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Hey all!

It’s been a while. Let’s just say I have a lot of irons in the fire right now! Currently, I’m working on book three of The Starseed Trilogy, another Starseed prequel novella titled Siren Falling, and . . . ANOTHER SERIES! No announcements as to what the series name or teasers yet but I will say expect witches, fae, and some major family drama! I’ll tell you more in the next month or so. 😉
For now, I wanted to share a little excerpt of the novella I’ve been working on featuring our favorite full blooded siren, Selma. Oh, yea, that firey Spanish Senorita descended from the sirens featured in Homer’s Odyssey got her own story and for good reason, she’s absolutely mesmerizing. Which, could be a good or a bad thing . . . you decide. 🙂

Without further adieu here’s a bit about the start of Selma’s life in NYC.

~

Stepping out of the cab, Selma was assaulted by beeping horns and the bitter stench of exhaust that clouded the early fall air. She gripped her suitcases tight, preparing to make her way into the swarms of people.

A tingle ran up her spine. It is not so different here than home. There I had an ocean of water before me. Here it is an ocean of people. So far, I prefer the latter. She dove into the crowd following the directions to the hostel the cabbie gave her. She had planned to stay in a hotel but once the driver mentioned the prices rooms rented for on Manhattan she’d balked and asked if he knew of a cheaper alternative. The answer was, as it was in Spain, a youth hostel. Selma didn’t love the idea of sleeping in a bunk-filled dorm but as far as she was concerned skimping on the hostel was acceptable as long as she got the white marble countertops, sprawling city views, and doorman in her dream apartment.

The alluring and out of place scent of pine and soap filled her nostrils stopping Selma dead in her tracks.

“Hey lady! What the hell?” A man well over six feet tall yelled as he nearly collided into her.

Selma pursed her lips, barely registering the agitated New Yorker. Where is that delightful scent coming from? Warm brown eyes roamed and she sniffed the air, hoping to catch wind of the person who smelled so delicious. Her mouth fell open as she took in the surrounding smorgasbord. Selma had been so in her head she hadn’t even noticed the dozen attractive men milling about. Tall built men, short burly men, clean-shaven men, and men with neat beards; all with glowing smiles, groomed hair, and suits that would make her mother sigh.

Ay, ay, ay! I am going to love it here, Selma grinned as a man with rich, dark skin and brilliant blue eyes caught her gaze.

The man winked and returned her grin with a roguish smile of his own before glancing away.

Oh, you want to play that game? Selma thought, enticed. Slowly, she released a thin stream of estrogen into her blood which dosed into the deepest layers of her skin and moved up through her pores. She moved closer to the blue-eyed Adonis and swept her arms in his direction. The hormones on her skin leapt off, heading straight for the man.

The result was instantaneous. The man whirled about, his eyes hazy and muscles at attention. He licked his lips and shot towards Selma.

“Hello, Miss. Sorry to intrude but you looked a bit lost. My name is Jared. I wondered if I may be of service to you?” The man asked in a crisp British accent.

He looked like a puppy standing there, and beneath the elation coursing through her Selma felt a tiny twinge of guilt at her reflexive use of magic. A use her mother had warned her about. I’ve only been in the city an hour and already I’m flaunting my power in a way I never would have at home. She glanced guiltily down at the sidewalk.

“Miss, excuse me but are you OK? May I assist you with your bags?” Jared tried again, his brows furrowing with concern.

Selma grabbed at one of her two suitcases and her muscles strained with its weight. Well, I suppose he’s already enchanted and drastic needs call for drastic measures. Surely Mama would not deny me that . . .

“I’d love that,” Selma answered. She met Jared’s eyes and beamed at him, hoping that he’d feel her appreciation despite the hormone and mind-altering influence of her magic. “I’m staying at the youth hostel down the street.”

Jared frowned. “The youth hostel? A gorgeous woman like you can’t stay there. Are you visiting?”

“I just moved to town but don’t have a place to live yet.”

“Buying or renting?”

“Renting.”

“I know the person to help you. Let me show you to his office. He’s a realtor and always knows where the best apartments are for any budget.”

“That would be wonderful,” Selma replied, delighted with the turn of events despite her underlying guilt.

Jared turned and began walking down the sidewalk, both of Selma’s suitcases clenched in his hands.

Time to start my new life in the big city. And what luck, I get to do it with a view! Selma thought, her eyes never leaving Jared’s backside as he led the way.

~

What sort of trouble will Selma get into? PLENTY! If you want first dibs on Siren Falling, A Starseed Universe Novella before it’s released, make sure to join The Coven, my exclusive mailing list and reader group. Siren Falling is free to Coven members only. 🙂

OR if you’d like to be involved as a beta reader, providing input on the novella before it’s completed, simply hit the contact Ashley tab above and let me know!

All the magic,

Ashley