A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 67

L’Ultima Foresta – #Audiolibro edizione italiana #Fantasy #Darkfantasy #distopico #fantasia #racconto

Quando gli umani arrivano per abbattere l’ultima foresta, hanno una brutta sorpresa

Un racconto sull’ira della natura.

Narrato da Michael Merica

Audible https://www.audible.com/pd/LUltima-Foresta-The-Last-Forest-Audiobook/B09RTGR8JC

Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/LUltima-Foresta-The-Last-Forest/dp/B09RTGTY8D

Audible UK https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/LUltima-Foresta-The-Last-Forest-Audiobook/B09RTGRFWR

Amazon.co.uk https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RTH9NH7/

Swift Six Character Interview – Astrid #Fantasy

 

Character Name: Astrid the Raven turned man

Which book/world do you live in? Dark Spell Series, Shambre Fell

Tell us about yourself: I am just over two hundred years old. I am a raven and a man. I’ve seen more darkness and destruction than some of you have sampled fine wines. I live in Shambre Fell with my counterpart Lady Isra of The Dark

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? I am cunning which leads me to be able to keep watch on my enemies. I have sharp beady eyes which is useful also for keeping an eye on things. I have a tendency to fly off the handle and lose my temper but I am definitely able to execute well-done revenge. I could be your best friend or your ultimate enemy. Your choice.

Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc). Isra, Silas my brother (He’s a raven too) James, to be honest, hated the lil twerp for years but we are on good terms now. Oh boy does he have his work cut out.

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you? Oh please save that hero stuff for someone who gives a crap. I’m a rebel. I’ll do it with great justification. Can’t just be shooting things around willy nilly now can we? That wouldn’t be right but I am not the type to do right. I will stand up for someone who isn’t getting justice though.

What do you think of your ‘creator’? Well, Samuel Reynaldi acts like a god but to be truthful, I think of him as a very angry man with severe drinking problems. He’s always necking that Irish whiskey without a care. Poor sod.

Give us your favourite piece of advice: There isn’t going to be anything but forever so you may as well try to be happy else you’ll be miserable for a long ass time. Immortality is a drag. (I know)

 

Links to book https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WN2T6BL

 

 

Book Spotlight – Her Dark Soul #DarkFantasy #WitchesandWarlocks – Isra Sravenheart

Title:

 

Title: Her Dark Soul , Dark Spell series Book1

Author: Isra Sravenheart

Genre: Dark Fantasy/ Witches and Warlocks

Main character description (short). Isra is a witch who has turned away from the light. She’s shunned everything in favor of the dark side. But she’s hiding a few secrets in her closet. Astrid the raven has come to help her but will she allow herself to trust him?

Synopsis: Isra is done with humanity. She’s on the dark side so when a human Kane comes to her seeking her out she immediately becomes suspicious. Later we meet Astrid and Romeo respectively. Astrid is seeking to win Isra’s heart. Will she finally allow this dark companion into her mysterious world and will Kane become a casualty of his own greed trapped in Lady Isra’s Kingdom forever?

Brief Excerpt 250 words: She walked over to the window and looked, and there before her was a raven. She had seen one before, but never up close. It flew in the window and landed on her arm, looking up at her.

“Hello. I am a messenger from another land. I hear of your power and wish to assist you in any way possible. My name is Astrid, and I am at your service.”

Lady Isra peered into Astrid’s eyes inquisitively as she commented to him, “Why, you are a pretty thing! I am honored to have a friend such as you. Tell me, do you wish to share my power because some are afraid of me and what I do?”

Astrid squawked, then replied, “I am not afraid of you. I know you do dark things, but it is in your nature to be dark. This is truly what you are, and if others do not accept it, it is their problem, not yours. I am merely here to assist and guide you as you grow stronger.”

 

Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)? It is a dark feisty adventure. You think you know fairytales well this one is told from the villain’s perspective. Expect angels, demons and witches, warlocks. It’s been compared to Disney and Grimms but with a medieval twist.

Links etc. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WN2T6BL

 

 

 

 

Blog Tour – The Elven Spymaster’s Thief – #Fantasy #Fantasy Romance #Giveaway

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The Elven Spymaster’s Thief

Elves of Eldarlan Book 1

by Elisa Rae

Genre: Fantasy Romance

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In a world full of elves, woodwose, gargoyles, and brownies among others, humans can’t help crossing paths with all of the magical species. Well, everyone except Avril. She manages to avoid all elves. Then one day, her master orders her to steal a dagger from the very elf she wishes to evade most, the elven spymaster of Eldarlan. Bound by her indenture, she has no choice but to obey. She plans a swift sneak and grab mission, but things go awry.

