Storm Warrior – Snippet 2
Storm Warrior, Storms of Magic Book 4
By P.T. Hylton & Michael Anderle
Snippet 2
Unedited
Chapter One
The Foggy Day glided across the water and raced toward her target, propelled by a powerful wind.
“She’s turning!” Elliot called from the crow’s nest.
Abbey shielded her eyes from the sun and gazed in the direction Elliot was pointing. It took her a moment, then she saw it through the spray. Sure enough, their target was angling toward port. Tempest Chaser, the stormship they’d been hunting for the last three days.
“Set us three degrees port,” Captain Syd shouted.
“Aye!” a sailor called in response as he made the adjustments to the wheel.
Abbey marched to the quarterdeck, where her captain stood. Syd’s arms were crossed as she watched over the crew carrying out their well-orchestrated dance.
“Think they’re angling back for a fight?” Abbey asked Syd.
The captain didn’t take her eyes off the ship in the distance. “Not if they’re smart. Running won’t do them much good either.”
Tempest Chaser was a mid-sized stormship, one that held no special renown. It was one of the many ships in the fleet that spent most of its time sailing the fishing routes, making sure they were safe for the fishermen and women.
Her captain was an older man who had spent much of the last few months complaining about the state of Holdgate to anyone who’d listen. He didn’t approve of the fact that the city had turned on its most favored son, Tor. He didn’t like that they’d given Thunderclap, the flagship of the fleet, to an underachieving, easygoing captain like Roy. Most of all, he hated the Barskall Storm Callers who had recently been brought to the city, and he was indignant that the Holdgate fleet was actually using some of them on the stormships.
So when Tempest Chaser hadn’t returned from their latest voyage and a handful of villages along the southern Kaldfell coast had reported devastating attacks, it wasn’t difficult to put two and two together.
Captain Syd spoke, her voice thick with disdain. “Storm Raiders. I thought we were done with this idiocy.”
Abbey chuckled, but there was no joy in it. “If there was one thing I learned in our travels, it was that idiocy wasn’t the private property of Captain Tor or Dahlia. It’s a widespread affliction, and those who have it are all too happy to share.”
Syd nodded toward the bow of The Foggy Day. “Check on our Storm Caller for me?”
“Aye, Captain,” Abbey said. As she walked to the other end of the ship, her eyes scanned the deck, appraising her crew. She was happy with what she saw. They were working hard, quickly and diligently going about their tasks. The pre-battle energy practically crackled in the air, yet they remained focused.
It was a credit to Captain Syd, and to the crew themselves. They’d been through a lot together, this ragtag bunch. They’d fought Barskall and Stone Shapers. Now they were back on the Kaldfell Peninsula, and things had come full circle. They were home and fighting Storm Raiders, just like the good old days. It was almost enough to make Abbey smile.
Almost.
She’d been to three of the villages these assholes had raided. She’d seen the devastation they’d left in their wake, and she’d spoken to the families of those they had killed. Abbey wouldn’t be smiling until this was over and done with.
She’d almost reached the causeway to the foredeck when Olaf stopped her.
“Hey, Abbey, did you tell Dustin my idea?” His eyes were so big and hopeful it almost made her laugh.
“Just to be clear, your idea was that he not destroy them with storm magic, right? That he get us in close, and we try to board them?”
He nodded eagerly.
“No, I did not tell Dustin that idea. Because it’s horrible.”
If he was insulted by her comment, it didn’t show. “Okay, yeah, I can see why you’d think that. But we need to show these guys that Storm Raiders don’t get off easy. I mean, a massive wave and it’s over? We need to strike fear into their hearts. And nothing strikes fear like a warrior with a flaming sword rushing at you.”
Abbey shook her head. After everything they’d been through, Olaf still thought battle was a glorious game. She almost admired his ability to keep his Holdgate ideals.
She put a hand on his shoulder. “Listen, Olaf, I know you’re excited about your magic abilities, and you want to put them into action.”
“They basically turned the tide at the battle in Ammaas,” he interjected.
She decided to let that one go. “I’m sure you’ll have plenty of opportunity to strike fear into your enemies’ hearts with your flaming sword, but we’re going take care of this the most efficient way possible.”
He gave a brisk nod. “Understood.”
Abbey turned back toward the foredeck, pleased at how well he’d taken the decision. The Olaf of just a few months ago would have argued his point, and probably challenged her to a fight over it, too. He’d come a long way, though it had helped that every time they did fight she knocked him on his ass.
