Author: FORTHRIGHT

Pre-Order Bk5

Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4) is now available for pre-order on Amazon. At this point, it’s only the e-book. Print editions will begin showing up closer to release day. The same goes for other storefronts. Patience! The whole project is coming along nicely. And you now have a firm release date!

September 22, 2020

Amaranthine Saga 04, Mikoto and the Reaver Village

This summer is his last chance to win his first love.
Wardenclave has always been a place of secrets and sway. For most of the year, the remote mountain village is closed off from the rest of the world, but each spring, they issue invitations to the most promising young reavers all over the world. Summer skill camps provide opportunities for the elite to train with the best. And by longstanding tradition, for teens of the In-between to evaluate the compatibility of their peers. Glint Starmark’s reputation as a matchmaker has been holding true for millennia.

At seventeen, Mikoto Reaver is the youngest headman in Wardenclave’s history. He’s had very little time to adjust to his new role before their close-knit community opens its doors to children of pedigree, the specialists who will mentor them, an allotment of battlers, and a celebrity or two. Glint means well, but Mikoto won’t commit until he can speak to the only girl he’s ever loved. There’s just something about her.

•   •   •

You can also shelve this book on Goodreads >>

by Categories: Amaranthine SagaTags: , 6 Comments

Photo Challenge

Button Splosion. Another quick nudge (because I really, really should get back to writing) toward the ongoing photo challenge. So many more entries came in this week, and I love your creativity. I’m always delighted when you pose my books with pets, and we’re about even … cats vs. dogs. Will you be entering? Hope so. There’s time! Pretty, pretty prizes (there will be a drawing) were revealed on this post >>

Governed by Whimsy, button collection

YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS!
MORE LIKE 1 WEEK
June 20 – August 20

  • Send me a link to your #bookstagram or blog post, pins, or pic-spam.
  • Tweet your pics using @ForthWrites, and I’ll retweet.
  • Email me your snapshots or leave them here in comments.
  • *DO* notify me via email. Unlike Hisoka-sensei, 4thy isn’t quite omniscient.

always.forthright@gmail.com

P.S. I snapped this pic. ::twinkle::

by Categories: Amaranthine Interludes, Amaranthine SagaTags: , , Leave a comment

Photo Challenge

Good Reminder. Quick nudge (because I really should be writing) toward the ongoing photo challenge. This is one of our newest entries, courtesy of Jeanine. Will you also enter? Pretty, pretty prizes (there will be a drawing) were revealed on this post >>

Kimiko and cherries, Jeanine

YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS!
MORE LIKE 2 WEEKS
June 20 – August 20

  • Send me a link to your #bookstagram or blog post, pins, or pic-spam.
  • Tweet your pics using @ForthWrites, and I’ll retweet.
  • Email me your snapshots or leave them here in comments.
  • *DO* notify me via email. Unlike Hisoka-sensei, 4thy isn’t quite omniscient.

always.forthright@gmail.com

by Categories: Amaranthine SagaTags: , Leave a comment

Every Word Matters

Stately House has changed quite a bit since the beginning of the Amaranthine Saga. That’s a trend I expect to continue. ::twinkle::

Stately House was refined and inspired, but it existed in such isolation. Like the emptiness clawing inside Argent, the building longed for a soul, for the liveliness and laughter of a loving family.

—Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox

006 stately

•   •   •

“Orphans?”

“We’ve been converting rooms.” Michael seemed confused by his confusion. “You didn’t know?”

Jacques simply repeated, “Orphans?”

“Tsumiko has opened Stately House to children of mixed heritage ….”

Michael went into detail while Jacques tried not to be devastated. Argent would accept children simply because they were part-chicken or part-goat, yet shun someone who wanted a place just as much. Non… more.

—Lord Mettlebright’s Man

by Categories: Amaranthine SagaTags: , 1 Comment

Art Card

September’s Mailing. It’s August 1, so I’m revealing the Quarterly Art Card, which is one of the main perks I offer to supporters on Patreon. “The Dance” features Ricker & Fira from Followed by Thunder (Songs of the Amaranthine, #2).

