Suzanne G. Rogers's Blog, page 59

Win Minna & The Valentine

My book Minna & The Valentine is in the spotlight today at Kelly Moran's blogspot. Leave a comment for a chance to win!

Back Cover:  Minna has a secret.  Her father, ex-dragon jockey Wynn Westerfield, will forever hold a grudge against wizards.  Because it was a wizard who caused his career-ending accident, Minna struggles to hide her incredible magical powers from him…and from the world.

Evan Valentine has attended a prestigious magical academy on scholarship, although he's managed to conceal that fact from everyone. He's on the fast track to success with his apprenticeship to wizard Thaddeus Bartholomew, and Evan's carefully constructed life doesn't include a certain beautiful girl whose powers rival his own.

Although Minna and Evan don't realize it yet, their destinies have been intertwined for years. When a threat arises, Minna and Evan must travel to another reality to retrieve a dangerous magical artifact.  Can Minna and Evan learn to work together, despite their mutual mistrust? Or will their explosive romantic attraction lead to disaster?

Minna & The Valentine  Romantic fantasy novella available at Astraea Press, Amazon, BN.com and other online bookstores

What reviewers are saying:

"I really enjoyed this book and read it really quickly. The detail the author has put into the book was fantastic and it was very well written." – Stressed Rach

"…an incredible blend of magic, fantasy, and romance!" – Jan

"If you're tired of gloomy dystopian fiction, you will be glad you brightened your day with Minna and the Valentine!!" – 21 Days

"I was enthralled by the wizard elements in this story, the lovely descriptions of special "magical" effects and the charming heroine." – Reader "Blue Crab Books"

 

Team Brett or Team Kira? YA Love Triangle

In The Last Great Wizard of Yden, Jon Hansen meets two very different girls who become a part of his life.  Brett and Kira could not be more different and yet both manage to capture Jon's attention.  Meet them for yourself and then you decide…are you on Team Brett or Team Kira?

Excerpt ('Team Brett'):

Her name tag indicated her name was Brett, but Jon was more interested in her green eyes, pert nose, and deep dimples. She had shoulder-length wavy blonde hair with flirty bangs brushing the tips of her long, curly lashes. Usually girls like her wouldn't bother to talk to him, but at the moment her glossy pink lips were curved in an inviting smile. Jon was amazed at his good fortune.

"Yes, I need help," he said. "That would be great."

Brett tossed her hair over one shoulder. "I'll get Pete over here to give you a hand."

Deflated, Jon watched her walk away. Just as well, he sighed, since he probably would have started to babble like a fool. He returned to scrutinizing the store shelves, wondering how to choose between straight-leg, relaxed, classic, or boot-cut pants. He hoped Pete had a tape measure, too, because Jon didn't know his waist size or inseam either.

"Pete's swamped right now so you're stuck with me."

Jon's stomach lifted at the sound of Brett's voice. "Good. I mean…these khakis look good, but I don't know which one to pick."

Brett scrutinized Jon's frame for a moment before she pulled a few pairs of pants off the shelves. "Are you looking for shirts as well?"

"I guess so. I'm starting school next week at Pacific High. I need shirts with collars—"

"Oh, yes, I know their dress code. Let's get you into a dressing room, and I'll bring you a couple of things to try."

Everything she brought him was nearly the perfect size, and it became difficult to narrow her selections down. Jon finally bought four pairs of khakis, two pairs of jeans, a couple of belts, and a raft of shirts.

"And a partridge in a pear tree," he joked.

Brett handed him a receipt and his change. "I'm sorry, what was that?"

His face flushed. Stop babbling, he thought. "Oh, just…nothing. Thanks for your help, Brett. You're a terrific salesperson."

"Thanks. Maybe I'll see you around. I go to Pacific High, too."

The heavens opened up and the angels began to sing. Although Jon had blown two years worth of allowance, school had never seemed so inviting.

Excerpt ('Team Kira'):

Mandral laughed in delight. He directed the hovering cygards to subdue the prisoner and tie his tether on the ring next to Jon's. The dented cygard yanked off the prisoner's cape and stepped back. The crowd murmured.

The newcomer was female, and a stunning one at that. Her full, waist-length hair was a wavy chestnut with red highlights. Her eyes were a violet color, and her skin was a golden tan. Despite his own predicament, Jon flushed. He couldn't help but stare. From the expressions of the other men in the room, he knew he wasn't the only one.

Mandral clapped his hands in a deliberate, slow, and obviously sarcastic manner. "What an entrance, Kira Szul. You're looking savage, as usual," he drawled.

