What I Didn't Know...
Hello Reading Friends!
Last week I got to take a trip! My mom and I had planned to just have a few days away together to spend some time away from responsibilities and just hang out.
Well. We went through multiple options of places to go, when to meet, how to get places (because nothing is easy to get to when you live 600 miles away from each other and TSA isn’t TSAing like it usually does). We made plans.
Then all the plans needed to change.
In the end, we ended up driving and meeting about half-way, which happened to be Bloomington, Indiana.
The goal was to just hang out, free of responsibilities, and spend time together.
BUT. Little did I know, the towns of French Lick and West Baden Springs were RIFE with delicious, Gilded Age history. And we all know how much AJ loves her Gilded Age history. ;)
I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY at the amazing, historic resort of West Baden Springs Hotel (truly a one-stop-shop of the Gilded Age for those wanting to “take the waters” or rest and recuperate). The French Lick Springs Hotel was equally glamorous.
The West Baden Springs Hotel, current building completed in 1892.
Lobby interior of the French Lick Springs Hotel. The detail is exquisite!
We had tea, took tours, delved into the history of the area, and I was completely staggered by the sheer volume of upper crust history tucked away out in the middle of nowhere Indiana. It was a bustling metropolis centered around several mineral springs. Ever heard of Pluto Water? It was ALL the rage up until the 70’s when the FDA said the trace amounts of lithium in the water was too much for public consumption.
I quite liked their slogan, “When nature won’t, Pluto will.” ;)
Tea Time at the West Baden Springs Hotel.
We also popped up to Indianapolis and saw President Harrison’s (the second President Harrison) house. It was a fantastic tour, and I definitely recommend should you ever find yourself in the area.
So. I’m now bursting at the seams with delicious historical details. I’m certain they will be making an appearance into a story at some point. ;)
But speaking of stories, if you are interested in a glorious hardcover of AN ALLIANCE OF ASH AND JADE, Barnes & Noble is having their annual pre-order sale right now. Let me tell you. The test copy of this book absolutely stole my breath. It is a STUNNING book. Only the hardcover has the full color edges, as well as eight pages of full-color illustration. I’ll be sharing more of the illustrations closer to release. ;) But suffice to say, they’re extraordinary and really take this book to the next level. STUNNING. Barnes & Noble’s sale ends the 26th! Obviously, the hardcover will be available other places, other times, but 25% off is always happy. ;)
Do you want a signed book plate for pre orders? Let me know!
Four Challenges. Three Clans. Two Enemies. One Winner
Jade is desperate to win her father’s affection and her place among her clan. If she can win the Crown Challenges and appoint her brother the next heir apparent, her place in her father’s heart will be assured. But she can’t do it alone, so she agrees to an alliance with the cruel and devastatingly handsome Sky Prince—whom she has every intention of double crossing.
Ash is cursed. No powers. No wings. Without his magic, he cannot win the Crown Challenges to ascend the throne. His only recourse is a bold vow to kill the curse-caster. And wedding her will provide just the opportunity he needs. But just as Ash is ready to end his curse once and for all, an assassin attacks, and Jade saves his life. Now bound to a blood debt, he cannot kill her, nor remove his curse. Caught in the purgatory of betrayal and a fight to the death to win the Challenges, Ash has no choice but to trust the beguiling girl he’s now forced to protect.
As they battle to attain the crown, they’ll have to work together to beat the other contestants, and fight their growing, forbidden attraction. All while remembering that their tenuous alliance ends with the Challenges, and that their marriage is a sham. But something wicked hides in the shadows; forgotten secrets that threaten the very existence of the empire. Only by joining forces do Jade and Ash have any hope of overcoming the evil rising in the darkness...but even that might not be enough.
The tension, the honor, the betrayal, the swoon. It’s pretty spectacular. Slots are open for a select number of ARC reviewers. You’ll be asked to read the book before release day, leave a review on Goodreads (and preferably Amazon as well), and make two social media posts. That’s it. ;) No other obligations. If you are interested in said advanced reading copy, the application can be found HERE.
Lastly, just a quick reminder, that many of my books are now available in audio and also on KU. In KU: FIRST SHIFT, LOST SHIFT, DARK SHIFT, SHADOWS IN THE DEEP, MURDER AT MISTLETHWAITE MANOR, OF FLAME & FROST.
