Six YA Fantasy authors.
A chance to win SIX awesome YA eBooks.
Kick off your Summer Reading right with these awesome titles.
Enter to win on the Rafflecopter below, or click the links to purchase the books on Amazon.com!
Nyssa Glass and the House of Mirrors
Author H. L. Burke
When reformed cat burglar Nyssa Glass is framed for murder, her only hope is to commit one last heist to prove her innocence. However, breaking into the “abandoned” house of an eccentric professor may very well be the last thing she ever does.
Called Warrior
Author E. J. McCay
Preacher’s Kid MacKenzie Bryan is called by God to be a warrior. Now she has to battle a church elder at the helm of a sex-trafficking ring.
The Firethorn Crown
Author Lea Doue
Princess Lily, the eldest of twelve sisters and heir to a mighty kingdom, desperately seeks a break from her mother’s matchmaking. Fleeing an overzealous suitor, Lily stumbles into a secret underground kingdom where she and her sisters encounter a mysterious sorcerer-prince and become entangled in a curse that threatens the safety of her family and her people. Follow the sisters on their adventures in a land where sorcery is feared, women can rule, and dragons fly.
The Mirror and the Mage
Author D. W. Frauenfelder
Fourteen-year old Lucius Junius Brutus yearns to join the Roman army, but Lucius’ father directs him to guard the dusty, grammarly scrolls of Numa Pompilius. Lucius thinks he is in for the most boring job in the world– until he discovers the scrolls’ true purpose…
Finding Prince Charming
Author Jessica Elliott
Allegra is shocked to discover that rather than wait in a tower for her Prince Charming, she must embark on a quest to rescue him. She must face untold dangers and overcome her greatest fears. Her enchanted prince, Adrian, deals with match-making frogs, a flirtatious mermaid and an unknown enemy who will stop at nothing to prevent their happily ever after.
Allegra is shocked to discover that rather than wait in a tower for her Prince Charming, she must embark on a quest to rescue him. She must face untold dangers and overcome her greatest fears. Her enchanted prince, Adrian, deals with match-making frogs, a flirtatious mermaid and an unknown enemy who will stop at nothing to prevent their happily ever after.
The Collar and the Cavvarach
Author Annie Douglass Lima
Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is desperate to see his little sister freed. But only victory in the Krillonian Empire’s most prestigious tournament will allow him to secretly arrange for Ellie’s escape. As danger closes in, can Bensin save Ellie from a life of slavery and abuse?
On Tour with Prism Book Tours.
Welcome to the Cover Reveal for
Scarred Beauty
By Jennifer Silverwood
Coming December 1st 2016…
(A Wylder Tale, #2)
YA Dark Fantasy
Vynasha has become prisoner with the other wyld beasts of the castle, but she is not alone. In the howling darkness her majikal bond with the Dungeon Master, Grendall grows, awakening the dormant power in her blood.
Yet as she discovers the true nature of the other beasts, she learns she must embrace madness in order to free them all. Vynasha is willing to do anything to end the curse, even if that means transforming into a monster.
Burried secrets come to light in this seductive sequel to Craving Beauty, the Gothic retelling of the classic fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, where nothing is exactly as it seems and the heroine must be her own hero.
Pre-order from:
Other Books in the Series
Craving Beauty
(A Wylder Tale, #1)
by Jennifer Silverwood
YA Dark Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 239 pages
October 31st 2015
Vynasha has spent the last four years tending her mother’s roses and looking after her nephew. The fire that killed their family has left her scarred and put Wyll on the brink of death. Soon the first frost will come down from the mountains and she knows this winter will be his last.
Until a strange beggar appears on the road, telling her of the majikal Source that can heal her Wyll. With nothing left to lose, Vynasha braves the forbidden Wylder Mountains to seek out a cure and her fate.
A lost kingdom is uncovered by an equally lost girl, but the castle is not abandoned as she believes. Shadows cloaking unseen eyes watch. Tapestries whisper from the hidden corners, wondering if the one to break their curse has come. And a hungry beast waits, ready to devour her soul.
Wolfsbane’s Daughter
(A Wylder Tale Novella)
by Jennifer Silverwood
YA Dark Fantasy
ebook, 52 Pages
February 25th 2016
Wolfsbane and his daughter Resha are on a never ending quest in the Wylder Mountains, to wipe out the wolves who destroyed their village. Before their enemies stole everything she loved, Resha cared for little beyond learning how to be a hunter. After, she learned a hunter must be prepared to fight as well as flee. Now she cares for nothing but revenge.
Until she discovers two majikal humans half frozen in the forest. Resha has a choice, to follow her instincts and leave the strangers to the wolves, or save them. Yet the enemy is on the prowl and there is little time for Wolfsbane’s daughter to find safe haven before they are discovered.
Jennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it’s the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador or a road trip to the next town. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything really is better in Texas. She is the author of the Heaven’s Edge series, Stay and Silver Hollow.
