Linnea Tanner's Blog, page 38
January 1, 2021
Welcome to Day 5 of “THE ENIGMA THREAT” Release Blog Tour! @enigmaseries @1rburkey @4WillsPub @4WP11 @RRBC_Org #RRBC
Introduction
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Day 5 of “THE ENIGMA THREAT” Release Blog Tour. “The Enigma Threat” by Breakfield and Burkey is Book 12 in the popular Enigma Series which will be released on January 8, 2021.
Giveaways on this blog tour include: (1) $25 Amazon Gift card & (10) e-book copies of the “shorts” in the Enigma Series
Below is an excerpt of “The Enigma Threat,” biographies of co-authors (Charles Breakfield and Roxanne Burkey), and a discussion on how the Enigma Series further developed the skills of the co-authors Breakfield and Burkey.
Excerpt of The Enigma Threat
The Enigma Threat
by Breakfield and Burkey
In the new digital world, there is no tolerance for privately owned supercomputers. Globally, computers are hunted and destroyed for the greater good, by the new cyber police CESPOOL. The information this group receives is manipulated by subversive hidden machine learning devices, the MAG running on the dark net.
Judith and Xiamara are freebooters who steal machine time for their PaaS, porn as a service business. The machine they chose for delivery is the last untapped supercomputer not in the hands of a sovereign. Their activity is spotted by the MAG, but the renegade R-Group steps in to alter the outcome. Leroy teams up with Zara to help these opportunists escape prosecution. They are drafted as reluctant participants in the fight.
Jacob and Quip are trapped in the Chihuahuan Desert trying to reconstruct the base of ICABOD’s logic core. The stress of their isolation is taking a toll. Their wives and children are safe in Brazil for the time being, but Interpol is prowling for answers.
The R-Group has assembled a way to communicate with orphaned satellites. While the next R-Group plans the ultimate honey pot to trap their nemesis who is driving their corrupted agenda. The odds are against R-Group’s success, but they have creative surprises on their side.
The stakes have never been higher. The R-Group young and old must rise to defeat the MAG.
BIO: Breakfield & Burkey
Breakfield is a 25+ year technology expert in security, networking, voice, and anything digital. He enjoys writing, studying World War II history, travel, and cultural exchanges. He’s also a fan of wine tastings, winemaking, Harley riding, cooking extravaganzas, and woodworking.
Burkey is a 25+ year applied technology professional who excels at optimizing technology and business investments. She works with customers all over the world focusing on optimized customer experiences. She writes white papers and documentation, but found she has a marked preference for writing fiction.
Together they create award-winning stories that resonate with males and females, as well as young and experienced adults. They bring a fresh new view to technology possibilities today.
Contact Information:
Connect and follow Breakfield & Burkey on Social Media:
LinkedIn Charles Breakfield
LinkedIn RoxanneBurkey
Twitter Enigma Series
Twitter Roxanne Burkey
Facebook
YouTube
Pinterest
Instagram
Bublish
RRBC
4Wills Tour Day 5
We wanted to discuss how the Enigma Series further developed our skills as co-authors Breakfield and Burkey.
Like any other skill, the more you work at it and apply your talents, the more it improves. Though each story is important to us, as children, they are different. We find each subsequent fictional novel is written better than the prior one with more adapted advanced technology. We love being storytellers in writing or when we speak to various groups.
Recognizing we have improved is what is driving our revisions for the earlier books. The writing in the 2nd editions, to date The Enigma Factor, The Enigma Rising, and The Enigma Ignite, are tighter and more succinct. We used additional readers, editors, and reviewer feedback to modify the contents, improving the customer experience.
The different competitions we have entered for short stories, as well as submissions for our novels in other genres, is an eye-opener. We face our most significant challenges in competitions with specific words for a given story. The 1,500-word short stories we find as the most brutal. We appreciate that most of them provide some level of feedback. The short shorts or minis teach us to focus on capturing a compelling vignette with no excess words. The deception is, oh, no problem. I’ll whip this bad boy out before my morning corn flakes.
We know there is always room for improvement. Toward that end, we sit on a short for 3 days after we think it is finished. The reason? Every story should be crafted like it was the last thing you ever get to do. We want to return to it one more time to make sure it is our best at this moment in time.
Producing content for tours like this requires a focused and thoughtful response. We like giving value with interesting, structured content, as well as insights to us as people. It is that old business lesson of people will do business with people. If something is missed and we are willing to make it right or accept their comments, then we have integrity and have honor.
Burkey is the blog driver of this team. She insists upon 600-to-700-word essays on comments on technology we feature in online publications like Medium for professional thought leadership. It all goes back to that first writing lesson we all got when the instructor handed back a C- on our English papers. Then added in big red letters, Show, don’t tell.
Storytelling is a classic art form, but there are several immutable rules that we all must obey to succeed. Once we’ve learned to follow the rules, the rest is style. We do try to bend them at times.
Now we can honestly say that going from full-length novels to short story competitions with word limits ranging from 1,500 to 7,000 words makes us work harder. That is a challenge we are committed to winning. We are working in writing groups and reviewing lessons from other winning authors. We can always improve.
The most significant jump to date is taking a story from prose to a screenplay or One-Act play. We find it like the difference between jumping over a 6-foot cattle guard and jumping the Grand Canyon on a motorcycle, like the fantastic Evel Knievel. Yet this year, we have spent time in both writing forms. We always learn something.
Screenplays are all about dialog, not narrative. The size limitations are roughly 110 pages for a 2-hour film. The required format for these is vastly different from the word documents we generate for a story, long or short. We are learning a specific screenplay application called Final Draft that renders the correct format. The challenges are slowly overcome, but not without a little frustration. We invite you to check out our Kickstarter challenge, where our goal is to get support to begin a screenplay for The Enigma Threat.
