DAMNATION'S DOOR Released, Giveaways, Preorders, and MIDNIGHT SKY's Cover!

This week has been going great so far. I was away for a mini-vacation Sunday and Monday (why there was no blog post on Monday) and on Tuesday, Damnation's Door, the last in the Cursed trilogy, was released in style with two different blog tours and release blitzes courtesy of XPresso Book Tours and En Pointe Author Services. 

Demons are free. Angels are fallen. Hope is dying...

Constance Ramirez and her adopted sister, Andromeda, have stopped Lucifer’s plan– They have closed the Heaven Gate and kept the demons out. But their choice came with brutal consequences, and now every angel on earth is trapped in their mortal body.

All that remains is closing the Hell Gate and establishing a balance once and for all. That means returning to the city of Constance’s nightmares, which has become a haven for murderers and monsters. But even more dangerous than their hunt is that Andromeda’s powers and instincts are turning darker, and this time Constance doesn’t know how to protect her.

Constance is ready to fight for her life, but her enemies have plans she can’t begin to imagine, and they’re prepared to make her suffer...

Trust is lost and hearts are broken in the epic conclusion in Amy Braun’s Cursed trilogy...

Media Kit

Chapter One

Buy it here:

Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Nook | iBookstore |  Goodreads | Smashwords 

I'm still reeling from the knowledge that I've officially released a full book series. It's exciting, uplifting, and a little sad. I've been on some great adventures with Constance, Dro, Warrick, Sephiel, and Max, and I'm sad to see them go. Still, I've learned a lot from the experience, and know that I can use the knowledge to improve myself as an author. Besides, there's another story to be told: Midnight Sky, the second Dark Sky novel, had its official cover reveal on Sunday, and I couldn't be happier with the work Deranged Doctor Design put together.

There are secrets, there are betrayals, and there are sacrifices… 

The Behemoth has been destroyed, and the bloodthirsty Hellions seem to have left Westraven. But Claire Abernathy’s mind is not at ease. A terrible disease plagues her sister, appearing to have been brought on the Vesper, the leader of the Hellions beyond the tear between worlds– the Breach.

To save Abby and stop the Hellions for good, Claire must find the machine her parents built before the attacks, and fix it before the monsters return. To do so, she needs the help of her crew, and must ignore the secrets and rivalries between her captain and the man she saved.

Because the Hellions are not the only dangers following Claire. Twisted humans and old enemies surface to stop her and destroy all she loves. While she is determined to endure the trials, a single betrayal could shatter the hope of a better world, and force Claire to make a choice that will cost her dearly…

Preorder Links (More on the way!)

Kindle | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes | Goodreads

Though I'm still focusing on Damnation's Door and trying new promotion techniques, I have to say that I'm thrilled to have figured out parts of Scrivener with Midnight Sky, which will be my go-to writing tool... once I learn how to use it. I'm very excited about the release and everything that will come with it. In addition to the blog tours for Damnation's Door, I've also got a ton of contests and signups going on:

The Bookish Crypt Damnation's Door and Cursed series giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sign Ups:

Book Blitz for Damnation's Door
Release Blitz and Blog Tour for Damnation's Door

Review Opportunity for Crimson Sky and Midnight Sky

Last, but not least, I'll be starting the Storm of the Gods edits by the end of the week, I think. I'm still waiting for one more email response but am determined to have those done by the end of the month so I can send it to publishers. I'm also working on The Iron Gargoyle, and it's been going great. The story turned out to be longer than I intended, but there isn't a part of it I don't love. I'm very excited to jump into this new world and learn all I can from it. 
And that's what's going on! This has been a crazy, exciting week for me as an author, and I can't wait for it to continue. 
Cheers!

Amy

Series Spotlight: Hammer of the Gods and The Desolate Empire Series

I'm very excited to announce that yesterday, one of my author friends, Christina Ochs, released a new novel in her truly epic Desolate Empire series– Hammer of the Gods! I've read and reviewed the books before, and I'm not saying the books are amazing just because she's a friend and has reviewed the Cursed novels, including, most recently, Damnation's Door. I'm saying that because they truly are spectacular, stories rich with political intrigue, deep and diverse characters, unpredictable twists, and a hint of magic that leads to jaw-dropping events. If you're a fan of Michael J. Sullivan's work (and you should be!), you absolutely need to check out these novels. For now, enjoy the cover and exclusive excerpt from Hammer of the Gods!

***

Excerpt: 

Hammer of the Gods-Chapter 1

Elektra

“Karil, bring me that sword.” 

