Suzanne G. Rogers's Blog, page 60

Beware the Gnoamian Imps

 

The Last Great Wizard of Yden

Excerpt:

Ylan Bay fishermen moved to lash down their vessels in the face of gathering storm clouds. The eldest one pointed at the four dark strands swirling into one large mass overhead.

"Something unnatural is astir!" he screamed.

The mass dipped down toward Ylan, as if the heavens had opened and poured out a bucket of black, clotted blood. When the leading edge swooped near the ground, villagers recognized the Imps. People shrieked and ran for cover. Puledens pulled free of their tethers and bolted in every direction.

The Imps veered away from the village at the last moment and headed out to sea. The trailing edge of the flock split off to descend upon a lone, terrified puleden. As the Imps dipped down to feed, they lifted the beast off the ground with their ferocity. In the next instant, the puleden skeleton clattered to the street, picked clean, and the Imps sped up to catch their brethren.

 

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 has been nominated for book-of-the-month at iBookBuzz.com.  To cast your vote before March 14th, go HERE, and I thank you for your support.

~ S.G. Rogers

 

Fantastic Creatures and the Authors Who Love Them

Do you like goulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beaties?  Yeah, me too.  I'm at Flight of the Dragon with author Ciara Ballintyne, talking about "Things That Go Bump."  If you enjoy imaginary creatures, or have thought about writing them, this one's for you.

~ S.G. Rogers

Journey to the Uncharted Region

While writing my latest romantic fantasy, Clash of Wills, I traveled to the magical Uncharted Region to do research. After my eventful and sometimes harrowing journey, I managed to smuggle out a few photos.  I'm at One Writer's Way, sharing my travelogue with author Beth Trissel.  Won't you join us?

~ S.G. Rogers

 

iBookBuzz Nominee!

My YA fantasy adventure, The Last Great Wizard of Yden has been nominated for book of the month at iBookBuzz.com! I respectfully ask for your vote to help Yden come in FIRST. If you go HERE between now and March 14th, you can cast your vote. I thank you for your support.

~ S.G. Rogers

Leap Into Books

Welcome to the Leap Into Books Giveaway at Child of Yden!

I have a special gift for you… on Wednesday, February 29th ONLY, the ebook version of The Last Great Wizard of Yden is FREE! Just go to the Astraea Press blogsite for the secret code that will allow you to download Yden from Smashwords.  If you enjoy it, PLEASE leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

And now, I'm pleased to present my latest romantic fantasy, Clash of Wills:

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 available LEAP Day from The Wild Rose Press and other fine online bookstores.

To win YOUR CHOICE of either a paperback copy of The Last Great Wizard of Yden; OR a copy of Minna & The Valentine, The Magical Misperception of Meridian, or Clash of Wills in e-book format, please do just ONE of the following:

1) Follow my blog (button is upper left hand side of the screen); OR

2) Vote for The Last Great Wizard of Yden for book-of-the-month at iBookBuzz!

If you do ONE OF THE ABOVE (& leave a comment below to tell me you were here) you'll be entered to win! I'll contact the winner after the blog hop ends to find out which prize you'd like.

Thank you for stopping by Child of Yden!  To return to the linky list go HERE.

Long and Winding Road

So one morning I woke up and decided to write a romantic fantasy.  I sold my first manuscript to a well-established romance publisher and Clash of Wills is coming out on Leap Day.

Okay…so that's not exactly how it happened.  Clash of Wills IS being released on Leap Day, but my journey down the long and winding road that is romantic fantasy was NOT accompanied by Paul McCartney ballads. You could say I was clueless.

Come read about it over at TBR.

~ S.G. Rogers

 

Oh, Pixie Dust

MINNA & THE VALENTINE

Excerpt:

Not altogether certain how to dress for adventure, Minna wore a feminine blouse tucked into her best pair of jeans. She'd often been told the lilac color of the blouse made the most of her hazel eyes and rich brown hair. Although she usually wore her hair back in a ponytail, it now flowed around her shoulders. Her bag was packed, waiting by the door, and she'd fashioned a box for Beast. Several times that morning she'd crossed to the windows to peek outside for visitors.

Her heart leaped into her throat as footsteps crossed the porch. Before she could take a step, a key turned in the lock, and the front door opened.

"Good morning, Minna," her father called out in his booming voice.

"Oh, pixie dust!" she moaned.

Her father ducked slightly to clear the kitchen doorframe. At six feet and four inches, stooping under doorways had become a habit for the ex–dragon jockey. Still shockingly handsome in middle age, women usually dissolved into inanity at the sight of Wynn Westerfield. But Minna never thought she'd be one of them.

"You're home early, Dad. Um…" her voice trailed off. "Morning."

"The convention was a bust, so I cut out after my speech last night. I drove all night through a spectacular lighting storm."

"Yes, there was a little lightning here too."

Using his good arm, Wynn slid his duffle bag off his shoulder and lowered it to the floor. As Beast scampered around his feet, Minna's father gaped in surprise. "You got a dog!"

"Ah, well, you know…you're gone so much these days, I thought Beast would keep me company."

Maybe I can sneak out and meet Thaddeus and Evan at the Cardinal Hollow Inn, she thought.

"A dog is not a bad idea," Wynn said. "They make great burglar alarms." He chuckled at the enthusiastic and wet greeting the furry creature gave him. "You named him Beast?"

