Realms of the Raven Newsletter

Latest News

Currently Available:
Del Fantasma: Texas Tea received 5 cups from Regina at Coffee Time Romance. She said (in part) “Del Fantasma: Texas Tea has many of my favorite elements when it comes to a romance. The character’s emotions and history are well laid out from the beginning, leaving the rest of the book to focus on their relationship. The lovemaking when it happens is chock full of deep and lasting emotions. The paranormal elements are well explained and make sense. I really enjoyed reading about these two dancing around each other until they finally gave in. The sexual tension is drawn out throughout the book which kept me turning the pages quickly. Quite simply this book is a keeper and has been added to my favorites list.”

You can read the entire review on the Coffee Time Romance site.

You can purchase Del Fantasma: Texas Tea from Aspen Mountain Press or Fictionwise.

Coming Soon
Gift of the Holly King - Recovering from a near-fatal accident, wiccan priestess Kayleigh Brennan has taken a leave of absence from her job to focus on recovering her health. When she begins to meditate under an ancient holly tree at her rented bungalow, she catches the full attention of Ilex, the Holly King. Coming Soon from Aspen Mountain Press as part of the anthology Babes in Toyland II.
Wake Me - Another story of the Coyote Clans. I promise I’ll have a blurb by next month’s newsletter. Coming early 2008 from Aspen Mountain Press.


Free Reads
There are some 100 word Flash Fiction tidbits available on my website now. These are the result of taking part in an impromptu challenge on a loop I take part in. Feel free to let me know if you like them.

Contests

Newsletter Contest:
Last month’s winner has been notified by email and seems pleased. Since it was such a success, let me show you this month’s prize. I’m sure no one will be terribly surprised that it’s jewelry again.

This month’s necklace is blue again - I can’t help it, it reminds me of the ocean. It’s made of crystal cube beads and silver and glass seed beads. And the bonus is that you can see I really do make these myself - the clasp isn’t attached yet. I have a lovely silver toggle clasp for it that I’ll attach as soon as I get a spare moment. The weird springs on the ends of the beading wire are merely there to make sure it doesn’t self-destruct.

Ask the Author
What do you do to put you in the mood to write?
I’m not good at writing while I have music on. All too often I find myself distracted by the music instead of writing. I usually get in the mood by reading what I last wrote in the book I’m working on, making edits to tidy it up, then proceeding on. But I don’t wait for the mood to strike before I sit down to write. It’s a business and I often write when I’m not really in the mood to do so. I have found that once I start writing, the mood emerges anyway.

I do light scented candles but often have the TV on for white noise - somehow I can tune it out but not music. This may change when I rearrange the house to have an office to myself. Real Soon Now….

(Remember, you can ask your own questions by emailing me at realmsoftheraven at gmail dot com.)

The Witch’s Corner
Mabon - the Autumn Equinox
The nights are becoming chilly and it was overcast and rainy today. It’s starting to feel a lot like Fall and the next pagan holiday is Mabon - the autumn equinox. An equinox is called that because day and night are equal, in balance with each other. To me, both Mabon and it’s Spring equinox partner, Eostara, feel like a time of waiting. Nothing truly stays in balance for long and I can sense the tipping of the balance toward winter.

Mabon is the fall harvest, the time when harvest is made for that food most easily damaged by frost. But it should be understood that this is really a modern pagan holiday without a proven basis in history. Even the name is a created one and tends to vary a bit by location. The actions of bringing in the harvest is appropriate to the time of year, but it’s not “traditional” in the most common sense.

Most symbolism used on altars for Mabon are harvest-related - fruits, nuts, fall leaves, cornucopia (horns of plenty). It’s considered a time of prosperity because this is the time when the harvest is stored, thus you have plenty in your larder at this point.

My spiritual focus now begins to settle on more internal issues and my house and hearth. The weather is getting a bit less pleasant and it’s not as nice to be outside. We begin to light our antique woodstove at this time of year, so the smell of a fire and spices from pumpkin pie make me think of Mabon. Every time I shop, I can see the evidence of Mabon in the diminished variety of local produce. More and more items are imported now. The small fruit stands are open on the side of the road and selling away. Corn mazes are opening.

