A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 33
December 20, 2023
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
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Swift Six Author Interview – Brett Comeau
Name: Brett Comeau
Please introduce yourself :
Author Brett Comeau was born in Boston Mass and makes his home in Harrisburg PA with his wife Linda and their cat Chirp
Growing up there was a large age gap between him and his older brothers and sister. This led Brett to being alone a lot growing up, he started creating stories and adventures with his toys, when his mother give him a box full of old Tom Swift adventure books and encouraged him in reading. Brett had new worlds opened up to him with these new books. Later on when his Friend Matt R lent him his copy of the Forgotten Realms the Crystal Shard the rest was history Brett found his one true love, Fantasy.
Ever since then Brett has been a fan of fiction stories especially sci fi and fantasy from when he was kid he started with the forgotten realms books, the dragon lance books, Lord of the Rings and comics. He later moved onto more adult books like Game of Thrones, the Gunslinger series by Stephen King and independent self published books.
Other than tellings stories Brett loves to play poker and practice martial arts Including Uechi-Ryu, Iaido and Kenjutsu He also teaches kickboxing at the YCMA in his area.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
Nameless Vs The Army of the Dead - Is A Coming of Age Fantasy/Horror Story. It’s Harry Potter meets the 13th warrior…
Here is the back cover blurb:
One, Two they’re coming for you.
Three Four, Lock your door.
Five Six, Darkling Tricks
Seven Eight will seal your fate,
Nine Ten they will kill again
The 1800’s city of Geneva is plagued by Darklings, cloaked figures who kidnap and murder its impoverished residents during the night.
While the rich hide safely behind their high stone walls the penniless are forced to patrol their own borders to ward off the evil foes.
When a nameless, deformed indentured servant comes of age he is forced into the night to protect the city, he becomes an unlikely hero that saves the mayor’s daughter from a Darkling attack.
But the nameless boy realizes there is more to the Darklings than the city’s residents have been told.
Joined by the mayor’s daughter and his only friend another local boy, he investigates the cause of the attacks. What they uncover is far blacker than the cloaks of the Darklings
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
I have always been a storyteller, ever since I was a kid. I got serious about writing when I lived in LA trying to be a screenwriter, but I rotated into writing my own novel and have been thrilled to be on that path ever since.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I have several fantasy series that I am developing, my first novel started as a standalone book but as I developed the story I realized it needed more room to breathe. So it led to the story becoming a series, now I am planning on every idea becoming a series.
What do you like to read?
Fantasy is my favorite genre, I love the increased drama of having monsters, villians that are out to destroy the world, it makes the line between good and evil so much bigger. It makes for a better story.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
Start earlier lol, no but seriously I wish I had told myself to reach out to other people for help. After I started outlining I should have reached out to writing friends more to get help to build a stronger foundation of the story.
Book Synopsis
The city of 1800 Geneva is under attack by hooded figures who kill and kidnap in the middle of the night. A deformed boy is forced to help defend the poor of the city. As the story progresses the boy makes friends and discovers the truth behind the Darklings. The question is will he survive?
Links/Social media
Facebook Account – https://www.facebook.com/storytellerbrettcomeau/
Instagram Account – instagram.com/storytellerbrettcomeau/
@storytellerbrettcomeau
TikTok Account – https://www.tiktok.com/@storytellerbc?_t=8antZTbxNRi&_r=1
@storytellerbc
Twitter Account – https://twitter.com/brettcomeau_s/status/1618265115220148225?s=46&t=WWZUlKVtjpIDoyBnS_dWPA
@Brettcomeau_s
December 14, 2023
Book Spotlight – Tales of Erana – Just One Mistake #Fantasy #DarkFantasy
Book Title: Tales of Erana: Just One Mistake
Author (s): A.L. Butcher
Genre: Dark Fantasy/Adult Fantasy Novella
Tell us about your characters:
Coel, the main character, is a bard. He’s also an outlaw, on the run from the Order of Witch-Hunters and his past. He’s a musician – and an adept – basically he is very, very good at what he does – singing, playing his rebec but he’s magical and a criminal so he has to be careful.
And then we have the Thiefmaster…. A man who is not who he appears, and runs the House Of Thieves, the criminal syndicate which cause the Order of Witch-Hunters a lot of mischief. The Thiefmaster is NOT the top of the tree when it comes to Crimelords, he answers to the Shadowdancer, and the Shadowdancer answers to the Oncoming Storm, but for the purposes of the story the Thiefmaster is Coel’s patron, minder, blackmailer, whatever view you wish to take. He’s calling the shots (literally).
