GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ I Smell Sheep: November 2021

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Interview: Science fiction author William M. Hayes + giveaway

Where were you born?
I was born on Long Island, NY and still reside here.

What do you do to unwind and relax?
Watch my NY Rangers.

How do you find time to write as a parent?
I use my iPhone to jot down scenes and scenarios that come to me at work. At home, after my son is in bed, I'll write until I have to stop and get in my six hours of sleep.

What inspired you to write Save Him?
I'd just finished one of my other stories, I'm not sure if it was Our Own Christmas Eve or A Messenger. Anyway, they were both dramas and had bittersweet endings. ‘Enough with all the drama’, I remember thinking. So I grabbed a beer and went out to my backyard where there's a fire pit to think about what I would write next. I wanted my next story to have a lot of action. Maybe something with an elite military group and add some sci-fi to the story—a mash-up. Ok, military, sci-fi—ooh, time travel. So we have this military unit going back in time to do what and in what time in the past? How about in the time of…Jesus. And what if someone in the unit tries to save Jesus? I didn't make it to the fire pit. I turned around with my beer and walked back to my house. Downstairs in the man cave, I jotted down the first and last scene of the story. That's usually how it works when I have a story I can tell. I get the beginning and the end, and then I fill in the middle.

If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be and why? And what would you do during the day?
Sal would be the guy, I guess. He's a funny, unpredictable guy. As a writer, you create a character, and they sometimes write themselves. They say and do things without much thought from the writer— and it's awesome when it happens. As for your second question, during a day hanging with Sal, I could see us in a trendy Manhattan nightclub he talked our way into. Maybe Vegas for a day. Or in jail for a night. The officers would privately laugh about Sal's stunt resulting in our arrest, but we'd still be behind bars till morning.

Who designed your book cover?
Pam Cunningham at Graphic Design by Pam. I got lucky. She did amazing work and her prices were very good compared to others.

What did you edit out of the book?
There was this scene where the Devil and Lazarus meet up alone at night on a trail leading to Jerusalem. I liked the scene but thought I could cut it to save pages. I like my books to come in at 270-300 pages max. Thinking about it now, maybe I should have worked that scene in the book.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must-read?
Well, I'm not sure if my book must be read. But if you're asking if it's original—I don't think there are too many going-back-in-time-to save-Jesus books out there.

What is your favorite part of this book and why?
Friendship. In all my stories, there are always strong friendships shared between most of the characters.

Save Him
by William M. Hayes
September 19, 2019
Genre: Military SciFi Thriller, Time Travel
Winner - 2021 Pinnacle Achievement Awards—Time Travel
Winner - 2021 American Fiction Awards—Religious Thriller
Winner - 2021 Pacific Book Awards—Thriller
Winner - 2021 Firebird Book Awards—Time Travel
Winner - 2021 International Impact Book Awards—Military
Winner - 2020 Author Circle Awards - Novel of Excellence—Science Fiction

Military scientist Rydel Scott has discovered time travel. He also believes he's received a message from God. The message: go back in time and save Jesus from being crucified.

“Save Him combines the physics of chaos theory and the whiz-bang action of a techno thriller to fuel a military page-turner that tests the faith of everyone involved.” - Blue Ink Reviews
“Every time I thought I had this book figured out a little bit it surprised me...and then did it again and again.” Amazon Reviewer

Military scientist Rydel Scott is proud of the hi-tech gear he invents for battlefield heroes. When a secret mission involving one of his inventions goes horribly wrong, Rydel obsessively tries to learn what caused the system failure and accidentally reveals the ability to time travel. Overworked and massively sleep-deprived, he believes he has received a message from God—save God’s son. And the man of science embarks on a world-changing quest to rescue Jesus. As he covers his tracks to journey back undetected, he neglects to factor in the consequences of a devastating butterfly effect. And he’s terrified to discover The Unit, a highly-trained team of elite soldiers, is hunting him down to stop him from making choices that could upend all of human history. Will they find Rydel before he alters the past? And, if they find him, will some in The Unit be persuaded to join Rydel on his mission to save Christ?

**Only .99 cents!!**
Book Trailer:

About the Author
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Award-winning Author William M. Hayes started out writing screenplays and transitioned to writing novels. He loves movies and reading and is a die-hard New York Rangers fan.

