Bertena Varney's Blog, page 4

Beginning of Arrogance A Paladin’s Journey Book One Bryan Cole

 

Beginning of ArroganceA Paladin’s JourneyBook OneBryan Cole
Genre: FantasyPublisher: Fat Paladin IncorporatedDate of Publication: June 30th, 2022ISBN: 9780228868682ASIN: B0B5JJ338KNumber of pages: 410Word Count: 125,476Cover Artist: Vilenko Vujicevic
Tagline: Paladins are nothing but trouble
Book Description:
Paladins are nothing but trouble. Stories about paladins are everywhere, noble warriors riding magic steeds into battle against terrible foes. Champions of their gods. Heroes to everyone, except those who already have everything. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don't worship their deity.
So when Krell is called to service by the capricious god of the seas and skies, ReckNor, those with wealth and power can't help but be concerned. ReckNor hasn't called a paladin in years, and his nature is ever-changing and erratic. The fact that Krell is also an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea turns their concerns into fear.
All of which matters less than the threat clawing its way from the waves, ready to turn the ocean red with spilled blood...

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Excerpt:

Gerrard fellback and walked beside Krell for a moment.

“So, Krell, howdo you know about the Forge Father and all that? Never heard you say anythinglike that before, you know?” Gerrard smiled up at him.

Krell laughed.“It’s true enough, Gerrard, that my education could best be described aslacking. Most people say I don’t know anything. I grew up alone, you see, sonobody taught me anything useful. I had to learn it all myself.”

Gerrard lookedat him questioningly. “Alone how? I can’t see humans, even as insane as theyoften are, abandoning a youngling to grow up alone.”

“Oh, I had afamily. Still might, somewhere, maybe. But I was lost at sea when I was young.Not sure how young. Washed up on an island somewhere and spent a bunch of yearssurviving.” Krell looked up at the sky. “My memories there are… poor. Can’tremember much, but I remember the cold, the loneliness, and the hunger. Thosestand out in my mind.” Krell shook his head and frowned.

“Olgar taught mebasically everything I know, aside from how to survive alone. Whateverknowledge I have is thanks to him, and one thing he made sure I knew well waswho all the gods and their followers are. Paladins apparently spend a lot oftime in conflict with faiths other than their own.”

“Ah,” said Gerrard,nodding in agreement.

Krell shruggedand looked back at Gerrard. “Whatever else I am, Gerrard, I’m a survivor. Maybethat’s why ReckNor chose me to be a paladin. Maybe he wrecked the ship onpurpose to see if I had what it took. Maybe he didn’t. Either way, I hear thecall. My blade is in his service, my will is his will. His voice thunders in myhead, making his will known to me.”

“Wow. You know,Kraven’s right, you are intense!” Gerrard walked along in silence for a fewminutes next to him. Then he turned and said, “That sounds really hard, havinganother voice in your head all the time.”

Krell laughed.“Nah, it’s really easy. When he tells me something, I do it. When he doesn’tsay anything, I do whatever I want.”

Gerrard frowned.“I thought paladins had all sorts of rules they had to follow.”

Krell grinned athim. “You’re thinking of followers of Hieron the Honorable, lord of justice.There’s a big temple of his in Heaford, just up the coast, where the duke holdscourt. I’ve never met one of his followers, but apparently he loves callingpaladins, and they’re pretty common in that faith. Most paladin stories areabout paladins of Hieron.”

“Not common inReckNor’s faith, though?”

“Not remotely.Apparently, Olgar can’t remember the last time ReckNor called one. He’s… well,most people think he’s insane, and that if you don’t appease him, he’ll destroyyou. A cult of sailors and the mad. That he’s temperamental enough that even ifyou appease him, he still might destroy you. Which is all… somewhat true, I’dsay.”

Ahead, Tristanlaughed. “You’re telling me you think your god is insane?”

Krell shook hishead. “No, but temperamental? Absolutely. Appease him or else, which is how hisfaith works. Sailors and those who live and work on the sea pay homage, thoughfor many, it is out of fear. He’s often thought of as a survival-of-the-fittestsort of god.”

Krell noticedthey were all looking at him now. Orca looked unhappy, Kraven appeared to becontrolling his laughter, and Tristan and Gerrard were looking at him like hewas dangerous.

“So… what doesReckNor teach, then?” asked Gerrard. Krell thought about it, and Tristan lookedlike he was dreading an explanation. Better to keep things simple for now, hethought.

“Basically twothings. The first is that the seas and skies are his, so make offerings whenyou use them and he’s happy. The second is that he takes joy in the freedom ofchoice.” Krell went silent, and they walked on for a few moments before anyonesaid anything.

“I thought youwere going to drone on incessantly about your god and how great he is all thetime,” said Tristan. Krell looked at him and smiled.

“I’m a paladin.If you want that, go talk to Olgar. I’m here to show the faith of ReckNorthrough action, not through words.” Thunder rumbled in the distance as if oncue, adding ominous weight to his words.

Gerrard snorted.“Did ReckNor just add some thunder in the background to make you sound moreintimidating or dramatic or something?”

Kraven laughed, and Krell joined him. Orca said,“That’s ridiculous!” at the same time Krell said, “Probably!”

About the Author:
Bryan Cole is the author of the Paladin’s Journey series. New to the writing world, he spent years working in the enterprise software space, focused on quality assurance and delivery of software applications. Which is weird, because that has nothing to do with writing fiction.
For that, we need to go back – way back – to his first experience with Dungeons and Dragons. His friend Chris brought over the box set for Myth Drannor, eager to play. Together, they realized they had no idea what they were doing, because neither of them owned a copy of the Players Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, or the Monster Manual.
From those incredibly awkward beginnings, a lifelong passion for epic science fiction and high fantasy adventure was born. Everything from his grade 4 teacher letting him stay after school to play a video game where you were the wizard on a quest, defeating monsters by answering math problems, to some truly memorable movies like Willow that showed him a world bigger and more exciting than the real one.
Of course, Star Wars and Star Trek have had a major influence on him. Want to get in good with Bryan? Lead with a Star Wars meme.
From one of the good movies. Otherwise, your plan will backfire.
Bryan is also an avid gamer, and enjoys video games, board games, and tabletop roleplaying games.
These days, he lives in Toronto with his wife and daughter, and his adorable cat.
https://fatpaladin.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/FatPaladin
https://www.instagram.com/fatpaladinbooks/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61405844/

Obedience Ties That Bind Series Book One Liza Snow

 

ObedienceTies That Bind SeriesBook OneLiza Snow
Genre: Romantic SuspenseDate of Publication: April 4th 2023ASIN: B0BXJZFW6SNumber of pages: 617 pagesWord Count: 155000Cover Artist: MiblArt
Tagline: He’d searched a lifetime for the perfect student. She’d always dreamed he'd be her teacher. Together they’ll soar in the silks.
Book Description: 
Cassandra
Growing up, I was mesmerized by a man soaring the skies.
The greatest silk aerialist in the world, Chandler Moreau.
He was once my lifeline, the dream I clung to after my parents died. I’ve always believed he was my destiny. To join him at the Dreamers Academy. To perform for him.
To soar with him.
He’s more than I ever imagined. Far more than a mentor. When I am high in the silks, turning, flying, falling, he’s my lifeline once again. Twisting my heart and my body into knots like the knots of his beloved Japanese rope bondage, Shibari.
I don’t want to live without him. With each lesson, each touch, I crave more. Only he can satisfy me. And only he can destroy me…
But I must keep him safe from the past that relentlessly follows me.
Chandler
She is my protégé, the student I’ve been waiting to take under my wing for my entire career. Someone with whom I could share my lifelong journey in my family’s circus, Cirque du Lys.
I never intended to fall in love with the student I was supposed to protect—from myself and the demons that lurk in my shadows. But sometimes fate has other plans.
Cassandra, my beautiful butterfly. I know she’s off limits. Forbidden. Still, I want her in my life. My heart. My bed.
My grandfather's taunting words still linger.
Mieux vaut plier que rompre.
Adapt and survive.
It’s what we must do. Cassandra and I share a history that entwines us more than the silks we’ve spent our lives mastering ever could.
There are secrets from the past that must never be told. And truths that could destroy what we’ve just begun…
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/6oKPIEIwyAk 
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JBCeaA 


More to Love
In addition to the paperback, Obedience is also available in a full-cast narrated audiobook, starring Daniel Zbel and Rapunzaroo, along with a cast of additional voiceover actresses. 
Brought to life in the way the story is meant to be told, and it will be the best audiobook you listen to this year—possibly for a very long time.
You’ll love listening to the two voices of these iconic characters. And don’t forget to read along with them and enjoy a fantastic, immersive experience. You’ll need the paperback copy to fan yourself off from some of the narration!
Listen to An Audio Excerpt Here:  https://bit.ly/3yzdb1t

Excerpt:

I hadn’t neededto prompt her. She began, pulling herself upward, drawing those silks aroundher small frame as she went. Climbing high into the air as the two women begantheir duet. The French lyrics pulled me in every time. It was perhaps one ofthe reasons that while I simply tolerated most opera songs I’d heard, I adoredthis song.

Every time Iheard it, every time I got lost in those little nuances of the language, itbrought me back to summertime in Melun, France. Playing on the hillsoverlooking the city, lost in the grasses filled with wildflowers. Climbinginto Meme’s apple trees. Perhaps the time in my life when it had felt sosimple. All there were, were the memories of when I’d been happy.

And if there wasany place I wanted to be, as I watched Cassandra ascending above me, knowing inseconds I would be right beside her, it was in those memories again. Bringingher with me.

The first stanzafinished, and my mind immediately centered. My hands had already been wrappedin the silks without having to think about it. She paused, and I saw herattention drift downward. We fell captive to one another, and it was all Ineeded to see. I knew it was my turn to go to her. She was waiting for me.

In the samefashion she had moments earlier, I began my way up the silks beside hers, whichhad been a deep royal purple color. The entire time I made my way high into theroom, I immersed myself in the French lyrics, the strings complimenting everyrise and fall of the two women’s voices. Some moments, I’d lose myself in what Iwas doing, taking careful note of all the little adjustments my body wasmaking. Other times, my attention drifted upward. Until finally, I was justbeneath Cassandra.

When I pausedagain, I took a few deep breaths, steadying myself. Focused entirely on thebeautiful woman above me, who was just as attentive to me. I nodded to her,signaling I was ready, prepared to follow her in whatever she had thought to donext.

At the precisemoment when I had met her, she had already begun moving herself into a sailorpose above me, legs splitting, and much to my satisfaction, every single partof her in perfect position. All the small details I’d shown her the firstlesson we’d had together were as pristine as when I’d helped her myself.

I would havetaken more time to truly enjoy how proud of her I felt if she hadn’t twisteddownward, dropping her torso straight toward me in a graceful fall. Beforeshe’d completed it, I knew what she’d done. A Rainbow Marchenko. A famous moveof Jeanne’s for many years. But watching her as she settled into it, I would havethought it was hers alone.

Cassandra’shands dropped, releasing the silks. Dangling inches away. The only thingholding her in the air was the precise folds of those green fabrics wrapped aroundher legs.

Looking into hereyes as she hung there, waiting for me to act, all I could do was smile. She’dbeen focused, lost in her own world, but she’d come back to me. We weretogether again in the very place I had wanted to be with her ever since I’dseen her flying through the silks at her audition. I had dreamt about it everytime since, every lesson we had, every time I’d watched her from the shadows ofthe theater while she practiced.

I had taken herto those fields in Melun with me, high in the trees. Trapped us both in thosetreasured memories, made all the better knowing she was there.

“I’ve got you,Cassandra,” I called out to her, gently. Steadying myself, my body locked inplace. Breathing slow and rhythmic and calm. I watched her take the same breathas I had, waiting for the little drop in the lyrics before the next few linesbegan.

The moment theirvoices bellowed into the theater again, she let herself drop in a salto. In agentle sweep of my body, I caught her gracefully into my arms. Twisted ustogether, letting the silks take hold of the two of us as we swung across theroom, dozens of feet above the stage below us. Falling like two feathers lockedtogether, dancing into the wind.

When the fabricsreleased us, I swung us outward. Our bodies drifted apart again as she spunaround me, both of us still descending toward the floor. As beautiful as shelooked, circling outward away from me, the moment she had, I wanted her back. Iused my legs to give myself enough momentum to swing forward, latching on againonce she’d appeared.

Cassandra hadbeen so close I’d felt her breath against my face while we dangled above thestage. I got lost in the way it felt to be tangled up with her, a mess ofbodies and fabric. Consumed by it. Convinced I might never let go of her again.

As we’dtraversed the rest of the way back to the stage, I didn’t. The two of usdescended together as a singular unit, just her and I and the fabrics.Improvising the graceful fall we were doing, finding little tricks and motionsto carry out, all the while never leaving her side.

We’d bothreached the floor, perfectly in sync with one another. I heard a gentle thumpas we landed. Followed by the sound of both of our light, audible breaths.Steadying ourselves back on the ground.

Even having leftthe air, the silks still wrapped around us. Neither of us had freed ourselves.Cassandra was still in my arms, something I realized, when I hadn’t been socaught up in what we were doing all those feet above us, was happening for thevery first time.

The sweet smellof oranges overwhelmed me. Her beautiful hazel eyes, those captivating flecksof grays and greens and browns, drowned out the world around us. I watched herbreathing softly, holding her to me and those silks holding me to her.

And in thosenext few moments, every single solitary thing keeping me from her since the daywe had met no longer existed in the little reality we were trapped in. Everyfear I had, every reservation, disappeared. I tightened her to me, my handscapturing the sides of her face in a gentle sweep, as elegant as every otherthing we’d done those last few minutes.

Our mouths felltogether, and I lost myself in her. Trapped in those profound and sounbelievably relieving seconds in which the things that had stood in our way nolonger mattered.

I hadn’t thoughtanything could have surpassed the experience the two of us just shared.

Undeniably, it had been the best minutes I hadever spent in those silks in my entire career. As simple as it had been. And wehad barely started. This was only the beginning.

But this moment now was just as wonderful. As perfect as I could have hoped.

About the Author:
A bestselling independent author from Florida, Liza has been putting romance books into her readers hands for over a half decade and has loved every minute of it.
Liza lives with her husband, her two dogs and her cat, ten minutes from the beach. When she isn't writing, you can often find her walking and enjoying outside, with a coffee and a book in hand. 
Website: http://www.lizasnowauthor.com 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lizasnowauthor   
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lizasnowauthor 
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/3yBrJhm 




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Obedience Ties That Bind Series Book One Liza Snow

 

ObedienceTies That Bind SeriesBook OneLiza Snow
Genre: Romantic SuspenseDate of Publication: April 4th 2023ASIN: B0BXJZFW6SNumber of pages: 617 pagesWord Count: 155000Cover Artist: MiblArt
Tagline: He’d searched a lifetime for the perfect student. She’d always dreamed he be her teacher. Together they’ll soar in the silks.
Book Description: 
Cassandra
Growing up, I was mesmerized by a man soaring the skies.
The greatest silk aerialist in the world, Chandler Moreau.
He was once my lifeline, the dream I clung to after my parents died. I’ve always believed he was my destiny. To join him at the Dreamers Academy. To perform for him.
To soar with him.
He’s more than I ever imagined. Far more than a mentor. When I am high in the silks, turning, flying, falling, he’s my lifeline once again. Twisting my heart and my body into knots like the knots of his beloved Japanese rope bondage, Shibari.
I don’t want to live without him. With each lesson, each touch, I crave more. Only he can satisfy me. And only he can destroy me…
But I must keep him safe from the past that relentlessly follows me.
Chandler
She is my protégé, the student I’ve been waiting to take under my wing for my entire career. Someone with whom I could share my lifelong journey in my family’s circus, Cirque du Lys.
I never intended to fall in love with the student I was supposed to protect—from myself and the demons that lurk in my shadows. But sometimes fate has other plans.
Cassandra, my beautiful butterfly. I know she’s off limits. Forbidden. Still, I want her in my life. My heart. My bed.
My grandfather's taunting words still linger.
Mieux vaut plier que rompre.
Adapt and survive.
It’s what we must do. Cassandra and I share a history that entwines us more than the silks we’ve spent our lives mastering ever could.
There are secrets from the past that must never be told. And truths that could destroy what we’ve just begun…
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/6oKPIEIwyAk 
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JBCeaA 


More to Love
In addition to the paperback, Obedience is also available in a full-cast narrated audiobook, starring Daniel Zbel and Rapunzaroo, along with a cast of additional voiceover actresses. 
Brought to life in the way the story is meant to be told, and it will be the best audiobook you listen to this year—possibly for a very long time.
You’ll love listening to the two voices of these iconic characters. And don’t forget to read along with them and enjoy a fantastic, immersive experience. You’ll need the paperback copy to fan yourself off from some of the narration!
Listen to An Audio Excerpt Here:  https://bit.ly/3yzdb1t

Excerpt:

I hadn’t neededto prompt her. She began, pulling herself upward, drawing those silks aroundher small frame as she went. Climbing high into the air as the two women begantheir duet. The French lyrics pulled me in every time. It was perhaps one ofthe reasons that while I simply tolerated most opera songs I’d heard, I adoredthis song.

Every time Iheard it, every time I got lost in those little nuances of the language, itbrought me back to summertime in Melun, France. Playing on the hillsoverlooking the city, lost in the grasses filled with wildflowers. Climbinginto Meme’s apple trees. Perhaps the time in my life when it had felt sosimple. All there were, were the memories of when I’d been happy.

And if there wasany place I wanted to be, as I watched Cassandra ascending above me, knowing inseconds I would be right beside her, it was in those memories again. Bringingher with me.

The first stanzafinished, and my mind immediately centered. My hands had already been wrappedin the silks without having to think about it. She paused, and I saw herattention drift downward. We fell captive to one another, and it was all Ineeded to see. I knew it was my turn to go to her. She was waiting for me.

In the samefashion she had moments earlier, I began my way up the silks beside hers, whichhad been a deep royal purple color. The entire time I made my way high into theroom, I immersed myself in the French lyrics, the strings complimenting everyrise and fall of the two women’s voices. Some moments, I’d lose myself in what Iwas doing, taking careful note of all the little adjustments my body wasmaking. Other times, my attention drifted upward. Until finally, I was justbeneath Cassandra.

When I pausedagain, I took a few deep breaths, steadying myself. Focused entirely on thebeautiful woman above me, who was just as attentive to me. I nodded to her,signaling I was ready, prepared to follow her in whatever she had thought to donext.

At the precisemoment when I had met her, she had already begun moving herself into a sailorpose above me, legs splitting, and much to my satisfaction, every single partof her in perfect position. All the small details I’d shown her the firstlesson we’d had together were as pristine as when I’d helped her myself.

I would havetaken more time to truly enjoy how proud of her I felt if she hadn’t twisteddownward, dropping her torso straight toward me in a graceful fall. Beforeshe’d completed it, I knew what she’d done. A Rainbow Marchenko. A famous moveof Jeanne’s for many years. But watching her as she settled into it, I would havethought it was hers alone.

Cassandra’shands dropped, releasing the silks. Dangling inches away. The only thingholding her in the air was the precise folds of those green fabrics wrapped aroundher legs.

Looking into hereyes as she hung there, waiting for me to act, all I could do was smile. She’dbeen focused, lost in her own world, but she’d come back to me. We weretogether again in the very place I had wanted to be with her ever since I’dseen her flying through the silks at her audition. I had dreamt about it everytime since, every lesson we had, every time I’d watched her from the shadows ofthe theater while she practiced.

I had taken herto those fields in Melun with me, high in the trees. Trapped us both in thosetreasured memories, made all the better knowing she was there.

“I’ve got you,Cassandra,” I called out to her, gently. Steadying myself, my body locked inplace. Breathing slow and rhythmic and calm. I watched her take the same breathas I had, waiting for the little drop in the lyrics before the next few linesbegan.

The moment theirvoices bellowed into the theater again, she let herself drop in a salto. In agentle sweep of my body, I caught her gracefully into my arms. Twisted ustogether, letting the silks take hold of the two of us as we swung across theroom, dozens of feet above the stage below us. Falling like two feathers lockedtogether, dancing into the wind.

When the fabricsreleased us, I swung us outward. Our bodies drifted apart again as she spunaround me, both of us still descending toward the floor. As beautiful as shelooked, circling outward away from me, the moment she had, I wanted her back. Iused my legs to give myself enough momentum to swing forward, latching on againonce she’d appeared.

Cassandra hadbeen so close I’d felt her breath against my face while we dangled above thestage. I got lost in the way it felt to be tangled up with her, a mess ofbodies and fabric. Consumed by it. Convinced I might never let go of her again.

As we’dtraversed the rest of the way back to the stage, I didn’t. The two of usdescended together as a singular unit, just her and I and the fabrics.Improvising the graceful fall we were doing, finding little tricks and motionsto carry out, all the while never leaving her side.

We’d bothreached the floor, perfectly in sync with one another. I heard a gentle thumpas we landed. Followed by the sound of both of our light, audible breaths.Steadying ourselves back on the ground.

Even having leftthe air, the silks still wrapped around us. Neither of us had freed ourselves.Cassandra was still in my arms, something I realized, when I hadn’t been socaught up in what we were doing all those feet above us, was happening for thevery first time.

The sweet smellof oranges overwhelmed me. Her beautiful hazel eyes, those captivating flecksof grays and greens and browns, drowned out the world around us. I watched herbreathing softly, holding her to me and those silks holding me to her.

And in thosenext few moments, every single solitary thing keeping me from her since the daywe had met no longer existed in the little reality we were trapped in. Everyfear I had, every reservation, disappeared. I tightened her to me, my handscapturing the sides of her face in a gentle sweep, as elegant as every otherthing we’d done those last few minutes.

Our mouths felltogether, and I lost myself in her. Trapped in those profound and sounbelievably relieving seconds in which the things that had stood in our way nolonger mattered.

I hadn’t thoughtanything could have surpassed the experience the two of us just shared.

Undeniably, it had been the best minutes I hadever spent in those silks in my entire career. As simple as it had been. And wehad barely started. This was only the beginning.

But this moment now was just as wonderful. As perfect as I could have hoped.

About the Author:
A bestselling independent author from Florida, Liza has been putting romance books into her readers hands for over a half decade and has loved every minute of it.
Liza lives with her husband, her two dogs and her cat, ten minutes from the beach. When she isn't writing, you can often find her walking and enjoying outside, with a coffee and a book in hand. 
Website: http://www.lizasnowauthor.com 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lizasnowauthor   
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lizasnowauthor 
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/3yBrJhm 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tyranny of the Fey

 

Tyrannyof the Fey
Terry Bartley

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Starlight King Press
Date of Publication: 8/15/2023
ISBN: 979-8-9877958-1-1
ASIN: B0BV77GJCJ
Number of pages: 242
Word Count: 50,334
Cover Artist: Deryl Arrazaq

Tagline: Adventure Waits for No One

Book Description:

 

A collection ofshort stories in a connected fantasy world

                              
A famed Elven researcher is worried about her home. When she discovers a newrealm with massive magic potential, she believes she has found the answer. Willthe Seasonal Fey Courts allow her to continue her research withoutinterference, or do they have more nefarious plans?

An Elven princess runs away from her arranged marriage to a parallel world.Will she be able to find the adventure she seeks? While she is in search ofbattles with dragons and quests to obtain sacred artifacts, she finds that whatshe was looking for may have been a true connection with someone thatunderstands her.

Two childhood friends, an Orc and a Goblin, have long dreamed of adventure.When a magic school dropout stumbles into their lives, they jump at the chanceto realize their ambitions. This found family realizes the world of Galevyn isa much bigger place than the jungle they grew up in.

Amazon     Books2Read

 

 

Excerpt

 

“Nice moves,” Aunt Poppy said.  Sweat wasbeginning to gather on her brow. Her sandy short-cropped hair glistened in thesunlight. “You must have been practicing while I was away.”

She raised her short sword to guard her face and torsoand backed away from me. She certainly looked less intimidating in her formalpantsuit, but the shirt still strained from her hulking arm muscles.

“Something like that,” I replied. I didn’t exactlyhave fighting clothes, as my mother didn’t approve of this hobby. But my old,beat up riding clothes worked well enough. “Or you’re just getting old.”

I took a deep breath and flung my head to toss my darkblack ponytail around to my back. I rushed towards her and she swiped her bladein my direction.  At the last moment, I dropped into a crouch and swung myleg around to trip her.  She jumped before I could make contact andflipped forward, over my head.  She lowered the edge of her short sword tomy throat as autumn leaves fell around us.

“Got me again,” I laughed as she pulled her sword awayand offered me her hand.  I happily took it and pulled myself up. Thegarden of the Autumn Maiden’s estate wasn’t meant for this sort of training,but it was always my favorite use of the grounds.

“You truly are getting better,” she repeated.

I pushed some loose hairs behind my ear and smirked.“Still not good enough to beat you.”

“Please girl, I have been adventuring for over acentury now.  You are barely within your second decade,” Aunt Poppyreassured.

“I just really wanted to beat you before . . . . Well, you know,” I admitted.

“Asha,” she began sympathetically, “just becauseyou’re getting married doesn’t mean you need to stop sparring with me.”

“The future Autumn Maiden doesn’t concern herself withthe martial arts,” I said,  pointing a crooked finger at her, mimicking mygrandmother.  I pushed my nose out and opened my eyes a bit wider.

Aunt Poppy laughed. “You better not let her catch youdoing that.  That woman never forgets.  You can trust me on that.”

That made a chill run down my back, remembering allthe times I’d been scolded by my grandmother. It’s not what she says so much ashow she says it. That tone will stick with you.

“But it's more than that, Aunt Poppy.  I don’twant sparring to just be a womanly dalliance for me.  I want to be anadventurer.  I want to be like you!” I exclaimed. I meant it. The princesslife never seemed to fit for me.

“I know,” she said in a consolatory tone.  “Butsometimes we just don’t get to choose our path in life.”

I liked to believe she truly felt things could bedifferent. Why else would she send me such detailed letters of her adventuresall the time? I hoped she might know about a loophole to get me out of this.

