Wow! I can’t believe it’s September already. School starts next week for the kiddos and I am not ready for the summer to be over. Fortunately, summer doesn’t technically end for a few more weeks, but I’m sure you know what I mean. There’s so much going on and so much that has happened! I hope your summer has been a good one.
Meanwhile, on Tehara…
“Some birthday this is! All I get a sword I can barely lift and a quest I’m ill-prepared for.”
Annabelle, Wyldling Trials
My Second Book Fair
On Sunday, it was my honor to be a last minute addition to the Kenosha Book Festival organized by Studio Moonfall, Donovan Scherer’s House of Art & Story, a most excellent bookstore. I skipped church for this event, but I feel it was a great experience and well worth the two hour drive to Kenosha, WI. So many cool authors, friendly book browsers, and great food by That’s A Wrap. I even sold a few of Huckle’s books as well as my own. Wyldling Snare was a hit!
Update on Wyldling Trials
I’m compiling final critiques for the last stage of revisions. We’re getting down to the wire here. Wyldling Trials is coming out the week of October 8th. That’s World Octopus Day! No, I did not make that up. It’s a real thing I have embraced due to an excessive and possibly disturbing love for cephalopods.
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.
This is not the final cover for Wyldling Trials, but I just wanted to share because it’s so much prettier than my mockup and coveys the general thrust of Annabelle’s character arc. You can check out work by the designer here.
Upcoming Events
On September 23rd, I’ll be in Delevan, WI for the 2nd Annual Artisan Festival. If you happen to be in the area that Saturday, you must check it out. Admission and parking is free. The line-up of vendors is spectacular. And there will be food trucks, entertainment, balloon animals, face painting, glitter tattoos, a strolling juggler, and an obstacle bounce house. It’s sure to be a great time. I’ll be there with signed copies of Wyldling Snare, free bookmarks, and possibly candy. Come visit me at my booth!
Without further ado, here are some books for you to check out!
FREE BOOKS!
Clean-ish Scifi and Fantasy
LAST DAY! Exciting fantasy and science fiction adventures with up to a PG-13 rating. Snag these freebies while they last!
YA/Middle Grade Christian Fiction
ENDS SEPT 9TH. Here are wholesome reads that all ages can enjoy!
Action, Adventure, & Other Worlds
ENDS SEPT 20TH. Looking for your next favorite sci-fi or fantasy adventure? Well, look no further. Check these out!
September Shorts – Fantasy Short Stories
Don’t have much time to read a full length novel but still hankering for some fantasy? I’ve got you covered! Here is a collection of short fantasy fiction by various authors for you to sample.
Fantastic FREE Fantasy
Do you love fantasy stories? Look no further! These amazing authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new eBooks, all FREE to download. Available for a limited time.
SciFi and Fantasy MegaGiveaway September
Here are some more free books available through September 30th.
September Releases – Christian Fantasy
City of a Thousand Tears by Pamela Hart
But the boundaries of his world start to crumble the night he encounters a mysterious young woman.
Kaya is stubborn, impulsive, and volatile. His opposite in every way. Worse, she’s from Aurea, the city’s golden district, and beneath her hardened exterior lies a web of secrets tangled around Retiarius, the city’s elite fighting guild. How did she wind up in the Downs that night? And what’s her connection to Retiarius?
As Ellio and Kaya’s relationship deepens, they defy the boundaries of Beulah’s class system, risking everything to continue meeting in secret. When their forbidden love is put to the test, Ellio will have to decide if Kaya is just another impossible dream, or if some things are worth fighting for—even in the Downs.
If you enjoy dystopian romances like The Lunar Chronicles, Red Queen, and Divergent, check out this story of courage, love, fierce heroines, and underdogs.
The Eternity Gate by Katherine Briggs
The Eternity Gate is found, and kings and monsters battle over its legends of treasure. But rumors whisper that someone stole the gate’s ancient key.
Seyo, handmaiden to the princess, keeps three secrets. First, she’s gifted in fire, not light, and may as well be cursed. Second, she translates a prophecy warning that the gate does not offer treasure but judgment. Third, Jorai, the scorned prince and Seyo’s confidant, entrusts her with the key and disappears.
Surrounded by war, Seyo and her companions embark on a journey to seek help from a faraway empire and find Jorai, unaware of the trap awaiting them. But what should Seyo do with the key? Who can survive judgment, especially someone as flawed as her? Will hiding the key—or destroying it—save her people or ensure their defeat?
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…
Indie Bookstores are Awesome!
So, I just realized that my last newsletter may not have made it out into the wilderness on August 20th. Not sure what happened, but it was probably due to user error. Those newsletter mailer platforms are beyond my ken! One of these days, I swear I’ll get with the program and learn how to use them, but until then, I’m communicating to my subscribers via my website.
On August 19th, I had an adventure. I’ve been having a lot of those lately. This time, my friend and fellow indie author, Huckleberry Rahr, hopped on the Phoenix Express to visit an indie bookstore in Sheboygan, BookHaven Wordhouse.
As has become our habit, Huckle and first I stopped at a local eatery (a.k.a. a bar that serves food.) We chose a motorcycle-themed bar called the Superior Bar & Grill. Our server was a lovely leprechaun by the name of Liz, stalwart guardian of the Pot of Silver. The food was excellent. Huckle and I shared an appetizer platter heavy on the deep-fried cheese (like good little Wisconsinites). I had a brat patty slathered with brown mustard. Yummy!
I also took a few pictures of the art pieces I found interesting.
Can’t you just imagine this as a robot waitperson in a space opera story?
After lunch, it was time to head over to the WordHaven BookHouse. It’s a wonderful place with good lighting, a welcoming ambiance and a quirkiness that appeals to me. Often, there are cute dogs hanging out by the clerk’s kiosk, and there are plenty of comfy couches and chairs available where you can curl up to enjoy a book. This bookstore is worth the visit if you happen to be near Sheboygan, WI.
If you’ve been following me for awhile, then you no doubt realize we’ve been to this bookstore on several occasions before to hold writing workshops for both budding and experienced authors. This time, instead of running a class, we spent an hour or two kibbitzing with the patrons and selling signed copies of our books.
Talking with strangers can be exhausting, but worthwhile, in my opinion. You really can’t get anywhere in your chosen field without networking with other, likeminded people. It can really be a lot of fun – even for an entrenched introvert like me. I’m learning to step outside my comfort zone, and I’ll always be grateful to my friend, Huckle, for helping me with that.
Obligatory Cat Photo
That’s all for now. As a reward for reading this far, here is a picture of my cat, Graefin, in all her disdainful majesty.
All the best to you and yours!
Cycle of Tehara 