Story Snippets: Return to Callidora (Laurie)

Okay, I know it's a little early to start talking about Christmas with Thanksgiving still coming later this week, but please bear with me. Or come back and check out this post after you've turned your calendar to December :) 

Did you know I have a Christmas story published in an anthology called Christmas Fiction off the Beaten Path? My contribution, "Return to Callidora," was one of those story ideas that just wouldn't let me go. I kept picturing cute scenes between the main characters and brainstorming ways to make the plot work, and since the inspiration came after a dry spell it was so much fun to be writing again! It took me a while to find the right home for this fantasy-holiday-romance mashup of Shrek and The Pied Piper, but I'm so glad I did! (If you're curious about my thoughts on the other fantastic stories in Christmas Fiction off the Beaten Path, check out this post. And if you'd like to buy it, you can find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble!)

Today I'm excited to share an excerpt from "Return to Callidora" - one of those moments between my main characters that just made my inner romantic grin from ear to ear :) As a quick recap, Princess Eveline has been locked in a dragon-guarded tower for years as protection from a vengeful sorceress, waiting for a worthy knight to rescue her. In the meantime, Ryker, a servant with an unusual ability to control animals (including dragons) with his music, brings her yearly supplies every Christmas. Ryker has just arrived at the tower after riding through a snowstorm on his valiant steed, Mushroom. Enjoy!

***

    Once we had Mushroom situated, Ryker and I each donned several saddlebags and headed for the kitchen. I lowered my bags to the floor and began rifling through.

    “Let’s get you something to eat. I have bread, and my strawberry preserves turned out well this year. Hopefully Cook sent the usual butter and cheese. Oh, and—”

    “Ev, slow down.” Ryker tugged at my arm. “I’ll last a few more minutes, I promise.”

    I straightened. “But your journey must’ve been miserable, in all that snow.”

    “I’m fine.” He stepped closer. “You’re the one I’m concerned about. How are you?”

    “Same as ever, as you can see.” I tried to keep my smile steady.

    He blew out a small chuckle. “Not quite the same. Your hair is longer. And your eyes...”

    I squirmed under his scrutiny.

    “A little wiser, perhaps.” His grin faded. “But you’ve been well? Plenty to eat and drink? No illnesses? No signs of Kirra?”

    “Yes. The well hasn’t run dry, my garden still grows, and illness is rare when one stays indoors at all times with no other human contact.”

    He winced and shifted his feet.

    “As for Kirra, to my knowledge she hasn’t come anywhere near. Though I’d hardly know what to look for if she had.”

    “Aodhan seems as sharp as ever, so you should be safe.”

    I nodded. “Now, about that meal. Do you like tomatoes? I can’t remember.”

    “Tomatoes sound wonderful.”

    Soon I had eggs and meat frying over a fire and a plate laden with vegetables, bread, and cheese set before Ryker.

    “There’s been quite a bit of talk about you lately, you know.” He swallowed, keeping his eyes fixed on his plate.

    “Me?” I prodded a sizzling egg. “I’m surprised anyone remembers I exist.”

    “No one’s forgotten about you—you’re practically legend in Callidora.” He cleared his throat. “It’s no secret you recently came of age.”

    “What does that matter? I could hardly host a ball to celebrate.” I transferred the cooked food onto another platter and approached the table.

    Ryker sighed. “Now that you’re eighteen, I think many would-be rescuers are just waiting until the snow clears.”

    “Really?” The plate clattered onto the table. “I don’t understand why anyone would bother. None of them have even met me.”

    “Your beauty is highly reputed throughout the kingdom.”

    “Is it?” My heart flailed, but the surge of vanity didn’t last. “But what if I don’t live up to my reputation? What if someone slays the dragon and then takes one look at me and heads back out the door?”

    He coughed, red tingeing his ears. “Not possible.”

    “I might be a disappointment.”

    “You won’t.”

    I lowered onto a chair and popped a cube of venison into my mouth. “My life will change so suddenly, all in one moment.”

    “A change for the better.” Ryker reached across the table for my hand. “You deserve to be surrounded by people who love you, wearing fancy gowns and attending banquets and dancing at balls.” He squeezed my fingers, then drew his arm back. “Not serving a meal to the poor musician you’re stuck with for company.”

    I threw a napkin at him. “You know I’m thrilled to have your company.”

    “Only because you have no other options.” He tossed the napkin back with a flourish.

    After he scraped the last bite from his plate, he rose and stretched. “I hope poor Mushroom’s warmed up a bit. We’d best be on our way.”

    “What?” I halted on my way to the wash basin. “You just got here.”

    His breath fluttered the hair on his forehead. “I know, but getting back won’t be any easier than the trip here. The daylight’s already gone.”

    “But you always stay for Christmas.”

    “That was when your tutor was still here.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Your parents wouldn’t like it.”

    “They never need to find out. I have your usual room prepared.” I grasped his arm. “Please? You can’t know what it’s like, being left alone for an entire year. When Frances went with you last time, I thought I was happy to see her go. Now I’d give anything for her lectures and scolding. To have someone to talk to.”

    “Oh, Eveline. I know it’s been hard.” He placed a warm hand on my back. “All right, I’ll stay. But just for one night.”

    I clapped. “Thank you! What fun we’ll have. With all the new supplies, I can cook something special.” My heart drooped. “Even that doesn’t seem like much, though. I wish you could stay longer.”

    “I definitely couldn’t agree to that.” He raised an eyebrow at my pout. “Just think how it would look to your rescuer to find a man already here.”

    “He wouldn’t have anything to worry about from you.”

    His jaw tightened. “Because I’m so very insignificant?”

    Ugh, men and their pride. “No, Ry, that’s not what I meant.” I stepped closer. “I just know you would never...take advantage of being alone with me.”

    “Of course I wouldn’t.” His cheeks turned pink. “But he wouldn’t know that.”

    “True. I can’t afford to send my knight into a jealous rage the moment he walks through the door.” I retreated to the wash basin. “But I still don’t see why my tutor had to be sent away.”

    “Apparently you were done with your studies.”

    I blew out a breath. “You know what I mean. Couldn’t I at least have a maid?”

    “And what would your brave knight do with the extra companion when he rescues you?” He smirked. “Leave her here? Heft her up onto his horse behind the two of you? Bring an extra mount?”

    “Oh, you’re impossible.” I flung a cascade of droplets toward him.

    He ducked. “Just thinking it through the way I’m sure your parents did. I doubt they would’ve forced you into solitude if they could’ve devised a good alternative.”

    “Maybe.” My sense of mischief faded. “I sometimes feel like they just took the easiest path. Locking me away until I can be someone else’s problem.”

    “Ev.” Ryker came to my side and squeezed my shoulder. “Your parents love you. It shows in their faces every year as they fret over whether they’ve packed enough supplies. I’m not sure they chose the best path when dealing with Kirra, but I believe they tried to do what they thought was right.”

    “Thanks. What would I do without you, Ry?”

    “Be a whole lot drier.” He splashed water into my face, and I shrieked.

***

Do you have any favorite Christmas-themed fantasy stories? What variations on the princess trapped in a tower trope have you read? I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!! We're so very grateful for all of you!

Thanks for reading!

Laurie

The Truth about Release Day (Laurie)

 You've worked for months - years, maybe - writing your story. You've gone through countless rounds of edits, striving to get every word and phrase just right. You've squealed at cover designs and the advance copies that showed up on your doorstep and planned every last detail of your marketing strategy. You've waited patiently (sometimes agonizingly) as the months passed until you could finally get your precious book into readers' hands.

