Happy book birthday, The Mage Tales!

It's always great to see writer friend's get their books out into the world, and it's even better to help them celebrate. So I'm very excited to have the chance to spread the news about a new series: THE MAGE TALES

This is a series filled with vampires, witches, mages and all sorts of wonderful, magical creatures. But what really makes it stick out is the light tone of humor and sass. It reminded me of a paranormal series with a little bit of the fun feeling found in anime. But before I say more, here it is!

"A mage should be able to handle anything, but really, the circumstances are getting quite ridiculous."

Joshua’s witch mother has been missing and presumed dead since he was a teen. Years later, when he learns she might be alive, all he can think of is finding her. His antagonistic vampire father agrees to help, but Joshua fears he has ulterior motives. The situation gets even more complicated when they discover why she disappeared: she possessed a mysterious crystal whose powers remain a secret.

Unfortunately, Joshua and his father aren’t the only ones interested in the crystal. As their search leads them from New York to Las Vegas to Rome, they’re pursued by the Paranormal Investigation Agency, the High Council of Witches, and yet more vampires. In the process, they uncover a plot to wake the deadliest vampire who ever lived.

If Joshua can find the crystal, he might find his mother—and stop a massacring blood-seeker from rising. But that means not fighting with his father long enough to hold off adversaries both human and supernatural.

It might just be more than one mage can handle. 

"Ah, Rome. The city of Raphael . . . Bernini . . . Caravaggio. And an ancient and evil vampire who’s recently come out of a deep sleep." 

The mage known as Joshua is finally reunited with the mother who disappeared when he was a teen, but there’s little time to celebrate. His mother’s kidnappers may be dead, but their master—a merciless vampire who wants to rule humanity—is very much alive. And he grows more powerful every night, making followers and plotting overthrows. 

The only hope Joshua has of stopping this tyrant is a daring scheme that puts him in the belly of the beast—a beast that includes treachery, gas attacks, fake corpses, beheadings, and bombs. 

Can a few witches, a possibly-repentant blood-seeker, and a lone mage save the world? Or is the whole situation about to explode? 

Literally.

"Oh dear. I think I’ve gotten myself into a bit of a fix again."

It’s been a tough couple of months for Joshua, a mage. After battling vampires, despots, and demons, he heads to Chicago for some downtime, maybe even a little romance. Unfortunately, fate has other plans.

Joshua and his would-be lover are kidnapped by two vampires and threatened with death. The vampires agree to spare them, but only if Joshua helps find an ancient statue . . . by dawn. But he and his kidnappers aren’t alone in their search. Three other vampires want the statue as well, and not only do they kill those who get in their way, they ENJOY the killing.

It seems this mage just can’t stay out of trouble, even for one night.

***ALL IN A NIGHT'S WORK is a novella of approximately 19,000 words. It is Book 3.5 of the MAGE TALES, but can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone work. 

And here's the author of this fun series:

Ilana Waters!!!

 I once pet-sat an electric eel and crashed my car into a house, though not on the same day. Before I became a writer, I was reprimanded and/or fired for reading in every job I ever held.

You can stalk her on:

https://twitter.com/ilanawaters

https://www.facebook.com/ilanawatersbooks/timeline/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6472232.Ilana_Waters

Flash Fiction - Walk the Plank

As of October 1st, YA Buccaneers is having another round of Bootcamp! I've done this several times now and find not only the extra kick in the butt more than helpful, but am always touched by all the support. It's a great group.

So to help get those creative juices flowing and stretch those brain muscles, here's my contribution to this round of Walk The Plank!

We are to write a 200-word flash fiction story with the prompt 'First Day of School' and share it with the world. The opening words must be:

“Standing at the front of the class on the first day of school...”


So here's my sober (or not so much) attempt. And yes, I hit exactly 200-words--boo-yeah!

Standing at the front of the class on the first day of school, Bobby Nolan stared at the floor, his hands rolled in the bottom of his T-shirt tight as a burrito. He was supposed to name his favorite color, his favorite food, and then tell us something he did during break.

We all had to do it.

"Bobby?" Miss Turner shoved her glasses tighter up her nose. "We're waiting."

Bobby sniffled. For a second, I thought he might cry, but then I saw it. The left corner of his lips twitched a grin. Only a tinsy bit, and only once.

I leaned forward on my desk and snuggled my chin into my arms to hide the smile growing across my face.

"My favorite color is green." He kneaded his hands. "I love pizza. I went swimming at the lake with my dad, and there I met Mr. G."

Bobby yanked out his hands. A balled blur burst through the air and right into Miss Turner's arms. She screeched and tossed the frog back into the air.

