The Hunter Awakens
The Morus Chronicles Book 1
Published: July 6th, 2014
Publisher: Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
Genre: Middle Grade Action/Fantasy
2015 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner
Winner Best Children’s Novel 2014: Preditors & Editors Readers Poll
Literary Classics Seal of Approval: Highly recommended for home and school libraries.
Synopsis:
When thirteen-year-old Ethan Morus is forced to stay on his grandparents’ old farm, he expects to find weathered barns, rusty tools, and a creaky house in need of fresh paint. What he doesn’t expect is to hear a legend placing his family at the center of an ancient treasure hunt. Or find burial chambers protected by poltergeists, or a secret lair guarded by an ancient beast. And least of all, Ethan doesn’t suspect that powerful sorcerers are watching his every move.
They’ve found Ethan and believe he is from a line of treasure hunters who possess a rare instinct to locate powerful artifacts. Whether he has the instinct or not, Ethan is faced with a choice–search the Morus property and find what they want or lose yet another family member.
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Be sure to grab your copy of The Hunter Awakens for the special tour price of only 99 cents!
Be sure to grab your copy of The Hunter Awakens for the special tour price of only 99 cents!
Excerpt from The Hunter Awakens by J.R. Roper
Mel closed her eyes and drew in long breaths as he passed. A hint of the sorcerer was all she smelled. He was alone.
The Hunter Awakens by J.R. Roper
She waited for him to near the summit, and when he was close she dropped to the ground and approached from well within the forest. When she reached the top, it was clear he’d already begun his conjuring.
The sorcerer stood in the middle of the hilltop, held his staff in front of him and spoke softly in the old tongue. He lifted the staff and slammed it into the ground. The earth groaned.
He looked to the sky. “Reveal.”
Mel followed his gaze. A faint shadow swooped through the clouds and she retreated behind a thick tree. It was the thunderbird—the harbinger of conjured storms.
From his messenger bag, a red orb rose into the air and wisps of wood fastened it to the top of his staff.
Mel glanced above and readied her throwers. She’d put out the thunderbird’s eye if it attacked.
The sorcerer gripped his staff with both hands and pointed the end toward the setting sun, the direction of Roseville. He lowered it slowly and spun, drawing a wide circle where grass shriveled. The smell of scorched earth forced Mel to hold her breath. She hated the smell of anything burnt and the old rock beneath the grass smelled like the burning of ancient bones.
Within moments, clouds rolled overhead. The orb’s red light pierced the early dark. The sorcerer grasped for the sky with his left hand and spoke an incantation that the wind swept away.
The last sliver of sunlight winked out, as if a shawl had been drawn over the sky. A fog chased up the hill like a tidal wave and clouded Mel’s view. The fog moved upward and the sky rippled with a surge of power. All heavenly lights darkened and Mel aimed a thrower in the direction of the sorcerer.
If he knew she was here and came looking for her, it’d be his last act on Earth. She feared no one. She was Hellish Mel.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
How did you start your writing career?
I fell in love with Harry Potter and when the series ended, I decided to start writing stories to capture the imagination of other reluctant readers. Books for reluctant boys have become my mission and I hope to bring as many to the love of reading as possible. The BEST is getting a message from a parent telling me that their child devoured my books despite not being a frequent reader.
Has someone helped or mentored you in your writing career?
One of my critique partners, Cheryl, has been a fantastic mentor. She has an MA in speculative fiction and has been a reader her entire life. She is the queen of cutting words and adding sensory detail and she has essentially taught me to write.
Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
I have both! And I love them all dearly. I have been part of two critique groups and when I’m not in season (I coach track) I meet as much as I can. The group that has been instrumental is a small group of dedicated fantasy writers. When we all have chapters to critique, we share a chapter every other week and meet in person to discuss the work. Sometimes we just meet for dinner to discuss our current projects and stay in the habit of meeting.
My first beta reader is my amazing wife. She is amazing and honest and has helped me polish most of my published pieces. Writer friends I have made throughout the years also help with beta reading.
What one word best describes you?
Persistent!
You’ve just become President. What’s first on your agenda?
An office and library for Shelley Custer.
Is there something unique about your writing style?
I love the keep the pace fast and the writing lean.
Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
I do! I love soundtrack music. My favorite group is Two Steps from Hell. They record much of the music used for movie trailers and some documentary music.
What was the scariest moment of your life?
My oldest son stopped breathing when he was a month old. My wife was holding him and felt him go still. She was able to keep him alive long enough
through CPR until paramedics arrived and thank
God they revived him. He has had no lasting issues
and is a bright four year old now.
Thank you, J.R., for stopping by a letting us get to know you, it has been fun!!
About the Author:
J.R. Roper is the author of The Morus Chronicles, a fantasy series for middle grade readers. The first two books, The Hunter Awakens and The Spirit of Steel are now available along with a collection of short stories titled Mel & the Black Rider. Roper’s work has appeared in ChildGood Magazine, Families First Monthly, and in anthologies by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing, Horrified Press, and Thirteen O’Clock Press.
Giveaway Details:
There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:
- $25 Amazon gift card
- 5 Kindle copies of The Hunter Awakens
Giveaway is International.
You're first beta reader rocks! Love this interview.
ReplyDeleteYou're first beta reader rocks! Love this interview.
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