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| Happy birthday to me, plus lots more in this week's Medieval Musings. |
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Today, January 3rd, is my birthday, which I happen to share with J.R.R. Tolkien. He, of course, was born in 1892, whereas I was born in 1961, a difference of 69 years, or, from my perspective, more than a lifetime ago, since I’m now turning 62.
Other than a birthdate, we have a few other things in common. We both served in the military and are authors, but Tolkien was a professor, whereas I was just a humble IT instructor at a private college. He also contributed to the Oxford English Dictionary, the Canadian version of which I use regularly.
Of course, many others were born on this date, including George Martin (the manager of the Beatles, not the author). I also happen to share the date with Florence Pugh and Greta Thunberg, although admittedly, I’ve had a few more years to celebrate the day than they have.
How about you? Do you share your birthday with anyone famous?
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The Frozen Flame Series is on Audiobook!
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The new year is upon us, and with it, thoughts naturally turn to the future. As far as writing goes, Temple Commander is over two-thirds complete, but what then? Torrent is the next book on my to-be-written list (The Frozen Flame book 7), followed by Enemy of the Crown (Heir to the Crown Book 12). After that, I’ll begin writing Cataclysm, completing The Frozen Flame series.
With Athgar and Natalia’s story complete, I’ll have more time to devote to Heir to the Crown and Power Ascending, of which there are still three books for each series due. I’ve also begun some basic work on my next series, which will be a trilogy. I won’t give away any plot points at this early stage, but it takes place in Eiddenwerthe, as do the rest of my books.
Doubtless, I’ll find somewhere in the mix to add in a Cyric story or two, and there’s always the likelihood of another Mercerian Tale to whet your appetite.
A quick word of warning, though—the books mentioned above won’t all be released in 2023!
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Ready for another FREE story?
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Where there's murder, there's a mystery to be solved!
When Brother Cyric, Temple Knight of Saint Mathew, finds himself travelling to the countryside to bless a Duke's Midwinter Feast, the arrival of a mysterious guest piques his interest.
But he's barely in the front door when he overhears a conversation that reveals his host may not be the man everyone thinks he is.
After a dinner filled with more animosity than good food, Cyric's slumber is interrupted by the news that the duke has mysteriously died.
Now, with a dead noble and a room full of suspects, it falls to Brother Cyric to unravel this medieval fantasy whodunit!
Follow the ever curious and always observant Brother Cyric as he endeavours to separate mere hatred from murderous intent in A Midwinter Murder, the second story in The Chronicles of Cyric series.
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Congrats to Judy for winning last week's giveaway. Lots of you grabbed your Free copy of Tempered Steel. Remember to answer the question below to be entered in to the eBook giveaway.
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| Are you enjoying the FREE story giveaways? |
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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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On the 28th of December, 1895, two French brothers, Louis and Auguste Lumiere, debuted the world’s first commercial movie screening. Moving pictures had been around for some years, but this was the first time people were charged to see a screening.
The Lumiere brothers went on to open theatres in the following years, coining the phrase ‘cinemas’, an abbreviation of the word cinematograph.
The US trailed France in developing this new, but by 1911, the first film studio in Hollywood, California, opened, and the rest is history.
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Favourite 5-Star Review of the Week:
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I am really loving this series.
Brother Cyric really has a knack of getting to the crux of the matter.
I love how his mind works and his power of deduction.
Have fun figuring out who the murderer is.
I must admit to being way off base.
--Goodreads Reader
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We took some time off for the holidays, so there is nothing new to report regarding my word count. I have, however, seen several new shows (both series and movies) that gave me some ideas regarding Temple Commander’s storyline. That means I shall make some changes to the outline this week as I get back to work.
As far as the book goes, I’m roughly two-thirds of the way through, so anything I add at this point won’t change the overall plot, merely some of the details.
Until next time, Happy reading!
PS: I hope you liked Murray the Midwinter Moose. :)
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Meet seven characters from The Berikatanyan Chronicles.
On Earth a stranger is convicted of murder, though he has no memory of the crime. A young architect wins his Masters degree, but -- still battling his demons -- he makes a momentous decision. A young woman waits for her father to come home, but her troubles are only just beginning. These three people share a connection they have yet to discover.
On the remote world of Berikatanya the people suffer the most cataclysmic failure of Elemental magic in their history. How will they deal with the loss of so many powerful magicians?
Berikatanyan Dawn is a prequel novella that can be enjoyed on its own, and also sets the scene for my SF/Fantasy trilogy: The Berikatanyan Chronicles.
