Click Here to go to Blak Rayne's Blog: Questions in a Moment of Loss-Lexi Ander #love #loss #truth #writing
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Shoot! Almost forgot!
I guest blogged over on Blak Rayne's blog about questions I asked in a moment of loss. If you get a second and hop on over. The article won't take up much of your time and will give something to think about when it comes to "someone's truth".
Sunday, November 3, 2013
I Ran Out Of White Board
Last year about this time, I had 2013 plotted out. Which books I would write, how many releases I would have, what series I would work on, and list of splinter series I would work on plotting out.
Yeah...
So...
2013 did not turn out how I had planned.
It's a good thing that I'm not a stickler for sticking to plotlines or plans. I did have a hiccup when I scrambled to put together a new list of 'to dos'. I think maybe I hoped the train would miraculous jump back on the tracks, allowing me the luxury to finish a couple of projects. It took me a bit to adjust because I kept glancing back, praying things would get resolved.
But it did give me some time to look through a diverse group of storylines I had been contemplating.
Among the new stories that I will write, I have put on the table a couple of other things.
1) Doing a Newsletter to give out updates of new releases, working projects and such.
2)Starting a Blog Story. I would have to have it written before hand because I don't think that I could be disciplined enough to write a chapter once a week. I'm still tossing these two about.
Any feed back or thoughts you have, I would love to hear them.
Last night, I wrote down the list of projects that I would work on for 2014. And I ran out of white board. Which is a good thing because it looks like I will be a work horse this coming year.
Yeah...
So...
2013 did not turn out how I had planned.
It's a good thing that I'm not a stickler for sticking to plotlines or plans. I did have a hiccup when I scrambled to put together a new list of 'to dos'. I think maybe I hoped the train would miraculous jump back on the tracks, allowing me the luxury to finish a couple of projects. It took me a bit to adjust because I kept glancing back, praying things would get resolved.
But it did give me some time to look through a diverse group of storylines I had been contemplating.
Among the new stories that I will write, I have put on the table a couple of other things.
1) Doing a Newsletter to give out updates of new releases, working projects and such.
2)Starting a Blog Story. I would have to have it written before hand because I don't think that I could be disciplined enough to write a chapter once a week. I'm still tossing these two about.
Any feed back or thoughts you have, I would love to hear them.
Last night, I wrote down the list of projects that I would work on for 2014. And I ran out of white board. Which is a good thing because it looks like I will be a work horse this coming year.
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| 2014 Writing Projects In Order from Top to Bottom |
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Flying By The Seat Of My Pants
Several hours form now (eastern time) NaNaWriMo starts. I had this BIG plan to have two weeks to plan out, finish my research, and basically get all my ducks in a row. I wanted to start off NaNo with bang. But to do that I needed to finish Striker (The Valespian Pact #2), go through my line edits, send it out to have it beta read, review the feed back, make the changes, and then sub it. This was supposed to be my October.
But that's not what happened.
A family visit and a week spent sick, among other things, caused my month to jump the rails. Not that I'm complaining. Heck no, because I love seeing my sister. The flu I could 've done without, but the rest, I just roll with it.
The good thing is I finished the line edits and sent to file off to get some feed back (today). Seriously. If I had to look at that manuscript one more day I think I would've clawed my eyes out. I need a break from it.
Now I have several hours to prepare and I am so tuckered out that all I want to do is curl up with a good book and get lost for like the next week.
But Nooooooo. I had to do NaNo. *whimpers* I had to do it a in a big way.
At the beginning of October I had plans for November, ambitious plans. Now I'm a bit intimidated. I lined up three projects for November.
1) Finish Soulless (The Rise of the Olmec). I started this last year and at about half through my writing ADD kicked in and I started something else. I am going to change the title to--something else because Soulless sounds sort of bleak when the story really isn't. The replacement title I thought of is wayyyy too long so I'm still looking. This is at 26+k now and I think another 30k will complete the story.
2) Finish Fated. This was the extra story I picked up for the GoodReads Love Has No Bounds event this past summer. I wrapped up the relationship between the MCs but the main plot needs to be complete. There is already about 35-36k on this story completed already. The completed work Fate & Destinies will have another 40+k to finish up.
3) <---- Yes, I added a third story. I said earlier that I was feeling ambitious. This one I had planned to finish the research and hopefully start in December. I moved that puppy up. I wrote two LHNB stories this past summer and Playing For Keeps was the first one. This would be the sequel to PfK but I haven't found a name that I like. I have some possibles but I'm still waiting for the epiphany. I think this will be around 60k-80k. I have one plot hiccup that I need to work around but I know exactly what is going to happen in this.
So there they are. The monsters that will take over November. I think between the three of them I can write 50k next month.
I'm excited. I don't know if it's because I can start new projects or if it's because I can write something and using contractions. Why would that matter you ask? Because I'm teasing you about Striker. Aliens don't use contractions so Striker was sort of painful that way but the next book in that series, Bespoken, starts out in a place where contraction are used. I think I heard a chorus of angels.
Thank you for stopping by and reading!!
But that's not what happened.
A family visit and a week spent sick, among other things, caused my month to jump the rails. Not that I'm complaining. Heck no, because I love seeing my sister. The flu I could 've done without, but the rest, I just roll with it.
The good thing is I finished the line edits and sent to file off to get some feed back (today). Seriously. If I had to look at that manuscript one more day I think I would've clawed my eyes out. I need a break from it.
Now I have several hours to prepare and I am so tuckered out that all I want to do is curl up with a good book and get lost for like the next week.
But Nooooooo. I had to do NaNo. *whimpers* I had to do it a in a big way.
At the beginning of October I had plans for November, ambitious plans. Now I'm a bit intimidated. I lined up three projects for November.
1) Finish Soulless (The Rise of the Olmec). I started this last year and at about half through my writing ADD kicked in and I started something else. I am going to change the title to--something else because Soulless sounds sort of bleak when the story really isn't. The replacement title I thought of is wayyyy too long so I'm still looking. This is at 26+k now and I think another 30k will complete the story.
