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Elizabeth McKenna

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Tag Archives: Adventure

Meet Author Rival Gates

26 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Meet the Authors

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Adventure, Authors, Epic, Fantasy, Interviews, Magic

Cover RevengeToday I’m welcoming Rival Gates, author of Mandrean Revenge. Thank you for stopping by, Rival!

All about Rival . . .

Rival Gates has lived extensively in both Canada and the United States. He currently resides in Nebraska, USA. The son of an editor and English teacher, he began planning his series during his teen years. The Sapphire Chronicles took shape in his mind and manifested themselves into the first book in the series, Quest for the Red Sapphire. It was released in 2013 and caught the attention of readers. The following year, The Sapphire Crucible was published feeding the appetite of the growing number of fans of the series. “Crucible” answered many questions and raised others. Now the newest installment of the chronicles is out in Mandrean Revenge where Gates takes us once again back into the fray.

1.  How did your life as a writer begin?

I began by entering essay contests in grammar school and writing the scripts for all the class plays.  Writing was something I always enjoyed doing.

2.  What makes you feel inspired to write?

Reading inspires me as does absolute silence when I can just let my imagination wander.

3.  How did you come with the idea for your current story?

After making the first two books I decided to have Lord Mandrean live through his fight with Linvin.  Then I thought, If I was Lord Mandrean I would want some payback.  How could I hurt Linvin the most?  The story just came together from there.

4.  Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?

I definitely outline and storyboard my book before I write it.  Then all the details are worked out and I don’t have to worry about leaving a part out of the story.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA5.  What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

My favorite scene is the part where Necromancer visits Mandrean in the bath.  Necromancer can’t refuse his orders but he can insult him.  For Mandrean’s part, he can order Necromancer around but cannot do anything about his attitude.  It makes for a hilarious scene.  You have two evil people who hate one another trying to belittle the other.

6.  What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I can’t have any sound around me at all when I’m writing.  There can be no distractions or I will lose the flow.

7.  What is your usual writing routine?

I sit down and read over the last few pages I wrote.  That gets me in the writing mood.  Then I check the outline to see what I need to touch on.  Everything lines up in my head and I start writing.

8.  What is the highest goal that you desire to meet as an author?

I want to reach the best seller’s list.

9.  Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

J. K. Rowling.  She turned her dream into something amazing that the whole world could appreciate.

10.  What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Find yourself a good beta-reader.  This is a person who will read your work and look for inconsistencies in the story and other errors.  They have to be hard on you or they won’t catch mistakes your readers might.  It makes all the difference in the world.

11.  What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I would really like to read the entire series by David Eddings.  I read “Pawn of Prophecy” about a year ago and have wanted to read the rest of the series.  He was a great writer and I love his style.

12.  How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?

Writing is how I spend my free time.  I have an office dedicated to my writing and I closeout the outside world so I can create an imaginary one of my own.

13.  Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

Meet Jonathon Rhys-Davies in person.

14.  Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I still like some cartoons.  I believe Doritos should be a food group.  I yell at the T.V. during football games as though they can hear me and will do what I say.

15.  What do you have in store next for your readers?

I don’t want to give anything away but the next book is called “Repercussions Abound” and basically that whole mega-happy ending thing doesn’t happen for anyone.  Everyone loses in some way.  It’s a brutal climax to this part of the story but a necessary one.

16.  Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?

I purposely wrote a shorter book this time out to see what the response would be.  We will wait and see if people prefer the long ones or the shorter one.

Cover RevengeMandrean Revenge

It has been more than 2 years since Linvin Grithinshield returned from his life altering quest with the Red Sapphire as his prize. Apart from surviving the regular assassination attempts he thought life had returned to normal. Far to the north in the Mandrean Empire, however, trouble was festering. In spite of Linvin’s best efforts, Lord Mandrean the 13th survived their confrontation and has been plotting his reprisal. With his empire on the verge of revolt he needs a show of force to display his dominance. Dispatching Linvin in front of his subjects would fill that role most handsomely. With the help of his evil Necromancer, Mandrean kidnaps Linvin’s Uncle Anvar. The elderly elf is the closest family Linvin has remaining and has been a father figure to him for much of his life. The emperor promises to release Anvar only after Linvin has surrendered himself for execution. Though Mandrean’s word has slight credibility, Linvin is given a terrible decision to make. With little choice Linvin sees no other option but to set out for the empire. He cannot delay as Anvar’s life will expire at the first frost of fall. That will become more troubling by the obstacles he faces along the way. Can Linvin reach the empire in time to sacrifice himself in Anvar’s place? Will Lord Mandrean kill them both? Or maybe, just maybe, Linvin can pull another miracle and save them both. One way or another, blood will be shed.

Excerpt

A scribe sat in the alcove to record the events of the meeting.
“The first order of business,” he recited, “is the Lord of
Diplomacy’s report.”
A well-dressed gentleman came forward from the crowd. “My
liege,” he stated with a bow, “there is disturbing news about the
Unclaimed Territory. With neither Sartan nor the empire legally
permitted to introduce combat units into the disputed region, a
potentially volatile trend has emerged. Settlers from the Kingdoms
of Romadon, Rador, Valia and even the empire have begun settling
in the fertile region with little to be done about it. Now that you
have withdrawn our forces from the region, we have no leverage in
the zone.”
“How is that a concern to the empire?” Mandrean inquired
while accepting a drink from a servant.
“Sire,” stated the lord, “our informants tell us that Valia for
certain and perhaps each of the others has secretly promised
protection to the settlers as an enticement to move there.”
Mandrean had heard every word but was, after all, a man of
slow wit. Realizing that the significance of the information was
indeed lost on his master, the lord elaborated.
“Do you not see the implications for us, Sire? If that prairie is
settled and these nations provide protection, it is an underhanded
method of claiming the territory. Once the farmers are in place,
these kings need but only claim that there is a danger to their
people and send armies to protect them. They would appear to the
world to be innocent lambs but are in fact preying wolves. We
would be forced to either accept their annexation of the region or
fight three powers. The issue must be scrutinized.”
Mandrean grew agitated when the issue was brought into
perspective. “That land should have been ours years ago,” he
insisted. “Are you sure of your facts?”
The lord shuffled his papers and looked away. “We are certain
that the settlers are squatting and that they are doing so in
increasing numbers. As for the support guaranteed by the other
factions, we have one spy’s report from Valia and no others.”
“So this threat is little more than speculation at this time, is it
not?”
The lord became less at ease. “Sire, I truly believe that my
concerns are valid on this matter.”
“Fine. Then find out how correct they are, and report back to
me with something more definite. I am not inclined to mobilize our
forces without good reason.”
Snickering was heard from the gallery after the statement. The
sound set the emperor into a tizzy.
“Who laughed?” he yelled. No one spoke. The hall was silent.
“If I find that fool, he will be dead.” Still, no one spoke.
Seeing that his point was made, Mandrean returned his attention
to is Lord of Diplomacy. “What else have you?”
“Your regional commanders have been briefed on the other
matters, and they will address them in their reports.”
“Then waste no more of my time talking,” Mandrean told him.
The lord returned to his seat.

Book Buy Links

Purchase “Quest for the Red Sapphire”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1npYd0S

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1mSIAkT

Purchase “The Sapphire Crucible”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1lGfOVN

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1n8o0yN

Purchase “Mandrean Revenge”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1L9c76S

Barnes & Noble : http://bit.ly/1QYOL2y

Connect with Rival

Web Site: http://www.rivalgates.com/

Blog: http://www.rivalgates.com/blog

http://rivalgates.tumblr.com/

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1qqrjiB

Twitter: RivalGates1

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Falling: A Spirits & Shards Novel by A.J. Hawkins Book Tour

18 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Book Tour

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Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Fallingbanner

Ebook Cover

Title: Falling: A Spirits & Shards Novel

Author: A.J. Hawkins

Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy

Length: 324 pages

Release Date: April 2014

Imprint: Zengothenian Temple Press

SYNOPSIS

They say love heals all wounds, but what if the path to that love was the very cause of those wounds?

So it is with Jerin Endersul. Despite the love he found in Juli, their union has left him isolated and impoverished, and every time a potential solution appears on the horizon, life throws another obstacle in the way.

Living with Julianos Tenzalin meant getting a job closer to their new home, and all that was left in the desolate town of Sendura was the module plant, where an accident necessitated Jerin to undergo drastic surgery that left his dreams in tatters.

Just as he allowed himself to believe he may be improving, the crippling headaches that once blighted Jerin’s existence make a very unwelcome return. His consultant offers him a solution in the form of a new wonder-drug, PSI-626, that has the most bizarre side-effects, allowing him a glimpse into the secret life of the partner he now rarely sees.

BOOK LINKS

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JPYCYHY

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00JPYCYHY?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Adrian (Ade) Hawkins lives in Norwich, England, with his loving, ever-patient wife and two beastilicious moggies.

He discovered a talent for storytelling in high school, despite not getting an English GCSE. He realised he had a yearning to write while drawing cartoon robots in art class, spending most of his time pondering the story behind them.

After getting stuck on a story idea for several years, he wrote a trilogy of screenplays called “Dark Nemesis.” They were mostly bad but

punctuated by surprisingly good bits. He then spent 12 years being overwhelmed by his own ambition and spent far too long faffing about with conceptual ideas before finally coming up with an idea for a novella that then evolved into his debut novel.

His favourite authors include Douglas Adams, JRR Tolkien, GRR Martin, Terry Pratchett, Ian Fleming and Rob Grant and Doug Naylor. He should also watch less movies and read more books.

What makes you feel inspired to write?

The world, its people, their interconnecting stories. Love, hatred, and all the shades in between. The frustration of politics, how we are dominated by a privileged few who commit truly heinous acts that would sicken all. I believe it was George Bush Sr. who said that if people knew what they’d really done the politicians would be chased down the streets and lynched. I fear this is very true… only a veil of lies maintains peace in America, and likely here in the UK too. It’s frightening to contemplate.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?

I like to have a plan in place, then kind of wing it. Falling started with more of a concept than a story, and it took me a while to work out what the real story was. Even when I finally nailed that aspect, nailing all the little details down was tough. It had to be about the characters, who had to be compelling, as they are the driving force of the tale.

My next book (Firebrand) started with as complete a map as I could create at the time, but it’s changed so much that, at times, I’ve had to stop writing for a little while, take stock, and refresh the outline so I don’t start meandering. It’s a big book, and while I want to smell the roses along the way, I don’t want to linger. It has to keep moving forwards.

What is your usual writing routine?

I’d love to do more at home, but my paid work hours are insane — I work nights, half a day removed from all the sensible people, so I take a cheap laptop to work with me and get most of my writing done on breaks. That job is particularly lonely and mindless, so I get plenty of time to contemplate plot points I might be stuck on. Most of the writing process takes place away from the computer.

What is the highest goal that you desire to meet as an author?

To write the best books that I can write. I’ll never be able to make them perfect, but since I can’t guarantee the financial success of anything I write, I always strive to write something I can look back on and be proud of.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

If it could have been anyone, it would have been Douglas Adams. Sadly, that dream won’t come to pass. He had such a unique style and perspective, and Hitchhiker’s Guide will always remain one of my favourite novel series.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Practice. Write. Short, long, whatever, just write. Be judgmental of your own work. Get feedback from lots of people. Listen to negative feedback more than positive, but look at it objectively — try not to take it to heart. That can be much harder to do in practice than it sounds — most authors pour their heart and soul into their work, and there are some potentially great indie writers out there who just need a push in the right direction. That said, there are a few would-be authors who might find it best to redirect their energies towards something that suits them better. Too many times I’ve heard people tell me, upon learning that I write, that they’ve thought about writing a book, when the simple truth is that not everyone can. It takes a lot more time and discipline than most people think. A book can take hundreds, if not thousands, of hours to complete.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I’ve read the first novel in GRR Martin’s A Song Of Ice And Fire series, and would love to read more, but they’re so massive I just don’t have the time for the rest at the moment. I’m currently reading Neuromancer, and while some of its jumps can be a bit hard to follow it’s an incredible book that clearly paved the way for much that followed. Without Neuromancer, there would be no Matrix, and Neuromancer is a much better told tale. The scope of it is astonishing.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

