by Michael Todd
But—and here is the piece that is unraveling as we go forward—what is going to happen with her? Pandora is ‘stuck’ in Katie for the time being. Katie isn’t (so far) giving in to all of Pandora’s requests. This is requiring more understanding of a human’s opinions and ways than Pandora has had to deal with in the past, and would that change Pandora’s mindset?
Plus, add to the above we have her asshole of a brother involved.
Will she go “good,” and what does she know about Heaven? She has mentioned in this book a situation a LOOOONG time ago that brought the Holy host down and “it wasn’t pretty.” I’ve had fans ask about angels and the short answer is, “yes, angels exist.” We haven’t seen any, and I can’t tell you why that is.
In the next story, we start a new arc. This first four books had an arc (internally, for me) called ‘Who is she now?’ My purpose was to figure out this symbiotic relationship between Katie and Pandora. While I don’t know what it is exactly, I have a better grasp on who they are together.
And what they aren’t.
As we read through the next arc, we will see the team(s) start to deal with bigger issues. They will have to start working with the government, because the stakes are going to get higher.
We never know who will make it, and who won’t.
We lost Armani and Garrett, and received Eric and Jeremy. Then we lost Jeremy, and received Stephanie. That was in four books. If you keep reading, we will keep writing for you. Unfortunately, unlike the Kurtherian Gambit, more characters die (or have successful exorcisms and leave us) in this series than over in that one, for good reasons.
With our second arc starting, I guess that is the question I wonder about and we will be discussing in Book Eight when we finish this next arc.
Who will still be with us?
The only ones I promise will still be here are Katie and Pandora, for without them we have no core series (and I’m not the type to kill the main characters… Well, anymore. I’ve learned that lesson.) I don’t plan deaths out. In fact, all I have at the moment is a general concept of what needs to occur with the team in four books, and the major change-up that sets up Katie and Pandora for Book Nine.
More cool stuff is coming. More relationships with the government. Katie is going to New York for a trip (or two) and we have a new DAMNED relationship with a new demon coming on board thanks to T’Chezz in Book Five, Welcome To The Jungle. (scheduled for launch April 13, 2018)
Speaking of that rat bastard T’Chezz, there is a phrase Katie says in Book Five in the beginning that I particularly like and will share here (this comes from the beats for the next story.)
Katie is still bitching about her car. "I hope my license plate’s numbers,” she grumps, “are imprinted on his balls…”
Sometimes, I just feel like I know exactly what Katie would say.
And it feels so DAMNED good to say it!
Ad Aeternitatem,
Michael
Author Notes - Laurie Starkey
Written April 1, 2018
Firstly, thanks so much for picking up a copy of this book. If you’re still in the series with us, I’m guessing you’re hankering for a Pandora bobble-head of your own, or at least craving chicken nuggets. Either way, you’re our peeps. Obviously.
This last week has been a Seven Sons week for me. We just wrapped up editing for book 1 in our first species, The Immortal Huntress. It was quite a ride. I laughed, cried and got excited about where the story is going.
Seven Sons is mine and Mike’s project for this summer. We’re going to keep writing the hell out of Protected by the Damned, but we’re doing a multi-author, multi-dimensional world called, “Seven Sons.”
We have friends of ours (writers) that are taking on the lead co-author role along side us to breath life into all seven of the pure blood races that were created at the beginning of time. Mike and I spent days building this world and the characters. It’s beautiful and has the capacity to grow into a multi-verse where lots of authors can get their feet wet in this indie world with us.
First up were the hunters. They were humans that eventually got pulled into the church in the first century AD as protectors against all evil. Where the task is quite serious, the way Kelly Hall, our Huntress co-writer goes about it is adventurous and filled with humor.
Excerpt for us from book 1: (Rebekah is our heroine)
“The academy has got our cook on a specific menu and they’ve cut back on her supply budget which isn’t terrible, and it sure puts Lulu in a bad mood.”
“Lulu is the cook?” Rebekah hoped she’d be able to remember everyone’s names.
“Yes. Laura Pembroke. She’s a strong personality, so making her upset, well, I don’t know quite how to put it, but let’s just say you either love her or hate her, and vice versa.”
“I like her already,” came a voice only steps away. Ignis approached with his hands in his pockets and looking a lot more relaxed with his suit coat missing and his shirt collar undone. He’d even rolled up his sleeves as if he would ever attempt manual labor. He noticed Rebekah looking and pushed one of his sleeves up higher. “Let’s meet her, shall we?”
