“Sword Bearer” tells the story of Jonran who, under the burden of a highly technological world, finds an opportunity to escape through a magic portal. After passing through, he awakes to find himself on a more primitive planet and his body has been transformed into that of an ancient race of a long forgotten people.

As they both seek an end to the violence, Jonran is led on a journey to a magic sword and on a quest to help a wizard to free his master, who is locked in battle with an evil invading army. That sword, combined with the crystals of the Elemental Lords, is the only hope to push back the enemy horde and save the world.

Author of "The Sword Bearer", Charles Landreth held a giveaway for his wonderful book last week. Today we have the winners! You can read the interview with Charles HERE.

Fawn M

Mike Scarborough

To claim your prize, please email us at sciyourfiblog @ gmail.com. We will get you in touch with Charles so we can get your contact information to send you your signed copy of "The Sword Bearer".

“Sword Bearer” tells the story of Jonran who, under the burden of a highly technological world, finds an opportunity to escape through a magic portal. After passing through, he awakes to find himself on a more primitive planet and his body has been transformed into that of an ancient race of a long forgotten people.

Jonran is quickly captured and taken into slavery where he befriends a skilled yet questionable thief who helps him through the many trials of slavery. After their eventual escape, their paths split and Jonran stumbles alone into the protected elven lands where he falls in love with an elven woman, while his friend finds a future with a resistance force fighting a corrupt human government.

As they both seek an end to the violence, Jonran is led on a journey to a magic sword and on a quest to help a wizard to free his master, who is locked in battle with an evil invading army. That sword, combined with the crystals of the Elemental Lords, is the only hope to push back the enemy horde and save the world.

Will Jonran have what it takes?

Purchase Sword Bearer at:

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’m 41 years old and have been married for almost 21 years. Most of those have been happily. LOL Seriously, though, my marriage is one of the achievements I’m most proud of, as you just don’t see many making it that long these days. My family consists of my loving wife and five rescue animals that do a great job of tearing up just about everything of value that we have. I’ve been a software tester for the past 14 years and that is what I’m currently doing to pay the bills. Sword Bearer is my debut novel and I hope that someday I can stop testing software and write full time.

If you could change one thing in this world, what would it be?

If I could change anything in this world, it would be to make it where those in power were not corrupted by their positions. There are plenty of things that need changing, but if you’re limited to one you want to do something that will have a fundamental effect. My opinion is that this is a basic human flaw that gets in the way of some really great accomplishments time and again.

You find a magic lamp, give it a rub and a genie offers you three wishes. What are they?

My wife has dealt with chronic pain for many years, so my first wish would be to make her pain free. Wish number two, that all people would be a bit more tolerant of others. The last would be that the first two could not be twisted in some way that would be different from the intent of the wish. You have to watch out for tricksters. LOL

Why do you write?

There are several reasons I write. What really pushes me though is the impact reading has had on my life. Although I was a good kid most of my childhood, during my teens I did get into some things that could easily have led me down some dangerous paths. Although I had been playing Dungeons & Dragons for years, it was my senior year in high school when I read my first fantasy novel. After that I was hooked and spent more and more time reading, which kept me from going out and getting into trouble. I’m a different person today thanks to a good book.

What elements of your writing do you want to develop?

I would say character development. I feel that I can tell a good story, and my characters can hold your attention, but I want to make sure that the reader really feels for the characters and can see their personalities in their words and actions. As a reader, being able to feel that way is what draws me in and provides that escape from the day to day.

Will books disappear altogether in future?

At some point I could see print books giving way to digital, but the concept of books will always be there. The human race has told stories since we first developed a way to communicate. The format may change, but the stories will continue.

Does your mood affect your writing? If so, how?

Definitely. I have to be in a good peaceful mood most of the time. When I write I have to be able to visualize the story. I can’t describe it to you, if I can’t see it myself. I can’t write when I’m angry because it clouds my mind. I generally find that I can use those experiences to flesh out certain unsavoury characters to make them more villainous when needed.