And lastly, your next installment of ORIGIN is below. :)
I’d love to hear any feedback on ORIGIN—are you liking it? Not so much? Want to see something else?
Until next time!
Cheers!
-AJ
AJ Factoid: I have started writing again. It’s not what I expected to write, but I do think it’ll be quite fun. Think National Treasure meets Hallmark Murder Mystery. With swoon. ;)
Apple Music suggested this song for me awhile ago, and yes, I know it’s The Biebs, but the VIBE of this song. It spun a whole scene in my head for this new story (which I promptly wrote). Someday I’ll tell you more about it. ;) But in the meantime, do enjoy said VIBE. ;)
ORIGIN
Chapter 7
All night, I tossed and turned. My body ached for sleep, but my mind refused to stop turning over what had happened in the gully. At last, my brain gave over to exhaustion and I slept. But then dreams plagued me.
I lay on the ground, trapped once more. The unicorn stood over me, wild fire in its soulless eyes. Its giant hooves flashed in the moonlight. Terror clogged the back of my throat as tears streamed down my face. Turning away from the beast, I screamed as I came face to face with the twisted head of the dead goblin. His tongue lolled from his mouth and blood trickled from a gash in his forehead. One yellow eyeball bulged from its socket.
Jerking my head back, I was met again with the hooves, descending straight for my heart.
Fear held me immobile. Just as the heavy feet would have crushed my chest, the unicorn shifted. His hooves pounded the ground on either side of my face. It stared down its long nose at me, black forelock of hair tangling around the wickedly black and gold-veined horn. Razor sharp and deadly.
Dark magic crackled at the end of the point.
I whimpered, unable to move, to thrash, to get away.
The unicorn leaned its head down, the deadly horn an inch away from my face. Feather soft, the creature caressed my cheek with its natural weapon. A sense of calm descended, overriding the terror that seized me.
Help me.
***
I woke with a start, bolting up in bed, tangled in the bedclothes, and soaked with sweat. My heart pounded, and I gripped my blanket to my chest. Taking big gulps of air, I tried to rid myself of the lingering sensation of the dream. Swallowing, the terror receded, but a nagging ache still unsettled me.
Help me.
That’s what had echoed in my dream. What echoed now inside my head.
Help who? Help what?
The unicorn?
The thought sent a shiver over me.
A knock at the door sent my heart skittering into my throat.
“Enter,” I rasped.
Amara poked her head through the door.
“Dear me, child, you’re a fright.”
“You always say the kindest things first thing in the morning,” I retorted crankily.
She tisked as she came fully into the room and shut the door behind her. She’d been my nurse since my mother died when I was young, but she’d morphed into a lady-in-waiting and sometimes mother-figure in the past few years.
“You have a wild dream? It’s not a wonder after yesterday’s atrocities.” She bustled over to my bedside and gave me a quick hug in her plump arms. She smelled like honey and fresh bread.
“I’m all right.” I didn’t think it was a lie.
“Well, even so. Let’s work on those tangles and make you presentable. Your father wishes to speak with you.”
“About what?” My belly clenched.
Amara’s brown gaze met mine. “I think you know what about, my dear.” There was slight censor in her voice.
“Amara, please. I haven’t even used the chamber pot yet.” Anything to procrastinate the coming meeting with my father. It could only be about one of two things. Either my escape from the castle because of what I’d said at table, or because of who I’d said it to. Neither was a prospect I wanted to rehash.
Amara’s cheeks heated at my blunt words. She pursed her lips. “I suggest you skedaddle behind that screen and take care of those needs quick as a wink then. I’ll get you a fresh gown laid out.”
I rolled my eyes. There was nothing for it.
Maybe the help me in my dream was my own self-preservation speaking in my subconscious.
Chapter 8
I was scrubbed, freshly brushed and braided, and laced into a deep green frock less than two quarters of an hour later and standing nervously in front of the large doors to my father’s study.
There wasn’t any use in putting it off. I’d only extend my agony. With a deep breath, I threw my shoulders back and knocked on the door.
“Enter,” my father’s gruff voice called.
I cracked the doors open and slipped in. My eyebrows lifted as I found Leif, his hands clasped behind his back, standing in front of Da’s desk. He craned his neck back to watch me come in, nodding at me briefly before turning his attention back to Da.
