The Binding is almost here!

I’m excited, in that *Kermit flail* kind of way. The third book and conclusion of my fantasy story is set to release, and it looks like…THIS!

I love it and urge you to get carried away with me and do a Pre-order with 1-click for the ebook even if you haven’t read the first two books.

Yes, this is a serialized novel. Yes, the story continues from Volume One, but this is a .99 ebook sale, only now though October 19th!

That’s a good deal for a 500 page print book.

Once again my beautiful bright cover comes from Craig Shields of the UK. He has created (to a ‘T’!) the other-worldliness Annmar, Daeryn and their friends discover in The Binding! Don your Luci-viewers and get ready for more tunnels and more sparkling threads in this third volume of The Luminated Threads, but don’t be too complacent during your travels… Annmar certainly learns that lesson.

Many scenes from the start of this story would be spoilers, but here’s one that’s a reminder my stories are as much fantasy adventure as they are sweet romance. It’s from Daeryn’s view.

Annmar’s scent had edged to doleful by the time she spoke. “Rumor is you’re going to Rockbridge. Is it far?”

“Twenty miles.” The last of it high into the Black Mountains rimming the south of Blighted Basin. “I should be back in two days.”

“Rivley could fly to the Black Mountains faster, couldn’t he?”

She didn’t like this any better than he did. “Yes, but Riv isn’t the fellow to go, I am. The Elders are more likely to listen to a request from a prior team leader. Plus, I have a better way of talking to people. He has the Harvester mechanics to attend to.”

“I understand, but…” Her voice dropped. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too.”

They walked through town, the grip of her hand at his elbow not changing until they reached Wellspring’s long drive. A few other growers walked nearby, but the sun had touched the edge of the western ridge of mountains, and Annmar must have deemed falling dusk private enough, because she slipped her hand to his and wove their fingers together.

He’d tried to do this on the Gapton platform while they waited, but she’d drawn away. He needed to learn why. “I like holding hands with you.”

“So do I,” she whispered.

He dropped his voice as well. “I don’t understand the rules. Yesterday there were too many people that might take notice?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose. But you also took me by surprise. In Derby, a gentleman may hold a lady’s elbow for an awkward crossing, or she will tuck her hand to the man’s arm to stroll if they are acquainted, but never would one clasp hands. It may take some time before I am comfortable that this is accepted in public in Blighted Basin.”

True, he’d instinctually known he couldn’t behave like that back in Derby. He sorted his next words. “’Cambires like to touch. At least, the mammals do. I hope you’ll pardon any mistakes I may make. I’ll try to be”—the words Miz Gere had used to caution him flashed to Daeryn’s mind—“considerate.”

Annmar swallowed and licked her lips.

His gaze tracked her tongue until it disappeared, then riveted on her glistening lower lip. He longed to reach out to smooth its silky surface—and he would have, except Annmar’s hand tightened in his. “I know you will.”

They needed more privacy. He steered her through Wellspring’s stone pillars and cut across the lawn. Past the kitchen gardens, the farmhouse and farmyard. Between the bunkhouse and the next outbuilding was a secluded corridor with just trees and wooden crates stacked along the wall. He led her to the crates to sit, but Annmar swung to face him, standing a hair’s breadth away. From beneath the brim of her hat, she stared up, her wide eyes and parted lips as clear to his nocturnal eyes as if it’d been full daylight. Her scent lingered in sadness, damned near killing him.

“Missing you will make me run faster,” he murmured.

Before he could move, she pressed her lips to his. Her kiss started like the almost-chaste one on the train and the second they’d shared last night, but then her tongue traced his mouth.

Daeryn kissed her back, capturing her tongue with his lips, tasting her, inhaling her woodsy scent and letting himself enjoy every last bit of it.

You can read Chapter One here.

See the Character List for The Luminated Threads Series here. Volume One & Two characters are at the top, while The Binding’s characters are in a separate list at the end of the page. They contain spoilers! Don’t go there if you want to maintain your reading surprises.

Start the series by reading The Unraveling, Volume One and then The Twisting, Volume Two.