R.B. Watkinson's Blog
January 5, 2018
Mark Lawrence's review of The Cracked Amulet
This is truly awesome. Mark Lawrence not only read my book - he reviewed it. Thanks, Mark - and yes, you are far more handsome than you look in that photo of you and I :) But who cares, more important is that you're a great writer. For some reason, I seem to have two copies of Red Sister now, having received a second for Christmas. Perhaps I ought to get my act in gear and read it - twice :D
Here's a link to Mark's review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here's a link to Mark's review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 17, 2017
Winners of The Cracked Amulet Goodreads Giveaway
Congratulations to the three winners of my book: The Cracked Amulet. You know who you are. I had hundreds of people enter the competition and I hope that they are all enthused about reading my book. It is only 99p on Amazon Kindle at the moment, so get it cheap while you can and I hope you all enjoy the read as much as I loved writing it.
All the best
R B Watkinson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cracked-Amul...
All the best
R B Watkinson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cracked-Amul...
September 3, 2016
Review: The Wheel of Osheim
What can I say about this book? Only that it is the most awesome of Mark Lawrence's six books to date. The ending of his second trilogy - The Red Queen's War - is a masterpiece.
As in the first two in this trilogy, The Wheel of Osheim is powered by Prince Jalan's unique, not necessarily reliable, point of view told in the first person. I don't know how Mark Lawrence manages to make such a selfish, avaricious, over-grown boy likeable, but he has. This initially self-absorbed coward has developed over the three books into a man who can, on occasion, now see his way to being a better person, though he finds those occasions hard. Particularly when his grandmother, the Red Queen, charges him with protecting his city. Nothing like putting a coward in charge of a city for getting the best defenses in place fast - clever Red Queen. His character continues to develop in this book, becoming even more layered and interesting, almost despite himself. We also learn more about the world's history, in particular the Builders and their artifacts.
The book begins with an hilarious scene, a classic Jal escape-by-the-skin-of-his-teeth moment - then camels, lots of camels, which he hates. Marvelous stuff. There is also a wonderful scene where he and Jorg get drunk together and Jal gets some good advice from the boy - a great link to the Broken Empire trilogy. Much of the rest of the book is devoted to Jal trying to reach home so he can rid himself of the Key. He is unsuccessful and must bear its burden to the end of the book. Helped by Hennan and Kara along with Snorri, he must stop the Wheel of Osheim from ending the world. Who would have thought the man who thought only of wine, women and song (strike the song bit) would become the hero sent to save the world? Does he - read the book and find out.
Jal's actions are no longer always geared to personal gain or safety and that is down to our favourite Viking: Snorri.
Though Jal remains the main protagonist in this book, Snorri fills many chapters with his experiences in Hel. Told in the third person, his narrative is honest and reliable, unlike Jal's. There is a real ancient Norse feel about the way that Mark Lawrence has written Snorri's chapters, which comes through with particular strength near the end of the book. I found the moment when he fights with a man against wave after wave of troll-like creatures then discovers it is his own first son, most moving. Mark Lawrence is particularly good at these heart-grabbing scenes.
Where will Mark Lawrence go from here? Who can say? I only hope he keeps on writing - a lot.
All the best
R B Watkinson
As in the first two in this trilogy, The Wheel of Osheim is powered by Prince Jalan's unique, not necessarily reliable, point of view told in the first person. I don't know how Mark Lawrence manages to make such a selfish, avaricious, over-grown boy likeable, but he has. This initially self-absorbed coward has developed over the three books into a man who can, on occasion, now see his way to being a better person, though he finds those occasions hard. Particularly when his grandmother, the Red Queen, charges him with protecting his city. Nothing like putting a coward in charge of a city for getting the best defenses in place fast - clever Red Queen. His character continues to develop in this book, becoming even more layered and interesting, almost despite himself. We also learn more about the world's history, in particular the Builders and their artifacts.
The book begins with an hilarious scene, a classic Jal escape-by-the-skin-of-his-teeth moment - then camels, lots of camels, which he hates. Marvelous stuff. There is also a wonderful scene where he and Jorg get drunk together and Jal gets some good advice from the boy - a great link to the Broken Empire trilogy. Much of the rest of the book is devoted to Jal trying to reach home so he can rid himself of the Key. He is unsuccessful and must bear its burden to the end of the book. Helped by Hennan and Kara along with Snorri, he must stop the Wheel of Osheim from ending the world. Who would have thought the man who thought only of wine, women and song (strike the song bit) would become the hero sent to save the world? Does he - read the book and find out.
