Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 59

July 10, 2024

Blog Tour: THE MAKER OF WORLDS by David Litwack

 

THE MAKER OF WORLDS

David Litwack

 

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GENRE
:  Fantasy

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Ifyou had the chance to remake the world, what kind of world would you choose?

 

Whentragedy strikes Lucas Mack's young life, he desperately yearns to escape itssorrow, and takes an improbable leap through the mythical maelstrom. Ratherthan splashing down on the far side like his neighbors, he's transported to amagical realm where he has the power to redefine not only who he is, but theworld in which he resides.

 

Ashe stumbles about trying to find his way, he meets Mia, an equally troubledfellow pilgrim. With the help of a mystical guide and an aging wizard, theynavigate the enchanted land while learning to control their newfound powers.Yet this realm is more complex than they expected, with seasoned sorcererswho've been corrupted by the sinister side of magic.

 

Limitedby natural law and seduced by magic's power, they are tested as never before.Will the gift of magic bring renewed hope or drive them to the edge of thevoid?

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

ExcerptThree:

 

After fighting through a tangle of brambles, I broke throughto a clearing highlighted by a grassy lawn. Behind it loomed an immenseredwood, so tall as to suggest the abode of a fairytale giant. Most distinctwas its girth, the size of a rich man’s cottage. The hummingbird hesitated amoment before flying to the far side, pausing every few paces to wait for me.

 

I drifted into the clearing like a penitent entering acathedral. The tree had an aura to it and something more, the slightesttrilling as the wind blew. As I came closer, the sound was joined by a tuneplayed by some instrument, like a fiddle but more exotic.

 

I eyed the tree, wondering at the source of the music. Thehummingbird edged near, so close I sensed the breeze from its wings on my face.Its humming became a murmur, and the murmur a whisper, almost forming words ina language too rapid to understand. It buzzed about my head, doing all butpushing me along, flitting back and forth, frustrated at my reluctance toproceed. At last, I followed.

 

With the fingertips of one hand brushing the bark, I circledthe tree, its circumference beyond my ability to measure. I crept forward,shuffling one foot after the other, until I reached the far side. As I turnedthe final bend, I gasped.

 

A door.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 


Theurge to write first struck at age sixteen when working on a newsletter at ayouth encampment in the woods of northern Maine. It may have been the wildnight when lightning flashed at sunset followed by the northern lights ripplingafter dark. Or maybe it was the newsletter’s editor, a girl with eyes the colorof the ocean. But he was inspired to write about the blurry line betweenreality and the fantastic.

 

Usingtwo fingers and lots of white-out, he religiously typed five pages a day  throughout college and well into histwenties. Then life intervened. He paused to raise two sons and pursue acareer, in the process — and without prior plan — becoming a well-knownentrepreneur in the software industry, founding several successful companies.When he found time again to daydream, the urge to write returned.

 

Davidcurrently lives in the Great Northwest and anywhere else that catches hisfancy. He no longer limits himself to five pages a day and is thankful everykeystroke for the invention of the word processor.

 

Website:https://davidlitwack.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/david.litwack.author

Twitter:@DavidLitwack

Instagram:http://www.instagram.com/davidlitwack 

 

 

Buylinks:

Amazon:https://geni.us/themakerofworlds 

Barnes& Noble: The Maker of Worlds by David Litwack | eBook | Barnes & Noble®(barnesandnoble.com)

Kobo:The Maker of Worlds eBook by David Litwack - EPUB Book | Rakuten Kobo UnitedStates

Apple:The Maker of Worlds by David Litwack (ebook) - Apple Books

Smashwords:The Maker of Worlds (smashwords.com)

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY

David Litwack will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN giftcard to a randomly drawn winner.

 

 

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Published on July 10, 2024 00:30

Book Blast: SHUSHAN PORTAL by Gloria Pearson-Vasey



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Gloria Pearson-Vasey is awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.



After her sister dies, Meara Deleaney invites her bereaved nephew, Jackson, to accompany her on a book tour to Canada's Atlantic provinces. Fearful of leaving the security of her apartment, Meara bolsters her courage by recalling the imaginary dragons she and her sister slew as children behind the hollyhock hedge.

As they travel in a motorhome from park to park and bookstore to bookstore, Meara and Jackson are unaware of the manipulating forces intent on preventing their return home. They do, however, realize they are being stalked and therefore welcome the company of another touring author, criminology professor Bartholomew Wolfe.

