Friday, December 14, 2012

The Independent Authors International iAi holiday book Extravaganza




You’re an awesome gifter — you got someone special a brand new e-reader. But what’s a great e-reader without great reads?
Just in time for the holidays — Independent Authors International brings six great books from six great, independent authors for just 99 cents each.

 On Unfaithful Wings, by Bruce A. Blake —
Icarus Fell was alive, then he was dead, now he’s stuck somewhere in between. Icarus Fell is a harvester, brought back to Earth by the archangel Michael to collect souls and help them on their way to Heaven. If he gets enough of them before the bad guys do—if he does a good job—he can have his life back. But people he knew in life are dying, killed by a murderer’s knife, their bodies defiled, and the cops think he’s the killer. How does a man who no longer exists stop a psycho? Icarus Fell know he has to stop him before the killer gets to his son.
“Icarus Fell is officially my new favorite anti-hero.”

Bonescover.jpg The Bones of the Earth, by Scott Bury — Eastern Europe, the Dark Age. The earth besets human civilization with earthquakes, floods, famines and new plagues that wipe out nearly half the population. Half of the mighty Roman Empire disappears. And the only man who can save humanity is one society rejected because he’s different.
“A marvelous read. I spent most of a day in The Bones of the Earth in spite of the things I had to do!”
 Velvet Rain, by David C. Cassidy — Kain Richards is the last of his kind--and a man on the run. So when this mysterious drifter falls for a beautiful and sensible Iowa farmwoman, he knows full well the perils of getting too close. And yet, for the first time in his miserable existence, life feels normal ... feels real. But as those around him soon realize, reality is not what it seems. For when a tragic accident forces Kain's hand, his astonishing secret--and godlike power--changes their lives, and the world, forever.
“It took my breath away right from the first line."

 The Funny Adventures of Little Nani, by Cinta Garcia de la Rosa, illustrated by Almudena Romero Sánchez — Little Nani is a little girl who likes helping people, but when she does, the results are unexpected. Why? Because Little Nani is a witch! Or at least she wants to be a witch. She tries to cast spells to help her friends, but she didn’t finish the magic spell course. Little Nani’s extraordinary friends include funny ostriches, horses that love reading, super-fast turtles, grumpy zombies ... Little Nani has lots of friends! You can also draw your own characters! Little Nani is willing to become a good witch. Will she manage to do it? Who knows? 
“Children will love this book of short stories and they will fall in love with the beautiful image.”
 American Goddesses, by Gary Henry — When two small-town women find themselves with nearly unlimited powers of mind and body, their lives get complicated. Things turn nasty as a shadowy organization attempts to use Megan and Trish for their own evil ends, and destroy them, their town and the USA in the process. 
“A ton of girl power … Highly recommended!”

 Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula, by Elise Stokes —Fourteen-year-old Cassidy Jones wakes up the morning after a minor accident in the laboratory of a world-renowned geneticist to discover that her body has undergone some bizarre physical changes. Her senses, strength, and speed have been radically enhanced.

After exploring her newfound abilities, Cassidy learns that the geneticist is missing and that foul play is suspected. Terrified that her physical changes and Professor Phillips' disappearance are somehow connected, Cassidy decides to keep her strange transformation a secret. That is, until she meets the professor's brilliant and mysterious fifteen-year-old son, Emery. An unlikely duo, they set out to find Emery's mother and are forced to confront a maniacal villain willing to do anything — including murder — to achieve his goals.
"Elise Stokes ranks up there with other YA masterminds! This is a definite must -read book!”

Looking for more great fantasy from independent authors? Check out the eBooks Make Great Gifts book blitz from the Guild of Dreams fantasy authors collective.

Sunday, December 09, 2012

Gray Justice by Alan McDermott




Gray Justice is the fast-paced debut thriller from Alan McDermott. When a killer walks free from court, the victim's father sees just two options: accept the judge's decision; or take on the entire British justice system. Tom Gray chooses the latter and his crusade attracts instant worldwide media coverage. It was just what Tom was hoping for, but it brought him a lot more than he bargained for.
Gray Justice is much more than a simple tale of revenge: it's a rollercoaster ride with an ending you'll never forget!

Short bio:

Alan McDermott is a software developer from the south of England, married with beautiful twin daughters. When he isn't creating critical applications for the NHS, he is writing action thrillers.

His first novel, Gray Justice, has been very well received. The sequel, Gray Resurrection, was released in March 2012.

Alan is currently working on the last book in the trilogy - Gray Redemption.

You can follow Alan on Twitter through his @Jambalian account.

More on Alan McDermott

"I am a software developer from the south of England and I’m married with beautiful twin daughters. Ever since the early 90's I've wanted to write a novel but work commitments (and having my short stories rejected) meant I didn't pursue that dream. It wasn’t until my daughters asked me for a story one night last year, and having exhausted their books over the previous weeks I made one up, the tale of a magical creature called The Jambalian. Successive nights bought more requests and so I decided to write some down so that Mummy could take a turn, and as I put pen to paper the old desire returned.

