Cover reveals for upcoming books

I've shared these elsewhere, but I've yet to post them on the blog, so here we go. My sci-fi novella, Shifting Alliances, will be released in e-book format by MuseItUp Publishing this fall. The cover below is for the print version I will be putting out myself. I have also drafted the first two books in The Three Dragons Saga, which is a young adult fantasy series.

Offering my short story, Three Miles Below, for free today!

Today I am offering my short story, Three Miles Below, for free to anyone who is interested in reading it. This is a survival story with a hint of science fiction thrown in. While I would love to get more reviews for the book, leaving one is not mandatory. It's a gift from me with no strings attached. I wrote this story after going through the most difficult period in my life. The birth of my second son inspired me to write again, and this is the end result. Just leave a comment or email me (hopson_1@yahoo.com), and I'll be happy to gift you a copy in whatever format is convenient for you. Thank you.

"When an earthquake hits, Mackenzie and two of his co-workers are forced to take shelter in a refuge chamber three miles below ground, uncertain of the damage around and above them. Weighing their options, the three must decide whether to stay put or take their chances climbing to the surface, though making it to ground level is just half of the battle."

A Review of Dragons of Autumn Twilight: Chronicles, Volume One (Dragonlance Chronicles)

A great start to the series...and I can't wait to read the second book.

I usually write long reviews, but I'm going to keep it simple with this one. This was a fun and entertaining read, and it really fulfilled my craving for a classic sword/sorcery book along the lines of Dungeons & Dragons. I absolutely loved the characters (all of them are engaging in their own way), so it's nice to know that more books follow. Otherwise, it would be a big letdown, because I found myself forming an attachment to each one of them.

There were some minor issues I had with the book, such as the story dragging in some places, multiple viewpoints in the same scene (not staying with the primary character's point of view), and different scenes bleeding into one another (no scene break in some instances). However, it didn't diminish my reading pleasure enough to give it four stars. I would probably rate it 4-1/2 stars, but it's still deserving of five stars when all is said and done.

I also plan on reading some of the other related series, which provide background/back stories for some of the individual characters. There are so many books to read, which is a good thing!

http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Autumn-Twilight-Chronicles-Dragonlance-ebook/dp/B004G606K8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

A free tween fantasy short story - "The Monster Inside"

Here is a short story that I wrote several weeks ago. It's a tween fantasy I hope you'll enjoy. 

 

The Monster Inside

by Kevin Hopson

            “What if Mom finds out?”

            “If this works,” Ann said, “she won’t even care.”

            Michael coughed as he sat opposite of her on the creaky boat. Ann continued to row, allowing her little brother to rest.

            “Take a nap,” she insisted. “I’ll let you know when we get close.”

            “I don’t think I can sleep,” he replied, easing back and stretching out his legs. Michael’s feet nearly touched Ann given the cramped quarters. “You know I don’t like the water.”

            “I’m well aware of it,” Ann said, her head turning to look the other way.

            In the distance, a massive mountain jutted out of the sea. Positioned only a couple of miles off the coast, Firemound Island was a spectacular sight. The island’s crimson colors were a beautiful backdrop against the dark blue water that surrounded its rocky borders. Halfway to their destination and with several hours of light left, Ann felt confident they would be home by nightfall.

            She focused again on Michael, who looked peaceful with his eyes closed. His dark hair—once thick and long—was spotty at best, like fuzz atop the head of a newborn bird. Behind him rested Sutport, the banks of the quaint fishing town still within view. Located along the Alderton Sea, Sutport enjoyed the largest harbor in Belwich County.

            Michael shuffled his feet, his eyes opening and squinting at the bright sun overhead. “What did you bring to eat?” He asked with a hand against his forehead.

            “Mom baked some fresh bread this morning,” she answered. “It’s in the basket. I can get it for you.”

            “No,” he said. “I can do it.” Michael grabbed the basket and immediately dug in. He sat up a little more, breaking apart small pieces and chewing them at a frantic pace. “Do you think this is a good idea?”

            “No. It isn’t healthy to eat so fast.” Ann tried to keep a straight face, but her shoulders eventually bobbed from laughter.

