A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 91
May 28, 2020
Meet my Character Week – Talfor Var #Fantasy
Who are you? I am Lord Talfor Var. I am son to Shaman Kherak Var and Hirik Lord of the Var forces. I command the Hirik – the shape-changers you would say – and the non-Hirik warriors of the Trollkind in the community of Varris.
I speak your Common Tongue but not frequently and so my words seem strange to you.
Tell us a little about your world. Trollkind live in Erana, and my tribe live on Helmerri Plateau among Jagged Peak Mountains. My kind tend to avoid the human cities – they think us barbarians because our ways are different. All trolls have some magic – some be Shaman, or Priestess, or Hirik Lord, and some be craftswoman, or warrior, or Past-seer, or storyteller. Magic is forbidden in Erana – the Order of Witch-Hunters forbid it and will kill user of magic if they catch him.
Trollkind keep to the mountains and the rugged places and our ways. We trade with other tribes and humans for what we cannot produce ourselves. Witch-Hunter – he tends not to bother Trollkind in their towns – he does not like fighting large bears, and strong women. He prefers the weak and the cowed. Yet the Witch-Hunters will come sooner or later – this we know.
How did you find yourself in your current predicament/on your current adventure? My mother is Shaman of our tribe – to you that would be Sorcerer-Queen. She is seer, guide, mother, warrior, healer, and adviser. The human lord Archos of Tremellic came to us for aid. He is father to my sister, Mirandra – our Shamania– and once mate of my mother. He came seeking advice and guidance to retrieve a magic necklace from abandoned temple in our domain. Is dangerous place – full of ghosts and monsters. Temple of the Sky has not been used for many years. The route is treacherous, and humans and elves would not find it alone.
Mother has seen War Which Will Come, and darkness over the land – she knows Archos has a part to play in how it ends. Who will be the victor? That we do not know. Mother said ‘All paths lead to war’ and the Trollkind will not shirk from duty or combat.
Who are your companions? Mir’Rillith – Lord Archos – the Sorcerer Lord from the human valley in the hills; his elven mate – the Lady Dii’Athella, Olek and Ozena of the Elfkind, the human Marden – a warrior, and his elven scholar who has many secrets.
How many crimes have you committed? Troll Lord would not commit crime, it is dishonourable. We have no need to steal. I have killed in combat but not through rage or passion.
The Witch-Hunters who run the human and elven lands would say I am user of magic, son of magic, protector of magic and declare me outlaw.
In my community I am respected and honourable; in Witch-Hunter law I am criminal.
What trait do you prize most highly in others? Why? Honour and courage, selflessness. Without honour a person falls to weakness. Honour may be to Shaman, or his lord, or her kin, or his land, for example. If one cannot offer others kindness and help then one cannot expect same in return.
What trait do you abhor most in yourself or others? Cowardice. Preying on the weak and harming children.
Would you die for those you love? Would you kill for them? – Yes. I am sworn to protect my Shaman, my Shamania and those I serve.
Do you believe in a god/s? Ethnii’a the Goddess of the Sky blesses us. There are gods and magical creatures all around us – if we honour them as is due they may help us.
Do you believe in magic? What a foolish question. Of course.
Why should we read about your adventures? We go to find a stolen item, we go to seek a long lost city. We go to free the land from a curse.
Mandatory info (author):
Author’s name: A. L. Butcher
Link to book or books where this character appears.
The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book II
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)
Now in audio narrated by Shakespearean actor Rob Goll.
Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/ShiningCitadel
Amazon.com http://amzn.to/2c5LghC
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/2iqOXkr
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IndieBound https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781489591227
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Audible UK http://adbl.co/2iSW5GF
Amazon.com http://amzn.to/2BVsHVK
Audible.com http://adbl.co/2i3tf5t
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.
Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/StolenTower
Amazon.com http://amzn.to/2ivJjeL
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/2hKF4Ns
Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/2hKOZTv
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Kobo https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-stolen-tower-the-light-beyond-the-storm-chronicles-book-iii
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/649087
IndieBound https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781519600707
Angus and Robertson https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/ebooks/the-stolen-tower-the-light-beyond-the-storm-chronicles—book-iii-a-l-butcher/p/9781311973153
Website/Blog/Facebook/Twitter page
May 27, 2020
Meet My Character Week – Madam Giry
CHARACTER’S NAME: Madam Lise Giry
How did you find yourself in your current predicament/on your current adventure?Life is an adventure, of that I am certain. What led me here? A Ghost.
Years ago when I was a lonely and neglected bride I saw a travelling fair – of the sort the gipsies manage. There he was – this young man in a cage – like a beast. The fashion was for freaks – bearded women, dwarfs, those unfortunate souls God had touched with something not quite right. This man in a cage wore little more than rags, his face covered by a mask and his eyes had a hateful feral look but when he sang – heaven wept. Neither before nor since have I heard such a sound – it went directly to the soul and bared it before one – raw, weeping, glorious.
Then his keeper made him remove the mask. Such a face was revealed as the devil himself would turn from. Poor Erik. For that was the wretch’s name.
I did not know it then but an act of kindness would send my life and my heart along paths I never knew I could endure. He wept at kindness. A life of such woe that a simple Christian kindness brought this man to tears.
The caged devil – The Living Corpse – became a ghost, and an angel and our paths diverged for many years but I never forgot that music, and he never forgot the only kindness he was ever shown.
How many crimes have you committed? I sheltered a murderer, I aided his escape. I have been complicit in blackmail, theft, seduction – and I have sinned before God in thought and deed. I turned away from the Church, I loved a man who was not my husband, although I never committed adultery I thought about it.
How do you think others see you? A stuffy, prim and proper dance mistress and seamstress. I know what the corps de ballet whisper about me. Some of the girls spend more time on their backs than dancing and I have seen what happens to those left with an unplanned burden. They are Séductrice! I am strict, but I am not stupid – those who leave due to pregnancy will end up at best a short term plaything for the rich patrons.
Are you resilient? Do you deal with change easily? How do you react? I’ve had to be resilient. My mother died when I was very young, my father died when I was just married, my husband’s family despised me, several of my children died, and I’ve been a widow for twenty years.
I would like to say God saw me through the hardest times, but I am unsure if that’s the truth. I dare say I deserve it.
If you could live your life again would you make the same choices? If I was married to Jules when I met Erik? Yes, I think so. The rational side of me says what kind of life could I have had with him? Always on the run, probably often afraid and hungry. Could I live with the things he’s done first hand? I do not know. The part of my soul that yearns to live in that music, for the Angel to sing for me, as he sang for her says I should have made the choice to have followed him.
What is the hardest choice you’ve had to make in the course of your adventures? What was the easiest? I have a daughter, I buried my other children, and then my husband. I had very little for a long time and then Erik arranged for me to come here. That was an easy choice. The hardest? I suppose not having the courage to say I would go with him when he left the barn so many years ago. Not having the courage to say what was in my heart. Turning aside when the bodies started mounting up, and having to stand by whilst he destroyed himself for that ingénue, Christine Daae.
What trait do you abhor most in yourself or others? Spite and shallowness.
Do you have any dirty secrets? Apart from the crimes, unrequited love, casting my Catholic upbringing aside, knowing who is behind the murders here and not informing the gendarmes? No, I can’t think of anything else.
Have you ever loved/been loved? I loved my husband Jules He was a decent man but he has been gone a long time. I loved my father, and I loved Erik. I believe Jules loved me. Did Erik love me? No, but he was kind to me – helped me when I was desperate and hungry – but he did not love me. Perhaps the tragedy at the Opera house could have been averted had he loved me, not her.
Do you believe in a god/s? I was raised a Catholic but in the dark nights when I hear Erik’s music in my dreams and see that awful, terrible visage given to him by God I wonder at such a fickle deity – a god that took my children from me and left us to starve. I have sinned and so perhaps that is my punishment but as each year passed my faith dwindled.
Why should we read about your adventures? My story is a tragedy; a tale of desperate love, death and music. Ours was a strange friendship that spanned the decades and sustained two terribly lonely souls and we had that night in the barn, so many long years ago.
Madam Giry features in
Tears and Crimson Velvet
Madam 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.
A short, tragic tale based on characters from Phantom of the Opera.
A Legacy of the Mask Tale.
https://books2read.com/TearsandCrimson
Amazon UK https://amzn.to/2CH7c0w
Amazon.com https://amzn.to/2oW2frb
Amazon UK audio https://amzn.to/2S9zpRh
Amazon.com audio https://amzn.to/2R7iwFM
Audible https://adbl.co/2yVVoT1
Audible UK https://adbl.co/2R6Tt5t
Apple https://books.apple.com/gb/book/tears-and-crimson-velvet/id1344489540
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tears-and-crimson-velvet-a-l-butcher/1127921665
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/tears-and-crimson-velvet
May 25, 2020
Meet my Character Week – Father Vincent Paul #Fantasy #Paranormal #Meetmycharacter
CHARACTER’S NAME: Birth name Sebastian – but I go by Father Vincent Paul now.
–Who are you? (Give a brief description of yourself) I am a Catholic priest.
–Tell us a little about your world I live in South Dakota, out in the middle of nowhere. I shepherd several parish churches, the small kind that attract photographers from the big cities, looking for images of better days. I wouldn’t know what days those were, however.
–Does your world/area have different races/people? Do they get on? They seem to, but they do not. Several tribes of Dakota Sioux live nearby. I minister to them, but many of them do not attend services. There is a dam being built where their homes currently stand, and they are being flooded out. I can’t blame them for not having a properly Christian attitude, although it disappoints me. There are Franciscan monks who run a nearby Indian school, where the children are sent to learn how to integrate with White society. I don’t think either set of those folks get on, either. And then there are the local farmers. No, all in all, I would say that despite an appearance of peace and quiet, nobody gets on, as you say.
–How do you think others see you? I hope they think I’m a good priest, humble, and with a sense of humor that defrays hot tempers. But I doubt it.
–Are you a likeable person? In my heart, I know I am not.
–Do you see yourself as a ‘good’ person? Some days I do. Those are the days I generally disappoint myself.
–If you could live your life again would you make the same choices? I would not. I would have married the nun that I fell in love with while I was in seminary, and turned aside from my vows. Then perhaps I would have been elsewhere when tragedy struck.
–Tell us about your family. I could speak for days of them and still not explain enough. I suppose you could call us the royalty of the prairie. My father holds himself as such, in his heart of hearts. There are nine of us children, all but the youngest, Jerome, a grown man. Of the three of us nearest in age, there is myself, a priest; Aloysius, a rancher, and Theodore, another rancher. If I am a clever man, then Aloysius is a charming one. Theodore is the strongest. We are all three of us caught between integrity and the way things are done.
–How does your society deal with those on the edges? Do you approve of this? With drowning their homes under a hundred feet of water, apparently. No, I do not approve.
–Do you believe in magic? Sadly, I do. I was curious when I shouldn’t have been, and read a book I should not.
–Why should we read about your adventures? So that you can avoid making the same sad mistakes yourselves.
Author’s name DeAnna Knippling
Link to book or books where this character appears. Chance Damnation
Website/Blog/Facebook/Twitter page
https://www.facebook.com/deanna.knippling
https://twitter.com/dknippling
May 24, 2020
Meet My Character Week – Justin the Wizard #Fantasy #Meetmycharacter
Author’s name: J. K. Lutes
Link to book or books where this character appears.
