A Dream Not Imagined Cover Reveal

Today I’m excited to join in on the cover reveal for the upcoming fairytale novella A Dream Not Imagined by Shantelle Mary Hannu!

While I’ve yet to read this story, I helped edit Shantelle’s upcoming Christian Fantasy novel, Silver Rose, which was the editing project I’ve mentioned round about here a few times. Let me tell you, besides being a positively lovely person, Miss Shantelle is an author you’re going to want to keep an eye on! Silver Rose was a delight, one of my favorite reads so far this year, and I’m consequently very much looking forward to reading A Dream Not Imagined!

Besides, who doesn’t love a Cinderella retelling? 😉

Behold, the lovely cover!

About the Book

A MAID, a PRINCE, and a DUKE. A GARDENER, a STEPMOTHER, and a secret…

Ellie Abbington, a beautiful yet unassuming young woman, quietly longs for her life to change. Too privileged to associate with the servants—too underprivileged to associate with her own family; she dreams a dream of a prince and a happily ever after.

But it could be that her own stepsisters, conniving Dezmarie and easily-influenced Adelaide, are dreaming the same dream…of the same prince.

In the end, are dreams even all they’re made out to be? Especially with deep and long-hidden secrets about to be unearthed?

A Dream Not Imagined is a non-magical fairytale novella based loosely on the classic tale of Cinderella.

Tentative Release Date: June 2015

About the Author

Shantelle Mary Hannu was born in the mountainous west, spending her golden childhood years there. Since then, she has relocated time and again with her parents and seven siblings, making cherished memories in both the South and Central United States.

A Christian homeschool graduate, Shantelle has a passion for writing and all things books. From a young age she’s been penning tales with a hope of sharing with the world adventurous and soul-stirring stories that bring glory to God.

A Dream Not Imagined, a fairytale novella, will be her first published book. She’s currently preparing a full-length fantasy novel for publication as well, and working on its sequel.

Shantelle blogs at A Writer’s Heart about her stories, favorite books and movies (with reviews), healthy wheat-free recipes, and hosts fellow authors, among other things. One of her joys is connecting with fellow writers and readers! You can also find her on:

Facebook: Shantelle Mary Hannu, Author

Twitter: @shantellemary

Goodreads: Shantelle Mary Hannu

Google+: Shantelle H.

Pinterest: Shantelle H.

About the Illustrator

Natasha H. is an aspiring photographer and also loves drawing and painting. A Dream Not Imagined is the first book she has drawn the cover picture for.
Learn more about her work at her blog: http://tashahphotography.blogspot.com/

Other Bloggers Participating in the Cover Reveal

Hayden Wand at The Story Girl

Claire Banschbach at Claire M. Banschbach – Thoughts and Rants

Amber Stokes at Seasons of Humility

Ghost Ryter at Anything, Everything

E. Kaiser Writes at …The Adventure Begins

Alyssa-Faith at The American Anglophile

Hannah Williams at The Writer’s Window

Laura Pol at Crafty Booksheeps

Natasha H. at Through My Lens (+ review)

Skye Hoffert at Ink Castles

Jaye L. Knight at Jaye L. Knight’s Blog

Serena at Poetree

Brittney at Brittney’s Book Nook

Jesseca Dawn at Whimsical Writings

Lena K. at Read, Write, Laugh, DANCE

Allison Ruvidich at The Art of Storytelling

Shannon McDermott at Shannon McDermott’s Blog

Tricia Mingerink at The Pen of a Ready Writer

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The Wildcat of Braeton Cover Reveal

Today I’m excited to be a part of the cover reveal party for “The Wildcat of Braeton” by Claire M. Banschbach! It is the sequel to “The Rise of Aredor” and they are Christian fantasy books.

Cover reveals are so thrilling, aren’t they? 🙂 So now, the moment you are waiting for…!

*drumroll*

Behold the gorgeousness!!

The Wildcat of Braeton

by Claire M. Banschbach

About the book:

“If you’re fighting our battle, we’d best make you look like a champion,” Tam said to Aiden. Tam and Blair began to apply the war paint the Clans had worn into battle since before they arrived in Braeton.

“You ready?” Tam asked when they finished.

“As I’ll ever be,” Aiden replied. “Tam, if everything goes wrong, you take charge after me.”

“I’m praying nothing goes wrong,” Tam said. “Just remember what Diarmad said when he built this place: ‘In times of trouble, a Champion shall rise up and Scodra shall not fall.’”

His term of service to Lord Rishdah now complete, Aiden returns to his home in Braeton. As he travels he hears rumors that trouble plagues Braeton. Clan Canich is being attacked from within. He arrives, determined to save his father, his brothers, and his Clan from the treachery of one man.

A year has passed since the Calorins were driven from Aredor and Corin is struggling to rebuild his country. Despite the peace, a fear haunts him that the Calorins aren’t far away. The Hawk Flight takes to the forest again to defend the borders against a possible attack from the neighboring country of Durna and its Calorin ally.

As Aiden and Corin struggle to adapt to their new lives they know one thing for certain – war is coming to the North!

About the Author:

Claire Banschbach was born and raised in Midland, TX, the fourth of eight children. She was homeschooled through high school and is now a proud member of the Texas A&M University class of 2014. An avid reader of Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and many other adventure novels, Claire was prompted to begin writing her own fantasy novel at seventeen after several years of daydreaming. She continues to write in her spare time (and often when she doesn’t have spare time).

When not scratching out stories and homework with pen and pencil, Claire partakes in the joys of watching the Boston Red Sox, Aggie football, playing volleyball, and horseback riding. She hopes her faith and strong foundation in God will continue to help guide her writing. She is currently working on her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the Texas Tech University Health Science Center.

Connect with the author:

Facebook: Facebook.com/ClaireMBanschbach

Twitter: @TheRiseofAredor

Blog: clairembanschbach.wordpress.com

My Kingdom For a Quest – Cover Reveal!

Today I’m joining in the cover reveal for the third book in Kendra E. Ardnek’s Bookania Quests series: My Kingdom For a Quest!

But first, Kendra joins us to answer some questions about the books and writing…

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Your Bookania Quests series seems to be basically a big glorious fairytale-and-legend retelling mashup… How much of a part would you say the Arthurian legend plays in this book, and what other tidbits of stories come into play the most?

Yeah, big glorious mashup. That’s Bookania. I haven’t even gotten to the books that involve Shakespeare and Mary Poppins.

Arthurian Legend is pretty much the focus of My Kingdom for a Quest, the main POV is Arthur himself, and most of the characters are there to play some role or another in the legend. However, I have taken more liberty with Arthur than I have any other fairy tale or legend to date (the exception being, perhaps, Puss in Boots).

The other fairy tale that is important is Sleeping Beauty. Most of the characters who aren’t directly connected to Arthurian legend are part of that tale, and some have a foot in both stories.

What advice would you give writers interested in trying to re-imagine and twist old stories in new ways? (i.e.: what challenges have you faced and overcome in writing these books?)

I have guest posted on this topic twice, so I do have quite a bit of advice.

However, I think the most important part is to make the Fairy Tale yours. Sure, a thousand people have told this story before you a thousand different ways, but the moment you decide to set about retelling a fairy tale, you make it yours. Own it.

How many books do you have planned for this series?

I have a notebook with 21 titles written in it, and I have half a dozen vague plots and bits of history planned beyond that. Not only that, I have three or four full-length prequels planned and dozens of short stories that take place within and around the series. So, yes, this is a world that will keep me busy for quite some time to come.

***

Aaand, here at last we have the cover that has been waited for!

*drumroll*

Isn’t it just scrumptious??

Arthur is the rightful king of Briton, but his Uncle Mordreth refuses to give up the regency. Arthur and Grandfather are now returning with allies to wrestle the kingdom from his uncle’s grasp.  But not all is as it seems among his allies, and everyone has secrets.  New loves, old loves, lost loves, kingdoms conquered and kingdoms stolen. Who is the real “rightful heir” and will the nearly forgotten sword in the stone finally answer this question?

Find My Kingdom For a Quest on Goodreads here!

***

I don’t know about you, but I love a good Arthurian and/or fairytale retelling… I’m very much looking forward to visiting Bookania myself in Kendra’s series!

My Kingdom For a Quest will release February 14, 2015, so keep an eye out for that!

In the meantime, you can read the first two books in the series (as I plan to)!

Sew, It’s a Quest (book 1)

Do You Take This Quest? (book 2)

Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways.  She’s been practicing her skills on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years, “Finish your story, Kendra”, is frequently heard at family gatherings. Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children’s tales that also glorify God and his Word. You can read more about her on her blog, knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.

Plenilune Cover Reveal!

It is my privilege today to be a part of the cover-reveal for Jennifer Freitag‘s soon-to-be-released planetary fantasy novel, “Plenilune”!

*drumroll*

Behold . . .

Isn’t it just so gorgeous and… fascinating??!

I was interested before, but now that I see the cover I’m just sooo excited for it to come out so I can read it!!

Hurry up, October 20th! *double-checks marked calendar*

You can add it on Goodreads here! 🙂

***

The fate of Plenilune hangs on the election of the Overlord, for which Rupert de la Mare and his brother are the only contenders, but when Rupert’s unwilling bride-to-be uncovers his plot to murder his brother, the conflict explodes into civil war. To assure the minds of the lord-electors of Plenilune that he has some capacity for humanity, Rupert de la Mare has been asked to woo and win a lady before he can become the Overlord, and he will do it—even if he has to kidnap her.

En route to Naples to catch a suitor, Margaret Coventry was not expecting a suitor to catch her.

JENNIFER FREITAG lives with her husband in a house they call Clickitting, with their two cats Minnow and Aquila, and their own fox kit due to be born in early December. Jennifer writes in no particular genre because she never learned how, she is make of sparks like Boys of Blur, and if she could grasp the elements, she would bend them like lightning. Until then, she sets words on fire. Living with her must be excruciating.

***

Save the date!

October 20, 2014

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*frolics off to obsessively look at Jenny’s pinterest board for Plenilune while I wait for two extremely long weeks to be over so I can READ THE THIIING*

Cover Highlight: Orphan’s Song!

So here is something I’m EXTREMELY excited to share with you – a cover highlight on the upcoming book “Orphan’s Song“ by Gillian Bronte Adams!

I’ve long enjoyed Gillian’s fabulous blog, and a couple years back had the privilege of reading some of the early chapters of “Orphan’s Song” … I was blown away by even that little glimpse. Let me just say I’m positively giddy at the idea of it being published and reading the whole thing!

“Orphan’s Song”, book 1 of The Songkeeper Chronicles, is a YA Christian fantasy novel, and will be published this fall by Enclave Publishing (formerly Marcher Lord Press, which published one of my absolute favorite fantasy trilogies ever, The Blood of Kings Trilogy by Jill Williamson). I’m very excited!

Here is a link to the Kickstarter Campaign for Orphan’s Song and Enclave’s other titles releasing this fall. Be sure to check it out!

And now, just take a look at this GORGEOUS cover!! (I literally squealed aloud when I first saw it. ❤ It’s so pretty and totally captures the feel of the parts I read — it makes me want to read the book so much! I can’t wait till it officially comes out and I can dive into the tale, and put it on my shelf!)

Orphan’s Song

by Gillian Bronte Adams

Coming Fall 2014

Every generation has a Songkeeper – one chosen to keep the memory of the Song alive. And in every generation, there are those who seek to destroy the chosen one.

When Birdie’s song attracts the attention of a notorious Khelari soldier, she is captured and forced into a centuries old conflict plagued with ancient secrets and betrayals. Rescued by traveling peddler Amos McElhenny, Birdie flees the clutches of her enemies, determined to discover the truth behind the Song’s power.

Ky Huntyr has stolen many a thing in his time as a street-wise thief and senior member of the Underground—a gang of orphans banded together to survive—but he never thought he would be guilty of successfully stealing a priceless treasure from the Khelari and bringing their wrath on his comrades. Haunted by the tragic consequences of his raid, Ky joins Birdie and Amos in hopes of drawing the Khelari after him to keep the Underground safe.

But war soon threatens all of Leira, and the enemy is closing in. When Amos’ shadowed past threatens to undo them all, Birdie is forced to face the destiny that awaits her as the Songkeeper of Leira.

***

*shivers in delight* Doesn’t it sound fabulous? You’re going to want to keep an eye out for this one, folks! And here is a bit more about the talented Gillian! (Be sure to go follow her blog. It’s one of my very favorites. Her fantasy posts are unequaled. ❤ )

Author Bio: Gillian Bronte Adams was born with a pen in her hand, a sword at her side, and a saddle beneath her feet. As a speculative fiction writer from the great state of Texas, she delights in combining epic adventure and fantasy with themes that point to the greatest story of all—or, as she refers to it, writing to the echoes of eternity. During the day, she works as the Equine Director at a Christian youth camp, while at night, she kicks off her boots and spurs and transforms into a novelist. You can find out more at her blog: http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/ or facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gillianbronteadams.