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Tuesday 31 December 2013

Prologue to fantasy series FREE

Today, this last day of 2013, I give you for FREE, the very first part of my fantasy series - The Prologue. It's a little abstract but then that's how I wanted it to be.

This is another new feature I'm trying out on this blog, throwing in a FREE chapter every now and then.

So let us begin:-


~ Prologue ~

The boy ran fast and hard. His throat stinging from ice cold air stabbing at the nerves in his teeth, choking his aching lungs. Blood pumping fast. Heart beating so loud in his ears, he feared it would simply burst and stop him dead in his tracks. 
He quickly glanced sideways to look down from the cliff top at the wet sands below. Sure enough, his image ran and panted, mirroring his own plight.
‘You cheated,’ he shouted accusingly, turning his back on his image. ‘You just can’t play fair. You promised you would take the longer path because I had a hill to climb. Why can’t you do as you say you will?’
He dropped heavily onto the soft grassy embankment and lay on the cool, lush greenery. It chilled his hot skin. His golden curly locks stuck to his neck with sticky sweat.
His image lay down next to him, still panting.
‘I didn’t cheat,’ his image paused breathlessly between words, ‘I was first.’ Stretching up an arm and waving a pointed finger to the sky, he yelled, ‘I am triumphant!’ 
He jumped up ready to defend his place, ‘you can’t dispute that,’ he threatened the other questioningly.
His image did not reply. It was not worth an argument. Instead he rubbed at the cramp in his leg muscles, stretching his limbs to shake away the sharp squeezing pain.

* * *
‘Morte, gather your fruits, you’re going to the Trade Stones with your father,’ his mother called.
Morte looked at his brother’s stern frown, and half smiled at the lanky lad, shrugging his shoulders in a surprised gesture.
‘Is it my fault I have grown enough fruit to fill a basket and yours hasn’t even managed to break its buds yet?’ He teased his younger brother.
‘I don’t know why they allow you to go, your fruits are sour and foul,’ Saurlton replied indignantly, shaking his golden locks unknowingly.
‘That’s not true, here bite the plump side of this juicy soft peach.’ Morte offered a tempting piece of fruit that appeared unnaturally large.
‘No, there’s little point. It won’t be any better than the one I tasted earlier. You will give our parents a bad reputation from your tainted products.’
‘Come Saurlton, I offer you a challenge, taste my wares and if you don’t like this one, I’ll confess to having a sour harvest and throw away my whole batch.’
‘I don’t believe you.’ He pushed away the long slender fingers that yielded the fruit. Let me choose my own piece, you have probably managed to pick the only sweet piece.’
‘Be my guest, I certainly have plenty to choose from.’
Saurlton sifted through the basket of peaches, his strong slender fingers separating the crop carefully. He did not wish to bruise any of his brother’s goods but he was determined to save his parent’s reputation at the Trading Market. He found his piece and bit into it unwillingly, squeezing his eyes together in anticipation of the sour tart flavour he had experienced on his last attempt at tasting his brother’s strange fruits. But, alas, no. The sweet juices wet his tongue and trickled down his chin in a sticky rivulet, it was truly delicious.
‘How have you done that Morte?’ He asked suspiciously but truly surprised. ‘Your products never taste as they should.’
‘Hah little brother, I have won you again!’
‘Stop calling me little brother. I am not smaller than you and I followed you in birth before our mother had even breathed ten sighs. We are equal in suncircles.’ The handsome young man looked annoyed at the equally fetching tall youth that he confronted.
‘That was why I was given two names, Morte-Bielz and you only one, little brother, because they had to distinguish who arrived first.’
‘My stomach aches with your bitter words and your bitter fruit.’ 
‘You love my fruit as you love me, little brother.’
‘How have you managed it Morte?’ Saurlton remained curious of his brother’s trickery. ‘The only way you could have so much fruit is if you’ve used your magic, the magic that you’ve been told to conserve. Yet still I can’t understand how your bitter fruits can taste so sweet?’
‘Mind power, little brother.’ Morte-Bielz tapped his fingertip to his head, indicating his cleverness. ‘I confess all. I have used magic to make you believe my fruit is sweet, but you and I know that really it is foul.’
‘You can’t do that to our parents Morte,’ Saurlton longed to talk his brother out of this treacherous deed. ‘When the traders taste the fruit in your absence they’ll know that you’ve tricked them. Please don’t be foolish Morte, don’t trade this fruit until it ripens in its proper time.’
‘Our parents need all the help they can get Saurlton.’ 
The two boys bent in to their task of loading their father’s wares on to the readied wagon. ‘I care for our parents equally as much as you do. What I do is good and you should use your magic skills to help them too.’
‘We are taught that our magic is virtuous. It is not worthy to then go on and poison the traders. You would do better using your mind skills for healing and taking away the pain that the sick must suffer.’
‘The traders are fools anyway and why would I wish to help the sick, they can’t pay me.’
‘Sooner, or later, you will be discovered and then our parents will be shamed.’
They stopped their task and faced one another with burning eyes, immersed in their profound discussion, their loyalty to one another dwindling.
‘I love our mother and father as truly as you do. That’s why I do these things. Our family deserves to be respected, we are the strongest in magic, and it’s time our people recognised this.’
‘Magic is not meant to be used as a tool for power. It ruined our ancestors and you now wish to repeat that history.’
‘You don’t understand Saurlton. I would never dishonour our family. I wish only to increase our respect and let our parents rest easy in their old age.’
‘You can’t be everywhere Morte. You can’t persuade those you cannot see, when they are out of your sight they will taste the true flavour of your harvest.’
‘But you are so wrong. My powers have grown. I have already experimented with Father.’ 
Eager to convince his brother, Morte divulged his secret. 
‘Father didn’t want to take me to the Traders Stones because of the riot I caused last time. I coaxed him into choosing me, and I was at the other side of a closed door, listening to the conversation. I swayed his mind and he doesn’t suspect a thing.’
‘Morte you can’t use your magic on our parents. What are you thinking?’ Saurlton was frantic with worry, waving his arms around in frustration at his brother’s betrayal of his inherited skills.
Morte clutched at his brother’s shoulders with an iron grip as he revealed his disposition. 
‘I have found my special skill Saurlton and it is for me to decide how to use it. Soon you will discover your own skill and I won’t interfere. So leave me to my destiny and I will leave you to yours.’

