July 6, 2011:
Worlds collide at the blog
From the Shadows!
"Today we are trying something new. We have two fabulous authors... participating in a cross-novel character interview where worlds, and personalities, collide! There has been a temporal rift in imagination’s space-time continuum. This causes Ken Lowery and his dog, Silas, from Robert J. Duperre’s novel
Silas: A Supernatural Thriller, to have a chance encounter with Gloriae, ill-tempered daughter of Dies Irae, the evil villain from
Blood of Requiem, the first book of Daniel Arenson’s
Song of Dragons series. See what happens when three characters from two completely different universes meet…"
Take a look.
May 5, 2011:
Love
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin? Try
Song of Dragons, a new fantasy series about blood, steel, and dragonfire.
BOOK ONE: BLOOD OF REQUIEM
Long ago stood the kingdom of Requiem, a land of men who could grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Requiem ruled the sky.
But Dies Irae, a tyrant leading an army of griffins, hunted Requiem's people, burned their forests, and shattered their temples. Requiem fell. This ancient land now lies in ruin, its halls crumbled, its cries silenced, its skeletons littering the burned earth.
In the wilderness, a scattering of survivors lives in hiding. The griffins still hunt them, and every day promises death. Will Requiem's last children perish in exile... or once more become dragons and fly to war?
April 13, 2011
A reader created this video for my fantasy novel
Firefly Island. It features music she herself composed and recorded.
March 5, 2011
A reader sent in this song she composed. It was inspired by my fantasy novel
Firefly Island.
Jan 31, 2011
NEW BOOK!
I'm proud to announce the release of my fourth fantasy novel:
Eye of the Wizard
On the longest night of the year, a dark wizard murders a knight and his wife.
The knight's children survive and swear revenge. Sam and Jamie vow to become knights like their father. Neev, the middle child, vows to become a wizard.
Five years later, things look grim. Sam is useless with the sword. Jamie is denied knighthood because she's a girl. Neev cannot cast a spell without growing donkey ears, a monkey tail, or an elephant trunk. The siblings feel like failures.
That's when the dark wizard strikes again.
Are the siblings powerful enough to defeat him? Or will they too die at his hands? Find out in
Eye of the Wizard.
December 18, 2010
Fantasy novel
Firefly Island received a new five-star review on Amazon:
"Daniel Arenson has captured the tender hearted beauty of fireflies in summer. Brian Aldiss writes, you have to grow up in order to see with the eyes of a child and put it in writing. This writer has done that. It's a novel of total imagination. I'm not going to be stupid enough to try to tell you about it. I can't. It is the delicate texture of firefly wings. This is a territory that is believed in seriously by everyone who still has that seven year old's courage of a tiger and fantasy that knows no boundary. You look at fireflies at night and maybe think they are really too beautiful and fragile to be a part of this knockabout world. That's where this novel comes in. It starts off with the gentleness of a cloud and moves on to adventures, sure and true. Battles for right and rewards and happily ever after. Though it takes an awfully enjoyable time filled with action you just do not want to see end. A movie, with about 45 billion dollars could be made of this book, it's worth it. But his pastel words turn on the film in our mind. We are captured totally, so it's a great book. I say buy it. I agree with his fans, he's a fine writer. "
Fantasy novel
Flaming Dove also received a new five-star review:
"There are good books. There are really good books. And then there are the books you can't tear yourself away from. This is one of those books. Daniel's descriptions so vivid and alive that you feel like you're right there. I loved it from the first few sentences and enjoyed it to the end. There are very few books that can hold your attention through every single word, but this one can. It is an amazing story that I plan on reading again and again."
December 12, 2010
Fantasy novel
Firefly Island just sold its 1500th copy. Thank you to everyone who bought one!
December 2, 2010
Is fantasy novel
Flaming Dove controversial? Find out by reading my
latest interview.
November 28, 2010
I'm interviewed today at author Jaidis Shaw's blog. I talk about my novel
Flaming Dove, storytelling, and cookies.
Take a look.
November 25, 2010
An interview with me is appearing on the blog Oh My Books. We're also giving away a free ebook of
Flaming Dove.
