Kasper's Ramblings from Kasper Beaumont

Magic, witchcraft, a mystery and a dragon. What's not to love? The Dragon's Seamstress by @julidrevezzo #FSFRL #dragons

8/16/2019

Blurb:
Since Caitlin and Trevor vowed to assist the Otherworld and opened their enchanted antique shop, they’ve seen many strange things. But now, someone comes in asking for a mundane item: kitschy “witches” brooms. Has their magical life returned to normal?As the couple prepares to host a family gathering, fate intervenes and something they’ve never seen before roars into their life: A creature out of Welsh legend and fantasy: A blundering, somewhat underdeveloped dragon—not at all the type of dragon they ever expected to meet. Forced to undertake his unique challenge, Caitlin and Trevor are perplexed by his demands, but the magical beast is certain they are the only witches who can help him.Doing so might unlock an ancient hidden secret. Refusing might destroy them.

My review:

Recommended for fans of the Antique Magic series, and those who like a gentle fantasy mystery.
This is the first book in the series I have read, so the regular fans will know a lot more about the magic shop and characters than I did. Saying that, Caitlin and Trevor make a nice couple and I kinda hoped there would be a smidge more romance for them, but it's not that type of book. Probably they are more affectionate in earlier books in the series.
The Dragon's Seamstress is a a slow-reveal mystery with some magic spells and fantastic beasts added for good measure. There are clues scattered all over town, including their home. Caitlin becomes detective which is enjoyable and you uncover the mystery with her.
On the whole I find there is a lot of standing around and talking, which is something I don't prefer to read. I like action.
I read a beta version and found it got off to a slow start, but I have been reassured my concerns were noted, the plot tightened, and the dragon makes a much sooner appearance. Yay! The story improved tremendously after the dragon was revealed. I quite enjoyed it from there. I mean, there's a dragon, so of course I'm hooked.
It reads well as a stand-alone, and I'm sure the rest of the series would be equally fun.
As to why there's a dragon, you'll have to read it to find out...

Here's the series for you. Check it out and let me know what you think.

0 Comments

Upping the ante with Aces High authors O.E. Tearmann. A #FSFRL #author #interview @ETearmann

8/8/2019

0 Comments

Author bio:
O.E. Tearmann lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, in what may become the Co-Wy Grid. They share the house with a brat in fur, a husband and a great many books. Their search engine history may garner them a call from the FBI one day. When they're not living on base 1407 they advocate for a more equitable society and more sustainable agricultural practices, participate in sundry geekdom and do their best to walk their characters' talk.

● The Aces High, Jokers Wild book series:
●  The Hands We're Given ( Book 1)
●  Call the Bluff ( Book 2)
●  Raise the Stakes ( Book 3)

●  Genre: hopeful queer cyberpunk
● Synopsis: Aidan Headly never wanted to be the man giving orders. That's fine with the Democratic State Force base he's been assigned to command: they don't like to take orders. Nicknamed the Wildcards, they used to be the most effective base against the seven Corporations owning the former United States in a war that has lasted over half a century. Now the Wildcards are known for creative insubordination, chaos, and commanders begging to be reassigned. Aidan is their last chance. If he can pull off his assignment as Commander and yank his ragtag crew of dreamers and fighters together, maybe they can get back to doing what they came to do: fighting for a country worth living in. Life's a bitch. She deals off the bottom of the deck. But you play the hands you're given.

● Publish date: 8/14/2018
● Publisher: Amphibian Press
● Publish date: 12/24/2018
● Publisher: Amphibian Press

● You can read a free excerpt at http://aceshighjokerswild.com/read-for-free/

Author Interview with O.E. Tearmann

Kasper: Welcome O.E. Tearmann. I must say that I was surprised to be joined by two authors today. (Yes, readers, you read that correctly. Two authors!) Even the mysterious pic (above) you sent when I asked for an author pic hadn't clued me in. Well, double the authors sounds like double the fun. Let's strap on into this levitating Readers Lounge and fire off some questions.

1. Do you have a pen name and why?
OW: We do! In fact, O.E. Tearmann is actually two authors in a trench coat. Olivia Wylie and Nonir Amicitia write together, but we decided on a singular pen name for three reasons:
1) there’s an unpleasant cachet about co-authoring we wanted to avoid
2) we write very queer positive works, and there are elements of society who don’t like that. We prefer not to get hate mail in our personal accounts
3) The name itself is meaningful for us. The name’s comprised of part of each of our names, and the word Tearmann is the Irish word for a safe place in a storm. Since we met when studying the Irish language, this was a perfect symbol for us. Below you’ll see answers from us both.
Oh wow, I hadn't realised there was a prejudice against co-authors. I applaud you two for making the collaboration work.

2. What was the defining event that made you start writing?
OW: Well, bloody 2016 made me decide to start bugging Nonir about getting serious on this series. Both of us felt like we needed to do something meaningful in the face of all the despair during that year, but neither one of us is a political animal. So we decided to really get to work on a piece set in the version of America we thought this mess could lead to. And then we decided to showcase a multi-ethnic, diverse, inclusive found family that was still finding hope and joy in that terrible setting. We took everything to the darkest place we could. And then we got to work showcasing that you can still make it better.
NA: Writing in general? I was bored in class in middle school and my friend at the time encouraged me to write down the ideas in my head. I’ve actually been writing since then, but Liv’s got the gist of why we started Aces High, Jokers Wild.
I do love the title, by the way. Looking forward to hearing more about writing the darkest place you could. Most intriguing.

. What other writing have you done?
OW: I write illustrated books on the intersection between folklore and plants under my own name. I currently have two out; Roots is an illustrated exploration of plants in Old Irish myth and law, and Smoke and Roses is an illustrated guide to the history of the Victorian Language of Flowers and how many of the exotic plants in our gardens came to be there. Nonir and I learned to write together by working on the free webcomic Parmeshen, where I act as the artist. It’s still our weird queer fantasy-steampunk baby.
I also write some short stories and may(!) one day get an urban fantasy book together based on a young lady who’s been kicking around my head for a while.
NA: I write all the things. I have three published short stories under the name Emily Kay Singer, a book of prose and poetry about the Norse god Loki, and a ton of fanfiction. At the moment, I’m working on a solo novel set in the same world as our webcomic.
My goodness, you two sound like you can write anything!

