Hugo Negron's Blog - Posts Tagged "sale"

Well, it’s that magical time of the year – Halloween time! I say magical as Halloween, of course, is on the 31st of October, an “in-between” time between the changing of the seasons, the completion of the harvest, and the prepatory time for the coming winter. All in-between times and places are considered special because they are neither one thing nor another, a combination of both and neither at the same time. Hence such examples as the stroke of midnight (between day and night), crossroads (between one road and another), seashores (between the sea and the land), and the Celtic New Year, honoring Samhain, Lord of the Dead, are thought to be of particularly charged focus.

The New Year to the Celts meant a time when Samhain allowed the ghosts of the dead (as well as possibly magical creatures such as faeries) to come back to the land of the living. Food was placed out to welcome them back (after all, you can’t have the visiting spirits of dearly departed family members coming over without a waiting meal – similar to the possible origin of “trick or treat” – stemming from Druidic belief that souls were hungry on this day (probably from all of that inter-dimensional travelling even without luggage) and had to be fed (treats), or else their rude hosts would be asking for the wrath of Samhain (tricks)).

Afterwards, villagers would dress in costumes and masks, imitating and cavorting with the spirits, eventually parading out of townships to guide the spirits away and back to their otherworldly homes. It’s been thought the costumes were also used to hide individuals from any spirits (or to scare said spirits away) that might have been come back with a chip on their shoulder to avenge some slight or wrong done to them.

Another possible take on the trick or treat origin is the medieval custom of having children going door to door offering prayers for souls trapped in Purgatory (another in-between place) and being compensated by small cakes called “soul cakes” for their efforts.

Later, All Saints Day, (or All Hallows, or Feast of All Saints) a day celebrated by the Catholic Church to honor the many martyrs who had been persecuted throughout the Roman Empire back in the day, got pushed to November 1st by Pope Gregory II, partly to substitute over the pagan celebration of Samhain. In an effort to stamp out pagan practices, the inclusion of the devil along with his imps and demonic hordes became part of the party released on All-Hallow’s Eve, giving it a more sinister tone.

So it goes without saying, with all of these spirits, divine or not, getting ready to boogie on the 31st, that it’s the perfect time to launch Book Three in the Forging of a Knight series, Prison Planet of the Mah-Lahkt! The ebook version is currently available on Amazon.com. Barnes&Noble.com, Kobo, and other online outlets. The paperback version is now available through Lulu.com, but you will find it soon on Amazon.com and other online venues shortly.

"They have been hinted at – heroes of glorious legend, villains of infamous fable – some have made their presence known, while others only by name: Aurelus, Amali, Termenon, Qualtan, Jesepha, Darksiege, and Shaz."

"Now, heroes of the past and present will unite against Those That Stand in Shadow. From the steaming jungles of the Third Continent to a Prison Planet forged by angels, the Arch-Mages and their champions will find themselves in a race against time to prevent Shaz and his agents from finding the Dark Ones’ demonic fathers and releasing them from bondage. Enemies will become allies, and allies will become foes in the ultimate confrontation with evil that will span two continents, new lands, and new terrors!"

But there is another treat to go along with this one – as this is the third book in the series, I’ll be celebrating by having the ebook version for the first book in the series, Forging of a Knight, available for .99 cents on Amazon kindle through Friday! On top of that, if you purchase the paperback version on Amazon of the first book in the series, you can get the kindle version free along with it! Yep, totally free! So for those who have been thinking about trying the series out and weren’t sure, or just hadn’t gotten around to it, now is your chance! I would also kindly ask if you have anything wonderful to rave about after reading Forging of a Knight that you take a few moments to post your review on Amazon as every little bit helps!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

Next time, as I begin to take pen to page, I’ll be sharing some of the concepts in the upcoming fourth installment in the series: Forging of a Knight, The Stolen Thief!

So Gen Con has come and gone - and the withdrawal symptoms have started to sink in. Film festivals, cosplay parades, amazing games, live adventure dungeons, and amazing people - that's pretty much it in a nutshell, but that last part is the best. As an author at Author's Avenue, everyone is an instant familiar friend, as are the many readers who stop by year after year to buy a book, talk about the older ones in the series, and ask what's coming up in the next.

Everyone gets involved - even the local bars and restaurants - take this example from the Tavern on the South's menu: "Wandering Monster Plates", "Kicking Open the Door" appetizers, and "Halfling Approved Sandwiches".

If anyone is on Facebook, I invite you to my Forging.of.a.Knight page where you can see pictures and videos of the amazing cosplay parade. You have to see it to believe it!

And that leads to the title sale - The first TWO books in the Forging of a Knight series (Forging of a Knight, and Forging of a Knight, Rise of the Slavekeepers) kindle versions are on sale on Amazon.com for 99 cents each until Sunday to celebrate the fun of Gen Con. If you haven't tried them yet, you cant beat Book Two at 423 pages for 99 cents!

I'll be writing soon about Book Five's status, upcoming events, and updates to that fun contest that will reveal itself when Book Five is live...

Greetings, all!

Lora Lee continues to amaze with her renditions of my cover ideas. Her latest is a true knockout! Should be coming your way in a couple of months or less, as it goes through a final once-over.

