Everywhere I go, there are decorations brightening and cheering, blinding and baiting. But what can I say? I decorated my house for the holidays, too. (Never too much thing as a little bling.)

However; by the time you read this, my decorations are mostly in the box. No point keeping decorations out longer than necessary. I know: A huge point of discussion between myself and friends who keep theirs up well into January. We each do what we do.

Well, if you’re like me this week, you’re somewhere between running ragged, checking in with friends and family between work, shopping, cleaning, and everything else. Keep smiling. When the holiday season is over, we’ll look back and be glad we took the time to visit and chat.

Don’t forget to breathe! Our mental and physical health depends on it, especially this time of year.

See you again in 2025,

Peace,

L.K. Latham

P.S. Wow! Where did the time go?

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My long Thanksgiving weekend project: Complete a puzzle. So much fun! What do you think?

It looked like a simple project when I opened the box. And it was easy when I started. It was so easy; I got on a roll. “I’ll be done in no time,” I said. And then Bam!  

I can laugh now, but all those tiny pieces looked more and more alike the longer I worked on it. I had to walk away from the puzzle more times than I can count, come back, swear a little, and find where I messed up. When I didn’t, I called on the keen eyes of the spouse. He’d scratch his beard, study what I did, study the directions, say, “hum,” and stare some more before he shouted, “Got it!”

It was always one wee piece turned around or placed on the wrong side of the dragon. In the end, it all came together. I think it looks fabulous and had a good time working on it.

As I proudly placed my new puzzle box on the shelf, it occurred to me how putting this puzzle together is just like the ever longer and longer final edit of Midnight Wildes. It, too, is full of little pieces that must be placed in just the right spot. It’s once again with the editor: Fingers crossed, all the pieces are where they need to be. 

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been introducing you to some characters involved in Midnight Wildes through scenes cut from the final draft. Now, I want to focus on those characters you may already know. The characters I’ll share with you are regulars in the Midnight Whispers series. I hope you enjoy.

Peace,

L.K. Latham

P.S. Hope the holiday season isn’t driving you nuts? Nothing like a little magic, a little sword play, or a little monster stomping to keep our spirits bright.

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Back in July, I introduced you to Teaser, a Goblin with a penchant for all things glittery and gold, perhaps more so than the average Goblin. Teaser’s lived in our world for a long time. He won’t say how long. (A bit sensitive about his age.)

He first appeared at the end of Midnight Bites. In Midnight Wildes, he’s a primary player.

Picture of both Teasers.

Today, I’m sharing a scene with him I just cut from Midnight Wildes. He still goes to the Wildes, and he’s still there to protect the twins.

Teaser arrives in the Wildes:

Teaser hit the ground with both feet, yelling, “Ari! Arika!” He lifted his hand to his mouth to yell again, but stopped. Long green fingers extended from thin green hands. His shoulders slumped. “Home, again.”

“Teaser!” Ari’s voice flew on the wind. 

“Close.”

“Teaser!” Arika’s voice tinkled on the snowflakes. 

“Not close.”

Teaser lifted his long, green nose into the air, sniffing. 

“Arika! Teaser!” Ari’s voice, louder now, closer.

“Ari!” Arika’s voice faded.

Teaser pounded his feet, forcing the snow out from between his green toes. A boulder answered with a thump. Teaser jumped on top of it. Ahead of him, a wall of snow. Behind him, snow filled every voice and shadow. He sniffed again. He filled his lungs with snow and air. “Ari! I’m coming. Stay where you are.”

The whiff of Arie on the wind hinted at a fear Ari’s core along with determination and cold.

“Teaser! Where are you?” 

Teaser tilted his head, not resisting the smile breaking onto his face. “There’s strength in that voice. Afraid, but strong, searching.” 

“I’m coming, Ari.” Teaser jumped off the boulder at a run. Ari’s scent grew stronger on the wind, but so now was the scent of humans. He had to find Ari before the humans did.

“Get back inside, you old goat,” a woman’s voice called, her voice course with age and worry.

“Thought I heard-,” started the reply.

“Tell me about it when you get inside. I’m freezing my tits off in this wind.”

Teaser stopped. He twisted his ears, listening to all they could hear. “Not looking for the twins. Good.” He allowed himself only a moment to breathe before continuing his hunt.

Ari’s scent filled his brain. Closer, but with each step closer, Teaser could smell the cold and fear entering his young charge. He sped up, running as fast as he could in the howling wind and snow, over drifts taller than himself until he leaped over a drift and rolled down the embankment to a creek, flowing swift with ice damns forming in its eddies.

Two hands grabbed his shoulders, stopping him from rolling into the water. He twisted his neck smiling to see Ari’s face. At first it smiled back, and then it backed away, eyes wide.

Ari dropped Teaser and fell backwards. “What are you?”

Teaser raised his arms. “It’s alright, Ari-”

Ari turned to run up the embankment. 

Teaser reached up, grabbing the back of Ari’s shirt and pulling him down. “It’s me, Teaser. Come on, Ari. We don’t have time for this.”

Ari stopped struggling against the hands holding him. “Teaser?” he asked. “What – I mean. How?”

Teaser helped Ari stand. “Much for you to learn, and much for you to do. But let us domicile in warmth before we freeze to death.” Teaser turned, pulling Arie behind him.

Ari grabbed Teaser’s shoulder. “Wait! Where’s Arika? I can’t leave her out here.”

Teaser lifted his long nose into the air and sniffed. Near, but not close, wolves. “She’s safe for now. We must go.”

“Teaser?”

Teaser turned and snarled at Arie, his long, white teeth gleaming in the snow. “When you are safe. Come!”

Arie nodded and followed, his head downcast, but whether from cold or fear, Teaser wasn’t sure. He was sure that his bones clinked in the cold even as his teeth stopped chattering. It was move or die for both. The wolves would find Arika, and she would be safe. If the wolves found Ari, he would be dead.

Peace,

L.K. Latham

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The most wonderful time of the year.

Today is all about peering through the Vail. Who will be looking at you?

Whether you’re spending today filling bags with candy to fend off wee goblins and ghouls, holding a seance, or relaxing and watching the moon (or your favorite horror classic), I hope your Halloween is peaceful.

Make sure you have plenty of treats on hand. You never know who’ll be knocking on your door tonight.

Peace,

L.K. Latham

Looking for your next read?

Here’s a free book giveaway, a book fair and a couple of recommendations to help fill your season with fun and adventure.

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Find my books at most online booksellers: