A Barrel of Vintner - Chapter 2

Here's one last little reading tidbit in 2025!

----------

Once we were in one of the royal carriages with the prince consort and headed for the palace, I noticed the pennants hanging from buildings we passed. There should be only one on each pole for the queen since the formal mourning period hadn’t ended yet. But several of the building sported multiple pennants.

Are all the flags black? I asked Luc. With my odd sight, I couldn’t distinguish conventional cloth colors as they appeared to everyone else.

Luc turned toward me and nodded, but it was Prince White Eagle who spoke silently.

There’s been a series of additional deaths in the city since Queen Teodora’s, Chief Justice, he said. Can you hold your questions until we arrive at the palace? I don’t want to have to explain everything twice, and I want a warded room when we do speak.

Of course, Your Highness. I beg forgiveness. I inclined my head. I meant no disrespect. I was merely shocked by the sheer number of mourning flags.

He nodded in return. His cheeks glowed a brilliant orange, the color of his skin edging into red, while anxiety spilled from his tight shields. Whatever was happening greatly upset the prince.

I had always thought of the prince consort as imperturbable from my personal encounters with him. He’d faced down a demon army outside of Tandor at his wife’s side last year. To feel this kind of worry and nervousness from him was disconcerting at best.

And terrifying at the worst. I feared the reception we might receive from our new liege, Queen Chiara. Which pivoted my own need to do something, anything, into a racing heart and shortness of breath.

“Calm down, Chief Justice,” Luc whispered. “You can’t do anything for the queen or Issura if you allow a fear attack to overwhelm you.”

“If Lord—” I shut my jaw so sharply my teeth clicked. I hated secrets, but accidently revealing the queen’s new distance speaker would be a devastating mistake.

I took a deep breath, then another, counting to five for each inhalation and exhalation. It was a calming technique High Sister Mya had taught me when I was under her care. Our recent voyage to Jing and the dangers we had encountered escorting the new emperor home for his coronation had left the threads of my spirit shredded. And our respite in the Kingdom of O’ahu had been cut short.

When I trusted my voice again, I said, “I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness. I allowed my previous experiences to get the better of me.”

“You’ve faced more demons and skinwalkers than I have,” the prince consort said dryly. “I’ve often wondered if I could keep my head if I experienced everything you’ve been through. Both the queen and I are impressed you haven’t broken under the constant pressure.”

“Maybe not broken, but there are definitely a few cracks, You Highness,” I murmured.

He pursed his lips before he added, “I think you underestimate yourself as much, if not more so, than our enemies do, Chief Justice. Since you’ve had limited contact with us after you left for Jing, we want you to know there’s been a world-wide outcry on your behalf and that of Reverend Mother Fumiko over Reverend Father Ogusuku’s ill-considered actions.”

“I’m more concerned about Reverend Father Grey Shadow’s opinion of me because his influence would affect my working relationship with High Brother Talbert in Orrin,” I replied.

The prince consort smirked. “You can ask the Reverend Father yourself when we reach the palace.”

“He’ll be there?” Luc asked when my own words failed me.

Prince Consort White Eagle nodded.

My experiences with Reverend Father Ogusuku of Ryukyu and Reverend Father Biming of Jing had left a bad taste in my mouth. Both leaders of their respective nation’s Temple of Thief had plotted to have me executed for demon dealing when all I did was survive after I fell through a demon portal during the Batttle of Naha. I accepted Biming’s apology for his part in Ogusuku’s trumped up charges more for the sake of Emperor Po and Empress Shi Hua than for mine. I considered the imperial couple personal friends after all the demon-related muck we’d waded through together over the last two years. They needed the backing of the Jing Temples, so I made pleasantries with Biming, though I didn’t really trust him anymore despite his efforts to win back my favor.

While there wasn’t a thing I could do about Ogusuku, the fact that the rest of the Temple heads questioned his abilities and judgment would hopefully plant a seed of doubt in Ryukyu’s high brothers and high sisters of Thief. However, when that seed sprouted, would they hold a vote of no confidence in Ogusuku’s leadership?

I wasn’t arrogant enough to pray to the Twelve for such an outcome. But it didn’t mean I couldn’t hope Balance’s scales would mete out Her own justice when it came to the pompous ass.

Nor could I allow my biases to ruin a working relationship with Reverend Father Grey Shadow. Mostly because I depended too much on High Brother Talbert and his staff’s assistance in dealing with renegades and demons in Orrin.

It had been nearly six months since the last time I spoke directly with Talbert. Both he and Luc had surprised me when they bet on me and Talbert’s second Sister Cedar Grove to tie in the final game of our Mill tournament last winter.

The same night the former emperor of Jing Chengwu and his family were slaughtered by demons.

To distract myself from my morbid thoughts, I turned my head to watch the citizens on the streets through the carriage’s small window. People should have been in a better mood with the glorious early summer weather. However, everyone we passed appeared in melancholy spirits. Even accounting for the royal mourning period and the large amount of additional recent deaths, the very air itself seemed to drip with sadness and despair.

If there had been another demon attack in Issura, the citizens would have displayed grim determination. Very little could overwhelm the survival instinct in human beings. This strange emotional air was something else entirely.

Even as the thought passed through my head, a man with a blade in hand charged into two women carrying market baskets and knocked them face-first onto the street. Baked rolls and first-of-the-season melons scattered from the baskets.

The man ignored the food. Instead, he slashed the melon woman’s carry pouch from her belt. No, he didn’t just cut the pouch free. Bright pink blood seeped into her clothing and spread in an ugly pattern.

“Stop the carriage!” I open the door and leapt out before the wheels quit rolling.

“Anthea!” Luc roared behind me.

But I sprinted across the cobblestones and raced after the cutpurse. His long legs ate up ground as he darted and wove around the pedestrians, oxen, and horses. If I didn’t do something soon, he’d simply outrun me.

Lightning would have stopped him, but there were too many innocents nearby. I couldn’t risk accidentally killing them. A time freeze spell wouldn’t work effectively on a wide-open boulevard such as this. But a rewind of time might startle him enough for me to catch up. I slowed, crouched, and slapped my palms on the dusty cobblestones.

A pulse of magic created a short loop, replaying the actions of people and animals from the last one hundred-twenty heartbeats. The spell wouldn’t last long. I jumped to my feet and raced after the cutpurse.

Crys of alarm rose on the street. The images appeared more solid to the humans and animals around me. As I hoped, the cutpurse dodged the past images of horses. I simply ran through the misty figures.

He skidded on his boots as he circled around a stack of wooden boxes near the entrance of a dry goods store. With a series of running leaps, I climbed the pile amid more shouts and dove for the man as he ran past.

We tumbled to the cobblestones. He rolled so he pinned me to the cobblestones, and he aimed a fist at my face. I froze time around him.

I was surrounded by merchants and peacekeepers by the time I painfully crawled out from underneath his body. Thankfully, this didn’t occur in Orrin. I wouldn’t have to endure Master Healer Bly and my head of household Sivan’s lectures about the bruises that would cover my body by tomorrow morning.

It didn’t help when a peacekeeper jerked me to my feet. A bushy blue mustache and beard bristled with his outrage. “Idiot! Don’t you know justices aren’t sighted? What in the Twelve do you think you’re playing at?”

When he shook me, my hood fell back. At the vision of my red eyes, he abruptly released me. Whispers of “the Red Justice” filtered through the crowd.

