3 Poems I’d Like to Share

Posted on September 12, 2020 by jordan

The first poem I’d like to share is in honor of the 9/11/2001 victims and their loved ones. It is a nonet poem: 9 lines with first line having 9 syllables, then 8 syllables, on down to 1 syllable.

photo. REUTERS/Sean Adair

Remembering

Nineteen years ago—I will not forget

Too many lives lost, needlessly

What happened to our resolve?

Voices shout—more conflict!

Freedom isn’t free

Allow ideas

Listen more

Hold dear

All

____________________________________________________________

The next two poems are from my proud American soul. And while I write novels set in places other than America, I am very proud and thankful to be an American.

____________________________________________________________

Freedom

Our forefathers in their infinite wisdom

Not just because of tea taxes and boredom

Or an act thought of as random

Conscripted our Constitution for our freedom

____________________________________________________________

Liberty

The opposite of captivity

Not just for the nobility

Think of the possibility

Honor your responsibility

Put an end to the hostility

Not only for posterity

But to live with civility

After all, our troops fight for our liberty!

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The Keepers of Alba Published on September 1, 2020

Posted on September 2, 2020 by jordan

Dragons Flame Dragons!

Devan Fraser, the only rider with the magical ability of hearing and bespeaking all dragons, is unwillingly thrust into the middle of a deadly conflict, decades in the making. Separated from her beloved, Christian Riley, she finds herself in a desperate race against time. Can she decipher the obscure meanings outlined in an ancient prophecy and escape a crazed madman before feuding clans destroy Scotland? Or is it already too late? Is the magic that sustains all dragonkind destined for extinction?

The Keepers of Alba (Celtic Dragonriders Book 2) is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and bookstores everywhere.

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Devan Fraser is Interviewed

Posted on August 4, 2020 by jordan

Last week, a writer friend of mine, George Cramer, interviewed one of my protagonists, Devan Fraser, for his blog/website. Devan had a wonderful time answering questions. Check out the interview at https://gdcramer.com/2020/07/31/guest-post-jordan-bernal-writer-of-adventurous-fantasy/ 

There’s even a sneak peek at my newest novel, The Keepers of Alba (Celtic Dragonriders Book 2), cover. Okay, I’m post the cover here as well.  The  Keepers  of  Alba  will  be  released  on  September  1,  2020.  You  can  pre-order  now  at: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+keepers+of+alba&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 

While on George’s website, be sure to check out George’s debut historical novel, The Mona Lisa Sisters, set for publication on August 14, 2020.

 

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Indie Author Day 2018

Posted on October 18, 2018 by jordan

On Saturday, October 13, 2018, independent authors everywhere celebrated. That’s right, there’s a day set aside to celebrate indie authors. This year, I spent a few hours with one of the most celebrated indie authors, Andy Weir (author of The Martian and Artemis), and 16 other indie authors at the Livermore Library. After Andy spoke to an audience for an hour about his journey as an indie author and how he comes up with his stories, he autographed copies of his books, then talked with each of the other authors.

 

 

I talked with readers stopping by and manned my booth.

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Author Showcase at Dublin, CA Library

Posted on June 13, 2018 by jordan

 On Saturday, June 9, 2018, the Dublin Library (that’s Dublin, California) hosted a local author showcase for fifteen authors. Tri-Valley Writers co-sponsored the event where authors displayed their books, talked to the public, and sold books. There was a wide variety of genres represented, as well as multicultural and multigenerational authors. I met some eager readers and wonderful authors.

Here I am behind my table where I have my fantasy novels (The Keepers of Éire, The Keepers of Éire-YA Edition, and Reluctant Paladin) and, of course, several of my dragons from my collection.

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In Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 14, 2018 by jordan

shamrock-149821__340Want to celebrate “being Irish”, even if you’re only Irish for one day? Would you like to get a taste of Éire, but can’t afford the travel expenses? Immerse yourself in this mystical, magical land as you journey with Christian and Devan in The Keepers of Éire as they discover their destinies, the truth of dragons, and the depths of honor and loyalty to which people will go to protect the ones they love. The Keepers of Éire

As I did last year, I’ll once again offer a St. Patrick’s Day (weekend, actually) special on the ebook editions of my fantasy novels, The Keepers of Éire, The Keepers of Éire-YA Edition, and Reluctant Paladin. Readers will be transported to the lush, rolling hills, spectacular stone circles, and bustling cities of Ireland. Oh, and don’t forget—dragons!

