The Nightjar’s Promise (Book 4 of The F.I.G. Mysteries) by Barbara Casey

 

YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 130 pages

 

Genre: Mystery, Fantasy

 

Publisher: Gauthier Publications (Hungry Goat Press)

 

Release date: April, 2020

 

 

Synopsis

 

Jennifer Torres, one of the three FIGs (Females of Intellectual Genius) who is a genius in both music and art, is the last to leave the closed rehearsal for her upcoming performance over Thanksgiving break at Carnegie Hall when she hears something in the darkened Hall. Recognizing the tilt of the woman’s head and the slight limp of the man as they hurry out an exit door, she realizes it is her parents who were supposedly killed in a terrible car accident when she was 15 years old. Devastated and feeling betrayed, she sends a text to Carolina and the other two FIGs—THURGOOD. It is the code word they all agreed to use if ever one of them got into trouble or something happened that was too difficult to handle. They would all meet back at Carolina’s bungalow at Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women to figure it out.

As soon as they receive the text, because of their genius, Dara starts thinking of words in ancient Hebrew, German, and Yiddish, while Mackenzie’s visions of unique math formulae keep bringing up the date October 11, 1943. That is the date during World War II when the Nazis—the Kunstschutz—looted the paintings of targeted wealthy Jewish families and hid them away under Hitler’s orders. And as Carolina waits for the FIGs to return to Wood Rose, she hears warnings from Lyuba, her gypsy mother, to watch for the nightjar, the ancient name for the whip-poor-will.

As they search for “The Nightjar’s Promise” and the truth surrounding it, Carolina and the FIGs come face to face with evil that threatens to destroy not only their genius, but their very lives.

 

 

 

 

 

Interview

 

Today we are lucky enough to have Barbara here with us on StoreyBook Reviews.  I enjoyed her answers to the questions and I hope you learn a little bit more about her as I did.

 

When writing about the F.I.G.s (Females of Intellectual Genius) and Carolina in The Nightjar’s Promise, did you have a favorite character?

 

Carolina and the F.I.G.s (Dara, Mackenzie, and Jennifer) have been living in my life and imagination for several years now. I am embarrassed to say how attached I have become to them, and writing The Nightjar’s Promise, knowing it would be the final book in the series, was emotional. I guess you could say I love Carolina and each of the F.I.G.s equally because they are so different and in spite of their flaws.

 

Where did you get inspiration for your stories in this series?

 

I lived in Raleigh, North Carolina, for many years. I attended NC State University and then later worked there. Near where I lived was an orphanage, and I think driving by it each day is what first gave me the idea of writing a book about orphans. Then, once I actually started writing The Cadence of Gypsies years later, followed by The Wish Rider, The Clock Flower, and now The Nightjar’s Promise, I researched things that were out of the ordinary that would somehow connect to either Carolina or one of the F.I.G.s. The Voynich Manuscript, the most mysterious document in the world, was perfect for Carolina and her story. In Dara’s story, The Wish Rider, I felt it was important to learn the reason her mother abandoned her in a candy shop when she was a little girl. Mackenzie, in The Clock Flower, also needed to find the answers to the questions she had; such as why was she turned over to an orphanage right after she was born, and who were her parents? And most important, why is she in danger? Jennifer’s story in The Nightjar’s Promise was especially difficult because she was betrayed by the people who should have loved and cared for her the most. By connecting each girl’s genius to the reasons they were in an orphanage to begin with seemed to provide the answers.

 

Are you writing anything now?

 

I have gone back to an adult novel I have been thinking about. I am also thinking about another young/new adult series.

 

Do you have a set routine when you write?

 

Absolutely! That is the only way I can create anything. I have always needed routine in my life, having grown up in a military family. So, early (very early) mornings are my time to write. The rest of the day I devote to my agency and to the independent publishing house that focuses on nonfiction/true crime where I am a partner. There are three rescue cats now in our little family who are learning how to get along, and my mother who lives with us is 97 years old. Everything considered, I have a pretty full day.

 

I want to thank you for inviting me to be a guest on your blog and for your interest in my books. I wish you and your bloggers my very best. ~Barbara

 

 

About the Author

 

Originally from Carrollton, Illinois, author/agent/publisher Barbara Casey attended the University of North Carolina, N.C. State University, and N.C. Wesleyan College where she received a BA degree, summa cum laude, with a double major in English and history. In 1978 she left her position as Director of Public Relations and Vice President of Development at North Carolina Wesleyan College to write full time and develop her own manuscript evaluation and editorial service. In 1995 she established the Barbara Casey Agency and since that time has represented authors from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. In 2014, she became a partner with Strategic Media Books, an independent nonfiction publisher of true crime, where she oversees acquisitions, day-to-day operations, and book production.

Ms. Casey has written over a dozen award-winning books of fiction and nonfiction for both young adults and adults. The awards include the National Association of University Women Literary Award, the Sir Walter Raleigh Literary Award, the Independent Publisher Book Award, the Dana Award for Outstanding Novel, the IP Best Book for Regional Fiction, among others. Two of her nonfiction books have been optioned for major films, one of which is under contract.

