A to Z Challenge – M is for Magic

M

Magic is seductive, electric and ultimately, unattainable. At least on this world, in this time. But what if it weren’t? What if, for some reason, magic was possible on Earth? What if you woke up tomorrow and turned on the TV to see unicorns, elves, fairies and every other creature from our mythical past?

It was my fascination with that question that produced The Thulukan Chronicles. I wanted magic to be different. Not just for a privileged few to know about, but for everyone to see. That idea took my series places I hadn’t even thought about when I first started writing it. The farther I got into the story, the clearer it became that I wasn’t just writing about paranormal detectives – the kind who actually work for the supernatural. Nope, I was creating a world where magic returns and everyone knows about it. And not just the creatures of magic, but magic itself was making itself known. I’m almost done revising Book 3 of the series, titled appropriately, Magics. It will release this summer. I think I took the premise to its logical conclusion, but of course, the readers will be the judge of that.

I’ve lived with this fun series for only four years, but it has been an intense part of my life. While Magics ties up all sorts of loose ends, the door is left open to continue. So for now I’m not saying goodbye to the series. Not yet. Maybe only “See you later.” We shall see.

 

What will tomorrow’s word be? Come back for the letter “N” in the challenge.

Be sure to check out the rest of the cool blogs in the challenge!  A to Z Challenge.

A to Z Challenge – L is for La Fi

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La Fi is the voice of The Thulukan Chronicles. La Fi’s real name is Fiona Bartlett Thulukan and she tells the story of magic returning to Earth. We see her and Thulu’s (her husband) roles change and expand through the course of the series.

La Fi was described by one reviewer as a reluctant heroine and I think this is apt. Throughout the three novelettes, as well as the novels, she prefers to fly under the radar in spite of her special gifts. La Fi is able to see and speak to the dead. She’s also able to understand any language, whether she knows it or not. It’s her connection to those who have not yet passed on that gives her a unique perspective on the world. As the world around her changes, it is her connection to the dead which actually serves as her anchor.

Her sense of humor tends to be dry and she has a paranoia about being locked up and studied in a lab somewhere. Throughout all the changes and turmoil around her, she maintains a very stoic view, showing an inner strength, that has yet to be shaken. However, that may (or may not) change in Book 3.  🙂

 

What will tomorrow’s word be? Come back for the letter “M” in the challenge.

Be sure to check out the rest of the cool blogs in the challenge!  A to Z Challenge.

A to Z Challenge – D is for Dead

D

This was another easy (and obvious) choice for me. Each of the novels and stories in my series The Thulukan Chronicles contains the word “dead” in the first sentence. In Relics, it was as simple as wanting that first sentence to be intriguing. I like juxtaposition and thought the idea of a frightened dead person was interesting. After all, what would the dead fear?

When I started writing Portals I continued the trend. By the time I wrote the rest of the series, it was something of a signature for me to use the word “dead” in that first sentence. So, here are all the first sentences from the series…including the one from my newest novel Magics, which will be released this summer. I hope you enjoy them.

Relics, Book 1 of The Thulukan Chronicles: When the dead are afraid, you know there’s a big problem.

Portals, Book 2 of The Thulukan Chronicles: Being dead has its disadvantages.

“Ghost Memory,” Thulukan Chronicles Story, #1:  My misery wasn’t in the mood for company, especially the company of some old, dead guy.

“Unwanted Ghost,” Thulukan Chronicles Story, #2:  The dead woman bounced off the walls like a demented dervish, shrieking and moaning.

“Ghost Dancer,” Thulukan Chronicles Story, #3:  “I need you to save my dog,” said the young dead girl who had materialized in front of our desks.

And from the not yet released Magics, Book 3 of The Thulukan Chronicles:  The dead girl jumped as the series of explosions rocked our office.

 

What will tomorrow’s word be? Come back tomorrow for the letter “E” in the challenge.

Be sure to check out the rest of the cool blogs in the challenge!  A to Z Challenge.

