Jamie Marchant's Blog, page 28

December 5, 2016

Book trailer for The Kronicles of Korthlundia

This week I'm extremely busy with final papers and final exams, so I give you the trailer I made for my first two novels, The Goddess's Choice and The Soul Stone. Enjoy and let me know what you think.


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Published on December 05, 2016 03:00

December 4, 2016

Day 4 of The 14 Days of Reader Christmas Giveaway


This adorable little canvas will look cute anywhere you put it to add a little festive flair! Click on the link below to follow the instructions on how to register to win this beauty! Good luck to all!
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Published on December 04, 2016 09:03

December 3, 2016

Day 3 in the 14 Days of Readers Christmas!



I bet you can't read this without singing it! Go outside and play with your winter loves, then come in and light up this pretty glass block and enjoy the "snow" from the warmth of your couch. Click on the following link and follow the steps provided to register to win this beauty!
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Published on December 03, 2016 10:55

The Goddess's Choice audio, Chapter 9

Samantha learns a devastating truth in this installment of The Goddess's Choice on audio. Please tell me what you think.

If you can't wait for the next chapter, you can always buy it on Amazon.


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Published on December 03, 2016 03:00

December 2, 2016

Day 2 of The 14 Days of Readers Christmas Giveaway!

Today's gift is an adorable Cookies for Santa Plate. Click on the link provided and follow those Santa's footsteps for a chance to win! Good Luck to all!!



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Published on December 02, 2016 13:15

5 ways of Presenting Character: Character as Action

Today I return to my series about character development. Sorry, I've been away from this for so long, but with the holidays and the end of the semester, I have been extremely busy. Today, I want to talk about developing character by focusing on the character's actions or what the character does.

It is far better to let the reader know the character's thoughts, emotions, and personality by what s/he does than by simply telling the reader. In other words, the old adage, "show, don't tell." If you tell the reader that your character is ghoulish, it has little emotional impact. It also isn't very precise. What exactly do you mean by ghoulish? Much better to show the character acting ghoulishly. Read the following passages from The Ghost in Exile:

Warily, The Ghost followed Zotico down the corridor to the high priest’s office. It was large, the walls covered with instruments of war—swords, shields, battle axes, and plaques ornamented with what looked suspiciously like human ears. The ears were new. Zotico caught The Ghost looking at them and swept his hand over a plaque that contained five ears nailed side by side. “Do you like the new decor? Sacrifices, all of them. I had them moved from our private sanctuary so I could better remember the devotion demanded by the god I serve.”
Zotico sweeping his hands over the severed ears of people he has killed in ritual sacrifice as if they were a trophy conveys to the reader Zotico’s ghoulishness far more effectively than simply using the word.
While portraying character through action is important at throughout your work, it is especially important to do so in moments when a character changes. When a character grows or changes, the reader needs to see it through what the character does. Brigitta begins The Ghost in Exile as a victim. In the following passage we see her beginning to change through her actions with the dagger.
She had to be insane to trust her life to a hired killer. Frigg protect me!No, not Frigg. I’ve prayed to her time and time again, and the goddess has never helped me. But if I can’t rely on her, what can I do? She looked at the dagger she was still holding, then glanced at the sword Sigurd wore. The goddess had allowed her to be used by savages for two years, but Brigitta herself had used Sigurd’s sword to kill her master. Since the goddess couldn’t, or wouldn’t protect her, she needed to learn to protect herself. She tightened her grip on the dagger and held it up. “Will you teach me how to use this?”Her examining the dagger, tightening her grip on it, holding it up, and asking for instruction in its use shows her becoming empowered to act for herself rather than being acted on by others. Simply saying she decided to protect herself doesn't convey this change as effectively as her actions with the dagger do.While using the image and the character's voice tell us much about a character, we really get to know a character by seeing what s/he does. It bring in another old cliche, which is nonetheless true, "actions speak louder than words." When a person's actions are at odds with his/her words, we believe the actions, not the words. The same is true in character creation.
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Published on December 02, 2016 03:00

December 1, 2016

The 14 days of Reader Christmas

I participating in a massive 14 day giveaway of prizes for Christmas.


Every day will consist of something new you can win, including a treasure trove of new reading material. Today you can win a set of two Jingle Juice Glitter Wineglass.



