Join the Sentinals as they navigate their way through a new writing challenge! Back to the dares!!
Admit kissing someone not your partner OR make a prank phone call
It’s another Turvy-inspired #WritingChallenge! This time the stakes are raised: #TurvyTruthOrDare! AND this time it’s an easy-peasy 7-day mini challenge. So they say!!
#Writers, whether your characters are in a published book or percolating in your WIP, this challenge is for YOU!
Day Six
Time for the Arifels to joins in!! Make a prank call, or in this case, send an Arifel with a prank message!!
The Sentinal series
Birlerion peered around the door, and finding the room empty, he slipped inside and silently shut it behind him. Calling the little Arifel, he moved over to the window and stared out over the formal palace gardens.
They were nothing like Leyandrii’s. Her rose arbors had been beautiful; a riot of colour no matter the season.
He smiled as Ari, the little Arifel, arrived and perched on his open hand, wrapping his scaly tail around Birlerion’s wrist to balance.
“I need your help,” Birlerion murmured to the kitten like creature.
Ari cocked his head and cheeped. His green eyes grew larger as he stared at Birlerion.
“I know, but Tagerill has it coming after the scaring me like that. How he got the king to agree …” Birlerion closed his eyes. He had jabbed the king in the ribs. Lady kill him now! He stiffened. “It’s his turn to be on the receiving end.”
Ari sent a suggestion, and Birlerion chuckled as it materialised in his mind. An image of Tagerill working in the kitchens.
“No, he’d enjoy that too much! We need something that will make him uncomfortable, that he’ll take seriously.”
Ari sighed.
“I thought you could tell him Leyandrii will be arriving in Old Vespers at the temple, and she is expecting him to be her escort. He needs to be on duty at dawn, in full ceremonial uniform.” Birlerion swore that Ari smiled. He rose, flapping his wings and then settled again. “Yes, very formal. Leyandrii is expecting him, but it is very hush, hush. He’s not to tell anyone.” Birlerion grinned. None of them had worn full ceremonial uniform since they had awoken. He could just see Tagerill trying to polish and prepare everything without anyone seeing him. With a wicked grin he sent Ari on his errand.
***
Tagerill was surprised when Ari dropped onto the table in front of him. Surprised because he was seated in the dining hall, surrounded by off duty palace guards. The little Arifel bombarded him with images and he stiffened. “Leyandrii? When?” he gasped out loud and the guards eyed him a little suspiciously.
Ari scolded him and he clapped his hand over his mouth. The guards edged away from him and continued with their conversation.
“Why me?” he whispered. Ari chittered and Tagerill preened. He was one of her first Sentinals. Ari shared a few more images and Tagerill spluttered. “Full ceremonial dress?” He didn’t have a full ceremonial dress. He ignored the side glances he was receiving, another rumour about Sentinals talking to themselves no doubt beginning. From their reactions he had no doubt Ari was only visible to him.
Abandoning his lunch, he hurried out of the hall, racking his brain for where he would find a white shirt with ruffles, velvet jacket and pantaloons, and buckled shoes on such short notice.
***
At every opportunity Birlerion sent a Sentinal or a ranger, or a palace servant to interrupt Tagerill. They returned with wide grins and reports of Tagerill trying to conceal whatever he was working on and getting more and more frustrated by the interruptions. Ari reported Tagerill had a tailor hidden in his rooms, with pins and patterns and swathes of material and Birlerion couldn’t stop laughing. Tagerill hated all forms of dress clothes.
Serillion, discovering Birlerion in paroxysms of laughter, demanded to know what was going, and Birlerion gave up the attempt, leaving Ari to tell him.
“How did you get Ari agree?’ Serillion asked, his eyebrows nearly in his hairline. “I’ll never believe a word he says to me again.”
Birlerion choked down his laughter. “Tagerill had it coming. He called Ari a flaky, fluff ball. Ari took offence.”
Serillion grinned. “Do not offend the Arifels. Noted.” He stroked Ari’s white chest, and then scratched his ears as he nudged Serillion’s hand. “You really think Tagerill is going present himself at the temple at dawn?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t he?”
“Well, the fact that Leyandrii is unable to cross the Veil for one.”
“Tage won’t think of that,” Birlerion replied, unable to keep the smile off his face.
Serillion shook his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing. He is going to be so mad at you. And disappointed.”
Birlerion’s smile faded and then he shrugged. “Teach him to keep secrets from us, won’t it? If he’d told you, you would have set him straight.”
“Well, I would have tried to, but I can’t now, can I? You’ve made me an accomplice.”
To be continued…
Start the award winning epic fantasy Sentinals series now with Book One, Sentinals Awaken.
If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Join the Sentinals as they navigate their way through a new writing challenge! Back to the dares!!
Admit quriky like/dislike OR Face greatest fear.
Join the Sentinals (and King Benedict) as they navigate their way through a new writing challenge! Swipe to read my truth or dare!!
It’s another Turvy-inspired #WritingChallenge! This time the stakes are raised: #TurvyTruthOrDare! AND this time it’s an easy-peasy 7-day mini challenge. So they say!!
#Writers, whether your characters are in a published book or percolating in your WIP, this challenge is for YOU!
Day Five
Context: Birlerion facing his biggest fear, that when he first awoke in Old Vespers he had failed Lady Leyandrii. This is an excerpt from Sentinals Discovery, a short story which is part of the Creatures of Magic and Myth Anthology which will release later in May.
Creatures of Magic and Myth Anthology
Birlerion held his head in his hands as he glared at Tagerill. “You swapped places with King Benedict for a day? Why didn’t you tell me?” He waved a hand in frustration. “I’m not even going to ask how!”
“I wouldn’t bother, ‘cos I can’t tell. I’ve never had so much fun, though Benedict did have a few words afterwards. I think I’ll keep out his way for a few days.”
“Years more like,” Birlerion said.
Tagerill chuckled. “He can be quite scary when he puts his mind to it.”
Birlerion nodded slowly. “As can Leyandrii.”
“I can’t believe you elbowed him in the side; the king! Do you fear nothing Birlerion?”
Twisting his lips, Birlerion’s gaze went distant as he remembered first awakening in Vespers all those months ago. Not recognising anything and the fear of failing Leyandrii overwhelming him.
***
The steel grey dawn was beginning to lighten the sky as Birlerion sat on the pebbly beach and stared out to sea. His stomach ached, his throat was raw, and a sharp pain beat behind his eyes. The whoosh of waves over pebbles and the soft clacking as they rolled under the water’s pull soothed him, calming jittery nerves that threatened to incapacitate him.
He had washed his face and hands in the sea, as well as his boots, glad that he had, at least, not vomited all over his clothes. Salt, sharp and tangy, filled his mouth and made him thirsty. His mind spun, images of the changed city on repeat. He didn’t know where to go or what to do.
A gentle tug of concern nudged his mind, and his heart leapt. Kaf’enir! But no, it wasn’t his Darian mare, it was the tree. Searching the vaults of his mind, his heart plummeted. Only the tree hummed there. Grief pummelled him, and Birlerion screamed at the sky. He couldn’t take much more.
He collapsed back onto the pebbles, chest heaving, tears streaming, but nothing had changed, except he was exhausted, lost, and hurting. Not only had Leyandrii forsaken him, Kaf’enir had abandoned him as well. Something he would never have believed possible. Darians bonded with their riders for life; only death separated them, and he wasn’t dead. A deep moan rumbled in his chest. Had she died? All alone without him? He would never have abandoned her.
Gradually, the cold lumpy stones began to bruise his skin, and he sat up. Shivering in the chill morning air, he rubbed his face and tasted salt on his lips, and after one last glance at the grey sea, he rose and stumbled back up the beach, his feet slipping on the loose pebbles. He ignored his body’s woes, the aches and pains; he deserved them.
He had failed those who meant most to him.
Not knowing where else to go, Birlerion returned to his tree in the temple gardens. As he touched the bark, it shimmered and he passed inside, where he was engulfed with love and concern and warmth. He stumbled to the cot and collapsed. His fingers and toes were as numb as his heart.
His sword belt and bow clattered to the floor as he curled in on himself as the tree fussed over him, infusing him with heat, wrapping him in its humming concern. Tears leaked down his cheeks as he dragged the blanket that appeared on top of him tighter around him, the weight a comfort as exhaustion dragged him down and he slept.
***
A gentle hand shaking his shoulder, made him start. “Birlerion?” Tagerill’s voice was soft. “Are you alright?”
Birlerion straightened. “Of course,” he replied. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Start the award winning epic fantasy Sentinals series now with Book One, Sentinals Awaken.
If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Join the Sentinals as they navigate their way through a new writing challenge! Back to the dares!!
Admit embarrasing crush OR Swap two characters roles.
I thought it might be time for King Benedict to get in on the act, though he may regret agreeing as he is swapping places with Tagerill! This may get a bit complicated, but Tagerill is the king and Benedict is Tagerill!!
Join the Sentinals (and King Benedict) as they navigate their way through a new writing challenge!
