{"id":540,"date":"2014-09-10T10:48:14","date_gmt":"2014-09-10T14:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beydeckard.com\/blog\/?p=540"},"modified":"2014-09-11T08:46:35","modified_gmt":"2014-09-11T12:46:35","slug":"sacrificed-heart-beyond-the-spires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/sacrificed-heart-beyond-the-spires\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacrificed: Heart Beyond the Spires"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seven months ago, I sat exactly where I'm sitting now, on my old brown couch, and pressed submit (or... publish? or... whatever it says in Smashwords and KDP) and sent Caged into the world.<\/p>\n

Then I walked away.<\/p>\n

There was no cover reveal. No excerpt. No ARC reviews. Just a book published on a winter afternoon. It's only that evening that it occurred to me that I might actually want to tell people that I published a book. Maybe get some reviews. Create a site... Total newbie.<\/p>\n

This time around, I'm a little more versed in the how-to. I couldn't have done it without the help of my fans and friends.<\/p>\n

A big thank you to the bloggers who have supported me and helped me out! You guys are fantastic.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"openstar\"<\/a>\u00a0Coming<\/strong> October 2014\u00a0\"openstar\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

\"Sacrificed-cover-600x400\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"goodreads-badge-add-plus-d700d4d3e3c0b346066731ac07b7fe47\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Available now for preorder at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"border\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blurb<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reunited once more, the crew of Baal\u2019s Heart must make the long and treacherous journey south to the towering spires of the Devil\u2019s Isles. The path through the mountain range is fraught with peril; mayhem and tragedy plague the pirate ship, but what the men find beyond the spires is the most shocking of all.<\/p>\n

In this sequel to the acclaimed Caged<\/em>, the pirates are dragged into a dangerous new world by Captain Baltsaros\u2019s all-consuming obsession. In the midst of terror and chaos, Jon learns that the captain and first mate have been keeping secrets from him. But will the truth tear them apart?<\/p>\n

\"border\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Excerpt<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHow are your ribs?\u201d asked Baltsaros, watching Polas descend the stairs.<\/p>\n

Jon put a hand to his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cSore as hell. But I\u2019ll live,\u201d he said with a small smile. \u201cWhy are you still awake?\u201d<\/p>\n

The captain\u2019s brows pinched together, and he looked down at his hands, his lips parted in a slow exhale.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could not sleep, Jon,\u201d said Baltsaros softly. \u201cI tried, briefly. But I find my mind unable to rest. Polas woke up, and we came up here not to disturb you.\u201d He raised his head, and Jon was alarmed to see that Baltsaros wore an expression he had never seen on the man before. The captain looked lost. \u201cWhat have I done by bringing us here, Jon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jon felt a sliver of fear pierce his heart at the captain\u2019s uncertainty; it was disturbing to see the man\u2019s confidence shaken. However, before he could answer Baltsaros, the moment had passed, and the crack in the captain\u2019s mask closed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2026 listen to me. Tonight is a dark night, isn\u2019t it?\u201d chuckled Baltsaros, reaching for Jon. \u201cCome here, I have to take off that silk. You need to breathe deep for a while or else you\u2019ll wind up with congested lungs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jon held up his shirt while the captain swiftly unwound the silk from his ribs. His side hurt when he breathed, but the painkillers in his system dulled the ache. The breeze was cooler up on the quarterdeck, and he could hear it rustling the leaves of the trees on shore. Turning to watch the dark jungle, he wondered what dangers lay beyond for them on the morrow.<\/p>\n

When Baltsaros\u2019s hands glided softly up his back, Jon let out a startled gasp. The captain moved close behind him, his chest pressed to Jon\u2019s back, arms wrapped gently around him.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m honestly not sure how far it would have gone otherwise.<\/em><\/p>\n

Baltsaros\u2019s words had hurt, but not as much as he had feared. Jon\u2019s own weakness was that he forgave the man, again and again. He ran his fingers along the captain\u2019s strong forearm as Baltsaros pressed his lips to Jon\u2019s neck. There was a question he wanted to ask.<\/p>\n

\u2026only ask me questions you want to know the answers to.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jon closed his eyes. He would ask it one day, but he feared that he already knew the answer. The captain was fond of him\u2026 but love?
\nBaltsaros murmured something against his skin.<\/p>\n

