R.G. Porter's Blog, page 3

IWU Blog tour Guest Laura Yirak

Happy Tuesday everyone! I'm happy to introduce Laura Yarik to our little blog today. So, without further delay, let's get this party started. :)

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RG: So Laura, tell us a bit about yourself.


Laura: Good day to you all.  My name is Laura and I am very happy to be a guest here today. As things go along in the writing realm, I have to say that I'm finding that I like to dabble in this and that. It's plain fun! My favorite is genre is occult, but I have a dark poetry book, and many illustrated children's books.
RG: So, tell me about your book:
Laura: My new book due out at the end of April/early May is a psychological thriller. They really do get me going.

Kill the Whale
Abandoned at her family's beach house in Ocean Shores, Washington, Jenny, off her psych meds, is plagued by secrets. It's all she can handle, until a stranger begins his torments.
Follow her trials to their dramatic conclusion in this disturbing tale.
Ocean Shores is a beautiful ocean town. On its good days, it's beautiful, sunny; with lots of beach activities, but it has a dark side—dark Washington weather. It's the perfect place for a spooky beach story.
RG: I'm so into psychological thrillers. I'm trying them myself, and they are a blast to write, but yours sounds fantastic!

RG: What's your writing process like?
Laura:  I usually get a basic idea, come up with a title, and chug at it on the computer, outlining as I go on notepad—nothing too complicated.
RG: What do you do when you're not writing?
Laura: When I am not writing, I play with my kids and help them to explore the world. We camp, hike, and BBQ (when the weather permits).
Personally, I enjoy watching a scary flick or two or three…haha.
RG: I adore horror flicks. Especially if I find I need a bit of inspiration. :)

RG: What made you decide to self-publish your work?
Laura: I want to entertain.
RG: Have you ever submitted your work to a traditional publisher? Would you consider doing so in the future?
Yes, I have. I found it to be quite boring—the waiting process, and I would not submit again. I like to get out there and get it done.
RG: What has your experience of self-publishing been like so far? Would you recommend it to other writers?
My experience has been wonderful. I highly recommend it to other writers. There are no deadlines; you can write what you like. The freedom of it is liberating.
RG: I could not agree more. It's beyond exciting and the business is forever changing.


RG: What have your marketing strategies been so far? How successful were they? Any advice for new indie writers?
Laura: All of my books are with Amazon's KDP Select program currently. I like it as it's easy. I set up promotions and let the books go where they will. This program works for some and not others. I would give it a try as I think writers should experiment.
For new indie writers—build up your book list and roll from there, try different social media sites, build up your fan base.
RG: How would you respond to those who argue that self-published books are of inferior quality to traditionally-published ones?
Laura: I don't argue with them. I let the readers decide.
RG: What type of genres do you like to write and read?
Laura: I read romance novels.
RG: Pantser or plotter?
Laura: Pantser.
RG: I'm right there with you! :)

RG: What is your favorite Holiday food?
Laura: Turkey dinner—WOO!
RG: If you could have any animal as a pet what would you have?
Laura: Birds.
RG: Where would you live if given the chance?
Laura: A beach without crazies J
RG: That would be great, except our voices always follow us. :)


Come visit Laura at her Amazon Page or her Blog
It was great having you with us today Laura. Your blog is fantastic and your books sound wonderful. Feel free to swing by again anytime.As always, happy writing and reading everyone!!
Warm regards,R.G. Porter

#samplesunday WHEN DARKNESS FALLS

So, I've been a bit out of the loop for the last few weeks due to being on holiday in the UK. First, let me say, I adore that country with all my heart. So peaceful and serene. Now that I'm back it is Sunday and I figure, why not do another sample for all my readers out there. Since my horror novel has been doing fairly well recently, I'm going to use that one for today. I hope you all enjoy.