Enter below:

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Published on December 01, 2016 07:35

The Evolution Trilogy: Book Tour and Giveaway


Hybrid 
The Evolution Trilogy: Book 1
By Vanessa Wester 
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy  Steven Thorn has no trouble settling in at university. He is confident, hardworking and intelligent. When Caitlin Chance catches him off guard he is bemused by the instant attraction, and the more he gets to know, the more he likes.Yet, Steven has a secret past that is destined to reveal itself, and he is soon to become a stranger to everyone. The wheels are set in motion for his radical upheaval. But first love is a powerful thing, and the connection forged between Caitlin and Steven is not easily broken.The impossible is only the beginning...Vanessa Wester's debut novel takes you from the University of Southampton to the depths of the Amazon jungle. An imaginary citadel is waiting to be discovered full of interesting characters,traditions and cultures. There are so many twists and details you will not be able to put this book down.
*~HYBRID has some scenes of an adult nature. It may be considered unsuitable for younger readers~*


Goodreads * Amazon
Complications
The Evolution Trilogy - Book 2 Steven Thorn has had a nightmare year... He finds out he is not normal. His life gets erased. He starts a new life in the amazon, and then he ends up with a debilitating injury. Life could not get any worse - he thinks.Yet luck is on his side as his injury leads to freedom and his eventual return to Southampton. His new home is a Victorian house on the outskirts of Southampton, a place close to his first love, Caitlin Chance. Now that he is back, he intends to find a way into her life, but he has no idea if she will even remember him.Caitlin is about to discover the reason for her unexplained sadness over the past year, and will find it hard to resist Steven's magnetic pull. She has never been good at avoiding things that are bad for her, and the return of Steven is about to challenge her willpower in an unimaginable way.
As begun in Hybrid, Vanessa Wester takes you back to the University of Southampton to reveal more twists and turns in The Evolution Trilogy. Life is full of complications, and sometimes it is hard to know if you made the right choice.


Goodreads * Amazon
Return
The Evolution Trilogy - Book 3 Steven Thorn and Caitlin Chance are meant to be together. At least, when they first fell in love it seemed inevitable. But love is sometimes not enough. It makes them act irrationally, it tests family loyalties, breaks and makes friendships, and causes physical and mental pain.Yet, without love, Steven and Caitlin are lost.As they return to the community and discover the possibilities open to them, all is not what they hoped. Steven has impacted the lives of many since he was discovered, and the choices he made have led to events beyond anyone's control.Love brought Steven and Caitlin together and fate is playing with their emotions, constantly undermining their willpower and determination. In the game of love, destiny is always the winner.
As continued from COMPLICATIONS, Vanessa Wester takes you back to the Amazon as Steven and Caitlin return to the community and try to figure out their future. Finally, you will discover the next steps for the community, its inhabitants, and humanity.


Goodreads * Amazon
Emily
Prequel to the Evolution Trilogy Emily has not changed in fifty years. An accident made her immortal, a vampire freak.Finally allowed to return to her beloved England, all is not as expected. So much has changed. The past she was holding on to does not exist. Since the Second World War, people have embraced a new age. In this era, people have an obsession with gadgets, strange clothes and weird music.Added to this her blood-lust has become insatiable and her promise to control herself is torn to shreds. That is until she meets Paul. She never expected to find love after all this time. Fate has never been kind to Emily, and it gives her everything she wants at a cost. She must pay a price for being a murderer.
Within Emily’s twisted heart lies a dark soul.


Goodreads * Amazon
Vanessa developed her writing bug in 2010 and has not looked back since. Her main published work is ‘THE EVOLUTION TRILOGY’, which is comprised of HYBRID, her debut novel, followed by COMPLICATIONS and RETURN. The prequel to the Trilogy, EMILY, is also now available.In addition, she has written a novelette called FIRST DATE, which is based on her true story. She has also published, and included stories in, six anthologies to raise money for fantastic causes.Writing is one of her passions, reading the other. The day she decided to start writing her ideas down she found another way to lose herself in a book, whilst finding an outlet for her imagination. It is the best way she can think of to escape from everyday life. She is currently working on a historical fiction novel based on the life of her great, great, grandparents... and is finding the research fascinating!
Readers can find Vanessa Wester online at:


Amazon * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads LinkedIn * Pinterest
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Published on December 01, 2016 03:00

November 30, 2016

Guest author, John Catapano

Today welcome John Catapano, an author I met at Necronomicon.  Seriously, if you've never been to a con, you need to check them out.
John Catapano is an author, an artist, and an engineer. He has been a genre movie fan since his first double feature at age 3. Fifty -eight years later he has traveled extensively, consulted on feature movies and dug for Dinosaur fossils in the badlands of Montana.  His genre trivia book and short stories are available at smashwords.com. His new book, The Unusual Suspects is the follow up to his popular Dr. Sarcophagus story "Clarence." He currently is working on two novels, both with Central Florida locales.
Interview
Tell us a little about yourself?