\u201cMin haeken,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0whispered the older man, sliding his hands down to the waistband of Jon\u2019s pants and pulling apart the knot on his belt. \u201cI don\u2019t want to hurt you when I take you, but take you I shall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Seven months ago, I sat exactly where I’m sitting now, on my old brown couch, and pressed submit (or… publish? or… whatever it says in Smashwords and KDP) and sent Caged into the world. Then I walked away. There was no cover reveal. No excerpt. No ARC reviews. Just a book published on a winter afternoon. It’s only that evening that it occurred to me that I might actually want to tell people that I published a book. Maybe get some reviews. Create a site… Total newbie. This time around, I’m a little more versed in the how-to. I couldn’t … <\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"generate_page_header":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7],"tags":[166,167,165],"class_list":["post-540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-beyond-the-spires","tag-cover","tag-excerpt","tag-sacrificed"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4sexs-8I","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1039,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/sacrificed-heart-beyond-the-spires-review-excerpt-at-the-smutsonian\/","url_meta":{"origin":540,"position":0},"title":"Sacrificed: Heart Beyond the Spires (Review & Excerpt) at The Smutsonian","author":"Bey","date":"April 6, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Shurrn from The Smutsonian says: \"I loved the first book, Caged: Love and Treachery on the High Seas, and I was jumping at the chance to continue series\u2026 I was completely blown away by this follow-up. It\u2019s quite possible that it was even better than the first, and that\u2019s no\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sacrificed"","block_context":{"text":"Sacrificed","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/book-updates\/beyond-the-spires\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Sacrificed-cover-600x400-e1410528110479.png?fit=400%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":996,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/review-interview-and-giveaway-caged-sacrificed-featured-at-carlys-book-reviews\/","url_meta":{"origin":540,"position":1},"title":"Review, Interview, and Giveaway – Caged & Sacrificed featured at Carly’s Book Reviews","author":"Bey","date":"March 10, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Carly says: \"Honestly, it was the amazing cover art that initially caught my eye, but the character dynamic is what kept me reading late into the night. Deckard has a unique writing style that utilizes varying points of view to slip back and forth along the timeline. This works brilliantly,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Caged"","block_context":{"text":"Caged","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/book-updates\/caged\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/treasure.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/treasure.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/treasure.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":590,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/want-the-first-three-chapters-of-sacrificed\/","url_meta":{"origin":540,"position":2},"title":"Want the First Three Chapters of Sacrificed?","author":"Bey","date":"September 19, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day! To celebrate, here are the first three chapters of Sacrificed: Heart Beyond the Spires,\u00a0the sequel to Caged.\u00a0 A\u00a0whole three chapters, you ask? Yes... these three chapters belong together, woven like a three-sided tapestry. Choose yer format, me hearties: mobi epub pdf More Fun? Did\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sacrificed"","block_context":{"text":"Sacrificed","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/book-updates\/beyond-the-spires\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/banner-fb-group.png?fit=802%2C250&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/banner-fb-group.png?fit=802%2C250&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/banner-fb-group.png?fit=802%2C250&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/banner-fb-group.png?fit=802%2C250&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":870,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/bike-book-reviews-gives-sacrificed-5-stars\/","url_meta":{"origin":540,"position":3},"title":"Bike Book Reviews gives Sacrificed 5 stars!","author":"Bey","date":"December 6, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Becky from Bike Book Reviews says: \"You know how sometimes when an author writes a sequel it doesn't live up to the first book? Well that is soooooo NOT the case here...\" Read the whole review at Bike Book Reviews","rel":"","context":"In "Sacrificed"","block_context":{"text":"Sacrificed","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/book-updates\/beyond-the-spires\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/sac-nominations.png?fit=600%2C283&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/sac-nominations.png?fit=600%2C283&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/sac-nominations.png?fit=600%2C283&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":692,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/happy-release-day-to-me\/","url_meta":{"origin":540,"position":4},"title":"Happy release day to me!","author":"Bey","date":"October 15, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Do you know what today means? With the launch of Sacrificed, I finally feel good about calling myself a writer. I'm a writer. I really am. And, to prove I'm not just a one-trick pirate pony, I'm publishing an erotic science fiction novelette, Sarge, sometime next week. Happy release day\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "My Life"","block_context":{"text":"My Life","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/my-life\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/treasure.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/treasure.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/treasure.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":440,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/spires-complete\/","url_meta":{"origin":540,"position":5},"title":"Spires complete!","author":"Bey","date":"July 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Just finished writing the sequel to Caged last night. I'll wait a few days to clear my head and start the first reread. Hopefully it will be published in a few months. Phew. Still not sure about the name. Can't wait to work on the cover. :)","rel":"","context":"In "Book Updates"","block_context":{"text":"Book Updates","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/book-updates\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/540","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=540"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/540\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":555,"href":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/540\/revisions\/555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}