DESCENDANT'S SAGA UPDATES .... HAVOC, etc...

   

 

In an effort to reconcile the Descendant's Saga Books with the Descendant's Saga Crisis Sequence storyline, I have uploaded some new covers for all that hopefully make it clear this is all one story. At the moment print covers are still the same, but may change in the future as well. Print covers require a lot more doing and process to change ;)

 

CRISIS *SPOILERS AHEAD*

 

In addition, I have an update on Descendant's Saga Crisis Sequence #3 "HAVOC" which takes place immediately on the heels of "CRISIS." Brody West--a.k.a. The Watcher--has caught up with Jonathan Parks, Garth and Cassie at the GCHQ building in Gloucestershire and has begun to engage the horde of plague victims attacking the facility...

 

This is how CRISIS ends and how HAVOC will begin. I've taken a short break from writing recently, as I'm back in college at the tender age of 44, working toward physician assistant school, hopefully next year. Working in surgery for nearly 20 years now, this is a bit of a step up for me and I hope to be accepted for the 2016 program by the end of this year. Needless to say, lots to accomplish and writing my novels is only one of those things on my plate...but I'm still writing. As a matter of fact, the Lord just allowed me a bit of an epiphany on the Descendant's Saga storyline and I have a great new direction to take the story now that I didn't before. Rather than believing HAVOC would be the last novel for Descendants, I now see at least HAVOC and one or two more in order to flesh out the new ideas.

 

I had even considered killing off Brody West for HAVOC (if it was to be the last) but I've scrapped that idea, and he'll be integral to the remaining novels as well as the new characters in Crisis Sequence, and possibly some returning characters who've been a long while in hiding...more on why they would be hiding and what happened to Sadie and Cole while Brody was transporting through time coming up in the new storyline!!

 

At any rate, I'm excited about the new direction, and HAVOC WILL BE A PIVOTAL BOOK for where the Descendant's story is headed as well as explaining some things that Brody West still doesn't understand about what he missed while traveling through time from WWII era to our present day.

 

I hope all DESCENDANTS FANS will hang on for the rest of the ride with me, and if you haven't yet read up through CRISIS then you won't know what's going on!!

RAGE: Crisis Sequence One is Now FREE on Kindle and other Ebook Formats!

 

As promised, the Crisis Sequence has begun. RAGE is now live on Amazon Kindle at 230 pages with an Audio Book edition coming in the next few months. For Descendants fans, this novel picks up where VENDETTA leaves off... However, the novel is completely accessible to those who've not yet read the Descendants Saga. In fact, Descendants novels only explain one of the mysteries found in Crisis Sequence. So, call it secret knowledge only Descendants fans will have. You're ahead of the curve :)

Crisis Sequence: focuses upon Jonathan Parks who may be the cause of a viral pandemic threatening London, England and the world beyond. He has no idea how it happened, but it's happened, and now something has to be done to stop it before the infected overtake all of humanity. Foreign governments isolate themselves and seek to lay hold of this boy who may represent the only hope for a cure to this modern day plague.

 Also, I have news for "Wielder Saga" fans wanting to know about a sequel to "A World Within," which has been out for several years, and is now FREE on AMAZON KINDLE as well as other e-book formats. I'm going to begin work in the next Wielder Saga Book next week. I'm not sure how long it will take to release, since I'm also working on CRISIS SEQUENCE, but this is better than not working on it at all. I anticipate being done by end of this coming Summer... just don't hold me to it. I'm usually early rather than late on my self imposed deadlines. However, if you've enjoyed "A World Within," then you might want to check out my Audio Books because I'm hoping to have an Audio Book for "A World Within" out through Audible.com very soon!

Stay tuned to this Bat-Station for upcoming releases and news!

New Series Coming Soon!

With Descendants Saga wrapping up very soon... I'm currently in the middle of novel #7 "VENDETTA" ... I'm ready to announce a brand new series. As I may have mentioned earlier on, fans of Descendants Saga will find they have more insight into what's going on, or at least how it is rooted in the Descendants Universe. However, this will also be a series that can stand alone for those who have never read Descendants :)

RAGE: CRISIS SEQUENCE BOOK ONE

Jonathan Parks never expected to see the end of the world. He never expected to be the cause.

COMING 2014

FALLEN AUDIOBOOK PREVIEW!!

Calling all fans of the Descendants Saga! We now have a FREE PREVIEW of the first Descendants Saga audiobook. Just click the cover image to link to the Youtube preview!

 

 

 

The FALLEN AUDIOBOOK is scheduled to be completed mid-September and be released on Amazon, Audible.com and ITunes.

