Harmonize Hostilities (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 7)

by Sarah Noffke

  More importantly, she never expected to have so many friends, so many people who were like family. She was happy to stand beside and defend the world with them, and she was grateful to have so many she was happy to defend the world for.

  Familia est Sempiternum, after all.

  The Story Continues with Rules of Justic

  Coming August 28, 2020

  Pre-order today and have it delivered to your Kindle Reader at Midnight on August 28, 2020

  Sarah’s Author Notes

  July 6, 2020

  Thank you so much for reading. Your support of the Liv Beaufont series and this one has been life changing. Thank you! Seriously! Thank you.

  I’ve started to tease MA, that his references aren’t that timely. That was after we were talking out the fairy godmother series, which is forthcoming, and he referenced Sister Act with Whoopi Goldberg. I was like, “Wow, way to be relevant.” And then in the next conversation, he’s like, “This is similar to Trading Places with Eddie Murphy.”

  I can make fun because I don’t think I’ve seen a new movie this year…or probably last. Really, most of my watching experiences involve obscure BBC programs. When I said that to MA, he replied with, “After you’re done with Doctor Who, move on to Nurse What.” I groaned and told him that he had JUST made the worst joke in the history of jokes.

  I haven’t been in the virtual office lately that MA set up for us because I’ve been really pushing it to complete the deadline for this book. However, I miss all the antics that go on between my colleagues. I also miss MA randomly popping into my office and doing various things to get my attention.

  I have the virtual office on in the background on my computer and my mic muted. When someone wants to talk to you, they pop into your office and say, “Hey!” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been folding laundry or grabbing coffee and from my laptop I hear singing. That’s MA at his finest.

  It was the virtual office that actually inspired the new sibling rivalry between Ramy Vance and me. He’s apparently having a character based on me get married to a gnome… At least it’s in Vegas, I guess. Ramy and I actually liked the idea of having this rivalry because it means that MA is “Dad.” I think we can drive him so crazy that he yells, “If you two don’t stop, I’m going to pull this car OVER!”

  After the last author’s notes, when MA went on and on about Ramy (in MY book!), I have a half a mind to talk about James Patterson nonstop. Michael who? Anderle what? But you know, I’m the bigger person. I am! I will do what any grown adult would do and simply call Ramy a buttface and tattle on him the next time he screws up. Then I’ll go and join the Patterson fan club and stick it to you both!

  Oh, speaking of driving, according to MA, my tight pushes to each deadline are going to drive him to have a drinking problem. I find this to be pretty impressive, if I do say so myself, because the guy doesn’t even drink. So not only will I cause him to start, but then I’ll make him so stressed that he’ll go overboard. A little drinking problem isn’t that big of deal. It could be worse, MA. My ex-husband doesn’t have any hair left…

  Similar to the last book, I had fun including my friends in this one. I had to put Bep in there, a very loyal reader and total class act.

  I’m always taking inspiration from places. Like Lee’s fear of heights in this book was inspired by a childhood trauma of mine. I was actually the little girl who was launched out of bed by her older sister. That old trauma is fresh right now because I’ve been in the sun a lot lately and when I tan, the scar on my nose that I earned on that fateful day pops out a lot more.

  When I was little, my sister who is seven years older, and I shared a twin bed. Anne has never been a calm sleeper. I should know. I was under two when she pushed me out of bed and my face caught a rusty screw that was protruding from a stool close by. If you’re asking yourself why there was such a crappy piece of furniture beside a bed where a toddler was sleeping, well, do I have some other entertaining stories for you.

  All my childhood, my mother would say, “Probably should have got you stitches.”

  Thanks for the hindsight, Lady!

  Anyway, it’s fine. It’s a battle scar. And although I get sensitive about it when the scar is more prominent since it’s straight down my nose, I always try to make the best of it. So I put the experience in the book as the illogical reason that Lee is afraid of heights. It’s all about perspective. We can look at the past and feel scarred or we can use it to inspire funny scenes.

  So what did you get your significant other for their last birthday? If you didn’t buy them property in the Scotland Highlands, officially making them a Laird/Lord or Lady, then I’ve got you beat. What do you get for the Scotsman who has everything? Nobel status of course. I really did it for selfish reasons because I’ve always wanted to have a Laird boyfriend.

  The last four months has been hard for everyone. There’s no exceptions in my mind. With the virus and so much global unease it’s a crazy planet. My friend says, we are all in the same storm, just different boats. It’s true.

  When the US closed the borders to the EU and UK, I left my Scotsman at Heathrow airport, not knowing when I’d see him again. In less than two weeks, I’ll finally return to Scotland and to my Laird boyfriend—after four long months. This book will release the day after I arrive. I have to quarantine the entire time I’m there but I have no doubt that lounging with my Scotsman and looking out the window at the Royal Mile and Castle will help to write the next books.

  I wrote the first Sophia book in September of 2019. I knew from the beginning it would be set in Scotland and that she’d fall in love with Wilder, a Scottish gentleman. What I didn’t know was that I’d go to Vegas in November and slowing start to fall for my own Scotsman. Talk about kismet. I’ve said it before but what I write about often comes true. That’s why I’m writing about dragonriders who are making the world a better place.