            “You know what I mean,” Michael said, cracking a smile.

            “Why are you asking me? I’m the one who needed convincing. You’ve been pulling my arm for weeks.”

            “I know.” Michael paused. “It’s just that things can change. What sounds good at first can be scary when you finally go through with it.”

            “So…you’re scared?”

            “I guess,” he responded.

            “Why?”

            Michael shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe it’s the unknown.”

            “But Firemound Island will save you,” Ann said with a reassuring voice. “That’s why we’re out here.”

            She remembered the day vividly. Having heard rumors of Firemound’s healing powers, thirteen children from Sutport—all of them suffering the same disease as Michael—set sail for the island nearly a year ago. However, only one of them returned. The young boy who did rarely talked of the incident. Despite coming back in no better health than when he left, the boy said he witnessed magic there. He refused to discuss the fate of the other twelve children, but family members of the lost girls and boys claim to have seen the faces of their loved ones at sea. People see what they want to see. That was Ann’s belief, anyway.

“What if I’m meant to die another way?”

            “We’re all destined to die,” Ann commented. “You should only focus on things you can control, and finding the cure is something we have control over.”

            Michael didn’t respond. Ann could tell the wheels were turning inside his head, and she had a good idea what her brother was thinking.

            “The sea creature?” Ann brought it up before Michael had a chance to say anything. “Is that what you’re worried about? You actually believe in the myth?”

It’s why parents with sick children were so reluctant to make the trip to Firemound Island, including her own mother. They feared the whole family would meet their demise.

            Michael nodded his head. “I don’t know if I believe it completely, but it’s possible.”

            “Sure. Anything’s possible.” Ann wanted to voice her opinion, but she decided to bite her tongue instead.

            Michael suddenly turned to his right and, on his knees, bent over the side of the boat. Ann quickly made her way over to him, initially putting a hand on his shoulder. When he proceeded to vomit, she released her grip, giving Michael the space he needed. Once he finished, she rubbed his back, attempting to comfort him.

            “Are you okay?” She asked.

            “I think so,” he answered. “I guess you were right about eating too fast, especially when I get sea sick so easily.”

            Ann hoped it was a case of sea sickness—and not the disease—that was bringing on Michael’s episode. Out of breathe and trying to recover, he turned his head toward the front of the boat, his eyes growing wide. Ann twisted her neck to look.

            “What is that?” Michael inquired.

            Ann couldn’t believe her eyes. “A whirlpool,” she said with a weak voice.

One had formed about fifty feet in front of them, effectively pulling the vessel in its direction. Ann needed to reverse the boat’s momentum, and quickly. As she stood up to reposition herself, the craft tilted to one side, causing her to lose balance.

“Michael,” she screamed.

Her brother fell into the water. She didn’t see him at first, but Michael’s head popped up a few seconds later. Unfortunately, he was a good fifteen feet away, already past the bow of the boat and quickly heading toward the vortex. As much as she didn’t want to leave the boat behind, Ann had no choice. She made her way to the front of the vessel and dove into the water.

“Oh, God,” she gasped. The chill of the water shocked her body.

Unlike Michael, Ann had always been a good swimmer. Adrenaline pumping, she raced to catch up to her brother. His head dipped up and down in the water, sometimes going under temporarily before breaking the surface again. No matter how hard she swam, she couldn’t close the gap between her and Michael. He’ll drown. He’ll never survive this.

In a rare moment, Ann found herself thinking negatively, practically giving up. Michael had been sucked into the whirlpool, his body circling the current like water in a drain. He went under, disappearing from her sight. It was Ann’s turn. She could only go where the water wanted her to, so she stopped fighting it. Never before had Ann been so scared. Emptiness consumed her, starting in the stomach and crawling up through her mouth until she could barely breathe. She feared for Michael’s life, and ultimately her own, as her head went below the water.

 

* * * *

 

            “Ann?” Through darkness, a voice called out for her. “Ann,” the voice said again.

She felt a cold hand on her face, forcing her to wake. Ann opened her eyes. A blurry image knelt before her, eventually clearing up as her eyes adjusted to the light.