LOOK OUT for the next FREE chapter from Book 1, Guardian Dragons, Chapter 1, Preparations

Monday 30 December 2013

Fantasy quotes in the Aarabassa World series

It's "QUOTES" time from the Aarabassa world fantasy series:-


Download kindle or buy paperback

Guardian Dragons Book 1, Chapter 14 Changeling
'Each tune is a means of communication with different sea creatures that only they can hear.'
Book 1 Amazon worldwide link

***************************
Book 2, Flight of a Changeling, Chapter 13 In the Bushes
'Lifting up his dagger arm in an attempt to slay the creature, his face became suddenly sodden with a wet warm tongue.'
Book 2 Amazon worldwide link


**************************

Book 3, Blood Bride, Chapter 13, The Circle
'Heather then turned her attentions to the vamplin Lord Fiendrac. She sensed an emotion of deep passion...'
Book 3 Amazon Worldwide Link

Sunday 29 December 2013

What's in store for 2014

2014 Plans of an author:-


*Release Book 4 in the Aarabassa World fantasy series:
This is three quarters completed. I am now editing and once that's done, I'll think of an ending and then edit the book again. Then will come the title and finally the cover and publication.


*Re-edit Books 1, 2 & 3
I constantly do this anyway, to iron out flaws ie spelling, speech, grammar etc.

 Presently about quarter of the way through Book 1. The changes are not enough to have to change the 'Edition Number' as there are no changes to plot. As an impoverished artiste who unfortunately cannot afford an editor, I find myself constantly improving the published editions. Each time I do it there are less and less flaws. it will be worth as they are almost perfect.

*Release an omnibus edition of Books 1, 2 & 3

The original plan was to do a thick book. I then re-planned it into three smaller books as I am a new author and readers would be more willing to read a smaller version to see if they like my writing style. So by creating an Omnibus I am almost achieving my original goal.


*Start writing Book 5
Not even set the seed yet. Need to see how Book 4 ends. My writing seems to be getting 'darker' so I suspect nasty things will be occurring.

*Try and get involved in another anthology.

It made such a refreshing change to complete a story in just a few thousand words. I thoroughly  enjoyed the challenge. It does stop me writing on my fantasy series for a while but I also believe it helps to improve writing skills.

*Hope that this list grows.

I am toying with the idea of attempting a stand alone novel of either a crime or romance. Either will be a great challenge for me as truly am an epic fantasy writer. If this is achievable I may possibly use a pseudonym to separate the genre writing.

Well that's my Action Plan for the year. I hope it's achievable. 

Saturday 28 December 2013

Free fantasy ebook READ & REVIEW

FREE EBOOK in exchange for a REVIEW ON AMAZON:-


Fantasy series: Aarabassa World:-


Book 1 Guardian Dragons
http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00BCK11JQ
Book 2 Flight of a Changeling
http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00CPOWIKE
Book 3 Blood Bride
http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00H0LPG5G

Contact me for your FREE copy

Saturday 21 December 2013

Creatures from the Aarabassa Fantasy World

Fantasy website devoted totally to the fantasy series set upon the Aarabassa World.
So far featuring 3 books:

Book 1 Guardian Dragons
Book 2 Flight of a Changeling
Book 3 Blood Bride

Let's look at some of the creatures in the series that are featured in the website
Direct link to the Aarabassa World
Picture


Picture Picture Picture

Want to know who they are?
Want to know more about what they do?
Easy - click the direct link above for entry into a whole new world.

Thursday 19 December 2013

Quotes from my fantasy series

It's "QUOTES" time from the Aarabassa world fantasy series:-

'...smooth head without hair, and fine gills where the human ear sits. Large oval jet black eyes...Two small oval slits pulsed open and shut in the centre of his face...'

