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Re-Release: The Fire Within

The Fire Within_webOver the years, I’ve had a few people email me to ask about the Keldari Fire novella, The Fire Within.

It was originally published by Drollerie Press, along with the Shanhasson trilogy and Survive My Fire, but that publisher folded years ago.  I was on a roll in 2012 and got most of these lost titles re-released with new covers, but I ran out of steam. Sadly, I had this cover made… I just kept putting off the actual formatting.  Then I decided I ought to make an edit pass, because that was several years ago and my writing style has changed quite a bit.

Finally this month, I sat down and made a quick pass.  I hired out the formatting so I didn’t have that hanging over me.  So it only took a few minutes of setup this morning and I was able to push the “publish” button.

I’ve never had a work exclusively in KDP, so this is a trial for me. I know that this makes it more difficult for non-Amazon fans, so if you can’t bring yourself to pick up a copy via Amazon, just email me and I can hook you up.

So I’m very happy to offer a new fantasy romance (yes, this one is solidly romance and has a HEA) complete with dragons!  There’s no need to read any of the other Blood & Shadow books to enjoy this one, though it does fill in a few holes about the king prior to Shannari’s line taking over the throne.

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Blood and Shadows Series Feature Event

This weekend (April 5-8) I’ll be at The Forbidden Bookshelf spilling everything I can about the Blood & Shadows series, specifically The Shanhasson trilogy.  There will be excerpts and lots of background/behind the scenes information about the characters and world, plus a giveaway!  Details here.

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Survive My Fire is Back!

I didn’t quite make my end of March deadline but I came very close.  I worked my way through Survive My Fire – the first book I ever contracted – and brought it up to my current writing level, formatted, and uploaded to Amazon and Smashwords.  It’ll filter through to other distribution sites shortly.  The Fire Within is returning by the end of the month, too!

I so love the cover that Silviya created for Chanda!

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The Shanhasson Books are LIVE!

Finally, the main Shanhasson trilogy and The Horse Master prequel are live at both Smashwords and Amazon. Don’t these covers look fantastic!?

If you love Gregar and company, could you pleeeeeeaaaaasssssssse give them a little love on Amazon? “Like”, tag, and/or rate/review and I’ll be eternally grateful. If you’ve never met Rhaekhar, Gregar, or Mykal, just drop me a note (joelysueburkhart AT gmail DOT com) and I’ll hook you up.

P.S. if you’re on Amazon anyway, Lady Wyre sure could use a little love too.

(each cover will take you directly to the Amazon page)

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Gregar For Thanksgiving

Oh, there is soooo very much to be thankful for this year.  I’m thankful for my family and friends, my Evil Day Job (which really isn’t that evil), three releases in 2011, an RT nomination, just to name a few.  But one thing I’m very very grateful for…. is finding Silviya, the artist I commissioned to create new covers for the Shanhasson books.

Because let me tell you, she outdid herself.

You know how hard and long I searched for Gregar.  I never could find the right man, the right look.  Well, Silviya was able to take the stock photo I found that was close, almost him… and breathe life into the wicked assassin I’d hoped to see.

Wait until you see him in all his glory!

But you know me, I have to torture you just a little.  So this week I’m going to release hints of the final cover, one cropped bit each day.  You won’t see the whole cover until Thanksgiving Day.  Until then, feast your eyes on this…and dream of Blood and Shadows, which I hope to re-release in December after I finish NaNoWriMo.

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The Rose of Shanhasson’s New Cover

When I decided to self-publish The Shanhasson trilogy after getting my rights back, I contacted my friend S.J. Noir, who recommended several artists open to commission.  I was looking for a very specific ART look — similar to what Deena had done at DP with that gorgeous custom look.

However, I wanted these new covers to focus on the men in the series.  *winks*

I settled on Silviya Yordanova and I couldn’t be happier with how Rhaekhar turned out.  What do you think?

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Review: Return to Shanhasson

Mea culpa, Sherri actually won the “first review kae’don” but I totally missed it!  I’ve fallen behind on my blog feeds and google alert failed me.  Read her entire review here:

Where Joely shines is her characters. Not a two-dimensional person among them. These characters are so real. (I think I said it best in my review of Road when I said, “I lived a lifetime between these pages!”) I love with them. I laugh with them. I hurt with them. I cry and scream with them. Even with the hints peppered on Joely’s blog I came apart completely at one point. And yes, I screamed, scaring the dog, LOL. There were more than a few tears, not just sad but happy ones too, during this story.

Aw, poor Roxy!  Thank you so much, Sherri!  You’re absolutely right about Shannari being a little exhausted.  *winks*

P.S. Don’t forget – TODAY is the last day to enter the giveaway!