More Dragons

The dragons have taken a vote and are pushing for more exposure. They want to share their life after the conference in China.

The American dragons spoke in Dragons Among the Eagles and now the Swedish and Norwegian dragons are pushing for their turn. In Dragons Among the Ice, two dragon shape-shifter couples are moving forward with their lives. They find although both men work at different jobs, they seem to be tracking the same entity. Their paths lead back to the East and underground organizations working for their own purposes.

Meanwhile on the home front, their wives, best friends since childhood, find themselves expecting at the same time. One wife opts to have her baby as a human. Her best friend makes the decision to have her baby as a dragon. Each of the women will raise the hatchlings in the form she's chosen carefully teaching the new younglings how to survive as shapeshifters in the human world.

The story will take the reader into the complicated world of dragons versus shapeshifters versus humans.

To be continued...

Sable Angel

Cliff Hanging Dragons?

Dragons Among Us

By

C. L. Kraemer

Persia – Modern day Iraq

Shatrevar stretched his arms above his head, his talons touching the wall of his bedchamber. A quick glance revealed this as a daily habit; the wall behind his bed bearing numerous talon marks. Low rumbling let him know that as sumptuous as the evening’s meal had been, it had been sparse by most standards.

He padded to the living room of his domicile and pulled a gold embossed, red silk cord and began to pace.

Within moments, the clicking of nails on hardened surface reached his ears. The Persian warrior felt the exasperation building in his neck. “Darius, I’m hungry. Before we ascend…”

In turning to face the fractious young manservant, Shatrevar found himself staring at the tan, slender form of a young female, her scales glistening iridescently.

“…who are…” he stopped. The growled instructions stuck in his throat.

“I’m Minau, my lord. Darius is gathering some things he believes you will need in the top world. How may I be of service?” Deep, golden eyes peered earnestly at the old dragon.

Shatrevar dropped to one knee, bowing his head to the ground and spoke lowly.

“My apologies, Ancient One, for behaving so boldly.”

Sounds of shuffling reached his ears. He dare not look up until given permission.

“Please, my lord. You distress me with your actions. I’m not… well, I am… but I’m not your superior. Please, Master Shatrevar. Stand and let me know how I may help you.”

The fearless leader, head of many campaigns in the old wars, held his position, unsure how to proceed.

The tension in the air thickened with indecision.

“Minau!”

Shatrevar heard the thumping of talons speeding through the hallway maze.

“Minau!”

Darius came upon the scene. His eyes must be deceiving him. The master was kneeling and had his head bent in front of Darius’ girlfriend, Minau.

“What have you done to the master?” Panic edged his words. “I’m sorry, master. She didn’t mean it, really. Please sir, I’ll take whatever punishment you deem appropriate.”

He turned to the slender dragon and fired a dark look her way. “We’ll talk later.”

Minau was confused. Darius had asked that she answer the master’s requests while he gathered things for their journey and now, he was mad at her for doing what he asked?

“But I didn’t….”

Darius gave her a toss of his head. She recognized the motion from arguments they’d had. It was a sign to be silent.

She lifted her chin and whipped around to stomp back to her room, her tail scrapping over the hard clay flooring. She didn’t have to put up with his attitude this morning.

“My lady.”

The deep resonance of the master’s voice reached her ears. She stopped and turned to the sound. Her eyes beheld the old dragon still kneeling on the floor.

“Please, Master Shatrevar, get up from the floor. It must be very uncomfortable.”

Darius rolled his eyes. He would definitely be tonight’s dinner.

“Minau,” he hissed between clenched teeth. “Now, you’ve done it.”

Shatrevar brought his head up and pulled himself to his full height. His eyes beheld the delicate female before him. Roaring in his ears and pounding in his chest threatened to overtake him. He’d never been this close to a young Ancient One—ever.

As a young shape shifter, his family had hidden in the hills to practice shifting and keep away from the prying eyes of the two-leggeds. He’d not learned there were authentic, full-blooded dragons in the world until he’d faced them on the battlefield. Fighting the Mage wars had taken a toll on the population of Ancient Ones. That was the title bestowed upon them by the rest of the world. After gaining victory for Persia, Shatrevar had been befriended by one of the most Ancient of the dragons. He had sat at the knee of Ahura Mazda learning the things a father would teach his son. Ahura had lost his only male heir in the Mage wars and decided Shatrevar’s bravery made him a plausible second son. All he was he owed to Ahura Mazda. Shatrevar had been desolate when Ahura had gone on to the everafter. He’d gladly taken the responsibility of guarding the last clutch of royal, ancient eggs bearing the hope of the Persian dragon lineage.

