A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 66

www.amazon.com/Heart-Deception-Consequences-Book-1-ebook/dp/B098PMXY76

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Published on February 16, 2022 22:47

Book Spotlight – Dark Dimensions -J A Duxbury #Sci-Fi

Basic Book Spotlight

Title: Dark Dimensions

Author: J A Duxbury

Genre: Sci Fi Military

Main character description (short). Troy is Battlemaster for a clan of humans and vampires. He works with the Clan Leader, Vlad, to ensure safety of the entire clan during battles and negotiations.

Synopsis: A clan of vampires and humans is lost in the dimensions due to a failed experiment. They must fight other clans and mad scientists before they are able to control their travel and head for their home dimension.

Brief Excerpt 250 words:

Vlad stood there in all his magnificence, his power emanating all the way to

where I lay on the table. Dmetri and Vlad both looked surprised at the presence of the

other. Vlad spoke, a shock startling me at his words. “Dmetri, I was wondering when we

would meet you. What are you doing with a member of my clan?”

Dmetri’s grin returned. “Stealing him,” he responded and turned all his vampiric

attention toward Vlad.

As he released me I wrenched the injector out of my arm and flung myself from

the table scrambling to the farthest corner from the arguing clan leaders ignoring the

pain it caused.

“It’s good to see you, Vlad. Although I guess I should have expected it,

considering I have your son here.” He paused before continuing on. “He is your son,

isn’t he? Although it’s rather odd. I killed you both some time ago.”

Vlad started with surprise at Dmetri’s words but recovered to respond. “I am a

different Vlad. I am sure my — son — has told you what has happened.”

A shock thudded through me as Vlad confirmed what Dmetri had just said.

“Yes, he did. I didn’t believe him at first, but seeing you here like this makes me

realise he was telling the truth. Your envoy from years ago was enjoyable, by the way.”

“I have not sent any envoys to you. I am not interested in getting involved in your

petty war.”

Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)? People should read this book because it is full of life and is an entertaining delight that will allow people time away from the worries of life.

Clans in Conflict

Dark Dimensions

https://amzn.to/3IL0eVx – Dark Dimensions – Amazon.com

Dark Reign (to be published)

Consequences

Heart of Deception

http://www.amazon.com.au/Heart-Deception-Consequences-Book-1-ebook/dp/B098PMXY76

Legacy of Risks – for Pre-order – releasing on 22 February 2022

www.amazon.com/dp/B09PKM87ZZ

Social media

Facebook Author page: http://Facebook Author page: www.facebook.com/jaduxbury1

Facebook Group: J A Duxbury’s Weird Words: www.facebook.com/groups/3357069671029525

http://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-duxbury-0462153b/

Twitter: @JADuxbury1

Website: www. jaduxbury.com/

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Published on February 16, 2022 01:58

February 15, 2022

Swift Six Character Interview – Dorcas #YoungAdult

Swift Six Character Interview

Character Name: Dorcas

Which book/world do you live in?

“I’s is livings in the lifer world with the Cracklocks. They’s is my friends, and I has beens with them for a longs time now.”

Tell us about yourself:

“I is a Brownie, or ‘nim’, if’s you is using the olds way of speaking. We is considered to be ones of the most helpful faeries; we’s help out in the home and looks after the family in returns for a little food. I’s been helping the Cracklock family for many years. Hundreds of years, if the truths be told. I’s cooking and cleaning and helping’s to look after the children’s.”

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

“Oh, you’s! I is not boastings about me, you silly! I’s not one for tattle telling stories. But if you’s is insisting, my weaknesses is cakes. Big cakes and biscuits. Looks at my belly! It is too bigs, but its has saves me’s before. When the redcaps came, they’s spears couldn’t get through my blubber guts. So Elsie says. I’s don’t let it slows me down none, anyhow, beings a bit bigger. Everyone should’s be happy with how’s they are, I is thinking. And if you’s is big like me’s, then all good’s. It show’s you is loving life’s.

For my’s strength, it has to be’s my loves for the little ones. The children. I’s not letting anyones harm thems whilst I is in charge. You see’s this rolling pin? Granny gaves it to me. Come’s back when you summons it. And I is pretty good with it; many a beastie and bumper it has whacked. I is not havings no bullying of my charges, I can tell’s you. Anyone is trying that, then they is getting a thumping.”

Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).

“This is difficult’s for me to answer. There are many importants things to keep an eyes out for. The Seelie and Unseelie Courts; they is not liking us mixing withs the lifers. But they makes some exceptions for the Cracklocks, particularly of Bartholomew’s line. The others are too bads to mention. I’s is loving my adopted family; Jacksie my sweets boy, Elsie my old friends who’s I lives with before and poor Sammy, who’s can’t see the Fae like the others cans. And we is trying to find David for a long time now; I is hoping that we can save’s him soon. Also, now’s I has a boyfriend too’s! Gnorbitts is nice, but he sometimes drinks too much beers. Especially when he is being with Popple. Those twos are bad influences on each other. Such a mess they’s is leaving; last times they burned popcorns on the stoves, and left it for me’s to tidy. I makes them get up even though they have hurty heads and cleans it all up. Or they is in much troubles.”

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?

“I is no hero, dearies. I just does what needs to be done. And if I has to crack noggin’s to do’s it, then I does. Like that Lisovyk monster, well, there was no ways it was going to eat Jack and Jimmy’s now, was there? Or that Jailer in the Catacombs. He was a nasty man; too nasty, treating the Faes like that. He was gettings what he deserved, and no mistakings. I is not standing for it; my’s family is what is importants and old Dorcas isn’t having no nonsense where they’s is concerned.”

What do you think of your ‘creator’?

“Mister Deegans? Oh, he is alrights, I is thinking. Blathers about a bits when he’s is writings us up; we’s is having to give him a poke sometimes in the night to make him write faster; puts some ideas in that mushpot of his. But he is nice; he is trying his hardest we is knowing, and we’s helps him where we can’s.”

Give us your favourite piece of advice:

“You’s should stay away from the other Cracklocks. They is bad Cracklocks; tainted with evil. They’s is killing Fae just because they’s is not understanding us. I is having nothings to do withs them, and you’s shouldn’t neither.”

Links to book

I is in the Cracklock Saga books. There is threes of them now and Mister Deegan has finished the fourth and is writings the fifth. You’s can find them at:

Book 1: Fae or Foe? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09G9RNMMS

Book 2: The Lost and the Departed. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNDM9YZ

Book 3: Alice and the Mirror Glass. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QJ2TV9S

I is in all of them’s. And I’s is getting in some right scrappy scraps, I’s can tell you!

https://www.patreon.com/mugenpress

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Published on February 15, 2022 01:16

February 13, 2022

Dirty Dozen Author Interview – Olivette Devaux #LBGT #Gayfic #Romance

Welcome to Olivette Devaux

What first prompted you to publish your work?

I have a writing mentor who is a NYT bestseller author as well as a former pro poker player. Turns out, in his younger years he was homeless for a few months (not related to poker,) and he was living out of his Porsche. In the desert, no less. The concept of a homeless man living out of a PORSCHE got me tickled pink. I mean, who does that? I ran with the idea and created Sam and his love interest, Theo.

When I write a book, I publish it. In fact, I publish all books I write. What I don’t publish is short stories – those often sit on my hard drive and I trip over them every so often and say, “Oh, yeah. I really should publish this one.” And then I forget again.

I kind of wanted to give a copy of Lucky Starflowers to my mentor, but I chickened out.

How did you become involved in book bundles? Would you recommend it?

Book bundles are a lot of fun! They are a great way for readers to discover new writers in their target genre. They are also a great way for writers to introduce themselves to a new group of folks who might not hear of them before. Collaborating with other writers is also wonderful and creative. What’s not to like?

What other bundles are you involved with?

There have been so many that I forget. I have a book, maybe two, in Burning Rubbers, which features gay romance tough guys. That one was a lot of fun. The name is kind of awful. It’s like a bad Dad joke and I should be embarrassed for even coming up with it, let alone using it!

Are you a ‘pantser’ or a ‘plotter’?

Well…when I get an idea, I let it fester for a while. At least a day. I generate ideas easily, so if it’s still with me the next day, it’s worth thinking about. If it’s with me few days after that, I’ll sit and write. By then, I’ll have established a few, fairly vague milestones along the plotline. I write into the dark, and when I allow myself to cut loose and do that, my characters surprise me. My milestones might shift around as well, but that’s okay. The story always grows something better in their place.

What is your favourite mythical creature? Why is this?

Ah, that would be a Waterkin. It’s a name I made up for a mythical Czech creature I grew up with, although they are known throughout Europe. I have a whole series of stories written about the way they immigrated to the US and now live in the local rivers and try to adapt to modern life. That world is under my Kate Pavelle pen name, though, and it’s not out yet.

What does writing bring to your life?

I love to create things. Stories are just one of the things I make, and I love sharing them with the world. I love injecting a bit of humor into mine, whether it’s a Millenial vampire in search of “ethical blood,” or whether we’re talking about wiseass one-up scenes that ease the tension in a crime suspense story like Breakfall. I love to laugh, and writing stories allows me to share that with my readers.

If you had to pick 5 books to take to a desert island which 5 would it be?

A survival manual featuring primitive technologies, 2. A book on yoga or karate, with all the asanas and katas in it, 3. a complete collection of Shakespeare, 4. a complete collection of Western poetry (gimme something thick and it has to have Longfellow and Kipling in it,) and a very thick, empty journal with a bunch of pencils.

What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you started your publishing journey?

