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Immersive fantasy fiction

Immersive fantasy fiction

Epic sword & sorcery fantasy from UK author D.M. Cain

  • About D.M. Cain
  • D.M. Cain’s blog
  • Books by D.M. Cain
    • The Phoenix Project
      • Epilogue for The Phoenix Project
    • The Light and Shadow Chronicles
      • A Chronicle of Chaos
      • The Shield of Soren
      • Genesis of Light
      • Origin of Shadow
      • The Ballad of Benedict
      • The Sins of Silas
      • Hand of Honour
    • The End – a thrilling short story
    • Soren
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    Category: bookrelease

    LOTS of prizes to be won!

    There are LOTS of amazing prizes to be won at the release party for A Chronicle of Chaos today! Pop on over to the Facebook event from 6.30pm GMT (2.30pm EST): https://www.facebook.com/events/1661810747414847/

    Mar 24, 2016Mar 24, 2016 by dmcain84

    The Light and Shadow Chronicles symbol no. 2 – Demons

    Chronicle of Chaos 34 final file resized title and shield changed DPI flat

    The cover for my newest novel A Chronicle of Chaos features a shield with eight symbols carved upon it. Each of the symbols represents a different army, faction or group of people within the series. Over the next eight days, to complement the release countdown, I will be posting about each of the symbols to give some background on the armies you can expect to learn about in Chaos and the upcoming novels in the series.

     

    The SECOND symbol I will be talking about can be seen on the bottom right of the shield:

    Repaired shield demons

    This is the sigil of the demons who reside in Hell, their souls tied to their dimension until they are released to walk the Human Realm. In A Chronicle of Chaos, four demons are summoned from Hell to fight for the Brotherhood of Shadow against the Children of Light.

    Their symbol is known as ‘the black feathers of Hell’ and works as a counterbalance to the angels’ symbol (which can be seen opposite).

     

    Characters from this army that you can expect to see in A Chronicle of Chaos include:

    Anathema – An offspring of Malice, Anathema is vicious and cruel and thrives off torture and murder.

    Anathema poster new.jpg

    Phantom – The commander of the demons, Phantom is powerful and deadly, huge and engulfed in fire.

    Malla – A trickster who specialises in illusions.

    Anubis – A hulking animal-like monstrosity who kills blindly and indiscriminately.

    Demons

    A Chronicle of Chaos is now available from Amazon!

    Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4YAD96/

    Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01D4YAD96/

    Previous post:

    • CHILDREN OF LIGHT
    Cover art and symbols designed by Irina French: facebook.com/irinafrenchdigitalart/

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    Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/D.M.-Cain/e/B00LTTX3PA/

    Mar 22, 2016Mar 23, 2016 by dmcain84

    The Light and Shadow Chronicles symbol no. 1 – Children of Light

    Chronicle of Chaos 34 final file resized title and shield changed DPI flat

    The cover for my newest novel A Chronicle of Chaos features a shield with eight symbols carved upon it. Each of the symbols represents a different army, faction or group of people within the series. Over the next eight days, to complement the release countdown, I will be posting about each of the symbols to give some background on the armies you can expect to learn about in Chaos and the upcoming novels in the series.

     

    The first symbol I will be talking about can be seen on the right of the shield:

    Repaired shield CofL.jpg

    This is the sigil of the Children of Light-one of the two main warring armies in the series. The Children of Light are led by immortal warrior queen Callista Nienna. Callista is the matriarch of her family, leader of her armies and the ruler of the entire nation of Alcherys (the country where the Children of Light are based).

    Their symbol, known as ‘the four daggers of eternity’ was designed by Callista in her early years, when she was first rallying support for her army. She saw the symbol in an ancient text of unknown origin called the Book of Alcherys and decided to take the symbol as her own.

    The four daggers represent strength and honour, pointed inwards to stress the importance of looking upon your inner self, and maintaining relations with family. In the centre is the swirl of infinity. This represents the eternal war, brought about by the elixir of youth, the reason why Callista and her army will never age.

    Characters from this army that you can expect to see in A Chronicle of Chaos include:

    Callista Nienna – Warrior queen and matriarch of the Children of Light.

