The end is coming and here is the music to get you through!

As The Chronicles of Izzy comes to an end, I'm feeling terribly nostalgic!  So, I am going to do a series of blog posts leading up to the release of Awakens that looks back on the journey this series has taken me on!  I feel like this will give me a little closure as I say goodbye to the characters I've loved so much! 


Today, it is all about the music behind the series!  I have tons of music that I downloaded just to inspire the series.  Y'all may have seen a post here or there about the music I've listened to while writing, but what you may not know is that each character has their own playlist.  The minute these songs play, my mind is drawn to a specific person and event.... so without further ado, I give you the music that made the characters!


Let's start with Izzy, shall we.  Our plucky heroine that is thrust into the deep end and struggles to keep her head above water for the remainder of the series.  I've put her through hell and she came out stronger for it.   So here they are, songs of Izzy!

1. Ashes by the Bengsons http://youtu.be/TtgSxW6k4Es
2. Seven Devils by Florence and the Machine http://youtu.be/hBcXe2B97TQ
3. Arms by Christina Perri http://youtu.be/MeW0Sl0tNS8
4. Comes and Goes (In Waves) by Greg Laswell http://youtu.be/pEFxfVyz4Uc
5. Medicine by Daughter http://youtu.be/sf6mkYz4mx0
6. 9 Crimes by Damien Rice http://youtu.be/cgqOSCgc8xc
7. Last Year's War by Sarah Slean http://youtu.be/GDp-sGzyDy4
8. Come by Fire by Sara Jackson-Holman http://youtu.be/V4T-hQmnk-I
9.  War Sweater by Wakey!Wakey! http://youtu.be/crzziW5aUI4
10. The Lightning Strike by Snow Patrol http://youtu.be/wE6gEbp9vvE
11. Black/White by Wendy McNeill http://youtu.be/oZikGDG-k6c
12.  Words in Your Eyes by Brooke Annibale http://youtu.be/0QHe9OQ1_1Q
13. Swelling by Sarah Jaffe http://youtu.be/5XxHXE38Z5o
14. The Other Side by Woodkid http://youtu.be/AHYQ1u8IJJQ
15.  Battle Cry by Imagine Dragons http://youtu.be/oejTE2bForo
16.  Fuel to Fire by Agnes Obel http://youtu.be/e-qGc62hXAI
17. Bogeyman by Johnny Hollow http://youtu.be/rNdQfEAnzlY
18.  Feral Love by Chelsea Wolfe http://youtu.be/iwT3DIIXWNA
19. The Devil Within by Digital Daggers http://youtu.be/G049LeVG6BI
 20. Dark Paradise by Lana del Rey http://youtu.be/aazb8Rt31nk

Now let's jump on over to Kennan.  Surprisingly, or rather not so surprisingly, most of the songs for Izzy were also for him.... so he doesn't have too many that are all his own.  Poor Kennan :(.

1. Wave by Beck http://youtu.be/m2DLZkv4Yvg
2.  The Sun by The Naked and The Famous http://youtu.be/fAIiS5n8phg
3. Almost Lover by Jasmine Thompson http://youtu.be/6o1GVKul38c
4. Do What You Have To Do by Sarah McLachlan http://youtu.be/vjn4we-6ol4
5. To Build a Home by The Cinematic Orchestra http://youtu.be/qkP6Tf79UrM
6. New Tricks by The Great Northern http://youtu.be/1M6Q2MEGzu8
7. Semi Automatic by The Boxer Rebellion http://youtu.be/Fb7A1qmt0Mo
8. Dark Paradise by Lana del Rey <---- The Kennan and Izzy song.  :( http://youtu.be/aazb8Rt31nk

So, the last character I want to talk about is Aberto.  The man that showed up and changed everything I thought would happen in Izzy's story.  I know that most of you have very strong opinions about him... you either love him or hate him.... as for me.  Well, I love him.  He was what Izzy needed him to be at every point of her journey and well, he is just made of amazing.  Aberto stole my heart! There are a lot of songs that settle in my chest like a heavy but welcome weight and each and every last one of them leads straight back to Aberto. 

1. Stranger by Katie Costello <-----  Seriously, this should just be renamed Aberto's song. http://youtu.be/8ArlscD4MOQ
2. Ghost in the Machine by The Fire and The Sea http://youtu.be/LxymP30TrR4
3. Feel Me by Mecca Kalani http://youtu.be/akxi_oce0wA
4. Stupid by Sarah McLachlan http://youtu.be/HLsvcIv2uAQ
5. Battle Cry by Imagine Dragons <----- this should be Izzy and Aberto's song.  ROFL! http://youtu.be/oejTE2bForo
6. Draw Your Swords by Angus and Julia Stone http://youtu.be/Ceup8anv94A
7. Keep Me High by Adaline http://youtu.be/_bw1uye8aOI
8. Houses by Great Northern http://youtu.be/3xfA_Vi3Dqo
9. Heavy in Your Arms by Florence + the Machine http://youtu.be/V_eOmvM-4zc
10. The Leaving Song by Chris Garneau http://youtu.be/emBR2RxiHoI




And there you have it.... lots of songs to immediately rush out and add to your playlists....  Let me know what you think!  Do any of the songs resonate with you?  Are there any songs that you've heard that made you think of series?

