O is for Orc

Hello! Somehow it’s May, the days are longer and warmer and as I usually do after finishing one project, I’m immersing myself in another. I’ve returned to a first draft of an epic fantasy story I wrote sometime last year. It revisits the Hyllethan universe with a completely new set of characters and the events take place a few hundred years before those we read about in Dawn of Purple and Grey. The main character is Kari, a noble girl relegated to servant status who sees ghosts…

I’m still figuring out the right title for the book. I’m toying with Quest of Ghosts and Dragons. What do you think? Appropriate? Too long? Do let me know in the comments whether book titles influence you when choosing a book to read.

Today’s creature is quite appropriate when thinking of epic fantasy.

O is for Orc

We’re probably all familiar with the terrifying humanoid / goblin-like creatures J.R.R Tolkien created in Lord of the Rings. In Tolkien’s world, orcs are brutish, violent creatures who serve an evil master. Tolkien was influenced by a similarly evil creature in Beowulf.  Edmund Spenser, too, in The Faerie Queene mentions an Orcus, an ogre-like monster. 

But it came as a surprise to me to learn that the term Orc has been used in various ways to describe other evil creatures. Pliny the Elder in Historia Naturalis (77CE) mentions the orc but in this case, it is a large sea-creature. The orc threatened Andromeda and was killed by Perseus. Robert Browning, in Caliban Upon Setebos also mentions an orc and here too it is interpreted as referring to a sea monster.

It is believed that this conception of orcs gave the name to orca whales.

References: https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Orc;

http://beyondheroes2.altervista.org/orc.htm

Books You Might Like

For lovers of all things fantasy… FREE BOOKS

This Is Not A Fairy Tale. This Is A Nightmare.

An exhilarating paranormal fantasy, action-adventure, thrill ride. You’ll be weak in knees with romance feels swooning and on the edge of your seat cheering as they train for the Immortal Testing.

It’s like a thousand ways to die with dark comedy and scenes that will make you blush. There also may be cannibalism, dinosaurs, rat spiders, tar lizards and stone lions that hack up ice loogies. Welcome to Immortal Testing. The new Ankh are about to be dropped into a floating crypt the size of New York city in another world full of their worst nightmares, where they must die thousands of times to prove they’re capable of being Immortal. This is not a fairy tale. This is a nightmare.

Warning The information contained within this book is not intended for mere mortals. Reading this may inadvertently trigger your Correction. If you show great bravery during your demise, you may be given a second chance at life by one of the three Guardians of the in-between. For your soul’s protection, you must join one of three Clans of immortals on earth. You are totally still reading this, aren’t you? You’ve got this. Welcome to the Children Of Ankh Series Universe.

By sixteen, everyone must choose.

A telekinetic dystopia from Schism 8

For the telekinetic youth of New Teotihuacan’s Worker City there are two choices: an enslaved life or a free death. By sixteen, everyone must choose. Calli Bluehair’s only hope of escaping a violent death in the self-indulgent underground of Worker City is the government-run Masa Academy. Choosing to ignore the rumors that the Academy is an option worse than death, Calli determines to claw her way onto the registry and take her brother, Olin, with her.

When, only days before registration, Olin is thrown into a state of telekinetic shock capable of detonating half of Worker City, Calli is forced to seek help from an infamous crime lord or risk losing her future and her only remaining family. It turns out that many have intentions for the uniquely gifted siblings and survival may no longer be enough.

Brown’s page-turning, dystopian adventure revolves around a heroine who must maintain her humanity in the midst of monstrous decisions. His vivid rendering of telekinesis births a complex, mysterious, and provocative world that reveals itself to the reader in a kaleidoscope of detail the longer one chooses to stare through his fractured lens. The Green Ones series is a mix of The Hunger Games, Ready Player One, and Ender’s Game.

And several more FREE books by clicking on the banner below…

And Free through KU…

Some self-promo!

The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

Fire Dance

A terrified girl with a deadly ability. A penniless soldier who loves her. A lord with the power of life and death over them.

For seventeen years, Maia, a promising acolyte of the Goddess of Light, has hidden her unholy ability to conjure flames. But when she performs in the temple’s Summer Solstice ceremony, the Emperor’s envoy, Lord Quei, tells her he knows her secret. Quei threatens to enslave Vane, the young man Maia loves, and execute her as a demon unless Maia recovers coins that were stolen from him. He claims these will reveal Maia’s true nature and restore their memories of who he and Maia were in previous lives.

To save herself and Vane, Maia goes against her principles and resorts to deceit and thievery in her search for both the coins and the truth about her fire. But if what Quei says is true, the coins will destroy her beliefs about who she is, the nature of her world, and even worse, Vane’s trust and love.

Fire Storm

How do you choose between protecting your family or following your heart?

Maia, her family, and Ryse, the love of her several lives, are desperate to reach their spacecraft and return to their home planet. Only Ryse’s presence there can prevent a devastating war from erupting. But Maia’s heart is torn: the spacecraft is too small to take them all and leaving means abandoning family members in a land ravaged by conflict and rebellion.

Their plans are further thrown into disarray when they attract the attention of General Dardarin, who suspects they are enemy spies.

With the enemy armed with alien weapons, with the rebellion entangling Maia in its web and with Dardarin following their every move, Maia races against the clock to find a way to protect all those she loves on both worlds. Even if it means sacrificing her happiness and her centuries-long love for Ryse.

Colours of Fantasy (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Not enough time to read, but love fantasy?

Colours of Fantasy is an anthology of short stories that range from magical realism to sci-fi fantasy. They are short enough to be easily read while commuting or during a lunch break. Read about paintings that are truer than true-to-life, or the heart-wrenching decision Poseidon’s human son-in-law has to take, or perhaps you’ll prefer a glimpse of life after an apocalypse, or a story about a space pirate with an uncomfortable past. 

