Julius Schenk is a new author from Australia who effectively disguises that distinction.  If you read his work, you’ll think that he’s been at this all his life.  Take the Body and Give Me the Rest is the first book in a three part fantasy that Schenk is delivering, and it comes with that aforementioned balance we spoke of.  With authentic characters and interesting scenarios that unfold, Take the Body will most certainly appeal to fans of darker, grittier tales.

A soldier betrayed and sold into slavery
His reluctant pact with a forgotten god from the realm of the dead
Stolen skills and abilities, brought with the blood and sacrifice of his enemies
A battle to stay true in the face of a growing temptation to kill

Seth stood and watched the nightmare creature as it tore its past master into bloody shreds and tried not to let the gripping fear show on his face. He could feel the man’s life force, his memories, his talents and hard won skills filling his own mind and body, turning him into something much more than the lowly soldier he’d been just mere moments before.

Take The Body and Give me the Rest, is the first novel in the new Dark Fantasy series, by Julius Schenk, a new Australian Fantasy Author.

Schenk is a growing force in the literary world—you can bet on that. With this first book under his belt, it’s a certainty that he’ll only grow as an author and a storyteller, even though this doesn’t seem like his first rodeo.  If you’re interested in picking up Take the Body and Leave Me the Rest, you can purchase it from Amazon.

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It’s almost difficult to describe A Halo of Mushrooms as an urban fantasy.  It almost strikes you more as a foodie fantasy (eat your heart out, George Martin).  It evolves past that, of course, but Hiller begins his tale with plentiful, savory details.  His words are crafted with an unfamiliar cadence that makes even something as mundane as preparing (and eating) food seem magical and full of whimsy.

And then of course there’s the characters.  While Imani and Lara are normal enough in their presentation, it’s Derik who steals the show. Like Ichabod Crane in Fox’s Sleepy Hollow, Derik is a man out of time—or at the very least, out of place.  He speaks with eloquence unbefitting of the people we normally surround ourselves with, and it’s at time’s disjointed, but more often than not, strangely charming.

Once planted, it lives everywhere…
In a place of origins, the first Fairie Ring withers. Worlds die. Wonder fades. As its last ripple reaches out, fell creatures barricade up the few remaining Bald Mushrooms and wars are fought for the right to possess what precious little remains…. Until Derik, a healer, creeps through lines of armies, thorns, and traps to steal one.

Sacrilege.

Tying the wonder to his hip in a sack, he finds himself alone on Earth in the gray, declining city of Clarksburg. Without friends, tools, weapons, and even stripped of the ability to read, he must escape pursuit and find refuge for his burden. A burden that stubbornly refuses every attempt to find it a new home.
Shadows of war are descending and all Derik has to fend it off is a baker, a chemist, a cerulean sweet, and a withered hope.
The chase is on….from world to world and from the Great Lakes to Malawi.

Hiller has the distinction of being a little bit of everything.  Radio host, painter, playwright… he’s done it all.  A Halo of Mushrooms is his latest venture into entertainment, and he shows that he excels at fiction as well.  If you’re interested in this book, you can purchase it at Amazon today!

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While Iryna K. Combs’ Black Wings doesn’t come right out and call them angels, they’re apparent in her story.  The Anlights and the Varkins are day and night, angels and demons, and wars have been brewing between them for as long as anyone remembers.  With tinges of science fiction and elements of romance, Combs’ story can appeal to most anyone.

A new time. A new planet. A new world. New technologies. Two new humanoid species. A new war.

The two species separate, but in the removal, some of the best are left behind among the worst. Captured and held as slaves, they are treated cruelly for entertainment. Torture. Pain.

Annabel, endures a year of such cruelty, kept alive only by way of syringes which, while healing, cause a greater agony. She discovers a secret held by their leader, and decides to help her own kind by escaping–even if it means a final death, preferable to the life she has endured.

Her escape succeeds, and she joins her own kind at the other end of the planet. Among her new friends she meets many who help her adjust to their happier life. Will Annabel find romance? Or will another war break her down?

Combs delivers a story that swells with intrigue and delights with tension.  She’s had a stunningly interesting set of life experiences, and she’s adding storytelling to her wheelhouse.  What’s most interesting and inspiring is that English is not her first language, yet the writing is still masterfully crafted.

If Black Wings sounds like it would appeal to you, consider purchasing it from Amazon.  And if you want to learn more about the author, check out Combs on her personal website.

