Deborah Jay's Blog, page 103

Cover reveal, THE DRAGONIAN – FIREBOLT, by Adrienne Woods

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 Firebolt by Adrienne Woods

The Dragonian Series

Publisher: GMTA Publishing Mythos Press

Release Date: Nov 20 2013

Blurb

Dragons. Right. Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales, and sixteen-year-old Elena Watkins was no different.

Until the night a fairy tale killed her father.

Now Elena is in a new world, and a new school. The cutest guy around may be an evil dragon, a prince wants Elena’s heart, and a long dead sorcerer may be waking up to kill her. Oh and the only way Elena’s going to graduate is on the back of a dragon of her own.

Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales. Now it’s time for Elena to believe in…herself.

Promotional Blurb:

I’m going to create with my illustrator a book trailer out of this. But it won’t be available for a couple of months.

The Belly of a huge blue beast on four legs, the size of tree stumps, stood in front of the pickup.

Elena Watkins loved the fairy tales her father used to tell her.

     Another dragon came out of nowhere. His scales appeared to be copper. He sank his jaws into the blue dragon.

Tales of heroes. Tales of magic.

    The copper dragon bit fiercely into the blue dragon’s neck. Blood pooled on thick puddles on the road.

Tales of dragons.

The copper dragon trudged toward the pickup. He hooked one of his talons into the windshield – and ripped it off.

But that was when she was little. Sixteen year old girls know the difference between fairy tales and real life. And everybody knows…

The dragon started to shrink.

there are no such things …

The dragon’s huge figure melted away into a copper blob. I shrieked…

as dragons.

     as the blob transformed into the fugure of a man crouching low to the ground.

Elena knew that too. Until that night. The night a dragon…

     My father. And he was dying.

…killed her father.

Now there’s a lot more that Elena has to learn. And not just about dragons. Because for Elena, not all the fairy tales are false – and not all the real world is real. And if Elena is going to get through what’s coming, she’s going to have to know a lot more that the difference. She’s going to have to get to know someone she’s never met. Someone she doesn’t know if she can believe in.

Herself.

Synopsis:

For the love of blueberries, Elena Watkins was destined for greatness, even though she didn’t know it. Forced to travel from home to home every three months Elena’s life was a never ending blur of new towns and new faces, that is, until the night her father was killed by a creature she thought only existed in fairy tales – a dragon. With her father’s death leaving her orphaned, Elena is whisked away to her true birthplace, Paegeia.

Arriving at Dragonia Academy, the premier school for young Dragonians, she begins to feel a sense of belonging in this strange world; a school she was never meant to attend because her father was a dragon. Elena is soon swept up in the rigor of her new life and the new set of skills she now needs to survive: Latin, Art of War, and Enchantments.

Entranced by her new reality Elena learns about the dragons and humans who inhabit her new home. There are two classes of dragons that soar through Paegeia distinguished by their instinctual pretense for either good or darkness. The distinction between these two very different species is vital to Elena’s success in her new world because she has been marked as a Dragonian, a human preordained to ride and tame a dragon of her very own.

With the help of her new friends, Elena is able to navigate the complexities of her new home. Her new roommates Becky and Sammy are even more amazing then she could have ever imaged and to top it all off, Sammy was a dragon. Sammy’s is also the devoted sister of Blake, the most attractive boy at school and the Rubicon; the only dragon of his kind with the abilities of all the dragon species with a pretense for evil. Elena soon finds the love she always wanted with Lucian, the Prince of Tith, who actively pursues Elena throughout her time at Dragonia Academy, winning her heart with his absolute adoration and unshaken dedication.

Unbeknownst to Elena danger is lurking behind the enchanted vines concealing the once thriving capital of Paegeia – Etan. Goran, the darkest sorcerer to ever practice his evil arts in the realm, has lain dormant for over a century behind the crumbling city. The first step in his menacing plan is to destroy the only weapon that can kill him – the King of Lion Sword.

When the sword is stolen Elena doesn’t think twice about seeking it; knowing deep down that it is her destiny to save her new home. She travels to the Sacred Cavern, and discovers the nefarious actions of an unknown man lead to the swords destruction as she follows the trail revealed in the prophetic waters of the cavern.

Elena and her friends engage the mysterious man revealing their existence to Goran and fighting for their very lives.

Author Info

                      I was born and raised in South Africa, where I still live with my husband, and two beautiful little girls. I always knew that I was going to be a writer but it only started to happen about four years ago, now I can’t stop writing.
In my free time, If I get any because Moms don’t really have free time, I love to spend time with friends, if it’s a girls night out, or just a movie, I’m a very chilled person.
My writing career is starting with Firebolt, book one with the Dragonian Series, there will be four books in total and two to three books that is about the stories taking place inside The Dragonian Series.
I do write in different Genres, I have a woman’s fiction called the Pregnancy Diaries, but it would be published under another name. And then I have a paranormal series, called the Watercress series. There are about ten novels in that one.
So, plenty of novels to come out, so little time.
I hope you are going to embrace the Dragonian Series as much as I loved writing them.
Kind Wishes,

Adrienne Woods

Blog

Facebook Book Series Page

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Excerpt

“Dad, dragons…” I took a deep breath. Dragons didn’t exist, but then the image of the huge thing that had flown past me a couple of seconds ago sprang into my head. “You mean that thing that passed us was a dragon?”

He nodded, and looked over his shoulder, the terror returned to his stony features.

Another one flew in front of the truck, and Dad hit the brakes. I shrieked as the car spun around on the turf a couple of times and came to a standstill on the dark stretch of road.

Pushing my face against the cool glass of the passenger window, I searched the horizon for any sign of life. Apart from the pickup’s headlights, there wasn’t a single light peeking through the blanketed darkness, and the rain crushing down played with my mind’s eyes. Dragons don’t exist.

“You okay?” my father yelled.

“I’m fine. Daddy,” I cried, as I tore my eyes away from the window.

“Elena, I need to get out, okay─”

“No, no, please don’t leave me here!” I could feel the fear beginning to rise up again and my vision became blurry. Why am I afraid? Dragons aren’t real.

He cupped my face and made me look at him, his hands trembling. “Listen to me, Elena. Listen!”

I tried to swallow my tears, but it was no use. They were caught in the back of my throat, silencing me as he said his goodbye.

He hugged me tight and kissed me on my forehead. I could feel the love he had for me behind that kiss. My strength returned as I slowly came to terms with what I had to do.

“You drive like hell, you hear me? Don’t slow down for anybody. There’s a motel on Interstate 40. Just stay on this road, you can’t miss it. Someone named Matt will meet you there.”

“For the love of blueberries Dad, it’s pouring dogs and horses outside. I can’t leave you here with whatever…” I screamed. We can rationally sort this out.

Dad cringed and looked down for a minute. When he looked at me again, that set to his jaw was back. I knew my words hadn’t made an impact on him whatsoever. He had already made up his mind for the both of us.

A man appeared in the middle of the road. The rain made it hard for me to see him, but the headlights of the truck outlined his figure. I squinted to see him clearer. The man was tall, with long black hair hanging in wet strands that clung to his face. He wore a pair of pants, no T-shirt, and it looked like no shoes either. He stared at the pickup for a couple of minutes, and it made my heart pound faster. He began to walk slowly towards us.

“Daaaaad?” I slapped his shoulder, trying to expel the fear from my body.

“Elena.” He grabbed my wrist. “I’ll be fine. You need to go. Now. And, Bear, I’m so sorry. Whatever happens, don’t stop for anything.”

“Dad?” Tears streamed down my face and my lower lip quivered like mad. He kissed me one more time on my forehead and wiped away my tears gently with his thumbs.

“I’ll meet you there.” He climbed out the truck and slammed the door in my face. I just kept staring at macho loon making his way towards Dad.  I moved quickly into the driver’s seat, took a deep breath, and buckled up. With my hands trembling on the steering wheel, I took another deep breath.

You can do this, my conscience rambled a couple of times in my head.  The key sat lazily in the ignition, and I jerked it to the right. The pickup sputtered and died. The guy disappeared into the darkness, and a new set of fear pumped through my veins.

“No, no, no, no! Please don’t die on me now,” I mumbled frantically as I tried to restart the engine. The man appeared again by the faint glow of the headlights. He was getting closer.

“Start you stupid piece of crap!” I yelled over the roar of the blood pumping in my ears.