Jal's actions are no longer always geared to personal gain or safety and that is down to our favourite Viking: Snorri.
Though Jal remains the main protagonist in this book, Snorri fills many chapters with his experiences in Hel. Told in the third person, his narrative is honest and reliable, unlike Jal's. There is a real ancient Norse feel about the way that Mark Lawrence has written Snorri's chapters, which comes through with particular strength near the end of the book. I found the moment when he fights with a man against wave after wave of troll-like creatures then discovers it is his own first son, most moving. Mark Lawrence is particularly good at these heart-grabbing scenes.
Where will Mark Lawrence go from here? Who can say? I only hope he keeps on writing - a lot.
All the best
R B Watkinson
August 2, 2016
Book Launch
I loved my book launch at the Gryphon Pub in Bristol. Met some really good people and managed to read a couple of extracts from The Cracked Amulet without dying from embarrassment or completely mucking it up. There was also a bit of a Q&A, which was scary but I think I held up okay.
My audience were appreciative and BristolCon.org were wonderful hosts. They've even invited me to attend next years BristolCon event to launch book two of The Wefan Weaves Trilogy, which I'm in the process of editing - The Fractured Portal.
The food the Gryphon Pub provided was gorgeous, I particularly loved the samosas and the yogurt dip.
I signed and sold a fair few copies of The Cracked Amulet and for those who weren't there, I've posted a video showing a bit of the event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5f_1...
All the best
R B Watkinson
My audience were appreciative and BristolCon.org were wonderful hosts. They've even invited me to attend next years BristolCon event to launch book two of The Wefan Weaves Trilogy, which I'm in the process of editing - The Fractured Portal.
The food the Gryphon Pub provided was gorgeous, I particularly loved the samosas and the yogurt dip.
I signed and sold a fair few copies of The Cracked Amulet and for those who weren't there, I've posted a video showing a bit of the event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5f_1...
All the best
R B Watkinson
July 10, 2016
Book Launch
BristolCon http://www.bristolcon.org/ are launching The Cracked Amulet on Saturday 30th July.
I'm so excited - it's going to be awesome.
Please come along I'd love to see you, so many of you lovely people are just names, it'd be great see you and say hello.
All the best
RB Watkinson
I'm so excited - it's going to be awesome.
Please come along I'd love to see you, so many of you lovely people are just names, it'd be great see you and say hello.
All the best
RB Watkinson
June 28, 2016
How I write.
When writing a story – short or novel length – are plans crucial?
Some would say yes others not so much. The former create a plan in detail and stick almost rigidly to that plan, creating a well-crafted story. The latter are known as discovery writers as they discover along with the characters they have created the story as they go. I believe Enid Blyton was one such, I'm sure there are many, many more.
My writing practice lies somewhere between the two. Initially I find a plan can be a great help as it creates a structure for a story to hang on, so it is well displayed in my mind at the start of writing. This helps me to shape the narrative paths along which my characters will journey.
So, I make a plan of sorts, and it all starts out really well, but after a while I go off one tangent or another. I might be taken on an escapade by a particularly adventurous character, or a vastly more interesting narrative might come to mind, and so the plan falls to myriad fragments. Sometimes I might pick up a few of those fragments and see if they are of any use anymore, sometimes not. It is the way of plans – chance allows for much to go awry betwixt planning and page. Often I create a new plan, one that suggests itself half way through the book, by which I see how the story ends and how to get to that point. It is a natural, organic thing, that works with the flow of writing. When there is a flow, of course.
Katleya aef Laeft was one such unruly character. In my plan for The Cracked Amulet she was never supposed to find her power until she reached Ostorr Haven. But ,in the heat of the battle in the Malappa Heights, her blood was up and she wasn't about to wait for Coryn aef Arlean to kill the Blood-priest who held a knife to her throat. In that one terrifying and enraged moment, she put together all she'd learned through watching Dame Mureen working her Wealdan, and she fought against all her Uncle Yadoc's training. Year after year of teaching her to see the Wefan but dire warnings against ever touching or using it. Katleya owned that scene and broke my plan. Not only did she touch the Wefan, but she used it and so changed the course of her own story.
