My First Book Fair 

Hello, friend! On Saturday, I attended the third annual Middleton Book Fair in the parking lot of the Capital Brewery. Unfortunately, I was unable to sample the brewery’s fine beers and ales. I dragged fellow indie author, Huckleberry Rahr, along to enjoy a pleasant afternoon under a pavilion selling and talking about our books to curious passers-by. Bookstores had representation – both new and used books, including library rescues – and there were a handful of other local authors; Larry F. Sommers and Carol Paur were notable among them. It was a lot of fun, and I would definitely participate in this event again. 

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m socially awkward and an introvert, so public appearances tend to make me nervous. Despite this, I feel that the outing was amazingly successful, on multiple levels. Not only for sales, but as a learning experience, and for outreach to my target audience. I gave out many bookmarks, which are an author’s calling card, and hope that I planted a seed of interest. I’m grateful to everyone who stopped by to chat and talk about my book. Even if they didn’t end up buying it, I appreciate the experience of meeting other readers and book-lovers. 

Update on Wyldling Trials

Whether I feel ready or not, Wyldling Trials is coming out the week of October 8th. Gasp! It’s crunch time. I’m about 90% done with revisions and heading into the beta reading phase. 

If you are interested in beta reading and a) are willing to fill out a questionnaire I provide and b) can finish a 400ish page book in two weeks, then let me know before August 20th. Fill out this Google form if you’re interested. 

On a related note, please let me know if you would like to receive an Advance Reader Copy and leave an honest review online for Wyldling Trials in exchange for a free copy of the e-book and my eternal gratitude. Fill out this Google form to participate here.

Adventures with Huckleberry 

Are you itching to write a book series but don’t know where to start? There’s a workshop for that! Join me and another author for a writing workshop class this Saturday at the WordHaven BookHouse in Sheboygan. We’ve both written or are currently writing series and are happy to help you do the same!

Featured Clean Fantasy Books – YA, Epic, Portal, Adventure

These EPIC books are available for purchase on Amazon and/or to read for free on Kindle Unlimited.

Path of a Novice by R.K. Lander

Fascinating and gripping first novel in The Silvan Series, by best-selling author R.K. Lander. Path of a Novice is an epic fantasy story of battle and magic, honour and discovery. The Silvan Series will bring together the greatest warriors of their time. In the name of justice; in the name of love.

His face would kindle love, garner hatred, inspire loyalty – bring persecution.

An immortal half-blood becomes a novice warrior and joins the ranks of the Silvans as they battle Sand Lords and Deviants. He only ever had one dream; to become a Silvan captain in an army commanded by the dominant Alpine elves, colonizers of the Great Forest. There had once been another dream though – to know who his father was, but years of unanswered questions later, he told himself it didn’t matter anymore.

Meanwhile, the powerful Alpine lords weave a story of racial superiority, relegating the native Silvans to second-class subjects. Village leaders, Spirit Warriors and Foresters are starting to rebel.

Fel’annár learns the true meaning of warrior hood when he travels as the only novice warrior in a multi-racial patrol into the Deep Forest. As he battles the enemy for the first time, a power unfolds, one he cannot control – does not want. While friendships are forged, a destiny begins to unravel, one that is tied to a past he knows nothing about. For others though, it is only a matter of time before the truth is revealed and the danger becomes real.

Can Fel’annár overcome his fears, become the warrior he always wanted to be, or will his dreams be stunted by his own shrouded past? By one elf’s lust for absolute power?

If you love fantastic worlds with compelling characters on a dangerous mission, you can’t miss this first installment of The Silvan.

The Quest for the Emerald Rattleback by Marie-Hélène Lebeault

A Clean YA Epic Fantasy

Join the magical journey of four young students as they navigate the trials and tribulations of their first year at the Institute, where magic and danger collide. Can they overcome the obstacles in their path and save their Kingdom from impending threats?

Herja, Penelope, Kaia, and Wickham are ready for a new adventure as they reunite at the Institute for witches and dragons. Their excitement is short-lived as news of King Diesel’s passing and the Odentia army marching toward Eldavon puts everyone on high alert. 

The crown is concerned for their youngest daughter, Adina, who is among the first-year witches. The students are sent on a quest to collect the shed skin of the Emerald Rattleback, but their mission is cut short by an attempted kidnapping. The witch students, including Adina, are pursued by spies and must navigate the Silent Marshes to evade them. Join these young witches and dragons on a thrilling adventure of magic, bravery, and friendship.