“We need to get word to your father, Leif. This is not good. This weapon is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It is as Lord Redstorm said.”
I cringed at the name.
“Agreed. We need…I don’t know. But we cannot defeat the goblins and unicorns on our own like this. Not without something to use in retaliation. If nothing else, we need more men. I’ll write my father a message and have it sent out on gryphon back this afternoon.”
Da nodded and stroked his beard. “We need to know more about this weapon. More about the enemy. They’ve plagued us long enough, but we still know so little about them or their magic. Just that it’s destructive.” He sighed tiredly.
“We’ll find a way, sir,” Leif insisted.
“We have to.” Da’s shoulders sagged.
Leif tipped his head to my father then turned.
“Mariss,” Leif said quietly with a nod as he exited. His arm brushed mine and sent a rush of tingles up to my shoulder.
“Mariss,” my father said, his tone much different than Leif’s.
“Yes, Da?”
He sat heavily in his chair, steepling his fingers under his chin, his eyes assessing me. Slowly I walked to stand before the desk as Leif had. My thumbs fidgeted with each other as I held my clasped hands in front of me.
“Daughter, do you really think I’d force you to marry a centaur?” The weariness in my father’s voice ate at me.
“No, Da. I…it just took me by surprise is all.”
“Mariss, you must learn to bridle your tongue. You nearly cost us a battle on a second front. The centaurs are not an overly forgiving race, and our friendship with them is thin enough as it is without the burning coals your words heaped upon it. I do not need to tell you that we cannot survive two enemies. It is all we can do to set our forces against the horde.”
“I’m sorry, Da.” Shame writhed in my gut as my shoulders fell.
“Mariss. Camran Castle will fall to your rule one day once Celeste and Leif marry. They’ll go to Trindon’s lands, and it will be your responsibility to keep this place going. You cannot burn all the bridges I’ve spent my life building for your benefit. And on that note, it also falls to you to marry well. The Camran line must have an heir. We need to discuss suitors. I do not wish you to marry a centaur. While a noble race of warriors, they have legendary tempers. I would not put you in the path of such anger. Who knows what aberration that might bring about in any offspring. Your stubbornness and the pride of a centaur? No. We must find you a stable, dependable man from a good line.”
My blood went cold as Da carried on discussing my future marriage as nothing more than a business transaction.
“Must we discuss it today?”
Da’s face darkened. “Mariss.”
“Da, I don’t want to marry. Not now. Someday. But I’m still young. I’m barely gone eighteen! Things are uncertain with the goblins and the unicorns, and it’s not as if you won’t have the kingdom’s finest heir marrying into your family. Leif is King Trindon’s son. Your eldest daughter is marrying him. Why does it matter else?” I hoped the bitterness stayed out of my voice.
He pursed his lips. “This discussion is not done. I will be compiling a list of suitors. You may expect to entertain them soon.”
He looked back to the parchments on his desk. I was dismissed.
Biting the inside of my cheek to keep angry tears from falling, I turned and creaked open the heavy doors.
I twitched as Leif leaned beside the door, one foot braced against the wall, arms crossed over his powerful chest.
Blood rushed to my face as I considered he might have overheard the conversation with my father.
“Celeste is waiting at the practice fields. I’m going to run the men through their paces. Care to give them a challenge and see if any of them can beat you at target practice?”
His words were like a balm over my frazzled nerves.
I nodded, not trusting my voice to speak. Much to Leif’s consternation and all his training of my father’s men, I could shoot as well as any one of my father’s soldiers. I’d practiced with a bow since I was a girl, and I had uncommonly good aim.
We walked in companionable silence through the stone corridors of the keep and into the courtyard.
“Is it really as bad as my father thinks?” I asked quietly.
“It’s bad,” Leif confirmed. His jaw tightened and he didn’t meet my gaze. Worms twisted in my belly as Da’s earlier words to Leif pinged inside my brain. We didn’t know enough about our enemies. How their magic worked. It was hard to fight an enemy with unknown strength and unknown magic. Especially when it was so hard to use our own.
Help me.
What if the unicorn were still alive? What if I could learn something about it that would help change the tide of the war with the goblins?
And why had the creature saved me?
You were so close to me, AJ!!! Glad you had a good visit...now I need to go see those places!!! --Connie
Hotels look very impressive - glad you both enjoyed your trip.