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Dissecting The Fine Print: Premade Book Covers

There’s no question that authors can save a lot of money by buying premade book covers for their books rather than hiring a designer to custom-make a cover. But there’s a lot of “fine print” – that annoying agreement that really needs to be read before you sign on the dotted line. Because in some cases, that fine print may have clauses that are unacceptable to you – after all, every author’s needs and level of acceptance is different.

So we checked out several different online sources that offer premade book covers, and we’re going to highlight some things in their agreements that illustrate why you need to read each agreement carefully before you hit “accept”. (We’re not going to list the names of these websites or companies because agreement conditions can change at any time, and not all companies have all of the same conditions.) Again, it’s up to you to decide whether a company’s conditions are acceptable to you.

Okay, let’s go.

Sign before you save. Yes, that’s right – not sign before you buy, you need to sign their full purchase agreement in order to save covers that you’re interested in on their site. Now, it makes sense that you’d need to open a basic account in order to save your selections in one place so you can come back and make a decision, but it was a little unusual to have to sign the full agreement just to create an account. On the up side, you don’t have to pay anything and it doesn’t say you’re obligated to buy from them, but you do have to read the entire agreement just to save your selections.

Limited book sales. Sometimes companies limit how many books can be sold when you purchase a cover before you have to pay more money. For example, one company’s agreement states that if you use one of their stock images and sell over 250,000 copies – a combined total of both print and e-books – you must pay an additional licensing fee, which could be ongoing or one-time.

In some cases, illustrated covers are handled differently than stock image covers. Also, it’s your responsibility to notify the company when your sales reach that magic number.

Each cover is original and sold only once…butBut that can be a relatively loose statement when dealing with stock images. Because “original” is a relative term. We found a number of cases where the same cover – the exact same image – was being sold more than once because it had slightly different lighting…very slightly different. But that was enough to consider each one “original”.

In other cases, the same background was used multiple times with different colorings or with a different person in the foreground, or a woman’s gown was a different color – you get the idea. Also, if another company uses the same stock photos in the exact same way, well, that’s permissible.

Some other things to check out:

  • Is the price limited to ebook or does it include print?
  • Does the print price include a back and spine if you want one now or later? Is there a limit to the amount of time you can wait before ordering the back and spine?
  • Does the company offer immediate downloads of the cover?
  • Can you change the font style, size or color?
  • Check whether the website or artist requires copyright credit and how that credit should be given – better safe than sued.
  • Some companies offer social media exposure or permanent exposure on their site with a link to where your book can be purchased – a definitely plus!

So the takeaway is that yes, premade book covers can save you lots of money and you can find some great stuff out there, but you definitely need to check through the selections, read the fine print and FAQs carefully, and if you don’t see the answer to your question or the answer is too general, ask before signing or buying.

Author Chat: Jin Okubo

Yesterday we posted Jin Okubo’s excerpt from his book Kaoru: In Loves Shadow. Today he discusses the book, his different romance writing style, and where his characters come from.

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Is this your first book? How long did it take you to plan it before you began writing it?

This is not my first book, though it is my first true romance. I went through a six month thought process before I finally started to put pen to paper as the saying goes. Though there was no true path that the story was to take, I did have an idea of what I wanted to do with the story.

Is this book part of a series? If so, when can we look forward to the next book being published?

This book is part of a duet. Kaoru: In Loves Shadow is the ending to a unique story arc. Love was the first of the series and it is already out.

Jin Okubo Romance Writer Quote

Do you mostly write in this particular genre or do you dabble in other genres? If so, which ones?

I have a tendency to write romance. Even when I write fantasy, it tends to be have romantic undertones. There is just something intriguing to me about the relationship dynamic of romance. Especially when you can build a world and still have that romantic aspect shining through without taking away from the fantasy story.

What do you think makes your work stand apart from other works in your genre?

My romance is relationship-style romance, and while there are many works that deal with the subject, my work brings you into the life of the couple. You are right there with them. In Love you are actually in the head of the male partner while in Kaoru: In Loves Shadow, you are standing next to Kaoru as she plans, executes and lives the relationship.

I also focus more on the mental and emotional parts of the relationship rather than the physical.

Is there anything in your life that inspired you to write Kaoru: In Loves Shadow, Love, or was this purely from your imagination?

My life in relationships and the women in my life in general brought about the female lead in my work Love and Kaoru: In Loves Shadow. And while this question is asking for one book, these two books are so intertwined that they are different sides of the same coin. My life is the basis for many parts of the text, especially when it comes to how the critical points are resolved.

Are any of the characters in your book based on people you know or have seen/talked to in real life?

While Robert has a lot of my tendencies, Kaoru is an amalgamation of the women in my

life. To build her mental and physical self I took from my past and present. The events and how the characters behaved are in essence from the people in my life and my own personality and behavior.

Do your friends and family know you’re a writer? Were they surprised when you told them?

My friends and family know I am a writer. And I think it took them by surprise when I first came out as an author. Once they saw that this is a big part of my future dreams they all started to support me in one way or another.

What inspires you to write? Music? Other books? Real life events? Just an incredible imagination?

Given the nature of my writing and my own personality, I need music to write. The events in my life fit nicely into the story, but over all I want a certain tone to flow through my book. And for that I bring about a certain song and listen to it on a loop as I write. When I wrote Love, it was Meatloaf’s song “For Crying Out Loud”. When I wrote Kaoru: In Loves Shadow the song was “Jewel Hands”.

Are you part of any writers’ groups? If so, what do you like about them? How do they help you or inspire you? If not, why not?

I am a part of some author groups, which help in teaching me about marketing and presentation of my work. I find it hard to get inspiration from other people when they offer it. I tend to be more of a recluse in my writing until it is finished, then I bring it out and give it to beta readers and editors. Over all the support from the community for me has not been favorable, which has turned me into not asking too much in help for my writing.

In that case I have turned to some author friends for my fine tuning, but the inspiration must come and has come from me.

Love by Jin OkuboDo you plan your writing out with outlines, character development exercises, and other pre-writing activities? Or do you just write as it comes to you?

I just write. The planning I do before I start is just on deciding how I want the story told. Then the story reveals itself to me as I write. I do write in chapters with each chapter being a small mini-story but then the editing smooths it all out to fit nicely together in the end.

Did you do any research for this book?

During my six months of thinking about how I wanted to tell this story I did a bit of reading into mixed relationships, including my own. I also spent my days thinking about how two people drive each other forward and did a few questionnaires online about relationships and watched a few videos about how relationships fail and succeed.

Do you read the kinds of books you like to write? Do you watch movies similar to or the same genre as your writing?

The answer to both questions is yes, but with a BUT. I tend to read everything. If a book is put in front of me I will read it. The same goes for movies. I love entertainment – who doesn’t, right? So yes, I read the kinds of books I like to write. I also watch movies and listen to music and enjoy the whole genre.

Now what is different is that when I am in my writing bubble I do not read the genre I am writing. I also do not watch movies on the subject. It is just me, my chosen song, and my novel.

If you could write anywhere in the world – in a fictional or nonfiction place – where would you write?

I am writing there now. I live in Japan and this is costing me dearly as I am not able to do many things that other indie authors do in order to promote myself. But I love Japan and have wanted to live here permanently as far back as I can remember.

Now if you don’t mind I would also like to answer the fictional place. I would love to write in the holodeck of the starship Enterprise. The one from Star Trek: The Next Generation. My reason is because it could place me anywhere in time and space and bring me closer to some of my favorite writers. I could discuss poetry with Yeats, Poe, Whitman. I could talk character flaws with Shakespeare, Lovecraft, etc.

