Apparently, I’ve adopted a Siamese kitten living under my house. There’s a full grown black & white cat (mom?), a much larger gray and white kitten, and this teeny fluffball Siamese kitten. Maybe he’s the runt. I don’t know. I put food and water out for him every night after dark. The two bigger ones try to crowd him out, but all I have to do is tap on the window and they run. The little guy doesn’t and I make sure he eats and drinks, and when he’s finished, the other two are free to eat. I don’t know if I can catch him, or even if I should try. But, I sort of have a house guest now.
So, back to writing. Tau Scorpii is screaming along towards ‘the end’, and I’m really pleased with it. All that plotting and planning has paid off. Of course, I have a bit of research to do, when I get to the rewriting. It shouldn’t take long. I’m aiming for Autumn 2021, so September? October? You’ll know as soon as I have a set date. There will be giveaways, signed books, all kinds of promo stuff.
Outliers: Texas is taking shape as well. It’s going to fill in a lot of things the first trilogy brought up. I think fans of the series will love it.
Something from Tau Scorpii. This snippet is Taryn and Aiden about to confront the alien Caerule following their caravan.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Are we going to die today?” Aiden asked, not normally being one to contemplate his mortality.
“If I can manage to talk to them, we’ll be fine,” Taryn had her horse moving at a brisk trot, and it was an uncomfortable gait in the sand, plus it was getting hot. “On Flatrock, they were afraid of the rain.”
“So were we.”
She nodded, “Whatever happens, do not draw your sword – I mean it.”
“You said that, on Flatrock.”
“And they didn’t draw so let me at least try to talk to them, or you can go back to the caravan and help wrangle the horses.”
“There’s nothing you could say to make me let you go out there alone.”
(My 8!)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(And a few more lines.)
“This isn’t the first time I’ve tried to communicate with a band of them,” she said. “Alone.”
“I know.”
“It’s not the second time, either. I haven’t gotten killed trying.”
He was certain he’d rather be anywhere else, and that he had to be there despite all of it.
“Don’t smile, either.”
“Why in all the hells ever created would I smile?”
“Showing them your teeth is a sign of aggression.”
“We’re in so much trouble,” he noted.
S. A. Hoag, Writer 
All these releases! You’ve been a busy woman.
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Well, 2 a year is pretty rockin’ for me!
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It really sounds like she’d be better off without him going with her. 🙂
Yay for the poor little stray kitten. Sounds like it’s found a soft-hearted person that will take care of it. 🙂
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I agree with the last line in your snippet – they’re in trouble.
We adopted a puppy about three years ago. He was abandoned in the woods at about 3 months, scrawny, thirsty and full of ticks. Now, he is about 80 lbs and looks and acts like a black lab. Our older dog loves him and insists on being the boss. Pet animals are fun, although they are a long-term commitment.
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I like the fact she’s so knowledgable and competent and that he does listen to her. Mostly. Great snippet!
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This line: “Showing them your teeth is a sign of aggression.” No one better smile from nerves. You know how it is, once you know you can’t, you want to.
Good luck with the kitten! It’s so nice of you to watch out for him.
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