Hi there, everyone. I’ve enjoyed the work of this author, including her short stories and nonfiction. I’m excited to share this new release with you.
Myth Stalker: Wendigo Nights, by Shannon Lawrence
Muse Press
Release date: March 26
This image is attached to an affiliate link. If you click through to make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Any amount I make goes towards my dream to host a book fair in Hampton Roads, VA. Please see my About page for more details. Thank you for your support.
A late night call from her mentor sends Selina Moonstone on a mission to Canada, determined to track down a Wendigo and exterminate it.
Accustomed to facing off with the all too real creatures of Native American lore, Selina discovers the Wendigo is someone close to her, forcing her to change gears from destruction to frantic search for a cure. There’s no known way to rid a person of the Wendigo spirit once it has begun the consumption of the victim’s soul, a lesson she learned the hard way in her youth.
With her loved one’s transition to Wendigo imminent, Selina must fight her own lifelong training as a Myth Stalker and find another way. She gathers a mismatched group of allies, including a charming Sin Eater and a conceited mercenary Cryptid hunter from her past, and embarks on a mission to find a solution before it’s too late.
Available in paperback and e-book, from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more. Find the book at your favorite store using the universal link (Not an affiliate link.)
A fan of all things fantastical and frightening, Shannon Lawrence writes primarily horror and fantasy. Her stories can be found in over fifty anthologies and magazines in addition to her collections. Her nonfiction title, The Business of Short Stories, is available now and her debut urban fantasy novel is releasing March 2024. You can also find her as a co-host of the podcast Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem. When she’s not writing, she’s hiking through the wilds of
Colorado and photographing her magnificent surroundings, where, coincidentally, there’s always a place to hide a body or birth a monster. Find her at www.thewarriormuse.com.
In case you didn’t know, there’s a huge SPRING SALE over at Amazon right now (3/20-25/24). Be sure to check it out!
Thank you for making it this far down the virtual page. Kudos to you! I’d love to know what you thought of this post in the comments below. Stay safe and be blessed.
Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click hereto learn more or sign up.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through to make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Any amount I make goes towards my dream to host a book fair in Hampton Roads, VA. Please see my About page for more details. Thank you for your support.
Optional Monthly Question: Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you’re at the start of the journey, what are your goals?
I do remember writing my first book. I wrote my first book when I was in the 7th grade. It was absolute teenage garbage, but I remember it being fun to write. At that point in my life, writing was not part of me and definitely not something I wanted to pursue. I remember writing the book while attending summer school (voluntarily- I was trying to graduate early).
Fast forward many years, I begin to write to help me cope with the world and process my emotions. I had many failed daily journals and was beginning to think that writing just wasn’t going to work for me. Then I took a creative writing class in college and realized that I could write stories to help me process, I didn’t have to write about myself or my day-to-day.
Fast forward one more time to me as a married woman and college graduate with a job that left me with PTSD. I found myself writing furiously. Then I had a dream about a gray man and wrote a whole series about him. While that series is currently unpublished, I do hope to re-release it one day.
For the past few years, I’ve put a focus on writing and illustrating picture books, while working on the craft of writing short fiction and constantly trying to develop a larger piece. This month, I’ll be speaking at the RavenCon in Richmond, VA. I do several local library and vendor events each year to promote reading and the book industry.
I went through a period where I was making money with my writing, even though I still had a day job. It never replaced my income, but was nice to have around the holidays. Now, I’m not trying to make money with writing, and therefore I’m not. I have a small Patreon community that helps keep me motivated and I’m really enjoying the process of creating with them. I’m focusing on writing better and perhaps I’ll create something that I feel is worth promoting to the masses again.
****
Hey, did you know it is Peeps Day?
Proof of Existence Book 2 of the Existence series By J Lenni Dorner
The main characters of the Existence series are omnipotent beings living in our world. (As the cover image suggests, several of them live in New York City. The Brooklyn Bridge is a part of two scenes in Proof of Existence.) Here’s an unusual inclusion in Urban Fantasy: a recipe! Jezebel (Jez) loves bread crust. It’s one of her unusual quirks, as many people dislike those. In this scene, which is part of Chapter 9, her mom Jyotisha is making “Pinwheel Crust.” I was inspired by a friend of mine who included cooking in her story as an action for a character. I hope you’ll enjoy this short excerpt. And, if you make this treat, please upload a picture and tag me so I can see it. (My spouse prefers I stay out of the kitchen. You set two or three little fires…🔥👩🏽🚒🧯👨🏽🚒🚒.)
Proof of Existence picks up from Fractions of Existence‘s cliffhanger, where Gwendolyn is among the hostages of the Eyes in the Shadows, a religious sect that has been trying to free humans from the “prison” of life on Earth for millennia. Rescuing her requires the Existence to expose themselves. As omnipotent beings, their work to protect humanity has been mostly in secret for the last two centuries.
Gwendolyn must remember and embrace what she truly is, though fear and doubt stifle her. She risked everything by acting on her attraction to Xavier, but her religious beliefs stop her from taking the important next step. Life-threatening news has her wanting to go home to see her family. Will they still love and accept her, despite her actions and choices? Or could a secret rip her family apart?
