“Stop laughing at me, or I’ll gore you with one of my horns!” Mary stamps her feet and points to the Viking helmet on her head, as she snarls at Lyn. “I thought you said it was a Viking celebration. You said to dress for the occasion.”
Lyn is laughing so hard she can’t even comment. Mac tries to hide her grin. Lilly snorts, while LaVerne covers her face with her hands.
“You look just as bad Mac.” Mary points to Mac’s oversized fur coat and galoshes. “It’s an indoor party, so why are you dressed like an Eskimo?”
Mac flutters her eyebrows at Mary. “It’s on a boat silly; I hear it gets awfully cold on these trips. And you look pretty normal to me; those horns are right where they belong, right girls?” Mac elbows Mary.
“Are you talking to them or to my body parts?” Mary asks defensively, as she points to the other hostesses and then her own girls.
“Now calm down sweetie.” Lyn tries to pacify Mary. “You know we always bring clothing just for this reason. You just look so funny all dressed in leather and ya know, horns.” The other hostesses renew their laughter. Then in the spirit of the Roast they help Mary and Mac change to warm appropriate modern clothes, and they head toward the large Norse ship where Melissa Snark’s
celebration is taking place.
Large crowds fill the huge deck where Melissa sits on a huge throne signing books. “Hi girls, how do you like my dress?” Melissa smiles and shows them her beautiful beaded tunic. “The people of Greenland make these and I just love their work.”
Melissa promises those on the long line, that she will be back shortly. “Can you believe they made it to Britannia on one of these ships? Musta been really scary in a storm.”
“The food looks fabulous as usual. Oliver really knocks himself out with some of this stuff.” Lilly eyes a huge roasted boar with
a bright red apple in its mouth. Dishes of tuber veggies, whole stuffed fish, chicken, stewed goat and ale. All kinds of ale. And Lyn, there is mead.”
Lilly squeals as a guest tries to balance his plate on her Kim K butt. “That calls for a Battle Cry Ale.” She grabs the nearest beer stein and gulps to taste the brew Melissa recommended. Her satisfied smile as she swallows convinces the others to try it too.
“LaVerne you never should have got that spray tan. You look like a pumpkin.” Lyn grins. “I like your pale look much better.”
LaVerne raises one eyebrow and sends a warning glance to Lyn. “I don’t know how you fit that foot into your mouth. But, it’s always in there Lyn.”
“Somebody’s grouchy. My feet are tiny,” Lyn smiles.
“Did you get oars with those shoes?” LaVerne chuckles at her own quick comeback, and they all smile at Melissa. “We like to tease each other.” She explains.
“Well, I see nothing has changed and note that you have a lot to work with.” The hostesses can all agree on that and crack up laughing together. Melissa grins knowingly.
“This party is gonna be the best ever. And it’s gonna be so hot, Greenland will melt faster!” Lilly adds.
LaVerne shakes her head. There is no filter on any of their mouths. “That statement is just wrong in so many ways. It’s the ice sheet that’s melting, not…oh Lord, why do I bother.”
“It’s time to start this shindig. Hold onto the railings the ship is about to get underway. We are going to sail to England and to ravage and pillage.” Mary announces as she spies the mic and speaks to the
crowd.
Lyn with terror in her eyes grabs the microphone from Mary. “Ignore that everyone!!!” Chuckles fill the air and Lyn gives Mary the evil eye. “We are about to set sail, and yes we are heading to England. But, just to bring the first of Melissa’s new release to everyone there; pillage indeed,”she mumbles!“Let’s all raise a toast to Melissa Snark, talented author of Battle Cry. Congratulations Melissa, and sell a million!”
The Author Roast and Toast welcomes our own ex-hostess and dear friend, Melissa Snark to the blog today. Go Melissa!
Book #2 in the Loki's
Wolves series
Melissa
Snark
Genre:
Norse folklore fantasy
Number
of pages: 375 approx.
Word
Count: 95,000
Cover
Artist: Farah Evers
Logline:
One man dares defy Fate.
Survival demands sacrifices; healing requires forgiveness.
Men revere him; monsters fear him. Jake Barrett, the notorious
Hunter King, values loyalty to family and followers above all else. When the
daughter of his closest ally murders Daniel, his oldest son, it sets off a
chain reaction of violence and destruction that claims the lives of both wolves
and hunters. Determined to avenge his son, Jake seeks the truth at any cost.
After losing her lover and then her mate, Victoria Storm simply
wants to get on with building a new life in Sierra Pines, California. A
vengeful Jake Barrett and his organization aren't going to make that easy,
especially with the unwelcome attraction between her and the Hunter King's
second son. Perils beyond the mortal coil plague Victoria.M
When the Norse Fates predict Victoria will destroy the world, her
duties as a priestess of Freya come into conflict with her responsibilities as
a Valkyrie of Odin. When they tell her she will do it to save her unborn child,
she's not so sure they are wrong.
Sawyer Barrett has been trying to kill Victoria for so long, he
doesn't know whether he loves her or hates her. Desperate to end the war, he's
willing to take chances with everything–except his heart. The hunter harbors a
deadly secret he can't reveal without risking the ceasefire and his life.
At Sawyer's urging, Victoria agrees to peace talks with Jake. All
the while, an ancient vampire plots the destruction of wolves and hunters
alike. If the embittered rivalry between hunters and wolves doesn't end—and
fast—there is no hope for Victoria's pack... or for their world.
Attribution: Norns weaving destiny, by Arthur Rackham
(1912). Public domain.
Excerpt :
There stands an ash called Yggdrasil,
A mighty tree showered in hail.
Thence come the dews that fall in the vales.
It stands evergreen 'bove Urd's Well.
From there come women, very wise,
Three from the lake that stands 'neath the pole.
One is called Urðr, another Verðandi,
Skuld the third; they carve into the tree,
Each child's life and destiny.
~Völuspá or "The
Insight of the Seeress", Poetic Edda
Urd's Well at the roots
of the World Tree
The white wolf ran along the trunk of the great ash tree. Her
claws dug into the silvery bark while she descended the trunk toward the bottom
of the Nine Worlds. Thick gnarled roots radiated from the tree's immense base
and then grew thinner. Just beyond, the dark waters of the Well of Urd formed a
vast lake spread outward into eternity.
There, destiny awaited: her future and her unborn child's.
Upon reaching the sandy soil, Victoria shifted from her wolf to
her human form and walked naked to join the Norns gathered about the shallow
shore. The Norns, the Sisters Wyrd, personified Fate.
One a maiden, one mature, the last a crone: Verðandi, Skuld,
and Urðr.
At the lakeshore of the
Well, the three sisters filled crude wooden bowls with water that nurtured the
tree. The youngest sister, the beautiful maiden Verðandi who personified the
Present, smiled in greeting. "You visit us again, Victoria Storm."
"As you predicted I would." Victoria spoke with
deference. She sought guidance from the Norns and needed to curry their favor.
Skuld, an imposing woman in her middle years and the Future
incarnation, labored in ominous silence beside her older sister, Urðr, a
gnarled old woman and the Past aspect of Fate.
Without a word, wizened Urðr thrust the bowl she
gripped in her bony fingers into Victoria's hands. The vessel, hewn from
weathered gray wood, had shallow sides and a broad, flat bottom. Securing a
firm hold, Victoria stepped into the lake and grimaced when the frigid cold bit
into her flesh. She placed the lip of the bowl to the water and then filled the
container to the brim.
Old Urðr said, "The man you
loved has died."
Victoria winced. "Yes."
Verðandi's tone softened. "His soul is tormented."
Victoria's foot snagged on a stone, and she stumbled. Water
sloshed over the brim and doused her hands. She lost half the contents of the
container before she recovered her balance. Her throat worked in a convulsive
swallow. "No, you're mistaken. I was there when he died. I saw Daniel's
soul cross over."
"I am not mistaken," Verðandi said with genuine sorrow.
The youngest Norn stepped away.
Mouth open, Victoria rushed after her, determined to demand the
Present Fate provide her with a satisfactory explanation, but the old woman got
in her way.
