Do you know about Noblebright Fantasy?Noblebright Fantasy refers to stories in which the main motivation of the characters is an altruistic proposal or quest, and the world in which they live upholds hope and the possibility of better. Noblebright characters choose to act with kindness and honor, are rewarded for their good qualities, and their world, although not perfect, is beautiful and valuable. Brand new Epic/High Fantasy collection
“Heroes and Swords”, brings you a selection of Noblebright stories with strong heroes and magical worlds that will take you back to the times of classic fantasy. Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find!
Noblebright Fantasy Book: Daughter of Havenglade.
An Epic Quest Through The Magical World of HavengladeA sinister wizard.
A mysterious teacher.
A kingdom on the brink of collapse.
In the ancient kingdom of Havenglade, a brutal enemy is ravaging the countryside making his way closer to Gradur Castle. An aging king seeks protection from a council of loyal wizards. A peasant girl finds herself at the center of it all after bonding with a magical crystal and absorbing its magical essence.
After losing her parents, Laurena was given the chance of a lifetime to study wizardry under the mysterious and renowned teacher Unai.†Can she learn to harness the powers inside her before it’s too late?
Author H. C. Harrington: What makes this book Noblebright?
Noblebright is a subgenre which often ties into fantasy stories. When I wrote Daughter of Havenglade one of the main goals was to give the world a female hero who could “save the world” while not appearing overly powerful or unbeatable. She suffers many of the physical symptoms of anxiety but she still manages to overcome many of her fears and self-doubts. Our heroine Laurena, goes from an unsure and troubled girl into a confident, capable woman.†
She looks out for others. She doesn’t have longings for fame or fortune. She is noblebright because she wants to be on the side that protects the weak. She is noblebright because she will turn against her own kingdom if it stops caring for its people, and she is noblebright because her parents raised her that way.
—
H.C. Harrington is the author of the epic fantasy series Daughter of Havenglade. His recent work includes Daughter of Havenglade, Black Dragon Deceivers, The Night Thief, and the soon to be released Blood Cauldron.
H.C. graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a B.A. in Anthropology and History. After putting a hold on summertime archaeological digs in the Sierra Nevadas H.C. moved to Chengdu, China, to study Chinese language and culture. Along the way, he’s visited or lived in over a dozen different countries.
His hobbies include traveling, writing stories, reading anything he can get his hands on, backpacking, and trying new things.
Heroes and Swords: A Noblebright Fantasy Collection.
In the spirit of the classic fantasy of Tolkien, Terry Pratchett and Brandon Sanderson, authors of Noblebright Fantasy all around the world have come together in this E-book giveaway. With stories that are uplifting and full of hope, and heroes who strive for goodness and fight to save their worlds,†Heroes and Swords†will transport readers back to the glory of heroic fantasies, fabulous quests and characters full of charisma and courage.
——
Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don’t forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name:
Kristen Stieffel
Title of book and/or series:
Alara’s Call: The Prophet’s Chronicle Book One
Brief summary of the story:
Alara is a young clergywoman whose father, the prime minister, entangles her in his political intrigues. As a result she’s kidnapped by enemy soldiers and winds up at the center of an international conflict in which she prophesies to world leaders—including her father—about how the people of faith are to be governed.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
It’s a secondary fantasy realm loosely modeled after nineteenth-century Europe, with lots of small countries close together, with related royal families.
If we were to visit Alara’s storyworld as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
The southern coasts of Glynrell (Alara’s homeland) and Redíque (where she’s related to the royal family on her mother’s side) have lovely beaches and a mild climate. The western coast of Glynrell, on the other hand, is a rocky coastline. In the north of Glynrell is the Kaesrynne Valley, an idyllic setting known for sheep herding and vineyards.
What dangers should we avoid in Alara’s storyworld?
Glynrell and Redíque are both very safe nations, although highwaymen are not unheard of. The northern nations of Apanumon and Makut are feudal and one does run the risk of running afoul of a feudal lord if one isn’t careful about, for example, where one hunts or harvests wood. Believers need to be particularly wary in these countries, as violence against believers is common.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Alara’s storyworld?
In most places, the cuisine will be very similar to what one might find in Europe or North America. All forms of game, especially venison and wild fowl, are popular in Glynrell. Glynrellans may wish to take care when visiting Makut, as horse meat is commonly eaten there, but Glynrellans have a cultural taboo against eating horse. Another distinction for visitors to be aware of is that although in most nations the midday meal is called lunch or luncheon and the evening meal dinner, in Glynrell the midday meal (usually very hearty) is called dinner and the evening meal (usually very light) is called supper. If a Glynrellan invites you to dinner, you should arrive around noon.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Alara’s storyworld?
Alara’s contemporaries do not have black powder, so there are no firearms. Their main weapons are swords. Glynrellans use both sabers and rapiers, depending on personal preference. Redíquans prefer the rapier, and Makuians the saber. Glynrellan archers tend to use longbows, while Makutians invariably choose the crossbow.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel around Alara’s storyworld?
Horses and horse-drawn carriages and wagons are the primary mode of transport in Glynrell and Redíque. In Makut and Apanumon, generally only the nobility own horses. The lower classes go on foot or travel by ox cart.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Alara’s storyworld?
The only supernatural element comes in the form of gifts, such as Alara’s gift of prophecy. There’s also a character who has the gift of healing, and another whose gift I’m not going to give away because spoilers. 😉
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Alara’s storyworld? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
It’s not advanced from our point of view, but within the storyworld, Glynrellans and Redíquans are advanced in their use of indoor plumbing, almost to a twentieth-century level. So a visitor would find the conveniences not quite modern, but still comfortable. In Makut and Apanumon, however, indoor plumbing is found only in the most wealthy homes, and sometimes not even there, as the infrastructure is lacking.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Alara’s storyworld.
Glynrellans are very completive in martial arts, which most children there learn as a matter of course. Hunting is a popular activity, but more for subsistence than sport. Horse racing is popular in Redíque. Rugby is a popular sport across the continent.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Alara’s storyworld as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
I don’t go into a lot of detail about days and months, although I sometimes use phrases like “on the fifteenth,” but I haven’t named the months. In Alara’s faith, the holy days are around the calendar: the solstices and equinoxes, as well as the new moon.
Is there a particular religion practiced in Alara’s storyworld? Please describe what it involves.
There are two main religions: Telshanism and Kivatanism. Telshanism is a Trinitarian faith worshiping a maternal creator, a paternal counselor, and a feminine redeemer, who collectively are known as the one god, Telshi. A foundational principle of the Telshan faith is that all believers are equal in the eyes of Telshi. Kivatanism is a polytheistic faith with a pantheon that includes gods of war, justice, wisdom, etc. It’s a paternalistic faith in which women are oppressed. Although members of both faiths can be found in all countries, Glynrell and Redíque are predominantly Telshan, while Makut and Apanumon are predominantly Kivatan. A fifth country, Temhain, which is east of Redíque and south of Makut, has a nearly equal mix of the two faiths.
