Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Magical Gemstones: Tuesday Guest Post


Magical Gemstones of Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two
by Marsha A. Moore

In my Enchanted Bookstore Legends, basic magic ability is inherited. Opening an enchanted book, Adalyra McCauley confronts a series of quests where she is expected to save Dragonspeir from destruction by the Black Dragon. Even though she is one of the five Scribes in all of Dragonspeir’s history and has inherited vast powers, she needs more than that to survive the dangers she faces.

Lyra accepts the challenges because Cullen, the wizard she loves, will perish if evil wins. After her first victory, she is set back, realizing Dragonspeir magic may have caused the death of her dear aunt. She resolves to learn the truth and accepts the Imperial Dragon’s appointment into the Alliance sorcery training. Additionally, becoming proficient in magic craft is the only way Lyra can bridge the gap between her mortal human world and Cullen’s. He is her only family now; she cannot lose him.

Although assisted by Cullen and magical animal guides, ultimately Lyra must use her own power to complete the next quest in this second book, Heritage Avenged. She gains additional energy to access her inherited power from the stars, magnetics within the Earth, and from special forces contained in certain gemstones. I’ll briefly give some examples of how those magical gems are used historically and in my Legends.

Moonstone and Onyx Moonstone has been called a visionary stone by some, moonstone brings inspiration, strengthens intuition and sensitivity, enhances creativity, allows the wearer to see situations from different angles, and helps one to see things more clearly. It has even been said that moonstone has the power to grant wishes. Onyx is generally believed to help with objective thinking and spiritual inspiration, which helps the wearer move beyond bad relationships and old hurts.

In Heritage Avenged, a large rainbow moonstone is used as the focal point of an instrument which interprets information hidden in the stars. It is the focal rondure of the Spheres of Sidus. That device helps answer a chosen question from the reader’s past. Three onyx balls are positioned according to current positions of the birth stars of specific ancestors. The onyx balls of the Spheres of Sidus relate to past relationships. When, at last, the moonstone rondure is placed and given sufficient power, it conjures an answer in the form of a hologram-like image.

Ruby has energy that is intense and vivid, helping you see your own strength. It is said that the power of Ruby will encourage you to follow your dreams and bliss, to change your world.  It encourages leadership and increased concentration, with sharpness of intellect.

In Heritage Avenged, Lyra is drawn to a ruby displayed by the Dark Alchemist, Tarom. She is born under the Aries fire sign and cannot resist the powers of the fiery ruby. He knows this and tempts her with a taste of what the ruby’s energy can do to multiple her own powers, eliciting dark qualities of greed to pull her off her path of what is noble and good.

Heliodor, also called Golden Beryl, has long been cut into spheres for scrying since it enhances the owner’s psychic awareness.

In the previous legend, Lyra was given a gift from each of the four Guardians—the Phoenix, the Tortoise, the Imperial Dragon, and the Unicorn—who are the four Chinese sacred animals that balance all of creation through their influences on the elements of fire, water, air, and earth, respectively.

The Unicorn’s gift to Lyra was a scrying stone of heliodor. The golden hue of the stone he matched to the unique color of her visible scribal aura. An aura is an extension of power from the soul of a magical being, which can expand and surround their entire body. To use her heliodor, Lyra concentrates on one single question about a future event. The stone answers with an image she must decipher. Faced with dangerous situations, she’s glad for any guidance, even if cryptic.

Jade has long been revered as a symbol of love. In ancient China a prospective bride would present her betrothed a jade butterfly to seal their engagement. Likewise the bridegroom would give his sweetheart a gift of jade before their wedding. This gem is considered one of the most important symbols of purity and serenity.

In my Legends, once love grew between Lyra and Cullen, it was visibly connected through a gift of lovers’ paired jadestones. Only one set of these powerful stones exists in Dragonspeir. The gems are mounted into two ornate brooches, a male and female setting. The two call to each other and bond Lyra and Cullen’s magic, enabling them to locate each other and use their combined magical powers as one extremely strong unit. This proves invaluable in many dangerous situations.