FALLEN AUDIOBOOK: APPARENTLY BACK ON TRACK!

Well, there turned out to be a bit of drama surrounding the FALLEN AUDIOBOOK project over the past month. I had originally begun to work with a great sounding Narrator / Producer only to get part way into the recording process and lose all contact with him. To this day I have no idea what has happened to him. Literally, he was gung ho one moment - having completed the first segment - and then I couldn't contact him by email or ACX message board through Amazon. In fact, when I was forced to appeal to ACX/AMAZON to contact the narrator, they were unable to get a hold of him either. I'm wondering if he is even on the planet. You know, any number of things could happen to a person from one day to another... and since I'm in Tennessee and him in California there's just no way of knowing.

Anywho, FALLEN has been released from that contract and I've just completed the process again for finding a new Narrator. I feel even better with this choice and will hopefully have the first 15 minute section of the book by August 16th. If it's all right with the Narrator, I'll try to post that initial segment here on the website. The Narrator's natural accent is British, which I really think is cool, so I'm looking forward to hearing it come alive in Audio.

The company producing the FALLEN AUDIOBOOK has also expressed interest in doing the entire series... so, hopefully, that will all pan out as well.

In the meantime, I'm busy working on the fifth DESCENDANT'S SAGA novel, "AFTERMATH," which follows on the heels of MILLENNIUM. So stay tuned for updates on the release for both AFTERMATH & FALLEN AUDIOBOOK in the near future. If all goes according to schedule, the audiobook should become available in mid-September 2013.

I also have a new Sci-fi / Fantasy novel that's in the works entitled METALLUS: City of the Metal Gods... I'll be working on this behind the scenes as I continue work on the Descendants Saga Novels... but more on that one later :)

AFTERMATH: DESCENDANTS SAGA BOOK FIVE

The Next Novel in the Descendants Saga is well on its way toward completion. I don't have a release date just yet, but I've made a title change and cover change that I wanted to share.

 

The novel will be a part of a new Descendants trilogy where Cole becomes the first person viewpoint character in the story. For fans, don't worry, Brody West is still a big part of this story. However, Brody had four novels under his viewpoint and I thought changing perspectives might be a nice change.

 

AFTERMATH

DESCENDANTS SAGA: BOOK FIVE

 

 

 

This story picks up at the very end of MILLENNIUM with the Descendants, under Brody's leadership, traveling to Ireland with the hope of making a new home there, after all of the trouble on the spiritual plane and back in England.

 

As the release nears, I'll post more updates...

 

Also, at this point, it's unclear what the fate of the FALLEN AUDIOBOOK is going to be. I had a producer / narrator out in California who had begun work, but something has apparently happened? Literally, I haven't been able to reach him in weeks and neither has Amazon/ACX the company we're both contracted through. Not sure if he's still on the planet or not? Again, I'll update you...but hopefully he's all right. As for the audiobook, if our contract is dissolved then I can simply put the novel up for other narrator / producers to take a look at on Amazon / ACX. So, we'll see how that pans out.

SERPENT KINGS SAGA: OMNIBUS EDITION

As work continues on my new Descendants Saga series of novels, (including: Fallen,  Descendant & Revenant), I have been toying with the idea of re-releasing my previous Serpent Kings novels together in an Omnibus Edition. With new edits and a spanking new cover, I have finally done it!

The SERPENT KINGS SAGA Omnibus Edition has just released on Amazon.com in Kindle format and includes "The Serpent Kings, The Wraith Dancer & The Shadow Walker," as well as a new preview of the recently released "Fallen: Descendants Saga Book One."

I've set this special edition at a low, low price of only $3.99

(That's a savings on the series of $2.98... letting it all go at nearly half price!)

Now, that's a deal you can't pass up, folks! Check it out! Tell your best buds! And enjoy the new SERPENT KINGS SAGA Omnibus Edition Exclusively on Amazon Kindle!

FREE STUFF CAMPAIGN COMING to AMAZON!!

Hey Everybody, guess what? I'm giving away free Kindle Fantasy Novels and Free Kindle Bible Studies on Amazon.com! That's right download for free!

Bible Studies will begin this Wednesday, January 18th under James Somers

Fantasy Novels will begin rotating through this free campaign beginning Wednesday, February 1st.

Each Ebook will remain Free for All for five days only, so don't wait to take advantage of this awesome offer!!

THE WRAITH DANCER has been RELEASED!!

After working on this sequel to The Serpent Kings for the better part of this year, THE WRAITH DANCER is finally available in all ebook formats as of Monday, November 29th 2011!