Show More Show Less Excerpt:  She needed to tune them out, even for a short while. Reaching deep into her pocket, she found her one saving grace, her iPod. Flipping through the playlists she found what she was looking for.Dark, hard rock. It was another taste she and Lisa had shared. The hard, dark, foreboding, and emotional lyrics had a way to pull her to a new place. It was something she needed right now.In the distance, she could hear the girls chattering on, but it didn't matter. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against the cold glass once more. The sounds of the music wrapped her in a buffer and took her away. Some of the words held meaning for her; others were just random lyrics that she could lose herself in. In the end it didn't matter. All she wanted was to be tucked away from the world, even for only a short while.Every note drew her in. She could see the world in a different light. Her sister was still around, and the friends she had known all her life were back to the way they used to be. Life hadn't changed them yet. Her mind drifted back to a time when they all got along, and outside influences didn't bear down on them. It had been a good time, a fun time. She allowed the visions to continue, her body relaxing for the first time in weeks.Don't lose yourself. Gwen stiffened at the voice. In her mind, she could feel a presence move.Don't go. The voice echoed behind the hard beat of the guitar. It wasn't part of the lyrics, she was certain. She had listened to this specific playlist so many times she knew each verse by heart. These words weren't part of it. Opening one of her eyes, she found the others still deep in chatter. By their actions alone, they hadn't heard it. So either her mind was playing tricks on her, or she was really over the edge. Neither one was high on her priority list at the moment.Twisting down into the seat she shrugged off the words. Wave after wave of electric guitar and drums drowned out the world for a few more minutes. Her mind eased as the notes hit a peak and came back down. No amount of therapy did as much good as her music did.A sharp kick to her shin and her eyes shot open. She turned to find Lexi staring back at her."What the hell was that for?" Her hand rubbed the edge of her leg."You looked like you were falling asleep." She edged closer. "Just because we are in the car doesn't mean you can tune us all out. Besides, I need someone to keep me sane while they chatter."Gwen leaned into her friend. "You want to bet?"  She held her breath for a second. "I agreed to come out; can't you all be happy about that? All I want is quiet, and that's impossible with them talking so much. I just want to try and listen to my music till we get closer."Lexi tried to speak but stopped as she chose her words. "Gwen."Gwen released the breath she had held and leaned closer. "Look, I understand why you all are doing this, really I do, but I didn't want it.""That doesn't mean you didn't need it." The stark seriousness in her friend's eyes spoke volumes."Lexi, I'm not drowning in my sorrows or being destructive. I don't drink myself to death at night or do other stupid things. I promise that. It's just still an adjustment for me. All of it is." She didn't want to mention about hearing her sister's voice, not right now. "A part of me is gone, forever, and it will take more than a trip to help that pain go away.""Gwen, I know—""No Lexi, you don't. Lisa was my sister, my twin for God's sake. We felt and thought everything the same way. Now she's dead, a part of me died that day with her." Her head hurt to think about it. "Try losing a piece of you. It's not fun or easy."Lexi reached out. "I do understand."She shook her head. "No you don't. You want to; I believe you do, but you can't. No one can unless they have been through it. Losing a family member, a parent is heartbreaking enough, but to lose someone who is essentially part of you, that's very different." She squeezed her hand. "You're one of my best friends, and I love you dearly for your concern, but this is going to take time to get past."It's fine, I get the point." Lexi squeezed her hand back. "You helped me through rough times when I bit your head off. I'll do the same."Gwen nodded and backed over to her end of the seat. Lexi turned and looked out the window, her silence a clear sign she had hit the target dead on. Gwen hadn't wanted to be curt, but it was the only way to make her understand. Lexi was the one friend she didn't mind being honest with. Unfortunately, her brutal honesty could be a bit much, even for Lexi.
Hope everyone enjoyed that. You can find WHEN DARKNESS FALLS at:Amazon US Amazon UK and Print Version
Happy reading and writing everyone!!!
Warm regards,
R.G. Porter

Sample Sunday- Keepers of Water (Guardian's of Nature Vol 1)

Okay, I've not done one of these for a bit. I've decided now is a great time to do a sample sunday for my newest release KEEPERS OF WATER. This is the first in my Guaridan's of Nature series and follows Arieana as she tries to stop the renegades from destroying mankind.

A promise to save her brother's soul unearths a conspiracy she was not prepared for...
Arieana's brother has been murdered by her own people in a world not their own. Forced into breaking ancient law, she ventures into the human realm in search of her brother's soul. Once she steps through the Veil, she realizes the renegades are up to more than just punishing a few humans. They want to destroy the race itself.

Forced to forge an unlikely alliance with the very race responsible for the storms tearing her world apart, she finds out more of her past than the elders want. With the war started, each clue they uncover leads them closer to the first of the elemental relics, and a chance to save mankind.

Together they must work side by side to stop the renegades…

Before time runs out for both worlds.
 EXCERPT:


Arieana woke with a start. Her muscles ached from the onslaught of the vision and her body was drenched with sweat. She attempted to search for the link to her brother but found only a void of darkness.
Rydan. Her heart felt shattered. The only family she had left was now gone. Brutal as his death was, she knew he had shielded her from the brunt of his pain. Every ounce of her wanted to yell out, but she found her throat had gone hoarse. The fanatics' desperation was worse than she had first imagined, and now it had hit a level none of them had expected. They had a plan.
She turned toward the window and the forest outside. Droplets of water still clung to the leaves of the trees from the morning dew, yet it didn't help. She felt disconnected from everything. All she wanted was to die, to join Rydan in the darkness. Losing him had killed what was left of her heart.
Why hadn't he listened! She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry, to fight and tear the universe to pieces for taking her brother away. Her eyes filled with tears she couldn't control and her body shook with a mixture of anger and despair. They would pay for his death; she would make sure of it.
"Rydan," she whispered, "I am so sorry, my brother. I should have found a way to keep you safe." Each word tore at her soul. She wanted him back.
Pulling herself out of bed, she walked across the cold tiled floor, still unable to accept he was gone. She made her way to the bookshelf and reached for the tome she had been reading. She needed to change her focus, keep herself busy, or she would crawl back into bed and hide under the covers. Unfortunately, she saw merits in both choices.
Many of the books held the history of her people, but this one book contained much more. The night her parents had died, she had found a note addressed to her, written in her mother's hand. Short words led her to a passage, hidden within their home, and the book it contained. Ever since that night, she had been immersed in what she read. The text was full of the ancient language and history that had been banned from their teachings.
She read day and night, absorbing what she could. It was her solace and escape from her loss. There were things she remembered her mother and father discussing, but she had always been just out of earshot. She now wished she had paid more attention and had tried to find out. What she did remember were the words her mother had imparted, a few nights before both her parents were killed, and now burned into her memory.
My daughter, there is much of our and the other worlds that you do not know. Light and darkness, race against race, is how some see it. When the rift began is unclear. If you read into the texts of our history, there is much that is withheld. Depending on who you speak with, there are different variations to the truth, but none know which are correct. Centuries have passed since our world began to feel the effects of the humans' negligence. Many tried to influence and repair the Earth, but the waves of their destruction continue to overflow into our world. It is because of this that others have taken it upon themselves to right the wrong. Many agree something must be done, but their call to arms was too extreme for most.
After that night, she had done everything she could to find out more. What she did find wasn't always pleasant. No wonder her parents had always told her some secrets were meant to remain hidden. Knowledge in the hands of some became deadly. It was then that the Dark Warriors were created.
The day the Dark Warriors had vanished across the Veil was the day her brother had been called into service. He had been tasked with tracking down the traitors and doing what he could to protect the humans. Now, more than ever, she wished she had been able to talk him out of it.
Arieana's mind turned back to the room and home she had lived in all her life. The night she lost her parents, it had become her and Rydan's place. Though he was rarely around, she had always left his room as he had. "Messy but with purpose," he had said to her, more times than she could count. It had always made her feel like he was there. Now, it was all that remained of him.
She moved through the hallway into his room; his bed was still unmade after his last visit. Draped across the back of the chair hung one of his shirts, one she had nearly washed yesterday. It still held his musky scent.
"Damn you, Rydan. Why didn't you listen?" Her heart hurt more than anything she had felt in the past. Even the air felt heavy in her lungs. She wanted him home, safe, not dead in a world so far away. She held on tightly to her only reminder of him and closed her eyes to fend off the tidal wave of sadness she felt threatening to envelop her.
Anger and frustration boiled deep inside. "I'll find you and bring you home," she whispered. It was her vow and promise to both of them.
Such darkness and pain had surrounded him in death that it made her skin crawl. She had always known it would come to this. How many times had she warned the Council that those who opposed the fanatics were in danger?
The room grew colder. Ice formed along the wooden shelves that lined the walls. Her temper was bordering on dangerous. Rydan's death had sparked a fury she had reined in for a long time.
"Arieana?" A quiet voice pulled her back from the frigid darkness.
She turned to find Aeryn at the doorway. She couldn't miss the fear in her friend's eyes. She couldn't blame her.
"Hello, Aeryn. Now is not a good time." She turned to face the window and then looked back at her friend. "What do you want?"
Aeryn moved carefully about the room, her hands brushing against the icicles. "I see you've received some bad news. What's happened?"
"You may not want to be here right now." She wanted to destroy, to find her brother's killers and rip the flesh from their bones. "It would probably be safer if you weren't."
A warm breeze from her left moved across Arieana's cold skin. "I'm not going anywhere. Now tell me what has happened to have you so distraught."
"Rydan is dead." The words ripped open new wounds.
"No…!" Aeryn paused. "It can't be true." Her hands quivered. Arieana knew that her brother had meant as much to Aeryn as he had to her. "He can't be dead. I would have known."
 "No, you couldn't have known. He always made sure he shielded you from his work." The pounding in Arieana's head increased. "He tried to shield me from what he felt."
"You felt it, didn't you? Why would he hide it from me?"
"He had his reasons," Arieana answered. She didn't want to cause any more pain.
"I want to know and feel what you felt."

Hope you all enjoyed the snipit! Have a great week. You can purchase KEEPERS OF WATER at the following locations.

Amazon US Amazon UK Barnes & Noble Print

Happy reading and writing everyone.

R.G. Porter

Crossing genres, vampires and writing

Happy weekend everyone! I know I know, I've not written much on my blog lately. Things have been, for lack of a better word, crazy here. I'm nearing the release of my epic fantasy KEEPERS OF WATER and have also been plotting some new stuff. One of the items I'm working on starting involves vampires, but not in the way my other vampire book was. This made me think a bit about the direction of that species and how it relates to the ability to cross between genres.



Most of those who have read my work know that I tend to write mostly fantasy based novels. That was true up until my release of my horror novel WHEN DARKNESS FALLS. Since then I've decided to expand what I write and see where it goes. I have to say, it's almost scary the different catagories some of the plot ideas can range into. For instance.

My upcoming release KEEPERS OF WATER could easily be put into high fantasy, epic fantasy or even urban fantasy. More and more the lines are become blurred between genres. Where once an author was forced to stay true to one line of writing, we are now breaking through those barriers and writing what we want. I think this option can ultimately lead to so many more fantastic books for readers to have available to them to read. Though some may still remain focused on one line, many authors are embracing this change.



Along with this change, I've also noticed more authors expanding the genres they write. Some great indie authors are venturing into both fantasy, mystery, thrillers and other outlets. Though this might seem daft to some, it is a great thing. You get fresh new voices, but it also allows the mark of these great authors to be exposed to a great audience that might not otherwise know of their work. The biggest issue I can see with this, is if you have readers that are turned off by the other genres you might right. Hopefully, if you can keep things catagorized well enough, it shouldn't allow cause a stir of waves from your readers.

So what am I doing that will be crossing things over you say? Well for one, I have a short novella I am going to be starting next month titled BLOOD, WINE, and RAZOR BLADES. Catchy isn't it? :) This one has a vampire who is a lead dectective that works on crimes. In this one, Vampires are part of society, even though there is still animosity between the races. Think of this as more of a supernatural mystery murder type novel. Vampires, magic, humans and an unsolved murder. SO much fun.



So I guess my ramblings today is mostly that, genres are no longer the cut and dry they used to be. Whether this is good or bad will always be left up to the reader to decide. From my standpoint, as both a writer and reader, I think it is fantastic. My question to you, my friends, is what is your thought?

As always, happy reading and writing everyone!

R.G. Porter

Print print print....

