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Torrent is two-thirds written, plus lots more in this week's Medieval Musings |
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Spring appears to have finally arrived in our neck of the woods (hopefully, I’m not cursing us by mentioning this), and with it comes Tilly’s tendency to run through the flowerbeds, enjoying a glorious mud bath.
To try to prevent this, we bought some decorative metal fencing to block off the area. It appears to be working so far, but we have to purchase a little more because she’s found another place to get muddy.
Oh well. At least Daisy stays out of trouble.
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In the land of Eiddenwerthe, the Therengian Fyrd (pronounced as ‘furd’) is a military organization consisting of all eligible men and women between the ages of seventeen and seventy. In theory, they gather once a month to train, with all required to learn the use of the axe, spear, and shield. Training also includes the rudiments of the bow, with those proving adept formed into groups of archers.
Unlike the rest of the Petty Kingdoms, who raise levies (also known as a militia), the fyrd is considered mandatory, though exceptions are allowed for illness, the infirm, or pregnancy. As a result, the reborn kingdom of Therengia (and the Old Kingdom, for that matter) can call upon large numbers of trained warriors on very short notice.
Various members of the fyrd are also chosen to join the select fyrd, a more permanent organization, or even the Thane’s Guard, the most elite of the kingdom’s warriors.
The Therengian Fyrd features prominently in the series, The Frozen Flame.
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Congrats to Axel for winning last week's giveaway. The WIP update, Giveaways, History bits, and facts about my Fantasy world were the most liked!
Answer the question below to be entered into the eBook giveaway.
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Have you ever shared one of my books with a friend? |
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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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Mary Pickford, a pioneer in the early days of movies, was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1892. Her early film roles were numerous, with her playing all manner of characters. In 1909, for example, she appeared in 51 films, certainly a lot by modern standards, but in that day and age, the films were generally shorter than today, with the absence of sound often meaning direction would be given while filming.
Pickford’s career eventually took off, and she began playing leading roles. Her contributions to the art of motion pictures were perhaps of more significance, however. Along with Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith, she was one of the founders of United Artists. Though that studio no longer exists (now part of MGM), Pickford was also a founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, famous for handing out the Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars.
Despite her success in the US, Pickford never became a US citizen, holding a British/Canadian passport, which was common for the time. (Canadian passports were not issued until 1947)
She received an Academy award in 1929 for Best Actress for her first movie role with sound.
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My Favourite Review of the Week - thanks TMac
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"I love epic fantasy."
"But this tale is about people with a little magic in it and I'm Obsessed with the characters and their stories. My favorite characters all face adversity and I get scared for them. I have to keep reading in hope that they'll be okay.
There's definitely villains that show some of the most egregious behaviors and crimes. But the story just flows. I will definitely continue to read everything about these characters. And I will also read other books by this Author.
Easy reading and a good story is something I want more of!"
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By the end of today, I’ll have completed the first draft of two-thirds of Torrent, at which point I shall re-read it, then export it for editing. This also serves as a review for me as I head into the last act and helps me ensure I don’t forget some of the subplots.
Naturally, the story is all planned out, and as I have said previously, this particular one has a very detailed outline. That doesn’t stop new story elements from creeping in, however. Of course, I can’t tell you about them without spoiling the story, so I’d best get back to work before I reveal too much!
~~~~~
Shhh. Don't tell my editor, but here is a very early peak at Torrent.
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Graxion Stormwind looked around the room. It was strange to be back in the Volstrum after all these years, but since the burning of Stormwind Manor last fall, few other places could house a gathering of such august individuals. Marakhova had insisted anyone of import be present, resulting in the largest gathering of Stormwinds seen for decades.
He risked a glance at Gregori, who’d failed so spectacularly in Andover. His own failure paled in comparison to the disgrace the family suffered due to the fellow’s incompetence, and that thought above all others, led Graxion to relax.
The room was abuzz with chatter, but it died down the moment Marakhova Stormwind, the head of the family, entered the room. She cut an imposing figure, especially considering her advanced years, her eyes boring into several of her guests, causing them to look away in shame. She strode to the front of the room, sitting at the head table.
“No doubt by now, you are all wondering why I’ve called this assembly.” She didn’t wait long before continuing, “Our family, indeed, this very institution we call the Volstrum, has suffered much in the last few years. All of it can be attributed to one cause—the renegade, Natalia Stormwind.”
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Done Temple Commander already?
Give one of these authors a try!
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Every male disappeared.
Turns out, I did that. Me, Kyra Kozlelski. Who knew I possessed Magik?
However, Jadox Griffin is still here—the only surviving male—a stubborn, annoying soldier who definitely does NOT have eyes to die for. I need his help to return my nephew before it’s too late. But Jadox is hiding something, and a whispered threat is creeping closer with each passing moment.
Jadox thinks Kyra is bold, powerful, and a pain in his ass. Her idiotic wish turned the world of Lodesa upside down. Lying to her is necessary to find the answers he seeks. Time is running out. It's vital to make her believe he's her only hope left. Except he's not. And when she finds out the truth, he might be the next to disappear.
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Prophecy is a knife in the dark, betrayal is the deepest of wounds.
Visions of dire events flock into Hastra’s waking world like carrion birds to a battlefield. A member of the Withling Order, she’s aware from the horrors she sees of dark forces which threaten the mystic society.
Betrayal festers within the confines of the order’s home, Withling’s Watch.
Without specific guidance about her visions, Hastra investigates the source of the danger. She trusts few with her secrets beyond her sister, Zelma, and their friend Howart. Can they unravel the mystery in time to rescue the Withlings, or will saving the order lie beyond Hastra’s mortal reach?
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They have one chance left to save the world, but only they can find a way to work together.
Michael Jones, MD, left Toledo months ago to avoid Jamie, the woman he loves but cannot have, for she is with his best friend, the world’s first modern wizard, Benjamin Magorian. Michael hides in Wales, burying himself in the work generated by a health system in crisis as Britain deals with the fallout from multiple volcanic eruptions in Scotland… until Magorian finds him there.
They’re down to the wire in their efforts to save the fractured world of humans and Old Ones from Aurelius’ scheme to summon the old gods and avoid the destruction the gods would hail down upon every mortal, no matter what their race. They must find a way to permanently halt Aurelius, and Magorian thinks he might know how.
The only problem? Magorian brought Jamie with him…
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Can she escape being burned at the stake?
Brodia barely starts training as a wizard’s apprentice when she runs away after a massive misunderstanding with her Zenii. As she hopes her mentor will come for her, she is targeted by a psychotic apprentice wizard determined to end her days. For the inexperienced teenager, she must run the gauntlet of enemies trying to catch and burn her at the stake as an abomination.
She rushes across the border into the fifth kingdom, where she meets a man who slowly rebuilds her trust in men. The killer is ahead of her and has turned the kingdom’s capital into his hunting ground. Meanwhile, the enemy grand wizard watches and plans his invasion of Brodia’s homeland. To stop the upcoming war, she must learn to trust others before facing her nemesis, a much stronger magician.
Can Brodia survive long enough to be the hero of young girls?
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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!" |
Paul J Bennett,
Author of Epic Fantasy.
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