The writing bug first struck my heart in the art form of poetry. I remember loving Seuss and Shel Silverstein as a child. It wasn’t untill high school that it truly struck my heart. Reading the likes of Yeats, Poe, Blake, Dickenson, Frost, Browining, Angelou in Lit Class. Effortlessly I took pen to paper and started to write my own. I love poetry, but I moved on to learn more different styles of writing. Still Poetry is always dear. Sometimes I go back to it. Happy to share my latest piece that recently got published on VOCAL.
It’s THURSDAY! I think we missed last Thursday, but back on track here. Today we are spotlighting a children’s book: The Adventures of Ollie Orangutanby Larry Landgraf
Book Title: The Adventures of Ollie Orangutan
Genre: Childrens, Life lesson story
Ages Appropiate: 7 -and up
Ollie is a cute story and I think would make a spectacular movie. Ollie is remeniscent of those family animal movies like “Benji”, “Homeward Bound”, “Milo and Ottis”. Not sure you could get an Orangutan to act, but I am seeing something brilliant from Industrial Lights and Magic! The story is of young Ollie moving from his current Zoo home to a new Zoo in another town away. On his way there his train derails and Ollie is set free finding himself in the swamp lands of Texas. There he meet a bunch of critters only really kind of finding a friend in a kind of persnickey Owl named Fran. Ollie need food. Fran tells him of an old hermit that lives at the edge of the swamps who grows all the fruits Ollie needs. It is dangerous though as the hermit has a gun and a guard dog. Ollie must take his chances or risk starving to death.
Good Morining THURSDAY! Jazzing it up today by spotlighting the histroical fantasy romance collection title THE VENTOUROUS TALES: A COLLECTION by Isabella Berdyna Zysk
The Venturous Tales is a collection of five adventure tales set in a medieval-like fantasy world. The stories were previously published as separate novellas titled The Queen’s Brother, The King’s Niece, The Dowager’s Daughter, The Earl’s Son, and The Baron’s Ward.
Each tale in Venturous Tales was previously published as an individual novella. The author then put them in this pretty creative collection creating an origin story behind them in the most charming way. I really thought it was creative and orginal.I had reach each book individually so seeing it in this collection in that way and kind of giving them a background story in their collection was neat.
Normally I am not a liker of historical fiction/fantasy/ romance. It quite surprised me they were not as bad or boring as I thought. I enjoyed the little sprinkle of feminism that the author sprinkles throughout her stories. Each heroine is ahead of her time in a society where woman were told to be damsels, and could do this or that.
For more insight you can read my review on it. here
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It’s Thursday again! Today we are please to be a part of the Forgotten Magic Blog Tour hosted by R &R Book Tours! (http://rrbooktours.com) Here we go!
Welcome to the blog tour for the final installment from the Magic Underground trilogy, Forgotten Magic! Read on for an exclusive excerpt and a chance to win a paperback copy of the book!
Forgotten Magic (Magic Underground #3)
Publication Date: May 2020
Genre: Anthology/ Fantasy/ Magic
Publisher: Magical Mayhem Press
For the last time, these heroes, witches, wizards, vikings and more will put it all on the line. No quest is too dangerous. No monster be it a dragon or something cuddlier with teeth is off-limits in the epic conclusion to the Magic Underground Trilogy. Stay tuned for details.
Before I’d left to return home, Ai started talking to me about the Bloodmagic.
After I’d rescued him from the tower, I had taken him down to the caves. I’d settled him in one as best as I could, and then faced the cave entrance, keeping a lookout for Aiden. I was more concerned for Aidan at first; I didn’t know if he was coming or not. There was a good chance that when Ai was taken, the Community Elders would find a way to keep everyone in the tower until they had answers. As much as we were both in this together, I didn’t know what to expect now that we’d accomplished something this big.
But as Ai kept talking to me, and considering his talk of condemnation, I began to ask Ai questions. It didn’t take us long to talk about Bloodmagic.
“Bloodmagic is their word for the sacrifice,” Ai said.
“What?” My head snapped to look at him, as if to make sure he wasn’t trying to fool me. Instantly, I regretted my action, seeing his mangled body and the sad condition it was in. That was part of the reason I’d offered to stand watch in the caves, keeping my focus on the entrance. While I did not want the Community Elders to find us, and although I was watching for Aidan, I did not want to look at Ai too much. He made me feel uncomfortable.