Until next time!

xoxo,
Michelle Graves

What Kennan Knew

WARNING!  SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!  IF YOU HAVE NOT READ SEE HOW SHE FALLS, DO NOT READ THIS!  IT WILL RUIN PART OF THE STORY FOR YOU!  YOU MUST NOT READ ANY FURTHER!!!!!!!  DON'T DO IT!  JUST SAY NO!

Still here?  Well, I hope you've read the book, if not, you are in for a terrible shock!  Okay, without further ado.... I really wanted to write this part of the book from Kennan's POV as well.  I felt like it was really important to A) give you a look at his POV and how he felt through all of this and B) Twist the knife a little deeper (mwahahahaha)!  So, here it is, Kennan's POV from the scene where Izzy tried to eavesdrop upon his conversation with Aberto!

 

                Aberto had a secret, and I knew that whatever it was, it wouldn’t be good.  I’d been dreading the truth since the helicopter, yet I followed him all the same.  I needed to know.  If it could help Izzy, if I could in some way keep her safe, how could I not follow him?

                We walked out into the murky swamp air, the chorus of frogs and cicadas threatening to burst my eardrums.  I stopped next to Aberto, whose gaze was transfixed by the swamp.  He looked as though the weight of the world rested upon his shoulders.

                “Out with it.”  I muttered, barely above a whisper.  I knew Izzy’s tendency to eavesdrop, I wasn’t going to take any chances.

                “I fear the news I am bound to deliver is not pleasant.”  Aberto never broke his concentration on the murky water.

                “Is this about how you feel for Izzy?  If it is, I have no desire to continue this conversation.  It isn’t as if you have hidden your interest in her.”  Anger bubbled inside of me, and an emotion I wasn’t proud of lurked just below the surface.  Jealousy.  I knew undoubtedly that Izzy was mine.  Regardless of their connection, I knew what we had would always win if there had to be a choice.  We were two halves of a whole, and the universe was threatening to tear half of me away.  I had to remember that this wasn’t about our loving the same woman.  This was about us protecting her.

                “I have made no secret of my affections for her that is true.  Despite those feelings, she has chosen you, Guardian.  Do not forget that there is more at stake here than her love.  Her life is on the line.  The prophecy has spoken, she will fall.

                “What is this about then?  What do you know?”  I all but growled.

                “You will die.”  Aberto’s voice was stiff, void of any emotion.

                “What?”  I turned to stare at him, grabbing his arm in the process.  “What do you mean?  When?  How?”  I couldn’t protect her if I was dead.  This couldn’t be right!

                “On the day of the reckoning, when the beast emerges, you will die.  Your death will trigger something in Izzy, something that must happen in order for her to do what must be done.  I know not why or how, I just know that this must be.”

                “Are you certain?  What of her, will she perish?” Kennan’s strained voice asked.

                “I am unable to see Izzy’s fate.  Once I interceded, her future shifted.  Into what, I know not.  As for you, I’ve known my entire life. I saw it the day I was brought into existence, and I’ve seen it every day since.” Aberto looked back to the swamp, doing his best to mask the sadness in his eyes.  I knew that his sadness wasn’t for me, but for Izzy.  He knew what my death could do to her.  My death.  I would die.  Izzy would be alone.

                “Swear to me that you will protect her, that you will not leave her side.”  I grabbed Aberto by the shoulders, forcing him to face me.   “Swear it to me," I choked out.

                “You need not even ask it, but I shall swear it all the same.” Aberto reached for my elbow to swear an oath.  An unbreakable bond that could never be revoked.  “I swear I will guard and protect her all of my days, no matter how many they may be. She will never be alone from this day onward.”

                “See that she is not. If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone for a while.”  I stared back out into the swamp, pushing Aberto from my mind.  Izzy was all I could think of.  How would she survive?  I’d prepared myself to follow her into the void after she’d gone.  I knew that she was leaving, the prophecy had said it must be so.  But now, now I knew that her fall could mean so much more. 

                The world would be nothing without the light of Izzy shining upon it.  She needed to live, she had to live.  Even if that life was one without me.  How could I convince her to go on when I was all but ready to leave this world behind when she was gone?  Izzy.  How could I warn her?  I couldn’t.  This secret, this burden that burrowed its way into my heart, was mine to carry.  My demise could not be made common knowledge.  If Aberto was right, my death meant the salvation of so many others.  Even with every selfish bone in my body crying out that they didn’t deserve my sacrifice, I knew that one person undoubtedly did.  Izzy.  My world.  How could I face her? 

 

*******************************

                Swallowing down the lump in my throat, I headed back in to grab some food for Izzy.  I needed to act as though nothing had changed.  She needed my strength now more than ever, and I’d be damned if I wasted my last moments with her wallowing in misery.  I’d lived a good life, a life filled with thousands of memories.  I was given something so many others would never experience, unbreakable love.  That was enough.  I’d had enough, but I’d always want more.  No matter how many days I’d been given with her, I would always want more.

                I hurriedly grabbed up food and headed up to our room where I found Izzy waiting, a look of fear etched upon her face.

                “Why are you looking at me like that?” I did my best to smile as though nothing were wrong.

                “Nothing, it’s just,” she paused, biting her lip, “nothing.” Although something danced behind her eyes. It was possible she’d overheard everything we’d said. I had to know for sure.

                “Are you sure? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost. What’s going on, Izzy?” I placed the food on the dresser and made my way towards her.

                “I think my mind is playing tricks on me. Maybe the exhaustion is just getting to me. I’m okay, really," she lied.  I knew she’d heard something, but not everything.  Perhaps I could play this off.  Perhaps I could get away with telling her half-truths.

                “Promise?” I asked, tilting her face toward mine.

                “Promise, promise.” She lied once more, and I let it go. 

                “Well, in that case, it’s food time. No arguing.” I reached for the food, handing it to her.  How would she ever remember to eat once I was gone?  Who would remind her? 

                “What did Aberto have to say?” Izzy was testing me, I knew she was.  She loved to ask circular questions instead of getting to the heart of what was really going on.  So I did what I must, I continued to lie.

                “He wanted to talk strategy. Nothing serious. Honestly, I don’t know why you couldn’t have been there for the discussion. Sometimes, Aberto’s reasoning makes no sense.” I put the plate upon her lap, trying my best to give her a stern stare. “No more stalling, eat. I’ve got to go check in with Conall, but when I get back that food better be gone.” Raising a brow at her, I pulled her close to place a kiss upon her head.  Soon I would no longer be able to kiss her.  Soon she would be all but gone from me and I from her.

                “Aye, Aye!” she mock saluted, inhaling her food like she always did. 

               

****************************

                That night as she drifted to sleep, falling into the dreaming, I stared.  I looked upon her until it felt as though my heart might explode.  I loved this woman with every fiber of my being.  She was my sun, my brightness, my balance.  I would walk through the gates of hell itself if it meant it gave her a fighting chance.  She was my home, a home that I would soon have to leave behind. 

                “I pray to the gods that she will be strong enough to survive this.  Please, if you are listening, give her what you must.  Let her prevail.  Do not let her perish alongside me.  This world needs her far more than I.  Guard her and keep her, this precious gift.  I am not so selfish that I would ask to take her with me into the afterlife.  All I ask is that you, the ones that have ordained her destiny, allow it to shift.  Let her live.  Let her thrive.  Let her love once more.  Do not let me be the end of her.”

                I stared down upon the woman that had turned my world inside out and I knew that no matter what had happened, she’d been worth it.  Every second I’d spent with her had been worth every bit of pain, every sacrifice I’d made along the way.  She would always be worth it.

                My death was coming for me and I would gladly face it, knowing that it might just give her a fighting chance. 

 

So, I hope you enjoyed/cried/hated this excerpt.  I had a really hard time writing this bit.  Let's be honest, the whole third book was hard for me to write!  But here it is nonetheless!

xoxo,
Michelle Graves

Brandy L. Rivers Spotlight and Playlist!

 

 

Title – Nights Embrace  

Series – Others of Seattle: Book 1  

Author – Brandy L Rivers  

Genre – Adult Paranormal Romance  

Publication Date – April 2nd 2014  

Length (Pages/# Words) – about 95k  

Publisher – Brandy L Rivers  

Cover Artist – Brandy L Rivers

 

   

 

BOOK SYNOPSIS –  

It all started with a song. Roxana Nights was late to another gig, thanks to her first love, and drummer. It’s been years since she left Jordan, but he won’t let her go. Then she hears a voice that pulls her under a spell and changes her whole world. Trevor Malone just moved to Seattle with his band. Music is his only passion, until he lays eyes on Roxana. He’s never felt anything as strong as the pull to her. Now he needs to find a way to introduce her to his world. There’s only one problem. A rival clan won’t rest until they've taken Trevor’s down. Unwilling to let old grudges die, they target Roxy. Trevor will do anything to keep her safe. Roxy will find that the world she writes is closer to reality than she ever imagined. She’ll also learn that not all monsters are evil, though some are ruthless. Will love stay strong when the past comes out? Can they survive the centuries old vendetta?

 

       

 

Amazon | Nook | Smashwords | Kobo

ADD TO YOUR GOODREADS TBR LIST

 

 

 

 

She slipped past him, and onto the wings of the stage. Her gaze fell on Mr. Voice who was tall, dark and smokin’ hot.
Holy shit, I want to lick him.
Scuffed combat boots were laced up over black leather pants that clung to muscular thighs, and his black shirt molded to the most impressive set of abs she had ever seen. Roxy wanted to trace the ridges with her fingertips.
He turned, his voice dropping low as his eyes locked on hers. His words enveloped her. “… you’re the only one.”
Her heart paused a beat before slamming into her chest at a rapid pace. His full mouth lifted into a grin that spoke of confidence as he held her full attention. Entranced, she fell deep into his eyes and the world stopped.
Until a drumstick hit him in the head. He looked over his shoulder and shrugged sheepishly at his drummer before turning back to launch into the next verse.
Mikey gently shook her shoulder. “Hey, Rox, come on. We have to warm up.”
Her head bobbed in a nod at her brother, but she didn't look over. She muttered, “Yeah, give me a minute,” or longer.
As if he heard, Mr. Voice glanced over and winked at her before the next song started. “Blinded by beauty, falling at first sight, head over heels…” There was raw passion in his voice, and she couldn't help wishing he was singing about her.