Giveaway
$50 Amazon giftcard,
Paperback of Save Him
- 1 winner each
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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New Release: The Reaping Season (The Reaper Chronicles Book 3) by Apryl Baker

The Reaping Season (The Reaper Chronicles Book 3)
by Apryl Baker
Nov. 30th, 2021
Genre: YA PNR/Horror
Publisher: Limitless Publishing, LLC
Cover Designer: Deranged Doctor Design
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
There is a fear of the dark that lives deep inside us all. It’s embedded into our primal instincts, and no matter how old we get, it never goes away. We can lie to ourselves, but we can’t lie to what waits for us in the night.

The townspeople of Jacob’s Fork, West Virginia know this all too well. Deep in the mountains there is a secret shrouded in the shadows, one that is whispered about to frighten and protected for reasons too unspeakable to bear the light of day.

A secret that emerges once every thirty years.

It’s called The Reaping Season.

Jacob’s Fork becomes a ghost town after sunset. Shops close, school functions are canceled, and you sit inside your home, praying it doesn’t know where you are and come for you.

And now, Ella Grace has landed herself smack in the middle of it all.

Will she learn the truth, or will The Reaping Season claim her instead?




About the Author:
Website-FB-Twitter
Wattpad-Instagram
Newsletter-Goodreads
Amazon-Bookbub
Blog-Reader Group
So who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I still currently live.

Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.

Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.

I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.


Monday, November 29, 2021

YA Urban Fantasy: Hidden (Descendants Series Book 1) by Lea Cherry

Hidden (Descendants Series Book 1)
by Lea Cherry
November 30, 2021
Good vs. Evil; Witch vs. Warlock; Pure vs. Tainted.

Being the last remaining descendant of a powerful magical race was not what Amy had in mind for her summer, but when her powers unlock after being attacked, there was no turning back to what she thought was normal.
She must learn how to control her powers, for a dangerous enemy has his sight set on her and he won’t stop until he has what he’s been after for four hundred years.

Not only does her life hang by a thread, but the balance of the world relies on her being ready for the fight of her life as the Tainted is coming for her.

And he wants her power, her magic... her soul.

For fans of Jana Oliver, C.L. Coffey and Jen L. Grey.

Get your copy now, dive down deep into the world of the Descendants and let your magic guide the way.


About the Author:
Lea Cherry is an international bestselling author residing in South Africa with her husband and two daughters. With a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, she shares the spark of language in Young Adult, Fantasy, Horror, and Thriller. When she is not crafting stories, she shares her time with her family watching movies, painting, and reading up a storm when she is not exploring the outdoors on camping trips. Her first book in the Descendant series is set to arrive in 2021 and is filled with magic and adventure that will keep you wanting more.

The Funky Werepig Season 2 episode #12: Thanksgiving Birds and Bouncy Balls!

The Funky Werepig Show
Season 2: episode #12
Hey howdy and harroink! It's our annual Thanksgiving show, dropping into your kitchen to give hugs and eat your pumpkin pie. All of it.

It's a family gathering-- all-time Werepig favorite HARRY SHANNON shares tales from the day. We enjoy the music of PAIGE SHANNON. And the jokes keep coming from the last surviving vaudevillian SAPPY PUTZ!!!

JJ Glamour teaches the history of Thanksgiving, the Boychilds have a special holiday gift, and I stuff the turkey with moon pies. Yum + yum!

Horror Author/Song Writer Harry Shannon


And...
Women in Blues President Michele Seidman
talks about The International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN

Musical guest Paige Shannon

Watch the show HERE!

Keep an eye out for the November I Smell Sheep book recommendation.

*Sharon was Greg's guest on the last show of season one! If you want to see me acting derpy you can watch here:

The Funky Werepig
Once a live internet radio show. Kind of like Animal House meets Larry King. Now a YouTube show. And no one knows what the hell Animal House or Larry King are. So throw your pants in the air like you just don't care!

Sunday, November 28, 2021

Beyond the Cogs: A Steampunk Anthology

Beyond the Cogs: A Steampunk Anthology
by C. Vonzale Lewis, Elle Beaumont, Nicholas J. Evans
November 17th 2021
Published by: Midnight Tide
Genres: Adult, Steampunk
When a world is reimagined…

This anthology contains three impeccable steampunk stories. Ranging from the gritty tale of battling a creature who steals the souls of others, to dabbling in the taboo art of imbuing a human soul into an automaton, and even a man venturing back home only to discover he’s been demonized.

The Soulless Ones by C. Vonzale Lewis

The Rogue of Vangard by Nicholas J. Evans

Gossamer & Thorns by Elle Beaumont

For those who love adventure in new worlds, gritty stories, and heart-wrenching tales, this collection is sure to resonate with you!

Elle Beaumont
Elle Beaumont is a writer who loves creating vivid fantasy and science fiction worlds in the young adult genre as well as new adult. She lives in southeastern Massachusetts with her husband and two children. When not writing or chasing around her children she can be seen crocheting, candle-making and taking care of her animals. More than once she has proclaimed that coffee is life blood and it is how she refrains from becoming a zombie.

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Book Review: Cruel Lord (A Reverse Harem Dark Bully Romance): Blackmoor Heirs Book 1 by Ivy Thorn

September 23, 2021
Genre: Heist crime, vigilante justice, dark romance, bully
Saint might be my last name, but they’re determined to make me into a sinner.

My father is dead. My home is ash. And my mother and I are one step away from death ourselves. Our only protection against the Devil’s Sons MC? The St. Vincent family, who rule Blackmoor.

When I run into Cayde, Dean, and Jaxon for the first time on the steps of my new prep school, I don’t think twice about it. Even with all the rumors surrounding them, I know how to take care of myself.

But when I embarrass Cayde St. Vincent, I wind up with a target on my back. A target that, unbeknownst to me, is going to follow me way past high school.
When I wake up in their house on the university campus on the first day of the semester with no memory of how I got there, all I want to do is leave. But they’ve got me under contract.
A contract that threatens my life, and my mother’s life, if I break it.
Soon enough, I realize they want to break me.

Cayde St. Vincent. Dean Blackmoor. Jaxon King.
The three heirs to the town of Blackmoor.
And now? My worst nightmare.

***Cruel Lord is the first book in the Blackmoor Heirs series. It is a bully series. It contains material that may be sensitive to some readers. There are no heroes in this series, only deliciously devious villains. It will get much darker before the dawn. This book is for those who like their men cruel and damaged, their romance dark and questionable, and their emotions toyed with until the very end.

Cruel Lords by Ivy Thorn was not my cup of tea at all. Was not impressed with the writing, or lack thereof. Anyone who has any history of violence or sexual assault should not proceed with his one. It is not for everyone and should be reviewed by only those who have honest feedback.

I didn't like a lot of the toxic male vibe, nothing about it kept me interested or even caring at all. I tried to fight through and finish the story but almost threw my kindle across the room. Check around and see what you think. I can't give this one a rating, but I certainly can say I did not enjoy this one and have no desire to read anything else from this author.

No Sheep
KD

About the Author:
Ivy Thorn's motto is the more hero's the better. She writes dark, delicious, romance with a kick but heroines and the ruthless anti-heroes who fall for them. Her books will leave you on the edge of a cliff begging for more, but a happily-ever-after is guaranteed every time—they’re just going to have to fight for it.

She resides in Chicago with her two dogs, her laptop, and way too many plants to count. When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up with a cup of coffee (or wine!) and her favorite comfort movie or novel. She also writes mafia romance under M. James.

Friday, November 26, 2021

Comic Review: House of Slaughter by: James Tynion IV & Tate Brombal (Boom! Studios)

House of Slaughter
October 27, 2021
Written by: James Tynion IV & Tate Brombal
Art: Chris Shehan
Colors by: Miquel Muerto
Letters by: AndWorld Design
27 pages
Boom! Studios
Discover the inner workings of the House of Slaughter in this new horror series exploring the secret history of the Order that forged Erica Slaughter into the monster hunter she is today.

You know Aaron Slaughter as Erica’s handler and rival. But before he donned the black mask, Aaron was a teenager training within the House of Slaughter. Surviving within the school is tough enough, but it gets even more complicated when Aaron falls for a mysterious boy destined to be his competition.

I've found another awesome comic series. House of Slaughter from Boom! Studios. Okay, the cover with the sexy monster-killing machine Aaron Slaughter is the reason I checked it out (covers matter!) But as a dark urban fantasy lover, it is my kind of story.

These cover variants are LIT!
Look at him...LOOK at him!
House of Slaughter is a spin-off of the Boom! Studio hit Something is Killing the Children (keep your eyes on Netflix for the TV series). It is a dark urban fantasy about monster hunter Erica Slaughter. House of Slaughter gives us the origin story of Erica's handler Aaron. We get a look into the "order" that trained Erica and other hunters and I get the feeling surviving the program is how you pass.

It is narrated by an older Aaron recounting his time training as a teenager. There is a romance element, Aaron falls for a rival, but this is a horror story, and based on the last page of issue #1, it appears he will end up having to "hunt" the man he loves. Issue #2 came out a few days ago and I am headed to my nearest comic book shop to grab it. And in the meantime, I will be checking out Something is Killing the Children.
The artwork and color palette enhances the creep/horror factor. You feel like you are stepping behind a curtain into another darker world.

5 "monster" Sheep





SharonS

Last Stop: Horror on Route 13 Anthology + giveaway

Last Stop: Horror on Route 13
October 30th, 2021
Genre: Horror/ Anthology
Publisher: Eerie River
A terrifying journey into America’s forgotten regions.

You ever heard of Route Thirteen? No, not that one.
The real one.

It ain’t on no map, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who’s travelled it. I dare say this book’s the only evidence you’ll ever come across mentioning that forgotten road. Or the bar.

Goes by the name of Whiskey Pete’s.

That shiver you just felt? That’s a warning, and so’s this book. Thirteen stories of pure horror, blood-curdling violence and spectacularly bad decisions, inspired by the poor folks who fell foul of old Route Thirteen and Whiskey Pete’s.

Let this book be your warning. If you find yourself on that forsaken road, with the warming lights of Whiskey Pete’s upon your windshield, turn back. Or it’ll be your Last Stop

A shared-world anthology of dread authored by

Holley Cornetto ~ L. T. Emery ~ Peter J. Foote
J.W. Garrett ~ David Green ~ Stephen Herczeg
Abigail Linhardt ~ Beth W. Patterson ~ Lynne Phillips
Austin Shirey ~ Joshua D Taylor ~ V. A. Vazquez ~ Patrick Winters


Giveaway:
$25 Amazon e-Gift Card (Closes December 2nd at Midnight EST
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Book Blitz Organized By:

Thursday, November 25, 2021

PNR Author Jennae Vale: TOP three things about putting together a book + giveaway

TOP three things about putting together a book giveaway

A lot of authoring these days involves off-the-page activities like being present on all sorts of social media platforms and reaching out to readers in creative ways.

I did a few giveaways in the past, in which I picked a hamper put together by someone else, and it worked out well. But I had no idea how much fun it was to do it myself.

In That Magic Mischief, Annabelle Walsh is an over-the-counter witch who's dipping in and out of a variety of approaches to divination and spell-casting in order to figure out the practice best for her. Dumped out of the blue by her long-term boyfriend, she tries to mend her heart with magic.

Little does she know that her Irish heritage connects her to a mischievous, mythological creature called a Pooka, who Annabelle summons into existence. A bargain between them causes all manner of mayhem, and turns her life around...mainly by turning it upside down.

DESIGNING AND CONCEPTUALIZING
Annabelle's interests inspired loads of ideas. Her love of all things metaphysical meant there were tons of things to choose from, and I decided to make a little gift bag to accompany the copy of the book. Would incense travel well? Which crystal should I choose? Should I start looking for feathers on the ground to put in there, too?

I decided to go with three small crystals — rose quartz, amethyst, and tiger's eye — and to skip the feathers as it seemed unsanitary. Incense didn't make the cut, but a tealight did. I also put in one of Annabelle's favorite candle spells.

Happily in my other career, I'm a graphic designer: I designed the spell as well as bookplates to sign. I also decided to include a copy of A Wolf in Duke's Clothing, the first in my Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series, a mashup of Regency Historical plus werewolves.

SHOPPING!
I started at my local crystal shop. Since I was doing ten giveaways, I chose 30 crystals, which is a lot!

I got a discount, as I am known in my local crystal shop.

Next, the art store for the fancy paper to print out the candle spells. I found a gorgeous textured sheet close to the color of parchment and bought way more than I needed, to factor in mistakes. (Mistakes were made.)

Online, I found and ordered a bunch of organza gift bags and a 12-pack of Yankee Candle tealights in Angel's Wings. I'm don't usually go for scents on the powdery, sweet end of the spectrum, but I love these.

ASSEMBLING
When the bookplates arrived from Moo.com (highly recommend), the real fun began.

I am happy with the size of the bookplates I designed — I didn't want them to take up more space than they should, but I didn't make it easy on myself as they are a bit narrow and my signature is very loopy. I did loads of extras as I'm not in the US and am having help getting the prizes to the lucky winners, and I don't have any print versions of That Magic Mischief yet.

I found some shiny stars to put in the bags as well as adorable fabric roses: no real purpose to either, but to add to the festivity of it all. I very nearly reversed my decision on the incense but figured it was too risky: I didn't want my winners to have crumbly bits all over the rest of the goodies in the bag.

Putting it all together was so, so satisfying I was sorry I only had ten to make.

Actually, now that I think of it, there's another “best thing” about putting together a giveaway: giving them 
away to lucky readers who I hope will enjoy the books as well as the added extras.

I cannot wait to do another one!

The Golden Hook (The Green Sky Series Book Two)
by Jennae Vale
October 12, 2021

Genre: Time Travel Romance
ASIN:B09JB82GG7
Number of pages:190
Word Count: 57,000
Cover Artist: Sheri McGathy
Swashbuckling pirates plus time travel equals adventure and romance on the high seas.

What happens when a swashbuckling pirate meets a time traveling twenty-first century woman?

Edward Sutherland has always been a self-assured and confident man of the sea. He’s spent years alongside his friend and captain Jameson Mackall and until now has only ever wanted to find treasure and retire a wealthy man. He wasn’t expecting to travel through time and he certainly wasn’t expecting to meet a woman who would challenge and impress him at every turn.

Susanna Cole has lost her best friend in a boating accident. In a deep state of grief she is about to close her once thriving business when a stranger walks through her door with a letter from her friend. A letter dated 1724. Can she believe this man? Or is he playing some cruel joke?

Two strangers with one goal, to get back to the year 1724. There are plans to be made, treasure to be found and most importantly they must locate the one woman who can possibly help them in their quest. The feelings they are developing for one another will be put to the test when history, as it is written, comes into play and the life of Edward Sutherland is on the line.


Excerpt:
Boxes were piled high around the offices of NYC Party Planning, crowding in on the desk where Susanna Cole sat going through emails and messages from friends and business acquaintances.

This had been one of the hardest times of her life.

Life wasn’t the same without Danielle. She’d lost her best friend and business partner. They worked together and lived together. She was completely alone now and more depressed than she’d ever been in her life.

Her head popped up as there was a knock at the door. “Come in.”

The door opened and the sight in front of her was like a slap in the face. Some idiot had decided it would be a good idea to remind her of her loss by showing up in pirate costume. “Was there a costume party someone forgot to tell me about?” she snapped.

“I’m sorry. Costume party?” the man asked.

“I’m not in the mood right now. What can I do for you?” Maybe if she sounded cranky enough he’d just turn around and leave.

“I need your help,” he said, stepping closer.

“You’ve come to the wrong place. I’m no longer accepting new clients. The business is closing for the foreseeable future.” That should do it. There was nothing more to be said. If he was looking for a party planner he was going to have to go elsewhere.

“But this is the right address. You’re Susanna Cole, am I correct?” He raised his eyebrows and offered a questioning gaze.

His surly English accent was not charming her. The more she looked at him the more irritated she became. Seeing him was like rubbing salt into her wound. “Seriously, what’s with the outfit?” Whoever this guy was, he was definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, the man pulled out an envelope and looked at it. “I was directed here by the people on board the ship. This is NYC Party Planning, Brooklyn, New York, isn’t it?” He straightened his coat and stood at attention.

Susanna noted his height. Easily over six feet tall, very handsome and from the way he stood it seemed he might be in the military. No matter. She’d had enough of being toyed with. “I don’t know what cruel joke you’re playing, but it is not appreciated. My friend recently drowned on a pirate cruise to Bermuda and I’m, I’m…” She wasn’t going to cry. Not in front of this stranger. She took in a deep breath, held her head high and stood up.

“I know the whole of it. Your friend Danielle fell overboard.” His voice was soft and low, filled with understanding.

Was he purposely trying to upset her? How did he know who Danielle was? “I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

He threw his head back in apparent exasperation before inhaling deeply and looking at her.

“Please don’t. I’m sorry. I understand you’re upset, but do let me finish what I have to say.” He paused, gazing at her with what seemed an impatient glare.

She kept silent.

“Thank you. I’ve a letter here for you from Danielle. It will explain everything.” He held the letter out for her to take.