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Just the Way You Are, by Allison M. Lewis, has an interesting, beautiful twist.  It’s a story about personal empowerment, even in the face of hardships.  The author of this story has set out to show that disabilities are not a dead end, but a speed bump.  It all starts with a little bit of magic.  Just check out the author’s blurb for the story below.

Misty Miles, the princess of a faraway land known as Starryton, is like any other woman of her station – except for her disability. She has spent the majority of her 21 years high in a tower so that this, and the wheelchair that accompanies it, will remain a secret. Her parents’ fear of the monarchy appearing weak as a result of Misty’s condition necessitates this course of action.  Their efforts to protect both Misty and the monarchy make her question her ability to do much of anything – forget about reigning over a kingdom. Like most princesses, Misty has a Prince Charming. Her love is Derrick Denison, prince of the neighboring kingdom of Mooncrest, who is a gifted dancer.  Misty is unable to see Derrick because not only is she stuck in an inescapable room, but there’s also the matter of the long, as of yet unresolved, feud between the two families. This conflict caused the once beloved kingdom of Starrycrest to break apart into two separate kingdoms.

The princess soon realizes that she must take matters into her own hands.  She goes to Trovella, a troll rumored to grant wishes for a price.  Misty’s wish takes her on an interesting journey. She not only stares down self-doubt while ensuring that her kingdom and the kingdom of her beloved prince do not pay the ultimate price, but also contends with the rage of feuding families. To make matters all the more complicated, the princess is also faced with the challenge of finding a little girl she encounters in the course of her journey, who also has a disability, a permanent family.

Just the Way You Are is a heart-filled tale of all the possibilities that we have.  In spite of the roadblocks that life sometimes seems to put in front of us, we’re capable of anything.  Lewis does a wonderful job of showing that, and adds a heaping spoonful of fantasy flavor to boot.  Check out Just the Way You Are on Amazon, or on Barnes and Noble.  And also, do yourself a favor and discover the author’s website.  It’s just as uplifting as her book!

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At least three novels deep, the series is a must-read for anyone who has grown to love epic fantasy.  Folks, this is the kind of story that has been brewing since the turn of the century, and that can only mean good things.

In Second Cataclysm, Jason F. Smith and C. Parker Garlitz have launched a revolution in epic high fantasy. Four brave heroes from the desert city of Demon’s Bluff find themselves in a desperate race to foil the reemergence of the ancient Cult of Yex. Cael, Needle, Brynn and Mallet discover that their destinies are inextricably intertwined and the future of their world is in mortal peril. When a massive prophesied earthquake rips their hometown, the heroes are swept into a relentless struggle against the secretive and pernicious Cult.

The Cult of Yex Saga shatters the mold of traditional epic fantasy, elevating it to new heights of storytelling sophistication. The Cult of Yex Saga is an exquisite blend of magic and high fantasy told in the exciting style of a thriller: mystery, suspense and fast-paced action. The exciting new fantasy world is filled with compelling characters, atmospheric settings and terrifying villains. Don’t start reading unless you are planning to lose sleep and skip work. The more layers of the cult’s diabolical scheme you uncover, the more you begin to comprehend the far-reaching depths of their nefarious plot. From the captivating first page to the heart-stopping climax, the masterfully woven plot will compel you to keep the pages turning. Brace yourself: The Cult of Yex Saga is unlike any fantasy series you have ever read.

The Cult of Yex Saga is a multi-part epic fantasy series:

• Part I: Second Cataclysm
• Part II: Prophecies of Old
• Part III: Bystle Vale
• More: Coming soon…

I just love it when I see more coming soon.  You definitely owe it to yourself to invest some time into this new series.  You can start off by finding Part I: Second Cataclysm on Amazon.  After that, you should give a gander at The Cult of Yex Saga website, as it gives you some more insight into both the story that’s being woven, and the authors that are bringing it to life.

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Souls have power. For thousands of years, self proclaimed gods fought to collect more and more of them, waging battles that raged among the living and the dead. The wars only stopped when they were betrayed by one of their own, locked away in a nightmare prison until they slowly melted away.

An order was formed to ensure such powerful creatures never again came into existence. Upon dying, Thomas Salazar found himself recruited into this order. Within hours of becoming a full member, Thomas now finds the order decimated and himself among the most senior members remaining. The architect of his order’s downfall appears to be someone bent on becoming exactly what he’s now sworn to stop. But to stop this threat, will he become something far more dangerous?

This is the kind of fantasy that I really love to read.  It’s something that takes you out of the ordinary, and delivers this otherworldly presence – a new set of rules that you get to explore.  If you’re interested in discovering more about this series, check out the author’s blog.  You won’t be disappointed!

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