The Fall of a Star

Soooo ... it's been a week.

But, hey! I just promised you guys a Monday! Not any particular one. Be glad I'm giving you THIS one.

Anywho.

The blog tour for The Worth of a King is over, and I think it was a success, across the board. Not as amazing as the release for Water Princess, Fire Prince, three years ago - but it seems to be getting more of an overall positive response from its readers. We'll see how this goes.

I do have a goal of twenty reviews for the book by the end of the year - and I'm currently sitting at ten-ish on Goodreads (I say ish, because one of the reviews is someone freaking out over the cover.) So, if you read it, I do that ask that you go ahead and leave a review - even if it's just a few lines. I'd like to enter this book for the Realm Maker's awards - as I feel that it stands a chance of winning - and there is a minimum review count for that.

Now that the release week is over, the price has gone up to $3.99, and it'll probably stay at that price until its sequels hit the shelves. The paperback - which'll probably be around $15 - is coming, just as soon as I can find my brain.

So ... about the trilogy. For the first time, I've announced the titles of more than just the next book in a series. I know! I can't believe it, either. However, the thing is that #3 is a book that I've already talked about quite a bit, as a standalone, and you guys need to know that its title changed, though only slightly. But about book #2, first.

The Cost of a Queen. (Link is to add the book on Goodreads). So, readers of Rizkaland know that Amber and Granite fled Lintooalintae at its fall, and this book is that story. Its main characters are a set of triplets that Amber and Granite have adopted and raised as their own - and said triplets are actually recycled from a My Little Pony fanfiction that my sister and I had been working on.

There's something unique about these triplets - and why they attracted Amber's attention. For some reason, they're a perfect split of one person - Arissa represents mind, Catrina is body, and Lily is spirit. Why they're like this is a mystery I haven't quite solved yet, but they'll also be getting dragons that correspond with their element.

And, yes, there are good dragons in this book. I'm so excited.

I'm still hammering out the plot for this book, however, and only just started writing it. I like the set-up that I have for it, but there are still a few things that haven't yet come together. Which is why 2020 is probably the earliest you're going to see it hit shelves.

The Song of a Dragon, #3, almost made #2, as chronologically, it does take place before Cost. It's the tale of what became of the dragons after the events of Worth, and doesn't take place in Lintooalintae - but, rather, Wienta, which you might have heard Laura mention in Lady Dragon, Tela Du. It might also be the world that Saffron's Big Plan is set in. And it's also the book that was formerly #3 of Rizkaland, and, yes, contains spoilers for LDTD. This is, ultimately, the reason why I decided to have it last in this trilogy.

I actually have a first draft or two written for this book. I just have to rewrite it.

Anywho, Sarah Taleweaver, as the one who left the most comments across the tour, you will receive the privelege of reading both books as I write them - as I am writing them side by side, with the intention of publishing them within the same year, whenever that happens. And it'll probably be before Love and Memory finally gets out.

And Keturah Lamb, you won the rafflecopter giveaway. Get with me with your address and I'll send you your book and peppermint oil just as soon as the paperback exists.


Also, a few other small announcements:

Laura has made it to the finalists in the Strangest Character category in the Silm Awards. Please pop over and vote for her.

One of my author friends has a cover reveal today, so look at the pretty.

And speaking of cover reveals ....

Sorry that I can't say anything more, 'cause I have to leave for work now. But, LOOK AT ALL THE SHINY.

Cover Reveal - Song of Leira

 So, there's a goodreads fangroup that's been sitting in my invite list since the first book released. The Songkeeper Chronicles by Gillian Bronte Adams. See, I want to join, but don't feel like I should until I've read the books. Problem is, the Kindle editions are a smudge above what I can afford.

I mentioned that I hadn't read them yet - and desperately want to - in a different fangroup, and Deborah O'Carroll offered to lend me her copies of the books when we met up in the Author Meet-up last month (because she one of the girls I was meeting.) All I'd have to do is mail it back to her when I finish them.

I agreed, and eagerly cracked into Orphan's Song, the first book. To be confronted by the bellow. On the right is the opening of Orphan's Song, while on the left is the opening of Dragon Song, which I wrote about a year ago. (I need to finish DS, but ... Worth took priority. It's next in my Rizkaland spin-offs, though.) Feel free to click on these images to get them larger.

This aside, I've been quite enjoying the book, and it is very much not Dragon Song. Their openings are just eerily similar. (I'm now debating changing DS's ... but that was already an opening change and I like how it is right now ... if I can get past this speedbump that I hit.)

I'm about a third of the way through, now, and am quite intrigued. I'll join the fan group as soon as I finish, before I plunge into the second book.

I'm quite sure that the group is currently exploding. See, today's quite an important occasion.

See, the thrid book's cover is FINALLY being revealed. I know, I know, it feels like forever, and I only just got my hands on the books.

Wanna see the cover? (Hah, yep, I'm currently exhausted and preoccupied with edits, so I'm not going to tantalize you this go-around.)

THE SONG BIDS HER RISE TO BATTLE

Reeling from her disastrous foray into the Pit, Birdie, the young Songkeeper, retreats into the mountains. But in the war-torn north, kneeling on bloodstained battlefields to sing the souls of the dying to rest, her resolve to accept her calling is strengthened. Such evil cannot go unchallenged.

Torn between oaths to protect the Underground runners and to rescue his friend from the slave camps, Ky Huntyr enlists Birdie’s aid. Their mission to free the captives unravels the horrifying thread connecting the legendary spring, Artair’s sword, and the slave camps. But the Takhran’s schemes are already in motion. Powerful singers have arisen to lead his army—singers who can shake the earth and master the sea—and monsters rampage across the land.

As Leira falters on the verge of defeat, the Song bids her rise to battle, and the Songkeeper must answer.

And, oh wow, that cover. That unicorn. The water. Her dress. THE SHIPS. The UNICORN'S HORN.

Eep. I need this book. I don't know if I can wait until June 5th when it releases - and I only just started reading the first book!

Its paperback is available for preorder, though. 

(And now that I have this post set up, I'm going to bed. See ya'll tomorrow.)

You'll Wanna Stick Around For This

So I managed to not write down the post I planned to write today on the schedule. Therefore, you guys have no idea that I decided to toss it out the window and run with a completely different idea.

I'm going to talk about the stories that are to come with the Rizkaland Legends, both in the official series and the connected novels, and why you're going to want to read them.

Love and Memory. We'll start out with the newly announced book three. I talked about it on the second day of the tour, so all that I'm going to say is that there will be Clarand, there will be Reutra, and there will be pain. You guys are going to hate me, but will love the story by the end of it. I know what I'm doing, Life is pain. Everyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.

Book 4. This volume will introduce you to new main characters Edna, Alex, Quentin, and Louise. Planning-wise, this is one of my weaker stories, I'll admit, so I actually pulled out a notebook to begin writing a VERY rough draft yesterday. Hopefully I'll pull this book together and it won't be the weak point in the series, because I don't want it to be the weak point, and I'm scared it will be. (Though, frankly, I can't point to a single other book in the series and say 'hey, why can't you be the weak one.) But THINGS will happen in this book, and I don't want it to be a failure.

Book 5. I may have mentioned that you'll find out the fate of Andrew's mother in this book. I may have mentioned that Rhoda and Kevin are main characters in this book. I may have also mentioned that two of Clara and Andrew's children are in the book - Timothea and Flynn. I don't think I need to tell you anything else to make you want to read it.

Book 6. Book six happens to be the only book in the series that STILL doesn't have an official title. Which is kinda frustrated. This book happens to have been inspired by some Percy Jackson fanfiction  where Annabeth moves across the US to be closer to Percy and finds that there's a girl at his school who has a crush on Percy and jealousy ensues. How much of that will remain in the book, I won't say, but the main characters include Tina, Kevin's younger sister and Kyle, Andrew's younger brother. Oh, and my pinterest followers have made the observation that there are babies in this book, which I find to be an interesting observation.

Book 7 or JEJS, because I have revealed its initials already. Is the last book in the series, *cue tears* and if you follow me on Instagram or are my friend on facebook, you might have seen me post a picture yesterday where I have the Earth dates of the books in the series, And you may have noticed that this book is set about twenty years after WPFP. So yes, this does mean that it stars the second generation - I have a Clarand daughter and a Reutra daughter confirmed for main characters. I also know that a few of the older generation will be returning to Rizkaland, and that there are five comfirmed deaths.

Now on to the other books.

First the 'lesser' legends that will probably become novellas.

Alphego's Hill. I'm actually not sure I'll ever write this thing in its entirety. But I can promise more snippets on the AA blog.
Through the Mountain. Featuring more Amber being mean, and a Joash story which will be awesome.
Ear of the People. A lot of people want to ship Jasmine and Karlos. This book will confirm or sink this ship. And mwahaha, even thogh there's a sumary of the story at the back of LDTD, I didn't actually confirm if they were a thing or not.

Now the other books.

The Worth of a King. I added Worth to Goodreads last night. You should add it to your book shelf. I'm going to make an effort to release this book, if not the fall of next year, then early in 2018. Because you guys want to read it. Not only is there awesome wordbuilding, political intrigue, and a set of twins whose story will make you cry, but there's a younger Amber and Granite. And by "younger" I mean "nearly three thousand years old." They're a force for good in this novel, and you'll see how totally in love they were back then. Here's a bit of fanart so you can see a glipse of what this book will hold.

The New Division, The next book I'd like to release after Worth is TND, a portal fantasy that begins during the Great Depression on Arden Orphanage. The orphanage where Andrew's dad grew up. Which just so happens to be the house where Petra lives. There are elves, and I'll be dealing with issues such as segregation. slavery, human (well, elven, because the characters in this book are elves) sacrifice, and salvation. Oh, and Jane, Petra's mother, has a scene at the end.

Dragon Song. This book is sort of a companion to Worth, as they tell the story of two sides of one event. However, this is a book you won't be able to read unless you already read Lady Dragon, Tela Du, because it was supposed to be book 3, and there are cameos from Petra and her gang that may ruin your read of LDTD. Just a warning. But this is the book where I developed the stars of Lintooalintae and the Dragon Scale that corrupted Amber.

Fire and Song, This book has almost the weakest connection to the main series. It's set in the same world as Dragon Song, though, and will feature a breif cameo from members of that books cast. But there's a firebird and lots of political and social intrigue, and it's going to be fun.

The Trilogy of Secrets. I have this book down as a series on my WIP page, but it'll probably be released as one book. This book has been going through some plot overhaul lately, though, so I'm not sure. I can tell you that it's about Collie Liano, whose electrical problems cameoed in LDTD, and that there may be a brief cameo from the Rizkaland gang somwhere in the middle.

The Eternal Queen. This is the story of the Eternal Queen of Solar, referenced in LDTD. It's the story of the creation of the cloths that give Amber and Granite their immortality. It's the story of some of Laura's darker days.

And then I have a number of Laura stories planned, from many stages in her life, all of them will make you laugh and cry. Look forward to them, too.

Kindle

Paperback - Yes, it's out. And get it now while it's $14.99, because after the tour is over, it'll go up to $19.99 because it's a big book and I can't put it in the Expanded distribution otherwise.

Interviews:

One Sparrow Song - Ashna

Read, Write, Laugh, DANCE - Amber

Reviews:

Thoughts of Anna S. Brie

Other:

Tyrean Martinson - 5 Reasons to Write with Pinterest Guest post

I'm doing a giveaway, as per normal for a tour. Prize is an autographed copy of LDTD, a 2.5 oz bottle of Citrus Bliss Lotion - my favorite lotion that smells like citrus and vanilla - and a Serenity Bath Bar - which smells like lavender and vanilla and is awesome for relaxing before bed. Giveaway is US ONLY, however. Sorry about that, but ... shipping.

I'm also doing a comment giveaway. The person who leaves the most comments on the blog tour posts - including the interviews, reviews, and guest posts - and my back posts with the Lady Dragon Tela Du or Rizkaland Legend lables will get a sneak peak at either book three or Worth of a King. Possibly both. I'm generous. This giveaway is international, because there is no shipping. (Well, there may be shipping, on your end, once you get the book, but I don't have to pay for it.) Comments on AA posts with the Lady Dragon Tela Du tag also count. (The AA is my extra blog where I post snippets and in-between bits about my characters that have spoilers. It's member only, but if you'll email me telling me that you've read the three Bookanias or at least Water Princess, Fire Prince, I'll add you to the access list.) And I decided yesterday that I'll also count any and all speculations about future Rizkaland and the connecting stories posted on this thread on Goodreads during the the tour. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Other Books

Rizkaland may be the main series, but it's by no means the full story, today I'd like to talk about the (mostly) non-Rizkan stories that will tie in, and possibly fill in a few gaps in the main series.

First of all, I'd like to note that I have four timelines that I use when ordering these books, as well as the Rizkaland Legends themselves.

1. Rizkaland Timeline, which is the order of things by Rizkan time.
2. Earth Timeline, which is the order of things by Earthen time.
3. Amber's Timeline, which is mostly used when exploring her backstory.
4. Laura's Timeline, which is a convoluted, tangled ball that I usually leave alone, but it's occasionally useful.

Good? Good.

Now to the other books that I have planned that you won't want to miss if you're a loyal Rizkan fan.

1. Worth of a King. This is my cowrite with Jack Lewis Baillot, and pre-fall Amber and Granite play a role in it. I can't say yet what sort of role, but I will say that it is one of the stories that Amber has tucked into her library, and a reference or two to the story may be making a cameo at some point in book 2.

2. Dragon Song. This story is, in part, a companion to Worth - how, I can't say - and it was, at one point, going to be book 3 of the main series. Main characters from book 2 will be making large appearances, but I can't say who, just yet, or how.

3. Adventures of Princess Saffron. I need to finish writing this trilogy. I'm about half-way through the second story ... anyways, Saffron makes an apparance in Dragon Song. 

4. The Eternal Queen. This is another Amber backstory - except this time it reaches even further back and features Queen Amorite, Amber's ancestress, whose meddling trapped the royal line in their immortaity.

5. The New Division. This book begins during the Great Depression in the very orphanage where Andrew's dad later grew up, which becomes the house where Petra and her siblings grew up. It also features some POV from Petra's great-grandmother, Amanda Arden, and then at the end, an a breif cameo of some main characters from the series.

6. The Trilogy of Secrets. Two of the main characters from this series, Collie and Susan, live near Petra and Reuben's houses, and their electricty problem is talked about occassionally in LDTD.

7. Infiltration. Have I talked about my elvings, half elf, half something else, before? If I have, have I told you that the elf that they're descended from Rizkan elves? They are! Also, traces of Rizkan abound throughought their culture - indeed, the name of the world is the Rowa - Rizkan for rainbow.

8. The rest of the Mikida Chronicles. Infiltration is technically part of my sister's scifi series, and although it has the strongest connection, tie-ins abound throughout the whole series. Indeed, the main characters of the Eagle's Logs half of the series are two elvings, and two half-human twins who are descended from characters from the Rizkaland legends. (I don't remember, off the top of my head who the ancestors are, however.)

9. An untitled story about Laura set post-Rizkaland. I can't say much about this story, but it takes place several years after book 7 in the earth timeline, and takes place in the same world as Dragon Song. Also, Lucy is in it.

10. Stolen Ideas. This is the book that I recycled Sandra Elizabeth Nedor into. It's interesting, and I hope to share it someday.

And that doesn't even include the "lesser" legends that didn't make it into the main seven of the series. At the moment, I only know of three for certain, but I wouldn't put it past it for more books to appear.

1. Alphego's Hill - The Story of the Eight and the Ten.
2. Through the Mountain - The story of Amber's attack on Klarand 500 years prior to WPFP.
3. Ear of the People - this is a story set about eight years after WPFP, and is about Jasmine and Karlos.

So there's lots of story to look forward! to!