Another spoke in the wheel of the year, Mabon helps me stay in touch with the cycle of the natural world. I need that because my high-tech job is often barren of that rhythm. The next holiday is Samhain and soon my attention will turn to it - but I’ll cover that in next month’s newsletter.

Free Story - Games Coyotes Play
(c) 2007 by Maura Anderson

Chapter One

“I have nothing to say to you. Call my lawyer.” Afraid she would give in to the urge to say something far worse to her ex-husband, Melissa snapped her cell phone shut. Eyes closed, she clenched the phone and tried to use the deep-breathing technique her therapist had taught her to calm herself.

Breathe in, breathe out slowly. Breathe in, breathe out slowly.

It was hard to breathe through her clenched teeth.

Breathe in, breathe out slowly.

“Fucking asshole!” Her cell phone banged against the door before landing on the floor in several pieces. At least it took a few seconds before she completely erupted. It never failed. As soon as she let down her guard and allowed herself to believe that she was free of Jackass Jacob Jenkins, he resurfaced as if on cue. Like a creeping fungus she couldn’t quite exterminate.

Melissa forced her jaw to unclench and, one by one, relaxed her fingers and released the edge of the desk she’d grabbed without realizing it. Her chest tightened and her eyes burned with tears she refused to shed. He didn’t deserve them.

She’d once loved Jacob, believed in him and tried with all her might to make their marriage work. How could she have been so stupid, so naïve? Such a doormat?

Breathe in, breathe out slowly.

The sound of a knock at her office door made her eyes spring open. Her chair tipped wildly backwards before she managed to steady herself.

“Come in.” Her voice broke. “Come on in.”

The door opened slowly and Katrina’s head poked in. Her assistant raised a perfectly groomed eyebrow at the remains of Melissa’s cell phone. After stepping into the office and quietly shutting the door again, she knelt to begin picking up the phone debris. “He called again, didn’t he?”

“Yes. He’s back to claiming he loves me and I just don’t understand him.” She sighed heavily. “Does he really think I’m either that stupid or that desperate? I’d be willing to bet he wants money and is hoping to get some from me again, however he can.”

Her assistant rolled her eyes. “No bet. You know, for a man who thinks he’s God’s gift to both women and the gaming industry, he’s a real loser.”

Rising to her feet, Katrina extracted the cell phone’s SIM card and unceremoniously dumped the rest of the phone into the trash can. “It’s dead. What is that, the third one this month?”

“Ummm. The fourth I think.” Heat spread across Melissa’s face.

“I’ll pick up another phone for you this afternoon. Instead of destroying electronics, you need to find a new way to destress. You haven’t had a boyfriend since your divorce was final. Maybe you should find a man to help you release all that energy.” Katrina seemed to carefully look anywhere but at her boss.

Melissa flinched. “No. I’m not ready for anything like that yet.”

A sick feeling filled her at just the thought of allowing another man close enough to hurt her again. She’d let Jacob the Jackass woo and seduce her, taken in by his vows of love and devotion. Too bad she didn’t realize he needed her resources to provide for the ex-wife and the children he denied having, as well as to court her own successor. She was merely a bank with boobs to him.

Pushing the renewed feelings of betrayal and pain aside, she refocused on her assistant. “Did you actually need something?”

“Well, I heard the crash against the door and decided I should check on you. But I also wanted to remind you that we have a crop of new hires reporting for orientation at eleven.”

“Oh, right.” Joy. She really wasn’t in the mood to face a room full of eager new employees but it was the first week of the month and it was her turn. It was one of the few drawbacks of being a corporate trainer.

“Cheer up, boss. Maybe you’ll find a likely candidate for a date in the group.” Katrina laughed, probably at the look on Melissa’s face. “Okay, okay. Leaving now. I’ll leave your new phone on your desk.”

Once the door shut behind her assistant, Melissa unlocked her laptop. Work needed her attention. Despite her resolve to ignore Katrina’s suggestion, she found her mind wandering to her complete lack of a sex life. That might be what she most missed from her life with Jacob — hot, sweaty sex.

*****

Erik sat in the parked car for a moment to admire the trees and green space around the buildings of his new employer’s main campus. What a change from the concrete and steel he was accustomed to. Along with the prestige of working for one of the best software companies in the world, the beauty of the Pacific Northwest helped him set his sights on Seattle when he’d finally had enough of his relatives.