Urðr's lips pulled thin over cracked and yellowed teeth, an
expression more grimace than grin. "Your mate has also died, as have so
many others. You leave a trail of death in your wake."
"Also true." Grinding her teeth, Victoria followed the
Norns to the base of the tree. She walked slowly, placing each step with
precision, taking care not to spill another drop.
The three sisters each took a turn watering the roots of the tree.
Verðandi acted first, followed by the silent Skuld, and finally Urðr. The eldest
persisted in taunting Victoria. "Your love and your mate were not the same
man."
Scowling, Victoria bent and poured water on a root until her bowl
was empty.
"The past is the past. There is nothing I can do to alter
it," she said with determined pragmatism. "I've come to see you
because I am pregnant."
Youthful Verðandi clicked her tongue against the roof of her
mouth. "You doubt yourself. You drown in sorrow and anger."
Ancient Urðr cackled.
"True enough." Victoria bobbed her head once. Her temper
roiled beneath ironclad self-control. She had no patience for delays, no use
for games. She wanted answers.
Shade enshrouded Skuld, and her voice manifested upon the air,
thick and oppressive, closing in from all sides. "Your daughter will not
grow to adulthood in Midgard."
Victoria's heart slammed against her breastbone. Her breath
expelled in a horrified gust. The bowl dropped from her hands and flew to
protect her abdomen. "What do you mean?"
"Your daughter will be taken from you on the eve of her third
birthday," Skuld said. "The one you trust most, a member of your own
pack, will give the child over to your greatest enemy."
A growl trembled in Victoria's throat, and her entire body shook
under the dual assault of fear and rage. The suggestion of betrayal from within
her own pack filled her with disbelief to the core of her being. It was
unthinkable. Gritting her teeth, she sought a solution, refusing to dwell on
it. "How am I to prevent this?"
"We speak of what will come to pass," Verðandi said in a
sympathetic tone.
"Your predictions are not carved in stone," Victoria
said. Arguing with Fate was a foolish endeavor, but she refused to accept their
prophecy.
The old woman, Urðr, smiled with a frightening gleam in her eyes.
"Predictions, carved into the trunk of the World Tree, carved into the
spiritual fabric of the world."
Stubborn determination settled over Victoria like armor. Her
mother had taught her there was no absolute fate, just as there was no absolute
free will. Life consisted of a wide range of possibilities between the two
extremes. She refused to allow her daughter to die at three years of age. She
would move worlds, alter fate, slay gods.
Whatever it took.
"Do you wish to save your child?" Skuld asked.
Victoria answered without thought. "Yes. I'll do anything.
Tell me. Please."
"The final days are upon us," Verðandi said.
Skuld took over speaking. "To save your daughter, you will
side with Loki against the Aesir. You will use your enchanted dagger to cut the
binding of the great wolf Fenrir. You will be responsible for freeing the beast
that kills Odin."
Victoria's stomach turned. Her head shook in automatic denial.
"When the gods imprisoned Fenrir, my people pledged fealty to the Aesir.
We have served them loyally ever since. Even when we were driven from the
homeland, almost a millennium ago, we remained faithful. I will never cut
Fenrir's bonds. To do so would end the world we live in and doom us all."
Skuld's gaze held steady. "You will."
Victoria snarled her denial. "No. I will never become the
servant of the Trickster or willingly take part in bringing about Odin's
death."
Skuld turned her head and pinned Victoria with one black eye that
rolled in its socket like a liquid marble. "To save your daughter, you
will."
Fast Facts About Melissa Snark:
- Melissa
Snark is published with The Wild Rose Press & as an Indie author with
five unique titles: A CAT'S TALE, THE MATING GAME, LEARNING TO FLY, THE
CHILD THIEF, and HUNGER MOON.
- Her
Loki's Wolves series includes THE CHILD THIEF, HUNGER MOON and BATTLE CRY.
- She
lives in the San Francisco bay area with her husband, three children and a
glaring of cats.
- She
is a professional cat herder and unrepentant satirist who blogs about
books and writing on The Snarkology.
