A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 47

The Secret of Blossom Rise – Japanese Edition. ブロッサムライズの秘密日本語版

The Secret of Blossom Rise – Japanese Edition.

ブロッサムライズの秘密

若い看護師が古い軍事病院に就職したとき、彼女は家族の秘密を掘り起こし、幽霊のような住人たちがあまりにも身近な存在であることに気づく。

短編のゴーストストーリー。

#幽霊、#超常現象、#ホラー、#短編小説

イギリス生まれのアレクサンドラ・ブッチャー（別名：エイ・エル・ブッチャー）は、熱心な読書家で世界の創造者、詩人で夢想家、科学、自然史、歴史、猿の愛好家である。彼女の散文は「ダークで硬質」、詩は「喚起的」と評されている。彼女は、あったかもしれない、なかったかもしれない、でもあり得るということを、確かな、時にはエロティックな感性で書いています。

アレックスは著書として、ライト・ビヨンド・ザ・ストーム・クロニクルとテイルズ・オブ・エラナ・リリカルなファンタジーシリーズを出版している。彼女はまた、ファンタジーやファンタジー・ロマンスのジャンルでいくつかの短編小説を執筆しており、時折ゴシックスタイルのホラーにも踏み込んでいる。政治、古典研究、古代史、神話などのバックグラウンドを持つ彼女の作品は、現実と夢を錬金術のように混ぜ合わせ、キャラクターと世界に生命を吹き込む、折衷的でユニークな味わいを持っています。

彼女の短編小説『アウトサイドザウォールズ』は、ダイアナ・L・ウィッカーとの共作で、2017年にチルウィズアブックリーダー賞。

ザキッチンインプス」はNNライトブックヘブンで2018年のベストファンタジーを受賞、そして「エコーズオブアソング」は2019年のベストファンタジーを受賞しています。

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Published on March 09, 2023 11:19

Swift Six Author Interview – Astrid V. J. #Fantasy

Name: Astrid V.J.

Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):

I am a USA Today Bestselling and Literary Classics award-winning author, social anthropologist, and transformational life coach. I grew up in South Africa and currently live in Malmö, Sweden (after having lived in many exciting and interesting places). I live with my husband and our two children.

My South African-German heritage and the experiences of living and integrating into other societies have given me a great deal to think about and process.

The training in anthropology has given me the tools to think beyond simple stereotypes and ideological explanations of social interaction while the understanding I have of human potential underlying my certification as a transformational life coach allows me to see what is possible and to appreciate the human capacity to achieve success in the face of adversity.

My parents instilled in me a love for books, and the natural world that we inhabit. This love has led to a deep appreciation of the written word and the desire to contribute as much as I can towards improving the state of the world. I would like to use my expertise and passion for cultures to help us move forward.

I write transformation fiction: incorporating transformation principles in novels, rather than writing another self-help book. This is more than Up-lit. My books are intended to be uplifting, but also to provoke thought and help people question the situations they find themselves in, and to identify how they themselves can transcend their circumstances.

Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)

So far, I have four novels in a series of fairytale retellings and my focus is on lesser-known fairytales, The Elisabeth and Edvard’s World series. I have published two novels in a futuristic fantasy quartet, The Wishmaster series, which follows an itinerant storyteller in her late forties and her young apprentice. Accompanying The Wishmaster series is a spin-off series of novellas recounting the tales that are mentioned in the course of the storyteller and her apprentice’s journey. I am also currently working on an urban fantasy series with a bear shifter clan set in modern-day Sweden.

Additionally, I have also contributed to several permanent charity anthologies raising funds for causes close to my heart. The most noteworthy are:

Children of War: an anthology to support the children of Ukraine

The Enchanted Anthologies series, thus far three books each raising monies for a different environmental cause

What’s in a Name series, thus far two books raising monies for global literacy

When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?

I’ve been writing since I was twelve and started publishing four years ago. I read Fingerprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock and had an idea. I was also acutely aware of the inherent Westernness of Fantasy and wanted to change that despite it being my favorite genre. Making fantasy more representative is definitely something that drives me to write.

What writing plans do you have for the future?

I have so many story ideas, I’ll just keep going until my time is up, because as the past twenty-four years have proven, there’s no lack of ideas in my head.

What do you like to read?

I read anything I can get my hands on. Although I’m not a particular fan of horror, if written well, I’ll even give that a try. Essentially, as long as the writing is good and the plot is solid, I’ll enjoy it.

What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?

It’s okay to just go with what you love. I kept pushing writing away because I didn’t believe it was a sensible career option, instead of embracing what I love and trying to make it work.

Author bio and book synopsis

Author bio:

Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author, Astrid V.J. was born in South Africa. She is a trained social anthropologist and certified transformational life coach. She currently resides in Sweden with her husband and their two children. In early childhood, she showed an interest in reading and languages—interests which her family encouraged. Astrid started writing her first novel at age 12 and now writes fantasy in a variety of genres, exploring her passion for cultures and languages. When she isn’t writing, Astrid likes to read, take walks in nature, play silly games with her children, do embroidery, and play music.

Series synopses:

The Wordmage’s Tales:

In The Apprentice Storyteller, the boy learns and performs the tales Viola Alerion taught him. Immerse yourself in the tales of the Haldrian Empire and experience these folktales as they fit into The Apprentice Storyteller and Finding the Way. Each tale is a stand-alone and every one of them refers back to the moment it was mentioned in The Apprentice Storyteller or Finding the Way.
The twists of life confront us with the worst within ourselves. At the same time, these moments provide us the opportunity to offer up that which brings out the best in us. Dreams are the seeds of our potential. They are the life-giving guides that unfold the path of our highest achievements. Our dreams require belief—in both the possibility of that intangible dream becoming a reality, and also in our capacity to make it happen.
Love. Loss. Longing. Loyalty. The Wordmage’s Tales bring it all to life.

These tales are a continuation of Astrid V.J.’s exploration of human transformation and expand her journey as a writer of transformation fiction, literature exploring human potential and our capacity to achieve success in the face of adversity. Each one of The Wordmage’s Tales is dedicated to a key principle of transformation.

The Wishmaster series:

A master-storyteller and her apprentice share stories on their travels through the Haldrian empire, where things are not as blissful as the empress would like people to believe. Can they bring change to the galactic empire through their stories?

Elisabeth and Edvard’s World series:

This is a series of retellings of lesser-known fairy tales and folk tales by award-winning and USA Today bestselling author, Astrid V.J. These books can be read as standalones or enjoyed as a series with unexpected interconnections. Currently includes the following retellings:

The Siblings’ Tale duology – Brother and Sister (Grimm)

Gisela’s Passion – Giselle (original Slavic folktale on which the French ballet is based)

Naiya’s Wish – The Nixie of the Mill-pond (Grimm)

Johara’s Choice – The Tinderbox (Hans Christian Andersen)

Links/Social media

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Astrid-V.J./e/B07S8WGPTT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrid.v.j_author_official/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Astrid-VJ-USA-Today-Bestselling-Author/100064127106021/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/astrid.v.j_author_official

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Published on March 05, 2023 20:50

Book Spotlight – Johara’s Choice #Fantasy #FairytaleRetelling

Title: Johara’s Choice

Author: Astrid V.J.

Genre: YA Fantasy / Fairytale Retelling

Main character description (short).

Johara is a bundle of contradictions. She has spent her life behind four walls with only small window onto the world beyond because her parents fear a prophecy regarding her future. All Johara wants is the freedom to be herself, unbound from her parents’ fears and worries, but at the same time she wants to be a dutiful daughter and make her parents proud. Forced to stay where she is, Johara escapes through her grandfather’s correspondence, exploring the world beyond her tower through the reports from his advisors and bureaucrats, and gaining a mountain of knowledge.

Erik has always had a lust for adventure. It’s what got him into this fix. Now, he’s been fired, suffers nightmares from all he’s witnessed, doesn’t have a penny to his name and is stuck in a foreign country that hates his people. All he has left when the debt collectors come knocking is a mysterious tinderbox he came by on one of those adventures he loved to seek out before life broke him.

Synopsis:

Locked in a tower with the fear of prophecy holding her parents back, Johara dreams of freedom. However, her time in confinement is spent well, researching the true state of her country. When she realises her father has ignored the importance of ancient ritual, Johara must find a way to break free and avert the gathering catastrophe, or risk the annihilation of her people and their way of life.

