Treasures (Etc) – sneak peek – excerpt #2

Post author By MCD
Post date June 6, 2014
9 Comments on Treasures (Etc) – sneak peek – excerpt #2

Update on the winner: Elienora of Elienora’s Kindle was selected by the random number generator to win an ecopy of Treasures (Etc), but she was sneaky and found the book up on Amazon late last week so she’d already read it – LOL! She requested a copy Spirit Binder instead.

Thanks to everyone who entered!!

The following is a (approx) 390 word excerpt from my upcoming release, Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic. This is not the final proof. Release date: June 19, 2014

Comment on this post to win a prerelease ebook (eARC) of Treasures (Etc). An excerpt and chance to win will be posted every Friday leading up to the release date. A new winner will be selected by random number generator after 12noon PST on the following Friday.

**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD FOR DOWSER #1 & #2**

—————————————————————————————————————-

The portal snapped shut behind me, leaving me alone for the first time in a very long time. Maybe as alone as I’d ever been. That was an odd thought.

Anyway, to the point. The shores of Loch More looked like any other lake surrounded by rolling green hills in the late afternoon light of a sunny, crisp day. So pretty. A really, really vibrant green, and seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

Actually, this was the middle of nowhere. It was my second visit. I was seriously glad to see the empty pickup truck parked about a dozen feet away at the edge of the single-lane dirt road. I really hoped it wasn’t a standard shift. I might have forgotten to include that specification in my request. Yeah, look at me, Miss Plan-And-All-That.

I took a step toward the truck, my supple leather knee-high boots crunching the grass. It was obviously colder than I thought it would be. I could have put a jacket on over my leather getup, if only for show. Though to get my hands on a jacket, I’d have to seek out humans, and that was contrary to the objective of this brief excursion. I wasn’t interested in getting into a situation where Chi Wen’s horrific vision of the future had a chance to manifest. I was dodging destiny today … and caves … and loved ones for that matter.

So yeah, a jacket would have been a good idea. The dragons believed in training — and fighting, actually — in laced leathers. If I’d tried to change before leaving, I would have tipped my hand. Thankfully, I still had my trusty Matt & Nat satchel. My katana — a gift from my father — nestled between my shoulder blades where I wore it slung across my back. The two-handed, single-edged sword was easily accessible over my right shoulder. Its twenty-eight-inch blade was deadly sharp. The sword had been commissioned specifically for me — well, the alchemist part of me — and created as an empty vessel into which I could channel and store magic. The responsibility that came with such a gift weighed on me heavily, and I’d put my current plan into action only two days after Yazi had presented the sword to me.

—————————————————————————————————————-

Comment below to win an exclusive prerelease copy of Treasures, Demons and Other Black Magic!

Wait! You haven’t read Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic or Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic yet? You can win that ebook instead, just let me know in your comment.

Bonus entries?? Do the above and add any or all of the following:

Sign up for my new release mailing list
Follow me on twitter and tweet giveaway info … such as: Excerpt & Giveaway for the #DowserSeries via @mcdoidge – #win a pre-release eARC#ebook http://wp.me/pP9tA-HM
Like me on Facebook. I cannot ask you to post a link on your Facebook page because that is against FB’s code of conduct, but if you felt so inclined that would be lovely.
WordPress user? Like this post.
Blogger? Post a link to this post via your blog.
Subscribe to this blog (link on side bar).

Are you already following me on any or all of the above platforms or mailing lists? Thank you!! Just remind me in your comment so I remember to give you the extra entries!

Tags Dowser Series, ebook, giveaway, Treasures Demons and Other Black Magic

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Treasures (Etc) – sneak peek – excerpt #1

Post author By MCD
Post date May 30, 2014
7 Comments on Treasures (Etc) – sneak peek – excerpt #1

GIVEAWAY CLOSED – THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED

The following is a (approx) 450 word excerpt from my upcoming release, Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic. This is not the final proof. Release date: June 19, 2014

**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD FOR DOWSER #1 & #2**

—————————————————————————————————————-

With one hand on the invisible knife at my hip and one hand twined through the wedding ring charms on my necklace, I stepped out from the golden magic of the portal onto the shores of Loch More. Yeah, Loch More, as in Scotland.

The ground underneath my feet thrummed with wild magic and untapped power. Supposedly, all the grid points around the globe — where natural magic reigned — teemed this way. Too many thousands of years ago for me to comprehend the guardian dragons had set up a network of portals anchored at these points. I gathered the portals were rather helpful when it came to saving the world, which the guardians did constantly.

Thankfully such responsibility wasn’t my duty. No, my focus was much more personal.