A long-standing professional relationship between the authors builds to romance and a persuasive invitation to seek shelter at the professor's lodge. However, to reach the lodge, Meara—now accompanied by her nephew, niece and mother—unsuspectingly travels through a portal which exits in a future dimension near a fortress.

From there, the family is escorted under guard through dangerous territory to a lodge where metaphorical dragons lie in wait, and security comes at a price.


Read an Excerpt

The captain of the Waterbug announced they had left the Kingdom of the Great Lakes and crossed into the Territories of the Dúns. There the amphibious ship extended its legs and climbed an embankment where their next conveyance awaited them…

Within minutes of leaving the river behind, Gabe informed them they had come up against the invisi-barrier surrounding Ravensglen.

“As the name implies, an invisi-barrier cannot be seen, but it’s impenetrable to outsiders,” said Gabe.

They penetrated the barrier and passed through the west gate of Ravensglen, not far from the quarantine hut. The hut was a charming sod-covered cabin with round windows which Gabe opened to admit fresh forest breezes and scents.

“Are we safe here?” asked Meara, peering into the surrounding trees.

“You are completely safe within the boundaries of Ravensglen,” said Gabe.

It was then that the youngsters noticed them loping fluidly toward them.

“Look at the dragons!” shouted Penny. “One, two, three, four, five!”

“I think those are wolves,” said Jackson, his eyes widening.

By now, everyone was at the windows, peering out to get a good look at the canines. Large and magnificent, with grey coats tinted with white and buff, the wolves encircled the cabin, tails wagging and eyes bright with excitement.

Meara was mesmerized by the largest wolf, which regarded her with pale green eyes. Then it turned away and, followed by the others, disappeared into the trees.

“Even if those aren’t dragons, we could still be behind the hollyhock hedge,” said Penny hopefully.

“I believe we are,” said Meara.

About the Author: Gloria Pearson-Vasey weaves contemporary issues into her novels, and likes a story - be it literary fiction, historical fantasy or science fiction - to be authentic and end on a note of hope.

A member of The Writers' Union of Canada, Pearson-Vasey has also penned non-fiction books on autism and pilgrimage.

The author feels blessed for experiencing the joy and chaos of merging child raising with career, camping, travel and pets.

She lives in a picturesque Ontario town, and enjoys reading, music, country drives and time with family and friends.

https://gloriapearsonvasey.com
https://www.facebook.com/gpvwrites
https://x.com/rvwriter
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6517389.Gloria_Pearson_Vasey

PURCHASE LINKS FOR SHUSHAN PORTAL

https://amazon.com/dp/1779417861
https://amazon.ca/dp/1779417861
https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/shushan-portal-behind-the-hollyhock-hedge/9781779417862.html
https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=9781779417862
https://www.waterstones.com/book/9781779417862
https://www.abebooks.com/products/isbn/9781779417862

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Published on July 10, 2024 00:20

July 8, 2024

Blog Tour: BROKEN FORTUNE by Aly Mennuti

 

BROKEN FORTUNE

Aly Mennuti

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GENRE
:  Contemporary Women's Romance

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

ElizabethSunderland—a forty-three-year-old wife and mother of two teenagers—is theoldest of five children in a blended family that never quite blended. The onlything that has held them together is the iron will of their wealthy parents:Benjamin Sunderland, a venture capitalist, and Kate Bernard, a partner of ahedge fund. Together, Benjamin and Kate create and rule over a Manhattandynasty of which their children each bear their own unique scars.

 

Elizabethhas been trying to keep the family together since she was ten years old, hopingto convince everyone they have more in common than just their fortune. Thisstance will be put to the ultimate test when Kate dies with one final request:that the family travel together to the island of St. John and spread her ashesin the ocean. However, Kate’s plan to fix the family will involve more thanjust a family trip to the sea.

 

Asthe hidden secrets and quiet betrayals built up over thirty years begin toripple and crash like the ocean surrounding the sinking family, Elizabeth notonly faces each of her sibling’s personal inflection points—moments that couldlead to reconciliation or ruin—but she has to face her own demons that havelaid dormant. What happens next will shock Elizabeth into recognizing a realityshe had no idea existed.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

ExcerptTwo:

 

“How much money did you get?” Paul drops in, trying not toseem as outright aggressive as my other siblings but still trying to ferret outthe information.

 

“It was nothing,” I say, trying to shut this conversationdown.

 

“Oh, it wasn’t nothing,” Benjamin says. “It was over fivemillion dollars.”

