Friday, August 22, 2025

Release Day Blitz & Author Interview Oaths and Vengeance by Susan Illene #Romantasy



- What is the hardest thing about being an author?

Juggling my personal life with children and finding time to write and do author stuff.

- What is the best thing about being an author?

The ability to be creative and work anytime my sons will let me.

- What book changed your life?

When I was in fifth grade, there was a book fair.  My father had given me just enough money to buy one book, and I had the worst time deciding.  I am grateful for my teacher recommending “Black Beauty” because I read it so many times.  It showed me how to look at life in different perspectives and gave me a deeper appreciation for animals.

- What were some of your favorite books growing up?

I used to love checking out books from the school library from a series called the “Scariest Stories Ever Told.”  Loved reading them, and then when I visited my cousins, I’d recite the stories so they’d have nightmares for weeks after I left (according to my aunt).

- What books are currently in your to-be-read pile?

“Rain of Shadows and Endings” by Melissa Roehrich, and “Dire Bound” by Sable Sorenson.  Things are so busy at the moment that I don’t know when I’ll get to them since it takes a week or two right now to get through one book, and I’m already listening to one while reading another on Kindle.  Looking forward to those, though!

- Which do you prefer ebooks, print, or audiobooks?

Usually, audiobooks because I can listen while doing chores, cooking, or watering the garden.  If I have time to physically read, I could be doing author stuff, but sometimes I like to read on the Kindle app for a bit before bed if I don’t work too late.

- If you could live inside the world of a book or series which world would it be and why?

How am I supposed to choose just one?  There are so many great worlds!


Oaths and Vengeance
Realm of Zadrya 
Book One
Susan Illene

Genre: Romantasy
Date of Publication: August 22nd, 2025
ISBN: 979-8-9876902-3-9
ASIN: B0F6D6566B
Number of pages: 505
Word Count: 148,000
Cover Artist: Hannah Sternjakob

Book Description: 

Darrow has so many secrets that even those closest to him don't know them all, but she's about to become his favorite.  He is powerful, ruthless, and her sworn enemy. The wickedly good-looking elf is also cursed never to love.

Aella should stay far away from him, especially considering he could kill her from a distance with little effort. Except that someone close to her is dying, and he is the only person in the realm with the means to help. She has strong powers of her own to offer in exchange, but to her dismay, Darrow wants a secret marriage as part of the bargain.

Fae marriages are forever, so she'd always be his.

With other factors pushing her toward it, she agrees to a private wedding that the king himself officiates while hiding the ceremony from her disapproving family. Aella suspects there is far more to Darrow’s motives if Zadrya's monarch is involved. It isn't long before she discovers that dark forces are circling, and it’s her rare magic they want to use or eradicate by any means necessary. Her new husband has drawn her into a dangerous conflict started centuries ago that could either end in the salvation or destruction of their world. If she wants to survive, she’ll need to trust Darrow with her body, but never her heart.

Note- This novel is an enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romantasy. It contains adult content, including violence, foul language, spicy scenes, torture, and ruthless plants and creatures. Read at your own discretion.

Amazon US     Amazon UK      BN      Kobo      Google Play      iTunes


Oaths & Vengeance (excerpt 2)

The room was bigger than I expected. To my right, about ten elves sat at a large oak table littered with bronze mugs. The booth had custom seats on three sides attached to the hunter-green walls, plus a few chairs at the fourth end. They drank and chatted, not even noticing me for the first minute I stood watching them after shutting the door. I took a few steps closer, debating what to do. This was going to be awkward with such a large audience.

“Darrow!” I said just loud enough to reach over all the other voices.

It quieted to a murmur, and nearly everyone turned to look at me.

A man with familiar brown and black hair that he’d tied at the nape of his neck had his face buried in a female elf’s ample chest. He lifted his head without turning, keeping his eyes on the woman.

“Who is asking?”

Here goes nothing, I thought, and lowered my hood to reveal my blonde hair. “Aella from Therress.”

The room went from quiet to deathly still.

He stiffened and turned to face me. It was all I could do to keep from gasping. He was unlike any other man I’d seen before, with startlingly good looks that should have been criminal. His slate-gray eyes stared at me as if he could penetrate my soul. He had firm, high cheekbones and a strong jaw that might as well have been carved from stone.