We were delighted to learn we won a One-Act Play called Dragon and the Butterfly, in a local competition. Some of the words that made our hearts soar were delightfully different, intriguing, and fun. One comment included would love to see it in production.
We are always learning something and getting better. We dearly appreciate the many awards we have received, yet also recognize grabbing mindshare in today’s world takes the support of a village and colleagues like you.
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To follow along with the rest of the tour, please visit the authors’ tour page on the 4WillsPublishing site. If you’d like to book your own blog tour and have your book promoted in similar grand fashion, please click HERE. Thanks for supporting these authors and their work!
December 30, 2020
David Fitz-Gerald She Sees Ghosts The Coffee Pot Book Club Book Blast Tour #HistoricalParanormal #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub
Introduction
It is my pleasure to spotlight David Fitz-Gerald as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Book Blast Tour being held from 31st December 2020 — 1st January 2021. David Fitz-Gerald is the author of the Historical/Supernatural novel, She Sees Ghosts―The Story of a Woman Who Rescues Lost Souls (Part of the Adirondack Spirit Series), which was released on 25th October 2020 by Outskirts Press (270 pages).
Below are highlights of She Sees Ghosts―The Story of a Woman Who Rescues Lost Souls, David Fitz-Gerald’s biography, and book trailer.
Author Bio: David Fitz-Gerald
David Fitz-Gerald writes fiction that is grounded in history and soars with the spirits. Dave enjoys getting lost in the settings he imagines and spending time with the characters he creates. Writing historical fiction is like making paintings of the past. He loves to weave fact and fiction together, stirring in action, adventure, romance, and a heavy dose of the supernatural with the hope of transporting the reader to another time and place. He is an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked all of the highest peaks in New York State, so it should not be surprising when Dave attempts to glorify hikers as swashbuckling superheroes in his writing. She Sees Ghosts―A Story of a Woman Who Rescues Lost Souls is the next installment in the Adirondack Spirit Series.
Social Media Links:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram
Highlights of She Sees Ghosts by David Fitz-Gerald
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She Sees Ghosts―The Story of a Woman Who Rescues Lost Souls
By David Fitz-Gerald
A blazing fire killed her family and devoured her home. A vengeful demon haunted her. Ghosts of the Revolutionary War needed help that only she could provide. A young woman languished, desperate to survive, and teetered on the edge of sanity.
Mehitable grew up in a freshly tamed town, carved from the primeval forest. Family, friends, and working at the mercantile filled her days and warmed her heart. For Mehitable, life was simple and safe until tragedy struck. When her family perished in their burning home, she retreated into a world of her own making.
As a young girl, she had seen glimmers, glimpses, and flickers of the spirit world. She closed her eyes. She turned her back. She ignored the apparitions that she never spoke of, desperately hoping they would leave her in peace. She was mistaken.
Grief-stricken, Mehitable withdrew from the human world. Ghosts were everywhere. They became bolder. She could no longer turn her back on the spirit world. Her friends feared for her survival. Nobody understood her. She would have to find her own way.
Fans of TV’s Ghost Whisperer and Long Island Medium will especially love She Sees Ghosts. This historical novel features memorable characters and delivers bone-tingling, spine chilling goosebumps. It stands on its own, and it is the next installment in the Adirondack Spirit Series by the award-winning author of Wanders Far―An Unlikely Hero’s Journey. David Fitz-Gerald delivers a historical novel with a bittersweet ending that you won’t see coming.
Would she save the spirits’ souls, or would they save her? Only time would tell.
She Sees Ghosts is FREE on #Kindle for a Limited Time
Buy Link: Amazon
Book Trailer: She Sees Ghosts
Book Blast Tour Schedule
December 27, 2020
Press Release Apollo’s Raven by Linnea Tanner Historical Fiction / Fantasy Weaves Celtic Mythology Into Backdrop of Ancient Rome and Britannia
Contact:
Linnea Tanner
Email: linnea@linneatanner.com
Phone: (720) 201-1197
Website: https://www.linneatanner.com/
Update on Apollo’s Raven by Linnea Tanner Follows Two Star-crossed Lovers and Weaves #Celtic Mythology into a Backdrop of Ancient Rome and Britannia
First novel in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series sweeps readers into an epic tale
of love, magic, adventure, intrigue and betrayal
WINDSOR, CO, December 27, 2020 – In a story of forbidden love and loyalty, the Celtic Warrior Princess Catrin is caught in a political web of deception when the Roman Emperor Tiberius demands allegiance from her father, King Amren.
Catrin is drawn by the magnetic pull she feels for Marcellus, the great-grandson of Mark Antony, who stands in the shadow of his scandalous forefathers. When King Amren takes Marcellus as a hostage, he demands that Catrin spy on him. As she falls in love, she discovers a curse that foretells a future she desperately wants to break.
Torn between her forbidden love for the enemy and loyalty to her people, Catrin urgently calls upon the magic of the Ancient Druids to alter the dark prophecy that looms over her.
Will she save her lover? Will her father succumb to the Emperor’s demands? Discover the truth in Apollo’s Raven, an epic Celtic tale of love, magic, adventure, intrigue and betrayal set in Ancient Rome and Britannia. The historical fiction/epic fantasy by Colorado author Linnea Tanner is the first in a series of books in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. The story spans from 24 AD when the young couple first meet to 40 AD just prior to Emperor Claudius’ invasion.
The series, inspired by the legacy of Cleopatra and Mark Antony but with a Celtic twist, will appeal to women ages 18 to 35 who want a captivating tale of a young woman torn between loyalty to her family and love for the Roman enemy. Readers will learn how true love has the power to change destiny.
“Modern women can draw on the rich traditions of ancient civilizations where women owned property and could become rulers and Druids,” Tanner said. “These women fought, hunted, rode horses, and used bows and arrows, just like the men, to maintain the integrity and protection of their society.”
