I’m blogging about worldbuilding (er.. in more detail than I had thought) over on Stacia Kane ‘s blog. Stacia is the author of urban fantasy novel Personal Demons and the sequel Demon Inside is coming in July. Check them out!
The Scroll Thief is available now & a competition
So excited. Can hardly type!
“The Scroll Thief” by R. F. Long
Genre: Fantasy-SciFi
ISBN: 978-1-60504-395-1
Length: Plus Novel
Price: 6.50
Publication Date: February 24, 2009
Cover art by Anne Cain
Love is the wiliest thief of all.
A Tale of Ithian
Malachy and his sister rely on his talents as a thief to survive the dangerous streets of Klathport, former capital of the once-great kingdom of Ithian. Stealing a few papers should have been a simple job. Instead, it nearly costs their lives and throws them into an improbable alliance with a shape-shifting official, a desert tribeswoman, and a healer of enchanting beauty.
Cerys is far more than a simple healer—and the roots of her mission go deeper into the past than anyone can know. She needs Malachy’s skills to recover a stolen scroll, one that can be used to rewrite history and, in the wrong hands, release the dark powers of the Demon Realm.
Her mission was supposed to atone for a dreadful, long-ago act. Instead, it unleashes a chain of events which sees them pursued through city and desert by the fearsome Dune Witch and a killer known only as His Lordship. Romance, tragedy, and adventure blend in a tale of a magical land on the brink of war, and five unlikely allies who, by putting their lives—and their hearts—on the line, have the opportunity to finally set things right.
But at a terrible cost.
Warning: Contains scenes of graphic violence and torture, captivating magic and beauty, two dashing heroes, three gutsy heroines, several love stories and a heartbreaking sacrifice.
Read An Excerpt Online
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To celebrate I am giving away a copy to someone who comments here. I have no long post or words of wisdom – they will happen elsewhere. Well, I hope they are words of wisdom. Excerpts might happen too. But today I am far too giddy. Giddy as a giddy thing with a certificate in giddiness.
This novel is especially dear to my heart as it comes from the adventure stories I used to read as a child – Arabian Nights, Robin Hood, King Arthur – and the films & serials I used to watch – Zorro, the Three Musketeers (yes, I know but I never read the books!), pirates, Stewart Granger movies and of course more Robin Hood. Anything where buckles were swashed.
So leave me a comment and tell me what adventure story from your childhood still resonates with you today. Best story wins. 🙂
Interviewed by Nell Dixon
Today British author Nell Dixon has an interview with me up on her My Space page. Nell’s book Animal Instincts releases in March and is already attracting a lot of attention, so isn’t she a star to take time out for me?
With The Scroll Thief releasing tomorrow, get ready for a lot more during the coming week, and possibly a competition here too. 🙂
Interview at Jeannie Lin’s website.
As a prelude (her words, not mine) to the release of The Scroll Thief on the 24th (this. day. week!) my good friend Jeannie Lin (who writes some of the most exciting historical asian adventure romance I’ve ever read) interviewed me for her blog.
Lots of worldbuilding stuff here. And some of my photos!
So here goes. Leave lots of comments so I look like I have friends, ‘k?
4 Nymphs for The Wolf’s Sister.
Another great review for The Wolf’s Sister, this time from Literary Nymphs.
“This author is new to me, and I’m pleased with the tightly constructed plot, smooth flow and nice job of describing the two races that are the focus of this story. Add in animal totems, vastly differing belief systems, death, anger, madness, betrayal and unexpected love and you have all the components needed for an entertaining afternoon read. I look forward to seeing where this series goes.”
And it got 4 Nymphs!!! Not sure where they are or what they are up to, but it certainly sounds good to me! 🙂
5 Angels review & recommended read for The Wolf’s Sister
Fallen Angel Reviews just gave The Wolf’s Sister a 5 angels review and marked it as a recommended read! Woot!
“The fascination that I first felt when I had the chance to read the blurb for this book was well justified. Riveted from the first page to the last I was looking for more and became frustrated when the story ended. This book was very exciting, the way the plot played out was thoroughly engrossing, and the characters displayed very real emotions…I love to read books that make me feel the emotions that the players experience, be it fear, pain, anger, happiness, sorrow and frustration. The battles that these two go through make you ask yourself what next and when will it end, but the ending is very rewarding. Overall, I could read this book repeatedly and find something new in it. Thanks to R. F. Long for a very wonderful read.”
Out today “Oh Goddess” by Gwen Hayes
Warmth humour and in a good cause too. I can’t wait to get hold of a copy!
“Oh Goddess ” by Gwen Hayes
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 978-1-60504-367-8
Length: Short Story
Price: 2.50
Publication Date: January 27, 2009
Cover art by Tuesday Dube
Born to protect women’s hearts, her own beats longingly for a mortal. Oops…
Ondina, one thousand years a goddess, doesn’t think much of mortal men. Probably because her sole purpose in life is to protect the hearts of women who don’t want to fall in love. And now one of those blasted men—Jack—has shattered her sacred chalice, trapping her in a mortal body.
Jackson Nichols, on the partner track at his law firm, is the first to admit he always follows his head. Never his heart. Dina is infuriating, messy, condescending, sexy, beautiful and…well, just about everything that doesn’t fit into his meticulously planned life.
Neither expects to find many redeeming qualities in the other. But when push comes to love, which will Dina choose? Her newly human heart…or one thousand years of duty?
*All author and editor proceeds from the sale of Oh Goddess will be donated to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. You can find out more about the foundation at www.coalitionforpf.org.
Warning: Recent studies show that consuming beverages while reading this story can cause damage to computer monitors, clothing, and sometimes nearby walls. Reader agrees to hold both Samhain Publishing Ltd. and Gwen Hayes harmless in case of accidental spewing caused by laughter.
Read An Excerpt Online
4.5 Stars Review for The Wolf’s Sister
Google alerts took its time, but I got a mail this morning with a link to a review of The Wolf’s Sister.
“I haven’t read such a beautifully written tale in a very long time!…Author R.F. Long’s technique, descriptions, dialogue, and plot flow are superb. The seed of love grows with the characters and that element is what allows this story to shine because the external conflicts held that much more impact on the tale’s outcome. I’m impressed and I will definitely be reading more from this author!”
Thank you so much Natalie.
The Scroll Thief: a Tale of Ithian – New Book Trailer
Never being one for leaving things alone…
And now that I have the cover, I spent the weekend putting together a new book trailer for The Scroll Thief (instead of writing. Bad writer.)
So here it is:
The Scroll Thief – read an excerpt!
An exciting excerpt from the first chapter of my forthcoming novel The Scroll Thief: a Tale of Ithian is up today on the Samhain site. You can read it by clicking here.
So come and get an early introduction to Malachy, Trask and Halia.
The Scroll Thief will be out on the 24th of February as an eBook and in print at the end of 2009.