Throwback to Lily

Taking a trip back to Book 4 Lily. I loved Lily and Eric's journey. Here is a small scene between them. 

“So are the stars perfect?” he asked once it was completely dark. The millions of stars were sprinkled throughout the midnight blue sky. 

“Yes,” she whispered. “You know my mom used to tell me the stars were our only comfort in the darkest of nights. They know our deepest secrets and darkest fears.” 

“What about the moon?” he asked, turning his head to look at her. 

“She said the moon was too finicky,” she replied. “The moon always changed, but the stars stayed the same.” 

“Why do they know the deepest secrets and darkest fears?” 

“Because only under the cover of night are the secrets and fears revealed,” she answered. 

“What about hope?” 

“Well, hope shines brightest in the dark, or at least it’s what all the poems and books say,” she remarked. 

Opening passage of Siren Song

I'm reading through Siren Song before sending it off to the editor. Here is the opening passage from the book. 

From the dawn of time, the seas have been an unforgiving mistress. Tossing ships from wave to wave and reminding men and women they are mere mortals in her grasp. She can be peaceful or attempt to capsize every ship who dare cross her. As demanding and disheartening as she can be, she still calls to the adventurers. The men and women who brave the unknown for a glimpse of something more than their home. As more and more people settled closer to the water’s edge, the adventurers climbed aboard wooden ships and sailed to the weird shores of far-off lands. Some in service of a crown, while others in service for their self. 

For those adventurers the sea wasn’t the only danger. Once their vessel neared the shore, a new threat called to them. Beautiful voices made to entrap. Their songs entranced the men into plunging to their deaths for a chance to be with the beauty. Only the beauties were the sirens of the shorelines. 

Few men lived to tell the tale and warn others of these sirens. Those few men also gave name to these beauties. A name that would haunt the ships sailing close to their shores and echoed from stern to bow. 

Their name, mermaids. 

Little Known Facts

My favorite thing to post after I publish a book is the little known things that happened in the background. Since Diamond Dirt has been out a week, it's time to share those moments. 

*This was the longest I've even taken to write a book. I started it before writing Life in the Moments in 2017! I finally got back into in December and threw my outline away. Once I the road map I thought would work was gone, the story flowed. 

*This is one of the few books where the 'jock' is the girl and the tutor is the guy. Shelby is not a dumb jock though because her major is chemistry with her best subjects as Organic and Inorganic Chemistry. 

*This is the first book that I cut several scenes before sending it to the editor. They were fine, but pulled the story down. 

*I took a lot of inspiration from my time in college and all the years I played softball. One of the girls is even an agriculture major with animal science classes. 

*Shelby is the first character I've ever told was left-handed. I normally let the reader imagine it. 

*Shelby is a combination of some of my favorite pitchers. 

*I never got to pick a walk-out song when I played, so this was my time to go wild. If I was playing now, it would be the one I chose for Shelby, Made for This by Carrollton. 

*I didn't say what university they attend on purpose. It didn't matter for the story. One of the school colors is red, but not crimson. It is set in the southeast. 

*For those who don't know, there is a College World Series for Softball. It has become one of the most watched sports in recent years. They've added more and more games to the schedules for live viewing. I remember when you could only watch the World Series, but now you can watch regular games almost any day of the week. 

*The World Series is played at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. 

*There is a selection show where the top 64 teams are displayed for regionals. The top 16 teams host regionals. The top 8 (if they win their regional) host Super Regionals. The 8 teams left head to OKC to play the World Series. 

*I do have my next book finished. I'm reading over it before sending it to the editor. The prologue is available at the end of Diamond Dirt. 

Diamond Dirt is live!

https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Dirt-Laura-Lee-McKellips-ebook/dp/B0859T4HCF/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=laura+lee+mckellips&qid=1586236958&sr=8-2

Diamond Dirt

In just two days, Diamond Dirt will be live! Here is a small scene between Winston and his sister Mia. Don't forget to order your copy on your preferred reading platform. 

“Are you trying to date some girl?” she asked as she grabbed an apple from the basket on the counter. “I didn’t know you were dating anyone.” 

“I’m not,” he said. “She needs help in British History.” 

“What’s wrong with her schedule?” she asked as she leaned over his shoulder. 

“She plays softball every weekend and has practice every day throughout the week. In fact, some days she has practice twice a day. If she’s that bad of a player maybe she needs to drop it,” he said. 

“It could be different types of practice,” she said leaning away from him. 

“I guess.” 

“What’s her name? I’ll tell you what position she plays.” 

“How do you know the players on the college team? I don’t even know them and I go there,” he said as he set his phone down. 

“Duh, I follow the team,” she said. “Now what’s her name?” 

“Shelby, I didn’t ask her last name,” he said. 

“You’re tutoring Shelby Cannon, as in Shelby the best pitcher since Monica Abbott, Jennie Finch, and Cat Osterman?”

“I guess,” he said with a shrug. It could be her last name. He never asked and she didn’t say. 

“I have to meet her,” she said as she leaned over the counter. 

Happy International Mermaid Day!

It's International Mermaid Day! And to celebrate, here is part of the opening scene from Siren Song. 

“No, I didn’t lead him here!” Anahita shouted as she struggled against Darya and Kai and the rope binding her hands. 

Nerida held back her cry as she watched the two tie Anahita up to the shipwrecked hull next to the struggling human man. They were secluded from the moonlight in their secret cove. The waves gently swept the black sand in and out. The ocean was calm on this sad, dark night. 

“You claim to love him,” Loire said as she tightened the ropes on Anahita’s wrists. “He’s human. You know the rules.” 

“But I do love him,” Anahita said as she leaned forward against the ropes. “He won’t tell him anyone about us. He loves me.”  

“He doesn’t love you,” Darya said as she crossed her arms. “We watched him tell another human about the secret waters of the mermaids.” 

“He wouldn’t do that!” Anahita shouted as tears streamed down her cheeks. 

“You’re crying for him?” Kai asked as she shook her head. “Our tears are precious.” 

“Ask him,” Bayou said as she swam over to Anahita. “Ask him if he spilled our secret. It’s not just you involved. It’s all of us. Ask him if he’s worthy of your tears.” 

Nerida watched as Anahita looked at the human man tied up next to her. She saw the tears still streaming down Anahita’s cheeks. They glowed in the moonlight against her skin. A mermaid’s tears could heal anything as long as that mermaid loved you. 

“Please tell them you didn’t say anything,” Anahita begged. “Tell them they’re wrong.” 

Nerida watched the human shake his head as he looked at Anahita. Her heart broke for Anahita. The human wasn’t worthy of Anahita’s love. 

“Anahita, I’m a collector. I owe a large debt and you and your sisters are worth gold. Enough to pay off my debt,” he said. “I knew you were not what you seemed, so I seduced you for information. You’ve been very forthcoming. I thought I would have to wait much longer for your secret. You almost made it too easy for me. I could’ve had all your secrets the first night we met. You were desperate.” 

“No,” Anahita cried as she shook her head. “I love you!” 

“I know, which worked in my favor,” he said as he tugged on the ropes and looked at the others. “I demand you release me. My men will be here at dawn to collect all of you. I’ll finally be free of my debt and can marry the woman who’s been waiting for me. She’s been patient these two weeks while I gathered all the information I needed.” 

“You love someone else?” Anahita asked. 

“Of course, I do. Why would I love a fish? You’re a creature who needs to be destroyed or at least in a tank to be on display,” his said. 

Done

Siren Song is done! And ahead of schedule. Switching to editing mode now.