START AN INVENTORY!!! Seriously, once you write more than a dozen works, it just kind of sprouts and it gets hard to keep track of what is published where, how long is it, and so on. A good, properly crafted spreadsheet can go a long way to sanity when your have more than a hundred works (of all lengths and genres,) floating around the world. They need new book covers every so often, you want to make sure you offer different books into bundles so readers don’t get bored, and so on,

If you could have dinner with any literary character who would you choose, and what would you eat.

I think Gareth, Jack’s partner, from Jackie Keswick’s Power of Zero series. I’d want to show up for their Christmas celebration, when Gareth makes all those meat pies and various other goodies we don’t have here in the States. The advantage of this choice is that I would probably meet the whole cast of interesting characters from that world!

Tell us about your latest piece?

I wrote Buzz, the last stand-alone book in the Vegas-based Happy Hour Inn world. It took me forever (because Covid and real life interefered,) but once I got back to it, I was relieved when it got me to laugh!

What’s your next writing adventure?

My next writing adventure is sharing my rough drafts on Patreon. If you want some free reads, or some reads you’d be happy to support, go have a look at https://www.patreon.com/mugenpress

Is there a message in your books?

Always. But it’s never on purpose. I write something because the topic intrigues me, and only when I reread it half a year later I realize that a tangentially-related “message” had somehow made its way in. And that’s how it should be, because my primary goal is to entertain.

Blurb

Theo and his cousin Rickey inherit a flowershop. Young, sexy, and heartbroken after a rough breakup, Theo throws himself into running a new business.
No more dating!
No more exotic guys!
If Theo caved to romance, his ideal boyfriend would have a stable cubicle job and drive a Kia.
Sam Grey got caught counting cards one too many times. A professional gambler recovering from a bouncer injury, Sam denies that living out of his Porsche counts as a homeless situation.
February freeze in Pittsburgh, a perky florist and a slower, friendlier way of life helps heal his broken ribs – but hurts his heart when Theo thinks of him as just “passing through.”
DISCLAIMER: no real-life professional gamblers had their ribs broken in the making of this sizzling, HEA gay romance.

Excerpt

LUCKY STARFLOWERS

Steel City Stories, a stand-alone novel

Olivette Devaux

Available on all ebook platforms, in paper, and on Audible.

http://www.mugenpress.com (currently undergoing construction)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/801472633573132 (An Upper Cut, my FB group)

You can best reach me on Patreon or via Messenger.

Bio

Under another name, Olivette Devaux is an award-winning Amazon best-seller. As Olivette, she writes gay romance of many subgenres. If sci-fi, spy suspense, or urban fantasy without hot romance are your desire, look up her other public pen name, Kate Pavelle.

She has been published in magazines including Pulphouse and Heart’s Kiss, and has earned several Honorable Mentions by the Writers of the Future contest under both pen names.

Olivette Devaux is the author of Disorderly Elements, a contemporary urban fantasy gay romance series featuring a curious development of elemental control gifts. You can read the first book, Like a Rock, on her Patreon for free at https://www.patreon.com/mugenpress

lucky_starflowers 400x600 (3)

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Published on February 13, 2022 16:27

February 12, 2022

Guest Feature – Excerpt – Lucky Starflowers #LBGT #Romance

EXCERPT: Lucky Starflowers – Olivette Devaux

Sunshine tickled his eyelids. He burrowed himself deeper in the sleeping bag that must have slid down to his chest.

I slept.

The realization woke him up just as the nonevents of last night began to creep in. The cold, the urge to piss, the thirst for a hot cup of tea or coffee or just plain warm water. The tossing and turning. He’d probably have bruises on his knees from kicking the damn steering wheel.

He couldn’t wait to get out and about. Maybe the coffee shop, or a nearby library. Or a truck-stop diner. He’d settle down with his laptop. Maybe update his blog. The shop would be warm, the coffee hot and aromatic. If he smuggled his toiletries into the bathroom, he could brush his teeth and shave. And change his shirt into something less… fragrant.

He reached into the duffle behind him and pulled out his small toiletry bag. It would squeeze inside the computer case if he was careful. That, and his phone charger. He’d recharge and call the sheriff with his forwarding address.

If only the casinos hadn’t adopted that dumb facial recognition software, he’d be set. There was a casino in Pittsburgh. He could’ve earned enough money to… oh, that’s right. His hand gave a dull throb. He was itching to sign up for a poker game and earn some living, but the casino would have to wait until he could handle cards without wincing in pain.

Sam was about to get out when two guys marched into his field of view. He shrank back.

White snow. Blinding sun. Cutting wind. Pain.

They crossed the little three-space parking lot with its coveted little nook, the one Sam had been eyeing earlier. He was glad, now, he hadn’t shoehorned his way in.

Sunday morning, two guys. What were they up to? He noted their easy body language. Like a couple. Like two guys used to each other’s physical contact. The taller one said something and the shorter one laughed. They both had dark hair, but the shorter guy kept his shoulder-length and mod, with what might’ve been caramel highlights. His hips swished in an easy sway as he negotiated the ice patches in his way. Gay? Maybe.

