#groove

Not much of a title, I know, but sometimes one word is all it takes. There are too many things to say, too many thank yous, too many what ifs, too many words. #groove sums it up nicely.

I've spent days trying to figure out what I would say about Imaginarium. Tack on some party-crashing at Context and I KNOW that I haven't recovered from it yet. But that's the beauty of it, I think. I don't want to. Perhaps it has been a long time coming, perhaps I just needed some time to be an adult, no worries beyond the world of writers. It doesn't really matter, does it?

In the immortal words of Inigo Montoya, "Let me explain...... No, there is too much. Let me sum up."

I got my groove back. I remembered how it felt to be confident, the comfort of being surrounded by people who love and support me as unconditionally as my own blood. There are too many people to thank and I think you all know who you are, plus I want to keep this short and sweet so I can get back to work.

In the mean time, grab Immortal Machinations: Arc of Transformation for just 99 cents here as long as it takes me to get the book out in paperback!

Immortal Machinations Cover Reveal

My fabulously talented friend, Barbara Ivie, created the cover work for Immortal Machinations and it is even better than I dreamed!  I am so grateful to have such a talented friend who can read my crazy instructions and produce something so stunningly perfect!!  Without further delay, please enjoy the amazing cover for Immortal Machinations: Arc of Transformation:

Immortal Machinations: Arc of Transformation has been uploaded should be available for pre-order within the next 24 to 48 hours!!

Immortal Machinations...it's almost here...how about a teaser?

You know how sometimes things don't turn out quite how you want them to? How you just can't make the world fit into your parameters? Well, that's been the past few years for me and it has had more than a tiny impact on my writing. I'm getting it all together and with that comes Immortal Machinations: the Arc of Transformation. I am incredibly excited to share this book with you because  it has allowed me to move in new directions! The release date is still slated for September 19th as I move off to IMAGINARIUM in Louisville, Kentucky for the weekend - where else would be better to release my new book than an awesome new convention??

Now, without further delay, another small teaser....

“Do not leave my side, Katerina.”  Francis whispered as he guided her toward the stairs.  Her heels clicked on the stairs sending echoes behind them. 

“I would not dream of it, Francis.”  She whispered back and nudged him gently in the side.  “Remember, do not speak to me.”

“That’s going to be difficult.”  Francis paused at the top of the stairs.

“You will be fine.”  Katerina nudged him again.  “Let’s go.”

They turned left and just as Katerina said there were two hulking sentries flanking the largest doorway Francis had ever seen.  Even the massive sentries were dwarfed by the stone columns bracing the door frame.  As they approached the guards, Francis was awed by their size.  He was not a small man, one of the tallest in his village, but these men were more than a head taller than Francis and thrice as broad.  Each wore a long black robe with wide hoods covering all but the tips of their noses.  In their hands, the men held longswords, blade down and palms resting on the hilts.  They nodded at Francis as he approached the threshold, their ragged breathing the only sound until they stepped into the room.

Easily as large as the work room he’d seen earlier but twice as tall.  The ceiling was rounded and covered in paintings depicting a night sky.  It seemed to move, to swirl and pulse with the beat of the music.  Francis tried to take it all in, eyes flitting from one thing to the next, fountains at either side and an enormous black marble hearth at the far end of the room.  Square tables were set about the room, each with plush chairs and extravagant place settings.  People were milling about in small groups, laughing and talking with such gaiety.  At the far end of the room some people were dancing near a set of instruments that seemed to be playing themselves.  Francis chanced a glance at Katerina but she remained stoic, glancing about as if not seeing a thing though he knew she was seeing everything. 

“They are enchanted.”  Katerina’s lips barely moved as she breathed the answer to his unspoken question. 

“Ah, Francis, you have made it.” The cool baritone set Francis’ teeth on edge.

Katerina pressed his arm lightly giving the appearance that they were turning in unison.  Francis immediately recognized Edward as the silent half of the pair in front of him.  A head shorter than his apparent partner, Edward seemed nothing more than an ornament this evening.  The taller man spoke again, his words measured and precise.  “Please, allow me to introduce myself, I am Constantine.  It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”  Constantine inclined his head slightly.  He wore gold brocade and fur with heavy jewelry offsetting his deeply tanned skin and jet black hair. 

On instinct, Francis bowed his head slightly lower before responding, “Thank you for your invitation, this evening.”

Constantine cracked a half smile and arched one very defined eyebrow.  His eyes flashed golden as if reflecting his robes.  “You have either been taught some manners or you are more adaptable than we thought.  Which is it?”

“I could not say, my lord.  I was not certain that my response was appropriate.”  Francis spoke honestly as if he could not lie if he’d wanted to. 

A chilling laugh broke from Constantine’s mouth.  “Truly, you are a delight, Francis.  I look forward to watching you evolve.”  He waved a hand toward the festivities, “Please, enjoy yourself this evening and we will talk again soon.”  Constantine offered one last grin before drifting away with Edward in tow.

“Well done, Francis.”  Katerina’s whispers barely just registered in Francis’ ear before Constantine’s place was taken by a short, squat, balding man.

“Greetings, Francis.”  The man bobbed his head though it was difficult to notice given the girth of his neck and chins.  “I am Lord Reginald and this,” he gestured with fat, heavily jeweled, sausage-like fingers toward a young woman less than half his age standing just behind him, “is my wife, Lady Isolde.”  The young woman curtseyed and it was then that Francis noticed her to be in a delicate state.  Though she attempted to hide it with the folds of her elaborate emerald robes, Lady Isolde was clearly well into her confinement period.  Francis had delivered enough babes into this world to know how close the Lady was to term and that at her size it would not likely be an easy delivery.  Still, the lovely young girl glowed, cheeks rouged to a lovely pink offsetting a pair of brilliant sapphire eyes and golden blonde hair.  Lord Reginald was very wealthy to have such a bride.  Katerina squeezed his elbow lightly spurring Francis to respond.

“A pleasure to meet you, my Lord.”  He bowed formally to Lady Isolde, “and my Lady.  You are ravishing.”

Lord Reginald beamed even wider, his pudgy face flaring red.  “We expect great things from you, Francis, great things indeed.  I understand you were somewhat of a physician for your village for a time.”

Francis nodded, “I was called upon at times, my Lord.  But I was never formally educated in medicine.”

“Would you wish to be educated in medicine?”  Lady Isolde’s voice was little more than a whisper but her eyes shone brightly and with such curiosity that Francis realized she was a bright girl, far brighter than her husband.

“Aye, my lady.  If it were possible, I would be educated in all manners of science.”  Francis tipped his head toward her. 

Lady Isolde tugged at her husband’s arm, “My Lord, can we see that Francis be granted a tutor so that he may master the practice of medicine?”  She spoke so sweetly, batting her eyes at Lord Reginald.

The plump Lord patted his wife’s hand, “would that please you, my Lady?”  He did not wait for her response but turned his face toward Francis, “I will see to it that you be given everything necessary to study medicine provided you continue to do what is asked of you.  Do you accept?”

Francis nodded but before he could say more, a rather voluptuous woman pushed in front of Lord Reginald, “You are taking too much time with our guest, my Lord.  You must share with the rest of us.”  The new arrival towered over Lord Reginald and Lady Isolde, her curves seemingly poured into her shimmering scarlet ball gown. Truly, Francis had never seen so many raucous colors in his life. It seemed to be the way of things for these people, none of them spared Katerina a second glance. Indeed, they seemed quite focused on him.  This lady was no exception, her shrewd gaze trained on Francis, nearly standing eye to eye with him, “welcome to our family, Francis.  I am Rohesia but you may call me Lady Ro.  This is my consort, Galen.”  Lady Ro pulled her partner close to her, edging Lord Reginald and his wife completely out of Francis’ vantage point.  Galen inclined his head stiffly toward Francis, his eyes flicking about the room never seeming to stop on anything for more than a moment.  “Darling, you are simply stunning.” Lady Ro purred at him and Francis noted that her eyes had a very feline appearance that was exaggerated by thick charcoal lining her lids and extending to points at the corners.  She leaned in close to him, “We supernaturals must stay close; I am not like them anymore than you are, my friend.  They seek to own us, to keep us all leashed like beasts.  Do what you must but be wary of gifts; they seldom come without strings attached and at times, heavy iron manacles.”  Lady Rohesia backed away, speaking in an exaggerated voice once more, “Come, Galen, I need wine.”  She winked at Francis and almost imperceptibly dipped her head in acknowledgement of Katerina. 

Virtual Ebook Fair!

It's that time again! I'm participating in the Virtual Ebook Fair (check out the website here). That means you all benefit from sneak peeks into LOTS of different books to find the perfect next read for you!

I'm doing a two for one today, a bit of RYDER ON THE STORM, and if you read on, a preview of IMMORTAL MACHINATIONS my upcoming release.

RYDER ON THE STORM

Storm sighed and brushed the memory away.  Looking around, she realized everyone had left.  Storm was the last one standing – in more ways than one.   Aunt Trin was gone.  Aunt Trin who taught Storm about the visions, how to track and interpret them, and most importantly how to recover from the pain of one.  Aunt Trin who’d taught her the craft and raised Storm after her mother gave up on life.  Aunt Trin who was being lowered into the ground, the grinding of gears echoing through the graveyard.  The stargazer lilies on the top of her coffin were wilting in the heat.  Sweat dripped off Storm’s brow.  She wondered briefly if the sheen gave the appearance of tears.  Trin would have liked that.  The tears simply would not come, they never had.  Most people thought her heartless.  She didn’t understand it, couldn’t change it, wasn’t even sure if she wanted to.  Aunt Trin had told her time and again that there was a reason for her emotional paralysis.  Storm just wished she could summon a few tears for the only person she’d ever cared about.

Two caretakers emerged from a truck with shovels and began filling the grave; burly men with sweat stains under their arms that spread in all directions across the gray polyblend jumpsuits.  The larger man even had sweat lines down his back.  Storm refrained from sneering as she approached them, her heels sinking into the soft soil with each step.

“Could I have another moment, please?”  She loosed the belt of her jacket revealing the navy sheath dress beneath.  As expected the caretakers’ eyes bulged slightly at her defined curves and nodded in that stunned manner Storm had become accustomed to long ago.  Once they were out of sight, she knelt beside the grave and took a handful of dirt from the pile.  With the other hand Storm reached into the pocket of her jacket and withdrew a vial.  She cast them both into the grave, stood up, brushed herself off, and nodded toward the caretakers to proceed.  Storm felt their eyes on her as she walked away and pulled her jacket tightly around her, in spite of the sweltering heat. 

In the driver’s seat of her VW Beetle, Storm exhaled.  It was done.  Everything she’d been asked to do.  She was free.  Sort of.  The visions would still plague her.  Unless she could break the curse.  Storm started her car and flicked the radio on, this one’s for you Aunt Trin, as Jim Morrison blew through the speakers with her namesake song.

And, from the upcoming Steampunk release IMMORTAL MACHINATIONS

Prologue

The music continued.  The maddening thrum, a cacophony of sounds striking images and thoughts in a melody only Dorian could see and hear.  Nobody could see the world as he did. Nobody could hear the way it rolled and clicked. Nobody knew the mechanical nature of all things. Dorian did.  He saw it all and he knew how to improve upon it. Blasphemy though it may be, Dorian could improve upon the world around him, could create machines and medicines. If only he knew how it would be his undoing. If only Dorian could have seen what his very existence would come to mean in the War. He may have let the villagers hang him after all.

Visit me at Bitten By Books this Tuesday!!

I am terribly excited to announce that the amazing Bitten By Books site is featuring an Emerald Seer Giveaway & Interview this Tuesday - April 22nd.  If you RSVP you get some extra entries so make sure you swing by and get started!  What's on the line?  A $25 Amazon Gift Card and a load of Emerald Seer swag!

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=76756

Fantastic interview with Steven Shrewsbury!

Steven Shrewsbury was kind enough to sit down and answer some of our questions and I think you will find his answers beyond enjoyable!  

V:  What is your inspiration? What helps you get through writer's block?

S:  I have a few friends that really make my life easier, be it a silly nudge or just to listen to me rant. They help a great deal.

V. Do you listen to music when you write? Have a completely silent space?

S: It all depends, sometimes, I have crazy music filtering out of the computer or others, I want silence. However, with kids in the house, silence is rare.

V. If you had to choose another genre to write, what would it be? Why?

S: I already do horror and weird westerns…what is left, romance? I actually have an indea for a barbarian romance novel, s’true.  I AM writing a thriller, no monsters, other than the people.

V: List all of your titles with a one sentence synopsis of each.

S:    PHILISTINE-Ultimate champion Goliath wars with political factions, the priesthood, monsters and an unseen force trying to destroy him as revolution grips Philistia.

OVERKILL-Gorias La Gaul is contracted to return the heir to a Queen, and ends up battling pirates, bad folks and those dealing in dragon fire.

BLOOD & STEEL: Various tales about 700 year old merc, Gorias La Gaul.

HELL BILLY-In reconstruction ear Memphis (1868) Nathan Bedford Forrest is called in after members of the occupying military are slain in a fashion unique to one of his old troopers…a dead soldier who keeps returning each night, even after he is killed again.

THRALL-When visiting his grandson, Gorias La Gaul is thrown in the middle of amassing armies, and a cult trying to bring back their master in the form of an undead dragon.

BAD MAGICK-While taking Rasputin to see the prayer shawl of Mary outside El Paso in 1901, one armed ex-Confederate Joel Stuart encounters Aliester Crowley, crazed Jesuit commandos, the birth of the Great White Buffalo and cannibal Anasazis.

HAWG-A seven foot tall man-pig-monster sporting steel tusks terrorizes a rural Illinois town.

STRONGER THAN DEATH-Souls trapped in a civil war relic want revenge on their jailer, and the ghost of a one armed Missouri Guerilla inspires his drunken descendant to action against a brigade of the undead.

TORMENTOR-A national guard/marine (& former boxer) John Kern recovers from the effects of a car bomb in Germany, and clashes with evil followers of a returning demon. 

GODFORSAKEN-Historically based fantasy about the origins of Odin.

NOCTURNAL VACATIONS-Short stories about albino government killer, Dack Shannon

BULLETPROOF SOUL-more tales about Dack Shannon

DEPTHS OF SAVAGERY-eBook of early fantasy tales.

V: Who is your favorite character? Why?

S: Joel Stuart, the one armed confederate in many of my works (many unpubbed so far) probably because he is based on a family member and he just flows out of me.

V: Who is your least favorite character? Why?

S: Mosnar in TORMENTOR. He was a slimeball.

V: Which character was most difficult to write?

S: Goliath’s mother in PHILISTINE. She was frightening.

V: Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

S: A few, the main guy is usually very tall, like me.  I hope I’d be as brave as my leading men in moments of dire trouble.

V: If you could take the place of one of your characters, which one would you choose and why?

S: Gorias La Gaul, he gets the girls a lot.

V: If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?

S: Prolly Australia. I hear the outback is like the old West here in America and the accents are awesome.

V: What is your favorite TV show/movie from your childhood?  What is it now?

S: M.A.S.H. I reckon. Nowadays? I like SHERLOCK, SIMPSONS, GAME OF THRONES and AMERICAN HORROR STORY a lot.

V: Best Sci-fi show or film of all time and why it is superior to all others.

S: DOCTOR WHO because it can be a clean slate every show, any time, any where. 

About the Author: STEVEN L. SHREWSBURY lives, works, and writes in rural Illinois. Over 360 of his short stories have appeared in print or electronic media along with over 100 poems. 9 of his novels have been released, with more on the way. His books run from sword & sorcery (PHILISTINE, OVERKILL, THRALL, BEDLAM UNLEASHED) to historical fantasy (GODFORSAKEN) extreme horror (HAWG, TORMENTOR, STRONGER THAN DEATH) to horror-westerns (HELL BILLY, BAD MAGICK, and the forthcoming LAST MAN SCREAMING).

He loves books, British TV, guns, movies, politics, sports and hanging out with his sons. He’s frequently outdoors, looking for brightness wherever it may hide.

Be sure to check out Steven's new release:

Book Synopsis: The Philistines, a mysterious warrior people known now for mainly one man: Goliath. The giant.

Goliath. A name grander than even the man himself. You've heard of his infamous end at the hands of a shepherd as written in a famous book, but what of the life of the man himself? What book tells his tale?

A warrior among warriors, a son of a god, a living legend. Goliath, the warrior champion of the Philistines. On the battlefield, he runs like a horse, wields killing instruments no normal man may heft, and revels in the fear his presence evokes. Off the field, his will is immutable, his trust invaluable, and his appetites unbearable. Goliath. This man knows no challenge.

But such a reputation will not discourage all men. Scheming rulers and generals, prophetic priests and powerful cults, dauntless warriors looking to make their own legend. Monsters. Gods. For one seemingly unkillable, at the very least, these things can ruin an otherwise pleasant day.

Along with his shield bearer, Abimelech, and soldiers more in awe than they are useful, Goliath will set out on missions for kings, face foul magic users, and walk in the shadows of mysterious halls. History tells us Goliath died at the hands of an Israelite.

Goliath may have something to say about that.

Philistine is the first Tale of Goliath, set in the same world as Steven Shrewsbury's novels such as Overkill and Thrall, and his Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul short stories.

Author Links:

Website: http://sshrewsbury.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorstevenshrewsbury