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Heroika:Skirmishers by @libraryoferana et. al. is a Shake Off Winter Doldrums Festival Pick #fantasy

N. N. Light
Mar 28, 20205 min read


Title: Heroika: Skirmishers

Story Titles and Authors:


HABIRU by Michael H. Hanson


A HANDFUL OF SALT by Sean Poage


THE NAKED DAEMON by S.E. Lindberg


SOULS OF A LION by Tom Barczak


NITHING by Travis Ludvigson


IN THE SEASON OF RUST by Charles Gramlich


BLACK QUILL by Cas Peace


OLD GOLD by A.L. Butcher


A LION IN KAMERUN By Ken Kiser


THE PATROL by William Hiles


LA PORTE EN ARRIERE by Beth W. Patterson


DURENDAL by Bruce Durham

Genre: Historical Fantasy/Dark Fantasy

Book Blurb:


Conflict is a constant. When force on force is inevitable only the intrepid need come forth. Summon the Skirmishers to their eternal purpose, to face a foe who must be opposed at all cost. Gird yourself and join the brotherhood of 'do or die.' HEROIKA: SKIRMISHERS is an anthology of desperate struggles in far flung time-scapes, the age-old smell of battle and death. SKIRMISHERS --Tales for the bold among you!

Excerpts:


From Old Gold – A.L. Butcher


Magic fought magic and god fought god in the tomb of a god once mortal. Mortal fought mortal in the tomb of a god once man. Blood spilt, crimson, dripping, flowing, cleansing. The tomb began to hum, rising with a cacophony of song. Deafening came the sound, forcing Mordicae, Tebat and Freetha to their knees once more. Jacob and Moira danced their deadly dance of battle; a duet which would end in but one winner, and possibly not even that.


Moira staggered back, her flesh burned and seared; the Fire of Arun coating blade and body. Almost naked save the tattered cloak, her blistered and blackened skin filled the tomb with an awful stench, even more pervasive than the stink of death. Yet still she fought, or something did. Jacob slid on his own blood, tendrils of magic flaying him like a whip. His skin hung in shreds and pain racked his body. Yet still he fought, or something did.

From The Patrol – William Hiles


From a distance, only the muted roar of freezing wind, then closer, fluttering canvas and the ragged stutter of a damaged motor. Consciousness seeped slowly to the surface from a deep and somehow comforting oblivion, as the world re-emerged into a scarlet-tinged light. Awareness enlarged, fumbling for comprehension, becoming more focused with every beat of my heart.


Then panic.


I snapped alert and searing pain engulfed my left side. My arm was useless, dangled, cradled in a blood-filled lap. I slid forward and wedged the stick between my knees. I unwrapped my scarf, balled it tight, and shoved it into the wound. I gritted my teeth as the world greyed around the edges. I leaned my head back, breath snatched away in the rush of cold air. Scanning the sky, the horizon, my fear turned to relief; thank God, flying level.


Panic intruded again: An empty darkened sky. I was alone. The flight’s only survivor

Buy Links:





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Twelve tales of courage, last hopes, last chances and the grit of humanity. Who doesn’t want to read stories of heroes and daring deeds?

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Author Biographies:


A.L. Butcher


Alex is the author of the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles and the Tales of Erana lyrical fantasy series. She also has several short stories in the fantasy, fantasy romance genres with occasional forays into gothic style horror, including the Legacy of the Mask series. With a background in politics, classical studies, ancient history and myth, her affinities bring an eclectic and unique flavour in her work, mixing reality and dream in alchemical proportions that bring her characters and worlds to life.


Her short novella Outside the Walls, co-written with Diana L. Wicker received a Chill with a Book Reader’s Award in 2017 and The Kitchen Imps won best fantasy for 2018 on NN Light Book Heaven.

Alex is also proud to be a writer for Perseid Press where her work features in Heroika: Dragon Eaters; and Lovers in Hell – part of the acclaimed Heroes in Hell series. http://www.theperseidpress.com/

Charles Gramlich

is the author of numerous books in a variety of genres, from fantasy, to SF, to horror, to westerns. He's written under his own name and several others. You can follow his exploits as Charles Gramlich on Facebook. charlesgramlich.blogspot.com


Travis Ludvigson

is an author of urban, historic and supernatural fiction. He served with honor in U.S. Air Force Intelligence, tested his fighting prowess in a Muay Thai championship in Asia and is fiercely proud of his Norse heritage. He loves reading, spending time with his feisty wife and brilliant son, and playing with their giant mastiff and tough little bulldog. http://norseman73.wix.com/land-of-the-norseman

Beth Patterson

Michael H Hanson

created the ongoing SHA'DAA shared-world anthology, all published by Moondream Press (an imprint of Copper Dog Publishing).


Michael's short story "C.H.A.D." appeared in the Eric S. Brown edited anthology "C.H.U.D. LIVES!", and his short story "Rock and Road" appeared in the Roger Zelazny tribute anthology "SHADOWS AND REFLECTIONS.” His short story "Born Of Dark Waters” appeared in the "THE BEAUTY OF DEATH 2: DEATH BY WATER" anthology.


Michael also has stories in Janet Morris's Heroes in Hell (HIH) anthology volumes, "LAWYERS IN HELL," "ROGUES IN HELL," "DREAMERS IN HELL," "POETS IN HELL," "DOCTORS IN HELL," "PIRATES IN HELL,” and “LOVERS IN HELL.” He has had over 100 short stories published in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and has had Four (soon to be five) collections of his poetry published on Amazon. https://www.facebook.com/michael.h.hanson.3

Seth Lindberg

https://www.selindberg.com/ S.E. Lindberg resides near Cincinnati, Ohio working as a microscopist, employing scientific and artistic skills to understand the manufacturing of products analogous to medieval paints. Over two decades of practicing chemistry, combined with a passion for the Sword & Sorcery genre, spurs him to write graphic adventure fictionalizing the alchemical humors (primarily under the banner “Dyscrasia Fiction”). With Perseid Press, he writes weird tales infused with history and alchemy (Heroika: Dragon Eaters, Heroika II: Skirmishers, Pirates in Hell, Lovers in Hell). S.E. Lindberg is a Managing Editor at BlackGate.com, reviewer of authors on the topic: Beauty in Weird Fiction, and co-moderates a Goodreads group focused on Sword & Sorcery.

Cas Peace Author website/blog: http://www.caspeace.com http://www.peacewrites.blogspot.co.uk

Twitter: @CasPeace1

Bruce Durham

lives in Mississauga, Ontario. He has appeared in Paradox: The Magazine of Historical & Speculative Fiction, Lovecraft eZine, Flashing Swords, Return of the Sword, Rage of the Behemoth, Sha’Daa: Last call, Lawyers in Hell, Rogues in Hell, Poets in Hell and Heroika: Dragon Eaters, among others.

Sean Poage

has had an exciting and varied life as a laborer, soldier, police officer, investigator, computer geek and author. Travelling the world to see history up close, and writing are his passions. He talks about history, writing and travel on his blog at https://seanpoage.com

Tom Barczak

is an artist, turned architect, turned author. His work includes the epic fantasy novels, Veil of the Dragon, and Mouth of the Dragon, the Kindle serial, Awakening Evarun, along with work in multiple anthologies, including the award-winning Heroes on Hell series by Janet and Chris Morris. http://www.tombarczak.com/

Social Media Links for A.L. Butcher

Amazon Author Page http://amzn.to/2hK33OM

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