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Welcome to my mostly sporadic, somewhat informative newsletter ;)

Holy wow, where did the year go? I feel like yesterday was . . . at least June!

 

2019 has been a year, but I'm excited for 2020. I'm finally starting to feel like I'm finding my footing again after the (more private) trials of the last year and a half, and I'm really excited to start working toward my full potential.

 

You guys believed in me this far. I won't let you down. <3 I am FOREVER grateful for every single one of you.

But buckle up; it's a long one. :3 I cram-packed this newsletter with goodness. :D

So, in exciting news in case you haven't seen, Tellus won an award! :D

"The author does a commendable job of gripping the reader right from the beginning. The cliffhanger at the end is both frustrating and simply delectable . . . You will be deeply content with everything from the plot to the characters to the masterful writing. The only down side is that you will be giddy with anticipation awaiting the third installment in the trilogy. Tellus sets the bar for the third book very high."

 

So yeah! Exciting things! :D I'm really proud of this one, and I hope you guys love(d) it <3 If you want to read Literary Titan's full review, click the cover!

But onward! Because I have updates and goodies for you guys this month.

Three goodies, specifically. A big one, a mid sized one, and a wee one :P

 

The first is a super special private sneak peek at a sketch. ;)

If you follow my other social media you might already know what I'm talking about, butttt just in case . . . For Ventus I'm going a bit crazy with swag. Why? Because this trilogy is the story of my heart and I'm going to send it out with a bang! <3 If I'm letting her go after 16 years, we're gonna have some fun with it. ;)

Soooo, the first part of that is I have commissioned not one . . . not two . . . but SIX custom pieces of art from Gabriella Bujdosó
, the absolute queen of beautiful art!!! You guys may have seen the Nat & Cam piece already . . . but even I am now struggling to pick a fav, lol! They're incredible.

 

And today — spoiler free ;) — the central Titans.

 

 

 

 

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Are you ready for it?
Are you sure??

 

 

 

 

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Thanatos, Cybele, Eurybia, Boreas. <3

 

Excited yet? CAUSE I AM.

 

I'll be unveiling the colored, final version across social media sometime probably before the end of December, but for now, I hope you guys are as pumped as I am :3 I really want to make this final launch something special <3

Goodie number two: since I really love you guys, here's a first look at some of the other Titan aesthetics. :3

If you've read Imber and Tellus, you're likely already familiar with Nahara. This girl is the bringer of fire, but her primary power is releasing souls into the afterlife; be that the Nether, or reincarnation, or whatever else the humans believe, she's the one responsible for ensuring that souls aren't trapped for eternity.

 

Ushriya is the mother of Cybele, but she's never quite agreed with her daughter's lust for blood. Her powers lie in air, but she's known to have excellent skill with consumable magic.

 

Draven is the mother of Thanatos, a queen of the storm who thrives in chaos. She keeps to herself unless there's trouble to be found; in which case you'll find her right in the center.

And now . . . the big goodie. :3
You guys know I'm particularly fond of my boy Cam. He holds a ridiculously special place in my heart.

So way back in '08 I wrote a chapter from Camion's perspective. Actually, even when I was revisiting my original drafts to write Imber, in 2016, I started writing split chapters between Nat and Cam. But then I realized he didn't have enough story to tell to carry his own half.

 

Anywho I reworked the '08 chapter, added some length and now . . . I'm releasing it to you guys! <3 (Go easy, it's not edited :P )

Enjoy!

The First Lesson

((This short story is from Camion's POV, set a year BEFORE Imber; so no spoilerinos! :D ))

     In the years I had been a smith, the sound of steel pounding steel had always been a balm. The steady rhythm punctured the prattling noise that filled my restless mind and gave me peace, gave me a moment’s reprieve when the thought-filled chatter was otherwise endless. Even sleep wasn’t as calming. 

     Not today, though.

    I exhaled a weary sigh. My hammer vibrated as it connected with glowing metal. Sweat dribbled down my temples, but I had nothing to wipe my face with that wasn’t covered in dirt or ash or splatters of quenching oil. 