I decided to dig out one of my old short stories and showed an updated copy to a colleague at work, another aspiring author. Her response was “You have to get that published!” so I looked into it and came across Smashwords. I uploaded Recidivist and a much shorter story, Night Stalker, with the hope of getting a few sales at 99 cents, but the only way I could get anyone to read them was to give them away.

In the meantime I penned three of the Jambalian stories and uploaded them, but in my heart I wanted to try a full novel, and it was while watching Road Wars on TV that I saw the way career criminals were treated so lightly by the British courts. After a 30 minute chase through busy traffic in a stolen car, the thief – committing crime number 45 – was caught and given a £250 fine and driving ban. I had to wonder what kind of deterrent that was, and the idea formed from there.

From that little seed came Gray Justice, a story I wrote in what little spare time I had.  The sequel — Gray Resurrection — followed, and I am working on the last book in the series.  The rest of my story is yet to be told..."

More information can be found via the links below. 

Friday, October 05, 2012

Bloodland by RS Guthrie



"Crime's an ugly constant in the big city. L.A. Chicago. New York. But when a savage murder brutalizes a small town and neighbor turns on neighbor, a tough-as-nails cop is essential to restoring order. Blood Land is a gritty, emotional saga set in the Wyoming badlands with both greed and vengeance at its core.

When billions of dollars in natural gas rights hang in the balance and the town's top law officer's wife is slain by her own blood, a reluctant hero is forced to battle his own demons and ultimately choose between justice, revenge, and duty. 

In the tradition of Dennis LehaneTony Hillerman and James Lee Burke, Guthrie's sparse, haunting storytelling compliments his talent for creating richly-drawn, unflinching law officers with human frailties and a sense of justice."

Available at http://amzn.to/BLOODLAND


Monday, July 23, 2012

Featured iAi author - Roger Eschbacher


Roger Eschbacher got his start writing television animation for Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon — penning such shows as Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc., My Gym Partner's a Monkey, Baby Looney Tunes, Histeria, Angry Beavers, Aaah! Real Monsters, Detention, and Rocket Power.

Roger is the author of two picture books; Road Trip and Nonsense! He Yelled, both published by Dial Books.

He is a main company alumnus of Los Angeles' acclaimed comedy troupe, The Groundlings, providers of talented performers like Will Ferrell, Pee Wee Herman, and Lisa Kudrow — but he isn't nearly as famous as any of those people and only mentions them in a sad attempt to impress you.

Born in St. Louis, Roger now lives in California with his family and a crazy dog named Lizzy.

Check out his book details


Thursday, July 28, 2011

Bloodletter 3 day Giveaway!



We have been blessed by Angel Haze with her 3 day giveaway. Kindly visit https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66683 and use the coupon code ZH78U to get the book for free


Bloodletter:

Thou shalt not kill.

A contradictory message written in blood at the scene of a young woman?s murder. Within days, another body surfaces with a similar calling card and, to Detective Ramon Faust and Criminalist Kelly Garret, it?s clear a deadly game is underfoot.

As the rash of horrific crimes continue, a phone call unearths a shocking revelation: Nakeita isn?t the first city the elusive killer has left his mark. The Bloodletter, as dubbed by the media, has played his deadly game before.

Delving deep into the most terrifying case of Kelly?s career, threatening phone calls and flashbacks of a forgotten near-death experience challenge her sanity and the lives of everyone she loves.

Bloodletter is available on Amazon and Smashwords for $0.99.
US Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00563FA88
UK Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00563FA88
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66683

About the Author:
I'm a Canadian author who is an avid reader of fantasy, thriller, and mystery novels. I write both fantasy and thriller novels. My free time is spent dancing, fitness training with P90x, watching movies and Game of Thrones. Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch is co-authored by my husband, Slade Sewell. Slade grew up as an only child, and, therefore, developed an active imagination. His free time is devoted to the three things he loves most: hockey, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and RPG games.


Connect with us on:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4949334.Angel_Haze

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Shadow Cat Excerpt


I wish to introduce to everyone a very interesting excerpt of the book, Shadow Cat, by Reena Jacobs.

