A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 85
September 29, 2020
Here Be Zombies Bundle
Here Be Zombies!
The Zombies are coming in time for Halloween!
https://books2read.com/HereBeZombies-Bundle
Brainsssss! The dead are walking, hungry and brains taste so good…
12 Tales of zombies and zombie hunters.
1. “Alice’s Adventures in Underland” by DeAnna Knippling
2. “I Hate Zombies” by Shantnu Tiwari
3. “Zomopolis” by Russ Crossley
4. “Zombie Ever After” by Carl S. Plumer
5. “Zombee A Go-Go” by Rebecca M. Senese
6. “Zombie Girl Invasion” by De Kenyon
7. “Life Among the Dead” by Rebecca M. Senese
8. “Usher Falling” by Sandra Seymour
9. “My Zombie Prince” by Russ Crossley
10. “A Chat Before Dinner” by Michael Kingswood
11. “The Island” by Will Overby
12. “Dragon Rising” by Russ Crossley
https://books.apple.com/gb/book/here-be-zombies/id1533584872?
Amazon.com https://amzn.to/36fTOxx
Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3mWwScN
https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/here-be-zombies?
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/here-be-zombies-a-l-butcher/1137764224
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September 27, 2020
Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book III – Audio Edition
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.
Amazon US Audio https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Tower-Light-Beyond-Chronicles/dp/B08K4G75VB/
Amz UK audio https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08K3SDVBS/
Audible.com https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Stolen-Tower-Audiobook/B08K3SQFCB
Audible.co.uk https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Stolen-Tower-Audiobook/B08K3RND8F
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Espelho Despedaçado
Poesia da guerra, política e os caprichos da vida. Monumentos a guerreiros caídos, versos fantasiosos da loucura da política humana, tédio e poemas mais leves sobre a natureza e o meio ambiente.
https://books2read.com/Espelho-Shattered-Mirror-Portuguese
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September 24, 2020
Temple of Eternity – Blog Tour – YA Fantasy
Temple of Eternity
Bobby Ether Series Book 2
by R. Scott Boyer
Genre: YA Fantasy
Deep in the rain forests of Guatemala, an ancient Mayan temple holds a mythical secret. The legendary Fountain of Youth lies within, but not all myths are fairy tales. The temple ruins have been seized by the Core, a sinister cult determined to unlock the mysteries of immortality.
When their captured friends are spotted near the temple, Bobby and his cousin Jinx must journey into the dark heart of the jungle to save them. Harnessing their extraordinary abilities, the boys will undertake an epic quest to fulfill a centuries-old prophecy.
Cut off from their allies, Bobby and Jinx combat supernatural barriers, raging rivers, and deadly beasts. They’ll face savage natives, vengeful ghosts, and ruthless mercenaries who can conjure a person’s darkest fears. Past and present will collide, with the power of eternity on the line. Can Bobby fulfill the prophecy and lay the temple’s spirits to rest? If not, Bobby and his friends may become permanent inhabitants of the Temple of Eternity.
Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy
Bobby Ether Series Book 1
When sixteen-year-old Bobby Ether is abducted and brought to the secluded Jade Academy in Tibet, monks teach him and other special students how to tap into their Anima–the universal energy that connects all living things. But the headmistress of the academy is secretly exploiting the students, looking for genetic triggers to create a new breed of humans with metaphysical abilities. As his powers increase, Bobby is thrust into a cesspool of conspiracy, lies, and betrayal. A jade amulet left by his clairvoyant grandfather may provide answers, but what exactly is his family’s connection to this mysterious place?
Can Bobby master his talents in time to uncover the truth? If not, his fate–and the fate of the entire Jade Academy–may be sealed.
**Only .99 cents!!**
Add to Goodreads
Amazon * B&N
Scott Boyer grew up in Santa Monica, CA and graduated from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley in 1996. In 2008, he became fascinated with the idea of blending young adult fantasy with new-age/spiritual fiction and spent the next six years crafting his first novel, Bobby Ether and the Academy, which won critical acclaim for blending Eastern spiritual philosophies with a fun, fast-paced adventure style.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$75 Amazon gift card and copy of Book One: Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy
September 19, 2020
Echos (Das Erbe der Maske, #1)
Echoes – German Translation
Fast 12 Jahre nach den dramatischen Ereignissen im Pariser Opernhaus wird Raoul, Comte de Chagny, immer noch von dem mysteriösen Geist der Oper heimgesucht – der legendären Kreatur, die einst die Mitarbeiter des Opernhauses in seinen Bann zog, Raouls Geliebte entführte und seinen Bruder ermordete. Raoul sieht die Geister der Vergangenheit an jeder Ecke und seltsame, eindringliche Melodien rufen in seinen Träumen nach ihm.
Wahnsinn, Besessenheit und das Vermächtnis der Vergangenheit weben ihr Netz in dieser kurzen, tragischen Geschichte basierend auf der Erzählung vom Phantom der Oper.
