Sneak Peak, part 2

Are you ready for the second installment of the Indie-licious teaser blog hop? 

This is another bit from Heart of Kylassame, the 2nd book in the Kaldalangra series. Heart of Kylassame is due to be released Summer 2013, so make sure to read Lady of Steinbrekka so you know what's going on ;)

Lianna walked forward tentatively, eyes open wide in fear. The fountain was frozen, the water caught mid-flow as it had tumbled down the carved stone. The ice was clear in the summer sun, slightly melting in the summer heat before refreezing, an endless cycle of desolation. She could see the red swirls that had rippled through the water before it froze, the tiny red droplets that gleamed on the white surface of the pool. In the depths of the pool, the ornamental fish swam slowly, sluggishly, their resilient bodies succumbing to the freezing temperature above.

Dmitri folded his hands within his long-sleeved brown tunic. “It began yesterday. The roses and the fountain had frozen over when Lady Rhea left the garden. When I checked the clearing this morning the frost had spread to the entire area, and is slowly overtaking the entire garden.”

His nearly blind eyes shifted from Savin to Nyssa. “The garden reflects the heart of Lady Rhea. That was apparent so many years ago when her love and hope released us from the icy prison. Now,” he gestured to the icicles hanging from the tree branches, “something has caused her heart to go cold, and thus, we follow.”

Need something to read while you wait? Check out these other awesome teasers from some incredible authors!

Character Spotlight - Ayewoke

    This very first character spotlight is going to focus on the character of Ayewoke. Ayewoke can be found as a character in the books, Lady ofSteinbrekka and Heart of Kylassame.

    Ayewoke is a form of Magi, a woman with extraordinary powers who resides in an area of Kaldalangra known as Steinbrekka. Steinbrekka is a rocky, desolate region that is home to many supernatural creatures and people. The desolation of the realm has made it the perfect place for King Verikhan to send any people who come into his realm, either by accident or through kidnapping. There, they are brain-washed and, usually, die from the assault on their body and minds from the natural and supernatural forces in the region.

    When Rhea goes to Steinbrekka to be brainwashed, she meets the ancient Magi, Ayewoke. There, Ayewoke gives her the help needed to survive the ordeal. She realizes that Rhea is not just an ordinary woman, and decides to act as her emotional guardian once Rhea leaves Steinbrekka. As Ayewoke is not welcome in the court of Kaldalangra, she achieves this by transforming into her other form; that of a little gray cat.

    This character was born out of two very different but equally powerful images.

http://nativeamericanencyclopedia.com/running-eagle/

    The first is an image that has always stuck in my head; that of the old-world tribal Matriarch. These women lived in a time when it was not possible to erase wrinkles, smooth lines, and dye their hair to hide the grays. The elderly were venerated and cherished for their deep wells of wisdom and experience, and considered vital members of the community. 

    These are women who have a primal, dignified beauty, and every wrinkle tells a tale of the full life they have lived.

    It would not be hard to picture a woman, such as this, sitting on an isolated rocky peak in a supernatural region of another world.

    The second image, oddly enough, is based on my childhood cat, Ewok. Ewok was a very special little gray cat (sound familiar?) that was always looking out for me while growing up. She would follow me into the woods for hikes, sleep beside me at night, and brush away my teenage tears with her little paws. 

   

    She was in her twelfth year when I began writing The Lady of Steinbrekka, and passed away in a mysterious fashion when I was writing the final chapter of the novel.