Sandi Layne's Blog, page 11
February 18, 2015
Favorite Episode – Season 2 #VIKINGS
Tomorrow night is the night! Prepare for the invasion, because VIKINGS are back in Season 3!
Season 2 is actually available to view online right now at http://www.history.com/vikings and if you haven’t seen it? You really should. Engage in binge-watching if you have time, or at least check out the recaps.
And then go see the season finale: The Lord’s Prayer.
And THEN read the discussion Lissa Bryan and I had about it. You might even enjoy listening to the podcast for this episode over on iTunes. Just look for NoShip Network podcast and then find Vikings Season 2: The Lord’s Prayer. The crew at NoShip Network really do their homework and have great discussions. Warning: This is an adult show. As VIKINGS is rated at TV-14, this podcast is rated as Explicit. Grownups only, okay?
This episode, for me, is amazing in that the crew at VIKINGS really made it the Big Reveal episode. I was played all season. So was Lissa. And we were both in AWE of the orchestrations that happened behind the scenes to make it work so well.
When involved in any kind of creative endeavor, having an eye on the outcome is (in my opinion) crucial. It was clear in the season finale that the writer of the show, Michael Hirst and whomsoever he tag-teams, had a perfect idea of how they wanted the last episode to play out. The whole season’s actions and secrets played into the audience’s interpretations of how the finale was viewed, I think.
It was brilliant.
When I wrote the first book of my Viking trilogy, I knew the end I was going for, the suspense I hoped to create to get there, and all that that would entail. To reach that end, I began construction for it from the first chapter and kept the tension throughout. When I wrote the second, I had definite plans for my hero, and I had to make sure that each step of his journey would get him to where I needed him to be by story’s end. The challenge and delight of creation was making sure it happened the way I’d envisioned it.
I sure hope that the VIKINGS people have as much fun in their work as I do in mine!
Tomorrow: A quick preview of Season 3, based upon what one can find online.
Filed under: Discussion, History Tagged: Athelstan, Éire's Viking trilogy, historical fiction, history, History Channel, Lagertha, Ragnar, Vikings
February 17, 2015
Favorite Season One Episode – VIKINGS
So sorry I lagged behind with this post. With the Valentine Weekend promotional stuff, I felt rather overwhelmed!
All Vikings images herein are the property of the History Channel. Click here to go there.
But THIS WEEK, my favorite show VIKINGS is back. Thursday night! So excited! If you aren’t following me on twitter but are interested in reading my live-tweeting comments with Lissa Bryan, come find me on twitter – the link is on my sidebar.
Today, I wanted to share with you my favorite episode from Season One of VIKINGS. The first season was fantastic for so many reasons. First, for me, was that it was the INVASION story. Ragnar went to Lindisfarne in episode two. [Link goes to my post where Lissa and I discussed this episode.]
In this episode, we see how Ragnar the adventurer and navigator leads his men to England, where they hit Lindisfarne Monastery at the end of the 8th Century. Ragnar had definite goals in mind, but one he did not have was to find Athelstan, a young monk, whom he took as a captive.
This episode began a strange friendship between two disparate men that has continued thus far throughout the show.
In my Éire’s Viking Trilogy, I also tried to develop friendships and kinship between the Northmen and those whom they captured. In Éire’s Captive Moon, Tuirgeis (a Viking leader) captures Cowan (a prince of Ireland) and the two men have rational discussions, even about Cowan’s Christian faith. Tuirgeis eventually adopts Cowan as a brother. Through the course of my trilogy, the interrelationships between men of Ireland and the men of Norway are very important as the plot spins out.
My friends who have read my work for years know I have lain heavy hands on violence and/or death in many of my stories. But my real obsession, I think, is to find relationships between those for whom friendship (or romance, in some cases), is not a likely prospect. The challenge is to bend a story to my will, to bring characters through places that compel mutual understanding and appreciation, to show their best sides to one another as they learn to work together toward a common goal or purpose.
THAT is the delight of my craft, and I so enjoy seeing others—like the VIKINGS creators, writer, and producers—do so as well.
