Monday, September 21, 2015

Luminosity Birthday Bash


Two years ago on September 23, I published my second book Luminosity.

When I first started this series, Illuminated was going to be it.
First off, Christian fantasy is simply a hard sale in traditional publishing. But when the Lord called me back to start writing again, that was the story he gave me. When I decided I was going to take the Indie publishing road, I spent almost a year getting Illuminated ready. I had sketched out some possibilities about furthering the series, but never fleshed it out.

My notes consisted of two black leather bound journals... which is what I've used as fuel for the following stories.

**Just an FYI** I'm still using sketched scenes from those two journals to fuel my stories. 

My problem occurred when I knew Alyra would be sent back into Alburnium and I simply couldn't leave the friends behind. But they each had somewhere different they needed to go; a separate calling they needed to follow.

You know, it happens. We start traveling with a group of close friends, then all of a sudden, the road divides and they are called off into another direction. But that doesn't mean those bonds, or connections, have to be severed.

I'm amazed at the friends who have come in and out of my life. And because it's happened so often, I knew I could pull off a story where a group of friends are all sent on various assignments, yet still retain the friendship developed in the beginning.

Today, we have all sorts of ways to communicate with each other. In Alburnium, I had to stretch my imagination a bit.

But how...? That's when the brilliant idea of a Ledge-o-graph came to me.


The book of communication. Designed by Logorians and used for correspondence by mainly Leaders. However, somehow Stitch the Centaur is able to not only connive the Logorian book-maker to craft two books, but five. And now, though they are separated, they can remain together. 

This has to be one of my favorite story inventions, so far, that I've come up with in my literary career. 

And I have to say that my favorite secondary character in this book is a tie between Granny Fila and Dilly. 

Do you have any favorites either in Luminosity, or the series as a whole? I'd love to hear.

So... for the Birthday Bash...
First off, Luminosity is on sale from September 21-24th on Amazon. 

Second: I'm going to give away 2 print copies of  Luminosity signed. And I may include a special extra gift along with the book.  All you need to do is leave a comment here and I'll pick two names by the end of this week. 

Thank you for reading The White Road Chronicles. For your reviews and notes to me. It blesses me to hear when one of my stories blesses one of you. 

Happy Reading,
JC

Thursday, August 6, 2015

My Crazy Corner : Meet Author Jackie Castle

My Crazy Corner : Meet Author Jackie Castle: Wow, how thrilling to be part of the YA blog tour this year. I’m Jackie Castle , author of the White Road Chronicles and soon to be p...

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Ready for Another Adventure?




Radiance: Book Four (The White Road Chronicles) is now up on Amazon and in print through Createspace.




The Truth Comes Out...Choices Must Be Made...

The Dark Lord Darnel knows a Curian has returned to the Halls of Knowledge. He must stop this spark before it turns into a raging fire.

Alyra's memories have returned. The staggering truth about her past and her former master is more than she can bear. While Lotari and Stitch try to finalize the building of the Wilderland Meeting Hall, she and Ethan are proving to be a hindrance to their plans. Alyra must decide if she should stay and work through the trials facing her quest, or give in to Lord Darnel’s demands.

Katrina has more help now than she knows how to handle. Tarek, the Racan traitor, is now in her service along with the warriors Jerin and Carah. Jerin is commissioned to help train the townsfolk as they attempt to reclaim the city of Denovo. Katrina must decide if she should give up the search for her missing peoples, or stay in hiding from the one who knows her secret.

Alburnium can only be saved if everyone will put aside past grievances and stand together for the common good. Unfortunately, wounds run deep and forgiveness means mean weakening defenses in a time when a strong defense is needed more than ever. 



I've already received some great feedback from readers who said they couldn't put it down. They also want to know when then next one is coming. Soon. I'll start working on it soon. I promise.

Here's something I have finally finished. A map of Alburnium. I'll be posting it on a page here soon, along with a pronunciation guide for places and names. I'll keep you posted.







For now, let me know what you think of Radiance. Leave a review on Amazon to help other readers decide if they want to read the series. Reviews also help my rankings and give me more visibility on Amazon.


Thank you all so much for reading my books.

I hope the series continues to bless you.

Happy Reading!

Jc


Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Radiance Release Date Set



I'm excited to announce...

The fourth book in the White Road Chronicle series is set for release on May 28th, 2015.

Yes, that's this month! And I can't wait for you to read the next adventure and hope you'll let me know what you think by leaving comments here or by reviewing Radiance after you've read it.


This one took me awhile. And I hope to get the next ones out in a quicker fashion. Life can throw you a few curves at times. But I think the wait will be worth it. I really love this book and can't wait for you all to read it.

Thanks so much for your patience.


Oh, and check over at my website: jackiecastle.com where I have a Fan Art contest going on. Click on the Contest button to learn about the detail.

And always, be sure to sign up for my Story World Newsletter for information on newest releases, contest and other great news.

I'll keep you posted on when Radiance makes her brilliant appearance.
J.




Friday, May 1, 2015

Radiance Book 4 Page is Up




Coming soon! But did you catch the chapter one sneak peak over at Jackie Castle's Storyworld? 

If not, I wanted to let everyone know that the Radiance Page is live now. You can find the chapter one sample there, and also listen to the playlist for this book.

Wilderland Sanctuary

I'll keep you posted soon as I have a more firm release date. Stay tuned. 

Be sure to sign up for Jackie's Story World Newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases. 


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Monday, April 20, 2015

A Bit About... Alyra The Illuminated


Alyra The Illuminated


Birthplace: Belluvita the beautiful place

Family: Her mother, Mary was also an Illuminated, but was killed during what seemed to be an accident, but later, questions arise as to what really happened.
Her father, Stephen is a Messenger, as is her brother, Ethan. These things tend to run down the family line. 
Alyra only has one family member left: Her brother, Ethan who at first, isn't too happy with her return home. For many reasons. 

Skills: Alyra is an Illuminate- or Light Bearer
Most Illuminates, just like the Curians, have been killed off. King Darnel wished to extinguish any light, or any possibility of people seeing and learning the truth of who rightfully ruled the land of Alburnium. 
He killed them all, except for one who he kept to serve his purposes and to help him obtain what he needed to gain in strength and power. 

Then one day, a Messenger came to Racah....
“And how did you end up in this wretched place?” Dean the Messenger pressed his dirty, beaten face against the cell bars.
Alyra shook her head, knowing she shouldn't talk to him. Reason warned her to go back now before Master found out she'd been disobedient. Again.
“Do you have a medallion like this?” Dean thrust his golden pendant through the rust-flaked bars.
Alyra gasped, staring at the round disk resting in her own sweaty palm. Torchlight reflected off the flame-emblem embossed on the surface.

“The Illuminate’s mark,” he whispered, dark eyes widening. “Whoever possesses a medallion is a true citizen of Aloblase. You must escape, child! Return to where you truly belong.”

Illuminated: Book One of the White Road Chronicles

Once Alyra learned the truth, she began a journey which will take her across the land of Alburnium, then back again as she learns the truth about herself, her abilities and her purpose. 





You can follow Alyra's adventures starting with The White Road Tales: a three book Novella series told from Tarek's point of view, then on to the White Road Chronicles where we watch Alyra's escape into the unknown as she goes in search of the truth about who she is and where she comes from. Oh and why she has this strange ability to light up like a lantern.


See more of my art, and the credits for this piece over at Deviant Art.


Thursday, April 16, 2015

Cover Reveal: Radiance Book Four


I'm so excited to see Radiance: Book four of the White Road Chronicles finally coming together. 
The past couple of months have been one happenstance after another, but I'm pleased to say the book is completed, I now have a cover, and soon as my editor has had her hand at the story, I'll be fixing her suggestions, then passing the story on to you, dear readers. 

So, here's the blurb that's on the back cover: 

The Dark Lord Darnel knows a Curian has returned to the Halls of Knowledge. He must stop this spark before it turns into a raging fire. 

Alyra's memories have returned. The staggering truth about her past and her former master is more than she can bear. While Lotari and Stitch try to finalize the building of the Wilderland Meeting Hall, she and Ethan are proving to be a hindrance to their plans. Alyra must decide if she should stay and work through the trials facing her quest, or give in to Lord Darnel’s demands.

Katrina has more help now than she knows how to handle. Tarek, the Racan traitor, is now in her service along with the warriors Jerin and Carah. Jerin is commissioned to help train the townsfolk as they attempt to reclaim the city of Denovo. Katrina must decide if she should give up the search for her missing peoples, or stay in hiding from the one who knows her secret. 