 

 

AUTHOR BIO: My name is Brandy L Rivers. I’m a wife and mother of three with an overactive imagination. I’ve been obsessed with monsters and magic for pretty much ever. I decided to write the stories that keep me awake at night.

 

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR HERE: Amazon Author Page | Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Tumblr | Networked Blogs | Bloglovin | Goodreads | Shelfari

 

 

  

2 - signed copies of Nights Embrace with swag packs (US Only)

2 - $10 dollar Amazon Giftcards (International)

5 - eBook copies of Nights Embrace with Swag Packs (International)

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE

 

 

    Tour Organized By:







And Also, as a bonus, Brandy's Playlist while writing this book!  Huzzah!!!!!!




At least the most current one while working on Nights Embrace.

Here are the songs, in no particular order.

“Addicted” by Saving Abel

“Oh My God” by P!nk

“All Around Me” by Flyleaf

“Possession” by Sarah McLachlan

“Good Enough” by Sarah McLachlan

“Tell Me ‘Bout it” by Joss Stone

“Kiwi” by Maroon 5

“Wasted Years” by Maroon 5

“Every Lie” by My Darkest Days

“Come Undone” My Darkest Days version

“Next Go Around” by Nickelback

“S.E.X.” by Nickelback

“Everything I Wanna Do” by Nickelback

“Just For” by Nicelback

“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails

“Apologize” by OneRepublic

“She Hates Me” by Puddle of Mudd

“Stay” by Rhianna and Mykki Echo

“What Do I Have To Do” by Stabbing Westward

“Blue Eyes Blind” by ZZ Ward

“Set Fire To The Rain” by Adele

“Skin” by Rihanna

“Attack” by 30 Seconds to Mars

“In Love With A Girl” by Gavin DeGraw

“Breathe Today” by Flyleaf

“Kiss Me” by Ed Sheeran

“Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran

“Cannonbal” by Damien Rice

“You Make Me Feel” by Cobra Starship featuring Sabi

“Don’t You” by Candlebox

“S.O.S.” by Apocalyptica, featuring Christiana Scabbia

“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye, Kimbra

“Secrets” by OneREpublic

“Porn Star Dancing” by My Darkest Days

“Move Your Body” by My Darkest Days

“Like Nobody Else” by My Darkest Days

“Move Like U Stole It” by ZZ Ward

“Not Myself Tonight” by Christina Aguilera

“Lollipop” Framing Hanley version

“Still Rainin’” by Jonny Lang

“Move” by Thousand Foot Krutch

“Trouble” by P!nk

“What’s Your Name” Theory Of A Deadman version

 

Brandy L. Rivers Guest Post: WORLD BUILDING

Some of my favorite authors build these incredible worlds with multiple series. They give you the pieces you need each story, but if you read a lot of their books it can be a cool experience to see where one piece fits with another.

So, we all know I write paranormal romance. I try to do the same sort of thing with my world. Some of my favorites write the same genre, others write. As my series progress I hope to bring even more of that in. Now, the authors I’m talking about have a lot of books. I mean way more than my measly six books.

Look at Lauren Dane. She writes pretty much anything romance. I love all of her books, but I really love the way she takes all of her paranormal and builds around it. All of her supernatural creatures and casters live in the same universe, and some of them show up in other books in other towns. Like when one of the witches needs to learn about what’s going on with the werewolves, you get to see one of my favorite wolves show up to help in the investigation.

Or look at F. Paul Wilson. Some of his books fall under medical thrillers, some horror, and others sci-fi. All but one are in the same world. Even the two medical ones I read somehow tie into the horror and sci-fi. Ooh, even the darker historical um… not sure what you would call Black Wind, but it’s almost paranormalish, but more subtle. Maybe thriller? I don’t know, but it ties into the Repairman Jack series in such a way that I was bouncing around saying ooh, I remember when that came up here. Hell, even his historical thriller type stuff fits in. He has this whole universe that if you read them all you can place things from all these other books. It’s just cool, or maybe I’m a dork, but I love it.

Even in JR Ward’s Fallen Angel books, we see some vampires. I love her vamps and angels. Just saying. But the readers of both series see these glimpses into the other books and it’s easy to want to immerse yourself in the author’s universe. Hopefully, with more books, I’ll have built something similar to get all excited about.


