Category: Amaranthine Saga

Coming Soon

Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate. Have you pre-ordered your ebook? Are you going to nab a signed copy? I’ve been addressing & inscribing all week, and I’m planning to ship books on Monday so they’ll reach readers close to (if not before) release day on Friday, October 22. If you want to get into that first big batch, now’s a great time to send in your order.

Chapter 2 Teaser. Okay, not much happening here except scenery, but that’s okay because 1) it’s spoiler-free and 2) it establishes the fact that Akira is a POV chapter in Fumiko. ::twinkle::

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Every Name a Story

Named for the Future. Harmonious is the firstborn son of Glint & Radiance Starmark, and he was named for the future hope on which Wardenclave was founded: peace between the Amaranthine clans and the reavers under their protection.

I think one of my favorite scenes in Book 2 is when Tenma Subaru sleeps over at Quen’s and wakes up surrounded by the Five. Harmonious gives peace such a personal touch.

What do you say, Tenma Subaru? Would you be opposed to my treating you as pack?”
“I must protest,” came a voice, low and lazy. “I saw him first.”
How long had Lapis been watching?
Harmonious snorted. “Eloquence’s claim is a matter of record. But if you crave kinship, I’ll claim you next, dragonling.”
Blue eyes widened, then narrowed. “Are you threatening me?”
“Let’s call it a promise. But this one first.”
Tenma’s stomach flipped at the intensity of Harmonious’ gaze. And the enormity of his offer. Dogs were reportedly friendly, Spokesperson Starmark more than most. So this probably wasn’t as important to him as it was to Tenma. But even if this dog made offers of friendship and kinship to every person who strolled through his gates, Tenma wanted this.
“Please,” he whispered.
“Good lad.” Harmonious leaned down to kiss his forehead. “Welcome home.”

Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal (Amaranthine Saga, #2)

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ART: Elite Trackers

Assembling a Taskforce. With Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate‘s release date a mere 20 days away, I’m teasering all I can without spoilering anything of import. Since these two are known entities, they’re getting their turn in the limelight a little early. You already know that Juuyu and Sinder are partners. What I’ve never mentioned (before now) is the identity of Boonmar-fen Elderbough’s partner. ::twinkle::

Elite Trackers | art by FoxOfTwilight

If you haven’t had the chance yet, I do hope you’ll pre-order Book 5 in whatever format (or formats) you prefer. Print/Digital release is October 22. Audio is scheduled to release on November 9. And I’m now open for pre-orders on author-signed books.

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Pre-Order a Signed Book

Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate. If you’re interested in purchasing an author-signed copy of the fifth book in the Amaranthine Saga directly from me, I’m opening up for pre-orders today. Books will ship during release week. The cost will be $25 (includes shipping in the US). I accept payments via Zelle and PayPal. Or by Amazon gift card, if that’s how you roll. More details on the Signed Book page >>

Email me: always.forthright@gmail.com. Things I need:

  • Name (post office likes “real” names)
  • Mailing Address (double-check for typos)
  • The name you want me to write on the flyleaf

always.forthright@gmail.com

Release Day: October 22, 2021
Audio: November 9, 2021

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Traditional Gift

Book Pins. One of my friends makes a point of always getting me an enamel pin to match the books I’ve written. With Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate releasing in less than a month, I thought you might enjoy seeing their pick. It’s a phoenix, of course.

Release Day: October 22, 2021

Have you pre-ordered your digital edition of Fumiko? I’ll be opening up pre-orders for signed copies on October 1. The audio book, narrated by Travis Baldree, will release on November 9, 2021.

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Listen In

Narration Sessions. Over the next few days (beginning tomorrow, 9/22), Travis Baldree will be creating the audio edition of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate (Amaranthine Saga, #5). If you are so inclined, you can sneak in and listen to him creating the audio book LIVE on his Discord server: Cryptid Audio.

Usual start time: 8:30 – 9:00 am (Pacific)

On the plus side, it’s FUN to watch Travis work. And you’d be getting to hear the book a whole month before it releases. But if you can’t set yourself down and listen straight through (it’ll take 3 days to record the whole book), you’ll either end up with a piecemeal account or (le gasp) spoilers.

Choose wisely!
::twinkle::

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Every Word Matters

Give and Take. There is a certain … compatibility of souls between the Amaranthine and reavers. In times past, this made reavers prey to greedy grabs for power. But some clans were patient enough to cultivate friendships with these bright souls, and trust led to the practice of tending. The five most prominent (even dominant) clans are those which held to a long tradition of peace & cooperation with reavers: dog, wolf, cat, dragon, and fox.

How long had it been? Several years, now. Ambrose hadn’t gone in for tending since leaving Europe. With the necessity of taking on reaver escorts, there had always been access. He was aware that Canary partook, as did Cat. But up until now, the reavers assigned to them had been bland things. They never stayed long, and none of them had inspired interest. Let alone trust.
Up until now.
It was mortifying to be so thoroughly drawn in. What had Canary said of the crew? Smitten. Ambrose could see why. It had nothing to do with Ms. Pinion being female. In his experience, a soul was a soul was a soul, regardless of the gender of the body in which it resided. The attraction wasn’t physical, yet the desire to be closer took hold with surprising strength.