It’s another Turvy-inspired #WritingChallenge! This time the stakes are raised: #TurvyTruthOrDare! AND this time it’s an easy-peasy 7-day mini challenge. So they say!!
#Writers, whether your characters are in a published book or percolating in your WIP, this challenge is for YOU!
Day Four
“Does his brain run this fast all the time?” Benedict muttered as he sat trying to read a book. He looked up as Birlerion peered around the door of the common room and then entered.
“Why are you trying to read, Tage? You know your brain is not made for reading.”
“Ah, that explains it,” Benedict replied tossing the book aside. He rubbed his temples, no wonder it was giving him a headache. “What is my brain made for?”
“Trouble usually, though the king asks that we rein it in a bit; he wants to keep us mysterious and intimidating.”
“How boring,” Benedict replied and then clapped his hand over his mouth. Tagerill truly did speak before thinking.
Birlerion sighed and stared across the room. “I know. I was hoping we could try and, you know, make a new home somewhere.”
Benedict’s gut lurched. He hadn’t thought of that. A rush of longing for Greens swirled through him. “Greens is home, we don’t need a new one,” he said.
Twisting his lips, Birlerion shook his head, “Not really, not anymore.”
Before Benedict could reply another Sentinal poked his head through the door. “Birlerion? Tagerill? You’ve been summoned by the king.”
Benedict staggered as he picked up Tagerill’s broadsword. Dear Lady, they were heavy! How did they even walk let alone fight with these things? He trailed Birlerion through the corridors until they arrived at the king’s study and drew to a halt in front of the desk.
The king slouched in his chair, his hands stuffed in his pockets. As he watched them enter, a wicked smile passed over his face. “I’ve decided to give the Sentinals a pay rise,” he said.
Birlerion choked. “Do we get paid? Your Majesty?”
“If you didn’t, you do now.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Birlerion, I am promoting you to Commander of the King’s Rangers. Serillion always said you were the best of us…er…best of them.”
Birlerion blanched. “What? I mean … um… Your Majesty, please reconsider. Commander Nikols is an exemplary leader; you have no need to replace him.”
The king waved his hand in the air. “It’s done. And you …” his eyes gleamed as he pointed at Benedict, “Tagerill, will do cartwheels through the market square.”
Tagerill grinned. “Of course, Your Majesty.” And then he spluttered as Benedict quailed at the thought.
“But, Your Majesty! Only yesterday, you asked us to be more restrained. This would not do our reputation much good,” Birlerion protested.
“I changed my mind! Kings do that, you know.” He frowned. “Where’s Serillion? I have plans for him too. He’s gonna love this!”
“Um, Your Majesty? Are you feeling quite well?” Birlerion asked with some hesitation.
Benedict tilted his head. Birlerion had guts that was sure. It hadn’t even passed through Tagerill’s mind to question the king’s sanity. Benedict thought he ought to say something, but he didn’t know what. His mind was full of images of him cartwheeling through the market, he shuddered as the suggestion of doing it naked passed through his brain. He clamped down on that thought, that was a hard no. He jerked as Birlerion elbowed him in the ribs. That hurt!
Benedict glanced up and found the king staring at him with a sympathetic yet gleeful smile. “This is fun, isn’t it?” the king asked.
Start the award winning epic fantasy Sentinals series now with Book One, Sentinals Awaken.
If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Join the Sentinals as they navigate their way through a new writing challenge! Keep reading for my Day Three truth or dare!!
Admit Achilles heel OR Stand on Stand up and do four cartwheels in a row
It’s another Turvy-inspired #WritingChallenge! This time the stakes are raised: #TurvyTruthOrDare! AND this time it’s an easy-peasy 7-day mini challenge. So they say!!
#Writers, whether your characters are in a published book or percolating in your WIP, this challenge is for YOU!
Day Three – Time for a truth!
King Benedict observed Jerrol as he entered the study followed by Birlerion. The young Sentinal had been absent for a few days, but he was back behind Jerrol’s shoulder as if he had never left it.
An air of mystery preceded them, the silver-green uniform the two men wore giving off an archaic feel that was out of place in the city of Old Vespers. Birlerion towered over Jerrol, tall and straight with silver eyes and ancient weapons, people noticed whenever a Sentinal was present.
“I heard a strange story about some Sentinals in town,” the king said.
Jerrol rolled his eyes. “Someone thought it might be a good idea to try and impress the townsfolk. It seems they went to extremes.”
Birlerion huffed. “They were eager enough for a hug.”
“But not to see all that you offered,” Jerrol said, trying not to smirk.
A slight blush stained Birlerion’s cheeks. “At least they won’t take us so seriously anymore.”
“And why is that a good thing?” the king asked.
The ghost of a smile flitted over Birlerion’s face. “We’re trying to fit in. They won’t be so scared of us if they see us making fun of ourselves.”
Benedict pursed his lips and nodded. “I see. Though my preference would still be that Sentinals are treated with a healthy respect.”
“I don’t think you need to be concerned, sire,” Jerrol said. “Most of the sentinals are a serious lot. It seems we got the enthusiastic ones here in Old Vespers.”
“I’ll have you know we are all serious when it matters,” Birlerion said, “It doesn’t hurt to have a little fun now and then.”
“I’m sure,” Benedict murmured. He leaned back in his chair. “What is your weakness, then? Is there something I should be worried about?”
Birlerion twisted his lips. “We are not superhuman, Your Majesty. Just touched by a goddess. But she took all her magic with her, and we are no longer able to wield her power, only use the skills we’ve learnt.” He fell silent for a moment and then sighed. “We are formidable but not invincible.”
“And not very good at holding your ale,” Jerrol muttered.
Laughing, Birlerion shook his head. “Your ale is potent. I am not one for drinking. Tagerill would call Serillion and I lightweights. No matter how much he tries he cannot toughen us up. I think we’ll let him explore the taverns on his own.”
King Benedict grimaced. “Now that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.” He considered for a moment. “I think it’s best we sustain the Sentinals’ reputation for now, at least until we know what is going on. Try and avoid any further revelations to the townsfolk. There will be plenty of time for you to make friends once we understand who our real enemy is.”
Birlerion exhaled, but nodded in agreement. “Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll pass the word.”
Start the award winning epic fantasy Sentinals series now with Book One, Sentinals Awaken.
If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Join the Sentinals as they navigate their way through a new writing challenge! Keep reading for my Day Two truth or dare!!
Share a silly hidden talent OR Stand on corner holding sign for hugs for 10 minutes
It’s another Turvy-inspired #WritingChallenge! This time the stakes are raised: #TurvyTruthOrDare! AND this time it’s an easy-peasy 7-day mini challenge. So they say!!
#Writers, whether your characters are in a published book or percolating in your WIP, this challenge is for YOU!
Day Two- It’s a another dare!
Serillion lifted his head off the pillow and groaned. The room spun, and he swallowed, trying not to heave. “Oh Lady help me. My head.”
Jerrol laughed at him. “It’s not your head you should be worrying about.”
Serillion covered his eyes with his arm. Why did the sun have to be so bright? Jerrol’s words percolated into his brain, and he froze. Oh Lady! They hadn’t, had they? “Why?” he asked, hoping the fuzzy memories from the night before were just a drunken haze.
“Well, there are reports of three men streaking down the Port Road,” Jerrol replied. His voice turned thoughtful. “I suppose it was fortunate it was after midnight and there weren’t that many people to see it.”
Serillion groaned. “I’m gonna kill Tagerill.”
“I think Birlerion is already making him suffer.”
“They can’t be up already.” Serillion retched and Jerrol shoved a bucket towards him. After a moment that Serillion would prefer not to remember, he wiped his mouth and blearily stared at Jerrol. “Why are you here? Did they send you to torment me?”
“Birlerion said that if you needed a hug to help you feel better, you would find them on the corner of market square. Something about trying to redeem themselves in the Lady’s eyes. He thought you might want to help them.”
“Help them do what?”
“Someone dared them to beg for hugs. They seem to think it was Leyandrii. Anyway, that was the only explanation I could get out of them as to why they were standing on street corners with a sign asking people to hug them.”
Serillion chuckled and then groaned again.
“I was debating about joining them as there was quite a queue!” Jerrol said. “@writertracybrown was at the front, she seemed quite eager!! As were @mummybearreads, @D_a_i_s_ywood and @bookworm_oakey to name a few!” Jerrol said.
“They can have all the hugs. I’ll just die here, quietly,” Serillion moaned, covering his face with his pillow.
Start the award winning epic fantasy Sentinals series now with Book One, Sentinals Awaken.
If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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I’m excited to announce that Sentinals Awaken, the first book in the epic fantasy Sentinal series, which was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book awards for 2021, has been awarded the bronze medal in the Adult Fiction category!
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards is run by an Independent author for Independent authors. Actual readers located in London and Stockholm read and review the books in each category, and then discuss them thoroughly to choose their medal winners.
Winners recieve a winners medal, certificate and promotion through press releases, and book promotions on Goodreads, Facebook and the Fussy Librarian.
You can find out more about the Wishing Shelf Book Awards here, and the list of 2021 winners here.
Sentinals Awaken is the first book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.
As a three thousand-year-old threat reemerges, only one man has the power to awaken the world’s greatest protectors and restore order to the realm. He just doesn’t know it yet. When Jerrol Haven, a captain in the King’s Rangers, discovers treason at the highest level, he knows immediately that the knowledge puts his life at risk. And indeed, though he expected the ailing King to shield him, the ambitious Crown Prince sentences Jerrol to death.
What hold does the Prince have over his weakened father, and who or what is he protecting?
With signs that the veil is weakening and the Ascendants are creeping back into power, Lady Leyandrii has returned and is in dire need of Jerrol’s help. For though he doesn’t know it, Jerrol possesses a rare gift: By chance, he touches a revered Sentinal tree and awakens Birlerion, one of the Lady’s personal guard who have been sleeping in the strange, tall trees since they were last called to battle. Aided by Birlerion, Jerrol flees and begins his journey to help Lady Leyandrii save Remargaren once more.
But time is running out: Jerrol must unravel the mystery of the Ascendants’ return, stop the sinister force that is dividing good families through bloodshed and betrayal, and rescue the King—and his troubles are only just beginning.
Ideal for lovers of The Witcher, Tad William’s Shadowmarch or David Eddings’ Belgarion series.
Start the award winning epic fantasy Sentinals series now with Book One, Sentinals Awaken.
If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Join the Sentinals as they navigate their way through a new writing challenge! Keep reading for my Day One truth or dare!!
It’s another Turvy-inspired #WritingChallenge! This time the stakes are raised: #TurvyTruthOrDare! AND this time it’s an easy-peasy 7-day mini challenge. So they say!!
#Writers, whether your characters are in a published book or percolating in your WIP, this challenge is for YOU!
Day One– It’s a dare!
The Sentinals sat in the king’s library and devoured all the books they could find on the history of Remargaren. Piles of dry and boring tomes surrounded them and Tagerill shifted in his seat, slamming the book he was reading shut.
“This is so boring. Why do we want to know what every official ever said in the last three thousand years?”
“We don’t,” Serillion replied, his eyes glued to the pages in front of him.
“We want to know how Vespiri came to be what it is today,” Birlerion murmured, turning the page.
“It would be much better if we just went into the town and asked the people,” Tagerill said.
“Via every tavern you can find,” Birlerion said with a wry twist of his lips.
“It would be better than sitting here.”
“It might be more entertaining, but you won’t find out much. Our history seems to be long forgotten,” Birlerion replied, taking the opportunity to stretch his aching back. They had been reading for a long time. He eyed Serillion and then Tagerill as an idea bloomed. “Tell you what. We’ll go into town, and the first one of us who finds a person who remembers the Sentinals can choose a dare for the others.”
“Yes!” Tagerill said as he fist pumped the air.
“Mmm,” Serillion replied, his nose still deep in his book.
“Right then,” Birlerion said closing his book and leaning over to flip Serillion’s book shut as well.
“Hey! I was reading that,” Serillion protested.
“Active research is much better,” Tagerill proclaimed.
“We’ve been sitting for too long! Truth or dare time,” Birlerion said as he rose. “First Sentinal to find someone who remembers us, gets to pick a dare for one of the others.”
Serillion scowled. “You are such children. No one is going to remember us.”
“Someone will.” Birlerion replied as he stacked the books in a neat pile. “Come on. We need some fresh air.”
As they entered yet another tavern, Birlerion was regretting his bright idea, and he groaned as another mug of ale landed on the bar before him. His innards were awash in beer and he grabbed it and turned towards the room. Raising the mug he said, “Whoever can tell me a true story about the Sentinals gets this ale!”
“Bribery is cheating,” Serillion shouted. His cheeks were flushed, and his silver eyes sparkled.
Tagerill laughed. “No one knows anything in this town!”
“Them Sentinals were cowards. They all ran.” A deep voice spoke from the shadows.
Silence fell, and Birlerion turned towards the voice. “Ran from what?” he asked, his voice deceptively quiet.
“Whatever it was they faced. They all disappeared. Cowards the lot of them.”
“Maybe they took the threat with them,” Birlerion suggested.
“Nah! The Lady punished them!”
“There isn’t an original thought among them,” Tagerill growled.
“Then we should plant a new seed,” Serillion said, his eyes glittering dangerously.
“Yes,” Birlerion agreed. “What impression would we like to leave?”
“Oh I don’t know. We should all streak down the high street, that would make an impression,” Tagerill said in a calm voice.
Birlerion choked. “Not the impression Leyandrii would like.”
Tagerill raised his mug in salute. “They wouldn’t forget us, though.”
Start the award winning epic fantasy Sentinals series now with Book One, Sentinals Awaken.
If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Sentinals Across Time: Book Four of the Sentinal series, is now live!!!!
I am excited to share the fourth installment of the Sentinal series. In my latest book Jerrol is flung three thousand years into the past, and not only has to adjust to living in a different time, the Lady has a few tasks she needs him to complete as well.
And don’t forget Readers’ Favorite recommend the whole series, check out the Five Star book review for book two Sentinals Rising “…this is a book and a series that is likely to be adored by all fortunate enough to read it. Very highly recommended.”
“Helen Garraway has written a Fantasy Saga of epic proportions, and the story of these gallant young men – Captain Jerrol Haven and the Sentinals – will remain with you, long after you have turned the last page. A Beautiful read!!!”
“I cannot tell you how awesome this book was. It weaved so well in to the books we already know and love whilst creating whole new places to visit and fall in love with.”
“Helen is a master of the art of storytelling. Each scene is played out so well you find yourself not just the reader, but a willing participant, pulled into an amazing fantasy, where you feel every emotion that her characters go through. You cry with them, laugh, and feel their pain and terror.”
Sentinals Across Time is the fourth book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.
Jerrol’s fragile balance between duty and family life took two years to refine and one brief moment to tear apart as the Lady Leyandrii and the Oath conspire in a desperate bid to protect the Birtolian Empire. As a result, Jerrol finds himself stranded in the middle of an ocean, lost across land and time and seas.
Unsure what is expected of him, Jerrol learns to appreciate the idyllic life of the Birtolians, the vibrant people and the beautiful coastline. To his growing horror he realises the devastation which lies in their future.
Can Jerrol prevent the destruction of the gentle people he has grown to love? Is he meant to? Desperate to find a way home, he begins to leave clues in anything he thinks will survive the test of time. Taelia and the Sentinals are his only chance of ever returning to his own life but can they find him before the Lady sunders the Bloodstone and changes the Birtolian Empire forever?
The fourth installment of the Sentinal Series takes us the beautiful Island Empire of Birtoli. Only once, it wasn’t an archipelago of islands, it was a land of majestic mountain ridges, mystical forests and exquisite sandy bays joined as one to the southern Vespiri borders.
Today, I am chatting with Rachel Stanley about her paranormal fantasy A Grim series. Rachel is revealing her cover for the third installment A Grim Ending today!!! I’m so excited to be part of her cover reveal!! Isn’t it gorgeous?? Can’t wait to dig into her thoughts behind the cover!
Helen: Welcome Rachel! I’m so excited to be sharing the cover reveal for your next book! A Grim Ending. Why don’t you start us off by introducing yourself?
Rachel: Hi! My name is Rachel Stanley, it’s lovely to meet you all. I’m a UK based author living in the Northwest of England. I live with my husband and our two cats – Cooper and Watson, who actually feature in my first series of books. I’ve always been an avid reader; I fell in love with fantasy when I was a child and my best friend’s brother lent my The Belgariad by David Eddings. I never returned his books because I loved them so much! I actually wore them out because I re-read them so often. Don’t worry, I now have them on my kindle so that I can re-read them whenever I want. I have tried most other genres but nowadays I tend to stick with fantasy – if there isn’t a vampire or werewolf, witch or wizard in it, it probably isn’t for me. Ironically, my books have none of the those in them! What else do you want to know? I love to travel, and I love animals. I aspire to see as much of the world as possible before I die and there are still some animals that I want to see in the wild. I’ve been lucky enough to tick off some major ones though – bears, whales and even otters!
Helen: Oh I’m a fan of David Eddings, espacially his Belgarion/Mallorean series, I just love his characters. Definitely a character driven series entwined with a quest! and they are all so relatable! I think Emperor Kal’zakath is my favourite, or maybe Silk, or no maybe…! But enough of that, tell us a little about your current work in progress!
Rachel: I’m currently editing A Grim Ending. It’s the final part of a trilogy that focusses on Emma and Blake. Emma is so normal that even her own mother has been known to accuse her of being boring and Blake is… well, Blake is her soulmate. He’s also the Grim Reaper! Although he would be furious if he knew that I’d described him as such because his title is the Keeper of Souls. It’s difficult to tell you too much about A Grim Ending without giving away snippets of the two books that precede it – A Grim Affair and A Grim Haunt. Suffice it to say that poor Emma suffers some more in A Grim Ending! But I hope that even though all three books have dark undertones, I’ve kept the storytelling quite light.
