Monthly Archives: May 2017

Launch day bargain £1.99 for 13 Steps to Evil by @sacha_Black #amwriting #writingtips

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I love villains!

I love reading about them and I especially love creating them in my own fantasy books. When I heard Sacha Black was publishing a book dedicated to creating evil characters, I snapped up a copy of 13 Steps to Evil. I can’t wait to read this how to book and my review of it will follow soon.

In the meantime, here’s some information about the book. Why not pick up a copy yourself while it’s on sale at £1.99?

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Book Blurb

Your hero is not the most important character in your book. Your villain is.

Are you fed up of drowning in two-dimensional villains? Frustrated with creating clichés? And failing to get your reader to root for your villain?

In 13 Steps to Evil, you’ll discover:

  • How to develop a villain’s mindset
  • A step-by-step guide to creating your villain from the ground up
  • Why getting to the core of a villain’s personality is essential to make them credible
  • What pitfalls and clichés to avoid as well as the tropes your story needsFinally, there is a comprehensive writing guide to help you create superbad villains.

Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned writer, this book will help power up your bad guy and give them that extra edge.These lessons will help you master and control your villainous minions, navigate and gain the perfect balance of good and evil, as well as strengthening your villain to give your story the tension and punch it needs.

If you like dark humour, learning through examples and want to create the best villains you can, then you’ll love Sacha Black’s guide to crafting superbad villains. Read 13 Steps to Evil today and start creating kick-ass villains.

Purchase from: All good retailers, but universal link to all bookstores is here.

Sacha Black Author Bio

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Sacha Black has five obsessions; words, expensive shoes, conspiracy theories, self-improvement, and breaking the rules. She also has the mind of a perpetual sixteen-year-old, only with slightly less drama and slightly more bills.

Sacha writes books about people with magical powers and other books about the art of writing. She lives in Hertfordshire, England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son.

When she’s not writing, she can be found laughing inappropriately loud, blogging, sniffing musty old books, fangirling film and TV soundtracks, or thinking up new ways to break the rules.

Contact Information

General

Email: sachablack@sachablack.co.uk

Non-fiction Website: www.sachablack.co.uk

Fiction Website: www.sachablackbooks.com

Social Media

Twitter: @sacha_Black

Facebook: Sacha Black author page

Pinterest: Pinterest profile

Instagram: Sacha Black profile

Goodreads non-fiction: Sacha Black profile

Goodreads fiction: Sacha de Black profile

Tumblr: Sacha Black profile

Google+: Sacha black profile

Linkedin: Linkedin Profile

Amazon Sacha Black profile

Cheddar Gorge, Gough’s Cave and #Somerset #landscape #photography

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With the last of my birthday’s celebrations over (almost I still have a falconry day to look forward to!) I thought it was a good time to share some of my pictures of Cheddar Gorge. This is a spectacular place to visit. Let me show you why…

Firstly there’s Gough’s cave;

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Cheddar has some brilliant stalactites (grow down from the ceiling) and stalagmites (grow up from the ground).

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Of course there has to be a picture of its famous cheese stored in the caves;

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It was amazing to see the pockets of life flourishing underground;

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The light show in the Dream Hunters cave made the day even more memorable. I would say it was even better than Gough’s cave and it’s something we hope to take the children to see very soon.

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Cheddar Gorge is a photograph’s dream. The views of Somerset are spectacular. The 3 mile (felt like 10 miles) cliff top walk is hard going but worth it.

A couple of photos from my Sony Xperia camera phone.

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The rest were taken on my old Lumix camera

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It is a wonderful place to visit and has given me plenty of inspiration for my book series – Silent Sea Chronicles, which features plenty of caves, caverns and mountain passes.

Next weekend I hope to share some pictures of Bath and its Roman Baths.

#Tuesdaybookblog #Audio #bookreview The Widow by Fiona Barton #thriller

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The Widow by Fiona Barton

Narrated by Clare Corbett

The Blurb

THE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, AND RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK

‘If you liked GONE GIRL and THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, you might want to pick up THE WIDOW by Fiona Barton. Engrossing. Suspenseful’ Stephen King

We’ve all seen him: the man – the monster – staring from the front page of every newspaper, accused of a terrible crime.