Illeron knows more than any elf should. The gathering, analyzing, and disseminating of information consumes his life to the point his brother suggests he needs a distraction. So, when a human woman breaks into his study to steal his dagger, he seizes the opportunity and offers her a bargain she can’t refuse. And a fate he never imagined.

The Elven Spymaster’s Thief is a light, fantasy romance novella full of banter, flirting, and fun romantic moments. It features an opposites-attract romance between a human girl and a smoldering elf lord with a bit of a culture clash thrown in for fun.

Goodreads * Amazon

A reader of fairytales and folklore, Elisa Rae loves a happy ending. Noblebright characters, dastardly villains, and chemistry between characters delight her. When she isn’t writing, she loves to watch superhero movies and literary dramas.

Elisa Rae is the pen name of Rachel Rossano.

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

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Spotlight – She Runs with Wolves – Scifi/Fantasy/Dystopian

Title: She Runs With Wolves

Author: Kimberly T. Hennessy

Genre: Fantasy\Scifi

Main character description (short).

Eira is a survivor hell-bent on saving her unborn child from the evil King Lorcan, but the further along her pregnancy, the deeper Eira spirals into madness. Her body, for no apparent reason is shutting down. Out of sheer will and determination, Eira fights not only the enemies within but all those that would do her and her baby harm.

Brief Excerpt 250 words:

What if losing yourself meant you were erased from existence? Your essence overridden with no one the wiser?

Ylva the She Wolf – a parasitic artificial intelligence trapped for years in a box yearns for a human host to become alive again.

Eira, a fiery human prisoner, will do anything to escape the clutches of the evil ruler Lorcan and fulfill an old prophecy told about her unborn child.

The power of three wolves unite the two in a battle for supremacy to restore those living underground to the surface. Their inner war rages as they fight for dominion of the frozen wasteland that is now Earth.

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

The 100 meets Divergent. It’s an action-packed mash up of tribal history and artificial intelligence that leads the reader on a gripping adventure of twists and turns. Discover a strange new post-apocalyptic world in a book that is compelling, unpredictable, and digs beneath the surface of what it means to be human. https://amzn.to/3L8mXwS

Swift Six Character Interview -Kendra Cassidy #Sci-fi

 

Character Name Kendra Cassidy

Which book/world do you live in? The Cassidy Chronicles (series) – includes The Cassidy Chronicles, The Road to the Stars, The Measure of Humanity, A Quiet Revolution, Triumph’s Ashes. I also appear in a few stories in the upcoming collection, Into the Black, make a cameo appearance in the upcoming Cassidyverse novel, The Ghosts of Tantor. Finally, I have written the first instalment of my memoirs, Memories of Aiyana.

Tell us about yourself: I was born in 2080, an unregistered Enhanced Human, and immediately placed with my foster (later adoptive) parents. I had the great good fortune to live next to Aiyana Cassidy and her family; we were friends from the time we were old enough to know what one was. After school I went to the California Confederacy and got into sensies – you’d call them movies. I was recruited by a company called OutLook and learned how to be a courier and, later, an assassin. Aiyana and I reconnected in 2112, but I never expected to save her life at our own wedding! After that, life got interesting. As of today, Aiyana and I have been married for eleven years. Between us we’re mothers to four children, and I spend most of my time in my role of Admiral in charge of Exploration for the Terran Federation (which Aiyana and I co-founded). Aiyana? She’s captain of the TFS Constitution, my flagship.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? I hate waiting. I have, like, zero patience. None. You can ask Cass – sorry, that’s what I call Aiyana – and she’ll tell you I’ve been like this all my life. On the other hand, this can be useful when negotiating, because I don’t have tolerance for the great diplomatic dance and tend to kick my way through things rather than patiently nibble at them. It might annoy people but it gets things done! As for strengths, well, I’ve learned how to ask, up front, for just about anything. “If I don’t ask, you can’t say yes.” I said that to the President of Titan, but it’s served me well for twenty-odd years.

Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc). Well, I think you have the idea that Cass is pretty important to me. But let’s say this: the Terran Federation. This is the star nation my wife and I established with the purpose of dragging humanity out of the solar system and into the stars. We never intended to become a star nation, but circumstances forced our hand. The Artemis Colony, the Lunar colony that was – will be, from your perspective – founded in 2025? They didn’t take kindly to the idea that anyone else might challenge their supremacy in space, so they tried to kill us. Didn’t work. We’re still here, they’re gone. Second thing? The idea that all sentient beings have to be equal. See, I think I mentioned I was an unregistered Enhanced Human. This wouldn’t have been a big deal, as there isn’t any way short of genetic testing to distinguish an EH from anyone else. But there were laws on the books which delegated EH to second-class citizen status, at best, and little more than chattel, at worst. Artemis dug up the old records and tried to have my very humanity stripped away, all legal and proper. I fought back, and prevailed, and since then I’ve been passionate about promoting equality for all: humans no matter their genes, AI’s, treecats – if you’re sentient, and join the Terran Federation, you’re equal to anyone. Third thing is Aiyana’s invention. Okay, so she didn’t really “invent” it, but she perfected it. See, the idea of teleportation has fascinated humanity since that old TV show aired (and I love your pop culture! I can’t get enough!). By my time, we know how to do it: it required a quantum scan. The problem is you only have one chance to do a quantum scan, because the act of scanning destroys the object being scanned, and none of the optics were precise enough to give an accurate scan. That’s where Cass came in. She figured out the optics (and please don’t make me explain it, I don’t have the math! She’s the genius in the family.). The problem was she figured it out on company time, and the company she worked for was heavily invested in the transportation industry as it was. Whoops. But without this? None of what we’ve done would have happened.

