The New Emperor's Concerto Sneak Peek!

So, if you've been following me on social media you might have seen me tease a bit about this book, but now that NaNo is over, I am officially starting promotion on it as I'm hoping for a February release.

What is The New Emperor's Concerto about?

The year is 2223 and the world is on the cusp of World War Four. London is rife with anarchists and secret plots. It looks like dark days are coming for the British Empire. Darker than any that have been seen for decades.

But luckily England has some help.

Sir Lysander is the King's Righteous Man-and all that entails. He's the king's right hand, and a red one at that, the man who stands in the shadows and does what needs to be done for the protection of his country. 

Eidolon is a phantom, the anarchist group Apophis's top retrieval expert. They need something, he gets it, no matter the consequence. Even though he'd secretly prefer to be in his flat with his cat and a good book.

They've been butting heads for a while, but in times like these loyalties are known to change and right now, any help is good help. They just didn't count on being the only thing standing between England and the start of the next world war.

~~~~

So if you like futuristic stories with a historical flair, and the good guys and bad guys having to work together to save the world, this is for you.

Sneak Peek

T

he halls were dark, empty and silent, save for his own bootsteps across the industrial tile flooring. Sir Lysander, which was our hero’s name, scanned the area with much scrutiny, looking for anything out of place.

One must be thorough when doing a particular mission for the King after all. And when one held the title of King’s Righteous Man*, that was even more important.

A chirp in his ear reminded him of his companion, waiting with the car. Lysander put a finger to the com so he could better hear the other man’s voice coming through the device.

“Anything of note, sir?”

Lysander stopped at a door that was slightly ajar, and opened it, only to find a broom closet that hadn’t been properly shut. “Not as yet,” he replied, taking it upon himself to close the door properly. “But His Majesty’s concern is my own, of course. And it does seem remarkably silent. Anything to report on your end?”

“The new guard at the gate still hasn’t shown up.”

Lysander considered this. It couldbe something sinister going on, though of course it could also be something as mundane as the new guard getting waylaid by a trip to the loo. “Keep an eye on it.”

“Do you wish me to join you?”

“No,” Lysander replied. “Stay with the car. There’s no point in us both being in here if it turns out to be nothing.”

“As you wish, sir.”

Sinclair’s voice cut out and Lysander continued on his way through the research facility, abandoned by its workers for the night, not even a janitor to be found, which, come to think of it, was a bit odd.

He tugged the cuff of his glove down and tapped his wristband causing the display on his watch to come up, showing the time to be nearly 1:30 am. According to the rosters, the perimeter guard should have changed by now. If nothing else, it seemed that Lysander would have a poorly run roster to report to the king in one of London’s rather prestigious research labs.

Lysander turned down the next doorway toward the labs and nearly stumbled over the form laying across his path.

He pulled back, instinctively reaching for the gun at his thigh, before he crouched, turning the figure over. 

“Well, there’s the janitor,” he muttered to himself, tapping the com in his ear to activate it as he felt for a pulse, surprised to find the man still alive. “Sinclair, it looks like we might have a spot of trouble after all. I just found the janitor unconscious.”

“I would assume the new guard was likewise waylaid then,”Sinclair replied. “Shall I join you now, sir?”

Lysander smirked a little at the veiled eagerness in his man’s voice. “Watch the door. We don’t want anyone escaping.”

He rose and was about to continue down the hallway, when he heard the sound of breaking glass behind the door closest to him. Lysander drew his pistol, and kicked it in.

This was one of the labs, he saw instantly as he entered, long tables filled with glass and metal, beakers and vials, and things he couldn’t guess the use for. He could see some glass on the floor, but no sign of life. 

He stalked into the shadowed room, his dark clothing keeping him hidden save for the metallic glint of the king’s crest he wore on the breast of his waistcoat, telling of his occupation. That, however, was enough for the second man in the room.

A ghostly shape appeared out of the shadows with a roundhouse kick, slamming the gun out of Lysander’s hand.

He leapt back, regaining his footing, and blocked the next punch thrown at him with his forearm, before kicking out and gaining a grunt as his heavy boot connected with his opponent’s hip.

“Intriguing,” Lysander said mockingly. “I was told you were a ghost and had begun to believe it myself with all the times you’ve evaded me in the past. But it seems you are only a man of flesh and blood like all of us. What a disappointment.”

A wicked smirk appeared on the face of the other man as he ducked backwards into a beam of ambient light from a skylight. A shock of unnaturally white hair fell over his pale eyes, giving him an otherworldly look despite his obvious corporality. He gave a small bow.

“What a shame that I must disappoint one such as yourself,” he said. “I must say I am honored that the King would send his very own lapdog after me.”

Lysander lunged forward, and the other man skipped aside as if made of the shadows that crowded the majority of the room. Lysander stumbled into a metal table in his haste, hearing lab equipment crash to the floor. He cursed, wishing he’d had the foresight to bring his night vision gear. He heard a chuckle and spun around to see his opponent standing on another table, a gun in his hand. Lysander marveled at how he had gotten up there so fast and seemingly without any trouble. Perhaps he was a ghost after all.

“So sorry to cut this short, old chap, but I really must be going,” the pale man said and reached up.

Lysander dove for his gun on the floor, only to hear a shot ring out, and send his own weapon skittering across the floor. He leapt back and spun around, seeing the other man grabbing hold of a line with an automatic winch. He saluted Lysander as he was lifting off the floor and through the broken skylight.

Lysander grabbed for his gun one last time and turned to shoot, but by then the man was gone in a flutter of pale coattails and the Righteous Man cursed his bad luck, running for the door and barreling down the hallway to the stairs.

He tapped his com. “Sinclair, he’s on the roof, try to cut him off!”

He didn’t wait for an answer, throwing open the door to the stairs and tearing up them until he came out on the rooftop.

He spun around, gun held at the ready, looking for his escapee.

No one.

“Sinclair, do you have him?”

“I saw no one, sir. I’m sorry.”

 Lysander cursed, holstering his gun again. “We lost him.”

---

*The upper classes have long been known for their penchant for giving things rather ironic titles. So as you can imagine, a man with the illustrious title of “Righteous Man” is most likely anything but.

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You can now add it on Goodreads HERE 

So, I'm currently working on raising money for a cover artist and the launch (because, starving artist). So I'm going to be doing a book sale this next week with some old books I don't want anymore (More on that later!)

I have also started a Ko-Fi account, which, if you don't know what it is, is sort of a virtual tip jar. You can go on and "buy me a coffee" and it will go toward my goal I've set for the launch. Between that and what I raise for the book sale, I'm hoping to have enough money so that I don't have to pay out of pocket for the cover artist and all the things that go along with the launch of a book. (Swag, giveaway copies, reparation for time spent on social media, etc). Essentially, anything will help out, and Ko-Fi works through PayPal so it's completely safe for all parties.

Eventually, I'm going to set up my Ko-Fi for subscriptions sort of like a Patreon but I'll do that a little closer to the release date and will let you guys know about that then. But it will definitely have some more exclusive perks you will be able to take part in for all of my upcoming projects.

Info about the book sale will be up here on Sunday when the sale starts. I will be sending out invites with the link to anyone who is "friended" to me on Goodreads so if you want to know as soon as the sale is live, you can go add me as a friend on GR. Otherwise, just follow my social media (Instagram and Twitter) for info. I hope to see you there! 

NaNo2019 Sneak Peek!

So I promised after I reached the 50k that I was going to post an excerpt from my NaNo WIP "Come Marching Home" 

If you haven't been following me on Instagram or Twitter where I've mostly been posting about my project, this book is like a magical world alternative to ours with a WWI feel so like magical trench warfare. But instead of like most war stories where we follow the war front, this story is set after the war is over, and deals more about the issues with homecoming and war trauma. There's also brothers, because this is me. So this is the first chapter. (Part of the prologue is posted on my project page on the NaNo site if you want to check that out HERE)

(Also, Warning: this is not edited, so there's probably a lot of typos. Also, names of places are subject to change because the ones I have there now are just place holders until I can think of something better XD)

You can also look at my Pinterest board HERE

Chapter One

Ernst Keller knocked on the door to the final house on his rounds. Frau Klein’s baby boy had a fever and he’d made a tincture that would work well yet still be kind enough for an infant to use. 

            Her daughter, a girl of about eight, opened the door at his knock and he smiled.

            “And how are you, Lettie?” he asked, taking off his cap and stepping inside.

            “Alright,” she said with a small smile back before it turned into a frown. “Are you going to help Heinz?”

            Ernst reached out and tweaked her nose gently. “Don’t you worry, you’re brother will be right at rain soon enough. Now where’s your mother?”

