The Book:

War threatens. The game board is set. But the Minstrel is missing…

Advancing his growing power, the Dread Prince breaks free of his prison and brings a faction of dragons under his control, stirring unrest and hatred in the newly united kingdoms of Tellurae Aquaous.

When the dragon wards of Kallayohm are targeted in a ruthless attack, the High King travels there to administer justice. But the trial results in a crippling blow that leaves him reeling.

On the heels of defeat, an unexpected message from the erstwhile Minstrel arrives, pleading with his friends for rescue. Together, the High King and his companions must follow the fragile trail, braving peril and darkness that will test the measure of them all…

The Interview:

“Hello, is anyone here? My name’s Kandi J Wyatt and I’d like to know about you and what you want the world to know.”

A young girl emerges and shyly waves. “Hi, my name is Kaitryn.” She fiddles with her skirt and stares at her bare feet. “I don’t know why anyone would want to hear about me, but since you asked, I’m fourteen and I live in Aom-igh with my step-father, Justan. He’s a captain of King Oraeyn’s knights, kind of his right-hand-man, really.”

She straightens, a glimmer of pride lighting in her eyes. She brushes a wisp of hair away from her face, slightly dislodging the crown of wildflowers she’s woven through her braid. “I’m kind of ordinary, really. I don’t think there’s a lot about me that would interest all you people… my papa… my real father, I mean… died when I was young, he died protecting our home from the invaders. Then, a few years ago, my mother gave her life to protect us once again. I miss her very much, but I’m grateful to my new Papa, Justan, for taking such good care of me, even if he is a little overprotective at times. I love to play in the woods and make flower chains. Let’s see, I have been learning to cook and sew, as well as play my mother’s cittern. I think I’ve been getting better! Would the people like a song?”

She looks a little nervous then rubs her hands together. “Oh, I left my instrument at home, I’m sorry. What was the other question? Oh, right, something I want the world to know. I just wish that people would believe me when I say I’ve seen and heard wind sprites. They may not seem very important, but they are hurt that people don’t remember them. Maybe that’s why they like talking to me, because I listen. Listening is important, and it seems to be something people sort of forget how to do as they get older and have more responsibilities, but that doesn’t make it any less important. And just because wind sprites are little, doesn’t mean they aren’t worth listening to.”

She nods firmly and tilts her head sideways with a gentle smile, swaying slightly to a music only she can hear. “Is that all? Thanks so much for having me, and for listening!” She skips back off into the woods she loves so much.

The Author:

Jenelle Schmidt grew up in the northern-Midwest. She now resides with her husband and their four adorable children in the wilds of Wisconsin. Jenelle fell in love with reading at a young age during family story-times when her father would read out loud to her and her siblings each night before bed. Her imagination was captured by authors such as Madeleine L’Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lloyd Alexander. It wasn’t long before she began making up her own stories and sharing them with her family. To this day she enjoys creating exciting adventure tales filled with poignant themes and compelling characters in the fantasy and sci-fi genres.

Where to Find More of the Tour:

Where to Find the Book and Author:

You can find Jenelle on these sites:

Website/Blog: http://jenelleschmidt.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenelleLeanneSchmidt/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JenelleLSchmidt/

You can purchase her books on Amazon.

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I first heard of the Krillonian Chronicles in May of 2016. When book two came on sale, I picked it up. That began a love affair with Annie Douglass Lima’s works. The Prince of Alasia introduced me to a different world that I enjoyed just as well despite my misgivings which I wrote about earlier this year. If fantasy isn’t your forte, and I have know idea why it wouldn’t be, Annie Douglass Lima also has a coloring book.

This week the conclusion to the Krillonian Chronicles comes out. In celebration, I get to share with you an excerpt, but first, I’d like to tell you what I thought of book 3.

Review of The Student & the Slave

Having already been pulled into the world of Cavvarach fighting and slaves, it didn’t take me long to dive in when a chance came my way to read book three. The book picks up right where book two left off–with a freedom and enslavement.

I eagerly awaited the satisfying conclusion, but as I read, I began to wonder if that happily-ever-after I so longed for would be possible. I couldn’t see how the character development would enable it to come about. Either way, I was sure someone would be disappointed and not able to have what he wanted. To my great pleasure, I was wrong.

This page-turner kept me guessing to the end with great plot, characters, and world building. I do suggest reading them in order, unlike me who read them book two, book one, and book three. However books two and three are available for 99 cents right now.

Get your copy of The Student & the Slave

Information about The Student & the Slave

Is this what freedom is supposed to be like? Desperate to provide for himself and his sister Ellie, Bensin searches fruitlessly for work like all the other former slaves in Tarnestra. He needs the money for an even more important purpose, though: to rescue Coach Steene, who sacrificed himself for Bensin’s freedom. When members of two rival street gangs express interest in Bensin’s martial arts skills, he realizes he may have a chance to save his father figure after all … at a cost.

Meanwhile, Steene struggles with his new life of slavery in far-away Neliria. Raymond, his young owner, seizes any opportunity to make his life miserable. But while Steene longs to escape and rejoin Bensin and Ellie, he starts to realize that Raymond needs him too. His choices will affect not only his own future, but that of everyone he cares about. Can he make the right ones … and live with the consequences?

Excerpt from The Student & the Slave

In this excerpt, a gang member who has seen Bensin fight is trying to recruit him.

“Where do you guys get your money?” Bensin challenged. “How do you afford to wear silver?”

Deiv chuckled. “Some of us have day jobs, believe it or not. But I know what you’re thinking.” He lowered his voice. “You see that building way off in the distance? Eighteen stories, white with green trim?”

“Yeah?”