Governed by Whimsy (Songs of the Amaranthine, #4)

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Every Word Matters

Couriers. Before the Emergence, Betweeners didn’t use unsecured means of communication. Letters, messages, and communiques are still usually hand-delivered by heralds. Thus far, all of the heralds we’ve met in the Saga & Songs have been avian. (It’s a proud tradition.)

Is it important?” inquired Thrussel.
Wyn left off his fifth reread to blandly reply, “Most letters hand-delivered by heralds are. How did this even find me?”
“Discreet channels.”
“Am I found, then?”
“No, Wyn. We songbirds have our own way of making sure letters reach their intended recipients.” He touched Wyn’s arm. “It was passed from dove to ptarmigan to warbler before arriving in our vicinity. Someone remembered Lord Alderney having a little place by the name, and I offered to see it delivered. None the wiser.”

Hemmed in Silver (Songs of the Amaranthine, #5

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Every Name a Story

Glint Starmark. When the “First of Dogs” takes a new name for himself, it’s star-themed. His first children, who are Kith, are given names that have significance to his life, his choices, and his hopes for the future. In doing so, he establishes the doggish naming sense that carries throughout the centuries (and the series).

His children never learned the name Loor-ket Highwind, nor did he hand down any wolf lore. When he sang, it was of the descent of an angel and the rise of a star. Though they had no crest, and their den was little more than a shed, they were a clan unto themselves. He took the name Starmark, and his children knew him as Glint.

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ART: Sisters

Titular Character. Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate is set up for pre-order (digital edition, Amazon, so far) and will release in October. So … I thought I’d give you a peek at Fumiko. It’s no spoiler to include her sister, since Fumiko’s status as tree-kin is mentioned in the story summary. But other details will have to wait. (I abhor spoilers!)

Sisters | art by FoxOfTwilight

She could make a mess of everything. Especially him.
The Junzi—also known as the Four Gentlemen—are a set of ancient weapons fashioned from remnants. Dragons refer to them as the Four Storms, and Hisoka Twineshaft believes they will make a difference in the hunt for the rogue. But someone else is interested in gathering up these crystal masterpieces. The so-called Gentleman Bandit is responsible for two thefts already, and Hisoka is concerned for the Bamboo Stave. So he deploys an elite taskforce to guard the treasure. And to catch a thief.

Juuyu Farroost and his teammates regroup at a safehouse tucked under the boughs of one of the oldest—and most heavily fortified—orphan trees in the Americas. Fumiko and her tree twin have enough rooms for all of them. If they can shift enough of the woman’s clutter to set up their equipment. Juuyu’s expertise is essential to the success of their mission, but he can barely focus thanks to Fumiko, her messes, and Akira, who apparently owes Boon a favor.

Pre-Order on Amazon (US) >>

Shelve on Goodreads, too >>

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Perks of Patronage

Patreon Teaser. For August’s mailing (I do monthly/bi-monthly mailings) for my patrons, I’ve revealed a postcard we whipped up special. There’s a drabble on the reverse, which is a (spoiler=free) teaser for Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate (Amaranthine Saga, #5), which is currently available for pre-order. If you want to get in on this mailing, consider becoming a patron.

forthright on Patreon >>

No matter how or where you support me and my writing, I’m grateful! ::glomp:: If you want more details about why I have Patreon & the other incentives at each tier, I explain a bit more on this page >>

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Every Word Matters

Brightest of the Bright. In the Amaranthine Saga, the most powerful reavers are given “beacon” status. This is more about rank than specialties. So a beacon might belong to any of the various reaver classifications. Or not.

In Tamiko and the Two Janitors (Amaranthine Saga, #3), we learn that Argent Mettlebright has become something of an expert where reavers are concerned.

In my capacity as a member of the Amaranthine Council, I have personally met sixteen of the world’s beacons.”
“How many are there?” asked Joe.
“Officially? Twenty.” Argent inspected his claws, though he was actually focused on calming his tails. They felt as puffed as a squirrel’s. Far from dignified. “By longstanding tradition, only the twenty brightest souls alive can attain the title. However, Glint Starmark recently redefined and expanded the classification to account for perennial members … and to respectfully retire reavers who have reached the limit of their legacy.”
Kip leaned forward. “Perennial members?”
“More than half of the beacons alive today are either tree-kin like Joe’s sister or bound to an Amaranthine partner.” Argent smiled thinly. “The former still do their part, if sporadically, but the latter muddle Glint’s precious pedigrees by mingling species. He has opened the rank to new blood, provided they are adding to their legacy.”

Fun Fact: In Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate (Amaranthine Saga, #5), you’ll be meeting one of those perennial members of the beacon rank. ::twinkle::

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