​I'm back! I know I've been gone for over a year, but that was because I was living the biggest adventure of my life to date. Ben Franklin said, " Either write something worth the reading or do something worth the writing." 2017--and 2018 so far--has been filled with "doing things" that are definitely worth the writing.

And every story is more interesting when told fantasy-style.

Listen while I tell the real-life tale of a dragon, a phoenix, magic wake-up juice, swords, and a treasure.

It was Ben Franklin who said, "Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."

Sometimes it's a little hard to do both at once.

That's why I'm taking a break from HIDDEN FACE through May to blog about story, life, and all the behind-the-scenes things that create a story worth writing about.

And to ask you a really serious question.

Jossu ground his fists in his eyes and hissed through his teeth with frustration as the scream reverberated through the empty crimson-drenched corridor. Why couldn't anything be simple? Why couldn't the universe back you up when you were risking your life for others?

Then he turned and sprinted toward the sound.
 
* * * * *

Special Advisor Rast glanced toward the tracker on his wrist-com and noticed that the blinking dot on the map--Jossu--had increased the speed of its travel. He switched to camera mode and observed the jostling motion image captured by the microscopic camera concealed in the front of Jossu's uniform. Rast's earpiece shuddered with the scream toward which Jossu sprinted.

Rast swore.
​
Hastily, Rast shifted the mode on his wrist-com. There was no time to be the soldier in the shadows.

Sorry! This past week got away from me, but I have the next episode of HIDDEN FACE scheduled for this coming Friday. If you've missed the last few episodes, binge-read them by clicking on the cover below:

Soon after Jossu's reconnaissance along the X-points, the tone sounded throughout the residential units to announce the mealtime. The Hadune emerged from their units, joining the methodical flow of Loystrek inhabitants. It was Jossu's first close observation of the Loystrek civilians and, somehow, they were not what he expected. Given his encounters with Loystrek officers, he had believed that the Loystrek were quiet, reserved, and emotionless, even in company with one another. Instead, he noted a young man flirting with a young woman, who blushed and laughed at the man’s words. Two Loystrek men strode together, conversing with the relaxed posture that reminded Jossu of his own people.
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The children left their play with an eagerness that Jossu did not comprehend until he realized that the very rigid mealtimes and rationed food supply would inevitably train even the youngest consumer to prize food above play. The Kayso, while rationing their food carefully, never had such stringent rules with their children.

Today's usual episode of Hidden Face is postponed until next Friday in favor of a celebration for my new novella, Wings Beneath Water, which releases today!

If you aren't part of my email list, you want to be, because you'll be getting some goodies in your inbox today.

What's WINGS BENEATH WATER?

Dragons. Legends. An ancient power. And two brothers who refuse to give up on one another.

Click here to check out the description, book trailer, and reviews, and to buy your own copy!

In the spirit of celebration, here are some special treats:

Congratulations to Laura Pol and Keren Johnson, the winners of the giveaway! Both of you ladies will receive print copies of WINGS BENEATH WATER in the mail soon.

If you participated in the giveaway but didn't win, check your inbox. I have a special surprise for you!

And if you're not already part of my email list, you want to be, because March 31st is your lucky day. Why?

Jossu wanted to sleep, but the buzz of adrenaline in his nerves kept him awake for ksec upon ksec. He knew the feeling. His first Beast encounter on the KBCU had resulted in the same strange paradox: an exhaustion so deep he wanted to fall into oblivion, but a clash of nerves that kept his pulse elevated and his muscles taut long after the danger was over.

Two more meals passed as Jossu paced his cell (however comfortable they made him, he was well aware of his status as a prisoner). Memories and flashbacks snapped at him like strokes of an electric prod. Vance. Ombura. The Beastmaster. Colgren.

He lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling, mind clouded with memories he wished to forget, but one thought screaming over the memories with a volume that matched the pound of his own blood in his ears.
​
Find the answers.

Want a shot at winning one of two free copies of WINGS BENEATH WATER? Enter the giveaway for a chance to win!

If you already follow me on Facebook or Twitter, by all means, give yourself credit for it!

To clarify: One winner is not getting two copies. Two winners are getting one copy each. So you could be one of the lucky two!

Jossu froze in indecision. All of his instincts screamed for him to suit up, to seal himself away from any Beast material, but no one else had such protection.

"Attention!" The Beastmaster's voice blasted through the PA system. "Please proceed calmly and quickly to your cabins. I repeat: Go to your cabins and stay there until you receive word that it is safe. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill."

If there had been any doubt in their minds, the truth was confirmed now: The Beasts were attacking.
​
Panic erupted. It didn't matter that the citizens of the Triangle had participated in Beast attack drills all their lives. All it took was a small percentage of freak-out cases and even the responsible people who tried to follow their training lost their heads in the scramble for safety. Fear was a deadly contagion.