I won’t jerk your chain by doing a gradual cover reveal – mainly because I’m too excited about sharing it! So, here’s the cover for Wyldling Trials. Isn’t it pretty?

Wyldling FanFic – It Exists!

Without their fans, authors are just screaming into the void. I praise God for my fans. You are awesome and I want you to know that you matter to me. On that note, tasteful fanfiction is perhaps one of the very best gifts an author can receive. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, after all … or something like that. It means someone cares enough about your story to immerse themselves in the world you created and come up with new whacky shenanigans for the characters. So long as they provide permission (which I received in this case), I’m all about sharing my fans’ masterpieces with the world. The following flash fiction by author Parker Love depicts my female MC, Annabelle, as she demonstrates her own special technique for slaying enemies on the field. They did an excellent job portraying the dynamic between Annabelle and the dour reptilian warrior, Commander Storm. It totally cracks me up, and I hope you enjoy it, too. If you’d like to learn more about these characters, then check out Wyldling Snare and Wyldling Trials.

Hug Them Into Submission

By Parker Love

Sweat coating her palm and dripping down her face, Annabelle executed the second sword form for probably the millionth time. 

“Well done, kiddo. About time, too,” Toad groused, his throat sac bulging irritably. 

It had only taken her so long to get it right because Commander Storm stood watching her from a little distance away. The close scrutiny of his reptilian eyes made her more nervous than usual. Like she was performing for an audience. 

The evainghir approached swiftly, and Annabelle braced herself for a reprimand or criticism but the Commander just said, “That was exemplary, womanchild.”

Pride burst through her chest, and, without thinking, she launched herself at Commander Storm, attempting to wrap her arms around him in a hug. The huge, reptilian warrior thrust his arms out to keep her at bay, eyes going wide as he stumbled back swiftly and tripped, landing on his rear with a wince and a thud. 

Annabelle bit back a laugh. “Are you okay?” she asked. 

“Jeremiah’s everlovin’ Bullfrog, kiddo,” Toad said with something like awe. “I’ve never seen the Commander so unsettled.” 

Contrite, Annabelle bit her lip and looked from Commander Storm to Toad and back again. She waited for the Commander to bite her head off—maybe literally—but he didn’t. Instead, he schooled his features to his normal, serious expression and got to his feet with a fluidity that belied his size. 

“That was impressive, womanchild. What defensive maneuver is this?” 

Annabelle did laugh then. She couldn’t help it. Toad croaked in amusement. After she regained her composure, she found Commander Storm watching her in confusion. 

“It’s not a maneuver—well, maybe by the broadest definition. It’s just a hug.” 

“A hug,” Commander Storm repeated slowly, as if tasting the word. “It is a form of psychological attack, then? Your enemy becomes befuddled.” He scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Yes. Very effective. You must teach me this ‘hug’ maneuver, womanchild.” 

An image flickered briefly in her mind, of the Commander running into battle with his arms wide open, roaring, “Hug me, you cowards!” as his enemies fled in terror. A fit of giggling overtook her briefly, then she sobered. The Commander watched her with a serious expression. 

“Alrighty, then,” she said. “You just put your arms out, like this.” She opened her arms to a hugging position. “Then you put them around someone—or, try to,” she muttered. 

Commander Storm opened his arms and advanced on her, his expression menacing. Annabelle stumbled back from the large evainghir and his lips twitched. “Ah. It does work.” 

Isn’t that a cute story? Let me know what you think!

Update on Wyldling Trials

Now that I’ve compiled and addressed final critiques for the last stage of revisions, I’m busy with line-editing. After that comes formatting, and finalizing the blurb for the cover. 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. I’ll be sending either a PDF or EPUB file via Bookfunnel the week of September 24th to those who wish to participate. Fill out this Google form to participate 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 book recommendations for you!

Check out These Books on Kindle Unlimited!

Rise of Legends by A.J. Dasher and Kris Ruhler

A #1 new release on Amazon!

An ancient threat is rising. The fate of the Legends is sealed.

For Michael Jacobs, high school is hard enough. He just wants to be invisible.

But everything changes when bullies chase him to an abandoned building, and a near-death experience triggers a strange, new power.

Except his luck isn’t going to last. A new organization in the city threatens the peace, and he soon becomes their target.

That’s not all.

An ancient, vengeful monster, buried in the distant stars of a faraway galaxy is awakening, its quest for power ruthless. Worse still, it has big plans to get to Earth…with Michael on its radar.

Entangled in this web of danger and on the run, Michael finds two allies and has no choice but to follow them into the unknown. With their help and a dash of luck, he might just have a fighting chance to survive.

Bursting with action, Rise of Legends is the first book in the Chosen Legends series. If you love superhero fiction, urban fantasy, and reluctant heroes, start the new series by Kris Ruhler and AJ Dasher today!

Superb Summer Fantasy Adventure Time

Looking for some new indie fantasy books? Check out this special promotion. These are all free on Kindle Unlimited. More than sixty titles available here! 

September Releases – Christian Fantasy

City of a Thousand Tears by Pamela Hart

Beulah is a city divided by privilege and poverty, and seventeen-year-old Ellio lives in the poorest district of all—the Downs. Assigned there at birth, even his extraordinary gift with machines isn’t enough to escape Beulah’s rigid class structure.

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

Destroy the key. Save her people and herself.

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? 

FREE BOOKS!

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.

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. Enjoy your weekend!