As she reached the bow, she slowed her pace. She’d learned not to surprise Dustin when he was stormcalling. The task took total concentration, and surprising him—especially before a battle—could throw him off his game.
She spoke in a soft but confident voice. “Hey, Dustin, what are you up to this fine day?”
He sounded a little distracted when he answered, the way he always did when he was stormcalling. “Not much. Sailing on a stormship. Catching some sun. Hunting Storm Raiders. The usual Tuesday stuff.” His voice grew more serious. “These idiots are showing us their portside. Nice big target. I think it’s time to stop chasing and start playing rough.”
“You know I like it when you talk that way.” Abbey crossed her arms, settling in to watch the show.
“Careful,” Dustin said distractedly. “Elliot will get jealous.”
Abbey didn’t think that was very likely. Things had remained frustratingly platonic between them since their return to Holdgate, despite every sailor on the ship knowing there was a mutual attraction there. It was starting to annoy Abbey. “Let’s stay focused on the battle and leave my love life alone for the moment.”
Dustin grinned. “What love life?”
Without another word, he closed his eyes and tightened his grip on his staff. Almost immediately dark clouds appeared over Tempest Chaser, and the air grew thick with electricity. A lightning bolt crashed down, striking the mast of the stormship. It was quickly followed by a second. Then a third.
Abbey let out a soft whistle. “Looks like all your practice is paying off.”
Not long ago Dustin had considered calling lightning his weakness in storm magic, but he’d made a point of changing that. The mast of Tempest Chaser was in flames.
He opened his bluish-green eyes and nodded toward the other ship. “Hey, what do you say I bring us in close? I’ll bet the crew would love the chance to finish these idiots off personally.”
Abbey frowned. “Olaf got to you, didn’t he?”
Dustin couldn’t hide his smiled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Abbey just shook her head and told her crew to prepare for battle.
Storm Warrior – Snippet 1
Storm Warrior, Storms of Magic Book 4
By P.T. Hylton & Michael Anderle
Snippet 1Prologue
Unedited
Prologue
Arcadia, Sixteen Years Ago
When they came to kill Lara, she was reading the letter she’d written to her daughter.
She’d read it dozens of times, at least once a month ever since Abbey was born. There was a ritual to it; it soothed her troubled heart to read the words she couldn’t say aloud. The things Abbey was too young to understand. The things Lara wasn’t sure she’d be there to say later.
Lara had long ago resigned herself to the fact that she might not live to see her daughter grow up.
It was early afternoon and Benjamin and Abbey were visiting the home of one of Benjamin’s fellow Hunters, a man with a son a year older than Abbey. With her three-year-old daughter out of the house, Lara had a rare few hours to herself.
And yet, she was spending the entire time reading and rereading this piece of parchment.
She finished the letter and refolded it so the word “Abbey” showed on the front. Then she stared at it for a long time, considering what her daughter would think of her on the distant day when she finally read it. Would she understand? Or would it make her hate the woman who’d given her life?
A loud pounding on the door startled her, interrupting her thoughts, and a chill ran through her. That wasn’t the knock of a neighbor wanting to have a casual chat.
That knock had authority.
She briefly considered ignoring it—just pretending she wasn’t home—but if her visitors were who she suspected, that would only lead to them breaking down the door. They weren’t really the “We’ll come back later” types.
She stood and straightened her dress, using the time to steady her nerves. If it came to it, she’d fight. Taking a deep breath, she mentally prepared herself for that possibility.
She strode purposefully to the door, forced a smile onto her face, and pulled it open.
Her heart sank at what she saw.
Four Hunters.
“Hello, gentlemen,” she said in a chipper voice. “Here to see my husband?”
The grim looks on their faces made it clear they were not.
She recognized all four of them, but she couldn’t remember the name of the one in the back. He’d only been a Hunter for a month. She knew the rest of them all too well. These were her husband’s friends.
Daryl, the man in front, looked her in the eye. “No, ma’am. We’re here to see you. Let’s step inside.”
Lara stood firm. “We’re very busy. I’m making dinner, and Benjamin—”
“We know Benjamin isn’t home, Lara.” Darryl sounded almost regretful.
Luke, the man who spoke next, did not sound sorry at all. “You think we’d do this when your husband was here? How dumb do you think we are?”
“Very.” Lara shouldn’t have said it, but she couldn’t help herself.
Daryl grimaced and pushed his way past her into the small home.
