Fantasy Uprising is here!

A collection of nine fantastic, spine-tingling stories. Magic. Mystery. Murder. Heartbreak and Hope. Defeat and Victory. The incredible and Horrific. Fantasy Uprising delivers a heaping serving of the best in fantasy.

Reborn by Cherie Reich: To save a kingdom, a prophetess must challenge Fate.

Fireseed One by Catherine Stine: On a devastated Earth in 2089, the son of a famous marine biologist must travel to a lethal hotzone with his worst enemy who helped destroy the world’s food source, to search for Fireseed One, a mythical hybrid plant that may not even exist. 

Givin' Up the Ghost by Gwen Gardner: In the haunted modern day medieval village of Sabrina shores, indigo eady must help a ghost solve his murder before she And her gang become the next victims.

The Marquis by Christine Rains: A retired demon must become the beast he loathes to save the woman he loves.

The Alpha by Christine Rains: A werewolf hunted by her pack must find a way hide or fight a battle she believes she cannot win.

The Rifters by M. Pax: In a strange wilderness town, a misplaced city gal must deal with a secret organization, a man from 1888, and a head-stealing phantom to save her missing sister.

Neverlove by Angela Brown: A tormented suicide survivor must find the power in her pain or risk the Devourer robbing her of a second chance to live, a first chance at love, and her very soul.

The Fall of Shaylar by River Fairchild: Magic is real. So is betrayal. Rivalry, jealousy, a desperate attempt to grab the magic of Shaylar—all converge to bring about the end of the precarious balance between the Five Kingdoms.

Diamonds & Dust by River Fairchild: Magic is real. So is betrayal. Two heirs. A Kingdom of dust on a troubled world. One might resurrect it. One might destroy it all.

Available for a mere 99 cents from:

AmazonUS / AmazonUK / Google Play / Smashwords / iTunes / Barnes&Noble /

Snow Days at Untethered Realms

Come join me and my fellow Untethered Realms writers as we walk down the snowy path of memory lane, sharing our recollections of snow days gone by! We'd love to see you there.

Click here to ride on the special sleigh I ordered for your trip.

My Wish For You

wikicommons

My wish for you as we move into the holidays ~

Give your loved ones a hug and let them know how much they mean to you.

Remember those less fortunate and reach out to them.

Be at peace, no matter the circumstances. Carry joy in your heart.

And stay warm.

I'll be trying to follow my own advice as well. I especially want to thank all of you who've reached out to me during this time when I've remained silent. You've given me a great gift. The gift of knowing I'm not alone.

Twisted Earths: Tales from Untethered Realms

Nine twisted stories from nine twisted worlds

It's almost here! Preorder Twisted Earths before October 14th.

Preorder from: Amazon / iTunes / B&N / 

Twisted Earths is a collection of tales from Untethered Realms, a group of speculative fiction authors. The stories are as varied and rich as the types of soil on this and other planets—sandy loam, clay, knotted with roots and vines, dreaded paths through unexplored planets, and in enchanted forests, lit by candlelight and two moons.

M. Pax, author of the series, The Backworlds and The Rifters spins a tale called Patchworker 2.0. Specialists with digital interfaces are the only ones who can distinguish between biological energy and mechanical pulses, and “patch” AIs, which hold the world together. Patchworker Evalyn Shore meets up with an AI with deadly intent.

Cherie Reich, known for her epic fantasy series The Fate Challenges and The Foxwick Chronicles, presents Lady Death. Umbria, a beautiful and powerful swordsmith, is given an impossible task by her brother Leon when he asks, “You are the assassin. Are you scared to destroy Death when you are up to your elbows in it?”

Angela Brown is the author of the paranormal Shadow Jumpers and NEO Chronicles series. In her story, In The Know, Jacob, a loyal family man is struggling to stay out of debt when he’s hired to report on big plans for a future Detroit. He’s given a mysterious manila envelope with instructions to “open it alone” or pay the price. With switchback twists you won’t see coming, a debt of a much steeper cost is what he just might end up paying for his involvement.

Catherine Stine, author of the futuristic thrillers, Fireseed One and Ruby’s Fire, offers The Day of The Flying Dogs, a sinister tale of brilliant, troubled NYC high-school student, Theo. He experiences a day at Coney Island that includes drugs, delusions, a lonely capybara, Nathan’s hotdogs and a mind-bending lesson in our very twisted universe.

Christine Rains, known best for her paranormal series The Thirteenth Floor, gives us The Ole Saint, a story at once sweet, horrific and heartrending. Ezra longs to fit in and have boys stop calling him witch and freak, yet his unique supernatural skill sets him apart, and the last gift from The Ole Saint cinches the deal.

Graeme Ing, known for his young adult fantasy, Ocean of Dust presents The Malachite Mine, a gripping, scream-inducing ride. Whatever was Mary thinking when she accepted her husband’s gift of a most terrifying twenty-first birthday celebration in an abandoned Russian mine?

River Fairchild, author of her Jewels of Chandra series, presents A Grand Purpose. Rosaya and her cousin, Drianna are soon to be married off, but Rosaya is unhappy with her assigned match. She’s much more intoxicated by the older Firrandor, a wizard she hardly knows. When Rosaya is accused of killing an oracle boy, all bets are off, not only for her love, but her freedom.

Gwen Gardner, who pens the cozy paranormal mystery series, Indigo Eady, adds to her collection with Ghostly Guardian. Indigo and her rib-tickling ghost-busters must travel to a dangerous pirate-laden past in order to unearth a curmudgeonly eighteenth century spirit that is plaguing the Blind Badger Pub.

Misha Gerrick, whose War of Six Crowns series is forthcoming, gives us a story called Red Earth and White Light. Emily, a young ghost bride has long haunted a house. She longs to cross over into the afterlife, but she’s trapped in memories of lilies and betrayal.

We hope you enjoy this weird and wonderful volume.

The Rifters by M. Pax and my vacation in Settler, OR!

I recently visited Settler, Oregon and I gotta say, I loved the friendly, small-town atmosphere. Nestled between extinct volcanoes, Settler is an outdoor paradise with unspoiled views, plenty of recreational activities, and wonderful people.

Now, I must admit the odd lights pulsating in the night sky were weird, but I could get used to them. Some of the people are a bit off-kilter too, but that’s not unusual if you live in the wilderness. It would be a great place to escape to. Free to start over fresh in a new town.

There’s really only one thing preventing me from packing up and moving there permanently.

It’s the rumors; whispers that shiver their way up and down your spine in the dead of night as you sleep. Rumors of a phantom, bent on murder and leaving headless corpses in its wake. Rumors of a rift in the area that shatters time itself.

Now that I’m back, it’s hard to believe in the vibes I felt while there. I look at my vacation photos and a sense of peace steals over me. Maybe I only imagined the impending doom about to befall me if I didn’t escape. I can laugh at the strangeness of it all as the sun bathes me in light.

Nighttime is different, though. My dreams tell me the truth about Settler. I wake up trembling and can’t quite remember why.

All photos posted by permission of M. Pax from her Settler, Oregon page

About The Rifters:

The Gold Rush trickles to a fool’s quest and a string of stagecoach heists. In 1888, Earl Blacke decides to make a new start and become a better man. He escapes into the mountains, heading north. In the wilds of Oregon, a rift inside an ancient volcano opens and sends him into the future, into the present day. It also shaves forty years off his age, forty years to live over again and atone for what he’s done.

Starting over is hard to do. In current day New York, Daelin Long’s dream job at a publishing house goes the way of the dinosaurs her sister chases. With no money and nowhere else to go, Daelin accepts the librarian position in her sister’s dinky town in the middle of Oregon. Nestled inside ancient volcanic peaks, the town of Settler holds onto many secrets. Residents roam the streets with weirdly fashioned devices, and odd lights pulse in the night skies. People whisper of a phantom outlaw and start dying, murdered and missing their heads. On top of it all, Daelin’s sister is missing, and Daelin doesn’t know who to trust.

Earl knows more than he’s saying. He shares a notorious history with the phantom, one he’ll see remains buried. Keeping Daelin’s sister’s secrets is his only chance at redemption, and the only way to keep this world safe.

The Rifters is available for FREE! It doesn't get better than that so make sure you grab it. The second book in the series, The Initiate, will be available October 20, 2014. It’s up for preorder for a special price at iTunes, Amazon, and B&N. Check HERE for links. Giveaways and events are ongoing through October 31, 2014. Check HERE for details.

Links: Amazon / AmazonUK / B&N / Smashwords /Googleplay / iTunes / Other Outlets

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About M. Pax

M. Pax is author of the space adventure series The Backworlds, plus other novels and short stories. Fantasy, science fiction, and the weird beckons  to her, and she blames Oregon, a source of endless inspiration. She docents at Pine Mountain Observatory in the summers as a star guide, has a cat with a crush on Mr. Spock, and is slightly obsessed with Jane Austen. Learn more at mpaxauthor.com.

Friday Fun

In case you're wondering when to plan your vacation...

Friday Fun

Keeping redundancy alive and well for future generations...

