Edits

Finishing up my edits before sending Glass Throne off to my beta readers. So close to publishing. Next is to choose a cover photo! 

The End

When it's 4 in the morning but you push because the words are flowing to those two little words! Glass Throne (book 13) is done. Time to shift into editing mode before sending it to my beta readers. Edward and Gisella's story was a ride to the end. It is up for pre-order on Amazon for release in September. 

Dance Lessons

A prince teaching his Cinderella dance lessons? Yep! Edward is teaching Gisella how to dance before the anniversary ball. The final chapters are bringing the emotion of my Cinderella-inspired story. Fairy Tale book #3 is almost complete. 

Chapter 13

I'm so close to finishing Book 13: Glass Throne! I can't wait for everyone to meet Crown Prince Edward and Gisella. 

Happy Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day, here is a scene from my upcoming book between Crown Prince Edward and his mother Queen Ann. 

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” 

“You’re quoting Shakespeare to me?” he asked without turning around. 

“The crown isn’t easy, son,” she said. “The actual weight is nothing compared to the mental weight. The monarchy isn’t always posing for pictures and waving to the people from the balcony.” 

“I know,” he said as he turned to face his mother. “But you made it look easy.” 

“Your father was a big help. It’s one reason I gave him the matrimonial crown. I knew I would need his help as more than a Prince Regent,” she said as she crossed her ankles. 

“Are you suggesting I find some woman and make her my queen?” 

She sighed and shook her head. 

“No. Finding a woman strong enough to rule beside you won’t be easy. I was lucky with your father. What you don’t know is I fought Parliament. They did not want me to give him power equal to my own. Standing up to them on one issue made them see I wasn’t some woman playing queen. What you need to remember is the power lies within you. They all want a piece of your power. Each piece you share is a piece you won’t get back,” she said as she stood up. 

He looked at his mother. Really looked at her. 

Standing in front of him wasn’t his mother. It was his queen. This woman took the throne when the Prime Minister and Parliament were all men. Every person in control in the country were men. His mother wasn’t the first woman to take the throne. But she was the first to take an active role in ruling. From his research, the past queens were passive in their reigns. 

His mother changed the narrative. 

“Thank you for being the amazing woman you are,” he said as he walked around the desk to her. “Thank you for ruling the country as a queen and not as the wife of a king.” 

He pulled his mother into his arms and hugged her. Years vanished as she wrapped her arms around him. Although he was taller than her, he still felt like the little boy who ran to her with his boo-boos. 

When he released her, he watched as she wiped away the tears. 

“I wasn’t anything special, Edward. I did what I could and learn some lessons the hard way. I want you to remember the man you are before the crown. You will need him,” she said as she smiled. 

He nodded as she walked out of the room. Turning, he saw the battlefield picture and thought about his mother’s advice. He would not lose himself to the throne. 

Glass throne is up for pre-order on Amazon. 

Palace Intrigue

Oh, the palace intrigue surrounding Princess Damaris. You don't know her yet, but you will. She's getting her own book. Enjoy this scene of the young royals of Lorvena; Edward, Jaclyn 'Jack', and George. 

“Evening, your highnesses,” Les said as he bowed in front of them. “I am shocked that your parents could not grace us with their presence tonight.” 

“They are sorry they could not join as well,” Edward said. “They had a call scheduled with Florine.” 

“What about? If I may be so bold as to ask? You know I am friends with the king,” Les said. 

“Regent,” Jack said, still holding her smile. 

“What, my dear?” Les asked. 

“He is not king because he was not, nor will he be crowned,” Jack said as she folded her hands in front of her body. 

Edward knew that stance well. She was ready to fight. This was not the time or place to get into this discussion. Especially since no one knew the Princess of Florine was in Lorvena. 

“Only because that Parliament does not want to skip over the Lost Princess. Speaking of Princess Damaris, have you heard from her? I hear she has disappeared,” Les said as he shoved his hands in his pockets. 

Edward heard the unspoken statement. Damaris’s uncle knew she wasn’t in North Carolina. The man was scared and sending out his spies to figure out where the Princess was. 

“Princess Damaris should be in the country within the month. It is her usual routine this time of the year,” George said. “It is tradition.” 

“She should be with her people or at least give up her crown so someone else can lead the people. She is as weak as her parents were,” Les said as he backed up. “If you will excuse me, I see Prime Minster Alma, and I must speak with her.” 

“You are excused,” Edward said as he watched Les walk away. 

“The man’s a snake,” Jack said as she dropped her hands. 

“He’s a spy,” George said as he shifted. “I trust you’ll inform Huck and Damaris of this conversation.” 

Edward nodded as he watched Les approach the Prime Minister. 

“I recorded the conversation,” Edward said as he pulled his hand out of his pocket. 

“How did you know to record it?” Jack asked. 

“I record all of Parliament’s conversations. I need to know who is on my side and who is not,” Edward said as he looked at his brother and sister. “After a conversation with Huck when our parents announced their abdication, he strongly encouraged me to find out who supports me and who does not. Supporting our parents is different than supporting me and my vision for the future of Lorvena.” 

“That is the reason I’m happy you were firstborn. I couldn’t handle the deception,” Jack said, shaking her head. 

“I could still abdicate, and you would be queen,” Edward said as he watched his sister’s face. 

“You wouldn’t dare,” Jack said as she blinked at him. “I don’t want to be queen.” 

“But you would do it if I did give up the throne,” Edward said as he placed his hand on her shoulder. 

She looked away before cutting her eyes back at him. “I would because I love this country. But, and I stressed this, you will be a far better king of Lorvena than I would be queen. You love this country and people far more than I do. You were raised to be king.” 

Lightning Bugs?

Working on ending scenes while getting my oil changed. Oh and I'm almost done with Chapter 7! Edward and Gisella are fun to write about. They're currently discussing lightning bugs or as Edward calls them Glowworms. Late-night research didn't disappoint, although glowworms still sound weird to me. 

What do you call them? Lightning Bugs, Fireflies, or are you on Edward's side with Glowworms