And then, at long last, it arrives. RELEASE DAY!!!

You do an excited little victory dance when you wake up. You throw in some bonus calories with celebratory treats. You post on social media and check on Amazon for the tenth time to see if any reviews are up yet, both grinning and trembling about what your first readers will say. Then, you realize the dog still needs to be walked and the kitchen counter hasn't cleaned itself and a pile of dirty laundry continues to clutter the floor of your room and... You get the idea.

In my (admittedly limited) experience, release days are a funny thing. SO MUCH excitement, anticipation, and hard work leads up to it, which somehow sets an expectation that it will be magical. An extraordinary day. But it can also be exhausting, and other aspects of life don't seem to acknowledge the specialness of the occasion. Chores still need to be done, children and pets still need to be cared for, and work or other obligations don't disappear in a puff of congratulatory confetti. As a personal anecdote, the night before the publication date of my debut novel, my young son woke up with a stomach bug around 2:00 am, and I was up with him for hours, comforting and cleaning soiled bedding. Not quite the fairy tale I'd dreamed of! On a sadder note, a friend recently lost a loved one just days before her latest book release. Her publication day consisted of attending a memorial service, doing far more grieving than celebrating.

The other odd thing about release days is that if you work with a publisher, you will likely have no idea what the sales numbers for your book look like until months later. The Amazon ranking or number of reviews can give hints, but royalty statements with actual sales figures won't show up until long after the release hoopla has passed. So don't be surprised if authors look a little lost when you ask something like "How did your book release go?" Because while social media buzz and glowing reviews absolutely produce smiles on our faces and gratitude in our hearts, we're likely in the dark about how the book is actually doing, even if we had some kind of benchmark goal for that landmark occasion (which often we don't).

If you're a published author, what have your experiences been? If you're a writer who dreams of a future release day, don't lose hope! The publication of your story with your name on the beautiful cover is truly an extraordinary thing, and the wonderful day it releases into the world feels sprinkled with a bit of otherworldly fairy dust. But keeping your expectations realistic can make a huge difference in avoiding disappointment if other aspects of life besmirch the perfection you might've otherwise envisioned. And preparing an answer when caring family members and friends ask about your release can be a great way to steer clear of awkward pauses and stammering...at least if you're anything like me :)

I wish you all many happy future release days! And an appreciation for and positive attitude toward the messier aspects of life that so often accompany them.

Thanks for reading!

Laurie

Weekend Reads: The Minstrel's Song series by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

We made it to Friday, friends! And I have not only a book, but an entire series to recommend for your weekend reading! I had the opportunity to meet Jenelle Leanne Schmidt at a writing conference several years ago, and I could tell right from the start that she was my kind of person. So I left the conference eager to maintain our authorly connection and to read her books, but I had a slight hang-up. Her Minstrel's Song series is epic fantasy.

Now, before you start waving your beloved copies of The Lord of the Rings at me, hear me out. There's nothing wrong with epic fantasy. It's quite epic, after all, and can make for very exciting, inspirational adventures. But I have a few qualms with epic fantasy stories that cause it to not be my favorite genre. There tend to be so many characters it can be hard to feel close to any one person, and the larger-than-life heroes can be particularly difficult to relate to. I like to think I have a pretty good handle on the English language, so I get frustrated by names and places I find entirely unpronounceable. Too many battle scenes cause me to start skimming, because I just get so much more out of emotion and dialogue than pure action. And epic fantasy romances happen so quickly or almost entirely off-screen, which just isn't as satisfying for my reader's heart that enjoys a sweet, drawn out love story.

So as a matter of personal preference, I don't always get excited about epic fantasy, and I typically don't devour it like I do other books. But when Jenelle released audiobooks of her series, I made a fun discovery - epic fantasy is ideal to listen to! The storytelling style works perfectly for being read aloud, not to mention those crazy names that would frustrate me on paper just roll off the narrator's tongue :) And between Jenelle's engaging writing style and Benjamin Fife's lilting accent and variety of character voices, The Minstrel's Song series on audiobook has been an absolute delight so far! I should be clear that they would be excellent reads in written form as well - the author has an entertaining sense of humor, a knack for building excitement and tension over the course of each book, a creative, vividly-described fantasy world to explore, and a grand battle between light and dark building with undercurrents of hope even in the most desperate moments. So it's a fantastic series no matter how you experience it! But I do have to put in one last plug for the audiobook narrator, Benjamin Fife. He is a superb storyteller who even sings and plays mandolin for the songs, adds cool clicking sounds to the gryfons' voices, and makes the dragons sound so wise and fierce. I can't wait to listen to the books again as a family someday once my kids are a little older! (Aside from the scariness and violence of the battle scenes, these books are very clean.)

I haven't yet listened to the conclusion of the series, Minstrel's Call, but here are my mini-reviews of the first three installments:

King's Warrior (Book 1)

When a foreign kingdom known as the Dark Country threatens peaceful Aom-igh, knight-in-training Oraeyn is tasked with taking Princess Kamarie to find the retired King's Warrior. Their journey brings many surprises, including new travel companions and discoveries of the truth behind some of their people's oldest legends. Not to mention the friendship that eventually arises despite their initial distaste for each other :) But when warriors from the Dark Country flood their shores, will all their preparations and the re-emergence of the King's Warrior be enough to save Aom-igh?

I'll admit it took me a little while to get into this book, but as more characters were introduced and the stakes became higher, I enjoyed it more and more! Kamarie felt a bit like a stereotypical tomboy princess confined to her needlework at first, but as her courage and vulnerability showed through I came to appreciate her as her own distinct character. Oraeyn made me smile throughout, and I absolutely fell in love with their young friend Yole! The end was just the right combination of satisfying and heartbreaking, and the author did a great job tying together all the story threads while also hinting at more conflict to come.

Second Son (Book 2)

In this prequel to King's Warrior, two princes grow up enjoying dreams of brave feats and grand adventures, blissfully ignorant of the prophecy that will eventually tear their family apart. As they age, whispers of a second son who will save the country from destruction set them on opposite paths. Older Ky tightens his stranglehold on his birthright as the heir to the throne, confused and tempted by the advice of manipulative counselors. Younger Rhoyan is sent off to learn through quests and experiences abroad, never guessing his eventual attempt to return home will force him to flee for his life.

I actually listened to this book first, which totally worked since it's a prequel! In some ways I think I appreciated the central conflict of King's Warrior more with this backstory in mind, though it also spoiled some of the aspects of Rhoyan's / Brant's character that otherwise would've been a slowly revealed mystery. This book had the least cohesive plot of the series, since it took place over many years and sidetracked into many of Rhoyan's adventures that weren't critical to the primary conflict building between the two princes. But I felt very drawn to the tragic separation of the brothers as they grew apart, which made me feel more emotionally invested in the story. And Rhoyan's adventures certainly are exciting!

Yorien's Hand (Book 3)

Disappearances, nightmares, and disturbing missives from faraway lands indicate that the peaceful start to Oraeyn's rule of Aom-igh has come to an end. A prophecy drives him, along with a band of familiar companions, to seek Yorien's Hand, a rumored piece of a star with untold power. Their journey requires courage and sacrifice, and gives the travelers a new understanding of the seemingly goofy, awkward minstrel, Kiernan Kane. In the end, not everyone's role in driving back the evil threatening to cover the land plays out as expected, and each is tested in what they're willing to give - and give up - in the battle of good versus evil.

