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Southern Fantasy with No Stereotyping
Thanks to Harriet for bringing out something in her review of Children of Pride that I felt was very important to get right:
I love that this is a fantasy tale that originates in the South and there is no stereotyping!
If all goes well, she and others will be able to enjoy more stereotype-free southern (especially Louisiana!) fantasy perhaps by the end of the year.
“A Winner!”
I’m grateful to Jan for her very kind review.
Unlike the one-dimensional characters in many books for young readers, the characters in Children of Pride are complex and multi-faceted. Throughout the story’s interesting plot twists and turns, the characters face situations that test and ultimately reveal the direction of their moral compass. The story accomplishes the difficult task of being accessible to the younger readers of this genre, while at the same time offering them intellectual challenges that lead to learning and growth.
First Amazon Review
Well, that was rather satisfying. Thanks, Dana!
The story is compelling, and you get a real affection for these characters quickly, caring about what happens to them, and enjoying the twists and turns alongside them. And there are some deliciously unexpected moments, and a couple of triumphant beats when someone gets the best of a bad situation.
Philip Overby’s March Fantasy Writer Spotlight…
…is actually aimed straight at me!
Philip was kind enough to feature me this month on his Fantasy Free-for-all blog. There’s an interview, an excerpt from Children of Pride, and everything! I’m very grateful to Philip for taking the time to bring greater exposure to some new writers. And I’m already looking forward to whoever is on deck for April!
So what are you waiting for? Get over there and read all about it!
The Irish God of Love
From Celtic Myth Podshow:
It is said that Aengus was troubled by dreams and visions of a beautiful, young maiden. He fell in love with her immediately and started to waste away because he could not find her. His mother Boann searched the whole of Ireland for the maiden, but after a year she still had not found her. The mighty Dagda did the same and also could not find her. Then the great and wise Dagda called on Bodb Dearg, king of the Sidhe in Munster and the Dagda’s aide, to go and find the girl, and she was found at Loch Bel Dracon (the Loch of the Dragon’s Mouth), chained to fifty other girls, all of whom turn into birds.
I wouldn’t recommend asking a King of the Sídhe for help unless you’ve got some serious god cred of your own, however.
Children of Pride now at Amazon.com
My dear wife informs me that Children of Pride is now available at Amazon.com. Kindle and Nook versions are in production for those of you who would prefer an ebook.
February 2 is Groundhog Day, Imbolc, Candlemas…
…and Taylor Smart‘s birthday! It is thus fitting that Children of Pride is now officially available for purchase (paperback) at the CreateSpace Store. Nook and Kindle editions will soon become available for those who prefer an ebook.
Starting tomorrow, I’ll be posting a sneak preview of the first two chapters.
Stay tuned!
Update 12-27-13
As you may have gathered, Children of Pride was not ready for Christmas, as I had at one time hoped. It will almost surely be available some time in January. I’m just waiting for my crack design team to finish work on the cover, and I’d much rather wait a bit and get something we all like than try to rush the process. Creativity tends to work on its own schedule, no matter how much one might wish it were otherwise.
In other news, this morning I passed the 55,000 word mark on the first draft of The Devil’s Due, the sequel to Children of Pride. I’m having fun with this one, getting to show a little more of how magic works in the Wonder as well as some of the differences between the magic of the fae, little folk, and even human wizards and witches. I think those who enjoy Children of Pride (current count: one teenager and three very supportive editors/beta readers) will appreciate how the story expands in this second installment.
Darrell J. Pursiful 