Selecting a few paragraphs to share with you before the release of this latest book was really difficult. Should I show you more about Ariela, the lead in this story or should I throw you straight into a fast pace fight scene (there are a few in this book)?

The manuscript is still at the editors, so please forgive any grammar or formatting issues.

Hopefully I have given you an interesting insight. Let me know what you think with a comment below.

EXCERPT

‘Did you hear that?’ Genevieve looked over her shoulder as she crept through the undergrowth, Culaan following close behind.

‘Yes, voices.’ The warrior whispered before nodding for her to move on.

The waterfall was a few paces ahead and as the pair of trackers reached the clearing they stopped.

‘We should do something.’ Genie said as she took the last step onto the mossy ground that littered the edges of the large pond.

‘Load your bow, but don’t fire. This could prove enlightening.’ Culaan put his hands on his hips without moving towards his sword or the naked woman in the water.

‘Stop gawking. We should really help her you know.’ Genevieve pulled an arrow from her quiver.

‘True, but I can’t exactly kill my half-brother. Owyn would be fairly upset. If it gets out of hand, you can shoot that arrow at his feet. Besides, Morrigan said she was dangerous, let’s see just how dangerous.’

‘Your call. If anyone dies though, I’m telling Owyn it’s your fault.’

‘What’s new!’ Culaan smiled but did not take his eyes from the young naked girl as she climbed from the water and began circling toward Reaghan from the far side of the pond.

She held his dagger in her hand and Culaan rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he considered how she had gotten it from him while still in the water.

She moved in on his half-brother like a lion, fast and furiously as Reaghan raised his long sword. Culaan suddenly realised he had waited too long and began to panic. ‘Let it fly Genie.’

The arrow flew, landing with a thud at Reaghan’s feet. Ariela dived aside, rolling clear of both the arrow & Reaghan’s sword.

‘Alright, that’s enough you two. Reaghan, what the hell are you doing?’ Culaan moved toward his half-brother.

‘You piss off Culaan, this is between me and the girl.’

‘What, let me guess, she refused your charming advances. At what point was that, before or after you threatened her?’ Culaan was letting his rage free and that was dangerous for them both.

Genevieve moved toward the girl, another arrow notched and ready. ‘Stay calm Culaan, Owyn won’t want him dead.’

Reaghan laughed loudly. ‘I’m not that easy to kill.’

‘Keep lying to yourself Reaghan. We both know Culaan could kill you with one hand tied behind his back.’

Genevieve smiled as she goaded Reaghan and moved between him and the girl, her arrow still notched, her back to the stranger. She felt the tension from the girl, but there was little choice.

‘Put the sword down Reaghan.’ Culaan forced himself to remain calm.

‘Or what!’ Reaghan spun the weapon menacingly.

‘Don’t be stupid Reaghan, you attacked an unarmed naked girl and you expect your father to rule in your favour.’ Genevieve yelled, trying to bring sanity to the situation.

Reaghan glared at the huntress. ’She is armed!’

‘With your dagger, strange don’t you think.’ Culaan spat the accusation.

Reaghan’s eyes darted from Culaan to Genivieve and the stranger. He had the look of a cornered rabbit. He had not dropped his sword and Culaan warily moved closer, watching Genivieve and Reaghan closely.

‘Reaghan, drop the sword and we walk away with the girl. No one speaks of this again. You have my word.’

Ariela sat on her haunches, her eyes focused on her prey and the dagger at the ready. She took a deep breath to maintain her composure and crouched low to cover her nakedness, waiting apprehensively.

PS, one more question. Do you get upset that I use single quote (English formatting) and not double quotes (US formatting). I have had a few little niggling comments about it from my US readers and I would like to get your thoughts on it.