Friday Fun

I've heard that snow falling from below can be equally treacherous...

Friday Fun

And I was so looking forward to taking my pet elephant for a walk through the cemetery...

Double Negative

I'm happy to announce C. Lee McKenzie has another book out! It's called Double Negative, a contemporary/realistic Young Adult fiction.

Summary:

Hutchison Mc Queen is a sixteen-year-old smart kid who screws up regularly. He’s a member of Larkston High’s loser clique, the boy who’s on his way to nowhere—unless juvenile hall counts as a destination. He squeaks through classes with his talent for eavesdropping and memorizing what he hears. When that doesn’t work, he goes to Fat Nyla, the one some mean girls are out to get and a person who’s in on his secret—he can barely read. And then Maggie happens. For twenty-five years she’s saved boys from their own bad choices. But she may not have time to save Hutch. Alzheimer’s disease is steadily stealing her keen mind.

Buy from Evernight Teen here.

Tweet about it!

Bad grammar. Bad choices. No future, except prison. DOUBLE NEGATIVE @cleemckenzie http://www.evernightteen.com/double-negative-by-c-lee-mckenzie #YA  #YALit @UncommonYA

Going to prison wasn’t part of the escape plan. DOUBLE NEGATIVE by C. Lee McKenzie @UncommonYA @YALit @Y_A_Now http://www.evernightteen.com/double-negative-by-c-lee-mckenzie

Hutch McQueen will make you laugh and cry. C. Lee McKenzie’s new @UncommonYA DOUBLE NEGATIVE is out. http://www.evernightteen.com/double-negative-by-c-lee-mckenzie @YaTwts

Lee's even set up a giveaway! How cool is that?

Lee's website

Lee's blog

Double negative FaceBook fan page

a Rafflecopter giveaway

UR Book Giveaway!

The Untethered Realms blog crossed over the 100 followers mark and we're celebrating with a huge giveaway! Through the month of July, you can enter to win using the rafflecopter below. Check out the UR site, too. We have a tab listing FREE books you can download now!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

IWSG

Insecure Writers Support Group

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Visit the main page on Alex's blog for the complete signup list!

wikimedia commons

Struggling here. I’m in a slump, struggling to write anything at all, my direction in life in flux – or at a standstill, depending on how I look at it. I can see light at the end of this cave I’m standing in, but I don’t head toward it. Maybe my motivation has rolled under somebody’s sofa. Would you check under yours for me? I’ll even take the dust bunnies clinging to it.

New Feature at Untethered Realms

Untethered Realms, the awesome group of writers I'm honored to mingle with, has a new feature starting up on our blog. The first Friday of each month one of us will be posting about a book in the speculative fiction genre we found worth reading.

The book will be from outside of our group, something we'd like to share with you as readers. I hope you'll support this feature by stopping by and giving it your high five in a comment, and snagging the book to read if it sounds interesting. That way, you'll help the author out as well.

Click here to start the adventure

Happy reading!

IWSG and a Cover Reveal!

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Visit the main page on Alex's blog for the complete signup list!

Where did May go? I think I blinked and it flew by. My writing has taken a boost though, so I’m happy. Everything else is being ignored but the muse is talking at a hundred miles an hour. I’m afraid to buy her a muzzle. She would chew through it, then bite me.

Are you all as busy? It seems that way to me. I’m happy for you. May your muses bless you with quantities of non-sucky words…or something along those lines. Stop by the IWSG and lend your strength to those who may be struggling. I know I got back on track because of the wonderful support from my online friends. Thank you all. You’ll never realize how helpful you’ve been.

And now for Carol Kilgore's Secrets of Honor cover reveal! Isn't it gorgeous?

Blurb:

By the end of a long evening working as a special set of eyes for the presidential security detail, all Kat Marengo wants is to kick off her shoes and stash two not-really-stolen rings in a secure spot. Plus, maybe sleep with Dave Krizak. No, make that definitely sleep with Dave Krizak. The next morning, she wishes her new top priorities were so simple.

As an operative for a covert agency buried in the depths of the Department of Homeland Security, Kat is asked to participate in a matter of life or death—locate a kidnapped girl believed to be held in Corpus Christi, Texas. Since the person doing the asking is the wife of the president and the girl is the daughter of the first lady’s dearest friend, it’s hard to say no.

Kat and Dave quickly learn the real stakes are higher than they or the first lady believed and will require more than any of them bargained for.

The kicker? They have twenty-four hours to find the girl—or the matter of life or death will become more than a possibility.

About Carol:

Carol writes grocery lists, texts to her family, new lyrics to old songs for her dogs, love notes to her husband, and novels for herself. And for you. In between, she blogs weekly at Under the Tiki Hut and is active on Facebook and Twitter.

