Saturday's Blurbs - Books by Vijaya Schartz #MFRWauthor #fantasy #sciencefiction #contemporaryromance

Princess of Bretagne
Curse of the Lost Isle - Book  1
Medieval Fantasy romance
99cts in kindle and free everywhere else
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806 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - As the Vikings raid the coast of Alba, Pressine of Bretagne sets out to seduce King Elinas of Dumfries, chosen by the Goddess to unite the tribes against the foreign invader. Elinas, still mourning his departed queen, has no intention to remarry. Head-strong and independent, Pressine does not expect to fall for the very attractive, wise and noble ruler... Furthermore, her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism of the king’s Christian heir, who suspects her unholy ancestry and will stop at nothing to get rid of her.

"Schartz paints a realistic picture of life in a medieval castle, with all its smells, tastes, visuals, and feelings, and as always, all the primary, as well as the secondary characters are well-developed and interesting. I’m looking forward to the others in this series." - Manic Readers 4.5 stars

"The exciting battles and period details also drew me in as did the intrigue surrounding Elinas' son trying to prevent him from marrying Pressine. Overall, Princess of Bretagne was a solid story that I enjoyed reading. I'm very much looking forward to finding out what's next for Elinas and Pressine when the series continues with the release of Pagan Queen." - 4 stars - The Hope Chest Review

"The story is filled with action and danger and there are many interesting secondary characters that help drive the plot forward. I particularly like Gwenvael, Pressine's brother... Look for the just released PAGAN QUEEN, to continue the saga of these two lovers." - Four ribbons - Romance Junkies.

SNATCHED
Sci-fi romance novel with a kick-butt heroine
$2.99 in eBook everywhere
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Snatched from a post-apocalyptic battlefield by galactic traders, Zania is sold to a clandestine ring of fighting Amazons on a planet lush with green jungles and teeming with deadly felines. She resents the gorgeous and overzealous Viking champion, Svend, who saves her life but too easily accepts his slavery. Adulated by a woman who claims to know her, hated by the jealous Amazon queen who fancies Svend, Zania seeks escape... But Svend knows the price of rebellion. And on this seemingly peaceful planet, ruled and defended by machines, nothing is what it seems... Among the rumbles of a volcano threatening to explode, insurrection is brewing, and no one is safe...

"A story with plot twists too numerous to list... Alternate Earths... One is an ecological disaster. The other is a paradise... Zania and Svend fight for their lives... spurned lovers... volcano... Can Zania and Svend find happiness when their world is coming apart? Sensual Reads - Sultry - 4.5 stars 

"Brimming with action from the first page, this novel starts fast and never relents. It is ripe with hidden agendas, evil villains, toothy tigers, brave heroes, and cowardly sneaks. Oh! And do not forget, exploding volcanoes. A well-scripted adventure, this dystopian novel delivers thrills and chills on each new page. The story is populated with a diverse array of characters endowed with personality and pizzazz. Pick it up and prepare to be swept away in an escapade of intense science fiction excitement." Coffee Time Romance - 4 cups

I loved this book. It is a great Sci-Fi Romance that is action packed from the very beginning... There are mysteries and surprises everywhere in the story that keep you wanting to continue reading to find out what happens... Even if you do not read much Sci-Fi romance, I would recommend this story because it is filled with characters you love and hate... will leave you satisfied in the end." Paranormal romance Reviews

ASLEEP IN SCOTTSDALE
A billionaire in jeopardy contemporary romance novella set in Arizona, with suspense and intrigue - $2.99 in eBook everywhere
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When Talia runs over billionaire Kyle Dormant with her bicycle in the dog park, she considers their meeting a happy accident. He believes it is destiny, but her physician's mind rebels at such notions. Their budding romance comes to a grinding halt when Kyle won’t wake up from deep sleep... with no medical explanation. Baffled and deeply concerned, Talia digs into his recent past for a plausible cause. Instead, she uncovers dark family secrets. Convinced Kyle's condition was induced, and someone wants him dead, she is anxious to save him, but the closer she gets to the sordid truth… and a possible cure, the greater the risk to both their lives.

"Ms. Schartz has brought us another entertaining story and also has crossed genres with this new modern romantic tale... The plot twists and Kyle is in danger. As Talia races to figure out how to save Kyle, she also faces danger... has a knack for describing fast paced situations and gives us interesting dialogue and relationships, as well. She never leaves the reader wanting!" Amazon reviewer

I have many more novels and novellas out there. Visit my website for the complete list or find them at your favorite retailer.  

Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
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Friday - Vijaya Schartz - What she was before she became a writer #MFRWauthor

1. What were you in your life before you became a writer? Did this influence your writing?

I did many things before settling down to write: from gymnast to actress in France, studying spirituality in India, traveling the world, even martial artist, tour guide, and surfer in Hawaii. I always wanted to write, but thought I needed more life experience as fodder for my writing. My first novel published (the fourth novel I completed), ASHES FOR THE ELEPHANT GOD, reflects many of my experiences in India, although the story itself is fictitious.

2 Are you genre specific or general?

I write in many genres, from straight speculative fiction to contemporary romance and medieval fantasy, with everything in between, including adventure, suspense, legends, and shape-shifters. I like all my stories to have satisfying endings, where justice prevails, and the heroes get their just rewards. I hate it when an author makes me love his characters, then kills them at the end. No offense intended, Arthur C. Clark. I have a few series in Medieval Fantasy and in Sci-Fi Romance, but even in a series, each book has a satisfying ending. I also hate it when an author ends a book on a cliff-hanger, just because it's a series and they want you to buy the next book. It's a dirty trick. I would never do that to my readers.

3. Did your reading choices have anything to do with your choice of a genre or genres?

Absolutely. I write what I love to read. Before writing novels, I was an avid reader since the age of three. Science fiction was my first true love as a teenager, because it creates new worlds for me to step into. I also liked detective stories, and thought I might write one someday. I love legends, anything mysterious and intriguing. I also thought some science fiction novels were too dry, too technical, and missed the emotional element female readers crave. That's why my science fiction novels include a romantic element, and usually a few cats for good measure.

4. What's your latest release?

ASLEEP IN SCOTTSDALE, a contemporary romance, came out from Books We Love Ltd in September 2015. It's a billionaire in jeopardy story, with a bright heroine physician, greed, intrigue, and a little suspense. I like to mix it up.

Also in 2015, BELOVED CRUSADER, Book 6 of the Curse of the Lost Isle medieval fantasy romance series came out, from Books We Love Ltd.

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5. What are you working on now?

Next for me is DAMSEL OF THE HAWK, Book 7 in the Curse of the Lost Isle series, another standalone story based on Celtic legends. Set in the Middle East during the Crusades, it involves a Fae with a curse, who is forbidden to love. The hero is a barbarian of the steppes, a Kipchak warrior, and it is a medieval fantasy romance. I am enjoying the writing and the research, and I truly love these characters.

 

6. Where can we find you?

 Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - All Romance eBooks - Smashwords - iBooks - Kobo

Thursday - My Heroes, Heroines and Villains - Searches Book 3 Affinities #MFRWauthor #Fantasy

Searches (Affinities Book 3 - Young Adult Fantasy, Books We Love)

The Heroine - Sydli
Sydli clenched her hands and tightened her barriers. Someone brushed her thoughts. She couldn't tell if the seaker was friend or foe. She pressed against the passage wall. The barrier was her only protection against an invasion of ther thougths. Had Emlu been able to block hers?
       Not that Lodar, the target of today ahd the ability ro read thoughts. He had wormed his way into their father's confidence. Why couldn't  her father see Lodar craved to be named when he wasn't entitled to the position?
      Seek the Rangers. They will help.
       A double voice sounded in her head and brought a startled cry she muffled with her fist. Who had managed to breach her barrier? What did the message mean?
        What?
       A different voice raised the question. The call to seek the Rovers came again. The double voice sounded friendly and the promise of a refuge pleased her. Could she convince Emli a flight was their only choice? Anything would be safer than here where Lodar laid plans to take the throne. Perhaps the Rovers could help them locate their mother's highland kin.
Sydli pushed away from the wall and scurried along the narrow hall to the kitchen area. She opened a part of the wall and entered the pantry. For a short time she remained behind the shelves and listened to the clatter of pans and the loud voices of the cooks and their helpers. Satisfied no one was about to enter she moved quickly. Into a sack she put a wheel of cheese, packets of journey food, flatbread, kaf and sweetener. She dragged the heavy bag to the circular room.
      She had found the room during her exploration of the inner ways her mother had shown her. When she'd looked for the area in the basement of the palace she had discovered only a stone wall with no possible opening.
The Hero - VALCON

            The midday sun of the late summer day beamed on the caravan consisting of three Rover wagons, several extra coursers and eight riders. Val tugged off his neck cloth and wiped his sweaty brow. Today he rode as rear guard and used his affinity for Water to search for emotions that spoke of strangers. As yet, the group seemed to be the only travelers for miles.

