Shadows in the Stone

August Book Sale: “Shadows in the Stone”

/ Diane

For the entire month of August, the first book in the Castle Keepers series, Shadows in the Stone, will be 99 cents. It’s regular price is $4.99.

Here’s what a few reviewers on Amazon had to say about Shadows in the Stone by Diane McGyver.

It’s like an award-winning movie director telling the person behind the camera to lower or raise the picture in the viewfinder for a new angle. The fantasy world McGyver has created has the magical beings you might expect, but you’ll see them in new ways and see their story with fresh insights.

This may be fantasy but the characters are very real. Ms. McGyver has created characters you care about as they deal with their personal demons, suppressed feelings, secrets, magical powers and unrequited love.

This story took me to a different place and even yet some things have stayed with me. Diane Lynn McGyver created a whole new world, with characters the reader quickly cares about, and suspense, drama and mystery to keep the pages turning.

To start reading Shadows in the Stone today, download your copy from Amazon.

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“Shadows in the Stone” – Renewing Ourselves at Dawn

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This morning as I watched the sun rise, sending its brilliant light upon the land, I thought about the opening scene of chapter 28 in Shadows in the Stone. It was a morning that had bathed Bronwyn Darrow in dawn’s early light, awakening him after a night of despair, one that witnessed him give up all hope and collapse to the forest floor.

I’d like to share the opening of that scene this morning for anyone who feels hopelessly lost. Renew yourself. Set aside that which weighs you down from the past, and look to the future.

The Castle Keepers series is about adventure, magic, family, home and friendship, but it’s also about hope. As Tam told Isla, “A good man isn’t down until all those who matter have lost hope.”

Chapter 28 Here in the Twilight

The six legs of the ladybug moved in unison across the leaf. They carried the red and black bug to the base of the foliage where it joined with the stem. Tiny white aphids worked there in the axil, sucking sweet juices from the plant and creating sugar that ants would harvest. The ladybug feasted on the succulent aphids until a robin swooped down, snatched it and flew off to feed its young.

The rush of wings pushed a breeze across the face of the dwarf lying on the forest floor nearby. A soft cool wind entered his air passages and worked to awaken his senses. Gentle but persistent prickles inside his nose and throat roused him further. He breathed deeper. The first dry swallow forced him to generate spit.

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Setting the Scene in “Shadows in the Stone”

/ Diane / 2 Comments

When readers stumble upon an author they’ve never read, they often read a few pages of the story to determine if they enjoy the writing style. This can easily be done by checking out the available sample of a book in “Look Inside” at Amazon.

If you’ve never used “Look Inside”, go to Shadows in the Stone by Diane McGyver and click on the image of the book cover. A new window will pop-up. Scrolling downward reveals the front material of the novel as well the first four chapters.

McGyver enjoys opening up a scene as if she’s zooming in or out with a movie camera. In fact, one Amazon reviewer had this to say: “It’s like an award-winning movie director telling the person behind the camera to lower or raise the picture in the viewfinder for a new angle.”

Below is one example of how McGyver opens a scene in Shadows in the Stone.

The evening air cooled, and the sun sank behind the trees. A few clouds drifted through the sky but nothing of any size to prevent the crescent moon from casting a gentle glow upon the landscape. The earth settled into a tranquil nap to rejuvenate from the day and to allow nocturnal creatures to tend to their livelihood under the cloak of darkness. The forest breathed a relaxed sigh. All was as it should be.

Anxious energy shot through the air, awakening slumbering fairies and disturbing the quietude of the woods. As strangers approached, nerves stood on end, and creatures hid or prepared to defend their domain. Waiting in the darkness, they held their breath as danger arrived. The laboured breathing of horses echoed from the shadows. Sprays of white, foamy spit flew from their mouths as they released the oxygen-stripped air. The squeaking of leather against leather beat the same rhythm as the hooves stomping the ground. Their riders kicked them, spurring them forward into the night.

BUY the NOVEL

Shadows in the Stone, the first book in the Castle Keepers series, is available to Kindle Unlimited Members and the world at Amazon.

Download your copy today to start the adventure.

NEW COVER: Shadows in the Stone

/ Diane / 4 Comments

This week, Quarter Castle Publish has released the updated cover for Shadows in the Stone, the first book in the epic fantasy series Castle Keepers by Diane McGyver.

The novel is available in paperback and eBook. The eBook is available to Kindle Unlimited Members. To learn more about the book and the series, visit its page on our website: Shadows in the Stone.