Synopsis:
Coel, the bard, thinks his life has taken a turn for the worst, but he hasn’t met the Thiefmaster yet. An ill-conceived notion of earning more money to pay off his debt and escape a dark past leaves the minstrel in a situation he can’t escape and with a deadly bargain. Will he survive his mistake? Who is this mysterious patron?
Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/Justonemistake
(Please note – the story contains very adult scenes.)
Tell us about the world in which the book is set.
Magic is outlawed in Erana, and the Order of Witch-Hunters don’t tend to bother with trials or justice, they just execute you. So Coel really doesn’t want to be found. But a man has to eat, and so he’s hiding out in the low-life taverns where people don’t tend to ask awkward questions or ask for your papers….
Although magic is illegal, it’s everywhere, although many people don’t realise this – there are mages, but they generally hide what they are, or are hidden by sympathetic allies, and adepts who are exceptionally gifted: The luckiest gamblers, the fastest and most skilled warriors, the people who can bargain or use their amazing charm to get things.
The Order of Witch-Hunters rules the land with an iron fist, enslaves the elves, and imprisons or executes anyone thought to carry magical blood. They rule through fear, propaganda and division and it works, it’s worked for centuries. Most common folk are too ignorant or afraid to stand up to them.
There are slavers, corrupt merchants, rich nobles, who have a good deal of power, but the common people, generally have none. It’s largely patrilineal and male dominated world and women who do not conform often find themselves in strife. But it doesn’t always stop the ladies from rebelling.
There are humans, elves, trolls, half-elves and half-trolls and mixes thereof. Within the human lands only the humans hold the power (although most people would probably refrain from saying that to a troll’s face).
It’s a rather fluidic world, morally.
Why should readers buy this?
Coel’s adventure is thrust upon him – he’s in a situation from which he cannot extricate himself easily, but has, in fact, brought upon himself. He’s a reluctant hero, and allies with, let’s face it, thieves, assassins, whores, witches and lowlives – and they are the good guys….
There are a couple of naughty scenes, violence, and adult themes, so keep that in mind.
Tales of Erana: Just One Mistake Excerpt
© A.L. Butcher
Darkness oozed lazily in the remainder of the room, nosing into corners, under furniture, and behind Coel, unseen, part of it detached. “That was quite a performance, bard. You have some talent, and not just your music. Although your judgement is flawed, it’s never wise to steal from a thief,” the voice was smooth, like liquid velvet and very sure of itself.
Coel’s hand moved towards the dagger nestling in his belt; it would not be the first time he had been called on to defend himself, although that was how he had ended up in this mess he thought bitterly. Just one mistake, then another and now, it would seem, another.
“I do not know of what you speak! I am not a thief.” His brain caught up and he continued, “How did you get into my room? The door was locked. I’m not a bloody fool.” Coel could hear his own heart pounding. There was something about this man which frightened him. He felt like a mouse beneath the gaze of a cat. Perhaps the hangman’s noose would have been the better option.
The slate-grey cloak swirled around boots of ebony leather and the cowled figure chuckled. “That lock was barely a moment’s work. I must have a word with the owner of this place about his security. I have yet to find a door in Erana which will not yield to me. You may as well remove your hand from that blade, or would you bet your life you are swifter than the Thiefmaster? I doubt it, boy, I doubt it. Believe me when I say you would be dead before that knife left its scabbard. It would be a pity to waste such talent, would it not?”
Coel removed his hand from the dagger, his sense telling him that continuing to draw it would be a terminal decision. Instead, he placed his hand on the table and the voice breathed into his ear, Coel shivered, he had not heard the man move.
“I thought not. Sensible lad, if a lying one. This too can be a skill which can save your life, if it is used correctly and with assurance,” Darius, the Thiefmaster told him.
This menacing shape was right behind him, and Coel began to turn, opening his mouth to protest; he found a gloved hand on his jaw, firm but not unduly painful. “Curious are we not? This may sometimes serve you well. As for other occasions, it is wise to accept things as they are, this is one such occasion… Coel.”
The bard caught his breath, how did this man know his name? The sweat began to pool in his back, making his shirt stick unpleasantly to his skin. Had this man been hired to kill him? Had his mistake finally caught him up? Yet as Coel’s brain frantically grasped at any hope and his fingers tried to overrule his brain and reach for the dagger he realised the man had said he was a thief. A robbery, that was not so bad. It would not be the first time.
