Author Showcase on Yours Truly

A big thank you to Mrs. Mommy Booknerd for doing an author showcase on yours truly in connection with my recent YA release, OtherWorld. As they used to say, it must have been a slow news night....

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Now I'm off to read Mike Faricy's latest, Corridor Man, the first in a new series of books from the funniest guy in Minnesota.

Through the Narrows

Book 2 of the Tomahawk & Saber series, Through the Narrows, is available now!

Wolf Tongue and Pyke's adventures continue as they return a familiar, but not very friendly, place, prompted by reports of Indian raiding.

Readers that enjoyed the first in the series, Language of the Bear, are bound to like this one. If LOTB was Heart of Darkness meets Lethal Weapon, Through the Narrows is Zulu meets The Searchers.

Yes, really.

Though it's set in the Province of Pennsylvania in the mid 18th century, this book functions very much like a Western. When you read it, you'll see what I mean.

Things get pretty dark in this story. Wolf Tongue's tribe continues to dwindle. Pyke's career has stalled. And both are forced to defend a less-than-deserving town.

Will we see more of Wolf Tongue and Pyke?

I hope so...

Here's the blurb for Through the Narrows:

Wolf Tongue of the Susquehannock and Lieutenant Hugh Pyke of the British Army barely survived their first mission together. Now with the French and Indian War beginning to flame around them, the frontier of the Pennsylvania Colony is restless.

When they’re called back to protect Millers Town from Indian raiders, Pyke and Wolf Tongue discover the settlement is outnumbered and there is no militia to reinforce them. Even worse, Pyke and Wolf Tongue fear the townsfolk harbor secrets just as deadly as their attackers.

As Pyke tries to build a haphazard defense with a band of farmers and children against an almost inevitable slaughter, the mysteries of the town begin to unravel. Pyke realizes his life is in danger from the very people he is duty-bound to protect—perhaps, even from the beautiful French outcast who seems to know more than she should.

With a final, crushing attack imminent, Wolf Tongue hurries to rescue a kidnapped girl who might be the only hope for the town’s survival while Pyke struggles to protect the innocent. As they carve away layers of deceit, both men must confront the terrible truths behind Millers Town to survive the dangers to their lives, their peoples, and their honor.

Through the Narrows continues the historical adventure of the Tomahawk and Saber series, filled with suspense and action that captures the deadly brutality, danger, and strength of Colonial America.

The True Test....

So far the feedback on my YA fantasy adventure, OtherWorld, has been very positive. Thanks to everybody that's given the book a try, from beta readers, to editors, to early reviewers, and readers. While I'm very appreciative of the praise (and in true Evan Ronan fashion, already thinking it's undeserved), the warm and fuzzy feeling has come with a tiny, little, nagging asterisk:

*All feedback to date has come from adults.

It's one thing for an adult to be entertained by a story. When you write a suspense thriller, you have a very large, somewhat forgiving demographic to work with. All my other stories are, basically, intended for readers aged 18 to 118. If it doesn't work for 21 year olds, that's okay, because it could still work for 25 year olds, or 30 year olds, or 55 year olds...

YA is a whole different animal. Your target audience is much smaller. Sure, some adults will read YA but you can't count on them. No, YA books live and die with kids.

So I'm sure you can understand that I'm incredibly anxious to get feedback from the intended audience. Well, be careful what you wish for, as they say...

Olivia at The Kid Book Reviewers has been kind enough to give the book a try. (By the way, this is a very cool site. I'm totally stoked to see kids reviewing books!) So far she likes it, and I hope I make good on the promise of the first chapter in her eyes.

Every day I tell my daughters a new made-up story. They usually enjoy this part of our day, but if the story ain't working, they are sure to let me know...really quickly ;-) In many ways, I think a younger reader is harder to please than an adult.

***

Right now I'm running a special offer on OtherWorld: it's just $0.99. Or, if you'd like to get a FREE COPY, I'll happily send one along in exchange for an honest review (shoot me an email at ronaniswriting@gmail.com).

And stay tuned for another exciting announcement on Tuesday....

The Dream Machine Will Be Out This Year

Dear Loyal Readers / Eddie McCloskey Fanboys and Fangirls -

Just a friendly reminder that the sixth book in The Unearthed series, The Dream Machine, will be out this year.

I can't get any more specific timing-wise than that, but I promise you it will be out in 2015.

Many people have asked how long the series will be, and it's difficult to say. At this point I can see four or five more stories that will round out Eddie's character arc. Don't know if there'll be anything left in the creative tank after that for this universe, though I have toyed with the idea of doing Stan and Moira paranormal investigations. Those would be more cozy/humorous mysteries, a la Nick and Nora Charles.

Thanks for hanging in there with me and Eddie!

OtherWorld - Special Offer Now Only $0.99

I'm running a special offer on OtherWorld. It's normally 3 bones, but I've marked it down to $0.99 so get it cheap while you can.

So far I've gotten a couple real nice early reviews. Here's what folks are saying:

"This would be an incredible TV show"
"Emotionally moving fantasy will remind you of 80s movies"
"Outside of the fantasy and adventure, the emotional guts of this thing are absolutely compelling and heart-wrenching"

Thanks to my early reviewers!