Galleries of Stone is coming to audio. You can currently pick up the first two books in the trilogy, which have been narrated by Travis Baldree. Click below to listen to a snippet from Harrow (Galleries of Stone, #2).
Audio Editions
Currently Reading
If-Then Reads
One good book can lead to another! Two stories that are set in a distant future, when human life has changed a great deal. One has nano-bots, and the other has a robot mother.
ART: Ulrica Rakefang
Deuce is a prequel to Galleries of Stone. It tells the story of how a dockside boy & a hilltop girl managed to meet, despite all the reasons they never should have.
“Ulrica Unpierced” | art by FoxOfTwilight
The ongoing serial is a Patreon exclusive. If you’re willing and able to support me there, a basic subscription (any of the $5/month tiers) will give you access to story updates.
What’s on the water?
Elza and I love games almost as much as we love reading middle grade books. You’ll find more of these over on Middle Grade Carousel and posting throughout the day on our Twitter account. Follow us and play along! ~CJ
Deuce
Deuce, a Galleries of Stone prequel, has updated for my patrons. Ch2: “Advantage, Disadvantage,” is now available. Those at the Journeyman & Keeper tiers, who get to read ahead, now have access to Ch8: “Food, Shelter.” Do you want to read along? You can become one of my patrons here >>
The story updates twice a month. Patrons can also look forward to story news about all of CJ’s books, first looks at new art, and art cards in the mail. Thank you for supporting my stories wherever they can be found. ~CJ
What’s in your cupboard?
Elza and I love games almost as much as we love reading middle grade books. You’ll find more of these over on Middle Grade Carousel and posting throughout the day on our Twitter account. Follow us and play along! ~CJ
If-Then Reads
One good book can lead to another! Here are two books about boys who know all about death. One’s the son of an undertaker, and the other’s family runs a local funeral home.
Is that your nose?
Elza and I love games almost as much as we love reading middle grade books. You’ll find more of these over on Middle Grade Carousel and posting throughout the day on our Twitter account. Follow us and play along! ~CJ
Deuce
Unlocked! In celebration of the audio release of Harrow, the first chapter of Deuce has unlocked for all of my patrons. This is a Galleries of Stone prequel that spins out the convoluted (and often comedic) tale of how Aurelius and Ulrica met. Because they never should have. He’s so dockside. She’s so uphill. And yet …!
In addition to exclusive story updates, patrons will enjoy story art, regular mailings, and (coming in October) narrated chapters, courtesy of Travis Baldree. Do take a look!
“Aurelius Unpierced” | art by FoxOfTwilight
Teaser:
CHAPTER 1
Pit, Fall
Summer leaves brushed bronze skin as Aurelius’s scuffed boots left the ground. Lean arms flexed. Claws bit bark. Curling in on himself, he swung onto an overhanging bough. After an entire winter’s voyage spent clambering through the rigging on his uncle’s ship, a tree was nothing.
He made it to the fourth limb without disturbing so much as a sparkfly. Gratifying, but not as satisfying as an audience. Not that his regular hunting partners were given to gushing. Quite the opposite. No matter how dazzling his performance, Aurelius’s only reward was a grudging lack of criticism. Impatient uncles. Bitter cousins. Backstabbing brothers. But their silence was easily as fine as the jeweled droplets he’d wear as soon as this rite was passed and he was pierced.
Aurelius had turned thirteen at the midwinter festival, half a lifetime ago. Father refused to put off a voyage to Far Continent for the sake of his youngest son’s pride. How Aurelius’s dignity had suffered in the interim! Making him wait until the summer hunt was pure meanness. But Aurelius would show them all. None of his brothers had done better than a brace of rabbits during their hunts.
Respectable, but entirely too typical. I can do better, so I will.
In order to fetch better prey, Aurelius was bending the rules by hunting out of bounds. Like Aunt Lissie says, the best acquisitions are rarely found on beaten paths.
… for the rest of this chapter (and to subscribe to twice-monthly installments of Deuce), become a patron. There are perks at every tier. CJMilbrandt on Patreon >>
C. J. Milbrandt 