Guardian Dragons Book 1, Chapter 13 Meeting of Friends.

Book 1 Amazon worldwide link

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Only the previous moonwake he had proposed to her, and she had left without any inkling of an answer."

Book 2, Flight of a Changeling, Chapter 12 Better Days

Download kindle or buy paperback
Book 2 Amazon worldwide link

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'...good Centaur friend of mine. Wishes to be your guide when you go. She is female and has chosen you.'

My latest release:-
Book 3, Blood Bride, Chapter 12 New Bonds


Book 3 Amazon Worldwide Link

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Featured Author JL McFadden, Romance & Tragedy


This weeks Featured Author is J L McFadden(Goodreads - Paranormal, Fantasy, Dystopia & Romance Readers, Writers & Reviewers) 


 by

4.0 out of 5 stars 
Adela: Is a beautiful young woman of a very wealthy family in Eastern Europe who is fending off advances from an older aristocratic German business man that has an evil presence about him. She falls madly in love with another man to see her father and his followers come under the attack and clutches of this barren try to use the enslavement of her fathers land and people to force her to be his own.


Image of J L McFaddenAbout the Author

J.L McFadden is the Author of the Guardian Series: Guardian, released,Adela,release in September, Chooses, release in May 2014, Adela’s Lost Guardian, March, more to be named at a later date. McFadden spins tragedy and romance into all of his stories with picturesque descriptions that vividly paints and melts the scenes into your pleasure cortex that is a valid and important part of every readers mind. ;) Jamie Lee was born in a mixed Celtic and Slavic family in the river valleys of Pennsylvania, in his earlier years he played in bands in New York and ended up working his way into H.Q of the largest musical retailer in the world Guitar Center; while working at the store level he managed multiple departments at once and handled all the stores merchandising logistics. He has explored the world and became the first American to be excepted into the Interregional Federation of Aikido Aikikai of Crimea & Sevastopol, where he enjoys learning from great masters from around the world, where he has developed his himself. He explains that the people rich and colorfully different people he has met, spawned a lot of his characters.

Friday 13 December 2013

Follow Your Instincts



I read, as I'm sure many other writers also do, so many articles telling, advising, suggesting so many ways to write, publish, edit, blah blah blah. I'm awash with such advice that I truly sometimes feel like I'm drowning in it.

I'm  a great fan of Molly Green's blog. Often she invites experienced writers to talk about mutual subjects of interest within the writing world. This one however,  is written for us by Molly, and I think it is a refreshing piece of advice.

This is a similar 'take' on my own convictions, but written by someone who knows a lot more about the marketplace than I do. It makes some good comparisons on 'what the majority advise us to do'.  It was good to actually find someone who is NOT convinced by all the gobbledegook we novices tend to be persuaded by.

Chalkboard blackboard - black and square


I quote "Decide what’s right for you, even if it goes against popular opinion."

To read the full article, and it is worth looking at, please follow this link:-molly-greene.com/self-publishing-diy-or-hire-help





I once left a writers group on Facebook because the Administrators kept harping on how we should NEVER dare to publish until we have our work professionally edited. This would be great in an ideal world but not everyone has the financial means for this. I agree there is some rubbish appearing on the forefront of books sales and frankly I don't want to pay money as a reader for such dribble. However, I have read some fantastic tales that had a few editing errors, that I might never have read if these writers had listened to such advice. Yes, I am guilty of publishing without a professional editor. Yes my book did need further editing after publishing. And, Yes, I'm still constantly taking it off line to edit out the gremlins that I keep missing. But that doesn't mean the way I'm doing it is wrong. I have the power to continuously edit and improve my book.

My own 'ten penneth' piece of advice is, follow your own instincts. Sure read articles, but don't take the entire things to heart. Read MANY articles and then surmise your own way of doing things. If I copy a recipe, I NEVER do as it says. I use the recipe as a baseline but do my own take on the meal creation. And so, this is my philosophy with the writing world.


Thursday 12 December 2013

Fantasy quotes from an epic series

It's "QUOTES" time from the Aarabassa world fantasy series:-

"Soon they would be away from the protective magic of the huphin city and then they could strike."
Guardian Dragons Book 1, Chapter 12 Mother Whale.
Buy Book 1 on Amazon Worldwide link


‘Because my dear child, you are not fully human.’
 Book 2, Flight of a Changeling, Chapter 11 Fairies
Buy Book 2 on Amazon worldwide link


"Their hair and their tattoos represent their status in life, reading as an auto biography."
 Book 3, Blood Bride, Chapter 11 Horse People
Buy book 3 Amazon worldwide link


Get all these quotes first on my author Facebook page by liking and setting to receive on your news feed: author facebook page

Wednesday 11 December 2013

Featured Author - fantasy genre

This weeks Featured Author is Elle Jacklee(Goodreads - Paranormal, Fantasy, Dystopia & Romance Readers, Writers & Reviewers) 



The Tree of Mindala: Wunderwood Book One [Kindle Edition]

Elle Jacklee

Miranda Moon's vivid imagination has gotten her into trouble more times than she can count. This time, she's been suspended from school. So her straight-laced younger brother, Marcus, blames her when they're relegated to their late grandparents' old cabin over Halloween weekend. But when Miranda finds a curious trinket, they're mysteriously whisked away to Wunderwood, where magic flows through the trees and everyone already knows their family name. A place even Miranda never imagined.