It was fun to see this band of traveling companions reunited after years of growth and changes to their perspectives and relationships. Yorien's Hand didn't feel like quite as exciting an adventure in some ways, since most of the places traveled were already explored in past books. But I liked the way that different players and pieces of the battle came together, often in unexpected ways, and seeing how each country approached the coming attack by making the most of it's strengths. I also loved getting to know the wizardesses better - they've definitely become favorite characters! Despite so much of the romances taking place prior to the start of the book, they were still sweet to follow along the way. And I'm so curious about the minstrel now! I'm looking forward to all being revealed in Minstrel's Call :)

 So there you have it! Are you a fan of epic fantasy? Do you have any audiobook recommendations?

See you next time!

Laurie

Story Snippets: Fairy Lights in Deep Magic, Winter 2019 (Laurie)

I hope everyone's having a fabulous summer so far! I'm just sitting here staring at the calendar, wondering how July could possibly be more than halfway done already...

Anyway, is anyone familiar with Deep Magic? It's an awesome e-zine of clean fantasy and science fiction, featuring many short stories and some excerpts from longer works. I was so sad to hear that their Summer, 2021 issue will be their last! *sniff* But it also makes me more grateful than ever that my steampunk Cinderella retelling, "Fairy Lights," was chosen for their Winter issue back in 2019! Definitely one of the highlights of my writing journey thus far :) 

So today, I thought I'd share an excerpt of that story with you! In this scene, Raella's stepmother and stepsisters have just finished getting ready for a ball at the palace, and Raella is eager to show them her latest invention. Enjoy! (You can find the Winter, 2019 issue of Deep Magic HERE and a list of all the issues HERE.)

I rubbed my sweaty palms against my cropped pants. Time for the big reveal. “Of course. The carriage is all ready for you out front.” The moment they’d sequestered themselves to get ready for the ball, I’d given Dagen a quick lesson, then driven the carriage out just beyond the porch and polished off the layers of dust.

I led the way out the door, pressing my lips together to hide my grin.

“But where’s the horse?” Mother placed her hands on her hips. “Dagen, what is the meaning of this?”

He winked at me from his perch on the driver’s seat. “It seems we don’t need Dolly anymore.” The top of his balding head almost disappeared beneath the layer of fringe dangling from the front canopy.

Mother huffed. “Of all the idiotic—”

“It’s true.” I rushed ahead of them to Dagen’s side. “You asked me to fix the carriage and I added...well, an enhancement. The carriage drives itself now.” My grin finally escaped my attempts to subdue it. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“And a surprise it is. Quite an accomplishment, Raella.” Mother’s expression was more sour than ever.

“You mean it has an engine?” Dianthe squinted into the dim light cast by the nearest street lamp.

“Yes, precisely. Once I pull this lever, the heating element will—”

“But think of all that horrid steam.” Dianthe wrinkled her nose. “Mother, we cannot attend the ball in such a contraption. No one will want to come within miles of us.”

“Perhaps they’ll think it’s interesting.” Herra gave me a half-smile.

“It will be the only one, at least for this ball.” I placed my hand on the twisted metal of the tall front wheel. “But after everyone’s seen it, by the next event I’m sure dozens will—”

“That’s enough, Raella.” Mother had walked to the far side of the carriage, now she rounded it to face us. “Of course you’re proud of your invention, but we can’t possibly consider driving it to Prince Hendrick’s ball. What if it breaks down on the way, or starts a fire that ruins other carriages? No, Dagen will hitch up Dolly this instant, and we’ll be on our way. I presume it still functions as a horse-drawn carriage?”

I dragged the toe of my boot across the dirt. “Not exactly. I’m still trying to sort out...”

Dianthe whimpered.

Mother’s exaggerated sigh could have emanated from a steamship. “Then we’ll go on the cart. Dagen, I want it ready in five minutes.”

“Y-yes, Ma’am.” He shot me a sympathetic glance as he scurried to the barn.

“Girls, let’s return to the house before our dresses get covered in dirt.” Mother stalked past me up the porch stairs.

Herra lifted her skirt, the buckles of her knee-high boots glinting in the moonlight. “I thought it was a neat idea.” Her voice barely reached me as she shuffled by.

Dianthe’s stiff posture mimicked Mother’s. “When will you learn your tinkering is a useless, unladylike waste of time?”

#

I glanced up from where I’d crumpled onto the front porch. The cart was no longer in sight, only a trail of dust left in its wake. My hands returned to my face. How had I fooled myself into thinking they’d understand this time? That they might even appreciate my efforts? A stream of tears escaped between my fingers, and I didn’t bother to stop them. No one was here to see.

A point of pink light flickered, followed by a buzz. I swiped my sleeve across my eyes. Farther in the distance, a green twinkle of light hovered in the air. I might have guessed the fairies would be out the night of a ball, but why so far from the palace? The tiny creatures attended to the queen and other noblewomen, but no one of such rank lived this far from the center of town.

I pushed off from the porch’s splintering wood and stretched my legs. Might as well return the carriage to the barn for the night. A yellow light blinked to my right, then pale blue to my left. How many fairies were here? Maybe they weren’t allowed in the palace during events as grand as Prince Hendrick’s ball. Shaking my head, I started for the carriage.

A woman clad in shimmering white materialized before me.

I lurched back with a screech. “Who are you? And how—?”

“My apologies; I suppose that was a bit startling.” Her voice had the resonance of a bell, vibrant and commanding. “They told me you were on the porch, but, well, I guess now you’re not.”

“I was just...” Wait. I didn’t owe any explanations to this bizarre apparition. “What is your purpose here?”

“Ah, a practical girl. Well, I might as well share the good news right at the start. You’ve been chosen to attend the ball.”

“Excuse me?”

More tiny lights glimmered around her shoulders, appearing and disappearing so quickly I couldn’t keep track of them all. The buzzing in the air grew to a hum. “I am Louvaine, mistress of fairies, and if you must know, I have come under a bit of criticism lately. Something about magic misuse. It’s all nonsense, of course, but I thought Prince Hendrick’s ball was the ideal opportunity to clear my name with a good deed. So, I sent out my fairies. ‘Ladies,’ I told them, ‘Find a girl who’s miserable about not going to the ball. One with the potential to be a true belle.’ And of all the crying girls in town, they chose you. We’ll get you looking like a princess, and to the ball you shall go!”

This cannot be happening. “That is very kind of you, but I have no desire to go to the ball. My crying was about something else.”

“Nonsense. You’re a young, pretty girl”—she stepped back to appraise my attire—“who only needs some assistance with her wardrobe to be presentable. The perfect recipient of our help.”

“No, I mean it. I’m sure another one of the crying girls would be much more appreciative of such an opportunity.”

She released a weary sigh. “I know your kind, dear girl. The martyrs who never want anything for themselves, who claim they don’t mind slaving their lives away without any frivolity, then cry about it in secret. You will go to the ball, and you will look spectacular. Ladies.” She snapped her fingers, and every light blinked on in a dizzying assortment of colors. “Escort Miss—”

Her brows raised expectantly.

“Raella.”

“Escort Miss Raella inside, get her bathed, if necessary, and into one of your finest gowns.” She pointed toward the house, and the fairies swarmed like a colony of tunnel bees. “And do something about that hair!”

My feet rooted to the ground as I squinted against the roiling lights. Had I fallen asleep while sitting on the porch? Or had my loneliness since Daddy’s death finally driven me mad?