I've just retired! I have been writing most of my life, formally writing for my high school and university papers and yearbooks. A large part of my BA was writing for all forms of media. I worked most of my life in Broadcast news and Entertainment. I drifted into the technical side of the business, travelled extensively and worked on some interesting projects. I worked for Disney entertainment for 18 years and for other national entertainment companies.  I began writing for comic books in the 90's and transitioned into prose in the early 2000's.Tell us something about how you write? i.e. are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you have any weird or necessary writing habits or rituals? 

I 'm a planner. In University I had a lot of writing courses. I taught myself to write in a visual style while I slept so I could get up in the morning and transfer that to paper. I still work that way. I need a full story with beginning, middle, and end before I start to commit it to paper. When I'm writing it, I am open to changes, but it mostly comes to be published with the original story. I am always aware of trying to make the timeline and the characters reactions as real as possible even though I'm working in the supernatural realm.Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book?

The Unusual Suspects is actually a follow up to my previous novella Clarence. They take place in a travelling carnival in the early 1930's run by the enigmatic Dr. Sarcophagus. He doesn't seem to age, and he seems to know a lot about the occult. In The Unusual Suspects he gets three new acts and brings them to Winter Haven to hone their acts before the next season. A young man is murdered in the woods nearby, and the local Sheriff asks the Dr and his animal trainer to examine the body. The Dr quickly realizes that it's the result of a shape-shifter and all three of his new acts have shape-shifting in their cultures. The Werewolf, the Were-tiger, and the Wendigo. All of them had access, and none of them have an alibi. It's up to the Dr. to find out who it is before the next full moon.Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?

Gerard LaChance is the Dr.'s ringmaster and best friend. He has been classically educated in Europe and is a judo master. He is also a hunchback. I wanted to go against stereotype with the character. He doesn't feel or act like it's a disability.What was the hardest part of writing your book?

For me it is sitting down and committing it to paper. Once the first draft is done I may go back and tighten (edit) it ten or twelve times.What is your favorite writing tip or quote?

Write with the door closed and edit with it open, Stephen KingTell us a little about your plans for the future.  Do you have any other books in the works?