What is the political or government structure in Alara’s storyworld? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leaders are they?
Glynrell is the only country on the continent that is a democracy. The others are all monarchies, though in Redíque the monarch is largely a figurehead, and the principal leader is the prime minister. Makut, Apanumon, and Temhain are all governed by kings who rule with varying degrees of dictatorship.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Alara’s storyworld?
In Kivatan countries, women are forbidden from making eye contact with men.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations in your book?
The aforementioned idyllic Kaesrynne Valley is modeled after the Santa Ynez Valley in California, which is not far from where I grew up in Goleta (a suburb of Santa Barbara).
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?I touch on several things, including monarchy vs. democracy and polytheism vs. monotheism, but probably the only one that may be controversial is patriarchy vs. equality, especially regarding my clergywoman heroine. An agent once rejected this story on the basis of that alone.
Author Autobiography:
Kristen Stieffel is a freelance editor specializing in science fiction and fantasy and is associate editor of Havok, a flash fiction magazine focused on the speculative genres. She provides a full range of editorial services and has worked on various projects including business nonfiction and Bible studies, but she is a novelist at heart and has edited novels in many genres for both the general market and the Christian submarket. Kristen is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and Christian Editor Connection and is a Word Weavers International mentor.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
Where can readers connect with you online?
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Glynrell. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week’s edition of Realm Explorers!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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Book Tour Grand Finale for
A Priceless Find
By Kate James
We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:
I’m excited to be on tour again with Prism Book Tours with A Priceless Find, a sequel to my award-winning Heartwarming novel, A Child’s Christmas. A Priceless Find is my third and final release for 2017…
CHELSEA’S HEART TRIPPED at the sight of the bright yellow Do Not Cross police barricade tape and blue-and-white flashing lights. Peering through her windshield, she couldn’t tell for certain this far down Willowbrook Avenue, but it looked as if all the activity was in front of the Sinclair Art Gallery.
It was too early for any of her colleagues to be at work. Whatever was going on, at least none of them would be hurt…or worse.
“Love the suspense, love the romance, love the storyline. . . . I only put it down when I really had to. I could visualize the characters and the scenes. . . . Definitely five stars plus.”
Elegant wasn’t a word she usually associated with herself nor, frankly, was it something she normally strived for. But tonight? She thought she’d hit the mark.
It was important to her to set the right tone. Not just because she’d put so much personal effort into the event, but because of her goal to be the next curator. She wanted to ensure that Mrs. Sinclair found absolutely no fault with the evening…or her.
“Kate James is excellent at writing gentle, sweet romances. Her books are so easy to settle into. This particular story brought in an element of mystery with an unsolved crime and some strange things happening. I enjoyed that aspect of it even though the story kept a pretty sedate pace. . . . you cannot go wrong picking up any book by Kate James. Especially if you love a good, sweet, clean romance.”
“I hope I’m not underdressed,” he said.
Chelsea felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She obviously hadn’t been as subtle in her perusal of him as she’d hoped. “Oh, no, you look perfectly fine.” Now she could feel her cheeks burn even more. “What I meant is your attire is fine. Black tie is optional. Are you here for professional or personal reasons?” she rushed on, wanting to change the subject.
“A bit of both.”
“I liked how they worked together and tried to catch the bad guys. I was sure that I knew who was guilty, but the author kept me reading. The ending was good, and I would like to read more about these characters.”
“Help me understand what, exactly, this painting is supposed to represent.” The deep voice, with a touch of humor, had Chelsea glancing over her shoulder.
Her courteous reply caught in her throat as she found herself staring into familiar bold blue eyes. “Detective Eldridge, I didn’t know you had an interest in art.”
“The word I’m going to use to describe this story overall is: gentle. The mystery is gentle, without any heart-pounding drama; the romance is gentle–sweet, but not overly dynamic chemistry and drama; the characters are gentle–the kind you want for neighbors. This is a perfect read to escape and enjoy your time spent in small town Camden Falls and it’s exactly the kind of book that I was in the mood for.”
THE FIRST THING Sam noticed when Chelsea walked out of the back was that she looked…taller. He slid his gaze down and saw the shoes. Unless he was mistaken, they were the same shoes she’d worn the night of the exhibit, but they worked even better with the skirt she wore today.
Caught in the act, he realized when he looked up and saw Chelsea’s amused smile. “Ready to go?” he asked, proud of how smoothly he managed to recover from his lapse of professionalism.
“The conflicting turn of events in this story, keeps the reader captivated. There is action, a touch of romance, humor, mystery, suspense and intrigue within the pages of this book.
As always, Kate James does a magnificent job in creating characters the reader feels he/she knows and scenes portrayed so well, the reader will feel he/she is actually there. With the various elements of subject matter in A Priceless Find, this is one of her best creations in the literary world. The reader is kept hoping for a “happily ever after” but unsure of the outcome until the end of the tale.
This definitely earns a Five Stars rating.”
Very gentlemanly, Chelsea mused, how Sam had walked her to her car at the gallery and waited until she’d pulled out of the parking lot. It was a thoughtful gesture.
Although Detective Sam Eldridge was about as far from what she considered her “type” as she could imagine, he intrigued her. He was undeniably attractive, but it was more than that. She found his personality appealing, so steady and solid—and her complete opposite.
“Anyone who loves art will be intrigued by Kate James’ romance novel, A Priceless Find, as she takes us to the small town of Camden Falls via Chelsea Owens. . . . The case is complicated, causing suspicions to flit from one person to another, creating a rollercoaster ride for Chelsea’s relationship with Sam. . . . If you’re ready to delve into the art world with an excellent writer as your guide, pick up a copy of A Priceless Find.”
As he pulled up in front of Sorley’s fifteen minutes later, he saw Chelsea’s car. One more thing to like about her. She was punctual. If things went well, maybe he’d be able to talk her into having dinner with him.
One step at a time, he cautioned himself, as he walked into Sorley’s.
She was sitting in a booth, facing the door, and noticed him right away. Smiling, she waved to him, and he felt that strange sensation in his gut again.
“Once again, Kate James has written a novel that warms your heart and makes you smile. It’s sweet, suspenseful and romantic, and the characters are delightfully genuine. Camden Falls feels like a place any of us could call home, except perhaps for the recent crime spree. *wink* A Priceless Find is a great read from start to finish!”
Her first inclination was to follow the footprints to see where they led. Feeling a tingle on the back of her neck, she thought better of it. Slipping out the door, she locked it and hurried to her car.
The footprints—and the possibility of someone having seen her inside the warehouse and maybe recognizing her car—made her rethink once more what she’d found and what it might mean.
“I absolutely love Kate James writing style. She has a way that just makes me love her characters. Chelsea and Sam are just absolutely great. This sweet romance takes my breath away. “
“Chelsea. Hi. What brought you here?”
