Scratch a back discussion

Hi guys! Here is your chance to show off to the group what your writing is like. If you feel like participating just paste your favourite paragraph or two. I'm sure everyone will have some great work ;)

Here's my little snippet from Soulhunters:

With a tenuous glance at the armoured giant in front of her, she scurried closer to her father’s body, ignoring the gaping wound in his chest. The clan slaves carrying his body shared concerned looks as Banta leaned toward her father’s face.
“Daddy?”
The clan slaves initially tried to ignore the trembling in her voice but she spoke again louder, drawing out the word.
“Daddy? Can you hear me?”
At last, one of the men tried to quieten her, “your daddy can’t hear you, young one. He is with Syalonis now.”
Banta was a cautious girl, having been raised among the stone giants, but today she was just a lost little girl. She scrunched her little forehead in confusion, “No he’s not. Can’t you see that you’re carrying him?”

Here is a little snippet from Wicked Sinners

“Shame shame Jacques, returning to the scene of the crime.”
Jacques froze at the sound of Julien’s voice. The sound echoed from every direction bouncing off the walls. A shadow floated to the left, and Jacques spun to counter the attack finding only empty air.
“Stop hiding. Come out and face me head on,” Jacques taunted, in frustration.
Light exploded from every direction nearly blinding him. He blinked against the sudden assault upon his senses, and Julien stood only inches from him with an evil smile hovering on his lips. “It matters not because you cannot win.”
Jacques struck out hoping to catch Julien off guard, but his fist passed through Julien’s image, as if he were a mere reflection on a pool.
“Your only hope is to hand over the pages Jacques. I assume they are not in your pocket,” Julien cocked his head questioningly.
“They will not bring Alain back to us,” Jacques told him, trying to keep the pain from his voice. He could not show any doubt over his own decisions, and he would not show his brother any weakness.
“No they will not,” Julien agreed. “But you will be joining him on the other side, if I don’t have them back in my hands within forty-eight hours.”
“You are still my brother,” Jacques told him quietly.
“I have no brother,” Julien hissed, his words slashing across Jacques’ heart. He would find no mercy and he deserved none. He no longer had the luxury of wondering about Adriana’s memory. He would have to find out for himself.

Here's a snifter from Jerusalem Imperilled
News travels fast in a small province. Particularly when the Procurator’s household kept a close watch on his business. My enormous friend Meir Ben-Batiach was chasing a chicken around its meagre coop when his sixteen year old cousin, one of several kitchen boys in the Procurator’s household burst breathlessly into the yard.
The old stories talk of a beast called a Reym, an animal so large that Noah had to tie it to the side of the ark. If he’d lived at that time, Noah would've tied Meir alongside it. He was a giant. Bigger even than Og, king of Bashan. But although he stood head and shoulders above everyone else, when his mother ordered him to catch a chicken for the oven, that’s what he did. Or tried to do.
“Cestius is journeying from Syria,” the boy blurted out. “He will meet Gessius Florus in Jerusalem in a week’s time, two days before the Passover”.
In a last ditch attempt Meir flung himself full length to the ground, throwing up a cloud of dust big enough to cover the sun, and seized the chicken by the neck. He narrowly avoiding decapitating the bird- had he succeeded it would have been ritually ineligible for consumption, voiding his efforts of the past quarter hour. Shaking himself to expel the cinders from his robe, one hand shielding his eyes from the fierce white dazzle of the sun reflecting off the stones, the other keeping a firm grip on the fowl’s neck, he appeared to be performing some esoteric dance. “Then we will need to be ready for them. Good work, boy.” he added as an afterthought.
“They will be harder to snare than a chicken” laughed the kitchen boy.

Here is a snippet of my Through Time Indefinite:


“Trust her, Mother,” Ramses said as he looked at Siaylah, “for she speaks the truth. She is not of this world, are you?” he asked with the wisdom and foresight with which he would one day rule all of Egypt. “I knew you were not as the others. I have watched you in the chambers of the harem. I have seen you are not as they. You cannot be, for you are goddess!”
“Um . . . no. Not goddess, but also not of this world. What you have seen are acts worked through me by great, unseen gods. I am sent to aid those, who my gods, in their infinite wisdom, have chosen to bless. Those who are chosen are vital in their works, and important to history,” she tried to explain, but they were still confused. She tried again.
“I am visitor. I was sent to stop your death,” she stated more bluntly, seeing no harm in it now since it was over. “I strongly advise you, my prince, when you are Pharaoh, to take a wife. Have heirs and groom them to succeed you. Your rule as Pharaoh shall be one deeply loved by your people and known throughout the times forever more. Follow your heart and your father’s good works. Your kingdom will be blessed by the gods with wealth, happiness, and—” she suddenly shot up stiff as if lightning struck her. Then she trembled as an unseen force took control of her being, seeping into her, and possessing her. “No . . . please. Not now, please,” she gritted through clenched teeth.
“Siaylah! Do not go! Do not go!” Ramses shouted as he shot off the bed. “I command you to stay! I command it!”
She lowered her head with eyes filled with pain and tears. It was time, and she knew it. She hated this part the most. She always hated good-byes . . .
She watched as he moved toward her. Quickly at first, but he slowed no matter how determined he was. She saw his dark, handsome face in panic, mouth agape in anguish, and she felt his desperation, but he couldn’t help her anymore. How could one, who no longer exists, help her?
Then she saw his tears slowly freeze in his big, dark eyes.
It was like a glimpse of a memory, a moment in time, and it was fading away. She knew her task was fulfilled. He, the Pharaoh, Queen Tuya, Minamon, the royal chambers, the royal guards, the lavish markets of ancient Egypt, and the fruit she was never able to taste . . . they all began to fade from view, straight into the history books of the future . . .

