Tracy Falbe's Blog, page 38

August 4th Only - free kindle ebook by Jill Edmondson

Today only, Blogger friend and Canadian mystery author Jill Edmondson is giving away to Kindle readers Rat Bastards and Tea Pots, a mini-book with criminous short stories and poems.

Her Goodreads Event for the giveaway has this to say about the collection:

"The Locket" tells the story of a wedding, an omen, and voices from the other side... A picture really does say a thousand words.

"The Eraser" is the story of a man who wants to disappear and start all over. But he erases much more than just his own life...

Plus three amusing poems about crime and mysteries!

REVIEWS

"The short stories were interesting and well written, making it a great read."

"A group of short stories, well written showing a wide spectrum of talent for story telling. Each tale is unique and stands on its own. Fun, quick read."

"This was a fun read. I love the author's perspective on life and the living. Unusual and quirky (in a good way) The only thing I found wrong with this is that it was too short. I am waiting, not too patiently, for Jill's next book. Please let it be soon." 

Friendships in Fantasy Fiction Part 1 Good Friends & Great Reads blog series

Follow Her Ladyship's Quest and enjoy my 8-part Good Friends and Great Reads blog series. Every Thursday through September 19th, I'll be sharing insights about powerful relationships between characters from my fantasy series. Join the literary discussion by leaving comments about fictional friends that felt like your friends too. And feel free to use the Good Friends and Great Reads blog prompt at your blog. We can never talk about books too much.
Part 1 - Dreibrand and Tytido from The Rys Chronicles


Powerful friendships are not unique to the fantasy genre, but often needed. Plots driven by small groups battling powerful forces benefit from some firm friendships. A hero really needs someone who’s willing to defend his back, especially when it involves hordes of nasty orcs.
Some famous mainstream examples are Sam and Frodo and Harry Potter, Hermione and Ron. When everything turns against you, friends become the difference between survival and defeat.
As an author of 8 fantasy novels, I’ve enjoyed crafting important friendships within my epic stories. I consciously chose to engineer some friendships while others developed organically as I drafted each novel.
In this first part of an 8-part blog series on fictional friendships, I will examine the friendship between the main character of The Rys Chronicles Dreibrand Veta and the man who becomes his most trusted lieutenant, Tytido of Clan Gozmochi.
Although Dreibrand has other crucial friendships, his relationship with Tytido is remarkably genuine. They are two men loyal to each other who enjoy each other’s company. Tytido is the man Dreibrand will share a pipe with and trust the lives of his family with.
Even so, Tytido begins in a somewhat subservient position in the friendship. Dreibrand is the leader. He’s more worldly and better with women and he’s faced greater dangers. Dreibrand acts as a mentor to Tytido. He is not threatened by Tytido and wants him to have as much success as possible. However Tytido offers critical value as well. He is an important advisor to Dreibrand who is learning to navigate a new culture. Because they are men born of different civilizations, they have interesting philosophical conflicts and find each other intellectually satisfying.
Working toward common ambitions, the two men can depend on each other. They provide an example of friendship and loyalty that is fulfilling in itself without me having to inject conflict into their relationship to drive the narrative. Plenty of external forces provide substantial conflict throughout the novels to keep Dreibrand and Tytido on the same side.
In this scene from The Goddess Queen, Tytido seeks to deepen the terms of his fledgling relationship with Dreibrand on the eve of battle.
They sat by his fire and talked business. Eventually a lull came to the conversation and then Tytido cautiously asked, “May we talk as friends? We may never get another chance.”
The request surprised Dreibrand. He had always maintained some professional distance as the commander, but when he thought about it, Tytido was his friend.
Dreibrand smiled. “Do not sound so pessimistic, Tytido. We will win and we will live.”
“Yes, Sir—Dreibrand. But I was taught that I must accept my death before I enter battle so I will not be afraid. I have done that but I am curious about something, and I would like to know in case I am dead soon,” Tytido explained.
“My people would not talk of death before a battle, but what is it you want to know?” Dreibrand said.
Tytido looked a little embarrassed and he leaned closer and said quietly, “I want to know what you did that you had to go so far from your homeland. People think a crime has driven you from your home.”
Guardedly, Dreibrand demanded, “Who says I am a criminal?”
“It is gossip, rumors. It is no one person. But Dreibrand do not worry about it. The Yentay respect you and do not care what it is. People are only curious,” Tytido said.
“Then what are these rumors?” Dreibrand asked.
“Well, the most popular one is that you killed Miranda’s husband,” Tytido said.
Dreibrand actually laughed, relieved that it was so far from the truth. “No. I have never seen the father of her children, but from what she tells me, I would kill him. Miranda left him before I met her,” Dreibrand explained.
“Then what is it?” Tytido pressed.
Dreibrand sighed and stared at Tytido, trying to truly judge the man. He trusted Tytido but his secret had to stay where it was.
“Tytido, my family is a very old family in Atrophane, and once very powerful, but not so much anymore. I came west seeking a new fortune because I had none to inherit. And that is the truth. As a friend, I ask you to leave it at that,” Dreibrand said.
“So you are not going to tell me,” Tytido surmised.
“I would rather your curiosity kept you alive,” Dreibrand said.
Tytido grinned. Even knowing that Dreibrand held something back, Tytido was glad to know that he went to battle at the side of a friend.
Readers intrigued by how this friendship develops are invited to Brave Luck Books to download the free fantasy ebook Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I so you can meet Dreibrand from the beginning. 

Please leave a comment about friendships in fiction that you found memorable. 
Bonus:
Listen to an audio excerpt from The Goddess Queen. It’s the opening from the novel when Dreibrand takes Tytido out to dinner at a tavern.

The Goddess Queen: The Rys Chronicles Book II is currently being recorded as an audiobook. Support the production and download 2-chapter episodes for $1.50 each.
Want to write about fictional friendships that mattered to you?  

Use the Good Friends and Great Reads blog prompt at your blog. Then fill out the form on this page to tell me about it so I can mention your blog and book here at Her Ladyship's Quest.

Introducing The Good Friends and Great Reads blog prompt

Looking for a new idea to jump start your blogging?
Of course you are!
Steal my Good Friends and Great Reads blog series idea and get some extra promotion from Her Ladyship's Quest.
What to do:

Write a post with this blog prompt: Describe and examine a friendship between characters in a novel. Authors - use your own novels. Book Bloggers - use a favorite novel. Post can also include a short excerpt illustrating the friendship. You can use my puppy book graphic or develop your own.

Next, tell me about it so I can mention and link to your "Good Friends and Great Reads" during my blog series that runs from August 1st to September 20th.

USE THIS FORM

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Starting Thursday August 1st I will begin an 8-part weekly blog series examining the many friendships that develop between characters in my fantasy series. Book lovers who appreciate character driven fiction can get to know the main characters in my novels and hopefully get intrigued enough to visit my web store Brave Luck Books and download an ebook.

Schedule for my Good Friends and Great Reads blog series:

August 1st - Dreibrand and Tytido
August 8th - Dreibrand and ShanAugust 15th - Shan and TaischekAugust 22nd - Dreibrand and FaychanAugust 29th - Cruce and GehrSeptember 5th - Amar and Urlen September 12th - Urlen and DemedaSeptember 19th - Madame Fayeth and Atarek
Questions? Leave me a comment and I'll reply as soon as I can.

The Golden Dice – A Tale of Ancient Rome by Elisabeth Storrs

I'm happy to announce the release of The Golden Dice by Elisabeth Storrs. I read The Wedding Shroud the novel that preceded this story and reviewed it quite favorably. Storrs is a gifted writer who weaves fascinating details from the ancient world into her stories. Please read about the novel and make time to read her wonderful stories.
The Tales of Ancient Rome series chronicles the events of a ten year siege between Rome and the Etruscan city of Veii after the marriage of a young Roman girl, Caecilia, to an Etruscan nobleman, Vel Mastarna. The first book, The Wedding Shroud, ends when war is declared. Newly released, The Golden Dice continues the story seven years later at the height of the conflict. In addition to following Caecilia who is now the matriarch of the wealthy House of Mastarna, two other strong female characters are introduced: Semni, a young Etruscan girl, and Pinna, a Roman tomb whore. Past readers of The Wedding Shroud will enjoy visiting Etruria again while others might like to venture into this world for the first time to learn how three women of the ancient world endure a war. 
About The Golden Dice
During a ten year siege between two age-old enemies, three women follow very different paths to survive:
Caecilia, a young Roman woman, forsakes her city by marrying the Etruscan Vel Mastarna, exposing herself to the enmity of his people and the hatred of the Romans who consider her a traitoress…
Semni, a reckless Etruscan girl, becomes a servant in the House of Mastarna, embroiling herself in schemes that threaten Caecilia's children and her own chance for romance…
Pinna, a tomb whore, uses blackmail to escape her grim life and gain the attention of Rome's greatest general, choosing between her love for him and her loyalty to another…In this second volume in the Tales of Ancient Rome series, the lives of women in war are explored together with the sexuality, religion, and politics of Roman and Etruscan cultures, two great civilizations of ancient history.

You will find more information on the background to Elisabeth’s books in this post on her blog, Triclinium. The Wedding Shroud and The Golden Dice are available on Amazon or via other retailers listed on her website. And Elisabeth would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter.

Book Review of The Anvil of the Craftsman by Dale Amidei

A doctoral candidate in Theological Studies accepts recruitment by a friend in the US State Department for an initiative to the most troublesome province in 2006 Iraq.

I both enjoyed this novel and admired the quality of the writing. At the end of every scene I felt the urge to keep reading. The story was revealed in an effortless flow. Characters were either easy to empathize with or mysteriously fascinating.

In the beginning the novel introduces Jon Anthony, a doctoral candidate in theology. His dissertation is rejected in a heart wrenching series of scenes that let me share in how bereft the character felt after having his life's work rejected. With student loan bills piling up, he ends up taking a contract position in the U.S. State Department headed by Colby, an old college friend of Anthony's. This is how Anthony ends up in Iraq, working as a cultural and religious advisor.

The setting in the early years of the Iraq War make the stakes high and the landscape dangerous. The character of Matt Kameldorn enters the story in Iraq. He's a U.S. Air Force Major who stalks Al Quaida agents and plotters, gathers intelligence, and sometimes assassinates targets. He reminded me a little of the main character in Apocalypse Now, but Kameldorn was not as troubled. He was good at what he did and worked hard to try to save the lives of the people on his side of the war. Kameldorn is presented with fascinating technical accuracy as he employs various surveillance devices and uses weapons. The street scenes in Baghdad came across as very authentic too, and the danger was palpable.

The way the novel also peered into the minds of terrorist cell leaders and the people they recruit was quite gripping. The evil manipulative nature of these leaders who cared nothing about spreading ruthless bloodshed was darkly interesting.

Later in the novel when Kameldorn and Anthony become acquainted and work together on a State Department mission, I was very impressed with the flowering of the Kameldorn character. He had initially been interesting because he was a lone wolf warrior and good at what he did. But in Anthony's company more of his personality came out. The two men hit it off a bit and develop a mutual respect for each other. The warrior and the philosopher created stimulating foils for each other and I enjoyed the chance to see a bit of humor in Kameldorn instead of just the deadly serious stuff.

The Anvil of the Craftsman is a political thriller. It's not the type of novel I usually read, but the title caught my eye. Yes, the title. I just loved that phrase and discovered that the author writes novels as well as he names them.

For a thoughtful, exciting, and well crafted read, I recommend The Anvil of the Craftsman.


Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/113403

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Anvil-Craftsman-Jons-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B006K9Q4W8/

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-anvil-of-the-craftsman-dale-amidei/1107713680?ean=9780984025114

Dale Amidei website http://www.daleamidei.com/

I Rode the Knight's Horse at Black Rock Medieval Fest

I make no secret that I enjoy a nice Renaissance Faire, or Black Rock Medieval Fest as they call it at the Olde Town Village in Augusta, Michigan. When I saw that the performing jousting knights were selling rides on the majestic Percheron horses I got in line. Was I deterred that only little kids were doing it? Nay! I had never been on a horse that big before and I wanted to know what it felt like.

According to the Percheron Association of America these horses "range in height from 15 to 19 hands high, most are between 16-2 and 17-3 hands high. They can weigh up to 2600 pounds with the average around 1900."

That is a very big and powerful horse! If you look at my photo you can see that the horse's back is about the height of the man's head, so I was sitting almost 6 feet up in the air. The view was tremendously different up there. I definitely felt superior to the low class underlings scurrying about on the ground. From the back of that horse, I could easily imagine myself as the lord and master of my adoring serfs.

The raw muscular power of the horse moving beneath me was an impressive sensation. That horses so often willingly share their power with us never ceases to amaze me. During my short ride on the horse named Billy I imagined the Knight in his heavy armor charging on this noble beast and swinging a weapon. That is not something I would ever want to face. When a knight on a war horse is coming at you, I strongly recommend retreat.

Later in the day when I watched the jousting performance I empathized with the Knight who was unhorsed. That was a long fall he took and I shudder to think what it does to one's back when you slam into the ground encased in metal.

Black Rock Medieval Fest is still going on every weekend through August 4th. If you're Southern Michigan go have some fun. The performers are full of joy, the vendors have many interesting wares like swords and corsets, and the woods are lovely and shady.



I'm the author of 8 fantasy novels set in Medieval style worlds of magic. For some epic reading and lots of action with warriors on horses visit my web store Brave Luck Books. Free ebook samples and bundle discounts are available. Ebooks, Print, and Audiobooks are available worldwide.

Union of Renegades by Tracy Falbe included in Smashwords RWA Promotion in Atlanta

I'm pleased to announce that I've been included in the promotional package that my distributor Smashwords is sharing at the Romance Writers of America convention in Atlanta, Georgia July 17th to 20th. Convention visitors who pick up a bag of goodies from the Smashwords team at the convention will get a thumb drive with over 100 free romance ebooks in epub and Kindle formats, including Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I by Tracy Falbe.

This is the most romantic of my epic fantasy novels. It begins the love story between Dreibrand an ambitious military officer and Miranda an escaped slave. They become a power couple that will rule a vast realm but not without terrible risks and grim sacrifice.

Please see the whole announcement at the Smashwords blog:

Smashwords: Smashwords Romance Authors Promoted at RWA Atlanta...: Attendees of the Romance Writers of America national convention in Atlanta this week will discover a special treat.

Union of Renegades can be downloaded for free at Brave Luck Books. Additionally there is an audiobook version too, available worldwide. 

Fun excerpt about temple virgins from fantasy novel Judgment Rising

Commenters at Her Ladyship's Quest this week will enter the prize drawing for a PAPERBACK copy of Judgment Rising. 

Judgment Rising: The Rys Chronicles Book III is also available as an ebook worldwide. In this excerpt Sandin Promentro is at a banquet before he leaves to campaign again in the Wilderness that separates the Atrophane Empire from the lands of the magical rys.
When Sandin had first returned home from the historic journey into the unknown world, the attention and respect from his people had been welcome, but now he was anxious to return to the Wilderness and leave their awe behind. Their curiosity had grown tiresome after five years and the same barrage of excited questions was hitting him again.

“Lord General, are the western creatures really magic?”

“Lord General, what does a rys look like?”

“Lord General, will you make a treaty with these magic creatures?”

“Lord General, is the King of Jingten as great as I have heard?”

Sandin looked directly at the person who asked that question and said, “Greater than you can know.”

The people who heard his answer paused thoughtfully as if trying to imagine something they could not.

Finally, he reached his table and settled down with his close associates, who were more accustomed to his fame. He held the chair for Haley, and, as she sat down, he noted the silver that now mingled with her golden curls. He wondered if any of the gold would be left when he returned to Atrophane. Even at mid-life, Haley was a beautiful woman and Sandin was proud of her. She maintained their political connections superbly and she raised their son well. Haley really embodied his Atrophaney existence, but he could never fully join her. Nothing heated his blood like empire building, like claiming foreign lands and soaking up the power of leading an army and knowing that he was the ultimate law. He imagined it as being Darmar without most of the hassle.

Servers came by with more wine and the first course of food.

Watching the girls go by, Haley commented, “I suspect that these temple virgins may not be as chaste as their title implies.”

Carfu, who sat on the other side of Sandin, joked, “Why Lady Triesto, I believe that is covered by the don’t ask, don’t tell policy.”

Sandin shared in their laughter but then scolded his wife for starting rumors.

“I never started a thing with a temple virgin,” Haley insisted and got another laugh.

If you have a U.S. shipping address, leave a comment to enter the giveaway for a PAPERBACK of Judgment Rising. If you prefer an ebook please visit Brave Luck Books. 

Magik and Mayem Massive Fantasy Book Giveaway Drawing

During the Magik and Mayem Giveaway Blog Hop you can discover new authors and their splendid fantasy novels and enter to win great prizes.

Prize #1 from Tracy Falbe

Here at Her Ladyship's Quest you can win a PRINT PAPERBACK copy of Judgment Rising. Comment at this blog with your email address to enter my drawing. (You must have a U.S. shipping address to qualify.)

A paperback copy of this 5-star rated epic fantasy could be yours. Comment at Her Ladyship's Quest from July 15th to 19th to enter the drawing. (U.S. shipping address required.)Prize #2 Main Prize Package

One lucky winner will receive all of the following. PLEASE USE THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM TO ENTER DRAWING FOR MAIN PRIZE PACKAGE.

Ebook Yseult by Ruth Nestvold
Ebook bundle Season 1 Boreal and John Grey by Chrystalla Thoma
Ebook bundle Dark Elf by Willo Nonea Rea
Ebook Caitlin's Book of Shadows by Juli D. Revezzo
Print book Raingun by John Blackport
Ebook Aundes Aura by Ryan Sullivan
Ebook Seeking a Scribe by Marsha A. Moore
Ebook bundle The Underground Trilogy by Anna Kyss
Ebook Rune Breaker by Landon Porter
Ebook Judgement Rising by Tracy Falbe
Ebook The Chosen by Annette Gisby
Ebook New Zealand with a Hobbit Botherer by John & Annette Gisby
Gift certificate for amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hop all of the author's blogs for more prizes and more entries for the main prize package!
http://johnblackport.wordpress.com/
http://www.herladyshipsquest.com
http://www.zipperrippers.blogspot.co.uk
http://www.annakyss.com/
http://www.MarshaAMoore.blogspot.com
http://ruthnestvold.wordpress.com
http://www.descendantsserial.com
http://WNRmedia.tumblr.com
http://julidrevezzo.com/blog
http://www.thedarkcornerofthemind.blogspot.com.au/
http://chrystallathoma.wordpress.com/

My blog tour in review

The prize has been awarded and the review stops are over for Rys Rising: Book I. I picked up 4 positive reviews, 2 of which got added to Amazon US and 1 was added to Barnes & Noble.

Hopefully these reviews will help me gain a few new readers as time goes by.

My favorite part of the tour was interacting with the questions left at the blog.

One commenter asked me who was my favorite character to write?

This was my response:

"It’s so difficult to say who was my favorite character to write. So many of them please me in different ways, but since I have to pick I’ll say that Amar was a thrilling character to write. He’s a winner and gets away with things, and I adore the fantasy of being an outlaw."

Another person wanted to know if my novels were young adult. 

I suppose they're not, but it's hard for me to know what young adult is. Does that mean an 11 year old or a 16 year old? If I'm to believe new research about brain development, then a young adult is 25 years old.

Anyway perhaps "young adult" is code for no sex, so I said that my novels are not labeled young adult because they have sex in them. Of course when I was a teenager I loved coming across sex scenes in novels, so kids that are curious about sex should read, read, read!

I enjoyed doing the blog tour, and appreciated the help of Goddess Fish Promotions. It seems that these tour companies have become important for reaching book reviewers, who are too booked up to respond to requests from individual authors.

I'm certain to do more blog tours in the future. I think they are a good tool for gaining extra exposure and reviews on top of my steady trickle of guest posts that I arrange myself with other gracious bloggers.