Author’s name:

H. L. Burke

Title of book and/or series:

Beggar Magic

Brief summary of the story:

In Gelia City people are divided into two classes based on their ability to access the magic of the Strains. Leilani Weaver, a young Common girl, befriends a Highmost girl, Zebedy Brightly and the girls develop an unbreakable bond despite Zebedy’s greater social status. When Zeb pulls Leilani into her world, Leilani discovers a hidden threat to the Strains, but no one will listen to her. Defending her beloved Strains may cost her not only her friendship with Zeb but also her life. 

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:

Gelia City is built in concentric rings separated by canals. The area around the city is a mix between woodlands, country estates, and farms, but doesn’t really come into the story much. The  first ring of Gelia is the Trade District where skilled laborers have shops. This is Leilani’s world. Her father is a weaver, and she anticipates a life in a trade. Next is the Merchant District, with banks, money changers, and markets, then Civics Circle where the Guard (the peace keeping/military force of Gelia) are garrisoned and also where public courts are held. The Leisure District consists of parks, monuments, and the Cathedral, and then the Manor District where the Highmost live and work. The Highmost divide up into Manors the same way the Common group in guilds, devoted to specific studies and uses of the Strains. 

If we were to visit Gelia City as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

Definitely the Leisure District. Most of Gelia City can be experienced in a quick walking tour, but if you want a nice rest and relaxation trip, the parks, fountains, hedge mazes, and green houses that make up the Leisure District allow for a perfect day of de-stressing. However, each Manor has its own aesthetic, including massive libraries, statues, and telescopes. You could easily spend a day exploring each Manor in turn. . .except for Civics Manor. Civics Manor is dreadfully dull. 

What dangers should we avoid in Gelia City?

Gelian society is generally peaceful, but as Captain Goodly, a member of the Guard, says, it is a different place after dark, so I wouldn’t go traipsing about the city at midnight. You might get mugged. Most Gelians are peaceful because taking another life will alienate the Strains. They refuse to speak to anyone who has done such a deed, rendering that person Wordless. In a society where your worth is judged by how well you can wield the Strains, most people won’t risk killing . . . however, you can still rob or beat up a man without killing him. 

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Gelia City?

Weapons are not commonly wielded in Gelia City (for the reasons given in the last question) but the Guard is an exception. Each Guard is issued a saber and a dueling pistol with a single shot, and while most Guards retire never having discharged their weapon other than in practice, they are adept in the use of them. Guards also wear bracers of imbued silver that can repel attacks from the Strains. 

A slightly less savory character actually finds a way to weaponize the Strains, creating grenades of pure sonic power, but these things are not generally found in Gelia City. 

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Gelia City?

Gelians tend to keep to their own classes and neighborhoods, and the city itself is not that large. Other than horse drawn wagons used to transport goods, most people stick to their feet. They have been playing with the idea of a Steam Barge system that would run in the canals, but the first barge launched ran into a bridge, and they haven’t been able to find the funding to continue the project.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Gelia City?  If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.

Everything in Gelia focuses around the Strains. The Strains are unique to Gelia, which is a small, isolated nation. They are everywhere, manifesting as sounds. You can’t see them or feel them, but they speak to folks. The Common hear them as various sounds – music, birdsong, even natural sounds like falling rain – but the Highmost can hear their voices, and the Strains speak directly to them and obey their commands. The Strains are sentient and unique to each individual, like guardian angels. Common folk learn to use them in small ways, to help them in their work or maybe get a box off a high shelf, but it is more difficult for them to access and control them, which is why Common magic is called “Beggar Magic”. 

Since the Strains are purely audible, those who are deaf are unable to use them at all and are often given jobs that both Common and Highmost do not want. Many deaf men enter the Guard because of this, since the Guard may sometimes be required to take a human life in service, which would deprive them of the Strains. 

Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Gelia City?  If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.

The technology level in Gelia City is roughly Victorian, but they are far more dependent on magic than on technology. They have telescopes, steam engines, gas lamps, and pocket watches.  

Is there a particular religion practiced in Gelia City?  Please describe what it involves.

Gelians worship and omniscient, omnipotent Creator, often called simply  “the Maker”, who created the world then gifted them with the Strains to guide and aide them. Most Gelians tend to focus so heavily on the Strains that they do not pursue communion with the Maker other than prayers left on holy days, which are written on strips of paper and burned at the Cathedral altar. The Cathedral is run by the Sanctified Brothers who see to the poor and distribute texts describing the creation of the world and praising the Maker for his gift of the Strains. 

What is the political or government structure in Gelia City?  Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?

Gelia City is run by an academic oligarchy. Each Highmost Manor is ruled by a senior scholar who oversees various fellows. Every five years they elect one of these senior fellows to serve in the Highmost Seat, overseeing disputes between different manors. The Guard and courts are overseen by Civics Manor with approval from the Highmost Seat and judges are appointed by a council of senior fellows from all Manors. 

Similarly, the Common folk have a guild system with different trades joined into multiple guilds which meet to settle disputes and set guidelines for business practices. 

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?

While the majority of my characters are Gelian, Leilani, my main character, is the child of immigrants, her grandparents having come to Gelia from Rynar fleeing a famine. I chose to make Rynar resemble Japan in a lot of aspects due to the three years I spent there. My husband is military so we were stationed in that country for some time, though living on an American base did allow me to function without learning more than a handful of Japanese phrases.

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?

One of my characters is deaf which I don’t mean to be controversial, but in researching for his character, I found out that it really can be. There are a lot of opinions in that community about how to handle things like lip reading and sign language and I realized my character would not please everyone. I just did my best to make him real. Also, Gelia City is not our modern world. It is a world where people are judged by their ability to use magic that is audible, so the deaf would be even more marginalized than they are in our world. It was important to me to show that my deaf character was capable and content, not seeing himself as disabled, but I also needed to show how he would be realistically treated by people in this society. 

Author Autobiography:

I grew up in Oregon in a rural area and always had plenty of free time on my hands to spend with books and exploring the woods. I married my high school crush who had grown up to be a handsome US Marine, and we have two daughters together. My long term goal is to be a cat, but if that doesn’t work out, I’m content with “writer/mom” on my resume.  I am the author of multiple fantasy novels, including the four part series “The Dragon and the Scholar Saga”, the first book of which, Dragon’s Curse, will be free 12/31/14-1/4/15 on Amazon Kindle – click here to download your copy!  The series is a full length fairy tale centered on the friendship between young scholar, Shannon, and a dragon with a mysterious past.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)?  

My books are available through Amazon in both paperback and ebook form. They are listed together nicely on my Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/H.-L.-Burke/e/B00EYQ1HLW

Where can readers connect with you online?  

My website is www.hlburkeauthor.com. You can sign up for monthly email alerts there. I also am active on facebook at www.facebook.com/hlburkewriter and twitter at https://twitter.com/typativemamacat 

Authors’ names:

John Williams & James Colletti

Title of book and/or series:

The Crimson and the Frost

Brief summary of the story:

For untold millennia, the harsh frozen wastelands had been ruled by the immortal King of Winter. His power so absolute, no one dared to challenge his dominance until a mysterious old man in crimson robes and his devoted followers took up residence in the heart of his realm. In their possession was a strange and powerful artifact known as the Heart of Polaris. The ancient stone radiated a dome-like aura that protected their town from the extreme conditions of the frozen North.

The King of Winter arrived to cast out the trespassers but when he reached out toward the veil of magic energy a stabbing pain shot up the length of his arm. A wave of contempt rose in him at the insolence of those who dare deny him access to a vast section of his own kingdom.

For centuries the town had lived in peace, undisturbed, while the wicked king waited patiently for his chance at revenge. Now, the Heart of Polaris has gone missing and there is nothing to stop the King of Winter and his army of savage grimghouls from launching a full-scale invasion.

But the expulsion of the intruders will not satiate the King’s of Winter’s age-old thirst for vengeance. When the town’s magic combines with his own he will have to power to bring on a new ice-age. The fate of the entire world hangs in the balance as two powerful adversaries head down a collision course toward war.

Brief description of the location you created for this story:

Blanketed across a desolate landscape sits a sprawling town like an island of warm radiance amidst a stark, frozen canvas.  The architecture and atmosphere is part carnival and part old-world, European hamlet. The buildings were constructed in various sizes and styles, yet it all works in harmony.  In  the center of this mythical metropolis is a tall, glistening tower fashioned from tourmaline. At the very top sits a chamber that houses the Heart of Polaris stone. The tower harnesses the artifact’s energy and from the spire cascades a faint dome of pink and amber hues that shimmers and flows like the Aurora Borealis…that is until the Heart of Polaris goes missing.

If we were to visit as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

For a hot beverage that will send your tastebuds into overdrive, visit the Heavenly Grounds coffee shop…or if you want to treat yourself to some of the world’s greatest cuisine, stop by the Perfect Palette. I recommend bringing your manners; the master chef can be a bit of a curmudgeon. There are also so many wondrous discoveries to be found beyond the doors of the Chateau Crimson including an enormous greenhouse/atrium and a great-room full of priceless collectables donated by past kings, emperors and other significant historical figures. You will find priceless works of art, statues, old, yet immaculately kept tomes written in various languages and a whole host of weapons and armor. Just, please keep your distance from the entire rear wall of the room. It is the one that appears to be crafted from black ice.  You may be drawn to the soft pulsations of lighter blues and violets which crackle with vine-like electric currents just beneath the surface of the wall. This is Vast, the all-seeing wall. Touching it is highly prohibited…the last person who did almost went mad.

Also, if you come across a hallway with no doors or windows…no paintings or decorative wainscoting…only walls and ceiling of smooth stone I would suggest you stay clear of it and move along. It eventually leads to an imposing, medieval looking iron door…the type of door that is meant to keep people out…or secrets in. If you open that door, you will see a stairwell descending into pitch darkness. Please shut the door and walk away.

What dangers should we avoid in the frozen north?

The lands beyond town are quite hazardous. Besides the frequent sub-zero temperatures, treacherous snow covered terrain, ever shifting and breaking ice and the very likely possibility of becoming hopelessly lost, these lands are also patrolled by a vicious lot known as the grimghouls. Vaguely canine (or feline…no one knows for sure), the lithe movements and confident gait of these ferocious beasts across the frozen landscape are akin to the great hunting cats of the Serengeti. They are magical creations of the King of Winter, born of the winter elements. Their animated bodies were created from chunks of ice, snow, and a soupy slush that perpetually circulates and swirls along their powerful forms like a canine-shaped ice flow. Within the mass of translucent ice and slush that make up their bodies, glows a blue iridescence. It is as if their insides are alight in azure flame. Their temperament is hateful and their sole purpose is to do the bidding of the wicked Winter King.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in the frozen north?

