My first book, Going Down In Flames came out a year ago this week. It has been an exciting, stressful, and amazing year. Exciting because my dragons are out in the world. They are real to other people now too. Sometimes as an author you feel like a closet schizophrenic because there is a world in your head that no one else knows about. Sharing Bryn and her fire-breathing adventures with everyone has been exhilarating.

It’s been stressful because writing the book seems to be the easiest part. Surviving edits, learning how to build a website, developing a social media presence, and attending conferences is stressful. Most authors are introverts, meaning we need our quiet time to recharge. Even though UtopYA2015 was amazing, there were several times where I had to retreat to my room for a fifteen minute break to get away from all the noise and commotion.

It’s been amazing because people from all over the country and even from different continents have taken the time to contact me and tell me they love my dragons. If you’ve ever thought about contacting an author but were too shy to reach out to them, do it. I promise, it will make that author’s day.

Here’s a sneak peak at Trial By Fire. Leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook of Going Down In Flames or Bridges Burned.

(Setup for the Scene: Valmont is now Bryn’s personal bodyguard and he lives with her in the Blues Dorm. Jaxon came to Bryn’s room late the night before to discuss something.)

At breakfast the next morning, Bryn noticed a certain trend. “And everyone is back to staring again. Lovely.”

“It’s your fault. You’re the one who keeps doing weird things,” Clint teased. “Finding secret doorways. Consorting with known Directorate members sons.”

“What?” Valmont sloshed coffee over the rim of his cup.

Ivy chuckled. “There’s a rumor that Jaxon was seen leaving Bryn’s room late last night.”

“So.” Bryn didn’t get it. “It’s not like I was alone with him. Valmont was there.”

“Yeah,” Clint snorted. “People are talking about it that way too.”

“Stop it,” Ivy smacked Clint on the arm.

“What?” Clint rolled his eyes. “Number one, they need to know. Number two, it’s ridiculous to think of those three together.”

“Three? Oh, hell no.” Valmont pushed away from the table.

And that’s when Bryn got it. “Why…” words failed her but the look of utter disgust on Valmont’s face made this seem oddly funny. If she laughed, he would not be pleased. She played it off as being really mad. “Why would people think something so stupid?”

“Students are bored. Rumors are fun.” Clint shrugged.

“Fun?” Valmont grabbed a butter packet and whizzed it at Clint’s head.

“Hey,” Clint ducked allowing the butter packet to sail over his shoulder onto the floor. “Don’t fling dairy products at the messenger.”

“You’re enjoying this too much,” Bryn shot back.

“I can’t help it.” Clint’s grinned. “I’m dying to ask Jaxon if he’s heard the rumors.”

“Don’t even think about it.” Bryn warned. “There’s enough strange crap going on without you adding to the situation.”

“Fine.” Clint shoved a piece of bacon in his mouth.

A roar reverberated through the room. Bryn whipped around to see Jaxon grab a Blue male she didn’t recognize, pin his arm behind his back, and slam him face first into the table.

“If you ever repeat such a stupid rumor again,” Sleet shot from Jaxon’s mouth with every word, “I will gut you.”

“I’m sorry,” The boy gave a fake laugh. “It was supposed to be a joke.”

“Not funny.” Jaxon yanked the boy to a standing decision. “Apologize. Now.”

“I’m sorry.” He rubbed his right arm and backed away slowly before turning and running for the door.

“Still wish you could’ve told Jaxon?” Bryn asked.

“On second thought, no.” Clint said.