I drew a little more of the shielding magic from my necklace, and the hair on the back of my neck settled. I unclenched my teeth. The land around me glowed — I could see for miles in all directions — but not with any specific color of magic. Rather, all the natural hues of the earth were intensified. I could actually see magic in the air I breathed.

I’d expected snow, seeing as it was the first week of November, but there wasn’t any. I wondered if that was like people who didn’t know Vancouver expecting it to snow there all the time, which it hardly ever did. Unlike the rest of Canada.

The sun was low in the sky. I’d misjudged the time, which reminded me I also wasn’t sure of the exact date though I’d tried to keep a rough calendar based on my infrequent calls home. My sleep schedule was erratic, now dictated by exhaustion rather than the rotation of the earth.

Time moved oddly in the dragon nexus. At least three and a half months had passed while I’d trained, studied, and pretty much did anything to avoid the fate waiting for me in the Sea Lion Caves, but it felt like more and less all at the same time. I supposed that was what destiny felt like … or was that inevitability?

Memories of the terror my sister Sienna had created in the caves along the Oregon coast — which, ironically, were a tourist attraction for some people — had melded over the past months with the bloody vision that Chi Wen, the far seer, had shared with me. A vision that showed my loved ones slaughtered on an altar. A vision that had stopped me from following Desmond and Kett back through the portal and kept me training like a woman fueled by vengeance. A vision, mixed with a memory, that had me formulating a plan.

—————————————————————————————————————-

Comment below to win an exclusive prerelease copy of Treasures, Demons and Other Black Magic!

Wait! You haven’t read Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic or Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic yet? You can win that ebook instead, just let me know in your comment.

Bonus entries?? Do the above and add any or all of the following:

Sign up for my new release mailing list
Follow me on twitter and tweet giveaway info … such as: Excerpt & Giveaway for the #DowserSeries via @mcdoidge – #win a pre-release eARC#ebook http://wp.me/pP9tA-HM
Like me on Facebook. I cannot ask you to post a link on your Facebook page because that is against FB’s code of conduct, but if you felt so inclined that would be lovely.
WordPress user? Like this post.
Blogger? Post a link to this post via your blog.
Subscribe to this blog (link on side bar).

Are you already following me on any or all of the above platforms or mailing lists? Thank you!! Just remind me in your comment so I remember to give you the extra entries!

Tags Dowser Series, ebook, giveaway, Treasures Demons and Other Black Magic

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Throwback Thursday: Sunshine’s Night of Darkness, Scene 2

Post author By MCD
Post date May 29, 2014
No Comments on Throwback Thursday: Sunshine’s Night of Darkness, Scene 2

SCENE ONE (and an explanation of what the hell is going on with these posts)

——————-

SUNSHINE’S NIGHT OF DARKNESS

Synopsis: It’s Sunshine’s first day of work in security at the P.U.R.E Corporation and all she wants to do is make it through orientation, but first she’s got to fill out a name tag requisition form, fit her uniform, meet a cute computer geek … oh, and save her fellow employees from genetically-mutated, blood-lusting vampires.

Notes: All work is registered with the WGC & the WGA.

– Scene Two –

INT. MAIN FOYER, P.U.R.E CORP HEADQUARTERS – MOMENTS LATER

Massive tinted-glass entrance doors open and close via motion sensors. A swell of voices, PROTESTORS outside, come and go with each opening. A grand marble fountain is dedicated to a children’s charity and littered with coins. A gigantic, overly ornate metal clock reads: 12:58pm.

Sunshine crosses by a bank of elevators towards Irma, who chats with a small group.

IRMA

Good, we are all accounted for. I am Irma, and I am your orientation leader. I am also your liaison in Human Resources.

She indicates her clip board which bares the logo: P.U.R.E

IRMA (CONT’D)

P.U.R.E desires to be a Perfectly Unique Restful Experience. There are many benefits in working with P.U.R.E. Taro?

Irma nods, rather frostily, to the large, well-muscled man TARO, 29, who is dressed very similarly to Sunshine.

TARO

At your service. Head of security and Sunshine’s new boss…

He indicates Sunshine and the others turn to her.

SUNSHINE

Ah… Jones actually.

Taro raises a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at Irma.

IRMA

Sunshine has already requested a name-tag requisition form. Sunshine, would you continue?

SUNSHINE

Jones. Right, ah, new girl in security, this is my first day, so, ah, yeah. Looking forward to it.

Sunshine looks to CALLIE, 18, a very pretty, well-groomed red head. Callie looks to Irma for approval before continuing:

CALLIE

Callie. Short for Callista.

She points to her name-tag which does indeed read: Callie. Sunshine throws a look at Irma, which Irma ignores.

