I’ve been writing for a long time, but it wasn’t until 1998 or so that I really decided it was time to make a true effort at writing novels and having them published. I met Susan at the first conference I ever attended — in the elevator, of all places! And she told me about CPRW which became my local chapter of RWA. We became crit partners. She’s the one who told me about head hopping and POV! I learned so much by working with her…and now she’s got her first release!
I had the privilege of reading The Greater Good lo those many years ago, and it was a great book, one that’s stayed with me. I asked Sue to do a guest blog here about her new book, so you all can check it out.
* * *
It’s so kind of Megan to have me as a guest. She was my very first critique partner, and if you think your high school english teacher was tough…. I’ve kept a copy of those first corrections she made for me. I think she used three red ink pens in the first one hundred pages. As a testament to her excellent advice, that very manuscript became my first book release.
The Greater Good is a fantasy romance now available from New Concepts Publishing. It’s a full length novel and introduces the a series set in the future centuries after an asteroid wiped modern civilization from earth. Once again people must learn to survive off the land, by their wits and if they’re lucky, by forming careful alliances with other survivors.
The leaders of two colonies arrange such an alliance and seal it with an arranged marriage. The trouble is only beginning when nobody tells the groom. Juston Steele doesn’t like the trap his leaders set for him even if Princess Katerina is a lovely, desireable woman. And why does he see such desperation in her willingness to take him into her bed? If a reluctant groom was the only thing threatening their happiness, their wedding night might have solved everything, but the next morning he learns one of his bride’s many secrets. And it’s a whopper. Can she earn his trust before their enemies reveal the nefarious reasons for this alliance?
The Greater Good is the story that pushed me into being a writer. I knew the plot from start to finish before I ever put fingers to the keyboard. A couple of secondary characters poked their heads in and demanded their own story which will be told in my second release, The Lesser Evil coming this fall.
My website has an entire page of excerpts for The Greater Good, and will soon have some from The Lesser Evil. Reader can email me at skelley@susankelleyauthor.com You can also read some of my articles at www.authorsden.com and look for even more at www.gather.com
This is such a pleasure to appear on Megan Hart’s blog. I have an entire shelf in my library filled with her work. I hope to fill one with my own soon. Thanks, Megan and all the wonderful readers out there. Stay cool.
EXCERPT:
Just tested his muscles before opening his eyes and giving away his consciousness. Instincts and habit had long ago taught him to be ready to fight immediately upon waking.
Though a bit of drowsiness still clouded his mind, his thoughts had cleared enough for him to realize he’d been drugged and not poisoned. The Solonians were healers and would have such things.
Cold heaviness lay on his wrists and he guessed his ankles wore similar shackles. Cloth rubbed against cloth alerting him to the presence of others. He heard the breathing of two people and caught the clean womanly scent he had detected about the Lady Katerina when he had first met her.
Ignoring the pain behind his eyes, Just blinked twice and opened his eyes. Lady Katerina sat in a chair near his head. Her guard, Vilicia, stood directly behind her, glaring at Just.
“He wakes already, Katerina,” Vilicia said, frowning at Just even more. “We should note that males need larger doses of sedatives than females the next time we need to use the drug.
“Hopefully, Vilicia, we won’t have to use the drug on him again. We must convince him to use good sense.” Now Katerina frowned at him also. “Though we’ve seen no indication that he possesses any.”
“Yes, it’s a wonder he’s survived as long as he has. This tendency to lose control can’t serve him well in his fight against the Others.”
Just’s foggy brain wasn’t catching all their words, but he heard enough to know he was being insulted. Remembered anger rose to burn off some of the haze. Apparently rudeness was a part of Solonian culture as well as kidnapping.
Rudeness deserved rudeness. “What the hell do you want?”
The huge one stepped toward him, her lips pulled back in a snarl. It occurred to Just how helpless he was. The shackles held him stretched out flat on his back on a wooden cot.
“Watch your mouth, chained one. It wouldn’t bother me to teach you some manners and respect toward your betters.”
“Betters?” Just’s head hurt like hell, but the sluggishness was rapidly dissipating. “I see two common criminals who would rob a man of his personal rights and freedoms.”
Katerina raised her hand, forestalling any response from Vilicia. The warrior gave Just a look of disgust before retreating to the doorway. She leaned against the stone wall.
“I’m in the brig,” Just realized out loud. How would he escape from the stone dungeon? Most Realm structures were made of wood, but not this prison. He tugged on his restraints and found he could do little about his prone position. His mood went from bad to worse when he saw the sympathy on Lady Katerina’s face.
“We’re not here to debate such issues as your manners or lack of same, Just Steele. I want to discuss our arrangement and your options.”
Just started to interrupt, but her raised hand stopped him. Instant irritation flooded him because he obeyed her silent command.
“Let me give you the basic facts. Your leaders have given you to us. Whether they have the right to do so or not is of no concern to my people. You’re under our control and will remain so. There’s no chance of escape, and we won’t change our selection.”
Just pressed his lips together, waiting for her to tell it all. He didn’t trust her a bit. Her dark brown eyes held a determination that he feared would hinder his escape.
“You’re perfect for our needs.” Katerina continued. “If we must, though we prefer not to, we can control you with drugs similar to the one you’ve already experienced. We can medicate you to keep you docile and cooperative. We also have a potion that will insure your cooperation as a sire of my child.” Katerina held up a small glass vial of brown liquid. A sharp metal prong topped the vial. The stinger, Just guessed. “I’m prepared to do so right now if that’s the way you chose.”
Just’s heart accelerated. The suffocating trapped feeling closed in on him. His mouth and throat dried up as Vilicia moved to the side of his cot. He pulled against his shackles, his helplessness threatening to turn to panic.
“Shall I pull his pants down again? I don’t believe I retied them from before.” Vilicia smiled at Just, all nastiness and superiority.
Just tried to jerk back out of reach as she leaned over him.
“Wait, Vilicia. Perhaps Squad Leader Steele would like to hear another option?
Just risked a look at Katerina when she spoke. Sweat broke out on his back as she shook the vial. What kind of witches were they?
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