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Links to Buy

Amazon USA
www.amazon.com/Kaoru-Loves-Shadow-Jin-Okubo-ebook/dp/B01DKR80CO

Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kaoru-Loves-Shadow-Jin-Okubo-ebook/dp/B01DKR80CO

All Romance Ebooks website
www.allromanceebooks.com/product-kaoruinlovesshadow-2003886-149.html

Author Bio

Jin OkuboThere are few interesting things that can be said about my home town. I grew up in a mildly racist country town in the Santa Barbara mountains, though I am hopeful that things have changed there. Having grown up during the great migrant issues of California during the 80’s and 90’s, I was able to experience some of the issues when I was getting  my higher education in university. The biggest part of my life was finding my self-identity, which was never truly clear to me as a youth.

Upon finishing my university studies I moved to the beautiful country of Japan only to bounce back and forth between the U.S and Japan for a couple of years. Finally, I received my Japanese citizenship in the spring of 2014. My life has been filled with many strong women which is one of the contributing factors for my protagonists tending to be women.

I am a lover of classical literature. I hope to bring in a new style of classical literature to the current age of fast paced easy to read cookie cutter style novels that are being pushed out in mass across the world. Choosing to stick to my own style of writing rather than to write for easy to sell books has made my work difficult to get into, yet it is the joy of writing that is the reason as to why I do things the way I do.

There is always the temptation to write easy to digest books that are made to sell, rather than books that are written for an experience reader and very few writers have mastered both.  As I  work to improve my craft, I am inching my way ever closer to that perfect balance of books that will satisfy the modern reader and the reader who focuses more on content rather than face value.

I would like to make a comment to my would be readers: “I write to challenge my reader. As you face this challenge you will find that you will grow to love the characters I have created. This love will bring a deeper understanding to my writing and my characters more.”

Social media

Twitter: @mercasio
Website: http://jinokubo.com
Facebook author page: www.facebook.com/Jin-Okubo-Author-1742935872603584/

Only 99 cents for J.K. Norry’s Trilogy, Walking Between Worlds!

ONE DAY ONLY! Get the entire Walking Between Worlds trilogy for just 99 cents on June 3rd.

http://mybook.to/WBWTrilogy

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About the trilogy

Supernatural/Contemporary Fantasy, from author J.K. Norry

Demons & Angels (Book I)

Meet the unsung heroes of the supernatural…

They live normal lives on the surface, going to work, the bank and the grocery store like everyone else. All day they watch their countdown. When the moment comes, they draw their swords, don their armored overcoats, and walk between worlds. They stop demons from overwhelming people, without being seen and without asking a word of thanks. For thousands of years they have labored to save mankind from itself, quietly, one soul at a time.

When Paul is thrust into this hidden world between worlds, he must learn to keep his secrets as quickly as he must master his mysterious weapon. His new powers are amazing, and his faithful guide is there to teach him the ancient ways of the demon hunter; yet questions nag at Paul’s mind while it overflows with new information. If Heaven is not truly perfect, and Hell is his only hope, he fears that walking between them will also mean walking away from the woman of his dreams; and if he loses her, he loses everything…

Rise of the Walker King (Book II)

The ‘Walking Between Worlds’ story continues…

The way of the demon hunter is finally beginning to make sense to Paul, as is the art of walking between worlds. He is forced to shoulder the heavy burden of leading this mighty army of immortals if they are to continue their vital secret work. Just when he needs her most, his love has been torn from his grasp. Rather than turn to his trusted Guide and best friend in his time of need, Paul turns away from him. Kris is left to wonder if the fire burning inside the new king will drive him to victory or madness.

War takes the army to Hell, and pits their forces against a sea of displaced demons. Lines are crossed, lives are lost, and the battles take heavy tolls on both sides. As light looms at the end of the treacherous tunnel leading to victory, the army emerges to a shaking realization: the light is dragon fire, and the war has only just begun.

Fall of the Walker King (Book III)

An explosive end to the ‘Walking Between Worlds’ trilogy.

Heaven is in turmoil over the war being waged below. Hell is a ravaged wasteland, its beauty lost to all but ancient memory. Earth is trapped between, unaware of the army of supernaturals battling for their souls. A champion emerges to lead them, and to search for their lost king. His new student sees the timeless art of dealing with demons in an astonishingly unique way; it makes William question everything he is supposed to be teaching the warrior apprentice, while battling day and night to save the way of the Walker.

Ruling from their lofty perches, the angels have long since lost their way. They want control of everything, and will stop at nothing to get it. Barely an army, the remaining demon hunters dodge plots from above and fire from below in their hopes to secretly save the worlds they walk between once more. The dragons that reign in Hell have grown more brutal over long centuries; when one queen fell, a more fearsome dragon took her place. It will take more than one miracle to stop her from setting all the worlds aflame forever.

About J.K. Norry

Walk between the worlds of angels and devils, explore the deeper meaning of demons, and face the beauty of the monster in all of us with author Jay Norry.

’Stumbling Backasswards Into The Light’ is an uplifting autobiography, the tale of Jay’s decision to question the answers he had been given and discover his own deeper meaning.

‘Walking Between Worlds’ is an exciting and action-packed philosophical adventure, a darkly humorous romp through heaven and hell and the deeper meaning of all of the worlds we walk between.

‘The Secret Society of Deeper Meaning’ is currently exploring the softer side of zombies, and the deeper meaning of the archetype: could Mother Nature be saving us from ourselves?

Sign up for free ‘Zombie Zero: The First Zombie’ short stories; and find out the deeper meaning of it all in ‘Zombie Zero: The First Zombie’

Jay lives in Northern California with three of his favorite angels, an unending to-do list and a mind full of thoughts about the deeper meaning.

Jay’s books are published by Sudden Insight Publishing (www.suddeninsightpublishing.com)

Read his blog on writing and life in general at blog.jaynorry.com

Connect with the Author:

www.jaynorry.com

www.twitter.com/JayNorry

www.facebook.com/Norry.Jay

www.goodreads.com/jay_norry

A Sister Author and a Sister Publisher!

With one sister a debuting author and the other a debuting publisher, how can it go wrong?

“Forever Looking Forward”. That’s their motto. And that was what they were thinking when they decided to drop everything and just do it.

Once upon a time a sister told her sister that her imagination is going wild, that she has so much to say and stories chasing through her head (don’t worry, no voices) and that escaping into that endless world of imagination makes everything (well, almost everything…) tolerable. So the sister sighed indulgently and told her sister, you want to write, write. We’ll publish. People love to read.

Anna Claire Everward is now an author with  two book series already on their way. And her sister? Kate Anne Everward became her publisher and her PR agent. That’s how Author & Sister was born.

A. Claire Everward – Bio

A. Claire EverwardA. Claire Everward takes the world far too seriously. Passionate and sensitive to her surroundings, she takes it all to heart, sometimes too much so. but it makes her fight for what she believes in. She is direct, although she tries not to be, at least not always. Like every artist she has her quirks, some understand them and some don’t. She prefers to keep to herself and spend time with her characters, and for her escaping into writing is always the best refuge. She would say it maintains her sanity but her sister Kate says that sanity does tend to be overrated.

Claire spent years away from home getting an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering and a graduate degree from the same faculty, with a risk management specialty. During that time she lived in the university, surrounded by forested hills and too much silence, and so to keep away the boredom she also took on an MBA, and now she feels ridiculously over-educated.

She tried to work in her field, she really did, and even put her education to good use in the finance field for a while. But eventually her love for writing took over, and she decided to leave it all and move to the world of her imagination. Her characters had a lot to do with that—they had lived in her mind, waiting patiently for her to be ready, for too long, they felt, and so they finally decided enough is enough and took over. And Claire didn’t put up that much of a resistance. She has always loved to read, but writing, that’s a whole new world she soon knew she could never give up.

She lives with her two cats: a brown tabby named Mary Boleyn, who is much smarter than her and who likes to take over her laptop exactly when she wants to write, otherwise she starts throwing all kinds of stuff off the desk; and a black cat named Henry VIII who loves to jump on top of the kitchen cabinets and scream at the ceiling. Especially at five in the morning.

Nowadays, when she’s not rudely peeping into the lives of her characters, or having in-depth conversations with them, which she does tend to do quite often, Claire actually manages to do some writing. The First is only the first of her novels. With a sequel on its way and a whole new series to follow, Claire is turning her dream to be an author, a reality.

Book Blurb

The First is a debut novel by A. Claire Everward, the first in a series.The First - Ebook Small

Find Her.

Is the ancient directive that has once again reawakened in the hearts of those who hide.

Kill Her!

Is the frantic command of those who fear their rise.

Aelia returns from a vacation that did not go quite as she expected, to a life she does not quite feel at home in but that is, at least, hers. Or so she thinks. Within days of returning she is targeted by a hit man and she has no idea why.

But then neither does he. All Kyle Rhys knows is that to protect humanity, this woman must die. At least, he thinks, killing her will be easy. After all, the organization that has raised him has prepared him for her death his entire life.

So why can’t he kill her?

About Author & Sister

Claire and KateWhen A. Claire Everward said all she wants to do was write, her sister Kate Anne decided she would use her ten-year PR and marketing experience to start a publishing company that would support it as a business.

That’s how Author & Sister was born. Now both sisters are finally doing what they were meant to do, and they are doing it as a family.

Author & Sister is not only a newly born publishing house. It is also the sisters’ story. On its website, every reader, every supporter, and every dreaming writer will be able to read about them on the Author & Sister blog. They will be able to follow what it’s taking to make the sisters’ dream come true, their breakthroughs and setbacks, the good and bad moments, the ideas and whatever interesting stories come up on the way.

The sisters expect Author & Sister to grow and one day help other authors, who like them are looking for a way to achieve their dream.

Kate A. Everward

Kate AnneAfter ten years working as a PR expert specializing in crisis and reputation management, voicing other people’s thoughts and needs and making sure they got what they want, Kate knew it was time for a change. She’d always been a dreamer, a bookworm who escaped to her imagination when things got tough, and when her sister, another bookworm (they got it from their bookworm mother) came to her and told her she wanted to be a writer, and already had stories and books to show her, Kate decided to help her dream come true.

And so from crisis manager she became a book publisher/marketer/literary PR agent. Her career had taught her how to fight for what she believes in, and she was tenacious to begin with, and now she’s using it all. While her sister writes, Kate is learning everything she can about the traditional and self-publishing world, and is talking to anyone, anywhere out there. She and her sister Claire have now created Author & Sister, so they can publish Claire’s books and tell the world their story.

Kate lives with her laptop (Yogi) and her 10 kg gorgeous red-haired cat who never sleeps. At least not when she wants him to. She is now starting to voice her thoughts, dreams and truths in her and her sister’s blog and is even considering writing a story of her own.

Links

Websites:
www.annaclaireeverward.com
www.authorandsister.net

Book:
www.amazon.com/First-Claire-Everward-ebook/dp/B01DYF7I6G

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/annaclaire.everward
https://www.facebook.com/KateAEverward

Twitter/Instagram:
@authorandsister

Google Plus:
www.google.com/+AuthorandsisterNet

Author Chat: Elizabeth Marx

Author Chat: Elizabeth Marx

Elizabeth Marx is a prolific writer of multiple genres and series. Every time we get a manuscript from her, we’re amazed that she can write so much so quickly! But she’s got what it takes to hit home with her readers. Her latest release, Just Close Enough, is available for pre-order and will be released tomorrow, December 1. Find out more about her, her characters, and how the two come together, plus a sneak peek into what she’s publishing next!

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Your new book, Just Close Enough, places a slick, wealthy Russian business JCE_sept23_smallerowner smack dab in the middle of rural small-town Alabama – the deep South. He must gain the trust of a tight-knit Southern farm community in order to fulfill his goal of revenge against one of their own, who he believes is behind his brother’s disappearance. What inspired you to choose these two very opposite cultures in particular as the basis of your story?

I like the immediate conflict when two personalities with different backgrounds collide. The reason I chose these two cultures is because one of them I’m familiar with and the other fit the context of the story.

I grew up in Chicago in a neighborhood that was a true melting pot with Irish, Polish, and Italian families. Some of these families were new immigrants and some had been here for generations. My family was from the deep South like Polly Anna’s family. Although my background is more like Scarlett’s, I grew up in Chicago and then spent most of my summers in the South. I lived this dual tradition of Northern mentality with exposure to different ethnicities and deep Southern roots, so it was something I wanted to explore in my writing.

As far as Alex being Russian, I selected that immigrant population because when his character popped up in Just in Case, the first book in the Alabama Secrets series, he came to me as this mysterious man named Alex with an alluring, sexy accent. All Scarlett could get out of him was that he was from Seattle and there is a large Russian immigrant population. Also, Russian men are known for being domineering and that fit into Polly Anna’s conflict of not wanting to get tangled up with another man with that sort of disposition.

JIC CROSSROADS_

You write from the perspective of both Alex, a wealthy Russian man infiltrating a small Southern farming town, and from the perspective of Polly Anna, the town’s favorite daughter, a born-and-bred Southerner. How were you able to manage two different types of dialogue, not only from both sexes but from very different backgrounds?

I grew up with a Southern grandmother so Polly Anna and her family’s speech pattern are loosely based on that tradition. When writing Alex’s POV I kept his speech more formal because he has an Ivy League education. I enjoy writing the male POV because men tend to say what they’re thinking with fewer filters and they tend to express themselves with physical reactions. I’ve written several books with this dual POV and I like the natural pull of the back and forth between the male/female POV, it’s almost a dance.

JCE-TeaserA

One thing I always enjoy in a novel is being immersed in a culture that’s completely different from mine. In Just Close Enough, I enjoyed spending time in the world of a small Southern community as well as inside the mind of a somewhat arrogant Russian man. Have you spent a lot of time around either culture to gain a better understanding of them in order to write this book?

I spent many summer months in Alabama, Tennessee, and even West Virginia. My Southern cousins called me Yankee Doodle Dandy and made fun of the way I spoke, and in spite of this I loved the South. The kindness of the people and the secrets of small town living always drew me back to the hilly landscapes and dogwood trees. Many of the people and traditions in Just Close Enough I’ve experienced firsthand. There was a real Miss Pearl and she did deliver babies and chew tobacco; I have a vague memory of her but she passed away many years ago. For Just Close Enough I made her a Cherokee wise woman and gave her two identical sisters. My family is part Cherokee and my mother often told me of her grandmother who was a Cherokee matriarch, she taught my mother how to chew and spit tobacco. I’ve actually handpicked cotton, I’ve attended a Sacred Harp singing, or what my grandmother called a “singing”. I believe one of my grandmother’s sisters was a Sacred Harp singer because I remember her and my great aunt Delta ribbing her about it. I’ve never seen a snake handling service in person, but I have been inside a barn where the snakes for snake handling were held.