Take a look.
November 21, 2010
Fantasy novel
Flaming Dove just received a five star review on Amazon. Here's a quote:
"This was an absolutely fantastic book. I really really enjoyed it. I loved it so much I kept quoting it to my wife. ...The book was pretty much non-stop action with a few flashbacks about the characters, but it never slowed down the pace of the main story line. The ending caught me by surprise as well."
Learn more about Flaming Dove.
November 16, 2010
Fantasy novel
Flaming Dove was reviewed today at Ashley's Bookshelf, a popular blog.
From the review: "Great character development, wonderful imagery, and just great imagination."
Read the full review at
Ashley's Bookshelf.
Learn more about Flaming Dove.
November 12, 2010
Fantasy novel
Firefly Island has received another five-star review on Amazon.com, its second in two days.
Here's a quote:
"
My favorite indie book by far. If you enjoy epic fantasy, then this book is absolutely worth picking up. If you enjoy fantasy in general, but don't find epic fantasy your favorite, it would still be worth picking up. I found the writing style one which would not be difficult to follow for people who don't enjoy the extreme epic fantasies as well as solidly enjoyable for those of us who do enjoy those.
I would consider this one of my favorite books. 5 stars."
You can read the full review on
Firefly Island's Amazon page.
Learn more about Firefly Island.
November 11, 2010
Fantasy novel
Firefly Island has received a new five-star review on Amazon.com:
"
A truly remarkable tale. What I like most about Firefly Island by Daniel Arenson is the depth of emotion it expresses. First of all, I still can't get through the first few pages without tearing up. The fear and despair of the young child, Aeolia, being sold into slavery is moving and heart-wrenching. It pulls you into the story and won't let you go. Great opening! Mr. Arenson knows how to tug at your heartstrings. The other amazing thing is that throughout the story, I kept forgetting that this is a fantasy. The characters and their thoughts and feelings are masterfully portrayed, they are convincing and real. Of course, this is a fantastic tales with battles and events right out of fantasy land, but the feelings and thoughts of the characters, whether they are ogres or half-human or human, are genuine. Mr. Arenson creates a complex, often cruel, harsh world, which is tempered by love and compassion. This is one of the best fantasies I have read in a while. "
Learn more about Firefly Island.
November 7, 2010
I'd like to share some fan mail I received today:
I am a 16 year old male student studying history, geography, religious studies and business. Firstly I read Flaming Dove, which took me a while because I did not have enough free time. When I did pick up my Kindle I found it hard to put back down. It is a wonderfully written book and I would very much be interested in paying for ALL future releases you intend on selling. Firefly Island was hard for me to start reading because usually I am not into that Kind of fantasy and prefer light fantasy such as The Hobit, however this book changed it all for me.
I appreciate you writing this books, as they gave me hours of joy and definitely worth the money - or more. I hope that you release further books for the Kindle, please inform me if you could.
Thanks,
Scott - a new fan
Thanks, Scott!
November 4, 2010
Dark fantasy novel
Flaming Dove
received two new reviews.
Book reviewer Misty Baker of KindleObsessed.com gave
Flaming Dove five stars. Here are quotes from her review:
"Having read (and reviewed) Arenson’s work before I was almost certain I would enjoy it. I am no stranger to fantasy (duh) and Arenson (more than most) has a genuinely unique way of storytelling, but even with the expected rapture, the quick reading, and unwillingness to put my Kindle down what I didn’t expect was to: gasp, sigh, grit my teeth, cuss my Kindle and cry.
This was not just a story about an emotionally lost half-breed girl. It’s was more than epic battles and avenging angels. It was the discovery of ones self, the inner battle between good and evil. It was about accepting our fates, understanding our future, and blazing our own paths to happiness… regardless of our ancestry. This was a story about choosing your own way of life.
Now... I’m sure your next question is “Misty, how in the hell can you wrap all of that up in 294 pages?” and to that I say “It’s simple.” Perfectly executed inner dialogue. Off the charts characterization, and battles so intense that even the smallest of deaths left a dent in the reader’s armor. If there were flaws I failed to notice. If there were holes, I must have taken a different path, because to me... “Flaming Dove” is what a fantasy novel should strive to be."
