New Items!
Threadless Store. We’ve added three new patterns to the Twinkle Press storefront on Threadless. Check out these tote bags! They come in three sizes.
Moon and Stars | Storm Cloud | Ginkgo Leaves
And these days, it’s a cinch to have these patterns put on masks. They come in a couple of styles and a kids size. Accent your wardrobe (and stay safe) in Amaranthine style! ::twinkle::
Mood Stripes 187: Dominant
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the admirable one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 187: Dominant
::twinkle::
Hemmed in Silver
Songs of the Amaranthine. The fifth story in the collection will be releasing on November 4, 2020. It’s showing up for pre-order on Amazon (so far). As usual, it’ll be available from other vendors closer to release day.
Fairies in the garden. Frost on the pumpkins. Farmhands at the dance. Wyn Outler doesn’t talk about where he came from (or how long ago). All part of the vows he took when he and his best friend turned their backs on the In-between. Decades later, when a letter arrives from an orphan boy who thinks he’s found his uncle, Wyn faces the monumental task of welcoming two children into a household rife with secrets.
Alfie is quite sure Merritt House is magical. Uncle Wyn’s quirky rules only add to the farm’s mystique. He’d do anything to stay. Even if it means pretending not to notice that the chickens are enormous, the cows are a little too clever, and the cook has a tail. However, his baby sister Hazel, who is forever bending the rules, grows up with some peculiarly romantic notions. First love will make things awkward for everyone, especially the three farmhands who live in Cozy Cottage.
Fandom Anniversary
Fourteen Years. This year, I have good reasons to celebrate September 22. Here, I can even provide a list:
- It’s the Autumn Equinox, and I adore Fall. Historically, it’s been one of my most creative seasons. (Many of my fanfics began, ended, or were updated on this milestone day throughout the years.)
- It’s release day for Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4), which you can pre-order (digital edition) on Amazon and/or pre-order your signed copy from me.
- If all goes according to plan, I’ll be posting an IY x Amaranthine Saga crossover. That’s right folks. Argent meets Sesshoumaru. ::twinkle::
- A larger project has been underway all summer. As we near my “fanniversary,” I’ll be posting quotes from some of my fics. Like this one:
More to come!
Mood Stripes 186: Private
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the one with dangerous ideas. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 186: Private
::twinkle::
Mood Stripes 185: Mixed
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the interpretive one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 185: Mixed
He’d followed her?
::twinkle::
Pre-Order Mikoto
Mikoto and the Reaver Village will be releasing on September 22, 2020. As per tradition, I’m opening up for pre-orders on the 1st of the month for those who want signed copies.
- All the things you need to know are on the Signed Book page >>
- Spoiler: $25 (includes shipping) for books shipping to US addresses.
- Patrons (on Patreon) at some tiers are due a signed book. You can use that perk now. (Such a deal! And many thanks!)
- I’m in the middle of absolutely everything for the next couple of weeks, so I won’t respond to order emails (unless you have questions, of course). If I remember (I confess to forgetting when The Anthology released), I’ll confirm your orders when I’m prepping shipping labels.
- With everything being all 2020, I’m not sure how long it will take my books to ship from the printer. I’ll keep everyone posted on the blog. Expect excited pic spam when book boxes descend upon 4thy’s front step. ::twinkle::
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.
• • •
Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4) is now available for pre-order on Amazon. This is for the ebook. It will begin showing up in other venues closer to release day. Same goes for print editions (I hope). I don’t think Amazon ever did stock Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology in the US. Audio Books *are* coming, but production has been pushed off into 2021. You can also shelve this book on Goodreads >>
Bard & Barbarian
Adventures Await. From time to time (at least once a month), I add a chapter to a serialized story over on my Patreon account. It’s a patron perk, and the storyline is coming along nicely. The main characters are two that I played in a DnD campaign, and Bard & Barbarian provides both backstory … and an ongoing adventure.
The latest chapter is live! It’s called “Runaway Heir.”
If you want to read along, this story is available to patrons at any tier. So as little as $1/month. Find out more about my tiers and their perks on this page >>
ART: Heart of Wardenclave
Waaseyaa & Zisa. As we head toward release day for Mikoto and the Reaver Village, I’ve been encouraging folks to read/reread Marked by Stars (Songs of the Amaranthine, #1) because it tells the story of the founding of Wardenclave, which is where Mikoto’s story is set. Although it’s been simply ages, Amaranthine lifespans = recurring characters.
At the very center of Wardenclave are a dog, a tree, and his twin. Remember them?
• • •
Glint sat on the ground, held out both hands, and found himself with his arms around a fabled imp. Would wonders never cease? “Do you have a name, boy? Or must I guess?”
“Brother named me.” With a flash of dimples and a flutter of lashes, he sweetly said, “I am Zisa.”
“It means orange,” Waaseyaa murmured.
“Welcome, Zisa. We’ve been waiting for you.”
“I know.” The child was suddenly nose-to-nose with Glint. “I know everything.”
—Marked by Stars
• • •
“Heart of Wardenclave” by Nicko
Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4) is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Release Day is September 22. I’ll begin taking pre-orders for signed books on September 1. You can also shelve this book on Goodreads >>
Mood Stripes 184: Calm
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the confident one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 184: Calm
Sesshoumaru wasn’t thinking about anything in particular when he realized she was absent.
Continue reading
Quarterly Art Card
Patron Perks. From time to time, I mention my Patreon account here on the blog. This is a good time to consider joining since I’m gearing up for the next Quarterly Art Card, which I’ll send out in September to those who qualify. This time around, the featured illustration is called “The Dance,” and is inspired by Ricker & Fira in Followed by Thunder (Songs of the Amranthine, #2).
Patrons who pledge at least $4/month & are interested in receiving the art card have until the Autumnal Equinox to request one. (Those selecting higher tiers receive the art cards automatically, along with bi-monthly or monthly mailings.) All fun stuff, I assure you.
So much is happening on September 22!
“The Dance” | Lara Pickle
Photo Challenge – Winners!
Prize Drawing. Ye Olde Random Number Generator has spoken. The first five numbers that came up match the following names:
Anisa
Wendy
Lindy
JN
Leslie
Congratulations to our winners, and many thanks to everyone who participated. I’ll be posting your pictures at intervals as we race toward our next release day. ::glomp::
Winners, please do check in with me to verify your mailing addresses.
New Feature: Polls
Playing with Possibilities. There are ups and downs with any update to a program/platform. While WordPress’s new system has thrown my usual routine for a loop, I know I’ll get the hang of it soon. And there are fun new features. Let’s test drive one of them now. Polls have been added. Here’s one that serves as a teaser for Book 4, which releases in September. ::twinkle::
Reminder! Marked by Stars & Mikoto and the Reaver Village share a setting, so while you’re waiting for release day, sneak in a re-read! ::twinkle::
FORTHRIGHT 