~Brandy L. Rivers

 

 

Title – Nights Embrace  

Series – Others of Seattle: Book 1  

Author – Brandy L Rivers  

Genre – Adult Paranormal Romance  

Publication Date – April 2nd 2014  

Length (Pages/# Words) – about 95k  

Publisher – Brandy L Rivers  

Cover Artist – Brandy L Rivers

 

 

 

BOOK SYNOPSIS –  

It all started with a song.
Roxana Nights was late to another gig, thanks to her first love, and drummer. It’s been years since she left Jordan, but he won’t let her go. Then she hears a voice that pulls her under a spell and changes her whole world.
Trevor Malone just moved to Seattle with his band. Music is his only passion, until he lays eyes on Roxana. He’s never felt anything as strong as the pull to her. Now he needs to find a way to introduce her to his world.
There’s only one problem. A rival clan won’t rest until they've taken Trevor’s down. Unwilling to let old grudges die, they target Roxy. Trevor will do anything to keep her safe.
Roxy will find that the world she writes is closer to reality than she ever imagined. She’ll also learn that not all monsters are evil, though some are ruthless.
Will love stay strong when the past comes out? Can they survive the centuries old vendetta?

 

          

(BUY LINKS TO BE ADDED HERE)

ADD TO YOUR GOODREADS TBR LIST

 

   

 

EXCERPT

She slipped past him, and onto the wings of the stage. Her gaze fell on Mr. Voice who was tall, dark and smokin’ hot.
Holy shit, I want to lick him.
Scuffed combat boots were laced up over black leather pants that clung to muscular thighs, and his black shirt molded to the most impressive set of abs she had ever seen. Roxy wanted to trace the ridges with her fingertips.
He turned, his voice dropping low as his eyes locked on hers. His words enveloped her. “… you’re the only one.”
Her heart paused a beat before slamming into her chest at a rapid pace. His full mouth lifted into a grin that spoke of confidence as he held her full attention. Entranced, she fell deep into his eyes and the world stopped.
Until a drumstick hit him in the head. He looked over his shoulder and shrugged sheepishly at his drummer before turning back to launch into the next verse.
Mikey gently shook her shoulder. “Hey, Rox, come on. We have to warm up.”
Her head bobbed in a nod at her brother, but she didn't look over. She muttered, “Yeah, give me a minute,” or longer.
As if he heard, Mr. Voice glanced over and winked at her before the next song started. “Blinded by beauty, falling at first sight, head over heels…” There was raw passion in his voice, and she couldn't help wishing he was singing about her.

 

AUTHOR BIO:  

My name is Brandy L Rivers. I’m a wife and mother of three with an overactive imagination. I’ve been obsessed with monsters and magic for pretty much ever. I decided to write the stories that keep me awake at night.

 

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR HERE:  

Amazon Author Page | Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Tumblr | Networked Blogs | Bloglovin | Goodreads | Shelfari

 

RELEASE DAY BLITZ!!!!

 

 

Title – Nights Embrace  

Series – Others of Seattle: Book 1  

Author – Brandy L Rivers  

Genre – Adult Paranormal Romance  

Publication Date – April 2nd 2014  

Length (Pages/# Words) – about 95k  

Publisher – Brandy L Rivers  

Cover Artist – Brandy L Rivers

 

 

 

BOOK SYNOPSIS –  

It all started with a song.
Roxana Nights was late to another gig, thanks to her first love, and drummer. It’s been years since she left Jordan, but he won’t let her go. Then she hears a voice that pulls her under a spell and changes her whole world.
Trevor Malone just moved to Seattle with his band. Music is his only passion, until he lays eyes on Roxana. He’s never felt anything as strong as the pull to her. Now he needs to find a way to introduce her to his world.
There’s only one problem. A rival clan won’t rest until they've taken Trevor’s down. Unwilling to let old grudges die, they target Roxy. Trevor will do anything to keep her safe.
Roxy will find that the world she writes is closer to reality than she ever imagined. She’ll also learn that not all monsters are evil, though some are ruthless.
Will love stay strong when the past comes out? Can they survive the centuries old vendetta?

 

          

(BUY LINKS TO BE ADDED HERE)

ADD TO YOUR GOODREADS TBR LIST

 

   

 

EXCERPT

She slipped past him, and onto the wings of the stage. Her gaze fell on Mr. Voice who was tall, dark and smokin’ hot.
Holy shit, I want to lick him.
Scuffed combat boots were laced up over black leather pants that clung to muscular thighs, and his black shirt molded to the most impressive set of abs she had ever seen. Roxy wanted to trace the ridges with her fingertips.
He turned, his voice dropping low as his eyes locked on hers. His words enveloped her. “… you’re the only one.”
Her heart paused a beat before slamming into her chest at a rapid pace. His full mouth lifted into a grin that spoke of confidence as he held her full attention. Entranced, she fell deep into his eyes and the world stopped.
Until a drumstick hit him in the head. He looked over his shoulder and shrugged sheepishly at his drummer before turning back to launch into the next verse.
Mikey gently shook her shoulder. “Hey, Rox, come on. We have to warm up.”
Her head bobbed in a nod at her brother, but she didn't look over. She muttered, “Yeah, give me a minute,” or longer.
As if he heard, Mr. Voice glanced over and winked at her before the next song started. “Blinded by beauty, falling at first sight, head over heels…” There was raw passion in his voice, and she couldn't help wishing he was singing about her.