For those who wish to get more information on the book, visit

Reena Jacobs - Author of Lots of Words
www.reenajacobs.com
www.reenajacobs.com/blog
http://twitter.com/ReenaJacobs




Placing one paw on the trail, Berani committed herself and stalked at an unhurried pace despite the desire to sprint. She caught sight of the human lying haphazardly over a fallen tree. Crouched low, she fought the slight vertigo which overcame her at the grisly sight floating above the hapless human.
A penanggalan-the jinjang's minion-the cause of so many illnesses and deaths amongst her people. From the neck, a stringy mass of veins drooped and suspended disemboweled organs. The lungs deflated, and a vapor drifted from its nose, saturating the air with a vinegary stench. A long proboscis-like tongue slithered from its mouth and undulated like a snake as it lapped the back of the human's head with a revolting slurp.
Berani drew back her lips, and low rumble formed in her belly, growing louder as it traveled closer to her throat. She opened her mouth, and the roar vibrated through the air. Animals startled from their tree perches and crash through the branches to the ground.
A hush overtook the forest as the penanggalan swiveled to Berani. A visage of breathtaking splendor and femininity faced her. Ruby lips stood in bold contrast against skin so milky white and pale, spider veins shone beneath the translucency. The red eyes glowed like a torch in the darkness-the soulless pits a mockery against the beauty.
The bodiless atrocity levitated higher. The long black hair whipped about, catching the wind to keep the creature aloft. Its features distorted as it opened a mouth full of jagged sharp teeth and released an ear-piercing scream which sliced the night.
Berani folded her ears flat against her skull, trying to block the damaging sound. Even so, the muted screech echoed in her head.
The creature rushed her with a hiss, its maws carnivorous, and hair streaming behind like a trail of black smoke. Stooping low, Berani braced for the attack...

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Excerpt and Giveaway by Angel Haze



We have a grand 3 day giveaway for Angel Haze's amazing book, War of the Witch, which can be found at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/70412 with the code NR44B

More on the book

Debonair, a witch from the Unspoken Lands, has meddled in the forbidden practice of magic and created an army of nightmarish proportions. When sixteen-year-old Astanyx and his two best friends return from a hunting trip to find their small town of Polca reduced to smoke and ash, they find themselves thrust into battle for which they haven't been trained.

With the help of his comrades, including an esteemed warrior, one of the last great wizards and a princess they've sworn to protect, Astanyx must fight to unite the kingdoms of the humans, dwarves and elves. He must ask forbidden questions that no one wants to answer, questions about Talimura's dark history. As Debonair's brutal warriors lay siege to the kingdoms, Astanyx is driven to pursue a fateful quest for a blade powerful enough to defeat the malevolent witch before she destroys the three kingdoms and unleashes and unspeakable ancient evil.

Here's an amazing excerpt to get your appetite warmed up for what's in store inside

Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch

Chapter 1:

Smoke and Ash

You’re surrounded, Astanyx thought as he waited silently behind a bush, his hands steady,
pulling back the string on his short bow. Barclay was positioned twenty feet to his left and
Ramza to his right, each armed and ready, waiting for the opportune moment.
Sweat beaded on his brow from the late afternoon sun, but Astanyx made no attempt to wipe
it away. A single wrong move and it would all be over. The forest gave them cover, but it gave
their prey cover as well. None of the sixteen-year-olds had a shot, so they waited.
The horacle was hidden behind a tree. It was bigger game than they would normally take on
but, once they had come across it, Barclay had insisted upon hunting it, refusing to back down.
He claimed that stumbling upon a horacle—a distracted horacle—was too fine of an opportunity
to pass up. They had had little luck hunting in the forest that day and Barclay refused to return
to the village—return to his father—with little more than a few rabbits. Astanyx couldn’t allow
his friend to foolishly attempt to take it down without help, and so he and Ramza had agreed.
Patiently, they held their positions.
Every few seconds, the tips of the horacle's horns poked out from behind the side of the great
tree, greedy growls becoming muffled as it tore its fangs into the flesh of a rabbit.
It pushed the mutilated rabbit forward with its nose, exposing the beast’s head. Ravenously,
it continued to tear its meal apart, wolfing it down as if it hadn’t eaten in weeks. The shine and
thickness of the horacle's fur and thick muscular frame told him otherwise. It was merely in the
horacle’s nature to be gluttonous and ferocious.
Slowly, it stepped forward, unaware that with each passing second, it was creating an
opening for a shot.
The three boys waited with their bows. A few more seconds and Astanyx would have a shot.
His body was still as he stared at the horacle with unblinking eyes.
Snarls and growls continued to escape the beast as it exposed its midsection.
One more second. . . .
A twig snapped, breaking the silence, giving away one of the hunters’ positions. Astanyx’s
heart skipped a beat as the horacle’s head shot up, baring its teeth, clenching its three-inch claws.
The horacle's nostril flared as it caught Astanyx's scent. Their eyes met and the roles of hunter
and hunted instantly became reversed.
He stared with wide eyes as the fiery-eyed beast, blood dripping from its jaws and muscles
rippling, began to charge toward him. Stiffness spread over him like a plague, beginning with his
feet as it worked its way up. Astanyx managed one shot just as the hundred-pound beast leapt for
him.
His arrow pierced the beast between its eyes just as Barclay's arrow struck the horacle's side.
The beast released a ghastly shriek as it drew back in agony before it collapsing to the forest
floor, a few feet away from Astanyx. He let out a breath, momentarily fixed on the horacle.
Barclay jumped from his hiding spot, dagger in hand, and sliced the horacle’s throat. He
laughed and turned to Astanyx. “See? What did I tell you?”

Astanyx narrowed his eyes, his lips parting slightly as he slowly looked up in disbelief. He
could hardly suppress the wave of emotions as he watched Barclay nonchalantly wipe the blood
from his blade. Shaking his head, Astanyx turned to Ramza who rolled his eyes, both aware they
had encountered an unnecessary close call.
Barclay cut down a branch from the great tree, one that would be strong enough to carry the
horacle back to the village.
As they tied the horacle’s feet to the branch, Astanyx turned to Barclay, unable to hold his
tongue any longer. “I don’t see why you had to take it on. We came out to hunt rabbits. It’s
foolish to hunt a hunter just for food.”
“For Shiva’s sake, you could have opted out.”
“Don’t use the goddess’ name in vain,” said Astanyx. “Besides, I wouldn’t allow you to do it
on your own.”
“I could have handled it. I killed it, didn’t I?” Barclay said with a smirk.
“We killed it,” Astanyx corrected him.
“Quit your bickering,” Ramza said. “Let’s just bring it to the village. We are already late.
They’ll be expecting us to return about now.”
Given the circumstances, Astanyx would have preferred it to be Ramza on the other side
of the branch and not Barclay, but he said nothing as they headed east through the dense
forest, across the creek and up a hill. They had ventured farther than they had intended and had
consequently delayed their return trip to the village by a few hours.
Though he tried to focus on the trail ahead, more than once Astanyx almost threw Barclay
to the ground as he tripped over roots that could have easily been missed. Nonetheless, his
gaze remained fixed on the beast. Even in death, the power and ferocity of the animal did
not diminish. Every few seconds, he caught himself staring at it, watching for any signs of
movement, half-expecting it to merely be unconscious and suddenly awaken and attack.
The image of the horacle as it charged at him, eyes burning with fury, blood dripping from
its jaws, about to make him its next meal, flashed before Astanyx. What if their arrows had
missed? What if two arrows hadn’t been enough? He shuddered, shaking his head of these
thoughts. They hadn’t missed.
Even as the beast hung lifelessly from the pole, he wasn’t used to being this close to a
predator and a horacle, nonetheless. Squirrels and rabbits were his main catch. His glance went
from Barclay to the beast and back to Barclay who was walking proudly ahead.
Astanyx growled. “You could have got us all killed, and for what?”
Barclay looked back over his shoulder and scoffed. “I never miss.”
“There’s a first for everything.”
“Lay off it. Our fathers will be proud.”
“Our fathers would be proud of anything we brought home.”
“Speak for yourself,” Barclay muttered. Then, as if realizing he’d spoken aloud, he
confidently added, “This separates the men from the boys.”
Astanyx rolled his eyes. “There is a fine line between bravery and foolishness.”
“Ramza?” Barclay called out. “Please tell me that you at least side with me.”
Five paces ahead, Ramza slowly turned, momentarily catching Astanyx’s gaze before
turning to Barclay. “It was a close call. Astanyx has every right to be angry. Remember, it was
him who the horacle charged at. If that had been me, I’d be in need of new trousers.”
“If he hadn’t of stepped on that twig, the horacle would’ve been dead before it even noticed
we were there,” Barclay said.

Astanyx opened his mouth but Ramza spoke first. “I believe that was my mistake.” Barclay
was silent, not knowing where to go with the conversation. “I will say this, though. The horacle
will make a fine addition to the feast and,” Ramza said with a smile, “the ladies will be quite
impressed as we stroll into the village with this on our shoulders.”
The grin on Barclay’s face matched that of Ramza’s. “How I love Shiva’s Festival.” He
laughed. “I believe Claire will be the lady of the night.”
“The chief’s daughter,” Ramza said nodding. “Her beauty surpasses even the most delicate
flower.”
“Is she not a few years older than us?” Astanyx asked.
“It doesn’t matter,” Barclay snapped.
“I believe she’s interested in—” Immediately, Astanyx regretted ever opening his mouth.
Barclay’s eyes burned with anger. “There’s always something with you, isn’t there? Nothing
is ever good enough.”
“That’s not what I said,” Astanyx said.
“It’s the horacle, isn’t it? You just can’t let it go.”
Attached to the pole, Astanyx had no choice but to listen as Barclay reamed into him.
This wasn’t the first time that Barclay’s brash actions had resulted in a near miss. He’d
always seemed on a mission to prove himself. However, his efforts had more than doubled in the
last few months as the year marked his sixteenth birthday.
Ramza had apparently grown tired of his friends’ bickering and was now several yards
ahead. Astanyx found himself wishing he were by his side to mediate the situation and lighten
the mood. Ramza, with his walking stick in hand, was nearing the top of the hill which Astanyx
and Barclay had only begun to climb.
For a few minutes, he disappeared out of sight. Suddenly, he reappeared at the top of the
hill and came barrelling down the hill. “The village!” he cried. “The village! Something’s
happened!”
“What?” Barclay and Astanyx asked.
They immediately dropped the horacle as they sprinted up the hill. Astanyx’s heart was
racing, fists clenched, arms pumping, anxious to see for himself.
“What happened?” he yelled to Ramza who was almost at the top of the hill. “What did you
see?”
Ramza kept running, not so much as glancing over his shoulder.
“Ramza!” Astanyx yelled again, but his friend was too far ahead.
How long had they been gone, he wondered. What could have happened in that short amount
of time?
Suddenly, Astanyx caught a hint of smoke and then, as both he and Barclay reached the top
of the hill, they stopped short, dropping their jaws. Over the tree tops, thick clouds of smoke
hovered over the village of Polca.
We shouldn’t have left! We shouldn’t have stayed out for so long! Astanyx thought
frantically as he raced down the hill, tumbling over his own feet.
As they neared Polca, Astanyx could smell the smoke clearly. The whole town was ablaze.
“What happened? Who did this?” Astanyx cried, nearly out of breath. There was no
response.
He coughed, inhaling smoke and the stench of burnt flesh. What few buildings hadn't already
burned to the ground were collapsing. The fire had spread across the entire village. Little was left
but burnt and burning buildings, smoke and ashes floating in the wind.

