Song of Leira

Song of Leira Cover Reveal

December 12, 2017 by Gillian Bronte Adams 18 Comments

Can you believe it … Book Three’s cover is finally here!

Guys, I am so incredibly excited about this. It’s been a long time coming, but I think you’ll agree that this cover was well worth the wait.

Are you ready?

Like really ready?

Here goes!

Song of Leira will release on …

June 5, 2018!

It seems like a world away still, but really, the year will just fly past. And you can pre-order the book today so that it will magically appear at your house on release date. Isn’t this modern era awesome?

ABOUT THE BOOK

THE SONG BIDS HER RISE TO BATTLE

Reeling from her disastrous foray into the Pit, Birdie, the young Songkeeper, retreats into the mountains. But in the war-torn north, kneeling on bloodstained battlefields to sing the souls of the dying to rest, her resolve to accept her calling is strengthened. Such evil cannot go unchallenged.

Torn between oaths to protect the Underground runners and to rescue his friend from the slave camps, Ky Huntyr enlists Birdie’s aid. Their mission to free the captives unravels the horrifying thread connecting the legendary spring, Artair’s sword, and the slave camps. But the Takhran’s schemes are already in motion. Powerful singers have arisen to lead his army—singers who can shake the earth and master the sea—and monsters rampage across the land.

As Leira falters on the verge of defeat, the Song bids her rise to battle, and the Songkeeper must answer.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gillian Bronte Adams is a writer, wanderer, and wordsmith. Rarely found without a coffee in hand and rumored to pack books before clothes when she hits the road. Working in youth ministry for several years while managing an equestrian program, left her with a passion for walking alongside children and teens as they launch their own life journeys. It also enhanced her love of coffee. As an author, she writes speculative fiction novels that follow outcast characters down broken roads, through epic battles, and onward to adventure. And at the end of the day, she enjoys saddling her wild thing and riding off into the sunset in search of adventures of her own … and more coffee. She loves to connect with fellow readers and wanderers online on her Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook page.

FUN FACTS ABOUT SONG OF LEIRA!

This book is the longest one in the series, and ironically, it had the smallest amount of trimmed words.

It’s going to be about 448 pages when all is said and done, (though it’s still in the publication process so that’s not final yet) which makes this lover of long books insanely happy! Over 400 pages guys … this is so exciting! (For comparison, Book One sits at about 286 pages. Book Two sits about 340 pages. Pulling a C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy here guys.)

We get to meet some fun new characters in this one. And some old favorites too. Of course, no telling who those old favorites are … *evil grin*

This book is a bit of a wild ride. So many heart-wrenching moments. So much action. And in case the cover wasn’t indication enough, so many crazy awesome things happen. I recently reread the book while editing and honestly may have had to hold back the tears at a few points. (Which was slightly awkward, since I edited significant portions of it while traveling and surrounded by large groups of people … um … yeah.) Suffice it to say, everything is amping up in this book for an EPIC conclusion.

And … I just can’t wait for you guys to read it.

Your Turn! I’d love to hear from you now!

What did you guys think of the cover?

What are you most excited about in Song of Leira?

Which main and secondary character are you most hoping to see again?

Can you make it until June 5th?

Orphan’s Song–Good News on the Publishing Front

May 19, 2014 by Gillian Bronte Adams 24 Comments

For the past several days, I’ve been practically bursting to share some news with y’all. And yet, each time I fingered the keys and started typing this post, something held me back. By the time you read this, I will probably have scrapped and rewritten multiple drafts only to pause at the very end with my cursor hovering over the “publish” button at least a dozen different times before finally summoning enough courage to release my news to the world. It is good news, actually. Thrilling news! You see, the Song of Leira trilogy found a publisher! (Thrilling, right? Cue whooping and hollering and dancing all around!) The first book, Orphan’s Song, is slotted to release Fall 2014 from Marcher Lord Press! Many of my favorite books and authors are with Marcher Lord Press, so it’s an honor and a thrill to join the “team.” It’s been a long journey from start to finish, and it’s not over yet. There were many times along the way where I was temped to lose heart and wonder how I—an ordinary gal from Texas—could have been insanely confident enough to venture into the unknown wilds of the publishing world and expect to return with a contract! To be sure, I had plenty of help and encouragement along the way, and an incredible agent in Amanda Luedeke! More news will be forthcoming soon. I’m about to dive into the busiest time of my year, and I’m also pounding furiously at the keys trying to work on book two of the trilogy, but I will try to keep y’all updated as we reach the important milestones prior to the book’s release. For now, to find out more about the series, check out the Song of Leira page. (Be sure to stop by and meet the characters too!)

