Building Believable Magic

Children have been raised to believe in fantasy – Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, Easter Bunny, and fairy tales galore. What is the attraction? Why do we enjoy the fantastical realm? I think one reason is the fairy tale ending, “they lived happily ever after”. These five little words bring a warm cozy, safe feeling. After all, don’t we strive to find our very own “happily ever after” in real life?

In most fantasy stories, there is not an easy magical answer to every trivial problem – true magic needs what all good stories need…conflict. There also needs to be a real chance for the hero of the story to fail, after all, if he can simply magic his problem away, where is the suspense of the story? The reader needs to feel compelled to feel the adventure as they enter the magical realm and join the hero on his magical quest. One sense the author must develop in a work of fantasy is the sense of wonder – stretching your imagination to places it may never have traveled before, then going beyond those limits to expand into the vastness of the “what if”. It stirs feelings within us, a familiar recognition of a realm where anything is possible and you must expect the unexpected. In this world logic is stretched, tested and redefined. Often, along the way the champion will have to face fantastical beings often with their own magical powers and qualities.

In my fantasy series, Kylie (the writer of the group known as the destineers) keeps a journal as a chronicle of the group’s adventures. It is filled with entries about all the magical beings they encounter. Later volumes will address their magical lessons and recounting of the legends they witness in the making. But, for now, those stories are being categorized and recorded by ghost writers in the Cybrarie. For updates about the series and new postings in the forum or book review blog, join the Destineers’ Fan Page. Check out Kylies' journal about the creatures of fantasy they encounter in the Netherscape in The Destineers’ Journal of Fantasy Nations available on Amazon; autographed copies available through the Cybrarie or here.

Celebrate the Fun!

What a wonderful surprise to find out If Wishes Were Fishes has jumped way up in the ratings on Amazon! This book was so much fun to write and explore the possibilities of the "what if" as a young boy tries to puzzle his way through a weekend with his grandparents. JT loves visiting them, but they seem to have their own secret language. The young boy tries so hard to do everything they ask but hysterical misunderstandings happen all weekend long. This book will have you and your children giggling at their failure to communicate. The illustrations by Ginger Nielson are absolutley perfect. This In celebration we're sharing a coloring page from this fun tale. 4RV Publishing is having a holiday sale now through December 5 - check out Wishes and all the other great children's books on their site! If you would like your copy autographed I am more than happy to send you a personalized autographed bookplate.

Random Thoughts

My passion is ...my family. I can't imagine life without any of them...yes, even the dogs!

My parents always told me ......if you can't think of anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Everyone has feelings and feelings are very fragile. This is a valuable life lesson. Words are important. They can wound deeper than anything you can physically do to a person, the wounds are so deep they are often unseen. I know this is sometimes a very hard thing to remember - life can come at you fast and sometimes words get blurted out, but remember the flip side of that coin is also true - words can also inspire someone and lift them higher than they have ever been before. It all goes back to "it's not so much what you say, as it is how you say it." It is the thought, the feeling and emotion behind the word that gives it so much strength.

My childhood ambition ...To write books! I love to write, to meet my characters and help them tell their stories. I feel like characters in a story need to be multi-dimensional. You need to really know your character, not just in the moment, but on a personal level, what has led them to this moment ~~ how they became who they are and how they react, in order to tell their story well.

My favorite memory ...there are so many to choose from, I couldn't possibly say. I have been blessed. This is very true. I have so many good memories from early childhood right up to now; choosing one to be my favorite would be like trying to select my favorite snowflake~~ they are all so beautiful and unique, how can you possibly choose? Why I write ...it's a great creative outlet. I love to write...many genres...many ideas. I read somewhere that you should, every so often, write something that is outside of your comfort zone ~~ maybe something in a different genre. It tests you and stretches you and gives you a different perspective to look at and write about. What I am reading/watching/listening to ...ahhhh.....that is ever changing (lol).

My first full time job ......was working with autistic and schizophrenic children. That was awesome, life altering. You can really make a huge difference in someone’s life if you just take the time to care and show them you care.