Most of the residents of town are peaceful folk but there are a handful that have some serious fighting skills. For instance, Tracker (that’s her nick-name since she never knew her true given name) is a scout and, of course, a tracker. She and her great-wolf companion Loki are typically the only ones who venture out in the wilds outside of town. She is self taught in various styles of  martial arts and her weapon of choice is a retractable metal baton. However, before the end of this story, the entire town will be forced to summon within them a fighting spirit and the courage  to persevere through one of the most terrifying times of their centuries-old lives.

What types of supernatural/ fantastical beings might we encounter?

Most notably, the King of Winter is a god-like, unpredictable force of nature. He is one of the many sentient personifications of nature’s elements. He is a lean figure with a long white mane, sharp features, and a complexion of pearly, iridescent blue. The gaze of his silvery-blue eyes has been known to send a rush of icy fear through the souls of even the bravest of men. There are also his minions, the above mentioned grimghouls…but they aren’t the only magic-born creatures in his arsenal. He has at his disposal telepathic frost-eagles that watch over his lands and thrust images into his mind if some occurrence needs his attention. There are other frightening creations, conjured by the King of Winter, that make an appearance toward the end of the story that I would rather not give away.

Two other ‘forces of nature’ make, what I would call ‘cryptic’ appearances as well.

The head of town, the “Crimson Wizard” as some call him, is also immortal. His followers are a collection of elves from all regions of the world that have joined his cause over the centuries.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people?  If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.

Well, the Heart of Polaris is at the heart of this story. It started out as a red sunstone but was later infused with a dose of extraordinarily potent magic by one of the most powerful beings in the entire universe. One of its many abilities is to protect the town and its residents from the harsh surroundings. Under close observation you will notice thousands of tiny facets radiating prisms of light that dance to a pulsating rhythm. Just below the jewel’s undulating surface appears to be a limitless depth within, like a roiling crimson ocean. I would love to get into detail about its origin and how it got its name but that is one of my favorite chapters and I wouldn’t want to spoil it. There is also another potent magic that plays a significant part of this story called the Soul of Winter. I can’t really get into that either 😉

Is there any advanced or unusual technology?  If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.

The elves, with their superior ingenuity, created the tower in the center of town. At the top is a chamber that houses the Heart of Polaris stone. The tower acts as a conductor for the stone’s magic creating an an atmospheric aura protecting the town from the elements of the extreme north. Fortunately, it protects from the King of Winter as well since he is the personification of those harsh elements.

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?

There is a small debate regarding global warming and the impact humanity has made on the planet.

Author Autobiography:

Cousins and co-authors John Williams and James Colletti are close in age and have been a creative team for as long as they can remember. The pair shares a common drive and tenacity that has transformed all of their creative aspirations into realities.

From early childhood John and James would dream of being famous musicians, air-guitaring to their favorite bands. In their teen years they decided to leave the world of pretend and with the determination that came naturally to them, they taught themselves how to play guitar. Forming the rock band Soulvyne with a handful of other talented musicians, they recorded an album, performed all around New York State and opened for such notable acts as Blue Oyster Cult and King’s X.  

            As movie and television buffs the pair, once again, was determined to be a part of another industry they loved. Through the years both have had successful careers producing and editing for such companies as MTV, VH-1, Miramax, FOX, The Speed Channel, Food Network and TruTv as well as directing nationally broadcasted music videos and an internationally released independent film.

Outside of their hectic careers they would find the time for a more personal creative outlet away from all of the stress and deadlines of the entertainment industry…writing. They collaborated on a handful of screenplays and used their industry contacts to shop them around. There was one co-written script they both were particularly proud of. One film producer in England read it and said, “I love this! It would make a great movie but right now we’d have a tough time raising the 150 – 200 million it would take to make a film this epic and grand-scale. It is too new and unknown by the masses. There is a reason the Harry Potter movies got made, that series had a huge built in fan base  from the books. Maybe scale your story down.” Never ones to compromise, John and James decided to tell their tale another way. So they re-worked it into what has become their first novel The Crimson and the Frost. During the novel writing process the story became so much more than the screenplay ever was and they are even more proud of it.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)?  

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where can readers connect with you online? 

https://www.facebook.com/williamscollettibooks

Synopsis: After graduating from the Secret Seminary, Hannah and Simon are ready to return to their homeland. Their training has equipped them to carry the gospel to a country ravaged by darkness and despair. If necessary, they’re even prepared to face the North Korean labor camps, but the hardest part of their mission isn’t the hunger, cold, and incessant danger. The hardest part is cutting off contact with one another.

In this world of spies, secret police, and informants, staying together might not just compromise their ministry. It could cost them both their lives.

A Christian romantic suspense from the author of The Beloved Daughter, which won awards from Women of Faith, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, The Book Club Network, and more.

You can also sign up below to help spread the word about Alana’s fundraiser to help rescue North Korean refugees on a modern-day underground railroad.

Torn Asunder by Alana Terry 

Simon struggled against his iron restraints. “Let her go!”