And if you like longer reads, Colours of Fantasy gives you a taste of Book One of two series: The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy and Fire Dance Chronicles.

Till next time! Wishing you a great two weeks with a good book!

Caroline

N is for Naiads

I’m bowled over! Another Fire Dance review was uploaded on Amazon and Goodreads and it has me grinning from ear to ear. I mean, who won’t be left speechless by a review that compares Fire Dance to From Blood and Ash and Fourth Wing, two of the hottest bestsellers of the moment. You can read the review HERE. Moreover, copies of Fire Dance have arrived, and the cover, inside map and chapter layout look just great, so it’s been a great week. 😊

To continue with what I started in my last post, I’m including another extract from Fire Dance which introduces an important character. This is the first time the reader meets Vane, a young man the protagonist grew up with and loves.

Maia weaved her way through the crowd still waiting to enter the temple’s sacred stone circle. As she was about to step into the preparation room, someone grabbed her hand and pulled her to his body.

Maia instinctively balled her fist. A soldier’s belted tunic; a short sword. The boyish face grinning down at her made her release her breath in exasperation. “Vane, you came close to having your stomach punched and knee kicked in.”

He released her, his eyes crinkling in the mischievous smile she knew well. “Since I taught you the few moves you know, I think I can defend myself from your dainty fists and dancing feet.”

“Ha-ha.” She glanced around, but no one was paying them much attention. “Come inside.” She stepped into the preparation room where they could talk more privately. Vane had filled out these past months since he’d stopped coming to the temple for lessons. His bare arms and legs had a more solid look than they’d had before his half-brother enrolled him in the island’s military. But Vane’s shock of untidy hair, as if he’d forgotten what a comb was for or even that such a thing existed, was still the same. “Aren’t you on guard duty?” She motioned to where she’d last seen Governor Hoore and his unwelcome guest.

His smile deepened. “I volunteered, seeing as it’s the only way to meet you.”

“You know I can’t visit the town without permission.”

“Excuses. You can get permission whenever you want.” The smile dropped from his eyes, and he lowered his voice. “I’m being sent to Lisenthe.”

Maia’s insides tightened. The main island of the Empire, home to the Emperor, lay many days away from Basica. “Why?” 

…

And now on to today’s fantasy creature…

N is for Naiads

Naiads are beautiful minor Greek goddesses associated with fresh water. There are naiads of wells, springs, fountains, rivers, lakes, marshes and wetlands, for example. Several towns, cities and islands have been named after them and they are revered by the inhabitants as protectors of the area’s water supply.

The water under the protection of some naiads is thought to have healing powers while particular springs are believed to inspire poetry and prophecies.

Naiads are long-lived young women but they are not immortal. They often marry kings or are loved by gods. They are also found as nurses of young children and protectors of girls, helping them get through their childhood till they reach adulthood.

While naiads are mostly well-meaning, they can be dangerous, especially when events trigger their jealousy. One naiad is known to have destroyed a ship’s crew in revenge, while another blinded an unfaithful shepherd.  

References: https://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/Naiades.html; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naiad; https://www.britannica.com/topic/Naiad-Greek-mythology

Books You Might Like

For lovers of all things fantasy… a ton of FREE BOOKS

If like me you love a novel seeped in history and entwined with magic and romance, one of my author friends has a great historical fantasy which she’s currently offering for FREE. I’ve downloaded it and I can’t wait to start reading it.

A runaway thrall. A “cursed” thief. One daring quest for freedom.

A heart-warming coming-of-age medieval adventure with budding romance

“Wow! Adventures, grace, mercy, incredible world building, and a heart-warming story. Truly a perfect historical fantasy to introduce a reader new to fantasy or just in love with great storytelling.” – Goodreads

“This action-filled story doesn’t let up for a minute, propelling me from one dire event to the next…the found family in this one warmed my heart. So poignantly written.” – Goodreads

“This book was so gripping I started at midnight, and though I DID put it down for a couple hours of sleep, I finished it within 18 hours of starting. I just couldn’t stop. The heart break, the triumphs, and the FEELS… the book ends on a very strong hope point that I absolutely loved.” – Amazon/Goodreads

******

In the aftermath of a rebellion against William the Conqueror, northern England lies in ruins, its people scattered and starved.

Aelfric, a 14-year-old thrall, flees from his master and stumbles upon a cache of stolen laundry. The thief? Aliwyn, a girl around his age ostracized for being “cursed.” In her care is a lost toddler she has rescued from the clutch of greedy thrall traders.

Forced to cover each other’s secrets, Aelfric and Aliwyn form an unlikely friendship…and maybe something more. They embark on a perilous journey to reunite the child with his family and seek a cure for Aliwyn’s mysterious condition.

But time is running out. Aelfric’s master is on the hunt, and the shadows of death loom ever closer over Aliwyn. Will they find the courage to press on and defy fate, or will their quest end in capture and ruin?

*****

Immerse yourself in a fast-paced tale of unforeseen twists and heart-stopping challenges. The Thief’s Keeper is a thrilling young adult novel that transports you to an alternative medieval world, where Celtic-inspired tribes live alongside the last Vikings. Begin your adventure today!

And more intriguing free books…

Fantasy. Adventure. Romance.

A stubborn princess vrs a devious outlaw. Winner takes the throne.

A ruthless outlaw determined to conquer her kingdom. A courageous stranger who saves her life. She never suspected they would be the same man… With the king bound in enchanted slumber, unrest spreads through the Seven Rivers. Outlaws ravage the land, destroying peaceful villages. Left alone to rule, Crown Princess Tahlea leads her army in defense of her people. When her efforts fail to capture the criminals, she makes a perilous journey to seek aid from a reclusive mystic. He grants her power to erase the memory of her enemy, Andevaar.

