Cheryl Matthynssens - Author update!

Wow, so much has happened since I started this blog so let me see if I can catch you up!

Health wise:  I have my last dose of chemo on March 17th- 19th.  It looks like I am kicking it into remission.  I will be glad not to be sick every other week as this major impacts everything I do including writing and publicity.

Since starting chemo, I have still been able to put out two novels and one children book.  Magic Scorned (very adult), The Bloodmines and Once Upon a...Wait!  I can't wait to see what I can do full time when I am not having chemo.  Hopefully this thing will stay in remission.

A Sneak Peak at Book Four - Pseudo-dragon

http://argent-sky.deviantart.com/art/Lightning-Mage-354607103

“Henrick, I assure you.  I did not send Sordith to kill you,” Luthian’s cold tones held an edge of warning.  

“Liar.  You want me dead.  Do it yourself.” Fire rose up from Henrick’s hands and at the same time, Alador made his decision.  

Before Henrick or Luthian could fire off a spell, Alador hit Henrick square in the chest with a bolt of lightening. Henrick flew backwards hitting the ground hard.  Alador pulled his blade and had it at Henrick’s throat before the mage could recover.  Alador knew that Luthian was watching him closely because neither Blackguard had moved to assist or hinder him.

“Stay down, father.  I don’t want to kill you, but I will before I let you harm the High Minister of this city and your own brother.”  The blade pricked Henrick’s neck drawing a bead of blood.  “The people need his leadership and you sure as the Gods are not capable of leading anything but a whore around.”  

“I should have known you would turn on me.” Henrick snarled up at him.  “Damned half-breed more concerned about currying favor and gaining power than family.”

Alador’s cold smile melted into his eyes: the past giving weight to his words.  “Odd accusation as I have learned everything about currying favor from you.” Their gazes met for one long moment as Henrick lay helpless beneath the tip of his sword.

“Guards!  Take my brother to his manor house and confine him there until I decide what is fair justice for these false accusations and his drawing of power in my presence.”  Luthian’s command was just behind Alador.

“It would seem, my dear Henrick, that your cost to me is greater than your use.” Luthan moved up beside Alador and slowly pushed his blade away from Henrick’s throat.  “I thank you for a true heir that understands that sometimes hard choices must be made even amongst family.  For the sake of your son, I will not order your death.  I would prepare to leave Smallport and your manor home.”  

“You are welcome to one another.” Henrick hissed.  “I would rather be confined to the Daezun routes than ever step in your presence again!”

Luthian indicated for the guards to take him.  They both grabbed an arm and pulled the mage up.  Henrick jerked his arms free. “I’m going!  You don’t need to haul me off.”  He turned and stomped through the door.

Alador sheathed his sword as Luthian turned to look at him.  “You, my dear nephew, never fail to surprise me,” Luthian moved to stand before him.  “I did not expect you to strike your father.”

Alador met his gaze evenly.  “He breaks his word all the time.  You have been true to yours.”  Alador glanced at the open door and back to his uncle.  “You have a promise made that I intend for you to keep.”

Luthian’s cold smile sent goosebumps racing up Alador’s spine.  “You will have all you asked for... “ He grabbed both of Alador’s arms as he embraced him.  “... and more.”

I did it! NaNoWriMo Winner!

I am so excited to have achieved this goal.  Those waiting for The Bloodmines will be happy to know that the novel I was working on for it was Bloodmines.  50k words in a month is a lot of words but what I discovered is that I can easily write about 5K words a day if Chemo is not pulling to hard on me.   Now that I know this, I can structure my writing for more.  I have been getting messages like, "write faster" and "scanning for the next book often."   It makes me even more motivated to get this book out.  It is not coming as fast as I would like this time.

Preview From Bloodmines!

Please note, this teaser is unedited and may change in final copy!

     “By the gods, what have I done to earn that look?” Henrick asked, his eyes narrowed as he assessed his son.

     “Where do I start? Let’s start with the fact you brought Mesiande here which puts her at risk for Luthian finding out. Let’s add to that, you knew about Luthian’s breeding program and were an active participant in it.” Alador’s pain began to fuel his accusations. He pulled Mesiande closer bringing a gasp of surprise from her. “Let’s keep adding to that. You are out in Daezun lands on Luthian’s bidding and are as much a spy as you are a lying conniving bastard. Lastly, you used magic on my mother to ensure you were chosen in the circle.” Alador’s last bitter accusation snapped out. “How many siblings do I really have, Father?”

     Sordith’s gaze snapped to Henrick at the last question. Genuine interest written on his face as he stepped sideways away from Henrick.

     Henrick’s mouth had dropped open and his face had paled as Alador bit out each accusation. When Alador stopped, he stepped forward. “Son…” he began.

     “Don’t ever call me that again,” Alador hissed.

     Henrick put both hands out to his side in a placating manner. “You have been listening to Luthian. You know how he twists things.”

 “Deny one of them," Alador challenged.  "Deny you were sent by your brother. Deny you knew of his breeding program.” He counted them out on his fingers. “I dare you to deny that you used magic the night I was conceived.” He met his father’s horrified gaze. Alador’s face was red with his anger and it only fueled the pain in his skull.

     Henrick’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. He searched Alador’s face. “There is more to all of this than you know…”

     Alador cut him off. “I knew you couldn’t deny it.” He forced himself to sit up, drawing Mesiande behind him as best he could. “I will ask one last time, how many siblings do I have?”

     Henrick’s hands fell to his side in defeat. “I don’t know,” he admitted softly.

     “Get out! I don’t want to see you ever again.” Alador’s eyes darkened as he fought back the cold rage he could feel threatening to consume him.

     Henrick stared at him for a long moment then turned on his heel to stride out of the room. He slammed the door behind him so hard that some of the soot on the opposite wall drifted to the ground.

Most Highlighted Section of The Blackguard!

I have found this section of The Blackguard is highlighted often in a couple places.  I thought I would share it with you and give you a glimpse of book 2.  I hope you enjoy this brief glimpse as Alador learns more about his Lerdenian heritage.

“It has been expected that you would come to live here, every year, for the last three years. I made sure the room was readied every time I went to test you,” Henrick answered, waiting against the desk as Alador dressed.

Alador was surprised by that admission. He remained silent, pulling on a pair of boots. He had no idea that his father had been expecting him to pass so eagerly. One of the walls had plenty of weapons to choose from, so Alador picked a knife and sheath and secured them to his belt. That was enough for now, and he felt better after arming himself at least partially. He also saw his pack and kicked it with his boot. It was heavy, and the clink of medure made him feel secure that he was not without slips. His bow lay on the small rack above his pack, along with his quiver.

“How did you know I would pass?” Alador asked curiously as he returned from the closet.

“You are my son.” Henrick shrugged. “I would expect no less from someone of our bloodline.”

"Our bloodline? Is it strong with magic?”

“You do not know? I always thought your mother would tell you,” Henrick answered.

“No, she never said anything.”

Advanced Studies in Dragonology: The Five Important F's.

As an avid student of Dr. Earnest Drake, I have decided to continue his delightful studies with the help of Keensight.  Having been fortunate enough to make friends with two dragons, Farloft and Keensight, as well as increasing slowly my contact with several others, I hope that my findings will be helpful to other dragonologists and writers.  Today I wish to expound on the five F's of dragonology, originally postulated by Dr. Drake.

Foresight - It is very important for a student of dragonology to have proper equipment and a genuine good sense of instinct.  For example, in the kit of required equipment should be fire retardant clothing.  This will not help with the heat of the breath weapon, this is enough to cook you without the flame, but it does show proper respect for the dragon's abilities.  Balms and solvents for burns are a must in any good kit.  In addition, carrying a proper array of gifts to offer is a must for all dragonologist field equipment.

Fieldwork - Most of us are not going to be lucky enough to have a dragon come calling.  Theresa and I have been fortunate to have this access to a dragon but let us be honest, if you live in the city it is just not going to occur. A dragon sighting in a large city such as Seattle would cause a great deal of panic and a calling of the military.  No proper dragon is going to expose his kin to such a search of militant persecution and should he decide to reveal himself, he will be select in his location. No, you must venture out into the dark places, the rocky places and the deep sea to find a dragon in his own environment.  I am fortunate to have 80 rocky acres shielded from public view.  Keensight can fly in from the north with none the wiser. I am not sure how Farloft and friends visit Theresa without a panic.

Forwardness -  A dragon does not respect fear or threats.  He does respect a healthy dose of humor and bravery, however.  Keensight tells me that the only reason he did not eat Alador's father is that the man was quite hilarious in his forward approach.  Keensight stated that when he asked Henrick why he should not just eat him, the man went on to explain how to eat a Lerdenian would be quite deadly for him.  The bony nature of a Lerdenian was bound to stick in Keensight's throat and then he shared that Henrick went on to tell a multitude of digestive issues that could ensue if Keensight would have eaten him.

Frankness - Do not lie to a dragon.  They seem to pick up on lies quickly. Perhaps it is their own mastery of the skill but it does not do to get caught lying to one.  If you are going to lie to one, please refer to the first F, as you will need to pack a good deal of gear to get away if discovered. Also be frank with other dragonologists.  It does not do well for our profession if lies are continued to be propagated.  Keensight gets most upset when he reads some of the tales about dragons.  He wonders how the writer would ever put a self respecting dragon in such a position. He then often threatens to find said writer and eat him regardless of the digestive issues.

Fatalities - This should be avoided at all costs. Your field notes and such will be quite lost if you die in the dragon's presence.  In addition, one can hardly declare to be an expert in the field if you died in your studies.

I hope this helps others as they move forward in the studies of dragons.  Dragons exist for when so many tales abound in the histories of men, if they did not exist before, we have brought them forth from the imagination into the realities of history.

     If a beginning student, please reference Dragonology by Dr. Earnest Drake, edited by Dugald A. Steer.