Category: books

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“Arrivals” from JM Frey

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SFC member J.M. Frey has launched a new novella, the second in her Accidental Turn series.

After seventeen years of adventuring, Bevel Dom and Kintyre Turn are finally returning home.

Forsyth Turn—brother to Bevel’s long-time questing partner and newly Paired lover—has left both Hain and a hell of a lot of responsibility behind. He’s bequeathed the Shadow’s Mask and position of the king’s spymaster to Bevel, and the seat of Lysse Chipping to Kintyre. It’s a lot to take on, and it will mean an end to questing forever if they do.

But it might also mean a chance for Bevel and Kintyre to find a Happily Ever After of their own.

Unfortunately, Turn Hall seems to be infested with eligible young maidens out to snatch away the freshly returned Lord of Lysse, determined to destroy the fragile happiness that Bevel has built. Faced with more decisions than he was prepared for, Bevel battles with foes unfamiliar, making him wonder if life on the road really wasn’t all that bad.

But if there’s one thing Bevel Dom isn’t afraid to do, it’s fight for the man he loves.

An Accidental Turn novella set between The Untold Tale and The Forgotten Tale, Arrivals follows Kintyre Turn and Bevel Dom as they step into Forsyth’s vacated life and face the surprising responsibilities he’s left in his wake. Arrivals is available on AMAZON or SMASHWORDS.

Not sure you’re all caught up on the series? Check out the suggested reading order here, and you can pick up a FREE copy of the first book in the series, THE UNTOLD TALE, by signing up for J.M.’s newsletter.

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New Releases from Five Rivers Publishing

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SFC member Lorina Stephens shares some news about new releases from Five Rivers Publishing:

May 1 saw the release of Michael Skeet’s debut fantasy, A Poisoned Prayer.

En garde! Paris, in the 1680s. Dashing swordsmen compete for the favours of licentious women, and magic—God’s Blessing—is strong enough that prayers really are answered.

Into the City of Light comes Lise de Trouvaille, a young noblewoman of modest means and no apparent Blessing, searching for an advantageous marriage. But the first eligible man she meets—during a werewolf attack, no less—is exactly the wrong person…

You can read an interview with Michael on the Five Rivers site or visit the book’s page to order.

 

Coming on June 1, a new YA fantasy release from Ann Marston, Diamonds in Black Sand.

Iain dreams of sailing beyond the treacherous Barrier Reefs to the tumultuous Wildesea, to become an Outsider like his father before him. But he is bound in service to his uncle Durstan for raising him after the death of his parents, and may not go until he has paid back the time he owes.

The new King of Celyddon bans the magic that keeps the Out-ships safe on the demanding Wildesea where Iain longs to be, and makes outlaws of those who work that magic. Neither the ships nor the men and women who sail them are allowed in the Realm. Iain has no means of escaping his bondage.

He is almost resigned to his fate and trying to make the best of it when he himself develops some of that banned magic, and becomes an Outlaw on the run from the authorities.

You can read an interview with Ann on the Five Rivers site or visit the book’s page here.

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Archipelago

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SFC member Charlotte Ashley has a new Patreon-enabled serial novel, Archipelago, in progress, in collaboration with authors Kurt Hunt and Andrew Leon Hudson.

“What is Archipelago? It’s a serial novel, and more. Every month, subscribers will get three episodes delivered to their inboxes, one from each of three nations. As the storylines interweave, the writers will start to compete – trying to outwit and out-write each other for dominance of the new world they’ve build.

But that isn’t all. Readers get a say too. Vote for the fates of your favourite factions, support your favourite ships, try to sink your enemies. Pick a side, read along, and help uncover the secrets of the Archipelago.

May’s stories are public, available to be read by all.  Starting in June, three Core Episodes a month will go out to subscribers.  For $1/month you can get all three storylines and the right to interfere in their plans. That’s 10,000-15,000 words a month of sea monsters, tall ships, powerful artifacts, and politics – you’ll love it!”

Find out more (the Kickstarter runs for five more days at the time of this posting):
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andrewleonhudson/archipelago-a-serialised-online-fantasy-adventure
Twitter: @Archipelagoers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Archipelagoers/

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Launch of “Water Is…” Celebrates Our Connection With Water

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Water Is-coverContributed by Nina Munteanu

On June 12th, Councillor Jim Tovey, Mississauga Nation knowledge keeper Nancy Rowe and others helped Nina Munteanu celebrate the launch of her long-awaited book “Water Is…” with a water blessing of Mimico Creek and various water-engaging activities.

The environmental event “celebrated water and our connection with it” at Islington Golf Course in Etobicoke. The 75 people who attended also included the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Credit Valley Conservation Authority, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Ecologos (WaterDocs), Rethink Sustainability Initiatives, poets, writers and artists.

