Snippet Sunday - Not a Dragon's Standard Virgin - Best Friend's Advice

 

Welcome to the Snippet Sunday on the Weird, the Wild, and the Wicked. Thank you so much for visiting. If you choose to comment today, I really appreciate it. Currently, the snippets are from my latest release, and while they aren't consecutive, they are in order within the story. You can read last week's snippet HERE.

Today, I'm offering a snippet from my latest release available now entitled Not a Dragon's Standard Virgin. In this snippet, which is a little longer than usual, Isabelle is visiting her best friend Marie, the village baker. Marie is French and a little more worldly than the other ladies of the village. Isabelle speaks first.

“He’s glorious, Marie. He has eyes so blue they could be chunks o’ the sky, and he’s tall—taller than Angus MacLeod. He’s broader than a draft horse, and the muscles in his legs make me go shivery.”

“And wet, I would guess.” Marie chortled. “If he is this big, perhaps he also has the stamina of a draft horse, too, eh?” She wiggled her elegant eyebrows, and Isabelle blushed again. “Have you talked to this man yet?”

“No, not about my virginity, if that’s what you’re askin’.” Isabelle squirmed in her seat. “I don’t ken what to say to him. It is not as if I can just walk up to him and say, ‘Pardon my question, Master Swift, but could you do me the favor of takin’ me to bed so I don’t have to die for the village?’ Aye, that would go over very well, I should think.”

“Ah, my sweet Belle. It is not in how you speak, but in how your body talks, oui?”

I love Marie. She has such a practical way of looking at things. ;) There are several great authors on the Weekend Writing Warrior list and in the Snippet Sunday Facebook group. A few of my favorites are Sarah Ballance, SJ Maylee, Goran Zidar, Karla Doyle, and A.S. Fenichel.

If you're interested in Not a Dragon's Standard Virgin, here is the cover and blurb:

Sacrificial virgins are so sixteenth century, but unless Isabelle finds a man to take her innocence, she’ll likely be next.

For Isabelle Andersen, being a virgin in a dragon-plagued Scottish village is dangerous. Potentially the next dragon sacrifice, Isabelle’s only solution is to lose her innocence, and fast. All she needs is one handsome stranger she can coax into bed, but Lochmore Cott doesn’t get much in the way of visitors.

Jonarrion Swiftwind has sworn off virgins. The last time he took one to his bed, his family paid the price for his lust at the hands of her demon-possessed father. He’s made it his mission to destroy all demons. Nothing distracts him from killing this demon until lovely Isabelle offers him tea. And her virginity.

Just one night of passion makes Jon realize he doesn’t want to let the independent beauty go. But will Isabelle accept him when she discovers the only real dragon in her village… is him?

Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

Saturday Souvenirs: Sunshine Blogger Award - 2013

Happy Saturday Souvenirs! I received the Sunshine Award this week from a fellow flashfiction author Sheilagh Lee. It's an honor to be included in her list and I'm happy to share it with all of you.

As per the rules listed below, here are my answers for the Q & A questions…

Favorite Color: Burgundy - the color of sunsets, dragonfyre, and dried blood ;)

Favorite Animal: Coyote

Favorite Number: "5" - its lucky in that it matches my fingers and toes. :D

Favorite Non-alcoholic Drink: Coffee - hands down. No question.

Facebook or Twitter: Facebook for me. I like the ease of interaction and photo sharing.

Your Passion: Hmm, other than writing? That would have to be paleontology. I dig up dead things and identify them down to species by studying teeth left in the fossil record.

Giving or getting presents: Giving, unless it’s books, chocolate…or coffee.

Favorite Day: Autumn Equinox - when the days are still warm, but the nights are cool and the world smells like "October" even though it's still September. BTW "October" smells like leaves baking in the sun, pumpkin spices, and crisp mornings. ;)

Favorite Flowers: Geraniums for color, gardenias for scent.

Now to spread the wealth. All of the bloggers I've chosen are supportive, talented, and friendly bloggers, writers, and authors who are worth following/friending and getting to know.

