August (The Year of The Change Book 2) (33 page)

Shawna
– (January, August 2
nd
) She and Sylvia had gotten along since Jr. High when she transferred in from another school. She didn’t care about the weird stuff until her boyfriend asked Sylvia for a date while the three of them ate lunch.

Squirrel
– (August 7
th
) Sylvia’s squirrel friend. She can’t figure out a name for it. Squirrel is with Sylvia for a reason, only he knows. He has a name, its Varex, but he can’t tell her that.

Stephanie
Sukup – (August 8
th
) Cory’s cousin, who is visiting. She wasn’t looking forward to being entertained by her younger cousin, until she met Richard. She got a date out of the weird time she spent at Sylvia’s house.

*Steve Trouter
– (August 8
th
) He played football with Richard. He never knew playing Monopoly could be such an extraordinary experience. Monopoly will now be their game, his and Sylvia’s.

Sue Kennin
– (July 11
th
, August Prolog) Sylvia’s stepmother and mother to Tim and Tam. “All this nonsense was over a little girl who had been brainwashed by her grandmother. She has never understood Sylvia and now she feels inadequate to deal with the situation. She fears all this weirdness could take Len from her.

Sylvia Ann Kennin
– (January, August Prologue) MFC. 16 years old. This was supposed to be her year to bloom. This kind of blooming she doesn’t need. 

T

Sherriff Tacomba
– (August 12
th
) He had to go to Target, in Wasilla, to break up a mob. After observing the incident he mentioned it to his shaman in Willows.

Tamara Irene Morgan
– (July 11
th
) Sylvia’s stepsister. She wishes she were as special as Sylvia, but the next best thing is to be her sister. But, don’t tell Sylvia that.

Timothy Alan Morgan
– (July 11
th
) He is eleven years old. He’s Tam’s twin and Sylvia’s stepbrother. He’d rather have an older brother, but Sylv is a pretty good substitute. The Change is hard for the whole family. Tim was just biding his time until after The Change. Then he was going to have fun.

Toglak ‘Tog’
– (August 23
rd
) Elder. He saved Sylvia from being drowned. He knows she’s unusual. He also knows Cara is exceptional, too. He’s looking forward to finding out why these two are so special.

*Tony Pasturin
– (August 29
th
) He’s 17yrs old and plays football with Richard. His jersey number is 17, Destiny likes him. When Richard asked him to tour their new school with him and the other football players Tony jumped at the chance. He’s so glad he did when he found out it was to protect a cute girl. It turned out she’s beautiful and everything he didn’t know he was looking for.

*Troy
– (August 12
th
) He became affected at Target. He knew in an instant the beautiful blonde was the only woman in the world he wanted to have his baby.

W

Mr. Wilde
– (August 29
th
) One of the Social Studies teachers at the Col. John B. Herring high school. “This year will be a very interesting one if I’m reading the crowd of boys that hovered around the new girl from Talkeetna. A very interesting year, indeed.”

Z

*Zach
– (July 31
st
) He was summer help for Paulson house painting and brother to Cy. He left behind a lot of girls to go to college. The only reason he was willing to go was because all the guys said there’s even more beautiful girls in Juno. Now, though, would any of them measure up to Sylvia? What was it about the beautiful, tall girl with eyes to die for?

July

Now in eBooks and print copies

September

Due out winter 2015

October

Due out late 2015 or early 2016

November

Due out early 2016

December

Due out middle of 2016

Origins

Altair of the Ebony woods just wants to come home to die. The great God has other plans.

Where in the world is Altair going to find the vessel that will bring forth the warriors of the last battle for his God’s mortal children? He didn’t even know where he was going to find food to fill his belly.

What he found was Neen, a feisty, old widow woman, and her three second daughters. Could one of them be the vessel? They were beautiful, smart and good to the core. And they needed him.

When Neen makes him promise to see that her beloved girls were married before he left, he can’t say no. It was the least he could do since he was going to change their lives, and the lives of their children, forever. They would be blessed, but they would also be cursed.

What really happened when The Change started?

Here’s a sample of Kathryn’s first book in The Gown Series

Chapter One

Brinker pushed away from his massive desk and rose from the dark leather executive chair. Stretching to his full imposing height he walked to his built-in bar, flexing his muscles as though they were tight.

Kelly allowed her eyes to follow. He hadn't lost any of his granite toning from his days on the gridiron. She appreciated Brinker's interesting packaging with its many promises, although he was too easy to read: one of her easiest reads since she started her career.

Nice packaging, nonetheless
. In his case, though, the contents didn't stand up to the asking price.

A dark brown lock fell across his brow as he tipped a glass at her. "Wanna drink?"

She dragged her gaze from his wavy tress to glare into his large, hazel eyes. He shrugged and turned to pour from a crystal bottle.

Yeah, he's going to need the artificial boost,
Kelly thought with pity for his crutch.

Beside him, a glass case running the width of the wall held mementos of his days gone by. Even though the shelves showcased large football awards, he kept his favorite trophies in a little black book. He looked into the mirrored case, spotted his reflection and ran his fingers through his perfect hair. His vanity disgusted Kelly. He turned to face her, a smile in place.

Brinker waved his glass. "Charlotte was impressed, so what's the big deal?"

It had been an easy enough meeting, Kelly remembered; the older woman had seemed receptive to him. But then again, this was easy to assume since all women were. The memory cleared. No, the woman had been politely interested. "You think our new client,
Mrs
. Deblichek, was
impressed
with your innuendos?"

He flashed a thousand-watt smile. "Of course she was, they all are."

Kelly slowly shook her head in disbelief. "You're the most conceited man I've ever known."