Lara forced herself to stay calm, to remain composed. Yet she held onto the fear and anger that was forming a tight ball in her stomach. If it came to a fight, she would use that emotion.
“Come right in.” Her voice sounded remarkably calm, considering the fear raging inside of her. She had to get through this for Abbey’s sake. “Such brave men, waiting until my husband’s gone before paying a visit. Were you watching the house?”
Darryl cleared his throat. “We didn’t come alone.”
All four Hunters had entered now and they stepped aside, allowing another man to come through the door.
Even though he was draped in shadow, Lara recognized him immediately. She let out a gasp of surprise when she saw him.
He stepped into the light and flashed his signature wide, toothy smile. His raven-black hair was shorter, but other than that he looked exactly as she remembered. It was difficult to believe it had been five years since she’d last seen him.
“Hello, Lara.” He crossed his hands in front of his waist and stared at her with those piercing eyes, so dark they were almost black even when he wasn’t using magic.
She froze, torn between running away and slapping him square in the face. “Carter. I didn’t know you were back. Last I heard, you were following a lead south.”
“Indeed I was. Then I went east. Farther east than you could imagine possible. I’ve seen things that you wouldn’t believe. Places where the sand stretches so far you think you’ll never see the end of it. Places so cold you practically have to put your hands in the fire just to get the feeling back in them. And the people…” He made a strange scoffing noise in his throat. “Such people. And I thought the scum on the Boulevard were bad! But I’m back now.”
Lara fought to keep her voice level. She wanted nothing more than to get this man out of her home as quickly as possible. If he was still here when Benjamin arrived…well, she didn’t want to think about what might happen.
“Does this mean you’ve finally completed your mission?” she asked.
Carter’s gaze cooled a few degrees. “I’m afraid that’s still a work in progress.”
“And how’s Chancellor Adrien feel about that?”
The man paused a moment before answering. “He understands the difficulty of the task. That was why he assigned it to me.”
Lara wasn’t so sure that was true. Some claimed Adrien had given Carter the job because it would send him far from the city. Carter was the only person in Arcadia who could hold a candle to Adrien when it came to power, so he was a threat. Or so some people speculated.
The Hunters stood on either side of the room, flanking Lara. They held their shockers ready.
Carter cast a disdainful eye around the room. “Tell me, does your husband really believe you picked up your magical skills from some uncle? Or has he figured out you’re lying to him?”
Lara practically snarled her response. “I’m protecting him!”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night. Fortunately, your story provides the perfect cover for your death.”
Lara had known he was there to kill her the moment he walked through the door, but hearing it spoken plainly sent an icy chill through her. If she was going to get out of this, she needed to fight.
Carter gave her a pitying look. “Lara, you had to know this day was coming. After everything you’ve seen? Everything you know? You refused to help us, so there’s no other choice.”
“What about my family?” It was a foolish question, but she needed to keep him talking.
He chuckled. “That’s the beauty. We’ll claim you’re just another Unlawful who was caught practicing magic. You provided us our alibi. Isn’t it rather convenient that after—”
Lara raised a hand and cast, sending a dagger of ice flying through the air toward him.
For a gratifying moment a look of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly recovered, moving his right hand before the dagger reached him. The ice turned to water and splashed harmlessly onto his shirt.
He shook his head sadly. “You’ve gotten slow. Time was that ice dagger would have been through my throat before I even knew you were casting. Domestic life has not agreed with you, Lara.” He turned to the Hunters. “Take her.”
“No!” she turned and grabbed the nearest piece of furniture, the dresser. But the Hunters were soon on her.
One of them knocked into the dresser and she watched in horror as the letter she’d written Abbey slid backward and fell behind the heavy oak piece.
As they dragged her from the house, she gave no thought to the loss of her own life. She’d known for a long time that this could be coming, and, in a way, she’d been the cause of her own downfall.
Her only concern was for the letter.
How many years would it be before Benjamin moved that dresser? Or would he even stay in that house once she was gone?
In her heart, she knew he would not.
And with that knowledge came a terrible realization. Benjamin would never know the truth. Abbey would never know the truth.
Gateway to the Universe RELEASE!
Gateway to the Universe, In Bad Company: Age of Expansion Book 1
By Michael Anderle, Craige Martelle, & Justin Sloan
They say that behind every great man is a great woman…but what if that woman is a Werewolf?
- “Once you start this series you won’t be able to put it down. I can’t wait for Terry and Char’s new adventure to begin.”
- “I can’t wait for new books. I am totally hooked.”