The engine came to life and I screamed as the man’s figure leaped toward the pickup. Dad jumped from the asphalt and tackled him in mid-air. “Go, Elena!” he shout over the pounding rain.

 

How old is that horse? Horse Tips for Writers

How long does a horse live?

At what age are they still working?

Do you know how to equate horse age in human terms?

NO?

Guess that’s why you’re here then

How long does a horse live

© Alan Heartfield | Dreamstime Stock Photos

The answer is, of course, as long as a piece of string.

Average life expectancy rather depends on the SIZE of a horse. Much like dogs, the larger the breed, the shorter the lifespan.

And of course, as husbandry skills and veterinary care improve, so that life expectancy increases.

So let’s talk numbers. Large breed horses (like shires, or larger competition breeds such as the Hanoverian) used to be considered old at twenty. These days, many of them live on to mid or even late twenties.

Pones have always lived longer, with average life expectancy that used to be mid to late twenties, and is now more like thirty.

Equating horse ages with human

As an easy rule of thumb, multiply your horse’s age by three.

So that thirty year old pony is around ninety, and the horse of twenty five is, in human terms, around seventy five.

Easy, yes?

Age of working horses

Now this is where we start to need to know a bit about what type of horse we are considering.

Take a racehorse, for example.

Anthony 92931/Wikimedia.org

Thoroughbred racehorses are first ridden as yearlings – yes, at one year of age, or three, in human terms.

Sounds a bit extreme?

Yes, I think so too. At least the riders are, of course, very lightweight.

Horses first race as two-year-olds (six, in human terms) – still a very early age, and before they are fully grown, but this is the stage when you need to consider the rate of maturity.

Thoroughbreds are an early maturing breed, and will reach their full stature by four years old.

At the other end of the scale, most warmblood breeds do not mature until eight or even nine years old, and their ridden career starts at three or fours years of age to reflect this slower growth rate.

Age of working horses

Taking the above into account, you should not be surprised to learn that few thoroughbreds are still working into old age. Like human gymnasts, they tend to pay for their early careers with more joint issues as they grow older, often resulting in retirement or euthanasia.

Ordinary riding horses may well continue working into their early twenties. while competition horses tend to retire (from competing, at least) in their late teens, but may continue in light work for many more years.

Horses are considered to be in their prime at around nine years old (twenty seven, human), and getting past their prime after the age of twelve (thirty six plus).

These are, of course, rough guides, and there are always exceptions.

Geriatrics

Horses that live past thirty start to have issues with eating, as by then their teeth tend to be ground down to little or nothing, and more care needs to be taken with feeding, but this can be managed, and more options are available as feed companies develop dedicated feeds that accommodate the specific needs of the ‘senior’ horse.

And speaking of those exceptions, I personally knew one pony who lived into her fifties! She was blind as a bat and on an almost liquid diet, but happy as a lark until the day she died.

I wonder how old this cheeky chappy is?

Any questions? Please do ask, about this or any other topic related to horses and I will do my best to answer.

And of course, please drop over to my dedicated ‘Horse Tips for Writers’ blog to see all my other posts.

The Ferryman & The Flame – SKELETON AND DUST blog tour

The Skeleton and the Flame is the latest release in THE FERRYMAN & THE FLAME series by RHIANNON PAILLE, a truly unique fantasy series. This is the story of how it all began.

Blurb

In the First Era, before Kaliel and Krishani fell in love, Tor runs. He escapes the Land of Kings and the tyrannical Valtanyana. In the depths of Tempia he forges weapons– The Flames– strong enough to oppose the Kings he betrayed.

Aria, The Amethyst Flame, cannot touch the living or the dead and her kin are silent ghosts. Hidden in a cairn deep in the haunted forest, Aria becomes obsessed with the Ferryman, the only boy who can feel her touch.

Before Aria knows it, The Flames, The Ferryman and Tor are swept up in the first war against the Valtanyana.

EXCERPT

Tension seemed to coil his shoulders. “You wouldn’t remember my name if I told it to you.”

“Why?” Aria spoke the question aloud but only because another part of her was working so hard on memorizing every detail of him, from the lines of his face, down to the way the corner of his mouth tightened whenever she opened her mouth. If it were up to her, she’d never forget a single thing about him.

“You ask too many questions, youngling.”

“Aria…my name is Aria.”