2) Finish Fated. This was the extra story I picked up for the GoodReads Love Has No Bounds event this past summer. I wrapped up the relationship between the MCs but the main plot needs to be complete. There is already about 35-36k on this story completed already. The completed work Fate & Destinies will have another 40+k to finish up.3) <---- Yes, I added a third story. I said earlier that I was feeling ambitious. This one I had planned to finish the research and hopefully start in December. I moved that puppy up. I wrote two LHNB stories this past summer and Playing For Keeps was the first one. This would be the sequel to PfK but I haven't found a name that I like. I have some possibles but I'm still waiting for the epiphany. I think this will be around 60k-80k. I have one plot hiccup that I need to work around but I know exactly what is going to happen in this.
So there they are. The monsters that will take over November. I think between the three of them I can write 50k next month.
I'm excited. I don't know if it's because I can start new projects or if it's because I can write something and using contractions. Why would that matter you ask? Because I'm teasing you about Striker. Aliens don't use contractions so Striker was sort of painful that way but the next book in that series, Bespoken, starts out in a place where contraction are used. I think I heard a chorus of angels.
Thank you for stopping by and reading!!
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Events For The Rest Of The Month
Hey guy! It has been a crazy month. I looked at the calendar last night and had a WTH moment because it specifically stated nine (9) days were left in October. Seriously? Yesterday was October 1st--or that is what it seems like.
The news-y bit for today is that Alpha Trine is spotlighted over at Blak Rayne's blog. Click Here to have a look.
On November 6th, Blak will post an article I wrote. It is about a question that I asked my dad after I lost a pet and how the answer colored how I viewed certain things for several years. I hope ya'll will hop over and read it when it is up.
I know I have been quiet this month. I have been trying to line-edit Striker before sending it off to be read by the beta readers. I'm not happy with the last 2-3 Chapters. I completely chucked one and I'm in the process of rewriting it. I may toss a second chapter and redo it as well. It all depends on how it reads. I am working really hard to get Striker wrapped up by the end of the month.
The other event that happened this month, my sister came to visit from Texas. While everyone I know headed off to GayRomLit in Atlanta I was desperately attempting to get my house cleaned up before we had guest.
I haven't seen her since her wedding in 2007. Now, she is not only a wife but a mom. I have to say it is pretty awesome seeing her in mom-mode. I'm so proud of her.
What was really awesome was the head and chest cold I got the day they left to go back home. So I have been really achy, stuff, coughing, I-just-want-to-crawl-under-the-covers sick starting the beginning of this week. The upside, I didn't give any of my family the cold before they left. Hurray! The downside, edits are crawling along.
All in all, we had a great time. Took the kids to the pumpkin patch, sat down at the dinner table with both my sister's and brother's family, and talked forever and a day about everything. I cried when she arrived and again when she left. I look forward to seeing her again.
So hopefully, everything will be back to normal soon. I think I have my stories picked for NaNoWriMo. My house is really, really clean. And I have enough lasagna to last us for another four to five days.
The news-y bit for today is that Alpha Trine is spotlighted over at Blak Rayne's blog. Click Here to have a look.
On November 6th, Blak will post an article I wrote. It is about a question that I asked my dad after I lost a pet and how the answer colored how I viewed certain things for several years. I hope ya'll will hop over and read it when it is up.
I know I have been quiet this month. I have been trying to line-edit Striker before sending it off to be read by the beta readers. I'm not happy with the last 2-3 Chapters. I completely chucked one and I'm in the process of rewriting it. I may toss a second chapter and redo it as well. It all depends on how it reads. I am working really hard to get Striker wrapped up by the end of the month.
The other event that happened this month, my sister came to visit from Texas. While everyone I know headed off to GayRomLit in Atlanta I was desperately attempting to get my house cleaned up before we had guest.
I haven't seen her since her wedding in 2007. Now, she is not only a wife but a mom. I have to say it is pretty awesome seeing her in mom-mode. I'm so proud of her.
What was really awesome was the head and chest cold I got the day they left to go back home. So I have been really achy, stuff, coughing, I-just-want-to-crawl-under-the-covers sick starting the beginning of this week. The upside, I didn't give any of my family the cold before they left. Hurray! The downside, edits are crawling along.
![]() |
| Making Halloween Sugar Cookies |
So hopefully, everything will be back to normal soon. I think I have my stories picked for NaNoWriMo. My house is really, really clean. And I have enough lasagna to last us for another four to five days.
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| Me and the nieces on the top, my sister-in-law and sister on bottom |
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| My brother-in-law and me |
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| The husband, nephew, and me |
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| My brother and me |
![]() |
| My nephew and me |
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Enter To Win A Copy Of Alpha Trine & An Excerpt Of The Sequel Striker
Yay! Yesterday, I wrote "The End" on Striker, the second book in the Valespian Pact series. I'm in the editing process right now, trying to determine if I am going to cut a couple of scenes from the book or not while I polish it before I send it to beta readers. I won't announce the final word count until I submit it to LT3. ^_^
EDIT: Winner of the drawing announced on Sid's Blog!
I thought I would give you an excerpt of Striker but before I do, just a reminder that I'm over at Sid Love's blog. Leave a comment for a chance to win the giveaway a paperback copy of Alpha Trine. The giveaway ends October 8th at 11:59 P.M. (It's the first time on Sid's blog and I thought it was for one day. O.O Nope, I'm on there for a week!) CLICK HERE to go to the giveaway. Challenge: If I get 50 comments on Sid's blog I'll throw in another paperback for the giveaway. Woot!
Now!
For the fun part. I love excerpts. I hope you enjoy this one from the beginning of Striker. It's sort of edited but not really. :)
Copyright 2013
Lexi Ander
Prologue
Zeus was unsure how he knew he floated on the warm Waters of Poseidon, it was either his instinct or his deep need for home but the waters surrounding him soothed that longing. If he had been doubtful the view of the night sky would have confirmed where he drifted. A blanket of midnight blue covered the heavens, bedecked with the brilliant point of stars that shone like precious jewels. The primary moon was fat and heavy, a red sliver of the secondary moon peeking out the side, reminding people two moons hung in the Atlaintician sky. The pale white glow of the primary caused the waters to appear slick and black.