"It seemed appropriate. Want some toast or coffee?"

"I got breakfast on the road, thanks."

A woodpecker banged on the side of the house. Minna jumped in response. Wynn peered at his daughter. "Why are you so nervous?"

Minna cleared her throat. "Uh, I'm waiting for some friends."

He took in her appearance. "You look very nice. Does one of your friends happen to be a boy?"

"Er, actually—"

A knock came on the front door. Minna blanched. "I'll get it."

Minna thought she could keep her wizard powers a secret until handsome Evan Valentine arrives to spoil everything…or does he?

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 – a romantic fantasy novella available at Amazon, BN.com and everywhere e-books are sold.

What Amazon reviewers are saying:

"I loved the twists and surprises. Ms. Rogers is an expert storyteller who brings her characters to life and places them in amazing settings and unusual situations."

"My favorite thing about S. G. Rogers books are the worlds she builds! Minna and the Valentine sets before us a world with elements of modern life with fun, free-wheeling magic and dragon riding tossed in. It's a really fresh setting for this sweet YAish romance."

"I was enthralled by the wizard elements in this story, the lovely descriptions of special magical" effects and the charming heroine. It's a fast read, enjoyable and I wanted MORE of everything!"

Pretty girl: © Mnogosmyslov Aleksey | Dreamstime.com

Puppy: © Cynoclub | Dreamstime.com

Fresh Fairytale. Timeless Romance.

The Magical Misperception of Meridian

Excerpt:

On the final day of the term, a fancy horse-drawn carriage waited in front of school, flying the royal flag of Meridian. Rumors and speculation about an illustrious visitor ran rampant through the school halls. Just after the beginning bell rang, however, Jona was called to the office of the headmaster, Mr. Widgette. The blood left her face, and rightly so. Getting that sort of summons was never a good sign.

"What did you do?" Fiona whispered, but Jona had no reply.

Many of her schoolmates gave her a sympathetic smile as she left the classroom, but Quinton smirked. Jona smirked back. With an air of resignation, she trudged down the hall to meet her doom. She'd only been called to the headmaster's office once before, when she'd accidentally poured ink down Chet Bettle's pants for calling Holly stuck up. If she'd somehow managed to get expelled on the last day of school, her mother was not going to be pleased.

Upon entering Mr. Widgette's office, Jona saw a strange little man sitting in a chair, dressed in an expensive suit. The headmaster rose from behind his desk.

"This is Mr. Phipps, Queen Gaia's representative," he said, without ceremony.

Proper etiquette demanded she acknowledge the man in some fashion, so Jona gave him a wobbling curtsy. Then, feeling foolish, she wondered if she ought to have offered him her hand instead.

"Jona, Mr. Phipps wishes to have a word with you," Mr. Widgette said.

In the silence that followed, Jona waited for someone to start laughing and let her in on the joke, but nobody did.

"Miss Haever, Queen Gaia would consider it a personal favor if you would live at the castle for the summer and assist her in a matter of some delicacy. In return, you would be paid a salary, and your parents' tea shop would be awarded the royal Seal of Approval," Mr. Phipps said.

A relieved grin spread across Jona's features. "That's very generous, sir, but I think you must be looking for my sister, Holly. I'll go fetch her if you'd like."

"We are most definitely looking for you, Miss Jona Haever," Mr. Phipps said. "Mr. Widgette has agreed to release you from school this morning. If you would be so kind as to accompany me, we will drive to the Haever Tea Shop and discuss the matter with your parents."

Romantic fantasy novelette available at Amazon & MuseItUp Publishing

Fair Lady of the Waterfall

"How can we break the Guardian's spell?" Jon asked Dorsit.

"I'm not certain," Dorsit replied. "But—"

"Terrific," Fred interrupted. "So we're stuck." He waved to get Lialia's attention. "Look, honey, what'll it take to get the door open? Money? Jewelry? I'm sure JonBoy here will be happy to conjure you up a Porsche if you want."

Lialia examined her manicure, bored.

"A poem may be the key," Dorsit said. "It's called Fair Lady of the Waterfall, and I think it must refer to Lialia."

"Oh, no," Fred moaned. "If you start with the poetry I'm gonna throw myself down that hole, guaranteed."

"Hush," Brett said as she smacked Fred on the arm. "How does it go, Dorsit?"

Dorsit recited the poem:

"Fair Lady of the Waterfall,

 Was stole away by Blackest Knight,

 Her heart this Knave he did Enthrall,

 Forever Cloistered far from Light."

"The Rosebud may return to Flower,

 Young Champion of Fire and Claw,

 With Truest Love and Hell-born Power,

 From Driest Rock her Essence Draw."

As Dorsit finished speaking, Lialia burst into tears.

"Okay," Fred groaned. "I'm jumping into the pit now."

(Excerpt, The Last Great Wizard of Yden)

~ S.G. Rogers

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

Now available in paperback and e-book at Amazon, BN.com, Astraea Press

Delicious Anticipation

Sarah Grimm has graciously allowed me on her blog today to write a guest post about the delicious anticipation of romance.  Is it better to have your cake or to eat it?  I explore that question as it relates to my upcoming romantic fantasy release Clash of Wills.  I invite you to stop in and tickle your tastebuds. ~ S.G. Rogers

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake: © Eugene Bochkarev | Dreamstime.com