Master Mage

well everyone its that time. Stranded Mage will be out within the week and I have started on Master mage the last book in the first arc of the Reawakening saga. There is plenty left to the story but I thought it was time to start a new arc. Thad will still be around as he is a major player in the final arc but the amount of magic will increase a lot in the following arcs and we will get to see a lot more as the epic battle fully builds to its finale. Even after that is complete  the world of the reawakening saga has much more to tell. when I envisioned the world I see it much like our own filled with many different lands and people who each have their own way to contribute to the whole. Also starting with Master Mage and onward the books will be edited by a professional and well known editing company, I see it as a good investment even though the price makes me cringe. I will have the other books done as well when time and funds allow.

I am also working on other series but they are only for my off time so maybe in the future you may want to look out for these.

Silver scroll saga: a land ruled by a pantheon of gods who each balance the scale to keep the world on balance. the keeper of the balance is the god of the silver scrolls who keeps the history of those people evil or good who are worthy of note.

Demon's rise: The world is a continually cycle where small portions of the worlds ether is given out to produce souls. when the souls have matured and are ready to return to the ether they must be purged of all impurities. These impurities have collected in the abyss creating demons who are the embodiment of sins. Longing to walk the mortal realm and languish n their own desires they wait to be summoned.

Basic temptations:  (first off please don't judge me too harshly. I started this book because the idea hit me.) its a simple story of going through basic training with a bit of romance added in. anyone who has been to basic knows that emotions can get a bit hot and heavy when you think you have a spare moment of privacy. this book while basically a love story also focuses on the camaraderie and bonds between servicemen.

I am also working on other books in the Reawakening Saga realm.

Fae War: tells of the Fae War and the start to the fall of the Empire.

Magic Merchant: tells of how Monique escaped certain death while being hunted by the Brotherhood of the fox.

Royal rebel: a trilogy about Maria and her fight to keep her homeland secure from outside and inside threats.

errant soldier trilogy: Eloen and her escapades as she tried to wrest control of Abla from the hands of a power hungry self proclaimed king.

Varthari Wars: right now its a single book that tells of the time the Varthari came to the surface and subjugate the human race only to fall to their own hubris.   

A friends book

one of my friends wives just published her first book so I thought I would give her a shot out. its always hard to get started in self publishing and every little bit helps. so if it looks like a book you might like give it a try. I am sure you got an extra 3.99 on an Christmas gift card lol.

http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Within-AC-Willis-ebook/dp/B00HHZ5D30/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387917375&sr=1-1&keywords=ac+willis+darkness+within

Stranded Mage

Well everyone Stranded Mage is getting close to being finished. already at over 230 pages so it is my longest book yet. I hope to have the book out between the 7th and the 10th of Jan. Here is the cover that I plan to use for the book.

whats the big deal over the controversy over duck dynasty

First off this isn't book related its just something that hit my nerve.

I cant say I am a huge fan of the show but thanks to my kids I have watched every episode they have. and Phil was one of my fav people on the show. now everyone's throwing a big hoopla over a few comments he made in a magazine about homosexuals. I can understand why some people might be offended but why make a big deal out of his views.  I have heard it called hate speech, bigotry, and many other things but I don't see it. Phil is a down home Christian, with traditional Christian values and while its obvious he doesn't agree with the homosexual lifestyle it doesn't mean he is a bigot. If the man was asked if he thought sleeping before marriage was a sin I am sure he would say it was. does that mean he should be put under such strain for the comment. its his religious views and as a soldier wither I agree with him or not I support his right to believe that way.

I just don't get all the political correctness these days. you have to tiptoe around your own beliefs so not to offend others.  its impossible to have a group of more than five people and for them not to agree on something so why make a big deal out of it. Everyone is entitled to their own lives and to however they want to lead them, but they are also entitled to their own opinions and beliefs. I am a firm believer in god myself but I have never pushed those views on others but if I was asked a direct question along those lines I would answer honestly just as Phil Robertson did. If you really need someone to blame, then go after the interviewer who asked such a touchy question in the first place. Honestly if you watched the show you could almost guess what his views on the subject would have been.

I would just like to ask one more question before I end my rant. "What is the point of having free speech and freedom of religion if we as a people oppose it so fervently denounce it when someone says something we don't agree with?"

Give me a hand

This is my plan for promoting. I am not a marketing wiz so here I go. I was on the news the other night. I will post a link in a moment. I ask that you click the link and hit recommend. it will post it to your Facebook. the person who sends me a screenshot showing the most likes of the post will receive signed copies of all my books. you can email me the Screenshots at dwjacks01@yahoo.com . now for the link.
http://www.newson6.com/story/24234910/tahlequah-man-makes-new-life-as-published-author

In The News

Today I had an interview with not only a newspaper but also an Oklahoma channel six reporter. here is a link to the news release.
 http://www.newson6.com/story/24126811/tahlequah-single-dad-finds-lucrative-second-career-as-author

it was really just fun to do an interview, and Rick Wells was really easy to talk to.