To read the first four chapters for free, check out the eBook on Amazon and read the “Look Inside”.

Download your copy today and start your adventure into the Land of Ath-o’Lea.

Four-star Review by Don Cram

“This first book in Diane Lynn McGyver’s Castle Keepers series is very well done and will keep you turning pages right to the end. What I particularly enjoyed in this solidly mainstream fantasy is its fresh focus on established themes. It’s like an award-winning movie director telling the person behind the camera to lower or raise the picture in the viewfinder for a new angle.

“The fantasy world McGyver has created has the magical beings you might expect, but you’ll see them in new ways and see their story with fresh insights. At 190 centimeters I’m taller than the average person; the book made be believe I was seeing a magical world from a height a little less than half that. Enjoy.”

“Shadows in the Stone” Review

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epic fantasy novel coverSan Giacomo’s Corner – A Place to Connect with Readers reviewed Shadows in the Stone, Book 1 in the Castle Keepers series.

Diane Lynn McGyver stands head and shoulders above other indie authors. Her dialog flows well, as does her setting and internal descriptions. She knows how to show and not tell better than most. There is also a skillful knowledge of writing at work. 

To read more, visit San Giacoma’s Corner blog.

Learn more about Shadows in the Stone.

Shadows in the Stone Sale

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QCP Emblem 02One by one, Isla’s senses awakened. The pain in her legs and buttocks greeted her first. The bad dreams dissolved into one, and she opened her eyes. The tree branches overhanging her sleeping spot blocked the morning sun, but didn’t hide the ugly scowl of the hauflin who peered down upon her. She trembled, remembering the events of yesterday. He must have sensed her fear because a stupid smirk appeared on his face.

Isla breathed easier when he turned and walked away. She sat up and pulled the blanket around her. The dwarf who had carried her to a safer location still leant against the tree. He ate bread from a brown bag. He didn’t spread anything on it like butter or fenberry jam. He ate it as if a big cookie.

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Excerpt: Shadows in the Stone by Diane Lynn McGyver

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Chapter TwoShadows in the Stone - Diane Lynn McGyver

Alaura awoke to movement within the sheep stall. In the dim light she saw Isla staring in the direction of Aruam Castle. She turned and looked in the same direction as the child but found nothing unusual.

Isla slipped between the stall rails and entered the dwelling. Frequent wandering convinced Alaura the time to rescue the child had to be soon, before she went missing. She couldn’t keep the child safe if she strayed from the yard in her absence.

A crash inside the dwelling startled Alaura. The once-dark interior exploded with light, but she couldn’t see the source of the noise.

“Where is it?”

She heard a deep voice; it didn’t sound like Keiron Ruckle. After several loud bangs, another voice echoed on the night air.

“Maybe he already has it.”

“Darnacles!” The first voice growled.

“Maybe it’s outside.”

Alaura froze as a large human flung the back door open. Two more men followed him outside. All three brandished swords and wore chainmail armour over rugged clothing of The Trail. They searched the backyard.

“This’ll show Keiron how we deal with traitors!”

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Limited Time Offer: Free eBook Download

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Shadows in the Stone - Diane Lynn McGyverGet a free eBook copy of Shadows in the Stone by Diane Lynn McGyver. The fantasy novel is the first in the Castle Keepers series.

To learn more about this book and read an excerpt, click here .

To claim your free eBook copy of this fantastic novel in whichever format is favoured, click here, add item to cart and proceed to check out where you enter this code: VR85B

Retail Value: $4.99

Free Offer Expires: Sunday September 8, 2013

Free Short Story

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McGyver-SS-Destiny Governed their LivesThe eBook Destiny Governed their Lives by Diane Lynn McGyver is currently free to download from Smashwords. The short story is about Catriona Wheatcroft, one of the characters who appear in the fantasy novel Shadows in the Stone.

Story Summary

Catriona Wheatcroft is a young, ambitious girl living in Maskil. Although she’s been told she’s not ready to cast complicated spells, she’s determined to get her hands on a magical scroll. When the perfect opportunity arrives, Catriona grabs it. Will she succeed and prove everyone wrong, or will she take on more magic than she can control and bring tragedy to her life?

Destiny Governed their Lives is the first short story in the Castle Keepers Tales. The pivotal events detailed within these stories provide insight to the characters who appear in The Castle Keeper fantasy novel series.

Check it out now!