Other Books by the Author
Cover Reveal Giveaway
ebooks of all six of Jennifer’s books: Silver Hollow, Qeya, Ohre, Stay, Craving Beauty, and Wolfsbane’s Daughter (Open Internationally)
Copies of the first two books in A Wylder Tales: Craving Beauty (print) and Wolfsbane’s Daughter (ebook), plus swag (US Only)
Ends June 29th
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: B. Roman
Title of book and/or series: The Moon Singer Trilogy, a YA/Kids Fantasy series, comprises three books: The Crystal Clipper, The War Chamber, and The Wind Rose.
Brief summary of the story:
David Nickerson is a teenager trying to cope with a series of family crises: his father’s unemployment, his deafness after a serious illness, his crippled sister’s mysterious disappearance, and the death of his mother. David’s confused life takes on mystical qualities when he acquires three sacred artifacts that have extraordinary powers, and all are tied to the appearance of the enchanting sailing ship, Moon Singer, that transports him to astonishing dimensions of time and space. The people David encounters in these other worlds all have a soul connection to him and their lives are destined to intertwine many times over.
The power of music to heal, to transform, to create life – or destroy it – plays a major role in the trilogy. When he must rescue a young princess with the gift of healing and immortality in her song, held prisoner in a palace tower, David believes he will also rescue his sister Sally. Strangely, too, David finds he can hear for the first time in years and is transformed into a young man who can “hear” what others cannot, and who can “see” what others deny. Thus, his “disability” becomes his greatest gift. Using crystal power and his music knowledge David discovers the means to work through his own personal problems and create a better world for everyone he loves.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Although David visits other worlds, past and future, the stories have a contemporary feel. The real world location is David’s coastal home town of Port Avalon, where his family heritage is one of ship building and sailing; this is his anchor environment where the family drama and surprising miracles take place.
Even though I’ve created fantasy locations for David’s adventures, we come to see that he is really experiencing a higher consciousness, but David doesn’t quite know where he is: Past? Present? Future? Are they all one and the same? Discovering the truth is part of David’s enlightenment.
The Crystal Clipper is the Fairy Tale adventure to The Island of Darkness which has the aura of a medieval era with all the inherent dangers for its inhabitants. For example, the people are enslaved by the evil High Priestess Jaycina, and Princess Saliana is a prisoner in the Prism Palace tower and forced to sing to keep Jaycina immortal.
In The War ChamberDavid is transported to the island of Coronadus which experiences a limbo of sorts where there is no wind or electrical power following a catastrophic earthquake that separated the city from the mainland. The citizens live a very simple life much like one would find in a commune, are very ecology minded, and mostly pacifists. But war looms!
The Wind Rose takes place mostly in Port Avalon where David is a music prodigy at a city college and uncovers a Machiavellian plot by a mad music professor to destroy his city and all of civilization. But a solution evades David so he decides to return to the Island of Darkness which has become the Kingdom of Light again, a vastly beautiful and ethereal city of sophistication and soul evolution. Here, everything becomes clear for our hero.
You mentioned that the power of music plays a vital role in the stories and David becomes a music prodigy. How and why is David’s character deaf?
David was normal hearing for seven years before developing a serious illness. During that time his mother taught him music, and subsequently sign language and lip reading. In his young teens, David develops extraordinary powers in worlds he never knew existed, because of his deafness: this important aspect of his character allows me to demonstrate how David hears the voices of intuition and inspiration and finds his own unique strengths. Normal hearing people who meditate are always instructed to do so in a quiet, silent environment – “Be still, and know…” David learns how to use his natural silence – the “music of his soul” – to find answers to complicated, almost unsolvable problems and in doing so his “disability” becomes his greatest gift.
If we were to visit The Island of Darkness as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
Well, you would be drawn to the Prism Palace, a shimmering vision amidst an otherwise dark and dense terrain. At first glance, it appears to be a crystal of monolithic proportions. It is deceptively transparent, with near-blinding refractions of light that obscure its interior from view. You might also be fascinated by the Glass Volcano where sacrifices are made of people who have displeased Jaycina. Instead of being thrown in the fire, an enormous flash of electrical energy surges between the lodestone and the victim’s breastplate. He is literally magnetized and lifted high into the air, floating on the electrical current like a puppet on a string. The lodestone is then pushed aside, cutting off the free-floating electrical current and the victim plunges helplessly into the depths of the volcano, screaming his life away.
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| The Prism Palace on the Island (art credit: Crystal Wisdom Palace artwork used with permission by Ron Kurz, Ellen Laura, Mary Jean Valente) |
What dangers should we avoid in The Prism Palace?
You would want to avoid the Tower where the worshipped and feared Glass Snake abides. And stay away from the palace Temple and the Altar of Initiation. Using hypnotic suggestion, the High Priestess entices people to hand over their personal crystals containing their bio-codes – which contain their genetic maps and all their memories – and makes them her slave. And don’t ever get lost in the Palace corridors or you will encounter a deceptive Labyrinth of Mirrors and “…your eyes will be unable to see what your heart knows is true.”
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in The War Chamber?
Since the citizens of Coronadus put down their weapons and chose to be pacifists, when there is a disagreement they must appear before the War Council where battles are confined to theories and strategies. The only weapon allowed is the agility of their mind and the degree of their debating skills. The War Council, comprised of only women, decide who the better tactician is. Why are only women on the Council? Because the people believe women are the creators of life – are peaceful and reasonable – and men, unfortunately, are the destroyers.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Coronadus?
Since the Great Destruction, all of the machinery – electronics, cars, appliances, light fixtures, etc. -lie dormant because there is no electricity to power them. Cooking is done by solar and refrigeration is created by using insulated cooling bins placed underground. As for the boats, which were very sophisticated with both sails and engines, not only is there no energy to propel them but no wind at all to lift the sails. So no one is able to travel to or from Coronadus, and it is a mystery how David and the Moon Singer arrived there.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in all the books?
Crystal power is the catalyst. David has a collection of colorful crystals that he experiments with for fun and fascination, including a beautiful Rose Crystal which represents faith and unconditional love. But things don’t begin to “magically” happen until he is given a unique Singer crystal, which is shaped like a small sailboat. When David lays out a Star of David grid pattern of his gems, the Singer ignites the power of all of them in a kaleidoscopic fury. The majestic clipper ship Moon Singer appears – a breathtaking vessel made of pure crystal and gold, which transports David on all of his adventures.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
I own a Singer crystal, shaped like a small sailboat, that inspired the Moon Singer trilogy’s first adventure, “The Crystal Clipper.” I found this unique crystal at a workshop (actually, it found me – which is what crystals are programmed to do). In pondering its energy, a story began to take shape and guided me through writing all of the adventures. Young David Nickerson came by his own Singer because it was meant for him; he is the one true owner of the Singer crystal which manifests into the Moon Singer ship which takes David on all of his adventures. Because the sacred gem holds all of the secrets and knowledge of the universe, it is David’s vehicle to learn about life, courage, selflessness and unconditional love.
What is the significance of the Moon Singer that it should be made of crystal and gold?
Centuries ago a cataclysmic event was prophesied and it was feared that all the great knowledge that had been acquired would be destroyed if it were recorded in books. So, some very wise scholars programmed a large vein of crystals with all the knowledge of the Universe then rematerialized them into the earth. They trusted, when the time was right, that the crystal would surface and be attracted by people who would use this wisdom well. Many years later, this vein was discovered by prophets who realized that the power of the crystal held the potential for greatness as well as the potential for evil. So they broke up the vein and fashioned it into the three masts of the ship Moon Singer, which represent Love, Wisdom and Truth. The men set the ship adrift on a pre-programmed course to another dimension where she would be safe from unscrupulous men. Before they did, however, they chiseled a bit of crystal from each mast and fashioned the chips into the Singer crystal. The Singer is the only crystal that can activate the Moon Singer’s many powers.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
Occult subjects that were once looked upon as fringe or “out there” have become mainstream: reincarnation, soul travel, extrasensory perception, clairaudience and clairvoyance, crystal power, communication with the dead and so forth. I touch on all of these
What message do you hope your readers will take away from the stories?
I realize that teens today are attracted to pop culture that focuses on dark and violent themes, but I hope my stories will offer kids a balance, especially if they are just beginning to ponder metaphysical thoughts and concepts. Of course, my goal is to give them an enjoyable, suspenseful, and uplifting reading experience. I also hope that many adults will read the stories and find them thought-provoking and inspiring.
Author Autobiography: Since childhood, I’ve been torn between two worlds: writing and singing. It’s difficult to serve “two masters,” as they say, but I was compelled to do so. When I was not singing, I was writing; when I was not writing, I was singing. Now I do both. (While still working a day job!). I’ve learned that one creative expression nurtures the other. Much of my writing has a musical theme somewhere in the plot, or is the plot. Whether it’s in my non-fiction writing about the power of music itself, in picture books and stories and, of course, in writing music and lyrics for songs.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books?
There are links to all of my books on my Creativia author page where readers can learn more about me and about the power of music and magical adventures – then go to the Amazon link if they are interested in buying.
Where can readers connect with you online?
Email: [email protected]
Amazon author page: (US & UK) www.amazon.com/author/bromanbooks
Twitter: @BMoonSinger1
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Kingdom of Light. 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 Realm Explorers Part XCXVI!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXVI!
-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: Krista Wagner
Title of book and/or series: The Gold
Brief summary of the story:
Ten-year-old Amanda is constantly teased and tormented in school. Her home life is less than satisfactory where her widower father, who is often away on business trips, leaves her in the care of her indifferent teenaged sister. Worse, not a day goes by when Amanda doesn’t miss her mom. TO escape reality, Amanda creates fantasy stories, but when she discovers a talking golden pebble, her imagined world turns into a new-fangled reality.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
A woodland with forest animals that are friendly, a place touched by magic and weather that the surrounding world is unaffected by, and then the rural world that is invaded by the enchantment of the forest.
