Jennifer A. Nielsen's Blog, page 10
September 28, 2020
Meme Monday 4
Today, from THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM…
Please remember that the book’s launch party is THIS THURSDAY at 6 pm Mountain Time (or 8 pm Eastern Time). You can register to join the party HERE. It should be a lot of fun, great prizes will be given away, AND I will be debuting an awesome book trailer!
If you wish to purchase this book or any of my other titles, I will be able to sign them only through King’s English Bookshop. Any orders placed by October 8 will also be shipped with a few swag items + you will be automatically entered to win an advanced copy of the fifth book in the series.
When you order through King’s English, just before checking out, there is a place where you can leave comments. That is where you place the name you want the book signed to, or where you ask for a signature only. If you forget, you can call the store and they will amend your order, or at the last, let me know and I’ll try to make note of that when I go in to sign books.
If you have already ordered the book elsewhere, send me an email at jen@jennielsen.com and I can still send you a bookplate for your book and you will still be entered to win the fifth book.
If you still want to order a book, here are some quick links you can use!
September 26, 2020
Sassy Saturday 4
These are excerpts from THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM, so obviously they contain mild spoilers, but be aware, they may also have spoilers from earlier books.
September 25, 2020
SIX DAYS TO LAUNCH!
Today’s Friday Freebie is the first opportunity to win one of the super amazing giveaways at the Launch Party for THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM. I’m not kidding – these are big.
Here’s what you need to know for the Launch Party:
DATE: Oct 1, 2020
TIME: 6 pm (NOTE THE NEW TIME!)
LINK: Register to join HERE.
What will happen during the Launch Party?
Honestly, I don’t entirely know. I’ve never done an online launch. So if there is something specific you want to have happen, let me know! I do know that the launch will include:
A debut of the book trailer
Q & A – so bring your questions!
Updates on my current projects
And some giveaways, which include choices of:
An advanced reader’s copy of RESCUE, my historical to be released this March.
A signed, first edition of THE SCORCH TRIALS, from the Maze Runner series by James Dashner.
A signed, first edition of THE FIFTH WAVE, by Rick Yancy.
A signed, first edition of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL by Jeff Kinney.
A signed, first edition of TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN by John Green.
A signed copy of AMULET by Kazu Kibuishi
A signed, first edition of THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VIDE AND VIRTUE by MacKenzie Lee.
A signed, first edition of THE TRIALS OF APOLLO by Rick Riordan
A $20 gift card to The King’s English Bookstore
An advanced copy of book 5 of the Ascendance series, when it is available.
The event is free. You do not have to purchase a copy of THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM to participate; however, for those who do get a copy (or purchase any of my books from The King’s English Bookshop before October 8), you will receive:
An automatic entry to win an advanced copy of Book 5.A swag pack including some original art for book 4.An autograph in your book.
NOTE: If you want the book autographed, at the very bottom of the checkout section it says: “ORDER COMMENTS.” That is the place for you to request the autograph. Tell them who you want it signed to, or if you want a signature only.
BUT…today is Freebie Friday. What can I win?
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TWITTER: The launch party for the fourth book of the Ascendance series will be Thurs, 10/1 at 8 pm EST. Register here: https://www.kingsenglish.com/event/tke-presents-online-jennifer-nielsen-captive-kingdom – or learn more at http://jennielsen.com/archives/3455 @nielsenwriter
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Nielsenwrite...
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/p/CFkNE3og56Z/
September 24, 2020
Throwin’ it Out There 4
I have a quick Wonderful Wednesday report, that I couldn’t show you yesterday because well…I didn’t have it Wednesday. But I do now! This is one of the giveaways for anyone who orders any of my books through The King’s English – this original 5×7 art print. It was done by a fabulous artist named Ireland Rawlinson. (I did order more than what I think I’ll need, so if there are extras, I will also send them to anyone who has emailed me to say they ordered THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM elsewhere.) But check this out!
Now for our Throwin’ It Out There Thursday. You’ll likely answer some names more than once. For any of the characters in the books, tell me if they were in your school today, who would you:
A. Want as your best friend?
B. Want to date?
C. Vote for as Class President?
D. Root for on the football team?
E. Expect to be the most popular?
F. Worry about hanging with the wrong crowd?
G. Think will get the lead part in the musical?
H. First suspect if the principal’s car ends up on the school roof?
I. Guess ends up in the principal’s office for being in a fight at lunch?
September 22, 2020
Trivia Tuesday 4
Warning: these will be hard!
Match the minor character to the book in which they appear. But there’s a trick! Some will be characters from Book 4, so if you haven’t heard of them, they’re probably new!
