The Story Hunter Cover Reveal

I'm going to make you wait to see the cover, because I want to tell you a story.

I'd heard a lot about The Story Peddler, and one day, when I noticed it was on sale, I bought the ebook.

And I didn't read it. The ebook when to the bottom of my ever-growing TBR and got forgotten.

Then I went to Realm Makers. And that book basically took out the entire competition and grabbed every possible award (okay, I might be exaggerating a little) and so I thought, Okay, this book is apparently really good. I'll buy a physical copy and get it signed while I'm here and maybe I'll get around to reading it.

Well, I did get around to reading it, and, long story short, I FELL IN LOVE.

As soon as I finished it, I just had to buy The Story Raider, and yeah that was AMAZING TOO.

Then, shortly after that, Lindsay posts about looking for more members for her Corsair Crew, and I was like say no more, where do I sign up.

And now. Here I am today with the cover for the third book, The Story Hunter, and WOW am I excited and seriously, if you haven't read these books yet, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE???

And okay, you can look at the cover now.

Wow. Just, wow. Isn't it beautiful???  

Here's a little bit about the book (IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE STORY RAIDER YET, SKIP THE BOLDED WORDSSSSS)

Redeeming the past is a fatal quest.

In the wake of a deadly coup, the capital city of Urian has descended into chaos. Heartbreak and bloodshed await Tanwen and her friends as they discover the unlikeliest leader now rules Tir.

If they want to save the realm, Tannie and the Corsyth weavers must rescue Queen Braith and unmask the Master, ending the strife once and for all. But the success of their hunt depends upon an ally no one trusts.

The Master has a new target in sight: fragile, trauma-scarred Digwyn, whose unique weaving ability could turn the tide of any war. When the desire for vengeance proves too powerful for Digwyn to resist, Tanwen must face a terrifying truth: the fate of Tir rests in the hands of a volatile, shattered girl.

~~*~~

Here's a SPOILER FREE blurb:

The capital city of Urian has descended into chaos. The Master has a new target in sight: fragile, trauma-scarred Digwyn, whose unique weaving ability could turn the tide of any war. When the desire for vengeance proves too powerful for Digwyn to resist, Tanwen must face a terrifying truth: the fate of Tir rests in the hands of a volatile, shattered girl.

~~*~~

So, are you totally sold yet??  Here are the links to preorders: 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CqoJr0

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-story-hunter-lindsay-a-franklin/1134723827?ean=9781621841227

Shared WIP Tag - Worldbuilding

Welcome to week two! Today we are going to be discussing the story world...which admittedly hasn't really been touched in this draft...

What aspect of this world would make you want to leave immediately?

The iron grip the King holds over the people? The possibility that I might be attacked by assassins or pirates? The dangerous animals lurking beneath the surafce of the ocean? Nah...I'd rather not be bothered.

If you lived in this world, what would be your job/working environment?

Um, something like my current job? Maybe helping a merchant keep his accounts or even helping work the tests for the Scaera Dumeda.

What would you most likely be wearing if you were dropped into this world?

Uh...blue jeans, an active-wear t-shirt, maybe a sweatshirt since it's winter time. My ESD shoes if I got teleported from work; sneakers if at home.

What aspects stands out to you as different from our world? What is very similar to ours?

Well, there isn't much magic in the book, so it's kinda similar to our world in that way. Got normal people and all. But what really stands out is the Scaera Dumeda. A test to bring forth the most brilliant people in the land.

Which part of your world would you most enjoy visiting?

Okay, so I honestly almost said something like "I'd love to visit Australia" and then I realized the question meant my story world not my real world.

Ehhhhhh...

I'd really love to go sailing on the Red Wind with the crew. They're the best.

Which part of your world would you avoid at all costs?

Um...the ocean. Which presents a problem.

So I guess, to better answer the previous question, I'd love to pop on board the Red Wind while she's in harbor and maybe eat a meal, then head back to solid ground.

Would you enjoy the types of food or common dishes eaten in your world?

Ha. I'll eat anything. Seriously. Blood pudding. Haggis. Anything on a plate I'd attempts a taste. I may not want to finish it, but I'll at least try things.

Cuz I like food.

What does the culture of this world revolve around and would you enjoy participating in it?

Uhhhhh it revolves around....uhhhhhhh trade? It takes place in merchant towns and across seas so there's always something new to see. :)

What’s your favorite thing about the story world?

The ships. And not the kissy-kissy ones.

Provide a few pictures that help depict your story world.

*stutters*

NO

*runs away*

(Okay, just imagine Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Avengers with some Assassins and Teddy-Bears thrown in. There. Kinda give you an idea?)

Shared WIP Tag - Introduction

Wow. November again. Which means that it's time for another round of the Shared WIP Tag!!!

If you have a book cover, torture your readers by making them scroll forever to see it. If you do not have a book cover, describe your dream cover.

Okay guys. Here goes.

So it would probably be a simple cover, maybe with a red background and the shapes of a ship and maybe the moon or some secret agent-y type shadows. Kind of see what I mean?

Provide a blurb

The Scaera Dumeda. A death wish. A chance for greatness. Those deemed the smartest and most cunning will be called to take part in a series of challenges. The winners will get to join the Shadow Squad and hold title as Guardians of Antovan.

Adima wants nothing more then to hear her name called and get the chance to prove herself to be more than a dull, boring Princess. When her name is announced on Selection Day, she throws away her title, despite her family's threats of disownment and the uncertain future ahead.

After all, nothing ever goes wrong in the Scaera Dumeda. It's a test, not a gladiator arena. Even the losers are still rewarded greatly. And Adi doesn't plan on loosing.

On the first day, Adi meets Ravin. Ravin is a sailor on the Red Wind (a ship known only in bedtime stories) and doesn't know why he was selected. Ever since a nearly fatal duel, he has been marked dead in the records. He never even took the entry test.

Treachery is afoot, and when other selectees are found dead during the first challenge, Adi and Ravin must discover the secrets of the Scaera Dumeda and put an end to it before anyone else is killed.

Share some aesthetics

Oy. Um...

How long did it take you to flesh out the story enough to feel prepared to use it for NaNo?

Well, Sarah and I have already written 30K or so of the beginning, so I feel like I have a good grip as to what needs to come next.

But I also love winging it, lol

Is it a standalone or part of a series?

A standalone. The way I've been figuring the ending, I suppose there might be a chance for future books. At the moment, we don't any others planed.

How did you get the idea for this story?

A couple years ago I watched the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie and loved the whole pirates and ships and high adventures (okay, I also adore the soundtrack). But of course pirates are bad, right? So what about someone who hunts pirates? 

Thus, Captain Jay Hill and his crew of the Red Wind were born.

Sarah and I eventually got around to writing a story together. Sarah loves the whole "fighting as a team" aspect, and I brought in my pirate hunters. Fun mix, yah?

What song or selection of lyrics best describes the general aesthetic of your story?

Erm, how about this one? 

What made you decide to write this book for NaNo?

I had nothing else, honestly. I mean, I did have two ideas that I could have fleshed out, but Sarah said I could go ahead and just finish this one off, which was super kind.

What are your publishing plans for this book?

We are still discussing this, honestly. At the moment, we are considering self-publishing and working with Evan to get illustrations for it.

Well, there you have it! The beginning of the Shared WIP Tag and some info about Ships, Secrets, and Survivors!

And don't forget to check out the other participants: Ceci, Sarah, Lila, Snaps, Lily Cat, and Nicki.

October Wrap-Up

Gonna make this short because I know lots of people are busy starting NaNo and everything.

Basically, all is good on the Daventry frontier.

Though, if I was being honest, I don't like that it's getting colder outside. I can barely tolerate fall, and I detest winter.

Trail trimming with Sister 2.

Navigating a tricky section of trail.

Manning the aid station for the local 30K/50mile race.

Loading the Falcon up with all the drop bags for the runners!

Helping out at the middle aid station.

Ran a local 5K race along this river with some friends.

The brother...came in second overall for the 8 mile distance.

Running the horses.

Sister 3 holding the quiver while we shoot arrows.

Ran a 12 mile race in the mtns.

The race ended up being closer to 13 miles because I got lost...

Seriously, the mountains are so cool!

Allllll the stairs RIGHT at the END of the race when I'm SO TIRED.

So yeah. October was cool. BUT NANO IS UPON US.

Know the Novel - Ships, Secrets, and Survivors

Hello...just jumping in for Christine's Know the Novel linkup! Hope you enjoy this little sneak peak into my NaNo Novel (and the subject of the Shared WIP Tag coming up in November).

What first sparked the idea for this novel?

Well, it kinda started back in...maybe 2010, I think? Maybe '11. But back when I was writing most of my WIPs in notebooks. And basically, I watched the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie for the first time. And tried to write a pirate story. And failed.

Then fast-forward to the end of '18 (or maybe the beginning of '19), where Sarah and I are thinking of doing a story together. She pulls out her fave thing to write (about people having to work as a team) and I pull out my pirate story.

And we shoved it all together.

Share a blurb!

I'm gonna make y'all wait a little longer...it's coming for the Shared WIP Tag!

Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects about the setting?

It takes place in a made-up fantasy world. It has kind of a French Revolution feel, with some scary ocean creatures and pirates and stuff thrown in.

I love how it's not a typical "medieval setting" fantasy story. :)

Tell us about your protagonist(s).

The main characters are Ralivaen del Mankayl and Adima Radi Kashinda.

Ravin is a sailor who would prefer just to be ignored and live his life on the ship and never set foot on land again. But his name is called as one of the selectees for the Scaera Dumeda, and he's planning to put about as little effort into this as possible...

Adi is a princess, who would rather be out fighting and helping people, instead of living a pampered life. So she is thrilled when she's selected and this long-awaited chance arrives. She's not going to mess this up.

Who (or what) is the antagonist?

The main villain is Captain Rev Martin, one of the most feared pirates, who happens to have a grudge against some of our main characters...

What excites you the most about this novel?

-Writing something with Sarah

-Evan is doing cool illustrations for it

-Pirates

-The characters

-Sea creatures

-The Scaera Dumeda

Is this going to be a series? standalone? something else?

For the moment, it's just a standalone novel. I suppose it could continue, but I think in a sense, stories could "always" continue. It just depends on if the author is willing to dig into the story world and see what happens next or if it should be left for the readers to uncover in fanfiction.

Are you plotting? pantsing? plansting?

Sarah and I did some vague plotting back when we started it. Basically covered the first third of the book, and we figured we'd find out what happened next once we got past bringing everyone together.

And that's where I'm going to pick up the book for NaNo. *cracks knuckles* Good thing I'm a pantster.

Name a few things that makes this story unique.

Um...something cool that I don't wanna give away. Plus, the aspect of the Scaera Dumeda is kinda cool. And really, I think it's just a neat little story with lots of neat little aspects.

Share a fun “extra” of the story.

For your enjoyment...the first page of the hand-written original, from long, long ago. Plus two character sheets from characters that have made the cut from the old version to this new NaNo ones!

I'll be back Friday to kick off the Shared WIP Tag!!

Preptober Prompts // Week Three // Day Seven

Well, I hope y'all enjoyed the Plot Section of the Preptober Prompts.  I know I've had a lot of fun hosting this!  (And the prompts are great!!)

Last one for me.  Thanks again, everyone.

I actually have the ending scene of the first Heritage of Kings book all planned out to a song, down to everyone's facial expressions, words, and movements.  It's a beautifully sad and moving scene, if I do say so myself!

One last reminder: There are three extra days at the end of October, and for those three days we’re going to be using reader-submitted prompts. You can submit through the form linked in the giveaway below, and that’s really all you need to do, but you can also improve the chances of your prompt being chosen by sharing and participating in the event through the month. Share posts on social media, post your prompt results in the comments, etc. and you’ll get more entries to be chosen for one of those three spots.

The readers whose prompts are chosen will get a special shout-out and a graphic for their prompt, and if they’re bloggers then they’ll get to host their prompt and Ariel will share their blog on her own and on social media.

But all of your prompts will be shared! Ariel will be putting together a list of bonus prompts at the end of the month, including any prompts that weren’t selected for the last three days, and sharing it on social media and her blog.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Preptober Prompts // Week Three // Days Five + Six

Hey, one last prompt before y'all get a break and can take a day off and just focus on the Lord.  Seriously.  Don't think about your WIPs.  Just spend your Sunday with God.  Come back ready for more on Monday.  :)

In Words of Peace, my MC disguises herself as a minstrel...but she has no idea how to play the lute she lugs around and it sometimes gets her into sticky situations...

There are three extra days at the end of October, and for those three days we’re going to be using reader-submitted prompts. You can submit through the form linked in the giveaway below, and that’s really all you need to do, but you can also improve the chances of your prompt being chosen by sharing and participating in the event through the month. Share posts on social media, post your prompt results in the comments, etc. and you’ll get more entries to be chosen for one of those three spots.

The readers whose prompts are chosen will get a special shout-out and a graphic for their prompt, and if they’re bloggers then they’ll get to host their prompt and Ariel will share their blog on her own and on social media.

But all of your prompts will be shared! Ariel will be putting together a list of bonus prompts at the end of the month, including any prompts that weren’t selected for the last three days, and sharing it on social media and her blog.

a Rafflecopter giveaway