“What do we do?” Ramza asked.
His mind was spinning. “Search for survivors!” Astanyx shouted, numbness and nausea
threatening to overcome him. It wouldn’t help him save anyone . . . if there was anyone left to
be saved. He shook his head of the thought and focused on finding his family and any other
survivors.
Shaking, he ran through the village past burning buildings, and dodging falling objects. He
searched for his father—for anyone—but there was no sign of life. Blood and burnt wood stained
the ground. Garlands and trinkets made in preparation for the Shiva Festival had been scattered
and destroyed. Arrows stuck out of the earth. Soldiers had been here. Someone had come and
destroyed Polca.
Again and again, Astanyx called out to his father, his only family, but there was no response.
The smoke grew thicker, stinging his eyes as tears began to well up as the heat of the fire
licked his skin.
As he turned the next corner, he gasped. Surrounding the center town well, the dead had
been decapitated, their heads staked around a fire to invoke terror. Those who hadn’t been staked
had been piled up and burned. He stood, tense, his body shaking as he watched the flickering
flames. Slowly, he scanned the burnt and blackened faces of those mounted on stakes. He was
able to recognize only a few of them—eyes wide, mouths agape—while others were burned or
mutilated beyond recognition. A single tear ran down his cheek as he prayed that his father was
not among the poor souls.
He was about to turn away when he noticed, at the base of the fire pit, an odd-looking skull
with tusks.
A loud crack startled him and he turned to see Farmer Wilton’s house collapse a few feet
away. The walls hit the ground, momentarily breathing life to the blanket of ash beneath it. The
ash wisped across his face. His shaky hand slowly wiped it away.
Soon, there would be nothing left of Polca. Sadness and confusion enveloped him,
scrambling his mind. They were all dead. There was nothing left. Even the livestock was
missing.
He kept running, anxious to see if his father had survived the attack. Since their house was
at the far end of the village, perhaps that distance was enough to keep him out of harm’s way.
Astanyx swallowed hard. His father would never cower in the hours while the town was under
attack. He would have fought to the death to protect their home.
Suddenly, Astanyx heard what sounded like a wheeze. He gasped. A survivor! Although, he
dreaded the thought of abandoning his search for his father, he couldn’t ignore someone in need
of help.
Astanyx ran in the direction of the sound, anxious, eyes darting in every direction and he
found Thomas, the local blacksmith, trapped under some wood. A building had collapsed with
him inside. His face was blackened with soot and smeared with blood. Astanyx tried to lift the
piece of wood from Thomas’ chest but it was too heavy.
Thomas was shaking, his skin ashen as he gasped for breath.
“What happened?”
Thomas opened his mouth to speak but no words came out.
“What happened?” Astanyx anxiously asked again.
“A-all . . . d-dead,” Thomas said softly enough that Astanyx was unsure if he had heard him
correctly. “All . . . dead.”
“What happened?”

