Tracy Falbe's Blog, page 10

Save Big on Google Play Books on Great Fantasy Read

For a limited time, save 50 percent on The Goddess Queen: The Rys Chronicles Book I by Tracy Falbe  
Opening from the novel...

Tytido looked up from his almost finished dinner and chuckled. Dreibrand coughed a little then asked, “Why do you laugh?”“Nothing, Sir,” Tytido replied.“No, tell me,” Dreibrand insisted. “You looked at me and laughed.”Tytido considered a moment, then decided it was safe and said truthfully, “You smoke funny.”Dreibrand frowned and contemplated the pipe Tytido was sharing with him. The pleasantness of the smoke kept him from staying perturbed and he took another puff. Again Tytido smiled.“What do I do wrong?” Dreibrand asked with exasperation, glancing around the tavern to see if anyone else was amused.“I can’t explain, Sir,” Tytido said helplessly.“See if I take you out to dinner again,” Dreibrand grumbled indignantly and returned the pipe to the Hirqua. Tytido examined the half-charred contents of his pipe. “Forgive me, Sir. I don’t mean to be rude.”Dreibrand gestured dismissively and relaxed back into his chair. He was not really upset. The food at the tavern had been excellent and he felt very warm, comfortable and happy. He had not had much of a chance to experience common Temu society and so far he enjoyed the atmosphere of Dengar Nor. A good fire crackled in the great fireplace and Temu men sat around in small cliques drinking, smoking, eating, and playing games. One man tuned an instrument, preparing for the increased festivities of the later hours. On the wall by Dreibrand’s table hung the skin of a large speckled cat unlike any animal in the east, and he studied it with interest.  A pretty girl, probably the tavernkeeper’s daughter, came by with a pitcher of wine. Tytido had his cup refilled but Dreibrand required no more drink.Once she moved on, Tytido inquired quietly, “Do you think the Sabuto will be that much trouble to us?”Sighing, Dreibrand admitted, “Actually, I think they will. Although the Temu like to think they are cowards, I know they are not. The Sabuto have to see our rebellion against Jingten as their big chance to hurt the Temu. They will assemble as large a force as they can.”Tytido said, “I have never fought with a Sabuto, but they do not have the reputation of the Hirqua and Shan will bring us victory.”“Yes, he will,” Dreibrand agreed.The door of the tavern banged open and the draft of wind made the lanterns flicker. Redan and Misho entered in obviously high spirits. Misho’s face was scarred and still swollen and his hand was still bandaged. The healers had feared that Misho’s hand would be permanently crippled, and half of his face remained slack. Despite these problems, the young warrior seemed to have regained his vigor and he had become a close friend to Redan. The Temu patrons quickly recognized the long loose hair of the Zenglawa and frowned. The hushed rustle of disapproving gossip circled the room like dry leaves.Redan ignored them and proceeded straight to the bar. He slung his bow comfortably on his shoulder and produced a small pouch of coins. After he and Misho obtained drinks, they turned to find a table. The Temu had strategically spread out, making no seats appear available. Redan spotted his general and Tytido at a table and brightened. Part of Misho’s face also showed relief to see his commanders because he knew he did not keep popular company.“May we join you, Sir?” Redan asked.Dreibrand nodded and they settled in happily.“I see you have some money, Redan?” Dreibrand commented suspiciously.  Redan and Misho shared a conspiratorial look. Patting his new bow, Redan whispered, “It is not hard to get a Temu to bet against a Zenglawa these days.”Dreibrand wanted to show strong disapproval but only managed a paternal shake of his head. He had a sneaking suspicion that Redan had a pretty good hustle, and Dreibrand could not resist respecting that. Dreibrand simply advised, “Do not win too much money from our Temu hosts.”Gulping down some wine, Redan nodded. He knew too well the wisdom of his general’s advice, but he had had a very gratifying day and wanted to celebrate his success.“We’ll all be hustling in the streets if we don’t get paid something,” Tytido mentioned. “Yeah, I am working on that, Lieutenant,” Dreibrand responded, trying to hide his discomfort. “I think Shan has most of his finances worked out with the King. But for now the Yentay have shelter and food and you should not complain. And I am going to try and get everybody as much new gear as I can.”“Sir, I know you will get us as much as you can, but Lord Shan offered pay after we volunteered,” Tytido pressed.“We will all be wealthy when Jingten is taken,” Dreibrand reminded.“Truly, but I wouldn’t mind something to spend now in case I get killed, Sir,” Tytido said.Dreibrand laughed because there was no arguing with that point. “I will remind Lord Shan as soon as I can. He appreciates us and I am sure he will be generous. I could use some pay myself. I have the woman with a child on the way.”The Yentay chuckled at his impending financial burden and Tytido congratulated his general again. Dreibrand had just enough wine left to share a toast with them. Pushing back his chair, he announced his intention of returning to the castle. “Please stay, Sir. We should drink a couple more toasts to your good fortune,” Tytido invited.“No, not tonight, but thank you, Lieutenant. I should not get drunk and ask Shan for your pay,” Dreibrand joked.Tytido agreed with a grin and the three Yentay stood respectfully as their general left the table.“Do stay out of trouble,” Dreibrand ordered, giving Redan his particular attention.On his way out, Dreibrand looked back at his men. Redan had called for more wine and held his cup close while the girl filled it. He admired her with less then proper Temu manners and it did not look to Dreibrand like Redan had any plans of staying out of trouble that night. With a shrug, Dreibrand stepped out into the street. He knew no one deserved their fun like soldiers. Thinking warmly of Miranda, he anticipated his own pleasures.

