Bittersouls by L.A. Morton-Yates

 

Fantasy was made for YA readers. You've gotta check out Bittersouls by L.A. Morton-Yates! I have an excerpt for you as well as a sneak peek into the next project! Then download your own copy and visit the rest of the tour for even more fun. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

Meet Rana from The Chasm by Branwen O'Shea

 

Branwen O'Shea is back! And today in addition to an excerpt from her book The Chasm, we get to meet Rana of Peleguin Rookery, one of the characters. And if you follow my blogs at all, you know how excited I get when the characters come to visit! (Authors, I do love you as well. These characters visits are just much rarer!) So please enjoy and ask both Rana and Branwen more questions in the comments section. Follow the tour to see what else is going on. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

The After Times (The Bean Books) by Christine Potter

 Author Christine Potter is here to tell us all about her YA fantasy Bean series! You can read an excerpt from The After Times, as well! Be sure to let her know what you think in the comments section and then follow the tour for more. Best of luck in the giveaway!

Locksmith's War (The Locksmith Trilogy #3) by Paul Briggs

 

Locksmith's War is the third installment of Paul Briggs' Locksmith Trilogy. Today he's bringing you an excerpt plus letting us get to know him a little better in this Q&A. Enjoy both and then ask him more questions in the comments section. Follow the tour for even more. Best of luck to you in the giveaway!

Azreya by Tricia Copeland, illustrated by Matt Maes

Title:Azreya
Author: Tricia Copeland
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy, Myths & Legends
Editor: Jo Michaels, Indie Books Gone Wild
Illustrator: Matt Maes
Publication Date: August 23^rd, 2022
Hosted by: Lady Amber's Reviews & PR

Awakenings by L.C. Conn

 

I know how much you all love your fantasy! So check out an excerpt from Awakenings by L.C. Conn and let her know what you think in the comments! Follow the tour for even more! Best of luck in the giveaway!

Weaver by Tish Thawer Release Blitz

   

Title: Weaver
Authors: Tish Thawer
Genre: YA Fantasy
Cover Designer: Regina Wamba
Publication Date: June 21^st, 2022
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

The Virus of Beauty Series by C.B. Lyall

 

Today we welcome C.B. Lyall back to the blog with further installments of her Virus of Beauty series. Read about all of the books and get a peek inside. Then get to know the author better in a new interview. Be sure to download your own copies and then follow the tour for more. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

The Story Behind The Undine's Tear by Talena Winters

 

The Undine's Tear is the first installment of Talena Winters' new YA epic historical fantasy series, Rise of the Grigori. Find out how the title came to be and take a sneak peek inside. Download your copy and then follow the tour for more as well as bonus chances to enter the giveaway!

She's destined to save the world . . . if she doesn't destroy it first.

Calandra’s destiny is also her doom. As the most powerful healer since the woman who sank Atlantis, she’s been raised to restore the Heartstone that protects her island from humans . . . before she goes Mad like her mother and all the powerful undine healers before her. When she learns she needs both male and female magic to succeed, she becomes desperate—there hasn't been an undine male born for over three thousand years. Instead, she's being pressured to use the siren mind-bond to enslave her childhood friend, the one man she's sworn to risk a death sentence to free.

When Calandra discovers a cryptic message that shows her exiled mother was not only sane but pregnant with a boy, she questions everything she’s been taught to believe. But revealing the horrifying truth of the bonds could tear her island apart—and concealing it could unleash the Earth’s oldest, most destructive enemy. With insanity looming, can Calandra find her brother and save the Heartstone, the man she loves, her people, and the world . . . before she loses control and destroys them all?

The Undine's Tear is the first book in the mind-blowing young adult epic historical fantasy series Rise of the Grigori. Packed with complex characters, lush world-building, gritty action, and impossible odds, this intricately woven tale presents mermaids like you’ve never seen them before. Join Calandra in a search for redemption that will threaten the very fabric of the universe. Dive into the adventure today!

Read an excerpt:

Osaze looked between them with fear in his eyes, then turned back to Calandra.

