Rachel Rener's Blog, page 9

Gilded Blood illustrations #5 AND 6!

Hello friends! Today I am thrilled to unveil not just one but TWO new illustrations from the upcoming Gilded Blood omnibus, including my favorite illustration to date! The latest additions include:

This brings us up to 6 illustrations, with 7 more still to come! Uwe and I will be tackling Linked (Gilded Blood #3) next. Which key scene(s) from that book would you like to see illustrated? Any guesses as to what illustration #7 will be? (Hint - it's something that takes place very early on in the book!)

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By the way, if you haven't had a chance to order your copy, or are hoping to upgrade, we are accepting late pledges through ,Pledgebox! Thank you all so much again for making this stunning omnibus a reality!!!

⋆✦ UPCOMING RELEASE ALERT ✦⋆

I'm so excited to announce that David Green and I co-wrote a humorous short story that will be featured in this upcoming anthology! There will be 14 stories total, all for the yummy, yummy price of .99 cents! Coming November 14th - Preorder your copy now and/or add it to your TBR on Goodreads!

,FROM THE ARCANE: RELICS OF LEGEND AND LORE

Legends told of it. Lore warned of it. Thousands searched for it.

Now this powerful relic is in the hero's(?) hands, whether they want it or not.

From the Arcane: Relics of Legend and Lore is a collection of 14 stories brought to you by the authors of Indie Fantasy Addicts. From necklaces to daggers to enchanted flowers, these arcane objects will take each hero on an adventure they never imagined - for better or for worse.

Gilded Blood takes the gold!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *takes deep breath * HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have ALWAYS wanted a shiny gold foil sticker on the front of one of my books!!!Thank you so, SO much, The BookFest!

Illustration #4...BABY BISCUIT!!!

Hi, everyone!!

Quick note, for those of you who weren't able to afford the omnibus the first time around - Andrew and I have set up a PledgeBox site, which will let you to make a pledge even now. We also just sent out the official survey, which will collect your mailing information so we can get you your goodies ASAP! Have I mentioned that we're publishing all of my backers' names in the omnibus? Because we are!! :) Thank you so, so much again for helping to make this gorgeous book a reality!

And now, for the REAL reason you've probably opened up this update....BABY BISCUT!

You asked, and we delivered! Behold, the 4th of 13 full-page, full-color illustrations!! Baby Biscuit is so stinking cute I don't even know where to begin!

Up next, illustration #5: Talia and Zayn embracing in cobalt-blue grass with a turquoise sunset in the distance! I'm so excited about this illustration because it's one of my favorite scenes in the entire series! After that, I'm thinking we'll illustrate a scene from Jinxed, where Talia and Korinne (one of my favorite side-characters!) are walking inside of a crystal cavern with glowing water and dramatic stalactites. Is there anything you'd like to see included in that illustration? Maybe the shadowy silhouette of a certain mischievous tommyknocker's clawed, outstretched hand stretching alongside the cave walls?

Lastly, here is a glimpse of the stunning postcards we'll be including with the art pack and deluxe tiers (and also as an add-on!) Aren't they beautiful?

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If you're looking for more stunning deluxe fantasy goodness, check out these incredible campaigns, which are all happening right now (or very soon)!

Riders of Fire: Omnibus Deluxe Edition Dragon Rider Fantasy

Bestselling, award-winning, dragon rider epic fantasy in a deluxe, illustrated collector's edition. Faux leather, foil, sprayed edges!

Chains of a Broken God: Illustrated Hardcover Edition

This special, Kickstarter-only edition, will have full-color, full-page illustrations and images hand-drawn by Aaron Moschner.

The Shadow Watch - A Deluxe Illustrated Epic Fantasy Novel

Limited, faux-leather collector's edition of Book One in the bestselling epic fantasy series, The Shadow Watch Saga.

⌛Shadows are coming...⌛

The day has finally arrived!

I have never worked so hard or lost so much sleep over a single manuscript; nor have I ever been so proud of a finished book. This story REALLY pushed my limits, both as a writer and as an empath. There were days I had to push hard just to get ANY words on paper, not because I had writer's block, but because I was so far out of my usual comfort zone.

That said, while SHADOWS is unlike anything I've ever written before, you'll find quite a few of my call signs: found family, science-based magic, (mild) romance, redemption, and yes, a happy ending! So if spooky fantasy isn't your usual go-to, be sure to check the trigger warnings, but rest assured: this story is well worth it.

