November

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The first day today and that means two things. The first is that there are precisely 51 more days until the winter solstice when the daylight starts growing instead of shrinking. That is a milestone as I don’t like the huge darkness of this time of year a lot. Right now it is about 8.10 am and not a trace of dawn in the sky. This will be even worse next Sunday when 8 will become 7. Then the days really feel too short. On the flip side, I don’t believe I would like to live near the equator much as I had a big problem in Hawaii when the evenings were dark by six and dawn came long after I was up. I like my long summer days.

The second thing November means is the start of National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNo. Yes, I have enrolled and am working on the third book in the Darkspires series, entitled Writhe of Wurms.  Yes, I have actually written about five hundred words so far and am liking where the story is taking me. No, I have no idea what is going to happen. I am a pantzer and it will unfold to me as I write.

800 year old forest.

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In case anyone wanted to know what one of these looked like, these pictures were taken on Vancouver Island.

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Walking on the trails is free. The only rule is that if the wind picks up then one must leave with alacrity. The trees are likely to fall over and if they land on a person, that is where what remains of that person will be staying. It would be too difficult to remove such a huge tree in order to shovel up a smudge.

 

Interesting sights.

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This is a picture of an active volcano on Big Island in Hawaii. From this point it is a five mile trek to the edge to see the lava. Quite a few of our party decided to venture forth, but I did not. There was a very nice cafe/gift shop and that is where I got a grand view from the terrace, comfortably seated with my coffee and dh while we watched the grand trek. Unfortunately, when they got there, the lava was not at home. IMG_0242

 

 

 

 

 

 

Untitled book about to begin

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I was driving back from having a flu shot yesterday and looking over the now bare fields I saw a coyote trotting briskly under a  clear cerulean sky and being overflown by a flock of tardy geese. It occurred to me that winter was a mere breath away and that snow was coming to stay very soon. That being so, it is time to start a new book.

The Darkspires series is definitely calling to me this time as I already have a new book in the Shadow series waiting in line for a publishing spot. I don’t know what I am going to call it yet, or how it will end and yet snippets are coming to me in an ever increasing torrent. It is clear I won’t be able to work on anything else until I satisfy the needs of these characters to have their voices heard again.

Maybe they were roused out of hibernation by the recent release of ‘The Book of Dragons’ anthology, where Dragon’s Bane features among the stories and is set in the Darkspires world? If anyone is curious how the Drakken Connor ended up all alone here is the place to find out. It is available on all the Amazons and other major outlets.

Maybe I am listening harder as I am now finally starting to feel human again after another go around with bronchitis? It will be a few days before I can really write as I have a lot of house cleaning to do with everything being coated with builder’s dust. Yes, he could have put up a shield and didn’t. This will be the sixth time I have wiped down all the exposed surfaces and I doubt if it will be the last. Still, I now have a very beautiful new kitchen and hall floor in marbled tiles. Yeah.

Look what just got banned in Russia!

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There is a story in this anthology from Moi called Dragon’s Bane. Ever wondered how Connor, the Drakken from Darkspire Reaches got stranded by himself? Here is where you can find out. And yes, we are banned in Russia. I wonder why?

Find inside, dragon stories of every sort. This is a candy fest for dragon lovers.

 

 

 

Book Review: Children of the Shaman by Jessica Rydill

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hierath's avatarJoanne Hall

Source: Book Review: Children of the Shaman by Jessica Rydill

A fine review of “Children of the Shaman” by Jessica Rydill, which is available from Kristell Ink – don’t forget that if you review any Kristell Ink book between now and the end of September let me know here on on Twitter (@hierath77) for the chance to win a paperback of Fight Like A Girl!

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Thoughts of Fall

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Not sure what brought this on. Maybe it might have been the overcast skies, made that way by the huge fires in BC, or it could have been the really soggy weather we have been having. Nevertheless, the thoughts are now there and with them come memories.

I think it starts with the sharp crispness in the morning that heralds a change in the colors of the leaves. Some trees go flamboyant before others and not all go red, so there is a bright fall palette that evolves over weeks. Shortly after there are those smells; the rich fruity scent of crops waiting to be gathered in mixed with a sort of damp, smoky smell from the bonfires filled with dead leaves, raked up to be disposed of but still not completely dry and maybe dripping with morning dew. Flowers dwindle and dye back, except for the chrysanthemums and the fall asters. Sounds accompany all this, from the restless rustle of the leaves to the honking of vees of geese flying south. Some say the humming birds hitch a ride with them but I don’t know if this is true of not.

As the temperature drops, and then rises with the Indian summer, there are different sights of less than enthusiastic students heading back to school after the long summer break. I think in the back of everyone’s mind is the thought of snow coming, as it does and usually before Halloween. I guess this is when winter really starts, despite the official date in December. There again, our winter will hang around until the end of April or early May if we luck out. Not yet, though. Summer has a few weeks left to run.

Darkspire Reaches… a wonderful review!

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Darkspire Reaches 2 (1)-page1

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb Read!, July 4, 2017
This review is from: Darkspire Reaches (Kindle Edition)

What a superb read.

Picked this up on a recommendation and am so glad. The book is a richly described fantasy with magic and adventure woven through the tale of a young woman’s struggle to be accepted. The writing flows easily and draws you into the whole adventure.

Raven is a ittle different to the norm and her life isn’t made any easier by the woman who raised her. People she trusts turn against her, and the fears, doubts, and actions of those around her make her life a misery, until she meets the gorgeous Conner, but even he is hiding some terrible secrets from her.

I loved the characters in this book. Their flaws make them believable, thier special talents make them incredible. I found the whole thing thrilling, I particularly enjoyed the punishment one horrible character deservedly received. I shuddered in revulsion. (In a sort of satisfied way as the punishment was justified)

Make sure you have plenty of time when your pick this book up as you won’t want to put it down until the very last word…And then you want more.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1RONGDM0TBNZG/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00DJE8RP4

Want a preview? Dreaming of Darkspires is currently free on Amazon.com and I wish it were free elsewhere, but they declined to price match. It is, however, free on Kobo and Nook. https://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Darkspires-C-N-Lesley-ebook/dp/B0178F3R8Q

Dreaming of Darkspires Twitter-page1

 

Or what about an audio book? Here is a review of Darkspire Reaches, the audio version, which is free for the first sign up to the audio program on Amazon.

5.0 out of 5 starsVery entertaining and engaging
ByDiana Cacy Hawkinson June 27, 2017
Format: Audible Audio Edition|Verified Purchase

I’m still making my way through the audio book for Darkspire Reaches, but loving it. Julie Hinton does a wonderful job of getting the characters’ personalities to come out. You team this up with C.N. Lesley’s wonderful words and it’s a very entertaining book to listen to.

She gets deep into the character’s emotions and helps you feel what the character is going through. Action is well paced, settings and scenes so wonderfully illustrated. Beautifully read by Julie Hinton.

I’ll be looking for more books read by her when I need to get the next one.

Audio darkspire reaches