Novels in Progress
Isarina
Sultan of Soleria (undergoing revisions to be queried TBD)
Twenty-nine year old Isarina was thrust into her rule of the most powerful Empire in the world nine years ago, pre-emptively, before her parents had the ability to facilitate a smooth transition. Selected among all of their children for being a visionary, she has had to create her own support network through her marriages, rather than succumb to usual pressure to marry for political gain.
Finally beginning to see her family relationships in a stable place, and about to have her Consorts begin taking on the leadership roles for which they have been preparing, she must marry one more time. The last Prefecture in her Empire also faces border threats requiring military action, she hopes the marriage will motivate her Council to match her urgency as the top priority.
However, unseen threats have different motivations to use the border conflict to undo everything she has built and take the power away from her.
Excerpt:
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The Sultan entered the ballroom where a small quartet was playing and her guests had gathered not long before, expecting the long anticipated moment of meeting the woman they all came to court.
"I hope you are all feeling much refreshed after your visit."
"Yes Majesty." They all stood at attention. She felt how much younger they all felt than the last time. The Pasha and Envoy Shadi came to her side to assist with introductions and putting the suitors at ease.
They started with a small group of two or three on the right of the room just closest.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am so honored you came all this way to meet me."
"It is our pleasure Majesty. You are more beautiful than reports have said."
"Thank you…." She hesitated, but the Envoy jumped in to relieve her.
"Majesty this is Verthus. He comes from the center part of the region, at the crossing of the river. His family has been managing the Ferry there for generations.
"Oh my pleasure. I have never had the opportunity to ride the Ferry, but I hope you know how important it is for the Empire. Your family has my gratitude."
"As your family has also served the people for generations. We owe you our gratitude for building such a prosperous way of life for us." The woman to his left responded.
"Please meet Saliha who comes from up the river closer to the mines."
"You have a beautiful region, with so many different landscapes. What are some of your favorite parts?"
"Well Majesty, as a child I would ride on a small boat up and down the River Parthyria. I think it is one of the most beautiful natural assets of the land." Verthus answered.
"The river is beautiful, but the view from the top of the peaks of the Zantaka Mountains is majestic. You can see almost the whole Empire. From the Capital city harbor to the lakes of Gursa, even the tops of the towers of the Libraries in Kexa." Saliha interjected.
"That sounds breathtaking. Do you like to climb? Perhaps you will both have to show me one day. If you would excuse us, I would like to speak privately with Saliha, should we step outside to the patio my dear?" Isarina smiled graciously at Verthus. "I hope we can speak more later."
"Is this usual for the Sultan?" the envoy inquired of the Pasha. "She has not met everyone yet."
"She has her methods. Be encouraged that your suitors said something that impressed her." The Pasha nodded approvingly. "There is time. None are going anywhere for days until she has reached her decision."
The Drug Trip (Untitled)
New Work in Progress. Sneak Peak at new content.
Thirty-four year old Claire enters the local hospital in Germany to meet with doctors for a followup procedure after having an abscess treated, but enters a strange world of adventure and medical horror. After the doctor sends her to meet him in Berlin for the operation, she is taken on a long detour rivalling the Hangover.
When she returns to her home hospital for observation, they deny she had ever been to Berlin. Strange things continue happening and she questions what kind of medicine is being practiced here.
Perhaps a first, a woman writer's ability to recount a long seven day hallucinogenic drug trip, about which only one anthology of women writers exist. Sisters of the Extreme meets Through the Looking Glass x Hangover. Not written under the influence of any mind altering substances, a full recount of medically induced experience.
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Excerpt:
The performance ended, and the lights flickered on in the rest of the room. This was not a bad way to wait for a doctor’s appointment. The cushioned seat was fairly comfortable, and I leaned back.
“Hey chirp”
There he was.
“Hi dad, you missed a pretty cool performance. Did not think I would get some entertainment thrown in with seeing the doctor.” Dad took a seat next to me. The walls began to shift. The loft where we were seated started to fold over down the wall that had been transparent. Now there was a transparent window underneath us looking down on the doctor’s practice. At least the hallway, where we could see nurses bustling about, and the doctor going from room to room. There were some translucent gummi bear shaped balloons that seemed to drift between the panels of the transparent window, like fish swimming to and fro in a fishtank.
We heard our names being called for my appointment. I tried to sit up. I couldn’t. The wall folding seemed to have caught and trapped my clothes, or some kind of straps were impeding my movement. “Hey, I would like to be able to get up.” I said to Dad, or whoever was in charge of this place.
The Way We Were
Contemporary Family Drama #ownvoice (proceeds will likely go to benefit Refugee Services)
After two years together, Laura proposes to Stella the night they are celebrating Stella's promotion, but doesn't get the answer she is expecting. Feeling emotionally drained from family illness and her mother being in denial about a terminal diagnosis, plus a misogynistic and homophobic boss, Laura has nothing left to give to a lopsided relationship where she is more emotionally invested than her girlfriend. Will Stella ever want to or be able to repair the trust she has lost? A simple story of girl meets girl, girl looses girl, girls have to decide whether to move on.
Jenny's Wedding meets the Breakup with found family.
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Excerpt:
"There was a knock on the door. I pretended to ignore it. “Laura, Darius is calling, and you have several missed calls from your Dad.” I had my cell phone on vibrate during dinner. Darius was probably calling to congratulate me. I had to get out of here.
I opened the door. “Thanks.” I took the phone from her and pressed the accept button “Hey Darius.” Walking past Stella, I grabbed my bag and keys from the table by the door.
“Lu we need to talk” Stella said plaintively when she saw me heading for the door.
I waved at her. “Yeah, hold on.” I said to Darius. “See you later” I said to Stella. The door closed behind me. “Putting you on speaker” back to Darius.
“How did it go? You don’t sound excited.” Darius echoed as I got into the car and shut the door.
“She said no” I said while texting Becky “Can I come over?”
“WHAT? You two are perfect together.” I could hear the disbelief in his voice."
