New Book Release & Exclusive Goodies!

Tags

Book Swag, Fantasy, Fantasy Art, Fantasy Romance, New Releases, Portal Fantasy

*******UPDATE! Interested in the preorder giveaway for IN THE JADED GROVE? Details HERE Open Internationally!********

Early 2020, I was a part of an anthology which featured a standalone portal fantasy novel I wrote. I got the rights back for it in December (yay!). The organizers had a word count maximum I had to abide by at the time, which limited some of my worldbuilding. I’m happy to report, now that it’s back in my hands, I’ve expanded the book, gave it another round of revisions, a new title, and a gorgeous new cover!

Cover illustration by the amazing Jenny Zemanek!

The book is available for preorder right now!

Release April 15th!

You can grab your copy here on Amazon

About the book:

Simith of Drifthorn is tired of war. After years of conflict between the Thistle court and the troll kingdom, even a pixie knight known for his bloodlust longs for peace. Hoping to secure a ceasefire, Simith arranges a meeting with the troll king—and is ambushed instead. Escape lies in the Jaded Grove, but the trees of the ancient Fae woodland aren’t what they seem, and in place of sanctuary, Simith tumbles through a doorway to another world.

Cutting through her neighbor’s sunflower farm in Skylark, Michigan, Jessa runs into a battle between creatures straight out of a fantasy novel. Only the blood is very real. When a lone fighter falls to his attackers, Jessa intervenes. She’s known too much death to stand idly by, but an act of kindness leads to consequences even a poet like her couldn’t imagine.

With their fates bound by magic, Simith and Jessa must keep the strife of his world from spilling into hers—except the war isn’t what it appears and neither are their enemies. Countless lives depend on whether they can face the truths of their pasts and untangle the web of lies around them. But grief casts long shadows, and even their deepening bond may not be enough to save them from its reach.

Note: All stories in the Kindred Realms series are written as standalone books and can be read in any order.

Amazon & Goodreads

A Classroom Library Campaign

*******UPDATE! The project has been fully funded (woo hoooo!) but you still have a chance to get one of the swag packs. Details HERE********

In celebration of the release, I’ve set up exclusive gifts for you! But I’m doing something different this time because the world has been awful, so let’s accomplish some good together ♥

This is open internationally!

First, the goodies:

• A 5×7 “In the Jaded Grove” Art Print (Exclusive design by Dreamy&Co)
• 2 Bookish Stickers
• 1 Double-Sided Bookmark
• 1 Signed Author Bookplate

How can you get a swag pack?

You are not required to buy the book

(though obviously that’s allowed lol)

I’m asking you to help me fund the 8th grade classroom library for a Michigan public school teacher.

You all know how important reading is. This English teacher uses her classroom to inspire the kids to read for fun and has set up a campaign via Donors Choose (a secure site and not-for-profit corp) to buy new books for the in-class library.

What to do:

• Donate $5.00 (five dollars) to this project via Donors Choose HERE
• Fill out THIS GOOGLE FORM
• And that’s it! Easy peasy!

Mrs. Medendorp’s 8th Grade Classroom

From the Donors Choose website:
“Homework That Will Change Your Life – Reading for Fun!

“Help me give my students high-interest books to motivate them to do their only homework, reading a chosen novel!

“My Project

From the first day of school, my students know that their only homework in my class is to read a chosen novel for at least twenty minutes each night. With pandemic stress, family obligations, social lives, and homework in their other courses, students honestly have a hard time setting aside reading time; therefore, it is imperative that I create that time for them.”

Read more at Donors Choose: https://bit.ly/3aGBka5

She only needs $346 to fund her project.

Together, I know we can do this!

If you’re in a place to contribute, I hope you will. It’s been a dark year, especially for kids. Let’s add a little light where we can – and reward yourself with some bookish goodies at the same time!

Norse Ocean Mythology & FREE Stuff

Tags

Fantasy, Fantasy Art, Free Books, Giveaway, Indie Author, Kindle Fire, Self Published Book, Swag, Urban Fantasy

We’re about a month away from the release date of Beneath Cruel Fathoms, the first book in The Bitter Sea Trilogy based on Norse ocean mythology.

What’s this book about?