Helen: I loved the first book, you can find my book review here! Must get around to reading the second before The Grim Ending releases! Tell us about your covers, they are so vibrant and to the point!
Rachel: The cover of all three of my books is dominated by a scythe, as you would expect, right? A Grim Affair has ice crystals on the cover. This was done purposely because Blake is cold throughout the book. He’s been on his own for nearly a thousand years and he’s bored and lonely. That’s made him… ah… shall we say a little bit disconnected. In comparison A Grim Haunt has rising water on the front. This is representative of one of the scenes in the book. You’ll need to read it to find out exactly what happens though! And A Grim Ending has flames on it. Again it’s representative of one of the key elements of the story. I think A Grim Haunt it my favourite though.
Helen: I love to hear the thoughts behind the designs! What made you start writing this series?
Rachel: I get asked this question all the time! I started writing A Grim Affair because of a dream. In the dream a man – Blake – is stood watching a second man who has a 50:50 chance of dying. I couldn’t get the dream out of my head. I kept wondering who Blake was, what he was doing, how he knew that the second man had a 50:50 chance of dying etc, etc. I started writing the story down just so that the ideas would get out of my head. At the time I was really busy in my day job and A Grim Affair served as a way to switch off. In the end I got so far into the story that I figured I might as well finish it and that I might as well publish it. I didn’t spend years searching for an agent or a publisher. One Sunday afternoon, when I’d finished, I simply uploaded it to Amazon. And then I realised what I’d done and went back and had it properly edited and I bought an actual cover. Lol. I did everything wrong!
Helen: They look so pretty together! Such a beautiful blue! And you write fantasy because…?
Rachel: I’m a fantasy writer because it’s what I love to read. Also, you get to make up stuff and no one can tell you that it’s wrong!
Helen: Tell us a little about your protagonist and why you wrote about her.
Rachel: As I said before, my protagonist is Emma, someone who’s so normal that even her own mother has been known to accuse her of being boring. I wrote Emma that way on purpose because I wanted to read about someone like me whose world was turned upside down by abnormal events. Emma is tall, a traditional British pear with long, red hair, hazel coloured eyes and a smattering of freckles across a nose. She works as a vet nurse and has a little house that she shares with her fur babies (Cooper and Watson). She’s fiercely loyal to those she loves but a little aloof with everyone else, and she likes nothing better than being in her own home baking or gardening. She’s not entirely like me (my mother-in-law, who’s a keen gardener like Emma, cringes when I say that I’m going to do some gardening!), but she’s a lot like me.
Helen: If I asked Emma why we should read your books, what would she say?
Rachel: Emma would probably tell you to read all of the books in A Grim Series because she’d hope that by doing so you’d start to understand Blake a little better.
Helen: And she would be right. Your series is amazing! Who is your favourite character to write?
Rachel: My favourite character in A Grim Series is Abaddon. Well, she’s not the one that I love the most because that would be Emma and Blake, but she’s such fun to write. She’s an angel who is connected to Emma and Blake’s back story. You’ll have to read the series find out exactly how she’s connected, and whether she’s a hero or a villain, but she’s such fun to write because she’s so outrageous. She’s extremely liberal and is always coming out with the most outlandish remarks. Also, because she’s an angel, she can look like whoever she wants to look like and it’s good fun coming up with new bodies for Abaddon to ‘wear’.
Helen: Characters that give you flexibility and freedom are the best to write, because you never know where you might end up! Do you plan your books or do you let them take you where they will?
Rachel: I’m a pantser. I wish I was a planner because I often write myself into holes that my husband has to dig me out of, but I just can’t do it. When I started A Grim Affair, I literally had one scene in my mind. Some way into the book, I worked out the ending of the series but I had no idea how I would get there. I’m often surprised by my own characters. They go rogue on me all the time!
Helen: Mine do as well! I always seem to end up places I wasn’t expecting! Do you find yourself doing a lot of research for your books?
Rachel: I refer you to one of my previous answers, lol! The great thing about writing fantasy is that you get to make stuff up and no one can tell you that it’s wrong! Before writing A Grim Series though, I did do quite a bit of research into grim reaper mythology, and that influenced several aspects of the story. I intend to write an article that will be at the back of A Grim Ending to share some of what I learned. It’s fascinating stuff! I always liked mythology as a child. It’s no wonder really that I became a fantasy writer. I also make sure snippets of information are correct. As an example, the prologue of each book in A Grim Series is set on a specific day in the World War One. I did several google searches to make sure that what I was describing was as authentic as I could make it.
