Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 55

Hooked on Windmaster, Stealing a Ship, #MFRWhooks #MFRWauthor

From the sword and sorcery fantasy, Windmaster, an excerpt using the word, "FIND"



Excerpt:


Ellspeth stopped her horse in the shadows of the alley’s entrance. From her height she could see a squad of mercenaries gathered at the water’s edge. Craning her neck, she saw a row of armed men in the guild colors of the House of Cszabo filling the dock. Several squads of mercenaries stood at ease in the patches of shade around the edges of the square. Nearest to her, a dozen unaffiliated sailors blocked the entrance to the alley.

“Damn, we’ve got to raise sail before the tide turns.” Her eyes scanned the men before her, trying to find a way to get to her ship. The dramatic gestures of a brown-robed cleric drew her attention. 

“Third,” the word was almost a moan at the recognition of the blond-headed man speaking with the cleric. A member of the ruling council of the House of Cszabo, but even worse to Ellspeth’s mind, was her third uncle’s devout belief in the Oracle of Givneh.

With a nod to the cleric, Ellspeth’s uncle stepped toward Sea Falcon. The ribbons of his council rank fluttered with each step. “Ahoy Sea Falcon,” he called, his voice pitched to carry to the entire dock. “By order of the House of Cszabo, I am taking command of the ship. Prepare to shove off.”

Ellspeth’s voice rippled from the dark alley. “And where, pray tell, dear Uncle is the destination?” A flick of the reins urged her horse forward, the line of men parting before the steed’s armored hooves. Those who didn’t move fast enough were nudged aside by the horse. “I wasn’t aware that the House had met in council. Let alone that they had deposed me as the captain of Sea Falcon.” At the foot of the ship’s gangplank, Ellspeth spun the horse on its haunches to face her uncle. The sight of his red face spurred her own anger.

“Captain Ellspeth,” her kinsman dismissed her with a wave of his hand, “by order of the House of Cszabo I am taking command of Sea Falcon.”

“Falcon is my ship. If it goes anywhere, I will be at the helm.”

“Enough of this.” Another’s imperious voice broke in.

Ellspeth shifted her focus to locate the speaker and settled her gaze on the face beneath the brown cowl.

“That ship needs to be purified. It is tainted by magic.”

“You want to take my ship because I gave passage to a wizard?”

“It is tainted. It will be purified... as will the crew.” Each word spit out, the tone demanded immediate, unconditional obedience.

Without looking Ellspeth could sense her crew preparing for battle behind her. Her own sword’s weight felt comforting across her thighs.


~ ~ ~
Buy Links: One click to ebook sellers
Paperback at Amazon / Barnes&Noble

And if you haven't bought the latest in the Windmaster Novels, Windmaster Legend goes on sale today at Kobo US and Kobo CA.

The rest of the hop is at http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com

Tuesday's Title, Betrayed, A First Contact/Science Fiction novel

The overwhelming crime of one planet leads to a penal colony being started on another planet and results in huge changes taking place in the lives of the innocent inhabitants.

Title: Betrayed (Silence of the Innocent/Cry of the Guilty Book 2)

Author: Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

Genre: Science Fiction, First Contact

Publisher: Books We Love, Ltd
Buy Links:   OneClick to Stores

Blurb:

After two pieces of an asteroid hit their planet and knocked it off its axis, the surviving beings have spent centuries rebuilding their society on the edge of disaster. The Leaders made Great Changes and Purges constructing twenty huge cities, called megalopolises, to house their population, cultivating large farms, and purging most of the technology so everyone had a job.

This second book in the series is about the short life of the colony on the planet Despite a promising start, the penal colony quickly disintegrates into chaos. When the weather turns stormy and snow falls, hungry and cold prisoners swarm the warehouses looking for food. The spaceship that had remained on the planet to be used for trips for supplies is attacked by the prisoners and lifts off the ground. Unable to land due to fear of being attacked again, the ship finally abandons the prisoners and the half build village and heads to their home planet.