She could see amusement—and was it pleasure?—on Sam’s face. She could also see over his shoulder that Marla was watching them intently. “There’s something I’d appreciate your opinion on,” she said in a subdued voice.
“Okay,” he said with a quizzical look, and led her through the door to the back and into his office.
And don’t forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven’t already…
A Priceless Find
(Camden Falls #2)
by Kate James
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 365 pages
October 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Can opposites really attract?
A robbery followed by the discovery of a forgery at a respected art gallery thrusts Chelsea Owens into the center of an investigation headed by Detective Sam Eldridge. The instant chemistry between the high-spirited aspiring curator and the tall, dark, brooding cop is a classic case of opposites attract.
Complications arise when Chelsea uncovers a connection to an unsolved art heist. Teaming up with Sam to find the stolen paintings ignites feelings that could lead to lasting love. But Sam isn’t ready to move beyond the tragedy in his past, no matter how promising his future with Chelsea could be…
Other Books in the Series
A Child’s Christmas
(Camden Falls #1)
by Kate James
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 376 pages
November 1st 2014 by Harlequin Heartwarming
There’s a stranger at the door on Christmas Day…
Single mother Paige Summerville wants to give her seven-year-old son the Christmas of his dreams. Jason needs surgery to beat the illness that’s plagued his young life, leaving Paige desperate to make ends meet. So she turns to a charity that grants the wishes of sick children…
Then a stranger arrives bearing gifts for Jason—and for her. He’s Daniel Kinsley, a lawyer who’s grown cynical about family. But his kindness in making Jason’s wishes come true offers him more than he ever imagined. Is there room in Paige’s heart for a man who could fulfill all their dreams? And not just at Christmas!
About the Author
Kate spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result, Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word.
Kate’s goal is to entertain her readers with engaging stories featuring strong, likable characters. Kate has been honored with numerous awards for her writing. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors, with their beloved Labrador Retrievers, Harley and Logan.
Kate would love to hear from you! You can connect with her by
email, through her
website, her
Facebook page,
Twitter, or mail at PO Box 446, Schomberg, ON, L0G 1T0, Canada.
Tour Giveaway
Prize Pack:
– The prize pack includes:
· Aqua over-the shoulder tasseled bag
· San Diego K-9 Unit mouse pad
· Signed copy of Sanctuary Cove
· Signed copy of The Truth About Hope
· Singed copy of When the Right One Comes Along, first book in the San Diego K-9 Unit series
· A pack of three metallic page markers with an inspirational quote on each
· Pair of heart-shaped earrings embellished with ruby-colored stones
· Assortment of signed bookplates
· $20 Amazon gift card
– Prize pack available for Canadian and US residents. Should the winner be international, e-books will be substituted.
– Ends October 11th
Behind the scenes of Burning Rose: Song of the Sword
Writing Burning Rose took around two years, from the publication of the first novella to
the final paperback. Of course, that wasn’t non-stop writing. I published each of the three
novellas contained in the paperback separately as ebooks, then pulled them together for the first
book of Legends of Light.
The nice thing about ebook publishing is that it’s very easy to change a document and
correct a typo or even make more drastic changes to a story after publication. My second novella
in Legends of Light, Song of the Sword, is my only novella that underwent noticeable changes
after publication. Although it is second in the series, it is actually the earliest novella of the three
that I wrote. With each novella I publish, I learn more about writing and style. So I went back
and polished up Song of the Sword. I also added several chapters. Roinette, sister to the main
character, had about half the page time in the first version as she does now. But I got some
suggestions from a friend and ended up weaving her into the story to make her a large secondary
character. I also clarified backstory and deepened some thematic bits.
Read the full retelling in my new paperback collection, Burning Rose!
A war, founded in ancient legends, changes the lives of those it touches forever.
Elissa, a villager from the northern mountains, attempts to save her brother and ends up trapped
in a hidden valley with a strange host and a treacherous enemy.
Evrard, the Wingmaster of the Prince’s army, races against his own weakening powers to
discover the location of his twin and save her from deadly mistbenders.
Haydn, a pardoned rebel from Tauscher’s army, confronts shadows of myth and former
comrades in his struggle to keep his sister safe and find the stolen Stormestone.
BONUS
Before the war, before the legends, before the Separation, there was a man who started it all.
There was a curse, a promise, and a sacrifice. There was the Oathkeeper.
Fairy tales retold as you have never heard them before.
ROSE OF THE OATH: Beauty and the Beast
SONG OF THE SWORD: Rapunzel
SHADOWS OF THE HERSWEALD: Hansel and Gretel
and
ROSE OF THE NIGHT: a Rose of the Oath prequel
Order Burning Rose now!
Hope Ann is a Christian wordsmith, avid reader, and dedicated author. Her time is taken up with
writing, reading, playing with inspirational photos, blogging, helping care for the house and eight younger siblings, and generally enjoying the adventures of life on a small farm at the crossroads of America. She is the author of Legends of Light is currently working on several projects including a fantasy novel and futuristic trilogy. You can find out more about her at
authorhopeann.com
Hi All! Thanks for stopping by to hear my big announcement.
The final book in the uniquely paranormal Secret Keeper Series is out and available for purchase! Today, we’re taking a peek at a deleted scene from the newly released, Under The Broken Sky! Fun!!
But first, here’s the cover and blurb for Under The Broken Sky!
If this is your first time hearing about the Secret Keeper Series, I’m excited to tell you that for a limited time, you can pick up the award-winning first book in the series for FREE!
Here are the links to grab your FREE COPY!
Amazon
IBooks
Barnes and Noble
Already a fan of the series? You’ll love several new characters that are introduced in Under The Broken Sky and a finish to Winter and Liam’s story that rivals the intensity of the first three books, Belakane, The Secret Keeper, and In The Dying Light. So go grab your copy now and find out what happens!
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
IBooks
Now, onto the deleted scene. Enjoy!
From the small wooden dock Agni saw the rubble that was once his home. Huge wood beams were reduced to splinters and furniture he’d built by hand sat in broken pieces strewn along the forest’s edge. Seeing the total destruction of his handiwork made his throat tight and his mouth miserably dry. He smacked his lips in a futile attempt to create moisture. Little came.
“Tie off the boat.” Agni said handing a wad of rope to Winter before looking back at the island. She also gawked, mouth hanging open in direction of the debris littered beach.
Behind him, Winter and Liam debated the best way to tie a proper knot, but Agni couldn’t think of anything but the damaged shoreline where he’d lived for ten years.
Bela’s destruction left a pit in Agni’s gut. Securing the boat may not matter in the end. Belakane’s total annihilation of their island cottage let Agni know she was livid, even more furious than he could’ve imagined. He and his companions would be lucky to leave the island alive. Angry waves already licked the side of the boat, more violent than when they’d arrived, and the blue sky was quickly disappearing behind the purplish black clouds stirred up by Belakane’s magic.