It landed smack dab in the middle of my desk and croaked at me.

"That's him, Mr. G," Bobby explained with a wink.

Want to give it a go? Or better yet, join the Bootcamp fun? Then go take a peek for yourself!

Celebrate the Small Things!

Holy Crow - it's already Friday! Before we head off into the weekend it's time to remember all those wonderful things that happened--all those things which put a smile on the face. Today, we CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself.  If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below!

This week, I'm celebrating. . .

1) A couple of calves! We have a few cows expecting in the next few weeks. Two new little ones are already here and oh so cute!

2) A book set from Shah Wharton! I was lucky enough to win this package of horror. Talk about perfect timing for the upcoming month! We'll have to see how it goes though (I'm a chicken when it comes to horror)

3) Good grades from my two youngest (straight A's!) I haven't seen the older ones grades yet, but in celebration, we went out for ice cream. I'm so glad they're loving school.

4) Hit a slot in Miss Snark's secret agent contest! My current agent decided to take a break from her career for family, which means I'm on my own again. So when the email came the exact same day about the contest now being open (and just happened to include my genre), I dove right in and actually made a spot. And since I was in the flow of things, I sent off my first query too - might as well dive right back into this writing madness. 

And what about you? What put a smile on your face this week?

Get through that laundry pile?

Hear a song on the radio you haven't heard in a super long time?

Have a fresh, new writing idea?

Sit down on the grass and watch the day go by?

What are you celebrating this week?

Celebrate the Small Things

Thank heavens it's Friday! Wow, what a week it's been. But before we head off into the weekend it's time to remember all those wonderful things that happened--all those things which put a smile on the face. Today, we CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself.  If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below!

This week, I'm celebrating. . .

1) Getting through the week. Problems were on a roll these past days, a new one popping up every time another was solved. Everything worked out okay in the end, but it got to the point I'd cringe every time the phone would ring. So I'm celebrating the end of this week and embracing the weekend.

2) Writing in my own writing space for the first time! There's a guest room in our basement which I've been dreaming of turning into my own office, and I finally buckled down and got it done. It's not beautiful, but it's cleaned out, a type of desk/table is up and I've even brought in a few decorations to make it feel more writerly. I spent one day in there, and it was wonderful.

3) Watching my kids excitement during Homecoming week. The high school football team is one of the most treasured things in our little town, and the entire place spends the week getting psyched for the 'big' game. All grades had a list of 'dress-up' ideas to show their spirit, and they get to take part in or watch the big parade today. Of course, each class is having a party in their classrooms after the parade as well (all the way down to the kindergartners). It's hard not to get caught up in their fun.


And what about you? Dare to peek out of your window this last week? Did you enjoy a walk in the September sun? Get some writing done? What put a smile on your face this last week?

Happy Release Day (one day late)

And once again the world gets to see how unorganized I can be. . .but that doesn't mean I'm any less enthusiastic or excited to help fellow blogger announce the release of her second book in the POP TRAVEL series.

Congratulations, Tara!

And here it is. . .

After Pop Travel, Geri convinced Cooper to move back to Atlanta, but for familiar reasons, things didn't work out... In Simulation, Geri is fighting her way back to full-fledged, solo agent status, but first has to deal with one more annoying sidekick on an equally annoying case. Meanwhile, Cooper takes his mind off Geri leaving him by throwing himself into his work, investigating an illegal clone android simulation operation. Sparks fly when Cooper and Geri's cases lead them down the same path. Of course Hasan wants to help them with their cases, and connives a plan to get them back together in the niddle of all the chaos!

SIMULATION delivers more technology, more intense action, more humor, and more exciting new characters. Come along for the ride.

SIMULATION
by Tara Tyler
Release Date: Sept 14, 2015

In 2082, androids are an essential part of daily life. Some are helpful, some would make better toasters, and some are so human-like they're creepy. Back in Atlanta, Detective Cooper's latest client has him searching for her boyfriend who she thinks was replaced by a simulation, an illegal clone android. The guy also happens to be a popular new congressman.

As if the case wasn't frustrating enough, Cooper keeps crossing paths with his ex, FBI Agent Geri Harper who's looking for the same guy. As Cooper closes in, Geri is kidnapped. But when she resurfaces in Washington and goes on a killing spree, he knows it isn't her. Now under suspicion himself, Cooper must find the real Geri to prove her innocence, not to mention hunt down the powerful villain behind it all. Never a dull moment.

Available Now!

Amazon ~~ Barnes & Noble
Goodreads giveaway!

