Taste of Cyn

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Warlord’s Return And Mini Dragons

By Cynthia Sax on October 16, 2020

Xareni, the heroine of Warlord’s Return, is a loner. She doesn’t like spending time with other beings, avoids settlements and crowds of any kinds.

She DOES, however, have a companion – Spark, a drakon, a mini-dragon with an attitude as defined as hers. Xareni loves Spark and Spark loves Xareni…in his own irritable way.

Spark’s official role is her hunting partner as shown in this snippet…

***

A human male wearing ragged remnants of a Humanoid Alliance uniform waited by a path utilized by the clones. He was hidden by a huge boulder.

Spark had spotted him easily. The little drakon now circled high above the male’s head. The creature’s wings were spread wide as he glided on the breeze. The rays of Carinae E’s single sun reflected off his green scales.

She had found Spark in one of the markets. He had breathed fire at every being who passed his stone cage, had bitten the merchant trying to sell him, taking a huge chunk out of one of his thumbs. The drakon was almost as surly as she was.

Xareni had to buy him, spending some of the precious credits she’d earned from escorting idiots around the planet. She had set him free. Spark refused to leave her.

Now, they were a team. He was her eyes from the sky, and she helped him down prey he was too small to kill.

At the moment, their prey was the Humanoid Alliance male.

***

Spark is very much part of Xareni’s family. I sometimes joke that Warlord’s Return is a romance between Ariq, Xareni AND Spark because Ariq will have to win BOTH of them over to secure Xareni’s allegiance.

It is a good thing the Chamele warrior loves challenges. (grins)

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

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Topics: Story Insights | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return And Mini Dragons

Warlord’s Return And The Winged Triplets

By Cynthia Sax on October 14, 2020

Part of the fun for me, when writing Warlord’s Return, was catching up with Kralj, Dita, and the rest of the modified humanoids and their mates in the Refuge

That included Jeden, Vietor and Dialo, Orol and Rhea’s sons (Orol and Rhea’s story is Dark Flight). The winged triplets are physically mature and they are causing SO much trouble. (grins) I love them so much.

Here is a snippet featuring them…

***

“We haven’t gotten stuck in a cave in…” Jeden looked at his brothers. “Has it been eleven planet rotations since you got stuck in that cave on the west side?”

“I wasn’t stuck.” Vietor’s face darkened.

“Dad had to claw away a section of the rock.” Dialo elbowed his brother.

“I merely couldn’t move.” Vietor said that as though there was a difference between the two situations. “It happens.”

“I hope it doesn’t happen often.” Xareni shook her head.

The young males chattered about deadly creatures they’d encountered or had heard about or, in the case of the flying bovine with projectile-shooting horns, she suspected, had imagined.

Arms were punched. Backs were slapped.

It was too much…activity for Xareni. Seeking space and quiet, she drifted away from the youths.

Ariq, carrying Spark, moved with her. “If you’re concerned about them, I have claws.” Her barbarian extended and then retracted his natural weapons. “I can free him…or them.” He glanced back at the males. “We have to assume all three of them have gotten stuck in caves in the past.”

That was a valid assumption. The triplets were flying disasters.

***

(grins) They add some excitement to an already exciting adventure. Yes, they ARE flying disasters. And I absolutely adore them.

I can’t wait to write the next generation stories, both featuring the modified humanoids’ children and the cyborgs’ offspring.

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

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Topics: Story Insights | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return And The Winged Triplets

Warlord’s Return And Kralj

By Cynthia Sax on October 13, 2020

In Warlord’s Return, the Chameles return to Carinae E and the Refuge, home to Kralj and Dita from Dark Thoughts. Kralj and Dita play important roles in this story.

Ariq first met Kralj and Dita in Dark Cure. We didn’t ‘hear’ his impressions of Kralj in that story but we do hear them in Warlord’s Return.

Here is a snippet of a scene from Chapter One

***

A shadowed face appeared on the main viewscreen. He straightened. That darkened countenance belonged to Kralj, the Ruler of the Refuge.

A surge of energy flowed over Ariq. It lifted the small hairs on his arms, caused his skin to tingle.

The all-powerful, all-knowing modified humanoid was one of the scariest beings he had ever encountered. His unique abilities extended through the communication lines.

***

Xareni, Warlord’s Return, has a deeper, more complex relationships with Kralj. She has known the Ruler since she was a young girl, long before Dark Thoughts.

The nature of their relationship is hinted at in this scene from Chapter Two

***

Kralj, the Ruler of the Refuge, Carinae E’s largest settlement, had given her an order.

Not being an idiot, she’d obey it. Kralj was all-knowing, all-powerful, could kill beings with his mind alone yet preferred to rip them apart and devour their flesh.

