Winner Announcement and Release Day Excerpt!

Woot!! Surrounded by Crimson, book #4 of Sumeria's Sons is out! It has been amazing to watch this book rise on the pre-sale list to the #2 slot. I'm humbled and so grateful. Thank you guys!!

First off, I need to announce the winner of this week's giveaway.  Thank you for reading and participating!!

So had 5 e-books to give away and the winners are:  Teresa Blomander, Maame Adwoa, Fiona Bernard. Congratulations!! (I just noticed that I don't have an email link. So...) Email me at lexi.ander.author@gmail.com for your prize!!

So I promised a little something extra for excerpts today. The publisher has one up that starts at the beginning but I thought I'd share something tantalizing from the middle. Hold onto your hats!



Blurb: Tristan has agreed to bond with Ushna but there is still much to do. Returning to Tribe Enkidu puts everyone on edge and Tristan is being stalked like prey. It doesn't help that he fights depression as he mourns the loss of Nikita, or that claiming his birthright becomes a battle of wills with the Elder Council, and the pleading of his adoptive daughter adds to the oppressive feeling. Stumbling onto a secret prison while searching for Ushna leads Tristan to risk everything to free a lost God. But breaking the tie to his Flame has more repercussions than Tristan knew and the assistance of a forgotten Goddess and a centuries old lover may not be enough to save him.

Excerpt:

"Xenres," Thomas said stepping close. "I know what you're thinking. Your consort has possibly been kidnapped by your enemy and seemingly held hostage somewhere down that tunnel. But we need to wait for Captain Ybarra to bring reinforcements. He'll be able to confirm if your consort is missing."

Again, we all tried to contact someone, anyone, at Nathan's estate. We were all frustrated when the calls went unanswered. I didn't disagree with Thomas. There were too many easy ways to plant a false scent trail and not enough evidence to chance a rescue with our current numbers. I had five warriors and I was slow, fat, and pregnant. I would hinder my men's movements, and their concern would be to keep me safe above all. Even if I superseded Juan's orders and sent two scouts down the tunnel, I would be left with three guards, and no way to escape if we were attacked.

Waiting for Juan to come back with reinforcements was the logical choice. Fifteen minutes to the house. Ten to fifteen minutes to gather a force and another fifteen minutes to get back. Juan had already been gone ten to fifteen minutes. We only had a little longer to wait for his return. The next draft brought the smell of blood mingled with Ushna's scent.

No.

All logical thought left and I knew I couldn't wait, not if Daniel had hurt Ushna. There wasn't anything on this world that could make me stand out here when there was a strong possibility Ushna was being tortured. By the expressions from the warriors, they knew this as well.

With numb fingers, I tried one more time to call Ushna, only to be thrown into voicemail. I left a scathing message full of fake threats if Ushna didn't return my call immediately. I dialed Juan, he picked up, but loud static cancelled out any other sound. I cussed loud and long, not caring who heard me.

Russ pulled one of the two swords he carried from his belt. "You realize we're probably walking into a trap?" He handed over a blade. "I don't have a spare firearm."

I took the offered hilt, testing the balance before giving him a firm nod. "I know but I can't take the chance." I stared at his dark eyes, letting him see my resolve. I ordered one man to wait for Juan's return and report our plan to search for Ushna.

We approached the shed cautiously; the smell of blood grew stronger the closer we came to the entrance. The scent hadn't been there when we first arrived, which meant it was fresh. Thomas descended the stairs first and we waited at the top for the all-clear. The cool air rose up from the stairway as we waited for the warrior to return. He stepped into our view. "The tunnel is pitch-black, but there appears to be a lighted room twenty to thirty feet toward the end."

With two warriors in front of me and two behind, we descended the slick stone stairs into absolute dark. The air was moist and cool. The granite under my hand was smooth to the touch and wet with condensation. My heart pounded. That Ushna's scent was stronger here, with the smell of blood overlaying it, worried me. I picked up other odors. An older, stale smell with mold along with various animal traces underlying everything else.

Carefully, with a hand following the wall, we followed the passageway toward a sliver of light at the far end of the tunnel. We shuffled as quietly as we could, unsure of the state of the ground under foot. Our breathing seemed loud in the enclosed space, and I worried it would mask any noise made by someone sneaking up on us.

HAPPY READING!! I hope enjoy Surrounded by Crimson, the fourth book in the Sumeria's Sons series. 

Cheers!!