Author Archives: authorlilymayne

Edin chuckled, looking back at me over his shoulder. His eye glimmered in the pink glow, and the weird ambient light danced over the waves of his long, dark purple hair, making it look multichromatic, like an oil slick. “It can’t be good for your health to be so angry all the time, human.”

I took a deep, shuddering breath through my nose. In, then out. Slowly. Then again. My neck and shoulders were so tight it felt like something might pop. My leg was throbbing. I could tell that soon, I wouldn’t be able to put much weight on it.

I gritted my teeth and ignored it all. “Let’s just keep moving, yeah?” I stretched my neck from side to side, trying to ease the throbbing tension causing my shoulders to stay hunched up. “And keep quiet so we don’t miss anything.”

I could practically hear Edin rolling his eyes as he ambled down the tunnel in front of me, his horns brushing the ceiling every now and then. “Fine.”

I eyed his tail, which was flicking irritably, its dagger-like tip swiping dangerously close to me. I couldn’t tell if he was doing it on purpose or not, and I narrowed my eyes at his broad, bare back with suspicion.

“Watch the tail.”

---

Edin’s book is here! He’s less mysterious and more arrogant than Wyn (and kind of a busybody), but that doesn’t make him any less loveable.

Edin’s a bit like an iceberg. He is careful with what he reveals, so it’s easy to assume he’s a bit vacuous and not very deep. But he feels things very deeply—life experience has just taught him to not get his hopes up.

Hardened soldier Hunter has seen it all. Done it all. He didn’t think there was much left out in the Wastes that could surprise him, but that all changes when circumstances force him together with this big, annoying purple monster who’s bossy and overbearing and pushes all his buttons in the worst—and best—ways.

We get to see more of the Wastes in this book, and find out what it’s like surviving out there when you’re not travelling with a ghoulish Soul Eater who everyone fears. It was so much fun exploring more of the world in this book. Edin and Hunter have lots of adventures, and we get to see Danny and Wyn again, who get to experience some more closure.

These two are a lot less sweet than Danny and Wyn, but neither of them would have it any other way.

Monster Index

I’ve also included a handy Monster Index at the end of Edin’s book, so we can keep track of all those weird and creepy monster species that pop up throughout. Especially as some may become very important in future books…

What’s next?

Remember that camp of “half-decent” raiders back in Nebraska that Edin was going to take Danny to? We’re heading there in Book Three, to finally see how ‘the other half’ live out in the Wastes.

And we’ll finally be meeting the rycke. Specimen zero-zero-one to the military. The monster that Wyn told Danny to run from if he ever came across it.

Fun!

If you have enjoyed my books so far, please consider signing up to my newsletter to receive updates, bonus content and news on future releases.

Lily

I’m so blown away by the response I’ve had already to Soul Eater. You are all wonderful! It makes me so, so happy that people out there are reading this story and enjoying it as much as I loved writing it. It’s an incredible feeling that I’ve been able to introduce these characters to you. And that you love them as much as I do. Thank you!

I’m deep in Book Two of the Monstrous series, which is the lovely Edin’s story. He’s still overbearing. Still loud and arrogant. And according to surly, rough-around-the-edges soldier Hunter, he’s trying his hardest to give him a nervous breakdown.

For a little teaser of Hunter and Edin’s very first meeting, keep reading. And if you want to get these teasers sooner, as well as future bonus content (I think I need more Danny-Wyn time), please consider signing up to my newsletter!

Excerpt – Edin (Monstrous: Book Two)

“Fuck,” I breathed out, half-laughing and half-sobbing at the sheer gall of it. Of spending twelve years in the military fighting monsters, twelve years out in the Wastes, but meeting my end all alone in a fucking sinkhole in Kentucky.

I tried to find purchase with my boots against the side of the hole, but even if I could there was nothing to grab onto to climb back up. Loose dirt crumbled beneath my boot soles, falling into the darkness beneath me. My chest was heaving with panic, and black spots appeared in my vision when I looked back up at the surface in desperation. A part of me had already realised that this was it. I wasn’t getting out of this. There was no way I could—

A head—with horns—appeared, peering over the side of the hole, nothing but a silhouette against the bright sky behind it. A mixture of relief and apprehension flooded my limbs.

“F-fuck,” I gasped. “Help me!” I yelled up, voice hoarse and wild with panic, survival instinct causing me to overlook the fact that this was clearly a monster, and it helping me out of this hole may not end up being the better option.

The head cocked. “Hello, human.” Its voice was so deep that the irrational part of my brain worried for a second that it would make the sinkhole worse if it kept talking.

“Please help me.” I tried to calm my breathing, to steady my voice. “Can you get me out?”

The head cocked again. “You want to get out?”

Was this monster stupid? “Yes, I want to fucking get out!” I paused, panting too quick breaths. “Unless you’re going to eat me or something if I do.”

A deep, rumbling laugh. “I don’t want to eat you.” The monster paused. “Well, I mean…” it then added in a contemplative voice. I saw its head peer further over the edge of the hole, as if it was assessing me.

Panic flared through me. “Look, please—I need to get out. I don’t—I have to—My friend—” I was babbling in agitation, my pulse drumming hard in my throat. My hand was slipping. This monster may want to kill me, but if that was the case, either way I was dying. And I’d really rather not meet my end plummeting into a pitch-black hole. “P-please.”

The monster paused for a second, before I saw those horns dip as it nodded. “Okay. I’ll help you out.”

He can’t get to you. He can’t get to you. I had to chant it to myself in my head. I had to trust the reinforced glass, which was the only thing separating us.

I didn’t realise I’d been holding my breath, waiting, until my lungs started to seize. I tried to exhale as quietly and steadily as possible, but Wyn must have heard the trembling sound because his head cocked, like an intrigued animal. There was utter silence for long moments that stretched, and stretched, and then… a twitch of Wyn’s fingers drew my gaze down, and I could have sworn I saw those blackened fingertips dissolving into smoke.

Right before everything plunged into darkness.

---

My debut novel, Soul Eater, is out now. And I could not be more excited!

I’ve been writing bits of a million different stories for years, but never forced myself to sit down and really focus on one project – until now.

I had a vague idea for a dystopian world where monsters of all different kinds have risen and taken over huge areas of the earth, forcing humans to reside in cramped and dirty cities along the coasts. I was intrigued by the idea of a young soldier, aimless and already jaded from his short stint in the military, crossing paths with a terrifying monster and journeying through these barren, monster-infested lands together.

But all is not what it seems…

I fell in love with Danny and Wyn writing this. Particularly Danny – I have a soft spot for him. A young, hopeful guy who stays optimistic despite having a pretty tough life, who hasn’t yet found himself and has his own insecurities. But he’s still brave (despite what he thinks) and he’s not afraid to go after what he wants.

And then there’s Wyn. An ancient death monster, near immortal, unfathomably powerful, feared by all… But he has his own insecurities too.

These two brought out the best in each other, and were so achingly sweet. It was a joy to write them, and I missed them the moment I finished the book.

What’s next?

I really hope you enjoy Soul Eater. Please consider leaving a review or getting in touch – I would appreciate your feedback, especially as this is a new venture for me.

Next up has to be the big overbearing purple dude, Edin. I’m already deep in his story – and Danny and Wyn will definitely be making an appearance (I can’t resist).

If you enjoyed Soul Eater, please consider signing up to my newsletter to receive updates, bonus content and news on future releases.

Lily