    Hayden Lennox – One of Callista’s husbands, and father of many of her children.

    Ryan Thialdor – One of Callista’s sons and a powerful, high-ranking officer in the army.

    Jordan Thialdor – Another of Callista’s sons. As a child genius, Jordan became the head of the tactical division in the Children of Light and now masterminds many of Callista’s military operations.

    Mikhail Bavelize – A young man who joined the Children of Light after defecting from the Brotherhood. Mikhail has an incredible power, but is reluctant to use it.

    Children

    Cover art and symbols designed by Irina French: facebook.com/irinafrenchdigitalart/

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

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    Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/D.M.-Cain/e/B00LTTX3PA/

    Mar 21, 2016Mar 20, 2016 by dmcain84

    30 minute party time!

    I’m going to be hosting a 30 minute takeover slot at the cover reveal party for ‘Hart of Country’ by Kris Nacole on Sunday. I’m excited – it’s going to be so much fun! Why not pop over and join us? I’ll be discussing my soon to be released fantasy ‘A Chronicle of Chaos’ as well as a brand new project I’ve started 🙂

    https://www.facebook.com/events/768043390006722/

    12823482_1565928400365760_1601140812801055390_o.jpg

    Mar 8, 2016 by dmcain84

    Exigency book blast tour

    BLOG BOOK BLAST TOUR

    Exigency (Protectors of the Elemental Magic Book 2)

    preorder

    Author: Marnie Cate

    Title: Exigency

    Series: The Protectors of the Elemental Magic Series

    Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/Romance

    Synopsis:

    There is a world around us that most people don’t take the time to see.

    Mara Stone’s world was shaken, but she is a fighter. Facing new adversaries, Mara is learning what it truly means to protect the magic. As she starts to rebuild her life, the web of her family’s secrets continues to unravel. Mara is forced to face her fear of losing everything she holds dear.

    She said that you would be a challenge to my children. I thought I had made the right choice when I selected Eliza. If only Mae had not interfered. But, enough of those sad thoughts, I think the two of you will be perfect replacements.

    When Mara and Cole find themselves in the cold world of Snowstrum, they will have to choose either to be true to their promise to protect the magic, or to follow their desires. Magic may not be enough to free them from the icy fortress they are trapped in.

    The second book in the Protectors of the Elemental Magic series, Exigency is a compelling, magical young adult fantasy tale.

    Excerpt

    As I continued walking, the air died down but I quickly found myself encompassed by a dense fog. My hair was no longer blinding me but I could barely see my hand in front of me. A soft voice in me told me to just to keep walking and I listened until I stepped into cold water.

    “Damn it,” I cried out.

    Not sure where I was I stopped and called, “Air, please blow away this fog and let me see where I am.”

    Sitting down, I waited while the moist vapor drifted away showing me that I was on the rocky shore of Sparrow Lake. Sitting down, I wrapped my arms around my legs and gently began to rock myself. How did I get so far from home? I felt as if I was losing a connection with reality. I kept telling myself that if I just listened to my heart everything would be as planned. As I questioned my recent behavior and my faith that the Goddess would guide me, I heard a crackling sound behind me. Turning to the direction of the noise, I saw a shadow quickly dart through the tree line.

    Calling out, I said, “Stop! Who are you? Why are you following me?”

    No response came from the forest. Standing to face the unknown, the cold breeze off the lake picked up and covered my arms with goosebumps. Rubbing my arms frantically to warm up, I called out again.

    “Whoever is out there, show yourself,” I said.

    “With all the magic you hold, you could easily climb up the mountain and give them what they deserve,” said the bewitching voice of a woman.

    “You could start a little fire. One little ball of your magic could ignite the forest surrounding them. It would grow and grow until it would burn the mansion down. Or you could call a great wind and bring everything and everyone inside down into a crumbling ruin.”

    With more anger, the voice said, “And there is always my favorite. You can call the rain and demand it to pour down. Calling more and more of your magic until you finally send everything off the mountain. Mudslides happen all the time.”