The Ferryman huffed, putting his hands into the opposite sleeves of his cloak and folding them across his torso. He changed direction at a fork in the road, and Aria wondered how he knew where the cairn was. “Kallow.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Kallow is the name I prefer.”

“And the long name?”

“Krishani Mekallow Mekelle Tavesin,” he rattled off, slurring the words together so, to Aria, they didn’t make a lot of sense.

She let out a sigh. “I like Kallow.”

“It means hero.”

Links

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16173791-skeleton-dust

Book Info-

Title: Skeleton & Dust

Series: The Ferryman + The Flame #0.5

By: Rhiannon Paille

Expected Publication: October 1st, 2013

About the Author

 Rhiannon is an up and coming Indie Author that writes Young Adult Fantasy books and some non fiction. She has a PhD in Metaphysical Science and Parapsychology. When she’s not writing books she’s reading minds, singing karaoke, burning dinner and sipping iced cappuccino despite her allergy to coffee. Some day she’d like to own a unicorn—as long as it doesn’t eat her. She’s sold over 25,000 copies of her books worldwide.

Discover more about Rhiannon at

Amazon Author Page- http://www.amazon.com/Rhiannon-Paille/e/B004NPY784

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/RhiannonPaille?fref=ts

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4653530.Rhiannon_Paille

Smashwords- https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/rhiannonpaille

Twitter- https://twitter.com/RhiannonPaille

Website- http://www.yafantasyauthor.com

Rafflecopter Code- a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

And don’t forget to take a look at the other books in the series

 

Surrender

The Ferryman + The Flame #1

Published: October 2nd, 2012 by Createspace

Blurb

How far would you go to save everything you ever loved?

Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. She doesn’t listen, and because of what she is– a Flame– one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks a war. In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Links

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17619613-surrender

Amazon Paperback- http://www.amazon.com/Surrender-The-Ferryman-Flame-Volume/dp/1480029858/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372966842&sr=8-2&keywords=rhiannon+paille

Amazon Kindle- http://www.amazon.com/SURRENDER-The-Ferryman-Flame-ebook/dp/B00A55EZS8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1372966842&sr=8-2

Barnes & Noble- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/surrender-rhiannon-paille/1115766263?ean=2940044579309

Kobo- http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Books/surrender-the-ferryman-the-flame-1

Smashwords- http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/311741

Lantern & Poison

The Ferryman + The Flame #1.5

Published: December 11th, 2012

Blurb

This is SURRENDER from the villain’s POV.

Hadwen is no more. The Daed have no choice but to travel to Avrigost to awaken Crestaos. They’re thrown into a whirlwind quest for the Flames, not knowing how ruthless and sadistic Crestaos can be.

Links

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16173759-lantern-poison

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/LANTERN-POISON-Ferryman-Flame-ebook/dp/B00AGMVHB8/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372966924&sr=1-6

Barnes & Noble- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lantern-poison-rhiannon-paille/1115446340?ean=2940044549258

Kobo- http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Books/lantern-poison-the-ferryman-the-flame-1-5

Smashwords- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/315332

Justice

The Ferryman + The Flame #2

Published: April 2nd, 2013

Blurb

How far would you go to destroy yourself?

Krishani always knew he would have to go to the Lands of Men, but he never thought it would be like this. Enemies everywhere, an ancestor he can’t respect, elders he can’t trust, a curse he can’t stop and friends he can’t help but hate. Desperate to end the pain, he sets out on a quest to find the other Flames and face the enemy that took everything from him.

Links

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12155164-justice

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/JUSTICE-The-Ferryman-Flame-ebook/dp/B00B25PVK6/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2

Barnes & Noble- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/justice-rhiannon-paille/1115435382?ean=9781482042658

Smashwords- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/332671

Blood & Gold

The Ferryman + The Flame #2.5

Published: January 31st, 2013

Blurb

This is JUSTICE from the villain’s POV.

The Daed are pawns to one of the most powerful members of the Valtanyana. Crestaos is insane, his hunger for the Flames insatiable. The closer the Daed get to achieving his goal, the more expendable they become.

Links

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/BLOOD-GOLD-Ferryman-Flame-ebook/dp/B00B975QAC/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372970344&sr=1-3

Barnes & Noble- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-gold-rhiannon-paille/1115566403?ean=2940044569270

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16173779-blood-gold

Kobo- http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Books/blood-gold-the-ferryman-the-flame-2-5

Smashwords- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/315333

Vulture

The Ferryman + The Flame #3

Published: June 18th, 2013

Blurb

How far would you go to betray everything you’ve ever known?

Kaliel didn’t think second chances came with this much turmoil. Exiled from her home, surrounded by strangers and in love with a boy she barely recognizes, she can’t take it. She has her best friend, a new mentor, and a chance to win the war against the Valtanyana, but it’s all wrong. Desperate to salvage some semblance of her former life, she makes a deal that shatters everything.

Links

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12155200-vulture

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/VULTURE-The-Ferryman-Flame-ebook/dp/B00DG8EMZ2/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372971734&sr=1-4

Barnes & Noble- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vulture-rhiannon-paille/1115464533?ean=9781489568724

Smashwords- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325405

GRYPHON SERIES COVER REVEAL AND GIVEAWAY

Well friends, we some more exciting news! The award winning Gryphon Series from best selling author Stacey Rourke has made some exciting changes. Each book will have all new covers and AMAZING illustrations. But that’s not all, today you are getting a sneak peek at the next thrilling book in the series, Ascension!

ABOUT ASCENSION

From best selling and award winning author Stacey Rourke comes the heart-pounding continuation of the acclaimed Gryphon Series.

The turning point of the Gryphon saga is at hand …

Battle looms. Three unstoppable forces prepare to clash in a colossal explosion that could wipe Gainesboro off the map. Fate and sacred calling have landed nineteen year old Celeste Garrett in the middle with nowhere to run.

Her trust wavers as she uncovers dark secrets of the Council, powerful enough to test her loyalty and turn her against those she swore to protect. Playing to the longing of her heart, a malevolent enemy uses her weakness against her to form an alliance.

With the trumpets of war about to sound, which side will the Conduit choose, and who will be left standing?

ABOUT ILLUSTRATIONS AND ARTISTS

Illustrator Crystal Ord will be bringing some of your favorite Gryphon Series characters to life!

Crystal Smalls Ord is a freelance illustrator and writer who resides in the rainy Pacific Northwest. Her art and stories have appeared in the macabre children’s lit magazine, Underneath the Juniper Tree. Last year she illustrated her first children’s book, Ethan’s Story; My Life with Autism which can be found on Amazon.com. Her art has also appeared in hitRECord.com’s musical short, Madamoiselle Noir.

In her free time Crystal plays with her kids, cleans house, teaches music in Sunday School, and lingers in the geekery corner of Pinterest.

Contact her at:

Website: wix.com/fynn47/author-website.com

Facebook: facebook.com/smallsord

The demonic and fantasy elements of the Conduit’s journey will jump off the page thanks to Robert Immings;

In 2000 Robert Immings graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta with a BFA in graphic design. Since then he’s done work in package design, web development and designed training applications and software interfaces. These days he’s a mild mannered operations technician with an electronic trading firm in Alpharetta Georgia. Earlier this.year he had a chance to enter Sony’s “Treasures of Middle Earth” design contest which was a promotion for the hobbit movie. He came in as a runner up. More recently he had the opportunity to do some sketches and collaborate on the cover for Emily Fogel’s wonderful fantasy novel Dragon Wars and created the cover for her soon to be released book “Chasing Flames”. Right now he’s excited to be working on a collection of illustrations for Stacey Rourke’s Gryphon Series.

He’s always interested in illustration and graphic design projects and can be contacted at robertimmings@hotmail.com.

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ABOUT STACEY ROURKE

Author of the Laugh-out Loud Gryphon Series and the nonfiction book I’m Not Crazy I’m on Lupron; a Journey Through Infertility. Learn more about Stacey’s books at www.staceyrourke.com or diaryofasemi-crazyauthor.blogspot.com. If you are a blogger or reviewer interested in reviewing any of Mrs. Rourke’s work please contact Sara O’Connor at Gliterary Girl Media. Thank you for visiting this page!

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Did you know a horse could be cold blooded? Horse Tips for Writers

Cold blooded horses? Well, yes.

But not like a reptile!