CHARACTER’S NAME: Justin
Who are you? (Give a brief description of yourself)
I am a White Wizard, so I have mastered the four elements and I can command plants, animals, magical creatures, and dragons. A dragon sired one of my ancestors, so I also possess Dragon Magic, so I can use the breath weapon of a dragon. I have already mastered breathing fire, ice, and lightning. I can also smell gold, become invisible, and transform myself into an elemental cloud.
How did you find yourself in your current predicament/on your current adventure?
My father told me stories every night before I fell asleep, and my favorite story of them all was about the fall of our ancestor’s ancient city. The fall of the city was awful, but it was my ancestor who led the survivors to safety and founded their new home. I heard the story one last time on the day I faced the trials to see what sort of magic I would learn. When I finished my training, I traveled back to the ancient city to recover magical weapons that were lost during the attack. Not only will I have to face the creatures that now inhabit the city, but the journey to get there is filled with perils of its own.
Who are your companions?
My friend, Grace, accompanied me on my journey, so that she could summon animals to scout the city for us. Alyssa, the wizard who taught me plant magic, has come along to recover an ancient crown lost by the faeries during the fall of the city. Lauren, the wizard who taught me gold magic, has come along to recover a dragon lance lost by her most famous ancestor. And finally, Niall, another White Wizard, has come along to recover Cumhacht, the sword of power.
What is the government structure of your world? Are you happy with this or do you strive to change the status quo?
My city is ruled by a council of wizards, one wizard from each of the wizard sects of my city. While they seem to have the best interest of the city at heart, they seek personal fame and recognition. They are also stuck in the past and refuse to allow my people to grow beyond their current constraints for fear that they will lose their power and influence.
Do you have a mentor? Tell us about them.
My mentor is Riordan, and he is a White Wizard. He is a distant cousin of mine and both of our families descend from Lucinor, one of the most famous White Wizards in the history of my people.
What trait do you abhor most in yourself or others?
During the planning stage of our quest, a wizard who should have accompanied us sought riches rather than help. And while on my adventure, I noticed that one of my companions was willing to put his own needs above the needs of everyone else. His selfishness could have led to our capture, or worse, our demise. Selfishness is the trait that I most abhor.
Tell us about your family.
My father, Jerome, is a Red Wizard. He can control fire, but unlike most other Reds, he can also control air. He is the Master of the Great Forge and the weapons that he produces are prized above all others. My mother was a Gold Wizard, so she could control dragons, but she disappeared when I was twelve.
How does your society deal with those on the edges? Do you approve of this?
My city recognizes nine types of Wizards. Red Wizards control fire, Blues control water, Greys control air, Blacks control the earth, Greens control plants, Browns control animals, Silvers control most magical animals, and Golds control dragons. White Wizards possess the ability to use all eight of the basic types of magic. Within the last hundred years some wizards have found that they possess the ability to use more than one of the basic forms of magic, but not all eight. Those wizards have been labeled anomalies and have been encouraged not to use more than one type of magic. I do not approve of this practice; I believe that a wizard should explore all of his or her powers and expand their knowledge as much as possible.
Do you have a best friend/worst enemy?
My best friend is Grace, she is a Brown Wizard, which means she can control the animals of this world. She is following in the footsteps of her mother, who passed along her love of animals. She has two animal companions: a golden eagle named Spiorad (Spirit), and a mongoose named Diabhal (Devil).
Do you believe in magic?
Of course I believe in magic, I have used it most of my life. From an early age I was able to cast spells that most other students could not. An older student gave me a spell to polymorph inanimate objects, and I got in trouble when I scared my mother by transforming a stick into a snake.
Website/Blog/Facebook/Twitter page
https://brigidstrove.blogspot.com/
May 23, 2020
Meet My Character Week – Kaine Martin – #Suspense #Paranormal
CHARACTER’S NAME: Kaine Martin
Who are you? (Give a brief description of yourself)
Hello, my name is Kaine, and I’m an anthropologist. Rarely people notice me, mostly because I don’t like to be in the spotlight.
I’m very shy, and I’m never confident about whether people might like me or not. This side of my character leads me generally to be mistaken for a person who gets above himself, as it happened with Nora, one of my colleagues.
Who are your companions?
Well, first of all, there is Mark. He’s the other side of my sky, the man I love with all my strengths.
He’s completely different from me, self-confident, charming, and sexy as hell. The typical guy who’s always in the spotlight.
We complete each other, and I believe we were just meant to be together.
Then, there is Jason Murdock. He is an anthropologist who was trying to track an elusive and mysterious tribe in Africa. Eight years ago, he was considered missing, until one day, I received an email from him. That message changed my life forever, giving me a precious lead to continue his research and be the one to bring the tribe to the spotlight.
Do you have a mentor? Tell us about them.
From the time I reached Jason to Africa, my life reached a sudden turn, and with so many things going the wrong way, I ended up into a curse.
Yes, I know it sounds crazy, and sometimes I find it also hard to believe it myself, but it’s true.
The most important mentor has been also my tormentor, the high priestess Akuna-Ra.
She helped me to release my inner power to communicate with the entities of the underworld, and opened my eyes to a brand-new vision of the Universe.
You won’t believe its complexity, not at least until you start to see the reality from a completely different perspective.
If you could live your life again would you make the same choices?
Absolutely, because even the wrong one, the one that cursed me, turned out to be a blessing.
What is the hardest choice you’ve had to make in the course of your adventures? What was the easiest?
The hardest choice was perhaps leaving for an undefined period to search the tribe in Africa.
I just started my relationship with Mark, and I was afraid this long period away from each other could undermine our future together.
The easiest choice was choosing to remain in Africa, and propose Mark to move there with me.
If you are going to read about my adventure, I’m sure you will also be tempted to leave everything behind.
Would you die for those you love? Would you kill for them?
I don’t believe in violence, and I don’t believe that dying for someone I love would make things easy. They will mourn my absence and the pain would be unbearable.
I would rather try to solve every situation in a less dramatic way.
The same is for killing; there must be a better way than to kill or be killed by someone.
Maybe I might summon the forces of the underworld.
Have you ever loved/been loved?
Yes, I love, and also I am loved.
I fell in love with many guys before, but only Mark made me feel special.
You know, when everybody started to believe I was dead, he ran to Africa even to bring back my corpse. He’d never accept my death without having the certainty.
Tell us about your family.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much to be said.
I was raised by my mother alone, and I don’t have any siblings.
My father died shortly after I was born, and I have no memory of him. Many times, I fantasize about how it would have been to have him close to me.
I wonder about what kind of person he was and whether he’d been proud of me like my mother was.
Mom has been for me more than just family, she supported me, and even after her death, she returned as a ghost to help me make the right decision, guiding me to the right path. She also tried to guide Mark when he didn’t know where to search for me.
Do you believe in magic?
Of course, I do! My whole life revolves between this world and the underworld. Without magic, I could never keep the balance between them, and believe me, it’s a hard job!
Why should we read about your adventure?
Because it’s so crazy that sometimes I also feel impossible that things like that could happen, particularly to me.
Before this adventure started, I never considered magic being something real.
It was just mumbo-jumbo, something that shamans used because they didn’t have scientific knowledge. Only now, I understand how wrong I was, and I thank Akuna-Ra for introducing me to magic and release those dormant powers in me.
Therefore, if you think magic doesn’t exist, this is a book to open your eyes and entertain you with a fascinating new point of view.
If you, instead, believe in magic, this is going to be a compelling read to find out something more about it.
Together with this, you will discover the powerful beauty of the African Rainforest and the amazing people living around it.
So, what are you waiting for? Come to find me there, I’ll be waiting between one spell and another, trying to stay alive.
Mandatory info (author):
Paula J. Mann lives a double life. She is a geologist by day and a novelist by night. She’s best known for writing psychological thrillers and dramas, like ‘A Tale of a Rough Diamond.’
She also writes historical fiction, like the Amazon.co.uk best-selling Aquila et Noctua, and paranormal suspense.
She loves traveling and shares her experiences on her blog:
Author’s name: P. J. Mann
Link to book or books where this character appears:
Website/Blog/Facebook/Twitter page
Blog: http://paperpenandinkwell.blogspot.com.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paperpenandinkwell
Website https://pjmannauthor.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/PjMann2016
*Optional – short piece on why you chose to showcase this character and what draws you to him/her/it/them. Is there a basis in reality for this character – for example.
I chose this character and this particular book because there’s a lot about the places I visited, and for which I fell in love.
Africa is a very diverse continent, and every country has its peculiar beauties that draw me there. Kaine is a bit like me, shy and introverted, although I don’t have any special mediumistic power, I’m attracted by everything belonging to magic rites and supernatural forces.
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Elfhame – Anthea Sharp – Review #Fantasy #Fairytales
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Mara is a girl with adventure in her soul, and she wants more than her mundane village and boring suitor can offer. Her life is one of few future prospects save a dull marriage, hard work and popping out children. She has no special skills of which she is aware, save more intelligence than usual, courage and a curious nature.
Prince Bran is the heir to not only the Hawthorne Throne, an-end-of-the-world prophecy, but he’s a fearsome Dark Elf. His life is filled with duty, war and magic. He is taciturn, a powerful sorcerer and fearsome warrior.
These two are linked – by a prophecy one has lived by and the other is blissfully unaware of. Aside from that, they have little in common.
Fate has her way and our two fine heroes meet; there are deceptions, battles with unpleasant monsters, surprises, unlikely friendships and a rollercoaster ending.
Told like a fairytale, the story is engaging (I read it through in a couple of hours as I couldn’t put it down), and the characters are great. Mara quickly captures the readers – feisty and brave, a bit naive but knows her own mind and is not afraid to say so. She is not a wallflower.
Bran is a sympathetic character – doing his duty and fulfilling a prophecy that will save his people, despite his own reservations, safety and happiness. The elves are seen by the humans as alien and ‘hideous’, with strange and mythical ways; the humans are viewed as primitive and weak. And both factions are proven wrong.
Well-crafted and filled with adventure this fantasy tale is definitely one for readers of mythic tales and fairy tales. Younger readers may find the monsters and the battles unsettling but this is a good read for any age.
5 stars.
May 18, 2020
Echoes of Love – Book Tour – Guest Post – Gina Ardito – #Historical #Romance
Today we welcome Historical Romance writer Gina Ardito.
Gina – over to you…
We’re living in strange days. And we’re all trying to find a new normal we can live with. One of the aspects of writing historical romances I love is that I know how it’s going to end. Oh, not the way my characters will win in the end (I’m a total pantser, which means I have no idea where my story will go ‘til it lands somewhere), but definitely how the historical crisis they’re living through will end. That’s a luxury we don’t have these days. But it’s important to remember that when our historical figures were surviving their trying times, they had no idea how it would end, either. We just have the luxury of hindsight.
When I opted to choose to set ECHOES OF LOVE during the time of Napoleon’s march on Russia, I knew how the emperor’s gambit turned out. Chesna, my royal governess, has no such certainty—though she suspects. And yet, time and again, when I threw the worst sort of betrayals at her, she outwitted me and rose to the occasion. Take, for instance, this scene when the French army has invaded her city and she has fled to the church with her young prince for sanctuary until she can plan their next move.
“Please, Your Majesty, you must listen to me.”
The boy flipped down the blanket and opened one eye to stare at her. Obviously, her use of his new title had struck through his sleep-fogged brain. His brow furrowed, and a lone tear slipped down his cheek. “Papa?” The squeaky tremor in his voice confirmed her suspicion that he sensed the truth regarding his father’s fate. “He’s gone, isn’t he?”
She bowed her head. “Yes, sire. Forgive our haste, but we must speak quickly.”
The cot creaked as Mikhail sat up. With a shiver at the cold air, he folded his arms over his chest, and looked around in confusion. “Where are my garments?”
Chesna exchanged a quick glance with Karol, who came forward with the bundle of dirty clothes. “Here, Your Majesty.”
Mikhail’s expression mirrored his disgust. “Those are filthy. Where did you get them?”
Cheeks flushed, Karol backed away from the boy’s indignance. “From a dead boy in the street, sire.”
“How dare you!” he shouted. “I do not wear dirty garments.”
“You do now,” Chesna said flatly. She halted the argument he might attempt with an index finger pressed to the child’s lips. “Please, Your Majesty. Listen to me. I’ll explain.”
Although his eyes narrowed in displeasure, Mikhail nodded.
She removed her finger and gestured for Karol to bring the clothes forward. “Do you recall what you asked of me when I told you of your mama’s death?”
“Yes,” he replied warily. “I asked if you’d be my mama now. But you said you could never take her place.”
She shook out the threadbare shirt to remove any stray dust or insects, then slid the rough garment around his satiny shoulders. “Well, sire, I’ve changed my mind.”
The boy looked up, one eyebrow quirked. “How so?”
“To rule Amatia, Napoleon would destroy the royal family, including you. But the French only plan to remain here for a short time before pressing on toward Moscow. They must cross the mountains before the cold weather sets in. And if they’re defeated in Moscow, a fate my father claimed was all but certain, your throne reverts back to you based on your alliance with Tsar Alexander. Until then, we must keep these foreigners from discovering your true identity so they cannot harm you or take you prisoner.”
One eyebrow quirked up, an expression so like his father’s, Chesna sucked in a sharp breath. “And how will we accomplish this?”
She refocused on the new king. “While you slept, Karol took your garments and went out into the streets. He found a dead boy of about your age, removed his clothing, dressed him in your royal attire and left his body beneath that of your father’s. By tomorrow morning, Napoleon’s army will be under the assumption they succeeded in killing the entire royal family.”
“So you’re going to pretend to be my mama to fool our enemies,” he surmised. At Chesna’s nod, he clapped. “How clever of you!”
I wish I had the answer as to how our current circumstances will end, but the best I can promise is that it will, eventually, end. Until then, why not lose yourself in stories where you may not know how they’ll wind up together and happy at the end, but you know they will? I highly recommend you start with ECHOES OF LOVE.
Echoes of Love
by Gina Ardito
Genre: Historical Romance
Royal governess Chesna Dubrow must protect the five-year-old king of Amatia from Napoleon Bonaparte’s invading army. To do so, she’ll be forced to wed one of the emperor’s loyal soldiers. But Pietor Gabris isn’t any soldier. Years ago, he broke Chesna’s heart, forgetting the vows they’d made to love each other forever.
Pietor’s return to Amatia is embroiled in subterfuge. Amidst the deceit surrounding him, he clings to the one truth he cannot ignore: his timeless love for Chesna. Yet confessing what’s in his heart would sentence them both to death. To keep Chesna safe, he must portray the role of traitor, ensuring her animosity continues to blow hot and harsh.
As danger and intrigue swirl around the palace, can Chesna place her faith—and heart—with the one man she swore she’d never forgive?
Add to Goodreads
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo
Editorial Review from Entrada Publishing:
The old saying goes, if you love something, set it free, and if it is
meant to be, it will return. In Gina Ardito’s historical fiction
novel, she explores the idea of lost love, and bitter-sweet homecomings.
Set in the fictional country of Amatia, Chesna is the governess of the
young prince Mikhail, as a means to ease her broken heart. Six years
prior, her childhood sweetheart, Pietor was sent off to Russia, and
soon forgot all about Chesna. However, fate will soon bring the two
lost lovers together again, but under dire circumstances. As
Napoleon’s armies march upon Amatia, Chesna finds herself caught
between loyalty to her country, and what her heart desires.
Ardito does a masterful job blending real-life historical events, with a
beautifully crafted love story. She crafts a suspenseful and engaging
narrative, taking readers through historical events, and the inner
conflicts within Chesna, and Pietor. The storytelling is beautifully
done as Ardito explores the concept of long-lost lovers, betrayal,
and learning to follow your heart. The narrative flows in an organic
way, with tension masterfully woven throughout. The dynamics between
Chesna and Pietor is natural, and their relationship is very well written.
Along with a tender love story, the author sets up a mystery that Chensa,
and Pietor must unravel before it is too late. Readers will be on the
edge of their seats, as they follow along in the race against time.
Chesna must figure out who to trust, and who she can place her faith in.
For those looking for a suspenseful, yet tender love story, Echoes
of Love is a fantastic historical fiction novel. Gina Ardito is a fantastic
writer, and her novel will pull at your heartstrings, as well as
leave you breathless.
“I honestly don’t know. If I believe you, someone whom I’ve known
all my life wants me dead. I have nowhere to turn and no one whom I
can trust. I am surrounded by enemies on all sides. Do you have any
idea how that makes me feel?”
I kill houseplants. There. Now you know one of my greatest shames. I’m not boasting. I just figure that if you’re reading this, you’re looking for more than how wonderful life is as a writer. You get enough of that elsewhere. Ditto for political rants, how to lose thirty pounds in a week, and creating gorgeous crafts with nothing more than twine and soup cans. My goal is to connect with you, dear reader, even if you’re not a writer, not a New Yorker, not a mother, not a female. We’re human (unless one of us is a spambot), and what we have in common is flaws. So here are a few more of mine:
I sing all the time. I sing songs most people don’t know–jingles from television, crazy stuff I used to listen to on Dr. Demento, Broadway and movie soundtracks, and I can even bum-bum-bum through instrumental music. I sing in the car. In the shower. While I’m grocery shopping. And I headbop while I sing. When I’m not singing, I talk to myself. Just ignore me and move on. You get used to it after a while.
