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  • Archive for the ‘Excerpts’ Category

    Excerpt of Dragon


    2010 - 03.08

    Tears of the Dragon is officially coming soon!

    What that means for you is a sneak peek at the novel!

    An Excerpt From: TEARS OF THE DRAGON

    Copyright © CYNDI FRIBERG, 2010

    All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

    He emerged from the darkness like a specter, moonlight glistening off his chain mail and the massive black horse beneath him. His hand rested upon the hilt of the lethal-looking sword strapped to his side. The gesture should not have been so intimidating, given the distance separating them, but Lady Rowena of Pendragon trembled all the same.

    “If you persist in this foolishness, I will lay siege to your castle,” the dark knight called out in strong, articulate Norman French.

    Rowena squared her shoulders and pressed her hands against the stone ledge of the battlement. She had been summoned to the forward tower some moments before by the frantic urging of one of her castle guards. One would think Satan himself had appeared at her drawbridge, not this one knight with a handful of men.

    “Pendragon Castle has never succumbed to a siege, and many have tried. You don’t frighten me!”

    “I don’t want your fear, my lady. I want your cooperation. Storming your defenses will give me no pleasure, but I’ve orders from—”

    “I understand your orders,” she interrupted. “It’s your misfortune that your needs are incompatible with mine. I cannot leave Pendragon Castle at this time.”

    “Milady.”

    Rowena glared impatiently at Farrell, her steward. He stood behind her, his expression a potent mixture of anxiety and fear. She couldn’t fathom what had him so distraught, but she stopped his interruption with an upraised hand.

    “Lower the drawbridge, so we can discuss this like civilized people,” the dark knight tried again.

    “There is nothing to discuss. You’ve requested that I accompany you on some fool’s errand, and I’ve refused. That is the end of it.”

    “Milady,” Farrell repeated more urgently. “You should—”

    “I should what? Allow myself to be duped by one of Edwin’s tricks?”

    “Lady Rowena!” The stranger’s bellow demanded her attention. “The night is chill, and I am weary of your stubbornness. Lower the bridge!”

    “If I allow you in, you will only have to leave come first light. I am not going anywhere with you.” Though shaken inside, she did her best to sound assertive. Edwin had tried all manner of intimidation over the past few weeks, but this felt different somehow.

    “You will accompany me regardless of your preference. If I must, I shall complete my mission with you bound and gagged over the back of my horse. Now open or pay the price!”

    Rowena didn’t respond well to ultimatums. “Seek shelter in the village and be off my land by Prime!”

    For more information about the book, or to read the entire excerpt, click HERE.

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    Rebel Angel Extravaganza – Excerpt #3


    2009 - 07.01

    This is the second book in the Rebel Angel series. I’ve posted part of the opening scene and the excerpt link takes you to a scene a little later in the book.

    Enjoy!

    Alyssa is a Rebel Angel, semi-Fallen, like Gideon before her. Cursed by her own words, she is unable to distinguish truth from lies—even her own. She has sworn to protect her ward Rosalind from the forces of evil. But without discernment, how will Alyssa identify friend from foe?

    Prince Sariel of the Angelic Order of Grigori, the oldest and most powerful of all angelic beings, has endured thousands of years of celibacy for the sins of his race. It’s his duty to determine if Rosalind is a Nephilim and perhaps destroy her.

    When Sariel comes for Alyssa’s ward, more than the girl’s fate hangs in the balance. Never before has he felt such dark desire as Alyssa stirs in him. The Daughters of Man are forbidden Sariel…but is Rebel Angel Alyssa?

    READ AN EXCERPT

    Authorized Excerpt: OPENING SCENE

    Shadows Extravaganza Excerpt #2


    2009 - 06.29

    I don’t usually give this away, but I’m feeling particularly generous today. Here’s the second half of the opening scene.

    Enjoy!

    OPENING SCENE PART 2

    Rebel Angels 1: BORN OF THE SHADOWS: now in eBook and Pint!

