Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts

Thursday, 28 June 2018

TEMPER the novel by Nicky Drayden


Konbanwa!

Today I bring you awesome news! The release of Nicky Drayden's next book is upon us!!
Mark your calendars because in just alittle over a month from now TEMPER will be released!
If you follow me, you know she's one of my favorite new authors & she's been featured a ton on this blog before. I'm so honored to have her on the blog again!
Check out this awesome GIF created by GIF Girl. Make me want to fanboy even more over this book.

TEMPER GIF {Click to Play}
*

Blurb Me!

In a land similar to South Africa, twin brothers are beset by powerful forces beyond their understanding or control in this thrilling blend of science fiction, horror, magic, and dark humor—evocative of the works of Lauren Beukes, Ian McDonald, and Nnedi Okorafor—from the author of The Prey of Gods.

Two brothers.
Seven vices.
One demonic possession.
Can this relationship survive?

Auben Mutze has more vices than he can deal with—six to be exact—each branded down his arm for all the world to see. They mark him as a lesser twin in society, as inferior, but there’s no way he’ll let that define him. Intelligent and outgoing, Auben’s spirited antics make him popular among the other students at his underprivileged high school. So what if he’s envious of his twin Kasim, whose single vice brand is a ticket to a better life, one that likely won’t involve Auben.

The twins’ strained relationship threatens to snap when Auben starts hearing voices that speak to his dangerous side—encouraging him to perform evil deeds that go beyond innocent mischief. Lechery, deceit, and vanity run rampant. And then there are the inexplicable blood cravings. . . .

On the southern tip of an African continent that could have been, demons get up to no good during the time of year when temperatures dip and temptations rise. Auben needs to rid himself of these maddening voices before they cause him to lose track of time. To lose his mind. And to lose his . . .

TEMPER
“Drayden is an amazing writer and deft plotter. The twists are unexpected and never feel contrived, just as the novel explores real-world issues without sounding preachy.” (Library Journal)

  • Print Length: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Harper Voyager (August 7, 2018)
  • Publication Date: August 7, 2018
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B071SKJ2TD 

areyoupondering_by_William_Ting




Nicky Drayden is a Systems Analyst who dabbles in prose when she’s not buried in code. She resides in Austin, Texas where being weird is highly encouraged, if not required. She’s the author of over 30 published short stories and also serves as the Special Anthologies editor for The Drabblecast, a speculative fiction podcast. Her debut novel THE PREY OF GODS is scheduled for release Summer 2017, from Harper Voyager.












Fascinate ME!!
  1. Is this book related to or a sequel of your previously published book The Prey of Gods?
TEMPER isn’t related to THE PREY OF GODS, but they do have a lot of similarities. Both are set in South Africa (though TEMPER is an alternate, fantastical South Africa that is hardly recognizable), and both deal with the ways that technology and mythology intersect. The technology in TEMPER is repressed and studying science has only recently become legal. Religion has become a ruling institution at the expense of cultural depth and individuality.
  1. How did you come up with the concept for this book?
Two main concepts formed this story. The first was reimagining an African continent that escaped the ills of colonization. Through examining the “could-have-beens” in this not-quite alternate history, I wanted to open a door to a world where anything was possible. The second concept came to me after reading about how some parts of Nigeria have very high rates of twinning, like nearly one in ten people are a twin. That left me wondering "What if we took it further? What if eighty or ninety or ninety-nine percent of people were twins?" And from that, this story was born.
That isn’t to say that life in this novel is a utopia. Far from it. People are dealing with lots of issues, prejudices, and discrimination brought into play by the fantastical parts of the story. In this society, twins are divided into groups based on the number of vices they are assigned as children. There are seven vices: Vainglory, Envy, Duplicity, Doubt, Lechery, Greed, and Temper. The twin with the least number of vices is deemed the “greater twin” and has better opportunities in life. The other is the lesser twin, pretty much destined for a life of poverty. The story is told from the point-of-view of Auben, a lesser twin, which leaves room for all kinds of vice-filled folly and dark character exploration.
  1. Which is your favorite vice?
Since I’m an author, I’m going to have to say Duplicity. People are literally paying money for me to lie to them! But hidden under the lies are nuggets of Truth that I hope are much more impactful than the lies.
Also, each of the chapters in TEMPER is named after one of Auben’s vices (or his one virtue), and if I had to pick which vice chapter was my favorite, I’d pick Doubt. That’s where we find out that Doubt is the worst of the vices, worse than Temper even, because while tempers flare and then eventually fade, doubt lingers. It burrows into your soul, steals away your happiness. It's a universal feeling, and I think a lot of readers will really connect with that chapter.
  1. If you were a twin how many vices do you think you’d have?
Oh....Would I be the good twin or the bad twin? I’m MOSTLY a goodie-two-shoes, so I’d probably be the good twin, but just barely. I’d have to go with 3 vices.
  1. Will there be a sequel to this book or is it a stand-alone?
TEMPER is a stand-alone, but it’s lengthy, deep and dark, with complex cultural details that will immerse you in a world like you’ve never seen. Lots of food, magic, demons, and family drama.
  1. Do you have any advice for up & coming authors or second time published authors you’d love to share?