Agni walked to the front of the rocking vessel.
“Stay on the dock. I want to look around for a minute.” Agni said without looking back at Winter and Liam.
Now that they’d arrived, Agni felt the full weight of his responsibility. Only he could save them from Bela’s wrath, and based on the burgeoning storm, the enchantress was ready for a fight.
Connect with Angela
Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don’t forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name:
E.B. Dawson
Title of book and/or series:
The Traveler (Lost Empire Book 1)
Brief summary of the story:
Anissa Robson is becoming an adult in a society she never really identified with. Forced to choose her career path, she becomes an apprentice to a young, headstrong politician who seems to stand for everything she disagrees with. The dreams she has refused to report grow more alluring to her as she becomes disillusioned with her job. But the lines between reality and her dreamland begin to blur and cross over, launching her onto a path she would never have chosen for herself. Is the government medicating dreamers to protect them? Or to hide something from them?
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Angapo is a remote, tropical world that has been semi-colonized by a more technologically advanced world.
If we were to visit Angapo as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
Don’t go into the towns. They have more conveniences. But you need to see the beauty of the jungle. It is most dangerous at night, but that’s when it can also be the most beautiful. There are flowers that bloom only in moonlight, and phosphorescent insects that sparkle like stars!
What dangers should we avoid in Angapo?
Snakes, wild boars, poisonous insects, raging rivers, treacherous cliffs, and angry militants. Sounds fun, right?
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Angapo?
The purple tuber is the main food supply of the Angapoan people. It’s pretty, but a little bit plain and pasty.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Angapo?
Indigenous Angapoans have no martial art. They were simple hunters until colonization. Now some of them are learning how to use new weapons and fighting tactics in order to defend themselves.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Angapo that we don’t see on Earth?
There are some amazing plants. The dragon plant is beautiful and fire resistant. The wild boars have razor sharp teeth and are carnivorous. You don’t want to meet them in the jungle.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Angapo? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
The first sign of anything fantastical is when people start traveling to another world in their sleep. The government covers it up and does everything it can to stop it. Experts have tried to find scientific explanations for it, but it can’t truly be explained by science. We’re going to see more supernatural elements pop up in books two and three!
Is there a particular religion practiced in Angapo? Please describe what it involves.
The Angapoan people recognize there is more to the world than what we can hear and see. But there has been a great deal lost from their ancestors. They believe there are spirits in the world.
What is the political or government structure in Angapo? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The Angapoans live in small tribes and communities. They are currently under the authority of two separate nations who have interests in their natural resources.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
There are a few controversial topics. The main one is colonization. I examine the consequences and complications when an advanced society and a less-advanced society cross paths. There are no simple or easy answers. I also bring up some questions about race, science, and the nature of reality!
Author Autobiography:
E.B. Dawson was born out of time. Raised in the remote regions of a developing nation, traveling to America was as good as traveling thirty years into the future. So, it’s really no wonder that she writes science fiction and fantasy. She writes stories that acknowledge darkness, but empower and encourage people to keep on fighting, no matter how difficult their circumstances may be. And as an avid philosopher, she infuses her work with Socratic questions. When not writing, she tries to make a difference in the world by showing love and compassion to those most broken.Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book? Please include links.
Where can readers connect with you online?
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I am most frequently on twitter @ebdawsonwriting. You can also find me on my
website.
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Angapo. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week’s edition of Realm Explorers!
-Annie Douglass Lima
Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don’t forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name:
Janeen Ippolito
Title of book and/or series:
Lawless: The Ironfire Legacy (Book 1)
Brief summary of the story:
The salvation of humans and dragons lies within a convicted murderer.
Dragonshifter Kesia Ironfire has one goal—to redeem her past by serving the cruel dragon Pinnacle as a soldier in the dragon-human war.
Then a rogue mission to spy on a new airship explodes into sickening green smoke. The same mysterious green smoke that was present the night of Kesia’s crime. When her dragon overlords deny any involvement, she and her tactical partner Zephryn Nightstalker try to investigate–and are sentenced to death.
Still searching for answers, Kesia and Zephryn flee to the human military capital, where Captain Shance Windkeeper has been furloughed after the destruction of his airship. Eager to discover what–and who–blew up his vessel, he agrees to help Kesia and Zephryn infiltrate High Command. In exchange, Kesia must pretend to be his betrothed so Shance can escape an arranged marriage. If only she knew what ‘betrothed’ and ‘arranged marriage’ meant.
But human social customs are the least of her worries. Dark secrets surface as Kesia delves deeper–secrets that challenge the facts of her crime and undermine the war itself.
A steampunk fantasy adventure with a side of quirky romance and snark.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Sekastra is a large continental landmass on a fantasy planet. The overall setting is fantasy steampunk.
Sekastra is divided into four Scepters, which each function as semi-independent city-states that together form the Congruency. In the northwest is the Scepter of Knowledge, in the northeast is the Scepter of Industry, in the southwest is the Scepter of Pleasure, and in the Southeast is the Scepter of Commerce. In the center is the Pinnacle, settled in the Cloudpeaks. The Pinnacle is ruled by dragonshifters. In between all the Scepters are the plains, where a lot of the smaller cities and villages are located.
In Lawless the featured city-state is the Scepter of Commerce, so this article will focus on that city.
If we were to visit The Scepter of Commerce as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
If you have money, the sky is the limit! Go on tours through the Junglelands, sail one (or all) of the Trebbian Seas (Ilyon, Olyon, and Tryon), and visit the Music Quarter and Art Quarter. When you find yourself out of money (which is easy to do in the Scepter of Commerce), there are beautiful mosaics inlaid in many of the walls and floors. The Central Market is resplendent with gold and silver tiles. Local folklore claims if you toss a penny in the fountains in front of the Central Market, your deity of choice will grant your wish.
What dangers should we avoid in Sekastra?
Well, there’s currently a war going on between the humans and the dragonshifters, and the Scepter of Commerce is military central. It’s far safer to travel by train, although there are bandits and train-robbers, so it can still get treacherous.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in The Scepter of Commerce?Lawless focuses on the Scepter of Commerce (each book focuses on activities in one Scepter). In the Scepter of Commerce you can get delicious roasted crenbird and fresh, tart strewsberry juice. There are also a variety of vegetables that come in from the surrounding Junglelands.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in The Scepter of Commerce?
Money and bribery are much preferred over violence, but since it is wartime, many people are armed with a variety of weapons: cheap Berringer pistols, military-grade Heotzlers, and elegant Starvens that are easy to hide under clothing.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to The Scepter of Commerce?
In the Scepter of Pleasure, they have shiny ground cars for transportation—but they give off a lot of smelly fumes. For air travel (if you dare), there are airships, but not the kinds with balloons. Instead, they use turbines. The adaptation happened when humans realized dragons could set their hot air devices on fire. There are also trains between each Scepter. In the plains, people often use horses, and there are a variety of ships that travel the rivers to the Trebbian Seas.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Sekastra that we don’t see on Earth?
