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Saturday 29 November 2014

#WIPMarathon Update #10

Last report wordcount: I'd just finished my draft and was at 16K of my novella.

Current report wordcount: I finished my novella at 19K, and reached 62K of Shiny Book 3! For the first time ever, I actually won NaNoWriMo! :D

I also finished final beta edits on the first book. This book's come so far in the past few months, and I still love it to death. <3 Unashamedly.

I also sent in Darkworld Book 3 first-round edits to my publishers!

WIP Issues this month: The book refused to write itself. How rude. :P

For some reason, the murky middle of this draft started earlier than I'd expected and my brain refused to stick to a linear outline on this one, which meant it was scattered like a thousand-piece jigsaw. Luckily, Scrivener helped me everything organised! Especially when I kept writing bits of Books 4, 5 and 6 instead of the book I was supposed to be working on...

Four things I learned this month in writing:


  • Every book is different. The first book in this series exploded onto the pages in a 24-day frenzy. The second screeched to a halt two chapters from the end and needed reworking. And the third is just... refusing to stay in the right order. I've given up trying to predict what the next one will do! :P
  • Speaking of which, I'm somehow writing bits of all of them at once. Like I'll think of a line from one book, which sparks a scene in a different one, and next thing I know, I'll have met my wordcount but not written anything of my actual NaNo book. (*cue facepalm*)
  • Don't. Panic. Seriously. So many days my wordcount seemed to be at a standstill, but as long as I wrote SOMETHING, it all added up in the end. (You'd think I'd know this by now!)
  • I'm kind of scared of my own story. o.O I've never written anything quite this INTENSE. But it's a good thing! (I think!)

What distracted me this month when writing:
 In winter, 
I have to suffer the joys of Seasonal Affective Disorder, which means that instead of running hyperactively around writing All The Words and apparently not needing sleep, like I do in summer, I just want to lie on the floor all the time. It's extremely infuriating when you're trying to write multiple books.

Oh, and preparing for TWO book releases! Fear's Touch: A Darkworld Novella hit the virtual shelves on Monday 17th November, and it's two days to the next one. *runs around manically* *falls over*

Goal for next month: Finish this draft!

I also have another book release coming up on Monday! Walking Shadow (Darkworld #2) will finally be unleashed on the world! Demons, zombies, doppelgangers and other delightful things. Uh, that's what the book's about, not my promotional plan. Honest. (*hides zombies under bed*)

Also, there will be an Exciting Announcement after all the crazy book release stuff is over... which some of you know about already. Watch this space! *excited flail*

Last 200 words: Another Book 1 teaser!

We rounded a corner and met total chaos. Sparks of magic danced off the walls, creating a haze of blinding light, and I swore, flicking the stunner to life in my hand. I couldn’t see more than a few inches in front of me, and running headlong towards a wyvern blinded was the height of stupidity. But the others on our team were already on the case.

“I’m calling backup!” yelled the leader. “We’ll take care of the lizard – stop those magic-wielders!”

Hell. Those sparks were pure, raw magic energy – level-two. These were the real deal, all right. 

Blurred figures moved in the dark, and when one of them pelted towards the exit, I took off after them.

I might have been blinded, but I was faster than they were – faster than she was. My arms locked around her waist and sent us both sprawling to the ground. She kicked and squirmed but I held her pinned down. Screaming curses, she twisted around to glare at me from behind wild dark-red hair. She was little more than a kid, I realised – but I couldn’t afford to let her get away.

I went for the handcuffs. And the floor beneath us began to shake.

Friday 28 November 2014

November Reading Round-Up

The Palace Job (Rogues of the Republic #1)The Mirror Empire (Worldbreaker Saga, #1)
It's been an amazing month for books! I'm more selective about what I read than I used to be, and I tend to pick based on concept (as I'm a fantasy/mythology nerd with an obsession with creative and awesome magic systems).