JICcherokeewisewoman

Although revenge is the driving force of Just Close Enough, there are many other layers including love, loyalty, family, and individual strength. Is there any one layer you most closely identify with or enjoy writing most? What draws you more strongly to that?

I think revenge is Alex’s driving force in the book, and secrets and love of family are Polly Anna’s. In a small town where everyone thinks they know everything about Polly Anna, I wanted to peel back the layers of who she really is and see what makes her tick. For example, everyone thinks Polly Anna’s happy-go-lucky, but deep down she has a yearning for a family of her own, something she thinks she’ll never have, and she also wants to protect her family from past sins. She’s also a pleaser, believing you attract more good things with honey than with vinegar. But she uses this pleasant façade as a way to overcompensate or hide the things her father did in her youth, almost as if she thinks she has to make up for his sins, as if the burns she suffered because of his drug dealing weren’t payment enough. She’s not hiding secrets out of fear of exposure as most people do, she’s keeping them close out of loyalty, respect and a deep sense of love.

JCE-Teaser2

You’re a very prolific writer with nine books to your credit – is any one book or any one series closest to your heart? If so, what makes it special to you?

Binding Arbitration will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s touched so many people. Some readers have a negative reaction because it’s a powerfully gritty story about two very stubborn people who have to work together to save the one they love. I had a particular reader write a very sad review of it because she didn’t like what happened. I wrote to her to discuss her feelings and to this day she drops me notes and says, “After all this time I still think of your story.” So the fact that I was able to touch her, even if she didn’t like what specifically happened in the story, means I feel I did my job. In Binding Arbitration, Aidan and Libby find common ground and work together, but they lose the thing that’s most precious to them. In the process they find each other again and realize what an enduring love they share. They learn that in spite of their losses they deserve forgiveness, redemption, and love.

CHGO SERIES TWITTER BANNER

Can you give us a sneak peek at what you’re working on next?

Up next is Tell Me Something Real, a story about two college students who are so opposite yet so perfect for each other. Mason Pendleton’s life was planned for him the moment he was born, and Kamilla Dawson is a free spirit and modern day crusader who utilizes a special way of reaching an audience with her graffiti art. Neither is looking for the other, but the moment Kami asks, “Tell me something real, something so real it hurts,” Mason Pendleton is a goner. He’s a guy who has had prospects heaped on him his entire life. He hasn’t always lived up to the expectations because for the most part they aren’t what he wants, but when Kami poses this seemingly harmless question, Mason starts to ask himself hard questions about who he is, what he wants from life and most importantly who he wants to love. Mason’s real truth also sparks an awareness in Kami that she hadn’t expected or experienced with anyone else. It’s a true coming of age story.

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RELEASE: J.K. Norry’s FALL OF THE WALKER KING

RELEASE: J.K. Norry’s FALL OF THE WALKER KING

In Hell’s darkest hour
We all began to pray
Our fallen queen and the Walker King
Would rise and save the day

Author: J.K. Norry
Book: Fall of the Walker King (Walking Between Worlds, Book III)
Genre: Contemporary/Philosophical Fantasy
Release Date: December 1st, 2015

About the series

Some warriors have a special sensitivity, a rare compassion that makes them the perfect soldier for the perfect army. In life, these men and women are superlative fighters and law officers. In life, they often discover that their instinct for justice hinders or destroys their career in a sometimes imperfect army. In life, these souls are bent and broken by bureaucracy. It is not until death touches them that these unique warriors truly come alive. They become Walkers, immortal soldiers in an eternal army that wages constant war on the demons of humanity.

WBW4TwitterCard

In the Walking Between Worlds trilogy and companion tales, the world of the Walker is finally revealed. Heroes that have lived in the shadows for thousands of years tell their stories at last, as a new story takes shape in present-day San Francisco. A new Walker is made that must undo centuries of damage as he risks everything in a desperate search for his lost love. One man must forge a path wide enough for everyone who walks between worlds, or see the way of the Walker lost forever.

The angels in heaven have capitalized on the situation rather than correct it, and the dragons in hell rule their realm with fire. Both forces stand against the Walker army as its new king is thrust into power and cast into danger time and again. From epic battles below to all-out war above, these brave patriots of the universe put everything on the line to save an unknowing world once more. If anyone can find a way, it is them . . . but time is running out, and the light is growing dim . . .

Book I – Demons & Angels

Meet the unsung heroes of the supernatural, those who walk between worlds to help humans battle their demons. This is the spellbinding tale of a special group of people whose lives were changed forever when their eyes were opened to a new reality. Watch the ordinary collide with the extraordinary to test the mettle of their souls and the power of their love.

The first book in an exciting new series, Walking Between Worlds, Book I: Demons & Angels introduces us to a new way of looking at both the natural and the supernatural worlds. Join Paul Stone and Kris Reed as they walk between worlds in search of answers and themselves.

Book II – Rise of the Walker King

Step once again into the lives of Walker Paul and his trusted Guide Kris as they delve deeper into the meaning of walking between worlds and battling people’s demons.

Walking Between Worlds, Book II: Rise of the Walker King continues the exciting saga begun in Book I. Now that the king has risen to power, he must look within and without for answers to save both himself and the Walker’s world.

With friendly devils and murderous angels, dragons that belch flames and demons that run like a river, this philosophical fantasy will delight the adventurous spirit that walks between worlds in all of us.

Book III – Fall of the Walker King

Walking Between Worlds, Book III: Fall of the Walker King brings the Walking Between BookIIIEbookWorlds trilogy to a breathtaking and explosive conclusion. Walk alongside characters old and new as they navigate Hellish realms where blood rains from the sky, and Heavenly worlds that would imprison or destroy their very souls.

As war looms above and violence simmers below, a dark danger is lurking between worlds that threatens every realm. A new Walker struggles to fulfill his destiny while the old fight for their very lives. With the fate of all the worlds in the balance, a new way must form to take the place of the old as everything falls away. Yet it must be enough, and it must come in time…

Scroll to the bottom for a full chapter excerpt!

***On sale for a limited time!***

Get your copy of Demons & Angels (Walking Between Worlds, Book I) for just 99 cents

or Rise of the Walker King (Walking Between Worlds, Book II) for $1.99!

Sale runs 11/26-12/3

WBWSale

Jay Norry Bio

JayNorryProfileJay Norry is the author of Stumbling Backasswards into the Light, a spiritual autobiographical novel set in the mountains of the Puget Sound, and Walking Between Worlds (as J.K. Norry), a fantasy series set in San Francisco. He is the owner of Sudden Insight Publishing, an indie publishing company he founded in 2014 as a venue in which to publish his books. In 2016, Jay will join the Underground Book Reviews (www.undergroundbookreviews.org) team as a monthly columnist (Norry’s Toolbox) and indie book reviewer.

Currently Jay resides in Northern California with his girlfriend/Girl Friday, Dawn, and their dogs, Mammoth & Ximena. When he’s not busy writing, Jay enjoys wine tasting, gardening, coming up with new DIY projects, and fixing things around the house MacGyver-style.