Her award-winning articles, short stories, and poetry for adults have appeared in both national and international publications including the North Carolina Christian Advocate Magazine, The New East Magazine, the Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer, the Rocky Mount (N.C.) Sunday Telegram, Dog Fancy, ByLine, The Christian Record, Skirt! Magazine, and True Story. A thirty-minute television special which Ms. Casey wrote and coordinated was broadcast on WRAL, Channel 5, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She also received special recognition for her editorial work on the English translations of Albanian children’s stories. Her award-winning science fiction short stories for adults are featured in The Cosmic Unicorn and CrossTime science fiction anthologies. Ms. Casey’s essays and other works appear in The Chrysalis Reader, the international literary journal of the Swedenborg Foundation, 221 One-Minute Monologues from Literature (Smith and Kraus Publishers), and A Cup of Comfort (Adams Media Corporation).

Ms. Casey is a former director of BookFest of the Palm Beaches, Florida, where she served as guest author and panelist. She has served as judge for the Pathfinder Literary Awards in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida, and was the Florida Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators from 1991 through 2003. In 2018 Ms. Casey received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and Top Professional Award for her extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the field of publishing and other areas. She makes her home on the top of a mountain in northwest Georgia with her husband and three cats who adopted her, Homer, Reese, and Earl Gray – Reese’s best friend.

 

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Giveaway

 

Prizes: ​ Win 1 of 3 print or 1 of 3 ebook of Barbara Casey’s THE NIGHTJAR’S PROMISE, or a $25 Amazon Gift Card (open USA & Canada) (7 win (ends May 29)

 

 

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Wizard for Hire: Magic Required

 

by Obert Skye

 

Publication Date: 4/7/20 Hardcover

Page Count: 416

Middle Grade Fantasy

Book Design: © Shadow Mountain

Cover Illustration: Brandon Dorman

Art Direction: Richard Erickson Design: Sheryl Dickert Smith

 

Synopsis

 

The final answer to the existence of magic.

Ozzy and his friend Sigi are in more danger than ever before. After being injected with the mindcontrolling serum, Ozzy is learning to control the minds of people, but he is still being hunted by Ray, the power-mad villain who will stop at nothing to find and possess the formula. And on top of that, Rin still claims he’s a wizard, but he and Clark are missing, leaving Ozzy to wonder once again if magic really does exist.

When it becomes apparent that the minds and free will of all mankind are in danger of being controlled by whoever controls the serum, Ozzy and Sigi join forces with strange new friends that claim magic-like abilities. When Rin finally returns, Ozzy will discover once and for all what happened to his parents, what really happens at those popular fantasy conventions, and if magic truly exists.

 

 

 

 

Praise for the series

 

“Concludes a rambunctious trilogy with wacky conversations and adventurous wizardry.” –Foreword Reviews, starred review

 

“Be sure to have all three books on hand for ravenous Skye fans.” –Booklist

 

“A sequel that…continues to deliver mystery, humor, and real-life magic.” –Kirkus

 

“Thoroughly engaging and a prize for personal and public library YA fantasy collections.” –Midwest Book Review

 

“The juxtaposition of weird science and dodgy magic is…successful, thanks to the tongue-in-cheek humor Skye weaves throughout the story.” –Publishers Weekly

 

“Winning characters and witty humor elevate the plot. A solid purchase for large collections where light magical fantasy circulates.” –School Library Journal

 

 

About the Author

 

Obert Skye is currently writing this short bio you are now reading. He is worried that saying he has many best-selling books and has won numerous awards might sound braggy. Likewise, he is concerned that listing some of his titles—like the Leven Thumps series, or the Pillage trilogy, or The Creature from My Closet, or Mutant Bunny Island—might sound brash and uncouth. Sure, he’s good at doing underwater handstands and reciting the alphabet by memory, but pointing out things like that only feels as if he’s showing off. And is it too personal to mention that he is married and has multiple kids and lives somewhere warm? Who knows?

What’s important is that Obert Skye is coming to the end of writing his current bio and is wrapping things up by saying that the best way to question or bother him is by going to his website or finding him on Twitter

 

Synopsis

 

Jason Lex and Sadie Callahan are together again in their hometown of Salton recovering from personal tragedies and bearing the burden of new secrets. Both are wishing for nothing but normalcy, but when Skyfish swarm and a rogue Bigfoot attacks, Jason and Sadie know looming danger can’t be ignored.

Their friendship is challenged when a vanquished enemy returns from the dead bringing imminent threat to the lives of their friends and family. Sadie turns her back on Jason and he struggles without her to balance his upgraded Guard powers against fears of his own dark destiny, while Sadie is solely consumed on avenging her loss and defeating her adversary once and for all.

After a stunning family revelation, an agonizing betrayal exposes Jason and Sadie to their greatest enemy yet. They must find a way to fight together or suffer the loss of everything and everyone they love.

 

 

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Praise for Wendy and The Rampart Guards series

“[The Rampart Guards is] a delightful novel that delivers a tightly plotted, character-driven story. This paranormal fantasy is not only wildly entertaining, but also undeniably unique. The cast of authentic and endearing characters is one of the novel’s many strengths, along with the brisk pacing, action-packed narrative and creation of the novel’s fascinating creatures. Both adult and YA audiences should find this book appealing.”  — Kirkus Reviews (starred review), named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2016

 “Terrien has created an intriguing world that seamlessly integrates the fantastic with the realistic and is supported by a relatable cast of characters.” — Foreword Clarion 5-star review

 “The undeniable strength of Terrien’s writing is not in the action scenes (although they are exhilarating and adeptly rendered), or in the plot (which is intelligently designed and skillfully executed), but in her ability to warmly express the very human nature of her characters as they stumble, grow, and triumph, always with the genuine support of one another.” — Colorado Book Review of The Forge of Bonds

 

Excerpt

 

Jason pulled on his coat, clipped a leash onto Shay’s harness and they headed out into the dwindling light of the wintry afternoon. Three times Skyfish zipped close and Jason dodged each one. Shay paid no attention to them.

