Fifteen warriors follow the God’s command to hunt one of their own. They learn
too late that the enemy they fight is not the one standing in front of them.
Failure is not an option, but the game has changed and the stakes are climbing.
Five match-mates struggle to stay where they are, left behind. An unguarded
vision draws them into the vortex as the fight escalates. Who will survive the
war between the worlds? Succeed or die trying are the only choices left.
Kingdoms will stand or they will fall…more than one could be lost forever.
AEDAN BYRNES
There is no simple description for Aedan Byrnes. Obsessive, dreamer, reclusive, compulsive, outdoorsman and wordsmith would be among the list if one were started. The displaced Gael lives in the upper Midwest with family between jaunts wherever the road goes. A frequent traveler, Aedan is as likely to be found rock climbing, spelunking, sitting fireside dreaming or aimlessly floating away as hiding with pen and paper working on the next tale.
A lover of all things words and writing, Aedan claims a diverse reading appetite and the writing reflects the myriad influences. A self-proclaimed ‘reader’s writer’, the emotional and sensory results of word combinations outweigh the visceral comprehension of phrases for the stories and drives the prose. The original ‘Eclectic Bard’ enjoys the special magick of storytelling, those who embrace the challenge of writing, and the dreamers who get whisked away by the words making the journey worth taking. WebsiteFacebook
SAVANNAH VERTE
A lifelong lover of words and reading, Savanah Verte hasn’t quite figured out what she wants to write when she grows up. She hasn’t found a story yet that she won’t tackle. Born and raised in the frigid Midwest, Savannah’s gypsy soul and never quit attitude keep her busy and seldom idle. For so many reasons thus, Savannah considers herself a ‘Contemporary Vagabond’ when it comes to writing and hopes that others find her diverse offerings as enjoyable to read as they are to write.
As the primary owner and driving force behind Eclectic Bard Books she considers herself immensely fortunate to see writing from varied perspectives as she endeavors to publish the authors rostered there. Working with other writers, Savannah gets to expand her horizons every day as someone brings a new idea to the table and the brainstorming begins. There is something addictive about the creative process for her and helping other authors embrace their dreams make hers a reality daily. FacebookTwitter
I’ve been waiting for this for some time! Absolutely a must read! The continuation of the Vengelys story. If you haven’t read Aedan’s first book, Through the Oracle’s Mist, I suggest you do!
Aedan is a masterful bard, weaving a tale that has you on the edge of your seat waiting for what happens next. There are places where I let out an audible sigh making the people in the room question what I was reading.
Here’s a teaser:
The idea that my brother had not only killed her, but had damaged her before that fateful day had me twitching with rage over and over again. Until the time came that we all remembered and laid our truths on the table, I could not explain it. That Mastema and I had an uneasy relationship to begin with only furthered the injury and rage. I did stop my fuming long enough to thank Rigor for his intercession. If Dom is going to bear the brunt of my wrath, he at least has the right to know why. I believe, knowing my brothers, that any of us would do the same and would expect the same from each other where our match-mates are concerned. It is another troubling thought altogether that has me questioning if Mastema somehow thinks Georgie is or was his. That scenario is likely to become a dual to the death between us.
Beast and Fae are reunited once more.
Returned to their world through different doors.
Sanctions become future as the lots are cast.
A hunter becomes hunted to correct the past.
To return once again they must first breach the gate.
It’s the price they must pay to claim their true mates.
~The Pythian Scrolls
●Foreword●●
They jumped.
If I would have blinked I would have missed it. It was that fast. For every breath of every moment of my life one or more of them were there and yet in the span of time between breaths every one of them had disappeared.
Playing it back in my head, it was just too fast. I didn’t see it coming until the moment it happened, and then I couldn’t believe it happened.
“What have you learned Vengelys?”
“We have learned we are at war.”
“What else have you learned? You should have known we were at war.”
“We have learned that our adversary is wily and cunning and we have been, but should not underappreciate his tenacity in the war he is waging.”
“Do you infer that the strength of the enemy has been misrepresented to you Vengelys?”
“No.”
“Do you believe then that the complexities of the war we wage are beyond our abilities?”
“No.”
Tynan reached up to tap him out and take over. Rigor would never allow that I’m sure, but Tynan had tried anyway. I’m not the only one who noticed. Amaranos seemed to launch at the action as Rigor refocused fully on the God.
“Do you act in union or from a divided front? Perhaps it is not the war that was the problem with your ability to deal with the situation you discovered.”
“We stand as one, Amaranos.”
“Do you? It would seem that your kin believes they have the ability to stand before me with a calmer presence. Perhaps you should let them try.”
“We stand as one, and I speak for us all. My brother was reminding me to remember my place. It is his job to protect me as it would be mine to protect any of the others of us here before you.”
“Do you need reminding of where you stand? Is my presence before you not reminder enough?”
“No, I do not need reminding, though I appreciate his reminder just the same.”
I had never seen my father sit so still. His eyes were the only things that changed. They grew larger and larger as the comments flew between Rigor and Amaranos. My mother’s hands were red from wringing them and shaking in her lap. As I watched, Asmodai started to twitch and shake in the line behind Rigor. Tynan and Mastema traded worried eye glances. They were all showing the nervousness and fear I was feeling and I wasn’t standing there so I imagine it was multiplied for them. Kyrna’s forehead wept a large shiny sweat tear. I watched it splat on the stone floor before I looked back to Rigor again as Amaranos continued his verbal siege of my brothers.
“Do you supposition then that the task you were charged with was beyond you and your brother’s abilities? Is that why you flinch and fidget before me?”
“No my liege. I believe, as we all do, that we will become better with more training and that we completed the charge given to the best of our abilities.”
“So you instead infer that you were sent out ill-equipped for the battle you were asked to take on. To read between the lines of your answer, you are yet unskilled and need training to become that which Amarine believed you had already evolved to. Perhaps my other face had seen something that I myself cannot, as I see a group of brothers with far to go.”
Rigor shook. He looked like he was going to explode apart he was shaking so hard.
“Stand. Down. Vengelys. I will not say it again.”
Rigor stood, but barely. My father grabbed the arms of the chair, but his whitened knuckles betrayed the energy he was fighting to stay put. My mother dropped her head to look down and I could hear her muttering something to herself. All I caught of it was ‘Please…’ I could only look on in disbelief.
These were my brothers. These were the heroes of my waking and dreaming times. The sight of them fidgeting and failing in front of the God and the people was breaking my heart. Rigor turned to the line behind him and turned back on a rough growl at Dom who had lifted a foot toward him. What that was about I had no idea, but Rigor was having none of it. When he turned back to face us, he was different. His face was a mask of rage and his eyes had a fire in them I had never seen before. I loved every one of my brothers, but the idea of facing any of them as Rigor appeared right then had me torn between tears and screams.
“No Amaranos I would not stand down, and I am evolved. We took on a charge from Amarine and completed it. We have brought forward four Eupion, three males and a female found on this side of the portals and demonstrated by the items they had with them that they were here establishing an operation on our lands. We did this because we believed Amarine wished us to do so. It was not simple. It was not without confusion, and it was not without knowledge that we could have been better prepared, but in an effort to honor the charge, we did as we were told. Could we have done better? Perhaps. Could other warriors of longer tenure done better? Perhaps. Will we know one way or another for certain? No, because we did as we were tasked without stopping to question if we should or should not. We sealed into purpose for the throne and the throne bid us proceed.”
The collective gasp was so loud it hurt my ears, or maybe that was just me. Amaranos was visibly angry…red. faced. angry. The air in the room changed and any in the gallery who had been whispering, went silent.
“What did you say to me?”
“With respect, I said…”
With a gesture of his hand Amaranos silenced Rigor, freezing him in place.
“No Vengelys, as you have not respected, you will not proceed. Let all who are herein know that this impudence and blatant disrespect is not tolerated in the high house of Amaranth.” A flash of light sparked between Rigor and my brothers in line behind him. As we watched it grew fatter and deeper between them. Rigor had no idea. I wanted to shout, knowing that would lump me in with them, but I could not find my voice. The six of them in line behind Rigor looked at each other, but that was the only movement before I watched them slide together. As the gaping hole got closer to Rigor, though he couldn’t see it, he must have known. His frozen form did not change, but his eyes grew larger and the fire in them blazed. He seemed to get bigger before my eyes too, but I think it was me feeling smaller and smaller as I knew I couldn’t help him.
It was all over but the jump and I nearly missed that. As Rigor began to tip over backwards, the rest of them grabbed on and they were gone. Replaying it in my mind changes nothing. I still cannot believe it.
I cannot breathe. I cannot cry. I cannot fathom the implications of this. I want to rub my eyes and see them there, that their disappearance through the now perfect floor was just an illusion. It isn’t.
I’ve never seen my father weep until this moment. My mother is caught in a vortex of rage, grief and denial that mimics the emotions I cannot summon to the surface.
They’re gone.
Before I know or notice, everyone else is gone too. The gallery, full to bursting earlier, is now empty. The court high seat, where Amaranos waved them off to no one knows where, is also void. All that remain are my parents and I; all numb, all shocked, all stilled in our disbelief.
Amaranos had raged all through the high light rise to peak and pitch before my brother’s arrival. For the neutral between the faces of the God, he was ruthless in his rule of the people. News of raids, open portals, and reports of missing emgur, durab and mataur from near the boundary had soured the day before the seven men I loved best after my father had walked in to stand at court center.
I imagine they were blind-sided. Given the notoriety they had gained in the war, I think everyone in the room was. I had expected their strides against the Eupion advancements to have been met with praise, not disdain. How wrong we had all been.
“They’re gone.”
Saying it out loud, even as a whisper does nothing to make the obvious more real. The echo of those two little words around the now empty court chamber only serves to lance the wound in my chest to a deeper cavern of empty. It can’t be, but I know it is.
They’re gone.
~Jondre
This fantasy/fantasy-paranormal romance is definitely a page turner! I’d give this one 5 stars!!
About Aedan Byrnes
There is no simple description for Aedan Byrnes. Obsessive, dreamer, reclusive, compulsive, outdoorsman and wordsmith would be among the list if one were started. The displaced Gael lives in the upper Midwest with family between jaunts wherever the road goes. A frequent traveler, Aedan is as likely to be found rock climbing, spelunking, sitting fireside dreaming or aimlessly floating away as hiding with pen and paper working on the next tale.
A lifelong lover of words and writing, Aedan claims a diverse reading appetite and the writing reflects the myriad influences. A self-proclaimed ‘reader’s writer’, the emotional and sensory results of word combinations outweigh the visceral comprehension of phrases for the stories and drives the prose. The original ‘Eclectic Bard’ enjoys the special magick of storytelling, those who embrace the challenge of writing, and the dreamers who get whisked away by the words making the journey worth taking.
My intentions were to have this up sooner, but you know – life happens. After 3 intense days of professional development, and family weekend at my daughter’s school, I finally have a few moments to gather my thoughts.
I’m glad I went, it was an enlightening experience. For someone who is torn between traditional publishing – waiting to hear back whether or not a submission has been accepted is nerve-wracking – or Indy publishing – where I would be responsible for paying for editing, cover design, ISBN numbers – I was a very observant and studious little mouse in the panels.
With everything, there are pros and cons. I’d like to say it was all fantabulous, but I think you all know me better than that to know that I have some areas that it could have been improved. I met some amazing Indy authors and made a few connections of talented writers that I am trying to hook up blog interviews with. There are a few that have upcoming releases, and one that was interested in doing a giveaway! Woo hoo! We like stuff, right? Free books and swag?
I recently had a family member, an extended family member say that they thought I was a big chicken, and that I was too afraid to express my opinion. I got to hear this from a video that another person posted. I have to be honest, I think they must have had someone else in their mind because holding back my opinion is not something I am good at. Of course, I am not around them very often and they don’t read my writings here or anywhere else so maybe they just don’t know me well. Either way, holding back my honest and frank opinion here is not what I am going to do. Keep in mind this is my opinion, and my perspectives. I tried to be objective but I am only human despite my desires for superpowers.
Impressions from the Blogger, Author, and Fan Viewpoint:
Wow, what a crowd! Really, the halls were crowded and walking past people was difficult. Authors set up in one main room for autographs, to schmooze, and allow photo ops with their fans. There wasn’t enough room between the aisles to comfortable pass each other. I think allowing just one more foot of space between the author tables would have helped immensely. You all know I have space issues, and there were way too many people in my personal space.
Every attendee received a swag bag with event information, a program with a schedule inside, and some promo goodies from some of the authors. Invaluable little device to carry all the additional swag and goodies that you collect as you go from table to table. Of course I realize this is common place at cons – but just thought I”d mention it .
OH, and did I mention the really awesome little nifty gift that Mark Coker from Smashwords contributed?
Smashwords thumb drive
On this little thumb drive are the 3 books shown on smashwords page of the program, AND . . . . 80 e-books. That’s right – 80 books. At least one from every author at the event, plus a few extra!
This right here – this made the entire thing a success to me. Yes I am a bookophile!
At 9:00 am things officially got started with the Opening and keynote speaker. After making it down just one aisle of the authors’ tables, my husband and I got our Starbucks and found a seat in the main conference room. His comments after looking around at the overwhelming number of women: “This is like every man’s fantasy. Surrounded by gorgeous women. Outnumbered 20 to 1, I like these odds.”
So, for my male readers, next year’s event will be in July – go check it out now and register – PennedCon. There will be lots of babes there! I think there were maybe a dozen men total in a vast sea of women! Plus there were cover models. I didn’t see any of the male cover models per se, I had my suspicions about a couple but there were at least 5 female cover models.
Opening and keynote speaker: Rick Miles gave the opening intro with a few housekeeping bits of information, where things were, what was available for lunches, snacks and whatnot. He made certain to point out bathroom arrangements – a must with that many women and they even offered to turn some of the men’s restrooms over to women if the need arose. I don’t know if they ever did, that wasn’t on my list of concerns. After a pleasant introduction he handed the mike over to fan-favorite Jasinda Wilder. I’ve read Jasinda’s books and one of my regrets is that I didn’t get a pic with her! DARN IT! Jasinda was as entertaining live as in her books! Great way to start off the event!
Coffee refills, more tables and swag, connections with authors, my fingers are crossed for the follow-up interviews. Then off to the first panel. The choice was between: What’s Trendy with Indy? (Where is the Indie market heading for 2014-2015? Will Romance still be in or will fantasy reclaim its popularity? What will be the next craze?) and Battle Axes to Skimpy Dresses. (How fantasy authors are successfully making the transition into the romance genre.) I chose Battle Axes because I have written different stories in different genres, and was interested in what these authors had to say on the matter. I learned about the writer’s habits – who writes really fast and who writes relatively slow, which are pantsers and which are planners, which authors juggle and balance their lives and which don’t. The moderator took questions from the audience. Some pertained to pen names, some to character development. One participant asked about the female heroine role in fantasy, and that it was a typical characterization that a female heroine is self-sacrificing. I’m not sure which books she is reading, but I’ve only ever read a few like that. However, the point was brought up that women are nurturers and will often sacrifice of themselves for the good of others especially their children. Overall rating for this panel on a 1 to 5 rating, 1 being pitiful excuse for a time waster to 5 this was excellent and informative, I would give a 3.5.
More coffee, more time to schmooze with Indy authors, rub elbows and get swag. Several authors had some form of chocolate available – good call. Just saying! There was a lunch menu available, and lunch was included for those who chose that option. There were ala cart items available like sandwiches, granola bars, some fruit, cookies – stuff like that but we chose to pack some protein bars in my expandable purse that weighed 25 pounds if it weighed a pound. Yes, I had the shoulder dig marks to prove it!
After lunch Mark Coker spoke for Smashwords – Apple Merchandising. This was the most informative talk, and I learned a great deal from Mr. Coker. I took notes, and paid close attention. If there is any one factor that may sway me to go Indy – it would be Mr. Coker’s presentation. *Points to thumb drive above* AND he gave us free books! A LOT of free books! Seriously though, his talk on the apple market was invaluable.
The next panel choice was: Wings, Fangs and Fur (Is paranormal a dying breed or is it still in our blood?) or The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Getting real about editing, beta readers and dealing with book reviews.) I chose the latter because I thought it would be more helpful. I didn’t find their discussion on editing or beta reading exactly helpful at all. It was all a matter of their personal tastes but I did learn a few things about reviews which I am working on for a separate post. I’d rate this as a 3.0, wishing I’d gone to the other panel.
More time to cruise the author tables, and schmooze. Got a hug from an author that I adore – and will hopefully have on here soon. The last panels for the day were: Let’s Talk About Sex (Behinds closed doors or letting it all hang out? The nitty-gritty of writing a killer sex scene.) or Judge a Book by its Cover (How to create an eye-catching cover without breaking the bank and the hot cover models we all want to drool over.)
It was a hard decision and after much persuasion to convince my husband that it would be worthwhile, we went to Let’s Talk About Sex! I expected so much more. This isn’t an area that I feel I struggle with. One suggestion was to write more sensual – using the five senses. I already do that. One of the hottest sex scenes I have written describes the sensual details and there is never actually the consummating act. I’ve had beta readers tell me the scene was smokin’ hot leaving them fanning themselves and the act was implied. I’ve read telling scenes and I hate those. I have read books in which those scenes are mechanical, or use purple prose, or seem to be anatomically impossible. These things weren’t addressed – but it was rather a telling of how each author does it. Or at least writes about doing it. I’d give this one 2.75.
It’s difficult to separate my blogging viewpoint from my author’s viewpoint. It was a fun and exciting event. I loved seeing authors which I have read their books – yes, I did some fan-girling.
It’s awkward to try to fenagle an interview or blog piece when the author’s don’t read your blog and don’t know who you are. Who are you? What is your blog? I’ve never heard of you. Are you associated with a magazine? In that light, I would suggest that if they are going to invite bloggers, then there should be a venue for author/blogger connections. I don’t have Michael Hyatt’s following, but I’ve built a steadily growing audience over the past 2 years. My followers according to my dashboard information is roughly 450 people. That’s 450 people that may be interested in reading a guest author’s post. Why would you not want to increase your exposure?
As a blogger, I saw some classy authors that I would love to interview and host a promo for. I don’t charge for any blog tour – never have, never will. Some day I hope and pray that some of my friends will return the favor – but if they don’t, oh well. I don’t get a cut of their sales, I don’t get a fee for hosting and I don’t charge per word for a guest post. I think those are all ridiculous.
I saw some egos that were unfounded and a few that have reason yet weren’t egotistical. We are all human after all, and some people are genuine and real while others are big faking fakers with a dose of arrogance. NOT naming names so don’t even ask. OK, well Jasinda was real and down to earth. Other than that not telling on anyone else. Alright fine, Annalise Grant and her husband (He took the time to chat with my husband and ask his thoughts on the event and being a minority there. They were cool people!) made a great impression on us.
A couple of quick improvements to the event next time – a larger space so that thing arent’ so crowded. I have space issues people – I need the personal bubble, respect the bubble!
An easy way for bloggers and authors to connect and schedule interviews or perhaps even do video interviews on the spot. Impromptu works well most of the time!
Instead of panels and a keynote speaker – a combination of panels, speakers, and workshops would be tres magnifique!
Possible author/aspiring writer track; blogger track; and reader/fan track with scheduled thing available for each. I’m sure readers/fans didn’t really see much value in Mark Coker’s presentation but as an author – it was the BOMB!
A wider selection of genres represented. Not every Indy author is a romance author, and that was the primary genre represented. If that was the intent, then it should have been stated more clearly.
This was the itinerary for Friday. Saturday had its own panel selections and Abbi Glines was the morning keynote speaker. The awards banquet was Saturday evening but I was unable to attend that as we had family commitments. I would have liked to gone, and I have checked the website for updates as to who won which category but I haven’t seen it posted anywhere yet.
There was an evening concert after the awards that sounded like it would be a blast, maybe next year. OH, next year is supposed to be a masquerade themed awards banquet and ball! Doesn’t that sound like fun?
So there you have it folks, my brutally honest feelings of the event. Keep in mind that it’s just my opinion, and my view may be different from yours. Huge thanks go to Aedan Byrnes!
For a first year event, I think that Rick and Amy Miles did an amazing job – I wouldn’t have the foggiest of how to put on an event like this – so kudos to them.
Did you find this helpful at all? Will it influence your decision to attend Penned Con in the future?
Write on my friends, and consider an author event in your future!
I have spent the bulk of my day filling out online applications. I believe the online process is designed to test your patience, and provide humiliation for any possibility of feeling confident in your abilities. The need for funds to replace my car, appliances, and pay college bills has me pounding the pavement, and surfing the web.
In between however I have been counting down the hours till Penned Con.
I can hardly wait! I am obsessing over what to wear – it’s a girl thing I know. I have it narrowed down to 3 possibilities. Don’t judge me!
I have read over the panel choices and already decided which ones I will attend. Here’s the rundown:
What’s Trendy with Indies?
Where is the Indie market heading for 2014-2015? Will Romance still be in or will fantasy reclaim its popularity? What will be the next craze?
Battle Axes to Skimpy Dresses
How fantasy authors are successfully making the transition into the romance genre.
Wings, Fangs and Fur
Is paranormal a dying breed or is it still in our blood?
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Getting real about editing, beta readers and dealing with book reviews.
Let’s Talk About Sex
Behinds closed doors or letting it all hang out? The nitty gritty of writing a killer sex scene.
Judge a Book by its Cover
How to create an eye-catching cover without breaking the bank and the hot cover models we all want to drool over.
Battle of the Sexes
Is having a male author name or pen name initials better than selling as a female?
Bad to the Bone
When BAD BOYS make us want to embrace our darker side.
Book Boys We CAN’T Live Without
How to create steamy guys who melt our hearts and ensnare our dreams.
And Then There Were Two…
How to create an unforgettable couple that will leave fans begging for just one more book.
3,2,1, GO!
A multi-author interactive session with games and fun!
Seriously, how is a girl suppose to choose? Some of my Indy friends are already there, checked into their hotel rooms, and I still have to prepare dinner for the family. When what I want to do is go take my shower, dry my hair, drive up to the venue, and hang out with an awesome bunch of peeps.
I shall take pics! I shall take notes! I am about to fangirl and squee! Did you see the mention above about cover models?
Yes, pictures with my peeps and author favorites, and cover models to boot!
I wonder what will be in our goodie bags. I wonder what books I’ll end up with, I wonder who I can interview . . . I wonder how in the world I will repay my awesome friend Aedan.
Stay tuned for the Penned con report, it’s going to ROCK!
Today I have a guest over on the Storytime Trysts blog. Aedan Byrnes shares about his new book, the next one that’s due out soon and the entire series. I don’t want to be redundant, so I’m going to just link you over to there and you can get right to it!
Of course, trying to give you an auto link has sent the mechanics into a tailspin! Here it is in long form! Go- read, comment!
quotidiandose 
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