Fira folded her arms over her chest. “Human men like docile, doting, dainty wives.”
Ricker blinked. “You are not … large.”
“Compared to mares. But my stature is considered a misfortune. I am ungainly, cumbersome. You know, I have even been described as coltish.”
He snorted his way into a whinnying laugh and swooped her into his arms.
“Her Colt” | art by FoxOfTwilight
::close up::Governed by Whimsy. While you’re (hopefully) enjoying the newest Songs tale, here’s art for the previous one. Ambrose is no doubt attired for some new theatrical in this Rococo-inspired ensemble. And the shoes! “The very kind of extravagance that he both craved and could not have.”
• • •
“My proportions require specialty craftsmanship. And fittings.” Which was as close as Ambrose would come to admitting he had big feet.
Governed by Whimsy
(Songs of the Amaranthine, #4)
“Perfect Fit” | art by FoxOfTwilight
Close-ups:
::twinkle::
Hemmed in Silver. Today’s the day! The 5th Songs of the Amaranthine tale has released. Please, enjoy. And since such tales are short & sweet, I’ll make this post do double duty as the Squee Post for Hemmed in Silver.
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.
Add this title to your shelves on Goodreads >>
Squee Post. If you need a place to react, confer, or kick up a fuss, this is the spot. I’ll enjoy your enthusiasm, I might be willing to clarify small points, but I reserve the right to evade questions that will be answered later in the series. ::twinkle::
[[[WARNING: HERE THERE BE SPOILERS]]]
Hemmed in Silver. While tomorrow is the official release day (short stories always release on the 4th), eager readers have figured out that Amazon (at least) distributes pre-orders the night before (time zone depending). Many of you only have an hour or two to wait!
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.
Two Days Left. We’re nearing the deadline for the latest Photo Challenge. Here’s another entry that came in recently. Anisa garnered the cooperation of her nephew-dog Lucky for a snapshot with Dragged through Hedgerows (Songs of the Amaranthine, #3). Will you also enter? Pretty, pretty prizes (there will be a drawing) were revealed on this post >>
YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS!
MORE LIKE 2 DAYS
June 20 – August 20
always.forthright@gmail.com
Dragged through Hedgerows. Drew Hunter is the Amaranthine member of the cast in my third Songs of the Amaranthine story. A white-collar wolf who has one job … and becoming a family pet isn’t it. ::twinkle::
Cameras Ready?! Take pictures for me! This time around, I’m inviting you to send me snapshots of ANY of the books (Saga & Songs). Jumble them together or feature them individually. Prop one up in your favorite reading spot. Snag a book-sniffing selfie. Showcase the latest title with the other books in your set … with props from the story … with your mug of tea … with your pets … with your plushies … with character doodles … with a Kimiko-worthy snack. Get creative. Be enthusiastic. Impress me. Be elegant or silly. Make me smile. Because there will be fabulous prizes.
YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS!
June 20 – August 20
always.forthright@gmail.com
If you’re taking part, I’m going to assume you’re okay with my re-posting your pictures here on the blog, on Twitter, on Goodreads, etc. And yes, if you can find creative ways to show off your digital edition, I’ll count those pictures, too.
Fabulous Prizes. Everyone who participates (and lets me know w/ a comment or email and link) will be entered into a drawing. Four people will be selected by ye olde randomizer. Multiple pictures are welcome (encouraged, even), but they’ll add up to one entry per reader in the prize drawing. I’ll reveal what those fabulous prizes are in a future reminder. ::eyebrow waggle::
Small Changes. It’s hidden in plain sight, but it’s sorta swag. With every book release, we’ve updated the shipping labels I use, changing the color of little 4thy’s socks & the book cover. Because details matter (at least to me). ::twinkle::
Next batch of books will ship Tuesday if you want to nab a copy.
Pink Buttons. In honor of Release Day for Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology, we’ve added a pink tote bag to my storefront on Threadless.
Four Stories, Four Stamps. It’s Release Day for Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology, and the first big batch of books have shipped, thanks to Mr. Right, my sometimes shipping clerk. ::twinkle:: Already at work on another pile, so don’t be shy about contacting me with your orders. Details on the Signed Book page >>
As additional enticement, I’m showing off the inked first page. One stamp for each story in the set. They were fun to design, and they came out so pretteh! ::bliss:: (I’ll leave it under a cut in case you’d consider it a spoiler.) Continue reading
Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology includes the first four stories in the Songs of the Amaranthine collection:
Songs of the Amaranthine is a collection of short stories set in Forthright’s Amaranthine universe. Before the Emergence, the clans were nothing more than whispers and mysteries and legends and lore. But every so often—in out-of-the-way places or shockingly close to home—an unsuspecting person stumbled into a fateful encounter with someone who was decidedly other. An eclectic collection, spanning continents and centuries. Tales of adventure, discovery, friendship, rescue, belonging, and love. Each short story stands alone and can be read in any order.
FAQ – Will there be more of these short stories?
Yes. I have the next set planned. (And by planned, I mean that there’s a vague idea, a clan or two I want to include, and what kind of relationship is involved.) Honestly, I’ll probably keep adding to the collection for as long as there’s interest (that’d by mine & yours). Always digital first. Always in batches of four. Always with the fourth story lending its title to the resulting print anthology.
Fun Fact – Did you notice the chapter titles?
Marked by Stars (Songs of the Amaranthine, #1) has one-word chapter titles. Followed by Thunder (Songs of the Amaranthine, #2) has two-word chapter titles. Dragged through Hedgerows (Songs of the Amaranthine, #3) has three-word chapter titles. (You see where this is headed, right?) However, Continue reading
Four Stories, Four Stamps. You know which of the Songs of the Amaranthine stories this belongs to, right?
My day will be spent trying not to smear the four (actually five) stamp images that will add extra flourish to signed copies of Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology. If you want to secure one, check the tab “Signed Books” >>
Hot off the Press. I can’t say for certain if these were hand delivered by heralds, but we just received a stack of boxes from the printer. Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology makes a pretty first impression!
If you’re interested in Signed Books >>
Inky Fingers. With each book that’s released in the Amaranthine Saga, we’ve designed a rubber stamp that somehow suits the story. They’re one of those little personal touches that helps make the signed books you order from me extra special. Welp, with Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology about to release, it was finally the Songs’ turn. Naturally, I wanted a unique stamp for each of the four stories. They arrived in yesterday’s mail, and I’ve been testing colors.
More details about ordering a signed book from me >>
Pre-ordered books should ship this weekend.
Await. Await. Await.
