Sheri Yutzy - Speculative Fiction Author

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The Secret Seller

Bardians live for delicacies. Lace that makes their dresses look new. Rugs that warm or cool the room they’re in. Face creams that mask their faces for an hour. Flowers whose scent conjures beautiful scenery. Wines that bring intense joy or sorrow.

But behind these harmless fineries lurks a thriving market for the darker delicacies. Slaves trained to thrive on abuse. Perfume that hunts down eavesdroppers and kills them. Wine that allows its maker to selectively erase the memories of those that drink it.

Bell loves her magical city, and lives to make it more beautiful through her exquisitely tended flower garden. But the Secret Seller, the master of all Bardia’s secrets, decides that Bardians  would be better off as forgetful children. When Bell discovers his plot to smuggle powerful memory wine into every noble household, it’s up to Bell to stop him and save her people.

 

 

Seal up the Stars

Fear not, those who follow His fire, for He shall light your way. The stars that have been sealed up will break free and sing.

Ravenna Lastoria has three days to escape Celidom and its leader, Vitrel. Vitrel keeps the entire city captive under the Ambitus, a vast dome. Ravenna was born with the prophesied Mark of the Tyger, and in three days Vitrel will force her to marry his cruel son and fulfill the dark side of the Prophecy. If she refuses, her younger brother, Brend, will be made to drink the sacred water of Vitrel’s dark god.

In the middle of the night, Jasper, Vitrel’s nephew, kidnaps Ravenna and drags her from Celidom. She’s devastated to leave Brend behind, but she can’t turn back once she learns Jasper’s secret.

There is another side to the Prophecy, but to fulfill it, Ravenna must choose to trust Eloi, the God who gave it.

Together they search the Sharrah Desert for an army strong enough to rescue Brend and crush Vitrel. But what Ravenna and Jasper set in motion may destroy the people they’re trying to save.

Seal up the Stars is Book I of The Great Rescue. I’m currently looking for the right place to publish it. Scroll down to see an excerpt from Chambers of the South, Book II.

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Chambers of the South

I pushed up through the brilliant light and burst to the surface, breathed hard.

Ben was leaning over a rock that jutted from the bank. “You were underwater a long time,” he said, eyebrows raised.

I grinned. “It’s fun.”

“Have you ever gone swimming before?”

“Not like this. Where I used to live, the water was bad.”

He made a face. “That would be terrible.”

“It was. My little brother has never been able to swim.”

“You have a little brother? Is he here?”

My heart twisted. “No, he’s not here. He’s still in the bad place.”

“You’re going back to get him.”

He said it so assuredly, as if that was my only option.

It is.

“Yes. I’m going back to get him.”

Ravenna will do anything to rescue her little brother, Brend, from Vitrel, the evil ruler of the Temptors. When betrayal scatters the leaders of the Abati, the people she hoped would help her, she and Jasper are caught by Temptors. Ravenna must  escape before they reach Celidom and she’s forced to take Shasta in lingas. Can she trust Eloi, the One who spoke the Prophecy that’s Marked her for good or evil?

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About Sheri

Here Goes Something New!

Hi, I'm Sheri Yutzy. I love forests under the night sky, trying new foods, and drinking Irish tea.
I'm married to a musician who looks good in black, mama to two toddlers who love to eat, and happy resident of a Cape Cod cottage in Ohio.
I write YA fantasy and am acquisitions editor at sparkflashfiction.com.
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Find some magic with me!

sheriyutzyauthor

I know, it looks like I’ve only read fantasy thi I know, it looks like I’ve only read fantasy this year. This is not true, but they do make such lovely pictures. 🤩 Fantasy, especially YA fantasy, is the genre of my heart, and since my bookshelf space is limited, I tend to buy more of them. Did I mention they’re pretty?😅

⛸️Wishtress, by @nadinebrandes 

🌊A River Enchanted, by @beccajross

🏇The Scorpio Races, by @maggie_stiefvater

🌲The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by N.K. Jemisin

🐉League of Dragons, by @naominovik

Have you read any of these?

Can you name five books you’ve loved this year?
🌿☀️🌿 My best tip for finding magic every 🌿☀️🌿
My best tip for finding magic everywhere?
Go out and catch a few children.
Release them in your backyard.
Let them rummage in your cupboards and tiptoe into your bedroom with their treasures.
In the morning you’ll smell daffodils everywhere.
🌿☀️🌿

#twentywordtuesday #sheriyutzy #daffodil #daffodilday #cottageflowers #poetsofinstagram #shortpoem #flowerpoetry
What is a day for? I found myself pondering this q What is a day for?
I found myself pondering this question as I meditated on Scripture this morning. I love to achieve things, and sometimes I get lost in the maze of caring for little ones while wanting to get something—anything—done. I’m living a dream life, saving money every day (by not using daycare😅). Half the time it feels too good to be true, the other half it is just too real and never seems to end.
But this morning I was seeking silence before God and it occurred to me that what I was doing was the point of my days. I am here to love Him and be loved, and show my children how to love Him and be loved. And I can do that to better effect because of the many tiny tasks they need me to do for them. They’ll see His love in how I prepare their food, teach songs, finally make the Playdough they’ve been begging for.
It’s the task of my life, and when these children are moved away, it will remain my task.
How lovely is that?
What are ways you let God show you He loves you?
#moodycottage #walksoutside #sheriyutzy #slowliving #dresses #thrifteddress
My chubby cheeked sunshine. ☀️♥️☀️ My chubby cheeked sunshine. ☀️♥️☀️
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