You can read Misty's full review of
Flaming Dove here.
Author Debra Martin also reviewed Flaming Dove on her book review blog. Here is a quote from her review:
"Without spoiling the ending, I will say that the climax is exciting and unexpected. Everything you want in a novel. This book is a fun read, but on a deeper level it makes you think--nothing is purely black or white, good or evil, it’s much more complicated than that. It takes a talented author to make you ponder these things long after you finish the book. I highly recommend “Flaming Dove” and look forward to reading more books by Mr. Arenson."
You can read Deb's full review of
Flaming Dove here.
Learn more about Flaming Dove.
October 31, 2010
Happy Halloween, everyone! To celebrate the spooky holiday, you can buy
Flaming Dove -- a tale of demons and fallen angels -- for half off at Smashwords. This coupon is good for TODAY ONLY.
Your coupon code: SW38R
Flaming Dove at Smashwords.
I hope you enjoy reading
Flaming Dove.
October 29, 2010
Epic fantasy novel
Firefly Island received its 17th Amazon.com review -- for five stars. Here's a quote:
"If you're looking for a fantasy that's hard to put down - this is one for you. I found myself reading it during work, over breakfast, anywhere I could sneak a few minutes in... It's a story about many things - violence, betrayal, prejudice, romance, despair, and ultimately hope for the future. I definitely recommend this one."
Learn more about Firefly Island.
October 27, 2010
Dark fantasy novel
Flaming Dove is featured on the popular Kindle blog "Kindle Nation Daily".
KND editor Steve Windwalker writes about
Flaming Dove:
"Jeff Bezos likes to talk about how, once you begin reading on the Kindle, the device disappears and it's just you and the book. That's great, but with this novel, you get an even more seamless, zipless experience. The author disappears, and it's just you and the story, the characters, and a remarkably well-imagined world that shifts astonishingly in time and place....
"Let me begin here by admitting my limitations. As soon as I found myself reading
Flaming Dove I knew almost immediately that I was out of my depth. Sure, I've put in my time reading
Paradise Lost and even some Dante, but with the exception of Beatrice I didn't recall characters anywhere near as vivid, as lovely, and as terrible as Laila and her minions and adversaries. There's a sweep, a fully imagined majesty and a narrative command in this remarkable fantasy novel that allowed me to totally forget the presence of an author and willingly suspend my disbelief. I wish college English majors (like me, some years ago) could have
Flaming Dove in hand as a gateway to Milton; we would find his narratives of Heaven and Hell far more accessible."
Meanwhile,
Flaming Dove continues to appear on Kindle bestsellers' lists. As I write this,
it's the 2nd bestselling "Mythology" book, the 26th bestselling "Epic Fantasy", and still climbing the ranks.
Learn more about Flaming Dove.
October 26, 2010
Several exciting updates today.
First of all, author David H. Burton interviewed me for his website
Random Musings.
We talked about my dark fantasy novel
Flaming Dove and about traditional vs. indie publishing.
Please swing by and
take a look.
Flaming Dove seems to be doing well, especially
among Kindle readers, for which I'm grateful. It consistently appears among Kindle's bestselling "Horror/Occult" novels,
even reaching the top ten of that category over at Amazon.co.uk.
Finally, I encourage you to check out
A Pound of Flash,
David McAfee's anthology of horror shorts.
It includes a bonus story by yours truly. Only 99 cents for Kindle.
October 15, 2010
Fantasy novel
Firefly Island is featured
today at DailyCheapReads.com (previously KindleCheapReads).
Take a look.
October 13, 2010
Author and blogger Philip T. Duck interviewed me (and popular blogger Kipp Poe Speicher) on his blog.
We answered some silly questions for Philip's "Wacky Wednesday" interviews.
Take a look.
October 12, 2010
Epic fantasy
Firefly Island is now available at the Sony Reader Store.
Sony Reader user?
Download for Sony Reader.
October 11, 2010
Dark fantasy
Flaming Dove is now available at KoboBooks.com (for your Kobo reader)
and BarnesAndNoble.com (for your Nook).