Feeling lonely, tormented, and useless, Existence member Heath goes off the grid. A ransom video from Eyes in the Shadows demands he be traded for the lives of others. Can the Existence find him in time to tell him about the threat? Even if Heath can be reached, would his kind really trade him to potentially save someone else?
The Eyes in the Shadows is set to finally end all human life on Earth forever. Only if the Existence is reunited, with all members at full power, could they stand against them. How many will suffer if the Existence should fail? How much damage could possibly be done in the next twenty years? Proof of Existence, the second book of the Existence mythological urban fantasy series from J Lenni Dorner, is set during the first half of 2006.
J Lenni Dorner is best known for the Existence book series. Book one, Fractions of Existence, and book two, Proof of Existence, are on Amazon. Author of the short story, Lumber Of The Kuweakunks, on Smashwords. Also known for the writer’s reference books, Preparing to Write Settings that Feel Like Characters and Writing Book Reviews As An Author: Inspiration To Make It Easier.
J is part of the Operation Awesome Team, where he runs the Debut Author Spotlight on most Wednesdays. J is an April Blogging from A to Z #AtoZchallenge international bloghop co-host.
(he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge
I have been feeling very discouraged in my efforts to record and post videos. Moving from a PC to a Mac has not been a great experience. I’m at a loss, but I’ll keep trying. If you want to know more, check my Patreon Monthly Update– it’s a public post (free).
I’ve been reading, writing. I completed the IWSG Book Club challenge for Horses last month and got a head start on the Library challenge this month. I’ve also been writing, which makes me happy, even if I’m not writing as much as I’d like.
I continue to test out food recipes for my new diet. I’ve had some hits and some misses, but at least I’m not relegated to eating plain chicken and rice for the rest of my life. I know that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world considering people in this world are starving, but it does improve the quality of life when you have options. I’m just happy to be able to eat without ending up in the ER (I can’t bring myself to call it the ED, just not a habit for me yet).
Here is a fun video I posted on YouTube (with great effort). Next week, I’ll be sharing my March book reviews here, but you can see them now over at my YouTube channel.
****
Do you remember the first book you wrote?
Are you trying any reading or writing challenges this year?
It may take some time, but I promise, I will eventually stop by your blog.
My response time has gotten slower but I’m still making my rounds.
Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #28).
Thank you for making it this far down the virtual page. Kudos to you! I’d love to know what you thought of this post in the comments below. Stay safe and be blessed.
Hi there everyone. I’m so excited to be hosting the Ninja himself today as he talks about the latest book in the Cassa Series. This post contains affiliate links. If you click through to make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Any amount I make goes towards my dream to host a book fair in Hampton Roads, VA. Please see my About page for more details. Thank you for your support.
Putting Characters Through Trials by Alex J. Cavanaugh
Any good story contains trials. If the main character just enjoyed a good day, wow, wouldn’t that be boring? That character needs to struggle. Sometimes even fall, get his heart ripped out, almost die!
Now, throwing everything at the character, including the kitchen sink, might be overkill. Although I very nearly did that in the third Cassa book, CassaStorm. But the stakes need to be high; even higher for the next book in a series.
So, what trials and misfortunes does Bassan go through? I can’t give away the major points, but I can reveal some things that send his anxiety through the roof.
He was a hero at age ten in the third book. And that’s what most people remember about him. But being shy and non-assertive, he doesn’t think he’s done anything heroic since then. Not that he wants to put his neck out there! But the thought his one great achievement lies behind him really gets under his skin and causes anxiety.
Drent’s accident exposes his weaknesses even more. He knows he’s not assertive or a leader, but the incident really shines a light on the problem. Bassan doesn’t react fast enough, and it really adds a layer of guilt and angst on top of everything else.
Then he’s sent across the galaxy by his supervisor. Bassan, son of famous pilot parents, hates to fly! Plus, he’s supposed to speak at a conference. Add fear of public speaking on top of the ever-growing list.
Then there’s a mission to save the people on another planet. No pressure there!
And things keep piling on.
Mentally and emotionally, the poor dude has been put through the wringer even before the adventure kicks into overdrive. But what doesn’t kill him will make Bassan stronger. At least we hope so!
Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by fear and doubt. Could things get any worse?
Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.
On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each secret reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?
Trade paperback, 226 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, LLC
Science fiction – Adventure (FIC028010)
Space Opera (FIC028030)
Space Exploration (FIC028130)
Print ISBN 9781939844842 – $16.95
eBook ISBN 9781939844859 – $4.99
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords #blacklivesmatter
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We assume you agree with this.
If you do not agree, we ask that you read no further or consider deleting your cookies after your visit. Thank you. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
A fan of all things fantastical and frightening, Shannon Lawrence writes primarily horror and fantasy. Her stories can be found in over fifty anthologies and magazines in addition to her collections. Her nonfiction title, The Business of Short Stories, is available now and her debut urban fantasy novel is releasing March 2024. You can also find her as a co-host of the podcast Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem. When she’s not writing, she’s hiking through the wilds of