For the sake of a forbidden love, Qualtan will find himself on the run with a Mah-Zakim to free her from her curse, or be consumed by it. No longer a knight, his friends now turned against him, how great will the price be that must be paid? Can a Mah-Zakim truly love back, or has the curse that has followed the First Knight for so long come true at last?


https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...

It's here, it's finally here! Book Five in the Forging of a Knight series is available at last. A hearty 536 pages, which explains the delay from the original intent for an October release. There was just too much to cover in this addition to the series! Without trying to list ALL the characters that show up, both new and old, you have Sir Qualtan, Sir Bartholomew, Sir Euric, Sir Rutt, Sir Jesepha, Termenon, the Sword of Eagles, Cassandra, Glaive, and the half-orcne's nemesis Lord Thule from his past. Plus, you have a return to the Woodworm Ports, the School of the Arch-Mages, and a lot more.

It will be making its way out soon to the typical online vendors like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc., for both the paperback and ebook versions, but if you can't wait, both are available now through Lulu.com. The price tag based on its girth is $24.99 for the paperback, the usual $2.99 for the ebook, but you can get the paperback version at a special 15% discount ($21.24) on Lulu if you go there:

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/HugoN

A twisted love story, for redemption, and for hope. Or is it NOT a love story at all? The blurb from the back cover says it all:

"For the sake of a forbidden love, Qualtan will find himself on the run with a Mah-Zakim to free her from her curse, or be consumed by it. No longer a knight, his friends now turned against him, how great will the price be that must be paid? Can a Mah-Zakim truly love back, or has the curse that has followed the First Knight for so long come true at last?"

This one puts a major change into Qualtan's life, and shifts him into a new direction that will doubtless bring a ton of problems, more than he ever expected, in the two-puncher that will follow.

And speaking of follow - that brings us to a fun contest that I'll be staging shortly concerning this volume and how a particular character has a connection to an earlier volume in the series! More details will be coming soon.

In the meantime, please be safe, and happy holidays to everyone out there!

Happy New Year! With new goals and new opportunities for 2017, why not add a new book as well? 3 signed copies to give away for Forging of a Knight Book Five, Knighthood's End! The giveaway is open from Jan 14 - Jan 21 for the US, UK, and Canada. Why not throw your sword into the mix for a chance?

The Kindle version of Forging of a Knight, Knighthood's End and the NOOK version are ready! Go check 'em out, and come back here to get ready for a nifty lil' contest surprise...

The wait is officially over. $2.99 at Amazon.com and at Barnesandnoble.com:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/forgi...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCWGQCO/...

So with Book Five in the can, it's time for a bit of wee fun before the pen goes back to paper for Book Six.

See the attached pic? That's a gargoyle pen holder, along with a cool gargoyle pen.  There are three of these, which I usually keep behind iron locked doors (gargoyles can be a lot to handle).  I gave this one a little reprieve for his photo shoot.  Sad to say, these guys are rather lonely, and looking for a happy new castle to roost in.  In a short time, I'll be having a contest to give away one each of these beauties - well, that is, if you find scaly, winged, fanged creatures on the cute side of things.

How can anyone find a scaly, winged, fanged creature something to come home to? Well, that's a hint for those who read Book Five. In the meantime, just keep in mind these lil' guys just can't wait to eat..I mean, greet you...

https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...

All right - to make this even more fun, adding some very nifty looking dragon pens to our gargoyle pals for the upcoming contest. Actually I thought these pens were no longer in stock, but luckily they were!


https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...

Just a quick reminder out there that in celebrating the release of Book Five in the Forging of a Knight series (which will be shared with the masses at Gen Con 50 this year!), I have the first book, Forging of a Knight, for the Kindle on sale for .99 cents through this Sunday.

So if you haven't had a chance to check out the series, .99 cents is the best way to kick the tires and see for yourself!

Thanks to all the Forging Fans who sent in their answer to the gargoyle pen holder contest! Some had it, some did not, but Sean, Dana, and the mysterious "DagonLover" (who I'm assuming from that nom de plum must be a fellow HP Lovecraft aficionado) were the lucky trio to answer correctly and have the luck of the draw! Your gargoyle sets will be winging (get it, gargoyles - wings? Heh heh heh...? Ok, never mind...) your way - I have sent all three of you confirmation emails and requests for where to mail. Your new pets are dying to eat...that is, greet you!

And for those who didn't win, we'll have more contests a'comin'!

And the answer to where Vanessa the Kubare' was first mentioned? Book One, Forging of a Knight, page 107. Glaive is talking with Qualtan , regarding his past with Lord Thule. He discusses Thule's captains, M'Shua and Caurn, citing their abilities which though formidable, are not in Qualtan's uncle's class. Then he says the actual line:

"Still, they form a dangerous lot, especially if you add the creature Caurn enslaved to serve Thule."

And there you have it - the first mention of the Kubare' waayyy back in Book One of the series! Who says we don't keep track of continuity over here?!

Again, thanks to everyone willing to dig deep and join in the gargoyle adventure! It's because of you I have been able to keep the series going! As a matter of fact, get ready for Book Six... 8 )