E.B. Roshan's Blog: This, That and the Other, page 2

Book Spotlight: A Noble Warrior

Lucy Peterson’s fantasy adventure, A Noble Warrior, releases tomorrow. Here’s what you have to look forward to:

~ Autumn Vibes 

~ Friends to More

~ Cozy–and Freezing—Christmas Vibes 

~ Exiled Royalty 

~ Masquerade 

~ Strong Friendships 

~ Non-Magical Land of Sweets 

~ Secret Identities 

~ A Warrior Without a Sword

What would happen if you wear a mask for so long, you forget who you truly are beneath it?

Ever since the Mouse King usurped his parents’ thrones, Cassian Erich has been on the run, seeking safety far away from any hint of his old self. But after only two years of shaky peace, a disastrous meeting sends him stumbling back into the Mouse King’s hands, and once again, his life is in danger. Hunted, he must decide whether or not the mask he has built for himself is worth the cost of his kingdom.

A prince or a nut farmer. One identity will see him killed. The other, an entire country destroyed.

For the past two years, Marie Stahlb’rin has spent her life pretending she is no longer affected by the death of her younger sister and hiding the pain she can’t let go of. But when a failed assassination attempt on her best friend thrusts her into a world of treachery, she finds herself with no choice but to face the past.

Betrayals, secrets, and danger abound when a prince must choose between picking up a sword for his country or protecting the mask that saved his life.

A Noble Warrior is an NA Christian fantasy Nutcracker retelling and book #10 of the Cornerstone Series. You can find it on Goodreads HERE

To connect with Lucy Peterson and discover what else she’s up to, you can visit her author website HERE

Smashwords Christmas Sale

I’m pleased to announce that my books will all be available at 50% off from December 12 to January 1 during the End of Year Smashwords Sale. This is a chance to get my books, along with books from many other great authors, at a discount…or free.

When I’ve participated in Smashwords sales in the past, I’ve listed all my books for free. This past summer I had the opportunity to give away over a hundred books during their mid-year sale. Now I’m curious to see how a half-price sale will compare to that…

You will find the promo here starting on December 12, so save the link:
https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos/

What am I Up To?

My current project is another comic book, actually. Rex, an ex-bodyguard turned fruit farmer, gets a chance to return to his old profession…but things aren’t the way he remembered.

While I’ve made a lot of progress over the past month or so, I don’t expect to release it for a few months, probably not until early Spring.

Young Author Spotlight: Cherry Foster

I’m Cherry Foster, a Christian 35-year old from England. I’m currently studying a Master’s in Christian Spirituality, following a first degree in Catholic-Tradition Philosophy. I also have a lot of interest in biology and other sciences, and I’m trying to learn New Testament Greek. I keep finches, enjoy fibre crafts (especially as an excuse to fidget!), and have an awful lot of pot plants.

So far, I’ve written mostly fantasy with Christian values, a lot of background symbolism, and many allusions to scripture, but with no overt mentions of Christianity. I prefer to show Christianity in Christian lifestyle choices rather than in professions of belief (not that there’s anything wrong with writing or reading Christian fiction with both living and stated belief: I just come from a tradition that’s typically quite emotionally reticent). For example, a major theme in all the books I’m currently working on, is that it is better to die than to commit murder. And in one of them there are fish for breakfast at a key moment – though I do aim to write so my work still makes sense for the reader who doesn’t spot, or doesn’t like, these extra layers of meaning.

I’m hoping to self-publish my first book in a year or so, but with chronic health issues, it’s hard to keep to any sort of deadline. It is a somewhat subversive retelling of St. George of the Dragon, but it’s hard to say much more about it without spoilers. It explores themes of collective responsibility and community cohesion. It is a dark story set against a backdrop of redemption. Here is a brief excerpt from near the beginning:

“Sire, you are breaking every duty that you have to your people in giving children up to this monster in this way. You must know that.” Sir Thomas’s voice was calm, but that this calm was forced was clear in every line of his face and bearing.

King Cecil frowned. “But it is true, if this dragon could destroy the city, that they will die whatever. Therefore, I can protect some of them like this.”