The Dance, art by Lara Pickle

“The Dance” | art by Lara Pickle

If you want to be included in this art card mailing, become a patron. You’ll get in on snapshots, story snippets, first looks, interesting mail, etc. Look over the tiers (just $1 for Glimmers, up to $44 for Reliquaries) and choose a comfy niche. Want to know more about becoming a patron before taking the plunge? I explain things more clearly under the tab I created for Patreon >>

.  .  .

Community Goal – Progress!
82 / 400

Once I reach 400 patrons, I’ll begin posting a subscription story (available to those pledging $4/month or more). “Loosely based on the old Amaranthine tale, ‘The Wolf and the Moon Maiden,’ this serial will involve three sisters, twelve pledges, and the long-awaited stirring of a sleeping landmark.“ (Yes, I’m talking about the Miyabe sisters. Yes, you’ll get in on more of Kimiko’s courtship of Eloquence Starmark.)

by Categories: PatreonTags: , , , , 1 Comment

Bard & Barbarian

New Installment. One of the perks my patrons receive is access to an original story about two characters I play(ed) in a longstanding weekly DnD campaign. Bard & Barbarian updates at least once a month, and for July, I scraped in at 10 minutes to midnight on July 31. (Deadlines are miraculous. They have a way of making things happen!)

BnB 012

forthright on Patreon >>

In related news, our group is gearing up for a new campaign, and I’ll be first-timing as DM. Although it’s less of a dungeon & more of a steampunk airship. ::eyebrow waggle::

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Photo Challenge

Bright as Pennies. Entries have started rolling in! Therefore, we’re due for a quick reminder that there’s a new Photo Challenge underway. This time, I’m prepared with a quick snapshot of the oft-mentioned “fabulous prizes.” This round, I have 5 of these pretty blank books with Starmark-esque copper accents. They’ll come inscribed to winners in the drawing.

Copper Accents

Fun Fact: Merit Starmark (that’d be Harmonious’ eldest son) was nicknamed “Penny” by Boonmar-fen Elderbough, his childhood friend. Obviously, it’s a reference to the color of his eyes. I can’t say that always-serious Merit is entirely thrilled by the endearment. ::twinkle::

YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS!
MORE LIKE 3 WEEKS
June 20 – August 20

  • Send me a link to your #bookstagram or blog post, pins, or pic-spam.
  • Tweet your pics using @ForthWrites, and I’ll retweet.
  • Email me your snapshots or leave them here in comments.
  • *DO* notify me via email. Unlike Hisoka-sensei, 4thy isn’t quite omniscient.

always.forthright@gmail.com

by Categories: Amaranthine SagaTags: 4 Comments

Post Fest Post

#PokemonGOFest2020 took up most of my weekend, and in the nicest way. I had fun, which was my only real goal. I’ve never experienced the like, and I’m glad I decided to splurge on a ticket.

  • I finished 3 audio books while I played. ::twinkle::
  • Although it was a bit of a scramble, it was nice, nice, nice to be able to invite reader friends (or be invited by them) to participate in raids. I now have So Much rare candy. Must distribute strategically. ::plots::
  • My longtime Pokemon buddy (Lucario) earned his “Best Buddy” badge yesterday, so I nicknamed him Sempai. He’s had to step back so I can walk with some of my new (shiny) Go Fest acquisitions, but his place at my side is assured.
  • Did I mention shinies? I caught at least a dozen. (Not sure on the exact count, but the thrill will never get old.)
  • Most notable, I somehow managed to catch what I’ve long considered the holy grail of shiny Pokemon, a golden Magicarp. ::swoon:: I actually named her Grail.

Screencapped a few for y’all. I’d share more, but they’re off defending gyms at the moment. And do you REALLY want me to bore you with a slide show?

Three Shiny

Do you name your pokemon? When I single out strong ones to train up, I generally give them names at that time. For example, the shiny Growlithe/Arcanine was immediately dubbed Kinpatsu (Japanese for blond). And Marimo (Sanji’s nickname for Zoro in One Piece) was a no-brainer for my shiny Tangela.

As always, if you also play Pokemon GO and you want to friend me, email me your friend code @ always.forthright at gmail dot com.

… and now, back to writing.

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