Betrayed and ambushed, Tahlea fights for her life. Captured by outlaws, she learns the attacks are only the beginning, and her entire kingdom is in danger. Desperate to stop Andevaar, she casts her spell. Bent on vengeance, Andevaar plans to conquer the Seven Rivers. Only Princess Tahlea stands between him and seizing control. But everything changes when he loses his memories. Can he abandon his past and become a new man? Or will he deny his feelings for the stubborn, courageous princess and destroy her to win the throne?

How do you get into witch school?

YA Urban Fantasy Academy story

A teen girl fears her family’s reputation will label her for life. Her mother wants her to follow in her footsteps and learn witchcraft. Can she become a witch on her own terms? Brie knows two things about the witches in her family. Her grandmother almost destroyed their hometown with magic. Her mother saved it. But the upheaval from their fight has caused problems for twenty years. Now witchcraft is subjected to strict laws and everyone knows the McAddams family is to blame. When Brie is old enough to study witchcraft under the new laws, her mother, Rosa, assumes that she’ll attend the school where she teaches. But everyone would put Brie under a microscope to see if she’ll turn out to be a hero like her mother or a villain like her grandmother. She wants to hide in anonymity. Then her second mother suggests that she try a different school—one where people won’t know her family name. Brie would have to be accepted under her own merit. The MATs—Magical Aptitude Tests—will score her ability to learn magic. But if she succeeds, Brie might find a more welcoming home at Santa Cruz Witch Academy. She just has to pass the entrance exams. Third Generation Witch is a prequel to the upper YA urban fantasy academy trilogy, Santa Cruz Witch Academy. The series takes place twenty years after the Fae of Calaveras trilogy, but does not require prior reading. If you like teen witches, magical schools, and queer families, you’ll enjoy Kristen S. Walker’s story about the struggle to be accepted.

If you prefer a mix of Sci-fi and fantasy, click the following picture.

And Free through KU…

Some self-promo!

The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

Fire Dance

A terrified girl with a deadly ability. A penniless soldier who loves her. A lord with the power of life and death over them.

For seventeen years, Maia, a promising acolyte of the Goddess of Light, has hidden her unholy ability to conjure flames. But when she performs in the temple’s Summer Solstice ceremony, the Emperor’s envoy, Lord Quei, tells her he knows her secret. Quei threatens to enslave Vane, the young man Maia loves, and execute her as a demon unless Maia recovers coins that were stolen from him. He claims these will reveal Maia’s true nature and restore their memories of who he and Maia were in previous lives.

To save herself and Vane, Maia goes against her principles and resorts to deceit and thievery in her search for both the coins and the truth about her fire. But if what Quei says is true, the coins will destroy her beliefs about who she is, the nature of her world, and even worse, Vane’s trust and love.

Fire Storm

How do you choose between protecting your family or following your heart?

Maia, her family, and Ryse, the love of her several lives, are desperate to reach their spacecraft and return to their home planet. Only Ryse’s presence there can prevent a devastating war from erupting. But Maia’s heart is torn: the spacecraft is too small to take them all and leaving means abandoning family members in a land ravaged by conflict and rebellion.

Their plans are further thrown into disarray when they attract the attention of General Dardarin, who suspects they are enemy spies.

With the enemy armed with alien weapons, with the rebellion entangling Maia in its web and with Dardarin following their every move, Maia races against the clock to find a way to protect all those she loves on both worlds. Even if it means sacrificing her happiness and her centuries-long love for Ryse.

Colours of Fantasy (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Not enough time to read, but love fantasy?

Colours of Fantasy is an anthology of short stories that range from magical realism to sci-fi fantasy. They are short enough to be easily read while commuting or during a lunch break. Read about paintings that are truer than true-to-life, or the heart-wrenching decision Poseidon’s human son-in-law has to take, or perhaps you’ll prefer a glimpse of life after an apocalypse, or a story about a space pirate with an uncomfortable past. 

And if you like longer reads, Colours of Fantasy gives you a taste of Book One of two series: The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy and Fire Dance Chronicles.

Till next time! Wishing you a great two weeks with a good book!

Caroline

News on Fire Storm (Bk 2), plus N is for the Night Hag

First of all, congratulations Rita K for winning the Sorcery and Stardust Book Giveaway. And secondly, some book-news from my end: Fire Storm, book 2 in the Fire Dance Chronicles series is finally ready and the paperback is now available through Amazon (the ebook will be released on 20 April). I’m releasing both book 1 and 2 within a month of each other because I reckon most readers are like me – once I start a series, I want to continue reading it till the end.  Books 1 and 2 of the Fire Dance Chronicles focus on Maia, Quei and Ryse’s story so book 2 brings their adventure to a (hopefully) satisfying conclusion.

The book cover for Fire Storm is the most romantasy one I have. I’m curious to know what feelings or ideas it brings to mind when you see it. Both positive and negative comments welcome 🙂

And now, on to today’s fantasy creature…

N is for the Night Hag

The night hag (or old hag) is a creature that appears like a shadowy old woman or a witch.

The night hag visits sleeping mortals and sits on their chest while triggering terrifying dreams. These dreams often reflect the sleeper’s wrong doings or fears. The night hag’s presence on the sleeper’s chest also results in the sleeper feeling a sense of suffocation or even paralysis till the night hag releases them from her grasp.

Has the night hag every visited you? 😊

References: https://www.sinistercoffeeandcreamery.com/blog/theoldhag#:~:text=Legend%20has%20it&text=Folklore%20beliefs%20in%20places%20such,terror%2C%20difficulty%20breathing%20and%20paralysis.