“Redeemed. That’s what the queen did to me before, right? Is that what you mean by ‘help’?” He clutched Calandra’s arm. “Please don’t do it again, Calandra. I—I think I would rather die than have that happen again.”

As soon as Osaze touched her, a wave of desperation and fear crashed through her. She put her hands to her ears as though she could physically block out the sudden onslaught of emotion. Is it happening already? Is this the Madness?

When Osaze’s hand fell from her arm, the emotions subsided. She slowly lowered her hands, staring at the boy. Those feelings . . . they had all come from him? Why had she felt them so strongly? Did it have something to do with the Heartstone?

“It’s okay, Osaze. It doesn’t hurt, does it?”

He shook his head and buried it in his hands. “That would be better. It’s worse than anything you can imagine.”

Calandra stared at him, stricken. As a rule, undines treated every living thing with respect. She had always been told that Redemption meant saving the men from themselves, cleansing them of impurities they could not purge on their own. But how could it be right to do something to these men that they hated so much?

Buy on Amazon

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The Story Behind the Title of The Undine’s Tear

Have you heard of mermaid tears?

Growing up far inland with not many trips to an ocean, I hadn’t—not until I started doing the research for the book that became The Undine’s Tear.

In lore and fantasy, a mermaid’s tears often have unique magical properties—such as the mermaid tear Blackbeard was after in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, which was a key element in his pursuit of the Fountain of Youth. Perhaps this mythological meaning is why sea glass, which is often green, blue, or aquamarine in colour and has been worn smooth by time and tide, was given the name of mermaid tears. These mermaid tears are often treasured collectibles of beachcombers and look very pretty displayed on a shelf.

Before publishing my book, I had intended to call it The Mermaid’s Tear, but a poll of my readers suggested the word mermaid would deter the boys in the room from picking it up. That wouldn’t do, since this is not your typical mermaid book—and, to date, has been enjoyed by many of the male persuasion!

Besides, I had long since decided an entire race of sea creatures wouldn’t be named only for the females. So, much like people are known as humans, I opted to call my merfolk undines (UN-deens), a word referring to the Greek water elemental creature. Since elemental magic is the undines’ inheritance, this seemed kind of perfect.

As for the tear the story is named after—it’s not a drop of saltwater, nor a bit of sea glass, but instead a teardrop-shaped dark green (black) opal that, in the culture of the undines, works like a flash drive to store messages and data, as well as serving as a beautiful piece of jewelry.

And the message that Tear contains is going to change the way the undines look at the world forever—in fact, it could affect the very future of the cosmos.

But that’s a story that would take a whole series to tell…

Talena Winters is addicted to stories, tea, chocolate, yarn, and silver linings. She writes page-turning fiction for teens and adults in multiple genres, coaches other writers, has written several award-winning songs, and designs knitting patterns under her label My Secret Wish. Master of the ironic GIF response. She currently resides on an acreage in the Peace Country of northern Alberta, Canada, with her husband, three surviving boys, two dogs, and an assortment of farm cats. She would love to be a mermaid when she grows up.

https://www.talenawinters.com/

https://www.instagram.com/talenawinters

https://www.twitter.com/talenawinters

https://www.goodreads.com/talenawinters

https://facebook.com/talenawinters.artist

https://facebook.com/mysecretwishbyTalena

http://pinterest.com/talenawinters

Talena Winters will be awarding a hardback copy of The Undine's Tear (Rise of the Grigori Book 1) and also The Sphinx's Heart (Rise of the Grigori Book 2) to a randomly drawn winner (International Giveaway) via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Shadow and Sword by N.K. Carlson

 

NK Carlson has a new YA fantasy out now and you get a sneak peek inside! Plus he tells us about his journey to becoming a writer. Download your own copy and then follow the tour for even more plus bonus chances to enter the giveaway!