            “In here, Ernst.”
            He followed the woman’s voice and found Frau Kline in the back room of the first floor, which was the nursery. She sat rocking and fussy baby and looked up gratefully when Ernst came in.

            “Thank you for coming,” she said.

            “Of course, let me see the little man.” He reached out and took the baby from her arms, reaching up to stroke the overly warm forehead. At his touch, he willed some of his healing ability into the baby, like he did when he planted the herbs for his garden. The infant stopped fussing and seemed to rest easier. He cradled him for a couple more minutes before he settled him into his cradle while Frau Klein stood by, watching anxiously.

            “It’s not anything too bad,” he promised her with a smile. “Just a little chill. The herbal mixture I brought will work fine.” He reached into his satchel and pulled out the small package. “A teaspoon of this in warm milk twice a day. He may fuss to drink it, but once he does, even one dose should start to work.”

            “Thank you,” Frau Klein told him and made her way to the kitchen. She fetched a purse and was about to count out coins. “How much do I owe you?”
            Ernst held up his hand. “Nothing for so little.”

            “But times are so tight,” she protested.

            “And I just have myself to feed,” Ernst reminded her gently. “If you wish to give me anything, a couple of those apple pastries the next time you make them are payment enough.”

            She smiled and reached up to touch his cheek. “Of course, dear. I’ll make them as soon as Heinz is feeling better.”
            Ernst left the house and made his way back to the shop. He had some more tinctures and medicines to put together today, things he was running low on. And he was going to have to move some of his herbs into the hothouse in preparation for the coming winter.  

            He didn’t get far down the road though, when someone called his name.

            “Ernst!”

            He spun around and saw a telegraph boy running toward him.

            A sudden sickness seized him as the boy stopped in front of him.

            “What is it, Karl?” he asked.

            “A message for you,” Karl said and handed him the small, brown envelope.

            Ernst swallowed and fumbled in his pocket to pay the boy before hurrying back toward the shop. 

            He didn’t want to open it. Didn’t want the uncertainty to become certain. And yet, he couldn’t stand not knowing either.

            He dumped his satchel carelessly on the table, scattering a few bundles of dries herbs as he took one long look at the envelope and then with a breath to steel himself, he ripped it open.

            As he read the short message, he sagged in relief and slumped in a chair, legs like jelly and hands shaking. He said a quick prayer of thanks to the goddess of warriors and allowed himself to breathe again.

            Alfonse was on his way back to him.

            His brother was coming home.

*

It had been over a year since the war with Mongoland started after a series of events that led to a border raid that led to shots fired, that led to an important man getting shot. No one really knew how that turned into a full fledged war, but it had. And soon every man who could wield a weapon, magical or otherwise, was sent off to the trenches to fight for Tuton, in the hopes that the war would stay out there in the vast fields far away from the cities and the people.

            Alfonse had volunteered. He’d always been a bit restless for the small country village, and Ernst had always known that, but it had gotten worse since their parents died of a sickness that had swept through and taken them both, despite everything his mother had tried. Even healers couldn’t fix everything. 

            They’d been alone after that, and Ernst, only seventeen and only four years older than his younger brother, had to take over the business and raise Alfonse as well. 

            And that had been a task. He’d been a wild boy, though not in a bad way. Just free. He could cause mischief, but then smile and gain the hearts of the villagers all the same. He certainly had gained the hearts of most of the women in the village, that was for sure. Alf had been a ladies’ man pretty much since he could walk.

            And he was a natural magician, which meant that everyone offered him a certain respect. There weren’t a lot of them out here in the country.

            So when the war started, Alfonse had instantly wanted to go. It was probably best in the long run, Ernst now realized. He would have been conscripted soon enough, after a few months, when they realized that this fight wasn’t just going to blow over with a few blows and a couple peace treaties, everyone with magic, especially the natural magicians and alchemists had been taken to the front. Ernst had only stayed because he was given a pass as the only healer in his village and the only one with any natural talent until you got to Iron City. 

            Part of him wished to have gone with Alf in the beginning. It had been hard to let his little brother walk toward death alone. He was all Ernst had left, and the thought of losing him was unbearable. But another part seemed to realize that Alfonse needed to do this alone. He was nineteen when he left. A man, and a powerful magician. Ernst knew they needed him, and though he wanted to keep his baby brother to himself, he knew that he had to let him go this time.

            Every day was like walking on eggshells. Alfonse wrote to him at first then stopped. Ernst understood. He knew the war was hard. Their father had fought in the previous one, and he never talked about it. Sometimes he got that distant look in his eye that told them he was remembering something. But it was still hard for Ernst to know nothing of his brother’s safety or whereabouts. Nothing to rely on but the telegraphs that would come in every few days, telling of another soldier who wouldn’t be marching home. Every time he didn’t receive one he said a prayer of thanks, and asked for his brother’s protection.

            In the meantime, he ran the shop that their parents had left, tended his garden, and made his medicines. Tried to keep his spirits up, help where he was needed. He was one of the few young men left in town now, and so he did odd jobs for the soldier’s wives and the elderly. He neatly evaded the young women who showed up at his shop nearly daily to ask for some tincture for some new ache, oftentimes coming to a squabble right on his doorstep if more than one happened to show up. He smiled at the shopkeeper’s daughter, Ada, when he went to buy dry goods, which only made the other village girls more determined to win him over.

            He survived. But he missed his brother dearly. Alfonse had been Ernst’s constant companion for the majority of his life and all his other boyhood friends had gone to war with him. He tried not to feel so alone, but sometimes, he couldn’t really help it.

            But now his brother was coming back, and he felt as if something he didn’t know was there had been lifted form his chest. 

            He had a lot of preparation to see to. For the most part, Alfonse’s room had been left untouched, even his clothes were still there, since he only needed a uniform now. He cleaned the room though, dusted it, aired the sheets…not an easy task in the bleak, wet weather they had been having, but it would have to do. 

            The telegraph had said that Alfonse had been injured, but Ernst didn’t worry over much about that. He was a healer after all, the idea of an injured little brother did not daunt him. He simply made up a few more tinctures and creams that were good for wounds. 

            It was three days between the time Ernst received the telegraph to when the transport truck pulled up outside their shop door. 

            He had just been making up his orders for the day when he heard the rumbling sound of a magic engine outside. He dropped what he was doing instantly, tore off his apron and ran outside in his shirtsleeves.

            The back of the truck was sheltered with canvas, and a man got down, hauling out a trunk before another came around the back.

            Alfonse appeared then, a crutch held in one hand, and a wary look on his face as he eyed the distance between the truck bed and the ground. The man reached up and helped him to his feet.

            Alfonse swayed slightly, then stuck his crutch into the cobbles and looked up finally at the shop.

            Ernst was already moving, unable to stay away a moment longer. A grin spread across his face despite himself, and his arms were already open when Alfonse turned to see him.

            “Alf!” he cried and caught his brother up in a cheerful embrace.

            He was so glad to see him that for the first few seconds he didn’t realize Alf wasn’t hugging him back. 

            In fact, upon the initial embrace, Alfonse stiffened up entirely. It was only after a few seconds that he relaxed his brother’s hold, forehead lowering to rest on his shoulder, even if his arms didn’t wrap around Ernst like they normally would have.

            Ernst held him for a little while longer, taking stock of the extra few inches his brother had grown—taller than he was now!—and the pounds his already slim brother had lost. He could feel the lean muscle, but there was more bone than he would like. His cheek rested on top of the dark head, inhaling deeply. 

            “Welcome home, brother,” he said, then pulled away.

            Alfonse looked startled to lose the contact, and perhaps also a little relived. Ernst smiled reassuringly and finally, Alf’s lips curled up a little too. A bit of relief shot through Ernst’s chest. He reached out to squeeze Alfonse’s shoulder. 

            “Come on, I’ll make you breakfast. You should get off that leg.”

            And like that, his brother was home.

            At least in body.

            As Ernst turned away to pick up the trunk, his smile faded because of the look he had seen in his brother’s eyes. It was the same he had seen in his father’s when he was having a bad day. 

            He feared that, perhaps, Alfonse had left something of himself back at the war front.