The prince consort and two of his guards raced up to us along with Long Feather. The people surrounding me automatically bowed. Long Feather covered his mouth with his free hand, no doubt to stifled his laughter. However, the prince glared at me.

“What in the Twelve do you think you’re doing, Chief Justice?” he barked.

Maybe I wasn’t going to evade a lecture after all.

A Question for My Readers

I'm planning to release hardbacks for the 10th Anniversary of the Justice series late next year. The hardback with have all new covers as well, and I hope to do something bling-y like maps and painted edges.

How would you like a bling-y illustrated encyclopedia to go along with the series? I'm thinking foil trim and gilded edging in a very nice hardback collector's volume. It wouldn't come out until 2027, but I would need to start it now to have it ready in time to print by 2027.

What's everyone's thoughts on the idea? 

A Barrel of Vintner - Chapter 1

Since I'm not doing the Kickstarter campaign for The Books of Apep series until March, here's a little taste of the next Justice novel, the unedited first chapter of A Barrel of Vintner!

-----------

I stood on the bow of the Duke of Orrin’s flagship, the Mars Tranquilus. The mountains of Issura and the narrow entrance to the Bay of Standora could be made out in the distance. King Keanu of O’ahu had loaned us three of his best wind talents, including his own Senior Captain Iakepa. They managed to shave six days off the month-long sea voyage home from the island nation.

Despite the sun’s warmth on this cloudless day, ice coated my heart. The news of Queen Teodora’s death had been a bitter reminder of my own goddess’s role after we managed to save Emperor Po of Jing from internal dissension, demon attacks, and the efforts of his late mother’s husband to destroy him.

Balance in all things had become an ill jest in my life.

Bootsteps came from behind me. My warden Long Feather gripped the railing as I did in our headlong rush to reach the capital.

“Staring at the land will not make the ship sail faster, m’lady.”

I didn’t look at him. “I’m very much aware I’m not a wind talent, Warden.”

“Nor can you turn back time,” he replied evenly. “It was no secret the queen was ill before the Winter Solstice. Long before Emperor Chengwu’s assassination.”

We’d been ordered to escort Bao Quan Po, the former Jing ambassador, home three weeks after Balance’s long night. After his brother the former Jing emperor, the empress, and their two sons were slaughtered in a demon attack on the imperial palace, Po was the sole remaining member of the immediate Bao line.

At least until his wife, the Empress Shi Hua, safely delivered her babe.

“And now, we are a week away from the Summer Solstice, Warden,” I snapped. “What’s your point?”

He leaned his elbows on the rail. Sea spray coated his hair and uniform as it covered mine. “My point is Queen Chiara and Prince Consort White Eagle trust you, m’lady. Maybe you should give them a little bit of trust in return. Surely, their distance speaker would have told you if more was going on in Issura.”

Long Feather’s observation only added to my irritation. Lord Ayatulutul’s reticence at giving me and High Brother Luc any additional information on the days we were scheduled to speak annoyed me. He merely said our new queen needed us home as soon as possible, but he never included our new queen or her husband in any of these contacts.

I hadn’t been able to speak with Justices Yanaba or Elizabeth since we arrived at the imperial palace in Jing. I hadn’t realized how much I’d depended on Empress Shi Hua’s own distance speaking abilities.

Of course, that was before she became empress of Jing. When she was Sister Shi Hua of Light and Ambassador Quan’s bodyguard. That seemed like yesterday and forever ago at the same time.

“Chief Justice Anthea?”

I turned to find Captain Titus’s second officer Little Squirrel approaching me.

She bowed. “High Brother Luc says the queen’s distance speaker has notified him that a royal escort will be waiting for you at the pier when we dock. Perhaps you would like to refresh yourself before your audience with Her Majesty.”

Her statement wasn’t a question.

I snorted. “You and I both know you can speak plainer than that, Second Officer.”

The smaller woman shot me an impish grin. “Very well then. We are making a high-speed approach to the bay’s entrance. The dock master is clearing traffic for us. And Captain Titus wants you off the deck of the Mars Tranquilus because he already doesn’t like risking his own people in these maneuvers, much less the queen’s ambassadors. High Brother Luc and his warden have already retreated to your cabin, and Warden Jonata said if you don’t come down of your own accord, she will assist me in dragging you to your cabin as well.”

Beside me, Long Feather failed to stifle his own bark of laughter.

“You are fortunate I don’t wish to waste my time charging all of you with insubordination,” I snapped before I stomped down the port-side steps of the forecastle.

When I reached the main deck, I strode over to Captain Titus who was bellowing orders. He paused at my approach.

“A simple request is sufficient, Captain,” I spat. “Threats are unnecessary.”

He glared at me over his bushy beard that displayed his Old Continent heritage. “Apparently, they are since you’re not in your cabin yet, Lady Justice.”

I muttered a Jing slur that questioned his mother’s choice of bed partners before I whirled on my boot heel and headed for our quarters. His first and second officers had given up their private cabin for Luc, our wardens, and me. However, my temper had become rather short after our abbreviated visit to O’ahu.

Worse, I hadn’t had a chance to taste more of the Sea Peoples’ famed underground-roasted pig at the Duke of Mau’i’s feast.

When I entered the cabin, Luc, his warden Yar, and my second warden Jonata sat at the table. All three wore smirks.

“None of this is funny,” I snapped.

“No,” Luc said. “It’s predictable. I warned Titus you like being on deck whenever you sail to Standora.”

“There’s no reason—” I started.

“The Bay of Standora is nothing like Orrin’s harbor. The captain will be making a sharp starboard turn when we clear the bay entrance.” Jonata lifted her chin. “With the nasty currents of the bay, the rocks on the southside entrance, and our current speed, the crew cannot afford to make mistakes. You, as the queen’s ambassador, are a major distraction for them.” Her skin grew more orange with each word, and her wave of fury slammed against my mental shields.

“Very well then.” I sat on the bench beside her. Long Feather took the seat next to me. “What’s your recommendation, Warden?”

“We wait patiently, m’lady,” Jonata said primly. “As the Mars Tranquilus completes her maneuvers, enough of our velocity will be shed the crew can then dock safely. After that, you can run to the palace for all I care, and when you trip over a cobblestone and land flat on your face, I will laugh my ass off.”

I blinked. “If I didn’t know better, I would say you’re Chief Warden Little Bear wearing a glamour.”

The three men broke out in loud laughter while Jonata narrowed her eyes.

“My orders from the chief warden were to get you back to Issura alive,” she snapped. “He did not specify where in Issura. Nor did he say uninjured. If you feel the need to replace me, tell me now, and I’ll report to the Wardens Academy for reassignment as soon as we disembark.”

I blinked again. Jonata had blossomed into a wonderful warden in the nearly year and a half since she had been assigned to the Temple of Balance in Orrin. My Temple. And here I was, taking out my own fears and anger on someone who had stayed by my side constantly for the last six months. All the gold in the world couldn’t buy that kind of loyalty.

I sucked in a deep breath and released it.

“I apologize for my words and actions, Warden Jonata. I have no excuse for mistreating you.” I drew another breath. “I don’t want you to leave my service, but I understand if my actions make you feel you need to ask for a reassignment.”

She relaxed at my words. “I don’t wish to leave, m’lady, and I understand I’m one of the lowest ranked Balance wardens in Orrin. However, after everything we’ve been through, I thought I’d earned your respect.”

“You have. But I’ve lost so many of your fellow wardens, I fear losing you and Long Feather as well. You’ve b-become dear t-to me,” I choked out.