“This is not a merely social call; you are honoured for the Master of Thieves does not always test a potential recruit’s skills for himself.”
“I usually charge for my skills, music and other kinds if that is what you prefer. I can be flexible and my tastes are…varied. Perhaps just this once I might offer them for free. Take the coin and the trinkets, take it all.” Coel’s brain finally caught up with the conversation, “What do you mean potential recruit?”
Links etc.
Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/Justonemistake
Amazon.com http://amzn.to/2pQADCj
Amazon.co.uk http://amzn.to/2orn0s9
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/696686
Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/2puZ4WL
Print Editions
Amazon.co.uk https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1546421726/
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1546421726/
Audiobook
Audible.co.uk http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Tales-of-Erana-Audiobook/B071WXK5D3/
Audible.com https://www.audible.com/pd/Tales-of-Erana-Audiobook/B071JZGWQY
December 13, 2023
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
December 12, 2023
Swift Six Character Interview – Kira #ScienceFiction
Character Name
Kira Vanden Brink
Which book/world do you live in?
I make my debut appearance in Paradox which is Book One of The Singularity Chronicles. It’s an adventure in which I work, first to animate my mother’s consciousness in an AI and then to desperately find the missing component to make her human.
Tell us about yourself:
I’m an AI researcher following this path because my father attempted to upload my mother into an AI right before she died of Cancer. The problem is, it’s more difficult to make this sentient than many expected. So I studied AI throughout college and then worked for an elite research group where I continued to develop AI. I ended up reconciling with my dad (long story there) and joined his group, Gaia Innovations where I continue to study AI in the hopes of bringing mother back.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
I’m kind of an eternal optimist about what AI can do for humanity and I often lose myself in my work. The challenge is, that I sometimes get so focused on the problem that it makes it hard to solve by myself.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods, etc).
I’d have to say my best friend Alex is a critical person in my life through a lot of the ups and downs. He’s a fantastic all-around person and a wiz with security which helps a lot. I have to say though, without my brother Noah, I’d never have been able to solve the problem of a sentient AI. The research and support of Gaia Innovations was also crucial to the success of both a sentient AI as well as ending the battle against AI.
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?
I think Alex demonstrates that the best when he steps up to do what he knows is right and ends up sacrificing himself even though he’s not really on either side of the battle.
What do you think of your ‘creator’?
Just like any creation, I can see elements of my creator as well as the influences of those he surrounds himself with. I feel like like a projection or a character as much as a child.
Give us your favorite piece of advice:
The fastest way to fail is to think you can, or should, do it by yourself. It’s a lesson I have to learn in Paradox. It’s just surprising who stepped up and solved the problem with me.
Links to book
Amazon: https://amzn.to/49YrsWZ
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/paradox-michael-woudenberg/1143812868?ean=2940160751788
Everywhere else: https://books2read.com/u/mvNDQz
Facebook Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6034816526586582
Swift Six Author Interview – Julie Pennington #Mystery #Murder Mystery
Name: Julie Pennington
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so): I’m just your average everyday American who happened to write a novel. I tried a couple of times to write a book, but only got a chapter or two done before I lost interest. I thought that would happen with Traffic also. About the time I got halfway through it, I realized I had to finish it!
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
Traffic: A Jessica Streeter Murder Mystery, is a clean murder mystery novel.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it? I started writing a few years ago. My inspiration was some real-life shenanigans at the local level. I started writing about those, and realized I could create a novel from that.
What writing plans do you have for the future? I’m working on the second book in the Jessica Streeter series, Rent. Jess once again teams up with Sheriff Daniels, but this time to help unravel a fraud. The fraud turns deadly, and Jess once again finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation!
What do you like to read? I like to read good who-done-its.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure? I wish I would have spent as much time researching how to launch and market my novel as I spent writing it. There’s a lot to learn!
Author bio and book synopsis
Prior to launching her publishing career, Julie Pennington was a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, and Certified Fraud Examiner.
Throughout her career, she investigated a number of fraud cases, including assisting an area police department with a fraud case as a citizen volunteer. On another case, she helped a client who was experiencing great losses as a result of embezzlement. She determined how the culprit was getting the money and put safeguards in place to stop the losses. When the culprit learned he was cut off from the money, which he used to support his drug habit, he became enraged and threatened the client with a loaded handgun. Fortunately, the client came out of the incident unharmed and the culprit got drug treatment.