Kira said nothing.

"Don't be offended," Mandral continued. "I like savagery in a woman."

As the warlord seated himself, he nodded to Tyrg.

"Clear the hall," Tyrg called out.

The ladies and gentlemen around the chamber shifted their weight, reluctant to leave when the entertainment had become lively.

"Immediately," Tyrg barked. "Wait outside."

The cygards made sure the chamber was emptied in short order. Meanwhile Mandral's attention was riveted onto Kira. "As soon as you've changed into something more, well, matrimonial, the wedding ceremony can begin."

"As soon as you change into someone, well, else, I'll consider it," Kira spat.

Mandral began to clean his nails with his dagger. "This is so tiresome," he pouted. "Rampen Szul has agreed to the marriage. Tile has changed hands."

"My father only agreed so you'd stop slaughtering the Nomads!"

"Slaughter can be so persuasive."

"Give me that knife and I'll persuade you to let me go," Kira said.

Jon didn't realize the throne room had such good acoustics. His snicker echoed throughout the chamber and attracted the warlord's ire. The coldness of Mandral's glare stood out in stark contrast to the color staining his cheeks. Unable to transport and tethered like a puleden, he braced himself for the sting of the warlord's dagger. Instead, the back of Mandral's hand whipped him full across the face. The impact drove him down to one knee.

So which girl do you think Jon should end up with?

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Mad About Princes

What is it about a fairytale prince that captures the imagination?  A young, good-looking and masculine royal usually wins the day—and the hand of the beautiful maiden.  For me, however, the above-mentioned qualities form only the base of an engaging hero.  There must be something more that renders the man worthy of the heroine, be it in words, deeds…or simple kindnesses to strangers. Any prince can engage in feats of derring-do if he thinks the object of his affection will be impressed.  A true hero, on the other hand, renders kindnesses to others when he believes he's unobserved…

Excerpt:

After she'd eased her hunger, Samantha's temper began to improve. The room emptied out a bit and she had a direct view of Wills. He and Joe had struck up a conversation with several other travelers. The prince was laughing at a story Joe had just told. The innkeeper's daughter hovered nearby. Staring openly in admiration, the awkward, homely girl took every opportunity to keep Wills's tankard full. To his credit, the prince was kind. He thanked her profusely, and complimented the meal and accommodations. Samantha noticed him slip the girl a gold coin when no one was looking.

As she examined Wills's profile in the lamplight, Samantha had to admit he was unusually handsome. The prince had an easy, open manner around people and was a natural leader. Her brother, David, would certainly have enjoyed his company. It was a shame her relationship with Wills had started so badly. Samantha felt an unfamiliar stab of regret. Under different circumstances, she might have liked to know the man better.

Wills glanced over and caught her staring at him. Samantha blushed and shifted her eyes to Nanny. The woman had a knowing smile on her face.

"What's so amusing?" Samantha demanded.

"He's a good-looking man, isn't he?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied. "I wasn't even looking at Wills."

"If you weren't looking at him, how'd you know who I was talking about?"

Samantha bit her lip. "That's enough, Nanny."

 

Up until now, Prince Wills and Princess Samantha have had a combative relationship.  Did one simple, unobserved moment begin to thaw Samantha's heart? Hmm. Samantha doesn't realize it yet, but she just telegraphed her interest in the hero.  What does our young hero do in response?  To answer that, you'll have to read the rest of the story.  But I'll say this much—I'm mad about Prince Wills.

~ S.G. Rogers

When an unconventional princess meets a footloose prince, a battle of wits begins… 
 

Princess Samantha's magical compass will help her locate her long-lost brother, but only if she manages to escape her royal parents for a few weeks. When an unwelcome suitor comes to call, Samantha seizes her chance. She beguiles the prince into taking her north, intending to abandon him at her earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, his captivating good looks and charming manner present an unforeseen complication—especially when she is forced to accept help from the very man she has deceived.

To maintain his bachelorhood, handsome Prince Wills is not above deception. Although reluctantly entangled in Samantha's scheme, he vows to protect her…until a lie threatens to destroy their alliance.  Can his powerful attraction to Samantha overcome his mistrust?  And can they survive a dangerous quest to the wild and magical Uncharted Region?

Clash of Wills is available at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon, BN.com and wherever online books are sold.

 

Book Trailer for The Last Great Wizard of Yden

Want to see my new book trailer for The Last Great Wizard of Yden?  Grab some popcorn, click the icon, below, and enjoy!

