E.C. Ambrose's Blog, page 2

A Guard and a Thief–what could possibly go wrong?

I’m excited to host one stop on the blog tour for Scott’s new release, The Gauntlet Runner, which comes out today! Read on for more… including a giveaway and the chance to read the other books in the series for just 99¢!

Aik has fallen hopelessly in love with his best friend. But Raven’s a thief, which makes things… complicated. Oh, and Raven has just been kidnapped by a dragon.

Now Aik is off on a quest of his own, to hunt down the foul beast and make them give back his … friend? Lover? Soulmate? The whole not-knowing thing just makes everything harder.

Meanwhile, the world of Tharassas is falling apart, besieged by earthquakes, floods, and strange creatures no one has ever seen before. Aik’s ex, Silya has gone back to Gullton to do try to save her people as the Hencha Queen, and Aik’s stuck in a caravan with her mother and a damnable magical gauntlet that won’t let him be. He has to find Raven, before it’s too late.

Things were messy before, but now they’re much, much worse…

CHAPTER 1 excerpt: Like Fire and Ice

He has to be here. Aik searched frantically through Raven’s pack as the early morning sunlight slipped across the stone windowsill and across the floor, a long, green-tinged ray of light.

He was anxious to be on his way after Raven. His heart was pounding, his thoughts skipping like a spinning stone off hard waters. No one else was awake yet, as far as he could tell, and he wanted to be in and out of the room before anyone was the wiser. Aik glanced at the unmade bed and blushed at what they’d done there the night before. He could still feel Raven’s touch, their bodies entwined….

The sooner he set off, the sooner Aik could rescue him from those awful creatures. The verent must have coerced him; Raven had all but said so. If he could just find Spin, the little familiar could guide him.

He doesn’t love you.

“Shut up.” Knowing that Raven had chosen the verent over him still burned. And that he didn’t say ‘I love you.’ But surely, he wasn’t allowed to be angry about that in the face of what had happened.

His mind was spinning, looking for answers, scared for his love, returning to old, stupid wounds and weaknesses.

Why?

The question reverberated again and again, but not even Aik knew what he was asking. His panic stripped away reason and maturity, and left him dizzy and afraid.

He got to the bottom of the pack, finding nothing but clothing and some toiletries. Farking hell. Where are you?

He started opening some of the side pouches, checking through each one before tying it closed again. Maybe Raven had taken Spin with him?

“Searching for this?”

He spun around to find Tri’Aya leaning against the doorway, looking as fresh as if she’d just slept ten hours, though she couldn’t have gotten more than four at best. How does she do that?

She held Spin’s silver sphere between two fingers.

Grab the book now! But if you haven’t read the first book, you might want to start there, with a 99¢ sale.

Tales From Tharassas: https://www.otherworldsink.com/book/tales-from-tharassas/

The Dragon Eater: https://www.otherworldsink.com/book/the-dragon-eater/

And if you’ve read this far, you should certainly enter the giveaway! Get your chance to win a $20 bookshop.org gift card when you click here!

The Brief Life and Tragic Death of an Old Master

My latest release, The Roman Candle, was inspired by my interest in the Baroque artist Caravaggio (his given name is actually Michelangelo–which isn’t confusing at all!)

Born in 1571 in Milan, Caravaggio lost most of his family to the plague when he was just a boy. He was fortunate to have local patrons who took an interest in himself and his brother, enabling him to find work and take an apprenticeship with a fresco artist. He moved to Rome as a young man, to expand his potential as an artist, but his volatile personality made him hard to work with.

The dramatic lighting and compositions of his work brought some commissions, but as often as not, they were rescinded when he delivered portrayals of saints and martyrs as if they were not divine beings, but people of flesh and blood–wrinkled, grubby, and wholly human. Many of his models came straight from the street, including, notoriously, a few prostitutes who served to represent the Virgin Mary. One could see why some churches rejected the works they had commissioned.

As his daring style swept the art world. he garnered a reputation as a brawler, with numerous arrests for offenses as varied as wearing a sword after dark and hurling a plate of artichokes at a hapless waiter. Eventually, one of his spats turned murderous, and he was forced to flee the city. Fortunately, his artistic reputation gave him a home in Naples, then as a knight of St. John on Malta–where, inevitably, it seems, he fought again and escaped his confinement to Sicily and Naples once more. The whole time, he painted some of the most indelible images in Italian art. He had a penchant for portraying beheadings, in particular–including at least two that are his own head!