If you haven't already preordered your copy, the ebook is available on Amazon, FREE on Kindle Unlimited, and signed copies are available in my shop along with some cool swag!

And now, without further ado, I present to you....

⌛ THE BOY WHO LURKS IN SHADOWS⌛

.....The thrilling sequel prequel to The Girl Who Talks to Ashes!

SYNOPSIS

It’s been three years since Lilah Quinn stumbled upon the bones of her biological mother, thereby solving the mystery of Willow’s long-forgotten disappearance. Since then, Lilah has been working off-book as Sheriff Reid’s star detective, solving decades-old cold cases with the help of those closest to the crimes – the victims themselves.

But when Lilah’s newest case hits a dead end, she’s forced to do something she’s never done before: speak to the murderer himself. Unfortunately, his “ghost” isn’t interested in helping her, nor is he willing to play by her rules. Because, unlike all the others, this ghost is able to exist apart from his bones, untethered even by time.

And now that he’s been freed, he’s got a bone to pick.

***

ADVANCED REVIEWS

"Honestly, I admit, I had a little trepidation…a little uncertainty…a little bit of anxiety…that The Boy Who Lurks in Shadows would not live up to the awesomeness of The Girl Who Talks to Ashes, which is one of my absolute favorite standalone novels ever. BUUUUUUUUT…NOT ONLY DID IT MEET THOSE LOFTY EXPECTATIONS BUT IT COMPLETELY BLEW THEM OUT OF THE WATER!" - Melinda Cater

"Well now. WELL. NOW." - David Green, Author

"By the end of this book, not only was I smiling but the tears were streaming down my face, tears of the sheer beauty of this dazzlingly splendacious freaking awesome story! Thank you Rachel! THANK YOU for your brilliance!" - Beba Andric

"This book grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. I put it down to sleep and that’s about it. It’s dark in places, beautiful in several others and got me thinking about the themes a lot deeper than I meant to." - Chris Matthews

"Rachel Rener! Woman, you’re scary smart. This book took a lot of planning and research to make it believable. The Boy is a great follow up to Lilah’s story[;] complex with a rich world(s) that will make you think." - Suzy Ostapower

"Wowwwwwww, this book! I was kind of worried because I loved the first book SO MUCH, but Rachel absolutely outdid herself on this one. I think this one might even be better than the first! I teared up so many times.. both happy tears and sad." - Phi Pilgrim

"Read this in four hours. Devoured it, I should say. A fantastic mystery which unravels on the page, tragic, touching and delving right into the heart of love, loss, longing and belonging." - Becky James, Author

"I love how the lives of the characters are interwoven, it makes for a very intriguing book. Set yourself some quiet time when you pick this book up because you aren’t going to want to put it down until you have finished." - Terry Steinke

"I am obsessed with this book! Rener's ability to write both a prequel and sequel in the same book is masterful! Buckle up, there are so many twists and turns, and surprises you won't see coming!" - Linda Mundorff, biased-yet-brilliant Jewish mother

Will you be reading TBWLIS? If so, what are you looking forward to most?

Newest omnibus illustration enclosed (my jaw is still on the floor)

(Don't worry, I will NOT be spamming you all with Kickstarter updates for the next few months, but this one is too incredible not to share!!!)

First of all, I want to thank you all once again for your incredible support, especially on the final day of the Kickstarter when you guys SHOWED UP and made that final stretch goal a reality, when I was certain we were going to fall short. I am humbled and blown away and grateful beyond words.

Seriously. Thank you.

If you missed the last day to pledge or simply need more time for funds, I've made a special late-pledge option directly on my website, where you can still preorder the omnibus. It won't have all of the special add-ons and goodies included with the Kickstarter, but I did manage to include the slip cover and custom engraved medallion options!

Okay, and now the moment you've been waiting for...Uwe Jarling's next omnibus illustration.

To say I am gobsmacked by the quality and beauty of this painting would be the understatement of the year.

Are you ready for this?

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NGL. I am DYING of rapture right now. Isn't it incredible?!

I had HIGH hopes for this illustration and Uwe STILL managed to blow me away!!Last order of business: Of the two options below, which would you like to see for our next illustration? Let me know in the comments below! The option with the most votes will happen next!

Option 1: Talia and Zayn are kneeling with their arms around each other in tall, blue grass, with the sun setting in a turquoise sky. Glowing orbs of fireflies surrounding them. Background: fae realm, blue grass, green sunset sky, or.....