Newly released for readers ages 8 +, Reluctant Paladin takes place during the same timeframe as The Keepers of Éire, along with some of the main characters. Yet this is a stand-alone, unique story.

All ten-year-old Niall wants is to stay out of trouble at his new school, but the school bully has other ideas. Now Niall must protect a centuries-old secret—dragons really do exist!

The St. Patrick’s Day ebook sale will begin Thursday (March 15, 2018). Hurry to get your copy here. And as an independent author, I’d really appreciate your reviews/feedback on Amazon and Goodreads.

Enjoy the read. Let your imagination take flight! Sláinte!

 

 

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Reluctant Paladin is Published

Posted on October 4, 2017 by jordan

Reluctant Paladin Published on October 3, 2017

All Niall wants is to stay out of trouble at his new school, but Thorin, the school bully, has other ideas. Niall’s grandfather recruits him to help care for Grayson, a tortured dragonet. Niall bonds with Grayson and swears his allegiance to the Tuatha dragon clan. When the bully discovers Niall’s secret dragon scale pendant, he confronts the bully in order to protect a centuries old secret—dragons really do exist!

“Compelling characters in an imaginative setting with lots of excitement and adventure. I loved every page!”—Penny Warner, author of THE CODE BUSTERS CLUB series.

Now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and bookstores everywhere.

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Sneak Peek of Reluctant Paladin Cover

Posted on September 17, 2017 by jordan

Here is a sneak peek of the front cover of my middle-grade spinoff novel, Reluctant Paladin. I am in the final round of proofreading, then plan to publish by October 1.

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Reluctant Paladin is nearing publication

Posted on August 23, 2017 by jordan
One final pass of editing on my middle-grade novel, Reluctant Paladin while awaiting cover art. This novel is a spin-off from my first fantasy novel, The Keepers of Éire. Reluctant Paladin is a coming of age story that blends modern-day fantasy/adventure with the emotional upheaval of dealing with bullies. Here is my back cover blurb, as of now:
 
All Niall wants is to stay out of trouble at his new school, but Thorin, the school bully, has other ideas. When Niall comes home sporting bruises and asking for money, his grandfather’s suspicions grow, but Niall won’t open up about his troubles. To gain Niall’s trust, his grandfather recruits him to help care for Grayson, a newborn, wingless dragonet—himself a victim of cruelty and prejudice. Niall bonds with the dragonet and swears his allegiance to the Tuatha Dragon Clan. Now he must keep the dragon clan a secret.
 
Thorin struggles to care for his six younger siblings while dealing with the death of his mother and the fallout brought on by his father’s grief. Too young to shoulder the burden, he grows more desperate as his father’s destructive behavior puts the family in jeopardy.
 
Niall endures the taunts and physical harassment until Thorin discovers Niall’s unique pendant. Then he is forced to do what is right: stand up to his fears and confront the bully in order to protect a centuries old secret—dragons really do exist!
 
What do you think? Does this make you want to read the book?
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Beltaine 2017

Posted on May 1, 2017 by jordan

The Celtic Festival of Beltaine which marks the beginning of summer in the ancient Celtic calendar is a Cross Quarter Day, half way between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. While the Beltaine Festival is now associated with May 1st, the actual astronomical date is a number of days later. The festival was marked with the lighting of bonfires and the movement of animals to summer pastures.

In Irish mythology, the beginning of the summer season started with the Fire Festival at Beltaine. Great bonfires would mark a time of purification and transition, heralding in the season in the hope of a good harvest later in the year, and were accompanied with rituals to protect the people from any harm by otherworldly spirits.

In my novel, The Keepers of Éire, the Tuatha dragon clan members renew their sworn oath to protect the land and its inhabitants, and rejuvenate the dragons’ magic by reciting the clan motto: Ni neart go cur le cheile (There is no strength without unity) and flying over the ley lines at the Beltaine Fire Festival on the Hill of Tara. Also, my two protagonists, Christian and Devan, officially pair up with their dragons (Roarke and Dochas, respectively) in a Chosen Ceremony, and end with both humans in great peril. To find out how the story ends, check out The Keepers of Éire.

May you enjoy Beltaine with this image from www.irelandcalling.ie

4_30_Beltane_Bonfire2-_600-PD-Image-copyright-Ireland-Calling

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