Just as they arrive, a sinister warlock, Thornton Crow, is freed from a long banishment. He resumes his deadly agenda to find The Tree of Mindala, the source of all the realm's magic. As Miranda and Marcus discover branches of their own family tree that they hadn't even known existed, they learn that Thornton has a score to settle with anyone in their bloodline. Especially them... Though justice has always had a way of being naturally restored in Wunderwood, Thornton's latest evil deed just may be the tipping point.

When Miranda discovers her own role in Thornton's release, she knows it's up to her to stop him from stealing not just magic, but also hope. With travel companions that could as easily be foes as friends, and only the cryptic words of a prophecy to guide her, Miranda must decide if she can carry out the task that will either save Wunderwood... or doom it forever.


About this author     


Elle Jacklee

My mantra is "Life is short." I believe in making every moment count. Purple is my favorite color. I think black cats are good luck. My professional titles have included software programmer, inside sales rep, and bilingual customer service rep. But my favorite titles are mother, wife, and author.

I'm the author of the Tree of Mindala, a middle grade fantasy. It's the first in my Wunderwood series.

My love of reading began with classics such as L. Frank Baum's Oz books and C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. The endless hours of enjoyment that they, and countless others, gave me sparked my passion for writing. I hope that my stories will help instill in children a lifelong love of reading as well as the knowledge that imagination has no limits.

I am currently working on the second installment of the Wunderwood series. I live in Wisconsin with my husband and two young sons, none of whom are in a hurry to grow up. And that's just fine with me!

Connect with me at http://www.facebook.com/elle.jacklee(less)


Monday 9 December 2013

New images to the Aarabassa fantasy website

Just added some new images to the Aarabassa fantasy world website where you can find out all about the world of my books.

PictureFirst let me introduce you to Prince Leon. He is the middle of the three brothers. Madly in love with Heather. He is going to become a real adventurer, hopefully. A writer can make these plans then end up in an entirely different direction. The characters tend to decide for themselves.




Picture

I've also added the image of the evil monshaad wraiths. This image has already been featured in the Book Trailer for Book 1 Guardian Dragons on Youtube
These guys are pretty nasty 'gas bags' for want of a better word. Like to eat souls and drive people's minds nuts.



Picture
Finally, I have added an image of Raphael, the youngest of the three brothers. Born very frail but you really must keep reading the series to find out how he develops.





You can meet all of these guys in Book 1 Guardian Dragons on Amazon Worldwide



Sunday 8 December 2013

Fantasy excerpt still in draft format

I thought I'd give you a small excerpt from Book 4 that presently has no title and no ending and is not yet published.

When starting a new book, my first draft is exactly that. I will write three quarters of the book with no editing whatsoever. Then I go back to the beginning and edit all the way through. Only then will the ending start to emerge.

However, the title can be a bit like a new born, nameless even after birth. Often I will think of the title only the day before publication. Not too good with titles, they seem to take the longest to create.

So here you are; a piece that is only once edited and may change completely yet:-

‘Oh, there you are Vellar. This water is really not enough to wet a shrimp.’
‘What be a shrimp Bry? what be one of them?’
‘It is a tiny, tiny thing, just like this bit of water.’
‘Master say we keep following big rocks, so I must tread this path Bry. I do try to find water for you but Master, he says big rocks is important for me. I must look for rainbow of lights and it will feed me forever, then I not be hungry anymore. Then we can find you your ocean of water to feed you.’
         ‘I know Vellar, I know you only want to please your Master but my skin really hurts sometimes. I will try not to complain so much.’
The two young beings came together. The larger one scooped up the smaller one in his human shaped giant arms, and they went on their way. The larger one walked with giant human looking legs. The ground vibrated in his passing. He hugged his friend gently in his giant hands and would allow no danger to her very tiny being. She was every piece of joy he could ever find. All around him lingered coldness, and noise and so many other frightening things, that he clung to her very solidness and felt the confidence of happiness. His Master had promised he would soon be safe. All he had to do was find the rainbow wall.

If I've perhaps managed to grab your interest just a teensy bit, you might be interested in the rest of the series.