“Would you say that if your daughter was chosen?”

Cecil glanced at Princess Marrianne with a slight frown, but she had not visibly reacted.

“It is very unlikely to happen. There are so many children in the city that the chance of any one of them being chosen is low.”

“It will happen to someone,” Sir Thomas exploded.

The king stood up. “Sir Thomas,” he said formally, “I have made and proclaimed my decision, that we will accede to the dragon’s request, and that no-one is to fight. The people will be concerned, when they hear. If anyone from the council supports that concern, there will likely be riots and great disorder. Will you disobey me?”

I blog at https://handmaidsdistaff.wordpress.com/ – I aim to post at least once a month, but it doesn’t always happen. It is an eclectic blog mostly featuring theological and church life commentary, disability experience and awareness, Christian poetry, occasional posts about craft, and some completely random fun.

Young Author Spotlight: Lillian Keith

Hi, my name is Lilli (aka Lillian Keith). I’m a Christian, homeschool grad and indie author. I’ve been telling stories for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until I reached my teens that I realized my true passion was telling stories for kids. Since then, I’ve written and published a few middle grade books (An Apprentice Escapes; it’s sequel, Because You Saw Me; and a standalone, Should We Tell Her?) plus some MG short stories for different anthologies.

I’m currently working on a chapter book for younger kids (ages 7-10) called Nova And The Lost Stars. I fell in love with the idea of a young girl setting off to bring lost stars back to the night sky so her father could find his way home. My younger sister, going by the name Amelia Grace, has done all the illustrations (just like with my other books) and they fit the story so well! We released it this past August! Here’s an excerpt:

“Whenever you miss me,” he had said, “Just look at the stars. I’m looking at them too. I’ll follow the direction they are pointing. That’s how I’ll find my way home.”

“Even in the darkest of night?” Nova had whispered. 

“Even in the darkest of night.” 

“Even in the scariest of storms?” Nova had asked. 

“Even in the scariest of storms,” Papa had assured her. 

“What about the foggiest of skies?” 

“Nova, the stars are so bright, no darkness can hide them.” 

Since then, whenever Nova felt scared, lost, or lonely, she’d look at the stars. They seemed to smile at her every time she watched. Now, she wanted to see them twinkle more than  ever. 

So, Nova ran to the window, threw back her curtain, and gasped. 

The stars were gone!

To connect with Lillian, follow any of the links below.

Blog: https://lilliankeithauthor.wordpress.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lilliankeith22/_saved/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21811083.Lillian_Keith

Young Author Spotlight: Rhys-Marie Whitnell

I am a Christian teenage author who goes by the pen name of Rhys-Marie Whitnell, but you can call me Rhys. Ever since a very young age, I’ve entertained myself with stories, both by reading those written by other people and by coming up with my own. My love for books led me to develop a passion for writing. Even though I’ve never written a full-length novel and don’t have any future plans of publishing my own works, I know writing will always be a part of my life because I am enamored with the unique way fiction can convey relatable characters, vivid aesthetics, and most importantly, truths about God and the Christian life.

I’m in high school right now and will be starting my senior year soon. While I’m technically homeschooled, I have a ridiculously busy class schedule between dual enrollment and my homeschool organization. To complicate things further, I also work a part-time job in food service. In my spare time, my favorite thing to do, aside from reading and writing, is graphic design. I specialize in book covers and have designed them for a few fellow authors.

I’m currently supposed to be working on a Regency romance novella titled Lady of Silence. Unfortunately, I haven’t accomplished as much with this particular project as I wanted–I’m beginning to wonder if I was too ambitious with this particular idea. Anyway, I hope to have this story published with Wild Blue Wonder Press’s multi-author project Ladies of Quality (link to https://wildbluewonderpress.com/regency-romance/) if I can finish it in time. My intention with this story is to turn modern Regency tropes on their heads while paying homage to literature of the past.