In Sekastra, humans share the territory with dragonshifters, who are simply referred to as dragons whether they are in scale form or skin form. But you shouldn’t see any in the Scepter of Commerce because of the dragon-human war. Theoretically. There are rumors of dragon spies…
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in the Scepter of Commerce? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
One unique element of Sekastra are that all humans and some dragons have innate Talents. These Talents can be passed down through families. Talents aren’t always useful or powerful. For every individual who has a Talent for telekinesis or invisibility, there’s someone who has a Talent that lets them detect the color of an object through touch. Talents do not always lend to societal influence or leadership because the steampunk technology is advance enough to counter many abilities.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in The Scepter of Commerce? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
The overall technology is fantasy steampunk with airships. Devices include voicelators (dragon tech pendants that modified vocal timbre and tone), clipse-mirrors that project visuals (think of it like steampunk Facetime), and wireless commers used for general communication.
The Scepter of Commerce doesn’t have much distinctive tech apart from this. The populace is very pragmatic, so they’ll adapt things from the Scepter of Pleasure, Scepter of Knowledge, and Scepter of Industry that make marketable and practical sense.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in the Scepter of Commerce.
In the Scepter of Commerce it doesn’t really matter what is being played, as long as people can bet on it. And if you want to play a game, you can find plenty of people in the Low Quarter who will take part as long as you pay them.
Is there a particular religion practiced in the Scepter of Commerce? Please describe what it involves.
The Scepter of Commerce has the same freedom of religion practices as all of the Scepters. There are numerous temples around the city-state, from the elemental temples that Jungleland natives used to worship various spirits to the open-air altars where many airship sailors make sacrifices to Fiarston and Viorstan for safe travels.
There are also worship houses for the Four Corners religion, the oldest religion in Sekastra. Adherents to the Four Corners religion worship Bonilus the Beneficent and strive to imitate his apostles, Allandra and Olosael. There are monastic orders known as the Sons of Olosael and the Daughters of Allandra.
What is the political or government structure in the Scepter of Commerce? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The Scepter of Commerce is traditionally run by a ruling council of the leading merchants and counts/countesses in the city. Power is inherited, but is leveraged and balanced by the court system. Currently, however, the Scepter of Commerce houses the High Command of the Congruency military fleet, so the military has ultimate say.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit The Scepter of Commerce?
The fashion is considered the most modern out of all of the Scepters. A lot of the fashion is adapted to the humid temperatures. Women wear loose pants with blouses and short-sleeved corset coats as daily fashion. Men wear pants, short-sleeved collared shirts, and vests. Military uniforms are standard throughout the Congruency fleet, and consist of boots, black pants, plain black waistcoats, long-sleeved button-down shirts, rank insignia, and caps. The color of the shirt denotes area of service: engineering, command, medical. Since it’s wartime, so everyone is expected to fight if necessary.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?I may have partly stolen from different biospheres in the United States for different geographical elements of Sekastra and then flagrantly shoved all the biospheres all closer together. I’ve adapted the steampunk elements to the different native cultures and histories of Sekastra, so that is why The Ironfire Legacy books are fantasy steampunk, not Victorian steampunk. The Scepter of Commerce has elements of chromepunk, and the other Scepters also have elements from other ‘punk periods.
Author Autobiography:
Janeen Ippolito is two authors for the price of one! She creates writing resources and writes speculative fiction with monsters, misfits, and mushy stuff. She’s also an experienced author coach, editor, teacher, and the Fearless Leader (president) of Uncommon Universes Press. In her spare time, she enjoys sword-fighting, reading, geeky TV, and brownie batter. A lifelong misfit, she believes different is beautiful and that everyone has the ability to tell their story. Two of her goals are eating fried tarantulas and traveling to Antarctica.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.Where can readers connect with you online?
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Janeen Ippolito is an extroverted writer who loves to connect online! You can find her on her
Facebook page, on Twitter (@TheQuietPen), and on Instagram (janeen_ippolito). She also cordially invites you to the
Lawless Facebook Launch Party on Wednesday, October 4!
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Sekastra. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week’s edition of Realm Explorers!
-Annie Douglass Lima
Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don’t forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name: D.J. Torres
Title of book and/or series: The Nature of Gods: The Awakening
Brief summary of the story:
When gods and goddesses abruptly overthrow Earth, humans are given two choices – worship or die. Desperate to survive, Olivia and her family devote their days to fulfilling the will of the gods. But the wrath of the gods is insatiable and unpredictable. With her hope crushed, Olivia is resigned to her bleak fate . . . until she meets Nature.
Immediately, Olivia knows this charismatic girl with color-changing eyes isn’t normal. Nature looks like a teenager yet she has the power to control the weather and converse with animals. Nature opens Olivia’s eyes to a hidden world that had always existed in harmony with her own. However, know-it-all butterflies and mystical creatures aren’t the only secrets revealed as Olivia discovers the dark plan of the gods.
When Nature decides to confront the gods, Olivia is catapulted to the forefront of humanity’s battle for survival. Olivia must rely on her courage, strength, and newfound gifts as she faces monster-infested pathways and ever-looming traps. But does she have enough courage or skill to battle brutal gods eager to rule the world and dole out punishment to anyone who defies them? Nature and the world depend on it.
The Nature of Gods is a fantasy adventure appropriate for tweens and middle grade readers.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Within the world of The Nature of Gods, ancient gods (such as Neptune and Zeus) have risen in a huge display of elemental power. The gods demand all of humanity on Earth to worship their recently unearthed idols. Humanity doesn’t have any power to fight back against these deities that are capable of wielding the earth, lava, sky, and ocean, so people do as they are told and settle into a life of endless worship. But things get really interesting when Nature wakes to discover her world is not how she left it. The world she created was a utopian paradise. Now Nature is on a mission to take back her world from the gods and return Earth to her original design.
If we were to visit as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
Earth is in shambles, so unless you desire to worship these demanding gods for at least eight hours a day, you should probably steer clear of all the cities. However, Nature’s place of slumber is a sight to behold. After she finished designing Earth and all its creatures, she fell into a deep sleep. This is the only place on Earth that is left untouched by modern society and the gods. It is a beautiful tropical island where everything blooms full all the time. The plants respond to Nature’s power so all the flora becomes lusher and brighter in her presence. You will see animals from all walks of life living in harmony with one another. You will even see such sights as a monkey riding atop an alligator. Totally worth the price of admission, right?
What dangers should we avoid on Earth?