Haunted by the horrors of war, Erik has given up hope of ever finding anything truly worth fighting for. When a twist of fate allows his path to cross Johara’s, everything changes and he begins to hope there might yet be a chance at happiness. But can he embrace life and the spitfire princess who never does as she’s told, running headlong into danger at every turn? Or will he let that, too, slip through his fingers.

Embark on a magical high-stakes adventure in this retelling of Andersen’s fairytale, The Tinderbox.

Brief Excerpt 250 words:

How could Father think, even for a moment, that this is a better use of my time?

Johara swayed her head from side to side as she tried to absorb the stacks and stacks of parchment the servants carted in by the crate-full. Earlier that morning, she’d rejoiced at the prospect of her dance and embroidery lessons having been cancelled, but this was beyond all reason.

She stared open-mouthed at her father and was even more perplexed by the satisfied smile playing on his lips as he twirled his moustache. How could he possibly be pleased with himself at this solution to Johara’s ‘problem’, as he termed it?

“You wished to be useful, Johara,” the sultan announced. “And nothing could please me more. I have meant to go through my late father’s correspondence for quite some time now, but the pressures of ruling have not given me a moment to do so and none of my councillors has the spare time. You could serve the realm and your dear father greatly if you sorted through this and reported to me the most important findings from your grandfather’s letters. Now, I must attend a meeting about the drought over in Derakhtan province.”

He marched out the room in a swirl of silks while Johara sank into a cushioned seat. Her mother stepped through the doorway, a smug smile painted on her features.

“I dare you to complain about this one, Johara.”

Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?

Johara’s Choice includes representation unusual in Fantasy. Mental health is a key consideration in this novel. Additionally, I include nudges for my readers to embrace their own transformation instead of merely reading about the characters’ transformational journeys. I am a certified transformational life coach, and seeing readers embrace their potential is very rewarding.

Links etc.

Johara’s Choice on Amazon https://amzn.to/3Ykcfc2

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Astrid-V.J./e/B07S8WGPTT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrid.v.j_author_official/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Astrid-VJ-USA-Today-Bestselling-Author/100064127106021/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/astrid.v.j_author_official

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Published on March 04, 2023 08:48

Φως Πέρα από την Καταιγίδα-Το χρονικό

Σε έναν σκοτεινό κόσμο όπου η μαγεία είναι παράνομη και τα ξωτικά είναι σκλαβωμένα, μια νεαρή μάγισσα-ξωτικό δραπετεύει για να σώσει τη ζωή της από το σπίτι του μοχθηρού Κατόχου της. Καταδιωκόμενη από τους άνδρες του και το διεφθαρμένο Τάγμα των Κυνηγών Μαγισσών, πρέπει να βρει καταφύγιο. Καθώς οι δουλέμποροι αλωνίζουν κλέβοντας ξωτικά από ό,τι έχει απομείνει από το πατρογονικό τους σπίτι, οι Κυνηγοί Μαγισσών κλείνουν τα μάτια στην τραγωδία και μια ιστορία δύναμης, αγάπης και τρομερής εκδίκησης εκτυλίσσεται.

https://books2read.com/LBTSGreek

#Ξωτικά,# Φαντασία, #Σκοτεινή Φαντασία, #Ερωτική Φαντασία, #Μαγεία

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Published on March 04, 2023 05:35

When Love Lasts – O. L. Obonna – Book Spotlight

OUT NOW: When Love Lasts by O.L. Obonna ( @omoscorner) #romance #romancenovel #contemporaryromance #secondchanceromance

Book Blurb

Theirs was a marriage made in heaven, a marriage meant to last forever or so they thought.

A once-perfect marriage was thrown into a fragile state as a result of tiny whispers, and an unfortunate encounter causes the marriage to collapse. The once happy couple separate and a heartbroken Leilani returns home to London. And then out of the blue, Folarin’s family needs Leilani’s help and she must return to her ex-husband’s side. A series of unfortunate events have brought them together again and Folarin and Leilani must come to terms with the realisation, that somebody, somewhere was wrong. As they spend more time together, falling in love seems inevitable; even though one of them is promised to another, they must find a way to learn to trust and forgive each other in other to move on.
Will Folarin be able to trust Leilani?

