Tuesday 26 May 2020

Portrait of a Snow Queen




An epic fantasy of forbidden romance that chronicles the coming of age of a princess who is possessed by the Snow Queen and fated to rule her kingdom with a strong hand and icy heart.

As a child, Princess Freyja looked into the Snow Queen’s cursed mirror - and was changed.

Now an aloof and difficult young woman with a wit as sharp as her tongue, the future monarch is in need of a tutor. And Ambrose, a failed poet, is in need of a teaching position. He just never suspected how dangerous the extracurricular activities would be!

Soon, Ambrose finds himself on a grand adventure fighting to save the vexing but alluring princess from the court occult conspiracies that have targeted her. He is opposed not only by sorcerers and the evil Snow Queen, but also the icy royal damsel who holds his heart.

Will Ambrose’s love cause Freyja to thaw…or will she put him in the deep freeze instead?

Sensuous, suspenseful, supernatural and filled with witty banter, this romantic fantasy will both turn up the heat and leave you thoroughly frost smitten!

A 2019 Critters Readers Poll top ten finalist in the category of Science-Fiction and Fantasy.

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Micah S. Harris is the Author of the epic fantasy romance Portrait of a Snow Queen, which took third place in the category of science fiction and fantasy in the Critters Readers Poll.  Strong female protagonists and banter are trademarks of his work. Portrait of a Snow Queen is no exception and is recommended for older fans of Frozen and lovers of the witty verbal sparring in The Princess Bride.

He won the 2016 Pulp Ark Award for best novel for Ravenwood, The stepson of Mystery: Return of the Dugpa. He is also the Author - Along with artist Michael Gaydos (Marvel’s Jessica Jones) - of the graphic novel Heaven’s War, a historical fantasy pitting the Oxford Inklings against Aleister Crowley.

His lifelong love of movies also influences his fiction, whether a fairy tale retelling, horror story or paranormal mystery. He taught film on a collegiate level and has chronicled, both in print and via podcast, fascination lost genre gems.





Long Excerpt #1: 

“Freyja,” Lord Melchior said as we came to a stop before her, “This is your new tutor, Master Ambrose Gaius Aurelianus.”
I bowed. She sniffed and raised her chin. 
“You mean the new fool,” she said. 
“Charmed,” I said.
“Freyja!” Melchior said.
“No, it’s all right, my lord.” 
 I looked Freyja in the pale gray eye. 
“I am new to court, my lady, so I admit I may need some help understanding manners here. Please to clarify: am I on the receiving end of your rather banal efforts at being rude, or are you so dull that what you were supposed to have learned at charm school was beyond your comprehension?”
Her gray eyes flashed like a thunder cloud, her blush spread, but she did not lose her dignified posture. “You dare speak to me this way?” she said.
“It’s a necessary question, my lady. I need to know what I am up against. That is, has your ability to comprehend been compromised by the tendency to inbreed among royal families, resulting in your becoming a hopeless mental degenerate?”
Her mouth gaped, she shook her head at me, scowled, and turned to Melchior. “Do you just stand there and say nothing in defense of my honor? Of the entire royal family’s honor?”
He looked at me, his eyebrows narrowing. “It…happens.”
“Yes, my lady. Just tell me: are you so hopelessly stupid by nature that you will be a waste of my time?”
Now she was completely red. “Do you know with whom you speak, mortal? I am the Snow Queen, a force of nature!”
Melchior slapped his forehead and looked away. “Here we go….,” he moaned.
She addressed Melchior but did not turn from mine those eyes that were now hard and sharp as ice shards. “Did you not explain to this fool exactly the nature of whom, and what, he is dealing with?”
“He did,” I said, “but it was so ridiculous, I didn’t think it was worth retaining.”
“I am the Snow Queen,” she said. “I am no longer human but have become an elemental being, and this vestigial flesh and blood is but a mere covering.” 
The flush had receded from her face and that white complexion made her every word feel cold and from somewhere remote. For a moment, I could almost believe her claim. 
Then I saw a glint in her eye and recalled Melchior’s story of that speck of cursed mirror that had gotten in there, that still held the reflection of the Snow Queen. Was I seeing that image now? Freyja as she saw herself? 
“Would you, little man, seek to dance with the whirlwind? Would you gaze directly into the sun’s face like it was your lover’s and think it worth your time? 
“Lay hold on me, and you take hold of a tempest of hail stones and thunder, arctic blasts that buffet so that they will flay your skin, a cold so cold that it burns, and burns enough to leave you black where you stand. 
“One flick of my wrist, and you would look like you had been exposed to the frozen elements for days though it would be over in moments. You would be over in moments. Do you still find me ridiculous? Place your ‘disciplining’ hand on me, and you will quickly find me otherwise!”
I stared at her. “No,” I said after a moment, my voice soft. “I find you very, very sad, my lady. And broken. Whatever really happened to you? Whatever it was, it should not have happened to anyone. You were just an innocent child who had your whole world snatched away from you in a moment.”






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Tuesday 12 May 2020

Not a Fine Gentleman



Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.


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Margaret, the eldest of the misbegotten Amesbury family is accused of murdering her jerk of a husband and then fleeing. Conner Jackson, a Bow Stree Runner, is hunting her down to bring her to justice. Or so he thinks.

This romantic story of loss and betrayal, forgiveness and redemption, and strangers marrying, will leave you laughing, crying, and swooning. Sprinkled liberally with suspense, mystery, and heart-melting kisses, this is not your ordinary historical tale of an arranged marriage nor of redeeming the rakes. Fans of Victorian and Regency Eras as well as those seeking clean and wholesome romance with plenty of chemistry will love this story!


The Rogue Hearts Series:
The Stranger She Married 
The Guise of a Gentleman
A Perfect Secret
The Suspect's Daughter
Not a Fine Gentleman

Praise for Donna Hatch:
“Donna Hatch is one of the masters of clean romance with electric tension and smokin’ hot kisses.” ~ Reading is My Super Power Reviews


“Written with heart and depth, Donna Hatch’s books are absolute must-reads for any fan of swoon-worthy historical romance.”  ~ Sarah M. Eden, USA Today best-selling historical romance author


And now for the Cover
  
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Monday 4 May 2020

The Cookies are Missing



An epic hunt ensues at Grandma’s house to discover who took the cookies from the cookie jar!











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Karlie Lucas is a school crossing guard by day and a writer/artist by night. 

A graduate of Southern Utah University, Karlie received a B.A. in Creative Writing, with a minor in art. She is a member of Sigma Tau Delta, The International English Honor Society, SCBWI, as well as ANWA, the American Night Writers Association.
Karlie is interested in all things magical and mysterious, especially elves and dragons. She is an avid fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling.

When not writing, Karlie can often be found drawing, baking, watching her favorite old school shows, or just spending time with her family.

She currently resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband and a cat named Kally.



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Top Ten List #1
Top Ten Favorite Fictional Characters
1 -  Baymax from Big Hero 6 - He's huggable, kind, and helps others. What's not to like?
2 - Hiro Hamada from Big Hero 6 - a bit geeky and awkward, a bit misunderstood. He kind of reminds me of my childhood
3 - Elizabeth Benet from Pride and Prejudice - the prefect female role model, Lizzy isn't afraid to express herself or fight for herself
4 - Sirius Black from Harry Potter - Sirius is hugely misunderstood but somehow managed to make things work
5 - Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings - Sam is the glue that keeps everyone together and everything going
6 - Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast (animated) - Belle has optimism and kindness but isn't afraid to call people out
7 - Deerskin from the book Deerskin by Robin McKinley - Deerskin went through something no one should ever have to go through but somehow managed to overcome it
8 - Tadashi Hamada from Big Hero 6 - another nerd, as it were, but always full of patience and kindness, looking out for others, sacrificing himself to help those in need
9 - Stitch from Lilo and Stitch - He's so misunderstood and all he needed was a chance and to find somewhere to belong.

10 - Lilo from Lilo and Stitch - like Stitch, Lilo just needed to find a "family" to belong to, someone who could understand her oddness and embrace it





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Friday 1 May 2020

Secret Sisters Club




When Monique isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her 12 children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events.

Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in any given day, Monique tries very hard to enjoy the journey that is her life. She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children and 3 in-law kids, eleven granddarlings, 5 cats, and many real and imaginary friends.


She is the author of five published books (and several unpublished ones) and is in two anthologies. You can find more about Monique and her works at: www.moniquebucheger.blogspot.com 


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Twelve-year-old BFF’s Ginnie West and Tillie Taylor, want to be sisters. Ginnie's widowed dad plus Tillie's divorced mom could equal a lifetime of round-the-clock girl talk and slumber parties. Too bad Dad vowed to never marry again. Ginnie and Tillie come up with the perfect scheme to change his mind: ‘Operation Secret Sisters’ (aka OSS). After all, if they can’t get Dad to move on, Tillie can’t move in.
And now for the Cover
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Guinevere, the Legend



Their friendship put him in harm's way. Will it be enough to save him? 

Across the dark water to the land of ancient Gaul, renegades take Cedwyn and the littl'uns farther from home and rescue.

Led by her heart rather than her head and without any thought for her safety, fifteen-year-old Guinevere sets out alone to save Cedwyn. And if she fails…?

Eleven-year-old Cedwyn's trust in Guinevere is absolute. But will his sacrifice to save her and protect the littl'uns end with the loss of his own life?






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I’m a retired high school English teacher. A devourer of books growing up, my profession introduced me to writings and authors from times long past. Through my studies and teaching, I fell in love with the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Now, I hope to inspire young readers and those Young-at-Heart to read more through my Tales and Legends for Reluctant Readers set in these worlds—Ancient Egypt, Medieval Wales, and coming soon, a hair-raising adventure through ancient worlds in search of 5 rare Phoenix Feathers.

All of my books come with Free study guides and/or extensive Back-of-the-Book materials.

My husband and I love to travel. In 2008, we spent three weeks in Egypt traveling by local train from one end of the country to the other; in 2014, we spent three weeks in the UK driving over 1700 miles through England, Wales, and Scotland; and in 2016, we spent a week in Iceland. We’ve also traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, and Aruba. Our next big adventure will be to Greece and Italy.


When I’m not writing or traveling, our 4 grandkids keep us busy.


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Excerpt 1
When we don’t make the right decisions, the guilt may be overwhelming, but it takes courage to continue.
Guinevere stood back, away from the other knights, while Arthur and Merlyn negotiated with the sea people. She glanced from time to time at Cedwyn’s father, but he ignored her as did the others. She approached the small group of knights hoping to talk with Sir Derwyn.
As imposing as Brynwyn, Cedwyn’s father towered over her. His shirt, covering his battle gambeson, made him appear bigger and more fearful. She had just opened her mouth when his stare prevented her from speaking. His words were not comforting.
“Lady Guinevere, do not say a word. For as long as I’ve known you, which has been your whole life, you have always been headstrong. No,” he said raising his hand, “don’t say anything. I know this isn’t all your fault, however, that doesn’t change the fact that now my son, my only son, my heir, has been taken prisoner, and is somewhere across that dark water in the land of Gaul.” He paused trying to find his words. “I don’t know whether we’ll find him, or if we do, whether he will be alive or dead. I do know Brynwyn will never forgive me if I don’t bring him back safe.”
“I’m so sorry, Sir Derwyn.” Not finding herself silenced, she continued, “I never meant for this to happen. I tried…”
“I’m sure you did, but had you done as you were told in the beginning, we would not be standing here now.” He paused again, weighing his words. “You may be our future queen, but right now you are just a stubborn princess who believes she can do what she wants without any consequences. And that, young lady, is not true. You must have some qualities that enlisted the loyalty of my son, but those escape me. I only hope that my son, and your friend, is not lost to us forever.” With that he turned from the group and went to stand alone.
The ache in her chest grew. Guinevere struggled to breathe, to remain standing. Guilt washed over her threatening to drown her and put an end to her life. Never had she ever felt such a weight.

Oh, my Lady, do not let the words of a hurt father crush you. Sir Derwyn blames himself as much as you. You see, the loyalty his son has to you is no different from the loyalty he has to your father. He is proud of Cedwyn, but he is also afraid. Stay strong, Guinevere.





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