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| Into the Forge still available on pre-order, plus lots more in this week's Medieval Musings. |
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You may not be aware of this, but Anna, the character around whom the Heir to the Crown series is based, birthday is October 11th. Why did I choose this date? It happens to be my wife’s birthday as well.
Carol is an intrinsic part of all my books in many ways. She does most of the publishing work that allows my stories to find their way into the hands of readers. In addition to being my primary editor, she acts as my cover designer, marketing wizard, web designer, and inspiration. I also get instant feedback on my story ideas because we sit side by side while we work.
Perhaps the most challenging part of her job is to tell me when a section needs to be rewritten or explained in greater detail, which is sometimes difficult for me to hear. I know that we don’t always see eye to eye on such things, but I value her opinion, and once I’ve had time for it to sink in, I make the suggested changes because I know she does it out of a desire for a better story.
So here’s a happy birthday to Carol, and I look forward to continuing this journey together!
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Looking for a new series to add to your TBR list?
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The Role of Orcs in Eiddenwerthe
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In the movie version of Lord of the Rings, an Orc says, ‘meat’s back on the menu.’ This implies that Orcs have restaurants. One can go even further and suggest they are exclusive, requiring reservations since Boromir later says, ‘one does not simply walk into Mordor.’
Clearly, these were written to resonate with the audience, but it got me wondering what Orcs eat. This line of reasoning made me decide to take Orcs and work them into a more full-fledged rac in my stories.
In the world of Eiddenwerthe, Orcs are considered savages by those who don’t know them, but those who learn their ways are impressed by their culture and well-developed society.
Orcs play an important part in the Heir to the Crown series but are explored in far more depth in The Frozen Flame.
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Start the Power Ascending series today!
First three books - 99¢ each
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I’ve been doing a fair bit of outlining of late, and it reminds me how much I enjoy creating these stories. As I sit here pondering the future, I realize only two books are left in the Frozen Flame series. The story arc that began in Ashes will finish, but I have more in mind for the characters. I just haven’t decided if that will be a new book or a series.
Having said that, I’ve begun outlining a new trilogy containing all new characters, the setting for which I hinted at in the Power Ascending series. It will, no doubt, be some time before I begin writing it, but I can’t help revisiting my notes from time to time to update my ideas on the storyline.
I think I’ve teased you enough for this week, so I’ll let you get back to your reading!
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Congrats to Caryl for winning last week's giveaway. The Kindle was the number one device for reading digital books.
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| Which of my series have you read at least one book? |
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| Please choose all that apply - I've read them all :) |
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| Thank you |
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| You are now entered to win a free ebook of your choice |
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I finished writing the first draft of Guardian of the Crown, which clocked in at just over 124,000 words. That will change as the editing process continues, so that word count won’t be final. Speaking of editing, that is well underway, and I’ve already rewritten a few key scenes to add more impact. As I’ve mentioned in previous newsletters, this is not unusual and will continue until the entire manuscript is ready.
I’ve also spent time mapping out the rest of the Heir to the Crown series. I have rough outlines for the next four books and a quick chapter breakdown for book 12, Enemy of the Crown. My definition of a chapter breakdown is a one-line description of what happens.
I’ll then take that document and expand on each chapter until I’m satisfied with the result, usually a few paragraphs. I won’t actually start writing it for some months, as I’ve got two other books to work on first (Temple Commander and Torrent), but I like to have as detailed an outline as possible long before it comes time to begin writing the prose.
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Here's another snippet from Into the Forge. Enjoy!
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"We should turn in," suggested Kasri. "It's likely to be a busy day tomorrow, assuming they grant us passage."
"Very well," said the Elf. "I will turn down your blankets." She climbed the stairs, disappearing from sight.
"What do you make of that?" asked Herdwin. "Turn down the blankets? What are they doing, making demands that can't be met?"
"It is a strange turn of phrase, to be sure, but I doubt it means what you think."
Herdwin shrugged. "Perhaps not, but we'll never know if we don't go and look."
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Favourite 5-Star Review of the Week:
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'Unexpected twists and turns in thrilling battle scenes'
'I had enjoyed the previous book in this series but this one I couldn't put down! So many plots but with good characters leading they were good to understand - until one of the unexpected twists and turns!
Nobles plotting, new magic discovered and heroes of all ages!
You couldn't ask for more in a medieval world plus magic!
-LizT - Amazon.co.uk
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Waiting for Into the Forge?
Why not give one of these great authors a try!
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To save the world of Alos, William must become the Forgemaster. There's just one little problem....
The Reis family has always lived in the Reach. And Duncan Reis is happy to stay there, searching ruins for artifacts and jewelry and being a headache to the parents of all the girls in town. But his cousin Will has bigger dreams: to be the first Reacher ever accepted into the Smithing Guild.
And there's only one way to convince the Smithing Guild to accept a Reacher—steal a shard of a dead god's blood to use in his audition piece. But there's something more than mere bad luck keeping Reachers out of the Guild, and Will's actions will unleash a series of events that can end only one way.
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Naia was raised in the shadow of her twin brother, the crown prince, whose iron magic is much more powerful than hers. But Naia has wishes of her own, and they awaken when she finds a white fae near death in the woods. She's only heard of them in stories; the dreaded race that razed cities to the ground, killed her grandparents, then disappeared. Now, almost twenty years later, are they back? Is there another war coming?
The fae is evasive and secretive but also alluring and fascinating, more beautiful than anyone she’s ever seen. And then it happens: Naia kisses him—and nothing will be the same again.
Meanwhile, war looms over the land. One of the kingdoms is amassing immense power. The White Fae might be returning. Amidst it all, Naia and her brother struggle with newfound magical powers, family secrets, and most of all, their own treacherous hearts.
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Fenn’s first and only memory is finding himself in the middle of a forest, face to face with a dragon spirit mocking him, all knowledge gone, apart from his own name.
Lost and confused, his only hope for answers is Calidra—a woman living on the edge of the world with her partner. Forced to return home when her father dies, Calidra has put off facing her estranged mother for years, and she begrudgingly helps Fenn, forging papers for him so he can avoid the Queen’s Inquisitors.
But her mother is the least of her worries when they discover an ancient enemy is rising again. It should be impossible with the Iron Crown in power—and Fenn is terrified he might unwittingly be playing a part in the war’s resurgence.
Surrounded by vengeful spirits and powerful magic, Fenn’s desperate attempt to find his way home might well alter the fate of Tassar, and every power within it.
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Titan called her. The Temple forged her. Gods will fear her.
Life for Kit was difficult, growing up a Nomad human in a Berrat village. At the tender age of eleven, she travelled to a distant kingdom, and joined the Fist of Titan, a temple that worships a foreign god.
The Temple priests trained her in the art of war. They taught her to deliver justice. They set her on the path to free their god, Titan.
But paths have a way of taking you in unexpected directions and help you to discover things about the world and yourself. They can show you that meddling in the affairs of gods can either save or destroy the world.
How can a teenage girl and her eclectic group of friends save the people and still prevent Ragnarok, the end of days?
The boxset includes the complete Priest of Titan series:
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Here are some great stories just for you!
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Extra Book Deals & Giveaways
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| "Every review I receive inspires me to write more!" |
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Paul J Bennett,
Author of Epic Fantasy.
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