Through July 20th, save 50 percent on this fantasy ebook and read it for only $2.47 at Google Play Books worldwide. Download The Goddess Queen right now at the Play Store.

If you haven't read the first part of this epic fantasy series, you can also grab Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I at the following retailers:

Brave Luck Books
Google Play 
Amazon
Nook
iBooks 
Smashwords
Kobo




A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

Coupon Codes for 10 Fantasy Novels Equal Great Summer Reading

The Smashwords Summer/Winter sale is in full swing and lasts through July 31st. Ebook readers worldwide can enjoy lots of free downloads and discounted ebooks during this sale.

All of my fantasy novels are included in the promotion. Three of my series begin with free ebooks and the sequels are all 25% off this month when you checkout with the coupon code SSW25. (The code is on my book pages at the retailer too.)

I have a total of 10 fantasy ebooks available at Smashwords, a retailer that sells my books worldwide in all popular ebook formats. You don't have to be in the U.S. or have a specific type of tablet to get the ebook you want.

Browse all my novels and get some great summer reading for free or at 25% off.Werewolves in the Renaissance - historical fantasy




Rys Rising - epic fantasy







The Rys Chronicles - epic fantasy









A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale Author Spotlight

Author A.L. Butcher has shared with me her titles that are on sale at Smashwords.
At one minute past midnight Pacific time on July 1, the special Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale promotion catalog goes live on the Smashwords home page. Readers can browse the catalog and search by coupon code levels and categories. At the stoke of midnight Pacific time on July 31, the catalog disappears.


The coupon codes only work at Smashwords, not at retailers served by Smashwords.





http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/290716 at 50% off – using the voucher code on site. SSW50



http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/352783 at 25% off – using the voucher code on site. SSW25


And finally


https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/431160 for FREE!!!! Using code SSW25


Please be kind enough to leave a review.



A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

Reflecting on how Frank Herbert's Dune inspired me on its 50th

I've been asked many times which authors influence me the most. Always at the top of my list is Frank Herbert. I was reminded of this today when I saw that it's been 50 years since the publication of his master work Dune.

I read Dune as a young person. I consider it my first experience reading an adult novel. I was utterly captivated by its third-person omniscient multiple character point of view. I loved having insights into the thoughts of so many of the characters.

As for the universe of Dune, I was amazed by its cultural detail. It had politics. It had religion. It had a history, most notably the Butlerian Jihad that had freed people from their machine masters. (We're obviously just entering that grim age.)

As a girl, I was quite blown away by the Bene Jesserit Sisterhood. The concept of a powerful female society that manipulated politics and religion on a galactic scale appealed to me utterly. I wondered unhappily why there were no female institutions like this in the real world. Maybe someday...

And of course their scheme to breed a super being was exciting. How the Sisters would get pregnant to capture a certain genetic was just plain cool. Talk about taking one for the team.

The aspect of the novel that really hooked me the most was the fact that the spice must flow. The spice or melange that came from Dune (Arrakis) powered interstellar travel. The entire empire and its economy were based upon control of the spice. The parallel to our oil-based civilization was blazingly bright. The novel revealed the ruthlessness with which this power would be defended. Paul lost his father and his children in the battle for control of the empire.

Another element of the novel that I still ponder all these decades later was how the Bene Gesserit had seeded the Fremen culture with a messiah prophesy so they could exploit it one day. Paul was not a native. He was not a Fremen, but he was accepted into the society and took control of it because of his abilities and the culture's receptivity to his authority. Quite brilliant.

I still gain meaning and inspiration from this great work of science fiction. Dune inspires me with the scope of its story and the breadth of its emotion. The story is exciting, thoughtful, tragic, brutal, dark, and triumphant. It has everything! As someone who studies the craft of making stories, I can always find new lessons in its pages.





A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

Save 80% at Google Play Books - Savage Storm only 99 cents

If you've picked up Rys Rising: Book I for free at Google Play or elsewhere, you'll be excited to know that for the Fourth of July weekend I'm running a $0.99 ebook sale on Savage Storm: Rys Rising Book II. This novel is normally $4.99 as an ebook, so don't miss your chance to save 80 percent.

Savage Storm has been well received by readers and currently holds a 5-star rating in the Play Store.

Presented here are six flash excerpts from this epic novel, so you can get a feel for the style of this saga. The Rys Rising fantasy series is a complete 4-part series and tells the story of a clash of civilizations through multiple characters on both sides of the conflict.

1. Amar seeks an alliance with the nomadic Kelsur Tribe.

Burbin said, “If it is the will of your Onja that the Kelsurs should fight for her, why does she not come to us herself?”
“Because she has sent me as her messenger,” Amar answered readily. “Do you make all your requests in person? Is it wise to ignore the messengers of the powerful?”
Burbin groped for a come back to Amar’s facetious answer, but Moto interrupted, “Enough of this. Our tongues go in circles. If your rys is so powerful and you are her messenger, then her power will let you pass a test that I would put to you. If you pass, I will grant my hunters leave to volunteer for you if they wish.”
Amar listened carefully to the translation, and his eyes lit up. This was progress.
“Will you face my test?” Moto goaded.
Amar naturally wanted to ask what the test was, but such quibbling hesitation would show weakness.
“Of course,” he answered.
Moto looked over his shoulder at the hunters seated behind him. A tall man rose like a bear out of a berry patch. The thick muscles upon his long frame looked as hard and smooth as the granite upon which he stood.
“Only the spirits can help you against Bifolomo,” Moto said gleefully as his magnificent hunter moved forward. He looked like he could wrestle an elk to the ground. His eyes sparkled with wolfish intensity as he eyed the outlaw born under a roof.

2. Cruce attempts to rescue two men captured by the savages.

Even without Truleo’s help, Cruce could have located the captive militiamen. The howling, singing, and chanting punctuated by the most chilling screams drew him and the tabre rapidly to the fire lit ring. Many rows of savages insulated some horrible scene. On the outer fringe the savages milled and jockeyed for position, trying to see better the ritual murder of their prisoners.
Cruce and Truleo hovered in the darkness just outside the savage gathering. Nearby they could hear other men rushing to the scene, hoping to experience the gruesome sacrifice. Cruce knew that he would have to plunge into that merciless mass of bodies and do what he could. Another scream shredded his ears and amid the shouts and chants he heard screeching Nufalese curse words.
“Truleo, after I go in, make a distraction,” Cruce said.
The tabre was panting, but not from exertion. He was having a startling physiological reaction to the naked emotions rising from the savages and their victims. He had never imagined such horrors nor had he thought he could feel so small and weak before a group of humans. Their bloodlust exceeded those of any other animal and the power of it made him tremble.
“Truleo!” Cruce hissed urgently.
“I’m afraid,” the tabre said.
Cruce’s eyes bulged. “I’m going in there now,” he said, exasperated that the tabre was afraid when he was the one rushing alone into the raving pumping heart of savagedom.
More screams erupted, speaking to the worst of pains, and Truleo quailed.
“Do something now!” Cruce commanded and ran into the crowd.

3. Two friends talk before grim battle.

At the village smithy, they found a stone wheel with which to hone their weapons, and Rayden learned that every single arrow was already on the walls with other archers. His quiver would stay empty.
“Have to do this one the hard way,” Rayden sighed and drew his sword and applied it to the sharpening stone while Cruce spun it with the foot paddle.
“Thanks for saving me,” Cruce said belatedly.
Rayden did not look up from his sharpening. “You don’t have to thank me, Cruce,” he said.
Cruce fell silent. Rayden was right. Taking care of each other was what they were supposed to do. Rayden stopped to examine his sword’s blade and deemed it good. Cruce stopped spinning the sharpening stone and said, “If I die, you can have my house in Kahtep.”
“Don’t talk like that,” Rayden said sternly. True disapproval crinkled his happy boyish face. “I’m not a friend you need to buy.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Cruce said, really regretting if he had caused offense.
Rayden slid his sword into its scabbard. “I’m not your friend because of what you have,” he said.
The sentiment touched Cruce. A trustworthy friend was a great treasure. Inspired by rowdy nights in easier times, Cruce’s sense of humor nudged his gloominess. “So you don’t want the house?” he asked.
Grinning, Rayden replied, “I can’t afford the taxes.”

4. Demeda sends Amar forth into battle.

Amar regarded her without any patience. She knew that he had no use for any female words of caution or caring as he rushed to cross blades with the destinies of other men.
“Lord Amar,” she said. “I have brought you something.” Demeda lifted a yellow ribbon braided with a long lock of her black hair. She tied it around his right biceps. Its yellow stood out against the black leather sleeve. She said, “The Temulanka have long been the enemy of my tribe. This truth flows in my blood. Allow me to accompany you in this small way as you fight them.”
Amar took her hand after she tied on the ribbon. His gauntlet was rough against her small hand, but he indulged her with a fleeting look of tenderness.
Demeda then grasped the pommel of his enchanted iron sword and drew it from his belt. She lifted the blade and kissed it. Giving it back to him, she said, “Let my kiss be upon the sword that kills the one who was to be my husband.”
Amar sheathed the weapon and commented, “You are a vindictive girl to a man you never met.”
“I was to be his fourth wife. I took much offense from that insult,” she explained.

5. Dacian is merciful and sends a message.

The third tabre was thrown from his horse and landed at the side of the road. Dacian jumped on his back. With a knee pressing on the tabre’s spine, Dacian twisted his arms back and leaned over his head.
“Tell the Grand Lumin if he visits Jingten, Dacian will extend to him the same hospitality he showed me,” Dacian said.
The tabre priest turned his head, trying to see the rys on his back. “Dacian?” he said. “It’s Benar. Why is this happening?”
Dacian had recognized the priest. Benar had never been especially rude, but he had been no friend either. And the tabre’s pathetic attempt at familiarity disgusted Dacian.
“Why is this happening?” Dacian repeated angrily. “Is this not part of the Kwellstan Sect’s grand plan for Jingten?”
“Dacian, help us. This is all because of the rys female, Onja. She has brought murder upon us all,” Benar blathered.
Dacian shoved the tabre’s face roughly into the road. Onja wove her way among the smoking bodies of tabre and horses and joined Dacian.
“He blames you for what is happening in Jingten,” Dacian informed her.
“I did not sow that field,” she said. “Let me kill him. I am ashamed that I did not get all three with one spell.”
“Dacian,” Benar whined as Dacian pressed his face harder.
Despite his cruel mood, Dacian chose to be merciful. “You are spared, Benar. Tell your kind to stay out of the Rysamand Mountains,” he said and released the tabre.
Benar popped up to his hands and knees and looked up fearfully at the two rys lording over him. With his Nebakarz-trained sight, he saw their light blue auras flexing with unchained power. Witless with fear, the tabre sparkled with an instinctive shield spell and scrambled away. He cried out upon seeing the bodies of his brethren but he did not pause. Still screaming, he ran eastward into the night.
“I wanted to kill him,” Onja complained.
Dacian embraced her and kissed her hot murderous lips. “I let him go so he will infect all of the tabre with fear,” Dacian said.


6. Dacian and Onja liberate the rys.

Dacian and Onja entered the tower with the rushing crowd of rys. They mounted the marble platform and entered the levitation shaft. They went first to the Nebakarz library and secured it with spells and then they checked all the private chambers of the priests and collected their journals and warding crystals. With these potentially important things in their possession, Dacian and Onja allowed the other rys to loot the tower and glut themselves on righteous destruction. It suited the new King and Queen to let their willing subjects strip the tower of furnishings and smash Nufalese décor. Dacian and Onja would remake their new stronghold to suit themselves.
From the observatory, they watched the rys rushing through the tower in an ecstasy of possession.
Looking down the center of the tower that sang with insurrection, Onja said, “The tabre will never take back this place. Never.”
Dacian wholly agreed but warned, “Yet we shall surely have to defend our new kingdom.”
“After this night many of our rys will volunteer for such service, and we shall train them to fight,” Onja said.
Visions of war paraded in Dacian’s mind. With Onja and rys warriors at his side, he would cross the frontlines of history and Nufal would shudder within its shell of civilization.

Get Savage Storm: Rys Rising Book II for $0.99 this weekend at Google Play worldwide.
Start the series for free and read Rys Rising: Book I.

If you need another format besides that which is available at the Play Store, you can also get Savage Storm for $0.99 at Smashwords with a coupon code.





A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

Downloads from my website now integrate with Dropbox

Visitors to Brave Luck Books or Falbe Publishing who download either a free or paid ebook or audiobook will now have the option to download their files directly to their Dropbox accounts. SendOwl, the service that delivers downloads through my websites, has just announced this integration. I'm pleased by the upgrade and hope that my readers who use Dropbox will find this a convenient way to manage their digital items that they get from me.

Dropbox offers its customers cloud-based access to their digital files, including documents, videos, ebooks, audio files, and pictures. Using this service as a holding tank for digital files allows a person to access them from anywhere and on any device.

Ebooks or audiobooks sourced from my website do not have any digital rights management on them, so they are not restricted to certain devices. You can save them to dropbox or anywhere and access them as needed.

To try it out, go to the free ebooks page at Brave Luck Books and grab on one my ebooks. The first books of all three of my fantasy series are free ebooks.

Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale - Free Ebook - historical fantasy
Rys Rising: Book I - free ebook - epic fantasy
Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I - free ebook - epic fantasy
A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

Looking for some good fantasy on Smashwords? Try Savage Storm with this coupon

The Rys Rising fantasy series is a complete 4-book epic set in the world of the rys, a magical race that dominates the politics and religion of the human kingdoms. You'll find many exciting adventures within its pages populated by powerful characters. The story builds into a great clash of civilizations and is told from both sides of the conflict.