The truth about being a self published author

my current book rankings. Warded Mage rank 11 in epic fantasy, Branded Mage rank 77 in epic fantasy, Inexperienced mage rank 79 in epic fantasy, Broken mage rank 81 in epic fantasy
all four of my reawakening saga books are in the top 100 of epic fantasy. For how long I don't know, but in the end it doesn't matter because right now they are. To many of you on here you don't understand what I mean about the rankings to others who know they think its amazing. to me it's........indescribable.
In my youth I was all over the place. I just could not get myself to stay in one spot. I have traveled all over the country on a spur of the moment decision. In fact most my choices in life have been done that way. I never was one to give much thought to anything I did. My writing is much the same way. Most the time I don't even reread what I wrote I just keep pushing forward and trust in my instinct. I don't do first second and third drafts I just go with the flow and more or less let the story write itself. it seems to work well for me.
If I was ever asked what the key to my success was I would have very little to say. write what you enjoy, don't over analyze everything, love your characters as much as you do your family and in the end pray for a lot of luck. hundreds of books are uploaded everyday both traditional and indie and getting noticed is nearly impossible for a starting author. every time you put out a new book you hope that it will be the one to catch attention , to rise to the top. 
in the past you used to have to send in your manuscripts to big publishers and hope an editor found it interesting, then you had to wait for it to go through all the editorial boards and in the end only a select few were chose to be published. Now with self publishing you can simply put your book up but its not as easy as it sounds. Now, instead of editors choosing to see if your book will live or die its the readers who chose. In the end you have 30 days to grab attention and say "here I am!" So to all my fellow authors and the ones aspiring I say keep trying and may lady luck be on your side. to my family friends and readers I say thank you for your support, without it I wouldn't be where I am right now.

A good read

hello everyone. I ran across this book and thought it was under appreciated. I think it sis well worth the read so if you got time on your hands check it out. its easily a 4 star book to me.

here is the link to it on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Eye-God-Fall-Erelith-ebook/dp/B00E5R8Y2A/ref=la_B00EA5VH6M_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385093663&sr=1-1

The Next Big Thing

I have been tagged by fantasy author Deborah Jay author of "The Prince's Man" http://deborahjayauthor.com/about/

What is the working title of your next book?
Stranded Mage

Where did the idea come from for the book?
I tend to have very lucid dreams. not to mention I day dream a lot and this story just happened to be one of those dreams. I sometimes think that it might be possible that our dreams link us to a different reality, and that maybe somewhere out there my world and characters really exist, and I am simply telling their story.

What genre does your book fall under?
Broadly speaking, Epic or traditional fantasy
.
What actors would you choose to play the characters in a movie rendition?
That's a hard one and honestly I can not think of an actor for my characters.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
overcoming the odds, fighting to get back home with a devastated heart.

is your book represented by an agency?
No

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I don't do first drafts. whenever I overthink a story and go over it more than a few times I end up tearing it to shreds and what's left is not worth reading. I prefer to trust my instincts.

What other books would you compare this to within your genre?
Not sure I want to compare, but I would like to think it could stand up on its own against a few of the bigger names out there.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
my family, especially my sister who has supported me a great deal while I have been writing.

What else about this book might pique the reader’s interest?
this story unlike many of my others will be a lot more involved. you will get to see a side of Thad you haven't got to see before.


If you’d like to be tagged for The Next Big Thing, let me know. I will be tagging and adding other authors very soon.

The Next Two Books

As everyone knows one of my main problems with writing is my books tend to be shorter than I want and most of you want. Originally the Reawakening Saga was intended to be 7 books but I decided to condense the last three books into two books. This will hopefully make for two longer books Stranded Mage and Master Mage.

For those of you who don't want the story to come to an end don't worry it really isn't. this is simply the first arc in a three arc story. I have decided that the Reawakening Saga will be the brand of my world a lot like they do on forgotten realms and dragon lance. I haven't thought of a name for the next arc but I do have the story well in mind and it will be a lot more fun as the world will already have its foundation. other than that I am also working on side stories both in the world of the Reawakening Saga and outside of it.  I even have a few started that have nothing at all to do with the fantasy genera.

to all my readers thank you for taking the time to read my works and I hope you continue to support me. any time you want feel free to email me or leave a comment on the blog I will do my best to answer you. and if I ever make it on the new York times ebook best seller list I will throw one hell of a party with an open invitation, to well everyone. in the end an author can do squat without the readers.

time for me to get back to work on Stranded Mage. hope everyone has a good book to read and a happy thanksgiving.  

A thank you to my fans.

My new book Warded Mage is doing great and has stayed in the top ten in epic fantasy for the past few days. So I would like to say to all my readers thank you. with the millions of books out that you could read you have chosen mine and I am eternally grateful for that. Thanks to everyone who purchases my books I am able to spend my time doing what I love, writing. I know there is little I can do to show my thanks other than to continue to do what I am, but I just wanted to show my appreciation. I also want to say a special thanks to my beta readers who are the reason the quality of the books have risen to where they are. I am a people person so I love to talk to my fans so if you ever want to say hi just drop me an email at dwjacks01@yahoo.com

Fellow Author

As I have said before I spend a great amount of time talking with other indie authors. here is one who has a pretty interesting blog.
http://www.josephine-sanchez-vanner.org.uk/

Veterns day.

