FOLKS: Torio Kite

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“I heard this mountain was guarded by a tiger,” the man rejoined, sounding wholly unconcerned. “They said nothing of a tigress.”

Ulrica snarled something in Terse, and he answered in kind. Switching back to Verit, she ordered, “Lift your lantern! Let me see how many lies are reflected in your eyes!”

He immediately obliged, and Tupper had his first good look at the traveler. Ragged clothes that must have been fine once. Dusty boots that had traveled far. Blue eyes with an audacious glint. A broad-brimmed hat adorned with a fluttering cascade of black feathers, gleaming green, purple, and gold in the lamplight. Curving talons at each fingertip. A prominent, beaky nose. The clues and cues took several moments to add up, but when they did, Tupper reached a dazzling epiphany. Real Grif weren’t red.

—excerpted from Galleries of Stone, Book 2: Harrow

The Stone Merchant. In the back half of Galleries of Stone, Book 2: Harrow, readers meet a Grif merchant by the name of Torio Kite. Continue reading FOLKS: Torio Kite →

COVER REVEAL: Rakefang

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The third and final book in the Galleries of Stone trilogy is set to release in less than a fortnight, so it’s high time we did a cover reveal! Tupper Meadowsweet is no longer the newly-nubbed boy of ten who first arrived at the Statuary to cook and sweep. He turns sixteen in Rakefang, the age when most young Flox turn their thoughts to courtship.

After years of searching for someone brave enough,
Tupper Meadowsweet finds her at Pennyflax & Quince.

Continue reading COVER REVEAL: Rakefang →

COMING SOON: Rakefang

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Book Three. The third and final volume in the Galleries of Stone trilogy is due to release on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. As of yesterday, Rakefang‘s cover has been finalized, so look forward to Friday’s cover reveal! I’ve been swapping emails all week with Hannah Christenson, illustrator extraordinaire. Art peeks are my favorite kind of teasers, so I have to share! Continue reading COMING SOON: Rakefang →

NEWSWORTHY: Local Author Exhibit

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Last weekend, I attended the reception for the San Diego Public Library’s 49th Annual Local Author Exhibit. To take part, you contribute a book written during the previous year, which is then included in a huge display on the downtown library’s first floor. Continue reading NEWSWORTHY: Local Author Exhibit →

BYWAYS: Pennsylvania

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Every Byways book is a story, but it’s also a game. There’s an educational element to this series of kids chapter books. Details in each story are borrowed from its assigned state. (As in the United States of America.) Byways will work through all fifty in order of ratification, so Book #2 covers our second state—Pennsylvania. Sharp-eyed readers will spot cities and towns, icons and emblems, famous firsts and claims to fame. Hide and seek. Search and find. Fun and learning. Continue reading BYWAYS: Pennsylvania →

CHIT-CHAT: Byways Bookmark

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Bookings and Bookmarks. I’m gearing up for my first school visit of the new year, hoping to inspire future authors. Since I write books, I know a thing or two about the stuff of stories. There’ll be a fair amount of stuff and nonsense, wit and world-building, and maybe even a pinch of pixie dust. All in all, I’m looking forward to a good day. And something I’m really excited to share: the brand new Byways bookmarks that arrived from the printer! Continue reading CHIT-CHAT: Byways Bookmark →

ART: A Moment’s Repose [Galleries of Stone]

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Tupper basked in a sunny patch down by the stream, his face tilted to catch the occasional breezes that found their way through the trees. Training had made for several short nights over the last few weeks, so dozing came easily.

—excerpted from Galleries of Stone, Book 2: Harrow

The third and final book in the Galleries of Stone trilogy is due out in February Continue reading ART: A Moment’s Repose [Galleries of Stone] →

ART: Winter Trio [Byways]

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Laurel jumped when loud growling came from the front hall. Hooves clattered, and a howl filled the house with its high, eerie note. “There they go again,” she said.

“What now?” Ian hurried out of the kitchen. He slowed to step over the shattered pieces of a glass candle stand. “Boys? What’s the meaning of …!”

He was interrupted when a full-grown elk minced past with a young raccoon dangling from his antlers.

“Not in the house!” Ian started after them, but a snarling wolf zoomed between his legs, tripping him. For a moment, Ian was afraid the silver wolf was going to bite the elk. But the wolf only jumped and snapped at the raccoon’s ringed tail.

—excerpted from Byways, Book #1, On Your Marks: The Adventure Begins

“Not in the house!” Roughhousing takes on a whole new dimension when siblings can Change into animals. I’m excited to share brand new art for the Byways books, which was partially inspired by the above scene from Chapter 2: “Three Fine Sons.” Continue reading ART: Winter Trio [Byways] →

ART: Freydolf & Tupper [Galleries of Stone]

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From time to time, I’ll be sharing sketches and illustrations from Galleries of Stone on this blog. These art posts include pieces I’ve commissioned, as well as gift art. Today, I’ll share a study in contrasts. Tupper and Freydolf couldn’t be more different, but they are bond-brothers in the Pred tradition.

The sculptor’s eyes were downcast, and he looked extremely uncomfortable. Tupper was nervous that he’d inadvertently done something wrong and looked to Aurelius. The other Pred was staring hard at his brother-in-law. “Frey?” he inquired sweetly. “Did the sprat give you his name?”

—excerpted from Galleries of Stone, Book 1: Meadowsweet

Continue reading ART: Freydolf & Tupper [Galleries of Stone] →