As of December 2, 2013 the first in a trilogy of alchemists, elementals and necromancers became available for mass consumption. And yes, I am a little behind in posting this because once again, life has turned into a crazy mess of jumble.
In order to stay on point in the first of this post. Here's a bit of a blurb-o-rama and excerpt for your reading pleasure.
~~~Blub ~~~~
Theodyne Thespacian is a thief. Caught and imprisoned, he's done his time and vowed never to return to the life of pulse-racing excitement and easy money. But when one of his former associates tells him about the Eye of Truth—an artifact that will open worlds of untold wealth—it seems like the perfect crime. However, for Theodyne, with the brand of a thief on his face, to be caught again means death. So instead he goes to the Villa of Nicodemus Valencia, the Master Alchemist who owns the artifact… and applies for a job.
Nicodemus descends directly from the founder of the Gold School, and of all those in that bloodline, he possesses the strongest gift for alchemy. His formulas have made him wealthy, though they've failed to give him the one thing he's longed for most—love. When Theodyne appears at his Villa, he recognizes potential for alchemy and offers him apprenticeship. But then an ancient foe purged from the lands long ago reappears and threatens the Gold School, the Eye of Truth, and all the Dominical city-states. Nicodemus and Theodyne must now band together in courage to battle evil and can only hope they will not lose all they’ve come to hold dear.
~~~~Excerpt~~~~
The
Count glanced up from across the worktable at Theodyne; the man looked as if
his last nerve was close to the point of fraying and there was no use trying to
smooth it down. Theodyne might yet prove he had no aptitude for alchemy. Then
where would Theodyne be?
Back
out on his own with no way to support himself and the mark of a thief on his
face. He’d probably encounter the same problems no matter where he traveled in
the city-states. Judging from the Count’s expression, it was going to be soon
that Theodyne would discover if the supposition was true.
The
Count let out a long breath and hung his head. He braced his arms on the
worktable and stretched them out to his sides. “Forgive me. It’s been a very
long time since I’ve taken an apprentice, and I must remember that these
principles are not innate to you.”
“I
understand them, I’m just having trouble putting salt with body, mercury with
spirit, sulfur with soul, and seeing it in my head.”
The
Count looked up. “It’s more about feeling
the concepts than seeing them.” He
came around to stand behind Theodyne. “Make your body loose.”
Confused,
Theodyne turned to see the Count hovering over his shoulder. “What?”
“Make
your arms and torso loose so I can control them with my own movements. Once you
get the ritual motions down, you can bring the other aspects into play.” The
Count took Theodyne’s hand in his and twined their fingers.
Theodyne’s
heart kicked hard. His breath caught. Heat ran through his body like rivers of
lava. All around him a deeply sensual scent of spice and forest filled his head
with erotic thoughts. Theodyne’s eyes closed of their own volition. There was
no escaping his desire for the Count or the danger this forced nearness put
them in. He wanted to moan, but swallowed it down along with regret.
“Loose,
I said. Not stiff.” The Count’s breath was a warm brush against Theodyne’s ear.
Easier
said than done with the Count’s groin pressed against his backside. At least it
answered the question from the night before—that was definitely flesh and not
fabric between the Count’s legs.
~~~~~~~~~Here's some linky links if you care to read more of Theodyne and Nico's story.
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4409
Or this -
http://www.amazon.com/Eye-Truth-Cassie-Sweet-ebook/dp/B00H1KCR8K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387298062&sr=8-1&keywords=eye+of+truth+by+cassie+sweet
Or this -
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-eyeoftruth-1364819-143.html
~~~~
Now, onto another topic that of the semi-bad year I've had. I've decided the reason for this is that this year ended in the number 13.
I know. I know. Superstition be damned, but I think I might be onto something here. And with only a few more weeks left in this year, it's time to look into 2014 with a positive forecast. Right? Yep, I thought so, too.
Now, don't get me wrong, 2013 hasn't been all bad. I signed a contract with Dreamspinner. Yay!! I've branched out into new territory in my writing. Double Yay! I attended some really kick-ass conferences such as AAD Savannah and met some awesome new friends and got reacquainted with others. So, it was a win - even on a small scale. I just want 2014 to be bigger, better, more productive. And it will be....
So what Cassie Sweet projects can you look forward to in 2014.
Taste of Air is submitted and waiting a yea or nay. Kiss of Death is into its second chapter and coming along - slowly. I have a Gothic book I want to start on, tentatively titled, His Master's Summons. At least one contemporary that I really need to finish titled, Hot Water. I'm also working on finishing up a Christmas story that I will publish here as a downloadable freebie. It's a serialized account of a year in the life of ex-lovers who have been reunited after a seven-year split. Look for the first installment - The Stockings Were Hung, coming to this blog soon.(If I can figure out how to attach a permanent link to the article in the side galleys of the main page. We'll see. If not, I'll embed the article link into a post.
Thanks so much for reading.
Have a very safe and Happy Holiday season.
-CS