Gentle pressure on my back inched me forward. Whether dream or reality, apparently it was time for me to get dressed.

Weekend Reads: Azriel by Lee James (Laurie)

Friends! I am SO excited to be a part of the Azriel Blog Tour today!!! As soon as I heard about Azriel by my pub sister Lee James, I absolutely had to know more (and I know I'm probably biased, but the acquisitions editor at Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing has a knack for finding fantastic stories, so I knew this one would be good!)! Then I saw that cover - WOW!! I was fortunate to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of this beauty to provide an endorsement, and let me tell you, the inside is every bit as epic as the cover promises. And now I can't wait to share about it with you!

Bree Faro has always lived as an outcast, fighting for her survival with no one to trust. When she rescues a man from a strange imprisonment, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn to his home city of Azriel. Even more puzzling, his comrades who call themselves Watchmen welcome Bree as a long-lost sister. Bree knows they would reject her if they found out the real reason for her presence in Azriel, but she can't quite squelch her longing to become one of them. As the layers of her past and identity unravel and the dangers threatening Azriel escalate, Bree can no longer avoid decisions about what side she's fighting on and who she wants to become. This loner may have finally found her home and family...if she can save them all from destruction.

Okay, so that overview wasn't as specific as I'd like, but there was just SO MUCH happening in this book and I don't want to risk giving away any spoilers! Because you really just need to experience it for yourself. First of all, Bree was such an epic heroine! I sometimes have trouble relating to rough-around-the-edges, warrior-type protagonists, but Bree had just enough soft spots and vulnerability that I was rooting for her right from the beginning. And the Watchmen! The concept was so cool, and they had this deep bond of loyalty and trust and camaraderie that made me so wish I could be one of them, despite the fact that I'd be rubbish with a sword :) Even the dark and evil characters were complex and intriguing with sympathetic moments that took me by surprise. 

James' evocative writing style really brought the story world to life. And what a story world! The fantasy elements blended with Biblical tradition in such a unique way, and I'm so grateful this is a series so we'll get to keep exploring in future books! I also appreciated the author's keen understanding of the human heart and the depth and scope of the battle between good and evil within individuals and over the entire land. But even when I couldn't stop turning pages in the midst of suspense and threat of imminent doom, the powerful tread of hope and healing underscored every scene and brought the story to its inspiring conclusion.

I'd recommend this book for any older teen or adult on the lookout for a well-written fantasy adventure filled with plot twists, intrigue, and memorable characters!

But don't just take my word for it! You can find many other reviews, plus some guest posts and interviews with the author, on the full blog tour schedule below! If you're ready to give Azriel a try, you can find the purchase links HERE. And make sure to check out leejameswrites.com to find out more about the author and her other books! Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

Azriel Blog Tour Schedule

• Monday, June 14th, “Azriel: The Watchmen Saga Begins,” Laurin Boyle, www.laurinboyle.wordpress.com

• Monday, June 14th, “Interview with Lee James, Author of Azriel,” Mary Schlegel, www.maryschlegelauthor.com

• Tuesday, June 15th, “Review of Azriel by Lee James,” Pam Halter, www.pamhalter.com/fairiesfantasyfaith

• Tuesday, June 15th, “Azriel Release Day: A Most Sacred Secret,” Lee James, www.leejameswrites.com

• Wednesday, June 16th, “Azriel Blog Tour: A Writer Writes,” Laura A. Grace, www.lauraagrace.com

• Thursday, June 17th, “Review of Azriel by Lee James,” Crystal Grant, www.crystalgrantfaithandfiction.com

• Thursday, June 17th, “Azriel Release Party Tonight,” Michele Israel Harper, www.MicheleIsraelHarper.com

• Friday, June 18th, “Weekend Reads: Review of Azriel by Lee James,” Laurie Lucking, www.landsuncharted.com

• Friday, June 18th, “Azriel Blog Tour: Swords and Magic and Intrigue, Oh My,” K.A. Cummins,

www.authorkacummins.com

Weekend Reads: Traitor by Laurie Lucking (Lizzie)

Happy Friday! Today, I am excited to review the YA fantasy Traitor by our own Laurie Lucking. I have been looking forward to Princess Penelope's story for a while now, and it didn't disappoint. Traitor is book 2 of The Tales of the Mystics, but the books are standalone.

Princess Penelope has finally found a way to redeem her past mistakes

-if only it didn't require betraying her new fiancé.

Princess Penelope gets mixed up with a deceitful duke in Common and ends up with a broken engagement to a crown prince and the taint of scandal. Now, her father wants her to start afresh in a distant country by marrying the crown prince of Delunia. Trouble awaits her there too though--will she betray another prince or redeem herself?

The book starts with Penelope learning of her engagement and having to deal with leaving her close-knit family and home for a strange land. She's homesick before she even leaves, and on the voyage to Delunia--with only a faithful maid and a couple of guards--she is befriended by an older gentleman who splits his time between her homeland and her new land. Soon, she is trying to settle into a new culture and keep her distance from her kind, smitten fiancé--for she feels she will never love again and only wants friendship in her future marriage. Poor Vander! It all works out well in the end though.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the setting (love stories about different cultures) and the growing relationship between Prince Vander and Penelope. I appreciated the lessons Penelope learned. If you're looking for a sweet YA romance with a fairy tale feel, I highly recommend this one! I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

You can find Traitor here.

Author Collaborations (Laurie)

Most authors I know don't consider marketing to be among their favorite aspects of publishing. While it's wonderful to make genuine connections with readers, it feels overwhelming to keep up with the latest advice and social media trends. Not to mention the sense of drowning that comes from knowing how many other writers are also out there trying to reach new readers and the ever-changing algorithms that cause the same posts that reached a large audience three months ago to now be seen by only a small gathering of crickets. In the absence of a large budget for paid advertising or a hired virtual assistant, what's an author to do?

One strategy that I've found to make marketing both more fun and more effective is to collaborate with fellow writers! Whether it's a blog, Facebook group, or virtual event, teaming up with other authors means less work for each individual plus a broader reach overall if everyone shares within his or her own network of friends and readers. Not to mention the enjoyment of getting to know your fellow authors better along the way - totally a win-win! 

But not just any collaboration will work well. The wrong partnership could lead to stress and frustration, a failed project, or even damage to your author brand. As the fortunate beneficiary of a number of successful author collaborations over the years, I have a few tips for helping make your team efforts with other writers successful and enjoyable.