- “I am waiting with bated breath for these beloved characters next fantastic journey!! I know that you can’t rush a good thing but I really really cannot wait!!”
What happens when Terry and Char meet Bethany Anne?
They get to do the Empress’ bidding, but not on Earth. With the infamous Valerie of New York, to space they go, to become the Direct Action Branch of Nathan Lowell’s Bad Company.
Before they reach Nathan on the other side of the galaxy, they find that space is a dangerous place, even for the wary, especially for the unprepared. Are you ready to join them on their epic journey?
Return of Victory – Snippet 3
Return of Victory, Reclaiming Honor Book VIII
By Justin Sloan & Michael Anderle
Snippet 3
Unedited
New York
Valerie took her first step into HQ in what felt like years, but really it hadn’t been more than a couple of months or so. How odd it felt, knowing that this building had once been home to her enemies. She had led a siege against Commander Strake and his Enforcers, then hunted him and the CEOs behind him down. The building had become her home after that, but now felt like such a strange, foreign place.
This sensation confirmed something she had been thinking about for a while now—that she didn’t belong here. But where did she belong? In space?
With a glance at the skies, she wondered what sort of battles were going on in space right now. Was it possible something could go wrong and it would all be over without her even getting a chance to fight?
Considering the fact that it was Bethany Ann up there fighting for their survival, she was hopeful.
Several men and women in black uniforms passed by, eyes wide at the sight of her. They all knew her, apparently, though she didn’t know them. She wondered if they had thought she was dead, or if that ruse had even stuck. Knowing the way information moved around this city, she wouldn’t be surprised if it hadn’t.
The elevator dinged and there was Sandra, her belly certainly leaving no doubt that the woman was moving along in her pregnancy. Otherwise, she looked the exact same.
Her eyes met Valerie’s and the two women ran forward, wrapping their arms around each other and laughing.
“How can such a short amount of time feel like an eternity?” Sandra asked.
“That’s a bit melodramatic,” Valerie replied, winking to show she was joking. “I see we’re not under attack yet?”
“Straight to business, huh?”
“Tell me we can afford not to be and I’ll gladly head over to your café for a bottle of wine. No? I didn’t think so.”
“Diego, Davies, and the rest are upstairs.” Sandra led the way back to the elevator and, once Valerie was in, she pressed the button.”
“The rest being all but Cammie and Royland?”
“And Sergeant Garcia. He was there the last time, so he went to show them the way. Cammie and Royland aren’t really part of the council anymore. Not at this point, anyway. It’s like they’ve moved on.”
“I know the feeling,” Valerie replied, staring at the wall as she lost herself in the events in Norway. She still regretted the loss of the sweet airship with her symbol carved into its side, but life was full of loss. Better a ship than a loved one.
“Er, right.” Sandra glanced at her, seemingly nervous.
“I haven’t changed so much,” Valerie commented. “You don’t have to look at me like I’m a stranger.”
“You haven’t…and you have.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Sandra shrugged. “It’s like, I see a different look in your eyes, you know? Like you’re ready to say good bye to us all.”
Valerie bit her lip. That was somewhat accurate, after all. “Not until I know you’re all safe. Not until I’ve taught these assholes a lesson and sent a message so loud the whole world will hear it.”
Sandra blinked as if she was holding back something she really wanted to say, but then just nodded. After a few minutes, she said, “I’ll be sad when that day comes.”
The elevator dinged, and she walked out before Valerie had a chance to respond. Upon opening the doors to the colonel’s office, Valerie was pleased to see Diego in there.
He smiled, but the first thing he said was, “I’m coming with you.”
“No!” Sandra stepped into the room, shoving him. “Don’t you start that, not again. I’m not watching you run out to your possible death while you leave me here again!”
“Can we start with a ‘Hey, Val, how’s it going’ maybe?” Valerie asked, glancing around to see Davies sitting at the table. The office was otherwise unoccupied.
Davies gave her a nod. “Hey Val, how’s it going?”
She smiled. “Thank you, that wasn’t so hard. Peachy, Davies. A couple of my friends went off into the lion’s den without me, and now Sandra here is stalling.”
“I wanted to have Diego draw you a map, show you how to get to El Diablo, but instead he apparently wants to do is act like an ass.”
“Our ability to tell her where to go might get her lost, putting Cammie and the others in danger if Valerie arrives too late.”
