I.E. Castellano's Blog, page 7

For the Love of Reading

Love is in the air and the love of books and reading is no exception.
Laurel Highlands Publishing reduced prices on all their ebooks for the entire month of February.  This love of reading promotion includes my novels and books with my short stories.
As the temperatures drop, curling up with an e-reader or phone under a blanket is time well spent cozy and warm.  Discover some place new to love in one of my books at prices everyone can love.


The World In-between Series:  The Dragonlands
This short story prequel takes us back to the creation of the Empire during the Age of Dragons.  Learn how the Dragons escaped this world to live in the world in-between the portals.
Free  Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, SmashwordsPrice Match at Amazon

 The World In-between
Book 1 introduces Berty Chase, a newspaper reporter on the verge of nothing special until he meets Silvia.  She brings him into her world—one full of magic and those who wish to harness that magic.
$2.99  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords
 
Bow of the Moon
Book 2 delves deeper into the world Berty discovered, visiting places beyond the Sages’ Grove.  While trying to heal the open assault on the Empire, he searches for the legendary weapon that can give the Empire’s enemies a great advantage—a magical bow whose arrows cannot miss—the Bow of the Moon.
$2.99  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords

 Secrets of the Sages
Book 3 unravels the secrets of the Empire.  Secrets that will be used against the Empire.  Unless Berty exposes these secrets, the world he has come to love in-between the portals could be lost forever.
$2.99  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords


Whispers
Book 4 reveals the ugliness of war and men.  To bring peace, Berty must fight with a sword rather than his pen.  The anti-imperialists invade every hill and dale in the Empire, working towards a source of immense magic—the Scepter within the Empire Tree.  Fluid loyalties threaten to destroy the fragile threads of the Empire’s only defense.  Fraying the threads are Whispers—unseen and unheard, except by the Whisperer.
$2.99  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords

 Yuletide Magic
A short story about Silvia as a girl invoking the ancient magic of Yule.
Free Feb 15-19  Amazon




The World In-between 3 Book Box Set
Get the first 3 books of the series together: The World In-between, Bow of the Moon, and Secrets of the Sages.
$5.99  Amazon


Other Novels:
Where Pirates Go to Die
The first in the Space Pirates Series transports us to interplanetary space in a time where humans abandoned Earth, a home to which they could never return, and terraformed new homes across the Milky Way Galaxy.  Naria, a Pirate whose ruthless reputation runs rampant in every dark corner and every space hub, has a laser to thrust up the final frontiers of the Dignitaries of Milky Way Circle.  She begins a cat and mouse chase across the Galaxy, which may end where Pirates go to die.
$2.99  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords


Tricentennial
2075 CE or 20 NE: Enter a post-pandemic United States where survivors huddle in protected pod cities while nature reclaims the land around them.  Or, at least, that is the picture life in Pod City One-five paints for siblings Xavier and Nikki Kelton.  When their parents die within a week of each other, Nikki insists their father left them instructions.  Xavier, although unconvinced, follows his sister through the feared wilderness.  Together, they discover lies, corruption, and hope for a better future.
$2.99  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords


Short Stories in Anthologies:  All That Lies
Gunshots ruin a celebratory dinner.  Reluctantly leaving her bleeding husband on the kitchen floor, Lacy races to the safe room.  When she emerges, she must untangle the lies woven within her life.
Disturbance : $2.99  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords


Sector Three-Three
On Thelta, a planet far, far away, Vace Fantam dreams of a new life in space—if she can get there.  Her first attempt failed.  Only a few more days working for the kreel wells will give her enough money for a one-way ticket to the space station.  However, an anomaly in her sector during her watch threatens not only her second attempt but all life on Thelta.
Across the Karman Line : $2.99  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, GooglePlay, Smashwords


The Hunt
The Notkyn are a race of people who live in the shadows.  As Ghost Hunters, they keep the balance of between the beings of this world and the next.  When the balance tips, only newly chosen Hunter, Teeg, can stop the Hunters from being hunted.
Moon Shadows : $2.99  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords

New Year No Plans

Last year, around this time, I tried something new—made plans.  They say that things don’t always go as planned.  Maybe, it could be that I find that life is more interesting when I don’t follow any plan.  Plans, to me, are like outlines for my novels.  I write outlines, then never actually follow them.  I place that sheet or two of paper in my folder and never look at it again.  It always works out better that way.  Since I never looked at last year’s plans after making them, this year, like every other year, I’m not going to bother with plans.
What I do have are lists.  Here is a list of my lists:
Current Writing ProjectsFuture Writing ProjectsEditing JobsBooks to ReadGames to PlayAround the House Projects
I’m already about 15,000 words into Hope, Book 5 of the World In-between Series.  For a series where most of the books run about 100,000 words, 15 is a drop in the bucket, but it is shaping up well.  Once I get back into a post-holiday writing regimen, the words will be piling onto the page.
One thing I haven’t been doing is giving myself enough downtime.  All work and no play is counterproductive.  So, I am devoting time to play.  I may play a game, watch tv or a movie, and read more (if possible).  And I need to do this every day or every other day.
If I really think about it, reading isn’t considered downtime for me.  I typically finish a book in three days.  The next can start that day or a couple of days later, depending on the book.  However, it seems that the more I read, the more I write.
Household projects cannot be downtime either, although I’m not writing or editing.  I need time to recoup from those as well.  One project that does relax me is gardening.  Since my usual garden space has been overshadowed by the neighbor’s unruly hedge, a raised bed system needs to be built elsewhere.  The only other sunny location I have is filled with rocks and little dirt.  Once the beds are built and a cat and rabbit deterring fence erected, herbs and veggies can be wedged into the new soft dirt.  I love to sit and watch plants emerge from the seeds inches under the surface.  Watching my garden grow is in the downtime category unless I bring my writing outside.
Play will be looking for something interesting to stream on my tv, since I no longer watch television the usual way.  It’s been almost two years without tv service.  Best decision.  This leads to binge watching, sometimes multiple seasons of, shows night after night until I need to find something new.
Also in the play category will be games that aren’t word games.  That means no Text Twist, Decipher Me, and its ilk.  (I’ll continue to play them, just not as real downtime.)  I need to play more Planetside 2.  I only play once every few months and I kinda … I’m not that good.  For those who aren’t familiar with the game, it’s an online, free, player vs player, massive multiplayer, first person shooter game.  It’s great for shooting out your stress, unless you’re dying every five seconds because another faction zergs the base you’re defending.  For a more solitary gaming experience, I’m going to be installing Skyrim on this computer.  Yes, I’ve tried Fallout 4.  Wasn’t a fan.  Maybe I just prefer killing monsters with a bow and arrows.  I’m thinking my next computer purchase will be geared towards gaming so I can play more.
Not play per se, but definitely downtime would be cooking and baking.  With my last name, how could food not be a relaxing interest of mine?  Food has always been a big part of my life.  There is nothing better than eating something you've made with family and friends.  Watch my Twitter or Google+ feeds for sharing these culinary creations.
I am looking forward to all 2016 has to offer.  I’ve already abandoned the outline for Hope and now exciting things are happening.  This bodes well for the New Year.
Wishing all of you a happy and exciting 2016!

The 11 Best Books I Read in 2015

I read and read and read.  Reading books on my phone has become one of my favorite non-writing past times.  Using my subscription to Scribd, I read, on average, 4 or 5 books a month.
Going through my Scribd Library, I read some great books, some okay books, and some that I never finished.  Here are the 11 best books I read this past year.  I gave all these books 4 stars or higher on Goodreads.
No particular order.  I kept series together.  Enjoyed them all.

Clockwork Heart (Clockwork Heart, 1) by Dru PagliassottiClockwork Lies: Iron Wind (Clockwork Heart, 2) by Dru PagliassottiClockwork Secrets: Heavy Fire (Clockwork Heart, 3) by Dru PagliassottiCalling On Fire (Fire and Stone, 1) by Stephanie BeaversThe Watcher’s Keep (The Triadine Saga, 1) by Timothy BondThe Dragon Rises (The Triadine Saga, 2) by Timothy BondRiddle in Stone (The Riddle in Stone, 1) by Robert EvertBetrayal in the Highlands (The Riddle in Stone, 2) by Robert EvertBlood in Snow (The Riddle in Stone, 3) by Robert EvertThe First Dragon (The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica, 7) by James A. OwenWarrior (The Blades of the Rose, 1) by Zoe Archer
Worth mentioning:Fire Within (Fire and Stone, 2) by Stephanie BeaversJust finished it.  Well done.