The Writing Process Blog Hop

Book Fort Trea1

One of the perks of writing is to be able to create book forts. This was my first one with my debut novel, Relics, and my chihuahua, Tréa. It symbolizes what I do in a unique (and fun) way. So how did I get invited to this blog hop? Why, through the author Larry Crane! Let’s find out some more about him. 🙂

Larry Crane

 

AuthorPicZTransplanted to Maine mid-westerner Larry Crane brings a Heartland sensibility to his writing. Larry graduated from West Point, served in the Army, and commuted to Wall Street from New Jersey. His writing includes articles for outdoor magazines, stage plays, short fiction, and his most recent thriller novel, A Bridge to Treachery. Crane is a volunteer videographer for his local Public Access Television Station. Larry and wife Jan now live on the coast of Maine.

Larry is also the author of Baghdad on the Wabash and Other Plays and Stories, an unconventional collection of stories that capture “slice of the life” looks at quirky couples. Both are available at Amazon.

Last week Larry talked about his own writing process on his blog. Be sure to check that out!

Read More

Portals – Kindle Countdown Deal!

Portals is part of the Kindle Countdown Deal! It’s only 99 cents on Monday, 3/10/14!

The countdown deal will have discounts every day with Monday as the best deal at 99 cents! Get your copy today!

buy-it-on-amazon

 

Portals cover SmFor supernatural detectives Thulu and La Fi, “normal” is a relative term. La Fi is a medium, Thulu is a finder, and their usual clients are already dead.

But when their friend Reo is shot, and a group of stranded angels show up at their house for help to find a missing child, things are striking too close to home.

And now the portals that let the magical races return to Earth have started opening on their own.

With trips off-world, a kidnapped psychic and changes to their own abilities, Thulu and La Fi are hit with a lot more than they usually handle. Of course, their magical friends are there to help, but even they may not be enough to save an increasingly unstable Earth.

Portals is the sequel to Relics and is Book 2 in The Thulukan Chronicles.

 

“Ghost Dancer” Now Available!

 “Ghost Dancer,” A Thulukan Chronicles Story

I’m so happy to announce the release of the third novelette in The Thulukan Chronicles! It will be available at several retailers, so please check back as I add those links. The link for Amazon is below. Thanks to everyone who has supported this series!

touraoutthebooka

Ghost Dancer sm

Ten-year-old Danika Samms was going to be a dancer. She was even going to be on TV for a big national contest. Until a serial killer put an end to her dreams. Now her ghost has come to Thulu and La Fi to save her dog from the killer. La Fi is a medium and Thulu is a finder and together they find justice for the dead.

The detectives take the case, but they find more than a lost pup. They discover a heartbreaking secret and a seasoned killer already on the prowl for his next victim. And this time their walk on the darker side of the paranormal puts their own lives at risk.

“Ghost Dancer” is the third novelette from The Thulukan Chronicles.

 

You can find “Ghost Dancer” at Amazon.

 

The Thulukan Chronicles

For all the books and novelettes in the series, please check out these links!

The Books

Relics, Book 1

Portals, Book 2

 

The Novelettes

“Ghost Memory” – Available for free download

“Unwanted Ghost”

“Ghost Dancer”

 

You can also find me at these links:

Maer on Amazon

Maer on Facebook

Maer on Twitter

Maer at Goodreads

Cover Reveal – “Ghost Dancer”

Cover Reveal

I’m pleased to share the cover for the soon-to-be-released novelette, “Ghost Dancer.” The artwork is by Danielle DeVor and the text is by Ida Jannson. This is the third story in the novelette series.

Ghost Dancer sm

 “Ghost Dancer” A Thulukan Chronicles Story

 

Ten-year-old Danika Samms was going to be a dancer. She was even going to be on TV for a big national contest. Until a serial killer put an end to her dreams. Now her ghost has come to Thulu and La Fi to save her dog from the killer. La Fi is a medium and Thulu is a finder and together they find justice for the dead.

The detectives take the case, but they find more than a lost pup. They discover a heartbreaking secret and a seasoned killer already on the prowl for his next victim. And this time their walk on the darker side of the paranormal puts their own lives at risk.

“Ghost Dancer” is the third novelette from The Thulukan Chronicles.

“Ghost Dancer” will be available at Amazon.