April Antagonists – Characters in Costume Reveal

April 19, 2013 by Gillian Bronte Adams 13 Comments

It’s time to reveal those dastardly villains of yours! Drag them out of the dark. Boot them out of their evil lairs. Grant them the spotlight for one moment.

For the longest time, I couldn’t decide which antagonist to highlight for this challenge. Eventually, I settled on the antagonist from my fantasy Song of Leira.

This is Carhartan, second marshal of the Khelari and a servant of the Takhran. He is a deadly warrior and wields his red-stained sword left-handed with horrifying effectiveness.

Note for the Novel Police: If we were going to be completely accurate, Carhartan should be wearing black plate mail and a silver cape. Unfortunately, all I had on hand was silver chainmail and a black cape. But I suppose you get the general idea! ;)

As you’ve no doubt gathered from the pictures, Carhartan is a secretive man. (No amount of cajolery, bribery, or threatening induced him to allow me to take a face shot.) Likewise, Carhartan’s past is somewhat mysterious. His history is hidden, and he likes to keep it that way.

On the outside, Carhartan appears the ever confident, carelessly brutal, efficient warrior and leader of the Khelari. But deep within, he is haunted by his failures. He relishes the sweet taste of victory, all the while knowing the wine will turn to bitter ashes in his mouth at the thought of his defeats.

Oh and as a side note, I do beg you to keep the above in the strictest confidence. I have no doubt that my life would be in grave peril if Carhartan ever discovered that I had revealed such sensitive information. But there are no requisite privacy laws in the author/character relationship as there are in that between doctor and patient.

Though I don’t suppose that excuse would have any effect on Carhartan.

* * * *

Be sure to stop by the other participating sites and see their antagonists, villains, and sundry other characters of the nefarious variety. ;)

Enter the Writer’s Lair

Next challenge will take place on May 10th.

Click here to find out more about the Characters in Costume Challenge.

‘Twas a Dark and Stormy Night when I Finished My Novel…

April 21, 2011 by Gillian Bronte Adams 6 Comments

Seriously though, it is and I did!

It is a dark and stormy night and I did finish my novel!

Amidst thunderous crashes and brilliant flashes of lightning, I typed two very important words onto the last page of my novel: The End.

I stared at the screen for a minute, reveling in the beauty of the moment. When I started Song of Leira in September, I had the tiniest smidgen of an idea, scribbled down one evening while working on another story and stored away until I had time. That idea has grown into a story that was far bigger than I first imagined and will eventually fill three books – that’s the plan at least! :)

Right now, the first draft of Song of Leira stands at 121,441 words! In Times New Roman, font size 12, double spaced lines, that equals roughly 408 pages on my computer! Unfortunately, that’s a little too long for a young adult fantasy novel according to most standards, but that’s ok!

I know there is plenty for me to edit. That’s why this is the first draft! And I can’t wait to start going back through the story polishing, shining, cutting (yes, hacking away at my beloved story) until the diamond shows through the rough stone of the first draft.

And so, it’s not truly the end. Well, the story has reached the end, but I’m not finished with the story yet! And I’m glad because I really have grown to love my funny little characters with their odd ways and individual failings.

I’m so thrilled that I’ve finished! And so thrilled that there is work yet to be done. Thrilled that I don’t need to leave Leira yet, that I don’t need to say goodbye to Birdie, Amos, and Ky, or Gundhrold or George.

I am so thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to write this novel! Taking a year off from school was a big step and there were many times when I asked myself why I did this and what I could possibly have been thinking.

But if I hadn’t taken a year off, my writing would not have grown the way it has, I probably would not have written this novel, and, well, I would be studying right now which is a lot less fun than writing the ending to my novel! :)

So thank you Lord for the gift of writing! I pray that my writing would always glorify You!

I can’t wait to edit this story and I can’t wait to start on book two!

But wait… I finished… so that means I get to go to sleep tonight! (See previous post for context!) Haha, but I’m way to excited to sleep right now… and tomorrow I will be wielding the dastardly red pen!

[The title of this post was suggested by my awesomely clever Mama! Thank you Mom for your encouragement!]