I know I normally keep the log about my books but today I want to do something different even if it is the release day for my fourth book. here are some pics of my friends who I've known or served with over the years. On a side note still go pick up the book and leave a review if u haven't had the chance. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GLBQN3K

Warded Mage is out

book 4 is out. here is the link for those who are having trouble finding it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GLBQN3K/ref=cm_cd_asin_lnk

updateing

Sorry for the delay in posts. For some reason every time I've logged into my blog account it was messing up on me. my computer is doing the same thing no my good reads account. the next book will be released on mon the 11th. my beta readers have done a great job and have really put me to work. tue morning I will start on the next book and try and have it ready asap.

Warded Mage

Thad groaned as the sun steaming in from the small window in his room pulled him from his peaceful sleep. As he did everyone morning Thad went through a series of stretches, each one puling at his chest causing small tinges of pain. It was getting better Thad Thought as he ran his fingers over the garish scar that ran diagonally across his chest. It had been a deep wound one that had left him in bed for countless days. He was lucky that the dwarven healers were so skilled otherwise he wouldn’t be here today.

They were good but unlike the stories he had read not even magic could heal a body that was near death overnight, especially when one had been cut with an enchanted blade.

It had been a slow road to recovery, but he had not spent his time idly. No he was learning everything that the dwarves could or would teach him. He still couldn’t speak dwarven very well but there were a few dwarves who could speak the common tongue but they seemed reluctant to answer some of his questions especially when it came to the Brotherhood of the Fox. The elders always told him the same thing when he inquired about them, “all things come in their own good time.” It was irritating to say the least, but he was left with no other choice than to wait until they believed he was ready to know the answers to those questions.

While knowledge of the past was withheld from him, there was still plenty the dwarves had to teach. Thad was fascinated by how they lived, and how they worked metal. Every dwarf had magic flowing through their veins, and if Thad understood them correctly they were born of it. They didn’t use it in a flashy manner for the most part it was subtle and slow. When they worked the metal instead of creating the item then enchanting it like he did they allowed magic to flow into the metal with each hammer stoke, and they spent weeks on an item making sure that there were no imperfections.

Slipping on his heavy leather tunic and breaches Thad made his way to the mirror. Looking at himself he was amazed at what he saw. He no longer resembled the youth he had been when his journey had started back in the academy. His face had hardened, and his left eye had been replaced by a blue gem that allowed him to see. His body was marred with scares from different battles. His once long hair had been cut, and his face showed the beginnings of a beard.

No the young child Mark that had so dreamed of freedom was gone, long dead on the side of the road. Thad was a different person. The fantasies of childhood were gone replaced by the harsh facts that the world had left imprinted on his body.

Thad let his hand drift to the brand of two quarter moons facing each other. It was a bittersweet memory that passed through his mind. He had been drugged and tortured in the Farlan dungeon by order of the queen. He had spent months in a cramped cell chained to a wall with barely able to think, but there had been one person who had cared for him in that time. Mari, the Farlan princess had visited him and done what she could to ease his pain. He missed her and often dreamed of her though his dreams bothered him in that regard. He didn’t see her as he remembered her to be, no she was often dressed in battle leathers wilding a sword. He wasn’t sure what the dreams mean and if truth be told he was more than a little anxious to get back and find out but there were other things that called to him.

He had learned in the darkness that was woefully underprepared in the area of magic. The dwarves while magical in nature were of little use in helping him train. He had done some on his own but he had found himself at a wall. He needed help and there was only one person he could think of who might be able to shed some light on the subject, the Vathari mage Sae-Thae.

Thad knew there would be risks in trying to get to th mage but he felt as if he had little choice in the matter. His dwarven friend Crusher didn’t seem to like the idea at all and protested his staying behind whenever the two met. Thad understood his concern the Vathari had chased them through countless tunnels intent on their deaths and now he was planning not just to walk back in the tunnels but into the very heart of the Vathari territory, but he felt as he had little choice.

Everything was almost ready for his trip, all he had to do was put the finishing touches on his new sword. He had lost almost everything in the tunnels even his staff though somehow it had found its way back. Unlike the stories the dwarves had been more than happy to lend him a forge and Crusher had begun teaching him dwarven smiting secrets. He knew he was still years if not centuries away from Crushers skill but he believed his sword was still a masterpiece in the making.

Steeping out of his small house Thad lifted up his head letting the sun’s rays warm his skin. Avalanche quickly made her way to his side. Thad bent down and patted the creature hard on its head. Like most children Thad had dreamed of having a pet. The academy had dogs but they were used for hunting and the students were only allowed to be near them when it was necessary for training. Avalanche might not have been the pet he dreamed of but he loved the creature dearly and could think of no better companion. The dwarves had also taken a liking to Avalanche, though for other reasons than his own.