~~~~~~~~

 How is everyone else doing on NaNo this year?

Stayborn Blog Tour

Elemental Manipulation is a tricky business. Only those with the power can train to become a Draev Guardian.

Cyrus Sole hates life. She’s only half-human, with weak wrists, and not a day goes by when someone doesn’t say something mean about it—especially her step-mom. But when the forbidden power to manipulate metal awakens inside her, she finds herself on the run as the Argos Corps is sent to kill her…

Aken is a Scourgeblood, the last in a line of monsters. But all he really wants is to gain wings and be free. Until a new power suddenly awakens, changing the course of his life…

The Draev Guardian Academy is their only sanctuary. But training to become a Draev won’t be easy. Cyrus has to hide her human side, as she gets placed in Floor Harlow with the outcast students, and nightmares of her deceased mother keep returning.

With creepy Corpsed on the prowl, and whispers of Cyrus possibly being a reborn Hero, both she and Aken find themselves caught up in a web of secrets, racial tension, and an old legend with enemies that could spell their untimely demise…

—This book is a good fit for those who've enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, Brandon Sanderson's fantasy world-building,and the fun of J.K. Rowling.

Add it on Goodreads!

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Purchase Links

Amazon

Kindle

Barnes & Noble

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Get a free prequel short story HERE!

Cyrus Sole, a girl who can manipulate metal, and Aken-Shou the last Scourgeblood, must learn to survive in a world that is determined to either destroy them, or use them...

About the Author

E.E. Rawls is the product of a traveling family, who even lived in Italy for 6 years. She loves exploring the unknown, whether it be in a forest, inside a forgotten castle, or within the pages of a book.

She runs on coffee, cuddly cats and the beauty of nature to keep the story wheels of her mind running, as she writes tales that will both entertain and inspire others, giving them worlds they can explore and become lost within.

WEBSITE: https://eerawls.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/eerawls_author/

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Giveaway!

First place: One hardback copy of Strayborn, and one Percy Jackson soy/vegan homemade candle by A Court Of Candles.

Second and Third place: One ebook copy of Strayborn.

Ends on Monday, October 21.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Stop and Interview with C. M. Banschbach (Author of Oath of the Outcast)

It's finally here! So guys, I've been so excited for this book to come out since I beta read an early version and it is seriously one of my most anticipated releases of the year. This book has literally all the things I love in it, Angsty, anti-heroes with anger management issues, but who love their little brothers. Little brothers who never lose faith in their angsty anger driven older bros. Snark, outlaw bands, rediculously creepy cults, and evil baddies. And just a truckload of mangst.

But we don't have to wait anymore! Oath of the Outcast is finally out officially today, and I'm so excited to share the release with you for the blog tour!

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Synopsis

A lost brother.
An unwilling outlaw.
A rising enemy.
An unusual alliance.

Years ago, Rhys MacDuffy was brutally cut off from his clan, stripped of his name and inheritance, and banished to the remote Dragon Keep. Perched high above the Shang Pass in the land of Alsaya, he assumed the mantle of the Mountain Baron, serving out his sentence as the overseer of the worst outlaws and outcasts.

But one day he receives a desperate message from the clan who disowned him: MacDuffy’s Seer—his beloved brother—has been taken by their enemies.

With his band of Mountain Brigands and an unwelcome sidekick, Rhys leaves his mountain stronghold to find and rescue his brother. The tide of war is rising amongst the Clans of Alsaya, fueled by the magic-wielding sect of Druids who seek to unleash a dark force the world has long forgotten.

Can the bond of blood run deeper than banishment?

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And now I'd like to invite Claire on for an interview where she talks a little about her book:

What was your main inspiration for writing “Oath of the Outcast”?

A morning of driving in foggy weather actually, and my over active imagination that gave the scene of a broody, angry guy riding down a foggy mountainside. I was so distracted the rest of the day at work as the main bits of the story all came together! 

Ah, the life of a writer; so many distractions and inspirations all the time!

Okay, so tell us a little about Rhys MacDuffy and the Cairns.

Rhys MacDuffy was exiled from his clan over seven years ago after being accused of assassinating the last living heir to the throne. He’s been living up in the Cardic Mountains since where he’s established a pretty fearsome reputation as the Mountain Baron along with his band of Cairns. The Cairns are all outlaws/outcasts like him, as well as criminals of many varieties. They all came to swear an oath of service to him and are extremely loyal. They’re basically criminals with little slivers of gold in their hearts. I love them all. Haha! 

You have to love the outlaws who are, deep down, good guys, maybe sometimes even the goodest!

So when and how did the MacDuffy Brothers come into being?

