Savvy Saturday: Advice from an Editor

Celia’s Writing Tip:  Filter out the Filters

As a reader, writer, and editor, I love to sink deep into a character’s POV (point of view) and the story’s action.  Filter words put a layer of separation between the reader and the character/story.  My vote: edit those filter puppies from your manuscript.

Filter words include:  saw, heard, thought, felt, touched, looked, seemed, noticed, wondered, realized, watched, decided, etc.

Let’s look at an example.  Just for you, dear readers, I’ve added filters to a scene from Haven, Book 1 in my Tranquilli Bloodline Series, while every editor bone in my body yelled, “Noooooooooo, don’t do it!” LOL…

            I smelled the aromas of fried potatoes and grilled meat, and felt my stomach rumble, but I didn’t dig in due to that pesky problem I saw brewing across the room. I watched the grill meister zoom over to Biker Buzzcut. I watched as Roland, too, invaded the biker’s space.

            I saw Alexander flash to his feet and stand guard in front of our table. I felt my hand clench my knife so hard the handle dug into my palm.

            But I saw the vampires doing nothing at all.

Okay, now let’s look at the REAL version of this passage, as originally written, with **No Filters**… 

            The aromas of fried potatoes and grilled meat teased my nose and rumbled my stomach, but I didn’t dig in due to that pesky problem brewing across the room. The grill meister zoomed over to Biker Buzzcut. Roland, too, invaded the biker’s space.

            Alexander flashed to his feet and stood guard in front of our table. My hand clenched my knife so hard the handle dug into my palm.

            But the vampires did nothing at all.

See what I mean? The filter-free version pulls us deep into Carina’s head and increases the tension of the moment, as if we’re right there with her. Give it a go in your own writing; I think you’ll be pleased with the results.

Celia is an avid reader, published author, and editor. She lives in California with her husband, daughter, and two feisty cats. When not writing or editing, you’ll find Celia exercising (really), reading, hanging with her family, or indulging her addiction to Joss Whedon’s TV shows and movies.

What’s on her Editorial #MSWL:

Celia is in search of romance (all heat levels, sweet to erotic, but particularly higher heat), urban fantasy, and romantic science fiction. In all genres, Celia would like to see character-driven, emotional stories with a strong conflict, quirky, sassy, and smart heroes and heroines, oodles of sexual tension, and a solid plot arc. Urban fantasy and paranormal romance are her first loves, plus trope-driven contemporaries with quirky or surprising meet-cutes, humor and/or action, preferably written in dual POV. Bring on the fated mates, the second chance couple, the alpha male bad boys and kickass heroines, the cute nerds, soul-searching musicians, sexy CEOs, military heroes and heroines... Thumbs up for stories with series potential.

Connect with Celia on Social Media:

Web site: http://www.celiabreslin.com/

Blog: http://www.celiabreslin.com/blog/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/celiabreslin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CeliaBreslinAuthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CeliaBreslin

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/celiabreslin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celiabreslin/

Newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/bxqwRL

Savvy Saturday: Words of Advice from a New Author

Hello all!

I’ve been asked to share my experience of becoming a first-time published author. A number of thoughts ran through my head which is typical me. It’s a kaleidoscope up there. But as far as my feelings go I’d have to say that it all still seems a little surreal.

Every now and then I reassess my life and ask myself two questions: What if you already had everything you wanted or needed in life? What would you do? Those two questions have helped me to steer my life path many times.

At this point what would I do?

Exactly what I am doing right now. Reading. Writing. Enjoying the process that creating stories has to offer. I truly love stories, myths, and magical lore. Something about reading or writing tales lights up my mind and heart. I love it! So even though my feelings still have to catch up with reality my thoughts are already home.

As I’ve said before in my last Savvy Saturday interview, if you have a tale to tell-do it! Write that story. Don’t listen to others who put down your dream. They don’t know what you have going on in your heart and mind. And if it’s not writing that inspires you then ask yourself the two questions. Follow that path. Go for it!


About the Author

Kay Latour resides in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, with her Techie Wizard husband and two built-in-alarm-system Chihuahua’s. She is a self proclaimed geek and bookworm. She loves fantasy, paranormal and science fiction stories in book, TV or movie form. She patiently waits for the return of the science fiction series FIREFLY. Brown coats forever!

