I’ll be 40, which I read somewhere is the official age one becomes a cougar at.

Being an alien, I didn’t think it would happen to me, but the more thought put into it and considering my *cough* hybrid status, turning into a big reddish gold, umber and white kitty, then stalking and pouncing on unsuspecting younger men?

It could totally happen, y’all. Seriously.

And it’s definitely a noteworthy event in one’s life. You don’t get to turn into an animal every day!

Anyhoo, it seemed that something special was needed in order to commemorate this approaching, and huge, life change, so I thought of Russell Michael.

No, not because he’s a sexy younger man.

Okay, maybe a little. Ahem.

Mostly because he’s an uber-talented musician and I was positive he could create an Official Cougar Theme Song.

And he did.

And here it is:

Now my four sites are linked and resemble each other, mainly due to the fact that I used the same awesome theme ( Lunatic Fringe ) with almost the same customizations made to each. Those sites are my blog here, Feral Intensity; ShadowConnor.com, LogansAngel.com and the newcomer, MidnightIntentions.com.

Midnight Intentions is where my web fics are being moved to, and they’ll continue being free reads. But if you’d like the ability to comment, or want to enter the Reading Room to see what characters are currently holding sway and relating their stories, it requires subscribing for a mere 99 cents a month. The bonus? All current subscribers receive a free ebook in the future of each completed title – in their choice of DRM free formats.

Less that $12 a year! It’s like a book club, kind of! Yay!

I’ll be working on it this week, scheduling posts and all that. The current Reading Room feature title is the second Moon Children tale, Dark Dawn. Werewolves. Alaska. Love. Lust. Violence. 

Haven’t read the first one yet? It’s Dark Craving, available at Smashwords, Amazon, AmazonUK, KoboBooks, Barnes & Noble, GoodReads and from me via Payloadz. Oh, and from Scribd!

Word count: 938

***

A Little Hitch

As the door opened, my eyes closed. Warm wind blew into the church and rustled the skirt of my wedding dress.  Carter Eddings’ voice was exactly the one I expected to hear following such a rudely late entrance. “Hey, Trance. You busy?”

The smile I aimed down the aisle at my waiting groom was present before my eyes fully opened. “I’m sorry, are you lost?” Half-turning to meet his gaze, something inside lurched uncomfortably. Damn if he didn’t look good. My chance for a normal life had just ended. “And my name isn’t…”

Carter had a grip on my left arm, just above the elbow, before I could finish speaking. “Don’t have time for games.”

“Let go of my bride!” Tom’s angry demand preceded his coming down the aisle, and several male guests rising from their seats. Carter looked past me for a quick survey and smirked.

“You’re joking. Him?” Insulted, I yanked free while he kept talking. “Is he rich? Because he’s damn sure no prize in the looks depar…”

Petals exploded. Carter’s blue eyes narrowed. “Did you just hit me with flowers?”

“You did this on purpose, didn’t you? Waited until today to show up.” Dropping the remains of the bouquet , I stumbled sideways, pushed while someone else hit him: Tom. Who then flew backwards, thanks to Carter’s quick reciprocation. A kick to his shin stopped him from leaping onto poor Tom.

“Ow, damn it all! I’m gonna tan your hide, Trance!” Hopping on one leg, both hands wrapped over his shin, Carter glared. Never one to ignore such a well-presented opportunity, I slapped both hands onto his shoulders and pushed.

He went down on his rear and I ran, hands full of satin, straight out the church doors. Getting as far away from those inside as possible before Carter caught up was foremost in my mind.

Unfortunately, he recovered quickly and acted faster than I remembered him capable of doing. A blink and I was swaying headfirst into a water trough. A scream let me in on the fact that the teleportation had been witnessed.

“Shit.” Another blink, and I was upright, facing the church as Carter stalked out. “I hate you.”

“Normal life ain’t for the likes of us, Trance. You know that.” He grinned, walking towards me. “Regular folk don’t…”

A shot cracked into the air and we both dove for the dirt. Well, I did. Carter landed on me. So much for my once beautiful wedding dress. “Get off.”

“Time to leave.” Blink and we were still in the dirt, but somewhere else.

“How sweet. It’s as though you lovebirds never parted.”

I sighed. “Hey, Jones. You, get off of me.”

