Jordan L. Hawk's Blog, page 22

Threshold Audio – Now Available!

If you have a long drive to or from your relatives for Thanksgiving, or just want to listen to some awesome narration this weekend, Threshold is now out on audiobook from Audible, iTunes, and Amazon.

If you thought Julian G. Simmons did an amazing job on Widdershins, you haven’t heard anything yet! Seriously, his work on Threshold will blow your minds.

Click here to listen to an excerpt.

In 7 Days…

We arrived at the station as the first passengers began to disembark. I’d visited the depot only a few times previously, not being inclined to leave Widdershins if at all possible. The place was generally chaotic, with persons rushing to and fro, many of them shoving carts piled with baggage or crates or even live chickens ahead of them. The platform was a great, swirling mass of skirts, hats, running children, dogs, baggage, and a lone cage with a live parrot inside, screaming its head off.

Its shrieks were joined by those of a young girl, red faced and crying, apparently having lost sight of her mother. Perhaps reminded of another young child standing alone on another train platform, Griffin stopped and went down on his knee beside her.

“Are you lost?” he asked kindly.

She nodded and kept howling.

Griffin looked up at me, and perhaps saw the expression of horror on my face. “Whyborne, would you be so kind as to find my parents? I shall help this little one.”

“Of course,” I said hastily. I had no experience dealing with children, and hadn’t the slightest notion what to do when confronted with one.

I hastened to the crowd of disembarking passengers, only to realize I hadn’t any idea what his parents looked like. What on earth was I doing here, anyway? My inclinations meant many drawbacks in terms of society, but surely one positive was not having to receive the approval of my lover’s family. And yet here I was, stumbling about like a fool, while Griffin played hero.

A number of people—porters, perhaps, or hired drivers—shouted the names of new arrivals. Perhaps I should do the same? “Kerr?” I called tentatively. “Er, Kerr?”

A diminutive older woman popped out of one of the compartments, almost on top of me. I barely had time to register a seamed face, simple dress, and plain bonnet before she shouted “Kerr?” back at me.

“Yes?” I said helplessly.

The next thing I knew, she shoved a small trunk into my arms. “Look, Pa! Griffin hired us a porter to carry our things!”

A man with an impressive white beard exited behind her. “That boy always was thoughtful,” he said, grinning happily as he swung an even larger trunk into my arms atop the first. The weight staggered me; what on earth had they brought with them, bricks? Stones from the fields of Kansas? “Seems a bit on the scrawny side, though.”

“I’m, er—” I tried to object.

“Now, now, don’t you listen to him,” Mrs. Kerr said, piling a hatbox and carpetbag on top of the lot. My back let out a twinge of protest. “Carry these quick, and there’ll be a nice tip in it for you.”

“But, I’m not…”

“Come on now, Ruth, don’t be shy.”

I peered around the pile of baggage as best I could to catch a glimpse of a young woman following them off the train. Griffin hadn’t mentioned anyone else, so who could she be?

Whoever she was, she looked mortified. Curls of blond hair protruded from her bonnet. She wore a neat, though not terribly in-fashion, dress. I was no judge of women’s beauty, but I thought she resembled at least in general what most men seemed to consider attractive.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, a light blush pinking her cheeks. She reached to take the hatbox, but Mrs. Kerr cut her off with a call to come at once. “S-sorry,” she mumbled at me. “Coming, Aunt Nella!”

Aunt Nella? Griffin had some explaining to do.

I somehow navigated the platform without dropping everything, although the pile of baggage blocked my sight, so I bumped into several people and barely managed not to fall onto the tracks. That would be quite the headline: Niles Whyborne’s Son Run Over by Own Train. Father would probably raise me from the dead just so he could kill me himself.

***

PS: For those who haven’t caught up on the W&G series, I’m offering Widdershins for only $0.99 until December 9 at Amazon, ARe, B&N, and Smashwords. Already read it? Most vendors allow you to give ebooks as gifts, and some such as Amazon even allow you to schedule the delivery date.

Stormhaven – Chapter 1 Sneak Peek + Audiobook News

If you subscribe to my newsletter, you already saw the sneak peek last week, but for everyone else I’ve now put up most of Chapter 1 of Stormhaven to whet your appetite. I read the first scene included at GRL, but the rest of it will be new to those who heard my reading as well.

On the audiobook front, the production of Threshold is complete! All we’re waiting on now is for Audible to vet the files and put them up for sale. If you enjoyed Julian’s narration in Widdershins, his work on Threshold will blow you away.

In other random news, Destroyer of Worlds (SPECTR 5) is with my editor, and I’m starting research on Necropolis (W&G 4).

What about you? Got any news to share? Tell me about it in the comments!