CALLIE (CONT’D)

I’ve been here three days, in the spa, doing minor waxing, eyebrows, lip, chin, but I hope to start doing facials soon.

(to Sunshine)

I’d love to practice on you, anytime.

Sunshine looks a little thrown by this offer.

RASHID, 34, with a lab coat and pocket protector, continues:

RASHID

Rashid, research and development. And no, I can’t talk about it…

(this isn’t funny)

Ah… Two children. A girl, eight and my boy is six. I –

A young dark-haired man, HUXLEY, 24, slides, from a mad dash across the foyer, into a space within the group.

HUXLEY

Not late, am I? Didn’t want to be late.

IRMA

And you are?

HUXLEY

Huxley.

He glances around the group and grins at Sunshine.

HUXLEY (CONT’D) (to Sunshine)

Hi!

She tries not to smile at him and drops her gaze.

IRMA

You’re not on my list.

HUXLEY

Right, I was supposed to be here last week but I forgot, got caught up, you know.

IRMA

Oh, you.

HUXLEY

Yeah, me. Huxley. Computers. Hey Taro.

TARO

Hey, Huxley.

IRMA

Let’s move on.

She begins to move through the foyer.

IRMA (CONT’D)

The P.U.R.E Corporation acquired the Hyperion Hotel ten years ago and literally revitalized it from extinction. You’ll note, and this is key to all things P.U.R.E, how the older features, the fountain, the marble, integrate with the unbreakable, Ultra Violet protected glass enclosures and the highly technical security –

TARO

Let’s head that way.

Irma, not happy being interrupted, glares at Taro.

TARO (CONT’D) (to Irma)

I don’t have all afternoon.

IRMA

I haven’t handed out the binders!

TARO

Go for it.

While the group follows Taro, Irma passes everyone their orientation binders, though she doesn’t have one for Huxley, who plays up the fact that she leaves him empty handed.

RASHID (to Taro) Security?

He indicates Sunshine, who happens to be surveying the area. Taro leans toward Rashid as if confiding, but really he’s just bragging about his newest “acquisition.”

TARO

Oh, yeah. She’ll kick your ass, higher ranked in most martial arts than I am.

Irma, in a slight huff, joins Taro at the head of the pack, and Huxley maneuvers himself beside Sunshine.

————————–

SUNSHINE’S NIGHT OF DARKNESS

SCENE ONE

SCENE TWO

SCENE THREE

Tags screenplay, Sunshine's Night of Darkness

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Treasures (Etc) aka Dowser 3 – Release Date Announcement

Post author By MCD
Post date May 28, 2014
2 Comments on Treasures (Etc) aka Dowser 3 – Release Date Announcement

Oh, yeah, baby!!

Note: eARCS are now available for bloggers (please email info {at} madebymeghan.ca for more information).

Expect the first excerpt and giveaway this FRIDAY!!

Tags Dowser Series, Release Day, Treasures Demons and Other Black Magic

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After The Virus for $0.99

Post author By MCD
Post date May 23, 2014
No Comments on After The Virus for $0.99

I’m running a BookBub ad for After The Virus this weekend, but you all can grab the ebook at Amazon (available on all stores but my universal link doesn’t seem to be working here), Kobo, or iBooks for $0.99 a day ahead (if you don’t already own a copy!!)

Tags $0.99, After the Virus, Amazon, sale

excerpts publishing throwback thursday writing

Throwback Thursday: Sunshine’s Night of Darkness, Scene 1

Post author By MCD
Post date May 22, 2014
9 Comments on Throwback Thursday: Sunshine’s Night of Darkness, Scene 1

So, as some of you may know – if you’ve been hanging with me long enough – I come to novel writing via screenwriting and filmmaking. So, while I do have a rather large backlist, it’s all in screenplay format that I can’t simply throw at an editor, and then get it up and published.

My novella Love Lies Bleeding was originally a screenplay, and I just had a fun idea of sharing some of my other screenplays on the blog – scene by scene – for Throwback Thursday posts.

I’d like to start with my second favourite screenplay of all time, Sunshine’s Night of Darkness. The draft that I’m sharing comes from 2013, but it looks like I’ve got files dating back to 2006. I’d love to bring Sunshine (Etc) to readers in comic book form, but I haven’t even spent a single moment looking into how to do that exactly.

Reading a screenplay is much different than reading novel but I hope you will find it entertaining. The emphasis is on the dialogue, then action, not the description of the scene. I call Sunshine (Etc) one of my bloody comedies, but the literary world would refer to it as an urban fantasy.

Without further ado, scene one of Sunshine’s Night of Darkness.

