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 …
Meet Sir Thomas Marmalade, Knight of the Hissy-Pants Order.
I have a story to tell about this little guy. Before I begin … YES, I have somehow acquired yet another cat. I’m convinced that cats are simply wingless furry little dragons at heart.
On the way home from church on Sunday a few weeks ago, my husband decided to stop at the community center for some odds and ends related to his karate classes. We ended up driving home along highway 19/Windsor which is under construction. One of my boys espied an orange cat sitting beside one of the construction barrels as we approached an intersection (highway 19/Windsor and Thompson). I made the decision that we were turning around at the next available intersection and after my husband found a parking spot we all ran for the side of the road. The light had turned red, and a fellow had stepped out of a vehicle waiting in line, presumably to check on the cat. He told us there were TWO cats … had been two cats.
Unfortunately, we were too late to save what we believe was the mama. Someone had run over the larger of the two cats. But there was this little kitten, still crouched and trembling beside the construction barrel. We caught him – he did NOT want to come with us – and brought him home with us, where we had to drag him out from under the passenger seat before I could deposit him into a pet carrier. I made an appointment on Monday with the local vet, and he spent the night sequestered in our bathroom. He then proceeded to MEW VERY LOUDLY during the night.
The vet declared the kitten healthy and he received his first distemper vaccination as well as a topical de-wormer. He only weighed 2lbs! But he’s a good eater so I’m hopeful he will grow to an epic size and be another lap tiger. Turns out he does not have any parasites (Yay!) so there’s one less thing to worry about. At the time, I hoped that hissing was his love language, because he hissed at everyone and everything during his first week with us.
That all changed after I returned from a two-day work-related trip to San Mateo. Our little Marmalade had gone from a hissy-pants to a relentless purr-machine. He is very curious, friendly, and playful – just as a healthy kitten ought to be! As of yet, he has not shown any wyldling abilities like his namesake, Sir Thomas, from the Wyldling Dream series, but one never knows of what our little furry overlords are truly capable.
Since it’s a national holiday today in the U.S.A. – and even if you DON’T live in America and celebrate Independence Day – you have my permission to kick back, 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 …
Want Some Free Books?
Who doesn’t, right? Here are some offerings from other independently-published authors.
Strong Women in Fiction
Looking for books with strong female main characters? This promo features stories about young girls and women who overcome the obstacles in their path, both physical and mental. Through July 31st.
Looking for Action & Adventure Fantasy?
Check out these great deals!
Magical Worlds, New Beginnings
The books in this promotion are all FANTASY & SCI-FI novels in which MAGIC and NEW BEGINNINGS feature prominently. So, if this appeals to you, then take advantage of these deals and steals running through July 31st!
Kickstarter – July 16 – August 1st
Beauty from Embers: A YA/NA Science Fantasy Romance Series by Pamela Hart
Found family, rags to royalty, and no spice, slow-burn romance. Inspired by Lord of the Rings, Sword Art Online, and Chronicles of Narnia.
Just click the “Notify me on launch” button to be reminded! I’m looking forward to seeing what the author will feature. Maybe special edition hardcovers? Beautiful artwork inspired by the story? I guess I’ll have wait and find out. These books look awesome and I’m always interested in reading tales woven by fellow Christians.
If you’d like to learn more about Pamela Hart and her other work – she has a blog and does book reviews! – visit her website. Make sure you check out “The Reason” and “About” tabs.
Latest On My TBR List
Guardians of Time series by Phyllis Wheeler
If you have tweens and middle-graders in your life – or just enjoy quick, fun reads – then you might want to give this faith-based series a try!
The Dog Snatcher
The kid just wants his beloved dog back. Before it’s too late.
Jake can’t believe it when the twins find themselves in a clock shop that travels through time and space, piloted by a helpful 700-year-old Swiss alchemist. Surely this man can help them find their missing dog.
But the dog snatcher won’t be easy to catch. He too is a centuries-old alchemist. And he’s threatening to kill the dog!
An award-winner! This faith-based, family-friendly book was designated a finalist for the prestigious Selah Award for Christian Fiction and received a Purple Dragonfly Award from Story Monsters Magazine.
Secret of the Lost Dragons
Here’s one that REALLY sounds interesting to me!
Traveling across space and time can take you to some dangerous places.
Oh, no! What’s there to do but touch the coin too?
The twins find DeeDee in a narrow desert canyon—facing a huge, fierce dragon. Clearly, it’s time to leave. Jake and Ava grab DeeDee’s hands and reach for the time-travel keys in their pockets. But their pockets are empty!
A family-friendly action-adventure for ages 8-11, Book 2 in the Guardians of Time series.
Book 1 was named winner of a Purple Dragonfly Award and also a finalist for the prestigious Selah Award for Christian Fiction.
Search for the Hidden Throne
This one JUST came out on July 1st!
A missing time-traveler. An evil alchemist. Can eleven-year-olds Jake and Ava rescue Will from him – before it’s too late?
Oh, no! Jake and his twin Ava go to the Guardians of Time Guild headquarters to look for Will. After an unsettling wait in 1529 Vienna at Headquarters, the twins learn that Will has been kidnapped.
Jake and Ava are rookies. They’ve brought along their little cousin, their babysitting charge for the summer, and they have to keep her safe. How can they even figure out how to make the Headquarters time machine work? And now, cannonballs are falling! It’s the Siege of Vienna!
A family-friendly action-adventure for ages 8-11, Book 3 in Phyllis Wheeler’s Guardians of Time series. The best in Christian stories for kids! Books 1 and 2 were both named finalists for the prestigious Selah Award for Christian Fiction.
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!
Cycle of Tehara 