Black Friday Indie Sale

Perry Kirkpatrick has hosted the Black Friday sale for the past four years or so. I’ve been involved since the beginning and watched as it’s grown. Last year over 400 books were listed! She’s even ended up giving it its own domain and so without further ado, I present this year’s Black Friday Sale:

Book Party for Re-release of Fairyeater

I shared Fairyeater’s new cover, but the book officially releases this weekend. So, we’re celebrating on Facebook with several authors, giveaways, and book talk. Come join us.

My Black Friday Deals

Ever since I was first published, I’ve participated in the Black Friday celebrations, but as I’ve grown in my business, I’ve adjusted as well–focusing more on Small Business Saturday (last year that day, I was at a small business having a fun book reading). This year, I’ve been able to add to what I’m offering you!

The normal has been ebook sales. That’s continued this year with: Dragon’s Future (permafree), The Apprentice of Amadan Duhb (perma 99 cents), Uprooted (99 cents), An Unexpected Adventure (99 cents), The One Who Sees Me (free), Dragon’s Winter (99 cents on my website only). Besides that all paperbacks on my website are 25% off, and all merchandise is 10% off.

Let’s look at these closer.

Dragon’s Future

“Ever ridden a dragon? You’re about to, so hold on tight! Dragon’s Future is quite the ride!” ~Ridley Pearson, #1 New York Times bestselling author

This top seller in children’s dragon stories and children’s coming of age was the one that started my publishing journey. I wouldn’t have dreamed of all that has transpired in the last almost ten years!

This quote about sums up the twins’ story–family and adventure. My husband likes to refer to the Dragon Courage series like Veggietales–each one with a different theme. Dragon’s Future is definitely family.

Dragon’s Winter

Although the end of the Dragon Courage series, this one could be where you start. It tells Mere’s story–Ruskya’s great-niece.

Remember never to ask what could go wrong… Mysterious illness, dragons and dragon riders out of commission, and a slave owner who’ll stop at nothing to keep his property! Mere has her hands full on her apprenticeship. It’ll definitely be one to remember.

The Apprentice of Amadan Dubh

This story now takes on even greater meaning for me. I wrote it for a historical fantasy anthology, choosing Ireland’s potato famine as the time frame. Having Irish heritage, I wanted to write a story about an ancestor that I can’t learn any more about. But this September, my youngest son got married, and he and his wife honeymooned in Ireland! To top it off, he’s the one who was the model for Paddy healing the potato plants on the cover.

The One Who Sees Me

Although originally marketed as a historical fiction, I’m calling The One Who Sees Me kingdom fantasy. It’s not set in real-life medieval Europe, but it’s like it and there’s no magic. The other category I’m making up from the popular fairy-tale retelling category. This is Biblical retelling.

This is the story of a servant girl who’s raised to great heights socially but then plummets back to her place.

Epic Young Adult Fantasy: Uprooted

On a world where one side’s always dark and the other’s always light, Hest lives in the dimmer side. Wood’s valued beyond his pay scale as a lowly orphaned stable boy, but when a magnificent stallion walks into his barn, he’s in love. The next morning, money’s exchanged, and he thinks he’s been sold to the warrior who owns that stallion!

Not until they reach the capital city is the misunderstanding cleared up, and he learns it was the apprenticeship price, and the warrior is captain of the royal guard of the neighboring kingdom. When Hest accepts, he’s thrust into kingdom intrigue, hobnobbing with the princess, and trying to stay alive!

This is book 1 in an 8 book series. The first character arc (Hest, his wife, and his daughter) has been published and all the paperbacks are 25% off.

Rural Fantasy: An Unexpected Adventure

Eighth graders find a dragon egg on the beach, a unicorn in their horse pasture, and follow Bigfoot through the rift–along with a government agent and a poacher who’s after all the magic!

Rural Myrtle Beach, Oregon, never has exciting things happen, but when a rift in the time-space continuum decides to manifest there and bring fantasy creatures into our world, it’s a tale that will be told for decades, but only ten kids will know the true story–and no one will believe them!

“A great story for young readers as it has friendship, a fast-paced plot, and a dragon. An Unexpected Adventure is a delightful tale of friendship told through an epic journey that all begins with the discovery of an egg.” ~5 Star Reader’s Favorite Review

Shop the Paperback Sale

All paperbacks–including newly added Tea for Dragons, a fun picture book for kids of all ages–are 25% off, and when you purchase in series, save even more!

Black Friday Book Related Deals

Are you one who’s already read these books–or your kids have–and you’re eager for merch? Then this is the weekend for you. All t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers, and magnets are 10% off on my store.

Relax!

Yep, take a deep breath, let it out, and relax. Despite the changes in regulations, you’ve got this! If you need reminders on how to destress or how to help your kids relax, you can check out a blog post I did several years ago. I’ve been using a lot of Stress Away, Peace & Calming, and Frankincense recently. That’s one way I calm down. I’ve also used my Dragon Courage blend.

Join a Facebook Party to learn about new or free books

There are several events happening this week on facebook. The first was planned several months ago for the release of a new book. I’ll be on there on Friday giving away prizes and lightening the mood of all the panic and frenzy on social media. You can join us.

Another event was started by author H. L. Burke. She gathered as many authors as she could who have free books this week due to our new normal. You can scroll through and find a ton of free books–some by the authors listed below, but new ones as well. Come check it out.

Read a good book

Right now there are a ton of good books that are discounted–either free or 99 cents. I sent out most of these in a special newsletter earlier this week, but it’s worth repeating. All of these are wonderful books, and many of them are on sale right now to help parents deal with the new normal.

Books for Kids

Beggar Magic and Thaddeus Whiskers and the Dragon by H. L. Burke
Iggy & Oz: The Plastic Dinos of Doom by J. J. Johnson is free this week.
Annie Douglass Lima’s Annals of Alasia are great for kids (She’s offering any of her books free of charge to those affected by the virus.)
The Worlds Next Door by C. E. White
Bianca by Meg Welch Dendler
The Andy Smithson series by L. R. W. Lee (book 1 is free)
Lix and Basta by Mark A. Gilchrist and Brian Rathbone
The Seed Savers series by Sandra Smith

Books for Teens

• Heart Song by Annie Douglass Lima
• The Krillonian Chronicles by Annie Douglass LIma
• The Godsland series by Brian Rathbone
• Dragon Airways and Ascension by Brian Rathbone
• Nyssa Glass series by H. L. Burke (My now 18-year-old son’s favorite series)
• The Heart of the Curiosity by H. L. Burke
• The Tethered World by Heather L. L. FitzGerald
• Cry of the Sea by D. G. Driver
• Any of Kyle Robert Schultz’s books
• Starlight Chronicles by C. S. Johnson
• Books by A. J. Bakke
• Keen by Laura L. Zimmerman
• Fate of Dragons by Alisha Klapheke
• 80 A.D. by Aiki Flinthart
• Fairy Tale Adventures series by A. G. Marshall

Books for Teens and Adults

• Any of the rest of H. L. Burke’s books
• Any of Lea Doue’s books
• Any of Kara Jaynes books
• Sharon Rose’s books
• Divine Summons by Rebecca P. Minor
• All of Sarah Ashwood’s books
• Shallows by Denver Evans
• Any of Marc Secchia’s books
• Books by Davis Bunn
• Any book by Jessica L. Elliott
• Michelle Isenhoff’s Recompense series
• Sand and Storm by Stella Dorthwany
• The Dragon Princess by Lichelle Slater
• Books by Tammy Lash

Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, know that there is One Who is over all and this didn’t take Him by surprise. If you need anything, feel free to reach out to me. I’ll be here.