Sadie’s right. I need to ignore them, or they will drive me crazy.

He paused, refocused on his route, and asked Shay to heel.

They took the shorter path to Uncle A’s house, traveling along the canal past thickets of chokecherry bushes and scrub oak, near the hidden cove where Jason and Sadie had first met, and where Jason had first encountered Skyfish.

As if triggered by the memory, a tingle crawled around the base of his skull. He scanned the sky but noticed nothing.

Shay froze and growled, her gaze fixed on a thick clutch of bramble on the other side of the canal.

Twigs snapped.

A shadow shifted.

“Who’s in there?” Jason asked. He flexed his fist. Bolts of electricity zipped inside him.

Nothing moved.

Shay pulled to get closer to the bushes. Jason held firm. Steam pumped from Shay’s nostrils as she sniffed and cleared her sinuses, scenting what seemed to be hidden in the waning light of day.

He tightened his grip on her leash. “Hey,” Jason yelled, trying to trigger a reveal. Still, nothing moved. Shay sat but remained trained on the spot. He waited another moment, his senses still triggering, but saw nothing and presumed more Skyfish had caused the alarm. He called to Shay to continue along the path.

Seconds later, something crashed through the brush on the far bank behind them. Jason’s powers flared his arms blue and he pivoted, Shay yanking him toward the sound. A brown figure, seemingly on all fours, barreled into the canal and cannonballed water in its wake. It scrambled up the bank and stopped about forty feet away, facing Jason and Shay, fixated for a moment while water dripped from its fur.

Sparks flashed from Jason’s raised arm.

The creature stepped closer.

His powers flared. Don’t do it…don’t make me do it…

Shay yipped and strained on her lead.

The creature sniffed the air once, twice, water gurgling in its nostrils, then turned and scrambled away.

Shay tugged to take chase. Jason countered her momentum with his and lowered his arm.

If that was a dog, it was the biggest, shaggiest dog I’ve ever seen…

Before using his power, he had to be sure a creature, a cryptid, was dangerous. He couldn’t let himself hurt something or someone when they didn’t deserve it, when they didn’t mean it.

Farther down the path, the figure faded from sight.

Jason’s arms still glowed a fiery blue.

 

About the Author

 

WENDY TERRIEN is an international best-selling author and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ 2017-18 Independent Writer of the Year. Her debut novel, “The Rampart Guards,” earned a Kirkus starred review and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2016. Wendy graduated from the University of Utah and transplanted to Colorado where she completed her MBA at the University of Denver. She is on the board of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and is a member of Pikes Peak Writers, the Colorado Authors’ League, and the Author’s Guild. Wendy lives in the Denver area with her husband, Kevin, and their dogs, Shea and Boon. She is also committed to promoting pet adoption from rescues or shelters.

 

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Through the Nethergate
Supernatural Fantasy
1st in Series
TSL Publications (September 3, 2019)
Paperback: 214 pages

Synopsis

Margaret, a girl born with second sight, has the unique ability to bring ghosts trapped between Heaven and Hell back to life. When her parents die suddenly, she goes to live with her beloved grandfather, but the cellar of her grandfather’s ancient inn is haunted by an evil spirit of its own.

In the town of Bungay, a black dog wanders the streets, enslaving the ghosts of those who have died unnatural deaths. When Margaret arrives, these phantoms congregate at the inn, hoping she can free them from the clutches of Hugh Bigod, the 12th century ghost who has drawn them away from Heaven’s White Light in his canine guise.

With the help of her grandfather and the spirits she has befriended, Margaret sets out to defeat Hugh Bigod, only to discover he wants to use her for his own ends – to take over Hell itself.

 

 

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Guest Post

 

 

Margaret’s Hell

 

 

One of the recent reviews for Through the Nethergate states the following:

“This is actually a tale about religion and politics (in a good way), the penultimate battle in the garden of good versus evil. Who will win?” – Amazon review

This comment is spot on when it comes to the nature of this story, it is a retelling of the battle for human allegiance and souls between Heaven and Hell in a modern setting. Both deities have access to modern technology to aid their causes, but it is the beautiful Lucifer, who reigns over Hell, who has twisted the concept of the modern global trading platforms which control the wealth of the world to expand his growing empire.

Due to her conservative Catholic upbringing, when Margaret arrives in Hell, she is anticipating a burning inferno along the lines of the nine concentric circles of torment located within the bowels of the earth as depicted in Dante Alighieri’s 14th-century epic poem entitled Divine Comedy. Her concept of the devil is equally old-fashioned, and she imagines Lucifer to be a giant and terrifying beast trapped waist-deep in ice from which he cannot escape. She visualizes him with three faces, each a different colour: the one on the right being a pale yellow, the one in the middle being red and the one on the left being black.

