Tag: indie author

Want to Win an Autographed Book?

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I’m doing another Rafflecopter giveaway for my newsletter subscribers. This time I’m giving away an autographed copy of Into the Shadow Wood, a companion book to Journey to Aviad.

Not subscribed yet? Feel free to take a look at my last newsletter.  In this edition there is a character spotlight on Alaric from Into the Shadow Wood, along with some author updates and links to a couple of giveaways for LOTS of free books. When you  sign up for my newsletter, you’ll also get a free e-copy of Book 2 in my series, Ancient Voices: Into the Depths. You can unsubscribe at any time, so really you’ve got nothing to lose!

So, back to my original question:
Want the chance to win an autographed book?

Step 1: Subscribe to my newsletter and download your free ebook
Step 2: Enter the giveaway

That’s it! The winner will be announced in my September newsletter. Good luck!

Into the Shadow Wood

Once a proud member of the Sovereign’s prestigious personal guard, Einar has lost everything: his home, his Sovereign, and his purpose. Most of his closest friends have either been killed in battle or executed. His friend Nevon died trying to fulfill a dangerous oath…one that Einar disagreed with, but now feels honor-bound to take up in his stead. The quest plunges Einar into the depths of the dark and twisted Shadow Wood, testing the limits of his strength, his beliefs, and his sanity. What he finds in the Wood is far more ominous than anything he’d expected. If he’s not careful, Nevon’s fate might end up being his own.

 

Fantasy Art Friday

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Get inspired with this week’s Fantasy Art Friday, where fun fantasy artwork is combined with a writing prompt to get your creative juices flowing.

A battle hardened warrior escorts a girl on horseback. She is well dressed and rides with confidence–most likely from a noble family. Is she merely taking a leisurely afternoon ride through the woodlands near home, or is she traveling a long distance, with this man sworn to protect her along the journey? Was he hired for the job, or are the two blood relatives? Either way, they seem to be at ease with each other. I wonder what they are talking about. Perhaps you could fill in the conversation…

Trio, Horses, Escort and River by Sean Silvestre

Fantasy Art Friday

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Get inspired with this week’s Fantasy Art Friday, where fun fantasy artwork is combined with a writing prompt to get your creative juices flowing.

I love the drama and tension of this image–just the kind you want in a good story. I my book series, this could very easily be an image of Glak sometime in the future, preparing to lead an army of men into the most important battle of their lives. The one that will decide not only their fate, but that of the entire world.

Whoever he is, this leader has poise–he’s calm and confident as he steps forward, his hand resting securely on the hilt of his sword. Battle is imminent, but he has prepared himself for this moment. It is time to find out if his men have been trained well enough to defeat the enemy. They acknowledge his authority as he passes through. These are the men who will be on the front lines–the pikemen. He looks into their faces, knowing that they will be the most vulnerable of all. Most of them will die today, and despite their displays of bravado, the look in their eyes tells him they know it too. He honors them by steadily returning their gaze. History will remember them…if there is to be any future. They must give their all, here, today, on the field of battle, in order to ensure that there is.

“Banners of War” by Gabriel Yeganyan

Fantasy Art Friday

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Get inspired with this week’s Fantasy Art Friday, where fun fantasy artwork is combined with a writing prompt to get your creative juices flowing.

“Tranquility” is the title, and at first glance this place does look tranquil. The lush green of the landscape, the slowly flowing stream. Could be a nice place to idle on a warm afternoon.  Perhaps wade through the cool water…find a few colorful rocks, or watch small fish swimming in the still waters close to the bank.

Yet as I look closer, into undergrowth surrounding the stream, I realize just how thick it is. Is the whole forest so dense, or has it only grown up that way along the water’s edge? What if you had to travel through an entire forest like that, wading through foliage, and stumbling over roots and rocks, never quite knowing what might be watching you through that tangle of green? What if your journey was urgent, requiring haste to reach your ultimate destination? Suddenly this scene seems oppressive, the stream tranquil because it offers the only break in an endless, smothering blanket of green. Perhaps it is not the ideal location for an idyllic afternoon stroll, but is more like the dark place in my book series called the Shadow Wood, full of terrors that torment the body as well as the mind. There…did you hear it? That whisper in your ear. What was it saying? Or was it just the wind after all?

“Tranquility” by Wouter Florusse

Fantasy Art Wednesday

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Get inspired with this week’s Fantasy Art Wednesday, where fun fantasy artwork is combined with a writing prompt to get your creative juices flowing.

There is a certain beauty about this dim and overgrown swamp. A female figure pushes a boat through the still, shallow water, the light of a single lantern barely illuminating the way before her. She doesn’t seem quite human. What is she? Does she belong to this wet, shadowy world, or is she just a stranger passing through? Where did she come from, and where is she going?

Book Review: Into the Shadow Wood

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Thanks to Andrea Lundgren for providing a thorough review of my novella, Into the Shadow Wood. She is a fantastic reviewer, book coach, writer, and blogger. Read the entire review and find out more about Andrea on her blog.

Title: Into the Shadow Wood by Allison D. Reid

Genre: Fantasy/Short Story

Book Description from Goodreads: Once a proud member of the Sovereign’s prestigious personal guard, Einar has lost everything: his home, his Sovereign, and his purpose. Most of his closest friends have either been killed in battle or executed. His friend Nevon died trying to fulfill a dangerous oath…one that Einar disagreed with, but now feels honor-bound to take up in his stead. The quest plunges Einar into the depths of the dark and twisted Shadow Wood, testing the limits of his strength, his beliefs, and his sanity. What he finds in the Wood is far more ominous than anything he’d expected. If he’s not careful, Nevon’s fate might end up being his own.

Book Review: Having read the two novels that are out of The Wind Rider Chronicles, I was quite excited when Allison announced that there’d be a short story continuing Einar’s journey, and even more delighted when she asked me to review the novella. Einar was my favorite character from Journey to Aviad, and this story takes up where that novel left off. So here’s a closer look…

Source: Book Review: Into the Shadow Wood

Fantasy Art Wednesday

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Get inspired with this week’s Fantasy Art Wednesday, where fun fantasy artwork is combined with a writing prompt to get your creative juices flowing.

This beautiful mountain valley reminds me of places I saw when I was traveling through the Alps. But imagine this isn’t the Alps–this is a fantasy world, where anything could be on the other side of that mountain.

The beauty of this place is deceiving, and this is no idyllic afternoon outing. You’re on a pressing  journey through these mountains; treacherous on foot, with steep, slippery surfaces, cold, wet weather, and scarce sources of food.

Is that a thick fog ahead, or is a dangerous storm gathering? Either way, going headlong into it isn’t wise. Best to stay here among the green grasses and flowers until it passes by. Why are you here in the first place? Are you running from something, seeking refuge and the protection in this remote wilderness? Or is there something so incredible on the other side of the pass that it’s worth any risk just to find it?