Will Leilani be able to forget the pain of their first marriage?

Will they both believe in second chances?

Available from:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BVMZGVJV

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVMZGVJV

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1344338

Excerpt

Folarin wasn’t surprised Leilani had hung up on him yesterday.

He had expected her to be angry and yes, she was right to be angry, but still, he was angry with himself for calling her and even more annoyed that she hung up on him.And he was also a little bit tipsy.

Damn Leilani.

All she had to do was listen to him, was that so difficult to do? He got to his car, a sleek black BMW X6, and fumbled with his keys, cursing when they dropped from his hands. Placing his left arm on the bonnet for balance, he bent down to look for his keys.

He located them by his feet and gave a whoop of delight. Straightening up, he opened the door on the driver’s side and got in. He squinted. Everything looked blurred. But he could see the wide road before him, so he was good to go.

Starting the engine, Folarin gripped the steering wheel and drove out of the restaurant premises, his eyes focused on the road before him.

He had only gone a few miles when he ran a red light.

“He didn’t hear people screaming and he didn’t see the truck coming until it rammed into the passenger side of his car. The impact lifted his car, and it rolled over a couple of times, the windscreen shattering as the car tumbled down the poorly lit street, finally coming to a stop at the end of the road.

As his life flashed before him, Leilani was the last person he thought of just before the airbag deployed in his face.

And then he blacked out.

Author Biography

O.L OBONNA was born in Lagos, Nigeria. For as long as she can remember, she has always wanted to tell stories about love and romance by creating and immersing readers in the romantic adventures of fascinating characters. Her stories are a peek into her version of the excitement, allure, and mystery of the age-old sentimental narrative of love, which she so beautifully and intricately weaves together into a genuinely fascinating read. When she’s not surrounding herself with words or reading a romance novel, you can find her in the kitchen trying out new recipes or painting with her children.

She lives in London and is happily married with three children.

Website: www.omoscorner.com

Instagram: @omos_corner

Twitter: @omoscorner

Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services .

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Published on March 03, 2023 10:28

Check out my chilling #horror #Shortfic #HistoricalFiction

The year is 1888, and the place is Whitechapel, in the very heart of London. But the heart is bleeding. A mysterious killer is stalking women of the streets – his true name is unknown, but his legend will go down in history. This is a short tale of Jack the Ripper.

18 rated for scenes of violence.

You have been warned!

Ebook and Audiobook

https://www.books2read.com/TheWatcherJTR

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Published on February 19, 2023 10:54

Season of the Dragon – Guest Post and Blog Tour

Season of the Dragon

Dragos Primeri Book 1

by Natalie Wright

Genre: Epic Fantasy

“This dazzling epic fantasy series kickoff rewards and upends reader expectations.”—BOOKLIFE REVIEWS, Editor’s Pick

“[Readers] looking for fantasy series titles that open with a bang of psychological and political allure will find that few can equal the force of Season of the Dragon.”—D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

“A real epic in the making!” ~Dario Ciriello, Editor

When dragons rise from a thousand-year slumber, to save her loved ones, a young changeling woman must unite her warring souls.Quen Santu wasn’t born to save the world. She was created to destroy it.

Quen was born cursed with a second, shadow soul and is a misfit in her nomadic herding culture. Quen yearns to belong and for a love to call her own. But she is detested by animals, and no herdclan will have her. On the cusp of her twentieth year, Quen is at risk of becoming pesha—no one. Quen’s only hope for an honorable life is to take vows at one of the Pillars, schools dedicated to the magical and martial arts.

On the day a mysterious stranger reveals a dark prophecy, a dragon kills Quen’s father. The murder turns her life upside down, and dashes hope for an honorable life. Anger fuels Quen’s quest for vengeance, and she joins a vigilante group hunting the murderous dragon. The new found family provides comfort amid her profound loss and holds the promise of new love. But to preserve the belonging and love she craves, Quen struggles to hide her true identity.

Quen’s journey spans the continent, from the nomadic herding lands of the Sulmére sands to the opulent largesse of the capital—and reveals terrible truths. That a power-hungry Dynasty can ruin a life with a quill stroke. That a shadowy dragon cult has laid claim to her. And that even the leader of a revered institution aims to control Quen’s growing power.

