About 'To Speak of Things Unseen'

Where usually I post a snippet here, I thought I'd post what I created for another of my blogs, Romances with an Edge, where I use an alternative cover, with a couple of lines from its book. 

For those not into metaphysics or who don't read paranormal, a shapeshifter is not the same as a werewolf. This is about an ability some mystical humans have to change their shapes when they wish. 

This book, To Speak of Things Unseen, will be out in early August but with a pre-order option (link alongside can put you on the list to be notified) for probably the end of July with a sale during the pre-release.

To Speak of Things Unseen-- excerpt

Another from the book I've been editing, To Speak of Things Unseen. Because romances are so much more than the love story or in this case, the suspense and the paranormal, here's a snippet from how you can mix something else into the romance. Since this is an edit, I may end up with corrections (from those who know more about winemaking than I do-- even after much research. ;)

This book will be out probably the end of the month or maybe first of August. I have it with the beta readers and some will depend on whether they find major flaws or things easily fixed. I am lucky to have some good beta readers ;). I didn't used to enjoy that benefit and sure appreciate it now. I think beta readers in your genre are the biggest benefit.

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    A dark-haired, middle-aged man got out of the truck and walked over to shake Mitch’s hand and be introduced to Elke. “You are a genius at wine, I hear,” she said.

    “Mitch is too kind,” Jacque said. He had no accent but had a Mediterranean look to his skin and features.

    “It was actually my sister, Torre. She’s the wine connoisseur. I am just an apprentice—although I appreciate a good wine. I might recognize one that was corked.” She gave a little laugh. “And I am not being modest.”

    Jacques grinned. “Then you can learn if you have a good teacher.” He smiled at Mitch.

    “I am just learning too,” Mitch said. “I am, however, appreciative of your skills.”

    “After they are pressed, without bare feet,” Elke said, “what happens next?”

    Jacques picked a grape and ate it. “You will see that soon if you are here. Perhaps in a week for the first.”

    “How exciting.”

    “Mitch always is here for the harvest… or has been. Will you be this time, boss?” Jacques asked.

    “I have to go to Tucson on business, but I’ll be back if it’s in a week.”

    “Good.” He turned back to Elke. “As to what comes next, well, they aren’t all ready at the same time—fortunately.” He looked affectionately at the grapes as though they were his children. “After the pressing, we produce what is called must. That is when we remove the skins, seeds and solids for the white wines. Reds and whites then go into big oak barrels for fermenting, which varies for how long-- depending on sweet or dry. After that, any solids are removed, and they can be put into bottles or back into oak barrels to age—depending on the quality of the harvest. A fine wine might set in the barrels for two years. It is all done by the touch.” He grinned. “Like touching a beautiful lady. It must be just right and then… voila, they are bottled and sent to buyers or sometimes to competitions. Nothing like ribbons to up the price.” He chuckled changing his sensual words into practical ones.

    Walking through the vineyard, alive with bird, butterflies, and bees, Elke’s body and mind were astir with energy and desire. Mitch’s hand rested lightly at her waist, very innocent gesture, but she found herself imagining it other places. She wanted to touch him again, stroke his strong body, make love to him while he made love to her. When she looked up into his eyes, she knew he was feeling the same things.

    “Thanks for the tour, Jacques,” Mitch said as they walked him back to his truck. After waving good-bye, Mitch turned back to her. “The river is beautiful this time of the year. Want to see it?”

    “I’d love to.”

 

 

editing

Eek, I have been editing the second book in the Hemstreet Witches series. Monday somehow totally got away from me. Since it's where I am editing, to give readers an idea of the kinds of things I am looking to improve, here is an excerpt where I am working showing the changes I am making. There was one paragraph change also where I put a sentence with a paragraph it had been following. More changes may follow as this is the first edit and ahead of the beta readers.

Some writers give beta readers chapters to work with all along. I save them for when I think it's ready-- and they find things to show me it wasn't.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   Walking into the restored building, converted into a small theater and meeting rooms, Elke was glad to see saw David Jefferies, Pamela Crosby, and two women she didn’t recognize on the stage and, sitting at a table. “You’re late,” he said as he rose and gave her a hug.

   “I’m sorry. Torre and I got involved in planning the changes we want to make in Mellow Yellow, and I lost track of time.”

   “Nothing major I hope,” Pam Crosby said dusting Elke’s cheek with a brushed kiss before sitting back down. “I love your choices as they are.”

   “Elke, our actresses new to you, Debbie Johnson and Colette Ames, are interested in Stage Left. Chuck was supposed to be here tonight. Not sure what happened to that.”   Debbie, pretty, blonde and bubbly, was the age to play ingénues while Colette looked a little older than Elke. 

   “Chuck?”

   “Charles Carter. He’s been a leading man in some of the other theaters around here. I had hoped to interest him in small our little theater.”

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Elke is interested in getting a play produced there to give magic workers better publicity. Her desire to improve the reputation of natural witches leads her into her adventure in 'To Speak of Things Unseen.'  There is one sentence there I am still uneasy about but will leave it for a second go-round to see if it still draws me out of the action. If it does, it might disappear totally or get reworked.

 

excerpt in coming book

Another from the book on which I am working, nearing its end but with a lot of work before it's ready to be out. The two following sentences say a lot about the underlying theme in To Speak of Things Unseen. What we don't know can't hurt us... except sometimes it can.

image from Canstock

"Although Tucson had been a tolerant city, some knew of the spirits and spirit workers, on either side and were understanding, blasé or pretending they didn’t know. There seemed recently though a new spirit flowing—one that operated on fear."