Cover Reveal: Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword (Zaria Fierce Trilogy, Book 2) by Keira Gillett

Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword
by Keira Gillett
Series: Zaria Fierce Trilogy, Book 2
Release Date: November 6, 2015
Illustrator: Eoghan Kerrigan
Narrator: Michele Carpenter

Zaria Fierce must undo the damage she and her friends caused when they accidentally aided Olaf in his quest to release the dragon, Koll. Full Summary: If Zaria Fierce had her say, being a princess would mean you’d never have to wait for news. In the eight months since Olaf tricked her, Zaria has felt a near constant mixture of restlessness, listlessness, and hopelessness. When the time comes to fix past mistakes, she is more than ready to climb aboard the ship sailing towards the giants. Summertime in Norway promises many more adventures, but also many more perils… something sinister lurks beneath the surface following her every move, haunting her, disturbing her dreams, and stealing her peace. Can Zaria figure out what it is and stop it before it’s too late?

 

Pre-order on Amazon: E-book

Praise for Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest (Book 1):

“Are you in the mood for an old fashioned magical jaunt? Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest by Keira Gillett is a classic “perilous adventure” book for middle grade readers.” Jennifer Bardsley, The YA Gal “A captivating blending of fantasy storytelling with today's technology. At the base of this tale is deep, abiding friendship that stands the tests of time, adventure and even danger.” Kathy Haw, Goodreads Review “A great book with a lovely story and amazing characters. It’s a fantasy and adventure book that will be the delight of Narnia fans and those looking for a bit of Norwegian folklore thrown into it.” Ner, A Cup of Coffee and a Book “If you’re looking for an action-packed adventure dipped in fantasy, look no further. This book kept me on my toes with its many cliffhangers and plot twists; it was quite hard to put down at times.” Meredith, All ‘Bout Them Books and Stuff “I love when a story jumps right in and hooks me like this one did. I highly recommend you look into it if you are in the mood for a fun adventure. I also recommend that you get it for any book loving middle schooler you know.” Emily, Midwestern Book Nerd

Illustrations by Eoghan Kerrigan:

Excerpt:

Filip slung his window open and tossed out his backpack. It landed in a thump in the hedgerow. Aleks pulled it out and slung it over his shoulder with his own bag. “How’re you getting down?” “Hopefully with your stargazer.” “Then why toss down your bag?” Aleks asked, exasperated. “Just in case,” Filip said with a wink at Zaria. She suppressed a smile. She looked to the others, “Does anybody have rope?” Aleks and Geirr both nodded. Then Geirr unzipped his bag and pulled out a neat coil from on top. He tossed it to Filip, who snatched it up as it sailed by the window. He disappeared into his bedroom and reappeared moments later slinging the coil out the window. It unraveled to the ground. “Good,” Filip said briskly. “It’s long enough. Now let’s see if it holds.” Filip quickly scaled the side of the house and they gathered their belongings preparing to dash. Without warning, Mrs. Storstrand stuck her head out of a bottom window and shrieked at the sight of them. “Just what do you think you’re doing?” she demanded. “Run!” Filip shouted, grabbing his friends’ sleeves and rushing for the street. Aleks cursed and threw Filip his backpack while slinging his own around to the front and unzipping a pocket. He looked frazzled as he dug inside the opening. Mrs. Storstrand was quick. She was already out of the house and chasing after them. She threatened life and limb and the most terrible of all – letting Filip’s father know what he was about. At last Aleks found the stargazer – a shiny purplish egg-shaped object perforated with stars – and almost dropped it in his haste. After a brief fumble, Aleks located the largest star, and hastily jabbed his finger into the hole. Just like that, Mrs. Storstrand froze mid-run. But so too did Christoffer, Filip, and Geirr. Aleks looked at Zaria and to the others. “Damn,” he hissed. “Wait! How are you not frozen too?

About the Author:
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Keira Gillett is a technical publications librarian, book blogger, world traveler, artist, and now author. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Drawing and Painting. From an early age her mother instilled a love of the written word, as such she has always been a big reader. Her first book, Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest, is about a young girl who must complete a quest to save her friend from a nasty river-troll.



About the Illustrator:
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Eoghan Kerrigan is an illustrator from Kildare, Ireland who draws primarily fantasy characters and creatures. He studied illustration in Ballyfermot College of Further Education and has produced work for various independent projects. He has two cats and a soft spot for trolls.



About the Narrator:
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Michele Carpenter is an artist at heart, with a passion for acting. She and her husband (also a voice actor) often work on projects together and help one another through the journey. Together, they have three kids. Michele’s children love to hear her read stories and beg her to edit her narrations in the same room with them so they can listen too. It’s partially for this reason that Michele has come to feel a personal responsibility to only record books that aren't inappropriate for children or young adults–at their respective age levels and according to the maturity levels of the books they're able to read. “We never know how long we have on this earth and I'd rather leave behind a legacy of books that I'm not ashamed to have my friends, family and even future grandchildren, listen to forever.” 

Guest Post: Debut YA Fantasy author/artist Dianne Lynne Gardner + give away

is this not the coolest?!

Got something special today. In conjunction with First Rule Publicity, I Smell Sheep is kicking off Dianne Lynn Gardner's book tour for her debut Young Adult Fantasy novel Deception Peak. Not only is she an author, but she is an artist. She created some beautiful work to include in her novel. I love it when an author includes illustrations and have always wondered about the process. So I asked Dianne which came first? The story or the art.

Which came first? The art or the story? 

I've been an oil painter ever since I was small. My mom painted in oils and taught me how, and it’s been my passion ever since. But I also wrote when I was young too, pouring my soul out in poetry and random musings. Scribbles adorned the pages, a little calligraphy here, more bleeding heart words, more scribbles. Everything seemed to make it to the paper simultaneously. And in a sense it still does though I can’t paint with oils on my computer screen, nor can I type on my canvas. But the process of writing a novel is both a visual and a written journey for me.

And what came first in the Realm?

Well, I knew I wanted to paint a dragon. That desire has been a driving force in the creation of the Trilogy. And as I painted the dragon, I knew I had to create a character that was challenged by it. Hence, Ian.

I realized I knew people who fit the description of my characters and with a few model release forms in hand; I painted portraits of Abbi, Ian and Alex. 

Portraits are my forte in my world of art. I love them. I love all the little nuances that make someone who they are. 

The same thing is true when developing a character in a book, too. For example, Ian in Deception Peak is a fifteen-year-old boy, too shy to step out and be himself, but rather content to walk in his father’s shadow, Ian has a tendency to hide behind his thick bangs and peer out at the world from under his cover. But in this portrait, after his father disappears, though he’s still innocent and somewhat frightened, he’s beginning to not only conjure strength from within, but there’s a touch of anger brewing. That resentment. I believe is portrayed in this painting—not in any stereotype way. That wouldn't be human. But the slight narrowing of his eyes, his stance, looking over his shoulder as if questioning his capabilities—those are subtle signs of Ian’s character. 

I’ve painted many portraits for some pretty important people, like J.R.R. Tolkein’s great grandson Royd Tolkein. His agent bought two portraits for a birthday present for him—and Bruce Hopkins who played Gamblin in Lord of the Rings who helped auction his portrait at RingCon a few years back. (As much as he wanted it he didn't want the hassle of taking it back to New Zealand with him). The portraits opened another door, people wanting to be ‘in my book’. 

Children and young adults love the idea of being a star in a book as much as they love their portrait being painted. Even though the thrill is for a specific few, still having people pose for my paintings seems to make it easy for readers to identify with the characters. That’s important to me, especially because of my themes. I hope my YA fantasies are an encouragement to kids. I want them to know life isn't perfect, but you can still overcome the hard things that are thrown at you. Not because you are a super hero—on the contrary, because you’re human.

Deception Peak by Dianne Lynn Gardner Genre: YA Fantasy 
228 pages 

Teenage Ian Wilson follows his father through a portal into a deceptively beautiful Realm, where horses run free, the wind sings prophetic melodies, and their computer avatars come to life.

But separation from his father puts Ian in peril as he’s abducted by a tribe of dragon worshipers and forced to find his courage.

As he struggles for his freedom and embarks on a perilous search for his father, Ian meets the true peacekeepers of the Realm and learns of a greater purpose for his being in there.
(This is the first novel of the Ian’s Realm Saga)

About the Author:

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Dianne Lynne Gardner is both an author and illustrator. She’s an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National League of American Pen Women. She has written Young Adult Fantasy novels as well as articles for national magazines and newspapers and she is an award winning artist.

Dianne spent many years living out in the desert wilderness of the American Southwest, lived in a hogan made from adobe and cedar for thirteen years, co-owned 25 horses both pure bred and Native American ponies, traveled horseback and by wagon throughout the Navajo reservation, herded sheep and goat, worked in the forest planting trees and piling, farmed on barren soil and even lived in a teepee for a short while. She spent many long years using survival skills as a way of life.

Later she studied pastoral counseling and was a Pastor’s apprentice at a mainline church. She and her husband have been feeding the homeless for over twelve years. Today she draws both her survival experiences and her love for people, especially young people, into her writing seeking not only to give her readers a firm understanding of her stories’ characters, but a rich appreciation of nature.

this trailer shows a lot of the illustrations including the dragon