L.L. Thomsen's Blog, page 3

30th of April '19

#IndieApril... last chance to lay your hands on some free epic high fantasy...

I hope everyone has found some fantastic and unexpected new reads during this last month!

I sure did! And I now have several that I need to crack on with - all indie produced and written, of course ;-)...

So sadly the celebration is nearly at an end - but I have decided to extend my giveaway promo for just a few more days to allow people to grab one last freebie - which means that if you like meaty fantasy series with deep prose and epic world-building packed with mystery, magic, sword, monsters, darkness, romance, friendship, quests and much more, then be my guest and follow the link to claim your gift from me to you!
https://t.co/GhrtVAHV0x?amp=1

Have a great week!

23rd of April '19

Anyone like great E-magazines full of fab articles, games, recipes, etc, for when you're on the go?

Well if you do check out Mom's Favorite Reads!

It's FREE and it's not just for moms - AND your's truly has a fun little article in this month's issue so why not follow the link?

https://wp.me/pafnwH-M6

15th of April '19

COMPETITION TIME!

Want to be in the race to win free books, cute goodies, PayPal cash and gift cards?

Then follow the link for the Spring Author/Blogger giveaway 2019 and spread the word!
http://bit.ly/2Ix8sEJ

12th of April '19

This is the shape of newest newsletter - I'd love for you to join me for the next one!

https://mailchi.mp/486a3a8674b0/themi...

😊Is it the weekend already?! And where is this month disappearing to?

Well, I don't know about the month, but I can tell you I am very pleased it's the weekend because it means having a lie in (#friyay) - and that 'in spite' the fact that my kids' Easter Hols are about to kick off and 'things' are about to get 'lively' for a while. ;-)

So before my world drowns in mad animals, bored kids & eggs of the chocolate variety, I thought I'd just take 5 minutes to say 'hi' and bring you a brief status report. I'm sure that those of you who are new, will have noticed that I am not the biggest fan of sending updates and newsletters every other day, and I hope you're okay with that. I am deliberately trying to keep this casual, however, please feel free to reach out at any time, should you feel like it!

As for me, I am still in the process of putting book #8 'All in a Day's Work' through its final edit. It's a little 'slow go' but I am genuinely loving how it's coming together. In fact, I just started editing a chase scene involving Princess Iambre, Captain Bilan, Chief Eso, Barmaid Heneia (and an eager Town's Watch hell-bent on catching themselves some 'criminals') - and that's so much fun to revisit! Everything becomes utterly unpredictable for the characters, the pace is so fast, and it'll only get more and crazier as it progresses, and that's what I love about writing - however, having said that...
Hmmm... well, I don't know if it's the time of year or whether I'm simply guilty of spreading myself a little thin on an everyday basis, but I am totally good at finding other things to distract me from my WIP.

In fact, lately, I have been reading loads of really awesome books that I just cannot seem to put down - ups! Sorry; not sorry - but of course it doesn't much help me progress as I should with my own book (Double ups! And now I am sorry).

Perhaps I can blame it on Twitter's #IndieApril? Or on my love for participating in interviews and chatting people's ears off - but it seems legit that you cannot always keep the pedal to the metal when it comes to the commitments you make, and man... don't even get me started on filling in forms to apply for the 'UK Settled Status' after the whole Brexit circus concludes. But enough about that.

Finally, I must also quickly share with you the exciting news that my Zanzier City map is now done and delivered. I decided to source out the work a little while back because I realised I was kidding myself when I thought I'd ever get around to working on the project. Next: step-in Doug Turner, a great amateur cartographer friend of mine - and hey presto: as you can see below: one city map finally done! Hopefully, it'll take place of pride on my website in the very near future and then the next project will be to finish the Ostravahn Map.

So that's about it for this time... except, I did mention something about a free Ebook, didn't I? Well, it's none of mine this time, but the jungle drums have been drumming and I have caught wind of a couple of fantasy books that are up for grabs and absolute 'free' right this minute as I type, so I thought I'd throw you the links.
Unfortunately, I do not know how long these books will maintain their freebie status! If you snooze, you might lose, so check them out now.

Angela Holder - 'The Fuller's Apprentice' - https://amzn.to/2CVZhdC
Marie Andreas - 'Warrior Wench' - https://amzn.to/2FScJQo

Have a great weekend!

Thanks for clicking.
Linda

NB - upcoming events.

BookBub promo - follow the link to be in with a chance to win $100 for Amazon + other goodies
Book reviews
Spring Author/blogger Giveaway
More 'free' links
YouTube author interview with your's truly, courtesy of E.G. Stone
Royalty Book Fair promo
Episode 8 of The Missing Shield

9th of April '19

I really just need 2 minutes of your time to rave about this...🧙‍♂️
Thanks to my writer buddy Doug Turner, I am now the proud owner of this custom-made and finalised map for Zanzier City - the place where much of The Missing Shield takes place!
I cannot praise Doug enough for his patience and perseverance - and talent - and should you find yourself in need of a cartographer, he is SO definitely your guy!

Take a look and see for yourselves...

https://www.facebook.com/themissingsh...

About Zanzier City...

 Though the largest major city of the Province that shares its name, some would argue that it is not grand enough, nor modern enough to bear the title of 'city'. It is built on two hills with the large, historic castle overlooking the lower districts from above.
 The city sits on the shore of The Eye, a large lake that unites the River Mesatitan’s western branch to the southern branch. It is a hub for ships carrying goods east, south and west, but the profile is characterised and marred by the Old Town, situated in the northeastern quadrant. Made up by a warren of passages that stretch between tall, multi-story tenements, this area is generally considered the slums.
 One of Zanzier’s best-known features is the long crenulated wall named ‘The Snake’: an ancient, but mighty fortification, which encircles the entire city in all three directions away from the River Mesatitan.
 Zanzier City is home to the Ostravahn Training Academy for army recruits.
 It is the main seat of Simarovien Zulavi, 2nd Sword of King Kaimar & Knights Commander of the West.

18th of March '19

Ever felt like giving up? This one is for all my fellow writers out there, and to anyone who ever feels stuck...

Excerpt from my new article (link below) -

I know I am not the first (nor the last) author in history to stare at that blank screen/paper, feeling hollow and somewhat bewildered that the next line just won’t come to me. Nonetheless, right in that moment, it feels as though I am the first, the only, the most useless, that’s for sure.


How did this happen? I mean, it should write itself, right? I was on a roll! I even know what I am supposed to write – goodness, my outline is clear and everyday I’ve been working towards hitting a few thousand extra words, vigorously tugging them under my belt so that I’ll be in a position to write ‘The End’ on the final page of my WIP sooner rather than later…

Well, the idea that I will one day harvest the benefit of all this effort and plotting seems like a pipe dream right about then. And as I fail to type a single word, I can feel that coveted goalpost of personal achievement shift beyond my reach.

I am impatient and frustrated; it’s irrational – I know - and then comes the mini black hole and it sucks me right in. Again.

See, it’s not the first time my goal post has moved – I mean, such is life, but now it seems further away than ever; impossible to achieve even, and then comes the first-class, full-flight of self-doubt. I am probably never going to finish this. I am silly for even thinking I could do this, but not to worry - it probably isn’t very good anyway. My story sucks. I suck. In fact, if I cannot find inspiration to write this next chapter, why even be a writer? Others wheel them out, but clearly that kind of productivity is beyond me!

(Are you nodding now? I think you might be, because you know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Well, bear with me…)

It’s when that feeling of hopelessness tags you that it really hits you just how lonely a writer’s life can be. It doesn’t matter that you cannot live without it or that you chose it; wanted it. The fact remains that it’s pretty darn similar to sitting cross-legged in a cave on a desert island with only your imaginary friends (AKA the characters from you story) for company. They chat to you… but only sometimes – and of course never when you need them to, lol.

So what do you do? Throw in the towel for good? Watch some telly? Read a book? Go shopping? Browse Social media for commiserations and solutions? Walk the dog? Peel potatoes? Chat to your friends about anything but writing? Chat to your friends about nothing but writing? Go to the gym? Eat cake (yum)? Escape to your kitchen - or if you’re lucky: the local coffee house – where you can promptly proceed to consume copious amounts of hot drinks that you swear will help you see the light?
Well, I am going to tell you that I do all of the above – and more.
Yup. I really do. Cross my heart…

Like it?

To read the rest of the article, pop on over to https://www.facebook.com/groups/OurAu...
Have a great week, everyone!

22nd of Feb '19

Just a simple note to say happy weekend all!

Thank you to all my readers for taking a chance on a nerdy indie author (me). And thank you for trusting that I will lead you through the story without allowing you to get lost in events and characters! It may not seem that way if you only read the first pages, so thank you for seeing beyond!

As always your reviews and support mean the world to me!

Here's an exclusive snippet from my upcoming book 'All in a Day's Work' - #8 in The Missing Shield Series.

Pop quiz - What happens when you have a cat and a lot of crisp old documents?

Answer - let the magic and mayhem begin! 😁

Chapter 1: A Cold Morning

“Father of light, no!”
The half-prayer, half-oath issued from Nefer’Kemnebit on a gasp of air as fear yanked her forward, desperation sharpening her speed but-
Despair blanketing the sensation of urgency, she already knew she was too late. Too late to stop one playful miniature panther kitten spell-bent on destruction as it launched off of from her right shoulder like it had borrowed the wings of a Gryphon!
Blood rushing in Nefer’s veins, cheeks losing their healthy dark hue: the unearthly pallor of alabaster spread like a disease, painting her face a sickly muddy colour that would have unnerved any healer - except right here, right now, there was no healer in situ.
It was just as well. She didn’t need a healer, she needed a miracle, and she felt as if her life flashed before her eyes in slow, staccato moments that would all have just one disastrous outcome…
Nefer sucked in a breath, mortified for the imminent desecration of the numerous unbound stacks of parchment as the tiny rogue cat completed its near-perfect arc to land amidst the unbound scrolls of Ermaron war chants and the crisp golden papyrus of Elvern poems pertaining to the most recent Veil Event. She wanted to look away, but couldn’t. The ensuing crackle of dry paper and the shifting of air that lifted the already moth-damaged edges of lose documents had the same effect on the cat as an infestation of bedbugs would have had on her Mother, Nafretiri, Best-Loved Queen of the Sabén-Heshep people: for a blissful heartbeat the world peace hung in the meticulous balance between reason and horror, then all spirits went wild in an explosion of sound and madness.

Want to read a bit more? Pop on over to https://www.facebook.com/themissingsh...

Happy reading - whatever you might pick up!

9th of Feb '19

Meet the characters continue...

Thessilia Emara, Guardian of the Upper Circle, Reborn & chosen Avatar of Alerathnar the Maker, is full of fire and not easily turned from her persuasions - be they of the magical kind or of the mental.

A secondary character for now, she will make a bigger appearance later in the series.

Excerpt from A Change of Rules - Episode 1 of The Missing Shield.

“Nothing, good Speaker-” Thessilia interrupted, a flash of anger lifting the strands of her vivid hair on new, invisible fingers, “-nothing, I repeat, was left to chance when last, we denied the Mad Ones! We did as we must, yet still-!”

“Well my point in fact!” he shot back.

Thessilia Emara shook her head, curls withering. For a blink, she looked as feral and cornered as the first time he’d seen her. “Your point in words, Guardian Speaker, is not in sync with mine. You wish for us to question our skills? Our power? For what, when we did nothing wrong?

“We could have prepared then in a hundred different ways; adjusted and procrastinated until the Veils were no more and still the outcome would have been the same: Guardian Envalair would have reacted no differently. He would have been lost regardless!”

Lifting her chin a fraction, Guardian Emara looked around, clearly daring the Circle to argue. No one did.

“We have already talked and deliberated, mulled and deciphered,-” she said with conviction rendered volatile from agitated concern. The Speaker shook his head, but she shrugged, continuing, “-and for what? We spent time on the issue! We sought the council of the Sabén-Heshep and the Watchéran. The Tapestry held no answers, their moss-covered procrastinating council had no insight, and as for the historical record…?
“Guardian, have we not managed to determine that there is nothing more to learn from this by feeble enquiry and dusty records? Have we not managed to determine that now is the time to venture into the field? Surely, if the Long Sleep showed you otherwise, pray enlighten us Guardian Speaker, otherwise...?”

Sinuhé hesitated. Chancing that he might overstep his mark, yet in need of making a salient point, he said, “Guardian Emara, your personal lust for vengeance is rightly justified but so is the Commander’s for that matter - and still you don’t see him clamouring to draw forth as though the Void is about to be invaded by the Mad Ones themselves.

“Are you truly so desperate to follow in Guardian Envalair’s footsteps that you’d throw away the value of your own Oath just to have it your way? Surely you might honour his memory by considering all avenues more clearly before you spit in the eye of Fate and wander blindly amongst the Enemy!”

“Blindly?” For a moment all the Speaker saw was Thessilia’s anger. With a flicker of concern, he realised that he’d nearly said too much but could not dwell as Emara bristled like a burr.
“Now what exactly are you saying here, Guardian Speaker? Are we saying then, that I am not capable of carrying out my Oath just because I do not fear the Mad Ones and their spawn? Is that it?”

Relief engulfed him: the angry frown on his forehead unravelling. Mercy, she’d come close to making a connection there; for a blink, he’d thought-

“We fear nothing, but perhaps we should.”

The Speaker startled, his head swivelling along with the assembly to look at Guardian Orleara.

Elbows bent and fingers stippled before her lupine features, the other Guardian was staring at them with ringed citrine eyes made luminous by the truth of her persuasion. There was a candour there that Sinuhé had rarely seen in the trickster Sunerai: something near-tangible.

He hoped she would be able to forward a persuasive point; he hoped she would say something to end this debacle, otherwise…

***********************************
Want to know more? Visit, like and follow me on https://www.facebook.com/themissingsh... and/or subscribe to my newsletter https://mailchi.mp/486a3a8674b0/themi...

Thanks for reading! :-)

5th of Feb '19

If you like some of the posts, why not sign to my newsletter as well?

I am currently planning a give away: something that I am quite excited about because this is something that I'm pulling together just for the newsletter subscribers. It is unique and has never been published in a stand-alone format before - and, it will give you a very personal insight into Solancei's story and background. :-)

See you on the other side.

https://mailchi.mp/486a3a8674b0/themi...

4th of Feb '19

Do you like Villains? Duh! Well of course you do!

So for the unofficial second instalment of the introduction to my characters, I've done something a little different. I've done an interview. Yes, you read me right... an interview.

Because how often does your villain really have his or her say?
I know, right? Not often! So I thought he deserved a chance to speak out loud and tell his side of things. At least, as he sees them - for every story has two sides. It's really just a shame that this guy refuses to acknowledge that he got it wrong!

Now to a few brief details to set the scene, and then you can weave your travelling spell and be off.

See, this particular guy... well he is such a grey area because on one hand, he is a 'kick-you-in-the teeth-send-you-to-your-grave' kind of guy that will not stop until his justice is served, but on the other hand he will step up when the going gets tough - if only so that he doesn't get denied the chance to kill you himself if you happen to be on his list.

Of course, there is a very good reason why he's turned out the way he has, and NO it's not just because he is an arrogant, spell-weaving, noble elf, who can stop an army with his magic (or at least maybe half an army). In fact, his story is kinda tragic, but...but-but-but... Oh the things he is willing to do...
So yes, yup, there's a bit of madness there, but I suppose that after a few millennia, anyone else carrying an unresolved grudge, would probably be slightly insane too.

So, enough said, I think. Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to the Flight of Fire, also named, Rhindarhlar Mehand’Arun, ...

Interview:

DR. VILLAIN: What’s an experience that shaped the way you think about the world?

FLIGHT OF FIRE: I have lived a long time. One experience is hardly enough to account for all the changes I have witnessed.

DR. VILLAIN: But if you were pushed to name one?

FLIGHT OF FIRE: Oh very well, I suppose the one they all rant about, would be the day the Realms of Dallancea almost got swept into oblivion by the Venzoian hordes and the Mad Ones. We all fought for the survival of existence that day. All the nine races. Friend and foe. Side by side. It would have been spectacular, if not for the fact that some of us fought a little harder than others. It would have been an event worthy of eternal accolade, but for the fact that we lost.

DR. VILLAIN: So you lost?

FLIGHT OF FIRE: Of course we did. You cannot comprehend the power we stood against; the numbers. If I hadn’t been too busy slaughtering blight Walkers, I would have stood back and laughed at the glory of it all. As it were, I was knee deep in blood and guts, and neck high in magic and the stench of Human fear.

DR. VILLAIN: Hmm… interesting. So you enjoyed the bloodshed?

FLIGHT OF FIRE: Define ‘enjoy’. I kill Venzoians with pleasure. They are the dogs of the Mad Ones and they do not deserve to live. It’s a task to be done, like others eat breakfast or tally their ledgers of commerce.

DR. VILLAIN: Could we return to the question of how this event shaped the world for a moment?

FLIGHT OF FIRE: If you must.

DR. VILLAIN: In that case… You say the races lost, yet here you are, millennia later and clearly not dead? How is that possible?

......AND.... cut! Sorry, if you'd like to follow the link, you can read the answer to that and much more. And believe me: it's anything but boring!

https://henchman.training/the-missing...

Enjoy!