In which book do we get the story of:
1. Merrick Kippenger
2. Master Graves
3. Lump
4. Westler
5. Master Westlebrook
6. Mavis Tock
7. Mistress Havala
8. Teagut
9. Serena
10. Lord Beckett
Last week’s answers are below. Most of you did a fantastic job with them!
1. Who provides Jaron comfort after he’s learned the war has begun?
Harlowe
2. What is the name of the Mendenwal king and why does he dislike Jaron specifically?
King Humphrey, who Jaron stabbed in the thigh when he was ten after challenging the king to a duel.
3. How did Jaron and Tobias get the idea for the escape carriage?
Jaron had made a joke about wanting a secret way into Avenia so he could spend a day on their beach.
4. How many soldiers does Roden take with him after his public fight with Jaron? And how many does he have left after Gelyn’s first attack?
40, and then 18.
5. Finish Terrowic’s nonsense motto: “You can’t trick a person who sees the _ _.”
Red rose.
6. Why does Jaron insist on Terrowic carrying him out of the dungeon to speak to King Varian?
So that he’s in position to steal Terrowic’s keys.
7. What are the national colors for Carthya, Avenia,and Mendenwal? (Gelyn’s colors are green and yellow, by the way)
Blue and gold, red and black, and yellow and white.
8. What is the name of Harlowe’s oldest son?
Mathis
9. Jaron and Mott are dressed as Avenians and approach the city walls of Drylliad. Who stops them from entering?
The women of Drylliad.
10. Who does Jaron ask to accompany him into the battle at Falstan Lake?
Their 100 weakest men.
September 21, 2020
Monday Meme 3
Sorry for the delay. WordPress was down for much of the day, and two of the memes I created were accidentally deleted, so…yup. That’s how it goes some days..
The winner of the Friday Freebie is *. (Um…probably not their real name…).
September 20, 2020
Confession
Today’s short story is the missing scene most requested by fans, of what happened between Amarinda and Tobias in the early chapters of THE SHADOW THRONE. Major spoilers are ahead. DO NOT read this story until after you have completed THE SHADOW THRONE!
Jaron was dead.
I had heard that Avenian speak the words himself, boldly and without doubt. My heart had shattered in that moment.
First to lose Darius, and now his brother. Was I to be doomed always to endure such loss?
I stumbled forward, almost blindly making a trail through the Avenian woods in my hurry back to Drylliad. Jaron had made me heir to his throne, and despite my every wish not to be a queen, the people needed to see that they were still being led through this war.
“Amarinda, please go slower,” Tobias said behind me. “We must be cautious.”
I shook my head and continued to march forward, muttering, “When was Jaron ever cautious?”
“And look what’s happened because of it.” Tobias touched my arm and I finally turned back to him. “I’ll help you get back to Drylliad,” he added. “But let me help you.”
My eyes began to heat and as I felt tears coming, I shook my head. This was why I hadn’t wanted to stop. Because when I stopped, I had to think about Jaron, about the deep guilt that gnawed at me every time I looked at Tobias.
“I loved him too,” Tobias said. “Different than how you must have felt, of course.”
I shook my head. “We were only ever friends, Tobias. But I did love him.”
Tobias nodded and pulled me to him, then let me cry on his shoulder. I’d cried so many tears in the past two days, this wasn’t the first time he’d seen my sadness. But it was the first time he’d attempted to comfort me this way.
His hands wrapped around my back and I slowly became aware of how very close we were, closer than we should have been.
I leaned back, attempting to put more distance between us, but his hands remained firm at first. He blinked, then his arms loosened and I stepped back.
“I didn’t mean anything by that,” he said. “I only meant to comfort you.”
If that was true, then that only worsened the guilt within me. It must have felt to him like I was testing his loyalty to Jaron, when I had already betrayed it. Every instinct with me wanted to ask Tobias to tell me the truth, that if he shared any of my own feelings.
But to ask would require me to confess, and I could not do it. For nothing I felt was new. Even before we left Drylliad, and before Jaron released me from the betrothal, I knew that I loved Tobias.
“I have no more need of comfort,” I said, beginning to walk again. “I only need to get to Drylliad.”
“Yes, my lady.”
I knew that Tobias was unfailing in his loyalty to Jaron, even in death. He would consider it a betrayal to ever love me in return.
Nearly an hour passed before he spoke again. “It looks like rain,” he said.
I glanced up. The clouds were dark and quickly becoming angry, perhaps a sign of Carthya’s future. Would it now be left to me to fight this war? I had no idea where to begin.
Or was this a game of the devils? Perhaps so, because within the hour, the rain had become so fierce, Tobias and I were forced to take shelter beneath a thick bush on a forest hillside. He created a rock barrier for the water to slope around us, but by nightfall, I was shivering, and the rain still came.