Jay’s books are published by Sudden Insight Publishing (www.suddeninsightpublishing.com)

Read his blog on spirituality, writing, and life in general at blog.jaynorry.com

Connect with Jay/J.K. Norry

Website: http://www.jaynorry.com

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/jaynorry

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JayNorry

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Norry.Jay

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jay_norry

Sign up for Jay’s monthly newsletter, and get the first Walking Between Worlds companion story for FREE! – http://eepurl.com/T3NdD

FULL CHAPTER EXCERPT

Fall of the Walker King (Walking Between Worlds, Book III)
by J.K. Norry

CHAPTER ONE

William stood at the center of the Heavenly space, his head bowed and his gloved hands clasped before him. He had heard of the Walker Council, of course, but he had never had occasion to stand before them. He had also never imagined that meeting them one day would mean standing trial before them on that day.

He wore his custom spelled armor, yet he felt completely vulnerable. He could call upon his key or his weapon with a thought, yet he felt completely defenseless. Paul had told him a little about the council, that an ancient angel with dark skin seemed their best chance at an ally. Yet when William looked upon the first eight unfamiliar faces, he saw nothing but a bunch of stern and ugly old white guys.

The ninth face was old and ugly and white as well, but it was not unfamiliar. Andre had somehow transmuted from Watcher to angel without a break in consciousness. William wondered if making the rules and breaking them whenever you wanted was the best way to run a governing body. It certainly didn’t seem to be the way angels should behave.

“We can read your thoughts, Walker.” One of the round-faced, mostly bald men spoke venomously.

‘But are you listening?’ The Walker thought forcefully.

There was a sly smile on one face at that, and William saw friendly laughter behind the angel’s eyes. He spoke next.

“We do not take action lightly or often, Walker,” he said kindly. “The criticism we receive for our policy of non-interference is rivaled only by the criticism we receive on the rare occasion that we do interfere.”

“My criticism never falls on anyone with the courage to stay their path or keep their word,” William replied calmly. “There is no honor in breaking one’s own code.”

The angel seemed unperturbed, but he also seemed the only one.

“I can see why the Walker King chose you,” he smiled.

“Calling himself a king does not make a man a king,” another angel spat bitterly. “There has not been a Walker King for a great long time, and if Walker Paul was the great Stone Walker, he failed to fulfill his own grand prophecy.”

“We found Walker Paul’s soul, then?” Then angel with the mirthful eyes turned in his seat to address the speaker.

“Of course not,” the speaker crossed his arms and frowned. “He was destroyed by dragon fire, along with Ximena.”

“You’re sure about that?” The smiling angel was clearly amused with the exchange.

“Of course,” he replied tartly. The other angel was clearly not amused. “We would have found them by now.”

“Did we not seal up the realms in between?” His dark luminous eyes twinkled mischievously, and he looked pointedly at William.

“Is this conversation appropriate during this trial?” Andre spoke up, leaning forward and trying to catch someone’s eye.

“You were told not to speak,” the angel’s merry eyes went cold. “You are too close to this matter, and too new to the Council.”

Andre settled back in his chair and folded his arms sullenly.

“And yet you have a point, Angel Andre.” The two angels were clearly battling for control. Now the dour one was smiling, thin-lipped and humorless. “Walker William is on trial.”

“Can we all just stop using that word?” The jovial angel spread his hands. “We already know the outcome of these proceedings. The only three responsible for the destruction of souls seem to have been destroyed completely themselves. Walker William will not be dehumanized, or punished in any other way. In fact, we-“

“Enough!” The dour angel slammed his soft fist into the soft woven light that made every inanimate shape in the room. “If you suspect that they have not been destroyed, you should not speak so blithely about it.”

“Very well.” The angel with the easy smile folded his hands calmly before him. “I will admit that the evidence points to Ximena and the Walker King being destroyed.”

His dour face was turning red now. “And I am happy to get on with our business with Walker William if you will please stop calling that miscreant a king.”

Walker William cleared his throat.

“I destroyed a soul,” he pointed out. “I killed a dragon.”

“No you didn’t,” Andre sneered. “Walker Paul killed that dragon after it gutted you.”

The dour angel shot Andre an irritated glance.

“Besides-” he began.

“Andre destroyed a soul,” William said calmly, holding the accused’s gaze. “He murdered Mason.”

“As I was saying,” the unhappy angel’s icy tone cut in, “even if you had killed a dragon, it would have been because you were following orders. That guilt would fall on Walker Paul, as Andre’s guilt transfers to the Dragon Queen.”

The more pleasant speaker cut in again.

“Now on to more pleasant matters,” he said. “Walker William, you no doubt remember Walker John?”

“Of course.” William nodded tersely. He saw no need to share his assessment of the man. In getting to know other Walkers, he had learned that the appointed leader had struggled with what little authority he had had. On the other hand, nearly every Walker had treated the self-proclaimed Walker King with a respect that bordered on reverence. He looked from one self-righteous glowing face to the next, thinking how impossible it would be to explain what they did not wish to understand.

The jovial angel was looking less than jovial, and William tried to quiet his whirling mind.

“We are prepared to offer you the position vacated by Walker John,” the dour angel said. “You seem to be someone the Walkers are willing to listen to and able to follow.”

“They followed me when I followed the Walker King,” William cut in. “Why would they follow me if I become your stooge?”

“Just because we can read your thoughts does not mean you need to express them all with such brash disdain,” the happy angel didn’t look happy at all as he spoke. “Surely you can step back far enough from your imbalanced emotional state to see that we are all just trying to make the best of a bad situation.”

William took a deep breath and did not voice his next several thoughts.

“What if I refuse?” he asked.

“Then you will be dehumanized.” The dour angel seemed pleased at the prospect. “Your memories of your life as a Walker will be erased and you will live out your mortal life as a normal man.”

William felt his eyes go wide. “My memories will be taken?”

“It’s a new policy,” the dour angel said dismissively.

Andre looked left and right, then decided to venture a comment.

“Also,” he said, “your Guide and your Watcher will be relieved of duty and released from their consciousness to properly pursue their after-earth life.”

The Walker did not like to make decisions based on the feeling that he had no other choice. He thought of the men and women he had fought beside and loved; the Walkers he had trained, and the Guide whose touch made his heart sing. William knew he could not allow himself to be swayed by anger, but what about love?

“Walker William.” The angel’s smile was lighting his features again. “If I may . . . what would Walker Paul want you to do?”

The fluidity within him turned to stone. “What are my duties as a servant to this council?”

“As leader of the Walkers,” the angel’s smile was unperturbed, “you will assist in training new Walkers, you will find new Walkers to replace those we have lost and you will explain the new rules to all of the Walkers. Furthermore, you will assist in rehumanizing the Walkers we have deemed no longer fit for service and finding suitable replacements for them as well.”

“You will also report to the Council daily,” the unhappy angel added with a wry smile.

“Daily?” William frowned.

“We have seen what a Walker can do in a day,” he shot back. “You will report daily.”

The happy angel sighed, allowing his practiced look of infinite patience to fray.

“For now,” he amended.

William addressed him. “What are the new rules?” He wished he had paid attention when the trial had begun; William had assumed that none of this would matter by the time they had tried him, and had not paid attention to their introductions. He didn’t remember any of their names.

“Walkers are once again forbidden from interacting with each other,” he began, then his smile broadened. “Stephan, Walker. My name is Stephan.”

“My job would be a lot easier if I could let Walkers work together, Stephan.” William tried to hide his irritation at feeling so violated.

“The walls between worlds have become dangerously thin due to recent events.” The dour angel refused to be left out of the conversation. “One of those events was the gathering of a Walker army; another was excessive walking between worlds, including unauthorized entry to above and below; still another was the destruction of souls and the misplacement of millions of demons. Every dire consequence the Council is now dealing with would have been prevented by keeping Walkers from gathering. Only the Walker Leader may interact with other Walkers.”