His skin was a light sand color, telling me he saw a decent amount of sun, but I couldn’t recognize the shade as common anywhere. At best guess, that was because he was half-light elf and half dark elf. He had a muscular build with broad shoulders. I was certain that even without his powers, he could knock down almost any opponent with a hard punch. The man was even larger than I’d estimated on the battlefield. I’d never seen a more beautifully lethal elf, which made me wish to the nameless ones he wasn’t my enemy. Recalling the memory of my father’s fire-scorched body, burned by Darrow’s sire, helped me put this deadly man into perspective.

“Aella?” he asked, lifting an arched brow. “The same half-elf who sent me flying off my horse last week?”

Oh, good. I left an impression on him. “Yes.”

Darrow lifted a hand, and the next thing I knew, my back slammed against the wall behind me. The air whooshed from my lungs. I had expected an adverse reaction from him, but not exactly this. It was all I could do to keep from trembling.

“Hmm, you’re prettier than I expected. It was difficult to tell from a distance.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“It’s the only reason I haven’t broken your slender neck already. What are you doing here?” Darrow asked, arching a dark brow.

I swallowed. He had me plastered against the wall so I couldn’t move, but he’d applied just the right amount of pressure so I could still breathe and speak. It wasn’t as bad as him gagging me with my hair the other day. That was at least something. Maybe he was going to do me the courtesy of asking questions first, as I’d hoped.

“I need to request a favor from you,” I said, keeping my gaze on his.

Laughter burst from everyone at the table.

Darrow’s eyes danced with merriment. “Did I rattle your brain a little too hard?”

Wonderful. The half-dark elf had a sense of humor.

“Would I come into your territory alone at night and announce myself to a room full of enemies—some of them powerful killers—if I didn’t have an extremely good reason?” I asked, surprising myself with my courage to speak to him in such a way. Why couldn’t I be that bold with anyone else?

He appeared to mull that over momentarily and then gestured at several elves across the table. “Go check outside and make sure she didn’t bring company. Considering her special talents, it’s possible. If there’s no one suspicious out there, stay on guard for now.”

Four elves rushed from the room, each glaring at me as they passed. I’d ruined their fun night. Darrow ordered the others to leave, except one female sitting at the table's far end. Based on her matching hair, skin, and eyes, I assumed the woman was his twin sister, Faina. She was rumored to be a formidable warrior and close to her brother, but that was all I knew about her.

“I didn’t come here to fight you,” I said, annoyed by my awkward position. “Or become a wall ornament.”

Darrow rose from the table and sauntered toward me with lethal grace. I was tall at 5’10”, but he had to be half a foot taller. He stopped just before me. It was all I could do to keep my breath steady as his close presence threatened to overwhelm my senses. I had to remind myself of all my family members that his side had killed—their faces swimming before my mind’s eyes. We were enemies, and that would never change.

He brushed a stray hair from my face, almost like a lover would do, but I knew he was playing with me. “Imagine the notoriety I could claim if I made you a permanent fixture on this wall. Your head would look lovely here.”


 

About the Author:

Susan Illene served in the U.S. Army for eleven years, working first as a human resources specialist and later as an Arabic linguist. She served primarily in Airborne units and did two deployments to Iraq.  After leaving the army, she studied history at the University of Oklahoma. She currently lives with her husband and two sons.










Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Dargo - Eco-Hero! The Classic Tale by Karina McRoberts



Here’s a Spirit Transference Spell (for Entrance to the First World)


For this spell to work, you must not be in pain.  You must not be under the influence of any mind-altering substance. You should be well rested.  Fed but not overfed.  In other words, you need to be feeling well in yourself.  That can be hard, but it’s important to wait for the right time.  If you are someone with chronic illness, you should still be able to achieve this spell — you know when you’re at your strongest and most peaceful.  Try it then.  The important thing to keep in mind is belief — believe that it will work.  I can assure you it does.

 

Find a quiet place where you will be safe.   Be as surrounded by nature as you can.  Again this might be difficult, but worth pursuing, because once you achieve this spell, your life will never be the same.

 

Sit quietly in your place.  It’s a bit like meditation, but you need to maintain sharp focus.  Empty your mind of extraneous thoughts.  Breathe. Relax, then concentrate.

 

Now, focus on something you see — the wind, a bird, a tree…

Stare at it and listen to it, intently. (If you are unsighted, it’s possible to connect through sound. )Stay with it for a bit.

