Stop by Love Bytes this week to check out my recent blog post including an interview, excerpt, and giveaway for my m/m fantasy novel The Magician's Apprentice. This is a great chance to learn a little about what makes me tick as a writer, as well as get a chance to grab a free copy of the book. This is the prequel novel in the Dragon Mage Chronicles series: bit.ly/DragonMageChronicles
Andrei and Jander return home to the city of Vallerin with the grimmest possible news and tell their king to do what he can to prepare his people for war. Kirin is heading toward the capital with a legion behind him, and he is determined to take revenge both on Andrei and on the apprentice he believes supplanted him in his former master's heart. This time, with the might of an entire dragon army at his command, he very well might succeed.
Also, I've updated the Dragon Mage Chronicles series webpage to include links to a preview for each of the books. You can check it out here if you're interested: bit.ly/DragonMageChronicles
I've been getting a lot of messages from readers letting me know that they're reading this newest book and are really enjoying the series, which I appreciate more than I can possibly say. I've been starving for feedback on the stories I write, and having that connection with the people who are reading them just makes me light up like Christmas inside. ^_^ I'm so happy that this book appears to be starting out strong and that people are enjoying it.
I feel both happy and sad to have Wardrake finally published. I love this series so very much, and it's a bit of a shock to realize that it's over at last. I absolutely adore Jander and Andrei and Gabrielle and Boaen and Tanith and Alluin... and even Kirin, in his own way. All of these characters have become incredibly dear to me over the years I've been working on writing this series. Publishing this final book feels a little bit like saying goodbye, like sending a child who's all grown up now out into the world to fend for himself. It's a feeling of tremendous accomplishment, but at the same time it's bittersweet.
But what a journey it has been! I'm so grateful for all of you who've given me encouragement throughout all of this, who bought the books and sent me comments to let me know that you've been sucked into this world as much as I have. That's what I strive to do as a writer, to create worlds and characters that will connect with people. By that measurement, it feels as though this series has been a resounding success. ♥♥♥
September 4, 2020
It's release day!!! *blows party horns and throws confetti*
Wardrake, the final book in the Dragon Mage Chronicles m/m fantasy series, is now available. This feels like such an incredible accomplishment to me, and I am so excited to be able to share the conclusion of Jander and Andrei's story with you at last.
The paperback version is in its final stages of production and will be available very soon. I'll post an announcement just as soon as I'm notified that it's available.
For those of you who might not be familiar with the Dragon Mage Chronicles series, it tells the story of Jander Teregnan, a young man with a rare gift of magic that sets him and the renowned Andrei Teresh, the man who has become both his master in the magic and his lover, on a desperate quest to defend their kingdom, their home, and each other. You can find out more about the series by clicking here:
Andrei and Jander return home to the city of Vallerin with the grimmest possible news and tell their king to do what he can to prepare his people for war. Kirin is heading toward the capital with a legion behind him, and he is determined to take revenge both on Andrei and on the apprentice he believes supplanted him in his former master's heart. This time, with the might of an entire dragon army at his command, he very well might succeed.
August 30, 2020
The Love Bytes blog recently ran a promo post for my upcoming release, Wardrake (Book IV in the Dragon Mage Chronicles series). Check it out here:
The Dragon Mage Chronicles m/m fantasy series tells the story of Jander Teregnan, a young man with a rare gift of magic that sets him and the renowned Andrei Teresh, the man who has become both his master in the magic and his lover, on a desperate quest to defend their kingdom, their home, and each other. Find out more about the series by clicking here:
You'll find an exceprt from the book there along with some snazzy new promo graphics that I am very proud to have created. Thank you so much to Carra for helping to spread the word about this series!
As a reminder, Wardrake is the final book in my Dragon Mage Chronicles m/m fantasy series, and is now available for preorder. You can reserve your copy of the ebook on the following websites:
The print version will be coming out just a bit later.
August 16, 2020
I am super excited to announce the new Dragon Mage Chronicles Art Gallery! On these pages you'll find a collection of illustrations that have been created for this series over the years since it was first written.
Just a warning that if you haven't had a chance to read the Dragon Mage Chronicles m/m fantasy series yet, some of these illustrations do contain spoilers for scenes in the books. To find out more about the series, you can click here: bit.ly/DragonMageChronicles
It really feels like everything is wrapping up and coming together. I am super happy with how this series has turned out. It's been a lot of hard work, but it is so very worth it to see the finished product at last. ♥♥♥
I've sent out an ARC copy of Wardrake to the first reviewer on my list and received confirmation that the posts are being scheduled. It feels like it's really starting to happen now! This last book in the series has been a long time in coming, and I am getting more and more excited about releasing it. :D
Just a reminder that the book is available for preorder. Here are the links where you can find it:
Lastly, I thought I'd share the new promo gif I have for the series. It's my first attempt at making a gif like this. I think it turned out really well!
