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| and Fury of the Crown is coming this Tuesday, so don't forget to pre-order it today! |
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This week saw us putting in some long work hours so we can take a bit of time off for the holidays. We did, however, manage to get Tilly and Daisy off to the groomers. Not that they needed a trim, but they certainly smell much better after their bath. They quite enjoyed the visit and came away with new bandanas, decorated for the season.
I did manage to fin in a little time on World of Tanks, but I’ve been away from it for so long that it took some adjustment to get used to it again. On the upside, they give away a free in-game tank each year at Christmas. I have a whole slew of them now, as I’ve been playing, on and off, for over six years.
That’s about all for this week. Time for me to crawl back into my RAM tank and earn some credits!
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My current work in progress takes place in the Artisan Hills of Merceria. This is an area of foothills that borders a mountain range and, as the story involves hunters, I thought it prudent to investigate what type of animals they might hunt. In Canada, we have the Alberta Foothills, which run adjacent to the Rocky Mountains, so I turned to the Internet to find out what lives there that might be of interest. Bears and wolves were an easy call, and then I saw them talking about caribou. I’d heard of them before, of course, as they usually grace the Canadian quarter (25 cent coin for those of you that use different currency). By the way, in French, the quarter is actually called a caribou.
What I didn’t realize is that it’s the same thing as a reindeer. I suppose that means that Santa’s sleigh is actually pulled by eight caribou, nine if you include Rudolf. (and let’s not forget Olive, the ‘other’ reindeer.) Oh, and by the way, a moose is the same thing as an elk.
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Last week's Facebook Live was all about the character development in my books.
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Fury of the Crown releases December 22, 2020
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A new feature we are adding to all my books, starting with Fury of the Crown, is a list of all the characters, along with a battle map for the largest battles. Over the next few weeks, this will be added all my books and my website as well. Thanks to my Advanced Reader Team who suggested it!
Fury of the Crown has also been chosen as one of Barnes & Noble's handpicked indie favourites for December and January! The list will be available from 12/08/20 to 02/08/21. Check out all the other favourites here. Barnes & Noble's Indie Favourites
See what early reviewers are saying about Fury of the Crown:
'This book was amazing'
'This is beyond extraordinary!'
'The battles and fight scenes are dynamic and descriptive'
'Bennett has filled this one with action, magic, intrigue and surprises'
'Amazingly detailed battles written in such a way that you feel you're living it.'
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| Heir to the Crown: Book Eight |
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Releases: December 22, 2020
Available: All retailers
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| The Frozen Flame: Book Four |
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Releases: May 25, 2021
Available: All retailers
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On December 19, 1843, Charles Dicken’s classic, A Christmas Carol, was published. Dickens was already a popular author by this time, having penned several successful stories, including Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby.
The actual full title of the work is A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas. It actually came about, in part, due to his financial problems, which plagued him during 1843. With sales dropping off, he needed something to bolster his income. He had written other Christmas stories in previous years, but none would have the influence that A Christmas Carol did.
In October of 1843, he began writing it, working at what was described as an incredible speed for the time and finished it in under six weeks. Of course, they didn’t have word processors back then. It begs the question: How much could he have written using a modern PC?
There have been at least twenty film adaptations of A Christmas Carol, not including animated ones, and there are even more that were created for TV. The story also inspired many films with a similar theme as well as many parodies. If you want to see a different take on the character of Ebeneezer Scrooge, see if you can dig up Blackadder’s Christmas Carol(1988). I think you’ll find it worth the search.
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Cover Reveal for War of the Crown
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Keep your eyes peeled for your Early Christmas Presents on December 24th!
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Following last year's tradition, in which I wrote a poem and recorded myself reading it, I will be once again creating something special for you this year. I have a feeling it may be set to a popular Christmas Song, but I don't want to give any more hints!
Also, I have been hard at work on a surprise short story that might just be coming your way... but shhhh, it supposed to be a surprise!
Finally, I will include a link to last year's video of my reading of 'Twas the night before Midwinter, and all through the Castle...' for your watching pleasure.
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And speaking of presents, last week's winner of 3 Ebooks is... Angela. Congrats!
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Can you spare a moment for a review!
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If you enjoyed the short stories I have given away in the past few newsletters, please take a moment and write a review.
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Now that Warrior Knight is in the editing stage, I’ve started Honour Thy Ancestors, a new Mercerian Tale. This one tells the story of Urgon, of the Black Arrow Orcs and how he became their chieftain. It begins when he is approaching adulthood and concludes at the Battle of Eastwood, which is featured in Sword of the Crown.
For those who are up to date on the Heir to the Crown series, there will be several familiar names, but there are also many new characters, some of which are very important to future stories. There are hints of this in Fury of the Crown, but they’re subtle, so you might not pick up on them. (Fury of the Crown, by the way, is available starting on 22 Dec 2020).
I’ve already completed a rough outline, and I’m in the middle of detailing out the chapters. I have been having quite a bit of fun making the map and researching all about foothills! The actual prose should begin next week.
Until next time, happy reading
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In my mid-thirties, I took up Karate, along with my wife Carol, and all three of our daughters. Over the years since, we have tried multiple clubs and styles, but nothing really compares to Goju Ryu, which is the style we started with.
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Check out these featured books that are free, discounted, or new releases.
These authors are returning the favour by sharing my books with their readers.
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Heirs of Magic: There's something strange about the new neighbors in the campsite next door. They wear winged-tipped shoes and overcoats. They didn't arrive in vehicles, but on foot, carrying travel trunks. They stick to themselves and they're not friendly. And stranger still—they're afraid of something…
It's a mystery mind-reading twins Meghan and Colin Jacoby want to solve. Well, Colin, reluctantly. And only because his sister knows just the right buttons to push to pique his curiosity. That, and she's impossible to say no to...
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Godchosen: A prophecy to a 16-year-old blacksmith’s son sends Trygare kan Ingan from his home in the Cymenean glyns, armed only with his father’s sword.
Being GodChosen isn’t easy. The woman he wants doesn’t want him ; the man who should be his best friend thinks him laughable, and everyone ridicules his youth, to say nothing of his glyndweller accent.
Slaying a dragon and defending the country from invaders changes their minds, and things are going nicely, but then the gods interfere…
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Dark Conviction: After Calev, Cajsa, and Yue rescued the sea goddess, Sedna, they had no idea how deep they would be immersed in the world's troubles.
Their adventure drew the notice of a powerful wizard from Whisper's past turning Cajsa's search for her father into much more. The hunters become the hunted, and they are tested to their limits as new information surfaces and friends turn against them. Cajsa's father, the notorious assassin, Whisper, knows more than any other about the danger the world is facing,..
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Mara: Sometimes, super powers downright suck. In a world full of princesses and heroes, epic quests and happy endings, Mara doesn't quite fit in. Maybe it’s her jet black hair. Or her complexion, that’s darker than most fair-skinned princesses.
Or maybe it’s that she can kill people by simply touching them.
The perfect power for an assassin, she uses her "gift.” Along with her pet hawk, Artemis, she makes a life for herself in the shadows, contract killing for witches, warlocks...
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Featured Book Deals & Giveaways
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While you wait for the release of my next book, here are some great stories for your TBR pile!
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Extra Book Deals & Giveaways
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