He looked around for his sister, Shaneva. Only she had ever brought him to the Waters of Poseidon. As one who had been born with the Longing, this had been her home since she turned fifteen summers. Strangely, the waters were empty of people. Both times he had been called here there had always been other souls floating nearby, not close enough to disturb but silhouettes he could make out.
"Shaneva is sleeping this night."
Treading water, he turned toward the masculine voice. Not an arm's length away swan a male unlike any Mar'Sani Zeus had ever seen. His body was covered in a combination of yellow leathery skin and prominent scales rimmed with a vibrant blue-green. The scale's pattern resembled sharp tipped stripes that flowed down his neck, arms, and what Zeus could see of his back. Stunning large green reptilian eyes stared at Zeus from between two pairs of long thick eyelashes. Zeus decided the face of the being looked much like his own with a small nose and wide full mouth. When the male smiled, his teeth were sharp but not the same needle-like ones of Zeus's family. A think ridge above the brow supported a spiked ridge that went from only a couple of centimeters tall in the front to as tall as six centimeters around the back of the crown of his head. A deep red membrane made an arching bridge between each spike giving the strange impression of a royal coronet.
"Why am I here? Shaneva only brings me here when I'm injured" Zeus's brow furrowed in thought. "There is nothing wrong with me."
The male grinned. "As I am well aware. You found your life partners and soon will be a father. Congratulations, brother."
Warm affection blossomed in his chest at the thought of Dargon and Alpha. A dark green dot adorned the middle of his forehead proclaiming he was a part of an Alpha Trine. Zeus's fingertips skirted the edge of the mark that allowed him to communicate with Alpha, Dargon's symbiote.
"You called me brother." His gaze searched the face before him, looking for and not seeing something familiar. The voice though, the sound niggled at his memory and yet he could not place the countenance.
"All in good time." The male flashed his harp teeth, humor lighting his green eyes. "I did bring you here for a reason. You need to warn our brothers they are heading into a trap. The space over Valespia is no longer safe."
"What do you mean? What waits there?" Zeus asked in alarm.
"What indeed. V'Saar have been slipping through the defense grid near the Milky Way and they have partnered with a company of the Terrens."
The human society in the Milky Way was controlled by four massive companies. The V'Saar commonly called bugs were trapped behind a grid built by the ancients. The V'Saar consumed all in their path. An uneasy truce was formed between the ancients and the V'Saar queen, Isolt. The Valespian Pact between the combined races required the triad of galactic emperors to power the grid that kept the V'Saar from overrunning the rest of the galaxies. But the galactic royals were old, causing the grid to weaken in places as their power waned. The exchange of power to the next generation should have already taken place but the Bespoken was missing.
Zeus moved to float on his back as he thought. The sky was lighting with the colors of the coming dawn. For some reason he trusted this male who was Mar'Sani but also something more. If what he said was true then the V'Saar had gained allies and Valespia was under siege.
The male joined Zeus and floated next to him. "I do not know much about the V'Saar, only that they destroy or enslave everything in their path. Why do they not over run the human solar system? You and our brothers will have to puzzle it out. What I do know is you need to seek out the Feteine for help. If you do not … with their assistance you have the chance to survive."
Zeus turned and stared hard, his heart squeezed with recognition. They had never met before but the male's own words gave him away. Brother. He now remembered where he had heard that voice before. A long time ago when he had been thirteen summers, Shaneva had brought him to the Waters of Poseidon when he suffered in the hands of Chtichlians who were supposed fix his blindness and ended up stealing something precious from him. Zeus slid his fingers through Canry's slightly webbed ones, careful of the wickedly sharp claws.
Zeus hesitancy to trust slipped away. "Is there anything else I should do?"
Canry drew in a shuttering breath. "You believe me?"
"Of course, you are our brother."
The sun kissed the edge of the ocean, awashing the sky with brilliant shades of red and orange. "A storm is coming." Zeus glanced at Canry who had echoed him simultaneously.
"You are more sensitive that you know, Zeus. If you must fight on land find a pool of water. It can be as small as the size of my palm. Submerge your fingers and call my name. I will come to your aid. Promise me that you will call me."
He moved to tread water once again. "What do you see?"
Canry mirrored his movements, his expression one of great concern. "Only possibilities, ever changing, ever evolving. There are only a few constants. Please believe me, if I could tell you more I would."
Zeus trusted Canry. ""I swear. If I am in need I will call upon you."
"Thank the gods!" Canry breathed out as he pulled Zeus into firm embrace. Zeus held onto his brother, so many questions on the tip of his tongue begging to be asked but he had the feeling his time here was coming to a close.
"Can you not come with me now? Our parents … the twins … they miss you so much. Why have you not come home?"
"Because his service is to Poseidon."
Zeus started at the sound of the deep voice. Instinctually he turned and put himself between his brother and the newcomer. The person swimming towards them exuded a tremendous amount of power. Zeus was unsure how he knew for there was no outward indication other than the conviction in his gut.
"I had permission to bring him here, Nethus." Canry's voice sounded hard and angry. Zeus's mind raced as he warily regarded the stranger.
Nethus was huge and imposing. Canry had a larger body than Zeus but Nethus dwarfed even his brother. He had what seemed to be a thick leathery skin painted in varying shades of blue, as if Nethus represented all of the various colors of the ocean. Zeus noted that Neptune, like Canry, was more humanoid in appearance. There were gills on the column of his thick neck but Nethus's also had a nose, somewhat broad and flat, a wide mouth with full lips flashed a hint of sharp teeth. He had yet to see any sea race with hair. Instead, Nethus had a full head of tentacles, flowing down to his waist. Some perfectly smooth, others with suctions cups or bumps tipped with sharp-pointed barbs. Zeus suspected that Nethus spent an equal amount of time out of the water since he had a pair of strong long legs.
Nethus met Zeus's stare with eyes so golden they resembles twin suns, swirling and molten. The color of the irises matched the runes on the trident strapped to Nethus's back. Zeus had never seen anyone in the Waters of Poseidon carry a weapon.
"What do you want?"
