Whimsical Tendencies • Book Trailer

To celebrate one of my favorite times of the year, I put together a book trailer for my ghostly fantasy, Whimsical Tendencies.

Blurb:  Although she has no memories before the quake that destroyed the kingdom of Augury, Cypher McCall holds a steadfast hatred of the repressive Cauldian regime now ruling the country. Because her magical gifts are deemed subversive, she does her best to avoid detection. Unfortunately for Cypher, however, she’s too beautiful to ignore. She stumbles on a silver key that she hopes will unlock her past, but first she must confront a long repressed horror at the Castle Augur ruins.

 

Happy Halloween!

 

 

Magical Misperception • Book Trailer

Enjoy the new trailer for my magical fairytale, Magical Misperception! If you haven’t already picked up your free copy, use the Universal Link below to find your favorite bookstore. ~ Suzanne

For one magical summer, Jona is selected to be a companion to Prince Lee and help him practice social graces. Despite her joy, however, she is expected to follow the rules: never speak to the queen unless spoken to, never forget she’s merely a servant … and never, ever fall in love with the prince.

Are the differences between a prince and a commoner too large to overcome, or are they just a matter of magical misperception?

#Free • The Dragon Rider’s Daughter

All this week, from Monday, February 19 – Friday, February 23, The Dragon Rider’s Daughter is a free Kindle download.

After dragon jockey Wynn Westerfield loses his career, health, and wealth due to a wizard, he forbids his daughter, Minna, from studying magic. Although she manages to carry on secretly, her life becomes even more of a struggle when her mother dies. On the brink of adulthood, she’s offered the chance to track down the wizard responsible for her misery. Unfortunately, she’ll be forced to reveal her powers to the world.

Evan Valentine has attended a prestigious magical academy on scholarship, although he’s cleverly managed to conceal the fact from everyone. He’s on the fast track to success—until he discovers he owes a debt that can never be repaid.

Minna and Evan don’t realize it yet, but their destinies have been intertwined for years. Once the truth is known, they’ll be forced to choose between revenge…or each other.

Download your copy HERE.

If you like The Dragon Rider’s Daughter, please don’t forget to leave a review for me.

New Name, New Upcoming Release

All my releases from now on will bear my full name, Suzanne G. Rogers, and I hope to have my entire backlist updated on 1/1/16. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the process goes smoothly, but I have Amazon’s number on hand in case it doesn’t! That being said, I’m releasing a new romantic fantasy novella, Whimsical Tendencies, in December.

Blurb: Although she has no memories before the quake that destroyed the kingdom of Augury, Cypher McCall holds a steadfast hatred of the repressive Cauldian regime now ruling the country. Because her magical gifts are deemed subversive, she does her best to avoid detection. Unfortunately for Cypher, however, she’s too beautiful to ignore. After a Cauldian contingent arrives in her hometown, a chance encounter leaves her repulsed by the arrogant Prince Ewan and attracted to his distant cousin, Lord Joss.

When she learns the prince plans to tear down the ruins of nearby Castle Augur, Cypher vows to stop him. Although handsome Lord Joss tries to protect her from his vindictive cousin, Cypher can’t bring herself to trust the enemy. At the same time, nightmares and dreams nudge her toward reclaiming childhood memories. She stumbles on a silver key that she hopes will unlock her past, but first she must confront a long repressed horror at the Castle Augur ruins.

Will the knowledge of Cypher’s true identity tear her apart or will it empower her to restore everything she’s ever loved?

Whimsical Tendencies began as a short story, published by MuseitUp Publishing as Cypher. I rewrote the manuscript, nearly doubling the size in the process. The tale includes wizards, magical plants, ghosts, the living, the dead, and things in between. It’s available for pre-order now, for a December 11th release (just in time for Christmas).

~ Suzanne

RONE AWARDS • Week Four • Young Adult Paranormal and Novella

The InD’Tale Magazine RONE Awards continue! It’s Week Four, and I need your votes for my two nominated entries, Larken (Category: Novella) and Dancing With Raven (Category: Young Adult: Paranormal). Go HERE to vote (you must create a free account first), and I thank you for your support! ~ S.G. Rogers

The sole survivor of a train accident, young Larken Burke is dubbed the Miracle Orphan. Four years later, however, her life is far from fortunate. Because of her emotional and physical scars, she believes she’s un-marriageable. With little hope for the future, she agrees to wed a gentleman she’s never met. Unfortunately, his aloof manner proves difficult to take.

Marked by romantic tragedy and the loss of his brother, Brandon King has forsworn marriage. Obliged to take in a ward, he advertises for a mail-order bride to raise the boy. Since the union is to be a marriage in name only, his criteria are youthful age, a certain level of intellect, good breeding, and that the girl shouldn’t be so ill-favored she would embarrass him in society. To his dismay, he gets more than he’d bargained for.

Will it take a miracle for Mr. and Mrs. King to fall in love, or is their marriage another accident waiting to happen?

P.S. I’m writing the sequel to Larken right now, called Lord Apollo and the Colleen!

The Shakespearean Institute of London is the most powerful, prestigious, and top-secret demon-hunting organization known to mankind…and they want American Tori Moss dead before she turns eighteen. Demons are pouring into her hometown of Los Angeles as they await the end of the world, and she doesn’t know whom to trust or where to turn. After a handsome English boy enrolls in her performing arts school, Tori’s life takes a turn for the deadly. Sometimes in the fight between good and evil, the enemy of your enemy is your friend. And sometimes, you’re on your own.

New Cover • KIRA

KIRA has a beautiful new cover!

Blurb:

Poisoned by an enemy, Kira struggles to find an antidote before she succumbs to enslavement. At the same time, she’s desperate to save Dorsit, a Leopard Clan wizard whose youth and magic has been stolen by a murderous wizard on a rampage. As Kira’s homeland is invaded by bloodthirsty legions, Kira flees across the country in a bid to reach the Mystic Mountain nymphs and a legendary cure. Hunted by shadow hounds, an army of Cyclopes, and an evil jinn, will her wits and skill as a warrior be enough to survive?

Excerpt:

When Reye and Kira emerged from the lodge, he yanked her down behind a horse trough in time to escape the notice of a squad of armor-clad Cyclopes marching south down the main street. Huge axes and other weapons hung from the giants’ belts or were gripped in their massive fists.

“What on Yden are those creatures?” Reye whispered.

“Mandral calls them cygards,” she murmured. “He’s formed an army of Cyclopes.”

“That’s insane!”

“If we don’t get out of Eastknot before his cygards surround the town, we’ll be captured. My father will have no warning what’s about to befall Nomad Territory.”

“Wyckcrest is seven days from here,” Reye said. “Even if we rode hard, we wouldn’t get there in time to do much good.”

“Ylan is four days away, and I just learned Dorsit is alive. He can transport us directly to my father’s encampment, and help us fight off the invasion. I fear he’s our only hope.”

Reye nodded, peeked over the trough to make sure no cygards were watching, and then pulled Kira to her feet.

“Let’s move.”

KIRA is available for the Kindle, HERE

Excerpt from KIRA

On her way back to the Nomad encampment, Kira spied several young men in a clearing, laughing and talking as they tossed knives at a target. Her stomach contracted when she noticed a shock of blond hair; the young warrior Reye was among the group. His handsome face and athletic frame had earned him a reputation among Nomad women as a desirable marriage partner…yet he continued to elude capture. At only fifteen turns of age, Kira was still too young to contemplate marriage, but privately she’d admired Reye along with the rest. She’d had few opportunities to talk with him, but now was her opening. Her fingers itched to best the lads at target practice and socialize with Reye at the same time. As soon as she stepped toward the clearing, however, a fragment of conversation made her pause.

“So Reye, which girl are you escorting to Kysandra’s party?”

“Must I choose only one?”

Raucous laughter greeted Reye’s flippant response.

“I heard Kira Szul is in need of an escort.”

The words sounded innocent enough, but Kira detected an undercurrent of mockery.

“Ha! You take her.” Reye lifted his hands, as if in fright. “I’m too afraid.”

“Oh, come now. She’s little more than a child.”

“She always looks like she wants to kick someone’s teeth in. Besides which, I prefer my women soft, with curves.” He pantomimed an hourglass figure with his hands.

“If it’s voluptuous you want, choose a nymph.”

“Again, must I choose only one?”

More laughter ensued. Stung, Kira faded back into the shadows. Her throat closed up as she felt the full impact of Reye’s scorn, and moisture filled her eyes. Until now, she hadn’t realized she’d become a topic for ridicule.

KIRA is available for the Kindle at Amazon!

The Release of CLASH OF WILLS!

I’m pleased to announce the release of my romantic fantasy, Clash of Wills! The short story version was under contract for two years with a publishing company, so when I received my rights back I decided to rewrite the story and lengthen it into a novella. I’ve added new characters, new conflicts, and some awesome battles! If you’d like to check it out, Clash of Wills is available at Amazon HERE. ~ S.G. Rogers

Can Princess Samantha battle highwaymen, a snow demon, and a wayward prince to bring her brother home?

Princess Samantha’s magical compass will help her locate her long-lost brother, but only if she manages to escape the watchful eyes of her royal parents. When an unwelcome suitor comes to call, Samantha seizes her chance. She beguiles the prince into taking her north, intending to abandon him at her earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, his captivating good looks and charming manner present an unforeseen complication—especially when she is forced to accept help from the very man she has deceived.

To maintain his bachelorhood, handsome Prince Wills is not above deception. Although reluctantly entangled in Samantha’s scheme, he vows to protect her…until a lie threatens to destroy their alliance.  Can his powerful attraction to the princess overcome his mistrust?  And can they survive a dangerous quest to the wild and magical Uncharted Region?

Excerpt:

Dinner was a cordial affair, with succulent roasts, plentiful salads, and freshly baked bread. Samantha engaged Wills in conversation about the beauties of his kingdom by the sea, and encouraged her father to reminisce about his friendship with Wills’ father, King Ewan. The evening was so convivial, Wills’ shoulder muscles relaxed and his laughter became genuine.

Over a tangy dessert of fresh berries and clotted cream, Samantha asked Wills about the roads between their two kingdoms. “Tell me sir, did you encounter any difficulties on your journey here?”

“I wish I could report an exciting clash with a troll or a band of highwaymen, but my travels were quite uneventful,” he replied. “Comfortable inns line the roads, and it took but three days altogether.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Samantha turned a beaming smile on the king. “Oh, Father, I’d dearly love to visit Insolitia. Might I have permission to accompany the prince on his return home?”

“What?” Startled, Wills spilled wine down the front of his uniform. Footmen hastened to his aid.

“Nan can chaperone,” Samantha continued, “and I’m certain Prince Wills and his manservant will provide ample protection.”

Although Wills’ mouth opened, no sound would come out. Surely her father will refuse his permission!

“What a capital idea, Tomas,” the queen said. “Samantha will adore the ocean.”

“Why not, indeed?” Tomas nodded his approval. “It might do Samantha good to see a bit of the world—if Prince Wills agrees to the undertaking, of course.”

Wills twisted in the wind, but he had little choice but to be gracious. “It would alleviate the boredom of my travels greatly,” he managed. The wretched girl has outfoxed me…but to what end?

Mr. & Mrs. Odin

You’ve heard of outtakes and cut scenes from the movies? If you sat through the credits of of The Avengers, for example, you were rewarded by some special footage.  The following is a bonus scene which fell between the cracks of Dani & the Immortals.  Popcorn is optional.  ~ Suzanne
Dr. Sigmund peered at the couple on the couch before him.  “Mr. and Mrs. Odin, after several days of intense therapy—”

“Doctor, the name is Friday,” the Nordic blonde interrupted.  “It’s important to me to have my own identity.”

A muscle quivered in Odin’s jaw but he said nothing.

The doctor nodded. “All right, Friday. The way I see it, we have some enormous challenges to overcome in your marriage.”

Friday snorted and pointed at her husband.  “For one thing, he doesn’t trust me.”

Odin bristled.  “Adultery in a wife is never a desirable quality.”

“You’re one to talk!” she exclaimed.  “They don’t call you The Wanderer for nothing, Odin. Thor is only your most visible indiscretion.”

Odin folded his well-muscled arms across his massive chest and stared straight ahead.

“To save your marriage, we must move past this blame game,” Dr. Sigmund said.

“I’ve been cooped up on Fensalir practically forever, thanks to him,” Friday said, flicking a glance at Odin.  “I’d say our relationship has been shot to Helheim and back.”

“I understand that.  Mr. Odin, I propose you give your wife a little freedom.”

“A lot of freedom and a lot of gold,” Friday said.  “It’s my turn to visit to Midgard.  I want to do some shopping.”

“Be sure to buy yourself another necklace,” Odin said through clenched teeth.

Friday gasped in outrage.  “How dare you throw that in my face!  Go hang yourself on Yggdrasil!”

The two immortals jumped to their feet and began to bicker.  As the volume increased, the doctor rose from his chair, strode from the room, and slammed the door behind him.  Odin and Friday exchanged a guilty glance.

“I guess we’re having our own personal Ragnarök,” she said.

Odin sighed. “Let’s hope it’s not the end of the world for our marriage.”
After Dani is kidnapped by Odin’s Ravens and taken to Asgard, she becomes enmeshed in a quarrel between immortals. Worse, when the theft of a magical artifact becomes an explosive political debacle, accusations of blame turn her into an outlaw. To avert disaster, she must undertake a dangerous quest involving ogres, dark fairies, and underworld criminals. Ultimately, however, she’ll have to defy Odin himself.

Dani & the Immortals is available at your favorite bookstore HERE or in paperback HERE.

Victorian Vise — Dilemma of the Newly Poor

“He cut off a long lock of her hair.”

In Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, the Dashwoods are cast into poverty when Mr. Dashwood dies. The home passes to his only son from a first marriage, and his second wife and three daughters are left to fend for themselves. The situation is all more tragic when one realizes English women of a certain social strata in that era did not work, and perhaps had few marketable skills even if they could. Therefore, women were almost entirely dependent on a male protector for their very survival. Throughout the Victorian era, very little changed. Society women were discouraged from pursuing any course of education other than “drawing room” skills such as music or singing, or artistic endeavors such as embroidery, painting, and the like. What happened to newly impoverished Society women if they had no relatives? If they were lucky, they could procure a position as a governess or companion. The unluckier ones might be forced into a seamier career in East End in order to eat.

Sense and Sensibility was one of the inspirations for Jessamine’s Folly. In the story, Jessamine is orphaned at fifteen, and her estate is entailed away from her to an uncle. Although the uncle agrees to let her stay, her aunt and cousin make her life miserable. When Jessamine is of age, her aunt forces her to look for work as a governess. A loyal servant knows of a position, but it comes with a catch:

Excerpt:

“My cousin Garfield is valet to the Earl of Kirkendale. He wrote me just the other day about the young lady of the house needing a governess, or companion more like, since Lady Amelie is turning eighteen soon. The thing is, no governess has managed to last at Knight’s Keep more than a few weeks.”

Jessamine blinked. “Is the girl difficult?”

“The problem might lie with the master of Knight’s Keep. Lord Kirkendale is Lady Amelie’s elder brother, and the Earl of Kirkendale since his father died. It seems no lass young enough to be a governess or companion to Lady Amelie can avoid falling in love with the man. He’s that handsome, says my cousin.”

“What a bunch of ninnies!” Jessamine exclaimed.

“Aye. Well, you know how impressionable young women can be. Anyway, Lord Kirkendale is looking to fill the post. It’s likely only a temporary position, however, until Her Ladyship makes a good marriage.”

“I think I can avoid falling in love until then,” Jessamine said.

Can Jessamine can avoid falling in love with Lord Kirkendale, or is taking such a position sheer folly? Unfortunately for Jessamine, she has little choice but to try.There is much to admire about 19th century dress, manners, and style but the cultivated helplessness of upper class women isn’t something I could easily accept. Fortunately, my time machine has never failed me yet. ~ S.G. Rogers