“In a minute. Were you really going to marry that guy?” His lips tickled my ear. Jones made a weird sound. “Trance was getting married? Oh, man, wait until I tell the others!”

“Yes, I was, but Carter ruined that, didn’t you? Get. Off. Me!” Adding a nudge of telekinesis ended with a thumping sound. I’d launched him directly onto the landing ramp. I rose, dusting my hands off and looked down at my dress. “And my dress. You ruined my dress.”

“I wasn’t shooting,” he protested. “You were seriously going to…” He sat up. “Marry that guy?”

“Damn sure wasn’t marrying you, was I?” Stomping up the ramp helped hide the flutter of happiness. I’d wondered, and now I had an answer. “Are my quarters empty?”

“No. All your stuff’s still there.” His boots thudded behind me. “I wasn’t about to go digging around in all that girl crap, so just locked it up.”

“After I clean up, you can tell me just what the big idea was, ruining not only my wedding, but my last chance at happiness.”

Carter snorted. “You’d never have been happy there. Why do you think I came back?”

“Wait, that’s right. You left me on this dirtball planet in the first place.” Whirling around, I swung a fist that didn’t connect. He’d moved too quickly again. “Your reflexes have improved.”

He grinned. “Your taste in men has taken a turn for the worse.”

“Kiss my…” Jones interrupted my comeback. “You two better get on board. We have a posse headed our way. Or maybe they’re a lynch mob? What’s the correct term?”

My turn to smirk. “Way to go, Carter.”

“Me? All you had to do was excuse yourself.”

“I was getting married! The bride can’t excuse herself in the middle of her own wedding!” The urge to kick him was rising again. Still grinning, he grabbed my arm, dragging me the rest of the way on board. While Jones closed the hold door, Carter pinned my arms by embracing me. “Admit it. You missed me.”

“You left me on a planet where they think people with psychic talents are witches, and burn them at the stake, Carter.” I paused before adding the clincher. “You didn’t even tell me why or bye.”

He squeezed. “Needed a safe place to stash you and I didn’t mean to be gone that long.”

“Did you miss the part about burning? That wasn’t a safe place and you were gone for a year.” Damn him. I wasn’t trying to get free. He was right – I had missed him. “A year, Carter.”

“I’m sorry, Trance. Really. There was something I had to get taken care of,” he paused as the ship took off. “I’d better get up there. We’ll talk later.”

With a quick kiss, he was gone. I glanced back at Jones. “What did he have to take care of?”

Jones smiled. “Getting divorced. Welcome home, Trance.”

Next is 500, minus 7 (1.4%) returns = 493, the number of ebooks I’ve sold to this point.

$1,212.20 is how much I’ve earned from sales, after fees and distribution splits, but before editing expense and self-employment taxes.

Freebies and coupon sales add up to 4, 431 copies downloaded during that 32 months, so a total of 4,924 copies out.

26, 842 was 866 visitors daily in July, to my four sites. 21, 044 is 1,002 visitors daily so far for August.

So how am I doing as a self-pubbing indie?

Not as great as some, but well enough to keep going.

***

Little Girl Gone

October 1966

“What?” Stunned, Tristan sank down into a chair.

“Lars asked me to be his mate, and I said yes,” his daughter repeated, her tone more subdued than the first time, and holding a faint note of apology.

“Honey, you just met him,” he protested, eyes darting around the living room.

“We’re bonded, Daddy.”

Rather that comprehend that immediately, Tristan looked at the framed photos around the room. Shady as a baby, secure in Hope’s arms. At six, in wolf shape, her first rabbit dangling from her jaws. Dressed in her Sunday best and clinging to his pants leg with a solemn expression at Hope’s funeral at age eleven.

There at thirteen, Mike’s arms around her shoulders as they mugged for the camera. And his favorite, the one he’d snapped when they thought no one was looking: Shady’s arms around Mike’s neck, his around her waist, both of them wearing lovers’ secret smiles as they stared into each other’s eyes.

That was only a few months ago, Tristan thought, aware of Shady’s worried “Daddy?”

“You’re bonded? I haven’t even met him.”

“I know, Daddy, and I’m sorry. It’s all happened so fast.” Her tone begged for understanding. “He’s wonderful. And he does have a job, Daddy, and a house in town.”

“What about your college?” He’d been so proud she’d had a choice of colleges to attend, and had chosen to go.

“I haven’t missed a class yet. Lars thinks it’s cool I’m doing it.” The quick reassurance didn’t ease Tristan’s mind.

“Oh. That’s… that’s great, honey.” Dear Jesus, barely flown the nest and she’s already setting up one of her own, he thought. “Honey, do you love him?”

Did he imagine that she hesitated? “Oh yes, Daddy, I do.”

“And does he treat you right?” He was imagining her hesitation. Had to be.

“Yes, Daddy.”

“That’s what matters to me, though I hope it’s not too long before I get the chance to meet him.” Tristan paused. “That, and that you’re happy, babygal. Are you?”

“I am, Daddy. I really am. I feel… whole,” she replied. “Is that how you felt, with Momma? Like you were missing something, and she was it?”

Tristan frowned, eyes closing. Her tone seemed pleading. Was she afraid she’d made a mistake? He quietly answered, “Yes. Exactly like that.”

Shady sighed then a voice sounded in the background on her end. “Babe, this is the last box. Are you about ready?”

“Just about. I’m talking to Daddy. I need to give him our number and address,” she replied. Tristan’s frown deepened at the slavish adoration in her voice.

“When is he going to visit? For your birthday?”

The frown became a scowl; was the bastard trying to dictate when he’d get to see his own daughter? Her birthday was over a month away!

“I was thinking sooner,” Shady said.

“Well, we have to get you settled, your heat’s next week and then we have your introduction to the pack.” There was a pause, and when he spoke again, his voice was louder. “I just thought it’d be like an extra present if he came for your birthday, but anytime after the introduction is cool by me, babe.”

Tristan’s ire cooled. Of course they have some settling into to take care of, he thought. I know better than to make snap judgments. “Your birthday’s fine, honey. That’ll give me more time to make arrangements.”

“Okay.” She gave her new number and address, then chatted for a few more minutes before saying good-bye.

Hanging the phone up, Tristan stared at the photo of her and Mike, lost in their own world. He announced to the empty room, “I need a drink.”

Perhaps a drinking buddy, as well, and damn if he didn’t have a good idea where to find one. Standing up, Tristan headed for next door – and Mike. 

Must. Sell. Faster and more!

Deadlands Hunt is now available at Amazon, AmazonUK, Smashwords and GoodReads. It’ll be available at Scribd today.

But there’s the only one place you can buy it for 40% off its cover price of $5.25.

Forty percent off $5.25 = just $3.15. That’s pretty darn good for a 45k word count novella, y’all!

It has been reviewed by a purchaser too, so check that out.

Use code ‘RN84U ‘ to get 40% off and go here to buy it: http://ow.ly/2orpy

PERK!

If 20 copies total sell today, I’ll finish Not to Their Lycan, my Twitter Tale, tonight on Twitter! So far, it’s 1/20 for the day.

I’ve never sold 500 copies of any of my ebooks, much less during their first week out of the gate. So, it would beyond awesome if my new release, Deadlands Hunt, managed to sell that many copies by Saturday the 14th – especially with school about to start and my giants needing school supplies, etc.

In fact, I would love so much to reach that goal that I’m willing to discount Deadlands Hunt by 40% to do so.

So if you’d like to help little ol’ indie me reach this lofty goal of mine, use the coupon code of ‘RN84U’ when purchasing Deadlands Hunt, and get 40% off of its cover price of $5.25!

Thanks a bunch, and feel free to share that coupon code around to friends! You can check in at the bottom of any page to see how the Deadlands 500 is going!

Blood Bound (Logan’s Angel)

Trying to run from Umbri was never a good idea, or so I recalled from hours of lessons. Yet when three appeared from nowhere, running was my first reaction.

I couldn’t hear their pursuit, but knew they’d catch me quickly enough. My mind wasn’t throwing anything helpful out for consideration. After all those years of training, I couldn’t think of a single useful spell?

Risking a glance back, I slammed into one of them and would’ve fallen if not for the arm that latched around my waist. Before I could scream, he tossed me onto a shoulder, turned and ran.

Interesting turn of events, and I was having trouble catching my breath while bouncing up and down. Then just down, as one of his companions thumped into us and we all fell. Rolling free as the two Umbri began fighting, I scrambled to hands and knees, wondering where the third one was.