Nethus ignored Zeus's question and glance behind Zeus to Canry. "You need to come with me now."
The tone Nethus used raised Zeus's hackles reminding him of Rathmar's very same demand that cause Zeus to end up trapped by the head of Noble House of Cordyl, Timsah Gadrius. His ex-lover had lead him in sadistic hands of his father only to sneak him out later when it appeared Timsah would kill Zeus for daring to have a romantic relationship with Rathmar.
"Canry is a prince of House Vondorian and you will treat him with respect." Nethus could ignore him but no one spoke to his brother in such a way.
"You do not dictate to me, Mar'Sani, on how to address my acolyte. He meddles in affairs he should not. I am here to take him home." Nethus's eyes narrowed when he regarded Zeus.
Zeus's temper flared to life as he spoke his suspicions. "It was you who took him! How could you take a youngling of only two moons from his family? Meme was devastated by his disappearance. He should have grown up with us, been a warlord to Azaes."
Zeus did not flinch at Nethus's furious glare. "Poseidon heard their mourning. Be grateful he led them to you or you would simply be bones floating in space now."
"Zeus …" There was a bleeding note in Canry's voice. It was as if he could sense the fear pouring off his brother.
"You stole him from his family." Zeus hissed, the noise a warning, a precursor to a Mar'Sani warrior's strike.
"He has had a better life with me than he would have ever had on land," Nethus snapped.
Zeus struggled to control his rising anger. The loss of Canry to his family had wounded them deeply. Years later and they still mourned for him in small but noticeable ways. Even Meme, who had devoutly believed Canry was alive had continued to yearn for the youngling taken from her. When any of them swam in the Waters of Poseidon, their gazes always searched for the lost son, hoping for, praying for merely a glimpse. Now Zeus struggled to understand why his family had to endure the senseless pain.
"Why was he not allowed to visit? Why has his wellbeing been kept from his blood? What purpose would that have served? Explain yourself!"
Nethus lifted his lip in a sneer. "His destiny is greater than you can ever comprehend. His concept of family must be broader than the little Vondorian pod, otherwise he would falter in his duty. Do not think you can judge us for what you believe you know. I do not have to give an accounting to you."
He swam closer to Zeus, his golden gaze boring into Zeus, his expression one of haughty indignation. When Nethus attempted to reach past Zeus for Canry, Zeus attacked. Regardless of the power he could sense in Nethus, and never mind that he had no weapon, neither was reason enough to stay Zeus's hand when he launched himself at a smirking Nethus.
"Zeus! No!" He heard Canry's cry but the call sounded distant.
Nethus's triumphant expression turned startled as Zeus's legs wrapped snake-like around his waist. Grabbing a barb pointed ear, Zeus hauled back before delivering a hard chop to the side of Nethus's gilled neck. Nethus bellowed, his skin going from light blue to a tint so dark the color appeared almost black. Canry's frantic yelling was the last thing Zeus heard before he and Nethus plunged into the Waters of Poseidon.
EDIT: Winner of the drawing announced on Sid's Blog!
I thought I would give you an excerpt of Striker but before I do, just a reminder that I'm over at Sid Love's blog. Leave a comment for a chance to win the giveaway a paperback copy of Alpha Trine. The giveaway ends October 8th at 11:59 P.M. (It's the first time on Sid's blog and I thought it was for one day. O.O Nope, I'm on there for a week!) CLICK HERE to go to the giveaway. Challenge: If I get 50 comments on Sid's blog I'll throw in another paperback for the giveaway. Woot!
Now!
For the fun part. I love excerpts. I hope you enjoy this one from the beginning of Striker. It's sort of edited but not really. :)
Copyright 2013
Lexi Ander
Prologue
Zeus was unsure how he knew he floated on the warm Waters of Poseidon, it was either his instinct or his deep need for home but the waters surrounding him soothed that longing. If he had been doubtful the view of the night sky would have confirmed where he drifted. A blanket of midnight blue covered the heavens, bedecked with the brilliant point of stars that shone like precious jewels. The primary moon was fat and heavy, a red sliver of the secondary moon peeking out the side, reminding people two moons hung in the Atlaintician sky. The pale white glow of the primary caused the waters to appear slick and black.
He looked around for his sister, Shaneva. Only she had ever brought him to the Waters of Poseidon. As one who had been born with the Longing, this had been her home since she turned fifteen summers. Strangely, the waters were empty of people. Both times he had been called here there had always been other souls floating nearby, not close enough to disturb but silhouettes he could make out.
"Shaneva is sleeping this night."
Treading water, he turned toward the masculine voice. Not an arm's length away swan a male unlike any Mar'Sani Zeus had ever seen. His body was covered in a combination of yellow leathery skin and prominent scales rimmed with a vibrant blue-green. The scale's pattern resembled sharp tipped stripes that flowed down his neck, arms, and what Zeus could see of his back. Stunning large green reptilian eyes stared at Zeus from between two pairs of long thick eyelashes. Zeus decided the face of the being looked much like his own with a small nose and wide full mouth. When the male smiled, his teeth were sharp but not the same needle-like ones of Zeus's family. A think ridge above the brow supported a spiked ridge that went from only a couple of centimeters tall in the front to as tall as six centimeters around the back of the crown of his head. A deep red membrane made an arching bridge between each spike giving the strange impression of a royal coronet.
"Why am I here? Shaneva only brings me here when I'm injured" Zeus's brow furrowed in thought. "There is nothing wrong with me."
The male grinned. "As I am well aware. You found your life partners and soon will be a father. Congratulations, brother."
Warm affection blossomed in his chest at the thought of Dargon and Alpha. A dark green dot adorned the middle of his forehead proclaiming he was a part of an Alpha Trine. Zeus's fingertips skirted the edge of the mark that allowed him to communicate with Alpha, Dargon's symbiote.
"You called me brother." His gaze searched the face before him, looking for and not seeing something familiar. The voice though, the sound niggled at his memory and yet he could not place the countenance.
"All in good time." The male flashed his harp teeth, humor lighting his green eyes. "I did bring you here for a reason. You need to warn our brothers they are heading into a trap. The space over Valespia is no longer safe."