“They burned their dead and . . . staked ours.” Thomas wheezed. His chest fell
heavily. “Those they didn’t kill . . . they enslaved.”
“Who did this?”
Thomas didn’t respond. He seemed weak, moments away from his last breath.
“Who did this?” Astanyx repeated, but Thomas had stopped shaking and his eyes had rolled
back into his head.
“No!” he cried, shaking Thomas slightly, hoping there was still life in him, but he remained
still. “I need to know!” He lowered his head, balling his fists.
“Astanyx!” a voice called out from behind him.
It was Ramza, with Barclay at his side. Their eyes were wide, stricken with horror.
“Did you find them?” Astanyx asked.
They slowly nodded, sadness swelling in their eyes. No further words were exchanged. None
needed to be. Their expressions revealed their heartbreaking news. Ramza and Barclay’s families
were dead, gone with the rest of the town.
The three of them searched the remainder of the town like zombies, mouths agape, trembling
with the revelation of each new horror.
“Father!” Astanyx called once they reached the far side of town where he and his father
lived. Despite the odds, he refused to believe his father was among the slain.
Suddenly, a shiver ran up his spine. Through the crackling flames, he saw remnants of what
used to be his home. He swallowed, clenching his fists at his sides, and stared at the pile of
rubble. All that he had ever known had been destroyed. His mind went numb.
He lowered his head.
Then, he heard something—a muffled sound that could have been human or merely a gust
of wind. He stood motionlessly, straining to hear over the wind and crackling flames. As he was
about to dismiss it, he heard it again. A voice! Someone was alive. His breath caught in his throat
as he attempted to pinpoint where the sound was coming from. He zigzagged along the road,
following the call.
“Where are you?” he called.
“Over here.” The voice was close.
“Where?” He frantically searched the road and the fallen buildings.
“I’m here,” the voice said. It was closer but weaker, seemingly coming from his right.
Astanyx turned and saw a pile of rubble. He tore through it in search of the survivor, Ramza
and Barclay following suit.
“Where are you? Where are you?”
“Astanyx,” the voice said. “Is that you?”
His eyes widened at the mentioning of his name, at the familiar voice. Fear and anxiety
rushed through him as he lifted a board to see his father’s face. “Father!” he cried.
He turned to his friends. “Help me get this off of him!”
The three boys carefully lifted the board that had fallen onto his father and tossed it to the
side. His father was lying on his back, his clothes blackened by ash, gashes across his arms and a
broken arrow protruding from his stomach. He was breathing heavily, with little strength left in
him.
“Father.”
Ramza and Barclay both knelt at his side.
“Let me help you,” Astanyx said as he reached for the arrow.
His father shook his head and winced in pain. “Astanyx, my son. You . . . must . . .” His

voiced trailed off.
“What, Father?”
His father cleared his throat. “You must go to . . . Windham. . . . Warn the . . . King.”
“But, Father—”
“Tell him it . . . it—” Suddenly, his father was gasping for breath, grimacing as he clutched
his stomach, every breath causing him immense pain.
Astanyx fought to keep his emotions from spilling over. “What, Father? What do I tell him?”
His father’s eyes closed and his breathing slowed. Astanyx shook uncontrollably, his mouth
dry and his muscles tensed, believing for a moment that he had lost him. Ramza placed a hand on
his friend’s shoulder. Then, his father opened his eyes. Astanyx let out a breath.
His father winced and took a deep breath. “I did my best to take some of them down. They
weren’t soldiers. . . . They were monsters.”

I am a Canadian author who is an avid reader of fantasy, thriller, and mystery novels. I write both fantasy and thriller novels. My free time is spent dancing, fitness training with P90X, watching movies and Game of Thrones. Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch is co-authored by my husband Slade Sewell. Slade grew up as an only child, and, therefore, developed an active imagination. His free time is devoted to the three things he loves most: hockey, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and RPG games.


US AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005965A64
UK AMAZON: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005965A64
SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/70412

Connect with:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AngelHaze7
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angel-Haze/112457508837831
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4949334.AngelHaze
Website: http://www.angelhaze.com

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

An interview with C.A. Kunz


1. Tell us more about yourself

Carol- I am half English and half American. I was born in the United Kingdom, 54 years ago. I saw my first ghost at the young age of 8 and have had several paranormal experiences since. I have two grown children who have gone out into the world on their own, and three four-legged ones still living at home. I’ve been married for 35 years to my husband Bob, who is also one of the main illustrators for our series. My life could make for interesting reading, so unbelievable, that if I did write it down nobody would probably believe me. I have been writing with my son, Adam, for just over two years now, and this wonderfully enjoyable experience has brought us closer together.

Adam- I was born in New Port News, Virginia and have traveled coast to coast with my parents, living in several places due to my dad being in the military. Growing up, I was a huge fan of creature features and books about things that go bump in the night. When I’m not busy writing, I enjoy my job at a certain theme park here in Orlando, Florida as a décor consultant. This job brings me face to face with all sorts of nightmarish creatures, especially when I decorate the haunted houses for the park’s annual Halloween event.

2. Tell us more about the book you are promoting?

Carol and Adam- The Childe is a coming of age story with a supernatural twist about our main character, Cat Colvin. Along with the normal stresses of starting her freshman year at Astoria high school, she also has to deal with a mean spirited teacher, catty girls, and a Goth clique that seems to take an instant dislike to her. To make matters worse, unbeknownst to her, she is also metamorphosing into a Childe.

3. How does this book describe you? How does it express your thoughts?

Carol and Adam- Well, we both share the love of the paranormal and things that go ‘bump’ in the night. We also wanted to do something a little different (not necessarily original) than most YA books nowadays, and have a ‘happy family’ scenario, of which both of us were lucky enough to have while growing up. We also wanted to show that life doesn’t always go the way you would like it to, and sometimes you have to adapt to certain situations to make the outcome better.