Interview with Lasden

Hi, Lasden, it’s so good to have you here with me. For the sake of my readers who can’t actually be here with us, could you describe where we are and why you’re here?

“Good afternoon, madam.” Lasden gestures to the barren rocky plain around us. “We’re in the area formerly known as Malorn’s Western Wilderness. Unfortunately, this area no longer belongs to the kingdom of Malorn. For reasons I don’t fully understand, King Korram recently handed the land over to the bandits who have been robbing and plundering in this area for generations. The residents had to relocate, and we soldiers were told at the time that no more troops would be deployed here. However, after King Korram’s unfortunate death last week, his High Council felt it was important to guard against the Alasians who might be tempted to cross through what we now call Bandit Territory and invade Malorn. Their king was visiting at the time, you see, and he was apparently killed as well. As you can imagine, they’ve been quite upset. Rumor has it that we might end up with a war on our hands.” Lasden glances at the cluster of soldiers sitting in the shade of some boulders not far away. “My platoon and I are on our way to the Telleck River that forms the border. But as long as we’re taking a break for lunch, I’m happy to answer your questions.”

Are you familiar with this area? Have you been here before?

“Yes, quite often. The bandits come out of hiding every few months and harass the farmers or travellers passing through, and then someone sends a message to the capital to let us know, and soldiers are deployed to drive them away. I always volunteer when there’s a choice.” He points to the low mountains to the west. “I’ve heard they have a network of hidden caves over there where they live when they aren’t raiding farms and robbing travelers, but we don’t pursue them that far. We teach them a lesson, and then those who survive flee back to their base and lie low for a few more months.” He shrugs. “Who knows? Maybe King Korram thought that giving them the land would keep them from harming our people anymore. I suppose we’ll see if it works, or if they end up crossing the Grenn River and causing trouble for our people there. In any case, I can’t imagine the bandits are happy that thousands of soldiers have been crossing and camping in the land they were told no one could enter again without their permission.” He casts me a worried glance. “We haven’t spotted any yet today, but if you’re traveling alone, you’ll want to be very careful.”

Can you describe yourself, so my readers could recognize you if they passed you in Malorn?

Lasden indicates the black and red uniform he’s wearing. “To recognize me, your readers should look first for my Malornian army uniform. If they’re anywhere near the Malornian-Alasian border, though, they’ll likely see quite a lot of soldiers, so they can narrow it down by checking for these white stripes on my sleeves that indicate my current rank, corporal. Beyond that, I’m of average height and build, as you can see, with dark hair that I keep short.”

You’ve had a rough time. Can you give my readers a bit of background about your activity in the Malornian army?

Lasden lowers his gaze and sighs. “To be honest, I was hoping you wouldn’t bring that up. But if I must, I’ll tell you what happened. My career in the military started off quite well. I worked hard and proved myself capable, and about five and a half years ago I attained the rank of lieutenant. Shortly after that, Regent Rampus invaded Alasia, and my company was among the first to be sent across the border. We were chosen to attack the palace where their royal family lived.” Lasden gazes into the distance, his eyes full of pain.  “It was a terrible mistake. I knew all along Rampus was wrong. Except for a few minor border quarrels decades back, the Alasians never did us any harm. But Rampus had his eye on the Malorn’s throne, and conquering Alasia was part of his plan to expand his power.” He sighs again. “I should have just refused to be part of it, but soldiers don’t do that. We follow orders, no matter what. So I did. And not a day has passed that I haven’t regretted it. I can’t forget the faces of those I killed, and I wish I had died, myself, before I lifted my blade against so many innocent people.” He clears his throat roughly.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Lasden brightens a little. “It came right after that. I made the right choice later on, at least. A few weeks into the occupation of Alasia, I was sent back to Malorn to recover from an injury sustained in a later skirmish. While I was there, I served as an aide to – well, to a high-ranking officer your readers probably wouldn’t know. I was attending him in a meeting with Regent Rampus and other officers, when I heard I was to return to Alasia to continue what we’d begun. I did what I should have done at the beginning, and told the regent to his face that what he was doing was wrong and I wouldn’t be a part of it any longer.” Lasden chuckles. “That took more courage than anything else I’ve ever had to do. I thought Rampus would kill me for it, and by the look on his face, he wanted to. But he found a better way to get back at me.” Lasden looks away again, shame on his face. “He demoted me all the way back down to private and forced me to return to Alasia anyway. He couldn’t force me to fight, though, which nearly got me killed more than once. But I never drew my sword against an Alasian again.”

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Lasden frowns. “I don’t think that exists in this life. I doubt it will for me, anyway, because people still hold my choice against me. I haven’t had a commanding officer since the Invasion who didn’t look down on me, no matter how well I’ve tried to serve my kingdom since King Korram took the throne. That’s why, even after more than five years, not to mention all my years of experience before the Invasion, I’ve still only just been able to work my way back up to corporal.” He sighs. “I suppose happiness would involve finding some way to make up for what I did, though I can’t imagine what that could ever be. Peace and security in Malorn would be nice, too. As I mentioned, King Korram was killed in suspicious circumstances a week or so ago, and – call me disloyal if you like – it’s hard to believe that the new king, Heggen, has the kingdom’s best interests in mind any more than Rampus ever did. I’d also be happier if nobody knew or cared about my past. And if my father was proud of me for my accomplishments – or just for who I am.” He laughs bitterly. “As if that could ever happen.”

Do you have a most treasured possession?

“Not really. I travel a lot with the army, so there’s not much point in accumulating possessions.”

I’ve noticed that loyalty is important to you, but sometimes that doesn’t look like what people expect. What is loyalty to you, and who or what are you loyal to, and why?

“I believe doing what’s right is more important than following orders. So while I’m loyal to my kingdom, it will never again be at the expense of my conscience. I was loyal to King Korram, because from what I saw of his leadership, he did his best to always do right by Malorn and even by our neighbors in Alasia. I’m loyal to my commanding officers, but if they order me to do something I know is wrong again, I won’t follow orders. I just can’t.” He shrugs, resigned. “I realize that means I’m not a good soldier, but I believe being a good person is more important.”

Do you have a hero? If so, who and why?

“I always admired King Korram, even though he was younger than me. When he was just a boy and Regent Rampus wanted him dead, he trekked into the Impassable Mountains and managed to survive there for months. Somehow he convinced the Mountain Folk – a tribe of uneducated savages who were always raiding farms and villages in the foothills – not only to help him, but to accept him as one of them. Thanks to his mediation, the Mountain Folk almost never cause any trouble these days. And he actually managed to bring back an entire army of them to help him stand against Rampus and his men – and they succeeded.” Lasden shakes his head in wonder. “All this from a seventeen-year-old boy. He took the throne not long after that, and as young as he was, I daresay he ruled the kingdom at least as well as his father ever did, for the few years he was king.” He sighs. “I always wished I could meet him in person. It’s such a shame about his death. I have a feeling someone in the government was behind it, but who knows if we’ll ever find out for certain.”

Information about King of Malorn

Blurb

    Life as the king’s younger sister should be exciting.

   Not for Princess Kalendria. She’s sick of the dissent and of constantly having her family undermined by those who think they could rule Malorn better than King Korram.

   Hoping to lighten the mood in the palace, Kalendria plans a ball to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. It doesn’t hurt that their handsome Alasian ally King Jaymin has promised to attend, and she’s been waiting for him to notice her for as long as she can remember.

   But unfriendly forces have their own party plans. When Kalendria, Korram, and Jaymin barely survive an assassination attempt, their only recourse is to flee into the wilderness. Tracked by unknown assassins, they must figure out whom they can trust and who is behind the plot. Can Kalendria help her brother reclaim his throne – oh, and catch Jaymin’s attention while she’s at it – before they are all killed and war destroys both kingdoms?

