The Shadow of Black Wings by James Calbraith

Title: The Shadow of Black Wings

Series: The Year of the Dragon #1

Author: James Calbraith

Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Alternate History,

Publisher: Flying Squid

Format: Ebook and Paperback

Length: 70000 words

Purchase: Amazon 

Book Description:

"Fast paced and full of energy"

--Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Shadows of the Apt

"This manuscript is full of highly crafted detail that will make readers shiver at times with fear and delight ... a familiar yet highly original fantasy that is a worthwhile read."

-- Publishers Weekly

"The real-world cultures are incredibly well-researched and truthful, and yet well-balanced with the fantasy elements. An intriguing and impressive series."

-- Ben Galley, author of the Emaneska Series

It is the Sixteenth Year of Queen Victoria. In the powerful empire of Dracaland, Bran, a young dragon rider, joins his father on a military expedition to the mysterious lands of the Orient. In the reclusive Yamato, Sato, a tomboy samurai girl, strives to prove her right to inherit her father's school of western magic. Nagomi, a timid shrine apprentice, is haunted by the visions of dark future she must keep secret even from her best friend.

They don't know it yet, but their paths will cross... And when they do, nothing will ever be the same again.

Welcome to The Shadow of Black Wings, a steam-powered romp across the land of dragons, wizards and samurai. It's big, it's fast, it's been compared to Tolkien in terms of world-building, it has strong female characters and lots of carefully researched detail. You will meet the Royal Marines sailing mighty ironclads and Chinese walking machines; mysterious warlords and crazy inventors; you will discover dark prophecies, family secrets and blood-thirsty demons. And all that in just the first volume!

About the Author:

James Calbraith is a 34 year old Poland-born writer, foodie and traveller, currently residing in South London.

Growing up in communist Poland on a diet of powdered milk, Lord of the Rings and soviet science-fiction, he had his first story published at the ripe age of eight. After years of bouncing around university faculties, he moved to London in 2007, found a decent IT job and started writing in English. His debut historical fantasy novel, ""The Shadow of Black Wings"", has reached ABNA semi-finals. It was published in July 2012 and hit the Historical Fantasy and Alternate History bestseller lists on Amazon US & UK.

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Google

Shadow's Justice by Jerlyn Stone

Shadow' Justice by Jerlyn Stone
ASIN: B003YUCRHM
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Kindle (215 pages)

Purchase the book here: Amazon | Smashwords

Book blurb:

Shadow’s Justice is a Romantic Suspense packed with sizzling chemistry and witty humor with murder, intrigue and revenge stirred into the mix.

Two days after the State of Louisiana executes her father for the murder of a prominent banker, Shadow McClane buys a gun and vows revenge against the real murderer and on the same day, her stepbrother’s best friend and mercenary Raven Deveroux angers her. He flat out refuses to help her in her dangerous quest. The murderer still roams the streets a free man and the law considers the case officially closed. He calls her a fool for putting herself and her family in further danger.

Embittered, Shadow will prove to every last one of the arbitrators that her father is not a murderer, but a falsely accused man of honor. She renews her vow to find the real killer and shove him and the town’s corrupt court system right smack into their self-righteous faces.

About the author:

I live in a small Arkansas town with my dear husband of thirty- six years. My husband and I love to camp. We live in the center of four beautiful lakes and each are within twenty-five miles from our home. There's nothing more peaceful than watching a beautiful sunset's reflection glimmer off the lake's water. We're also into antique cars. My husband restored a 1936 Chevy pickup and a 1955 Chevy car. Both were rust buckets when he began. We go to antique car shows when we have the time. I love writing Romance Novels. I've been writing for about twelve years, now. I'm currently working on my fourth novel and my 2nd Short Story in the TARA series. Thank you for visiting with me. Come back often.
Contact the author: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

This Evening I Welcome Author Veronica Moreau

Hello Veronica and welcome to my blog. Thank you for interviewing with me this evening. Please tell us all a little about yourself.

As Lisa V. Proulx, my real name, I write horror and inspirational books and as Veronica Moreau, I write steamy, erotic romance with a rock and roll edge.

I live in Maryland on my 10 acre farm in a haunted pre-Civil War farmhouse. I have raised Rottweilers for over 14 years and am a belly dancer.

Interesting and unique day job Lisa. I don't imagine that I've met many belly dancers.

Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

It’s called LICK AND A PROMISE~Diary of a Rock Star Groupie and it was inspired by an actual event that happened to me with a famous rock star when I was 17.

I love rock stars!!!


Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?

I have been a feature writer and columnist for my local newspaper for about 13 years however, this is the year that I plan to become a full time writer (writing books) .

Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do?

I am a total homebody and find my greatest joy in spending time with my family and my dogs. I love to garden, mow grass and doing anything where I can be outside. I am also a belly dancer!

What genre are you most looking forward to exploring during your writing career? Why?

As Lisa V. Proulx (my real name), I write horror and inspirational books and under my pen name, Veronica Moreau, I write steamy, erotic romance with a rock and roll edge.

I still have books inside of me that are scary and inspirational but I am looking forward to writing the steamy stuff right now.

Who was your current novel dedicated to? Any particular reason?

I dedicated the book to my friend Peggy.

I met Peggy when I was in 7th grade and she was in 8th. She lived across the street from me and every way that I described her in the book is true. She got me out of my dorky shell, gave me confidence, and helped me so much.

After high school, our lives went into totally different directions and we lost touch after being friends for so many years. About two years ago, I found her again on FaceBook and we reconnected. We had plans to get together that summer when her sister emailed me that she had died from an accidental lethal combination of prescription and over the counter cold medication that wreaked havoc on her already weakened heart, from a hole in the heart to many years of drug abuse and finally sobriety. It broke my heart and I felt compelled to dedicate the book to her. She changed my life and I was happy to have had the chance to tell her that before she passed away.


What are you currently reading?

A couple of things… “The Power” by Rhonda Byrne and some books about antiques
Who are your favorite authors?

I love Jeanne Kaligridis and Elizabeth Gilbert

What 7 words would you use to describe yourself?

Goofy, loyal, eccentric, passionate, talented, dedicated, 70’s chick

On a typical weekend, what can we find you doing? Who are you with?

If Steve’s youngest daughter Taylor is with us, we are involved in something. If Steve is gone for the weekend, I enjoy my solitude and can be found in my office, writing. If it is just us two, we are usually working around the house, in the yard or getting a bite to eat.
What is your favorite junk food vice? 

Ah…I would eat a rock with Peanut Butter and Chocolate on it! Reese Cups ROCK!

My favorite food of all time is…fried potatoes with salt and pepper! Yum!

Contact the Author:  Website | Amazon

Kill Me Now by Lawrence Fisher

Kill Me Now by Lawrence Fisher
ISBN: 978-1457514719
Softcover (146 pages)

Purchase the book: Amazon

Book blurb:

Kill Me Now! is about Lawrence, a man in his late 40s dodging bullets deep in the dating battlefield while searching for the ONE. In Kill Me Now! Lawrence tries to decode the signals of his enigmatic opponent, often resulting in his hasty retreat. Why is she resting her head on her hand? Is she bored? Or is she interested? He finds himself in many humorous situations where he has no idea what he is doing and no idea how to maneuver through the skirmish. Trapped in the epicenter of the courting conflict, the motivating thought that sustains him is his strong belief that somewhere out there, she awaits. Join Lawrence as he painfully stumbles through the mating minefield in search for his SOULMATE while silently wishing that he was elsewhere. Be warned, you will laugh!

About the author:

Lawrence has been out on countless dates in search of his soulmate. Like most people he has found himself in many strange situations. However, he found that he could see the humor in each situation. Lawrence is a single guy in his late 40s. He has worked in computers and education for about 25 years and also holds a personal fitness trainer certification. He currently lives in Tel Aviv, Israel. Lawrence Fisher spends his days writing software tutorials and his nights in the endless search for the ONE. Will he find her? Or will there be book two out?

Contact the author: Website | Amazon | Twitter

Please Welcome Author Rachelle Ayala

Good afternoon Rachelle and welcome to my blog. Thank you for taking the time to interview with me this afternoon. Please tell us a little about yourself.


I was a software engineer until I discovered storytelling works better in fiction than real code. I have over thirty years of writing experience and have always lived in a multicultural environment.
I am an active member of online critique group, Critique Circle, and a volunteer for the World Literary Cafe. I am a very happy woman and live in California with my husband. I have three children and have taught violin and made mountain dulcimers.
 
Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

Hidden Under Her Heart is a heartfelt novel written to examine abortion, post-abortion guilt, and the unborn baby’s right to life. I was inspired by my friend, Melisa Hamling, who is the author of Twenty Weeks, another story dealing with abortion. Matt Patterson, author of My Emily, provided encouragement for me to look into my own experiences to shape and craft this story into an uplifting one with a happy ending.

What are some of your favorite genres to read and to write?

I love dramatic fiction with heavy emotional overtones centered around women coping with big problems in their lives. Favorite authors are Anne Rivers Siddons and Melissa Foster. These books take you into the harrowing lives of women facing huge challenges with unexpected twists and heartrending emotions. I do not like Nicholas Sparks because he tries too hard to wrench tears and that formula doesn’t work for me. I like to be surprised and not see things coming a mile away or feel like the author is steering me a particular direction. So the problems have to be gigantic, the characters much flawed, and the dilemmas in conflict with horrid villains.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What was the biggest compliment? Did those change how or what you did in your next novel?

My stories reflect me, and not some vague genre-specific market segment. I’m a born-again Christian after age 40, I lived in a rough neighborhood growing up, I spent a lifetime in computers and the tech industry, I don’t have the cleanest vocabulary, but I read my Bible from cover to cover, and I have a vivid imagination. My books include characters who are Christian as well as ones who are not, but the overall message is uplifting and someone gets saved in each of my books. Ironically, the worst criticism comes from Christians. All they see is the cuss words and sex and not the theme about brokenness, redemption, healing, changing lives, and finding God.

My biggest compliments come from readers who write me and tell me how my book impacted them, even if it was to keep them from sleeping. Michal’s Window got people to empathize with a strong woman who was suppressed by her time in history. Broken Build deals with grief over violent crimes and shows the power of forgiveness. Since I published Hidden Under Her Heart, many have shared with me their personals stories, or those of their friends and relatives. My story is compassionate and shows how people who are burdened under layers of guilt can find peace.

Have I changed anything? 

I’d be lying to say I haven’t. Hidden Under Her Heart has no overt sex scene. Sorry to disappoint everyone, but it is safe for mature teens. It also has no Bible verses, the other objection from Christian readers who did not like Bible verses next to a cuss words. Oh, and my main character does not cuss, not that I can remember. 

What is your favorite junk food vice?
Dark chocolate: Lindor extra dark truffles, Guittard’s semi-sweet chocolate chips, Lady Godiva’s. Anyone want to send me some, I’ll be your best friend. 

 We all have our little things when it comes to reading, is there anything that bugs you when you read a novel? What is it?
The number one thing that bugs me is author manipulation. I can tell if an author tries too hard to get me to like a character. Everyone praises that character, how good looking she is, how sensible, how wise. The character also has a high fallutin sense of their own that adds to the misery. I hate lame stories where the male hero is too perfect, or only has one tiny flaw which is minor. And mostly, when the story lacks conflict, glosses over detail, and explains away complications. Even worse is when I identify with the character we are all supposed to hate. Ha, then, I start wishing bad things would happen to the supposed good character and am ultimately disappointed when the story ends.

Who was your current novel dedicated to? Any particular reason?

Hidden Under Her Heart is dedicated to my son, Ross, who was born at 26 weeks gestational age and lived three weeks in the NICU. I had an important message in my book about the sanctity of life, no matter how small or maimed, and I wanted to give Ross’s short life meaning. He would have been a senior in high school this year and applying to college. This is my way of sending him into the world, on the wings of my book.

Is there anything else that you would like to share or say to those who will read this interview?

First of all, thank you for reading this far! And mostly, be yourself and accept yourself the way God made you. I truly enjoy hearing from readers and hope my stories inspire you and make you feel good about yourself. God bless you, and thank you, Pam, for letting me visit with your readers.

Broken Build by Rachelle Ayala  ISBN: 978-1480010512
Softcover (330 pages)

Purchase the book: Amazon 

Contact the author:
Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads 
 
Book blurb:

Broken Build (Silicon Valley Romantic Suspense) is a story of redemption and healing. Can a man love a woman who caused the greatest calamity in his life? Mix in a huge dose of chemistry, an unsolved murder, a missing child, and a relentless adversary. Can Jen and Dave's budding romance survive or will her secret tear them apart forever?


Other books by Rachelle Ayala