Thanks so much for having me today, Taryn! I wanted to talk about an addiction I’m struggling with. Character love.
Sometimes it’s hard to leave characters
behind. After journeying along with them, they come to be like friends. Especially
after three stories.
I loved creating the magical underworld
of Venice! Reimagining Leonardo da Vinci as a dark sorcerer made for some fun
takes on his genius as well as his classic icons. The Vitruvian Man sketch,
even the Mona Lisa, have new backstories. With the third book, Claimed, the
island of Murano is home to more than glass artisans. The glass pieces
themselves are not only gorgeous but enchanted.
Mixing up the magic folk was fun too.
Cursed introduced the witches and sorcerers of Venice. In Charmed and Claimed,
an Irish shifter, a banshee, Roma gypsies and water elementals. Their world is
one of danger, but they’re peaceful beings at heart.
Melina and Bruno are very dear to me.
Both changed so much over these three stories. Best of all, together they found
the greatest magic of all – love. I hope you’ll visit their world in Cursed,
Charmed and Claimed, the three novellas of The Vitruvian Man series.
Do you become attached to characters? Do
you fall in love with the heroes?
Blurb:
She's
given up everything for him...
Melina Weaver has no money, no job,
nowhere to go--and she doesn't want to. Bruno is her life now, but his world
threatens to destroy them.
He's
lost everything... except her...
Fire destroyed Bruno diCesare's
quarters, and everything he loved. But his love for Melina is stronger. So
strong, it threatens to blind him to danger. Their only hope is to join with
the rogue magicks to overthrow the Council's dictatorship.
Can
they survive the battle and create a new world for themselves?
Watch the CLAIMED Video
Excerpt:
“I love you,” I breathed. “I love you.”
“Forever.” Melina’s lips pressed to my
skin like raindrops on a thirsty man. I drank them up, but still wanted more.
Her limbs quaked.
I gently set her on the ground. “We
should get back. You need to rest.”
“So do you.” She nestled into my side as
we strolled and sent me a lopsided smile. “But I’m glad you’re getting your
strength back.”
“More importantly, my head has cleared.
Elda must have tainted the treatments.” It would explain the strange dreams;
Elda’s way of muddling my mind so I wouldn’t know what was real and what was
imagined. So far, it hadn’t weakened the shield I’d put up to hide my thoughts
and power from the Council, but I couldn’t afford even one slip. It would send
an undeniable signal that I still lived. Still presented a threat.
Melina splayed her hand across my ribs.
“I suspected she tried to keep us apart that way.”
“You spent a lot of time alone.” No need
to phrase it as a question. Much as I’d struggled to stay conscious, I’d
managed to remain awake a fraction of our time together. A great unfairness to
her.
“I did a lot of reading, as you know.”
Her casual tone belied her worry.
I couldn’t help my past disapproval, but
I could offer reassurance. “Yes. Of course. Your studies serve you well.”
We reached the cottage, and she faced
me. “It’s the only way I know how to protect you. They’ll find you here, won’t
they?”
“For now, I’ve shielded my thoughts from
them. They’ll sense magic in use, however. Most who practice tap into a main
source. Those with the greatest power learn to wield it with little effort, and
create our own. It’s one way you’ve proven yourself to be a great talent
already.”
“But I know so little.”
“You learn fast. And you command your
magic well.”
“Teach me to use it better.” Urgency
edged her tone. And excitement.
I dreaded the responsibility of the
task. “I’m not the most patient teacher.”
“And I tend to be a hardheaded student.”
She linked her arms around my neck. “But we’ll make it work.”
She made everything so effortless. Even
when I imagined problems between us, she made them disappear. But how long
would she grant me such grace?
Cate Masters has made beautiful central
Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not
spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a
magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with
her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and
in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.
Cate loves to hear from readers! Email her at: cate.masters@gmail.com
2 comments:
Welcome, Cate!
Thanks Taryn! I love visiting Sleepy Hollow :)
Don't forget you're on my blog today too!
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