I love ebooks, the electronic age is a fantastic thing. However, I still love the feel of a physical book. The smell, look, feel, is something that never gets old for me. So, I am beyond excited to say that all my full lengths novels are now available in print. Look at all the pretty covers. :)


All of the above  novels are on sale for $7.99 per book. Follow the links in the post to go to the sales website. :)


Shades of Night: Print

Shadow of the Wolf: Print

Kiss of the Wolf: Print

Cry of the Raven: Print

When Darkness Falls: Print
Innok's Curse: Print
To those who read and enjoy my adventures, you are all the best. I love hearing from you and hope to continue to give you more stories as the days go on.
Happy writing and reading.
R.G. Porter

Dragons, Curses and soulmates

I'm excited to say that the first installment of my Dragon's Legacy is finally out. If you love dragons, swordplay, sarcasm and a love that stands the test of time, this is it. Innok's Curse is the beginning of the adventure, and if you've ever seen the movie LadyHawke and loved it, you will enjoy this novel. I adore dragons. They are mystical, magical and amazing to read up on. I loved writing this adventure, and I hope those of you who read it will have your breath taken away as you follow our hero and heroine as they try and break the curse.

Blurb:
A man cursed by a demon.
A woman who's memories are more than just her own.
An enemy sworn to destroy all their dreams.A destiny that none of them expected.
Cursed to live by day as a dragon and by night as a man, Gabriel believes he will forever be alone after the murder of his beloved Danielle. That is, until the night he meets Alayia. Together, they must figure out the truth of the curse that Innok has placed on Gabriel as well as those from his visions. Their quest will bring them deep into the heart of the evil, but with her abilities and the spirit of the dragon within, they might just unlock the truth of the past and break the curse. If they can keep the demon from winning too fast.


EXCERPT:


Gabriel's eyes shot open. Red and black hues filled his vision in a rush of color. High pitched screams sliced through his mind like a knife. The smell of smoke and sulfur engulfed his senses, his stomach churning in disgust. Looking around, Gabriel couldn't place where he was, nothing around him looked familiar. His memory felt blank, as if wiped clean of all he knew, yet the one thing that kept filling his vision was the sight of a wheel turning backwards. It made no sense but the vision refused to go away. There was an ominous feel to the turning of the wooden wheel. Suspended in time, he felt like it called to him, warned him of something. Still, he found no answers in its movement, no words to tell him where he was or why, just a black void that surrounded his mind. Trying to step forward his body felt heavy with each step, his muscles unwilling to listen to his commands. Cries of frustration ripped from his throat as he continued to try and force movement throughout his limbs. Gabriel closed his eyes, forcing his body to comply, determined to make some progress.
The moment his foot moved forward, shadows crossed his mind; a roar of thunder filling his ears. Gabriel's eyelids closed in protest. The wave of pain eased and he cracked his lids open once more, his mind determined to find out where he was. What he saw shocked him to his core. Broken trees and mist covered mountains surrounded the area; the ground ashen as if scorched by flames. It didn't feel as if there was even a light breeze in the area, though he could hear the remaining leaves in the trees rustle in movement. Something was near him, a presence he couldn't place, yet no matter where he looked all he found were shadows. Scents of sulfur and charred wood filled his nostrils. Gabriel turned to his left. There had to be a reason for why he was here. This was not his home. There was nothing familiar about this place, not to mention all life appeared to have been removed long ago. How had he gotten here? Each step he took shook the ground as he walked, crumbling the earth into dust. It was as if the whole area had been burnt to a crisp. Had there been a wildfire that had ravaged the lands? Gabriel found the notion hard to grasp, not with the magnitude of the destruction he saw. If such a thing had occurred there would have been records of it, something told of the history of the area, yet nothing came to mind. No, there had to be something more to this. His skin prickled with uneasiness. Everything around him felt strange, even the air had a sense of unease. Why couldn't he remember where he was?
With every step he took the air swirled around him in a thick cocoon of dust. His body felt like lead, and his head pounded with the echoes of a thousand sounds all going off at once. He couldn't tell if they were voices of those he knew or not. He felt distracted, his concentration not what it should be. The heaviness that moved through his body bothered him, his mind a haze of chaotic thoughts that made no sense. His mind raced for answers while his pulse hammered with hunger. It felt as if he'd not eaten for years, his stomach convulsing in protest. Every part of his body felt as if he'd been through a battle, his muscles burning as if on fire. Gabriel shook his head to clear the cobwebs that covered his mind. He needed to focus and figure out what was going on, to find out where he was and how to get out of it. Searching his memory for anything, Gabriel tried to recall what the last thing was he'd seen. Nothing but that persistent black void stared back. Pushing past the blackness, he came into contact with a hard invisible wall. Had he been killed? No… pain rushed through him with every movement he made, a clear indication he was very much alive.
"This isn't natural." His voice felt hoarse as he spoke. Waves of nausea washed through him. "This place can't be real." Nothing felt real about this place he'd woken in.
"It is natural, or was at one time, it's just not what you are used to or what you expected to see." An unfamiliar voice stopped Gabriel in his tracks, his body twisted around to locate the source. His gaze came to rest on an older woman, her jet black hair twisted up on top of her head in an intricate design. "This land used to be quite beautiful long ago."
Gabriel's eyes drifted across the area, the remnants of the land littered with dead trees and withered fields. "I'll have to take your word for it. From what I can tell there is no life left here." He couldn't even tell what the place might have looked like when it had been alive; the shell of what remained slowly fading into the past. "What happened here?"
"Ah that, I fear, is a long story." The sadness in her voice drew his attention. Her large dove eyes held knowledge and pain. "There is much you do not know Gabriel, many things that have been awoken that have lain dormant for far too long. There is a time of change coming, one which has long been foretold. This is but the beginning."
"I don't understand. What has been woken?" He asked, his eyes still taking in the surroundings.
The woman's hand rose to hush his words, her body ethereal as she moved about the area. "You will find the truth as you fully wake to who you are." He could hear her voice echo both around him and inside his mind, reverberating with every syllable she uttered. There was a shift in the area with each step she took, the ground welcoming her touch. "There is great deception and evil on the road before you, be wary of those you will see. The past you've left is only the beginning; your true path still lies before you."
You can find the above novel at the following retailers: Amazon US Amazon UK ARe B&N


As always, happy reading and writing everyone!!

