Getting to know Errance...

Errance...a tormented, devastated, defiant soul...the hero of my novel Moonscript...

HOW COULD I POSSIBLY KNOW HIM?

How could I, a happy, blessed, teenage girl, possibly understand this tortured elf prince? Well, for a start, admitting that I couldn't. Realizing that I couldn't comprehend what he went through--didn't even want to comprehend--I decided from the beginning that scenes in his mind would be very, very, very few.

Seeing him through the eyes of my heroine Tellie, even more innocent than I, allowed me to keep his past shrouded as it should be and gave him a compelling aura of mystery.

Nonetheless, I needed to know a bit what was going on inside if I was to portray him well outside. And one thing that really helped was music. We're not just talking epic soundtrack...we're talking rockin' music with electric guitars and such that had absolutely NO place in my story. But that didn't matter. I needed mood, I needed struggle--I needed attitude.

So here are some of the songs that influenced me the most. And yes, some parts might make you laugh. As it turned out, songs from the album Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmeron were very inspiring. Funny, that. ;)

This first song has been Errance's theme-song since I came up with the story about four years ago. It perfectly portrays his defiant, never-give-up attitude. The style of music is decidingly un-elvish, but that works just fine.

Only about the first half of this next song serves as inspiration...I kind of start getting tired of the same lyrics over and over. But once again--attitude! Makes Errance's position towards his captors very clear. 

  

And now we see more of Errance's desperate side...with a song entitled Desperate, appropriately enough. :) Yes, it's sung by a girl, but it really reflects his anger and agony. These lyrics are especially perfect:

"I know there's so much at stake,
But I don't know if I can take,

One more pat on the back,

Saying I'll be okay,

Can't you see my whole life is in disarray?"

The rest of the song moves on to more trust and hope in God sort of message, which Errance isn't at yet, so it doesn't fit.

And this song...it pretty much speaks for itself concerning Errance. The whole "Sound the Bugle" part doesn't make much sense in context, but still...this song was huge in inspiring a certain scene.

And yeah...this song would work for the end credits of Moonscript to a dime. So the lyrics may or may not be spoiler for the end of the book. ;)

Book Busyness

How have I been progressing on my writing, Those-Who-Are-Interested? It would sound most impressive to say I've finished all my edits on Moonscript and am halfway through my next manuscript. Impressive...but untrue. :(

Alas, I'm not even done with the edits on Moonscript yet. In fact, there are a few revised scenes yet to be written (one planned, one sort of planned, one still hovering around undecided). But never fear, dear reader! I'm still working ahead, bit by bit.

Hopefully, I'll be able to set up a line-edit with a professional sometime in summer, and when that's completed I can finally start seeing about agents and publishers...hopefully.

In the meantime, between school and art and life, I've been buzzing with story ideas. Especially concerning a prequel to Moonscript that has been plauging me the last couple of days. Nothing like a story that won't shut up and give a break. And I have a rather large fan fiction for Goldstone Wood in the works. Also, I'm working on a short story for a writing contest, along with edits and other writing projects. So that's what I've been doing writing-wise.

Thank you all for your interest and encouragement! You're a blessing!

Cover Reveal--The Seahorse Legacy by Serena Chase

Squee! At last! I've been looking forward to this book since finishing The Ryn and The Remedy by Serena Chase. In that epic fantasy romance, the reader was introduced to the cryptic Captain Cazien De Pollis. Although he wasn't in the book much, he stole the show every time he was. So I was delighted to hear that he was the star of the last two books of the series, along with the feisty knight-maid, Erielle. So without further ado, here is the cover for Book 3 of the Eyes of E'veria.

a Pirate

bound by a centuries-old oath

a Knight

determined to prove her calling

a Legacy

demanding surrender 

As Keeper of the Seahorse Legacy, Cazien de Pollis is a King among pirates, divinely appointed to dispense justice on the seas. Bound by the sacred oath of a long-dead ancestor, he must fulfill a contract to wed the green-eyed Oracle’s Daughter named therein—or risk losing everything he and his people hold dear. But at nineteen, with the identity of his betrothed only recently revealed, Cazien resents the contract—and the urgency within him to see it satisfied.

Erielle de Gladiel returned from the quest for the Remedy, changed. Not only are her formerly-blue eyes now a brilliant shade of green, but she must don gloves to hide inky evidence that her prophetically-bestowed title, the Oracle’s Daughter, demands more from her than the task already completed. Erielle’s dearest-held dream is realized when she is knighted by her King, but unbeknownst to her, that very honor jeopardizes the prophesied purpose to which she and Cazien have been called.

Just as Cazien summons the courage to collect his bride, dark rumors and darker deeds crawl up the coasts, calling its guardians, the Seahorse Pirates, into action—and Cazien away from Erielle. But even though the Oracle’s Daughter knows nothing of the contract to which she has been consigned, Cazien’s enemies have somehow learned of his interest in Erielle. And if they reach her before his ancestor’s weighty oath is executed, the Seahorse Legacy will be forfeited . . . and darkness will be given reign.

Subtly paying homage to several classic tales including Peter Pan, Robin Hood, The Little Mermaid, Much Ado About Nothing, and even The Three Little Bears, THE SEAHORSE LEGACY begins an epic re-imagining of the classic Grimm fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses which will conclude in Eyes of E’veria, Book 4: THE SUNKEN REALM. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Serena Chase lives in Iowa with her husband, two teen daughters, and one very spoiled (but really adorable) dog, Albus. A frequent contributor to USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog, she also writes for Edgy Inspirational Romance. Serena has served as a youth leader for high school students at her church, coaches her local high school’s Color Guard, and drinks entirely too much coffee between these and her daughters’ activities. You can find Serena on Facebook, Twitter @Serena_Chase, and Pinterest.  Visit her website www.serenachase.com

Weeee! Doesn't that just sound awesome? I can't wait to read it! I really enjoyed Serena Chase's writing and having my favorite characters of hers as the main characters...well, let's just say it should be really good.

So we have two special giveaways in celebration of this release! The first is a giveaway unique to this blog. Yes, it has the same prizes as other blogs participating in the release, but you can only enter this one here.

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Also, a grand giveaway spanning all the blogs for a signed paperback copy of this book as soon as it is available.
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Cover Reveal--Resistance by Jaye L. Knight

I have a beautiful new cover reveal for you today, dear readers! Behold!

“Don’t you know? Animals like you have no soul.”

Could God ever love a half-blood all of society looks upon with such fear and disdain? Jace once believed so, but when a tragic loss shatters the only peace he’s ever known, his faith crumbles as the nagging doubts he’s tried to put behind him descend on his grieving heart. With them come the haunting memories of the bloodstained past he longs to forget, but can never escape.

Taken from home at a young age and raised to serve the emperor, Kyrin Altair and her twin brother live every day under a dangerous pretense of loyalty. After her unique observation skills and perfect memory place her into direct service to the emperor, Kyrin finds herself in further jeopardy as it becomes increasingly difficult to hide her belief in Elôm, the one true God.

Following the emperor’s declaration to enforce the worship of false gods under the penalty of death, many lives are endangered. But there are those willing to risk everything to take a stand and offer aid to the persecuted. With their lives traveling paths they never could have imagined, Jace and Kyrin must fight to overcome their own fears and conflicts with society as they become part of the resistance.

Kindle release date: May 20, 2014

Exciting, yes? I read a book by this author, while she was under the name Molly Evangline, and I'm very interested in this story as well! Looks like it's going to be even more epic! And here's a little excerpt to prove it.

 

Excerpt From the Book

 

Just when he lowered his guard enough to relax, a grating voice sent tension knotting across his shoulders.

“Look what the excitement dragged into town.”

Jace ground his teeth together and turned. He should never have stopped watching his back. Wrong move on his part.

Flanked by two of his smug-faced friends, a red-haired young man smirked at him, his eyes harboring all sorts of ill will. Jace barely bit back a sharp retort, but the other man’s smirk only grew at his silence. He peered around Jace.

“Rebekah, what are you doing with this . . .” He glanced back to Jace and turned up his wide nose. “. . . half-blood?”

Jace balled his fists. Warmth seeped down his arms and into his muscles, pulsing with the preparation for a fight, but he fought to still it.

Rebekah came to his side, her face set in a frown that looked entirely out of place. “Stop it, Morden.”

He gave her a condescending little grin. “Why don’t you run along? We’ve got business here.” The grin stretched wider. “I’ll gladly come find you later.”

Rebekah put her hands on her hips, glaring at him, and opened her mouth to speak, but Jace beat her to it.

“A gentleman would treat a lady with more consideration.”

Morden snorted. “And what would you know about that?”

A blaze erupted inside that Jace struggled to contain. He breathed in hard, cursing the impulses he had to battle so often. He couldn’t let it take control of him. Not again.

“Come on, Jace, we still have to find something for Kalli.” Rebekah’s soft voice quieted his growing agitation, and she tugged lightly on his stiff arm.

His blood still burned hot in his veins, calling him to action, and was almost too strong to resist. He thought of Rayad who told him time and again to go to Elôm when he struggled like this. He forced himself to turn away from Morden and whispered silently, “Elôm, I need help.”

But Morden, who must have caught the movement of his lips just before he turned completely, let out an incredulous laugh. “Are you praying?”

Jace froze. His heart thundered.

“Who could you be praying to? Don’t you know? Animals like you have no soul.”

An evil pang of doubt knifed through Jace’s heart, colder and more painful than the steel of any dagger, and robbed the breath from his lungs. His eyes settled on Rebekah’s face, but it was her pitying expression that caused the weak grip on his emotions to fail. Heat flared in his muscles. He spun around and smashed his fist into the side of Morden’s jaw, sending the man reeling. Regret followed, but it was too late. Morden’s friends caught him by the arms and steadied him as he shook his head to clear his vision.

Jace dragged deep breaths into his tightened lungs and waited for Morden’s next move. Just walk away. The silent plea went out in desperation. If only it would just end here. But satisfaction lit Morden’s eyes, and his lip curled in a malicious sneer.

Blog Tour Announcement

Excited for this book’s release? Join us for the blog tour May 20-27, which will include reviews, interviews, a giveaway, and more! Mark your calendars, and check the blog tour page in May for more information. Hope to see you there!

About the Author

JAYE L. KNIGHT is a 25-year-old independent author with a passion for writing Christian fantasy and clean NA (New Adult) fiction. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God's love shines as a light to offer hope.

Jaye is a homeschool graduate and has been penning stories since the age of eight. She was previously published as Molly Evangeline. You can learn about her latest writing projects at www.jayelknight.com.

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