I don’t eat my vegetables. Seriously. I only started eating salad about ten years ago, but I’d still rather have a cookie.
Given the option, I would live in a mall where I would never have to worry about freezing temperatures or too much sun. I’m extremely fair-skinned and could burn under a 60-watt light bulb.
I can’t sleep without background noise so the television’s on all night. If it’s too dark and too quiet, all I have are my thoughts. And even *I* don’t want to be alone with my thoughts.
Don’t ask me to Zumba, line dance, or march in the parade. I have absolutely no rhythm.
I color outside the lines. Not because I’m a rebel, but because I suck as an artist. My artistic ability is limited to being able to draw Snoopy sleeping on his doghouse. And I don’t even draw that well.
Regrets. I have more than a few.
My favorite activity is sleep, and I’m pretty good at it. I don’t clock a lot of hours, but I can powernap like a Persian cat and rejuvenate within ten minutes.
I consider shopping and dining out excellent therapy for anything wrong in my life.
My feet are always cold. Always. My husband of more than a quarter century claims it’s because I’m an alien sent to Earth to destroy him. (He might be right about that.)
Coming to my house for a visit? Unless you’ve given me plenty of advance notice, be prepared. My floor will not be vacuumed, there will be dishes in my sink, and I only make my bed when I change the sheets once a week (I’m climbing back into it ASAP. Why make it?) Housecleaning is not high on my priority list. Okay, to be totally honest, it’s not on the list at all.
I can resist anything…except ice cream.
Since this is our first date, I figure I’ve revealed enough secrets for now. But if you’ve read this bio and think I might be the author for you, pick up one of my books or stalk my website: www.ginaardito.com.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
$25 Amazon
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Echoes of Long – Book Tour – Guest Post – Gina Ardito – #Historical #Romance
Today we welcome Historical Romance writer Gina Ardito.
Gina – over to you…
We’re living in strange days. And we’re all trying to find a new normal we can live with. One of the aspects of writing historical romances I love is that I know how it’s going to end. Oh, not the way my characters will win in the end (I’m a total pantser, which means I have no idea where my story will go ‘til it lands somewhere), but definitely how the historical crisis they’re living through will end. That’s a luxury we don’t have these days. But it’s important to remember that when our historical figures were surviving their trying times, they had no idea how it would end, either. We just have the luxury of hindsight.
When I opted to choose to set ECHOES OF LOVE during the time of Napoleon’s march on Russia, I knew how the emperor’s gambit turned out. Chesna, my royal governess, has no such certainty—though she suspects. And yet, time and again, when I threw the worst sort of betrayals at her, she outwitted me and rose to the occasion. Take, for instance, this scene when the French army has invaded her city and she has fled to the church with her young prince for sanctuary until she can plan their next move.
“Please, Your Majesty, you must listen to me.”
The boy flipped down the blanket and opened one eye to stare at her. Obviously, her use of his new title had struck through his sleep-fogged brain. His brow furrowed, and a lone tear slipped down his cheek. “Papa?” The squeaky tremor in his voice confirmed her suspicion that he sensed the truth regarding his father’s fate. “He’s gone, isn’t he?”
She bowed her head. “Yes, sire. Forgive our haste, but we must speak quickly.”
The cot creaked as Mikhail sat up. With a shiver at the cold air, he folded his arms over his chest, and looked around in confusion. “Where are my garments?”
Chesna exchanged a quick glance with Karol, who came forward with the bundle of dirty clothes. “Here, Your Majesty.”
Mikhail’s expression mirrored his disgust. “Those are filthy. Where did you get them?”
Cheeks flushed, Karol backed away from the boy’s indignance. “From a dead boy in the street, sire.”
“How dare you!” he shouted. “I do not wear dirty garments.”
“You do now,” Chesna said flatly. She halted the argument he might attempt with an index finger pressed to the child’s lips. “Please, Your Majesty. Listen to me. I’ll explain.”
Although his eyes narrowed in displeasure, Mikhail nodded.
She removed her finger and gestured for Karol to bring the clothes forward. “Do you recall what you asked of me when I told you of your mama’s death?”
“Yes,” he replied warily. “I asked if you’d be my mama now. But you said you could never take her place.”
She shook out the threadbare shirt to remove any stray dust or insects, then slid the rough garment around his satiny shoulders. “Well, sire, I’ve changed my mind.”
The boy looked up, one eyebrow quirked. “How so?”
“To rule Amatia, Napoleon would destroy the royal family, including you. But the French only plan to remain here for a short time before pressing on toward Moscow. They must cross the mountains before the cold weather sets in. And if they’re defeated in Moscow, a fate my father claimed was all but certain, your throne reverts back to you based on your alliance with Tsar Alexander. Until then, we must keep these foreigners from discovering your true identity so they cannot harm you or take you prisoner.”
One eyebrow quirked up, an expression so like his father’s, Chesna sucked in a sharp breath. “And how will we accomplish this?”
She refocused on the new king. “While you slept, Karol took your garments and went out into the streets. He found a dead boy of about your age, removed his clothing, dressed him in your royal attire and left his body beneath that of your father’s. By tomorrow morning, Napoleon’s army will be under the assumption they succeeded in killing the entire royal family.”
“So you’re going to pretend to be my mama to fool our enemies,” he surmised. At Chesna’s nod, he clapped. “How clever of you!”
I wish I had the answer as to how our current circumstances will end, but the best I can promise is that it will, eventually, end. Until then, why not lose yourself in stories where you may not know how they’ll wind up together and happy at the end, but you know they will? I highly recommend you start with ECHOES OF LOVE.
Echoes of Love
by Gina Ardito
Genre: Historical Romance
Royal governess Chesna Dubrow must protect the five-year-old king of Amatia from Napoleon Bonaparte’s invading army. To do so, she’ll be forced to wed one of the emperor’s loyal soldiers. But Pietor Gabris isn’t any soldier. Years ago, he broke Chesna’s heart, forgetting the vows they’d made to love each other forever.
Pietor’s return to Amatia is embroiled in subterfuge. Amidst the deceit surrounding him, he clings to the one truth he cannot ignore: his timeless love for Chesna. Yet confessing what’s in his heart would sentence them both to death. To keep Chesna safe, he must portray the role of traitor, ensuring her animosity continues to blow hot and harsh.
As danger and intrigue swirl around the palace, can Chesna place her faith—and heart—with the one man she swore she’d never forgive?
Add to Goodreads
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo
Editorial Review from Entrada Publishing:
The old saying goes, if you love something, set it free, and if it is
meant to be, it will return. In Gina Ardito’s historical fiction
novel, she explores the idea of lost love, and bitter-sweet homecomings.
Set in the fictional country of Amatia, Chesna is the governess of the
young prince Mikhail, as a means to ease her broken heart. Six years
prior, her childhood sweetheart, Pietor was sent off to Russia, and
soon forgot all about Chesna. However, fate will soon bring the two
lost lovers together again, but under dire circumstances. As
Napoleon’s armies march upon Amatia, Chesna finds herself caught
between loyalty to her country, and what her heart desires.
Ardito does a masterful job blending real-life historical events, with a
beautifully crafted love story. She crafts a suspenseful and engaging
narrative, taking readers through historical events, and the inner
conflicts within Chesna, and Pietor. The storytelling is beautifully
done as Ardito explores the concept of long-lost lovers, betrayal,
and learning to follow your heart. The narrative flows in an organic
way, with tension masterfully woven throughout. The dynamics between
Chesna and Pietor is natural, and their relationship is very well written.
Along with a tender love story, the author sets up a mystery that Chensa,
and Pietor must unravel before it is too late. Readers will be on the
edge of their seats, as they follow along in the race against time.
Chesna must figure out who to trust, and who she can place her faith in.
For those looking for a suspenseful, yet tender love story, Echoes
of Love is a fantastic historical fiction novel. Gina Ardito is a fantastic
writer, and her novel will pull at your heartstrings, as well as
leave you breathless.
“I honestly don’t know. If I believe you, someone whom I’ve known
all my life wants me dead. I have nowhere to turn and no one whom I
can trust. I am surrounded by enemies on all sides. Do you have any
idea how that makes me feel?”
I kill houseplants. There. Now you know one of my greatest shames. I’m not boasting. I just figure that if you’re reading this, you’re looking for more than how wonderful life is as a writer. You get enough of that elsewhere. Ditto for political rants, how to lose thirty pounds in a week, and creating gorgeous crafts with nothing more than twine and soup cans. My goal is to connect with you, dear reader, even if you’re not a writer, not a New Yorker, not a mother, not a female. We’re human (unless one of us is a spambot), and what we have in common is flaws. So here are a few more of mine:
I sing all the time. I sing songs most people don’t know–jingles from television, crazy stuff I used to listen to on Dr. Demento, Broadway and movie soundtracks, and I can even bum-bum-bum through instrumental music. I sing in the car. In the shower. While I’m grocery shopping. And I headbop while I sing. When I’m not singing, I talk to myself. Just ignore me and move on. You get used to it after a while.
I don’t eat my vegetables. Seriously. I only started eating salad about ten years ago, but I’d still rather have a cookie.
Given the option, I would live in a mall where I would never have to worry about freezing temperatures or too much sun. I’m extremely fair-skinned and could burn under a 60-watt light bulb.
I can’t sleep without background noise so the television’s on all night. If it’s too dark and too quiet, all I have are my thoughts. And even *I* don’t want to be alone with my thoughts.
Don’t ask me to Zumba, line dance, or march in the parade. I have absolutely no rhythm.
I color outside the lines. Not because I’m a rebel, but because I suck as an artist. My artistic ability is limited to being able to draw Snoopy sleeping on his doghouse. And I don’t even draw that well.
Regrets. I have more than a few.
My favorite activity is sleep, and I’m pretty good at it. I don’t clock a lot of hours, but I can powernap like a Persian cat and rejuvenate within ten minutes.
I consider shopping and dining out excellent therapy for anything wrong in my life.
My feet are always cold. Always. My husband of more than a quarter century claims it’s because I’m an alien sent to Earth to destroy him. (He might be right about that.)
Coming to my house for a visit? Unless you’ve given me plenty of advance notice, be prepared. My floor will not be vacuumed, there will be dishes in my sink, and I only make my bed when I change the sheets once a week (I’m climbing back into it ASAP. Why make it?) Housecleaning is not high on my priority list. Okay, to be totally honest, it’s not on the list at all.
I can resist anything…except ice cream.
Since this is our first date, I figure I’ve revealed enough secrets for now. But if you’ve read this bio and think I might be the author for you, pick up one of my books or stalk my website: www.ginaardito.com.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
$25 Amazon
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
May 17, 2020
Bundle Author Interview – Joslyn Chase #Crime #Suspense #Bloodonthecobbles
Author name: Joslyn Chase
How did you become involved in book bundles? Would you recommend it?
I first learned about book bundling when I attended a Business Master class at WMG Publishing and met Chuck Heintzelman, the founder of BundleRabbit. I also met some excellent editors there who shared their experiences with book bundles.
I find the idea very exciting and innovative. The potential for cross-promotion and cooperation is awesome. I’ve been in three or four bundles, and I’ve edited and produced a collaborative project, And Then There Were Nine, nine thrilling stories from nine masters of suspense.
I hope to be more heavily involved in bundling with other authors in the future. I believe it’s a great way to have fun and profit.