Rhys pretty much leapt full formed into my head that day driving in the fog. It didn’t take long for Sean, his younger brother, to appear after that. Once I figured out that this mysterious, broody guy with a massive chip on his shoulder would do anything for his little brother he hasn’t seen for seven years, this story took over my head and heart! 

Who was your favorite and least favorite character to write?

Favorite? All of them? Haha! Rhys is probably my most favorite, since he’s such an extra ball of snark and drama. But they were all so easy to write! The hardest scenes were probably writing Lord Adam as one of the villains, and trying to really flesh out his character and motivations since he kept surprising me! 

Villains are always the ones who give the most trouble, both to the writers and our poor heroes ;-)

What’s your favorite to write: Actual siblings, brothers in arms, (or both?)

Ooh! Tough question since I love doing both! Siblings maybe a little more? I have multiple siblings, so I love being able to showcase the variety of sibling relationships. 

Can you give us a teaser about what might be next for the MacDuffy brothers and their comrades?

Book 2 is coming next summer. It’s full of more non-stop action, creepy druids, evil plots to capture Sean again, Rhys frantically stabbing people to try and protect Sean, the Cairns running after Rhys and also stabbing people, Alan MacDuffy trolling Rhys every chance he gets, and villains being so over Rhys interfering with their plots and plans! 

Sounds exciting! And will definitely give us all something to look forward to!

Any writing projects in the works?

My current project is book 3 of my YA/MG Faeries of Myrnius fantasy series. It’s headed to the editor next month and is all about found family, embracing your strengths, accepting who you are, excuses for me to have caribou and other arctic creatures, and snowy adventures. After that, I’m not sure what’s next! I have a few projects I’m thinking about starting, but nothing definitive yet. Helpful, I know. ;) 

Sounds like a fun addition to the series!

So, can you share some of your favorite books, movies and music you have read, watched, and listened to so far this year?

Avengers: Endgame, Aladdin are def top movies! 

Books – Echo North by Joana Ruth Myer, To Best the Boys by Mary Weber, Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine, and Shard and Shield by Laura VanArendonk Baugh! 

Music – not sure! I listen to a ton of music, so it’s hard to narrow it down. But I’ve for sure had the Aladdin OST on repeat recently. (I’m a little obsessed with the live action remake!) 

And a bonus: Three books you would recommend to people who like “Oath of the Outcast” (Or if one enjoyed these three books they should definitely try “Oath of the Outcast”)

I’d say if you like non-magical fantasy adventure you’d love it, but I compare it to the Riyria books by Michael J. Sullivan, with the feel of Stephen Lawhead, and the sibling relationships similar to Supernatural (not a book specifically, but there you go!) 

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About the Author

C.M. Banschbach is a native Texan and would make an excellent Hobbit if she weren’t so tall. She’s a pizza addict, a multi-faceted fangirl, and a firm believer in being authentic—even if it means acting like a dork sometimes! When not writing fantasy stories packed full of adventure and snark, she works as a pediatric physical therapist where she happily embraces the fact that she never actually has to grow up.

She also writesYA/MG fantasy-adventure as Claire M. Banschbach.

Facebook

IG/Twitter: @cmbanschbach 

 Website

Goodreads

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There's a giveaway! Eneter for Awesome Prizes! (Open internationally!) 

2 ebooks, 

1 paperback, 

1 combo pack of a bookmark and a map postcard! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchase Links

Amazon

 Crosshair Press

Barnes & Noble

 Goodreads

  Newsletter sign up for a free prequel short story

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Follow the Tour!

And also just for fun, I made a fan playlist for Claire so enjoy a listen while you read your copy of Oath of the Outcast

Playlist Link

COVER REVEAL "Oath of the Outcast" by C. M. Banschbach

I'm super excited to share the cover reveal for my friend Claire's upcoming book "Oath of the Outcast"!

Isn't this a gorgeous cover??

A little more about it:

A lost brother. 
An unwilling outlaw. 
A rising enemy. 
An unusual alliance. 

Years ago, Rhys MacDuffy was brutally cut off from his clan, stripped of his name and inheritance, and banished to the remote Dragon Keep. Perched high above the Shang Pass in the land of Alsaya, he assumed the mantle of the Mountain Baron, serving out his sentence as the overseer of the worst outlaws and outcasts. 

But one day he receives a desperate message from the clan who disowned him: MacDuffy’s Seer—his beloved brother—has been taken by their enemies. 

