Main character description (short). KaLeah is happy being a recluse alongside her stoic father, even if both seem out-of-place in their village. Awkward and masculine, she is rejected by both girls and boys. Forced to protect a hyper-girly child, she is thrust outside of her comfort zone in more ways than one.
Synopsis: KaLeah’s adventure doesn’t begin when a phantom dragon shows her a mysterious object in the woods. It all begins when this news upsets her father. He takes off from their village and doesn’t return. She journeys out to find him, only to find danger and imprisonment instead. The mysteries she unravels is bigger than anything she could have imagined.
Brief Excerpt 250 words: KaLeah took a slow, silent breath and docked her arrow, pointing her nose in the direction of the sound. After a long day of hunting for big game without luck, she was glad to have finally locked onto an easy shot.
She could tell from the grunting and shuffling sounds that it was big, but she didn’t care. KaLeah had carried home large forest beasts before, and she wasn’t afraid of a little exercise.
KaLeah stalked closer to the sounds coming from a clearing up ahead. She knew the woods well and could picture the grassy clearing. She moved carefully through the thick forest foliage, using only her hearing to guide her to her target.
It was rare for animals to make so much noise, but she assumed it was most likely injured. Since it was in the clearing, it would be a quick shot straight to the heart, wrap it up with some vines, and then home before dark.
She readied her bow, took one step toward the edge of the trees, and froze. Crouched in the clearing beyond her was a monster with glistening emerald scales. It gracefully lifted its long, slender neck, and turned its jet-black eyes to hers.
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)? Three young women, two planets once inhabited by dragons who want the girls to finish the war they started centuries before. With their newfound sisterhood save them from the men, machines, and monsters determined to kill them?
Hello! My name is John Wells III. I love long walks on the beach and candlelit dinners— Okay, I am only joking—Well, not about the long walks on the beach. Or the dinners, But that is because I’m a San Diego Native, and who doesn’t love the beach and tacos? So let’s see, about me. Well, I am a nerd with a wild imagination. I love fantasy and the supernatural, which is why I write about them. I picked up my first Animorphs book in the third grade, and I haven’t left the genre since. (I know, I know, Animorphs is more science fiction, but eight-year-old me didn’t know the difference). I even thought I was an Animorph for a while. I wish I were joking, but I am not.
I love telling stories in all forms: books, plays, movies, etc. I am also a loving dog dad of two beautiful pitbull mix-breeds. But enough about me, let’s talk about well…me?
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
I write YA Contemporary Fantasy. I currently have two books published (The Last Angel Warrior & The Heir of Ambrose), A Novelette (The Forbidden World), A Short Story that will be released in August (They Call Him Destroyer), And an upcoming book that will be released at the end of the year (The Invisible City).
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
I have been writing stories for as long as I can remember. My first writing assignment was in the second grade when I was supposed to write a book report, and I wrote a story titled “Teenage Mutant Ninja Lizards.” Very Original, right? Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I wrote the stories that I wanted to hear. A lot of this started because I hated when books ended, so I continued the stories.
Later, as a teenager. My best friend invited me to write two scenes for an ambitious film script he was attempting to complete. Unfortunately, his lofty aspirations for the script never materialized, but the experience was enjoyable and helped me realize that writing as a career was a possibility for me. So, a year later, in 2008, I began my journey as an author.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I am excited to release my third novel this year, The Invisible City. My plans for the future include continuing the series with an additional four books and several compendium stories. I don’t foresee myself being done with the Kalib Andrews Universe for a very long time.
What do you like to read?
I like to read the same genre that I write. Contemporary Fantasy and Magical Realism. I love books that bring magic to my world in a believable way. When I was a kid, I was fascinated with the possibility that what I was reading could be true and that the general public just didn’t know about it.
When I choose a book, I look for a book that will take me on a journey with the protagonist. I love underdog stories or coming-of-age stories. I also really enjoy a sympathetic character that is forced to go through extreme circumstances. I suppose Dystopian and Post-apocalyptic stories also fit the bill of what I enjoy; basically, just give me a good fast-paced story with witty dialogue and a sympathetic character, and I am happy.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you started your writing adventure?
