Wednesday 25 February 2015

Shadow Stalker Part 2 (Episodes 7-12) by Renee Scattergood

Renee Scattergood lives in Australia with her husband, Nathan, and daughter, Taiya. She has always been a fan of fantasy and was inspired to become a story-teller by George Lucas, but didn't start considering writing down her stories until she reached her late twenties. Now she enjoys writing fantasy. She is currently publishing her monthly Shadow Stalker series, and she has also published a prequel novella to the series called, Demon Hunt. Aside from writing, she loves reading (Fantasy, of course), watching movies with her family, and doing crafts and science experiments with her daughter.

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I'm so excited to be revealing the new cover for the Shadow Stalker series. I'll be using this cover for Part 2 of the series, which will consist of Episodes 7 - 12. The next part of the series is going to see Auren confronting some of the hardest challenges she's ever had to face, but along the way she may even find love, which had been denied her in Part 1. So don't miss out. If you haven't read Part 1 yet, the individual episodes are still available on Smashwords and Amazon Kindle. Episode 6 is due to be released in three days, and I will be publishing a Bundle of the entire Part 1 of the series in April, which will include both print and ebook versions.

And finally, here is the new cover, which was designed by a friend of mine who was really excited to play with her new 3D graphics design software. Let me know what you think:

Shadow Stalker E7-12 JPG

Monday 23 February 2015

The Rogue's Odyssey by Louise Findlay

Louise Findlay Books LogoLouise Findlay writes fantasy (generally short stories) and inspirational poetry. She enjoys reading and writing about mythological creatures such as angels and demons but has a soft spot for vampires. Louise is currently in the midst of writing a vampire novella about two vampire clans whose deputy’s clash in a big way, entitled A Spy in the Sagax Vampires.
She generally writes ebooks but she’s apart of a few anthologies which are in print and plans to release a print verson of a collection of poetry at Christmas time this year.
Heroes with an edge are always fascinating and when the metier is poetic, the romance tends to rise exponentially because, after all, everyone loves a rascal who’s only a heartbeat away from being on the wrong side of the tracks, but who somehow always battles on to win the day, whether that’s fleeing from dastardly henchmen, or fighting a terrifying dragon.

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The Rogue's Odyssey Cover FinishedAn excerpt from the poem:
It was the dead of night, on horseback I fled,
fled from the knights of the realm.
Their intent, to flay me alive,
was keeping me going, keeping me going.
A rogue I was, honourable though,
but they were scarce in supply.
They hit me, dead, dying, I fled,
traversing through the wood.
I had to survive, survive I did,
through the snowy wood.
I stopped for a second, to revel,
in its wondrous beauty,
but I had to keep going, had to keep going.
This journey I had to make,
the dangers worth the rewards.
The money was good, oh the pay was great,
A wizard was paying my way.
There was a more, primal reason,
a directive I had to follow.
The fate of the kingdom, rested in me, rested in me,
despite the knights following.
The knights,
corrupt they were,
twisted by the darkness.
Their lord,
dark at heart,
instigated the curse.

Buy it Today!

Wednesday 18 February 2015

Going Through the Change: A Menopausal Superhero Novel by Samantha Bryant

Samantha Bryant believes in love, magic, and inexplicable connections between people. Her favorite things are lonely beaches, untamed cliff tops, sunlight through the leaves of trees, summer rains, and children’s laughter. She has lived in many places, including rural Alaska, Kansas, Kentucky, Vermont, England and Spain. She is fierce at heart, though she doesn’t look it.

She’s a fan of Charlotte Brontë, William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Neil Gaiman, Nicole Perlman, and Joss Whedon, among many others. She would like to be Amy Tan when she grows up, but so far it doesn’t look like she’ll be growing up any time soon.

Samantha writes blogs, poems, essays, and novels. Mostly she writes about things that scare or worry her. It’s cheaper than therapy. Someday, she hopes to make her living solely as a writer. In the meantime, she also teaches middle school Spanish, which, admittedly, is an odd choice for money-earning, especially in North Carolina.
When she’s not writing or teaching, Samantha enjoys time with her family, watching old movies, baking, reading, and going places. Her favorite gift is tickets (to just about anything).

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About the book

Going through "the change" isn't easy on any woman. Mood swings, hot flashes, hormonal imbalances, and itchy skin are par for the course. But for these four seemingly unrelated women, menopause brought changes none of them had ever anticipated--super-heroic changes.

Helen discovers a spark within that reignites her fire. Jessica finds that her mood is lighter, and so is her body.  Patricia always had a tough hide, but now even bullets bounce off her. Linda doesn't have trouble opening the pickle jar anymore…now that she's a man.

When events throw the women together, they find out that they have more in common than they knew--one person has touched all their lives. The hunt for answers is on.


The Release for Samantha's new novel is set for 23 April 2015
Pre-order on Amazon Kindle

Character interview with Patricia O'Neill from Going Through the Change: A Menopausal Superhero Novel


Artwork by Charles C. Dowd
Where were you born, and what was it like growing up there?

I grew up in a podunk town in Illinois and haven't looked back since. It's not worth a dot on a map and no one outside the state has ever heard of it. In all honesty? It was dull as the dirt it was made of.

What is the happiest memory from your childhood?