My best moment ...was becoming a mother ~~ how can you possibly top that?....well, okay, my son's graduation was pretty awesome too! I have never felt so much pride before ~ you know how they say you are so full of pride you feel like you could just burst...I had always thought that was an exaggeration, but it's true! My inspiration ...definitely my son. I hope someday to be able to live up the image he has always made me feel that he had of me.

Are you playing along in our little game? Mention "If Wishes Were Fishes by NA Sharpe, illustrations by Ginger Nielson, is now available on Kindle and Nook" wherever you leave your cyber footprints and let me know when and where you posted any you will be entered in a drawing for a prize pack - the better the book's ratings get on Kindle and/or B&N the bigger the prize packs. How much of a buzz can we create? Just a thought...

The Important Thing is Not to Stop Questioning...What If???

Did you get that? "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. The important thing is not to stop questioning." This is one of my all time favorite quotes. Think about these words from one of the greatest minds there ever was. I think he must have been a writer at heart to say not to stop questioning..." in other words, "what if...." ahhh--a writer's mantra. What a philosophy Einstein had. I think it bears reflection; just a thought…

Looking for a Good Book This Summer?

Now available on Kindle and on Nook:

Looking for some great suggestions for your summer reading? Here are suggestions you might enjoy on your digital devices:

If Wishes Were Fishes

by NA Sharpe, illustrated by Ginger Nielsen
Reading Level Ages 4-8
If Wishes Were Fishes is a hilarious picture book that will appeal to the young and the young at heart.
JT Trumanowski is a six-year old with a BIG problem…his grandparents! How do you survive a whole weekend alone with them when you do exactly what they say and still end up in so much trouble?!


A Wish and a Prayer


by Beth Bence Reinke, illustrated by Ginger Nielsen
Reading Level Ages 4-8
When Jason's parakeet flies out the window and is lost, he wishes on various objects in hopes of bringing his pet home. But is there something better than wishing? A story that gently teaches children the difference between wishing and praying.



Aldric & Anneliese by Harry E. Gilleland Jr.


Aldric & Anneliese is a tale of nation building, kings, knights, fair ladies, battles won and lost, triumph, betrayal, tragedy, revenge, redemption, and great loves It is a story for the ages.

Are you playing our game? Don't forget to mention If Wishes Were Fishes is now available on Kindle and Nook to be entered for a chance to win an autographed copy! Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift. Please help me get the word out - mention it on Facebook, on Twitter, in a blog ...or maybe you'll have other ideas to help me spread the word through cyberspace. Tell me on the blog Realms of Thought, on Facebook, or on Twitter @nasharpe when and where you mentioned it. You'll get an entry for each place and each time you mention If Wishes Were Fishes is now available on Kindle and Nook (double entries for anyone that purchases a copy). Contest runs through July 25 and the winners will be announced on July 26. Please help me build a buzz. I really appreciate your help in getting the word out - lets have some fun!

New Releases in Children's and Young Adults Books

Witch & Wizard: The Gift
James Patterson (Author), Ned Rust (Author)

Product Description
When Whit & Wisty were imprisoned by the wicked forces of the totalitarian regime known as the New Order, they were barely able to escape with their lives. Now part of a hidden community of teens like themselves, Whit and Wisty have established themselves as leaders of the Resistance, willing to sacrifice anything to save kids kidnapped and brutally imprisoned by the New Order.

But the One has other plans in store for them: He needs Wisty, for she is "The One Who Has the Gift." While trying to figure out what that means, Whit and Wisty's suspenseful adventures through Overworld and Shadowland lead to a jaw-dropping climax and conclusion: the highly-anticipated fulfillment of the heart-pounding opening prologue of book one... The Execution of the Allgoods.


Sapphique

By Catherine Fisher
Product Description
In the dark Prison of Incarceron, the prisoners tell tales of a legendary man – Sapphique, the only inmate ever to escape. There are hundreds of tales of his exploits, but are any of them true? Did he even exist?

