Carl Ashmore - The Time Hunters and The Spear of Fate (#3 in series) Released 14/02/2013

[Carl]

Hi all,
I am pleased to announce that The Time Hunters and The Spear of Fate (No.3 in the series) will be released on the Kindle this week on Valentines Day.
I really hope you enjoy it :)
Thanks,
Carl x

[John, Moderator in Memory]

We will be hosting a special mid-month book giveaway to commemorate the release of the latest Time Hunters book. Carl will be giving one lucky winner a choice between a free signed paperback or ebook edition. Watch our giveaway thread for more details on February 14.

[John, Moderator in Memory]

I am staying up until midnight tonight so that I can buy this ebook as soon as it is released. The next three and a half hours will be excruciating.

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Less than three hours to go.

[Howard]

Good luck Carl.

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Two hours til midnight.

[Howard]

Good luck John.

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Actually I am not going to make it to midnight. My pillow is calling my name. Guess I will have to get my copy in the morning. I might have to call in sick tomorrow so I can stay home and read.

[Howard]

Well John, if you do, say hello to Uncle Percy for me.

[Carl]

:) Thanks, guys. It is now available. I hope it doesn't disappoint.:)

[Carl]

And I hope you are fully rested before you read it, John, you nutter!

[John, Moderator in Memory]

I'm not insane. My mother had me tested. I'm just crazy about this series. I've always wanted to be a writer myself, and I imagine this is exactly the kind of stories I would right if I ever got around to it. So I'm living vicariously through you, Carl. Hope you don't mind.

BTW, I got my copy this morning but couldn't summon the courage to call in sick. So I won't be able to start it until tonight. Oh, and thanks for the shout out on the acknowledgements page. Looks like you have a lot of devoted fans. We should revisit the idea of coming up with a name for our group of adults who love this young adult fiction series.

[Carl]

I don't mind at all, John. However, I think you should have a crack at some writing. Have you got any ideas in the drawer? Care to share.

My next series (when I actually finish the TH books) won't be a time travel book obviously, but will present a different perspective on history. Strangely, however, it exists within the TH world. Infact, Uncle Percy gets a mention quite early on. AND it concerns a character mentioned in TH2. All my books have connections to this mythical village of Addlebury. And that includes Bernard and the Bibble and The Night they Nicked Saint Nick. Infact, one of the pirates in TH2 is related to Derek Brundle out of 'Saint Nick'. They're all little injokes that only I get :)

And you start TH3 when you want, my friend. I just hope you enjoy it. It's slightly denser than the other 2. Saying that, TH4 will be something of a tearjerker. And that's all I'm gonna say until 2015 :)

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Well... I do have an idea that I have been toying with that involves reimagining the historic account of Buffalo Bill Cody. It also involves werewolves. But alas, it is only an idea at this stage. Not sure I will ever find the time or courage to try writing it.

Since I live in what is considered the birthplace of Cody's Wild West Show, I have always been fascinated by Buffalo Bill. However, rather than just write a historical account of his life, I would want to give him a reboot and make him cool much like Guy Ritchie has done for Sherlock Holmes. And with the growing popularity of supernatural fiction involving werewolves and vampires, I thought this would be a good twist.

[Carl]

Actually, I think that's a great idea. What was Bill's early life like? Would you write him as a boy? That's obviously how I'd do it. I think the werewolf idea would be the way to go. Particularly, if you could tie that in with a Native American curse or something. bill's best mate could be a young Native American. That's probably how I'd approach it.


I'm considering using the Wild West for TH4 or 5, not as the major visit but as a sideline. It seems an obvious place to bring out the kid in me, and that what I need when writing the TH books.

[Tej]

Oh blast, I bought Time Hunter: Book 3....by Claire Bott...aaarrghhh. I'm an idiot.

I cant see the book on UK Kindle yet...:(

OK, I got it...I hate Kindle search, you have to be so damn precise.

Right chapter one: Tut's Toy...how can one not love it already with a first chapter name like that!

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Neener-neener.

I have the book and you don't, Tej.

Neener-neener-neener.

[Tej]

I'm telling my mum you neenered me :(

Anyway got the book now and I am reading it already and you not cos you working...neener!

....this book is having a strange reverse aging effect on us...

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Oh yeah? Well I have the kindle app on my smart phone and lunch break is coming up, so neener.

[Howard]

John, Cody was every bit a self-made man.

The odds against him becoming who he did were very large indeed, given his history.

So, don't give up, stranger things have happened.

The hardest part for any writer is looking at a blank page, but once you start, even if in fits or tentative starts, then the process is already underway, as you can always go back & amend to your hearts content.

But of course, this won't happen if you don't take that first plunge.

You write well, that's self-evident.

So carry on.

[Carl]

I agree, Howard. John - get writing!!!

And what with all this neenering? I haven't neenered in years. I really fancy a quality neener scrap :)

[Paul]

Congratulations on the new Time Hunters #3 release, Carl! I now realize, with all these neeners bouncing around, that I need to catch up on this series. Winning autographed copies of the first two would be nice! I'm going to be just a little suspicious if John wins.

Just kidding, John! I'm digging your Buffalo Bill idea, btw. So much to work with there. I actually visited his gravesite with friends many years ago. Not entirely sure why, but it may have had something to do with having just toured the nearby Coors brewery. Which you will want to work into your story, of course. Get writing!

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Okay, so we still need a name for the diehard fans of the Time Hunters series. The book contains two acronyms: GITT and OTTER. So perhaps we could use one of these and go with something like "GITT Squad" or "OTTER Pops"?

[Tej]

Haha, umm...you probably dont know this but "GIT" is an English mild verbal insult on the level of "you b'std" or you "son of a b****" ;)

[Carl]

Thanks, Paul. I can understand you'd be suspicious if John won, but did you that car??? Wow. He's got to be in the running. But then I quite like a few of those ideas.

[John, Moderator in Memory]

No worries. I always exclude myself from these drawings. A lot of the books I have already purchased.

[Carl]

But, again I say, did you see that car???:)

[Paul]

Carl wrote: "But, again I say, did you see that car???:)"

I did. All I can say is FLASH GIT! (Tej's caution above reminded me of this expression British colleagues used whenever someone arrived looking exceptionally impressive. If it really means something crude . . don't tell me!)

[Tej]

LOL, no you got the expression spot on, Paul! I do admit a tinge of jealousy towards John's wheels, myself :)

JOhn, we just having jab at ya, cos we mighty jealous...But if I were in the era of Buffalo Bill, I'd have to say to you "y' gad damn son of a gun" :)

[John, Moderator in Memory]

The corvette is pretty awesome, but it is also very conspicuous. It would be hard not to get noticed in that car.

[Carl]

Nah, that's just right, Paul :)

John, Uncle Percy drives a pink caddy in TH3. I think it's okay to be conspicuous. Just so long as you do it in style :)

[John, Moderator in Memory]

A double decker bus is even more so.

[John, Moderator in Memory]

I was looking at some historical photographs online the other day when I noticed that a familiar green VW Campervan kept showing up in the background. Could this be the time travel machine used by Uncle Percy and his time traveling companions as documented in the "Time Hunters" series by Carl Ashmore? I have included a few of the photos at the following link so you can decide for yourself:

http://jlberger2.blogspot.com/2013/04...

[Carl]

Sorry I missed this, John. Yes, I think you may be right.

Something tells me that Bertha, the campervan, might be returning to the TH world in Book 5. After all, when I get round to writing that final book I'd like to see her again one last time :)

As this is a thread for Book 3, I thought I'd mention the first two books if I may...

The Time Hunters
The Time Hunters and the Box of Eternity

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Carl,

I guess I have been living under a rock. Time Hunters 3 came out shortly before I joined the Time Travel Group here. Tell me about the series and how long do you anticipate it being?

[Carl]

Hi Lincoln,

Well there will be five Time Hunters books by the time I've finished. I'm about 44000 words into Book 4 (The Time Hunters and the Sword of Ages) at the moment, and anticipate a March/April release. Then it's the all important Book 5.

In short, it's a Time Travel series for everyone. Yes, I write it firmly with children in mind, but the response from adults (like our beloved John) has been overwhelming. There is a complex backstory, but my intention has been to blend that in seamlessly with action and character development. Hence, I try and keep the chapters short (and the books for that matter: 60000 - 70000 words) but punchy with a tantalising hook at the end of each one.

What matters most to me is that they are fun reads. I try and blend fact with fiction, myth with history and try and answer certain historical questions that have perplexed us all for so many years. EG. Who was the model for Sphinx? Who was the real Jack the Ripper? What was the reality behind the legend of Robin Hood etc. What really happened on the Mary Celeste? (Oooh, that's one for Book 4 - maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that :)).

Thanks for your interest.

Carl

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

OK Carl I am officially buying your trilogy for myself, my father, three nephews, and a niece all in separate families. In short, you are my Christmas gift from cool Uncle Lincoln...No pressure.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

I bought the paperbacks at Amazon and found out about "Match Book" meaning that if you buy the hard copy you can get kindle format free or reduced price. I got book one for free, book two for a dollar, and book 3 for 2.99. I like that very much...Now I have the hard copies to gift and the kindle format I prefer for myself.

[Carl]

Thank you so much, Uncle Lincoln. I'm certainly feeling the pressure at this end. I really hope you enjoy them. You must let me have your email addy and I can add you to the Time Hunters Newsletter I send out once a month.

Can I once again say how much I appreciate it. It means a lot :)

Carl