Sentinals Justice now available on Audiobook!

The third book in the Sentinal series is now avaialble in Audio book. You can find it on Audible, Amazon or Apple Books.

All 16 hours and 26 minutes of it, narrated by the amazing Matt Coles. Check out the audio sample and start the adventure now.

I’ve loved working on this third installment of the series. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions as Matt takes you to the icy lands of Elothia.

Now you can meet Jerrol and the Sentinals whilst you drive, exercise or work. Pick up your copy from Audible, Amazon or Apple Books.

Sentinals Justice is the third book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

The third installment of the Sentinal series takes us to the frozen north, to the Grand Duchy of Elothia. Border tensions with Elothia force King Benedict to send a diplomatic envoy to sue for peace. Benedict has his hands full with Vespiri and Terolia, he can’t afford a war on his northern border as well. Commander Jerrol Haven is sent to broker peace. Having met Grand Duke Randolf the thirteenth before, Jerrol hopes their previously successful negotiations will assist in a speedy resolution and allow him time to discover how to rescue Birlerion from the Ascendants.

Meanwhile, the Chapterhouse has received a request for a scholar to assist in searching for signs of the Sentinals in Elothia. Taelia is assigned the task, because Scholar Torsion is also missing after the attack at the Watch Towers.

Amidst escalating tensions and conflicting needs, Jerrol journeys to Elothia, hoping to meet with Randolf before the Ascendants can influence him. Escorting Taelia is an unexpected bonus. Can Jerrol stop Elothia and Vespiri from going to war? Will they find more Sentinals? And can they find out where the Ascendants took Birlerion and Torsion before it is too late.

If you’ve read this far, you deserve a gift! I have a few Audible promo codes allowing you to download my audiobook for free. You can apply for a free code here. (Limited number of codes available so don’t delay. When they are gone, they are gone!) Let me know what you think by leaving a review.

Happy Listening!

If you enjoy fantasy books 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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International Women’s Day 2023

Another year has passed and we are celebrating the achievements of women worldwide. At a time like this I look back on what I, as a female independently published author in the competitive world of publishing fantasy books, have achieved.

When I stop and take stock, it’s amazing just how far I’ve progressed. Just a measly 30 month ago (two and a half years), I self-published my first epic fantasy novel. Two years after publishing my first book I achieved the USA Today Bestseller moniker.

To date, I have published six books and two novellas, been awarded multiple book awards and my first book has been listed in the Amazon Top 100 bestselling Epic Fantasy books for 2022. That is for all traditionally and self-published books on Amazon. That is quite mind blowing!

And the wonderful thing about it all, is that I love it. I love the whole process from ideation to writing to editing to publishing.

My brain does not stop coming up with ideas for new books, new worlds and new characters. I just don’t have enough hours in the day to think about them and write the story. I have a book ideas folder, where I capture ideas, thoughts and characters, where they simmer until I have time to take them out, air them a bit and really think about them.

I write scenes, sketch the skeleton, flesh out the characters and then store them safely away until I’ve finished editing the next Sentinal book. And there they stay until one of the characters become particularly insistent and invades my dreams, whole scenes unscrolling and demanding to be written in the middle of the night.

I started writing quite late in life. I never planned to be an author. It wasn’t a dream of mine, nor something I was determined to achieve since childhood. I enjoyed words, (a lot more than numbers!) I was always a voracious reader, fantasy being my go to books; Belgarion and his friends kept me company many an evening until I found Lois Bujold McMasters and Miller & Lee’s Liaden Universe.

It wasn’t until 2016, when my life changed quite significantly, and I found myself home alone with my cats and time on my hands. I began writing the Sentinals series and I haven’t stopped since. A creative dam has been breached, and a flood of stories have flowed ever since. Just shows you never know what’s around the corner.

If you are dreaming of becoming a writer, (or even if the thought never crossed your mind!) when the time is right for you, put that pen to paper and let the words flow. It is said there is a story in everyone. I hope you have the opportunity to tell yours. It truly is magical!

I hope you get to celebrate your personal achievements, no matter how big or small. It is those magical moments that inspire us to go on and achieve even more, and each one should be celebrated.

Happy International Women’s Day.

And don’t forget…

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Sentinals Across Time is a Semi-Finalist for the 2022 CIBA OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction

I am so excited to share that Sentinals Across Time, the fourth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series has made it through to the Semi-Finals for the 2022 Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction!