The Mirror Empire is a fantastic epic fantasy which caught my attention because it features parallel realities and mirror worlds. The world-building and magic system in this book are incredible (and so original!), and the story doesn't shy away from the gruesome and terrifying.

Dissonance
Talon (Talon, #1)The Palace Job, on the other hand, is serious fun. It's a high fantasy adventure/heist which follows a mismatched group of characters who plan to steal from the capital of their republic. There's a ton of laugh-out-loud moments as well as twists on hero tropes.




Another parallel-world book I picked up this month was Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke, which is YA contemporary/sci-fi with a really detailed and clever parallel-worlds system. I really enjoyed it!

Three Parts Dead (Craft Sequence #1)
Sin I also read Talon by Julie Kagawa. While I didn't enjoy it as much as her Iron Fey and Blood of Eden series due to the slow place and cliche love triangle, I liked the mythology (and dragons are awesome).
Witch Eyes (Witch Eyes, #1)Heirs of War (Heirs of War, #1)



Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone is a really inventive steampunk-esque fantasy novel with stellar worldbuilding. And I'd definitely recommend Heirs of War to anyone looking for a new YA high fantasy read with awesome kickass female protagonists.








Witch Eyes is a YA urban fantasy which combines great writing with a fresh take on witches/magic. Another great YA urban fantasy is Sin by Sharron Riddle, which has a witty and entertaining main character, fast-paced action, and a gripping narrative.
The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, #3)
Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels, #7)I had mixed opinions on the first two Mara Dyer books. They both hooked me and frustrated me because of the lack of answers and the focus on romance rather than the creepy paranormal aspect, but the final book, The Retribution of Mara Dyer, more than makes up for it.  The suspense had be glued to the pages!
City of Stairs


Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews is the latest in the Kate Daniels series. I'm insanely picky when it comes to urban fantasy (mostly because so many I pick up turn out to be paranormal romance in disguise, which I'm not a fan of), but this series is great, and I read the latest instalment in one sitting!
Sanctum (Guards of the Shadowlands, #1)

Carrying on with my obsession with high fantasy books with awesome worldbuilding, I picked up City of Stairs. What I loved about this one was the level of detail in the mythology and cultures, combined with a gripping, page-turning storyline.


Finally, I read Sanctum by Sarah Fine, a definite five-star read. I loved the protagonist, Lela, who literally walks into hell - well, purgatory - to save her best friend. There's a fantastically atmospheric take on the afterlife, some gripping action, heart-wrenching backstory, multi-layered characters... this one's going on my top reads of 2014, for sure!



Wednesday 26 November 2014

What's Up Wednesday



It's time for What's Up Wednesday, a weekly meme run by Erin L Funk and Jaime Morrow. Here's what I've been up to this past week!

What I'm reading

I've been reading City of Stairs, a high fantasy novel with some truly amazing worldbuilding.

And I also read Sanctum by Sarah Fine. Wow. I can't remember the last time a book emotionally grabbed me this quickly! I don't write reviews any more because I don't have the time (the ones I post on the blog are pre-written), but this is a definite five-star read. I loved all the characters, loved the creepy atmosphere... and I bought the rest of the series immediately. It's that good!

What I'm writing

Shiny Book 3... and the rest of the series, seeing as my brain still seems to want to work on all the books at once. :P

And I officially won NaNoWriMo! Yay! ^_^ (The funny thing is, this is the first time I've won, despite pulling some crazy wordcounts in other months!) I'm now over 2/3 of the way through the draft. Once I finally pieced the fragmented chapters together, the words started flowing again!


What works for me

Reminding myself (again) that I spend the middle section of every single draft flailing about like I'm knee-deep in glue. As a "plotser", I wish I could outline every single scene, but sometimes I just have to write and see where it ends up (though I do work from an overarching outline for each book). And that means dead ends, redundant minor characters and dialogue, repetition, and in the most extreme cases, having to stop the draft and go back to fix something that's bugging me. *sigh* I've had to do this three times already!

The infuriating thing is that I know the answers are there, but it's like my subconscious won't let me see them until I actually start typing/writing (I often make lists in a notebook until it sorts itself out). If I'm inspired, it isn't a problem, because my brain will keep throwing the answers at me until I can't type fast enough (I've destroyed two keyboards this year with my mad typing! :P). This is what happened with the first book in this series - in fact, I wrote the last half of the book in only nine days, and a lot of it didn't go with my original plan at all! But I did have enough written down to keep it from going completely off the rails. Whereas with this book... I have some, but not enough yet. *shakes brain to see if answers fall out*


What else I've been up to



I had some new author photos taken by a professional photographer! 
And, surprisingly, they weren't all terrible. Haha. (I'm known for being the person whose eyes are closed in every single photo. :P)


 *Mysterious author face* (Actually thinking: "I could be writing right now" :P)

...I don't generally do photos. *hides*


And I've been setting everything up for the release of Walking Shadow (Darkworld #2) next Monday! The (gorgeous) cover was finally revealed on Friday. Guys, you've no idea of the level of self-control I had to exercise to keep it secret until now - and I've been sitting on the cover for Book 3 since JUNE! o.O Then again, publishing is 90% keeping secrets. :P

Yep. I have another announcement coming next month. Yes, it's publishing-related. No, it's not an agent or a book deal - and I'm totally okay with that. Yes, it's to do with Shiny New Series (and its actual title) and the Secret Plans I've been hinting at over the past few months. (I do shamelessly drop hints. I'm sorry. I'm a writer, I can't help it. ;) *evil laugh*)

Monday 24 November 2014

Fall Into Fantasy: Week 14


Welcome to the Fall Into Fantasy Tour, where we are keeping your mind off any end-of-summer blues and welcoming the cooler weather by introducing you to some incredible fantasy reads to curl up with and giving you plenty of chances to win awesome prizes!

Week 14: The Bound Trilogy
Book One: Bound
By Kate Sparkes


Welcome to Darmid, where magic is a sin, fairy tales are contraband, and the people live in fear of the Sorcerers on the other side of the mountains.

Rowan Greenwood has everything she's supposed to want from life—a good family, a bright future, and a proposal from a handsome and wealthy magic hunter. She knows she should be content with what she has. If only she could banish the idea that there's more to life than marriage and children, or let go of the fascination with magic she's been forced to suppress since childhood.

When Rowan unknowingly saves the life of one of her people’s most feared enemies, that simple act of compassion rips her from her sheltered life and throws her into a world of magic that’s more beautiful, more seductive, and more dangerous than she ever could have imagined.

Rowan might get everything she ever dreamed of—that is, if the one thing she's always wanted doesn't kill her first.

Buy it from: Amazon  Kobo  Barnes & Noble  iBooks
Or add it to Goodreads

ABOUT KATE SPARKES
Kate Sparkes was born in Hamilton, Ontario, but now resides in Newfoundland, where she tries not to talk too much about the dragons she sees in the fog. She lives with a Mountie, two kids who take turns playing Jeckyll and Hyde, three cats with more personality than most people she meets, and the saddest-looking dog on the planet. Depression has almost consumed her more times than she likes to admit, but writing Fantasy (be it epic or urban, fairy tales or superhero cat stories) keeps her afloat… most of the time. She released her debut novel Bound (Ya Fantasy) in June 2014. The second book in the trilogy is due out in the winter.

Find Kate online: Blog  Sparrowcat Press  Facebook  Twitter


Want to get involved with the Fall Into Fantasy promotional tour?
  • Don't forget to join us at the Facebook party here
  • If you are interested in joining up as a blogger, you can always sign up here. We are happy to welcome more bloggers into the fold as the promotion continues. 
  • If you are an author or blogger and want to sign up to help with the party, please fill out this form.
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Friday 21 November 2014

Cover Reveal - Walking Shadow (Darkworld #2)!


It's finally time to reveal the cover for Walking Shadow, Book Two in the Darkworld series, set for release on the 1st December 2014!



*Squee* I think this might be my favourite yet! ^_^





And here's the blurb:

When you have a connection to the Darkworld, nowhere is truly safe. 

Ashlyn has found a new home in Blackstone, but when a spate of grave robberies across the country spark fears that someone is practicing illegal sorcery, she comes under the radar of the Venantium, the protectors of the Barrier between her world and the Darkworld, who are suspicious of any sorcerer unaware of their origins.

The trouble is, what Ash does know might just get her killed.

Sufferers of the dangerous condition known as the vampire’s curse are being brutally killed, and the latest victim is Leo’s guardian, the ex-head of the Venantium. Ash determines to help Leo find out what’s really going on, but it isn’t long before events are spiralling out of control. The dead are rising from their graves, and the barriers around Blackstone are threatened by a demon which looks exactly like Ash herself…


Add on Goodreads!




And here's more information on the first in the series, Darkness Watching (Darkworld #1)

Amazon   Amazon UK   Barnes and Noble
 

Eighteen-year-old Ashlyn is one interview away from her future when she first sees the demons. She thinks she's losing her mind, but the truth is far more frightening: she can see into the Darkworld, the home of spirits– and the darkness is staring back.

Desperate to escape the demons, Ash accepts a place at a university in the small town of Blackstone  - little knowing that it isn't coincidence that led her there but the pull of the Venantium, the sorcerers who maintain the barrier keeping demons from crossing from the Darkworld into our own world.

All-night parties, new friendships and a life without rules or limits are all part of the package of student life - but demons never give up, and their focus on Ash has attracted the attention of every sorcerer in the area. Ash is soon caught between her new life and a group of other students with a connection to the Darkworld, who could offer the answers she's looking for. The demons want something from her, and someone is determined to kill her before she can find out what it is.

In a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, not everyone is what they appear to be...
 

Add on Goodreads
Read Chapter One.


Reviews

“In the vein of Buffy and Supernatural, DARKNESS WATCHING found that perfect balance between the freaky and the fun.” - YA author Jen Estes

"Demons, Sorcerers, evil, and secrets. Could you ask for a better supernatural suspense set-up?...It's full of suspense, danger, evil and dark humor. The plot is original, and completely gripping. From the first page, this book had me hooked." - Rose at Desert Rose Reviews

"A suspenseful first part to an intriguing new fantasy series." Sharon Stevenson, supernatural author

“The story is extremely well-written with effortless, flowing prose, and the original magic-user mythology and Darkworld creatures are very entertaining. The author took what might have been over-done premise and twisted it into something very fresh and exciting.” - Lexa Cain, author of Soul Cutter

"This is a wildly different story than any I have read about demons...I loved it!" - Kathy at Bookmarks, Spoilers, and Happily-Ever-Afters



Fear's Touch: A Darkworld Novella is also available now!

Amazon

This is a standalone novella, intended as a prequel to the Darkworld series. As it takes place one year before the events of Darkness Watching, it doesn’t contain any spoilers (although it does hint at things which will come into play later in the series).



Freakish powers and staring demon eyes aren’t part of Claudia’s plans for the future – and neither is ending up stuck at the gloomy, isolated University of Blackstone. But bad life decisions are the least of her problems, when a split-second decision to help out another magic-user puts her in the crossfire of both the shadow-beasts and the creepy organisation which hunt them down.


Claudia’s never had to worry about making the right choice before, but every decision matters when you have a Darkworld connection. Soon, she’s going to have to make a choice: turn her back on the crazy and try to live a normal life, or take the monsters down.

But in a world where everyone seems to have secrets, can she really trust her fellow magic-users – or even herself?

Goodreads



Wednesday 19 November 2014

What's Up Wednesday

It's time for What's Up Wednesday, a weekly meme run by Erin L Funk and Jaime Morrow. Here's what I've been up to this past week!

What I'm reading

I read Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey, a YA urban fantasy with a unique take on magic. Then I read The Retribution of Mara Dyer. The first two books in the series frustrated me a little because of the lack of answers, but the suspense is absolutely fantastic and I really wanted to find out how it ended. And I enjoyed the conclusion!

I also read Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews. I'm insanely picky when it comes to urban fantasy, but I really like this series!

What I'm writing

Shiny Book 3! I will share the actual titles soon, I promise - I have an announcement planned for after my next book release, so keep watching the blog!

What works for me

I like to draft series books back-to-back. I drafted Darkworld books 3, 4 and 5 between March and September last year, and then revised them back-to-back, too. I have a terrible memory and I write complicated books, so I was able to minimise inconsistencies that way! And yes, I'm doing the same thing for this series -  I have "working outlines" for each book (which change and adapt as I write and the characters stubbornly resist my plans :P), but the main story events are already set. And yes, I know the ending (!!!). I also like to foreshadow things, so throwaway details in the first books become important later on (though I'll never be as awesome a foreshadower as J. K. Rowling! *writer envy alert*).


Supernatural-Paranormal
The problem is, my brain keeps wanting to work on ALL THE BOOKS at once. :P

What else I've been up to


I went to watch Interstellar with my boyfriend, and I really enjoyed it! Other than that, preparing for the release of Fear's Touch: A Darkworld Novella, which hit the virtual shelves on Monday! (It's now available on Amazon!) And I've also been preparing for the release of Walking Shadow (Darkworld #2) on the 1st December!

And Darkness Watching won the BBF Reader's Choice Award for paranormal fiction, which was a lovely surprise! YAY READERS! ^_^ 

Monday 17 November 2014

Fall Into Fantasy: The Darkworld Series (And release day!)


It's finally here! :D I had a lot of fun writing Fear's Touch: A Darkworld Novella, so I hope you enjoy Claudia's story!

This is a standalone novella, intended as a prequel to the Darkworld series. As it takes place one year before the events of Darkness Watching, it doesn’t contain any spoilers (although it does hint at things which will come into play later in the series).


Freakish powers and staring demon eyes aren’t part of Claudia’s plans for the future – and neither is ending up stuck at the gloomy, isolated University of Blackstone. But bad life decisions are the least of her problems, when a split-second decision to help out another magic-user puts her in the crossfire of both the shadow-beasts and the creepy organisation which hunt them down.


Claudia’s never had to worry about making the right choice before, but every decision matters when you have a Darkworld connection. Soon, she’s going to have to make a choice: turn her back on the crazy and try to live a normal life, or take the monsters down.

But in a world where everyone seems to have secrets, can she really trust her fellow magic-users – or even herself?

Now available on Amazon!

Add on Goodreads



And here's more information on the first in the series, Darkness Watching (Darkworld #1)

Amazon   Amazon UK   Barnes and Noble
 

Eighteen-year-old Ashlyn is one interview away from her future when she first sees the demons. She thinks she's losing her mind, but the truth is far more frightening: she can see into the Darkworld, the home of spirits– and the darkness is staring back.

Desperate to escape the demons, Ash accepts a place at a university in the small town of Blackstone  - little knowing that it isn't coincidence that led her there but the pull of the Venantium, the sorcerers who maintain the barrier keeping demons from crossing from the Darkworld into our own world.

All-night parties, new friendships and a life without rules or limits are all part of the package of student life - but demons never give up, and their focus on Ash has attracted the attention of every sorcerer in the area. Ash is soon caught between her new life and a group of other students with a connection to the Darkworld, who could offer the answers she's looking for. The demons want something from her, and someone is determined to kill her before she can find out what it is.

In a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, not everyone is what they appear to be...
 

Add on Goodreads
Read Chapter One.


Reviews

“In the vein of Buffy and Supernatural, DARKNESS WATCHING found that perfect balance between the freaky and the fun.” - YA author Jen Estes

"Demons, Sorcerers, evil, and secrets. Could you ask for a better supernatural suspense set-up?...It's full of suspense, danger, evil and dark humor. The plot is original, and completely gripping. From the first page, this book had me hooked." - Rose at Desert Rose Reviews

"A suspenseful first part to an intriguing new fantasy series." Sharon Stevenson, supernatural author

“The story is extremely well-written with effortless, flowing prose, and the original magic-user mythology and Darkworld creatures are very entertaining. The author took what might have been over-done premise and twisted it into something very fresh and exciting.” - Lexa Cain, author of Soul Cutter

"This is a wildly different story than any I have read about demons...I loved it!" - Kathy at Bookmarks, Spoilers, and Happily-Ever-Afters



And I'm giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and a Darkworld swag pack to one lucky winner! :D

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Don't forget there's still time to sign up to the Walking Shadow cover reveal and blog tour here! :)

Friday 14 November 2014

Blogger Book Fair Day 5: K. Ferin

Magicless

Fantasy | Young Adult



Magicless is a young adult epic fantasy novel.

Deep in the Oakwood, a boy is born without magic.  

In a land where powers flow through one’s veins as naturally as water down a mountain stream, Micah is an aberration detested by everyone—everyone except Alekka, a gifted but solitary mage who understands the price of isolation. Her sensitivity to the thoughts of others drives her to seek solace in the forests surrounding Aclay, a small village that has been living under a malevolent shadow for hundreds of years.

As fear and loss ravage the countryside, the two outcasts form an unlikely bond forged in loneliness and surrounded by the flickering silhouettes of destiny. When their home is destroyed, the outcasts must join a volatile group of their peers on a journey that threatens to strip them of everything they cherish, imperil everything they’ve ever known, even force them to question the nature of reality itself. Can they find the key to stemming the tide of darkness without losing themselves along the way?

Buy Links:

Magicless Excerpt


Deep in the Oakwood, a boy is born without magic.

In a land where powers flow through one’s veins as naturally as water down a mountain stream, Micah is an aberration detested by everyone—everyone except Alekka, a gifted but solitary mage who understands the price of isolation. Her sensitivity to the thoughts of others drives her to seek solace in the forests surrounding Aclay, a small village that has been living under a malevolent shadow for hundreds of years.

As fear and loss ravage the countryside, the two outcasts form an unlikely bond forged in loneliness and surrounded by the flickering silhouettes of destiny. When their home is destroyed, the outcasts must join a volatile group of their peers on a journey that threatens to strip them of everything they cherish, imperil everything they’ve ever known, even force them to question the nature of reality itself. Can they find the key to stemming the tide of darkness without losing themselves along the way?

Interesting Information about Magicless


An item of interest might be that the inspiration behind what this book turned out to be was my nephew and an issue he was having with bullying by some neighborhood kids. He was five at the time, had just moved into the neighborhood, and there was a group of kids who ruled the hood with an intolerant and cruel fist. It was mostly verbal taunting but there were a few scraps. And the truly bothersome thing, to me, was their parents were the same as their kids.

So I wanted to write something about the value of diversity, the importance of difference, and how everyone brings value to the quest. Thus was Magicless born.



Author Bio:


During the daylight hours I live in a world filled with high technology - satellites, windowless buildings filled with humming machinery and robust HVAC systems, and networks spanning half the globe.

When the working-day ends the world around me shifts from one filled with engineers and machines to one filled with magic, myth and adventure. My heart lives here, along with my writing. I write fantasy of all kinds, some epic, some urban, and some dark, some young adult and some for mature readers.

You can find my young adult novel Magicless at all major online retailers. My next book, Desiderium, Monsters the First will be out in October 2014.

Connect:

Interview


When did you start writing?
I've been writing stories since I first learned how to write. My mother always expected I'd grow into a writer one day. Stories, fantasy stories, are like breath to me. I must read them and write them or suffocate under the weight of the mundane.

What inspires your writing?
Literally everything. I might overhear a conversation in a coffee shop that sticks in my mind, something might grab me from a news article, random images can form story nuggets that linger. For me I think the key is curiosity - seeing or reading something and asking *why*, and then adding magic into the mix.

What is the best part about being a writer?
The easy answer to this is that I get to work in my PJs on my patio with my dogs everyday. The real answer is far more complex. Books subtly change us in a myriad of tiny ways. Particularly with speculative fiction, they allow us to see *possibility*, to see the world differently that what we've done before. Being involved in creating such objects of power is the coolest possible thing.


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Thursday 13 November 2014

Blogger Book Fair Day 4: Morgan Wylie


Silent Orchids (The Age of Alandria: Book One)

Fantasy | Young Adult

A dying realm.
The ancient evil of the Droch-Shúil has been unleashed.
The Orchids have been silenced… but for how long?

Daegan, elite of the Ferrishyn warrior tribe of Faeries, is charged with a mission to find the Sol-lumieth, a mysterious new power that could change the fate of all in the realm of Alandria. But he is conflicted by his purpose, and he cannot trust the motives of those he serves. He has too many questions and they must be answered.

Kaeleigh, a girl abandoned as a small child just outside Missoula, Montana, is now 18. She is trying to discover who she is and where she belongs. In her heart, she feels she has family out there… somewhere. Desperate to unravel the mysteries of her past, she embarks on a journey that will forever change her along with her two best friends, Finn and Chel—who have secrets of their own.

Buy Links:
FREE!




Author Bio:


Morgan Wylie published her first novel, Silent Orchids, one year after moving across the country with her family on a journey of new discovery. After an amazing three years in Nashville, TN and the release of two more books, Morgan and her family found their way back to the Northwest where they now reside. Still working everyday with great optimism, Morgan continues to embrace all things: "Mama", wife, teacher, and mediator to the many voices and muses constantly chattering in her head... where it gets pretty loud!

Connect:



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Wednesday 12 November 2014

Blogger Book Fair Day 3: Andi O'Connor

Redemption (Short Story)

Fantasy | Adult

Huddled in the shadows, Jae watches while one of the Mé'Draak brands his cellmate as a slave before viciously dragging him from the room. Feeling the weight of the metal collar around his neck, Jae is left alone to contemplate his own fate. Will the afternoon session finally Break him? Will it kill him? Or will he end up like the boy, a helpless pawn neither living nor dead?

Buy Links:
Only $.99!

Teaser from Redemption (Short Story):


No, he’d receive no help from his parents. They’d sold him just as they’d sell all ten of his sisters. He was dead to them. He would never be free.


Silevethiel (The Vaelinel Trilogy #1)

Fantasy | Young Adult

Following her father’s murder, Princess Irewen Donríel is betrayed and left for dead in the forests of Mistwood. Rescued by the elf prince, Laegon Elendell, Irewen awakes an exile with no home, no country, and no people. But as the horrific memories of murder and betrayal return, she realizes the nightmare is only beginning.

The world of Vaelinel is failing—its fate bound to her in ways no one fully understands. A mysterious elven prophecy may provide her with some answers, but continuously hunted and fighting for her life, Irewen quickly learns that unearthing the truth will be more difficult than she ever imagined. Can she accept Laegon’s love and the friendship of the Wood Elves, or will she stand alone against the terrifying evil now threatening to destroy the entire world?

Buy Links:

Teaser from Silevethiel (The Vaelinel Trilogy #1):


A voice penetrated Irewen's deep sleep.

Her father said only one word, her name, but he was so desperate in his calling that she was immediately pulled from her slumber. She woke, searching in vain for the man she knew wouldn’t be there, couldn’t be there. Sorrow filled her heart anew when he didn’t answer her silent plea. But amidst the all too familiar grief, there flowered a warm bubble of joy.

She had heard his voice, and she had not forgotten.