"That's because I'm the best."

She snorted. "You're not even fifth on the rung."

He drew near. "I'm better than you think." Brinker's eyes narrowed, but Kelly saw the blaze and felt the boiling vibes rolling off his ego. Any more obvious and he would have growled.

Then I would have to slap his nose and tell him "bad dog”.
Kelly fought back a grin.

His advances, as of late, had grown more blatant. An underling told Kelly how Brinker boasted that he would tame Kelly and put her in his bed where she belonged. He’d as much chance of that as buying Husker season football tickets on a home game day. The tattle amused her even though she didn't believe the young whelp at first. She took the time to observe and saw how her indifference stimulated Brinker. She conceded to the thought that she’d become a well-needed challenge for the spoiled child. His good looks didn't interest her though. She needed more substance than he could provide.

She sighed, holding her ground. She wouldn't let him push her into something she would definitely regret later. She would in no way run to his arms, and she certainly wouldn't run from him.

He studied Kelly for a moment before reaching out to run his fingers along her arm. Kelly knew the move. He did it with all the women. Narrowing her eyes, she stared him down and he withdrew his hand. Smart move on his part.

He was taking too much of her time and it irritated her. "Just because you have most of the women drooling over you doesn't make you the best."

"It gives me an advantage." He grinned as he took a swig.

"It gives you a reputation, that's all." Kelly's frustration boiled up, threatening to expose itself.

"It's well earned." His eyebrows twitched and Kelly rolled her eyes. "But it's not the only reputation I have," he countered.

Shifting to her back foot Kelly crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh yeah, your glory days. You can't sit on your laurels forever, Brinker, they grow thorns."

He lifted his chin and pulled his shoulders back. "The guys appreciated it at the Anderson meeting. It was my entertaining the two partners with my
glory days
that got us that account."

Her voice rose. "It was hard work and thorough preparation that got us the Anderson account." Kelly reined back her irritation.

"That's not what the guys said." He smirked and took another sip.

The memory of how he’d dazzled the two nerdy men with his football stories and how all the bosses congratulated only him grated her nerves. But she kept her emotions in check that time. Taggert, in particular, had oozed all over Brinker. The older CEO barely acknowledging three months of hard work, of which Brinker did none. At least a dozen talented people worked sixty hour weeks to get ready for this presentation, only to be overshadowed by Taggert’s pompous golf buddy. She still rankled at the thought. Top management's coddling of Brinker was the real problem. She would have to do something about their interference.

She focused on Brinker. "Yeah, the good ole boys." Brinker dropped his face to hers and his grin briefly disappeared. "At this moment you're their favorite toy, but that won't last forever. It won't be long before they find a new shiny plaything to dangle in front of other clients. Then you'll gather dust on a shelf." She flicked her fingers dismissively.

She watched as he schooled his face, propping up a smile that then twisted into a lopsided grimace. He had potential. Too bad he took the easy path, which gave him no points with Kelly.

Something diverted her from his internal struggle. What caught her eye? Ah, sheen dewed on his perfect features. She had him and they both knew it.

It was getting late and after having to yell at him for half an hour, she was bored. Coming back to his stupid stunt with a new client and his woeful lack of preparation, she jabbed her finger into his hard chest, backing him against his prized trophy case. Stretching to her full height she glared into his widening eyes. Physically she didn't come close to his mammoth height but she didn't need to. They both knew she was better than him.

"If you can't pull your weight in my department, I'll get someone who can."

Slowly shaking his head, he rolled his eyes. "Kelly, Kelly, you know Taggert won't let you." Ignored, her threat dropped to the thick, brown carpet. As he grinned down at her, she grudgingly had to give him credit for the cool performance. She wondered for a moment if his bravado might not be an act.

Taggert, the CEO and Brinker's golf buddy, headed the “good ole boys”. Taggert would oppose his buddy's removal, and obviously the friendship gave Brinker some false confidence. She felt sorry for him, but not enough to let him off the hook. She could read the doubt in his eyes. The doubt that hovered, waiting to pounce.

Continuing to study his eyes she sized him up.
Another nudge should do it
. "So, you think you're secure?"

"Oh Kelly ..." If he patted her head, she would sucker punch him. "Of course I know I'm secure. I'm going to be
your
boss someday." He smiled serenely, his voice level and strong. He fiddled with his tie.

Hmm, she thought. A bead of sweat appeared between his smooth brows. Finally. Now she would shake the last of his confidence. She was tired of this game.

She leaned in close. For a moment her head swam from his bold cologne.
Need to stay in control.
Kelly took a step back to clear her head.

She slid her hands to her hips and narrowed her eyes. "Security in the corporate world is an illusion. No one is safe, not even Taggert. Produce or I'll drag your worthless hide out to make room for someone who will." Turning in a slow circle, she looked at the overdone office. "This is a nice space with a great view of the capital. I'm sure the next guy will appreciate it more."

Kelly sauntered to the door. It wouldn't do to rush, and he had to see that she controlled his future. As she opened the door, three of the office staff scurried away.

Sometimes she hated her job. Today wasn't one of those times. Bringing Brinker down to size felt good. Maybe now she would get the results out of him everyone said he could deliver. If not, she would replace him. She didn't care what Taggert said.

The next guy might not have as much natural talent, but at least she wouldn’t have Brinker’s massive ego to deal with.

Squaring herself in the doorway she turned back to stare into his crumpled face. "I'm not patient."

She turned. The tide of people parted, and with confident strides, she left Brinker to lick his wounds. She could now move on to more important things. Getting out of these torturous three-inch heels topped her list.