“He has a point,” Davies agreed. “It’s not like you can just wander out there and find what you’re looking for just because you really want to. This is the real wor—”
“Enough out of you,” Sandra snapped. “Val, talk some sense into them! You can find the place; you’re great with direction. You found your way back from Norway, after all.”
“France, actually.”
Sandra frowned. “Oh. You…you went back?”
Valerie nodded slowly. “I didn’t get out of the airship. I thought I’d want to, but when I was there, I just…didn’t feel the need. It’s in the past, not a part of me I need to explore anymore.”
“All about the next step now, huh?”
Valerie nodded. “That’s right. And right now, as much as I want to side with you, Diego has a point.”
“Take Davies!” Sandra countered. “He was there.”
“He can’t heal,” Diego argued. “And if you need to move quick, he’s not a Were. I’m the right choice, and we all know it.”
Sandra looked desperately at Davies, but he shook his head.
“Call me a coward,” he stated, “that’s fine. But me going back out there? Not very likely unless I’m ordered to, and then it better be alongside a damn army.”
“Valerie’s better than an army!”
“True, but… Am I being ordered?” He looked at each of them, though none of them were in his chain of command. “If not, I’ll have to side with Diego on this. He really is the only option.”
“Dammit.” Sandra pulled out a chair and sat, arms crossed. She took a deep breath. “Okay, that’s decided. I’m over it. Plan?”
Valerie hesitated, but then cleared her throat. “Can we bring everyone back here to New York and then take a strike team out to deal with the enemy?”
“That’s one strategy we’ve been mulling over,” Davies replied. “Problem is, some of the people don’t want to leave their homes.”
“Then we make them.”
Diego chuckled. “Yes, that’s an option. A very Valerie option, which is why you’re in the ‘kicking ass’ business instead of the ‘making friends’ business. There’s an old man in El Diablo—Pops. He won’t go easily, and the folk who live there aren’t keen on forcing him.”
“There might be other villages too, and other situations like Pops’,” Sandra offered. “We can’t go around the world making everyone pile into New York. The city would burst.”
“So what do you recommend?” Valerie asked.
“We simply have to destroy our enemies,” Sandra answered. “Set up in these different towns if we must. Defend and destroy, that’s our motto. D and D.”
“D and D… I like that. Or the Double Ds.” Valerie pursed her lips in thought. “Okay, so if it’s all about the Double Ds from now on, why are we sitting around here pulling an SOOA all day?”
“SOOA?”
“’Sitting on our assessment.’ Let’s get moving.”
Diego nodded, gave Sandra a kiss, and said, “Let’s go.”
“For the record, Val,” Sandra commented, “acronyms don’t work for everything. Let’s leave that to me. Also, don’t you let Diego get hurt or you’ll be answering to me.”
“All about the threats these days,” Valerie replied with a laugh. “’Don’t let my man get hurt, don’t miss the baby.’ I get it.”
“I’m damn serious about both of those.”
Valerie nodded, then held her friend by the shoulders. “I know you are, and I promise to do my best on both accounts.”
Then she gave her friend a quick kiss on the forehead. Sandra wiped it off with a confused look, but laughed. “Whatever, just go kick their asses.”
“Deal.”
“Who said I need looking after?” Diego muttered as he started to follow Valerie toward the hanger bay where they kept the Pods.
He paused to give Sandra a more thorough farewell and convince her he would come back in one piece, leaving Valerie to linger in the hall. She spent the time assessing the places where they had tried to cover up and repaint the holes where bullets had hit the walls. In a sense, this building was as much a member of the team as any of them, she thought.
When they were ready, they made their way to the Pods and soon flew out, watching New York grow small beneath them as they rose, then disappear in the rear display.
“She will come after you, you know,” Valerie stated. “If you die, I mean. She’ll go into the afterlife and pull you right back here so she can unleash her own version of hell on you.”
Diego chuckled, glancing back at the city. “I don’t doubt it.”
“Then we’ll just have to make sure you don’t take any shit, right?”
“Hey, any plan that involves me not getting hurt sounds good to me.” He thought about it, then added, “Or rather, not getting hurt beyond the point of healing. We have to defeat these sons of bitches, and I mean to do my part. Just…if you see any grenades about to take off my head, give me a shout. Deal?”
“Deal.”
He leaned forward to assess the ground behind them, and pointed out the direction to steer. Soon they were well on their way.
Return of Victory – Snippet 2
Return of Victory, Reclaiming Honor Book VIII
By Justin Sloan & Michael Anderle
Snippet 2
Unedited
Cammie glanced around the desert landscape and the town known as El Diablo. It was pressed up against a small hill with dead trees at the top that resembled devil horns, which looked especially ominous silhouetted against the night.