Sister Frankie tensed as she opened the door to the kitchen in time to hear a crash. “Son-of-a-biscuit-eating-mother,” came a voice from across the room.
Sister Frankie leaned in close to Rebekah and Ignis and shielded her mouth to whisper, “She’s really suffering with the loss.”
“Obviously,” said Ignis under his breath as he and Rebekah exchanged a look.
They continued in behind the sister who stopped before getting too close. “Lulu, I have someone I’d like you to meet?”
The tiny woman stuck her head up from behind the counter. “Well, that’s just great,” mumbled Lulu causing the sister to grow red with blush as she tucked as loose hair into her veil.
The old woman stood and once righted she squared her shoulders and curled her lip at the sight of them. “Who’s this and can they get me a decent oven mitt?” The older woman’s attitude was at least three feet taller than she was.
“This is Rebekah Ward, and Ignis—I’m sorry I didn’t catch your last name.” Sister Frankie gave him an apologetic look.
“I’m kind of a one-name wonder.” Ignis only used his last name when legally necessary.
“Who is this guy, some kind of boy band reject? Ginger Slice?” Lulu wiped her hands on her apron and extended a hand to Rebekah, who promptly took it and gave her a smile.
“No, ma’am. This one can’t carry a tune to save his life.” She turned her eyes to her friend whose face was now as red as his hair.
Ha! I love that scene. Little does Kelly know, I was named Lulu when I was a little girl. I could easily match the attitude of this cook on a good, hot Texas summer day.
In other news, I owe you that eternally stupid Christmas cookies video. It’s something my personal assistance put together alongside my daughter, who’s trying to bring me and hubs into the next wave of social media. Video.
“I’m a writer. Why do I have to bake cookies online with my brother (who I co-write with) as if we do this shit all the time? It’s a lie?!?” Me… throwing a fit over this absurdity.
“Because, Mother. (I only get called “mother” when I’m being unreasonable. Like 99% of the time with my oldest daughter.) Your readers want to see you living life. (Lies) And this will be cute!”
“Excellent. Cute.” I give a ‘kill me now’ look and move into cute mode with my little brother who is much more compliant than I.
So here is the cookie making video. The damn things tasted like salt rocks when they were done because I wasn’t really paying attention to the cookies. I was trying to be entertaining. Good luck with that. So now I look like I can’t cook. Hey! Maybe that’s a good thing. LOL!
Enjoy the video or roll your eyes and move on about your day grateful that you’re not a puppet to a millennial social media managing kid. And after that, enjoy some more great stories.
&n
bsp; We do what we do for you, but I’m thinking you knew that.
Slave to many stories,
Laurie Starkey
Death Becomes Her
Have you read The Kurtherian Gambit, from Michael (Todd) Anderle?
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Books by Michael Todd
PROTECTED BY THE DAMNED
Torn Asunder (01)
Killing Is My Business (02)
And Business Is Good (03)
Sit Down, Shut Up, And Pull The Trigger (04)
Books written as Michael Anderle
For a complete list of Michael’s Kurtherian Gambit Universe books please click this link.