One of the dwarven elders had told Thad hat avalanche was the product of wild magic. Where the flow of magical had gotten too strong in one area and broke free of its intended path and was absorbed in mass quantity by a gem. That gem changed took on a conciseness of its own. The elder had said no one knew for sure how a heart stone picked its form or acted the way it did, but one thing was for certain it was as alive as any other creature.

Thad made his way down to the forges.  Most the dwarves that passed him greeted him with a smile though a few of them looked at him with contempt and open hatred. Thad knew why they felt this way; it had been one of the first things he had talked to the elders about. Some dwarves looked at all humans with contempt ever since the Brotherhood of the Fox had set their mission on killing anything of magical nature including the dwarves. Thad had asked why the dwarves and other magical races didn’t band together and fight back. Surely with such numbers the human race would have been sorely outmatched. The elders had simply told him that it was forbidden but had refused to tell him why. Thad knew they were holding something back, he just didn’t know what it was, or why they felt such a need to keep him in the dark.

Thad found Crusher in his usual spot working on the same thing he had been since they had returned from the world under the earth. Thad had found that all dwarven smiths shaved both their faces and their heads daily. It explained why Crusher face was without a beard but he didn’t understand why until the first time he had worked one of the forges. His long blond hair had lasted two hammer strokes before it caught a stray cinder. It had been a learning experience one that all the dwarves including Crusher let him learn on his own. Thad couldn’t bring himself to shave everything off, honestly he didn’t like the way he looked bald but he had cut it down as short as the members of the Farlan military. Thad learned that if he wrapped a wet sheet around his head it helped save what was left of his hair; that is if he could remember to keep the sheet wet.

Leaving Crusher to his work Thad went to the forge that had been set aside for his use. Thad went straight to the worktable where the blade he had been working on for countless days sat. it was all but finished  with the exception of a few minor details. Thad had tried his best to mimic the dwarven art of allowing his magic to flow into the metal as he worked. Crusher had told him not to give the magic a purpose just let it flow the metal would find its own way. Honestly it was hard for Thad to do; he had always molded the magic and directed it so he had practiced on a few smaller items first before trying it with his current project. There was also the fact that Thad had no idea if the magic took, if the sword had any magical properties Crusher said the metal would decide when and if it would show its true self. Thad wasn’t sure if he liked the idea of not knowing what a weapon could do, what if it decided to unleash its hidden power at the wrong time, or if it was something that caused more harm than good. Crushed had simply told him to believe in the metal and himself.

Picking up the unfinished sword Thad ran his finger of the blade testing its edge. With little pressure a small line of blood began to trickle out of his finger and flow down the blade. Sitting down the Blade Thad took a few deep breathes and reminded himself to relax and focus. One thing Thad had to give to the dwarves was their unshakable patience. The stories had always said the dwarves lived for thousands of years but Thad had learned that was not true. While they lived for longer than humans the eldest of the dwarves was only a little over three hundred years of age.

Thad walked over to a large lever and opened it opening the large cover of the forge. It was an ingenious design; all the forges were connected and burned constantly. Apprentices ran night and day feeding the central and side furnaces that allowed one to bring their personal forges up to temperature in a matter of minutes and hot coals were brought through rock vets into the waiting smaller forges below.

Thad placed an assortment of tools into the fire of his forge and waited for them to heat. Swat beaded on his forehead as he studied the hilt he was creating. It was a simple thing and all that was left to finish of his sword. As it was it could be fastened to the blade and the sword would be ready for use but Thad wanted something extra. The dwarves had said that one should never mix forge magic with enchantments Crusher had explained it to his a dozen times over but he didn’t truly understand, but he was more than smart enough not to go against their word, though he found himself tempted to try it. no the hilt wouldn’t be enchanted he was doing the same thing to it as he had the blade allowing his magic to flow through it as he worked. He hoped that it wouldn’t cause any trouble but if it did he was willing to take the risk.

Picking up one of the tools, a long thin metal bar with a curved end Thad began to scratch at the metal as his magic began to flow. Thad never considered himself much of an artist but he was always partial to hilts with their own flavor, it was nothing fancy, just a simple quarter moon on each side of the hilt to remind him of his goal. He would not stay a slave, he would be free, but Farlan was his home and something was pulling him there. It wasn’t just Maria, and Eloen something in him wanted to go back. The elder had said that unfinished business will always haunt a person, but Thad wasn’t sure that was the case.

As the tool cool Thad replaced it in the forge to reheat and picked up the next one and continued his work. It was easy work but the constant flow of magic through his body was tiring and after a few hours Thad felt as if he had been running all day. Sitting down the tools he holed the two pieces of the hilt in his hand. They were finished now all that was left was to attach them to the blade and his sword would be finished. He was hesitant, the finishing of the sword was supposed to be the last thing he would do before heading back into the darkness. He knew he had to go but part of him didn’t want to say goodbye to the friends he had made. It was the first time in his life no one looked at him as anything other than himself. Sure there had been the select few who knew him for who he was but most the people around him had viewed him only as they wanted to see him. That wasn’t the case here, everyone even the ones who hated him because he was human only saw him as Thad; they didn’t see a mage, or a slave, just a person.