            He scanned the horizon. The grassy plains stretched to the east and the west of the old rutted road leading toward a distant grove of trees. The forest could hide attackers, but as yet he sensed no unknown enemies.

            The heavy loads stored in the wagons caused the slow progress. Val had to admit Doma Jandia was the best trader he had ever encountered. Not only did they have extra mounts there was enough food and grain to last a month or more along with the tools they needed to repair the abandoned keep. He grinned. They still had credit with the Rovers.

            An outburst of angry emotions impinged on his peace. Val’s hands clenched. Four days of travel beneath a hot sun had brought tempers to the fore, especially from those whose affinity for Fire guided their actions.

            Ky and her courser tore toward him. With one hand she held the reins. The other hand held a raised sword that blazed with flames. Behind her, Zand galloped. His sword showed a plume of fire. “Take that back,” he shouted.

            Val rode toward the pair. “Enough,” he cried. “Dampen those flames. Do you want to set the grass aflame and endanger us all?”

            “She called me a baby,” Zand said.

            Val sucked in a breath. “What did you say to her?”

            “That I was better with a sword.”

            Val nodded. “Since you have been practicing with one since you could hold a blade, how else could you be? I say you’re both acting like children.” In some ways they both were, not only in age but in experience. “Why don’t the pair of you spar after evening meal when Dragen can watch and comment?”

            The flames on Ky’s sword died. She turned to Zand. “A good idea.”

The Villain - Dom Senet appears in the other Affinity series books but in Searches more of his plans unfold.

She searched the winds for traces of the particular aroma of Dom Senet’s thoughts. He wasn’t in Cedris. Nor was he in the highlands. She continued to scent the winds until she smelled his essence. Cautiously, she slipped into his head.

He spoke to a pair of doms. Malera, Mandir and Lodar are in place and ready to do my bidding. They will seek the heirs of Easren, Nortren and Soutren. His laughter filled the wind. Ash felt cold.

They believe I will help them become the rulers of these princedoms. They will do all I ask until the day they learn there can only be one ruler. I am that one. You will remain hidden here. Two of my faithful will be sent to each of the other princedoms. I will tell you when and how to act. Though time will pass, you must remain alert.

Just as she was about to leave his thoughts, she caught a tendril leading to his plans for the four young men Zand and her brothers had met. She wanted to know more about them so she delved deeper. As she had suspected, the four were being trained to face her siblings and her. A sliver of fear sliced through her thoughts.

Ashlea?

Dom Senet’s voice. A surge of fear that wasn’t hers startled Ash. She broke the connection to the dom the way Doma Jandia had taught her. Come, she called to Kirlon. She felt him flee on her trail. Yet someone remained.

Who? Ash asked.

The Heroine --Sydli

Wednesday's Writer's Tip - Craftsmanship Part 3 #MFRWauthor #amwriting

Motivation needed - providing motivation for everything a character does or says is important. Now this doesn't mean spelling out the reason but allowing the reader to know this through what you have shown the character's personality and background to be.

Breaking down a scene - Using all the tricks of the writer during a scene whether major or minor is important and deciding hoe much exposition, action, description and narration is important. Using too much of one kind may skew the scene. I've read scenes where there is nothing but dialogue. I've written them but it's important to let the reader see more than this. So looking at your scene and following the 5 Ws is important. Who, Where, When, What and Why are important for the writer to know.

The motivation for each character must be established so the reader knows exactly why a character acts the way he or she does.

So understanding motivation is important for the writer. If they don't understand the motivation of their characters expecting the reader to know and understand is impossible.

Tuesday's Inspiration -- Anne Lamott - False Starts #MFRWauthor

How often do you think you know how the story is going to go? You start out in a rush and suddenly you hit a wall and can go no further. So you back up and start again.

Over the years of writing my false starts are less than they were when I began writing. But it still happens on occasion. Often it's the opening sentence or paragraph or scene that needs either to be re-written or scrapped completely.

What does a changed sentence really mean, Sometimes a lot. The opening sentence really sets the tone of the story. A funny sentence makes the reader believe the story will be humerous. Not a good ide if you're writing a tragedy. So sometimes re-writing that first sentence again and again really works. The same goes for the opening paragraph. Setting the tone and kind of story is important.

Now what about when the first scene seems to be a false start. There are things to discoverhere. Whose story is this. Often the opening paragraph gives a view of the character who has the most to win or lose during the events about to be unfolded.

My word of advice is do not worry about false starts. Find the right one and the story suddenly flows.

Meandering On Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFRWauthor #Poem

Meander 1 _Poem

Avalanche

You reached to me. Laughter coated you like
The surface of earth on a mountain slope.
I saw your earth cover crack and forth
From your depths an avalanche of lonliness
A rolling wave of stones and rocks rushing
Rock over ock down tumbling toward me.
The brutal crashing, crushing threat - steady
Surge of lonliness pins me poised alarmed
And terrified I curl myself upon
Myself. Protective womb retreat. My hands
About myself in tight embrace. I hide.
Between us rings a hauntine why. The pain
And loneliness is part of us. Never
To reach, never to touch but to cry as
Rocks and stones and sheets of earth reverberate
From our curl closed bodies' tight defense.

Meander 2 - I'm on a reading kick these days and am reading and re-reading books of some of my favorites. Visiting old friends is nice but new ones is even better. Are you a reader, too. If I hadn't become a reader I never would have become a writer.

Meander 3 - My writing is going, not as fast as I would want but it's going. I've nearly finished the re-writes on the third of the novella series and am slowly typing the changes to the Wizards. Now it's slated for February release since my publisher has set days to submit giving her a welcome breath to get the work done. She's a dynamo but everyone needs time just to breathe.

Sunday - My Book - The Gemini-Sagittarius Connection #MFRWauthor #astrology #medicalromance

Gemini Liz seems to be following her sign. She's the mother of twin boys, she'd returned to Eastlake for the second time and she's taking her second position as a nurse manager. She feels moving from the city will be good for her sons who sometimes choose the wrong friends. What Liz doesn't want is a second husband. The death of her fireman husband made him a hero but devastated her life. She had to return to work and become a single mother. Fortunately her father-in-law has stepped in to care for the boys but he wants to retire to Florida. Though she's attracted to Jeff she wants to deny the attraction.

Jeff is a Sagittarian who often suffers from the foot in mouth disease. His wife died years ago but she was the perfect wife and he has no desire to fall in love or marry again. As a neurosurgeon he sees Liz a lot since she is the nurse manager of the ortho/neuro unit at the hospital. He also wants to deny the attraction and finds it harder and harder.

Can a pair of mischievous boys find a way to help their mother and the doctor find love again?

1. Review:
   
   
   Double Opposition is an amazing book that I would recommend for any reader. It has so much to offer…a great hero and heroine, very well developed secondary characters, sexual tension, suspense…oh and let’s not forget the evil Delores and her son who you will dislike immediately. The story is a perfect mix of all the things we want in a good book. From Road to Romance by Jennifer Ray (less)

Ms. Walters does an excellent job capturing the multi facetted character of Liz. She is not a simple woman. She is a mother, nurse, daughter, widow, and last but not least a woman. The story flows quickly as Liz balances the demands of her many roles. The interaction between Liz and her sons offers glimpses of humor and reality as she confronts the escapades and problems all parents face. Add to that the growing relationship between Jeff and Liz as they confront the problems in the hospital and the story is a delightful quick read for any lover of contemporary romance. 4 Angels.

Reviewed by: Amanda

Liz Jordan thought moving out of the city and back to Eastlake would solve all her problems.  Her twin boys, Brandon and Justin, wouldn’t be getting into any more trouble in the small town.  Plus, the new job as nurse manager for the ortho/neuro unit would pay a lot better than her job at the city hospital.  Granted she would have to be working with a man that she has secretly dreamt about for years.  But all around her life should be looking up, right?

Dr. Jeff Carter hopes that the new nurse manager will get all the problems and incidents that have been happening on the unit taken care of before one of his patients gets hurt.  What Jeff doesn’t expect is to find himself highly attracted to the new nurse manager.  Not that Jeff is looking for a relationship, for he loved his late wife very much.  But what’s wrong with a simple affair.  One that may help keep the gossip mongrels off his heels for awhile.

As much as Liz tries to avoid anything other than a professional relationship with Jeff, she finds herself falling for his charms big time.  Liz needs to keep her head clear though, with the twins getting into trouble with the neighbor kid, Chet and the problems on the unit.  She has a pretty good idea that her neighbor and co-worker, Delores Forbes is the one behind all the trouble.  Now she just has to prove it before things really get out of hand.  And to top the cake, Liz’s father-in-law is planning on moving to Florida when the boys go back to school.  Will poor Liz get a break from the craziness that is her life?