(ATTENTION, BOOK TWO SPOILER AHEAD)

Option 2: Biscuit is reborn from a black, sparkling egg as a baby. He has mostly gray feathers and looks like a baby chick. He's asking for almonds already. Background: a towel and glittering egg fragments.

Let me know your vote in the comments or shoot me an email at RRener13@gmail! Cheers!!!

HOLY FORKING SHIRT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU GUYS. MY HEART IS POUNDING SO HARD.

I HAD NO IDEA THIS LAST DAY WOULD BE THIS MUCH OF A ROLLER COASTER. I mean, y'all kept me on my TOES ALL. FORKING. DAY.

JUST LOOK AT THIS:

And with LITERALLY 4 minutes left in the campaign, YOU GUYS SHOWED UP AND HIT THAT VERY LAST STRETCH GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you all so, so, SO MUCH!!!!

Before launching, I was so nervous we wouldn't hit our $15k funding goal. But thanks to you, we are well over 300% funded! Just look at all of the incredible things we accomplished together!

I could not be more excited!!!

BTW, if you missed your window to pledge or if funds are currently tight, Andrew and I will be adding a late pledge button to the page in two weeks, and we'll keep that button up until we start fulfilling orders.

I'll also keep everyone posted on illustrations as Uwe and I finish them. Up next: a school of vengeful mermaids rising up from an emerald green sea!‍♀️

That's all I've got for now, as it's time to roll up the sleeves and make this gorgeous book a reality! Never fear - I'll keep you all posted every step of the way! ❤️

XOXO, Rachel

(PS: I am still hyperventilating. Seriously. WHERE DID ALL THE AIR GO?)

✨ FINAL 24 HOURS!✨

We're in the final stretch, friends! After an amazing campaign, we are over 300% funded and have unlocked the following stretch goals:

- Custom tattoo runes for all tiers!

- 13 full-page, full-color illustrations!

- A built-in ribbon tattoo!

- A fully-colorized fold-out map!

- I ❤️ Biscuit tattoos for all tiers!

- Rainbow holographic foil (bonus add-on)!

- Custom engraved medallions (bonus add-on)!

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With a full day to go and last-minute pledges pouring in, I honestly think we'll be able to hit the final stretch goal: a Kickstarter-exclusive short story featuring none other than Dee Dee and Bisskiss!!! If you haven't pledged yet and you'd like to see that become a reality, now's your chance!

Thank you so much, everyone! ❤️

BTW, if you're still hungry for more Kickstarter yumminess, launching today is Katie Cherry's REBORN Crystal Dragon Saga: Book 2! Everyone who backs a physical tier in the first 24 hours gets a 3D printed Dragon phone holder!!

So, this just happened.

EDIT: We just hit our stretch goal!! Biscuit decals for all!!! ❤️

I just finished speaking with Geekify Inc, one of the coolest companies based right here in Colorado. Not only did they contribute to the Gilded Blood Kickstarter, which is insanely generous of them, but they are creating this custom engraved as an exclusive add-on for all project backers to nab in these last 5 days of the campaign. AND I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED.

BTW, we are SO CLOSE to nabbing the next stretch goal - custom "I ❤️ Biscuit" decals for all, designed by Liz Delton and fulfilled by Geekify themselves!

5 days left to pledge for the most stunning omnibus you have ever seen, with some of the COOLEST add-ons imaginable!!!

One Week to Go!

When the Gilded Blood Complete Series Omnibus Kickstarter Project went live two weeks ago, I wasn't sure we'd be able to hit our $15k funding goal within the three-week allotment. And then you wonderful people showed up in DROVES and funded that project within hours. (Thank you from the bottom of my swelling heart!!!)

Because we keep hitting our stretch goals, this omnibus just keeps getting better and better! In addition to faux magenta leather, gilded foil and sprayed edges, 10 brand-new full-page illustrations, 110 revamped colorized chapter headings, and a stunning protective slipcase, we've also added: 3 MORE full-page illustrations (for 13 total!), custom temporary rune tattoos for all tiers, a built-in ribbon bookmark, a full-color, fold out map, and an add-on option for holographic rainbow foil and sprayed edges!!!

PLUS, we're less than $2k away from I ❤️ Biscuit decals for every tier and WELL on our way to funding a patron-exclusive short story featuring DeeDee and Biss-kiss!!

If you haven't had a chance to order your copy, now's a great time to hop on the rainbow-colored bandwagon!!!