As a young girl growing up in the 1950s, Tanner was inspired by the myths and legends of powerful women warriors and sorceresses. In third grade, when her friends were reading Nancy Drew mysteries, she was devouring books on Greek and Nordic mythology. By eighth grade, she was reading adult historical fiction – “the adventures of epic heroes and gods and goddesses that steered the fate of humans.”
Subscribe to Linnea Tanner’s newsletter at https://www.linneatanner.com/newsletter/. She accepts invitations to discuss her book with book clubs and readers’ groups via Zoom. Email Linnea at linnea@linneatanner.com.
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About Linnea Tanner
Since childhood, Linnea Tanner’s passion has been learning about ancient civilizations and mythology which held women in high esteem. In preparation for writing Apollo’s Raven, she did extensive research and traveled to sites in the United Kingdom and France which she describes in her books.
She is an expert in Celtic history, mythology and legends, the legacy of Celtic women, and Rome’s influence over Celtic tribal kingdoms in Britannia.
Tanner retired in 2010 from the pharmaceutical industry where she worked as a chemist and regulatory affairs liaison. Depending on the time of day and season of the year, you will find her exploring and researching ancient and medieval history, mythology and archaeology to support her writing. She lives with her husband in Windsor, Colo.
About Apollo’s Raven
Apollo’s Raven, the first novel in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series, weaves ancient Celtic epics of love, magic, adventure, intrigue and betrayal. The historical fantasy series is inspired by the legacy of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, but with a Celtic twist. The heroine is based on historical accounts and mythology of Celtic warrior queens. Her Roman lover is the great-grandson of Mark Antony. The vastly different cultures of the 1st Century empire-building Romans and the mystical Celts from Britannia set the backdrop to the series.
Apollo Raven Publisher, LLC
1) Originally published 2017: limited edition hardcover ISBN 978-0-9982300-1-6 [available only at Apollo Raven Publisher, LLC ($22.95)] and audiobook ISBN 978-0-9982300-3-0 [Available at Amazon, Audible, and AppleBooks ($21.99)]
2) Relaunched 1st Edition published 2018: softcover ISBN 978-1-948543-29-3 [Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, AppleBooks, GooglePlay, Independent Book Store ($15.95)]
3) Relaunched 2nd Edition published 2020: e-book ISBN 978-1-6470405-4-3 (Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, AppleBooks, GooglePlay ($2.99)].
The Library of Congress Catalog Number is 2016920018)
Review Copies and Media Interviews:
For a review copy of Apollo’s Raven, or an interview with Linnea Tanner, contact Tanner at 720-201-1197 or linnea@linneatanner.com. If you would like to receive this information as a Word document, please let us know.
Tags:
Apollo’s Raven, Curse of Clansmen and Kings, Historical Fantasy, Fantasy Historical, Linnea Tanner, Mark Antony, Celtic Tale, Celtic Mythology, Ancient Rome, Britannia, Epic Fantasy, Historical Romance, Intrigue, Adventure, Betrayal, Magic, Celtic Women, Historical Fiction, Druid, Sorcery, Cleopatra, Dark Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Star-crossed Lovers
December 12, 2020
Jingle Bell Rock Audiobook Giveaway and Author Updates
Looking for the perfect gift for the holidays? I’ve joined a select group of authors to bring you amazing audiobooks on the Jingle Bell Rock Online Facebook Event. It is open to the public for anyone on or off Facebook on Dec 20 at 10 am MST – Dec 21 at 10 PM MST.
CLICK on the image below to join as a GOING guest for the Jingle Bell Rock Facebook Event.
Check out the prizes: https://uviart.blogspot.com/2020/11/jingle-bell-rock.html
Never listened to an audiobook before? It’s easier than you think: http://tinyurl.com/never-listened
2020 PenCraft Award
I am honored to announce that Amulet’s Rapture (Book 3 Curse of Clansmen and Kings) has won 1st Place in the 2020 PenCraft Award for Fiction: Fantasy. Click on the book cover below for the complete review.
“An astoundingly good novel with an enormous depth of authentic knowledge and revelations about the real conquest of Britain. I loved the aesthetics, the political strife, the character tropes– all of it. Tanner’s work offers gripping action and thought-provoking plotting and constant intrigue. When the story involves personal insights or a character’s inner dialogue, it is believable and real. Amulet’s Rapture delivers it all.” —AuthorsReading
Update on Skull’s Vengeance (Book 4 Curse of Clansmen and Kings)
I had hoped to release Skull’s Vengeance (Book 4 Curse of Clansmen and Kings) this year but now anticipate it will be released later in 20201. The novel has undergone major revisions with additional twists. The story primarily focuses on Catrin’s epic journey to return to Britannia and to confront her half-brother, Marrock. The book cover for Skull’s Vengeance is under development and will be revealed after the first of the year.
Spinoff books about Catrin’s eldest sister, Vala, and Marcellus’s rise to power in Rome are under development and will be standalone books apart from the series.
A newsletter offering additional holiday giveaways will be sent out next week to subscribers in appreciation for their continued support.
Take care and stay safe,
Linnea Tanner
December 8, 2020
Paula Lofting The Wolf Banner (Sons of the Wolf, Book 2) The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub
IntroductionIt is my pleasure to feature Paula Lofting as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between December 7th – December 18th, 2020. She is the author of the historical fiction novel, The Wolf Banner (Sons of the Wolf, Book 2). The 2nd Edition of the book was released on 26th August 2020 by Longship Publishing.
Below are highlights about The Wolf Banner, Paula Lofting’s biography, and my review of her book.
The Wolf Banner
The Wolf Banner
Songs of the Wolf, Book 3
By Paula Lofting
WAR AND BLOODFEUD
“Best battle description ever!”
