First of all, I’m alive and well, seeing as some of you have been worried about me. Sorry for the lack of communication, but the last few months have been pretty crazy. We had a couple of health scares with my father, but he’s doing much better now, though I’m still pretty busy trying to lighten his load around the house. I’ve gotten pretty good at splitting and stacking firewood. 🙂

The last day of school was yesterday, so maybe now I’ll get a chance to take a breath and try to write again. I’ve been trying to write the bonus features for the next Magebound novel, but writer’s block has hit me bad, and the few times I have had time to write, the ideas just aren’t there. It’s probably just stress and I’ll get over it now that I have a break from work, but it has been very frustrating.

I’m very disappointed in myself, as I expected to have Memoryache published months ago, but the one thing that I won’t do is publish work that is anything less than the best that I can produce. Thanks for all your concern and for your patience, and hopefully I’ll have good news by the end of summer.

Hello! I hope everyone is doing well. It looks like spring may be on its way early in my area, so I’m bracing for a rough allergy season. Other than that, I’m doing very well. The weather is (unseasonably) good and no new traumas have rocked our family in a while.

Unfortunately, I have some disappointing news. I’m going to have to take a break from posting, both on Alpha Spirit and on Moonlight. This is a very busy time of year and just don’t have time to work on those, and other projects, and work, and family obligations. I know you guys understand, you’re always so good at understanding and being supportive, but I still feel bad.

My first priority right now is getting Memoryache read for publishing. I’ve edited the main text several times, though it still needs another read-through. I don’t have any of the extras ready, though. I have the short story outlined, but I still need to write it, and several new articles.

It’s also nearly tax time. I do my own taxes, which is time-consuming, but usually not difficult.

I was also asked to create a rhyming-word bingo game for Dr. Seuss’ birthday at work. We’re having a family reading night at the school, with story readers, photo booth, fishing game, and bingo, so that’s taking some extra-curricular time.

And my mother and I planning a road trip for Spring Break, driving from Eugene, OR to Tuscon, AZ to visit some family friends who are living there now, so we’re trying to sell some of our crafts to make the $$$ to afford the trip, so I’ve been spending a lot of time crocheting blankets and sewing furry hats.

Anyway, that’s what I’m up to. I’m hoping to have Memoryache out in March or April, and hopefully I can start working on and posting Moonlight and Alpha Spirit soon after that. I’ll be sure to post updates when I get closer to release time. Thanks for understanding!

 

 

Alpha Spirit Chapter Index

I stood on the porch until my stomach stopped churning, the damp wind raising goosebumps down my bare arms. I was shivering when I finally went back inside the cabin. Marcus was still seated at the table, calmly eating his sausage and eggs. I stopped beside the stove for a moment, rubbing my arms to chase away the chill and to give him a chance to apologize for being disgusting, but he didn’t. Part of me wanted to refuse to eat until he did, but that was being rather childish, and besides, I was starving, my stomach growling, painfully empty. Finally, I sighed and went back to the table.

“So, what happened to make you treat everything like a joke?” I asked, trying not to think about what I was putting into my mouth as I took a bite of eggs.

He stared down at his plate for a moment, pushing the loose eggs around with his fork. “It’s a matter of perspective.”

— Alpha Spirit, Chapter Thirty-Eight — A Matter of Perspective

Alpha Spirit will be on hiatus for the foreseeable future. Will post a more detailed explanation soon.

 

Alpha Spirit: Chapter Thirty-Eight — A Matter of Perspective

 

Now available from Amazon, Suburban Fantasy #1: The Vampire Next Door

And: Suburban Fantasy #2: A Visit From the Truth Faerie

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Alpha Spirit Chapter Index

His warm arms around me, the hard edge of the cast pressing into my back, his bare skin against me, hot from the fire and damp from the rain, the intoxicating scent of sweat and aftershave and just a hint of his wolf, the wild, musky scent surrounding me…I stiffened – in more ways than one – and pulled away from him.