Hannah sucked in her breath. General Sin still glared at Simon. “This is your last chance. Give me the names, and I’ll release her unharmed.”

Simon’s field of vision blurred over. He wanted to scream. The metal from his handcuffs sliced open his wrists. He pictured himself breaking free and tackling the general to the ground.

“Better talk.” General Sin yawned. “I hate getting my uniform messy.”

Hannah’s hand trembled, but she didn’t make a noise.

“Three …”

Simon clenched his jaw, unable to tear his face away from Hannah’s wide, terrified eyes.

“Two …”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuylXuid7Ys]

Want more? Buy Torn Asunder on amazon now. And remember, all book sales today will be donated directly to Liberty in North Korea, a group committed to seeing North Koreans achieve their freedom in THIS GENERATION.

Want to help spread the word? See below to click and tweet, or share this image on your timeline. Then be sure to scroll down to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $100 gift card, surprise grab bag ($60 retail), great CD from Cherie Norquay, and free prizes to everyone who enters! And don’t forget to leave a comment and tell us what you think of Hannah and Simon and those like them who sneak into hostile mission fields to share the gospel.

Are you on twitter? Just click to tweet ~

Tweet: Buy a book. Save a refugee. Torn Asunder by Alana Terry. All proceeds today to @libertyinNK. #99cents #suspense http://ctt.ec/QjI3D+

Tweet: New release Torn Asunder, Christian #suspense set in #NorthKorea. All proceeds today donated to @libertyinNK #99cents http://ctt.ec/6io3Z+

Or copy and paste into an email or Facebook status:
Torn Asunder is a new Christian suspense novel by Alana Terry about two North Koreans who serve as undercover missionaries. It’s on sale for only 99 cents, and all book proceeds today will be donated to Liberty in North Korea’s underground railroad for North Korean refugees.

Did you help spread the word? Enter the Rafflecopter drawing at the bottom to claim your prizes!

This is truly a gripping as well as a sobering story.  As I read about the characters and the difficulties they faced, I had to keep stopping to pray for Christians in North Korea and around the world who really are going through situations like that right now.  This is fiction, but it reflects the hard fact of religious persecution that most of us in the West seldom think about.  Though many of the events in the story were extremely unpleasant, the book is nevertheless an interesting read and was hard to put down.  The characters are vivid and so real that I felt I knew them personally.  The author has done a beautiful job of bringing romance and hope out of a dark and serious story.

If you enjoy this book, you may want to read the other two in her series as well: The Beloved Daughter and Slave Again.  All of them can stand alone, but they do share a few characters and settings.  I enjoyed the others and highly recommend them all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click here to view or download the book.

See book 1, Many Strange Women, on Annie’s blog here.

Author’s name: Bobby Nash

Title of book and/or series:

Series title: Alexandra Holzer’s Ghost Gal

Book #1: Alexandra Holzer’s Ghost Gal: The Wild Hunt (now on sale)

Book #2: Alexandra Holzer’s Ghost Gal: A Haunting We Will Go… (coming 2015)

Published by Raven’s Head Press.

http://www.ravensheadpress.com

Brief summary of the story:

Alexandra Holzer is just your average young paranormal investigator out to show an early 1960s New York City she knows a thing or two about ghosts. Join Alex’s alter ego, GHOST GAL, and her fiancé, Joshua Demerest, as they do battle with a very ancient ghost and his pals who have a score to settle with her famed father, ghost hunter Hans Holzer.

“A charming, fun ride that keeps the spirit of the elder Holzer’s work alive.”

–Rue Morgue magazine.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:

Young Alexandra Holzer lives and works as a ghost hunter in early 1960s New York City. Our story involves ghosts and there are times we get glimpses of the other side, as it were.

If we were to visit New York City as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

Alexandra lives in the Soho district, which is filled with artisans and all sorts of creative people. There’s a lot to see and do within walking distance of her office.

What dangers should we avoid in New York City?

In a city as large as New York City, there are all manner of people as well as other… shall we say, entities living there. Not all of them are what you might call friendly.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in New York City?

Walk down any side street in New York City and you’re likely to find something interesting. It’s a great place to expand your palate.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in New York City?

Alexandra is a scrapper. She’s learning new styles and techniques all the time. She’s not an expert yet. We’re seeing her early days and she still has a lot to learn.

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to New York City?

Whatever they can get their hands on, but Alexandra and her fiancé, Joshua, do spend a good deal of time walking as well.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in New York City? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used

Both of these elements are a big part of Ghost Gal’s world. She sees things that most people do not and she is quite often the only thing standing between the supernatural and us. Alexandra not only stands against the “bad” ghosts and goblins, but she also works with a couple of gentlemen who represent the light and dark sides of the world. The relationships between Alexandra and her liaisons, Samuel Esau and Jacob Black are some of my favorites to write.

Is there any advanced or unusual technology in New York City? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.

The New York City in Ghost Gal is very much the same as in the real world, but there’s a lot of other stuff going on that most New Yorkers either never see or have learned not to see. That said, Alexandra and her father, the famed Hans Holzer, have access to a few odds and ends that give them an edge. They’ve picked up some interesting items over the years.

Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit New York City?

New York is an incredible city. Enjoy yourself, but don’t let your guard down.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?