I was pleased. It meant that my character, Katleya, had grown and matured into a truly feisty woman. She had become so real that her will overthrew mine. Almost like a real human girl.
I am happy, so happy, to be a writer.
R B Watkinson
Some would say yes others not so much. The former create a plan in detail and stick almost rigidly to that plan, creating a well-crafted story. The latter are known as discovery writers as they discover along with the characters they have created the story as they go. I believe Enid Blyton was one such, I'm sure there are many, many more.
My writing practice lies somewhere between the two. Initially I find a plan can be a great help as it creates a structure for a story to hang on, so it is well displayed in my mind at the start of writing. This helps me to shape the narrative paths along which my characters will journey.
So, I make a plan of sorts, and it all starts out really well, but after a while I go off one tangent or another. I might be taken on an escapade by a particularly adventurous character, or a vastly more interesting narrative might come to mind, and so the plan falls to myriad fragments. Sometimes I might pick up a few of those fragments and see if they are of any use anymore, sometimes not. It is the way of plans – chance allows for much to go awry betwixt planning and page. Often I create a new plan, one that suggests itself half way through the book, by which I see how the story ends and how to get to that point. It is a natural, organic thing, that works with the flow of writing. When there is a flow, of course.
Katleya aef Laeft was one such unruly character. In my plan for The Cracked Amulet she was never supposed to find her power until she reached Ostorr Haven. But ,in the heat of the battle in the Malappa Heights, her blood was up and she wasn't about to wait for Coryn aef Arlean to kill the Blood-priest who held a knife to her throat. In that one terrifying and enraged moment, she put together all she'd learned through watching Dame Mureen working her Wealdan, and she fought against all her Uncle Yadoc's training. Year after year of teaching her to see the Wefan but dire warnings against ever touching or using it. Katleya owned that scene and broke my plan. Not only did she touch the Wefan, but she used it and so changed the course of her own story.
I was pleased. It meant that my character, Katleya, had grown and matured into a truly feisty woman. She had become so real that her will overthrew mine. Almost like a real human girl.
I am happy, so happy, to be a writer.
R B Watkinson
June 13, 2016
Press Release
The Cracked Amulet: Blistering New YA/Adult Crossover Novel Redefines Fantasy Genre. Critics Ask: “When is Film Coming”?
R.B. Watkinson’s ‘The Cracked Amulet’ embroils readers in a land where danger, magic, quirky creatures and chillingly-vivid characters run amok. There’s nothing else like it on the market, with critics tipping the adventure as the perfect candidate for the big screen. In fact, one critic recently wrote, “Enter through the portal and be swept up in a whirlwind of a vividly described new world. RB Watkinson writes like a dream”.
Contact:
R B Watkinson
Email: rbwatkinson@outlook.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
United Kingdom – While most authors use their first release to do nothing but simply test the literary waters, R.B. Watkinson is rapidly proving that a debut novel also presents an opportunity to rival the bestsellers. In fact, Watkinson’s ‘The Cracked Amulet’ is being praised by critics for totally redefining the YA/Adult crossover fantasy genre.
It all comes down to the author’s fierce ability to defy convention and her refusal to succumb to the ‘same old’ concepts. Yes, her novel contains all of the unique, intricate creatures and characters fantasy fans crave, but with a narrative unlike anything else on the market.
Synopsis:
This is an epic though grim story is as intricate and as powerful as any fantasy you have ever read, full of adventure, mystery, danger, magic, and strangely magical creatures. A dark and compelling world full of nuanced, quirky characters that seems too real to be described as fantasy.
The power known as the Wefan, which weaves through everything animate and inanimate, drains from the world, and Wealdan-bearers, those who can draw on the Wefan for their magic, are fewer and weaker than ever before. A new Priest-king rules in Mureck, and the Murecken blood-priests of the oppressive god Murak rise again to bring war to the lands of Dumnon. They search for those with Wealdan in their blood, for it gives them power. Power to twist, alter and control other beings – human and beast – and ultimately to gain yet more power. They practice horrifying blood-rites on both humans and creatures to gain that power, they gorge on the blood of innocents, destroy farms and families, towns and cities, conquer swathes of territory and gain new followers.