The Ozma Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Fantasy Fiction. The Ozma Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

Chanticleer International Book Awards discovers the best books in the Ozma Awards featuring magic, the supernatural, imaginary worlds, fantastical creatures, legendary beasts, mythical beings, or inventions of fancy that author imaginations dream up without a basis in science as we know it. Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Dragons, Unicorns, Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Gaslight Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, or other out-of-this-world fiction. These books have advanced to the Semi Finals in the 2022 CIBAs OZMA division.

Sentinals Across Time has moved forward in the judging rounds from all 2022 Ozma Fantasy Fiction entries to the 2022 Ozma Book Awards SEMI FINALS. Entries are now in competition for 2022 Ozma FINALIST. Finalists will be selected from the Semi Finailsts. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC23) on April 29th, 2023.

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 to 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.

If you would like to stay in contact and follow my writing career, then 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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The Alliance of Independent Authors - Author Member

Indie Author Post: Why do you need an Imprint?

Blog post for writers looking to understand the word of self-publishing.

Alliance of Independent Authors Podcast: Creating an imprint

Check out this podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors.

Have you ever wondered what the purpose of an imprint is? and whether you should create one?

Let ALLi explain the importance of separating your author name from your publishing persona and why, along with demystfying the world of ISBN’s and barcodes.

Still have questions? Then please don’t hesitate to contact me via the contact link.

Great information for when you are just starting out, and want to make sure you create a good base for all your books.

Want to know more about the world of self publishing? Then join Alli as a member.

As an ALLi Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.

And don’t forget…

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And that’s a wrap!

What a year 2022 was! I’m not sure where it went, it flashed by so fast and yet I managed to pack an amazing amount of writing into it, for which I am very thankful.

🌟 Sentinals Across Time released in March 2022, and it has just been announced that it made the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) OZMA Fantasy long list.

🌟 Sentinals Discovery, a short story set in the world of Remargaren, released as part of the FREE Creatures Magic and Myth Anthology.

🌟 SoulBreather launched with the Realm of Darkness Anthology, and hit the USA Today Bestseller list on October 13th, 2022. So excited to have launched the first book in a new Fantasy Romance series and to achieve the USAT letters!

🌟 Sentinals Awaken and Sentinals Rising are now available on Audiobook, via Audible, Apple or Amazon.

🌟 Both Sentinals Rising and Sentinals Justice received a Readers’ Favorite Five Star Review, and Sentinals Rising won the Readers’ Favorite Honorable Mention Award for Epic Fantasy for 2022.

🌟 I was selected to become an Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) Ambassador, supporting independent authors to maximise their opportunities.

So what’s next? What does 2023 hold for me?

🌟 Sentinals Banished, Book Five of the Sentinals series is on preorder and launches February 23rd, 2023. Make sure you enter the launch giveaway running until release day.

🌟 SoulBreather releases as an individual ebook on January 23rd, currently on preorder, once the Limited Edition Realm of Darkness anthology is no longer available.

🌟 Narration on the Sentinals Justice audiobook by the amazing Matt Coles has begun and should be complete by March.

🌟 Narration for SoulBreather, book one of the SoulMist series will commence in April.

🌟 Book two of the SoulMist series is 60% complete and will release in the summer of 2023.

🌟 I have a standalone dystopian fantasy ready for editing and I am determined to release it in 2023!

🌟 A new series is on the drawing board, and I am excited to be writing more diverse characters in my next epic fantasy romance series. Look out for a short story coming in the summer as part of a free MM fantasy anthology introducing some of the characters. Sign up to my newsletter to keep informed as to when it will be available.

🌟 And finally, I am pleased to share that Book Six of the Sentinals series has now moved into editing! I can’t believe I’ve reached the final book of the Sentinals series. I’m not sure I want the Sentinal adventure to ever end. I love writing these characters, but at some point the story has to reach it’s conclusion.

Thank you once again for your interest in my books and for joining me on this journey. Welcome to the wonderful world of Remargaren and many others I can’t wait to introduce you to. I hope you stay for all the exciting adventures that are surely coming your way.

And don’t forget…

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Sentinals Across Time makes the 2022 CIBA OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction long list.

I am so excited to share that Sentinals Across Time, the fourth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series has made it through to the Long list for the 2022 Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction!

The Ozma Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Fantasy Fiction. The Ozma Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

Sentinals Across Time has moved forward in the judging rounds from all 2022 Ozma Fantasy Fiction entries to the 2022 Ozma Book Awards LONG LIST. Entries are now in competition for 2022 Ozma Short List. The Short Listers will compete for the FINALIST positions. Finalists will be selected from the Short List. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC23) on April 29th, 2023.

Sentinals Across Time is the fourth book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

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Ambassador for the Alliance of Independent Authors.

I am very pleased to announce that I am now a UK ambassador for the Alliance of Independent Authors (Alli).

With a membership made up of authors from across the world, ALLi Ambassadors enable the ALLi organisation to think globally and act locally. Our Ambassadors are knowledgeable, motivated, experienced and professional ALLi members who help us to champion independent authors and forge new links across our core territories: Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Europe, South Africa, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

ALLi’s Mission is to foster excellence and ethics in self-publishing.

•We empower authors through community and collaboration—author forums, contract advice, sample agreements, contacts and networking, literary agency representation, and a member care desk.

•We advise, through our Self-Publishing Advice Center—blog, podcasts, emails, magazine, guidebooks.

•We monitor the self-publishing sector—watchdog desk and approved partner program.

•We campaign and advocate for independent authors throughout the publishing and creative industries globally.

Member Benefits

•Discounts on self-publishing services

•Approved partner directory and database of services e.g. editors

•Free guidebooks, member magazine and resources

•Sample contracts & agreements and a contract review service

•Watchdog desk

•Dedicated literary agent & rights services

•Private member forums—ask questions and receive helpful advice from ALLi team, advisors, ambassadors and members

How ALLi Ambassadors can help you:

They tell us what our global campaigns can do, locally

Our Ambassadors can share with us which awards or other opportunities are closed to indies, in their own countries, so that we can help open up more doors for indie authors. Often our Ambassadors work hard to get through a door… so they can leave it open for future indie authors to follow in their footsteps. A win for one indie is a win for us all.

They share ALLi’s knowledge and expertise

The Ambassadors share important information to authors in their areas. Sometimes individually, sometimes through writing associations, festivals, literary events and charities, they can provide up to date information and useful guidance for authors everywhere.

Ask them about our Organization Membership for writing associations

We have developed a category of Organization Membership to ensure good quality self-publishing information can reach even more authors. Our great value membership for writing associations means an organisation can partner with us, bringing their own author members high quality self-publishing resources.

They can arrange for fantastic speakers at your literary events

Many of our Ambassadors are accomplished speakers and workshop facilitators, who can run self-publishing workshops or speak about their own books. If you need a speaker for your literary event, do get in touch: they can tell you about great indie authors in your area, or speak at the event themselves.

If you want to know more about ALLi, its member benefits, or how to join (affiliate link), then please do not hesitate to contact me on helen.garraway@hotmail.com, or access the ALLi website.

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Change is a constant.

The phrase, ‘Change is a constant’ feels like a contradiction, but it isn’t, it’s reality. Change happens all around us, constantly. In the UK it seems that everything has changed, from the monarch to prime minister and now the company I work for. Yesterday was the first day of a new reality for me. The company I work for was acquired and Tuesday was ‘Day One’. We are now the new company.

The last week has been a series of goodbyes from people I have worked with for years. Another well known saying is that ‘change begets change’. And massive changes like an acquisition makes people think about where they want to be. Some choose to leave, others don’t have the choice. Uplifting for those making positive changes in their lives, lowering for those leaving and also for those left behind and feeling depressed at the loss of valued colleagues.

Photo by Håkon Grimstad on Unsplash

I am a writer who also works full time. I am also one of those who stays put. I have been at my company for over seventeen years, not in the same job, nor the same department, but I have moved around, learnt new skills, met new people, all within the same company, and I take my knowledge with me.

For me, I would love to be a full time writer, but very few independent authors reach those starry heights, and so we have to work in a full time job to make the ends meet, and pay to publish our books. There is no big publishing house sitting behind us funding the expenses. They come out of of the independent author’s pocket.

So, be impressed at the rate some of these independent authors release books. One book a year is an an amazing accomplishment, more than that, we shoud be praising their dedication. It is a major achievement. Sometimes it is difficult to remember that. Support those independent authors for following their dreams, that drive to create and share the results. Appreciate and recognise their bravery, because it is not easy putting your work out there for others to critique.

Back to day one, the start of a new adventure, part scary, part exciting, but still change. As an author every emotion is a learning experience. Something to be captured and used at a later date. Nothing in life goes to waste! So onwards, ride the change, embrace the new opportunity and lets write!

Thank you once again for your interest in my books, and for joining me on this journey. Welcome to the wonderful world of Remargaren and many others I can’t wait to introduce you to. I hope you stay for all the exciting adventures that are surely coming your way.

And don’t forget…

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Realm of Darkness Author Spotlight – Pale Death by Emily Clark

I am delighted to focus the spotlight on Emily Clark’s Pale Death

Only available as part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology.