 

AUTHOR BIO:  

My name is Brandy L Rivers. I’m a wife and mother of three with an overactive imagination. I’ve been obsessed with monsters and magic for pretty much ever. I decided to write the stories that keep me awake at night.

 

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR HERE:  

Amazon Author Page | Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Tumblr | Networked Blogs | Bloglovin | Goodreads | Shelfari

 

 

 Tour Organized By:

CHAPTER ONE: SEE HOW SHE FALLS

As with every other time I've posted the first chapter of my books, please remember, this has yet to be professionally edited.  I hope you enjoy a sneak peek at See How She Falls!  Without further ado, here it is.... chapter one!

Chapter One

 

                It was finally time.  Molly’s mom had been held captive for over two months while we tried to pry information from her.  Unfortunately, Elaine wasn’t the fount of knowledge we had hoped she’d be.  I looked over to where she sat, all prim and proper as though her world wasn’t about to be completely upended.  The lack of remorse in her eyes sickened me.  No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t understand how Elaine could so dispassionately slay Seers, betray her daughter, and feel nothing akin to regret.  Something in her had broken at some point.  Maybe Molly had been right, maybe it had been when she lost her husband.  No matter what she’d gone through, I couldn’t excuse what she’d done.  Not to Molly, not to the Seers, and not to me.

                “Izzy, the time is upon us.”  Aberto’s solemn voice startled me out of my reverie.

                “Alright, I’m ready.”  I stood and walked to the center of the platform, the same one used during my protection mark ceremony only months before.  I rooted myself in place, gathering my courage as I thought of the ceremony that was about to take place.  Elaine would be stripped of her powers for the rest of her long life, something that wasn’t to be done lightly.

  “I call the Council to order.”  My voice echoed through the massive group.  Aberto nodded his head almost imperceptibly, encouraging me to continue.  “We are gathered to strip the Betrayer of her Gifts.  She has forsaken all that our people hold to be true.  Elaine has turned her back against her fellow Seers and walked the path of darkness.  For this, she shall be stripped of her powers and be banished from the Order forever.  There will be no shelter from Seer nor Guardian found. From this day forward she shall be nothing more than a memory in our collective.” 

                Aberto turned toward Elaine, leveling her with his gaze.  “Do you wish to say anything before we begin?”

                “You think you know what is coming.  You think you know where the threat lies.  Everyone here is going to die.”  Elaine’s maniacal laughter sent chills rushing down my spine.  Her words only reinforced the fears that had been building since we’d captured her months ago.  “Oh, and Izzy, you can’t hide forever.”  As I looked into Elaine’s eyes, I finally understood.  No sanity remained there.  Whoever she’d once been was there no more.

                Elaine smiled at me, ready to incite more fear at any moment.  In a split second, Aberto rushed toward her, wrapping his hand around her mouth violently to cut off her unsaid words.  Violently pulling her head back he whispered in her ear, “We will hear no more, Betrayer.”  He leveled her with his stony gaze.  I had only been on the receiving end of that look a few times.  It made my knees shake just thinking about it.  For a second, I almost felt sorry for Elaine.  Aberto could be truly frightening when he wanted to be.

                “Let us begin.”  Aberto tossed Elaine’s head roughly to the side and moved to retrieve his tattoo implements.  He pulled out a stylus and moved towards her body.  Her face was an immovable mask as he approached her.  Not a trace of remorse shone behind her eyes.   He placed the stylus against her skin and made the first mark. 

                Elaine’s scream tore through the crowd, sending a shockwave that reverberated against everything in its path.  For a moment, I wondered if we were doing the right thing.  Surely there had to be some other way to keep her from using her powers.  Just as the thought danced across my mind, I remembered Ren and everyone else that had perished because of this woman’s selfishly callous behavior.  She deserved a far worse fate than the one that had been decided upon.  If it were up to Molly, she would already be dead. 

                I scanned the crowd looking for Molly.  Things had been in such upheaval since this all began that I’d hardly had any time to spend with her.  I wanted more than anything to be by her side right now.  But, I had a place.  I was the leader of the Council now and that meant I was not at the liberty to follow my own whims any longer, a lesson I’d learned the hard way only weeks before.  My life no longer belonged to me.  Molly sent a sad smile in my direction and turned her attention back to where her mother sat, still screaming bloody murder.  Someone should shove a sock down the woman’s throat.  I was getting sick of hearing her yelps.

                I watched Aberto as he moved around her marking her so that she would be unable to use her powers.  He muttered words both foreign and familiar as he carved into her skin.  These marks were not the beautiful ones he had bestowed upon my body.  They were crude lines that gouged into her skin so deeply there was no doubting their permanence.  He looked up to catch my eyes momentarily before turning back to his work.

