Lou Paduano | Urban Fantasy Novels | Sci-Fi Crime Series

Tales From Portents Goodreads Giveaway

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The Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win one of five signed copies of Tales from Portents is on RIGHT NOW!!!

Goodreads giveaway time!

goodreads giveawayTales from Portents, from top to bottom, is a work I am extremely proud of. Coming from me and my dismal view of my writing that is saying something, trust me. Every writer feels the same way, I’m sure. Some are better at expressing it (if not most). We stress over the work, tearing it down (and ourselves in the process) and then build it back up to a point where we can shunt it out into the world and hope for the best.

Not with Tales. I loved putting it together and I want as many people to enjoy it as I have.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Tales from Portents by Lou Paduano

Tales from Portents

by Lou Paduano

Giveaway ends April 20, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

How can you help?

First and foremost, please share this post and the link to the Goodreads giveaway.

Spreading the word is a great first step in bringing in as many people as possible for what I hope is a fun reading experience. (Maybe not fun but terrifying sends the wrong message, doesn’t it?)

If you haven’t already, please leave a review for Tales from Portents. Rate it on Goodreads. Review it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo or anywhere you can. Every review helps potential readers find their next favorite book. I’ve included links below:

               

To find out more about free content, including the a free copy of Resurrectionists, the lead story in Tales from Portents be sure to sign up for my newsletter.

Resurrectionists

Enter the Goodreads giveaway today!

Enter the Goodreads giveaway for your chance at a signed copy of Tales from Portents today. Giveaway ends April 20th, 2017.

Thanks for reading.

Writing Update – February 23, 2017

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It has been a crazy week here in the basement. Lots of things going on so let’s get this writing update started!

Writing

You might not know this but:

Tales from Portents is on sale now at the following:

               

Grab your copy today!

writing updateI keep hoping to enjoy the moment a little more but I’ve been in full edit mode with The Medusa Coin. Where Tales from Portents was a dream project from start to finish, the next installment in the Greystone series has had more than a few challenges.

It has been a long time since I tackled a manuscript of this length so the learning curve has been steep in cleaning it up, shredding extraneous plotlines, and following through on the major arcs of every character. This novel also has the unfortunate distinction of being the midpoint of the first cycle of the series, giving it the responsibility of not only carrying the seeds from Signs of Portents but also propelling our characters to the eventual conclusion of this initial journey in next year’s installments.

Lots to keep in mind when working through the book, which I am hoping to button up next week to pass off to some first readers! September might seem a long way off but it will be here quicker than you think.

Pathways in the Dark

The fourth book in the series is progressing nicely. All seven stories in the collection due out next February are outlined and scripted. It will be a nice change of pace to put together some smaller stories after the behemoth of The Medusa Coin. I’m hoping to start the drafting phase next month!

Reading

I had planned to discuss a number of the books I’ve been digging lately but alas, The Medusa Coin has owned my life from top to bottom. Next time.

Thanks for reading.

Tales from Portents – Available Now!

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It’s been a long road since April 2016 but the day has finally arrived. Tales from Portents is on sale NOW!

Witness the prequel to Signs of Portents that also serves as a bridge to future installments of the series. Learn the backstory of your favorite characters in the series and the history shared.

Tales from Portents is on sale now at the following:

               

Reflecting on the project:

Most of my work has its ups and downs over the course of outlining, scripting, drafting and editing. Lots of trials and so many errors along the way.

on sale now

Tales was a dream come true right from the start. I’ve been reticent about delving into shorter fiction, preferring the wide scope of a full-length novel. It was that hesitation that made me want to put this collection together. To force myself into a strict format and find a way to make each story shine among the others.

I am incredibly proud of Tales from Portents and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed finding new ways to scare the crap out of myself.

One step closer…

There is a dark light hiding in the city of Portents. And a circle is slowly closing on our heroes. Tales from Portents is a test for Loren and Soriya, but their trials have barely begun.

Be good. Or the Greystone will find you…

Tales from Portents Sneak Peek Preview

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Tales from Portents hits shelves NEXT WEEK! To drum up even more excitement about the upcoming release (and add a few more pre-orders in the process) I figured why not delve into the contents of the collection with a sneak peek preview:

From the back cover:

sneak peek previewSix tales of monsters, the dead rising, and the terrors of Portents.