But not all Wealdan-infused blood carries the same intoxicating potency. The blood-priests seek one above all others.
Against a background of failing states, religions, magik and spirits, Coryn and Katleya lose all that they have and must flee all that they know. Coryn, ex-soldier, ex-slave, ex-farmboy, protected by a cracked amulet given to him by a Wealdan-bearing woman also fleeing the Murecken, must find his sister and fulfill an oath. An oath as powerful now as when he gave it over a decade ago.
Katleya, alone in a terrible world, survives through bloody-minded stubbornness, wits and an unbelievable skill with knives. Frustrated that she is able to see the Wefan but not draw on its power, Katleya is determined to reach one of the fabled havens, colleges full of scholars and teachers, where she can learn to use her Wealdan fully. But she is hunted by those who would use her and the Wealdan in her blood for terrible purposes of their own.
Leveen has a single ambition, one she is willing to do anything and everything to achieve. She believes she has found one with so much Wealdan in her blood that the High-priest of Murak himself would give her anything she wants in exchange. And though she hates him with blood-soaked vengeance, she needs him.
And then there's Mureen, trapped and desperate. Too old for such terrible adventures and dangers, she almost loses her faith in her god, Lehot, as she struggles to save the few survivors left in her care from the blood-priests and their writhen – the blood-magik controlled and twisted creatures that some say are descended from human survivors of blood-magik gone wrong centuries ago.
With wyrms, lacerts, pirates, desert warriors, ifrits, writhen, and blood-priests to contend with, how will any of them survive? Will swords, daggers, bows and and a very small amount of magic be enough for them to survive their journeys and achieve their goals?
“This novel was primarily written for both the young adult audience and adults, as the story’s culture and values transcend any single age group to make it a hoot for readers in any stage of their life,” explains Watkinson. “It’s all about retaining the hallmarks of the fantasy genre, while also breaking new ground to produce something that sits as totally unique in the market. It was no easy job, but I’m delighted with the final product.”
Continuing, “And remember, this is just the very start of the saga. The next book is currently on my writing desk and should be released later this year.” But here is an excerpt from Chapter 24 of 'The Cracked Amulet':
“He looked up. In the flickering light, ranks of pillars faded into the distance of an immense hall and stretched up to a ceiling lost in darkness.
Coryn turned, ready for another test. He'd listened to the stories of how ifrit worked. The games they liked to play on humans. He'd even met a few, but never alone. He stepped back a pace when he saw her. A female ifrit. He didn't know why it shocked him. Maybe because he'd never seen them take on anything other than a male form before. If he were honest though, his shock would be because of the blatant, sensuous nakedness of her.
'You do not burn, human.' She sounded curious and Coryn saw it reflected in her eyes.
'No,' Coryn agreed as he took in the sight of her. He felt heat rise in him. She looked wondrous. Every luscious curve and swell outlined in tiny ever-rippling flames. Her slanted eyes glinted like sun-caught emeralds.
The ifrit stretched over an ancient stone sarcophagus, luxuriating in his stare. 'How very unusual. All the others burned. Why is it that do you do not? Are you not human? You smell human, you look human, all my senses tell me you are human.'
Coryn ignored the question. 'I've come with a proposal.' He tried to keep his eyes on her face. He wasn't quite successful.”
This first volume has been received with critical acclaim. Reviewer Emily Davies comments, “I adored every single page of this beautifully written novel, I found my self hooked from the first page by the intriguing landscape and the fabulous characters. The fantasy genre is my favourite genre to be absorbed into. I love the feeling of being transported somewhere new, getting engrossed by the magic seeping through the pages. This book definitely falls under the characteristic of epic/high fantasy. If you’re a fan of reading novels set within or paralleling this mystical landscape you definitely have to pick up a copy of ‘The Cracked Amulet’. What interested me most about this novel is the diversity of the audience it is aimed at. I read a lot of young adult novels and Watkinson’s characters really seem to fit the desired tastes of that audience. However, I do feel that this book is written to target older age groups and I think that it’s very cleverly done.”
