Teaser Tuesday #2

Welcome back for another peek at Sins of the Son!

Michael glowered at the other Archangel. “Let me get this straight. I question a decision and she stops speaking to me for four and a half thousand years and then sends you to collect on the promise I made her. Mittron orchestrates a chain of events that may yet trigger war between Heaven and Hell, but he remains as her administrator until after he loses the Appointed; and a Power commits the ultimate sin and is merely banished to the mortal realm instead of being exiled to Limbo. Does that about cover it?”

Mouth twisting, Raphael nodded. “In a word, yes.”

“And the rest of you are okay with this.”

“She is the One, Mika’el.”

Michael groaned and rubbed a hand over his eyes. Yes, that was what it still came down to, wasn’t it? She was the One. The Creator. The others might question her actions, but after the example he’d set all those millennia ago, their reservations would remain unvoiced.

As would his. This time.

Because all those millennia ago, he had also given her his word. Had vowed his undying devotion and allegiance, sworn he would return without question in her time of need, promised he would always remain the Archangel Mika’el — her most powerful warrior.

He lifted his head, straightened his shoulders, and, for the first time since leaving Heaven, unfurled his massive wings. They stretched open, spanning the width of the clinic, a full double-arm’s-length wider than those of his fellow warriors, at once his power, his glory, and his eternal burden.

Flexing the great supporting muscles, he shook out the feathers and stood for a moment, absorbing his own unspoken acceptance of the role he had never thought to play again. Coming to terms with all he would have to become. All he would give up.

Then Michael, once more Mika’el, turned to his messenger. “Where is she?”

[Sins of the Son: The Grigori Legacy 2, copyright 2012. All rights reserved.]

By the way, if you’d like a chance to win a sneak peek at Sins of the Son, you still have time to get in on the Goodreads ARC giveaway and/or the simultaneous giveaway on my blog. Both contests end on March 1st, though, so act fast!

News From My Angel World

So in addition to gearing up for the release of Sins of the Son in just FIVE WEEKS – or in some cases, as part of that gearing-up! – here’s what’s going on in my world at the moment:

1. Cemetery Cat designs and I have been working on a Secret Angel Project for the last few weeks and I am thrilled to announce that we’re done! But it’s still a secret, so you’re going to have to wait to see it. *evil grin* Watch for the grand unveiling here on March 27^th, when Sins of the Son releases
2. My web team and I have completed a portion of Secret Angel Project #2 and they’re meeting this week to put together a prototype. That part of the project is a secret even from me, so needless to say, the anticipation is killing me.
3. Work on the new web site is also progressing. I’ve seen a wire frame (mock-up) of the site and I am sooooo excited…this thing is really going to rock! Have I mentioned how incredibly lucky I am to have found such talented people?
4. I’ve had early comments on Twitter from a couple of blog reviewers about Sins of the Son, earning two OMGs and one “sh**!” This is the first feedback I’ve had other than from my editor, agent, and beta readers, and it makes me very, very happy…and you have no idea how relieved! Julie from Yummy Men & Kick-Ass Chicks says the book is very different from the first but better (you can read her Goodreads comment here), and Bloduedd said that I kept her up late finishing it. Like I said, I’m very happy!
5.  Book 3, Sins of the Righteous, is progressing a little slower than I’d like, but it is progressing. I’ve really been stuck on where to start Chapter One and have rewritten that thing at least a dozen times, but I think I finally have it nailed. Cross your fingers for me!
6. Spring is almost here. I can smell it. I can taste it. I can hear it. And I can walk on pavement instead of ice in many places. The anticipation of this is also nearly killing me.

And last but certainly not least…

1. There are only SIX DAYS LEFT to enter for a total of 10 ARC giveaways of Sins of the Son at both Goodreads and my blog. So if you haven’t already, go! Enter! Win! And have a fabulous rest of the week!

Teaser Tuesday #1

So here it is, as promised. The first of 5 excerpts from Sins of the Son over the next 5 weeks leading up to RELEASE DAY!!! (Ahem. Sorry about that. Just a little excited over here. ) I hope you enjoy, and don’t forget to come back next Tuesday for another tidbit.

The air around Mittron stilled. Panic clutched at his throat. They were nearly here, and he couldn’t make so much as his little finger twitch. The angel who had once been his soulmate crossed the room and placed a gentle hand beneath his chin, held him so he would meet her eyes.

“Tell me,” she said. “Tell me now — everything — and I will speak to her. Perhaps I can spare you some of what you — ” She looked past him and broke off, her face going white and her head inclined in unhesitating supplication. Her hand dropped to her side.

Mittron heard the rustle of feathers and his bowel filled with ice water. His heartbeat slowed until it was a bare thread of rhythm. No.

Verchiel’s gaze met his again, horror behind her expression. Horror not for what he had done this time, but for what she knew was coming. What they all knew was coming.

No.

“There’s a letter!” his mind screamed, but the words remained locked inside him, unable to pass through lips now frozen into the same stillness as the rest of his body. The rustle of feathers grew louder, filling his head with a noise so great the rest of the universe faded into nothingness. Then, silence.

And a new female voice, devoid of expression, devoid of warmth. “Mittron of the Seraphim,” the Archangel Gabriel said, “you have been called to Judgment.”

Please, no…

[Sins of the Son: The Grigori Legacy 2, copyright 2012. All rights reserved]

Ten Sure Signs of Spring

Despite the somewhat frosty temperature outside this morning (it was -10 Celcius/14 Fahrenheit), I am convinced that spring — glorious spring! — is nearly upon us. And what brings on this sudden bout of optimism, you may ask? Ten absolutely indisputable signs, of course!

