Much of Madness (The Conexus Chronicles Book 1)
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But for today, Marceau was focused on another endeavor. After many messages and negotiations, the elders of the L’Argent village had finally agreed to meet with him. He had a list of items they’d requested from the local voodoo shops, a few were obscure and troubling.
Tomorrow morning, Marceau and Lynette were going to be allowed inside the L’Argent village for the first time. He was finally going to find out whether he had parents or siblings and rediscover his roots.
Marceau was patient, but soon he had to break through Seraphina’s mental shields and help the woman he loved. No longer powerless, fearful of dying, and cursed, she was now the Mistress of Death itself. The supernatural world was in for big changes once the Conexus found out.
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Thank you!
Thanks for reading Much of Madness. I hope you enjoyed it.
If you wouldn't mind, would you kindly leave a review? Not only does it help others gauge the book's worth, it also helps me know what I did right and where I might be able to improve. Reviews make it possible for writers to create more books! I’d be honored to hear from you.
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Much of Madness is the 1st full-length novel in The Conexus Chronicles. Upcoming books in the series are More of Sin (coming 2016) and Horror the Soul (TBD).
Want to learn more about Babette’s backstory and get an introduction to new characters appearing in More of Sin? Be sure to check out the related short stories in Debut Collective Anthologies available in June 2016: Secret Identity & Underdogs
Acknowledgements
“Thank you” seems incapable of expressing the scope of my gratitude for all the wonderful support I’ve received. I worry I’ll forget to thank someone. If you’re the one, I’m so sorry. I owe you office supplies, chocolate, or whiskey – your choice!
Kathy Lapeyre, my brilliant editor, guided this story with sure-handed attention to detail and a gift for fine-tuning character voices. A few pages had enough red to excite one of my vampiric Sanguine, but Kathy’s kind encouragement balanced her corrections and her insights helped me grow as a writer. Fun fact: When numerous enough, Word comments convert to dropdown boxes. Kathy taught me that. But rather than intimidating, it was thrilling to realize how spot on she was and improve my story.
Can we take a second to gawk at this gorgeous cover? Jenny at Seedlings Design Studio perfectly translated my inspiration board and delivered a fantastic cover that makes me smile every time see it.
My friend and critique partner, Robin Crawley, was the first to read my warty, plot-hole filled, original draft. She’s sworn to absolute secrecy! But through every revision and my moments of neurotic self doubt, Robin magically knew when to encourage, when to laugh, and when to give me a solid and much needed kick in the ass. I look so forward to the day readers are able to devour her fantastic, action-packed stories. She ROCKS!
The Music City Romance Writers, my local RWA chapter, is a source of constant inspiration, education, and endless encouragement. I’d like to thank Stacie Wilson (the GIF Queen!) and Bethany Adams, in particular, for their support and friendship. I’ll be among the first to buy their books later this year.
Last June, during the annual open keynote at UtopYA Con (now UTOPiA), I listened as writer after writer shared their goals, dreams, and fears. Realizing I’d only publish if I said it loud, often, and to others with similar goals, I created the Debut Collective the next day. Within weeks, the online group had grown to just shy of eighty like-minded members. The Debut Collective is a supportive tribe of authors (both published and aspiring), editors, formatters, and cover designers working together to foster a new generation of stories and authors. We will be publishing a series of five anthologies in June 2016 and I couldn’t be prouder of all we’ve accomplished. Cannot WAIT to see y’all in June!
Other support included: CJ Redwine’s wonderful workshops and Writer’s Sanctuary Retreat, Prose Pirates, We Are Going to UTOPiA FB Group, & S.A.S.S. (Struggling Author Street-Team Service).
There is the family you’re born into, others you join by marriage, and then there are those who become yours by choice. For the last thirty years, the Abernathy family has been my own through love, laughter, and times of unbelievable loss. Thank you for always supporting me.
I also have two chosen daughters, Carrie and Melissa, who read early chapters and have been amongst my loudest cheerleaders though this crazy process. Dream big and then put in the work, girlies. Life can take you in fantastical directions when you are brave. I love you both, always.
I am blessed to have a large and supportive family. They accept my personal brand of strange and roll with me when I say crazy things like, “Oh, I spend all my free time writing horror stories now.” And later, “I’m going to publish my book!” I’ve been especially touched by the unwavering support and enthusiasm of my sweet mother-in-law, Judy Martin.
Introvert and INFJ personality types weren’t as understood when I was a painfully shy, only child. Since beginning to read and write at the age of three, books have been amongst my most comfortable companions. I’m who I am today because of the unconditional and unwavering love of my parents, Ralph and Polly Summa. Thank you for always believing in me and for pushing me to step outside my comfort zone again and again. My momma’s endless creativity and playful spirit developed my imagination. And yes, those bad behavior reports you made me write as a child probably helped a little too, but it was still cruel to make me read them to visitors!
My daughter Megan and granddaughter Karma are my true legacy, more than any book can ever be. I’m so proud of my quirky, creative daughter with her twisted humor, eclectic musical taste, and absolute natural talent for editing. Meanwhile, Karma has provided much needed comic relief and an abundance of hugs, noseys, and squishy faces when GiGi was being too serious. My dream for you both is to find your passion and a way to make it the focus of your lives. I love you both beyond words.
Chuck, my ever-patient husband, and our furbabies have witnessed stress-fueled meltdowns and rambling explanations of publishing woes, as often as calm confidence throughout this journey. Yet they’ve loved me even on my batshit crazy days. Chuck, thank you for being a true partner in life, a giving and responsible man who often puts the needs of family above your own, and after ten wonderful years of marriage, the husband I’m in love with even more now than on our wedding day.
About the Author
S. E. Summa lives in Tennessee with her husband and a menagerie of spoiled pets. After her daughter left the nest, she rediscovered her love for books and began writing. Growing up in Nashville, she always felt the city’s unique culture and landmarks would be the perfect setting for monsters to play.
S. E. Is a PRO member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and her local chapter the Music City Romance Writers (MCRW). She graduated magna cum laude with a BBA from Belmont University.
S. E. started The Debut Collective, a supportive tribe of authors (both published and aspiring), editors, formatters, and cover designers working together to foster a new generation of stories and authors.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
&n
bsp; Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Epilogue
Thank you!
Acknowledgements
About the Author