Manuscript Completed!

It is with great excitement that I announce the completion of my most recent manuscript. This is the story of a tough girl who discovers a ghost town hidden at the bottom of a dried up lake. This story has turned out to be a lot of fun. I've been letting my writer's group read this new manuscript. A couple of them told me it is their favorite of all my books so far.

I've sent out the manuscript to my agent so we can begin the process of publication. Fingers crossed that this will be the one that gets accepted.

And as a special treat for those of you who were clever enough to find this hidden blog, here is a sneak peek at a scene from this new manuscript. Enjoy.

“So tell me about these oh-so-famous Wyvern relics.” Haddon’s tone suggested only the mildest of interest. “What’s so special about them?”

I didn’t have to answer him, because at that moment, Old Grimm, himself, came swinging into view. Haddon jerked back on his horse in surprise, causing Goliath to stumble lazily to a stop.  Even from our perch on Goliath’s towering back, the gigantic stone gargoyle that now loomed before us was at least a few heads taller than we were. Carved from some kind of black, volcanic stone, its fearsome dragon body rested back on a serpentine tail that was coiled up tight beneath its dark frame. The humongous stone creature reared up over our heads—wings spread and teeth bared—as if ready to pounce on us at any moment. Goliath sidled nervously beneath us. Even he found the formidable statue to be slightly unnerving.

Haddon gave a low whistle, respect quickly returning to his voice. “Would you get a load of that thing?”

“Haddon, meet Grimmraven,” I said by way of introduction. “Although, I’m not sure who came up with that fancy name. Most of us just call him Grimm. You know, like the brothers Grimm.”

Haddon squinted up at the stone gargoyle in bewilderment. “Who put it way out here in the middle of the forest?”

I shook my head slowly. “Nobody knows. He’s been here longer than the town of Wyvern has. In fact, that’s how it got its name. Old Grimm is a creature known as a Wyvern. Part dragon, part serpent.”

“Part big-time creepy,” Haddon added, eying the statue with distaste.

“Can you get Goliath to move a little closer?”

“Why?”

“I need to touch Grimm if I want to make a wish.”

Haddon turned his head to give me the full benefit of his blue-eyed gaze. “A wish?  On that thing? It looks like it might bite off your hand if you get too close.”

“Grimm would never do that.” My voice came out much more defensive than I meant it too. “He’s Wyvern’s guardian. That’s what gargoyles do, you see. Why do you think they carved so many of them into churches back in medieval times? They keep away evil.” 

“And you believe that?” Haddon shot me another look over his shoulder.

“You got a better theory?” I gave Haddon a non-too gentle poke in the ribs to hurry him along. “Get closer.”

With a resigned sigh, he urged Goliath forward with his heels. The horse pranced about a bit, skittish about getting any near to the giant statue.  Then, with a whole lot of urging on Haddon’s part, Goliath finally took a few steps forward, bringing me near enough to lay my hand against the gargoyle’s bumpy snout. The canopy of trees above was so old and overgrown that it blocked out almost all the sunlight.  And yet, the rough-hewn stone of the gargoyle’s body was warm against my skin. Goose flesh crept up my arm, rippling over the surface of my flesh in disconcerting waves. Energy hummed through my veins, causing my pulse to quicken.

Protect me and my family. I silently directed my thoughts toward the gargoyle. Keep us safe from whatever evil thing is lurking out on the lake.

Hesitantly, I lifted my hand away. The warmth immediately evaporated out of my body, leaving me with a sudden chill that caused me to shiver.