——————-

SUNSHINE’S NIGHT OF DARKNESS

Notes: (O.S) means off-screen. All work is registered with the WGC & the WGA.

– Scene One –

INT. CHANGE ROOM, P.U.R.E CORPORATION HEADQUARTERS – DAY

A credit card size gold name-tag on a navy uniform shirt reads SUNSHINE in etched black block letters.

SUNSHINE (O.S.)

I don’t actually use Sunshine. I go by Jones.

IRMA (O.S.)

Sunshine was listed on your application.

SUNSHINE (O.S.)

Yes, but I circled Jones to indicate –

IRMA (O.S.)

A circle, to illustrate name preference, is not officially recognized within the protocols and procedures of the P.U.R.E Corporation.

A thumb jabs at the name-tag.

SUNSHINE (O.S.)

(getting testy)

I don’t go by Sunshine.

IRMA (O.S.)

You may request a name-tag requisition form and file it with Human Resources.

SUNSHINE (O.S.)

I get the form, where?

IRMA (O.S.)

From me.

SUNSHINE (O.S.)

(grumbling)

Mentioning that might have been an idea.

A hand reaches up to remove the magnetic name-tag.

IRMA (O.S.)

I, and Human Resources, are here to assist the employees of P.U.R.E, not anticipate … You must wear the identification badge at all times while in the building.

SUNSHINE (O.S.)

You just said –

IRMA (O.S.)

From the time you submit the request, it will take ten working days to requisition a new ID, so you must be Sunshine until then.

The hand falters.

SUNSHINE (O.S.)

Whatever.

IRMA (O.S.)

We read, English, from left to right.

Irma pauses, but Sunshine doesn’t reply.

IRMA (O.S.) (CONT’D)

The ID belongs on your right.

SUNSHINE, 21, her gold coiled hair pulled back in a low bun, grabs the tag and repositions it on the right. She glances over her shoulder to watch IRMA, 27, cross to the exit with a flick of her cascading blonde tresses and a turn of her high heel enhanced, well-toned calf.

IRMA (CONT’D)

Orientation, ten minutes, main foyer.

SUNSHINE

Thanks.

Irma leaves.

SUNSHINE (CONT’D)

For nothing.

Sunshine tightens the laces on her leather-soled, uniform-issued shoes. The remainder of her uniform; a pocketed dress shirt and navy cotton dress pants fit her lithe body like a lycra glove.

————————–

SUNSHINE’S NIGHT OF DARKNESS

SCENE ONE

SCENE TWO

Tags screenplay, Sunshine's Night of Darkness

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Dowser Three – The Synopsis

Post author By MCD
Post date May 13, 2014
No Comments on Dowser Three – The Synopsis

WARNING: the synopsis (below) contains mild spoilers for Dowser #2, and definite spoilers for Dowser #1.

Okay! You’ve seen the cover and now I have the synopsis ready – yay! Both contain little hints to what Jade (and company) are up to in Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic, aka Dowser #3.

∞

Synopsis: I hadn’t set foot in the human world for more than a few hours in over three and a half months. Sure, I was stronger and faster than I’d ever been before, and I had a shiny new sword, but I was seriously chocolate deprived. I don’t recommend quitting cold turkey. And the new sword was a problem — to my mind, anyway. It represented all the expectations of a powerful father and a new otherworldly life. A life that wasn’t the one I’d worked so hard to build. It also represented the responsibility I had to bring my foster sister Sienna to … what? Justice? I didn’t know if that was even possible. What I did know was that Sienna wouldn’t stop, and that I couldn’t just leave everything up to fate and destiny … or maybe I was. Maybe I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. If you believed in that sort of thing.

I just hoped that before the chaos and mayhem renewed, I’d manage to get my hands on some chocolate. It didn’t even have to be single-origin Madagascar. I was utterly prepared to lower my standards.

∞

Next up: The RELEASE DATE (soon! soon! my pretties). And, of course, excerpts and giveaways – I love this part of releasing a new book!

I can barely wait!!

Tags synopsis, The Dowser Series, Treasures Demons and Other Black Magic

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The Graveyard Kiss

While we’re all waiting patiently for the release of Dowser 3, I thought I’d give away a short story just for fun.

The Graveyard Kiss – which is set in the Dowser Universe but doesn’t contain any of the characters – is free to download from Amazon from May 9 – 11, 2014. This short story also appears in The Kiss Anthology so some of you may already have it.

I wrote this just for fun … no secret hints into the Dowser Series or anything. Just for fun.

Book cover by Irene Langholm
Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray

Soon, soon my pretties, there will be a synopsis, giveaways of eARCs, and a release date. Soon, soon there will be more Jade, and Kandy, and Kett and some new(ish) players as well!!