His misbehavior caught up with him in Naples where an ambush left him grievously wounded just as he received word of a possible Papal pardon that would enable him to return to Rome. Together with a three paintings, he set sail, only to be detained again along the voyage, and ultimately die of a fever, never to reach Rome again. The year was 1610, and he was only 39 years old.

Two of the paintings he sailed with have been located…and the third was never found.

The Roman Candle: A missing masterpiece points the way to a treasure lost since the fall of Rome! Now available wherever books are sold!

A Sunken Sub, a Secret Past…and a #1 best-seller!

A lost U-boat, a desert hit squad, a secret that might bury this veteran forever! A furious hunt explodes in the desert: will a former spec ops intelligence officer recover the most famous skeleton ever lost—or will he join the bones in their eternal rest? “Impeccably researched and well-written…highly recommended!” NYT bestseller Brendan DuBois

Thank you to all the readers who have already bought their copy of The Nazi Skull–for giving me my first-ever Amazon Best-seller ribbon! The sale is on for a few more days (until 6/17/2023) so if you’re seeing this after that date, drop me a line at ecambrose (at) gmail.com and I’ll send you a coupon so you can still get the discount!

Grab your copy at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Googleplay, Kobo, or wherever you buy ebooks!

And if you have already enjoyed The Nazi Skull, I would appreciate your review on Bookbub, Goodreads or wherever you share the books you love!

Eager for book 6? The Roman Candle is now available for pre-order! A missing masterpiece points the way to a treasure lost since the Roman Empire!

The Fascist Frame Launch Day footnotes!

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Today’s the day! Launch Day for The Fascist Frame, book 5 in my Bone Guard archaeological adventure series! Those of you who’ve been following my work for a long time (Since Elisha Barber) will know I have a long-standing tradition of doing a footnotes post on a book’s launch date.

Usually, these posts will gather all of the posts I’ve made on various research topics that relate to the book I’m launching. Sadly, I haven’t been posting most of my research as blogs any more (though I do sometimes post about it on my Facebook feed, and I share tidbits in my newsletter, Tomb Reader–where you can also get 3 free short stories for signing up!)

So I don’t have links for All The Things, but I can give you a few glimpses of what you’ll find inside the pages of the latest Bone Guard Book!

Let’s start with the fact that today is National Submarine Day! The image above is a CB-class Italian “midget” submarine, perhaps the only one still in existence from World War II. At that time the Italians were world leaders in all things underwater, and these nifty little subs were one example. They also developed technologies for underwater breathing that enabled their frogmen to pull of some interesting missions.

Another key element in the book is Operation Gladio, a system of sleeper cells, if you will, sometimes called “Stay Behind Units” because many of them were formed around Nazis and Hitler Youth members who concealed themselves in local populations to guard against what was perceived as the real threat to European society: the rise of Communism. Gladio units were intended to rise and prevent leftist incursions, in particular, invasion by the Soviet Union, and they created weapons caches all over central Europe to access in case of need. Oh–and it was partially funded by the CIA. According to some sources, by selling drugs smuggled by the Mafia into predominantly Black areas of New York City.

Last but not least, are the impressive fortified shelters built to defend Berlin from Allied air-raids, the Flak Towers. These enormous concrete buildings were built in pairs, a command tower, with a radar array for tracking planes, and a bunker that could protect about 10,000 civilians, complete with a hospital, as well as providing a weapons platform to fight back. Remnants of these structures remain, including one in Austria now in use as a climbing wall. Check out this archival footage of a flyover of Berlin after the war, which shows the massive scale of the Flak Towers. (it comes on screen around 3:07)

All of which formed the backdrop for the adventures of Grant Casey and the Bone Guard as they try to locate the stolen Jewish Library of Rome in a hidden cache of treasures looted by the Nazis!

Thanks for reading!

The Most Exciting Bone Guard Adventure Yet!

The Fascist Frame, Bone Guard 5, launches on April 11!

A stolen library, an old adversary, a league of warriors, lying in wait!

I’m so excited for this one! It’s been in the works for over a year, when I had an idea that was way too ambitious, and I thought, well, what if one treasure hunt led to another?

