WIP Wednesday – First Mataras: Michaela

Govi said, “It’s my understanding your parents passed away not so long ago.”

A shadow of sadness passed over her round face.  “They died in a shuttle accident just after I turned seventeen.  I never felt I got to properly mourn them, because my situation was so up in the air.  I was afraid my true nature would be discovered since I became a ward of the Church.”  Michaela shuddered.

Raxstad pointed out, “You managed to get away undetected, however.”

She nodded.  “Since I’d finished my schooling, I applied to the military as a junior serviceman.  It’s a program for kids who are not likely to go to college and aren’t qualified to do anything worthwhile.  Once you get through that, you go on to basic military training.  Lucky us, after that we would get to fight on the front lines in battles.  It’s essentially training to be cannon fodder.   They pretty much stuck the juniors on a ship and assigned us all the shit jobs.”

“What exactly did you do?” Govi asked.

“I slung hash in the mess.”  At their confused looks, Michaela offered up her wonderful throaty laugh.  “I served meals in the ship’s cafeteria and cleaned up afterward.  It wasn’t awful.  Plus, it gave me the opportunity to try and escape Earth for good.  That’s why I signed up in the first place.”

“A plan that has succeeded,” Korkla congratulated her.  

She gave him a rueful smile.  “After over a year of waiting and hoping.  And only if that battlecruiser orbiting Plasius doesn’t find a way to send fighters to tear everything apart before I get out of here.”

Raxstad spoke in a forbidding tone.  “They won’t get anywhere near you.  Besides, you’re not going to be here much longer anyway.”

Korkla grinned.  “We are getting you and your friend Jessica McInness off this planet.  No matter how you feel about my clan, you are going to Kalquor, where you’ll be permanently free from Earth.”

Michaela’s sudden beaming smile was the most beautiful thing Korkla had ever seen.  It was the smile of the terminally ill patient who had received a miracle cure.  Her dark eyes, so brown they were almost black, brightened with unshed tears.

Release tentatively scheduled for June 2014

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

Murphy's Law and Shalia's towel.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

2014 - The Year Ahead

2014 is here.  With most of my contracts with my publisher running out this year, it will be a year filled with re-issues.  I also hope to have four new books out, along with Shalia’s Diary Book 3.  The following schedule is tentative and subject to change depending on how things go.  Here is the hoped-for timeline on books to be released or re-released in 2014: 

March

Clans of Kalquor 3 - Alien Conquest (re-issue):  Rights revert to me as of March 21.  That means I will re-release the book the week of the 24th.  I am in the middle of edits right now, and Conquest looks to be going the same route as Embrace did...new details and back story, though the plot remains unchanged.  Clan Tranis is developing a bit more in line with how they were in To Clan and Conquer.  Five thousand words have been added thus far, and I'm only about a third of the way through edits.

Clan Beginnings:  Clan, Honor, and Empire (new) – Clan Rajhir’s story is going to be a long one, which is delaying it more than I anticipated.  I'm about three-quarters of the way through the first draft, and it's clocking in at about 120k.  If the book does come out in March, it will likely be the very last day of the month.  It is looking more and more like this one will not come out until April, but we’ll have to wait and see.

April

Unholy Union (re-issue):  Around April 28th is the planned re-release after getting the rights back.

June

First Mataras – Michaela (new) -  End of the month.

July

Clans of Kalquor 4 – Alien Salvation (re-issue):  Week of the 28th.

August

Netherworld I – Drop Dead Sexy (re-issue):  Week of the 25th.

September

Clans of Kalquor 10 – Alien Indiscretions (new):  End of the month.

November

Clans of Kalquor 5 – Alien Slave (re-issue):  Week of the 10th.

December

Netherworld IV (untitled, new) – Week of Christmas.

It will be another busy year!  So much for slowing down, as all the re-issued books must be scrutinized and re-edited before I let them loose once again.  You will understand if some things end up being delayed ... due to its ever-increasing length, Clan, Honor, and Empire is already behind schedule, which could set the other new books back.  These dates are more my best guess than anything else.

Depending on how things progress, I may also have to put the Shalia's Diary blog on a hiatus following the third storyline's end.  I do not know how long the break will last.  We are currently around the halfway point of what will end up being Book 3, and I am lagging far behind where I need to be with Book 4.  I have not been able to keep up with a writing pace that will allow me to start posting the fourth storyline as soon as this one finishes ... I have to write the other stuff to pay the bills, after all.  I'll let you know more details as I figure them out.

Have a great month, all!

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

Hard truths and oops, she's done it again.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

WIP Wednesday – Clan Beginnings: Clan, Honor, and Empire

First date for Rajhir and Flencik:

            Within minutes, Rajhir and Flencik were being led to a table in the restaurant that was popular with those their age.  Ogrig’s was a good place for unclanned young men to meet or bring potential clanmates ... or just temporary playmates, as was often the case for Rajhir.

            As they moved among the crowd, Rajhir noted the awed looks his big, broad companion received.  Flencik seemed oblivious to the attention he got.  He was probably used to it, Rajhir thought.

            As he passed a Dramok standing near the bar with a Nobek, he heard the Dramok say, “Now that’s a lot of Imdiko.  Imagine trying to pin him down.”

            Rajhir didn’t hear the Nobek’s reply.  His fists clenched momentarily at the crudeness, and he thought about challenging the other Dramok for making the comment on his date.  Damn it, Flencik was his, at least for tonight.  For all that Dramok knew, they were clanmates.  Someone needed to be taught manners.

            Rajhir was tempted, but he decided to let it pass when he noted Flencik hadn’t seemed to overhear the remark.  His face had a look of happiness, an expression Rajhir was loathe to take away.  Flencik was a gentle Imdiko, and a confrontation over him might be upsetting for the doctor.  In this case, Flencik’s pleasure was more important than righting an insult.

            They reached the table Rajhir had reserved, one in a corner that allowed private conversation while letting them have a good view of the other diners and people at the bar.  Flencik sank down on his dark blue floor cushion with an appreciative sigh, letting Rajhir know he’d been on his feet for a good portion of the day.

            Rather than sitting across the round table from the Imdiko, Rajhir took the cushion next to him, sitting a mere foot away.  He didn’t miss Flencik’s glance at the small space between them, nor the flush that crept up his neck to stain his face.  Rajhir grinned and punched a button on the touch screen imbedded in the table, bringing up a floating vid of the drink menu.

Tentatively scheduled to release March 2014

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

Dad, Dad, and Dad.  Do fathers know best?  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Goodbye, 2013

It astounds me that another year has flown by.  While I’m always excited by the thought of new beginnings and new adventures, I admit I’m in no hurry to see this year end.  2013 was amazing for me, courtesy of my awesome readers.

This was my most successful year so far for my writing.  I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am to all of you who have supported and encouraged my endeavors.  It’s not just that you’ve read my books.  You’ve cheered me on when I needed it most.  You’ve been wonderful, and any time I get down or unmotivated, I only have to think of my readers.  Every time I hit an obstacle, you urge me on.  It’s you who have made this journey worthwhile and for that, I am forever thankful.

New Year’s Eve, I will drink a toast to you all.  You cannot imagine how happy you make me.  All I can do in return is keep writing (of course!) and wish everyone a prosperous, healthy and happy 2014.  May your fondest dreams come true, my friends.

Much love,

Tracy

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

Choices, choices.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

Shalia gets some surprising news in time for Christmas.  (On a side note, I'm amazed that the diary schedule lined up so perfectly with Christmas this year!)  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and Santa is good to you!  And now for your Yule time enjoyment (and because I don't feel like writing a blog after all the decorating, present-wrapping, and eggnog drinking), here are cute men in seasonal attire:

Merry Christmas to all!  If you're on the naughty list, I hope it was for all the right reasons!  ;)