     “Fentyn must be proud to have such a capable apprentice.”

     I lifted my gaze to the client. He was examining the new shoes I had already nailed on. Usually, Fentyn helped with the farrier work; today he had left for the tavern before the day had properly begun. I released another sigh before I realized the man was still studying me. Not that I could see much of him—the heavy cloak he wore obstructed much of my view. But occasionally the firelight would catch his hazel eyes. I wasn’t sure why they unsettled me. Maybe it was the yellow-gold that flecked them, bright even from paces away.

     Maybe because I felt as though they were searching me for my deepest secrets.

     He cleared his throat and I realized I hadn’t responded. I flipped the shoe I was working on, feigning concentration before I said, “I’m . . . I’m not sure.”

     “Hmm.” That disconcerting gaze slid to the wall, to the swords and daggers that hung there. Project pieces, mostly; my experiments with shape, form, and design. “Did you craft these?”

     I nodded at him, trying to focus on my work. One final client and I was released for the day. A gray mare waited outside, the rear smithy doors flung wide to allow for a bit of air flow. She stared at me as though she knew I was almost finished, and as I approached she patiently lifted her foot so I could nail the shoe on.

     “Is Fentyn a . . . relative?” The man asked. His fingers trailed over a blade of folded steel.

     “No.”

     “You acquired such a coveted apprenticeship by luck, then?”

     “Perhaps.” I hesitated a moment. “But my mother . . . my mother was a respected smith. And much of my family before her.”

     I glanced up in time to see the man’s fingers tighten around the blade, as though I had confirmed some suspicion he had—an odd response, and I wondered vaguely if he had drawn blood. A heavy weight settled in my chest; unease, and warning. I thought of the dagger tucked neatly in my boot. If I needed to, I would use it. I tapped the nails a little faster, eager to see this client on his way.

     The unease I felt seemed without merit, though, and the coin bag he tossed me as he left was plump with gold. I pulled the shoeing fee loose, plus two, and tucked the spares in my pocket. Taking the extra made me feel a bit dishonest but Fentyn was profiting without doing the work and I desperately needed the money. Most of the gold I brought home wouldn’t see morning regardless, if my father had any say in the matter.

     My frown melted into a scowl. At least I had some time before I had to deal with him; I was supposed to start lessons with the Princess today. One of them fancied herself a fighter and I had been hired to teach her to defend herself. 

     As if the Princess could possibly need to defend herself. 

     I knew the guard that tailed her. Everyone did. Lithe, quick, sharp-eyed—Elven. No one was getting past him. When he had approached me on the family’s behalf I was a bit bewildered. I still wasn’t entirely sure why I was the one training her, and all he had offered by way of explanation was it wasn’t his job. 

     But I could humor the Queen. The amount of gold she was offering me was no small consolation prize, either; the offering for each lesson surpassed what I made on a good day of smithing.

    Another hour passed before Fentyn deemed it fit for him to arrive at the forge, half drunk and sputtering about “his gold.” He snagged the stack of coins off the table and vanished into the back room without a coherent word. 

     I felt a bit less guilty about the extra gold weighting my pocket after that. A days labor and the drunk hadn’t even given me the wages we had agreed to. Not that it was the first time. 

     Alcohol was a bane and I would have no part.

    The door of the smithy banged shut behind me. If Fentyn heard me leave, he had no interest in having me stay later. Likely he was already sprawled over a chair, clothing skewed, coins wrapped tightly in his greedy fist.

     I huffed a laugh at the image in my mind; his grey braid dangling, body wracked with shuddering snores. A heavy weight brushed into my side. The weight of my coin purse lifted. Anger heated my cheeks but I pushed it off, spinning to grip the arm of the man passing by me. 

     “Is this how you treat your betters?” he snarled. 

     My fingers tightened into thin, flimsy fabric, and gripped an arm barely bigger around than my wrist. “Put the coin back. I’m not even five steps out the door. Were you waiting for me?”

     “You know it doesn’t work like that, boy.” He paused. “And yes, I was.”

     “What right do you have—”

     “The roof over you head,” he interrupted with a snarl.

     I spun my father to face me, or as much as I could. Tattered rags covered his body and he leaned to one side, evidence of his limp—a show that he was poor and worthy of pity, one no one of sound mind believed. He spent all of our coin on the drink, and all of Thrais knew it. I gritted my teeth. “You can’t keep every coin I earn, old man.”

     “You’re right.” I didn’t trust the sneer on his face. He pulled open the bag he had filched from my waist and flipped a coin loose. “Your share, son.”

     Fury filled my veins, became an angry drumbeat thundering in my chest. I curled the coin into the palm of my free hand and shoved my father away from me. He stumbled a step but I kept moving. If I didn’t, I would be late; and more importantly, he wasn’t worth the extra energy. Not especially when I had a Princess to train.

     “Don’t you turn your back on me, boy,” my father called at my back.

     “Go drink away my earnings and leave me be."

     He didn’t follow. I didn’t expect he would, and with each step toward our home my temper cooled. A lifetime of picking my battles had taught me patience, but it was always a thin line. He knew the only reason I tolerated him still was guilt and money. Besides, tearing the old man apart would only earn him the sympathy he so desperately wanted, and possibly lose me my apprenticeship; and if I stood a chance of escaping him, I needed gold more than I needed to blow off steam. 

     I needed a home.

 

***

 

     I shifted uncomfortably, hands held behind my back. The Captain of the Guard, Devlyn, had left me inside the front doors so he could fetch the Princess. 

     Many in the town, myself included, had seen the outside of the palace; but the inside surpassed even the grandeur I had imagined. My gaze danced around the room, focusing on the smooth stone floors and the lavish art that hung or rested on nearly every surface. The foyer was suffocating. I felt like a smudge or blemish that desperately needed wiped from such a beautiful place, as though even the tiny space in which I stood was tainted by “the commoner.” I didn’t even know if the royalty thought of us this way. But as a poor apprentice blacksmith who had barely had time to change his shirt and wash his face, it was as though the very foundation was shouting that I wasn’t worthy to be standing here.

     “Camion, I presume?” 

     My attention fell to the Princess, descending the last few steps. She was almost a foot shorter than I, and her small frame swam in an oversized cotton shirt. My brow pulled together at the lack of formal clothing, trailing to her tan breeches and polished riding boots before I had the sense to dip into a bow.

     “At your service,” I offered.

     When I straightened she stood before me, blinking up at me with lavender eyes that glittered with anticipation. I glanced up at her guard, studying me with the most intense stare, before I realized I hadn’t addressed her formally. My mouth popped open, awkward sounds leaving my throat as I tried to form words.

     “Call me Natylia,” she said, her growing smile sending a flush up my neck. She had heard those sounds, then. Heat spread to my cheeks. “And this is my guardian, Jyn.”

     The Elf lifted an eyebrow, but tipped his head, sending a strand of his black hair spilling from the knot the rest was tied up in. He tucked it behind a long, pointed ear without breaking eye contact. “We’ve met.”

     "Oh, right."

     I swallowed my growing unease, urged forward by the flush that now colored her own cheeks, and said, “Where do you want to train, Your—Natylia?”

     “The grounds,” she said, as if that explained everything. She was past me in a heartbeat. The scent of rainfall filled my nose, chased by a gentle note of honeysuckle. I fought the urge to inhale deeply, then blinked when I realized what I had almost done.

     Jyn hadn’t moved, watching my bewildered expression while the corner of his mouth twitched. I sighed and followed his lead.

     Natylia was already waiting. A wooden practice sword was shoved into my arms the moment I caught up. “Let’s go!”

     The excitement in her tone was infectious, but I shot a glance at Jyn when she formed her stance. His careful countenance broke then, at her uneven footing and poor posture.

     “You don’t want me to fight you like this,” I said to her.

     “And why not?”

     “You’ll lose. Immediately.” Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Jyn settle into the grass, arms crossed over his chest and a grin stretched plainly across his face. “We should work on your stance first.”

     “Scared of me, huh? I understand, me being a Princess and all.”

     I couldn’t contain the snorted laugh that slipped free. Maybe these lessons wouldn’t be so bad after all. Strands of black hair fell into her face, covering up the delicate freckles that dusted her nose and cheeks. Inwardly, I shook myself. Not the time to be noticing these things.

    Clearing my throat, I said, “No, but you’re wholly unprepared for combat. Of even the practice variety.”

     She lunged at me. I wasn’t ready for the attack, but her form was so poor I disarmed her with a flick of my wrist. She went sprawling into the grass, glaring daggers at Jyn who was rolling with laughter. 

     “I’m coming for you next,” she growled at her bodyguard, wiping clumps of dirt and grass from her hands. 

     “Please do.” He laughed. “The grass is looking a little long over here, a couple more of those and you’ll save the gardeners some work.”

     Their banter put me at ease. I had worried the Princess would be stiff, unforgiving of wasted time, overly hard on the mistakes she made while learning. Natylia was proving me wrong.

     I bent for her sword, holding the hilt to her. She studied me through narrowed eyes, slender fingers looping the wooden weapon.

     “Aren’t you going to laugh at me too?”

    “I’m laughing on the inside.” I held my breath, waited to see how she would react. Jyn burst into fresh peals of laughter, but Natylia rolled her eyes.

     “All right fine, teach me what I did wrong.” But the corner of her mouth twitched. 

     “Everything,” I joked, my confidence growing. “You’ve had no formal training, correct?”

     “None.”

     “Then we’re right where I’d expect you to be.”

     “You expected me to be terrible?”

     “I expected you to be . . .” I trailed off at her raised eyebrow. “Well, yes, I expected you to be terrible.”

     She scoffed, but was patient as I taught her the correct stance. I showed her how to balance her weight, how to tighten her core, how to properly grip her weapon. Jyn had produced a book from some unknown location and was now pouring over the pages, utterly disinterested in his charge’s posture. After a while of this I began walking her through combat maneuvers. With each change of stance she seemed a bit more confident, and I couldn’t help but get excited about what this could mean for her training.

     In theory, she was actually quite good. She learned quickly, and even when sweat began to bead on her brow she kept trying. Her form was improving with every slow-motion drill I led her through.

     Then she lunged again. This time, in the midst of demonstrating proper footing, I wasn’t prepared for the attack. The solid wood point of her practice blade rammed into my stomach. I grunted, spinning for my own sword to disarm her with. Before I could get my fingers around it she hit me again, a solid blow to my back that sent a shiver of irritation and amusement through me.

     This slip of a Princess was not going to make a fool of me on her very first day of training. I swung my sword around, ignoring the throbbing, and knocked her blade from her hands. She didn’t frown this time. No, instead she did a dance, smirking defiantly. 

     “So, still think I’m terrible?”

     “Striking a man when his back is turned is actually pretty terrible, yes,” Jyn called.

     I straightened, tossed the wooden practice sword to the ground, and took two long strides forward. In three swift motions Natylia was on her stomach, her arms craned behind her back.

     “Rule number one; don’t let your guard down.” I laughed, releasing her wrists.

     She rolled onto her back. “And number two?”

    Sunlight caught those lavender eyes, and for a moment, I lost all thought. I couldn’t imagine anything more beautiful, the flickering amethyst color like purple stars in the daytime sky. But they weren’t stars, and I was hypnotized.

     She clambered to her feet, stepping closer and staring up at me, before I regained myself.

     “Rule number two?” she repeated.

     “I was hoping to make something up,” I said, offering her as much of a smile as I could muster.

     Natylia laughed and the sound sent a fluttering through my chest. 

     Oh. 

     This Princess was trouble walking.

     But if I was honest with myself, after all that I had been through, maybe she was the good kind of trouble.

     And maybe I was okay with that.