He’d been able to parlay his considerable experience with game programming into his dream job and escape his clan and the matchmaking attempts of his sisters all at the same time. Although his new position included relocation, he needed to find a permanent place to live fairly soon, before Coyote got too annoyed at the close quarters of the temporary housing. That was on the list for this weekend.

Right now, it was time for New Employee Orientation. He grabbed his umbrella and managed to get to the covered walkway without getting too wet. Opening the lobby doors, he instantly tensed. A surreptitious deep sniff confirmed his initial reaction — the stink of a wolf shifter permeated the reception area. Coyote snarled and seemed to pace back and forth, hackles raised.

Erik strengthened his hold on Coyote. The last thing he needed a shift in mid-lobby so Coyote could try to track down the wolf. Natural competitors or not, he wasn’t going to let his dream job fall victim to Coyote’s instincts.

Trying to breathe more shallowly so Coyote wasn’t continually bombarded with the scent, Erik lined up behind two other people to await his turn. The lobby spoke to MacroWerx’s image. Artfully arranged jewel-toned and steel furniture and large original abstract art were certainly expensive looking and modern, but they made his head ache. The furniture looked like something to perch on, not sink into. As much as he might appreciate the style, he wanted comfort more.

“Can I help you?” The perky receptionist looked at him curiously. The other people had been helped and were now gone while he stood staring into the distance.

Great first impression, Erik.

With a sigh, he stepped up to the counter. “I’m Erik Michaelson and today’s my first day. I was told to report here on Monday morning for orientation.”

The receptionist tapped at a keyboard and the printer next to her spat out a nametag. “Please wear this at all times while on campus until your permanent badge is ready. You’ll find out how to get it during your orientation.”

He peeled the backing off and stuck the nametag on the burgundy dress shirt he’d finally settled on for his first day.

“I’ll buzz you through the entry doors. Please follow the yellow signs to the Ranier Room where the orientation will be held.” The receptionist’s blue eyes widened slightly and her voice grew huskier. “If you’d like company during lunch, I get my break at twelve thirty.”

“Umm, thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. Rainier Room, you said?” Coyote gave as close to a sneer as he was able while Erik pasted his favorite “maybe later” smile on his face. He didn’t flatter himself that his sandy blonde hair, brown eyes and reasonable body were huge attractions but history had shown even fully human women were often attracted to the hint of danger his kind exuded.

The door buzzed and he pulled it open, the receptionist already speaking to the next person that needed her attention. He easily followed the posted signs to the correct room, signed in and sat down at the tables provided.

Coyote curled up and went to sleep during the first hour of the one and one half day talk, having no patience for or interest in the various forms being completed. During the first break, Erik made good use of the company coffee cup each new employee received. He resisted the urge to groan out loud, barely. Staying awake may be a feat if the rest of the talks were as dry and boring as the first one.

Already back in his seat at the eleven o’clock mark, he listened with only minimum attention while the next speaker was introduced.

A voluptuous woman in black slacks and a purple velvet top that caressed her curves strode confidently to the front of the room. Sleek mink brown hair just touched her shoulders and swayed with every step.

Suddenly fully awake, Erik sat up straight and stared. Every instinct he had said this was important. Really important.

She turned to face the attendees, her hazel eyes scanning the room, touching briefly on each person. When her eyes met his, she licked her lips and her porcelain pale skin seemed to flush pink. She stared at him for a full second before moving to the person next to him.

Just the sight of her made Erik’s cock stand up and take notice. Eyes focused on her, he tried to reposition himself to disguise his erection. Coyote snuffled and stirred, waking from his slumber to see what made Erik’s heart rate increase and all bloodflow move away from his brain.

“Good morning. My name is Melissa Alders and I’m a Sr. Training Manager here at MacroWerx.” Her voice was sultry, a little raspy.

He couldn’t help but imagine it calling his name out while he was buried deep inside her. Screaming his name as he licked her pussy.

What the hell? He hadn’t been this interested in a woman since college. Meaningless sex had long ago lost its charm and he didn’t even know this woman. He squirmed in his chair, the pair of slacks he was wearing were not cut for a hard-on.

Her attention probably drawn by his movement, Melissa looked at him again. This time when his eyes met hers, Coyote howled a long, ecstatic song. A mating song.

Mate?

All content (c) 2007 by Maura Anderson