As their love deepens in Heritage Avenged, the gems have more uses, being able to store large quantities of energy. In one horrific moment, Lyra’s jadestone is stolen from her, just when she is depending on it to save Cullen’s life. She struggles to get it back, and when she does, she is rewarded with answers to many of her deepest questions.

Jet wards off dark magic by balancing the emotions of the wearer to protect him/her from possession.

It’s no wonder that a necklace of jet was created for the first Scribe to protect her from being mentally possessed by evil forces of the Dark Realm in Dragonspeir. After the Black Dragon first trajected his magic through Lyra in the first book, Seeking a Scribe, Cullen gave her that ancient necklace and initiated its magic once again. In Heritage Avenged, Lyra discovers that jet necklace absorbs and protects her from dark powers shot at her by the Imperial Alchemist and Lord of the Tempestas.

Opal is considered to be able to confer the gift of invisibility on its wearer.

A mysterious benefactor sent Lyra a gift of a rare opal invisibility ring at just the right moment at the end of the first book. During Heritage Avenged, a man steals this ring from Lyra along with her jadestone. However, in this case, the joke is on the thief since the gem will only unlock its magic for females.

Sapphire has been associated with divine favor. The Buddhists believed that the sapphire favored devotion and spiritual enlightenment. The ancient Greeks linked sapphire with Apollo, and wore it as an aid to prophecy when consulting oracles. It is worn and utilized in rituals to strengthen the ability to tap and send forth power.

Blue is the designated color of allegiance to the Alliance. The highest magicals in the Alliance each possess a sapphire, including each of the four Guardians. Cullen’s wizard staff bears a sapphire at its apex, which channels his power into sharp streams.

Amethyst and Iolite Amethyst can be used to increase psychic awareness, to sharpen the 'sixth sense.' Similarly, iolite stimulates the wearer’s spiritual awareness, guide him/her to a higher awareness, and awakens inner knowledge. Iolite helps its owner to open the door to the knowledge of the Universe.

Both of these purple gems are worn by several magical residents of Dragonspeir who don’t align their support with either the Dark Realm of the Black Dragon or the Alliance of the Imperial Dragon. Colors are worn to display allegiance, red for the Dark Realm and blue for the Alliance. Purple, an intermediate color, indicates these individuals stand apart. Included in this group are the alchemists for both realms, as well as many of the magical nomadic tribal peoples who are sky readers. These renegades pose as much threat for Lyra as the Dark Realm, pursuing her for her unique scribal aura.

I’ve always enjoyed the legends and lore of gemstones. Their mystical qualities added another layer of magic to my Legends. To see these amazing stones in action, read Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two.


Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two by Marsha A. Moore

Genre: Fantasy romance
Description:
Lyra McCauley receives an alarming letter from the coroner who evaluated her deceased aunt, originally thought to have died of cancer. The news causes Lyra to take leave from her job and travel from sunny Tampa to the frozen island community in northern Michigan. Questioning whether Dragonspeir magic was responsible for her aunt’s death, she resolves to learn the truth and accepts the Imperial Dragon’s appointment into the Alliance sorcery training.

Additionally, becoming proficient in magic craft is the only way she can bridge the gap between her mortal human world and her lover’s. Cullen, a 220-year-old wizard, is dependent upon his Dragonspeir magic for immortality. He is her only family now; she cannot lose him.
Evil forces block her and try to steal her inherited scribal aura. Riding a stealth dragon, a cloaked rider pursues Lyra. Both the Alliance and Dark Realm alchemists lay tricks and traps. Her aura equals that of the first and most powerful Scribe, but will Lyra’s novice training allow her to discover the truth? Will she be able to be with Cullen, or will the Dark Realm keep them apart?

Excerpt:
From Chapter 1: The Letter
Lyra worried about Cullen on his flight home. Despite the fact he was over two hundred years old, it was only his second plane trip. The few wizards of Dragonspeir who visited the real world seldom traveled far, and then not conventionally. He kept her safe in his world last summer. She intended to keep him safe in hers.
“Next!” the heavyset postmistress belted out.
 “I’ve got to hang up,” Lyra quickly whispered into her cell phone. “Be sure you call me when you land in Sault Saint Marie. Love you.”
She sighed and maneuvered to the clerk at the far end of the counter. If only they could live together in one world. She needed to learn more magic first and hoped to make a start in a few weeks, when she took her winter break from teaching to attend his Solstice Festival. Unfortunately, her formal lessons would have to wait until next summer.
When Lyra approached the counter, the woman peered over the top of her reading glasses as she shuffled papers. “Yes?”
“I’m here to pick up my mail from a vacation hold.”
“Theme of my day,” the postmistress muttered and then barked, “Name and ID.”
“Adalyra McCauley. Just since the day before Thanksgiving.” She fumbled in her purse and pulled the driver’s license from her billfold.
The women sighed, slid off her stool, and shuffled into a back room. A few minutes later, she lumbered back, carrying a small stack of letters, glossy ads, and magazines. She scooted the mail across the counter.
Lyra stuffed it all into a tote bag, then scurried to her silver Subaru sport wagon and tossed it into the passenger seat. Driving Cullen to the Tampa International airport and this stop barely left enough time to make it to the university in time to teach her ten o’clock class. But the memory of those lingering goodbye kisses made it worth the consequences.
She stopped for a red light at a twelve-lane interchange, tapping the wheel impatiently. The edges of the mail peeked out of the sack, tempting her. She pulled it into her lap and riffled through the letters. The usual bills. The signal remained red.
Thumbing quickly through familiar envelopes, one unusual return address caught her eye, William T. Betts, M.D., Washaw, Michigan—the island village location of Aunt Jean’s cottage on Lake Huron. Although addressed to Lyra, it had been sent to where her aunt lived prior to passing away. She couldn’t place his name as one of Jean’s doctors. Multiple postmarks revealed a path of forwarding, the oldest dated last August, a few weeks after the funeral. She checked the traffic light—still red.
She ripped open the envelope and yanked out the letter.
Dear Ms. McCauley:
I am writing this correspondence in my capacity of Birch County coroner. Please accept my condolences for the recent loss of your aunt, Jean Perkins. Prior to delivery of her remains to the Michigan State crematorium, her attending physician, Dr. Everett Schultz, requested an autopsy. Dr. Schultz and I wish to meet with you to discuss my findings at your earliest convenience.
                                                     Respectfully,
                                                     William T. Betts, M.D.
A horn honked from behind and jolted Lyra into a panic. Her limbs froze and her eyes returned for another glimpse of the letter. She wildly scanned the page, searching for additional information. Aunt Jean had died of cancer. What more could they tell her than that?
At the time of Jean’s death, the abrupt change in her symptoms puzzled Lyra and made her question the visiting nurse. Hours before, her aunt’s mind had been lucid. Her eyes were clear and her breathing soft and steady, not a raspy death rattle. Now those initial concerns seemed grounded.
The driver behind her laid on the horn.
The noise jarred Lyra to the present. She exhaled an arrested breath. To brace her shaking arms, her free hand clamped the steering wheel. Unable to coordinate, her foot slid off the clutch and stalled the car.
A chorus of horns blared.
After fumbling with the ignition, she restarted and herded her Subaru into the stream of traffic. She locked her eyes squarely ahead to avoid angry road-rage stares from passing motorists.
One car pulled alongside and tooted. Her eyes shifted onto the driver who flipped her off before speeding away.
Shaking, she gave up rushing to be on time. Keeping her car safely on the road was challenge enough. She hung back to allow other cars to pass.
Plodding in the slow lane, her thoughts drifted to the letter. What had the coroner found? In September, the funeral home wrote, indicating they stored her aunt’s ashes, as Lyra directed, until she returned to collect them. The director never mentioned any question about the cause of death.
Lyra shifted before engaging the clutch. Grinding gears vibrated the car. White-knuckling the wheel, she gratefully turned at the sign for Southern University. Finally in her assigned parking spot, she slumped into the seat.
Before getting out, she reread the letter to search for clues between the phrases. She found none, but the words “earliest convenience” loomed. The doctor wrote the letter three months ago. Would that lost time make a difference?
Was it possible someone harmed Jean? Hundreds in the village visited the funeral and expressed sorrow. What about that strange man, Revelin? He came to Jean’s home, supposedly working as an aide from the home care division of the local clinic. He acted suspicious, trying to read Lyra’s computer screen, open to her draft of the new version of the Book of Dragonspeir. Maybe a person from Dragonspeir? A few supporters of the evil Black Dragon could enter her world. But who? His alchemist, Tarom, possessed enough power and talent. A chill ran down her spine, thinking of his glowing red eyes and crimson cloak with moving tentacles at its hem. She sighed. No obvious evidence linked either man.
Sun rays reflected light through her windshield from the modern glass and concrete English building. This alerted her to pull herself together and go inside. After sucking in a deep breath to steady her nerves, she opened the car door and stepped out. Her legs shook under her weight. Her shoulders sagged under the load of the briefcase and bags. With an awkward gait, she ambled toward her building.
She stopped cold. Students raced around her to make their classes. What about Eburscon? Alchemist for the Imperial Dragon’s Alliance. She clenched a fist, recalling his haughty, antagonistic manner. He openly disapproved of Lyra’s influence on anyone in Dragonspeir.
Opening a side door off the parking lot, she checked her watch. Five minutes past the start of class time. She braced herself, rearranged her bags, and climbed two flights—a short cut to the classroom which avoided the department offices.
Three minutes later, she arrived in the room, out-of-breath and shaking, in no shape to teach. But, the chairman kept careful tabs on all his non-tenured professors, including Lyra.
Thankfully, the lesson was an easy one, reviewing short story reading assignments. The students in her American Lit course, just returned from a long Thanksgiving weekend, didn’t want to hear a rigorous talk about Emerson and Thoreau. Most eyed her with groggy stares, heads propped on elbows. A handful of alert and prepared students vied to contribute, snapping out responses to Lyra’s discussion questions. Usually she enjoyed pitting them against each other, but today she merely appreciated their participation.
Her mind wandered two thousand miles away. She watched the clock, counting the minutes until she could talk with Cullen during his layover in Detroit.