She sees mystery and subterfuge everywhere. And she’s a sucker for a good love story—especially ones with humor and mystery. Crime Fiction with a Kiss gives her the latitude to mix and match throughout the broad mystery and romance genres. Having flexibility makes her heart happy.

You can connect with Carol and her books here:

Under the Tiki Hut blog:  http://www.underthetikihut.blogspot.com

Website with Monthly Contest: http://www.carolkilgore.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carol.kilgore1

Twitter: http://twitter.com/carol_kilgore

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094110.Carol_Kilgore

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Carol-Kilgore/e/B008FRCXQY

I'm Traveling!

I'm over at Untethered Realms today, talking about what makes a book worth reading. I'd love to hear your views on the subject! Come on over and slip into another world. I'm bringing the refreshments... ;)

Click here for Worlds Apart at Untethered Realms

Audiobook Giveaway!

Looking for a convenient way to catch up on your summer reading while you travel? Sign up for M Pax's awesome Summer Road Trip audiobook giveaway! A most spectacular writer and weaver of stories to captivate the imagination - not to mention she's also a fellow member of Untethered Realms - M Pax brings her vivid worlds to life in many different formats for your enjoyment. Explore her worlds. You won't regret the trip! After you sign up, give her blog a visit!

Are you ready for the Reborn tour?

I'm pleased to be hosting fellow Untethered Realms member Cherie Reich, as part of her Reborn tour! A huge congrats to you, Cherie!

Are you ready to challenge Fate?

To save a kingdom, a prophetess must challenge Fate.

On the day of Yssa’s death and rebirth, the god Apenth chose her as the Phoenix Prophetess.

Sea serpents and gods endanger the young prophetess’s journey and sour the omens. Yssa is cursed instead of blessed, and her duties at the Temple of Apenth prove it. She spends her days reading dusty scrolls, which does nothing to help her forget Tym, the boy back home. But the annoying yet gorgeous ferryman’s son Liam proves to be a distraction she can’t predict, even though he rarely leaves her alone for two sand grains.

Her boring temple life screeches to a halt when visions of her parents’ murders consume her. Yssa races across an ocean to stop the future. If she can’t change Fate, she’ll refuse to be the Phoenix Prophetess any longer. Fate, however, has other plans for her and the kingdom.

Yssa must either accept her destiny or fight to change Fate.

Available in Ebook and Print!

To purchase: Amazon | Createspace | Google Play | Kobo | Nook | OmniLit | Smashwords | Other Retailers

Click here to add on Goodreads.

The authors of Untethered Realms and I are giving away over $50 worth of books to one lucky winner. The giveaway is open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A self-proclaimed bookworm, Cherie Reich is a speculative fiction writer and library assistant living in Virginia. Her short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies, and her books include the horror collection Nightmare, a space fantasy novella collection titled Gravity, and the fantasy series The Foxwick Chronicles and The Fate Challenges. Reborn is her debut novel. She is Vice President of Valley Writers and a member of the Virginia Writers Club and Untethered Realms. For more information, please visit her website.

And now I'm in space!

Or as close to it as I'll ever get. :) Today I'm with M. Pax, fellow Untethered Realms writer and author of the Backworlds series. Come join me in the starry expanse of deep space. You'll see quite a few Browncoats sitting at the bar and, if you're really lucky, you can get Craze to mix you a drink.

Click here to catch the space launch!

I'm in England!

It's only a virtual trip - unfortunately - but I'm in England today, visiting Spec Fic writer and fellow member of Untethered Realms, Ellie Garratt. She's showcasing an excerpt from A Dragon's Lament, book 2 of the Jewels of Chandra series.

Ellie Garratt's Blog

Stop by and Jezebel might serve you a scone and special tea!

New Release!

The Fall of Shaylar

Prequel to the Jewels of Chandra - novella

New Release!

Magic is real. So is betrayal.

One thousand years before the series Jewels of Chandra, the Kingdom of Shaylar plunged into chaos.

Before the fall, before the wizards interfered, before the Kingdom crumbled to dust, the highborn monarch of Shaylar ruled in peace.

Rivalry, jealousy, a desperate attempt to grab the magic of Shaylar—all converge to bring about the end of the precarious balance between the Five Kingdoms.

As King Narmek and Queen Meelate celebrate the birth of their twin boys, the seeds of malice are sown. But the grab for power began with the wizards long before that.