                The look in his eyes in that moment spoke volumes.  Ever since he’d life breathed me, or whatever the hell he’d done, we shared a weird connection.  I was always cognizant of his presence and whenever we were near one another, I found myself drawn closer to him.  I rationalized that it was just the part of his spirit living within me that called to him.  Yep, that was it.  His soul inside of me longed to be back with its other half.  That was my story, and I was sticking to it.

                “NOOOOOOOOO!”  Elaine’s scream snapped me back to the present, just as another shockwave ripped through the gathered Council members, Seers and Guardians.  An audible snap sounded that left no doubt about what had just happened.  Elaine’s powers were gone.  “Just kill me.”  She whimpered.

                I saw Molly start toward the stage.  She’d been trying to kill her mom ever since Ian had brought her back from the old factory.  Before she even made it a step from her seat, Ian pulled her back and whispered something in her ear.  She sat rigid in her seat clenching and unclenching her fists.  I drew her attention and shook my head slightly.  I wouldn’t have her doing something that she would regret the rest of her life.  No matter how mad she was at the woman, she was still her mother.

                “Elaine, you will find no refuge from our kind from this day forward.  You will live the rest of your very long life alone in the world of humanity.  Perhaps, in this new life you will find some way to atone for your betrayal.”  Aberto leaned close to her ear and whispered the rest.  “May your judgment be swift and merciless.  May the rest of your days upon this earth be a torment, for you deserve no less.” 

                With that, Aberto poofed.  I still didn’t really know how he did it.  One second he was there, then the next, gone.  He would make an excellent magician.  Perhaps we could raise money for the Council that way.  “The Amazing Aberto,” it could work.  It would be an excellent Vegas show.  I shook myself from my thoughts and looked back at the crowd.  Time to be the leader.

                “The Division will remove Elaine from the grounds.  They will place her in a suitable home, far from here.  No one shall seek her out, none shall provide her with comfort.  If anyone is found disobeying this directive, they will also be stripped of their abilities.  We have been called to a higher purpose.  We are meant to provide stability in a world that is lost to chaos.  While it may seem more appealing to use our gifts in a way that will bring us fame or fortune, that is not what we were made to do.  Our lives are meant to be lives of service and sacrifice.  If you feel you are not up to fulfilling this task, I am sure the Old One can return and strip you of your powers as well.  A darkness is coming people, and we must pull ourselves together and fight.  There will be no refuge for traitors within this Council.”  I eyed everyone in the crowd steadily, I wanted to see if there was a weak link that I’d missed.  I was truly tired of being blindsided.

                The gathered crowd stared back at me.  Their expressions were part horror, part pride.  Two months ago I would have balked at the responsibility that now rested upon my shoulders.  Now, I would be damned if I let anyone else be hurt.  I’d grown tired of losing everyone I held dear; of watching people die and being powerless to stop it.  Enough was enough, and I was determined to put an end to whatever darkness was coming.  No matter what the cost may be.

                “It is finished, you are free to go.”  I watched as they moved back toward the house.  Only the four Council members remained.  The last four people I wanted anywhere near me at the moment. 

                I’d been doing my durndest to hide the changes that were happening within me.  It had started with my eyes.  Right after Aberto had breathed part of his soul into me, my eyes became this churning miasma of blue and hazel.  They never quite settled on one color or another.  Luckily, only the people I truly trusted had seen them before I started to wear contacts.  It wasn’t exactly a natural thing I was experiencing.  In fact, I was the first person that had ever been saved by an Old One.  No one really knew what was going to happen to me.  Each day, things changed a little bit more, and never at a time that would be convenient.  Like yesterday, I accidentally eavesdropped on Ian as he mentally undressed Molly.  Not something I wanted to ever see again, that’s for sure. 

                “Milady, we have some questions if you are at the leisure to answer them.”  One of the Council members, I think her name was Damali.  Her skin was a beautifully dark tan denoting her Arabic descent.  She was utterly stunning.  I still wasn’t used to these people answering to me.  After all, they had been around far longer than I had, and they probably expected to ascend to Council Leader when Isadora passed on. 

                “I have nothing else going on, would ya’ll like to go to the office and discuss your questions?  I think it might be more comfortable.”  As the words left my mouth, I realized I’d just pulled an Isadora.  I had posed a question that really left no room for argument.  They would come, of that I was sure.

                “That would be lovely.”  Damali’s Guardian bellowed.  I was convinced that the man was physically incapable of speaking at a normal decibel.  Every word out of his mouth threatened to burst my ear drums.  I wondered if anyone had ever told him about his voice modulation problem. 

                “If you would follow me.”  Kennan stepped forward pulling me from my mental inquisition in the process. 

                As we moved toward the office I thought about my Guardian, the man I loved.  Things had been, in a word, tense between us.  I hated it.  There was a rift between us ever since I started to change.  It wasn’t exactly like I could fix this.  I didn’t ask for Aberto to breathe his life force into me and save me.  In reality, the changes just made it abundantly clear that our old life could no longer exist.  It was something I’d accepted months ago.  He had not.

                We moved into the office and sat down to discuss whatever questions the Council had.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to be that close to them.  Hiding my new talents, and freakish physical changes, was not exactly easy.

