New Anthology: Still Standing

Hello, all.
I do hope your Halloween was enjoyable. I made my own Viking costume and threatened people with an ax. Good times. What did you dress as?
I wanted to pop in and share some news with you, valued readers. Hollow Hills has a new anthology coming out next month titled STILL STANDING. This collection of short stories and poetry will benefit Crisis Text Line, a non-profit that helps those in crisis. Find out more about this wonderful organization here.

Various authors came together bringing unique fantasy and science fiction tales to this amazing anthology. The stories and poems involve bullying, harassment, or ill-treatment by others in some way. The stories may get dark, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Our protagonists will not be kept down because in the end they are still standing tall. 
For more information about each story in the anthology, visit the Hollow Hills website. 

My story, "The Brave Blacksmith" is about a man who became a legend but walked away from his past life. Now he does odd jobs, enduring bullying from local villagers and even his own employers sometimes. Merely trying to make it through each day while dealing with his own inner demons, the queen of his land suddenly calls upon him to track down and help a sorcerer in a neighboring kingdom. Accepting the quest may mean a break from his daily struggles, but his pain still follows him as he heads out with his trusty tools to locate a powerful stranger.

Follow Blacksmith on his adventures in STILL STANDING, coming December 14th. Pre-orders are available now.

Universal link – https://books2read.com/stillstanding

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ1R9P8

Lulu – http://www.lulu.com/shop/product-23873712.html

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41969929-still-standing

100% of royalties will go to Crisis Text Line, so be sure to grab your copy today!

Let's Play Catch-Up

Hello, all.
No, I didn't die, though I have been absent for quite a bit. Various things going on in my personal life have kept me busy and I honestly haven't been reading as much of late. So in this post, I will share the few indie books I have read since April. 
Before I get to that, let me plug my newest release that hit the market in July. Tantalizing Tales of the Horrific and Fantastic is a collection of short stories that span various genres.

Here is the blurb and buy links:
Sink your teeth into this book of fantastical short stories that will leave you wanting more. This collection mixes fantasy, science fiction, horror, and more into one big boiling pot of tastiness. Stories may include princesses, talking birds, alien species, magical items, terrifying creatures, cyborgs, or assassins. You’ll get your fill of thrills and chills.
BUY LINKS: Universal link - Amazon - Goodreads - Books2Read


Now on to the indie books!

Valkyrie on Planet Fury
by Lynne Murray

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:
Lynne Murray knocks it out of the park again!
It had been a while since I read the first book Gravitas: Valkyrie in the Forbidden Zone. I had almost forgotten what an amazing storyteller this author is but two pages in and it all came rushing back. Her memorable characters. Her own sci-fi take on various mythologies. Her amazing building of complex societies. Everything about this book makes it such a pleasure to read.
Though there are some editing issues, the storytelling shines through as we are whisked away on another edge-of-your-seat adventure with Sybil, our favorite oddball from Planet Valkyrie. Tension, romance, devious plots, and sexy fun are in store. We even meet Medusa!
I highly recommend this one.

American Darkness
by Garrison Kelly

Rating: 3 Stars

Review:
If you're looking for a collection of short stories where everyone is pissed off all the time, look no further. Each story certainly delves into the darkness of humankind, showing how unreasonable and crazy some people can be. Though most of the characters are over-the-top and violence is the word of the day, there is usually a happy-ish ending in store. Be sure to listen to some angry screamo while reading this one!

Once Upon a Fabulous Time
Various Authors

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
Here are a bunch of random fairy tale stories from various authors put together nicely in one anthology. Though I still didn't see how each story tied into the main story throughout, I enjoyed this book more than expected. I have to say that both Aliya DalRae stories were my favorite of the bunch. "Where Darkness Lies" by Joanna Van Leerdam was my next favorite. Their stories were the strongest and best written.
Though some of the other stories were okay, my least favorite was Mr. Wizardo. There was confusing head-hopping as well as scene jumping that would jolt me out of the story. To be honest, I skipped the rest of the story after Chapter Two. The author's need to slap the reader in the face with a Wizard of Oz reference in every single paragraph got really old really fast, especially when most references didn't come across as making any sense.
Overall, a nice collection with a few tales I wouldn't mind seeing fleshed out into novel length stories.

Ghostly Writes 2017
by Various Authors

Rating: 3 Stars 

Review:
An entertaining collection of short stories. Only a few of the stories were scary, though all contained some aspect of the supernatural. My favorite stories were "A Grave Business" by Michael Lynes and "The Big Escape" by Marjorie Hembroff.

 Happy reading, all!

#IndiePrideDay 2018

Hello, fellow readers!
Today we celebrate Indie Pride Day, a movement that supports independent authors around the world. Every year on July 1st, authors take selfies of themselves with their books and take to social media using the #IndiePrideDay and #IndieBooksBeSeen hashtags.

Why should readers care?
Ah, dear readers, but don't you see, independent authors are only the BEST for so many reasons!

The indie community is one of the friendliest, most helpful places to be when you are a newbie writer just getting started. There are various groups on Facebook, (My favorite being Authors-Professional Co-op) that are there to support each other by answering questions and giving feedback. We don't see other writers as competition; we recognize that we are all in this together.

Indie authors are also some of the best writers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting (Online. I wish I knew these people in real life!). Many avid readers are under the impression that indies, specifically self-published authors, "couldn't hack it" with big name publishers and were forced to publish their books themselves. This is not the case. Many authors choose to self-publish or go through a small publishing company because of the freedom they have when it comes to their story and the final product. Talent has nothing to do with it.
In fact, I have a few indies that I immediately purchase whenever they put out a new release because they are just that good. Seriously, their books are magic.

So, what can you do, dear reader, to help this wonderful movement? Share any of the posts you see with those special hashtags. Show indies love by buying their books, telling your friends, and leaving reviews. In return, we'll keep putting our hearts and souls into the stories that you love.
Happy Indie Pride Day, everyone!
All my love to you, fellow indies!

Exciting Things are Coming!

That's right, my friends! Now that Hollow Hills is up and running, I have gotten back to writing again and I am bringing the goods. Next month, I have a collection of short stories coming out that is sure to please. Let me give you the low-down on Tantalizing Tales of the Horrific and Fantastic. 

I'm pretty pumped about my first book to be published through Hollows Hills. So what is it about? Horror, fantasy, paranormal, science fiction, and more come together in a mesmerizing collection hitting your favorite online book sellers on July 27th, 2018. 

Here is the synopsis:

Sink your teeth into this book of fantastical short stories that will leave you wanting more. This collection mixes fantasy, science fiction, horror, and more into one big boiling pot of tastiness. Stories may include princesses, talking birds, alien species, magical items, terrifying creatures, cyborgs, or assassins. You’ll get your fill of thrills and chills.

As if that isn't exciting enough, you are all invited to a party. That's right, you! Come join us on release day for our Facebook event Madness, Magic, and Mayhem. Games, teasers, and giveaways galore! Whew, I haven't done a FB event in quite some time and I fully intend to let loose and have a blast. I hope you stop by for some fun.

Meanwhile, drop by your favorite store and pre-order Tantalizing Tales of the Horrific and Fantastic. It has a bit of something for everyone. The universal link is here. Have a great weekend, readers.

Stay tuned for news on another upcoming release from Hollow Hills that features another brand new short story from yours truly.