“That’s Entitled, Tarnestra’s classiest clothing store. Back before Emancipation, it had a reputation for treating its slaves worse than any other company in the province. Eighteen-hour work days, no lunch break, you mess up or talk back or show up late and they’d beat you half to death. Even after they had to free their slaves, they’ve treated their paid employees almost as bad. There’s more people looking for work in Tavallia these days than there are jobs, so they can afford to be as mean as they want.”

“Okay. So?”

“So, let’s just say that no one felt sorry for them the night they lost a bunch of their most expensive inventory and all the money in their cash registers.” Deiv grinned. “Things like that are how come we can afford our silver. Nobody who actually needs the money ever loses anything to Silverheads. Only the lazy, greedy, rich corporations.”

“Well, I still don’t want to break the law.” Bensin kept walking.

“You wouldn’t have to do anything you didn’t want to. You could always just keep watch and sound the alarm if necessary. At least think about joining us. You don’t have to decide right now.”

“Okay, I’ll think about it.” Not think about it as in consider saying yes, of course. Just think about it as in ponder how weird and unnerving it was that a gang member was trying to recruit him. I probably shouldn’t tell Ellie and the others about this. They’ll only worry.

Ready to grab your copy now, or do you still want to know a bit more? You can check out a character interview with Officer Shigo, who plays an important role in books one and two and has a cameo in book three.

Get your copy of The Student & the Slave

Spellsmith & Carver:

H. L. Burke is a favorite in our household. Anything by her is a definite must read. I read the first Spellsmith book and loved it. Just saw a post that book 3 is on pre-order and had to nab it and pass it along to you all.

In a realm of steampunk fantasy, Spellsmith has gone off to the university to train in the ways of the latest spell casting. When he returns home, he finds the new apprentice has taken over his father’s shop and his sister’s heart. When his father disappears, Spellsmith and the apprentice, Carver, make a tentative agreement to try to find the senior Spellsmith.

I’ve yet to read book two, but I did purchase it when I pre-ordered book three. Can’t wait to see how the two work things out.

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Aranya:

I first read Marc Secchia’s Dragonfriend in March of this year and fell in love with his cloudlands world and his writing. He has a way with words that few have. The rhythm of his words sunk deep into my psyche so my thoughts resounded in a similar pattern. He also has the honor of being the first author that I read book one and went and immediately purchased book two. When I saw a post early in September that he had a sale for the book Aranya, I didn’t hesitate to go purchase it. I wasn’t disappointed. Aranya takes place in the cloudlands world several hundred years after Dragonfriend. It’s another shapeshifter book with an interesting twist and romance thrown in.

Get yours here

Annals of Alasia:

After reading book one of the Annals of Alasia, which I enjoyed, I was a little skeptical about reading books two and three. How could an author tell the same story three times and not make the reader bored? Annie Douglass Lima proceeded to do just that. Each of the three books is from a different point of view and brings new facets of the plot to light. Book one follows the prince of Alasia as he flees for his life on the night of the invasion from Malorn. Book two tells the story of a young girl who finds herself captured by the Malornian army and forced to serve at the former Alasian palace. Her spying intertwines with book one and gives back story or the other side of several scenes from book one. Book three was my personal favorite. In this story, we hear the other side of the tale–that of the enemy prince. I highly recommend all three for any young reader and young-at-heart reader.

Get yours here

White Wolf and the Ash Princess:

If you love a good tale this is a book for you. I read it in September for Fellowship of Fantasy’s Book Club book of the month. I immediately was pulled in with the suspense and question of what happened when Izzy was younger. While I read, I wondered where the fantasy was but never found it. Instead, I discovered a wonderful blend of genres from steampunk elements to New World era fiction, along with Native American tales and life on the high seas, all from a Christian perspective. The present tense telling caused some issues with me understanding it, but it was worth staying with it. The lessons Izzy and Jonathan learn along their journey are pertinent for modern-day readers.

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Three groups of authors have banded together to put together three awesome Fantasy Story Collections, and now we’re bringing them to you with a chance for you to win paperback copies as well as a $30 Amazon Shopping Spree!

Read on to find out more about this anthology and enter the giveaway! 

The Anthologies:

From the Stories of Old

Fantastic Creatures

Here be dragons … and selkies and griffins and maybe even a mermaid or two. 

Twenty fantasy authors band together to bring you a collection of thrilling tales and magical monsters. Do you like to slay dragons? Or befriend them? Do you prefer to meet cephalopods as gigantic kraken or adorable tree octopuses?
Each story focuses around a fantastic creature from folklore or mythology, and they range from light and playful tales for the whole family to darker stories that may make you wish to leave the lights on. These stories carry the Fellowship of Fantasy seal of approval. While our monsters may be horrifying, you won’t stumble into graphic sex and constant swearing.
Perfect for the fantasy lover who can’t get enough of mythical beasts.

Steampunk Fairy Tales

A toyshop owner builds a set of magic clockwork dolls that delight a factory town. A three-inch tall samurai faces a giant iron ogre with only a sewing needle and a coin. A scientist seeks an antidote to his formula gone wrong, with the help of his partner’s beautiful daughter. All of these stories and more are included in Steampunk Fairy Tales.

Written by authors from three different continents, every enchanting tale combines the futuristic Victorian concept of steam and fashion with memorable stories, from the recognizable “Jack and the Beanstalk”, to other popular and unfamiliar works from Germany, France, Italy and Japan. With steam driven gadgets such as mechanical goggles, hoverboards, and an orchestra of automatons, Steampunk Fairy Tales is a charming and unique collection of works for current lovers of the genre, and those just diving in.


Download Volume One for FREE
Purchase Volume Two for 99 cents!


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