I’m doing some research on the subject of novel length. During lockdown I wrote a romance novella and I’m hoping to publish it this year. However, whilst searching for similar length books, I’ve found it very difficult to find any at all.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on novellas and if you would consider trying one.
Also writers, have you any experience publishing short fiction? Do you have any advice to offer on marketing these shorter works etc?
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic and heroic fantasy
Today I’m excited to share news of a new release, The Lumbermill by Laya V. Smith.
The Blurb
Sending a pair of mass murderers to the chair got his name in the papers, but veteran fighter pilot turned detective, Augy Small, couldn’t celebrate. The culprits confessed, but the cops only ever found one body. Who had the killers died to protect?
Katya Tyler, a Russian enigma with a wad of cash in one hand and a hit list in the other, claims to have the answers. First, she wants Augy’s help to bring down a massive underground network of human traffickers.
As the case unfolds, every clue is an echo of his past. The horrors he experienced in the Pacific, shadows of scars he still carries, and rumors of a place long since destroyed.
The Lumbermill is back in operation. Every day more innocents are harvested, their screams muffled in darkness. And the only way Augy can stop it is to go back into the nightmare he thought he’d escaped forever.
Praise For The Lumbermill
“Shocking, alluring, and utterly absorbing. Whether you’re a fan of classic noir or white-knuckle action, I dare you to not be totally sucked in by The Lumbermill. As I turned the pages, I could smell the cigarette smoke and feel the fire on my back. What a ride!”
-Luke Swanson, The Ten and The Other Hamlet Brother
“Your mind wants to think of old black and white Dashiell Hammett or James. M. Cain PI tales, but Laya keeps digging deeper, tightening knots that tie her characters to dark pasts and to the utter blackness no one could imagine happening. Monsters do exist, and they are hard to defeat because death means nothing to them.”
-Val Conrad, The Julie Madigan Thriller Series
“A brutal, twisted, and beautifully written portrait of a detective taking on a web of evil.” Timothy Gene Sojka, Payback Jack
“The Lumbermill is an action-packed thriller that hits all the right notes of the noir tradition. And yet, it’s also much more than that, with the vivid character development of Augy Small, a self-aware protagonist who struggles to overcome the emotional scars of lost love and his time as a POW. An engaging read, although not for the faint-hearted, The Lumbermill is hopefully the first of more novels from Laya V. Smith.”
-Alastair Luft, One Kingdom Under Heaven
Author Bio
Laya V. Smith was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and still calls the city home with her husband and two children. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, AWP, and LUW. She has a degree in history from the University of Utah. “The Lumbermill” is her debut novel.
The Lumbermill sounds intriguing, I hope you have the chance to check it out.
There is also an audiobook narrated by the author Laya V. Smith and George Ellington. You may know George narrated my new audiobook The Lost Sentinel.
I’ll leave you with the very cool and creepy book trailer from Laya’s YouTube channel (Laya also very kindly produced a trailer for my audiobook, which is also on her channel). Enjoy!
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic and heroic fantasy
Yes, finally the audiobook is available and I’m really excited to share a sample of it with you now…
George Ellington has brought the characters to life and takes you on a magical adventure which I hope you’ll enjoy.
You can find the audiobook of The Lost Sentinel on Audible, Amazon and iTunes (link not yet available for itunes). And the great news is work is already going well on book 2.
I would love to get some reviews up, so if anyone is willing to give an honest review get in touch to discuss getting a free code.
Here’s the trailer I shared at the beginning of the week for another little taste of the book.
Thanks for stopping by. Let me know what you think of the audio sample and trailer.
Title: The Sentinel’s Alliance (Silent Sea Chronicles #3) Author: Suzanne Rogerson Publisher: Independently published Genre: Fantasy Book format: Paperback
Sweet Strawberries: Description:Can new alliances save the islands of the Silent Sea from the murderers stalking their shores?
As the island of Kalaya and its people recover from civil war, a new threat surfaces. Invaders from the island of Elkena hunt the seas, butchering those who possess magic. Their scar-faced captain seeks the Fire Mage who it has been foretold will kill him and Tei and her people are in his warpath. Tei and a band of Kalayans travel to Stone Haven, the home of their new allies, planning to restore magic to the dead island. But the Stone Haven Council have abhorred magic since their people were massacred by Elkenan invaders twenty years before. Commander Farrell must persuade his people to accept magic again, but his plans expose…
With the audiobook due to go live any time now, here’s a trailer to give you a taste of the great narration by George Ellington.
I hope to be sharing the news of its publication very soon. You can check out the book on Amazon whilst you wait or see the reviews on goodreads.