1. Every group needs a leader (or two). I love the idea of a group that runs entirely by committee, but my practical experience has been that a group without a leader doesn't go anywhere. We all lead full, busy lives, and if no one is willing to step forward and take responsibility for a group or project, nothing is likely to get done. And while some decisions and plans are great to make with everyone's input, too many group e-mails can get tiresome and may take you in circles rather than in any forward direction. The leader doesn't have to be overbearing or forceful, but it's helpful to have someone take the reins and make executive decisions as needed to keep the project moving and avoid getting stuck in a rut. If you like the idea of working with other authors but are intimidated by the prospect of being a leader, find a co-leader! If you work well together, co-leading a project can be a fantastic way to have someone to bounce ideas off of and to build momentum together, plus it takes a bit of the pressure off!
2. Know Your Goals. No marketing effort will reach every possible reader, and you wouldn't want it to! Every book has a target audience, and you want to make that the target audience of your collaborations with fellow authors. So if you write contemporary fantasy and you met a fun writer at a conference who writes historical romance, unfortunately she wouldn't be the best person to work with on a marketing project. For Lands Uncharted (a group writing effort that I like to think has been a big success!), the focus when we started the blog was young adult fantasy and science fiction. We've expanded to now cover clean fantasy and sci fi instead of just young adult and our posts have branched into other genres like historical fairy tale retellings, but having a focal point in mind has helped keep our posts interesting and relevant for our specific audience and hopefully has put our books in the hands of more readers who will enjoy them!
3. Hand-Select Participants. As I mentioned above, for marketing opportunities you want to work with authors who write in a similar genre or otherwise meet specific criteria to make them a good fit for the project. But you also want people who will be fun and pleasant to work with! For a short-term project like organizing a Facebook party, it might work well to post a general invitation for collaborators and see who responds. But the larger and more long-term the project, the more important it is to work with the right people. Let's face it, certain personalities don't work well together. It's frustrating for everyone involved if one person never responds or always drops the ball. And it makes it unpleasant for both the writers and readers if someone insists on bringing up hot-button subjects or can't respond to others in a professional manner. But, just because you don't know someone well or you're not sure you'd want to collaborate with someone long-term doesn't mean you have to leave them out entirely! We love having guest authors stop by Lands Uncharted for a post or interview - it's a fun, easy way to allow more authors to share about their books and expand our own reach in the process. Plus, what starts out as a one-time guest author interaction on a blog, Facebook group, etc. can turn into a bigger collaboration later on! Many of our current Lands Uncharted bloggers first stopped by as a guest, and those positive experiences caused us to think of them when a slot for a regular blogger opened up :)
4. Set Clear Expectations. Most authors have family obligations, many have a job outside of their writing, and all want to set aside plenty of time for their current and future works-in-progress! So you'll make your fellow writers a lot happier, and have much better odds that they'll actually accomplish the task you're hoping they'll complete, if you set clear expectations right from the start. For Lands Uncharted, every blogger has access to a calendar where we can see what posts we have coming up. When we invite a new contributor, we make clear how often each blogger is expected to post, how long posts should be, etc. so they know exactly what they're getting into if they (hopefully!) agree to join. In a new Facebook group I co-founded (which I'll share about below!), we set the expectation that every core member should aim to post at least once per week. Communicating clear, reasonable expectations both helps your fellow authors know what's expected and allows them to make informed decisions about whether they can truly commit to your project.

Since you're here, you probably know that Lands Uncharted is a group effort among many authors to keep a steady stream of book recommendations, snippets of the stories we're working on, and insights into our lives as writers coming to you several times a week! I'm so grateful to this blog for providing a level of engagement and quality that I never would've had the time or energy to maintain on my own, plus the opportunity to work with so many amazing authors!

And as I hinted above, I'm part of a new group endeavor I'm SO excited about! I've teamed up with Allison Tebo, Hayden Wand, Kirsten Fichter, and fellow Lands Uncharted blogger E.J. Kitchens to form the Facebook group Faith and Fairy Tales! We all write clean fairy tale-inspired stories and are having a blast hanging out with so many fellow fairy tale enthusiasts :) If you're a fan of fairy tales and retellings, I hope you'll join us! (And if you're an author who writes clean fairy tale-inspired books, we'd love to feature you on a Special Guest Saturday!)

Have you ever been a part of an author collaboration, or is there a group of authors you follow on social media or elsewhere? What have you found to be helpful in working successfully with others? Do you have any questions for me about organizing group projects?

Thanks for reading!

Laurie

Weekend Reads: A Thieving Curse by Selina R. Gonzalez (Laurie)

About a month ago, we posted a cover reveal for a new Beauty and the Beast retelling by Selina R. Gonzalez called A Thieving Curse. Today, I'm excited to share my review! It's been a gloomy, rainy few weeks here in Minnesota, plus we've had loved ones with health challenges and a few days of feeling yuck following our Covid vaccines. So I've been in serious need of a fun, captivating escape kind of story, and A Thieving Curse provided just that! As evidenced by the fact that I stayed up way past my bedtime several nights in a row to keep reading... :)

Princess Raelyn loves nothing more than getting into mischief with her brother Gareth, but she's been training for years to fulfill an arranged marriage with the heir to a neighboring kingdom. When the time arrives to journey to her new home, the royal traveling party is attacked, causing Raelyn to get separated and hopelessly lost. When a strange dragon-man flies her to safety, she's not sure whether she's being rescued or kidnapped, especially when he refuses to return the princess to her family after learning her identity.

Despite a tumultuous start, Raelyn eventually comes to realize the dragon-man - Alexander - is actually a kind, charming prince suffering the effects of a curse. But getting wrapped up in his plight puts Raelyn an impossible predicament. If she returns and fulfills her betrothal, she'll place herself in the clutches of a cruel, power-hungry king and possibly expose Alexander, threatening his life. But if she stays with Alexander and his band of affectionate, loyal servants, Raelyn's family will think she's dead and her kingdom will face the danger of a broken treaty...not to mention, she might be forced to admit she's developing feelings for a man with a tail, wings, horns, and glowing red eyes.

As you can probably tell, I enjoyed this book SO MUCH!! A Thieving Curse is just the kind of retelling I adore, where the elements from the original Beauty and the Beast fairy tale were so creatively incorporated that the story felt new and fresh with unpredictable twists and turns. Princess Raelyn made me frustrated at times, but she had a lot of spunk and courageously handled the many challenges thrown her way. The cast of secondary characters were quirky and memorable - Alexander's friends were such an endearing bunch I totally wanted to go hang out in the mountains with them! And then there was Alexander himself. *happy sigh* I fell so in love with this flirtatious, caring prince who wore his heart on his sleeve and tried to be noble and forgiving despite all that he'd been through.

Gonzalez's writing style was fun and engaging, and I especially appreciated her penchant for witty dialogue :) The fantasy world was light and imaginative, with a bit of magic and plenty of wild creatures roaming the mountains. But my favorite aspect was the characters - their complexity and relatability and the way their relationships were portrayed, including friendships and family in addition to the central romance.

I'd highly recommend A Thieving Curse for fans of romantic fairy tale retellings, and I can't wait to see what's coming next in The Miraveld Chronicles!

Have you read any great fairy tale retellings lately? What elements do you always want to see in a Beauty and the Beast retelling?

Thanks for reading!

Laurie

Clean Fiction Blog Tour: A Story Snippet from Traitor! (Laurie)

I'm so excited to bring the Clean Fiction Blog Tour to Lands Uncharted today! For all of March, Story Quest Academy is celebrating clean indie fiction for middle grade and young adult readers with a variety of book reviews, interviews, and other posts from authors and readers. Some of my favorite authors have already been featured, including Liz Delton, J.M. Hackman, and Mollie E. Reeder! I also had the opportunity to share a fun interview over at 5WildeFlowers a few weeks ago :) You can find the full schedule of posts, plus information on an amazing GIVEAWAY, below.

Today, I get to share the *first ever* sneak peek into my upcoming young adult fantasy, Traitor! Eeeek! Traitor is Book Two in my Tales of the Mystics series (though it can be read as a stand-alone) and follows Princess Penelope, who was embroiled in a traitorous plot against her fiancé and his kingdom of Imperia in Book One. The plot was foiled, and Penelope has now returned home in disgrace with both her confidence and her kingdom's relations with Imperia in shambles. This is the very first scene of Traitor, in which Penelope's life takes a new direction (as hinted at in the Epilogue of Common 😊). Enjoy!