The Quest for the Emerald Rattleback is the first book in the Defenders of the Realm series.

Have you read the prequel? Read A Journey to Power first!

About the Defenders of the Realm Series

5 action-packed clean YA epic fantasy books

4 clean YA fantasy romance novellas

Body positive. Inclusive. Diverse. Low Trigger.

Witches. Dragons. Fated Mates.

In the land of Eldevon, a group of 13-year-old witches and dragons join forces to prevent an enemy kingdom’s kidnapping of magical children. While attending a magical academy, they go on several quests to prepare for their sacred duty: defending their kingdom. Characters navigate societal expectations, personal relationships, and the concept of fated mates as they grow older and face new challenges. Through their quests and experiences, they understand their bonds and the importance of their relationships.

Stay in the loop! Join Marie-Hélène’s newsletter for writing updates, sales, upcoming events, and special promotions at www.mhlebeault.com

Black Bane by Zee Kelley

A quest to stop the black bane.

An adventure unfolds in this epic fantasy short story of wondrous creatures, clashing cultures, a mysterious evil force, and four distinct races fighting against an unknown enemy determined to destroy them all.

During the previous full moon, the ancient salvus trees prepared to display their fall colors and stood sentry over the Florix tribes who lived in the branches below. But, as fast as storm clouds rolling in, a fatal black sludge attacked the plant life, poisoned the water, and left the forest people sick and dying. Painful black boils appeared on farmers’ and herb-gatherers’ hands and arms, and in mere days the killing disease spread to entire families. Within a month, the bane decimated entire villages. Nothing would stop the spread of death. Not even their healer’s magic.

This One is For Adults

The Vessel Games by E.J. Eden

I’ve read the sample online and it definitely sounds intriguing! I’ve put it on my TBR list. The Vessel Games is the first book in a New Adult series by the same name, and the e-book will be FREE on Amazon beginning tomorrow for a week. The second book is coming out, too! Based on the trigger warnings, it appears there is adult content, so this is not for my younger readers.

Welcome to the Vessel Games—where men fight to the death to claim a Vessel wife.

After the Great War devastated the lands, birth rates sharply declined, and the world descended into anarchy. The Monarchy seized control, creating a stranglehold over the land and the few women left who can bear children.

Now, only men who are strong enough to survive the Vessel Games can win themselves a Vessel, but Princess Chloe is determined to stop the bloodshed. Working in the shadows against her father, she teams up with a doomed criminal and a Traitor Caste girl. But death isn’t limited to the arena.

If you love dystopian novels like The Hunger Games and The Handmaid’s Tale, this book is for you!

Trigger warnings: graphic language, graphic violence, graphic sexual content, religious extremism, etc, others as indicated in the “look inside” sample. 

More information about the author, social media, and her work can be found here.

Stuff your Kindle!

Time for a ‘Dog Days of Summer’ Fantasy Adventure – Kindle Unlimited Promo

Tis the days of the Dog Star! Well, not technically … According to Google, the dog days were July 3 – August 11. Anyway, here’s a Kindle Unlimited sales promotion for fantasy of all subgenres except fantasy romance, but don’t fret if romance is your jam! Some of these books may contain romantic subplots. Browse through the selection and find a new book or series to wolf down.

FREE BOOKS!

Clean-ish Scifi and Fantasy

Exciting fantasy and science fiction adventures with up to a PG-13 rating. Snag these freebies while they last!

August Free Books

Searching for your next favorite story? Look no further! These bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new books. Available for a limited time.

Disclaimer: I have not read all of these books and cannot vouch for content quality. If you aren’t satisfied with what you find, please don’t send the Brute Squad after me.

Goodreads Giveaways!

The Witch’s Curse by J.F. Rogers

Steal the Morrow by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

Have you read Wyldling Snare?

A knight’s first duty is to his realm. When another world calls, will he answer? The wrong choice might destroy all he loves.

Apprentice knight Enoch Northward isn’t ready to lead. But when he returns home to find his mentor dead and the heir-apparent missing, he knows he must rise to the challenge.

But the horrifying truth of his guardian’s death and disappearance of his friends leaves the grieving knight with no time to mourn. In search of answers, he ventures into the forbidden forest. There he discovers a portal leading to another world – and a girl who shares his faith and dreams.

The realm hangs in the balance as a mysterious enemy schemes to destroy it, but not all peril comes from the outside. Enoch himself harbors a secret that could destroy all he loves…

Obligatory Cat Photo

That’s all for now! Happy reading, and have a great week!