About the Series

King of Malorn is book 5 in the Annals of Alasia. But don’t worry if you haven’t read the others; it will still make sense on its own. 

Each of the first four books can stand on its own as well. They each deal with events surrounding the same major political incident: the invasion of the kingdom of Alasia by the neighboring kingdom of Malorn (as Lasden refered to). This whole idea was foreign to me, but I really love it. It’s so fun to see different points of view. 

Book 1

Prince of Alasia begins on the night of the Invasion and describes what happens to twelve-year-old Prince Jaymin after he is forced to flee for his life. 

Book 2

In the Enemy’s Service features a girl as the protagonist and tells the story of those who were not able to escape from the Alasian palace when the enemy invaded. (And this is where Lasden does what he’s most proud of.)

Book 3

Prince of Malorn begins several months earlier and focuses on the Malornian perspective of the events leading up to the Invasion. (It shares the part of why Lasden looks up to King Korram.)

Book 4

The Nameless Soldier shows how a young Alasian soldier lives through the Invasion but then has to survive and make a name for himself in enemy-occupied Alasia. 

In each of the books, main characters from the others make brief appearances and interact with each other at the point where the timeframes and settings overlap. 

Annie Douglass Lima also has a short ebook of “interviews” that she conducted with the characters in the other three books. Annals of Alasia: The Collected Interviews is not available on Amazon, but she sends a free copy to anyone who signs up for her mailing list (to receive updates when she releases new books or occasionally offers them for free). I’m definitely heading there right now. Don’t know how I missed it before!

Where to find King of Malorn and the rest of the series

In honor of its release, King of Malorn is free today through Thursday the 11th. Quick go grab your copy! Books 1-3 are only $.99. That means you can pick up all five books for only $5.96! If I didn’t all ready have them, I’d go snatch them up.

About the Author

Annie Douglass Lima considers herself fortunate to have traveled in twenty different countries and lived in four of them. A fifth-grade teacher in her “other” life, she loves reading to her students and sparking their imaginations. Her books include science fiction, fantasy, YA action and adventure novels, a puppet script, anthologies of her students’ poetry, and Bible verse coloring and activity books. When she isn’t teaching or writing, Annie can often be found sipping spiced chai or pomegranate green tea in exotic locations, some of which exist in this world.

I Love Dragons

Author Lea Doue, a Fellowship of Fantasy member, has put together a giveaway for the month of February. Whether fire-breathing or water-dwelling, winged or serpentine, dragons capture our imagination and take us to fantastic new worlds. Nineteen dragon writers have gathered together to offer a collection worth sinking your teeth into. We’ve got dragons of all sizes, from friendly to fierce and everything in between.

These books are all up for a giveaway along with a dragon journal. Among them are Dragon’s Heir, some wonderful stories from H. L. Burke, and Dragon Friend by Marc Secchia (often listed among the also-boughts for the Dragon Courage series). I’ve had Ben the Dragonborn on my To-be-read list for the last two years! It’s also one of the books in the giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fellowship of Fantasy’s Valentine’s Day Sale

As if a giveaway wasn’t enough, the Fellowship of Fantasy authors decided to get together and do a Valentine’s Day sale! Yep, you heard me right. From today through Valentine’s Day, you’ll find great flinch-free fantasy and speculative fiction either for 99 cents or for free.

99 cent books:

Rebirth—Frank B. Luke-Amazon

Seven Deadly Tales—Frank B. Luke-Amazon

The Hidden Level—AJ Bakke-Amazon (A fun story where kids get pulled into a gaming world. Book three of the series has a dragon.)

To Save Two Worlds—AJ Bakke-Amazon (If you love cats, you’ll love this one.)

