Book-Vent Advent Day One

December 1st 

The countdown has begun, happy first of December to everyone! We wanted to kick off December with an advent of such which we've named 'book-vent' (terrible play on words we know) Basically behind each door you will find a suggested book. We do plan on covering all genre's and book tastes so please keep checking back each day to find what's behind each door. 

Behind door number one we have Horus Rising which is the first book of the Horus Heresy series.  

For those not familiar with the series it's set in the 31st millennium, the year of the Great Crusade. The Emperor has left the front lines and has trusted Horus who is his favourite son to carry out his crusade. Horus finds himself promoted to Warmaster but his brothers are jealous and the seeds of heresy and rebellion have been sowed amongst them. The Emperor returns to isolation to undertake a secret project that he doesn't even share with Horus - Will this cause Horus to rebel against his own father - The Emperor of Mankind? 

This book also focuses on Garviel who is captain of the Luna Wolves' 10th Company. He's a member of the Horus advisory body and participates in Crusade projects against anti-Imperials and aliens. 

If you're a fan of action, fantasy or even Warhammer you're going to undeniably love the Horus Rising series. Book one has received fantastic reviews across the world and remains a firm favourite with Warhammer fans of any age. 

You can find this book over on Amazon here. I thoroughly recommend this series but even if you don't normally read this sort of genre I urge you to give it a try. 

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *

Writing & The Marketing Machine

I hold my hands up to the fact that I may have the brain of a young child - imagination wise anyhow. I've always been able to imagine the most creative scenarios and worlds that could be out there somewhere, characters that completely inspire and others that draw out thoughts of hatred just from a few actions. While I maybe creative and passionate I have been struggling recently. 

The major obstacle in my journey is what comes after the writing. I've spent so many hours trying to figure out how to wade through the sea of authors, writers and books trying to get my novels to the philosophical shore that I've gotten to the point where I've just blanked out. Mind Freeze is a pain in the ass. 

I decided to look into the services of PR's and Marketing companies to see if they could my novels out there - hello world, can you hear me? I decided to appoint Silver PR in the interim to manage my small business. You will see them posting as 'The COA Team' and while they are appointed I do still hold full access to my accounts and I make the decisions so don't worry no personality will be lost in the process. 

I feel positive about this change, we all need a helping hand at some point and I've known the owner of Silver PR since I was seven and fully trust that they will help me move along and achieve my goals and aspirations while making this website and my Facebook page a fun place to visit. 

Pop over to my Facebook here, come say hi, leave a comment or suggestion or just some randomness nonsense - it's all important to me. You can also email the PR team directly with your thoughts, questions and comments on chroniclesofastoriapr@gmail.com

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *

Filming is Now Complete

Its been an exciting few weeks getting the reading and video work completed for 'Crystal' the prequel short story. I can now proudly say that stage one is complete ahead of schedule and we now go to editing! 

From here we now have to add in some special effects, flashing imagery and basic animations so that you guys can really delve into the story and enjoy yourselves. This process has been very exciting for me and as we get closer to the end I really believe I am just as excited as you guys are. 

The final stage is the music as it can definitely helps portray emotional significance. We all have favourite songs that ignite past emotions and memories, we have songs that simply turn us off and there are sections of music that can bring a tear to someone who had been elated only a few minutes prior to hearing the piece. 

Because this final hurdle has such huge implications for Crystal I am sending our finished work to a lovely woman who lives up north. She's been an absolute superstar and I am so thankful for her services as she shall be writing the music to match the tone and mood of the story.  

I will keep you updated with progress but if all goes to plan then it should appear on YouTube as soon as it's passed my high standards. I do it all for you guys. Which songs or music pieces touch a cord with you?

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *

Passage of The Week : Part 2 Epsilon

Chronicles of Astoria Part II Epsilon-page 61, Pepsy and Ariana explore the ship:

"I don’t know what happened, one minute it was in the vial.. The next it chased me across the room and now it’s on my arm" Pepsy stated. Ariana had now joined her in their fascination of the mysterious new discovery.

"Lets test it on something, hold on, here let’s try burning it" Ariana's excitement was plain to see. Pepsy looked unimpressed as she stood there before her looking at the blow torch that Ariana had found on the other workbench and was now ready to use on her.

"Do you really think I am going to let you burn my arm?" "No not your arm, just that piece, your armour will protect you anyway" Ariana replied, her excitement growing every second. Pepsy’s curiosity too had grown and she eventually nodded her approval. 