Ha! Leaving. Getting that field hockey scholarship to a college Up East was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Do you have a close relationship with your family?

God, no. My mom, God rest her, was a weak woman. She couldn't live without a man in her life and none of the men who passed through our lives were worth a hill of beans, including my fool of a father and every stepdad who came after him. Once I left home, we hardly spoke. Somewhere I've got some half-siblings, I think, but I steer clear of all that Jerry Springer crap.

Do you have any hobbies? What are they?

I enjoy the finer things in life. I like to go to shows, eat amazing dinners in beautiful places with people who amuse me, travel, shop for designer clothing. I'm not afraid of hard work and it has paid off in spades. I love my life--or at least I did before The Change took a change for the weird. I ruined a lot of nice clothes learning to control this thing.

What kind of clothing do you prefer to wear?

There's nothing like a well-tailored suit to bring out the best in a woman. My favorite ensembles are in bright colors that bring out the redness of my hair and show my height and strength. They say "the clothes make the man," and that's even truer of women in business. We have a hard row to hoe, making our way into the upper management and beyond. It helps to look the part.

Have you ever been in love? How did that work out for you?

I don't believe in love. Like the old trope says, I like my men strong and disposable, like Kleenex. Some have lasted longer than others, but no one has ever really had my heart. I'm not interested in letting anyone else have that level of control over my life. If they get serious, I show them the door. Women would get a lot further in this life if they could let go of the notion that a man is somehow necessary to happiness.

What is the most important lesson you've learned about life?

You can't rely on other people. There's only one person in this world I trust completely and you're looking at her.

What was the most embarrassing moment in your life?

Where did they dig you up? I hate these kinds of questions. It's like that job interview question about your greatest weakness. There's no good way to answer this. I don't get embarrassed. You can't embarrass someone who doesn't care what you think.

What do you regret most in your life? Why?

Are you even listening? I don't believe in regret. What's the point in lingering over the past? What's done is done. What matters is what is still to come.

What is the strangest situation you've ever found yourself in?

Until recently, I would have said my whole life has been one strange situation after another. I've always been a fish out of water, making my own way upstream. But now I know that I didn't really know what "strange" meant. You do know you're talking to a woman who sometimes breaks out in armor-plated flesh, scales, and talons, right?

Who is your enemy? What makes you enemies?

Cindy Liu. It's cliché to say it, but it's true in this case: it's complicated. We've been friends for forty years. She's the only friend I've ever really had. But here lately . . . well, let's just say her moral compass has been skewed. To tell the truth, she's never been the same since she lost her fiancé back when she was in her thirties. But this? She's been running experiments on herself and on others. Even on me! We're going to stop her--me, Leonel, and Jessica. When I get my claws on her, she's going to pay for what she's done to me and to them. She's got some serious explaining to do.

Who do you most admire in your world? Why?

If you ever tell him I said this, I'll deny it, but Leonel Alvarez. He--she--whatever. Gender is a little complicated with Leonel. Anyway--Leonel is the truest heart I know. We might not see eye to eye, but I know he's got my back and there's no one I'd rather have watching out for me--even if he's excruciatingly naive and annoyingly honest sometimes.

Saturday 14 February 2015

Justi the Gifted by R.R. Brooks

RRB front smallJusti the Gifted, an epic fantasy tale by R.R. Brooks has been published by LeoPublishing L.L.C. and can be ordered from AmazonBarnes & Noble, and your local bookstore (they’d love for you to visit).
A gift from a god can be good. But what if it is damaged?
Our reporter tracked down the Justi’s stepfather in his home in the coastal town of Ortun. Rocley spoke to us as he prepared to hunt.

Justi cover finalHow did you become Justi’s stepfather?

I encountered Justi’s mother Arturi on the Fathom trail. Saved her from getting gored by a boar. I was just behind the big-tusked brute when it charged into Arturi’s campsite. She put a small fire between herself and the beast, but it jumped the flames. I put a bolt in it, and it fell dead at Arturi’s feet. I think the creature was possessed.

What did Arturi do?

She fainted, but woke to enjoy roasted pork.

Was it love at first sight?

Maybe.

Why was Arturi alone in the forest?

She had gone in search of her husband, Valego, Justi’s father. Unfortunately, he had been killed by a Tantrocan party. She claimed to have escaped the Tantrocan’s. That couldn’t have happened without her using a power like Justi’s. She killed an attacker with a bolt of flame, but that came out only when Justi first experienced his own power and wanted to know where it came from. He wanted me to confirm it.

Did you see Arturi’s power?

I guess I did. Two Tantrocans accosted us as we neared Ortun. One got past me, and Arturi grabbed his arm. He screamed. His arm was blackened with scorched flesh.

Did you see Justi’s power as he was growing up?

Never. He was a normal, rambunctious kid. It wasn’t until we were fleeing from Ortun when he was eighteen. Then he defended us against four Tantrocans. He took one down with a pale beam that stilled the man’s heart. The second man fared worse. The bright blast evaporated the knife he threw. The thunderous boom and bright light left a smoking crater in the man’s chest.

How do you feel now about your stepson’s power?

I believe he is the Child of Power mentioned in prophecy. My role was to protect him until he could use his power. He also needed a good dose of discipline, which I was happy to provide.