The reality she greets in Through the Nethergate, could not be further from this idea. A depiction of Hell from the book is as follows:

“The entrance to the building was imposing; a high archway built from steel girdles that joined in a sharp point at the peak. Atop the point was a large glass globe that revolved slowly on its axis.

 What is this place? Is this Hugh Bigod’s building? There are no guards?

 The dog moved boldly through the arch. The globe changed colour, from clear to a deep maroon. Margaret was shoved after him, propelled forward by the henchman. She hesitated on the threshold, gazing at the interior of the huge hall. Her stomach twisted and writhed in shock. It was packed with row after row of cubicles. The walls were high enough to prevent any distracting exchanges or conversations between the occupants of the cubicles. The intense lighting gave the scene a clinical and sterile look, but the cubicles reminded Margaret of the multitude of six-sided cells that make up a honeycomb.

There was no relief from the heat inside the building although it was not moist and oppressive.

 What is this place?

Each cubicle had a nametag stating the name of its occupant in black capital letters. They were all equipped with a keyboard, computer, second screen and mouse. The glass walls of the hall were dominated by enormous screens. Each screen showed an outline map and row after row of words and figures moved up the sides of the maps.”

Lucifer is a gorgeous man, the best-looking man Margaret has ever seen. In Through the Nethergate, she describes him as follows:

“He reminded her of the actor Thomas Beaudoin, with his piercing blue eyes, dark hair and strong, stubble covered jaw. There was a darkness about his beauty that scared her. It overlaid and detracted from his good looks. He was human, but yet somehow inhuman. Any kindness or decency in this man had long ago turned to adamantine, heartless cruelty.”

This depiction of Lucifer is intended to introduce to the reader, the idea that evil can take many shapes and forms and is not necessarily found in the most unkempt, ugly and obviously neglected people in our world. Ideas and decisions that negatively impact on humanity are frequently generated in the board rooms of the most wealthy and successful enterprises on this planet, by beautiful and successful people. Evil is spawned by greed and a love of money and power over everything else, including the health and well being of populations.

Hell’s depiction as a building, along the lines of the London Shard, was deliberate in order to uphold this theory of wealth creation at all costs being responsible for many of the ailments that trouble our modern world.

Lucifer is a stockbroker, with an enormous work force of the most horrifically cruel and callous people in history, who are all seeking to expand their power and dominance through their dealing in human souls. The Devil has adapted to technology and uses the dark net and other technological inventions to further his own goals and power.

This is not intended to denounce technology, but rather to illustrate how every advancement by mankind can be used for both good and bad, in equal proportions, depending on the intentions of the user. Readers are made aware of the potential hidden dangers in technology and the ease with which it can be manipulated for negative purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

‘I am an author who has recently branched into adult horror and supernatural writing and, in order to clearly differential my children’s books from my young adult and adult writing, these will be published under the name Roberta Eaton Cheadle. My first young adult supernatural novel, Through the Nethergate, has recently been published.

I have two short stories in the horror/supernatural genre included in Dark Visions, a collection of 34 short stories by 27 different authors and edited by award-winning author, Dan Alatorre as well as three short stories published in Death Among Us, a collection of murder mystery short stories by 10 different authors and edited by Stephen Bentley. These short stories are published under Robbie Cheadle.

 

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Synopsis

Mezzarix has stolen the Vessel, the source of power for all potion masters, and is preparing to launch his final attack on the potion-making community—which includes his own family.

Gordy and his family have gone into hiding, but when his mom uncovers some new information, she takes Gordy into the underground network known as the Swigs, a haven for renegade potion masters and black-market potions, to secure support in the fight against Mezzarix. But when Scourges, rebel potion makers acting on orders from Mezzarix, attack the Swigs, Gordy barely escapes with his life and is forced to leave his family behind.

As the fight intensifies between B.R.E.W. and the Scourges, it falls to Gordy and his friends—Max, Sasha, and Adilene—to locate Mezzarix’s hidden headquarters, retrieve the Vessel, save the world, and unite the potion-making community.

The world of Potion Masters is full of fantasy and adventure as Gordy and his friends learn the power of friendship and loyalty, and to trust in their own individual talents.

 

 

 

About the Author

Frank L. Cole was born into a family of southern storytellers and wrote his first book at age eight. Highly superstitious and gullible to a fault, Frank will believe in any creepy story you tell him, especially ones involving ghosts and Big Foot. Currently, along with his wife and three children, he resides in the shadow of a majestic western mountain range, which is most likely haunted. Potion Masters The Eternity Elixir is Frank’s 10th published book.

I’m an active promoter of reading and using imagination and have been to more than 150 schools presenting to kids.

With a good imagination, you can solve any problem you ever come up against in life!

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Book Title:  Blue Girl on a Night Dream Sea by Ginny Fite

Category: Adult Fiction, 274 pages

Genre:  Suspense/Paranormal/Time Travel

Publisher:  Black Opal Books

Synopsis

Sometimes the last person you save is yourself. Elena must take her city back from terrorists. Hana must save her tribe from the wrath of a ruthless king. They’re stronger together. The problem is they’re 4,000 years and 6,000 miles apart. Wounded during a terrorist attack, NYC police commando Elena Labat wakes from her coma aboard a Phoenician boat on the Mediterranean Sea to find a young girl lashed to the mast. The girl is Hana, who has trekked across Bronze Age Lebanon with Danel to prevent a king from destroying her tribe. Elena knows she must save Hana. And Hana must escape the barbarians who abducted her before she can find Danel and go home. Slipping in and out of unconsciousness, Elena teaches Hana everything she can, protecting her from barbarians, a priestess, and a king. But Elena’s family needs her, and she can’t stay in the past. Hana will have to succeed on her own.

 

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Praise

 

Blue Girl on a Night Dream Sea is a combination time-travel fantasy, a historical thriller, and a modern-day suspense. Well written, fast paced, and intense, this one will keep you glued to the edge of your seat all the way through.  – Reviewer Regan Murphy

Expertly combining the past and present, science fiction, and suspense, Fite weaves a tale that will keep you enthralled from beginning to end. – Reviewer Taylor Jones

 

View Trailer and read Excerpt

 

Author Interview

 

I’m so thrilled to be interviewed by you, Leslie. I’m happy to talk about my fifth novel, Blue Girl on A Night Dream Sea, with people who love reading. Let’s just jump in!

 

How did you do research for your book?

 

At the time I began thinking about Blue Girl on A Night Dream Sea, I was following a Dutch archaeologist on Facebook who posted photos of amazing Bronze Age mosaics and frescoes. It was a natural leap for me to look for more information on Cyprus, Lebanon, and Crete, which led to articles on ancient goddesses.

One thing always leads to another. From there, I discovered the Phoenicians, a Bronze Age civilization that sailed the Mediterranean Sea 4,500 years ago and built Byblos, Tyre, and Sidon in what is now Lebanon around the time of the great dynasties in Egypt, long before the Greek and Roman civilizations rose to power. From there, being a total nerd, I researched ancient writing systems. Good thing the Internet provides a world of information.

From an ancient fragment of Ugaritic writings called The Rapiuma, I found a reference to the goddess Anath and her eyes of lapis lazuli, and that gave me Hana, the blue girl, known for her rare blue eyes like the goddess.

Then I came upon moving stories written by women Iraq war veterans, and in a documentary, I heard an accomplished woman explain how she was haunted by “hiraeth.” It’s a Welsh word for homesickness tinged with grief for a home you never had.

Shortly after that, Elena Labat, Iraq war veteran now New York City police commando, appeared and told me her story.

 

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

 

Really from everywhere. Something I observe while I’m driving, an item I read in the paper, a comment I overhear waiting to pick up my dinner at a restaurant. Everything goes into the crockpot in my brain, which cooks up ideas on a low simmer for a long time without my paying attention to it.

One cue for BLUE GIRL ON A NIGHT DREAM SEA that stands out came from my husband, who was talking about the Queen of Heaven. I had to look that up. My research led me to think about how religions formed and what it might have been like to live in the world before religion was codified, before national boundaries were set the way they are now, when all people identified first with their tribes and clans. After that, the story took over.

 

If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?

 

I would be Abirami, the wise old fisherman who helps Hana find a way into Sidon through a crack in the city wall, who later crosses the Mediterranean Sea with her to rescue her friend Danel, and who finds a way to be useful no matter what mess they find themselves in. We all need helpers and guides in our lives, and one with a self-deprecating sense of humor could be very useful.

 

What’s your writing schedule?

 

I write every day, even on weekends, in the morning for about four hours. It’s like any exercise. If I don’t do it, I get cranky. I don’t always write a part of the same novel day after day, though. I have several projects going at once and I drop into the one I woke up thinking about. Sometimes I know exactly which sentence I’m going to start with. Sometimes I read over what I wrote the last time to get me back into that space. Novels are about 80,000 words long when they’re done. So that’s about 150,000 words written, and 70,000 words deleted. It’s a long process. You have to be determined to get through it!

 

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

 

I would love to see the world before there were asphalt roads, tall buildings, and electric lines everywhere. But I don’t want to live without flush toilets and toilet paper, so I could only go for a few hours at a time by teleportation. If that could be arranged, I would like to be transported to Crete when they were first painting their vivid frescoes on wet plaster in the king’s palace. From there I would whisk off to the caves in France where prehistoric people are painting images of people hunting bison and gazelles on the walls, and finish my travels watching Monet paint his water lilies. Then I would teleport home to dinner in my comfortable chair in front of a wide screen to watch a streaming movie!

 

Thank you Ginny for chatting with me and sharing some of your thoughts about your book and other things.  I hope everyone picks up a copy of your book soon!

 

About the Author

Ginny Fite is an award-winning journalist who has covered crime, politics, government, healthcare, art and all things human. She has been a spokesperson for a governor and a member of Congress, a few colleges and universities, and a robotics R&D company. She has degrees from Rutgers University and Johns Hopkins University and studied at the School for Women Healers and the Maryland Poetry Therapy Institute. Her three murder mysteries, Cromwell’s Folly, No Good Deed Left Undone, and Lying, Cheating, and Occasionally Murder, are set in the rolling hills of Jefferson County, West Virginia. No End of Bad, a thriller, was released in June 2018. She resides in Harpers Ferry, WV.