Sounds great :0)

I'm in the same boat. I started out with 2 published books, and decided this past May to go Indie. I haven't regretted that decision since. I love the control that I have over my own work.

Hi everyone - I have two traditionally published books but the lead time to market is too long. I will still keep the TP route but also self-publish as long as I use professional editing servies.

Here is some of what I write - Regency historical romance

"May I have the pleasure of this dance, Miss Goodly? That is, if your dance card is not already full."
His deep, rich, voice,--rough with a bite, yet thoroughly intoxicating--made her giddier than the cheap champagne she was drinking. She swung towards the tower of masculinity encapsulating her in his shadow, sending the bubbles splashing over the side of her glass.
The Lord of Wicked wished to dance with her. With her!
It was hard to remain composed with champagne dripping from her gloved fingers. "I don't believe we have been formally introduced, my lord." She tried to shake the drops off her gloves before she had to give him her hand.
Anthony's wolfish smile made her grip the glass harder. "My brother, mother and I, are Lady Sudbury's houseguests, as you well know. You were here when we arrived this afternoon. She's kindly taken us in while my house is uninhabitable." He raised a dark eyebrow. "You have heard about the fire?"
All she could do was nod. Her tongue felt like dried bread.
"I saw you peering down over the banister when we arrived. No one but ourselves will know we have not been properly introduced." His wicked smile widened. "It shall be our little secret."
Melissa's face heated as she stared at the large hand he held out to her. She gripped the champagne glass, looking around for somewhere to put her drink. She wouldn't miss this dance for the world.
"Shall I take that for you?" Without waiting for a reply he pried the glass from her hand and beckoned a servant. Glass dispensed with, he turned his full attention on her. "Shall we?" and he offered his arm.
The crowd of guests turned to vapor. All Melissa could see, feel, hear and sense was him.
She was blind to the glittering candles and immune to the music filling the ballroom. She simply let him guide her, his arms holding her gently in the waltz. His scent filled her being -- sandalwood, whiskey and masculinity. Masculinity. He oozed it from every pore.
They twirled around the floor, unrespectable in their closeness. Melissa didn't care. His lean hardness thrilled her. The cut of his evening coat accentuated his broad shoulders. His breeches fitted like a second skin, leaving nothing to the imagination.
Melissa had a wonderful imagination.

Thanks for that awesome excerpt Bronwen. I'm so happy with the effort that everyone is putting into this group. I know you are all very busy and appreciate your input immensely :)

Great idea, Dani - I will do the same!

I'm on it :-)

You guys are awesome! I'm on it too :)

Blimey, with all these books on my TBR list I will never find time to finish writing my own! They all look excellent, well done everyone!

LOL! It's a great list isn't it.

Excerpt from Love Hurts

“She is connected to the job in Scotland; they both are.” he said, “I’m sorry Jessica; it looks like we have inadvertently drawn you into our mess. I need to find Jack and go sort this out. Please promise me you will stay home, don’t answer the door unless you know who it is, and phone Jack or me if you get worried about anything, no matter how small or trivial. Will you do that?”

He grabbed my shoulders, staring directly into my eyes, and I gasped, shocked at his forcefulness. I nodded, feeling sick with nerves.

“Yes of course.” I said, “Am I in danger? What about Liz?”

He relaxed slightly and eased his grip on me.

“Liz will be fine,” he said, “she is of no concern to them. But they seem to have found out about you and your relationship with Jack and me. You don’t need to be overly concerned just yet; hopefully we can settle this tonight. Please just stay home and keep all your doors locked and your mobile phone handy, ok?”

I nodded and Danny left, saying he would call Jack on the way.

I think I've found some great authors to befriend. Nice work guys :)

I want to share a snippet but can't decide on just which one to choose lol. I will try to get decisive on this.