Here are some photos of my recent releases, the prelude and the main book, as hardbacks. It’s too late to buy them now because … I’m kidding, it’s not too late.
Note: the hardbacks themselves are only available on Amazon in the links above.
Author: Alex James
Rogues in the House by Robert E Howard
Rogues in the House starts with a threat Nabonidus, the red priest and ruler of the city, makes to the young aristorcrat Murilo, which hints that Murilo should take voluntary exile.
Murilo suspects the red priest of having too much power and wishes to get rid of Nabonidus to save his own skin. Conan, the Cimmerian barbarian, agrees to help Murilo to kill Nabonidus in return for being set free after being imprisoned. But Murilo has another reason to take care of Nabonidus quickly: he fears the red priest has learned of his agreement with Conan through the guards.
If Murilo and Conan unite, they may discover Nabonidus has problems of his own, with a pre-evolved human.
Read my Conan reviews:
Black Colossus by Robert E Howard
This Conan story was about a resurrected sorcerer called Natohk, who has rallied much of the South-Eastern tribes in preparation for conquest. He enslaves a young Princess who he lusts for. However the Princess has replaced her Stygian faith for that of the Northern God Mitra. Mitra advises her to seek the help of the first warrior she meets in the streets. Unsurprisingly, she meets Conan!
In Black Colossus Conan has to take more responsibility by commanding an army. His level-headedness and stubborn logic are much needed in the impressive battle at the end of the story. There are very well described scenes of the battlefield’s features, as well as its progress.
I thought the conclusion was swift and decisive, even though it had familiar themes to many of Robert E Howard’s stories.
Read my Conan reviews:
The Tower of the Elephant by Robert E Howard
This Conan story focused on thievery. Conan hears about a gem called the Heart of the Elephant, and courageously seeks to procure it. However, he is not the only one; there is a skilled thief who has planned meticulously to seize the gem. Because of Conan’s relative ignorance, he soon has to take a cautious approach to tackling the Tower of the Elephant. It will not be easy, for vicious unearthly beasts guard the Tower, and nobody has yet succeeded.
This story was very exciting and concise. Robert E Howard’s flair for descriptive style is, in my opinion, unmatched. I like that, although there was a sorcerer in this story, Conan has to use a different approach to defeating him. The Tower of the Elephant was dark, surreal, and vividly magical. I will be reading his next story very soon!
Read my Conan reviews:
The Scarlet Citadel by Robert E Howard
This was another great Conan story, more complex than The Phoenix on the Sword. There is a battle described, and the consequences of treachery are explained more. There were more sorcery elements involved than with The Phoenix on the Sword.
The prose was fantastic as well. Some of the writing makes very good writing look stale: ‘As a thunderbolt strikes, Conan struck, hurtling through the ranks by sheer power and velocity’.
I must say, despite my observation that Conan stories tend to follow a predictable formula, they are getting better and are some of my most favourite sword-and-sorcery tales.
Read my Conan reviews:
The Phoenix on the Sword by Robert E Howard
This was actually one of the original short stories by Robert E Howard — creator of Conan. I’ve been meaning to read more of his stories for a while. I remember having read Conan: The Conqueror, which was a very good read as well.
The story starts off with Conan as King Conan of Aquilonia, a civilized and mighty Kingdom in Robert E Howard’s world. It may appear odd to readers new to Conan stories that he is a King. His barbaric ways tend to run counter to the ways of a typical ruler in Aquilonia. In my mind Conan was ever the barbarian, and the muscle-packed warrior. However, the story develops quite well by introducing conspirators who threaten Conan’s rule for power and greed, and there is a bit of sorcery introduced.
Some of the sorcery seems a bit farfetched, but it is also done with a pinch of surprise and mysticism that is very pleasurable to read.
I hope to read another Robert E Howard story immediately.
Read my Conan reviews:
New Testimonial
‘I engaged Alex to provide a developmental editing assessment of my first novel. He provided a very thoughtful and detailed analysis. He has a very professional and meticulous approach to his work, and he produced the report ahead of schedule! I would highly recommend Alex for any editing project.
‘I was extremely happy with Alex’s work – his work ethic and astute observations and suggestions.
‘I would most definitely engage Alex’s services in the future.
‘I cannot think of anything on which you could improve. I suspect that as time goes by, you’ll have more experience on which to draw.
‘Very professional and dependable. Very personable, down-to-earth and highly intelligent.’
Wayne Willbur
All my testimonials!
May 21st 2023 Newsletter
You’re due an extra newsletter this month, on May 21st, which I believe is next Sunday, with an extra promotional offer where you can take advantage of space adventure and swords and sorcery books.
May 13th 2023 Newsletter
Just a gentle reminder that your next newsletter is coming into your inboxes on this Saturday, May 13th. It will cover some of the interesting reads I was introduced to at last year’s Bradford Literature Festival that since stayed with me, and it will include an epic sci-fi and fantasy promo.
Newsletter sign-up
Updates to my Blurbs
Good morning. I hope you’re enjoying April.
There have been some updates to my blurbs. Getting them the right length is important, so that they’re not too long with boring, inessential information and yet not so short that they’re missing logic that ties all the lines together. I’ve tried to add doubt into my blurb ingredients in the hope it generates interest.
Please do let me know if any further tweaks are needed or if better words can be used.
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On a world of fortresses, gone is the age of barbarians when Aerol, their warlord, built his fighting force into warriors powerful enough to defeat any enemy standing before them.
Long-dead enemies haunt Aerol’s mind – enemies that should have been vanquished. He must show them no fear, even if it means sacrificing himself. But when the kind and beautiful Hermena needs Aerol to save an order of scholars from death he’s soon conflicted about his plan.
~ A Tale of Sword & Sorcery, Mana-wielding Heroes and Demons ~
Book page for this blurb
2. On a world of fortresses, gone is the age of barbarians when Aerol, their warlord, built his fighting force into warriors powerful enough to defeat any enemy standing before them.
Now, with Aerol’s old friend bewitched, rumours of a dread sorcerer abound with the fantastical. Aerol refuses to believe the rumours – he cannot allow himself to, for the integrity of the fortress, but when assassination rears its ugly head he needs a plan.
The Fortress holds the key to Aerol’s salvation, if only he can find a way in.
~ A Tale of Sword & Sorcery, Mana-wielding Heroes and Demons ~