This book is one of the first original stories I started and, because I went into publishing and that left me no time to write, it sat on my hard drive until a couple of years ago when I pulled it out and finished it. I've always been fascinated by strong women who aren't afraid to stand up to, or fight for their men. And for warrior types who for all their strengths, need that woman to complement them. Of course, they don't know that until she knocks some sense into him. And she, in turn, isn't afraid to let him save her once in a while. Add in the locked together in a close situation trope and The Moon Child's Wish was well and truly on its way.
On a far distant world, Ancel, Eagle warrior is waylaid on his way back to his settlement and, despite a desperate battle, is taken by slavers and thrown near death into a slave cage. His fellow townsmen turn away from the sight, unable to offer help because to do so would shame an Eagle warrior beyond bearing. An Eagle warrior fights alone. That's what way it's always been done. Until he meets Carine, that is. Carine is a Moon Child whose land borders that of the Eagle tribe, a fierce enemy, but like all her people, a realist rather than a stubborn idealist. When she's thrown into the same slave cage, she knows she'll do anything required to win her freedom, even if it means bonding with her mortal enemy, an Eagle warrior. Using her single wish-in-hand, Carine Saves Ancel's life and bonds herself to him, hoping that in doing so he will take her with him when he tries to escape. He's furious when he finds out what she's done, but, unable to resist the pull of the bonding, has no choice but to throw his lot in with hers. Sold to a decadent clubhouse where they must entertain decadent clientelle on a nightly basis, and growing ever closer, they must both decide what they're prepared to give up to protect the person they love.
I thoroughly enjoyed writing Carine's determination to make Ancel see her as a woman and not as his enemy. And her willingness to make any sacrifices required of her to protect him. Ancel is big, buff and tough but oh so confused by this woman who stormed into his life and refuses to leave. He should hate her and all she stands for, but just can't bring himself to. I love writing the kind of questioning and confusion that leads to the sudden revelation that things will never be the same again. Add in a hint of shapefhifters and a goddess who likes to play with her human subjects and the Moon Child world is established .
The cover art is from the talented Dan Skinner. It came second in the Preditor's and Editor's cover poll (can't remember which year) and in the first week of release, The Moon Child's Wish went to number one on the overall bestseller chart at Fictionwise and stayed there for two weeks. It's book one in a trilogy, Book two being Lupine,which focuses on Ancel's daughter and the Lupine (a wolf/human shapeshifter) who appears injured at the gates of the new settlement. Book three, Tian's Guardian, focuses on Ancel and Carines son, Sol who is ordered by the Goddess to claim Lupine, Tian as his own in order to keep her safe. But of course, she and wolf have other ideas.
You can purchase The Moon Child's wish here...amazon and smashwords both have the reduced price. It takes a while longer for the price reduction to trickle through to Smashwords distributors.
amazon.com and all other amazon outlets
Smashwords
Barnes and Noble
Sony ebookstore
Kobo
ibookstore
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