Back Cover Blurb - AWEN RISING

"Blurbs are those few paragraphs that tell you what the book’s about and give you a compelling reason to buy." ~ excerpt from AuthorUnlimited.com article by Ian Chandler

Howdy Rebels! I've written a new back cover blurb for Awen Rising. After my last attempt, my cover artist (and author), Lauren Willmore, gave me some excellent feedback and took a stab at the blurb. I've shaped and polished, and like it better than the one I posted earlier. Thank you, Lauren!

According to my research, a good book cover blurb should present the situation, the problem, the hopeful possibility, and set the mood for the book*. I think this encompasses all four points without giving away too much. What do you think? 

Unbeknown to humanity, evil reptilians scheme to conquer planet Earth. For eons, the druids and their dragon keepers have secretly squelched such threats. Now it’s 2042 and Emily, the druid heiress, is missing.

In her Venice Beach hideout, everything is going wrong for Emily. She’s lost her fiancé, her nerve, and her job as disaster specialist. Now she’s stalked by an omnisexual shaman sorceress and needs a new identity and somewhere to run.

A registered letter arrives from Atlanta, prompting dreams of an ancient past. Emily is the druid priestess Awen and must save the planet—by snatching a young William the Conqueror from death.

Could the druids be the answer to Emily’s plight? Or would Awen’s destiny mean Emily's demise?

What do you think, dear rebels? Please give me a shoutout in the comment section below, or on Facebook or Twitter if that works better for you.

That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré

O.J. Barré is author of the Awen trilogy, an urban druid sci-fi fantasy set in 2042, steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists. Book One, Awen Rising, is to be released October 1, 2019. Book Two, Awen Storm, will be released in 2020. And the first draft of Book Three, Awen Tide, is in process.

*From Kindlepreneur.com

Awen Rising, Debuting August 1, 2019

My new, fabulous, eye-catching front cover by artist/author Lauren Willmore is nearly complete. And I found an editor, yeehaaa! I'll share more when they're done. But I wrote a blurb for the back cover and I am itching to share.

The first attempts were wooden, mostly facts, and after two author critiques, it's singing more. It is not done. I may throw it out and start over. But I've been researching 2019 SciFi Fantasy release blurbs and living within that for the last few days. My inner guidance led me here. To the big picture. The part that should trickle through in the book.

So here it is, dear readers. My rebel family. What better way to know if I've done a good job? If the blurb grabs your attention? Or if I'm blowing smoke?

BTW, it's too long for a cover by twenty-ish words, but fits nicely for an ebook.

Awen Rising, Available August 1, 2019

The druid queen watched from Maldek as two of the arriving planet-ships moved closer to Sol. The third carrying the Great Ones locked into orbit beside Maldek, along with a sphere transporting reptilian thugs. 

The queen looked on, helpless to stop the rogue sphere as it passed too close, sparking a massive explosion. Hosts to the Great Migration, the Maldekan humans became refugees themselves. Led by the queen, they fled to planet-ship Earth. So did the surviving reptiles. 

When war broke out, the Great Ones intervened. They divided their planet and imposed a memory veil to keep the humans and reptilians separate and apart. Eons later, the Great Ones have all but disappeared. The druids and their dragon keepers, gone and forgotten. 

In 1042CE, Awen, one of the few remaining druids, pierces the veil for a glimpse of a catastrophic future. Risking her life, she saves William of Normandy. The disaster is averted and the bloodline is assured, but with each new incarnation, the veil grows stronger. 

Now it’s 2042CE. Earth is besieged by storms and geologic events. The fight for the planet is about to begin. Aware of the danger, but not its origins, the druids prepare from their base in Atlanta. Only Emily is missing. And without Awen’s descendent, they don’t stand a chance.

So, what do you think? Unfortunately, my comment thingy may be broken. I'll check with you rebels on Facebook and Twitter. Deal? Deal. And by the way, if my Blogger comments DO happen to work, would you step out of your comfort zone and leave a comment so I know?

Thanks, darlin's!

That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré

P.S. For those who wondered, it's been a good day. HALLELUJAH! Since Bugsy's diagnosis, I've had a few not-so-good ones. Yesterday was the pits. I woke up sad. And depressed. And consumed by that feeling of impending doom every self-respecting 12-stepper understands. But I muscled through. Read Psalms 91. Put my head down, got some work done, made a couple calls. I made it through.

O.J. Barré is author of the upcoming Awen trilogy, an urban druid fantasy set in 2042 steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists. Book One, Awen Rising, will be released August 1, 2019. Book Two, Awen Storm, is currently in edits. And the first draft of Book Three, Awen Tide, is in process.

Going Dark

Going dark tonight, dear rebels.

I took my Bugsy to the vet today and got bad news. Feline leukemia. And his pancreatic enzymes are eating his pancreas and liver, with some trickle over into the kidneys. Not good news at all.

Bugsy with Strawberry Juice on His Face

We have maybe a month. Maybe two or three.

Bugsy has been my rock. My person. A love of my life.

On the Porch Rail in Villa Rica

Soon, he'll be gone. And though I've known it was coming, I'm not ready to say goodbye. Not yet. I really, really need some more time with him, God. Please don't take him. Not yet.

But don't let him suffer, either.

Seriously, Mom?

Goodnight, dear ones. I'll be back as soon as I can pull it together. In the meantime, prayers and good thoughts are welcome.

If no one has told you they loved you today, let me be the first.

I love you, Olivia

P.S. Death. Talk about a negative, monumental, life-changing event.

O.J. Barré is author of the upcoming Awen trilogy, an urban druid fantasy set in 2042 steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists. Book One, Awen Rising, will be released October 1, 2019. Book Two, Awen Storm, is currently in edits. And the first draft of Book Three, Awen Tide, is in process