Elektra realized Karil must be the boy by the fire, and understood an instant later what the sword was for. She worried she’d cry again, but was too frightened for tears. She breathed in great, ragged gasps, and tried to scramble to her feet, forgetting they were still tied together. She fell to the ground again, jagged rocks digging into her side.

“Better if you don’t make such a fuss,” the man said. “I promise to do it fast. The blade’s nice and sharp so I doubt you’ll notice a thing.”

“Vica will strike you down before you can harm me,” Elektra said, her voice quavering, not because she really believed it, but because she needed to hope for a miracle. She clenched her teeth, vowed not to cry, and reminded herself she was an archduchess, an acolyte of the League of Aeternos. She wouldn’t go to her death like a sniveling peasant.

The man laughed. “Surely you don’t hold to that nonsense. Ah well, if it gives you comfort I suppose there’s little harm in it.” He turned away. “Karil, bring it here.”

The boy still stood at the fire. “I don’t want to.”

Elektra realized she’d been holding her breath. She exhaled, and scrutinized the boy more carefully. As she had noted before, he appeared to be around her age, short, but powerfully built. He didn’t look like a soldier, but held the sword as if he knew his business. She wondered if he might save her, but looked at the big man again. Impossible. Even with the armed boy on her side she could do nothing against such a brute, one of the Sanova Hussars, trained and experienced killers the lot of them.

The man sighed. “Don’t be ridiculous Karil. We agreed to do this.”

“But she’s just a girl. A child, still.”

Elektra bristled at that, but remembered the boy was trying to help, so she gave him her best pleading, helpless look. Then she offered a quick prayer to Vica to guide her thoughts and words to wisdom.

“I see that,” the big man said. “So were my children. Do you know how old my little girl was, Karil? Not even three. And the boy lived no more than a few months before Teodora murdered them both.” His voice grew rougher. “Janna too, and you loved her even before I did.” 

Elektra began to understand. “Did they live in Kersenstadt?” She asked, surprised at how clear and strong her voice sounded. That must be the work of the Goddess, and the realization gave her more strength.

The man turned back to her. “Yes, and they died there too, thanks to your mother setting the whole city aflame.”

Everyone knew it was Quadrene fanatics who’d burned Kersenstadt to the ground, but Elektra could tell such facts meant little to this man. “I am very sorry,” she said. “It was a terrible tragedy and entirely my mother’s fault, I’m sure. But what do you hope to accomplish by sending her my head?” She was heartened to see the boy quietly slide the sword back into a scabbard.

“Revenge,” the man said. “That’s all. You needn’t lecture me about how it won’t help.”

“I wasn’t going to.” Elektra felt an odd coursing in her veins. She was no longer afraid. Even if this man killed her, it would be while she received the highest blessing from the Goddess. It would be a martyr’s death, and she would join Holy Vica in the halls of paradise. Still, she wasn’t ready to die just yet. “Not only will it not help you feel better, it will not help you thwart my mother. I am in a far better position than you to do that.”

“You should hear her out, Braeden.” The boy knelt in front of Elektra and cut the ropes binding her ankles with a short knife. She whimpered as the sensation returned to her feet in a rush of prickling pain. “Give me your hands,” the boy said and she looked into his eyes. They were large and dark, though not warm, but she saw he wouldn’t hurt her. She let him cut the ropes around her wrists. 

Elektra looked up at the man named Braeden until he met her eyes, then said, “I promise not to escape. Let’s talk about how I can help you.”

Official Synopsis:

A war-ravaged continent. An epic battle for power. An endless chain of betrayals . . . 

In her quest for dominance, Teodora will destroy everything in her path.

Kendryk and Gwynneth enjoy their reunion and look to the future, laying plans to regain their home. But all their hopes rest on King Lennart's invasion. 

Determined to overthrow Teodora and everything she stands for, Lennart finds himself thwarted by an unlikely opponent as he gathers allies. While he struggles to gain the upper hand, Teodora must repay a debt which will alter her life forever.

Unmoored in his grief, Braeden risks everything in an ill-fated bid for revenge; Anton struggles to make a new life for himself while forced to fight for the enemy; and Elektra gathers her forces, determined to be Empress someday— if she can survive long enough.

The Desolate Empire, Christina Ochs’ epic fantasy series, continues in Book 3: Hammer of the Gods.

Buy it here:

Kindle | Kobo | Goodreads 

Other Novels In The Series

Book 1 – Rise of the Storm 

When a renegade priest prophesies an imminent apocalypse, a conflict is sparked which will tip a continent into war. 

Prince Kendryk is young, handsome and popular, his kingdom prosperous and peaceful. But in the face of the prophesied apocalypse, he must choose between conscience and power. If he chooses the side of faith, he must defy the ruthless Empress Teodora, ruler of a vast empire, imperiling kingdom and family— but if he chooses the side of power, he risks plunging his world into a darkness worse than war.

The coming conflict will touch the lives of thousands, among them…

Prince Kendryk’s adored wife, Gwynneth, the proud daughter of a king, whose ambition may come at great cost…

Braeden, a violent mercenary, commander of a legendary winged army, who will find himself in the service of an employer he must defy to protect those he holds dear…

And Janna, the merchant’s wife, forced to abandon her home and her way of life, ill-prepared to keep herself and her children safe from the ravages of war…

An epic fantasy saga drawn from real history, Rise of the Storm is Book One in the compelling new Desolate Empire series

Buy it here:

Kindle (free!) | Kobo (free!) | Goodreads 

Book 2– Valley of the Shadow

A captive prince. A desperate princess. An alliance that will shake the foundations of an empire.

In the wake of battle, Kendryk finds himself the prisoner of Empress Teodora. As war ravages Terragand, Kendryk’s guilt is matched only by his fear that he will never see his family again. Gwynneth, in possession of a valuable captive but sworn to keep him close, faces Teodora’s wrath as she waits in anguish for relief.

But when Gwynneth’s rescue comes, the empire will never be the same again.

A tide of religious upheaval sweeps across the land, bearing men and women toward their fates. The delicate joy shared by Janna and Braeden will be shattered; the king of a neighboring kingdom will walk the edge of madness; and an oath of vengeance will bind three unlikely allies together in a desperate attempt to curb Teodora’s ambitions once and for all.

The Desolate Empire, Christina Ochs’ epic fantasy series, continues in Book 2:Valley of the Shadow.

Buy it here:

Kindle | Kobo | Goodreads 

***

Check out my full review of Hammer of the Gods this Saturday! Happy release day, Christina! 

Amy

Huge Weekly Recap With Reviews, Signups, and Pre-Orders!

Last week got busy fast, and this week is going to be even more intense. I have so much going on and even more planned, it's hard to keep up. While not everything is crossed off from last week's goals, most of it is close to being done:

• Finish editing Midnight Sky ASAP!
• Midnight Sky media kit and pre-order setups 
• Format Midnight Sky (working on today)

• World building, histories, series outline, and plots for the Iron Gargoyle series (create a map)

• Continue writing the sequel to Storm of the Gods 

And if you thought that was a lot of work, take a look at this:

• Send out Midnight Sky media kit and pre-order links for promotions
• Format Midnight Sky for print and ebook (test out Scrivener)

• Series outline, and plots for the Iron Gargoyle series (create a map)
• Start writing The Iron Gargoyle, the first Iron Gargoyle novel

• Finish the sequel to Storm of the Gods 
• Beta read edits for Storm of the Gods (if they come in)
• Open contests for Damnation's Door (released next week!)

Yeah. So far, today has been one of those days where I just don't know where to start. Well, that's not true. I'm aiming to get the final drafts and review copies for Midnight Sky up now that the Kindle, Kobo, and Smashwords pre-order links are live. More should be on the way and the Dark Sky series page will be updated next week after the cover reveal on June 5. 

 Sign Ups:

Blog Tour for Storm Born

Review Opportunity for the Cursed series

Pre-Order Release Blitz for Damnation's Door (Starting soon!)

Book Blitz for Damnation's Door
Release Blitz and Blog Tour for Damation's Door

Cover Reveal for Midnight Sky

Review Opportunity for Crimson Sky and Midnight Sky

***

Not that I have any expectations to get all of those goals accomplished, but to think that I might is really motivating. I mean, if I get even two or three of them done, I'll consider myself ahead of the game. Since formatting is perhaps my least favourite part of writing, I'm going to be working with Scrivener for the first time. I'm a little anxious and I hate tutorials (so boring!), but considering the issues I've had in the past, and the recommendations I've gotten, it makes sense to give it a shot and see how it works. If nothing else, at least I'll have a reliable formatting software. 

Damnation's Door is out next week. I'm still working on believing that. It seems like I just finished the final draft yesterday. It's nice to know that I'll have a full, completed series, but I'm going to miss the characters. That said, I'm getting ready for the blog tours and giveaways, and have already heard great reviews from One Book Two and fellow author Christina Ochs!

Speaking of Christina Ochs, she'll be part of a special guest post this week on my blog to promote her new novel, Hammer of the Gods. I've already read and reviewed the novel on Goodreads (a fuller review will be coming this Saturday), and I have to say it's freaking spectacular. If you like mild fantasy novels/historical battles, trust me when I say this is a book series you want to start. I couldn't stop reading! 

Last but not least, updates on my newest writing projects. The second Areios Brothers novel is almost finished (about 2.5 more chapters to go), and I'll be relieved when its over. There will be some changes, many of which might come later since I need to update the first novel, Storm of the Gods. I should be getting the Beta edits back any day now, and am hoping to start working on them in June so I can take a deep breath and send out query letters. Once I do that, the series will be out of my hands and there will likely not be updates on it for the rest of the year, unless the incredible happens and it's picked up by a publisher. 

Finally, Iron Gargoyle. You guys have no idea how much I'm aching to get really started on that bad boy. I've already created the world history, written the prologue and the first chapter of the first book, and have the basic plots for the series (which will include four full length novels and a series of three novellas revolving around another character), so now I need to set up the world and detail the plots. It's a lot of work, but I love doing it. 

So, this blog post turned out to be way longer than I expected. Imagine what my monthly blog post is going to look like! 

Anyway, it's time to get back to work. Thanks for spotting by! Cheers!

Amy

Sunday Snippet: " It was supposed to be simple."

Yet another hectic week, so I apologize in advance if any of this blog seems to be out be random or out of whack. Anyway, it's time for Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly blog hop where indie authors share 8-10 sentences of their current Work In Progress, newly released, or upcoming novel. While Storm Born was released on Tuesday (WOO HOO!), I promised that I was going to start promoting snippets for Damnation's Door, the final Cursed novel to be released June 7. Here are the first lines of said novel (edited to fit post guidelines)...

It was supposed to be simple.

I actually thought we would be able to step outside our shelter, get the supplies, and be back before anyone realized we’d been there.

This is what happens when my sister’s optimism rubs off on me.

But it wasn’t Dro’s fault that we walked into a damn trap. Hell just hated us.

That was fine. I hated Hell right back.

The cheap metal door was still clanging against the plaster wall of the store I’d just busted into. Max had looked into it when I asked, and told me there would be demons, but he couldn’t tell what kind because his precog was still blurred. I was expecting a couple Reds or ghouls, maybe a Shredder, but I was not expecting Possessors.

 ***

As I said earlier, this week has been a busy one. Mostly, I'm focusing on promoting Storm Born through a giveaways, reviews, and spotlights.

A single night can change your life… for the worst.

It’s been a century since the last Centennial Storm, the calamitous phenomenon that covered the world in disasters– tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, tsunamis, and dust storms– caused not by nature, but by alien creatures from another realm. The Stormkind.

Ava Reid tries not to think about that night, when she was caught in a hurricane and brought face to face with one of the Stormkind, the man with a dagger, and the agony she felt when he stabbed her with a crystal blade. Yet as she and the rest of Florida’s citizens begin to rebuild their lives, Ava can’t help but notice strange things happening around her. Things she seems to be causing. The gusts of wind and sudden floods attract the attentions of a mysterious stranger who leaves her clues, and the deadlier men following her.

It isn’t long before Ava is swept up into a wild conspiracy, led by a secret society that knows the truth about the Stormkind– and what their enemies have planned for the world she loves. If she wishes to protect her friends and her family, Ava must harness her strange new abilities and become part of the Stormkind society. Because if she loses control, there will be no force strong enough to stop her…

Buy it here:

Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Createspace | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Smashwords | iBookstore | BookLikes | NoiseTrade | Bublish |

Reviews:

Ramblings of an Awkward Anastasia | The Blonde Bookworm | We Said It | The Bookish Crypt | One Book Two | Boundless Book Reviews | 

Giveaways:

Blog | Goodreads | The Blonde Bookworm | The Bookish Crypt |

***

In addition to both those book promotions, I'm working with XPresso Book Tours and En Pointe for sign ups for Damnation's Door and the Cursed series, and Midnight Sky, the second Dark Sky novel. It's become apparent that I might need to spend money to make more money, so I'm giving this a try. If you're interested in signing up, check out the links below!

Sign Ups:

Review Opportunity for the Cursed series

Book Blitz Sign up for Damnation's Door

Review Opportunity for Crimson Sky and Midnight Sky

***
While all of this is happening, I'm also preparing to edit Midnight Sky and set up the Beta reads for the prequel novellas, Amber Sky and Smoke Sky. It's been a while since I've looked at those novels, so it will be good to review them with fresh eyes. I'm also tweaking parts of the second Areios Brothers novel, and had an explosion of plot bunnies today regarding my Iron Gargoyle series. I have all the titles and the basic plots for what will likely be a four full-length and three novella series. I can't wait to get started, but one thing at a time. 

So that's most of the news! I'll have more updates in the next few days I hope. Remember to check out and comment on all the Weekend Writing Warrior blogs. There are some great authors on this site, and a genre for every interest!

Cheers!

Amy

P.S.: If you've been checking out the news lately, you might have heard about the wildfire currently ravaging Fort McMurray Alberta, only a few hours drive away from my hometown. This forest fire is insane, and is likely to double in size. As a co-worker of mine put it, this blaze is nearly the size of New York City. The Red Cross is accepting donations to help the citizens who have lost their homes and the tireless efforts of brave firefighters and emergency crews, and all support is welcome. 

STORM BORN, Giveaways, and Blogger Sign-Ups!

The past few weeks have been pretty minimal in terms of Thursday posts. Not the case today, since my latest standalone novel, Storm Born, has been released!

A single night can change your life… for the worst.

It’s been a century since the last Centennial Storm, the calamitous phenomenon that covered the world in disasters– tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, tsunamis, and dust storms– caused not by nature, but by alien creatures from another realm. The Stormkind.

Ava Reid tries not to think about that night, when she was caught in a hurricane and brought face to face with one of the Stormkind, the man with a dagger, and the agony she felt when he stabbed her with a crystal blade. Yet as she and the rest of Florida’s citizens begin to rebuild their lives, Ava can’t help but notice strange things happening around her. Things she seems to be causing. The gusts of wind and sudden floods attract the attentions of a mysterious stranger who leaves her clues, and the deadlier men following her.

It isn’t long before Ava is swept up into a wild conspiracy, led by a secret society that knows the truth about the Stormkind– and what their enemies have planned for the world she loves. If she wishes to protect her friends and her family, Ava must harness her strange new abilities and become part of the Stormkind society. Because if she loses control, there will be no force strong enough to stop her…

Buy it here:

Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Createspace | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Smashwords | iBookstore | BookLikes | NoiseTrade | Bublish |

***

Storm Born's release day was insane. Unquestionably the biggest release day I've done so far. I don't know how I'm going to handle all that work with future novels (well, I have some ideas, but more on that later), but I look forward to the challenge! 

I had all kinds of things happening on Tuesday, everything from a release day blitz on Cover2Cover to listings on Authorsdb, BookLife, and Story Cartel, reviews, and giveaways:

Reviews:

Ramblings of an Awkward Anastasia | The Blonde Bookworm | We Said It | The Bookish Crypt | One Book Two | Boundless Book Reviews | 

Giveaways:

Blog | Goodreads | The Blonde Bookworm | The Bookish Crypt |

***

There will be plenty more giveaways and reviews as time passes, I'm sure, not to mention more promotions on various blogs. It was exhausting, but I am glad that Storm Born finally out into the world. I'm still reeling from having another standalone novel out in the ebook world, I'm also thinking ahead to new projects. Since setting up blog tours, reviews, giveaways, etc, is monumentally time-consuming (seriously, so many hours), I've decided to collaborate with a couple great book tour companies to expand my reader/reviewer/blogger reach– XPresso Book Tours (the same company that set up the cover reveal for Damnation's Door) and En Pointe. Both are going to help me set up book blitzes and tours for Damnation's Door and the Cursed series, as well as for  Midnight Sky, the second Dark Sky novel. I'm very excited to see how this will unfold, as both companies have been very prompt with replies and helpful with every question I've had. There are already sign ups for book bloggers interested in reviewing either an urban fantasy trilogy about demons, angels, and tough women, or a steampunk fantasy horror series with vampires and pirates!

Sign Ups:

Review Opportunity for the Cursed series

Book Blitz Sign up for Damnation's Door

Review Opportunity for Crimson Sky and Midnight Sky

***
Yup– all of this is going on, and more is on the way. Definitely a lot to be excited for, and I'm sure this post makes up for the lack of excitement in the previous Thursday posts. I look forward to all that's happening and will continue to happen, and can't wait to share more!

Cheers!

Amy

P.S.: On a more personal note, some of you might have heard about the monstrous wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alberta. This is only a few hours away from my home city, and close to 90, 000 people are now without a home. The Red Cross is accepting donations of all kinds, and everything is appreciated, as long as you can spare it. Thank you!