Early on she found out that her elementary school library contained amazing books like Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Hans Christian Anderson’s Fairy Tales and Greek myths. The stories within spoke of goblins, witches, fairies, deities, giants and all manner of magical folk! Incredible! It struck a spark in her brain and stoked her imagination. From that time on she gravitated to any type of fantasy, mythology, science fiction or paranormal book she could get her hands on.

Now that Kay’s two children have reached ‘the age of reason’ she has time to write her own stories.

Facebook Author Page -> https://www.facebook.com/kay.latour.2015

Facebook Personal Page -> https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/

Twitter -> https://twitter.com/kay_latour @kay_latour

Website/Blog -> http://www.kaylatourweebly.com/index.html

kaylatour.weebly.com FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS-OH MY! kaylatourweebly.com/index.html

Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/kaylatour/

Goodreads -> https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/47638367-kay-latour

Author Central.com https://www.amazon.com/author/kaylatour

 

Blurb for Witch on Parole by Kay Latour

Book One in the Witch on Parole series.

All this witch ever wanted was to fit in, be one of the respected professional thieves and never practice magic. But these dreams crashed and cremated when she was captured on her first thieving mission. Incarcerated for her crime and paroled two months later, Bryn Brinkman snatches at the chance of a new life. But her corrupt Parole Officer won’t let her. He wants a personal spell caster. The problem? She fears high level magic for a very good reason. When she was ten her mother used a Level Four spell and disappeared right in front of her. His attitude? Too bad. He’s wedged her between a rock and a jail cell. If she tells on him no one will believe her. He’s a respected Supernatural Corrections Officer and she’s just a WITCH ON PAROLE.

Champagne Blurb for Witch on Parole book 1

All Bryn ever wanted was to fit in, to be one of the respected professional thieves and never practice the magic that destroyed her mother. But her dreams crashed and cremated when she was captured on her first thieving mission. Incarcerated and paroled two months later, Bryn snatches at the chance of a new life.

But her corrupt parole officer won’t let her. He has every intention of using her magic to suit his own dark plans. She finds herself wedged between a rock and a jail cell. Doing what he wants will cost her freedom and her newfound family. If she tells on him—no one will believe her. He’s a respected supernatural corrections officer and she’s—just a WITCH ON PAROLE.

Champagne Books and Burst
http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php?controller=search&orderby=position&orderway=desc&search_query=witch+on+parole

Amazon.ca
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B074M15Q51/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502137336&sr=8-1&keywords=witch+on+parole

Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074M15Q51/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502157716&sr=8-2&keywords=witch+on+parole

Author Central.com
https://www.amazon.com/author/kaylatour

Kobo
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/witch-on-parole

Barnes and Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witch-on-parole-kay-latour/1126870451?ean=2940154662038

Savvy Saturday: History of an Author or Two

Welcome back to Savvy Saturday. Today, we will be taking a trip down author lane as we take a look at the authors of our four new releases.

Keith Willis
Here's a note from the man himself:

I'm Keith W. Willis, author of the Knights of Kilbourne fantasy /romance series of novels. My debut novel Traitor Knight was released on September 7, 2015 by Champagne Books. Desperate Knight, the second volume in the series, will be released Summer 2017. I'm working on the third book, tentatively titled Bewitched Knight, and I have a dragon's horde of short stories from the Kilbourne universe that I hope to collect into an anthology someday.

I live with my wife (and best friend) Patty, near Saratoga Springs, NY, in the heart of a beautiful patch of country--close to the Adirondacks, the Berkshires, and the Taconic Range; three hours from NYC, Boston, the south shore of Rhode Island, and Montreal. Patty and I love to head for the woods (or the shore) with our camper hitched up to the trusty Subaru and the old red canoe strapped down on the car top. In case you haven't noticed from the various pictures that appear on this site, I love the water--whether it's the crashing roar of the ocean, a river cascading over rocks, or just the calm stillness of a lake at sunset. It lifts my soul, fills my heart with joy, and puts a smile on my face.

I graduated (a long time ago) from Berry College in Rome, GA with a BA degree (double major, English Lit and French). Immediately realizing that this qualified me for little except unemployment benefits, I embarked on a whirlwind tour of the working world which has included stints as a bank operations manager, copy center manager, and retail sales manager. (See a pattern here? Those that can't, teach. Those that can't teach, manage). I currently work as the team lead for an eclectic group of database content editors at a global information technology firm. How's that for corporate doublespeak?

