My blog stop winners are:
Mary P from Australia is the international ebook winner
Kym won the autographed paperback copy of Moons' Kiss
Sandy won the Moons' Kiss Coffee mug
Congratulations, ladies! I enjoyed meeting all our visitors, as well as making the acquaintance of the other authors who participated in the tour. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did, and had a fantabulous Christmas holiday. Happy New Year, everyone!
Welcome to Day 7 of Worlds of Wonder Author Hop, where anything is possible . . . on Earth and across the galaxy. Imagination is the only limitation on adventure, so prepare to escape the known world and immerse in realms where rumors, myths and legends abound.
Moons’ Kiss
They found him in the South Ofrann Desert, where everything evil lived. Most called him a demon. One leader thought this man-without-a-past held the key to tribal peace and prosperity. That leader's enemies saw an opportunity to gain control of the nation.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH KIMBERLY K. COMEAU
Kimberly, would you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
I majored in art in college, and presently I’m a business owner and craft designer. And I find it hard to separate my passions and experiences from my writing. I love camping—I grew up doing it—and some of the locations in Moons’ Kiss are descriptions of places I’ve been. I’ve had a lifelong interest in geology. I grow and preserve a lot of the food we eat. That’s why so much of my writing is nature-centered. I’m also married to a musician, which explains the musical influence. I had a great time inventing the drum language introduced in Moons’ Kiss, which is used and described more fully in the sequel.
So there’s a sequel to Moons’ Kiss in the works?
Yes. The Children’s War picks up several years later. As the title indicates, the political situation among the Yatren tribes has deteriorated significantly. I can’t say more without giving spoilers.
Then tell us why you write science fiction.
I’ve loved science all my life, and science fiction since the day I read Andre Norton’s Time Traders as a child. Her book lit a fire in my imagination. I love the “what if” aspect of science fiction . . . and of any genre, really. But SF allows me to take known facts and theorize what they could become with this tweek or that twist. Or take a current problem and look at ways it could go drastically awry or could drastically improve depending upon the choices made. It also allows me to contrast technology with nature and humans with nonhumans in ways that other genres don’t.
You mentioned Andre Norton influencing your choice of genre. Who else are your biggest literary influences, and why?
Norton not only influenced my choice of genre, she provided my earliest lessons in writing. I studied how she constructed sentences and paragraphs and how she built story based upon information revealed in earlier scenes. I read everything she wrote, I began corresponding with her, and the year I graduated from high school, I met her in person. While awaiting each new release, I discovered Asimov, Heinlein, many other greats, and finally C. J. Cherryh. Cherryh refanned the fires of my imagination and taught me how to write description. They all taught me how to extrapolate the known into the possible, while Charles Dickens and other classic writers taught me to look critically at the society and people around me and not be afraid to tell the truth in fiction.
Do you think you may ever go into another genre?
*Laughing* I already do. I’m published in nonfiction and poetry, and I’m working on a mainstream story entitled Equal Time, based upon my experiences with the Virginia prison system—as chairman of a community organization that worked with prisoners and their spouses, not as an inmate. The question I get asked the most is, why do women marry prison inmates? Equal Time attempts to answer that question in an entertaining and thought-provoking way. And no, I’m not ready to discuss the answer to that question yet.
Geez, you’re no fun! Well, will you at least give us some advice for aspiring authors?
Read nonfiction—on a plethora of subjects. Learning new things is the surest cure I know for overcoming writer’s block. Also, learn what point-of-view (POV) is and how to control it. In the hands of a master storyteller, POV is invisible; it’s the one thing you don’t consciously learn simply by reading fiction. Finally, “Know thyself.” It’s been the best advice I’ve ever received. Knowing why you react to certain situations the way you do, why you fear the things you do, why you are attracted to certain people or situations and repelled by others, and what your understanding of life, love and death is gives you the bedrock needed to create realistic characters with real motivations. It doesn’t mean that you create protagonists that are copies of yourself, but instead, the information you learn provides the building blocks necessary to create whole individuals capable of handling the story challenges you give them, in the same way that learning grammar provides the building blocks for clarity and thus frees you to focus upon story.
