Suzanne G. Rogers's Blog, page 51

From Reject to Release — Tournament of Chance

“What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.”  Friedrich Nietzsche

My romantic fantasy novel, Tournament of Chance (Musa Publishing) will be released Friday, September 28th.  I couldn’t be more pleased, especially considering its inauspicious beginnings.  You see, I originally wrote TOC as a short story (around 8,000 words).  I submitted the short to several magazines, and although the feedback was positive, I could not find a magazine willing to publish it.  Battered and bruised, I ordinarily would have chucked the manuscript into a folder marked REJECTS, licked my wounds, and moved on to something else.

But I just couldn’t let it go.

I liked the concept of a young woman striving to break through the glass ceiling between commoners and royalty by honing her skills as an archer. In the back of my mind, I knew there was more to the story than the 8,000 words I’d written.  So in between revising, editing, and promoting my other titles, I allowed the full-length version of TOC to unfold. Unlike other, more disciplined authors, I usually let my stories discover themselves.  As the novel moved along, I was actually quite shocked at all the twists, turns, and surprises in store for me.  For example, who knew time travel and shape shifters would find their way into the mix? It took about six months to finish Tournament, and it incorporates many of my favorite things – peacocks, lava tubes, caves, volcanoes, dragons, wizards, romance, and magic.  It also deals with some unlikeable qualities, such as deceit, treachery, false hope, envy, abuse of power, and pride.

So if it weren’t for the rejections I experienced, Tournament of Chance would never have been published as a full-length novel. Perhaps it’s the fighting Irish in me but when I get knocked down, I get up again…and then I write some more. I’m not sure I agree with the Nietzsche quote, above, one hundred percent of the time, but it’s better than the alternative.

Has rejection ever motivated you to succeed?

~ S.G. Rogers

A hunter’s daughter becomes the spark that ignites a revolution—in time.

When a beautiful commoner enters the Tournament of Chance archery competition, her thwarted victory sparks a revolution in the oppressive kingdom of Destiny. Although Heather never believed the legends about the restoration of Ormaria, after three shape-shifting Ormarian wizards awaken from a long magical slumber, she joins their perilous quest to regain the throne. Heather battles vicious predators and angry trolls to free the wizards’ magic, but at a horrendous cost. She is unexpectedly torn from the arms of the man she loves and hurled back in time to fulfill a prophecy not yet written.  The ensuing maelstrom tests Heather’s survival skills, wits, and endurance. Will she become an unwritten footnote in history, or can she trust the magic to lead her back to her one true love?

Available September 28th, 2012 from Musa Publishing

If you’d like to add Tournament of Chance to your to-read list on Goodreads, go

To see the book trailer, click HERE

New Goodreads Give@w@y for THE LAST GREAT WIZARD OF YDEN

A new Goodreads giveaway is underway for a paperback copy of The Last Great Wizard of Yden. The next title in the Yden series, Children of Yden, will be released right around the corner, so don’t be left behind!

To enter the giveaway, click HERE.

The giveaway ends October 7th, but you can buy the e-book now at Astraea Press, Amazon, or BN.com.  Come join the fun!

What Amazon Readers are saying:

“S.G. Rogers has expertly crafted an ingenious masterpiece which transports the reader away from reality into a world that will enrapture readers of all ages. Highly recommended!” – Books4Tomorrow

“Jon and his friends with their humor and lively banter and sometimes down right bickering made this story believable. Rogers did an excellent job creating a magical fantasy world you’ll want to visit over and over again.” – Karen

“Each of her characters have unique talents that add dimension to the story. Rogers has done a magnificent job with character-development. The conflicts she throws at her characters take real-life grit to solve. She’s a master of settings. This book has everything and I give it six stars on a five-star scale.” – Jan

“It was exciting, compelling, and believable. We were hooked from the first chapter. Fans of fantasy and adventure stories, we are anxiously awaiting the sequel!” – Randine

“If you are looking for an adventuresome read in the Harry Potter vein, stop here and read The Last Great Wizard of Yden.” – 21 Days

Eyes of a Snake – Excerpt from TOURNAMENT OF CHANCE

“Today is a momentous occasion,” said King Chance, after he’d settled himself on a cushion. His booming voice resonated across the field. “Let the finalists for the Tournament of Chance come forward.”

