50% OFF SALE until July 15. You can nab the audio for Bk4: Mikoto and the Reaver Village, narrated by Travis Baldree, for half price over on audiobooks.com.
AUDIO SALE: Book 4
Tag: Book 4: Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Audio Deal
Mikoto and the Reaver Village. The fourth book in the Amaranthine Saga has been put on sale for the rest of December. If you haven’t heard Travis Baldree’s reading of this book (or any of the Amaranthine Saga & Songs), this is the perfect moment for discovery. Sale page is here.
ART: Rifflet
“Rifflet” | art by FoxOfTwilight
We first meet Rifflet in Bk4: Mikoto and the Reaver Village, when Lilya finds the little wind dragon in the woods surrounding Wardenclave. That’s at the beginning of summer camp. Bk5: Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate takes place roughly four months later, the following October. By then, Rifflet would have been this size, which is nearly double a hatchling’s size. Fun Fact: It’s mentioned in passing that a human can ride an adult wind dragon. Needless to say, Rifflet is growing fast.
ART: Noble Son
Pocket 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 >>
Release Day
Mikoto and the Reaver Village, the fourth book in the Amaranthine Saga, is now available in audio format. Travis Baldree narrates!
ART: Game Changer
Happy Father’s Day. I’ve been saving up an illustration of Timur’s smol family, and this is the perfect day to unveil it. I am placing it under a cut, though, since it’s a spoiler for the end of Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4). I consider it a companion piece (of sorts) to “Two Halves.”
::twinkle::
Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Today’s the Day. If you want to sneak into the booth with Travis Baldree while he narrates Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4), he starts today. Join Travis’ server on Discord to get in on the fun > https://discord.gg/duzCS2D
If you need them, there are more details on this blog post from last week. Hope to see you there!
Ginkgo Pin
Adding to the Collection. One of my friends knows that I fancy enamel pins & began treating me to one every time I publish a book. This was their pick for Mikoto and the Reaver Village.
ART: Barefoot Boys
Safe Place. Argent allows his sons to attend the summer courses at Wardenclave, which is arguably one of the safest places on earth. Which allows Kyrie to meet Mikoto, newly appointed headman of this historic village. “It is my honor to welcome you on behalf of Wardenclave. May the coming season find you stronger for your efforts and richer for the bonds we will share.”
“Barefoot Boys” | art by FoxOfTwilight
• • •
Sitting on the edge of the mattress, Mikoto was nearly the same height as the boy, who was compelling at close range. His fingers twitched, but he recalled himself and lowered his gaze.
“Curiosity can be a compliment.” Kyrie carefully picked up Mikoto’s hand and brought it to his face. “Some people need to touch me to be sure I am real.”
“They do?”
The boy smiled. “Touch is part of familiarization. And I find it reassuring.”
Mikoto’s fingertips grazed freckled scales. “You do?”
“I do. Because you are neither afraid of nor disgusted by me.”
What a thing to suggest.
“Not everyone finds the marks of my heritage beautiful.”
That remark was even more telling than the last.
The boy could see right through him. Had weighed Mikoto in a balance and somehow found him worthy. But Kyrie was also baring something vulnerable. People feared this gentle child? Flinched away or thought him ugly? Mikoto felt a surge of indignation, of protectiveness.
Kyrie shuffled closer. “We are becoming friends …?”
“We are friends.” Mikoto pulled him into an embrace. “And not simply because you are beautiful.”
—Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Amaranthine Saga, #4
ART: Two Halves
Kith Partner. I’m always so careful about spoilers, especially right after a new book releases. Not everyone has time to drop everything and read immediately. At the same time, maybe a bit of art will give folks a reason to read! ::twinkle:: This piece features partners Timur and Fend. One is the son of Michael and Sansa. The other is one of Minx’s cubs. (I’m pretty sure you can tell which is which.)
“Two Halves” | art by FoxOfTwilight
Timur whispered, “Between you and me, Fend is the brains of the operation.”
“You admit your Kith is smarter than you?” He was liking this reaver more by the minute.
“Part of why we’re such a good team.”
Sinder’s curiosity piqued. “How do you communicate?”
Timur tapped his nose. “Whatever do you mean? Kith are intelligent, loyal, and make good pets. Everyone knows that.”
—Mikoto and the Reaver Village
. . .
Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to read, rate, recommend, and (especially) review Mikoto and the Reaver Village. Authors like me rely on readers like you (and the algorithms you sway).
ART: Summer Friends
“May the coming season find you richer for the bonds we will share.” Mikoto’s basically grown up at a reaver summer camp, so he’s used to friends who come and go. I keep calling this a buddy!pic for a buddy!fic, because I ship many ships that aren’t romantic in nature: friendship, kinship, mentorship, partnership. ::twinkle::
“Summer Friends” | art by FoxOfTwilight
They caught up to Timur in the kitchen of a modest house. He had his arm around the shoulders of someone who looked like a young samurai who’d mislaid his swords. Wavy black hair swept back from a broad face with strong cheekbones and a stronger jaw, but his quiet demeanor failed to intimidate.
“This is my new sparring partner, Mikoto,” said Timur.
By the look on the young man’s face, this was news. And good news, at that.
“He’s headman of Wardenclave, so mind your manners.”
Not that Timur was showing even a smidge of respect. And Ginkgo judged that Mikoto appreciated the oversight.
—Mikoto and the Reaver Village
• • •
Mikoto Reaver
Headman at Seventeen. With his father’s passing, Mikoto suddenly finds himself in the role of headman, but Wardenclave (and its founders) stand ready to back him up. Fox was good enough to create a portrait of the Amaranthine Saga’s newest “miko.”
Mikoto Reaver | art by FoxOfTwilight
Book Boxes
Prettier in Person. I couldn’t be happier with the arrival of several book boxes on my front step. Rolling up my sleeves for a quick tally & inspection, then I’ll get my fingers all inky with the stamping. The evening will undoubtedly be spent signing your books.
Mr. Right will lug the first shipment to the post office tomorrow. You still have time to place an order. Details on how to do that are on the Signed Books page >>
Squee Post
Mikoto and the Reaver Village. 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]]]
Personal Touches
Days Away. Counting today, we’re four days away from the release of Mikoto and the Reaver Village. The digital edition should deploy right on schedule, but print books will likely be delayed. I see you can now pre-order the print edition of Book 4 on Amazon. That’s good. They might even drop-ship from the printer, which usually means a quick turnaround. Signed copies will be a little slower to reach you, but I’m doing my best to make them worth the wait. Oh, look! Here’s a reason, now:
::twinkle::
FORTHRIGHT 