As soon as I was on my feet, I took off running again. If I was able to make it back to the compound, then I’d be safe and the guards would handle the Umbri. Later, I’d be in huge trouble for sneaking out, but that wasn’t as important as not dying.

Not dying became absurdly important exactly three seconds later, as the third Umbri’s claws raked my left arm. This time, I did scream while dodging. He followed, eyes gleaming yellow in the bits of moonlight that filtered through the trees.

I was screwed. Blood was running down my arm, he was licking his lips and then, the one that had grabbed me lunged out from under a tree. They rolled, clawing, tearing at each other. Why that one was so determined to catch me led to thoughts almost scarier than simply being killed.

He made short work of the other, catching me before I’d managed to get far. One hand wrapped around my wrist and he shifted, revealing his human form as tall and in a foul mood, judging by the scowl he wore. “Be still, witch.”

“I don’t think so.” I’d finally thought of a spell to use, but before I could form it, he bit me. Hard and right on the wrist, teeth tearing through flesh. “Ahh!”

Beating on him with my free hand didn’t result in being released. He just growled, and then I realized what he was doing as ice slipped through me from the new wound. It was a fate worse than death, and one that would probably result in just that.

He was trying to claim me as his mate.

With his free hand, the Umbri caught my fist, teeth still locked onto bone and into flesh. The icy sensation changed to one of scalding heat, and I vaguely heard footsteps around us as others of his pack drew near.

But what held my attention was that change in temperature. He wasn’t claiming, but offering.

Realizing neither of us would make it out of the forest alive without the other’s help, I accepted the offer, and magic bound us together. Power flashed through me, spells whirling helpfully about my mind.

“You know that it’s forever, right?” I asked as he released my wrist.

He nodded, lips coated in my blood. “Forever’s going to be short unless we get busy, witch.”

Well, at least he was able to focus on important matters. Turning, I formed a spell and sent it winging away. “Good idea.”

Later would be time enough to regret my decision – if we survived.

Zipped. DRM Free PDF formats:

After the Fall series: Tria’s Tale, A Little Nip, By Chance, Playing for Keeps, A Quiet Day, Good Intentions, Solo Mission, The Silent One, The Katarr

The bundle is 25% off regular cover prices for the titles available for purchase ($12.71 instead of $16.95!). 

Purchase yours today, and support an indie author’s first novel length release!

 (Delivery will be made via email, to the email address payment is made from.)

Or, pop over to the fund raising page to see what other options there are!

Nox and Grimm

It exists.  The HOLY GRAIL of fantasy…. A strong female lead, who is neither a raving bitch nor a helpless little flower, always waiting for rescue. Yes sir, what we have here is a bona-fide Self-Rescuing Princess!   (you did say you wanted shameless promotion, right Scath? J )

Heh, okay, if I’m going to hijack someone’s blog for a day, I should probably try to be serious.

–

Nox and Grimm – a Fantasy web serial, updated every Friday. 

Nox is a Technomancer, someone who combines science and sorcery to create enchanted artifacts.

Grimm is her best friend, a 2000 year old entity trapped in the shape of a massive, ghostly hound.

–

The ruling family of the House of Ice had kept the ancient guardian, Grimmalkyn, spellbound as their servant for millenia. To Nox, however, it seemed little better than enslavement. So when the time came for her to take up control of Grimm, she broke the binding instead and set him free.

But what she didn’t know, and what Grimm had long forgotten, was that the spell did not just bind him to her will.  It combined their wills to help him keep his ancient enemies, the Shadowkin, imprisoned. Now, the guardian and the girl must find a way to destroy a thousand malevolent souls who would like nothing better than to be unleashed on the world again…

Add to that an impending war between the Great Houses of the Elementals, the deadly secrets her family holds, along with a spy and would-be lover who has secrets of his own, and you get a mess that will require a small miracle to set right.

Fortunately, Technomancers specialize in small miracles.

—

You can find Nox and Grimm here:  http://techtigger.wordpress.com

  Or look for the posts from me, @techtigger on twitter under the #fridayflash hashtag. 

And thank you Scath for allowing me to be as shameless as Nox’s beau, Loki for a day

-Angie / @techtigger