Ariana moved in and, turning on the torch, applied the searing white cone of the burner to the silver surface of Pepsys vambrace. Under the intense heat Pepsy should have expected to feel her arm getting warmer underneath but surprisingly she felt nothing. As Ariana pulled back the torch they both looked on and observed the scorch mark that was left upon its shiny surface from where the white hot tip of the flame has been applied. They then both observed the mark vanish before their very eyes and the gleaming silver remained unblemished and brand new.

"Wow" Ariana exclaimed and once again she fell completely silent. Pepsy turned and walked to the door of the room, her every step was slow and careful, lost in thought from the events previously. Out in the main lab she then turned and hurried about, scurrying her way around the lab in search of something that Ariana could not understand. She stood at the doorway of the 'amorphous alloys' lab watching the red angel frantically throwing and clearing the debris from the tops of the lab tables, her eyes darting left and right until she paused and picked something up. Turning quickly she made her way back over to Ariana.

"I want you to hit me with this?" Pepsy said as she produced a solid steel mallet from her hand. 

"You want me to hit you with that?" this time it was Ariana with the reluctance to the plans idea.
"Hit you where?" she asked. Pepsy rolled her eyes at her friends’ lack of savvy.

"On the toe silly, WHERE DO YOU THINK?"

-Ends-

Peace & Love 

*MR Shields*

Now Released! - Chronicles of Astoria, Part II Epsilon

Five months after the release of Part I, I can  proudly say that Part II is NOW available on paperback and Kindle from Amazon.

I loved writing part two because there's so much action. Also, so many of the stories that were left unexplained or unanswered will now be brought to light - It's exciting stuff I promise you that. 

The story itself takes place three months after part one and continues each sub-story accordingly. My advice to anyone that has completed part one is to re-read it as it will make part two even clearer. Re-reading part one will definitely be worth your time and will only add to your enjoyment - especially if you love fast moving action. 

On its own this part stands strong. It has action right from the start and the sub-story details the trials that an aspirant must go through to become an Angel, and earn their prestigious armour. It's a case of the classic good versus evil theme; along with various other themes such as ' a hero that falls' and also an enemy that repents.

I cant wait for my copy to arrive. I like to detach myself from the fact that I've spent so many waking moments building on each of the characters personalities, working out the plot twists and really delving into the story. For me receiving the physical books enables me to read the story as if I wasn't the actual author and that in itself is a moment of pure bliss.Even though I've written the story I do feel that the characters take on additional personality traits and evolve into something I never quite imagined they would become. 

You can pick up Part II from Amazon here, do let me know your thoughts, likes and dislikes. 

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *



Blurb - Chronicles of Astoria Part II

It has been three months since Astoria was thrown into chaos by the sinister workings of the dark Lord and the Angels are doing everything that they can to piece it all back together. It is Chances’ hope that the Superfuse World Championship will bring the people closer once more and return happiness to their once beautiful city... but, an even darker plan has already been set in motion

Everywhere he goes Raphael is heckled, hated and generally unwanted. He just cannot understand it. Some Astorians even go as far as assaulting him with produce from their stalls. He finds himself lying to Chance more and more each day, lies that he believes are not going unnoticed and he blames her lack of affection toward him on himself. He has dark secrets that he needs to tell her but with her attention focussed on the Superfuse preparations, he just can’t find the right moment.

Chance finds herself with an inner turmoil. She is pregnant and hasn’t told Raphael yet. She feels him slipping further and further away from her and she begins to analyse just how badly she treats him and blames herself for the unsaid truths that are now constantly passing between them. She needs to tell him about the baby but can’t find the right moment; she vows to tell him after the tournament.

When the tournament gets vandalised and all fingers are pointing at Raphael, the sinister scheme is set in motion. Have both Angels left it too late to confess their truths?

- Ends - 

Hope you enjoyed the blurb, you can now pick up your copy over on Amazon here. 

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *

Release Date for Part II Will Be...

I am so excited to reveal that chronicles of Astoria Part II Epsilon will now be released on the first of June 2013, it will be available to purchase on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle e-book formats. 

It's felt like a long five months since part one's release. I would however describe part two as my 'baby' as the story has really started to heat up, it's all very exciting. 

I made a few changes to the look of this book, I've opted for the more traditional cream paper this time around and also increased the font size. I can confirm that there are five to six plot-lines that flow through this episode and will continue throughout to part six which is still a long way off.

Keep an eye out also for a new short story coming out which is based on the series and will follow the story of Crystal and how she came to be in Astoria. I hope you are all as excited as I am, when I hear that you've enjoyed it and when I'm asked 'what's going to happen next' it really makes everything so worthwhile and for that, I thank you greatly. 

Peace & Love

* M.R Shields *