Michelle Manus

Valkyrie's Call

What I’m Working On-June 2021 Edition

So as you may have noticed, I skipped last month’s writerly update for fear of boring you out of your mind with my lack of excitement and enthusiasm, my wealth of ennui, and all other related emotions, preferably beginning with “e.” Because alliteration is cool.

I’m out of my funk, which is great because I now have a wealth of things to get done. I’ve finished up the substantial edits on Valkyrie’s Call, so now all that’s left is the copy edit, and I’m really really excited for the book to release in August. Valkyrie and Random’s story has been tumbling around in my brain for years, and I was worried I wouldn’t get it just right on paper. But they both started talking and wouldn’t shut up, and while doing the re-read for edits I was beyond thrilled to find I think I did them justice. It’s a rough road for them, but worth the journey.

I also got Guardian of Shadows, the second Nyx book, back a couple weeks ago. The editor and I talked a bit back and forth, and I’ve finally figured out what it needs, but wrangling the needs into the current book are proving difficult for me. Nothing needs to be cut, thankfully, just added, but the problem is the book flows pretty seamlessly as it’s written, and I’m having difficulty finding a place to insert a scalpel and splice in the needed improvements, so to speak.

I’m also panicking a little because I’d planned for it to be off my schedule long before now, and I’ve delayed starting Nyx #3 in case the edits to Nyx#2 held significant changes for #3. Which they do, so delaying #3 was a good call, but it fills me with the anxious sense that I’m behind on everything. The good news is, the smarter side of my brain plans for these delays, so every pub date I’ve set so far will still be met. Yay for small victories!

I’m still adding occasional wordage to my Trash Novel Series (Book1 and side-story novella finished, 1/4 into Book 2) and I’m embarrassed by how much I’m enjoying what was supposed to be sort of a joke series, if you couldn’t tell by the fact that I refer to them as the Trash Novels. I’m not sure what I’ll do with them yet, as I don’t really have the budget for covers and editing on them, but I’m having fun with them right now, and I’m enjoying the lack of pressure for getting them done on any sort of schedule.

Ooh, speaking of covers, I just sent off to get the cover for Guardian of Shadows into production, so I should have that to share in a couple weeks! I beyond loved the cover for Guardian of Chaos, so I’m really excited to see what the designers come up with for Shadows.

And that’s a wrap for what I’m working on this month. It’s getting super hot in my desert-riddled neck of the woods, so I’ll leave you all with the hope that, wherever you are, it’s not 118F like it is here. Or that if it is that hot, you’re into that sort of thing. Stay hydrated, my friends.

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Valkyrie In A Nutshell

I’m working through the first round of edits on Valkyrie’s Call, and I ran across this little snippet that I totally don’t even remember writing (it’s strange, how often that happens when you’re re-reading in edits). The last bit of her dialogue is, as the title of the post suggests, so just Valkyrie in a nutshell.

“The first phone number is for the best Aspect defense lawyer in the country. His name is Random Tremayne. You want the girls to stay with you? He is your best chance of ensuring that happens. Should you have difficulty covering the legal fees, the second number is for The Savage Foundation. My sister-in-law is extremely invested in helping others like her. Explain about the girls, and she will assist you in any way she can,” Valkyrie said.

“That’s it?” Derek asked. Now that the shock of the situation was wearing off, anger was swiftly taking its place. “Just wait for a security team to arrive and hope our children aren’t taken away from us? We were attacked. In our own home. Lacey and Taylor could have been killed and you want us to, what? Pack and make a couple phone calls?”

Valkyrie understood his anger, but that didn’t mean she wanted it directed at her. She gave him a hard look and he backed up a step. “I’m not good at the emotional support side of things, Mr. Anders. You want your fears assuaged and your emotions soothed, call Tremayne and Savage. That’s what lawyers and philanthropists are for.”

Valkyrie’s Call Snippet

It’s probably no secret that Valkyrie and Random are my favorite Aspect Society couple. I know they say you’re not supposed to have favorites but, *sighs*, Random. So, anyway, in honor of Valentine’s Day, here is a kissy snippet from Valkyrie’s Call.

In Which Random and Valkyrie Discuss the Particulars of Going on a Fake Date

“Then we’d better hope we both manage to convincingly fake it,” Valkyrie said.

“Indeed,” Random said. He stepped closer. Too close. Whatever aftershave he wore smelled like it was probably named something along the lines of Waterfalls and Sin. It made her want to bury her face in the curve of his neck and breathe him in. “Which is why we should probably practice.”

“Practice what?” she asked. He shouldn’t be allowed to stand this close to her. It screwed with her head. 

“Kissing.”

She’d been staring at his collarbone–it had seemed like a safe enough place to stare–but her gaze snapped up to meet his, now, and that was a mistake. His dark brown eyes held a touch of heat, and she couldn’t help but note that the two of them stood conveniently right next to a bed.

“I don’t need to practice,” she said automatically. “I know how to kiss you.” I’d really like to do it now.

“I’m not sure you do.” A smile played at the corners of his lips. “The first time we kissed, you broke my nose. The second time, you fucked me. The third time, you destroyed my soul. I’d like to know that if I need to kiss you tonight, none of those things will happen, as none are appropriate for public consumption.”

Yes, her body agreed, let’s practice. She ignored her body. “In what scenario do you envision us actually needing to kiss?”

He arched one eyebrow. “You and me on a date? It’s a hard pill for most to swallow. You’d be surprised what a well-placed parking lot kiss can do for the credibility of a fake date. So may I?” He lifted his hand, brushed the backs of his fingertips across her cheekbone.

Yes, she wanted to say, yes, you definitely may. “It isn’t necessary. I can guarantee none of the previous reactions will occur.” Which was a complete lie. Oh, she could guarantee she wouldn’t punch him, and she could guarantee she wouldn’t destroy his soul, because it was an exaggeration to claim she’d done so before. He was prone to those where she was concerned. It was his pride she’d broken, and she could avoid doing so again. 

No, it was the second outcome she couldn’t promise wouldn’t happen again. Because when he touched her, she never wanted him to stop.

“Perhaps I need to be convinced,” he murmured.

Perhaps she needed to convince herself. “Fine.”

She kissed him. She’d intended for it to be a brief, dispassionate action, but the second her lips touched his, he came alive. His mouth met hers hungrily. His hands settled on her waist and she stupidly wrapped hers behind his neck, let her fingers bury themselves in the softness of his hair. His tongue parted her lips. 

She wanted to press her body against his, to arch into his touch like a satisfied cat. She wanted to rip his clothes off and throw him on the bed, to have him beneath her. The thought almost made her moan, but she couldn’t do that. If she did, he’d know. He’d know exactly what she wanted and she’d never be able to resist if he was hellbent on giving it to her.

Sex was what Random did.

She broke the kiss and leaned back against the hold he had on her waist. She held her breathing steady, held his gaze, which had gone from heated to a full-on bonfire.

“As promised,” she said, her voice even and cool, betraying none of the unsteadiness she felt. “I haven’t harmed you, fucked you, or said anything cruel.”