Filed under: Discussion, History, Writing Tagged: Athelstan, Éire's Captive Moon, Éire's Viking, Cowan, History Channel, Lindisfarne, monk, Ragnar, slave, Tuirgeis, Vikings
February 15, 2015
Sunday Sneak Peek – Éire’s Devil King
Here’s another glimpse into the final book of my Éire’s Viking Trilogy!
Summary:
A man of ability and ambition, Tuirgeis Erlingrson has nurtured the desire to carve a place of leadership for himself on the Green Island, Éire, that he has raided multiple times. After the death of his wife in Nordweg, he takes his surviving son to Éire. Having connections with his adopted brother, Cowan, and Agnarr, his former countryman, Tuirgeis feels he has the support he needs to make his claims strong.
Agnarr is torn. His promise to Aislinn to remain with her on Éire is still in force, and he resists Tuirgeis’s requests to join the conquering forces from Nordweg. He desires above all things to maintain a safe home for his wife and children in Dal Fíatach. Charis encourages Cowan to do the same, though this makes for tense moments between them.
After initial disastrous attempts to achieve his ambition, Tuirgeis comes to learn that there is more to claiming a kingship than merely overpowering the locals. Tuirgeis finds himself at odds with the very people he had hoped would reinforce him. In addition, he wants to establish his father-line. He has one son; he wants another to be born of Éire. Will the woman of his choice accept and support him?
At length, Agnarr and Aislinn—though she is heavy with child—sail with Cowan and Charis to join Tuirgeis as he battles over one final summer to attain the High Kingship of the island.
Tuirgeis knows he doesn’t have long to make his claims; the Danes are coming in greater numbers than before. As he wins men of Éire to his cause, he has to maintain the relationships he has already fostered with Agnarr and Cowan. Charis finds that her Otherworldly gifts are needed by a man she considers her enemy.
Excerpt:
When the Éire-men began talking in low tones in their own language, Haukr leaned toward Tuirgeis and spoke. “Will we gain treasure here?”
“No. But we need allies, and those we will find.”
“Allies.” Haukr frowned and resumed his former posture. “I thought we were after riches.”
“Patience.”
Agnarr caught his eye, offered him an interesting smile that seemed one part confident and one part amused. Cowan and the king exchanged another glance, and the latter translated while the former spoke.
“Did you think to settle all your men here?”
“Not all of them want to stay,” Tuirgeis assured the ruler. “However, some may winter here.”
At this, the king half-turned from the fire ring, beckoning to Cowan and Agnarr with a small, authoritative gesture. A quiet conversation followed, and Tuirgeis felt a small smile creep over his face. He let his gaze drift around the others in the round house. Charis’s pale skin seemed to almost shine in the gloom of the room as she stood back from the men around the fire. His smile fled as she studied him. He remembered her from their earliest acquaintance, on a longship where she clung to the bottom of the craft, her eyes vacant and staring over open water. Stubborn, she had been. Stubborn she had remained while yet a trell in Agnarr’s service. Stubborn she likely was, even now. Yet she had captured the heart of Geirmundr Kingson, and they had fled Nordweg together.
Wordlessly, he beckoned her over. After a moment, she came. It was true—he had thought she looked unchanged when he caught a glimpse of her earlier, and she certainly seemed to be so. Touched by Freya, perhaps.
“Lord Tuirgeis,” she said with a lifted brow. “And your son.”
Haukr jerked his head in obvious surprise. “You speak Norse.”
“Ja,” she said, her tone sarcastic even on the single syllable. “I had no choice but to learn. You are Haukr.”
Astonishment froze Tuirgeis, but only for a moment. The woman’s sense of herself was even stronger than it had been in earlier years. She is a force to be reckoned with. “He is Haukr, my son. Haukr, this is . . . Charis, wife of my brother Cowan.” The two nodded politely at one another. “My brother treats you well, Charis?”
“Cowan mac Branieucc is a fair man. A good husband and father,” she replied.
