It Won't be much longer: Final Reverie - releasing soon!

It won't be long now until Final Reverie is released by J. Ellington Ashton Press. I cannot wait to share the adventures of Chij and Franklyn with all of you. Until then, here is a small excerpt:

“Can you imagine living your life in a box, staring at a box, and clicking little buttons that are shaped like boxes?” said Franklyn. “Not I,” said Chij. “Anyway, if all of the technology was still here I would not be having this conversation with you. I would probably be chained to a tree and drinking from a bowl.” “That is probably true, but that is how things were back then. Can you imagine the period between the demise of technology and the emergence of magic? I heard that a lot of people went crazy and few survived,” said Franklyn. They mused how the humans coped once the dust had settled, as the land renewed itself over the course of years, ushering forth a new age as the devolution caused by the now rotting machines was finally unhindered. How they managed to adjust as magic emerged too, and gained control of the land as the people readjusted their lifestyles, forcing them to rely less on their mechanical crutches. Most of all they wondered about the interaction between man and beast, as they became vocal and intellectual equals in the new world, and how they learned to rely on one another as something other than pet and master."

 This book has been in my head for quite some time.  I feared, at one point, that I would never finish it and the tale would be kept secret within my head until the end of my time.  However, I decided to see what would happen after the 2013 NaNoWriMo event.  Somehow I managed to finish the book in that time.  It was rough and missing quite a bit of detail, but the first draft was complete!  I went back through, from beginning to end, and added about 10,000 more words. I was completely ecstatic with my progress.  

As I said above, it won't be long now until Final Reverie makes its way into the hands of the fans.  I hope to start on the second book soon.  The working title is Salient Reverie and it will be be another labor of love.

Stay tuned for my toddler's book, which is being worked on now, "The ABC's of Zombie Friendship" which will also be released by JEA Press.

Review: "Salomé" - A Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel by J. Valor & S. Pryce

"Salomé" - A Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel by J. Valor & S. Pryce is a fantastic read with with many layers weaved within its pages.  The story is well crafted and thought out, leaving the reader anticipating what will happen next.

"In a future world where technology co-exists with magic, an orphaned princess must discover the source of her own power to save the people from her tyrant uncle the Archlord.

Salomé is an epic tale of love, betrayal and redemption. Salomé, the new fantasy sci-fi novel from J. Valor & S. Pryce, takes the reader on adventure from the Middle East to all corners of the ten Domains of a dystopian future world.

Two Messengers from a world of Light come to Earth in human form and unwittingly become entangled in the web of an ancient Prophecy whose fulfillment could free humanity from oppression.

Awakened to her destiny, Salome must renounce life as a princess to challenge her tyrant uncle and the ten Magnates who threaten to subjugate not only this world, but also the mystical Homeworld from whence she and her Beloved have come.

What price must the Lovers pay for the freedom of both worlds?"

When I began reading, I will admit that I was a little apprehensive about how I would feel about it as a whole.  I started reading it believing it would be a Young Adult novel, and although it was meant to be, I think the tone lends it to a more mature audience at times. One of the lines in the first chapter dealt with nakedness and breasts, hinting at a sexual activity that was taking place.  After reading the first chapter, I felt that maybe I was not giving it a fair chance, so I reread the chapter from an adult perspective instead of a YA perspective.  The tone seemed appropriate and I was able to absorb myself into the pages.  

The book is split into four parts, Elijah: Birth and Death, Salomé: The awakening, The Journey, and Saba Rising.  Each part has its own individual chapters.  Within the book there is quite a bit of Hebrew text, which is translated within to help the reader understand what is being said.  I loved the layer that the additional language added, allowing the reader to think as he or she is reading through and experiencing the characters as though they are living and breathing beings.  

"Salomé" is an addicting read that should immediately be added to any sci-fi/fantasy must read list.  Be sure to visit the book's Amazon and Goodreads page to leave your review, to let J. Valor and S. Pryce know how much you enjoyed the book!