A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 48
May 28, 2023
The Light Keeper – Blog Tour and Giveaway #YAFantasy #Fantasy
The Light Keeper
by Christina Wallace
Genre: Epic YA Fantasy
Wishes aren’t all they’re cracked up to be… especially when you have to capture the Fairies who grant them to you.
Er… make that faeries… and not the normal, hiding-in-plain-sight magical kind.
When a misadventure cleaning out the attic leads Isaac to release a faerie trapped in a glass ball of light, he believes he’s struck gold–in the form of wishes. All he has to do is mention the name that was engraved on the ball, and the indebted faerie would grant him any three wishes he wanted.
The best part of all was knowing that there was an entire chest of captured faeries waiting to be freed…
But when strange things start to happen around town, Isaac begins to wonder if the increasingly unfortunate events are his doing.
Only his mysterious neighbor, Yara, knows the truth about his lineage as a Light Keeper.
Can Yara’s strength and wisdom guide Isaac into his new role?
Can Isaac make things right again?
Or will his dream-come-true turn into his worst nightmare?
**Check out the kickstarter campaign HERE!**
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Christina Wallace has been many things. A student, an analyst, a wife, a mother, a gamer, and a lifelong writer. For almost as long as she can remember she’s dreamed of people and places that only existed in her mind, and sharing her stories is a dream come true.
Christina writes books not only for middle-grade audiences, but for young and new adults as well. Stories should be an escape. Christina likes to write about people who become their own heroes and take fate into their own hands. Many of her works contain fantastical elements and also a bit of love, but strong friendships are the common thread.
The Light Keeper is Christina’s debut series with more books soon to come. She is thrilled to begin this adventure of her very own as an author.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$30 Amazon
Excerpt Sunday – Tears and Crimson Velvet #HistoricalFantasy #Phantom
Welcome to Excerpt Sunday – here’s another little taster….
Tears and Crimson Velvet – A. L. Butcher
Madame Lise Giry unlaced her shabby black boots and stretched her aching feet onto a threadbare footstool. Her room was cold, the stone walls leeched heat and the hangings did not compensate much. Lise felt cold within – this was the cold of deadly knowledge and sadness. It ate at the soul, and the heart but Lise remained within these walls. She had a duty to do so, but it was not so simple. She had a promise to keep.
The last opera of the season was always the most exhausting; so many expectations, trepidations and often mistakes. Already highly-strung artistes were at breaking point. Even the soloists were not on top form, with Babette tripping during her dance and her partner straining a muscle trying to compensate. The corps de ballet was flighty and nervous, and Lise couldn’t blame them for that. Recent events had brought kidnap, murder and extortion. Lise thought it was like a gothic novel or one of the increasingly popular crime fictions. Yet this was dreadfully real. Terrifying. Tragic. Shaking her grey tinged head Lise let a tear fall now she was alone. She hoped next season would be more settled, at least as far as such things could be in the volatile world of theatre, with its gossip, its affairs, and its micro-world where only those within really understood. Sometimes she’d pondered on retiring and having a ‘normal’ life- whatever that might be, but deep down Lise knew this life and more importantly, this place was in her blood and soul. And there was her gentleman….
“It’s certainly been a more eventful season than usual,” she muttered to the reflection in the looking glass of her room. Madame Giry should not, perhaps, have had this room with its ebony wood and faded silken chaise; the artwork, elderly and rather faded as it was, and the mirror. Yes, the mirror! Rumours abounded about haunted mirrors, and some said they captured the soul. Lise could believe that from all that had happened these last few months. In the charged corridors of the Opera House, it was said Christine’s mirror sang and she had once disappeared through it to a beautiful subterranean palace. Dancers and theatre folk held many superstitions and strange beliefs, but not all were simply foolish tales. Even myth can have a basis in fact.
Lise wiped her eyes. Tragedy walked the passages and stairways of the Opera House. The Angel of Death dwelled here. Lise herself was not a superstitious woman; she’d seen enough to warrant a belief in ghosts, strange goings-on and mystery but knew most often there was a rational explanation. Most often but not always. She’d been raised a Catholic, but these days no answer came from above or her Bible. Once she’d been told there was no redemption. The rosary now hung on a nail behind her favourite chair, but faith is often tested. Lise had met an angel – she was sure of it but if anything, that had rocked her faith more than anything else. Angels could be damned – of that she was certain. And the angel had a name.
“Poor Erik.” The sound rose in her throat before she even realised. But it was ritual now – she spoke those words every night. Lise did not recall when those two words had replaced her nightly prayer, but they had and now she seldom bothered God.
About the book
Madame Giry finds herself embroiled in the tragedy unfolding at the Opera house; mystery and murder stalk the corridors and, it is said, a ghost haunts the place. Giry knows the truth, for she recalls the caged man she met so many years ago. This is her story, their story.
When murder and mystery begin at the Opera House one woman knows who is behind it, and what really lies beneath the mask. Secrets, lies and tragedy sing a powerful song in this ‘might have been’ tale.
Winner of the 2020 Best Short Story award on NNLight Book Heaven
A short, tragic tale based on characters from Phantom of the Opera.
A Legacy of the Mask Tale.
https://books2read.com/TearsandCrimson
May 27, 2023
Author Interview – Francis H Powell
Name: Francis H Powell
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
I was born in the UK, I spent some time living in Austria, and since 1999 I have lived in France. I live with my wife, my ten-year-old son, and our rescue dog, Bertie. I have spent a lot of time teaching at schools and universities. I went to art school, and I still do lots of creative things, like painting and sculpture. I also do music. We have a really nice house near Fontainebleau. We have a wonderful garden, but I know next to nothing about gardening. I have limited success planting things.
Sometimes we travel to Paris. Before, we lived in Brittany, near the sea, but I missed the life I used to have when I lived in Paris, lots of culture and things happening. I also have friends who live in Paris. As well as fiction, I write poetry. I put together a book called “Together Behind Four Walls” which was an anthology to raise money for Marie Curie Nurses.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
The book I am promoting at the moment is called “The Fish King and the Two Wise Ghosts”. It is my first children’s book. I also did all the illustrations and front and back covers. There are around thirty illustrations. The book was inspired by a drawing my son did, that looked like a king holding the hands of two ghosts. At first I wrote a long poem then changed it to prose, but kept a lot of the poetry.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
My adventure really began when I saw an advert in a magazine looking for short stories. I was living in Paris at the time and the magazine was called “Rat Mort”. I began writing short stories and sent them off to magazines and to web sites. I really enjoyed writing short stories, but later adapted to writing novels. I was inspired to write my latest book, because of my son. It is great to be able to read him, one of my stories, with him in mind.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I write a lot and in different genres. I would like to have more children’s books published, but to have some of my other stories published. My other stories are often dark and surreal. It would be great to have a book of my poems published.
What do you like to read?
At the moment I am reading Barcelona Dreaming by Rupert Thompson. I am also part of a book club, so I am obliged to read a different book, each month. I like to read a lot of different styles of books including biographies.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
It’s going to be a long and hard journey.
Author bio and book synopsis
BIO
Born in 1961, in Reading, England Francis H Powell attended Art Schools, receiving a degree in painting and an MA in printmaking. In 1995, Francis H Powell moved to Austria, teaching English as a foreign language while pursuing his varied artistic interests adding music and writing. He currently lives in Moret sur Loing, France writing both prose and poetry. Francis H Powell has published short stories in the magazine, “Rat Mort” and other works on the internet site “Multi-dimensions.” He has had three books published and has also compiled a book of short stories, poems and illustrations, featuring other writers and poets. The book is called “Together Behind Four Walls” and is a book of lockdown stories and poems. The books has raised money for Marie Curie nurses. He has had poems published in anthologies, for both adults and children. He has done poetry reading for Paris Lit up as well as other events.
SYNOPSIS
A fishy tale that begins with a king who has two wise ghost friends and his tricky search for a queen. The first to try to win the king’s hand, the fishy Princess Chipolata, is discovered by the two ghosts, trying to steal the crown jewels. At first, the king refuses to believe them. Finally, Princess Chipolata is sent to prison.