Ebook is free on Smashwords and .99 at Amazon

 AmazonUS / AmazonUK / AmazonDE / AmazonCA / AmazonMX / AmazonAU / AmazonFR /
AmazonIN / AmazonJP / AmazonBR / AmazonIT / AmazonES / SmashWords / Kobo Books /Barnes & Noble / Apple Store /

Paperback - AmazonUS

Shout Out – Author R. Mac Wheeler

I would like to acknowledge a terrific writer-blogger-friend for reaching a monumental milestone…publishing his 24^th novel. I hope you'll visit his blog where he posts his photography (his pups are frequent targets of his obsession…he also likes trees) and give him a congratulations on Number 24… or visit his home page and peruse his titles…read an excerpt...and help him celebrate.

Mac spins tales around rich, gritty characters with a lot of baggage, and puts them through a bit more grief than they can handle. His tone leans toward the sarcastic, passive aggressive.

Please visit Mac at:

http://rmacwheeler.com/
http://rmacwheeler.blogspot.com/ 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K5WB63I

IWSG and Mea Culpa

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Visit the main page on Alex's blog for the complete signup list!

It’s May. The birds are singing. The flowers blooming. My inadequate efforts in April flash before my eyes. Once again, I must face the fact I am not Wonder Woman. Sigh

Mea culpa, for not visiting many during the A to Z. I could (happily, as it were) blame my muse but I didn’t meet all my obligations. I don’t know…maybe I bite off more than I can chew because I like to flog myself? Whatever it is, I always end up feeling guilty.

I’m making a promise to myself now – with all of you as witness – that I will allow myself time to WRITE, for that should be my main function as a writer, no?

Peace, love, and chocolate.

Release Day!

I'm so happy to announce the release of A Dragon's Lament, book 2 of my Jewels of Chandra series!

Magic is real. So is betrayal.

David enters the Fire Kingdom and events shift from bad to worse. He learns a shocking truth about the dragons, a truth destined to block his efforts to retrieve the lost magic of Shaylar from the ruling Council. After a cave-in and injuries force a rescue, David finds himself more isolated than before as personal concerns scatter his trusted advisors and the wizard who led him there abandons him.

The head of the dragon Council negotiates separate deals with both David and his father, sowing further discord between them. David's close friend, Lothan, disappears into the caves and doesn't return. A group of dissidents kidnap Wilks, the child empath David is sworn to protect. With no options left, he accepts the Council's demands to help them in their centuries-old conflict, risking a war which might kill them all.

Even if David manages to win, there's no guarantee the dragons will let him leave the region alive. They don't want the Kingdom of Shaylar to rise again and will stop at nothing to see it remain a pile of dust.

Available here:

AmazonUS / AmazonUK / AmazonAU / AmazonCA / AmazonBR / AmazonFR / AmazonDE  / AmazonIT / AmazonES / AmazonIN / AmazonJP / AmazonMX / SmashWords / Barnes & Noble / Apple Store / Kobo /

Paperback - Amazon

Also, I've made a map of Chandra. If you click on the tab above that says "World of Chandra," you can see it. Thanks so much for letting me share this news with you!

And if that isn't enough for you...

Living the Afterlife

A Death & Chronos Flash Fiction Collection

Release date: May 2014

Thirty stories filled with laughter and mishaps as a Harley-riding Death and anachronistic Chronos create havoc in Purgatory and on Earth. A host of Immortals join in the misadventures.

Find out what happens when Death teaches War how to bowl. Can Chronos fix his blunder when he loses a year? What is Gaia going to do when she discovers the invisible sheep? Can you win playing poker with Evil?

Step into their world. The Afterlife will never be the same.

Available here:

Free at:
Smashwords / 

.99 at:
AmazonUS / AmazonUk / AmazonMX / AmazonCA / AmazonAU / AmazonBR / AmzonFR / AmazonIT / AmazonDE / AmazonES / AmazonIN / AmazonJP /

Z Is For...

Z is for…

wikimedia

Zombies

“My friend "M" says the irony of being a zombie is that everything is funny, but you can't smile, because your lips have rotted off.”― Isaac Marion

wikimedia

Zombie Haiku

“Blood is really warm / 

it's like drinking hot chocolate / 

but with more screaming.”

― Ryan Mecum

*************************************

In case you didn't know, zombies always require a two-fer...just because.

I hope you've enjoyed my cats and quotes for the A to Z April challenge! I know I have. Thank you for stopping by! :)

Find the entire A to Z sign up list here and happy hopping!

A Dragon's Lament, book 2 of my Jewels of Chandra series will officially release on Monday, May 5th! If you'd like to help me build a buzz any time that week, please add your name to the Linky List below and I'll send you the information! Thank you for helping make it a success!