She taught auditing and accounting as an adjunct professor. She has worked in over 25 countries in humanitarian relief and development, mostly in Africa but also in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
She lives on her ranch with her dogs, cats, chickens, goats, sheep, and horses.
Look for more adventures with Jess Streeter as Jess finds herself entangled in yet another mystery, when fraud turns to murder.
Readers give rave reviews and five-star ratings to Traffic!
Bodies are stacking up in Riverbend, a Midwest town known for its scenic beauty and its annual fall festival.
It’s also known as the place where you can get away with murder.
Life returned to normal when the new Riverbend Police Chief took over, but now people are disappearing. Close friends and family of the vanished still cling to the hope of finding their loved ones alive.
Everyone else believes that whomever is responsible for the disappearances has gotten better at their macabre body hiding ability.
Devastated after two of her high school students vanished, Bethany, the Riverbend School Nurse, launches an investigation. The entire town is on edge. Who will be next? Will Bethany find her students alive? Will Jessica be able to keep her best friend from being consumed by the disappearances? Or will they fall prey to a depraved maniac?
Links/Social media
December 7, 2023
Medusa – Blog Tour and Giveaway #Sci-fi
If you thought the Cold War was over, think again.
M.E.D.U.S.A
by Janet & Chris Morris
Genre: Action, Suspense, Techno Thriller
Pushing the Envelope
In West Berlin, Amy Brecker, an American intelligence officer, takes a chance on a walk-in informant who says that the Soviets are going to simulate an “accident” that will cripple America’s space-based defense program.
From a Soviet silo on the Sea of Japan, a single missile rises. A hotline communique from Moscow insists that a mistake has been made; the Soviets are doing everything in their power to abort the “test” flight.
Deep inside Cheyenne Mountain at the Aerospace Defense Command Center, all eyes watch its trajectory: a collision course with America’s manned space lab.
If the U.S. chooses to intercept and destroy the Russian missile, the attempt must not end in failure . . . the future of America’s entire space-based defense hangs in the balance. Only one U.S. anti-satellite weapon can foil the opening gambit of what might be a Soviet First Strike — and only Amy Brecker and her “hot stick” pilot have enough of the Right Stuff to use.
**On Sale Now! Featured book of December with Perseid Press for Only $2.99!!**
Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. Most of her fiction work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written historical and other novels. Morris has written, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.
Christopher Crosby Morris (born 1946) is an American author of fiction and non-fiction, as well as a lyricist, musical composer, and singer-songwriter. He is married to author Janet Morris. He is a defense policy and strategy analyst and a principal in M2 Technologies, Inc. He writes primarily as Chris Morris, but occasionally uses pseudonyms.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Bookbub
Amazon * Amazon * Goodreads * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
choice of print or ebook copy of M.E.D.U.S.A. ,
$10 Amazon giftcard
– 1 winner each!
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
What is something unique/quirky about you?
Together we breed Morgan horses. We consult with Morgan breeders to help them choose crosses to their stock to achieve a desired result.
We are also musicians; Janet plays bass guitar, Chris sings and plays guitar. We have an album on MCA records. Look for Christopher Crosby Morris on Soundcloud or N1M.com
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
Janet wrote her first novel, High Couch of Silistra in 1975; a friend sent it to an agent who chose to represent her; she had already written the second book in the Silistra Quartet and her agent told her not to disclose that until they finalized the contract for the first one. When the publisher learned of the others, Bantam Books bought the succeeding three. When the fourth book was published, the series already had four million copies in print. Suddenly Janet was a novelist specializing in environmental, gender, historical and political subjects. In the process, Chris started as her editor and ultimately a co-writer. Since then, she and Chris have co-authored many books.
Who is your hero and why?
Heraclitus of Ephesus, a pre-socratic philosopher, whose Cosmic Fragments foreshadow our knowledge of reality and how to perceive it. Among his precepts is the statement that change alone is unchanging. We’ve worked Heraclitus’ fragments in here and there throughout our books.
Which of your novels can you imagine being made into a movie?
All of them. We write cinematically, our books are vivid adventures we undertake without knowing the destination. I, the Sun, The Sacred Band, and Outpassage are particularly suited to film. The Threshold Series is a feast of opportunities for today’s special effects creators.
What inspired you, to write M.E.D.U.S.A.?
M.E.D.U.S.A. — If you lived in the last half of the 20th century, you remember the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the U.S. In many ways, it continues today, with superpowers using client states as proxies for their own economic and political ends. The big difference today is how dependent world powers are on space-based assets to spread their doctrines for good or ill. The loss of a single communications satellite can spell disaster for governments, their militaries and mega corps. Earthbound enterprises of all sorts are critically invested in low earth orbit (LEO) capabilities. Where M.E.D.U.S.A. overlaps with current reality is in the need to deploy military force quickly to counter threats to their space-borne resources. Our super-plane, M.E.D.U.S.A. is just as feverishly sought today to protect fragile technology in orbit as it was then, and it’s important for current generations to connect with where and why space defenses all began.
Who designed your book covers?
Most of our covers, including M.E.D.U.S.A., are realized by Roy Mauritsen, a gifted graphic artist.
Advice to writers?
As for advice to writers, here is all we know: write the story you want to read. Start at the beginning, go to the end, and stop. Seriously. From start to finish you must inhabit the construct in a manner that makes the reader choose to continue; if we as writers can’t feel what it’s like being there, our readers can’t either. Close your eyes, look at your feet where they are standing on the story’s ground; tell us what you see. Tell us what you hear. Ask at the end of each paragraph ‘what happens next?’. If you lose touch with it wait until you’re back inside it. Tell the story that comes to you, and from you, to us.
December 4, 2023
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
December 3, 2023
Author Interview – Michael Woudenberg #Scifi
Name: Michael Woudenberg
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
I’m an aspiring Polymath from Tucson Arizona with a background in advanced technologies such as autonomy, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cyber, aerospace, national security, and weapon systems across a variety of organizations from tech startups to Fortune 150 companies.
I write extensively, specifically focused on non-fiction, exploring counterintuitive insights across different domains and disciplines. You can find these essays at: http://www.polymathicbeing.com.
My side passions are psychology and sociology, specifically around how the human brain works individually and within cultures and civilizations. He strives to tie together diverse concepts to enable human flourishing to both understand and address the technological complexity we face today.
I have a broad range of hobbies including photography, mountain biking, freediving, brewing beer, camping, hiking, rock climbing, and basically most things outdoors. My family is typically along for all these adventures which make them so much more fun.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre, etc (short)
Paradox: Book One of The Singularity Chronicles, a Science Fiction novel with the tagline: “In the battle over advanced AI, will we lose our humanity or learn what truly makes us human?”
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
I’ve been writing for years and dabbled in fan fiction back in middle and high school when I started to write a follow-on to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. I had the idea for this novel back in 2018 but mulled the idea until I sat down and wrote it this year. The inspiration was to help people understand the complexities of what it means to be human against the wonderful literary foil of AI.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
This series envisions four more books. Two follow the AI and two follow the Humans after the outcome of Paradox. The AI series will be Science Fiction while the human series will take on a bit more of a Fantasy flavor.
What do you like to read?
I’m a big fan of science fiction and fantasy. I’m currently reading a Fantasy Web Serial titled The Wandering Inn by anonymous author Pirateaba. It’s been my go-to relaxing read for the past 3 years.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
First off, good science fiction needs to be grounded in strong science facts. At least, that makes it a lot easier to write because I’d already done the research and explored many of the topics in my non-fiction writing at www.polymathicbeing.com. This allowed me to pull material in and maintain momentum.
Secondly, good writing should surprise the author. Let the characters live, breathe, behave, and grow without too much scripting. I was certainly surprised at how one of the main characters, Noah, ended up being such a central character to how the AI became sentient.
Book Synopsis
“In the battle over advanced AI, will we lose our humanity or learn what truly makes us human?”
Kira and Noah face a choice: Do they follow in their father’s footsteps, advancing Artificial Intelligence to allow their dying mother to live on? Or do they let her rest in peace and step away from the technology that is dividing humanity?
Kira knows her choice and follows her vision to make a sentient AI that captures all of who her mother was. Her path challenges her commitment as she weaves together biology, psychology, philosophy, and robotics, working with world-class scientists to unlock the complexity of the human mind and achieve technological singularity.
Her brother Noah follows his own vision of humanity stepping back from advanced technology. He wants to return to an existence focusing on natural connections, not the artificial world of computers and virtual reality. He leads a team of elite resistance fighters to defend humanity against the dangers of AI yet finds himself questioning which side is right.
In the chaotic battle that ensues, will they lose their humanity or will they learn what truly makes them human? They face a paradox with no easy answers.
Links/Social media
Amazon: https://amzn.to/49YrsWZ
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/paradox-michael-woudenberg/1143812868?ean=2940160751788
Everywhere else: https://books2read.com/u/mvNDQz Facebook Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6034816526586582