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Giveaway

 

Prizes: ​ Win one of two $10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Ginny Fite, author of BLUE GIRL ON THE NIGHT DREAM SEA (open to wherever Amazon.com delivers) (2 winners) (ends Dec 27, 2019)

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Synopsis

What will the master of Pemberley do when confronted with the mercurial whims of an all-powerful angel?

Fitzwilliam Darcy’s well-ordered life is about to become a chaotic nightmare. A man of fortune, property, and social prominence, he has everything he could desire. Blissfully married to his wife, Elizabeth, they have a two-year-old son. With so much to live for, Darcy is shaken by a near-fatal riding accident. After a miraculous escape, he is visited by an otherworldly being: an angel of death named Graham. Threatening dire consequences, Graham compels Darcy to guide him on a sojourn in the world of mortals.

Darcy immediately questions the angel’s motives when he demands to be a guest at Pemberley. Can he trust Graham’s assurance that no harm will come to his wife and child? And why does Graham insist on spending time with Elizabeth? How can Darcy possibly protect his family from an angel with power over life and death?

In this romantic fantasy, the beloved couple from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice must contend with both human and unearthly challenges. Are the fates against them? Or will their extraordinary love conquer all?

 

 

 

Excerpt

When Darcy returned downstairs after dressing for dinner, he was drawn by sounds from the music room. He froze in place at the doorway, absorbed by the sight of his wife playing the pianoforte and singing a duet with Graham. His breathing hitched, and he was gripped with the force of a cutting discomfort. The two of them made an attractive picture together.

The man with the golden hair and perfect features was also blessed with an impressive baritone singing voice. Darcy remained in the doorway until they finished the song. When he clapped and entered the room, they both gazed at him.

Directing her gay smile towards him, Elizabeth said, “Fitzwilliam, there you are. Did you know Graham had such a marvellous singing voice?”

He managed something akin to a smile. “I did not—or perchance I forgot.”

She angled her head to the side as he bent to kiss her cheek. “I am sure I have never heard a better one.”

“I beg to differ, Elizabeth,” said Graham. “While your voice may not be perfect, there is a sweetness and an expression of feeling that I have never heard the likes of before; I compare it favourably to any famous opera singer.”

“I have always preferred Elizabeth’s singing voice to any other,” Darcy said.

Her eyes shone with amusement. “Now both of you are making statements too outrageous to be believed.” She patted his arm and gave him a fond smile. “Fitzwilliam may be pardoned for such aggrandisement: it is his duty as my husband to exaggerate my good qualities as much as possible.” She turned with a raised eyebrow towards Graham. “You, sir, have no excuse.”

Raising a hand over his heart, Graham staggered backward, as if shot by a musket. “Madam, you wound me. I would not say such a thing unless I felt it to be the absolute truth.”

Darcy rolled his eyes. What a theatrical fool!

Biting back her grin, Elizabeth said, “Shall we go in and have dinner now?”

Graham patted his stomach. “By all means, let us eat.”

During dinner, while Graham was busy eating enough food for two men, Elizabeth queried Darcy for details of the interview with Mr. Boyle. He told her of the man’s experience and gave her the good news.

Her face lit up with a dazzling smile. “I am so relieved you found a man suitable for the job. I understand he will not start for a fortnight, and he will need time to learn the duties particular to Pemberley, but I can expect my husband to have more free time at last. Dare I hope we could plan a trip somewhere? Mayhap to the seaside?”

Buoyed by the vision of her beautiful countenance brimming with anticipation, energy infused his body. Yes—a brilliant notion. He would take her on a holiday. He would have taken her to Margate or Brighton last year, but one problem or another had always come up to postpone the trip. The picturesque sandy beaches, the peaceful rhythm of the waves, and the majestic beauty of the ocean could not fail to delight her. What could be more enticing than Elizabeth barefoot on the sand with her dress hitched up as she ran in and out of the water?

“I do not see why not. We can make plans for the trip next month.”

At that moment, a servant girl who had brought out a tray of bread bumped into the sideboard whilst staring at Graham. Darcy narrowed his eyes and let out a deep breath. Mrs. Reynolds would have to speak with the servants; their conduct around Graham was unacceptable.

 

About the Author

Historical fiction author Kelly Miller discovered writing late in life, but it has quickly become a favorite pastime. When not pondering a plot point or a turn of phrase, she may be found playing the piano, singing, reading, or walking. Kelly Miller resides in Silicon Valley with her husband, daughter, and their many pets.

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Synopsis

It is said that dreams are just that: only dreams. But believe me, this is not always true. Some dreams are as real as the dreamer.

Thanks to their dreams, dreamers can receive the special visit of eternal wisdom that has inspired the creativity of great inventors, scientists, musicians, and even writers throughout the ages.

This creative wisdom is not always the type that appears to the eager conscience. Sometimes, a Defiler, a destroyer of dreams, is the one who tries to appear before the dreamer. These creatures were once humans, but they allowed their pain and desire for revenge to take over and seek the same miserable fate for the one who dreams.

You must not fear — Dream Guardians, also known as Kelsdrant, will always protect the one who dreams, even with their own life. They are people of flesh and bone, just like you and me, or at least they are on Earth.

The following story is dedicated to the fun, extravagant, and enlightening life of Julian Fox, the Dream Guardian.

Be prepared, dear reader. It is time to dream, laugh, reflect, and even maybe cry.

Welcome to the Land of the Wise Dreams.