Hennessee Andrews - @hennesseeandrew
Sandra Bunino - @SandraBunino
Randi Alexander - @Randi_Alexander
Gem Sivad - @Gemsivad
Sage Marlowe - @SageMarlowe
Theresa Breaux - @theresabreaux
Cara Michaels - @caramichaels
SJ Maylee - @SJMaylee
Sarah Ballance - @SarahBallance
J. Whitworth Hazzard - @Zombiemechanics
Daniel Swensen - @surlymuse
Teresa Cypher - @Teresa_Willow

If you want to join in the fun, and continue the process, the rules are to:

(1) Thank the person who gave you the award in your blog post.

(2) Complete the Q&A below in your blog post.

(3) Pass on the award to 10-12 deserving and inspiring bloggers, inform them and link to their blogs.

Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

#ThursThreads - Week 71 - Winners

 

Week 71 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales! Thanks to all who came to write yesterday. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories. Thank you for coming back again and again to write. And I'm delighted to see new writers stopping by. Great thanks go to Betsy Kimmel for reading the stories.

Entries:

• Kayla West | @bookwormattack
• Ryan Strohman | @rastrohman
• @LupusAnthropos
• Doris O'Connor | @mamaD8
• Rebecca Brennan | @bexbrennan
• Shyla Colt | @ShylaColt
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Susan Hayes | @capricia13
• Lizzie Koch | @Lizzie_Loodles
• Lynne Hunt | @HayAddict
• Sandra Bunino | @SandraBunino
• Rebecca R Kovar | @RRKovar
• Theresa Breaux | @theresabreaux
• The Imaginator | @theimaginator20
• Teresa Cypher | @teresa_willow
• James Marshall | @JMwandering
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Dr. Magoo | @drmagoo
• Iris St. Clair | @iris_st_clair

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

 

Ryan Strohman | @rastrohman

Betsy says: Good twist at the end- wonder why Molly is in the Psych Ward?

Doris O'Connor | @mamaD8
Betsy says: Like the ending- good cliff hanger – who is the guy with the fangs? Who was person snarling? What will happen? And will Rissa become a strong female character? There are hints that she could be... More please.

Lynne Hunt | @HayAddict
Betsy says: Dead Whale. Good cliff hanger- I want more to find out what is happening. Makes me think- there are implied messages that have to be inferred to understand the dialog
 

Week 71 Winner

Rebecca R Kovar | @RRKovar

Betsy says: I can hear the contrite brother and the angry brother. The angry brother is very good at enumerating the points in good detail while the contrite brother tries to interject defenses. The dialog sounds like two brothers- nice capture of the one. I liked the reference to strong women and our intelligence. The piece as a funny ending if the angry brother talking to an officer about shooting the contrite brother in the rump and I want to know more about the guy in the bathtub. It was well written with dialog that pulled me along and left me wanting more. Nice!

Confession

“Is there something wrong?”

I ticked off salient points. “We’re in Las Vegas, which in and of itself was an abominable decision. You hit on possibly the only woman in the bar who shouldn’t go anywhere with you, much less to your room for a quickie. Which you did after losing your part of the travel fund attempting to impress her.”

He interrupted. “She has a name.”

I opened my arms. “Look at all the fucks I don’t give. Why? Because you didn’t check to see if her name came with a ‘missus’ in front of it before you played tonsil hockey by the elevators!”

“She wasn’t wearing a ring.” A weak protest, best ignored.

“No, she was dripping with diamonds, including sewn into her goddamned dress. Was that not a clue?”

“Sexist of you. She could have bought those herself.”

I snorted. “Women are generally smart enough to invest their money elsewhere, because they know how to show themselves off with more class and less danger. Jewels are bought by their very well-connected husbands, should they be lucky enough – or un – to have such.”

“You’re just jealous.”

I took a deep breath.
Two.
Didn’t help.
Another.
Little better.
I let it out slowly.

“No, you fucking moron. I’m pissed off that you put me in this situation.”

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

****

And that, officer, is why I shot my brother in the ass. I did not, however, shoot the guy in the bathtub. I just borrowed his gun.

Congratulations Two Time Winner Rebecca, Ryan, Doris, and Lynne! Don't forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! :)

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)