Best Fantasy Preis 2019 auf der Rezensionsseite NN Light Book Heaven!
Das Erbe der Maske
https://books2read.com/EchosGerman
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September 18, 2020
A Última Floresta
Um Conto sobre a Ira da Natureza
Quando os humanos estão prestes a derrubar a última floresta, uma desagradável surpresa os aguarda. Uma história curta de fantasia sombria sobre o furor da natureza.
https://books2read.com/ultimaFlorestaPortuguese
#Fantasia #sombria, #Contos, #Crítica, #FicçãoLiterária
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Contos Sombrios e Versos Sinuosos – Portuguese Edition
Contos sombrios de fantasmas de guerra, sangue do Outono do Terror, da fúria da natureza, um assassinato incomum e um vampiro cínico.
Poemas sinuosos de perda e caos. Alguns temas adultos e linguagem pesada.
https://books2read.com/Contos-Sombrios-e-Versos-Sinuosos-Portuguese
https://www.scribd.com/book/473502583/Contos-Sombrios-e-Versos-Sinuosos
Book Republic https://www.bookrepublic.it/ebook/9781071563694-contos-sombrios-e-versos-sinuosos-babelcube-inc/
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September 16, 2020
A Misplaced Child – Blog Tour #YA #Fantasy
A Misplaced Child
The Misplaced Children Book 1
by Heather Michelle
Genre: YA Fantasy
Torn between two worlds, which will she embrace?
Elodie Harper is heir to the magical kingdom of Aluna. Trapped by an evil wizard in an illusion; Elodie grows up caught between two worlds, one of magic, and one of technology.
As the facade of her mundane life of lies and fake smiles cracks, her kingdom crumbles in the absence of its ruler. Join Elodie as she navigates both lives not knowing which to embrace, and which to push into the back of her mind and forget as a bad dream.
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Heather Michelle is an emerging author of young adult fantasy. She lives in Acworth, GA with her cat Mister Bingley and a slew of unique roommates.
Growing up, Heather Michelle spent more time living in her imagination than outside of it. Small town life sandwiched between the redwood forests and the Pacific ocean provided a rich scope for the imagination. Before the age of twelve, Heather Michelle was not a reader, but a chance encounter with a rented audiobook launched her into the vast world of the printed word, and she never looked back.
Website * Facebook * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon gift card – 1 winner, Bookmarks – 5 winners!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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September 15, 2020
The Techno Mage – Blog Tour #Steampunk #Fantasy
The Techno Mage
by S.W. Raine
Genre: Steampunk Fantasy
She’s being held hostage and yet, Magaliana doesn’t want to be saved.
Close friends Ikarim, Arteus, and Magaliana always knew the dangers of sky pirates, but what they didn’t expect was having their airship repair shop pillaged and being separated when Magaliana, a noble, is sold for a hefty bounty.
Once in the hands of the Techno Mage, her world changes. He’s a mythical man with the ability to flawlessly combine both technology and alchemy, and his mythical ship is a haven for Magaliana. There, she discovers how to refine her craft.
Ikarim and Arteus are determined to escape the sky pirates to save her, but do they have what it takes before the Techno Mage initiates his grand plan?
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Raine is Canadian, born and raised, and constantly moved in between Ontario and Quebec with her military family. She moved to Michigan, USA, in 2004, where she currently still resides with her husband and son.
She has always had a vivid imagination and loved reading and writing from a very young age. She took courses in Children’s Literature through ICL in Illinois, and published her New Adult Steampunk debut in 2020. She has participated in NaNoWriMo for over a decade and is currently a Municipal Liaison for the Detroit region.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon gift card, acrylic pin of book cover, signed sicker of book cover
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
September 12, 2020
British Legends – Goram and Vincent #Giants #Bristol Myth
The South West of Britain has many striking geological features – The rivers Severn and Avon, the Avon Gorge not least among them. As with many of such wonders there are myths aplenty surrounding their creation (nothing as mundane as ice – ages, glacial flow and tectonic movement). Giants were a common creature often blamed of tasked with the creation of these natural phenomena, and if the amount of myths about them are anything to go by the giants were plentiful, drunken and of a mind to fighting.
Here is the tale of Goram and Ghyston-Vincent – two brother giants who have left their legacy in the culture of Bristol, if not, in fact the scenery.
Goram and Ghyston (Vincent)
The most widespread version of this myth claims the Giant brothers Goram and Ghyston (later known as Vincent) were both enamoured of the lady Avona (who bears the name of the local river – the Avon – which is a story in itself). Avona offered herself to whichever one could drain the lake which once existed between Bradford-on-Avon (neighbouring county of Wiltshire), and Bristol.
Taking up the challenge Goram decided to dig a channel through the limestone hills via Henbury, and Vincent opted for a route just south of Clifton.
