News- perhaps not the news you expected, but at least it's news

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

You know how in the last post I said I had a lot of fun stuff in store for this blog. I lied. Turns out I'm actually going on a hiatus. An official one this time, so I won't keep saying that I'm gonna get on the blogging bandwagon over and over and then go a whole month without posting.

I'm going to be honest, I'm struggling when it comes to my writing. I haven't been able to write anything of consequence since November. So I'm taking a break from the internet to focus on refinding my muse.

With that said, I also have to point out that you should disregard all publishing plans I have announced. Because I don't actually know at this point when my books are going to be published. I'm currently taking a nice long break from Amar due to the fact that it was speed writing two Amar books in a very short timespan that got me stuck in this rut.

I do have a rough-ish game plan which includes finishing rewriting A Winter Dark and Deadly (I am going to try to have it ready by the end of the year but we shall see), polishing up Of Gold and Iron and figuring out where else to submit it, and working on a handful of not 150k word long fantasy sequels.

I don't know when I will be back, maybe it will be April? With Camp NaNo and all. But then my current project is sort of mildly a secret so I wouldn't be able to talk about it much. When I do get back I will hopefully have some very big announcements to make. I don't want to say anything prematurely because I'm still figuring out a game plan, but my writing is taking a big turn that I didn't actually see coming. And yes that does have to do with my current WIP. And no I'm not saying any more on the subject.

So anyway, I will see you all when I have my writing figured out again, hopefully with some big announcements and that Q&A post so you can get all of your questions answered.

Super Special Secret (Agent) Cover Reveal!

Soooooooooo....

*sounds of crickets echoing in the distance*

*awkward coughs*

Ahem. My, my how the time flies...

So I haven't figured out a blogging schedule. Tbh I forgot to even think about blogging.

Whoops XD

So yeah, March I am going to work on getting onto a steady blogging schedule. I have lots to catch up on. Art to show off. Movies to review. WIPs to introduce. A belated blogoversary to throw. Good stuff in store.

But for today, we have quite an exciting thing. A cover reveal you see. For none other than my dear sister Jes Drew's upcoming release.

However before we get to that, first, an introduction to the first books in the series:

Kristian Clark and the Agency Trap, Book One: The Bachelor Missions

Kristian Clark and the Agency Trap, Book Two: In the Rogue

Kristian Clark and the Agency Trap, Book 2.5: Ruptured Reality

Kristian Clark and the American Agenda, Book One: Agents Adam and Eve

And finally we come to the reveal. Another beautiful cover crafted by Victoria Cooper (who has done some of my own covers)... Kristian Clark and the American Agenda, Book Two: Operation Paradise Lost

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And Eden were no Eden thus exposed…

He found himself only to be stolen again. This time, though, it is not Kristian’s mind that is lost, but his soul. Suddenly without a conscience, the man formerly known as Kristian Clark has only goal: to make sure that no other being controls him again despite his weakened state. Whatever that means, and whatever it takes.

She found a reason to live only to lose it again. Her goal to find the lost children remains unchanged- and the Aisling’s need to remain focused on that end only strengthens. But with a new sociopath dead-set on the same mission, she finds the heart she thought died breaking in all new ways. Aisling knows one thing for sure, though: she will redeem what she lost. If that means sacrificing an innocent life, then heaven help them all.

Together with their motley allies, including Kristian’s un-fallen Alternate, a fellow sociopath, and the men who love her, they face the same impossible task. Fight against two enemy agencies to find twin innocent children and separate parallel worlds before the ashes of one burns the other.

Pre-Order for Only $0.99 Now!

Dronefall Halftime Blog Tour

Hi everyone I'm back. I fully understand the irony of the fact that my goal in 2020 being to blog more and then I basically don't post at all for January except in the first week.

So yeah...

*coughs awkwardly*

Anyway while I try to figure out a consistent blogging schedule for the rest of the year, here is a nice little blog tour post to tide you over.

I don't know about you guys, but I will admit that I have been on a bit of a Science Fiction fix and since I am new to the genre, I don't know that many authors or books in this niche. Which makes me very interested in the Dronefall Series.