1056…England lurches towards war as the rebellious Lord Alfgar plots against the indolent King Edward. Sussex thegn, Wulfhere, must defy both his lord, Harold Godwinson, and his bitter enemy, Helghi, to protect his beloved daughter.
As the shadow of war stretches across the land, a more personal battle rages at home, and when it follows him into battle, he knows he must keep his wits about him more than ever, and COURAGE AND FEAR MUST BECOME HIS ARMOUR…
Buy Links:
Author Bio: Paula Lofting
Paula Lofting is the author of 2 volumes in the Sons of the Wolf series of which she is working on her third instalment. She has been a prolific reader all her life, inspired by authors like Rosemary Sutcliffe, Mary Stewart, and Sharon Penman. She is a psychiatric nurse by day and writes in her spare time whenever she can. Mother of three grown up children and 2 grandchildren, she lives in Sussex and is also a re-enactor of the late Dark Age period.
As a reenactor of the period I can actually say that I have fought and died at the Battle of Hastings at least three times.
Author’s Social Media Links:
Website • Blog • Twitter • Instagram
The Wolf Banner Book Review
[image error] An ill wind blows over England as noble families are drawn into battle and their loyalties are tested in the political machinations of Anglo-Saxon rulers.
The Wolf Banner (Sons of the Wolf Series, Book Two) by Paula Lofting is an epic saga in pre-Norman 11th Century England where Lord Alfgar plots a war against King Edward for political gain. The epic saga continues the tale of the Sussex thegn, Wulhere, who faces strife within his family and conflict with his bitter enemy, Helghi. There is sufficient background to read the second book as a standalone but reading the first book in the series would be advantageous to help avoid confusion with the myriad of characters and their storylines.
The epic continues in 1056 when Wulhere defies his lord, Harold Godwinson, by breaking a marital agreement for his daughter to wed the son of his bitter enemy, Helghi. Wulhere’s relationship with his wife is strained due to his infidelity with a mistress who gives birth to their child. As he struggles to balance internal conflict within his family, an ill wind blows over England as Lord Alfgar allies with the Norsemen and Gruffudd to war against King Edward for political advantage. Harold manipulates Alfgar’s son, Burghred, to betray his father a second time. Loyalties are tested and betrayals revealed in a chest game for political power.
Author Paula Lofting weaves heartfelt personal tales into the broad political landscape of historical figures who drive events leading up to the Battle of Hastings. The story is told from various points of view to give a broader historical context, but the frequent changes in perspective sometimes makes it difficult to transition from one storyline to another. The narrative works best when it focuses on Wulhere’s struggles with his family and adversary, Helghi. Lofting masterfully captures Wulhere’s raw emotions of love, betrayal, and loss in his life journey as a noble warrior and family man. There are some poignant moments when his children’s lives are caught up in the political whirlwind of those in power. Burghred is also another engaging character with whom I could empathize with his conflicting loyalties to King Edward and his father, Alfgar. However, there a few scenes that did not add significantly to the plot which, in my opinion, could have been deleted to make the narrative leaner.
The battle scenes are riveting and some of the best I’ve read. This is where the different perspectives of the various characters work best to capture the logistics of the battlefield and the unfolding tragedy. The everyday life in medieval England is brought to life with impeccable detail based on the author’s extensive research. The glossary of places and language used in the book were extra bonuses. It would have been helpful to have a list of characters highlighting their historical significance and their relationships with other characters. There were a few grammatical errors, but these didn’t detract from the story.
The Wolf Banner is a multi-layered, epic saga set toward the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in medieval England with memorable characters, realistic depiction of middle ages lifestyle, political intrigue, and gripping battle scenes. Recommended.
Linnea Tanner
Schedule of Blog Tour
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December 1, 2020
Thomas J. Berry Fire and Ash (Gifts of the Gods, Book 3) The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #FireandAsh #HistoricalFiction #AncientGreek #CoffeePotBookClub
Introduction
It is my pleasure to feature Thomas J. Berry as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between November 30th – 11th December 2020. He is the author of the historical fiction novel, Fire and Ash (Gifts of the Gods, Book 3), that was released on 10th October 2020 by BookLocker Publisher (450 pages). The Coffee Pot Book Club awarded Fire and Ash the Gold Medal for Book of the Year 2020 under Historical Fiction, Ancient World!
Below are highlights about Fire and Ash, Thomas J. Berry’s biography, and an excerpt from his book.
Fire and Ash
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Fire and Ash
Gifts of the Gods, Book 3
By Thomas J Berry
Five men and women in Ancient Greece are set on a dangerous journey of self-discovery during the bitter conflict of the Peloponnesian War.
While mighty Athens struggles to rebuild after a devastating campaign abroad, the feared warriors of Sparta prepare to deliver the final blow in a decades long war. No one is safe anymore as the conflict shifts across the Aegean to the shores of wealthy Persia. Old colonies, once loyal to Athens, are eager to rebel and the Great King is willing to pay anything to regain his control over them. These coastal plains set the stage for massive battles and heartbreaking defeats. This time there will be only one true victor.
The news coming out of Sicily ripples across the cities of Ancient Greece like a thunderbolt and it is left to the poor and desperate to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. One young mother is suddenly faced with a horrible tragedy and struggles against all odds to make a new life for her family. An eager boy looking for adventure enlists in the new Athenian ranks but finds life on campaign a lot more than he bargained for. A Spartan officer in the twilight of his years struggles to adapt to a young man’s army and an exiled Athenian strives to earn his way back into the graces of his beloved city. The harem girls in a Persian court meet a handsome foreigner and one risks everything for a chance at love.
As the conflict between Athens and Sparta builds to a final showdown, five men and women struggle to come to terms with their changing world. What will they find in the ashes when peace finally comes?