I'm very excited about this sequel, which takes up the story immediately following the conclusion of The Serpent Kings. For anyone who hasn't read Book One: The Serpent Kings is currently only $.99 cents on Amazon Kindle. I'm not sure how long it will remain this price, so I'd recommend getting a good deal for Christmas! That means you could get both novels for under $4 while this special lasts.

No Spoilers, but this novel is almost non-stop fantasy action from the get-go, introducing some new characters and Wraith Dancer gifts as well.

I do have a third book planned called THE SHADOW WALKER for this series and will update you on its release when the time comes. In the meantime, I'm working on a fantasy called FALLEN, as well as some sci-fi fantasy with BIOTECH. So, lots of stuff in the pipeline as usual. There's also a sequel planned for my fantasy novel, A WORLD WITHIN, to finish that story up. Stay tuned!

THE WRAITH DANCER : sequel to THE SERPENT KINGS

A look at the new cover for THE WRAITH DANCER, sequel to THE SERPENT KINGS. This new novel will hopefully arrive on Kindle and all other ebook formats around Christmas 2011. 

Chronicles of Soone: Revised - Re-titled - Re-covered!

As of August 2011, The Chronicles of Soone: Heir to the King, will no longer be available through Variance Publishing. We have mutually parted ways under good terms. However, this title is undergoing a complete revision along with its sequel, The Chronicles of Soone: Rise of Lucin, and will soon be released with new edits, additional chapters and new covers.

Heir to the King will re-release under the title: The Chronicles of Soone: Warrior Rising

Rise of Lucin will release one month later under the new title: The Chronicles of Soone: Rebellion's Fate

Stay Tuned for Updates on "The Wraith Dancer" Release - "Fallen" - and other sequels coming! 



INFERNO (New Perdition's Gate Omnibus Edition) Now Available!!

The sequel to PERDITION'S GATE is now available as a new INFERNO OMNIBUS EDITION in all ebook formats--kindle, Nook, etc--This special edition will include both Perdition's Gate (part 1) and Inferno (part 2) for the same $2.99 price! Subsequently, the single Perdition's Gate edition has been discontinued.

The Wraith Dancer (Serpent Kings sequel) will hopefully be ready by Christmas!

Also, The Chronicles of Soone series is undergoing revisions for re-release with additional chapters and New Covers!

Stay Tuned for more updates on sequels coming out and new novels!!

The Dragons of the Valley by Donita K. Paul

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Dragons of the Valley by Donita K Paul is a continuation of her Dragons Series, young-to-young adult fantasy novels that present allegorical stories of faith and courage in the face of sometimes overwhelming opposition. Ms. Paul's novels are fun and inventive, taking place in a world completely of her own making with various higher and lower races of beings, as well as creatures galore; some familiar in concept while others are more original.

I had read Dragon Light, which I believe must be several novels back in the series and really enjoyed it, though admittedly I had a little trouble jumping in midstream in her continuing storyline--figuring out what was going on and who was who. With patience I figured out the good guys and bad guys and enjoyed the book.

Again, I found myself having to get my sea legs before I could get into the story. But that's just the way it is when you come into a series way down the line and are unfamiliar with the basic characters. The hero in Dragons of the Valley seems to have come from the Vanishing Sculptor; one or two novels back...so just understand where your starting in it before you get frustrated. Adding to that was the need to come up to speed on who the races and creatures are as well...however there is a character index in the back to help with this. As always, Donita weaves a wonderful tale that younger readers and fantasy fans will enjoy. Personally, I had some difficulty maintaining my interest, because I kept having to refer to the character index in order to stay up to speed :) I suppose if I had began Lord of the Rings at The Two Towers I would have faired no better. However, Ms. Paul's novel is full of interesting characters, intrigue and lots of action. I definitely recommend giving it a read if you enjoy fantasy with christian allegory.

What others are saying about Dragons of the Valley:

Chiril is a peaceful prosperous land. However the tranquility ends when an army invades the country. Tipper Schope must hide three statues because if the enemy gets it will mean the end of her nation as she knows it. She enlists her Bealomondore the artist to help her with her quest. He understands he must wield a sword like he did a brush.

At the same time that the terrible foe marches into Chiril, a horrific beast is stalking and killing anyone in its path. No one is safe from the predatory Grawl. Time is running out for the two heroes and their companions as they struggle to reach the Valley of the Dragons where they plan to leave the statues.

The latest inspiration dragon fantasy (see Dragonknight and Dragonquest) is a fabulous tale that, as always in a Donita K. Paul thriller, takes the audience soaring across the author's vivid mythical landscape. As chaos threatens the land, Tipper and Bealomondore are heroic figures; not because they may succeed, but due to risking their lives against overwhelming odds as for instance a peace loving artist picks up the sword. Action-packed with deadly perils from outside coming in and inside expanding out and with a strong cast especially the champions, fans will need a seat belt as this fast-paced novel never takes a respite.

Jonathan Rogers: Feechies, Feechies, and more Feechies!

In case you haven't heard of Feechies, like those featured in Jonathan Roger's latest novel, The Charlatan's Boy, I wanted to remind readers of Mr. Roger's earlier Wilderking Trilogy, which is still one of my favorite all-time fiction series for young readers or any age readers. In order they are:

• The Bark of the Bog Owl
• The Secret of the Swamp King
• Way of the Wilderking

Get to your local bookstore or online as quick as you can to enjoy this awesome trilogy...lots of action, allegory for the Believer, and did I mention Feechies?!

VENOM & SONG by Wayne Batson and Christopher Hopper

VENOM & SONG by Wayne Batson and Christopher Hopper is the sequel to the first Berinfell Prophecies novel, "Curse of the Spiderking." Following the cliffhanger ending of Spiderking, we catch up with the young Elf Lords as they enter the strange realm of Allyra. They have a traitor in their midst and their enemies are dogging their heels every step of the way. They have to learn their newfound abilities fast if they are to survive.

I found this installment less incumbered by the problems of the first book, particularly trying to follow seven different protagonists, nearly all in different places. The sequel packs them together better, making progress smoother for the reader and keeping details straight easier.
Venom & Song is chock full of action, creepy enemies, and intense plotting. I personally found this series harder to get into for some reason....However, young readers, (especially those who enjoy Harry Potter, Ranger's Apprentice, etc), should enjoy Venom & Song very much. I think it was a bit too "high fantasy" for me, particularly the dialogue, but that's just nitpicking based on my personal tastes. As I said, I would still highly recommend it to younger readers. I received a complementary copy of "VENOM & SONG" from the Publisher.

What others are saying about Venom & Song:

"This isn't just any fantasy book! It's a perfect blend of Elven fantasy and Earth teens. Though the mythical creatures are portrayed a little different than normal, they are still interesting and unique characters. The plot line is great, full of suspense and drama. I particularly like the Seven Elven Lords, with their amazing powers like wind walking and hyper speed. So one of the Lord's death (I won't completely spoil it!) was a very hard hit to me. I'm a reader that knows and has seen that death of main or secondary characters is very important to the story, but when it actually happens, it always makes me sad. I think I need to care less about the books I read. Overall, this book is very good for anyone and is a definite buy."

"VENOM AND SONG, book two in the Berinfell Prophecies series is an excellent Christian fiction novel. Seven new "lords" have come back to help Elf-kind win the bloody war against the Spider King. They grew up on Earth, knowing nothing of the Elf war, or of Berinfell, but now they have been returned and must learn to master their new powers in order to help turn the tide of war and win against the viscous Spider King.

Filled with wonderfully written characters, quirky twists of plot, and insightful spiritual messages, VENOM AND SONG is first-class fiction!"

VENOM & SONG: TRIBE BUILDING CONTEST!

Teen Fantasy Readers: Would you like to win a private book party with bestselling fantasy authors Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper? Would you like to win a sword of your very own? Join the Tribe Building Contest that begins today! For details, Visit: www.enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com

SPECIAL OFFER on PERDITION'S GATE!

PERDITION'S GATE has UNOFFICIALLY been released by my publisher, TRILOGUS MEDIA GROUP. What does this mean, James?

It means that I can offer the novel at a special discounted rate here on my website during the two weeks before it becomes available on AMAZON.COM.

The novel will become available on Amazon as a paperback and Kindle book before it becomes available in bookstores and other online book sellers -- probably a month from now, so that we can get back further author reviews to put on the cover from bestsellers like Wayne Thomas Batson and Jeremy Robinson, as well as reviews from Megalith and Midwest Book Review.

Here is the link to order PERDITION'S GATE at a 15% discount through Amazon's Createspace website --- everything is handled by Amazon -- safe & secure. Don't forget to input your discount code: KQGWZ7EZ

Synopsis: Raised to kill, as the leader of Babylon's most elite special ops team, Jason Night, codename: Nightstalker, never thought he would fall in love with Sarah Cross and desire to leave the life he's always known. Nor could he foresee the dangerous secret Sarah harbored leading to her death at the hands of another Babylon agent. With the world in chaos, a powerful, charismatic leader, Oliver Theed, rises to lead the nations into a New World Order of his own sinister design. But those rising to power in his wings have their own plans and Theed may be the next target in a deadly cat and mouse game deciding the fate of the world.As Jason questions all that he's ever believed, he seeks answers and revenge. But what he finds will shake him to the core and bring him face to face with Theed, Babylon and a coming Apocalypse that cannot be avoided.

RAVEN'S LADDER by JEFFREY OVERSTREET

RAVEN'S LADDER by Jeffrey Overstreet

A DEADLY MENACE IS BREAKING THROUGH THE GROUND. THE PEOPLE OF ABASCAR MUST ABANDON THEIR STONE REFUGE AND FLEE INTO VULNERABILITY IN THE FOREST. BUT THEIR KING HAS HAD A VISION…
Following the beacon of Auralia’s colors and the footsteps of a mysterious dream-creature, King Cal-raven has discovered a destination for his weary crowd of refugees. It’s a city only imagined in legendary tales. And it gives him hope to establish New Abascar.
But when Cal-raven is waylaid by fortune hunters, his people become vulnerable to a danger more powerful than the prowling beastmen––House Bel Amica. In this oceanside kingdom of wealth, enchantment, and beauty, deceitful Seers are all too eager to ensnare House Abascar’s wandering throng.
Even worse, the Bel Amicans have discovered Auralia’s colors, and are twisting a language of faith into a lie of corruption and control.
If there is any hope for the people of Abascar, it lies in the courage of Cyndere, daughter of Bel Amica’s queen; the strength of Jordam the beastman; and the fiery gifts of the ale boy, who is devising a rescue for prisoners of the savage Cent Regus beastmen.
As his faith suffers one devastating blow after another, Cal-raven’s journey is a perilous climb from despair to a faint gleam of hope––the vision he sees in Auralia’s colors.

MY REVIEW: I received a free copy of Raven's Ladder, for the CSFF blog tour, from the publisher. As always, Overstreets lyrical prose, while unusual, is compelling reading. Raven's Ladder focuses on King Cal-Raven who seeks to lead his people out of the caves where they have lived since the literal collapse of their House Abascar in Auralia's Colors. However, danger is buidling and deadly vines spreading underground are chasing them out of hiding. Now they have become vulnerable to threats from the other houses. Characters like Jordam and Cyndere appear in this tale as well as the returning Aleboy...there's plenty going on. However, I couldn't maintain the same interest I enjoyed from the first novel, Auralia's Colors. It seemed as though Auralia, being the character behind these colors, not to mention the inspiration of many in the story, is sadly missing in all of the sequels since. She is the connection, but having been killed in the first book, leaves a void that I haven't found the side characters interesting enough to fill. Overstreet is a gifted writer, but I'm finding Auralia's Thread less interesting the further it travels away from that central, wonderful character...Miss you O' Raya :-)

Faery Rebels - Spell Hunter by R. J. Anderson

Forget everything you think you know about faeries. . . .
Creatures full of magic and whimsy?
Not in the Oakenwyld. Not anymore.
Deep inside the great Oak lies a dying faery realm, bursting with secrets instead of magic. Long ago the faeries mysteriously lost their magic. Robbed of their powers, they have become selfish and dull-witted. Now their numbers are dwindling and their very survival is at stake.
Only one young faery—Knife—is determined to find out where her people's magic has gone and try to get it back. Unlike her sisters, Knife is fierce and independent. She's not afraid of anything—not the vicious crows, the strict Faery Queen, or the fascinating humans living nearby. But when Knife disobeys the Faery Queen and befriends a human named Paul, her quest becomes more dangerous than she realizes. Can Knife trust Paul to help, or has she brought the faeries even closer to the brink of destruction?


Faery Rebels, by R. J. Anderson was not exactly the novel I was expecting when I saw the cover, which looked more like a Tinkebell knock-off to me, being a guy. However, I read an Amazon review which said that patience with the first part of the novel would be rewarded by the time you got further in...and they were right. I perservered through some of what I might have expected until the unexpected and intriguing finally took hold. There is a mystery to be solved here and you have to be patient and let it unfold. But once you do, you'll find a story worth reading. The interpersonal relationship between the faery, Knife, and the human, Paul, is especially interesting...far more natural and endearing than the hormonal Twilight fluff so popular these days. Anderson also brings both the mystery and the relationship between Knife and Paul to a satifying resolution by the end. All in all, a satisfying fantasy where a little patience does uncover gold.

THE SWORD OF GIDEON has been RELEASED!

The third and final installment in the REALM SHIFT TRILOGY: "The Sword of Gideon" has released on Amazon.com. Just thought I would share that news for all the readers following the series. As always, I hope you enjoy the story!

All of the novels can be purchased in either AMAZON KINDLE FORMAT or TRADE PAPERBACK.