“He is indeed. And how is your daughter?” It was mischief itself to ask, but he wanted the woman to exhibit some emotion. Her passivity was maddening. At his side, his son just stared at Charis, a look of confusion furrowing his unlined brow.
“Aislinn is well. She has made me a grand-dam twice over.”
Haukr leaned forward, mouth agape. “A grand-dam? Lady Charis, that isn’t possible. You cannot be much older than I.”
“It is true, nevertheless.”
Tuirgeis endeavored to keep his son from making a fool out of himself. He had a reputation to uphold. “You will find, Haukr, that Cowan’s wife is an unusual woman.”
This title due out April 2, 2015
from
The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House
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~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~
Award winning author of short Celtic fiction, Sandi Layne is the creator of the Éire’s Viking Trilogy, as well as works of contemporary Christian romance.
She began by self-publishing her novels in 2000, garnering a loyal group of readers whom she continues to appreciate to this day.
Married for more than twenty years to a fantastic man, she has two sons, no pets, and a plethora of imaginary friends. Her interests range from ancient civilizations to science fiction. With degrees in English and Ministry, she also claims Theology’s crimson Masters collar which she has been known to don on rare occasions.
If you drive by her window before dawn, it is likely she’ll have a light on for you. Or at the very least, she’ll be alert on twitter. She invites you to visit her online space at http://sandyquill.com.
~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~
Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Website * Tumblr
~~OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES~~
TWCS PAPERBACK
Filed under: Publishing, Writing Tagged: Éire, Éire's Viking trilogy, historical fiction, Ireland, Norway, Tuirgeis, TWCS, Vikings
February 14, 2015
TWCS Valentine Special!
The Writer’s Coffee Shop is having a HUGE sale over the Valentine Weekend!
Load up those Kindles!
Contemporary Romance, Chic Lit, Paranormal Romance, Erotic Romance, Young Adult and More!
Participating Authors
ROMANCE
Lindsay Gray Michael Schneider
Krista RichmondJennifer Schmidt
EROTIC ROMANCE
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Analyse Knight
Amber L. Johnson
YOUNG ADULT
CHIC LIT
Filed under: Publishing Tagged: 99 cent sale, book sale, free e-books, romance, Valentine's Day
February 13, 2015
Why Invade? – Vikings
Image courtesy of York Archaeological Trust
The Northmen, the terror of the coasts for perhaps hundreds of years, didn’t set out to make life difficult for everyone. They began because they wanted to make life better for themselves and their families. The winters were long, the growing season for farming short, and life could be pretty harsh much of the year. Men of valor, men who wanted to protect their families and enrich themselves, moved outward in their efforts to do so.
Image property of History Channel. Used here only as a illustration for VIKINGS.
Some were like Ragnar Lo∂brok, from History Channel’s VIKINGS. A farmer and fisherman, he wanted more – wanted to provide for his growing family, wanted renown as was considered favorable among his people. In the first season of this wonderful show, we see how he managed to do just that, using his creativity, strength, and battle prowess as well as people skills and compassion.
Quite a remarkable man, all the way around, eh?
Like the VIKINGS series to date, my trilogy has three parts, and the first part (first season, as it were) involved a man named Tuirgeis who led a raid to Éire – Ireland – to gain wealth for trading. The Northmen raided the Green Isle and then took goods and slaves across the ocean, to trade for what they wanted and needed back home. Nordweg.
As Ragnar found out in VIKINGS, Agnarr and Tuirgeis discovered in Éire’s Captive Moon that having a slave carries obligations. Ragnar found himself making friends with his Christian priest, in the television show. And Tuirgeis found himself eventually adopting Cowan—also a Christian—out of slavery and into his own family. Agnarr, too, found himself developing feelings for his captive, Charis.
Lives do carry obligations for those with the heart to feel them.
The people of the North were not heartless. They weren’t “bad” folks taken as a whole – they just had a set of goals that tended to take priority. The people of most import were their FAMILIES. Their friends, their villages. In Norway, there weren’t kingdoms in the early 9th Century, but there were loyalties to strong leaders, jarls, overlords. In the land of the Danes, there was a king to whom others pledged loyalty. Other people? Well, if they were weak enough to be victims, they didn’t deserve not to be, was the rationale of many.