Guard your writing time. Get used to setting your schedule now, because when you go from a writer to a published novelist, you’re going to have lots of things competing for your time. Prioritize, and keep your head and heart in your writing above all else. That’s where the real joy lies. (That, and the fans are pretty amazing, too!)
Cool Book Swag!

You can read more about Nicky Drayden on this featurette:

Author Interview on Catching that Golden Snitch



Pre-ORDER
TEMPER




© Enricoh Alfonzo ~ Alfonzo Words
  • I’d love to keep connected with you! 
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~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres
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Thursday, 3 November 2016

NaNoWriMo 2016: The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles


Buenas Dias
One more sleep till that Friday Feeling Dance~ We can Do It!!

If you're a writer or even an avid reader then you should undoubtedly know what the month of November holds in store.
No, Nope I don't mean Movember haha.

It'ssssssssssssssssss NaNoWriMo!!!
Wooohoooo
Start Date: 1st November 2016
What is NaNoWriMo you ask?
  • National Novel Writing Month (often shortened to NaNoWriMo, "na-noh-ry-moh"), is an annual, Internet-based creative writing project that takes place during the month of November. NaNoWriMo challenges participants to write 50,000 words (their minimum number of words for a novel) from November 1 until the deadline at 11:59PM on November 30. The goal of NaNoWriMo is to get people writing and keep them motivated throughout the process.
This year marks my First NaNoWriMo ever! I'm so jazzed & just happy to jump in to this already established writer's fiesta. It's going to be awesome, I can't wait to meet fellow WriMo's.

Initially I was planning on typing out a YA Biopunk story filled with awesome kickass teenagers, hybrid experiments, shady scientists & an even shadier organization hell bent on "seeking the truest potential within mankind."

But alas, with the taking on of new clients, my annoying day job {hence the clients, to hopefully earn enough that I can ditch this job in favor of a full time Writing career}---I've had to prioritize my daily time. Especially with the research & worldbuilding involved.

So, like a bolt of lightning down my vertebrae, I realized I already had the perfect Novel to finish:

My very own Epic Fantasy Fairy Tale called The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles
It tells the tall tale of 3 companions. The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard

Acirassa, Eiramus & Hocirne each have compelling back stories & destinies that they've been set on. With twists & turns around every corner, they will most assuredly face their worst fears all the while attempting to prevent an all out war between the realms.

You can find each chapter link & blog post below:

Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials
Chapter 6 - Hocirne's Return

Chapter One ~ The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard
"Haha! Awesome. I'm loving it so much! You HAVE TO FINISH THIS E!!! Like seriously"~ Sumarie Steenkamp

"The story will make anyone interested for part two! It's an awesome and exciting read, thank you so much for that!"~ Elizabeth O.