Tobias removed his coat and placed it over the leaves to better protect us, but I said, “That won’t do. Now you’ll be cold.”
He laid beside me, arms straight at his sides. “I’m fine.”
“Very well.”
A shiver ran through me and he turned to face me. “The Queen of Carthya cannot be ill when she takes the throne.”
“I’m not the Queen, Tobias.”
“You are now, Amarinda. Come here.”
He held out an arm and I scooted in closer, and as he wrapped his other arm around me, it was inevitable that we would end up facing each other. The night was very dark, lit only sporadically by flashes of lightning. Every time I saw a flash, I looked at Tobias and saw him staring directly at me. His hand curled, flattening against my back.
“I don’t want to become queen,” I said. Until now, I’d only said those words to Jaron.
“Then don’t. But…” Tobias hesitated. “What do you want?”
“I want to learn. I see you studying every book you can find, and I envy that. If I did not have so many royal duties, that could be my life too.”
“It could be your life,” Tobias said. “Amarinda, it could be our life.”
“Jaron…”
“I’m sorry, you’re right. I just—” With the next flash of lightning, I saw that Tobias was looking down. It became dark again. “It was foolish for me to ask. I don’t have his strength, or his strategy, or his courage.”
“He doesn’t have your mind.”
“Yes, he does. He just doesn’t use it when his heart gets in the way. When I stand next to him, I’m a shadow.”
“He’s gone, Tobias.”
“He is. And Carthya is less of a place because of it.”
We didn’t say another word that night, and finally fell asleep, awaking to what appeared to be a nearly perfect morning, bright and warm and beautiful.
Tobias and I set out walking again, each of us determined to ignore last night’s conversation, though now that I had some hint of his interest in me, I knew we could not avoid the talk for long.
And I was beginning to see things differently. Even if he were alive, I was no longer betrothed to Jaron. I had no obligation to him. For the first time in my life, I had the chance to choose who, or what I wanted for myself.
I turned back to Tobias to tell him so, but looked past him and realized we had passed a wild berry bush. My hunger was so severe, I forgot my manners and all fine graces and ran toward the bush.
But my eagerness was repaid with a slip of my heel and I fell backward into a deep pit of mud. I turned to all fours to push myself out, but only became more deeply embedded.
“Amarinda, are you all right?” Tobias hurried back toward me.
He looked so concerned and I felt so foolish that I only began laughing. “Do I look as absurd as I feel?” I asked.
Tobias chuckled and leaned forward, offering me his hand. “Let me help you out.”
I took his hand, then gave it a firm thrust forward, pulling him in with me. Tobias flailed forward and landed, splashing even more mud on me, but I hardly cared at that point. In a playful act of revenge, I threw a handful of mud on his shirt. “That’s for getting me even dirtier!”
He laughed and threw mud on me. “That’s for getting me dirty at all.” He pushed himself to his knees and stood, then helped me up. Then he stood back and stared at me. “I forgot myself, my lady. My queen.”
He brushed some mud off my face, and I did the same to his cheek. He leaned forward, still smiling. “I’ve never seen you so dirty.”
I stepped back, suddenly conflicted again. “Those were nearly the first words Jaron ever spoke to me, you know. He told me I had dirt on my face.”
Tobias’s smile fell. “I saw the dirt that same night, but didn’t dare to say anything.”
“It would not have been your place. Jaron also said if he could not look at me as an equal, he would not look at all.” I placed my hand on Tobias’s shoulder. “Look at me, Tobias. Look at me, not as your queen, but as your equal.”
His eyes met mine and he smiled again, but said, “Does it feel that Jaron is still here, still with us even right now?”
I didn’t answer, nor did I want to consider any answer to that question. Instead, I began trudging out of the mud pit. “I heard some splashing water near that hill. We can get cleaned off there.”
Once again, Tobias followed me off the trail along a small river that ended in a pool being fed by a vibrant waterfall overhead. I waded into the water and let it cascade over me. It was cool and crisp but with the sun facing me, I simply held out my arms to let the water do its work.
After a minute, Tobias followed me in. I used my handkerchief to wipe some of the mud from his face, then he rinsed it and took it to shore to let it begin to dry. While there, he removed his coat as well, obviously to let the shirt underneath get clean.
I turned to watch him wade back to the center of the pool, but when he joined me beneath the waterfall, he immediately put his arms around my waist then kissed me. I hadn’t expected it, but i responded with equal intensity, indifferent to the water pouring down on us, and only wanting this moment to continue.
When it ended, we parted only as little as necessary, and Tobias said, “If he were alive, Jaron would kill me for that.”
I brushed a wet lock of hair away from his face. “He would understand. Jaron loved Imogen. He would want us to be happy.”
“Then let us be happy. Let us be happy together.”
It was difficult to think of happiness then, when so much was going so wrong, but if a better future was ahead, I wanted it to be with him. I smiled and lifted my face as Tobias came closer for another kiss.
September 19, 2020
Sassy Saturday 3 + Freebie Friday 3
My end of week got a little crazy, so I threw out Throwin’ It Out There Thursday, and I’m combining today’s post with Sassy Saturday 3. Today’s Sass comes from book 3, THE SHADOW THRONE.
To win an ARC of THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM, give me your favorite sass from THE SHADOW THRONE! The contest will end on Tuesday, Sept 22nd.
September 16, 2020
Pre-Orders and Orders
Many of you have asked for more details on how to get a signed book, or some Ascendance swag. Or you want to know what’s the deal with the launch party. All of that will be covered on today’s Wonderful Wednesday!
I PRE-ORDERED A BOOK FROM THE KING’S ENGLISH
Awesome, and thank you! That’s my local indie bookstore and they’ve been hit hard by the pandemic. Order any of my books from them by Thursday, October 8, and:
I will sign and personalize your book.I will enter you to win an ARC of book 5.I will include some exclusive swag.The bookstore will ship it to you.
You can find a link to my books below. On the page where you check out, there’s a section marked as NOTES. That’s where you write down how you want the book personalized (your name, someone else’s name, signature only, etc).
I PRE-ORDERED A BOOK ELSEWHERE
Awesome, and still thank you! If you have, you can email me (jen@jennielsen.com) with your mailing address and where you purchased the book, and I will send you a signed bookplate that you can put in the cover, and you will still be entered to win an ARC of book 5.
I DIDN’T PRE-ORDER A BOOK
We can still be friends. I hope you will ask your local library or school library to purchase the book and have it in stock, and that you will recommend the Ascendance series to friends – your recommendation is more powerful than any marketing I can do on my own, so I am always greatly appreciative of that. And I hope you will still find a copy to read, because I’m very proud of this book and so excited to share it with you!
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THE LAUNCH PARTY?
It will be on October 1st at 7 pm MST/9 pm EST. I know that’s a little late for East Coasters, but this might be worthwhile for you to hang out with us. There will be some great giveaways, including a signed first edition book from a very big name author, and it should be a lot of fun. I will post the link as the event gets closer.
September 15, 2020
Trivia Tuesday 3
This is just a reminder that everything below this image will contain spoilers. Please do not read on until you have finished reading book 3, THE SHADOW THRONE.
Let’s start with the answers from last week. They were pretty difficult, but you all did a fantastic job!
1. Who is Jaron named after, and what is his full name?
His grandfather, Artolius I. Jaron’s full name is Jaron Artolius Eckbert III
2. What physical ailment does the Avenian king suffer from?
Bad back
3. Who do the regents want to rule instead of Jaron?
A Steward – Gregor, the Captain of Jaron’s guard
4. What does Jaron learn about his father when he meets Nila?
He learns that his father knew Avenian raids were happening on the border towns, but did nothing to stop them.
5. What was wrong with the cups of cider that Jaron offers to Mott and Tobias while at Farthenwood?
He put sleeping powder in them.
6. Who is Jaron surprised to encounter when he goes to rob Rulon Harlowe’s home?
Mott
7. What does Imogen hide in the bucket of water that she throws on him?
A hairpin
8. Who does Sage kick after he escapes the pirates?
The surgeon who’s trying to set his leg
9. What room number is Jaron supposed to ask for when he goes to the tavern?
Room 11
10. What is the name of the navigator that Jaron releases from pirate captivity?
Swifty Tilagon
Bonus: What is the name of the plant that Jaron chews to help numb the pain from his leg?
Aravac Plant
Today’s trivia comes from THE SHADOW THRONE. Let’s see how you do!
1. Who provides Jaron comfort after he’s learned the war has begun?
2. What is the name of the Mendenwal king and why does he dislike Jaron specifically?
3. How did Jaron and Tobias get the idea for the escape carriage?
4. How many soldiers does Roden take with him after his public fight with Jaron? And how many does he have left after Gelyn’s first attack?
5. Finish Terrowic’s nonsense motto: “You can’t trick a person who sees the _ _.”
6. Why does Jaron insist on Terrowic carrying him out of the dungeon to speak to King Varian?
7. What are the national colors for Carthya, Avenia,and Mendenwal? (Gelyn’s colors are green and yellow, for those who were going to ask.)
8. What is the name of Harlowe’s oldest son?
9. Jaron and Mott are dressed as Avenians and approach the city walls of Drylliad. Who stops them from entering?
10. Who does Jaron ask to accompany him into the battle at Falstan Lake?
Good luck!