There's still time to vote for the book of the month at iBookBuzz.com!  Just go HERE to cast your vote.  I thank you for your support. ~ S.G. Rogers

 

 

Doodling Dragons

Excerpt from iBookBuzz nominated YA fantasy The Last Great Wizard of Yden…

When class began, the history teacher, Mr. Dace, droned on and on about the curriculum, policies, and procedures. After fifteen minutes, Jon started to tune out. He opened his binder and lost himself in a detailed drawing of a dragon.

"We're going to end our semester with a field trip to the Tri-­County Museum," Mr. Dace said.

The classroom erupted with excited chatter.

"Many of you will see this as a chance to goof off," Mr. Dace continued. "But you will be writing a term paper on one of the exhibits."

Mr. Dace strolled up and down the aisles as he spoke. He paused at Jon's shoulder just as he was drawing a beautiful plume of smoke rising from the nostril of a dragon. Unfortunately, Jon was oblivious to the teacher's presence.

"Doodling dragons is no way to get through life, Mr. Hansen," Mr. Dace said.

Jon's head snapped up. The entire class was watching, including Brett and Fred. Brett's expression was unreadable, but Fred was licking his chops as if he couldn't wait to eat him for lunch. Jon hoped his face wouldn't explode from the blood rushing to his cheeks.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

His classmates snickered. Mr. Dace went on to pass out the syllabus and first assignment. After the lunch bell rang, Jon felt like slinking off somewhere and melting into a hole. His book bag was jammed under his desk, and he bent to retrieve it. When he straightened up, he was startled to see Brett waiting for him.

"Hi," she said. "You probably don't remember me, but we met at the mall."

"Oh, yes, I do." He attempted to sound casual. "Nice to see you."

She examined his drawing. "That's a great dragon. Maybe you could draw one for me sometime?"

"Anytime." Anytime at all, he thought.

For his sixteenth birthday, all Jon wanted were the keys to the family car. Instead, he got a lousy magic ring…

Artistic prodigy Jon Hansen yearns to fit in, but when he stumbles onto a supernatural kidnapping, his life changes forever.  Unfortunately, his search for answers uncovers a magical secret—one that makes Jon a danger to everyone around him.

The Wolf Clan wizard Efysian has been draining the magic from Yden. On a quest for eternal power, he's willing to kill to feed his addiction.  To harness the ultimate source of energy, he travels to Earth.  This time, however, he has a persistent witness to his crime.

Can Jon survive long enough to outwit the most evil wizard the magical world has ever known?  Or will Efysian add the young wizard to his gruesome collection of trophies?

The Last Great Wizard of Yden, a full length fantasy novel. E-book available now through Astraea Press, Amazon, BN.com and other fine outlets ($2.99 MSRP). Now available as a trade paperback too! (HERE)

There is still time to vote for The Last Great Wizard of Yden in the iBookBuzz book of the month contest!  Click HERE to vote!

To return to Sweet Saturday Samples, go HERE.

Desperately Seeking Faeries

I'm welcoming awesome author Jacquie Rogers (no relation!) to my blog today in an author exchange. Not only do we share the same last name, but we're also both fascinated with faeries and dragons. You can find MY guest post (Got Dragons?) on HER blog HERE.  We're also giving away digital copies of Faerie Special Romances by Jacquie Rogers and The Last Great Wizard of Yden by S.G. Rogers.  Leave a comment, below, to enter the drawing. The winner will be selected Sunday, March 11th, midnight EST.  Good luck! ~ S.G. Rogers

Finding Faeries by Jacquie Rogers

(author of Faery Special Romances & Faery Merry Christmas)

We storytellers have lots of choices when it comes to picking faery lore. Depending on when and where the story is set, the Fae World can differ drastically: Norse, Irish, Scottish, Bavarian, French . . . each pre-Christian region and era developed its own belief system. Faery lore has only one universal truth: Tinkerbell is an invention of L. Frank Baum and Disney.

I found several sites that helped tremendously when I was building my world for Faery Special Romances. Maybe you will find these sites interesting, too.

Here's one of my favorite starting-off sites, Faerie at Monstrous.com. Not only is there an image gallery and links to other great sites, you can also find brief essays on these topics:

Existence of faeries
Definition of faeries
Description of faeries
Faeries across history and cultures
Organization of faeries

. . . you get the picture. Lots of info (although not in-depth) on this site.

Here's a faery good site: The Fae. You'll find a terrific recap of general Fae history, and then links to other pages, which get more specific. For instance, there's a listing of the various categories of faeries, from Pixies to Goblins. Another site, pjentoft.com, has a couple pages of Faery Herbs and Charms. Browse around and you'll find all kinds of good stuff on this website.