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you? Odd you should ask this. I had reason to consider it, carefully, not too long ago. This is how my biographer wrote it out in Triumph’s Ashes (and he got it pretty close to right, because it was important):

“Oh, Hades no,” Kendra said, turning as far as she could. “No way.”

“We have to save our daughters, Kendra,” said Cass, already tapping at the controls. “And the treecats. We can’t allow the first envoys from another star be killed because of a, a bully!”

Kendra bit back a hot retort.

She didn’t want to die.

She didn’t want Cass to die.

But.

What happened to, “Our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor?”

Pretty words, but words meant less than nothing if they weren’t backed by actions.

Would their daughters understand? Certainly not now, no matter how smart they were, how mature they sometimes seemed. Maybe someday, if everything succeeded, if the spark she’d lit continued to grow, maybe they would. Maybe they’d be proud of their mothers and, while regretting their sacrifice, recognize the necessity.

Maybe.

And the thought of her daughters dying? It would kill her just as dead.

At least they’d live.

They’d inherit the Trust, and everything which went with it.

Davie would watch over Starfleet. Tamara, Autumn, and Kyra would guide the Federation. And all of their aunts – Mikki, Alley, Kiri, LJ, and more – would ensure the girls grew up loved.

In the final analysis, it was an easy decision.

“Do it.”

“Already halfway there.” Kendra could hear the tears. Funny. Her tears were silent. Weren’t they?

“Don’t blow us up before we get in position.”

“No problem.”

 

What do you think of your ‘creator’? Mendel Genetic Laboratory? Oh, you mean Adam. He does a pretty good job, all things considered. The issue is I have all these great stories to tell, and he’s perfectly willing to write them all down, but he won’t put in all the details! He goes on about muddying the timeline and spoilers. And then I get flack from Cass, because she doesn’t want me to break the timeline again – and it was really a small break, not even a break, just a little ding! – and I can’t tell you guys this or that thing, and pretty soon the stories come out looking nothing like they actually happened! But he does manage to capture the spirit and flavour of my stories, so I can’t complain too much. And hey, he’s arranged things so I have my own FB account and email and he even lets me write the introductions to chapter posts, so I get to have my say.

Give us your favourite piece of advice: I think I already gave it. “If I don’t ask you, you can’t say yes.” Going into any situation, what’s the worst anyone can say in response? “No.” Which is the same response you’d get by not asking in the first place. So always, always ask!

 

Links to book Let’s start with my book: Memories of Aiyana! You can find it on Amazon, in ebook, paperback, and audiobook: Memories of Aiyana: A Remembrance of Future Past (The Cassidy Chronicles) – Kindle edition by Cassidy, Kendra, Gaffen, Adam, Gaffen, Adam, Cassidy, Aiyana. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ AmazonSmile.

And to find the rest of the books, you can go to the series page here: The Cassidy Chronicles (5 book series) Kindle Edition (amazon.com)

And finally, to read MY posts on Adam’s website, go to https://www.cassidychronicles.com and I’m there five or six days a week.

Thanks for having me drop in!

 

Kendra

Swift Six Author Interview – J A Duxbury #Scifi

Name: J A Duxbury

Please introduce yourself (250 words or so): J A Duxbury has been writing since primary school as a kid and has ventured outside science fiction to create a refreshing take on a popular genre.

She is interested in a wide variety of music, having studied the piano at an early age and paints land and sea scapes and is planning to expand to city scapes soon.

Julie shares 2 cats with Stu and their plan is to take the cats on a very long road trip around Australia.

Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short) I have 2:

Dark Dimensions – a clan of vampires and humans is lost in dimensions due to a scientific experiment going wrong.

Heart of Deception – a world-class thief is blackmailed into participating in a clandestine operation for a Crown Prince and then is blackmailed into stealing from the Crown. He must race race home with the prize before everything falls apart.