To begin the series, I recommend getting the first book Rys Rising: Book I. It's a free ebook at Smashwords, my website, and most other ebook retailers. It has earned many glowing reviews. Here's a blog post about a recent 5-star review it received in the Kindle Store.

And for a limited time, you can get the second book for $0.99 through July 5th. Savage Storm is normally $4.99, and yes people do happily pay that price because some people truly enjoy my fiction. If you use the coupon offer, you'll be getting well over 300,000 words of entertainment for a mere $0.99.

To get Savage Storm at Smashwords in the ebook format of your choice use this coupon code:

HP67M

You'll see a place to paste in the code when you're checking out. Just update the total and the discount will be applied. The code is not case sensitive.

Here's an excerpt from Savage Storm that I'm sharing from a slideshare presentation about the book.


Savage Storm - Excerpt from Epic Fantasy by Tracy Falbe from Tracy Falbe

A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

Big List of Free through $2.99 deals at Google Play Books

The solstice is upon us, and a change of seasons offers an opportunity for new things. Find something new to read on my big list of deals at Google Play Books. Browse these fine titles that have earned good ratings from readers. Everything listed here is either a free ebook, $0.99, or $2.99. (Some of the prices might change in the future). Assembled here are fantasies, steamy fairy tales, dragons, dystopia, thrillers, an anthology, young adult, and even a free book bundle. In this age when so much of our shopping experience is determined by your online history and algorithms, this list offers you an alternative way to find a new read: simple serendipity. Enjoy!(Google Play ebooks are available in over 60 countries.)

FreeWerelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf TaleTracy Falbe


Thal embodies the ancient magic of the pagan past. He challenges a world conquered by a spiritual system that denies the flesh and forgets the Earth.

He is wanted for Devil worship and shape shifting but still boldly walks the streets of 16th century Prague. Jesuits hunt him. Mercenaries fear him. Musicians sing his praise, and women are captivated by his alpha swagger.

Born of a witch and a sorcerer, he is summoned when his desperate mother casts the werewolf spell

before facing torture and execution. Burdened with her magical call for vengeance Thal seeks the men that killed her. His hunt is complicated when the Magistrate’s stepdaughter Altea Kardas crosses his path. Horrified that her community is burning women to death, she can confide her doubt and fear only to Thal.

He desires her greatly but knows he will bring ruin upon her. Across Bohemia and beyond people who are different are labeled heretics in a restless world hobbled by tyrannical ignorance. The Renaissance has thrown the Holy Roman Empire into turmoil. Printed books are spreading radical ideas. Firearms are triggering a new age of warfare. And the human spirit is shaking off obedience.

He awakens within Altea recognition of these truths. She believes any risk is worth loving him until she becomes the bait in a trap set by Thal’s enemies.

Enjoy this historical fantasy of werewolves and witches on Google Play.


FreeA Fistful of FireMisti Wolanski


Tales of loathsome kings and prophesied saviors aren’t so appealing when you are a royal bastard of prophecy…

Evonalé Yunan is supposed to somehow free her grandmother’s enslaved people, but she’s merely a child, and her father is the powerful fire mage who subjugates the realm. She has therefore fled home, her half-siblings, and the father who really should’ve been her uncle.

Unfortunately, it’s the middle of winter. Fortunately,

following her mother’s directions has put her in another king’s hunting grounds. To Evonalé’s bewilderment, that king picks her up and gives her a place in his castle. The prince seeks her out to tease and befriend.

Then one of Cook’s daughters starts teaching her magic, and a scullery maid proves herself immune to poison.

Evonalé isn’t the only one with secrets. Followed by A Fistful of Earth

Contains some mature themes and responsible use of alcohol. The narrator's family is sadistic.

Read it on Google Play.


$0.99 - price good through August 15Life FirstR.J. Crayton


"The prospect of being the human parts drawer society reaches into to cure its neediest patients would drive anyone mad." - Kelsey Reed, Life First

Strong-willed Kelsey Reed must escape tonight or tomorrow her government will take her kidney and give it to someone else.

She’ll need the help of her true love, Luke, to make this dangerous escape. This dystopian future Kelsey lives in was forged by survivors of pandemics that wiped out 80 percent of the world's population. Here, life is valued above all else. The mentally ill are sterilized, abortions are illegal and those who refuse to donate an organ when told are sentenced to death.

Determined not to give up her kidney or die, Kelsey and Luke enlists the help of a dodgy doctor to escape. The trio must disable the tracking chip in Kelsey's arm for her to flee undetected. If they fail, Kelsey could be stripped of Luke, her kidney and everything else she holds dear.