R.G. Porter

IWU blog tour with Jeremy Bates

Good Morning everyone!

Well today, I'm turning over my blog to the fantastic Jeremy Bates. (Check out his site, you will NOT be disappointed). Let me give you a bit of background on him first and then the floor is all his.


Jeremy Bates has spent the last ten years traveling the world, visiting more than thirty countries. He has lived in Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
Bates is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with a degree in English literature and philosophy. He is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Inc, and Crime Writers of Canada.

His frightening debut novel, White Lies, is set in a small village in the Cascade Mountain range of eastern Washington. In the book, he succeeds in bringing world-class terror to this tranquil community.


Okay, enough from me :) Take it from here Jeremy!



Magic Kingdom for Sale—Sold .... And it's about damn time!

I know everyone tells you to write what you know and read what you write. I write suspense fiction, so that's what I like to read. But I've always had a soft spot for epic fantasy. If you enjoy fantasy, you've no doubt heard the name Terry Brooks. He was, in fact, the author that got me interested in writing. I was in grade eight. Up until this point I had been reading Hardy Boys and Choose Your Own Adventure kind of stuff.


First edition cover
Then a classmate gave me the Tommyknockers by Stephen King. It was the first Big Book I ever read. And I have to say I only got about halfway through the beast. But then a few months after that the same someone gave me Terry Brooks' The Elfstones of Shannara. I devoured it. Read the entire thing in like two weeks, which was an absolute milestone for me, at that age, when I'd been used to spending all my spare time at hockey practice or playing Sierra computer games (yes, it was early nineties!). I finished it on the very day I graduated, and I remember feeling doubly sad: sad I would not see many of my school friends again—and sad I would not see any of my fantasy friends either.

Then I discovered the Elfstones was part of a trilogy. I went to the used bookstore down the street and immediately picked up the first and third books: The Sword of Shannara and The Wishsong of Shannara. I read them both quickly. To my delight, there was a fourth book coming out; to my dismay, it wouldn't be released for months.


Recent cover
 In the meantime I tried to write the sequel myself...and I guess that's what got me into writing! I didn't write anything else for about ten years. Then, after I graduated university and the party died down, I started writing again. Roughly ten years after that I sold my first book.

Anyway, not to diverge, to fill the gap until the Scions of Shannara was released, I decided to try his Landover series. I wasn't sure I was going to like it. At that time I had become a big fan of the epic fantasy worlds of elves and dwarves and the like, and I didn't want modernity to intervene. (If you don't know, the Landover series is about a New York City lawyer buying a magic kingdom.) Regardless, I gave it a shot—and I loved it.

Now, it appears it is coming to film. I know Terry Brooks has been working on getting any one of his films adapted for a while. For a bit it looked as though it would be a Shannara novel, but that was scraped. I guess it makes sense. To do a Shannara adaptation justice, it would have to be something on the scale of Lord of the Rings. A Landover film, on the other hand, would require a much smaller budget, and it would likely appeal a wider audience—especially with the alternate-world craze a la Harry Potter.



I'm excited about it, and I think any fantasy fan should be. If you haven't read the novel, you can read the first 50 pages of Magic Kingdom for Sale: Sold! for free via Suvudu.
And who knows? If this is a massive success, maybe the studio will have the guts to take on the world of Shannara after all!


Here's a blurb from Terry Brook's website:

MAGIC KINGDOM FOR SALE – SOLD! To Warners and Weed Road
Warner Brothers has optioned Terry Brooks' best-selling MAGIC KINGDOM OF LANDOVER series of books for Akiva Goldsman's Weed Road Pictures and Andy Cohen's Grade A Entertainment. Goldsman and Cohen will produce with Weed Road's Kerry Foster and Alex Block overseeing for Weed Road. Warner Brothers' Matt Cherniss brought the book series into the studio and will run point. Brooks was represented by Anne Sibbald of Janklow &Nesbit Associates.

The film will be based on the first book in the series, MAGIC KINGDOM FOR SALE – SOLD!, which was first published in 1986 by Del Rey Books, a division of Random House. The most recent book in the six book, ongoing series is A PRINCESS OF LANDOVER which came out in 2009. Other titles in the series are: THE BLACK UNICORN, WIZARD AT LARGE, THE TANGLE BOX, and WITCHES BREW.

Brooks is a prolific author best known for the LANDOVER series and the SHANNARA series of fantasy books, which began with THE SWORD OF SHANNARA. There are currently 19 books in the SHANNARA series with the next book due out later this year.

Weed Road is in preproduction on A WINTER'S TALE written and to be directed by Goldsman. Recent credits include PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 and FAIR GAME.

Cohen last produced UNTRACEABLE starring Diane Lane. He's currently working on the stage show, HEATHERS – THE MUSICAL and the indie film, IN SIGHT.