Buy Links:
Amazon UK • Amazon US • Amazon CA • Amazon AU • BookLocker
Author Bio: Thomas J. Berry
Thomas J. Berry received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from St. Bonaventure University. He takes pleasure in extensively researching both historical fiction and non-fiction stories. In his spare time, he enjoys long-distance running and has completed several marathons. He currently lives with his wife and children in New Jersey. You can learn more about Thomas and his historical novels on his website: www.thomas-berry.com.
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Author’s Social Media Links:
Twitter • Instagram • Goodreads
Fire and Ash (Gifts of the Gods, Book 3) Excerpt
By Thomas J. Berry
“Do you have any idea what this is about?” she asked her beau as they walked towards the largest of the old homes. It belonged to a minor official in the area who was currently with his troops in Lebedos. It would afford them a quiet, remote location for this clandestine meeting.
“Tissaphernes only told me that my presence was requested. Otherwise, he has kept me in the dark. It’s a bit unsettling, I must say, but I had to place my fate in his hands months ago and he has not let me down yet. I must continue to trust the man, at least for now.”
The small party had to endure another hour of waiting before the door finally opened to admit their guest. He had covered his head and shoulders with a hooded robe, apparently to avoid being seen. When he pulled it off, Timandra did not recognize him but his bearing spoke of a military background. He was a tall man, somewhere in his mid-fifties if she had to guess. He wore his hair long and his heavy black beard was even thicker than many Persian nobles she knew. The man wore no uniform, but he might have just wanted to keep a low profile. Her two escorts, however, stood up and greeted him with curt formality.
“Admiral,” Tissaphernes inquired, “we are here as you requested although I am not sure why we could not have met at my castle in Sardis.”
“I thought Magnesia was a convenient spot for both of us, under the circumstances. I have come alone, and I see you have brought Alcibiades as I had hoped. What I have to say certainly involves you.” He turned towards Timandra and asked the Governor why she was in attendance.
“She is here at my discretion,” Alcibiades explained. “I like the way she keeps me entertained. The girl will be as silent as the dead.”
The Spartan commander looked annoyed with the idea but let it go for now. Timandra had seen the crimson-caped warriors at Miletus as well as her own castle in the last few months but this face was new. Her curiosity was getting the better of her. What had brought him alone to meet with his paymaster?
“Astyochus, your men are not due for my coin for another two months,” the Governor said with irritation. “Explain yourself. We have been waiting too long already.”
Their guest removed a parchment from beneath his short tunic. “Last week, I received this letter from a concerned party…in Samos.”
Alcibiades perked up at the mention of the Athenian base. Did this have anything to do with his recent actions?
“It’s a warning, apparently written by the hand of their own commander, a man named…”
“Phrynichus,” Alcibiades finished for him. What in Hades had possessed the man to reach out to his sworn enemy?
“Indeed,” the Admiral said with a sly grin. “It appears the letter wasn’t completely inaccurate then.”
“What does it say exactly?” Tissaphernes inquired hotly. He was sitting between two warring factions and their antics seemed to be escalating for reasons still unknown to him.
The Admiral finally handed over the parchment and let the Persian read through it. “Phrynichus tells a sordid tale,” their guest began, “and accuses Alcibiades of betraying Sparta. He goes on to explain how this once trusted advisor to King Agis himself agreed to deliver Persian influence to Athens in an effort to win the war for his former homeland.”
“If you believe that to be true, why are you telling us this?” Tissaphernes said with a hint of anger in his voice. “I have not discussed anything of the sort with Alcibiades and have no interest in coddling up to the likes of Athens.”
Astyochus simply shrugged his shoulders. “That may be,” he said, “but it certainly stinks of treason and dishonor.”
“I understand the commander’s reasons for accusing me,” Alcibiades said. “He and I have a long-standing disagreement…”
The Admiral grabbed the parchment back angrily. “I don’t care what you two had going on back in the day! If his letter is accurate, and I see no reason for him to lie about it, why do you think he’d tell me at all? We are at war! It seems the commander is at odds with his own troops. He seems concerned for the future, for his future! If we use this information and attack Samos before the Persian fleet arrives to support them, we can cut them off at the knees and force them from these very shores.”
“If that is your plan, why are you divulging it to us now?” Timandra asked for the first time. All eyes turned in her direction. She was not an expert in foreign affairs, nor did she even have much knowledge of the current war effort. Each of these three men had decades more experience in such matters. Still, she felt she couldn’t remain silent any longer.
The Spartan looked irritated but answered her question anyway. Perhaps it was what he was hoping to get off his chest this whole time, she thought. “My duty is to Sparta, but I can also be of assistance to Persia in other ways…for the right price.”
The damn man is asking for a bribe to betray his own! Timandra was shocked at the thought. However, she reasoned, even the strict Spartans needed coin now and then, despite whatever hardship story they tell others. The world is full of people willing to trade information for a bit on the side.
Tissaphernes smiled. Despite the cultural differences between them, here was a man he could finally understand. He put his arm deep into his robe and pulled out a small bag. He tossed it to the Admiral who weighed the coins in his hand and nodded his approval.
“If you get any more missives from the Athenian commander,” Tissaphernes stated, “you will convey them directly to me. I am not working with Phrynichus and will do nothing to hamper the Spartan cause but if his information can help us, it’s important to take advantage of it.”
“You are most generous, Governor,” the Spartan replied. “I will do my utmost to give you any new updates from Samos if they are forthcoming.”
The Admiral turned to face Alcibiades. “There is a price on your head from two cities now,” he commented. “I have a personal request from Agis himself. The Governor graciously protects you but one day you might find yourself alone and without friends. You should be careful where you walk these days.”
“Is that a threat?” Alcibiades asked a bit hotly.
“Let’s just call it an observation. If I followed my king’s directive, I would have had you assassinated long ago. You should know more than anyone just how deadly Spartans can be.” The Admiral turned on his heels without waiting for a response and quickly exited the building.
