Sneak Peek: Legend of the Dark Messiah: The Mask and the Sword by J. Johnson Higgins

Today we have a sneak peek of J. Johnson Higgins’ epic fantasy, Legend of the Dark Messiah: The Mask and the Sword:

Legend of the Dark MessiahThe great futuristic society of I-Star has long foretold the coming of a female with a gem embedded in her forehead. Known as the Dark Messiah, this woman possesses magical powers that will bring about the destruction of life as they know it.

When a young Cassidy awakens inside an enchanted cave, she has no memory of how she came to be in this strange place. She starts to build a life for herself in the modern, utopian world of I-Star. The odd red crystal in the middle of her forehead disturbs her, as no one else in the community of Jennison has such a marking.

Cassidy soon catches the attention of a mysterious sorcerer, Dmitri von Calvin, who recognizes her as the Dark Messiah and wishes to harness her power for destructive ends. Cassidy learns of the sorcerer’s evil agenda and the prophecy of the Dark Messiah. Rather than fulfill her role as a life destroyer, Cassidy makes a decision to stand and fight against the destruction of her beloved world.

Legend of the Dark Messiah: The Mask and the Sword is available in paperback, hardcover, Kindle and NOOK at Amazon.com, Amazon UK and Barnes & Noble. Continue reading “Sneak Peek: Legend of the Dark Messiah: The Mask and the Sword by J. Johnson Higgins”

The Importance of Research

Author Valerie Douglas
Author Valerie Douglas

I suppose you could say that I’ve been doing research all my life – as any writer should. After all, the essential, endless curiosity that drives us to ask ‘what if’ and then ‘what happens next’ has to start somewhere. It starts in those questions, but it’s based in what we’ve learned and know.

Part of every child’s education is spent exploring ancient gods and goddesses, particularly the Greek and Roman. They fascinated me just as they fascinate most children, especially their excesses – Percy Jackson’s popularity is no coincidence. Continue reading “The Importance of Research”

Week 11 Flash Fiction Contest Voting

Vote!The time has arrived for IU readers to begin voting in this week’s Flash Fiction Competition. On behalf of the IU staff, I want to thank all the entrants for doing such a great job with the writing prompt and the merciless constraints of the exercise.

This week, there are ten entries from which to choose. You may review the entries here. Please spread the word and encourage your friends to vote by using the share buttons at the bottom of the post!

The poll will be open until 5:00 PM MST Thursday

Select the entrant with the best story for the IU writing exercise competition, "The Last Season."

  • 3. Shiri Sondheimer (39%, 38 Votes)
  • 7. Dianna Stover (23%, 22 Votes)
  • 5. K. Zeth Ozbirn (18%, 17 Votes)
  • 9. Genora Powell (10%, 10 Votes)
  • 8. Terveen Gill (5%, 5 Votes)
  • 2. Yvonne Hertzberger (3%, 3 Votes)
  • 4. RG Bud Phelps (1%, 1 Votes)
  • 10. A. L. Kaplan (1%, 1 Votes)
  • 1. Robert H. Cherny (0%, 0 Votes)
  • 6. Elisavietta Ritchie (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 97

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Video Trailer: Julieanne Lynch’s Walking with Shadows

Author Julieanne Lynch shares the trailer for her Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy/Young Adult novel, Walking with Shadows:


Walking with Shadows is available through Amazon.com, Amazon UK, and Barnes & Noble.