I have always been a devourer of books, with a varied taste in genre: anything from sci-fi (Heinlein and Asimov were favorites of my youth) to classic mysteries (Stout, Christie) to the wacky, whimsical world of P.G. Wodehouse. My early exposure to fantasy was limited to T.H. White's The Once and Future King,. I wore out the pages on that book with re-reading. But it wasn't until I was recovering from a bout of mono after my first semester of college that someone gave me a set of Tolkien. I went through those books like a starving man goes through an all-you-can-eat buffet. Then I went back and started all over again. I forgot that I was supposed to be sick. Who has time to be sick, when you're fighting your way through to Rivendell, or on the trail of the Hobbits with Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas? Or riding down with Rohan to the delivery of Minas Tirith? (Ok, I'll fess up--I've always found the subplots of TLOR more entertaining than the main story-line. I'm weird that way, I guess...).

But it wasn't just the characters of LOTR,or the creation of Middle-Earth, that had me spellbound. It was the way Tolkien used language. I think that was what stuck with me so much over the years, and eventually prompted me to try writing myself. Oh, I had always written 'stuff', generally just throw-away pieces done to amuse my friends. But Tolkien opened up vistas for me that I had only dimly imagined, inspired me to listen to those people that were wandering around in my head muttering, and to begin to write down what they said.

With that in mind, I finally decided that I had interesting stories I wanted to tell, and a decent enough grasp of the language to be able to tell them. I don't feel I have anything earth-shattering to say. My goal is to entertain--to provide light, fun, fast-paced stories that can be polished off over the course of a rainy Sunday afternoon and leave the reader smiling and wanting to visit that world, those characters again, to see what they may be up to now.

I am a member of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild, the Latham/Albany/Schenectady/Troy Science Fiction Association, the Mythopoeic Society, and the Adirondack Center for Writing. You can find me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook (see the Follow Me links below).

I hope you'll visit the rest of this site, to see the kinds of stories I tell. And I hope you'll let me know what you think of them.

Keith

Check this dragon-fighting author out on his website.

Kay Latour
Kay Latour resides in Ottawa – Canada’s capital city – with her Techie Wizard husband and two built-in-alarm-system Chihuahuas. She is a self proclaimed nerd and bookworm. She loves fantasy, paranormal and science fiction stories in book, TV or movie form. She patiently waits for the return of the science fiction series FIREFLY – Browncoats forever!

Early on she discovered that her elementary school library contained amazing books like Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Hans Christian Anderson’s Fairy Tales and Greek myths. The stories within spoke of goblins, witches, fairies, deities, giants and all manner of magical folk! Incredible! It struck a spark and stoked her imagination. From that time on she gravitated to any type of fantasy, mythology, science fiction or paranormal books she could get her hands on.

Now that Kay’s two children have reached ‘the age of reason’ she has time to write her own stories.

Kay has her own blog, Fae and Witches and Ghosts- Oh My! that features other authors, all things paranormal, and more goodies.

J.S. Marlo

J.S. Marlo spent her childhood in a small French Canadian town, reading and daydreaming stories. One day, she met her hero, a dashing young officer, and followed him back and forth across the country.

The "memorable" adventures she experienced with her young family fuelled her imagination and kindled the dream of one day becoming a published author. When her three spirited children left the nest in pursuit of their own adventures, J.S. gave writing a chance.

Her first two dozen stories were for her friends' eyes only. To her surprise and delight, they enjoyed them and rewarded her with their encouragement and support. J.S. kept writing and learning.

She captured her dream with her first novel "Salvaged" then carried on with two series. The "Duty Bound Series" (Unscripted #1, Unearthed #2, and Untamed #3) and the "Heart & Endurance Series" (Cold Sweat #1, Thin Ice #2, and Hot Water #3).

J.S. lives in Alberta with her amazing hubby, and when she's not visiting her children and little granddaughter, she's working on her next novel under the northern lights.

Check out Marlo's website and see where suspense meets romance in her books.





Veronica Helen Hart
From Miss Veronica:

Although born in Manhattan, I never lived there. Raised as something of a vagabond, attending fourteen schools before graduating from high school in Miami, Florida. Colleges and universities were intermittent and include: UCLA, SUNY, Villanova, and many one-course programs. I managed to complete four years of Russian language and literature studies along the way and passed some KLEP exams, including Literature and Psychology.