“And only on official Walker business,” Stephan tried to lighten the blow by smiling. It didn’t help.

“Walker movement is restricted as well,” the other angel went on. “Walkers shall not go above or below the seven layers of reality that make up the Earth dimension.”

William narrowed his eyes. “I don’t even know what that means.”

“Ask your Guide,” Stephan responded. “And let all of the Walkers know: we will be keeping an eye on them, particularly the surviving members of the army.”

“Violations will not be tolerated,” added the dour angel, “and punishment will not be lenient.”

“No need to threaten those who have not yet committed any transgression.” Stephan waved his hand in William’s general direction, and something took shape in his hand. “Take that scroll to the new Queen of Hell. We have not been able to establish a clear line of communication with her as of yet, but she is bound by law to update your key to match your new position.”

William frowned. “By what law?”

The dour angel leaned forward and narrowed his eyes hatefully at the Walker. “By highest law. By Council law.”

“And what if she kills me?”

Stephan shook his head. “It is highly doubtful. We would be obligated by law to bring her to justice.”

William almost laughed. “And who would take her place?”

Now the dour angel looked downright pleased with himself. “The Council would act as Hell’s governing body until Creator appoints a replacement.”

RELAUNCH! Remember: Protectors of the Elemental Magic by Marnie Cate

RELAUNCH! Remember: Protectors of the Elemental Magic by Marnie Cate

To celebrate the relaunch of Marnie Cate’s beloved first novel, Remember: Protectors of the Elemental Magic, get it on Kindle for $0.99 / £0.99 beginning October 29, 2015 through November 4, 2015!

Author: Marnie Cate
Title: Remember: Protectors of the Elemental Magic
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

relaunch sale

Synopsis

Hiding the truth from you is no longer protecting you. Sit and I will tell you what you need to know.

With those words, the secrets of my great grandmother, Genevieve Silver, were unburied and my role as a protector of the elemental magic was revealed.

My name is Marina Addisyn Stone but Mara is what my friends and family call me. I had always felt that there was something missing and that nothing was permanent. Why would I feel that way? I was being raised with my little sister by my grandmother that loved and doted on me. Then, there was Cole Sands. Who could forget the blue-eyed boy that had stolen my heart? What more could a girl need? I always thought I was just being dramatic and that bad things do happen to people but that is part of life. People die. People go away. Little did I know that with one secret, my life would change forever and my new world would be surrounded by the world of elemental magic?

Excerpt

As I felt my determination build, the mirror in front of me began to change and the reflection filled with rippling water. The image made me think of the choppy water of Sparrow Lake. At first, the small waves were calm but the speed and intensity of each movement of the water grew. I found myself being splashed as the waves grew harder and began to slap against the mirror. Standing up, I moved away just in time to watch the mirror before me shatter and the violent water burst out towards me.

The room began to fill with rushing water. Feeling around the room, I searched for an exit. Behind the shattered mirror, I only found solid rock. Looking to the ceiling, I could see the same hard stone. Feeling the emotions build inside me, I began search the floor and walls around me for any exit.

“Damn! Damn! Damn it!” I cried.Remember_Complete

The water did not slow. Instead it continued to fill the room as I frantically searched for my escape. The water soon reached my knees and, what seemed like seconds later, I was wading through waist high water. As the water continued to rise, I was soon struggling to keep my head above water. It was not enough that the water was filling the room so rapidly but soon the water felt alive. The cold waves kept tossing me back and forth as the water rose and I began to feel like I was in a game of Ping-Pong where I was the ball. Soon, I found myself pulled under the icy water and surrounded by thousands of bubbles. Frantically kicking my feet to keep my head above water, I broke the surface.

Remembering the swimming lessons my grandfather insisted on, I thought about the times I spent with my grandfather learning to swim. I began to feel less scared as I recalled his calm voice and gentle words telling me that I would be safe. As I floated in the rising water, it seemed to respond to my emotions. The thrashing became calmer as I focused on my grandfather’s words. My brief moment of peace did not last. Before I knew it, I had almost reached the ceiling that had no exit and I began to panic. At this rate, I would be trapped and drowned in minutes. As if it was feeding off my fear, the water began to toss me around again.

As the water began to rise up my neck and almost over the top of my head, I tried to calm myself. You are the granddaughter of Mae Veracor and the great granddaughter of Genevieve Silver. You are the descendent of strong women. You have nothing to fear. With these words, the water once again calmed and I was able to tilt my head back above the water. How am I going to get out of this?

Remember: Protectors of the Elemental Magic is on sale $0.99 / £0.99 Kindle from Thursday, October 29th to Wednesday, November 4th!

 

Amazon Book link: My Book

 

Marnie Cate Biography

marnie cateMarnie Cate was born and raised in Montana before adventuring to the warmer states of Arizona and California. Her love of Dame Judi Dench and dreams of caticorns and rainbows inspired her to chase her dreams. One great sentence came to mind and the world of elemental magic and the humans they lived amongst filled her mind. With Remember, the story has begun.

Other Works by Marnie Cate

Exigency: Protectors of the Elemental Magic – Coming Soon

The story of Mara Stone continues. Her world was shaken but she is a fighter. Facing new adversaries, Mara is learning what it truly means to protect the magic.

Awethology Light – Contribution Story

Beginnings: Protectors of the Elemental Magic (Novellette)

The story of Genevieve Silver and the origins of the protectors of the magic. With the balance of the elemental world shaken, four elementals take on the task of protecting the magic.

Links:

Website: www.marniecate.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarnieCate

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00UJNT7J8

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Marnie_Cate

Twitter: @Marnie_Cate

RELAUNCH: Horizon by William Lloyd

RELAUNCH: Horizon by William Lloyd

Horizon is a book on our must-read list, especially now that it has been relaunched by author William Lloyd. Not only does his sci-fi book have a new cover, it has an extended ending! This debut novel is very personal for William; he merged his own experiences and darkest times with science fiction to develop a strong first book (according to his ratings!) as well as a thirst to write more. Keep your eyes out for this up-and-coming star.

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Is this your first book? How long did it take you to plan it before you began writing it?

Horizon is the first book that I published back in May 2014. I’m actually looking to relaunch it with an extended ending and new cover design.

I was jotting down ideas for Horizon back in 2008, but I never really started writing it until 2010. Then it took me about four years to actually put together the book and have it ready for publishing. During that time frame, I was actually an Assistant Produce Manager for a grocery chain so I kind of had my hands full at the time.

Is this a commentary on the sentient/intelligent technology being forced into our everyday lives and our military?

The story as a whole goes into enemies within the government. For the most part though, you don’t see this until later on. Right now, it’s more of a story about a man trying to discover what happened to his Navy father. Think of it as military men being claimed dead, but actually are still alive because the government doesn’t want any relatives interacting with them.

The main character, Aaron Lambright, is someone who has some common issues: alcoholism and unemployment. Was part of the point of this novel to speak to people with the same issues and deliver the message that even with their problems, they can be heroes in some respect?

Aaron Lambright was me when I was about 19 or 20 years old. I had a failed relationship that continued to just eat at me every single day. I ended up crawling into one of the darkest realms of my own consciousness and didn’t want to come back out ever again. My life was filled with poor decisions when I was younger and what happens with Aaron is the symbolism of my life during that time period.

My message when writing this novel was exactly that. It’s better to meet your calling halfway and pursue it than to constantly feel dead inside because unfavorable events brought you to that dark place.

What kinds of changes have you made for the relaunch of Horizon? Will people who already read it find anything new in the re-release?

Well, there will be an extended ending for all those that felt the ending didn’t live up to their expectations. I have to admit, the cliffhanger was a bit too out of this world for a first novel, but it was a gamble with good and bad effects. Also, there will be a new cover.

Judging by your Amazon reviews, your readers would love to know when the next book in the series is coming out. Do you have an approximate date for them to look forward to?

Currently, I am still piecing together Eversoul. I’m about halfway done with it, and I’d like to have it out by March 2016

Do you mostly write science fiction or do you dabble in other genres? If so, which ones?Horizon

I am currently playing with an epic fantasy called The Temperament Scepter. It’s a trilogy, but I also have spinoff trilogies that will be released after the final novel Resurrection has been released.

I also have been working on a horror/suspense called Afterlife: What Happens Next.

What do you think makes your work stand apart from other works in your genre?

The one comment I hear a lot from my reader is my description. I guess the way I portray my stories through each chapter is almost like a movie. I do my very best to have all the senses present in each scene. Also, I tend to tell the story of the villains throughout the novel to have some kind of relatability for my readers.

What is the significance of the cover picture?

The cover of Horizon had to do with politics, corruption, and love. The glass of whiskey on the cover was a representation of the clouded judgement of the government, while the red lace panties were a sense of deception in Aaron’s life with his relationship. The letter was more of a metaphor for the lost soldiers that don’t always make it home and how the deception, corruption, and judgement can lead to the loss of good and brave men.

Is there anything in your life that inspired you to write Horizon, or was this purely from your imagination?

The first half of the novel was about my pathetic life when I started the book. Ha-ha! The ending was more of my imagination with all the different worlds and aliens out there in the universe.

Are any of the characters in your book based on people you know or have seen/talked to in real life?

In the beginning, it all had to do with my relationship with a girl. I eventually found myself writing about my perception of what was going on in politics and how it could affect us 100 years later. I tried to write about some experiences I had with people in my own life like the sentimental talks Aaron has with his Uncle Ron because that was the relationship I had with my uncle at the time. And still do.

I think as far as Aaron’s family goes, I wanted to portray the feeling I had with my own family. I’d say sometimes we feel distant from our parents once we leave home and our relationship drifts apart. Although Aaron’s father was a bit of a drunk as well, I never experienced that with my father. I only used the distance I felt with him at that particular time. I wrote a few scenes about Aaron’s mother more about teaching and pain. This served the point that I have a close bond to my mom, but sometimes we do have our arguments.

Aaron’s brother Lance was added later on because there was a separation between my sister and me. I felt like we didn’t know each other well and it was hard to connect to her as a brother. I created Lance as a way to show the adventurous life that my sister may not know she is actually living right now metaphorically.

Now, as far as Abigail, she is the relationship I have with my current fiancé, which is much better than the relationship I had with the girl I was with back then. Now, I use symbolism with the Chanda II to create the effect of the hell I was living through with my ex.

What inspires you to write? Music? Other books? Real life events? Just an incredible imagination?

Just an incredible imagination. Ha-ha! When I wrote music, I did it because it made me feel good. I enjoyed touching the strings on the guitar and feeling the warm tones leave my throat when I sang. Most of the lyrics I wrote were real life events. As far as books, my life is implanted in every page.

Are you part of any writers’ groups? If so, what do you like about them? How do they help you or inspire you? If not, why not?

Currently, I’m with a group of writers called the #Awethors. I really do enjoy this group because they help each other out in this kind of work. There are never any dull moments with these guys especially because all of us are going through the same experience with writing.

I think they’ve inspired me to not think so much about my own writing but to expand my reading to other genres. These guys have really created an environment where we can all listen and act like adults, especially with certain topics.

Do you plan your writing out with outlines, character development exercises, and other pre-writing activities? Or do you just write as it comes to you?

When I write fantasy, I actually draw maps and outline all of my characters. Then I create about a ten page timeline of each event that happens in each book. I actually describe my outlining procedure on my blog. Now, when it comes to horror/suspense, I normally let whatever is on my mind find its way on paper. I don’t outline those because I think raw ideas bring out crazier ideas.

Did you do any research for Horizon?

The only research I did was about Australia and Alaska. I also sat down and watched politics not work for almost four years.

Do you read the kinds of books you like to write? Do you watch movies similar to or the same genre as your writing?

I read different kinds of books to get an idea of how to write those genres. I read a lot of “Walking Dead” comic books because I’m just a huge fan of Robert Kirkman. I also read Stephen King and Steve Alten with their horror stories. I guess as far as horror I read books.

Anything fantasy, I watch The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and any dystopian movie that’s out right now. Also, video games have been a huge motivator to write because the storylines are amazing in some of the science fiction and fantasy games.

If you could write anywhere in the world – in a fictional or nonfiction place – where would you write?