Don’t worry–this book delivers on all the thrills, twists and moral quandaries you’ve come to expect from the internationally best-selling Bone Guard series. The adventure begins with a bomb-sniffing dog at Bone Guard HQ, then flies off to Sardinia, with some dangerous company. How will it end? With a deadly enemy, a Nazi stash, and a betrayal they never expected!

Order Now from your favorite source!

If you haven’t read the series, start with The Mongol’s Coffin–but really, you could jump in anywhere. Every volume has its own roller-coaster race to the finish! Oh–except The Mongol’s Coffin is on sale through April 16 for just 99¢! So, now’s the perfect time–(Unless you want to wait for the audiobook to go on sale in May on Chirp…)

Sharing some faves!

I recently took up Shepherd.com on their offer to make a list of the Best Books Weaving Adventure and History–and yes, one of those titles is non-fiction–because history itself is often an adventure!

This list includes a few of my influences, and a new favorite author in the sub-genre of archaeological thrillers. If you’re not reading Andrew Clawson, check out his work!

Shepherd is a book discovery engine, designed to help readers find books they will love, by way of curated lists of titles with some intriguing similarity. Most of these lists are put together by authors like me, and they help to place our books in context. You can browse by topic and by book, to see what shows up that you might enjoy! Give it a try, and let me know what you think.

As for my own work, The Fascist Frame (Bone Guard 5) comes out in about a week! So you can still get in on the pre-order. If you’re not subscribing to Tomb Reader, my thriller specialty group, now’s a good time. It’s the best way to find out about some upcoming discounts and other goodies! You’ll get three free stories if you join through StoryOrigin (no, you don’t need an account), and there’s a link to a fourth story in your first email.

Also, Honor, the first issue of Matt Buchman’s Thrill Ride Magazine is out now! If you’ve read it, we’d love to have your reviews. If not, now’s your chance!

Freebies and Kindles and Bookbub, oh, my!

If you’re looking for a fun way to help a bunch of authors, and get a chance to win oodles of mystery and thriller novels, including mine, then here’s the post for you!

Generally, I do one of these every couple of months–it’s a chance to share my stuff with other authors’ audiences, bring some more people on board with the Tomb Reader (my thriller newsletter) and get some more followers on Bookbub (which is super helpful to me, because it can unlock some other stuff that Bookbub has for authors).

If you’re not familiar with Bookbub, it’s a recommendation engine that will send you special deals (like free and discounted books) in the genres or by the authors that you choose. Giveaways like this one can introduce you to a bunch of new authors at the same time!

And here’s another one...Bookbub Superfans! I’m actually participating in three group promotions right now–but you can enter them all, and triple your chances to win ebooks, print books, and kindle devices!

And here’s the last one! This deal is where you print readers might perk up your ears!

The Dragon Eater–new from J. Scott Coatsworth

and a chance to read Scott’s short story collection, free!

Every once in a while, I hear about a book concept that just sounds like too much fun! Check it out…

Raven’s a thief who just swallowed a dragon. A small one, sure, but now his arms are growing scales, the local wildlife is acting up, and his snarky AI familiar is no help whatsoever.

Raven’s best friend Aik is a guardsman carrying a torch for the thief. A pickpocket and a guard? Never going to happen. And Aik’s ex-fiancé Silya, an initiate priestess in the midst of a magical crisis, hates Raven with the heat of a thousand suns.

This unlikely team must work together to face strange beasts, alien artifacts, and a world-altering threat. If they don’t figure out what to do soon, it might just be the end of everything.
Things are about to get messy.

The Dragon Eater starts a whole new series! so when you love it, you’ll know there’s more coming!

The Tharassas Cycle is a four book sci-fantasy series set on the recently colonized world of Tharassas. When humans first arrived on planet, they thought they were alone until the hencha mind made itself known. But now a new threat has arisen to challenge both humankind and their new allies on this alien world.

Aaannnnd! There’s a freebie if you buy the book–here it is straight from the author’s mouth:

I’m giving away the prequel, Tales From Tharassas, with all preorders – it contains The Last Run, The Emp Test, and a brand new short story the Fallen Angel. Just order the book and email me a proof of purchase at scott@jscottcoatsworth.com, and I’ll send you the book on release day (March 16th). This offer is good for a week after the launch, so if you grab The Dragon Eater today, you can still get your freebie!

Read on for an excerpt!

Spin’s voice echoed in his ear. “This is a bad idea, boss.”

“Shush,” Raven whispered to his familiar.

He needed to concentrate. Cheek and jowl against the smooth cobblestones, he held his breath and prayed to the gods that no one had seen him duck under the sea master’s ornate carriage. The setting sun cast long shadows from a pair of boots so close to his face that the dust and leather made him want to sneeze. Their owner was deep in conversation with the sea master, the hem of her fine mur silk trousers barely visible. The two women’s voices were hushed, and he could only make out the occasional word.

Raven rubbed the old burn scar on his cheek absently, wishing they would go away.

“Seriously, boss. I’m not from this world, and even I know it’s a bad idea to steal from the sea master.”

Though only he could hear Spin’s voice, Raven wished the little silver ay-eye would just shut up.

The hencha cloth-wrapped package in the carriage above was calling to him. He’d wanted it since he’d first seen it through the open door. No, needed it. Like he needed air, even though he had no idea what was inside. He scratched the back of his hand hard to distract himself from its disturbing pull.

An inthym popped its head out of the sewer grate in front of him, sniffing the air. Raven glared at the little white rodent, willing it to go away. Instead, the cursed thing nibbled at his nose.

Raven sneezed, then covered his mouth. He held his breath, staring at the boots. Don’t let them hear me.

A shiny silver feeler poked out of his shirt pocket, emitting a golden glow that illuminated the cobblestones underneath him. “Boss, you all right?” Spin’s whisper had that sarcastic edge he often used when he was annoyed. “Your heart rate is elevated.”

“Be. Quiet.” Raven gritted his teeth. Spin had the worst sense of timing.

The woman — one of the guard, maybe? — and the sea master stepped away, their voices fading into the distance.

Raven said a quick prayer of thanks to Jor’Oss, the goddess of wild luck, and flicked the inthym back into the sewer. “Shoo!”

He popped his head out from under the carriage to take a quick look around. There was no one between him and the squat gray Sea Guild headquarters. It was time. Grab it and go. He reached into the luxurious carriage — a host of mur beetles must have spent years spinning all the red silk that lined the interior — and snagged the package. He hoped it was the treasury payment for the week. If so, it should hold enough coin to feed an orphanage for a month, and he knew just the one. “Got it.”

“Good. Now get us out of here.”

A strange tingling surged through his hand. Raven frowned.

Must have pinched a nerve or something.

Ignoring it, he stuck the package under his arm, slipped around the carriage, and set off down Gullton’s main thoroughfare. He walked as casually as he could, hoping no one would notice the missing package until he was long gone.

“We clear?”

Spin’s feeler blinked red. “No. Run! They’ve seen you.”

Raven ran.

Gotta know more? check out The Dragon Eater!

Learn more about Scott at your favorite social link:

Author Website: https://www.jscottcoatsworth.com
Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworth/
Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworthauthor
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/jscoatsworth
Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jscottcoatsworth/
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8392709.J_Scott_Coatsworth
Author Mastodon: https://mastodon.otherworldsink.com/@jscottcoatsworth
Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-
coatsworth/
Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-
coatsworth/
Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/J.-Scott-Coatsworth/e/B011AFO4OQ

A Wreck of Dragons, Live on Zoom!

Did you miss the in-person launch event? That’s okay–Elaine will be reading, alongside 5 other awesome authors, on Friday, March 3 at noon Eastern time. This event is free to attend, but you do have to register by clicking on the link below! Hope to see you there!

StrongWomenStrangeWorlds.weebly.com

Read more about the book and find your choice of buy-links at the publisher’s website!

There’s no Better Time to Join the Adventure–3 books for 99 cents!

Yes, you read that right! The first three Bone Guard books will be on sale for a week for less than a dollar. All the action, adventure, and historical excitement, for one super low price! I’m celebrating the pre-order for book 5, the Fascist Frame! and just generally getting the word out about these books because I love them and want to write many more.

This is the found family thriller you’ve been looking for–if you have. Or it’s just a twisty adventure featuring high-speed races, international adversaries, and fantastic settings like the Dead Cities of Syria, a sunken U-boat, or the steppes of Mongolia! This collection includes The Mongol’s Coffin, The Nazi Skull, and The Assassin’s Throne!

Share the deal with anyone you know who might enjoy archaeological adventures! And thanks for joining the adventure!