Real life always inspires bits and pieces of my work. With this series, however, I’m also writing the fictional exploits of Alexandra Holzer, her fiancé Joshua Demerest, and her parents, the Countess Catherine Buxhoeveden and famed Ghost Hunter Hans Holzer. These are all real people. Even though this book is a work of fiction, I want to make the characters feel like their real-life counterparts. Frequent conversations with Alexandra have been invaluable in making this feel as real and authentic as I can make it.

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?

I don’t think there’s anything too controversial in Alexandra Holzer’s Ghost Gal: The Wild Hunt. I write to entertain and that was my main focus here. I wanted to tell the best story I could. If anything in the book becomes “hot-button” or “controversial” then that’s okay too, but it wasn’t my goal while writing the novel.

Author Autobiography:

From his secret lair in the wilds of Bethlehem, Georgia, 2013 Pulp Ark Award Winning Best Author Bobby Nash writes a little bit of everything including novels, comic books, short prose, graphic novels, screenplays, media tie-ins, and more.

Between writing deadlines, Bobby is an actor and extra in movies and television, including appearances in Deviant Pictures’ Fat Chance, FOX’s The Following, USA’s Satisfaction, AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire, and more. Bobby is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers.

Bobby was named Best Author in the 2013 Pulp Ark Awards, his first professional writing award. Rick Ruby, a character co-created by Bobby and author Sean Taylor also snagged a Pulp Ark Award for Best New Pulp Character of 2013. Bobby was also nominated for the 2014 New Pulp Awards and Pulp Factory Awards for his work.

For more information on Bobby Nash, please visit him at www.bobbynash.com and social media.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?  

Alexandra Holzer’s Ghost Gal: The Wild Hunt can be purchased at the following:

Amazon US (paperback) 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/149743842X/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_UG7Jtb0567DRE6EZ

Amazon CA (paperback) 

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/149743842X/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_4TuNtb1F8H6X5

Amazon UK (paperback) 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/149743842X/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_6W7Jtb0RNK7EJ

Barnes and Noble (paperback)

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghost-gal-bobby-nash/1119691621?ean=9781497438422

Books-A-Million (paperback)

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Ghost-Gal/Bobby-Nash/9781497438422?id=6025374656673

Amazon (Kindle) ebook

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L9EWX9C

Amazon CA (Kindle) ebook

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00L9EWX9C/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_mTLQtb1REJ8WK

Amazon UK (Kindle) ebook   

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00L9EWX9C/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_1TLQtb0WQW2D9

Barnes and Noble (Nook) ebook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghost-gal-bobby-nash/1119691621?ean=2940149704224&isbn=2940149704224

iTunes (ebook)                       

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ghost-gal-the-wild-hunt/id896837290?mt=11

And more.

You can find an ever-growing list of purchase links at www.bobbynash.com & http://bobby-nash-news.blogspot.com/2014/09/rue-morgue-magazine-reviews-ghost-gal.html

An audio version of Alexandra Holzer’s Ghost Gal: The Wild Hunt is also set to be released in the coming months.

Where can readers connect with you online? 

I am all over the internet. You can find me at www.bobbynash.com, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and Pinterest, among other places across the web. Please stop by and say hello.

Plus, you can learn more about Alexandra Holzer here and Raven’s Head Press here.

Author’s name: Christina Weigand

If we were to visit Ramajadin as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

Wyrzburg, royal city of Mahorg is a really nice place to visit.

Sanctuary of Nine Dragons located in Imherp: A nice place to visit if Asha is willing to reveal it to you. Frieberg royal city of Imherp and home to the Kningrad.

What dangers should we avoid in Crato?

Unfortunately the country of Crato especially the city of Dun Dealgan. The country is still recovering from the devestation caused by the evil that still has a presence there. Another place to avoid would be Grillwood the land of the Mantion.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Ramajadin?

A liliad or a rosa root pie. Roasted pidgekin (similar to chickens) heatherkin cakes, baked yellow breaded yallow root.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common on Ramajadin?

Swords, daggers and hand to hand combat and magic.

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel?

Dragons, horses, wagons

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter on Ramajadin that we don’t see on earth?

Kningrad of Imherp similar to the elves in LOTR, Mantion of Grillwood similar to the dwarves in LOTR.  Tigres, very large tigers, dragons, glingkol and koali trees, rosas, liliad,

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people on Ramajadin?  If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.

There are two kinds of magic; The magic of Asha that is only used to heal the land and people, usually performed by adepts and used for good. After the wars this magic is used to heal the land. The Kningrad and dragons are more tuned into the powers of Asha.

The magic of Sidramah is the other and is used for destruction. It uses the emotions of the wizard like anger, jealousy and hatred to destroy. Usually performed by wizards and is used for evil ends. During the wars this was used to destroy the land and kill people. King Brandan and the Mantion use it to shapeshift so as to fool people into thinking they are someone other than who they truly are. The Mantion are more tuned into the powers of Sidramah.

Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment on Ramajadin.

Jousting games, a game similar to soccer (Mantion use a skull for a ball, others use a ball)

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same on Ramajadin as on earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?

They have four seasons and their calendars are similar to ours.

  

Is there a particular religion practiced on Ramajadin?  Please describe what it involves.

The religion of Ramajadin is very similar to Christianity.  The Annals of Time is similar to the Bible. Asha is the embodiment of good and nine dragons serve as his emissaries to Ramajadin while Sidramah is the embodiment of evil and has enslaved some dragons to do his bidding. Abbots serve Asha and Wisdoms serve Sidramah.

