As I wrote the series finale for Snow Blood, I also began a short story about one of the series' characters, Kane. Well, my publisher liked it so much that she wiggled her index finger at me and said, "Oh, no. This needs to be a novel, or at least a novelete." So, I started over and expanded something I call Kane's Story. It provides all the background on the character and how he became a vampire, along with the trouble he caused in the process. You know Kane. He can be a stinker. Maybe that's why my dear readers liked him so much?

Anyway, after I finished the book on Kane and the Snow Blood series, it just seemed logical(because of the way I ended Snow Blood) to evolve all of that into a series about Kane and a new hybrid wolf character  named Moon. Thus, I have begun the Moon Blood Series.

I'm not sure if you will like it or not, but I thought that I would give you a snippet to gauge reader reaction. So, here it is. Let me know if it sucks or not. Thanks!

Episode One – Birth
Following Kane de Medici demands stealth. I weave among the mid-sized shrubs, white cedar hemlock, spruce and maple trees indigenous to Nova Scotia. Sure-footed steps avoid the rustling of leaves and the crunching of sticks. Sniffing the mild July night air, I catch his spicy scent. I am not naïve. I know his vampire skills sense my presence.
            I first opened my eyes to his strong face and that scent two years ago. I imprinted on Kane when I was born, and we have a special bond. When he visits every few months, I stop at nothing to be near him.
            His nightly hunt for animal prey to quench his blood lust takes him to the woods surrounding Brogio’s Wolfville wine estate. I track him on these adventures. Maybe I can protect him if he needs me. Brogio warned Kane of a rabid bear on the loose that the locals have tried to kill. “Be cautious of people in the woods this night” he admonished Kane who laughed it off. “It is the humans who should be careful.”
            Arrogant, intelligent, and handsome, Kane’s wit and charm fascinate me, but I fear for him and will be on the lookout for this bear.
            I chase after him as he takes down a mountain lion with his lightning speed some distance ahead. I pause to test the surrounding air for danger. Sensing no other predators or immediate prey, I step forward. The pain slices through my right front leg and takes me to my knees. I cry out and struggle with the steel-jawed trap, only sawing my cut leg further into the bone. Falling over, I try to free myself from this monster, but it only tears into me tighter. I cannot stop my cries of agony.
            Kane reaches me only seconds after I am caught. Strong hands reach to comfort me first. I feel the pressure of the sharp teeth in my leg release. He bends to try his healing lick, one of his vampire gifts, on my damaged leg. 
            “Hold still, Moonlight, I need to stop the bleeding.”
            He licks for several moments, and this brings minor relief to my throbbing leg. I moan and whine.   
            “You’ve lost too much blood, girl. I’ve got to get you home.” Kane scoops me into his arms as if I weigh nothing, holds my leg up, and sprints with me to the front door of our home. His speed covers his naked body with my blood. As he kicks the door open, my vision blurs, but I can make out Brogio and Selene jumping to their feet.
          “What happened?” Brogio’s deep voice queries.
            Selene rushes to us and leans her beautiful face into mine and places her hand on my head.
            “A bear trap.” Kane sprints into the den and lays me down on my bed.
            Snow Blood, Nova, and my pack surround me. Selene pushes through with towels to stem the blood flow. My mother tries to lick my face. My sire hoovers nearby. My brothers and sisters yap with agitation.
            “Can you heal her?” Brogio kneels next to my head.
             “Brogio, her leg is almost severed.” Selene points to my mangled leg as she tries to stop the bleeding.
             “No, I tried. She has lost too much blood. Her struggle to break free made it worse. The leg is irreparable.”
             I feel the world fading away. Only their voices hold me to them.
            “I can save her if I turn her as soon as she dies.” Kane’s voice seems far away now.
            “Do I have your permission?”
             I don’t wait for their agreement. My tongue finds his hand on my head, and I move to lick it. Kane has always linked to me telepathically, as he has all of my pack. I think hard. Yes, make me like you. Let me be with you always.
             His hand tightens slightly on my head in response. As my life drains away from me, I hear Brogio and Selene say “yes” in unison.

Yes, I've deleted some details since you haven't read Snow Blood 5. But let me know your thought.

Til Next Time,
​Carol

I have always surrounded myself with animals. Only because, to me, they seem to care more than people do. This week, however, I realized that people do pause to care. 

My 87-year-old father-in-law, Bill, is staying with Mark and me for the month of May. You see, he just lost his beautiful wife of 30 years to brain cancer. He's been through hell and hasn't quite returned back from it. So, we thought a change of scenery from his home in Buffalo would help him to heal a little. It's hard not to feel sad all the time when everywhere you look you see your lost loved one.

Anyway, Bill has always been a huge horse lover. He owned a Belgian Draft horse when my husband and his sister were growing up. He trained the horse to lead parades with huge kettle drums attached to either side of his withers. Mark, my husband, would dress in a military uniform and lead numerous big parades during his teen years. He would steer the horse with his legs and beat the drums. I think baby Okido would lose his mind if I tried to do that on him!

On Bill's wish list this trip was to finally meet my new horse, Okido. Now, keep in mind that Dad is 87 and has had two heart valve replacements in the last 10 years. So, when I asked my trainer, Pam, if we could arrange a time on Tuesday for me to bring Bill out to watch Lenae, Pam's assistant, ride Okdo, they were both all over it. 

Pam arranged to borrow a golf cart from  Rebecca, a friend of ours who does horse rescue at our ranch. Lenae braided Okido and had him warmed up and ready to go when we arrived. Opting to walk from the parking lot to the arena (about 2,000 steps), Dad arrived just in time for all the action in the lesson. Sitting comfortably in a chair, he smiled the entire time as he watched my boy go through his exercise. His comment about Okido was "spectacular."

Afterward, I took the above photo of Dad greeting Lenae and Okido. Then, Rebecca brought the cart and gave Bill a tour of the facility and introduced him to her rescue horses. He got the red carpet treatment.

What warmed my heart is that Pam, Lenae, and Rebecca took the time to make sure that Bill could enjoy his visit, meet Okido, and enjoy the California sunshine. Their empathy for his loss was apparent, and they each took the time to care. My heartfelt thanks to Pam, Lenae, and Rebecca. You folks are what give me hope for humanity.

Til Next Time,
Carol