| From December 24-28th, SSP has an open house on Amazon Kindle including all of its authors who have eBooks available! Many genres and styles available! All books include cover art and interior artwork from the award-winning artists Matthew Perry and Bonnie Wasson! The free books include the following (along with additional titles available for sale from each author): Spook House by Michael West (horror, a Harmony, Indiana Novel. Other Harmony Indiana tales include the novel Cinema of Shadows, and the short stories Goodnight, and For the River is Wide and the Gods Are Hungry. Michael's urban fantasy series The Legacy of the Gods includes Book One, Poseidon's Children) http://www.amazon.com/ Redheart by Jackie Gamber (YA Fantasy, Book One of the Leland Dragon Series. Book Two, Sela, is available) http://www.amazon.com/ Haunting Obsession by R.J. Sullivan (Paranormal Thriller, A Rebecca Burton Novella. Also available from R.J. is Backstage Pass, a Rebecca Burton Short Story) http://www.amazon.com/ The Brotherhood of Dwarves by D.A. Adams (YA Fantasy, Book One of the Brotherhood of Dwarves Series. Book Two, Red Sky at Dawn, Book Three, The Fall of Dorkhun, and Book Four, Between Dark and Light are also available) http://www.amazon.com/ Angelkiller by H. David Blalock (Urban Fantasy, Book One of the Angelkiller Triad. Book Two, Traitor Angel, is also available) http://www.amazon.com/ Overkill by Steven Shrewsbury (Sword and Sorcery, a Gorias La Gaul Story. Other available Gorias La Gaul tales include the novel Thrall, and the short stories Author and Finisher of Our Flesh, Beginning of the Trail, and Insurmountable) http://www.amazon.com/ Crown of Vengeance by Stephen Zimmer (Epic Fantasy, Book One of the Fires in Eden Series. Book Two, Dream of Legends, and Book Three, Spirit of Fire, are also available, as well as the short stories set in the same world, including Lion Heart, Land of Shadow, and Into Glory Ride. Stephen's urban fantasy series, The Rising Dawn Saga, includes Book One, The Exodus Gate, Book Two, The Storm Guardians, and Book Three, The Seventh Throne, as well as the short story set in the same world, Temples Rising.)http://www.amazon.com/ The seven titles spotlighted above are free on Kindle the entire week from Monday through Friday! Spread the word and load up your brand new Kindles! |
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Free Kindle Titles all Christmas Week! SSP Open House!
Passing this along from SSP! A WEEK LONG Open House from Monday through Friday, including the first book of my Fires in Eden Series, Crown of Vengeance! Be sure to pass the word along to everyone you know who has a Kindle or gets one this coming week! :)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Worlds of Wonder Author Hop Day 7: Character Interview of King Hakon from Spirit of Fire
Here we are on the seventh and final day of the Worlds of Wonder Author Hop. I've got a new character interview for you to enjoy, this one of King Hakon of Midragard from the Fires in Eden Series. All you have to know for the character interview is that Midragard has a Viking-like culture, and King Hakon is an elderly king who is facing an existential threat to his people at the very twilight of his life. He is one of my favorite characters in the series, as while his body is aged his heart and spirit are strong!
Before we go to that, I want to thank Kimberly Comeau and T.C. Archer, and Holly from FMB Tours, who put all of this together and scheduled things. I really enjoyed participating this week and hope everyone liked the content that I contributed here. Thank you to everyone who visitied the blog! Be sure to stay in touch!
-Stephen
Character Interview with King Hakon of Midragard
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| King Hakon of Midragard with 2 retainers and his wolf Heder. Artwork by Matthew Perry |
King Hakon: As good as a man my age can be, I suppose. The spirit of Midragard is yet strong, and that keeps my own strength up.
And that great wolf Heder?
King Hakon: He watches over me always, and still has the energy of a cub! That wolf has been a dear companion to me through many years. He is not a mere animal, but rather a friend.
I know you are sensing a very dark time ahead for Midragard. You have sent an entire fleet to the north to help the Saxans.
King Hakon: The tidings from the north are dark indeed. A storm has broken over the Five Realms and Saxany, two realms that have Midragard's friendship.
A great force formed from many lands has invaded Saxany. I had to act, as the Saxans do not have the strength to withstand the invasion for long. Even with the help of Midragard, I cannot say whether they will be able to hold the enemy back.
Why did you send the fleet, and not hold it back to defend your own shores?
King Hakon: I am defending our shores by sending the fleet north. If we stay here and do nothing, and let the allies of the Unifier destroy the Saxans and others, we will be alone when the enemy comes to our lands. We must do everything we can to stand with the other realms that wish to remain free of the Unifier's dominion.
Aid also goes to the Five Realms?
King Hakon: Yes, from the estates of many islands along the trading routes near the Five Realms. A good number of experienced Midragardan warriors have gone into the afflicted tribal lands. I do not yet know of their fate.
King Hakon: Long have I known dragons. They thrive among the Drakkar Mountains within Midragard. But they are like cubs to a full grown wolf in comparison to an Elder. I never thought in my lifetime I would set my eyes upon one of those majestic creatures.
Yet the appearance of The Elder in our world is a dark omen in itself. The Elder drew back from the world ages ago, and have not been seen or heard from until now. Only something of tremendous importance would cause them to come back into the world of humans.
Will the dragons of your lands take part in the coming fight, especially since the Elder seem opposed to the Unifier?
King Hakon: The dragons know that Midragard gave them a haven, when they could find no rest in other lands. They revere the Elder, and I know in my heart they will not stand aside when the darkness shrouds our lands.
What are some of the other sources of strength to help defend Midragard?
King Hakon: The Berzerks, and the Ulfhednar. The Order they are a part of is ancient in these lands, and they are pledged to defend us. Each one of them is worth a great number of enemy warriors.
There are also many Wizards who have an affinity for Midragard, and they will not wish to see usurpers triumph.
And the Fenraren that Midargardan warriors ride into battle?
King Hakon: The Fenraren are tough and noble steeds. In each of them is an echo of the great Fenris. We are fortunate to have them with us during this time. If the enemy wishes to cross the skies of Midragard, they will not go uncontested.
What are some of your biggest worries at the moment?
King Hakon: Fate has seen to it that Midragard's most difficult hour arrives when my own life is at a very late hour. I only hope I have the strength to do what is right by my people.
You are regarded as a just and good king. Why do you think that is?
King Hakon: I do not seek to interfere with the aspirations of the Midragardan people. A king of Midragard is not like the kings I have heard of in other lands. We are here to lead in times of war, and we are here to help build trade and keep order. But other than times of war, a Midragardan should have little need for a king. We are a proud, strong, and free people, and I believe a good king of Midragard allows people to live their lives without interference.
Of course, as long as they bring no harm to others.
Thank you for speaking with me, King Hakon.
King Hakon: It was an honor. May the All-Father's grace be with you always.
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Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Worlds of Wonder Author Hop Day 6: A Spirit of Fire Excerpt
Worlds of Wonder Author Hop Day 6 has arrived, and though I'm a little behind today in getting my post up, I have a fun excerpt from Spirit of Fire, the third book in the Fires in Eden Series, to share with everyone. Dragol, the character interviewed during this author hop a few days back, is featured in this excerpt. So is the enigmatic Wanderer, and this scene gives you a sense of the two characters, who are both prominent to the series.
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The only thing you need to know is that Dragol at this point has been forced down from the skies and is wandering through enemy territory, the lands of the Five Realms. The Trogen warrior was alone when he encountered the Wanderer, who he perceives to be an ordinary, older man. At this point of the story, he is beginning to find out that the Wanderer is something more, as this scene illustrates. I hope you all enjoy it!
-Stephen
Excerpt 2 from Spirit of Fire:
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| The Wanderer with the Firaken from this scene. Artwork by Matthew Perry. |
Emerging from the forest growth directly before them,
without any regard for stealth or surprise, was a most fearsome-looking
creature. Walking upon six sinewy legs, the beast carried an arsenal of weapons
in its very step.
Each of its legs ended in broad paws, armed with an array
of nestled claws, each like deadly blades unto themselves. The natural blades were
partially unsheathed, the spiky ends protruding as if to herald the beast’s
deadly capability.
The creature stepped with a silence hard to believe for
an animal of such girth. Boasting exceptional height, its large round head was
level with the middle of Dragol’s chest, even in a relaxed posture. Dark, silky
fur covered the surface of its long, chiseled body, giving a rich sheen to
its
muscular contours.
Piercing, feline eyes gazed upon Dragol, narrowing in the
daylight to thin ellipses. The predator’s lips curled back as it emitted an
eerie hiss, revealing gleaming daggers of white set into its upper and lower
jaws.
A foreboding tension coalesced, setting off alarms at
every level of instinct the Trogen possessed. The hairs at the back of his neck
stood on end. A veteran hunter, Dragol had no illusions about what the
situation before them presented. His body statue-still, Dragol made no sudden movements,
but he prepared himself to dive to the side the moment the predator before them
lunged.
“My friend, have no trouble with us. We intend you no
harm,” the old man addressed the beast, his easygoing timbre cutting through the
stillness.
For a moment, Dragol thought the old man had lost his
wits, but the look in the eyes of the creature in front of them softened at the
old man’s words. Its lips closed, shutting their exposure of the lethal weapons
within. The sense of coiling threat Dragol had felt dissipated rapidly.