About the series

In the early 2040’s, in a European city choked by surveillance drones, Halcyon Slavic takes her

place with a group of Christians who are slowly losing their rights. They are determined to stay

on the right side of the law, even as it continues to oppress them. But Halcyon doesn’t have

their patience. At night, she’s a drone-sniper—part of a criminal underworld that defends the

Christians secretly.

But there are larger threats to face than the technological menace that haunts the airspace. A

rot is spreading from the heart of society. They’re trying to rebuild a reality without God. As a

result, they’re creating a world without justice, truth, or hope. They’re determined to destroy all

Halcyon lives for, and crush the only family she’s ever had.

Follow Halcyon and her drone-sniping comrades through the dark maze their world has

become, searching for light and triumph over lies and hatred.

About the Author

A. L. Buehrer is a speculative fiction author on a mission to bring courage, wonder and hope to

the Christian audience. She revels in creating twisty plots, set in atmospheric worlds, populated

by vivid characters, and pointing readers to the eternal beauty of Jesus Christ. Other interests

include nerdy stuff, Earl Grey tea, and giving weird nicknames to cats.

She blogs at: https://stardriftnights.blogspot.com/

Her website: http://www.albuehrernovels.com/

I also think it bears mentioning that the first three books are currently only $0.99  O.O

Okay, bye for now. I will be back this month with more posts and maybe even a game plan.

Cover Reveal!

At long last I am going to share with you the cover for A Season of Subterfuge, Courtiers, and War Councils and can I just say how excited I am?

Because I'm pretty excited XD

So first of all the synopsis...

Thrust into a fight seven hundred years in the making, Chelsea and her friends find themselves against an immortal emperor. If they return the true heir of Ione to her rightful throne, then they will finally be free of the magical world of Amar. But that’s easier said than done. They will need the support of the other kingdoms of Amar if they hope to stand a chance at defeating Axius. But who would follow four kids into battle?

As assassins hound their every step, Chelsea and her friends struggle to find a way to call a War Council against Axius. Chelsea travels north to Renlain a land of dragons and secrets. With Easton as her only ally, she must learn to navigate a world where ballrooms are the battlegrounds and coy smiles hide deadly intents. And it seems that everyone with any amount of power wants them dead. As if having to constantly be on guard to avoid death via a poisoned drink or an assassin's blade is not enough, Chelsea also has to face her conflicting feelings for Easton.

Survival isn’t enough. They have to find a way to start this war. And they have to win it. Or else they will never get home. But victory will not come without a cost and to win they must sell their consciences. How far are they truly willing to go to complete this quest and get home?

And now without any further ado it is time to start scrolling.

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What did you think I wasn't going to make you work for it just a little bit?

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Did you notice the one that was only two dots?

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KEEP SCROLLING!!!

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You can add it to your To-Read shelves here

Ahhh! What do you think of the new cover? Unfortunately I don't have a set date for release yet, but stay tuned for more updates and in the meantime... feel free to just stare at the cover. I certainly shall be doing the same.

Blogging Collab

Hiya folks! Faith from The Writer's Song here today to rank all the ships from the My Time in Amar series (and also the spinoff series, Return to Amar.)

(A note from Nicki: please remember that this is all Faith's opinion not my own and also all images are from Pinterest)

LAST PLACE: PHELSEA

Look, I don't mind Philip as a character. He's a sweetie with enough honor to fuel a spaceship, and he deserves waaaaaay more appreciation than the fanbase gives him. But letting him get anywhere near Chelsea is a mistake, and the two of them do NOT need to be together. Any ship moment they have is an abomination. Besides, they both have soul mates.

FIONSTON

I don't hate this one quite as much as I hate Phelsea, if only because Fiona is such a sad, lonely, broken girl. She deserves better than what she gets, but she doesn't deserve Easton, if only because NO ONE deserves Easton. So I want Fiona to be happy... but not by route of this ship. It's just sad, honestly, and it's very one-sided.

