Wednesday, April 1, 2020

BOOK RELEASE!!! The Dragon's Heart Available Now on Amazon, Full Dark Anthology Makeover, and IWSG!


Welcome back, my friends! Who would have thought, after our last IWSG posts, the state of the world would have changed so much? If only this was one giant April Fools joke, right? I'll have more to say on that later if you're here for the IWSG post. Until then, it's time to celebrate. My new novel, The Dragon's Heart, has finally taken flight, and you can find it today on Amazon and FREE on Kindle Unlimited! 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08696JQVJ
Amazon     Goodreads     Twitter

"King has gifted us an immersive world, filled with memorable characters. What an adventure! All fantasy novels should have this kind of momentum." - Carrie Butler, author of the award-winning Mark of Nexus series

After many years, I'm so excited to release this story to the wild. You see, I first wrote this story 12 years ago as a challenge from my wife, and I wrote it with her interests specifically in mind (if you want the details, go read the origin story on Alex Cavanaugh's blog).

I shopped it around for a while until another writing adventure stole me away that eventually led to Woven. And so my dragon story sat on the virtual shelve for many years until a serious depression caught hold of me. My amazing wife suggested that I pick up this book again. It was the right move. I was far too anxious to write Zombie Summer Part II (gonna start that up now). In that time, I needed to work on something happy. Light. Jovial. Updating and revising The Dragon's Heart has helped me through a very dark time in my life. And now, with what's going on in the world, some say now is a rough time to release a book, but ... I don't want another excuse to hold it back.
If you or someone in your life is looking for a fun, clean, fairy tale adventure about a princess and a dragon teaming up to lift their curses, for readers 8 to 88 and above, head to Amazon for either ebook or paperback, and/or share with your friends. And for those of you who have been waiting patiently for this book, I thank you!

I also wish to thank Novak Illustration for the beautiful cover, Al Diaz (Father Dragon) for the lovely dedicatory illustration in the paperback, and the countless readers for their feedback over the years. And my wife, who tossed me an idea and taught me to fly with it. I love you.

***tosses ample handfuls of confetti***

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Also this week is the revised cover for Full Dark: A Benefit Anthology! If anything during this uncertain time, we are seeing many heroes rising up to the challenges that we're facing. If you feel so inclined to purchase this awesome collection of twisted short stories that were collected by Melissa Maygrove, all of the proceeds will be donated to our first responders, who need all the support they can get these days. Please visit Amazon for this amazing collection, and please share this book with your friends. Thank you all! Every little bit helps.

Cover art by Carrie Bulter

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Maybe reading about COVID-19 is the last thing you want to do. It's the last thing I want to write about, too. But this is our reality now. I have family who are on the front lines of this thing, in Chicago, and this disease has come close to me as a licensed counselor in a mental health hospital. Not to mention the earthquake on the other side of the hill. It's been a really wild month. I'm happy and thankful to report that my family and I are healthy and safe, adjusting well to school at home and the title of "essential employee", but I also know others are having a rough time. Maybe you're one of them. Let's take this as an opportunity to do right by each other. Adjust and adapt. Lend resources if you can. Count ourselves lucky that a world event hasn't happened like this since before many of us were born. May we be calm and cautious while answers and solutions are found. We'll get through this.

And maybe lay off the TP if you can? We're starting to run low.

How are you holding up? What books are you reading? Shows you're streaming? Are you introverted or extroverted? Pranked anyone?
 
I'm David, and ...

56 comments:

  1. Ooh, The Dragon's Heart sounds beyond amazing. Many congrats! Learning the story behind it makes it even more meaningful. So glad this book was able to help you get through such dark times in your life. And I hope you and your loved ones continue to be safe and well!

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    1. Thank you, it did help immensely. We're holding up okay, hope you are as well! :)

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  2. Congratulations!
    Sadly, people would be pulling that toilet paper off the trees right now.
    Several earthquakes now, plus tornadoes. Just what we need.

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    1. Rock'n and roll'n, seems like. Where are all the Beavis memes? Thank you, Alex! :)

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  3. Congrats on the new release. It's good you're staying safe so far. Good luck!

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  4. 8-88 - covers a lot of readers! Congrats on finally bringing the book out into the world.

    I saw Idaho had an earthquake, too.

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    1. I know, right? The Rockies and Rock'n lately. So good to have this book released, thank you! :)

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  5. Congratulations David for the book release. Am in love with your book cover . Its just awesome. I'm sure it will do very well. Prayers for your safety.

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  6. Carrie did an excellent job. Congratulations, David. I love the love-story aspect to your new novel. Your wife is a lucky girl.

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  7. Congrats on your new release, David! The cover is lovely, and I love the origin story. Best of luck with it.

    Hope you and your family continue to be well.

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  8. I love your photo of the TP-ed yard. :)
    Congratulations on your release! I downloaded a copy this morning and hope to read it soon.

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  9. Congratulations David on your new book. Wishing you loads of good luck. Prayers for your and your family's safety.

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  10. Congrats on the release!

    That TP pic is too funny.

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  11. Congrats on the release! The world could use a fun, clean fairy tale right now. And seriously, what is up with the TP hoarding? I hate to think what that says about us as a society. Our neighborhood set up a text-circle, so no one will go without anything they need, including TP.

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    1. Thank you! History will look back at this moment as "the great toilet paper famine", I'm afraid. :)

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  12. Congrats on the release! Glad you and your family are staying safe.

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  13. Congrats on your book release. Awesome what inspired it. Glad your family and you are healthy.

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  14. Congrats on the new release. Stay safe, essential worker.

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  15. Congrats on the release. Awesome cover indeed.

    Yeah, essential is one word getting thrown around a lot these days.

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    1. Thank you, very true. I swear if I hear one more person on the news say "unprecedented..." :)

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  16. Congrats on your new release. It's right up my alley so I'll check it out. Gotta love dragons.

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  17. My job is essential too. I'm in education. It's scary knowing you drive to work and are at risk. I am nervous about my own children. Congrats on your new release. Sending you thoughts of peace and health.

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    1. Thank you! Indeed, just washing hands often and limiting my interactions at home, just to be sure. :)

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  18. Hi,
    First, Congrats first hand on your book. I like good fantasy and your book sounds like good fantasy.

    I feel the same way you do about the virus. It is time for us to wake up and do right by others. Respect people and come off of our high horses. if anything, covid19 is showing us that it doesn't make any exceptions who it touches.

    All the best and be safe.

    Hi,

    I know what you mean by being overwhelmed at first. Before this all started happening I had a strong impression that I should go out and buy groceries. I did but didn't understand why I was doing it. I thought to myself, you have enough food at home for over a month. Three days later Corona hit a small town in Germany and people panicked.

    I like the beginning of your story. It sounds like a mystery or a horror story.. I believe subscribe to your blog so I'll look in again.

    Have a great day and be safe.

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

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  19. Hi,
    I wrote a comment a few minutes ago and hope it hasn't disappeared. I will check again tomorrow.

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat Garcia

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    1. Looks like it's still here, and thank you! Glad you picked up on that impression, I experienced something similar. :)

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  20. Hi David - congratulations ... yes your wife is clever to know the button she needed to push, to get to pick up this story up and complete it. All the best - Hilary

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    1. Thank you! Yes, she found the inner fantasy writer in me. I'm glad for it! :)

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  21. Glad to hear you are safe and congrats on the dragons unleashed!

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  22. I'm looking forward to reading your book. It's been a long time since I read a fantasy, but the little girl in me is excited at the prospect of escaping to a world of dragons. (They're a lot friendlier than COVID-19!)

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    1. Thanks, Susan! I have a feeling you'll really enjoy Flint (the dragon). :)

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  23. Thank you so much for visiting my blog this morning and cheering Jemi on.
    And thank you (and drat you) for inciting bookie lust. Again. I have a very soft spot for dragons and am off to buy your book now.
    Stay well, stay safe.
    I more ordinary times I volunteer on a crisis line. My age and a chronic illness has led me to be stood down. I feel bereft.
    Huge thanks for the very, very necessary work you do.

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    1. You're welcome, and thank you! Hope relief will find its way to you, and no longer stood down! :)

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  24. Hi David,

    Glad to hear you and your family are safe! Yes, things are crazy and stressful. I hope to be getting home soon. Kind of laying low in Orlando until I can leave safely. Is tomorrow soon enough? I really want to get back to my home in NW IL, but traveling through five states may be tricky with all the "stay ins" I did call AAA and they say we can go if we are returning home. Hopefully that will be the case when I am prepared to leave in a few days...have to pack up the please here before I can leave....Stay safe, my friend!

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  25. Your book sounds terrific, David - loved the origin story over at Alex's blog!
    The world is in crazy shape right now. Thankfully here, people are listening and practicing physical distancing and staying as safe as possible. Hope you and yours continue to be well!

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  26. Congratulations on your release! Wishing you all the best. Stay safe!

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  27. Congratulation on the new release! I love the cover and the story sounds amazing. I may need to read this one as I like anything dragon related.

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  28. Congrats on the new release! I've been reading Phyllis Whitney gothics. I read them 40-50 years ago (I was a precocious baby. LOl) Fascinating. Take care and stay safe.

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  29. Congrats on your release! I love the cover and description. I am adding it to my list! I have been so buys working from home, and worrying, etc. that I have had little time for reading, drawing, and writing. I am hoping that this will change soon and I can start to find more time to relax. But- we are all adjusting to things! I actually love being at my house- and haven't minded not leaving- but I wasn't expecting to be so busy at home. :)

    Glad you and your family are well. Stay safe!
    ~Jess

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  30. Congratulations! And thanks for mentioning the anthology. :)

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  31. DPK, my brother.

    Wishing you and yours a happy Easter, and if you're staying home (sorry, couldn't help it) have a great/relaxing holiday weekend. :)

    Best wishes for your book, your work/colleagues and stay safe - with no more earthquakes so we can (one of these days) go out and enjoy our surroundings again!

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  32. Congrats! This looks fantastic. I think it's beautiful that something that brought you light relief in a dark time could now do the same for someone else in a worrying time for us all. Hope you and yours are staying safe.

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