The marketing folks at Recorded Books have alerted me to a sale on the first book in the Amaranthine Saga. Starting today, you can get Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox, narrated by Travis Baldree, for 75% off the retail price. This is a limited-time sale, running through the month of July. Here’s a link to the sale page.
If you haven’t heard Travis’s narration of the Saga (and Songs) yet, you’re in for a treat. Snag a copy for yourself!
Solstice! May the longest & shortest day find you glad. If you’re looking for ways to mark the occasion, you could always shred some mail. ::twinkle:: Alternatively, help me pick 6 cast members for FoxOfTwilight. I’ll look over the options, and we’ll do Round 2 of the 6 Character challenge!
Tokens of Affection. We added a new pattern to the Twinkle Press shopfronts this week! Inspired by Kip and all the kids at Landmark Elementary, who’ve been slipping paperclips into Ash’s pockets for years. ::twinkle::
You can order these cuties on all sorts of items, including tote bags, face masks, zipper bags, and notebooks. Check out the shops on Threadless and TeePublic.
Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate. Let’s call this a little encouragement to fit in a reread of Bk5 before the autumn release of Bk6: Pimiko and the Uncharted Island. Because this time, there’s no time skip. The events of the fifth miko flow right on into the sixth.
I have planned a whole array of trust-building exercises. ’Twould be a shame if they went to waste.”
Akira bit. “Like what?”
“Walking together, shopping together, dining together. I’m told cycling and snorkeling are popular activities for tourists. And did I mention shopping? Because boutiques are on my agenda. And Rafter passed me Wind-and-Tide’s food truck bingo board.”
“That … actually sounds kind of fun,” ventured Akira.
“Fun is one of the perks of traveling with the well-heeled, somewhat dubious second son of Smythe Manor. My tastes are expensive, my pockets are deep, and our time is short. Let’s frivol away the next five days in extravagant ways … because this, too, is part of Argent’s plan.”
Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Amaranthine Saga, #5
Trust Building Exercise | art by Fox of Twilight
. . .
Within ten minutes, it was abundantly clear that Magda was out to have fun, and she seemed intent on dragging Hallow and Suuzu straight into more. Barely a block along their way, and Hallow sported a new pair of sunglasses, and she’d wrapped Suuzu’s head in a fancy turban.
Jacques approved. And snapped pictures. And found some shimmery gloss that he applied to Akira’s lower lip.
“Where’s your usual sparkle?” he asked softly. “Are you actually intimidated by pastels?”
“I feel like a one-man boy band.”
Uncle Jackie took his hand. “Rather the goal. But I need you to relax into this role. If not for my sake, then for his.” He angled his head toward Suuzu, who was undergoing similar indignities.
Suuzu barely resembled Spokesperson Farroost anymore. The lavish headcloth might count as a disguise, and the freshly-applied shimmer of gold on his bottom lip was sort of pretty. But the concern in his best friend’s gaze snapped Akira to attention.
“Better,” murmured Uncle Jackie. “Now stop trying to decide how to act.”
“I can’t act.”
“That is painfully obvious. So how about this? You drag him about like you usually do, and we’ll improvise around you.” After a beat, he leaned close to whisper, “And avoid mirrors.”
Akira glanced around, wary of reflective surfaces. “Why?”
“Pastels.” With a teasing smile, he said, “We need more time to build up your resistance.”
Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
::close crop::Perks of Patronage. One of the thank you gifts I create for my supporters over on Patreon is a Quarterly Art Card. For June’s summer solstice mailing (which is Dichotomy Day, you know), I’ve had prints made of one of the Ephemera that I commissioned from Ren this past spring. There will be four in all, so if you join up now, you may be able to collect them all! ::twinkle::
Quisp | art by Ren
“They are Ephemera.” Suuzu quietly explained, “A rare variety that develops a symbiotic relationship with certain trees. They must have been hibernating inside, but the presence of so many potent souls brought them out.”
“Lady Anna’s blade is an effective lure,” said Argent. “She is like springtime to them.”
Suuzu touched Kimiko’s shoulder. “If they remain active, I would not be surprised if your friend bloomed this year.”