HAGARTH+DELMORA

Really? I don't know what to say about villain ships half the time. This one isn't as bad as the other two because it doesn't destroy my other ships? But the problem is that this is an extremely dysfunctional ship between a couple of ReALlY aTrOciOuS vIlLaInS and it's just problematic so. Can't rate this higher than this because NO THANKS

PHIONA

This one only ranks low by comparison. I love Philip and Fiona together--they're precious, adorable, and deserve each other entirely. I'd like to bash these two's faces together and force them to kiss, but since that's kind of rude, I just pine for them to get together from afar, which doesn't work. So...yeah. This one gets to be low on the list ONLY because everyone else is higher.

MORION

When the spinoff series featuring Maud and Orion happens, I'm thinking I'll probably ship this harder. For the moment, I just...have other favorites xD But these two are such a classic hate-to-love ship, that combines about every other ship trope under the sun in the most creative of ways, that I can't help loving it. (I mean, seriously. The sass master and the Tough Guy (TM). What could go wrong???)

CLOBBY

Clint and Bobby is one ship that, looking at it, I'm not even sure WHY it works. Clint is immature and Bobby deserves better, and they don't even have that much chemistry. But for some reason, IT WORKS and I ship it ridiculously hard. So... yeah. They're such babies but I adore them despite it.

OGENE

Olivia and Eugene. Ahh, me. What can you say about this ship that hasn't already been said? A sassy, bitter teenager from earth, meeting a handsome and just-a-bit-too-suave illusionist from a mysterious new world. It's another of those ships that SHOULDN'T work but just DOES. Also, Eugene rescued Olivia's shoe for her, and if that isn't ship material, I don't know what is.

DANLICIA

Moving into my top three...we have Dante+Alicia in third place overall amongst the Amar ships. These two are the star-crossed, opposites attract lovers and they're just too precious for this world. Dante is a grumpy huntsman and Alicia is the flightiest and most adorable piece of fluff in existence (except for that time she threatened to murder him. Oops.) They work so perfectly, even if Dante would dispute that fact, and I ship it so hard it hurts.

MARGARETA + ALEXIS

My second place ship for Amar is one that is just undeniable in its perfection. Margareta starts off the series as a total airhead and useless character, but by book 2 and even into book 3 of My Time in Amar she's this steely-eyed, fierce girl who knows what she wants and needs and will fight tooth and nail to get it. And then Alexis is Teen Wolf, basically--broody, grumpy, angst embodied, and a disaster. Oh, and he's a werewolf, too. There's no way this could go wrong, right? Well, actually, not there isn't. It's JUST PERFECTION *flails*

and my number one ship...

is....

CHELSTONNNNNNNNN

How could it be anything else? Chelsea and Easton, my dudes. There is no. Other. Option. They're the actual bestest and I adore them. They're the childhood friends to lovers ship. Easton's love for Chelsea is so pure, and even if she's dragging her feet to catch up *rolls eyes loudly* I can't imagine either of them with anyone else. So presh. My babiiiiiieeeeeesssssss and the ultimate Amar OTP.

Welcome to 2020

I'm sure some of you are wondering what the deal with the starry background is, and that may or may not be that my mind has moved from fantasy worlds to space for the time being, but I can neither confirm nor deny these allegations. And this all certainly has nothing to do with the Mandalorian or X-Files being in my life.

But anyway happy 2020 everyone! I remember 2019 like it was just yesterday y'all.

Life:

Honestly, survival would be nice. Somehow everything piled up and now I am having oral surgery, leaving one job and going to another, and trying to tackle maneuverability so I can get my license all within weeks of each other and just *cue endless screaming*

So yeah my goal is basically just survival

A few other things of point is I would like to also work on:

Build stronger relationships with certain people in my life who I want to get to know better

Not stress as much (I'm off to a really great start with that *eye twitches like a maniac*

Art. keep sketching, try different styles and just practice lots. And also start on watercolors.

