Ugh, Darklings.
Ugh.
Here we are, approaching the cruelest part of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere.
Oh, how I loathe thee, days of light and heat.
But! There is hope!
The June Solstice!
In 19 days, Darklings, we take back the night from the daystar! (A day of mourning for those Darklings in the Southern Hemisphere as they return the darkness to those of us here in the North; your sacrifice is not in vain. We see you, and acknowledge your woe.) On June 20, my beloved darkness returns in tiny sips each evening as the sun sets incrementally earlier.
I can hardly wait. It’s not September, but it’s a quick breath of Goth night air until that month’s equinox marks the official end of summer. (And we all know how I feel about September.)
To either soften the blow to those below the equator or aid those above it in celebration of its return, I have some shiny things for you all!
Last time I told you I’ve been busy with school and haven’t had time to participate in any sales or promotions, but I’d have some for you soon, and today is the day!
First, we have a great bunch of FREE science fiction titles over on Bookfunnel. This promo is all about space and alien worlds, and there are some excellent options there for your (FREE!) reading pleasure, including my first science fiction novel, The Silverthorn Protocol. Some of them (like mine) are samples, others are complete series. If you’re all about starships or just wondering if anybody’s out there, check this promotion out and see what you discover.
Next I’m participating in another Kobo sale promotion for both science fiction and fantasy, and it’s huge with over 100 titles to choose from, including several free reads. This one also offers The Silverthorn Protocol, and while you don’t have to be a Kobo customer for many of the titles (most offer alternate retailers), some are exclusively available through them. (If you’re not a Kobo member, they have a free trial, and I have to say they have some excellent monthly promotions that are worth the subscription!)
Now this next promotion I’m not participating in, but several of the authors in it are friends or friends of friends, and if you’re over on Bluesky, you really need to check out the Meme War between a couple of them that’s been going on to promote this sale. It’s a collection of 11 supernatural detective stories for $20 from Storybundle, and if that sounds like your jam, head over there and treat yourself to a little spooky mystery or eleven.
If you haven’t heard of Storybundle, it’s an amazing “pay what you can” tiered system. $5 gets you the first four books, while larger amounts get you more, culminating in all eleven books for $20. For those playing along at home, that’s $1.82 per book, with bundle buyers offered the opportunity to donate to World Central Kitchen. Read more about how it works here (scroll down). Buy books AND help those in need of a hot meal! You’ve got to hurry, though, as this bundle is only available for the next 12 days.
That’s all I have for you for now, Darklings. It’s finals week and I am very much looking forward to taking the summer off school. I have several things planned offline (more home improvement and work with my animal rescue organization; kitten season has exploded with a vengeance this year and we are all struggling to keep up–please consider a donation to your local animal shelter to help them cope with the influx if you’ve got any pennies left after buying all these awesome books) along with work on projects I’ve only been able to tinker with in the last six months, such as my quilting.
Summer break. Huh. I guess this horrid time of year has a use after all.
I still hate it.
Until Next Time,
Dina