    “Or if you wanted to be lazy, you can just ask the ground to shake and shake and shake until you have created dust out of them all.”

    The voice taunted, “Wouldn’t it be so easy? Don’t you think they deserve to be punished for what they did…?”

    ————————————————————————–

    EXIGENCY COMPLETE
     

    Amazon Book link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BVSJU5K

    Marnie Cate

    Marnie Cate Biography

    Marnie Cate was born and raised in Montana before adventuring to the warmer states of Arizona and California. Her love of Dame Judi Dench and dreams of caticorns and rainbows inspired her to chase her dreams. One great sentence came to mind and the world of elemental magic and the humans they lived amongst filled her mind. With her first book Remember: Protectors of the Elemental Magic, the story has just begun.

    Links:

    Marnie Cate’s website: marniecate.com

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

    Twitter: twitter.com/Marnie_Cate

    Pinterest: pinterest.com/marniecate

    Goodreads: goodreads.com/Marnie_Cate

    Amazon page: amazon.com/dp/B01BVSJU5K/

    Feb 26, 2016 by dmcain84

    Sci-fi: The next generation – guest post by LE Fitzpatrick

    runninggametour.jpg

    Today I am honoured to host the amazing LE Fitzpatrick as part of her release tour for ‘The Running Game’. She has written this amazing, geeky, heart-warming article about the importance of passing your passion for sci-fi and fantasy to the next generation. Read on – it’ll bring a tear to your eye!

    SCI-FI THE NEXT GENERATION: A brief word about raising a Sci-fi fan by L E FITZPATRICK

    When I became a mum there were several things I was desperate to pass on to my son: good manners, a love of food, and an unhealthy obsession with Sci-fi and fantasy. The latter has become a sort of competition with my son’s father – a die hard LOTR enthusiast. Unfortunately, despite my avid efforts to push Pirates of the Caribbean forward as a suitable alternative, I lost and for a brief while our living room became a homage to Helms Deep (the Lego version anyway).

    But all was not lost. Having kept all of our old Star Wars toys (you remember the vintage ones that for the briefest moment were worth millions), I was able to coax the boy over to the dark side and, before he was three, he was able to quote, word for word, Episodes IV, V, and VI… we don’t bother with the prequels. It was a proud moment – if only I could have found a baby book that documented movie quotes and epic battle sequences instead of first steps.

    Our excitement was heightened last year with the new Star Wars film and we booked a family day out to watch it. Although to be honest I didn’t watch the film. I watched my son’s face as the title screen came on. I saw his eyes light up as the theme music sounded, stirring all kinds of memories in us. As we watched Rey and BB8, I saw how a new role model was making herself into my son’s life. As old faces returned, I saw his brain compensate for the aging actors he wasn’t familiar with, become the faces he remembered from the earlier films. He squeezed my hand when he was excited, hid behind me when he was afraid, and I held him when he cried his heart out at… well you know what if you’ve seen it.

    As we left that cinema, sniffling and trying to be brave, we went home and the first thing we did was put on some Stargate to “chill out” from our recent bereavement. We’re in season 6 now, and my son might be the only 7 year old in Wales that role plays Stargate in the playground with his friends.

    Next on my list is my favourite – Firefly – he’s had his taste of the first episode and for the rest of the afternoon I had a mini Captain Reynolds shooting reavers in my kitchen, so I think we’re in for a win with that one too. Then maybe Farscape, a bit of Red Dwarf, Battlestar Galatica…. The list is endless.

    But why is it so important I pass these cancelled shows on to my son, aside from them being awesome and better than watching whining vampires on TV? It’s because he gets to see team work in Stargate. It’s because he sees courage in Luke Skywalker. He sees strong female role models in Firefly. He sees the horror of evil and the power of good. Right and wrong and the grey areas in between. And he picks up the best one liners in history.

    The geeky generation is drifting, albeit reluctantly, into adult life, and space ships are no longer just for kids. They’re for adults and families. They’re for parents to share with their children, like our ancestors used to share their mythology and legends. Now we can sit and recount life lessons in the tales of Jedi and lost Earthmen. And why do we do this? Well, because nothing in the world can be better than putting your son to bed, saying, “I love you.” And hear him say, “I know.”