4. What makes your writing unique compared to others in the genre?
OW: I’d say what makes our work unique is the hope. You don’t see a lot of quiet, clear eyed hope out there. That’s what we write: the kind of quiet hope that says ‘okay, I’ll try again tomorrow’. We also stress compassion in our work, and creating characters who still reach for their better nature in spite of difficult surroundings has been something we’ve tried hard to do. NA: Oh, definitely. We also strive really hard to represent diversity and write a variety of characters without making our story about diversity. It’s a hard balance to maintain, but I like to think we do it pretty well.
That's really awesome. Something much needed in today's harsh times.

5. What’s the basic plot of your book or series?
The arc of the series follows a unit in the resistance force of 2155 America as they fight to build a better life and dismantle the Corporations that own the country. Currently two books are published with the third due on August 6. Book 1 revolves around the way young Commander Aidan Headly pulls one of the best units in the Force back together after a disaster. Book 2 explores the way they pull together to manage the first big win of the war, and the third book is going to explore another big mission, and what it costs.

6. Have you used any real events or places as inspiration for your writing?
OW: Oh yes! The Aces High, Jokers Wild series is set in Colorado, and we take liberally from our home town setting. We have a lot of fun imagining what places in the area could evolve into in our universe. And Denver offers a lot of great cyberpunk names already: Commerce City, the Tech Center, and the Colosseum, for instance.

7. Do you have another job outside of writing?
OW: I own a small landscaping business here in Denver, and sell my garden-related art and writing through that.
NA: I do social media marketing for a cancer awareness campaign and run my own business, Wandering Jotun Crafts, which is dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities through art and spiritual services.

8. What song would you choose as the theme song of your book?
OW: The theme song is Bon Jovi’s ‘No Apologies’, which tells you an awful lot about our characters and us!

9. What music do you listen to when writing?
OW: it really depends on the project. For this one it’s a blend of Bon Jovi, Flobots, Mischief Brew, Social Distortion, Billie Joel and general fierce classic rock intersecting with 90s punk. For my artwork, it’s usually audiobooks intermixed with Irish folk. For the comic, audiobooks with a lot of middle eastern folk, some Irish folk and Romani music.
NA: I’m a huge fan of listening to movie or game soundtracks. I have a playlist that’s a bunch of my favorites (How to Train Your Dragon, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, etc), but most recently I’ve been listening to the Final Fantasy XV soundtrack because it gives me Feels.

10.What are you working on now?
OW: AHHAHAHHAHA quiets my own hysterical laughter we’re working on the next book release in the series. We’ve got a book signing and a convention coming up, and that’s about all we have brain power for...though Book 4 is in drafting as we speak. On my own account I'm planting gardens, drawing Parmeshen, writing a book on ancient Irish poetry and another one on garden plans with step-by-step planting plans. Oh, and writing reviews for books and comics. Whew...
NA: Yep. Working on more Aces High, but I’m also working on a solo novel set in the Parmeshen world, as I mentioned before, and I’m writing for a visual novel/dating sim project a friend is running. I’d like to get some short stories out soon, too!
Wow. You both sound so immersed in Parmeshen. I love it!

11.List some great books you have recently read:
OW: I’ve been on a reading kick lately, so I’ll suggest: Fiction River’s How To Save The World Last Tango In Cyberspace Juniper Girls by Aaron Michael Ritchie The Secret Life of Trees and, always and forever, all of Terry Pratchett’s stuff
NA: And me, on the opposite end of the spectrum, has been reading only really dull business books lately. But some of my favorites include: Good Omens by Gaiman and Pratchett Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine (yes, I have Middle Grade faves because nostalgia)

Quick quiz:

Favourite thing to cook:
OW: Quesadillas!
NA: I hate cooking, but I’ll go with onigiri (rice balls) because I make them a lot and they’re so versatile.

Silliest saying:
OW: I stole my favorite cranky saying from Emma Bull’s War For The Oaks: ‘Well this sucks dead rat through a straw!’
NA: My entire life is one silly saying so I’m not sure how to pick!

Best holiday spot:
OW: My good friend Pink’s back yard on Beltane night
NA: Donegal County, Ireland

Most played song:
OW: Frenchy and the Punk’s ‘La Vie Boheme’
NA: F*cking Perfect by P!nk

With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser?
OW: I’m a plotter. Our characters are not.
NA: I’m a pantser. Which made the beginning of our collaboration a little interesting.
OHH!

Do you prefer to read SciFi or fantasy:
OW: I prefer to read. Period.
NA: I lean toward fantasy, but now and then I’ll crave a good scifi.

Best superpower:
OW: A redo button: let me go back 20 minutes in time and fix mistakes please. Second in line is uncanny empathy. Please let me understand people and their actual motivations!
NA: Shapeshifting for me.

Number one thing to do on your bucket list:
OW: Go to the little town in Ireland my great grandfather came from.
NA: Dismantling the capitalistic patriarchal system. Short of that, finishing my half-sleeve tattoo, probably. If there’s anything else you’d like to talk about, feel free to make up one question of your own.

Kasper: Thanks to the both of you for dropping by the Readers Lounge today to share your work and thoughts with us. I feel like I know heaps more about you now. I bet the readers are keen to check out your books too. Links below.

Links for O.E. Tearmann

Website: http://aceshighjokerswild.com
Blog: http://aceshighjokerswild.com/category/traveldocumentsreviews/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildcards1407/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18359444.O_E_Tearmann
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ETearmann
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M6S5JQT
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/ap/nmAOPX/O-E-Tearmann

This is a group for the readers, by the readers, and all about the readers! We are excited you’re joining us and look forward to getting to know you. The Lounge welcomes all readers and wants each and every one to find a comfortable reading nook here.

0 Comments

Alexes dives into this author interview to talk about The Mermaid's Lament for #FSFRL @lxsraz #UF #UrbanFantasy

7/18/2019

0 Comments

Today's guest for the Readers' Lounge is one I've been keen to learn more about. The fun-loving author of the Urban Fantasy book, Mermaid's Lament. It's Alexes Razevich.

Author bio: Alexes Razevich was born in New York and grew up in Orange County, California. She attended California State University San Francisco where she earned a degree in Creative Writing. After a successful career on the fringe of the electronics industry, including stints as Director of Marketing for a major trade show management company and as an editor for Electronic Engineering Times, she returned to her first love--fiction. She lives in Southern California with her husband. When she isn't writing, she can usually be found on a hockey rink or traveling someplace she hasn't been before.

