. After that, something changes. King Lockwood’s men made sure there would be no more dragons.” Larkin gazed up at Akren. “Yet here you stand, the great white redeemer of legend.”
Meggy stepped in front of Akren and waited for the dragon to lower her head until they were eye to eye. Akren, if we reunite with Rylarth . . .
Yes, we’ll help. It’s our destiny, rider.
As Meggy turned to Larkin, the dragon mark in her left palm tingled. Larkin looked down at his own hand at the same time.
“You’re a dragon rider!”
“I was, lass.” Larkin held out his palm.
Meggy’s mark was emerald to match Akren’s eyes, while Larkin’s was sapphire blue.
“You! You’re Rylarth the Voiceless’ rider!”
“Voiceless?” Larkin tilted his head.
“Rylarth was injured in battle and no longer produces sound of any kind. He’s been riderless, waiting for his match. He’s Akren’s mate and the sire of a baby dragon about to hatch. Akren wants to help your people. She says it’s our destiny.”
Larkin touched his left palm to Meggy’s, sending a jolt of magic up both of their arms. “Then let destiny have her way, fair Meg.”
The End
Master Tracklist with Contributing Authors:
- A New Dawn – Satnam Ramgotra, Nicolas Neidhardt, Wayne Sharpe ▶ Anoosha Lalani
- Our Nature – Valentin Boomes ▶ Leighton Williams
- Existence – Nick Murray ▶ Moira Katson
- Spes Et Libertas – Iliya Zaki ▶ Shannon Kenoyer Lawrence
- Rise Again – Red Ochsenbein feat. Deane Ogden & Stefan Schroff ▶ River Fairchild
- A Cup of Peace – Attila Áts ▶ Vidya Sury
- Continuum – Ed Watkins ▶ Jeff Tsuruoka
- Rebirth – Tera feat. Gabriel Lee ▶ Valentina Cano
- Dumakulem – Juan Iglesias ▶ Ceridwen Wales
- God Is With You – Hendric Bünck feat. Pascale Scarabin ▶ Jessica Marcarelli
- The Best Is yet to Come – Daniel Vulcano feat. Fabiano Pereira ▶ Michael L Swift
- This Is Not the End – Petteri Sainio ▶ Mary Pax
- Hymn of Faith – Jochem Weierink ▶ Damyanti Biswas
- Fighting Back – Dreammaker ▶ Lisa Shambrook
- Aurora – Renan Javier Cabrera ▶ C. Lee McKenzie
- Right Time – Brisom ▶ Bryan Taylor
- Into the Unknown – Geoffrey Vernon ▶ Jeff Hollar
- Renaissance – Ainan Celeste Cawley ▶ Rebekah Postupak
- Beautiful Life – Lauri Koivisto ▶ Amy Willoughby Burle
- Hope – Debbie Teong feat. Hope ▶ Lisa McCourt Hollar
- The Power of Will – Ivan Torrent ▶ Al Diaz
- Moonside – Raphael Tschernuth ▶ Nick Johns
- The Phoenix – Celestia ▶ Ruth Long
- New Days – Coldnoise ▶ Sarah Aisling
- Your Heart Is Brave – Synthphonia feat. Monika Emat ▶ Michelle Wallace
- Requiem for a Queen – M² feat. Dina Fanai [M² consists of Michael A. Levine & Man Parrish] ▶ Djinnia
- No More – Phillip Lober feat. Cedric Hyon ▶ Yolanda Renee
- One – Ryo Ishido feat. Nik Kershaw ▶ Elise Fallson
Tracklist: Available NOW on ITunes & Amazon
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