Timandra looked at her two escorts and wondered what they were thinking. The Athenian commander had tried to target Alcibiades by accusing him of betraying Sparta, but he had compromised his own position in doing so. She assumed Phrynichus must be at a crossroads himself if he was taking such a gamble. Was he willing to risk a Spartan strike against Samos?
“Governor,” Alcibiades began. “Phrynichus has put us both in a bad light with Sparta and we were fortunate the Admiral is as fond for silver and gold as the rest of us mortal men. But the Athenian must pay for his action and I know how best to do it.”
“Indeed,” Tissaphernes replied hotly. “What is your recommendation?”
“We can’t reach him directly but he’s already in a tight predicament with his officers. I will write to them and denounce his actions as treasonous. I shall demand his immediate execution. With him out of the way, my plan to be recalled will meet with no further obstacles. Athens will abandon its hold over the colonies and return them to Persian control.”
“And what of Sparta?” he asked. “Will she retire as well? We are supporting their army, but my instinct tells me they will seek to take more territory than they give back. If Persia is to have lasting peace, the Great King must collect his tribute from those coastal towns once lost to us. How will you guarantee Spartan cooperation?”
“Your guarantee, Governor, just walked out that door,” Alcibiades replied. “The Admiral is in your pay now and, given enough coin, he can make all your worries disappear!”
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November 23, 2020
Join in the celebration of #RRBCAuthor @sharrislaughter, #RRBC’s November “SPOTLIGHT” Author! #Author of #OurLadyOfVictory
It is my pleasure to introduce Shirley Harris-Slaughter as the #RRBC’s “SPOTLIGHT” Author for the month of November! She has just released her second edition of the book, “Our Lady of Victory.” I just received a paperback of her book today and am looking forward to reading it.
The second edition provides updates on the state of this historic church. In the original publication, files were lost then resurfaced with content altered along with missing photos during the transition from one publisher to another. Such is the fate of an Independent Author.
This book evolved out of years of frustration at the total disregard and lack of respect for the contributions of Black Catholics in the city of Detroit. The author says, “We are not mentioned in the pages of history along with the other Catholic churches that sprung up during the World War II era, and that needed to be corrected.” The author did fulfill one dream since publication … that this church can now be found on the web even though it has merged with another church. It is now called Presentation-Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.
Click on the book cover to purchase.
Book trailer:
November 19, 2020
Welcome to Day 11 of the WATCH “RWISA” WRITE Showcase Tour! @nonniejules @RRBC_Org #RRBC #RWISA #RWISAWRW
Featured Author Nonnie Jules
Today’s featured author on Day 11 of the WATCH “RWISA” WRITE Showcase Tour is Nonnie Jules. Below is her thought-provoking and poignant poem entitled “…IN THE WORLD OF WE”.
…IN THE WORLD OF WE
by Nonnie Jules
We often hear that music is the universal language. It is the avenue to bridge all divides –
racial divides
gender divides
political divides.
But, in the midst of all the division,
each party holding court in their respective corners of the ring,
ears lightly tickled by the sound of the simple “IMAGINE” by John Lennon,
wafting through the musky air of tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons –
a mist of standstill calms the noise
…and in mere moments, the eyes of “independent” onlookers are pleasantly greeted by the most beautiful and welcoming sight –
…bodies slowly rocking
…hands collectively raised
…waving side to side
…all in unison
…chanting
“Imagine there’s no heaven. It’s easy if you try…”
The 2020 US election has ended. The people have spoken.
What’s left behind? A world of anxiety and angst – wrapped in feelings of wondering when the bombs will drop, or when the other shoe will fall. And although I’d like to point fingers here and maybe even call a few not-so-pretty names, my daughter sits beside me as I write this, an ear to measure the “nice” level in my words, the child guiding the parent. Roles reversed, she gently reminds me that the original goal of this message is unification – therefore, I will stay the course of peace.
In this moment, acknowledging that my conscience of decency is bigger than any emotion that might be stirring the embers of fires that have burned deep inside me for the past few years – neutrality is my cohort, and we will not take sides.
Instead, all that will be allowed to roll off my tongue is FACT…
one reign is ending
and another about to begin.
Some exultant…
others despondent
Yet, now is not the time for either.
Yesterday is gone,
today almost a memory,
but what awaits us in tomorrow
is what WE decide it will be.
This is not the land of us and them –
this is the world of WE.
WE decide what, who and how WE want to be.
Do you resemble love, or, are you wearing the likeness of hate?
What adorns your heart, a choice only you can make … for you.
So, I have made my choice – and it is firm and true!
I choose love.
To love,
to be loved,
to speak love,
to exude love,
to live love.
Because I know that what I send out into the world, will be exactly what the world returns to my doorstep.
It is for that reason that I shall…
remain steadfast in my vigilance –
cognizant of any negativity that might try to seep in or out of my pores –
Skillfully suppressing the desire to gloat in the face of the so-called “losing” side.
I’ve too much pride…to stoop so low.
The 2020 US election has ended. The people have spoken.
There were no losers.
WE are a world of winners.
Remember, WE decide
what
who
and how
WE will be
in this…
beautiful
colorful
everchanging
world of WE .
“Imagine there’s no country
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace…
It’s all easy if WE try.”
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Thank you for supporting this member along the WATCH “RWISA” WRITE Showcase Tour today! We ask that if you have enjoyed this member’s writing, please visit their Author Profile on the RWISA site, where you can find more of their writing, along with their contact and social media links, if they’ve turned you into a fan.
We ask that you also check out their books in the RWISA catalog. Thanks, again, for your support and we hope that you will follow along each day of this amazing tour of talent by visiting the tour home page! Don’t forget to click the link below to learn more about today’s profiled author:
November 18, 2020
Bright Helm by Christine Hancock Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour
Introduction
It is my pleasure to feature the author, Christine Hancock, as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between October 22nd – 24th December 2020. She is the author of the historical fiction novel, Bright Helm (The Byrhtnoth Chronicles: Book 4), that was released on 15th October 2020 by Madder Press.
