Dragons are my favorite paranormal
creatures to write and read. (Tied with vampires, who will never die. Ha!)
My fascination started with the Hobbit
when I read it Umteen *cough* years ago.
After that I couldn't find much with a solid dragon character until I
met Ruth, the white dragon from Dragonriders of Pern. You haven't heard of
them? GO BUY NOW!
I've read everything I could get my
hands on that was dragon related, the list is too long to name each one. (Check
out my goodreads list. They're all on it. Most with reviews. LOL) Then my own
dragon began to form in my head. He was a combination of my odd sense of humor
and alpha-jerk dragon. He sat in my head tossing stones at the gears of my
brain jamming up the works in progress trying to be the center of my attention
for months.
Then my publisher asked me if I'd be
interested in writing a Gatekeeper book. My dragon roared. (I had a headache
for days.) How can I say no? Maybe the arrogant snot would finally leave me
alone. In an attempt to save my sanity I agreed and wrote Koishi, stone dragon
gatekeeper who lived in a volcano in the islands of Japan.
Sushi lover, gold monger, and thrill
seeker he won a place in my heart. I hope he'll win a place in yours too.
Synopsis: Sandra’s sister is
dying. Doctors say nothing can be done, but she refuses to give up hope.
She has depleted all their resources searching for a cure, when a
little bird whispers in Sandra’s ear about secret worlds, gates, and the
keepers who protect them. A dragon gatekeeper, who hoards magical
treasure within his volcano home in Japan, possibly owns an item capable
of curing her sister.
Gates choose their keepers, and Koishi thinks his did an excellent job in picking him. Not many dare to cross, and none who try survive. However, one tiny human female with either the courage of an army or the intelligence of a gnat has arrived on the island asking for him. Curious, he waits for the locals to steer her to his human servant—actually him, in man form.
Gates choose their keepers, and Koishi thinks his did an excellent job in picking him. Not many dare to cross, and none who try survive. However, one tiny human female with either the courage of an army or the intelligence of a gnat has arrived on the island asking for him. Curious, he waits for the locals to steer her to his human servant—actually him, in man form.
Excerpt:
“Thank
you.” Sandra shifted the weight of the pack on her back and marched toward the
street.
The
stranger twisted as she passed him, his gaze weighing heavily on her. “It’s
about a three hour walk to the nearest hotel. If you run, you might beat the
storm.”
She
spun around. “What?” she wanted to smack that stupid grin off his face. The
trip across the strait had been harrowing enough. She wasn’t in any shape to
hike in a storm. “Do you have cabs?”
“Yes.”
He approached her. “During tourist season.”
“Then
how do people move around the island? There have to be buses.” She peered at
the storm clouds, which appeared closer than before. She hadn’t considered the
consequences of rushing here. Time was running out and she’d jumped on the
first flight out to Japan.
“They
walk or bike. There are a few buses, but I don’t know their schedules.” His
gaze lowered to the opening of her blouse. “Maybe we could come to some kind of
arrangement.”
Gasping,
she clutched the edges of her blouse shut. “I don’t think so.” She must look
better than she felt or smelled. How could anyone be interested in her in this
state?
He
rolled his eyes. “I meant your necklace.”
“Oh.”
The heat of her mortified blush almost blistered the skin off her cheeks. Of
course, he wasn’t making a crude pass at her. He was only trying to swindle
her. Nice.
He
gave her a crooked smile as if he knew exactly what she’d been thinking. “The
gold reflects the light very nicely.” Reaching for her jewelry, he bypassed her
swatting hands until he held the small heart-shaped pendant in his palm.
She
yanked it away. “It’s not up for trade. My mother gave it to me.” She’d died in
her sleep a year earlier after a long, happy life. Out of all the things from
her estate, Sandra had only wanted this necklace. Her father, who’d passed
years ago, had given it to her mother when they’d first met.
“It
has a nice weight to it and is well crafted.” His gaze lingered on her necklace
for a second longer before meeting her stare. “I have a truck. I could drive
you into town where you would have a pick of fine hotels.”
“That’s
very kind of you.”
“For
the necklace.”
She
growled like a rabid dog. Yes, it had been that kind of day. “I said no. Nain!”
“Nine?”
“What?”
She threw up her arms and abandoned all hope of help.
“That’s
what you said. Nine what? Rides? I usually don’t play taxi for tourists, but…”
His gaze grew heavy with darker promises. “For you, I’d offer a ride on me.”
She
blinked. Did he understand what he’d just said? “I think we lost something in
translation.” In both their cases. “I’ll manage on my own.” Stalking to the
road, she ignored his laughter and pulled out her phrase book. Lost and tired,
all she wanted was a room. Maybe she could stay in someone’s home for the
night. But how did she ask? These sentences were more tailored for people who
had already arrived at their destination. Where is the bathroom? Where is
the phone? She didn’t see a Can I spend the night? written anywhere.
Then again, that could translate improperly and she’d end up in a worse situation.
Reaching the road, she turned right and kept searching for some kind of
help. Another American tourist, an embassy, or even a flipping McDonald’s would
be welcome.
A
pick-up truck slowed next to her and the window rolled down. “Maybe you have
something else to trade?”
The
stranger had followed her and she gave him a what-the-hell look.
“I’d
hate for you to walk all that way after such a harrowing boat ride.” He winked
at her.
“That’s
very kind of you.” She stopped walking, forcing him to slam on the brakes to
maintain their conversation. Could she trust this stranger who exhibited a
touch of stalker tendency? Flashes of serial killer music sang through her
thoughts. She glanced around at the mostly empty road. What choice did she
have? At least he spoke good English so when he murdered her she’d understand
his evil monologue. “Maybe you could offer to drive me for free?”
He
stared at her with mock surprise. “There’s such a thing?”
“Yes.”
She dropped her pack to the ground, her shoulders already aching, and tried her
best to not smile back at the jerk.
Leaning
forward, he tilted his head to the side. “Why?”
She
shook her head. “It must be a cultural thing.” Kneeling, she rummaged inside
her bag and pulled out her wallet. She was on a tight budget. All her savings
had gone to purchasing information. “How much?”
“Money?”
He grimaced. “I don’t like paper. Don’t you carry anything valuable?”
“Most
people would consider money valuable.” She mumbled under her breath as she
shoved her wallet back into her pack. With a little more digging, she found her
small carrying case and held out two silver earrings. “That’s all I’ve got.
Take it or bug off.” She laid them on his outstretched hand.
He
sniffed at the metal. “There’s not much silver in this.”
“How
can you tell?” Her shout echoed over the water.
“I
just can. Get in. I’ll give generosity a try.”
She
climbed inside the old cab with peeling leather seats before he could change
his mind. “It’s only charitable if you don’t keep the earrings.”
He
dropped them in his breast pocket. “Believe me, this is charity.”
Annie
Nicholas
@annienicholas
2 comments:
I don't think the synopsis posted actually goes with this book??
I'm confused....
Thanks for the catch! I fixed it with the correct blurb.
Post a Comment