Books You Might Like

For lovers of all things fantasy… 6 FREE BOOKS that all yell ‘Read Me’!

She thought she was magicless, but she is the most powerful one…

A high fantasy romance with a dark side

“…never trust a Pebble Pincher.” Terhese’s dream of becoming an Official is within her grasp. Weeks before she is to leave for the Sandstone Academy, her powers show their true colors. Instead of accepting this new identity, she continues on her path and starts classes at the academy. She is warned to keep her magic hidden, but temptations pull from all sides as she spends time with new friends on the beach in the sun and around the bonfires at night, passing the bottles of green and amber liquor. Shadows of extinct creatures and unraveling falsehoods surround her. How long will Terhese be able to keep her forbidden Ràej powers a secret from everyone she knows, including the man who seems too good to be true?

Falling for the prince could cost her everything, or make her every dream come true

A Cinderella-inspired tale of deceit and desire.

Spare to the throne, Prince Lonan escapes the tedium of the Gnome Castle to go for a ride through the woods on his trusty steed, River. Whilst out riding and dressed as a commoner, he collides with a mysterious young woman hunting pheasants on the Crown’s land. But neither are quite what they seem… Daya’s family has fallen on hard times since her father passed, she’s forced to put food on the table while her mother and sister work their fingers to the bone to keep the roof over their heads. Could a chance meeting in the forest be the answer to all her problems? When their worlds collide at the Winter Solstice ball and the truth is revealed, will the secrets they keep bring them together, or tear them apart? A FAIR DECEPTION is a companion novella to The Fair Chronicles, set in the Gnome Kingdom.

Fae magic and true love

A romantic, gender-swapped Rumpelstiltskin retelling

Get ready for a fast-paced, romantic, gender-swapped Rumpelstiltskin retelling. *** Years ago, Pel fell for a gorgeous Faerie . . . and enslaved herself to him in the process. Now, she’s making the best of it by using borrowed Fae magic to render herself invisible and steal from the wealthy at court. While she’s there, a handsome human man named Cole is arrested when his father claims he can spin straw into gold. Intrigued, Pel follows Cole into his cell. When she learns he has no such talent, she offers to help, if he’ll pay for her assistance. But a little help isn’t enough. The king demands he spin more and more straw into gold. Pel has grown attached to Cole’s generous heart and wants to truly protect him. But to do so, she’ll have to ask him for his firstborn. If she does that, Cole will never trust her again. And if she doesn’t . . . the king will take his life. Is it possible to find both love and freedom?

Moonlighting as the love of an alien rock star. What could possibly go wrong?

An Alien Rock Star Romance

Zoe Price will do anything to avoid being drafted as a Canary for the Human-Alien Committee—even if that means sucking up to one of the best-known aliens in the world, scandalous rock star Chaz Reckward. Unfortunately, Chaz expects something in return for his protection: he needs a wife, and he needs one now. As Zoe’s deadline draws near, her false relationship with Chaz is put to the test. Unless they can fool multiple worlds into falling for their love, they risk losing everything—and plans as elaborate as theirs seldom work as intended. This standalone novella is a sweet, PG-13 romance prequel for the Alien Rock Star series. It features a happy ending and can be read on its own or enjoyed with the other books in the series.

Is our default programming always correct?

A thought provoking sci-fi story

When a robot suffers a catastrophic system failure and is revived by a young man, it begins to piece together it’s primary purpose. But as a reboot signal is simultaneously downloaded, the robot must quickly decide which program is superior; its default programming or the one it created for itself.

She thought the people in her head were just her imagination, until she started to meet them.

Epic YA fantasy with a strong female lead

Alyssia Gale is a daydreamer. A liar. An attention seeker. Everyone she’s ever known has found a label to stick on her, but one thing’s for sure: she can’t be telling the truth. The flashes she sees of the dark and difficult lives of four other people, living in a world that’s not her own … they can’t be real. Alyssia understands that as well as anyone, even if she does keep catching herself thinking of the people she sees as friends. Then she’s pulled into that other world by blood and dark magic, and realises that everyone she’s ever known was wrong. To start with, her focus is on surviving until she can find a way home. Yet it doesn’t take long for her to figure out that where before she was merely a spectator, now she can change things. And with one of her friends being forced into an abusive marriage, and another trapped in the cruellest of prisons, there’s plenty that needs changing. She just needs to survive long enough to do it. What she doesn’t know is that something connects her to these four people. Something she never could have imagined. And it’s not long before she isn’t just fighting to find her place between the worlds – she’s fighting to protect her closest friends from a narrative that wants them dead.

And don’t forget to download my FREE book – Colours of Fantasy (see below for link) – if you haven’t done so yet.

Some self-promo!

The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

Fire Dance

What do you do when you’re tormented by someone else’s memories?

For seventeen years, Maia, a promising acolyte of the Goddess of Light, has hidden her ability to manifest flames over her skin. But after she performs in the temple’s Summer Solstice ceremony, the Emperor’s mysterious envoy, Lord Quei, threatens to have her executed as a demon unless she joins him on a quest to recover lost coins, claiming they contain memories of their past lives on a distant, far more advanced world. To avoid a death sentence, Maia must turn her back on her principles and resort to deceit and thievery. The truth might explain the strange wisps of memories that haunt her dreams. But it could also destroy her beliefs about the Goddess she reveres, the nature of the world she lives in, and her own identity.

Fire Storm

How do you choose between protecting your family or following your heart?