Counting down:

10. It’s now light out when I take puppy out for a walk at 7 a.m.

9.    The ice and snow have cleared from enough streets that I can wear my trail shoes instead of my clunky winter boots when I’m walking that same puppy.

8.     I actually want to walk puppy instead of doing so out of sheer guilt.

7.     Puppy has taken to napping on the back porch in the sunshine again.

6.    It’s still light out when dinner goes on the table.

5.    Birds are returning. Yesterday morning’s roll call included mourning doves and cardinals.

4.    The dog park is revealing the number of owners who failed to stoop and scoop over the winter.

3.    My daughters are less likely to suffer hypothermia and/or call for a ride when they miss their bus connection.

2.    I’ve started thinking about this year’s exterior to-do list (and my husband has started cringing at conversations which begin with “I’ve been thinking…”)

And the number 1 reason I know it’s spring?

1.    Book 2 of The Grigori Legacy, Sins of the Son, releases five weeks from tomorrow!  Speaking of which, remember to check back tomorrow for the first of five teasers. And don’t forget to enter to win an ARC at my blog giveaway and/or Goodreads!

Happy Monday, everyone…and regardless of what the thermometer says, Happy Almost-Spring!!!

Countdown to release day!

One short year ago, it felt like forever before my first book would hit bookstore shelves…and now not only has Sins of the Angels been out for almost six full months, but  I find myself counting down the weeks until the secondbook in The Grigori Legacy follows suit.

Yes, folks, it’s officially countdown time for Sins of the Son…and in keeping with my promise to you, I’ll be starting Teaser Tuesday again next — you guessed it — Tuesday.

Five weeks with five different teasers to (hopefully) whet your appetites for more. (I’ll be honest, I intended to do seven weeks, but a little lack of organization at my end resulted in one of those “omigod, it’s already the middle of February?!?” moments. So…my apologies, and I hope you’ll forgive me.) I also hope you’ll enjoy your sneak peaks into what’s waiting for you in Sins of the Son: The Grigori Legacy 2.

Oh, and there’s just one more thing while I have your attention…a huge and heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for taking part in my adventure!

Linda

Valentine’s Day: Crass commercialism or special day?

My family has waffled back and forth for years regarding the importance of Valentine’s Day. My husband actually forgot our first Valentine’s together and we ended up going to McDonald’s for dinner that night. He called it ‘Chez Ron’ but I wasn’t fooled. I still married him, but to this day I’ve never let him live it down.

When our daughters were young, Valentine’s became a big deal, with pink and red hearts decorating windows and walls, and hours spent punching out little cardboard declarations of love and friendship. Their enthusiasm took a severe nosedive when they hit their teens, however, and had no special ‘someone’ in their lives. At that point they declared the day ‘stupid’ and ‘commercial’ and refused to acknowledge it. The day then became an on-again-off-again proposition as relationships came and went. Two of three girls are in stable relationships now, but I’ve no idea where they or their boyfriends stand on the issue. After years of meltdowns over the topic, I’m wary of asking.

I’ve never let their opinions deter me from at least acknowledging the day, however. I’ve always given them a little something for the day — a card and some chocolate, a pair of earrings, a small bouquet. Is giving them a gift necessary? No, but it’s nice — for them and for me, because it never hurts to be reminded that we love and are loved.

So Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!

Overcoming Over-thinking

Eep! I got so caught up in working on book 3 last week that I completely forgot to post this link. I guest-posted over at Snowdrop Dreams of Books on Friday about my biggest obstacle in writing, over-thinking. If you’d like to take a peek (and leave a comment!), I would be thrilled.

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Linda

Where I am Today

Suzie Ivy of Bad Luck Detective fame is a multi-tasker who puts me to shame. Not only does Suzie work full-time as a cop after going through police academy at the age of 45 — it’s okay, I’ll wait while you re-read that last bit and gape in awe …recovered, now? Good. As I was saying, not only does Suzie work as a police officer, and write about her adventures (Bad Luck Cadet is available now), and look after a house and garden and horse, but she runs three blogs! Seriously. o.O

As a person who finds it difficult to remember to post on one blog (and even then, only occasionally…but you were too polite to point that out, right?), I am duly humbled by her productivity. I was also thrilled when she asked if I would like to guest post on one of her sites, Reading & Writing, One Word at a Time — which is where I am today. Well, I will be when I stop rambling on here and get on with it.

The topic? What it’s like to be the writer wife of a cop. Come check it out and say hi!

Virtual BookTour How-to

Whether published or aspiring, if you’re an author, chances are good that you’ll do a virtual book tour at some point. And chances are also good that you’ll consider organizing your own. I did so for the release of Sins of the Angels last autumn and thought others might find my experience helpful, so I’ve blogged about it today at Defrosting Cold Cases. Stop by to say hello and ask any questions you have — and to check out a way cool blog site!

What makes a great character GREAT?

We’ve all read books with characters we connect with more than others, but have you ever stopped to ask yourself why? What makes some characters more memorable than others? Just what is it that makes great characters great?

Julie at Yummy Men & Kick-Ass Chicks recently asked this question of a number of authors (including yours truly…squee!) and came up with a wonderful array of answers from names that include Ilona Andrews, Kevin Hearne, Anne Aguirre, Stacia Kane, Larissa Ione, Carolyn Crane, Sandy Williams and many more. Julie had so many responses, in fact, that she had to divide the post into two parts. Part One (that’s where I am) went up yesterday, and Part Two is up today. The peek into how authors think is well worth a few minutes of your time.

Oh, and if you haven’t checked out the ARC giveaways for Sins of the Son yet, there’s one up at Goodreads and another on yesterday’s blog.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Linda