What is the political or government structure in Mahorg and Crato?  Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?

There are four countries:

 Crato: has a king and queen; one is a Master Adept and the other Warrior Chief. In Palace of the Twelve Pillars King Theodric (from Crato) and Queen Lilia (from Mahorg) rule and are well loved by the citizens of Crato. Theodric dies at the end of the book and Lilia disappears. At the beginning of Palace of the Three Crosses one of their twin sons, Joachim is crowned king and married to Princess Maeve of Imherp. Both are inexperienced and trusting. Joachim is impetuous and loyal to his brother which compromises his leadership. Maeve steps up and becomes the trusted ruler of Crato in her husband’s stead.

There is also an Adept Council who advise the king. The council consists of the Master Abbot (the religious leader) and Master Adept

 Mahorg: has a king who is Master Wizard and Warrior. King Waldrom is the evil king of Mahorg. His people hate and fear him. At the end of Twelve Pillars he is captured by the Mantion, leaving his country without a king. Prince Brandan, Theodric’s other son, is crowned king of Mahorg. His reign will be short lived as he travels the path of evil set by his predecessor.

 Grillwood is ruled by the Mantion king who is a Master Wizard. Grillwood is ruled by King Shigeo with the help of Master Wizard Melvane.

 Imherp has a king who is a Master Adept and a queen. Imherp is ruled by King Eyvindur and Queen Fiona. He is a good king and his people love him.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?

It was loosely based on medieval Ireland and Germany with a touch of Japan thrown in for the prison island.

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?

Even though it was not really obvious, there was a suggestion of  racism and bigotry. Not many readers knew it but the Mahorganites were a dark skinned people while the Cratonites were light skinned. And of course there were the Mantion and Kningrad with a mixing of all the races. The other more obvious topic was the battle of good and evil with religious overtones.

Author Autobiography:

Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of three grown children and a middle school daughter. She is also Nana to three granddaughters. She lives with her husband and youngest daughter in Pennsylvania, returning there after a short sabbatical in Washington. Currently, she’s working on fantasy novels and inspirational writing. Through her writing, she strives to share the Word of God and help people young and old to realize the love and mercy He has for everyone.

When she’s not writing, she’s active in her local Church Bible Study and volunteering at her daughter’s school, helping the children develop a love for reading and writing. Jesus fills her home with love as she shares Him through her writing. 

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books?  Please include links.

The books can be purchased in any e-format at https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/manufacturer/christina-weigand/young-adult

Where can readers connect with you online? 

Blog: www.weigandchris.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CAWeigand

Facebook: www.facebook.com/caweigand

Email: [email protected]

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/chris_weigand
Amazon: amazon.com/author/christinaweigand

The Claus Box Set

Now you can purchase all three books in the Claus Series together!

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More About the Series

Claus: Legend of the Fat Man

(Claus #1)
by Tony Bertauski

YA Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Holiday
Paperback & ebook, 326 Pages
June 19th 2012

The Christmas story you never heard.

In the early 1800s, Nicholas, Jessica and Jon Santa attempt the first human trek to the North Pole and stumble upon an ancient race of people left over from the Ice Age. They are short, fat and hairy. They slide across the ice on scaly soles and carve their homes in the ice that floats on the Arctic Ocean. The elven are adapted to life in the extreme cold. They are as wise as they are ancient.

Their scientific advancements have yielded great inventions — time-stopping devices and gravitational spheres that build living snowmen and genetically-modified reindeer that leap great distances. Theyíve even unlocked the secrets to aging. For 40,000 years, they have lived in peace.

Until now.

An elven known as The Cold One has divided his people. Heís tired of their seclusion and wants to conquer the world. Only one elven stands between The Cold
One and total chaos. Heís white-bearded and red-coated. The Santa family will help him stop The Cold One. They will come to the aid of a legendary elven
known as…Claus.

   

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Jack: The Tale of Frost

(Claus #2)
by Tony Bertauski

YA Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Holiday
Paperback & ebook, 290 Pages
October 17th 2013

Sura is sixteen years old when she meets Mr. Frost. Heís very short and very fat and he likes his room very, very cold. Some might say inhumanly cold. His first name isnít Jack, sheís told. And thatís all she needed to know.

Mr. Frostís love for Christmas is over-the-top and slightly psychotic. And why not? Heís made billions of dollars off the holiday he invented. Or so he claims. Rumor is heís an elven, but thatís silly. Elven arenít real. And if they were, they wouldnít live in South Carolina. They wouldnít hide in a tower and go to the basement to makeÖthings.

Nonetheless, Sura will work for this odd little recluse. Frost Plantation is where sheíll meet the love of her life. Itís where sheíll finally feel like she belongs somewhere. And itís where sheíll meet someone fatter, balder and stranger than Mr. Frost. Itís where sheíll meet Jack.

Jack hates Christmas.

   

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Flury: Journey of a Snowman

(Claus #3)
by Tony Bertauski

YA Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Holiday
Paperback & ebook, 300 Pages
November 15th 2014

Life hasnít been kind to Oliver Toye.

As if juvenile diabetes isnít enough, heís forced to live with his tyrannical grandmother in a snow-bound house. He spends his days doing chores and the nights listening to the forest rumble.