"What do you mean? What waits there?" Zeus asked in alarm.
"What indeed. V'Saar have been slipping through the defense grid near the Milky Way and they have partnered with a company of the Terrens."
The human society in the Milky Way was controlled by four massive companies. The V'Saar commonly called bugs were trapped behind a grid built by the ancients. The V'Saar consumed all in their path. An uneasy truce was formed between the ancients and the V'Saar queen, Isolt. The Valespian Pact between the combined races required the triad of galactic emperors to power the grid that kept the V'Saar from overrunning the rest of the galaxies. But the galactic royals were old, causing the grid to weaken in places as their power waned. The exchange of power to the next generation should have already taken place but the Bespoken was missing.
Zeus moved to float on his back as he thought. The sky was lighting with the colors of the coming dawn. For some reason he trusted this male who was Mar'Sani but also something more. If what he said was true then the V'Saar had gained allies and Valespia was under siege.
The male joined Zeus and floated next to him. "I do not know much about the V'Saar, only that they destroy or enslave everything in their path. Why do they not over run the human solar system? You and our brothers will have to puzzle it out. What I do know is you need to seek out the Feteine for help. If you do not … with their assistance you have the chance to survive."
Zeus turned and stared hard, his heart squeezed with recognition. They had never met before but the male's own words gave him away. Brother. He now remembered where he had heard that voice before. A long time ago when he had been thirteen summers, Shaneva had brought him to the Waters of Poseidon when he suffered in the hands of Chtichlians who were supposed fix his blindness and ended up stealing something precious from him. Zeus slid his fingers through Canry's slightly webbed ones, careful of the wickedly sharp claws.
Zeus hesitancy to trust slipped away. "Is there anything else I should do?"
Canry drew in a shuttering breath. "You believe me?"
"Of course, you are our brother."
The sun kissed the edge of the ocean, awashing the sky with brilliant shades of red and orange. "A storm is coming." Zeus glanced at Canry who had echoed him simultaneously.
"You are more sensitive that you know, Zeus. If you must fight on land find a pool of water. It can be as small as the size of my palm. Submerge your fingers and call my name. I will come to your aid. Promise me that you will call me."
He moved to tread water once again. "What do you see?"
Canry mirrored his movements, his expression one of great concern. "Only possibilities, ever changing, ever evolving. There are only a few constants. Please believe me, if I could tell you more I would."
Zeus trusted Canry. ""I swear. If I am in need I will call upon you."
"Thank the gods!" Canry breathed out as he pulled Zeus into firm embrace. Zeus held onto his brother, so many questions on the tip of his tongue begging to be asked but he had the feeling his time here was coming to a close.
"Can you not come with me now? Our parents … the twins … they miss you so much. Why have you not come home?"
"Because his service is to Poseidon."
Zeus started at the sound of the deep voice. Instinctually he turned and put himself between his brother and the newcomer. The person swimming towards them exuded a tremendous amount of power. Zeus was unsure how he knew for there was no outward indication other than the conviction in his gut.
"I had permission to bring him here, Nethus." Canry's voice sounded hard and angry. Zeus's mind raced as he warily regarded the stranger.
Nethus was huge and imposing. Canry had a larger body than Zeus but Nethus dwarfed even his brother. He had what seemed to be a thick leathery skin painted in varying shades of blue, as if Nethus represented all of the various colors of the ocean. Zeus noted that Neptune, like Canry, was more humanoid in appearance. There were gills on the column of his thick neck but Nethus's also had a nose, somewhat broad and flat, a wide mouth with full lips flashed a hint of sharp teeth. He had yet to see any sea race with hair. Instead, Nethus had a full head of tentacles, flowing down to his waist. Some perfectly smooth, others with suctions cups or bumps tipped with sharp-pointed barbs. Zeus suspected that Nethus spent an equal amount of time out of the water since he had a pair of strong long legs.
Nethus met Zeus's stare with eyes so golden they resembles twin suns, swirling and molten. The color of the irises matched the runes on the trident strapped to Nethus's back. Zeus had never seen anyone in the Waters of Poseidon carry a weapon.
"What do you want?"
Nethus ignored Zeus's question and glance behind Zeus to Canry. "You need to come with me now."
The tone Nethus used raised Zeus's hackles reminding him of Rathmar's very same demand that cause Zeus to end up trapped by the head of Noble House of Cordyl, Timsah Gadrius. His ex-lover had lead him in sadistic hands of his father only to sneak him out later when it appeared Timsah would kill Zeus for daring to have a romantic relationship with Rathmar.
"Canry is a prince of House Vondorian and you will treat him with respect." Nethus could ignore him but no one spoke to his brother in such a way.
"You do not dictate to me, Mar'Sani, on how to address my acolyte. He meddles in affairs he should not. I am here to take him home." Nethus's eyes narrowed when he regarded Zeus.
Zeus's temper flared to life as he spoke his suspicions. "It was you who took him! How could you take a youngling of only two moons from his family? Meme was devastated by his disappearance. He should have grown up with us, been a warlord to Azaes."
Zeus did not flinch at Nethus's furious glare. "Poseidon heard their mourning. Be grateful he led them to you or you would simply be bones floating in space now."
"Zeus …" There was a bleeding note in Canry's voice. It was as if he could sense the fear pouring off his brother.
"You stole him from his family." Zeus hissed, the noise a warning, a precursor to a Mar'Sani warrior's strike.
"He has had a better life with me than he would have ever had on land," Nethus snapped.
Zeus struggled to control his rising anger. The loss of Canry to his family had wounded them deeply. Years later and they still mourned for him in small but noticeable ways. Even Meme, who had devoutly believed Canry was alive had continued to yearn for the youngling taken from her. When any of them swam in the Waters of Poseidon, their gazes always searched for the lost son, hoping for, praying for merely a glimpse. Now Zeus struggled to understand why his family had to endure the senseless pain.
"Why was he not allowed to visit? Why has his wellbeing been kept from his blood? What purpose would that have served? Explain yourself!"