For instance, you could find out (like I just did) that faeries didn't get wings until the Elizabethan period. Oh well, my medieval faeries have wings. I made them up so I can give them wings if I want to. (That's what's so great about being a writer—you can create any world, and populate it with anything you want to!)

The Faery Crossing is a beautiful site, and can give you pointers on such things as "The Care and Feeding of Faeries." You might want to head straight for A Compendium of Faery Folke, where you'll find very nice listing of all types of Fae from A to Z. Here's a sample: "Gean-canach: Ireland. "Love-Talker"; a solitary faery who personifies love and idleness. He appears with a dudeen (pipe) in his mouth. It is very unlucky to meet him." (Check out this dude on other sites—he's known for seducing young women.)

When I first began gathering information to create my faery world, I soon realized that many of the internet sites combine the old mythologies with the contemporary. Even though the new are based on the myths of, say, the Tuatha de Danann, be aware of modern influences.  Lots of gaming sites add their own nuances to the myths.

All these sites help, but as a writer or a reader, you can imagine faeries any way you want.  I mixed mythologies from at least five regions, including Russia and Africa, to create my faeries.  The Norse, Celtic, and Gaelic traditions are strongest in the USA, but other regions have faeries and elementals just as intriguing.

I hope you have a faery good time surfing the 'net! If you find some good sites, please let me know!

~ Jacquie Rogers

♥ ♥ ♥

Jacquie Rogers is the author of the popular western historical romance series, Hearts of Owyhee (Much Ado About Marshals, Much Ado About Madams); a contemporary western, Down Home Ever Lovin' Mule Blues; and two faery fantasy romances, Faery Special Romances and Faery Merry Christmas.  She lives in Seattle, loves baseball, cooks up a storm (but hates doing dishes), but is utterly hopeless at singing or drawing.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Romancing The West

Good Stuff on Goodreads

Readers…start your engines! 

It's a Goodreads book giveaway for a paperback copy of The Last Great Wizard of Yden!  Enter between March 7 and March 31, 2012.  Three copies are available for residents of the U.S.A.  Just push the Goodreads button (left) to find the giveaway…and good luck!

~ S.G. Rogers

Please vote HERE for The Last Great Wizard of Yden at iBookBuzz.com!  Jon Hansen and his friends thank you!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Lilian, the winner of my Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop.  I love giving out prizes, so stay tuned for the next blog hop.  It's called Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop and it begins on April 26th. I'm really looking forward to this one because I ADORE fairy tales.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop.  I hope Child of Yden will continue to bring you blog posts that stir your imagination.

~ S.G. Rogers

Amaleen Ison Learns to Love Shorts

No, not THOSE kind of shorts. Short stories.  Novellas.  Novelettes.  UK author Amaleen Ison is my guest today as she blogs about her journey toward appreciating shorter works of literature.  ~ S.G. Rogers

Learning to Love Short Stories – Amaleen Ison

Not every story is a novel.  Some ideas are just not long enough to sustain fifty-thousand plus words. But are short stories or novellas any less interesting or enjoyable because of their length?

Before I started writing I shunned short stories, considering them unworthy of my time or appreciation. They couldn't be any good because they were…short. Daft, huh? My aversion began in school. Teachers forced me to read and evaluate short stories I had no interest in. I tarred all shorts with the same brush: boring and educational. It never occurred to me they could be read for pleasure. But I've discovered from speaking to family and friends that many people feel the same way.

Having read and written numerous short stories and novellas, I'm here to tell you that short tales can be exciting, filled with enchanting characters that tug at your heartstrings and despicable ones that make your insides shrivel. Mrs. Cruickshank, the antagonist from my novelette, The Trouble with Nightingale, is one of my favourite creations. She's totally disgusting, and yet it's her awfulness that entices the reader into the narrative.

Excerpt from The Trouble with Nightingale:

"The sixty-something skank with a too-tight pencil skirt, crooked beehive and five-inch stilettos sucked hard on a Marlboro. Smoke hung about her head like a grotty aura. Scarlet lipstick leaked into the creases around her lips, and canary-yellow eye shadow meandered past her squiggly-pencilled brows, giving the impression she'd applied it all without the use of a mirror."

