Upcoming release sample: PLANTWISE

“I bring you wishes for a blessed and joyous tenth birthday, Princess Arden, from the royal family of Stonemount.” Dylon bowed in a full courtly bow so his shaggy curls flopped forward into his eyes, prompting a giggle from her. He winked as he straightened up. “And especially from my grandfather. He had so hoped to be here, to see you.” His gaze slid to Glynna. “Unfortunately, an accident has kept him bound, indefinitely, to the palace. King Doyne is relieved to have him close at hand, where he can be protected –”

“Protected?” Glynna blurted. “That’s ominous. What healer needs protection?”

“—and tended to, while he heals,” Dylon finished, after a brief pause. He bent again and picked up a sturdy leather travel sack from the floor. He withdrew a journal bound in bright green leather with silver lacing, and a clear bottle of green ink, and two silver pens. “My grandfather knows how Auntie Glynna teaches, and he sent these to help in your continuing lessons and observations.” He held them out to her. 

“Oh, they’re wonderful.” Arden stepped forward to take the gifts. “Please, give him my thanks and my prayers for a speedy and full recovery. I know Auntie Glynna would be so pleased to see him again. Perhaps we could make a journey to Stonemount, to visit Healer Ambrose, Father?”

 

Want to LISTEN to the book? TODAY is the launch of Season 2 of the Ye Olde Dragon's Library storytelling podcast, featuring PLANTWISE.

Look for it on your favorite podcast app, or visit the website to listen to today's episode and previous episodes: www.YeOldeDragonBooks.com, and click on the Storytelling Podcast link.

Beginning Saturday: The Storytellers episodes.

Listen to a chat with authors of new books and fantastical fiction, and get a behind-the-scenes look into the craft of storytelling!

Upcoming release sample: PLANTWISE

 Twenty minutes later, her hair brushed and braided and shoes on her feet, Arden stepped into her father's study. King Alfred and Queen Elise waited at the head of the long council table, Comyn standing just in front of the king, to his left.

A tall young man with tousled, curly dark hair and gray eyes, dressed in sturdy traveling clothes, stood on the queen’s right. He held a packet sealed with green wax, which had to be the letter from Ambrose. Arden wondered only for a moment why he wasn’t wearing the green and black livery of Stonemount. Shouldn’t a courier from the royal family be in livery?

She forgot that question when the young man’s eyes widened and he looked past her. Right at the place where Glynna hovered. He could see her. That meant he had magic.

As if in confirmation of that thought, several silver sparks hovered around his head for a few heartbeats. Silver magic was healing magic. That made sense now. He was another healer like Ambrose, so he had brought the letter instead of sending it by courier.

All three adults smiled as Arden curtseyed very prettily.

“Arden,” her mother said, gesturing at the young healer, “this is Dylon, grandson to Healer Ambrose.”

“Oh, my, how he’s grown. He looks so much like his grandmother, rather than Ambrose,” Glynna said. 

Dylon grinned and gave a head-bow to Glynna, and Arden’s heart sputtered a few beats in excitement. He could hear her, as well as see her. She had yet to meet anyone who could see and hear her beloved teacher. This was quite the best present for her birthday. She couldn’t wait to talk to him. And have Glynna talk to him.

Upcoming release sample: PLANTWISE

 

“The boy, your nephew’s heir.” Steward’s expression turned grave. “Shadows are slowly gathering, and poisoned roots reach for him. He is a potential pivot point in our war. My dreams of him are hazy. Nothing is confirmed. No decisions have been made, but he is poised on too many knife edges. The enemy wants him, and he is vulnerable.” He nodded to Dylon. “This one is young. I do not like to ask you to put him into the war, but a companion who isn’t awed by his rank could be a good influence, a wall of protection.” He shook his head. “And could come under attack for it. I don’t want to ask it of you …”

“You don’t have to.” Ambrose gripped Dylon’s shoulder. “My nephew is already concerned about his son’s attitude, since losing his wife. She was a defensive wall against the flatterers and bootlickers and liars. He suggested some time ago that Maddix needs a steadying influence, and someone who will stand up to him.”

“Thank you.”

“The princess … is she in danger?”

“Not yet.”

“But she will be?” 

“When she starts thinking for herself, and lets her heart guide …” The Steward sighed and shrugged. “I have dreamed too many branching paths ahead of her, and all of them vanish into the mist of possibilities.”

New Release: THE SECOND TIME AROUND

 

THE SECOND TIME AROUND

 

Daniel Morgan's past returns to haunt him when a freshman girl shows up for class wearing his college sweetheart's face.

 

Lynette Tyler is determined not to face her past, even when she learns her daughter's favorite new teacher is the man she had forced out of her life when she got pregnant.

 

When Daniel learns that Kat is his daughter, he dares to ask God for the dream he had let go years before... to finally be a family. He pursues Lynette's love through tragedy and shame, learning to forgive each other and themselves. The biggest hurdle isn't whether Kat would forgive them when she finally finds out the truth, but whether Lynette can let go of the past long enough to let them have a future together.

Ye Olde Dragon's Library: Episode 21

 

The final episode.

At least, the final episode of LIARS' QUEST.

There's much more to come in the Ye Olde Dragon's Library podcast!

Ash finds new allies, and a friend who promises to teach her and prepare her for the blooming of her inborn magic. And more important, help her keep and protect the spirit ring, so he won't be taken away when she completes Justiciar Camwell's quest.

This is only the beginning of Ash's adventures.

Stay tuned for the start of a new story appearing in the podcast, PLANTWISE, a fairytale setting in a place I call Steward's World.

https://yeoldedragonbooks.com/ye-olde-dragons-library-storytelling-podcast/

 

 

Want to support the podcast?

Find us on Patreon: Ye Olde Dragon's Library

patreon.com/user?u=26078473

Upcoming release sample: PLANTWISE

 The two wove their way through the laughing, singing, dancing throngs, down five streets and through another fountain square, until they came out into a quieter portion of Port’ham. A young man with gingery curls and a faint dusting of beard, wearing the simple clothes of a traveler, sat on a bench in front of a closed shop, and watched them come down the street. The swirls of magic faded as they spun down around him. When Ambrose got close enough, he saw the young man’s eyes: fern green. A faint glow like a candle flame flickered behind them, just for a moment before the last of the magic faded entirely.

He stopped a dozen paces away from the young man, who had a simple traveler’s pack tucked under the bench by his feet. A sturdy walking stick leaned against the bench. Ambrose bowed head and shoulders in silent tribute.

“Healer.” The young man smiled. “I’m pleased to meet you.”

“You honor me, Steward.” Ambrose’s lips twitched in a brief smile when Dylon caught his breath at the title.

“We are all servants on level ground at Yeshen’s feet.” The young man got to his feet. “I’m grateful we had a chance to meet. I feel I was guided here to warn you, as well as Auntie Glynna.”

“Me?” He held perfectly still, thinking of Glynna, newly Gifted to the baby princess, and the damage that could be done to Westerland, to all the kingdoms touching the farming kingdom, if that magic Gift was lost. Other times when a Gift had been passed on, Durmad had struck, through physical attack or through subtlety, killing the new Gifted or taking them prisoner, or warping them to employ that magic in his service. Had enemy spies followed Glynna here, sensing she was about to Gift herself?

Upcoming release sample: PLANTWISE

 

A swirl of magic, silver shifting to green to blue to purple, spun through the air over the heads of the people dancing in the fountain square several streets away from the palace. Ambrose caught his breath at the sight and turned to follow it. He took five steps before realizing Dylon had continued moving through the dancing, laughing, rejoicing people. Shaking his head, feeling more excited and awed than foolish, Ambrose hurried after the boy and wrapped an arm around his shoulders to guide him out of the square. He watched his grandson, a knot of worry and hope in his chest, until the boy’s eyes widened and he turned his head, visibly following the swirl of magic overhead. Good. The boy saw the magic as well.

He hadn’t given much thought to who he would Gift his healing magic to, when the day came to lay down the burden and blessing Yeshen had placed on him. Not until he saw Glynna Gift her duty and magic and years of experience to the little princess. His son, Dylon’s father, had inherited his late wife’s gift for words rather than healing, and chose a life of scholarship, serving the Repository, a vast complex of caverns full of scholars and scrolls and the histories of every kingdom on the continent. Silver sparks had appeared when Dylon was born, indicating he had the potential for healing, but Ambrose had seen no further proof of magic. Until now.

New Release: THE SECOND TIME AROUND

 

New in PRINT!

TODAY!!!!

Available in print, ebook, and audiobook

New cover.

Re-release from Mt. Zion Ridge Press

Book 1, Year 1, The Tabor Heights series

Welcome to Tabor Heights:

A friendly little town on Ohio's North Coast, where sweet romance is always in the air.

 

Here you'll be able to explore the lives of the members of the congregation of Tabor Christian Church in the space of two years. The stories overlap, and there's no one right place to start.

 

Just like any small town, you come in, you meet someone, you hear their story and get to know them. As you get to know these new friends, they introduce you to other people, and tell you about other interesting stories in town.

 

It's the same way with Tabor Heights. Start with the story that interests you the most, and then branch out.

 

Settle back and enjoy your visit.

Welcome!

 

Ye Olde Dragon's Library: Episode 20

 

One more episode to go!!

In the previous episode, Ash came up against a nasty magistrate who insisted she remove the spirit ring so he could examine it, and protect the people of the town. When he tried to remove it, he broke Ash's fingers, and in return the protective magic of the ring exploded, destroying all sorts of charms hidden under his shirt.

The magistrate has been revealed as a liar -- claiming to possess magic that he had to buy from others. He's in deep trouble, and Eryk and his smuggler friends have to sneak Ash out of town before the magistrate stops whining and threatening long enough to punish her for the trouble he has brought on himself.

Have you enjoyed this story?

I hope so!

Want to have your own copy to read?

I'm in the process of creating cover art and doing final edits of the book, and plan to have print and ebook ready for purchase as soon as the final episode releases next week.

Pre-release orders get a discount, by going through the Ye Olde Dragon Books website. If you're interested, go check it out!

And please keep listening -- we're going to start in on Season 2 right away, with a new fantasy novel, PLUS we'll be adding interviews with other authors of fantastical fiction.

Thanks for listening!

Coming Release: PLANTWISE, Steward's World Book 1

 

Now, learn about the book:

PLANTWISE

 

On her christening day, Princess Arden was Gifted with plantwise magic, a blessing to her father's farming kingdom of Westerland. Immediately, schemers began working to arrange a marriage between her and Maddix, prince of Stonemount, the neighboring kingdom and ally of Westerland.

Guided by agents of the despot, Durmad, Maddix grew up preparing to take over multiple kingdoms, by any means necessary. Arden was the first of several targeted brides, to marry, give him sons, and use those sons to take over their grandfathers' kingdoms.

Just in time, Arden resisted and escaped Maddix's schemes. To punish her, he stole the magic apple tree she created to defend Westerland, then he set out to destroy those she loved. With her daughter's life in the balance, Arden devised a desperate scheme to humiliate Maddix and save her child.

Her mentor warned her many times not to play by Maddix's rules, or she would risk losing everything.  What would it take for Arden to learn that lesson -- and would she learn it in time?

 

Princess Wronged seeks justice against Prince Not-so-charming, and learns revenge is a dish best served … not cold, but by someone else.

 

Off the Bookshelf: JUNKYARD CATS, by Faith Hunter

 

Audiobook, Audible exclusive

Narrated by Khristine Hvam

Shining Smith series, Book 1

Gritty futuristic tale of survival, with a slow drip of one chilling revelation after another, coalescing in a picture of a gut-churning near-future. And doubts about whether our heroine is still human.

Shining is living in hiding, presumed dead, running a junkyard and protecting a man she rescued from slavery. The United States is a shattered mess, just like the environment, where West Virginia has been turned into a desert, and motorcycle gangs are mobile armed forces, or terrorists, feeding off the mangled carcass of the country. No indication which side won in the war, which hovers on the verge of re-igniting.

An enforcer for her father's former motorcycle warrior group shows up, following a signal triggered by an invasion of the junkyard. Shining plays a dangerous game trying to convince him she isn't herself, she's just a clueless receptionist, tending the junkyard while her boss is away. Little by little, looking through Shining's eyes, listeners learn about the danger she has faced, the threats to her life she has overcome, the alien technology that has merged with and taken over both machines and people's bodies, and just how un-helpless and un-defenseless she really is. When agents of an enemy gang approach the junkyard, she is forced to work with the enforcer to stay alive. And the junkyard cats of the title are revealed as far more than cats, and far more capable of fighting to defend their territory than they should be.

Scary, but I couldn't stop listening.

Coming Release: PLANTWISE, Steward's World Book 1

 

Releasing June 15

In paper, ebook, and audio.

Also the featured book for Season 2 in the Ye Olde Dragon's Library storytelling podcast.

First, learn about the world where this new series takes place:

STEWARD'S WORLD

 

Magic can be learned, earned, or Gifted -- given to a person with magic potential, along with all the experience and wisdom of the one who Gifts it. Sometimes, magic-users forget the first and most important rule: Yeshen made magic to be shared, used for good. If it is stolen, hoarded, and bound with lies, it turns to poison, ruining one kingdom after another.

 In this world of many kinds and strengths of magic, a war has been simmering for centuries, waiting to break out. Durmad waits, exiled beyond the Cascade Mountains, sending his agents into multiple kingdoms, to steal magic, enslave magic-users, and corrupt kings to serve him and his plans.

Steward stands against him, the duty and the magical ability passed from father to daughter, mother to son. The tides of magic and powers and the strength of kingdoms are shifting, as allies and pawns move into place in preparation for what could be the war to decide the fate of the world.

Ye Olde Dragon's Library: Episode 19

We come near the end of LIARS' QUEST with Episode 19.

(Two more episodes to go!)

Ash faces two attempts to remove the spirit ring from her finger. Both are painful.

One suffers from magical cheating.

Is she in trouble again, after the results of the attempt, which aren't too pleasant for the nasty magistrate?

If you haven't listened to the episode yet ... why not?

LOOKING AHEAD: Season 2 will feature the fantasy story PLANTWISE, as I believe I've mentioned before. AND ..... you'll get to hear from some of my writing friends, as we chat about their books.

It's gonna be fun! So please make sure to join us, won't you?

 

 

https://yeoldedragonbooks.com/ye-olde-dragons-library-storytelling-podcast/

 

 

Want to support the podcast?

Find us on Patreon: Ye Olde Dragon's Library

patreon.com/user?u=26078473

 

 

Off the Bookshelf: NICE DRAGONS FINISH LAST, by Rachel Aaron

 

Heartstriker series #1

Wry humor, constantly rising stakes, an incredible new zoology thanks to the weirdness of rogue magic, and the incredible worldbuilding where Detroit has turned into a wild west of magic. Love the DFZ books. 

I guess I'm reading backward, because I started with Minimum Wage Magic, and this seems to have come before it, with Heartstriker #1.

Aaron makes you care about her characters from the beginning. Which is good, because poor Julius needs someone rooting for him, from almost before the story begins. The runt of the litter, he's managed to survive by being quiet and lying low -- until his mother, Bethesda Heartstriker, who has dragon-sized ambitions (naturally) locks him into his human form and throws him into the one place on the planet where dragons are outlawed, and gives him a month to prove he's a real dragon (whatever that is) or he'll probably end up a midnight snack. For her!

Things seem to improve, only slightly, when he meets a mage named Darcy -- until all her problems, starting with a gangster on her tail, catch up with them. One simple little job, to start proving himself, turns into a nail-biting adventure that could get them both killed a dozen times over. Then dragon politics get involved and things get really dicey ...

Fun. I'm addicted. Thank goodness I have another Audible credit in my account, because once I catch up on my podcasts, I'll need another dose of the DFZ and dragons.