“But you did!”

Aunt Poppy sighed. There were some things, it seemed,even great adventurers can’t do. “That’s the blessing of being the second born. I assure you, your father has made sacrifices because of his duty to thefamily. That is just something firstborns get saddled with.”

“It's not fair,” I whined.  I sounded like asmall child. I always made sure to take advantage of my time with my aunt toget in all my overly dramatic complaints that I couldn’t do in front of therest of my family.

“That it is not, Asha.  Life rarely is,” Poppysaid solemnly, turning to look toward the Autumn Maiden’s expansive manorhouse.

“It's just,” I began,  “The way you talk aboutthe material realm makes it sound like there is so much more opportunitythere.”

“It is that,” Aunt Poppy admitted, “but there aretroubles there too.  I’ll be heading back there after tonight’s dinner. Perhaps if you make a good impression your grandmother might let you tagalong.”

I smiled at the thought, even though I knew it was afar-fetched fantasy.

“Asha!  Sister!  It is almost time!” Mysister Tinsley called, running out of the large decorative glass double doors onthe back of the manor house.

“Very well, Tinsley,” I relented and began followingbehind her.

“Eh, not so fast,” Aunt Poppy said.

I looked down and noticed the training sword still inmy hand.  I handed it over.

“I get it,” Aunt Poppy began, “I’ve had more than afew first dates I’d wished I’d brought a weapon along, but it may not offer agood first impression.”

“Probably not,” I laughed.

[image error] About the Author:

Terry Bartley is a journalism, literature, and English teacher at Scott HighSchool and writer of the upcoming collection of short stories, Tyranny of theFey. Terry is the host of the podcast “Most Writers are Fans,” about the intersectionbetween writing and fandom. Terry has professionally written for the CoalValley News and Screenrant. He has won awards for writing and broadcasting fromthe West Virginia Associated Press, the National Broadcasting Society, andMarCom. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Phoenix and an M.A. inEnglish Education from Western Governor’s University.He loves tabletoproleplaying games, social deduction games, reading comics, and watching musicaltelevision shows. He lives in rural West  Virginia with his dog, Etsy.

Webpage: http://www.terrybartley.com

 

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Mid-Flight

 

Mid-FlightLisa Wilkes
Genre: Sci-Fi/Thriller/Romance Publisher: Extasy Books Date of Publication: 03/31/23 ISBN: 978-1-4874-3651-3Number of pages: 270Word Count: 78,451Cover Artist: Extasy Books
Tagline: She failed to save her brother and her best friend from destructive forces. Could she topple the most sinister villain of all time?
Book Description: 
2037 was a really bad year.
Lexi Brennan’s best friend was killed in a plane crash. Two weeks later, an intergalactic crisis threatened the fate of humanity. Authorities responded by launching a genocide.
Lexi opposed this vicious attack. Then again, what could she do? An eccentric flight attendant drawn to glamorous trysts, she felt powerless to incite change. 
Until tragedy struck close to home. Suddenly, Lexi was forced to acknowledge the widespread atrocities. She uncovered a network of lies along with an opportunity to restore basic human rights. To protect others, Lexi would have to launch a movement that could destroy everything important to her, including her promising new romance.

About the Author:
Lisa Wilkes has spent 13 years as a flight attendant, jetting across the globe and collecting inspiration for her writings. Her debut novel, Flight Path, is a fast-paced romance laced with serendipitous encounters. This book follows a daydreaming stewardess as she learns to navigate a new terrain: unconditional love.
In her second novel, Mid-Flight, Lisa transports readers to the year 2038. A flight attendant begins to unravel after her best friend is killed in a plane crash. In the throes of unspeakable grief, she uncovers a political ploy to decimate one-fifth of the population. To combat this sinister plan, she must risk everything. Including her breathtaking new romance.
Lisa’s writing is provocative and timely, with a focus on societal issues and powerful internal conflict. Flight Path’s readers will appreciate Mid-Flight's emphasis on hope and redemption, while newcomers to Lisa’s work will be drawn to the power of her storytelling.
Website: https://www.lisamichellewilkes.com  
Twitter https://twitter.com/Travelisa1984 
Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/lisawilkes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Travelisa1984/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lisa.castignetti 
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19785791.Lisa_Wilkes

North Woods Dani Ripley

 

North WoodsDani Ripley
Genre: Horror, Eco-ApocalypsePublisher: Dani RipleyDate of Publication: Jan. 26, 2023ISBN: 979-8375227313ASIN: B0BT9W7CHLNumber of pages: 337 Word Count: 64,537Cover Artist: Dani Ripley
Tagline: Outrun the horde. Survive the ice.
Book Description:
Post-apocalyptic female buddy-western set against a backdrop of a sudden, cataclysmic ice age.
Hax can barely remember her real name, it's been so long since she's used it. “Hax” is a shortened version of the word Haxa – the Swedish word for witch - a nickname given to her by people afraid of her seemingly supernatural abilities: appearing out of nowhere then disappearing again just as quickly; uncannily accurate weather pattern readings; and extraordinary skill at tracking prey, human or otherwise. Or perhaps it was simply her propensity for sudden and extreme violence.
A natural loner, Hax isn’t bothered so much by the apocalypse as she is by other people. As such, she’s surprised to find herself traveling with a small group after a long solitary stint in the woods, but when a larger, more savage gang threatens her new people, she’s unable to convince the smaller group of the danger. Realizing it’s too late, she abandons them to their fate, but not before one of the younger members, Pip, sees her escape and decides to follow.
After witnessing the brutal slaughter of their fellow travelers, the two strangers set off through an icy northern wilderness to find Pip’s father, whose last known residence is a camp near the oil sands of Alberta, Canada. In order to survive, Hax and Pip will have to find a way to escape the ruthless horde of marauders still stalking them at every turn, as well as withstand extreme cold, starvation, and exhaustion. And above all, they’ll have to learn to trust each other. 
Amazon

Excerpt

In the middle of the night, I awoke to a low growl. Confused, I groggily fought my way up through thick layers of sleep to realize it was Misha. Fully awake now, I shushed him and listened. Faint footfalls crunched outside. Whoever it was, they weren’t on top of us yet, but they weren’t far away.  I shook Pip awake and held a finger to my lips as she blinked up at me. Misha growled again, making Pip sit straight up in her sleeping bag.

“Get the gun,” I whispered. “And hold onto him,” I gestured at Misha, who stared intently at the tent flap. I dug my large hunting knife out of my bag and unsheathed it. “And don’t shoot me,” I added.

“Don’t go out there!” Pip hissed.

“It’ll be ok,” I said. “You remember how to use that, right?”

“Yes, but I still don’t think you should go.”

