ktirsh

[ktirsh]

Test Asside

What does an aside look like?

[ktirsh]

“I was once told my daughter would be a queen. The man who said it had tears in his eyes as he kissed my fevered face. He stared at me as though he would burn the memory of me into his soul. Goddess, he called me. It was those words, and the look of loss in his eyes, which would eventually allow me to forgive him all that followed – wchich would allow me to forgive him for dying. I think, when our small company parted ways, he lost so much more than I – though I can admit now that my life was never the same without him in it.”

D: . . . Well, way to start on a melancholy note, woman.

A: This is your story, D.

D: My story?  I’m pretty sure that’s Maureen speaking, my dear A.

A: It is. You put her through a lot.

D: I put–

A: Oh yes – you, Druid. You put – you continue to put – that poor dear through the ringer.

D: That poor dear, who would have brought down the British Empire with her bare hands? I’m fairly certain she can handle herself.

A: *No longer containing the ridiculous smile that accompanied D’s Return(TM)* That she can. So, what do you think?

D: I told you what I think – that’s a rather melancholy way to start!

A: Well sure, but it’s’ the third – and final – foray into your world. That is a little melancholy, even if it is wonderful and ridiculously exciting!

D: I saw you publish a “World of the Changelings” short earlier this year, A – don’t think you’re going to get rid of me that quickly.

A: *rolls eyes* heaven forbid. I’m not hoping to get rid of you – did you not see that grin when you showed up?? You’ve been a bit MIA, Druid.

D: I have not – I have simply been biding my time. A druid is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.

A: You just stole that from Tolkien.

D: I think you will find, given our respective timelines, that Tolkien stole it from me.

A: *eye roll* Right – my mistake.

D: Indeed, my dear A. Indeed.

Well, there you have it – Book 3, tentatively titled The Memory of Myth is underway. As I remarked to friends today – as a way to explain my sleep-deprived self – this is the first time in about 4 years that I’ve written anything from whole cloth. Once upon a time, this book was slated to be the second in the series, and a stand-alone tale of Catherine McAndrew. The threads of Niamh’s tapestry dictated, however, that it

This trunk has been around the block a few times in the last 40+ years, but most notably – or recently – it’s seen 5+ books written on (or near) it’s surface

As I remarked to a friend today, this is the first time in roughly 4 years I’ve written anything substantial (meaning over 10K words) of the Changelings world. Once upon a time, this book, in particular, was slated to be the second in the series, and a stand-alone tale of Catherine McAndrew. The threads of Niamh’s tapestry dictated, however, that it become the final story. The 120,000-word behemoth I wrote at this same yellow trunk 16 years ago while my then-baby boy slept is to be pared down and incorporated into a Möbius strip of timelines and stories that will bid farewell to the O’Malley, McAndrew, and McAlister clans, who have kept me company these last 25 years.

I hope you’ll join me (and D – who is indeed with me again!) – it’s been an interesting road, made even better by the people I get to share it with. I’ll share daily/weekly lines here and on Facebook, and as always, pictures of my world and writing buddies (otherwise known as my cats) on Instagram.

Welcome to the World of the Changelings. Pick your Poison:

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Changelings: Into the Mist (Vol. 1)

Changelings: The Rise of Kings (Vol. 2)

The World of the Changelings: Hunted (Vol 1.5) (Free EBook on Smashwords. Paperback on Amazon)

Sept 1 marked the start of the third - and final - Changelings book. Check out the daily lines on the blog, D/A Dialogues “I was once told my daughter would be a queen. The man who said it had tears in his eyes as he kissed my fevered face.

[ktirsh]

Gods and rebels and kings, oh my! Vol 2 of the Changelings is here!

Ebook: http://amzn.to/2ubgsVt

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2ucNp3R

Signed Paperback: https://goo.gl/CibhQc

[ktirsh]

It's Here! Changelings: The Rise of Kings

It's Here! Changelings: The Rise of Kings is now on sale!

Irish teens Maureen O’Malley and Sean McAndrew were lost in time. They fought at the side of a pirate queen, and raised the flag of a new nation. They defied the will of the Faerie king, and set in motion a revolution, which claimed the life of their friend and mentor – which barred them, the last of the Changelings, of from Faerie, forever.

Or so they thought.

Facing expulsion for their…

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'Twas the night before. . .

'Twas the night before. . . Some prose before The Rise of Kings goes live on Amazon!

As I was putting the final touches on Rise of Kings a few weeks ago, a suggestion from one of my beta readers led me down the path of -gasp- prose I’d written as a way of getting inside D’s head. While I don’t consider any of it *good* it is insightful. None of this made the cut in the book, but I wanted to share it anyway – there were plenty of easter eggs to be had, which I enjoyed and I hope…

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Pre-Order Changelings: The Rise of Kings!

Pre-orders for Changelings; The Rise of Kings are now live at Amazon!

Changelings: The Rise of Kings is now live for pre-orders in the Amazon Kindle Store! Between now and July 13, you can pre-order the kindle edition for $1.99! A print edition will be available on July 13 as well. Irish teens Maureen O’Malley and Sean McAndrew were lost in time. They fought alongside a pirate queen and raised the flag of a new nation. They defied the will of the Faerie king and…

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The World of the Changelings: The name’s the thing

The World of the Changelings: The name’s the thing OR how on earth do you say. . . .

First things first – how do you pronounce those names? From Niamh Golden Hair and Nuada Silver Arm, Áine, Manannán mac Lir and Dubhshìth, to Tír na nÓg and Tech Duinn, the world of the Changelings is a challenge when it comes to cultural/historical/mythological accuracy and ease of reading. Not even for me! The following is a true story. The boy, who has just read the last two chapters because he…

[ktirsh]

Hunted: The End (And a Free Ebook!)

The conclusion to Hunted: A Changelings Short is here - and so is the FREE Ebook!

We’re here, at the end of all things – and at the begining of others (a little melodramatic yes, but that’s what living in D’s head – instead of him living in mine – does!) It’s been a joy to relive this little slice of D – and Sean and Maureen’s – history – especially since it has a great many “Easter Eggs” from Changelings: Into the Mist AND the upcoming Changelings: The Rise of Kings. I hope…

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Hunted, Part 4 (We're Almost There!)

Part 4 of the Changelings short, Hunted, is now live!

Continued from. . .  Hunted, Part 1 Hunted, Part 2 Hunted, Part 3 I tried to hide my trembling legs by leaning up against the wood and canvas hide of the Mosquito which had been my chariot for the last hour. Jamie wasn’t fooled. “Aye, it has that effect. Did you know the first time I went up, I was green the entire time? Tossed my lunch, I did.” I grinned at the young pilot. “Well, it’s a good…

[ktirsh]

Hunted, Part 3 - And Some News

"Hunted" - a Changelings short - continues in part 3 - plus some news!

So… how are you liking “Hunted” so far? As with all things, I decided midway that, given how some don’t like serialized reading, I will be making “Hunted” available as a free downloadable ebook in a variety of formats! Stay tuned! Continued from Hunted, Part 2… “So, what do you think of her, Corporal?” “She’s beautiful, sir.” “You’re a funny sort, McAlister – you talk like you’ve never even seen…

[ktirsh]

Hunted - A Changelings Short, Part 2

Exploring more of the world of the Changelings with the second part of Hunted .

Continued from Hunted – A Changelings Short.  “What do you remember?” Dubh Súile mac Alasdair lifted his eyes to the red-haired man standing over him. He looked smart in his pilot’s uniform. He was young, yet his green eyes spoke of many battles. Every day it was the same question. Every day he said the same thing. “Nothing.” It was a lie. Each of the 1200 years I had lived among man and Fae…

[ktirsh]

Revealed: Changelings: Rise of Kings

It's cover reveal time for Changelings: Rise of Kings - plus a story - and a FREE Book!

Hey, looky here! We have cover art! And to celebrate, we also have fiction! The forming of the story that is now Changelings: Rise of Kings was fraught with many a darling, plot-hole, continuity error, and time-travel migraine. Great swaths of story were cut, re-fashioned, and re-purposed, but my favorite was the story of D’s time in England, 1944. When he revealed to Maureen and Sean in Into the…

[ktirsh]

Some News and a Free Book (or 2)

Changelings 2: Rise of Kings is hitting Amazon May 30 - Get Book 1 for FREE today!

Cue the trumpets! Toss the ticker-tape! It’s finally time to tell you Book 2 in the Changelings series, Changelings: The Rise of Kings, will be available for pre-sale on May 30!  It only took 3 years, 3 job changes and a move to the city, but it’s the best birthday gift I could think to give to myself! And today – to celebrate (since everyone I meet seems to be fresh out of ticker-tape) and to…

[ktirsh]

Recommended: A New Hype

Recommended: A New Hype

A: Head on over to The Recommenders to tell us what you’re hyped about in upcoming books, movies or shows in the month of May – and get a quick run-down of what we’re looking forward to, as well! D: What is this we, stuff A? Your plebeian list certainly isn’t what I’m hyped about. A: I’m going to regret this, but what, pray tell, are you hyped about? And why are you italicizing “hyped?” D: Hype:…

[ktirsh]

Leftover ornaments that didn't fit on the #Christmas tree(s).

[ktirsh]

Still a work-in-progress #Christmas

[ktirsh]

The decorating has begun #Christmas