 

 

 

Read the first 3 chapters on E.J.’s Website

 

Interview

Tell us a little bit about your background and where the inspiration from this book stemmed from.

I believe that reading inspires any writer. I have been reading since I was a little girl, and one day, many years ago, I decided to put my own words in front of readers. I am inspired by my desire for sincere support and respect as a response to the intolerance that we can still see today. I hope Julian Fox makes the readers laugh, reflect, and realize there are other ways of writing, debunking the myth that everything has been written.

How has living in Colombia influenced your writing style and the types of stories you’re interested in telling?

I have had the honor of living in this beautiful country for almost two years. During all of this time, I have continued writing about Julian Fox’s adventures. The happiness of this Latin-American country has been very stimulating for me, especially to come up with the pranks between Julian and Nicholas. I must also say that Cartagena, a wonderful city I visited many years ago, inspired me to write the story of a brave Colombian Guardian who will always be remembered by all the present Dream Guardians.

How did you approach the book’s genre when creating a unique blend of history, fantasy, mythology, romance, and humor?

I have been wanting to create my own world for a long time. Julian Fox’s personality, sense of humor, sense of justice, love for his family, and respect for others echoes who I am. I respect and admire every book I have had the fortune of reading, and I believe every book to come must be as authentic as the writer. In my particular case, I write about stories of the past so the reader can reflect on how much we as a humanity have evolved and how much we still need to change. In this book, I also express my love for the beauty and complexity of mythology and, as an homage to past writers’ imagination, I created my own take on mythology, giving it a meaning and a purpose for me and my dear readers.

Do you think female readers are yearning for new fantasy stories that will connect with them? Did you intentionally craft your tale to appeal to a female audience?

I write to the feelings, decisions, and consequences that are born from our free will. I write to the strong heartbeats that make us humans, not to a specific gender. I dedicate my story to our laughter, strength, and courage, and I hope one day respect and understanding prevail between us, just like it does between my Dream Guardians. I know my goal is too big but it is my dream, and I know many readers out there, regardless of gender, share this dream with me.

Your writing often takes place across a wide range of settings: Paris, Miami, Chicago, Boston, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, China, Greece, Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Argentina. What is your take on global writing and how do you choose which locations to represent? Have you traveled to every place you write about?

I have had the opportunity of traveling to many cities around the world. I chose Paris as Julian’s birthplace after my first trip to this mesmerizing city. The same happened during my stay in Spain. I chose Seville, one of the main epicenters of the Spanish Inquisition, as the main scenario for the story of Juan de Villanueva. Many cities have inspired me, mainly for their past, their history, and their culture and how it has changed over the years. I believe a society’s culture is what makes its history, and it is important to learn from our past mistakes to avoid repeating them today. I must say that Moscow, China, and Greece are still on my travel bucket list.

 

About the Author

E. J. Miranda is an avid reader, an enthusiastic traveler, and a passionate author. Her great sense of humor and love for nature have granted her a rebellious writing style: her approach describes the adventures of life, but in such a way that each reader can have an individual take on the matter. Her inspiration comes from her curiosity about other countries’ cultures and peculiarities. A few countries in particular which spark her curiosity are Colombia, Italy, Costa Rica, England, Belgium, Mexico, Spain, and the United States. Her favorite places to visit are historical sites and museums, locations that allow her to explore important and even overlooked details. She currently lives with her husband in Colombia, but frequently travels to Houston to visit her daughter and son. E.J. Miranda has a degree in tax accounting, but she prefers interacting with people to calculating their taxes.

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Dragonwatch: Master of the Phantom Isle

 

by Brandon Mull

 

Publication Date: 10/1/19

Page Count: 496

Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic

Ages 10 And Up, Grades 5 And Up

Cover Illustration by Brandon Dorman

Book Design: © Shadow Mountain

Art Direction: Richard Erickson

Design: Sheryl Dickert Smith

Author Photo: Busath Photography

 

Synopsis

Cursed by the Key of Forgetting, Seth has lost all memory of his past—his relationships, his experiences, and who he really is. For now he will align with his new mentor, Ronodin, the dark unicorn, who takes him to the Phantom Isle, the secret gateway to the Under Realm. Though Seth is not formally a prisoner, Ronodin wants to use him and his shadow charmer powers for his own dark ends.

Kendra is frantic to find her missing brother, but the quest will take her and her companions, including Warren, Tanu, and Vanessa, far from Wyrmroost to Crescent Lagoon—a recently fallen dragon sanctuary made up of many islands and underwater domains. Its caretaker has regained a foothold on one of the islands. If Kendra and her friends can save that sanctuary, they might uncover the answers they need to rescue Seth.

With each sanctuary the dragons overthrow, Celebrant, the Dragon King, comes closer to the dawn of a new Age of Dragons. With the forces of darkness on the march, can Kendra and her allies gather enough power to win the epic dragon war?

 

 

IndieBound * Amazon * B&N

 

Walmart * BAM * Deseret Books

 

Praise

 

“Fans of Mull’s popular Fablehaven books will be delighted with this rousing opener to a new sequel series, which builds upon familiar characters and plot points from the original fantasy series. . . . The excitement of the adventure will sweep up existing fans and undoubtedly create new ones.” -Booklist

“Will intrigue young readers with a fondness for Tolkien’s Middle-earth. With dragons on the loose and key characters missing, there’s plenty of scope for sequels.” -Foreword Reviews

“Fans of the series will welcome a new story arc stocked with familiar characters, settings, and adventures.” -Kirkus

 

Trailer

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his four children and a dog named Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.