Tara Tyler writes sci fi and fantasy action-adventures from her little corner of the world in Ohio as she tries to keep up with her three boys and coach husband. Always making time to write, she sometimes puts off chores and lets laundry pile up... hence, she's also the Lazy Housewife, offering advice and tips to other gals out there trying to do it all without going crazy. She and her housewife friends blog at The Really Real Housewives of America.

tara tyler talks and tweets and facebooks

And don't forget the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Randi Lee's BOGO deal!

A very special blogger friend who's always full of pep and zest...I'm betting most of you know her already... is running a deal until September 22nd. And of course, I'm glad to help her announce it to the world!!!!

But instead of babbling  (which I love to do), I'll just cut right to the chase. Here's her promotion!

The Affected BOGO is Upon Us…

Author Randi Lee is running a buy one, get one promotion for two of her books: purchase a copy of Randi Lee’s “Affected” between September 14—22, 2015 and receive a free eBook version of “Snap! A Quite Quick Collection.” To receive your free eBook, e-mail a copy of your receipt for the purchase of “Affected” to: randi.lee@mail.com.

“Affected” by Randi Lee is available on major online bookselling sites, such as: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, kobo and Powell’s. Visit emotionalnovel.blogspot.com for more details.

Celebrate the Small Things

Hello, Friday! And what a lovely one it is. . .well, sort of. It's raining. But are we going to let that ruin our fun? No way! Because today is the day we remember all those wonderful things that happened this past week--all those things which put a smile on our faces. Today, we CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself.  If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below!

This week, I'm celebrating. . .

1) A Park Library! I've been seeing these all over facebook and wondered if something like that would work in our little, very rural farm town. And sure enough, someone thought it would.

2) My daughter drew her version of a cover for my MS which is currently out on sub and framed it for me. I feel so loved! (I was totally impressed by it too)

3) Thanks to a birthday present my husband received, we took a day trip this last weekend to the Meramec Caverns. I've seen many caves in over a dozen countries, and I can honestly say that this one was worth visiting too. It was a hide out for Jessie James (which I found an interesting tidbit, but the cave was impressive all by itself). There was also a type of light/movie show on a large formation towards the end of the tour, which I found a bit unnecessary, but this wasn't the cave's fault. It was the first time I could walk along an underground river. The thing stretches on for 16 miles and has it's own river bed--just like the ones above ground--and one can walk along the 'shore'. There are stalactites/stalagmites and other neat formations (of course), which are quite impressive too.


So, what about you? What put a smile on your face this last week? Catch a beautiful sunset or sunrise? Were you lucky enough to hit Starbucks and grab one of their pumpkin spice lattes? Did you let yourself do something silly like coasting on a shopping cart through the parking lot? What are you celebrating this week?

The Shadow of the Revenaunt by Paul E. Horsman

SYNOPSIS

The night before his Coming-of-Age, Ghyll and his two friends escape their castle on a clandestine boar hunt that will forever change their lives. The hunt proves a disaster, and with one of them badly wounded, they return just in time to see their island castle destroyed by macabre warriors from a dragon boat, and by flocks of fire-breathing birds. Ghyll's eighteenth birthday turns into a nightmare as they flee into the night.

Now begins an epic journey to find out who is trying to kill them – and most importantly, why?

Fortunately, they can count on the help of new friends, including a sometimes overly enthusiastic fire mage, an inexperienced paladin and a young beastmistress who is also a ferocious mountain lioness. It soon becomes clear that not one but several sorcerers want to kill them. Are those blackrobes really followers of a terrible, long-forgotten organization?

SYNOPSIS

And whose cold hand reaches across the boundaries of space and time to crush weakened Rhidauna?

How did his parents and brothers die? Where their deaths really accidents, or were they killed? These questions young Ghyll Hardingraud must answer before he can ascend Rhidauna's throne.

Ghyll’s search for the truth leads him and his Companions on a journey back to the past as he slowly unravels a dark conspiracy.

Once crowned, the young King Ghyll still has to finish the mission his dead uncle imposed on him. The journey takes him and his trusted friends through inhospitable lands and dangerous swamps to the endless steppes of Zihaen, looking for the Voice from the West. He discovers he isn't the only one. His vindictive enemy pursues him, aided by undead forces.

PURCHASE

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Google
Smashwords
iTunes

The Author

Paul's  Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads 

Paul E. Horsman (1952) is a Dutch and International Fantasy Author. Born in the sleepy garden village of Bussum, The Netherlands, he now lives in Roosendaal, a town on the Dutch-Belgian border.

He has been a soldier, a salesman, a scoutmaster and from 1995 till his school closed in 2012 a teacher of Dutch as a Second Language and Integration to refugees from all over the globe.

