Friday, December 13, 2013

So they tell me I should have a mailing list...

For one thing, although I use facebook to holler random fun and book-related announcements at folks via my author page: https://www.facebook.com/ozerobook (I'd really like it if you LIKEd it, by the way..)

-the nature of facebook means that even if you LIKE the page, you could very will miss when I announce something big. Like the launch of one of my books.

See over to the right, there's a lil contact form? Fill it out if you want to be on my mailing list, and hear about the BIG things FOR SURE.

I have no intent on sending emails for anything small.. just new books going out, price drops, or sales. That's it, scout's honour. I was never a scout though. Hmm.. Nerd's honour?

Oh, and just because you know I already have your email address... still tell me if you want to be on the list, kay?

Interview with MAJOR SULLYAN from the "Artesans of Albia" series.

 Interview with

MAJOR SULLYAN

Questions posed by Joseph Picard,
Sullyan's answers provided by her creator, Cas Peace.

Also check out the book blast for the series, which has a cool giveaway contest with a ton of books up as prizes, both paper and ebooks, including the ebooks of the Lifehack series!



JP- Greetings, Major Sullyan, is that the correct way to address you? I'm not military, myself, so I'm not sure about protocol.

S- And my greetings to you. As my name is Sullyan, and I am a Major in High King Elias's forces, you have used the correct form of address. Well done!

JP- I've heard some people calling you a bit of a role model of young women. Would you encourage them to pursue a career in the military?

S- It would certainly please me to be perceived as a role model for Albian women. It would please me more to be a role model for all those who are born with the Artesan gift but do not currently use it, male or female! Too long has there been a tide of mistrust against Artesans, and I would do all I can to turn that tide and encourage those so gifted to nurture their talents.
We are fortunate to have the support of High King Elias in this. As for women entering Albia's military, I am, unfortunately, still unique in my choice of career and likely to remain so, unless the people radically change their ideas. My acceptance by General Blaine and Elias was unprecedented, and due purely to my unusual circumstances. I have had to fight every step of the way to gain the trust and recognition of those in positions of power, and there are many who still believe my presence at the Manor to be a travesty. I have learned to live with that.
Albia's military has given me what I never had as a child - a sense of belonging, friends, and success - and I would deny no one, be they woman or man, the chance to experience such security. But I doubt I could convince many Albian women to join me!

JP- What kind of advice would you give youth who are headed for a military career?

S- Be prepared for some very hard work! Make sure you are able to listen to and accept orders, without questioning. Be aware that you may well be required to lay down your life, whether for your comrades, your officers, or your king. You must put loyalty at the heart of your being, and be prepared to forsake the comforts of home and hearth. But if you have the courage to embrace all that a military life brings, you will find comradeship like you have never known, loyalty so deep it takes your breath away, and the undying gratitude of the High King himself.

JP- So, forgive me if I pry, but is there a special someone out there?

S- All of my friends are special and dear to my heart. I owe my life to General Blaine, and also to my aide, Bulldog, whom I love. But I think you speak of romance, yes? In which case, I am blessed in my Captain and life mate, Robin Tamsen.
I understand there are those who think that a close romantic liaison between a Major and her Captain is unworkable, and at first, so did the General. But Robin and I are as dedicated to serving our king as we are to each other - we always put duty before love. I admit, we did not have the best of starts, and the General was on the verge of transferring Robin away on several occasions. But our love was forged and annealed in fire and tribulation, and we emerged the stronger for it. I believe we are now a formidable team.

JP- Now, there's also been talk about these “Artesan” abilities. Is this something you can speak on? How does one get these kinds of skills? Training? Born with them? Bitten by a magic spider?