Chapter 1

“Exiled to Delunia?” I gripped the edge of my chair before I could topple out of it.

 
When Papa asked me to join him in his study, the nervous twitch of his brow hinted something was wrong. But I’d expected a scolding about the cost of my latest gown or a request to admonish my sister Sophia about her flirtatious behavior or loose tongue.

Not this.

Papa adjusted his collar. “Not exiled, Penelope. It is a betrothal. A joyous occasion.”

Oh, yes. My last engagement had been such bliss.

“The emperor and his son are thrilled to be making the alliance.” He adopted his best diplomatic smile, spreading his hands across the polished surface of his desk.

I swallowed a scoff. Of course they were. The benefit would be entirely on their side. How could Papa even consider it? Delunia was miserably hot, the people were loud and unrefined, and they didn’t speak any form of Sandrinian.

And it was thousands of miles across the sea from my beloved Trellich. From the entire continent of Sandrin.

The nightmare my life had become over the past year was about to get even worse.

“Won’t the voyage take weeks? Will I ever see you again?”

“Only one week, if the weather is favorable.” A ripple pricked through Papa’s confidence. “But it is a long journey, I can’t deny it. We won’t be able to visit often, but I’m sure every few years or so…”

Every few years. I’d almost prefer to separate from them forever than to become a stranger to my own family. “But why? How could anything they’re offering in an alliance be worth sending me so far away?”

He hesitated for a beat. Two. “They trade many valuable materials, and it would certainly be in our best interest to support and encourage those relations.”

“We have valuable items to trade as well,” I argued. “They can’t match our textiles, nor our gemstones. Isn’t that reason enough for the Delunian royal family to foster our trade agreements?”

“Their navy is formidable, the best on the Toan Sea. It wouldn’t hurt to have such might on our side, especially”—he glanced away, avoiding my gaze—“since our relations with Imperia have become more strained than ever.”

“Imperia?” I gritted my teeth. The very name made me want to shudder. “They wouldn’t cause trouble now, not with the new trade agreement in place.”

A knot on the dark wood of Papa’s desk consumed his full interest.

I swallowed a huff of frustration. “Surely, they wouldn’t defy an agreement they so recently—”

“They didn’t sign the agreement, Penelope.” Papa’s gaze collided with mine, roiling with frustration and concern.

“What?”

“I received their response last week.” He massaged his forehead. “They do not wish to enter into negotiations with us at this time.”

My stomach sank so quickly, I expected to hear a thud on the floor. They refused to sign because of me. Our improved alliance was supposed to be sealed by my marriage to Raphael, the Imperian Crown Prince. Instead, I’d gotten mixed up in a treasonous—murderous—plot.

“You’re ashamed of me. That’s why you’re sending me away.” I curled my fingers into the smooth material of my skirt.

“Of course not, dearest.” He leaned back against the curved wood forming the back of his chair. “I, too, misplaced my trust in the Duke of Brantley. He managed to fool us all.” He straightened. “But people will talk, and this marriage might give you a chance for a fresh start.”

A fresh start. Was such a thing possible? Another fiancé. A new country to explore. More opportunities to squander, relationships to destroy.

I gnawed at my lip. No, I mustn’t think like that.

The Duke of Brantley fooled even his dear friends, his own king and queen. I’d never step foot beyond Glonsel Palace again if my every thought anticipated future mistakes.

“Do you know anything of the Delunian prince?” I channeled stern tension into my legs, drawing on every last reserve from my etiquette training to sit still rather than fidget.

Papa smiled, apparently pleased by my feigned interest. “I met him when he was just a boy. A stout little fellow, clearly gentle-hearted and eager to learn. His father has spoken highly of him in his letters. Says he’ll make a fine husband, and one day, emperor.”

As though a father’s word could be trusted on such a subject. Especially when he sought to convince us to agree to the marriage.

But Papa looks so hopeful… “That is—comforting, I suppose. How old is he?” I pressed my lips together to prevent them forming a grimace. Please, Luminate, don’t let him be ancient.

“Only a few years your senior. Nineteen, I believe.”

That, at least, was a relief. “Then I am to be an empress.” The word tasted foreign—equal parts intriguing and distasteful—on my tongue.

“Indeed. And what a lovely one you’ll be.” Papa stood, rounded his desk, and placed a warm hand on my shoulder. “You shall be missed, child, more than I can say. But I do think it’s for the best. You’ve an entire lunar cycle to prepare for your departure, so take some time to get adjusted to the idea.”

An entire lunar cycle. He spoke the words as though they described a vast length of time, not the span of four weeks.

I rose, tucking my hands behind my back to hide their trembling. “I have much to think on and prepare. I’d best—”

“Of course.”

I hardly registered his reply before he clenched me tightly to his chest. Burying my face in his velvet doublet, I shut my eyes against welling tears. I’d be with my family for a lunar cycle yet, and they’d visit every once in a while. We could always write letters that would take weeks to travel across the Toan Sea…

A whimper escaped, and Papa clutched me tighter. Please, don’t make me go.

I can't wait to share the rest of the story with you!! Traitor will be published on April 27th and is now available for pre-order! If you're interested, you can find all the pre-order links HERE. And as a huge thank you for your interest in my book, I'm offering some pre-order goodies! Fill out THIS FORM, and I'll send you:

• Two art prints by the amazing SlisbyScribbles (one of Leah and Prince Raphael from Common, and one of Princess Penelope and her new fiancé Prince Vander from Traitor);
• Two double-sided bookmarks (one for you and one for a friend!);
• One signed bookplate (paperback orders only); and
• An EXCLUSIVE bonus scene from Common written in Prince Raphael's perspective!

*Art prints, bookmarks, and signed bookplates can be mailed to U.S. addresses only. (Sorry, international shipping is rough!). But the bonus scene from Common will be e-mailed as a PDF and is available internationally!*

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek at Traitor, let me know what you think in the comments!

As promised, I've included the entire schedule below! And remember that mention of a giveaway? To enter, just comment on and share posts in the Clean Fiction Blog Tour! (When sharing posts, make sure to tag @StoryQuesters so they can count your entry.) The prize pack includes a scholarship to Story Quest Academy, plus e-books and swag from many of the participating authors! You can find the full details HERE--good luck and happy reading!

March 1st Story Quest Academy

March 2nd Ellie Naomi

March 3rd Julie Gilbert

March 4th Jasmine Natasha

March 5th Liz Delton

March 6th Mark Hansen

March 7th Ian Vroon

March 8th Story Quest Academy

March 9th Nicholas Kotar

March 10th J.M. Hackman

March 11th Mark Hansen

March 12th Courtenay Kasper

March 13th Debbie Schreffler

March 14th Story Quest Academy

March 15th Steven Guglich

March 16th Laurie Lucking

March 17th Julie Gilbert

March 18th Meg Dendler

March 19th Nicholas Kotar

March 20th Courtenay Kasper

March 21st Story Quest Academy

March 22nd Molly Casperson

March 23rd D.J. Edwardson

March 24th Marty C Lee

March 25th Molly Casperson

March 26th Mark Hansen

March 27th Allison Tebo

March 28th Story Quest Academy

March 29th Debbie Schreffler

March 30th Nicholas Kotar 

March 31st Molly Casperson

Cover Reveal for Traitor (Tales of the Mystics, Book Two)!!!!!

Happy Friday, friends!! This is an especially happy Friday for me, because I FINALLY get to share the cover for my upcoming new release, Traitor! Eeeeeeek! My publisher, Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, set the standard really high with the first book in my Tales of the Mystics series, Common, so I couldn't wait to see what they came up with for Traitor - and it's amazing!!!

Would you like to see it??

Scroll a little farther...

Sorry, I'm having too much fun with this, but you're almost there...

Keep scrolling...

TA DA!!!!!!!

*happy sigh* Isn't it just stunning? And it fits the story SO well! Traitor follows Princess Penelope, who ended up more on the villain side of the equation in Common, as she travels to a country across the sea to fulfill a new arranged marriage. Although eager to make up for her past mistakes, she struggles to trust herself and to find her place in her new home. And she's determined to never fall in love again, which becomes more challenging than she expected when her new fiancé turns out to be devoted, charming, and just so sweet. (Yep, I have a bit of a crush on him...but to be fair, he's a lot like my husband!) So I adore the way the cover captures her hesitance and indecision with light shining as a beacon of hope. And that dress, and her pretty hair, and the cool architecture...I'm so in love!

Traitor is set to release on April 27th - I can't wait to share it with you!! Here's the back cover blurb:

Princess Penelope has finally found a way to redeem her past mistakes—if only it didn’t require betraying her new fiancé.

Princess Penelope has been the object of gossip and ridicule ever since she returned home in disgrace following her failed engagement to the Crown Prince of Imperia. When her father offers a new start in a country far across the sea, she has no choice but to accept.

Even if it means another betrothal, this time to a total stranger.

Penelope arrives in Delunia determined to avoid bringing further shame upon her family. But her devoted, caring fiancé makes it harder to guard her heart than she anticipated, and rumors of dark magic haunt her with memories she’d rather keep buried far beneath her pristine exterior.

When a poverty-stricken village outside the palace gates looks to her as their hope for a brighter future, Penelope embraces the opportunity to make amends for her transgressions. But in order to help, she must manipulate her new fiancé, putting her reputation on the line once more. And her heart.

Can Penelope rise above the failures of her past, or will she forever be branded a traitor?

 

Be on the lookout for pre-order links coming soon! In the meantime, I'm going to make the shameless plug that this would be the perfect time to read Common if you haven't yet! (See? I didn't forget that this is supposed to be a Weekend Reads post after all... 😆)  

I started Common with the Cinderella-type premise of a friendship between a maid and a prince. But then I took it in a totally different direction with the maid discovering a plot against the royal family and needing to save the day with the help of some mysterious nuns. If you're a fan of fairy tales, fantasy adventure, and clean romance, I hope you'll give it a try!

Have a great weekend! And thanks for celebrating my new cover with me!!

Laurie

Called to Write & Welcome New Bloggers! (Laurie)

Happy New Year!! Opening a new calendar always seems to signal a time for change, and you may notice we have a few of those here at Lands Uncharted for 2021! Sadly, we said "Goodbye for now" to three of our bloggers - Katie, Vanessa, and Heather, we've so enjoyed our time with you and you'll be missed! (Follow the link on each of their names to find their last post and leave a comment to wish them well!)

The good news is that we also have some new friends to welcome to our little corner of the internet! We are absolutely thrilled to have Rachel Rossano and Desiree Williams joining as regular contributors!! Make sure to check out the bio pages of these talented ladies (on the left-hand side and linked to their names above), stop by Rachel's review of K.M. Shea's Court of Midnight and Deception series, and look for Desiree's first post coming up on Friday, January 22nd! Also, we're still finalizing our last open contributor spot, so be on the lookout for another announcement soon to find out the last member of our 2021 team!

As for me...I wish I could say things have really turned around in my writing life since my post in September, in which I shared I've been writing a lot more e-mails than stories lately. But between homeschooling and holiday preparations and general pandemic anxiety, my writing productivity has continued to be at an all-time low. At least it's good to know I'm not alone! I've definitely noticed a trend here recently that many of us have been talking about rest and the need for a break, and I'm so thankful for a writing community that understands!

I confess that at busy times like this, I sometimes wonder whether I should return to writing at all when there are so many other authors clamoring for readers' attention and so many other aspects of my life that could benefit from my time and effort (yes, messy house - I'm looking at you!). But last month, I had a rare few hours of inspiration where I wrote multiple scenes and kept coming up with more ideas about my current work-in-progress. I felt excited and fulfilled in a way I hadn't in a long time, and it was AMAZING.

Then my husband came home from work, and I explained I'd let myself have a writing day, suddenly feeling guilty as I looked around at all the other things I should've been doing instead. But I couldn't help smiling as I tried to describe how it felt to be creating again. As I trailed off into something like, "I'm sorry, I know I should've done the dishes instead or helped the boys clean their room. I know I invest more into this writing thing than I earn, and it probably doesn't make sense to keep going with it. But when I have days like this and I finally get to write, I just..."

He gave me this sweet, knowing smile and finished for me with a decisive nod, "You have to."

It still brings tears to my eyes, reliving that moment where I felt so seen and understood in this crazy calling to be a writer. I have to. It doesn't make sense from an outside perspective as a place to put my time, energy, and resources when my books will likely remain in relative obscurity and all my earnings will get eaten up by a few writing conferences, but I can't seem to shake my desire to write, even when life is chaotic and busy. So I guess I should just keep at it, trying to push aside the numbers and logistics. Instead, maybe I need to focus on that indescribable feeling of creating my little imaginary worlds alongside the ultimate Creator. That sense of inspiration and fulfillment that, for me, only comes from obeying the call to write.

How about you? Have you found it easier or harder to write lately? What keeps you going when it's hard to find the time or energy to write or do whatever you're passionate about?

Weekend Reads: Burn by J.M. Hackman (Laurie)

I tried to think of a Christmas-themed fantasy story for this week's post, but I apparently haven't read any lately! (Last year I posted a review of Christmas Fiction off the Beaten Path, an anthology with a variety of genres - including my fantasy story, "Return to Callidora"- which you can find here!)

Instead, I'm excited to share my thoughts on Burn, the last book in J.M. Hackman's Firebrand Chronicles! Burn released earlier this year, and the full Firebrand Chronicles box set will be published on January 11, 2021! It's even going to include four new stories from the Firebrand Chronicles fantasy world - I can't wait! Since Burn is the third book in the series, a spoiler-free synopsis will be tough, but I'll do my best!

Brenna James is a teenage girl with ADHD whose ordinary life was disrupted when she discovered she has the power to create fire and that part of her heritage comes from Linneah, an alternity where she's the one destined to fulfill an ancient prophecy. After rescuing her mom, recovering a sacred relic, and saving her best friend from a disastrous marriage, Brenna has made a major enemy of Rune, a dangerous man determined to take control of the alternity by force no matter the cost.

Now Brenna and her family have been forced to evacuate their home, and Brenna's boyfriend, Baldwin, has been affected by Rune's dark power. Brenna should be training to improve her skills as a firebrand, but her talent won't respond to her. When a prophecy suggests she might be able to find a staff that has the ability to cut and mend space itself, she finds new purpose but also a new level of danger. And even if she finds the staff, how can she fight Rune and his growing army when her firebrand gift won't cooperate?

As you can probably tell, Burn was an action-packed, thought-provoking finale to the Firebrand Chronicles! I missed Brenna's spunk during the sections when she was feeling lost and discouraged, but her reactions to her circumstances were realistic and made for a stronger journey of growth by the end of the book. As the author discussed in this post, Burn definitely went a little darker than the earlier books in the series, but I appreciated that it was handled tastefully and integrated well into the story. While some of the emotions and themes went darker, there were also many moments of light and hope, especially leading up to the very satisfying conclusion! As always, I had a great time re-visiting this vivid, creative fantasy world and fun characters like Arvandus and Tiny. The conflict felt like it resolved a little quickly considering the enormity of the build-up, but it was interesting to see how everything came together in the end and the roles various characters got to play.