The word was just below a whisper, yet in sixteen-year-old Reith's ears, it rang louder than he could have ever imagined. Reith had his life in order: apprentice under his mentor, Master Chronicler Vereinen, and follow in his footsteps. Until a shadowy figure appeared in his village, burning everything to the ground, including Reith's future. Now Reith's mentor is missing and Reith is on the run from the mysterious Shadow.

Reith adventures through magical forests, ancient ruins, and the lands of prejudiced elves to find his mentor, learn the secret of his sword, and unravel the mystery of the Shadow. Will Reith discover the truth or will the Shadow continue to fall over all of Terrashonen?

Read an excerpt:

Reith walked to the edge of the stairs and knelt to look at what was in this slot, reaching in and pulling out a long, shiny box. This box looked to be wood overlaid with gold, silver, and copper triangles, each alternating, coming together to form a pattern. The box was about five feet long, a foot wide, and three or four inches tall. On the side was a golden clasp, which he opened.

Reith was dazzled by the sunlight striking the metal inside. In the box sat a sword in a scabbard. Its hilt looked like it had been woven together from three different metals, just like the box. These three twisted together into a metallic braid. The cross guard was similarly woven together. A soft, leather grip covered part of the handle for ease of use. Diamonds adorned the hilt and the pommel. The scabbard was black leather with lines of the three metals inlaid upon the edges.

He lifted the sword out and held it in his hand. The grip was warm, as if someone had just set it down. It felt light, like it was part of his arm and not a foreign object. The strangest thing though was that it felt like it was vibrating in his hand, as if he had just clashed it against another warrior’s blade.

Reith lifted it to his face and saw that the edge was sharp, as if it had just been sharpened and shined the day before. He slashed the air in front of him experimentally, and the sword hummed through the air. Strange as it seemed, he felt like he was meant to have this sword.

Buy on Amazon

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Your journey to becoming a writer

Blink… Blink… Blink…

The cursor materialized and disappeared over and over while the word counter remained at zero. I was in high school facing yet another essay that I had no motivation to write nor particular passion about the subject matter.

This scene happened several times in middle school and high school. Most writing assignments were big research papers or essays about uninteresting topics. I’ll be honest with you: I hated writing in middle school and high school. I would have rather sat a million tests that write papers.

But my loathing for writing was not always so. I had good experiences before then. In elementary school, the highlight of every year was receiving a blank white book to fill with a story or non-fiction work. We could choose the topic and write about anything we wanted. After writing a draft of the story, we workshopped it with our teacher and then we were given the greenlight to write and illustrate our blank white books. I loved those projects.

But then the freedom to be creative was taken away, replaced with boring drudgery of research papers and silly essays about trying to persuade the school board to not implement a uniform policy, which our teachers lied to us about to get us sufficiently angry to write our essays. How messed up is that?

And so I went to college. It was 2011 and blogging was all the rage. I had some friends start blogs, so I jumped in and started one. And I started writing about topics I cared about. In doing so, I found that I actually really liked writing. I enjoyed the process. I liked writing when I was writing about things I actually cared about.

Midway through college, I decided I wanted to try and write a novel. I started one, worked on it for a bit, but only got a few thousand words in before I got bored of it and gave up.

Then I had another idea, got really excited about it, and wrote a few thousand words, and gave it up after growing bored again.

I graduated and started grad school and had another idea for a novel, which I started, wrote a few thousand words, got bored, and abandoned.

Are you sensing a theme?

And then I had the idea for Shadow and Sword. I believed in this idea, but more importantly, I believed in myself. I would not let myself give up. If I was going to write a novel, it was now or never. So, over a period of four months, I wrote the first draft of Shadow and Sword. I finished it! And I knew from that moment that I had it in me to be a writer. Of course, it took a lot of work to rewrite and edit it, but I had the knowledge that I had started a novel and I had finished it. I was officially a writer.

N. K. Carlson is an author living in Texas. Originally from the Chicago area, he graduated from the University of Illinois before studying at Logsdon Seminary, where he graduated with a master of divinity degree. He has published two books.

The Things that Charm Us and the Smelly Gospel (which was co-written with Drew Doss) both came out in 2020.