Picking up the Blade Thad sat the hilt pieces on either side of the small thin section at the bottom. Using a pair of pliers he picked up one of the small metal cylinders and placed it in one of the small holes he had left in the hilt pieces and struck it with a hammer. Thad repeated the action with three other pieces then grabbed a file and began removing the hard edges. Using the etching tools he added a few minor touches then sat the finished sword aside on the worktable.

Plopping down on a chain made from black wood Thad let out a heavy sigh, it was finished. Now all that was left was to talk to Grenlor the dwarven elder who was assigned as his keeper. The old dwarf was a good sort though he enjoyed drinking far too much as far as Thad was concerned. Anything Thad did he first had to get approval from Grenlor, that included when he went below to run with the dwarven fighters against the Vathari. The dwarves had a good selection of weapons and many had been offered him but Thad had wanted to make his own. He knew that almost any of the dwarven made weapons would be better than anything he could make but it was something he wanted to do on his own partially because it gave him a reason to stay around even if just for a little while long, or so he thought. Dwarven smiting took far longer than he had anticipated two seasons had passed while he worked on the weapon and now fall was fast approaching though that meant little to him sense he had no clue where he was located or how to get back to Farlan. For all he knew it could already be winter in his home, there was no telling how far he had traveled while in the depths of the earth. The location of the dwarven home was kept secret and when it was time for him to finally depart it would be done in such a manner that he would be left unaware of the places location.

His peaceful respite was interrupted when Crusher stuck his head through the small curtain that covered the door of his workspace. The surly dwarf pointed at the sword lying on the table, and raised one of his eyebrows. Crusher’s ability to speak had been fixed when the arrived back at the dwarven town but most of the time the two still communicated without words, sometimes even without hand gestures. Their time spent together had brought them as close together as any brothers. It was a bond that Thad cherished and one of the reasons he had postponed his trip for as long as he could, but time was passing and Thad knew the last drops of sand were about to fall. It wouldn’t be the end Thad knew that, he would return. He didn’t have much choice in the matter Crusher had made him promise to return when he was done. If he did not Crusher had promised to find him and if he was still alive to beat the mage until he was a short as the dwarf. Though Crusher had made the statement in jest Thad didn’t doubt that he would follow through on the light-hearted jest.

Looking from the sword back to Crusher Thad nodded his head making his friend frown slightly. After a few tense moments Crusher shook his head and the patted his friend on the back and rolled his eyes as he jerked his head to the side and turned to leave the room. Thad took one last look at the sword then leaving it where it sat ran to follow his friend.

Crusher led Thad to the dwarf’s favorite watering hole a small pup that served liquor stout enough that some of the blacksmiths used it to light their forges. Thad had never been much of a drinker, the few times when he was younger that he had tried wine it had left him feeling worse than any beating the queen had ordered for him, but Crusher had left the mage little choice threating to pour the brew down the man’s throat if he didn’t drink it. Drinking at the pub had become their nightly ritual though today they were starting far earlier than usual.

As soon as they were seated at their usual table in the corner of the room Brianna a young dwarven girl only slightly only than Thad appeared to take their order. “I see it’s the hardhead and me lovely little cutie. Bit early today aren’t we lads,. Don’t tell me ya finally decided to take me up on me offer for a night of real fun, have ya laddie.” Brianna said placing her hands on her busty hips.

Thad had always though thought that dwarven women would look much like their men just with a larger chest, he couldn’t have been more wrong. Unlike their men the females were much thinner though they still looked as if they could wrestle a wild boar and win. Brianna reminded Thad much of Eloen , she was brash, hot-headed and always spoke her mind, she was also quite fetching. At a little under five foot she had long brown hair and the deepest grey eyes Thad had ever seen. More than once Thad had thought about taking her p on  the offer for a role in the hay, but something told him she was looking for more than just a little fun on the side, and Thad knew in the end he couldn’t give more to her than that.

“I’d love fer ya to show me a good time Bri, just say when and ill ditch scrawny here.” Crusher said in his deep raspy voice.

Brianna slapped Crusher hard enough on the back of the head it reverberated throughout the room. “Ya addlebrained son of a rockboar, I wasn’t talking to ya and ya darn well know it.”

“Ya break me heart lass, to fix er up I’m gonna need twenty pints of yer finest sandai beer.” Crusher said giving Brianna a wink.

Brianna huffed loudly and turned back toward Thad. “I’ll bring ya each a pint ta star ya off,,” she said vehemently then ran her hand across Thad’s cheek, “ and you think about me offer. One night with me and a be forgetting all about those lassies back home boyo.”

As she walked away Brianna let her hips sway slightly. “Lad you should take Bri up on her offer, she be a good lass for ya. I’d sell me last hammer if she’d look at me that way.” Crusher said watching the waitress as she walked away. “It’s not because she’s a dwarf now is it Thad.”

Thad let out a hearty laugh. “I honestly thought about it Crusher, but I got too much on my mind to add another woman to it, And women like Brianna there tend to take up a lot of time and energy, which I just don’t have at the moment.”