If we were to visit Sagle, Idaho as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
The forest. And the creek behind Amanda’s house.
What dangers should we avoid in Sagle?
Watch out for the bullies at school.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Sagle?
Feet and the magic change of time.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Sagle that we don’t see on Earth?
Forest animals that look like regular animals but are as friendly as those Amanda creates in her stories.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Sagle? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
There is a talking pebble. And there are magical creatures. And then there is the sense of time that is distorted when the intrusive world becomes blurred by the too-real ‘normal’ world.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Sagle.
1. Frisbee
2. Pogo Bounce Ball
3. Drive-in Movie Theatre
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Sagle as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
Yes. However, there are some points in time that are accelerated and some that are reversed.
All major US holidays are celebrated.
Is there a particular religion practiced in Sagle. Please describe what it involves.
Christianity. Believing in Jesus as one’s Savior and citing the Bible for words of wisdom.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
My visits to my Aunt’s and Uncle’s house in Sagle.
Author Autobiography:Krista Wagner graduated from National University with an MFA in Creative Writing. Her debut novelIntent, a spiritual dramatic thriller, was published in 2014. Her psychological thriller, Rian Field, released in 2016. The Gold, a middle-grade fantasy, was published in 2016. She has been an English Instructor since 2008. She enjoys suspenseful films, reading the Bible, and spending time with her family.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?
Amazon: https://amzn.com/B01GT7BOYI
Where can readers connect with you online?
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Sagle. 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 Realm Explorers Part XCXV!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXV!
-Annie Douglass Lima
I’m excited to announce that the third book in the Keepers of the Wellsprings series, Call of Brindelier, is now available on Amazon! If you haven’t read the previous books yet, read on for a super-quick crash course.
When I started writing this series, I really wanted to tell a story that was rich with fantasy, but not overly dark or mired with war and violence. I wanted to show the light side of fantasy: the cheerful, magical, uplifting side which I always drink up whenever it emerges in a story, and which always seems to be so fleeting in fantasy tales. I wanted to tell a story that would capture the hearts of young and old alike. Don’t get me wrong, my books aren’t void of conflict and evil. They tell of uncomfortable moments. There is violence and wickedness, but it’s those moments in my stories which are the fleeting ones. In the pages of my books, you will find fairies, Mages, Paladins, Elves, Dreamwalkers, Princes and Princesses, and even dragons. You’ll travel through a world rich with magic and wonder.
In Call of Kythshire, you’ll learn all about Cerion, a seaside kingdom which has celebrated peace for over a century. You’ll meet His Majesty’s Elite, a guild that is the right hand adventuring team of King Tirnon Plethore, and you’ll join Azi Hammerfel, a young squire who has grown up within the guild’s halls, through disappointments and triumphs. By her side is Rian, her childhood friend, an Apprentice of the Mage Academy. You’ll meet Flit, a fairy from Kythshire, who is as tricky as any fairy you might imagine, but has a depth of character and a sense of purpose uncommon for a typical fairy. You’ll see her world unfold, and feel the evil threat of Sorcery that looms, waiting to destroy it. You’ll learn a little about the Wellsprings, but not too much, for their existence and workings are a well-protected secret. (Click here to read an excerpt from Call of Kythshire.)
In Call of Sunteri, you’ll meet the strong-willed slave boy, Tib, who makes his first appearance as he escapes from the grips of Sorcery in the desert continent of Sunteri. He has help crossing the vast oceans to reach Cerion, but he doesn’t realize it at first. A mysterious being speaks to his mind, controlling his thoughts and making suggestions to ensure his own survival. In the meantime, Azi has been given the task of escorting the Prince of Cerion and his wife-with-child to the lakeside Kordelya Castle as the prince faces suspicion and ridicule after the events of Call of Kythshire. But a darker force emerges from the Dreaming, whose wicked intent is to use any means necessary to escape its prison and claim the magic of the Wellsprings for his own. In this book, you’ll see the devastating effects of the overuse of magic, and what it does to the Wellsprings and the creatures who thrive around them. (Click here to read an excerpt from Call of Sunteri.)
In Call of Brindelier, a dark force looms, more powerful and destructive than any threat Azi and her guild have yet faced. You’ll follow Celli, a scrappy street fighter, as she is enticed into the grips of a powerful Sorcerer. You’ll watch Tib come into his own as he sneaks through the streets of Cerion, uncovering the darkness while also working on a mysterious project. You’ll follow Azi on a quest set by Princess Margary to find proof of Brindelier, a city in the clouds which is the key to all of the Wellsprings in the Known Lands. But Margy is not the only one interested in Brindelier. A dark force has been gathering, poised to claim it for their own. Control over the Wellsprings hangs in the balance. (Click here to read an excerpt from Call of Brindelier.)
This series is appropriate for all ages, but I recommend 13 and up due to some violent themes. There is no sex, swearing, or excessively graphic violence in the Keepers of the Wellsprings. Throughout the series, you’ll encounter daring sword fights, violent magical moments, and a few quick deaths.
