It’s beginning to feel a lot like my favorite time of year! Wearing long pants and a coat, closing the windows at night, turning on the lights to watch the 6:00 PM news, dragging up that blanket from the foot of the bed, and enjoying everything pumpkin spice (yes, even my coffee!). October is also the time to indulge in spooky entertainment—and I’ve got just the thing. My historical vampire romance, MIDNIGHT GAMBLE is on S*A*L*E—an irresistible treat at only $0.99! Here’s a calorie-free nibble to entice you . . .
The Excerpt
They weren’t her own kind.Frederica wasn’t like her father or grandfather or any of their sleek, preternatural friends—she was her mother’s daughter, a hybrid of two worlds, of two realms, not an equal, not truly worthy of her father’s love and respect. Not yet . . . but she would be.She jerked free one of the pretty costumes from her closet the same way she would pull a saber she intended to use for the kill.She would prove to him that she was his daughter, too, that she had value beyond the weakness of her blood that allowed her to walk in daylight. A gift, he called it—a curse to her own thinking. A constant reminder that she was different, impure.To rise above it, she’d be fearless and formidable even when facing indomitable foes. She’d prove herself equal if not superior by besting those she pursued, conquering them, and bringing them on their knees to her father’s court. A single word of praise from his lips was worth every moment of risk or consequence.. . . And a bit more . . .Marchand’s greatest fear was that she was not immortal. Hers was that she was not immune to her frail human half. A half she suppressed with ruthless determination. A half that she ignored when conscience interfered. A half she denied when emotion tugged upon the tender inner workings of her heart when she saw a man and woman together in a happiness she could never share.Hers was a solitary existence, separate even from family. And so, she would go alone into this night, facing danger and possible death with a reckless disregard in spite of assurances she’d given to her father.He wouldn’t have understood.
Now, as if caught in some vampire’s snare, I’m reading through the entire series . . . and still loving it after all these decades!
A sudden cold snap had me scurrying to haul in my favorite patio plants. Our living and laundry rooms resemble a greenhouse with large palms and ferny things lining the walls and herb trays covering the top of our washing machine and my dressers. Now . . . to keep the cats out of them! I went overboard this year with the big guys, not expecting them all to flourish, but darn them, they did! At least I’ll be well oxygenated!
Now, it’s back to watching a spooktacular array of howling good WooWoo and Way Waaay Out television: Interview with the Vampire, The Winchesters, Fate—the Winx saga, Werewolf by Night, Andor, Lord of the Rings, and House of Dragon. And waiting for my holiday favorite—Ernest Scared Stupid! Are you watching/reading anything spooktacularly related to the Halloween season?
Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their #8sunday posts.
Frederica has a lot of growing to do if she is rejecting half of who she is. Poor girl. Nice snippet.
ReplyDeleteI don't do Halloween at all. To me, Oct 31st is the night before NaNoWriMo. :) But I am watching House of the Dragon. I love me some Westeros. Oh, and your impromptu greenhouse looks lovely!
HoD tonight for me, too! After Interview with the Vampire.
DeleteIt must be hard for Frederica, wanting to be part of both worlds, but never fully fitting in. But, it seems, she is struggling to be accepted by her father.
ReplyDeleteWe've had some frost, so we cover the veggies at night, or pull them inside, but let them bask in the sun during the day. As for what I'm watching, I've been watching season 2 of Fate: The Winx Saga with my family, and I'm going to start Hellbound soon after being close to finishing reading it on Webtoon.
Planning to watch Fate:Winx Saga. Is it good? Have been bringing in all the herbs and plants in at night but they're loving days like today so I take them and the cats (on their leashes) out to soak up the sun. We've got a few more nice ones coming up.
DeleteMy hubby, daughter, and I all like it. It's a paranormal academy story, so there are some similarities between it and others. Still got me hooked. And yes, must enjoy those warm, sunny while we can. Plants, cats, and all!
DeleteMust be so hard for her - rejecting part of herself. Thinking she's different and impure. Tweeted.
ReplyDeleteShe needs to stop looking at the differences and toward the advantages of what she's inherited.
DeleteI feel sorry for Frederica, not totally one or the other. It would seem hard for her to find happiness.
ReplyDeleteThat search for a place to fit in will bring her sorrow and . . . a HEA!
DeleteShe really needs to look at her situation as a possible strength. Even her father sees it as a gift. She needs to use it to her advantage. Last night I watched Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2--adore the first one, loved the new one! I try to watch some horror movies during October as Halloween is my favorite holiday and I celebrate all month. :)
ReplyDeleteOnce she refocuses on strengths instead of weaknesses . . . look out! Must watch HP 2. The first one was so delightful.
DeleteInsecurities learned at the foot of a parent is the hardest to overcome. Too many memories and emotions battle with the cold reason of adulthood. The inner child is hard to tame. I hope she realizes her worth is not dependent on what her father thinks of her, but of what she thinks of herself.
ReplyDeleteAll true!!
DeleteEnjoyed the excerpt although she feels very wrapped around the axle about who and what she is. Not the best foundation for having a successful life...but highly intriguing! You depict her emotions so well as always.
ReplyDeleteShe's just beginning to get a grip on what she'd like for herself and what she wants her own life to become - and it's very different from what her family wants for her. And quite dangerous.
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