“It’ll be ok,” I repeated, as much for myself as for her. I unzipped the flap as quietly as I could.

Misha twitched behind me, but Pip held him tightly in the crook of her left arm. In her right hand, she clutched the gun, her finger loosely on the trigger. “Be right back,” I whispered. “If you see anyone who isn’t me, shoot them.” I slipped out before she could answer, leaving the flap open in my wake.

Holding my knife in front of me, I crept away from the tent, every muscle in my body tense with anticipation. The clouds had dissipated, leaving a clear, moonlit night. I didn’t see anyone in the immediate area. Our fire had gone out. I crouched low and made my way around the smoldering pit to the check on the horses.

Dancer huffed and regarded me with huge, calm brown eyes, his scruffy coat in desperate need of brushing. I gave him a good scratch. Blitzen shook her head and whinnied, shoving her nose at me to be stroked too. They didn’t seem upset. Perhaps what we’d heard were simply sounds of the winter forest settling for the night.

Just as I had the thought, a huge arm covered in stinking fur grabbed me around my neck and a grimy hand clamped roughly over my mouth. I sputtered and backed up into what felt like a brick wall. Without thinking, I stomped down hard with my right boot and shoved my butt out as far as I could, surprising him and breaking his hold on me. I whirled around and got low, grunting like an animal and diving for his knees. I didn’t manage to knock him over, but I drove my knife deep into his inner thigh just above his knee. When I heard the solid wet ‘thock’ of its hilt hitting his flesh, I jerked it up all the way up to his groin, severing his femoral artery.

He didn’t so much fall as crumble to a sitting position on the snow. He grabbed at his leg and looked at me. I scuttled backward on my butt like a crab, putting a couple more feet between us even though I was pretty sure he was bleeding out. “Demon,” he hissed. “I know you.” I crept forward again, my bloody knife held before me like an offering. “Get away from me,” he said.“You’re dying,” I said back. “How many of you are there?”

“All of us. We’re coming for you.”

“Yes, but how far away?” I asked, exasperated. We didn’t have time for this. I was absolutely sure he was part of a group.

“We’re everywhere,” he said, fading. The blood beneath him was turning black, growing like a cartoon shadow. “You and your little girlfriend are going to die.”

“Not before you,” I said, rising. I looked around in the gloom. The horses huffed and stomped their feet. Was it possible he’d been alone? Maybe just a scout?

As I turned to go back to the tent a single gunshot shattered the stillness of the night. I broke into a run, skidding through muddy snow, sliding to a stop just beyond the fire pit. A body lay in a heap outside the tent. It was too large to be Pip. Cautiously I approached and leaned over. I could tell it was a man, or formerly a man, but that was all. His face had been completely obliterated from the point-blank shot. I peered into the tent, saw a smoking barrel, and Pip’s pale face beyond. “Are you ok?” I asked her.

“Misha’s gone!” she cried, pushing her way out of the tent. “He ran away when I fired the gun!”

“We’ve got to go, Pip. Others are coming.” I began throwing things into my pack and stuffing them down. Gently I took the gun from Pip. Her hands were shaking.

“We can’t leave Misha!” she yelled at me.

“Pip, we have to go. They’ll kill us, or worse. Get your stuff now!”

She rolled up her sleeping bag quickly and secured it to her pack, zipping up her parka. Mine was already done and strapped to my pack. “I’ll get the horses. You stay here,” I ordered.

About the Author 
Dani Ripley lives in Michigan and loves writing.
https://daniripley.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27332690.Dani_Ripley 

Shifted The Shifted Series Book One Roxanna Mason

 

ShiftedThe Shifted Series Book OneRoxanna Mason
Genre: Paranormal RomanceDate of Publication: 12/18/2022ISBN: 979-8-218-12243-0ASIN: B0BNCBQT61Number of pages: 516Word Count: 109,379
Cover Artist: Benjamin Richard
Book Description:  
Jacey Lange has everything she has ever wanted. She is newly engaged, and her menswear line is one of the fastest-growing in the country. Beautiful, successful, and deeply in love, Jacey feels like she's on top of the world.
That is, until she catches her fiance in bed with her assistant.
Everything around her comes crashing down.
Thankfully, her best friend, Leon, welcomes her back to her old apartment with open arms. The people in Jacey’s life watch for months as she wallows in her misery, until Leon hatches a plan: if Jacey agrees to get herself back out there and promises to go out with the next five guys that ask her, no matter who they are, then not only will he give her the master bedroom in the apartment, but both Leon and Jacey’s sister, Elise, will agree to stop meddling in her love life.
In rapid succession, Jacey finds herself falling for five completely different men. Yet despite all their differences, there is something oddly familiar about each one. When she finds out why, it won't just change the way she feels about love, it will make her question everything she once thought was real.
Amazon      BN

Excerpt:

I didn't know what Owen had in mind, but it was already obvious to me that I would go anywhere this man was leading. He kept his hand in mine as he guided me through the crowded bar and toward the pool tables. Thankfully, because the band was still playing, the back of the bar was far less populated.

"Is playing pool normally part of a first date with you, or are you just trying to get me alone?" I teased.

Owen took a step towards me, pinning me between him and the pool table.

"Both," he said with a smile on his face that I could only describe as wicked.

I tilted my head to the side as I looked up at him. "Let's make it interesting, then."

"Interesting?"

I took a step to the side, sliding out from between him and the ancient wooden table. I grabbed a pool cue off of the rack and tossed it to him before grabbing a decidedly smaller one for myself. "We're going to need more shots," I said to him.

A smile crept over his dark features. "My kind of girl..." he murmured as he lowered his head towards mine.

"Nope, if you want to kiss me, you better plan on winning."

Owen shook his head and left me at the table while I started to rack the balls. A few minutes later, he returned with four shots; two of whiskey, two of tequila. I took one of the shot glasses filled with dark brown liquor straight out of his hand and threw it back. I winced as the alcohol made my throat close in on itself. The truth was, I might have been putting on a show. I enjoyed the way I felt around Owen, but I didn't know if I was as wild as I wanted him to believe.

"So what are the stakes here?" he asked me as he set the remaining shots on a nearby hightop.

"If you win, you get to take me home..." I said in a voice I barely recognized as my own. It was breathy and seductive. Those two shots apparently went to my head faster than I thought.

"And if you win?" Owen asked with a raised brow.

"If I win, I get a second date."

"Who said we can't do both?" he said with a chuckle.

I rolled my eyes. I didn't have this whole impulsive, whiskey-drinking, short skirt-wearing Jacey completely figured out yet.

Owen took a step towards me. He reached for my hips and pulled me toward him. "What do you really want?"

I could feel my pulse banging in my ears, and the loud, crowded bar faded into the background. He reached around my head, threading his fingers into my hair and tugging me towards him. I leaned forward, expecting him to kiss me, but his mouth hovered over mine.

"What do you want?" he asked again.

"You," I said, my voice caught in my throat.

"What was that?" he asked teasingly. His deep voice, vibrating through me.

"I want you."

Finally, he brought his lips to mine and kissed me deeply. Kissing Owen wasn't new to me; we couldn't stop kissing the night he drove me over the Brooklyn Bridge. But this was something else. I wasn't sure I even knew my own name anymore.

"When I take you home, it's going to be because you're begging me to...not because I won at pool."

About the Author: 
Roxanna Mason is a debut paranormal romance author and formally trained actor from Los Angeles, California. It was her deep love of storytelling that led her to study theatre and that same love of storytelling that drove her to write her first novel. When not writing, Roxanna is binge watching horror films, creating vegan recipes, and dancing around her living room to Fleetwood Mac.
https://www.roxannamason.com/
https://www.instagram.com/roxannamason/ 
https://www.tiktok.com/@roxannamason  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23217624.Roxanna_Mason 

Bright Blue Planet The Jovian Universe Book Three Kim Catanzarite

 

Bright Blue PlanetThe Jovian Universe Book ThreeKim Catanzarite
Genre: Sci-fi ThrillerPublisher: Forster PublishingDate of Publication: March 1, 2023ISBN: 978-1-7359522-4-6ASIN: B0BT2ZKJRSWord Count: 65,000Cover Artist: Damonza
Tagline: At a time when humans and clones begin to clash, two men—one Jovian, the other, human—struggle to navigate the new world order and their own families within it.
Book Description: 
Continuing the story that began with They Will Be Coming for Us and Jovian Son, Bright Blue Planet, Book 3 in The Jovian Universe, takes readers behind the scenes of the otherworldly Jovian family, revealing their most startling secrets. 
Former three-term President of the United States, Evander Peterman, does his best to uphold the promise he made his human mother, Svetlana, to protect ordinary humans from the stronger, more-intelligent race of clones the powerful Jovian family has created. Fran Vasquez, former FBI agent and current head of the Jovians’ security squad at Starbright International, not only works with clones and hybrids but recently hired his young, struggling son, who immediately creates tension between members of the squad. Meanwhile, Caroline, matriarch of the Jovians, may be at odds with her husband, Edmund, who abruptly left Earth for no known reason. She doesn’t seem to care that humans and clones aren't getting along—and suggests something much more menacing looms on Earth’s horizon.  
As the story unfolds, Evander and Fran must do their best to navigate not only the rising world order but their own families as well.

https://amzn.to/3YLtOlX

Excerpt 1

“I’m sure you’re aware of what’s going on with the humans in Philadelphia?” Evander said.

Uncle Jimmy pulled some dried leaves from the plants to his left, then began to pluck the dead blossoms from a tray to his right. Without looking up, he said, “The human beings are doing fine as far as I can tell.”

That was a disappointing statement if ever Evander heard one. “They may be on the cusp of warring with the clones you created,” he said. “Something needs to be done.”

Uncle Jimmy removed his focus from the flowers and met Evander’s gaze. A gentle innocence settled over his face. “I’ve never made a human clone. I was against making the clones from the very beginning.”

“And yet somehow, with your help, an entire race of them lives on this planet. How is that, I wonder, and please don’t tell me it was written in the stars. Things like cloning don’t just happen.”

“Cloning has been and always was sewn into the tapestry of human fate, even if that’s not what you want to hear,” he said, his cheeks pinkening. “You seem upset, are you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

Jimmy went back to tending to the various plants. “You’re human. It’s to be expected.”

“Yes, you’re right. I’m human and I’m Jovian and I have emotions. From what I’ve been told you experience them, too. Is that correct?”

Jimmy gave up on gardening and stepped up to Evander, tilting his head in a contemplative way.

“I feel empathy. Empathy and all that comes with it.”

“So you can understand when I tell you that I made a promise to my mother to protect the human race, and I intend to follow through because she means a lot to me.”

“But you’ve already followed through. You’ve protected them with your legislation. You saved their planet, made it inhabitable again, safe again. I suspect you’ve done more for this planet than any other individual ever has … or will, for that matter.” He paused before placing a heavy hand upon Evander’s shoulder. “Your mother would be proud of you.”

“That may be so, but what’s happening in Philadelphia would concern her nonetheless,” he said, stepping aside so he could get out from under Jimmy’s hand. “I thought you cared about my mother. She always spoke so highly of you.”

Jimmy blinked as if some dust had fallen into his eye. “I care for her just as I care for you.” He rubbed the back of his head, the thin shock of hair left standing in a whirl. “And, for your information, it was the humans who came up with the science that led to cloning. I only nudged them in the right direction. Either way, it had to be done in order for other occurrences to … occur.”

 “In spite of that,” Evander said, “the humans and clones are at odds. The humans are the physically weaker species, and they know it. They’ve been fearful of the clones from the start.

The only leg they have to stand on is a societal one. They are purebred. ‘Real,’ as they like to say. But they’re not stupid. They know the clones are smarter and stronger, and therefore destined to take over the species.”

“What you describe may be an issue now,” Uncle Jimmy said with optimistic light in his eyes, “but it won’t always be. Minds will change. In time, all of the genes will have mixed.

There will be no such thing as a purebred human. No reals or fakes, clones or hybrids. Only humans with varying degrees of Jovian DNA. That’s the beauty of it.”

Uncle Jimmy argued with ease and self-assurance, but Evander knew it wasn’t that simple. Life never was. Humans, in particular, never were.

About the Author:
Kim Catanzarite is the author of the award-winning Jovian Universe sci-fi thriller series. She is a freelance writer and editor for publishers and independent authors, and she teaches copyediting for Writer’s Digest University. Her Self-Publishing 101 blog discusses the ins and outs of indie life as well as all things writing craft. When she’s not writing or editing, Kim enjoys hiking, drawing, and talking to her cats. She lives on the east coast USA with her husband and daughter. 
For more information, visit:https://www.AuthorKimCatanzarite.com https://www.twitter.com/kimcanrite
https://www.AuthorKimCatanzarite.com/blog
https://www.facebook.com/KimCatanzariteAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/author_kim_catanzarite/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20928395.Kim_Catanzarite




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The Storm Darkens Demon Storm Book Three Valerie Storm

 

The Storm DarkensDemon Storm Book ThreeValerie Storm
Genre: YA FantasyPublisher: Shadow Spark PublishingDate of Publication: 04/13/2023ISBN: TBDASIN: TBDWord Count: 92210Cover Artist: Ginkahederling
Tagline: Ancient power wrapped in ancient secrets.The power to rend the world and save her loved ones, unless it devours her first.
Book Description:
Evil never really dies. It rises, again and again.  
Now—Kari knows it’s rising inside her.  After barely defeating wicked Shadow Witch Raven, the wolf-demon knows her turmoil is far from over when her vanquished foe invades her dreams. And a new power stirs within her: thanks to Raven’s cunning, Kari’s potential as the Catalyst has awoken. A conduit for a terrifying, world-cracking force—one that could open at any moment.  Kari has resisted this new temptation thus far. But Raven again forces her hand, unleashing a demonic abomination to draw her prey out—a deadlier foe than any Kari has faced before. If she taps into this dark new power, she could become strong enough to defend the people she cares about. But the Catalyst has bloodthirsty designs of its own… If she submits, what new horrors will be inflicted on the world Kari’s come to love? And when the Catalyst is finished with her at last—what will be left of Kari?