His love of writing began in elementary school when each student was given a blank white book to fill with a story. In college, he took an interest in blogging and writing novels.

Website: https://www.nkcarlson.com/

https://medium.com/@nkcarlson

https://www.facebook.com/nkcarlson

https://twitter.com/N8Carlson

N. K. Carlson will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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The Realm Chronicles by Tricia Copeland Sales Blitz!

 

Title: Realm Chronicles
Author: Tricia Copeland
Genre: YA Fantasy/Fairies
Editor: Jo Michaels, Indie Books Gone Wild
Cover Designer: Elanor Lloyd-Jones, Shower of Schmidt Designs
Hosted by: Lady Amber's Reviews & PR

Blurb:

To Be a Fae Queen

The last of her line, a faerie princess prepares to take the throne. But multiple forces plot against her, some trusted friends…

After losing her brothers Titania trained and studied to rule Aubren. But she hadn’t planned on becoming Queen at fifteen. Now with her reign challenged from within the castle walls she must decide what is best for her country. Should another rule in her stead? Or has fate led her to this moment?

Only she can decide a path that becomes littered with choices. Should she marry to shore up her reign? Will naming a successor be enough? And what of the creatures of the deep and a tale of one who can end all evil? Faced with a decision of aiding beings of Upper Earth she must weigh whether to follow her gut or side with tradition.

Can Titania trust that her inner power will be enough to stop the looming evil? Or is she damning them all to a life of darkness?

To Be a Fae Queen is a magical journey into the realm of Middle Earth. If you like fearless heroines you’ll love Tricia Copeland’s tantalizing fantasy.

Get To Be a Fae Queen to descend into a new world today!

99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Blurb:

She may be the only fae standing between her realm and the evil lurking below. Will Titania be given the power she needs?

Titania defeats a group of creatures threatening to colonize Middle Earth. In ending them she broke not one but two edicts of the High Council. But justice may fall on the only person holding the key to her ability to defend the fae.

The evil spirits manifesting the terrorists lurk below, lying in wait to strike again. With loss of a much-needed ally, she lacks freedom to learn what the realm may be facing. Worse yet, many, even some most trusted compatriots, distance themselves from the reckless Queen she’s painted to be.

Her power shackled and left alone, Titania loses faith in her once clear path.

Can she find her footing in time to save them all from eternal darkness?

To Be a Fae Guardian is the second book in the Realm Chronicles series, continuing a magical journey into the realm of Middle Earth. If you like dauntless heroines, you’ll love Tricia Copeland’s gripping fantasy.

Get To be a Fae Guardian to spiral into a new world.

99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. She believes that magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, a beautiful sunset, or a book that transports us to another world. You can find all her titles from contemporary romance and fantasy, to dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.

Author Links:

Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Youtube

BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads | Smashwords | SoundCloud | Spotify

START THE SERIES TODAY!

Guiding Gaia by Tish Thawer

   

Title: Guiding Gaia
Author: Tish Thawer
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Amber Leaf Publishing
Cover Designer: The Illustrated Author - Melissa Stevens
Publication Date: April 20, 2021
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

Blurb:

She awoke to save us, but it may already be too late.

The world is in chaos.

Stars are falling from the sky. Floods, hurricanes, and fires rage across the land. And the only being strong enough to stop it is stuck in teenage form ... again.

Reborn, Gaia has come to Earth to battle through the strife and discover if the world is worth saving.

Tasked with guiding her, it falls to me to help her weather the storms, and hopefully, find a place where she can be at peace. But time is running out, and her patience is waning. Now, I fear if the human race doesn’t destroy the world … 

she will.

99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

#1 Bestseller in Historical Fiction

Top 100 Bestselling in Paid Kindle Store

Best Cover Award Winner

Readers’ Choice Award Winner

Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Novel Winner (x2)

 

Author Tish Thawer writes paranormal romances for all ages. From her first paranormal cartoon, Isis, to the Twilight phenomenon, myth, magic, and superpowers have always held a special place in her heart. Best known for her Witches of BlackBrook series, Tish’s detailed world-building and magic-laced stories have been compared to Nora Roberts, Sam Cheever, and Charlaine Harris.