Rochelle Maya Callen is Visiting and She’s Brought a Giveaway

Get to know Rochelle Maya Callen, one of the 22 contributors to the recently-released†Allegories of the Tarot†Anthology (which is already trailblazing its way up the fantasy anthology charts on Amazon!). Rochelle (known affectionately as “Rocky” by her friends and fans) wrote her tale, A Promise in the Dark, based on the Strength card. You can read an excerpt of†her story below.†

Get the†Allegories of the Tarot†Anthology on†Amazon,†Smashwords, Kobo, and everywhere else e-books are sold.† Add the†Allegories of the Tarot†Anthology†to your Goodreads to-read shelf!

About Rochelle

Rochelle grew up wanting to be a novelist, but tucked away her stories when she entered high school. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Political Science and Communication when she was twenty years old. After years away from her writing, Rochelle picked up a pen and started fleshing out a character sketch that she outlined when she was twelve. That sketch was the start of the Ashes and Ice story, her debut novel that was published in 2013. Her debut rocked bestseller charts only hours after its release. She plans on releasing its sequel in 2014. Rochelle lives in the DC metro area with her husband and daughter. By day, she works as a behavioral therapist and life coach. By night, she is a dreamer and is busy tapping out new stories on her keyboard. You can find her here: rochellemayacallen.com.

Just a few questions…

What intrigues you about this particular Tarot card? The card and its meaning are truly beautiful. The maiden and the lion reflect our physical and inner strength and power.

Why did you decide to get roped into this project? Um, because Netta is all sorts of awesome. DUH! I have also been itching to write a story based on the Major Arcana. Also, did you see the author line up?? That list sparkles!

Have you ever had dealings with the Tarot before? Not too much. I messed around with Rune Cards when I was younger, but stopped when a card nearly attacked me.

What other projects do you have planned? I am writing the sequel to Ashes and Ice! **gets back to writing so Netta doesn’t whip me**

How did you decide what to write about?†It took a while! Nothing, and I mean NOTHING was coming to mind UNTIL one day I got an image of a girl in an alleyway trying to get away from the Red Robes. I immediately sat down and got to writing and the story flowed from there. I am a very visual person so I had three images that inspired me (or looked like) the Strength card posted all over a place. I think it just took some time for it to click into place!

How literal did you want to get with your card?†I pretty much stuck with the card’s message, but I wasn’t sure how to allow it to play out. I tend to like the violent and rage-proned (*diabolical smile*), but the card is all about NOT needing physical strength to conquer and overcome. I played around with it a bit and like the outcome.

Is your story a part of something you’ve written about previously?†Not at all. But I L-O-V-E the world that I created with this story and would love to make it into a novel-length project.

Would you like to have written about any other card? Which card? Why?†Death. Um, because DEATH is simply badass. Endings, new beginnings. So much delicious material to work with. Maybe that’s why I pulled him into my story.

If you could have the power to divine the future, would you or would you not and why?†Oh you wicked thing you! SUCH a hard question. But if I had to be honest, I would say no. Sure, I could probably save myself time and money and heartache if I knew what was coming, but not knowing makes every precious moment sparkle with the POSSIBILITY of something awesome happening. I choose to rock possibility. It may bite my ass from time to time, but life is much more exciting this way.

An excerpt from†A Promise in the Dark

I couldn’t remember when I first dreamed of the boy. We sat on the cliffs above Zorilah in silence, the wind whipping at us, threatening to tear us apart. His black hair tickled my cheek as he leaned in close whispering in my ear. At first, I couldn’t hear his words, but his breath was a warm caress against my cheek so I never leaned away.

One night, his voice was as clear and real as the cold nipping at my toes through my torn boots. He spoke of death, of ashes, of blood, but his words never frightened me. They were a comfort, a promise in the dark so I always snuggled down onto the wet concrete and stayed in dreams, dreams where our Zorilah was free, beautiful, and ours.

I haven’t dreamed in a very long time.

Read the rest of†A Promise in the Dark†in the Allegories of the Tarot Anthology!

About Allegories of the Tarot

Once upon a time, there was an editor with a fascination for the Tarot. She was struck one day by a crazy idea. ìHey,î she said. ìWhat if twenty-two writers each wrote a story about the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana of the Tarot and were fashioned into an anthology?î

The idea would not leave her alone.

And thus, the Allegories of the Tarot was born.

Crowdfunded by a campaign on Indiegogo with the help and support of an amazing group of writers, twenty-two stories were crafted around the mysteries of the Tarot. The group includes a Pushcart Prize nominee, a Pulp Ark nominee, a former Bigfoot researcher, a journalist, an award-winning YA author, and a Rhysling Award winner. Professional writers, new talent, and a range of genres boggling the mind: Horror, Speculative Fiction, Bizarro Fiction, Erotica, Mystery, Humor, Paranormal, Epic Fantasy, Literary, Romance, and Historical Fantasy.