What other bundles are you involved with?
My first bundle was a Halloween Horror bundle that has since been discontinued. But I’m proud to be a part of Steve Vernon’s Cat Tales bundle and A.L. Butcher’s Blood On The Cobbles. I was also fortunate enough to be included in a Story Bundle Historical Mystery bundle, and that was a lot of fun.
Are you a ‘pantser’ or a ‘plotter’?
I am definitely a plotter. That’s what works best with my temperament and writing style. I leave a lot of room for organic growth, the way I do it. For my outline, I basically define the goal for each scene, but I generally have no idea how the characters will get from Point A to Point B until I start writing. And, of course, as the story progresses, things change and that’s fine. But I like starting out with some clearly defined goalposts to aim for.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you started your publishing journey?
Enjoy your time as an unpublished author. Appreciate those moments when the world is wide open and all the possibilities are in the future where anything can happen. It’s exciting and creatively nourishing to dream like that. After publication, so much happens. It’s still a creative process, of course, but business matters come into it, too, and there are so many demands on your time and attention. Some of the innocence is lost. It’s like moving from childhood to adult life. Hang on to the child.
How much research do you do for your work? What’s the wildest subject you’ve looked at?
I adore the research part of writing a book. There’s so much to learn and so many fascinating topics—I spend a lot of time gathering information and getting a feel for the background before I begin writing.
Perhaps the wildest subject I studied while preparing to write my thriller, Nocturne In Ashes, was volcanoes. Mt. Rainier, in particular. It’s a pretty scary topic, especially when you live in the shadow of the mountain and you realize it’s not a question of “if” the volcano will blow, but “when.”
How influential is storytelling to our culture?
Storytelling is everything. It comes into nearly every aspect of societal life and relationships. We communicate by story, relate to each other by story, learn best through concepts put into story form. I write a blog on the subject of Story Power on my website, joslynchase.com.
What’s the best advice you’ve received about writing/publishing?
Every word of a story comes through a character. Ground the reader inside your viewpoint character’s head and make sure they’re the one telling the story, so readers see what they see, feel what they feel, and are able to experience the story through the senses, opinion, and emotion of the viewpoint character. In other words, get out of your own way and let the characters speak.
Tell us about your latest piece?
In April 2020, I published a collection of short stories titled No Rest: 14 Tales of Chilling Suspense. I’m pretty excited about it, and some of my personal favorites are in this volume.
I’m also thrilled to announce that my story, “The Wolf and Lamb,” is on the cover of the current Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, something I’ve aspired to since junior high school.
What’s your next writing adventure?
Last October, I started planning a six-book series of thrillers based on my protagonist’s experience in the EIS—Epidemic Intelligence Service, the disease detectives of the CDC. I’m excited about the project, but also a little bowled over now, with the Covid crisis that I didn’t see coming.
The pandemic has changed a lot of things, but I feel like it must have altered things dramatically within the CDC and now I don’t know how much of the research and preparation I’ve put into it remains valid. Or how readers will respond to books on the subject. To be honest, I’ve had some doubts about moving ahead with the project and I put the brakes on for a few weeks, but now I’m re-energized and moving ahead. I’m planning a release date for the first book in November.
What was the last book you’ve read?
I just finished reading Ann Cleeve’s third Vera Stanhope novel, Hidden Depths. I’m very much enjoying the series, and the television program, as well.
Are indie/self-published authors viewed with scepticism or wariness by readers? Why is this?
I think in large part, yes—readers are wary of books produced by indie authors. The indie movement, which I think is a wonderful thing, has moved the role of gatekeeper from the publishing companies to the readers, themselves. It’s a responsibility many readers are not used to having and may not be comfortable with, at first.
In today’s marketplace, we all rely on social proof—the all-important consumer review. But someone’s got to be the first to leave one. Investing time and money in an untried author and a book with no reviews is a risk many readers aren’t willing to take, and understandably so. That’s why there are so many free books on the market—they are the no-risk samples readers can try before sinking their cash into a new author.
I think this can be a very healthy revolution for both writers and readers, but so much depends on the review. I hope readers will take the time to leave an honest review after reading, a courtesy for other readers and a crucial element for writers.
Is there a message in your books?
There is a message in my books, though I usually don’t know what it is until I’m finished writing. And sometimes, not even then. This is the sort of thing that typically comes through the subconscious mind, though I might start out with a hint of what I want to say to the reader.
How important is writing to you?
Writing is supremely important to me. I’ve waited my whole life to get to this season where I could have a writing career. I know myself well enough to recognize that I couldn’t embark on a writer’s life until my kids were grown. It’s all-engrossing, takes up all my time, attention, and affection. Well, almost all. I try to save out a bit to spend on family and friends J
Links:
Bio:
Joslyn Chase is a prize-winning author of mysteries and thrillers. Any day where she can send readers to the edge of their seats, chewing their fingernails to the nub and prickling with suspense, is a good day in her book.
Joslyn’s love for travel has led her to ride camels through the Nubian desert, fend off monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltar, and hike the Bavarian Alps. But she still believes that sometimes the best adventures come in getting the words on the page and in the thrill of reading a great story.
Joslyn believes in the power of story, and writes a blog on the subject which you can find at joslynchase.com. Join the growing group of readers who’ve discovered the thrill of Chase when you sign up, and get access to updates and bonuses.
Connect with Joslyn at https://www.facebook.com/StoryChase/ and visit the Joslyn Chase YouTube channel to see trailers for many of her books.
Blood on the Cobbles Bundle
From legends of murder, and undead killers walking, to missing girls, deadly diseases, suspense and gore aplenty; from sleuths and detectives, murder and vengeance enter into a world of crime, clues and mayhem.
12 authors weave tales both long and short of crime and suspense.
A collection of short stories and novels.
https://books2read.com/Bloodonthecobblesbundle