Fun Fact about Silevethiel (The Vaelinel Trilogy #1):


A few people have commented that they don't understand why Silevethiel is the title of the book and focus of the cover when she isn't the main character. It's true, she isn't, but that makes her no less important. She's mysterious. We don't actually meet her until about half-way through the book, but she's an essential figure in the lives of the Elves as well as the main character. So much depends on her. Without her, the fate of Irewen, the Elves, and the world of Vaelinel would be much different.


The Lost Heir (The Dragonath Chronicles #1)

Fantasy | Adult

Always a meticulous planner, Darrak Hunter leads a typically straightforward and dull life until his dreams unexpectedly become plagued with visions of a peculiar and distant world. Waking up to a brilliant purple sun looming ominously in the sky, Darrak is met by a mysterious violet-eyed sorcerer who whisks him away from the struggling Earth. Thrown into the clutches of a foreign world where magic is reality and not all is as it seems, Darrak embarks on a journey where he is forced to come to terms with his past and do what he can to shape the future. Accompanied by a talented swordswoman, a prince, and a beautiful young sorceress, he must overcome cunning plots of treachery and betrayal to discover the strength to stand against a destructive black magic and an enemy who is a master at deception.

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Teaser from The Lost Heir (The Dragonath Chronicles #1):


“The two dragons symbolize the warrior’s inner battle and personal struggle to keep their lust for power under restraint. With the correct decisions and the right amount of discipline, the warrior will use their sword only to do good. However, with the slightest deviation, their greed for power will take dominion over their actions. Once the evil dragon is unleashed, it can never again be caged.”

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Yes! In celebration of the upcoming release of Awakening, *Signed Copies* of The Lost Heir are 50% off! Now just $9.98!
If you would like a specific dedication, let me know in the 'Note to Seller' section during checkout.



Author Bio:


Andi O'Connor is the award winning author of the fantasy series The Dragonath Chronicles, The Vaelinel Trilogy, and The Legacy of Ilvania. Andi's first YA novel,Silevethiel, was named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2013. Her short story Redemption, is a Kindle Book Review, 2014 Kindle Book Awards Semifinalist. Andi is a member of the National Writers Association and the Boston Chapter of the Women's National Book Association. She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, son, and four dogs.

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Interview:

When did you start writing?
I began writing in 2003 as something fun to do in my spare time. The manuscript would go untouched for months, and there were many times where I'd have to re-read the entire thing because I forgot what I'd written. I didn't become serious with my writing until the summer of 2011. My mom died in the spring, and I wanted to finish The Lost Heir in her memory. Since then I've become addicted to writing and it's all I do!

What inspires your writing?
This may sound rather cliche, but my writing is inspired by everything! What I love about Fantasy is that even though it's entirely make-believe, it's real. You may think I'm completely nuts, but I'm not, I promise! Part of what draws people into Fantasy and what makes it so relatable is that it is so steeped in reality. There's real emotions, real issues, real struggles, real dilemmas. Fantasy is unique in that I can let my imagination and creativity take me anywhere. I have no limitations other than the confines of the world I create. But reality has a large impact on my writing, and because of that I find inspiration everywhere. I've touched topics such as rape, abortion, religion, equality, defying stereotypes, female empowerment, and epidemics...to name a few. And my inspiration will only continue to grow.

What is the best part about being a writer?
The best part of being a writer is touching other people with something I created. Inspiring others and making them think or consider things they might not have is such a wonderful feeling. Taking readers to other worlds and letting them feel like they're with the characters and experiencing the events themselves is truly a wondrous ability.

Is there something special or unique about you or your book you'd like to tell us about?
I'm extremely passionate about the empowerment of women, and it's something I include in some form or another in all my writing. In The Lost Heir, the main warrior sworn to protect Darrak is a female. But Andillrian isn't the typical female warrior commonly seen in Fantasy. She's shines because of her abilities, not because she's wearing 'armour' that amounts to a string bikini and shows off her large breasts, tiny waist, and round butt. She doesn't have to disguise herself as a man in order to fight. She's respected and revered because of who she is and the skills she brings to the table.


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