But what about her: the woman who grips his arm on the courtroom stairs – the wife who stands by him?

Jean Taylor’s life was blissfully ordinary. Nice house, nice husband. Glen was all she’d ever wanted: her Prince Charming.

Until he became that man accused, that monster on the front page. Jean was married to a man everyone thought capable of unimaginable evil.

But now Glen is dead and she’s alone for the first time, free to tell her story on her own terms.

Jean Taylor is going to tell us what she knows.

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My Review

Even though terrible subject matter is touched upon in this book, it was a very enjoyable read / listen. The story switches between the present day and back into the past when the little girl Bella is abducted. It’s easy to follow the storyline, and this technique helped to drag you into the story.

It’s soon clear the widow is an unreliable narrator. It’s hard to like most of the characters involved, however Sparks seems like a dedicated and likable detective as he risks his career trying to find the missing toddler.

The story moves along at a compelling pace and you have to pay attention to the little details that might turn up later. You’ll wonder if there are any big revelations or twists as the story unravels, but you’ll have to read it for yourself to find out what’s really going on.

I would recommend to thriller lovers.

4 stars

Audio extra – I loved the end of the audio book where the author, Fiona Barton and the narrator, Clare Corbett chat about writing and audio books. Brilliant added extra.

#wwwblogs 1 month to go: The Lost Sentinel 99p / 99c pre-order http://mybook.to/LostSentinel #fantasy

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There is just under a 1 month to go until the publication of The Lost Sentinel and I’ve been very busy.

The paperback cover is complete and I love the design. Thanks so much to The Cover Collection for their brilliant artwork and swift service.

image paperback full spread

The proof copy is ordered and already on its way from Createspace.

I’m adding the final touches to the kindle edition (hyperlinks etc).

ARC’s have been going out to reviewers.

I’ve agreed a book stall at my daughter’s summer fair, and am thinking of contacting the local newspaper to see if they’d be interested it featuring the event.

Oh and I’m about to be 40! I have a couple of cool birthday treats lined up; visiting the caves at Cheddar Gorge, the Roman baths at Bath, and a falconry day. All great fun, but also research and photography opportunities.

Back to the book;

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Oh, I love it!

I haven’t decided whether to do a blog tour or not yet, as I’m struggling to think of material. Some book reviewers and bloggers have already agreed to do posts around the publication date so I need to get organised and book in some dates.

This is where I put out the call for help. Would you be willing to post something about The Lost Sentinel before or after the 16th June?

I’m happy to do interviews etc.

I’m also still looking for more reviewers. You don’t have to commit to the publication date, I’m happy to be reviewed however it fits in with your schedule.

And of course, don’t forget you can pre-order your kindle copy now for only 99p / 99c The Lost Sentinel

 

Lastly, I was very happy to see this email in my inbox this morning. You’ve got to love Amazon and Author Central – follow the author facility. It’s a must for all authors.

Please get in touch, and have a great day.

#bookreview Magic-scars: Crown of Stones – bk 2 by @cl_schneider #fantasy #tuesdaybookblog

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This is the second book in the Crown of Stones trilogy.  I have been looking forward to reading this ever since devouring book one last year. I wasn’t disappointed!

As with book one, the cover is fantastic.

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Here’s the blurb from Amazon…

Magic doesn’t wound the same as a sword.

The story of Ian Troy continues in Magic-Scars, the second installment in C. L. Schneider’s riveting epic fantasy trilogy, The Crown of Stones.

Captured by his old enemy, King Draken of Langor, Shinree magic user Ian Troy was sentenced to prison. Tortured and drugged, robbed of his will, his memories, and his magic, Ian was made to do unspeakable things. Rescued, as his body slowly rids itself of the drug, Ian realizes he has returned to an unfamiliar world gripped with fear. In the wake of his fall, those he cared for were left to their own grim fates. Draken has seized control of the realms and named himself High King. His brutal rein has sparked a desperate rebellion that Ian now finds himself a part of. His one task: recover and repair the Crown of Stones, in hopes it will tip the balance in the revolution that is brewing. In pursuit of the reason behind the artifact’s strange loss of magic, Ian is driven to release an explosion of retribution and power that leaves him irrevocably scarred.