“Michael,” she shouted. Ann sat up and wrapped her arms around him. “I can’t believe it’s you.”

Michael squeezed her tight and then released his grip, backing away from her. “Look at this place,” he said, standing with his arms in the air. For someone who had just come face to face with death, Michael was in surprisingly good spirits.

Ann examined her surroundings. They appeared to be in some sort of cavern, but it was unnaturally bright, almost as if an artificial source illuminated the walls of the cave. The array of colors—turquoise, fire orange, and burnt brown—stimulated her senses. A body of water entered through an opening in one of the large rock walls, reflecting the images overhead and making it hard to tell what was up and what was down.

“Are we dead?” The way she said it almost sounded sarcastic, but Ann couldn’t have been more serious.

“No,” a deep voice answered.

A monstrosity emerged from the water, one that towered over her. Gray in color, it possessed a turtle-like face with a long neck and tail. The creature had six limbs, which consisted of four legs and two giant fins that acted like wings on each side of its body.

Ann got to her feet and pulled Michael close to her.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” the creature said.

Uncertain if she could believe him, Ann continued to hold Michael’s head to her chest. “Where are we?”

“Beneath Firemound Island,” he answered.

“How did we get here?”

“You don’t remember?”

Ann shook her head. “I got sucked under, and I woke up here.”

“It’s no surprise,” the creature said. “These waters have a secret. It’s their way of keeping it.”

Initially confused by the comment, Ann understood what he meant. “If we don’t remember how we got here, we can’t tell others how to find it. Is that what you’re saying?”

The creature nodded. “Yes. Only those who are invited are allowed to enter.”

“But we’re here,” Ann pointed out.

“Yes. The boy is sick. Is he not?”

“How would you know that?”

“I don’t,” the creature replied, “but the sea does. It has a sense for these things.”

Ann pondered for a moment. “The whirlpool,” she said. “That was the sea’s way of inviting us in?”

“Yes.”

“It felt more like a near-death experience,” Ann said with a hint of irritation. “I didn’t find it welcoming at all.”

“I apologize,” the creature said. “It wasn’t meant to scare you, but it served its purpose, nonetheless.”

“How is it we didn’t drown?” Ann inquired.

“The sea ensured your safety. It allowed you to breathe temporarily while under water.”

Ann took a deep breath, trying to take all of it in. “Do you have a name?”

“Kentim,” he responded. “And you?”

“I’m Ann. This is my brother, Michael.”

“A pleasure to meet both of you. How are you feeling, Michael?”

Ann could sense her brother’s reluctance to speak. “Go ahead,” she insisted.

“I’m okay,” Michael said.

“But you could be better?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“What if you could be cured of your disease?” Kentim paused, allowing the question to sink in. “Would that interest you?”

“Of course,” Michael answered.

“I guess my real question is what would you be willing to do in exchange for it?”

“What are you getting at?” Ann intervened.

“As I said,” Kentim stated, “these waters are special. They have healing powers, but it comes at a price.”

“Which is?” Ann continued to press him.

“You can never go back to your family,” Kentim said.

Ann stepped forward, keeping Michael close. “Why?”

“While the waters will rid Michael of his disease, they will also change him. He will become one with the sea, unable to return to his normal life.” Kentim took a few seconds before continuing. “Let me show you.” He looked off to the side, staring at the water. “Rah.”

A human head popped out of the water. A boy, who Ann recognized as one of the twelve missing children, walked onto the rocky shore next to them and smiled. He was different, though. Gills lined both sides of his neck, and his arms had some sort of webbing attached to them.

“Rah was stricken with the same disease that Michael now fights, but he’s been cured,” Kentim said. “However, the sea has altered his way of life.”

“But he can breathe out of the water,” Ann said.

Rah dove back in, staying submerged this time.

“Only for a few seconds at a time,” Kentim acknowledged. “Land life is no longer suitable.”

“So this is where the children disappeared to?”

“Yes.”

“You made them do this?”

“Of course not,” Kentim replied. “I gave them a choice. The same choice I’m giving your brother, Michael.”

Ann thought about the lone boy who returned. Given what she knew now, she understood why he came back. “Why would they choose to do this?”