Book 1, Guardian Dragons Amazon Worldwide link for Book 1
Book 2, Flight of a Changeling Amazon Worldwide link for Book 2
Book 3, Blood Bride Amazon Worldwide link for Book 3

Saturday 7 December 2013

Quotes from a series of fantasy books


It's "QUOTES" time from the Aarabassa world fantasy series:-

Guardian Dragons Book 1, Chapter 11 A Princely Decision
‘I’m not with my father in the moonwake, I’m going to the surface, to meet with the human Prince Leon.’
Amazon Worldwide link for Guardian Dragons

Book 2, Flight of a Changeling, Chapter 10 Forest Keepers
'A large black hairy face stared down at her with its many eyes. In its mouth, two mandibles were tutting.'
Amazon Worldwide link for Flight of a Changeling


Book 3, Blood Bride, Chapter 10 Marshland

'...a gargantuan beast loomed before him drooling thick green slime between long black teeth and roaring with the bellow of a thousand trumpets.'
Amazon Worldwide link for Blood Bride

Get all these quotes first on my author Facebook page by liking and setting to receive on your news feed: author facebook page 






Friday 6 December 2013

Featured Author HM Jones

This weeks Featured Author is H M Jones. (Goodreads - Paranormal, Fantasy, Dystopia & Romance Readers, Writers & Reviewers)   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7375765.H_M__Jones


Monochrome

Monochrome [Kindle Edition]

A young mother battles postpartum depression, marital troubles and addiction. Her weary mind plagued with horrible thoughts not her own, she decides to end it all. Suddenly, her mind and heart begin to race, her vision blurs and goes black. She awakes in a strange, dull, monochromatic blue world.

Here, she comes face-to-face with the most beautiful and ugliest moments of her life, choosing those that she will lose forever, and those that are too precious to let go.

In a world where many choose a living death, and no one is above suspicion, will her handsome Guide help her fight her way back to the beautiful life she left behind, or will she succumb to her ugliest urges and let her sweetest memories disappear into the blue?
              
H.M. Jones

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GTAAQSG

H.M. Jones lives in the beautiful PNW. She spends most of her tome making sure her children are well rounded, open minded citizens of this world. The remainder of her time is spent writing, reading and visiting bookstores with her best friend, Mr. Jones.
H.M. just released her debut novel, Monochrome, in Oct. 2013. She was a student of English literature for both of her B.A. and M.A. degrees. You'll see her favorite authors peeking from the corners of her pages, if she did her job right



Wednesday 4 December 2013

Book Quotes from the Aarabassa world fantasy series


It' fantasy series "QUOTES" time from the Aarabassa world:-

 Guardian Dragons Book 1, Chapter 10 Huphin Beginnings
'...there exists an intelligent ruling race of sea creatures known as the huphins, who, so legend tells, originate from a combination of humans and dolphins.’
amazon.com

amazon.co.uk
Paperback and kindle version
(e-book also available on Smashwords, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and iTunes)

Flight of a Changeling, Book 2, Chapter 9, Departure
"'I’m going to disappear for a little while today,' Heather declared to her faithful horse. 'I feel like being a bird.'"
www.amazon.com
Amazon uk
Paperback and kindle version

Blood Bride, Book 3, Chapter 9, The Crossing,
"The Magic Wall shimmered with a glittering emerald green barrier, a splendid sight. Six bulky dragons stood... "
Available in paperback NOW 

amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
Paperback and kindle version

Get all these quotes first on my author Facebook page by liking and setting to receive on your new feed: author facebook page  

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Great Review for scary short tales

4/5 STARS
A piece of good news today with my author hat on. We received our 3rd review today for the anthology that I did a great group of other writers, over Halloween. I'm quite pleased with the review as it is very positive and I got a mention:-

Scary short stories fill this volume, but each has its own unique twist, making all of them memorable, intriguing and fun. My favorite is Terry Schott’s Charlatan, the tale of a scarily powerful stranger who gives what is asked but maybe not what was desired, and keeps the reader guessing. Lynne Cantwell’s The Only Way to Save You provides a truly haunting ending to the collection. And When is a Nursery Rhyme not a Nursery Rhyme, by Catherin L. Vickers, offers a solid anchor in the middle, cleverly blending the titles of familiar rhymes with a poodle, a witch, a rebellious daughter, and the fear of being followed. It’s a gruesome, awesome tale, part of a gruesome, awesome mix in these 13 bites, and it’s great Halloween fun.

Buy a copy on amazon.com/13-Bites-ebook
Buy a copy on amazon.co.uk/13-Bites-ebook


Sunday 1 December 2013

Anthology of Adventure - Across the Threshold Book Tour

Today I am happy to welcome to my blog a band of authors who are doing a Virtual Book Tour for their anthology of adventure.

"Take my hand and come across the threshold where nothing is as it should be, yet everything is an adventure!"



Book Summary:

This collection of stories comes from a group of authors who have aptly named themselves "The Twisted Willow Wordsmyths". Their imagination will take you to places you never knew existed.

*From the power of a human tree to the fanciful Three Little Pigs
*The trials of a stubborn little faerie to the rhythm of ancient drums
*The curse of an old ship to the possibility of stars making wishes. 

There are no dull pages, no putting the book down, but hours of wonderful moments with the characters that come alive in these pages.



Watch the book video BOOK TRAILER
Buy the kindle version Amazon.com kindle
Buy the paperback version Amazon.com paperback

We all hope you love this book and look forward to many more!

The author's section:

The Twisted Willow Wordsmyths are made up of various authors:- 

*Cheryl Alleway
*A.H. Browne
*Daisha Marie Korth
*Kristen Lynch
*Frank McGovern
*Jeriann Watkins. 