Nethus lifted his lip in a sneer. "His destiny is greater than you can ever comprehend. His concept of family must be broader than the little Vondorian pod, otherwise he would falter in his duty. Do not think you can judge us for what you believe you know. I do not have to give an accounting to you."
He swam closer to Zeus, his golden gaze boring into Zeus, his expression one of haughty indignation. When Nethus attempted to reach past Zeus for Canry, Zeus attacked. Regardless of the power he could sense in Nethus, and never mind that he had no weapon, neither was reason enough to stay Zeus's hand when he launched himself at a smirking Nethus.
"Zeus! No!" He heard Canry's cry but the call sounded distant.
Nethus's triumphant expression turned startled as Zeus's legs wrapped snake-like around his waist. Grabbing a barb pointed ear, Zeus hauled back before delivering a hard chop to the side of Nethus's gilled neck. Nethus bellowed, his skin going from light blue to a tint so dark the color appeared almost black. Canry's frantic yelling was the last thing Zeus heard before he and Nethus plunged into the Waters of Poseidon.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sid Love's Blog plus a Giveaway
Update 9/30/13 1:22 est: The post just went up over at Sid's and I have updated the link.
Today I'm over at Sid Love's blog with a giveaway for a paperback copy of Alpha Trine. Come over have a look and leave a comment!
Sid Love's Blog ---> http://sidlove.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/guest-post-giveaway-lexi-ander/
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Many Thanks
Blog Tour is over. Alpha Trine was released last Wednesday and I have to say it was an awesome experience. I appreciated everybody's kind and thoughtful words during the tour and the little notes I received from those who pre-ordered and read Alpha Trine. I cannot express what such kindness means to me. Ya'll are the most awesomest! These two words are inadequate but I'll say them anyway. Thank You. <3 <3 <3 You take my breath away!
If you missed the announcement for the winners they are on yesterday's post.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Blog Tour Winners & Upcoming Events
This past week has been so much fun going through my very first blog tour. I hope the articles were entertaining as well as enlightening. I big special thanks to everyone who participated. I enjoyed reading your kind and wonderful comments. They gave me the little extra umph I needed to writing the last couple of scenes for Striker. :)
I'm giving away two paperbacks for the blog tour of Alpha Trine (Yay!) Everyone was assigned a number in the order you replied on each blog before I went to the Random Number Generator.
I don't have contact information so if you ladies will contact me (lexi.ander.author@gmail.com) I will get your books out to you.
Again, a big thanks to everyone who participated. I look forward to doing this again when Striker comes out!
If you missed the blog tour but are interested in the articles, click on the tab for The Valespian Pact at the top. I have insert the links there.
If you didn't win today, I will be giving away two more paperback copies of Alpha Trine.
I'm giving away two paperbacks for the blog tour of Alpha Trine (Yay!) Everyone was assigned a number in the order you replied on each blog before I went to the Random Number Generator.
Congratulations To!!!!:
Evi
Susan
Yay!!! Woot!! Woot!!
I don't have contact information so if you ladies will contact me (lexi.ander.author@gmail.com) I will get your books out to you.
(If I don't hear back from you in a week I'll have to run the numbers again for new winners.)
Again, a big thanks to everyone who participated. I look forward to doing this again when Striker comes out!
If you missed the blog tour but are interested in the articles, click on the tab for The Valespian Pact at the top. I have insert the links there.
If you didn't win today, I will be giving away two more paperback copies of Alpha Trine.
- One over at Sid Love's Blog on Monday, September 30th.
- The second copy will be given out at Hearts On Fire Reviews. The date for that hasn't been set yet.
Thank you for stopping by and reading. It has been a great week!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Blog Tour Schedule
Yay! This is release week for Alpha Trine and I will be on my first ever Blog Tour! (Very nervous about this!)
I will be running a contest all of this week. Leave a comment everyday at each site that I'm visiting this week (not here) and the comment will be counted as an entry for a drawing for a paperback copy of Alpha Trine. On September 28th - the winner of the tour announced here on my blog.
Here is the schedule for this week (click on the blog title to be redirected):
September 23rd - Babes In Boyland
September 24th - Raining Men
September 25th - Pants Off Reviews
September 26th - World Of Diversity Fiction
September 27th - dreaminginfinity
Make sure you stop by and have a look. Every day will have something different from alien lovers to sci-fi difficulties.
Also the Interview and Spotlight at Top 2 Bottom Reviews was changed from September 21th to September 27th -- http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com/
September 30th - I will be over at Sid Love's for another giveaway - http://sidlove.wordpress.com/
As always, thank you for stopping by and reading!!
I will be running a contest all of this week. Leave a comment everyday at each site that I'm visiting this week (not here) and the comment will be counted as an entry for a drawing for a paperback copy of Alpha Trine. On September 28th - the winner of the tour announced here on my blog.
Here is the schedule for this week (click on the blog title to be redirected):
September 23rd - Babes In Boyland
September 24th - Raining Men
September 25th - Pants Off Reviews
September 26th - World Of Diversity Fiction
September 27th - dreaminginfinity
Make sure you stop by and have a look. Every day will have something different from alien lovers to sci-fi difficulties.
Also the Interview and Spotlight at Top 2 Bottom Reviews was changed from September 21th to September 27th -- http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com/
September 30th - I will be over at Sid Love's for another giveaway - http://sidlove.wordpress.com/
As always, thank you for stopping by and reading!!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Share Your Muse Blog Hop Winner
The Winner of Share Your Muse Blog Hop is:
Vitajex!!
Whoot! Whoot!
Whoot! Whoot!
If you didn't win a print copy of Alpha Trine this week, no worries because I am giving away two more copies before the end of the month.
The week starting September 23rd I'm starting the blog tour that will run through the 27th. Every day you comment on the tour increases your chances to win. The drawing will be held on the 28th and the winner will announced here.
The second chance is on the 30th Alpha Trine will be featured over on Sid Love's Blog and a copy will be given away there. I hope you'll consider participating. I have attached the schedule below with the links.
(Yay! Just heard form Hearts on Fire Reviews. They will be hosting a giveaway but I don't have a date yet.)