A DOUBLE OPPOSITION is an extraordinary story.  I felt so bad for poor Liz.  It seemed like she was always being pulled in twenty different directions.  This is a great romance that kept me reading until the very end.  Trust me when I say you are sure to hate Delores from the first time you meet her. As for Dr. Jeff Carter, well that man had the right idea; he just took the long way at getting to it.  This is sure to be a romance story that will keep you enthralled.  I look forward to reading more of Ms. Walters’s stories

Saturday - Blurbs - Books by Tricia McGill #MFRWauthor

Amid the Stars.

Blurb: 

Terrified, and in fear for her life after her husband, an undercover cop, is killed, Melanie Ross has nowhere to hide. 

A squadron from a far planet visiting Earth on a reconnaissance survey prepares to leave, without one of their members who is dying of a virus. Irena must remain on Earth, so seeks a replacement to take her craft back to the other side of the Universe. Seeing Melanie’s predicament she offers her an escape. Reluctantly Melanie agrees. Conquering her fears, she must learn to live among a superior race on Qindaga.

Reve, commander of the star ship circling their planet, bears an inexplicable resemblance to her dead husband. Passion flares amid the stars, but can love with an alien flourish?
http://store.payloadz.com/details/2417377

Remnants of Dreams.

Blurb:

            Remnants of Dreams begins in North London with Alicia's story. It is 1914, just at the beginning of WW1. Alicia is left with a child when her first love is killed. She eventually marries Matt and they have another nine children. Part two is the story of Sara, Alicia's headstrong daughter.  Sara marries the wrong man because the one she loves is married to her sister. But following her mother's example she finds the strength and courage to face many trials and setbacks before building a new life for her and her daughters, and in due course finding true love.

This is the story of a changing world, and takes us through two world wars, following the loves and heartaches of a large family battling extreme poverty. But despite this they are rich in the things that matter--love and pride.

http://store.payloadz.com/go/?id=2387518

Distant Mountains Settlers Book 2

Even in the prospering colony of New South Wales, it would be far-fetched to think a convicted man could consider marrying the daughter of a wealthy property owner.

But Remy has larger problems to contend with than Sara’s bigoted father. Forced to leave the woman he loves behind, Remy faces overwhelming odds and an ordeal that threatens to strip him of everything; his pride, his strength, his health—even his life.

Sara has many struggles of her own and when Remy finally thinks he has a future with Sara within his grasp, he is sent to a place where pain and suffering are everyday occurrences. Will the lovers ever find true happiness?

http://store.payloadz.com/go/?id=2387517

Friday - What She Was Before - Tricia McGill #MFRWauthor

1. What were you in your life before you became a writer? Did this influence your writing?

I worked in the fashion industry for 30 years. I was more or less pushed into this trade as all the females in my family, including our mother, were involved in sewing or fashion in one way or another. I fought against it for a year after I left high school, but when the opportunity came along to up my wages and my opportunities considerably I agreed to give it a go. I never regretted it as I loved my work. But always that yearning to write was simmering, and so when I was forced to retire with spinal problems the chance came to write full time. So, obviously my profession had no influence on my writing at all--except in that working amongst many different types of people who came from varying walks of life, in an environment where people exchange confidences and stories with each other, gave me many ideas for my futures stories.

2 Are you genre specific or general? Why? I don't mean genres like romance, mystery, fantasy etc. There are many subgenres of the above.

I guess I am general, as I have written Time-Travels, Historical, Mainstream, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, but all have romance at their heart. I'm a romantic and can't seem to write anything but a happy ending. I tend to look at life through rose-tinted glasses, although I do have a few villains in my stories. There are a few genres I could never tackle, including erotica, horror and mystery. Perhaps it has something to do with my love of delving back into the past, hence my love of time-travels and historicals. I hope I'm still around when someone invents a time machine.

3. Did your reading choices have anything to do with your choice of a genre or genres?

Oh yes. I've read time-travels since I was a child, and have always loved historical movies and books set in the past. I can recall wanting to go to bed early (weird for a child, I know) to escape anything creepy that was about to begin on the radio. I am a total cissy when it comes to anything scary so don't read horror or stories containing brutal violence.