The King continues his search by placing an advertisement on social media, “Fish Hook.” He gets a lot of responses; however, all the hopeful queens are most unsuitable. When he sets his eyes on one of his sister’s friends, his search comes to a happy end. Only one problem remains: he has to introduce two ghosts, who like to play jokes on people, to his future bride.
In the second part of the book, the king and queen produce royal heirs. Prince Erik likes ghosts in the same way as his father. A party takes place, and the ghosts spook some of the guests. When Prince Erik grows up, he tells his parents he wants to go on a long adventure. He sees and does some incredible things. After he returns, the kingdom is once again a happy place.
Francis H Powell Twitter
@Dreamheadz
Francis H Powell (@francis_h_powell_writer) • Instagram photos and videos
Goodreads
Francis H. Powell (Author of Flight of Destiny) | Goodreads
(20+) Francis H Powell author | Facebook
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Francis H Powell – YouTube
May 24, 2023
The Rogue’s Ring – Blog Tour #HistoricalRomance
The Rogue’s Ring
A Treasure Tale Novel #3
by Nancy Lee Badger
Genre: Historical Romance
Heading out on his horse, Ghost, into the snowy Highlands of Scotland in January 1817 was not sane, but Bryce Ketteridge would never let down his friends. If a duke, an earl, and a former spy felt finding the owners of nobleman’s rings was important, he would do his share. Coming across masked bandits, and shooting one, turned his life on end. What follows was not in his plans.
The last thing Cat Douglas wished to do was steal coins from the handsome stranger she meets at a tavern. When he later shoots her while she threatened a nobleman’s coach, she suspected he had no idea it was her. Kidnapped boys, pirate threats, and murder propel them to save a boy named Blake. He was, after all, special to them both.
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Nancy Lee Badger grew up in Huntington on New York’s Long Island. After attending Plymouth State, in New Hampshire, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree and met and married her college sweetheart. They raised two handsome sons in Rumney, New Hampshire while she dreamed of being a writer. When the children had left the nest, and shoveling snow became a chore, she retired from her satisfying job as a 911 Emergency Medical Dispatcher and moved to North Carolina, where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, and the Triangle Association of Freelancers. She finds story ideas in the most unusual places.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
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May 23, 2023
Salute the Military Book Event and Giveaway – NN Light Book Heaven May 23 – May 31, 2023
I’m so excited to be a part of N. N. Light’s Book Heaven Salute Military Bookish Event. Check out all books in time for Memorial Day and enter the giveaway to win a $20 Amazon gift card: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/salute-military-bookish-event #memorialday #salutemilitary #militaryfiction #militaryromance
Giveaway Info –
Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card:
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/92db7750219
Open Internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon Canada account to win.
Runs May 23 – May 31, 2023.
The winner will be drawn on June 1, 2023.
May 21, 2023
Excerpt Sunday – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I
Welcome to Excerpt Sunday.
Here you’ll find teasers from a variety of authors – just a taste of what’s in their books….
All (c) belongs to the original authors.
Excerpt from the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I (c) A. L. Butcher
The Archmage rested: dozing, replenishing, and dreaming. Archos had spent an active day and night studying and trying to finish the spell he was creating. Even with his Power, something had unsettled him, so he had given up and gone to rest. As he dozed in a chair in what he called his “workshop,” the Mirror he owned began to sing. Pulled from his sleep, he rose and walked to it. “What is it that you disturb me at such an hour?” he murmured. The Mirror’s song began to wail the strange, haunting song of the Arcane Realms. Touching the edges of the Enchanted Silver frame, he watched as the Mirror shimmered, and the mists cleared.
Archos watched as the view of the chamber in the ruins flickered into view. The image was weak, so he channelled some magic into the Mirror, and Archos saw the other Mirror in the tower and a glimpse of something red as the image flickered out. “Damn you,” he muttered, “must be a weak one.”