Describe the process you took to write Sword Bearer.

It may sound simplistic, but the key for me was using an outline to structure the story. I found that without one the storyline wandered and every “good idea” that crossed my mind tried to get into the story. It also gave me something to work toward, before that I was just writing in the moment and had just a general idea of where I wanted to go with the story.

The general steps were:

What is the target audience for your book?

I was actually targeting the experienced fantasy reader. I didn’t spend a lot of time explaining what an elf was, or what a dwarf looked like. This let me concentrate on the storyline and the more unique aspects in my book. I depended on the reader to already have a concept in their minds of some of the more common races in fantasy novels. That being said, with more fantasy movies hitting the market even people that are new to the genre enter with much more knowledge than we did 30 years ago.

Quick fire:

Charles Landreth, a software tester living in Dallas, Texas, has been a fantasy buff from an early age. First experiencing fantasy from years of Dungeon & Dragons adventures, he expanded his story telling with influences from bestselling authors such as Tad Williams, Raymond E. Feist and many more. Being an avid reader, he draws on a diverse group of styles to create The Seeds of a Legend series.

GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment below for a chance to win one of five signed copies of Sword Bearer!

Deadline is 11:59 pm EST, May 24, 2012.

Winners will be announced on May 25 with instructions how the winners can claim their signed copy!

• My Book Orders.com: Paperback, Mobi, EPUB
• Amazon: Kindle
• Amazon: Paperback
• Barnes&Noble: Nook

Tell us a little about yourself.

I really love being outdoors. That’s where I am when I am not at my computer writing. If it was feasible, I would have my writing desk outside. I enjoy beekeeping, just about any science, and outdoor sports and activities, archery, and target shooting (in the backyard). I wrote my first book when I was 16. I did short stories and poems before that. I also love to draw and color, so I am a bit of an artist as well. I am also a musician that played the French horn since middle school. I never pick anything easy to do; I seem to love to be challenged or I get bored. I’m addicted to action and chocolate.

What are your pet peeves (dislikes) in life?

Not too much of a fan of disorder or disorganization in any sense of the word. I don’t really like being spontaneous. I hate getting to anything late—if anything, I like to be early.

What is the best gift anyone has ever given you?

I guess it would be my laptop computer. That is what I write and do everything on. It was given to me by my husband when we were dating. It was something I always wanted and I wanted to be able to “write on the go”. I really do that.

Why do you write?

I write because I love doing it, and it is a way to channel my vivid imagination. Through writing I can share my imaginative ability with others, definitely with kids and teens…and some adults who appreciate imagination.

Does your mood affect your writing? If so, how?

Oh yeah, it does. It shows up in my writing whether I want it to or not. My sentence structure, word choice, and other things reflect my mood. When I go back for a proofread, I can remember how I felt when I wrote this and change it (if necessary) of how it’s ‘supposed to be’ or add/take away content. Sometimes my mood changes and when I get started I get into the ‘zone’. When I am in a good mood and the zone, that’s when I do my best. If it’s just not working that day, I put it aside and do something else. The last thing I want is contrived writing! I don’t like it that way!

The best thing about being a writer is…

…that I can do what I like best which is writing. I write a lot. I can write a lot of things, but for my books I pretty much stick to fantasy/science fiction action adventure. I can write just about anything, except romance. I lean too much toward the action adventure sort of things in regards to fiction since that’s what I like as a reader. I like a little romance since it can also drive the adventure, but I don’t want to focus on that as much. I like to build worlds with people and animals with my imagination and transfer them to paper or the computer.

The worst thing about being a writer is…

…not being understood by some people including family. They don’t really understand what it takes to be a writer or understand what I am doing half the time. It can be frustrating sometimes since they think I don’t do anything. Sometimes I wished I could trade places for a day.

In one sentence, what is your book about?

A war and a series of unfortunate events let’s Neiko find out that what she thought she imagined is real and she gets trapped there and must escape…

What gave you the idea for this story?