“I can’t say,” Kentim said. “I never asked any of them, nor did they tell me. I just assumed they wanted a second chance at life.” He glanced at Michael. “What do you think, young man?”

Michael stuttered, eventually spitting out the words. “I’m tired of being sick,” he said, “but I would miss my family. It would also break my mother’s heart if I left her.”

An idea came to mind, forcing Ann to speak up. “What if both of us stayed?” Michael looked at her with confused eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Kentim said. “The invitation applies to Michael. You were only brought here out of courtesy to him.”

“I don’t want to leave you,” Michael said to Ann. He began to cry.

Ann knelt down beside her brother, turning her back to Kentim. “Listen to me,” she whispered. “You don’t have to do this, but think about Mom.”

“I am,” he said with a light voice.

“I’m not talking about you missing her or vice-versa,” Ann said. “Mom would give her life for you. So would I. As much as she would miss you, she would want you to do this.”

“But I’m scared,” Michael said.

“I know you are, but you’ve been so brave through all of this. Please don’t give up now.”

“What is your answer?” Kentim interrupted.

Ann embraced her brother, both of them shedding tears.

 

* * * *

 

Ann and her mother made their way to the dock. It was their special day of the week, and they hadn’t missed it once in six months. Ann carried a picnic basket in one hand and a blanket in the other. She laid the quilt on the wooden walkway, taking a seat along the edge of the pier. Her mother sat beside her. Ann reached over to touch her hand. She turned her head and offered Ann a warm smile, welcoming her touch.

A splash of water suddenly caught their attention. Ann looked out at the sea, noticing a boy’s head bobbing above its surface only a few yards away. He laughed. Ann felt her mother’s grip tighten. As she glanced over, her mother continued to look straight ahead, focused on the little boy. The smile on her face widened. It was a sign of contentment. A sign of happiness. Michael was with them again.   

"The Landfill" Giveaway!

My young adult/dark fiction story, The Landfill, releases this Friday (April 4) by MuseItUp Publishing. In celebration of the release, I am giving away three copies of the ebook, and two winners will also receive a free gift card of their choice. Just leave a comment on my blog, mentioning one of your favorite books of all-time, and you will be eligible to win. The contest will run through midnight (EST) Thursday, April 3, and the winners will be announced the next day. Good luck!

First Prize = Copy of The Landfill and choice of $20 Amazon or MuseItUp gift card
Second Prize = Copy of The Landfill and choice of $10 Amazon or MuseItUp gift card
Third Prize = Copy of The Landfill

Billy, a high school senior, has lost a lot in the past year, including his younger sister, Sara. Billy lacks excitement and purpose in life until his curiosity takes him and his best friend, Connor, to an old, abandoned landfill along the river. Connor would rather forget the experience, but Billy can’t help but feel invigorated by their findings. Taking it upon himself to uncover the mystery, Billy finds his life coming full circle – but is that a good or bad thing?

A review of Frozen (The Artica Lights) by Kat Holmes

Sexy...heartbreaking at times...but wonderfully woven together at the end!

*****Five Stars

Description:

Brent Larkin came to Antarctica to study penguins. He didn’t come looking for either adventure or romance. But when a freak storm blows in and he loses his way, that’s exactly what he gets. Attacked by some bobbing lights, he suddenly finds himself in a wintry forest surrounded by men with swords pointed at him. The next thing he knows he’s in a dungeon and chained to the wall.

Awni is the queen of Artica, a land of eternal winter. The daughter of a god, Awni’s cursed to never know the touch of another. Her icy skin is death for anyone who dares to touch her flesh. But, when a mysterious stranger shows up in her lands, she finds herself drawn to him. Eager to learn about his world, she invites him to spend time with her only to be shocked when he touches her and doesn’t freeze to death.

But Artica is a land ruled by tradition. Though she longs to keep Brent with her, the laws of the land force her to send him home. But without him, both she and the land begin to suffer. Now, Awni is facing the same peril as one of her ancestors. And if she perishes like her ancestor did, all of Artica will pay the price. Can Brent, returned to his own world, somehow find his way back and save her before all is lost?

