Airships, Calamities, & Giveaways!

Stop by the Speculative Fiction Cantina for a fun radio interview where we talk secret societies, global catastrophe, and air ship battles.

And don't forget to enter the GoodReads giveaway below for a chance to win a signed copy of The Tremblers!

Charlotte Blackburn—Beautiful, intelligent, a gifted tinkerer—lives in a cloistered world of wealth and privilege beneath the Electric Tesla Dome that shields survivors of The Great Calamity. But when her father is abducted, and a strange sickness starts transforming men into vicious monsters, she discovers that technology is no protection at all.

Ashton Wells has a dire mission: Secure Colonel Blackburn and deliver his research to The Order of the Sword and Scroll. But the plan goes awry, and he is left with nothing but the colonel's daughter who has a target on her back and is willing stop at nothing to rescue her father—including handing over to the enemy the only means to stop the monstrous plague.

Branded as traitors, Ashton and Charlotte brave the treacherous floating sky ports of Outer City to hunt down the elusive inventor, Nikola Tesla—the only person able to activate the strange device that harbors the secret to their salvation. 

With the government closing in, a rebellion brewing in the streets, and terrifying Tremblers attacking the innocent, the two must work together to stop their fragile world from crumbling once more into destruction.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Tremblers

by Raquel Byrnes

Giveaway ends January 31, 2018.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Can't wait for the contest to end? Download two FREE NOVELLAS that take you into the dangerous world of The Tremblers. 

Radio Retrofuture Interview!

Come hang out with me over at Radio Retrofuture where we talk secret societies, global catastrophe, and air ship battles.

Don't forget to check out my Steampunk Thriller while its on pre-order sale...

The Tremblers on Amazon

Charlotte Blackburn—Beautiful, intelligent, a gifted tinkerer—lives in a cloistered world of wealth and privilege beneath the Electric Tesla Dome that shields survivors of The Great Calamity. But when her father is abducted, and a strange sickness starts transforming men into vicious monsters, she discovers that technology is no protection at all.

Ashton Wells has a dire mission: Secure Colonel Blackburn and deliver his research to The Order of the Sword and Scroll. But the plan goes awry, and he is left with nothing but the colonel's daughter who has a target on her back and is willing stop at nothing to rescue her father—including handing over to the enemy the only means to stop the monstrous plague.

Branded as traitors, Ashton and Charlotte brave the treacherous floating sky ports of Outer City to hunt down the elusive inventor, Nikola Tesla—the only person able to activate the strange device that harbors the secret to their salvation. 

With the government closing in, a rebellion brewing in the streets, and terrifying Tremblers attacking the innocent, the two must work together to stop their fragile world from crumbling once more into destruction.

IWSG, Reading Changed Me

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG

This month's Insecure Writers Support Group topic is:

How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?

The truth is...A LOT

I was always a voracious reader. I was the kid in school reading as she walked to class, totally oblivious of people saying hello or...to my utter dismay, opening doors. I chewed through tomes in just a couple of days always on the prowl for a new series to swoon over. Often quoting characters and expecting others to understand my nerdy references. Yeah...that kid.

Now I am an adult version of that kid. I still read like its going out of style. I still tend to get lost in a book even in a crowded room.

BUT...reading took a little of an unexpected turn for me. It became a learning experience on how to write. 

As an author, I can appreciate what an author is doing in terms of technique. When I read, I notice things like dialogue, world-building, character development, story arc...and I learn a ton from each author.

Reading helps me identify what works and what doesn't. What I like and why I like it.  And hopefully, improve my own writing.

I figure the more I take in great writing...better writing...than my own...the more I learn.

Because of this, my choices in books has changed to reflect my taste for higher quality products. The YA genre in particular is pumping out some amazing series...I am truly excited as a reader and fan!

So now, happily, I have an actual professional reason for my book hoarding! Yay me!

Please take a look at some of the other insightful posts by the Insecure Writers Support Group...you never know where inspiration might strike.

+Raquel Byrnes

Cover Reveal - BLOOD ISLAND

Blood Island (The Secret of the Halflings #2)

by Samantha Coville

Release Date: 2015

Cover Designed by: Najla Qamber Designs

Summary from Goodreads:

COMING SOON IN 2015, THE SEQUEL TO BLOOD OATH:

With Elizabeth on the loose and Byron free to roam the halls of headquarters, the Siren community is on edge, waiting for the impending first strike.

And it comes when three Elders are found dead after they go out for their monthly hunt.

Now, for the protection of the soon to be heir to the throne, Raya and her friends are sent to an unmarked island where Sirens walk in the sunlight without fear. It's their island.

And it might just be the key to a dark plan.

Sequel to:

(cover linked to Goodreads)

Available from:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords

About the Author

Samantha Coville is an editor and literary critic at her website, Sammy the Bookworm. She’s been writing short stories for six years and has appeared in magazines, both in print and online. When she’s not doing something book related, she is singing in her church choir or enjoying one of the theme parks in her home state of Florida.

Author Links:

   

Cover Reveal Organized by:

Review: Gates of Thread and Stone

Gates of Thread and Stone is a YA Dystopian Fantasy written by Lori M. Lee. 

The Pros:

The world building is done beautifully. The walled city is creepy and decrepit and you absolutely feel the desperation the characters feel living that existence. Lee does a wonderful job of fleshing out the intricacies of the different districts, the slum-like labyrinth, and the menacing White Court.

Kai, the main character, is a strong-willed young woman with an iron clad loyalty to her brother, Reeve. This love and dedication really plays into the reader's connection to Kai.

Avan is her friend and love interest. He is charismatic and protective and you find yourself hoping something develops between the two. It is Avan that goes with her in search of her brother when he dissappears.

The void and the gargoyles are menacing and you find yourself anticipating journey ahead.

The Cons:

Because of the cover and the fantasy genre I expected Kai's ability to manipulate time to be a central force in the story, but it is not. They also have to travel through a forest and I expected something to make their journey difficult, but they ride right through.

The only other thing is that I found myself a little lost after the initial world building at the beginning of the book. I know that it is hard to balance story pace and description so I understand. I just wish I had a better sense of the outlying places that encompass the story.

Overall:

In all, I found this book quite enjoyable and a fun adventure to read. I tore through it in a couple of days. The twists and bombshells kept me turning the pages.

I gave it 4 Stars on Goodreads and Amazon.

+Raquel Byrnes 

Cosplay and Writing

I recently had the opportunity to help organize a Steampunk Formal for my daughter's high school prom. It was tons of fun and allowed for many creative projects. From a giant clock to transforming NERF pistols into copper-patina colored weapons. 

My daughter was inspired by my research for the YA Steampunk novel I recently wrote and I have to say that it was such a wonderful bonding time.

Plus, as a writer, I often do tons of research, but when I try to share it with others I can literally see the glaze pass over their eyes...sigh.  So this was awesome for me both as a mother and a writer.

She has since moved on to other cosplay themes. A huge Bioshock Infinite fan, she sewed her own 'Young Elizabeth' costume that she wore to an Adventure Ball this summer. It was so fun talking about the dirigible and airship nomenclature with her.

I'm looking forward to SteamCon and ComiCon this upcoming year...my other daughter is a HUGE anime fan so I may be heading to an anime convention as well. Yes, apparently my family is just a giant brood of nerds...but we're fun ones!

For those of you interested in cosplay, I post tons of tutorial and DIY project links over at my author website: Raquel Byrnes Books.com.

What about you? Is there something you share with a friend or family member that crosses over into your writing world?

by +Raquel Byrnes