The Regency Shifter Series—KM Carroll-Amazon—iTunes—Barnes and Noble

Academy of Secrets—Michael Carney-Author Website

Sunbolt—Intisar Khanani-Amazon—Barnes and Noble—Kobo

Wyndano’s Cloak—A. R. Silverberry Amazon—Barnes and Noble

The Stream—A. R. Silverberry –Amazon—Barnes and Noble

Rainbird—Rabia Gale-Amazon—Barnes and Noble—Kobo

Reality Break—Jennifer Kibble-Amazon

Battle for the Throne—EJ Willis-Amazon

Nyssa Glass’s Clockwork Christmas—H. L. Burke-Amazon (I loved the one Nyssa Glass I read. I have the rest of the series on my to-be-read list.)

The True Bride and the Shoemaker—L. Palmer-Author Website—Amazon

Cry of the Sea—D. G. Driver-Amazon

Foxtails—Erica Laurie-Amazon

Eun Na and the Phantom—Erica Laurie-Amazon

Free books:

The Buick Eight—Frank B. Luke-Amazon

Cora and the Nurse Dragon—H. L. Burke-Amazon (A delightful tale that starts out like a classic horse story and turns into a dragon tale.)

Lands of Ash—H. L. Burke-Amazon

Prince of Alasia—Annie Douglass Lima-Amazon (I need to get this one. I love Annie Douglass Lima’s other speculative fiction series.)

Awakening—Julie C. Gilbert-Amazon

Leandra’s Enchanted Flute—Katy Huth Jones-Amazon

Mercy’s Prince—Katy Huth Jones-Amazon

Woe for a Faerie—B. Brumley-Amazon—iTunes—Barnes and Noble

Chasing Lady Midnight—C. L. Ragsdale-Amazon

Jin In Time Part One —Karin De Havin-Amazon—iTunes—Barnes and Noble

Nyssa Glass and the Caper Crisis—H. L. Burke-Amazon

Also be sure to check out the Fellowship of Fantasy Perma-Free Titles: an ever growing library of free to download fantasy titles! These titles are always free to download.

Charming Academy tells Prince Charming’s story, while Forge takes the reader on an anime style romp through Japan as the hero fights a creature that shouldn’t exist.

Now that you have a ton of ideas, which book are you getting for your Valentine? Which for your kid? And which for you? I think I’ll pick up Prince Charming and several more. I have a feeling my list will be bigger than my pocket book.

The first student to fall and have to bring a surprise brought in homemade cookies for the class. The next brought in a box of CapriSuns. The students appreciated these surprises, and it made for a fun day. After that, the students have become even more creative. They have brought in surprises that were free.

A seventh grader took me back in time to when my grandpa was still alive. My grandpa fought in WWII on a navy ship in the Pacific. One day, a lone fighter jet followed the airplanes back to the ship and let loose one bomb and skedaddled back to his base. That one bomb hit the munitions dump and blew things to pieces. My grandpa received shrapnel in his hand and had a scar to prove it for the rest of his life. A little seventh grader brought that story to life by bringing in a shell casing from a WWII ship gun.

This last week, after a boss battle that caused several students on one team to fall in battle, a student shared one by one how she appreciated each student. She told of fun times in volleyball, good times to come in basketball, and shared experiences through the years. With each telling, she looked the person directly in the eyes and relived the memories.

Both of these last two acts cost nothing but time and thought. The one took the time to double check that he could bring something to school. His treat brought history alive for his class and his teacher. The other cost a bit of humility to get up in front of the class and talk from the heart. It also took a bit of thinking to decide what would be meaningful for each and every student and the teacher. These are both gifts that can be shared this holiday season.

As we think of Black Friday and the gift giving season, think of those gifts that cost nothing. Sometimes this are worth more than those that cost a fortune. What can you give today that is free? Will you take the time to share memories of times past to make history come alive for a younger generation? Will you tell someone what you appreciate about him or her? These are simple and yet profound gifts. Gifts that anyone can give.