4. What similarities do you find between yourself and the protagonist?

Carol- Cat is a strong female and person in general. I feel I too am a strong person. I’ve led a very challenging life, and know that I have to learn my life lessons, but sometimes I wish I could just have a break (like I’m sure everyone does). She is also a great and loyal friend, which is what I have always tried to be (heck no one is perfect). Also, Cat is red-headed, left-handed and doesn’t tan, a saying that I use to describe myself. Adam wrote the chapter describing her, and he always laughs when I describe myself, so he made Cat have attributes like mine.

5. What about you do you see in the antagonist?

Carol and Adam- We all have our dark sides, and we’re no exception. We’d never deliberately hurt someone, but we do get angry just like everyone else.  Unlike our antagonist though, who embraces their evil nature, we’d never act on our dark side. And no, just in case you’re wondering, Carol doesn’t have a ‘redheaded’ temper that all redheads have mistakenly been saddled with.

6. What music most appropriately suits your book?

Carol and Adam- Funny that you mention that. Adam has a friend (an engineer and aspiring musician), Lee Wilson, who is putting together a companion soundtrack for our book. Volume one of the soundtrack spans the first two books in The Childe series, and will contain 11 full length songs. The songs have full lyrics and were inspired by the words of the novels. They span several genres from pop, rock, r&b, punk, classical, and country. The Childe companion soundtrack will be available soon.

7. What values do you wish to impart through your book?

Carol and Adam- The value of true friendship.  People that will stand by you no matter what.  We’ve moved around a great deal in our lives, losing track of friends along the way, and now realize how much we yearn for long lasting true friendship. In this day and age, with the world becoming a little crazier every day, it’s nice to have someone to count on when you need them. We’re proud of how we’ve displayed this in our book.

Links:

Find us on Goodreads @: http://bit.ly/majh5D

Find us on Facebook @: www.facebook.com/thechilde (book page) and www.facebook.com/cakunz11 (author page)

Find us on Twitter: @AuthorCAKunz

Our blog/website (that is under construction at the moment): www.cakunz.blogspot.com

The Childe (Book One in The Childe Series) is available at these locations:

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/jJiRly (Paperback edition)
                     http://amzn.to/lPm919 (Kindle edition)
Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/kX9qjx (Paperback edition)
                       http://amzn.to/kTp6V2 (Kindle edition)
Barnes and Noble.com: http://bit.ly/li59yI (Nook edition)
                                    http://bit.ly/kke47q (Paperback edition)

Saturday, July 09, 2011

An Interview with Angel Haze

1. Tell us more about yourself.

I'm a Canadian author who is an avid reader of fantasy, thriller, and mystery novels. I
write both fantasy and thriller novels. My free time is spent dancing, fitness training with
P90x, watching movies and Game of Thrones. Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch is
co-authored by my husband, Slade Sewell. Slade grew up as an only child, and, therefore,
developed an active imagination. His free time is devoted to the three things he loves
most: hockey, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and RPG games.

2. Tell us more about the book you are promoting?

War of the Witch is a YA fantasy. It is the first of the Legacies of Talimura series. Here's
the blurb:

Debonair, a witch from the Unspoken Lands, has meddled in the forbidden practice of
magic and created an army of nightmarish proportions. When sixteen-year-old Astanyx
and his two best friends return from a hunting trip to find their small town of Polca
reduced to smoke and ash, they find themselves thrust into a battle for which they haven’t
been trained.

With the help of his comrades, including an esteemed warrior, one of the last great
wizards and a princess they’ve sworn to protect, Astanyx must fight to unite the
kingdoms of the humans, dwarves and elves. He must ask forbidden questions that no
one wants to answer, questions about Talimura’s dark history. As Debonair’s brutal
warriors lay siege to the kingdoms, Astanyx is driven to pursue a fateful quest for a blade
powerful enough to defeat the malevolent witch before she destroys the three kingdoms
and unleashes an unspeakable ancient evil.

3. How does this book describe you? How does it express your thoughts?

I write to entertain, but also to empty my mind. I couldn’t even imagine not writing. If I
didn’t have an outlet, I wouldn’t know what to do with my ideas. You’d probably hear
a few pings and see a few screws shoot across the room. But, don’t worry, it’s just me
going a little crazy. . . . Hmm. On second thought, maybe you should worry. J

4. What similarities do you find between yourself and your protagonist?

Like our hero, Astanyx, my husband, Slade, is a warrior who is not afraid to stand up
and fight or ask forbidden questions. I’m not the warrior my husband is. Far from it
actually. As much as I want to do what’s right, put me up against an orc or hellfang, and
I’d probably die. LOL.

5. What about you do you see in the antagonist?

Slade: Like Debonair, Slade wants world domination. He has an admiration for all
conquers. Debonair is just doing it for the wrong reasons.