Jeremy Bates
White Lies, Oceanview Publishing, May 7, 2012
www.jeremybatesbooks.com


Thanks for visiting Jeremy and what a fantastic post. I'm a sucker for Fantasy (of course!) but your site and the mysteries you write are just up my ally. Hope everyone enjoyed!

As always, happy reading and writing everyone.

R.G. Porter

New release alert!

I'm proud to say the third book in my Darkness Unleashed is now available all normal online stores. Amazon, B&N, SW, Apple, Kobo etc. I'm so excited to have this novel out there. It is the next to last book in this series and has tons of fight scenes and brings more information in from the previous books.

His desire for revenge would lead him to a truth he isn't prepared for…

His brother dead, Galen now hunts for the beast who murdered Julian.

Determined to follow his path of revenge he never expects to find a band of warriors under attack by the darkness nor the leader that hides behind their swords.

Her past unknown, Kaylena had been raised by a family not her own. The visions that continue to plague her dreams she ventures out with a group of warriors in search of the truth of her past. Surrounded by the minions of the darkness she finds help in the one man she fears more… the man from her dreams.

To unlock her past they must fight the one beast responsible for it…
But first they have to accept the past to fight for the future.


EXCERPT:

A rustle behind her drew her attention, her breath catching in her throat.  He'd come again.  She couldn't help but look at him from underneath her hood.  His hair had come loose from its band and now flowed wildly in the evening breeze.  His face reminded her of granite, no real expression could be seen.  That was till she reached his eyes.  A mixture of colors she nearly gasped as the moon's rays lit them on fire, their vibrant steel blue color taking her breath away. 
"I see you've left the camp again."  She was too far away from the others to get their attention, yet she found her voice nearly gone once more.  He moved closer and she felt her heart beat begin to race.  "You and I need to have a talk.  There is no reason for these games of mystery."
Mystery?  Since she'd first heard his voice she'd done all she could to keep herself from revealing who she was to him, yet he saw it as her being secretive.  If she'd been anywhere else she would have laughed.  Still the closer he got to her the harder she found it to think, his body's heat igniting her's on fire.  She put her hand out to stop his advance, her palm coming to rest on his chest.  The moment she touched his body lightning arched across her skin, her nerve endings going into overload.

"I will not back away.  You have no right to hide from me."  No right?  She wanted to laugh.  She had every right.  He was a man who would think a woman had no place but in a home with children.  She'd seen too many who'd thought that same way.  She needed to move and fast.  Turning she began to hustle back to the camp when she felt the tug on the neck of her cloak.  No matter how hard she tried she couldn't get him to let go, his grip stronger than she'd considered.  "You will not race back to your guardians."

Anger rose in her body like a wildfire.  Turning she did the first thing that she could think of.   Her leg rose and connected with his shin, a muffled groan escaping his lips.  She'd not wanted to hurt him but she'd had enough.  Her body was tired and her emotions were acting up.  He'd just have to deal with a bruised shin bone in the morning.  Turning back she headed toward the campfire, her pace increasing.  Behind her she heard another movement.  She was about to turn when she felt strong arms on her back, pushing her to the ground.  A strangled cry lodged in her throat as she felt his weight press on top of her.  Her first reaction to scream, Kaylena moved her hands to her face to shield her face from his view.

Unable to move she was sure he would do something to hurt her but she didn't care.  She'd fight him with everything she had should he try.  She could hear words leave his mouth but she couldn't understand them.  Afraid to move she could hear the men around the fire continue their discussions of their past, the lives they'd left and what they hoped to accomplish.  How she wished she'd not left the security of the others.  But she also knew it was too late to think about that now.  She was cornered with no where to go and a man who's strength was more than she could ever have imagined on top of her.

Hope you all enjoyed the tidbits. I'm working hard on the last book in this series titled Call of the Raven, and know it is going to tie this series up nicely. I've enjoyed the journey this has taken me to, and hope all those of you who have read it have had as much fun as I have.

Happy reading and writing everyone!

R.G. Porter

#SampleSunday 15 Jan Shadow of the Wolf (Darkness Unleashed Book 1)

A quest to save the future from the darkness is more than it seems…

Saleene is a healer of her people. Sent out to find the root of the darkness, she finds more than she bargained for. Demons and ghouls at every turn, Saleene soon finds she has more than just an unknown evil to battle. Drawn to an abandoned cabin for shelter, she's met by the stare of a man who is more than he appears, and may be her only hope.

Dartian is a warrior sent out to find the cause of the death that continues to spread. With his friends lending assistance, they find that the evil is deeper than first thought. Ending up at an abandoned shack he finds more than just a place to rest. Inside its four walls is a woman that calls to every part of his being.

Fate has drawn them together--- to battle the darkness that has been released…

But first they must learn to trust their own bond…. And start to reform the circle once more.