Maia, her family, and Ryse, the love of her several lives, are desperate to reach their spacecraft and return to their home planet. Only Ryse’s presence there can prevent a devastating war from erupting. But Maia’s heart is torn: the spacecraft is too small to take them all and leaving means abandoning family members in a land ravaged by conflict and rebellion.

Their plans are further thrown into disarray when they attract the attention of General Dardarin, who suspects they are enemy spies.

With the enemy armed with alien weapons, with the rebellion entangling Maia in its web and with Dardarin following their every move, Maia races against the clock to find a way to protect all those she loves on both worlds. Even if it means sacrificing her happiness and her centuries-long love for Ryse.

Colours of Fantasy (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Not enough time to read, but love fantasy?

Colours of Fantasy is an anthology of short stories that range from magical realism to sci-fi fantasy. They are short enough to be easily read while commuting or during a lunch break. Read about paintings that are truer than true-to-life, or the heart-wrenching decision Poseidon’s human son-in-law has to take, or perhaps you’ll prefer a glimpse of life after an apocalypse, or a story about a space pirate with an uncomfortable past. 

And if you like longer reads, Colours of Fantasy gives you a taste of Book One of two series: The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy and Fire Dance Chronicles.

Till next time!

Caroline

Huge SFF giveaway, Fire Dance chapter 2, plus M is for Medusa

Fire Dance is live in print form on Amazon, (listening to fireworks in the distance 🙂 ) Seriously, I’d love to know what you thought of Chapter 1. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, it’s still available here. While today’s link will take you to Chapter 2.

And…

Fire Dance is part of a group giveaway, so if you wish to win 27 Fantasy and Sci-Fi novels do participate. There’s nothing to lose and a lot to win 😊

Click on the picture for the giveaway link:

And now, on to today’s fantasy creature…

M is for the Medusa

Who’s never heard of Medusa and her tragic tale?

Medusa was a very attractive woman.  But after Poseidon forced himself on her, she was turned into a monster by the goddess Athena in revenge. Medusa’s beautiful hair became snakes and anyone who looked at her was turned to stone.

Medusa was finally killed by Perseus and beheaded, but since her head still had the ability to turn people to stone, Perseus gave it to Athena to use as a weapon.

Two interesting and little known facts: since Medusa was pregnant when she was killed, her unborn children, Chrysaor and Pegasus, sprang out from her severed neck. Secondly, while Perseus flew over Libya with Medusa’s severed head, drops of her blood fell onto the ground and turned to snakes. This is why Libya has a lot of snakes, apparently.

References: https://www.worldhistory.org/Medusa/

https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Creatures/Medusa/medusa.html

Books You Might Like

ARC readers wanted…

 

If you’re in KU, these books are free:

And for lovers of all things fantasy…

 Some self-promo!

The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

Fire Dance

What do you do when you’re tormented by someone else’s memories?

For seventeen years, Maia, a promising acolyte of the Goddess of Light, has hidden her ability to manifest flames over her skin. But after she performs in the temple’s Summer Solstice ceremony, the Emperor’s mysterious envoy, Lord Quei, threatens to have her executed as a demon unless she joins him on a quest to recover lost coins, claiming they contain memories of their past lives on a distant, far more advanced world. To avoid a death sentence, Maia must turn her back on her principles and resort to deceit and thievery. The truth might explain the strange wisps of memories that haunt her dreams. But it could also destroy her beliefs about the Goddess she reveres, the nature of the world she lives in, and her own identity.

Till next time,

Caroline

Excerpt from Fire Dance, link to ARCs, plus M is for Mermaid

Update on Fire Dance

I’m excited and relieved that Fire Dance is now formatted and uploaded on Amazon. I’m only awaiting the graphic design company to send me the updated version of the print book cover to fit the number of pages of the book for the print book to be released, while the ebook is already available for pre-order at the reduced price of $2.99. Release date for the ebook is set for 15^th March.

To celebrate, I thought you’d like to read the first three chapters of Fire Dance over the course of the next three newsletters. Today’s link will take you to Chapter 1. If you think this will interest anyone you know too, do share the newsletter and link with them.

ARC copies of Fire Dance will be available till its release. You can apply for a FREE copy of the whole novel, through this Google Form: https://forms.gle/mWaYmmvCxkbpY7f16  or through Story Origin, where you can also read a longer sample before applying: https://storyoriginapp.com/reviewcopies/c510f544-ac6c-11ee-88fd-e38d8d619506

Blurb: What do you do when you’re tormented by someone else’s memories?

For seventeen years, Maia, a promising acolyte of the Goddess of Light, has hidden her abnormality to manifest flames over her skin. But after she performs in the temple’s Summer Solstice ceremony, the Emperor’s mysterious envoy, Lord Quei, approaches to say he knows about her secret ability. Even worse, Quei threatens to have her executed as a demon unless she joins him on a quest to recover lost coins, claiming they contain memories of their past lives on a distant, far more advanced world.

To avoid a death sentence, Maia must turn her back on her principles and resort to deceit and thievery. The truth might explain the strange wisps of memories that haunt her dreams. But it could also destroy her beliefs about the Goddess she reveres, the nature of the world she lives in, and her own identity.

And now, on to today’s fantasy creature…

M is for Mermaid

The creature I tackled in the last newsletter was Lorelei, a siren. Some on you might be wondering if there is a difference between a mermaid and a siren.

In European folklore, mermaids are beautiful sea-creatures that have the upper body of a woman and a fishtail. They have a good reputation as kind and gentle creatures.

Sirens, on the other hand, are viewed as dangerous creatures who lure sailors to their death with their song.

The Siren myth originates from Greek myths. Originally, sirens were seen as half-bird, half-woman but in more recent tales, sirens became fishtailed too, which has led to the distinction between mermaids and sirens to blur.