This page-turning thriller with a touch of romance, is the first in the Life First dystopian book series. The thrills and romance continue in our dystopian future in Second Life (book 2 of the series) and Third Life: Taken (book 3 of the series).

* * *

"Life First is a poignant, riveting, thought provoking read that had me entranced from page one until the very end of the book."

-- 5 Stars, Griffin's Honey Blog

"Life First gripped you like King Kong and would not let go until you had finished the book."

--BestChickLit.com

~ A 2014 B&P Reader's Choice Award Nominee ~

~ BRAG Medallion winner ~

Read it on Google Play.

$0.99The Princess, the Pea & a Night of PassionRosetta Bloom


In this grown-up version of the famous fairy tale, Arabian princess Adara is running from her old life and a forced betrothal. Adara, an exotic beauty, wants love and passion, but knows she can't get that back home. When a raging storm halts her escape, Adara seeks refuge in the first dwelling she sees.

Prince Richard is tired of the trite, vain, frigid princesses his mother introduces him to in hopes he'll marry. On this stormy night, the blue-eyed prince is in the mood to love a woman, but he's all alone.

Adara arrives on the castle doorstep, saying she's a princess in need of help. The queen is doubtful and decides to lock Adara in a room with a pea to determine if the girl is as royal as she claims. Richard believes the beautiful, charming stranger, but he wants her locked in a bedroom for other reasons.

When Richard and Adara hook up, there's more than a pea-sized bit of passion involved....

Read it on Google Play.

$2.99 The Ring and the Flag: Shard of Light 1 Will Hahn


Newly-graduated imperial officer Justin is convinced he has no future, and hearing the details of the secret mission he's assigned for the Emperor won't change his mind. Civil War threatens the North Mark. Justin must race against time to form a company, and lead his men into the center of the web; but what happens when his loyalty to the Empire means the death of those who follow him?

Read it on Google Play.

$2.99Dangerous TimesPhillip Frey

DANGEROUS TIMES is a multicultural crime-thriller with the pull of the unpredictable.

Psychopath Frank Moore has a diabolical plan. To finance it he must first commit a major robbery. He has now found the key to its success. Frank Moore has found his scapegoat, his look-alike, John Kirk, a close-enough double who lives in the harbor city of San Pedro.

John Kirk wants to get out of San Pedro and leave his troublesome relationships behind. His live-in sweetheart is fed-up with his station in life and has become unfaithful, his mother finds solace from the death of Kirk's father by embracing the bottle, and Kirk's boss at the auto shop is an overbearing, cheap son of a bitch.

These troubles fall by the wayside when Frank Moore switches their identities and fingerprints in government databases, an act that will send the innocent John Kirk through 48-hours of betrayal, violence and murder—while Frank Moore will learn the meaning of "The best laid plans…"

Read it on Google Play.

FreeThe First Dragoneer: The FREE Dragoneer Saga NovellaM.R. Matias



When two young men go on a hunt that they know will be the last hunt of their youth, they decide they want it to be an unforgettable outing.

When they cross a ridge leaving the protection of their kingdom behind, they find a cavern that looks like it needs to be explored.

In the cavern they find exactly what they were looking for. In this stoney hole lives something they will never forget!

Read it on Google Play.


$2.99 Scribings, Vol. 1Multi-Author Anthology


Scribings is a fabulous compilation of speculative tales by four Maine authors. The collection starts with one piece of flash fiction from each author. The rest contains longer pieces of fiction for a total of eleven pieces representing a range of styles and genres from fantasy to science fiction and beyond. Watch young gods learn their place, see what the afterlife is like, meet Dappil, taste the sweetness of revenge, feel the fires of judgment and more.

Read it on Google Play.

$2.99As the Crow FliesRobin Lythgoe


For a thief, getting caught is never a good thing. Getting caught by a wizard is even worse. 'One more job' meant that Crow, a notorious thief, could retire with Tarsha, the woman of his dreams, but 'one more job' may just mean his life. When he sets out to abscond with that last brilliant treasure and seek a life of ease and pleasure with the jewel of his heart, Crow seriously underestimates his mark, the Baron Duzayan. Under threat of death by poison, Crow is coerced into stealing an improbable, mythical prize. To satisfy the wizard's greed and save the life of his lady love, he must join forces with Tanris, the one man he has spent his entire career avoiding. But what's a man to do when stealing that fabled prize could level an empire and seal his fate? From a dungeon black as night, to the top of a mountain peak shrouded in legend, a man’s got to do what he must. Until, of course, he can think of a better plan…

Read it on Google Play.

FreeSword of the Gods: The Chosen One: (Book #1 of the Sword of the Gods saga)Anna Erishkigal


"It's like Star Trek meets Creation Mythos..." --Reader review

At the dawn of time, two ancient adversaries clashed over control of Earth. One man rose to stand at humanity's side. A soldier whose name we still remember today...

