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Saturday, May 5, 2012

Sweet Saturday Sample: Chlorine gas oozed from its blood


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 for only 99 cents.



In this sample, Lyra and her small group of guides reach the division between good and evil lands. There, one of the guides, Glisla, turns traitor. Cullen, the Imperial Sorcerer and Lyra's lover, along with the Imperial Dragon (golden dragon/Head Guardian), come to Lyra's aid when she is being attacked.

In the distant edge of the dense woods, Lyra barely made out the form of a green dragon. A breeze carried the foul odor of evil from that direction, making her nose wrinkle in disgust.
When their band reached the Geminus tree, the discordance of powers caused the air to crackle with electricity. The treetop swayed wildly in a gust. Lyra looked up. A magnificent golden dragon sailed toward her, larger than any dragon she had seen. His translucent wings connected all along his body to the tip of his tail, like huge sails. It could only be the Imperial Dragon.
She stood entranced by his vast golden aura trailing far behind him. His power reached inside her soul and connected to her new internal fire. In that instant, she gained insight into her purpose. Suddenly, she was one with the good of Dragonspeir, as strong as the bond with her family and belief she could find happiness with Cullen. The three were inseparable in her spirit.
While lost in this revelation, something pushed her hard past the Geminus tree. She landed on her side in the bleak shadow world and stared back at Glisla, whose body and arms leaned forward from shoving her.
“Lyra! Get up! Come to me!” Cullen shouted, holding his hand to her just inside the boundary.
The Head Guardian let out a piercing screech.
Something whoshed above her. “You’re my prize now, Scribe,” a huge green dragon snarled while his talons latched onto her waist.
She screamed and writhed.
Before it could even lift off, the Imperial Dragon came at full speed, tackling the beast half his size.
Tossed free, she landed eighty feet farther within the dark land.
The dragons wrestled between her and the Geminus tree. Fire and magma drakes circled her like vultures. In one swift bite, the Head Guardian bit cleanly through the neck of his opponent. The huge green head landed with a thud in front of Lyra, its spinal hornlets lodging in the soil. A stench of chlorine gas oozed from its blood.
        Her legs trembled and buckled as she attempted to stand. She could feel the heat of the drakes’ breath from above. She needed to get back over the boundary.

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.

If you enjoyed this sample, you might like to read more about the different types of dragons in my world of the Enchanted Bookstore Legends, featured today in my guest post at the blog of VickieTaylor. 

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.

5 comments:

Patricia Preston said...

Great sample! Love the action and description. Plus I'm a fan of dragons, too! I'm off to buy a copy. BTW, I love your blog design.

Marsha A. Moore said...

I love dragons of all sizes and ages! Thanks lots for coming by, Patricia. I hope you enjoy the book. I had a blast writing it!

Sandra Nachlinger said...

Great sample. I especially liked your use of the sense of smell--the foul odor of evil, as well as the stench of chlorine gas. Great description.

Lindsay said...

Yes this is a great sample. Beautiful descriptions

Marsha A. Moore said...

Sandy and Lindsay, thank you both. I like to feel like I'm really there--part of the adventure for me.