After a violent storm destroys her ship, Isaura Johansdottir knows better than to hope she’ll be rescued from Eisland’s vast Failock Sea. Adrift and alone, her plans to start over lost, it’s a tragic conclusion after the disastrous end of her marriage—until she’s saved by Leonel, one of the merfolk, a creature long believed extinct. In repayment for her life, Leonel enlists her help to investigate the Failock’s mysterious and deadly plague of squalls. When Isaura discovers Eisland’s ruthless new Lord commands the storms, her life will be in more danger on land than it ever was at sea.

As guardian of the Fathoms, Leonel must find the cause of unnatural storms ravaging the tidal currents and destroying the sea life. There are rumors of dark magic stirring in the Orom Abyss, the resting place of old, vanquished gods who tried to submerge the land millennia ago. Yet without proof, no one in King Ægir’s court will listen to him. And if it’s discovered he broke the Blue Laws to save a shipwrecked landweller, he might not survive the consequences.

As storms spread, Leonel and Isaura uncover secrets as forbidden as the bond that grows between them. Betrayal lurks in the restless sea, and when ancient powers lay siege to Eisland’s coast, the truth may be drowned along with everything else.

***

I’m so excited to get this book into your hands that I wanted to do something fun for those who pre-order their copy.

This is open internationally.

EVERYONE who pre-orders the book before MAY 17th will receive…

1. A New Adult Urban Fantasy e-Novella

Sam Alvarez doesn’t just open locks. He’s the key.

Living in Bellemer, Iowa, Sam leads a typical small-town life. Along with looking after his Nana, and dealing with his mother’s expectations, he runs a one-man locksmith company. Unlike regular locksmiths, he can open anything with a touch and a wish, but Sam keeps that secret to himself. No reason to alarm the neighbors, after all. And if he sometimes feels an indefinable pull to do more with his life, well, that’s probably just indigestion.

Then one day, an unsettlingly beautiful out-of-towner asks for Sam’s help to open a door. Hey, who says good things can’t happen to nice guys from the Midwest? Only one problem: The job’s in a graveyard.

And the door she wants opened is far from typical.

**The novella is a complete story and a sneak peek to a new urban fantasy duology. Book one is planned to release this October. More details to come toward the end of summer.

 

2. An Ocean-Fantasy adult coloring book

This is a 12-page coloring book full of vintage illustrations from stories like “The Forsaken Merman” and “The Little Mermaid”. It’s formatted to print out from a home computer on regular 8.5″ x 11″ paper. It also includes teaser quotes from Beneath Cruel Fathoms that aren’t released anywhere else.

 

Once the campaign is over…

TEN randomly selected runner-up winners will also receive:

One exclusive 5″ x 7″ art print of Isaura and Leonel, the two main characters from the novel.

 

And ONE randomly drawn Grand-Prize winner will receive all of above prizes along with…

1. A Kindle Fire 7 Tablet (7″ Display, 8 GB, in Black)

2. A handmade glow-in-the-dark mermaid bookmark from Papillon

“The Mermaid Bookmark glows in the dark on both sides, the tail is a beautiful clear Indigo Blue and a little seashell is suspended at the bookmark that is glowing too!”

3. And a signed paperback copy of the book

How to enter:

1. Pre-order the book on Amazon before May 17, 2019

2. Email the proof-of-purchase to FineFablesPress@gmail.com, Subject: BCF Preorder Campaign (Can be a photo/scan/screenshot of your receipt)

3. Fill out the Google Form with your details

And that’s it!!

Note: The novella and the coloring book, both of which are digital and will be emailed, are guaranteed to everyone who submits a valid entry. These prizes are sent out every Monday to the email address you provide on the Google Form. Ten winners will be drawn for the exclusive book art and one winner will win the grand prize.

Notification will be sent to the winners on release day, 5/17/19.

I will accept entries until 11:59pm CST on 5/16/19. Again, this is open internationally.

Cover Reveal! New Series! Fantasy!!

Tags

Book Covers, Cover Reveal, Fantasy, Fantasy Art, Indie Author, Self-Publishing

I’ve been waiting to share the cover and synopsis for book one of The Bitter Sea Trilogy, my upcoming fantasy series. I’m so excited it’s finally time!!

 

Without further delay, have a look!!

 

After a violent storm destroys her ship, Isaura Johansdottir knows better than to hope she’ll be rescued from Eisland’s vast Failock Sea. Adrift and alone, her plans to start over lost, it’s a tragic conclusion after the disastrous end of her marriage—until she’s saved by Leonel, one of the merfolk, a creature long believed extinct. In repayment for her life, Leonel enlists her help to investigate the Failock’s mysterious and deadly plague of squalls. But when Isaura discovers Eisland’s ruthless new Lord commands the storms, her life will be in more danger on land than it ever was at sea.

As guardian of the Fathoms, Leonel must find the cause of unnatural storms ravaging the tidal currents and destroying the sea life. There are rumors of dark magic stirring in the Orom Abyss, the resting place of old, vanquished gods who tried to submerge the land millennia ago. Yet without proof, no one in King Ægir’s court will listen to him. And if it’s discovered he broke the Blue Laws to save a shipwrecked landweller, he might not survive the consequences.

As storms spread, Leonel and Isaura uncover secrets as forbidden as the bond that grows between them. Betrayal lurks in the restless sea, and when ancient powers lay siege to Eisland’s coast, the truth may be drowned along with everything else. 

***

This cover is another masterpiece of the amazingly talented artist at Seedlings Design Studio. I am in awe of Jenny’s work and I honestly can’t rave enough about it. Everything she touches becomes a stunning work of art.

Based on Norse ocean mythology, Beneath Cruel Fathoms is scheduled for release in the spring of 2019. There will be teasers and fun pre-release goodies leading up to it! I’ve updated the book’s page on Goodreads and you can add it to your TBR list today :):):)

 

Anatomy of a Book Cover

Tags

Book Covers, Fantasy Art, Self Published Book

In my family there are a lot of artists. My mother can draw, sculpt, paint, sew (She can make her own chair covers and curtains. And they’re beautiful. — Who does that??). My sister is amazing at crafts, scrapbooking, wood working, and landscaping. And of course, all the women in my immediate family are great at decorating. Me? I stink at anything that requires color coordination or working with your hands. When we bought our house I looked around at the blank walls, scratched my head, then called my mom and sister to tell me what to do. I was the kid in Girl Scouts who had trouble making the Popsicle stick puppets. Yeah I can knit, but nothing with complicated patterns. If you need a scarf I can make that happen but don’t come at me with sweater requests.

Thankfully I have one saving grace: Words. My favorite toys. If it’s got an alphabet, I’m your girl. I gobble them up in books and blogs in different places and different languages. I obsessively arrange them and rearrange them like pieces in a puzzle until they make the picture I see in my head. Thus, you can imagine my despair when I completed my first book and realized I’d have to come up with an idea for a book cover. While I have a great appreciation for art and those who make it, I find myself floundering when it comes to a succinct image that encapsulates a story.

My husband — sweet supporter that he is — came up with an idea for it (saved again, woo hoo!). His skill at drawing, while still superior to mine, is yet a bit rough so I still fretted. “You don’t need it to look good,” he told me. “You just need to give your cover artist something to work with. She’ll figure out how to make it pretty.” The hubs provides me with endearing practicality when I need it most.

Here was the first sketch we sent over to my cover artist Janette Ramos. Feel free to laugh at it. We did.

In case you need some interpretation of the stick figures above, it’s of my main character, Maleia, standing on a rocky ledge watching Syris, one of the immortal guardians of the world of Aeden, hold back a storm conjured by the Blight. What, you didn’t see that in there?;)

Janette was in fact very happy with this. Her initial sketch in reply was this:

How she managed to pull out this image from the original speaks to her artistic talent. We went back and forth on details and colors. Her next revision with preliminary placement of the title and author name was this:

More back and forth to tweak a few things, add a little more this, a little less that, and the final product resulted in this:

Janette actually flipped it around on her own, deciding it looked better at that angle. She emphasized colors, pumped up the visual of the title, defined the clothing and hair. So, from the (very) rough pencil drawing she turned it into an awesome book cover.

Need to see that comparison again?

From this:

To this:

A deadly blight. A crownless queen. A journey to the edge of the world.

Janette was amazing to work with, incredibly patient, and just an all around professional. I found her on Deviantart. For a look at more of her work and other book covers she’s done, check out her site here.

Once again I’m in awe and amazement of those talented individuals who can create art. They say this self-publishing thing is all about the team you assemble to finish the product. No truer words, folks, no truer words.

Psychic Boy Samuel (Book 1: Birth of a Hero)

Tags

Book Review, Fantasy, Fantasy Art, Graphic Novel, Self Published Book

Title & Author: Psychic Boy Samual (Book 1: Birth of a Hero), Beau Breems

Genre & Publication Date: Fantasy – Graphic Novel, June 10, 2015

Book Description: “In a world of swords and sorcery lies the verdant land of Varien, home to a young boy named Samuel who is about to discover he has an extraordinary gift – the power of Psychokinesis! (Y’know, the ability to move things with his mind and stuff.) However, Samuel’s newfound abilities will soon be put to the test as he is swept into an adventure to save his homeland from an evil army known as the Cobras! But don’t worry, he’s not alone; With a colorful group of friends that include dragons, werewolves, magical girls, and crazy chickens, he’ll have more help than he can handle!”

First Line: The little town of Greenwood: home to a kind & simple people, content to pass their days in peace.

My Take: This book was provided to me by the author for review.

I really enjoyed this book. Great illustrations by a clearly talented hand! The drawings brought to mind anime cartoons. I was at first a little bummed that it was in black and white (due to a personal preference) but the author took great pains to use light and dark for contrast. This really brought clarity and detail to the scenes and I quickly forgot that it was without color.

As for the story, it’s golden. Lighthearted and fun, it doesn’t forget to integrate more serious moments to allow characters to grow and develop. Things get moving quickly and are never bogged down by a lot of sitting around “thinking”. When it needs to convey a longer passage of time, a narrator box is used to transition smoothly from one period to the next. And the book never skimps on illustration during these. Every brick, street, and stall of Samuel’s town is depicted in impressive detail to really immerse the reader in this world. Every character has a distinct face and behavior. No corner cutting here!

At the end of each chapter there’s a chapter wrap-up page that reminds me of a video game summary display. It’s a creative way to sum up the new characters, places, and sometimes powers, that came up in the last sequence.

An important call out: I really, really appreciate that while there’s a bit of a cliffhanger at the end with hints at dangers to come, the book contained a complete story with enough resolution to satisfy. I’ve often noticed that many books in a series neglect the denouement at the conclusion, thinking a very painful “To Be Continued” will serve to propel readers to the next installment. In my opinion, such a strategy could backfire. A wise adage I’ve heard is that the beginning of a story sells the current book but the ending of it sells the next book. In other words, leave ’em curious, not irritated. In the case of this book, the ending was well executed. *applauds*

The Magical: I really liked the length of the book. Other graphic novels I’ve read, though good, always seemed a bit short. This one is 200+ pages long, all written and illustrated by the same author. Even though it’s a full length novel, the pages at the end have the same quality and attention to detail as the first. That is an amazing accomplishment!

Also, I just love that damn chicken. Who knew poultry could be so hilarious??

The Mundane: I wish Sarah and Samuel would’ve met in some other way than the “damsel-in-distress” scenario. She’s a strong, intelligent character who deserves more than the cliche as an introduction.

Summary of Thoughts: This book is currently $15.00 for the paperback, a great price for a book length graphic novel. Campy without being cheesy (well, there’s a little cheese, but it’s heartwarming), this was a fun read. Loved the journey. It manages to get the band of heroes together while not stalling things by dumping too much backstory. There’s momentum and action aplenty, and the writing and images keep moving the story forward. For those with kids, the language, illustrations, and themes make it a great read for any age group. Recommended!

Many thanks to author Beau Breems for providing a copy of the book to review!

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here

Want to know more about the author and his work? Explore his website here

Newsletter Cover Reveal

Tags

Fantasy Art, Newsletter

Here’s a first look at the cover of the Amid the Imaginary newsletter to be published in fourth quarter (very end of September/early October).

The art is by the talented Rolf Hilger at fantasyartdesign.com

Got art?

The cover image will change from issue to issue. If you have artwork you’d like considered for the next newsletter cover, please e-mail me at finefablespress.com.

The theme must be in one of the genres of the blog (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Paranormal, Steampunk), in a JPG (not a TIF!) and preferably more of a vertical portrait. Other than that, the canvas is yours to interpret. The artist will be credited in the newsletter, along with their website.