Samhain Publishing Ltd Weblog

The Crown of Zeus...available TODAY

The day has arrived! My first SP book, THE CROWN OF ZEUS, is here! I’m really excited about it (can you tell?). I know it’s not a Romance, but I think fans of Romance, Fantasy, and YA will really enjoy it. You women who are girls at heart will love my MC’s – four very different girls who find themselves in a very strange situation.

It’s got everything – adventure, fantasy, magic, mythology, near-death experiences, and a handsome prince!

I’m super pleased with it, my editors (both of them, I had to switch due to unforseen circumstances) love it, and even Ciar Cullen likes it! There’s an excerpt at the listing, but if you’d like a little more, here it is…enjoy!

***

“Can I help you?”
“Ah, yes.” Megan squared her shoulders and tried to stand up straight. “I’m Megan Montgomery. I’m a new student and this is my first day. They said I had to report to you.”
The woman shuffled through the papers on her desk and pulled out a manila folder. “Yes, of course. The girl from America. Well, come in child, don’t lurk in the doorway. Please sit down.”
A thick burgundy rug muffled Megan’s footsteps as she walked to one of a pair of high-backed chairs in front of the desk. She tried to look graceful as she sat down.
“Welcome to St. Agatha’s.” The woman gave a smile that reminded Megan of a cat who has just found a juicy mouse. She folded her hands on the desk, sat up straight, and looked Megan in the eye. “I am Miss Spencer, the headmistress.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Miss Spencer nodded. “Since you are from America, you are probably not familiar with our British education system. You are thirteen, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Megan had never really called anyone ‘ma’am’ before, but Miss Spencer looked like someone who she should. “I’m in the eighth grade.”
Miss Spencer’s smile widened a bit, but it was still a smile that looked put-on for company. “It’s ‘yes, Headmistress’. And we don’t have ‘grades’ here. You are in third year.” The headmistress picked up the file and walked around to Megan’s side of the desk. “I’ve looked over your transcripts, and everything appears to be in order. But I must warn you, Miss Montgomery. Here things are going to be much tougher than they were at your old school. This institution is a tradition among many families from all over the world.”
“The world?” Megan asked. “Do their families all move here so they can go to school?”
Miss Spencer laughed like a parent whose small child just did or said something cute and silly. “No, no, of course not, dear. Some, like you, are day students, while others live in our dormitories. We pride ourselves on turning out the finest young ladies. To that end, you will be taking more subjects than you are used to, including Latin.”
“Latin?” Who speaks Latin?
“Yes. As well as Music, Math, World History, Science, Literature, Philosophy, Geography and Art. You will also be in a House.” She flipped open the file. “I’ve placed you in Whitmore. Your House contains about twenty girls from each year. Your Head is Professor Livingston, she teaches History. If you have problems in school, academic or personal, go to her. Each house also meets twice a week for tutoring and study.”
“I see.” Megan’s stomach felt as if it would drop out of her feet at any moment. All those classes, plus forced study? Megan had held her own at her old school, but she wasn’t exactly a straight-A student. I’m in trouble.
“I notice you played hockey at your old school as well,” Miss Spencer continued, oblivious to Megan’s nervousness. “You might try out for the House team. It’s one of the best in the county. If you enjoy horses, we also have an exceptional equestrian team.”
I’ll run right out and sign up for that. Not.