Exciting Updates at Dragons' Geas Books!

All right, where to start.  Well as many of you know, Keensight found out that Farloft was being allowed on social meeting and refused to be outdone. It took some doing to create a headset for a large dragon but as many of you saw, he has now entered the scene.

All three books, that are out right now, are in production for audio books. They will be available on Amazon, Audible and iTunes. I am very excited.  So let me introduce two of the newest working with us at Dragons' Geas.


For the Children's books, may I introduce Valerie Gilbert.

Valerie is a native New Yorker.  In addition to narrating works for others, she has also written and produced her own works.  These include: Raving Violet and Memories, Dreams & Deflections: My Odyssey Through Emotional Indigestion (Raving Violet).  She has a great blog at: http://ravingvioletvalerie.blogspot.com/

As an audible approved producer, Valerie comes highly recommended.  She has recorded 24 ACX titles, done character work for stage and voiceovers for TV and film.  She also placed in the Moth storytelling competition.  We are looking forward to working with her.



For our adult work, Outcast, I would like to introduce Paul Woodson also from New York. Also an Actor , he has a penchant for travel, history, science fiction, and the outdoors.

Classically trained in Acting at Boston University, Paul has been a New York City actor, singer, musician, and self-taught audio technician for nearly 20 years, performing in everything from Shakespeare to Musical Theatre to Opera. He has always been a fan of classical literature, science fiction, travelogues, and many other styles of writing, perhaps rooted in his upbringing (his father Dennis Woodson was a Fulbright Scholar in English Lit. at Cambridge).

A personal achievement for Paul was the conception and performance of a staged version of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's MAUD as a 2-person drama using the full text of Tennyson's epic poem, in which Paul performed 95% of the text. 

We look forward to adding both of these wonderful narrators to our team and look forward to future endeavors with both of them. 

Outcast Questions - Answers with Fun!

I have started getting questions from my novel, Outcast.  Rather than answer them individually, I decided on a more fun route that will also allow me to promote the book.   I will from time to time, use Twitter feed to give a running dialog that will both answer the question and share more of the world of best.    The first question that I have answered this way was, "Why did Keensight attack Smallbrook?"

To find that answer, look for today's date, January 15, 2014 under my profile for Twitter.  Dragons' Geas - @balanceguide.   You can also find it on the Dragons' Geas facebook page at: Dragons' Geas .

I have also been asked to share a picture of Keensight.  My illustrator's have not yet submitted me a rendering so that will have to wait.  However, for a general idea, I found this picture on deviant art. Awesome artist and is close to Keensight as envisioned.  Elder Serpent

Some Updates From The Dragonsgeas Team

So many things to update so if this blog post is a bit of a ramble, well it is a New Year and I had many teenagers here last night.  Little sleep has been had.

We now have a facebook page and a twitter account.  Here are the current links for all things Dragonsgeas.

dragonsgeas.com
https://www.facebook.com/dragonsgeas
on twitter - balanceguide

Let see, other news. The launch of The Blue Dragon's Geas went well.  We are on Goodreads under my name: Cheryl Matthynssens and will be doing a book giveaway until the 15th of January. This will be paperback copy and will be signed.

Becky is down to the last couple of pictures for our next Children's book, Not an Egg!. I would expect to see that out no later then the 15th of February, pending no emergencies.  As many of you know, a growing one year old can create a lot of distractions.

I am trying to talk Heather into doing the cover of book two of Blue Dragon's Geas: The Blackguard. Many have asked when will part two be out and I am thinking maybe September. I cannot quit my day job and write full time till I am averaging 900 downloads a month.  We have a ways to go for that yet.  If that happens, I can probably cut that down to June or sooner.

Other news in my life, I am expecting a new grand baby.   I do not feel old enough to be a grandmother.  My mind still revels in every little new experience, sunset and the visions of books to yet write.

Hamaseic - God of Water

Hamaseic is the God of all things water.  Fishermen and seamen often have emblems of Hamaseic on the prow of their boats.  Even the great masted ships of the Lerdenian fleet have the emblem boldly imprinted with shimmering emblems.  Seen as in control of both the elements of water and storms, Hamaseic is most often followed along the coast villages and cities.

As varied as the bodies of water he rules, Hamaseic's blue dragons come in varying shades with simple commonalities.  They can remain under water for long periods of time and are for more graceful in the water than the air or on land.  Their bodies are more rotund making a buoyant mass upon the bottom of the sea waiting for large fish to swim above them.  Their eyesight is particularly good whether under water or hovering above their prey.  They easily can narrow in on their target and often are the first to notice movement.  Their breath weapon is steam, often preferring to cook their fish in their own breath before they eat it. These dragons are often curious and get into the most trouble as fledglings for they question and explore everything.