The chronic moving throughout my childhood left me with few friends, but a vivid imagination of what it might be like to live in a house where people stayed all their lives. I began to create fantasy lives for myself. Often I lost track of truth and fiction and sometimes got caught in my own webs of deceit.

During my first marriage, I also moved a great deal around the states, hence the various schools, and even spent a few years living in Tehran, Iran where I became fairly fluent in Farsi.

While living in Cooperstown, NY, I began writing and producing murder mystery plays.

Now settled in Ormond Beach, Florida, I am happily working on two more novels, and have several ideas lurking in the background swirls of my mind waiting to spring forth.

Six of my short stories appear in six Florida Writers Collection volumes.

My musical, "Murder in Morocco," spawned from my play of the same name, was awarded eight Outstanding Achievement Awards by the New York State Theater Association.

"The Prince of Keegan Bay," won first place in the Florida Writers Royal Palm Literary Awards. That book began life as a NANOWRIMO novel in 2008.

My YA novel, "Escape from Iran" was a quarter finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Awards in 2011 and winner in the 2011 Florida Writers RPLA.

"Elena-the Girl with the Piano" was a finalist in the 2014 EPIC awards.

Six of my short stories appear in six Florida Writers Collection volumes.

I am most proud of my latest achievement where I worked in partnership with Michael Pyle and The Chiles Academy in Daytona Beach, FL, to produce "Young Mothers' Voices", a compilation of stories, poems, and essays by teen mothers.

Uppity Women Press is my latest venture to produce books primarily about adventurous, historical, sometimes humorous, and always strong women.

Always writing, always hoping to entertain and educate.

Find out more about Veronica on her website.

Excerpt from Midnight in Mongolia

Midnight in Mongolia
A Blenders Mystery, Book 4
By Veronica Hart
Mystery
$2.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/rJDp78
Kobo: https://goo.gl/rM88yQ
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/531BQr

Can Doll find two kidnapped friends before they disappear into the wilds of the Gobi Desert?

Excerpt: 
I itched to get started doing something. For all his talk, I was beginning to have my doubts about Howard’s expertise. So far, we had accomplished nothing in the way of recovering Larry and Al. Midnight had come and gone with no further messages.

By two in the morning, my eyes felt gritty. Everything blurred when I tried to focus on a face or a glass. No messages arrived, and no one had a fresh idea. Exhausted from the day’s activities, I needed my bed. Creepy Munk, Sara, Howard, and I remained slouched in overstuffed, leather armchairs in the bar as we waited. By now I figured Munk and Sara to be villains in our drama, yet without anything to pin on them, I had no recourse—they were our only Mongolian acquaintances. We had to accept them at their word. They wanted to help us.

I finally begged off and headed upstairs to my room. Munk stood like a gentleman when I rose. Howard slept soundly in his chair. After debating whether to wake him or not, I decided the hotel staff could watch over him. He’d probably slept in more uncomfortable places.

I could see them in the dimly lit bar as I waited for the elevator. They gently prodded Howard, and then Munk helped him to his feet. Sara hovered nearby. I stepped into the elevator, exhausted, exasperated, and thoroughly irritated. Maybe things would look better in the morning. As the door slid closed, Howard ran his fingers through his hair, shook himself like a wet dog, and came toward the elevators.

I entered my room feeling like I stepped into my personal safe haven of calm and tranquility. Quickly sloughing off my clothes, I wiped my face with a washcloth, slipped into my pajamas, and as fast as I turned out the light, I fell asleep.

A ringing phone jolted me. Sunlight blinded me when I opened my eyes to search for the source of the ringing. I couldn’t tell if it was my cell or the hotel phone. Turning away from the glaring light, I reached for the phone on the bedside table.

“Yes?” I said into the receiver as I stretched to reach the draperies to shut out the light. With the phone attached by a cord, I couldn’t manage. My head pounded. Too much wine and too late a night had taken their toll. I hoped the boys were faring better than I was.

Al and Larry had to be all right. I wouldn’t allow any other thought to enter my head. Just a mess of miscommunications, that’s all. I leaned into the phone as if for an intimate conversation. “Yes?” I repeated.

“You never came with the money,” a husky voice whispered.

I sat bolt upright. “You never sent directions,” I shouted, refraining from adding, “You idiot.”

“We sent the directions by special courier.”

“Well, if you paid him, you just lost your money. Nothing arrived at the hotel.”