For a more detailed description of how the image of a siren evolved, read: https://talesoftimesforgotten.com/2019/05/01/what-is-the-difference-between-a-siren-and-a-mermaid/

References: https://mythicalcreatures.blog/mermaids-vs-sirens-untangling-the-myths/

Books You Might Like

Not surprising, I love reading epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, fantasy adventure and paranormal fantasy so it’s not surprising that these are the type of books I write. The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy is in good company in this group of Fantasy Adventure books. Click on the image to view the books.

And, if that’s not enough….

The promo on dragon books continues. If you haven’t yet checked them out and you love reading fantasy books that include dragons, click on the link below. For those of you who are enrolled in KU, the books are all FREE!

Some self-promo!

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

If you like magic, enemies to lovers, twists and turns, harrowing escapes and family drama, then you’ll enjoy The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy.

Dawn of Purple and Grey, Days of Wind and Snow, and Night of Rites and Wraiths (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy) are available through Amazon as ebooks and paperbacks or as a Complete Series Box Set in ebook format.

Till next time,

Caroline

Author Interview: Cordia Pearson, ARCs for Fire Dance, plus L is for Lorelei

Today’s newsletter is going to be on the longer side as I’ve loads of news! First, I’d like to welcome fantasy author Cordia Pearson. I’ve known Cordia for years and I’m excited that she’s released her debut Iridesce in the last few days.

Book: IRIDESCE

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Author: Cordia Pearson

Hello Cordia, can you tell us something about your book?

Of course! This is the book’s blurb:

When your skin’s the wrong color, and eyes a hated shade of blue, life is one godsdamned battle after another.

All that’s kept me alive is the birthmark for which I was abandoned, the night of my birth—a Luna moth, symbol of the Mother Goddess, with its terrifying potential for magic.

I worship the fierce warrior who found and named me Thea. In a moon, I turn seventeen, and should he deem me worthy, will join his forces. Through service alone will I achieve citizenship and deflect the hate heaped upon me daily. Yet, my foster father’s mission to deny my desert people access to this country’s many resources troubles me.

A warrior mage I’ve never trusted swears we’ve known each other in other lifetimes. He sees a different path for me—one wherein I embrace the mystical destiny my birthmark portends.

Faced by this alarming possibility, I find myself asking: can I kill my own kind? Or will this mage, to whom I’m inexplicably drawn, convince me to give up a life of honor, for one of paradox?

Your cover is so striking. What are your thoughts behind this choice of design?

Quite simply, my cover artist is beyond compare.

Why did you choose this title for the book?

I sought titles reflecting each book’s theme in the series.

Tell me more about your protagonist? Why did you choose to write her?

Thea has been my obsession for more years than I care to count. Her story came to me in a dream that took me twenty pages to record.

Who is your favourite character in the book?

It’s a tossup. Kemu’s layers unfold slowly, which sustains the love between them. Rafi sprang to life, unplanned and a perfect foil for all the ‘you know what’ a writer heaves upon their protagonist.

What do you consider to be something fascinating about your work?

As an avid fantasy reader, I love magic arising from nature and the miraculous. Hope, justice, love and equality are my driving themes.

What are your plans for the future?

There are five books in the Day Without Dawn series. Luminesce will release 2024 and there’s a good chance Acquiesce may as well.

Who or what inspired you to write and why did you choose Fantasy?

I re-read Andre Norton’s books till their spines broke, never suspecting I’d follow her path. Apart from that,I was a horse crazed kid who became a horse obsessed Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitter and the breeder of the two time Grand Prix Pony Dressage Horse of the Year, Avatar’s Jazzman (also a Breyer Horse!) Horses are at the heart of my life and writing.

Thank you so much for joining me today. One last question: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

http://www.CordiaPearson.com

http://www.saddlefitter.com 

FB: https://bit.ly/44gBfng

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3EWJWc9

Insta: https://bit.ly/3aTtfDd

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3tArLqV

Medium: https://bit.ly/3NRaQXK

About the Author:

Cordia Pearson lives on 80 acres in MN surrounded by a huge wildlife management area whose denizens visit often. Writing, riding her Morgan Horses, time in and on the water, yoga, dancing, gardening, and couldn’t ask for more. She writes about love, justice, and the exhilarating freedom of life on the back of a horse.

Link to book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/fhIe3rW

Update on Fire Dance

Now some news about my forthcoming release: I’ve received the edits for Fire Dance and I was happy to see there was little to change and update (apart from a number of missing commas! 😊), which means the book is ready for the final step: formatting. In the meantime, I’ve made the book available as an ARC (advanced reader copy) for anyone who’s interested in reviewing the book before its release. If you’d like to apply for the free copy, this is the application form:

Link to Google Form: https://forms.gle/mWaYmmvCxkbpY7f16

Or you can apply through Story Origin, where you can also read a sample before applying: https://storyoriginapp.com/reviewcopies/c510f544-ac6c-11ee-88fd-e38d8d619506

Blurb: What do you do when you’re tormented by someone else’s memories?

For seventeen years, Maia, a promising acolyte of the Goddess of Light, has hidden her abnormality to manifest flames over her skin. But after she performs in the temple’s Summer Solstice ceremony, the Emperor’s mysterious envoy, Lord Quei, approaches to say he knows about her secret ability. Even worse, Quei threatens to have her executed as a demon unless she joins him on a quest to recover lost coins, claiming they contain memories of their past lives on a distant, far more advanced world.

To avoid a death sentence, Maia must turn her back on her principles and resort to deceit and thievery. The truth might explain the strange wisps of memories that haunt her dreams. But it could also destroy her beliefs about the Goddess she reveres, the nature of the world she lives in, and her own identity.

Books and more books about… Dragons!