4. What's your latest release?

Amid the Stars was released in November. As the title suggests this book is set way off on another planet on the far side of the universe. This is my only venture into the world of Sci-Fi, and is one of those books that I have no idea where the idea came from. I thoroughly enjoyed writing it as I could let my imagination go wild. Who could challenge me on the facts? I had a heap of fun creating my aliens, especially Reve, commander of the star ship. 

5. What are you working on now?

My next book out is a contemporary romance set in Australia, Second Chances (Challenge The Heart Book 1) sets out to prove that love has no barriers, especially where age is concerned. After all, it's just a number and has nothing to do with physical attraction. This one is for all the women who fall in love with a younger man. I have never understood why this causes people to criticize, and question, while nobody quibbles when the age difference is reversed.

6. Where can we find you?

  

My web page: www.triciamcgill.com

My Blog: http://triciamg.blogspot.com/

MY Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorTriciaMcGill

MY Books We Love page: http://bookswelove.net/authors/mcgill-tricia/

Thursday - My Heroes, Heroines and Villains from Havens - Affinities Book 2 #MFRWauthor #fantasy

Havens (Affinities Book 2 - Young Adult fantasy, Books We Love)   

The Heroine - Kylandra

Ky listened to the even breathing of her siblings.  The aromatic aroma of the fir needles had grown faint.  She slid from her sleep saque and added another fire brick and more of the needles.  After pulling on her boots and poncho she crawled from the tangle.  Had Dom Senet and the guards arrived at the hut or had Ash imagined the evil man was near?  Ky drew a deep breath of the chill air.  She had to know.

What did the dom plan?  Did he suspect she and her siblings were near?  Snow swirled in the air but the fall was lighter than it had been when they’d sought refuge here.  With care, Ky made her way through the forest to the log house.

A spiral of smoke rose from the chimney.  As she drew nearer she saw the brush barrier someone had erected.  She peered into the enclosure and saw five war steeds and a courser.  She edged past.  Other than a restless pawing and some snorts the beasts ignored her.  She slid around the side of the building.  A shame there were no windows but there were places where the clay had fallen from between the logs.

The Hero - Jaydren

With a burst of speed Jay turned from the hut and raced toward the camp where his siblings waited.  Ky’s call had held an urgency that spurred him to hurry.  The path he took wound in a serpentine manner around clusters of firs and stark stands of hardwoods.  Towing the sled through the maze would be difficult.

He passed the first place he’d noted as a possible shelter.  The fallen trees and bushes formed a space resembling a cave.  Dead leaves lay in a thick mat on the ground.  There was room to pitch the tent but he was glad he’d continued past.  The abandoned hut could shelter them for days while they decided where to go.

Jay sighed.  If only Ash would search the winds for signs of people they could have formed an idea of where they were.  He understood her fear.  With the twin bond he had experienced some of Ky’s panicked reaction when she’d been Dom Senet’s prisoner.  Being separated from her siblings had been hard, but when the two-way conversation had been cut off, her hopes must have vanished.  His had.

He caught the scent of burning wood and then saw a great cloud of smoke.  Finally he was close enough to see leaping flames.  Why had they built the fire so high?  If there were people nearby they would come to investigate and they might be enemies.  He stretched his legs into longer strides.  “What happened?”

The Villains -

The door opened.  Dom Manton ushered the four older boys into the room.  The four young men swaggered.  Their lips curled into sneers.

The one with Fire sent flaming balls around the room.  Several passed so close Bran flinched.  The boy with Earth formed pieces of metal into links and formed a chain he said could be used to choke someone.  The young man with Water brewed a potion Bran knew was a poison.

The fourth boy spoke.  “I am Air and thus leader.  I read the winds and tell my circle where to strike.”  A sly glint appeared.  “Doma Jandia is angry with you.  She wants you to select Dom Manton as your teacher so she can be rid of you.”

Bran tightened his barriers.  Zand broadcast his fear of betrayal.  Bran wished he could tell his friend the older boy lied about the doma.  Had Doma Jandia sent a false message on the wind?  To help Zand regain his calm, the one who had Air had to be shown to be foolish.  “If you can read the winds so well, can you tell me where the boy who ran away can be found?”

“Why should I?  He was a weakling who listened to a girl.  Can you believe she insisted she had a Earth affinity?  Girls can’t have an affinity.  They don’t have the stomach to fight.  If she were still here, she would have been taken away by the Master on his next visit.  He would have sold her as a slave.”