To my surprise, they both hugged me.

“We feel their loss, too, m’lady,” Long Feather whispered.

Jonata sniffed. “I didn’t know Aglaia, but Tyra and Mylon didn’t regret for one instant their service to you or the Temple. And you’re are not responsible for any of their deaths. No one could have predicted those events.”

“Our predecessors became complacent after a century without demon attacks,” Yar said. “It’s our duty to rectify that complacency. All of ours, clergy and wardens alike.”

“You speak wise words, my friend.” Luc clasped Yar’s shoulder.

My wardens released me, and we all pretended not to be emotional.

Long Feather rose. “Jonata switch places with me.”

She nodded, and they quickly switched seats. I didn’t have to ask. The upcoming turn of the ship meant we’d be slung towards the starboard side. Since both Long Feather and I were larger than the diminutive Jonata, we could possibly injure her severely.

The shouted orders of the deck couldn’t drown the calls of the gulls. But when Titus’s bellow signaled the next maneuver, even my stomach heaved as the Mars Tranquilus nearly laid on its side to make the turn toward the Standora docks.

The tingle of magic flowed over my skin as the wind talents guided the ship to its assigned berth at a more sedate pace. My fellow passengers and I stood to wipe the salt from our skins and change clothes. I’d kept one of the uniforms Jing’s Reverend Mother Xiang of Balance had gifted me in reserve for disembarking. A month at sea and minimal use of our fresh water supplies left too much of my own body odor for even me to tolerate.

Little Squirrel knocked on our cabin door and poke her head inside. “It’s clear to come out, Chief Justice, High Brother.”

The crew were lowering the ramp as we exited the cabin. Even my odd eyesight could pick out the queen’s guard and the prince consort without the dock workers giving them a wide berth.

Yar hovered over Luc as he made his way down the gangplank with his specially designed steel crutches. I followed with my own wardens right behind me.

Prince White Eagle stood in front of the queen’s guard with a wide smile. “Welcome home, Ambassadors.”

To our surprise, he hugged both Luc and me. The prince was a giant of a man like Yar. Easily a couple of palms taller than Luc and me.

We’re heading straight to the palace. Our queen needs to speak with you at once.

Concern rankled me. Not the prince’s use of silent speech. He was former Temple like Empress Shi Hua. But the worry and fear at his mental touch. Something was terribly wrong.

“The queen wishes to honor you for the excellent job you did in Jing,” the prince continued out loud.

“We are here to serve,” I murmured as both Luc and I bowed to him. Our wardens followed suit. Their tension permeated my own.

Before we could say our farewells to Captain Titus and the crew of the Mars Tranquilus, the queen’s guard surrounded us, and we were forced to follow the prince to the waiting carriages.

I glanced at Luc. His frown said volumes.

Say nothing, my love, he whispered in my mind. There are too many ears here.

So, he noticed the two Thief spies as well. Scanning the crowd, I realized too many people took notice of our arrival.

And for once, they weren’t consumed by the usual gossip about my blood red eyes.

I'm Still Kicking!

I know, I know. I haven't written a blog post in over two months. A lot of life rolls happened.

It started with a traffic accident a few days after my last post. Thank goodness, the other driver wasn't injured, but I heavily bruised my left hand, including a torn vein. It looked pretty bad, but no broken bones, thank Goddess! Unfortunately, the injury limited my time on the computer for a week.

I'd also planned to launch a Kickstarter campaign for The Books of Apep series with gorgeous specialty hardcovers. On top of my hand injury, Tribblehead launched a full-in tariff war with China where a lot of specialty books are printed, and the Kickstarter Union went on strike just to keep the benefits they currently had. I thought I'd be able to move the campaign from the beginning of the month to the end of the month. It soon became clear that I might not be able to deliver any rewards in a timely manner, so I never launched the campaign.

*sigh*

I've been planning this dang campaign for the last two years. On the positive side, I will try again in March now that the strike is settled and trade between China and the U.S. is flowing again. But to go into all the vagaries of Kickstarter will require a whole explanation of its own, which I will post later this month.

Then DH and I have had to scramble because because our home insurance was cancelled. State Farm didn't like that our sump pump has backed up twice in four years. We know the cause (not us!), and DH is looking into legal action against the neighbors who will NOT fucking maintain their pond. When the pond overflows it turns our yard into a lake. Complete with mallards teaching their ducklings to swim.

On top of that, our antique car insurance policy was cancelled because I've been involved in two accidents over the last thirteen months. The sad part is I don't drive the older cars, and the vehicle involved in the two accidents isn't on the antique policy. The decision only harms DH because he likes to take the collectibles to car shows.

With all the craziness, I didn't make it to my cousin's in October like I planned. Instead, I drove down for her birthday the week before Thanksgiving. It was nice to get away from the stress at home for a little while.

But while I was gone, one of my sisters-in-law (SIL #2) fell and broke her humerus (the upper arm bone) of her dominant hand. It made things difficult, so SIL #4 stayed with her the week of Thanksgiving, then I drove to Indiana and stayed with her last week. SIL #2 is doing much better now.

In between the major issues, I've been alternating writing with unpacking moving boxes. Yes, these are the boxes from when we moved into this house five years ago. The place is slowly taking shape and finally starting to look like a home.

So, that's where we are Casa Harden. It hasn't been one of my better years for writing, but I'm looking forward to finishing my partly written projects and getting them out to all of you. 

Including the last three novels of the Justice series.

Keeping my fingers crossed that 2026 will be a much smoother year.

A Sad Time

Per an e-mail I received from the trustee, the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust is officially shutting down on December 31, 2025. By shutting down, I mean the trustee is pulling every single copy, both electronic and paper from all retailers.

The Trust lasted for twenty-six years, but the folks working for the Trust have reached their own twilight years. I don't blame them one bit for wanting to spend their last years working on their own projects.

What does this means in regards to me? My first trad publishing contract was with the Trust for a short story called "Justice" in Sword and Sorceress 28. I sold three more stories to editor Elisabeth Waters that appeared in Volumes 30, 31, and 32. I'm proud of those stories. Back in 2013, I wasn't prepared for the popularity of the main characters of "Justice". Life's funny though, and I just released the tenth novel in the Justice series, A Cup of Conflict.

If you'd like paperback copies of Sword and Sorceress Volumes 27 through 34, or e-books of the currently available volumes, please get your copies before 2026 rolls around.

Release Day!

[Edit to Add: Google Play is now live!]

Finally! A Cup of Conflict is live on every ebook retailer except Google Play! (It shouldn't take too much longer if you prefer that store.) It took nearly two years to write this tome, but I guess it needed to cook a little longer in the back of my mind.

And no, I haven't forgotten those of you who prefer print. The trade paperback should be available in two-three weeks.

But it's done, it's here, and I hope you enjoy it as much as my alpha reader!

BLURB
Chief Justice Anthea chose her party carefully when Queen Teodora charged her with escorting Crown Prince Quan Po home. However, more betrayals await her in the ancient capital of Jing as she dances between diplomatic niceties and saving the human race from extinction.

But her most dangerous opponent plots from within the city to destroy the last scion of the imperial family. An enemy who blames both her and the prince for everything he’s lost. Someone who would feed the entire World to the demons in order to win.

Magic and mayhem have never been devious. Or this shocking.

Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Google Play
Kobo
Smashwords

How Embarrassing!