I couldn't wait to read this book after the suspenseful ending to Flare, and I'm so glad I completed this journey! Brenna was a great character to root for even in her hardest moments, and the ending put a smile on my face, making a strong case for the power of light to overcome any darkness. Start with Spark and Flare, then you'll definitely want to see this series to its inspiring conclusion!

Have you finished any series recently? Were you satisfied with the ending?

Thanks for reading!

Laurie

Weekend Reads: Asperfell by Jamie Thomas (Laurie)

We made it to another weekend! I don't know about you, but in our house that feels like a major accomplishment these days :) And since it's Friday, I get to share a book recommendation with you! 

Last week, Sarah reviewed a Regency-era fantasy called Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal. I thought I'd continue in that vein by sharing about another Jane Austen-esque fantasy - Asperfell by Jamie Thomas!

Briony spent much of her childhood far from home, raised apart from the dangerous court intrigues of a king whose fear and intolerance of magic caused him to banish his own brother to Asperfell, an indestructible prison in a different realm designed specifically to hold the most threatening mages. When her father's participation in a rebellion is discovered, Briony finds herself face to face with the vicious king, sentenced to death for possessing magic her parents had desperately tried to keep hidden. In a last-ditch attempt to procure the king's downfall, the rebellion saves Briony by instead sending her to Asperfell, hoping she can find a way back with the mage-prince who should've inherited the throne. In Asperfell, Briony struggles to unearth the secrets of the prison and her own magical talents, all while suffering the indifference and snide remarks of Prince Elyan and the cruelty of her fellow prisoners. But just as she settles in with a new set of alliances and a distinctive use for her newly-discovered magic, a betrayal sends her on the run once more, making her quest all the more urgent.

This book was so beautifully written! I loved the lush prose, vivid descriptions, and sophisticated writing style. The prison of Asperfell was a fascinating concept, as were the various types of mages in the fantasy world. Briony was a fun character to adventure with, and I appreciated the complexity and dynamics of the secondary characters throughout the book. Although a certain gentleman made me frustrated on numerous occasions, the hints of romance did make me grin :) The opening chapters were a little on the slow side since there was a fair amount of back story, but even then the hints of mystery kept me reading, and once Briony reached Asperfell I could hardly put it down! Based on something I saw on Goodreads, Book Two is expected to release sometime in 2021 - I'm very much looking forward to it!

(While this was a clean read as a whole, there were a few descriptions that were a bit graphic, especially an instance of unwanted sexual advances. They were handled well and central to the story, but if you prefer to avoid such content this might not be the book for you.)

What have you been reading lately? Do you have any Jane Austen-style fantasy books to recommend?

Thanks for reading!

Laurie

The Mundane Side of Writing (Laurie)

 Sadly, I haven't had many opportunities to work on my manuscript lately, between end-of-summer outings and a round of colds and preparing to homeschool my boys for the first time this fall. But even during these periods of time when I'm not doing much actual writing, my writer's brain never completely turns off. Sometimes that's a lot of fun - like when I come up with new story ideas or help my kids brainstorm new challenges for their Lego superheroes. But sometimes, it's mundane - like when it takes me ten minutes to carefully write and edit an e-mail that others would dash off in thirty seconds. Even when I know it's probably not that important to get the phrasing just right or to vary my word choice or to make sure my commas are in the right place, I can't seem to help myself! Then I get frustrated, feeling like I wasted time and effort on something that wasn't worth it. After all, many of those e-mails probably aren't even read very carefully, and it's not like anyone's leaving a review!

I'm a volunteer leader for several local groups, and last spring produced many challenges as we figured out how to handle the pandemic and find safe ways to stay active and connected. I ended up with the task of drafting e-mails in which I struggled to put to words the limitations of the current situation, how we planned to move forward, and how much we missed everyone and hoped they were staying well. A friend responded to one of those e-mails, saying "Wow, Laurie! Fantastically written email. Thanks for all your hard work!" I almost got teary-eyed at her kind words, at the realization that someone did notice the time and care I'd put into something as boring as an e-mail. More recently, at a meeting when we were trying to figure out who should draft one of our documents, someone volunteered me, mentioning that she's always impressed when she reads something I've written and that I always word things so well (someone who's never read any of my books or stories!).

This encouragement was just what I needed to remember that all my words matter, and that my gifts as a writer are important even in seasons of life when I'm not writing something fun and exciting like a story or novel. I can make a difference in small ways, too, even just by taking the time to write a thoughtful note to a friend or to carefully draft a group's goals for the coming year. And so can you! As an author, it can be so easy to get caught up in the "glamour" of book releases and awards and interactions with fans, and of course we want to celebrate those! But let's not lose sight of the ways we can impact someone closer to us when they open a card or even just check their inbox :)

I hope everyone had a fabulous Labor Day weekend, and to all of you who are teachers, students, or parents of school-age kiddos - have a wonderful school year!

See you next time!

Laurie

Cover Reveal: Azriel by Lee James (Laurie)

Hi friends! I hope everyone had a very happy Fourth of July weekend! I was originally going to share a Story Snippet with you today from my Peter Pan-inspired short story, "Threshold," which was published in the Mythical Doorways anthology put together by the Fellowship of Fantasy...

...BUT, then I saw the cover for Azriel by Lee James, which is being revealed TODAY, and I knew I had to share that instead! I know I'm a little biased since Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing is also my publisher, but their covers are just *so* gorgeous!!! First, here's a little bit about the author, Lee James:

Lee James writes stories of hope and redemption. Whether she creates fantasy, mystery, or historical fiction, her beautifully awkward characters traverse a dark labyrinth on their journey to a hopeful end. Her work is dedicated to sharing the beauty of Christ, one faith-infused project at a time. Keep up-to-date with all of her stories at www.leejameswrites.com.

Now, here's the back cover blurb for Azriel, which will release sometime this fall. I can't wait!!

Bree Faro learns early in life that she has only herself to depend on. Due to her feisty nature and unusual ability with a sword, she is educated in every fighting style imaginable and excels at them all. When she’s sent to infiltrate the city of Azriel, she does not expect to find her place among the Watchmen of the Keep, but they welcome her as one of their own. 

Little does Bree know that her new companions are in danger. 

An immortal creature lies in wait for any Keeper of the Flame, the city’s water source has dried up, and they are under constant attack from the Yirtzi—former Watchmen reduced to vengeful spirits, who sold their souls for power only to realize the enemy of Yahweh does not translate to the friend of mankind. Not only that, but the Watchmen are fraying. Hostilities come to a head when a Watchman is murdered. 

Only a Watchman can kill another Watchman, and all eyes shift to Bree. 

Bree finds herself faced with a choice. Does she engineer the betrayal of the powerful city, or does she embrace her destiny as a true Watchman of Yahweh and find the killer before it’s too late?

And finally, here's that amazing cover you've been waiting for! 

So many congratulations to Lee James and the L2L2 Publishing team for creating such a stunning book!!

See you next time!

Laurie

P.S. If you're interested in more than a snippet of "Threshold," you can get the entire story FREE! Find just "Threshold" here, or read the entire Mythical Doorways anthology here. Happy reading!