I launched my Kickstarter campaign for the Og-Grim-Dog omnibus yesterday…and it’s already funded!
For all the details on rewards, bundles, and stretch goals, check out the live campaign page
Kickstarter Launch
Kickstarter Campaign Coming
I’m excited to announce my upcoming and first ever Kickstarter campaign. I will be offering an exclusive hardback omnibus edition of my Me Three series, featuring all four books in one awesome hardcover.
In addition, eBook, audio, and paperback versions will be available. Stretch goals will see even more goodies added, including custom artwork.
Launch day is 13th March. For now, please sign up to my pre-launch page. You will get an email when we go live. Thanks for your support!
A Crucible of Fire and Steel: Release of Book 2 of Heirs of War
It’s been a busy 7 days and I’ve just realised I haven’t officially announced the release of A Crucible of Fire and Steel on the website. So now I have.
A week on and the release is going well. Book One has a temporary price reduction on the eBook for January if you are new to the series. As for Book Three, this one is in the very early stages of the writing process and I don’t anticipate serious progress until later in the year.
That said, I do have a release of something else scheduled for the summer and some big news around that, so stay tuned. For more regular updates than this blog, make sure to sign up to my newsletter which is my primary method of communication. This is an email delivered to your inbox, around once or twice a month, depending on news.
Cover Reveal: A Crucible of Fire and Steel
Woot! SO pleased with my latest cover. A Crucible of Fire and Steel is book 2 of Heirs of War, releasing on 10th January. It is also something of a milestone, since it’ll be my tenth book to be published.
Bastien has outdone himself again with the beautiful, medieval style illustrations. Depicted are Liesel and Peyre who, along with Sanc, made up the point of view characters in book one. All three return for book two, along with some new points of view… Crucible is even more epic in scale than Inheritance, since Sanc has been sent to a new world. He finds himself drawn into the conflicts of this realm, while Liesel and Peyre must navigate the growing unrest in Dalriya.
Oh, and the geometric shape at the top is a nod to the Bastion, the royal fortification in Valennes.
New Release: An Inheritance of Ash and Blood
Excited and a little bit nervous to finally be releasing the first book of my new series, Heirs of War, now available to buy in eBook, paperback, hardback, plus available through kindle unlimited.
With An Inheritance of Ash and Blood I return to the setting of my first series, Dalriya. Fifteen years have passed since Diis was destroyed. No, he’s not back-but a new god has arrived. He has enslaved the Lippers and the people of Dalriya, godless, find themselves unable to stop him.
We follow Sanc, who begins the novel aged 12, as he first becomes aware of the sorcerous powers he has been given. Where they come from, he doesn’t know. But in a world where sorcery is dying out, they mark him out as an important figure in the coming conflict.
Here are some details about the book:
- There are three points of view: Sanc; his older brother Peyre; and Liesel, daughter of the last emperor of Brasingia.
- The coming of age storylines are combined with epic fantasy style worldbuilding, political intrigue, and war.
- Although we follow a new generation, some characters from The Weapon Takers Saga do reappear in this series.
- This is my longest novel, at 125,000 words.
- This is a planned series of three books. Book two has a release date of 10 January 2023. More news on this soon!
Cover Reveal: An Inheritance of Ash and Blood
I’m so excited to reveal the cover for An Inheritance of Ash and Blood, Book One of Heirs of War. Check out the official reveal over on fanfiaddict.
I hired French artist Bastien Jez to do the cover for me. He really understood what I wanted and I think his style suits the story perfectly.
I have an official release date of 6 September for the eBook. There will also be a paperback version and, for the first time, I plan to have a hardback version too.
If you can’t wait that long, I currently have the first chapter of the book available to read on the new series page on my website. Enjoy!
New Release: The Weapon Takers Saga Complete Series Box Set
My first series, The Weapon Takers Saga, is now available as one eBook ‘box set’. This is a four book epic fantasy series, weighing in at over 400,000 words, with a brand new interquel short story, The Sacrifice, included as well.
The Sacrifice links into a new series that is coming soon. Book one is now in editing so keep them peeled for more news on this.
Meanwhile, you can grab the eBook collection, available on Amazon/KU. Special launch price is now available!
Paperback of Omnibus Edition Out Now
Until now, my omnibus title, The Weapon Takers Saga Books 1-3, has only been available as an eBook or Audiobook.
I’m pleased to say it is now available in paperback, too! Featuring three maps and clean formatting I’m really pleased with the way it has come out. It IS a bit of a brick, so check you have space on your bookshelf first! Or, just keep it by your bed and it can double as a weapon to stop intruders.
I Shall Return With Winter by CF Welburn
I Shall Return with Winter by C.F. Welburn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An intriguing fable of revenge and of prophecy, this was like reading a metaphysical Dances with Wolves.
Like Welburn’s Ashen Levels, there is a sort of dreamlike quality to this tale, so that you are never quite sure what to expect next. It’s a book that defies categorisation, both its strength and weakness.
Our setting is a sort of fantasy version of the Viking North Sea (for me). Oben, the mc, a farmer from lush Edale (England?) travels to Skaligar (Scotland?), occupied by the Skalgs (Vikings) from Eisalhelm (Scandinavia?)
He is on a mission of revenge. Except it takes us a while to understand why. Even then, there’s something about it that doesn’t quite make sense. When the fearsome Skalgs take him, they become convinced he is an agent of destiny and prophecy. And, of course, the reader is never quite sure if they’re right about him or not.
Despite this mysterious aura around him, Oben is one of those ordinary characters doing extraordinary things. Set a series of tasks like a character from Greek legend, it becomes increasingly clear that, whatever his own thoughts on it, he will be at the centre of a clash between his old home and his new, adopted one.
Written as a standalone, the author is obviously tempted to return to this new world he created. Good news, because I enjoyed the mystery of it – this is almost Welburn’s trademark. But at other times I wanted the fog to clear and get to know these characters and their world a little bit more than I came to.
For those who’ve read Welburn before, it goes without saying how well written it is. Have a read yourself for some grimdark style moral greyness, gritty adventure, myth, mystery and madness.
A Wind from the Wilderness by Suzannah Rowntree
A Wind from the Wilderness by Suzannah Rowntree
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Among the many books that got some attention in the most recent SPFBO, this was one of those that got my ears to prick up. Set in the First Crusade? Hells, yeah! I’m the audience for that! Of course, should go without saying, that means it’s not right for other readers in the broad church of fantasy. If you prefer lots of magic with no connection to a historical period or place, this may not be your bag.
So, starting with the setting, we have the crusaders making their way from Constantinople to the Holy Land. Raymond of Toulouse is one of the 3 pov characters and you have Bohemond and all the gang as well. The characterisation and historical research is excellent. The political manoeuvring of those involved feels so real, as do the military engagements featured, and the desperate hardships of the endeavour. Top notch historical fiction.
Overlying this is the tale of Lukas Bessarion, a Greek noble teenager transported to these events from 7th century Byzantine Empire, where he meets Ayla, a Turkish girl. It’s this storyline that has the magical elements – sorcerers are interested in the outcome of the crusade. The magic is there in the background, but the dish is spiced just right, given the historical element. Initially, I was unsure if I was going to enjoy Lukas and Ayla’s story as much. It has a much more YA feel to it at times than the historical goings on. But I did, and it’s really a testament to the author’s skill and writing chops that she is able to blend so many elements into one novel and keep it as a cohesive whole. I tip my hat to the sheer work that must have gone into this book.
This is the first in a series which features other members of Lukas’ family – perhaps also transported out of time. It seems they are all related, but standalone, in nature.
Anyway, this is the kind of book where you probably know if a medieval historical fiction/ fantasy crossover is something you’ll like. If you’ve been unsure up to now, here’s hoping I’ve convinced you.