“What is wrong with you?” I asked, my face burning as I turned away to hide the sudden bulge in the front of my jeans.

“Sorry,” Marcus said, his words clipped, not quite hiding the anger behind them. “I was just glad you’re all right. I didn’t realize–”

“That I’m gay?” I said, exasperated.

— Alpha Spirit, Chapter Thirty-Six — Spending the Night

I’ll see you next Friday, 1/22/16 for Chapter Thirty-Seven — Wolf Slobber

 

Alpha Spirit: Chapter Thirty-Six — Spending the Night

 

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And: Suburban Fantasy #2: A Visit From the Truth Faerie

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Alpha Spirit Chapter Index

Panting hard, I raced along the edge of the lake, ignoring the rain that streamed from my shaggy fur. I had no idea what time it was or how long I’d been gone. Marcus had to be frantic. What would he do? Call the police? No. Call the pack, maybe. Would they come to look for me, or did this sort of thing happen often enough that they would write me off as lost and not give it a second thought? Would Marcus even be at the cabin, or would he have left already? I supposed I couldn’t blame him if he had. I did try to bite him, after all. If he hadn’t put out his cast to protect himself…

The smell of wood smoke stung my nostrils and I slowed to a lope, chest heaving as I caught my breath. Through the trees, I could see a curl of pale smoke rising from the chimney of the cabin before it was whisked away by the gusting wind. Marcus wouldn’t leave the fire burning if he had left, would he? Hopeful, I trotted through the ferns toward the front door. A sound made me hesitate and I stopped, crouching behind the trunk of a giant fir.

— Alpha Spirit, Chapter Thirty-Four — Stuck

I’ll see you after the Holidays, 1/8/16 for Chapter Thirty-Five — Communication Issues
Have a great Christmas and New Year’s!

 

Alpha Spirit: Chapter Thirty-Four — Stuck

 

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And: Suburban Fantasy #2: A Visit From the Truth Faerie

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Alpha Spirit Chapter Index

The white wolf led me out of the forest and down to the edge of the lake. The wind was whipping the water into a froth of white-capped waves and I laid my ears back, tail and head low as I followed her along the strip of sand between the water and the trees. I didn’t like the wind. It cut through my thick fur and chilled my skin, made my eyes water and whisked away scents before I could identify them. I was nervous. Something could sneak up on us and I would not hear it or smell it or see it until it was to late. The white wolf did not seem concerned, though. She loped along the beach with a determined stride. I hoped we were heading for her den.

— Alpha Spirit, Chapter Thirty-Three – The White Wolf

I’ll see you next Friday, 12/18/15 for Chapter Thirty-Four — Stuck

 

Alpha Spirit: Chapter Thirty-Three – The White Wolf

 

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And: Suburban Fantasy #2: A Visit From the Truth Faerie

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Alpha Spirit Chapter Index

Once I could no longer hear the human’s calls or smell its pungent odors, I slowed my pace, slipping through the ferns and bushes on silent paws. The wind rustled the underbrush, masking any noise that I might make, dry fir needles falling like rain all around me as the branches lashed and groaned overhead. I crossed worn tracks and fresh game trails, pausing to sniff a deep, wet hoof print. A deer, but it had passed by too long ago to bother following. I kept walking, sniffing, listening, searching. I wasn’t hunting; I wasn’t hungry, but I was looking for something. I didn’t know what until I passed a tall tree and caught a faint scent of wolf. My heart quickened and my muscles quivered as I sniffed the base of the tree, but the scent was old. There were no wolves here.

Disappointed, I hiked my hind leg and left my own scent on the tree before moving on. I found a stale pile of deer droppings, an empty fox den, and the fresh trail of a rabbit. Breathing hard, I drew in the scent, my body tingling in anticipation. Head low, I followed the ribbon of scent through the underbrush, watching for any glimpse of movement. The smell was so fresh, so strong, I knew the rabbit had to be nearby. I was right.

