Friday, December 19, 2014

12 Indies of Christmas



I'm super excited to be part of the 12 Indies of Christmas blog hop. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom to see the other hosts and a special giveaway.

For my post, I thought I'd share some Top 5's, so, here we go!

Top 5 Christmas Songs:

1) Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24  by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
2) Silent Night by Mannheim Steamroller (if you've never heard this rendition, you really need to listen to it. It's amazing!)
3) Do You Hear What I Hear by Perry Como
4) White Christmas by Bing Crosby
5) Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth by Bing Crosby and David Bowie



Top 5 Stop-Motion-Animated Christmas Movies:

1) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
2) Frosty the Snowman
3) The Year Without a Santa Claus
4) Santa Claus is Coming to Town
5) The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold

What are your favorite songs and movies? Share in the comments below. And don't miss the rest of the 12 Indies of Christmas!




Dec 12th - Zane Sachs
Dec 14th - Chess Desalls
Dec 15th - Kai Strand
Dec 16th - Zoe Dawson
Dec 17th - Amanda Porter
Dec 18th - Joy Penny
Dec 19th - Mary Waibel
Dec 21st - K.K. Allen
Dec 22nd - Ann Everett

Dec 23rd - Erin Rhew and Deek Rhew







Thursday, December 18, 2014

Blog Swap with Marie Laval

A Little Something to Get Us In the Holiday Spirit!
Today, fellow MuseItUp author Marie Laval and I are exchanging blog posts. Be sure to stop by HERE to see what inspired me to write Faery Marked.

And now, welcome, Marie!!


Hello Mary and thank you so much for the opportunity of being on your blog today. I am very happy to have you on my blog for our blog swap and to find out about your new novel Faery Marked.


Thanks, Marie. I'm excited to be visiting with you, as well as sharing your writing process here. Please tell us a bit about what you write.

I write romance - both historical and contemporary romance. I have also written several short stories inspired by my mother's childhood in North Africa and I would love to publish them in an anthology. One of them was published last October by Áccent Press in their Hallowe'en anthology, SHIVER

Wow! I'd love to read those stories inspired by your mom. I bet they are amazing! Do you use 1st person, 3rd person, multiple POVs in your writing?

In my romance novels, I use third person POV and usually alternate between the hero's and the heroin's POV.

I love books that do this, letting us get a glimpse at both characters thoughts. How do you get started with a book?

It's never the same. Sometimes I am inspired by a visit to a manor house, a landscape, or a historical anecdote. Other times I find a poem or a song, or even an unusual name and I start dreaming about characters and story lines. 

I love a variety of muses, too. Would you say you draft quickly? 

When I worked part-time I wrote quite quickly because I considered writing as a job and worked every day from morning to night. Unfortunately - if I may say so! - I now work full-time as a teacher and it takes me about a year to complete a project. I find it very frustrating because I have so many ideas and never enough time to write.

I hear you there. I always wish I had about 8-12 hours extra a day, just for writing. You mentioned you write historical romance, so let's talk about research. Do you do yours before your first draft, or during?

Both. I do love the thrill of starting a new project and gathering information about the setting, the historical background, the characters...but lots of research also happen whilst I am writing. 

My computer almost always has a browser open while I writing, so I can pop over for those quick things I need to know right then. 



Authors all see to have a different way about getting that first draft down. Some outline, and some just take and idea and run with it. What method do you use?

Unfortunately, I am very bad at planning. I have a vague idea of where I want to go and I usually know what the last scene is going to be, but that's all!

Names of characters and places so are important. Do you name everything up front when you are drafting or do you leave comments for yourself to go back and fill in later so you don't lose the flow of what you are working on?

I usually like to complete each scene and each chapter as thoroughly as I can before moving on. That's probably why it takes me so long to complete a project!

I have always found it beneficial to get another set of eyes on my work to look for inconsistencies, redundancies, and anything that can be done to improve the story I'm telling. Do you work with CP's or Beta's? And how soon into your draft do you let them see your work?

I have two close friends who always read the first draft of my stories, and I am very grateful to them for doing that. Since getting published I have made new friends, among whom Helena Fairfax, a romance writer from Yorkshire and we sometimes meet for lunch. We have exchanged our first three chapters and synopsis on a couple of occasions and had a chat about our latest projects. Talking things over with her really helps.

I love Helena. She's such a lovely lady. I'm sure these exchange have been great for both of you. 

Can you share some books or websites that you have found most helpful to helping you write your best?

There are so many great books, it is difficult to single one out, but if I had to pick one it would choose 'To Writers With Love' by Harlequin author Mary Wibberley. It was written some years ago but is full of good advice.

I haven't heard of that one. I'll have to add it to my list of books to check out :-) 

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started writing?

That writing and publishing a novel is a very long process and takes a long time! I have definitely learned to be more patient.

Patience is a must for all authors. Truth! 

Tell us a bit about your upcoming release and where we can find you on the web. 

I have a contemporary romantic suspense A SPELL IN PROVENCE about to be released by Áccent Press on December 19th. This was actually the first novel I completed after going on holiday in the South of France a few years ago, and later attending a very inspiring romance writing seminar organised by Calderdale Libraries in Yorkshire. I have since rewritten it twice!
A SPELL IN PROVENCE will be available at Accent Press and on Amazon

You can find me at http://marielaval.blogspot.co.uk/ 

and befriend me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/marie.laval.9

Congratulations! And I just love the cover!! Thanks for stopping by today, and for hosting me on your blog as well! 


Thank you very much Mary for having me on your blog today. I look forward to answering your readers' questions and comments.



About the Book:

After losing her job in England, Amy Carter uses her redundancy payment to start a new life in France, turning Bellefontaine, an overgrown Provençal farmhouse, into a successful hotel. Though she has big plans for her new home, none of them involves falling in love — least of all with Fabien Coste, the handsome but arrogant owner of the nearby château. 

As romance blossoms in the beautiful Provençal countryside, disturbing events at the farmhouse hint at a dark mystery — a destructive, centuries-old attachment between the ladies of Bellefontaine and the ducs de Coste. As Amy struggles to unravel the mystery, she begins to wonder if it may not just be her heart at risk, but her life too.







About the Author:

Originally from Lyon in France, Marie Laval studied History and Law at university there before moving to Lancashire in England where she worked in a variety of jobs, from PA in a busy university department to teacher in adult education and secondary schools. Writing, however, was always her passion, and she spends most of her free time dreaming up stories. A vivid imagination, an intimate knowledge of her native France as well as her love of historical research help her create compelling historical and contemporary romance novels. She has published two historical romances with MuseitUp Publishing, ANGEL HEART and THE LION'S EMBRACE.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

FAERY MARKED Release Day!!!



It's here! Faery Marked has released. It's available in e-book and PRINT from Amazon!!!!

If we can get Faery Marked to hit the Amazon Best-Selling List, I'll release post the ending (from Reece's POV) on my blog. So, please. Help spread the word to all those readers you know who enjoy fairies and fantasy. And thanks!!!


I'm also hosting a special giveaway. One lucky winner (US and Canada only) will receive:

a signed copy of Faery Marked
an 8x10 cover (signed by author and cover artist)
bookmarks
wing tattoos
special trading cards



LIMITED TIME OFFER!!!

So, how do you enter this contest? First, you must purchase a copy of Faery Marked between 12/16/14 and 12/22/14 (pre-orders count, too!). Next, send me proof of purchase by email (mewaibel(at)gmail(dot)com). 


Extra entries can be earned the following ways:

1 extra entry for each of these:
  • Include a picture of you reading Faery Marked on your e-reader/tablet (book cover must be visible in photo) 
  • Tweet/Facebook or post on other social media about the book and send me the links
  • Mention that you are a newsletter subscriber
2 extra entries for each of these:
  • Leave an honest review at the site of your choosing (Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, etc.) and send me the link
  • Get a friend to sign up for my newsletter. E-mail me the name so I can find them in my subscription list.


All entries must be received by 12 AM EST 12/29/14


The winning entry will be drawn at random and announced on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog. Winner will have one week to claim prize or a new winner will be drawn.


Good Luck!!!




Book Blurb:

When Callie Rycroft wakes to find purple flames flickering on the ceiling, she believes she’s still dreaming. But soon she’s forced to accept that she has magic―a special magic that grants her entrance into the Faery Realm.



For centuries humans have been banned from Faery, but dangerous times call for dangerous measures. Declared Champion by the Faery Queen, Callie is assigned a Guardian, and tasked with finding the Cordial―a magical elixir needed to keep the portal to the Faery realm a secret from humans.


The upside? Reece Michaels, the boy she's been crushing on for years, is her Guardian. Callie hopes that, by spending time with Reece, he'll start to see her as more than just his best friend's sister.

The downside? She's in a race not only against time, but against another Champion, and a rogue Guardian―a Guardian who stands to threaten her developing relationship with Reece.

Magic, mistaken identities, and hidden agendas are the least of Callie's worries when she learns that the Cordial requires a sacrifice. Will Callie be willing to risk everything―even Reece―to complete her task as Champion? Or will she let the portal open, and doom both realms?

Monday, December 8, 2014

FAERY MARKED Blog Tour, Day 1





Today is the first day of the Faery Marked blog tour, and it is packed with guest posts and reviews.

You can find reviews here:
The Coffee Pot
GenGen's Book Blog

Want to know what it's like to work with an editor? Read a co-authored post by my editor and me, with a behind the scenes look at a section of Faery Marked here:
Move to the Write

It's #ManCrushMonday on the Dragon Blog, and I'm showcasing my choice for Reece at:
The Dragon Blog

And last, but not least, Callie is sharing her top 10 paranormal/fantasy/mythology book choices at: 
Valley Girl Gone County


Friday, December 5, 2014

FAERY MARKED Blog Tour Schedule!




It's hard to believe that Faery Marked is releasing in a little over a week. I am super stoked about this one for many reasons. First, it's a new series in a totally different writing style for me. Second, I'm releasing it with my friends at BookFish Books. And finally, it will be my first book released in print. 

In anticipation of the release, I'm going on tour. Over the next two weeks, you can find reviews, guest posts, and tons of behind the scenes stuff about me and Faery Marked on these blogs:

12/8/14:
GenGen's Book Blog
Valley Girl Gone County
The Coffee Pot
Move to the Write
The Dragon Blog

12/9/14:
Every Free Chance

12/11/14
Pretty Little Pages

12/12/14
The Cozier Corner
Let the Dreams Guide and the Words Flow

12/13/14
Hearts and Crowns
Jen's All About Books (18+ only please)

12/15/14
The Honest Book Club

12/16/14
Unorthodox Mama
Strands of Thought

12/17/14
Teenage Book Reviewer
Strands of Thought
Pick a Genre Already (18+ only please)

12/18/14
Marie Laval

12/19/14
Strands of Thought

12/20/14
Eat, Read, Glam


Win a signed copy of Faery Marked and other swag. Details HERE. Don’t miss out on this LIMITED TIME OFFER!!!


Book Blurb:

When Callie Rycroft wakes to find purple flames flickering on the ceiling, she believes she’s still dreaming. But soon she’s forced to accept that she has magic―a special magic that grants her entrance into the Faery Realm.



For centuries humans have been banned from Faery, but dangerous times call for dangerous measures. Declared Champion by the Faery Queen, Callie is assigned a Guardian, and tasked with finding the Cordial―a magical elixir needed to keep the portal to the Faery realm a secret from humans.


The upside? Reece Michaels, the boy she's been crushing on for years, is her Guardian. Callie hopes that, by spending time with Reece, he'll start to see her as more than just his best friend's sister.

The downside? She's in a race not only against time, but against another Champion, and a rogue Guardian―a Guardian who stands to threaten her developing relationship with Reece.

Magic, mistaken identities, and hidden agendas are the least of Callie's worries when she learns that the Cordial requires a sacrifice. Will Callie be willing to risk everything―even Reece―to complete her task as Champion? Or will she let the portal open, and doom both realms?

Available at AMAZON




Monday, December 1, 2014

Holiday Wrap-Up




I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with great food, and that you made (and shared) memories with friends and loved ones.

Like with most of our holiday celebrations, we spread our Thanksgiving across several days, spending time with family and friends, and eating our fill of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. It was a great way to unwind.



Then, yesterday we went and saw Trans-Siberian Orchestra to kick off our Christmas season. It's the earliest show we've ever gone to, but it fit our criteria-no holiday jumping (and, with the hockey schedule, it was the only one we could make!) It was an amazing concert with great music, an incredible light show, and pyrotechnics. If you've never seen them, I highly recommend seeing a show. Oh, and check out the photo page on their website. AMAZING!!!


So, how was your holiday? I'd love to hear what you and your family did. Share in the comments below!


Friday, November 21, 2014

In My Own Shadow by Susan Royal

Today I'm sharing my thoughts after reading In My Own Shadow, by Susan Royal. But first, here's the book blurb:


Talk about the worst day ever! Lara lets her friend Carrie talk her into a blind date, only it turns out the handsome stranger waiting for Lara after work isn’t Carrie’s cousin after all. And, when they’re chased through a portal to another world, Lara realizes Rhys really is out of this world.

Lyra, her alternate in another dimension, has left clues to the whereabouts of the Book of Secrets that explains the mystery of time travel in Lara’s subconscious. Or so Rhys thinks. Power-hungry telepaths pursuing them will stop at nothing to get it, even if it means breaking Lara’s mind. To complicate matters, Lara gets tangled up in her feelings for Rhys while exploring her connection with Lyra.

With Rhys as her guardian, a bear of a man named Azle to guide her, and the spirit of Lyra haunting her dreams, Lara must find the Book of Secrets before it falls into the hands of those who want its power. Only then can she return to her world safely.


Sounds pretty cool, right? Just to whet your appetite more, here's a neat character study on Lara, the leading lady.

I’m Lara, and I work downtown in the Metropolitan Building. I’m not really all that good at 
talking about myself. Just ask my good friend, Carrie. She thinks I’m antisocial. Sometimes I
give in and let her drag me to some party, so she’ll get off my case for a little while. Once there,
she circulates like the social butterfly she is, while I lurk around the edges of the crowd.

Carrie and I have been BFFs for a long time, even though we are total opposites. She’s
cheerful. I’m sarcastic. She’s outgoing. I’m a loner. She’s always been there for me. I just wish
she’d quit trying to fix me up with some guy she thinks is my Mr. Right.

People tell me I should have been a model, and I always assume it’s because I’m 5 foot 10 in
flats, tall enough to intimidate some men. It’s funny. That’s one of the first things I noticed about
Rhys. My height didn’t seem to bother him a bit. His rugged good looks were another thing.

Everything happened so fast it was a blur, but after Rhys dragged me through a portal to
another world, I realized he wasn’t the blind date Carrie had set me up with. He really was out of
this world. I know you’re thinking this sounds like your typical ‘guy rescues girl from danger
and takes her to another world, where they fall in love’ scenario, but you’d be wrong. Rhys
treated me like an unwanted responsibility, nothing more. And I let it get under my skin. Why?
Because even though I refused to admit it, I had feelings for the man.

And now...my thoughts.

Susan took me on a journey through an incredible world. Her vivid descriptions really let me see and discover this strange new place with Lara. A bit of mystery and romance wound through the tale as well, although I could have used a bit more development on the romance. My final rating: 4 stars.


About the Author:

Born in west Texas and raised in south Texas, Susan makes her home in a 100-year-old farmhouse in a small east Texas town that comes complete with a ghost who has been known to harmonize with her son when he plays guitar. 

Susan is married and the mother of six (she counts her children’s spouses as her own) and five grandchildren who are all unique and very special. Her family is rich with characters, both past and present. Her grandmother shared stories of living on a farm in Oklahoma Territory with three sisters and three brothers and working as a telephone operator in the early 20th century. Her father told her about growing up in San Antonio in the depression, and she experienced being a teenager during WWII through her mother’s eyes.

Susan loves to take her readers through all kinds of adventures with liberal doses of romance. Her latest book is From Now On, a time travel adventure/romance. It’s the stand-alone sequel to Not Long Ago in her It’s About Time series. In My Own Shadow is a Fantasy adventure/romance. Look for her books at MuseItUp/Amazon/B&N. Odin’s Spear, one of her short stories is featured in a Quests, Curses, and Vengeance anthology, Martinus Publishing, available on Amazon.

Buy Links:
It’s About Time Series: From Now On (time travel, adventure, romance) http://tinyurl.com/lnypggm
In My Own Shadow (fantasy, adventure, romance) http://tinyurl.com/knda4dy
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/Wbg8Z12ojY/
It’s About Time Series: Not Long Ago (time travel, adventure, romance) http://tinyurl.com/pepshqd
Book trailer: http://youtu.be/vOIQVdWUigU/

All books available at MuseItUp, Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

Find Susan online:
http://susanroyal.moonfruit.com
http://susanaroyal.wordpress.com

Monday, November 17, 2014

Congratulations!!!

Huzzah and well met, good people of Realmsdom. Alas, the 2014 Realms Faire has come to an end. I prithee enjoyed the festivities as much as I.  Congratulations to the many prize winners at the various venues. Many thanks to the lovely Lady Mary Pax for thinking of this wonderful faire, and to the many bloggers who aided in its fruition.

Let us give three cheers to the Lady HK Carlton, winner of the Stockade Brigade Grand Prize for her marvelous wordsmithing through out the week!  Hip-hip! Huzzah!! Hip-hip! Huzzah!! Hip-hip! Huzzah!!

May thou all, the good people of Realmsdom, have a blessed year. I look forward to seeing you again next year, and discovering if your Middle English has improved any!





In other news...

Congratulations to my boy for his first Bantam A goal (against a AA team!) Way to go!!! Now, go do it again :-)

Thanks for the photo Dennell Jurgensen!!!


I will be sending out a newsletter this Thursday with updates on The Mystery Prince, Faery Marked, and more! Not signed up? No problem, just head over to my author page and fill out the form on the upper right hand side. 


Friday, November 14, 2014

Stockade Brigade~2014 Realms Faire~Day Five


Welcome to the Stockade Brigade. All week, selected authors shall be put in the stockades and brought on trial for word witchery/wizardry. Witnesses shall score points by testifying for or against the author’s crimes. Points will be scored by wordsmithing with their best Olde English afore 8 o’clock in the Eastern time. An e-book from the author on trial will be given away every day to the witness who scores the most points. A pair of e-books by the Sheriff and a gift card to Amazon will be awarded at the end of the week. Warrants for their arrests have already been issued. The Sheriff of Realmsdom will catch up with them all soon.

Hear ye, hear ye, good citizens of Realmsdom. Welcome to Realms Faire 2014 and the Stockade Brigade, Word Wizards on Trial event.

To learn more about the Realms Faire, please visit the Realms Faire headquarters HERE.







To cast your eyes on the amazing and stupendous Realms Faire Giveaways, go HERE

Huzzah to our sponsors of this most entertaining event - thou canst locate them near the end of the scroll HERE.

Ye Olde Realms Trial Rules. 

Prithee remember the rules lest ye find thyself sent to the stockade:

1. The throwing of sticks or stones or anything resembling fecal matter, while amusing and entertaining, shall not be allowed during these trials.

2. Spitting upon our worthy guests or other citizens, while understandable in some circumstances, is strictly forbidden.

3. Ye witnesses for the accused shalt use ye best Olde English whilst crafting your comments. Said wordsmithing shall earn you high points with the wenches and blokes and with me, the Sheriff of Realmsdom and bestower of gifts.

4. Each prisoner shall offer a bribe, forgive me, I mean a token of their thanks to one eloquent wordsmithing witness per day.

5. As Sheriff of Realmsdom, I shall be offering a $25 Amazon gift card and one of my e-books (winner’s choice) as reward for the most eloquent wordsmithing witness of the week.

6. HENCE, ye must comment to win!

Let the trials begin!

*Sheriff Mary unrolls the scroll* Here ye good people of Realmsdom. Before you stands Lady Melissa Petreshock, of the shire of Kentucky, currently a guest of ye olde Realmsdom Stockade Brigade, courtesy of her highness, Lady Mary Pax, and overseen by me, Lady Mary, the honorable Sheriff of Realms.

A certain vampire who shall remain nameless *cough* King Corrin *cough* has filed accusations against the Lady Melissa that she has allowed the suitors in competition with him to collude together in an attempt to win the hand of Caitriona. He offered this conversation as his proof:

          “You told her?” Controlling my tone, I keep it even, measured, calm to a relative
          degree.


          Dante leans back in the chair opposite me at the desk, crossing his legs. “It seemed
          prudent. She’s quite confused regarding the predicament she finds herself, Theo, and
          I know there is little you can tell a ward regarding your actions pertaining to their
          destiny.”

          “And you felt it your duty to explain my involvement in your arrival.” It isn’t a question.
          I’m assessing what he has done, seeing the pieces of the chessboard, my ward’s
          paths, the endgame per se, and how this may affect her destiny, yet nothing appears
          clear.

          “She responded favorably.” He’s quiet, distant. “I believe she may choose me.”

          Attempting not to scowl, I cross my arms over my chest. “The idea displeases you?” I
          cannot say it displeases me to think he may reject her, though she would feel pained.
          I’m feeling quite selfish regarding Cait, incomparable to any other ward.

          His attention returns to the conversation at hand. “On the contrary, I find myself
          unfathomably excited by the prospect. Caitriona remarked how my pursuit of
          knowledge is quite admirable, yet … somehow, in all this time I have never pursued
          an interest in love, and have failed to learn such a simple thing.”

          “I do not believe it is so simple for some of us, Dante.”​

Have ye any evidence to offer in your defense Lady Melissa?

Indeed so, Lady Mary. The valiant dragon, Theo, and noble demigod, Dante, seek not to
collude against his highness, King Corrin, only to provide Caitriona ample opportunity to choose a husband of her own free will and on the merits of greatest affection and pleasing company, perhaps even that of love.

Should the court be so obliging, I offer this evidence of Caitriona’s own opinion of the
vampire monarch, the troublesome predicament he hath forced upon her as an unwanted suitor:

          No offense to the vampire as our monarch, but King Corrin behaves like a pompous
          womanizer, treating them as his personal playthings from everything I’ve heard. It’s
          disgusting the way he uses them, the way he uses anyone to his advantage, and I
          want no part of it, to be another conquest.

          I’m not denying he’s gorgeous, but beauty is only skin-deep. Twisted sycophant goes
          to the bone.

If ye not be swayed by that alone, I hold evidence of words King Corrin spoke to his brother, further giving reason for Theo and Dante, as honorable men, to desire any means to
protect Caitriona from his wicked ways:

          “Nothing changed. I have no desire to take anyone as my wife, no desire to marry at
          all, but Caitriona Hayden suits the position of wife to a monarch well enough. I find it
          doubtful other candidates shall present themselves so readily.”

With such clear intent to use the young lady Caitriona, dare I speaketh the words, Lady Mary, but perhaps it is King Corrin who should be in the stockade?

What say ye, good people of Realmsdom? Shall Lady Melissa be placed in the stockade, or should King Corrin take her place for lodging false claims against his mistress? Cast your ballot in the comments below.

For those needing more evidence, thou shalt surely find it betwixt the pages of FIRE OF STARS AND DRAGONS. My very blood heats at the thought of those Pendragon men, er... dragons, er... handsome devils. I advise you to read it and see for yerself!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Stockade Brigade~2014 Realms Faire~Day Four


Welcome to the Stockade Brigade. All week, selected authors shall be put in the stockades and brought on trial for word witchery/wizardry. Witnesses shall score points by testifying for or against the author’s crimes. Points will be scored by wordsmithing with their best Olde English afore 8 o’clock in the Eastern time. An e-book from the author on trial will be given away every day to the witness who scores the most points. A pair of e-books by the Sheriff and a gift card to Amazon will be awarded at the end of the week. Warrants for their arrests have already been issued. The Sheriff of Realmsdom will catch up with them all soon.

Hear ye, hear ye, good citizens of Realmsdom. Welcome to Realms Faire 2014 and the Stockade Brigade, Word Wizards on Trial event.

To learn more about the Realms Faire, please visit the Realms Faire headquarters HERE.









To cast your eyes on the amazing and stupendous Realms Faire Giveaways, go HERE

Huzzah to our sponsors of this most entertaining event - thou canst locate them near the end of the scroll HERE.

Ye Olde Realms Trial Rules. 


Prithee remember the rules lest ye find thyself sent to the stockade:

1. The throwing of sticks or stones or anything resembling fecal matter, while amusing and entertaining, shall not be allowed during these trials.

2. Spitting upon our worthy guests or other citizens, while understandable in some circumstances, is strictly forbidden.

3. Ye witnesses for the accused shalt use ye best Olde English whilst crafting your comments. Said wordsmithing shall earn you high points with the wenches and blokes and with me, the Sheriff of Realmsdom and bestower of gifts.

4. Each prisoner shall offer a bribe, forgive me, I mean a token of their thanks to one eloquent wordsmithing witness per day.

5. As Sheriff of Realmsdom, I shall be offering a $25 Amazon gift card and one of my e-books (winner’s choice) as reward for the most eloquent wordsmithing witness of the week.

6. HENCE, ye must comment to win!

Let the trials begin!

*Sheriff Mary unrolls the scroll* Here ye good people of Realmsdom. Before you stands Lady Heather Brainerd and her brother, Lord David Fraser, both of the shire of New York, currently guests of ye olde Realmsdom Stockade Brigade, courtesy of her highness, Lady Mary Pax, and overseen by me, Lady Mary, the honorable Sheriff of Realms.

One of my own fine officers has come forth with accusations that Lady Brainerd and Lord Fraser have been encouraging the removal of memories from one’s mind. The proof be here in their own words:

          “But you won’t hurt me?” Josh asked. “Or my brother and sister?”

          “Of course not.” Aiden looked distressed at the thought. “I have to protect you. You’re
          my pack now.”

          Josh’s parents were all about doing the latest thing before it became too popular, but
          hiring a werewolf nanny was a little extreme, even for them. “Do my parents know
          about this?”

          “Um, sort of.”

          “What do you mean, ‘sort of?”

          Aiden looked away, staring at the blank wall in front of him, like he was trying to put
          just the right words together. “Well, everything was explained to them. Like how
          werewolves make great protectors, and how we bond, making the family like our own
          pack. Legally, everything needs to be explained to them, and they need to give their
          permission to place a werewolf.”

          “So they do know?”

          “Not really. At least, not anymore. After we get their permission, we erase their
          memory.”

          Josh almost laughed at this, but a sudden thought caused it to die in his throat. “Do
          you have to do the same thing to me?”

          Aiden stared at Josh for a long moment. “I think I can trust you. I think I can forget to
          put in a call for a memory modification. But, you know, just don’t tell anyone.”

Have ye any evidence to offer in your defense Lady Heather and Lord David?

Lord David: Hello ev'ryone. 'Tis a fine day at the Realms Faire and I'm v'ry fain to be hither. With Heather. Hither with Heather.

Lady Heather: Can you just talk normal?

Lord David: Nay, fair sist'r. 'Tis how one is suppos'd to talketh hither, Heather. Thou art suppos'd to, as well.

Lady Heather: Great. Now I know how—

Lord David: I think thou meanest, "Huzzah! Anon I knoweth how."

Lady Heather: I had to goeth and leave thou in charge of our defense, didn't I?

Lord David: Aye, and 'tis a good thing that thou did. I parlez-vous Shakespeare very goodly. Sh'rrif Mary, I presenteth as our primary witness Offic'r Bernie of the Imagineth Nation's Twenty-First Precinct. He wouldst, theoretically speaking, be in chargeth of erasing and/or modifying memories, if marry such a heinous act occurred, which, of course, it didn't.

*A short man, standing about waist high, with bumpy green skin comes forward and stands between the accused. He speaks in a high pitched, squeaky Brooklyn accent.*

Officer Bernie: Hey, guys. When did you two become a Lord and Lady?

Lord David: 'Tis the longest of stories, mine cater-cousin. It involves a banana, two singing goats, and Tommy Lee Jones. I will telleth thou the whole thing lat'r.

Lady Heather: Bernie, we're on trial here. Could you testify or something? I mean, testifyeth or somethingeth?

Officer Bernie: Oh, right. Ahem. Ladies and gentlemen of the Stockade Brigade, take a look at this little beauty.

*From a pocket, Bernie withdraws a golden amulet with a bright red ruby in the center. It glows as he speaks.*

Officer Bernie: There ain't no thing like memory removal or modification or junk like that. The peoples in question just did lots of falling down and bumping their heads. You know, the whole amnesia thing. These two jokers had nothing to do with nothing.

*He puts the amulet away.*

Lady Heather: Did it work?

Lord David: Worketh.

Lady Heather: Did it worketh?

Officer Bernie: Don't know. This blog's all enchanted and stuff now, but it'll wear off as people read it. The more people read it, the farther up (censored) Creek you two are.

Lady Heather: Bernie, you're from a Middle Grade book. You can't use language like that.

Officer Bernie: Sorry.

Good people of Realmsdom, what say ye of this defense? Shall it be the stockade for the pair of them, or will you take mercy on them and forgive them for…what for be we here? State your claim in the comments.




To encounter more of this memory erasing tale, I invite you to read the entire account of their crimes in SHADOWS OF NEW YORK. A chilling looking cover if e’er I saw one.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Stockade Brigade~2014 Realms Faire~Day Three


Welcome to the Stockade Brigade. All week, selected authors shall be put in the stockades and brought on trial for word witchery/wizardry. Witnesses shall score points by testifying for or against the author’s crimes. Points will be scored by wordsmithing with their best Olde English afore 8 o’clock in the Eastern time. An e-book from the author on trial will be given away every day to the witness who scores the most points. A pair of e-books by the Sheriff and a gift card to Amazon will be awarded at the end of the week. Warrants for their arrests have already been issued. The Sheriff of Realmsdom will catch up with them all soon.

Hear ye, hear ye, good citizens of Realmsdom. Welcome to Realms Faire 2014 and the Stockade Brigade, Word Wizards on Trial event.

To learn more about the Realms Faire, please visit the Realms Faire headquarters HERE.









To cast your eyes on the amazing and stupendous Realms Faire Giveaways, go HERE

Huzzah to our sponsors of this most entertaining event - thou canst locate them near the end of the scroll HERE.

Ye Olde Realms Trial Rules. 


Prithee remember the rules lest ye find thyself sent to the stockade:

1. The throwing of sticks or stones or anything resembling fecal matter, while amusing and entertaining, shall not be allowed during these trials.

2. Spitting upon our worthy guests or other citizens, while understandable in some circumstances, is strictly forbidden.

3. Ye witnesses for the accused shalt use ye best Olde English whilst crafting your comments. Said wordsmithing shall earn you high points with the wenches and blokes and with me, the Sheriff of Realmsdom and bestower of gifts.

4. Each prisoner shall offer a bribe, forgive me, I mean a token of their thanks to one eloquent wordsmithing witness per day.

5. As Sheriff of Realmsdom, I shall be offering a $25 Amazon gift card and one of my e-books (winner’s choice) as reward for the most eloquent wordsmithing witness of the week.

6. HENCE, ye must comment to win!

Let the trials begin!

*Sheriff Mary unrolls the scroll* Here ye good people of Realmsdom. Before you stands Lady HK Carlton, of the shire of Canada, currently a guest of ye olde Realmsdom Stockade Brigade, courtesy of her highness, Lady Mary Pax, and overseen by me, Lady Mary, the honorable Sheriff of Realms.

It has been alleged that the Lady HK has attempted to impersonate this very court by allowing her characters to convene a hearing alike to those held in ye olde Realmsdom Stockade. See for yourself that it be true.

          “What have you to say, Lady Marschand? Have you naught to say in your own defence? Will
           you have your husband try to sway me with his influence?” King Edward said in French.
          Gard repeated the king’s words to her in English.
          Brae leaned toward Gard. “Am I ta speak in English or Gaelic?”

          “English,” he responded.

          “I be Lady MonteClaire,” she began by correcting his inaccuracy. Brae believed he could
          understand her, but Piers did the same for him as Hudson and Gard did for her, relaying her
          words.
          The king bristled at the amendment.

          “I am perhaps guilty of taking a man’s life. But it was in defence o’ mine own self. I was
          attacked wit’oot provocation. I had na choice but ta defend meself. And I believe my
          husband’s influence be more on this court than it be fer me."

          Gard turned as two royal guards escorted Callum MacCrae into the proceedings. He looked a
          little worse for wear, dirty, his hair messed but not half as bad as he would afterward when
          Gard got his hands on him. They had a score to settle from way back and this just pushed the
          limit.

          “What is this, Edward?” Piers inquired, obviously unaware.

          “Please tell the court who you are and what you know of the Lady Marschand’s activities in
           Ross-shire.”

          “Huh?”

          “Yes, MacCrae tell us who you are and what you know of the lady’s activities,” Hudson
           translated the French, adding in English, “And then prepare to meet your maker.”

          “I be Callum MacCrae. Braelynn Galbraith, the new Lady Marschand,” he sneered, “and I were
          once betrothed. During our betrothal it came ta my attention tha’ she be passin’ messages ta
          and from the rebels loyal to Scotland.”

          There was another collective gasp.

          “Be this true, Lady Marschand? I may be able to overlook the death of some deviate that
          prayed on women and committed such atrocities in my realm, and may or may not be loosely
          related to the Comyns, but I cannot in all that is good, overlook treason.”

          “’Tisna treason. Ye are no—”

          “Brae!” Gard warned her gravely, twisting her arm painfully this time.

          She pulled away from his grip and she pushed him in the chest as hard as she could, making
          him step back. “If I am ta die I will do it as I have lived, Gard, the true and proud Scot tha’ I
          be.”

          Gard wondered if that was an affront to the way he lived his own life, all but hiding his
          heritage while he sought his revenge, but he ignored it for now. “Ye willna die, I willna let it
          happen!” he growled. “Ye arna helpin’ me. But ye canna provoke him.”

          The king began to laugh. “I was sceptical at first, Marschand, when I heard that you had taken
          a wife. I wondered what kind of woman would be able to stand up to you. Then I was advised
          that you had stolen her and forced her to bed you, then wed you. I would see that you have
          found one that can hold her own.”

          “Aye, I am also truly blessed,” Gard, responded dryly.

          “You are much suited as it would seem. Murderers both.”

          Brae gasped. Gard refused to be distracted from the question at hand. “I would ask MacCrae if
          he has any evidence besides his own supposition as to my wife’s alleged treachery.”

          “I have na written proof, but I ken wha’ she was aboot. Ye can ask anaone back at Ross, e’en
          me own wife as ta Mistress Galbraith’s whereaboots ana given day. She was fore’er on the
          moors. Wha’ other dealings would she have ta be there? A gud and decent woman doesna
          wander the moors alone. Wha’ other business would she be aboot?”

Have ye any evidence to offer in your defense Lady HK?

Please forgive me, your highness, Lady Mary Pax, and Lady Mary, the honorable Sheriff of Realms, and thee good people of Realmsdom. I can only plead ignorance and throw myself on the mercy of this court. I am but a lowly baird, a wordsmith, a teller of stories. I am unfamiliar with the laws of Realmsdom. In my country we are free to report upon events of such import. The Earl of Fife, Donnghardh Marschand MonteClaire, entrusted me to record his testament as to the proceedings concerning his good wife Lady Braelynn Marschand MonteClaire. It is an honoured position to be sure and one that I would have gravely suffered for if I were to deny Lord MonteClaire's command. I must speak softly and carefully, my dear ladies and ye good fold, for Lord MonteClaire's reputation is notorious in its brutality. For in these parts, he is known as... the Devil.

The devil ye say? Methinks mayhap he should be the one to stand in the stocks. Thank the good Lord that is not my decision to make. What say ye, good people of Realmsdom? Has Lady HK earned her freedom, or mayhap you would like to see the Lord MonteClaire stand in her stead. And what fine standing that would be…*fans self*…be sure to make your wishes known in the comments.


Further wordsmithing and witchery can be found betwixt the pages of THE DEVIL TAKE YOU. If the handsome rake on the cover be the devil, he could take me. Err, I mean, I would be sure to take him into custody to keep order in this fine shire.