Today's featured book: The Mermaid’s Lament

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Synopsis:
When a goddess gives you a job, failure is not an option.
Shay Greene’s specialty is rescue and recovery, and she’s damn good at it.
But she might just be over her head when the country’s wealthiest woman hires her to find a stolen necklace known as The Mermaid’s Lament, plunging Shay into a world of jealous goddesses, their half-human demigod offspring, and long-standing feuds.
Petty rivalries have a nasty way of escalating in that world. The dangerous lengths the goddesses take to one-up each other leave Shay wondering if they are completely sane. Even the demigods have more power—and more hidden agendas—than she’s used to dealing with.
Shay doesn’t have much time to learn how to beat them, though. If she doesn’t recover the Mermaid’s Lament by the looming deadline, it will cost her everything she loves.
·
Publish date: May 29, 2019
Publisher: Razor Street Publishing

Author Interview with Alexes Razevich

Kasper: Hi Alexes, welcome to the Readers Lounge.

Alexes: Thanks Kasper, I'm keen to take off on this levitating lounge ride.

Kasper: Hold tight, here we goooooooooooooo......

So Alexes, what made you choose this genre?

I’ve been in love with fantasy and the idea of magic ever since I read The Arabian Nights as a little girl. Urban Fantasy takes magic and brings it into our modern everyday world. I adore the possibility that the lady next door might be a goddess, the cranky bus driver might be an orc, or you could discover your parents were wizards. Or you could discover you had magic yourself.

Cool. I really admire how you can do that.
How do you develop your characters?

Characters are funny beasts. Sometimes they show up and demand that their stories be told. Those characters usually come fully formed in my mind. For characters who don’t show up fully formed, I have to figure out their true name. I can’t just pick one and stick it on the character. It has to be the right name. Once I have the name then I develop how they look and their backstory. It’s important for me to know why the characters do what they do, what made them who they are. No one is all good or all bad, and everyone has reasons why they see the world they way they do.

Makes me laugh when authors say, 'The characters made me do it.'

Have you used any real events or places as inspiration for your writing?

My urban fantasy stories are set where I live. For me, there’s a richness that comes with knowing what real stores the characters shop at, where they fill up their tank, what route they take to work. In my Oona Goodlight series, Oona is attacked in the parking lot at a specific Trader Joe’s. With The Mermaid’s Lament, the main character, Shay Greene, lives in a house loosely based on one a friend lives in, with landladies loosely based on the real ones my friend has. For me, the more reality I build in, the more believable the unreality of magic is.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to write a book?

Read. And write. And read some more. And write some more. Find people who know what they’re talking about to give you feedback on your work. Take criticism gracefully. Write the story you want to read.

Very good advice.
What are you working on now?

I’m working on two books now—a young adult magic school story and book two in the Shay Greene series. Both should be out this summer/fall.

What’s your writing routine?

I’m an early riser and early writer. My routine is wake up, have a cup of coffee (or three) and spend the next several hours at the keyboard. I write six days a week.

Wow, that's a lot of writing time. Excellent.
What do you do when you have writers’ block?

I don’t really get writer’s block, though I do get stuck from time to time. Usually if I’m stuck it’s because my brain needs a rest. Sometimes I’ll read for a while, but usually I play solitaire or some other easy computer game. Sometimes I do the dishes or walk the dog. For me, the trick is to not write until I’m ready to tackle the story again.

How did you go about developing your cover artwork?

The main character’s look is already established by the time I’m ready for cover art, so often it’s a matter of finding a model with the look and feel of the character. Then I decide what sort of background I want. I work with the fabulous designers at Deranged Doctor Designs. We’ve done enough covers together now that they know the look and feel I’m after.

Looking at your catalogue, I'd say it's a author / artist match made in Heaven.
List some great books you have recently read:

I just finished Rebecca Roanhorse’s Trail of Lightning and Storm of Locusts. Both were very good.

Who’s your favourite indie author and why?

Gosh, I couldn’t choose just one. Amir Lane, who is brilliant and not read nearly enough. E.A. Copen, who writes compelling characters entangled in great plots. Orlando Sanchez, because I love Montague and Strong. So many more.

What is your favourite quote?

From Dune: Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear.

What’s your experience of the Fantasy Sci-Fi Readers’ Lounge?

I love the lounge! I stop by regularly to see what’s going on and find new books to read.

Quick quiz:

Favourite thing to cook: pasta (I’m not much of a cook.)

Best holiday spot: The beach. Always the beach. Any beach.

With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser? I’m definitely a plotter. Not that my carefully crafted plots don’t go off the rails because the dang characters have minds of their own, but I do plot everything in advance.

Do you prefer to read SciFi or fantasy: Fantasy.

Best superpower: Tough question. I’ll go with invisibility. There’s something appealing about the ability to be the fly on the wall.

Number one thing to do on your bucket list: To see the aurora borealis.

Kasper: Great answers. I'd love to see the aurora too. Thanks so much for stopping by today, Alexes and flying on the Readers Lounge with us. Let's check out your links.

Alexes Razvich's Links:

Website: https://www.alexesrazevich.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexesRazevichAuthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6543739.Alexes_Razevich
Twitter: @lxsraz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Alexes-Razevich/e/B009M8XMEC

0 Comments

Game on. Come and play some unique Hunters of Reloria games with Kasper #FSFRL #games

7/17/2019

0 Comments

Fun quiz:
Which Hunters of Relooria character are you?

Logic problem.
Solve this fun challenge to find out who drank the Honey Mead.

For anyone not familiar with logic problems, here's a helpful link:
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-make-solve-logic-puzzle-2809337

2019_hunters_logic_puzzle.docx
File Size:	176 kb
File Type:	docx

Download File

0 Comments

Story Time reads with Kasper: 'The Chronocar' by Steve Bellinger @computersteveb #OWSCyCon2019 #scifi #timetravel

6/18/2019

1 Comment

In partnership with OWS CyCon 2019

Title:The Chronocar
Author: Steve Bellinger
Genre: Sci-Fi, time travel

Blurb: Simmie Johnson was born the son of a slave. He was also a genius. After earning a PhD in physics from Tuskegee Institute, he wrote a paper outlining a theory for time travel, including plans for a time machine—called a chronocar—which was published in a scientific journal in the early 1900s .
Since the technology required to build the chronocar did not yet exist, the paper and its brilliant writer faded into obscurity.

A century later, a young Illinois Tech student, Tony Carpenter, discovers the journal article and decides to build a chronocar so he can travel back to 1919 to meet the black scientist he hopes to emulate. Unfortunately, time is not on his side. Dr. Johnson is living in Chicago’s Black Belt with his beautiful daughter—and Tony arrives just in time for the bloodiest race riot in the city’s history. Can Tony use the chronocar to save his new friends, or will his attempt forever alter the future he hopes to return to?

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Chronocar-Stev...

(c) Used with permission.

1 Comment

Probing the depths with dark fantasy author Ross Ellison #author #interview for the Fantasy SciFi Readers' Lounge #FSFRL

6/16/2019

0 Comments

Today's spotlight author is Ross Ellison

Author bio: Ross Ellison is an Author, Entertainer, Video Game Streamer, and All-Around Menace to Society. Living in Orlando, Florida he currently is working on the next two novels in his Search for Eden Series which the End of Utopia Anthology serves as an introduction for.
He also is working on a Post-Apocalyptic Series with the working title of “Earth Everafter” If that was not enough, he is also working on two new series’s based on Dungeons and Dragons Campaigns of his own design.

One is titled “Cycle of Millennia” and the other is titled “Centrum Glacies” The first and second Novellas of Cycle of Millenia are published digitally.

Book title: Cult of Orabaras
Genre: High Fantasy/Dark Fantasy
Synopsis: After making their way to Iron City of Blacksmiths Grez the mysterious Monk and his companions are forced into a tournament. But while Hadron the Barbarian fights for glory, and Sneak Peak the Rogue seeks to make as much money as he can, something stirs in the shadows. Belwyn the Paladin senses trouble from afar. Velros the Knight is on guard for danger. However, it is Kal the enigmatic Psionic who discovers a new foe. Despite remembering a warning granted by Fairy Dragons about Magic Users, the group is unable to avoid the webs of the deadly Cult of Orabaras. But what could their malevolent purpose be? And why is this group of misfit adventurers attracting their interest?
Publish date: April 20th, 2019
Publisher: Timelost Storyteller

Author Interview:

Hi Ross, welcome to the Readers' Lounge levitating interview couch. Buckle up and we'll take off
Hi Kasper: Glad to be here. Let's go....oooooooooo. Wow, this Lounge is fast!

It is indeed. So Ross, what makes your writing unique compared to others in the dark fantasy genre?
Dark Fantasy is a genre that is constantly pushing boundaries, taking names, and crushing tropes left and right. I go out of my way to lump suffering from physical and metaphysical sources upon my characters while ensuring that my readers are emotionally invested in the worlds I weave. By daring to deconstruct even the tropes of Dark Fantasy itself, I create new stories from the corpses of those before.

Awesome answer. You sound like a pioneer in the genre. What made you choose this dark fantasy books?
I chose Dark Fantasy as I normally do for my stories because unlike the other variations of fantasy, the shackles are gone, and the restraining bolts destroyed. Anything goes in Dark Fantasy. I can raise the horror levels to numbers unprecedented in any other genre. Not to mention I can deal with themes such as abuse, human trafficking, brainwashing, wicked Gods, genocide, and extreme racism and give them their due under the Dark Fantasy genre.

What’s the basic plot of your series?
Cult of Orabaras is the second story in a much longer series called Cycle of Millennia. The tale begins as a group of adventurers each with emotional baggage is pulled into a Stone Giant’s highly convoluted schemes. As they try to escape this annoying pest, their adventures slowly trend towards the odd. Eventually these trends expose the heart of the world they live in. Funny enough, the entire premise of this series was born out of a Dungeons and Dragons Campaign I have been running for over two years-and counting.

Sounds like you're a dedicated Dungeon Master.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to write a book?
The most important piece of advice I give to anyone writing is to write first and edit later. Getting bogged down in cleaning up a story is the most common cause of writers block. As a bonus, I believe the best way to learn how to shake this habit is to participate in Nanowrimo in November. Once you learn to vomit words on the page and realize that no matter what, a first draft will always be terrible, you are on the way to becoming a talented storyteller.

What are you working on now? I am working on many projects simultaneously. Currently, I am editing a Dark Fantasy Novel titled The End of Utopia as well as writing the first draft of that one’s sequel novel The Messiah of Nightmares.

This second novel in The Search for Eden Series is without a doubt one of the darkest, most tragic, if not the most tragic book I have ever written. Meanwhile I also am completing the first novel in a post-apocalyptic series titled Earth Everafter. Of course, my current focus is on the third novella in Cycle of Millennia. That is also known as the book I am presenting in this interview.

How did you go about developing your cover artwork?
Admittedly, I am embarrassed by my answer to this question. My current cover is nothing more than a placeholder. Currently, I am essentially broke and cannot afford to properly pay an artist. I simply used free use images and did the best I could to create a cover. Not one I am pleased with by the way. I honestly can’t stand the cover and it is one of the first things I will change when I can afford to.

Hey, everyone has to start somewhere. Hopefully readers will give it a chance when they hear how amazing it is on the inside. Word-of-mouth can be powerful too.
How do you handle marketing on social media?
I am constantly experimenting with my different social media platforms to see what works best. Given that I am not making sales anywhere near needed levels, I consider my social media marketing to be at complete failure level. I’m in need of advice when it comes to doing this more appropriately.

Who are your five favourite authors?
My five favourite authors are Brandon Sanderson, Gen Urobuchi, Kentaro Miura, Robert Jordan, and R. A. Salvatore

What do you write about in your blog?
My blog has gone through many changes. I tend to focus on travel now, but that could always change down the road.

Are there any writing styles or genres you dislike?
I despise Hallmark Style stories that are predictable. Indeed, I mostly hate Romantic Comedy and Cringe Comedy in every form. To me storytelling is there to take light and smother it darkness. Stories exist to showcase people with hope and slowly crush all of it out of them into they go insane. I write so that I can prove that there is no amount of love and light that hatred and darkness cannot smother out of existence.

Quick quiz:
Favourite thing to cook: I don’t really cook. I exist off cereal, pizza, pasta, and smoothies.

Silliest saying: The best way to transform even the most well-meaning person into a terrible one is to convince them that their time is valuable.

Best holiday spot: Tel Aviv, Israel is my favourite city in the world.

Most played song: I listen almost exclusively to video game, anime, and movie soundtracks. I have no idea which song I have listened to the most.

With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser? I am what is known as a “Planster”. I combine both styles of writing together. Normally, I know how my stories begin and how they end. Then I make the middle up as I go along. Usually, my goal is to traumatize every one of my characters through most of it.

Do you prefer to read SciFi or fantasy? I prefer Dark Fantasy and Grimdark Science Fiction over the other choices for reasons I outlined in earlier questions.

Best superpower: The only correct answer to this question is multi-universal level reality warping. At that stage, you control time, space, entropy, all of reality, and are completely omniscient. Why settle for one power, when you can have all of them, be completely invincible, and have the entire multiverse revolve around you?

Number one thing to do on your bucket list: My number one is to force the Abrahamic God to bleed. Then ensure it is punished for all the sins and atrocities it has committed against humanity.

Wow, you sure have some fascinating ideas. It's been a real pleasure learning more about you today, Ross. Our Readers' Lounge is coming in for landing now. Best of luck with your Cult of Orabaras novel and the series to follow.

Readers: let's check out some of Ross's writing and his links.

Ross Ellison's links:

Website: http://t imeloststoryteller.com/

Blog: http://timeloststoryteller.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetimeloststoryteller/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLStoryteller

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Cult-Orabaras-Cycle-Millennia-Novella-ebook/dp/B07QZNTV4S/

Excerpt from:Cult of Orabaras
Prologue: Public Nudity

Kal looked in wonder at Iron. The massive city had walls that created a mazelike barrier. The many alleys that veered every which way made his head spin. Worse than the physical barriers stood the mental ones. He had to intentionally shut off his telepathy or risk madness.
The sheer number of people living in the city was the cause. Going against his natural instincts was quite the difficult affair. However, there was a second issue to attend to. Unfortunately, his armor posed to create a new problem. And if Kal did not make his next move perfectly, his newfound friends would be forced to take a fall.
Looking quickly at his fellow adventurers, he tried to figure out the best one to relay his message to. Should he tell the Monk? Grez was a rather impulsive individual and would try to argue. Not to mention his strange monkey tail might lead to related trouble. That route was no good.
Next, he looked at Sneak Peak. The Giant Rogue was the only reason he was not dealing with trouble already. This was his last choice of confidence. He had a large list of crimes from what the rest of the group had informed the “Psionic”. That word reflected on Kal’s mysterious powers.
Hadron, the Barbarian was like the Monk, too impulsive to be of much help. That left both the Knight Velros, and Paladin Belwyn. These two were by far the most dependable. Thus, he warned them both as the guards finally noticed the second unusual person beside the Giant.
{I’m gonna run away and have the guards chase. Pretend not to know me.}
He dashed away from the front gates before any had a chance to voice a complaint. Footsteps from behind told that he was being followed. Just as expected of course. Kal had been worried that the moment he stepped into Iron, that none would be able to see his armor.
A long time back, a Wizard had given him a magical set of armor. What the whimsical caster had not told him was the second magical property of his clothing. Unless those looking at him had the aptitude for Magic, they would see nothing but his birthday suit.
But being naked in a major city was only the first of his two problems. His race was the second. Kal was not a Human like most who lived in Iron. Nor was he an Elf or Dwarf. Both these races had a couple members scattered nearby. He was not an Orc or Giant, which would have been met with hostility. Said hostility was already a problem for Sneak Peak.
No, Kal was a Tiefling. His mixed blood involved Infernal origins. And considering his nudity, at least to the nearby guards, that spelled double trouble.
Even as he ran down a relatively empty alley, one that probably had crime at night, from the looks of it, he still got a few shrieks.
“It... its naked!” A Human cried. A merchant based on the wares he was holding. Kal wanted to protest that this was false, but he had no time. The guards reacted to the noise and were following.
He foolishly turned around to inspect what chased him. This forced his defenses down. An unfortunate thing when he collided with another person. They wore heavy armor based on the pain his body felt on impact. That could only mean one thing.
“Stop right there!” The Guard commanded. “You are under arrest for public nudity and…” The tall soldier looked the Tiefling up and down. “And… for being a Monster! Yes, that is right!”
“I am not a Monster!” Kal declared. He would not bother denying the nudity.
“Is that an admission of guilt for nakedness?” One of the Guards from behind demanded and grabbed him. He could not get thrown in prison. Especially if it would reflect badly on the rest of his friends.
Kal also would not fight them. Escalating this attempted arrest would only lead to worse things. The Tiefling did the only reasonable thing in this situation. He flew into the air and demonstrated that the wings on his back were not just for show.
“Not so fast!” One of the Guards yelled from below. “You will not get away lawbreaker!” Kal intended to do just that. Admittedly, his plan was not so great since eventually he would need to return.
But for now, he needed to get away from this alley. While he was in the air, the buildings around him all rose to a considerable height. He was still an easy target to hit with projectiles.
From the corner of his eye, he saw an object flash as it flew to his position. Kal had little room to maneuver, but the Tiefling had been in worse situations than this. Whether that remained true was debatable when the truth of the attack made itself known.
It was no arrow that Kal had failed to dodge. It was a net! The heavy contraption was pulling him towards the ground. And if he used any of his spells, there was too much risk of harming innocents.
What sort of City has Guards that carry nets?
“Get the Captain!” one of the Guards commanded to the rest. “I’ll watch him.” Kal groaned realizing he could be trapped here for quite a while.
However, his terrible luck ran out almost immediately. A new Guard entered the alley and his armor indicated that he was far more important than the others.
The Captain wasted no time asking the important questions and pulled out a long blade. The look on the Human’s face warned Kal that if he answered wrong, his throat and head would be separated.
“Why are you here monster?”
“I am not a monster!” The Tiefling responded with once again. Yet as far as appearances were concerned, this was false. “Er… I may look like one, but I promise I’m not.”
“Even if you are no monster, you are still naked in this City. That is against the law in most of Spatia!” A quick reading of the Captains mind showed Kal how he was to get out of this situation.
“I am here for the festival!” Kal had no idea what this event was, but it was the only way to avoid falling behind bars.
“Is that so?” The Captain did not look convinced. This gave the Psionic a second idea. Please work. Casting a telepathic command, the Tiefling forced the idea that he and the Captain were friends.
“Very well.” The Captain’s face softened. “You there, take him to proper lodgings. And get some cloths sir!” Kal was unable to do so. It was one of the side effects of his armor.
Whatever this festival was, he could not be arrested for all but the most serious of crimes. Now he just had to attend. Whatever that meant.

(C) 2019 Ross Ellison

Readers' Lounge:
This is a gathering place for all those who love the thrill of magic and futuristic adventures! The Fantasy and Sci-Fi Readers Lounge authors created this group as a way to interact with our readers and introduce them to other authors they may not know but would love to read. We want the group to be fun—a place for new discoveries, friendly chats, and a hangout where we can share our love of books.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FantasySciFiReadersLounge/

0 Comments

Solstice scavenger hunt for the Fantasy SciFi Readers Lounge #FSFRL #fantasy $75 #giveaway #freebooks

6/14/2019

0 Comments

What is a Solstice?

A solstice occurs when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Two solstices occur annually, around June 21 and December 21. Seasons of the year are determined by reference to both the solstices and the equinoxes.
The term solstice can also be used in a broader sense, as the day when this occurs. The day of a solstice in either hemisphere has either the most sunlight of the year (summer solstice) or the least sunlight of the year (winter solstice) for any place other than the Equator. Alternative terms, with no ambiguity as to which hemisphere is the context, are "June solstice" and "December solstice", referring to the months in which they take place every year.
The word solstice is derived from the Latin sol ("sun") and sistere ("to stand still"), because at the solstices, the Sun's declination appears to "stand still"; that is, the seasonal movement of the Sun's daily path (as seen from Earth) stops at a northern or southern limit before reversing direction.

We are celebrating the June 21st Solstice with a fun blog tour Scavenger Hunt.

Solstice Scavenger Hunt

FSF Readers Lounge Presents its first ever Solstice Scavenger Hunt. Running from June 16th to June 29th - 19 authors joined forces to offer readers a chance at $75 cash via PayPal and 19 eBooks as a Grand Prize! 38 secondary prizes (an eBook from one of our participating authors) will be given to randomly chosen participants with the correct answer.

To play for a chance to win, you must go to each of the authors sites listed below, collect the "hidden" word(s), unscramble them, and then enter to win!

Enter the Rafflecopter Here
Entering does not enter you into anything! You have the option to choose who to subscribe to and who to follow - the only requirements are
1- you must follow the Facebook page for the Readers Lounge in order to get the winners announcement and -
2- use the link to enter the giveaway, but I hope you choose to follow the wonderful authors participating in this hunt!

$75 Cash via PayPal

eBooks up for prizes:

A Bit of Magic
Azimuth
Bonded
Curse Breaker: Enchanted
Dragon Blood
Elven Jewel
Forever People
Ian's Realm Saga
Schrodinger's Cat
Shadow's Hand
Sleepless Flame
Tattoos
The Fox and The Hunter
The Glass Gargoyle
The Hand of Atua
The Shikari
This Cursed Flame
Witch's Moonstone Locket
Wolves' Gambit

Make sure to visit all the sites to gather all your words! Happy Hunting!

Click on each author's name to go to their blog and find the key word.

Rennie St. James
Marie Andreas
Selina J. Eckert
Linn Tesli
Marsha A Moore
Kasper Beaumont
PJ MacLayne
D.L. Gardner
Katie Cherry
Dora Blume
Odin Oxthorn
Charity Bradford
Eileen Schuh
Noelle Nichols
Alison Lyke
Mae Baum
Melinda Kucsera
Stacy Overby
Cheryllynn Dyess

List of prizes

* Azimuth by Rennie St. James https://writerrsj.com/blog/
* The Glass Gargoyle by Marie Andreas http://faeriesdragonsspaceships.blogspot.com/
* This Cursed Flame by Selina J. Eckert https://sjeckert.wordpress.com/…/solstice-scavenger-hunt-20…
* The Fox and The Hunter by Linn Tesli https://linntesli.com/blog/
* Witch's Moonstone Locket by Marsha A Moore https://marshaamoore.blogspot.com/…/solstice-scavenger-hunt…
* Elven Jewel by Kasper Beaumont http://huntersofreloria.weebly.com/kaspers-ramblings
* Wolves' Gambit by PJ MacLayne http://www.pjmaclayne.com/mountain-musings/
* Ian's Realm Saga by D.L. Gardner https://diendrial.wordpress.com
* Dragon Blood by Katie Cherry https://www.facebook.com/KatieCherryFantasy/
* The Shikari by Dora Blume (DM Staley) www.dorablume.com
* Sleepless Flame by Odin Oxthorn (Ox Woden) https://www.odinsmusings.com/
* The Hand of Atua by Charity Bradford charitywrites.blogspot.com
* Schrodinger's Cat by Eileen Schuh http://eileenschuh.blogspot.com/
* Shadow's Hand by Noelle Nichols www.noellenichols.com
* Forever People by Alison Lyke http://www.alisonlyke.com/blog
* A Bit of Magic by Mae Baum https://maebaum.com
* Curse Breaker: Enchanted by Melinda Kucsera https://melindakucsera.com/blog/
* Bonded by Cheryllynn Dyess www.cheryllynndyess.com
* Tattoos by Stacy Overby www.thisisnothitchhikersguide.com

Elven Jewel prize from Kasper
This fantasy adventure begins when the magical continent of Reloria is threatened by cruel, scaly invaders called Vergai from the wastelands of Vergash. These invaders are barbaric and are intent on destroying the protective elven forcefield and conquering peaceful Reloria. The Vergais’ plan is to steal the Elven Jewel which is the key to the Relorian defence system.

Halfling friends Randir and Fendi and their bond-fairies are the first to discover the invaders and they embark on a quest to save the Elven Jewel. They leave their peaceful farm village with their fairies and race against time to stop the invaders. They join forces with dwarves, elves, men and a mysterious dragon, and call themselves the Hunters of Reloria.

The quest is perilous, with numerous encounters with the ruthless Vergai, who are determined to fulfill their mission. The Elven Jewel is stolen and the quest becomes a race to the portal to retrieve the jewel before it can be taken to Vergash. A battle for Reloria ensues where the consequences for the Relorians is death, unless Vergai are stopped.

The mystery key word from Kasper is:

Remember to visit all 19 blogs to find the other key words, create the popular fantasy quote and
Enter the Rafflecopter Here
to win $75 and these awesome books

0 Comments

Story Time with Kasper. Call Sign: Baby Daddy. A romance novel by SI Hayes and J Haney #military #romance @shannonihayes @authorjhaney

6/13/2019

0 Comments

In partnership with OWS CyCon 2019

Title: Call Sign: Baby Daddy (Navy SEAL Liaisons Book 1)
Authors: S.I. Hayes, J. Haney
Genre: Military / Contemporary Romance

Blurb: To those who say War is Hell, I say, try being married to a person you don't even know. That's my dilemma.
My name is Ozmond Zayne and after nearly fifteen years in the US Armed Forces, ten of them as a US Navy SEAL, I am about to face my greatest of foes. A wife and daughter.