You definitely don’t want to do anything to anger a god. Hades can melt you with his bare hand. And if the gods are too busy to discipline you, they will send their monsters to deal with you. But danger also lies within communities. Because people live in such fear of the gods, groups known as Zealots have developed. These Zealots have made it their responsibility to create and enforce rules designed to keep people safe. In the eyes of the Zealots, if you don’t worship, you are considered a threat because you could be the subject of the gods’ wrath via one of their monsters and others might be collateral damage. If you cross the Zealots, you risk expulsion from these communities and are left out in the cold to fend for yourself, which isn’t easy to do in a world ruled by ruthless gods.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served by Nature?
Nature is all about eating from the earth, so get ready for a lot of fruit and vegetables, uncooked and unseasoned. While that doesn’t sound particularly appetizing, the food Nature grows is second to none. Her apples are crisper yet juicier than anything you can imagine.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles does Nature utilize?
Earth and all it’s resources respond to Nature, so if you are planning on getting in a fight with Nature, be prepared for the land to slap you silly. Being a warrior is not something that comes easily to Nature. Her desire is not to fight, but when pushed, she definitely packs a punch.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in Nature’s world?
Nature has wings that take her wherever she wants to go, and if she really likes you, she might just gift you wings of your own. But if you aren’t one of the lucky few to don wings, her animals provide a pretty decent ride. Riding a dolphin is Nature’s favorite way to travel.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Nature’s world that we don’t see on Earth?
Nunitzes are everywhere, watching everything, though you would never know. A Nunitz is a Messenger Butterfly. You can identify them by their golden wings. Nature created the Nunitzes with the intent for them to record every memory on Earth. Once she was awake, they were to inform her of everything that happened in her absence. Don’t be startled if they talk your ear off. They are known to be quite chatty, opinionated, and are horrible secret keepers.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Nature’s world.
Nittle Tag is the famed game of the Nunitzes. The rules of their game are fairly simple: one player, the Flyer, moves through the field, hiding clues to a secret, while the second player, the Seeker, tries to either catch the Flyer or discover the secret before the Flyer reaches the finish line. The dust on Nunitz’s wings contains memories, so if you’re the Seeker, you have to maneuver through the plants, searching for clues in the Nunitz dust.
Is there a particular religion practiced? Please describe what it involves.
Every continent has their own way of worshiping the elemental deities. In the United States, the gods declared themselves to be Greek deities like Zeus, Neptune, Pan, and Hades. But in South America, the God of Fire is known as Huallallo-Carhuincho. The gods made sure they became all things to all people so their reach would not be limited.
What is the political or government structure of Nature’s Earth? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
I’ve already touched on the ruling systems within the community, so I will touch on Nature’s rule of Earth. After Nature was done creating Earth, she knew sleep would soon capture her. During her absence, she put four horn bearers in charge of maintaining her design. Vanada, a dragon, was in charge of the sky. Baldev, a dinosaur, was put in charge of fire and creating more land for Earth to grow. Sumudra, a narwhal, was in charge of the ocean and all it’s creatures. Nairi, a unicorn, was in charge of the forest. All the animals respected the four horn bearers, but everything changed with the creation of man.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?I spend a lot of my time trying to interact with animals. If I can pet or feed any animal, I will be the first in line. I have played with dolphins, hung out with lemurs, and fed giraffes. I am dying to do this monkey experience at a local animal rehabilitation center. I am also really inspired by anything that gets me to think outside of my normal thought process. Whether it is through music, pictures, or fashion, the creativity of others sparks my creativity.
Author Autobiography:
D.J. Torres is the author of The Nature of Gods series. Her works reflect her passion of fantasy, adventure, and escaping into new worlds. After struggling through many awkward years of her own, D.J. began writing to empower young girls to be confident in themselves and own their unique brand of individuality, quirks and all.
D.J. is a renowned nature lover and spends much of her time with animals. She has a huge passion for people, an affinity for yummy desserts, and can’t stop binge-watching TV. If D.J. isn’t writing, you may find her frolicking in a field, mastering her Xbox dance moves, or twisting herself into a yoga pretzel. More than anything, she hopes to pioneer imagination and share her story with you.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?
Where can readers connect with you online?I love meeting new people!
www.djtorresbooks.com has all my social media links, but I am most active on my Instagram and I do plan to start blogging more. Stop by and say hi.
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the World of Nature. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week’s edition of Realm Explorers!
-Annie Douglass Lima
Book Tour Grand Finale for
Breakup in a Small Town
By Kristina Knight
We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stopsyou can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:
Hi, everyone! I’m so excited to be back with you all for the next book in my Slippery Rock series! Breakup in a Small Town picks up about three months post-tornado. Adam is home from the hospital, but things aren’t right for him. . .and things are definitely not right for Jenny, either…
I am a sucker for a great movie couple – Joan Wilder and Jack T. Colton (Romancing the Stone), Vivien and Edward (Pretty Woman), and Jack and Rose (Titanic) are all on my list. I like couples that banter, couples that laugh together, couples that are hot for each other…even if they’d lost a little of that sparkle.
Here are a few of my favorite movie couples…
Do you have any personal heroes/heroines?
I do! I find Nora Roberts’ dedication to writing inspiring, and I’m awed at everything Lisa Kleypas does. I have a friend (Hi, Heather!!) who has started a handmade greeting card company – she writes amazing, inspirational, heartfelt cards that are simply beautiful.
Last but not least, my sister-in-law, who became a runner for the first time over the age of 30, has run in marathons and half-marathons, and helped me through my first 5K this summer (Hi, Janell!) is one of the most genuine people I know, and I admire her so much!
“It occurs to me that I’ve been too soft on you.” Jenny said the words carefully as she pulled to the stoplight outside Mallard’s Grocery. No inflection. No anger. Just words. Calm, cool, concise words. From the corner of her eye, she saw Adam’s head snap in her direction. Maybe this change in tactics was a good idea. “I don’t like this any more than you do, and I know you have it much worse than me because you’re living it. But I’m living it, too.”
“Turmoil and heartache snare our attention with this latest dip into Kristina Knight’s Slippery Rock series. If you’ve read the previous books, you will recognize Adam and Jenny and already be familiar with what happened to him. I was hooked on the story just from enjoying the series, but watching them fight for their relationship kept me even more enthralled. She was hard to like, but I enjoyed their story.”
He liked the prickliness even less than he liked that look he’d seen in Jenny’s beautiful eyes a moment before.
He didn’t want to talk about whoever she’d met for lunch or what that meant. He didn’t want to talk at all. He just wanted to feel her mouth on his. Adam reached across the space between them and pulled her closer. Her mouth opened slightly, and her hazel eyes went dark.
“This book had me on the edge of my seat. I was not sure what was going to happen between Jenny and Adam. Stay together or stay apart? It was nice reading about a couple that was married already and facing a life event that changed so much in both Jenny and Adam’s life.”
It took her asking me to leave to see how much I wanted to stay. How much I wanted her, and I had no idea how to get her back. I needed a plan, and I’ve never been much of a planner. Things just kind of happened for me: I played football and happened to be good at it, I took a job with my dad because I enjoyed it, and I married Jenny because she took my breath away. I never had to work hard at anything.
I had to work hard to win her back, though. Here’s how I did it…
“This is all about you.”
“No, it’s not. It’s about you. You haven’t done one thing for me.”
“I sent you flowers to apologize.”
“I hate cut flowers. I’ve never once asked for cut flowers. I didn’t carry them when we eloped. I don’t keep them in vases around the house.”
“You work in the garden all the time.”
“Because I like plants,” she exclaimed, unable to keep the annoyance from her voice.
“This book was hard to read, but rewarding at the same time, because Adam and Jenny do (eventually–talk about waiting until the last minute; argh!) figure it out. And watching two people who have been together forever but are just finally figuring out how to really be together at last makes for one heck of a story.”
Her gaze met his, and it didn’t matter that she’d asked him to move out. That their marriage might be over. What mattered was the look in his eyes. The green darkened to nearly emerald, and seemed to cut right through the confusion she felt at what she wanted, professionally and personally. All that mattered was that, for this moment, the two of them were together. He’d come out of the shell she had begged him to exit.
“I should have been paying more attention,” she admitted.
“I should have ducked. My reflexes are a little slower than I remember.” But he didn’t seem upset by that fact. A few weeks ago, slower reflexes might have sent him into a days-long funk. He put his arm around her shoulders. “I’m okay, Jenny.”
“I know.”
“If a tornado can’t break me by collapsing a building on my head, you’re not going to do it with an umbrella.”
“I just adored this book and this series is fast becoming one of all time favorites. The characters are vivid, emotional, funny, realistic and it’s always fun to go back and see where the other characters are in the town. And I can’t wait for Aiden’s story; whenever that may be. Again, I just loved how Ms. Knight made the story so realistic, emotional, at times raw and I truly felt sympathetic to both characters. I was cheering for them to the very end. And what an ending it was. *sigh, swoon, sniffles*”
Falling in love is the easy part. I didn’t know that until my life fell apart a couple of months ago, but what I’ve realized is that falling in love? It’s easy. A romantic gesture, candlelight, focused attention . . . those things make it so easy to fall in love with another person.
Staying in love? That is a whole different battle. So, if you were in love but now you think love might have left you behind? Here’s what you do…
She had to figure out what she wanted, without Adam’s hands in her hair, making her wish for things that just weren’t true. She had been frustrated before the accident. She wanted more than to take the kids to school and pick them up. To cook the meals and clean the house. She wanted to go on dates with her husband. There had to be more to life than being a mom and a housekeeper.
“Breakup in a Small Town is the third book in the Slipper Rock series by Kristina Knight. I can’t help it I absolutely love every single visit I make to this town. I don’t know what it is but Kristina always blows me away. Jenny and Adam’s story is no different. This couple has been through so much and this has caused a rocky marriage. . . . You will adore this series. I recommend all three books!”
And don’t forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven’t already…
Breakup in a Small Town
(Slippery Rock #3)
Kristina Knight
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
September 1st 2017 by Harlequin Superromance
This isn’t the man she married…
Jenny Buchanan never considered what “for better or for worse” meant when she married Adam Buchanan at nineteen. Six years and two little boys later, “for worse” arrives in the form of a tornado that ravages Slippery Rock and injures Adam. Now he’s a stranger to his family…and love won’t be enough to bring him back.
Only when Jenny asks him to move out does Adam become the husband she needs…but Adam isn’t the only one who’s changed. As their attraction sparks back to life, Jenny and Adam must learn what it is to grow up—and grow together—before this small-town breakup lasts forever.
Other Books in the Series
Famous in a Small Town
(Slippery Rock #1)
Kristina Knight
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
May 1st 2017 by Harlequin Superromance
Lifestyles of the small-town famous
Forced to leave Nashville after a scandal, Savannah Walters has come home to Slippery Rock, Missouri, with a bruised ego and her singing career in jeopardy. As if that isn’t humiliating enough, on her way into town she’s rescued by her swoon-worthy childhood crush, Collin Tyler.
His hands are full running the family orchard and dealing with his delinquent teen sister, so Collin doesn’t need to get involved with someone as fiery and unpredictable as Savannah. But the intense attraction between them can’t be denied. And when disaster strikes, they’ll both be surprised by who’s still standing when the dust settles.
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│iBooks│Kobo
Rebel in a Small Town
(Slippery Rock #2)
Kristina Knight
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
July 1st 2017 by Harlequin Superromance
He’s not giving up his family without a fight
James Calhoun has never been able to resist Mara Tyler, or her knack for mischief. Her reputation as a reckless teenager drove Mara from their hometown. So Slippery Rock is the last place James ever expected to see her, and Mara’s timing couldn’t be worse. With the upcoming election for sheriff, she threatens the squeaky-clean image James needs to win. Because Mara has brought with her the result of their steamy affair: his two-year-old son, Zeke. After the initial shock, James is determined to have both his family and career. He just needs to convince Mara that her home is where it’s always been. With him.
And coming November 2017…
Christmas in a Small Town
(Slippery Rock #4)
Kristina Knight
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
November 1st 2017 by Harlequin Superromance
Running out on her wedding was the best decision ever!
A cheating fiancé sends Camden Harris fleeing to her grandparents’ home in Missouri. When her ex follows, determined to win her back, Camden makes a deal with neighbor Levi Walters: they’ll pretend to be in love and she’ll support his plan to buy her grandparents’ land.
The boy from her childhood has grown up into an impressive man. His charm, good looks and sweet gestures make it difficult for Camden to remember this is fake. And Levi’s kisses only confuse her more.
About the Author
Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police–no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer’s capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way, she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she’s living her own happily ever after.
Kristina writes sassy contemporary romance novels; her books have appeared on Kindle Best Seller Lists. She loves hearing from readers, so drop her a line!
Tour Giveaway
– 1 winner will receive a signed copy of Famous in a Small Town and some fun swag
– US residents only
Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don’t forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name:
Kandi J Wyatt
Title of book and/or series:
Journey from Skioria
Brief summary of the story:
Tania is lost, shipwrecked on an unfamiliar shore. With no friends or family, the nine-year-old girl must make her way through the realm of the woodland people to a town she’s never heard of. With unexpected allies from the forest, Tania departs on a wild adventure where storms rage and the forces of nature do their very best to end her journey before it has truly begun.
In a land full of forests, oceans, and small people, what will it take for one young girl to make it home alive?
Lord of the Rings meets Narnia in this standalone middle-grade fantasy by author Kandi J Wyatt.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:Skioria and the rest of the world Tania travels through are based off the area where I live, the Southern Oregon Coast. Skioria itself is almost like the Redwoods with large trees, old-growth forest, and space between. The forest is next to the ocean which enables the characters to enjoy strolls on the beach or even the hazards of a spring storm. You can find out more about the trees of the forest on my website.
If we were to visit Skioria as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
You’ll definitely want some help getting up the trees to go visit Trilicious and Kern. These two Skiorians are accustomed to travelers and will gladly welcome you into their home and share some nut bread with you. They’ll even accompany you to a storytelling hour you won’t want to miss.
Storytelling takes place in a large tree with a window cut out that looks out to the stars. You may even hear the story of Aryx and his dipper. If you do, you’ll want to be sure to allow him to guide your journeyings.
What dangers should we avoid in Skioria?
You’ll want to be careful to stay on the pathways because Skiorians live twenty to thirty feet up in the air. Their homes are carved out of large trees and walkways connect each home to the next.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Skioria?
Pine nut flour is common. It’s used to create pancakes, bread, and many other dishes we know. Acorn soup tastes wonderful especially accompanied with a nut bread.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Skioria?Skiorians live in peace with each other and their surroundings. If they fought it’d be with their retractable claws that they use to climb the trees.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Skioria?
To get to Skioria you need to use your own two legs. The wooded paths from human civilization to Skioria don’t allow for any technology. You might be able to take a horse part of the way, but the horse would have to be willing to walk down river, across a lake, through the woods, down a long, steep embankment, along the beach for several days, over a mountain filled with trees and ferns, and then through thick huckleberry bushes. I think walking and having a boat available at the first part would be best.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Skioria that we don’t see on Earth?
If you visit Skioria while a council meeting is held, you’ll get to meet all the woodland people. The Skiorians although fully-grown still are only as big as nine-year-olds. Think of a stocky dwarf and you’ll have the idea—complete with beards, long hair, and hairy arms and legs. Just north of Skioria among thick huckleberry bushes lies Terra. Terrans are shorter than Skiorians to accommodate their surroundings. They also have shorter and less hair so they don’t get caught in the huckleberry branches. The most exotic people who visit during council meetings are the Avarians. You may mistake them for three-year-olds until one turns around and you see a blond beard! They’re short and slender people who love wearing bright colors. The other shock you may have is watching how they leave the pathways of Skioria. Don’t let your mouth drop open, and most definitely don’t scream when they step off the tree and float down to the ground.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Skioria? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.The Skiorians wouldn’t even know what you meant by magic. They live ordinary lives fishing, gathering berries or nuts, and weaving using the fibers in the forest. If they’re superstitious it’s more along the lines of sharing myths and stories of how things came about.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Skioria.
The kids enjoy making their way to the bottom of the trees and finding a clear spot to play tag or other chasing games. Trilicius’s favorite activity is to go fishing. He has a special song he sings at the top of his lungs and off-key. It makes him happy, and he still catches fish.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Skioria as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
The days and months roll by the same in Skioria, except they track them by the cycle of the moon. As for holidays they celebrate the longest day and the shortest day of the year as well as the first sighting of various constellations.
What is the political or government structure in Skioria? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?The council leader has the most say in the community. Conifer is the current leader who abides by the rules and holds all others to those rules. As a leader he’s fine, but as a father he fails. His son, Fyrh can never live up to his father’s expectations.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
I live on the Southern Oregon Coast. As I gazed out my window at the tall evergreens and old-growth forest with ferns, ivy, rhododendrons, huckleberries, and myrtlewood, I wondered what creatures would live in. The sound of chipmunks chattering, the sight of squirrels winding their way up the trunk of trees, and the flicker of birds’ wings among the rhododendron gave way to the people of the forest. As for their cultures, I tried to go with the personalities of the squirrels, chipmunks, and birds I saw.
The various encounters along the journey all come from places between Gold Beach and Langlois, Oregon. The mountain resides south of us as Humbug Mountain. The brownish-red water in the ocean actually happened the year I wrote the story and was from a landslide. The lake they cross is famous in our area for windsurfing, and has a river that spills out of it and flows north. Our family kayaked the river and found where a creek (as big if not bigger than the river) met the river. The goal of the journey is to reach a town where humans live and find the store owner. That store was patterned off Langlois Market. If you ever find yourself on the Southern Oregon Coast, be sure to stop in and have a hot dog or the Cransan, a turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce, both are excellent with the homemade mustard.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
The book is a middle-grade fantasy journey. It really has no ‘hot-button’ or controversial topics. Instead I focus on friendship.
Author Autobiography:
Even as a young girl, Kandi J Wyatt, had a knack for words. She loved to read them, even if it was on a shampoo bottle! By high school Kandi had learned to put words together on paper to create stories for those she loved. Nowadays, she writes for her kids, whether that’s her own five or the hundreds of students she’s been lucky to teach. When Kandi’s not spinning words to create stories, she’s using them to teach students about Spanish, life, and leadership.Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
My books are available in all formats—ebooks and print—and can be found on most outlets.
The Dragon Courage series: Where dragons and humans live at peace with each other most of the time, and dragon riders learn to survive they must rely on family and friends and set aside justice for mercy, revenge for peace, and bitterness for forgiveness.
The One Who Sees Me: A stand-alone Biblical retelling set in medieval times. When life doesn’t make sense Faru learns there is One who cares about servant girls as well as masters.Where can readers connect with you online?
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Skioria. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week’s edition of Realm Explorers!
-Annie Douglass Lima
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
A Priceless Find
A Child’s Christmas
E.B. Dawson was born out of time. Raised in the remote regions of a developing nation, traveling to America was as good as traveling thirty years into the future. So, it’s really no wonder that she writes science fiction and fantasy. She writes stories that acknowledge darkness, but empower and encourage people to keep on fighting, no matter how difficult their circumstances may be. And as an avid philosopher, she infuses her work with Socratic questions. When not writing, she tries to make a difference in the world by showing love and compassion to those most broken.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in The Scepter of Commerce?
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
D.J. Torres is the author of The Nature of Gods series. Her works reflect her passion of fantasy, adventure, and escaping into new worlds. After struggling through many awkward years of her own, D.J. began writing to empower young girls to be confident in themselves and own their unique brand of individuality, quirks and all.
On Tour with Prism Book Tours.
Thoughts of a Blonde – Review
Rockin’ Book Reviews – Excerpt
Breakup in a Small Town
Famous in a Small Town
Rebel in a Small Town
Christmas in a Small Town
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Skioria?
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Skioria? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
What is the political or government structure in Skioria? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
Even as a young girl, Kandi J Wyatt, had a knack for words. She loved to read them, even if it was on a shampoo bottle! By high school Kandi had learned to put words together on paper to create stories for those she loved. Nowadays, she writes for her kids, whether that’s her own five or the hundreds of students she’s been lucky to teach. When Kandi’s not spinning words to create stories, she’s using them to teach students about Spanish, life, and leadership.
The One Who Sees Me: A stand-alone Biblical retelling set in medieval times. When life doesn’t make sense Faru learns there is One who cares about servant girls as well as masters.