Sylvia Vetta adds, “Enter through the portal and be swept up in a whirlwind of a vividly described new world. RB Watkinson writes like a dream - a fast moving dream- as the narrative goes at a pace. It is not long before you are attached to her main characters. Although the characters are particularly attractive to young adult readers, this is the kind of fiction that has appeal across the generations.”
Michael Smith concurs, “Watkinson has created a world of nuanced, quirky characters which feels far too real to be described as fantasy. Her smooth writing and compelling characters draw the reader in and never let go. This is a fantastic read.” (Michael Smith - best selling author of Station X and many other books).
‘The Cracked Amulet’ paperback book is available to be ordered from most bookshops, as well as from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Book Depository. The ebook is available through Kindle, Sony Koble, iBooks, and other eplatforms. The audio book will be available in the autumn from Essential Audiobooks.
Publisher: Claret Press (2016)
ASIN: B018J9XWVW
ISBN-10: 1910461075
ISBN-13: 978-1910461075
Blog: https://rbwatkinson.wordpress.com
Website: http://rbwatkinson.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RosaWatkinson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RBWatkinson.3
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/1PeQEHW
Barnes & Noble link: http://bit.ly/1Xy69Dx
Waterstones link: http://bit.ly/1YbxrOJ
Goodreads link: http://bit.ly/1raf6UV
About the Author:
R B Watkinson was born in the Netherlands of Dutch parents. She now lives on a smallholding in the wilds of west Devon, England and runs a holiday let. She is married, has raised three children, and wrangles a menagerie of animals. She held down many jobs over the years: PA, editorial secretary, special educational needs. Her favourite 'work', however, is writing. Which she now does almost full time.
After gaining a Diploma in Creative Writing at Oxford University in 2011, she embarked on writing epic fantasy. In March 2015, she signed a three book deal with Claret Press, London (www.claretpress.com), for the epic fantasy trilogy - The Wefan Weaves. She also created the interior artwork for her book, including the map of Dumnon.
R.B. Watkinson’s ‘The Cracked Amulet’ embroils readers in a land where danger, magic, quirky creatures and chillingly-vivid characters run amok. There’s nothing else like it on the market, with critics tipping the adventure as the perfect candidate for the big screen. In fact, one critic recently wrote, “Enter through the portal and be swept up in a whirlwind of a vividly described new world. RB Watkinson writes like a dream”.
Contact:
R B Watkinson
Email: rbwatkinson@outlook.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
United Kingdom – While most authors use their first release to do nothing but simply test the literary waters, R.B. Watkinson is rapidly proving that a debut novel also presents an opportunity to rival the bestsellers. In fact, Watkinson’s ‘The Cracked Amulet’ is being praised by critics for totally redefining the YA/Adult crossover fantasy genre.
It all comes down to the author’s fierce ability to defy convention and her refusal to succumb to the ‘same old’ concepts. Yes, her novel contains all of the unique, intricate creatures and characters fantasy fans crave, but with a narrative unlike anything else on the market.
Synopsis:
This is an epic though grim story is as intricate and as powerful as any fantasy you have ever read, full of adventure, mystery, danger, magic, and strangely magical creatures. A dark and compelling world full of nuanced, quirky characters that seems too real to be described as fantasy.
The power known as the Wefan, which weaves through everything animate and inanimate, drains from the world, and Wealdan-bearers, those who can draw on the Wefan for their magic, are fewer and weaker than ever before. A new Priest-king rules in Mureck, and the Murecken blood-priests of the oppressive god Murak rise again to bring war to the lands of Dumnon. They search for those with Wealdan in their blood, for it gives them power. Power to twist, alter and control other beings – human and beast – and ultimately to gain yet more power. They practice horrifying blood-rites on both humans and creatures to gain that power, they gorge on the blood of innocents, destroy farms and families, towns and cities, conquer swathes of territory and gain new followers.
But not all Wealdan-infused blood carries the same intoxicating potency. The blood-priests seek one above all others.
Against a background of failing states, religions, magik and spirits, Coryn and Katleya lose all that they have and must flee all that they know. Coryn, ex-soldier, ex-slave, ex-farmboy, protected by a cracked amulet given to him by a Wealdan-bearing woman also fleeing the Murecken, must find his sister and fulfill an oath. An oath as powerful now as when he gave it over a decade ago.