0 Comments

Story Time with Kasper: Finding Eliza. A historical fiction novel by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman @spfwritesbooks ‏#historical

6/13/2019

1 Comment

In partnership with OWS CyCon 2019
Title:Finding Eliza.
Written by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman
A historical fiction

Blurb: "It’s just a little family history. What could go wrong?" When Lizzie Clydell agreed to join her grandmother at the church’s genealogy group meeting she expected nothing more than lemon squares and a few stories. Instead, an old diary leads Lizzie down a dusty road of lies, hidden family secrets, and a lynching that nearly destroyed her family.
Still struggling with the loss of her parents two decades earlier, Lizzie must confront a painful past that others hoped was forgotten. Her journey becomes even more difficult as she realizes those around her may not be as they seem.

Can Lizzie make peace with the past or will it destroy the relationships she holds most dear? Joining her is a group of lifelong friends known to Lizzie as The Gals.

Headed up by her own grandmother, the group of women guide her through the past with humor, encouragement, and tough love as she learns about grace and forgiveness. Set in small town Georgia, Finding Eliza is a contemporary story with flashes of historical fiction as Lizzie digs into 1930s segregation, illegal interracial relationships, and the fear of the KKK.

(c) Used with permission

1 Comment

VS Holmes brings a unique perspective to this Fantasy / Sci-Fi interview #FSFRL #scifi #interview @VS_Holmes

5/15/2019

1 Comment

Author bio:
V. S. Holmes is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy author. She created the epic fantasy REFORGED series and an archaeological sci-fi series the NEL BENTLY BOOKS. In addition, she runs Amphibian Press, dedicated to helping hybrid authors with publishing and has a blogging residency at Aspiring Authors focused on writing disability and mental illness.
When not writing, she is a contract archaeologist and, as a disabled, gender-queer person, an activist for equal rights and climate change.

Book title: Travelers
Genre: Sci-fi
Publish date: 2/27/2016
Publisher: Amphibian Press

Synopsis:
Archaeologist Nel Bently has her own crew, her own research, and a private patron to fund her passion for dirt. With her trowel barely into the dry earth of Chile’s coast, however, Nel learns she and her crew are being watched.

Los Pobladores, known to Nel only as vandals and looters, take issue with any archaeologist brave or stubborn enough to set boots on their land. Nel is both and far from willing to give up the site that will make her career. She must keep her crew, her friends, and her life’s work safe, but with a benefactor playing chess with their lives, and angry militants who may actually have a point, Nel is ready to fight dirty.

X-FILES meets LARA CROFT in this snarky sci-fi about where we came from, and where we’re going

Author Interview:

Welcome to the Readers' Lounge, VS Holmes, I'm looking forward to hearing about your unique perspective on fantasy writing. Strap yourself in as this levitating lounge takes off.

VS Holmes: Thanks Kasper. Looking forward to it.

What makes your writing unique compared to others in the genre?
I focus on the broody, atmospheric aspects of mental illness and disability with my characters, which isn't often done in class fantasy and sci-fi. My characters go through a lot of introspection and dark moments!

It's great that you give a voice to folks with disabilities and make it relateable.

What’s the basic plot of your book or series?
My fantasy series (Reforged) explores what happens when the heroes are as broken as the world they must reforge, and my sci-fi series (The Nel Bently Books) is essentially lesbian archaeologists in space. The Nel books take place in the Starsedge universe, a contemporary/near future universe I share with Cameron J. Quinn--complete with crossover characters!

Which scene from your book do you like best and why?
I'm a wicked sucker for reunion scenes. The more complex the relationship or reason for parting, the better. I think it's left over from reading copious amounts of Harry/Draco and Watson/Sherlock fan fiction a decade ago. There's a scene in Blood and Mercy, the final book in my fantasy series, when a brother and sister reunite after 20 years, throughout which he's been searching for her, and she's been avoiding being found. It's awkward and disappointing and touching all at once and I love it.

Aw..that sounds sweet, maybe bitter-sweet.

Have you used any real events or places as inspiration for your writing?
In my sci-fi I've drawn a lot from my day job as an archaeologist, not just locations, projects, and science, but the folk legends we all have, and the ridiculous stories we tell.

Archaeology sounds like such an interesting career.

What are you working on now?
I'm currently drafting Blood and Mercy, which is the final book in my fantasy series (eek!) and mentioned above, and Heretics, the fourth Nel Bently Book. I’m also developing the first season of an email/audio serial set in the same universe as the Nel Bently Books.

What’s your writing routine?
I'm a morning person. Well, I'm not a sleep person, really. I get up between 5:30 and 6:00 every morning and if I'm in the field I'll write until about 10 minutes before we roll out. If it's the off season or a weekend, though I'll write until about 10, visit my parents who live next door for a bit, then continue writing for the afternoon, with a break to take the dog for a walk.

How did you go about developing your cover artwork?
I made the covers for the Nel Bently and my other novels in the Starsedge universe myself. I use Krita and stock photos, as well as custom photoshoots for the figures. My fantasy books are commisioned pieces of art (the Reforged art is by Ben Donahue and Awakened is by Aaron Bolduc). The layout and designs I did myself.

Oh wow, that is so cool. It must be so rewarding to see your visions come to fruition.

If you could only take three books with you through an interstellar portal, what would they
be?
One would be blank, of course. The next would be Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith and the third would be Cosmos by Carl Sagan.

Awesome! I think you're the first person to answer with a blank book for writing.

Do you have a blog?
I don't have a personal blog, but I do have a blogging residency at Aspiring Authors Blog, where I share a monthly article concerning disability in SFF worlds.

What’s your dream job and do you think you’ll do it one day?
I'm lucky--I'm already doing both my dream jobs. Archaeology and writing are my passions, and not too different from one another--both are the search for a story and truth.

Where do you like to travel to?
ANYWHERE. I get to travel around the states for work, but I've also dug in Greece. I like to get off the beaten path to really get to know a place and its culture. I'm also a huge fan of stark landscapes. I just returned from the Iceland Writers Retreat and it was incredible there!

Quick quiz:

Favourite thing to cook: Roast duck (go big or go home)
Silliest saying: "Shitbird" or "Job-er-doo"
Best holiday spot: Somewhere new--though we spend a lot of time in rural OH with my in-laws and it's quite lovely as long as I ignore the politics.

Most played song: Hmm, currently Spiritual Machine's cover of "Don't Fear the Reaper," or anything by The Midnight.
With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser? Plotter once I have the first scene
Do you prefer to read SciFi or fantasy: I enjoy reading fantasy more and writing sci-fi more.
Best superpower: Healing or Flight.
Number one thing to do on your bucket list: Run a writers’ retreat!