Message from Melissa
Amazon's new publishing program is called Kindle Scout, an innovative platform that provides readers with a sneak peek at unreleased books as well as the opportunity to have a say in what gets chosen. The timing of Scout was amazing. The announcement came just as I neared completion of my novel. The terms being offered are attractive. As a publisher, Amazon has as much clout as one of the traditional publishers. This simply seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass on, so I submitted Battle Cry for consideration.
Per the FAQ: How does Kindle Scout benefit readers?
Kindle Scout readers get to preview new, never-before-published books and influence which ones are made available to millions of readers on Amazon. In addition, any time a reader's nomination gets published, they will receive a free copy.
Kindle Scout readers get to preview new, never-before-published books and influence which ones are made available to millions of readers on Amazon. In addition, any time a reader's nomination gets published, they will receive a free copy.
I appreciate your support! To nominate Battle Cry, you only need to be logged into your Amazon account. You can head over to the Kindle Scout website and view Battle Cry's profile page. If you like what you see, please consider voting for Battle Cry. Thank you so much!
Nominate BATTLE CRY to Kindle Scout
Nominate BATTLE CRY to Kindle Scout
Promo Tweet: One man dares defy Fate. Please nominate BATTLE CRY on
Connect with Melissa Snark:]
Email: melissasnark at gmail.com
"Oh, it is so good to see you again, Melissa!" Lilly hugs her former hostess and then turns her back to peak over her shoulder. "Do I really have a Kim-K butt? Think I could get away with one of those half-naked poses? Hmm. Probably not. Somehow, I just don't think cellulite would be very appealing any more than Mary's girls look like Dolly's." Lilly laughs, and turns up a mead. "Haven't you missed all this bantering, Melissa. And doesn't LaVerne make a great addition to the Roast? Oh, this is going to b such a fun party, and your book sounds fantastic. Tell us more!"
ReplyDeleteYou can borrow some of my self-tan lotion, Lilly - it covers a world of sin. *Glances at self in mirror* Hmm...on second thoughts, maybe not. Orange isn't such a good look on anyone! :)
DeleteHi Lilly - Lyn hugs her sister hostess while silently gesturing at Lilly's butt to Melissa, and grinning.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to your Roast, Melissa, great to see you again! I absolutely love your excerpt, I'm fascinated by Norse mythology and this has to go on my TBR pile!
Hi Lyn, Lilly, Good morning! Thanks for having me. The food and setting images all look fabulous. It's nice visiting again. I've missed you all.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little bit worried about the giveaway. I submitted my Rafflecopter giveaway and an image of the necklace I'm giving away. Battle Cry isn't published yet so I don't have a copy of it to give. The giveaway had several prizes folks could enter to win though.
LaVerne,
It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm a former hostess with the ART. :-)
*Hugs* Lovely to meet you too, Melissa although I feel as if I already have, having seen you around the loops :-)
DeleteOops sorry, well get that amended for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd who doesn't love beautiful jewelry!
DeleteSure miss you Melissa. But, hoping that your sales are through the roof for this one!
ReplyDeleteAny Vikings for me around? Or have modern times ruined the state of Vikinghood?
When is Battle Cry released. It sounds terrific?
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyn. Would you like me to email you the Rafflecopter code?
ReplyDeleteLilly, my girls are bigger than Dolly's and mine are all real. And not as perky as hers...she's just an expensive imitation. LOL
ReplyDeletelol! Sadly, my butt is real too.
DeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteThank you. My modern Vikings are all here but you'll have to watch yourself. Most of them aren't strong on manners. You know...they're used to carrying women off on their long boats. ;-)
The story doesn't have a release date yet. I have to wait and see if I get picked up by Kindle Scout. Hence, the whole publicity campaign to try and garner nominations.
Yes please mail me the Rafflecopter code please Melissa, sorry about that - I'm not sure what happened to the original but I have over 900 emails in my inbox at the moment!
ReplyDeleteLOL Mary, you and dear Dolly are like peas in a pod! :)
ReplyDeleteOh and you have to watch Mary, Melissa, as you know! When it comes to - well lets say romancing and pillaging, Mary can give those Vikings a run for their money!