Concentrating, he channelled another small bolt of magic into his own Mirror. These artefacts had many uses, if a mage knew the correct spell, one of which included finding other such Mirrors. It was almost as though they spoke to one another, communicated in the Arcane Realm. They fed on magic, although Archos was not sure if “fed” was the correct term. Demanded, needed, or desired were perhaps more accurate. His Mirror could be fickle, but it was old. It had cost him a good deal some years ago, but he smiled as he caressed the silver. He saw the image flicker back up and as it did so, a bolt of magic, of pain, of Power, and of the most intense desire shot down his arm and right across him. Suddenly his head spun, for just a moment, and the Power made him drop gasping to his knees.
“Gods, what was that? Such Power! That cannot have been from the other Mirror!”
He had never felt such intensity as the Power of the woman who called to him across the vast Magical Realms. Breathlessly, he gripped the edges, surprised and deeply intrigued. As he pulled himself back to his feet, Archos saw her: the flame-haired elf woman touching the Mirror in the ruins. He watched as she ran her fingers down the glass and murmured something. Again, he cursed that he had never been able to get the thing to transmit sound. Archos gazed, transfixed, at the beautiful young mage. She could not be more than twenty-five summers, although with elves, it was hard to tell. It had taken him years to learn Mirror magic, yet before him stood this young mage activating an old, dying Mirror.
The image faded, and he snapped at the Mirror, “Show me. Do not play games.”
The mists swirled, and he tried to reach through the unyielding magical fog. “Damn you, so be it!” Archos continued, glaring at the Mirror.
Book info:
The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I
In a dark world where magic is illegal, and elves are enslaved a young elven sorceress runs for her life from the house of her evil Keeper. Pursued by his men and the corrupt Order of Witch-Hunters she must find sanctuary. As the slavers roll across the lands stealing elves from what remains of their ancestral home the Witch-Hunters turn a blind eye to the tragedy and a story of power, love and a terrible revenge unfolds.
18 rated.
https://www.books2read.com/Lightbeyondstorm1
May 17, 2023
The Fish, The Fighters and the Song Girl – Blog Tour #Historical #Fantasy Janet and Chris Morris
The Fish The Fighters and The Song-Girl
Sacred Band Series Book 9
by Janet & Chris Morris
Genre: Historical Fantasy Adventure
After the Battle of Meridian . . . New blood and old warriors face unforeseen challenges as one war ends in triumph and another conflict looms. Stories you’ll love to hear again and stories you’ve been hoping to hear for the first time in a brand-new Sacred Band anthology that takes the Stepsons where they’ve never been before… Tales of risk and glory, past, present and future, among the Sacred Band of Stepsons cavalry in
The Fish the Fighter and the Song-girl, the latest Sacred Band novelized anthology, including the new title novella, ‘The Fish the Fighters and the Song-girl.’ Tempus and his Sacred Band won the battle of their dreams, but now the time has come to count the cost and face the consequences in fifteen tales, old and new, of the iconic Sacred Band of Stepsons, including the last six classic Sacred Band stories from the million-copy bestselling shared universe of Thieves’ World® and nine new adventures available nowhere else.
**On Sale for Only $2.99!!**
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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.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
What is somethiang 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 the The Fish the Fighters & the Song-girl book?
The Fish the Fighters & the Song-girl is a Sacred Band retrospective bringing together excerpts and vignettes from obscure other writings, introducing new characters and completing a story circle in preparation for stories to come. The Band is bivouacked and trainees need to know enough history of their cadre to assume their roles in campaigns to come. One by one Sacred Band veterans step forward and address their comrades, telling of exploits past and are surprised when Tempus encounters mythical creatures inhabiting their meeting place.
Convince us why you feel The Fish the Fighters and the Song-girl is a must read.
If you are new to the Band, The Fish the Fighters and the Song-girl will give you the orientation a new fighter would receive. Older fighters, and Tempus himself, step forward in an entirely new novella to teach new recruits how to prepare for the changes in their lives to come. In order to impart these lessons, the Band’s stalwarts share their experiences from battles past as well as their most recent death-match with the lord of dream, the cost in lives and honor exacted on that battlefield. As you hear these stories, you too might begin to wonder if you could measure up to the challenges these brave hearts will face.
Who designed your book covers?
Most of our covers, including The Fish the Fighters and the Song-girl, 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.