Since I left corporate world, I've been able to make my own schedule. If one of the dogs needs a trip to the vet's, I don't have bosses or clients getting bitchy about me taking an hour or two to make sure the pup is treated for whatever needs to be dealt with.

On the other hand, I don't really pay enough attention to the calendar since I'm not counting days until a break in my schedule.

This is my long-winded way of saying, I forget yesterday was Labor Day until DH said something about sleeping in.

WHOOPS!

It also meant my support contractors had plans for the holiday.

DOUBLE WHOOPS!

So, I needed to  to move the release date for the ebook back three days to September 8th.

*FACEPALM*

The paperback may be a couple of days later. I want to make sure my cover artist has fully covered from another round of COVID-19 before I harass her.

And yes, folks. No matter what the government is trying to pretend, COVID-19 is still an issue. Infection rates from two new variants, Stratus and Nimbus, are climbing.

Stay safe out there! And next Monday, you can curl up with a hot beverage, a furry pet on your lap, and plow through A Cup of Conflict.

It's ALIVE!!

Okay, maybe A Cup of Conflict is not shambling across the countryside and terrorizing the villagers. But damn it! It is finally done and edited!

That's the good news.

The bad news is I'm going to push the release back another week. In updating the Glossary many of you have requested, it's now 25 pages all on it's own. So, I will spend tomorrow paring it down to the relevant information for this particular novel.

Why? This book in paperback will be roughly 400+ pages all by its lonesome without any of the front or back matter. I'm not adding another 25 pages because some of us already suffer from arthritis, and I'm not causing further pain to anyone who prefers the paperback version. And that doesn't even get into the paperback costs!

Seriously, the heft of a massive book is why I love having the ebook edition of The Lord of the Rings.

So a copy has been sent to my alpha reader. I'll spend this morning paring down the Glossary, and I'll send the appropriate files to my formatter this afternoon.

We're getting there, my readers! We're getting there!

A Justice Update

I didn't put up any pre-orders for A Cup of Conflict yet because I'm still editing. Damn, this is a long book!

I wish I could blame my slowness on Genius Kid being home on leave, but I can't. However, I can blame part of it on Darling Husband and the puppies because as soon as I put in my earbuds, one of them wants something.

At least the hubby doesn't need to be walked, though it's good to wear him out so he's not too rambunctious.

Anyway, this books may not have a pre-order after all, but I will have it uploaded to retailers by August 29th. 

First Draft Is Done!

Yes, that's right! I finished the first draft of A Cup of Conflict Saturday afternoon while my Cincinnati chili quietly bubbled in the crock pot.

I should have finished it on Friday. GK got home from his deployment a little after two p.m., but with the jet lag, he was curled up in bed by four p.m. after consuming a couple of slices of leftover homemade pizza.

Instead of joining him, the Grandpuppy curled up on the living room couch and napped. The Attack Tribble did the same on my lap at I sat on my recliner. And DH headed out to the high school soccer stadium. (The season had started the night before.)

I thought, "Awesome, I can finish the book while it's quiet!"

It must have been too quiet though. I fell asleep as I was reading through the chapters I'd written on Thursday. Apparently, between getting up early for the last three weeks to get this book completed and the Friday morning hot yoga class, my poor old body said, "Enough!" I was out cold until DH came home.

But I made up for it on Saturday and finished the first draft. The initial version came in at 117K+-words. But the time edits are done, it will probably be over 120K.

Yesterday, I diddled a bit with A Barrel of Vintner. (Please don't ask me when it'll be released!) But today and until further notice, edits will happen.

I hope to have a bit of time to start setting up pre-orders later this evening.

All-in-all, I've relaxed a bit with the first draft completion. The rest as they say is a piece of cake.

The official release date is AUGUST 29,2025! 

Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale!

To celebrate ALMOST completing A Cup of Conflict, the tenth novel in the Justice series, the previous nine novels are half-price at the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale. Just remember to apply the code (on the book page) at checkout!

If you like epic fantasy, kickass heroines, and a lot of action and adventure, and you haven't checked these books out, go see what you're missing. SALE ENDS JULY 31st! 

In the meantime, I'll be editing and setting up pre-orders for the latest book!

A QUESTION OF BALANCE

A MODICUM  OF TRUTH

A MATTER OF DEATH

A TOUCH OF MOTHER

A TWIST OF LOVE

A VIRTUE OF CHILD

A HAND OF FATHER

A  MEASURE OF KNOWLEDGE

A HINT OF THIEF

 

July 2025 Update

I admit I've been extremely distracted lately. Anyone with a loved one in the middle of a war zone will understand what I mean. I'm slowly closing in on the 80K mark for A Cup of Conflict.  Or I was until Israel and Iran started lobbing missiles and other weapons at each other.

Yes, GK is alive. Yes, we spoke with him yesterday by video call. Yes, he's getting a combat badge for his uniform.

But I don't have to like it.

Anymore than DH likes talking to a coworker in Kyiv and hearing shelling in the background.

DH: Coworker, do you need to get to a shelter?

Coworker: Let me check. *short pause while he steps out on his balcony* No, the shelling is five miles away. We can finish this call.

Anyway...

Needless to say, A Cup of  Conflict is not done yet, though I'm on the downhill race to the end. Which is the only reason I've managed to get words in over the last three weeks. So, no, it will not be released next week as I had hoped.

When will it be done? I don't know yet. But it may not be until GK is safely back in the States on August 9th. Sometimes, being a parent sucks.

The Gigantic Drama of Political Intrigue in Jing

On the day I'm writing this post, I crossed the 63K line in word count. And A Cup of Conflict isn't anywhere near completed.

I knew this was going to be a complicated story. Even though she's acting as Issura's ambassador by escorting Quan Po home for his coronation, Anthea's caught in the middle of differing factions in the Jing Empire. Most of whom have no desire for Quan to continue breathing, much less ascend to the Dragon Throne.

But I'm also almost through what is essentially the Second Act, if this were a play. Which means this will be a 90-100K novel.

Therefore, I'm moving the release date for A Cup of Conflict to July 15, 2025.

I don't like the fact that I lost almost three weeks of writing time dealing with the Selket-damned basement, but that's essentially the 30K words I'm missing. *sigh*

However, I did promise I'd get this series done before I die, and I'm damn well going to do it!

Monday Movie Mania a Day Late - Ballerina

After the insanity of the last few weeks, DH and I went to two movies this weekend. The first was the 25th Anniversary remastered Dogma, which I contend is one of the funniest movies ever made. It's amusing how the re-release didn't attract the Christians to protest outside of the theater this time.

The second movie was the brand-new Ballerina, which is part of the John Wick universe. And frankly, I'll take that universe over this one any day. Why? Because there are rules!


----------


SPOILERS


----------

PROS
1) Ana de Armas delighted me as the innocent nurse in Knives Out, but here, she seriously kicks as Eve Macarro, a member of the Ruska Roma. (For those new to the series, the Ruska Roma are a criminal organization of assassins to which John Wick formerly belonged to.) However, Eve is a member of a side group of bodyguards known as the Kikimora, who are just as deadly when protecting their charges.

2) It was lovely to see Lance Riddick one last time in the Ruska Roma universe. Charon was always my favorite character, yes, even beyond John, because he cared for John's second dog.

3) Sharon Duncan-Brewster was criminally underused as the Director's second-in-command and Eve's mentor Nogi. Sharon has kicked ass in some of my favoite franchises (Doctor Who, Dune (2021), and Star Wars), and I'd love to see a Nogi-centered film!

4) In addition to Lance Riddick, Kenu Reeves, Ian McShane, and Anjelica Houston were back as their in-universe personas, John Wick, Winston Scott, and the Director.

5) The soundtrack was awesome, especially Evanescence front woman Amy Lee's "Fight Like a Girl"

CONS
1) My only gripe is Norman Reedus has a minor cameo as Cultist Daniel Pine, basically in a similar position as Eve's parents who tried to save their daughter from an assassin's life. However, I am thankful the writer Shay Hatten didn't try to force a romance between Daniel and Eve! (Goddess, I hate that trope! And it sure wouldn't fit in the Ruska Roma universe!)


Overall, Ballerina was a fabulous addition to the Ruska Roma universe and an awesome movie in it's own right. I give it 10 out of 10 stars!

Clarification on Pricing

The price changes I announced three weeks ago DO NOT AFFECT e-books! Only print books!

The rise is paperbacks is solely due to the rising prices for paper and ink for the printer. Again, it sucks, but it's the only way to keep my print books on the market. However, e-books will remain the same:

$4.99 for a full novel
$2.99 for a novella
$0.99 for a short story

If/when I do have to raise prices on e-books, I will give you plenty of notice.

I promise.

The Latest at Casa Harden

If you read my everyday blog Wild, Wicked & Wacky, you know about last week's basement flood. DH and I need to sort and inventory the irretrievably damaged items for the insurance company over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

I'm not sure yet what this will do to the release of A Cup of Conflict.

The writing has been on a damn good roll over the month. It's Anthea, and I swear she squats on my brain until her books are delivered to you. But we're both cursing up a storm at this latest interruption because it was beyond either of our control.

(And the chief justice of Orrin really wishes she could manifest in my reality and electrocute the people who are actually responsible.)

Anyway, for those of you checking the Release Schedule and the Justice Series pages, that's why I haven't set up the preorder for Book 10 yet.

I promise to keep you updated. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed it won't be delayed. It might mean going to a hotel after we've dealt with the damn basement.

Warning!! Price Changes!!

GAH! The tariffs are starting to hit publishers and printing.

Despite the cost of paper going up two years ago, I managed to keep my paperback prices the same. But now, I'm not having a choice. I received a notice from Ingram that several of my books will require price increases because the price of paper is rising dramatically.

It sucks. I don't want to do it, but I don't have a choice. Either I raise the prices, or I cannot offer paperbacks for sale. *sigh*

I get it. A lot of you prefer the tactility of having a book in your hand.

So, if you want a paperback, order it now before the prices go up. My formatter is currently updating the front matter (Angry Sheep Publishing transforming from a sole proprietorship to an LLC) and back matter (i.e. list of books I have available). So, I'll be uploading those as she sends them to me.

In other words, I'll be starting on the price changes next week. This is the first time I've needed to raise all prices since I started publishing in 2011.

If you've been planning to buy a paperback, I suggest ordering now from your favorite bookseller.

A Change in the Release Schedule

I've been working on A Cup of Conflict (Justice #10) for the past few weeks. I've known since Sister Darys was skulking in the background of A Hint of Thief (Justice #9) that she had more than one secret. Doesn't every member of that particular Temple?

She finally deigned to tell me as I was trying to get to sleep on Monday night. Apparently, Thief clergy like whispering their secrets in the dark. Unfortunately, it meant a little reworking of the beginning of A Cup of Conflict.

Yeah, I'm a little ticked that she waited until I was over half-way finished with the novel, too.

What does this all mean as far as the release schedule for the second half of 2025?

The release for A Cup of Conflict has been move to June 16th. And since I'm focused on finishing that book, I'm looking at pushing the Kickstarter for The Books of Apep series to October, i.e. Witchtober.

It makes sense in a way since Aset/Isis is the most powerful sorceress of the Egyptian pantheon. (Not to be confused with the god Heka, who is the personification of magic in the ancient religion.)

The only problem right now is obtaining more gold-plated Isis charms for the bookmarks I'm making while rewatching Supernatural for an hour or two in the afternoons. (Yesterday was "Tall Tales", one of my favorites since it's the first appearance of Richard Speight, Jr.)

The Selket-damned tariffs are also going to interfere with my launch of the 10th anniversary editions of the Justice series next year. I had plans. Big plans. *sigh*

So that's what's going on here at Casa Harden. Thankfully, I have plenty of coffee, tea, and tequila to get me through the summer. I just need some more flavored creamer for the coffee.

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!

The Enchanted Bakery Is Here!

It's official! The first two stories of The Enchanted Bakery are here!

Chefs, Shrooms, and Sherry

Tabitha Abbot and her adopted sister Everleigh are thrilled to start culinary school. But with three summer internships at the professor’s famed restaurant Finito on the line, a group of bullies in their class led by Sherry Kincaid aim to drive the Abbot girls out of the culinary program.

Tabitha promised their mom no magic at college, but Everleigh didn’t. Tabitha finds herself torn between protecting her rivals from her irate sister and wanting a little witchy revenge herself. Because in real life, there’s no such thing as a fairy godmother to save you from your enemies.

Amazon
                                                       Apple
                                                       Barnes and Noble
                                                       Google Play
                                                       Kobo
                                                       Smashwords

Cakes, Cookies, and Conjuring

When mega-corporation Apollo Coffee & Tea open a store across the street from The Enchanted Bakery, Tabitha Abbot fears it will be the end of her family’s business. Especially when the slimeball co-owner tries to buy her out.

But Tabitha’s adopted sister Everleigh is determined to fight back. While Tabitha nixes any hexes, Everleigh recruits some unconventional help to show that money can’t buy everything, but excellent desserts can sway anyone.

Amazon
Apple
Barnes and Noble
                                                       Google Play
                                                       Kobo
                                                       Smashwords

When a Company Does Too Much For You

Some of you might remember my joyous experiences of installing a new hard drive in my work computer last month.

In the process of reinstalling Windows 11 and MS Office, Microsoft decided to update with the latest versions instead of the ones I purchased.

Okay. Fine. Wasn't expecting it, but hey, I didn't have to purchase new copies, right?

OH MY FUCKING GODDESS!!

In their efforts to help me, they tried to shove everything through OneDrive and forced through the IMAP email protocol.

It's taken a lot of extra time to root out the OneDrive by hard links. I'm still working on it.

But even worse was IMAP. It wants to download all of my email folders and files back to the original email servers so I have copies available to all my devices. Sounds like a good idea.

In theory.

In reality, IMAP copied THOUSANDS of emails I need to keep for business reasons. The worst was my main author email address. When I got the domain email address years ago, I didn't need too much space. I still don't. And it's really not worth upgrading to the next largest package offered because I clean out that address's server on a regular basis.

But when fourteen years of business communications get copied back the email server, it maxed out my allocated space in very quick order.

I think I've finally got everything fixed. *fingers crossed*

However this is the same email address where your contacts from my websites' contact page sends your notes. So if you've tried to send me any communication through the websites' contact page, your message is in the ether and unretrievable.

Please contact me again, unless your question is about A Cup of Conflict. I swear I'm working on it!

A New Week and a New Short Story

Good afternoon, everyone!

Things have been busy with editing and double-checking things for next week's releases. However, I was finally able to get some words written yesterday. I know it's cliche, but lately, I've had to get out of the house to get any significant writing done.

Unfortunately, being sick again last week did put a crimp in any actual words on the page.

