Category Archives: urban fantasy
Cover Launch: DAUGHTER OF THE DARK LORD, Part Four, OUT OF THE ABYSS by Solitaire Parke
I’m excited to reveal the actual title and cover of the final volume of the Prequel series to the Dragomeir Series books. They began with Daughter of the Dark Lord, Part One, The Burning Sky, and now continue with Daughter of the Dark Lord, Part Four, OUT OF THE ABYSS.
I can’t wait for you to return to the adventures of Katherine Pendragon, Daughter of the Dark Lord of the Provinces. She navigates a whole new journey with unexpected difficult decisions, old and new friendships, and of course, dragons.
After traveling through time, Katherine finds herself in Iceland where she reunites with people from her past, although they don’t all remember her. Cystic is a trusted old friend, and Tanis is destined to be of great importance in her future, belonging to an organization called the Thaumaturgists. Cystic takes her to Mt. Scartaris, the home of dragons and their stewards, where she proves herself to be a worthy leader. Queen Mother/Katherine, brings change to their chaotic and undisciplined lives to protect them from future harm. But not long after, she learns of a greater threat. Cystic has known for some time that Mt. Scartaris is an active volcano which is currently displaying critical signs. To further complicate matters, there is the abyss. Now Katherine must engage the help of the Thaumaturgists, a clan of wizards, and find a new home for her family before the eminent disaster.
I hope I’ve piqued your interest. To find the other books in the Daughter of the Dark Lord Series and the Dragomeir Series, as well as other works and fun extras, join me at www.solitaireparke.com. My books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, & various other locations listed on the website. You will also find me on Pinterest, Facebook and Goodreads.
Happy Reading!
Solitaire
WHY WRITE A PREQUEL?
A prequel is a work that forms part of a back-story to the preceding work. Simply stated, it sets the stage for the existing novels and usually comes after the original work was written.
If you have followed my blog or perhaps seen my books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or various other sites then you know I have authored a succession of books called the Dragomeir Series, an urban fantasy/sci-fi saga of dragons and their riders, along with some rather unusual creatures and captivating characters.
Some readers might ask, “Why write a prequel?” I had originally planned to finish this series and then push on to other projects but began having second thoughts as I put a close on the third book in the Dragomeir Series, “Egg of the Amphitere.” One of the main characters known as Queen Mother needed to be expounded upon to give a better understanding and proper closure as to who she was and why. I realized there was a fascinating back-story to be told, and the prequel was born. The story, albeit told by Tanis Theatra (one of the dragon riders), was more about the life and times of Katherine Pendragon (Queen Mother) than anything else.
The only way to pursue that was to go back where it essentially started and tell her story as it began on the Provinces. So, the prequel series, “Daughter of the Dark Lord” was created to give credence to Queen Mother’s life, why she was so passionate about family, and to clarify her dedication to stopping the Dark Lord from invading earth. Last, but not least, it was to express how she eventually planned to liberate the Denizen people of the Provinces. While telling her story, it would also give the reader a bird’s eye view into Tanis Theatra’s beginnings, and of course the amazing dragons. To accomplish this there will also be one more installment to the original Dragomeir Series, entitled “Back from Oblivion.” This book describes Queen Mother’s ultimate objective which is exclusively detailed in the “Daughter of the Dark Lord” prequel series. There are two books available in this series now, and a third is currently being written.
All together it should delineate the complete story as first introduced by Tanis Theatra and recanted by me, Solitaire Parke. Check out my website at
to read sample chapters, discover exciting extras and purchase books at multiple locations in a variety of formats. I hope you enjoy!
Here is a question for my readers – Do you enjoy reading a prequel to a novel?
Have you written a prequel? I’d love to hear about your writing experience.
Solitaire
Latest Book from Solitaire : Prequel to the Dragomeir Series – Part One
DAUGHTER OF THE DARK LORD – Part One – THE BURNING SKY
The first Prequel Book to the Dragomeir Series
(A saga of dragons, demons, fierce creatures and dragon riders)
BEFORE IT ALL BEGAN . . .
A daughter born to the cruel tyrant of the Provinces, the Dark Lord
An incredible child of great skill and abilities
A long awaited prophecy yet to be fulfilled
A remarkable and enduring gift – a Dragon egg
Friends, allies and enemies embroiled in conflict for their lives amidst schemes and unruly allegiances
Who is this child and how does her life impact the future?
– THE PREQUEL
AND THE ENTIRE DRAGOMEIR SERIES
IS AVAILABLE NOW in multiple formats at the following sites –
Enjoy the sci-fi/urban fantasy world of Dragomeir!
Happy Reading.
Solitaire
Any questions about the books? Leave me a comment.
Cover Reveal : Daughter of the Dark Lord – Part One – The Burning Sky
The new PREQUEL BOOK to the DRAGOMEIR SERIES is coming out this month and HERE IS THE COVER! The new book –
Daughter of the Dark Lord, Part One, The Burning Sky
– will inform you about the early years of “The Ariella”, Queen of the Dragons at Mt. Drago. It gives a better understanding of her earliest moments and how the environment into which she was born and the people surrounding her, shaped the character of a child and led to the unique leader she became. And of course, her best friend and dragon companion, Exxa, played an important role in shaping her life. So, if you loved the dragons in the Dragomeir Series, along with all the other amazing creatures, Daughter of the Dark Lord will give you an engaging look into the past of the Queen of the Dragons that will keep you wondering what happens next!
Check out the Dragomeir Series and my other books at www.solitaireparke.com.
Solitaire
“Tinker Smith & the Conspiracy of Oz” – AVAILABLE NOW!
Return to the world of Oscar Zoroaster, The Wizard of Oz and many of the characters from L. Frank Baum’s classic books. Enjoy a whole new world where Oz is once again in the spotlight, along with ten genetically altered children who are attempting to save the world from this power hungry scientist who is determined to control the world with a computer virus. Johnny and his father meet Tinker, one of the ten children and together they forge ahead in the hope of survival in a strange world of machination and espionage. Their survival could be determined by how they utilize their fantastic genetic abilities, but will they have the determination to stop Oscar Zoroaster, and yet retain some semblance of their own humanity in the process?
The Iconic characters of L. Frank Baum’s beloved classic “Wizard of Oz” books are revived once again with an entirely new twist that is more in step with the present times.
”TINKER SMITH & THE CONSPIRACY OF OZ” is available at $0.99 for a short time in e-book format from Smashwords.
Also available in paperback at my website – www.solitaireparke.com
Happy reading!
Solitaire
NEW OZ BOOK COMING NEXT WEEK!!!
In the year 1900, L. Frank Baum published the “Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, and then subsequently released thirteen more Oz books over the years until his death in 1919.
For generations his books have been an inspiration to children, and adults who still believe themselves to be children. I am one of those lucky people, and decided to take my Oz oriented adolescence to the next level. I’m not a big proponent of “Fan Fiction” but I love the idea of taking the essence of certain Oz characters and thrusting them into a non-related story.
After having read the entire original series again, I took my favorite characters from Baum’s books and incorporated them into a book from a place called Langwidere. Princess Langwidere appeared in the classic “Ozma of Oz.” In my new book Langwidere the Princess was morphed into a summer camp for children, not a good atmosphere, but one meant for genetic change and mutation. It became the foundation for introducing a group of very gifted children that help define the new world of Oz.
In my forthcoming book “Tinker Smith and the Conspiracy of Oz“ you will find genetically altered children who escape into a dystopian world that is nearly destroyed by its maker, Oscar Zoroaster . . . The Wizard.
The children are comprised of ten genetically altered summer camp attendees, who go on to redefine goodness, hope, and courage. The children’s character and personalities are not the same as in the original books, but they grow as the story continues, showing how moral fiber improves through adversity. The children’s characters that I chose are as follows –
- Tinker Smith (Tinker and Smith)
- Johnny
- Jinjurs
- Lurline
- Eureka
- Glass Cat
- Tik-Tok
- Frogman
- Button Bright
- Kaliko
Here are the additional characters –
- Oscar Zoroaster
- Cayke
- John Does (Soldiers)
- Dorothys (Followers)
- Frank Baum (Farmer)
All other characters in the book are purely fictitious, and have been selected from my own demented mind to interact with the original personalities created by L. Frank Baum.
Each of the children has been imbued with super powers far and beyond human, and yet they find humanity in their adventures. I cast Oscar Zoroaster as the arch villain, simply because I thought it was funny, and to give him the chance to perform an exciting new role in the tales of Oz.
Have you read the “OZ” books? If so, what was your favorite book and/or character?
Solitaire
HELL HOUNDS – REVISITED
The Hell Hounds were initially encountered in the first book of the Dragomeir Series, “The Emerald Dragon.” These creatures were living at Mt. Drago after making a mass exodus from the Provinces of Hell, with the help of the Queen Mother or “The Ariella.” Inside Mt. Drago, they took up shop in an area of the mountain called Tarin’s Gallery.
The Hell Hounds are a genetically altered species that started off with a considerable amount of wolf and pit bull in their heritage. No one is really sure what else went into the mixture, but what we do know is that they went after size and stamina. The full grown males of this species top over three hundred pounds, stand about five feet tall and can run for days. Their fur is course and sometimes sparse, and they are predominately brown in color with brown eyes. Each one has a different and uneven muzzle, with teeth that protrude in a variety of directions, even with their mouths closed. They also sport an opposing thumb and forefinger.
What the Dark Lord of the Provinces didn’t expect was that they were a species on the fast track to sentience. Generations later, they were no longer just guard dogs. Through sheer will, a lot of death and destruction, and the help of a young girl, the Dark Lord’s daughter, they managed to escape.
By the eleventh generation they were not only intelligent, but self aware and very unhappy with the Dark Lord. That’s where “The Ariella” entered the picture and gave them an opportunity they couldn’t ignore – a chance to break away from a life of cruelty, maltreatment and servitude.
The Hell Hounds of today are drastically different than the ones written about in history. The ones in Mt. Drago would rather not fight; they are vegetarians and prefer to stay in one place to rear their children. They are deeply spiritual and have a great sense of humor.
Read about the Hell Hounds in the DRAGOMEIR SERIES Book One of Three Books –
And watch for the forthcoming book, a prequel to the first three books –
“Daughter of the Dark Lord
Part One – The Burning Sky”
Solitaire
Want to know more about any of the Mt. Drago Creatures ? – Contact me below!
What’s happening at Mt. Drago?
Book Three of the Dragomeir Series, “Egg of the Amphitere” has been released!
The Urban Fantasy is here to usher the reader into the current incredible developments at Mt. Drago, located in Phoenix, Arizona. Just when the inhabitants believe that all is safe, a new threat is forced upon them by strangers that no one knew existed. They introduce a Gate system that is not only extraordinary, but could very well be the end to mankind.
As a result of these peculiar people, dragon rider Tanis and his fellow riders are still battling the Dark Lords of the Provinces even though they have managed to acquire the third Crystal Key. Even with the introduction of the new dragons, the Amphiteres, will they be able to fend off the intense evil that has threatened to devastate their world?
Join The Ariella and her riders as they contend for their lives and possibly those of all humanity in “The Egg of the Amphitere” – Now at the following locations –
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iBookstore
Kobo
Lulu
Smashwords
solitaireparke.com
Thanks for following – Happy New Year 2016 to Everyone!!!
Solitaire
Merry Christmas Mt. Drago 2015!
It’s time for the Holidays! Mt. Drago has once again erected the Christmas tree in the middle of Commons. This one is the second of its kind, and has been decorated by the kids of Mt. Drago. Last year they picked their favorite dragon and created a Christmas ornament for them. At the end of the season all of the ornaments were gathered up and boxed for this year’s celebration. We have more children approaching the age where participation is possible and a whole new bumper crop of dragon ornaments to hang from the tree. All of the ornaments were carefully wrapped and packed into a series of “Holders of Things” to ensure they were kept safe.
Above is an image of the new and updated tree. We hope your Holiday Season is as joyful as ours. Merry Christmas!
From our family to yours…
Tanis, Demi, Bubo, and Chaos.
Go to solitaireparke.com to find the Dragomeir Series Books at various locations.
7 Tips and Tricks on How to Keep Your Dragon Happy!
Since I am currently writing a series of books which are centered on Dragons, I thought it might be interesting to find out (from the Dragon Rider’s perspective) what makes them behave and keeps them happy.
The Dragomeir Series – Urban Fantasy
And the Forthcoming book
My main character, Tanis Theatra, has not only one, but three Dragons to manage on a daily basis. So, how do you deal with creatures that are potentially dangerous, if nothing else, because of their size (Enormous would be an understatement) and then there’s that little thing about breathing fire/plasma, or just getting in the way if their mood isn’t so great and they’re just hungry. How do you pacify or keep a Dragon in a good humor? Well, according to Tanis, here are some tips –
- The only thing to fear is fear itself. Just keep telling yourself that, two and a half tons isn’t all that big. Dragons have an uncanny sixth sense about where you are at all times. You’ll probably trip over their tail long before they step on you.
- Fire can be a problem during impression, but except for rare occasions, it’s mostly a matter of symbolism. Baby Aguivas on the other hand will teach you from experience not to stand at either end. Accidents only happen to the unwary.
- Amphiteres are born angry, so consequently get up on the wrong side of the grotto every day. They want to play, and it’s a thin ploy that lets them act out their frustrations, so play with them a lot. It helps in so many ways.
- A dragon will get grumpy if they’re not fed enough, but the same result happens when they’re fed too much. Either way brings out the pent up hostility in a reptile. Once every four days is a general rule of thumb, but understand, too much is worse. Dragons grow throughout their lives and the rider is the last word on how much they eat and grow.
- In a Dragon’s “Holder of Things”, a container much like a metal trash can, you can often find one of their favorite toys – a Frisbee – which makes them very happy. They can be extremely child-like in many ways.
- One of a Dragon’s favorite things is cherry candy and they will do pretty much whatever you want to get it.
- Dragons hear your thoughts and mirror your emotions. The more stable you become, the happier your dragon will be. It’s a good recipe for both parties when the rider is on his/her game.
So, now you’ve learned a few interesting facts about the Dragons of Dragomeir. They’re really quite compelling, although they can be very formidable if you make them angry. But to a Dragon Rider there is no greater creature in the universe!
Join Tanis and his friends as they uncover fascinating relationships, deceptions, betrayals, mysterious technology, and old-world charm and of course – Dragons!
Solitaire
Solitaire Parke - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books 