 

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Creed of the Guardian (Heart of the Warrior – Book Three)

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Release Date:  October 18, 2019

 

Synopsis

Protect the Innocent. Punish the Guilty.

Seth the Ice Lion, now an Apprentice in the Jalora Legion, reluctantly travels aboard ship with his new battalion. Western Beta’s mission seems a dull assignment. Guarding miles of bogs and old ruins should be a simple task, but Seth soon learns nothing is easy for the Bearer of the Lion Ring. The Jalora is the embodiment of Good and the source of Seth’s power. It commands he search North Marsh for a relic capable of saving his homeland from the ravenous appetite of the Jackal invaders. Surrounded by deadly bogs and savage beasts, he must find the relic before the Lion Spirit inside of him takes control of their shared body.

Invaders from across the sea hold a firm grip on Valdeon, but their thirst for blood remains unsated. They lust for the riches of Andara. Using fear and greed as weapons, the Jackal enlist aid from the continent’s unscrupulous mercenaries to prepare for a larger invasion. They build a stronghold – Stone Fang Fortress – in the Bloodtooth Mountains of the north. It is here they prepare to conquer the free world.

Will Seth find this powerful relic before the Jackal swarm invades Andara? Or will his people be enslaved under the iron fist of the Jackal Lord? Seth’s answers hide in the deadly bogs of North Marsh…

 

 

Read about the first two books on my blog from last year

 

Excerpt

Chapter One

 

Seth D’Antoiné punched his fist into a helpless bundle of hay secured in the airship’s hold. Trapped like mindless livestock, he and his best friend—his squire, Riley Logan—had been herded inside a reinforced section of the hull. The suffocating enclosure was typically used to house mounts for the Jalora Legion’s traveling rangers. Fortunately for all concerned, the battalion wasn’t taking horses with them to North Marsh.

“Great gulls! Would you stop? I’m near death, and you want to punch things.” Riley gripped the porthole with one hand and covered his mouth with the other.

“You’re already airsick? We haven’t set sail yet. Our journey to North Marsh Outpost spans three days. The trip will be a rough one if you don’t settle your stomach. Can’t you make some concoction?”

Ignoring Riley’s glare, Seth leaned against the hold wall. The Lion Ring on his finger pulsed to the beat of his angry heart. It, too, resented being caged by their uneasy allies. The Jalora was the force for good on Erthe. Its Legion consisted of men, each of whom had been bonded in service by a Heart of the Warrior ring. Every such talisman clung to its bearer’s left middle finger, feeding off the host’s blood. Seth lifted his Lion Ring and regarded it. His blood surged and ebbed with the tide inside the yellow crystal.

“They’ve no right to cage me like a beast! I have things I must do.”

His thoughts returned to the hidden passageways boring through the granite body of the Obsidian Citadel, his former duty post. A few hours before the Legion caged him, Seth had chased his murderous half-brother, Julian, to the battlements. Mercenaries had been waiting for him there, ready to fight. His new Lion Friend, Lord Fausto De Quintaro, and the men of Valdeon had stood with Seth to drive the villains from the stronghold. Fausto had vowed to return to Valdeon with rebellion in mind. Seth desperately wanted to go with him, but the Jalora Legion had other plans in mind for the new bearer of the Lion Ring.

“Aye. But you’ve been grousing for the last half-hour. Please give me a little peace so I can calm my aching head.” Riley swayed forward with a groan. “Tell me what happened when you met with that foul-tempered uncle of yours. As quietly as possible, if you please.”

Seth’s uncle, Esteban D’Antoiné, was a prince of Valdeon and bearer of the Hawk Ring. His very name sent Seth’s temper surging. Esteban’s intrigues had ripped their family apart.

“Hawk was the ranger who bargained with the assassin Pavel Sandor on Marianna,” Seth reminded his friend. “My uncle found Mother when I was a baby and promised her he would protect us by keeping my existence secret. Hawk assumed he had Pavel under his control. We both know his madness was uncontainable.” Seth ran a hand across his face. “My uncle claims he sends us with the Phoenix for my protection.”

Riley sighed. “Who knows what waits for us at the end of this journey. I’m not sure I trust that uncle of yours. It seems to me he should have waited for Cardinal Dragon to return.”

 

 

About the Author

C.R. Richards’ literary career began when she interned as a part-time columnist for a small entertainment newspaper. She wore several hats: food critic, entertainment reviewer and cranky editor. A co-author of horror and urban fantasy novels, her first solo fiction project – The Mutant Casebook Series – was published by Whiskey Creek Press in 2013. Phantom Harvest (Book One in the series) is the winner of the 2014 EPIC eBook Awards for Fantasy Fiction. Cynthia is an active member of the Horror Writers Association, EPIC and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. For more information about her books, visit her website: www.crrichards.com

 

Books and Short Fiction by C.R. Richards: Phantom Harvest (2013), Lost Man’s Parish (2014), Pariah (2014), The Lords of Valdeon (2015) and The Obsidian Gates (2017)

 

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