Available on Amaozn US

EXCERPT:


Raising her eyes upward, she could see a large creature flying in the night sky above. Its wingspan alone was at least three feet. From what she could tell it wasn't like any kind of bird or creature she had seen in the past. Squinting she caught the flicker of talons along what looked to be arms. Her breathe held tight in her lungs."It can't be." She'd never seen one of these alive. Books had written about them, talked about the danger they presented, but last recorded sight had been centuries ago. "Where did you come from?"From what she could tell, it had not noticed her yet. Looking at the damage to the body next to her she now knew how it had come to being alone in the field with no footprints leading to or from it. The poor man had ended up a meal for the monster flying above. Searching the area, she needed to find a place to hide before the creature noticed her presence. Certain it was still high off of the kill, she prayed it remained distracted enough for her to find a place to hide. Spotting a large fallen oak at the nearest entry to the forest, Saleene began to run. Keeping her body close to the ground, she made sure her movements didn't draw unwanted attention. Step by step she got closer to the trunk, the sounds of the beast above fading behind her. As she made it to safety, she crawled around the side of the trunk to hide. Looking back at where she'd come from, she could still see the wings flapping above the dead man. Her heart continued to beat hard in her chest."Why are you here," she asked quietly. There was an answer, one she did not want to face, but she knew was true. Another creature had been released by the evil. It was the only answer that made sense and it was one she knew would mean more would die. In the distance, she could hear the footfalls of men approaching the open field. She needed to move. There was nothing more she could do for the man. From the sounds of the group approaching, she could tell they were well armed. More than enough to deal with the creature above if it came to it. Perhaps at least one of the creatures that had been released could be sent back to the hell it came from. It was just unfortunate that it had cost the life of another person. Turning around she quietly made her way back out from under the log. Keeping low to the ground she made sure not to make any noise that might alert the beast to her whereabouts.  The moment her feet hit the interior of the forest she picked up her pace to increase her distance from the edge of the grove. Lifting her face to the wind, she breathed in the scents of the forest, looking for any telltale signs of danger. She needed information from the animals on where she could find shelter. As always the forest provided the answer she needed. Turning to the right she took off in an even paced run. Through trees and underbrush she moved, nothing slowing her down. Allowing her gaze to drift upward she took in the canopy of trees that shrouded the forest from the sky. Flickers of moonlight were able to filter through the branches, the small rays of moonbeam lighting her way.   "How beautiful, don't you think?" Her eyes lowered to the wolf that padded next to her. "I see you didn't take my advice from earlier." For as far back as she could remember, she had always preferred the company and especially the wolves that roamed wild. Everything around her felt calm. From what she could tell, the evil had left, at least for a little while. The woodland creatures had begun to sing songs into the night once more. The music helped to ease the stress of the day. Saleene focused her attention back to the wolf, his stance not faltering. "You really must go my friend. There are evil things happening and I do not know if I can keep you safe." As much as she enjoyed his company, she needed him to understand. "I'll find you later. Now it's time you went home to your family." The wolf licked her hand before taking off into the darkness of the woods.  "Stay safe my friend." She called out to him. He had been with her for most of her journey, but she knew this was for the best. Returning her attention back, she sprinted in the direction of shelter. Thunder had already begun to roll in the distance. It was getting closer and she wasn't about to get stranded out in the middle of a storm. .Around a bend and through a small dip in the path she rounded one more corner to the left. Passing a large tree, covered with moss, she found a small wooden shack hidden behind it. Looking it over she could tell that it was old and unused. Years' worth of decay had started to rot out the boards. Vines from some of the closer trees had begun to wrap their way around the foundation, reclaiming it back to the ground. Lightning arched above her, turning the clouds into a kaleidoscope of colors. "Guess it is better than nothing," she whispered. Stepping over protruding roots and brush, she made her way through the door and into the shack. Once inside, she took a closer look. The room looked to be sound; no water looked to have leaked through. Although mother nature appeared to have reclaimed most of it back, she had left the interior in good condition. Outside she could hear the wind pick up in speed. If she had thought about checking elsewhere, the elements had made that choice for her. From the sounds she heard outside, the heavens would be unleashing their fury on the world below in minutes.As she crept further into the room, Saleene allowed her senses to survey the inside. She felt nothing, not even discarded remnants of its former owner. Walking toward the middle of the room, she rested her leather satchel on a smooth rock and turned toward a circle of stones next to it. Picking up twigs, she put together kindling to start a fire before the storm arrived. After a few tries, flames sprang to life."Ah, warmth at last." Outside the wind increased. In the distance a wolf howled, alerting her to strangers approaching. From the warning, she had a good feeling it was the men she had heard approaching the field. Could they be looking for her or just for shelter? If she had gauged the sounds right, there were at least three of them in the group, all well-armed. "Damn." She muttered into the darkness.As thunder continued to rumble outside, another flash of lightning arched through the sky. By the sounds, she heard the men would be at the door as the storm arrived, of that she had no doubt. Removing her blade, she backed up into the corner to allow the shadows to embrace her.  Listening to the night, she caught the footfalls of the men as they approached. Leaves rustled under their steps, the crunch of grass and brush loud between the silence of the thunder. The closer they got, the more her heart drummed. They took their time, looking over the shack for any hidden dangers A moment passed and two men entered through the doorway. They crept to opposite sides of the shack, never once letting down their guard. They were good; she had to give them that. She could tell they were searching for the source of the fire, to determine if the individual was friend or foe.Who were these men, she thought to herself. Without warning, she felt the third man's presence close to her. The moment the information settled in her mind she spun around and touched her dagger to the throat of a very large man hidden within the shadows. Their gazes locked. Deep blue eyes stared back at her. How had he gotten so close without her knowing? Her blade remained close to his throat yet he smiled back. Nodding at her, she followed his line of vision only to see the blade of his sword pointing at her chest. Anger coursed through her. "Who are you and what gives you the right to enter my camp?" She continued to keep her voice low. The others hadn't noticed them yet, and she still didn't understand their motives. Staring back at him, she refused to relinquish her blade, and held her breath until he answered her question."I am not your enemy. My friends and I are traveling and only need shelter for the night. "The deepness of his voice lightly caressed her skin. His eyes never left hers, even as he spoke."Why are you here? You could have easily found another camp." She knew her voice held a challenge but she didn't care. Not when so much was at stake.  They inched closer toward one another, to test the resolve and strength of the other, neither giving a hint of trust. After a few minutes passed, Saleene watched as the man finally lowered his sword and sheathed it behind his back. In response, she lowered her dagger. She watched as he moved back over to the fire, his hands spread out over the flames.Saleene approached the trio of men and secured her weapon before sitting at the fire. Where did they come from and why did she feel safe with them? She looked in the direction of the lone warrior, his frame filling the room. Each time her gaze moved in his direction, the stranger would glance her way. Steel blue meeting deep green locked in a battle of wits, with neither one truly backing down. It was a game she had played countless times as a child, but this was on a level she never expected, and the familiarity she felt from his stare was unnerving.."I'm sorry, but have we met?" Saleene inquired. "You seem very familiar to me."At her question, the stranger's right eyebrow furrowed. Was he surprised by her question or bemused that she could have thought they might have met in the past. Either way, it annoyed her that he played off her inquiry so easily.  "I'm sorry, but I do not believe we have. I am certain I would have remembered you if we had." His fingers pointed toward her. "Especially since you held a blade to my throat only moments ago and by all accounts, wish to once more."Looking at her hand, she realized that she had withdrawn her dagger again. "Sorry, force of habit."Embarrassed, she put her blade back again. Her nerves were shot and this man wasn't making the situation any better. Why had they decided to come to this shelter? Her world would have been easier if she could have remained alone. Looking up, she found him staring back. Hard emotions swirled in the depths of his eyes. What they were she had no idea. "My name is Dartian Delaru. My companions are Raku Vasin, a huntsman from the clan Ravenclaw, and Jeremiiah Neva, from the neighboring village in Zulisa." He rattled off the names one by one, never missing a beat. "Who are you?"