Review:

I love being immersed in an imaginary world, and I love a good story, and Kat Holmes delivers on both of these with Frozen (The Artica Lights). I'll be honest. I don't tend to read a lot of romance books. This isn't to say that Frozen is a straight-up romance piece, because it's not, but this element might have deterred me from reading the book back in the day. Fortunately, I am more open minded when it comes to reading nowadays, and I'm glad I gave this book a chance. Love stories seem to be a dime a dozen, but Frozen puts a unique spin on the traditional tale. I also have to admit that the sex scenes were hot! Kat knows how to stimulate all of your senses, making the reader feel like they're experiencing everything the characters are. Frozen is an emotional and beautifully written love tale. I have also read works by Kat's mother, L.J. Holmes, who is another fantastic writer. As a result, it's safe to say that talented writing runs in the family.

http://www.amazon.com/Frozen-The-Artica-Lights-Holmes-ebook/dp/B004XWQ78K/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1394542402&sr=8-20&keywords=kat+holmes

Earthbound Blog Tour - A Review of "Earthbound" by Elaine Calloway

I am honored to host Elaine Calloway today during her Earthbound blog tour. I will be reviewing the book, which I decided to purchase despite her generous offer of providing a free copy through Smashwords. It's just one way I like to help out fellow authors. Anyway, let's get to it. In addition to the review, you will find helpful links and other pertinent information so you can learn more about Elaine. I hope you enjoy today's blog stop!

Description:

Some say history repeats itself, but for Terran, an Earth Elemental, history has returned and slapped him in the face. Along the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, the Acobi Fallen Angels have decided to go underground–literally. Resurrecting an ancient legend, the evil Acobi are trapping underage girls and shanghaiing innocent humans into slavery. Terran must stop the Acobi and keep the public away from the Shanghai tunnels, all while keeping his supernatural powers hidden.

Kelly Habersham, overachieving real estate developer, has finally convinced her father and brothers to give her the Portland condo project, which would require extensive construction near the tunnels. Determined to impress her father and make a name for herself in the family business, she is not about to let a Save-the-Earth guy get in her way.

Terran and Kelly must work together and come to a truce--or they may become casualties in another war between good and evil. 

Review:

This is book three in The Elemental Clans series, and I am happy to say that Earthbound is very reader friendly to those who haven't picked up the prior books - such as myself. Honestly, if I didn't know better, I would have guessed this was the first book in the series. It stands on its own extremely well, but it still leaves you curious about what came before (and what will come next) in the series. I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Not only were they believable and realistic, but I also found myself forming an attachment to them, regardless of whether I was pulling for them or not. Elaine possesses a smooth and engaging writing style, and the story flows at a nice, steady pace from beginning to end. For example, even though it's roughly 400 pages in length, it was a relatively quick read for me. Despite some very minor issues (using the same words a little too much and a few grammar mistakes), I can't think of any reasons not to recommend this book. Overall, Earthbound was a fun and entertaining read. Plus, I love the Pacific Northwest, and Elaine does a fantastic job of accurately portraying the area.

About Elaine and her other works:

Earthbound is a paranormal fantasy romance set in Portland, Oregon, and is part of an elemental series. Other books in the Elemental Clan Series by Elaine Calloway include:
• Water’s Blood - book one
• Raging Fire - book two
• Windstorm - book four
Elementals and Fallen Angels square off in a battle of good versus evil. Who will win this challenge?

Elaine Calloway is originally from New Orleans and can still do a Cajun accent upon request. She writes paranormal romance for adults and paranormal fantasy books set in New Orleans, New York, and other iconic cities. The first three books in her Elemental Series are available on Kindle and in paperback.

Useful links:

Amazon book link

http://www.amazon.com/Earthbound-Elemental-Clans-Elaine-Calloway-ebook/dp/B00I33ORPU/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1394028682&sr=1-6&keywords=earthbound 

Rafflecopter giveaway link

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b562e813/

Follow Elaine

Twitter – http://twitter.com/writerscanvas

Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/authorelainecalloway

Pinterest Page –http://pinterest.com/elainecalloway/

Goodreads –http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13256243-elaine-calloway