    About ‘The Running Game’

    712_0.858705001445480899_screen-shot-2015-10-21-at-9.28.40-pm

    Title: The Running Game

    Author: L.E. Fitzpatrick

    Genre: Dystopian

    Rachel’s father called it the running game. Count the exits, calculate the routes. Always be ready to run because they’ll always be coming for you. Whatever happens, they’ll always be coming for you.

    On the surface, Rachel is just an ordinary doctor, trying to stay alive in war-torn London, but she has a secret. Rachel is a Reacher – wanted by the government and by the criminal underworld – for her telekinetic powers.

    Charlie and his brother John had a reputation for doing the impossible. But after losing his family, Charlie is a broken mess and John is barely keeping him afloat. In desperation, they take a job from a ruthless ganglord only to discover the girl they are hunting is a Reacher – one of their own kind.

    James Roxton, a conman and thief, is searching for the man who tried to kill his mother. Suddenly embroiled into the plan to kidnap Rachel, he decides he can turn things to his own advantage.

    Even with the help of dangerous and dubious allies, can Rachel turn the game around and save herself?

    Author Bio

    L E Fitzpatrick is a writer of dark adventure stories and thrillers. Under the watchful eye of her beloved rescue Staffordshire Bull Terrier, she leaps from trains and climbs down buildings, all from the front room of a tiny cottage in the middle of the Welsh countryside.

    Inspired by cult film and TV, L E Fitzpatrick’s fiction is a collection of twisted worlds and realities, broken characters, and high action. She enjoys pushing the boundaries of her imagination and creating hugely entertaining stories.

    The Running Game, her latest book and the first instalment of her dystopian Reacher series, is due for re-release in October 2015 under the Booktrope label.

    LE Fitzpatrick’s blog

    Buy The Running Game at Amazon

    Feb 14, 2016Mar 12, 2019 by dmcain84

    The king of all sci-fi time travel!

    Today I am absolutely delighted to be hosting sci-fi and horror mastermind Stewart Bint as he releases his newly-edited version of Timeshaft. I LOVED this book – so gripping, so enthralling, so utterly mind-bending! If you like Doctor Who, the Time Machine and other time-travel stories, you are sure to love this too!

    Timeshaft_saga

    Blurb:

    By the twenty-seventh century, mankind has finally mastered time travel—and is driving recklessly towards wiping itself out. The guerilla environmentalist group WorldSave, with its chief operative Ashday’s Child, uses the Timeshaft to correct mistakes of the past in an effort to extend the life of the planet.

    But the enigmatic Ashday’s Child has his own destiny to accomplish, and will do whatever it takes within a complicated web of paradoxes to do so. While his destiny—and very existence—is challenged from the beginning to the end of time, he must collect the key players through the ages to create the very Timeshaft itself.

    “Do our actions as time travellers change what would otherwise have happened, or is everything already laid down in a predetermined plan?” he asks. Stewart Bint’s Timeshaft is an expertly synchronized saga of time travel, the irresistible force of destiny, and the responsibility of mankind as rulers of the world.

    Following the fortunes of two sets of time travellers, Timeshaft extends Stewart Bint’s popular novellas, Malfunction and Ashday’s Child (both published by Smashwords in 2012), linking the two completely unrelated storylines into a full-length novel.

    Set in Australia, London and Scotland, along with an unknown geographical location called Thiecon, Timeshaft combines Ashday’s Child’s activities and hidden agenda, with an accident befalling the very first time journey by the fledgling Time Research And Exploration Project, rocking along to the past and future with paradoxes and twists galore.

    Buy Timeshaft on Amazon UK:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Timeshaft-Stewart-Bint/dp/1513706888/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

    Buy Timeshaft on Amazon USA:

    http://www.amazon.com/Timeshaft-Stewart-Bint/dp/1513706888/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

    Barnes and Noble:

    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/timeshaft-stewart-bint/1115380967;jsessionid=BEF2DFF8CD9730F073EF1345E67F929E.prodny_store01-atgap01?ean=9781513706887

    About the author:

    Stewart Bint author pic

    Stewart Bint is a novelist, magazine columnist and PR writer. He lives with his wife, Sue, in Leicestershire, in the UK, and has two grown-up children, Christopher and Charlotte.

    He is a former radio presenter, newsreader and phone-in show host, but always wanted to become a fiction writer — a dream that came true when his first novel was published in 2012 at the age of 56. Now the author of five novels, a collection of short stories and a compilation of his early magazine columns, he was signed by Booktrope in 2015, who published a revised edition of his paranormal novel, In Shadows Waiting, in August.

    Other books by Stewart Bint:

    In Shadows Waiting http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Waiting-Stewart-Bint-ebook/dp/B013F7WOGW/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

    The Jigsaw And The Fan   http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jigsaw-Fan-Stewart-Bint-ebook/dp/B00D0ST8G6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

    Malfunction https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/166088

    Ashday’s Child https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/211833

    Thunderlands http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thunderlands-Stewart-Bint-ebook/dp/B00QPBGVR4/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

    Up Close And Personal http://www.amazon.co.uk/Up-Close-Personal-Stewart-Bint-ebook/dp/B00ONSE3SU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

    He has also contributed to three short story anthologies:

    Awethology Dark http://www.amazon.co.uk/Awethology-Dark-Awethors/dp/1518726453/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

    December Awethology Light http://www.amazon.co.uk/December-Awethology-Light-Awethors-ebook/dp/B018XWC4WS/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

    Blood Moon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Moon-Anthologies-Heart-Book-ebook/dp/B00WN8HKEQ/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

    As a member of a local barefoot hiking group, when not writing he can often be found hiking in bare feet on woodland trails and urban streets.

    Stewart Bint barefoot hike

    Stewart Bint online:

    Website and blog: http://stewartbintauthor.weebly.com/

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

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorsjb

    Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stewart-Bint/e/B00D18IARS

    Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/Stewart-Bint/e/B00D18IARS

     

    Feb 12, 2016 by dmcain84

    Cover reveal for ‘Timeshaft’ by Stewart Bint

    Today is the cover reveal day for science fiction thriller ‘Timeshaft’ by the amazing Stewart Bint. This book was originally published on Smashwords in 2013 and is a firm favourite of mine. Mind-bending time-travel science fiction and excellent writing make this an excellent read.

    Now with with a brand new dazzling front cover by Troy Johnson, and a thorough re-editing (plus a number of new scenes including new begining and ending), I am very excited to read this brand new Booktrope edition!

    So without further ado, here is the striking new cover!

    9781513706887_cover FRONT.jpg

    Blurb:

    By the twenty-seventh century, mankind has finally mastered time travel—and is driving recklessly towards wiping itself out. The guerilla environmentalist group WorldSave, with its chief operative Ashday’s Child, uses the Timeshaft to correct mistakes of the past in an effort to extend the life of the planet.

    But the enigmatic Ashday’s Child has his own destiny to accomplish, and will do whatever it takes within a complicated web of paradoxes to do so. While his destiny—and very existence—is challenged from the beginning to the end of time, he must collect the key players through the ages to create the very Timeshaft itself.

    “Do our actions as time travellers change what would otherwise have happened, or is everything already laid down in a predetermined plan?” he asks. Stewart Bint’s Timeshaft is an expertly synchronized saga of time travel, the irresistible force of destiny, and the responsibility of mankind as rulers of the world.

    All about Stewart Bint:

    Stewart Bint author pic
    Stewart Bint barefoot hike

    Stewart Bint is a novelist, magazine columnist and PR writer. He lives with his wife, Sue, in Leicestershire, in the UK, and has two grown-up children, Christopher and Charlotte.

    He is a former radio presenter, newsreader and phone-in show host, but always wanted to become a fiction writer — a dream that came true when his first novel was published in 2012 at the age of 56. Now the author of five novels, a collection of short stories and a compilation of his early magazine columns, he was signed by Booktrope in 2015, who published a revised edition of his paranormal novel, In Shadows Waiting, in August.

    They are publishing a revised and re-edited edition of Timeshaft shortly.

    As a member of a local barefoot hiking group, when not writing he can often be found hiking in bare feet on woodland trails and urban streets.

    Stewart Bint online:

    Website and blog: http://stewartbintauthor.weebly.com/

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

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorsjb

    Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stewart-Bint/e/B00D18IARS

    Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/Stewart-Bint/e/B00D18IARS

    Jan 29, 2016 by dmcain84

    The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne Cover Reveal

    The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne Cover Reveal

    Around one and a half years ago I read the first book in the Crown of Stones trilogy (Magic-Price).

    I don’t say this lightly, but that book changed my life.

    It affected me emotionally, it drew me in with the exceptional writing, the characters stole my heart, and it made me look at the fantasy genre in an entirely new way. It has all the best elements of traditional fantasy, but with a unique, dark twist. Plus, check out the incredible artwork! That’s what drew me to Book 1 in the first place.

    Book 2 cemented this series as one of my favourite fantasy series of all time (alongside His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman and The Word and the Void by Terry Brooks)

    Now, Book 3 is nearly out! To say I am excited would be an understatement! So, today on my blog I am featuring the amazingly talented C.L. Schneider as she prepares for the release of The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne.

     

    He’s paid for his addiction. He’s been scarred by his spells. He’s borne magic’s weight, its pleasure, and its guilt. But will he surrender to it when the realm needs him most?

    Magic-Borne, the final installment of my epic fantasy trilogy, The Crown of Stones, is almost here! The Crown of Stones follows the trials of Ian Troy; a man struggling with an inborn addiction to magic in a world where magic is reviled, not revered.

    The cover of Magic-Borne was designed by artist Alan Dingman.

    Magic-borne cover.jpg

    Synopsis:

    In one fell swoop, the resistance was shattered. Lives were taken. Hope was lost. Peace slipped like grains of sand through his fingers. So did the Crown of Stones. Now, forced into hiding, Ian Troy grapples for a way to save the realm—and free its people—from the sadistic clutches of Jem Reth; Mirra’kelan’s new self-appointed emperor. Plagued with the knowledge of a tragic future, he strives to influence events and save those he cares for. But his magic has betrayed him, and Fate has other plans.

    Scarred by the crown, hindered by the transformation spell contained within, each cast brings Ian one step closer to becoming more beast than man. Each move brings the death and destruction foretold in his vision inexplicably nearer. With Langor on the brink of war, and King Malaq’s plan for peace hanging in the balance, Ian returns to the ancient past; seeking an end to the eldring spell and a means to thwart Jem’s growing domination. What he finds there sets off a chain of revelations that leads Ian places he never thought to go.

    Entrusted with the future of his race, Ian becomes the linchpin for lasting change. But how much weight can one man carry? And how much is he willing to sacrifice in the name of peace?

    Magic Price cover

    Haven’t read book 1 yet? There’s still time to dive into the adventure before book 3 is released!

    To celebrate the cover reveal, Magic-Price and Magic-Scars are both on Kindle Countdown from 1/28 to 2/4. Download Magic-Price (book 1) for only .99 & Magic-Scars (book 2) for $1.99!

     

     

     

    Book 1 

    Magic-Price Kindle

    Magic-Price PB

    Book 2  

    Magic-Scars Kindle

    Magic-Scars PB

    Visit my Website for excerpts, teasers, reviews, and more!

    12552769_1199483200066339_941013037334498300_n.jpg

    Bio:

    Schneider.jpg

     

    L. Schneider is a self-published author of adult epic and urban fantasy. The first two books in her Crown of Stones trilogy, Magic-Price and Magic-Scars, are available on Amazon. The third installment will be released in February 2016. She is currently working on Nite Fire, an urban fantasy featuring a shape-shifting dragon hybrid named Dahlia Nite. C. L. Schneider lives in the scenic Hudson Valley of upstate New York with her husband and two sons. She spends her days torturing characters, overdosing on coffee, and daydreaming about the zombie apocalypse.

     

     

    Catch up with C. L. Schneider on social media

    Website http://www.clschneiderauthor.com/

    Twitter https://twitter.com/cl_schneider

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CLS.Author

    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCLSchneider

    Amazon Author Page http://bit.ly/CLAmazonPg

    Google +http://www.google.com/+CLSchneider

    Jan 28, 2016 by dmcain84

    Inspiration for The Phoenix Project

    Inspiration for The Phoenix Project

    The Phoenix Project is a story that is very close to my heart. I had the original idea in 2002 and it has slowly grown with the input of a variety of influences and inspirations.

    Raven Kennedy: Raven began as the villain, Vincent, in my first novel “Dead End” (an idea which never came to fruition). The plot didn’t work, but I adored his character so I kept him and developed him more as an antagonist in the fantasy world of ‘The Light and Shadow Chronicles’ (You may have met him in the first of the series, ‘A Chronicle of Chaos’).

    I loved the character so much that I took the idea of him and developed it in another direction—into the dark and depressed Raven in my next novel, ‘The Phoenix Project.’

    Having worked with Raven for so long, I am very emotionally attached to him. Even though he is fictional, I feel that he is a part of my heart and soul. Hence this tattoo:

    profile pictureRaven also features as a major character in ‘The Light and Shadow Chronicles.’ I don’t think I will ever write a book that doesn’t have Raven in it in some way. He is my muse and my access to my creativity.

    The decline of religion: Religion plays an important role in my life, which is unusual, as I am agnostic. I feel that faith is beautiful and special. I, sadly, am not lucky enough to have it myself, but I don’t understand why people blame religion for the world’s problems. I wanted to portray a world which was clearly worse for the decline of religion in an attempt to show the benefits of faith.

    Salverford prison: I travelled a lot whilst I was writing ‘The Phoenix Project’ and many of the places that I visited helped to fuel my imagination and give depth to my work. On a trip to Rome, I visited the Colosseum and was inspired by the ancient building. The exhibits on gladiators gave me a deeper understanding of the life of a person forced to fight to the death. I was able to pick out certain details and use them in ‘The Phoenix Project’ – such as the type of food gladiators were given to eat.

    I also spent some time in Krakow, Poland, and visited Aushwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. I’ll never forget the horror of the place, particularly Block 11, the torture and incarceration block. The long, thin cell which Raven passes in the Ruby Tower dungeons comes directly from a cell I saw at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The descriptions of smoke billowing from small chimneys also come from things I saw at Auschwitz.

     

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_11

    The place which gave me the most inspiration for Salverford, especially the underground cellars of Ruby Tower and the dark room, was the Terror Haza Museum in Budapest. This museum is the old offices of the Soviet Union Stasi and, later, The Nazi party’s Gestapo. Underneath the building, in the cold, dark cellars, is a grim and depressing dungeon of tiny, damp cells and a crushing sense of futility. I crept inside one of the waist-high cells and sat in pitch darkness and felt despair crowding in on me. This is where the ‘dark room’ was born.

    For more information on the Terror Haza Museum, visit:

    http://www.terrorhaza.hu/en/museum/about_us.html

    The Colosseum:

    I love the city of Rome. I’ve visited three times and have loved it more every time! Setting the finale in Rome fitted in well with the religion theme and gave the novel a focus, but I also enjoyed writing about a place I loved so dearly. The Colosseum was a great place for Raven to end up as an ironic safe place.

    As I was coming close to finishing ‘The Phoenix Project’, I was preparing myself to write the epilogue about Rome. My incredibly thoughtful husband surprised and delighted me by treating me to a holiday in Rome for Valentine’s day in 2010. It meant that I was able to write that final chapter in Rome itself.

    Buy ‘The Phoenix Project’:

    Nook:

    http://www.nook.com/gb/ebooks/the-phoenix-project-by-dm-cain/2940157645656

    Amazon:

    US http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0195A6AYK
    UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0195A6AYK

    Barnes and Noble:

    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-phoenix-project-dm-cain/1123117161

    iTunes:

    https://itunes.apple.com/book/id1066900946

    Jan 16, 2016 by dmcain84

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