“Come over here, my friend,” the old man invited, holding
his hand out towards the large predator.
Deliberately, the cat-like monstrosity sauntered over to
Dragol and the old man. Despite every instinct to run off or draw his blade, Dragol
kept control of himself, and remained in place.
The old man reached up, and stroked the creature on the
side of its head, just behind one of its triangular ears. He worked his hand up
gradually to rub the space between its eyes. The creature closed its eyes as the
old man scratched, emitting a sound reminiscent of a small, purring cat, only
much more resonant.
“He will not bite, or try to maul you,” the old man said,
inviting Dragol over to pet the creature. “I have two wolves of my own … big fellows,
and sometimes irascible curmudgeons. But they are good lads who, though they
both look monstrous, can be as gentle as lambs. Appearances do not always
reflect that which is true, I have long come to realize. There is nothing to
fear from this one right now.”
Following the incident with the large tree, Dragol knew
that reality was not being governed by the same rules he had been used to throughout
his life. Though admittedly nervous, Dragol reached forward and touched the
soft fur of the creature.
To his surprise, the beast lowered itself to the ground,
rolling over onto its back. It folded its legs underneath, fully exposing its
belly for rubbing. Dragol noticed the claws of the beast were now entirely
retracted.
The old man reached out both of his hands, scratching and
massaging the creature all along its belly, eliciting sounds of gratification from
the huge carnivore. Dragol did likewise, though still riddled with tentativeness.
He ran his hands along the fur of the creature, feeling the steely muscle lying
underneath.
Dragol could not assuage his worries whenever he looked
upon the creature’s wide paws, containing the host of deadly knives that could emerge
in a flash, and be wielded with blinding speed. The thoughts kept his heart
rate quickened.
The Trogen glanced over at the old man several times, as
the mystery surrounding his companion grew. The event with the stream water,
the lifting of the tree, and the peaceful interaction with a deadly predator
were undeniable examples of deeper powers harbored within
the
enigmatic figure.
Dragol was a hunter and a warrior. He had spent many days
and nights tracking game back in his homeland, with others of his Thunder Wolf
clan. His instincts had been acutely honed through war and hunts fraught with
peril, such that he could recognize the confidence that came with exceptional
martial capability. There was no question the elderly man with him had that
sense about him; in abundance.
A part of Dragol deep inside, which he called his spirit,
told him the old man would have protected them, if the creature had attacked.
It also told him the old man could have driven the creature off with little trouble
or disruption to their travel. Instead, the old man had chosen to invite the
creature over, to have its head and belly scratched as if it was merely a tame
animal.
Dragol knew he had gained further insight into the nature
of the mysterious wanderer. While his curiosities were not satisfied by far,
every glimmer of understanding helped make the man less of an enigma.
“You are quite large, my friend. A very big one of your
kind,” the old man remarked to the beast. “Night comes in a few hours, and you will
be seeking food. And this is the time of year for you to be seeking your mate.
Good luck to you on that. Females can be very formidable,
of
any kind.”
The old man chuckled lightly. Dragol could not dispute
the old man’s last statement, humoring himself with a brief remembrance of the way
his own father, a fearless warrior, was cowed into meekness in one moment by
his stalwart mother.
The old man laughed more heartily, rubbing the creature vigorously
on its belly. He patted the creature solidly a few times near its haunches and
stood up. Though Dragol felt more secure, he took the movement as a cue and rose
to his feet with him.
The creature slowly rolled over with a final, contented
purr, getting slowly back up to its broad paws. It turned about, and extended its
large head to the old man.
The old man looked proportionately miniscule. The
creature’s massive jaws could easily engulf the skull of a human within them.
Instead of threats, the creature leaned forward and rubbed its face
affectionately against the right cheek of the old man. Merry laughter came from
the old man as the creature brushed its fur on him.
The creature then turned to Dragol, and did the same.
Dragol saw that his exposed neck was just inches away from glistening teeth
that could end his mortal existence in a flash of time. He could feel the hot breath
of the beast upon his skin.
Before the Trogen could worry himself too much, the
forest predator then casually turned and walked off, to be lost amid the trees after
a few strides. Dragol remained in place, staring in the direction the creature
had gone. He kept silent for several long moments, as if
transfixed.
“There is a gentle nature in all of us, great or small,” the old man
said
reflectively.
“You have a way with beasts, “ Dragol observed, a wry
grin coming to his face. “I am fortunate you were here.”
“He just wanted to greet us, have his belly rubbed and
scratched, and go attend to his own concerns,” the old man replied with a
shrug, chuckling. “Humans and Trogens always expect the worst.”
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