But when he discovers the first leather-bound journal, the family secrets begin to surface. The mystery of his great-grandfatherís voyage to the North Pole is revealed. Thatís when the snowman appears.

Magical and mysterious, the snowman will save Oliver more than once. But when the time comes for Oliver to discover the truth, will he have the courage? When Flury needs him, will he have the strength? When believing isnít enough, will he save the snowman from melting away?

Because sometimes even magic needs a little help.

   

Amazon – Barnes & Noble

JACK (an Excerpt)

Joe leads her into the maze. They run their hands over the flat-topped boxwoods, shuffle over the oyster shell path. The sunken garden is imbued with warmth, the kind that flows through her, melts in her stomach, opens her heart. She smiles, involuntarily, as she couldn’t frown if she tried.

The short, fat woman sits on a square pedestal inside a round pool, water dripping from her frozen hands. Light emanates from the center without a source.

“Who is she?” Sura asks.

“You’ve never heard the Myth of Jocah?”

They walk slowly around it.

“Long ago, way before humans, there was a goddess that was exiled from the heavens because she was pregnant. She called Earth her home. It wasn’t very hospitable and none of the other gods came to visit her. She gave birth to twins. One was good, the other bad. But they were her sons so she loved them both. And together they loved Earth.

“But she was lonely. The time came for her to leave, to attend matters elsewhere in the universe, or whatever gods and goddesses do, but she loved Earth so much that she didn’t want to leave it to her boys to squabble over.”

They walk quietly and slowly, like walking meditation. Jocah, Sura notices, has a single long braid.

“So, one day,” Joe says, “Jocah broke two chunks of earth from the ground. She launched one into the sky. It soared up into the heavens where it froze into a block of ice, exploding before it reached space. Snowflakes were spit through the four gateways and covered the planet in a sheet of ice.”

Joe gestures to the four openings along the tall hedges, each an arching arbor. North, south, east and west.

“She crushed the other chunk of earth into dust and blew it over the pristine glaciers. These seeds of earth took root and grew into beings that took the form of their creator.”

Joe nods at the sculpture.

“Short and fat,” Sura says. “Adapted to the cold.”

“That’s what they say.”

They stop at the front of the sculpture, Jocah facing north. A small inscription is carved at the base.

Care for this World.

“The myth says she whispered that to the fat, little people before she left. They were in charge of watching over Earth.”

“Where are they now?”

“Where the ice is.” Joe points. “North Pole.”

Joe dips his hand in the pool, drizzles it into Sura’s open palm. She expects it to be half a degree above freezing but it’s warm. “The statue weeps for the world’s troubles, but the myth says they’re not tears of sorrow or happiness.”

He touches Sura’s lip. The water is salty.

“It’s tears of joy.”

“Joy?”

“For truth. Existence. That sort of thing. It’s a myth, a story. But it’s a good one.”

“Where’d you hear it?” Sura asks.

“Jonah.”

Sura’s mom never told her the myth. She wonders if Joe is the lucky one. Even if his father doesn’t like anyone, at least he brought him here and told him stories.

“You’re telling me Mr. Frost is one of them?” Sura asks.

Joe chuckles. “It’s just a story; he probably made it up. My guess is the sculpture is his mother. Think about it, you want to tell people you have an ice sculpture of your mother in the garden or a goddess?”

Sura scoops up a handful of water, lets it trickle between her fingers. The statue appears to melt but never changes shape. The water so clear and perfect.

“One of the twins, the story goes, becomes Santa Claus—only they just called him Claus. In the old days, he spread truth to the people instead of presents.”

“And that’s why Mr. Frost is obsessed with Christmas?”

“Well, that and the fact that he’s made a trillion dollars selling presents, yeah. He owes his entire fortune to Christmas.”

“He does?”

“The toy factory is below ground.”

About Tony Bertauski

During the day, I’m a horticulturist. While I’ve spent much of my career designing landscapes or diagnosing dying plants, I’ve always been a storyteller. My writing career began with magazine columns, landscape design textbooks, and a gardening column at the Post and Courier (Charleston, SC). However, I’ve always fancied fiction.

And I’m a big fan of plot twists.

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About the Book

Greater Than Rubies by Hallee Bridgeman: Antonio Viscolli asked and Robin Bartlett said “yes!” Soon, she will say “I do.” Or will Boston’s “Royal Wedding” leave someone standing at the altar?
  Raspberries and Vinegar by Valerie Comer: Josephine Shaw, a feisty environmentalist and local-food advocate, falls for Zachary Nemesek, the junk-food-loving reluctant farmer next door.
  Awakening by JoAnn Durgin: When Lexa Clarke tumbles from the top beam of a house and straight into the arms of TeamWork Missions Director Sam Lewis, Sam suspects his life will never be the same.
Home is Where the Heart Is by Kimberly Rae Jordan: Free spirit Violet Collingsworth never expected to return home to live. But when she goes back to attend her grandmother’s funeral, she meets the sheriff and begins to reconsider.
  Wildfire Wedding by Lynette Sowell: During the height of Texas wildfire season, Krista and Luke prepare for their wedding while battling past guilt and future fears, when a fire breaks out, threatening the town.
  Cowboy by Staci Stallings: To all the world, Ashton Raines has it all: fame, money, and the adoration of millions of fans. Then one night he walks away from it all. Can down-on-her-luck waitress, Beth, let God work through her to lead Ashton back to hope and faith?
  Reunited at Christmas by Debra Ullrick: Shelby Davis thought she’d never again see the ex-fiancé who dumped her. Then Ryker Anderson gets lost in a blizzard, and she’s on the snowmobile search and rescue team. Now what?