Followers of Hamaseic are often innately curious.  They adapt to change easily and are very fluid.  They are people of great compassion and will work hard to repair and restore.  While they can function within structured and ruled environments, they will not hesitate to change the rules or challenge the consensus if they feel it for the greater good of all.   

Seen as the evil seductress, Dethera is the Goddess of Death.  She governs the night and all the creatures that  move solely through its murky depths.  She is often blamed for plagues and lingering illnesses.  She is said to have lured men to their deaths within the bogs and the deep places. Her beauty is contrasting with a pale face and raven black hair.    She is often related or connected to things hidden, secretive and unknown, and as a result, she is the epitome of mystery

Dethera is said to have created the black dragons in contrast to Krona's vivacious red dragons.  Their wing span is shorter and thinner giving them the ability to bank with greater agility.  Their bodies have a more lithe form, and often on a moonless nigh,t one cannot even see them in flight.  Her glorious swarm of deadly children bring weapons of acid to the battle. Like their goddess, prestige and power is important to them and so there is often infighting for the flight leader.

Followers of Dethera are often seen as cold and without true emotions.  They are highly skilled in manipulations and therefore are often used by opposing parties for negotiations.  Long standing followers of Dethera often show great self-control and discipline.  They are often independent with a strong will. Due to the seeking of power, they are often found in leadership positions.

Outcast - It is alive and ready to read!

So today is a day where dreams come true.  All my life I have wanted to be an artist.  When I was 16, I was so advanced in my English classes as far as creativity went, that my English teacher had a writer coming in twice a week to give me private coaching. I loved it.

However, fear is a powerful thing.  I have feared rejection and so I have published some poetry.  I have dabbled in ghost writing.  It wasn't until I met Rebecca and Alex Hunt that I got the courage to put my mother's story out.  After that, I had mentioned my novel half done sitting in my computer.  Alex began to push me.  He pushed and pushed and at times I remember cursing his persistent.  Then he took on the role of editor and ripped it all apart and pushed me to put it back together again.  After all the hours of bemoaning how much I hate editing, the baby was born today.

We finally settled on the first cover though I loved the second one that Heather did as well.  Heather has done her own set of cursing as the file size allowed versus the quality was a dance that was difficult at best.   Heather is a very accomplished artist and each time she creates, I see her grow.  I am so proud to have her as my illustrator.   Right now the book is being added to Amazon Prime, Amazon and Kindle select.  However, for those who have been waiting, it is available now directly from my publisher.

Thank you for all of those that gave me pre-release feedback.  Thank you to my family who has put up with many hours in front of my lap top.  Thank you to Heather for your artwork.  Thank you to Alex who is a wonderful but pushy editor.  Yes, yes, I know.  That is how he was supposed to be!  

For your reading pleasure, I give you:  The Dragon's Geas: Outcast. 

Cover Art Complete for Outcast

My illustrator for Outcast has done  a magnificent job of lining up her artwork to my novella.  The cover will be a wrap around.  The book is scheduled to hit Amazon on December 2nd and the kindle version will be out by the 15th.  I am very excited.  Those who have done a previewfor me have had good feedback and minimal changes were needed.

Now that the editing is done, I will be working on more background content here on the blog. I will be giving short stories and snap shots the paint the world and create a rich backdrop for the novel series.  Thank you all for your patience and support.

What is a Korpen?

Korpen are the beasts of burden in the Dragons' Geas series.  Think giant Rhinoceros Beetle, add some spikes on its back, and you would be close.    They are very large pests. Gentle and easily distracted by food, yet if they wander as a herd onto a farm, devastating to the farmer.  They first appear in the novel Outcast.


Excerpt from outcast:

Korpen had originally been slow moving pests that roved in herds and a nuisance to outlying farms. They were single-minded when hungry despite their slow moving methodical pace.  In untamed areas, korpen were wild and yet still would let you walk right up to them as they ate.  Taming them was easy if they knew that a source of food awaited them. Their massive heads had double horns that were oriented vertically. The upper horn curves forward from behind the head, whereas the lower emerges from the head itself.  As a protection from predators such as dragons, their back’s spikes were almost impenetrable.  It was useful to the miners as korpen were strong and a great amount of weight could be attached to each spike.

Coming Soon!

