Rogue Ops: Rogue Agents of Magic™ Book 1

by Cameron, TR

  August is always weird for me. Like a lot of parents, my mental calendar more or less mirrors the academic year, so a new cycle is about to start. It gives me both stress and hope, that feeling of “Here’s a clean slate, try not to screw it up this time.” (My mind likes to suggest I’m not all that great at anything on a fairly regular basis. I ignore it, mostly. It’s a thing we have.) So, here’s to not screwing it up!

  In the world of media content, I recently watched the 2009 Friday the 13th. Worst. Dialogue. Ever. But the opening sequence is a great piece of plotting. Also took in the first two Fear Street films, which I liked. Looking forward to Free Guy and Shang-chi.

  I also watched The Suicide Squad, which deserves a special mention. Unlike most movies I like, which I can re-watch over and over, that one goes in the “Once is Enough” box. I really enjoyed it. The visuals were stunning, especially the look through Harley’s eyes. Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, Daniela Melchior, and John Cena were all fantastic. But it was slow in parts, and kind of annoying in others, so i don’t think I’ll be back again.

  Totally enjoyed Loki. I had my doubts, but they are definitely set aside. Haven’t caught up with What If yet, but looking forward to it. The overarching story that the MCU has woven through its various properties is really impressive.

  Humankind comes out this week. It’s supposed to be the next best thing to Civilization VI, which I’m ludicrously addicted to. I’m hoping that it will be as fun as that game, which I could really use a distraction from. I’ve also agreed to join my kid for the next season of Fortnite, so if you’re a gamer who plays that one, email me and let me know!

  Reminder again - If you’re not part of the Oriceran Fans Facebook group, join! There’s a pizza giveaway every month, and Martha and (usually) I and all sort of fun author folks show up via Zoom to chat with our readers. It’s a great time, and the community feel to it is truly fantastic. Oriceran Fans. Facebook. Your phone is probably within reach. Do it!

  Before I go, once again, if this series is your first taste of my Urban Fantasy, look for “Magic Ops.” I promise you’ll enjoy it, and you’ll get more of Diana, Rath, and company. You might also enjoy my science fiction work. All my writing is filled with action, snark, and villains who think they’re heroes. Drop by www.trcameron.com and take a look!

  Until next time, Joys upon joys to you and yours – so may it be.

  PS: If you’d like to chat with me, here’s the place. I check in daily or more: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTRCameron. Often I put up interesting and/or silly content there, as well. For more info on my books, and to join my reader’s group, please visit www.trcameron.com.

  Author Notes - Martha Carr

  September 1, 2021

  Lately, (and by lately, I mean the past eighteen months), I’ve been in need of a deep breath. You know the kind. It’s not just any deeply inhaled breath. I do that at yoga a couple of times a week and every time my phone dings and reminds me. That last one is equal parts annoying and a good idea.

  The kind of deep, fill-your-lungs and expand-your-chest breath I’m talking about is special. My brain disengages from past or present or a long to-do list and just – stops. Worry stops, weight lifts from my shoulders, and I suddenly can once again feel how I fit into things at large.

  Fortunately, I’m a small and welcomed cog in a vast and complicated universe. I’m not supposed to be doing the heavy lifting of ‘how do I get over there and make that particular thing happen’. Really, I’m supposed to be showing up and doing my part – and just my part – and having some fun while I’m at it.

  I forget all of this from time to time and after the events of the past year and a half (you know the ones I mean), it’s gotten even tougher. Lump on top of that cancer, chemo, redoing a garden during an unusually rainy season, and then recently, my sweet pittie Leela dying and, well, I had stopped taking those deep breaths. Certain things helped like a long swim or yoga, or just sitting on the back deck and listening to the water fountain. But it was temporary, and it didn’t take much for me to slide back into a mild worry running behind everything.

  That’s no way to live.

  So, last week I took off for Big Sur and stayed on an hundred acre property on a cliff above the ocean that was covered in an old redwood forest. Trails crisscrossed everywhere through the trees and ended at a large garden full of tomatoes and strawberries, mint and fig and peach trees and echinacea flowers and tall sunflowers. And chickens, of course.

  My ‘room’ was a cabin on stilts with a view of the ocean way down below. Food was nearby as well as a hot tub with an infinity edge overlooking said ocean where I retreated every evening to look at a sky filled with stars. There was no light pollution so I could see more stars than I’d seen since I was a teenager camping in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia.

  There was also no sound pollution, and I spent every morning making my way to the middle of the forest and then standing still – so I could hear nothing at all. That’s when my brain finally let go and turned off. It was bliss.

  It helped that for a few days a heavy fog descended among the trees only adding to the stillness. Things in the distance were either completely shrouded or barely outlined in the grey-blue mist. Thoughts about what to do next stretched only as far as my next destination, usually the garden, and I took in my surroundings without categorizing or questions. Instead, I was filled with wonder.

  Space opened up and I felt myself taking in those deep breaths followed by nothing at all. I let go, at last of everything I can’t control or fix or predict and was fully present. For me, that is the peace that passes all understanding – or explanation. It just is.

  I’m grateful for the break and the reminder and my goal is to reach back to the memory of my week among the redwoods and pull that feeling back inside of myself. That way I can actually be present for those right around me, be kind in general, and actually have a little fun. More adventures to follow.

  Other series in the Oriceran Universe:

  THE LEIRA CHRONICLES

  CASE FILES OF AN URBAN WITCH

  SOUL STONE MAGE

  THE KACY CHRONICLES

  MIDWEST MAGIC CHRONICLES

  THE FAIRHAVEN CHRONICLES

  I FEAR NO EVIL

  THE DANIEL CODEX SERIES

  SCHOOL OF NECESSARY MAGIC

  SCHOOL OF NECESSARY MAGIC: RAINE CAMPBELL

  ALISON BROWNSTONE

  FEDERAL AGENTS OF MAGIC

  SCIONS OF MAGIC

  THE UNBELIEVABLE MR. BROWNSTONE

  DWARF BOUNTY HUNTER

  ACADEMY OF NECESSARY MAGIC

  MAGIC CITY CHRONICLES

  OTHER BOOKS BY JUDITH BERENS

  OTHER BOOKS BY MARTHA CARR

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