Hello Everyone!
****Don't forget: Please join Karen Michelle Nutt, Sarah McNeal and Stephanie Burkhart at The_Haunt_at_PNR@yahoogroups.com tonight at 8:00PM EST and join in the conversation. We'll be chatting about our paranormal books. There will be fun and prizes.
This month I'm participating in the A to Z Challenge. Come by each day for a new post. Next up is M is for Magic and Mirrors. The post goes live Monday Morning. Hop to the other participants' blogs. Meet new people and have lots of fun!
Now for Snippet Sunday and this is another snippet from Magic of the Loch. This is the legend and how it all began... Snippet #13.
The Wild Rose Press
Kindle
NOOK
Blurb:
Michaela Grant travels to Scotland for a holiday, knowing this vacation is her last. A medical condition threatens her life and any chance of a future—until she meets Alan MacLachlin, a man forced to exist between two worlds.
Alan is the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Once every fifty years he returns to human form in search of his soul mate, the one woman who can break his curse. He believes he has found forever with Michaela, but to claim it he must figure out how to save her life.
Michaela and Alan vow to take what time has to offer, but another threat looms. A sinister shape shifter with a vendetta against Alan is making Loch Ness his personal hunting ground. Now he’s threatening Michaela. Alan must discover who the shifter is and stop him before it’s too late.
Update: This scene takes place a few paragraphs later from snippet 12 and has been tweaked a wee bit to fit the sentence limit.
Alan demands that he and his brother should have a chance for redemption. The Druid agrees to this, but he is not going to make it easy. The brothers will live within the loch for a half a century, then they will be allowed to come ashore to find their soul mate to break the curse.
Now for the snippet:
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“We will be human and no’ the beast,” Alan asked, wanting the terms clarified. “We will be able to search as far as needed for our soul mate, aye?”
“Ye will still be chained to the loch, and will no’ be able to resist its pull. Only during those fifteen years will ye be able to shift from beast to human and back again. If ye doonae find yer soul mate, ye will return to the loch as the beastie for another half a century.” His shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Ye’ll have to bide yer time for another chance and so on through the years.”
“An endless cycle,” Alan murmured with grim acceptance. He looked to his brother. “Ye need no’ share my fate. I will do this myself.”
“I shall go where ye go, brother.” He clasped Alan’s shoulder.
“So be it.” Druid Daly raised his staff and commanded the magic.
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There were a few extra sentences, but this concludes the Legend portion of Magic of the Loch!
Come by next week for a new snippet. How about a sneak peek of Soul Taker? Sound good?
If you’re a writer (regardless of published/unpublished status) come join us and share a snippet of your work in progress, a new release, or an oldie but goodie.
Participating Authors are listed at these sites: Hashtags: #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/
Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday
I love the lore here…once every fifty years to search for their soul mates. Sigh…now the magic has been commanded. The brothers will be monsters next week, I fear!
J. Rose,
I so glad you’re enjoying the story so far. 🙂
Great take on the Ole Nessy. Want more….
Michael,
Thank you. So glad you liked the ‘legend’. 🙂
Exciting snippet!
Gemma,
So glad you enjoyed the snippet. 🙂
Great snippet, Karen! Love this take on the legend of the Loch Ness monster! And your dialogue. Love it!
Thanks, AJ. 🙂
Oh, those poor men—but what a great story!
Sarah,
Poor Hyatt and Alan, but perhaps there is a soul mate waiting for them. 🙂
“So be it.” Love the prophetic feeling to this passage. We know something powerful will occur.
Ugh, what a wicked curse! He better find his soul mate the first time up. Oh wait, I get it! That’s why the Loch Ness monster is sometimes seen, then not for a long time. You are so clever! I’ll e back again next week.
History Sleuth’s Writings
Cindy,
Yep, you got it. It’s exactly why there are sightings of the Loch Ness Monster and then times when there are none. 🙂 Great sleuthing abilities you have. Hmm… I wonder why? 🙂
I am SO enjoying your Sunday snippets. Each one draws me in. Awesome job, Karen. Fabulous writing!!
Vonnie,
Thanks so much!!
A fascinating sentence, with the alternating cycles of beast and human. At least the Druid gives them a chance! Excellent excerpt. Such an unusual story!
Veronica,
So glad the snippets have intrigued you. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by.
I love the way they stand together in their fate. Very honorable. Excellent snippet.
Joanne,
Thanks so much. The brothers are honorable and have each others’ back.
I am really wanting more!
Nikki,
I’m so pleased that you do. 🙂
Wonderfully loyal brothers. Great take on Nessy. Looking forward to more.
Kate,
So glad you’re enjoying the snippets.
Great set up for the main story. Nicely done, Karen. 🙂
That’s a terrible curse to have to bear, but at least they’ll have brotherly company along the way.
Carrie Anne,
Yes, it is nice the brothers will at least have each other. 🙂
Wow! I love where you’ve taken this. I’m very much looking forward to more.
S.J.,
I guess I’ll post more from this story then. 🙂
Oh, wow, what an interesting premise!
Eleri,
Thanks so much. So glad the premise caught your attention.
Soul Taker is a different kettle of … fish? I’ve never seen Nessie yet but I do look for the monster everytime I drive round Loch Ness!
Nancy,
One day maybe you’ll have a photo of the Loch Ness Monster to share with us. 🙂
The premise is fantastic, Karen! And excellent excerpt. the brogue comes through perfectly!
Theresa,
I’m so glad the brogue rings through. 🙂
Great premise here, Karen! Nice dynamic between the brothers, too.
Kate,
Thanks so much. I’m glad you like the brothers. 🙂
Who doesn’t love the Loch Ness legend to begin with, and this is such a fun take on it. I’m captured by the image of these two honorable brothers standing side by side. After so many weeks of being lured in, you know this has to go on my TBR list don’t you?
Delynn,
I’m thrilled the story had caught your attention. 🙂 If you ever have the chance to read the full story, you’ll have to let me know how you liked it. 🙂
Maybe this time he’ll find that soul mate.
Elaine,
Perhaps he will. 🙂
Ah, so romantic. Looking forward to more!
Vivien,
Thank you. So glad you enjoyed the snippet.
Can’t read as much as I’d like (made the mistake of signing up for 6 adult learning classes this month plus A to Z) but I’m about halfway through.
Sue,
I signed up for the A to Z Challenge, too. With working full time and trying to write, I don’t have time for anything else. lol
Thanks for stopping by.
A loyal brother.
If he remains loyal, you’ve got a great story.
If he betrays his brother, you’ve got a better story!
Nice 8.
Chip,
Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
Karen you do such a wonderful job blending folklore and storytelling and making it believable. I really enjoyed this story.
Smiles
Steph
Stephanie,
Thank you so much. I so thrilled you loved the Magic of the Loch!
The care he shows his brother says a lot about his character, and makes me really hope he finds his soulmate soon.
Ed,
So glad you enjoyed the snippet of Magic of the Loch. 🙂