No one with a functioning brain disrespected the Ruler.

And she owed him…everything. She touched the hilts of her blades. Whatever he asked, she did.

Someday it might be enough to offset her debt to him.

***

If you met Kralj in Dark Thoughts, you will receive an update on him and on Dita and more details about his past. If you haven’t yet met Kralj…brace yourself for an experience. (grins)

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Story Insights | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return And Kralj

Warlord’s Return – Second Scene Of The First Chapter

By Cynthia Sax on October 12, 2020

As we wait for the release of Warlord’s Return on November 3rd, I’ve been sharing scenes from the first chapter.

You can read the first scene from the first chapter of Warlord’s Return here:
http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=7513

This week I’m sharing the second scene of that first chapter.

***

There was no one currently occupying the training chambers. That was unfortunate for him. Ariq rolled his shoulders back. He would have liked to spar with someone, to burn off his excess energy.

But it was fortunate for another being on board the warship.

“Zondoo.” He uttered that curse loudly, seeking to get Lysagh’s attention. The bounty hunter-in-training was likely hidden in the ceiling space somewhere. “According to the schedule.” He moved to the control panel by the door and accessed that information. “No one will be using this training chamber for an entire shift.”

He blocked that duration, ensuring that would be its reality. A shift should be sufficient time for the girl to use the chamber’s facilities, perhaps have a short rest.

Ariq reached upward, removed a panel from the ceiling. There was a scurrying noise, as though the warship was infested with massive rodents…or with one young human girl.

“I’ll store these excess supplies here.” He placed the cleaning cloths, container of beverage, and nourishment bars in the space.

Lysagh had hidden aboard the warship during takeoff. Her presence had been detected immediately. His Warlord, his Second, and their gerels had decided to grant the girl the trip she so desperately wanted.

Ariq had convinced them to ignore her presence, to act as though they weren’t aware she was on board. Lysagh wanted to be a stealth occupant.

He would honor her wish.

“I’ll return in one shift.” He stressed that duration as he replaced the ceiling tile. “There might be warriors to battle here at that time.”

He exited the training chamber. The doors slid closed behind him.

Ariq’s next stop was the medic bay.

Seven-One, a Chamele clone, was its only occupant. He stared into a device.

“Lead Medic located the DNA of my source’s source’s source.” The clone’s voice was tinged with awe, with reverence. “I’m looking at it, at the start of it all.”

The male was young also. There were few scars on his form.

“That’s…good?” Ariq guessed at that response. Science wasn’t his skill set.

“It’s a miracle.” Seven-One looked at him. His eyes glowed. “We might be able to track the degradation.” Every generation of the youth’s kind—Chamele clones—had more and more genetic weakness. “We could also separate the added enhancements from the original DNA.”

The clones on Carinae E had fixed the degradation issue. That was the reason Seven-One was joining them on the trip.

Everyone on board the warship had a purpose for visiting the planet…except for Ariq.

Ariq had no purpose at the moment. Anywhere.

And he had no place in any group. He was too seasoned a warrior to spend excessive time with the youths and, unlike the other males with his number of solar cycles, he had no gerel for companionship.

All he had was a burning desire to fight, and that wasn’t needed. Not on the ship. Not in the Chamele sector.

“I’ll leave you to your task.” He nodded at Seven-One, left the medic bay, continued on his route to the bridge.

His pace was slow. Second and Qulpa were currently situated on the bridge.

He had trained with Second since they first held swords. Qulpa had been their pilot for many solar cycles, many skirmishes. They were his brothers-in-arms, and he would kill for them, die for them.

Normally, he would also rush to see them, to exchange battle stories, to talk fighting strategy. In the past, that had alleviated some of his os khonzon, his need for vengeance.

But since the warriors had obtained gerels, his relationship with them had changed, as had the focus of their discussions.

Their Warlord had found his gerel, now had a baby son. Second and Qulpa were venturing along the same route.

And Chameles were at peace. Talk of killing, of battle, of death, was no longer appropriate.

The males were focused on their females, on children, on homes and families. They tried to include him in their chatter.

Ariq tolerated that conversation. He sighed. Debates over the ideal number of chambers in domiciles didn’t ease his need to kill.

It increased that urge.

And he was achingly conscious he no longer fit into the group. He was the exception, the different one, would be that way forever.

***

Read the next scene (available October 19th) here: http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=7517

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return – Second Scene Of The First Chapter

Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – October 11th

By Cynthia Sax on October 12, 2020

This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving. I’m taking the full weekend off, eating some turkey and stuffing (I LOVE stuffing – that’s my favorite part of any Thanksgiving meal), and trying to relax. We had a bit of a family emergency this morning but everyone survived it and, for that (and so much more), I am extremely grateful.