The beasts Detective Loren and Soriya Greystone battled in Lou Paduano’s debut book Signs of Portents were just a hint of what lurks in the city. Tales from Portents explores the city’s immersive history, including stories of Loren’s descent after his wife’s death—and his opportunity to have her rise from the grave. Among the pages, Soriya battles gremlins, navigates lessons with Mentor, and meets the werewolf Luchik. Follow new characters with expansive histories as they come face to face with the horrors of Portents—both human and otherwise.

From the Greystone Collection, Tales from Portents navigates the cases that make even Detective Loren lie awake at night.

Six tales. Six threats to Portents.

Tales from Portents focuses on the past of the city and the characters introduced in Signs of Portents. I thought it was important for more backstory on the events prior to Signs that would not only offer more depth to the players in the drama but also give clues both thematically and plot-wise for where the series is heading for the rest of the first cycle.

Resurrectionists

You’ve probably already read this one. If not, snag your copy today! It’s FREE. Resurrectionists is the linchpin for the collection, showcasing the fall of Loren. It answers the question of why Loren left the city and gives insight into the incident mentioned several times in Signs involving Detective Standish.

Lots of thematic nods that are picked up in The Medusa Coin as well.

The Great Divide

A spotlight on Captain Alejo Ruiz. As the story for Signs came into focus I realized the importance of Ruiz and his role in The Medusa Coin is crucial. Spotlighting him here ended up working perfectly to shore up his history in Portents and lay the groundwork for his arc in this fall’s release.

A kid is dead. Seemingly dropped from a great height and surrounding by hundreds of black feathers. Ruiz is called to the scene by Detective Julian Harvey to investigate the bizarre circumstance as he learns the truth about the city he has called home his entire life.

Gremlins

A tale from the start of Soriya and Loren’s partnership, before either one considered the term. It was a ton of fun coming up with the lore in this one as well as playing off the beginning of the Soriya/Loren dynamic. A nice counterpoint from where they are in Signs. And a precursor to some changes coming down the line.

Soriya has been arrested and Loren is forced to bail her out only to learn the threat is already in the precinct. As is the potential victim he is now forced to protect from… gremlins.

View from Above

A Vlad story. I felt bad killing the poor guy off in the first chapter of Signs. (SPOILERS.) His character offered a unique glimpse of Soriya and her role in the city so that is where this story starts.

Thefts plaguing the coves north of the city bring Soriya on the hunt for a wild creature. Is Vlad the thief or is something more going on in the background?

Eyes in the Storm

A Loren solo tale. When Signs opens Loren has just returned from Chicago. I thought it was important to spotlight his time in the Windy City and the struggles of adjusting to a big move like that. The connection to Portents came naturally from there.

A murder brings Loren into the middle of an antiquities theft, the artifacts stolen somehow connected with the unending rains plaguing Chicago. Loren, torn between his new life with his family and his place back in Portents, must face a centuries old god before the world drowns.

The Consultant

First one written. Last one included. My favorite piece from the collection. And so important to what comes next. A Soriya solo tale that runs concurrently with Eyes in the Storm. There is even a subtle connection in the background for observant readers to catch.

A vicious killer is on the loose and Soriya finds someone new to help with the case. But is this new consultant all he seems or is he hiding a dangerous secret?

Excited? Thrilled? Can’t wait for the new collection? Don’t! Pre-Order Your Copy Today!

Tales from Portents is on sale February 17th!

Writing Update – February 2, 2017

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February already?!! Not cool, Calendar Man. Not cool. Here is your writing update on this lovely Groundhog Day:

Writing Update:

writing updateTales from Portents is on sale in TWO WEEKS! But I’m sure you already knew that. Interested in an advance reader copy of the book? Let me know.

The Medusa Coin – THE EDITING CONTINUES. It’s been a slow process. Every time I tackle a new project I have to relearn my own system. This week I’ve been researching like crazy to shore up the story. A couple key moments needed to be reconfigured and a new element or two inserted to really drive some of the character arcs home.

