"The Speed of Wind" is here!

This is an exciting day for me; my second novel, "The Speed of Wind", is now available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback format! (Other formats/retailers coming soon...)

This book was one of my biggest challenges, as the Fire Queen has a much larger role than she had in "The Zarder". Where there's the Fire Queen, there's madness, treachery, foul language to edit down to not quite as foul language, and Random Lady Gaga songs for writing music. She's a seriously disturbed villainess, and this novel will answer the question of how she got that way. Unfortunately, she's kidnapped three hostages, including Idenno. It's not exactly a secret that she hates that guy; she smiled for the first time in "The Zarder" when she heard he was miserable.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have Ransenna, who is doing her best to keep Idenno and Deldenno alive. She's also dealing with an awkward crush on Deldenno. Needless to say, the tough environment and time away from their Bonds is going to turn that into something more significant.

In the six years since "The Zarder", Bryn has gained a wife and a Bond. He and his Bond Xoltorble will have to protect said wife by taking her place when the Fire Queen demands a confrontation with the Zarder. Also, there's a ten year old girl tagging along to give him advice on how to find "the dragon" and how to avoid dying from poisonous plants.

Will Bryn and Xoltorble reach the hostages in time to save them, or will the Fire Queen have her revenge? Find out when you read "The Speed of Wind"!

A lot of free stuff this week.

First, I have added another Goodreads giveaway in anticipation of "The Speed of Wind" coming out, so be sure to enter for an autographed copy before March 9.

I'm also participating in the Smashwords Read an Ebook Week promotion, which means you can get a free eBook copy even if you don't win the Goodreads giveaway.

Free stuff for everybody!

What is it like outside the Sandleyr?

For the Onizards, life outside the Sandleyr is unthinkable. Their greatest punishment is banishment from the Sandleyr, since they believe that they need each other to survive. There are stories of the Onizards who rejected Senbralni being "killed by the human tribes", which raises an interesting question. Where are these humans that are capable of killing an Onizard? Clearly they are a wealthy and bored class of people that are far separated from humans like Jena and Bryn.

In "The Speed of Wind", we finally find out what it is like past the training grounds and into the wilderness. Bryn and his Bond Xoltorble are on a mission to rescue three hostages, and their guide is a ten-year-old girl named Delma who has a very personal score to settle with the "dragon".

Delma is an interesting character; she was part of a group of humans who were never slaves, and she has spent her life in the woods. Culture clash is inevitable, but she keeps an open mind. I had fun writing her.

The wilderness is full of fascinating things like trees with blue flowers and unicorns. Yes, unicorns. Trust me, these unicorns aren't like Amalthea.

The downside is that there are plenty of glades and caves for the former Fire Queen to hide from the rain, and she has the head start as well as six years of practice living in the woods. Her scenes were a challenge to write, but the reviewer who commented "I would have liked to find out more about what made her the evil she is now" should be quite pleased.

"The Speed of Wind" will take everyone outside the Sandleyr and force them to face some demons. I hope you all will enjoy the journey.

Local Author Expo in Marietta, GA

Are you in the Marietta, GA area? Would you like to meet local authors, including yours truly? You should mark your calendar for March 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the local library is sponsoring a Local Author's Expo.

Official Announcement

This seems like a win-win situation for readers; a trip to the library to pick up old favorites and a chance to find some new favorites and support local authors. I'm excited to meet some new people.

New Print Version...and a Giveaway!

The Zarder has a brand-new print version available online. This leaves me with a feeling of excitement and some extra copies of the first edition. So, the only logical thing to do is host a giveaway.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Zarder

by Sara Jo Easton

Giveaway ends February 18, 2012.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

These are exciting times.

Spotlight On: Bryn

Name: Bryn

Aliases:  Senme

Race: Human

Age: 17 during the events of "The Zarder"

Sex: Male

Notable Things About Him:

* He has a temper that causes him to act without thinking sometimes. Nothing incited this more than hearing the Fire Queen's gleeful acknowledgment of Jena's "death".

* Bryn is the only other human from Jena's village that is still alive. His intial anger against the Onizards is his way of coping with his grief.

* Underneath that anger and temper is a soft and loving heart. 

Notable Quote:

"Fair enough. Pretend you’re protecting her. Just don’t wait until she’s dead before you tell her. You’ll regret it.” 

            -Bryn on Delbralfi's reluctance to admit his feelings

Spotlight On: Leyrkan Mekanni

Another early Onizard drawing to laugh at.

Name: Leyrkan Mekanni

Aliases: Leyrkan, Mek, Mad Mekanni (don't use that nickname, please)

Race: Onizard (Child of Light)

Age: Roughly 20

Sex: Male

Notable Things About Him:

* Mekanni is the ruler of the Night Kingdom, a position that once held great respect. Now it means simply watching over the Onizards while they are sleeping.

* A traumatic fight in his past has left Mekanni with two mangled legs and a "sickness" that occasionally makes him forget where he is and see past events instead of present events. Think of an empath suffering from untreated PSTD and you'll begin to understand why this sickness is so dangerous and difficult to control. Mekanni's sickness has brought him the cruel nickname "Mad Mekanni".

* He acts tough as a teacher to hide his fears of what could happen to Jena and Senraeno if they are caught. His gruff exterior hides a gentle heart.

Notable Quote:

Do you have any idea whatsoever of what you’re up against? The Fire Queen will not fight fair, and she will watch you for your weaknesses. She will delight in finding out what makes you scream in terror, and once she finds out, you had better pray to the Lord of the Sky that she kills you quickly. But she will not kill you quickly.