Kasper's Ramblings from Kasper Beaumont

Book blast and giveaway from the enigmatic Ichabod Temperance @IckyTemperance #FSFNet #giveaway

3/22/2015

Allow me to introduce you to one of my friends from the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network. Ichabod Temperance is a delightfully quirky author who writes of his adventures with Miss Persephone Plumtartt, in his series of steampunk books. I'm pleased to support his blog tour and giveaway. Jump in for the opportunity to win a free copy of A Matter of Temperance.

A Matter of Temperance
by Ichabod Temperance

In 1869, the Earth experiences the close pass of a new comet. In its wake, thousands of Terra's inhabitants find themselves strangely changed. Among humanity, many find that any talent they may naturally possess has been elevated to an astounding degree. Likewise, a number of animals become self-aware and intelligent. A young “comet prodigy” from humble beginnings, Ichabod Temperance, has become one of the world's foremost inventors in this age of prolific genius. Traveling to England to deliver his latest brilliant device to a famous explorer, the young tinker is unexpectedly struck by the fearsome hand of fate. Meanwhile, a lovely young aristocrat, Miss Persephone Plumtartt, survives an experimental accident only to find herself imbued with a power she can neither understand nor control, while dark forces and malevolent creatures pursue her, leaving a gruesome wake of death. Yet, worse is to come. The naïve young inventor and the lovely intellectual find themselves fighting not only to save their own lives, while concurrently coming to terms with their own budding romance, but to prevent the destruction of all life on Earth in this humorously told and poignant steampunk adventure!

This is the first book in the series, 'The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance'. There are six books. Though in a series, each book is a stand-alone adventure.

About the author:

Ichabod Temperance is a silly little fellow living in picturesque Irondale Alabama, USA, with his lovely, gracious and kind muse, Miss Persephone Plumtartt and their furry pack family.

Links:

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Amazon

GIVEAWAY

The prize is for 3 ecopies of this book.

Click here for the GIVEAWAY

Kaspar Beaumont creates a wonderful new world with diverse landscapes and people.

3/20/2015

Vergai's Rose by Mae Mei Bidlake

REVIEWS; THE HUNTERS OF RELORIA SERIES BY KASPER BEAUMONT

review by Sandra Boutwell-Falcone

Review: Hunters of Reloria, Book 1 Elven Jewel
Book 1 in the Hunters of Reloria series introduces us to some wonderful and unlikely heroes. Fendi, Randir, and Sienna are teen halflings used to living a mostly quiet life but they are thrust into a harsh new reality when they embark on a

quest to warn others of the impending invasion about to overtake their lush and peaceful land. Hoards of Vergai, reptilian warriors from the land of Vergash are pouring into their quiet world through a portal in the shield which protects them from invaders. They are caught up in the rush to assemble an army to fight the invaders and rescue the kidnapped Elven princess, Shari-Rose. Along the way they are able to enlist the help of a motely assemblage of Relorias varied inhabitants. Once mortal enemies forge alliances to save their land. Human Knights fight alongside Dwarves and Goblins. The mysterious Mountain Man, Asher Grey leads the Hunters of Reloria to a bloody encounter with over one thousand Vergai on the plains. The battle is ultimately won but not without great cost and the princess remains captive beyond the portal in Vergash.

Kaspar Beaumont creates a wonderful new world with diverse landscapes and people. The sense of urgency inherent in the quest keeps you turning the pages. The close friendships and teen angst of the younger characters are layered against the growing comradeship of the medley of warriors. It is a quick and easy read for fantasy lovers of all ages. I look forward to the next book.
Posted on the Marabella Speaks blog

Elven Jewel on Amazon.com

Exclusive: Velya Jancz-Urban - the author of ACQUIESCENCE - drops by for a Roller Derby blog post @cgoodwife

3/17/2015

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Blurb: When one woman calls to another across three centuries, a grieving family finds the strength to overcome adversity.
In Acquiescence, Pamina Campbell and her family try to piece their lives back together in a 1770 Connecticut farmhouse, but have no idea that secrecy, homophobia, and a ghastly confession await. Two plot threads twine as one woman calls to another across three centuries.

One story, featuring Susannah Mathews, takes place in the late 1700s, while the second, Pamina Campbell’s story, is set in present day. There are parallel circumstances in the two women's lives. Pamina learns that disaster - the sort of disaster that leaves you numb on a park bench or aching for your husband to come back to you - can be a freaky thing of beauty.

Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp?

The message in Acquiescence is that even though a person may have no desire to re-live a challenging or difficult time in their life, the obstacle can play a role in shaping who you become. If you allow adversity to become an opportunity for growth, you may become a different person.

Do you have a favorite snack food or favorite beverage that you enjoy while you write?

While I don’t have any particular type of snack or drink at my side as I write, I did have a food-incentive-as-reward for when I received my first Offer of Representation for Acquiescence. Although I don’t eat them (because years ago I gave up corn syrup, GMOs, and wheat), I’m crazy about Vienna Fingers cookies. A year ago, when I started sending out query letters, I decided to buy a package of Vienna Fingers and keep them on top of an exposed hand-hewn beam in our kitchen. I promised myself that on the day I got my offer, I would welcome “corn syrup coma” and gobble down the entire twenty-four pack, along with a cold glass of raw milk. The enticing red and yellow package stared down at me every time I walked under the beam. With every rejection letter, the rounded-end finger-shaped cookies taunted me. I could almost hear them sneer, “Ha! Ha! We’re safe up here. You’re never gonna eat us!” And then, came my Offer of Representation from Second Wind Publishing. As I triumphantly dunked each crème-filled vanilla cookie, every “unfortunately, this manuscript does not fit our needs at this time” rejection drowned in the glass of milk.

What advice you would give to an aspiring author?

The best advice I would give an aspiring author is a quote by literary agent, Dan Lazar:

“The best rule of thumb is always to start the story where the story starts.” This was one of the stumbling blocks in my first drafts. Where does the story start? Until you, the author, have that straight in your mind, the story’s flow won’t be right. Also, although it’s difficult, being able to summarize your book in one sentence clarifies its goal.

Velya's guest post:
Every Woman Needs a Roller Derby Alias

Forx Roller Derby

My 22 year-old daughter recently tried out for the CT Roller Girls team. While she didn't qualify, she will try again and what's more important, she and our family were introduced to the world of roller derby. After attending several bouts, I was amazed at the sincere camaraderie between the team members, as well as the rival teams. It made me realize that ladies involved in roller derby ascribe to my women helping women mantra.

Aside from the sisterhood, the thing I've enjoyed most are the names and the costumes. Each skater must create her alias or "skater name" and once it's registered, the name is hers forever. I haven't quite figured out how the scoring works, so when I'm not watching the Jammer, I spend a good part of each bout reading the names on the backs of shirts and chuckling to myself about the clever wit of the skaters. Skaters often assume the persona that goes along with their skater name. Some of my favorites are:

Eleanor Bruisevelt
Eva Bangoria
Maura Buse
Yankee ClipHer
Wynona Juggs
Ether Bunny
Dewey Decks'emall
Doom Hilda
Victoria Deck'em
Beyonslay
Syphilis Diller
Tess of the Derby Wheels
Vandal Eyes
Artillery Clinton

My daughter, whose last name is Urban, experimented with names like Urban Blight, Urban Decay, Urban Sprawl. I could simply be Veal Chopper.

Most people over the age of forty have heard of roller derby, but it's a sport of mystery and misinformation. That misinformation is the reason my husband and I weren't quite sure we heard correctly when our daughter said she wanted to try out for a roller derby league. She's a gentle young woman who practices yoga and Reiki and never raises her voice. She helps turtles cross the road and, like me, puts spiders outside rather than kill them. In the 1950's, a skater could hit, elbow, and punch another skater. After attending our first bout, we learned there are now penalties for grabbing or using the hands, blocking with the forearms, tripping, kicking, pushing, punching, shoving, elbow jabbing, blocking with the head, and hitting from behind.

In the 1950's, physical violence was all part of this entertaining, but scripted, sport; much like the WWF. Today, most of the derby leagues are governed by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The days of a banked track are gone and I've read that every amateur track is absolutely flat. This is the beauty of the new roller derby; a league doesn't have to buy or build a track. There are women skating in roller rinks, old warehouses and bowling alleys, airplane hangars and even in empty parking lots. Each team member volunteers her time, talent, and skill in organizing and running different committees, much like a business and this was actually a question posed to my daughter. There are fundraising, sponsorship, public relations, merchandising, and volunteer committees and most leagues believe in giving back to the community. Women helping women; that's what it's all about.

So what's the appeal of contemporary roller derby? I don't follow any sport, so that's not what attracts me. There is so much more to roller derby than you might think. It's not about the fishnets. For me, it's the idea that women all around the world have created these spaces for themselves. That's the beauty of it all: it's grassroots. Men aren't excluded, but neither are they running the show. On just one team you'll find college students, lawyers, waitresses, dental hygienists, stay-at-home-moms, and teachers. There are women of all sizes, all ages. Some are tattooed, many are bruised but they're doing it their way. You can feel it from the "suicide seats" located on the floor. Roller derby girls are no different from the women who belonged to Amish quilting circles of the 1800's, or Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha of Sex and the City fame.

You know you want an alias? What would yours be?

Velya Jancz-Urban is the author of Acquiescence and the creator of Colonial Goodwife: The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife

Learn more about her and her novel at:

Acquiescence is available from Second Wind Publishing

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Before he joined the Hunters of Reloria, Ash was involved in a heart-breaking tale of betrayal and revenge. Out today. #fantasy

3/12/2015

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Ash is a love struck teenage shapeshifter, who has unfortunately fallen in love with the one girl he cannot have, Larissa. Smouldering looks and racing hearts ensue in a tale of forbidden love as the youngster leaves his heart wide open for the pain which is destined to come.
I'm excited to be sharing this new story with you all and hope you will enjoy discovering the truth of Garass and Asher's turbulent past. It is more mature than the previous series, so only for the older teens and adults to read thank you. Happy dragon reading, cheers, Kasper

The Tragedy of Garass & Asher is out now on Amazon for just 99 cents.

The Tragedy of Garass and Asher

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Book blast and giveaway from the enigmatic Ichabod Temperance @IckyTemperance #FSFNet #giveaway

Kaspar Beaumont creates a wonderful new world with diverse landscapes and people.

Exclusive: Velya Jancz-Urban - the author of ACQUIESCENCE - drops by for a Roller Derby blog post @cgoodwife

Before he joined the Hunters of Reloria, Ash was involved in a heart-breaking tale of betrayal and revenge. Out today. #fantasy

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