KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench, where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site, so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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FIRE AND SCALES
Fantasy Anthology
BY AMBER SCOTT, MICHELLE RISTUCCIA, JESSE POHLMAN, DANIEL MORRISON, JOHN VAUGHAN, IRIS ASTER ORRELL, M.C. SIEGEL, & DONNY JAYMES III
BLURB
Dragons! The very word sets fire to the imaginations of readers. Here be tales of soaring giant beasts and tiny creatures no bigger than a berry. Dive into worlds where dragons guard secrets of forgotten realms, battle for dominion, or forge unexpected alliances with humans.
Each tale offers a fresh perspective on these creatures of fantasy, from epic battles and fiery confrontations to heartfelt connections and intricate mysteries.
This anthology, the second from the Story Valley writers, showcases eight stories brimming with dragons’ fiery breath and dazzling scales where the ordinary meets the extraordinary. Let the awe-inspiring world of dragons captivate your soul.
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FIRE AND SCALES
Fantasy Anthology
BY AMBER SCOTT
EXCERPT
Colm popped the last bite of his bread in his mouth and excused himself from the table. That had been close. He’d nearly burst out in anger and given away his secret. Best leave now. Colm headed off to the library. He loved the place. It was built directly into the rocky mountain side and framed inside with a polished stone floor and wooden shelves on one side and a great hall on the other where dragons could come in and rest. Xaydren was already waiting in her usual spot against the back wall of the great hall. Colm grinned at her. She liked it there since it was more private and she had a great view of the library. He recalled he hadn’t actually asked her to meet him there. But she’d anticipated him.
He spoke silently, There you are, beautiful one. You know me too well.
A purr rolled out her throat. Yes. I want to learn this dark magic as much as you do. Your pile is still here.
“Ah,” Colm said. He needed to be discreet with his magic research and was careful to hide his treasured forbidden books on the dragon side of the library. Xaydren moved her tail to brush a heavy rock aside and reveal a small hollow in the ground. Here lay several books that Colm had smuggled away. Thanks.
Xaydren glanced at the opening of the cave and curled up as if to sleep. This allowed Colm privacy to tuck away under her graceful neck and hide out of sight. If anyone passed by this way and even noticed him, they might just think he was napping alongside her. In any case, he would be left alone.
The book Colm held in his hand was small and bound in black leather. There was no title on it. It was his secret — his and Xaydren’s. On one of their rare trips away from Dragonhollow, Xaydren had found a camp on the edge of a rippling creek and her instincts told her something was not right. Colm investigated. He soon found a dead man in the tent. The strange thing was that the man, even in death, seemed to be guarding a small box. When Colm had opened it, he found this very book inside. Xaydren suspected the man might have stolen it. It was also possible he was a dark wizard.
They never found anything else that proved either suspicion. The only thing they knew for certain was that they could tell no one at Dragonhollow. This was forbidden material.
As Colm turned the pages to find his spot, Xaydren rumbled at him. You were at the part where the light wizards guard against dark magic.
Yes, and the fact that each can destroy the other, Colm agreed. He flipped the book to a page of drawings of dragons. And right in the centre of the page was a black dragon surrounded by all the other colours. Here was undeniable proof that a black dragon did exist. The elder light wizards and dragonriders clearly know such a creature existed. So why don’t they admit it?
Do you think they are afraid? Xaydren suggested.
Afraid of what?
Xaydren nuzzled his head gently. I think they fear what they do not understand. But they tell you to practise your magic more and not be afraid of it because it is part of you. The book says both light and darkness exist in both of our kinds. But they fear the dark.
About Author Amber Scott…
Amber is also involved in critique groups and editing stories and loves to make the process fun and serious at the same time. While Amber has great experience in the writing world, she is always seeking to broaden her horizons even more. Learning excites her and she is eager to soak it all in.
Amber’s favourite genre is fantasy, though she also writes romance, science fiction, and the occasional poetry. She has a variety of books in various stages of drafting and editing and her dream is to one day publish everything in her pile.
Amber was born deaf because of German Measles during her mother’s pregnancy and wears a cochlear implant, which totally makes her a cyborg! She is currently owned by a fluffy princess mini poodle named Honey, and her cockatiel Pikachu also thinks Amber is her personal servant. Thankfully the tank full of fish seems to have no opinion on the matter.
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Links to Ambers’s websites, blogs, books, #ad etc.:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OZmy2S
Website: https://quietwords.ca/
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Happy Reading!
Thanks, Amber, for sharing your book with us!
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Many questions left unanswered… Exactly what a lead in requires… 😊
I’m so intrigued by dragon stories. Can’t wait to read this anthology. Loved your excerpt, Amber. I’m ready to read more. Thanks for sharing your book with us today!
It does look interesting. That was a very short teaser but it was enough.
Your book sounds like a great read, Thank you for sharing the excerpt. Have a great day and a great rest of the week.
I love dragons. I also love reading books about dragons. Thanks for sharing with us.
Looking forward to where this story leads…