From Trajectories, coming 3/2012 from Turquoise Morning Press. Note: This excerpt is not the final edited copy and may vary slightly from the published version.
The tang of old pennies hung in the air. Kitty was smart enough to know she hadn’t stumbled on some stash of long-buried loot. No self-respecting pirate would be caught dead in the middle of the Michigan woods.
That coppery smell was blood.
Maddie had the scent too. The golden retriever pressed forward, nose scuffling through the mulch. Her fluffy tail hung inactive. A wiggly rear end might divert too much energy from her nose.
Somewhere high above, a cloud ghosted over the sun, and the forest light grew dark green and cool.
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Tess Grant 
Very intriguing. Left me wanting to know more.
Awesome except! I love the reference to pennies. Can’t wait until this book comes out.
Fabulous descriptions, I felt i was right there. And that final line? Lovely!
Love this. I can feel the woods. Great job.
Thanks for stopping by. Lots of great samples to choose from out there!
You’ve painted a vivid word picture. “Nose scuffling through the mulch” – “cloud ghosted over the sun”– two beautiful phrases. Very nice.
Great word choice in this sample. Flow is very good 🙂
Nice! It makes me wonder what or who they’re looking for. If she found blood, did it come from the person they’re hunting? I can’t wait to find out.
Thanks! I love this story; I hope you will too.
Wow this grabbed me right away! I wonder where the blood scent is coming from?
Excellent imagery, Tess. I loved “a cloud ghosted over the sun, and the forest light grew dark green and cool.” I can just see it happening, and I’m a bit chilled. Thanks for the sample!
Great imagery! Wonderful bit of descriptive writing. I love how you used “ghost” as a verb!
Sounds like an awesome read! Can’t wait.