Tish has worked as a computer consultant, photographer, and graphic designer, and has bylines as a columnist for Gliterary Girl media, RT Magazine, and Literary Lunes Magazine. She currently resides in Missouri with her husband and two of her three wonderful children, and operates Amber Leaf Designs, an online custom swag retail store.

Author Links: 

Website | Amazon | Instagram | Facebook

Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Lightning streaked across the sky, backlighting the eighteen-year-old goddess as she stood silhouetted against the maelstrom outside. Her auburn hair was wind-whipped and plastered to her neck and face, and though newly reborn, her divinity was something she could never hide … at least not from me.

 

“How far is it to the temple?” she asked.

 

“Five hours, but hopefully, you can get some sleep along the way. You’ll need your energy for when we arrive.”

 

Gaia pulled her jean jacket over her soaked cotton tee and followed me from the room. She was oblivious of the Crags and their intent to kill her, and it was my job––and my punishment—to keep it that way. To protect her from everything … even knowing they exist. After losing my own daughter, and the training I’d forced myself through, this was a task I would not fail again.

99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Read an exclusive excerpt from The Sherwood Proof by Kristee Ravan

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to the tour for The Sherwood Proof by Kristee Ravan! Today I have an exclusive excerpt for you to enjoy from this fun series. You can also read an author interview at Candrel's Crafts, Cooks, and Characters. And stay tuned for my review at Andi's Middle Grade and Chapter Books!

The Sherwood Proof

(The Lily Sparrow Chronicles #3)

By Kristee Ravan

Middle-Grade, Fairy Tale, Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 569 Pages

November 23, 2021 by Kristee Ravan

Lily Sparrow has finally created an equation for being a good princess. Things are adding up and making sense, and she’s even growing a measurable amount more excited about her future. But unexpected variables keep being tossed into her equation:

1. Carole Claus is facing her first hurdle as Santa. She needs Lily’s help.
2. Lily’s Half-Birthday--an important Smythian tradition--is coming up, requiring her to find time to prepare for it.
3. Her algebra teacher has an unusual (and stressful plan) for Lily.
4. Lily remains convinced that her mom is hiding something from her.
5. The investigation into the traitor is an on-going source of stress and tension at work for Lily and Calo.
6. Oh, and Calo’s still betrothed to Su’Sauna, making life difficult and confusing all around.

Will Lily be able to place these variables securely in her equation? Will the Sparrow family find a way to convince their critics they are good for the Kingdom? Or will everything fall apart--subtracting all the good will Lily has already earned from her citizens?

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon

Read an exclusive excerpt:

My circulating and small talk skills had improved greatly over the last several months, so I went easily from group to group, trying to make sure I spent equal time with all. Once when I was with Corrie, Calo came over to us. Su’Sauna followed, of course.

“You must be Corrie.” He shook her hand. “Lily has told me so much about you. You’re a good friend.”

Corrie smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you too.”

Su’Sauna laughed. “I think it’s just so interesting the Princess has a little friend in OtherWorld. We’ve never had our Future Protector grow up so completely ignorant and out of touch with her real country before.” She flashed a smile. “It’s been such a fascinating transition for us.”

No one said anything for 4 whole seconds.

I knew from my training with Miss Reed that I should be the first one to speak, to say, Thank you for sharing your opinion, while I smiled sweetly, but I didn’t trust myself to do anything more than smile. And I’m sure that smile was far more fixed than sweet.

Corrie made a sort of strangled gasping noise as her mouth fell open from shock.

Calo finally cleared his throat and said, “Su’Sauna, I see the Queen is not currently speaking with anyone. We should go pay our respects.”

“Of course. Bye y’all.” She waved at us as she followed Calo.

I watched them go, but Calo never turned back.

“Cinnamon tea.” Eric was suddenly right beside me, holding a steaming cup on a saucer.

“That was so rude!” Corrie exploded. “How dare she say all that stuff right to your face!”