The week starting September 23rd I'm starting the blog tour that will run through the 27th. Every day you comment on the tour increases your chances to win. The drawing will be held on the 28th and the winner will announced here.
The second chance is on the 30th Alpha Trine will be featured over on Sid Love's Blog and a copy will be given away there. I hope you'll consider participating. I have attached the schedule below with the links.
(Yay! Just heard form Hearts on Fire Reviews. They will be hosting a giveaway but I don't have a date yet.)
September 23rd – Babes In Boyland (http://www.babesinboyland.net/)
September 24th – Raining Men (http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com/)
September 25th – Pants Off Reviews (http://pantsoffreviews.blogspot.com/)
September 26th – World of Diversity Fiction (http://sean-norris.com/)
September 27th – dreaminginfinity (https://dreaminginfinity.wordpress.com/)
September 28th - the winner of the tour announced here
September 30th - http://sidlove.wordpress.com/
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Share Your Muse Blog Hop & Giveaway
Muse
The Muses (Greek: Μοῦσαι, moũsai) in Greek mythology, poetry and literature, are the goddesses of the inspiration of literature, science and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths.
I remember confiding in a friend right before I subbed Twin Flames to a publisher that I was afraid that I only had that one story in me. It had been a very long time since I'd written anything for pleasure and I was extremely rusty. A couple of times I wonder what the hell was I doing?
Now I wonder WHY I worried. I have more plotlines taking up space that I swear I have writing ADD. The worse culprit of this distraction... er... inspiration are picture prompts. I'm addicted to writing them. I have written three this year. The Awakening of Amanra for the LGBT Fantasy Group in February. For the Love Has No Boundaries event, Playing for Keeps (Unshakeable #1) in April, and then Fated in June.
All of these I plan to do follow up stories, among the others that I'm currently writing. Lord help me if I come across any more story prompts because I really can't help myself. I'm not a speed typer. You would think that with as much as I type I would be a speed demon but noooo, I'm average at best which is quite frustrating at times.
You would think that with as easily swayed by story prompts as I am that I would be crazed by publisher calls for submission. I'm not, not really. I think I only came across one that I was dying to write. It was about Mechs which is due at the end of this month. I chose to put that story idea on the back burner for now and continue my current project, Striker (The Valespian Pact #2). Hard. Hard. Hard, guys. I'm telling you I wanted to cry because I didn't have enough time.
I wrote only one prompt story last year which grew and evolved into the series, The Valespian Pact. KimE wrote this prompt:
"Intergalactic mm romance between a human space mechanic genius and an alien that morphs to be "human" when they mate. Have a way for the "alien" to be able to reproduce despite being male without the aid of technology for the pregnancy itself. Maybe technology was involved in the past and they "evolved" to be able to continue the alien species? HEA of course. Maybe a start of a series? Up to the author. I like series."
And then Alpha Trine was born.
Today I am giving a way a paperback copy of Alpha Trine. Just leave a comment and names will be drawn at the completion of the blog hop. Winner to be announced on the 15th!
For now, I'll leave you with an excerpt!
"Amlyn, where is your pride, your family?" He glimpsed a deep sorrow edged with vulnerability in her eyes. He considered what he knew and had been told. The Catalani did not break eye contact, proud and sure.
"Are you willing to fight by my side?" he asked. "I believe my brothers' vessel to be under siege, possibly by the people who have been tracking this ship. Rhee and I are going over to assist my family in any way we can. If luck is with us, we will shed the blood of our enemy, free The Gorgon, and ensure the safety of the Fal'Amoric for another day. What say you?"
Amlyn looked at the five bodies laid out in the corridor. They would be jettisoned into space when the Oethra 7 disengaged from Mestor's warship. One Dire D'Noss and four deadly Quell hounds had been dispatched by Rhee. The Dire D'Noss was two and a half meters tall, powder white with long green and red antennae protruding from its brow. Extra-large, luminous yellow eyes stared blankly into space and its mouth of razor blade teeth lay slack in death. It carried two huge blades, one gripped in a three-fingered hand, too slow to draw before Rhee rained down death.
The Quell hounds were more distressing than the Dire D'Noss. They were the lavender of an early dawn, four legged with humanoid eight-fingered hands instead of hooves or paws on all four appendages. A yellow-plated exoskeleton covered the face with deep-set red eyes, an extended snout, and needle-thin teeth. Despite being called hounds, the Quell were not animals but psionics adept at creating illusions. Zeus suspected they were to act as imposters for his brothers, and he could not have been happier he was immune.
"What is your answer, Amlyn?"
She turned her palms up, her face set with steely resolve. "I would serve a Mar'Sani prince in the destruction of our mutual enemy."
With a nod of his head, the Orion unshackled Amlyn. Zeus quickly donned his jacket of chimera scales he had picked up from the engine room, tested the straps on his dual swords, and checked to make sure the Taser would slide easily from his knee-high boots. He watched Amlyn equip. Her skills were too valuable to be locked away, but even with the truce, he would be wary around her. Dargon stepped in front of him, holding a pair of soft grip-gloves used for securely grasping surfaces when climbing. Zeus tucked them into his belt.
"I expect you back within the hour." Dargon's lip lifted slightly in challenge, baring a sharp, hooked fang.
"I will if I can." Zeus did not reach up to kiss him. Leaving Dargon and the Oethra 7 was hard enough. More physical contact would only serve to distract him. Their gaze held, silent words bouncing back and forth between them. He did not know what would happen once he stepped through the airlock. He was walking blind into the hostile situation. He worried for his brothers, for his lover, and the Fal'Amoric. Holding the gaze of those vibrant green orbs, he knew he would do whatever it took to get back to Dargon and see the mission through to the end.
Breaking eye contact, his pursed lips kept him from making promises he could not keep.
Dargon grabbed Zeus's hand as he turned to walk away. Dargon loomed large over Zeus, his countenance formidable. "I will track you across the universe if you do not come back."
"I am counting on it," Zeus whispered, voice full of gravel. Straightening his shoulders, he walked over to the airlock. "Rhee, Amlyn, it is time," he barked.
Alpha Trine Buy Link---> http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=95&products_id=501
Thank you for stopping by and make sure that you leave a comment if you want to be in the drawing for the paperback copy of Alpha Trine! Also, don't forget to check out the other Blog Hoppers. The link is at the bottom!
Free Download Links:
Fated ---> http://www.mmromancegroup.com/110465
Playing for Keeps ---> http://www.mmromancegroup.com/10951
The Awakening of Amanra ---> https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theawakeningofamanra-1146747-143.html
The Muses (Greek: Μοῦσαι, moũsai) in Greek mythology, poetry and literature, are the goddesses of the inspiration of literature, science and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths.
I remember confiding in a friend right before I subbed Twin Flames to a publisher that I was afraid that I only had that one story in me. It had been a very long time since I'd written anything for pleasure and I was extremely rusty. A couple of times I wonder what the hell was I doing?
Now I wonder WHY I worried. I have more plotlines taking up space that I swear I have writing ADD. The worse culprit of this distraction... er... inspiration are picture prompts. I'm addicted to writing them. I have written three this year. The Awakening of Amanra for the LGBT Fantasy Group in February. For the Love Has No Boundaries event, Playing for Keeps (Unshakeable #1) in April, and then Fated in June.
All of these I plan to do follow up stories, among the others that I'm currently writing. Lord help me if I come across any more story prompts because I really can't help myself. I'm not a speed typer. You would think that with as much as I type I would be a speed demon but noooo, I'm average at best which is quite frustrating at times.
You would think that with as easily swayed by story prompts as I am that I would be crazed by publisher calls for submission. I'm not, not really. I think I only came across one that I was dying to write. It was about Mechs which is due at the end of this month. I chose to put that story idea on the back burner for now and continue my current project, Striker (The Valespian Pact #2). Hard. Hard. Hard, guys. I'm telling you I wanted to cry because I didn't have enough time.
I wrote only one prompt story last year which grew and evolved into the series, The Valespian Pact. KimE wrote this prompt:
"Intergalactic mm romance between a human space mechanic genius and an alien that morphs to be "human" when they mate. Have a way for the "alien" to be able to reproduce despite being male without the aid of technology for the pregnancy itself. Maybe technology was involved in the past and they "evolved" to be able to continue the alien species? HEA of course. Maybe a start of a series? Up to the author. I like series."
And then Alpha Trine was born.
Today I am giving a way a paperback copy of Alpha Trine. Just leave a comment and names will be drawn at the completion of the blog hop. Winner to be announced on the 15th!
For now, I'll leave you with an excerpt!
"Amlyn, where is your pride, your family?" He glimpsed a deep sorrow edged with vulnerability in her eyes. He considered what he knew and had been told. The Catalani did not break eye contact, proud and sure.
"Are you willing to fight by my side?" he asked. "I believe my brothers' vessel to be under siege, possibly by the people who have been tracking this ship. Rhee and I are going over to assist my family in any way we can. If luck is with us, we will shed the blood of our enemy, free The Gorgon, and ensure the safety of the Fal'Amoric for another day. What say you?"
Amlyn looked at the five bodies laid out in the corridor. They would be jettisoned into space when the Oethra 7 disengaged from Mestor's warship. One Dire D'Noss and four deadly Quell hounds had been dispatched by Rhee. The Dire D'Noss was two and a half meters tall, powder white with long green and red antennae protruding from its brow. Extra-large, luminous yellow eyes stared blankly into space and its mouth of razor blade teeth lay slack in death. It carried two huge blades, one gripped in a three-fingered hand, too slow to draw before Rhee rained down death.
The Quell hounds were more distressing than the Dire D'Noss. They were the lavender of an early dawn, four legged with humanoid eight-fingered hands instead of hooves or paws on all four appendages. A yellow-plated exoskeleton covered the face with deep-set red eyes, an extended snout, and needle-thin teeth. Despite being called hounds, the Quell were not animals but psionics adept at creating illusions. Zeus suspected they were to act as imposters for his brothers, and he could not have been happier he was immune.
"What is your answer, Amlyn?"
She turned her palms up, her face set with steely resolve. "I would serve a Mar'Sani prince in the destruction of our mutual enemy."
With a nod of his head, the Orion unshackled Amlyn. Zeus quickly donned his jacket of chimera scales he had picked up from the engine room, tested the straps on his dual swords, and checked to make sure the Taser would slide easily from his knee-high boots. He watched Amlyn equip. Her skills were too valuable to be locked away, but even with the truce, he would be wary around her. Dargon stepped in front of him, holding a pair of soft grip-gloves used for securely grasping surfaces when climbing. Zeus tucked them into his belt.
"I expect you back within the hour." Dargon's lip lifted slightly in challenge, baring a sharp, hooked fang.
"I will if I can." Zeus did not reach up to kiss him. Leaving Dargon and the Oethra 7 was hard enough. More physical contact would only serve to distract him. Their gaze held, silent words bouncing back and forth between them. He did not know what would happen once he stepped through the airlock. He was walking blind into the hostile situation. He worried for his brothers, for his lover, and the Fal'Amoric. Holding the gaze of those vibrant green orbs, he knew he would do whatever it took to get back to Dargon and see the mission through to the end.
Breaking eye contact, his pursed lips kept him from making promises he could not keep.
Dargon grabbed Zeus's hand as he turned to walk away. Dargon loomed large over Zeus, his countenance formidable. "I will track you across the universe if you do not come back."
"I am counting on it," Zeus whispered, voice full of gravel. Straightening his shoulders, he walked over to the airlock. "Rhee, Amlyn, it is time," he barked.
Alpha Trine Buy Link---> http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=95&products_id=501
Thank you for stopping by and make sure that you leave a comment if you want to be in the drawing for the paperback copy of Alpha Trine! Also, don't forget to check out the other Blog Hoppers. The link is at the bottom!
Free Download Links:
Fated ---> http://www.mmromancegroup.com/110465
Playing for Keeps ---> http://www.mmromancegroup.com/10951
The Awakening of Amanra ---> https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theawakeningofamanra-1146747-143.html
Check out the other participants in the Share Your Muse Blog Hop by clicking on the link below!
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