The first thing she had done was come to New York looking for Valerie. When she learned that Sandra had been in touch with her and that Valerie was heading for New York, her first instinct had been to stay there and wait. But the more she heard about the situation, the upcoming predicament, the more she realized that they had to get ahead of this war situation.
So here she was, with Sergeant Garcia and Royland. They had told the others that anyone who wanted to return to the island up north could take off that day. The rest would stay in New York to help fight.
Nobody had left.
It still amazed her that she had gone from the Badlands to this, and what a journey it had been. Now she had Royland at her side, and a group of close friends at her back. While she had felt like quite the badass before, now she stood tall, looking around this land as if nothing could touch her. Like she was on top of the world.
A crunch of rocks on hard dirt sounded behind her and she looked around to see Garcia stepping up next to her. His broad shoulders gave him an imposing silhouette, but he was just one more of her new friends, one more fighter who was with her to kick ass and not bother with the names. Garcia was the only one of the small group to travel out here today who had been here with Diego.
“That’s Micky,” Garcia pointed out the large man in a leather jacket walking toward them.
“And he’s on our side?” Royland asked to be sure.
“This place smells like the devil’s butt crack,” Cammie noted, scrunching her nose as a gust of wind carried sand and more of that smell. “They should’ve called the city that instead. El Diablo’s Butt Crack.”
Garcia shook his head at Royland for chuckling. “Don’t laugh at her jokes just ‘cause she’s your girl, first of all. Second, don’t say that kind of shit in front of them, and third…that’s not how you say butt crack in Spanish.”
She turned to him, waiting, but he didn’t offer the translation.
“Good to see you again, big guy,” Garcia said, turning to welcome Micky.
The large man nodded, then climbed up to the ledge where they stood. “What, too chicken-shit to just walk into town and see if you get shot or not?”
“Damn.” Garcia laughed. “After our welcome last time, I thought maybe you’d want to try to fight Cammie here before deciding if you trust her.”
Micky scoffed, but looked at her from the corner of his eye.
“Try me,” she said, smiling and revealing teeth that grew sharp as he watched.
“Diego got a sex change?” Mickey looked her up and down, ignoring the growl that came from Royland.
Cammie laughed. “I like this big dude, Garcia. Where’d you find him?”
“Tried to crack my skull open, that’s where.” Garcia replied.
“And we’ve been best friends ever since,” Micky added. “Well, ever since you soundly kicked my butt, right?”
“Trust me,” Garcia leaned in, conspiratorially, “if I could take you, you wouldn’t stand a chance against either of these two. So we can skip that whole challenge part, right?”
The man had a hungry look in his eyes, but nodded. “I’ll take your word for it. Where is Diego, though?”
“His woman wouldn’t let him come back out to play,” Garcia answered with a sneer.
“Sounds like a smart woman. He still wearing my vest?”
Garcia chuckled and nodded.
“No troubles yet?” Cammie asked.
Micky shook his head. “A couple of skirmishes—scouts, I think. And…we might be being watched. But those shit-lickers show their ugly mugs around here, we’re ready.”
“So, there’s no chance of you all simply coming back with us to New York?” Royland asked, although they had been over this in the airship on the way over more than once.
They had brought the airship so that they could ferry people if needed, versus a Pod that would only fit a few of them. The way they figured it, at some point the people might change their minds, especially if the fighting got really bad.
“Wish I could say there was,” Micky replied. “These people are loyal to their homes. Many don’t even think we have anything to worry about. Way they see it, we’ve survived out here this long, we’ll survive a little longer.”
“Damn hubris,” Royland muttered, but said no more after a glance from Cammie.
“Well, mister,” she nodded toward the town, “I suppose we’d better see this place that’s so very precious.”
Micky laughed. “I’m sure it will live up to your expectations. Come on.”
He led the way past some huts to another large man who introduced himself as Arturo. A redhead poked her head out of a doorway and blew a kiss to Micky, then waved to Garcia before ducking back in. Cammie saw as the door closed that she’d only been in a towel.
“At least you still take baths out here,” Cammie noted.
“Ha. Only in our enemy’s blood.” Micky winked, and Arturo laughed.
They turned a corner as Micky explained to his buddy who Cammie and Royland were, and then a man came charging up and plowed into Arturo. Fists started flying and more of the townsfolk emerged, some rubbing their eyes. They had already gone to bed, apparently, but everyone wanted to see what the commotion was.