— Alpha Spirit, Chapter Thirty-Two – Animal Instincts

I’ll see you next Friday, 12/11/15 for Chapter Thirty-Three – The White Wolf

 

Alpha Spirit: Chapter Thirty-Two – Animal Instincts

 

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And: Suburban Fantasy #2: A Visit From the Truth Faerie

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Alpha Spirit Chapter Index

We kept talking as I ate – just little things, unimportant things; I don’t even remember what we talked about, but it helped me focus, helped me remember that I was human. The wolf was relentless, always there, waiting. Any time the conversation lapsed, any time my attention wavered, I could feel it breathing on my neck, could smell the dust on the floor and the pine in the air that whispered through the cracks in the window frame, I could hear jays and squirrels scolding each other in the trees, and the somber call of a raven trying to keep the peace.

I was nearly finished eating when my hands began to shake. The fork slipped from my fingers and fell to the table with a clatter that made me jump. I stood up, cringing as the chair legs scraped across the wood floor. Everything about me felt strange, wrong. My shirt was too tight, my jeans made my legs itch, my shoes were too hot.

“S- something’s not r- right,” I stuttered.

— Alpha Spirit, Chapter Thirty-One – The First Shift

I’ll see you next Friday, 11/20/15 for Chapter Thirty-Two – Animal Instincts

 

Alpha Spirit: Chapter Thirty-One – The First Shift

 

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And: Suburban Fantasy #2: A Visit From the Truth Faerie

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Alpha Spirit Chapter Index

I jumped up like I had been shot. “It’s time,” I said, my voice high and strained as my heart climbed into my throat, trying to choke me. “He said it’s time. I- I’m not ready. Marcus, please…” I tried to stay calm, but I could feel the panic rising like a relentless tide, cold and black, swirling around me, trying to overwhelm me, drown me. I couldn’t breathe.

Dropping the spatula into the skillet, Marcus turned and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Not yet,” he said, leaning down and staring into my eyes. I couldn’t tell if he was talking to me, or to the wolf inside me. “Just take a deep breath. Your spirit just means that your body is ready, than you can shift, but you don’t have to. Not yet. Soon, but not yet.”

My breath escaped me in a broken, ragged sob of relief and I pitched forward, into Marcus’ arms, grabbing handfuls of his shirt in my trembling fists. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, feeling utterly stupid and worthless. “This must be nearly intolerable, having to put up with a pathetic little gay boy terrified of something you do on a regular basis throwing himself at you.”

— Alpha Spirit, Chapter Thirty – Fighting the Wolf

I’ll see you next Friday, 11/20/15 for Chapter Thirty-One – The First Shift

 

Alpha Spirit: Chapter Thirty – Fighting the Wolf

 

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And: Suburban Fantasy #2: A Visit From the Truth Faerie

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Alpha Spirit Chapter Index

“Cody, take it easy,” Marcus said, reaching out to me. I shoved his arm away and tried to push past him, but six feet of wide receiver is not easy to move. He blocked me with his cast, his other arm wrapping around my shoulders, and I stiffened as he pulled me up against his chest. “Relax,” he said, his hand rubbing back and forth across my shoulders. “Just take a deep breath and relax.”

I didn’t want to, but he was so close, I could smell him, the mingled scent of aftershave, sweat, and musk invading my senses, a fog clouding my thoughts. The warmth of his body, the touch of his hand, soothed my racing heart and I felt the anger bleed away, my tense muscles relaxing. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head on his shoulder.

“What did you do to me?” I murmured. I felt drugged, but I knew he hadn’t done anything except hug me. He was hugging me, and I was too messed up to really even notice. Talk about rotten luck.

— Alpha Spirit, Chapter Twenty-Nine – Social Creatures

I’ll see you next Friday, 11/13/15 for Chapter Thirty – Fighting the Wolf

 

Alpha Spirit: Chapter Twenty-Nine – Social Creatures

 

Now available from Amazon, Suburban Fantasy #1: The Vampire Next Door

And: Suburban Fantasy #2: A Visit From the Truth Faerie

Each only $0.99!