    Shadows Extravaganza! Excerpt #1


    2009 - 06.29

    I’ll get things started with the teaser posted on Cerridwen’s website, but I’ll post the rest of the scene in just a bit so make sure you check back. You don’t want to miss it. :-)

    Authorized Excerpt: BORN OF THE SHADOWS

    Copyright © CYNDI FRIBERG, 2009

    All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

    Fidgeting upon the wooden stool, Naomi pushed a lock of long hair behind her ear and concentrated on the manuscript page spread before her. Dust motes danced playfully in the rapidly fading sunlight but she couldn’t allow herself to be distracted. The familiar scent of ink and sandalwood soothed her, helping her focus. She shifted the precious vellum folio to a slightly different angle, catching what was left of the light.

    To achieve true illumination, a scribe must release light from within the text, not just decorate the margins. Her design was intricate and interesting, but there was no spark or inspiration. No illumination.

    Naomi focused on the entwined figures centered on the page and set her quill aside. Eve’s long hair concealed everything but her slender limbs. Adam, on the other hand, had only a strategically placed fig leaf to protect his modesty.

    “Perhaps without the leaf I could find illumination,” Naomi muttered with a mischievous smile.

    “I’d be willing to serve as your model.”

    Naomi twirled about so suddenly she nearly toppled from the stool. Stifling a startled gasp, she stumbled to her feet, pretending the movement had been graceful.

    Raising her gaze to the stranger’s face, Naomi forgot her clever rejoinder. She forgot to breathe. She forgot everything except the man standing near the doorway.

    His features were harsh and angular yet so incredibly beautiful he didn’t seem real. Bright with amusement and speculation, his strange golden eyes captured her gaze completely.

    “Shall I disrobe?” READ MORE

    Rebel Angels 1: BORN OF THE SHADOWS: now in eBook and Pint!

    Intro to Dro Tar


    2009 - 06.20

    For those of you who haven’t met Dro Tar yet, I decided to go back to OPERATION HYDRA and give you a peek at an earlier scene. She’s mouthy, feisty, and refuses to take crap from anyone. I think you’ll like her.

    CrossFire releases on Thursday! WooHoo!! I can’t wait.

    An Excerpt From: OPERATION HYDRA

    Copyright © CYNDI FRIBERG, 2008

    All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

    “You can’t use Mystic abilities of any kind until we’re ready for the final offensive,” he explained. Vee and Mage Gerr inclined their heads in unison and Trey chuckled. Dark, brooding Gerr was the perfect contrast to Vee’s ethereal grace.

    Trey turned to Dro Tar. He had recruited her for a special assignment fourteen cycles past. Her sharp wit and creative thinking had so impressed him that he put in a royal order requisitioning her services upon graduation from the City of Tears. Her temperament and personality were totally incompatible—and wasted—in military service. Trey just couldn’t allow it to happen. Cyrus, the Ontarian overlord, granted the request and Dro Tar had served him faithfully if unconventionally ever since.

    She refused to wear anything resembling a uniform, her quarters were lavishly decorated according to her mood and her fascination with all things Earthish now bordered on obsession. But Trey enjoyed her company and trusted her abilities. Today’s “uniform” was a pair of faded blue jeans and a T-shirt sporting the slogan We’ll get along just fine as soon as you agree to worship me.

    Her head of shaggy, gold-tipped brown hair bobbed rhythmically and her fingers tapped against the edge of the table. Apparently her audiocom was programmed for music—again. Something rather rambunctious if her body language were any indication.

    “High Queen Aune is using the flawless performance of this ship to pressure Lord Cyrus into releasing the prototype ahead of schedule.” As he spoke, Trey activated his control grid and found the channel Dro Tar was using. He spiked her volume and watched her dance.

    “What the…” She shook her head, jerked the audiocom out of her ear and threw it on the table, scowling furiously.

    “Pay attention,” Trey scolded.

    She stuck her finger in her ear and wiggled it, shook her head again. “I’m too poor to pay attention.”

    “I have plans for you, but I need to get the others briefed before I can fill you in so behave yourself.”

    “Yes sir.” Her brownish green eyes swirled with amusement. She appeared anything but cowed.

    Learn more about Dro Tar and her friends in OPERATION HYDRA .