 

(Characters and story ©Tyffany Hackett and Archangel Publishing)

What did you think?! :D

I took a bit of a break in November and devoured a couple books. I needed it, to be honest.
But nowwww I'm working on two new ones . . .

“Love is the source of our power, and in the end . . . love always wins.”

Abandoned and betrayed, Elara struggles to let go of the man she loves while her fearless mentor encourages her to stand against the evil dictator who rules her home planet. To succeed, she must rise above the darkness and trust the voice near her heart.
The twins experience a setback after a deadly standoff with the Inner Circle. An act of love transforms Elara’s destiny, and an act of hate pushes Cyrus to his breaking point.
Zenith makes a bold move that disrupts the lives of everyone on Aroonyx. Samson gathers the citizens to prepare for war. An alliance is formed, and a traitor seeks revenge.
A tragic event in the West Village sends Elara tumbling further into the darkness, leaving her to face the masked dealer alone. Outnumbered and out of luck, the twins must rally the recruits to end Zenith’s reign.
As the epic battle approaches, the hands of time pause during a life-changing event, and a visitor from the past alters the future.
Passage of Time is the third installment in the award-winning Seeker of Time series. Meaningful lessons challenge the reader, sending their hearts on an emotional marathon that leaves them sprinting toward the finish line.

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I'm only a little way into this but I can already tell how much I'm going to love it. Buckler's writing has come leaps since her last books and I already love her characters; I can't wait to see where she takes them :D

 
Amazon

After the Queen of Ferelden is betrayed and murdered, her son, Maric, becomes the leader of a rebel faction struggling to free their nation from the control of a foreign tyrant. With few allies save Loghain, a brash young outlaw, and Rowan, a fierce warrior and his betrothed, Maric must find a way to free Ferelden from the clutches of the enemy and restore his family to the throne.

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If you like the Dragon Age games, you'll probably love this book. Set before Origins, it builds story we've never seen with characters we know and love. I'm enjoying it SO much. <3

 
Amazon

I was really skeptical about Death Stranding, and I was pretty vocal about it.

 

I'm delighted to say I was so wrong.

 

This game . . . the story is rich and immersive. The characters are mysterious and interesting. (And I'll murder anyone who hurts my BB >.>) 

 

If you're patient and like a game off the beaten path, give it a shot. Death Stranding is awesome. Plus the soundtrack is AMAZING.

Power Over Me — Dermot Kennedy

I don't know what it is about this song but it's catchy and soothing and gah! I can't stop listening to it!

 
Clicky!

Miracle — Chvrches

Unexpectedly, I got SUPER sucked into Death Stranding in November. And the soundtrack is aces, but this song in particular became an earworm for me. So good! And the message is beautiful too.

 
Clicky!

Hey guys and gals! Nothing too exciting for this month, but I did do a short interview with

 

Literary Titan ! :D

 

And also, if any of you are interested in joining my writerly/readerly/artsy Discord server, you're always welcome. The community is tight knit and welcoming, and everyone is always willing to help <3 Join us?

Plus, if you're interested, I did make a Society6 shop; the designs aren't exclusively writerly but I did make this beauty in three different variations! :D

 

Link!

And last, but not least . . .

I can't get enough of Janni's beautiful pictures, so I can't even began to say how delighted I was that she posted this! Isn't it incredible?! AH. I die every time I see it.

Her feed is gorgeous and you need her in your lives! :D

@theladysparks

I feel like I have a color that I'm being drawn to this month, and it's this beautiful rosey tone. I don't know why xD

But look at this! Kate is a super sweet person and her own books are amazing. I'm so delighted she posted my babies!!! :D Go check her out, and if you like SciFi, go read the Toccata books!


@katesheeranswed

Want your pics featured? Make sure you tag me in your posts!

I love, love, love seeing them!!

Have an excellent rest of your year, you incredible people. <3

I hope the holidays treat you with kindness and that you go into 2020 with a joyful heart.

I'm so glad to be going into the New Year with all of you along for the ride. <3

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