Ai slumped beside me, looking out toward the cave entrance. The last of the sunlight was gone, and the temperature dropped. Ai did not seem to notice, even if he was nearly naked, with only a thin cloth around his loins.
“They call humanity’s curse ‘Bloodmagic,’” Ai said. “That is their name for it. I don’t think they like to think about it much.”
“If this is why you’ve been hurt, they probably don’t like to think of it,” I said. I glanced at him quickly, before reverting my eyes back to the cave entrance. “This is terrible.”
“It is,” Ai agreed. “But it is like I told you before. All of my suffering is your suffering.”
“That’s not right.”
He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I have been alive for nearly a century, thanks to the Bloodmagic, and this is just the way things are. That is why I would prefer that you return me to my tower room.”
“What?” I gasped at the remark. “No. Why would you want that?”
“The Community won’t survive long, Skyla,” Ai said. “Without the Bloodmagic Covenant, the full effects of suffering will return to your friends and family swiftly and mercilessly. They will suffer, and in their suffering, they will make others suffer more. They might even begin to enjoy hurting others if we don’t hurry.”
“But you will suffer if you return,” I said. “And I will make you suffer, too. I don’t want that. Can’t something else be done about the Bloodmagic?”
“There is nothing that can be done about human nature,” Ai said quietly. “We are prone to self-destruction, and we live in a world where pain and suffering are constants. All the countries and nations of the world have wrestled with this question, and in the end, all of the pain still exists. Many tried to fix the problem and only made it worse.
“So they decided to try something else. And it works.” He reached up and touched the shard on his forehead, the one what was darkening along with the sky. “If I am not returned, the suffering will only increase, and you will see people at their very worst. Every evil, selfish, and ignorant thought will manifest into danger and disaster. I’ve been able to hold off their degeneracy for a long time, and without me, they will exponentially become violent and careless.”
“Surely we still have some more time to stop them.” I put my hands together, trying to think of something else. “Maybe it is a matter of education. The adults here are smart. They’ll be able learn how to deal with the pains our Community has.”
Ai shook his head. “You don’t understand,” he said with a sad sigh. “But you will, once you see it. You must promise me you will not forget me when you do, or you could be at risk, too.”
From that moment, we lapsed into silence, and I was grateful.
I shivered as we sat there, but I didn’t think it was because of the chill in the air.
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Melinda Kucsera
Joynell Schultz
Lee French
H.B. Lyne
Raven Oak
L.C. Ireland
Alesha Escobar
Tiffany Shand
C.S. Johnson
Anela Deen
Erik Kort
Devorah Fox
Stephen Wallace
Gwendolyn Woodschild
Leah W. Van Dinther
Barbara Letson
C.K. Rieke
William C. Cronk,
Majanka Verstraete
Toasha Jiordano
H.M. Jones
Krista Ames
A.R. Johnston
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I am having a writer’s crisis moment this week. So today’s spotlight is Angelic Confessions by none other than ME! I just tossed this together I hope you enjoy!
In a world where the Father created all I was born…an angel. A new breed it was meant to overthrow the children of heaven. To prevent this I was taken, and raised as Father’s own. my memories wiped, the killer beast inside me caged.Memories never stay buried though…and love could threaten us all.
The Windmill Browns: The Tail of Posy Brown by David R. Styles.
Genre: Children’s
The Brown Family are a family of mice that live in a dis-used Windmill in Sussex U.K. They have three small children, George, Snowy and Smudge Their Father, Windmill Brown, so named as he is the current Windmill Keeper, is happy with his lot until another child, Posy comes along. Posy is mischievous, troublesome, and naughty and manages to get herself into a scrape with a local fox who relieves her of half of her tail.
New to the writing world The Windmill Brown: The Tail of Posy Brown is written by a former Police Officer David R. Styles. following a triple heart bypass, David decided he turn his hand to writing being its as he puts it, “More sedate.”
HERE IS AN EXCERPT:
The Tail of Posy Brown
In a quiet town in Sussex, not too far from the sea, a Windmill stands majestically for everyone to see. Its sails have long since turned and it no longer mills its flour so you could say that this old Windmill has seen its brightest hour. But this Windmill, once so busy is now home to little mice. Who moved in when the snow was deep and the ponds were thick with ice.
That was nineteen sixty-three when man had all but gone the Windmill, alone and derelict the Mice just carried on. So here’s a story about the Browns And how they came in from the snow. How the Windmill became a home for them allowing them to grow.