Being unemployed and economically overage, yet still some years away from retirement, he is a full-time writer of epic light fantasy adventures. His books are both published in the Netherlands, and internationally.

Celebrate the Small Things!

Happy Friday! And what a week it's been. Seriously, this week was. . .*takes a deep breath* wow. And that's why it's time to sit back and celebrate ALL those things that went on, especially those small ones. 

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself.  If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below!

This week, I'm celebrating. . .

1) Surprise visitors! Thursday, my daughter got a call from the father of a friend of hers in Germany who happens to be in the US right now. He wanted to know if he could drop by with a friend of his and say hi to her. Friday evening they came, and they had so much fun that they stayed and spent the night until Sunday morning. Needless to say, that whomped my weekend in so many ways. But now, we've gotten to know two very nice people.

2) Hub's Birthday! He turned the big 50 this last week. A major step for him.

3) Feeling better again! I caught some stupid stomach bug last Friday morning (of course, right before craziness started) and it hung in there until about yesterday. But now, I can eat again!!! I dove into the rest of the bday cake yesterday and had more than a couple of pieces. Yum!

4) IWSG! The support and comments in that group ALWAYS put a smile on my face. Thanks, guys!

And what about you?

What put a smile on your face this last week? Did someone take you out to dinner? Was the cashier extra kind at the store? Find something that you'd forgotten you'd even had? What are you celebrating this week?

Cover Reveal for Static by S.K. Anthony

It's always fun to celebrate, and today, I'm lucky enough to help out a blogger buddy with a celebration of her own. The fun and sympathetic S.K. Anthony is about to bring out her 2nd book in her series, The Luminaries.  *squeal*  And today is the day she presents her gorgeous cover to the world. . . what a cover it is!


STATIC

The Luminaries

Book Two

Urban Fantasy

 September 2015

Cover Design: Regina Wamba of Mae I Design

*****

But before I show it to you, here's what the book is about:

(Yep, we have to make this exciting!)

Kevin Pierce is a teleporter, a ladies’ man, and a loyal friend . . . or so he thought.

As a genetically altered Luminary, he helps the government bring down some of the most dangerous criminals. Not very challenging if you have his special abilities. But when a group of rebel Luminaries attacks his Organization the fight for survival begins.

One shattering event after another tests the depth of his relationships, his sanity, and his powers. Emotionally torn, Kevin must choose carefully where his loyalty lies. In the middle of all the unexpected chaos he gets the biggest shock of his life when he’s faced by a betrayal he never saw coming. Angry, injured, and ready to even the score, Kevin goes Static . . .

Add it to your Goodreads *here*

Now. . .

are you ready to see it???

Are you sure???

Well, here it is!!!

And here she is. . .

S.K. ANTHONY!!!

S. K. Anthony is a writer, a reader and a make-stuff-up-er who lives in New York with her husband and toddler twins. She is a wine connoisseur, which just really means she knows she loves it, and a caffeine addict. When she isn’t busy with her family she finds herself being transported into the world of imagination. Well, either that or running away from spiders…she is convinced they are out to get her!

Stalk S.K. Anthony here:

Blog ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Google + ~ Pinterest








You can find Book One here:

Amazon            ~  Barnes and Noble  

Createspace    ~  Amazon Ca 

Amazon UK    ~  Goodreads

Congrats, S.K.!

IWSG - Want to go floatin'?

It's the first Wednesday of the month and time for IWSG! This is the brainchild of the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh and in a nut shell, is a chance for us writers to share and encourage each other as we share our doubts, insecurities and whatever might be on our minds on this writing journey. But this isn't just a simple group. Nope. IWSG has so much more to offer. If you're curious, go ahead and head over here to find out more about it!

Special thanks goes not only to Alex but also to all his co-hosts this month:  Julie Flanders,Murees Dupé, Dolorah at Book Lover, Christine Rains, and Heather Gardner! 


And my insecurity this month?

Here, in the Ozarks, one of the favorite things to do in the summer is to 'go floating'.  That means you grab an inner tube, head to the nearest river and spend your day letting the river take you at it's own pace. Although I love canoeing and kayaking, I can't stand floating.

It's so slow! And it's hard to steer anywhere. Of course, you can paddle with your hands and feet, and splash around a bit, but mostly, the river is in charge. Even standing up and walking the silly inner tube in the right direction doesn't get you anywhere fast. 

And that's exactly what my writing feels like at that moment. I'm going down that river and doing what I can, but it doesn't seem that my efforts are getting me anywhere fast. . .at least, not for a long time still. 

Patience. It's a trait I'll probably be working on mastering my entire life. 

And even then, I'm betting I'll still prefer the paddles.