“How fortunate we sealed your boundaries.” Argent darted upward and returned with a small creature caged between his fingers. It looked like a winged monkey, no bigger than a sparrow, with pale fur glowing softly in the darkness. Round eyes blinked drowsily at them as it clung to Argent’s fingers. He said, “I should bring one home to show Tsumiko.”
Akira rolled his eyes. “Like you don’t want it for your collection.” To Kimiko, he added, “Argent’s a repeat offender when it comes to smuggling Ephemera across borders.”
Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Amaranthine Saga, #2
. . .
Another series of short wingbeats descended, and something caught in Junpei’s hair, chittering as it clung. He balked, pulling Hajime up short, and whispered, “What is it?”
“You are attracting Ephemera. Calm yourself. These are both harmless and adorable.”
“Get it off?” he begged, bending so his companion could reach.
Hajime made hushing sounds. Maybe they were for the animal. Maybe they were for him. And when he stepped back, he had a strange creature in his hands. A teensy, winged monkey with pale fur that glowed in much the same way Churlish did.
“Nothing to fear,” soothed Hajime. “Not from innocents such as these.”
Flattered by Flowers
Songs of the Amaranthine, #8
Thank you to everyone who supports my stories, wherever they may be found! I’ll do my best to reward your trust, one tale (or trinket) at a time. ::glomp::
Show & Tell. Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Amaranthine Saga, #1) has its first international edition, thanks to Alma Books, which specializes in romantic speculative literature. The cover illustrator is Omri Koresh, and to celebrate this milestone, I’ve gotten permission from him and from the publisher to create an art card of his rendition of Argent & Tsumiko. It’ll be our Quarterly Art Card over on Patreon for September 2022!
Inventory. I usually do a restock of books whenever I have a new one releasing. Because lots of folks turn up and want to fill a box. With the second Songs of the Amaranthine anthology coming out in less than a month, it’s time to place an order with the printer.
CURRENT STOCK (4thy’s titles):
PRICE CHANGES
My costs have gone up (print costs, shipping costs from the printer, shipping costs to readers, and taxes), so I’ve had to nudge up the price of my author-signed copies from $25 (USD) to $27 (includes shipping in the US). Also, I’m planning to add to/adjust some of your payment options. Hoping to have everything in place by May 1 (a few days away). More about those changes on Sunday.
Ephemera. I recently commissioned four pieces of art from someone who does amazing things with flora & fauna. So I paired Ephemera with significant flowers from the Amaranthine Saga, and the results have been charming! First up, a pitterhind.
Pitterhind | art by Ren
The whistling flutter of wings drew Hazel’s attention to the shrub, where two pitterhinds swung low for a landing. Even in the pre-dawn dim, she could see enough to tell the male and female apart as they scampered on clever paws toward their nest.
Pea green fur.
Tufted tails.
Tiny antlers.
Adorable.
She’d always wanted to catch and tame one. If only Pennythwaite didn’t keep insisting he was allergic.
Hemmed in Silver (Songs of the Amaranthine, #5)
He spent twenty minutes on his belly in the moss, waiting for an antlered mouse thingie to decide he wasn’t a threat.
The instant the shutter snapped, it was gone in a flurry of wings.
Cute little weirdo.
He almost felt bad for scaring it off.
Captured on Film (Songs of the Amaranthine, #6)
A tiny paw reached between the fingers, accompanied by a soft peep.
Rinloo’s tail wagged. “Joonta was right. The Ephemera around here are mostly tame. Will he run if I turn him loose?”
“No,” said Cedar. “I am here and so is Char.”
Mother Moss bustled in, a milk can in each arm. “Ephemera may run from predators, but they fly to imps and reavers alike.”
Slowly, Rinloo parted his fingers. The pitterhind sat back on its haunches and spread its wings. Then in a streak of green fur, it launched itself at Char, who cuddled it to his chest and stroked its head, right between its tiny antlers.
Bathed in Moonlight (Songs of the Amarathine, #7)
. . .
And the flowers? They’re of the same variety as Zuzu’s (from Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate), which are also the dominant variety of Amaranthine tree on the island that the Farroost clan calls home.
Vernal Equinox. The box from my printer arrived with the art cards I prepared for my patrons. This month’s Quarterly Art Card features a brand new, exclusive story snippet for Akira & Suuzu that’s set near the end of Bk5: Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate. If you want to catch this and future mailings, consider the leap to patronage. I’d be grateful. And I’ll do my best to spoil you. ::twinkle::
Members Only. Since I’m not a member, I wasn’t in the loop, but word’s been circulating. If you use Audible for reading, do check out their Members Only Sale. It’s the perfect excuse to pick up the Amaranthine Saga at discount! ::twinkle::
Akira and Suuzu. They’re the closest of friends, the lifelong sort. And their story threads straight through the Amaranthine Saga. We haven’t had art of them since they were in middle school, so it was time for an update.
“Nestmates” | art by FoxOfTwilight
Quarterly Art Card. As most of you are probably aware, I create art cards as thank yous for my patrons. More and more, I’ve begun including story snippets on them. Little scenes or outtakes. The next Quarterly Art Card will go out in March, coinciding with the vernal equinox, and THIS is the art I chose to feature. AND I’ve written a scene to go with it, just a private moment between Akira and Suuzu, set near the end of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate. Completely original. So if you want MOAR of these nestmates, I hope you’ll consider joining the ranks of supporters over on Patreon >>
zoom inPocket Puppy. When Mikoto receives the gift that is, was, and always will be Glint Starmark’s answer to grief, he looks for a name that’ll be just right. His puppy is tiny, just a puffball, really … especially compared to a big guy like Mikoto.
Noble Son | art by FoxOfTwilight
The puppy was a bigger handful than he would have guessed. Not literally, of course. He was more of a scant handful, barely large enough to count as canine. Especially in a village where Kith-partnered battlers rode their dogs.
The girls had been quick to suggest names. All of them cutesy. But Mikoto firmly rejected them. He wasn’t leaving something so important to them. Plus, he’d wanted a name with more dignity. Which had brought Yulin to mind. And then the name was suddenly there and perfectly right. A doggish name that was already an endearment. Noble.
Lots of other Mikoto art. Follow his tag >>
Pimiko and the Uncharted Island. Many of you already know the name of the next book in the Amaranthine Saga. It’s become tradition to include the title at the back of my ebooks … and to include both the title and summary in print editions. As an added bonus, those who order signed copies always receive swag that offers a full-color sneak peek of the next book cover. Let’s make this official!
He leads an elite taskforce. She did, too. On television.
After the finale of her dazzlingly successful television drama, Pim Moonprowl packs her bags and books passage to a secretive resort that makes alluring claims. She’ll pay anything, promise anything, do anything to find out if they’re true. On an island that’s not on maps, Pim encounters a silver-tongued doctor, a kindred soul, a caged star, and a clever monkey. This is her big chance to put into practice the skills she gained from eight seasons on an elite taskforce.
Boon can almost taste his prey, he’s that close. If only he hadn’t run up against a barrier in the middle of the ocean. He puts out a call and calls in a favor. There’s a plan in place, and reinforcements are en route, but Boon is restless to run the Rogue to ground. Taking a risk—definitely his style—lands him with a couple of responsibilities he really didn’t need, and both of them are female.
COMING IN AUTUMN 2022
• • •
Amaranthine Saga. From the very beginning (in Book 1, in fact), I refer to the Saga & Songs. They’re both a part of Amaranthine lore and a clan tradition, since the sharing of stories (much like the sharing of names) is a way of life for those who have the luxury of time. Stories connect them. “Saga” recurs in the name of Keishi’s integrated high school, in Hisoka Twineshaft’s educational initiative in America, and as the name of the current era in the new calendar system (post-Emergence years are noted as N.S. for New Saga).
Glint had never given much credence to the sagas of storytellers, but lore seemed to be springing to life all around him.
Marked by Stars (Songs of the Amaranthine, #1)
I’ll show them,” Stewart offered. “This news may make our … situation easier to explain.”
Cedric muttered darkly.
“This way, please.” The younger man hurried to a nearby study and pressed a button. As a large screen slid into view, he addressed Tsumiko. “The Spokesperson’s announcement has captured the world’s attention … and imagination. He cherishes a human woman. From two species springs a third. He has transformed the Emergence into a love story.”
“Dogs do love their sagas and songs,” said Argent.
Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Amaranthine Saga, #1)
Hisoka Twineshaft himself had delivered the opening address, reason enough for the news crews and paparazzi cordoned off in a sizeable section to one side of the auditorium. Spokesperson Twineshaft extolled New Saga students as the world’s future, a generation committed to living in harmony. And he’d pressed home one surprising point: they weren’t the same. And they didn’t need to be. New Saga’s students would be an example to the world—exploring their differences, finding their balance, forging the bonds of trust.
Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal (Amaranthine Saga, #2)
Miss Tamiko Reaverson, age twenty-nine, attended the recent New Saga conference for educators as an applicant for Hisoka Twineshaft’s school revitalization project. While there, she caught the attention of one of the organizers, who flagged her name in the system.”
Tamiko and the Two Janitors (Amaranthine Saga, #3)
“Isla, what can you tell us about Impressions?”
“Yes. Right. Quite.” He could hear the relief in Isla’s acceptance of the change in subject. “As it happens, I’ve had access to most of the old sagas. The collection at Kikusawa Shrine remains the most extensive, and thanks to the Miyabe family’s efforts, completely uncensored.”
“Sorry, sorry,” interrupted Tenma. “By sagas, do you mean stories like the one Kimiko borrowed for her courtship?”
“The Wolf and the Moon Maiden,” Isla supplied. “And yes. The sagas refer to the oldest heroic tales. Some belong to individual clans. Some are shared freely, usually by storytellers during a Song Circle. Oral tradition is more common, but many clans—like the Dimityblest—are compulsive about written records.”
Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Sage, #4)
Colt and Hallow. More art for Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate, which rounds out the six who make up “Hisoka’s finest.” Boon & Moon are partners. Juuyu and Sinder are partners. And here are Colt and Hallow.
Roommates | art by FoxOfTwilight
Since When? Hallow was first introduced back in Governed by Whimsy. At the time, he was still an adolescent.
“You need to meet my friend. Hallow and I share a compartment. We’ve been friends since he was just a little guy.” Turning expectantly toward the door, Colt said, “Come along, Hallow. She’s warded.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Hallow stepped into the open. He was slim and pale, a youth with sharp features and a stiff manner. Straight black hair hung loose around his shoulders, and he glanced around the room with deep red eyes.
“Come along, Hallow,” Colt repeated. “Don’t be such a grump.”
Flashing a look of injury, Hallow flowed across the room with a swooping gait that caused the leathery folds that webbed under his arms to billow slightly. He presented himself to Greta with a silent bow.
Governed by Whimsy (Songs 04)
In Governed by Whimsy, Colt is the theater company’s healer. If you piece together the pertinent details, you’ll figure out that both Colt and Hallow are from the Glintrubble cooperative. “Glintrubble is a cooperative that specializes in mining and shaping the stones that amplify a reaver’s abilities. Their community includes horses, rabbits, and bats. And reavers, of course” (Michael Ward, Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox). Yes, Hallow is a grandson of Trisk & Glinna Brunwinger.
His regional accent was a match for Colt’s, lending credence to their long association. “How do you do?
My name is Hallow Brunwinger. I apologize for withholding myself from association. Especially if my presence can bring some comfort.”
“You’re … half?”
“Yes.” He lifted an arm, giving her a clearer look at a misfit wing. “Bat clan.”
Greta asked, “Your mother?”
“She is well enough. My father was human.” Hallow’s gaze turned apologetic. “I’m not sure what any of you expect from me. It’s not as if I was much use during my own birthing.”
Colt slung his arm around Hallow’s shoulders. “You’re here. Isn’t that enough?”
Governed by Whimsy (Songs 04)
More than two centuries later, readers caught another glimpse of this duo in Mikoto and the Reaver Village. Sinder mentions them in passing, because he’s close to them. (Two words: elite taskforce.)
Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Which brings us to Book 5 in the Amaranthine Saga, when Fumiko meets the oft-mentioned “elite taskforce.” Hallow’s all grown up now.
**NOTE** If you haven’t yet read Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate, the remainder of this post contains excerpts which might be considered spoilers. Comments are also suspect. You have been warned.
::twinkle::
FORTHRIGHT 