Alburnium can only be saved if everyone will put aside past grievances and stand together for the common good. Unfortunately, wounds run deep and forgiveness means  mean weakening defenses in a time when a strong defense is needed more than ever. 


~~~*~~~

Here's the cover!





I'd like to thank everyone who participated in the Help Me Pick My cover contest. This is what we finally came up with. Kari Ayasha over at Cover to Cover Designs did a wonderful job putting my ideas together.

And, the winner of the Pick the Cover Contest is Rhonda Stephenson

Rhonda, please PM me from my author facebook page and we'll get the information I need to send you a signed print copy when it becomes available.


Please check back next week for a sample first chapter. Soon as I build the Radiance Page, I'll have the first chapter and maybe even a playlist for you to listen to.

I'm really excited about this one. It took me longer than intended to get it completed. I hope you all find the wait worth it.

Thanks for reading the books and for any reviews you've left.

Blessings,
JC

Sunday, April 5, 2015

A Bit About Curians

Katrina the Curian
Kat has been waiting for the right moment to  make her move. 

She's small, petite and seeminglinsignificant. Seemingly. But don't let her outside appearance fool you. Inside, she contains something special. Something timeless. 

Oh yeah, she is definitely ready for this journey. The hope of her people depends on her reaching her destination.


Please click here for photo credits

History of the Curians:
Long ago, the Curians were inventors, historians, great thinkers and story-catchers. Their libraries held vast tomes of information on every city, every creature, clan, and cultures of Alburnium. They imparted wisdom on the young and prided themselves in their intellect to the point of forgetting the world around them.

They didn't even see the enemy's attack until it broke through their doors. Yet, some saw what was happening, and prepared to escape the onslaught before it knocked down their lofty towers.

***

All the Curian's have supposedly been destroyed. Katrina's parents saw the coming threat and managed to send her away to the northern mountains where she was raised by a family of goat herders. Yet, the strange girl, outlived them all and on her adoptive mother's deathbed, Katrina learns the truth.

She then travels to Denovo in hopes of finding the way into the demolished Halls of Knowledge where her people's bones remain, along with hopefully the truth on if a remnant escaped.

Katrina has the strange lobbed ears and dark swirling marks of her people. She can walk into a library and know what books dwell upon the shelves, and what information those books contain. If one ever needs to know about anything, having a Curian as a friend is always a plus.

You can read more about Katrina in the White Road Chronicles.



This song is one that brings Katrina to mind whenever I hear it. 




Katrina the Curian created using Gimp
From my White Road Chronicle book series
Model: Readingby jliorarch background
chair: pixabay.com/en/chair-croatia-s…
mountain lake scene: pixabay.com/en/lake-scenery-la…
arch back ground comes from Premade Background Stockby Shinobinaku

Friday, February 6, 2015

This Week's Happenings On The White Road...

Here's what's going on in Alburnium this week...


First... I'm excited to announce that the final installment of The White Road Tales has been released.
Que the horns. Sound the gong. Yes, Stitch, you can clomp your hooves, too.
Whatever.
Anyway, here it is... Yes, Ransom is now available on Amazon.


Ransom: A White Road Tale - Three

How had lips that once kissed his face with whispers of love now dripped with such poison?
Tarek was often left wondering if the princess was honestly enchanted into forgetting what they once had together, or simply chosen to forget.
A raging war battled inside his heart. Despair tried hard to convince him to give up. Hope rallied for him to hang on. For a moment, the girl he loved was there. For a moment. And that moment was all he needed.

Let me know what you think by leaving a review at Amazon or Goodreads.


Did you know that on Amazon, you can like my Follow my Author's page for updates on new releases?


Hey, while we're talking about The White Road Tales series... You can get Stolen for free between Friday, Feb. 6- Sunday Feb 8th. If you've already read it, tell your friends.




Here's Something Else Fun...

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Luminosity by Jackie Castle

Luminosity

by Jackie Castle

Giveaway ends February 14, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win


Oh, and if you don't win a printed copy, I'll be putting Luminosity e-books on sale for the week after Valentines.


Wow, that's a lot, don't you think?


Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Pick the Cover Contest

Psst...

I'm running a contest over at Castle's Story World.  Hop on over and help me pick the next cover for the White Road Chronicle's series. The title will either be Radiance or Radiate. I need the perfect image for the cover.

Those who help vote for the winning image will be put in a drawing for a free, signed print copy of Book Four.

Well, what are you waiting for? Come join the fun at Castle's Story World.

Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to keep updated on new releases and future contest.



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