To make up for it, I posted a new free short story called "The Fade". Let me know what you think!

April Updates

If you haven't checked, I have updated my release schedule. Both of The Enchanted Bakery stories will be released on April 29th.

I haven't gotten much writing done because I've been fighting a stubborn UTI infection since the first of the month. It's hard to concentrate with pain and nausea. So I've been doing a lot of editing of the things I already have completed and updating older works that need to display the changes in my company.

I'm planning to get back to working on A Cup of Conflict over the weekend. It's roughly halfway done, and it's Anthea, so I shouldn't have much trouble getting back into the groove.

I just wish I could drink some caffeine. A little Irish Breakfast tea would help my mood immensely.

Sapphire - Chapter 4

I'm at my last stop of my two tour of the eastern seaboard. There's a certain quiet at this friend's house. She works in her office while I write in her dining room. Her cats are quietly napping the dreary afternoon away, and the birds are attempting to court before early evening brings thunderstorms.

And here is some proof that I'm actually writing.

----------

Allophane’s shoes took her and her companions to the green bricks surrounding the golden fountain in the royal palace’s main courtyard. For once, Beryl took a step before she caught her balance. In the past, Allophane had deliberately landed facing the fountain so her sister protector would land in the water because of her dizziness. However, Beryl would not stop taking shortcuts when it came to magic. No matter how many times Allophane offered to show Beryl how to enchant her own pair of shoes. She deserved the dunking if she was going to be so lazy.

But Jellia didn’t deserve to land face first in the fountain, so Allophane had adjusted her landing accordingly. She grabbed the girl’s arm to keep her from tumbling onto the bricks and harming herself. She trembled under Allophane’s touch.

“Are you all right, Jellia?” she asked gently. “I know traveling by enchanted shoes can be—”

The poor maid whirled away and expelled the contents of her stomach all over the pristine green bricks.

A soldier with a long green beard tucked into his uniform belt marched up to them and saluted. “Do you need assistance, Lady Allophane, Lady Beryl?”

“A mop,” Beryl said with a scowl.

“Greeting, Private Amby.” Allophane knelt next to Jellia. “Are you sure you’re all right, my dear? I’m so sorry. Traveling by my shoes often makes any companion I carry dizzy, but no one has ever become ill.”

The girl fished in a pocket and produced a handkerchief, which she used to wipe her mouth. “I’ll be all right, m’lady. I’ve never had vertigo that bad before.”

“At least Allophane didn’t dump you into the fountain,” Beryl said dryly.

“At least you remembered to hang on to my belt this time,” Allophane responded sweetly. She wasn’t going to let Bery get under her skin. Not today of all days. The protectors needed to provide a united front against the nobles for the princess’s sake.

Allophane turn to Private Amby. “Would you please escort Jellia to our rooms, Private? We wish to speak with the vizier immediately.”

“Immediately, my lady.” The soldier bowed again before he raised a silver whistle to his lips.

At the shrill sound, a matronly maid dressed in the green uniform of the palace household scurried down the steps from the wide-open gold-framed glass doors. She curtsied to the witches before she looked inquiringly up at Private Amby.

“Please assist Miss Jellia with taking the protectors’ bags to their suite while I escort the ladies to see the vizier.”

The palace maid bobbed her head and gestured for the witches to hand over their bags, which they did. However, Beryl leaned close to Jellia’s ear and whispered something. Jellia nodded and followed the green-clad maid into the palace.

Allophane gritted her teeth. She didn’t need to hear Beryl’s words to know her sister protector had ordered poor Jellia to not let the palace staff unpack their luggage. Such a command was embarrassing, both for the witches and for the royal household.

If this was the first salvo in Beryl and Willis’s plan to take over Oz, it chilled Allophane to her very bones. They simply couldn’t afford to antagonize any of the people of Oz if they wanted a peaceful transfer of power.

However, Private Amby didn’t hesitate at their request. “This way, m’ladies.”

Perhaps the situation was more dire than they presumed if the palace staff didn’t offer a chance to refresh themselves and simply obeyed the witches orders.

The soldier led the way through the open glass doors. He turned right, but he passed by the vizier’s office along the hallway.

Allophane’s heart pounded. Maybe Beryl and Willis were correct to be concerned about the nobles after all. The soldier led them toward Pastoria’s office. She never thought Vizier Meenor would stoop to seize the throne.

No. Allophane took a deep calming breath. She needed to be patient and analyze all the facts before she took any action. She’d feel better once the other witch protectors arrived.

The soldier stopped before the gold and emerald trimmed doors of the royal offices and knocked. A muffled voice said, “Enter.”

The soldier opened the door for Beryl and Allophane and waved them inside. To her surprise and relief, Locasta and Mombi along with Vizier Meenor sat at the huge round mahogany table inlaid with gold and emeralds around its edge.

He rose and greeted Allophane and Beryl warmly with kisses on both cheeks of each woman. “I’m so glad all of you are responding so promptly to the sad tidings I had to announce. I’ve sent for refreshments as we wait for the arrival of the Quadling and Winkie protectors. I hope you don’t mind that we use the monarch’s office for this meeting. I do

not intend any impropriety, but this is the only room except for the throne room and the royal dining hall to hold all of us for this meeting.” “I’d be more upset by you sitting on the throne for this meeting,” Beryl snapped.

“You must forgive my sister protector of Munchkin Country,” Allophane said to Meenor. “Beryl was greatly distraught by your news.”

“No, I’m irritated having to wait for the others.” Beryl crossed her arms and scowled.

A wry chuckle came from Locasta, her purple curls bouncing along with her humor. “Teleportation is so much faster. A pity the others dislike it so.”

“But flying is much less dizzying,” Mombi grumbled. Or maybe her dizziness had more to do with how tight of a knot her violet hair had been wound.

“However, it does have its advantages,” Allophane murmured as she took her chair at the table.

Beryl lowered herself into the seat between Allophane and Meenor’s. The monarch’s delicately carved chair opposite of Meenor’s place would remain empty until little Ozma came of age.

Allophane glanced at her fellow Munchkin Country protector. Beryl’s expression was carefully neutral, except her knuckles where she grasped the arms of her chair stood out even more whitely than her pale skin. Now, what in Oz has her so wound up? She hadn’t seemed all that concerned about Pastoria’s passing.

“We hope the princess is in good health,” Allophane said to Meenor.

He nodded. “The wet nurse expects to wean her within the next two months now that she’s started eating porridge and apple sauce.” His smile was rather melancholy. “Princess Ozma has a hearty appetite, and she’s growing by leaps and bounds.”

Beryl snorted. “Please don’t let her grow fat and lazy. The people won’t respect a ruler who literally cannot perform her duties as our liege.”

“The princess—” Mombi began hotly just as the doors to the monarch’s office burst open.

“The queen shall be respected within her own palace,” Glinda’s voice rang out as she entered the room.

Another Delay and a New Chapter of Sapphire (The War of the Witches #1)

*sigh* I didn't get my editing done on Chefs, Shrooms, and Sherry ( The Enchanted Bakery #1). Life stuff has again interfered. I can't go into too much detail because I respect this person and their privacy. However, this particular family member was very supportive to me when I needed it nearly forty years ago, so I will damn well be there for them!

On the other hand, I finished the next chapter of Sapphire in an effort to distract myself. I hope you like it.

