A to Z Challenge

Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts

Friday, July 26, 2013

Guest Post: #BBF Sierra Burns reviews The Escape of Princess Madeline

Review: The Escape of Princess Madeline

By, Sierra Burns

 
 
Hello there I am Sierra Burns, daughter of Millie Burns, and I read The Escape of Princess Madeline.
I am 9 and 362/365 years old.  My birthday is in three days : )
 
I think the story is really good.  There are scenes in the story that reminded me of scenes from my mom's book.  Spoiler alert:  Like when the bad guys captured her, and she had to pretend to be unconscious...both books were similar.  That made me smile.
 
My favorite character is Daniel.  I like him because he seems like a really good guy, and he will never give up, he will save Princess Madeline!
 
I would recommend this book to all my friends because it is a very good adventure.  I can see the story play out in my mind.
 
 
 
Thanks, Sierra for chiming in with your two cents!  If you would like to find out more about Kirstin Pulioff and her books, please keep reading! Or click the book above and it'll take you directly to Amazon!
 

Kirstin Pulioff is a storyteller at heart. Born and raised in Southern California, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University (Go Beavs!) with a degree in Forest Management. Happily married and a mother of two, she lives in Oregon, and enjoys being a stay at home mom. When she's not writing, she is busy with her kids, church and the family business.
I love to hear from my readers and fans. Please connect with me on my other sites:
Webpage: www.kirstinpulioff.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kirstinpulioffauthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KirstinPulioff
Goodreads:www.goodreads.com/author/show/6558842.Kirstin_Pulioff



Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Review: Lunula By Alyssa Auch #BBF

Lunula

By Alyssa Auch

The Book's Blurb: 

 The witch knows he will hunt her.

If history repeats itself, as it always does, Wynn will have no choice but to cross paths with her feared counterpart, the warlock. If given the chance, he would kill Wynn, absorbing her aura and obtaining ultimate power. In a desperate attempt to outrun destiny, Wynn moves from place to place, hoping to stray from the map laid out by the Fates. But by chance, on an urgent errand for Queen Alexandria herself, Wynn finds she has fallen into the hands of the one man she so hopelessly fled from. Now his captive, Wynn must guard her secret and that of her kingdom, or risk bringing forth a dark age not seen in hundreds of years.

My review:  Every 100 years a witch is born.  Every 100 years a warlock is born.  One has the power of the light, the other the dark.  And every 100 years the witch is killed, her powers stolen. Every 100 years!  History always repeats.  Damn, that sucks!

Did I enjoy Lunula?  You bet your sweet bippy I did!  I loved that Wynn, the main character is not perfect.  She makes mistakes.  Which makes it very easy to relate to her.  I like her stubborn disposition, and yet, she is willing to question that which she has been taught her whole life. Gethin is the warlock that Wynn has spent her whole life hiding from.  I enjoyed the interactions between these two characters, Alyssa Auch did a fantastic job with the dialogue.  

This story is in the first person POV.  This is not generally my preferred writing style, but I'll admit that once I settled in to the story, I didn't even think about it.  I enjoyed the clever similes and metaphor's that Alyssa sprinkles throughout the story.  Nicely done!

The descriptions of the scenery and action also well done!  I could easily see the events play out in my minds eye.
  
The end of the book started to stress me out...until I read the epilogue!  Hope reigns eternal!  Yay!  I can't wait for Poltarion's release (sometime this year)!

So to sum it all up...would I recommend it?  Sure would.  

  Alyssa Auch was born and raised in Pennsylvania with loving parents and three hilarious younger siblings. Her imagination was sparked by the lush, green forests and bright colors of her home that often spoke of other worlds only found in the magic of writing. She brought that inspiration into the fantasy novels she so loves to create.

Currently, Alyssa is a senior at Brigham Young University-Idaho studying Marriage and Family Relations with a minor in English. She is married to her High School sweetheart, and they have three beautiful children who keep them both very occupied. Although her novels are often written in the late hours of the night and during cherished naptime blocks, she devotes a very special part of herself to the power of words and love of storytelling.

Lunula Purchase Links

Publisher Site
http://www.caliburnbook.com/

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Lunula-ebook/dp/B009NINDRC/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1374095002&sr=8-1&keywords=Lunula

Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lunula-alyssa-auch/1114110286?ean=2940016079295

Smashwords
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/246157

Author Contact

Blog: http://alyssaauch.blogspot.com

Email: alyssaauch@yahoo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alyssaauchwrites

Twitter: @alyssa_auch

I am also on Goodreads and LinkedIn under my full name, Alyssa Auch

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Dragon Flight and Healing Light


Day Three - Magic! And Religion?

Thought I'd share an excerpt from my WIP, hope you enjoy.

"Beware," shrieked Ena.

Violent purple lightning burst from the ground sweeping up into the sky. Fingers of electricity danced out from a main line of electric malevolence, stabbing out at them. Ardan banked sharp as a bolt of Darkness exploded in front of his nose. Ravyn slipped off his back, the wind whistling in her ears as she fell toward the hard ground below.

Groggy from sleep, she tried to make sense of her free fall through a pitch-black sky. She felt the wind rushing past her, her black hair smacking her in the face. She fumbled for skeins of the Light, pulling the colored threads about her body, willing the threads to coil and spring. Arcs of Darkness sliced through the sky looking for prey, a tendril of electricity cracked near her head and her hair stood on end. Her downward spiral continued and she hoped the Light would cushion her fall. A streak of red burst through the darkness and she landed hard on Ardan's back, only to bounce off because of the woven coils of Light she'd wrapped about herself. She snatched at his tail, clutching it with her right hand. Ardan lashed his tail forward, flinging her head over foot to deposit her on his back once more.

An unearthly wail pierced the night, "Ena," she screamed. Ardan dove and swerved as streaks of violet electricity sparked all about them. He banked away from the foul Darkness, making a steep dive down toward the ground. Ravyn felt the skin on her cheeks pulling backwards against the tremendous pressure. Little stars danced in her vision, and she felt blackness pulling her down. Ardan slammed into the ground, sending dirt and rocks flying. Ravyn breathed in a deep breaht, her eyes bright with clarity once more. Ardan leaped forward, his huge legs propelling him across the ground.

Ena lay on her back, her wing stretched out to the side, a large smoking hole burned through the leathery skin. Lareina stood over the tattered wing, her hands raised, threads of Light dancing at her fingertips. She wove the threads into a complicated pattern, looping some and weaving new ones through.

Rayvn noticed threads of Light pinning Ena down. The dragon thrashed her head back and forth. "Let me up, I'll tear out her throat!"

Ardan stuck his face up under his mother's chin, mewling and nuzzling her. A great rumbling sound emerged from his chest as he bumped her head, nudging her over and over.

Ravyn put a calm hand on Ardan. "Shh, she'll be alright." She rubbed his heaving sides. He craned his neck round, a lost sad look in his golden eyes. "Ardan, step back," she urged. "Mother needs space to work. It'll be okay." She glanced at Lareina, her brows furrowed in concentration, lost deep in the working of healing magic. She has to be okay.


So, sorry. I know it's a bit rough. This is part of what got whipped out during NaNoWriMo, and I haven't done any editing yet. As you can tell, in Aigerach there's really only one magic, but it can be worked through the Light or the Darkness. As for Religion, in Aigerach people will greet each other with Blessing of the Light, and they will pray to the Light, when they are hoping for a good outcome. But there is no formal God or Goddess.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Recent Sightings


Okay, so day one...I found a page from a book about the fantastical creatures of Aigerach. Mind you, it appears there are more creatures in this land, but all I found was this one page caught in the branches of the oak tree behind my house. I would love to take a trip to this land, though I dare say, I'd want to whole book to guide me, who knows what other kinds of creatures I might run into.

Aigerach - Fantastical Creatures Abound

1. Dragons - These large flying creatures make their home on Draconis Island, but many a farmer on Aigerach can attest to the beasts appetite for sheep. They are large and scaly with fiery breath. They can be any color, though the red dragons are thought to be most fierce. The majority of dragons shun humans, but the Princess Ravyn befriended Ena, a sassy scarlet dragon. Ena and her son Ardan are frequent visitors to Aigerach, so keep your eyes to the skies if you hope to catch a sight of one.

2. Unicorn - These horse-like creatures are magnificent. They come in a variety of colors, with a large opalescent horn. A large herd lives in Wanderer's Forest, led by a large white stallion, Giallag. Here's a funny thing. Once again, these creatures used to keep to themselves, and were rarely seen, but due to a chance encounter with Princess Ravyn, they have been seen fighting alongside the army of Aigerach. Their voices are melodious, their words sound like musical notes played by a variety of orchestral instruments. If you are out in the woods at night and you hear music floating on the air, unicorn may be nearby.

3. Harpies - In the recent past, Harpies were a nuisance. These half-bird women kept dirty nests, cursed incessantly, and fought constantly. A chance encounter with a harpy in the woods would leave your ears ringing with foul language at the least, your body covered in icky excrement for sure and at worst could end your life. The males of the species are fragile as youngsters. As they lived in squalid conditions, few survived. After an encounter with the Princess Ravyn, the Harpy Clan has taken a 180 degree turn. They keep themselves and their nests immaculate and very rarely drop the f-bomb or any fecal spatter either. There has been a rise in the number of male harpies.

4. Wolves - Okay, so this sounds rather mundane. We've been talking about dragons and unicorn and harpies...but wolves? These creatures remain shy and elusive, but should you run into a wolf on Aigerach, you'll understand why they fall into the fantastical creature realm. Let's just say, once again, the Princess Ravyn has touched some lives with her magic and changed things up a bit. The wolves have the ability to speak, though they don't find communicating with most humans very enlightening. They can also smell the scent of magic, whether it be of the Light or the Darkness. Kialgyn, a large gray wolf, is the Alpha male and leader of the pack.

5. Selkies - Now, technically while they do not live on Aigerach, a couple selkies have been spotted on the mainland. Selkies are creatures of land and sea, part man and part seal. While in their human form, the selkies possess irresistible charm and are able to woo any maid that happens near. The transformation from man to seal occurs due to the magical properties of the seals skin. While in seal form, a selkie can remove their fur to transform into a human. They are very protective about the hiding place of their skin, for there is nothing worse than to be trapped as a human forever. Princess Ravyn and Queen Lareina have kept the story of their time spent with the selkies quite quiet.

6. Mara - A nightmare. Really and literally, not something you want to come into contact with. It is best not to sleep alone, as you will have difficulty breaking its hold over you on your own. A nightmare is nothing like a horse, it is a small demon that will sit on a victim's chest crushing the breath from their lungs. All the while it floods their vision with the most horrible images, the things one fears the most. It savors the fear that emanates from its victims and it feeds their soul to the Darkness. The only way to break their hold, and its rather silly but true, is for someone to offer them a gift the following day if they'll leave.


Come join in the fun of this bloghop and let us all know about your world...




Monday, October 22, 2012

The Next Big Thing!

Hot Damn! I was nominated for the Next Big Thing, and it makes my little heart skippy flippy with joy! The awesome Shell Flower of the fantastic TangentShell was kind enough to give me a little nod! So, I've copied the questions from her blog and here are my answers to the burning questions you all have about my WIP!


What is the title of your Work in Progress?
Oh, I'm not sure yet...Zelera's revenge? I dunno. She's a bad bad girl and she's back to make trouble. I'm about 99% positive that name won't stick, it doesn't have enough...!

Where did the idea come from for the book?
Zelera, the villain from Return of the Crown, of course is making a comeback, and if you thought she was nasty before... A lot of the old crew is coming back for round two and I will introduce a whole new host of characters to spice things up. Let the adventure begin!

What genre does your book fall under?
It's fantasy, sort of in the classical sense. Adventure, magic, fantastic creatures! The heroine's age places it in the YA group, but I'm hoping to write it in such a way that it'll be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Return of the Crown has a fan base as young as 9 on up to Grandma's and Grandpa's, who gladly thank you to not speculate as to their chronological years.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Oh, Jennifer Lawrence(Katniss Everdeen) would make an excellent Ravyn. Hayden Christensen(the youthful Anakin Skywalker) for Blade. Jim Carey would make such a killer Connor, due to Connor's love of disguises and great sense of humor. Katie McGrath(BBC's Merlin's Morgana) would delight as Zelera, beautiful lady who does wicked oh so well.

What is a one-sentence synopsis of the book?
Classic-style fantasy adventure brimming with magic, mayhem and new and engaging mythical creatures.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Return of the Crown was self-published, and I have not chased down any agents yet. It could go either way, and I'd still be a happy camper. It's all about sharing the story, however it gets out there!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
I am a little over 11,000 words in. I write in the little cracks of time I can sneak into my day. I am hoping to finish the first draft by Christmas. I might just join the Nanowrimo folks this November. Now that I've written that down, it's going to help me meet my goal? Right?! What a great Christmas gift that'd be!

What other books would you compare this story to in your genre?
I believe this is similar to the Rogue Wizard series by Christopher Stasheff. Quests, mythological creatures, humor mixed in with the action. I have a strong female protagonist rather than a male.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My fans! Those wonderful folks who read Return of the Crown, started clamoring for more. I left the first book open at the end, hoping readers would want more, and by golly they do! Zelera's really outdone herself this go around. I can't promise you everyone will make it out alive this time...

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Dragons? Who doesn't like dragons? Will Blade and Ravyn finally tie the knot? Which character is going to Return to the Light?

Okay, so here're the five fine folks whose WIP I'm interested in seeing more of. Please take a moment to check them out! Tag--you're it!
Richard Long
Wodke Hawkinson
Fel Wetzig
Jessa Russo
Jossie Marie Solheim