Now with every generation, the Keepers job is handed down the current Windmill Keeper being Mr. Windmill Brown. Windmill Brown is easy going and likes to turn his hand to mending all that’s broken but things rarely go as planned.
With his small felt hat and glasses and his measure made of wood, you’ll find him busy fixing all he’s failed to make as good. His wife is very homely and keeps the family fed She does her shopping daily for the freshest cheese and bread.
And if you listen carefully you’ll catch her sing her tune as she rushes around the windmill dusting room to room. Keep it clean and dust it through. Make the Windmill shine. Brush it up and sweep it out until everything is fine. Wash the pots and clean the pans. Polish up their lids. Clean up after Windmill Brown And his four naughty kids!
The Windmill Brown: The Tail of Posy Brown is available now on Amazon to purchase
David Styles. Lives and works in Sussex, England, and has been a watercolour artist for the past 20 years. H predominantly focuses on buildings and landscapes as these seem to be what he likes painting the most. He has long hankered for the situation to arise where he could include both his painting and poetry together. he has longed loved poetry/rhyme. (He blames the Rupert annuals he was bought as a child!)
As long as he can remember he has written poetry, whether it be in the special occasion cards sent to family members or just for his own pleasure. He has written poems in many different forms but mostly enjoy humour and a good scary poem.
Over the past few months, he decided after purchasing a pen for his laptop, that he was going to write a humorous rhyming book with a few illustrations for his Grandson. Upon completion, the book looked okay and other family members liked it and suggested he publish it.
On Book Spotlight Thursday today, we are spotlighting…
“Love, Ever Strong” is the story of a love which begins in childhood but doesn’t reach fruition until years later. It’s also a story of healing and change. Rose and Conor were orphans who were raised together as friends and playmates since she was 2 and he a boy of 10. When Conor is 16, he leaves their rural home to find his way in the world, not expecting to see Rose ever again. Twenty years later, their paths cross again, but life has treated them each very differently. Battle-weary and motivated by revenge, Conor is nothing like the heroic figure of her romantic girlhood memories; or is he? And Rose is no longer the little girl who used to follow him around everywhere. She’s a widow with three young children who will surprise him in more ways than one.
Published November 14. 2017
Genre: Historical/Fiction/Romance/ Fantasy/Medieval fantasy
Pages: 92
Ages: Young adult/ Adult (Really perfect for all ages)
Who knew historical romance was not all about bodice-ripping romps in the stables! If you like historical fiction, but want less bodice-ripping action I give upon you Ronnda Eileen Henry. She has written a slew of these short little feministic wholesome novellas, and they are good! They are also the perfect length to absorb all on a rainy day or a relaxing Sunday. Being that I’m a busy mom with no time to herself I love that I could easily read one of Henry’s books in a day. Historical romance is completely not my genre. I completely adored and enjoyed this book, which surprised me. You can read my complete review over at INDIE’S REVIEW.
Another Thursday has come. Today I am spotlighting…
The High Priestess: The Selanian Chronicles Volume 2 by Peter Krausche
GENRE: Sci-Fi/Fantasy/LGBT
Three years have passed since the events portrayed in The Rose in the first volume of the Selanian Chronicles. Melina’s sister, the former High Priestess, has vanished, and Melina’s husband Talas is riddled with guilt because he believes he’s to blame for her disappearance. Together, he and Melina decide to travel to the Forbidden Planet in the hope of finding her. Melina’s friend, the High Priestess Tamenisa Larutas, has a bad feeling about the trip and tries to dissuade Melina from going. But Tamenisa is also hoping to gain Melina’s help in her battle against the sinister forces at work in the Advisory Council. She knows her own troubled past is an overwhelming obstacle in this struggle, and if she can’t find some answers and get herself under control, she fears all might be lost.
After the tragic events of The Emissary on the planet Piral, Nova, Catyana, and Vilam are on their way to Tolares to participate in the upcoming conference. The main goal of the conference is to defuse the increasing tensions between the eastern and western provinces before the situation escalates into a full-fledged war. But most people are attending because the conference is also the debut of the mysterious new High Priestess, who was chosen after the assassination of the former High Priestess and whose identity has been kept secret to protect her and her loved ones from a similar fate as her predecessor.