Eric chuckled. “I overheard her comments as I passed by, and it seems my future-sister-in-law dares quite a bit. I hope Calo can handle her.” He smiled again.

“She doesn’t like me,” I said, taking the tea gratefully.

I walked a little away from Corrie and Eric. They were discussing how such rudeness should be punished. I sipped my tea thoughtfully. I wasn’t sure punishment was the answer. I was more concerned there was among my citizens someone who actively disliked me.

 

Excerpted from The Sherwood Proof by Kristee Ravan, Copyright © 2021 by Kristee Ravan. Published by Kristee Ravan.

Other Books in the Series

About the Author


Kristee Ravan lives in Oklahoma with her husband, daughter, and pet fish, Val (short for Valentine). She wanted to be many things as she grew up including a general, an artist, and an architect. But she never bothered to say, "I want to be a writer when I grow up." She was always writing stories and thought of herself as a writer anyway. She sent her first story to a publisher in the sixth grade. (It was rejected - in a nice way.) When she is not making up stories in her head, she enjoys reading, juggling, green smoothies, playing dollhouse with her daughter, and hearing from her fans. You can contact Kristee at the Facebook page for her Lily Sparrow books: The Lily Sparrow Chronicles.

The Lily Sparrow Chronicles | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon 

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

Three winners will receive a print copy of The Sherwood Proof (US only)

Ends December 15, 2021

ENTER HERE

 

A Moment in Time by Martin Dukes

 

Welcome to the tour for A Moment in Time by Martin Dukes! Today you'll not only get a peek inside with an excerpt but also how Martin Dukes would handle it should his book baby be accepted to be put onscreen. Follow the tour for even more!

Alex Trueman has just turned fifteen. He's a typical teenager, a bit spotty, a bit nerdy and he's not exactly popular at school, not being one of the 'cool' kids. His tendency to day-dream doesn't exactly help him to be cool. either! But being cool isn't as good as the talent Alex discovers he has - stopping time.

Yes that's right. Stopping time!

Well, for everyone except Alex, that is, who finds that whilst everyone else is caught in a moment in time, he is able to carry on as normal. Maybe not quite 'normal', after all, he's able to stop time, and whilst that's not exactly as good as a certain 'boy wizard', it's pretty close!

The only trouble is that reality for Alex isn't always what is seems, and being plunged into an alternative can be a bit tricky, not to mention the fact that he makes an enemy almost as soon as he arrives, which tends to cause a problem.

Will Alex Trueman, nerdy daydreamer, be able to return to reality or will he be stuck forever in his alternative? Is a moment in time enough for Alex to discover the superhero he needs is probably himself?

A Moment in Time is the debut novel of author Martin Dukes, and is the first in a series of Alex Trueman Chronicles, which take the reader, along with Alex, into a bedazzling world of time travel, alternative reality and flying sea creatures. His further adventures include the past, possibly the future and definitely a fight to save reality itself.

Read an excerpt:

“What on earth are you doing?” rang Alex’s mum’s voice from behind him, and then “Oh!” as she took in the scene of the accident. The two girls were led past Alex. He gaped. There was something so familiar about that girl, and as she passed their eyes met. There were tears in hers – anguish, shock – and then as she passed by a glimmer of recognition. Alex almost called out, but what was there to say? Then she was gone, her head turned away once more as the crowd swallowed her up. His mum was scolding him, grabbing at his arm, but Alex hardly heard. He remained frozen, watching until the two girls vanished inside the police station. Then he allowed himself to be drawn away back towards the High Street, letting his mum’s complaints wash over him.

“… out of your pocket money,” she was saying. “Great clumsy clot. And running off like that. What on earth did you think you were doing?”

A stranger appeared at Alex’s side, a young man with a struggling goatee beard and a kindly face. He wore an ill-fitting suit. Before Alex could react, the stranger had taken his hand and pressed something into it. Alex glanced down. It was a page torn from a jotter with a name and a telephone number scrawled upon it. Alex looked up.