Thanks VS. It has been good fun learning about you and your work. We have the links here as well as a sample of VS's writing below.

Links
Website: https://www.vsholmes.com
Blog: https://aspiringauthorblog.blogspot.com/2019/04/you-cant-miss-library-making-fantasy.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorvsholmes/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/vs-holmes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VS_Holmes
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/V.-S.-Holmes/e/B014B55FJ0/
Newsletter sign up: bit.ly/nelbentlybooks
Youtube book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Shk0IbaSQU&t=10s
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vs_holmes/

V. S. Holmes
Award-winning Sci-fi and Fantasy Author
www.vsholmes.com

Excerpt from Travelers:

Vandalism across a perfect site was the best recipe for an archaeologist’s worst day. Apparently, it wasn’t enough that Nel Bently’s visa had met with "authenticity issues" twice on her way into Chile. She ducked under the rope that had served as a barrier. A poor one, she mentally snarled. The site was a disaster. Great gouges carved the formerly pristine soil. The tools stacked under a tarp by the bushes were now scattered, bent and broken. What pits her crew had dug the week before were filled with rotting leaves and back dirt, the perfect, square walls of the trenches ruined and crushed in.
Nel stepped carefully through the mess. This has Founders written all over it. As a rule, Nel was a patron of locals and the people she studied. Coming onto culturally significant land, not matter how old the site, was always tricky and she respected that. The Founders were her exception. They took issue with any archaeologist that set boots near their land, despite admitting there was no spiritual or cultural significance to the sites Nel chose.
"Well, fuck." Her tanned hand raked sweat and sunscreen through her sandy hair. She had permits and this was blatant vandalism. She turned back to her colleague and the two grad students who had arrived early to help. They waited, uncertain, at the rope, tools and packs still held with earnest dedication. "Alright, Mikey, grab pictures of this mess. You two, packs and tools go there, and set up a tent over them. Once Mikey has his pictures, clean it up. Wear gloves, it's gross and smells like a sewer."
She watched as they moved to do her bidding, eyes wide as they got their first good look at the vandalism. "If you need anything, talk to Mikey. I'll be on the phone." She trudged up the rise, dry soil crunching under her battered boots as she tugged the satellite phone from its case in her pack. She dialed, listening to the clicks as the call connected and surveying the land below her. It was perfect, really. The site was nestled between a stream and the rise she stood on now. The water had carved deep enough to have been there when it was inhabited, but small enough to be on only the local maps. The rise, curving from the north to the west, was covered with artifacts. It was the first place they surveyed, and it provided natural protection from the wind that whipped off the Pacific, just a few hundred feet away.
"You've reached the machine of Dr. Martin de Santos. Leave your name and number and how I can help you, and I'll return your call at the earliest convenience."
"Martos, it's Nel. Site was vandalized, looks like Founders. We could use some extra help -- I don't know if my greens can handle this. Give my cell a call tonight, I'll be in town." As she hung up, she caught site of the rotted mess Mikey was about to shovel out. It was a rough shape of a symbol. “Oi! Mikey wait!" She snapped a few pictures with her handheld, before waving for him to continue and stamping down the rise. She had been unable to see it from the ground. It was the angled symbol with which the Founders signed their papers, websites and protests. As she watched the clean up, she noted two figures on the rise across the stream. Both wore telltale woven bands around their forearms. A cold mix of dread and defiance crawled down her spine. It wasn’t like them to watch. I'll be damned if I'm going to be cowed by radicals. "C'mon," she called to the students, brown eyes fixed on the figures above. "I wanna see you moving dirt by ten!"
She returned to the site and sat on a rock, flipping through her field book. She had been digging since she was an undergrad. She had started with a history major, then steadily worked backwards in the time line, learning about anthropology, prehistorics, and paleolithics. She fell in love with her first dig. Now, with her doctorate defended, she had her own crew, her own research. Not to mention funding from a generous private patron to continue her passion for sweat, dirt, and work that made her body ache. She was staring at the page where she had sketched the site last summer when Mikey sauntered over.
He was a blocky man -- square head, square hands, square shoulders -- with only a slight paunch to round out the edges. "Sucks, eh? Think it was the Flounders?"
Nel smiled at his nickname for their adversaries. "More than likely. I tried to keep this site under wraps, but when you've grown up here, I think nothing escapes notice. They were watching us clean up this morning. Creeps me out a bit."
Mikey glanced at her, a frown crinkling his sun-weathered skin. Mikey was the resident prehistoric ceremonial specialist from their department, but more than that he was her best friend. "Everything OK?”
She shrugged. "I don't know." Her gaze was fixed on stain from rotted debris.
He rose with a groan. "I bet you a beer you pick up a shovel before tomorrow's over."
It was an old tradition. Nel could not keep her hands out the dirt, and even as site supervisor, she often found herself in a pit before long. She laughed. "
You're on."

... the story continues in Travelers

VS came in for an interview on the Fantasy / Sci-Fi Readers' Lounge
Pop on over for all the latest great reads
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FantasySciFiReadersLounge/

1 Comment

<<Previous

Magic, witchcraft, a mystery and a dragon. What's not to love? The Dragon's Seamstress by @julidrevezzo #FSFRL #dragons

Upping the ante with Aces High authors O.E. Tearmann. A #FSFRL #author #interview @ETearmann

Alexes dives into this author interview to talk about The Mermaid's Lament for #FSFRL @lxsraz #UF #UrbanFantasy

Game on. Come and play some unique Hunters of Reloria games with Kasper #FSFRL #games

Story Time reads with Kasper: 'The Chronocar' by Steve Bellinger @computersteveb #OWSCyCon2019 #scifi #timetravel

Probing the depths with dark fantasy author Ross Ellison #author #interview for the Fantasy SciFi Readers' Lounge #FSFRL

Solstice scavenger hunt for the Fantasy SciFi Readers Lounge #FSFRL #fantasy $75 #giveaway #freebooks

Story Time with Kasper. Call Sign: Baby Daddy. A romance novel by SI Hayes and J Haney #military #romance @shannonihayes @authorjhaney

Story Time with Kasper: Finding Eliza. A historical fiction novel by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman @spfwritesbooks ‏#historical

VS Holmes brings a unique perspective to this Fantasy / Sci-Fi interview #FSFRL #scifi #interview @VS_Holmes

Categories

Archives

Hunters of Reloria