August 11, 2020
Wardrake, Book IV in the Dragon Mage Chronicles m/m fantasy series, is now available for preorder! The buy links on Amazon and Smashwords are now live, although the cover image isn't showing up on the Amazon page yet for some reason. According to their FAQ, it could take a few days for it to start appearing on the page. I've never come across this issue before, but hopefully it will work itself out soon.
The book will be released on September 4, 2020. Here are the links where you can preorder:
The paperback version of the book will be coming soon.
I am really excited about how well this book turned out, but at the same time I'm feeling a bit anxious because it's the final book in the series and I'm really hoping all of you will love it as much as I do. I've sincerely enjoyed sharing Jander and Andrei's journey with all of you, and reading all of your comments and reactions to their story. Gabrielle seems to be a particular favorite, which makes me happy because I love her so much. :)
If you haven't had a chance to read this series yet, I recommend that you begin with the prequel novel, The Magician's Apprentice, before beginning the Chronicles series. The Magician's Apprentice is a m/m fantasy novel that begins the story of Jander Teregnan, a young man gifted in manipulating the strange energy his people know as magic. On the road far from home, he arrives in the capital city of Vallerin with the hope of finding a master who will be able to help him understand the arcane forces he can sense and interact with, but not reliably control. Once there, with the help of his loyal companion Gabrielle, he embarks on a journey that leads him into adventure, intrigue, danger, and romance as he becomes caught up in an adventure that will determine not only his fate, but the fate of his entire kingdom.
Wardrake (Dragon Mage Chronicles Book IV)
by J.A. Jaken
Andrei and Jander return home to the city of Vallerin with the grimmest possible news and tell their king to do what he can to prepare his people for war. Kirin is heading toward the capital with a legion behind him, and he is determined to take revenge both on Andrei and on the apprentice he believes supplanted him in his former master's heart. This time, with the might of an entire dragon army at his command, he very well might succeed.
August 4, 2020
I just finished making the Kindle version of the ebook for Wardrake. The Smashwords ebook is coming along nicely as well. That one is a little more time consuming because of their formatting restrictions, but it's getting there. I am so happy with how this book is turning out! Seeing this story in print at last is a little surreal. I'm really super proud of it.
I should have a preorder link available soon. I'll post it just as soon as I have it!
July 17, 2020
It's done. I just finished the read-through of my final draft for Wardrake. I'm not sure exactly how I feel right now. A lot of triumph, a great deal of satisfaction at a job well done, but also sad, just a little bit. Because what a journey this has been. I still remember when it first started, literally half a lifetime ago.
I am incredibly happy with how this story has turned out. Seeing the words "The End" typed at the end of the page feels a little surreal, after five books in the series (including the prequel). Thank you so very sincerely to all of you who have been taking this journey with me. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed sharing these characters and their world with you. I am looking forward so very much to getting this last book in the series out there for you to read and enjoy. :D
July 11, 2020
I just finished the final edits on Wardrake! Time for one final read-through to make sure I didn't miss anything before the publishing to ebook and paperback begins....
July 7, 2020
Congratulations to Sandra for winning an ebook copy of Stormdrake from the giveaway that was hosted at the Love Bytes Reviews blog. I'll be sending your book over to you right away. :)
June 14, 2020
Firedrake is up for Book of the Week over on the Love Bytes website! I'd love it if you would stop by to give it a vote:
The top two winners will be nominated for the Book of the Month contest at the end of the month. :)
June 13, 2020
I have a couple of things to announce today. First of all, the paperback version of Firedrake is now available in the Amazon store! Here is the link where you can find it:
The paperback version of the novel is coming soon. I'll post a buy link just as soon as I have one for it.
This third book in the Dragon Mage Chronicles brings Jander and Andrei into Corascia's inner mountains, searching for the volcano where they believe Kirin is planning to conduct the dark magic rituals that will give him the power of a dragon mage. In this book you'll find harrowing battles and desperate pursuits, old foes and new allies, as well as a healthy dose of magic, adventure, and m/m romance.
The book already has its first review: 5 stars on the Making It Happen book review blog! Click here to read it:
I'm so happy to have this book out there at last. I really can't believe the series is almost complete. The final book, Wardrake, is in its final stages of editing right now and will be getting ready for publication very soon.
It's a race against time as Andrei and Jander head deep into the volcanic warrens of their country's inner mountains to stop Kirin from completing the dark magic spell that will awaken the power of the dragons. There they find new allies in unlikely places, but also face betrayal in unanticipated forms. Can Jander overcome his fear of the power he still does not entirely understand in order to save himself and the master he has grown to love?
