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.

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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.

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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.

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