Designed to read in one sitting, short stories, novelettes, and novellas usually begin close to the tales conclusion and speed towards the final, and hopefully unexpected, revelation. They're a whirlwind ride of conflict and unexpected consequences that ramp up emotional energy. With a limited number of words at the author's disposal, the writing tends to be more concise than in a novel. Every word carefully selected, every sentence either developing character or driving the story towards its conclusion. Even descriptions must pay triple duty, setting scene, creating atmosphere, and foreshadowing plot.

Excerpt from The Trouble with Nightingale:

"Millie prodded the lift's grimy call button and glanced over her shoulder. Shadows thick with movement skulked beneath the concrete stairwell, darting away from each flicker of the orange security light above her head.

She leaned an ear toward the graffiti-scratched doors and listened for the rattle-clunk of the descending elevator. Like the rest of Nightingale Estate after dark, the mechanism remained eerily quiet."

So when you're next perusing the pages of an on-line book store, why not purchase a short story, novelette, or novella? They contain the same elements as a novel but in a bite size package, bursting with concentrated conflict to set your heart rate galloping. Like me, you might be surprised at the incredible characters and adventures you discover.

~ Amaleen Ison

The Trouble with Nightingale

When seventeen year old Millie Scrubbings moves to new digs on East London's Nightingale Estate, she believes she's finally closed the door on a childhood dictated by strangers. But overnight, her peaceful high-rise turns bonkers, and a series of grisly murders leaves Millie frightened and more helpless than ever. Millie must accept her lead role in rescuing Nightingale from its descent into anarchy, or risk all Hell breaking loose.

$1.99 e-book available at Musa Publishing, BN.com and Amazon.

Amazon Reviewers:

"This story was simply brilliant. All of the ingredients of a fantastic read were there–fast pacing, clever writing, high-stakes, and heavy on the occult and paranormal…" – Michelle

"Mrs. Cruikshank is an absolutely gruesome character, and Fabian is beyond funny. The combination of horror and comedy gave me several laugh out loud moments and quite a few more involuntary smiles as I read." – Aimee

"There is a definite feel that Millie has many more adventures in her future, and I can see this story spawning something of a series similar to The Dresden Files or Supernatural. I hope the author, Amaleen Ison, explores her further." – R.C.

To follow Amaleen Ison, visit her blog www.amaleenison.com, Twitter @AmaleenIson, or visit her on Facebook.

Minna & The Valentine on Sale Now

Psst…I LOVE a bargain, don't you?

Smashwords is having a sale through March 10th.  Right now you can download Minna & The Valentine for 50% off!

 

Back Cover:

Minna has a secret.  Her father, ex-dragon jockey Wynn Westerfield, will forever hold a grudge against wizards.  Because it was a wizard who caused his career-ending accident, Minna struggles to hide her incredible magical powers from him…and from the world.

Evan Valentine has attended a prestigious magical academy on scholarship, although he's managed to conceal that fact from everyone. He's on the fast track to success with his apprenticeship to wizard Thaddeus Bartholomew, and Evan's carefully constructed life doesn't include a certain beautiful girl whose powers rival his own.

Although Minna and Evan don't realize it yet, their destinies have been intertwined for years. When a threat arises, Minna and Evan must travel to another reality to retrieve a dangerous magical artifact.  Can Minna and Evan learn to work together, despite their mutual mistrust? Or will their explosive romantic attraction lead to disaster?

Excerpt:

As he hung his coat on the closest hook within reach, Minna couldn't help but admire Evan's broad shoulders and slim hips. Her reflection in the window, on the other hand, reminded her that her long curly hair was twisted up in a sloppy topknot held in place by a pencil, and she wasn't wearing any makeup. Her color rose.

"What brings you out in this storm?" she asked.

"Oh, um, I came to see Cardinal Hollow. It's a charming town."

"You picked a bad day for sightseeing."

"As it turns out."

The wizard's blue eyes twinkled in her direction, and Minna gulped. She ladled the hot chocolate into mugs and emptied a small tin of cookies onto a plate, trying to steady the trembling of her hands. Evan reached for the tray. "Here, let me get that."

Minna led the way into the living room, where a blazing glow now lit the fireplace—without the benefit of fuel.

"A logless fire spell! The only time I've ever seen that done successfully was in Aldesbury." She gave the wizard a delighted smile. "Nice one."

"I'm glad you like it. The secret is to use a containment field."

"But how do you—" She broke off, unwilling to ask too many revealing questions.

Minna curled up in a worn armchair, leaving the sofa to Evan. As the wizard sat facing the fire, the puppy stood on his hind legs and stretched his paws toward the man's knees. Charmed, Evan chuckled and lifted the dog into his lap.

Lucky dog, Minna thought, sipping her hot chocolate.