  Actually MA and I wrote the outline for this book and titled it months before the strange things started in the US. I called him and was like, “Oh hell, I’m writing about groups protesting! Is this too close to home?” He thought that sometimes I see things before they happen, in so many words. I’ve always been connected to intuition so that makes sense. Anyway I was in no way making any political statements with this book. I just want to entertain and spread love and laughter.

  As I write this, I’m lounging at a resort in Palm Desert and day drinking which I’ve learned is just called “drinking” in Scotland. California opened up and shut back down. It’s a crazy time but I’m certain we will weather this storm.

  I look forward to gathering so much inspiration when in Scotland but more than anything, like many of you, I need to have the relief that we find when reunited with a piece of our heart. So many have been separated because of the virus and I only hope that the worse is behind us. #loveisessential #loveisnottourism

  Much love and peace,

  Tiny Ninja

  Michael’s Author Notes

  July 13, 2020

  Thank you for reading our stories, and allowing us the opportunity to devote ourselves to creating new adventures with people we want to hang around.

  And some we don’t.

  (Characters, not authors. I love hanging with the Tiny Ninja Clan.)

  It is a muggy 112 degrees today and the air conditioners are running their little condensers off. The wind is pushing tree branches lower, and you can almost feel the trees thinking that just resting their limbs on the ground is a splendid idea.

  I’m finding the coolest place in the house to sit a while and type up some thoughts.

  First thought is, in a (very small) way, that the character of Bethany Anne in The Kurtherian Gambit was one of the small gears in life used to bring two people who care about each other together.

  I imagine it would have happened without the 20Booksto50k® event in Las Vegas (they ARE both authors) but allow me to feel a little smug… Just a tiny bit.

  Please ignore t
he fact it was Author Craig Martelle who made the conferences happen – that part is unimportant in the grand scheme of my small amount of self-indulgence.

  Please ignore the part where Sarah’s Scotsman® was charming and turned her head in his direction. That part (while probably the most important part) isn’t relevant for my enjoyment, either.

  It’s that a friend is happy in her life. A person I’ve now known for a few years, and would have sworn I would never see in this state.

  What state is that, you ask?

  Stupidly head over heels and wanting to risk cross-the-world Covid containment to see him again. No matter how bad it gets, I truly understand how the chemicals in our bodies rule us.

  Seeing the two of them together makes me smile. And for that, I’m grateful to be able to have seen it happen.

  Even Tiny Ninjas® deserve their happiness. Here’s to Sarah’s Scotsman® and Tiny Ninja® - May they enjoy their time together.

  And may this book be the bestseller it deserves ;-)

  To all of you who are suffering during this world-wide crises, may a little something help you smile today, as well.

  If you want a reason to have hope, go back and read Sarah’s ‘Everyone in LA is an A@@hole’ books and realize the same woman who wrote those, is writing her author notes now. If that doesn’t prove hope springs eternal, I’m not sure what will.

  Hell, two old happily married white guys thinks they are hilarious. What more do you want as a review?

  ;-)

  P.S. – If you have a library subscription, you should be able to listen to Sarah narrate her own books for free on Hoopla.

  May everyone have peace and air conditioning,

  Michael Anderle

  Acknowledgments

  Sarah Noffke

  I feel like I’m on the stage at the Oscars, accepting an award when I write my acknowledgments. I stand there, holding this award, my hands shaking and my words racing around in my mind. I’m not an actress for a reason. I’m a writer and talking to people in “real life” is hard. Not to mention a ton of people all at once.

  I picture looking out at the audience and being blinded by spotlights and forgetting every word of the speech I memorized just in case I won. The speech would go like this and it’s meant for all of you, not the guild. For the fans. The supporters. The people who are the reason I would ever stand on any stage, ever.

  Okay, here we go. I clear my throat and smile, looking up at the camera, holding the little golden man. And then I begin:

  This was never supposed to happen. I was never meant to publish a book and then another one. And then another. I was supposed to write in private and live a life that Henry David Thoreau called a life of “quiet desperation.” I would always hope to share my books, but never bring myself to do it. And you would never read my words. But then, in a crazed moment of brashness, I did share my books and you all liked them. And because of that, I’ve never been the same. And here I am feeling grateful all just because…

  That’s why I’m here. Because of you. Thank you to my first readers. The ones who picked up those books that I didn’t even outline and you still liked them. You messaged me and maybe you thought it was no big deal, but when your ego is new to the publishing world, it’s a big deal.

  I can’t thank you readers enough. I’ve found that reading your reviews helps me to start a chapter when I’m stuck or lazy.

  I really need to thank someone who has made this all possible and that’s my father. I was going to quit. I can’t tell you how many times I quit. But when I wasn’t making it, he was the one who told me to not throw in the towel. “Give yourself a timeline,” he suggested. If I didn’t get to my goal by then, I’d quit. And apparently there was magic in that advice, because I’m still doing this. Dad, you’re the pragmatic one, but when you believed in me enough to tell me to not quit, I knew I had to follow your advice.