“Come on,” called his mum impatiently from up ahead.

But the young man had gone. Alex glanced wildly up and down the street. He looked at the paper again. ‘Kelly’ was the name.

Available on Amazon

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If my book was made into a movie

My first reaction, upon being offered a contract declaring that Netflix was proposing to make a movie of my book, would be delight. How could it not be? In my mind’s eye, I see a period of fist-pumping and dancing around whatever room I was in at the time. I imagine there would be some embracing and hugging going on, too. Naturally, detail is everything here. Had the contract arrived in a letter, and I had opened this letter on a bus, I expect my response would the scaled back accordingly, for fear of giving the impression that I am a lunatic to the public at large. However, were I safely within the bosom of my own family, I imagine that jubilation would know no bounds, leading to a frantic round of messaging and phone-calling amongst friends and acquaintances.

However, I ask myself, would this intense period of celebration quite quickly give way to mature consideration of the circumstances? After all, if Netflix (or some other equivalent) are going to buy the right to dramatize my work for the screen, they are going to wish to impose their own creative vision on it, are they not? At this point, when this thought crosses my mind, a strange clamminess comes upon my hands and a prickle across the brow. I swallow hard. ‘A Moment in Time’ is my baby. I made it. Me. It’s all mine and the thought of other people, complete strangers, coming in and taking my baby away from me is one that fills me with disquiet. I mean, what if they change it so it’s barely recognisable to me? There are so many things to be scared of!

In the first place, when we read a book, there is a creative interplay between the author’s vision and our own. The author sees things in their own head: a view of a city street, an impassioned argument between two characters, for example, and they describe what they see in those words on the page. When we read those words we see within our own minds an approximation of the author’s vision, but crucially, we interpret it in ways that suit our own experience and make of it something that is deeply personal. Reading is as much a creative exercise as writing. It is not as though the writer provides us with a flat-pack wardrobe in a box, with the instructions for assembly. Rather, the writer provides us with materials and guidance, and we assemble from them something that is unique to ourselves.

This is why movies are often disappointing, to those who have first read the book on which it was based. A very obvious example is Jack Reacher, a movie interpretation of Lee Child’s book made in 2012, and starring Tom Cruise as the eponymous Jack. The problem here is that Jack Reacher is a giant of a man, 6’5” whilst the diminutive Tom is a mere 5’7”. I am a great admirer of Tom Cruise’s work, but he was never going to cut it as Jack Reacher. When we read about characters, we see, in our mind’s eye, a vision of those characters that movie-makers may contradict, although few examples are as clear-cut as the one I mention. Sometimes, things work out. Peter Jackson’s vision of the characters in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy was remarkably similar to my own, which is one reason why I enjoyed them so much.

With my own book, I have an unimprovably clear idea in my mind of what Alex Trueman looks like. I know this because I used my son, Jack, as a model, when taking photos and video to be used for the cover of the book and for the subsequent marketing. Would my Jack be prepared to reprise his role in Hollywood and project his persona onto the big screen, with all the attendant fame and celebrity? I rather suspect he would.

About the author:

I’ve always been a writer. It’s not a choice. It’s a compulsion, and I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. Lots of childish scribbles in notebooks, lots of rejection slips from publishers and agents testify to a craft long in the making. In addition, it has proved necessary to earn a living by other means whilst those vital skills mature. For thirty-eight years I taught Art and Graphic Design, thirty-seven of them in a wonderful independent girls’ school in Birmingham, UK. For much of the latter part of this career I was Head of Department, which gave me the opportunity to place my own stamp on Art education there, sharing with the pupils there my own love of Art and the History of Art. Over a decade I was able to lead annual visits to Florence, Venice and Rome (some of my favourite places on the planet) as destinations on my Renaissance Tour. These visits created memories that I shall cherish for the rest of my life.

I love history in general, reading history as much as I read fiction. I have a particular interest in the ancient world but I am also fascinated with medieval times and with European history in general. This interest informs my own writing to the extent that human relationships and motivations are a constant throughout the millennia, and there is scarcely a story that could be conceived of that has not already played itself out in some historical context. There is much to learn from observing and understanding such things, much that can be usefully applied to my own work.

