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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Sweet Saturday Sample: How to train a pseudodragon to use a litter box


My Sweet Saturday Sample is a morsel from my latest release, an epic fantasy romance, Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One. This is the first of a 5-part series.
 
Available at Amazon.

         
       In this sample, Lyra is discovering how to care for two small dragons while keeping them secreted away in her guest room at Aunt Jean's lake cottage.

Once Nancy left, Lyra made her room more comfortable for dragon-keeping. She rooted around and pulled an old blanket from the cedar chest at the end of the hall. This became her new bedspread or play place for her guests. A couple old bath towels made fine dragon beds.
Jean used to have a cat. Last weekend when Lyra found the planters, a bag of kitty litter sat behind them. If she could find the old litter box, would dragons use it? Definitely worth a try. Out in the garage, she moved the old lawnmower to reach a set of shelves. There she found the litter box and filled it with pellets. Underneath, by good luck, was a box of old toys. She took both upstairs.
“Noba, you and Yasqu can use this to go to the restroom.” She motioned to the box as she set it in the corner.
“Restroom? What does Lady Lyra mean?” He crouched low and stared up at her with wide eyes.
She wrung her hands. How to convey her meaning to a dragon. No idea. Try every synonym and maybe one will strike understanding. “Urinate, defecate, eliminate, waste…”
The pseudodragon turned his head from side-to-side, eyes squinting, as he tried his best to concentrate.
“Dump, poop, pee…”
“Yes! Pee, poo.” He jumped up on the bed and sailed into the air. “Noba knows!”
Lyra clapped her hands and then caught herself. Was she really cheering for a house dragon to grasp her idea of peeing in a litter box? Yep, she was, and mighty pleased to contain whatever awful smell it might be. “Pee and poo in box.” She pointed for clarification.
“Yes, and will teach baby.”

Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One

Lyra McCauley is a writer and loves fantasy novels, but until she opens a selection from bookstore owner Cullen Drake, she has no idea he’s a wizard character who lives a double life inside that volume…or the story’s magic will compel her from the edge of depression to adventure, danger, and love.

His gift to Lyra, the Book of Dragonspeir, was actually her copy, misplaced years ago. Lost in her pain following divorce and death, she fails to recognize him as her childhood playmate from the fantasyland. Friendship builds anew. Attraction sparks. But Lyra doubts whether a wizard is capable of love. She’s torn—should she protect her fragile heart or risk new love? 

Opening the book’s cover, she confronts a quest: save Dragonspeir from destruction by the Black Dragon before he utilizes power of August’s red moon to expand his strength and overthrow the opposing Imperial Dragon. Lyra accepts the challenge, fearing Cullen will perish if evil wins. Along with magical animal guides, Cullen helps her through many perils, but ultimately Lyra must use her own power…and time is running out.

I'm looking forward to seeing what sweets some of my fellow authors on this hop will serve. Be sure to check them out on the main blog page for Sweet Saturday Samples.
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Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. The first of her epic fantasy romance series, ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS, is now available--SEEKING A SCRIBE. She has also authored the Ciel's Legacy series, fantasy romance with fast action mermaid/pirate storylines: TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE and TORTUGA TREASURE.  For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

8 comments:

Daniel said...

This was great Marsha. It made me smile. It's easy to just skip over the little details like how one deals with dragons needing to relieve themselves, but hey, dragon output happens.

Thanks for sharing this snippet!

Marsha A. Moore said...

Interesting dilemmas when you combine two parallel worlds! :-)
Thanks, Daniel!

Rachel Rossano said...

LOL I love it! I am curious if the pseudodragon remembers to do it. ;)

Marsha A. Moore said...

Noba is a very fun character. He aims to please so hard, but doesn't always manage it. Thanks, Rachel!

Sandra Allen said...

This was a delightful excerpt, and I absolutely LOVED the title of your post! Too bad you don't have any pseudodragons to sell as pets. After reading this, everyone would want one, including me!

Marsha A. Moore said...

Sandra, I write about Noba so much, since this is a 5-part series, I feel like he is a pet!

Lindsay said...

I hope litterbox training a pseudodragon is as easy as training a kitty

Carrie-Anne said...

This was a really cute sample! I love exotic pets, and dragons are definitely more exotic than most!