Actually read books again, including a few books that I made a commitment to read (sorry gals I promise I will get to them as soon as I can <3 thanks for being patient though)

Blog more. I took a lot of hiatuses. my blogging schedule got a little spotty there for a while, and honestly I don't have a set thing that I blog about so yeah. I am going to work on a very serious blogging schedule yadda yadda yadda... what that will entail will probably be lots of posts about writing, movies, and art. I may or may not also include book reviews, what do you all think of that idea?

Writing

Last year I had some crazy writing goals and not all of them were realistic so let's see if I can tone it down some this year.

• Finish editing SoS and publish it in the earlier half of the year (sometime March-May hopefully)
• Write and publish A Matter of Curiosity by my hopeful due date of October 13th
• Write Darkness From the Stars and hopefully in time to pitch it at Realm Makers
• Work on another project that I haven't revealed yet (mwahahaha)
• Work on my SciFi series and possibly maybe publish it on Wattpad (more on that in a few weeks)
• Actually edit A Winter Dark and Deadly
• Figure out what exactly I am going to do with Of Gold and Iron

My word for 2020 is... THRIVE

So yeah, here we go. Let's do this thing.

Anyway, tune in later this week we have a blogging collab and then the long awaited cover reveal for SoS (you don't want to miss this). And next week I will be posting about doing something for my blogging anniversary so that a certain someone (I won't name any fingers or point any names but yeah she knows who she is) can finally get her revenge *rolls eyes*

Anyway HAPPY NEW YEAR you guys! What are some of your goals for this year?

2019 Wrap-Up

Hey guys, I just have a quick question for you. And that would be, WHERE THE FLIP DID 2019 GO????

I mean I know that stuff happened, and months passed. But a whole year? No, no, because I distinctly recall it was just 2018 it cannot possibly be 2020 already. I cannot possibly be mere months away from turning twenty, I mean... I'm not old enough to be twenty.

Okay so I guess since we are apparently going with the ruse that it has in fact been a whole year and we are in fact in 2020 already I better do a proper farewell to 2019 and mourn it and all that and also honor its memory with this little wrapup.

So at the beginning of the year I made a list of goals which you can find here.

Of my life goals I did in fact grow in my walk with God, begin eating healthier and actually lose weight, and I have mostly learned to drive though I still have to tackle maneuverability before I can get my licence. I did not in fact learn Spanish but oh well I didn't actually think I would.

Of my reading goals I really failed quite miserably. 2019 was the year of the never ending reading slump.

And we will get back to my writing goals later and how they panned out but first some other regular life things that deserve mentioning:

• I started this blog
• I got a car :O
• I started taking drawing seriously and actually got better at it

One of my first drawings of the year

My last drawing of the year

• I started painting

My latest paintings with the help of Bob Ross tutorial videos

And obviously a ton of other things happened too, but not all of them bear mentioning.


And now on to the writing updates:

Of my 2019 goals...

I did in fact finish A Winter Grim and Lonely and published it this past January.

I did not really touch A Winter Dark and Deadly unfortunately.

I did write A Season of Subterfuge, Courtiers, and War Councils and jokes on me because it ended up being over 150k words long and murdered me painfully

I also republished A Time of Trepidation, Pirates, and Lost Princesses

I only wrote about 40k words in A Matter of Curiosity before I decided to set it aside to focus on other projects.

My goal was to write 500k words, and that was clearly huge and I don't know why I made that goal or thought it was at all attainable I mean seriously...

I did however:

• Manage to write approximately 350k words.
• Edited the snot out of Of Gold and Iron, sent it to two publishers. Both asked for more time to review it. One finally rejected it, I'm still waiting for news from the second.
• I started and then dropped more writing projects than I would care to admit
• Finally decided on the two projects I'm going to work on going into the new year (and it isn't QoDaF despite what my last two posts would lead you and me to believe)
• Wrote a 150k word long book in four short months

But anyway there you have it, 2019 wrapped. My word of 2019 was LEARN and I think yeah... I think I really succeeded in that department.

Anyway tune in tomorrow where I shall list my goals of 2020. And also keep an eye out for two thrilling posts coming over the weekend.

How was 2019 for you? Did you have a word? Do you think you succeeded in keeping your goals? Comment Below!