S- Bitten by a magic spider? You are so droll! No, my friend, to become an Artesan, you must be born with the talent within you. Yet having innate abilities is not enough. First, you must accept the gift. In some people, it manifests early, as in my own life. In others, it emerges at puberty, or even sometimes in adulthood. Children find it easier, more natural, to accept what they are able to do, while those who realize the gift later in life can find the phenomenon frightening.
Prejudiced parents who discover that their offspring are talented often force these children to suppress their gifts, and this can lead to disorders of the mind. Yet those who embrace their Artesan abilities learn, through rigorous training, how glorious such powers can be.
We, here at the Manor, are constantly working to educate the people of Albia, to convince them that their fears and prejudices are unfounded. Sadly, renegades and raiders from the other realms often undo our labors.

JP- Sounds dangerous, but I suppose that's to be expected. After meeting with you, I have confidence you'll be doing your best. Doubtless you're very busy, so thank you for your time. Stay safe out there, Major!

~~~

Cas Peace's links:
Book Sales US: King's Envoy, King's Champion, and King's Artesan, available in print and digital format on www.amazon.com
Book Sales UK: King's Envoy, King's Champion, and King's Artesan, available in print and digital format on www.amazon.co.uk
Find Cas Peace on www.caspeace.com
Don't forget to check out the music accompanying each of Cas's fantasy novels. All are available for FREE download from her website.

Joseph Picard's links:
For his sci-fi print and e-books at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002LPT7VA
His main page: http://www.ozero.ca


Artesans of Albia

Whoop! Hey folks, Cas Peace (http://www.caspeace.com) has sent her epic fantasy trilogy out into the world, and I get to host a stop in the tour! There's a rafflecopter giveaway toward the end of this post, with a ton of prizes, including ebooks of my own Lifehack series, and a pile of other people's stuff!

Also, have you read my interview of one of Cas's characters, Major Sullyan? All right, I've blathered enough, check out her books.....!

Artesans of Albia series


On a foolhardy foray into a foreign realm, Taran Elijah is attacked by a terrible weapon known as the Staff. Killing its wielder, he escapes into Albia, inadvertantly carrying the Staff.

Concerned by the vicious raids that follow Taran's actions, Major Sullyan of the High King's forces crosses into Andaryon to seek diplomatic resolution to the crisis. She is captured and tortured by Lord Rykan, aspirant to the Andaryon throne.

Slowly dying, Sullyan escapes his clutches. She offers her skills to the Hierarch in defense of his throne, finally confronting Rykan on the field of battle.

Her handsome Captain and lover, Robin Tamsen, embarks on a desperate quest to recover the Staff. But Rykan's greedy General, Sonten, is two steps ahead of him. If Robin cannot lay hold of the weapon before Sonten does, Sullyan's life and the lives of all Artesans are forfeit.

The race for the Staff has begun.


Praise for King’s Artesan

One of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read. The balance between background story and action is just perfect. I’m very glad I found this author. You won’t want to miss this series!” ~Denyse Cohen, author of Witch’s Soulmate, Book 1 of the Living Energy Trilogy

Splendidly written in a wonderful voice, drew me in immediately. Ms. Peace’s imagination alone gets 5 stars. Spectacular worlds and enchanting scenes. Anyone who enjoys losing themselves in a world of a charming fantasy with plenty of layers and a host of intriguing characters won’t be disappointed!” ~Rosary McQuestion, author of Once Upon Another Time

As soon as I finished this book I was eager to start the next. I highly recommend this book. Great Job!!” ~Janus Gangi, author of Elizabeth Rose and That Morning After


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cas Peace was born in Hampshire UK, in 1957, and has lived there most of her life. Her first career was as a horse-riding instructor, and horses remain very close to her heart. She then spent 13 years working for the British Civil Service before leaving the UK to live in Italy for three years, 1991-1994. She speaks passable but by no means perfect Italian, and loves to return to Italy whenever she can.

 Cas's other great loves are anything to do with animals, especially dogs and horses, (she supports many animal charities) and also singing. Cas loves folk songs and along with her husband, who plays guitar, has performed in many a Southern England folk club. Sometimes they even asked her back! She writes folk songs to accompany her fantasy novels, and offers them as free downloads from her website.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Giveaway



Scheduled to start on December 12 and run until December 18: a Rafflecopter giveaway


Here is the YouTube link to the new Trilogy trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ORbCO_wGI