Tyranny of the Fey

 

Tyranny of the Fey
Terry Bartley

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Starlight King Press
Date of Publication: 8/15/2023
ISBN: 979-8-9877958-1-1
ASIN: B0BV77GJCJ
Number of pages: 242
Word Count: 50,334
Cover Artist: Deryl Arrazaq

Tagline: Adventure Waits for No One

Book Description:

 

A collection of short stories in a connected fantasy world

                              
A famed Elven researcher is worried about her home. When she discovers a new realm with massive magic potential, she believes she has found the answer. Will the Seasonal Fey Courts allow her to continue her research without interference, or do they have more nefarious plans?

An Elven princess runs away from her arranged marriage to a parallel world. Will she be able to find the adventure she seeks? While she is in search of battles with dragons and quests to obtain sacred artifacts, she finds that what she was looking for may have been a true connection with someone that understands her.

Two childhood friends, an Orc and a Goblin, have long dreamed of adventure. When a magic school dropout stumbles into their lives, they jump at the chance to realize their ambitions. This found family realizes the world of Galevyn is a much bigger place than the jungle they grew up in.

Amazon     Books2Read

 

 

Excerpt

 

“Nice moves,” Aunt Poppy said.  Sweat was beginning to gather on her brow. Her sandy short-cropped hair glistened in the sunlight. “You must have been practicing while I was away.”

She raised her short sword to guard her face and torso and backed away from me. She certainly looked less intimidating in her formal pantsuit, but the shirt still strained from her hulking arm muscles.

“Something like that,” I replied. I didn’t exactly have fighting clothes, as my mother didn’t approve of this hobby. But my old, beat up riding clothes worked well enough. “Or you’re just getting old.”

I took a deep breath and flung my head to toss my dark black ponytail around to my back. I rushed towards her and she swiped her blade in my direction.  At the last moment, I dropped into a crouch and swung my leg around to trip her.  She jumped before I could make contact and flipped forward, over my head.  She lowered the edge of her short sword to my throat as autumn leaves fell around us.

“Got me again,” I laughed as she pulled her sword away and offered me her hand.  I happily took it and pulled myself up. The garden of the Autumn Maiden’s estate wasn’t meant for this sort of training, but it was always my favorite use of the grounds.

“You truly are getting better,” she repeated.

I pushed some loose hairs behind my ear and smirked. “Still not good enough to beat you.”

“Please girl, I have been adventuring for over a century now.  You are barely within your second decade,” Aunt Poppy reassured.

“I just really wanted to beat you before . . . .  Well, you know,” I admitted.

“Asha,” she began sympathetically, “just because you’re getting married doesn’t mean you need to stop sparring with me.”

“The future Autumn Maiden doesn’t concern herself with the martial arts,” I said,  pointing a crooked finger at her, mimicking my grandmother.  I pushed my nose out and opened my eyes a bit wider.

Aunt Poppy laughed. “You better not let her catch you doing that.  That woman never forgets.  You can trust me on that.”

That made a chill run down my back, remembering all the times I’d been scolded by my grandmother. It’s not what she says so much as how she says it. That tone will stick with you.

“But it's more than that, Aunt Poppy.  I don’t want sparring to just be a womanly dalliance for me.  I want to be an adventurer.  I want to be like you!” I exclaimed. I meant it. The princess life never seemed to fit for me.

“I know,” she said in a consolatory tone.  “But sometimes we just don’t get to choose our path in life.”

I liked to believe she truly felt things could be different. Why else would she send me such detailed letters of her adventures all the time? I hoped she might know about a loophole to get me out of this.

“But you did!”

Aunt Poppy sighed. There were some things, it seemed, even great adventurers can’t do. “That’s the blessing of being the second born.  I assure you, your father has made sacrifices because of his duty to the family. That is just something firstborns get saddled with.”

“It's not fair,” I whined.  I sounded like a small child. I always made sure to take advantage of my time with my aunt to get in all my overly dramatic complaints that I couldn’t do in front of the rest of my family.

“That it is not, Asha.  Life rarely is,” Poppy said solemnly, turning to look toward the Autumn Maiden’s expansive manor house.

“It's just,” I began,  “The way you talk about the material realm makes it sound like there is so much more opportunity there.”

“It is that,” Aunt Poppy admitted, “but there are troubles there too.  I’ll be heading back there after tonight’s dinner.  Perhaps if you make a good impression your grandmother might let you tag along.”

I smiled at the thought, even though I knew it was a far-fetched fantasy.

“Asha!  Sister!  It is almost time!” My sister Tinsley called, running out of the large decorative glass double doors on the back of the manor house.

“Very well, Tinsley,” I relented and began following behind her.

“Eh, not so fast,” Aunt Poppy said.

I looked down and noticed the training sword still in my hand.  I handed it over.

“I get it,” Aunt Poppy began, “I’ve had more than a few first dates I’d wished I’d brought a weapon along, but it may not offer a good first impression.”

“Probably not,” I laughed.

About the Author:

Terry Bartley is a journalism, literature, and English teacher at Scott High School and writer of the upcoming collection of short stories, Tyranny of the Fey. Terry is the host of the podcast “Most Writers are Fans,” about the intersection between writing and fandom. Terry has professionally written for the Coal Valley News and Screenrant. He has won awards for writing and broadcasting from the West Virginia Associated Press, the National Broadcasting Society, and MarCom. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Phoenix and an M.A. in English Education from Western Governor’s University.He loves tabletop roleplaying games, social deduction games, reading comics, and watching musical television shows. He lives in rural West  Virginia with his dog, Etsy.

Webpage: http://www.terrybartley.com

 

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/terry-bartley

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@terrlet

Twitter: https://twitter.com/terrybartley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrybartleywriter

                                                                                    
Blog: https://www.terrybartleywriter.com/author/terrywbartley/

Newsletter Sign-Up: https://www.terrybartleywriter.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22973304.Terry_Bartley

Tweet: 

Do you love books full of adventure, cute sapphic romance, and found families? Tyranny of the Fey is the book for you! https://books2read.com/u/3nDX9e  
 #mustread #indiepub #fantasy #weekendread #lgbtq #bisexual #shortstory #dnd #ttrpg #anotherworld #isakai

Tour Giveaway 

 Prize pack featuring a t-shirt, jewelry item, book and sticker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-Flight

 

Mid-Flight

Lisa Wilkes

Genre: Sci-Fi/Thriller/Romance 

Publisher: Extasy Books 

Date of Publication: 03/31/23 

ISBN: 978-1-4874-3651-3

Number of pages: 270

Word Count: 78,451

Cover Artist: Extasy Books

Tagline: She failed to save her brother and her best friend from destructive forces. Could she topple the most sinister villain of all time?

Book Description: 

2037 was a really bad year.

Lexi Brennan’s best friend was killed in a plane crash. Two weeks later, an intergalactic crisis threatened the fate of humanity. Authorities responded by launching a genocide.

Lexi opposed this vicious attack. Then again, what could she do? An eccentric flight attendant drawn to glamorous trysts, she felt powerless to incite change. 

Until tragedy struck close to home. Suddenly, Lexi was forced to acknowledge the widespread atrocities. She uncovered a network of lies along with an opportunity to restore basic human rights. To protect others, Lexi would have to launch a movement that could destroy everything important to her, including her promising new romance.

About the Author:

Lisa Wilkes has spent 13 years as a flight attendant, jetting across the globe and collecting inspiration for her writings. Her debut novel, Flight Path, is a fast-paced romance laced with serendipitous encounters. This book follows a daydreaming stewardess as she learns to navigate a new terrain: unconditional love.

In her second novel, Mid-Flight, Lisa transports readers to the year 2038. A flight attendant begins to unravel after her best friend is killed in a plane crash. In the throes of unspeakable grief, she uncovers a political ploy to decimate one-fifth of the population. To combat this sinister plan, she must risk everything. Including her breathtaking new romance.

Lisa’s writing is provocative and timely, with a focus on societal issues and powerful internal conflict. Flight Path’s readers will appreciate Mid-Flight's emphasis on hope and redemption, while newcomers to Lisa’s work will be drawn to the power of her storytelling.

Website: https://www.lisamichellewilkes.com  

Twitter https://twitter.com/Travelisa1984 

Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/lisawilkes

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Travelisa1984/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lisa.castignetti 

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19785791.Lisa_Wilkes

North Woods Dani Ripley

 

North Woods

Dani Ripley

Genre: Horror, Eco-Apocalypse

Publisher: Dani Ripley

Date of Publication: Jan. 26, 2023

ISBN: 979-8375227313

ASIN: B0BT9W7CHL

Number of pages: 337 

Word Count: 64,537

Cover Artist: Dani Ripley

Tagline: Outrun the horde. Survive the ice.

Book Description:

Post-apocalyptic female buddy-western set against a backdrop of a sudden, cataclysmic ice age.

Hax can barely remember her real name, it's been so long since she's used it. “Hax” is a shortened version of the word Haxa – the Swedish word for witch - a nickname given to her by people afraid of her seemingly supernatural abilities: appearing out of nowhere then disappearing again just as quickly; uncannily accurate weather pattern readings; and extraordinary skill at tracking prey, human or otherwise. Or perhaps it was simply her propensity for sudden and extreme violence.

A natural loner, Hax isn’t bothered so much by the apocalypse as she is by other people. As such, she’s surprised to find herself traveling with a small group after a long solitary stint in the woods, but when a larger, more savage gang threatens her new people, she’s unable to convince the smaller group of the danger. Realizing it’s too late, she abandons them to their fate, but not before one of the younger members, Pip, sees her escape and decides to follow.

After witnessing the brutal slaughter of their fellow travelers, the two strangers set off through an icy northern wilderness to find Pip’s father, whose last known residence is a camp near the oil sands of Alberta, Canada. In order to survive, Hax and Pip will have to find a way to escape the ruthless horde of marauders still stalking them at every turn, as well as withstand extreme cold, starvation, and exhaustion. And above all, they’ll have to learn to trust each other. 

Amazon

Excerpt

In the middle of the night, I awoke to a low growl. Confused, I groggily fought my way up through thick layers of sleep to realize it was Misha. Fully awake now, I shushed him and listened. Faint footfalls crunched outside. Whoever it was, they weren’t on top of us yet, but they weren’t far away.  I shook Pip awake and held a finger to my lips as she blinked up at me. Misha growled again, making Pip sit straight up in her sleeping bag.

“Get the gun,” I whispered. “And hold onto him,” I gestured at Misha, who stared intently at the tent flap. I dug my large hunting knife out of my bag and unsheathed it. “And don’t shoot me,” I added.

“Don’t go out there!” Pip hissed.

“It’ll be ok,” I said. “You remember how to use that, right?”

“Yes, but I still don’t think you should go.”

“It’ll be ok,” I repeated, as much for myself as for her. I unzipped the flap as quietly as I could.

Misha twitched behind me, but Pip held him tightly in the crook of her left arm. In her right hand, she clutched the gun, her finger loosely on the trigger. “Be right back,” I whispered. “If you see anyone who isn’t me, shoot them.” I slipped out before she could answer, leaving the flap open in my wake.

Holding my knife in front of me, I crept away from the tent, every muscle in my body tense with anticipation. The clouds had dissipated, leaving a clear, moonlit night. I didn’t see anyone in the immediate area. Our fire had gone out. I crouched low and made my way around the smoldering pit to the check on the horses.

Dancer huffed and regarded me with huge, calm brown eyes, his scruffy coat in desperate need of brushing. I gave him a good scratch. Blitzen shook her head and whinnied, shoving her nose at me to be stroked too. They didn’t seem upset. Perhaps what we’d heard were simply sounds of the winter forest settling for the night.

Just as I had the thought, a huge arm covered in stinking fur grabbed me around my neck and a grimy hand clamped roughly over my mouth. I sputtered and backed up into what felt like a brick wall. Without thinking, I stomped down hard with my right boot and shoved my butt out as far as I could, surprising him and breaking his hold on me. I whirled around and got low, grunting like an animal and diving for his knees. I didn’t manage to knock him over, but I drove my knife deep into his inner thigh just above his knee. When I heard the solid wet ‘thock’ of its hilt hitting his flesh, I jerked it up all the way up to his groin, severing his femoral artery.

He didn’t so much fall as crumble to a sitting position on the snow. He grabbed at his leg and looked at me. I scuttled backward on my butt like a crab, putting a couple more feet between us even though I was pretty sure he was bleeding out. “Demon,” he hissed. “I know you.” I crept forward again, my bloody knife held before me like an offering. “Get away from me,” he said.

“You’re dying,” I said back. “How many of you are there?”

“All of us. We’re coming for you.”

“Yes, but how far away?” I asked, exasperated. We didn’t have time for this. I was absolutely sure he was part of a group.

“We’re everywhere,” he said, fading. The blood beneath him was turning black, growing like a cartoon shadow. “You and your little girlfriend are going to die.”

“Not before you,” I said, rising. I looked around in the gloom. The horses huffed and stomped their feet. Was it possible he’d been alone? Maybe just a scout?

As I turned to go back to the tent a single gunshot shattered the stillness of the night. I broke into a run, skidding through muddy snow, sliding to a stop just beyond the fire pit. A body lay in a heap outside the tent. It was too large to be Pip. Cautiously I approached and leaned over. I could tell it was a man, or formerly a man, but that was all. His face had been completely obliterated from the point-blank shot. I peered into the tent, saw a smoking barrel, and Pip’s pale face beyond. “Are you ok?” I asked her.

“Misha’s gone!” she cried, pushing her way out of the tent. “He ran away when I fired the gun!”

“We’ve got to go, Pip. Others are coming.” I began throwing things into my pack and stuffing them down. Gently I took the gun from Pip. Her hands were shaking.

“We can’t leave Misha!” she yelled at me.

“Pip, we have to go. They’ll kill us, or worse. Get your stuff now!”

She rolled up her sleeping bag quickly and secured it to her pack, zipping up her parka. Mine was already done and strapped to my pack. “I’ll get the horses. You stay here,” I ordered.

About the Author 

Dani Ripley lives in Michigan and loves writing.

https://daniripley.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27332690.Dani_Ripley