The story was based on my own child adventures in the woods and the backyard. I had the idea of combining the worlds and the thought of “what would I think if I found out that they were real?” came to mind. From this idea it just grew from there. This book is a just a gateway and a glimpse of what is to come later on.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me about a year and I half. I would have finished sooner, but since I was in high school, I had to work around school, homework, and band practice, and family. I didn’t really have “friend interruptions”.

Describe the process you took to write it.

Since I was just a teenager I had to teach myself how to write a book. I lived in a small town so there were no workshops or writers groups, and I didn’t know anyone else to talk to. Teenagers rarely or don’t go to things like that. I studied how other books were written and applied basic grammar rules and researched dialogue in the books and a teacher taught a little about it in school. After that I took that knowledge and my ideas and just did it. I would brainstorm and then write that down. Developing characters, settings, and the character’s voices were easy for me since I had been doing that in play already the narration took a little time to find, but I figured it out. I even drew the characters and colored them so I took character development to a new level. Even when it was finished it was far from perfect. I made changes over the years until I finally published it. I almost never did.

What is the target audience for your book?

Middle grade and young adults (ages 7-14)…I must add in the adults who are big kids at heart as well since they like it as much as the target audience does.

What have people said about your writing?

People have said my writing is interesting, action packed, original, inspired imagination, and vivid. Adults have even mentioned that my writing has taken them back to their childhood and reminded them about their own imaginations.

How do you want your readers to feel when they finish your book?

I want them to love to go on another adventure with Neiko and her friends. I want them to remember the characters, even though there are a lot of them. MG and YA really like the host of unique and memorable characters, and that’s the way it was when I was that age. I want them to hate who they’re supposed to hate and love who they’re supposed to love. I would like readers to tell me who they love best and why.

What’s your next writing project?

My next writing project, as far as this series is concerned, is Escape From Ancient Egypt which will be released sometime this year. Something happens in Neiko’s Five Land Adventure that leads to this one. What happens in this story will have consequences on down the road and each story is tied together. I hope to also participate in IBC anthologies and I have a small nonfiction book coming out sometime this year. I will also begin writing Book #5 Trapped in Ancient Qari as well.

GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment below for a chance to win one of five Kindle copies of "Neiko's Five Land Adventure"!!

Deadline is 11:59 pm EST, April 27, 2012.

Winners will be announced on April 28!

A.K. Taylor is a YA fantasy/science fiction adventure writer who has been writing since age 16. Taylor also draws her characters and designs her covers and illustrations which she also began at 16. Taylor has also written a nonfiction piece about self promotion. Learn more about A.K. at her facebook page, on twitter, or at her book blog.

Government agent Derrick Thomas awakes from a disturbing dream to find a message from his father asking for help. As he sets out to lend his assistance he quickly discovers that not only can he not find his father, but that a clandestine government agency is out to derail his search before it can begin. After the murders of two of his father’s colleagues and the further disappearances of his mother and sister, Derrick is thrust into a fight for his own life and a struggle to uncover details of a secret government experiment which his family may be part of. Will he be able to save them and uncover the truth before he becomes the next victim of an organization bent on keeping him silent?

Tell us a little about yourself:

I am a Leo: a fire-sign. I like champagne and long walks on the beach (just a little levity to kick things off).

I am a 35 year old writer living in South Florida. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. and lived in NYC until I was 29. I was a cop briefly, and then gravitated to private security consulting. I am a huge sports fan except for soccer and NASCAR, because they aren’t real sports!

My debut Sci-fi/Suspense/Thriller: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON was published in January 2012. I am a Christian, and while I do not write about my faith, it definitely shapes how I write.

What are your pet peeves (dislikes) in life?

People who eat with their hands and then don’t wash them after. I feel it’s like; “Really? I need the remnants of your prior meal and back-wash in my general vicinity? Just keep your grimy, saliva-covered fingers away from me!”

Messy people, though I have my moments of laziness, I hate seeing others being slobs.

