Noba the
Pseudodragon, a Wizard’s Familiar
by Marsha
A. Moore
My
new release, Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One, is an epic
fantasy romance. Opening an enchanted book, my heroine, Lyra, confronts a
quest. She is expected to save Dragonspeir from destruction by the Black Dragon
before he utilizes power of August’s red moon to expand his strength and
overthrow the opposing Imperial Dragon. Lyra accepts the challenge because Cullen, the wizard she
loves, will perish if evil wins. Along with magical animal guides, Cullen helps
her through many perils, but ultimately Lyra must use her own power to complete
the quest.
This
is the first of a five-part series and truly epic with a large and wonderful
cast of characters.
My
main characters, Lyra and Cullen, must attempt difficulties that stretch their
abilities over numerous quests. But, my secondary characters often serve as a
sources of delight, bringing laughter and lightening their loads, or
encouraging their strengths to persevere. I’m in the middle of writing the
third book, and by now those secondary characters have become very close to me.
The ones I’m especially fond of are the magical talking animals and plants.
Kenzo, the giant tiger owl and Cullen’s wizarding assistant,
is such a dedicated sort, with a bit of a Napoleon complex which makes him even
more loveable. Bero—the leader of the herd of blue deer—has enough strength and
steadfastness to help everyone endure hardships. Baby Yasqu is just a
fast-growing ball of dragon fun! But, one of the most special of the talking
animals is the wizard’s familiar—a tiny burgundy-colored pseudodragon named
Noba who has a heart of gold that makes people melt.
Pseudodragons are not true dragons. They are much
smaller, being only three feet long, including their tails. Noba and Cullen’s
tiger owl assistant, Kenzo, are actually the same length and continually vie to
be the one to help him. Cullen is a fair sorcerer and finds ways to best use
each according to his strengths. While Kenzo’s agile flight makes him useful
during combat, Noba’s big heart and familiarity with dragons enables him to
assist Lyra when she is faced with rearing a bronze dragon hatchling.
Pseudodragons are easily trained and very
good-natured. They are very playful and curious. Great fun to have around. So
far, every reviewer has wanted one of their own! If you’re considering adopting
one for your home, Lyra even found a way to teach Noba to use a kitty litter
box. Her only problem was a language barrier, trying to find words for the job she
wanted him to do with the box—definitely a comical scene! However, Cullen
didn’t find it so funny she had domesticated so much wildness out of his
familiar. Despite being the Imperial Sorcerer of the land, his love for Lyra
left him without much control over that decision. Love is very powerful!
If you’re worried about safety, pseudodragons can
bite, but won’t unless provoked. However, their tails can be a hazard to watch
out for, since they are barbed and poisonous. Noba often gets excited and
forgets to watch his. Lyra has learned to step aside quickly, without getting
upset. Having Noba around is always worth that small difficulty. I’d love to
tell you more about Noba’s silly antics, but don’t want to spoil the book for
you. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Noba and all the talking animal guides in Seeking
a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One.
Seeking a Scribe:
Enchanted Bookstore Legend One
Genre: Fantasy romance
Description:
Lyra McCauley is a writer and loves fantasy novels, but
until she opens a selection from bookstore owner Cullen Drake, she has no idea
he’s a wizard character who lives a double life inside that volume…or the
story’s magic will compel her from the edge of depression to adventure, danger,
and love.
His gift to Lyra, the Book
of Dragonspeir, was actually her copy, misplaced years ago. Lost in her
pain following divorce and death, she fails to recognize him as her childhood
playmate from the fantasyland. Friendship builds anew. Attraction sparks. But
Lyra doubts whether a wizard is capable of love. She’s torn—should she protect
her fragile heart or risk new love?
Opening the
book’s cover, she confronts a quest: save Dragonspeir from destruction by the
Black Dragon before he utilizes power of August’s red moon to expand his
strength and overthrow the opposing Imperial Dragon. Lyra
accepts the challenge, fearing Cullen will perish if evil wins. Along with
magical animal guides, Cullen helps her through many perils, but ultimately
Lyra must use her own power…and time is running out.
Excerpt:
Chapter One: Licorice Memories
The smell of anise greeted Lyra as
she opened the door to Drake’s bookstore. It took her back to happy childhood
memories. Licorice-shoe-string-rewards for following her parents’ requests to
stay on the dock while they secured the family’s pleasure boat to its trailer.
The aroma brought a fleeting remembrance of times long gone, a treasure now
that her folks had recently passed. At ease with the familiar scent, she
settled into browsing through rows of antique bookcases.
The shop owner stuck his head around
a set of shelves. “Do you like tea?”
“Yes, I do.” Before she could finish
speaking, he disappeared. “Is that the wonderful smell?” she called out.
Kitchenware clinked in the back room.
Receiving no answer, Lyra followed the noises, scanning collections as she
walked. This bookshop appeared established, but surely she would have
remembered it from her last visit to the Lake Huron village five years ago.
Books were her passion, especially fantasy. She paused in front of that section
and studied its titles.
The owner appeared, holding a pewter
tray with a teapot, two cups, sugar jar, spoons, and napkins, which he laid on
the corner of an old library table. She watched him carefully pour the tea and
hand her a cup. He was about her age, mid thirties or a bit older, and
handsome. His medium brown hair, peppered with gray at the temples, grazed his
shoulders in wavy layers, and his beard was trimmed into a neat goatee. He wore
long shorts, a knit golf shirt, and sandals—typical casual attire for this
island resort community.
She set down her bag from the
drugstore and accepted his offer with a smile. “Thanks. My name’s Lyra.” She
blew across the hot surface of the tea to cool it and then inhaled the
anise-scented steam. She closed her eyes to fully enjoy the memory. “Ah!”
“Afternoons of boating and licorice
with your parents? Right?” he asked.
Her mouth dropped open. How did he
know that?
He slurped from his cup. “Go ahead,
take a sip. My folks gave me the same reward for taking my kid sister along on
bicycle rides.”
Forgetting all about the tea, she
asked, “How do you know my childhood memory?”
“Taste it.” His lips curled into a
sly grin as he took another gulp.
She cautiously took a tiny sip, just
enough to wet her lips and the tip of her tongue. The flavor flooded her mouth, and her mind
swam with wonderful memories. The taste transformed into that of gigantic
popcorn balls the sheriff’s wife down the street made for Halloween
trick-or-treaters, accompanied by images of Lyra’s costume—a red, fringed gypsy
skirt borrowed from Mom. Next came a pumpkin flavor and vision of holding a
cold piece of “punky-pie” in her five-year-old hand. Another swallow returned
her experience back to anise. “What is this? How did you know?”
“Let me introduce myself.” His grin
spread into a smile as his eyes met hers. He took a step closer. “I’m Cullen,
Cullen Drake, and I know many things. What I don’t know is what sort of books
you like to read.”
His keen interest caused heat to rise
in her cheeks. “Well, actually I have several favorites, all fantasy and
magical realism. You have a number of authors I like in this section.” She
turned to refer to the shelves behind her, but found non-fiction hunting guides
instead. “This case held classic fantasy a moment ago!”
Cullen put down his cup. “It moved.
It’s over here, and I have just what you want.” He slid an old-fashioned
library ladder along its track, set the locking device, and climbed straight up
to the top shelf.
Lyra followed, walking between four
comfortable leather club chairs grouped on a Persian rug. A portrait of a young
girl and a man wearing a cloak caught her attention. Something seemed familiar
in the child’s smile.
The noise of books sliding on shelves
distracted her. She moved to the base of his ladder and glanced up. The ceiling
of embossed tin panels decorated with Victorian teardrop chandeliers and paper
Chinese dragons made a unique combination, to be sure.
But Lyra was more curious about the
strange happenings in the store and its owner.
He was certainly odd, although not the bookish, geeky sort who usually
ran bookshops she frequented. He had an athletic frame and strong legs.
“Can’t find it!” he exclaimed and
quickly descended. His brow furrowed, he dusted off his hands on his shorts.
“I’ve got to find that volume for you. If you don’t mind me saying, there’s a
sadness about you. The book will make you happier than you’ve been since those
days of licorice shoe strings.”
“After magical tea and shifting
bookcases, I almost believe you.” She laughed to cover her concerns. Even four
months after it was final, she worried that the loneliness she felt after her
divorce blazed like a beacon on her forehead. But, Cullen knew so much—it
startled her…actually, intrigued her. Her ex didn’t ever see inside her, didn’t
want to. This man read her as though he knew her. Did he? He seemed so
familiar.
“Once I find that book, I promise,
you’ll be pleased.” He stroked his goatee. “Hmm. Where did I last see it?” The
twinkle in his gray-blue eyes captivated Lyra. “Will you be here for the week?
I can look for it and call you later.”
“I’m staying the rest of the summer
with my elderly Aunt Jean. She owns a lovely cottage at the end of Walnut
overlooking Lake Huron. I thought I’d keep her company and give her time away
from her nurse during my teaching break. While I’m here, I plan to write my
novel.”
“Great! You’re a writer? What do you
teach?”
“Yes, and I teach American Literature
at Southern University in Florida. Seems like you already would’ve known that
since you jumped into my childhood memories,” she stammered, attempting some
humor. Taking a long draught of the tea, her mind filled with memories of her
pet dachshund wiggling next to her, displacing a row of dolls. Another part of
her past he knew—impossible! Her forehead beaded with sweat.
“No, only thoughts associated with a
lot of emotion, like the happiness of snuggling with your dog.”
“How?” she exclaimed, shaking her
head. “I don’t understand.” Her mind swam, trying to grasp what happened. She
desperately needed some fresh air. With trembling hands she set the cup down.
“I realize it must seem odd, but the
book I’m looking for will help explain.” He leaned closer with a smile that
somehow reassured her. “This is Saturday. If you can come by next Wednesday
morning, I think I should have it for you by then…if you’d like.” He paused and
looked into her eyes, waiting for a reply.
“Yes…I’m curious.” In spite of the
confusion, she found herself agreeing. “Wednesday will work.”
“Fine. Let me take down your number
in case I can’t find it.” He walked to the counter and located a notepad and
pen. She dictated her number and full name, which he repeated, “Lyra McCauley,
a lovely Celtic name for a pretty lady.”
“I think I need to go now. Thanks for
the tea.” With shaking fingers, she collected her shopping bag and headed
toward the door.
He escorted her out and offered his
hand to shake, the corners of his goatee lifting into an inviting grin. “Enjoy
the rest of your weekend.”
Lyra smiled and looked into his eyes,
trying to discern his unusual clairvoyant gift. “You too.” The initial touch,
of his palm against hers, sent electrical shivers along her arm. She jerked,
yet didn’t let go, fascinated by the strong emotions flashing through her
mind—attraction, excitement, and acceptance. After an awkwardly long pause, she
dropped his hand, half-stumbled over the threshold into the sunshine, and took
a long, deep breath.
She ambled to an outdoor café a
couple blocks farther down Tenth Street, while her mind buzzed with questions.
How did he know those things about her? She dropped onto a seat at an empty
table, shaded by an umbrella. He was fascinating and frightening at the same
time…and familiar. Her divorce and loss of her parents left her lonely. He
intrigued her.
“May I get you something to drink while you
look over the menu?” The waitress interrupted with a bright young voice, a
college student working a summer job.
Startled back to reality, Lyra
murmured, “Just water, please.” Alone in a crowd of lunch goers, her thoughts
returned to the bookstore and many unanswered questions.
The waitress placed a glass of water
in front of her.
She almost hated to drink and remove
the sweet aftertaste of anise from her tongue.
Author Bio:
Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of
art and nature spark life into her writing. Her creativity also spills into
watercolor painting and drawing. After a move from Toledo to Tampa in 2008,
she’s happily transforming into a Floridian, in love with the outdoors. Crazy
about cycling, she usually passes the 1,000 mile mark yearly. She is learning
kayaking and already addicted. She’s been a yoga enthusiast for over a decade
and that spiritual quest helps her explore the mystical side of fantasy. She
never has enough days spent at the beach, usually scribbling away at new
stories with toes wiggling in the sand. Every day at the beach is magical!