To visit Japan with my wife. I don’t have a physical bucket list, but I suppose I should get around to writing one really.

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

Me and my wife got married in Las Vegas last year; I used to be an official Pokémon Master, back when Nintendo UK did events at Burger King, which was dorky but fun; I have met every single member of the main Red Dwarf cast, and remaining active creator, Doug Naylor.

What do you have in store next for your readers?

Firebrand is the next installment in the Spirits & Shards saga, and is the first “full” volume in the series. It’s much longer, currently sitting at well over 700 pages, and concerns Kol Solborn, Keresay Kosoruka, and Haikyo Tinjima primarily, though the ancillary cast is huge. I don’t want to say too much about the story for fear of ruining any surprises, but it’s epic, and somewhat inspired by the shadowy machinations of corporate politics.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?

I have a series of blogs on my official writing site where I talk about the ideas and inspirations behind some of Falling’s bigger moments. This format allows me to go into far greater detail than I can here, so I would be very grateful if any interested parties would take the time to head over to www.zenpub.org — and please feel free to leave comments. If there’s anything you want to know that I haven’t touched on, please tell me, and I would be very keen to share that information with you all, be it plot points, characters, or scenario.

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LARP: The Battle for Verona by Justine Calderone – Book Tour

27 Sunday Apr 2014

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Book Tour

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Action, Adult, Adventure, Authors, Book Tour, Epic, Fantasy

LARP300Synopsis

Sometimes even a geek can become a hero.

Dennis and his friends have been LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) since high school. Now, in his 20s, Dennis is seriously considering giving up LARPing for good. He’s tired of dealing with his overzealous friend Mark; he’s tired of his older brother Brad’s constant put-downs; and he’s tired of the fact that he doesn’t have a girlfriend.

Check that.

Not a girlfriend, but the girlfriend. Alyssa–the one woman he’s been pining over for years.

Dennis and his fellow LARPers have never been considered cool, in their small island community of Verona, located off the coast of Washington State.

But all of that is about to change . . .

While Dennis and his friends are attending a big LARP tournament on the mainland, a rogue terrorist group of Mongolians in medieval garb, led by an American madman, invade Verona and take its citizens hostage–including their families and friends.

When the LARPers find out what’s happening in their home-town, they do what any dedicated LARPer would do: they put on their armor, strap on their swords, and fight their way home–LARP-style!

  • Release date: August 2013
  • Publisher: Mythos Press
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Length: 204 pages

Justin CAbout the Author

A writer with a passion for inspiring teens and young adults, Justin Calderone debuted his first novel LARP: The Battle for Verona in December 2012.

Calderone grew up in Verona, Penn., a suburb just northeast of Pittsburgh. He earned a bachelor’s degree in professional writing from La Roche College and graduated from Gannon University with a master’s degree in education. Calderone is expected to graduate in 2014 with a second master’s degree in educational leadership from Edinboro University.

Calderone, 36, began his journey as a writer nearly 20 years ago after reading Jack Kerouac’s Desolation Angels. He is the author of the 2004 collection of contemporary poetry Revolutions.

An English teacher at his alma mater, Penn Hills High School, Calderone lives in his hometown of Verona with his wife Emily and 1-year-old son Sam. He enjoys watching baseball, listening to music and has a special place in his heart for Spiderman.

Connect with the Author 

Twitter: @JustinCalderone

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