May 13, 2023
The World of Erana – The People -Part I
The fantasy world of Erana – which features in my Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles series, and the Tales of Erana is a complex world. Magic is illegal – but magic doesn’t know that and it doesn’t care. Mages are illegal, adepts are illegal but still magical people exist, mainly in hiding or unaware that’s what makes them a little faster, a little more talented, a better healer, a craftier thief or whatever. The Order of Witch-Hunters hate magic and seek to divide and rule.
But who are the people of Erana?
Races:
Humans – humans are the predominant race and the shortest-lived. Most humans are not magical if they are pure-blood humans, but it’s not unheard of. They come in many colours – the mainland people are largely pale-skinned but in the Far Isles and some of the Northern areas the people are dark-skinned, and the people who dwell in the Emerald Valley are dark-haired, olive-skinned folk.
Witch-Hunters are all human (or at least look human).
‘Passer’ humans – they have in their ancestry Elven or Trollish blood. It can be several generations back. They look human, but often these are the folk with a bit of magic. If they know of their elven ancestor most would keep it quiet.
Elves – Legally all elves are the property of humans – slaves. They have no rights in law and any elf who moves around must have papers from the human who owns them.
The Forest Elves dwell in the Shimmering Forest, their ancestral home. Much of it is remote, mysterious and unexplored by humans. Many elves are magical to a degree, but at a cost. The elves were once the predominant and most powerful race, but wars and the feared Plague decimated them – spreading to the human and Trollish lands and bringing much death. The elves are still blamed for the Plague and humans are wary.
There are a few Elven towns and villages within the Shimmering Forest, but for the most part the once-great civilisation is gone. Technically even Forest Elves are slaves – and periodically the Slaver raid the Forest, or the Witch-Hunters purge any elven settlements.
Hunters and traders (where they can be) the Forest elves live precariously on what the Shimmering Forest has to offer – with a little light agriculture where the land permits it.
City Elves – these folk live among the humans, either having been born there or having been captured and sold by slavers. Within the larger towns and cities, they are forced to dwell in the poorest area – the Enclave. Some elves live in the homes of their masters and many are harshly treated.
Elven women are considered attractive and are often taken (mostly against their will) to be Kepts to rich men. Male elves too – are taken to work in the brothels, and elves of both sexes usually end up with the hard, dangerous jobs – mining, physical work in the quarries, servants in the houses of the rich humans doing….whatever the human wants.
Half-Elves – legally with the same rights as elves (i.e none) half-elves are the offspring of an elven (or half elven) parent and usually a human parent. They are taller and stockier than elves but generally have pointed ears, an angular face and the wider set eyes of their elven heritage.
Trolls – The Trollkind live in the mountains and hills, and generally avoid humans. They are large, with curved horns on their heads and the male warriors have hard dermal plates on their bodies. Their skin colour ranges from black through to red, grey, even blue now and then, and often similar to the land around their home. They have long, curly hair and pointed ears.
A warrior race they are the only matrilineal race. Their rulers are always women – Shaman – powerful, wise women renowned for their ability to tell fortunes, and the future. The male warriors – called Hirik – are shapeshifters – able to transform into wolves or bears. They are a spiritual people – they honour the gods and respect for their patron god or goddess is very important.
Outsiders see them as strange, rather barbarian as the are often tribal wars, but kin is very important – and alliances can span decades and mountain ranges.
Most humans would never have seen a troll in the flesh.
In a dark world beset by tyranny and lies can love and magic entwined bring freedom? Dark adult fantasy with sizzling sorcery, romance and revenge.
The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book I
In a world of forbidden magic, slavery and lies a group of outlaws seek a legend. Facing monsters, Witch-Hunters, hardship and unwelcome truths they must find what has been lost, and discover who they are.
Dare you follow?
The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book II
Mirandra Var must prove her worth to rule and find the deadly mystery within the StolenTower. If she succeeds, she will become the leader of her tribe. If she fails, there will be no tribe to lead.
The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book III
All the books are available as ebooks, paperback, large print paperback, hardcover and audiobooks.