It was just as the master, he’d never encountered the young dragons—that’s why there were nursemaids.

Now, here before him, stood a young, beautiful Ancient One, and she was claiming to be the girlfriend of his manservant!

Shatrevar moved to the carved chair against the wall of his living area. He looked to Darius. The young shifter’s face bore his indecision whether to be angry at Minau or terrified of Shatrevar’s response.

The slender Ancient One stood defiantly on the other side of the room. Her arms folded across her chest, chin jutting out angrily. The sparkling gold eyes burned deep amber and smoldered with an unspoken retort.

Darius shifted his weight from one talon to the other. He cleared his throat.

“Master Shatrevar. I… I… I must apologize for Minau’s bold actions. She’s still new at this job…”

Shatrevar’s left eyebrow lifted and he looked past Darius to the Ancient female.

She shook her head dropping her arms to her side.

Apparently, Darius’ vast knowledge of the upper world didn’t extend to the caverns below. He seemed to have no recognition of Minau’s station. Either that or his young heart was speaking louder than his common sense. Shatrevar was not certain.

“I chose a shape shifting manservant because there are some acts I wish to accomplish without the eyes of a female peering at me.”

A quick glance at Minau showed a tiny smirk appearing on her lips. “I will take my leave, master.” She bowed slightly and turned to leave.

“My lady.”

The commanding tone of the two words stopped her escape.

“My lord.” Minau kept her eyes to the floor.

“Please, my lady. Lift your eyes.”

Minau brought her gaze to meet the revered Master’s. She found herself gazing into depths of deep turquoise. The hint of a twinkle crinkled the outer edges of the Master’s eyes.

“I am leaving on an errand of great import. When I return, I will send for you, and we will continue our earlier conversation. I trust you will be available?”

“Of course, my lord.” Minau noted the softening of the rugged warrior’s face, albeit just slightly.

“Good.”

Darius shuddered, his scales clicking softly in his fear, and lowered his head to stare at his talons. He was in for it now. He curled under a toe. His girlfriend had ired the great warrior. After his mission up top, he would be made to engage in a duel with the master, whereupon he would be impaled on the great sword, quartered and served for dinner. He’d have to enjoy every minute of his time above in the two-legged’s world.

“You find our conversation boring, Darius?”

Shatrevar, sensing the ripple of stress his manservant exuded, tore his gaze from the young Ancient.

Darius snapped his head up and looked into Shatrevar’s gaze.

“No, sire. I find I’m more tired than I realized. I didn’t sleep well last night in anticipation of today’s journey.”

Quick response. Maybe he’ll be of service yet.

“Well, we have dallied far too long here. I suspect the sun blazes on the sands above and we will regret not leaving sooner. Minau?”

“Yes, master?”

“I will send for you when I return.”

“Yes, master.”

“I have much I wish to ask and much I wish to impart.”

“Yes, sire.” The young Ancient One bowed her head, turned and strode down the hallway.

Shatrevar watched the sway of her elegant tail. It was time for him to take an apprentice. While the two-leggeds above felt the need to subjugate their women, he knew female Ancients were dangerous, deadly warriors willing to fight to the death for their peoples. He could see no problem in choosing this one to lead the last of her race.

Master Ahura would approve his choice.

He, himself, had not been certain until he’d noted the smirk on her face at Darius’ expense. At that point, he realized she allowed Darius to hold his old belief of male dominance. Shatrevar smiled. That boy is in for a surprise. Minau would make a fair, ferocious leader. She would need those attributes. The times called for such tenacity. The two-leggeds were stealing the lifeblood of her people and he, as the head guardian, was going to change things to his favor.

“Come, Darius. We are late and have a mission.”

Are There Dragons Among Us?

Dragons Among Us

C. L. Kraemer

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level:

Aleda crawled from her sleeping bag and, individually, stretched her muscles. She’d always enjoyed camping. It was the only time she slept well. Something about the unpolluted air, the nights sounds of nature and knowing there were no other people about produced a sleeping potion no doctor could recreate. She dressed warmly against the morning chill and meandered to the stream to get water for coffee and cooking. Not having done much the day before, her ravenous hunger puzzled her.