Call of Brindelier, the third book in the Keepers of the Wellsprings series, is now available on Amazon. This weekend, I’m offering book one of the series, Call of Kythshire, for free, and book two, Call of Sunteri, for just 99 cents. Click here to download your ebooks while they’re on sale!
Onward to Brindelier…
A selfish prince on trial for treason. A beloved princess hiding a talent for forbidden magic. The race between Dawn and Dusk to claim Brindelier, a hidden city in the clouds with a promise of ultimate control over the source of power in the Known Lands: The Wellsprings.
Azi and Rian are back! The newly-betrothed couple once again find themselves drawn into the plots of fairy-kind, bestowed with gifts of new titles and strange, powerful abilities. A threat is revealed; one which Flitt insists is worse than anything they have yet faced. Is she referring to the gathering of Sorcerers who call themselves the Circle of Spires, or is a darker, more sinister force at play? Tib knows. He’s seen the might of the Dusk firsthand.
The fates of Cerion, Kythshire, and all the Known Lands hang in the balance in the third installment of the Keepers of the Wellsprings series: Call of Brindelier.
EXCERPT – TIB
I want to be annoyed by the magic. I want to hate the excess of it. There’s no reason for it except to show off. I can’t help but admit it, though. It’s kind of impressive.
When we reach the tower, the stone wall shifts and opens magically. Of course there aren’t any doors. Why would there be? Rian brushes his fingers along the stone as we go in. He’s really impressed. I bet he’s going to write it all down when this is over. Make a book of it for their ridiculous libraries.
Inside the tower, it’s dry and warm. The walls are adorned with colorful silks and tapestries. The circular entry is larger than I expected. It’s a little confusing. The energy is bright and overwhelming. It’s embedded in the stone. It pulses in the air. Power. Might. Majesty. Protection. Knowledge.
Otherwise, the place is dusty and full of cobwebs. Shelves and shelves of moldy books line the walls behind the coverings. Books and tubes and glass vials and stacked clay pots teeter and lean against each other. I sniff. Sea air. Must. Incense. Behind Rian, Shush blows out a wisp of fresh air that sends the white smoke swirling away.
“Master’s downstairs,” Loren says. His voice echoes up into the rafters and a passage opens up across the entryway. It glows with a merry orange light to welcome us.
The stairway down is lined with glass walls as thick as my arm. Loren takes this for granted. He jogs off down the steps without a glance, but Rian and I can’t help but stop and stare. Through the glass, a world stretches out before us. The depths of the ocean. The surf plunges above, bubbling and churning.
Waves scoop up the sandy seaweed bottom and push it down again. It’s like a field. A drifting, rhythmic meadow. Colorful fish swim past in schools of red, orange, and yellow. Creatures like I’ve never seen cling to bright pink and green stones. They wave long tendrils with the motion of the sea. Shells of every color catch the light of the spiral staircase which shines through the glass.
I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s simple. Pure. Beautiful. I had no idea there was a world like this under the ocean. I can’t tear my eyes away. I press my hand to the glass as a dolphin races past us, chasing a group of purple fish with long, flowing fins. It’s not just the sight of it that interests me. It’s the simplicity of it. There’s no magic out there. Not in the sense I’ve known it. It’s perfect all on its own.
About the Author
Missy Sheldrake is an author/illustrator who has been conjuring images of fairies in one form or another since she was very young. The wind in the trees and the rich scent of forest earth are her most treasured sources of inspiration, and on most mornings you will find her wandering the wooded paths, dreaming of the next adventure she hopes to put to the page.
Missy was born in Connecticut and attended Western Connecticut State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Art with a concentration in painting and illustration. Even then, in her free time, she was writing. She moved to Northern Virginia several years ago and lives there now, on the outskirts of Washington D.C., with her true love and their son. She published her first novel, Call of Kythshire, in March of 2015 and intends to keep writing as long as the fairies allow it.
LINKS
Call of Kythshire (Book One):
https://amzn.com/B00UVLQWGY
https://amzn.com/B00UVLQWGY
Call of Sunteri (Book Two):
https://amzn.com/B0187IG3HK
https://amzn.com/B0187IG3HK
Call of Brindelier (Book Three):
https://amzn.com/B01FM8XR7W
https://amzn.com/B01FM8XR7W
Snowberry Blossom (Perma-free holiday short story):
https://amzn.com/B0196P041O
Website:
www.missysheldrake.com
https://amzn.com/B0196P041O
Website:
www.missysheldrake.com
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Missy-Sheldrake/e/B018CW7GTU/
http://www.amazon.com/Missy-Sheldrake/e/B018CW7GTU/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/m_sheldrake/
https://www.instagram.com/m_sheldrake/
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: Ciella Naden
Title of book and/or series: Faowyn
Brief summary of the story:
Fourteen-year-old Evely takes a nature walk in the forest to collect fern leaves for her biology class. But what she discovers there will question how she sees nature.
Evely enters another world full of giant talking animals. This is Faowyn’s world…where foxes are royal guardians who live to protect humans. But from what?