Purchase Links:
Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two

Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One


Author Links:


Author Bio:
Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Her creativity also spills into watercolor painting and drawing. After a move from Toledo to Tampa in 2008, she’s happily transforming into a Floridian, in love with the outdoors. Crazy about cycling, she usually passes the 1,000 mile mark yearly. She is learning kayaking and already addicted. She’s been a yoga enthusiast for over a decade and that spiritual quest helps her explore the mystical side of fantasy. She never has enough days spent at the beach, usually scribbling away at new stories with toes wiggling in the sand. Every day at the beach is magical!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

WRITING SHORT STORIES FOR ANTHOLOGIES


Guest Blog by Rayne Hall

Anthologies are themed collections of pieces by several authors. Getting stories published in anthologies is a good way to build your reputation.

Readers love anthologies, because they get stories by different authors in one package, all in their favourite genre. It's like a buffet of their favourite foodstuffs in different flavours.

Every anthology has a theme. This may be broad (such as cat stories, romance stories, vampire stories) or narrow (such as Eastern European vampire romance stories for young adults, humorous vampire cat stories, Christian romance stories celebrating the sanctity of marriage) and the editor selects the stories which best fit the theme.

Your story must be about the theme. It's not enough if your story merely mentions a cat: the cat needs to be at the core of your story. If it isn't, then you're wasting the editor's time and your own.
Don't think you can change the editor's mind. Even if your tale about a gay Hindu couple divorcing their spouses is a brilliant piece of literature, the editor won't consider it for an anthology sanctity of Christian marriage.

At the same time, your story needs to interpret the theme in an unusual way. Anthology editors want to give their readers a varied experience, so each story needs to be as different from the others as possible. The editor of the cat anthology will not want more than one story about kittens rescued from drowning, or a cat and a dog being best mates, or a cat living in a retirement home. What's the quirkiest way you can interpret the theme? That's the idea to go for.

If the guidelines for submission specify a genre, your story needs to belong to this genre, but there is considerable flexibility. These days, genre boundaries have become fluid, and your story may belong to more than one genre. Indeed, genre crossover stories enrich the books' content. For example, a science fiction anthology editor will welcome SF romance and SF horror as well as pure SF.

