Hi, friend! If you’re a new subscriber, then welcome to my newsletter! I’m A.R. Grimes, an indie author of fantasy. If you love reading books and learning new things, then you’re in the “write” place. Ha ha. Okay, moving on …

Why beware the ides of March? Because a soothsayer in a Shakespearean play said so. Fortunately, this warning only applies if you happen to be Julius Caesar in ancient Rome – which I’m guessing you’re not. There’s nothing inherently sinister about the ides of March, or, indeed, the ides of any month. If you’d like to learn more, I found an interesting article called “Beware the Ides of March. But Why?” regarding the origins of this notoriously chilling phrase on the History Channel website. Really cool! I didn’t realize that the term “ides” referred to a lunar phase. Did you? Any day you learn something new is time well spent, in my humble opinion.

On Tehara, what we call “months” are referred to as “moons.” Each moon is 28 days long and there are thirteen moons in a Teharan “Turning,” which refers to a full seasonal cycle of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Basically, it’s the “turning” of the seasons, or what we would call a year here on Earth. Each moon has a descriptive name like “Thaw,” “Fish,” or “Harvest,” based either on an activity commonly done, a seasonal shift, or a prominent constellation in the sky during that time.

Wyldling Snare begins in spring, near the end of Fish Moon, which corresponds to February on Earth. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. February is a winter month – at least, it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere. How can it be spring on Tehara? Well, the seasons on Tehara don’t necessarily align with the seasons on Earth. Tehara’s astronomical situation is much more complicated than Earth’s, because Tehara orbits three stars as opposed to one. If you’re confused, don’t worry. Suffice to say, Tehara is typically a season “ahead” of Earth.

Now that you’ve learned a few things, you have my permission to kick back and relax with a book and immerse yourself in an enthralling new world. Are you between books? I always have recommendations. If you haven’t already, you can always check out Wyldling Snare. Would you like some other suggestions for good reads? Then keep going …

Looking for Action & Adventure Fantasy?

Check out these great deals!

Myth & Legend, Action/Adventure Fantasy, $5 and Under

The books in this promotion are all MYTH & LEGEND, ACTION/ADVENTURE, FANTASY, and/or FANTASY/WESTERN novels. So, if any of those subgenres appeal to you, then take advantage of these deals and steals running from March 15th – April 15th!

Disclaimer: I have not had time to read all these books, so I cannot vouch for quality or content. In the case you are dissatisfied, please don’t send the Brute Squad after me.

Want Some Free Books?

Who doesn’t, right? Here are some offerings from other independently-published authors.

Wings of Hope: Inspirational Fantasy & Science Fiction with positive themes

Do you enjoy reading stories with positive themes? Winter is over and it’s time to enjoy some happiness! While these stories might not be all sunshine and rainbows, a positive theme often shines best when there’s only one candle in a world of darkness. Grab these books for FREE March 15th – April 15th!

Disclaimer: I have not had time to read all these books, so I cannot vouch for quality or content. In the case you are dissatisfied, please don’t send the Brute Squad after me.

What I’m Reading

Because it’s National Women’s History Month, I’m featuring books written by women that include a strong female lead character.

The Queen’s Curse (The Cursed Lands Book 3) by J.F. Rogers

What a great ending to the excellent Cursed Lands series! After reading the first two – The King’s Curse (book 1) and The Witch’s Curse (book 2) – I was eagerly awaiting the final installment of this series. It does not disappoint! There was plenty of tension and harrowing twists and turns in Colleen’s path, but – as things always do with God in command – everything turns out well in the end! I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves fantasy, dragons, and great stories with a strong Christian message.

Because this is a series, you’ll want to read The King’s Curse and The Witch’s Curse before The Queen’s Curse. And maybe check out the Ariboslia series, too!

Things Not Seen by Monica Boothe

On the look-out for a wonderful sibling story? Fair warning: there are no dragons in this book, but I enjoyed it. This is not fantasy, per se – it’s straight-up YA fiction. Boothe weaves a compelling tale of emotional tension and suspense. Never before have I read a story quite like this. It’s very clever, both heartwarming and terrifying. Kristin’s – and Josh’s – situation really made me think about the nature of perception. Was it truly a handicap for Kristin to not directly perceive her little brother if the condition only brought them closer together? Perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise. In any event, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good suspenseful tale about a nearly inconceivable sibling relationship.

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

Do you have a pet? I’d love to feature a photo of your furry, scaled, or feathered friend in one of my newsletters. Leave a comment if you’re interested!