I am now on the hunt for reviewers who are interested in a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review on Audible, Amazon etc. Please get in touch via the contact form or make your request in the comments.
The trailer was created by Laya and the link above will take you to her Youtube channel. You can also check out her website here.
This is another great read from Jo Thomas. She is one of my favourite romance writers and her books never fails to make me feel emotional!
Blurb
Can Del find her recipe for happiness?
Del and her husband Ollie moved to a beautiful village in Provence for a fresh start after years of infertility struggles. But six weeks after they arrive, they’re packing the removal van once more. As Del watches the van leave for England, she suddenly realises exactly what will make her happier…a new life in France – without Ollie.
Now alone, all Del has is a crumbling farmhouse, a mortgage to pay and a few lavender plants. What on earth is she going to do? After discovering an old recipe book at the market run by the rather attractive Fabian, Del starts to bake. But can her new-found passion really help her let go of the past and lead to true happiness?
A heart-warming tale about reclaiming your life, set amongst the lavender fields of Provence. Perfect escapism from the author of Late Summer in the Vineyard and The Honey Farm on the Hill.
My review
The story starts as Del prepares to leave France with her husband but she realises their relationship is broken and she decides to stay on alone. It’s a very brave thing to do, especially where all her stuff is already on its way back to England!
Del is a strong character even if she doesn’t always see that about herself. I love being in her world, watching as she learns to trust herself and be self reliant.
The people in the nearby town make her feel welcome and she settles into her new life, finding friendship and possibly more in the process. She helps others, in particular a young mum along the way. These growing friendships really make the story something special.
The details of the farmhouse and the lavender are so immersive. I also love the details of the cooking. Del uses her love of baking to start providing for herself, incorporating the lavender from her farm into everything she cooks. Be warned, this book can make you hungry. Helpfully there are a few recipes at the back of the book, which is a nice little touch.
The chapters are very short and always draw you into the next. Many times I said to myself I’ll just read one more chapter only to find another half and hour had passed without me even realising.
If you like to be transported to beautiful places and enjoy heart-warming and feel good stories, then give Escape to the French Farmhouse a try.
This is just a quick reminder that this epic fantasy box set is set to revert to the normal price of £6.99 tonight. Act quick and pick it up for only £3.99 worldwide. Silent Sea Chronicles box set
The blurb
Tei has magic in a world where people like her are persecuted and forced into exile. Whilst fleeing their home, her father is attacked and his deathbed confession reveals a dangerous secret that will change her life forever.
Tei’s homeland, the magical island of Kalaya, is dying and without a Sentinel to restore the magic, it’s only a matter of time before all life is wiped out.
She must join the exiles in the search for the lost Sentinel, but they are not the only ones after the missing guardian. Sinister Masked Riders are on their trail and time is running out.
Tei must risk everything she loves to save Kalaya, but is she ready to make that sacrifice?
1396 pages of magic, adventure and intrigue.
This epic fantasy box set contains: The Lost Sentinel – Book 1 The Sentinel’s Reign – Book 2 The Sentinel’s Alliance – Book 3
Praise for Silent Sea Chronicles…
This is a story about war, magic, and destiny, which you cannot miss. Following the characters during their journeys has been incredible… (Goodreads) Sofia – A book. A thought.
Love this series!!…The Sentinel’s Alliance is an epic conclusion to a fantastic series. (Amazon) Jessica Belmont
What an epic journey this trilogy has been…There are some terrific battle scenes, with massive shocks, and mouth dropping moments that I just hadn’t seen coming, all delivered with Rogerson perfection. (Amazon top 1000 reviewer. Vine Voice) Susan Hampson
(The Sentinel’s Alliance) This has been a fantastic finale to the trilogy, it’s had everything that made the first two books to good and then some. All of Suzanne’s brilliant world building skills are still shining through… (Goodreads) KT Robson
Rogerson has managed to craft together a fantasy trilogy that is simultaneously complex and quick. So many layers and twists are woven throughout the books and yet it never feels too heavy, the pace moves at a determined clip and action holds one’s attention captive. (Amazon) Angela – Pooled Ink Reviews
Fabulous Saga… it’s well written and utterly magical! (Amazon) Shelley Clarke
This box set includes the Amazon bestselling book, The Lost Sentinel. A book tour has just finished for this first book in the series and you can follow the link for my wrap up post to see some quotes from the reviewers involved here.
Thanks for reading.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic and heroic fantasy
The book tour for The Lost Sentinel ran from 6th to 12th of September. In case you’ve missed the details here was the line up…
Timy gave a great round up of the tour you should check out, but I wanted to do my own post to highlight the reviews and as my way of saying thanks to the reviewers involved. Please click the links to visit their blogs.