But Catyana’s seemingly innocent actions two days ago, in which she transformed a large artifact from corten steel to pink granite, have had unforeseen consequences. Because of her rapidly evolving powers, someone believes Catyana poses a threat and has contracted an assassin from the Order of the Novantan to kill her. The problem is that the only way to cancel the contract is to figure out who the assassin is and eliminate them, permanently. What with the constant impressions of impending doom that have been hanging over her like a dark cloud for weeks, and the additional shock of having been torn away from her family and therefore the only familiar environment she has ever known, Catyana is close to despair and seems to be unraveling. Nova wants to help Catyana, but she doesn’t know what’s wrong with her or why her friend has been so anxious these past weeks. How can Nova prepare for the upcoming conference, protect Catyana, and find and eliminate the assassin, while she’s so confused about her own emotions after seeing the young Lord Tolares again? Find out by reading the second volume of the Selanian Chronicles, The High Priestess.
I am into reading this series right now so I decided to spotlight it. Note this series is not for the faint of heart. You can check out my Book Spotlight for Volume1 in the series at this link VOLUME 1 Emissary
Being a challenging read is what makes this series either a hit or a miss with readers. Consisting of two stories that the author promises will make sense and blend together in the end. If you need to explain your book before your readers read it is not a good sign. Keep on reading through fellow readers!
In High Priestess you do pick up where you left off from the first book. First, let me say The High Priestess has a lot of stuff going on. I often wondered as reading this does all this information really pertain to the story? It really bogged down the reading for me. It was not until I was 70% into the novel that it started to pick up and get extremely I MEAN EXTREMELY good! It then leaves you hanging wanting more. Literary experts may scoff at Krausche approach. I almost did, yet I was kept, turning the pages again and again so I think he did a good thing actually. It is also refreshing as so many stories are pretty much the same thing just wrapped up in different packages. Originality has really died. The story here is a tale all on its own.
If you want to read a review about The High Priestess Click HERE
Today on Book Spotlight Thursday we have SUCCESSOR by Rae Miles.
Published October 24th, 2018
Genre: Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Ages: Y/A Adult
For seventeen-year-old Evan, graduation means the freedom to leave behind her small-town life and find where she belongs. She never expected it to be in a different world.
Across time and space, deep in a mysterious jungle, Evan discovers the hidden heritage of her mother’s people and her own legacy. She becomes their elemental, a protector gifted with the power to control nature. The role has its challenges, but the biggest is the inexplicable connection with her scarred bodyguard, Ren. Frustrated and fascinated by him, Evan resists the magnetic pull after realizing there’s more to it than simple attraction.
Claiming her birthright reignites the wrath of a ruthless enemy with a score to settle. To protect her new family, Evan will need to call on her formidable power. But embracing it could cause her to lose herself and the man who holds her heart.
Fantasy lover recommended. You can read my review of SUCCESSOR over at INDIE’S REVIEW
Hey, it’s Thursday! Today I am spotlighting my newfound author friend and her book.
Dragon Lightning by J.S. Burke:
Stand-alone book 2 of the Dragon Dreamer series
J. S. BURKE writes the Award-WinningDRAGON DREAMER series a
Sci-Fantasy with dragons and an undersea world. Burke is also an artist and a marine biologist. In book 2 the premise is this:
Drakor seems like a normal young ice dragon with a talent for making lightning swords. But he alone feels the changing heart of his island Volcano. It destroyed his beloved sire. Now he foresees their doom, but none will listen. As he seeks proof, the Volcano shakes him off into the frozen sea.
Arak was mocked as a worthless dreamer until he and Scree, a fearless undersea misfit, saved the dragons. Now dragons and octopi sail north in search of mythical ice dragons. They find Drakor and a terrifying reality. Everyone is in peril! Can this crew of unlikely friends save three realms?
Don’t forget to check out Book 1 of the series THE DRAGON DREAMER!
Arak is a misfit dragon called “Dreamer”. Ridiculed and determined to
prove himself, he leaves on a dangerous quest and crashes at sea. Badly wounded, he faces death. A fearless octopus named Scree heals him and an unexpected friendship begins.
Arak returns to the Winter Festival, where dragons carve glaciers
with fire and toss lightning bolts in the clouds. Then an undersea volcano erupts, which triggers a deadly chain of events.
Can Arak and his unlikely friends use their unique talents to save the dragons?
Freelance Writer Janny(Jan Marie)C 