I would write underneath a glass dome beneath the Pacific Ocean. I have always loved being underwater and going to aquariums. If I could write at the bottom of the ocean, I think it could bring about many ideas that I didn’t even know I had.

~~~

1939913_10151920798247477_463323191_nWilliam Lloyd has a home in Atlanta, Georgia, where he enjoys spending his days playing music and watching football. His specialty genres are horror and suspense as well as science fiction/fantasy. He released his first novel Horizon in May 2014 and is currently working on a new novella called Afterlife: What Happens Next. He loves playing golf, video games on PlayStation 3, and reading horror novels in the evenings. He attended college at the Art Institute of Atlanta, where he studied Audio and Video Production.

Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/willlloyd15

Blog: www.williamlloydjr.wordpress.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Horizon-William-Lloyd-ebook/dp/B00MD4U3YE/

Prerelease Excerpts from ANAERFELL by Joshua Robertson & J.C. Boyd

Joshua Robertson and J.C. Boyd’s’s Anaerfell comes out October 31, and we’ve got not one, not two, but three excerpts for you to enjoy! Not sure if this is the Halloween read you’re looking for? Just check out the blurb. One word: “skin-switchers”.

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anatwittercard12

BLURB

Drast, cunning but reckless, is on the hunt for admiration. Tyran, calculating but tactless,
is in search of affection. Bound by a friendship thicker than blood, the two brothers have been hardened by their father’s ambitions. Drast and Tyran are forced to set aside their own hopes and dreams during their struggle to fulfill their father’s desire for immortality. The two will face skin-switchers and dragons, ultimately leading to a final clash with Wolos, God of the Dead.

 

Excerpt 1

Erzebeth convulsed. Her fur and skin shedding away while she wheeled about on the ground in agony. The bones readjusted and organs reset from beast to human. Where a beast had stood was now the naked figure of Erzebeth. Cuts and scratches patterned her body, but none were fatal.

Tyran had no place for modesty. The Vucari woman, within the privacy of the ice dome, struggled to her feet. Again, her dark eyes met his own, filled with compassion.

“You need to be put down, young Red.” Her voice was calm as her feet crossed in front of one another, closing the distance between them. “Your power is greater than any I have seen before, even from the Anshedar.”

“What?” Tyran said, forehead wrinkled with confusion. He had never heard of the race before, whether beast or otherwise.

“You are like a rabid dog, young Red. You are the perfect companion, loyal, and possibly even loving somewhere deep inside,” Erzebeth bit her lip. Her breasts, barely covered by her dark hair, touched the front of his chest. She halted her feet. “But, you are tainted by a disease that is stronger than the goodness in you. You cannot be left to live in this world, or you will corrupt every living thing around you.”

Tyran tilted his chin, lips parting. His free hand touched her pale skin, as whitish as the ice fortress that veiled this moment.

“You would taint me, young Red.” She stepped up on her tiptoes. “As with the rabid dog, you need to be put down.”AnaerfellCover

He grabbed her by the back of the neck, and pulled her to him. He kissed her with more force than he had ever kissed any woman.

This woman was not Isolde. This woman was battle hardened, and a warrior. She was not plain.

She grabbed his shoulders and returned the embrace, her tongue touching his lips. Her body was far warmer than his own, as if it were heated by the darkness.

He did not know what he was doing in this moment. It may have likely been the first time that his mind was clear from thought, acting without thinking. Though, in time, he may consider that when his death was nigh, he found that this was something he wanted to do before death found him.

The crashing against the ice pulled him from the moment. Tyran pulled back, moving the Vucari’s hair from her cheek. “You won’t kill me, Erzebeth.”

“No,” she breathed. Her hands fell to his chest. “But, it still needs to be done.”

 

Excerpt 2

His brother looked at his hands, now covered by great warm mittens. “Drast?”

“Mm?” Drast grunted, mimicking his brother.

“How are they going to remember us?”

“Who?”

Tyran shrugged his heavy shoulders. “The Stuhia. The Vucari. The world, I suppose.”

“By our apotheosis.”

“Does it always come down to glory?”

Drast snorted. “Yes. If we fail we will not be remembered. It must come to glory.”

Tyran shook his head. “But is what we are doing glorious?”

“We are off to kill a god. How could it not be?”

Tyran stopped and turned. “But if we are wrong. If killing Wolos is somehow an evil act. Or, if we fail and we are remembered because of our tyrant father—”

“Tyran the Tyrant,” Drast interrupted, chittering.

“I am serious. How do we know that we should even be doing what we are planning on doing? How do we know it is right? How do we know we can?”

“Tyran, you are overthinking this. Why do you even care how people will remember you to begin with? It will not matter. We will either succeed, in which case we are allowed to tell whatever tale of our victory we choose, or we fail and are dead and it doesn’t matter. Regardless, people will remember us for the height of our lives, when we faced a god.”

“I want to believe that I did something right for this world before I died.”

 

Excerpt 3

The room still whirled from last night. He tried to close his eyes to keep his stomach from doing the same, but closing his eyes actually made it worse. Drast was somewhat surprised that the drink was still affecting him like this. He had been having more than his fill for—he did not know how long. How long ago did Tyran leave? His mind was too foggy to remember. And Walstan was gone, too.

Vaguely, Drast saw that the sky was just turning blue with the rising sun. At least, he was fairly certain it was sunrise. None of the hues of sunset had begun to color the sky.

“Ser Drast?”

AnaerfellPosterHe turned his head to the entrance into his chambers and pulled himself more upright to lean against the nightstand beside his bed. One of the serving women stood just inside of his room. “What?”

“The Arkhon wishes to speak with you.”

He was not certain what string of curses came from his lips, but the maid blanched and her face grew pink, almost to the color of her hair. The room swirled again while she spoke.

“What?” he asked again.

“I said, Ser Drast, the Arkhon instructed me to remain with you until you came to meet with him.” Her voice quivered.

She was right to fear him. Her voice was fuzzy, just like everything. But, he knew he had not been particularly kind to any of the servants of late. He had managed to avoid his father by effectively frightening the servants. Their fear, combined with late nights, ale, and sleeping until the sun set, had allowed him to avoid talking with anyone who did not enjoy a mug or two.

A few of the servants had initially joined him in drinking. He loosely recalled this maid among them. Ura? Mura? Lura?

“Kura,” he finally muttered. He had been a little too handsy and she had since avoided him like—he could not clearly comprise a simile. Like. Like? Like the moon avoided the sun? Good enough.

“Yes, Kura,” she murmured.

Drast spat at the chamber pot. He was fairly certain he missed. “Well, come on in, Kura.” He belched. “I know how we can pass the time.”

 

BIOS

RobertsonPicJoshua currently lives in Alaska with his wife and children. In 1999, he began crafting the world for Thrice Nine Legends, including Melkorka and Anaerfell. He is also the author of the A Midwinter Sellsword and Gladiators and Thieves in the Hawkhurst Saga. His short story, Grimsdalr, is inspired by the tale of Beowulf.BoydPic

J.C. lives in the Midwest with his wife and two dogs. He is currently pursuing his M.A. in English Literature while continuing to craft his own dark fantasy world.  Before he had completed junior high, J.C. had received his first box set of Dungeons & Dragons and devoured the J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. He has had a passion for the fantasy genre ever since.

 

LINKS

Pre-Order Anaerfell

Website

Matt Harrill’s HELLBEAST Release

Talk about an epic cover! Happily, the writing in Matt Harrill’s Hellbeast follows suit. Matt sent us an excerpt of the book – the part during which the cover actually happens – and it delivers the action and excitement promised by the cover design. And did we mention it’s epic? We’re talking demons, a sword called the Well of Souls, a six-pointed star, and the name Exerrocks. What more temptation do you need to buy this book? If that doesn’t do it for you, have a read of the blurbs below.

~~~

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Book Blurb: 

The fate of the world is balanced on a knife-edge. Despite everything Madden and Eva have been through to prevent it, the ARC Council is in disarray, demons roam the Earth. The Apocalypse is closer than ever. The solution couldn’t be further from her grasp.

Enter the final chapter of The ARC Chronicles, where Eva throws off the yolk of personal tragedy and follows her destiny to the one place she doesn’t want to go, the one place she cannot hope to avoid.

Hellbeast: Heroes don’t always walk in the light.Hellbeast final

Second Blurb:

Her baby is gone, the only means of following her destroyed. Eva is left on Earth with Madden and her friends, and a gaping hole in her heart.

There is no time to take stock. The ARC Council is shattered, several members dead or disappeared. Decisions need to be made. This is far from the end. As demons start to find their way onto earth in ever increasing numbers, Eva is given an ultimatum: sacrifice herself, or sacrifice her daughter Nina.

With Madden, Gila, Swanson and numerous allies, Eva must find a way to reach her daughter before it is too late…

Author Bio:

0204434Born and raised in Bristol, England, Matthew W Harrill is an international award-winning horror author. His series, ‘The ARC Chronicles’ consists of Hellbounce (which has received acclaim at the Halloween Book Festival, the London Book Festival and most recently the 2015 International Book Awards), Hellborne and the final book of the series, Hellbeast is imminent.

In addition to his mentor David Farland (The Runelords, The Courtship of Princess Leia [as Dave Wolverton]), Matt is always thankful to know the British author Juliet E McKenna, who has helped him countless times. He is a fan of fantasy, loving Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. He also has a lot of time for the truly bizarre horror of H P Lovecraft, citing this as an influence on his work. He also cites the fictional author ‘Hank Moody’ as an influence.

Matthew has worked as a labourer, a barman, a cleaner, a joiners mate. In addition he has dabbled in commercial insurance and has for the past 12 years implemented share plans for Xerox.

When not working, Matthew enjoys tennis with his son, watching movies and television series such as Supernatural and Grimm, blogging and cookery.

Social Media

Amazon.com author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00M0D7UWQ

Goodreads.com author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8288084.Matthew_W_Harrill

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Matthew.W.Harrill.Author?fref=ts

Official Website: www.matthewharrill.com

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