May 9, 2023
Excerpt – The Shining Citadel
Excerpt 3 The Shining Citadel (c) A. L. Butcher
“So, you cannot find the way out, how…unfortunate. Many have wandered into this place, to become my playthings,” the voice laughed nastily. “I find myself hungry, craving sustenance. These pathetic minions provided a mere snack. A game, I think, is in order. It has been some while since there was so much delicious entertainment in my halls!”
“Ignore it, he is Faekind,” Archos snapped before he paused and shifted his Focus, calling up his Astral Sight.
Searching the paths and mists of the Arcane Realms for the creature, he felt the chill of the arcane winds as they billowed around him. He felt the dark shadow before he saw it, felt the force pushing back into him.
“Get you from here, creature, these realms are mine!” Archos growled to the air around him.
The laugh echoed. “So the Lord of Magic is territorial, is he? You invade my captivity, come to steal and destroy what was brought to me.”
Archos crossed his arms. “The destruction is of your own doing, creature, for you defile this place, feeding on the fear and the misery. You think I cannot feel it, all around? The others are mine, they belong to me. Heed that warning, fae.”
The fae laughed his terrible laugh. “Is that so? Perhaps we shall see, Storm Lord. Those women, the red-haired witch and that terrified blonde who holds so many secrets, they will soon belong to me. The forest elf, she is no more than a snack. So many memories, such pain and fear between them. You will watch them become mine.”
Find out more here:
Who rules in this game of intrigue where magic is forbidden, and elves enslaved? Journey where beliefs shatter like glass, truth is unwelcome, and monsters from ancient times abound: share the romance and revenge, magic and passion, and the wages of greed in a world of darkest fantasy.
(18 rated)
Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/ShiningCitadel
May 8, 2023
Excerpt – The Stolen Tower #Fantasy #DarkFantasy
Holding the Heart of the Mountain at arm’s length Mirandra watched it spin on its cord.
“This is home, take us, and lead us! I am Mirandra Var, daughter of Kherak and my blood has been called to right a wrong.” There was no trace of fear in her voice, but to whom she spoke the others weren’t entirely sure. It was a challenge, a challenge of her Power and her right to lead to whatever resided here.
As they watched the spirals on the stone shifted, spinning and whirling, Mirandra heard the deep resonance in her head, the song of the mountain and she followed, only now half aware of those about her. “Down, we need to go down,” she managed, although her voice was low and her eyes distant.
They crept past arches, in which lingered bones and piles of rags. Talfor eyed the remains, he alone of the adventurers had fought with the undead of the Temple of the Sky and knew that bones need not be idle. The air was heavy with the foul stench of death, and they tried not to gag. Some of the bodies were nought but bones, dry and brown; others were stinking, with maggots squirming. Grimly they searched those they could, seeking answers and finding only questions and sad remains.
“This is not a labyrinth – it’s a mausoleum!” M’alia said.
More than one corpse was Trollish in form, the large size and horns, making it clear, but most could not be identified. In the crumbling remains, M’alia saw a thin copper tube, such as would be used to transport a scroll. Curious she slid it open, hoping to find a spell to help them, and fragile parchment slithered out. In the flickering light of her wisp, the young mage squinted at the faint and desperate hand.
Father, this must be my goodbye. This is all a lie, he has gone insane. There are monsters here, summoned by his hand. There is death here, there is anger and fear. The Lady may she protect you, we are beyond her now.
Check out The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond The Storm Chronicles – Book III.
What stalks the land cannot be, but is.
Where magic is outlawed a troll Shaman calls from her deathbed to her heiress, Mirandra Var, daughter of the storm. Mirandra vows to find her missing kin, sort friend from foe, and claim the dangerous secrets guarded by unthinkable creatures. If she succeeds, she will become the leader of her tribe. If she fails, there will be no tribe to lead.
Mirandra Var must prove her worth to rule and find the deadly mystery within the #StolenTower. If she succeeds, she will become the leader of her tribe. If she fails, there will be no tribe to lead.
#Fantasy #Darkfantasy
Adult rated for sexy scenes and violence.
Available as ebook, audiobook, paperback, large print and hardcover.
Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/StolenTower