Susanna’s hands shook as she took it from him. She couldn’t help but feel skeptical. She’d seen Danielle go overboard and disappear beneath the waves. They’d searched for her for days, as had the Coast Guard and they found nothing.

“Did she give this to you before we went on the cruise?” She glanced down at the letter. It was Danielle’s handwriting. There was no mistaking it. Everything down to the little heart she used to dot the letter I.

“No. She gave it to me yesterday morning.” He seemed to be watching and waiting for her reaction.

“This better be good,” she said. At this point, she was ready to throw him out the door and lock it behind him. If that didn’t work, she’d call the police, but her curiosity was piqued. She opened the letter and read.

About the Author:

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Bookbub
Jennae Vale is a best-selling author of romance with a touch of magic. As a history buff from an early age, Jennae often found herself daydreaming in history class and wondering what it would be like to live in the places and time periods she was learning about. Writing time travel romance has given her an opportunity to take those daydreams and turn them into stories to share with readers everywhere.
Originally from the Boston area, Jennae now lives in the San Francisco Bay area, where some of her characters also reside. When Jennae isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and her pets, and daydreaming, of course.

Tweet:
What happens when a swashbuckling pirate meets a time traveling 21st-century woman? https://amzn.to/3APhd4O
#timetravelromance #jennaevale #thegreenskyseries #thegoldenhook

Tour Giveaway
5 ecopies of The Golden Hook

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Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Comic Review: LUNAR ROOM #1 (Vault Comics)

Magic, tech, gangsters…and one very tired werewolf.

Lunar Room #1
November 24, 2021
Writer: Danny Lore
Artist: Gio Sposito
Colorist: DJ Chavis
Letterer: Andworld Design
Designer: Tim Daniel
Genre: fantasy/crime twist, SciFi
Cynthia “Sin” Breaker used to be a lot of things. A werewolf. A mob enforcer for a powerful mage. A name feared on every street of Solar City. But now she’s forcibly retired from all those things, trying to get over her past job and past loves.




*Variant cover by Vault Cover Artist-in-Residence, Corin Howell.

Oh boy! We got a banger here! Lunar Room #1 is what I look for in graphic novels. They fit into my favorite book genre, urban fantasy. You get world-building, kicka$$ characters, a little romance, snarky humor, and lots of action. Lunar Room is going to deliver.

"Sin" was the muscle for a mafia boss (pretty sure he's a mage). But for as-of-yet-unknown reasons, her werewolf has been bound so she is basically human and she is angry and devastated. I already have a girl crush on her. 
We are also introduced to a mage who seems to be a trouble maker for his kind. By the end of issue#1, the two have met and a$$es have been kicked.
I love the artwork. It is a popular style you find on Webtoons. Which helps give it a more urban fantasy fiction genre feel. 

Not sure how many issues Lunar Room will go, but at least 8 according to Vault.
This one's gonna be a lot of fun with layered characters we can watch grow as they decide what is important and how far they will go to get it. Also lots of supernatural... wear earplugs... you won't believe what a banshee can do to you!

5 "Doing what we have to, to survive" Sheep





SharonS

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Fantasy Author M. H. Woodscourt: Five Reasons to Write Fantasy + giveaway

Five Reasons to Write Fantasy

Have you ever yearned to write but didn’t know where to start or what genre to dig your heels into? Well, I may be a tad biased but there’s one genre that’s never steered me wrong, and here are five stellar reasons you should consider diving into the best genre ever, too:

All books are magical, but none are more so than fantasy - for obvious reasons. C’mon, we have dragons, wizards, and elves. Why look any further
?

1. Dragons. No other genre allows you the opportunity to write about dragons. Some authors may fight me on this, but if they happen to have dragons in their murder mysteries, space operas, or romantic comedies, then - spoiler alert - those books are really fantasy. And what book isn’t improved by the addition of dragons?

2. You can let your imagination run wild. No need to restrict yourself to our Earth with its boring planes, trains, cars, and tragic lack of dragons. No need for generic descriptions of hair colors like brunette, raven black, blonde, or ginger. 

3. Fantasy lets you think outside every box. Blue hair! Pink! Green! And even if you stay Earth-bound to write Magical Realism, fantasy lends seasoning to our mundane routines. Usually through dragons.