If you can’t get enough of reading fantasy books and love those that include dragons, I’ve great news. Click on the link below to see a list of fantasy books involving dragons. (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy books are there too 😊) And if you’re enrolled in KU, they are all FREE! Link: https://storyoriginapp.com/to/o4aeeTt

And finally, on to today’s fantasy creature…

L is for Lorelei

I first heard the name Lorelei when I followed a popular series called the Gilmore Girls, which I loved. But Lorelei is actually a beautiful siren who sends fishermen and sailors to their death by luring them onto rocks with her beautiful voice.

She is especially associated with the Rhine River because according to German legend she had once been a beautiful young girl who threw herself into the river when her lover betrayed her.

She was changed into a siren and takes her revenge by luring fishermen and sailors to their death.

Interestingly enough, a large rock on the banks of the Rhine River is named Lorelei. The rock produces an echo which could have given rise to the legend.

References: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lorelei-German-legend

https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Lorelei

Some self-promo!

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

If you like magic, enemies to lovers, twists and turns, harrowing escapes and family drama, then you’ll enjoy The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy.

Dawn of Purple and Grey, Days of Wind and Snow, and Night of Rites and Wraiths (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy) are available through Amazon as ebooks and paperbacks or as a Complete Series Box Set in ebook format.

Till next time,

Caroline

L is for Lamia, plus cover reveal for Fire Dance

I hope you’ve all found the time to relax with a good book over the holiday period. I’ve just finished Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary. Though most of the science was beyond me, it was an enjoyable read with an unexpected ending.

Moreover, I’m another step closer to publishing my second series, a sci-fi fantasy and I can finally reveal the cover for book one: Fire Dance. The graphic designer managed to mesh the elements I hoped to see on the cover – a suggestion of space and planets, a hint at the opening sequence in the book (Maia’s Summer Solstice dance by the monoliths of her temple), and of course an indication of the protagonist’s appearance and desire.

So, without further ado, this is the cover. Do you like it? Or hate it?

On to today’s fantasy creature…

L is for Lamia

The Lamia was once a beautiful queen of Libya who seduced or was seduced by Zeus.

When Zeus’s wife Hera found out, she killed the queen’s children and turned her into a monster with an upper body of a woman and the lower body of a serpent. This description originates from John Keats’ 1819 poem Lamia.

Following the transformation, perhaps out of madness, the Lamia became a vampire-like predator who drinks children’s blood and/or eats them. She also earned a reputation as a deadly seductress.

Thanks to Zeus, the Lamia has the power of prophecy and can take out her eyes and put them back in. This could be because the Lamia’s punishment also included insomnia and the inability to close her eyes.

References: https://monster.fandom.com/wiki/Lamia;

http://fantasy-faction.com/2013/fantastical-creatures-of-greek-mythology-the-lamia

Some self-promo!

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

If you like magic, enemies to lovers, twists and turns, harrowing escapes and family drama, then you’ll enjoy The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy.

Dawn of Purple and Grey, Days of Wind and Snow, and Night of Rites and Wraiths (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy) are available through Amazon as ebooks and paperbacks or as a Complete Series Box Set in ebook format.

Till next time,

Caroline

L is for Lake Monsters, plus upcoming series – Fire Dance

The graphic designer has started working on the cover for the new book. However, he’s suggested splitting the title to Fire Dance rather than Firedance as it fits better in the space. It does look better and bolder, so I think it’s a good decision though it was difficult to let go of the one-word title. What do you think? Should I have kept it?

I’m looking forward to seeing what the final version of the cover will be like and you can be sure that I’ll be sharing it here, too.

In the last newsletter I wrote about the protagonist – Maia. But what’s a protagonist without a love interest? Fire Dance centres around a tragic love triangle in the protagonist’s distant past which still has repercussions and echoes in her present life. The love of her life is Ryse, a prince from an enemy country, whom Maia was forced to marry to seal a treaty between their countries. Except in this novel, he’s more Sammy the pirate than prince…

To continue with what I started in the previous newsletter, this is part of Ryse’s character chart. Again I’ve had to leave a lot out so as not to reveal too much.

On to today’s fantasy creature…

L is for Lake Monsters

Who hasn’t heard of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster? Yet Nessie is only the most famous of several monsters that live in deep and icy-cold lakes, swamps or other watery places around the world. Many eyewitnesses swear to have seen large, worm-like creatures with a horse or giraffe-like head which calls to mind a water dinosaur (the Plesiosaur).

The Loch Ness Monster is found in the Scottish Highlands in a 755-foot-deep lake which is 23 miles long. Nessie seems to be around 30 feet long as several humps have been seen above the water. It has small horns at the top of its head.

The first written account of a Nessie sighting dates back to 565 AD. 

References: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Loch-Ness-monster-legendary-creature

Happy Holidays or Happy Christmas

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful break shared with family and friends. Since the next newsletter would have been due on the weekend before Christmas, I’m re-scheduling it for the week after Christmas.

Some self-promo!

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

If you like magic, enemies to lovers, twists and turns, harrowing escapes and family drama, then you’ll enjoy The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy.

Dawn of Purple and Grey, Days of Wind and Snow, and Night of Rites and Wraiths (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy) are available through Amazon as ebooks and paperbacks or as a Complete Series Box Set in ebook format.

Till next time,

Caroline

K is for Kelpie, plus upcoming sci-fi fantasy series

What do fire, space travel and having memories that don’t belong to you have to do with each other? It’s not a trick question – it’s the What If? which led to my forthcoming series: The Firedance Chronicles. I’m excited to say that I’m finally about to send the first book—Firedance—off to my editor. I’m aiming for an early 2024 publication date.