This doesn’t excuse what they did, of course. Depriving someone of their freedom isn’t good in anyone’s book, but often one has to be on the other side of a problem before one sees it. For Agnarr, he felt a bit of that other side when the village of Balestrand was invaded by outsiders.
Problem is that for some, the acquisition of anything leads to the desire for more of it. Power, wealth, status, pride… All of these things can create a deeper hunger for more of the same, which is where a simple wish for bettering the life of a family can grow into a thirst for, say, ruling a people.
And ruling, as Tuirgeis finds out and as Ragnar Lo∂brok likely will discover, is far different than merely conquest.
Tomorrow: My favorite episode from Season One. :)
Filed under: Discussion, History Tagged: England, history, History Channel, invasions, Ireland, Vikings
February 12, 2015
VIKINGS – The Invasion is Imminent
History has always been a hobby of mine. I studied English in college, as well as Theology, but it’s HISTORY that has been an avocation since I was very young. Vikings were a part of history, but never really a grand obsession until I began writing about them for my Éire’s Viking Trilogy.
Vikings have been much maligned by pop culture, in my estimation. Sure, they had their ups and downs, but the Norse people that I’ve studied were concerned about justice, morality, personal accomplishment, bravery, and family. Cleanliness was important, as were practical arts and crafts. The thing to remember, in dealing with any culture, is that the worldview these men and women possessed more than a thousand years ago was not the same one through which we experience the world, today.
Taken on their own terms, the Northmen, the Vikings, were true to themselves and their lights—and they had a plan for their cultural survival. Learning about them has been a wonderful thing.
And now, I am hooked. So much so that I am a HUGE fangirl of History Channel’s show, VIKINGS.
Ever since the first episode of Season One, back in 2013, I’ve watched, followed, tagged, tweeted. Twitter accounts you might wish to follow include:
The NoShip Network (podcasters extraordinaire)
Lissa Bryan (My partner in live-tweeting and next-morning follow-ups.)
Clive Standen (who plays ROLLO)
George Blagden (who plays ATHELSTAN)
Alexander Ludwig (who plays BJÖRN (adult))
Katheryn Winnick (who plays LAGERTHA)
The Vikings featured on the TV show originate in Scandinavia. I’m thinking Sweden, though King Horik was a Dane. The first part of Season One begins at the tail end of the 8th Century, just before my own trilogy begins in Nordweg (Norway) and Éire (Ireland) at the beginning of the 9th Century.
Image property of the History Channel and used only for illustrative purposes relating to the VIKINGS show.
If you have not yet seen this show, I HIGHLY recommend you watch it. I’ll be featuring a few of my favorite episodes between now and February 19th, which is when Season 3 begins here in the States. The History Channel is showing episodes on their website right now, so you’ve got the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Northern Way before Ragnar begins his new adventures.
My plan, over the course of the next several days, is to share with you some of the highlights of the VIKINGS show as well as stuff from my own research as we prepare for the invasion of the Northmen.
Heill þú farir, heill þú aftr komir, heill þú á sinnum sér!
Hale go forth, hale return, hale on your ways! – Vafþrúðnismál 4
Filed under: Discussion, History, Random Tagged: Alexander Ludwig, Athelstan, Éire's Viking trilogy, Bjørn, Clive Standen, George Blagden, history, History Channel, Katheryn Winnick, Lagertha, Lissa Bryan, podcast, Ragnar, Rollo, Vikings
February 2, 2015
Cover Reveal – Sydney Logan
Sydney Logan is revealing the cover of her upcoming novel, Pros & Cons! She’s also revealing the video book trailer and offering readers the chance to win an advanced copy of the ebook!
Cover by T.M. Franklin
Book Release: February 21, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Suspense
Publisher: Mountain Media
Con artists Jenna York and Ethan Summers always seem to cross paths during their travels around the world. With their partners in tow, the cunning criminals wreak havoc across the globe, stealing from the rich and giving to the richer. While Jenna tries to convince herself that she sees him as nothing more than a professional rival, Ethan finds it a little harder to fight his attraction to the beautiful thief. When tragedy strikes, Jenna and Ethan join forces, but are the stakes too high? Can they escape this last job with their lives—and their hearts—intact?
Book Trailer by Jada D’Lee Designs
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Amazon bestselling author Sydney Logan holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. She is the author of three novels – Lessons Learned, Mountain Charm, and Soldier On. Sydney has also penned several short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul.
A native of East Tennessee, Sydney enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.
Visit her website at www.sydneylogan.com. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Filed under: Publishing Tagged: contemporary romance, cover reveal, indie author, Sydney Logan
February 1, 2015
February Fun!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER
Just click on the above graphic to get to the Rafflecopter widget for this drawing! We’re giving away two (2) autographed copies of Romantic Interludes (signed by Lissa Bryan, T.M. Franklin, and yours truly, Sandi Layne), a $10 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of Sydney Logan’s upcoming novel, Pros & Cons (U.S. Only), a signed copy of Wellesley Wives by Suzy Duffy, a signed copy of The Golden Arrow by Lissa Bryan (U.S. Only), a signed copy of A Piece of Cake by T.M. Franklin, an eBook of Éire’s Captive Moon by Sandi Layne (yep!), a winner’s choice eBook by Sydney Logan, and an eBook of Risking it All by Jennifer Schmidt.
Wow!
This drawing will be open from February 1st through February 15th!
You can also enter from my Facebook Author Page. Just click on the Giveaway tab at the top!
Also, there is a ROMANCE SALE coming up this month (2/13 – 2/15) from my publisher, The Writer’s Coffee Shop. Many of the titles, such as my own An Unexpected Woman, will be deeply discounted as eBooks.
Some will even be free!
Hope you enter our giveaway today and check out the titles for sale from TWCS later this month!
Filed under: Giveaways Tagged: autographed books, ebooks, gift cards, giveaway, Jennifer Schmidt, Lissa Bryan, Suzy Duffy, Sydney Logan, T.M. Franklin, TWCS, Valentine's Day
January 29, 2015
Cover Reveal – Éire’s Devil King
PRESENTS . . .
A Cover Reveal for
Éire’s Devil King
Book 3 of Éire’s Viking Trilogy
by Sandi Layne
Release Date: April 2 , 2015
Published by The Writers Coffee Shop
~~SUMMARY~~
A man of ability and ambition, Tuirgeis Erlingrson has nurtured the desire to carve a place of leadership for himself on the Green Island, Éire, that he has raided multiple times. After the death of his wife in Nordweg, he takes his surviving son to Éire. Having connections with his adopted brother, Cowan, and Agnarr, his former countryman, Tuirgeis feels he has the support he needs to make his claims strong.
Agnarr is torn. His promise to Aislinn to remain with her on Éire is still in force, and he resists Tuirgeis’s requests to join the conquering forces from Nordweg. He desires above all things to maintain a safe home for his wife and children in Dal Fíatach. Charis encourages Cowan to do the same, though this makes for tense moments between them.
After initial disastrous attempts to achieve his ambition, Tuirgeis comes to learn that there is more to claiming a kingship than merely overpowering the locals. Tuirgeis finds himself at odds with the very people he had hoped would reinforce him. In addition, he wants to establish his father-line. He has one son; he wants another to be born of Éire. Will the woman of his choice accept and support him?
At length, Agnarr and Aislinn—though she is heavy with child—sail with Cowan and Charis to join Tuirgeis as he battles over one final summer to attain the High Kingship of the island.
Tuirgeis knows he doesn’t have long to make his claims; the Danes are coming in greater numbers than before. As he wins men of Éire to his cause, he has to maintain the relationships he has already fostered with Agnarr and Cowan. Charis finds that her Otherworldly gifts are needed by a man she considers her enemy.