Angelic Special Forces Colonel Mikhail Mannuki'ili awakens, mortally wounded, in his crashed ship.

The young woman who saves his life has abilities which seem familiar, but with no memory of his past, he can't remember why! With his ship destroyed and a shattered wing, he has no choice but to integrate into her village.

Ninsianna's people have prophecies of a winged champion, a Sword of the Gods who will raise armies from the dust and defend her people against an Evil One. Mikhail insists he's no demi-god, but her dark premonitions and his uncanny ability to kill say otherwise. Even without the technology destroyed along with his ship, the sword he carries is a weapon of mass destruction to a people who still throw sticks and stones. When young women start to disappear, Mikhail must organize her people to fight back against an enemy who remains unseen.

Evil whispers to a sullen Prince. A dying species seeks to avoid extinction. Two emperors, entrenched in their ancient ideologies, cannot see the larger threat. As intrigues roil the heavens, a tiny Mesopotamian town becomes ground-zero for this fantasy fiction retelling of mankind's most epic

story about the battle between good and evil … the clash of empires and ideologies … and the greatest superhero to ever walk the Earth. The Archangel Mikhail ( Archangel Michael ).

Note: this book is NOT Christian fiction. The Sword of the Gods saga is an epic fantasy retelling of the wars in heaven at the dawn of time, the clash of ancient adversaries and empires, the myth of Lucifer, the fallen angels, and the soldier we now call the Archangel Michael, and the 3,500 b.c. humans caught in middle, similar in tone and style to books such as

Game of Thrones, Dune and Outlander, with a romantic undertone, all told with a science fiction / space opera twist.At the request of the publisher, this book is sold without DRM.

Read it at Google Play.

$0.99Price good through June 27, 2015The Spanish ClubDanielle Burnette



2015 Reader Views Literary Award Winner (Young Adult Fiction)

When Brianna unearths a family secret, the life she’s known unravels. She trusts no one except Dana, her best friend. But Dana will move away at the end of the summer, leaving Brianna to face her senior year friendless and alone.

A last chance to bond with Dana lies in a summer trip abroad with the Spanish Club. Yet the promise of a once-unattainable first love, another painful secret, and Mexico—gripped in World Cup fever—threaten to rip the girls apart for good. As their lives hang in the balance, Brianna must find the strength and forgiveness to reconcile the friend she once was with the new person she desperately wants to be.

An honest coming-of-age, The Spanish Club chronicles the universal struggle to define oneself within the boundaries of friendship and love—even when the ones you trust break the rules.

Read it at Google Play.


$2.99BetrayedWodke Hawkinson


Brooklyn Parrish, a Denver socialite, appears to have a great life until she becomes the victim of a carjacking. In only minutes, her life is forever altered. She is taken, transported, and held captive for days by three violent men in a remote mountain location. She manages finally to escape only to end up barefoot, nearly naked, and hopelessly lost in the cold Colorado wilderness at the beginning of a brutal winter storm. Lance is a man who has shunned society. He lives like a recluse in a cabin high on a forested mountain. He prefers a solitary life. But his world is about to be turned upside down.Advisory: Contains violence and strong language.Contains bonus material: At the end of this book, the authors have included an alternate ending that begins at Chapter 49 of the original novel and takes the story in a different direction.

Read it at Google Play.

FreeHarbinger of Doom: Three Book BundleGlenn G. Thater




This three book bundle includes the first three volumes in the acclaimed epic fantasy series, Harbinger of Doom. (The paperback versions total about 680 pages).
Mad wizards wrenched open a gateway to hell on Eotrus land. A gateway that's determined to stay open.
What is the young knight, Claradon Eotrus, to do when he discovers that the man he recruited to help him close that gateway is either the greatest hero
the world has ever known or the devil himself, thrown down from the heavens by the gods in olden days? Is he out to save Midgaard or destroy it? Does he serve the Norse gods: Odin, Thor, and the rest, or did he slay them? And if he's truly the harbinger of doom, how can Claradon stop him? How can he even survive him?
Claradon's Midgaard is a world filled of valiant knights, mysterious sorcerers, ruthless bounty hunters, complex political intrigues, monsters of myth and legend: the undead of this variety and that, gods and demons, and otherworldly evils so frightening you dare not read these books before sleep. But most of all, it's filled with stories that you will always remember, and characters that you will never forget.
PRAISE FOR GLENN G. THATER'S HARBINGER OF DOOM SAGA
"…a masterfully crafted epic fantasy about the ages old struggle between good and evil." --- Carol Marrs Phipps, author of Elf Killers
"…a must read for all fans of classic sword and sorcery. A blend of Howard, Moorcock, Wagner, with a twist of Lovecraft. Well written and hugely entertaining." --- An Amazon reviewer
"For a long time I have searched for a fantasy worthy of Lord of The Rings and I have found it!" --- An Amazon Reviewer
"The Harbinger of Doom Series is a masterfully written story with Epic Heroic Battles, Adventure and great characters." --- An Amazon Reviewer

Read it at Google Play.