My next work is a novel that I started in 1995. It's called Invasive Species. I produced the first chapter as a comic book in the late 90's, but I've decided to do it a prose novel. I hope to have it out next year.The Usual Suspects
Dr Sarcophagus returns to the winter compound with three new acts for the Carnival. A short time later a grisly murder in the woods nearby leads him to believe there is a shape-shifter in their midst. Can he figure out who the killer is before the next full moon? If he does how can he stop it?
John Catapano presents the sequel to his popular story "Clarence." The enigmatic Doctor is embroiled again in an arcane mystery.
A Dark Alley Crew story.ExcerptThe next night, Minnie joined them for dinner."Doctor, I would like to thank you for inviting me to dinner. This is so exciting!" Minnie said clapping her hands. "Gerard and I wanted to take an opportunity to say how impressed we were with your performance the other day.""You had everyone on the edge of their seats." the Doctor said as Gerard nodded. "Well, we all have our talents, and I'm glad you were entertained, but I'm excited about these hot dogs and fried potatoes! They look yummy!" she said her eyes open wide. "No more delays then. Bon Appétit!" the Doctor replied. The room filled with the sounds of three people enjoying a meal, one much more enthusiastically than the others. As Gerard brought more Cokes out from the ice box, Dr. Sarcophagus began to explore Minnie's past."Well, my father was the supervisor of the plantation and so I had full run of the place," Minnie started. "Was the jungle very close?" the Doctor probed. "We were surrounded by the jungle. The men constantly had to keep it at bay. Everything in that climate grows very quickly you know,"she said. The Doctor continued, "Being that isolated sometimes leads to a regression back to superstitions that the surrounding civilization has long put a way." As Gerard placed the sweating bottles on the table, Minnie exploded into raucous laughter. "Oh, Doctor! I was wondering how we would get around to the subject," she said between breaths. "What question is that?" the Doctor said as coyly as possible while Gerard slowly sat down. "That I am a witch of course! When I heard you had presented Diane with your silver topped cane and tried to feed poor Henry some raw meat...." Gerard interrupted, "That was Steak tar tare," he said with a straight face. "Yes, of course," Minnie continued, "I surmised that you believe the murder in the woods a few weeks ago was done by a shape-shifter. I assure you, Doctor, I cannot change into a were-tiger, and I did not murder any of those people."Dr. Sarcophagus sat back in his chair and placed his utensils on the table. Gerard spoke, "Were we that obvious?" Minnie reached out and touched his hand. "No, no, my dear. Neither of them suspect, but I am curious. Have you vetted Andrei yet? Don't tell me; the silverware at dinner?" Now it was the Doctor's turn to laugh, "The silverware and wolf's bane under his chair. Gerard just got the smell out of the wagon.""Did he turn into a wolf?" she asked. "No, he did not," the Doctor said, "Tell me, Minnie, why were you sneaking into the forest that night?" She wiped her mouth with her napkin, "So I was seen.""There were a number of people seen entering the forest that night," Gerard said. It was Minnie's turn to sit back, "I may be able to clear up some of that for you. Diane came to my wagon that night.  She and Andrei had a huge fight. She asked him to come to her wagon, but he was distracted, worrying about the bear. He stomped out of the wagon, and Diane came to me in tears. I tried to console her, and as we walked back to her wagon, we saw Andrei rushing into the woods. Of course, she followed.""Did you know that Henry was in the woods that night?" the Doctor asked. "I did not know that," Minnie continued, "but I may have an explanation . Henry is seeing one of the acrobats, Elizabeth I believe, and her sisters do not approve. They have been having clandestine meetings outside of camp almost since the day we arrived." Dr. Sarcophagus smiled, "Well that explains his faulty alibi. What were you doing in the woods that night, Minnie?" She giggled, "I am also having an affair I'm afraid; with Lucas. He is a wonderful man," she said with a broad grin, "We had a romantic evening under the stars that night.""Well, I am happy that you have found a kindred spirit here," the Doctor said. An hour later, Minnie left and Gerard and the Doctor were clearing the table. "So, it seems everyone in the Carnival is having relations except me, Doctor," Gerard said almost as an aside."Yes, it seems so, perhaps it is time to move on. Penelope left the Carnival almost six months ago," the Doctor continued, "but more importantly, we are no closer to a solution than before. The bear didn't commit the murder, and none of our suspects are shape-shifters. Of course, we only have Minnie's word for herself.""Maybe she bewitched Logan, and she really is a were- tiger! That can be the only explanation!" Gerard said with increasing hysteria, "that is why she can control Kali!" The Doctor raised his hands in a slowing motion, "Now, now Gerard. I don't believe Minnie has a deceptive bone in her body, but that leaves us with no suspects and the full moon approaching." Gerard continued clearing the plates, "Do you have a plan, Doctor?" "I do not, and I am much too tired to formulate a plan," Doctor Sarcophagus replied stifling a yawn, "All this socializing has worn me out."

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Published on November 30, 2016 03:00

November 28, 2016

Release of The Ghost in Exile


The Ghost in Exile was released on Friday, but I'm still offering signed copies at the pre-order price of $13 plus $3.50 for shipping (of course, shipping cost isn't necessary if you are local) through Wednesday.If you've read my previous novels, The Ghost in Exile tells the story of Darhour--both after he leaves Korthlundia at the end of The Goddess's Choice and flashbacking to the past to show how he became the The Ghost in the first place. If you haven't read my previous novels, The Ghost in Exile can stand alone without knowledge of my other books. The blurb follows:

The Ghost is going to hell. Not even the goddess can forgive his sins: assassin, oath-breaker, traitor (an affair with the queen earned him that title). No one can ever learn the princess is his daughter. To keep this secret, he flees to the land that turned him from a simple stable groom into an infamous killer.

His mission now? To find evildoers and take them to hell with him. But when an impulsive act of heroism saddles him with a damsel who refuses to be distressed, her resilience forces him to questions why he really ran from his daughter.​

You can order it paying with paypal at the following link: http://jamie-marchant.com/ghost.htm
Or if you'd prefer to send me a check, you can do so to Jamie Marchant, 806 Tullahoma Dr., Auburn, AL 36830. Just send me an email to let me know it is coming and how many copies you would like. If you are local, just send me a message, and we can arrange delivery.

If you prefer ebooks, you can order it at the link below.

If you haven't read my previous books and would like to, links for buying autographed copies via PayPal or ecopies from Kindle can be found on my website: http://jamie-marchant.com/books.htm under the title of each book. 

Remember Christmas is coming. If you have anyone in your life who enjoys fantasy fiction, books make great gifts.

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Published on November 28, 2016 07:28