Kurtherian Gambit Series Titles Include:
FIRST ARC
Death Becomes Her (01) - Queen Bitch (02) - Love Lost (03) - Bite This (04) - Never Forsaken (05) - Under My Heel (06) - Kneel Or Die (07)
SECOND ARC
We Will Build (08) - It’s Hell To Choose (09) - Release The Dogs of War (10) - Sued For Peace (11) - We Have Contact (12) - My Ride is a Bitch (13) - Don’t Cross This Line (14)
THIRD ARC
Never Submit (15) - Never Surrender (16) - Forever Defend (17) - Might Makes Right (18) - Ahead Full (19) - Capture Death (20) - Life Goes On (21)
THE SECOND DARK AGES
*with Ell Leigh Clarke*
The Dark Messiah (01) - The Darkest Night (02) - Darkest Before The Dawn (03) - Dawn Arrives (04)
THE BORIS CHRONICLES
*with Paul C. Middleton*
Evacuation (01) - Retaliation (02) - Revelations (03) - Redemption (04)
RECLAIMING HONOR
*with Justin Sloan*
Justice Is Calling (01) - Claimed By Honor (02) - Judgement Has Fallen (03) - Angel of Reckoning (04) - Born Into Flames (05) - Defending The Lost (06) - Saved By Valor (07) - Return of Victory (08)
THE ETHERIC ACADEMY
*with TS Paul*
ALPHA CLASS (01) - ALPHA CLASS: Engineering (02)
*with N.D. Roberts*
Discovery (03)
TERRY HENRY “TH” WALTON CHRONICLES
*with Craig Martelle*
Nomad Found (01) - Nomad Redeemed (02) - Nomad Unleashed (03) - Nomad Supreme (04) - Nomad’s Fury (05) - Nomad’s Justice (06) - Nomad Avenged (07) - Nomad Mortis (08) - Nomad’s Force (09) - Nomad’s Galaxy (10)
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
*with Natalie Grey*
Risk Be Damned (01) - Damned to Hell (02)
~THE AGE OF MAGIC~
THE RISE OF MAGIC
*with CM Raymond and LE Barbant*
Restriction (01) - Reawakening (02) - Rebellion (03) - Revolution (04) - Unlawful Passage (05) - Darkness Rises (06) - The Gods Beneath (07) - Reborn (08)
THE HIDDEN MAGIC CHRONICLES
*with Justin Sloan*
Shades of Light (01) - Shades of Dark (02) - Shades of Glory (03) - Shades of Justice (04)
STORMS OF MAGIC
*with PT Hylton*
Storm Raiders (01) - Storm Callers (02) - Storm Breakers (03) - Storm Warrior (04)
TALES OF THE FEISTY DRUID
*with Candy Crum*
The Arcadian Druid (01) - The Undying Illusionist (02) - The Frozen Wasteland (03) - The Deceiver (04) - The Lost (05) - The Damned (06)
PATH OF HEROES
*with Brandon Barr*
Rogue Mage (01)
A NEW DAWN
*with Amy Hopkins*
Dawn of Destiny (01) - Dawn of Darkness (02) - Dawn of Deliverance (03) - Dawn of Days (04) - Broken Skies (05)
TALES OF THE WELLSPRING KNIGHT
*with P.J. Cherubino*
Knight’s Creed (01) - Knight’s Struggle (02)
~THE AGE OF MADNESS~
LIVE FREE OR DIE
*with Haley Lawson*
Unleashing Madness (01)
~THE AGE OF EXPANSION~
THE ASCENSION MYTH
*with Ell Leigh Clarke *
Awakened (01) - Activated (02) - Called (03) - Sanctioned (04) - Rebirth (05) - Retribution (06) - Cloaked (07) - Bourne (08) - Committed (09)
CONFESSIONS OF A SPACE ANTHROPOLOGIST
*with Ell Leigh Clarke*
Giles Kurns: Rogue Operator (01) - Giles Kurns: Rogue Instigator (02)
THE UPRISE SAGA
*with Amy Duboff *
Covert Talents (01) - Endless Advance (02) - Veiled Designs (03) - Dark Rivals (04)
BAD COMPANY
*with Craig Martelle*
The Bad Company (01) - Blockade (02) - Price of Freedom (03)
THE GHOST SQUADRON
*with Sarah Noffke and J.N. Chaney*
Formation (01) - Exploration (02) - Evolution (03) - Degeneration (04) - Impersonation (05) - Recollection (06)
VALERIE’S ELITES
*with Justin Sloan and PT Hylton*
Valerie’s Elites (01) - Death Defied (02) - Prime Enforcer (03)
SHADOW VANGUARD
*with Tom Dublin*
Gravity Storm (01)
ETHERIC ADVENTURES: ANNE AND JINX
*with S.R. Russell*
Etheric Recruit (01) - Etheric Researcher (02)
Other Books
*with Craig Martelle & Justin Sloan*
Gateway to the Universe
~THE REVELATIONS OF ORICERAN~
THE LEIRA CHRONICLES
*with Martha Carr*
Waking Magic (01) - Release of Magic (02) - Protection of Magic (03) - Rule of Magic (04) - Dealing in Magic (05) - Theft of Magic (06) - Enemies of Magic (07)
SHORT STORIES
You Don’t Touch John’s Cousin: Frank Kurns Stories of the UnknownWorld 01 (7.5)
Bitch’s Night Out: Frank Kurns Stories of the UnknownWorld 02 (9.5)
*with Natalie Grey*
Bellatrix: Frank Kurns Stories of the Unknownworld 03 (13.25)
Challenges: Frank Kurns Stories of the Unknownworld 04
AudioBooks
Available at Audible.com and iTunes
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