The protagonist of Firedance is seventeen-year-old Maia. At the beginning of the book, Maia is looking forward to becoming invested as the Goddess of Light’s newest Sentinel. She hides her ability to not get burnt by fire as well as to release fire from her skin since these traits mark her as abnormal, a demon’s child. She is focused and hard-working, but cold to pleas for kindness, bending of rules and ‘family’ problems. She knows that some of her dreams—or are they nightmares?—might actually not be a figment of her imagination. But how can she find out why she remembers experiences she’s never had in these 17 years? Her greatest fear is being found out and condemned to death as a demon’s child.

When creating characters I fill in a chart with their characteristics. I thought you might like to see Maia’s.

In reality, my handwritten copy is much messier than what you can see, with multiple rubbing offs and overwriting! As you can see, too, I’ve only included half the chart as revealing how the character changes at the end would reveal too much of the plot 🙂

There are no fantasy creatures in the first two books of the Firedance Chronicles which I’ve written so far—unless you count creatures that are mentioned in passing that might appear in future books. So in today’s ABC series of Fantasy Creatures, I’m going to focus on a creature found in Scottish folklore: the kelpie.

K is for Kelpie

Kelpies are water creatures that can be found in Scottish freshwater lochs and fast moving rivers. Kelpies can shapeshift and often take on the form of a human or a beautiful horse or pony. However, beware attempting to catch one of them in the form of a horse and riding it. The creature’s magical back will not allow riders to dismount and it will gallop into high water and drown them. Their victims are then eaten. 

Kelpies are also known to have the power to summon floods to drown their victims.

A Kelpie’s weakness is its bridle as whoever manages to get hold of it will be able to control the creature. This is a great advantage as kelpies are stronger than ten horses.

References: https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-Kelpie/; https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Kelpie

Some self-promo!

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

If you like magic, enemies to lovers, twists and turns, harrowing escapes and family drama, then you’ll enjoy The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy.

Dawn of Purple and Grey, Days of Wind and Snow, and Night of Rites and Wraiths (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy) are available through Amazon as ebooks and paperbacks or as a Complete Series Box Set in ebook format.

Till next time,

Caroline

Fantasy author interview: Laura Winter, plus K is for Kraken

Book: The Curse of Broken Shadows

Genre: Fantasy / Romantic Fantasy

Author: Laura Winter

I’m very pleased to welcome fantasy author Laura Winter. Hello Laura, can you tell us something about your book? 

Laura: The Curse of Broken Shadows deals with shadow magic, which is extinct. The Veil Worshippers who honor the shadow god’s wall are hunted for their artifacts, including the Veil shards that break off the wall in Valisea.

With the dagger of her people and a Veil shard embedded in her collarbone that has infected her with shadow-cursed magic, Brela remains in hiding.

Until the infuriatingly handsome and tainted magic wielding Captain Cason Valkip captures her. Forced to work together to discover the source of the breaking wall, there’s more than just mythical beasts setting his fire magic ablaze. There’s a connection he can’t deny, but she threatens the very position he’s tried so hard to build.

But the wall is breaking, and to survive, she will have to work with the one man who could burn her, and he’ll have to learn to leave his past behind.

What do you consider to be something unique about your work?

Laura: One of my favorite chapters comes when we meet the sand sprites in the desert. I wanted a different take on the sprites, especially desert-dwellers, so imagining an entirely new kind of species led to some really fun beasts, magic, and narcissistic crown princes.

The other benefit of building ancient species and magic is coming up with a new language! This book actually features two languages with real translations as well as sign language.

That’s so interesting. I love books that create new languages, and including sign language is fascinating. I’m looking forward to reading The Curse of Broken Shadows. What are your plans for the future?

Laura: The Bones of Crystal Sand is a collection of six prequel stories following Brela’s adventures from Valisea and Rooke to the Crystal Desert. You can discover how Brela came to be the most feared assassin in the forest, while picking up a few strays along the way. Book 2, The Wings of Shattered Fire, is coming soon.

Sounds like you’ve built a complex world. Who is your favourite character in the series?

Laura: Obviously, I want to say Brela, but I think Oni is probably the one that stole my heart in the end. He’s an absolute turd in the best way possible.

Thank you so much for joining me today. One last question: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

Laura: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1067753047476264/

About the Author:

Laura: I’m an indie author of fantasy and romantic fantasy (that’s fantasy with a dash (or a dump) of spicy). I love writing stabby female characters, found family, and magic that packs a punch.

I live in Huntsville with my husband, 1-yr old girl, a dog, and two cats.

Link to book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Q3cUOr

On to this week’s fantasy creature.

K is for Kraken

Kraken are fearsome sea creatures responsible for destroying ships and their crews. Those who are ‘fortunate’ enough to see one and survive, often describe it as an enormous octopus or squid.

According to Norwegian legends, kraken are found close to Norway and Greenland. Norwegian fishermen fear kraken especially as if they inadvertently entangle a kraken in their nets or hooks, it will attack them. Apparently one defence is to call out its name as that will encourage it to retreat to the depths of the sea.

Giant squid, that could grow up to 15 metres long, could have given rise to various sightings of what people believed to be kraken. Similarly, underwater volcanic activity, especially found in Icelandic waters, could give rise to the surface bubbles, and sudden currents that are considered signs of the unseen presence of kraken.

Reference: https://about-mythical-creatures.weebly.com/kraken.html

Some self-promo!

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

If you like magic, enemies to lovers, twists and turns, harrowing escapes and family drama, then you’ll enjoy The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy.

Dawn of Purple and Grey, Days of Wind and Snow, and Night of Rites and Wraiths (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy) are available through Amazon as ebooks and paperbacks or as a Complete Series Box Set in ebook format.

Till next time,

Caroline