“Whose ear do you want to receive first, Mr. Rogers’ or Mr. Combs’?”

I pulled the phone away from my ear as my scalp tingled with fear. After a pause, I put it back. “You can’t blame them for your courier’s mistake.”

“We can do whatever we please. You have no choice. Shall we start over?”

“How do I know you have them? You could have overheard them talking on the bus.” Any port in a storm, I thought. Delay the inevitable. I didn’t want to face this situation.

“How do you suppose I knew to call you?”

“You sound like an American. I don’t need the local police. I’m going straight to the American Embassy. They’ll track the phone and find you. You can forget about any money.” I hoped all those television shows I watched were right about finding people stranded in the middle of nowhere by blips on their cell phones.

“Then they will die.” He disconnected.

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Excerpt From Hot Water

Hot Water
Heart & Endurance, Book 3
By J.S. Marlo
Romantic Suspense
$2.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/TaSRsk
Kobo: https://goo.gl/oPFLtu
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/nHGH13

Can Agent Sullivan repress his feelings for the woman he secretly loves and use her as bait to catch a serial killer?

Excerpt:
At the police station, the more the interview progressed, the more Maxime regretted heeding Thierry’s advice. The plain room in which she sat on an uncomfortable plastic chair was as stuffy as the officer she spoke with.

“So you had an altercation with the victim about running in the dark?” There was an unwelcome edge in the officer’s voice. “Would you call it a fight? Did you struggle with her on the bridge?”

“What?” Baffled by the ludicrous allegations, she stared in disbelief at the police officer sitting across the table. Officer Callaghan, whose last name was engraved on the tag he wore on the pocket of his light blue shirt, had twisted her words. “No!”

“No need to yell, Ms. Tremblay.” The officer tossed his pen onto the closed folder resting on the otherwise empty table. “I hear you loud and clear.”

No, you don’t. The man in uniform hadn’t written down anything of what she’d told him in the last twenty minutes. Not a single word. Nothing. “You may be listening, Officer Callaghan, but you’re not paying attention.”

As soon as the words escaped her mouth, Maxime wished she could reel them in. Her father had taught her to remain calm under any circumstances. He wouldn’t be impressed to learn frustration had hijacked her brain.

The officer’s face hardened as warning shots darted from his eyes. “If I were you, Ms. Tremblay, I’d choose my next words with extreme caution. Everything indicates the death of Ms. Santos was an accident, yet you come into the station claiming to possess valuable information. By your own account, you were alone in the woods arguing with the victim minutes before her death. So tell me, if it wasn’t an accident, who killed her? You didn’t see anyone else on the trails. You didn’t hear her scream or struggle, or did you?”

The word game the officer played sickened Maxime. Yet she held his piercing gaze, determined to set the record straight. “Someone pretending to be her coach lured Gabriella into the woods. Back home, we call that suspicious.”

The officer’s lack of interest, or concern, as he leaned back in his chair bewildered her. “Ms. Santos was on the injured list, which meant no running, right? Did it not occur to you, Ms. Tremblay, that she made up the message so you wouldn’t report her noncompliance?”

Maxime wasn’t sure what angered her more. The earlier suggestion that she was a murderer or that Gabriella was now a liar. Either way, she’d heard enough. She stood. “I can see I’m wasting my time and yours. Am I free to leave or will you read me my rights?”

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New Release Desperate Knight

Yesterday was release day!!!

DESPERATE KNIGHT

Book 2 in the Knights of Kilbourne series by award-winning fantasy/romance author Keith W. Willis

Published by Champagne Books.

Buy on Amazon

The’ “Knights of Kilbourne” fantasy/romance series, set in the mythical Renaissance-era kingdom of Kilbourne, features dashing knights and irrepressible damsels, courtiers and clergyman, and spies and rogues, with wizards, Dwarves and a hiccupping dragon for good measure. The tales combine action, intrigue, and fantasy, served up with a dollop of romance and a dash of wit.  

No time… No plan… No options…

No one said saving the world would be easy.

Morgan McRobbie and Lady Marissa duBerry swing back into swashbuckling action, facing old enemies, new threats, and a diabolical conspiracy. Not to mention a more personal battle, one with hearts and pride at stake.