ReplyDeleteLyn, sent!
ReplyDeleteSo how's everyone been doing lately? Tell me about your new releases and writing projects! I've been out of the loop for a while now between revisions and my WIP. :-)
OMG someone locked me in the hold! (actually I'm in the mountains) so before that hunky Viking finds me and drags me back to his hidey hole, I want to say congratulations, Melissa. Your book sounds awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the votes you need Melissa!!!
ReplyDeleteNow, whats wrong with a little romance and pillaging? All in a days fun. Send me those ill mannered Vikings girlfriend. I will teach them manners. HeHeHe
Lyn, Dolly did ask me what I thought and I think she went a bit too big. After losing so much weight, it must be hard on her back. :)
ReplyDeleteVoted for Battle Cry, Melissa. Or at least the "real" me voted. I'm not allowed to have an Amazon account under my pen name. Gayle doesn't trust me with her credit cards. lol!
ReplyDeleteI haven't voted yet - but I'm going to, hope it's successful Melissa, this sounds like such a great book, and already on my to br list so can't wait for it to be released.
ReplyDeleteThat pendant is absolutely gorgeous whoever wins it will be a very lucky gal! And don't forget folks, there are two Amazon Gift cards and 3 signed paperbacks copies of Hunger Moon! So get your entries in on the Rafflecopter!
Thanks Mac! Try not to hurt that poor, innocent viking m'kay? ;-)
ReplyDeleteMary, Thank you! And nothing at all wrong with some love and pillaging. Someday, I actually will get around to writing a Viking historical. (Lots of research to do first.)
Lilly, Thank you so much. I appreciate it. :) I actually do have an account under my pen name that I use for reviewing. I've never had issues with it at all.
Lyn, So, funny story. My Nordic Lights imprint is named after this particular piece of jewelry. The pendant is part of a collection called "Nordic Lights". There are a number of gorgeous pieces in it and I've been using them for giveaways for a while now. When I was selecting a name, Nordic Lights really appealed to me. :)
ReplyDeleteI have shared with every link I know. You have some great prizes, but we need more comments!! Did you all share? Good girls now. That beautiful piece needs to go to a real deserving reader for sure!! I think I will ravage and pillage, well not sure about the pillaging thing, how to I manage that??But, the ravage, I got! LOL anyone with me?
ReplyDeleteI am here Mary! All you had to say was ravage and pillage!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds very interesting, and the ladies always do the best roasts...I like the jewelry too!
ReplyDeleteHiya, everyone!! *Waves* I'm off to pillage..ack! I mean, post about this awesome giveaway everywhere :-) LOVE the giveaway, Melissa! Someone is going to be very lucky to win that indeed. I've voted for Battle Cry on Amazon, good luck!
ReplyDelete*Catches sight of self in mirror* OMGosh, girls! WHY didn't you intervene with the self-tan? Halloween is over, isn't it? *scrubs at face with washcloth*
I got excited about the pillaging and ravishing, but then I noticed the hunky Vikings were not looking at me, but that creepy pig head is. Someone please pluck those grapes from the piggie's eye sockets. They're kind of creepy me out.
ReplyDeleteLOL they do look creepy don't they Lilly! Hi LaVerne and Traci *waves8!
ReplyDeleteOops - where did that 8 come from? Sorry Melissa - Amazon told me I wasn't allowed to participate since I'm not 'resident in the US'! Well, I tried! I've been promoting, will try to do some more, I don't know where everyone is today!
ReplyDeleteOff to ravage. Have a great nite! You're up late Lyn. Must be the Vikings!
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing about the creepy pig head grape eyes. However, I didn't want to say it since I asked for the boar to be on the menu. :D
ReplyDeleteLaVerne, Thank you! I appreciate the support! :)
Mary - I'd stay up all night for a date with a hunky Viking! LOL (and copious amounts of mead, of course!) I think possibly the grape eyes were Oliver's idea of a joke, Melissa? Or perhaps he thought they were less creepy than no eyes at all! Either way the poor boar doesn't look too happy! :)
ReplyDelete