Freya’s Novels

It’s nearly the summer holidays! Have you stocked up yet on your summer reading? If you haven’t, here are some suggestions …

If you enjoy romance and dark magic mixed with intrigue in a fantastical setting, can I suggest my Isu Magan series? Both books are available as ebooks and paperbacks. Vintrig’s Kingdom ($3) begins the tale of Isu Magan, a lonely princess who is the only heir to the kingdom’s founder. Her life is bound by taboo and she is content not to marry until she meets the travelling musician, Sama Conn, and falls in love with him.

The sequel, Vintrig’s Throne ($3) concludes the tale, but not before Isu’s hopes have been raised and then cruelly dashed. Although she is crowned queen, Isu finds herself on trial for her life and only one thing can save her; The Law of Substitution!

But if you prefer humourous novels, then perhaps Dragonscale Leggings might be more suitable for you. But, I have to warn you, it is a dangerous book to read. Why? Because if you don’t have a sense of humour, hate strong female leads and don’t like fantasy worlds, you’ll be wasting your time reading it!

This is chick-lit in a fantasy world. Think Alice in Wonderland meets Bridget Jones’ Diary. Come and adventure with Dracomagan and her trusty stallion, Tygar, as they travel through the Otherworld, trying to find her memory, evade Merlin and keep on the right side of the law.

At present, Dragonscale Leggings ($3) is only available as an ebook – the paperback should be out by Christmas 2018! Happy Reading!

To navigate around this blog, simply click on the dragonscales at the top of the page and scroll down to see the options on the right handside.

© Freya Pickard 2018

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An extract from Silver Fire

Otta has found Weird Stones on Weird Day and, in trying to return them to the Shrine, has come into the presence of an invisible yet powerful being who speaks with her …

Otta felt excitement welling up out of the ground. Was this how Eran felt when the White Stag had spoken to him?

Keep well the Weird Stones and seek for the unicorn.

She found she was holding the stones in her left hand though she had no recollection of picking them up. “Yes, I will look after the stones,” she said. “But unicorns are just a legend aren’t they?”

Are they?

“That’s what I’ve been told.”

Have you ever tried to find them?

“Well, no…”

The light was fading and Otta became aware that the sunlight was diminished.

Stretch out your hand, ordered the voice.

Obediently she stretched out her right hand, palm up.

Turn your hand towards the earth.

She did so.

Can you feel this?

Otta jerked her hand away, surprised.

Put your hand back.

She stretched out her hand again and felt the shock of energy go through her. It was like an invisible silver river that quivered and trembled, that shot lightning through her body.

This will lead you to the unicorn, the voice promised.

“What do I do when I find the unicorn?”

I will let you know when you find him.

Otta was aware that Nagaru’s presence had faded. The sun was sinking and she was missing the Weird Day feast. She wondered if Jak and Rob had been found and suddenly knew without knowing how, that they were safe. She could feel Nagaru’s presence inside her, waiting for her to call on him. Otta shook her head, feeling strange. Then she stretched out her right hand and followed the unicorn’s trail.

Just what is the unicorn’s trail? What will Otta find? You can find out all this and more in Silver Fire which is FREE to download at iTunes, Kobo and Barnes&Noble.

Amazon US, and Amazon UK are showing this book as FREE. If you find your country’s Amazon site is still charging for Silver Fire, let them know that you can get it FREE elsewhere! Please do NOT pay for this book. It should be a FREE download!

This is the first volume in my epic fantasy series The Kaerling. I’ve put together a one and a half minute film for Silver Fire at YouTube. Please share!

To navigate around this blog, simply click on the dragonscales at the top of the page and scroll down to see the options on the right handside.

© Freya Pickard 2018

Silver Fire

Silver Fire is Volume One in my epic fantasy series, The Kaerling. It’s FREE!

When Otta finds Weird Stones on Weird Day, she is tasked with following the unicorn’s trail by an invisible yet powerful presence in the Shrine.

Her twin brother, Erl, loses his memory whilst hunting and can remember very little. Although Otta seems familiar, he cannot recall who she is.

Banished from their home and village, Otta and Erl follow the unicorn’s trail, seeking to evade those sent to pursue them. As they travel further away from home, their characters change and both must overcome the evil within them if they are to stay together.

In this volume, I explore how memory defines us. This narrative thread is not resolved by the end of the book but will continue into subsequent volumes. Erl’s loss of memory puts a strain on the twins’ relationship and Otta discovers that she is not as nice a person as she thought she was.

FREE to download at iTunes, Kobo and Barnes&Noble.

Amazon US, and Amazon UK are showing this book as FREE. If you find your country’s Amazon site is still charging for Silver Fire, let them know that you can get it FREE elsewhere! Please do NOT pay for this book. It should be a FREE download!

If you have time, take 1.30 minutes out of your day to watch my short film about Silver Fire at YouTube

Please feel free to share and re-blog this post!

To navigate around this blog, simply click on the dragonscales at the top of the page and scroll down to see the options on the right handside.

© Freya Pickard 2018

Cover Reveal – Silver Fire

Not …

… … long …

… … … to wait …

… … … … … now …

In just a few days time I will be launching my first ever permanently free book!

Silver Fire is the first in an epic series, The Kaerling, and you will be able to download it for FREE from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Kobo as well many other e-book outlets.

Come back next week to find out more!