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Author’s name:

Mindy Hayes

Title of book and/or series:

The Faylinn Novels: Kaleidoscope (#1), Ember (#2), and Luminary (#3)

Brief summary of the story:

Calliope doesn’t see the change coming. She’s compelled to fight the pull that pulses like a second heartbeat, drawing her into the depths of the forest. But, the more Calliope denies it, the stronger it becomes until she finally surrenders and is pulled into a secret world of enchantment.

Kai and Declan need her to accept what she is. Knowing their fate lies in her hands, they’ll stop at nothing to protect and prepare her for what lies ahead.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:

In Kaleidoscope you’re introduced to the world of Faylinn, a parallel universe where the fae live. It’s nestled deep in the forest. But the story in Kaleidoscope takes place in the real world—Wahalla, South Carolina. In Ember, Faylinn comes into play.

If we were to visit Faylinn as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

Two of my favorite places in Faylinn are the Harvest Borough and Novalora. The Harvest Borough is where all of the fruits and vegetables are grown, so there are acres and acres of different kinds of colorful vegetation. I’d stay there and eat all day!

Novalora is the land of the pixies. It’s filled with bright overgrown trees and flowers—flowers big enough to sleep on. The pixies might pester you, but they mean no harm.

What dangers should we avoid in Faylinn?

Falkurs and branaaghs are the fiercest animals in Faylinn. Falkur teeth are the strongest and used to create weapons—definitely not a creature I’d want to come in contact with. Branaaghs are like panthers, but larger and their fangs curl below their jowls. They could probably kill a person with one swipe. But, you should be more concerned about who to trust in Faylinn. No one is safe. They disappear all the time.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Faylinn?

A common animal that’s served is radik. It looks like a large rat. It’s kind of gamy, tastes like rabbit. Another animal is chocat. They are similar to deer, but smaller. But the fae mainly eat the fruits, vegetables and grains they grow.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Faylinn?

The faeries in Faylinn are allergic to all types of metal, so all of their weapons are made from animal bones and animal teeth/fangs (falkurs and branaaghs). They use daggers, arrows and long blades.

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Faylinn?

There is a magical ward set up around Faylinn called The Hedge, making it invisible to humans. The only way to pass through it is with a faery. And faeries travel on foot. They’re fast and agile.

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Faylinn that we don’t see on Earth?

There are all kinds of different vegetation and animals. Calliope’s favorite fruit is a pruila, which is a pinkish, opalescent fruit that looks like a nectarine, but tastes sweet like a strawberry. There’s also the viga, which is extremely sweet. It’s a purple melon with yellow spikes. The spikes are flexible to the touch.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Faylinn? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.

The Royalty in Faylinn use a power called Supremacy. Supremacy is essentially mind control. If they want a task done, all they have to do is ask and it must be done. It takes away free agency. Some use it sparingly, while others take advantage.

The fae in Faylinn are very one with the earth, so they don’t need elements to make nature grow. The power comes from within them. They could make anything grow inside, through stone or wood.

They also have enchantments like Enticement, which can make another faery or human drawn to them, pulled into a sort of trance of lust.

They can also heal one another with their hands. It takes a little bit of concentration, but once their hands are placed on the area affected they can heal it completely.

If another fae is in trouble or desperately needs to contact another faery, they can use the Given name of said faery. By saying the name of the faery, that faery will have to immediately come whether they want to or not.

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Faylinn as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?

Time runs differently in Faylinn. It’s a bit slower. When only a few months pass in Faylinn, a year or two could go by in the real world. And they don’t have calendars to keep time. They use moon cycles. Their holidays aren’t the same. They celebrate things like a new harvest season or bondings (weddings) or dawnings (inaugurations of royalty). Honestly, they’ll find any way to have a celebration!

What is the political or government structure in Faylinn?  Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?

There is a monarchy. A king or queen rules the land, but they have personal advisors. In Kaleidoscope, Favner is king. He’s a bit of an evil narcissist. Not the best combination! He wants to kingdom to revolve around him. Most want to overthrow him, but due to Supremacy, that’s a little difficult.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?

Yes! My mom is from Finland, and my grandparents own a cabin in the woods there. We just visited this summer, and I think subconsciously I invented Faylinn from the forests in Finland. When we arrived it was as if I’d stepped into Faylinn. It was such a dream.

Author Autobiography:

I’m the author of the YA Fantasy Faylinn Novels, Kaleidoscope (#1), Ember (#2), and Luminary (#3), as well as the Contemporary Romance, Me After You (Willowhaven #1). Currently, I’m working on Me Without You (Willowhaven #2).

I grew up in San Diego, California, exploring my interest for singing and playing the piano. I first discovered my passion for reading when I had to make my first flight alone to South Carolina to visit my, then, fiancé. My love for writing followed shortly after. My husband and I have now been married for seven years and live in Summerville, South Carolina.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? 

Buy the Kindle formats here

Buy the Nook formats here

Buy the iBook formats here

Buy from Smashwords

Where can readers connect with you online?

My Blog

Facebook

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