“Your Majesty, I present Lady Felicia of the Valley and Heather of the Jagged Peaks,” announced Sir Fitzelle.

Felicia glided toward the king as if to greet an old friend, but Heather hung back. Now that the moment had arrived to actually meet the king and queen, her feet were frozen to the ground. Suddenly wishing for

invisibility, she forced herself to move toward the king’s canopy. All eyes swiveled in her direction as she stood next to Felicia. Murmurings and titters rippled through the royals at Heather’s appearance. Although Felicia ignored her altogether, the queen openly laughed, as did many of the courtiers. A rosy blush crept toward Heather’s hairline.

The king beamed at Felicia. “How splendid to see you again, dear girl.”

“And you, Your Majesty,” Felicia responded. Her smile showed the lovely dimples in her cheeks.

Queen Chelsea frowned — far less pleased to see Felicia than was her husband. King Chance next focused his attention on Heather. His welcoming expression did not slip one bit, but Heather was taken aback. His eyes resembled those of a cold, poisonous snake.

In Tournament of Chance, a hunter’s daughter becomes the spark that ignites a revolution—in time.

When a beautiful commoner enters the Tournament of Chance archery competition, her thwarted victory sparks a revolution in the oppressive kingdom of Destiny. Although Heather never believed the legends about the restoration of Ormaria, after three shape-shifting Ormarian wizards awaken from a long magical slumber, she joins their perilous quest to regain the throne. Heather battles vicious predators and angry trolls to free the wizards’ magic, but at a horrendous cost. She is unexpectedly torn from the arms of the man she loves and hurled back in time to fulfill a prophecy not yet written. The ensuing maelstrom tests Heather’s survival skills, wits, and endurance. Will she become an unwritten footnote in history, or can she trust the magic to lead her back to her one true love?

(Tournament of Chance coming September 28, 2012 from Musa Publishing)

To add to your to-read list on Goodreads, go

To return to Sweet Saturday Samples, go HERE

Myths to Write by – Guest Post by Author Juli D. Revezzo

Thanks Suzanne for inviting me here. [You're welcome! - Suzanne]

Mythology and heroic tales have long held a place in my heart. I can’t remember when I first discovered the Arthurian legends, but I recall a class or two in high school, especially those covering The Iliad and The Odyssey and reading T.H. White’s The Once and Future King. Later, in college, there were a few electives on the subject. One class introduced us to The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell. Herein this most entertaining scholar covered myths from all angles and cultures—and he spoke extensively on the Arthurian myths.

Now, I’ve always been interested in that subject, so needless to say, I was hooked. When, a few years later, my university television station started a telecommute class on Campbell’s Transformations of Myth Through Time, I signed up.

Every single time their station has played the series since then, I watch it again always learning something new or being reminded of something I’d forgotten. If you take the time to seek it out, if you watch nothing else in the series, The Hero’s Journey episode is one not to be missed (You Star Wars fans, he talks about our favorite movie there). I’m telling you, go to the source. Seek this puppy out. Authors and non-authors can find much to ponder here.

A short time later, I discovered the Welsh Medieval tome The Mabinogion. If you’ve never encountered this book before it’s a collection of heroic and mythological stories of the Welsh people covering all manner of story-type from romance, to adventure, to stories of the adherence to oaths and tynghedau (equivalent to the Irish geas, otherwise known as something one is fated to do) and what happens when one breaks them. These stories and myths are the ancient tales from whence the Arthurian legends I so loved originated. I was hooked already but this was fuel for something, I just knew it.

As I sat down to write my new paranormal novel, The Artist’s Inheritance, I wondered, what if the doom comes to us? What if the gods come to our door and demand we keep our oaths? What then? So, in The Artist’s Inheritance, that’s the question I made my characters answer. I made an artist break a tynghedau from the gods, and bring the doom upon her family—a doom the family has forgotten through the ages leaving the duty to save them to the current generation—and a wife. Yeah, I changed that too. My heroine, Caitlin, makes this journey.

Does she succeed? I’ll have to let you find out for yourself.

Blurb:

Settling into their new home in Gulf Breeze, Florida, Caitlin finds strange changes coming over her husband Trevor. He seems obsessed with a beautiful chair he’s carving.

When the nightmares deepen and ghosts begin lurking—she knows something’s not right, and not just her newfound precognitive abilities. It’s the damned chair, she’s sure. Could it be just what it seems: a mundane piece of furniture? If so, why is it attracting dark forces—the forces she suspects drove Trevor’s siblings to insanity and suicide?

Before the same happens to Trevor, Caitlin must convince him to sell his art. But armed with only a handful of allies, and little experience of the supernatural, she must proceed with caution against the hellish forces besieging her family. If she succeeds, she will break the ancestral curse. If she fails, she may lose forever the one thing she cares about most: her beloved Trevor.

The Artist’s Inheritance is available at Amazon, Smashwords, and coming soon to Createspace

About Juli D. Revezzo

Juli D. Revezzo has long been in love with writing, a love built by devouring everything from the Arthurian legends, to the works of Michael Moorcock, and the classics and has a soft spot for classic the “Goths” of the 19th century. Her short fiction has been published in Dark Things II: Cat Crimes, The Scribing Ibis, Eternal Haunted Summer, Twisted Dreams Magazine and Luna Station Quarterly. She also has an article and book review or two out there. But her heart lies in the storytelling. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Tampa Area Romance Authors, and the special interest RWA chapter Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal. The Artist’s Inheritance is her first novel.

Find Juli at:

http://harshadpassion.wordpress.com

To Follow her on Twitter

To Like her on Facebook

On Google+

On Good Reads

On Amazon

I hope you’ll check out The Artist’s Inheritance, and enjoy it. And if you’ve never read Campbell’s books, I urge you to pick up some copies of those too. The Power of Myth, at least. I hope it inspires your journey as it has mine—and Caitlin’s.

Thanks, Suzanne, for inviting me here today!

Preditors and Prey — Excerpt from TOURNAMENT OF CHANCE

Over the next week, Heather spent most of her waking hours with her bow and arrows. She practiced in a pasture outside of town. The field was surrounded by trees, which made it quite private—and isolated. The morning before the competition, Heather was working on accuracy. When her arrows were spent, she set off for the target to retrieve them.

Three strangers emerged from the forest. They fanned out, as if encircling their prey. Heather was schooled enough in hunting to recognize predators on sight. A ripple of fear traveled down her spine. Dropping her bow, she pulled her knife from her boot and searched for a means of escape.

“Oi, now, no need for that. Yer Heather, aren’t ye?  Such pretty red hair ye got,” the first man said. His lips pulled back over his teeth, blackened by poor hygiene and tobacco.

“Yer father done broke his leg. We come to fetch ye home,” the second said.

The third man said nothing, but he unfastened the bullwhip hanging from his belt and gave it an experimental crack.

“My friend don’t like yer little stickpin. Put it down, there’s a good girl,” the first man said.

Heather kept her eyes trained on the bullwhip. When the man pulled back his arm, poised to strike, she hurled her knife at his chest. Even before he’d hit the ground, she was sprinting past him toward the forest. Her only hope of evading capture would be to lose the other two men in the woods. Although she was fleet-footed, her assailants closed the distance in the open field rapidly. Several yards away from the tree line, the twang of arrows being loosed reached her ears…

A hunter’s daughter becomes the spark that ignites a revolution—in time.

When a beautiful commoner enters the Tournament of Chance archery competition, her thwarted victory sparks a revolution in the oppressive kingdom of Destiny. Although Heather never believed the legends about the restoration of Ormaria, after three shape-shifting Ormarian wizards awaken from a long magical slumber, she joins their perilous quest to regain the throne. Heather battles vicious predators and angry trolls to free the wizards’ magic, but at a horrendous cost. She is unexpectedly torn from the arms of the man she loves and hurled back in time to fulfill a prophecy not yet written.  The ensuing maelstrom tests Heather’s survival skills, wits, and endurance. Will she become an unwritten footnote in history, or can she trust the magic to lead her back to her one true love?

Tournament of Chance will be released on Friday, Sept. 28th, in all e-formats, from Musa Publishing.  Shortly thereafter, it will be available through Amazon, BN.com and wherever online books are sold.

To see the book trailer, go HERE

Book Trailer – TOURNAMENT OF CHANCE by S.G. Rogers

I have a brand spanking new trailer for my upcoming release, Tournament of Chance. Click on the book cover, below, to view.  I hope you enjoy it!

