Seven Stones Vol 4 Released

Seven Stones, Vol 3: Innocence Lost, collecting parts 68-97 of my weekly swords-and-sorcery serial, is now available. Purchase it from your favourite retailer today.

Five of the seven stones within the circle have been purified. However, the path to unravel the next stone brings Reverend Kobb and his companions face-to-face with both an old enemy and the conspiracy that stole Haelen’s daughter.

As old secrets and new possibilities are revealed, each of the heroes must face the realisation that there are no black-and-white situations; and that the question might not be how can they purify the Stones, but should they.

Pick up your copy today.

What is LARP*?

As mentioned previously, I LARP (live-action roleplay). My wife tried to explain what LARPing was to one of her friends without perfect success, so I’m sharing my description here for the benefit of anyone who doesn’t know what LARP is or wants ideas for how to explain it to others. Remember that moment when you’re watching a suspenseful film and the lead character is about to do something you think no sensible person would do? LARP is a way of finding out that you would do lots of daft things in the same situation without actually getting murdered. For a longer – and potentially more helpful – thought, read on.

A Mighty Tale

Jaspar Fuzzy-Breeks eased himself along the tunnel. Framed in the entrance, Lágr Rope-Bearer sat oblivious. The ground schuffed beneath Jasper’s feet, but Lágr seemed not to hear.

Almost at the tunnel’s mouth, Jaspar paused. Everything was still.

He eased his haunches and leapt.

His paws wrapped around Lágr’s throat. They rolled, each on top then underneath. Jaspar drove his back paws over and over into Lágr’s stomach.

Suddenly, Lágr shot free, his head slipping from Jaspar’s grip.

A rope-muffled shout echoed as Una the Deep Miaowing leapt away, Lágr dangling from her by the rope.

Jaspar leapt.

Then strolled away.

These Worlds Also Are Mine

The ImmerseOrDie Anthology 2017 is now out; and I am in it. As are Simon Cantan and eleven other top indie authors. And it’s free.

So, if you’re interested excellent speculative fiction, grab a copy today.

Feud

Una the Deep Miaowing sat upon the highest of high spots in Ut-Garden. Fugl Bloody-Shirt’s raids became more common by the day. She must prepare herself.

Legs drawn up, she wrapped herself in her tail. She had lain in wait. She had left and then returned hoping to catch him glutted with spoils. Yet each time, he had slipped away as if he knew she was close.

There must be an answer. Strength of self filled her, but inspiration did not.

Standing silently below, Jaspar Fuzzy-Breeks marvelled at the brilliance of her strategies, but wondered why she spoke them aloud.

Always Wear Your Seatbelt

Following Jasper’s triumphant participation in Tummy Rub Tuesday on Katzenworld, Una claims she is even cuter*.

A Plague On Both Your Mousies

To celebrate the last remnants of the plague that struck at me last week being defeated have a picture of Jasper defeating a plague rat.

(©Nicki Higgins)

This Also…

Yesterday, Google+ asked me (in the way that a copied letter slipped under a door is asking), to post about something I can’t live without. Not the usual Valentine for a current partner or for a sought other, but some other core of my existence. I decided you, my blog audience, might be interested in the answer too.

Raiding the Giant’s Horde

Jaspar Fuzzy-Breeks, Jarl of Sofar, Chare, and the Boxen Isles, stretched. Winter had come to Ut-Garden, bringing cold and damp to the very sill of his hall. And, as they did every year, the thumb-giants had failed to drive it back.

Una the Deep Meowing counselled yowling at the winter, but Jaspar favoured a different course. He would sleep until the thumb-giants opened the door of Nom. Then he would feast and fight until the hour when the thumb-giants settled back onto their resting places.

The moment they did, he would steal the thumb-giant’s heat.

And then sleep some more.

Third Seven Stones Collection Released

Seven Stones, Vol 3: Passing The Gates, collecting parts 34-67 of my weekly swords-and-sorcery serial, is now available. So, find your favourite retailer today.

The quest to purify the Stones brings Kobb and Anessa back to Morth, her home village; a home she fled after villagers attempted to execute Kobb. If fighting possessed strangers made her ill, how will she oppose her own people? And, even if she can, how will she leave her father a second time?

The demands of the quest have already forced both Kobb and Haelen to compromise. Now Anessa must decide how much of her innocence she is prepared to sacrifice to end evil.

Pick up your copy today.