Kobo user?
Download for Kobo.
Nook user?
Download for Nook.
October 6, 2010
Fantasy novel
Firefly Island received a FIVE STAR review on Amazon.co.uk.
"This is a genre that I hardly ever read, and I can not recall ever finishing a fantasy novel before. I did finish this one, even read into the wee,small hours. There were several places where Mr. Arenson's descriptions had me squirming because they were protrayed so vividly. I read a lot and seldom squirm. I don't want to allude to the plot in case I spoil it for others, but I enjoyed the novel and will add the next one to my TBR pile. The plot was quite involved, and it kept moving forward at a good pace. Five stars for Mr. Arenson."
October 3, 2010
Epic fantasy novel
Firefly Island is on sale again for 99 cents -- one week only!
"This is the most excited I have ever been about a fantasy book!"
-- ReaderViews.com
"A very promising debut... I would highly recommend this book."
-- FantasyBookSpot.com
Kindle ebook, now 99 cents
Smashwords ePub
Smashwords coupon for 99 cents: MU34A
I hope you enjoy visiting Firefly Island.
September 29, 2010
After being reviewed yesterday at
Geek Speek Magazine
("really, really fun... pure pleasure to read."),
Flaming Dove received a five-star review today on the blog MotherLode.
"This book is a delightful read, with fluid writing and a nice pacing of action interspersed with tender moments. It was easy to get into this story, and hard to put it down. I love the way nothing is really cut and dry throughout this story; the Ruler of Hell is not without merits, and the archangels not without sin. The author really forces you to take a step back and question where the line between good and evil actually falls, if there is even such a line. The story seems predictable, but I was surprised many times with the events leading up to the climax of the story. Even when I thought I had finished the story, there was one last surprise waiting for me at the end, a surprise that really drove home a main theme of the story. Best of all, the ending did what all the best endings do; it left me with something to ponder. I really enjoyed this story, and I believe Daniel Arenson is an author to watch!"
Read the full review.
Learn more about
Flaming Dove.
September 28, 2010
Geek Speak Magazine reviewed
Flaming Dove today. Here's a quote from their review:
"This book is just really, really fun. It’s pure pleasure to read, even in its darkest moments. It’s all epic battles and complicated relationships and thoughtful allegory all wrapped up in clean, well-crafted prose....
This book is an absolute bargain at the Kindle store, and is a thoroughly engaging way to spend a couple of hours."
Read the full review.
Learn more about
Flaming Dove.
September 22, 2010
Today author T. L. Haddix interviewed me for her website. We talked about ebooks and my new novel,
Flaming Dove.
Take a look.
September 18, 2010
Dark fantasy
Flaming Dove is now available in
trade paperback!
September 16, 2010
Flaming Dove received a new five-star review on Amazon.com:
"
Wonderful Read. This book was my first from the kindle store, haven't even gotten my kindle yet so I read on kindle for pc. From jump street this book grabbed me and never let go. The characters and their personalities were very real to me. The emotions they expressed touched my heart and I felt for them. The imagery of the settings and flashbacks were excellent. I hope for a sequel soon."
In other news:
Flaming Dove is now available in iBookstore for iPads and iPhones!
A paperback will be released in a day or two.
Learn more about
Flaming Dove.
September 9, 2010
For a limited time, my epic fantasy novel
Firefly Island
is on SALE for 99 cents in the Kindle store. The price is going back up soon, so please
grab a $0.99 copy of
Firefly Island!
September 2, 2010
Labor Day Weekend sale!
This weekend only, dark fantasy novel
Flaming Dove is 50% OFF at Smashwords.
Here is your coupon code: JB46Z
Click here to find
Flaming Dove at Smashwords; just type in the coupon, and you can buy the
ebook for half off.
September 2, 2010
Firefly Island, my epic fantasy novel, is now available
at Kobo Books!
Grab a copy.
Firefly Island is also available at Kindle, Smashwords, iBookstore, and in paperback at Amazon.
Also today, David Dalglish--author of the bestselling
Half-Orc fantasy series--writes
about my fantasy novel
Flaming Dove. "It's really very simple," he says. "If you want to read about angels
tossing around godlight and demons lashing whips and shooting fire
while super-powerful archangels and archdemons blow up half the world
trying to crush each other....well, here you go."
August 31, 2010
Firefly Island, an epic fantasy, is my first novel.
After three years in hardcover, and several months as an ebook,
Firefly Island is available in trade paperback!
Grab a copy.
To celebrate, you can read a brand new FREE
Firefly Island story. "Somedays" features the world
and characters from the novel, but can also stand alone. Even if you haven't read
Firefly Island yet,
you can enjoy "
Somedays".
August 27, 2010
Wow. Check it out. For the first time, you can see a high res image of Laila--half angel, half demon, and main character
in
Flaming Dove.
You don't want to miss this;
take a look.
August 25, 2010
Firefly Island, my first novel, is currently among Kindle's top ten bestselling epic fantasy novels.
It has been a terrific week for
Firefly Island; the novel ranks among Kindle's 500 bestselling books overall.
Flaming Dove, my second and new novel, is also doing well. You can read a first interview
about
Flaming Dove at
Two Ends of a Pen, a popular blog.
August 22, 2010
I'm proud and thrilled to introduce
Flaming Dove, my new novel.
Flaming Dove, a dark fantasy, tells the story of Laila--half angel, half demon, outcast in the years following
Armageddon. The ebook is
available now, and a paperback will be released soon.
Learn more.
August 15, 2010
Three years ago today, my fantasy novel
Firefly Island was first published in hardcover.
Check out a couple special
Firefly Island interviews:
July 25, 2010
Author Robert J. Duperre reviewed my fantasy novel
Firefly Island today.
He writes: "Breathtaking... It's all about pain and torment and horror and, at the end of the day, love. It's a dark fairy tale about the lengths we will go to in order to prove our devotion to our siblings, our friends, our communities, our fathers... I LOVED THIS BOOK. I'm not usually one for fantasy, but I couldn't stop reading it. It's really that good. Check it out. You won't be disappointed."
Read the
full review. You can also read
more reviews.
July 24, 2010
Indie Books Blog is featuring
a short interview with me today. I hope you take a look!
Spalding's Racket,
a new blog, is featuring my fantasy novel
Firefly Island in its first post.
Also, some special news:
Firefly Island sold its 1000th copy today!
Thank you to everyone who grabbed a copy, posted a review, recommended the novel to a friend, or in some way
helped
Firefly Island find so many readers. 1000 copies is a major milestone... and it's only the beginning of the journey.
July 25, 2010
Author Robert J. Duperre reviewed my fantasy novel
Firefly Island today.
He writes: "Breathtaking... It's all about pain and torment and horror and, at the end of the day, love. It's a dark fairy tale about the lengths we will go to in order to prove our devotion to our siblings, our friends, our communities, our fathers... I LOVED THIS BOOK. I'm not usually one for fantasy, but I couldn't stop reading it. It's really that good. Check it out. You won't be disappointed."
Read the
full review. You can also read
more reviews.
July 24, 2010
Indie Books Blog is featuring
a short interview with me today. I hope you take a look!
Spalding's Racket,
a new blog, is featuring my fantasy novel
Firefly Island in its first post.
Also, some special news:
Firefly Island sold its 1000th copy today!
Thank you to everyone who grabbed a copy, posted a review, recommended the novel to a friend, or in some way
helped
Firefly Island find so many readers. 1000 copies is a major milestone... and it's only the beginning of the journey.
July 12, 2010
Red Adept, a popular review website, reviewed my fantasy novel
Firefly Island. They gave it five stars! Here are quotes from the review:
"The opening scene was heartbreaking, yet intriguing. I really love a good opening scene that makes me want to keep reading. Mr. Arenson could not have started his novel in a more alluring manner. The storyline was straightforward, mostly linear, and filled with plenty of intrigue and action."
"All of the characters were equally well developed. Mr. Arenson insured that the reader got to know all of them equally and empathized with each."
"I really enjoyed the flow of the writing style. The action scenes were exceptionally well written, leaving no room for confusion."
Learn more about
Firefly Island.