 

Everyone at the table looks ready to either spill theirdrink, fall off their chair, or turn me upside down to try and shake the fivemillion out of my pockets.

 

“Can I have some?” Winnie says, shifting her attention forthe first time this evening from my father to me.

 

“No,” Benjamin says sternly to Winnie. “Your mother isgiving that back.”

 

“What about,” Paul says, daring to get between Benjamin andhis money, “if you give us all five million dollars, so Lizzie doesn’t feel soalone. I mean…I’m sure my mother left something for all of us and Lizzie’s justcame through first.”

 

“No,” Benjamin says. “Lizzie won’t feel alone when I have itback. Because none of you are getting any extra money. Everything that wasKate’s is now mine. That’s what we decided. And upon my death—which should benoted, won’t be happening anytime soon—you will all receive the entireinheritance split into five.”

 

“Wait,” Paul says, clearly upset. “Wait. She’s our mother.Mine. I’m her son. I mean, no offense to your kids Benjamin, but me…and Julian,we should get something now. Not have to wait until you die. You’re not myfather.”

 

Paul’s words visibly cut through Benjamin, like anunexpected knife in the back. Even I can’t help but wince on hisbehalf—considering he’s spent the last thirty-three years trying to convincePaul he’s a reasonable, viable father. Meanwhile, he’s made not onecorresponding overture in my direction, relegating me to the status of just anafterthought that will always linger…

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 


AlyMennuti has always had two passions: philanthropy and literature. She satisfiedone of those by being an executive at an international nonprofit consultingfirm and has helped a diverse range of high-profile clients reach theirphilanthropic goals.

 

However,she's always had a desire to express herself creatively and carve out her ownrole as a writer in a writing family. Finally, upon turning 40 (and with twochildren hitting their teens and deciding Mom is really uncool and not neededto hang out with anymore) she had the time and head space, to tell her firststory.

 

BrokenFortune is her second novel. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband,Nicholas Mennuti, a novelist and screenwriter and their two children, Charlieand Lilly.

 

https://www.instagram.com/alymennutiauthor

http://www.twitter.com/alymennuti

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CLKJQW27/

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY

AlyMennuti will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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Published on July 08, 2024 00:30

June 29, 2024

Review: SUMMER by Casi McLean

 


The story introducestime-traveling detective sisters and an amulet mystery in Salem with a strongand compelling narrative.

 

One minute, Sydney was mesmerizedby the mystical tour of Salem landscape and history, and the next minute, shewas standing in the middle of a forest. Summer knew another time jump wascoming based on the dreams she was having. Soon, Summer and Sydney findthemselves in the exact same place…in the exact same time…in Salem, MA in1692—during the Salem Witch Trials. Oh no! And, aw, cool! That was afascinating time period and I love that this story was set there.

 

Together, Summer and Sydney save ahanging woman accused of being a witch. Now, they must hide her while keeping alow profile in the hysterical community. Those witch hunters were certainlyfrightening. Can Summer escape time before time runs out?

 

But that wasn’t the only drawbackhere.

 

“In the wrong hands, time travelcould literally alter history and completely erase the past.”

 

There was something magical aboutthat amulet, which seemed to transport the travelers from Salem 1692 to theCeltics 3000 BCE. What was the cause of all these time jumps and how could theyfix it?

 

I enjoyed this exciting timetravel adventure. I kind of wished the author would’ve kept them in Salemthroughout the whole story, but this was still a great read.

 

A thrilling read from start tofinish! Look forward to more from this author.

 

Rating:5 stars

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Published on June 29, 2024 13:44

Review: SEPTEMBER SKY by John Heldt


 

If you had a chance to travel tothe 1900’s, would you do it? Personally, I wouldn’t. Evidently, this seemedlike an exciting adventure for a father and son—both of whom seemed to be atcrossroads in life.

 

This starts off as your typicaltime-travel story with how the time-travel came to be. The thing about itthough was this was taking its sweet, snail-pace time to even get going. Theauthor was way too busy describing every nook and cranny before even steppingthrough time. Get to the 1900’s already! For crying out loud, we’re 10 chaptersin and they still haven’t even left yet. I’m dying here.

 

Too slow. Too boring. I justcouldn’t take it anymore.

 

Rating:2 stars

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Published on June 29, 2024 13:42

Review: MERCER STREET by John Heldt

 


Three women—a daughter, a mother,and a grandmother—travel to Princeton, NJ, 1938. The girls begin this Americanjourney with a road trip from CA to NJ, seeing the sights before roads andskyscrapers took over. Imagine being the only women in a male-dominatedPrinceton.

 

The overall read was fairly nice.I usually enjoy time-traveling stories as long as something interesting happensat some point. This one just seemed long and uneventful. Yes, the girls gotaway from being spectators and started experiencing the 1930’s, but nothing wasreally happening. We had a lot of descriptions—too much, in fact—but nothingwas happening. Sure, it was a nice, little journey through an American era. Iguess I wasn’t really getting much more than a scenic tour. I mean, I’m surethese women gain some enlightenment here, but this alone wasn’t enough to keepme going for 94 chapters. Yeah, that was too many chapters, too. Of course,this won’t keep me from trying out other books by this author.

 

An okay read.

 

Rating:3 stars

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Published on June 29, 2024 13:42

June 28, 2024

Blog Tour: PECULIAR PEOPLE AND THE PETS WHO LOVE THEM by Justin Moroyan


 

 

Humor

Date Published: May 23, 2024

Publisher: ‎BookBaby


 

"Peculiar People and the Pets Who Love Them"…lovingly written and illustrated by Justin Moroyan, is a darkly-whimsical and addictively-humorous picture book that tells the stories of fantastically weird people and their equally strange and adoring pets

These stories revolve around characters who are gloriously abnormal. They embrace that attribute, and don't shy away from being their unique, spectacular selves. Like Madam Rosette and her poodle, Josette, who only enjoy "bad" smells…or Samurai Megasaki, who is addicted to water but also allergic to it. Each spread welcomes you into wondrous, stunningly detailed, vibrant illustrations, and stories that are guaranteed to capture your imagination and tickle your grey matter. Each time you explore it, you'll discover new secrets and symbolism that delve you deeper into captivating worlds you will inexorably fall in love with.



About the Author

I'm an illustrator and writer, and I've always loved expressing myself on paper...the ability to work within a space where I can make anything happen has always been a form of therapy for me. It's one of the reasons I love the Fantasy and Sci-Fi genres so much.

"That's the wonderful thing about crayons. They can take you to more places than a starship." (Guinan, Star Trek: The Next Generation)

I share an affinity for dark humor with some of my atypical real-life superheroes, like Tim Burton, Charles Addams, Edward Gorey, and Wes Anderson. Of course, I can't leave out the wondrously enchanting worlds created by Dr. Seuss and Disney, which fertilized my drive to invent worlds of my very own growing up, and still, to this day.

I tend to gravitate towards humorous stories about social ineptitude, mad science, the supernatural, and wonderfully addictive, perfectly imperfect, B-movie-like humor and exaggerated characters. I love diving down the rabbit hole of my mind and exploring strange new worlds.

"All we can do, Scully, is pull the thread and see what it unravels." (Fox Mulder, The X-Files) --This text refers to the paperback edition.


Contact Links

Instagram

Facebook Page

Twitter (“X”)

 

Purchase Link

Amazon


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Published on June 28, 2024 00:30

June 27, 2024

Blog Tour: TANGERINE MARMALADE MURDER by Meg Benjamin


TANGERINE MARMALADE MURDER

Meg Benjamin

 

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GENRE
:  Cozy Mystery

 

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BLURB:

 

Whena stranger is murdered near Roxy Constantine’s farm, she’s sure it has nothingto do with her. But the investigation turns up surprising links to Roxy’s past.As if that weren’t enough, Roxy’s quarreling with her Significant Other, NateRobicheaux, and facing a possible break-up. Just when the stress begins toease, the murderer strikes again, sending Nate to the hospital. Now Roxy needsto figure out the link between the Constantine Farm and a blackmailer beforeshe becomes the killer’s next target.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

ExcerptThree:

 

The car racing toward me was a dark shape withoutheadlights, clearly a stranger who didn’t know the drive that well. Andclearly, even though I had my headlights on, the driver of the other car waseither unaware of me and Nate or didn’t care that we were on the road, too. Thepines at the road’s edge made it difficult to get away, but I managed to pullthe truck as far to the side of the road as I could without ending up in adrainage ditch. I made it over just in time to let the other car pass a few inchesaway, with a lot of pinging gravel and spinning wheels. I had only the dimmestimpression of what kind of car it was and no impression at all of the driver.

 

“What the hell…” I began, and then I heard the sound ofcrashing metal behind me.

 

I pulled to a stop on the shoulder, twisting to see what washappening. Nate’s car had been pushed off the road by the impact. The side wassmashed up against one of the pines. Before I could get out of my seatbelt, itslid farther downhill and bumped to a stop, the front tires jammed against theouter edge of the drainage ditch.

 

The other car, whatever and whoever it had been, sped on upthe drive either not knowing or not caring about the accident they’d justcaused.

 

I pushed my truck door open and ran to Nate’s car, my feetsliding on the gravel and dirt. As I got closer, I could see a large dent inthe driver’s side, as if the speeding car had bounced off on its way to thepoint where the drive turned into the county road. Nate’s headlights shone downthe hillside, outlining the groove of the drainage ditch.

 

“Nate,” I yelled as I ran toward him. “Nate, are you okay?”

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

MegBenjamin is an award-winning author of romance and cozy mysteries. Meg’sKonigsburg series is set in the Texas Hill Country and her Salt Box and BrewingLove trilogies are set in the Colorado Rockies (all are available fromEntangled Publishing and from Meg’s indie line). Her new cozy mystery series,Luscious Delights from Wild Rose Press, concerns a jam-making sleuth based inthe mythical small town of Shavano, Colorado. Along with romance and cozies,Meg is also the author of the paranormal Ramos Family trilogy from BerkleyInterMix and the Folk trilogy from Soul Mate. Meg’s books have won numerousawards, including an EPIC Award, a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, theHolt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers, the Beanpot Award from the NewEngland Romance Writers, and the Award of Excellence from Colorado RomanceWriters.

 

Website:http://www.MegBenjamin.com

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/meg.benjamin1

Pinterest:http://pinterest.com/megbenjamin/

Instagram:http://www.instagram.com/meg_benjamin

Twitter/X:http://twitter.com/megbenj1

Email:meg@megbenjamin.com

 

BuyLink: https://www.amazon.com/Tangerine-Marmalade-Luscious-Delights-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CZS9F3VM/ref=sr_1_1

 

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY

MegBenjamin will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.


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Published on June 27, 2024 00:30

June 26, 2024

Blog Tour: PLAYTIME CLOTHES by Kim MacLean



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kim MacLean will award a randomly drawn winner a $15 Amazon/BN gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.



The young boy's room is an undeniable mess. Did he actually clean his room, as he is telling his mom? Or do his clothes come to life and play?! They are, after all, playtime clothes. Is he learning a lesson to tell the truth and be accountable, as we all do in life? Or is it a world of make believe? It is for you to enjoy while you decide.


Review: What happens when clothes get inthe mix? KABOOM! Clothes everywhere!

This was a fun and playful storywith cute rhymes about clothes at play. I loved the comical and livelyillustrations. An amusing read that kids will love!

Rating:5 stars

 

 



About the Author: Kim MacLean was inspired to be creative while she and her little girls made their own fun inside their home on long, cold winter days. Her girls sat for hours painting and gluing crafts into works of art on paper. Oh, the rows and rows of finished masterpieces drying on the floor while Kim sat and wrote! And there were the hundreds of books that they read and enjoyed together that further inspired creativity and an adult love of children's books!

Tia Bates is an artist, illustrator, and storyteller from London, Ontario. She is inspired by the beautiful illustrations she grew up looking at in children's books just like Playtime Clothes, the first children's book she has illustrated! Currently pursuing a master's degree in fine art, Tia's personal artwork is all about the stories we tell.

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/0228883547
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/playtime-clothes-kim-maclean/1143163085
Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Playtime-Clothes-Kim-Maclean/9780228883548

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Published on June 26, 2024 00:31

Blog Tour: CARGO OF BONES by Z. Lindsey

 

CARGO OF BONES

Z. Lindsey

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 


GENRE
:  Fantasy

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Devil bureaucrat Essie Darkenchyl and her friends barely survived the jungle, but now they're going straight to Hell--AKA her hometown!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

ExcerptThree:

 

“You nicked me in the dance, remember? The council might bescandalized if we slept in the same tent.”

 

She laughed, remembering how embarrassed she’d been as theother girls gasped and the doctors swarmed him. Her dad said, ‘Essie, if youdidn’t want Vashon to be eligible to marry you, you just had to poke him! Youdidn’t have to stab so deep!’ But she did like him. It wasn’t her fault hecouldn’t block. And it had been nice to think the one boy she liked couldn’tmarry her. There had been more important things than boys. Like Gossen’s Guideto Shipping Law.

 

“Nicked you?” she asked as she stood and walked for thetent. “Sir, I stabbed so deep they had to use medical magic to get the knifeout.”

 

Vashon touched his shoulder where the knife had been.

 

“Yeah, like I said, you nicked me. I’ll sleep outside.”

 

Essie put a hand on her hip.

 

“It’s too cold, Vashon.” She crouched and crawled into thetent. “It’s not like you’re proposing. If you keep your underwear on, I’m surethe council will forgive us.”

 

“I’m not wearing underwear,” he said.

 

“Oh.”

 

Vashon cleared his throat.

 

“It’s not part of the cossetter’s ritual outfit.”

 

Essie bit her lip and looked away.

 

“Of course.”

 

“The first cossetters practiced naked to be closer toessential—”

 

“Okay, I get it!”

 

“So—I should sleep out here?” he asked.

 

“Get in here,” she said, then blurted, “but stay on yourside.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Topic: What was the biggestchallenge in writing this book and how did you overcome it?

 

CARGO OF BONES, the second book in my trilogyabout devil bureaucrat Essimore Darkenchyl, is a humorous and antics-filledadventure involving a fight with a group of cultists who are trying to kill thegod of death because of undiagnosed PTSD. 

 

If that sounds unexpected, I can tell you thatbalancing that tone was the hardest part of writing the book. I really wantedthis book to be funny and hopeful, but it deals with one of the most profoundsubjects that fantasy can address: the death of a god. Keeping it fun andlighthearted when the stakes are so high was a difficult challenge, but I thinkI did pretty good. 

 

Now, I’ve got a bit of a dark sense of humor, soit would always have had dark jokes. Her people do eat hearts. She does killmultiple villains in the third book by accident. She doesn’t like to be touchedbecause the the god of death touched one of her ancestors on the shoulder yearsago and the psychic impact still lingers with her. 

 

But I don’t want people to take away dark thingsfrom my stories in general. I myself stay away from very dark fantasy like ASong of Ice and Fire or the Broken Earth series, so it’s perhapsironic that I’m attempting to humorously grapple with such intensethemes. 

 

But I wanted to address those themes to create apositive message about how hope thrives even in tragedy. Joy and tragedy worktogether to give our experiences meaning. 

 

All that to say, I was challenged to write a bookthat was dark, but not too dark. These books were always meant to be funny, andthe second one is dark humor. That doesn’t mean it’s not hopeful like the firstand third books, just that the journey of exploration of self that started inthe first book is about to hit some rocky ground. Actually, it’s about to headdeep into a dangerous desert to come face-to-face with the city that guards theentrance to the realm of death. 

In the end, I think of this book somewhat likethe second Star Wars film. The first one established the themes and thecharacters, the second got super dark, and the third one had ewoks. Some fanscomplain about the tone shift from the second to the third movie, but theoriginal Star Wars trilogy is a hopeful story. Luke wins (atleast for the time being) and that means the tone of the third movie shouldbe more light-hearted than the second. 

 

But at the end of the second, the characters havelost in some major ways. If you’d stopped after the second movie, you’dprobably be a little depressed. Luckily, George Lucas knew there would be athird movie, so he was able to subvert the traditional endings of heroicnarratives, knowing we all would get to see the characters experience some formof catharsis in the next movie. 

 

I think something similar happens with the darkerending of this book. The third book is the catharsis, so you have to wait a bitafter the second book. (Just six months, though--the third book will be out inDecember!) I can’t promise every single character you love and care about willmake it through every book, but I can say the heroes are working to make abetter world, and it’s a world that some of them will get to see.

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Zac Lindsey is an anthropologist and a linguist who focuses on theMaya people of Quintana Roo. Since childhood, he's had a not-so-secret love ofweird, silly, and well-structured fantasy. When other people's parents werereading them picture books, his mom was reading him Terry Brooks. He typicallywrites hopeful and character-driven fantasy.

 

Today, he lives in Quintana Roo, Mexico with his wife, daughter,and various stray cats.

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/z.lindsey_fiction/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550498257222

Amazon link to the first book: https://www.amazon.com/River-Against-Sea-Z-Lindsey-ebook/dp/B0CH3TW3YD/ref=sr_1_1

B&N link to the first book (for paperback): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-river-against-the-sea-z-lindsey/1144077772

 

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GIVEAWAY

Z.Lindsey will award a randomly drawn winner a $25 Amazon/BN gift card + adigital copy of the book via Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Published on June 26, 2024 00:20