U.S. RESIDENTS: Mention "paperback" and leave an email address in the comments section for a chance to win a print copy of Moons’ Kiss. Mention "coffee mug" and leave an email address for a chance to win a Moons' Kiss coffee mug.
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS: Mention the name of your country and leave an email address in the comments section for a chance to win an ebook copy of Moons’ Kiss.
Welcome to Day 6 of Worlds of Wonder Author Hop, where anything is possible . . . on Earth and across the galaxy. Imagination is the only limitation on adventure, so prepare to escape the known world and immerse in realms where rumors, myths and legends abound.
Moons’ Kiss
They found him in the South Ofrann Desert, where everything evil lived. Most called him a demon. One leader thought this man-without-a-past held the key to tribal peace and prosperity. That leader's enemies saw an opportunity to gain control of the nation.
THE BUZZ ON THE WEB—REVIEWS OF MOONS’ KISS
“It's hard to give a detailed review without giving spoilers, but I can say, the ending of this story actually surprised me, which is usually hard to do. There is lots of action, twists and turns and towards the end I couldn't wait to find out what was happening next. I really hope there is a sequel planned for this story because I will definitely be reading it!” Review by MaryLynn Bast, Heart of a Wolf Series
“I found this novel to be full of action and adventure with some really great science fiction aspects. The history and detailed lifestyle of the tribe and it's people was really interesting and made the story feel realistic and believable. . . . All in all, I found this book to be a fast-paced science fiction adventure with a great storyline and interesting characters.” Review by Stephanie Ward, A Dream Within A Dream
“What I got in this 408 page novel more than made up for the time it took to read. Ms. Comeau’s tale slowly drew me in and by the end I found myself comparing it to another sci-fi book, Stranger In A Strange Land by a master of the genre, Robert Heinlein. . . . . If you are a fan of this genre, I totally recommend Moons’ Kiss be added to your “To Be Read” shelf”.” Review by Tavin Gamache, The Indie Bookshelf
Additional reviews located on Amazon and Goodreads
* * * *U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY: Mention "paperback" and leave an email address in the comments section for a chance to win a print copy of Moons’ Kiss. Mention "coffee mug" and leave an email address for a chance to win a Moons' Kiss coffee mug.
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS: Leave the name of your country and your email address in the comments section for a chance to win an ebook copy of Moons' Kiss.
Welcome to Day 5 of Worlds of Wonder blog hop, where anything is possible . . . on Earth and across the galaxy. Imagination is the only limitation on adventure, so prepare to escape the known world and immerse in realms where rumors, myths and legends abound.
Through December 13th, meet some fantastic science fiction and fantasy authors, hear what their characters and reviewers have to say, sample excerpts from their novels, and discover what they’d like to learn from readers.
Enter the rafflecopter to win a prize pack of 8 SF and Fantasy books, or a $50 gift card.
Moons’ Kiss
They found him in the South Ofrann Desert, where everything evil lived. Most called him a demon. One leader thought this man-without-a-past held the key to tribal peace and prosperity. That leader's enemies saw an opportunity to gain control of the nation.
PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW WITH AYA
Shon regis Aya, can you tell us what single thing or goal you want most in life?
To maintain national unity, which is the pledge I accepted when I swore the Oath of Yatra. But to achieve that means healing the divisions my stepbrother Hyran created by his jealousy and lust for power, and disproving the rumors that Yatren leaders are controlled by a demon.
A demon . . . meaning Kayarra?
Yes.
Which of those problems will be easiest for you to fix?
Probably the Hyranian problem. With Hyran dead, I question whether his wife’s had time to consolidate her position. She might gain South Ofrann support, but I can’t see the Thurrang accepting a woman’s leadership and decisions. They’d be more likely to kill or usurp her and attempt to seize power themselves. But that still leaves the underlying social problems that allowed Hyran to gain an audience and followers in the first place.
That’s simpler than the question of who or what Kayarra is?
The Kayarran problem is rooted in Yatren history and fanned by the fear of demons. I have a chance of resolving complaints of inequality and hunger. I can lose my life if I misstep the handling of raw fear, and that’s what I’m facing with the Kayarran issue. Pure emotions have no logic or controls.
If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be and why?
I would never have allowed Manerra’s mother to leave Ayahn Rahh until he was two years old. That was the single worse decision of my life. Why? Because I see the consequences of that decision every day. Manerra still flinches from a sudden movement or an upraised hand. He still doesn’t trust anyone, not even himself. He doesn’t believe our father capable of protecting him because of things he went through the night Tackta almost killed his mother and beat him senseless.
U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY: Mention "paperback" and leave an email address in the comments section for a chance to win a print copy of Moons’ Kiss. Mention "coffee mug" and leave an email address for a chance to win a Moons' Kiss coffee mug.
Welcome to Day 4 of Worlds of Wonder blog hop. I offer multiple thanks to Gaele, the book reviewer at I am, Indeed, for volunteering to be my interview victim. I learned so much from her, I’m dying to hear what other readers have to say in response to the same questions. So chose one or all the questions and answer away! Do you agree with Gaele? Disagree? I’d love to hear what you have to say.
I buy far more books than I have time to read, sadly. I’m eclectic – the only genre I don’t read is horror – of late I’ve been buying paper copies of favorite books I have found reading for tours or reviews, and I am always a sucker for a cute children’s book – those I may thumb through – but usually end up in a donation pile for a shelter or organization that serves others – Hosea Feed the Homeless is my current favorite. But – the UPS man knows me by first name – he’s here delivering books and book-related things so often.
What's your favorite genre?
I don’t think I actually have a “favorite” genre, for me it’s all about the writing and the characters. If I can become attached to a character and care about what they do next – I’m hooked on that author or series.
What makes you fall in love with a book?
It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I read a lot of books, of all types and genres. I have two items that move a book up the list. First is the introduction to a new world view: I believe that three-quarters of the angst and strife that we experience in the world outside of the reading room can be lessened by getting a point of view through fictionalization from someone very different to you and the world you live in. Books that explain, show and provide a viewpoint on something that is foreign to my experience have gone a long way to informing my decisions in the real world, sometimes art can influence views in life. That’s the surefire way to get me to pass a book around and beat people with it until they buy and read. The second is characters – if I am still remembering a character, or a line (I have a horrible memory for quotes, song lyrics, lines from movies) weeks after, or I think “I wish character X in this book was more like Y from that book” – that’s a keeper and a reread.
What do authors do that drives you crazy?
Gratuitous or superfluous anything: sex, nudity, metaphor, or analogy. Over-use of a word that they may be hoping to make “universal” or just not thinking of a synonym. Missed historical facts, or inappropriate language use to the time – Gay in the 1800’s was different from today’s connotations, for example. Characters that are either ALL bad or ALL good – even paranormal characters come in shades of grey.
What do authors do that you most appreciate?
I do a ton of blog tours, and review from direct request. Saying thank you – really, that’s the most important. And know that if you have a question about a review I’ve written – asking me to elaborate on the reasoning rather than telling me why I’m wrong goes much further with me. Sharing post information to their social networks to drive traffic to my site is always nice if I’m hosting your book for a day. Also – if you send other authors my way when you are pleased with what I have done for you: I’ve had a bunch of authors rolling my way from 2 or 3 indie authors who were featured and shared the information.
What would you like to see more of or less of in the stories you read?
I don’t have a ‘preference’ really, make me want to read it by ensuring it’s well edited – I don’t want to read a preview with a blue pencil.
Is there anything else you'd like me to know, or that you'd like to tell writers in general?
Write what you love, with love- then edit. Ruthlessly. Then write some more. Test the ideas out with others, with beta readers. Don’t write insert idea here because it’s the new trend – followers are never trendy.
Lastly – thank you. If it weren’t for authors – I wouldn’t have the opportunity to find my joy in reading.
Gaele, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview! I loved this opportunity to hear what you had to say to me and to authors everywhere.
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS: Mention "ebook copy" and leave an email address in the comments section for a chance to win an ebook copy of Moons’ Kiss.
Welcome to Day 3 of Worlds of Wonder blog hop, where anything is possible . . . on Earth and across the galaxy. Imagination is the only limitation on adventure, so prepare to escape the known world and immerse in realms where rumors, myths and legends abound.
Moons’ Kiss
They found him in the South Ofrann Desert, where everything evil lived. Most called him a demon. One leader thought this man-without-a-past held the key to tribal peace and prosperity. That leader's enemies saw an opportunity to gain control of the nation.
EXCERPT #2
"Aya."
He resisted that call, afraid if he acknowledged it, the pain would return with sanity-robbing intensity. He clung to the colors of the dream, both fascinated and appalled by the vividness of the images. He lifted his wrist toward the bird that hovered, that wanted to alight, but the bird was being plucked by the wind. Its feathers cascaded around him like iridescent snow.
"Aya, I need you to hear me."
He opened his mouth and gasped a breath of air.
"Someone saw you fall, saw you carried here, and told others. Citizens have panicked. Korrane's on the roof, so is Manerra, but they aren't being heard. The mob thinks you're dead. They want Kayarra."
Aya turned his head but could not open his eyes. Something prevented him from doing so. "House," he whispered, although it was hard to talk. Even harder to think.
"If we carry you to the roof, can you stand, just until you're seen?"
"Yes," he said, although Shurna didn't answer his question about the house, about its security. How many peacekeepers were there to hold the doors? The garden entrance was the weakest barrier.
Hands dug behind his shoulders, brought him to sitting; shifted to his armpits and started to lift him before he gasped, "Slowly." They let him sit then, just for a moment, before they lifted him. When his feet touched the floor, he tried to support his weight and could not. His muscles had the strength of water. He couldn't lock his knees. His arms were brought around necks, across shoulders, and held against chests with bruising grips on his forearms. Arms crossed beneath his buttocks and he was lifted off his feet. They carried him across the room, shuffled sideways through the door, hitting his knee on the doorframe before they made it into the hall.
A sound like the distant roar of a river grew louder as he was carried along the hall, and louder still as they started up the stairs to the roof.
"Hide Kayarra," he said, not certain the men who carried him up the stairs could hear him over the sound of their own panting breaths. It was crucial that Kayarra not be on the roof when he arrived and he wasn't certain they understood that. Shurna would understand, but he couldn't figure a way to tell her.
U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY: Mention "paperback" and leave an email address in the comments section for a chance to win a print copy of Moons’ Kiss. Mention "coffee mug" and leave an email address for a chance to win a Moons' Kiss coffee mug.
Welcome to Day 2 of Worlds of Wonder blog hop, where anything is possible . . . on Earth and across the galaxy. Imagination is the only limitation on adventure, so prepare to escape the known world and immerse in realms where rumors, myths and legends abound.
Through December 13th, meet some fantastic science fiction and fantasy authors, hear what their characters and reviewers have to say, sample excerpts from their novels, and discover what they’d like to learn from readers.
Enter the rafflecopter to win a prize pack of 8 SF and Fantasy books, or a $50 gift card.
Moons’ Kiss
They found him in the South Ofrann Desert, where everything evil lived. Most called him a demon. One leader thought this man-without-a-past held the key to tribal peace and prosperity. That leader's enemies saw an opportunity to gain control of the nation.
ANTAGONIST INTERVIEW WITH MANERRA
Manerra, can you tell us what your world’s like?
I don’t understand the question. Or rather, I can interpret it too many different ways. Are you asking about the life of a shecaren, the condition of the nation, or the view from Mt. Tayenyan?
I’d love to hear about the life of a shecaren! But first, please explain what a shecaren is.
A shecaren is one of Acrahh’s children. And if you don’t know what a shecaren is, I suppose I’ll have to explain that Acrahh’s our god. As for what our lives are like . . .
Yes?
For me, it’s never-ending lectures and lessons in rule and being placed in situations I hate. It’s never being in one place long enough to know what real friendship is. For Aya, it’s different. He’s shon regis—the ruling shecaren—so he’s the one lecturing me and treating me like a child, even though I’ve completed my formal training and will soon be old enough to swear the Oath of Yatra.
What single thing or goal do you want most in life?
To not be a shecaren.
Why? What do you fear most?
I won’t answer that.
Is it Kayarra?
Hatred isn’t fear.
Are you presently in love, or do you hope to find someone special?
*Snorts* As Aya will tell you—over and over again—no shecaren or adviser is allowed an intimate relationship. But that’s a decree everyone else has to follow. He’s been in love with Yutrenta longer than I’ve been alive. And Acrahh save me if I know what Denassa sees in Kayarra. Maybe she’s just the type of person who would fight to save the life of an injured carbic even knowing it will eat her the day it recovers.
Can you sum up your life in the last few weeks in 150 words or less?
One thing that should never have happened after another.
U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY: Mention "paperback" and leave an email address in the comments section for a chance to win a print copy of Moons’ Kiss. Mention "coffee mug" and leave an email address for a chance to win a Moons' Kiss coffee mug.
Welcome to Worlds of Wonder, where anything is possible . . . on Earth and across the galaxy. Imagination is the only limitation on adventure, so prepare to escape the known world and immerse in realms where rumors, myths and legends are real.
Today through December 13th, you’ll have an opportunity to meet some fantastic science fiction and fantasy authors, hear what their characters and reviewers have to say, sample excerpts from their novels, and discover what they’d like to learn from you.
In addition to the official Tour rafflecopter, where someone will win 8 books written by Worlds of Wonder authors and a second person will win a $50 gift card, I’ll offer daily opportunities to win Moons’ Kiss ebooks, print books, a coffee mug, and swag. Some of my personal giveaways are open to international visitors, others are restricted to U.S. residents, so be sure to enter the appropriate giveaway. Now, let the fun begin!
Moons’ Kiss
They found him in the South Ofrann Desert, where everything evil lived. Most called him a demon. One leader thought this man-without-a-past held the key to tribal peace and prosperity. That leader's enemies saw an opportunity to gain control of the nation.
First Excerpt
"Even if an albino man is possible, is revered by the Kayarran,” Denassa said, “that doesn't account for his eyes. An albino's eyes change color, they don't change . . . everything.”
"We will have answers when we locate his people." The swing of Shurna’s crook matched her stride.
"Meanwhile, we face the Shangren and the joining without answers. By the time we learn what he is, fear and prejudice will have set Kayarran fate. It would be kinder to hide him until we know who he is, until we know what we're doing."
"Hiding is not Aya's way."
"I know.”
A mia stopped to strip leaves from a bush. Shurna commanded it to move. When it did not, she rapped it with her crook and the animal sprinted forward, jostling stragglers in its zeal to find refuge among its kind. Denassa watched it, followed its progress even after it matched gait with its companions.
"Does Kayarra understand the words of abbah?" Shurna asked.
"He recites them. How much he understands, I don't know. Sometimes, I think he understands more than he can say. Other times, I know he's only repeating something he's memorized. I do know that he's figured out cor-anda, though. He knows it's a slur."
Shurna looked at Denassa. "How do you know?"
"'Man' was easy enough to teach him. The other day, he finally understood 'thing.' He said cor-anda after he understood thing." Denassa met Shurna’s gaze. "It took a shecaren to teach him disrespect. How shameful is that?"
"The Shangren's citizens will assume Kayarra knows the words of abbah if he speaks them."
"I thought about that." Denassa looked back at the wayward mia. "It's true that a demon cannot speak the words of a holy rite, but what if he doesn't understand what he's saying? While Casta can do many things, I don't think preventing his housekeepers from gossiping is one of them. The truth of Kayarra’s limitations will become known."
"Are you questioning Kayarra's innocence?"
"No. Maybe. I don’t know." Denassa shook her head. "Mainly, I’m spending too much time worrying about our reception."
"Worrying won't change whatever happens."
"Have you tried telling that to Yutrenta?"
Shurna flashed a wry smile. "She heeds me as often as you do."
Denassa barked a laugh.
"Wounds healed by blood are injuries festering," Aya said, voice devoid of modulation.
"He will be confused with the Manteen," Casta persisted. "The lands are wide. Most know the Manteen only as a horror explained by a bit of history. Few enough among those who travel have seen one. Few will know the man you flaunt isn't Manteen."
* * * *
Moons' Kiss is available in print and ebook from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Smashwords, and other book retailers. Many thanks to everyone who comments. And to read more exciting Sunday Six samples, click HERE.
This is going to be a super fun tour! And, for the moment, there are two more science fiction or fantasy author slots available. Sign up information is available at http://fmbblogtours.blogspot.com/2012/11/worlds-of-wonder-author-hop-sign-up.html
For the month of November, my science fiction novel Moons' Kiss is $2.50 instead of $4.99 at www.Smashwords.com. Use coupon code SV83D at checkout to get the reduced price. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
"They found him in the South Ofrann Desert, where everything evil lived. No one knew what he was. One leader thought this man-without-a-past held the key to tribal peace and prosperity. That leader's enemies saw an opportunity to gain control of the nation."
At [Aya's] back, Kayarra tossed in a haunted sleep. An occasional moan broke through his arrhythmic breaths.
Aya wished for the ability to walk beside him in those dreams, to see what he saw, to learn what he feared. Perhaps such seeing would make wiser his decisions. Did he fight legends, history, and his own brother to secure acceptance for the Kayarran, or let bloodshed decide the outcome? There were no certainties either way.
Moons' Kiss is available in print and ebook from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Smashwords, and other book retailers. Many thanks to everyone who comments. And to enjoy more Sunday Six samples, click HERE.
(The first speaker is Manerra.)
"I wanted to make peace."
"By threatening him?"
"That wasn't supposed to happen."
He took a step toward Manerra, saw him flinch, and stopped. It was better they remain apart. He wasn't certain he could control his need to slap his successor.
Moons' Kiss is available in print and ebook from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Smashwords, and other book retailers. Until October 8th, you can enter for a chance to win a print copy of Moons' Kiss at Goodreads.
Many thanks to everyone who comments. And to read more fun Sunday Six samples, click HERE.
“I cannot prove it—I can find no one who admits to being among Camda’s escort—but instinct tells me that Camda’s body lay in Zarthon before I left for Varaar.”
Tura turned his back and his breathing quickened.
Shurna glanced away, across the backs of the drowsing mia. Fires winked through the orchard’s trees, and the aroma of cooking blended with the pungent bite of wood smoke and the musky scent of the mia. Somewhere in the distance, a flute’s strains trilled faint bird calls. The night’s tranquility seemed a cruel affront, a hard glimpse of what they would lose if they didn’t come to their senses.
Enter for a chance to win one of eight print copies of Moons’ Kiss on Goodreads. On October 1 and 2, international readers can enter a rafflecopter giveaway for an ebook copy of Moons’ Kiss at my Facebook Author Page.
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This excerpt comes from Moons' Kiss, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon.com and other book retailers.
Dangerous. He snorted. His uncle Hyran had demonstrated dangerous. Survivors of the fighting at Varaar field had described how Hyran stabbed his attackers with an arrow pulled from his body even as they killed him.
Manerra slapped the shuren's neck in anger and tightened his knees as she plunged down the slope. Damn Hyran's soul for the timing of his death.
Enter for a chance to win one of eight print copies of Moons' Kiss at Goodreads. Giveaway ends October 8, 2012.
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Giveaway ends October 08, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
"Demons attack our father. Why would they not destroy his sons? Look at us, Aya!" Manerra's throat and eyes burned. "Is he not destroying us?"
Aya answered in a near whisper, "We are doing this to ourselves."
Moons' Kiss is available in print and ebook from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Smashwords, and other book retailers. Until October 8th, you may also enter for a chance to win a print copy of Moons' Kiss at Goodreads.
All comments are greatly appreciated. And to read more Sunday Six samples, click HERE.
Excerpt from Moons' Kiss, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon.com.
Kayarra pressed both palms against the floor, drew his legs up, and with infinite care, gained hands and knees.
He slid one hand forward, then one knee. Then the other hand. Then the other knee, careful of balance between shifts, because balance felt oddly off, as though he was lightheaded and listed at the same time. The explosions might have injured his eardrums, affected his equilibrium. It took an eternity to reach Aya’s side.
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Excerpt from Moons' Kiss, available in print and ebook from Amazon.com, Smashwords, and other book retailers:
Gradually, he realized she would stand there forever before violating whatever protocol he failed to grasp. He stepped closer and touched her arm.
She started, then gestured toward bowls set at the pool's edge, one full of sand, another full of leaf fragments, and spoke in a rush. She indicated a robe lying across the bench, lifted an edge of the robe to show him a length of gray cloth underneath, and the realization struck that he was expected to bathe in the pool.
He looked at her then, wondering whether custom required her presence, and what services she was expected to perform during that bath. He felt the pulsing pressure of arousal.
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This excerpt is taken from Moons' Kiss by Kimberly K. Comeau, available in print and ebook from Amazon.com, Smashwords, and other book retailers.
Manerra stepped around Kayarra, but rapidly approaching footfalls shifted their attention to the trail. Kayarra stepped into the weeds bordering the field as a rider overtook Draytel’s group at a gallop and passed Aya without slowing.
"Do you recognize the rider?" Manerra asked.
"No," Aya answered, voice tense. He started walking. Manerra fell into step beside him, and Kayarra hurried to catch up.
The rider plunged recklessly through the crowded yard, and for an awful moment, Kayarra thought the rider intended to run the shuren against the wall of the main house. She leapt from the animal before it stopped moving and ran for the door.
"Aya—" Manerra said.
"I know." Aya quickened pace.
They hadn't yet reached the smoke of the nearest cookfire when the house door burst open. A woman with white hair left the building at a run, headed toward the corner of the house. Behind her, slower, stumbled the rider, who reached for the reins of her still-heaving mount.
The white-haired woman collided with a man leading a shuren toward the front of the house. The man caught her waist before she rebounded, lifted her off her feet, and heaved her onto shurenback.
The lady swung around and upright, slapped reins to her mount, and leaned low over the shuren's neck as it bolted.
Aya dodged sideways into the path of the oncoming rider. "Lady Sheron!" he lifted his arms and shouted.
Sheron jerked upright, her face an expression of shock. The shuren brushed past Aya as Sheron fought to halt it. "Shon regis!" she cried, brought the shuren around, and angled toward Aya, who ran to meet her. The shuren danced sideways, spooked by Aya's rush.
Sheron leaned down, speaking rapidly. Kayarra couldn’t understand what she said. Manerra started toward them just as Aya reached up, pulled Sheron from her mount, and took her place with a leap. He nudged the shuren toward Manerra, shouted, "Find Denassa and Shurna. Ride with escort. Bring Sheron to the House of Moons." Aya turned the sidestepping shuren toward the forest trail and slapped her hard.
"Shall I talk with him?"
"And tell him what?" Aya demanded. Even knowing her love for Manerra, he could not allow her intervention. The entire council could not veto a shecaren's decision. If a sacrifice must be made, better it be Kayarra than the nation. Although, awareness of an increasing number of consequences associated with Kayarra's death came close to destroying his nerve.
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This excerpt is taken from Moons' Kiss by Kimberly K. Comeau, available in print and ebook from Amazon.com and other book retailers.
"Shecaren."
Manerra startled and whirled. He had not heard Denassa approach. He had not been aware that he'd stopped walking. His first wonder was whether she'd overheard his plea, but she stood, head bowed, in a deference they rarely used privately. Her formality reminded him of how deeply the janquer were affected by shecaren arguments.
"What does he want from me, Dee?" Manerra bypassed the expected acknowledgment.
Denassa's head lifted.
"Is he afraid I'll challenge his decisions? Or challenge his rule?"
Discomfort overcame her surprise. "He's not confided in me."
He interpreted that as a plea not to compromise her position. "Then tell me what I've missed these last four years. What happened to him?"
"After leaving Kita, we returned to Ayahn Rahh—"
"I know where you went!"
She stopped talking, her frustration evident.
"Dee . . ." he floundered in his search for the one question that would make sense of their arguments. Then suddenly, "Did he want me back?"
Her composure dissolved. "All the years you were gone, he did little more than talk about your return and relate stories of his own tribal years. He planned our arrival in Thurra to coincide with the completion of your training."
Manerra flushed hotly. "Then why can't we talk? Did he have feelings for Hyran he’s never mentioned? Have I failed him?"
Denassa was shocked again. "It's only been a day. Give—"
"No. No, it's not," he cut her short. "We only spoke of it today. Whatever's been wrong has been wrong since Thurra." But because Hyran's death was the obvious answer, Manerra asked, "What, in my father's name, is that thing I risked my life to save?"