4. World-building. There’s nothing more enjoyable than constructing your own society with its own rules, peoples, philosophies. You can even bend the laws of physics. YOU ARE QUEEN OF YOUR OWN PLANET. And you can keep a pet dragon. ‘Cause why not?

5. DRAGONS. Oh, sorry. Did I already mention those? Fine. I’ll be serious. Fantasy forces you to stretch yourself, especially when you must dig deep to flesh out diverse characters and settings to showcase a complex and thriving society (or societies) outside the constructs of what you know. That challenges you to see beyond yourself, your feelings, your opinions, and create something nuanced and fully dimensional. Language, politics, religion, history. You’re the boss and you’ve got to get it right. Expanding your worldview is important within all genres, but it’s critical with fantasy.

Plus, dragons.

What are you waiting for?

Record of the Sentinel Seer: Book One
by 
M. H. Woodscourt
October 21, 2021
Genre: Adult/Science-Fantasy
Publisher: True North Press
Abandoned in the wilderness as a child, Lekore lives with ghosts and fallen gods. Everything changes when he summons fire to rescue a traveling princess and her entourage. Wounded, he’s brought to a civilization unlike anything he’s ever known.

Caught in a net of silk and secrets, Lekore finds himself ensnared by court intrigue, midnight assassins, and a deviant faction of the Church of the Sun Gods—all hunting his blood and power.

He just wants to find the man who deserted him, until a storm rises out of the north, furious enough to destroy the city and outlying lands. Now Lekore must find the source of its wrath, deep in the wilds of the deadly Lands Beyond, if only he can flee a city that won’t let him escape.

Book 2 - pre-order

Prince of the Fallen Excerpt:
“Gods protect me!”

As though in answer to Princess Talanee’s prayer, the flame of the holy torch leapt into a brilliant, churning arc. Intense heat and a deafening roar scored the air near her face. Flames encircled her without touching her skin, then stretched fiery fingers toward the Tawloomez warrior, who cried out as he and his fellows stumbled backward. They turned tail and dashed down the steps as the flames gave chase.

Talanee stood stunned, enthralled by the unending flame shooting up and out from the torch she held in trembling hands. She turned her eyes upward and found nothing but the brilliant sun in its sky to signify divine intervention. Could her prayer have worked? A breeze tugged at her hair, and she glanced down at the battlefield. The arc of fire had reached the bottom of the tower, and all the Tawloomez warriors cowered, corralled within it.

Talanee started down the steps, gripping the torch in her hands as it poured forth the terrible wrath of her beloved Sun Gods.

At the bottommost step, she stopped. The Kel soldiers had flinched back, even Lord Lieutenant Rez, though he held his sword before him.

A breeze breathed across Talanee’s neck, but the fire of the torch maintained its vigil over the trapped Tawloomez, unerring despite the rising wind that tossed her hair. She resisted the urge to release the blazing torch with even one hand. Her eyes followed the trail of her hair in the sky—and she spotted him.

A figure perched on a ruined wall across from the tower. He was slender, barely a man, with the palest, longest blue hair she’d ever beheld, and eyes of red like all the Kel race, but these eyes blazed as though they held the wreathing fire. A tattered black cloak billowed behind him in the growing windstorm. One arm rose before him, hand splayed.

As she watched, he snapped his fingers into a fist. The fire of the torch died. The wreath of flame wisped into smoke and vanished.

The Tawloomez had seen the young man, too. With a cry, one heathen jabbed his finger toward the stranger. “Akuu! Nu jas Akuu-Ry!”

The Tawloomez stumbled backward, eyes wide, nearly wild, some dropping their weapons. They fled from the young man, racing northwest. One stumbled on grit and struck his knees, then dragged himself upright and sprinted on.

The Kel soldiers, still stunned, didn’t rally to cut off their retreat.

In the ringing silence that followed, Lord Lieutenant Rez dragged long strands of blue hair from his perspiring face as he found his voice. “See to the wounded!”

Talanee released a low breath and let her numb fingers drop the cold torch. Her eyes returned to the young man upon the ruin. His gaze met hers across the wide space. His brow creased, and he threw out his hand as the slap of feet sounded behind her.

She whirled to face a lone, charging Tawloomez, scissor knife in his hand, its several blades glinting under the dazzling sun. Her fingers gripped the torch, prepared to brandish it like her missing sword.

The wind changed direction. The strange young man from the ruin landed on the packed earth beside her, as though he’d taken flight upon the breeze to reach her.