These authors have banded together from different areas of the world to bring you tales, myths, and legends you have never read before!

Follow our Virtual Book Tour. Next pit stop 3rd Dec: r.rose@take2creativestorywriters.com

Saturday 30 November 2013

Kindle release Book 3 Blood Bride (fantasy)

The time has come for me to release the Kindle version of Book 3, Blood Bride. Should be ready on Amazon for 1 December (or maybe even before).

The paperback version is already on sale if you prefer a hard copy. Should you wish me to sign it with a personalised message then just contact me.  I charge £5.90 to sign and post the paperback in the UK. US would have to include shipping costs from UK.

I hope you might be able to share my news of this release to any fantasy fans you may know.

The series is growing and Book 4 is already half ready. Just need to decide on the ending but the drama takes a real twist.

I also plan to combine Books 1, 2 & 3 in an Omnibus edition. Date of release to be confirmed.

Cannot post link to kindle version yet as Amazon still playing with it. meanwhile here's link to paperback if you wish to buy direct. Mind you if you hang on a few hours to purchase your paperback, you'll get a kindle version FREE.
amazon.com/Blood-Bride
mazon.co.uk/Blood-Bride-Book



Thursday 28 November 2013

Fantasy Quotes from the Aarabassa world series

It' fantasy series "QUOTES" time from the Aarabassa world:-

 Guardian Dragons Book 1, Chapter 9, Sea Whistle
‘They called up the biggest octopus the sea has ever known.’
amazon.com


amazon.co.uk
Paperback and kindle version
(e-book also available on Smashwords, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and iTunes)

Flight of a Changeling, Book 2, Chapter 8, Departure
'Humans understood little of the creatures who dwell in the forest lands of Chervvin.'

www.amazon.com
Amazon uk
Paperback and kindle version


Blood Bride, Book 3, Chapter 8, Mystery Dragon,
"‘Is this a magic cavern?’ She asked the dragon."
Available in paperback NOW 

amazon.com
amazon.co.uk

Kindle version release date 1st Dec.

Get all these quotes first on my author Facebook page by liking and setting to receive on your new feed: author facebook page  

Monday 25 November 2013

Amos, heir to the human throne in Aarabassa

Picture

Amos (Gilgam) 
I would like you to meet Amos. He is one of the human heroes in the fantasy series based on the world of Aarabassa. Amos is the eldest of three brothers making him heir to the throne. King Alfred of the Lightlands is his father. His age is around 21 suncircles.

Don't know what a suncircle is? Then please visit my fantasy website to find this out plus many more intricate details about this fantasy world and its inhabitants. I created this website purely for readers of this fantasy series.

Fantasy world of Aarabassa website

Sunday 24 November 2013

Fantasy Series, 3 books so far


NEW REGULAR FEATURE - BOOK QUOTES:

When is a trilogy not a trilogy - when there are going to be more. Book 4 of the fantasy series set on the Aarabassa world, is in the making.

Meanwhile, enjoy these little quotes from each book. This will be a regular feature on my blog. 

'She was met unexpectedly by a small and somewhat elderly dragon.'
 Chapter 8 Mystery Dragon Book 1 Guardian Dragons
Available as paperback and kindle version

(Also available on Smashwords, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and iTunes)
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk


'...imagining his knife gouging the boy’s liver and frying it for dinner' 
Book 2 Flight of a Changeling, fantasy series. 
Available as paperback and kindle version
www.amazon.com
Amazon uk

‘I told the dragons when they rescued us, an evil one possessed him.’
 Book 3, Blood Bride
Available in paperback NOW

Kindle version release date 1st Dec.
amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

Saturday 23 November 2013

Final hours for fantasy GIVEAWAY


Day 7 -  Sunday - 24th of November
http://hello-booklover.tumblr.com
Spotlight

And here it is. The very last day of my virtual book tour. Been a great week for coverage.  The FANTASY BOOK GIVEAWAY ENDS in around 6 hrs so pop along if you like fantasy series books. HAPPY TOURING to y'all.

Friday 22 November 2013

Fantasy author Book Tour & Giveaway



Day 6- 23rd of November
http://threeblankpages.blogspot.com
Spotlight
http://allthingsfantasy.tumblr.com
Spotlight
MANY THANKS to these blogs for hosting my Book Tour. Plus let's not forget the GIVEAWAY where you can win any or all 3 of my books published so far in the fantasy series set on the world of Aarabassa. Rafflecopter giveaway




Thursday 21 November 2013

Fantasy series in Giveaway


Day 5 - Friday - 22nd of November
http://www.kyrahalland.com
Spotlight and Interview
http://fantasyparanormalbooks.blogspo...
Spotlight

I feel that we're on countdown now. Only 2 more days to go of my virtual book tour. Some wonderful bloggers have hosted spotlights for me this week. Plus please support me if you can by entering the Giveaway to win one of the 3 books of my fantasy series.  Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Links to fantasy book excerpts


I am one lucky author. It's now half way through my Virtual Book Tour thanks to www.saskiabookservices.yolasite.com

PLUS my thanks go to the following sites for hosting me on DAY 4:-

Day 4- 21st of November
http://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
Spotlight and Excerpt

http://saskiabooktours.wordpress.com
Spotlight and Excerpt

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Day 3 Many thanks for hosting my Book Tour

Day 3- 20th of November
http://patriciascholes.com
Spotlight

http://writingdreams.net
Spotlight

I cannot thank these blogs/sites enough for hosting my virtual Book Tour. It's fantastic how we writers/readers help each other so much. I'm honoured to be a part of it in the grand scheme of events.  Also a big thanks to www.saskiabookservices.yolasite.com for organising the whole things.

Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway Not only Book 1 but also Books 2 and 3 in e-version.

Monday 18 November 2013

Day 2 Fantasy Book Tour



Day 2 - 19.11of my Fantasy Book Tour:-
Rafflecopter giveaway

http://theviolethourbookreviews.wordp...
Spotlight and Interview

http://aoifesheri.wordpress.com
Spotlight

Thanks go to these blogs for supporting my books.
Also thanks to www.saskiabookservices.yolasite.com for organising it.

Sunday 17 November 2013

Beginning of fantasy book tour


And so it begins.

My very own and my very first Virtual Book Tour.

Monday is the first stop.

My thanks go to http://www.take2creativestorywriters.com plus http://whcann.co.uk for hosting my tour.

This is all happening courtesy of www.saskiabookservices.yolasite.com

Saturday 16 November 2013

The future of a fantasy world

In the Beginning
It has now been nearly a year since I first began as a self published author with Amazon. I still feel like a newbie but I am a little more wised up to the machinations of being an indie author.

No Readers
When I first set out I put my fantasy series up for sale as a thick book of over 450 pages. Why? Because this is the sort of book I like to read. The idea was I would do a trilogy of thick books. As a new author it simply did not work. Readers do not want to bother with a huge book from someone they have never heard of.

Where Have I gone Wrong
This was where my very inexperienced beginnings at social networking first came in handy. I put a question to other authors on a Facebook Group I had joined, asking where I had gone wrong. I had no sales, what could I possibly do? I truly felt like my book must be terrible. Not one person told me to give it all up.

The Split
First they all picked me up from my bottomless pit. Then a brilliant suggestion was made and it opened up a whole new perspective for my Business Plan that I didn't have. Actually, it gave me a Business Plan. Split the book up it's too thick. Brilliant. Why didn't I think of that. So that's exactly what I did. I was worried that the suggestion of splitting into 3 was going to stretch it thin. However, when I sat and looked at the figures it seemed to make sense. So I split the story up into approx. 50k for each book.

Editing Blindness
This book had taken me approx 10yrs to write. I edited so many times that I became blind to my own mistakes. When I started to re-read for the split, I realised the book was still rough around the edges as far as grammar and spelling were concerned. Sizing it down to smaller sections enabled me to edit each 200 pages much closer. And so my fantasy series was organised. Taking the first 50k (approx) I set about re-editing, changing the title and book cover and re-releasing.

Outcome
So now, 1 year later I have finally released book 3. The last 50k of the original book. I now have three books instead of one. The time has come to go on and produce Book 4 (which is half written). However, I'm not just following this path of prediction. I still aim to achieve my original goal of three big books. Hence, I am putting the first three books together as an omnibus. Still keeping the smaller books on the market. I intend to do this with each set of three books. It is my hope to produce nine smaller books to achieve this goal.

Setbacks
I still consider myself a newbie. I have managed to increase the social networking, tenfold. Aswell as writing I created a blog, a website and an author Facebook page. My sales are still poor but my expectations are more realistic. Firstly, there is so much talent on the market that I am just one author among millions. Secondly, I find myself STILL editing. I am once again re-reading books 1 through to 3 so I can re-edit for the omnibus. Unbelievable that after a million (exaggeration - well slightly) edits I still have mistakes.

Multi-tasking
No pennies for a professional edit. I also produce my own book covers. In fact, my roles are multiple. I write, edit, illustrate, market, network and I'm sure there's more that I just cannot think of at the moment.

Lot of Pleases
So what do I ask of the world:-
1 Buy my books
Book 1 Guardian-Dragons
Book 2 Flight of a Changeling
Book 3 Blood-Bride
2 Leave book reviews on Amazon. They are such a necessary tool for my improvement.
3 Join my blog for more updates on my works
http://onewomansquestuk.blogspot.co.uk/
4 Like my Facebook author page
https://www.facebook.com/catherinelvickers
5 Have a look at my website whereby I am attempting to explain the intricate details of my fantasy world.
The world of Aarabassa explained


Thursday 14 November 2013

Book Tour JL Mcfadden Fantasy Horror & Romance



Today I welcome author JL Mcfadden who is visiting my blog on his virtual book tour for a book titled:-

Adela (The Guardian)

Adela: Is a beautiful young woman of a very wealthy family in Eastern Europe who is fending off advances from an older aristocratic German business man that has an evil presence about him. She falls madly in love with another man to see her father and his followers come under the attack and clutches of this barren try to use the enslavement of her fathers land and people to force her to be his own.