Katleya, alone in a terrible world, survives through bloody-minded stubbornness, wits and an unbelievable skill with knives. Frustrated that she is able to see the Wefan but not draw on its power, Katleya is determined to reach one of the fabled havens, colleges full of scholars and teachers, where she can learn to use her Wealdan fully. But she is hunted by those who would use her and the Wealdan in her blood for terrible purposes of their own.
Leveen has a single ambition, one she is willing to do anything and everything to achieve. She believes she has found one with so much Wealdan in her blood that the High-priest of Murak himself would give her anything she wants in exchange. And though she hates him with blood-soaked vengeance, she needs him.
And then there's Mureen, trapped and desperate. Too old for such terrible adventures and dangers, she almost loses her faith in her god, Lehot, as she struggles to save the few survivors left in her care from the blood-priests and their writhen – the blood-magik controlled and twisted creatures that some say are descended from human survivors of blood-magik gone wrong centuries ago.
With wyrms, lacerts, pirates, desert warriors, ifrits, writhen, and blood-priests to contend with, how will any of them survive? Will swords, daggers, bows and and a very small amount of magic be enough for them to survive their journeys and achieve their goals?
“This novel was primarily written for both the young adult audience and adults, as the story’s culture and values transcend any single age group to make it a hoot for readers in any stage of their life,” explains Watkinson. “It’s all about retaining the hallmarks of the fantasy genre, while also breaking new ground to produce something that sits as totally unique in the market. It was no easy job, but I’m delighted with the final product.”
Continuing, “And remember, this is just the very start of the saga. The next book is currently on my writing desk and should be released later this year.” But here is an excerpt from Chapter 24 of 'The Cracked Amulet':
“He looked up. In the flickering light, ranks of pillars faded into the distance of an immense hall and stretched up to a ceiling lost in darkness.
Coryn turned, ready for another test. He'd listened to the stories of how ifrit worked. The games they liked to play on humans. He'd even met a few, but never alone. He stepped back a pace when he saw her. A female ifrit. He didn't know why it shocked him. Maybe because he'd never seen them take on anything other than a male form before. If he were honest though, his shock would be because of the blatant, sensuous nakedness of her.
'You do not burn, human.' She sounded curious and Coryn saw it reflected in her eyes.
'No,' Coryn agreed as he took in the sight of her. He felt heat rise in him. She looked wondrous. Every luscious curve and swell outlined in tiny ever-rippling flames. Her slanted eyes glinted like sun-caught emeralds.
The ifrit stretched over an ancient stone sarcophagus, luxuriating in his stare. 'How very unusual. All the others burned. Why is it that do you do not? Are you not human? You smell human, you look human, all my senses tell me you are human.'
Coryn ignored the question. 'I've come with a proposal.' He tried to keep his eyes on her face. He wasn't quite successful.”
This first volume has been received with critical acclaim. Reviewer Emily Davies comments, “I adored every single page of this beautifully written novel, I found my self hooked from the first page by the intriguing landscape and the fabulous characters. The fantasy genre is my favourite genre to be absorbed into. I love the feeling of being transported somewhere new, getting engrossed by the magic seeping through the pages. This book definitely falls under the characteristic of epic/high fantasy. If you’re a fan of reading novels set within or paralleling this mystical landscape you definitely have to pick up a copy of ‘The Cracked Amulet’. What interested me most about this novel is the diversity of the audience it is aimed at. I read a lot of young adult novels and Watkinson’s characters really seem to fit the desired tastes of that audience. However, I do feel that this book is written to target older age groups and I think that it’s very cleverly done.”
Sylvia Vetta adds, “Enter through the portal and be swept up in a whirlwind of a vividly described new world. RB Watkinson writes like a dream - a fast moving dream- as the narrative goes at a pace. It is not long before you are attached to her main characters. Although the characters are particularly attractive to young adult readers, this is the kind of fiction that has appeal across the generations.”
Michael Smith concurs, “Watkinson has created a world of nuanced, quirky characters which feels far too real to be described as fantasy. Her smooth writing and compelling characters draw the reader in and never let go. This is a fantastic read.” (Michael Smith - best selling author of Station X and many other books).
‘The Cracked Amulet’ paperback book is available to be ordered from most bookshops, as well as from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Book Depository. The ebook is available through Kindle, Sony Koble, iBooks, and other eplatforms. The audio book will be available in the autumn from Essential Audiobooks.
Publisher: Claret Press (2016)
ASIN: B018J9XWVW
ISBN-10: 1910461075
ISBN-13: 978-1910461075
Blog: https://rbwatkinson.wordpress.com
Website: http://rbwatkinson.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RosaWatkinson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RBWatkinson.3
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/1PeQEHW
Barnes & Noble link: http://bit.ly/1Xy69Dx
Waterstones link: http://bit.ly/1YbxrOJ
Goodreads link: http://bit.ly/1raf6UV
About the Author:
R B Watkinson was born in the Netherlands of Dutch parents. She now lives on a smallholding in the wilds of west Devon, England and runs a holiday let. She is married, has raised three children, and wrangles a menagerie of animals. She held down many jobs over the years: PA, editorial secretary, special educational needs. Her favourite 'work', however, is writing. Which she now does almost full time.
After gaining a Diploma in Creative Writing at Oxford University in 2011, she embarked on writing epic fantasy. In March 2015, she signed a three book deal with Claret Press, London (www.claretpress.com), for the epic fantasy trilogy - The Wefan Weaves. She also created the interior artwork for her book, including the map of Dumnon.
June 12, 2016
Awesome Book Website
My new website for The Cracked Amulet just went live. It is truly awesome, the artist is a wonder. Check it out and be astounded too:
http://www.thecrackedamulet.com/
My son Greg, currently visiting Australia, noticed that many of the places he visited reminded him of various scenes in The Cracked Amulet. So he set about photographing them and then added the characters where he felt they worked within the scenes (a very light touch only). The quality is filmic (possibly a storyboard for a potential film?) He used these series of photographs to create the whole website for me.
Tell me what you think.
I think my son is awesome too.
http://www.thecrackedamulet.com/
My son Greg, currently visiting Australia, noticed that many of the places he visited reminded him of various scenes in The Cracked Amulet. So he set about photographing them and then added the characters where he felt they worked within the scenes (a very light touch only). The quality is filmic (possibly a storyboard for a potential film?) He used these series of photographs to create the whole website for me.
Tell me what you think.
I think my son is awesome too.
June 10, 2016
Reviews for The Cracked Amulet
Just wanted to say a great big thank you to all who have reviewed my book The Cracked Amulet. It is seriously awesome and even a little humbling to realise readers love my book so much. I am so thrilled and it gives me the confidence to continue with my writing.
In fact, book two of the Wefan Weaves, The Fractured Portal, is now with the publisher and I'm hoping it comes out just before Christmas. I've had a lot of people asking for the next one, so look out for it folks.
For those who love to see and hear an author read and talk about their books in person, I'll be in the Gryphon Pub in Bristol on the 30th. Check out the details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/10801...
In fact, book two of the Wefan Weaves, The Fractured Portal, is now with the publisher and I'm hoping it comes out just before Christmas. I've had a lot of people asking for the next one, so look out for it folks.
For those who love to see and hear an author read and talk about their books in person, I'll be in the Gryphon Pub in Bristol on the 30th. Check out the details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/10801...
May 6, 2016
Book Launch
Hello all
My next festival is the Tavistock Art & Literary festival on 21st May. I'll be in the Library from 10am, to chat, to read, to sign copies of The Cracked Amulet. All are very welcome to come and enjoy - coffee, tea and biscuits provided.
There is also a book launch for The Cracked Amulet on 30th July in Bristol - have a look at the event on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/10801...
I'm also trying to finish book 2 of the Wefan Weaves trilogy: The Fractured Monolith. My editor is itching to get her hands on it :)
So busy, busy, busy.
All the best to all my friends and readers
R B Watkinson
My next festival is the Tavistock Art & Literary festival on 21st May. I'll be in the Library from 10am, to chat, to read, to sign copies of The Cracked Amulet. All are very welcome to come and enjoy - coffee, tea and biscuits provided.
There is also a book launch for The Cracked Amulet on 30th July in Bristol - have a look at the event on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/10801...
I'm also trying to finish book 2 of the Wefan Weaves trilogy: The Fractured Monolith. My editor is itching to get her hands on it :)
So busy, busy, busy.
All the best to all my friends and readers
R B Watkinson