~ S.G. Rogers

A Thing of Beauty – Excerpt from TOURNAMENT OF CHANCE

Dane conjured a sword and armor for Joe and the two of them practiced swordplay above deck when the sun shone. Joe was well trained, but he lacked discipline and focus. Heather was impressed with Dane’s ability as an instructor. She also noted how quick Dane was to give Joe the encouragement and praise he sorely needed.

“Not too bad that time, Jovander. I thought you had me once or twice.”

“I learned from the head of the king’s guards,” Joe boasted.

“I was the head of the king’s guards,” Dane replied, winking at Heather. “Let’s work on that disarming move. You’ve almost got it down.”

The third morning dawned wonderfully clear and bright. Heather soaked in the sunshine while enjoying Joe and Dane’s latest match. She was glad for a ready excuse to gaze at Dane, admiring not only his quick reflexes and finesse, but also his athletic frame and handsome face. When she’d first met him, she thought his looks were arresting—despite his disdainful and arrogant attitude. Now, she acknowledged privately he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. After he caught her staring a few times, however, she tried to be more discreet. She had no wish to give Dane the false impression she was besotted with him. One can admire a thing of beauty, such as a stallion or a dragon, without desiring to possess it, she told herself firmly.

In Tournament of Chance, a hunter’s daughter becomes the spark that ignites a revolution—in time.

When a beautiful commoner enters the Tournament of Chance archery competition, her thwarted victory sparks a revolution in the oppressive kingdom of Destiny. Although Heather never believed the legends about the restoration of Ormaria, after three shape-shifting Ormarian wizards awaken from a long magical slumber, she joins their perilous quest to regain the throne. Heather battles vicious predators and angry trolls to free the wizards’ magic, but at a horrendous cost. She is unexpectedly torn from the arms of the man she loves and hurled back in time to fulfill a prophecy not yet written. The ensuing maelstrom tests Heather’s survival skills, wits, and endurance. Will she become an unwritten footnote in history, or can she trust the magic to lead her back to her one true love?

Release date: September 28th, 2012

To return to Sweet Saturday Samples, go HERE

 

 

Happy Wodensday! Excerpt from THE ACCIDENTAL IMMORTAL

“Odin, it seems everyone has convicted me without a shred of evidence. There’s something else going on, isn’t there?”

“That’s very perceptive, Dani. When I returned from Midgard, I directed your name to be entered into the Registry of Immortals. The negative reaction to your circumstances has, unfortunately, been quite…strong.”

“You’re telling me that there’s been a backlash to my accidental immortality?”

“I’m afraid so. Many immortals don’t approve.”

“You know, my sister didn’t approve of me when I was born, but I kind of grew on her over the years.” Although Dani tried to force a smile to her lips, the effort failed miserably. “I suppose there was a good reason the Cup of Immortality was at the bottom of the River of Fire. It kept the status quo, didn’t it?”

Odin gave her a sympathetic look. “Indeed.”

“What happens now?”

“I will speak to the various contingents and representatives, and tell them I have exonerated you from the theft. Nevertheless, Dani, until the Cup is found, your presence here is disruptive. I’m afraid I must ask you to leave Asgard under an Order of Expulsion.”

“So I’m an outlaw even though I haven’t done anything wrong?” Dani asked, stunned.

“After the Cup is found, you may return. Once that happens, your critics will have less to complain about. The immortals will accept you sooner or later.”

“A century or two of being an expatriated pariah isn’t my idea of fun, Odin.”

Odin escorted her to a side door. His expression was kind, but firm.

“This passage leads directly to the hall outside the courtroom. I believe you know the way to the Rainbow Bridge. You must take the next train to Midgard, Dani, or risk deportation.”

When the Cup of Immortality is stolen in Asgard, anger and suspicion is leveled at Dani Avery. Ordered from Asgard by Odin and –even worse– discovering Prince Rein has been betrothed to Leanna of the Faeries, Dani sets out to find the Cup and save Rein from an unwanted marriage.

Dani, Rein, and Emrys begin their desperate search for the real thief and the missing Cup.  Unfortunately, the sultry and self-centered Leanna insists on tagging along, and causes them to run afoul of a ruthless crime boss who will stop at nothing to gain their silence…including kidnapping.

As the clock ticks away, Dani has to make a choice between continuing the search for the Cup or trying to find her missing friends. Will Dani unwittingly sacrifice Rein’s life in her attempt to save their relationship?  Or must she deliberately sacrifice their relationship in order to save his life?