Attia and Keiro certainly think so, and when they hear that a crazy magician called Rix is using Sapphique’s lost Glove in his magical act, they’re determined to steal it. Meanwhile, out in the Realm, Finn is not finding being a Prince easy, and he’s tormented by doubts about his own identity.

I wanted to explore all our uncertainties about ourselves in this sequel to Incarceron. Who are we? Can we do the things others expect of us? And can we ever escape ourselves?
Expect the terrors of the Ice wing, a chain-gang, a duel, a masked ball, and the fearful anger of the Prison as it prepares to abandon its inmates to darkness and death forever.

We Are Here to Change the World

This weekend I had the privilege of seeing Michael Jackson’s performance of
Captain EO at the Walt Disney Studios. It reminded me of what a talented individual he was and the message he always tried to share with his audiences. I have found a copy of the video on you tube – if you have a few minutes I highly recommend watching. The epic song “We are Here to Change the World” is in the 2nd part of the video – As Michael says, “We're on a mission: In the everlasting light that shines - A revelation Of the truth in chapters of our minds: We are here to change the world.”

I love the hope and the message – what a great thought for the New Year.

Auld Lang Syne

At the stroke of midnight many cultures sing the song "Auld Lang Syne." Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind that song and the tradition of singing it on New Years? Early versions of the song came from medieval Scotland... the Gaelic lyrics reflected hope, companionship, and the uncertainty of life. The phrase "auld lang syne" translates literally to "old long ago," and is meant as a nostalgic reference to so-called good old days. The first published version of the lyrics was written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in the 1700s. It wasn't until the 20th century that the song gained popularity as an anthem to the New Year.

That being said, come on…you know you want to join in for a verse or two!

Should old acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

The new year brings us hope for peace,

A new day for mankind,

Where we can all live hand in hand

And leave all hate behind.

For auld lang syne, my dear.

For auld lang syne.

We'll take a cup of kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

When dreams they seem so far away,

Your soul can feel so low.

But love is never far away;

Your heart won't be alone.

Let's make a world where people care,

A world that knows no fear,

Where we can open up our hearts

And hold each other dear.

Our children grow, they need to know

The Future's theirs to hold.

If we can teach them how to love

Then the world can carry on.

For auld lang syne, my dear.

For auld lang syne.

We'll take a cup of kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

Have a wonderful New Year everybody - filled with love and joy, health and hope, and prosperity for all.

'Twas the Day After Christmas

The Day After Christmas Lament

Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
every creature was sleeping, even the mouse.

The toys were all broken, their batteries dead,
Santa passed out with some ice on his head.

Wrapping and ribbons covered the floor,
while upstairs the family continued to snore.

And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,

went into the kitchen and started to clean.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

tore open the curtains and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a little white truck with an oversize mirror.

The driver was smiling, so lively and grand,
the patch on his jacket said US POST-MAN.

With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox,
then quickly stuffed them into our box.

Bill after bill and still they all came,
whistling and counting he called them by name.

Now Dillard’s, now Broadway, now Penny’s and Sears,
here’s Levitz and Target and Macy’s….all here.

To the top of your limit, every store, every mall,
now charge away, charge away, charge away all!!

He chuckled and whistled as he finished his work,

he filled up the box, then turned with a jerk.

He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road,
driving much faster with just half of a load.

Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,
“ENJOY WHAT YOU GOT….YOU”LL BE PAYING ALL YEAR!!

Christmas Holidays Rules of Eating

I found this last year on the internet and thought it was definitely funny and worth sharing...enjoy!

10 Rules of Holiday Eating

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It’s rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think.It’s Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read these tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO-HOO what a ride!”

12 Days of Christmas

From 1558 until 1829, Christians in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

May the joys and love of Christmas be with you and yours today and always! Merry Christmas, everybody!

Bugs Invade the Third Grade! Book Review: The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade by Lori Calabrese

Matt, like many young boys, is fascinated by things that are creepy, crawly and captivatingly interesting. He loves to look through his books on backyard bugs and once was even able to identify a very interesting hickory horned devil caterpillar he found in his cellar. It is easy to see how the news of the upcoming Bug-A-Fair excites the lad. After all, whoever wins this prestigious science fair is sure to capture the teacher’s praise and become the most popular kid in class. Matt is dreaming of that honor and his quest to become Student of the Year as he pulls a fine specimen off the grille of his father’s car – one that is sure will win him first prize at the Fair, but another bug bugs him as it travels throughout the third grade. Join Matt and his class for a very exciting day in this very clever tale of more than one kind of bug causing havoc in the third grade classroom.

Ms. Calabrese’s rhyming tale is sure to be one that is read over and over. This witty story will tickle the funny bone of the young reader as they join Matt and his class on a day that turns much more exciting than anyone anticipates.

The full color illustrations by Chet Taylor are sure to delight their audience as they perfectly compliment this entertaining tale.

You can follow the rest of this fun tour through these links:

November 15 Beverly S. McClure’s The Story of a Writer http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com/
November 16 Elysabeth’s Stories

http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com/
November 17 Raising Itty Bitty Bookworms

http://ittybittybookworms.blogspot.com/
November 18 There’s a Book

http://www.theresabook.com/
November 19 The Iron Bodkin

http://lux-st-clare.blogspot.com/
November 30 Into the Wardrobe

http://peteredmundlucy7.blogspot.com/

I highly recommend this book - it is definitely a story that will be read over and over again and sure to become a favorite story time request.

New Release Tuesday in the Realms of SciFi and Fantasy

Against All Things Ending (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 3) byStephen R. Donaldson
Product Description
The long-awaited sequel to The Runes of the Earth and Fatal Revenant returns readers to the Land-and unravels some of the mysteries haunting Covenant and Linden Avery. Thomas Covenant is alive again, restored to his mortal body by the unimaginable combined force of his own white gold ring, Linden Avery's Staff of Law, and the ancient dagger called High Loric's krill. His resurrection is Linden's defiant act of love, despite warnings from mortals and immortals that unleashing this much power would destroy the world. She brought his spirit back from its prison in the Arch of Time, and revived his slain body, so that Covenant lies whole on the cool grass, and the world seems at peace. But the truth is inescapable: The thunderclap of power has awakened the Worm of the World's End, and all of them, and the Land itself, are forfeit to its devouring. If they have any chance to save the Land, it will come from unlikely sources- including the mysterious boy Jeremiah, Linden's adopted son, whose secrets are only beginning to come to light.


All Clear by Connie Willis
Product Description
In Blackout, award-winning author Connie Willis returned to the time-traveling future of 2060—the setting for several of her most celebrated works—and sent three Oxford historians to World War II England: Michael Davies, intent on observing heroism during the Miracle of Dunkirk; Merope Ward, studying children evacuated from London; and Polly Churchill, posing as a shopgirl in the middle of the Blitz. But when the three become unexpectedly trapped in 1940, they struggle not only to find their way home but to survive as Hitler’s bombers attempt to pummel London into submission.Now the situation has grown even more dire. Small discrepancies in the historical record seem to indicate that one or all of them have somehow affected the past, changing the outcome of the war. The belief that the past can be observed but never altered has always been a core belief of time-travel theory—but suddenly it seems that the theory is horribly, tragically wrong.Meanwhile, in 2060 Oxford, the historians’ supervisor, Mr. Dunworthy, and seventeen-year-old Colin Templer, who nurses a powerful crush on Polly, are engaged in a frantic and seemingly impossible struggle of their own—to find three missing needles in the haystack of history.Told with compassion, humor, and an artistry both uplifting and devastating, All Clear is more than just the triumphant culmination of the adventure that began with Blackout. It’s Connie Willis’s most humane, heartfelt novel yet—a clear-eyed celebration of faith, love, and the quiet, ordinary acts of heroism and sacrifice too often overlooked by history.

Who's Your Favorite Literary Fictional Character?

When you are reading a novel, what characters inspire you? Do you revel in the security of a favorite (although possibly cliched) stereotype? Are you looking for a hero - someone to place on a pedestal and revere? Maybe you prefer someone you can more easily identify with, a character that is real and flawed? Perhaps you like to pep up your characters to be a notch above the normal average Joe.

I write books for children through young adults. Lately my focus has been in the genre of fantasy. Look at some of the more popular works throughout time - Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, Alice as she journeys through the looking glass, and, of course, one of this generation's popular boy wizards - Harry Potter. What do these timeless characters have in common? The authors of each of these works have brilliantly developed characters their audience can truly embrace. Characters that step off the page, grab their reader's hand and take them on an adventure they won't forget. Who are some of your favorite characters in literature today?

The Netherscape is a realm filled with fantasy characters. Why not click over to The Destineer’s blog to see which characters they are talking about or head on over to the Cybrarie for today’s lesson?

A Writer's Journey

As fiction writers we make an incredible journey. It begins with envisioning a book concept and developing believable characters with precisely the right voice for telling the tale. We nurture the concept and characters and tweak them till they are just right. After much preliminary work we begin the actual art of storytelling - putting it all on paper, hopefully in a manner that engages our readers bringing them happily into the fictional world we have created - immersed and enthralled in the tapestry of the story threads. The tale is written, rewritten, polished and edited until we feel it is finally ready for submission to the ever elusive publisher.

The task of researching publishers that are looking for the particular type of work we have created, coming up with a "can't miss" marketing plan, querying said publisher and nervously awaiting their response is an arduous task. Will our story be embraced, or will we receive the infamous letter of rejection? Anxiously we wait to hear - it can be days, weeks, even months before the verdict of the publisher's interest or decision to pass is made known to us. The wait is grueling. If the publisher is interested, will a partial manuscript or the entire manuscript be requested? Once again, you find yourself playing a waiting game, repeatedly checking your mailbox and hoping for the offer of a contract. Only time will reveal the publisher's final decision to embrace your work or decline it leaving you to begin the publishing search again.

Finally, your labor of hard work and love has been accepted by a publisher...and there are more edits and polishing that take place. At long last it is beginning to look like your dream is about to become a reality. Soon you will be able to hold your book in your hands, and, more importantly get it to your readers - the fans that will embrace your story and clamor for the sequel.

I’ve been very fortunate with two books to my credit – The Destineers’ Journal of Fantasy Nations, a young adult guide book to the members of the fantasy nations and If Wishes Were Fishes, a humorous picture book teaching kids people may mean what they say, they just don’t always say what they mean…clearly. To find out more, please visit my author's site or my fantasy site, the Cybrarie.

I am so excited – this is one of my favorite weeks of the year – when the Muse Online Writers Conference takes place. I am like a kid in a candy store - there are publishers and agents in attendance wanting to find out about your current work, many wonderful writers, editors and illustrators from all over the world to network with and so many wonderful workshops to participate in. Bookmark my blog and check back often to see some of the things I learn from these wonderful classes. Hope to see you here often!

New Release Tuesday in the Realms of SciFi and Fantasy

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II by Sean Williams
Product Description
As ruthless apprentice to Darth Vader, Starkiller was mercilessly schooled in the ways of the dark side, commanded to exterminate the last of the purged Jedi Order, and groomed for the ultimate Sith power play: assassination of the Emperor. He served without question, killed without remorse, and lost his heart without warning to beautiful Imperial fighter pilot Juno Eclipse, never suspecting that he was just a tool in the schemes of his masters—until it was too late to escape their lethal betrayal.Juno mourned Starkiller as dead...but now he is back, purged of all memories and programmed to kill. And as fate brings Juno and Starkiller closer to reuniting, with Darth Vader determined not to lose his assassin a second time, they will both have to make a stand. The prize is freedom. The punishment for failing will be eternal enslavement to the dark side of the Force...


Fable: The Balverine Order by Peter David
Product Description
The days of magic and adventure are fading away, giving way to the age of industry and science. As the aged last Hero sits upon the throne of Albion, two friends-the privileged Thomas and his loyal servant, John- set out for the East in search of a legendary beast: the vicious, rarely-seen balverine. But their desire for adventure may be their ultimate undoing-because their quarry has just found them...

Building Believable Magic in a Fantasy Book

Children have been raised to believe in fantasy – Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, Easter Bunny, and fairy tales galore. What is the attraction? Why do we enjoy the fantastical realm? I think one reason is the fairy tale ending, “they lived happily ever after”. These five little words bring a warm cozy, safe feeling. After all, don’t we strive to find our very own “happily ever after” in real life?

In most fantasy stories, there is not an easy magical answer to every trivial problem – true magic needs what all good stories need…conflict. There also needs to be a real chance for the hero of the story to fail, after all, if he can simply magic his problem away, where is the suspense of the story? The reader needs to feel compelled to feel the adventure as they enter the magical realm and join the hero on his magical quest. One sense the author must develop in a work of fantasy is the sense of wonder – stretching your imagination to places it may never have traveled before, then going beyond those limits to expand into the vastness of the “what if”. It stirs feelings within us, a familiar recognition of a realm where anything is possible and you must expect the unexpected. In this world logic is stretched, tested and redefined. Often, along the way the champion will have to face fantastical beings often with their own magical powers and qualities.

In my fantasy series, Kylie (the writer of the group known as the destineers) keeps a journal as a chronicle of the group’s adventures. It is filled with entries about all the magical beings they encounter. Later volumes will address their magical lessons and recounting of the legends they witness in the making. But, for now, those stories are being categorized and recorded by ghost writers in the Cybrarie. For updates about the series and new postings in the forum or book review blog, join the Destineers’ Fan Page.

New Release Tuesday in the Realms of SciFi and Fantasy

Gauntlgrym: Neverwinter, Book I by R.A. Salvatore
Product Description
Drizzt joins Bruenor on his quest for the fabled dwarven kingdom of Gauntlgrym: ruins said to be rich with ancient treasure and arcane lore. But before they even get close, another drow and dwarf pair stumbles across it first: Jarlaxle and Athrogate. In their search for treasure and magic, Jarlaxle and Athrogate inadvertently set into motion a catastrophe that could spell disaster for the unsuspecting people of the city of Neverwinter—a catastrophe big enough to lure even the mercenary Jarlaxle into risking his own coin and skin to stop it. Unfortunately, the more they uncover about the secret of Gauntlgrym, the more it looks like they can’t stop it on their own. They’ll need help, and from the last people they ever thought to fight alongside again: Drizzt and Bruenor.



Crave (Fallen Angels, Book 2) by J.R. Ward
Product Description
Seven deadly sins. Seven souls that must be saved. One more no-holds- barred battle between a fallen angel with a hardened heart and a demon with everything to lose. Isaac Rothe is a black ops soldier with a dark past and a grim future. The target of an assassin, he finds himself behind bars, his fate in the hands of his gorgeous public defender Grier Childe. His hot attraction to her can only lead to trouble-and that's before Jim Heron tells him his soul is in danger. Caught up in a wicked game with the demon who shadows Jim, Isaac must decide whether the soldier in him can believe that true love is the ultimate weapon against evil.


Intrigues: Book Two of the Collegium Chronicles (A Valdemar Novel) by Mercedes Lackey
Product Description
"Spellbinding storyteller" (Rave Reviews) Mercedes Lackey continues her epic Valdemar series. Magpie is a thirteen-year-old orphan chosen by one of the magical Companion horses of Valdemar and taken to the capital city, Haven, to be trained as a Herald. Like all Heralds, Magpie learns that he has a hidden Gift-the Gift of telepathy. But life at the court is not without obstacles. When Mags is "recognized" by foreign secret operatives whose purpose is unknown, Mags himself comes under suspicion. Who are Magpie's parents-who is he, really? Can Mags solve the riddle of his parentage and his connection with the mysterious spies-and prove his loyalty-before the king and court banish him as a traitor?