BUY THIS BOOK:

amazon.com
smashwords.com

Before to we go on to meet the author let's click the link for his Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


J.L McFadden is the Author of the Guardian Series:

Guardian, released, Adela, release in September, Chooses, release in December, Adela’s Lost

Guardian, March, more to be named at a later date. McFadden spins tragedy and romance into all of

his stories with picturesque descriptions that vividly paints and melts the scenes into your pleasure

cortex that is a valid and important part of every readers mind. ;) Jamie Lee was born in a mixed

Celtic and Slavic family in the river valleys of Pennsylvania, in his earlier years he played in bands in

New York and ended up working his way into H.Q of the largest musical retailer in the world Guitar

Centre; while working at the store level he managed multiple departments at once and handled all the

stores merchandising logistics. He has explored the world and became the first American to be

excepted into the Interregional Federation of Aikido Aikikai of Crimea & Sevastopol, where he enjoys

learning from great masters from around the world, where he has developed his himself. He explains

that the people rich and colourfully different people he has met spawned a lot of his characters.

goodreads.com
Author website
Author Facebook Page
vk.com

Armchair Time
Time to relax with a nice hot drink and imagine you're having a lovely little chat with our guest. Feeling comfy? Good, then let's begin...


Q. Are you a full time author or do you have another job aswell and if so how do either or these fit in with writing time?

A. Being my second book I am still trying to get my head around it, but I do write from time to time for a Ukrainian site. I am trying to make the leap to full time Author and have been blessed with lots of Authors lending a hand.


Q. Do you write on your novel daily or do you try to have days off?
A. I am a moody writer I guess, I will sit down and write sixty or seventy pages at a clip, but I cannot set myself to a schedule of an hour here or an hour there.


Q. Do you go back to published books and want to change them in any way?
A. My new Editor makes sure that I don’t want to change anything after we are done; I would have to say she is a complete blessing.


Q. Who do you think your book will appeal to?
A. I would have to go out on a limb and say younger and middle aged women, but It still has enough action in it to keep a guy happy or at least I hope it does.
Q. If you have a ‘baddy’ in your book, can you tell us a little about this character?
A. That would have to be Lord Roth, the man has a strange charm and a peal that seems to cast people under his charm, debonair, but yet still rough around the edges. He is used to getting his way and is a mastermind at bending the will of others.


Q. Is there any romance in your story and if so can you tell us a little about this?
A. Well in this book Adela has fallen in love with a young man named Donavan and there is a lot of flirting and someone who is mad about Adela trying to put a hamper on it, but they are not the only ones having a fling during the story,  


Q. If you have to write any fighting scenes, what are your best tips of how you create them?
A. Wow, for me in this book I tried to keep it more simple than my first, because the last book I explained in great detail. In Ukraine I am a member of  Interregional Federation of Aikido Aikikai of Crimea & Sevastopol and have been studying Jujitsu for ages.


Q. Do you ever write sad scenes and do you feel the sadness as you write it?
A. I think if you are not feeling the story, you audience is not going to feel it, so if I don’t feel any scene, I rewrite.


Q. Did you write as a child or did you come into your talent as an adult?
A. I have had teachers since the 8th grade pushing me to write, but I have just recently started to publish books.


Q. Can you give us a little insight into any fantasy characters in your latest book?
A. Two different types of werewolves, some are man-beasts and those who are just wolf and Vampires.


Q. Is your world in your book like earth or is it a fantasy world?
A. It is actually based on in Europe.


Q. What is the time period setting of your latest book?
A. 12 century


Q. Do you prefer to write as a series or one off books?
A. I have several series in my head, but I do have a couple one offs. Adela is part of a series, but I feel it should be read before the rest.


Q. Do you like to use lots of subplots or do you think just confuses?
A. I like to build a story and trying to make it unfold and not be confusing to people.


Q. Can you tell us a little about one of your sub plots in your latest book?
A. Adela, is a woman that and her father wants her to take control of his land and in those days that was unheard of, but the people that lived on this land all hoped for it, while others not from there rebuked the idea. One of the men that hated this idea was also madly enthralled with her, but also detested how the people seemed to treat her as a queen.


Q. Can you tell us a little about your protagonist and your antagonist and how they relate to each other?
A. Adela would be the leading lady in this story; she is a young and strong wild woman that loves all people.


Lord Roth is a greedy businessman that believes all people are just there to be used and is always enraged at how not only does Adela ignore his advances, but beats him to the punch every time he tries to do a power move to take the reins of the situation. He is tormented by her, all the men want her and she is the first person to ever be able to resist his Vampire charming.


Q. How do you think you would feel if you received a really bad review that seemed justified?
A. You have to take the knocks and grow with them.


Q. Do you think all readers should do reviews to help the writers improve?
A. I think readers should review to allow other readers to see what a book is about. I try not to be judgmental in my reviews; I tell people why I liked a book without spoiling the plot.



Q. When you receive reviews do you find yourself influenced to make changes?A. I am always trying to grow.

Thank you Jamielee for the opportunity of chatting with you on my blog today.