“That be the truth,” Crusher said laughing.

Reawakening saga book 4

there is still a little work to be done on the cover but I've been hiring a pro to do them from me since I published ties of blood. the book is planned to be released on the 20th. I am working hard every day to make sure that it is finished on time so please everyone keep you eyes out. the book is slightly longer then the others I have written. the other reason I have worked on the side stories is because with everything I write I believe my skills are increasing so I hope you enjoy the book. I have put a lot of time and effort into it. on a side note I have been looking at doing some small historical short stories though its more for kids. it started as a project to help my son enjoy studying history enjoy it more but I was thinking of making it available to the public anyone have any thoughts on this. if there are some already out there let me know would save me a lot of time having to rewrite his history book as I have to do a lot of research but kids come first right.

Noble Beginings

I know it wasn't on the list but too much time to think with nothing to do will make you think of a lot of stories. ever since I created Farlan I wanted to tell the story of how it all started. first thing that you have to understand is when I create a land people place or idea I don't just come up with the part I need. I have pasteboards and postits covering my walls of  their full story. diagrams of how the magic works.
Farlan captured me over the past month and I have been working on writing out how it all began. the book should be out to my beta readers sometime around the 5th to the 10 and out to the readers around the 18-21st its hard to say for certain as im still finishing up the last few chapters and tying everything together.
like most my stories the book focuses more of the lives of the characters than just the fighting. I had one person asked me why I do it that why and honestly I had to think about it. the answer I came up with was that I think its the characters what they are feeling what is going on with them that really drive the story. everyone remembers that tension in the stomach the first time they talked to a girl they liked. the bubbling of adrenaline when your heart beat so loud you could barely hear when you were ready for a fight. and for my fellow soldier they remember the time when they were enveloped by calmness during the heat of battle for the first time. the point where it had become so common it was simply like going to the store, and the crashing notion when you came home the only other people who will ever understand that had been in the same place.
those are the feeling and emotions I try to let the reader feel so that in some small way they may find a small bit of themselves in the books. a good story is nice but I love it when you sit the book down and close your eyes and find yourself living out the story.
I think I got sidetracked the main point is the next book wont be delayed like the last one and will be out next month. as soon as I get it back from the beta readers I plan to send them "Royal Trouble" the first book in Maria arc. I am going to try and have it out for reading around the 1st of Sep if not sooner.  honestly im having a lot of fun working on it. don't want to give away any spoilers but its the first book where we really get to see the brotherhood of the fox. they take on a major role. we also get to see the queen find herself in a bit of trouble. hope everyone is looking forward to it.

Ties of blood

the next book is ready to be released on or around the 18th of this month. it is from Eloen's perspective and follows her after Thad's disappearance. hope everyone is as happy to see it finished as I am to have it done. I know it took longer than expected but that's the thing about life it never works how we want it. happy reading and I am off to start on the next book.

bored

I am normally too busy writing to post much but now that I am stuck in bed with only my iphone im bored and surfing the web on it. I have watched too much tv the past few days. I am used to being stuck in the house but I hate it when I cant even get out of my bed. and my sleep is messed up bc I take a pain pill doze off for an hour or two then wake up. nothing on tv this time of morning and everyone seems to be asleep. so im posting on here just too pass the time. 

Barnes and Noble

you know I used to love shopping at Barnes and Noble but I think lately their trying to run themselves out of business. I have been trying to get my paperback in their stores even if it meant I wouldn't even receive a profit. their response was simple.
 no.
why?
because they refuse to order any book that is published at createspace weather it sales good or not. I don't know many big book store companies but ive been working on getting into some of the independent stores and their all easy to deal with. so for my readers that frequent your local book stores ask them to carry my books. its not hard to get in contact with me to order them. well writing this on my iphone so im going to take one my pain pills and relax for a bit.  

book signings

I was thinking of doing some book signings next year. mainly because I love to travel and its a way for it to be tax deductible. the only problem I have is amazon isn't even nice enough to tell us what area the majority of our buyers live in. I can see keeping the name or town secret but why state or general area. so if anyone knows of some good places for a book signing or big even for one let me know. I would love to meet some of my fans.

dagnabit

left lung down again. not too bad but will be out for 2 to 3 days. so for those of you who email me no worries I still have my I phone but I wont be getting much work done. I hate when my lung collapses, I have pain meds so its no big deal but I cant sit up for long periods of time. I tried writing in a notebook once but most the time I cant read my own writing lmao.

May is comming and so is memoral day

if you don't know much about me I served in the army national guard for 12 years. may is coming up so I'm getting ready. all my paperback books sold in may will have the honor and remember flag on them. and 25% of the proceeds from sells will go to  http://www.honorandremember.org/ I had to do a lot of paperwork to get their trademark on the books but honestly im going to buy one just to get it framed. for those of you who don't know the flags presented to the soldiers cost a lot. my goal is to raise somewhere around $1000. I know its only a small dent in the big picture that's why next month when your sitting around think about giving a buck or two to them. well that's my rant for now time for me to get back to work so I can get the next book ready by may so hopefully I can boost sales a little and increase how much I can donate. happy reading. 

silver scroll saga

This is a world ive been working on for years. The story line is a bit more geared to an adult reading group. its a side project im working on now. the world is that of the silver scroll. i don't have a name for the book. would love feedback. so far this is only the prologue but i plan to upload more as i get it done.