Please help me spread the word – share and re-blog!

To navigate around this blog, simply click on the dragonscales at the top of the page and scroll down to see the options on the right handside.

© Freya Pickard 2018

The Attar of Chervil: Episode One

Dracomagan was nowhere to be seen. Parsley and Sorrel waited for her, whilst Sir Peagreen stood guard. Eyes glowed in the dark greenness and a chill wind rattled dead leaves.

“I think it’s werewolves and vampires…” Parsley moaned.

“… and horrible beasties!” Dracomagan appeared in the gloom, leggings gleaming. She grinned.

“Can’t see there’s anything to smile about,” grumbled Parsley. “Is there another way round?”

“No. One path leads to a blind canyon with no way over it and the other way just dumps you in that raging river we crossed yesterday. So, the quickest way to Nimue, is through that.”

Dracomagan pointed at the green gloaming and led the way forwards …

This is the beginning of my FREE short story, The Attar of Chervil. The tale began in The Essence of Thyme and continued in The Oil of Sage but each story stands alone. If you’d like to read a FREE short story every year and sample some of my FREE short form poetry as well as getting a glimpse into my real life, simply sign up for my Newsletter at dragonscaleclippings@gmail.com and put “Request Clippings” in the subject line! (Your email will not be sold or passed onto anyone else and I will only ever use it to send you the link to my Newsletter).

A huge thank you to one of my collaborative partners, Elisa Choi, for her beautiful front cover for this issue of my Newsletter. For more of Elisa’s work, please visit her website at Harmony Thoughts

To navigate around this blog, simply click on the dragonscales at the top of the page and scroll down to see the options on the right handside.

© Freya Pickard 2018

I’ve started making some videos about my writing! Please check them out at YouTube.

Freya’s Paperbacks

If, like me, you prefer reading a paperback to Kindle, you will be overjoyed to learn that I now have 3 paperbacks in publication!

My most recent paperback in print is, of course, Vintrig’s Throne.

This is the sequel to Vintrig’s Kingdom (see below) and brings to a conclusion the story of Isu that began in the first volume.

If you enjoy tales of romance and swashbuckling action mixed in with biased trials and dark magic, this is the book for you!

With its blood red cover you can’t miss it! And once again, I’ve used a painting by Kombmaker because it made me think of the terrain around Vintrig’s Castle!

Secondly …

… there’s my first collection of short stories, The Rusalka Ritual & Other Stories.

These are tales that involve Dracomagan, the narrator of Dragonscale Leggings. They’ll make you laugh, shiver and cry…

If you like fairy tales with a twist, get yourself a copy!

I had to use this painting by Kombmaker because he unwittingly created a picture that was straight out of my otherworld!

Thirdly …

… there’s my novel Vintrig’s Kingdom.

This is the first volume of Isu Magan’s tale – a snow white cover for a virgin princess living in a monochrome world. Again, it is one of Kombmaker’s sketches – a castle in a snowstorm… You’ll need to read this one before you buy the sequel!

All of these three books are available as e-books The Isu Magan series are priced at $3 each and The Rusalka Ritual is currently $1. Paperback prices vary depending from whom you buy them. I will be releasing my 4th paperback in the next few months! Keep a look out here for it – what will it be? A novel? Another short story collection? Or perhaps it will be a poetry anthology…

To navigate around this blog, simply click on the dragonscales at the top of the page and scroll down to see the options on the right handside.

© Freya Pickard 2018

Another extract from Vintrig’s Throne …

Isu Magan, Queen of Vintrig’s Kingdom is in love with Sama Conn; but she is forbidden to marry. After the crowning ceremony and celebrations, Isu and Sama steal some time alone in the Library but are rudely interupted by Sergeant Aurik …

Aurik attacked, trying to chop the torch in two. But the wood had been treated and his arms jarred as he smote the wooden length. Sama counterattacked and Aurik had to duck and spin aside to avoid the flaming head. Against her will, Isu was impressed at how agile Aurik was. Sama waded in, not waiting for the sergeant to recover, and forced him back towards the opposite doorway. Both men were breathing heavily and sweat glistened red in the ruddy light.

Then it seemed that Sama changed tactic and step by step retreated towards Isu. Her heart laboured in her chest. Was he injured? Aurik smiled slowly as Sama retreated, wielding his torch in imitation of a sword. The sergeant winked and leered over Sama’s shoulder at Isu. She felt her cheeks redden and looked around for something to defend herself with.

Abruptly Sama came to a halt, a good way from the wall.

“Tired out, singer?” Aurik sneered.

Blade and torch wove through the air with neither man giving ground. A movement in the doorway across the room caught her eye. Remembering what Aurik had said about Jya and his servants, she screamed.

The sound of her cry caught Aurik off guard and he span round as Sama fell to the floor and rolled over. Out of the darkness, a silver blade gleamed and sped towards the sergeant. Isu couldn’t see who was standing in the doorway and opened her mouth for another scream. The scream came, but not from Isu. The silver blade embedded itself in Aurik’s sword arm …

The above is a short extract from my newest novel, Vintrig’s Throne, available at Amazon UK, Amazon US, Kobo, Barnes&Noble and iTunes. Find out what’s gone before and what happens next by purchasing the book today! Not convinced yet? Take a look at my short teaser film about it at YouTube

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© Freya Pickard 2018