 

If all goes well, you will move into it.  You will sense your being “transferred” to the life you focus upon.  In my experience, you do no harm to your ‘’host’ or yourself. You are still you and the creature is still the creature.  You are just sharing.

 

Gently remove your focus and return to you.

 

Don’t forget to thank the animal or plant you’ve visited.

 

You will be astounded and energized by the experience!

 

Note, it is even possible to ‘become’ an inanimate creation — such as a rock or water.

 

I am speaking of the First World — that not created by humanity.  That which was here before us.

 

Therefore, I do not recommend trying this with people or things made by people.  Too complicated and unpure.  Could be extremely dangerous.

 

Apart from being very enjoyable, you will feel the benefit physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  The Power of the Spirit of Nature is now a part of you and you are part of it!

 

Thanks for reading.  Happy to answer any questions.



Dargo - Eco-Hero!  The Classic Tale
Karina McRoberts

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Rocanadon Press
Date of Publication:  September 9, 2024
ASIN: B0DGKBYR3P
Number of pages:  121 
Word Count:  14,000

Tagline: Enchanting Urban Fantasy

Book Description:

AN ENCHANTING NOVELLA TO LIFT YOUR SPIRIT!

In this unique and enticing modern fairytale, a lonely young man suffers a massive defeat . When he believes all is lost, he meets with fiery fortune teller, Flame. Her plea for help sends Dargo on a crucial mission; but can he re-invent himself as a hero?

Light-hearted, but poignant, Dargo is a humorous fairy tale for adults. You can also share it with your children who care about Earth. And if they don't, Dargo will help them do so!

This hilarious and heartwarming tale has been likened to the Wizard of Oz, and will appeal to the magic in all of us.

Dargo - Eco Hero! is a Literary Titan Gold Book Award winner and has been shortlisted for a Chanticleer Fantasy OZMA.

Amazon


Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZKc6lv3I8s

Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers’ Favorite:

 

Dargo, Eco Hero! by Karina McRoberts is by far one of the best and most unique books I have ever read, with a vitally important message.  

 

Reviewed by Thomas Anderson for Literary Titan:

 

Dargo, Eco Hero! by Karina McRoberts gives me the best kind of Wizard of Oz vibes. The author has nailed the same type of warmth as L. Frank Baum but puts her own unique spin on main character Dargo and his band of merry cohorts. I was especially impressed with the mixture of personification and metaphors found throughout the writing. The imagery she creates leaves readers breathless at times. Her writing is timely and gives voice to the environment in a way no other writer I have seen has been able to do.

 

Excerpt:

 

She threw Dargo more scowls and turned to go, when she was met by the office alpha male; he of the hot and handsome variety.

"There you are, Lucinda,” the man said; his baritone deeper than the Grand Canyon.  "C'mon, let's get back to work on this layout."

Her frown did a rapid 180. "Give me a minute, Jake.  I'll be right back."

Jake leaned languidly on Dargo's cubicle wall, staring after Lucinda as she made her way to the ladies' room. 

"Hi, Jake," Dargo greeted brightly.

Startled, Jake turned around.  His face cinched as he took in the Mad poster, now complete with tear.

"You need some new décor, pal."

"Guess so," Dargo replied weakly, not catching the ridicule in Jake’s tone; Dargo was most unhappy about the damage to his cherished Alfred E Neuman poster.

"What's your name again?"

"Dargo."

"Oh yeah.  How could I forget?  Hey, why weren't you with the guys last night at paintball?"

"Well, I had something to do.  But thanks for inviting me."

"I don't think we'll bother anymore.  You never come.  Just as well.  You'd probably get wiped out pronto."

"Really?"

God, this guy is a dweeb, Jake mused.  Aloud, he replied, "It's supposed to be a challenge, you know?  Real man's stuff."  Jake inhaled deeply, his fine physique expanding.

"OK, I'm back," Lucinda said cheerily.  She had very obviously 'freshened' her makeup.  "I'm ready."

Jake whispered something in Lucinda's ear.  Her face reddened to match her lipstick, then she sauntered back to her cubicle; Mister 'tall, dark, and extremely handsome' in tow.

 

About the Author:

Karina is an American-Australian author, illustrator, musician, scientist and theatre producer. She considers herself to be a true Renaissance woman and strives to help other women achieve the same. She states, "After all, ladies, we didn't get a chance last time!!!!"

She has written several novels in a variety of genres, her fiction is character rich and emotionally engaging, and her stories have won several awards.

