Cirrus@Austlit

'A choice between life or death...

'Kushlan Silvertongue has been commissioned to write the Tales of the First Comers, Tales of Argenterra.

'This novella is the story of Vorn and the First Comers and their journey from violence and death to the beautiful magical land of Argenterra, the Silverland.

'Mighty warrior, Vorn, leads the survivors to a new land and sets in motion a civilisation that lasts for over one thousand years.

'Discover the origins of the given magic and how the first comers made the oaths that secured that magic forever.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'A sexy, body-switching urban fantasy.

'Annwyn goes to bed dreaming of making love with her dead husband and wakes up in the body of another woman, a woman who is having hot sex with Dane, a powerful sorcerer. Her body has been stolen by Nira, a sorceress, who feeds her magical power through sex - the kinkier the better.

'The curse she laid on Dane turns him into a werewolf every full moon and to complicate matters, Dane's werewolf friend Rolf, succumbs to Nira when she temporarily repossesses her body, causing jealously and confusion. But time is running out for Dane, as he will be a werewolf forever unless he can break the curse.

'Rafael from the Collegium of Sorcerers is the only one Dane trusts to help them, but when a wider conspiracy is revealed, it's up to Annwyn and her developing magical powers to save Dane before it's too late. But can she seduce an unwilling werewolf to lure the sorceress into a final confrontation?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Ms Opeia Gayens, head of AllEarth Corp, has a problem—her company is rotten with Space Pirates. She wants to get rid of them once and for all. An unexpected invitation to dinner challenges her plans to be the bait that will draw the nasty pirates out. It’s been forever since she’s been on a date—just been Opi. Somehow, Owain McDevitt, mild-mannered, potato farmer from the planet Islay 2 is drawn into the intrigue. Yet, no one is who they seem, least of all Owain McDevitt.

'Betrayal after betrayal threatens Opi’s existence and she must discover who the traitor really is before she can find her true path to happiness.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'I do not know how we will live with a decrease in the given. The Puri may want what we have but the fact is what they want may no longer exist…

'Sophy is trapped in Yulandir at the mercy of Rufus and the Ancient Evil as they drain the land’s given from her. Sophy must fight to keep the power inside herself and find a way back to Argenterra. Oakheart’s loyalties are divided: he cannot go after Sophy to rescue her because no one knows how to operate The Crystal Gate and his father calls for aid as the Puri have invaded Silverdale and he must go to war.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'We have some time before the Ancient Evil can reach into Argenterra. We are not the Ungiven Land yet…

'Sophy lies trapped within Rufus’s jewelled prison. Protected by her oathbond to Oakheart Rufus cannot touch her, but her crystal form is draining Argenterra of the given. Oakheart has to leave Sophy behind because he is bound by his promise to return Gillcress to Princess Aria at Valley Keep.

'The weakening of the given has repercussions: oaths are fading and darkness has festered in Prince Dellbright’s heart. Oakheart fears for Aria and Gillcress, but he must return to the Lower Warrens and free Sophy — and before the jewel she is trapped within drains the given completely from the land. Accompanied by an adept and the forest folk, he sets out to rescue her. The order from Crystal Mountain Retreat is, if Sophy cannot be freed, she must be destroyed…'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Every one hundred years a woman comes to Argenterra through the Crystal Tree Woods. This time two women came…

'While on a ghost tour in Castle Crioch, Sophy and her best friend and foster sister, Aria, are sucked into the world of Argenterra, where they encounter a strange Crystal Tree. Two leaves fall from it, one of which Aria catches and the other mysteriously delves into Sophy’s chest.

'Met by Dellbright, the prince of Valley Keep, and Oakheart, the high king’s ambassador, the girls learn they are expected. Aria has beauty and talent with the given, the land’s native magic. She finds a home and a husband in Prince Dellbright and is revered as the legendary Gift of Crystal Tree Woods.

Sophy is out of place as anything made with the given makes her ill.

'Sophy accompanies Oakheart to the capital to find out why the crystal leaf is in her chest. A sinister force is tracking her—trying to snatch her away or kill her. Only Oakheart suspects her importance: she is the talisman that can cause great harm to the world of Argenterra if she falls into the wrong hands.' (Publication summary)

'In a land where oaths can’t be broken be careful what promises you make.

'To break the binding oath is to risk the very magic of Argenterra.

'Vorn and the first comers fleeing death and destruction came to Argenterra through the Crystal Gate. On arrival, they made a binding oath to not kill — and in return the land gave them the given, a native magic. For over a thousand years they have prospered but now the ancient evil seeks Vorn’s descendants and reaches a hand into the land.

'Oaths are bound with the given and every promise must be kept or the land’s magic will compel completion of the oath or prevent its breaking. Only a murder can sunder the binding oath, which would make the given fade. In his later years, Vorn prophesied that a time would come when the land would be ungiven. That time is near.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Welcome to Sydney where the undead and paranormal creatures live side by side with humans. Here Johnny Phillips ekes out an existence as a detective. Watch out for those werewolves, zombies, sorcerers and vampires.'

The Johnny Werewolf stories 'have appeared in various anthologies. Now they're all together in one publication, including three new unpublished instalments.'

Source: ACT Writers' Centre E-News, 9 December 2008.
Sighted: 15/12/2008

'Kered and his army arrive in Tanaria to battle the Sarod leader and his demon hordes. But the Sarods are not Kered's only problem - his allies may be as dangerous to him as his enemies, and he must convince the spirit of the Taran diamond that he is worthy to be king. A gripping and dramatic conclusion to Kered's epic struggle.' (Publication summary)