  And I thank all my friends who are constantly supporting me with thoughts of love and encouragement. Most don’t read my books. I’m sort of self-deprecating, although I’m working on it and will be the first to tell my friends, “My books probably aren’t for you.” However, every now and then a friend surprises me and says, “I was up all night reading your books.” It’s always a total shock. But my point is, that even if they didn’t read, I still have the best friends ever. Diane, you’re my rock. And I love you, even though you will probably not read this.

  Thank you to everyone at LMBPN. Those people are like family to me, although I’m not sure if they’ll let me sleep on their couch. Well, who am I kidding? They totally will. Big thanks to Steve, Lynne, Mihaela, Kelly, Jen and the entire team. The JIT members are the best.

  Huge thank you to the LMBPN Ladies group on Facebook. Micky, you’re the best. And that group keeps me sane.

  And a giant thank you to the betas for this series. Juergen you are my first reader and friend. Thanks for all the help. And thanks to Martin and Crystal for being some of the best people I know. What would I do without you? A huge thanks to the ARC team. Seriously, if it weren’t for you all I might pass out before release day, wondering if anyone will like the book.

  And with all my books, my final thank you goes to my lovely muse, Lydia. Oh sweet darling, I write these books for you, but ironically, I couldn’t write them without you. You are my inspiration. My sounding board. And the reason that I want to succeed. I love you.

  Thank you all! I’m sorry if I forgot anyone. Blame Michael. For no other reason than just because.

  Books By Sarah Noffke

  Sarah Noffke writes YA and NA science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and urban fantasy. In addition to being an author, she is a mother, podcaster and professor. Noffke holds a Masters of Management and teaches college business/writing courses. Most of her students have no idea that she toils away her hours crafting fictional characters. www.sarahnoffke.com

  Check out other work by Sarah author here.

  Ghost Squadron:

  Formation #1:

  Kill the bad guys. Save the Galaxy. All in a hard day’s work.

  After ten years of wandering the outer rim of the galaxy, Eddie Teach is a man without a purpose. He was one of the toughest pilots in the Federation, but now he’s just a regular guy, getting into bar fights and making a difference wherever he can. It’s not the same as flying a ship and saving colonies, but it’ll have to do.

  That is, until General Lance Reynolds tracks Eddie down and offers him a job. There are bad people out there, plotting terrible things, killing innocent people, and destroying entire colonies. Someone has to stop them.

  Eddie, along with the genetically-enhanced combat pilot Julianna Fregin and her trusty E.I. named Pip, must recruit a diverse team of specialists, both human and alien. They’ll need to master their new Q-Ship, one of the most powerful strike ships ever constructed. And finally, they’ll have to stop a faceless enemy so powerful, it threatens to destroy the entire Federation.

  All in a day’s work, right?

  Experience this exciting military sci-fi saga and the latest addition to the expanded Kurtherian Gambit Universe. If you’re a fan of Mass Effect, Firefly, or Star Wars, you’ll love this riveting new space opera.

  *NOTE: If cursing is a problem, then this might not be for you.

  Check out the entire series here.

  The Precious Galaxy Series:

  Corruption #1

  A new evil lurks in the darkness.

  After an explosion, the crew of a battlecruiser mysteriously disappears.

  Bailey and Lewis, complete strangers, find themselves suddenly onboard the damaged ship. Lewis hasn’t worked a case in years, not since the final one broke his spirit and his bank account. The last thing Bailey remembers is preparing to take down a fugitive on Onyx Station.

  Mysteries are harder to solve when there’s no evidence left behind.

  Bailey and Lewis don’t know how they got onboard Ricky Bobby or why. However, they quickly learn that whatever was responsibl
e for the explosion and disappearance of the crew is still on the ship.

  Monsters are real and what this one can do changes everything.

  The new team bands together to discover what happened and how to fight the monster lurking in the bottom of the battlecruiser.

  Will they find the missing crew? Or will the monster end them all?

  The Soul Stone Mage Series:

  House of Enchanted #1:

  The Kingdom of Virgo has lived in peace for thousands of years…until now.

  The humans from Terran have always been real assholes to the witches of Virgo. Now a silent war is brewing, and the timing couldn’t be worse. Princess Azure will soon be crowned queen of the Kingdom of Virgo.

  In the Dark Forest a powerful potion-maker has been murdered.

  Charmsgood was the only wizard who could stop a deadly virus plaguing Virgo. He also knew about the devastation the people from Terran had done to the forest.

  Azure must protect her people. Mend the Dark Forest. Create alliances with savage beasts. No biggie, right?

  But on coronation day everything changes. Princess Azure isn’t who she thought she was and that’s a big freaking problem.

  Welcome to The Revelations of Oriceran. Check out the entire series here.

  The Lucidites Series:

  Awoken, #1:

  Around the world humans are hallucinating after sleepless nights.

  In a sterile, underground institute the forecasters keep reporting the same events.

  And in the backwoods of Texas, a sixteen-year-old girl is about to be caught up in a fierce, ethereal battle.