PROLOGUE

Delia walked happily down the hall carrying her pail of water, on her way to clean the shrine, per the master of the houses order. It was her favorite task of her new position. What could be better than cleaning the houses of the gods?

She had been lucky to find work at a nobleman’s estate. Baron Reeves while not a large land holder was a pious man and paid his servants well. He his holdings were called the rectitude by the locals. When one entered the baron’s lands they were upheld to the highest of moral standards.

She still remembered when she had come to the Baron to beg for a position. Her father had been injured when he had been thrown from his horse. He had been left unable to walk and the healer had been unable to heal him. With her father unable to work she was left with a mountain of bills. The baron had taken pity on her situation and had given her work, and when her father passed a few weeks later a place to live. She knew there was no way she could ever begin to repay his kindness so she put everything she had into whatever task she was given.

“Off to clean the shine again? I doubt you could find a speck of dust in there. Why don’t you come and have some fun with me?”

The Baron’s son, a tall young man with handsome features stepped from where he stood in the darkness of a small alcove. He was a nice enough man but he had a bad reputation around the village. Luckily for him it hadn’t got back to his father.

“I can’t Master Galen I am supposed to clean the shine each night so that it is ready for your father’s early morning prayers.” Delia said keeping her eyes focused on the ground.

Galen grabbed her wrist knocking the pail from her hand and socking her plain gray dress in water. “Master Galen you’re hurting my wrist.”

Galen pushed her up against the wall and ripped her blouse, exposing her bare chest. Delia tried to cream out but it was quickly muffled as Galen covered her mouth with his large hand. Tears began to stream down her face as she felt his hands lift the hem of her dress. She bit down on his finger earning a mocking laugh and a sharp blow from his closed fist. She continued to try and fight back but she was no match for his strength.

Delia didn’t know how long the torment lasted before she was saved from Galen by someone who kicked the young lord off of her. Through her tears she couldn’t see who had come to her aid but she feared for them. Hitting a lord was punishable by death.

“You stupid boy, what do you think you have done?” a familiar voice boomed.

Delia felt a gentle hand grasp her shoulder. “Are you ok young miss?”

Choking back her sobs and clearing her eyes, she saw the baron kneeling in front of her. “The young lord….he….” Then something inside her broke and she broke down crying again.

Delia was taken to one of the large rooms on the top floor of the mansion and brought a bowl of hot pottage. One of the maids brought her a dress far finer than anything she had ever worn before. As beautiful as the dress was, she couldn’t find it in herself to take any pleasure in wearing it. The world seemed dark as if the light itself had been stolen from her life.

After eating a few bits of the pottage she lay down on the soft bed and curled up into a ball and began to weep. Tired and emotional spent Delia drifted off into a fitful sleep where the young lord forced himself on her over and over again.

The next morning she was woken by the Baron himself who gently shook her shoulder. When her eyes open and she say his face she let out a shrill scream and backed off the bed and into the corner of the room. The Baron never yelled but his face showed that he was in an ill temper. He never said a word to her he simply motioned for her to follow him.

The baron led her outside to the courtyard where she saw the young lord bound in iron. When he saw her he gave a haughty smirk making her turn around. She would have run back to the confines of her room had the Baron not took a firm hold onto her arm, forcing her to walk beside him. The courtyard was filled with servants of the baron as well as half the town.

They stopped in front of the judgment stone that was set in the middle of the courtyard causing Delia to swallow audibly. The only reason the judgment stone was used was when someone was committed of a crime with a penalty of death.

The baron raised his hand silencing the gathered crowd. “Last night I came across a most disturbing scene. I found my son having his way with one of my servants against her will.” The baron paused a few moments to let the crowd absorb what he had said then called for silence once again. “My family has always held to the laws of honor, and the law is clear on what must happen. Today my son and this woman shall be married so that no sin shall be passed onto her for my son’s indiscretion.”

Delia nearly fainted. It wasn’t fair; she had to marry the young lord. She pulled back trying to break free of the baron’s hold. He turned to her his eyes holding both sympathy and rage. Looking into those eyes all strength left her body and she resigned herself to a life married to a monster.

“After they are married my son shall be put immediately to death. That is the law and not even those of my blood can hide from it.” the baron said as a single tear rolled down his cheek.

The wedding was far from the one she had dreamed of. There was not reciting of vows of everlasting love. There was only the priest reciting of the words then the pleas of the young lord as the axe descended sending his head to rest at her feet.

beta readers/proofreaders

I have to say that so far I have to give a big shout out to me group of beta readers. they are doing an awesome job. Some of the mistakes they find are funny. It reminds me how much of a mistake autocorrect is. I mean seriously some of them are just funny.