Struggling to reconcile the man he has become with the man he once was, Ian strives to understand the growing number of magic-scars adorning his body. He searches for the truth behind his link to the Crown of Stones and uncovers shocking secrets buried for generations beneath the sand. To become the weapon the resistance needs, he must assume responsibility for his magical inheritance. But can he curb the destructive appetite that comes with it?

The price of Ian’s magic and his addiction have never been higher.

 

My super short review.

I love these books. They are filled with nonstop action, murder, blood, sex and plenty of swearing. It’s all a part of the wonderful world C.L Schneider has created.

I loved the start and how the reader is as much in the dark as the main character as to how he woke up onboard a ship. Ian has no memory of who he is or who he can trust, and his instincts tell him something is very wrong with his predicament.

In this book we learn more of the history of the Shinree and Eldrings, of the magic that Ian Troy is trying to control and the creation of the Crown of Stone. There is so much depth to the world building, but you’re never bogged down with details. It’s a compelling read right from the start.

5 stars all the way.

I recommend to fantasy lovers who aren’t afraid of a bit of graphic detail.

I’m so happy book 3 is already sitting on my kindle waiting for me.

See my review of Book 1 – Magic-price here, which was my favourite fantasy read of 2016.

Pre-order The Lost Sentinel now for 99p / 99c #epicfantasy #fantasy #swordandsorcery

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I’m about to publish my second fantasy novel!

This is an exciting day and one I hope you’ll help me celebrate by sharing this post with everyone you know on your blog, twitter and facebook.

The release date is 16th June 2017.

The pre-order price is 99p but will go up to £2.99 the week after publication.

THE LOST SENTINEL COVER

Here’s the universal book link on Amazon.

You can add The Lost Sentinel to your Goodreads want to read list now, plus news of a paperback giveaway will follow soon.

Beta-reader review

The Lost Sentinel is an enthralling fantasy set in a world divided into those who have magic and those who do not. It is a world on the point of self-destruction. The trials and tribulations of the main character, Tei, as she follows her destiny will have you on the edge of your seat. This is a book full of magic, suspense and bloodthirsty action. It will leave you in parts elated, devastated and finally desperate for the sequel which you will be pleased to hear, the author has already partly written. Rogerson’s characters are so well-realised and the plot so intricate that you will find it hard to put this book down.

Beta-reader L.Spiers – December 2016

Blurb

The magical island of Kalaya is dying, along with its Sentinel. With the Kalayan people turning their back on magic, can Tei help the exiles find their new Sentinel before it’s too late?

Kalaya is controlled by the Assembly – set up to govern but now under the control of Rathnor, who is intent on persecuting those who have magic, many of whom have taken refuge in the Turrak Mountains.

Tei has been raised to hide her magic, until her father, Migil, is visited by an old friend who warns them that they must seek refuge in the mountains.

On the journey, an enemy attack leaves her father mortally wounded. He sees her into the care of two exiles, Rike and Garrick, and on his deathbed makes a shocking confession that changes Tei’s life.

Tei must put her trust in these strangers, especially when mysterious Masked Riders seem determined to stop her reaching Turrak.

Struggling with self-doubt, Tei joins the exiles in their search for their lost Sentinel. But the Masked Riders want the Sentinel too, and time, as well as hope, is running out.

Can Tei help the exiles save the island magic and reunite the Kalayan people before their ignorance destroys them all?

Don’t forget to order your copy of The Lost Sentinel now for only 99p.

ARC will be available by the weekend if you’re a book reviewer / blogger and are willing to review during publication week – 16th June. Even if you can’t meet that date or would prefer just to post about the book release, please get in touch. I’m also happy to do guest posts etc.  

Thanks for your support.

Look out for #VisionsofZarua in London today! #Indiebookfairies #ibelieveinbookfairies

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If you’re out and about in London today, look out for Visions of Zarua. Book fairies are leaving copies for people to find on their Indie Author Day.

10 authors are taking part across the UK, so keep your eyes open for all those lovely free books!

Good luck, everyone.

I’d love to see your photos if you spot one. And of you don’t, it’s free to read on Kindle Unlimited. Have a peek inside and see what you think Visions of Zarua

Blurb

Two wizards, 350 years apart. Can they save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past?

An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria.

Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master Kalesh dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate.

Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer.

The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?