About the Author:
Valerie Storm was raised in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up, she fell in love with everything fantasy. When she wasn’t playing video games, she was writing. By age ten, she began to write her own stories as a way to escape reality. When these stories became a full-length series, she considered the path to sharing with other children and children-at/heart looking for a place to call home.
Twitter https://twitter.com/valerie_storm
Blog https://rantsofawriter.home.blog/
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/valeriestorm3135/    
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/valeriestorm_author/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082414584775 





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L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39

 

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39

L. Ron Hubbard, S. M. Stirling, Kevin J. Anderson, Lazarus Chernik, Kristine Kathryn Rusch and 24 Award-Winning new authors and illustrators.Edited by Dean Wesley Smith and Jody Lynn Nye 
Genre: SciFi/Fantasy Anthology Publisher: Galaxy Press Date of Publication:  May 16, 2023Number of pages: 544Cover Artist: Tom WoodEPUB ISBN: 9781619867659Kindle ISBN: 9781619867666Adobe PDF ISBN: 9781619867673Trade Paperback ISBN: 9781619867680
Tagline: Anthology of Award-Winning Sci-Fi and Fantasy Short Stories- From vampires and werewolves to space exploration and time travel, you will love these 12 original and diverse stories because they were selected by some of your favorite authors.
Book Description:
Join a team of time travelers who set out to save London from a terrorist’s nuclear attack … when a blast from the past changes everything.
Meet a vampire, a dragon and a shape-shifting Chihuahua in Key West … this is one beach party that’s about to get wild!
Follow Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I., who’s investigating the craziest case of his so-called life.…
A miracle? An omen? Or something else? One day, they arrived in droves—the foxes of the desert, the field, the imagination….—“Kitsune” by Devon Bohm
When a vampire, a dragon and a shape-shifting Chihuahua meet on a beach in Key West, fireworks go off! But that’s just the background.—“Moonlight and Funk” by Marianne Xenos
The Grim Reaper, trapped in an IRS agent’s dying body, must regain his powers before he dies and faces judgment for his original sin.—“Death and the Taxman” by David Hankins
In a metaverse future, a woman who exposes falseness in others must decide what is real to her—the love she lost or the love she may have found.—“Under My Cypresses” by Jason Palmatier
Vic Harden wasn’t lured by glory on a daring mission into the reaches of outer space—he was ordered out there by his editor.—“The Unwilling Hero” by L. Ron Hubbard
Dangerous opportunities present themselves when an alien ship arrives in the solar system seeking repairs.—“White Elephant” by David K. Henrickson
With her spaceship at the wrong end of a pirate’s guns, a former war hero must face down her enemies and demons to save Earth’s last best chance for peace.—“Piracy for Beginners” by J. R. Johnson
Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I., faces one of his funniest and most perplexing cases ever—an enlightened ogre, a salamander with low self-esteem, and a raging fire dragon terrorizing the Unnatural Quarter!—“Fire in the Hole” by Kevin J. Anderson
Years after the Second Holocaust, the last surviving Jews on earth attempt to rewrite the past.—“A Trickle in History” by Elaine Midcoh
When I said I’d do anything to pay off my debts and get back home to Earth, I didn’t mean survey a derelict spaceship at the edge of the solar system—but here I am.—“The Withering Sky” by Arthur H. Manners
High-powered telescopes bring galactic life to our TVs, and network tuner Hank Enos figures he’s seen everything—until the day an alien boy stares back.—“The Fall of Crodendra M.” by T. J. Knight
Knights, damsels and dragons, curses and fates foretold—the stuff of legends and stories, but unexpectedly perverse.—“Constant Never” by S. M. Stirling
Determined to save his wife, Tumelo takes an unlikely client through South Africa’s ruins to the heart of the Desolation—a journey that will cost or save everything.—“The Children of Desolation” by Spencer Sekulin
When a terrorist smuggles a nuclear weapon into London, a team regresses in time to AD 1093 to assassinate a knight on the battlefield, thereby eliminating the terrorist a millennia before his birth.—“Timelines and Bloodlines” by L. H. Davis
The Grand Exam, a gateway to power for one, likely death for all others—its entrants include ambitious nobles, desperate peasants, and Quiet Gate, an old woman with nothing left to lose.—“The Last History” by Samuel Parr

Pre Order at
Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/3Ix44o8BaM https://bit.ly/3xqzu98Bookshop https://bit.ly/3HZG0bG



About the Contest:
The international Writers of the Future Contest was created and endowed by L. Ron Hubbard. After several years of success in fostering new writers, the Illustrators of the Future Contest followed. The winning stories are illustrated and published in the annual L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future anthology. Described by critics as a perennial “glimpse of tomorrow’s stars,” a “must-have for the genre reader,” and “the bestselling science fiction anthology series of all time,” it is today the most enduring and top-ranking publication of its kind.  
The blue-ribbon panel of judges is what makes this possible. The winning stories are selected by bestselling authors, including Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, Nnedi Okorafor, Kevin J. Anderson, Brian Herbert, Jody Lynn Nye, Larry Niven, Robert J. Sawyer, Katherine Kurtz, and many others. The best of the best are hand-picked each year. 
There is no entry fee, and stories are judged blind, making it a fair competition for all authors and illustrators who enter from anywhere in the world. There are cash prizes. The winners are paid professional rates and maintain their rights. 
It is an excellent program for new authors and readers, who often discover their next favorite writer.
Enter the Writing Contest https://www.writersofthefuture.com/enter-writer-contest/
Free Writing Workshop https://www.writersofthefuture.com/writing-workshop/
Writing Podcast: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/podcast/
Writers Forum: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/forum/
Writing Contest Rules https://www.writersofthefuture.com/contest-rules-writers/
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