FreeRys Rising: Book ITracy Falbe


Packed with primitive energy, the intertwining stories of this fantasy world will indulge your cravings for intrigue, bravery, desire, and freedom.
A young warrior ruined and near death is saved by Onja a mysterious rys female. Forsaking all that he was, he will take the name Amar and serve his new magical mistress. A lord among outlaws he will become, feared by kings and called the dro-shalum or curse demon by the common folk.
Onja nurtures his growing power among the tribal
kingdoms so she can strike against the tabre of Nufal. They are the ancient race of magic users that created the rys with their experimental spells, but they revile their creations. The tabre keep the rys hidden away while they rule over their beautiful realm. The key to Onja’s victory will be if she can win over the rys prodigy Dacian who is loyal to the ruling tabre order. Will he endure more dark abuses for the sake of peace or reach out to Onja and her growing army of allies?
Enjoy this free ebook on Google Play and discover an unforgettable fantasy series rich in adventure.

Read it on Google Play.

Join the Google Play multi-author promotional event

I know I'm not alone among authors who are connecting with readers at the Google Play Books Store. Since adding my titles in November, I've earned many ratings, reviews, and lots of sales too.

Because most of my novels are in series, offering readers a free first book works well. Although it's nice to be available at Google's store to readers in over 60 countries, it would be even better if I had some options for marketing my presence there.

I've heard that Book Bub, a popular book recommendation service, includes Google Play Books, but you have to pay a lot of money to appear on its lists, and that's if they approve your application. Rejections are common.

So, I've decided to reach out to other authors and create a humble online book marketing event so more readers will be able to browse and discover books at the Play Store.

My idea is to collect submissions from other authors so I can create a blog post listing their Google Play ebook deals alongside mine. A list with multiple types of books from different authors is more likely to compel someone to take a look than an offering from a single author. The blog post will also attract search engine traffic. It may not be much, but people interested in Google Play deals will trickle in over weeks and months. We can also build synergy by cross-promoting the event and alerting more readers online to our special offers by working together.

I'd like to launch the event on the solstice June 21st.

To participate you need:

To enter a title that is available on Google Play Books. A title priced $4.99 and under, including freeTo be willing to support the promotion by sharing it in social media and/or blogging about it at your own blog.  After you sign up, I'll follow up with more information. My goal is to make this relatively easy for you to participate. I'm also interested in making connections with authors interested in participating in more group promotions like this for other retailers.

Please use this form to enter the promotional event.

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A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

Free Fantasy Box Set at Nook gets 5 stars

The Beginnings Box Set at Nook combines the first books of my three fantasy series. It's a big box set containing Rys Rising: Book I, Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I, and Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale.

This is a lot of free entertainment. I promise you that. Its first 5-star rating was accompanied the by the message "too many pages." That's fair I suppose.

The other 5-star review is much more glowing, if somewhat hostile to the publishers that rejected me. However, it was immensely pleasurable for me to read it. To quote:

"How stupid are the publishers that refused to publish her books! I am 60 years old and have read sci-fi and fantasy my whole life and read alot of bad books and this is a GOOD BOOK. I am hooked and recommend you read this i will gladly buy her books"

Once upon a time, I spent 4 years trying to get a contract with a publishing company. I queried all the viable publishers and agents who dealt in fantasy. At one point I even received a terse reply from DAW Books saying that Union of Renegades had passed the first reading and had been given to a senior editor. Of course, I never heard back, but I pushed on and used this little snippet of information to send another round of queries to agents to try and get someone to look at me. One agent finally replied and requested sample chapters. He sent them back quickly with the comment that it didn't make him "have pictures in his head."

This comment has always galled me over the years because one of the most frequent comments I get from readers who enjoyed my books was that the reading experience was like a movie in their heads.

I don't miss the pointless querying of agents. I moved onto self publishing many years ago. I can hope to break out some day and maybe attract some kind of lucrative deal from a company that can bring something to the table. I am a fantasy author after all. I can imagine things that won't really happen.

But until then, if you're looking to get wrapped up in the big huge epic problems of other people who sometimes solve problems with violence, you can try the Beginnings Box Set: Three Fantasy Series Starters.

It's free at:

Nook
Smashwords
iBooks
Kobo

I haven't loaded the box set into Google Play yet, but each title is free individually there if you'd like to visit my author page and pick them up.

Additionally, all three series starters are also free at my website Brave Luck Books in multiple ebook formats.

Sorry, Amazon doesn't allow me to give it away at the Kindle store, and has not seemed inclined to price match competitors, but you can always ask.

Or pick up the Kindle format for free at Smashwords or Brave Luck Books. 



A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.