When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it? I began around 10 years old and my inspiration came from other authors and TV shows.

What writing plans do you have for the future? Keep writing and getting as many books out there as possible.

What do you like to read? I choose science fiction and fantasy but have been known to read mysteries and crime.

What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure? Keep writing. never stop.

 

Author bio and book synopsis

I have been writing since I was ten but had a hiatus for about 20 years before writing a spate of fan fiction and finally getting back into writing. My chosen genre is science fiction, but I do write from my dreams so my genre can be anything.

Dark Dimensions

The dimensions are full of danger and Troy and his family must deal with those dangers when they come across them. They include power-hungry Clan Leaders, battles between other clans and a mad scientist. eventually coming to control their mad dash through the dimensions.

Heart of Deception

Marek can get into just about any locked compartment, building, room. But when he answers a dare to steal from the Royal Family, he must decide whether it’s a trap or not. Marek’s world is turned upside down when he agrees to work with the Royal Family, not realising that failure means an end to a small island country.

Links/Social media

Clans in Conflict

Dark Dimensions

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Dimensions-Clans-Conflict-Book-ebook/dp/B08P6N5C22

http://www.amazon.com.au/Dark-Dimensions-Clans-Conflict-Book-ebook/dp/B08P6N5C22

Dark Reign (to be published)

Consequences

Heart of Deception

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

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

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

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PKM87ZZ

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PKM87ZZ

Social media

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

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

LinkedIn

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

Twitter: @JADuxbury1

Website: www. jaduxbury.com/

 

 

 

 

Swift Six Character interview – Troy Tordun #Sci-fi #Thriller

 

Character Name Troy Tordun

Which book/world do you live in? Dark Dimensions (published) and Dark Reign (to be published)

Tell us about yourself:

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? According to my father, my greatest strength is my compassion. I’d like to say it’s my positiveness. Sometimes I get too compassionate so, I feel it turns into a weakness.

Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc). Pril is the love of my life, my queen, the Ruling Council is important and the Torkandisch/Lavenledun Agreement is the most important document to me.

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you? Being able to defend your people peacefully before resorting to violence.

What do you think of your ‘creator’? I think she’s still got something to learn about her characters.

Give us your favourite piece of advice: Always keep an open mind. Think the best of everyone until they prove otherwise.

 

Links to book

Clans in Conflict:

Dark Dimensions

www.amazon.com/Dark-Dimensions-Clans-Conflict-Book-ebook/dp/B08P6N5C22

www.amazon.com.au/Dark-Dimensions-Clans-Conflict-Book-ebook/dp/B08P6N5C22

 

Dark Reign – still to be published in the future

 

Swift Six Character Interview – Sarah Stone #Vampire #ParanormalFantasy

 

Which book/world do you live in? Shades of Night series

Tell us about yourself: Well, I used to be an agent for The Monster Defence Agency. We hunted vampires, ghouls, demons, ghosts…basically anything that wants to harm humans. My partner is a werewolf, the alpha in his pack, and he was by the book until I was turned into a vampire. The kicker is, I’m some sort of weird hybrid that can withstand sunlight.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

When I was a normal human witch, I could manifest anything I needed when I needed it. If I needed a sword or knife, bam, it appeared at will. Clothing, same thing. But I couldn’t call anything but objects. So that was a strength and a weakness, because it would be really convenient to enact my revenge on the bastard that turned me if I could just call him into existence before me. My biggest weakness is my alpha partner. I’ve been secretly in love with him since we were in the academy together. Come to find out, he felt the same, but any relationship was prohibited by the agency we work for. And they are militant about their rules.

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

Robby, my partner and secret lover.  The Monster Defence Agency (TMD for short) where we work.  And the vampire who turned me, although I really want to drag him out into the sun for what he did to me.

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?

Heroism is your partner having your back in the middle of shit storm. It’s a firefighter running into a burning building to save a child. It’s a soldier recovering a fallen comrade through enemy fire. It’s a police officer shielding others from a wacko with a gun. It’s the child who stands up to the bullies picking on a weaker kid.

What do you think of your ‘creator’?

My creator meaning the asshole who turned me?

Oh, you mean the author who created me. Well… she has a mean streak a mile wide, but she does give me what I need when I need it. But that does not mean she lets me off easy.

Give us your favourite piece of advice:

Find someone who doesn’t think of you as their property. Find a partner who views you as an equal partner in life and who adores you for all your faults and endearments. Once you find that special someone, do not let them go.

Links to book   https://books2read.com/u/mgEV5x

The Shining Citadel #Fantasy

Share the romance and revenge, magic and passion, and the wages of greed in a world of darkest #fantasy #ShiningCitadel #IAN1
(18 rated)
Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/ShiningCitadel

Ebook #Audiobook #print #largeprint #hardcover