The thought of a gay couple in Pittsburgh floored Sam. He’d never imagined the descendants of grizzled steel workers to be… gay. Then again, the snow was still white. There was no soot in the air.

Pittsburgh seemed cleaner than expected. People had been, to date, nicer than expected as well. The drivers took turns at intersections, and the coffee was Seattle quality.

For a brief second, the idea of settling down crossed his mind.

No.

Absolutely no fucking way.

He was staying only long enough to get his papers, and to figure out how to work the card tables again.

The two guys disappeared into the building through a basement entrance. Its double door gaped like a maw to the underworld. Sam remained still.

They came out soon, both carrying a white bucket in each hand. Something was sticking out – long and green, covered on top with paper. Sam watched them close the door and walk back around the corner and up the street, and as they passed within ten feet of his car, he realized they were hauling huge buckets of roses.

He let them get out of sight before he crawled out of the low seat of his Porsche. Creaky and miserable, he stretched in the cold morning air. The pallid sun had moved since it woke him, and now half of his car was covered in the shadow of the warehouse. Sam hoisted the black computer bag out of his trunk, added the necessary toiletries, and stuffed a rolled-up T-shirt into the pocket of his leather bomber jacket.

First hygiene, then coffee, then brunch recommendations.

As he crested the hill to turn right onto Butler street, a kitty-corner door caught his attention. The mosaic of its entrance said “1896” in little tiles, surrounded by a design of ivy leaves on a cream background. He stopped to look closer. It had been recently restored, and with loving care at that. The sign above the door read Starflowers, and inside he saw an array of plants. The OPEN neon sign was turned off, but there was light on inside. He skirted the potted conifer with its red and silver heart decorations and pressed his nose to the glass.

The two guys he’d seen before were working at an island. The taller gesticulated wildly, waving a red rose in the air. His shorter partner seemed to have only sighed. He was cute, though. Sam wouldn’t have minded getting to know him better. Maybe they weren’t a couple after all. He stepped away, thinking this was all a very bad idea, when he noticed a small “Help Wanted” sign on the window.

Very bad idea.

He hurried off to the coffee shop down the street. He had… stuff… to do.

https://www.facebook.com/EG-Creel-103874478633203/

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Published on February 12, 2022 16:47

Author Interview E. G. Creel #Fantasy #MeetanAuthor

Name: E. G. Creel

Please introduce yourself (250 words or so): Vocationally, I’m a photographer and the mother of two Hobbits. Currently, I’m blooming near Augusta, Georgia.

Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short) The Immortal subtitle Life or death. The choice is hers. Contemporary/dark fantasy. A midlife crisis, island paradise, mass murder, and immortal Vikings.

When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it? The Immortal is my debut book. I stumbled into writing in 2021 after having a bad dream. I thought I’d write a paragraph to get the idea out of my head and ended up completing my first draft six weeks later.

What writing plans do you have for the future? Next up is the audiobook. I’m also writing ongoing episodes on Kindle Vella.

What do you like to read? Netflix subtitles.

What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure? Writing a book is the fun part. Selling it is the hard part.

Book synopsis

Emma just turned forty and has finally decided to begin living her best life. She books a vacation at a resort on a French Polynesian island only to find herself on the dinner menu of an immortal Viking. If she keeps her wits, and with a little luck, maybe she’ll make it off the island alive.

Spoiler alert: Don’t fall in love because the ending will rip your heart out.

https://amzn.to/3rMrMUZ – The Immortal in Kindle

https://amzn.to/3BitErB – The Immortal in Hardcover

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E. G. Creel is currently blooming with her family near Augusta, Georgia. The Immortal is her debut novel. Thanks for supporting an indie author.

Links/Social media

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21925578.E_G_Creel

https://linktr.ee/E.G.Creel

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Published on February 12, 2022 04:08

The Last Forest – Excerpt #Fantasy #Shortstory #Dystopian

The Last Forest (c) A.L. Butcher

The whine of the chainsaws, and the rumble of iron machines cut through the growing sound from the forest. Death came on tracks of metal and wheels of rubber. The monkeys who commanded the machines waited, smoking and pointing towards the edges of the forest. “Where do we start?” one asked, eyeing the trees.

“Make your way to that big old one – the tallest. That will take out plenty when it falls. Look it’s three-quarters rotten anyway! Break the heart of the forest and tame it! That is how it’s done, lad.” The speaker pointed towards the Great Oak, satisfaction creased his face, and power gave his countenance a smirk. The monkey who walked on two feet was lord of the land and knew it well. He had brought death to the flora and fauna of this land, and their sap and blood soaked the soil. And he ignored the cacophony of music around him.

“This is the last patch of woodland in the country, the only unspoiled wilderness left,” someone said, from the back. “Must we?”

“It’s coming down. It’s needed for houses – people are more important than trees. They are just plants.” The foreman glared at the speaker, as the wind began to blow around them. “It’s not the last, there’s that coppice over in Haydock, and the Amazon of course.”