My taste in books leans heavily towards fantasy of some sort, as indicated above.  I do sometimes forget to add books that I’m reading to Goodreads.  But, I get them there eventually.  And I do tweet about books I read—what I’m reading, what annoys me, what I like, etc.
Recommend a book for my 2016 reading pleasure in the comments, on Google+, or on Twitter.  I’ll add it to my to read library on Scribd.

Top 10 Favorite Songs of 2015 (with vids)

I discovered so many new songs this year.  Which ones kept the best company while I wrote, panicked, and danced in the kitchen?  I pared it down to the top ten songs on my phone’s playlist.

10.  Angel of Small Death & the Codeine Scene by Hozier  (Hozier)


9.  I Am by Awolnation  (Run)


8.  Smoke and Mirrors by Imagine Dragons  (Smoke and Mirrors)


7.  Black Cadillac by Shinedown  (Threat to Survival)


6.  Drown by Bring Me the Horizon  (That’s the Spirit)


5.  Ghost of Muskegon by Pop Evil  (Up)


4.  Ten Tonne Skeleton by Royal Blood  (Royal Blood)


3.  Could Have Been Me by The Struts  (Have You Heard)


2.  Superpower by X Ambassadors  (VHS)


1. Human Race by Three Days Grace  (Human)



Honorable Mentions:Landmine by Three Days GraceI Am Machine by Three Days GraceRun by Bring Me the HorizonFootsteps by Pop EvilWho We Are by Imagine DragonsRenegades by X Ambassadors

I think I might lean heavily towards rock.  Any suggestions for discovery in 2016?

Shhhh… Whispers Is Coming

Magical manipulation—the anti-imperialists’ advantage over the Empire.
“Imagine an unknown, unseen entity watching your every move, listening to your every word….”
Can the Whispers be stopped before the anti-imperialists invade every corner of the world in-between the portals?

Whispers, Book 4 of the World In-between Epic Fantasy Series Releases Dec 23rd



The book that almost didn’t.
Originally, Whisperswas supposed to be out in October.  Deadlines zoomed past.  My characters weren’t ready to be finished with this one.  Even on the way to the final plot point, they took a detour.  But thanks to my sheer determination to make the year’s final deadline and an even bigger thanks to my editor and betas for getting through it on turbo, Whispersjust edged under the wire.

Let’s break Whispersdown by the numbers:
1  Word title: Whispers
2  Pens to ink the first draft
4  th Book of the World In-between fantasy series
6  Pieces of masking tape to mend my series note keeping folder
18  Months from start to finish (with other writing in-between and life and stuff)
24  Chapters with titles like: Accident Training, Into the Fog, and For the Betterment of the Empire.  Sacrifice, A Magical Misadventure, and The New Normal did not make the cut.
80  Pages of handwritten manuscript
94  Thousand words
371  Pages of pure book

Now that all the book needs is for all the retailers to produce pre-release product pages (looking at you, B&N), I thought I’d do a little relaxing.  I haven’t quite decided what I wanted to do first.  Here are my selections:
Fallout 4SleepPlanetside 2Hot cookie gorgingDrambuieBinge watch tv showsCatch up on moviesDeck the halls

Here is what I have done so far:
Read the forward to Neverwhereby Neil GaimanPlayed Decipher Me on my phoneThought about the second installment of my Fantam Squad serialContinued writing Hope, Book 5 of the World In-between seriesForgot to buy ink refills at the store the other day

However I decide to relax over the next week or two, I know these to be a certainty:  I will disregard any outlines I may have written.  Hot chocolate will pass my lips.  And I will watch for snow, waiting for winter to begin.
  
Whispers can be pre-ordered at Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, Apple iTunes, Barnes & Noble

What's This? What's This?

There's a book on my desk!


Disturbance, the thriller anthology from Laurel Highlands Publishing, arrived today via UPS.  And inside:





My story, All That Lies, is on page 73.

When shots riddle her house and her husband, Lacy discovers her life of lies and needs all the strength she can muster to hold on to the truth.




Disturbance is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Apple, etc.

The World In-between Boxed

The first three books of the World In-between series, The World In-between, Bow of the Moon, and Secrets of the Sages have been boxed together in preparation for this year’s release of book four, Whispers.

The World In-between Series follows the life of a modern man who enters a portal, discovering the realm of magic where myths, lore, and fairy tales reside.
Book 1: The World In-between
Berty Chase gets caught in the battle for magic, invoking ancient magic that changes his life and the lives of those around him forever.
Book 2: Bow of the Moon
Trying to restore order in the Empire causes Berty to join the race for the legendary Bow of the Moon and its bearer.
Book 3: Secrets of the Sages
Revealing ancient magical secrets begins to unravel the world as Berty knows it, possibly losing everything and everyone he loves.

The World In-between Series Books 1, 2, and 3 box set is only available as an e-book at Amazon. 

Poetry Wednesday 16 Sept 2015

“Please Do Not Weep”

From: Breaking The Silence
by Diamante Lavendar


Do not feelLike a wave that is tossed;
Do not weepBy yourself, so alone;
For I am with you,Soon you will be Home.
The things of this worldAre transient and brief;
I will be your comfort,Your ease and your peace;
Notice the goodAnd perceive not the bad;
Observe what you’ve learned,The lessons you’ve had;
For everything you’ve been throughHas come at a cost;
There is good in the bad,You have won and not lost.
I have set you here, love,And you shall I keep;
Do not lose hope,And please do not weep.


Find Diamante Lavendar:Website:  Diamante Lavendar - Author and WriterGoogle:  Diamante LavendarTwitter:  Diamante Lavendar (@DiamanteLavenda) | TwitterFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/diamante.lavendarMyspace:  Diamante Lavendar (diamantelavendar.yahoo.co) on Myspace

I Am a Short Story Machine

Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration.  But, for me, crafting three short stories in one year, while I write a subplot heavy novel, is a triumph of pen prowess.
My latest takes place in the real, modern world.  All That Lies focuses on a woman who has been tossed into the crosshairs of two competing global organizations.  When shots riddle her house and her husband, she discovers her life of lies and needs all the strength she can muster to hold on to the truth.
This story is for Laurel Highlands Publishing’s thriller anthology, Disturbance .  When thinking about what to write for the anthology, I consulted my Story Ideas Folder.
That folder holds pieces of paper on which I have written general ideas, outlines, first lines, skeletal scenes, and other story related stuff (technical term).  After leafing through, I pulled a sheet from the file.  The first story I began writing didn’t want to work within a 3,000 to 5,000 word limit.  It wanted to be longer, so I put it aside.  Then, I started a psychological thriller from another paper.  It needed more inner character development than the word limit could provide.
The third had the whole story sketched on one sheet of paper with characters named guy x and guy y.  When I began to write it, I deviated from the outline.  The middle became the beginning of the story and the ending details changed.
For a while, I panicked, wondering whether or not I would finish after starting thrice.  Once I set down the pen, I celebrated with a little pew, pew, die, repeat on Planetside 2.  All That Lies has returned from the editor with only a few fixes to make, then it’s off to anthology land.
Disturbance is set to release October 27th.  Watch this blog for all the gory details.  I link here from Google+ and Twitter.  Circle and follow!

Dragonlands!

You can’t write an epic fantasy series without having a sense of history.  The histories and other backgrounds are not always explored in the main books.  Thank goodness for companion stories.
The Dragonlands is a World In-between Series companion story that tells the story of how the Dragonlands came to be filled with Dragons.
The short story provides a background for events in Book 1 (The World In-between) of the series and converges with Book 4 (Whispers), which will be released later this year.
The Dragonlands includes a bonus sneak peek of Whispers (The World In-between Book 4) and an overview of the series as a whole with glimpses of Books 5 and 6 of the series.


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