The rest of the week will be devoted to writing the next 4 chapters of Containing Malice, the first story in the Rebel Cyborgs series (releasing in February). If you enjoyed Releasing Rage, I think you’ll enjoy Containing Malice. Rage and Malice are both C Models and both of these warriors were extremely angry at the beginning of their stories…for good reasons.

Choosing Chuckles, the first story in the Cyborg Space Exploration series, is currently priced at 99 cents so I’ll be spotlighting that story on Tuesday and Wednesday. Yes. (head slap) I booked promo on Prime Day. I didn’t know it was Prime Day at the time. (shakes head) But it IS 2020 so I SHOULD have known if it could be the wrong date, it would be the wrong date. (laughs) This year has been an adventure.

Enjoy every day, my friends. As my also terrible-pun-living Dear Wonderful Hubby says, they call it the present because it is a gift.

(grins) I heard those groans!

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

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Gratitude

By Cynthia Sax on October 10, 2020

Stock photo crafted by and indirectly purchased from: Akifyeva Svetlana

This is Canadian Thanksgiving and it is a unique one this year. (grins) My section of the universe is in renewed lockdown. In order to keep our loved ones safe, we have been asked to celebrate face-to-face only with the people in our household.

I’m grateful that our leaders are concerned about our wellbeing. Telling people to stay home for Thanksgiving wasn’t an easy task to tackle. But they did it because they care about us.

I’m grateful I have loved ones (biological and found family) I am trying to protect. I care about the family and friends I would have normally visited. I care about the people in my neighborhood. I want to keep the big German Neighbor, his tiny Wife, the two Princesses safe. I care about Dorine, the single Mom who works at the corner grocery store. And I care about so many others.

I’m extremely grateful for technology and online shopping. I’ve set up Zoom meet-ups with friends and family so I can see their beautiful faces. I’ve sent my Awesome Mom and other loved ones little gifts through online stores. My cards and letters to them have already been delivered.

I’m grateful for my Dear Wonderful Hubby who has purchased THREE pies for this weekend-pumpkin, blueberry and apple. He is striving to make this Thanksgiving special and I truly appreciate that and him.

And I’m super grateful for you and the rest of my Romancelandia family. (big hugs) When I feel a little lonely, I jump on Twitter or Instagram and there’s always a friend there, willing to chat. That is such a gift.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Gratitude

Warlord’s Return And Family

By Cynthia Sax on October 9, 2020

Warlord’s Return, like Testing Truth, is, I believe, a perfectly timed release. I didn’t plan it that way. (laughs) I’m not that organized. But November and December are often a time for families, biological or found, and Warlord’s Return is definitely about families.

Oghul, Khan’s Second, is returning with his gerel to the Refuge on Carinae E to visit with his family, his brother and his gerel. He is taking Ariq and the rest of his team, his brothers-in-arms, his found family with him.

Lysagh, the bounty hunter-in-training we first met in Warlord’s Bounty, is searching for a place where she will fit. She thinks she’s looking for a mentor. I suspect she’s truly looking for a family. Xareni, the heroine of Warlord’s Return, is a bit of a loner and, at first glance, she seems to be someone who doesn’t need friends or family. But she would kill for Spark, her mini dragon hunting partner. She loves the grumpy little creature. Spark is HER family.

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Story Insights | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return And Family

Warlord’s Return – A Bonus Story

By Cynthia Sax on October 6, 2020

Some reading buddies have asked me why I didn’t end the Chamele Barbarian Warlords series after Warlord’s Mercy. That story answers almost all of the questions raised during the series. What more is there to tell?

Lysagh’s story DOES need a happier for-now ending. Her story is one that hadn’t been completely told. This young bounty-hunter-in-training is still looking for her place in the universe. Her gut tells her it isn’t with the bounty hunters. There’s so much anger in her and she wants vengeance.

Ariq, Oghul’s best warrior and the hero of Warlord’s Return, also needed some resolution. He is struggling with peace, as many warriors here on Earth do.

Just because the wars for a species or nation end doesn’t mean the wars for those involved have ended.

Ariq has adapted to battle, is genetically-disposed to battle, has spent most of his lifespan honing those skills. Now they’re not needed.

And he’s lost. He doesn’t know where he fits anymore. I wanted to tell that story, to see him receive his happy ending.

But I DO view Warlord’s Return as a bonus story, a story I wrote mostly for myself and thought you’d enjoy. (grins) It is a reason to go back to the Refuge, the home of Kralj and Dita from Dark Thoughts. I hung out with Oghul and his crew and received updates on the modified humanoids.

The Refuge series and the Chamele Barbarian Warlords series are closely connected.

It felt right to return to Carinae E. It felt like returning home.

And I really needed that right now. I thought you might need it too.

(big hugs)

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS: