Tuesday, May 28, 2013

First Pass Edits Done and Sent

http://www.lego.com/en-us/
I was given two weeks to edit, correct, add, change and look over my story. I took nearly the entire time, finishing up with two days to spare. Sent it off to the editors Memorial day weekend. I can relax a little, until they send me the second pass - eesh. Still waiting on my cover (not that I'm rushing anyone, not at all, I want the art department to spend as much time on it as they need to make it AWESOME!), but I am eager to see it. Shadows of Valor will be released in just three months (September 7, 2013) and I'm getting giddy that it's coming down to the wire. Can't wait to see the trailer on Youtube (when it's done) and can't wait to see the cover (when it's done).

Monday, May 20, 2013

INSIGHT, Terron James' YA high fantasy



INSIGHT, a 426-page young adult high fantasy is Terron James’ debut novel and the first installment of four in the Beholders series. James has masterfully crafted the mystical land of Appernysia, a world brimming with rich history and magic that an audience of all types will find delight in discovering. Readers will be impressed and fascinated by James’ meticulous narrative and detailed maps of Appernysia. The maps, as well as some amazing concept art not appearing in the book, can be viewed at: http://terronjames.blogspot.com/p/world-of-appernysia.html

Synopsis:
Rumors are surging through Appernysia that a Beholder has been born, the first wielder of True Sight in over a millennium. Seventeen-year-old Lon Marcs discovers he has been blessed—or cursed—with this gift. He cannot control the power of True Sight and feels it killing him with each passing day. He realizes that the only people who might possess the knowledge to save his life are the sworn enemies of his king. To obtain their help, Lon would have to journey into exile, leaving behind his village, family, and beloved Kaylen. Although this is the hardest decision Lon has ever made, it is only the first of many that will test his strength and challenge his interpretation of right and wrong. (synopsis by Jolly Fish Press)

INSIGHT was released June 1, 2013 through Jolly Fish Press.

Watch the book trailer on Youtube!

My review of INSIGHT:
INSIGHT, Terrons James’ first story in his young adult “Beholders” fantasy series, gripped my interest from the first page. His fantastical world of Appernysia (complete with detailed maps and a glossary of terms), and the main character's dilemmas, was like a cross between Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and the BBC’s miniseries, Merlin, both of which I love. Though the first third of the book flowed at a leisurely pace, taking time to introduce the reader to the main character, Lon, and his background and trials, it really picked up in the second portion of the story, making INSIGHT a page-turner. I itched to learn what would happen next in Lon’s quest to control his new-found powers in perceiving and utilizing the invisible essences of nature. As he’s drawn into enemy territory and forced to become one of them, Lon is torn and confused over who he is and who he needs to become in order to save his life and the lives of those he loves. James' descriptions of settings, weapons and events are fascinating, allowing the reader to really picture the scenes in great detail, but that in no way slow the story. Of course, I was completely hooked by the end of the book and eagerly looking forward to the next installments in the “Beholders” series, especially with James leaving the reader with a hint of events that will unfold in the next books. Well done, Terron James!

Find INSIGHT at:
Or order it from any other bookstore!

About the author:
Born in the wrong age, Terron James continually fantasizes of shining steel, majestic stone architecture, thundering cavalry rushes, and opportunities to prove his honor. James is an English teacher and a member and recent president of the Tooele Chapter of the League of Utah Writers. He currently lives in Tooele, Utah, with his wife and four kids.

Follow Terron James on:
(click on subject below to go to link)



Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Editing and writing next two weeks!


My publisher, Jolly Fish Press, just sent me my first editing pass! I've got a bit of editing and writing to do on Shadows of Valor in the next two weeks! I'll be a little slow on my blog till I'm done with that (of course, my publicists will probably say I'm always slow on my blogging - LOL). I'll try to share a few things, though. Will probably be shorter posts, like this one, but there you go, that's what's happening right now. Lots of work ahead, but I'm excited things are coming down to the wire. The book will go to copy editing soon. Book release is only two and a half months out. EEEEEE!!! *BIG SMILE*

Friday, May 3, 2013

My Mascot for Shadows of Valor!



The historical backdrop for my novel, Shadows of Valor, touches on the illegal practice of smuggling wool from England in 1300 A.D. after King Edward I levied a heavy tax on it. I was at a local thrift store the other day and found the cutest little sheep buried among other second hand stuffed animals. I thought, "Hey, I could use that little guy!" And so I did. He is now my unofficial mascot for Shadows of Valor, sporting a sign picketing against smugglers by stating "HARK YE:  Say 'NO' to smuggling wool (it's ba-a-a-a-d)". What a cutie!


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

FAIRY GODMOTHERS, INC.




In a world where fairy tale situations are as much a fact of life as death and taxes, everyone knows hiring Fairy Godmothers, Inc. is the best way to assure that your beautiful daughter or enchanted frog of a grandson will get the happily-ever-after he or she deserves. Sure, sometimes a little love potion is required to make sure those quotas stay up, but what Prince Charming doesn't know won't hurt him. Kate, an experienced Fairy Godmother, who's enough of a romantic to frustrate her rigidly rule-bound boss, has just received a specialty assignment from one of the company's board of directors. Cinderella—Rellie for short—was placed with an appropriately wicked stepfamily years before, and now needs the dress, ball, and handsome prince to complete her happily-ever-after. The fact that Rellie isn't sure this is her dream come true—balls are fun, but princes tend to be less interesting than fluffy bunnies—isn't something management considers a problem. Complicating things a bit is Jon, the youngest son of the royal family, who meets Kate, and is smitten, but isn't quite ready yet to reveal his true identity. After all, it's his older brother Rupert who's supposed to marry Rellie, which means pretending to be a lowly civil servant will give him the chance to spend more time with Kate. (As long as he can get the ball arranged, and stop Rupert from getting himself into trouble over his "self-actualization" business, he should have the perfect opportunity to explain everything and get started on making a little magic with the Fairy Godmother of his dreams.) But, of course, things never ever happen as planned. (preceding synopsis by Jolly Fish Press)


Fairy Godmothers, Inc., a hilarious and witty debut novel from Jenniffer Wardell, was released April 27, 2013. Wardell uses her experience in journalism and theater to create a perfectly flawed and (hopelessly) romantic adaptation of an age-old fairy tale. Topped with Wardell's unprecedented knack for sarcastic humor, Fairy Godmothers, Inc. will leave readers desperate for more, while theater and movie producers clamber for production rights.


For more details on Fairy Godmothers, Inc., or to review the novel, contact Kirk Cunningham at kirk@jollyfishpress.com.


Publication Date: April 27, 2013
Jennifer Wardell is the arts, entertainment, and lifestyle reporter for the Davis Clipper. She's won several awards from the Utah Press Association and the Utah Headliners Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. She currently lives in Layton, Utah.





Fairy Godmothers, Inc. is Wardell's first novel.




Find her online here:
Facebook: facebook.com/JennifferWardell
Twitter: @wardellwriter
Website: jennifferwardell.blogspot.com




Below is a link to the giveaway for the tour, which will go live April 22nd to May 4th. 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDQ4NmY1MmY0NmFkNjI0NTc2NDI1MTIxMWYxNTE4OjQ=/