New Moon {Fantasy Flash Fiction February}

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unsplash-logoAlessandro Viaro

New Moon – by Natasha Brown

Sweaty and hot from dancing in the cabin all night, Clarie stepped outside. The new moon cast its shadowed face on the snow-covered firs covering the mountainside. But the stars. It was their bright points of light that glimmered and made the ice crystals shimmer like a priceless blanket.

The crisp air cooled Clarie’s face and neck. She zipped up her jacket and moved down the front steps of the lodge, her feet crunching in the snow as she went. The sounds of music and laughter wafted from the party she’d just left, a college graduation bash. It was something she’d never done before; cross-country skiing into the untouched Sierra Nevada landscape to stay at a secluded lodge.

Clarie tilted her head back to gaze at the stars. Her breath billowed into a cloud above her as her eyes traced from one series of points to another. Across the snowy meadow rose the pointed forest. She thought she saw two glassy orbs reflect back at her, and she squinted into the dark, imagining a coyote watching her from afar.

A burst of screams and laughter came from the lodge once again. Clarie turned to gaze back at the stone and wood building. Smoke filtered from the chimney into the night sky. She smiled and returned her focus to the wilderness.

The silhouette of a man stood fifty yards away in the clearing of the snow-covered meadow. His head was tilted back to stare at the stars. Clarie’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t seen him moments before, she was sure.

“Who are you?” her voice cracked as she called out.

He continued to stare at the constellations. Had he heard her or was he simply ignoring the question? Clarie swallowed. Maybe he lived nearby or was the caretaker of the property.

Just as she was questioning if she should call out to him again, he turned to look at her. Though he was a distance away, the snow reflected what little light there was into a dull glow. His dark hair came down to his shoulders, and his eyes blinked curiously at her. He began to walk toward her.

Clarie tried to step back, but she couldn’t. She found herself fixed in place. So, she simply watched his approach. Her voice had gone out, like a candle’s flame in the wind.

When the man was only a few strides away from her, the light from the lodge illuminated his almond skin and hazel eyes. There was no appearance of madness or anger, simply curiosity. He came even closer, dressed all in black, and she wondered at his handsome features instead of fearing for her life.

He came to stand beside her and pointed up to the moon. She followed his focus to the darkened astronomical body and breathed in the smell of the firs. He said nothing to her, made no noise. He held out his hand, palm up. Clarie couldn’t help herself. She raised her hand to touch his.

His skin was cool and smooth. It felt the way a human’s flesh should feel, but she knew he was something else. Something more.

From somewhere behind her, an owl hooted into the expanse. She looked but couldn’t spot the animal. Clarie returned her gaze forward. Her hand was still held up in the chilly air, though the man was gone. She stared into the horizon, but there was no sign of him anywhere. No footprints, no silhouette, no hazel eyes.

The edge of the moon shined bright, its crescent aglow. Clarie raised her palm to the sky, letting its light bath her skin just as the sharp cries of a coyote filled the night.

Scars Release & Giveaway

ScarsFINAL2If you’re on my mailing list, you recently heard from me when I gifted you a copy of my latest novella, Widow, and I’m back to share the news of my current release, Scars {Time of Myths: Shapeshifter Sagas, Book 1}.

I’m so excited about this series! Because I felt there was more to tell in my shapeshifter world, I’ve begun to write a number of love stories that take place throughout history. I plan on publishing one book every three-four months. If you’re an anthropology geek like me, I hope you join me on this exciting adventure!

To celebrate its release, Scars will be going on a book review tour. Best of all, I’m offering a giveaway. You have the chance to win a $25 Barnes and Noble Giftcard or Paypal Cash.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY

Win a $25 Barnes and Noble Giftcard or Paypal Cash

(winners choice)

Open Worldwide

Ending on Sunday 26th March at 11.59pm EST

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Are you a book reviewer or book blogger? Join our book tours reviewers team – Apply Here x

Current book tours open for sign ups HERE

New Series & New Covers

Dear reader,Shapeshifter Sagas teaser

I’ve been planning, scheming and writing a new series called the Shapeshifter Sagas. Because of my fascination with anthropology, I’ve decided to delve into the untold stories from the world I created in The Shapeshifter Chronicles. Things will be getting a little steamier, as they will be adult love stories told throughout history. I’m mostly done writing the first book (whose title and cover will be released in my next email). If you have any interest in Vikings, I have a feeling you’ll LOVE it! I expect to get started on book two immediately following its completion. I plan on publishing three books in this series every calendar year to keep your thirst for more shapeshifters satisfied.

This brings me to The Shapeshifter Chronicles. I grew tired of the old covers, and since I’m a cover designer by night, I decided to give them a facelift (see below) and reformat them, adding my research notes. If you have any interest in reading this new content, you can update your copies through your preferred online ebook seller (Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo).

Summer flew by fast, and it’s back to work. I enjoyed visiting friends and family, and my kids didn’t try strangling each other, so I guess I would call that a success. I truly look forward to delivering you my latest series, but until then, I hope these last hot days and time with your families leave you satisfied and prepared for the winter.

Thank you for reading!
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Remington Kindle World book release GIVEAWAY!

Enter to WIN a $200 Kindle Fire HD in the The Remington’s Kindle World giveaway!

Melissa Foster ‘s, The Remington’s Kindle World is being released on March 2, and we’re celebrating. A Kindle Fire HD ($200 value) is up for grabs, plus oodles of books go to one lucky winner! It could be you (and I hope it is.)

What is Melissa Foster ‘s – The Remington’s Kindle World? It’s a Kindle World launch of 18 all-new, never before published romances spinning off from Melissa Foster’s Remington Series, written by other authors (not  by Melissa Foster.) All available on Amazon, March 2nd, 2016.

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Books include:

Blush of Love – Rachelle Ayala
City of Love – Kaira Rouda
Cooking up Love – Stacey Wallace
Could This Be Love – Kathy Ivan
Crazy Love – Calinda Be
Faith in Love – C.M. Albert
Give In To Love – Natasha Brown
Harvesting Love – Christine Cunningham
Love by the Ganges – Pavarti K. Tyler
Love in the City – Zoe York
Love on Fire – Margaret Taylor
Love on the Wind – P.C. Zick
Nailed by Love – Kelly Collins
Pitching for Love – Amy Manemann
Race of Love – Melissa McClone
Recipe for Love – Jamie Lee Scott
Revived by Love – Stacy Eaton
Some Kind of Love – Magan Vernon
Tracks to Love – Abbie St. Claire

Entries begin March 2, on release day:

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