 

So, You Want to Write a Book?

I've been asked a few times in interviews what the best and worst parts about being a writer are.... and I know that some readers may be curious as well.... so I decided to write a blog post all about the road to self-publishing and the many obstacles, triumphs, and really random things that have happened along the way. 

So.... we come to step one, Writing.  I honestly thought that the hardest part about being an author was writing the book.  Boy was I ever wrong.  I'm not sure how it is with everyone else, but the writing is the easy part for me.  I get these stories in my head that just have to come out and by the time it is all said and done, after weeks of no sleep, I have a book.  A really rough draft of a book, but a book nonetheless.

Then comes the not so fun part, the editing.  I had no clue how many times authors had to read and reread their books before ever publishing them.  I'm not sure what I expected, but it certainly wasn't this.  I read through after I finish to add in stuff where it is missing and correct word usage where it is strange.  You would think that would be enough, but nope... after that it heads off to my grammatically fiendish friend to review.  Then she sends it back to me and I read it again before I ship it off to my editor.  She goes through, edits it, then sends it back my way for me to read yet again.  When all of that is done, I ship it back to her to be formatted and pray that I don't have to read it again for a long time.  By the time all is said and done, I probably read each book a good 8 times before I ever hit publish.  (This coming from a girl that typically doesn't re-read books!)

I guess that I should address the whole editor thing.  I got really lucky with mine.  She is a part of a book club I belong to and a fellow indie author.  She is pretty much brilliant.  Go read her books, Neeley Bratcher is her name. 

 

So, I had my book, and I was all ready to go, but I needed a cover.  I, unfortunately, am one of those people that totally judges a book by its cover.  I am a visual person, by nature, so I knew that I needed a cover that I would absolutely love.  If it wasn't something I would grab off of the shelf just based on the cover, it wasn't going to work for me.  What did I do,  you may ask?  Well, I went scouring the interwebs.  List after list of cover artist.  Some pricey, some moderate, some super cheap but not appealing to my tastes at all.  I began feeling a bit like Goldie Locks, until I found Syd Gill.  She willingly works with me, bringing my vision into a better reality than I ever could have created.  I have been extremely fortunate in finding her.  She is quick, reliable, and always listens to what I have to say.  There is always an open dialogue.  She is just fantastic and I won't ever give her up, so don't ask me!

 

 

What came next?  Well, publishing of course!  Then the overwhelming sense that I had just thrown a huge chunk of my soul out into the world unprotected.  When the reviews started coming in, everything changed.  My palms would get sweaty, I wouldn't know how to breathe or how to even cope with someone not liking it.  Inevitably, it does happen.  Not everyone will like the same things.  I think this is the hardest part for any artist, whether they be a painter, writer, crafter, whatever.  We are openly judged by unbiased individuals on a daily basis.  I've had to learn how to put on a thick skin and remember that one person's poor review does not diminish the fifty other great ones. 

 

How do I recover from it?  How do I deal when someone hates something that I love so dearly?  I remember that I didn't write the book for anyone but me.  So having other people like it is just and added bonus.  Then I remind myself that "No one can make me feel inferior without my consent."  E. Roosevelt said that!  When neither of those things work, I go and look at the reviews of books that I have absolutely LOVED...... and what do you know, even they have gotten bad reviews.  Sometimes it can feel like you are drifting alone in a sea of hate, so it is nice to know that there are other people in the same boat from time to time.

 

 

 

 



So, that is the end, right?  Nope.  It has been eight months since I hit publish on that first book.  Eight tiny months, and in that time I have re-edited the first book, learned to use Twitter, taken on Social Media, heck I just got a smartphone this week.  It is a never ending progression.  I've had to learn new things I never thought I would.  It is a constant march forward.  The best part about it though, I am willing to do whatever it takes to make these books succeed.  I will never stop craving advice.  In fact, I know of several author friends who probably wish I would.... Brandy, Belinda, Felicia, Magen, well the list is endless.....  but I won't stop asking questions.  I won't stop until I get to where I want to be.  I am determined to make Izzy's story succeed, and that determination is what will get me there.  It won't happen overnight, and it won't happen without me working at it.  I've emailed 80 bloggers just this week.  I am an unstoppable force, I tell you! 

So you want to be a writer?  Well, I will tell you what I wish someone would have told me going into this.  Writing the book is the easy part.  You want to succeed?  It is going to take work.  But if you have a great story to tell, and you are willing to push yourself harder than you ever have before, then it can happen for you! 

Just make sure you have support.  I know that I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my amazing husband believing in me.  Or if any one of the people that has been a part of this journey wasn't there.  I have been incredibly lucky with the support and love of friends, fellow indie authors, and the blogging community.  Then there are my readers, who I just LOVE!  I am blessed, I know I am!  But I'm not stopping until I have emailed every blogger I can find, until I have made Izzy's story heard in every corner of the world.  The only thing that can hold me back is myself, my fear, or customs when I try to sneak across borders without a passport. 

Whatever your dream is, remember.... things take time and work. 

xoxo,
Michelle Graves