As the pair escorts Prince Robert to the dwarf king’s court, a fiendish scheme is unfolding, intended to hurl men and dwarves into a devastating war. Morgan ends up sidetracked by a kidnapped dwarf and a centuries-old feud, while a mysterious wizard’s revelations shake Marissa to her core, throwing into question everything she thought she knew about her past and future. And the advent of a rival for Marissa’s affections threatens any hope of a happy ending—if they survive.

Once again the desperate knight and indomitable damsel must hazard everything on a single throw of the dice, gambling on untested allies and unimagined weapons to save their world.

And the odds have never been worse.   

AMAZON GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY

THROUGH RAFFLECOPTER

You can enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card by entering the Rafflecopter contest.

Leave a comment on the blog, tweet or post on Facebook about the contest, buy a copy of Desperate Knight (extra credit for that one), or leave a review (lots of extra credit for this one too). All details can be found by clicking the link above.

The contest runs through August 14th. Don’t miss out on your chance to win!

Excerpt from DESPERATE KNIGHT

The rapier slid from its sheath with a soft susurration that presaged swift and violent death.

Morgan McRobbie ignored his opponent’s blade. Instead he scanned the man’s eyes for the telltale flicker that signaled an attack. All around them men lunged and dodged and whirled. Cries of anguish and triumph rang out over the clash of steel on steel. But for Morgan no one else existed at this moment.

His attacker approached, his movements tentative. From caution, perhaps, leavened with a bit of trepidation. He was, after all, facing the renowned Knight-Commander of the King’s Legion. The Dark Knight of Kilbourne. Morgan scowled fiercely at this sobriquet and his opponent danced a hasty step back.

Then, gathering himself, the man lunged forward with a wild yell. His sword sliced the air in a hissing arc. Morgan stepped neatly back out its trajectory, and air was all it sliced.

Morgan acknowledged the strike with a brief nod. Maintaining his defensive posture, he watched the other man’s eyes for his next move. He knew the fellow to be a decent swordsman. He was also well aware his opponent didn’t possess Morgan’s level of proficiency. His reaction and recovery times were definitely slower. Offsetting this lack of expertise was an attitude of grim determination.

His opponent launched a furious flurry of thrusts and slashes, but Morgan parried the attack with studied ease. He refrained from going on the offensive himself quite yet. He had plenty of time. If he finished off this fellow too soon, there’d be plenty more ready to take his place.

The attacker lunged again, his blade darting like a swallow in an attempt to find an opening in Morgan’s defenses. The man was breathing a bit harder now, further evidence of his lack of practice. Morgan flashed him an evil grin.

“Not slowing down already, are you?” he taunted. “I would have expected better from you.”

His opponent didn’t answer. He just gasped a little. In all likelihood saving his wind for the fight. He lunged again. This time he was careless, leaving his left side wide open,

It was like being handed a gift. Seizing his opportunity, Morgan went on the offensive at last. His sword sliced the air with an angry hiss as he stalked inexorably towards his foe. The man fell back into a determined defensive posture, managing to parry the first few thrusts. Then Morgan feinted, his blade slashing low. As his opponent reacted, Morgan shifted his stance in the blink of an eye, his rapier darting in high to find its mark.

Gently he touched the point to the spot over his opponent’s heart. “You’re dead, Your Majesty,” Morgan said.

Praise for TRAITOR KNIGHT (Book 1 of Knights of Kilbourne)

“…well-told story with a witty heroine, a noble-yet-flawed hero, and a colorful set of secondary characters. And a dragon! Let's not forget the dragon!” –Tegan Wren, author of Inconceivable

“…a witty and action-packed page-turner that takes the classic fantasy land and adds depth, character, romance and political intrigue to brilliant effect.”  -- SFF World

“…medieval England meets fairy-tale. I soon felt at home there. All of the characters in this book had flesh on them - their individuality shone through. There was plenty of action, romance, suspense, a murder or two, a chase across the roof tops and a dragon - did I mention a dragon?”  – Mary Anne Yarde, author of The DuLac Chronicles, in Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

“I recommend Traitor Knight to anyone looking for a good fantasy with just a dash of romance.” – Long & Short Reviews

                                        

BIO:

Keith W. Willis graduated with a B.A. in English Lit from Berry College (which has the distinction of being the world's largest college campus). He migrated to the Hudson Valley/Adirondack region of NY with his wife Patty. Keith is certain those rumbling noises attributed to Henry Hudson's crew are really just the dragons grumbling. Keith's interests include reading classic mysteries, fantasy and sci-fi; camping and canoeing; and cutthroat games of Scrabble. He began writing seriously in 2008, when the voices in his head got too annoying to ignore. When he's not making up stories he manages a group of database content editors at a global information technology firm. Keith is a member of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild, the Latham-Albany-Schenectady-Troy SFF Association, the Adirondack Center for Writing, and the Mythopoeic Society.

Digital copies of Desperate Knight can be purchased through Champagne Books for $3.99.

Paperback copies will be available in September 2017.

Traitor Knight is available through Champagne Books and most other book retailers (Amazon, B&N, Kobo, etc).  

Find and connect with Keith W. Willis at:

Website:  http://www.keithwillisauthor.com/

Email:      knightsofkilbourne@gmail.com

Facebook:  http://tinyurl.com/go5rb55

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kilbourneknight

Release Day + Giveaways!

Hello lovelies! It's that time of the month again, and boy do we have four great ones for you. Check out three new installations from your favorite authors: Keith Willis, J.S. Marlo, and Veronica Helen Hart. Plus, we have a new author joining us this month and adding to our fantasy collection. Let's give Kay Latour a warm CBG welcome, and I hope you all have a great time reading our new books.

***Bonus*** Enter the giveaways to win a copy of each new release!

Witch on Parole
Witch on Parole, Book 1
By Kay Latour
Urban Fantasy
$3.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/C75wpZ
Kobo: https://goo.gl/9XJboh
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/KvKsr6

All Bryn ever wanted was to fit in, to be one of the respected professional thieves and never practice the magic that destroyed her mother. But her dreams crashed and cremated when she was captured on her first thieving mission. Incarcerated and paroled two months later, Bryn snatches at the chance of a new life.

But her corrupt parole officer won’t let her. He has every intention of using her magic to suit his own dark plans. She finds herself wedged between a rock and a jail cell. Doing what he wants will cost her freedom and her newfound family. If she tells on him—no one will believe her. He’s a respected supernatural corrections officer and she’s just a—WITCH ON PAROLE.

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Desperate Knight
Knights of Kilbourne, Book 2
By Keith Willis
Fantasy
$4.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/YJLBmn
Kobo: https://goo.gl/7Ubz4s
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/G1LNt6

Morgan McRobbie and Lady Marissa duBerry swing back into swashbuckling action, facing old enemies, new threats, and a diabolical conspiracy—not to mention a more personal battle, one with hearts and pride at stake.

As the pair escorts Prince Robert to the dwarf king’s court, a scheme intended to hurl men and dwarves into a devastating war is unfolding. Morgan ends up sidetracked by a kidnapped dwarf and a centuries-old feud, while a mysterious wizard’s revelations shake Marissa to her core, throwing into question everything she thought she knew about her past and future. And the advent of a rival for Marissa’s affections threatens any hope of a happy ending—if they survive.

Once again, the desperate knight and indomitable damsel must hazard everything on a single throw of the dice, gambling on untested allies and unimagined weapons to save their world.

The odds have never been worse.

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Hot Water
Heart & Endurance, Book 3
By J.S. Marlo
Romantic Suspense
$2.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/TaSRsk
Kobo: https://goo.gl/oPFLtu
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/nHGH13

Nineteen-year-old varsity swimmer Maxime Tremblay is leery of the string of fatal accidents involving female athletes, but after she thwarts an attack, she can no longer ignore the connection between the victims. Or that she is now a target.

Special Agent Ross Sullivan investigates the deadly events on campus only to discover they are not accidents, the athletes are not targeted at random, and the killer is only warming up.

To protect his only witness, he goes undercover as Maxime’s boyfriend, but as pretense and reality begin to blur, Sullivan faces the dilemma of putting her in harm’s way to stop the killings.

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Midnight in Mongolia
A Blenders Mystery, Book 4
By Veronica Hart
Mystery
$2.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/rJDp78
Kobo: https://goo.gl/rM88yQ
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/531BQr

The Blenders are visiting Mongolia when two of them, Al and Larry, find themselves mistakenly kidnapped by mystery men who think they took two executives in an elaborate ransom plot.

When Doll is unable to get help from the police, she decides it is up to her to find her friends.

Before long, as Al and Larry struggle to survive in the wilds of Mongolia, Doll, assisted by her fiancé and one of the other Blenders, races against time and the elements to discover where they are. Will she find them before they disappear into the desert?

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