Goram, (in one version) finding the work hard and hot downed prediguos quantities of ale (did he take it with him? Do Giants have public houses or make their own?) and fell asleep in his favourite stone chair.
Ghyston-Vincent – the better planner – paced himself and completed his channel – leaving is with the narrow gorge at Hazel Brook, and the Avon Gorge, through which the River Avon now flows. On completion the waters roared into the Severn, leaving only a trickle for the Hazel Brook.
Upon waking the Giant Goram, was upset at losing the affections of the Lady Avona, and stamped his foot in a pit – leaving the Giant’s Footprint in the woodland above the Henbury Gorge, in what is now the Blaise Estate. He was so upset he threw himself into the Severn Estuary, leaving behind Steep Holm island (his head) and Flat Holm island (his shoulder).
Goram’s lake, near Henbury, was supposedly created when Goram stamped his giant foot, and the smaller lake is Goram’s Soapdish. Goram’s Chair is comprised of two flat topped walls of solid rock sticking out from the cliff-face – they look a lot like the arms of a comfy chair.
It’s not surprising he lost – it sounds like he’d been busy creating these other features as well as wooing the ladies.
Ghyston-Vincent wed Avona and named the gorge after her.
In some versions Goram was lazy and stopped for drinkies…
Other versions of the tale
A second version of the legend says the brothers were working together and Goram fell asleep and was felled by an accident blow from Ghyston-Vincent’s pickaxe. A variation of this says the giants were sharing a pickaxe for the work, and Goram was slain when he was resting when his brother threw him the axe. Giants throwing tools and rocks to or at one another are common British myths to explain monoliths.
Ghyston-Vincent then completed the work alone, going on to complete other stone-works such as the Stanton Drew Stone Circles in remorse and later returned to his cave and died from grief and exhaustion.
Yet another version states only Goram built the Gorge and there is no mention of Vincent. Goram, having completed the work fell over an iron-age barrow and plunged into the Severn Estuary.
A similar legend tells of a giant named Gorm threw rocks at his rival, and one particularly large one fell short, thus becoming Druid Stoke.
Goram was buried beneath the barrow tumulus at Charnborough Hill – although there is not much left of the barrow now.
Transmission of the legend
The oldest version known is found in Britannia (1586) by William Camden, later reworked by Thomas Chatterton writing as Rowley the monk. Another version appears in Robert Atkyns History of Gloucestershire) in 1712.
The name Vincent may reflect that at the narrowest point of the Avon Gorge there was an ancient hermitage and chapel dedicated to St Vincent. In another version of the story Vincent is known as Ghyston, which is the name of the whole cliff-face of the Avon Gorge from at least the mid-fifteenth century. Vincent’s cave is also known as Ghyston Cave, or the Giant’s Hole.
The name Goram may have come from Iseult’s father, the King of Ireland, in the early romance of Tristran and Iseult. ‘Gorm’ is Irish for blue or ‘dark-skinned.
‘Vincent’ as a first name arrived in about the 13th Century, and became popular as a result of St Vincent the Deacon, however it is unclear whether the Clifton hermit was called Vincent and became associated with the saint, or that St Vincent became known in Bristol due to trading links with Portugal and Spain (St Vincent is the patron saint of Lisbon and vintners).
Legacy of the Legend
Blaise Castle and Estate use the legend of Goram widely, including hosting a funfair bearing Goram’s name. There is a Giant Goram pub in the area, a smokehouse restaurant called the Goram and Vincent, and even an Enterprise level E-commerce company bearing the name.
There is also a website and collection of kids’ books about Goram and Vincent/Ghyston.
There are walking tours and other tourist attractions based on the myth.
There is a carved Giant’s head at Ashton Gate, and in the Middle Ages a turfwork portrayed Ghyston’s head. Ghyston’s Cliff is in Avon Gorge.
A bit about the area
The Avon Gorge is a mile and half long and runs through a limestone ridge about 1.5 miles west of the centre of Bristol. It’s been used in the defence of the city. It is spanned by the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The gorge spanned 700 feet wide and 300 feet deep.
The gorge is mainly limestone and sandstone – it is believed to have been caused by glaciation during the Anglian Ice Age, and the limestone carries fossils from the Carboniferous Age 350m years ago. The Iron Age Dobunni tribe are believed to have dwelled in the area and there are the remains of three Iron-Age hill forts. (A variation of the myth held that the Giant Ghyst built the forts).
There are over twenty rare plant species that grow in the gorge and two unique species of trees, the rare peregrine falcons have returned to nest there since the 1990s. Much of it is a Site of Scientific Special Interest.
Check out the post from Anthony Adolph – broadcaster who gives a wonderful account of the stories. https://anthonyadolph.co.uk/somerset-giants/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goram_and_Vincent
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leigh-woods/features/the-avon-gorge-in-medieval-mythology