“The Amazon went a decade ago, boss. And that place in Haydock was bulldozed last year.” The first speaker reminded him.

The boss shrugged. “Not my problem. We have our orders. Now get to it, there is no place for conscience or sentiment here.”

The machines snarled, they spat their poison breath and rumbled forward, inexorable, awful. Monsters of modernity, some had called them. Progress had been their name from others. All the trees understood was the choking stench and the inexorable roar of impending death. Trees are not complicated, but they are not stupid. The knowledge of the wood pulsed through every branch and root; the force of nature, the will of life to survive surged.

Crack! The sound of tons of wood uprooting drowned the roar of the engines. It was the sound of defiance. Earth showered from roots, and leaves swirled as the mighty trees moved. Nature stopped; from red fox, and blackbird to tiny grey mouse life paused – the cry of war flowed through the ground, squeaked from the lowliest and sung from above. ‘We come! We stand! We fight! Nature Rises!’

Birds swooped, squawking at the monkeys who walked on two feet. Beaks were sharp, and eyeballs soft. The brave robin and the humble thrush dived, their song the sound of battle as they flew towards danger. ‘Be gone! Be gone!’

The humans flapped their arms against the onslaught.

“Get away, filthy creatures!” one monkey yelled. “I hate birds!” His flapping arms knocked birds to the ground, and some rose up for another onslaught. Others lay broken but roused the song to inspire their comrades.

“What is this? Alfred Hitchcock been ‘ere?” The foreman cried, trying to bat away the crows, pecking at his face. Blood flowed, feathers flew, and the beat of the Primal Song changed again – the music surged as other creatures joined the fray.

Available as an ebook and audiobook https://books2read.com/TheLastForest

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Published on February 12, 2022 03:50

February 10, 2022

The Conall Series – Blog Tour and Guest Post #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalFantasy

The Women of Conall – Guest Post – David H. Millar

The Conall series is a tale of the ancient Gaels, their lives, loves, and battles. It is a story of a warlike people who also had an undisputed talent for art, design, and music. The series is set in Europe, 400 years before Christ, in a time when life was harsh and violent, and the boundaries between myth and reality were fluid.

A young blacksmith’s apprentice, Conall Mac Gabhann, returns home from a hunting trip with his friends to find his parents and young sisters slaughtered, along with the rest of the small rural community. A meeting with the mysterious Sidhe, Mongfhionn, and a geis accepted, sets Conall on the path of retribution. Several decades later, the former apprentice, now Rí Ruirech, King over Kings, of the great clann he founded and nurtured, stands before the gates of Rome to face his nemesis, Marcus Fabius Ambustus, Pontifex Maximus of Rome.

Conall is a journey of bloody battles, honour, treachery, tragedy, love, and high passions. It is an epic tale of vengeance and retribution, of courage and the frailty of body and spirit.

In Gaelic society, the women fought alongside the men, and many would argue they were the better and more ferocious warriors. From Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and north-western France, the ancient Gaels were guided by the Fénechas (The Law), a set of laws predating those of any Western civilisation. The Fénechas was well ahead of its time in establishing and protecting the rights of women.

Conall III: The Sisters—Na Deirfiúracha is the third book in the Conall series, and the women take centre stage. That said, all the Conall novels feature strong, sometimes tragic, and in some instances truly frightening women.

Mórrígan and Mongfhionn are the main female characters of the series. Both are powerful, troubled souls. After her family was slaughtered, a darkness of the soul overtakes Mórrígan, threatening to destroy her. From beginning to end, Mórrígan, a haunted, beautiful, and emerald-eyed queen, treads a fine line between sanity and madness, often finding relief in dispensing terror.

“Her eyes blazed in fury, and her appearance was terrible to look upon; her waist-length, almost white hair shot through with streaks of red-gold. Her face was pale, highlighted by fiery red cheeks and full, blood-red lips; her eyes near black as the night sky.” Mongfhionn of the Aes Sidhe—a race of demi-goddesses—is an enigmatic and ageless creature whose driving force is avenging the murder of her sisters. Sometimes dark, the lady and her alter ego—the Hag—terrify both friend and foe.

A further sampling would include: Mòrag, “A voluptuous, somewhat narcissistic beauty, and an inveterate flirt, Mòrag was also a fierce warrior who could flatten most of the men in the army,” sets her sights on Conall, setting up an inevitable clash with Mórrígan. The tragic queen Ceana whose betrayal of her husband is a lesson in misjudgement and the descent into madness. “Áine had a mind, and it was a cunning, manipulative one that interpreted everything through its own twisted perspective.” Áine, a spoilt and indulged princess whose guilty conscience sets her on the path to madness, murder, and disease. After extreme abuse by her grandmother, Gràinne, of the Cinn Péinteáilte, swears that never again will she be defenceless. The malevolent Queen Kartimandu is not all she appears and is the only truly irredeemable female character.