The Accidental Immortal – An Asgard Adventure Book Two, available from Musa Publishing, Amazon, BN.com and wherever online books are sold.

 

 

S.G. Rogers’ Tournament of Chance Excerpt

From the unappetizing quantity of fur and gore on the turtle rock, it appeared the trolls had gutted and skinned the tiger there, and cooked some of the meat over the still-glowing firepit nearby. Although Heather longed to rest, the smell of the place turned her stomach. Leaving the campsite, she continued to climb up the trail. The rank odor of the slaughtered animal followed her.

A few minutes later, a blue dragon appeared from the north. With her heart in her throat, she yelled as loud as she could, waving her arms to get Dane’s attention. When he veered in her direction she was overjoyed. After six other dragons joined him during his descent, however, Heather’s ebullience turned to horror. A flock of wild dragons was headed straight for her, and on the open trail there was nowhere to hide.

Gritting her teeth against the pain in her side, she hurtled down the trail, past the turtle rock. At random, she picked one of the lava tunnels and darted inside. Heather hoped the dragons would leave once they lost their prey. Unfortunately, the smell of blood at the campsite sent the animals into a frenzy. The dragons’ piercing, trumpeting cries echoed down the tunnel, forcing Heather to cover her ears. The creatures attacked the rock face with their claws, chipping off bits and pieces of granite. Heather backed further into the darkness, but when she heard one of the dragons inhale, she ran. A fireball followed her…

In Tournament of Chance, a hunter’s daughter becomes the spark that ignites a revolution—in time.

When a beautiful commoner enters the Tournament of Chance archery competition, her thwarted victory sparks a revolution in the oppressive kingdom of Destiny. Although Heather never believed the legends about the restoration of Ormaria, after three shape-shifting Ormarian wizards awaken from a long magical slumber, she joins their perilous quest to regain the throne. Heather battles vicious predators and angry trolls to free the wizards’ magic, but at a horrendous cost. She is unexpectedly torn from the arms of the man she loves and hurled back in time to fulfill a prophecy not yet written. The ensuing maelstrom tests Heather’s survival skills, wits, and endurance. Will she become an unwritten footnote in history, or can she trust the magic to lead her back to her one true love?

Release date: September 28th, 2012

To return to Sweet Saturday Samples, go HERE

Magic in Nature – Caves and Lava Tubes

There’s something about a cave that sparks my imagination.  I’m not talking about a tiny, condo-sized cave here.  I’m thinking Park Avenue penthouse quality caves… the kind you’d walk through with your mouth hanging open in awe.My parents took me to Carlsbad Caverns National Park when I was a kid and I don’t think I ever got over the memory.  Who knew you could find that kind of beauty underground?  I love the idea of stalactites and stalagmites being formed over time, and how minerals in the walls reflect light in different colors.

On my to-do list is to visit a lava tube… one of the long cave-like tunnels formed when a volcano erupts. Did you know some of these lava tubes (ie: Kazumura Cave, Hawaii) can span over 40 miles long? I frequently feature caves and underground lakes in my stories.  In my upcoming release, Tournament of Chance (Sept. 28), my characters hike through lava tubes on a danger-filled tropical island.

Have you ever seen a natural phenomenon that seemingly radiated magic?

~ S.G. Rogers

In Tournament of Chance, a hunter’s daughter becomes the spark that ignites a revolution—in time.

When a beautiful commoner enters an archery tournament with a royal title as the prize, her victory sparks more than a revolution in Destiny. Although prophecy says the ancient kingdom of Ormaria will be restored at the right time, Heather is far too practical to believe it.  After three Ormarian rulers from the past awaken, however, she realizes the legends are not mere fairy tales.  These Ormvalder wizards, capable of shape shifting into dragons, enlist Heather’s help in a quest to restore their full powers. Despite her initial animosity, Dane Ormvalder manages to claim her heart. Heather successfully unleashes the Ormvalder’s magic, but at a horrendous cost. She and her friend Joe are sent back in time to fulfill a prophecy not yet written.  A seemingly unending wave of magic will propel the two forward until balance is restored.  Will Heather be forced to sacrifice everything, or can she follow the magic to her own destiny?

Release date: September 28th, 2012 from Musa Publishing