If we were to visit The Shinrin Kingdom as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
You definitely have to visit Aloof, the gigantic owl. In fact, just let him be your tour guide. Also, make sure you visit Rose’s garden. You’ll leave mind-blown.
What dangers should we avoid in The Shinrin Kingdom?
Just across the field is an “enter at your own risk” place because the evil, blood-sucking Chishio roam there, and they hunt humans.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in The Shinrin Kingdom?
If you arrive in time for breakfast, you’re likely to be served duck eggs and turkey bacon. Also, Rose likes to put herbs in your drink, so watch out.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to The Shinrin Kingdom?
No transportation is needed; you just sort of stumble upon it if you’re out walking in the forest.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in The Shinrin Kingdom that we don’t see on Earth?
Most of the animals in The Shinrin Kingdom will look familiar, but they are all much bigger than they are on Earth. They walk on their hind legs, and they talk! The Chishio are wolf-like creatures, but they are far viler than Earth wolves.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in The Shinrin Kingdom? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
Faowyn, his mother, and his sisters all have powers in which they can control certain elements. Faowyn can make balls of fire in his paws and throw them when needed. Faowyn’s mother can turn things to ice or make snow. There are more cool things to learn in the story.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in The Shinrin Kingdom as on Earth?
The time in The Shinrin Kingdom does not pass nearly as quickly as it does on Earth.
Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The Shinrin Kingdom is ruled by Faowyn’s mother and father, King Trestor and Queen Icelia. The Chishio Kingdom is ruled by the leader of the pack, Master Ashton.
Author Autobiography:
Ciella Naden is the 16-year-old daughter of Author Cynthia P. Willow. She began her writing career with a home-school assignment when she was only thirteen years old. Cat Tales and Whiskers was published the following year. Ciella has now published her second book Faowyn.
Ciella began acting at the local theatre at age 16, and is currently taking acting classes. She runs her own crocheting business to pay for acting expenses. She LOVES foxes and hopes to have her own one day. She enjoys playing digital rhythm games, listening to music, watching Anime, swinging, and singing.
Ciella’s dream is to one day act in television and movie roles. She admires Nat Wolff, Freddie Highmore, and Helena Bonham Carter.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
Faowyn Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FJ9H9E6
Cat Tales and Whiskers: http://www.cynthiapwillow.com/ciella-naden.html
Where can readers connect with you online?
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Ciella-Naden/e/B01FMPLTHA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CiellaNaden
Instagram: ciella_naden99
YouTube: Faowyn book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh0IoEIQXx4
Cat Tales and Whiskers book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBv2ADzZERg
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Shinrin Kingdom. 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 Realm Explorers Part XCXIV!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXIV!
-Annie Douglass Lima
Jaye L. Knight’s newest novel, Samara’s Peril, has been released! Samara’s Peril is the third book in the Christian fantasy series, Ilyon Chronicles. Read about it below and be sure to check out the other blog stops on the tour by visiting the official tour page. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
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About the Book
When news arrives that Emperor Daican has been in contact with his chief war strategist, it signals potential doom for the country of Samara. Determined to intervene, the resistance in Landale, headed by Lady Anne, embark on a covert mission in hopes of unearthing further information. However, a shocking discovery leads to complications no one could have foreseen.
Armed with their newfound knowledge, they set out for Samara to warn the king. War is inevitable, and they must face two desperate battles—one on the walls of Samara’s great stronghold, and the other on the battlefield of Jace’s heart, where victory might only be achievable through great sacrifice.
About the Author 
Jaye L. Knight is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and shameless tea addict with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Etsy.
Share in the excitement of the release and enter to win a themed giveaway pack! Prizes include an autographed copy of Samara’s Peril, a John 3:16 necklace by FaithWearDesigns, and a green wire dragon bookmark by Wirelings! (Giveaway is open to US residents only. Cannot be shipped internationally.)
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:
Debbie Erickson
Title of book and/or series:
The Secret of the Golden Heart / Golden Heart Series – Book I
Brief summary of the story:
A young boy is on a journey to find the secret of his mom’s golden heart heirloom and discovers that he must fulfill her destiny—on another planet—with his annoying twin. Will faith play a part?
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Planet Dia in the Trifold Galaxy. The planet is dying.
If we were to visit Dia as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
The entire world is like a Garden of Eden with waterfalls, castles, and majestic mountains to explore.
What dangers should we avoid in Dia?
Watch out for the three-headed snake, a flying dinosaur named SanDorak, and the forest.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Dia?
Same as Earth’s; vegetables, meat, and fruit.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Dia?
Bows & arrows and swords.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Dia?
Since it’s a fantasy, there are prehistoric creatures, giant flying dinosaurs, and flying Friesian stallions.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Dia that we don’t see on Earth?
A tree that bears all kinds of fruit, prehistoric animals, and the people of Dia have a slight glow, depending on the intensity of light.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Dia? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used. I don’t consider that there is any magic really, just unusual happenings.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Dia as on Earth?
No. A day on Dia equals a year on Earth.
What is the political or government structure in Dia? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
King Malakon is the ruler, but he’s not a good man.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
Ever since I watched The Wizard of Oz as a child, I fell in love with fantasy stories.
Author autobiography:
Debbie’s love for writing began at an early age. After finishing some online courses, her love of writing grew, and she wanted to write for children.
She stays connected to various websites and blogs on the craft of writing. She also has an interest in writing historical fiction someday, but she enjoys fantasies since her first encounter with Baum’s Wizard of Oz–she likes imaginary worlds and time travel.
Some of her favorite authors are C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and J.K.Rowling, and of course Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
She was a peer counselor for a pregnancy care center and feels every life is important. She believes that adoption should be the choice instead of abortion.
God is the Rock of her salvation and Partner in her life’s journey; staying focused and grounded are important elements of life.
She enjoys family; her dog, Ringo; stargazing on a clear night; the smell of a bookstore; and playing golf.
She wants to encourage children to find their own passion and pursue their dreams, and she hopes that everyone will have the perseverance to reach their goals.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book? Click here for Apple/iTunes(digital)
Click here for Kobo (digital)
Click here for Scribd (digital)
Click here for Inktera (digital)
Click here for 24 symbols(digital)
They can also visit my website here and click on Books. They will also find a book trailer there.
Where can readers connect with you online?
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Dia. 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 Realm Explorers Part XCXI!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXI!
-Annie Douglass Lima
We’re at it again! This time 28 great Fantasy Authors have banded together to bring you an awesome prize. What prize? Maybe I should’ve said PRIZES! That’s right, the winner of this giveaway gets a $50 Amazon.com certificate AND an ebook bundle of 28 wonderful flinch free fantasy novels.
Why flinch free? We’re all members of the Clean Indie Reads Site, which means while not all our books are for children, you won’t find anything more graphic than a low PG-13 rating. So if you’re a parent with active teen readers or just enjoy your fiction without a lot of graphic violence, sex, or language, this is a great giveaway for you to enter.
Take a look at our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fellowshipoffantasy/app/228910107186452/
Join our Facebook event (May 6-7) to meet some of the authors and win even more prizes! https://www.facebook.com/events/968227009920181/
Here’s our website: http://www.fellowshipoffantasy.com/
Also, did I mention these books are fantasy? That’s right! Magical worlds, mythical creatures, and marvelous adventures, at your fingertips. You can enter using the Rafflecopter at the bottom.
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:
Shaun Stevenson
Title of book and/or series:
Thrones
Book 1: Secret of the Lost King
Book 2: Sword of the Broken Son (Coming Fall 2016)
Book 3: Skin of the Dragon Lord (Coming Winter 2017)
Tale 1: Betrayal of the Green Archer
Brief summary of the story:
Long ago, the Emperor Morogh stole the throne of Tanniyn from the rightful king. Ruling from the Dark Castle, Morogh seeks three lost children spoken of in a prophecy from the night he took over the kingdom. Those three children are the only ones who may be able to end Morogh’s reign forever.
With the Emperor’s soldiers on their tail, Jack, Maggie, and Molly must escape and find a traitor, restore a lost king, and discover the secret memory the three of them share. Hidden away in the depths of their minds is knowledge – knowledge Morogh wants very badly. And once Morogh gains that knowledge? He will remain Emperor for all eternity.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Tanniyn is a kingdom built by the Northern Kings long ago before those same kings abandoned everything and disappeared. From the eastern mountains to the swamps of the south, the people live in fear of the Emperor Morogh and the ancient evil some believe still exists beneath the ground.
If we were to visit Tanniyn as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
Visiting some of the local villages would give a great flavor of the daily life, and there are some magnificent views in the Eastern Mountains from the Star Castles, hidden above the clouds. There are also the Star Tropics to the east of the mountains, one of the last beautiful oases left in the kingdom. Palm trees, and long, white beaches stretch for miles along inland seas.
Some have found the stained glass windows of the Dark Castle where the Emperor Morogh rules to be quite enchanting. Some say the windows depict the ancient legends of the kingdom, but others say there is more truth in two specks of glass than any book.
What dangers should we avoid in Tanniyn?
Watch out for quicksand pits in the swamps. Creatures lurk beneath the muck, waiting for helpless travelers who wander a little too close. Also, I would generally recommend avoiding the Library of Secrets located beneath an active volcano. Every quarter hour the volcano erupts rock and ash, changing the landscape dramatically. When visiting the Library of Secrets, be sure to avoid the catacombs as they are filled with ancient prisoners and hungry arachnids. And never, ever, drink the water of any fountain. Its effects could be… hazardous to your health and wellbeing.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Tanniyn?
Once a paradise, food of all kinds grow throughout the kingdom wildly. You may find some berries growing along the path through the woods, or you may find some beautiful rainbow trout hopping its way upstream. Generally, grains are the meal of the land, and every farmer is worth their weight in wheat.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Tanniyn?