Let go of perfection and just keep writing! It is the most basic advice you can receive but the easiest to forget. Don’t edit while you are writing. Let go of the need for the first draft to be “good” it doesn’t have to be good; that’s not the purpose of the first draft. The purpose of the first draft is to get the story out of your head and onto the paper. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. So just get the story out of you. True magic is made during the rewrite, but before you can uncover those hidden jewels, you must first write the story. So write!
Author bio and book synopsis
John Wells III is a native of San Diego, Ca. He loves the beach, tacos, his two dogs, and all things supernatural. As a child, John had a vivid imagination and often found himself lost inside his own daydreams. So it was only fitting that he became a storyteller. John is the author of The Last Angel Warrior and The Heir of Ambrose. In addition to writing books, John also acts, produces, and owns a small theatre company in San Diego, Ca.
The Last Angel Warrior (available on Amazon).
Kalib Andrews discovers that maybe his life isn’t as normal as he thought it was. Not that it was ever really “normal” to begin with. He is the adopted son of the mayor, a detail that he never quite felt comfortable sharing, mostly because he always suspected that he was his adopted parents, the Donovan’s, “Humanitarian purchase.” Adopting the underprivileged African-American kid was good for their image. But when strange things start happening in town, like, a creepy-smelly-shadow-demon-thingy appearing out of nowhere and trying to kill him on the street during his walk home from work one day, Kalib starts to think that maybe there’s more going on in town, than he originally suspected. And furthermore, he starts to wonder if maybe, somehow, whatever was going on in town, had something to do with him.
The Heir of Ambrose (available on Amazon)
Legend has it that “Ambrose,” the first Magicborne, was behind the annihilation of the Angel Warriors. Now, Kalib fears that the mysterious Heir of Ambrose is determined to fulfill his predecessor’s vendetta both against him and his kind. And when citizens of Hainesville suddenly begin to vanish, he becomes more convinced than ever that this heir is coming for him. But the real question that Kalib is struggling to answer is… Should he let him?
The Invisible City (Coming Soon)
Kalib and his friends are forced to leave Hainesville after the town is afflicted with a supernatural plague. And the only way to save the city is to find one of the last remaining Enochian stonThates. stone, combined with an ancient spell and the blood of the Angel Warrior, will vanquish the demon, Beelzebub, who is responsible for the city’s supernatural disaster. But where does one find an Enochian stone? Legend has it that a fragment of the stone was hidden inside an ancient city. So, what’s the dilemma? This ancient city has been veiled by magic, rendering it visible only to those who know where to look. A difficult piece of knowledge to come by considering that the city inhabitants have been forbidden to leave the city for thousands of years.
The Forbidden World: A Kalibverse Novelette (Available on Story Origin)
A demon market is no place for children. At least that’s what Manaan’s parents always told him. Besides, Nephilim were prohibited from entering the demon side of town without an escort. But despite the startling omen he’d been sent, warning of impending doom, Manaan knew one thing for sure. The peculiar ring he found tucked away in his father’s secret satchel was drawing him there. And if his hunch were correct, Manaan would find what he needed to reverse a curse, save his baby brother, and escape the clutches of the treacherous Shadow Man.
They Call Him Destroyer: A Kalibverse Short Story
After the Angels invade his town, Ravlyn and his younger brother, Mar, are rushed out of the town with one final message from their parents. Find the one the Angels call the Apollyon. Now Ravlyn is determined to honor his mothers final wish, but he has one question. Who is Apollyon?
Paul R Davis lives with his lovely family in Wisconsin. His children, ranging from elementary school to toddler, keep him on his toes. Mission work in other countries, a Tough Mudder, and reading mythology has led to the inspirations for his stories, creating a diverse pool of ethnicities in his fiction.
Born to sit on the throne and reign, Chantara is not your typical siren. With the voice of an angel and the kiss of death, she is poised to be the deadliest siren this world has ever seen.
Taught the ways of the ocean by her older sisters and equipped with a predestined plan of attack, Chantara is ready to claim her crown on her sixteenth birthday.
Will Chantara fulfill her destiny or will love intervene?
E.S. McMillan is a self-proclaimed Superhero. She is a mom to 4 amazing boys. Married to one of her best friends and has plans to take the world by storm.
E.S. was born in California, raised in New York, and now resides in Connecticut.
E.S. is a lover of the written word and cannot remember a time when there was not a book in her hand or an open notebook waiting to be filled with her stories.
Little Rush is a sleepy town on the Ohio River. Bruce Michaels is a renowned Hollywood actor. The two should never cross paths, yet one summer everything changes. The actor, haunted by demons, chasing a ghost. The town, unaware. Until the two collide.
Hudson, Willow, and Mason are high school seniors with very different upbringings, but all on the verge of adulthood. As the sun sets on their final summer, questions abound. Will they ever leave the town? Is there a future here? As their plans waver, time is running out.
The struggle of mental illness.
As he loses his friends and sinks deeper into depression, Hudson forms an unlikely bond with the actor, Bruce Michaels. But the old man is a ticking time bomb. As Hudson relies on him more, the danger to them both grows.
When dark secrets are revealed, Hudson must confront the truth about his idol and himself. Bruce Michaels isn’t who he seems. Hudson is nearly lost. And in the end, they may be more similar than different.
The search for meaning.
Different paths, converging in a web of alcohol, fights, and romance. Worlds collide one summer in Anywhere, USA. The question is who will make it through.
My name is David Kummer. I’m a young writer who leans towards horror, mystery, dystopian, and young adult fiction. I live in Madison, Indiana, a small town on the Ohio River, with lots of history and settings around here that influence my books. You can see tons about my hometown in my novel, EVERYTHING, SOMEWHERE.
I always answer whenever readers email me, so reach out or check out my blog at https://davidkummer.com. I’ve got a handful of books for you to choose from, all of them inexpensive. Reviews and shares are super appreciated.
You may have read some great authors before and some fascinating books, but you’ve never had an experience like this. Try something and let me convince you.
“A bold girl, a kingdom under attack, magic everywhere—I devoured it in one sitting! This book is one wild ride!” —Tamora Pierce on Stormrise
Nothing is quite as it seems in this thrilling YA fantasy adventure by Jillian Boehme, The Stolen Kingdom!
For a hundred years, the once-prosperous kingdom of Perin Faye has suffered under the rule of the greedy and power-hungry Thungrave kings. Maralyth Graylaern, a vintner’s daughter, has no idea her hidden magical power is proof of a secret bloodline and claim to the throne. Alac Thungrave, the king’s second son, has always been uncomfortable with his position as the spare heir—and the dark, stolen magic that comes with ruling.
When Maralyth becomes embroiled in a plot to murder the royal family and seize the throne, a cat-and-mouse chase ensues in an adventure of dark magic, court intrigue, and forbidden love.
**Join the Live Chat Author Event March 5th here!**
Jillian is known to the online writing community as Authoress, hostess of Miss Snark’s First Victim, a blog for aspiring authors. In real life, she holds a degree in Music Education, sings with the Nashville Symphony Chorus, and homeschools her remaining youngster-at-home. She’s still crazy in love with her husband of more than thirty years and is happy to be surrounded by family and friends amid the rolling knolls of Middle Tennessee.
“Oh little one, the darkness is waiting, oh little one, run from it if you can; come little one, where the light can find you…”
This was a familiar shanty to Manchester born, Trevor Henderson; having grown up being mesmerized by stories of swashbuckling rogues, adventurous pirates and captivating aquatic creatures, he was no stranger to sea shanties. These tales instilled in him a longing for the sea.
Upon turning sixteen, he begins hearing whispers in the night, coaxing him to leave his posh life behind and follow his dreams; when Trevor finally takes the risk, he’s swept away on an adventure he never expected.
He soon learns the truth about his own identity and history, causing him to wonder if he should have set foot outside his comfort zone…
Alonna Williams is a children’s book author and has been writing ever since she was a little girl. It started with a short story and soon progressed to novels. Alonna has worked on, and grew up with a Pirate series entitled, Pirates of the Withering Coast, her favorite series of all, as well as a mystery series, a Sci-Fi/Superhero series and more! When she’s not writing you’ll most likely find her dancing, whether it be, Tap, Ballet, Jazz or Lyrical, or watching a good classic movie or cozying up to a Disney film!
To start, Trevor of course was far different in the first draft, he was originally from a poor family and was unseen by his town. He was generous and sweet and he had two sisters. But something told me to make him spoiled and arrogant, I kind of like those characters more because I feel like they have more to learn.
Then we have Arjan, the gentle giant of a Siren who we learn about in the first few chapters of the book. He will have a prequel coming out soon so you can learn even more about him. Arjan originally had a very tiny role in the story but as time went on, and I crafted his backstory, I fell in love with the character and I think most people will too!
Lastly, I’ll talk about Labyrinth, Labyrinth is a lot of fun to write! He’s very child-like and his innocence is refreshing compared to Trevor’s brash arrogance. His design was fun to imagine as well and I can’t wait to write more about him in the next few books.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER FROM A BOOK:
Okay, so, he doesn’t originate from a book but he’s in a few and it’s Luke Skywalker. I think he’s my favorite fictional character ever and I do aspire to write a character like him one day.
I think he’s one of the best examples of great development as he went from a nerdy farm boy to a powerful Jedi and he didn’t feel out of character by Return of the Jedi.
This is something I’m striving to accomplish with Trevor; he has a lot to learn and no one wants to see him become all powerful overnight, they want to join him on his journey as he learns about himself and how to use his abilities (which you’ll learn of in the series :D)
Polly Michaels is trying to forget that her mom has cancer. She keeps busy at school and plods through a normal social life. Until a freak electrical storm and a unicorn appear in the orchard next to her house.
Sy’kai wakes on an orchard floor to the smell of rotting cherries and wet earth. She doesn’t know where she is-or what she is-but she knows something is hunting her.
Polly recruits her friends to find the mysterious creature she saw from her window while Sy’kai, a confused shape-shifting endling from another dimension tries to piece her mind back together. Once the human girls find Sy’kai (whom they nickname Psyche) the mystery unravels and the danger facing all of them comes into focus.
A gritty struggle ranges throughout the girls’ rural hometown and in the wild terrain around it. All while two questions hang over their heads. Can an alien deliver a miracle for a human mother? Can a group of teens defeat an interdimensional demon?
Located on BC’s beautiful West Coast, I write from my suburban home outside Vancouver. I love writing about places and spaces with rich history and visually fascinating elements as a backdrop for the surreal and spectacular.
In addition to my undergraduate degree in writing and literature, my background also includes corporate communications and design. I am a current member of the Federation of BC Writers and SF Canada.
When not writing, I have a habit of breaking stuff and making stuff – in that order – under the guise of my Etsy alter-ego Sleepless Storyteller. I share my eclectic home and lifestyle with my metalworking husband, dancing daughter, and future rocket scientist son.
Many of us have been binging all our old favourite TV shows and movies over the past year. So, we’re not surprised to see nostalgia making its way into the novels of 2021. Today, author Christine Hart is sharing the scoop on all the pop culture influences that shaped her new book, The Electric Girl.
Christine, can you tell us a bit more about the role pop culture plays in this novel? So many people have a love/hate relationship with pop culture, but the older I get, the more I realize that I should be writing what I want and drawing inspiration from what I truly like. Rather than trying to be a literary author, I’ve embraced genre fiction – and it feels like the right choice for me. And with The Electric Girl, setting a story in the 1980s was an irresistible opportunity to infuse my worldbuilding with the pop culture of the time.
Which movies and television shows influenced this story? The most obvious first influence is The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle – both the book and movie, drawing on the idea of a unicorn becoming a girl. When I picture Psyche opening portals to another world, I can’t help but remember the inter-dimensional doors opened by Philip Pullman’s The Subtle Knife.
I also believe the nebula imagery and the concept of an alien that exists primarily in astral form comes from my days watching Star Trek: The Next Generation every day after school. I also watched a lot of Twin Peaks and I’ve always loved David Lynch’s ability to be delightfully bizarre just for the sake of it.
Most recently, getting addicted to Stranger Things, and combing through old toys and games that I saved for my children surprised me by having the power to evoke both memories and positive emotions.
Do you see The Electric Girl ever being made into a movie? I have a very clear picture of the story in my mind, mostly because I used my hometown of Vernon, BC for the real-world side of things.
If The Electric Girl could become a movie, I’d like to see it done with as much historical authenticity as possible. I tried my absolute best to make my readers feel like they’ve been drawn into 1988. So that’s what I’d want from a movie as well.
But at the end of the day, I’m a pragmatist at heart. I used to indulge in daydreams about one of my novels getting an upgrade to film format. Now, 40-something me knows it’s not very likely, so I don’t think about it as much.