In her powerful and compelling blessing, Nancy Rowe said, “Water is life, water is healing, we owe everything to water.” Despite the celebration, Mimico’s ironic reality was reflected in the ceremony: “You used to be able to drink this water,” Rowe lamented as she used tap water for the water blessing ceremony. Vince D’Elia of TRCA gave Mimico Creek a failed report card and spoke about the need to educate the public on water and watersheds. Given that Mimico Creek flows some 33 km within a 77 square km watershed that encompasses three jurisdictions (Brampton, Mississauga, and Toronto); harmonizing efforts is no easy task. Councillor Tovey stressed connection of individuals, communities and jurisdictions to create awareness and action in re-wilding our watersheds and to foster beauty. He highlighted Mississauga’s extensive planning and investment into these initiatives, saying that they are setting the precedent for all Canadian cities for sustainability planning.

According to Tovey, Nina’s book “Water Is…” bridges the gap from awareness to appreciation, connection and final action.

“This book came from a lifetime’s dedication to water, humanity and our environment–from the moment I realized as a little girl that I felt the planet,” Munteanu confided during a press conference in Etobicoke. She suggested that water is the “glue” that can help us all connect and this book was the result.

Praise for Water Is…

“This book emotionally connected me with water…It reminded me that life reveals in each space a complex system that is full of surprise and beauty. A system of which I am part, without separation.”—Laura Fres, One Deep Sustainability, Barcelona, Spain

“A sumptuous collection of treasures…from the basics of matter itself to the social and spiritual aspects of this substance, which touches our lives so much and is still not really understood.”—Dr. B. Kröplin and Regine C. Henschel, “World in a Drop”, Germany

“Water Is… is an adventurous, surprising and inspiring book that could not feel more timely. The writing swept me away on a journey through history, landscape and our entire universe, yet brought me back home in the end with a fresh perspective on the significance of water.”—Emmi Itäranta, author of Memory of Water, United Kingdom

“If you don’t want to read all those other books on water, just read this one.”—John Stewart, Mississauga News, Ontario, Canada

“[Nina] is immersed well enough in water to tell us about how we should think about it. And the way she goes about it in this book is awfully good…A fine achievement.”—Joseph Planta, The Commentary, Vancouver, Canada

“This book leaves me impressed. From science to science fiction, from philosophy to religion, from history to fairytale, the role of water is illustrated and illuminated. Water is probably the best investigated and least understood substance on this world, yet we still don’t know how to describe it in a better way than calling it H2O. This book tries to zero in on the missing part, the great unknown of water, and it does it in a very intelligent and charming way.”—Elmar C. Fuchs, scientist, WETSUS Program Manager, Netherlands

“Kudus to Nina Munteanu for sharing her deep wisdom, experience and knowledge of humanity’s greatest natural resource!  As Leonardo da Vinci said, “We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.” We forget at our own peril and so I am deeply grateful for this book by so highly qualified an author!”—Elisabet Sahtouris, evolution biologist, futurist, author of Gaia’s Dance: The story of Earth & Us, USA

 

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The Meaning of Water

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water-is-pbook-coverFrom Nina Munteanu…

For those of you in the Toronto area and interested in the environment and water, I am hosting a Water Event and book launch of my recently released book “Water Is…” on June 12th (Sunday) at Islington Golf Course (1-5pm) in Etobicoke (near Islington and Dundas W).

Just to entice you, we start with a blessing of Mimico Creek–known to be unruly at times–by a Mississauga nation knowledge keeper. That will be followed by a short talk about Mimico watershed by a TRCA naturalist. Then we move inside to mix and meet. Councillor Tovey will talk about the coolest things he is doing about city planning and water. Then we will have some awesome poetry. Tasnim Jivaji will exhibit her water art and bazillion other interesting people will be there … including you.

Bring family, friends, anyone who cares about water… Then let Debby know with an RSVP: debby@mdgassociates.com.

Writers are encouraged to bring their work and promo material; there will be a show and tell table and plenty of time to mix and share.

In some very important ways, this book is my life’s work and the culmination of a lifetime of work, play and dedication. If you want to know more about “Water Is…” you can visit www.TheMeaningOfWater.com

Or go straight to this page: https://themeaningofwater.com/water-is/

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Reading and Discussion

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CyclingtoAsylum-readingMontréal SF writer Su J. Sokol will be reading from her Sunburst nominated novel, Cycling to Asylum, at Perfect Books at 258 Elgin Street in Ottawa on Sunday, May 29th at 2:30. Entry is free and a short discussion will follow the reading. If you are in the Ottawa area, please stop by and welcome this new SFCanada member!