Angel: To execute her plan for world domination, Debonair displays patience, initiative,
and strategy. She knows what she wants and goes after it. In that way, I am like
Debonair. I’m nowhere near as bold, but if I’m truly passionate about something I will
fight against all odds to achieve it. Like Debonair, some of my decisions can be a little
hasty and I often overlook a few red flags and that’s when things can backfire.

6. What music most appropriately suits your book?

That’s a good question. War of the Witch is actually the first book Slade hasn’t created
a soundtrack for. It would definitely include a lot of rock music and songs that express
confidence, courage, and heart.

7. What values do you wish to impart through your book?

Two major themes in War of the Witch are the challenge of making the transition from
childhood to adulthood and racial unity. As sixteen-year-old Astanyx loses his home,
his family and everything he’s ever known to the wrath of an army, he and his comrades
must travel across Talimura to unite the races of humans, dwarves, and elves. Only
by standing together will they have a chance against Debonair’s army of nightmarish
creatures.

Thanks for having me Haresh!

Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch is available at Amazon and Smashwords for
$0.99.

US Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005965A64

UK Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005965A64

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/70412

Connect with us on:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AngelHaze7
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angel-Haze/112457508837831
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4949334.Angel_Haze
Website: http://www.angelhaze.com

Thursday, July 07, 2011

An Interview with Lenore Wolfe

1. Tell us more about yourself  

I have lived through some pretty amazing things. I am learning how to believe in myself, and those around me again. Mainly, I thought I would recognize evil in someone, if I saw it, but that's a story I may write on another day:)

2. Tell us more about the book you are promoting? 

Mira is the next in line, as a Jaguar Witch, to be passed an ancient medallion. She must cross into the Land of Fae and track down a powerful sorcerer who has killed her in lifetime after lifetime, to find her way to the stone. The sorcerer will do anything to keep her from finding the stone, which is the heart of Mother Earth and has been hidden in the Land of the Fae since the fall of Atlantis. He stands to lose everything by her finding the stone. Four immortal men have been with her in each of her past lives. They work to succeed in this lifetime, where they have failed in others. They work hard so that they will not lose her, again, to the sorcerer.

3. How does this book describe you? How does it express your thoughts? 

I believe in a full-blown spirit world we cannot see. I believe we have forgotten how to see, because we've forgotten how to believe. Children can see, until we convince them not to believe. So the Doorway to the Triquetra is a story of 'what if' all the old folk tales existed for a reason. What if, what so many swear they've seen, things that shouldn't exist, by modern standards, we find our ancestors were right, and these things do truly exist. 'What if' there are answers hidden deep inside each of us that explain the true meaning of life. Would we be ready to hear the answers?

4. What similarities do you find between yourself and the protagonist? 

She's independent and feisty. And I grew up with independent, feisty women. My great-grandmother was an old pioneer woman who was a midwife in Montana, without a father because he was off, half the time, somewhere else. And without her husband because he went off somewhere too. She was proud, powerful, and all the adults were afraid of her. I was intrigued by her:)

5. What about you do you see in the antagonist?  

There may be a piece of me who believes a world without chaos would be a boring world indeed. I was raised a Jehovah's Witness, so I grew up hearing that Armageddon was going to come, and then, we would live in perfect peace, and we, ourselves, would become perfect. But I believe that all things must have balance. Without dark, there would be no meaning to light.  Without it, how could you define the light? You cannot live in balance if you have too much yin--or yang. Everything must live in balance. It is the law of nature.

So, although I was always deeply spiritual, I grew up in conflict within myself. I was born and raised a Witness, but the things I had been taught conflicted with the things I knew, deep inside.

6. What music most appropriately suits your book? 

Chanting. I think of ancient chanting when I think of my book.

7. What values do you wish to impart through your book?    

I once took a class about abnormal psych. I listened to each of the students proclaim to believe in some religion. At the end of the seminar, he told a story about a young woman who claimed to have been harassed by the Christian devil. He asked each of the students what they would have done with her. They each said they would have locked her up.

If I could impart a value, it would be to decide what you truly believe and make that a vital force within you, not something you feel disconnected from and give lip service to. If you believe in God and what it says in the bible, then why would you disbelieve this young woman?


Lenore Wolfe
www.lenorewolfe.com
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4368571.Lenore_Wolfe
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lenore-Wolfe/150224925046188?ref=ts
http://twitter.com/lenorewolfe

Triquetra Press Publications:
http://triquetrapresspublications.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Triquetra-Press-Publications/166567646726550
http://twitter.com/triquetrapress


By Lenore Wolfe
Dark Warrior: To Tame a Wild Hawk
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/43163
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dark-Warrior-To-Tame-a-Wild-Hawk/184994794871684?ref=ts
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/lenore-wolfe?store=bookhttp://www.amazon.com/Dark-Warrior-Dark-Cloth-ebook/dp/B004OL2J82/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309900403&sr=8-1
Doorway of the Triquetra