With his band of Mountain Brigands and an unwelcome sidekick, Rhys leaves his mountain stronghold to find and rescue his brother. The tide of war is rising amongst the Clans of Alsaya, fueled by the magic-wielding sect of Druids who seek to unleash a dark force the world has long forgotten. 

Can the bond of blood run deeper than banishment?

I was lucky enough to get to read an earlier draft of this and I must say it's one of my most anticipated releases of the year! I highly encourage you to keep an eye out for this. It will be out on July 23rd!

You can find more info about it HERE

Growing Up With Star Wars

So because today is May the 4^th(Star Wars Day) I thought it was about time that I wrote a post about one of the major influences to my storytelling.

Before we start, I just want to note that this is not a post comparing the old Star Wars to the new. I could have gone that direction, and I’m certainly not afraid to share my opinion of Disney’s Star Wars fanfiction, I am tired of that and I will not be speaking of it here. However I do want to make it clear that when I say “Star Wars” I only mean the Original Trilogy and the Prequels.

Like me, I think most people who grew up in the 80s or 90s were raised watching Star Wars or at least were aware of it. Now it’s pretty much a household name. I vividly remember watching the Original Trilogy movies when I was only a wee thing with my grandpa. I remember really loving C3P0 R2-D2 and of course the Ewoks. The Phantom Menace came out when I was about six or seven, and I still recall the first time I watched it. I didn’t go to the theater to see it because I didn’t like theaters as a kid, but I did watch it after it came out on VHS (yes I’m old.) I think this is when I really started to fall in love with Star Wars.

A lot of people my age, even some good friends grew up on Harry Potter, they dreamed of going to Hogwarts. Star Wars was my Harry Potter; I didn’t want to be a wizard, I wanted to be a Jedi. I wasn’t into the idea of sitting in classrooms all day learning magic you couldn’t even use in real life. I wanted to fight evil with laser swords and psychic powers and who wouldn’t?

I mean, if I’m being honest, at this point in my life I would probably rather be a rogue bounty hunter because it beats having to deal with the politics of being a Jedi, and I am more morally grey, but yeah…

Even after other fandoms came into my life, which I arguably became more obsessed over, Star Wars remains one of the first. I didn’t get into Lord of the Rings until I was a little older and was on my fantasy kick. And I know a lot of people slam the prequels and now that I’m older, yes, I agree, Anakin is annoying, and some of the storylines are a little uninspired, but these came out when I was a kid, and I remember the anticipation for Episode III, wanting to see the final ties between the prequels and the Original Trilogy. 

While I’ll admit I haven’t obsessed about Star Wars as much as some other fandoms, I think it’s almost more than that. It’s a safety zone, it’s a constant. It’s a timeless story. A classic tale of Good verses Evil. The characters arcs that are clearly defined. I know I have used Star Wars as an example multiple times when describing literary devices because you can and there’s something still wonderful about these kinds of stories despite what critics like to say. I don’t think people will ever stop loving these simple stories of villains and heroes. I know I won’t. I will never stop thinking about characters like Luke, Han and Leah. Seeing these characters rise above the odds and save the freaking universe should be inspiring to us to get through our own daily struggles. They didn’t even have to be larger than life characters, they were still relatable. They certainly didn’t get through their mission without the hiccups. Anakin’s story can be seen as a cautionary tale about how power corrupts and the terrible things we can sometimes be willing to do for love. Obi-Wan is a hero who is willing to play by the rules until he sees a better way and then he’s not afraid to break them. They’re human. 

Star Wars is something I have enjoyed in one shape or form pretty much my entire life. My brothers and I had many lightsaber fights, we used to play with the action figures all the time (maybe sometimes we still do) We spent a summer binge-watching Clone Wars when we first got Netflix. I’m pretty sure Obi-Wan was one of my first fictional crushes and honestly still is one of my absolute favorite characters ever. I love the comfort of stories like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings too. They show you that even farm boys and hobbits can save the world, they show you that YOU can be a hero too. Not because being a hero is easy and not because it’s not going to be hard work, but because sometimes you’re the only one who can do a specific thing. While most of us probably aren’t going to end up having to save the world, I think the same concept can apply to lesser things as well. 

I’d love for anyone reading this to share YOUR Star Wars story with me! Until next time, May the Force be with you!