~~EXCERPT~~
It was dark in the langhús, save for the glowing of the coals banked in the fire ring. Agnarr enjoyed his wife’s responsiveness to him, and when they made love, he never forgot to thank his new God for letting her live through the births of the children their bodies made together. Before the sun crept under the door and through the shutters over the new windows, they were smiling and silent and relishing the moments—he knew there would only be moments—before the children stirred in the bench-bed they shared.
Later, as their son and daughter began shifting restlessly prior to awakening, Agnarr sat up and blew out a breath. “Wife.”
“Yes, husband?” She joined him, finding his hand with hers in the shadowy enclosure of their private area.
“We need to be ready. You need to be ready. You and the children.”
She sighed and shifted on the blankets so that she was looking directly at him. As was her habit, she continued to touch him with her fingers as she spoke. “I can fight. And you gave Dow a real knife at the Christ Mass.”
Discomfort tightened his stomach as he shook his head. “You need to be able to escape, just in case.” He knew far too well what would happen if someone found his attractive wife. Someone whom he didn’t know. Someone who would find her dark hair appealing and the tatú on her cheek mysterious and alluring. Someone who would want to take her as their leman, as he had once taken Charis.
Someone who might take his son as a slave.
Jaw tightening in anger, he shook his head again. Hard. “You know what can happen to you.” Her eyes were on his face, and he met their steady gaze. “And the children. You need to be able to get away. We should find a way to make you safe.”
Goodreads * Add to Want To Read List
~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~
Award winning author of short Celtic fiction, Sandi Layne is the creator of the Éire’s Viking Trilogy, as well as works of contemporary Christian romance.
She began by self-publishing her novels in 2000, garnering a loyal group of readers whom she continues to appreciate to this day.
Married for more than twenty years to a fantastic man, she has two sons, no pets, and a plethora of imaginary friends. Her interests range from ancient civilizations to science fiction. With degrees in English and Ministry, she also claims Theology’s crimson Masters collar which she has been known to don on rare occasions.
If you drive by her window before dawn, it is likely she’ll have a light on for you. Or at the very least, she’ll be alert on twitter. She invites you to visit her online space at http://sandyquill.com.
~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~
Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Website * Tumblr
~~OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES~~
TWCS PAPERBACK
Filed under: Publishing Tagged: Agnarr, Aislinn, Éire's Viking trilogy, Charis, Cowan, historical fiction, Tuirgeis, TWCS, Vikings
January 26, 2015
Cover Reveal – Lissa Bryan
PRESENTS . . .
A Cover Reveal for
Shadows Have Gone
Book 3 of End of All Things Series
by Lissa Bryan
Release Date: March 26 , 2015
Published by The Writers Coffee Shop
~~SUMMARY~~
Carly Daniels knows what it is to suffer loss. She knows what it is to sacrifice. In the two years since a pandemic virus—known only as the Infection—decimated humanity, she’s made choices she never could have imagined. She’s condoned violence in the name of peace and done the unthinkable in the name of mercy. But with Justin at her side, she’s also learned there’s nothing she can’t face and nothing she wouldn’t do to protect those she loves.
But now another threat has arrived in the form of a uniformed man driving an army truck, claiming to represent the remnant of the United States military. Someone has set their sights on their community . . . and on Justin. The struggle to defend their little homeland is far from over, and the visitors may have brought more danger with them than just their weapons.
The shadows are closing in. Carly has to find out whether she has the strength to stand on her own when all of her support has fallen away. What remains when the shadows have gone?
~~EXCERPT~~
“There’s other news,” Justin said. “We made contact with a man driving an army truck.”
“The army?”
“Someone with the army?”
“There’s an army?”
“Whose army?” Pete’s voice rang above the excited babble.
“That’s the right question,” Justin said. “Whose army? He might have been wearing a uniform and claiming affiliation, but I have my doubts.”
“He claimed to be from the US Army?”
“Claimed,” Justin said, stressing the word hard. “And his claim had a few inconsistencies. I was in the Army, and I know. Whatever this guy is a part of, it’s not the army as we knew it.”
“What did he want?”
“Said he was out scouting and saw the smoke. He agreed to leave a message outside of Clayton if his people want to get in contact with us again. And I would imagine they will.”
“Last thing we need is another fight,” Grady said. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “You think they know where we are?”
“General area. We wouldn’t be that hard to find if someone was really searching for us. If they’re really army, then yes, they know exactly where we are as we speak. But as I said, I have my doubts.”
“Think it will come to a fight?” Pete asked.
Justin scratched his chin. “I really can’t say. What I can say is that we always need to be prepared for it, prepared to defend what is ours.”
“What if they really are the army? Would we be America again?”
“Wait. When did we stop being America?”
“America is dead.” This came from David, his voice as blunt as a dropped stone. “We all saw it die two years ago. I don’t know what we are now, but the Constitution sure ain’t in effect anymore. There’s no government. There’s no social contract holding us together. That’s what America was, you know—a collective agreement of the people. Now we’re just—” He sliced a hand through the air.
“If the army is still active, that would mean there is a government, which would make this still America,” Grady said. “They’d be the government’s representatives, establishing order.”
Justin shook his head. “You’re thinking way too far ahead. Even if they are US Army—and that’s a very big if—they don’t have control of the whole country. There is no centralized government, no law enforcement. They’re not coming to rescue us.”
Goodreads * Add to Want To Read List
~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~
Lissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure for athlete’s foot…though only in her head. Real life isn’t so interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.
She is the author of four other novels, Ghostwriter, The End of All Things, its sequel, The Land of the Shadows, and Under These Restless Skies.
~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~
Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Website
~~OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES~~
Ω
The End of All Things Book 1
After a terrible virus ravages the planet, Carly Daniels, one of the few survivors, hides in her apartment in Juneau trying to survive the best she can with only occasional forays to gather food. With her is Sam, a wolf puppy she found starving on the streets. He becomes her companion and a reason to continue when giving up sometimes seems like the more attractive option. Still dazed with shock and grief, she hopes for the world to go back to normal soon.
She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature.
Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.
But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way.
This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.
Ω
Tales from the End Book 1.5
The Horsemen
L.A.’s mayor has declared quarantine to try to halt the spread of the Infection. Pearl sets off across the city to buy supplies, but already the world is changing. Something strange is in the air. The Horsemen are coming …Veronica
When Veronica’s mother doesn’t come home from work and no one answers the phone when she calls for help, a nine-year-old girl is thrown into the chaos of a world coming to an end. Veronica decides it’s up to her to find her family. “Veronica” is the story of a little girl’s courage in the face of the end of all things.“I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud”
They called her Shadowfax– the mare Carly and Justin found on their travels. But before she was found by Carly, the retired dressage horse was known as Cloud. An unusual tale of the end, told through the eyes of a confused and lonely horse, left in her pasture.Birthday
(A previously-published bonus story.) Carly knows Justin has never celebrated his birthday, and after society crumbled, no one knows what date it is, anyway. But she wants to do something special for him. Celebrating the little things helps them keep hope alive, and as a blizzard rages outside, a small gesture of love warms their home.
Tales of courage, tales of survival… Tales from the End.
Ω
The Land of The Shadow Book 2
After surviving the Infection and a perilous journey through the wasteland that was once the United States, Carly and Justin have found a safe home in the isolated town of Colby.Even so, balancing the duties of survival and a growing family isn’t easy. As they emerge as leaders, they face difficult questions about justice in a lawless land, basic human rights, and freedom in a world where strength defines worth. More than ever, they have to rely on one another for strength and support during the darkest of times.
The Crisis is far from over. Their fences won’t keep the world out forever, and a new threat is emerging—a gang of predators who see the town as easy pickings. When danger looms over Colby, Carly must decide how far she’ll go to protect those she loves.
It’s a journey down the long and broken road through The Land of the Shadow.
Filed under: Publishing Tagged: cover reveal, Lissa Bryan, post-apocalyptic, TWCS
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