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Can she save her kind without becoming a monster?
Most people believe Ember is the wizard daughter of Lord Arundel, a half-mad man infamous for his slaughter of shapeshifters.
Only those closest to Ember know what she really is—the same kind of shapeshifter Lord Arundel likes to hunt. She’s been keeping her secret all her life, but Lord Arundel’s assistant, Fletch, suspects what she really is and will stop at nothing to capture her—even if she is the daughter of a lord of the Council.
Running is her only option. It is up to her to save the few remaining shapeshifters—but she refuses to use her powers to hurt others. How can she defeat Fletch and Lord Arundel without becoming the same monsters that they are?
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Before the Saga, came the stories...
A collection of high fantasy short stories set before and during The War of the North Saga.
From an age where clashing gods reshaped the land with fire, to a time when new wars threatened all of existence, these collected works explore the world of the War of the North Saga through conflicts recent and ancient.
Heroes are born, villains are shaped, and the age of gods and men builds.
Here, the Great War begins…
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In a realm between realms, a skeleton rises.
Edd…. The Conqueror.
Reborn in another world!
Reborn to fight!
Reborn to evolve!
Reborn to win!
Together with his new allies, he’ll face the dangers of the arena. In combat against monsters of all imaginings.
When ancient blood feuds resurface, will the sword, and the element of ice, be enough for Edd to become... Champion! |
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So often it’s the forgotten who possess the power to change the world.
When an attempt is made on the life of Ashara, Keeper of Yurr, his young, hapless advisor Edvar must uncover and stop those behind it.
With enemies in the capital city and the belligerent Tesh, Keeper of neighboring kingdom Karrabar stirring trouble in the Borderlands, can Edvar hold together Ashara’s brittle reign?
The troubles ripple throughout Yurr, affecting an ancient race of people known as the Amast, who in their time of utmost need, turn to pariah Isy for salvation.
Rejected by society, kith and kin, can Isy guide the Amast to safety during the greatest turmoil Yurr has known since the War of the Damned?
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The land of Goranin has survived the rule of the dreaded Allurigard bloodline for centuries.
Suffering perpetual winter at the hands of their queen, the people seek out a savior to restore their land to its former glory. Moriarian of Varrow makes grand promises, and the people of Goranin invite him in as their new leader.
Eiagan Allurigard, the feared dragon-riding Winter Queen, wants nothing more than peace and quiet, but her people push her to the edge, stage uprisings, and revolt against her absolute authority. When her immortality is stolen and Moriarian attacks, Eiagan barely escapes her castle alive, she seeks an unlikely ally in her quest to reclaim her throne.
Moriarian’s promise of salvation is too good to be true, and as Moriarian ravages her land, Eiagan seeks revenge against him and those who betrayed her.
Traitors, a wicked sorcerer, and deadly creatures threaten their survival, but the queen is determined to win back her birthright at all costs—even if it means sacrificing everything.
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Her music is magic, and she will need every note to save their lives.
Gwynn has finally joined the ranks of the most prestigious guild of bards. Eager to explore the world and create her musical legacy, she heads to the dazzling city to impress with her skills.
On the road she encounters an elite warrior wounded in an ambush, and fate demands they join forces to defeat the dark forces that have hijacked her past.
Can she free her world from enchantment before her soul shatters?
Fae Song is book one of the enchanting fantasy series Ballads of Balahar. A magical world of mysterious forces, splendid Celtic mythology, and a friendship stronger than time.
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Legacies are forged through sacrifice.
Elijah Wadsworth lost his parents and twin sister in what he thought was little more than a tragic accident.
Five years later, when Elijah begins manifesting strange abilities—which he neither understands nor can control—he discovers his family has been at the center of a cosmic battle for centuries... and his family's death was no accident at all.
A mysterious "girl in black" with dark, magical abilities pursues him, hoping to lure him to her cause. After coming into possession of a mystical stone, which transports Elijah into his deceased father’s ancient memories, Elijah and his closest friends must discover the source of his power together lest his newfound abilities drain his very soul, and open up our world to the blight of Samhuinn.
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Here are some great stories just for you!
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Extra Book Deals & Giveaways
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| Wait! Did you miss this FREE story? |
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Just in case you were busy over the Holidays and missed downloading the prequel to the Chronicles of Cyric series.
Grab it today to learn how Cyric began his sleuthing career.
This is your last chance to get it for FREE!
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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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