Lady of Silence follows Sophia Silence Wellesley, an intelligent and accomplished young woman who, up until the beginning of the story, has led a reclusive life on her father’s estate. However, her world changes when a carriage accident takes her father’s life and leaves her without home or money. She learns that in case of his death, her father arranged a marriage between herself and George Augustine, whom she has never met. When she marries him and moves to London, she wonders if a marriage of convenience can ever end in true love.

3. My blog, A Handful of Quietness: http://rhysmarieblog.wordpress.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/159197049

Work in Progress

As the weather grows cooler and we’re spending less time outside, I’m enjoying the process of creating a new comic in the “Maze” world, featuring Rex, a security guard turned fruit farmer, and a host of other intriguing creatures.

Moving from written stories to those told primarily through pictures has been an entertaining journey with a steep learning curve…with Rex’s story, I suspect I’m approaching a plateau of sorts, in the sense that I’m not going to be able to change/develop too much more with my current artistic and technological skill levels, but who knows what the future holds?

Young Author Spotlight: P.D. Atkerson

Today we meet P.D. Atkerson, a young (and prolific) author of YA action thrillers.

P.D. Atkerson is a homeschooled writer, living in Montana, who may or may not be a secret agent. She spends almost as much time in the worlds she creates as she does the real one. When she’s not reporting the stories of her agents, she’s learning different languages, or traveling to different worlds through the portals of books. She has a black belt in sarcasm and a master’s degree in useless facts.

The image for this post is the cover for one of her most recent books. Here’s the blurb:

For as long as he can remember, Ashton Westwood has known he will never follow in his father’s footsteps, no matter what the Starbearers expected of him. Ashton has seen the highs and lows of being a Superhero, and he’d rather be on the wrong side of the law than shackled by it. He knows his destiny lies with Epiphany and the Villains’ Guild, and nothing will stand in the way of that. Becoming a Supervillain isn’t a choice you make, nor are they forged by the joys of a happy childhood. Whether Superhero or Supervillain, everyone has an origin story. This is Ashton’s.

To learn more about Hero Rising and Atkerson’s other projects, you can check on her blog HERE.

Young Author Spotlight: Aggie Kopp

Today we meet another young author…one who understands the true dangers presented by giant pancakes.

A. F. Kopp is a writer who aspires to offer fresh perspectives and meaningful characters in her stories. Whether it is historical fiction, regency romance, or science fantasy comedy, Kopp enjoys fleshing out worlds–old and new–as settings to explore deep connections and heartfelt moments that shed light on important topics. Kopp likes playing basketball and ping-pong and writing letters to her pen pals.

Here’s a glimpse at one of her latest stories:

When a supposed flapjack destroys Jekkh’s planet, she relocates to a whole new system to start a new life. But after discovering her planet’s long-lost artifact, Jekkh must step into a role she feels unfit for and unite her scattered people across the system. When her assigned bodyguard and some doctor’s god-niece help her escape, Jekkh is thrust into a whole new world of conspiracy, space travel, and helping the ones in need.

Camrun knew he’d never be accepted into the Persythian military even before he got the memo. Struggling to keep his family from being cast off into the deadly gas giant they live on, Camrun must find a way to provide for his family when his father and brother are serving over-systems for their planet. But when a rare opportunity arises to work for the planet’s ruling circle, the Deins, Camrun gets thrust into a circle of secrets, espionage, and a possible rebellion. As he continues working to save his family, Camrun soon discovers that it is quite possible that his planet was on the wrong side all along.

To learn more about Aggie and her stories, you can visit her author website HERE.

I Love Writing Fiction…

…because telling stories is a great way to meet new people and connect with them. When someone reads one of my stories and becomes immersed in the characters and their world, it’s wonderful, even though I may never know about it. But the moment a reader reaches out and lets me know what my story meant to him or her is so satisfying–it makes all the work worth it. A connection has been made. A friendship, of sorts, is formed through a story.

Not long ago, a young reader, Nova, sent me her artwork, a fun cartoon-style piece inspired by Radoslav and Dunya, the main characters of my latest Sevia book. I’ve featured it as the image for this post, because to me it symbolizes that moment of connection, when something that was real only in my mind becomes just as real in someone else’s.

To see more of what Nova is up to, you can find her YouTube channel HERE.