Storm Callers Audiobook Release!
Storm Callers: Storms of Magic Book 2
By P.T. Hylton & Michael Anderle
The audiobook for Storm Callers: Age of Magic: A Kurtherian Gambit Series: Storms of Magic, Book 2 is now available!
When the storm clouds gather, only the bravest answer the call.
Abbey and Dustin head to the Storm Wall to investigate a series of Barskall attacks. They arrive in the midst of a battle and discover an unlikely ally. They soon learn of a powerful weapon they can use to stop Dahlia and her seafaring pirates…
If they can find it in time.
The search will take them deep into enemy territory where their only hope for survival is the resourcefulness of their small but feisty crew.
As they race to find the weapon, a mysterious group of Storm Callers threatens to take over the seas and pave the wave for a whole new breed of Storm Raiders.
Set on the foundation laid by the Kurtherian Gambit Series, Storm Callers tells an entirely new story in the Age of Magic – and of the heroes and villains who battle for control of its destiny.
Return of Victory – Snippet 1
Return of Victory, Reclaiming Honor Book VIII
By Justin Sloan & Michael Anderle
Snippet 1
Unedited
Valerie had never realized that being alone with her thoughts would be so cathartic, but sailing across the Atlantic by herself certainly provided that opportunity. After her coms device went on the fritz halfway across, she was left staring out at the darkness to the west. She just wished the airship would hurry the hell up so she could get to New York before war broke out.
A part of her still believed there would be a way to mitigate this fire that her friends had started, but the rest of her thought that a final war to end it all wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Pull out all the rats and cut off their heads, so that they and the disease they had brought upon the lands would be gone once and for all.
That wasn’t all she thought about, though, as she sailed. She thought about how she had almost returned to the military compound where she was raised, how she could have very easily touched down in Old Paris and visited her old haunts, searching out clues to her life before she was turned into a vampire. Now that those thoughts were in the past, she realized what a trap such actions would have been. Could she ever have escaped? Even if she had physically departed, she was certain she wouldn’t have left mentally.
It was time to accept that she was a new person, that she had moved on.
Michael’s Justice Enforcer wouldn’t meander about in her old life. She’d be on the front edge making a difference. For now, that meant defending New York for what she hoped was the final time. After that? She had no idea.
Two thoughts occurred to her, though, as she sailed back. The first was the question of how she would explain the whole situation with faking her own death in New York, if she had to do so. She supposed simply telling the truth would work. The second was about Robin and having left her up north in Toronto. She wasn’t regretting that, but she wondered about her, about how they had become romantically involved to begin with. Here she was, this super-powerful vampire, taking a younger, less-experience vampire under her wing, and they had become somewhat involved. Nothing too serious, though it had been glorious. She would never forget the way the woman had kissed her after taking down Slaver’s Peak, but they hadn’t even gone as far as her and Jackson, and even that wasn’t much. Still, had it been wrong of her?
She tried to put herself in Robin’s shoes, and wanted to hit herself. A powerful older vampire comes along and gives you oogly-eyes? It would be pretty damned hard to resist. Imagine if Michael, after helping her take down Donovan, had swept her up in his arms and pressed his lips against hers. There was no way she would’ve been able to refuse. In fact, she thought about it now, imagining the strength, how it would’ve felt, his tongue—NO! She laid back in the one-woman airship, closing her eyes and sighing.
Promise Number One to herself was never have thoughts like that again. He was with Bethany Anne, in a sense. Two vampires that, as far as Valerie knew, could read minds. Best to figure out how to picture Michael as her grandfather or something, so she didn’t get her head ripped off by a jealous lover. Ah, shit, best not to think of Bethany Anne as a jealous lover, either, Valerie thought. Another way to likely get her head torn off.
For a moment she pondered the idea of the infamous Bethany Anne, wondering if she really was the type to tear heads off or if Valerie was letting the old rumors of her vampire days with the Forsaken get the best of her.
Promise Number Two time. She swore to herself right then and there to not let romance stuff get in the way of her duty, and to not let herself get in a position where her power might influence someone to go for her.
Promise Number Three. She was going to kick so much ass here that no motherfuckers would ever consider attacking her, her people, or anyplace in this hemisphere ever again. The sound of her feet hitting asses would reverberate across the world, she decided, so that even those back in Europe, Asia, and everywhere else would think twice.
