|
A final Vortex snippet, plus lots more in this weeks Medieval Musings. |
View in browser
|
|
|
Carol and I binge-watched the new season of Cobra Kai on Netflix this weekend. Yes, it’s cheesy and likely won’t win any Emmys, but it was a fun watch. They certainly went out of their way to give the characters a little more depth this season, and it paid off in a big way. They also had what I think was a very satisfying ending, including a twist, although admittedly, I did see it coming.
Guilty pleasure? Absolutely, but it does leave me wondering if there’s another season coming or not. Ah, well. I suppose I’ll have to wait and see what the future has in store.
|
|
|
|
Book of the Week: Warrior Knight
Power Ascending: Book Two
|
|
|
|
Win a tournament, find a wealthy patron, and be set for life—how hard can it be?
Desperate to escape the unending duty and responsibility of being a baron's son, Ludwig Altenburg seeks glory on the field of honour. He soon learns there's more to fighting than simple swordplay.
When mere bravado is not enough, the only option left to him is to join a mercenary group, sharpening his skills through death and destruction. But with enemies lurking amongst friends, forging a new identity as a warrior is fraught with danger.
As armies gather, the looming threat of conflict forces him to take up the mantle of leadership. Only then does he begin to understand the true cost of war.
Will his willingness to sacrifice everything to save others be his downfall or his saving grace?
Join Ludwig Altenburg on the field of battle in Warrior Knight, the heart-racing, thought-provoking second book of Paul J Bennett's Power Ascending series.
Arm yourself with a copy of Warrior Knight and experience what it means to be truly noble!
|
|
|
|
5-Star Reviews:
Full of action and suspense
Absolutely Brilliant - Great storytelling
Thrilling AND epic! - A rollicking tale of honor and battle
One of my favorite authors who never fails to delight me with a good book
Simply Amazing - I highly recommend these books - Another one hit out of the park
Engaging story, well written and exciting - Amazing battle scenes you feel like your there
|
|
|
|
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham
|
|
|
|
On September 13th, 1759, British soldiers, under the command of General James Wolfe, climbed up a steep cliff outside of Quebec City. In a battle lasting less than half an hour, they defeated the French forces under the command of the Marquis de Montcalm. Both commanders died that day in what was considered one of the war's most decisive battles.
In North America, the battle is known as the French and Indian War, but in reality, it was only one theatre of a larger, global conflict called the Seven Years War. It would go on to include dozens of countries, including Russia, Portugal, Austria, Spain, and Sweden, as well as Great Britain and France. It was also supported by many First Nations, including the Iroquois Confederacy on the British side and the Algonquin Nation on the French.
It was so all-encompassing that some have dubbed it the world's first 'world war'.
|
|
|
|
I enjoy reading a book series, but if there’s one thing that annoys me, it’s not being able to tell which book comes next. Some authors, myself included, number the books along the spine, and I’ve always found it helpful when this information is displayed prominently. (Quite frankly, it also looks nice when they’re all lined up on the shelf.)
I also find it frustrating when I find a book at the bookstore, only to discover it’s not the first in the series. I must then consult the list of books to find out what preceded it. This isn’t too bad when I can find it within the book itself, but oft times there’s just a list of books by the same author, making it a guessing game.
How about you? Do you like books numbered on the cover or spine?
|
|
|
|
Congrats to Mike for winning last week's giveaway. It was a 50/50 split on pumpkin spice!
As one of the winners from the name the pup contest already has all my books, she asked that I offer the Power Ascending series as this weeks eBook Giveaway. So please answer the question below to be entered into the draw to win the first five books of the Power Ascending series. (if you already have them, you can choose a different series)
|
|
|
|
Where do you prefer to see the series number on a book? |
|
Please choose one answer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you |
|
You are now entered to win a free ebook of your choice |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guardian of the Crown has now surpassed the two-thirds mark, so I’m taking a couple of days to read over what I have and adjusting the last portion of the story accordingly. This happens because I often add several details not found in my original outline. I also think of new plot twists that could potentially change how the story should progress.
Guardian, in particular, has several intertwined storylines that must be carefully balanced, so I need to ensure everything lines up according to my intended outcome. In addition, it also introduces elements essential to the rest of the series, so I have my work cut out for me.
Now, I must return to Merceria and continue my work!
~~~~~
Here's a final snippet from Vortex. Enjoy!
|
|
|
|
|
Natalia stared at her ring. "It's strange to think this very ring led us to Karslev in the first place. Perhaps we’d been better off if we hadn’t discovered the secret it kept hidden all those years?"
"Nonsense," said Athgar. "We couldn't let them try to abduct Oswyn and get away with it."
Her eyes lifted, though she was close to tears. "Do you think you'll be able to get word back to Shaluhk?"
"If there are Orcs out there, we'll find them."
"Aye," agreed Belgast, "and how hard can it be? Trust me, between your husband’s hunting skill and my flair for diplomacy, we've got it all in the forge."
They stared at him in confusion.
"Sorry, did you not understand me?"
"I assume you mean all in the bag?" said Athgar.
"Why would I put everything into a bag?"
"You tell me. It makes more sense than putting things into a forge."
The Dwarf chuckled. "You Humans have such strange sayings."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finished Vortex already?
Why not give one of these great authors a try!
|
|
|
|
|
|
When you cross blades with an assassin’s guild, you better make your first strike count!
The Mordenari assassin’s guild doesn’t take kindly to those who interfere with their contracts— even one of their own. So when Amelia, a master assassin with a skilled poisoner by her side, lets a personal grudge get in the way of her official assignment, she knows she’s putting her life on the line.
Marked for death, Amelia flees into the shadows. In the underworld, no one can be trusted, and nowhere is safe. As she runs for her life, Amelia reaches out to her last ally—the only man alive who can help her.
Yet this mysterious assassin has a mission of his own—one that could destroy their tenuous alliance before it even begins...
|
|
|
|
|
Marzanna’s icy grip chokes the living realm for five agonizing moons. Death, disease, and starvation reign each year before the spring gods return to slay their feral sister. Until they didn’t…
Scorned by his father and tribe, Wacław craves the freedom his secret invisibility brings him each night. But when Marzanna tempts him on the equinox with power and a dagger capable of slaying a god, a sinister force entraps him. Now, his only hope is the witch who hates him most.
Otylia will never forgive Marzanna for killing her mother. Nor can she forget her once best friend abandoning her after he saw her magic. When her goddess falls silent and she discovers Wacław bearing Marzanna’s dagger, she realizes her lost companion is the key to her vengeance.
Facing monsters and betrayal at every turn, can Wacław and Otylia rekindle their broken bond and stop eternal winter before it consumes all they know?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the Hallows, words are magic, and words can kill.
Sky took a vow of silence, leaving the world above to keep her city's magic alive. Now, she wanders the Hallows as an acolyte of the Lost Emperor - an unseen legend from another world whose words fuel the magic above.
But when her lover breaks their vow of silence and falls deathly ill, Sky must descend to the deepest depths of the Hallows to beg the Lost Emperor's help.
What she finds, though, is a tragedy that spans centuries, and Sky will stop at nothing to make it right.
|
|
|
|
|
Forbidden magic compelled Katira to live a lie, but learning the truth is far more dangerous than she ever dreamed.
When an innocent hunting trip turns into an attack, Katira's world fractures. Her humble parents are actually legendary Stonebearers - immortal, powerful beings tasked with protecting the human world from monsters.
Those cracks widen and shatter apart when the Archdemoness, Wrothe, escapes from her timeless prison and snatches Katira away, intending to use her as bait to destroy not only her family, but the entire Stonebearer Society.
If Katira is to be made whole again, she must learn to trust the young stranger who's trying to save her while finding the strength to accept not only her parents' power, but her own.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Kallum wants is a peaceful life in Levitor city with the girl of his dreams. He has life all planned out. But after a simulation test unexpectedly leaves him reeling, normal takes a whole different meaning.
Worse than all of this? He finds he’s the cause of the fracture in the aetherium, a stone of vast energy powering the dome protecting Levitor.
It’s up to Kallum to fix the aetherium and save the city. He will have to choose where he belongs and what is really worth sacrificing for the greater good.
Will he have the courage to do what must be done?
|
|
|
|
|
Will ancient magic save one being’s soul, and just maybe, the future?
In a united world where peace flourishes, one land stands in the way of progress... Ahrensburg, ruled by a despotic dragon leader through fear, violence and intimidation. Can a diplomatic delegation reconcile dark with light and bring the whole planet under one umbrella?
There’s also the small matter of dragons being taken against their will and forced to do another’s bidding by an unusual species immune to magic. Can the king’s legendary protector combine with a librarian’s out-of-the-box thinking and a stunning golden dragon to beat the odds, thwart the threat and save the day?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here are some great stories just for you!
|
|
|
|
Extra Book Deals & Giveaways
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Every review I receive inspires me to write more!" |
Paul J Bennett,
Author of Epic Fantasy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|