B.R. Nicholson's Blog

It's Finally Here! BOOK 2!

Huzzah, Shadow Queen is finally finished! Only a month late, too.... which is quite miraculous considering how insane my schedule has been.

Be sure to check it out for yourself here!
http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Queen-Sh...

You can also get Book 1, Shadow Maiden, here:
http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Maiden-S...

PLEASE HELP!

I have a huge request.
Today, I discovered that my cousin's house burnt to the ground, leaving her family homeless and left with nothing. She has four small boys between the ages of 2 and 10. I can't begin to imagine what her and her family are feeling or experiencing, but I do know that any help they can get would be amazing.
While some people have organized and are gathering donations, I feel that we can do more for them.
I know how people can see the word "donation" and feel uncomfortable. "But I have my own bills to pay, food to buy, etc." often follows when we (and yes, I say WE. I've been guilty of doing this, too) end up giving a small part, if we give anything at all.
However, I do know sometimes people will be motivated to give a little more if they get something in return.
That's why, for the period between January 22nd and February 22nd, ALL author profits from my little novella, Shadows of Time: Shadow Maiden, will be given to my cousin and her family.
I know it would be a lot, BUT it will be more than I will be able to give on my own. And hey, at least you'll get a cool little book out of the deal.
I have $4.32 now. Maybe, just maybe we can get it to $432! Even if we don't, every little bit helps.

https://www.createspace.com/4418038

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1492...


ALSO, if you want to give directly to the family (or just make sure that it's all legit) you can send donations (food, clothing, etc.) here:

(By the way, this is the actual post from FaceBook)

Please feel free to share...Bill and Amber Bowman lost their home and everything last night in a fire. They have 4 boys ages 2, 6, 7 and 10. Boss wears a size 2T in clothes and 7 shoe, Champ wears size 5 in clothes and 12 shoe, Jaxon wears size 6-7 and 6 slim in clothes and size 13 shoes and Avery wears size 7-8 in clothes and 2 1/2 in shoes. Amber wears a medium shirt and 8-10 in pants, Bill wears Xl shirts and 36x30 pants. If you would like to help them out in any way please feel free to drop of donations at Thomas Law Office, 153 North 4th Street, Wickliffe, Kentucky or contact Heather Smith at 270-841-0333 and I will arrange to have the items picked up. Bill and Amber thank you for your support and prayers during this time.

Review of Nadia Nolan's Purely Poetry

I've read some snippets of Nadia Nolan's work before, but her grasp of poetry has left me dumbfounded. Rarely do you find a writer who can fashion words together to create a short story, novel, or poetry.

Her diction and imagery are clear and poignant, forcing the reader to devour poem after poem. She writes with in a way that is reminiscent of great poets like Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allen Poe (which is a compliment I don't give out freely).

I look forward to reading more of her work (including her upcoming novel!).
Check out this great work at http://www.amazon.com/Purely-Poetry-Nadia-Nolan-ebook/dp/B00HITQP1E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1388079251&sr=1-1&keywords=nadia+skye+nolan

Review for Tears of Heaven

Recently, I had the oppurtunity to read an urban fantasy by RA McCandless.

Tears of Heaven blends together two stories, one from the past and the other in present day. One follows the journeys and adventures of Damascus and Del in 223 BCE. The other follows a future Del, now an assassin for the Throne.
In the present, Del lives in a twisted secret world, where angels are terrible (yet beautiful) beings.
McCandless creates a world of urban fantasy with intriguing characters that draw you deeper into the story with each turn of the page. His characters live and breathe with each page, making the reader either care for or despise them more with each turn of the page.

You can get this wonderful book at http://www.amazon.com/Tears-Heaven-RA-McCandless-ebook/dp/B00H4IBDSE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1388032237&sr=1-1&keywords=mccandless+tears+of+heaven

Preview from Shadow Queen, Book 2 of Shadows of Time!! Coming SOON

Anya sat perched on her mother’s throne, cold as the stone beneath her feet. She ran her pale fingers through her midnight hair, listening to the whines of the aristocracy.“My Grace, we the nobles of Alainia feel that the city was not meant to be used in such a way. When we lose this war—”“—If we lose this war,” she said, her voice pouring over them like deep ocean water, sending the blood rushing from their faces. “We will not let failure be a possibility. Do you have such little faith in my decisions as queen?” Lord Belios snapped his mouth shut, his eyes drifting from Anya’s icy gaze“May I remind you, all of you,” she said, her black eyes gazing into each of the cowering Lord and Lady’s faces, “that I am your ruler by birthright. You may think you are entitled to these blasphemous opinions, but let me assure you that such words uttered in my presence again will result in your death.”Anya stood, spilling the red silk of her dress onto the white stone floor. “Now is the time for conquest. We have cowered from the world for far too long.” Her face softened into a frosty smile. “Trust in your queen.”The crowd of nobility parted, bowing frantically, as she passed through to slip into the royal chambers. The heavy door slammed behind her, leaving her to breathe easy in the peaceful darkness.“You’re getting quite good at that,” said Luthen, embracing her in the shadows, letting them melting together like the pooling of wax beneath a blazing candle.“I have a good teacher,” she said, searching for his teasing lips.Luthen pulled back, teasing her with his closeness. “Ah, no, first you must do something for me,” he said. She could feel him smiling in the darkness.“Must I always bargain for a kiss?”Luthen took her hand and led her to the corridor. She knew where they were going before he reached the secret door hidden behind the fading tapestry of an autumn forest.She followed him down the familiar spiraling stone steps into the belly of the palace. The blue warmth of the Anvalin peeked into the stairwell as they reached the bottom. They emerged into the large chamber. In its center was the Anvalin, a massive blue crystal suspended a short distance from the black iron floor. Tall windows lined the walls, exposing the world that lay beneath Alainia.“What is it you wish me to do?” Anya pulled up her red skirts away from the dusty floor. The old iron had a way of ruining the best of her silks.“Nothing out of the ordinary,” he said, brushing her hair from her face. “I just need us to change our course. I have something in mind for the southern part of our realm.”“Is that all?” She laughed a cold and hollow sound.  It echoed in the Anvalin’s iron cage. She stepped forward to the crystal, feeling the vibrations of its power in her chest. She closed her eyes and reached out her hand. Touching the Anvalin was like dipping her hand into hot water, though it was not quite to the point of being unbearable.Immediately, the crystal came alive in her mind. She fought back its urging to communicate, dominating it to do her will. The Anvalin cowered and obeyed, shifting the city beneath their feet.“Much better,” said Luthen, gazing out the window, admiring his own work.“Where exactly are we headed?” Anya pulled herself away from the crystal, shaking off its unnatural warmth.Luthen laughed, gathering her into his arms. “We’re off to better and grander places, my love,” he said, his breath tickling her neck. “Now come, we have much to do.”

Review: Of Dreams and Shadows: Forget Me Not Book One by D.S. McKnight

Recently, I had the opportunity to read a delightfully creepy YA paranormal novel by D.S. McKnight.

The novel, published by Stone Bay Press this past September, is an eerie tale set in the small coastal town of Parson's Cove.

D.S. McKnight weaves together a tale that merges a haunting murderer's past and a young teenage's girl's present. The book begins with a chilling scene, throwing the reader into the mind of an evil specter.

McKnight creates a suspenseful atmosphere that lures the reader in for more. The use of an eerie small town on the North Carolina coast provides the perfect setting for this story.

This is definitely a worthwhile read, sure to keep you eager to dive deeper and wanting more.

The villain, Silas, will haunt your thoughts long after you finish. He's the kind of villain that manages to somehow get creepier and creepier with each turn of the page.

Be sure to check this book out, it's well worth the read!

http://www.amazon.com/Of-Dreams-Shadow-Forget-Book/dp/0615795099/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Vampires, Werewolves, and Hunters, oh my!

Sneak peak from Vlad

Here's a little peak at Vlad's story. It probably won't be as detailed as this because it will be a children's book (and the words need to actually fit on the page) but I may publish this little story as an ebook. Of course, the more I reread it, the more I like it...

My name is Vlad.I’m a normal lad. Well. A vampire lad.That’s what Gramps calls me.
I live in a dusty old manor with Gramps the Vamp and my two best friends, Wilbur and Princess. Wilbur is a spider with long fuzzy legs. He enjoys gourmet flies, making designer cob webs, and long eight-legged walks in the moonlight. Princess is a piranha. She only enjoys eating and giving Gramps the “willies” with her twitchy stare.
I may not look it, but I’m a bit of a nervous guy. Gramps thinks I’m being silly, but I think there’s something suspicious lurking in my room.
I stand outside the bathroom, watching Gramps pluck out his pointy dentures and scrub them with a wiry tooth brush. I see the brush bobs up and down by itself  in the blotchy reflection of the mirror. Gramps, sensing me behind him, grumbles through his gums and glares at me over his shoulder.
“Ye maight es whell say et,” he says, his Scottish accent getting mangled by his toothless mouth. “Yer effraid of tee dark!”
“I am not,” I say, shuffling my feet and clutching at Count Teddy. “I’m just afraid of what’s in it.”
Gramps rolls his eyes as he pops his fangs back into his hollow mouth. “Eh alright, I ‘pose I can take one last look ba-fore ye go to bed.”

Introducing Vlad the Vampire Lad!

Vlad is the main character of my latest project! He will be starring in his own book, coming soon to print.

Official "Red Ryda" Cover!