IWU Blog Tour King Arthur, History and Wales

Happy Monday everyone and welcome to another wonderful guest post. Today I have visiting us, Sarah Woodbury. I'm letting her take over for the day and hope you find her discussions about writing historical fiction as fascinating as I do. So, without further delay, the floor is yours Sarah! First, a little bit about Sarah:


With two historian parents, Sarah couldn't help but develop an interest in the past. She went on to get more than enough education herself (in anthropology) and began writing fiction when the stories in her head overflowed and demanded she let them out. Her interest in Wales stems from her own ancestry and the year she lived in England when she fell in love with the country, language, and people. She even convinced her husband to give all four of their children Welsh names.
She makes her home in Oregon.

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Set in sixth century Wales, Cold My Heart tells the story of Myrddin and Nell, a journeyman knight and a former nun, who share a vision of a terrible future—one which encompasses the death of their King and the loss of their country. . . 
Writing historical fantasy set in the dark ages requires research that goes beyond the world building of epic fantasy, but carries with it similar characteristics, since we know so little about that era in Britain.  For my Arthurian novel, Cold my Heart, I start with the knowledge that the Saxons (in actual fact, a combination of several Germanic groups) invaded Britain after the Romans abandoned the island in 410 AD.  King Arthur, if he existed, would have been born around 480 AD, but whether the real Arthur—the living, breathing war leader who defeated the Saxons for a generation—ever existed has never been proven. 
The paucity of historical documents from that time period is to blame.  What we have are three sources:
1) Y Goddodin—a Welsh poem by the 7th century poet, Aneirin, with it's passing mention of Arthur. The author refers to the battle of Catraeth, fought around AD 600, and describes a warrior who "fed black ravens on the ramparts of a fortress, though he was no Arthur". 
2) Gildas, a 6th century British cleric who wrote De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae (On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain). He never mentions Arthur, although he states that his own birth was in the year of the siege of Mount Badon. The fact that he doesn't mention Arthur, and yet is our only historian of the 6th century, is an example of why many historians suspect that King Arthur never existed.  
3) Taliesin, a 6th century Welsh poet, who wrote several poems about Arthur.  Including the lines:  " . . . before the door of the gate of hell the lamp was burning.  And when we went with Arthur, a splendid labour,  Except seven, none returned from Caer Vedwyd." 
From these seeds grew the myth of Arthur, which the Normans (and then the French) co-opted, adding the Lancelot-Guinevere-Arthur love triangle, the sword in the stone, Merlin, and Arthur's incestuous relationship with his sister Morgan along the way.
By 1191, the monks of Glastonbury were claiming knowledge of his grave, and soon after, the link between Arthur and the Holy Grail, which Joseph of Arimathea supposedly brought there. By 1225, monks in France had written The Vulgate Cycle, telling of the holy grail from the death of Jesus Christ to the death of Arthur. This story became the standard version used throughout Europe.
Whether or not King Arthur was a real person is an either/or query.  He either was or he wasn't.  Many scholars, researchers, and Arthurophile's have strong opinions on this topic, both for and against though much of the academic work has come down on the side of 'wasn't'—or at least if Arthur was a real person, his name was not 'Arthur' and he possible wasn't even a king. 
For the purposes of my book Cold My Heart, I choose to believe that Arthur was real, that he was backed into a corner by his duplicitous nephew, Modred, and did not die at Camlann as the Norman/French/Anglo version says, but lived to see his country securely in the hands of a worthy heir.  At the same time, the world of Cold My Heart rests in the balance between the historical Wales of 537 AD, and the quasi-medieval Arthurian world that readers have grown to love throughout the ages.
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I hope you all enjoyed the post by Sarah, I know I did. As always, happy reading and writing everyone!

R.G. Porter