What has emerged is an outstanding collection of fiction, unique and mysterious. Stories that will make you cry, make you laugh, and make you think. Stories that make you feel the touch of the Universe.

Dare to step through the portal to shadowy realms and emotional journeys.

Get the book!

Allegories of the Tarot†is available in e-book and paperback format†on Amazon, Kobo, and in multiple e-book formats†on Smashwords.

Donít forget to†add†Allegories of the Tarot†to your to-read shelf on Goodreads.

Connect with the†Allegories of the Tarot†Anthology on its†website,†Facebook, and†Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Releasing today: The Allegories of the Tarot Anthology!

Get the Allegories of the Tarot Anthology in on Amazon and Smashwords.

Add the Allegories of the Tarot Anthology to your Goodreads to-read shelf!

Swing by the Allegories of the Tarot Facebook page and enter the release-day giveaway of a custom Tarot box–complete with Tarot deck!

Who hasn’t been fascinated by the mysterious Tarot, writer and reader alike? For centuries, fortune-telling by the Tarot has caught many an imagination, but nothing like what will be presented here.

22 cards… each an individual splinter of the human psyche.

22 writers… honing each splinter into a story of triumph and decay, arrogance and humility.

Stories of the brightest lights and the darkest corners of the weirdest minds.

22 cross-genre worlds.

22 portals into the Universal.

Only one way to get there.

Come with us. Cross the portals. The Universal awaits.

About the book

Once upon a time, there was an editor with a fascination for the Tarot.†She was struck one day by a crazy idea. “Hey,” she said. “What if twenty-two writers each wrote a story about the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana of the Tarot and were fashioned into an anthology?”

The idea would not leave her alone.

And thus, the Allegories of the Tarot was born.

Crowdfunded by a campaign on Indiegogo with the help and support of an amazing group of writers, twenty-two stories were crafted around the mysteries of the Tarot. The group includes a Pushcart Prize nominee, a Pulp Ark nominee, a former Bigfoot researcher, a journalist, an award-winning YA author, and a Rhysling Award winner. Professional writers, new talent, and a range of genres boggling the mind:†Horror, Speculative Fiction, Bizarro Fiction, Erotica, Mystery, Humor, Paranormal, Epic Fantasy, Literary, Romance, and Historical Fantasy.

What has emerged is an outstanding collection of fiction, unique and mysterious. Stories that will make you cry, make you laugh, and make you think. Stories that make you feel the touch of the Universe.

Dare to step through the portal to shadowy realms and emotional journeys.

Early readers have fallen in love with the†Allegories of the Tarot

“Allegories of the Tarot Anthology is a magical book. Magic that will keep you turning the pages. There are muses, demons, †psychics,†evil,and more! I shivered, I laughed and I even cried. Magic, I tell you. Magic.” -Julie Affleck

“Reviewing an anthology is slightly more difficult than discussing a book or comic because the tone varies from author to author. However, Allegories somehow flowed together as a well-matched whole. The project ended up feeling like several beads strung together to form a beautiful necklace that were more amazing for being paired together.” -Jodi Scaife

“All twenty-two stories in this volume are, in a word,†superb. I found myself scouring the Internet as I read it; every story made me want to go find more work by its author.†The ultimate compliment I can give†Allegories†is to say that when I finished it, I thought how I envy those who havenít read it yet.” -Lisa Millraney

Get the book!

Allegories of the Tarot is available in e-book and paperback format on Amazon, and in multiple e-book formats on Smashwords.

Don’t forget to add†Allegories of the Tarot†to your to-read shelf on Goodreads.

Connect with the†Allegories of the Tarot†Anthology on its†website,†Facebook, and†Twitter.

Destroyer of Worlds Cover Reveal and More

First, I wanted to say what an amazing time I had a GRL. It was so freaking cool to meet so many awesome people I previously only knew through screen names and icons.

For those who didn’t get to attend, author Madison Park took over 2,000 pictures and has put the best 955 up as a set. They’re searchable by tags, BTW, so take a gander!

Second, I’m currently closing in on the end of the first draft of SPECTR 5, Destroyer of Worlds, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to do a cover reveal. Each of the boys gets two covers; this is Caleb’s second, so Gray will be on the final cover.

I’ve got a new story coming out later this week, in the Allegories of the Tarot anthology. I’ve had the opportunity to read through the entire book, and was blown away by the caliber of the stories within. Of course, since it was organized by my editor, Annetta Ribken, I wasn’t surprised. I chose the Tower card to write about; “After the Fall” deals with what happens when a man’s life breaks in such a way he can never go back to what he used to be.

And finally, Hainted is currently on sale for only $0.99 at Amazon, ARe, B&N, and Smashwords.

GRL

Just a quick post here, as I’m super-busy cleaning the house today so the pet sitter doesn’t think we’re complete slobs. Tuesday I’m leaving for GayRom Lit. I really hope to see you there, because it’s a huge amount of fun.

I’ll be participating in a reading Saturday at 9:00 with fellow author Angel Martinez and PD Singer. My selection will consist of the opening pages of Stormhaven, and will be the first time anyone outside my beta reader and editor gets a glimpse of the book. So if you’re attending, I’d love to see you there!

Widdershins & Hainted are 2013 Rainbow Award Finalists!

Woot! I’m incredibly thrilled to announce both Widdershins and Hainted made the cut and are finalists for the 2013 Rainbow Award in the Gay Paranormal Romance category!

SPECTR Volume 1 Now in Print

The first three SPECTR books, Hunter of Demons, Master of Ghouls, and Reaper of Souls are now in a single print volume. Via Createspace or Amazon.

And if you’re so inclined, I decided to bundle the ebook versions together as well. If you haven’t already read started the SPECTR series, you can now buy in bulk for slightly less than buying the book separately.

Buy the ebook here:
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Melanie Tushmore Brings Us Goblins and Cavaliers

Hi everyone! Today the lovely and talented Melanie Tushmore is taking over the blog to talk about her newest release, Goblins. So show her some love!

***

Hello, dear readers! For this last stop on the Goblins blog tour, the fabulous Jordan L Hawk is letting me commandeer her blog to tell you about my new fantasy series!

Goblins Book 1 comprises two stories. The first, Wulfren and the Warlock, being about a young goblin prince and a human witch. The 17th century in England was the age of witchcraft, and witches were feared as well as sought out.

For the second story, Quiller and the Runaway Prince, the story is set in 1648, the start of the second English civil war. The country is uneasy, the church is in turmoil, and warring sides had emerged. Each side had different styles of dress… Please welcome to the stage one of my more swoon-worthy kinks; cavaliers!

Personally, I blame it on watching too much Three Musketeers themed things as a kid. Blend that in with the thoroughly more English series, Robin of Sherwood, and welcome to my world! I’m an absolute sucker for a pretty man dressed in cavalier clothes, with a cape, and a feathered hat.

The human that Quiller catches in the forest had to be all these things; a youth pretty enough to make a goblin reconsider simply eating him. He also has a northern accent, a hint at where he’s running from, on account of the civil war. Going by the name of Cashel, I wrote him as a blue eyed, smooth-faced, redhead. Probably the best visual I can share is this one:

Feathered hats!

In the story, Cashel convinces Quiller to accompany him back to the human castle which belongs to his uncle, the Duke of Dunwin. I do love castles. I chose this picture of Appleby castle, in Cumbria, as a good example of what it would be like to glimpse it through the trees as one arrived home. Appleby is a 12th century castle, and mostly still standing today.

With castles come stables, and horses. I’m by no means a horsey person (I live in a village and there are plenty about; one even sticks his long nose through the hedge to give me a fright whenever I walk past) but bizarrely I did end up writing quite a lot of scenes with the boys on horses, or in the stables.

I blame that entirely on Robin of Sherwood, and watching handsome medieval characters rove around on horseback.

Back in those days, I imagine horses were like the automobiles of their time. Sitting upon a fine stallion and sneering down at the peasants would be like screeching past in a sportscar, splashing them with mud.

One of my favourite scenes is when Quiller the goblin has a bash at ‘being human’, dresses in the fancy cavalier clothes, and insists they go riding to the village.

“ Recovered from his stumble in the forest, Midnight was pleased not to be wearing a bridle and bit. I gripped his coarse mane instead. I used a saddle, though; a horse’s knobbly spine against my human arse sounded far too raunchy for my liking. ”

Blurb:

In the 17th Century, the ancient sprawl of Epping forest is bursting with magic and those who go unseen by human eyes: the elves who rule the summer court, and the goblins who rule the winter court. It is said that if a human catches the eye of one of the fey, they are either doomed or blessed.

Wulfren & the Warlock

When Wulfren wakes from a strange dream of a human captor with long silver hair, and grey eyes, his brothers tell him they rescued him from a warlock, and take Wulfren back home to the goblin king’s palace. But Wulfren isn’t so sure the matter is that simple. Why was he missing so long? What are the strange dreams of the beautiful man with the silver hair? Dalliances with humans are severely frowned upon, especially by Wulfren’s father, but Wulfren is willing to risk the scorn of his family to find the human who haunts his dreams.

Quiller & the Runaway Prince

After a hard winter, Quiller is sent deep into the forest on a family errand, and is surprised when a human stumbles into his path. Quiller swoops in to pester him, perhaps even eat him, but there is something special about the human: his scent is royal, though he protests that he is not, and soon Quiller finds himself agreeing to help the human with his troubles—in exchange for a kiss.

***

Thanks, Melanie! I’ve got to say, I love me some men in feathered hats. If you love feathered hats as well, you can follow this link and buy Goblins today!