June 2015 – Behind Closed Doors

Welcome to Behind Closed Doors! This week I’m participating in Scintillating Sunday Showcase. It’s a weekly blog hop hosted by my friends at Mile High Muses. By definition, “scintillating” means brilliantly lively, stimulating, or witty. It also means interesting. So this hop can and does showcase a variety of heat levels to appeal to everyone. I’m excited to be a part of it!

This week, I’d like to share a part of a scene from the beginning of Curse of the First Born Cain (Kayne Legacy 1). To set this up, Abigail and Michael had been talking about his family and their connection to each other when his grandfather came in. Adam Kayne is in fact the biblical Cain. The shock of meeting him face to face caused Abigail to faint. After she recovers, she has many questions for the Kayne family patriarch. Adam doesn’t make it easy for her with his jokes about immortality.

“Grandpa!” Michael was mortified by Adam’s continued teasing. I wish he wouldn’t treat this so lightly. When will he learn not everyone can handle our family secrets? He put his hand over hers and experienced the electrical shock again.

Adam raised one eyebrow and pointed his finger in their direction. “Don’t either one of you try to tell me you didn’t feel that spark between you. I can feel the energy over here and I’m not touching you. What you’re experiencing is the formation of your bond. The two of you are fated to be together. We knew you were special the moment you were born but had no idea you were one of The Chosen.”

“Chosen? Chosen to do what exactly and who’s we?” She laced her fingers through Michael’s and gripped his hand as if she held on for dear life.

“Chosen to be one of the Guardians of the Essence of the Tree of Life. You see, that’s the reason I’m here in front of you. I was the very first Guardian. Through my veins courses blood made immortal because The Three decided the Tree of Life needed to be protected from those unworthy until the time they earned the birthright once again. Lilith and I have kept tabs on you as you’ve grown into the remarkable creature sitting across from me today. We had to be sure you were safe and your Fae ancestry kept under wraps until you were ready to accept your destiny as one of the protectors of the Essence.”

“I don’t understand. There are both protectors and Guardians for the Essence?”

Adam nodded. “We’ll get to all those pesky details in due time. Why don’t we start with the question that’s on the tip of your tongue now?”

“How can someone who killed their brother in cold blood be worthy of this blessing?”

He uncrossed his legs, leaned forward, and rested his elbows on his knees. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

Want to read more? You can! For a limited time, the first book of the Kayne series is a part of the anthology Season of Sun and Sin. It’s available on all outlets and will be out in print soon.

Don’t forget to check out the other participants of this week’s hop! You’ll find some fabulous reads from all of them.

Click here to view this Linky Tools list for Scintillating Sundays Showcase Participants

It’s been far too long since I’ve been in to give you any update on what’s been going on in my world. Sorry about that. I have managed to get the newsletter updated (see side bar to sign up for that) and continue to put it out at least every other month. I’ve been working over fifty hours a week as a relief veterinarian all over the Seattle area and I’m wiped out. Most days I don’t know whether I’m coming or going and yet I still manage to write a scene or two a day. Of course they’re not all with one project but all over the place between all four of my pen names. That’s the way my brain works. If I try to force it to sit still with one story, it freezes up and I end up with nothing. For now, this is my process and I thank all of you for hanging in there with me.

I’ve had some great feedback from readers about the fate of the stories published in the two anthologies. They want each released on their own and expanded. Their voices are quite clear on the matter too. They want to see Bound in Paradise as a companion to The Surrender of Julia and out of the anthology. It’s on the way!

They want Curse of the First Born Kayne out as a the first book of the Kayne Legacy series and out of the anthology. It’s coming!

They want more of the love story of Jolene and Steve Sanders from Meet Me Under the Mistletoe. They get their wish in Safe Harbor. Coming at the end of the year (or sooner!)

All the other stories in the anthologies will be released as either stand alones, part of a new series, or as one full length long novel.

cute black cat over keyboard isolated — Sirius Black writing his next post

Besides breaking up the anthologies and expanding the tales, there are two secret projects underway as well as a new blog for my crazy cats Sirius Black and Gandalf the Gray. They’re out to conquer the world. You should check them out. They’re sharing their secrets for world domination. You’ll see these activities in your own furbabies and know we’re all doomed to be their minions. LOL! Tail of Two Brothers: Purrrsuit of World Domination is up and running now and could use some more followers. Stop in and say hello.

This summer is flying by faster than I’d anticipated and time is getting away from me. I wish I had a few clones to help me get all I need to get done. So many stories to tell and not enough time in the day to get them down on paper. The world of an author ever evolving. Our job is to describe it all in great detail and file it away for future use. If we’re lucky, those files come together and fit beautifully. If not, they’ll wait their turn even if it takes months or years to see the light of day.

Don’t you wish everything was that way?

Thank you for coming along on this crazy journey with me. I couldn’t do it without you cheering me on when I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I need those voices now. I can see a glimmer, but not a clear path.

~Tammy