Every reader has felt that moment where they did not belong.   Some of us know what it is like to grow up with bullies and suffer at their hands.  Even fewer of us know what it is like when you realize you grew up bigger than the bully that tormented you.  Outcast follows the life of a young Daezun who is suddenly gifted with a power he has yet to learn to control.  Follow the life of Alador as he struggles to find his place in the world.

For your sneak peak, we have given you a glance of young Alador's uncle.  Enjoy!

Sneak Peak

The trader unlocked the chest in excitement for with this find; he would not have to go out in the winter seasons.  He would be able to stay home with his small ones and housemate.   He uncovered the pure glass stone with a flourish and stepped back for he had seen  the desire on the minister’s face. 

 Yet instead of the pleasure and anticipation he had expected, he saw fury.  The trader’s eyes flew open with alarm.

“Do you think me a fool.” Hissed Luthian as he turned around to fully face the trader.   “ Who did you sell its magics too?” Luthian tone was ominous, and his hands began to glow an ominous yellow.

The trader stepped back as if that fury was palpable. “N...no one s..sir. It...it was like that when I bought it. I...I did not think it would hurt the value.  I swear. It has been locked within since I purchased it.” The trader squeaked, dropping to his knees in fear.   He had never seen the Minister angry, but he had heard the tales of those that had crossed him.  He had never heard of any leaving such ire unscathed.  The pulse of the trader’s rapid heartbeat was visible in his neck.

“Bought it where? What other mages were present? “  Luthian demanded of the groveling man.  He slowly circled the man upon the ground much as a wolf circles his injured prey.

“S...smallbrook m..my lord.  The Daezun village of Smallbrook and there weren’t no mages there.”  He put his face to the floor in hopes of appeasing the Minister.     “I.. it was a fair stone, and I will give it to you. I won’t want nothing of it.”  He offered in a panic.  His voice muffled against the floor.

“You fool!”  Shouted Luthian.  “Are you really so stupid?” The sneering loud tone brought a visible wince from the trader upon the floor.   “It is clear because it’s magic has been given.  What miner sold the stone?  I want a name.” Luthian kicked the trader over as hard as he could.  “A name!” He demanded. Luthian's tone suddenly softer, cold, and definitely vicious. Luthian’s hand crackled with the power of the fire he could wield.

“Alador...it was a lad named Alador. Still a middlin and didn’t even know what he had.  I swear it.”  The man was practically sobbing now for even he could feel the power radiating from the Minister though he dared not look.

Luthian paused, his foot now on the Trader’s chest who lay beneath him on the floor. . 
 Smallbrook….. Alador.. Alador.. why did he know that name?  Then it dawned on him. That was one of his brother’s spawn from the project.  The boy had come into his power.  By blood, he had come into power with that stone?  He looked back at the chest with alarm.

He removed his foot and moved to the chest gazing down at it’s contents.  The empty stone now beautiful but powerless.  Who knew how much power the boy had absorbed?   Did the boy even know how to use it?  It was not good that such power was uncontrolled.  However, one benefit of the treaty was if any of Lerdenian blood was found on Daezun lands, the Council had the right to demand they be turned over.   This had suited the Daezun well for they distrusted magic.

His anger cooled some as he stared at the stone in calculation.  The whimpering of the trader still lying where he had left interrupted Luthian’s thoughts. He cursed softly and with a fluid motion turned and released the spell at the groveling man.  He did not even stay to if the trader lived beneath the column of fire that had risen up from his writhing form, the music of his screams pleasing enough.    At the door,  he paused to look at the guard.  “Clean it up and put all the bloodstones in the vault.”  He did not acknowledge the guard's chest salute.  Such response was expected.  Besides, he had more important things on his mind.

He strode down the empty hall in anger and frustration. So much power that had been so nearly his and his nephew had it.  His half-breed, tierless nephew who probably did not even know what gift had been given him.   The stark white halls resounded with the steps of his boots as he strode in anger. “Get me my brother …. Now!”  He bellowed.   The words echoed down the vast empty hall. He did not care who heard. He did not care who acted.  He knew someone would see it done.  If he could not have the power, then he would control the boy!

Excitement Builds with the Dragons' Geas Team

So while doing a search to see how my Amazon listing was ranking in the search engines, I came across a big surprise.  We have been picked up on Barnes and Noble on their online site.

Barnes and Noble Link

This was exciting news for us as we were automatically placed in the Amazon arena by the publisher we are working with to promote this children's book.  To have it picked up by other suppliers and book companies was up to us.  Due to the size of Barnes and Noble, we had not pitched it to them yet.  It got picked up on its own.

So today, our little team at Dragons' Geas celebrates!