I genuinely do not enjoy people who preach their particular opinions at the expense of others and their views. It’s very arrogant and obnoxious and only serves to validate someone’s ignorance when they act like they are the “all-knowing”!

Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

My father was and still is the greatest influence on my life. Before he passed in 2004 he was a constant source of strength and inspiration in my life.

Though he did not get passed a year or two of college, he was a very learned man, who read and educated himself constantly.

He lived a very stressful life, tortured by many illnesses, but he showed me and the world that one does not have to be a victim of their circumstances.

He never gave up on anything in life, and fought hard to the end, always giving hope and encouragement to others, and that is what I and most will always remember about him.

Who is your hero / heroine and why?

My mother is a true heroine.

As a young mother, circumstances did not allow for her to complete her college education either. This however, did not stop her from becoming a teacher or from supporting her family and being the best person-of-faith a person can know.

She raised 3 children, took care of a sick husband, served her fellow church members, educated and raised hundreds of children in her nearly 30 years as a Pre-K teacher and all this with joy in her heart and a resiliency matched by none.

After a recent slew of medical issues, one would think it would have been time for her to retire and take a break. One would be wrong in that assumption. She was back out there molding young minds only weeks after a long hospital stay. She is the consummate definition of hero and heroine.

The best thing about being a writer is…

The boat-loads of cash and tremendous notoriety you get almost immediately. It’s like; “Why didn’t I think of doing this sooner?” (Insert sarcasm here…)

Of course that is the exact antithesis of being a writer. It’s neither a vocation that affords the majority of its members much wealth nor appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the craft as the majority of your readers already know.

The best part is being able to create something that is solely yours from start to finish, and the pride you feel when it is complete.

No matter how much money you don’t make, or how much respect and appreciation you do not receive, no one, not even a reviewer who nails you to the wall, can take away the pride you feel when you have poured your heart and soul into a piece and it is complete. That feeling is yours and yours alone and no one can take that away from you.

In one sentence, what is your book about? (Dark Side of the Moon)

When former government agent Derrick Thomas awakes to find his family missing and in harm’s way, he must do battle against a clandestine organization intent on keeping him from discovering the truth about a global cover-up and the whereabouts of his family.

What gave you the idea for this story?

A dream, honestly.

One night last March I had a crazy dream about my sister. She and I were working aboard a ship in outer space when suddenly she went missing. The rest of the dream was filled with me trying to find her and trying to convince all those around me that she actually existed and was not a complete figment of my imagination – typical Twilight Zone episode.

When I woke up from the dream I had quite a sweat going. After a few hours of unsuccessfully trying to fall back to sleep, I finally grabbed a pen and pad and jotted down a plot-outline. At first I was only writing down quick thoughts and ideas, but when it was all said and done, I had 8 pages of detailed notes on character development, plot flow and had something I genuinely could turn into a story, so I grabbed my laptop, my outline and began to create.



How long did it take you to write it?

I pulled several 18+ hour sessions and had a first draft in 27 days.

After another 2 ½ months I had a 90% complete manuscript. Unfortunately, I put it down for several months after that, and therefore did not complete it and publish until January, but in actual writing, editing, proofing time… 4 months total.

How do you want your readers to feel when they finish your book?

Excited, apprehensive concerning the well-fare of some of the characters, and on-edge waiting impatiently for the sequel.

What’s your next writing project?

You guessed it; the sequel to: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON is next on-deck.

No specific date has been set for release, mainly because I am still in the process of writing it (big wink and smile).

Favorite Song?

Can’t pick just one, but here’s a few faves:

§ Close to you – Carpenters
§ #41 – Dave Matthews Band
§ Full-Fledge Strangers – Jonatha Brooke
§ Breathe – Telepopmusik
§ So What – Pink
§ Story To Tell – Notorious B.I.G.

Find Ahmad at:

Twitter: @AhmadDarkside
Facebook: DarksideAhmad
Website: www.AhmadTaylor.com
Blog: AhmadDarkside.blogspot.com
Purchase "Dark Side of the Moon": Amazon