He lifted a narrow, curved sword against the Tawloomez. Metal sang across the air as their weapons struck.

The Tawloomez gritted his teeth and spat out the same foreign phrase, this time like a curse word: “Akuu-Ry!”

The young man took a single step forward, and the Tawloomez’s brown eyes widened, the green paint of his face shimmering as though to reflect his fear.

“Leave, Tauw-Nijar, and I shall not do you harm,” said the young man in lilting tones.

The Tawloomez snarled and threw a long sliver of metal at Talanee. She yelped and tried to dodge as the young man shoved her aside. The tiny, glinting object caught his arm. A hiss was all the noise he made, but he sank to his knees and the sword clattered from his hand.

The Tawloomez sneered and swiped the scissor knife at the boy’s throat, but an arrow pierced his chest before he met his target. He grunted and fell, his swinging arm catching the young man’s shoulder, biting into the flesh in three distinct stripes.

A second arrow sank into the heathen’s chest, and the warrior crashed backward against the white stone stairs. Blood bloomed across his snake-bone necklace and down his front. He offered up a last gurgling breath, then his eyes turned to glass.

Talanee allowed the satisfaction of his passing to shiver across her skin, then she turned to the young man kneeling beside her. He looked up to meet her stare, and for a moment Talanee couldn’t move. His eyes still wielded that strange light like a fire burned within him, yet the clarity there made her feel as though he had stripped her bare to see every thought, every lie, every desire, every fear.

His eyes flicked to the dead Tawloomez. His hand snaked out for his sword near the fallen warrior.

“Don’t touch it. Don’t move.” Rez’s voice rang through the ruins as he raced across the field, red cape flowing behind him, to join Talanee and the strange young man. An archer ran with him, another arrow nocked and aimed at the stranger.

The young man’s fingertips brushed the sword. As Talanee looked on, the weapon vanished. Gone, as though the very air had swallowed it!

The stranger staggered to his feet. His pale hair, long and straight, rippled like water as it settled down his back and against his ankles. He offered a strained smile and raised his arm into the air. The wind howled, drawing his hair into a whirlwind, carrying the scent of wild things. He bounded upward, and the wind lifted him into the sky, above the tower, above the armored soldiers and Sun Priests, above Talanee and the grasslands. He leapt impossibly high and moved away in an arc, as though he could fly.

“Halt!” Rez slowed his pace and came to a stop beside Talanee, eyes lifted heavenward as the archer’s second arrow missed its mark. “By the Sun Gods, what is it we’ve seen?”

Talanee shook her head. “The very will of the Sun Throne, Lord Lieutenant. What else could it be?”

“Was he real?”

Talanee’s eyes lowered as she sought an answer. Blood stained the scissor knife lying beside its dead owner. “I think he was.” She traced a rising sun before her chest. “Sun Gods be praised. I think he was.”

Rez stirred from his watch of the sky. “Should we…try to complete the ceremony again, Your Highness?”

Talanee glanced at the fallen torch. “I don’t think we have to, Lord Lieutenant. The rite was already accepted, or we wouldn’t be alive.” She glanced around for the priests and found several slain, blood staining their white robes, while the rest cowered beneath the carriages. No one protested her assumption.

Next time, the Holy Hakija had better send his Sun Warriors rather than these cowards.

Rez eyed the priests and nodded. “Then we should return to Inpizal, Your Highness. There are wounded to tend, and we must report all that’s happened.”

“Of course.” Talanee stooped to pick up the torch. “The king needs to know. And we should consult the Hakija.” She picked up her hem and glided toward her carriage, where Keerva and her other handmaids huddled inside, waiting. Talanee glanced back toward the tower. Her gaze drifted north, where the young man had vanished in the air.

Would she ever see him again, or had he traveled from the very Sun Throne to aid her and her people?

About the Author:
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Writer of fantasy, magic weaver, dragon rider! Having spent the past 20 years devotedly writing fantasy, it’s safe to say M. H. Woodscourt is now more fae than human.

All of her fantasy worlds connect with each other in a broad Universe, forged with great love and no small measure of blood, sweat, and tears. When she's not writing, she's napping or reading a book with a mug of hot cocoa close at hand while her quirky cat Wynter nibbles her toes.

Learn more at www.mhwoodscourt.com

Virtual Book Tour - November 1 - November 30
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Giveaway
2 paperbacks w/ signed bookplates (International)