Below you will find highlights about Bright Helm, Christine Hancock’s biography, and her interview with me.
Bright Helm
Separated by anger and unanswered questions, Byrhtnoth and Saewynn are brought together by a tragic death.
Re-united, they set out on an epic voyage to discover the final truth about his father.
The journey takes them far to the north, to Orkney, swathed in the mists of treachery, and to Dublin’s slave markets where Byrhtnoth faces a fateful decision.
How far will he go, to save those he cares for?
Buy Links:
Author Bio: Christine Hancock
Christine Hancock was born in Essex and moved to Rugby, Warwickshire when she married. She and her husband have two sons and two lovely grandchildren.
She is a long-term family historian, leader of the local history group and town guide.
Christine had never thought of becoming an author – She just wanted to write about some of her ancestors. In 2013 she joined a writing class. The class turned out to be about writing fiction. Before she knew it, she was writing a novel.
Byrhtnoth was a real warrior who died in the 991 Battle of Maldon, made famous by the Anglo-Saxon poem of that name. Growing up in Essex, Christine visited Maldon often and attended the 1000 year anniversary of the battle in 1991.
She wanted to find out what made Byrhtnoth such a famous warrior.
She finished the book but discovered it had become a series – how long, she has yet to find out.
Connect with Christine:
INTERVIEW CHRISTINE HANCOCK:
Would you provide an overview of the books you’ve published in The Byrhtnoth Chronicles?
The story starts with Byrhtnoth at the age of seven, being sent to the royal court to be trained as a warrior. His mother is dead and his father disappeared when he was a baby. Later he is shown his father’s sword and told it will be his when he has earned it and become a man. By the end of the first book (Bright Sword) he has received the sword, but lost it. He realizes that it is not the sword that is important, but finding out what happened to his father. He discovers clues, encounters obstacles and finds love, but still his father remains elusive.
Please tell us more about your most recently released book, Bright Helm: The Byrhtnoth Chronicles: Book 4.
After recovering from the after affects of a bad injury Byrhtnoth sails north to find the ex-king of Scots who has news of his father’s fate. The information sends him to Orkney, and in a raid, his ship and crew are captured and taken to Dublin to be sold as slaves. He must rescue his men, as well as finally discovering the truth about his father.
What inspired you to write about the legendary history figure, Byrhtnoth, from tenth century England and his conflicts with the Vikings?
The series is inspired by a real person, Byrhtnoth, Ealdorman of Essex who died in the Battle of Maldon in AD 991. (I used to live in Essex, not far from Maldon). The event was immortalized in the famous Anglo-Saxon poem of the same name. He was in his sixties when he died and otherwise little mentioned in history. I started wondering how he became this renowned warrior. It is a period not much written about: after King Alfred’s battles against the Danes and before King Harold and his defeat at Hastings.
How much research was involved in writing your books? How did you go ABOUT researching the history, myths, language, and culture of the Britons and Vikings in the 10th Century?
Basically, reading books; non-fiction for the basic facts and fiction to discover what other authors have said about the period. There are few definite facts about my main character, which enables me to say whatever I want, so long as I get the right king on the throne and know who they were fighting at the time. I know the name of Byrhtnoth’s father but nothing else, which allows me to “make it all up”.
I start with the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. For example, for AD 949 (which is when Bright Helm is set) it just says: “King Anlaf Sihtricsson comes to Northumbria”.
Now, King Anlaf was the Viking king of Dublin. In books two and three Byrhtnoth has been helping King Eadred of England to rid Northumbria of Erik Bloodaxe. I ask how can I use this in the story and take it from there.
Is there any sub-character in The Byrhtnoth Chronicles who is your favorite? Explain why.
I suppose my favourite has to be Saewynn. When I started the series, I gave Byrhtnoth a best friend, Wulfstan and then brought in a girl to add a bit of romance. She starts as a young servant girl, in love with Byrhtnoth, and has grown into a major character in her own right. I suppose she is my representative in the story – aren’t all authors a bit in love with their main character? She also gives a woman’s point of view in what is often portrayed as a very male-orientated society.
How often do your characters surprise you by doing or saying something totally unexpected?
All the time. I can sit down knowing exactly what is going to happen in a scene and discover different words coming out if someone’s mouth, or a character refusing to do what I tell them.
Have you received reactions/feedback to your work that has surprised you? In what way?
Readers have said that I write a good fight scene, which always surprises me. Perhaps, because I don’t have a big interest in weapons and fighting and find big battles boring, I tend to keep them short, so maybe they have a bigger impact.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
When I was a child, I was given a book token – I don’t remember who by. I have a vivid memory of the long time I spent in the book shop, trying to decide which “Famous Five” book to choose.
What are the most important traits you look for in a friend?
Patience, loyalty, and a sense of humour.
If you could have one skill that you don’t currently have, what would it be?
To be able to touch type, so that my fingers could keep up with my ideas.
What might we be surprised to learn about you?
I was once the clerk in a court, telling everyone to rise when the judge entered.
What makes you laugh?
Practically anything – I’d rather laugh than cry.
What simple pleasure makes you smile?
A bluebell wood in spring.
Welcome to Day 10 of the WATCH “RWISA” WRITE Showcase Tour! @jinlobify @RRBC_Org #RRBC #RWISA #RWISAWRW
Featured Author Joy Nwosu Lo Bamijoko
Today’s Featured Author for Day 10 of the WATCH “RWISA” WRITE Showcase Tour is Joy Nwosu Lo Bamijoko. Below is her story entitled, “Iroko.” Please enjoy her tale.