You can also increase your chances by choosing a main character outside the mould. For some reason, almost all short stories submitted to anthologies are about characters who are twenty- or thirty-something, Caucasian white, able-bodied, heterosexual, handsome and healthy (and usually they work in advertising and live in New York). This is fine for one story – but if every story in the book features the same type, it gets boring. Anthology editors seek diversity. If your story's main character is of a different ethnic group or has a physical disability, the story will get the editor's attention.

Anthologies are either “open” or “closed” to public submissions. If it's open, anyone may submit, and your story has to compete with hundreds of others. You can find open-submission anthologies in market listings. Most of the prestigious anthologies are closed to public submissions. Instead of reading piles of slush, the editors invite submissions from authors whose writing and professionalism they value. You won't find out about them unless the editor invites you to submit.

The earlier you submit your story, the greater are the chances of acceptance. When the editor has found a story she likes, she won't accept another one based on a similar idea. If she has already chosen a story in which a cat becomes UK Prime Minister, she'll reject your story in which a cat becomes US President.

The wordcount is more flexible for anthologies than for magazines. Many anthologies, especially those in e-book format, accept stories in a wide range of lengths, e.g. “between 500 and 5,000 words.”

The payment tends to be low, if the authors get paid at all. You should receive at least one free contributor copy of the book. 
 

The true value of anthology publication lies in the exposure, especially if the other contributors are well-known authors in the genre, or if the series is established and the editor respected.

However, not all anthologies are worth contributing to. If they're a mishmash of stories without a theme, if the stories are of low quality, or if the editor decides to edit because she's frustrated with other editors rejecting her work, then your reputation may get tarnished by association.

Print anthologies and e-books are equally useful for exposure, although they reach different market segments.

Pay attention to what rights the publisher requires. Some demand “All Rights” (aka “Exclusive Rights”) which means you no longer own the story and will never be able to publish it elsewhere. If the guidelines for submission contain an “Exclusive Rights” clause, don't submit, unless the pay is awesome.

Many anthologies ask for “First Rights” (aka “previously unpublished”) which means they want your story's virginity and don't care what happens to it afterwards. This is acceptable if it's a prestigious anthology. Once your story is published, you can submit it elsewhere.

Best of all are the anthologies which use only “One Time Rights” and accept reprints (i.e. previously published stories). You continue to own the story and can do with it what you want, whenever you want. This allows you to get your story published over and over again, which is perfect for exposure and reputation-building. However, these anthologies usually don't pay.

Have you read a good anthology recently? How was your experience as a reader?

Have you had a story published in an anthology? Tell us about it.

I look forward to your comments and will be around for a week to answer your questions.

About Rayne Hall
Rayne Hall has worked as an editor in the publishing industry for over three decades. Currently, she edits the Ten Tales series of themed short story anthologies. Recent releases in include Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts, Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires, and Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates. More titles are in preparation.  She has published more than 30 books in several genres (mostly non-fiction, fantasy and horror) under several pen names. http://www.amazon.com/Rayne-Hall/e/B006BSJ5BK
She teaches specialist online classes for advanced and professional authors. https://sites.google.com/site/writingworkshopswithraynehall/



Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Mayan Craving: Guest Interview with A.S. Fenichel

Hi Pam. Thanks so much for having me here today. I’m so excited about being here and about the release of my latest book, Mayan Craving. I’ve been running around telling everyone about the book.

1. How did you become interested in Mayan history?

I was a Humanities and Social Science major in college. I had to take all those courses that end in OLOGY. My favorite was archeology. It was also one of the hardest classes. My professor spent a lot of time on the Pre-Columbian cultures, Maya, Aztec, Toltec and Olmec. I tucked all that information away for a few decades (ahem). When an End of Days story popped into my head, I dusted off all that old information. I still had to do a lot of new research. My memory is not that good. ;)

2. Share a little bit of your perspective regarding the Mayan End of Days:

I know it would probably sell more books if I was a believer. It would be good publicity to say that on December 21, 2012 the Earth will lose polarity and we’ll all go flying off into space. However, all the research I’ve done has taught me that the Maya, still living in Mexico, refute any claims to the predictions of the end of the world. They say that it is purely a Western fabrication. A calendar is ending, but many Mayan calendars have ended in the past and they have more for the future. I remain neutral and patiently await the dawn of December 22, 2012. :-)

3. If you weren't a writer, what other career would you have chosen?

Being a writer is my dream job. For a while I wanted to be a Broadway actress, but it was impractical at the time. I wanted to eat. :-) I have been a Customer Service Representative and then the manager. I have also been a Logistics Expert and the Director of Supply Chain. Before being lucky enough to be able to write full time, I worked in NYC as an IT Specialist for a fashion company.

 I really can’t think of anything better than being an author.

4. What was one of the most interesting jobs you had?

In 2003 I was offered an opportunity to work overseas. I jumped at the chance. I moved to the Netherlands and lived there for seven months. What a fantastic experience! I worked in IT but the interesting part was being able to hop on a train and spend the weekend in Paris or Belgium. I often took the short flight over to London. It was a great way to see Europe. I had a blast and made a lot of very precious friends.

5. What inspired you to write paranormal romance?

I am an avid reader like most writers. I love a good romance novel. I like all the speculation around paranormal. So many people, myself included, believe in the possibility of something more.

The idea for my first book, Mayan Afterglow, came from a call for entries that I saw online. I had just had a dream about a thief in a castle. I put the two together and wrote Mayan Afterglow. A book which has nothing to do with castles, but I was so happy to have a place to put that dream, I made some adjustments to the time period and circumstances. I hope that answers the question. :-)

6. Tell the readers about your writing journey. When did you start writing and what were some lessons you learned on your path to publication?

I have told this story before, so forgive me if you’ve already heard it.

I’ve been telling stories since I was a little girl but I never wrote a single story down until I was a freshman in college. I had an English professor who made us write a short story. That was the first time it occurred to me that the people living in my head, might want to come out and play. Once the door was open, there was no stopping the regular flow of characters that tumble in and out of my head.

Writing is easy, getting published was almost impossible! I had a full time job and little time for promoting myself or editing. There always seems time to write, but the really hard part, is the editing. At least for me, some writers love it. With the help of some wonderful writing organizations, I learned that I needed critique partners. Basically, I had to become a better writer and very few people can do that on their own. We all need brutally honest friends to tell us what works and what doesn’t.

After finishing Mayan Afterglow, I submitted the story and it was rejected. I thought this was my own personal End-of Days. I was ready to give up submitting, not writing, mind you. I could never give up writing, but the idea of more rejection was debilitating. I have a very good friend, Shelley Freydont, who is a wonderful multi-published author. When I told her I’d had enough, she pulled a face and told me not to be silly (she may have used a stronger word) :-) and just submit the story somewhere else. I took her advice and a month later I got “THE CALL!” Ellora’s Cave was interested in publishing my book! I danced the for days. 

It took me over fifteen years to get published. I’d like to give a little advice to aspiring writers. First, never give up, no matter how many rejections you receive. Then, get involved with local writing groups like Romance Writers of America http://www.rwa.org/. They have a chapter in almost every city and region in the country and several on-line chapters as well. If you don’t write romance check around locally and see what other groups are available. You’ll be surprised how many other writers are out there struggling with the same issues, and how willing published authors are to give advice and help you. Most importantly, keep writing and keep submitting. Keep getting better at your craft until one day, voila, someone wants to publish your book.

7. Who are some of your favorite authors? Books? 

I love Eloisa James and Karen Marie Moning. I’m reading some of their books right now. I could read Pride and Prejudice every day for the rest of my life and be happy. Jeanette Walls, Glass Castle is brilliant. I adored the Harry Potter books. I could probably go on for days. Let’s just say, “I love books.” 

I’d love to tell you a little bit about my latest book, Mayan Craving. I’m really stoked about this book. My wonderful Publisher, Ellora’s Cave, has done an amazing job helping me get this book ready for print. The cover is sizzling and perfectly fits the kind of Dark, post-apocalyptic theme, while still letting the reader know that this is definitely a sexy erotic romance. I think the hottie on the front goes a long way too. 

Pam, I’ve had such a great time with you today. Thanks again for having me. 

Here’s the blurb and a short excerpt from chapter one of Mayan Craving. Enjoy! 

Surviving the End of Days was only the beginning of the journey for Nancy. After years of searching, she’s finally found her missing sister, but when she attempts to rescue Robyn, she enters her worst nightmare. Captured by demons and about to be sacrificed, Asher is her unexpected hero. Asher’s kindness and bravery arouse her lust, and leave her wanting much more than just his friendship. 

Asher has been in love with Nancy since he first laid eyes on her, but her infatuation with another man always left him standing in the background. Her sudden craving for him couldn’t turn him on more. He can’t help finding rapture with Nancy, but the attraction could only be fleeting. 

While danger and passion pull them together, doubt may rip them apart. They’ll need more than a carnal connection if they’re to survive. 



You can buy Mayan Craving from Ellora’s Cave. http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10057-mayan-craving.aspx 
Also available on Amazon, BN and where Ebooks are sold. 
http://www.amazon.com/Mayan-Craving-ebook/dp/B0080K3E00/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336573818&sr=8-1 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mayan-craving-as-fenichel/1110608660?ean=9781419939181 

Other Links 

Web site http://www.asfenichel.com 
Blog http://www.asfenichel.com/Blog--Mayan-Mentions.html 
Like A.S. on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/A.S.Fenichel 
Follow A.S. on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/asfenichel 

An Excerpt From: MAYAN CRAVING 

Copyright © A.S. FENICHEL, 2012 

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc. 

Chapter One 

“Damn her,” Asher Dove muttered over the droning Cessna’s engines. 

“What was she thinking, going out here all alone?” He’d asked himself the same question over and over since setting out to find Nancy. 

The closer to the Yucatan peninsula Asher flew, the more the sky blossomed with familiar dark-red clouds, just as it had five years earlier after the End of Days. The sky had clouded over, leaving most of the Earth in shadow. Some said that the heavens had burned. Once the Lord of the Dead, Mictlantecuhtli, or Mictlan, as they called him, was defeated, those red, ominous clouds had parted and slowly disappeared, allowing the land to live again. 

Mictlan had nearly conquered the Earth. If he had succeeded, everyone who Asher loved would be a servant to Mictlan. However, humans had banded together to defeat the Lord of the Dead all those years ago. Unfortunately, it looked as if they had not done enough. 

He prayed that Nancy hadn’t been picked up by any demon patrols. Asher focused his attention on the single-lane highway below, searching for any sign of her. The roads she’d have to have taken stretched over eight hundred miles, a lot of ground to cover. A glint of metal caught his attention and he circled back for another look. He spotted a Jeep parked on the road about twenty miles west of Acayucan. His heart leaped. Nancy. 

From the air it looked intact, but he could see no sign of the young woman driver. Before he could land and investigate further, something else caught his eye. Coming toward him from the south, a massive beast loomed dark against the red clouds. 

“Shit,” Asher swore. “Dragon.” 

An attempt to veer off to the right failed as the dragon moved too fast and slammed into the front of the plane. The impact rammed Asher back against his seat, but by some miracle, he managed to keep his hands on the yoke. The Cessna bucked against the added weight and plummeted toward the Earth. 

“Not good.” Pulling back to keep the plane’s front end up, his heart leaped into his throat as the desert grew larger in the window. 

The dragon’s blood-red eyes stared back at him while the black, snake-like body clung to the nose of the plane. Twenty feet of leathery wings beat against the wind-shear, creating a tug of war between Asher and the yoke. Even over the wind and engine noise, those tremendous wings battered the air like thunder. Asher ignored the cacophony of noise pummeling his eardrums and the strain on his muscles. 

As the land grew closer, Asher pulled back, hoping to glide in rather than collide with the ground. His shoulders and arms screamed with pain as the dragon’s weight made controlling the descent nearly impossible. 

“You are going to die now, little pilot. Join me and I will spare your life.”  


About the Author: A.S. Fenichel adores writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into one and staying up all night to finish a good story. Originally from New York, she grew up in New Jersey. She now lives in the southwest with her real life hero, her wonderful husband. When she is not reading or writing she enjoys cooking, travel, history and puttering in her garden.