Yet the question persists: Why?

The truth awaits at the end of her journey, but can love survive the truth? As Quen battles the beast within, time is running out. Will Quen finally overcome her curse and unite her warring souls? Or will her phantom soul consume her—and everyone she loves?

The fate of her homeland—and all she loves—hangs in the balance.

“[Wright’s] powers of description are first-class, and her worldbuilding impressive. She presents her world with great clarity… The scenes in Qülla are especially sumptuous and vivid, and it’s impossible to not believe in such a place: a fabulous work.” ~Dario Ciriello, Editor

“Wright’s Season of the Dragon world is unique, sumptuous, and highly engaging. I want to feast at the Palace di Solis and witness the incredible Volenex! SotD is filled with dragons, new magical creatures, sorcerers and mages, and intriguing new mythology. But SotD is more than great worldbuilding. Wright deftly weaves worldbuilding into a story that about the power of love. The love of a father for his child and how that love survives even death. Of the complex love between siblings and the bonds of friendship. And of the blossoming love of two young people trying to find their place in the world and discovering that love can be a life raft in the darkest of times. I highly recommend Season of the Dragon, and look forward to the next book in the series.” ~Jim Farley, Beta Reader

** Releases March 1st!!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Epic Fantasy & Sci-Fi Author and Podcaster. Mother, wife, and cat-wrangler. World traveler and lifelong nerd. Insatiably curious.

A member of SFWA, Natalie is the author of six published Sci-Fi & Fantasy novels and co-host of the Tipsy Nerds Book Club podcast. When not writing or podcasting, you can find Natalie participating on panels at SFF cons, book festivals, and comic-cons throughout the western U.S. She’s also a short story judge in the NYC Midnight international writing challenge, and a freelance content development editor. Her debut teen novel, Emily’s House, has been read over 2.2 million times on Wattpad. Now focusing on epic fantasy for adults, stay in touch via social media to learn more about her forthcoming epic fantasy series, tentatively titled Season of the Dragon.

Favorite book quote — “One more dance along the razor’s edge finished. Almost dead yesterday, maybe dead tomorrow, but alive, gloriously alive, today.” – Robert Jordan, Lord of Chaos (Wheel of Time #6)

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Win a Swag box with an autographed jacketed hardcover + enamel pin, custom-made for the book + bookmark + beaded book-cover keychain + custom soy candle, themed to the book + personalized note from the author. (ARV of over $75, US only),

$20 Amazon giftcard (WW)

-1 winner each!

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Dragon, Mages & Meddling gods—Oh my!

Building the World of Season of the Dragon

By Natalie Wright

One of the great joys of writing fantasy books? Building the world!

Back in 2016, I had the initial idea for a dragon story. I wanted to create a magic system that revolved around the elements. I also knew I wanted the series to follow (roughly) the seasons (so Summer/Fire, Winter/Water, etc.), but that’s about all I had. Though I’d written five novels, I’d set all of them (mainly) in our contemporary world.

How to even begin writing a second-world fantasy (that is, one set on a new world, not Earth)?

Like many fantasy writers, I began with a map. My first map was a scribbled mess of lines! But thinking about the continents, oceans, mountains and such fired my imagination. Soon my map evolved to the one shown here.

Before long, I invented money, religion, and an entire culture. A few pages of notes became two thick notebooks of material! And my Pinterest board… Hey, it’s “research.”

[LINK TO MY SotD PINTEREST BOARD: https://bit.ly/Pinterest_SotD]

But writing an engaging fantasy novel requires more than world-building. Though I conceived of the “skeleton” of Menauld before I began writing, the world got fleshed out by writing Quen’s story.

As the young hero sets out on her perilous journey, the world unfolds for both Quen and the reader. From the desolate sands of the Sulmére to the sumptuous largesse of the opulent Palace di Soli, the reader discovers a world of strange new wonders and magical beings.

I can’t wait for readers to embark with Quen on her journey of discovery. And yes, you’ll meet dragons, mages, and meddling gods!

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Published on February 17, 2023 00:29

Season of the DragonDragos Primeri Book 1by Natalie Wrig...