SG Rogers

Up For a Challenge

Late December last year, I was engrossed in finishing up a work-in-progress. In the back of my mind, I knew Astraea Press had a deadline of January 5^th for Valentine’s Day novella submissions, but time was running short.  Not only that, but I didn’t even have a concept.  I’m usually up for a challenge, but writing a 15,000 word (minimum) romantic fantasy in ten days was daunting. Nevertheless, on December 27^th I woke up with the title nagging me.  I’m pleased with the way Minna & The Valentine turned out and I hope you will be too.  ~ S.G. Rogers

Minna & The Valentine

Minna has a secret.  Her father, ex-dragon jockey Wynn Westerfield, will forever hold a grudge against wizards.  Because it was a wizard who caused his career-ending accident, Minna struggles to hide her incredible magical powers from him...and from the world.

Evan Valentine has attended a prestigious magical academy on scholarship, although he's managed to conceal that fact from everyone. He's on the fast track to success with his apprenticeship to wizard Thaddeus Bartholomew, and Evan's carefully constructed life doesn't include a certain beautiful girl whose powers rival his own.

Although Minna and Evan don't realize it yet, their destinies have been intertwined for years. When a threat arises, Minna and Evan must travel to another reality to retrieve a dangerous magical artifact.  Can Minna and Evan learn to work together, despite their mutual mistrust? Or will their explosive romantic attraction lead to disaster?

Excerpt:

The wizard had her sketchbook in his hands and was staring at the drawings. Embarrassed, Minna snatched the sketchbook away.

“What are you doing!” she cried. “This is private! You should have asked permission before snooping through my work!”

“Would you have given it?”

“No!”

“I didn’t think so,” he said. “Since those sketches are of me, I feel fully justified in ‘snooping,’ as you put it. You should have asked permission before drawing my portrait.”

Minna’s face flamed red, but her chin lifted defiantly. “Would you have given it?” she asked.

“No,” he replied. “I don’t know. Maybe. But I don’t much like being stared at when I’m sleeping, thank you very much!”

 She folded her arms across her chest. “Really? I had the impression you enjoy being stared at all the time.”

Beast was whining, and Minna couldn’t believe she was being so rude. Had an entirely different person crawled into her skin? Evan snatched up his coat and shrugged it on. “Listen, it’s none of my business, but with magical abilities like yours it’s a shame you don’t use them openly.”

“You’re right. It’s none of your business.”

“So you admit you’re magical. We’re making progress.”

Minna sputtered with outrage. “I…you…”

The wizard gave her a crooked smile as he reached up and pulled the pencil from the topknot on her head. Her chestnut hair tumbled down over her shoulders. Minna stood frozen in shock as Evan arranged her hair around her face with his fingers.

“I had to see what you look like with your hair down. I bet I’m not the only one who enjoys being stared at,” he said.

His lips were inches away from hers, and the electricity between them mimicked the lightning storm outside. Shaken, Minna took a step back.

“You’re one conceited wizard, Evan Valentine,” she said. “Don’t get struck by lightning on your way out.”

Minna & The Valentine is available from Astraea Press, Amazon, BN.com and other fine booksellers.