Teaching tends to be a rather time-consuming activity. Since retiring, I have been able to devote much more of my time to writing, and being taken on by the brilliant Jane Murray of Provoco Publishing has meant that I am finally able to bring my work to the reading public’s attention. I like to think that my ideas are original and that they do not readily fall into existing tropes and categories.

I am not a particularly physical being. I was always terrible at sport and have rather poor physical coordination (as though my body were organised by a committee rather than a single guiding intelligence!). I tend to treat my body as a conveyance for my head, which is where I really dwell. My writing typically derives from dreams. There is a sweet spot between sleeping and waking which is where my ideas originate. I always develop my stories there. When I am writing it feels as though the content of my dreams becomes real through the agency of my fingers on the keyboard. I love the English language, the rich majesty of its vocabulary and its rhythmic possibilities. My arrival at this stage could hardly be describes as precocious. However, at the age of sixty-two, I feel that I have arrived at a place where I can create work of value that others may appreciate and enjoy.

https://provoco-publishing.com/martin-dukes

Twitter - @MartinDukes5

www.mdukes-wildestdreams.com

Martin Dukes will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Read an exclusive excerpt from Heir of Elriyon by K. Michele Moseley

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to the book tour for Heir of Elriyon! Today I have an exclusive excerpt for you to enjoy. Let the author know what you think in the comments! And then be sure to follow the tour via the link above for even more. Best of luck in the giveaway!

Heir of Elriyon

By K. Michele Moseley

Young Adult Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 301 Pages

August 20, 2021 by Uncommon Universes Press

Aenya's destiny could cost her freedom.

After years of compulsory training to become an elite warrior, sixteen-year-old Aenya plans to run away with her friend Lewin. However, her plans crumble when she is chosen to be Elriyon’s new figurehead and wife to the future ruler, Rieve.

But Aenya has a secret: she is a Darcara—one chosen by elusive dragon-like beings, the Dargun, to receive the wisdom that once governed her people.

When the current rulers decide to stop a growing rebellion by killing the remaining Dargun, Aenya flees to Elriyon’s mysterious interior. Still, the Dargun’s words burn into her mind. They have a new task for her: return to her people and speak the truth, no matter the cost.

With escape close at hand, Aenya must choose between a dangerous calling or finally being free.

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Read an exclusive excerpt:

He shows me a story I can’t turn away from. There’s danger, like walls crumbling around me, but I am not me. I am someone else, kneeling beside paints and parchment, pleading for help. Though I can’t hear it, I feel people screaming beyond the crumbling walls. Please help us. Don’t let this happen. Please.

And the reply is warm. No, hot, as if I’ve sat too long in front of the fireplace.

This must happen. It must be done. But somewhere in the flames there are two promises. One of someone who will help, someone who will pick up the broken pieces, end the rage and fear. And second, that one day, someone else will come and lead everyone back to where they are safe.

But how can they? Who will teach them? I’m begging, even if it’s no use.

Sparks of blue and red stab at me as the words flood in.

You will. And all who are of your line. There will always be one or two who can still hear, who will awaken the gift in others. We are not lost.

The pressure lets go, just before I feel it will kill me.


Excerpted from Heir of Elriyon by K. Michele Moseley, Copyright © 2021 by K. Michele Moseley. Published by Uncommon Universes Press.

About the Author

K. Michele Moseley found her love for storytelling on a Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the third grade. Though she struggled with dyslexia, her passion for stories allowed her to overcome the challenges that came with telling them. While she writes in many genres, what she likes best is creating stories for young adults that place real-life obstacles into fantastic worlds. When not inventing new realms, she spends her time chasing after her two sons and playing "Netflix Roulette" with her husband.

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Paperback of Heir of Elriyon by K. Michele Moseley, a set of two loose-leaf teas, a set of character art, and a bookmark (US Only)

Ends September 29, 2021

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