Categorisation by temperament

Horses can be categorised in a number of ways, taking into account breed and type, but doing it by temperament gives you 3 simple categories:

Hot bloods
Cold bloods
Warm bloods

Hot Bloods

These are the fiery tempered, least predictable breeds. They tend to be the ones we associate with speed and/or endurance racing.

The main examples are THOROUGHBREDS (TB), the horses you see on the racecourse in most countries.

Anthony 92931/Wikimedia.org

and Arabian horses, versatile in many fields, but particularly in endurance racing

Heather Moreton/ Wikipedia.org

 

Cold Bloods

These are you slow, sensible, docile types, particularly suited to carriage driving or working the land.

Well known examples would be the Shire horse (draft horse)

and the Cleveland Bay

LesMeloures/Wikipedia.org

 

Warm bloods

A warmblood is achieved by crossing a hot blood with a cold blood. These are the types of horse that excel in general competition spheres – dressage, show jumping, eventing, etc.

Being possessed of the cold blood’s sensible and calm nature and more solid physical construction, with a bit of hot blood speed,  sensitivity and fineness, warmblood temperaments can lean more to one side or the other according to the mix and proportion of cold and hot blood.

Most countries produce their own versions of the warmblood, and often the breed is simply known as, for example, a Dutch Warmblood, or a British Warmblood. Probably best known are the various German breeds, named for the regions in which they are bred, such as the Hannoverian or the Holstein.

World dressage champion Totilas – a Dutch Warmblood

 

All clear?

Don’t forget, if you have any burning questions you need answered about horses, just leave me a comment and I’ll do my best to write a post on the subject.

 

Book Spotlight: post-apocalyptic novel THE LIVING HUNGER

Released in July 2013, THE LIVING HUNGER is by Dennis Larsen, an enterprising author who has also created the resource website, e-Reader Recon - more on that later.

About THE LIVING HUNGER

The author presents a Post-Apocalyptic story of struggle, endurance and survival. ‘The Living Hunger’ is book one in the series with book two projected for late 2013 or early 2014.

A hardened war veteran collides with a venomous leader and rogue assassin, turning Northern Utah into the next great

battleground.

Sergeant Farrell Jenson survives a world lost to nuclear and biological warfare only to find his home destroyed and family missing. He

joins forces with Gary Merrill, a local business leader, and Major Melanie Ghostkeeper, a Marine Medic, to begin the process of rebuilding. A small group of survivors unite under a banner of freedom and hunker down in Bear River High School. Friendships and love are forged in the hot fires of adversity as they fight for their very lives, amidst a world turned upside down, where death is the new way of life.

A festering evil is combing the land, led by one man, Don Bullock. The rotund, venomous leader spearheads a community with a

taboo, underlying secret that will pit good against evil in a dramatic show of force and violence between the two groups. Solomon, a rogue African assassin, launches a one-man assault on the Bear Riverites, seeking blood and retribution to satiate his bloodlust and quench his need for flesh.

Each side gambles all to control a newfound drug with the potential to save mankind. This new ‘currency’ trumps all, where money is worthless and food and women are king. As the struggle escalates and new battle-lines are drawn a host of unwitting participants are pulled into the fray, fighting for all they hold dear.

Book One of The Living Hunger Series begs the question: ‘Which side will render your support and where will your allegiances lie?

What reviewers are saying

“. . . you have written a DAMNED good book. I gave it a 10/10 and I am floored at how awesome this was.” — Indie Author Book Review

“I enjoyed the story very much. It was well formulated and well written. (The author) has a way with dialogue, and I enjoyed the interaction between the characters.” — C. Smelker

“An action-packed novel with heroes you’ll love and a villain that you’ll love to hate!” — D. Reay

“. . . fast-paced story with lots of action. The plot moves along nicely and the characters are interesting and

compelling. The dialog seemed really natural, that’s definitely a strength . . .” — H. McMullin

About the Author

Dennis F. Larsen attended Utah State University before graduating from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon with a Doctorate of Optometry degree in May of 1987. He has worked as an Optometrist in a group practice setting since July 1987. His first novel, With Cruel Intent, began as a short romantic story for his wife that took on a life of its own and eventually became the novel you see today, available on Amazon. Dennis is a father and grandfather, and he enjoys spending time with his family as often as time permits. Writing is a new found love for the author who enjoys writing poetry and stories from his youth. ‘The Living Hunger’ is Dr. Larsen’s second novel, the first being, ‘With Cruel Intent’, a romantic thriller. This new venture is quite a departure from the first with more action sequences but still the trademark dialogue, which he enjoys writing so much. The Larsen’s, married in Logan, Utah March 1981, reside

in Edmonton, Alberta Canada with family nearby and their golden retriever, Hannah.

About e-Reader Recon

The tagline for this site is: AIMING TO BRING READERS AND AUTHORS TOGETHER WITH AN EMPHASIS ON NEW RELEASE eBOOKS

and is a great new site with pages devoted to new releases, plus resource pages for both readers and authors - check it out NOW!

Why a Dedicated Pantser has taken to Plotting (of sorts!)

Pantser by nature

For those of you unsure what this strange beast might be, a pantser is someone who writes by the seat of their pants.

In other words, someone like me. When I wrote my first novel h-hm years ago, I started with an interesting scene and let the story develop. I had absolutely NO idea where it was going.

It was a wonderful, fun, exciting journey, discovering all about the characters and their worlds (it was SF).

I gave myself the most unplanned start possible – a character who wakes in an unknown place, with no idea who she is. I spent months uncovering the truth (she was a galactic dictator!) and finding a solution to her story. Dialogue and action took me to amazing places, as the characters wrote their own story – all 200,000 words of it!

Pantsing – with an ending

I joined a writer’s group while this process was on going and learned a bit more about the craft. I set out on my next novel with an opening scene and an ending in mind. The pantsing process took me from one to the other, with just a little more steering from me. It was still massive fun, and that novel came out pretty well. KISHTAN’S GEM was a prequel to THE PRINCE’S MAN, and with a future overhaul it will eventually see the light of day when I’ve finished the current trilogy.

Prince’s Man was written in the same way, with a starting scene and an ending, and the rest developing as I went along.

Pantsing to Plotting

Now, though, I feel I have to grow up at last. With wonderful fans calling for the sequel to Prince’s Man, and with the amazing reviews that have come in, I feel the weight of responsibility. There is so much I need to put into the sequel – threads that need tying up or developing further, scenarios that were thrust into motion by events in the first book. Expectations of the second one that were not there for a debut novel.

Yikes!

By the time I was part way into Prince’s Man I knew it was going to be at least a 3 parter, and the subsequent 2 books formed in my head. Vaguely.

So now it’s time to actually sit down and write.

Or is it?

Finally, I realise why so many authors advise plotting first. With so many threads that need to be intricately woven together as the next book develops, I can’t hold them all in my head. I have scattered notes on bits of paper all over the place, (and yes, I’ve heard of programmes like Scrivener, but its just one more thing to delay me if I stop to learn it right now), and I don’t want to get three quarters of the way through and find I need to backtrack to twist in another yarn. That takes even more time.

Obvious solution - plot before writing.

I’ve always believed that plotting would take the fun out writing for me. News flash – IT HASN’T!

I’m still not plotting as rigidly as some – those who know exactly what is going to happen in each individual chapter before they begin – but I’ve planned my individual plot strands, MDQ (Major Dramatic Query), 3 act story for pacing, and character arcs for this novel. And now I’ve started writing, I’m STILL finding it fun.

So whilst I’m sticking to the general direction, sometimes those characters just don’t want to go quietly, and a new idea appears…

How about you? Are you a pantser or a plotter? Or a hybrid, like me? If you’re considering writing, or just starting, have you even considered these paths? I’d love to hear your story.

So horses are unpredictable, right? Horse Tips for Writers

Yay! I’ve finally got my HORSE TIPS FOR WRITERS properly underway

You can get there either from the page of the same name on this blog, or follow http://horsetipsforwriters.wordpress.com/ directly.

So I’ll be posting these tips on here as before, but they will be more clearly categorised and not cluttered up with other topics on their own dedicated blog also.

So you think horses are unpredictable?

You’d be right.

And wrong.

Predicting a horse’s reactions, whilst by no means an exact science, is far easier to estimate when you understand a bit about horse psychology.

Fight or Flight

Horses are prey animals. In most cases this means that when they feel threatened, their option of choice is to RUN. Regardless of who or what is in the way. Despite thousands of years of domestication, this survival instinct is utterly ingrained in the species.