It seemed like she had been sailing for an eternity. But as a gust of wind rocked the ship, she thought she saw something in the distance. Land! She jumped up and whooped, unable to contain her excitement.
“Did you miss me?” she asked as the ‘something’ grew larger and she could make out the tall buildings and city lights of New York.
She was back, and ready for action.
***
The comm device buzzed at Sandra’s side and she leaped up, reaching for it, annoyed that Diego wasn’t there to grab it for her. They had agreed, however, that it was best to take turns at HQ, being ready and making plans for this war that was supposedly going to happen.
All they had so far was the threat Diego had returned with. An army of nomads, wackos, Forsaken and Weres was out there and had teamed up to declare war on New York. While Sandra and the other members of the New York Council were taking every possible precaution—including recalling Valerie and even reaching out to Colonel Walton—they didn’t really know how large a force they were up against.
“Valerie?” Sandra asked, having seen the name on the device but still too excited to really believe it.
“It’s me, yeah.”
“What the hell? I’ve been trying to get through to you.”
“No need, I’m here.”
Sandra held the comm device out and stared at it, then pulled it back and said, “Wait…here? You made it? Like, ‘in New York’ here?”
“As in ‘I flew straight back from Europe and am landing in New York as we speak,’ yes. That ‘here.’” Valerie laughed, which reminded Sandra how much she had missed that laugh. “Where do you need me?”
Sandra thought about this a moment, then said, “Meet me at HQ. We have to brief you on the situation.”
“Sure, but first—I don’t suppose you’ve seen Cammie and Royland?”
With a sigh, Sandra replied, “That’s part of the situation. I’ll tell you when you get there.”
“Sandra…”
“Yes, okay? She made it, but she’s not here now. She went out to…gather intel.”
“Gather intel?” Valerie asked.
“In a sense.”
“Sandra, so help me—”
“Okay, okay.” Sandra hadn’t wanted to tell Valerie and get her worked up, not until they were all in a room discussing it rationally. Too late. “The short version is, there’s a community out there, one of our new allies, and we think they’ll be hit first by the attack. Cammie and Royland had meant to go back to the island, but when they heard what was potentially happening, they volunteered to take a small force and go to the front lines, in a sense.”
“Oh my God, Sandra, and you let them?”
“Hey, I’ve tried talking Cammie out of things before. She’s as pig-headed as you are.”
“I’m going after them.”
“See?” Sandra chuckled despite herself. “Pig-headed. At least come by HQ first, get briefed. Then we can make decisions.”
“The decision’s made,” Valerie replied. “But sure, I want to see you first anyway. I’ll be there in ten. But if I am ten minutes too late to help them…”
“I can’t wait to see you too,” Sandra said and hung up, then rolled out of bed, hoping this stupid nausea would go away soon.
Working with Audio Talent to Create Audiobooks
At LMBPN publishing, we make a HUGE effort to get all of our books into audio. But if you’ve read the books, you know the names can get a little… uh, difficult to pronounce.
The immensely talented narrators we work with prep the books and then contact us for pronunciation help. Here’s a little something Martha Carr provided to narrator Carly Robins as a pronunciation guide to help with Waking Magic, book two in the Leria Chronicles, by Martha and Michael Anderle.
These are the names you’ll hear pronounced by Martha: Sigland, Rhazdon, Altrea Extendia, Reflectus Moranus, Hoomanna, Altrea Extendia, Perrom, Trevilsom Prison, Druina, Ossonia, Arpak, Azrakan, and Nastratium.
Sued for Peace Audiobook Release!
Sued for Peace: The Kurtherian Gambit, Book 11
By Michael Anderle
Greed and fear, two emotions that rule both individuals…and countries.
Now, China has decided that they will do whatever it takes to acquire TQB technology.
There was a glaring flaw in their plan. When they kill an unborn little baby in a raid, the Queen Bitch is released.
Now, China has two options…Kill Bethany Anne, or sue for peace.
Born Into Flames Audiobook Release!
Born into Flames, Reclaiming Honor Book V Audiobook
By Justin Sloan & Michael Anderle
Out of the shadows and into the fire.
When Valerie and Robin head north to take on an army of post-apocalyptic pirates, the deadly duo find themselves on a thrill-ride of air-ship battles and full-on assaults against pirate strongholds.
Her friends back in Old Manhattan discover an attempt at mutiny, while Sandra learns that being an expecting mother doesn’t mean she has to stop kicking ass and taking names.
Everyone must step up their game, or be consumed by the flames of this new world.