How long had they been gone? Not even a fortnight, and the ordeal continued.
Manerra rolled onto his uninjured hip, pulled a cushion under his head, and stared at the back of the blanketed figure snoring across from him. Sand-colored hair was all he could see of the cor-anda.
It hadn’t had the decency to die. Instead, it had defiled their living quarters.
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"Do not divide the janquer," Aya's warning was forceful. "If you love the nation, do not make them chose between us."
"You can not imagine my love."
Aya took a step forward but Manerra stepped back.
"Explain," Aya demanded.
Manerra lost his nerve.
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Vantrann's hands might be bloodless, but the strings he'd cast had snared misguided birds. Foreknowledge could be debated, but that called for an honesty she believed Vantrann lacked.
She slid bare feet over the edge of the bed, crossed the room, and reached for the folded tribal robe Alva had placed on a chair. Dressing, a tremor shook her--from a cold that entered through more than the floor.
She had taught Vantrann. Whatever his crimes, they were no less her own.
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He had gained his knees when she reached him. She dropped to his side, her gasping breaths joining his as she threw an arm around his shoulders . . . like hugging a rock, his muscles were so tense. "Kayarra!" she shouted, needing him to recognize her. "Kayarra."
"Man in fire," he cried, twisted, and almost escaped her hold.
She moved then, afraid of where his mind dwelt, not strong enough to handle his reaction if he confused hallucination and reality.
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The final repetition came out as a whoosh, as if the breath had been knocked from his chest. He desperately wished her gone.
She said something, so heavily slurred that it took a minute to realize she'd spoken in his language.
He threw an arm over his eyes to hide the tears that broke free even as he choked with laughter. It was a frightening sensation, as though the final strings of sanity had snapped. By the time she touched his shoulder, pain, mirth, and hope all felt like despair and her touch had no power to draw him back.
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Shurna turned and walked backwards. "It's wonderful to see you, Jitta. My heart won't behave being this close to home." She turned back around, smiled and nodded at the women working around the makeshift table, then left the shade of the yard for the heat of the field.
The face that lifted and stared as Shurna approached was remarkably unchanged from their childhood days in Kaytron. Suddenly, Shurna felt older and too much changed; felt disconnected from a past that didn't feel like hers.
----
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Desperation replaced Denassa’s dismay. “We can leave Kayarra at camp, go on to Rajma’s Head ourselves--tonight--and be back before midday.”
“No, Denassa,” Yutrenta said quietly.
Denassa struck the ground with her fist. “I don’t serve Kayarra!” she shouted. “If the shecarens have died through our inactions, who will follow us, who will dare to?
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Manerra remembered Tackta's grunts as he swung and the acrid stench of Tackta’s sweat, but not the pain of the blows.
After the beating, Tackta staggered away, leaving him curled on his side with his face in the sand. Matera crept to him and with a tentative hand, wiped blood-adhered sand from his brow and cheek. Her expression, her blood, terrified him. He sniffled and she lifted him from the ground, clutched him to her breast and rocked--without words and without tears--as if shock were communication and empathy enough. Only then did he feel pain: an excruciating hurt.
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His handlers pulled him back and he almost fell. They felt him lose his balance and jerked upward on his robe to catch his weight. He hoped he kept the fright of falling from his face, and caught his balance with his own grip on someone’s arm.
Out of sight of the mob, arms encircled him, held him, supported him until two men again lifted him and carried him to his room.
"Manerra must stay," he told them on the stairs going down, when he thought they could hear him. "Manerra must stay," he told them again in the hall in case they'd not understood him on the stairs, because the janquer held decision-making powers now and he was certain they intended to leave the city as soon as they could smuggle him from the house and down the mountain.
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She looked up, around, anywhere in an effort to escape her thoughts. She remembered a time not long ago when the position and honor of being janquer felt sacred, felt invincible. How naive she'd been.
Seeing the blood on Aya's robe this morning brought back memories she'd hoped she'd buried. But the similarities between Aya and her father had collided this morning, shaking her so thoroughly that she felt herself withdraw from Aya, afraid to love him, to stand close to him, because she feared seeing him drenched in blood as she'd seen her father that day.
She started counting steps to avoid remembering.
