Tuesday, April 2, 2013

NO ONE CAN ESCAPE THIS FLAME ....


“A son ... I have a son!” called out the nobleman. He beamed at the new born, who kicked his feet under an embroidered gold fabric.

“How is my wife?” he asked the servant.

“She is expecting you in her chamber sire.”

He bolted from the nursery as the servant tucked the loosened corner of the blanket. She kissed the baby on the head and stepped into the adjoining room.


Hours later, a balmy breeze caressed the castle along with the leather-clad man scaling the eastern wall. A drop of sweat glistened from his brow as he inched closer to the third floor’s open window. 

Arm and leg muscles strained to their limit as he hoisted himself onto the ledge. After wiping his brow, he dropped and landed on the hard stone floor with an echoed thump. 

He pricked his ears for any sudden movement. A twisted rope hung from  from his left shoulder. He tied the end to a large dresser and threw the bulk out the window.

With the agility of a mountain lion, he crept toward his prey, sleeping in the carved oak bed. A callused hand swept away the delicate lace curtain. A grin etched his stubbled face. “You, little sire, are mine now.” He scooped up the child and raced across the room, leapt onto the window sill, and shimmied down the rope into the moonless night.


*   *   *   *   *   *   *


“Look!” Scorpius points to a leathery-winged dragon setting fire to a turret on the nobleman’s castle located in the Eight Dominion.

“No one is safe, not even the high born, “ the falconer said to his apprentice. “Now get back to your duties.”

“Serves them right,” muttered Scorpius. “They hide their monstrous behavior under their velvet robes and flashing jewels.” He pumped the wheel with his legs and began to sharpen his master’s blade. He glanced out the window and the dragon set fire to another turret. “A least the dragon is honest about who his is.”

“No need to think about the royals and their problems. In this cottage you are safe. I am off, so do not leave. That is an order.”

“Yes, master.” Scorpius wondered where his master disappeared for hour after hour. He had hoped one day he would journey with him and discover his secret world.

The day had come .... Scorpious’ world turned upside down in one fleeting moment. He was now in the service of the House of Pruzhnino. Court life was nothing like he had suspected ...  


BOUND by DRAGONFYRE .., A novel by Julia Phillips Smith


Featured on Amazon: 

What an exciting premise Julia has created for us! The coming of age story of a kidnapped nobleman’s son soon to learn his destiny.

I hope you all get a chance to drop by Julia’s blog to say hi. Isn’t this what the A-Z challenge is all about. To meet wonderful new bloggers and learn about them and their work.

Thanks for dropping by everyone. Have a FANTASTIC Tuesday! Tomorrow will be a double post the letter C and IWSG post. So be prepared to grab a coffee, kick back, and relax ... 




37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for a wonderful review, I'm sure it will do well.


Yvonne.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Another excellent intro! Sounds like a great book.

Sally said...

This book sounds right up my husband's street as he devours myth, magic, dragons and fantasy books by the Kindle load. I will certainly pass the intro on to him.

DEZMOND said...

I must say that the font on the cover is too ornamental and makes it difficult to read the name of the author. That's a bad marketing, but I like the picture!

Laura Eno said...

I can see that coming here every day during April is going to get very expensive... :D

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Very entertaining! I love the cover's font - very original.

mshatch said...

After A-Z, you should start charging for this service!

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Hi Michael - thanks so much for the wonderful intro to BOUND BY DRAGONSFYRE! Also, thanks to everyone for the cover feedback - always good to hear if it works or doesn't work.

Happy A to Z -ing, everyone!

Summer Ross said...

Great lead in! Sounds like a good book. Thanks for posting.
~Summer

Unknown said...

Wow! What a great intro! Can't wait to read this one... if I can find here...
Happy AtoZ to you, Michael!
Hugs from
Anna

Unknown said...

I'm here.
Anna

Anna's AtoZ-B-Blueberries

Susan Oloier said...

Great way to hook us! You're such a sweetheart to help out fellow writers. Now that karma needs to catch up with you, Michael.

Melissa said...

Wow! Sounds like a great story!
Superb intro, Michael. :)

Trisha said...

This is such a great A-Z theme, Michael!

I sense that my TBR is going to be even more bloated than it was, by the end of April!

Al Diaz said...

Bound by dragonsfire! That's such an inciting title, but what is really making me want to read them is your intro. Way to go! :)

Laura S. said...

Hello, Michael! What a cool idea to write a continuing story for the A to Z theme. This is great!

Happy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

Carol Kilgore said...

Really cool! I see my TBR list growing and growing.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Myth, magic, dragons and fantasy! How can this book not sell? Not with an intro like you've given it. Great job for a swell sounding book. :-)

mooderino said...

Great idea for your AZ theme.

mood

Nikki McIntosh said...

I don't have to start my comments with a 'B' do I? :) Great intro for the book ... love the title!!!

Julie Flanders said...

Looks like a wonderful book and I hadn't heard of it before. Always great to discover a new author! :)

Laura said...

This sounds awesome! Going to have to look it up
Lx

Nick Wilford said...

Another great intro! You are a true "nobleman" to help out your fellow authors in such an awesome way. :)

Rebecca Green Gasper said...

Love the intro! :) My reading list is going to be a mile or two long after this month...thanks- lol! Looking forward to tomorrow's intro and new book to read :)

Mark Means said...

Awesome (as always) intro, Michael! Sounds like an awesome read.

Tara C MacDonald said...

I've read this book and it's got power, intrigue, dragons -- everything you need in a fantasy world.

VR Barkowski said...

Talk about getting our attention! Mission accomplished, Michael. Excellent work!

I'm Off to visit Julia's blog and to ponder IWSG. With A to Z underway, IWSG totally slipped my mind—which is making feel particularly insecure right about now. :)

Unknown said...

Wonderful intro! I love Scorpius and Julia's amazing book really got to me. She captured the spirit of the age of chivalry and yet, created a fantastical realm filled with awesome magic.

Bev Pettersen said...

Great intro. Thanks, Michael, and congratulations, Julia!

Unknown said...

Have seen this book multiple times in my AZ rounds, wish it all the best :)

Damyanti @Daily(w)rite
Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2013

Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Damyanti, I hope you won't mind bumping into it a few more times--I began my book tour for it at the same time A to Z started, so I decided to tie the two together.

Charmaine Clancy said...

I am very intrigued by that cover, sounds like an exciting read!

Excellent post Micheal. You're off to a great start :)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Wow, it sounds like a super book! Great post!

Chancelet said...

I see you've got your work cut out for you if you keep this type amount of creative expression up everyday!

Morgan said...

I don't know how you're doing all this, Michael! Phenomenal writing as always... what a challenge you've taken on. Seriously. It's going to be a crazy month!

And I hope your Easter was fantastic!

:D

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Love the intro!

Anonymous said...

That is a very compelling premise.
I wish Julia Phillips Smith all the best with the book launch.