Helen: It is surprising as a fantasy author how much research does come into it, and you find yourself researching the strangest things!! How do you fit your writing into everyday life?
Rachel: So, this is one of the hardest things about being a writer, finding the time. Personally, I work long hours during the week so I never try and write on a weekday. That leaves me with the weekend. I’m an early bird so I always write on a Saturday and Sunday morning before my hubby gets up. It doesn’t give me much time each week, but it’s enough.
Helen: I know the feeling! We’re almost at the end, it has been lovely learning more about your books. Tell us something random about yourself.
Rachel: Hmmm, something random about me. Well, I used this with my day job team the other day and they were surprised so perhaps you’ll be surprised to know that I have two tattoos. Neither of them see the light of day all that often because being a UK based author I tend to be covered up. It’s no joke that it rains A LOT in the UK.
Helen: Now we want to know what those tattoos are!! You can’t leave it there!! But we are at the end of time together and I have so enjoyed chatting with you. Good luck with the release of your final installment The Grim Ending. I love the cover, even more so now you pointed out the elements! Just to finish, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Rachel: Just do it. If you want to be a writer, be a writer. It’s that easy. It’s also quite hard. It’s hard finding the time and it’s hard being disciplined enough, but it’s worth it. Even though I’ve not yet made it to giddy heights that JK Rowling has, there’s nothing quite like knowing that someone is reading your work. And when – if – they leave a positive review… well, that’s an amazing feeling.
About the Author:
Rachel Stanley
Rachel Stanley lives in the Northwest of England. She has always wanted to write stories but only found the time to put pen to paper after a dream about a Grim Reaper. True story!
She’s spent most of her adult life working as a project manager, despite her degree being in psychology. Her degree comes in handy though, helping her to understand people and their different motivations. Rachel loves people watching!
Rachel lives with her husband, David, and their two cats, Cooper and Watson, who feature in her “A Grim” series. She loves to travel and intends on seeing as much of the world as possible in her lifetime. Much of her writing is actually done when she is on one of her trips (at home or abroad). She can often be found at the side of a lake, or sat on a rock in the middle of nowhere, adding to her latest work of fiction.
Family is very important to Rachel. She firmly believes that without them she wouldn’t be where she is now.
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If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my books which are available in eBook, paperback or hardcover: Book One: Sentinals Awaken. Book Two: Sentinals Rising. Book Three: Sentinals Justice. Book 3.5: Sentinals Recovery. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next book releases.
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It’s time to celebrate International Women’s Day. A day to recognise that women play an equal role in the world, in all aspects, and yet still in the twenty-first century women are still struggling to find their voice, to have equal access to resources, to be heard.
It astonishes and saddens me that even in this day and age, women have to fight to be treated equally, just because of gender. Yes, each gender may excel or be more suited to different roles, but that doesn’t make either one better than the other, there are always exceptions and everyone should be treated equally.
In 2022, climate change is front and centre as we all experience the changes in weather patterns in the world around us, and yet women are suffering even more, often being on the front line of gathering food, water, fuel.
As resources become more constrained, it’s the women who are trying to support their families with basic supplies, struggling to find what once was plentiful.
If you are interested in further information on how climate and gender equality are interlinked, check out this post by UN Women.org.
Source: Burcu Kölelifor UN Women (2022).
Along with climate change, gender equality seems to still be a prevalent issue in many areas, even that of authors. There are many amazing independent women authors creating wonderful stories, and yet their still seems to be a stigma in the publishing world attached to women authors writing Fantasy or science fiction. Many women choose to use their initials instead of their first name, to give the impression that they are male in the belief that readers will find their books more acceptable in a male dominated genre. And then you have the reverse, the romance or YA genre is dominated by women, but men are just as capable writing a good romance or a book for the younger generation. The gender of the author should not come in it.
I did consider using my initials when i first started publishing my books, but I chose to use my first name. It’s a perfectly good name! And I believe in my books to stand on their merits, no matter my gender. I hope readers feel the same. Let me know in the comments if you have faced this dilemma or whether the gender of the author makes any difference to the book choices you make. One day, these arguments won’t need to be made. It shouldn’t make any difference which gender you are, it is the writing that should be judged and enjoyed.
This may not be on par with the challenges of climate change or life impacting struggles of many women aorund the world, but it is still an insidious encroachment on the rights of women to be treated equally. Is that really too much to ask?
Helen Garraway 