"God I love the way you write. I can perfectlt picture the scene in my mind like if I'm watching a movie, it's just flawless...keep the good work!"~ Amy Jones

######################

Chapter Two ~ The Unicorn Queen: Ari's Origin

"You are such a great writer, keep on sharing your write ups. I will be glad to read them."~ Danne Reed

"I truly hope that vile toad gets what is coming to him sooner or later, poor Ari and I hope the human mage is ok!"~ ana de jesus

"Great read and I love the unicorn photo. I am going to go read part 1!"~ Ann B


Chapter Three ~ The Samurai: Eru's Origin

"This is not a genre I usually read, but you drew me in. I am going to go read the other part now."~ Carol Cassara

 "Amazing fantasy story and artworks! Love your writing style and creative mind :-) As always enjoy reading your post!"~ Eugenia

"I've never been into this genre but it did seem interesting enough that I finished it. I know the feeling of the girl when you see your dad walk out on you."~ Ms KathyKenny

"I seriously love the way you use words. I've tried writing several genres before so I know how difficult it is to put into words what you are thinking, but for people like you it looks so easy and the result is flawless!!I seriously love the way you use words. I've tried writing several genres before so I know how difficult it is to put into words what you are thinking, but for people like you it looks so easy and the result is flawless!!"~ Amy Jones

######################

Chapter Four ~ The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard Part 2


"You are extremely talented. I love fantasy fiction with wizards and dragons, but could never write this well and bring the characters to life the way you do."~ Nancy Lustri

 "Gah! I'm not patient enough for this format! lol Fantastic story! I'm very excited for the next part!"~ Melisa

 "I loved this as much as I loved the first part! I can't wait to read what you come up with next."~ Masshole Mommy

######################

Chapter Five ~ The Elven Trials


"You should be adding this to a book, it's very good. Teens would love it, it has everything it needs for an enchanted fantasy world that can take their imagination far, far away."~ Joanna

 "I don't even understand how you can weave such stories. It's absolutely great work."~ Ms KathyKenny

"Wow, I can't believe we're at chapter five! It's really getting more and more exciting. That was a heartbreaking scene at the end."~ Mom Knows Best

######################

Chapter Six ~ Hocirne's Return




"This all spun out of a conversation with your buddies? Wow, you have an amazing imagination to weave such a tale!"~ Liz Mays

"Omw, look at that 400 and something year old badass!!!! So thrilling! Can't wait to read the next chapter!!"~ Benita Govender

"Omg!!!!!! This was one great piece of writing!!! You my friend are very creative and have a way with words!"~ CourtneyLynne

Going back & reading everyone's comments was such an EPIC experience, Thank You ALL for the highly encouraging & sentimental words. You will never know just how Much I cherish them!



NaNoWriMo's main goal is to encourage creativity worldwide.

The project started in July 1999 with 21 participants, but by the 2010 event, over 200,000 people took part and wrote a total of over 2.8 billion words.


Meet Chris Baty 
He accidentally founded National Novel Writing Month in 1999, and oversaw the event's growth from 21 friends to more than 300,000 writers in 90 countries








Have you got Wattpad?


The rest of the The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles will be uploaded there during the course of November 2016, so read 'em for Free while you can :-)



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In Other News~
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© Enricoh Alfonzo ~ Alfonzo Words
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~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres
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Monday, 24 October 2016

Literature Tag: Roy Huff

Inspire. Create. Write.TM

Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate.
Little by little, one travels far~J.R.R. Tolkien

Ohayōgozaimasu

This #MondayMotivation, I have the privilege nay the extreme glory to introduce you to an unbelievable author that I've met along my journey. You should see this guy on guest posts, he's one of the most versatile Authors I know. He is the type of author I strive to become one day for the following reasons:
  • Great readership fan base
  • Large follower to following ratio
  • Alot of interaction on posts/writing
  • Published books/works across not only the fiction board but the personal development one too {an impressive & complete List of his published works can be found Here}
  • Self Motivated & Goal oriented
  • Guest Posting & Features on many different blogs/websites
  • Lives in Hawaii
  • Loves Japan


Meet Roy Huff


Roy Huff is a research scientist, author, and teacher who overcame the hardship of a family plagued by severe poverty and mental illness. After graduating high school as Valedictorian a year early, he moved to Hawaii at the age of seventeen with only $100 in his pocket to start a new life.
His interests are eclectic and range from the arts, extreme sports, economics, hard science, movies, traveling, and the outdoors. Roy Huff remains committed to promoting education, applied science, individuality, and creativity.


Literature Tag:

1. What is your all-time favorite book?
  • That’s an impossible question to answer. I have many favorites. A few including The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, & Lord of the Rings series’. I also enjoy many non-fiction books such as Think and Grow Rich and others.
2. According to you, which Quote best describes you as a person?
  • “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost


3. What is your favorite English word, and why?
  • Another impossible question. I like many: Hope, action, surprise, optimistic, happy, dream, do, learn, goal, write.
4. What is your favorite word in your home language, and what does it mean?
  • See answer #3.
5. Being a blogger/author, what is the most difficult part about writing for you?
  • Sitting down and writing. Once I start it’s easy. Fear and procrastination are the enemy of writers. 
6. What inspires you to write the most?
  • When I get positive feedback from readers, it’s a tremendous motivator. I also love the fact that my words are my legacy. The fact that people will be able to read my words years, decades, and centuries after I’m gone pushes me to keep going. 
7. Who is your favorite Author?
  • I have many, but I’ll say Tolkien. 
"Gandalf the Jazzed"
8. In how many languages can you write in?
  • I’m fluent in English, but I can write some Japanese, but not well enough to write a book, at least not yet. 
9. If you had to MAKE UP/INVENT one word, what would it be? And what would that word mean?
  • Habiteer – An expert in stacking good habits who achieves what others once thought to be an impossible goal. 
10. Make a sentence containing the following words: Three, Birds, Sauce, Hug and Gay (As in happy)
  • Three gay birds hugged after inventing an awesome secret sauce.
11. Assign your own meaning to the following made-up words:
  • Bugalhet – A person who plays the bugle and eats bagels. 
  • Wiftigious – To smell frequently even in the absence of an odor.
  • Doraning – The name given to those looking to copy Dora the Explorer
12. What word rhymes best with Sugar?
  • Pusher
13. Sum up your experience of Blogging in one rhyming sentence.
  • Finding no time is the crime, but to break it, you must take it. 
14. Who is your favorite character from a book? Why him/her?
  • Another impossible question. Harry Potter is good, but so are many others. I love escape and fantasy and those that overcome impossible obstacles. 
15. What would be the Ultimate Goal for you to achieve as a Writer?
  • A hundred million plus New York Times bestseller. 
16. Can you remember the moment you fell in love with words/literature?
  • I loved Edgar Allen Poe in high school. 
17. Do you have a good support structure while writing?
  • Yes. My family and friends are supportive, and I use online tools and resources. 
18. Why is reading important to you?
  • Reading makes you a better writer, and gives you he knowledge you need to learn anything. It also improves your ability to focus and develop good habits. 
19. What is your most memorable childhood book?
  • Charlotte’s Web. 

Quick Fire {choose one}

Poems or Quotes 

Rock or Pop

Handwriting or Typing

Fiction or Non-Fiction

Both

Plotter or Pantser

Traditional or Self-Publishing

Depends on the goal

Reading alone or for Other People



Tips & Tricks:

1. Do you have any great writing resources that you can share with us?
2. What would you say to other aspiring writers out there?
  • Write daily, even if just one paragraph. Read about improving your writing daily, and read something daily. It’s not about talent, it’s about persistence and learning. Anyone can become a great writer if they keep putting in the effort, i.e., write, read, and read about improving your writing as much as possible. Small gains daily add up to tremendous gains over time.
3. If there was just one nugget of wisdom you could share, what would that be?
  • Don’t give up. Don’t listen to people who have given up or never tried. Seek advice from those who succeeded and you wish to emulate. Be persistent and focus on changing bad habits. It’s the consistent small good habits that push you towards your dreams over time.
Have you written any books? Tell us about it/them.

  • I’ve written four books in an eight-part epic-fantasy series called Everville. The latest was Everville: The Fall of Brackenbone which takes place partly in a university and partly on a parallel fantasy world with fantasy characters that work with the protagonist, Owen Sage, to stop the destruction of the word from evil forces. 
Buy Everville Books: Amazon Link
  • I also wrote a self-help book on happiness and success this past summer, which I’m currently working on to get published and promoted. You can get a feel for my self-help writing by reading my Lifehack articles here. http://www.lifehack.org/author/royhuffowensage-com
Stay tuned to Roy Huff's upcoming releases & promotions:


© Enricoh Alfonzo ~ Alfonzo Words
  • I’d love to keep connected with you! 
Follow me on Twitter | Like on Facebook | Join my Instagram community | Watch me on Pinterest | Subscribe to blog post Updates |
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Thursday, 14 July 2016

The Fairy Tale Adventures of Princess Kitara


Once upon a time. In a land far, far away. Far from the eyes of mortal men, lived the most 
beautiful Fairy Queen the Fae Kingdom had seen in a many a moon. Stories of Queen Shakira spread far and wide, stretching to the very edges of the Fae Kingdom. She was known for her incredible passion and grace, neigh a fairy in all of creation had ever been known to be as inspiring as she was to her kinsfolk.

Princess Kitara

Chirp-chirp, chirp-chirp, the morning chimes pierced into the very recesses of my mind to gently wake me from my slumber. I yawned very ungracefully, ruffled my hair more and finally got out of bed, stretching my wings ever so far. With a sluggish movement, I hovered to the balcony doors and with a deep breath, I pulled them open. I closed my eyes and smiled as the morning sun and scent
enveloped my senses. 

With a start, I caught myself and realized I had now hovered just over the balcony’s borders. I laughed, a triumphant laugh, today was the day. My 321st birthday, I was finally going to do it. For as long as I could remember, the only thing I had ever wanted in this world was to go on a great adventure, the kind that legends are made of, the kind that was both exciting and dangerous. Ever since I was little, I was taken to see every inch of Faeora, every kind of fairy and every moon since. Of course, the expeditions were planned by my mother, the Queen so the Fae Knights were always around me, suffocating my every move.

It was almost as if mother had tied them with an invisible tether to me. Knowing her, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

There was a soft knock on the door, three taps. Hoorah! It had finally arrived; I opened the door carefully and looked around nothing. Hmm, that’s odd, something pulled on my gown.

I looked down to find the tiniest and most adorable fairy girl. “Uhm excuse me miss, the master asked me to gives this to you. Uhm please don’t tells him I’m late, I like sweets you sees and well I uhm got distracted by somes.”

The way in which she talked was funny enough but looking into those big brown button eyes, how could I refuse such an honest request. “Of course, I will not (for one thing I had no idea who the master was), kindly convey my sincerest thank you to the master. And here you go.” I handed her a gold coin, “Go get distracted by a few more sweets from me, ok sweety.”

She skipped away with a large smile on her freckled face.

In truth, I really couldn’t wait to open the package. Years of befriending the right Fairies, and subtle hints, and of tiptoeing around the topic had finally yielded results. I carefully opened the package and in it, was surprisingly only two pages. I skeptically opened the first one with a frown. It was a letter from the ‘Master’.

“Dearest Kitty Kat.” (obviously a ridiculous attempt at obscuring my identity)

I venture not to think why any fairy would request such a ‘thing’ from me. However, be that as it may you once saved my favorite flower from a hardship and that I can never repay. However, consider this my attempt at such. The second piece of paper is a map to what you are looking for. Please do remember the following rules, as not doing so will most likely get you killed or worse (what was worse than being killed?):

The 1st and most important rule, do NOT fall in love with a mortal.

The 2nd and most important rule, do Not trust anyone especially those that claim to be Fae.

The 3rd and most impo-"

The rest of the letter was burnt off, hmmm that’s weird and why was every one of his rules the most important ones. But that was soon forgotten as I opened up the map, “I cannot believe it.”

It was in a place I had visited constantly but never thought to look. The bath and dress up was a breeze with magic, with a wiggle of my index finger, it was done. I grabbed my already prepared travel sack, which I disguised as a tiny ruby red ring to go on that very same index finger. Just as I was about to leave, an invisible hand stayed me. Sigh, thinking back to that day only a few days ago……

Kitara had just entered the dining hall to find her mother dearest at the window at the very end of the hall. Mother stood poised and direct, as a Queen should, most regal in her rule. With her dark and languid black hair, and piercing green eyes. Kitara would have been the splitting image of her mother had it not been for her father, The King’s icy blue eyes and deep dimples. She tried to remember a time when her mother was full of smiles and warmth; it seemed like eons upon eons ago, so much so that the memories almost seemed fake. No, the mother she knew, the mother she had come to know could never have been such a mother. 

It must have been memories Kitara had made up in her head to compensate for such happenstance. Although Kitara knew what had changed her, it was a story she had been told by almost everyone in the kingdom no one more so than by her Mother. It was the day her Mother had lost everything. You see a Fairy’s wings were her very soul and according to legend, her Mother’s wings were the most magnificent in its beauty. 

It was the day she had lost her wings and the day she had lost the King, her husband and Kitara’s father to a human hunter. According to legend, he was the only mortal to ever enter Faeora and on that day tragedy struck the Kingdom. Leaving her kinsfolk with a very healthy and pretty endless fear of the mortal world. Ever since then, Mother has been on a tireless campaign to ensure Kitara was never hurt or harmed in any way. She increased the Fae Knightship tenfold and ensured a detail of 7 Fae Knightship at all rotatable hours of any given day. They were called the Galicia and were comprised of the most heroic and stoic warriors in all the land. Sometimes you would only need those 7 to win a war and yet now they were stuck babysitting the already over-protected princess. Kitara approached her Mother reservedly, nervously fidgeting with her morning dress.

“Mother.” She bowed.

“You’re 7 minutes late Kitara, I would have taught you by now that a Queen is never late only ever early, would I not?” Her mother replied still looking out that damned window.

Kitara knew better than to retort. “Yes Mother, I am very sorry Mother.”

“Come, we will have breakfast quickly as your day is scheduled with many an endeavor.”

They sat in tensioned quiet, her mother very delicately eating while Kitara hadn’t the stomach for this morning’s scones with picanut fillings. She took a deep breath and said, “Mother, my 321st birthday is next week and you promised I would get to go on an adventure outside the Kingdo-“

A fist slammed on the table. The Queen regained her composure yet fire still burned in her eyes. “I promised you no such thing young one. You are my daughter and as such you have obligations to your kinsfolk before any such meaningless and immature adventures.” This time, she sighed and with gentler eyes said, “My dearest Kitara please do not start this again, I am only doing what a Mother must to protect her daughter. Her daughter whom she loves very much. But such a love comes with conditions; I could not bear to lose you too. Maybe in a few years or so.”

Now it was Kitara’s turn to fume, “You did not promise? You did not promise? You do exactly the same thing every time Mother; you try to guilt me with Father’s passing. I am not him nor you, I am but both of you. I want to go on an adventure! You’re not fair at all! Argggh.” She stormed off to her room vowing to follow her dream even if it meant disobeying her Mother, the Queen.

I was jolted back into the present by Sebastian, my dearest friend, and a changeling. Meaning he could transfigure into anything he so desired, his favorite form of which was a sea blue feathered sparrow.

~You best get a move on princess, we haven’t the time for regret~ he said through telepathy.

Of course, he could talk but it was his own private joke to talk into my head like we shared a secret. My ring got heavier the further away from the castle I became; it was as if a weight was on my shoulders. However my excitement at the adventure to come far outweighed my guilt. 

~Shh, you’re thinking too loud. We’re here.~

I paused at the giant white oak tree, the very tree I had spent many a day reading and sleeping under. According to the map, this was the spot, a keyword was labeled next to it “Aspermortantium.” She read aloud, suddenly the ground started to shudder and a wide arc opened at the base of the colossal tree. I looked around and with one final glance at the castle in the distance, slipped into the unknown.

Queen Shakira

Shakira stood at the very same window she had become accustomed to for the past three hundred and twenty years. It was at this very window that she had seen what had irrevocably changed her life forever. Lord Barathus, how she hated fighting with Kitara but if she didn’t be so firm, the girl would be frolicking with Mountain trolls! Such an adventurous spirit, which she cursed because it came from her. Yet she did not realize just how important she was, how vital her survival was for the Kingdom. You see Shakira was losing her Magical essence and would soon be very much mortal, ever since losing her wings the magic has been seeping out of her slowly but surely. Soon she would be no longer the Queen of Faeora, just another faceless mortal doomed to suffering and disgrace. She needed to make sure Kitara was read-

Something caught her eye; it was Kitara’s eye! At the very topmost hill with the great White oak tree. The portal had been opened! However did she?! “Captain Verhad! Captain Verhad!!!” Shouting at the top of her lungs.

The captain and a squadron of Fae knights stormed the dining hall with murderous purpose. “What is it my queen”, asked the captain.

Shakira turned her cheek to the window to avoid giving away any further concern. “I said Captain Verhad, had I not?” She waited for the footsteps to die out before turning to the Captain, fool of worry in her face. Tears now streaked her perfect face, “Kitara has found the portal!! I do not know how but whoever told her will be severely punished. You MUST go after her, I would go to but only true Fae or Mortal may pass through and since I am neither I will only hinder you by such trivialities. Please captain, save my one true daughter.” The captain was out the hall without another word, he had already staked his life on protecting her many years ago, there was no need for a remittance. Oh Lord Barathus, please do not let her know the same pain that she did all those many years ago.


Johnny Padelaki

Man, I hate this shop, I hate the smell, I hate the books, I hate my grandfather for making me work here and I hate my father for letting him make me work here. It was an antique for Christ sakes, nobody hardly ever came to an antique bookstore to buy a book, why, when you can read the latest game of thrones novel at exclusive books. Arrggggh it was so suffocating.

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to go on an adventure and as soon as I get my Anthropology and archeology degree, I am as good as gone from this squeaky old place. I could almost hear my rackety old grandpa now, “Young man, this shop has been in our family for generations. Why my father owned it and his father before him and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father. It is on sacred ground and must be preserved.” Sigh, I hated to disappoint the old man but I needed to get out of here and live my life. I was so going get a job at the archeology society of great London and volunteer for any and every expedition there was.

Crash!!!! A loud thud followed by what sounded like a mountain of books falling (yes it had happened before unsurprisingly in this heap of tattered old books). I followed the sound to the study in the back, noticing that the books had fallen to reveal a long forgotten family heirloom. The Mirror was something he was told to never ever touch. Oh well, I only had two more days before graduation, what could one-touch do. Although it felt like an uncontrollable urge, like a gravitational pull. As my fingers roamed the ceremonial engravings on the frame, it started to warm up to the touch. A force knocked me off my feet and into a shelf. I came to at the smell of lilies, my vision blurred but my curiosity of that heavenly scent pulled me forward. I blinked several times before I saw her clearly. I girl who looked no older than I did, was lying on the ground unconscious from my observations. Dark black her and the kind of beauty that would make a man’s, this man’s heart stop beating. She opened her eyelids and from them the most dazzling eyes he had ever seen.

They were a piercing blue with flakes of green, no almost whitish blue in them. It was almost as if they were dancing in her irises. I am left speechless, even as a puzzled frown formed on her beautiful face as she looked around taking in her surroundings. Wait, what the hell was going on, there is no way just no way had she come out of the Mirror right? Right? No that’s absurd.

“Good day kind sir. Forgive me but I seem to be out of sorts. Is this what is called the Earthen lands? Ouch, it seems I have hurt one of my wings, no matter it will heal shortly”.

Now it was my turned to do the puzzled frown although I imagine I looked quite foolish to this goddess from the Mirror. From a frickkin mirror? Things like this can’t just happen. “Earthen Lands? If you mean Earth, then yes. Wings? I’m sorry but what wings?”

Now it was her turn to frown again, she glanced behind her back and so did I. “Do you not see them?” I shook my head. “-hmm that is most peculiar. I am princess Kitara, daughter of Queen Shakira, protector and savior to all the Fae, successor to the throne and protected by the Galicia. And who might you be kind sir?”

I blinked a few times trying to remember and understand that. “I’m Johnny Pedalaki and uhm no title,” I said nervously hoping I didn’t have soot all over my face from the explosion or whatever it was that brought this girl into my life.

The front door was pushed open with such force that the bell on it rang then broke, then fell to the floor, “Gimme all yo money!!- wait, hey no one is here. I thought you said there was always some kid here Henry.” Said the first guy.

“Dammit man don’t use my name! He’s always here. Be careful, he knows some kinda Kung Fu shit I ain't never seen.”

I rolled my eyes and looked down at Kitara, holding out my hand and muttering, “Mirror explodes and beautiful girl pops out then the store gets robbed by anti-geniuses, man when it rains it pours.”

Kitara piped up, “I am not familiar with that expression Johnny Padelaki no title”.

I put a finger to her lip, marveling at her and said: “It’s just Johnny, whoever are you?”

“I am princess Kitara, daughter of Queen-“

I smiled and interrupted “Never mind, come with me and you have to be quiet.” I pulled her towards a very old closet, she was behind me now, and God she smelled good. I felt dizzy but at the same time, I was not going to let anything hurt this undeniably beautiful creature. I motioned for her to stay put. Henry and his partner entered the room looking around. Firstly they only had a baseball bat and each of them had no protective clothing on, what morons. I burst out of the closet like a barbarian, man since when did I get this reckless. I threw myself at Henry, I knew this guy, he grew up down the block from me and now here he was trying to steal from me and hurt what is mine. I don’t know where this rage came from, maybe it was from all those years in the shop who knows but I pounded fist after fist at his face. A loud pop rang in the air followed by a sharp pain at my side, which was only superseded, by the most excruciating and exploding pain I had ever felt, I toppled off to the side off of Henry’s bloody face. Clutching my own side in agony and to avoid losing any more blood. Damn this frickkin hurt, no one ever says how much it hurts. The guys in the movies always make it seem like nothing and get up. I couldn’t even see straight let alone move.

I heard the closet door open again and Kitara stepped out, I tried to get up but cursed, I was useless I couldn’t even save her. Man, why had I been so reckless? Henry’s accomplice, let’s call him DonkeyFace said: “Well looky what we have here, damn you look fine baby come give daddy some sugar.” I could see enough to tell

Kitara was pissed. She rushed the guy, no not rushed actually flew at the guy and grabbed him by the throat with one hand lifting him up. DonkeyFace was choking for air, then she wiggled her index finger and he crumpled to the ground like dead weight. She turned to me with concern in her gorgeous eyes, man what I would give to never have to see that worry in her eyes ever again.

“Arrgggh, sorry I’m so useless,” I grunted, disappointed in myself.

Kitara knelt down and gently hovered her hand over my wound. Miraculously I watched in awe as the wound closed, I felt the bullet inside me dissolve into sweet nothingness. “I am so glad you are in good health Just Johnny, you have been so kind to me and I like your eyes, I wish to see nothing ever bad happen to you” I chuckled, She liked my eyes? I frickkin loved her eyes! She placed her hand over my heart and closed her eyes; wow was she going to heal my soul or something now. Her eyes popped open with delight, she smiled and it just melted my heart “You have Fae blood in you, it’s faint but still there.” Again it was my turn with the Willy Wonka puzzled frown,

“Uhm that’s weird, maybe it was a transfusion or something. Am I in trouble?”

She laughed, it was the most entrancing sound I had ever heard, “No silly, it cannot be transfused it is part of who you are. And no you are not in trouble and now neither am I hahahah.” Kitara stood up and magically produced a large ivory colored sword that shone like the moon. “Dearest Johnny Padelaki of no title and my savior. By your forefather the Fae Bronson (Hey! That’s my great granddad's name), and by my Mother before me, I dub thee Fae Knight of the Royal

Bloodline. Do you denounce all in the name of your Queen and kinsfolk? To swear only to serve and protect those you are charged with in innocence?”

Silenced prevailed, my mind was so jumbled but hey if it meant I got to see more of her what the hell. “Uhm I guess so.”

With that, she plunged the sword so deep into my chest that I’m pretty sure it came out the other side!


*************
Authors Note

Sorry! No Zemlja Dosta Chronicles this week, giving you some time to catch up on the story.
Here are all the chapters:
Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials
Chapter 6 - Hocirne's Return

The Fairy Tale Adventures of Princess Kitara was written as a bedtime story. I asked my big sister what she wanted for her birthday, told her she could have anything and she said she wanted a story. So, abra kadabra, voila here's the bedtime story I wrote.

Part 2 of this story will be released next week as it was just too long to put in one blog post and hopefully, it's entertained you enough to look out for next weeks release.

Photography by AlfonzoWords
~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres
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