“Must be the good mountain air.” She made coffee, scrambled eggs, and toasted bread with a slender wire camp toaster, which she held over the fire. As she sat in her chair enjoying the taste of food and quiet of the surrounding woods, hair on the back of her neck began to stand on end and her skin tingled. She shook off the feeling and poured another cup of coffee. The sensation of eyes observing her movements overpowered her senses and her amulet began humming, the sound increasing in volume with each passing minute.

“Enough!” Aleda tossed her plastic plate to the table with a clatter, stomped to her tent and retrieved a heavy coat. “I’ll nip this foolishness in the bud, right now!”

She hesitated as she started to storm from the camp. Camera. Quickly returning to her tent, she stomped away from her personal sanctuary, Nikon in hand, stomach complaining. Half a dozen paces from the camp, after wreaking a rushing flurry of birds into flight, Aleda realized, if she was to find out what was inducing her amulet to hum and her hair to stand on end, she would need to slow her pace—think before she stumbled into trouble. She proceeded into the stand of trees serving as the backdrop for her camp. Sauntering to nearest the evergreen, she placed her hand on the bark and felt a buzzing sensation tickle her palm. Aleda stumbled backward, dumbfounded by the commotion stirring within her. Logic and reason said she shouldn’t be sensing anything by touching the tree.

“This whole trip is turning out to be totally illogical.”

Aleda narrowed her eyes and concentrated on the skin of the tree. She began to see small creatures scurrying up and down the grooved surface of the bark, the scene recalling the Marquam Bridge merging into I-5 at rush hour. She pulled deeply of the air surrounding her and discovered she could taste ponderosa, yellow pine and western larch trees tinged by intermittent bursts of avalanche lily, trillium and huckleberry. Another deep breath captured faint blackberry and raspberry sensations. Standing very still and concentrating with an intensity she’d never utilized, Aleda began to recognize the buzz of life around her. In her ears, insect sounds whispered from every direction, her skin reverberated with the movement of air caused by birds flying and bees busy with spring activities. When the scene before her began to waver and tiny flashes of white light popped in her vision, Aleda realized she’d quit breathing. She pulled air into her lungs and crumbled to the soft pine needle and moss covered forest floor.

"All in all I was very impressed with this author’s imagination and the ability to bring the story to life for me within the pages of her book.  It held my attention and kept me wondering what was next throughout the pages."  Courtney Rene for Rogue's Angles 

Buy now at: http://www.roguephoenixpress.com/

A Pacific Ocean Sunset

Sunset just North of Depoe Bay, Oregon

Time to pay the piper! How did you do?

This is the Rogue's Angels weekly check-in. Every Thursday we encourage the Angels and visitors to let us know how their writing is going.

How well are you doing?

Had problems this week? That's ok. Just sit down this coming week and write. Whatever you do, don't let difficulties from the week before get in your way this week.

Every word is one word closer to the finished product.

Had a great week? Keep it up, the momentum is on your side.

So far so good. I finished half of chapter 9. Of course I was supposed to be on Chapter 10 this week. But I am still making steady progress. And I will start chapter 10 tomorrow.

Subversive

Please welcome Rebecca Royce author of Subversive The Warrior - Book Three

Rebecca will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a digital copy of Initiation: The Warrior Book 1 to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.  One randomly drawn host will win a $50 Amazon GC.

So don't forget to leave a comment. :)

INTERVIEW:

1.    What or who inspired you to start writing?

My husband actually suggested it to me. I’d always wanted to and he was like ‘why don’t you just do it already’ so I did. 

2.     

What elements are necessary components for this genre.

Tension, World Building, Adventure, Emotion. 

3.    How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

I tried to write this novel many times in many different forms. It wasn’t until I realized that the problem was that it was a young adult series that I was trying to make adult, that the writing really started to flow. As for the original idea? I’m not sure where it came from. I never know.

4.    What expertise did you bring to your writing?

I guess at this point, I’ve been published since 2009.  I was also an English major in college and I read constantly.

5.    What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

I am actually moving! This East Coast girl is moving to Texas!!

6.    As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I hope to continue to do good writing, to continue to tell stories that people want to read!

7.    If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?

Oh wow. I guess it would have to be Rachel. These are her stories. Besides, if I was 16, I might like those guys all flocking to me.

8.    Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

I used to.  In the beginning, I worked with a group. Now I work with partners.

9.    When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

I started to notice that a lot of the people I started out with were submitting. I worked hard to get my work in order and then I subbed.  

1         10. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

            Best-Write What You Love and Write Every Day.  Worst-Write For Trends.

Thanks the Angels

Subversive: The Warrior Book 3

by Rebecca Royce

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Rachel Clancy has been through a lot. She’s been sent to fight vampires, lost two boyfriends—one to a vampire and one because of his daddy issues—and now she is trying to lead a secret revolution that could change Genesis, her home, forever. Her confidence is shot, her hands are shaking, and she hasn’t felt a real emotion, except for anger, in a long time.

But Rachel should never be counted out. She sees things others can’t, even if her ideas are considered downright traitorous. There is an important life for Rachel to lead in the world, even if its filed with vampires and werewolves instead of romance and flowers. Rachel has always had to fight, she’s good at it, and the evil that has stalked her hasn’t forgotten her name.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.

Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.

She's in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She's been told she's a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In Rebecca Royce's world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

www.rebeccaroyce.com

www.rebeccaroyce.com

Current and Upcoming Works

The Outsiders

Love Beyond Time

Love Beyond Sanity

Love Beyond Loyalty

Love Beyond Sight

Westervelt Wolves

Her Wolf

Summer’s Wolf

Wolf Reborn

Wolf’s Valentine

Wolf’s Magic

Alpha Wolf

Angel’s Wolf

Darkest Wolf (coming soon.)

The Warrior

Initiation

Driven

The Conditioned

Eye Contact

Embraced

Sexy Superheroes

Screwing the Superhero

Banging the Superhero

Other Works

Behind The Scenes

First Dimension

Yes, Captain

Return to the Sea

One Night With A Wolf

Another Chance

Light Me Up

I’ll Be Mated For Christmas

Rebecca will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a digital copy of Initiation: The Warrior Book 1 to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.  One randomly drawn host will win a $50 Amazon GC.

13 Stones For The Month of August Wow!

The Month of August has a lucky thirteen birthstones. 

There are 13 different stones listed as birthstones for the calendar month of August, or as Sun/Star, Planetary, or Talismanic stones for the Zodiac sign of Leo or Virgo. Because these two Zodiac signs span part of August, both are listed in thisdot, sardonyx, diamond, sapphire, ruby, alexandrite, and carnelian. The Zodiac signs of Leo and Virgo include six additional stones: tourmaline, onyx, citrine, zircon, jade, and jasper. If you are writing a romance, you will have a wealth of gemstones to choose from. What ever suits your fance.
	Peridot (Chrysolite) Modern Birthstone		Sardonyx Traditional Birthstone Ancient Arabic and Polish Appril Birthstone Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Leo
	Diamond Mystical Birthstone Talismanic Stone - Leo		Sapphire Ayurvedic April Birthstone Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Virgo
	Ruby Ancient Hindu April Birthstone		Alexandrite Ancient Russian April Birthstone
	Carnelian Ancient Hebrew, Italian, and Roman April Birthstone Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Virgo		Tourmaline Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Leo
	Onyx Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Leo		Citrine Planetary Stone - Virgo
	Zircon Talismanic Stone - Virgo		Jade Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Virgo
	Jasper Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Virgo http://www.bernardine.com/birthstone/august.htm

Unthinking Words

Well, I'm not official. But I thought I would give this a try since I'm going through blog withdrawal. I have blogged so much this year, I really don't have a lot to say. So I'm looking for six sentences in Highland Honor that will intrigue. Hmmm...

"Are ye feeling all right?" he asked. A child, yet, he berated himself. Women died in childbirth. Suddenly in front of him was another threat to Callie's life. He meant to make her as comfortable as possible and keep her healthy. "The heir must be kept safe."

Beside him, she stiffened. He swore softly, knowing his unthinking words would be hard to erase. 


Blurb:

Willfully stubborn, innocently courageous, Callie Whitcomb braves a journey through the treacherous highland to the MacPherson castle. Callie flees from an unwanted marriage as well as her ruthless half-brother. Naively she believes Colin MacPherson, the head of the clan, is loyal to her father and will give her sanctuary, protecting her from the vile plans that have been made for her. As Hard and as unyielding as the winter storms that sweep through the countryside, Colin is irresistibly drawn to the impetuous beauty who has magically appeared on his doorsteps. Despite his vows of revenge against her father, she stirs his passion as well as his sense of justice...but to love her would violate his views of revenge.