Scrapy fighters abound in Tanniyn, trained long ago by the Grand Weapons Master of the Star Tropics. However, since Emperor Morogh took over and murdered the Grand Weapons Master, true training in swordplay and archery have gone by the wayside – at least for the common people.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Tanniyn?
Most travel by foot or horseback, but the elite have elaborate carriages that will take them throughout the kingdom. However, why anyone would leave the safety of their home is beyond even the wisest of Tanniyn.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Tanniyn that we don’t see on Earth?
Everything wants to eat you. From the deadly plant pods of the Star Castles to the quicksand lurkers to the large arachnid living away its years in the Library of Secrets, the best plan is to lock your doors at night and hope nothing has crawled in while you weren’t watching.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Tanniyn? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
Supernatural forces are definitely afoot in Tanniyn. Whenever the kingdom’s fate is threatened, there is always one chosen to bear the weight of visions. Once selected, this person will fall asleep in Tanniyn and wake up elsewhere. Whether they actually arrive in other lands through their dreams is a mystery, but ancient legends come to life once the waking world fades away.
Once, a prophet lived in the Dark Castle, and his prophecy about the Three Lost Heroes still haunts the kingdom. Alas, he was killed during the coup that allowed the Emperor Morogh to take the Dark Castle, and his prophetic skills died with him.
There are also many supernatural items throughout the kingdom. Most of these have been hidden away, but some remain known. The Book of Secrets mysteriously contains knowledge of every known act and secret within the kingdom, but written in a strange language only Caretakers of the book will understand. The Golden Sword is rumored to grant unspeakable strength to anyone who holds it, but it was lost long, long ago in the Star Castle Wars. Other secrets lurk within the depths of the kingdom, waiting for the right person to come along and unleash them.
What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
The people of Tanniyn celebrate few precious holidays, but the Week of Grains is most definitely the one event everyone looks forward to. Celebrated secretly in recent years, the Week of Grains is a time when villages band together and dance away the weeks after harvest, hoping for another bountiful year. Many villages perform special songs, and orators share the stories of legends long told.
Is there a particular religion practiced in Tanniyn? Please describe what it involves.
There are some who believe in God, and read the stories of the ancient Bible, but most typically fear an ancient power – spoken of in hushed whispers but never spoken outside the safety of homes. Some say this power ruled the land long ago, but others say it doesn’t exist. No one truly knows, not even the Caretaker of Secrets in the Library of Secrets. Those pages went missing from The Book of Secrets a thousand years ago…
What is the political or government structure in Tanniyn? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
Tanniyn is a monarchy, ruled from the Dark Castle by one King. In the past, a group of kings from the north ruled the land from the Star Castles in the Eastern Mountains, but they were driven north ages ago. Currently, the Emperor Morogh rules from the Dark Castle, and he rules with a spiked fist, plowing over any who would dare stand in his way.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
I have always loved world travel, and so far I only have two continents left to visit: Antartica and Australia. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it to the South Pole, but Australia is on my bucket list. From riding camels through the deserts of northern Africa and exploring the snowy woods in Heidelberg, Germany, to watching the sun rise on the eastern coast of Russia to the overgrown mountains of Ecuador, I love seeing everything this world has to offer. I would definitely not be surprised if those real life locations have sneaked their way into Tanniyn. I’ve only begun exploring this world, and can’t wait to see what else is hiding away in the corners of this enchanted kingdom.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
** SLIGHT SPOILER WARNING **
Family is a complicated topic. So often in middle grade fiction, parents are portrayed in two ways: extremely aloof and useless, or they are generally good people who care about their kids.
But my experience in life is that there are many kids growing up without a parent. Or with parents who are dangerous. Or who watch their parents do awful things. It’s a scary idea to wrestle with them. For Secret of the Lost King, I wanted to tackle the question: What if someone discovered their parents were not good people? What if someone who wanted a family became part of a family that wasn’t good?
While the book doesn’t go anywhere near some of the horrors children today face, it does look at the concept of parents who are not good people.
Author Autobiography:I have always loved a good story. Ever since I picked up my great-grandmother’s copy of THE WIZARD OF OZ as a second grade reader, I’ve always known that stories, writing, and adventures on the written page were in my future. I love to read, and some of the my favorite authors to follow are Travis Thrasher, Brandon Mull, Wayne Thomas Batson, and Robert Liparulo. I’m also a movie fanatic, and more than once I have heard that some of my books read like 1980’s adventure films. When I’m not writing, I spend my time as a Children’s Pastor, telling stories and sharing hope.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books? Please include links.
Where can readers connect with you online?
Visit my website: shaunstevensonbooks.com for info on all of my books, as well as blog posting and exclusive behind the scenes content. You can also sign up for my email newsletter and receive a bonus short story for free: Thrones: Betrayal of the Green Archer.
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Tanniyn. 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 the steampunk world of Ticswyk, in Realm Explorers Part XCIX!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the steampunk world of Ticswyk, in Realm Explorers Part XCIX!
-Annie Douglass Lima