Her Book Self

I know I don't normally read and review short stories, but earlier this year I came across a fantastic fantasy novel and when I learned that the author was expanding the world of the book through a series of short story prequels, I jumped at the chance to read them!

In Progeny: The Children of the White Lions author R.T. Kaelin created the world of Terrene, a richly detailed land populated with a host of heroes and villains ripe for adventuring. However, the history and culture of the landscape in Progeny - as expansive as it was - hinted at the tip of an iceberg. Readers were keen to point out that there seemed much more to the world; and the short story collection Merchant is the first episode in The Terrene Chronicles to provide readers with a glimpse beneath Progeny's surface.

Merchant is a collection of three stories ("Market", "Festival", and "Journey") which relate the early experiences of the hero Nundle Babblebrook. In Progeny the witty halfling is introduced as a merchant turned magic user and Merchant is the engaging tale of his history. As in Kaelin's full length work, the setting shines, the secondary characters are full of charm, and Nundle himself is a delight.

Equally enjoyable as a prequel or postscript to Progeny, this companion piece could be appreciated by fans of Kaelin's writing or those sampling it for the first time. Humorously nicknamed "The Nundle Bundle" (on the author's website), Merchant is a great addition to the ever expanding world of R.T. Kaelin's Terrene.

And as a special treat for Indie in Summer, R.T. Kaelin has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway of a Progeny Prize Pack - including a paperback copy of the book and a deluxe bookmark! The giveaway is open to mailing addresses in the US and Canada INTERNATIONALLY and you can gain up to TEN entries per person.  Here's how:

1. Leave a comment on this post. (Be sure to include a way to contact you!)

BONUS ENTRIES:
2. Leave a comment on R.T. Kaelin's guest post.
3. Leave a comment on my review of Progeny.
4. Leave a comment on my interview with R.T. Kaelin.
5-6. Follow R.T. Kaelin on Twitter. (Worth two entries!)
7-10. Check out The Terrene Chronicles - Merchant, Family, or Rivals - and send an email to HerBookSelf at gmail dot com with which story/stories you read and your thoughts.  The stories are available for free on R.T. Kaelin's website or are downloadable for $.99 per bundle for your eReader of choice.  One extra entry will be added for each story pack that you email me about as well as a bonus fourth entry if you remark about all of them!

This contest is open from now until July 7th.  Winner will be notified by email and have three days to respond with a valid mailing address (US & Canada).  If no response, a new winner will be chosen.  Best of luck!

UPDATE 6/24/11 - Contest is now open internationally!  Same entry rules as above, be sure to indicate a way to contact you if you win!