To keep the retro 80s fun going, Christine has put together a playlist including a handful of songs and bands mentioned in the story.
For ten years, the dark mage Maelos has shrouded Evendreil in darkness and oppression. With no hope in sight, many are struggling to survive; others pray that their luck will remain. In searching for answers, Sylas stumbles upon an ancient artifact–a mysterious silver amulet–that confirms the reality of the fabled Vault of Kings. Hoping to overthrow Maelos and end his evil reign, Sylas and his companions set off to find the legendary elemental stones of power that are needed to unlock the door to the vault. If they are to succeed in their quest, they must first learn to master the ancient art of Magick in all of its basic forms: Light, Darkness, Water, Fire, Nature, and Air. Then they must pray that whatever secret is contained in the Vault of Kings will be enough to give them the edge that they need to defeat the most powerful dark mage that the world has ever seen.
Gelendor has fallen. Darkness has descended once again. Despite the danger, Torren has decided to stay in Gelendor to try and form a secret rebellion while the others make their journey towards Sindmyr, the Capital of Light. Once there, Sylas and Samara will need to convince the King of Sindmyr to join their cause and fight back against the armies of Maelos. To be successful, the two young mages will not only need to continue to master the ancient art of Light Magick, but also uncover an ancient secret that has been hidden away beneath the City of Light for generations. A secret that could prove deadly to any who attempt to wield it. Most importantly, Sylas will need to prove that he is worthy to obtain the Stone of Light and unite it with the ancient silver amulet. With two Elemental Stones of power at his side, Sylas will bring himself one step closer to completing the key to the Vault of Kings. One step closer to unlocking the powerful secret that’s been hidden from the world for over a thousand years. Gelendor has fallen to Darkness, but in the Light…there is still hope.
I’m a small town boy from Southeast Idaho. I’ve wanted to share my stories and wild imagination with the world for a long time, and finally decided that now is better than never. I have loved reading fantasy books ever since I was little, but there was always something missing, something that I wished that I could add to the story, to make it mine. Writing a book and putting yourself out there for the world to see is daunting to say the least, but the joy and sense of accomplishment you get from seeing your story out there, for all to read and enjoy is a feeling like none other.
I hope that you will enjoy the worlds of my mind, and take part in the adventures that have been hidden from the world, but are now finally being revealed.
Deep in the rain forests of Guatemala, an ancient Mayan temple holds a mythical secret. The legendary Fountain of Youth lies within, but not all myths are fairy tales. The temple ruins have been seized by the Core, a sinister cult determined to unlock the mysteries of immortality. When their captured friends are spotted near the temple, Bobby and his cousin Jinx must journey into the dark heart of the jungle to save them. Harnessing their extraordinary abilities, the boys will undertake an epic quest to fulfill a centuries-old prophecy. Cut off from their allies, Bobby and Jinx combat supernatural barriers, raging rivers, and deadly beasts. They’ll face savage natives, vengeful ghosts, and ruthless mercenaries who can conjure a person’s darkest fears. Past and present will collide, with the power of eternity on the line. Can Bobby fulfill the prophecy and lay the temple’s spirits to rest? If not, Bobby and his friends may become permanent inhabitants of the Temple of Eternity.
When sixteen-year-old Bobby Ether is abducted and brought to the secluded Jade Academy in Tibet, monks teach him and other special students how to tap into their Anima–the universal energy that connects all living things. But the headmistress of the academy is secretly exploiting the students, looking for genetic triggers to create a new breed of humans with metaphysical abilities. As his powers increase, Bobby is thrust into a cesspool of conspiracy, lies, and betrayal. A jade amulet left by his clairvoyant grandfather may provide answers, but what exactly is his family’s connection to this mysterious place?
Can Bobby master his talents in time to uncover the truth? If not, his fate–and the fate of the entire Jade Academy–may be sealed.
Scott Boyer grew up in Santa Monica, CA and graduated from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley in 1996. In 2008, he became fascinated with the idea of blending young adult fantasy with new-age/spiritual fiction and spent the next six years crafting his first novel, Bobby Ether and the Academy, which won critical acclaim for blending Eastern spiritual philosophies with a fun, fast-paced adventure style.
Library of Erana 