‘For those of you who enjoy romance and the like, I would definitely suggest giving The Lost Sentinel a read. Even as someone who almost never enjoys romance in a book, I was still able to see that it was written very well, and lead to some quite emotional moments.’
‘The magic system was really interesting and I love the idea that the island has magic that the Mystics must protect but the none magical people have forgotten and don’t look after the island ass they should. I really wish we had more stories where the land was actually alive with magic…’
‘I think this book would be a good read for those just getting into fantasy or who don’t read it often but sometimes want an escape from their usual reading as it gives you all the things we love about fantasy…’
‘THE LOST SENTINEL is a solid fantasy tale that reminded me of some of my most treasured fantasy comfort reads. The magic especially is very well done and spun with an alacrity that is hard to come by these days.’
‘A true fantasy is as good as the world it depicts. And this world is amazing! …the twists, the magic, the world make you loose yourself a little in this breathtaking fantasy.’
Wrap up interview with some asylum related questions that made me look at my book in a whole new way!
Plus there’s a song list I used whilst writing the trilogy and some super cool Youtube videos too, so be sure to stop by for a read and a listen.
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Thanks to Storytellers on tour and to all the book reviewers who took part. Being an indie author and reaching readers is really hard, so I appreciate your support in sharing my trilogy with your followers.
If these reviews have piqued your interest, this is the last chance to buy the box set trilogy whilst it’s on sale – Pick up the Silent Sea Chronicles for just £3.99 worldwide. Why not take a chance and let me know what you think. Amazon link.
Thanks for reading.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic and heroic fantasy
Fantasy is a genre close to my heart. I love to read and write it. As mentioned in yesterday’s reading update post, I’ve decided to dedicate a whole post to the Indie Fantasy books I want to read in 2020. I’ve only picked a couple as I don’t have much time left in 2020 to read them, but it’s great to be able to give a shout out to some fellow indie authors.
This post is inspired by #selfpubfantasymonth taking place during the whole of September.
So here is my list of books to read this year.
Emma Miles – Raven Storm book 3 I’ve read the series so far this year and loved them. Here’s my joint review of Raven Tower and Raven Coven – duo review.
I would love to catch up with Ian Gregoire’s series. Book 2 Apprentice in the Master’s Shadow which came our earlier in 2020. Here’s my review of book 1.
I’ve been wanting to read Talis Jones’ Otherworld trilogy for ages. I bought Crooked Raven book 1 in 2018 and still haven’t managed to read it. I can’t believe the whole trilogy is already published but at least that means I won’t have to wait for the release of the following books!
Now I know I wont have time to read any more books this year, but these are books I’ve picked up in 2020 and hope to read at some point soon. Click the book titles for Amazon links.
I’ve just reached my reading target for 2020, four months early! Ok, so I only set it at 15, but I have been really enjoying reading again and have to say the standard of the books has been so high. I’ve read a mix of fantasy, romance, spy-thrilllers and urban fantasy, plus a non-fiction book and a bio by Monty Don – Nigel.
What I’ve recently read
Book 1 and 2 S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad trilogy. I plan to do a trilogy review as soon as I’ve finished book 3, which I was kindly given a copy of via Netgalley.
Currently reading
During lockdown I’ve been taken with the idea of writing some Romance novellas so I’ve decided to always have a romance book on the go. I’m currently reading…
Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley.
and I’m almost finished reading Escape to the French Farmhouse by Jo Thomas. It is such a lovely read and I’ll be sad to finish it.
As mentioned above, I’m reading book 3 in Daevabad trilogy, Empire of Gold. I hope to finish this asap and get the reviews up for all 3 books. It’s a such a brilliant series that I can’t wait to tell you about it.
What I plan to read over the next few months
My book group have chosen Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen. I’ve been wanting to read this for the last few years so I’m looking forward to digging in before the end of September.
I would like to catch up with the next Carrie Harris book by GJ Stevens. I read the prequel a few months ago and couldn’t put it down. See my review here.
I also have plans to read some non-fiction books as research for my writing. Now the kids have returned to school I’m wondering if I’ll have more time on my hands to tackle these books;
I’d also like to revisit some non-fiction books I read last year and put into action their suggestions and hopefully review them this time!
By the end of the year I hope to support some of my fellow fantasy indie authors. I’ll share those books in another blog post in support of #Selfpubfantasymonth.
I think that is plenty of reading to be getting on with. Have you read any of these books? Are they on your TBR?
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic and heroic fantasy
Description: Can new alliances save the islands of the Silent Sea from the murderers stalking their shores?
Suzanne Rogerson Fantasy Author 