Magic Thursday: Scorched Earth

Living in Australia bush fires are a part of life, and if you’ve ever had the misfortune to ever be caught near one you know that the ash lingers. When I was a teenager my parent’s house was minutes from going up. The decks were singed and we were putting out spot fires at night for weeks afterwards—and trying to get the smell and ash out of everything.

More recently the area of bushland near my house was set alight.

And while these experiences gave life to Brightwater Blood, they weren’t where the story came from. Unlike many of my stories I know exactly when this story appeared almost to the day, it was born out of a single event. The feeling of being trapped, of not knowing the right answer and the fear of being burned were all mine (figuratively). In that respect it is an intensely personal story.

But it is also one of my favourites. I love the hero. Who doesn’t like a wounded hero—literally in this case as the heroine shoots him on sight. I also love that they survive and come out stronger and better for the experience.

I came out better for the experience; selling Brightwater Blood was the icing on the cake.

Like the Australian bush sometimes it takes a fire to burn everything down before new growth can happen.


To survive, they’ll have to think outside the circle. 

Were-lion Lachlan Garvey is closing in on the Brightwater women, the last of a Shamanic line that the Council wants eradicated for their murderous use of magic. One minute he’s in his animal form, examining a dead body in a patch of charred grass. The next, he wakes up human—naked, shot and lying in a circle of his own blood.

Dayna Brightwater is sure the man she’s bound with a blood spell is the one who just murdered her twin sister. Yet even if she did have the stomach for revenge killing, she doesn’t have the power. But what to do with him now? If she lets him go, he’ll kill her, too.

Trapped in the path of a deadly magical fire, Lachlan has to think fast—and talk faster—to convince the beautiful Shaman he’s innocent. As the roaring flames creep closer, Dayna must choose. Trust Lachlan and use magic to save them both…or flee. And live with the knowledge she caused his death, proving that no Brightwater is capable of love.

Warning: Contains a naked hero who’ll do anything to save his life...including saving hers.

I have one e-copy to giveaway simply leave a comment. The winner will be drawn on Monday 6 February.