Previously working as a conservation scientist, Karina was struck down by a mosquito-borne virus. No longer able to work, she turned her attention to writing fiction; aiming to inspire, encourage, enlighten and entertain—especially those readers active in social justice, humanitarian work, and protection of the Earth.  A fervent believer in the value of human creativity, Karina writes without input from artificial intelligence, and works so that her readers can “Escape to the Heights of Their Hearts and the Depths of Their Souls.”

Karina also writes self-instruction books and gives workshops in illustration, music,  and creative writing.  She lives with her husband William and dog Tahshi, near the heritage town of York, Western Australia (said to be one of Australia’s most haunted) where they’re busy re-wilding degraded farmland.






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Tuesday, August 12, 2025

The Quantum Revelations by Dr. Stuart B. Heinrich


The Quantum Revelations
Dr. Stuart B. Heinrich

Genre: Scientific Mystery/Thriller, Sci-Fi
Publisher: Endless Tree Books LLC
Date of Publication: 7/31/2025
ISBN: 979-8-9902071-0-3
ASIN: B0F9PXS78S
Number of pages: 474
Word Count: 146,000
Cover Artist: Artem Chebokha

Tagline: What is fiction, and what is reality?

Book Description:

The world is on the brink of an apocalyptic climate crisis and quickly spiraling out of control into a dystopian nightmare. 

As everything collapses around them, two scientists struggle for relevance in their quest to build the world’s first practical quantum computer. 

They discover so much more. A mystery of physics that goes deeper than they could have ever imagined...

Reviews

“Heinrich offers an engrossing metaphysical excursion through the quantum realm to discover the meaning of life in this contemplative debut...[His] rich, multilayered backdrop of existential food for thought propel this story to a truly transcendental experience.”

— Publisher's Weekly

 

“Science and faith combine in this nuanced and compelling sci-fi eco thriller... [that] cleverly explores and intertwines the well established science vs religion discourse in a way that, I think, does credit to both sides.”

— LoveReading (featured under "Indie Books We Love")

 

“The Quantum Revelations is a wildly unpredictable narrative with a show stopping climax, pondering the interplay of science, religion, and technology in a way that is as captivating as it is disturbing.”

— Independent Book Review

 

Science and faith combine in this nuanced and compelling Sci-fi eco thriller.

In a world on the brink of climate catastrophe, two scientists continue their confidential work to develop a practical quantum computer, but they get more than they bargained for when their creation calls into question everything they thought to be true about the laws of physics and the world around them. The Quantum Revelations is a multifaceted sci-fi story. First off we have Skylar’s quantum computer experiment, tangentially linked to his interest in “quantum scale physics. He wanted to understand what really makes the universe tick”. )

--Charlotte Walker Goodreads Reviewer

 

About the Author:

Stuart Heinrich is a PhD computer scientist with a passion for studying the fundamental nature of reality and physics. He is known for his unique theories on the Relativity of Existence (ROE), the Maximally Biophilic Principle (MBP) and Quantum Fluid Dynamics (QFD).






Thursday, July 31, 2025

Shadowed Skies by Haley Cavanagh


The Care and Feeding of Superpowered Dystopian Teens (and Other Dangerous Beings)

Guest Post by Haley Cavanagh, Author of Shadowed Skies

Let’s face it—caring for a normal teen is already a high-risk endeavor. Add post-apocalyptic pressure, enhanced abilities, underground resistance cells, and a lifetime of secrets? You’ve got yourself a whole new species of unpredictable.

In Shadowed Skies, the world is divided between the genetically perfected and the rest of us. But surviving in the cracks of a broken society requires more than just brains and brawn. It requires compassion, strength, and a whole lot of snacks.

So whether you’ve adopted a fierce heroine like Delene, a sombre enigma like River, or just stumbled upon a runaway with powers they barely understand, here are my official Care and Feeding Tips for Superpowered Dystopian Teens:


1. Feed Early, Feed Often

Superpowered teens run on rebellion and carbs. Protein-rich snacks and hydration are key—just ask Delene, who survives a deadly flight with an injured wing across the mountains and perseveres with little more than dried rations, wild herbs, and a stolen flask of nutrient serum. A hangry resistance fighter is a danger to everyone.


2. Don’t Take It Personally

Mood swings are inevitable. Between trauma, oppressive regimes, and body-enhancing tech, emotions are running high. If they glare at you while sharpening a blade, it’s not (always) about you.


3. Weapons Go in the Lockbox at Dinner

No one wants another incident with the plasma knife at mealtime. Set boundaries. Enforce them. Respect the throwing range.


4. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Found Family

Even genetically augmented teens need emotional support. In Shadowed Skies, Delene finds strength in River, an unexpected alliance. Be someone who shows up, even when trust is hard-earned.


5. Watch for Signs of Rebellion

If your teen disappears for long stretches, starts asking questions about secret uprisings, or is stockpiling comm devices and black-market tech, congratulations! They’re joining the revolution. Encourage them to journal about it.


6. Accept That “Normal” Is Overrated

Superpowered teens aren’t meant to blend in. Let them be bold, loud, weird, and wild. The world needs their fire.


7. Never Underestimate a Girl with a Grudge and a Mission

Delene proves that one girl with a cause can challenge an empire. Sometimes, all they need is one person to believe in them. Be that person.


Final Thought:

Raising—or writing—characters like Delene means embracing complexity, courage, and chaos. But when they rise? When they fight back, survive, and choose who they want to be?

It’s magic.
And worth every ounce of rebellion.


Shadowed Skies
Haley Cavanagh

Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy Romance | YA Science Fiction |
Publisher: Our Street Books
Date of Publication: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 978-1803417721
ASIN: B0DV31JXS2
Number of pages: 208
Word Count: 60,000
Cover Artist: Lapiz Digital Services

Tagline: Hunted for their blood. Fighting for their future.

Book Description:

In the shadowed aftermath of global destruction, humanity’s hope takes flight on the wings of the Evol-humans. River Shaw, secluded in his high-altitude sanctuary, seeks solace after a life scarred by loss. His quiet existence is disrupted when Delene Fairborne, fleeing captivity and a dark past, crashes into his world. 

Together, they find strength in their unique abilities, resisting the sinister forces that hunt them for a cure only their blood can provide. As love blossoms amidst the chaos, they face a ruthless scientist hell-bent on harnessing their power. Shadowed Skies is a tale of survival, sacrifice, and soaring hope, where two souls, bound by destiny, fight for a world on the brink. Dive into a world where love flies against insurmountable odds.


Excerpt:

I wake to a muscular, silent figure looming over me, his wings casting unnerving shadows. Intelligent dark eyes scrutinize me from his smooth, brown face framed by cropped black hair and raven quills. He’s been around the block.

My guard shoots up. I’d stand, but my body’s too weak from the climb. “Your nest, huh? Sorry, I didn’t see your name on it.”

“It’s carved right over there.” He points past me to the rockface. My eyes travel over the stone, where he’d etched River in craggy letters. The carved name is so tiny I didn’t notice.

“Now you’re supposed to tell me your name. That’s how this goes.”

I blink. “Delene Fairborne. Listen, would you mind if I–– ow,” I scrape against the wall and suck air through my teeth. I clamp my eyes shut.

“Are you okay?”

I shrug the blanket off, and my injured wing flops lamely near my shoulder. River’s eyebrows lower, and he comes closer.

“Let me look.”

He stows his serrated hunting knife, presents empty hands, and crouches to examine my injury. “Relax. I won’t hurt you. Let’s see the damage.” He’s gentle, avoiding the wound and handling my feathers softly. He lightly touches the bandage.

“Dr. Lytle runs the Stockade, the underground bunker and lab where the humans imprison and experiment on our kind. His men hunted me down and shot me with a crossbow as I tried

to escape. The wound is still healing––I changed the bandage earlier, but without a spare set of clothes, I had to tear strips off my pants to re-dress it.”

“Hmm.” He examines the back with a frown. “There’s an exit wound.”

“Yeah, I pulled it out.”

“Well, that was stupid of you. You could have died if those goons pierced a blood feather.”

My temper flares. “Oh, as opposed to leaving it in. I’d rather take my chances, thanks.” My voice is hostile, though I’m grateful for his help. I still don’t know who he is or what he wants, and my mother warned me to be on my guard.

River sits back on his haunches, sighs, and meets my eyes.

“Doesn’t look good. How long have you been here, kid? A day or so?”

“I’m no kid. I’m seventeen.”

“Well, I’m eighteen. So, you’re a kid.”

“By what, a few whole months?” I snicker. “Okay. If a kid free-climbed in the pitch-black up a hundred-foot cliff to get here, I guess I’m a kid.”

After examining the wound, he says, “The damage looks fixable. Let’s clean this well to prevent infection.”

“I’ve cleaned the wound.”

“Clean deeper,” he admonishes. “I don’t have antibiotics, but I’ll try to get some. Or at least honey. Honey heals.”

He hesitates before retrieving water, then takes a rag from his pouch and soaks the cloth. With the knife still in hand, he comes closer.

“Look … You seem all right, but I’m a lone wolf. I operate solo. You have a target with a big ‘X’ on your back. I feel bad for you. I do. But you know how it is with our kind.” He gives me a blatant look, so here’s your cue to leave.

“Gee, I’d kindly vacate the premises, but I can’t fly.”

He rubs the back of his neck, agitated. “The valley’s full of drones. And they’ve got at least a dozen soldiers combing the forest.”

“I’m sorry.” I shift my eyes down. “You never asked for any of this.”

“None of us did,” he waves me off. “The soldiers are here.

I’m screwed either way.” He pauses and assesses me. “Stay the night. Then after that, I’m sorry, but you need to find somewhere else to hide.”

The night might be all I need. “Thank you.”


About the Author:

Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She is a multiple award-winning and best-selling author and the two-time recipient of the League of Utah Writers Silver Quill Award in 2020 and 2024. Haley is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path. Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when she’s not writing. She loves to hear from her readers and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.







 



Thursday, July 24, 2025

Author Advice from Rupert Stanbury #GreekGods #Fantasy #Comedy #AuthorAdvice


Author Advice on Self-Publishing

I want to approach this by briefly setting out what I did and then highlight the key lessons I learned.

I started off by looking for an agent because I knew that most publishers wouldn’t accept manuscripts directly from new authors. I didn’t continue with the agent approach for too long because it soon became obvious how difficult it was to obtain an agent – you either needed to be lucky, have written a once in a generation bestseller, or be famous!

So, I decided to follow the self-publishing route. Because I knew nothing about the process, I contacted a self-publishing firm which would do all the work for a fee. You could cherry pick precisely what you wanted to include – the more you picked, the more you paid! I ended up picking practically everything eg a professional editor, bespoke cover design, marketing etc because I didn’t just want my first book published, I wanted to learn all about the publishing process.

I was fortunate in having a very good self-publishing firm and the end result was my first book, Gods Galore, got published with no mishaps. Equally importantly, I learned a huge amount about the whole publishing process. However, it cost a fair amount of money, which I viewed as an investment.

When it came to my second book, The Four Horsemen, I felt confident enough to do everything myself, except for the cover, which was my only cost. In saying I did everything myself, I published the book through Amazon KDP, being Amazon’s self-publishing arm, producing both a paperback and an eBook version. I did exactly the same with my third book, Pimlico People, and intend to repeat the process with future books.

So, what advice would I give a new author about self-publishing, based on my experience? Here are a few points:

         If you do decide to start off by looking for an agent before falling back on the self-publishing route, don’t spend too long on it.

  •         If you can afford to use a self-publishing firm for your first book, do so! You’ll learn a huge amount in the process. For example, the professional edit of Gods Galore taught me so much about book structure, character development etc as well as all the detail about font sizes, page margins etc.
  •          If you use Amazon KDP, or a similar ‘do-it-yourself’ firm, you’ll have to devote a lot of time to the process. I found KDP excellent because there were loads of webinars, videos, ‘idiot’s guide’ printouts etc. However, they all involved detailed study – if you skimp, you’ll make mistakes.
  •         Covers really count! An attractive cover is the first thing new readers will see, and it may encourage them to investigate more about your book.
  •         The same applies to Book Titles – are they catchy or drab and boring?
  •         Similarly, put a lot of effort into producing an entertaining Back Page.
  •         If possible, get a friend to read your script before you publish it – you never know what they might tell you!
  •         In the build up to publication and forever afterwards, you’ll have to devote a lot of time to marketing. Obviously, social media is key, but I also put my books on Book Blog Tours. I’m not sure if they result in a huge number of extra sales, but you’ll get plenty of reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, so increasing your profile.
  •         Finally, and perhaps most importantly, decide why you want to be an author before you embark on the whole process. If you think you’re going to make loads of money, just accept that most of us don’t! If, however, you have a story to tell and you enjoy writing, then put it down on paper. 

 

GODS GALORE
Gods Galore Series
Book One
Rupert Stanbury

Genre: Fantasy / Comedy
Publisher: Troubador / Matador
Date of Publication: 28 October 2021
ISBN:878-1800465305
ASIN: B09KM9JV2S
Number of pages: 344
Cover Artist: Dave Hill

Book Description:

The Olympian Gods have made it to the 21st century AD. We may not have heard much about them in the last two thousand years, but they’re still controlling what we humans are up to – or at least they think they are.

The reality is that the Gods are like us – they’ve got problems!

Zeus is still Top God on Mount Olympus, but he’s got issues with many of the younger gods. His brothers, Hades and Poseidon, have issues with themselves – they’re getting too set in their ways ruling the Underworld and the Seas; they probably need a job change.

But help is at hand from an unexpected source – we humans.

It’s surprising what a dose of good common sense can do for even the most powerful of the gods, especially when it comes from a couple of teenagers!




THE FOUR HORSEMEN
Gods Galore Series
Book Two
Rupert Stanbury

Genre: Fantasy / Comedy
Date of Publication: 17 April 2023
ISBN: 979-8366008495
ASIN: B0C2Q4G268
Number of pages: 337
Cover Artist: Tim Stringer

Book Description:

The Four Horsemen is the second book in the Gods Galore series about the Olympian Gods in the 21st Century AD.

The gods are still trying to control what we humans are up to. Unfortunately, they’re not being particularly successful. The world is experiencing both plague and famine which Zeus and the Gods’ Council never approved. What’s going on?

Athene’s determined to find out, but before she can get going the God of War initiates an attack on Poseidon’s realm. It’s now all out conflict and the gods are taking sides – one side, in particular.

Wherever there’s a fight, Hebe’s involved. She soon signs up to an army regiment which is full of soldiers even smaller than she is. But war these days involves brains and not just brawn and there’s plenty of both ready to be deployed in this fight!



PIMLICO PEOPLE
Gods Galore Series
Book Three
Rupert Stanbury

Genre:Fantasy / Comedy
Date of Publication: 28 October 2024
ISBN: 979-8338117200
ASIN: B0DL5XTHMH
Number of pages: 339
Cover Artist: Tim Stringer

Book Description:

Pimlico People is the third book in the Gods Galore series about the Olympian Gods in the 21st Century AD.

The Goddesses Artemis and Hebe are staying in Central London to obtain a better understanding of the lives of ‘normal’ people.

To their surprise, they soon encounter a plot to blow up a foreign embassy. Add to that a sophisticated operation involving the theft of valuable paintings from a major art gallery, and the two goddesses begin to question what a ‘normal’ life is all about.

Meanwhile, in the Underworld Cerberus encounters another dog who, amazingly, only has one head! How will they get on?


EXTRACT FROM PIMLICO PEOPLE – THE PARK 

The location for this extract from Pimlico People is St James’s Park in Central London.

The reference to Blefuscu and Lilliput are to two islands in Gulliver’s Travels where people are only about six inches tall. The people of these islands are often in conflict with each other.

Both Iris and Hebe are Greek goddesses. Cerberus is a three-headed dog living in the Underworld. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is a Lilliput army regiment; Rach is also from Lilliput. Finally, Slasher and others are swans living in the park.

 

As this small armada was making progress, exciting things were beginning to unfold on West Island where four Blefuscu commandos still remained, together with a couple of swans. None of them knew precisely what their role was, other than to be ‘back-up’, so they just rested on the ground expecting to have a quiet time until their comrades returned. They were therefore surprised to hear a paddling noise from the lake and even more surprised when a large black dog with three heads emerged. All these heads had the same face which bore a remarkable resemblance to the Goddess Iris.

The dog raced along the ground towards the commandos. It snarled and growled as it moved at speed, its three mouths spitting out saliva and showing a large number of very sharp teeth. The commandos tried to get up and run, but the dog was on them before they could get away. They were by now all terrified and started to scream.

“Give us a Mars bar or I’ll bite yer bums!” they heard, but it made no difference because the dog decided not to bite their bums; instead, it proceeded to kick them all into the water.

“Help!” screamed one of the commandos. “I cannot make ze swim! Help!”

The two swans were nearby in the lake and, considering themselves pretty tough, didn’t run away, but instead tried to help the commandos. However, the three-headed dog launched itself from the bank and landed on top of one of the swans. It gave the white bird a number of painful bites and used its powerful front paws to thump the swan in all sorts of sensitive places. Eventually, its victim was so battered and bruised the black dog left it floating on the lake.

The other swan by now had decided he wasn’t quite tough enough to take on a manic three-headed dog and had started swimming away. Unfortunately, it was now the next target for the Iris-Cerberus look-alike who, despite being a four-footed canine, could out-swim any of the St James’s Park swans. The dog soon caught up with the fleeing swan, jumped on its back and meted out the same treatment as it had given to its companion. Having left the second swan equally battered and bruised, the dog swam back to the Blefuscu commandos, who were still flailing around in the water. Three sets of jaws each took hold of a commando at the same time and then proceeded to toss them back onto the island. They were soon joined by their final companion as they lay moaning and groaning on the ground. At this stage the three-headed dog turned round and began to swim towards Duck Island.

The next minute a miniature boat arrived at West Island, having travelled along the length of the lake near the north bank. It had a silent motor, specially designed by Rach’s Special Projects team. A number of Argyll and Southern Highlanders disembarked, went over to the four Blefuscu commandos, tied their hands behind their backs while at the same time taping their mouths. They were put into the boat which set off on its return journey, again along the north side of the lake.

xxxxx

Meanwhile back on the lake, the adjutant and his three commandos were rapidly approaching the south-west corner of Duck Island. The commandos had already taken out a number of hand grenades while the adjutant was readying a bomb to create a Big Boom when Slasher became aware of something in the water approaching him at speed. Suddenly he jerked and let out a honk as he realised he was looking at a giant swan, which was at least five times bigger than him with a neck ten feet high. Interestingly, this swan had the Goddess Hebe’s face, although Slasher would not have been aware of that. He didn’t have time to let out another honk because the giant swan’s head swiped his own, knocking him on his side. He managed to right himself only to find that his adversary didn’t just have webbed feet, but also forearms with bright red boxing gloves which started bashing his head and thumping his body. After a short while the boxing gloves went under his belly and then threw him backwards into the air. When Slasher landed back in the water and his head resurfaced, he found he was due another good beating and bashing until he was left in an even worse condition than his two comrades who’d been attacked by the three-headed dog near West Island.

Slasher’s four Blefuscu commandos had fallen into the water shortly after the altercation with the giant swan had begun. Fortunately, they could all swim, but they did a lot of shouting for help. All their bombs and grenades had also fallen into the lake, so they were now useless, but this didn’t seem to matter. Getting to dry land was their key objective now. Creating a Big Boom at the Lilliput Embassy was no longer high on the agenda.

The other four swans and their commandos behind Slasher were soon aware that matters weren’t going to plan. They tried to move away from the giant swan and turned back towards West Island. However, they didn’t get very far because the giant swan hadn’t taken long to deal with Slasher and began chasing after them. It soon caught up with the two in the rear and gave them both the same treatment it had given Slasher. The other two, who were in the lead for a brief while, thought they’d got away, until one of them was hit very hard by a three-headed dog swimming directly at it with the force of a torpedo. As the swan tried to right itself while it’s four commandos were flailing around in the water, the three-headed dog jumped high into the air. It landed on the back of the final swan, again knocking its commandos into the water before starting to rough up the bird.

While the giant swan and the three-headed dog were having fun beating up Slasher, Spike, Spanka, Scorcher and Smog, the pelicans had stopped chanting “Oggy, Oggy, Oggy” from the lakeside. They got into the water and started looking for the commandos who were splashing around. When they found them, they gently picked the small men up in their beaks and carried them to Duck Island. They were joined by more miniature boats manned by members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as well as the Lilliput Embassy’s security staff. Rach was also hovering overhead on her scooter, shining a powerful torchlight on the lake and calling out whenever she found one of the flailing commandos.

 

 Author Intro Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=33RW970lp04


About the Author:

Rupert Stanbury is a Cambridge University graduate. He was born in Manchester in the North of England but has lived most of his adult life in Central London.

He has always been an avid reader and in recent years decided to take up writing himself. His books have one overriding objective which is TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH!

His first book, Gods Galore, was published in November 2021 and this was followed by The Four Horsemen, in April 2023. His latest novel, Pimlico People, was published in October 2024. All three books are a mixture of fantasy and comedy about the Olympian Gods in the 21st Century.