Gwin, a prisoner, and the historian Sari, who is left on the planet by mistake, had discovered a cave of native inhabitants on one of their explorations. When the snow and cold and fighting forces them to leave the village they go to the cave of the natural inhabitants hoping for help. They are ignored and are close to death from cold and starvation before finally being invited into the cave. Their resulting friendship leads to heartbreak for the cave people and could adversely affect the future generations of the planet.

Behind the Scene:

This series began with a sentence in my mind. When I started to flesh it out, I was writing a chapter a week. It eventually ran into about 110,000 words so I broke it into the two novels: The Criminal Streak and Betrayed. I named the series Silence of the Innocent/Cry of the Guilty which will only be understood at the end of Betrayed.

Author Bio:

I was born in New Westminster, B.C. Canada, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. Over the years I worked as a bartender, hotel maid, cashier, bank teller, bookkeeper, printing press operator, meat wrapper, gold prospector, warehouse shipper, house renovator, and nursing attendant.

Since I love change, I have moved over thirty times in my life, living on acreages and farms and in small towns and cities throughout Alberta and B.C. I now live on an acreage on Vancouver Island with my husband and three female cats.

I began my writing career with a short story, progressed to travel and historical articles, and then on to travel books. I called these books my Backroads series and in the seven of them I described what there is to see and do along the back roads of British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, and Alaska. They were published by Lone Pine Publishing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I then switched to fiction, writing three mystery novels, Illegally Dead , The Only Shadow in the House , and Whistler's Murder. The main character is a travel writer who gets involved in murders every time she heads out to work on an article for a travel magazine. In my stand-alone mystery novel, Gold Fever , I combine mystery with a little romance.

I have also written three Canadian historical novels: West to the Bay , and West to Grande Portage , and Romancing the Klondike.

I write in different genres mainly because I get an idea and write the book and then decide where it fits in the writing world. That is the way I wrote The Criminal Streak and Betrayed. They were my first science fiction novels.

All my fiction is published by Books We Love, Ltd. (BWL Ltd) in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada.

For more on Joan and her works, find her on the web at:

Publisher's Website / Goodreads  

Fulfilling the #AtoZChallenge

Before the #AtoZChallenge the longest one I had participated in was the MFRW 52-week challenge. But that was only one post a week and the topic was provided. One of the challenges of the AtoZ was finding a topic that fit a specific letter. The theme I chose for 2019 was fantasy from A to Z and it used the settings, characters, and insights into the fantasy worlds of the Windmaster Novels and the Dragshi Chronicles with a dash of the writing life mixed in. Besides the difficulty in matching a topic to a letter (more on that later), the short time frame that required a post a day was an additional complication.

For some posts a topic to match the letter was easily done. The easiest post to write was  P is for Lady Pelra. Windmaster Legend had just been released so the link to the character was still strong. And besides, not even a fledgling mage is to be trifled with.

As to what was my favorite post? Like many, if not most authors, I love my readers so I chose Y is for YOU the reader as my favorite post. A special gift was offered and if you haven't done so, don't forget to use the FREE READS buttons to claim your free gift of a science fiction short story, a scifi romance short, or a fantasy dragon short story.

My answer to the favorite graphic is simple. I won't choose and you can't make me. The picture of the seisag made me want to run out and take a trail ride through the woods. Whereas the image that inspired the volcano home of the god Tagachin had me reaching to book a ship to the orient. Then there was the fleeting image captured of the werehound. Don't look too long or they'll decide you're their prey. But if I have to choose just one, it is the jardrese deck. I had fun selecting the images and making the deck of tiles. Now I just have to master the game itself.


The full list of posts from the challenge follows. I hope you'll find a topic or two of interest.

~till next time, Helen



A is for Anastasia
B is for Broch
C is for Cailin
D is for Diovi and Daxa
E is for Eurichin 
F is for FATE
G is for Givneh
H is for horses
I  is for Imprisoned 





J is for Jardrese
K is for the Kapuna Tree
L is for Legend
M is for Mage







N is for Najest
O is for One 
P is for Pelra
Q is for Queen
R  is for Redemption
  S is for shipfish
T is for Tarekus
U is for uncommon mercy
V is for Ver



W is for Werehound
X is for Xelme
Y is for YOU
Z is for Zethar

Z is for Zethar

Z is for Zethar

Finding a character or place name that began with the letter "Z" was hard. The only common word that came to mind was zoo. But I didn't use a zoo setting in any of the Windmaster Novels or the Dragshi Chronicles. So, I decided to go with Zethar, the golden falaire mare in Windmaster Legacy who served as Ellspeth’s mount during their travels in Tarekus.


Image courtesy of PixabayZethar's coloring is gold with a tan mane and white front stockings. She is the daughter of Wynne, head mare of one of the falaire herds that inhabit the vale near the Isle of Mages. Zethar was one of the falaire who, under Wynne’s lead, traveled with Lord Dal and Lady Ellspeth to bring new blood to the falaire herd in Dal’s mother’s ancestral lands.


An excerpt from Windmaster Legacy where Ellspeth explains to a new friend about the falaire, and Zethar's comment.

Fàlaire are special. I remember my first meeting with one. I was on sentry duty and sensed someone watching me. Finally, I woke Dal. He scryed the area outside the camp, but didn’t see anything untoward. Apparently, some of the fàlaire can do more than disguise themselves as ordinary horses. They also can block a wizard’s ability to see them using magic.”

Zethar’s soft whinny sounded like a small child saying, “I can do it, too.”

Windmaster Legacy - one click to estores
 

With "Z" the A-Z challenge is complete. I hope you've enjoyed the insights into the Dragshi Chronicles, and the Windmaster Novels. and that you'll continue to 
visit the blog. Besides the journey to the stars and worlds of imagination, here's the master list of the other participants in the challenge.


~ till next time, Helen

Y is for You the Reader

Y is for You the Reader

Two of the things authors cherish most are their readers and reviews. However, since both of those things begin with “R” and that letter was used for Redemption, I decided to take a different path and chose the letter “Y” in the hope that my reader is YOU.

To those of you who have read my tales of fantasy and adventures in worlds of imagination, thank you. I hope they help you escape from your everyday lives and bring you a touch of joy. To those looking for well-written fantasies to read, I hope you’ll consider adding one of mine to your to-be-read list. And as an enticement (or outright bribe) a special gift. Click on the FREE READS button in the sidebar for your choice of a science fiction, fantasy, or scifi romance short story.

Since this is the next to last post of the challenge, I hope you’ll grant me a moment of promotion. It is a few words from those of YOU who have read my work and been kind enough to leave a review.



Windmaster

A great read by an author with magic in her veins.



Windmaster Legacy

Don't miss this beautifully written, powerfully evocative sequel


Imprisoned in Stone


a fascinating fantasy world with engaging characters.
A worthwhile read


Dragon Destiny


one of the best dragon shifter stories I have ever read



Hatchlings Curse

Any fantasy lover would enjoy this epic tale!
This is a very unique story with a truly exceptional plot.

Hatchling's Mate

An enjoyable fantasy read,
especially for fans of dragons.


Hatchling's Vengeance

a true keeper



The last and final post of the challenge is the letter "Z." For more of the letter "Y," here's the master list of the other participants in the challenge.

~ till next time, Helen

Out and About - At Coffee, Books & A Blog

Recently, I had the privilege of being the featured author at Coffee, Books & A Blog. For the showcase, instead of excerpts, which can be found by clicking on the covers in the banner, posts focused on inspiration, stories behind the novel, and introductions to the characters of the Dragshi Chronicles, the Windmaster Novels, and Imprisoned in Stone.

I hope you'll find something of interest.

~till next time, Helen


Welcome and Hello from Your Tour Guide


Set Sail For Love and Adventure with Windmaster Novel
About Windmaster
On Land With Windmaster Legacy
Meet The Characters Ellspeth
An Archmage And A Man - Meet Lord Dal
Behind the Scenes With The Windmaster Novels

Sailing with a Legend Blurb
Star-crossed lovers Pelra and Iol

Imprisoned in Stone
Imprisoned in Stone, Behind the Scenes
 

Come Fly With Dragons
One Book, Two Book, Three Book, More?
When You Can’t Ride Fly
Meet the Ladies of Cloud Eyrie
Born to Hear Dragon Song (Meet the men)

Good Night Friends and a Parting Gift  (The gift is still available. You don't even have to go hunting on another site for it. Just click on the FREE READS button on the sidebar and the display of free short stories will appear. Hope you'll like one.)

X is for Xelme

X is for Xelme

Sometimes the villain in a story looks like one. From “Fire and Ice,” the Head Daxa, Xelme. His name means shadow. He had broad shoulders and a shaved head. He likes rich clothes… and power, something he has in abundance due to his position as the head priest of the temple. If you haven’t followed the challenge, you might want to flip back to D is for Daxa and Diovi.

Xelme had expected to marry the current emperor’s step-mother and be named the ruler of Eurichin when she relinquished the throne. His rage against the royal house blossomed when she chose her step-son, Kai instead of him. Unable to openly attack Kai, Xelme transferred the anger to Kai’s wife, Mirabeesh. Not only had she thwarted several of his plans, the people loved her and through her Kai.

As insight into Xelme, an excerpt when he enters the audience room.

The clack of boot heels on the stone floor announced the entrance of more matched pairs of men. Each successive group was an inch taller than the previous one until a wave of bald heads descended toward Mirabeesh. She tightened her lips at the implied insult. Their color of the robes darkened with the increased height, shading from the initial pale pink to a blood red. At a silent command, one by one the pairs separated to form an honor guard.

The worst is yet to come. Daxa Xelme!

As if her thoughts were a command, the trumpet sounded and the first pair of boys called out, “Bow to Xelme, Voice of Tagachim, Daxa of the Temple of Life, and Holder of Destiny.” Along with the rest of the acolytes and daxa, the youths bent at the waist and bowed with a deference not shown to those on the throne.

Where the acolytes and daxa had walked across the audience hall, their master Xelme stalked. Pearls shimmered on the deep burgundy tunic. The color of the fabric, even in sunlight, was so dark it appeared black. Emerald rings flashed with every movement of his hand.

First Change - one click to estores

The next post up is for the letter “Y” and it stands for You, the reader. If you're following the challenge, here's a quick link to the master list.

~ till next time, Helen

W is for Werehouds

w is for Werehound.

Fearsome creatures of myth and legend, in the world of Windmaster, werehounds are real. Created by a magic powered by spilled blood, they look like huge dogs. Their long black fur with silver tips that shimmer when the animal runs. They hunt in packs and in the night gives the impression of a hoard of ghostly dogs.

Those who see the creatures are paralyzed with fear from the sight of the white forms racing in the dark. If not, the werehounds’ bright red eyes that glow like hot coals terrify their intended targets.

Beyond installing fear and terror, the werehounds push their prey until the person physically collapses or is cornered. A magical bond between hunter and hunted guides the werehounds across barriers of high mountains and desert sands. Only deep, fast-running water can stop the creatures… Only a wizard can break guided by the ethereal link to their prey.

From Windmaster Legacy

In hushed tones, Ellspeth explained a way to make the werehounds drop the blood lure and break the magical link to their prey.

Nobyn repeated the incantation until he’d perfected it. The fear rose in Ellspeth. She did not know if the spell would work. A hard breath hissed out. Dal would know. But he isn’t here.

“I’m ready to try,” Nobyn said. He closed his eyes and bent his head over his steepled fingers.

“Lure now drop and end the hunt,
Werehounds prowl no more.
Let the chased now stop their run
Through forest glen and desert moor.
Magic binds break, blood calls be broken,
Werehound threat be gone.
Selah, so mote it be.”

Ellspeth’s senses flew out of the temple and soared to the canyon rim. Neba’s pale light flickered off fast-moving white shapes—the werehounds. Glad Nobyn had not yet learned to cast his senses very far, Ellspeth shivered as one eerie howl after another sounded down the canyon.

Nobyn’s spell had failed.

Windmaster Legacy - one click to estores

The next post up is for the letter X, and it stands for Xelme. If you're interested in following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

~ till next time, Helen

V is for Ver

V is for Ver

So, what is a Ver. In Imprisoned in Stone, Ver is a large, raw-boned dog. Because of the dog's red coloring, I used an image of an Irish Setter as the inspiration for Ver. Besides assisting in hunts to provide food for those hiding on the island, Ver helped repeal invaders who attacked the island sanctuary.

Showing the stamina and loyalty of the breed, after being set adrift with the child after her parents were killed, Ver survived and became her protector.
Picture courtesy of Pixabay.
An excerpt from Imprisoned in Stone.

Prayers that Dylan would arrive in time to help and that the two of them would be able to hold off the Brethren did not slow Colwynn’s preparations. The weight of the sword belt around his hip provided little comfort, nor did the dagger he slid into his boot. With practiced movements, he strapped panniers on Gramail’s four-footed guardians and stuffed a jacket, blanket, food, and a skin of fruit juice into the leather bags.

A step took him to Gramail who watched in wide-eyed silence. “Sweetie, we are having some big people visitors. I need you to go with the dogs to the ship cave and stay there until called.” As he spoke, Gramail’s trusting look added to Colwynn’s determination to make certain no harm came to the child. She had lost enough already. Kneeling, he dropped to her level. “It’s time to play the ‘shhhsh’ game. You need to stay quiet with the dogs, do you understand?”

She nodded and with a wise look on her face put a finger to her lips.

Colwynn patted each dog on the head. Opening the lower half of the door, and kissing the four-year-old, he gave a command he prayed he would not regret. “Ver, Da, protect Gramail. Go, cave. Go, now.”

He watched the dogs trot out with Gramail running between them. Before they covered more than a dozen paces, the rest of the pack joined them. Brown and red forms flowed across the sand. Colwynn could barely make out Gramail’s dark curls above the dog’s backs.

Imprisoned in Stone - one click to estores


Tomorrow’s post is W for Werehound. If you're interested in following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants

~ till next time, Helen

U is for Uncommon Mercy

U is for uncommon mercy.

UNCOMMON MERCY is one of the twelve tales in Hearth and Sand. The collection reflects a continuity of service from the past to the present and into the world of tomorrow and honors those who served on the battle front and the loved ones left behind who preserved the homefront.

In UNCOMMON MERCY, a future leader in an apocalyptic future where primitive club-wielding creatures co-exist alongside a highly technological society forced into an isolated exile learns the true meaning of duty. As to where the title comes from? Duty requires an unthinkable decision--to let a friend suffer or embrace the custom of final mercy.

The following snippit sets the tone and setting as well as introduces Kalindra.

It took all her control, but not even the sharp intake of a breath betrayed Kalindra’s presence. Her tight-fitting leather jacket and vest blended with the color of the tree bark. Only the glint of firelight on her gray eyes betrayed any life as she surveyed the scene below. Leaping skyward to fill the small clearing with flickering shadows, the flames from an unattended fire failed to show her lithe figure perched on the high branch. It was just an indistinguishable shadow in the canopy of vine-covered jungle trees. The sheathed sword hanging from her hip and the long bow in her hand looked like dangling vines rather than lethal weapons.

Something beyond human ken hissed a warning. Kalindra pushed her senses into the black void beyond the fire. They encountered nothing except the normal sounds of the woods and the crackle of the fire reached her straining ears.

Ruthlessly, she quashed the questions that rose. None of her training provided any answers to the silent warning. Nor had it explained the invisible lure that had enabled her to follow Railig’s trail. She had tracked him even when there was no physical sign.

Hearth and Sand - link to ebook sellers
More on the stories in Hearth and Sand

Tomorrow’s post is the letter V and the topic is Ver. What is a Ver? Return tomorrow to find out. If you're interested in following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

~ till next time, Helen