A boxset full of 35 full length fantasy novels. I can’t wait to read these wonderful books. See all the covers revealed so far here.

Pale Death by Emily Clark

This angel must pay the price for his transgressions. But he’t not going down without a fight.

Jax is cast to earth and trapped on an island surrounded by demons. He can’t leave until he learns from his sins. He wants his wings back. Only problem is, he doesn’t feel guilty for killing. And as soon as he meets Addie, the girl who doesn’t believe in gods or angels, his desire to leave wilts.

He’s too intrigued. An intrigue that consumes him when the lightest touch from her makes his wings burst back to life like a flame rekindled. She’s got faith all right, and it just might be his saving grace.

Order Realm of Darkness Boxset

Exclusively available as part of the Realm of Darkness Boxset order now on Amazon and other retailers for only $9.99

About the Author:

Emily Clark is a best-selling author who has been writing since she could lift a pencil and making up stories even longer than that.

For years she worked part-time jobs so she would always have time to write, read, and travel. Some of her favorite filler jobs included working as an editor, at a nursery (flowers not children,) as a driving instructor (not as harrowing as one might think,) and being a ghost tour guide.

She loves YA fantasy with subtle “moral of the story” lessons (Brandon Mull excels at that), swoony clean romances, and if there’s a mystery involved, she’s hooked!

If she’s not at her computer, you can typically find her reading, listening to podcasts, in her garden, in her kitchen, or with her sister and her sister’s kids.

She also writes cozy mysteries, romantic suspense, and clean romance under the pen name Ellie Thornton.

If you’d like to be kept appraised of her upcoming books, freebies, and giveaways, (she’s also been known to send amazing recipes,) you can sign up for her email list here.

Other books by Emily Clark

Red: The Wolves Must Die ( A Red Riding Hood YA retelling)

Amazon UK: eBook

Amazon US: eBook

If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love my new release SoulBreather, part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. 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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Realm of Darkness Author Spotlight -Unblessed by Daphne Moore & Mari LaRoche

Realm of Darkness is now live!! and there are still more authors to spotlight.

I think we can squeeze one more in before the witching hour!! Check out Unblessed by Daphnee Moore and Marie LaRoche.

Only available as part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology.

Have you ordered your copy yet for the insane special preorder price of 99c only available until end of Sunday 9th October, 2022? I can’t wait to read these wonderful books. See some of the covers revealed so far here.

Unblessed by Daphne Moore and Mari LaRoche

A life debt is nothing to be trifled with … even if it means spending the week with an irritating unicorn shifter with secrets to hide.

Nia is a rakshasa assassin, more than capable of protecting the tiny unicorn that a dying woman passes into her arms.

Xavier is not who he seems, but when homicidal trolls try to kill them all, can she work with the devil she knows to save their world from obliteration.

Order Realm of Darkness Boxset

Only available as part of the Realm of Darkness Boxset available to order now on Amazon and other retailers for only 99c- but order now as price goes up on Monday, 10th October!

About the Author:

Daphne Moore, a USA Today bestselling author, has been a story teller from her preliterate days. She writes them down now for those out of earshot.

She lives in Ohio, in a small suburb, raising roses and children. She’s an aunt to a bunch of humans and two cute dogs.

She writes what she loves- speculative fiction in all forms, with a seasoning of romance.

Get a free short story on her website!

For more information about Daphne Moore follow her on Facebook: @AuthorDaphneMoore

or Instagram: @daphnemooreauthor

Mari LaRoche is an emerging fantasy and paranormal author who has been making up stories since she could talk. Her stories: “Secrets and Gold” (Seven Deadly Sins: Avarice), “Witches and Kings” (Seven Deadly Sins: Lust), and “The Ghostly Loch” (Secrets In Our Cities) appeared first print under her former pen name, Mari L. Yates, with “Secrets” and “Witches” being republished in Taradiddles: An Anthology of Short Fiction, a textbook currently in use at a local community college. Her most recent story “Pigwitch Now” can be found in Beyond the Veil: An Anthology. She is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, presents workshops to local community college students on the challenges and rewards of creative writing, and is currently pursuing her BA in Creative Writing at SNHU. When not found with a book, camera, or laptop in her hands, she loves to cuddle with her three cats, travel through Canada, and collect feline and dragon tattoos.

Website: marilaroche.com

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

Twitter: @MariLaroche

Instagram: marilaroche.author

Other books by Daphne Moore & Mari LaRoche

Unwanted: A Dragon Shifter Fated Mates Shifter Romance (The Reckoning)

Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Amazon US: eBook | Paperba ck

As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.

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