It’s coming together though and my plan is to hunker down the entire month and put the final touches on this one.

Pathways in the Dark – All that research has had an unintended bonus (and another reason The Medusa Coin is going a little slower than usual for me). Researching one project helped me figure out the key components to Pathways, allowing me to finish up the outline for the collection coming next February.

Another set of six tales, these take place immediately after the events of The Medusa Coin. I’m very happy with how the project is coming together and can’t wait to script the outlines this month. Lots of hints at what is ahead in the series and some old friends from Tales get their moment to shine in this collection.

Reading

Lots of time spent researching lately but I did make the time for two new releases from DC’s Rebirth titles:

Flash: Lightning Strikes Twice – Joshua Williamson takes on Barry Allen and gives him a nice well-rounded cast to play off in the series. There is quite a bit going on in this book but that is how it should be for the Flash. Frenetic pacing and equally exciting layouts made this story a page turner for sure. Carmine Di Giandomenico has a great style for the book and is able to maintain the twice-monthly schedule nicely.

I was a little letdown by the villain’s reveal though it was understandable and acted as the perfect counterpoint to Barry Allen’s role as the Flash.

I only ask that DC reconsider the insane lightning coming off the Flash on every page. It is distracting as hell and if I was standing by him at a crime scene I would be completely freaked out.

Justice League: The Extinction Machines – I wasn’t sure about this one. For me, nothing beats Grant Morrison’s run on JLA in the 90’s. (Oy. I’m old.) Geoff Johns did a great job as well, but let’s face facts. The man ALWAYS does a great job. It’s a sickness with him.

Bryan Hitch and Tony Daniel offer up a strong first arc with the new Justice League. They play up the tension between Batman and the “new” Superman well. I enjoyed the banter between the Green Lanterns and the Flash. Aquaman’s role was a little out in left field and should have at least connected slightly with the others but it came together in the end.

A great opening tale with lots of bombastic action and widescreen visuals. Can’t wait to see how they build on it.

That’s it for this writing update. Fingers crossed that Spring comes early!

Thanks for reading.

Tales from Portents Advance Copies Available!

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I’ve gone back and forth on this subject for a couple weeks now. Advance Reader Copies or ARCs have always been an integral part in getting the word out about a new release. Offering them early and allowing your tribe of readers a chance to enjoy the novel before the actual release date helps spread the word about its upcoming release and, the biggest benefit, is the influx of reviews right on release day.

At least, that was how it used to be.

Reviewers would leave a note explaining they received the book in exchange for their honest review and it was acceptable.

Advance reader copy rules have changed.

advance reader copyAll thanks to Amazon. Asking for reviews is no longer acceptable practice in their eyes. That note above is enough to get a completely legitimate review bounced from the sales page on Amazon.

And a massive influx of positive reviews for a book (or any product) is another red flag to the biggest book retailer on the planet.

Can I still give away copies of Tales from Portents? Yes, of course. It’s my book. That makes me sorta in charge of it.

Can I ask for an honest review from a reader in exchange for a free book? No. But I can hope that if you request an advance copy that it is with the intention of reviewing it so that others can find Tales and enjoy it as well.

 

Sign up for an advance reader copy today:

Even with all the headaches from Amazon I want to make this happen. Here’s how you can request your advance copy of Tales from Portents:

Contact me DIRECTLY. Either through my contact form or through a private message on social media.

In the message tell me your preferred format. (MOBI for Kindle, EPUB for Nook and iBooks, or PDF.) If print is your only option a paperback edition can be sent your way but it will be on a first come, first served basis. I only have a few copies I can mail out at this time.

After receiving your advance reader copy?

Read it. I ask that if you request one that you are able to read it in the month of February.

If you enjoyed it and would like to leave a review (YOUR CHOICE) on Amazon, Goodreads or the other major retailer sites let me know FIRST. Again, this is more to avoid incurring the wrath of Amazon’s willy-nilly policy changes than me being a complete control freak. Honest.

Tales from Portents has been a treat to put together and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. For those unable to take advantage of an advance copy don’t forget to mark your calendars for the official release. February 17th is coming up FAST.

Your help and your feedback is appreciated beyond belief.

Thanks for reading.

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