 On another note I can’t wait to get to work on the next book. It won’t be the fourth book in the reawakening saga. Sadly the next three books i plan to put out will each be part of different trilogies. The next book will be book one in the Eloen story. Having trouble coming up with a good tittle for the trilogy and the first story. Hopefully it will come to me soon.

back to work

After being in and out of the hospital for a week and then haveing a bit of troubble getting back in the swing of writing im back in the swing of things. its the first day ive been able to write more than 1k words in one day. its much easier to keep going without a break for me when i have one i lose my steam and it takes awhile to get back. well since its going well im gonna get back to work and see if i cant finish book three by tommorrow. heres to hoping.

Bad week

well the plan was to have the book done by the 20th but thanks to my lung poping on me again it was delayed a bit. new leasoen never try and write when you are on morphine. what seems like a good idea at the time is horriable afterwords. gonna put in some long nights and try to get back on track. wish me luck.

Book 3

been working hard on book three in hopes of getting it out around the first of April. this book has a lot more complications tha the others since my main character spends a fair amount of time alone. the hardest part about writing the book is i really want to work on the Eloen's book though im haveing a hell of a time thinking of a name for it.

computer bombed

every since my computer got hit by that virus or whatever it was that cleaned out my harddrive its been hard to get back to work. why do people make or do such things. i lost days worth of work and hours of time haveing to reset my computer to factory seetings. oh well no reason to cry about it now just have to get myself back into the grove of writing.

book three Broken mage

i know book 2 isnt out yet but its at my editors so im on to book three which i already had a head start on since i worked on it whenever i got stuck with the second book. thought id put up the cover to see what people thought of it.

spoiler alert

remembr this is a spoiler just a heads up of what we will see in the second book.
our young mage spends most of his time in this book with Eloen. yes the firely little brunet makes a big comback and we get to see more to her as well as the other member in her squad. Thad makes some new friends as well as pushes him magic to its limits as a seige on Southpass comences. i dont want to give away the end lets just say out young mage finds himself in a dire situation just when his magic is starting to come into its full power.

the goverment always gets their share

as a independent author 30% of what i make goes to the irs. so i have decided to donate a fair amount of my book sales to different charties. mostly dealing with soldiers because well i was a soldier and i love to support my fellow brothers in arms. if you know of any good ones give me a shout. and remeber its our soldiers who fight for our freedoms at the cost of their own.

supporting our troups the little i can

soon alot of my fellow oklahoman national guardsmen will be heading to afganastan. I dont have to go thank to the fact in a few months ill be out due to injury but i thought that since my books were doing decently well i would help the guys out a bit. I decided that on my March sales 25 percent of my profit which on the 2.99 e-book though the second one will be coming out by then too hopefully. is 2.07 after i take out the fed's money leaves 1.40 so for every book sold i will send 35 cents to the blue star mothers i know it doest sound like much. but i sale about 1500 of my first book right now though i do expect that to slow down but i expect the second book to do just as well as their first. so my personal goal is to be able to give the blue star mothers sbout 700-1000 dollars at the end of march. i cant do it every month since i cant work anymore and live off a fixed income but im going to try and do the same thing every three months or so. because  i get income from writing i am a firm believe it is thanks to the soldiers that i am given the chance to do so. to all my brothers in army stay safe good luck and please dont forget the PMCS....lol

the inexperienced mage book 1 in the reakening saga. curently getting edited because well my grammer just aint up to a perfessional level. and please keep a look out for my second book in the series Branded Mage expected to be out by the end of Feb or first of March.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B0XIKUI

on a side note i would throughly enjoy if other independent joined me in my efforts. i wanted to make a seperate page for it but im really not that computer savy.

1,000,000 coppies

   You know most independent authors never sale more than fifty copies. Its considered good if you sale more than a dozen or so a day. I’m selling decent but at the current rank I will take a 100 years to reach 100000 copies. It would be nice to be the first independent author to reach that mile stone but I doubt it’s going to be me. I can’t complain with my current sales. But you know how it is we always want more then were getting. Well ill continue to watch my sales and work on my next book. Maybe I’ll be able to put out the magical book that will take off like a rocket.     

when a review really matters

Today I got the best review of my life. As a prior soldier in the Oklahoma NG with a tour under my belt in 04-05 I know how boring it can get overseas. Today I received his review and I plan to have it printed and framed.

I write this review as I am up way past midnight in Afghanistan. I am not so much caught up in editing like the other folks on here acting like a few misspelled words signals the apocalypse. The only thing I didnt like about this book is that I have to wait for a sequel. Whenever that comes out I will hurry and snap it up. Too bad this doesn't come in paperback, as I would have loved to send it to my buddies in more remote FOBs

Inexperienced Mage reaches top 10

Inexperienced Mage has reached the top 10 in hot new epic fantasy novles on amazon. it is a great feeling to have the book do so well. It even go to the top 20 in kindle sales for epic fantsay. thanks to this boost i have worked 12 hrs a day on the second book.

check out the first at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B0XIKUI