Ian Hall's Blog, page 4

Beware; Vampire Wars; Now a Trilogy!

Our vampire series; "Vampire High School", becomes a trilogy. This time the fight escalates into a full blown war.Two distinct vampire groups, one led by Alan McCartney, one by his mother, are vying for the same real estate.Enter the Helsing organisation.... eager to exploit the war to the full.But even they cannot forsee the consequences of such an action.Vampire Mandy, and Vampire/Helsing Lyman are in the thick of it again.Vampire High School Book 3: The Rage Wars; available in all eBook stores.Just click the image to go straight to Amazon for a free look inside the book.


Vampire High School. Book 3: The Rage Wars

This is the new cover for volume three in the vampire High School series.It's officially a trilogy, but of course, we're already 20,000 words into writing book four.http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-High-School-Book-ebook/dp/B0075YZRZM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335295680&sr=8-1Book one is also being turned into paper copies very soon, we are like expectant parents....

Alien Corridor. This is the new cover, I hope you all lik...

Alien Corridor. This is the new cover, I hope you all like it.
Linda Fields,
at http://www.sparkinspirepublishing.com/
is the artist, and there's a story to the whole thing.I met Linda through a
jewelry sale (my 'real' work), and we hit it off immediately. She writes, and
has some amazing artwork too.I looked at her work, and was so taken by this
image, I wrote a scene in 'Alien Corridor' which was set in this mysterious
house at the edge of the lake.Much later, I then told Linda about the scene,
and she promptly offered me use of the image.A few negotiations later, it
was mine.It does, however pose a serious problem.... it does raise the
bar.Now all my other covers have to be brought up to the same
standard.Click on the pic to go to my amazon books.

A link between Celts and Vampires?

A link between modern day vampires and the Celts?
Well that link may just have arrived. We published our Vampire High School last month, and it jumped into the Kindle arena with fists flying.
We sold a few, and got some nice comments.
But I also published part four of my Celtic series;
Caledonii: Birth of a Celtic nation.
So, a link between celts and vamps?
It looks like its me.
Come and see me on Amazon, or whatever eBook shop you frequent.

The Kindle Short, & Why You Should Write One

Hi. This is a book telling you why you should be writing Short Stories or Articles for Amazon Kindle.
It is detailed, and has at least 25 fantastic tips on doing exactly that.
It is witty, informative, and incredibly incredible.
It was written by perhaps the premier author at his current address, and in the opinion of his ever present Jack Daniels, "can not be improved apon".
Further facts can be gleaned by soaking the cover of the book in Methanol, and hanging out to dry in a completely Carbon Monoxide atmosphere.
We hope that the above has been as informative as we intended it to be, and wish you all a very goodly day.
(The writer of this blog disassociates himself from the above, because it got progressively more "Monty Python-esque" as it went on.
Publish Your Article or Short Story On Kindle; 25 Tips To Get You Online & Selling"
IT DOES EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN!

Vampire High School (Book 1: Gregor Academy)

An exciting NEW format by the new collaboration of Ian Hall and Lachelle Miller. Not only a new Vampire series, but a whole new way to write!
The critics may have thought there was nothing new in the “Vampire genre”, but this book proves them totally wrong.
Gregor Academy in North Arizona, has one main problem, it’s got a small population of vampires, hiding in its academic ranks.Page one of this fast-moving vampire hunt, has Alan McCartney being murdered by a local cheerleader. This is big enough news at the best of times, but when they both turn out to be vampires, and the act happens on the steps of the school at the Friday-night ball game, it’s hardly a private matter.As the students flee the scene, the only person running to Alan’s aid, is his friend, geek Lyman Bracks.
So; a brand new two voice, super-fast paced vampire adventure is ready for you to devour.
Ian writes from the perspective of Lyman Bracks, Alan’s best friend as he is dragged kicking and screaming into the world of Vampires and Helsings.
Lachelle Miller writes from the perspective of Mandy Cross, the cheerleading vampire who has Alan’s blood on her hands, down her chest, and smeared all over her smiling face.
This is the first book in the new ‘Vampire High School’ series.
The second book, ‘The Henson Diaries’, is expected out in Kindle early in 2012.
Vampire High School (Book 1: Gregor Academy) ; Available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk for the measly sum of $2.99.

Ancient Scottish Celts Fight the Ninth Legion

Lowland Scottish Celts try to stand and fight, but they are swept aside by the two legion invasion. Selgove and Ordovice are bowled over like so many pins in a game. Yes, part four of my Roman Scotland series, is now out on Kindle, Nook etc, and will be available for Apple, Sony, and Kobo very soon.

After five years of preparation, the Roman's finally north into Scotland. Calach has vowed to help the lowland clans, and his small force is immediately drawn from all the northern clans.
They quickly assemble, but will they arrive in time to stop the Roman menace?

Caledonii: Birth of a Nation. Book Four: The Romans Invade; Available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk for the measly sum of $2.99.


AND~ between now and Feb 20th 2012, you can enter to win the first 3 books in the Caledonii series free- click on the avatar below to head over to our friend Aquariann's blog and enter today:

The Battle of May Island, Jan 31st, Scotland 1918.

The Isle of May; Firth of Forth Estuary. Tranquil. A bird and seal sanctuary.

But on the evening of 31st January, 1918, it was the site of one of the biggest Royal Naval disasters in Scottish history.
On this dark and foggy night, two fleets of ships and submarines set out from Rosyth naval base, bound for Scapa Flow, and exercise "Operation EC1". A mission so secret, even the normal Royal Navy minesweepers had no idea it was happening.
To avoid German u-boats, they travelled dark, just one light on.
The line of ships and submarines on the surface stretched thirty miles.
But as they passed the Isle of May, submarine K-14 veered to miss a minesweeper, and was hit by K-22, and sank. Then the Battlecruiser, HMS Inflexible, hit K-22, taking her bows clean off. HMS Fearless led the next flotilla, and hit submarine K-17, which also sank immediately. Fifty-six men made it to the surface, waiting to be rescued. Battlecruiser HMAS Australia narrowly missed K-12, then K-6, swerving to avoid, hit K-4, cutting her in half, sinking with all hands, only after being hit by K-7 on the way down.
Then, as if there hadn't been enough bloodshed, a whole fleet sailed through the area, battleships and destroyers, churning the surviving men of K-17 to pieces.
270 brave sailors died that night. 2 submarines sank, four severely damaged.
On their way to an exercise.
This whole macabre disaster was kept secret till the 1990's.
It reads like a scene from the Whacky Races, but what a tragedy.

Ancient Rome and the Scottish Celts

Scotland 80AD. We read in the writings of Tacitus, that the celts were a backward, barbaric race.

Anything civilized in the country came from Rome.
Yet look at the craftsmanship in this beaten copper shield. (Dated 200BC)
It was obviously nailed onto a wooden back for strength, maybe even had a spike in the middle boss.
The celtic swirls and leaf pattern is mirror image perfect.
The simple act of making the beaten copper sheet to begin with is quite astonishing for something that is 2200 years old.

FBI, Assault Rifles, and Salem Witch Trials

As a writer, I am usually very particular when it comes to detail. I remember researching Colt AR45 assault rifles one day. The cost, manufacturers codes, cost on the second hand market.
Then! It suddenly occured to me that I might be getting monitored by the FBI or something.
Just because I wanted my writings to be as correct possible.
So... I am currently working on a vampire novel set in Boston, 1700. (Yeah, I know, everybody does one, but to qualify, I have to do one too).
My main character had to find help to track down his latest vampire foe. So, looking for inspiration, I researched the govermental figures.
Who did I find?
Governor of Massachusets, William Stoughton.
Might not ring an instant bell, but here's what excited me.
William Stoughton was the primary Judge in the Salem Witch Trials, in 1692/3. So, not only had I settled who was the governor, but also... my vampire-hunting character in Boston, 1700, might have a friend in high places.
And, let's face it, all vampire-hunters need one of those.