Character Spotlight - Gormellyn

Character Spotlight – Gormellyn 

     The Gormellyn is a harbinger of justice, deliverer of destiny, and a creature with no mercy.

     With a body the size of a large bird, but with a feline form, the Gormellyn is a small, but lethal creature. A body and legs of obsidian-black fur led to paws with razor-sharp talons. The long, thin muzzle of the Gormellyn was deceptively passive, until it opened and revealed needle-sharp fangs that glistened against black fur. The red, sibilant tongue can smell fear on the air, and the pointed, black ears can hear the words of deception spoken across the entire realm.

     Usually content to reside within its rocky lair in the region known as Steinbrekka, the Gormellyn will only leave in order to see justice done within the realm of Kaldalangra. Rarely has he been woken from his decade long slumber, but when the imposter to the throne answered the Gormellyn’s call for power, he arose angry and vengeful.

     The Gormellyn has no patience for human struggles, pain, or relationships. This creature knows only one thing, and that is justice. He has no room in his heart for those who seek to deceive those around him, and no mercy for those who cause harm to the people he claims as his own.

Teaser Time!

Do you know what time it is? Time for the   teaser blog hop!

This week's teaser takes us back to the beginning of The Lady of Steinbrekka, the first in the Kaldalangra series. The Lady of Steinbrekka is available for purchase from Barnes&Noble and Amazon.

   “It is not worth it to struggle, little one. You have no chance of winning.”

   Rhea caught a finger between her teeth and bit down hard, wildly kicking her feet out to try to contact any body part of her assailant. She growled, “it’s always worth trying,” and then cried out in pain as he grabbed her by the back of her neck like a kitten. He forced her on her knees into a stillness born of agony as the second man approached.

   “I thought she was going to be an easy one eh, so much for a painless job.”

   The man holding her laughed, “I suspect it will be well worth it, my brother. They do not come this feisty all the time!” His grip hardened on her neck as he dragged her onto her feet. “Now are you going to come quietly girl, or will you be taking the hard way out?”

   Rhea spat at him and tried to twist out of his grip. She felt a quick, hard blow to her head and the world began to move like slow molasses around her. She fought a quick wave of nausea and tried to coerce her feet to move, to will the stars to stop creating a tunnel in front of her face. She saw the mirror in front of her slide to the side, and felt herself being forced into the space it once occupied. She had the momentary thought of, that’s crazy, the mirror doesn’t do that, as the darkness consumed her.

 How will Rhea get out of this? While you wait for your copy of The Lady of Steinbrekka to arrive to your Nook, Kindle, or front step, check out these other great teasers from the 

teaser blog hop!

The Never

Alright Readers, get your comfy chairs ready because this is a book you are not going to want to step away from. Kristina Circelli gives us an incredible adventure once again with her latest release, The Never. My words could not do this book justice, so check out the prologue below (my heart aches for the little girl) and make sure that you pick up a copy today.

 The Never can be purchased for at B&N or Amazon


                                                        

 “Out of nothing, we create something.”

Arianna has spent her entire life being called a dreamer, an artist who created a world no one else can see. And for her entire life, she has taken the medication that keeps that world – and the one who brought her there – at bay.

Now an adult, Arianna reawakens that part of herself kept locked away in the darkest corners of her mind. When she hides her medicine from her fiancé’s ever-watchful eye, he returns – the shadow in the night who collects her for an adventure known only in her fantasies.

But something is different about this world called The Never. It is no longer the cheerful place filled with light and laughter that she knew as a child. Now, the sea creatures drag their visitors into the depths of murky waters. The natives battle to the death against the tribe of children. And the pirates, led by the feared captain called The Hunter, seek out Arianna for their own sinister plans.

As Arianna goes deeper into The Never, she discovers just what her connection to the land means – and must choose between her life rooted in reality, and the world where anything is possible.

Prologue - A Child Dreams

            The child sat with her arms crossed, green eyes staring vacantly at the woman before her, mind and imagination in a world not of this realm. The woman, frustrated and bored, watched the girl carefully, tired of this game.

            A clock ticked in the background, a steady tick, tick, tick of time that did not exist for the child, but drove the adult to her last frayed nerve. Not even the tranquility of her office, purposely decorated to best set every heart at ease with soft colors and peaceful seascapes, could ease the tension in her shoulders.

            “Arianna, we have been through this,” the woman said, speaking the first words of the day. Her voice sounded too high-pitched and nervous, betraying the stern expression her face had settled into. “You cannot keep lying to people. People don’t like lies.”

            Those green eyes shifted ever so slightly, latching on to her in an eerie, unsettling way. The woman’s breath caught in her throat, making her next question sound almost frightened. “Can you tell me why you make up these stories?”

            The girl hardly moved when she answered. “I don’t tell stories. I tell memories.”

            The answer only annoyed the woman more. “Memories of what?”

            “Of the land I dream of.”

            “And where is this land?” At that, the girl unfolded her arms and slowly raised a hand, curling her fingers until just one was pointing toward the ceiling. “Up? Where is up? Heaven?” The girl only lowered her arm and narrowed her eyes in a way that told the woman exactly what she thought of her. “And who showed you this place?”

            “A friend.”

            “Does this friend have a name?” The child didn’t answer. “Is he nice to you? Or does he tell you to do bad things?” Another blank stare. “Are you afraid of him?”

            “I’m not afraid of my friends.”

            “If he is a friend, why does no one else know him?”

            “No one else can see him.”

            The woman smiled softly, gently touching the girl’s arm. “Because he does not exist.”

            “Because they have forgotten how to see,” the child retorted, bitterness in her voice. “He only comes to those who still believe in magic.”

            “I see. And who told you to say that?”

            “I think for myself.”

            The woman sighed, rising to her feet and gesturing to the girl to do the same. “Magic is for children who cannot think for themselves, Arianna. It is time to grow up, and forget these stories. Then you won’t have to see me anymore.” The green eyes locked on her once again, sending a chill down the woman’s back.

            “I see you always. But you never see me.”

            The girl allowed her mother to tuck her in that night, obeying the soft commands to brush her teeth, put on her pajamas, and slip beneath the sheet. Bedtime was the best time for her, the time when dreams came, when she was visited by memories.

            Her mother, a beautiful lady in every sense of the word, pulled up the comforter, smiling down at her daughter. “Tomorrow is a new day, sweetheart,” she said, kissing her on the cheek. She held out her hand. “Here, take this.”

            The child looked down at the small blue pill, taking it in her slender fingers. “What is it?”

            “To help you sleep,” her mother replied, handing her a glass of water. Not a trace of anger or deception filled her words, as she was a good mother, one who knew what was best for her only child and refused to show distress. “So you won’t have to visit your doctor anymore.” As expected, the oath had her daughter eagerly swallowing the pill, never knowing what truths would come of the broken promises.

            “Will I sleep better now?” the girl asked, settling down against her pillows.

            “You will sleep like an angel, my beautiful little Arianna, with silk wings and a long, flowing white dress.”

            “Will I dream?”

            “Of all the most wonderful things in this world.” Her mother leaned over and kissed her daughter on the forehead. “Sweet dreams, my love.”

            But on that night, the little girl didn’t dream at all.

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 What is that you say? You must have more? Then be sure to follow Kristina on Twitter @KCircelli  , on Facebook , or through her blog An Awfully Big Adventure

Sneak Peak, part 2

Are you ready for the second installment of the Indie-licious teaser blog hop? 

This is another bit from Heart of Kylassame, the 2nd book in the Kaldalangra series. Heart of Kylassame is due to be released Summer 2013, so make sure to read Lady of Steinbrekka so you know what's going on ;)

Lianna walked forward tentatively, eyes open wide in fear. The fountain was frozen, the water caught mid-flow as it had tumbled down the carved stone. The ice was clear in the summer sun, slightly melting in the summer heat before refreezing, an endless cycle of desolation. She could see the red swirls that had rippled through the water before it froze, the tiny red droplets that gleamed on the white surface of the pool. In the depths of the pool, the ornamental fish swam slowly, sluggishly, their resilient bodies succumbing to the freezing temperature above.

Dmitri folded his hands within his long-sleeved brown tunic. “It began yesterday. The roses and the fountain had frozen over when Lady Rhea left the garden. When I checked the clearing this morning the frost had spread to the entire area, and is slowly overtaking the entire garden.”

His nearly blind eyes shifted from Savin to Nyssa. “The garden reflects the heart of Lady Rhea. That was apparent so many years ago when her love and hope released us from the icy prison. Now,” he gestured to the icicles hanging from the tree branches, “something has caused her heart to go cold, and thus, we follow.”

Need something to read while you wait? Check out these other awesome teasers from some incredible authors!

Character Spotlight - Ayewoke

    This very first character spotlight is going to focus on the character of Ayewoke. Ayewoke can be found as a character in the books, Lady ofSteinbrekka and Heart of Kylassame.

    Ayewoke is a form of Magi, a woman with extraordinary powers who resides in an area of Kaldalangra known as Steinbrekka. Steinbrekka is a rocky, desolate region that is home to many supernatural creatures and people. The desolation of the realm has made it the perfect place for King Verikhan to send any people who come into his realm, either by accident or through kidnapping. There, they are brain-washed and, usually, die from the assault on their body and minds from the natural and supernatural forces in the region.

    When Rhea goes to Steinbrekka to be brainwashed, she meets the ancient Magi, Ayewoke. There, Ayewoke gives her the help needed to survive the ordeal. She realizes that Rhea is not just an ordinary woman, and decides to act as her emotional guardian once Rhea leaves Steinbrekka. As Ayewoke is not welcome in the court of Kaldalangra, she achieves this by transforming into her other form; that of a little gray cat.

    This character was born out of two very different but equally powerful images.

http://nativeamericanencyclopedia.com/running-eagle/

    The first is an image that has always stuck in my head; that of the old-world tribal Matriarch. These women lived in a time when it was not possible to erase wrinkles, smooth lines, and dye their hair to hide the grays. The elderly were venerated and cherished for their deep wells of wisdom and experience, and considered vital members of the community. 

    These are women who have a primal, dignified beauty, and every wrinkle tells a tale of the full life they have lived.

    It would not be hard to picture a woman, such as this, sitting on an isolated rocky peak in a supernatural region of another world.

    The second image, oddly enough, is based on my childhood cat, Ewok. Ewok was a very special little gray cat (sound familiar?) that was always looking out for me while growing up. She would follow me into the woods for hikes, sleep beside me at night, and brush away my teenage tears with her little paws. 

   

    She was in her twelfth year when I began writing The Lady of Steinbrekka, and passed away in a mysterious fashion when I was writing the final chapter of the novel.

Sneak Peak from Heart of Kylassame

Hi everyone, and welcome to a special sneak peak from my newest work-in-progress, Heart of Kylassame, which will be released during the summer of 2013.

Heart of Kylassame is the second book in the series, Tales of Kaldalangra. Be sure to Read the first book, Lady of Steinbrekka, today! Lady of Steinbrekka is available for Nook, Kindle, and Paperback.

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Rowan turned as the crowd gasped in alarm and then gave a restrained smile at the sight of his wife walking beside the massive cat. She looked regal at that moment, and he was given the uncomfortable reminder that not only she was his wife, but she was the Lady of Steinbrekka. It did not surprise him, then, that the Makaholr would show up on this day. Somewhere he must have sensed that his lady had been threatened, that her mate needed his assistance in carrying out justice. 

She looked beautiful and terrifying as she walked through the grasses, the crowd of people shrinking back at the sight of the giant cat. Her entire essence changed during that walk through the crowd. Blue jeans and cotton shirt shimmered, and when he blinked she was suddenly wearing a deep crimson gown, so well-fitted it seemed to have been sewn onto her body. The neck dipped low on her chest, revealing the carved-stoned ladybug pendant that he had given her two years prior. He had made that necklace for his mother, the Queen, and she had returned it upon her deathbed. It belonged to Rhea now, a woman his mother would have loved, had they ever met.

          The people behind him shifted nervously at the sight of the pair. The cat moved slowly, stealthily through the grass, muscles rippling and fangs bared as those large, green eyes  fixed on the criminals. The women walking with the cat was a stranger to them, indeed a stranger to all who lived in Kylassame. This was not the friend who smiled at their antics, watched the children, or danced with them at parties. This woman was formidable, a protector of the threatened, and her feline companion a harbinger of justice.

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Want to be delightfully teased by some other fascinating stories? Check out these great posts from the Indie-licious blog hop! I can't wait for these stories to come out!

My interview by Kristina Circelli

One of my biggest moments happened in August 2012 following the release of my first novel, The Lady of Steinbrekka. This was a chance to be interviewed by my friend, mentor, and inspiration, the amazing Kristina Circelli!

For the full interview, please be sure to visit Kristina over at An Awfully Big Adventure! While you wait the 5 seconds for the page to load, here is a snippit.

Interview with Kristi Strong

1) Thanks for participating in this author interview (and for being my guinea pig and being the first…)! I am so excited The Lady of Steinbrekkais available. Being your first novel, how does it feel to go through the self-publishing process and finally, at the end of it all, have your book in hand?

It is very surreal. When I first saw my book up on www.bn.com I screamed, and grabbed my husband and just kept pointing at the screen going “It’s there! It’s there!” It is a wonderful and incredible feeling. At first I did experience some doubt because I always thought you had to go through a big time publisher to be legit, but this has just blown my mind and that notion straight out the window. The indie novel world is so immense, and has such wonderful creations that it is a awesome source of entertainment and stories.

2) LoS has been many years in the making. What inspired you to go back to your idea, and how did you keep that motivation going throughout the course of writing the book? 

That would be you ;) I have been writing short stories and poems my entire life, but never really thought of other people enjoying them. Your constant excitement kept me writing and made me realize that this is something that should be shared. My mom actually got pretty emotional when I told her that someone was encouraging me to write, and then publish. I had given up on it in college because “I was no Emerson/Tolkien/Rowling” and had forgotten why I write in the first place.

I also hit some spots where the characters or events totally surprised me by taking a different path than originally intended, and that is always exciting. After one fight scene I found myself going “Oh wow, I wonder what will happen next and if everything will be ok!” Then I realized I would have to actually write that and figure it out as the story evolved.

3) LoS is filled with many unique characters and places. Do any of them come from specific inspirations, or people? 

Mateo is actually the only one based on a real person, although more so his nicer side. Also, many of Rhea’s college experiences she refers to late in the book were pulled (and embellished a bit) from our friendship.
Many of the terms, names, and creatures do pull from a variety of languages (mashed together in many cases) or loosely resemble myths and folklore stories told throughout the world.