Did you notice the “Challenge” reference in the joke? Top marks for you if you did! The reason for the themed joke is that Challenge of the Court is now OUT!

It is available to be bought in e-book, paperback and hardback – wahoo! You can also read it in Kindle Unlimited!

Grab Challenge of the Court here!

My narrator is still working on the audiobook, and then it will need to be proof listened to so that will probably be just a few weeks behind, I promise I’ll let you know when that’s live.

To tempt you, here is a spoiler-free excerpt from Challenge of the Court:

***

I hesitated to pack Glimmer. I opened the bedside drawer where it lived in the special sheath that Emory had arranged to have made for it. I wasn’t sure if it would be a social faux pas to turn up visibly armed but it would certainly make me feel better. I hooked the sheath onto my belt and slid Glimmer out of its leather cover. Happy to see me, it burst into song.

I smiled. ‘I’m happy to see you too, you homicidal blade. We’re going to the dragon court. No stabbing anyone and imbuing them with magical powers, you hear?’

Glimmer suddenly felt slightly sullen but its blade shone with a quick flash of a promise. It would behave.

‘Good. Don’t take this the wrong way but although it’s nice to see you, I hope I don’t have to use you.’

I felt the dagger’s excitement bubbling through me. It was hoping we could make something or someone Other.

‘No,’ I said firmly. ‘No making anyone in the Common realm Other. Behave. And only stab dragons that attack us.’

Or kin, I sensed it say.

‘Yes, okay, brethren too. But they have to attack us first. And even then, you only disable them and do a little maiming.’

Light maiming, it agreed. I wasn’t sure what constituted ‘light’ maiming but I had to accept it.

‘Good, we’re on the same page.’ Sort of. ‘Goodnight now. Be ready.’ I slid Glimmer back into the sheath and its alien mind slid from mine. The dagger shouldn’t have existed; it was far too dangerous. I’d tried a number of times to give it back to the elves, or at least to store it in one of Emory’s safes, but no matter how far away it was taken it always turned up again in my bedside drawer. It liked me. I was perversely flattered.

There was a loud clatter downstairs and my heart started to race. It wasn’t Gato – he was still at the circus – and Emory wasn’t due for another hour at least. Besides, he always called out when he opened the door. Shit. I had an intruder.

‘Good morning,’ I murmured to Glimmer as I pulled it back out of the sheath. ‘I need you sooner than I expected.’

I wasn’t sure what I expected as I crept quietly out of the room and down the stairs. I concentrated, summoning fire to my fingertips. Lately I’d been focusing more on my empathy and truth-seeking powers so it took a few tries to get the flames started.

There was another bang from the kitchen, followed by a muttered swear word. I crept further down the stairs, my heartbeat a roar in my ears. Weapons raised – fire and dagger – I turned to the kitchen. Then I swore loudly and prolifically. ‘Shirdal! You scared the life out of me!’

‘So I heard. That’s an impressive array of curse words for one so young,’ he complimented me.

‘You scared me!’ I repeated. ‘How the hell did you get in?’

‘Not many things can keep a griffin out. That’s why we’re so feared.’

‘But I have my house runed up to the hilt!’

‘Runes-smoones.’ He grinned. ‘Actually your witch didn’t rune against us. We serve the mighty Azhdar, so it’s awkward to rune against us. That’s why Tom Smith or one of his men is always lurking outside, ready to come to your rescue.’ Azhdar was how the griffins referred to Emory. I had no idea if it was a term of affection or some sort of mysterious title.

I sheathed Glimmer and let the fire fizzle out. I didn’t need rescuing; I could rescue myself. I frowned. ‘So you just walked in?’

‘Well, there was a little lock jemmying involved.’ Shirdal turned back to my cupboards. ‘I’m looking for rum. Where do you keep your rum?’

‘I’m not really a rum girl. Besides, it’s 10:30am!’

‘What’s your point?’ He asked blithely.

‘It’s too early for rum.’

‘My dear, it is never too early for rum. Sometimes it is too late … but not often. Rum keeps the party going.’ He swung his hips around like he was dancing salsa.

‘Nope, no rum.’ I folded my arms.

‘No rum?’ He reared back as if I had struck him. ‘Not even Malibu?’ He whispered it like it was a curse word.

I hated to be an enabler and there was no doubt that Shirdal had a problem, but part of the problem was that he was a griffin who constantly struggled with the overwhelming urge to kill everything around him. A little drink might not be a bad thing if it helped harness those deadly urges.

‘I do have Malibu,’ I admitted, moving to the next cupboard along. ‘Here.’ I took down the bottle. It was Hes’s, but I doubted she’d mind. ‘You want some Coke with that?’

‘Bite your tongue.’

‘Milk?’ His glare intensified. ‘It’s like a pina colada,’ I explained defensively. ‘Just ice?’

‘Obviously.’ He said drolly.

I poured him a small measure in a tumbler and popped in a couple of ice cubes. ‘Now that I’ve done the hostess thing, what the hell are you doing breaking into my house?’

He gave me an elaborate bow. ‘I am your guardian, your protector, your knight in shining armour.’ The bow made him sway dangerously and I grabbed his arm to steady him. He straightened and sniffed happily at the Malibu. The fumes made my stomach recoil. I’d had too many Malibu and Cokes as a rebellious teenager and now I couldn’t bear the stuff.

‘Self-appointed or …?’ I trailed off.

‘You have sent Bastion to help your dear wolfy friend Lucy, so I am here for you.’

Lucky me. ‘Did Bastion send you? I thought you were his boss.’

‘I am indeed the boss, second only to your Emory. But we decided that you might need some help in the vipers’ nest so here I am. Your personal mongoose at your service.’ He gave another sweeping bow and staggered again. I caught him before he crashed into the cupboards.

‘No more bowing!’ I couldn’t help but smile. ‘I appreciate your assistance.’ I did – though I wasn’t sure if he was going to be more of a hindrance than a help. Still, I wasn’t going to turn away an ally. Not at the moment.

I thought it may well be a long while since you read the Glimmer books, so I thought I’d best offer you a series sale.

Glimmer of the Other won’t cost you any hard earned cash at all!

(from 20th to 24th April)

Meanwhile, Glimmer of Hope is 0.99 (19th to 25th April)

Glimmer of Death is 1.99 (19th to 25th April)

Glimmer of Deception is 2.99 (19th to 25th April)

(except for Deception if you’re in Australia, then it’s 3.99 because Amazon is weird about Australia for some reason.)

All books are usually 4.99+ (depending on your marketplace) so this does represent a great sale for everyone! Grab yourself a forever copy now. All four books for less than 6! Which is basically the price of one book usually, yikes!

You can also gift books to other people via Amazon, if there’s someone in your life who you think needs a bit of the Other!

Spotlight reads

Here’s a couple of new spotlight reads for you to cosy up to!

Heather Reads

I’ve been devouring C P Rider’s books in the Sundance Series – I’m on book 4. I have nothing but good things to say about this series, I absolutely loved it. I caught a nasty vomiting bug, and I had to lie on the sofa and read (Oh the horror!). This great series saw me through! If you read it with me, I hope you enjoyed it. I’ll be announcing our next read-a-long shortly.

In the meantime, if you do get a chance to read Challenge of the Court, please do email me and let you know what you think! If you find any typos or hiccups please get in touch and let me know so I can get to fixing. My editing team and I work incredibly hard to produce a flawless book but we’re all human. If you find any errors at all please do let me know!

Finally, if you get a chance, I would be incredibly grateful if you could review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Bookbub. I’m begging quite shamelessly, but reviews are lifeblood to little indie authors like me – please know that every single one helps, even if it’s only a quick star rating and a line or two about the book. It really helps. I promise.

Right, well… phew. Launches of new books are always a bit crazily hectic so I think I’m going to get myself a well deserved cup of tea. I can sip it while I frantically hit re-fresh on Amazon to see if I get to collect any orange best-seller tags. It turns out, I’m a little bit addicted to them.

I hope you’re keeping well. Take care and speak soon,

Heather x