Under some circumstances, they may react with the fight option, often as a temporary measure prior to flight. Kicking, with either hind or front feet, spinning round, and less often, biting, can make a frightened horse dangerous in close quarters.

Bucking

Bucking is an instinctual behaviour designed to dislodge predators that jump onto a horse’s back (from overhanging trees, for example). Any type of discomfort in the back, such as an ill-fitting saddle, or an unbalanced or tense rider can cause this reaction.

Spooking

Or shying – another survival instinct, has the horse removing itself at speed from a suspicious object. This may take any form from the smallest flinch to the extreme of spin and bolt. Suspicious objects can vary from such apparently innocuous (to us) things as plastic bags, unusual vehicles, or even a patch of ground that smells or looks different to that surrounding it, to truly terrifying things like large, noisy machinery or predators. Horses do not see things (another post) in the same way as humans, so what seems perfectly reasonable to you or me may be terrifying to a horse. It’s usually better to assume that an object will cause suspicion (at best) or terror (at worst) and be prepared.

Spatial awareness

Don’t expect them to have it! Some horses are more aware of those around them than others, but they all have blind spots – like where your feet are – so beware standing too close.

Safety in numbers

Horses always feel safer in company – of other horses, that is. Bottom line – the higher the number of horses, the lower the probability of being the one that gets eaten. Dominant horses will be found towards the centre of the herd, courtesy of shoulder-barging less dominant ones to the outside, because the ones on the outside are, again, the ones most likely to get eaten.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking that a herd of horses will feel safe enough to stand still when there is a threat. Once one runs, the others go too, and when a herd stampedes – stand clear!

The effect of selective breeding

In competition horses, at least, there is a conscious attempt to breed what we call ‘rideability’ into our horses. In effect, selectively breeding out these natural survival traits. Many domestic horses are now far less unpredictable than they were – but never rely on it totally – bottom line, they are still animals and you should never take them for granted.

Any questions on horse behaviour? Or, indeed, on anything horse-related – just leave a comment below

 

 

Book Spotlight – LARP: The Battle For Verona

BOOK SPOTLIGHT

 

Sometimes even a geek can become a hero.

Dennis and his friends have been LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) since high school. Now, in his 20s, Dennis is seriously considering giving up LARPing for good. He’s tired of dealing with his overzealous friend Mark; he’s tired of his older brother Brad’s constant put-downs; and he’s tired of the fact that he doesn’t have a girlfriend. Check that. Not a girlfriend, but the girlfriend.Alyssa—the one woman he’s been pining over for years.

Dennis and his fellow LARPers have never been considered cool, in their small island community of Verona, located off the coast of Washington State.

But all of that is about to change . . .

While Dennis and his friends are attending a big LARP tournament on the mainland, a rogue terrorist group of Mongolians in medieval garb, led by an American madman, invade Verona and take its citizens hostage—including their families and friends.

When the LARPers find out what’s happening in their home-town, they do what any dedicated LARPer would do: they put on their armor, strap on their swords, and fight their way home—LARP-style!







Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 204
Release date: August 12th 2013
Publisher: GMTA Publishing Mythos PressHardcover, 204 pages
ISBN 0615862152 (ISBN13: 9780615862156)


About the Author



Justin Calderone started creating books when he was old enough to hold a pencil and crayons. He pursued writing professionally after reading Jack Kerouac’s Desolation Angels. His first book, the poetry novel Revolutions, was published by Lachesis Publishing Inc. in 2004.

Review – The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn

3 out of 5 stars

Read from August 05 to September 07, 2013

I loved the concept behind this book – a therapist who thinks she is counselling wannabe vampires, only to find she’s dealing with the real thing.

I even admired the writer’s determination that shrink, Kismet, refuses to believe in the supernatural for so very long.

What I didn’t enjoy was the boring structure of the book. Something interesting happens, then back to normality. Another interesting thing happens; back to normality. Interesting event happens; back to – you get the picture.

Also, for me, the writing itself lacked sophistication in the use of language. Whilst I can put up with that if the story is interesting (such as the Harry Potter books), I felt that combined with the shallow emotional reactions from someone who has just had the her life turned upside down and inside out, a bit of a let down.

I will probably start the next one. If the writing and structure have matured as I hope they will, I look forward to reading it.