IROKO
by Joy Nwosu Lo Bamijoko
In the past, nobody would have taken notice of Iroko, the biggest and tallest tree in the forest. But then, cities started to grow and to eat into the forests. Trees were cut to make way for the growing cities. But the Iroko tree resisted being cut down. Any time an axe cut the tree, the axe either broke or the cut bled, real blood, and cries, ear piercing cries, like human cries were heard coming from the tree.
The stories surrounding Iroko were such that settlers decided to let it stand and the town grew all around and away from it. Things went on peacefully for a while, but soon it became clear that Iroko did not like the exposure it was getting from the people surrounding it. After all, this tree was the king of the forest, where both trees and animals revered it. Now, standing in the midst of humans, with no one paying it any heed, all of this would change very rapidly.
People, especially those living close to where Iroko stood, started reporting strange happenings around Iroko in the dead of night. Those who were bold enough to come out and watch these happenings, reported seeing dancing and merrymaking around Iroko by people they believed were spirit people. These spirit people went in and out of Iroko as if they were walking in and out of their homes. They sang and danced in merriment from twelve midnight until two in the morning, after which they packed up and walked back into the tree. Those who observed these goings-on, did so from afar and in hiding.
The story was told of a young boy who had the misfortune of being seen by these spirit people. He was taken and was never seen again. He had heard the stories of the happenings around Iroko, so that night he snuck out of his house and walked toward Iroko to take a closer look. Voices were heard warning him not to come closer, but he continued walking toward Iroko until he entered the sphere of the tree where everything turned grey. At that point, the boy lost control of himself and was pulled along until he disappeared in the mist and was seen no more.
The mother watched everything in hiding in paralyzed shock. The other people who watched in hiding were also mystified. They couldn’t believe their eyes, but they dared not allow themselves to be seen.
The next morning, the mother saw a huge striped cow tied to an orange tree in front of her house. The cow was chewing cud. The woman walked around the cow trying to understand how it came to be there. The town people also took notice and started gathering and questioning the presence of the cow. Out of nowhere, a young boy with only a loin cloth around his waist appeared and spoke to the onlookers.
“Mama, Iroko says you should take the cow in exchange for your son. Iroko says you should not kill the cow. You should sell it and use the money to take care of yourself.” With that, the boy turned and walked through the crowd and disappeared.
Everyone there was seized with shock and they quickly dispersed. The woman cut the cow loose and started shooing it off from the front of her house, but the cow would not budge.
The woman started to weep and pleaded with Iroko to return her son and take back the cow.
“Iroko give me back my son and take your cow!” she implored. “I don’t want your cow!”
The next day, the woman saw the cow at the back of her house, peacefully lying down near her hearth and chewing cud. She ran out toward Iroko.
“If you won’t give me back my son, Iroko, take me too!” she screamed at the top of her voice. Iroko’s leaves started to rustle. Suddenly, the old woman in the hut materialized and stood between the woman and Iroko.
“Go back, Mama!” the old woman said. “What you seek cannot be done. Your son is gone, dead and Iroko has paid you in exchange for him. Go back or you will meet the same fate!”
The woman refused to be stopped. She pushed the old woman down, walked over her and continued to approach Iroko. By this time, people had started to gather and were watching. The woman threw herself at Iroko and just like magic, the onlookers saw sparks of light, like fireworks, all around the woman. They heard her screaming and shouting like someone roasting on a stake. When everything died down and the sparks were no more, the people saw that the woman had metamorphosed. The woman had changed into an animal, something that looked like a dog, or a goat. No one could really tell. The people dispersed but this time they all had one thought in their minds – that Iroko must go.
Iroko’s fame continued to grow even beyond the immediate town. The townspeople also became bolder. They consulted with diviner after diviner to find out how to get rid of Iroko. They tried everything, without any success … one attempt took the lives of twelve men. They tried to burn Iroko down, but the fire turned against them and burned them to death. One diviner suggested that the spirit of Iroko resided in the old woman who tended it, and that if the old woman was killed, Iroko would quietly and slowly die.
The townspeople burned the old woman’s hut down with the old woman in it. The next day, Iroko started taking souls. People started disappearing from their homes, both in broad daylight and at night while they slept.
Finally, an Iroko priest from a distant land told the people how to destroy Iroko.
“Humans should not fight Iroko,” he said. “They should appease Iroko. Iroko trees do not live amongst humans. Before you people started building your town, you should have appeased and pleaded with Iroko to leave your town. As you can see, Iroko was simply minding its own business, when you people decided to invade its privacy. Now you have to sacrifice to Iroko to appease it.”
The townspeople had to pay this priest to come to their town to perform all that was needed to appease Iroko. There is no need to list here all that Iroko demanded, which included the blood of virgins, before it was appeased. The morning after the ceremony by this priest was concluded, the people came out and watched as the inhabitants of Iroko exited one after the other and disappeared; the birds of various families, the giant ants, red and black, dark dangerous black snakes – all came out of Iroko hissing, grumbling, and then poof, like smoke disappeared. But the king of all the animals, a giant Eke python, refused to be dislodged. The people had to pump inflammatory liquid into Iroko and set the python on fire, to dislodge it. It came out rumbling, twisting, and floundering, until it, too, disappeared.
Finally, Iroko was cut down. Mystery upon mystery, not one single hole existed in the cut tree. It was intact with rings showing how many hundreds of years it had stood there.
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Thank you for supporting this member along the WATCH “RWISA” WRITE Showcase Tour today! We ask that if you have enjoyed this member’s writing, please visit their Author Profile on the RWISA site, where you can find more of their writing, along with their contact and social media links, if they’ve turned you into a fan.
We ask that you also check out their books in the RWISA catalog. Thanks, again, for your support and we hope that you will follow along each day of this amazing tour of talent by visiting the tour home page! Don’t forget to click the link below to learn more about today’s profiled author:
