A question that is often asked of the author of a series is, “How do you know when it ends?
Personally, I don’t like series that goes on forever and ever. After a dozen, or two, what pulled me to the story changed. Sometimes the plot degrades down to something too predictable. Other times, new challenges, new bad guys, are written into the storyline which feel too contrived. The freshness has been lost. When I typed “The end” for Hatchling’s Mate, I thought the story was done. The romantic stories were settled, all secrets were unveiled. However, several characters cried out, that they were worthy of redemption. So I decided to explore that angle and write one more book for the series because “Vengeance has two paths””death or love. And a long memory.”
Much of what turned into the tale of the final meeting between Talann, Glynnes and the Parant was written during a week-long bedside vigil. While the outcome differed from the doctor’s predictions, the raw emotions of “the speech’ and the benison of the minister in the emergency room remained. Both the good and the bad were captured and later put to pen and paper.
Excerpt from Hatchling’s Vengeance
Cold truth swept through Glyn. Reinforcements won’t get here in time.
Light glinted off steel. Glyn focused on the blade in her hand and the man in front of her. First one mercenary fell, then another. Her vision narrowed to the last man in front of her. And just beyond the Parant. Too late she realized that he had been working her away from Talann. Her mate now faced Leirche””alone.
The mercenary’s two short swords flashed. He moved in. Fire ripped down Glynnes’ side in sympathy with the wound Talann received. She couldn’t take on dragon form and heal him. Iron surrounded her. If it penetrated the changing mist the bond between human and dragon souls, between her and Janaleigh, and both of them would die. To save Talann, she had to leave him.
“Forgive me,” she whispered. Her mind set, she fought toward the edge of the battlefield and the one man she had hoped never to see again””the Parant.
The sound of a whip cracked in the air. Leather tightened around her neck.
Buy links, more excerpts, and a free read of the first chapter here, http://helenhenderson-author.blogspot.com/p/hatchlings-vengeance.html
And as promised, a giveaway.
For stopping by today for coffee and books, a free copy of the short story, Magic and Steel.
Within each of the Dragshi Chronicles, the ceoltiers, the keepers of the past and teachers of the present, recount some legend. As with all such tales, some contain larger than life deeds. Others are the simple story of a man or woman doing what must be done, regardless of the cost. Sometimes embellished, the ceoltiers use the stories of times and actions past to educate and inspire. Magic and Steel is just one of the legends.
Go to the story’s page http://helenhenderson-author.blogspot.com/p/magic-and-steel-free-read.html, and click on the Reader’s Bonus button to download.
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