----------

Beryl supervised Jellia’s packing of a single carpet bag while she changed into traveling clothes. She hated traveling by Allophane’s silver shoes. The damn things were fast but stopping at their destination usually left her tumbling head over heels when they arrived. Still, the enchanted shoes were faster than the southern witches’ chariots drawn by swans or the western witches’ umbrellas.

Frankly, it didn’t make sense to waste the magic to create another pair of travel shoes when she could borrow Allophane’s. Her sister would definitely make her do the spell herself rather than enchant another pair for her. Even Beryl knew the energy created by just one of her lovers wouldn’t be enough for the spell.

She didn’t need Allophane’s disapproving looks if more than one peasant graced her bedchambers.

Once her own clothes and accessories were placed within her carpet bag, Beryl eyed her maid. “Jellia, pack a bag for yourself.”

The girl’s big green eyes widened. “Me?” she squeaked. “Surely, the palace has more than enough staff to suit your needs.”

“You must come because I will need to stay at the palace the entire time.” Beryl considered her options. “Did the royal messenger leave another letter for the governor?”

The girl hesitated for a moment before she gulped and nodded. She raised her chin. “It wasn’t hard to guess the contents of the letter, Lady Protector.”

Maybe Jellia was a little too smart. However, if that intelligence could be aimed in the right direction…

“The governor will have to make the announcement concerning the king’s death, if not today, then tomorrow morning.” Beryl exhaled and sat on the edge of her bed. “This is a delicate time for Oz with both the queen and king gone. Too many people will seek to control the princess. Her safety is of paramount concern to the witch protectors. The nobility will be careful about their word choices when I or any of my sisters are present. They won’t pay as much attention to our aides. Make sure you bring a civilian outfit for any errands you will need to run for me outside of the palace.”

“And to keep my ears open for you.” The maid nodded again. “I understand, m’lady.”

“Good.” Beryl rose to her feet, satisfied with the girl’s determination and loyalty. “Run along. I’m sure Allophane’s bag will be ready, and neither of us can dawdle.”

“Yes, m’lady.” Jellia curtsied and dashed off, presumably to her own room to gather her things.

Now that Beryl was alone, she pulled the sapphire key from her pocket and unlocked the chest that held her personal magical accoutrements. She selected a diamond bottle containing a syrup that would make a person malleable to her suggestions. A sapphire ring with a spell that could bring her back to the manor should the need arise. The last thing she desired was to be dependent on Allophane for magical transportation. Finally, she grabbed a paper envelope filled with dried and powdered belladonna berries.

Yes, eliminating the vizier would ensure the other witch protecters would take Willis’s suggestion that they should raise the princess a little more seriously. A mere mortal should be raising a royal child. Especially if the child in question had a single drop of her mother’s magical blood.

But magic hadn’t saved the queen from a childbirth gone wrong. It would be more prudent for one of the sisterhood to remain in the capital. Beryl smiled to herself. It was an idea she could convince the other witches would be prudent under the circumstances. And if they needed a little nudge to convince them she was the perfect candidate, well then, that was what her elixir was for.

* * *

A quarter of an hour later, Beryl tapped the toe of her right boot impatiently while she stood in the courtyard in front of the manse. She’d changed into traveling clothes. A dark blue wool jacket with a matching mid-shin-length skirt. Sturdy walking boots. A wide-brimmed hat decorated with a peacock plume.

Allophane finally came out of the front doors wearing a similar outfit, though hers was a royal blue. However, a wide buckled belt closed her jacket instead of buttons. Plus, she wore her enchanted silver shoes instead of boots.

“It’s about time, but we’re still waiting for my maid,” Beryl said in greeting.

Allophane’s eyebrows rose. “You want Jellia to accompany us to the capital?”

“We may need assistance.” Beryl lifted her chin. “We have no idea of the actual situation at the palace.”

Allophane nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you for anticipating the potential scenarios. In fact, Jellia might be more useful than you calculate. The palace staff are more likely to speak openly to her than to us.”

“Are you crediting me with having a good idea?” Beryl couldn’t stop the sarcasm dripping from her voice. Allophane always seemed to think she was better than anyone else. However, she never thought of Allophane as duplicitous. In fact, her sister protector always seemed rather naïve. Beryl would definitely need to be more careful around her fellow Munchkin Country protector if she wanted to see her plans come to fruition.

Several members of the household gathered around the courtyard to see the little group off. Beryl had no doubt the servants wouldn’t work the rest of the afternoon, knowing she and Allophane weren’t there to watch them.

Jellia raced down the steps of the manse with her own carpetbag in hand, slightly out of breath. “I’m sorry, Lady Beryl. I hurried as fast as I could.”

“Don’t worry, child,” Allophane said. “We’re pleased to have you accompany us.”

Beryl bit her tongue to keep from lecturing her fellow protector. Allophane was far too easy on the staff. They would merely take advantage if one didn’t constantly watch them. However, there was no sense in addressing the problem until they were alone. The staff would use any perceived disagreement to their benefit.

Allophane smiled at the girl before she looked at Beryl. “Are we all set then?”

She nodded curtly.

“Both you need to hold on tight to my belt,” Allophane instructed, but her attention was mainly on the maid. “If you lose your grip, you could be injured or killed. Do you understand, Jellia?”

The maid nodded briskly. “Hold on to your belt. Don’t let go.”

Beryl slung her own carpetbag over her shoulder and grasped Allophane’s heavy leather belt. The maid followed Beryl’s example. “Ready?” Allophane asked.

“Yes,” Beryl and the maid said at the same time.

“Here we go!” Allophane clicked her heels together three times.

Beryl was rather glad she’d pinned her favorite hat securely to her hair net as a whirlwind spun the trio into the air and westward.

Late But Not Forgotten Update

Friday is the Ides of March, and I haven't gotten as much done so far this year as I wanted.

The Books of Apep Kickstarter is marked as DELAYED on the Release Schedule page because it's nowhere near ready to launch. I don't have all my swag done, and I'm only 10% into writing the second book.

The Willowbrook Witches series has been renamed to The Enchanted Bakery series. So far, only one story isn't set in Tabitha and Everleigh's bakery (the first one is set during the girls' college years). And Everleigh's not a witch, though she's been adopted by a witch family. Many thanks to my cover artist Elaina Lee for helping me sort out the branding on this series.

Unfortunately, I'm still editing the first story, which is why I pushed it back a week. My formatter Jaye needs time to do her magic.

On the plus side, I'm traveling over the next two weeks to see family and friends I haven't visited in a while. In one case, it's been thirty years. *gasp* I'll have a couple of nights in hotels so I can definitely catch up on the writing.

While I'm gone, I'll have at least one new chapter of Sapphire (The War of the Witches #1) posted for your reading pleasure. And I had to show off the lovely cover for this novel which artist extraordinaire Julie Nicholls delivered this morning!

So, all-in-all, things are still moving forward, just at a slower pace.

Smashwords' Read an Ebook Week Sale!

Smashwords' Read an Ebook Week Sale is happening now until Saturday, March 9th. All of my novels and novellas are half-price, along with sales on lots of other books. Check it out!

Suzan Harden's books on Smashwords!

New Releases Start This Week

I feel much better and much more productive this year, and it's good to feel relatively normal again.

On Friday, Feline Navidad (Millersburg Magick Mysteries #4) will finally be hitting retail stores. Yep,  Christmas story on Valentine's Day. That's assuming everybody goes live at that time. I'm still uploading to the files to the other retailers, but Amazon has been on pre-order for a bit.

I'm also getting Alter Ego's books reissued on Amazon, again FINALLY. I made the mistake early in my career by releasing my books under my personal account rather than a business account. Same with a couple of other retailers. I started switching titles over to the business account back in 2016, but I didn't get everything moved before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. So, while I update the back matter, I'm updating the covers before I upload them. It's been years since I looked any of them over, it's been interesting how my style has changed.

Plus, I'm assigning the copyrights to the company, so when I pass, the administrator of my estate won't have to do much paperwork for the company to change hands.

83 books takes some time to update and move. So, I'm glad I'm glad to finishing up that portion of the business changes.

After nearly two years, I also glad to release Feline Navidad into the wild.

BLURB

After a horrible, traumatizing autumn, the Wilson family panics when a holiday tree mysteriously appears in their living room. As the twins search for their benefactor or foe, neither Kaley or Kristen bothers to ask their familiars. And Teller and Penn know who the real culprits are.

Enjoy this light-hearted tale of friends trying to make the holidays special for the people they care about, the cats who face a major translation problem, and the fae-blessed man in a red suit who can fix anything.

Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Google Play
Kobo
Smashwords

Sapphire - Chapter 2

On the flight home from a writing craft class last Friday, I started re-reading the Oz series by L. Frank Baum. I read so much faster now than I did when I was seven. I got to the part in the first book where the Wizard has gifted the Scarcrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion their desires. I finished it last night while catsitting my niece's feline, and started The Marvelous Land of Oz tonight while Miss M sat in my lap and purred wile I stroked her fur. I don't I could have had a better hour. I got home, ate some supper, and finished Chapter Two of Sapphire. All in all a very good start to the weekend.

For those waiting for the other promised books, I am working on them. This is the project of my heart I save for an hour or two on the weekends.

====================

Bright morning sunshine filled Allophane’s laboratory, sending sharp glints through the crystal beakers and delicate glass vials before being reflected by the magic mirrors. Even the metal instruments reflected the light, giving her a sense of hope. The fireplace remained unlit on such a warm, glorious day. She had opened the laboratory windows to clear out the noxious fumes from her latest brew. But the light and fresh air meant nothing if she and her sisters couldn’t find a cure for the king.

The clock on the mantel ticked away the time with its silver pendulum. Shadows and reflections shifted across the room as she measured and stirred and poured. Heating part of the solution over a silver Bunsen burner until it turned pink. Cooling another part in a silver bucket of winter ice from the laboratory’s icebox until it also changed from clear to blue.

Her stomach rumbled, but she couldn’t stop working. The Kingdom of Oz could fall into civil war if King Pastoria died, especially with his daughter and only heir merely a few months old. Two of her sisters, Beryl and Willis, had proposed the sisterhood should take control and act as the princess’s regents until she reached the age of majority.

Allophane knew exactly how the governors of the four lands of Oz would react to that idea. It was the same reaction she had when Beryl and Willis proposed their plan. Power of any kind could be misused. Magic most easily of all. With the queen’s death from delivering her daughter and the king dying of what everyone assumed was heartbreak, the princess needed love and care, not to be a pawn among the nobility or the witch protectors.

Allophane shooed away her wayward thoughts and concentrated on what she was doing. She carefully poured the now-cooled pink liquid into a clean empty vial before she added the chilled blue solution.

The two liquids swirled together until the lavender mixture started fizzing. It bubbled and foamed while she carefully fed her magic into the potion so it wouldn’t run over the top of the vial.

At the rapid knocks on Allophane’s study door, her concentration shattered. So did the glass vial holding the potion she’d spent the morning brewing. The contents spilled across her work table, searing the antique wood. Drops of her elixir dripped from the edge of the table, splashed upon the flagstones of her study, and spread across the floor until the brew ignited the small blue braided rug by her favorite chair.

Holding her breath against the billowing acrid smoke, she summoned a tiny raincloud to extinguish the flames before she stomped across the drier parts of the floor. Her azure skirts and white apron whipped around her ankles with the force of her bootsteps. She yanked open her study door.

“What?” She glared at Jamina. The diminutive maid wore her household uniform of navy dress, matching leather boots, and her pale blue apron.

“This just arrived from the capital, madam.” Jamina dropped a curtsey as she held out the pure white envelope, its surface marred by a blob of brilliant green wax. In the middle of the seal was the stamp of the royal vizier, not Pastoria’s personal sigil.

With dread dragging down her soul, Allophane broke the wax and scanned the contents twice. She was too late. The king was gone.

Her entire body sagged, and she grasped the edge of one of her cabinets to remain upright. “Wh-when?”

“The messengers literally just arrived,” Jamina murmured.

“Does my sister know?”

“Jellia took Lady Beryl’s envelope to her.”

It was the mannerly thing to do. However, worry twisted Allophane’s innards. What would Beryl and Willis do with the king dead? And which way would their sister protectors jump?

“And the messengers?”

“The human is caring for his horse,” Jamina reported. “The poor thing ran for three days straight.”

Allophane nodded. “Please see that they both are given a gold coin for going above and beyond their duties.

“Yes, m’lady.” The maid curtsied for a second time before she left and closed the laboratory door.

Allophane made her way to her chair by the dark fireplace and dropped onto the soft cushion. Her tears rolled down her cheeks. How could this have happened? She, Locasta, Amber, and Glinda had been researching and brewing and—

It had all been for nothing.

Now, the baby princess would grow up without either parent. Would she even have real love with the governors and the protector witches fighting over who would be the girl’s regent until she was old enough to take the throne.

A horrible thought occurred. Would the child live long enough to become queen of Oz?

Someone knocked on the laboratory door. Someone with force. Someone who didn’t bother with respect. It could only be the one person in Munchkin Country who didn’t respect her.

Allophane wiped the tears from her cheeks with the hem of her apron before she strode across the floor and yanked the door open.

Beryl took one look at her and sniffed. “You had to have expected this news, sister.”

“Just because your compassion is non-existent, it doesn’t mean mine is,” Allophane murmured.

“This needs to be a private conversation.” Beryl stepped into the laboratory and yanked the door from Allophane’s tight grip. Once the door was closed, Beryl whirled to face her again. “This isn’t the time to wallow in emotion. The deaths of the queen and king will throw the nation of Oz into chaos.”

“Excuse me for taking a moment to grieve the passing of a good person.” Allophane glared at Beryl.

“If Pastoria was good, he would have put aside his own grief to care for his child and his people,” Beryl snapped. “Instead, he wallowed so deeply he died of a broken heart. He is at fault for the current crisis!”

“I don’t wish to argue about this right now.” Allophane looked over her shoulder at the mess in her laboratory. “Give me an hour to clean up here. I’ll have Jamina and Jellia pack one bag each for us.”

“We’re not taking a proper carriage?” Beryl’s expression turned from her typical haughtiness to outright annoyance.

“This is too important for a three day trip to the capital,” Allophane pointed out.

“Not all of us have adorable silver shoes with which to travel in an instant,” Beryl sneered.

Allophane lifted her right eyebrow. “I told you I’d help you enchant a pair.”

Beryl made a very unladylike sound deep in her chest. “Fine. I’ll make my maid packs appropriate mourning clothes.”

“Her name is Jellia,” Allophane retorted. “She’s more than a maid.”

“I don’t know why you care so much about servants.” Beryl yanked the laboratory door open and flounced out of the room.

“Because you don’t,” Allophane whispered.

And suspicion at her sister protector’s behavior dropped a seed in her heart. What if Pastoria’s death wasn’t from simple heartbreak?