C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 78

New Arrivals. As you may already know, I love art and artistry, so when I have a new book in the offing, I celebrate with swag. Art cards that can be used as postcards are a Byways tradition, and a brand new set is hot off the presses. This time around, I chose to feature Hannah Christenson’s amazing cover illustration for Byways #7, Across the Line. With the header out of the way, you get an even better view of Hurlock’s magic show.

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“What’s going on?” asked Ganix.

“A show. That’s Hurlock. He’s famous around here because of his magic.” Luke shook his head. “It’s sad.”

While Ganix watched, purple fire bloomed in the magician’s bare hands, and he sent it whirling over his head. The flames turned into a dragon that twisted through the air. Shoppers stopped to stare. Some clapped. And a few tossed coins into a basket at the edge of the stage. Hurlock thanked them with a gentle smile.

“Sad? He’s amazing!”

“He is. But purple f...

Every Byways book is a story, but it’s also a game. There’s an educational element to this series of kids chapter books. Details in each story are borrowed from its assigned state. (As in the United States of America.) Byways will work through all fifty in order of ratification, so Book #4 covers our fourth state—Georgia. Sharp-eyed readers will spot cities and towns, icons and emblems, famous firsts and claims to fame. Hide and seek. Search and find. Fun and learning.

Let’s give a quick sa...

Aurelius slowed as he neared the edge of open territory. Several adults lounged along the edge of the creek that served as its boundary. Traditionally, one family member stood vigil, for no one could say when their young hunter might return. Will it be Father? Nay. A sixth son doesn’t warrant any such consideration.

He would have liked to be wrong, but a firm grasp on reality would serve him better in the long run. So Aurelius wasn’t overly bothered to find Flaygore loite...

Fwee! Art is one of the surest ways to make my heart go pitty-pat. Today, I’m smiling over story art from Skylee, who just finished Byways, Book #2, Aboard the Train: A Ewan Johns Adventure. The eldest Johns brother puts the gentle in gentleman. Here he is with “his” girls, Tamaqua and Juniata.

Love Ewan? He has two books of his own in the Byways series. ORDER INFORMATION

Byways Books #5, #6, and #7 are now on GoodReads! The librarians at GoodReads are amazing folks. I needed them to go in and fix a few details behind the scenes so that the Byways Books were listing correctly on my author page … and the librarian assisting me asked if I’d like them to create a series page for Byways. O___O YES! (Please and thank you!) Check it out: Byways series by C. J. Milbrandt. And if you track your reading on GoodReads, go in and add the newest books to your virtual shelv...

After a month-long lull (during which I finished no less than four manuscripts), I’m catching up with loose ends. Winners of the Byways Review Drive in May have been notified and will soon receive their prizes. Join me in congratulating them!

Arian will also receive an extra-special prize because she took the time to review Books 1, 2, 3, & 4! I’ll be assembling that package for overseas delivery. In related news, Deuce is scheduled to resume this week. Have you missed...

Just a quick reminder that there’s a giveaway underway at The Scriblerians. Over the weekend, Vanessa Morton interviewed me in a post called Christa Kinde’s Alter Ego Tells All… The site is also hosting a giveaway of two of my books to two lucky commenters. You have until 7 p.m. (Central) to take part.

Check it out!

Exciting News! I was interviewed by Vanessa Morton of the Scriblerians about the Galleries of Stone trilogy.

• • •

Vanessa: I recently read Rakefang,the riveting third book of the Galleries of Stone, and I found it very hardto put down each night. What is your inspiration for such diverse stories?

CJ: Story ideas aren’t hard to come by. It’s near impossible to avoid the pesky things. Their ambushes throw my imagination into a tizzy and make me wish I could type faster. However, Galleries of S...

Three New Installments! After a whirlwind of finishing touches, the next three books in the Byways series went live in the Amazon store sometime during the night. Which makes today … Release Day! This batch of digital books is ready for readers of all ages, but they’re especially good for kids who are ready to tackle chapter books [ages 6-10].

Magic isn’t the only legacy Mr. I...