Author Tidbits

My influences? I have three main influences: my Irish cultural background, my love of history, and my wife, Lauren. It was Lauren who, when I was constantly complaining about the paucity of stories in this genre of historical fantasy, turned to me and said, “Write your own.”

My target audience? Anyone with an interest in Celtic culture. I had always considered my books historical fiction. However, given the time period of 400 B.C., the distinction between myth and reality is quite blurred, and I recently recategorized my genre as historical fantasy. Some characters are mythical, such as the Sidhe, Mongfhionn, and others such as Medb, queen of the Connachta, are open to interpretation. The latter had a unique negotiating style and was often described as “Medb of the friendly thighs”!

My goals? My priority is to give readers a good yarn in the tradition of the ancient Celtic seanchaithe—the storytellers. The books are a gritty reflection of the time, the battle settings are bloody, and some scenes may raise a blush to your cheeks.

Future works? The future is Celtic. It is a niche that I enjoy writing about and is underserved.

Now that I have completed the Conall series, there is a need to emphasise marketing and promotion. For most authors, marketing, which includes acquiring reviews, is a daunting, vital, and ongoing need. Branded merchandise, author events, and blogs like the Authors’ Lounge are all part of the mix.

The Place of Blood – Rinn-Iru

Conall Book I

by David H. Millar

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Over four hundred years before the birth of Christ, the island of Ériu is a patchwork of feuding kingdoms, wide plains, and impassable bogs. Battle, intrigue, betrayals, and courage are part of life for the Celts who call Ériu home, while from their underground halls the mysterious aes sidhe seduce brave warriors, turning men in to kings and binding them with fearsome geis.

Conall Mac Gabhann is content with his apprenticeship to the local blacksmith. Content, that is, until his family is slaughtered in their home.

Two men share responsibility for the massacre: a mad Irish king and a dissolute Roman. Conall will have his vengeance on both, or die in the attempt.

Accompanied by his childhood friend Brion ó Cathasaigh and the veteran warrior Fearghal ó Maoilriain, Conall’s hunt takes him northward through unfriendly kingdoms and treacherous bogs to a confrontation beyond the ancient earthworks of the Black Pig’s Dyke.

Along the way, Conall will gather an army, and come to the attention of the aes sidhe. An apprentice blacksmith could become a king with their help—if he so desires.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo

The Raven’s Flight – Eitilt an Fhiagh Dhuibh

Conall Book II

Conall II: The Raven’s Flight continues to chronicle the epic journey of the warriors from Ériu (Ireland).

Conall Mac Gabhann and his brooding queen, Mórrígan, lead over two thousand warriors together with their followers across the narrow sea that separates Ériu from Albu (Britain). Their quest: the capture of Cassius Fabius Scaeva, the dissolute Roman patrician held responsible for the slaughter of their families.

The Ériu encounter human, natural, and supernatural foes and friends. At the mercy of the aes sidhe, a race of demi-goddesses who demand that he fulfill an ancient geis, Conall is named as the “Hand of the Goddess” and given the instrument that will crush the Na Daoine Tùrsach—a tribe of fanatical, blood-lusting priests.

They battle fierce northern tribes: the Aos na Coille, whose one-eyed king, Drostan Ruadh, opposes their presence as do the Na Mèadaidh led by the sly Finnean Mac Sèitheach. Not all are enemies. The Aos an Fhithich offer their support, although it too comes at a price.

Heroes and villains from myth, legend, and history converge in this saga set in the vast ancient forests, treacherous bogs, snow-capped mountains, and mysterious lochs of Scotland some four hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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The Sisters – Na Deirfiúracha

Conall Book III

[image error] It is 406 B.C. The Gaels tramp through the vast forests of lowland Scotland, cross the brooding moors and marshes of the Pennines, and plough the grain fields of the South. The majestic stone brochs and dùns of the north give way to the great hillforts of the south.

Cloaked in a rich tapestry of tattoos or wearing armour inlaid with iron scales, the Gaels stand as one, taunting their enemies with fierce battle-cries and insults.

In Conall III: The Sisters—the third book of the Conall series—the women take centre stage. Brighid and Danu are kidnapped on the orders of Kartimandu, a malevolent queen bent on conquering the North. Mórrígan and Conall’s blood oath promises no quarter until the young twins are returned.

Will Eachdonn Breac, betrayed by his queen—Ceana, redeem his honour on the battlefield? A merciless assassin stalks the community. Tadhg Ó Cuileannáin is given the unenviable task of tracking the killer down. A mission made worse, when the signs point to the sister of one of Conall’s closest friends. Amid, the battles and intrigue, Mòrag Ni Artair, a tall beauty and fearsome warrior, sets her sights on Conall. A clash with Mórrígan—Conall’s queen, appears inevitable.

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A Brace of Eagles – Snaidhm Iolar

Conall Book IV

“Butter-gold and cruelly hooked, the beak ripped a ragged gash across the newborn’s throat.”

Son of a blacksmith, Conall Mac Gabhann’s only desire was to follow in his father’s footsteps and enjoy a long life with his childhood love, Mórrígan. The slaughter of their parents dashed those dreams. Fuelled by vengeance, both embark on the dark path of retribution.

From the ancient forest, two great eagles take wing. With amber-gold eyes, Fate and the Goddess watch, ready to guide and meddle in human lives. Conall, now Clann Ui Flaithimh’s ‘king over kings’, must complete his geis—at any cost. Conall takes another stride closer to Rome and a reckoning with Marcus Fabius Ambustus. Flat-bottomed biremes carry Conall’s army cross the Muir nIocht to crash on the shingle beaches of North-western Gaul. New enemies and uneasy alliances flourish.

Assassins, treason, and treachery thrive. Above all, Conall values loyalty. Thus, treason within the tribe sours his belly. Mercy will have no part in his response.

The fourth novel in the Conall series, Conall IV: A Brace of Eagles is a rousing epic of Celtic heroes and villains, bloody battles, political intrigue, honour, treachery, and forbidden love.

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Retribution – Díoltas

Conall Book V

“Witch!” Tullus gasped.
“You are not that fortunate, Roman,” came the menacing reply.”

Blood has purchased a fragile peace for Conall and Mórrígan and the close circle of friends they call family. Now, allies and enemies alike wonder if the king and queen have lost the thirst for vengeance on those who slaughtered their families. Alarmed, gods, kings, and despots conspire to poke the slumbering fire.
Brennus of the Senones still smarts at his defeat at Conall’s hands and covets his lands and wealth. Will a bruised ego and hubris overrule the Gaulish king’s normal pragmatism?
The Gaiscedach want revenge for the defeat and execution of their queen. In the dead of night, like cockroaches, they scuttle over the walls of Lugudunon.
Marcus Fabius Ambustus tolerates no challenge to his plan to be Dictator of Rome. But has arrogance blinded him to the enemy he has nurtured?
The gates of Rome and retribution draw closer. But Conall needs his enemies as much as his friends. Still, who are enemies and who are friends? It is a time of schisms and rebuilding, of loved ones endangered, and assassins and spies revealed.
Yet, there has always been one constant. Only the foolish doubt Conall and Mórrígan will show any mercy to those who threaten their family.

Conall V: Retribution is the fifth and final book in the Conall series.

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Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, David H. Millar is the founder, owner, and author-in-residence of Houston-based ‘A Wee Publishing Company’—a business that promotes Celtic literature, authors and art.

Millar moved from Ireland to Nova Scotia, Canada, in the late 1990s. After ten years shovelling snow, he decided to relocate to warmer climates and has now settled in Houston, Texas. Quite a contrast!

An avid reader, armchair sportsman, and Liverpool Football Club fan, Millar lives with his family and Bailey, a Manx cat of questionable disposition known to his friends as ‘the small angry one!’

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner WW

Conall t-shirt of choice – 3 winners, US only!

https://twitter.com/wrenhandman

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Published on February 10, 2022 22:53

February 9, 2022

Swift Six Author Interview – Wren Handman #Specfic

Please introduce yourself (250 words or so): I’m Wren Handman, and I write speculative YA fiction—mostly paranormal and scifi. I love to craft and I’m always trying something new, whether that’s my ancient knitting machine or making my own book nook.

Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short): The Phantasmer Cycle is a duology about prep school, bullies, and fairies. Wire Wings is a dark scifi about the nature of identity in a world where everything is changeable. And Havoc & Happiness is a sapphic comedy about monster monsters! As you can see, I’m all over the map.

When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it? I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. I wrote my first play when I was six, and got all of my friends to perform it for our class. I wrote my first novel in middle school (it’s still sitting on my harddrive, never to be published!!).

What writing plans do you have for the future? I’m working on two books right now, I should really focus up! One is my first adult paranormal, about monsters that live in dreams. I’m having a lot of fun with that. I also just finished plotting the sequel to Havoc & Happiness. More sapphic love!

What do you like to read? If it’s fantasy, scifi, or paranormal, I love it! Huge fan of V.E. Schwab, N.K. Jemisin, Juliet Marillier, Naomi Novik…the list goes on and on and on!

What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure? Revise, revise, revise, and don’t send it out until it’s ready! I cringe at some of the manuscripts I sent out when I wa eighteen. But also – heck, why not take a chance? It didn’t hurt me, after all!

Author bio and book synopsis

Wren Handman is a novelist and screenwriter from Vancouver, Canada. She writes a wide range of stories, from science fiction (Wire WIngs) to young adult paranormal (In Restless Dreams). All of her stories are connected by one thing: the magical blended with the everyday… probably because she secretly wishes magic were real. You can find Wren spending way too much time on Facebook or Instagram.

Book Synopsis: Graciela does as she’s told: she cowers beneath the towering intellect of her parents, goes to school, toes the line. But in the Waves, a virtual reality world, Graciela can be anyone, anywhere, anytime. Free.

In the real world, Graciela is drowning. Her best friend recently passed away, she’s suffering from crippling panic attacks, and her only connection to life is Khaiam, who keeps trying to draw her back to reality.

But how can he compete with the Waves? There, she can be whoever she dreams. And in that world, there’s Thomas, the stunning stranger with haunted eyes she’s only ever met online. Thomas seems to be able to defy the rules of the Waves, and he holds secrets of his own—about the origins of his creation, the nature of AI, and about Gracie’s own past. He will lead her on a dangerous road to truths she isn’t ready for, and the ultimate decision between acceptance and identity, duty and love, life and freedom.

Links/Social media

https://wrenhandman.com/

https://www.facebook.com/wrenhandmanwriter/

https://www.amazon.com/Wren-Handman/e/B0043GEVMA

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Published on February 09, 2022 11:11

February 7, 2022

Eclipsing Hearts Blog Tour – #ReverseHarem #Paranormal #Romance

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Eclipsing Hearts

A Fated Mates RH Romance Collection

Genre: Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance

Why choose one when you can have over twenty superb PARANORMAL REVERSE HAREMS that will leave you begging for more. Binge read this set brought to you by twenty amazing authors that are sure to be your next favorite.

This is a must read if you love:
Fated Mates
Enemies to Lovers
Royalty
Second Chance Romances
Vampires and Werewolves (and many other paranormal creatures)

With everything from slow burn to steamy, you’re sure to find something for you.

Scroll up now and one click for all the romance.

May contain MM/FF and/or triggering situations.

Includes titles by the following authors:

Helena Novak
Sierra Rowan
Lore Nicole
River James
Lissa Lynn Thomas
Alexi Ferreira
Lyra Winters
Harper Ray
Finley Jameson
Isabeau Moon
Elizabeth Dunlap
Rachelley Bean
Skye Callahan
C.E. Lashua
Lola Rock
Solo Storm
C.A King, USA Today Best Selling Author
Reese Spenser
Mila Water
Rhylie Matthews
Rachel Callahan
Sky Purington
Isabella Phoenix & Chelsii Klein
Margo Bond Collins and Megan J. Parker
Ella Hendricks
Nyx Black and Reese Jett
Sherry Ficklin
Kassandra Cross
Bethany Strobel
Lucy Scott Bryan
Melinoe Black & Chrissie Angel
Joss Revel

**Preorder now for Only .99 cents!!**

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Liberty

by C.A. King

She was the law on the run, hiding from the danger past arrests brought with them, searching for a new place to call home. The Old Pass held promise… at first. That was until they came into her life. Now, everyone saw her as compromised in more than one way and by more than one man.

It didn’t matter if her judgment was clouded. Other clans could take their Justice… their pursuit of happiness. Once the pack had a taste of Liberty, they knew what was worth fighting for. She was their everything, and no one, no matter how powerful, was going to change that.

I was diagnosed with clinical depression after the loss of my mother, father and husband within three years of each other; all to cancer. 24/7 in-home care, coupled with the loss I felt, left its mark on my psyche.

Depression takes up a lot of my life. Reading and writing are the only things I have found that help (in connection with regular medication), even if only for a short time. To escape to a different world can make a big difference in my mood in real time.

To put things in perspective, when I was at my lowest point, I couldn’t open mail, talk on the phone, or even drive to the store. Walls of sadness surrounded me. As they closed in, tears would fall. There didn’t need to be a reason or trigger.

People ask me why I started writing. My answer is simple: I wanted to create a world into which other people with similar problems could escape. I wanted to share the one place that had helped me for many years.

I have always said that as long as one person finds a little bit of happiness out of my books, I am, in my opinion, an accomplished author. The same is true for every writer out there. Please don’t ever let anyone tell you different.

I read books as well as write them and have visited the worlds many different authors have created. Those worlds not only make me feel better, but give me the strength to face real life again. I want to thank everyone who writes—I want them to know they are making a difference.

Fast forward to today…

C.A. King, USA Today Bestselling Author has over 60 books available across multiple fantasy sub-genres.

Awards include:

Hamilton Spectator Readers’ Choice Award in the Best Local Author category 2017 & 2018 & 2019

Brant News Readers’ Choice Award: Best Local Author 2017

Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards: Best Novella/Short Story 2017 Silver medal

2017 SIBA Awards – Best Novella

2017 SIBA Awards – Best New Adult

2018 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards: Gold Medal in the Fiction – Supernatural genre

2018 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards: Bronze Medal in the Fiction – New Adult genre

2019 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Fiction – Supernatural genre

2019 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Young Adult – Fantasy – Urban genre

City of Brantford Featured Artist February 2020

Burlington Post Readers’ Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2020

Toronto Star Readers’ Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2020

Cambridge Times Readers’ Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2020

Burlington Post Readers’ Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2021

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

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon

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