Please welcome back Renee Scattergood. She’s here to catch us up with what is going on in her world – or is it worlds?
Renee Scattergood lives in Australia with her husband, Nathan, and daughter, Taiya. She has always been a fan of fantasy and was inspired to become a story-teller by George Lucas, but didn’t start considering writing down her stories until she reached her late twenties. Now she enjoys writing fantasy. She is currently publishing her monthly Shadow Stalker series, and she has also published a prequel novella to the series called, Demon Hunt. Aside from writing, she loves reading (Fantasy, of course), watching movies with her family, and doing crafts and science experiments with her daughter. Find out more about her, and sign up for her newsletter on her blog: http://reneescattergood.com
Shadow Stalker is an ongoing monthly serial about a young shadow stalker, Auren, who, according to the emperor of the Galvadi Empire, will enslave the people of the Serpent Isles if she is not stopped. It’s a story about how she comes to learn the truth of who she is and what she will have to do to put a stop to the emperor’s tyranny.
So far there have been nine episodes published. Each episode is generally released on the last Saturday of each month.
“This was an emotional episode, one which hooked me so deeply I felt part of the story itself. I was anxious to discover Auren’s fate since we were left on a cliff hanger and in the middle of a storm no less. Like any series, where the characters are familiar, I couldn’t wait to spend time with them again.” ~ Melissa Barker-Simpson on Episode 4, Forbidden Love
“Shadow Stalker (Episode 5), by Renee Scattergood, simply blew me away. It is an awesome episode that is full of action, betrayal, emotion, love, pain, punishment, and regret. Author, Renee Scattergood, has a way of pulling the reader into the story where he/she feels what the characters are going through.” ~ Debra Mauldin
“Renee Scattergood, once again, orchestrates her engaging story-telling skills with the continuation of her series in Episode 7, Bound by Fate. Renee has enlisted the venerable 19th Century custom of serial novels such as Dickens employed to great effect except now it is the digital eBook format that tantalizes her audience.” ~ RJ Mirabal
Shadow Stalker: Turning Tides (Episode 9) Excerpt
By Renee Scattergood
“We have to go now, Auren. We’ve already been here too long,” Makari said, releasing me gently.
I wrapped my arms around my father, reluctant to leave. It wasn’t enough time, not after all these years of waiting.
“He’s right ageiyu, we will see each other again in the evening,” my father said, giving me one final squeeze and kiss on the forehead.
I nodded, smiling as I recognized the word for beloved in the shadow language, and allowed Makari to pull me to my feet. It was hard not to hold his hand as we walked through the corridor, but I knew it would raise suspicion. It took great effort to appear dejected when all I wanted to do was smile and dance. Makari loved me, and he was on my side. I knew he would help me. He would help my father too.
It shocked me when we entered the cleansing room, and for a moment I was scared he might go through with it to keep up appearances. But his mind was open to me now. The thought never entered his head. As soon as the door closed, he locked it and led me to the middle of the room. Before we sat, he grabbed one of the shock wands.
“Just in case someone comes,” he said, then took my hands in his.
We sat for a time, just looking at each other. Makari’s eyes were full of wonder as though he were seeing the sun for the first time.
“What?” I asked, feeling a little self-conscious.
“Don’t you feel it?”
“Yeah, I do, but Makari—”
He squeezed my hands. “Wait. Before you say anything, Auren, I need to apologize. You have no idea how sorry I am for what I did to you.”
“Actually, I do. I saw it in your mind.” I smiled.
“I saw in yours too.” His grin disappeared. “I should have seen it from the beginning.”
I stroked his cheek. “It’s done.”
“No, don’t dismiss it. My heart and my instincts were telling me my father was wrong, that I was wrong. Despite the fact that I was careful, I still could have killed you, Auren.”
“But you didn’t, and you know now. I have you as an ally, and we can escape. You can help me rescue my father so he can return to the shadow stalkers and make everything right again.”
Makari frowned. “I’m not sure what I can do to help. What I’m doing is already dangerous for both of us. We can both leave now, and it’s probably the better option, but to try to rescue your father too? The recinder prevents him from escaping through the shadow world, and the only way to remove it is with a special tool. There’s no way I can retrieve it without raising suspicion because it’s kept in the palace under lock and key. My father holds the key.” He signed, a furrow marring his brow. “We would have to escape on foot, and I’m not sure you father is up to the journey. If we’re caught, we’ll be killed, or worse, we could be placed in recinders and tortured for the duration of our lives.”
“Like my father.” I reached out to his mind so he could feel my desperation. “I can’t leave him here, Makari. I won’t leave without him.”
He rubbed a hand over his face. “Okay, I’ll think of something. In the meantime, we have to keep up appearances. We have to be careful.”
“I know.” The last thing I wanted was for something to happen to Makari. It would devastate me if he were captured or killed because he was helping me.
Available at Amazon and Smashwords
Synopsis of Shadow Stalker Episodes
Episode 1: The Hidden Truth
A young shadow stalker is destined to enslave the people of the Serpent Isles, and the Galvadi Empire want this child of prophecy dead. Auren Trasks perfectly normal life is disrupted when the Galvadi invade, and she learns a startling secret about her past. A secret that will change her life forever.
Episode 2: The Delohi-Saqu’s Fate
Auren is being targeted by the Council of Elders, and the only one who could put an end to their corruption is her father. But leaving the Dark Isle would turn Kado against her.
Episode 3: Shadows’ Betrayal
After seeing the monster she will become, Auren swears not to leave the Dark Isle. Despite that, the elders are conspiring against her. To escape their scheming, she and Kado decide to explore the Dark Isle. But worse things await them in the forests.
Episode 4: Forbidden Love
Kado and Auren survive a deadly storm, but when Auren is forbidden from pursuing love with another young shadow stalker, will it be enough to drive a wedge between her and her foster father?
Episode 5: Destiny Reconciled Part 1
Auren and Kado accept that they may not be able to avoid her leaving the Dark Isle. Now they have to prepare for that eventuality. Will the training be more than Auren can handle?
Episode 6: Destiny Reconciled Part 2
Cathnor has been arrested and is facing a death sentence. The Dark Isle is out of control, and Kado is the only one who can help his people. So he prepares Auren for the possibility that she may have to leave the Dark Isle without him and face her destiny alone, but can she leave him and do what must be done?
Episode 7: Bound by Fate
Auren’s best friend was captured during the Galvadi invasion, and her rescue attempt goes awry. Now she finds herself in the hands of an enemy who knows her true identity…one who has the power to be either her destroyer or her salvation.
Episode 8: Broken
Auren doesn’t succumb to Makari’s torture, so he decides his father was right about her being the delohi-saqu. Now he resorts to more sadistic methods to extract information, which could doom the Coalition if Auren fails to resist.
Episode 9: Turning Tides
Now that Makari knows the truth about Auren, he has sworn to protect her and help her escape. But when the other guides become suspicious, Makari’s loyalty is tested, and he is forced to do something he swore he’d never do again.
LINKS
Lee Dunning 
Thanks so much for featuring me today, Lee! Hope your readers enjoy!
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