After a year of writing, rewriting, rewriting again, and editing until my eyeballs shriveled, Soul Swallowers is out and about on Kindle and in print. I’m doing a Happy Dance.
Soul Swallowers
When swallowed, some souls gift insights, wisdom, a path to understanding. Others unleash power, proficiency with a sword, and indifference to death. One soul assimilates with ease. But swallow a host of the dead and risk a descent into madness.
Estranged from his family over the murder of his wife, young Raze Anvrell wields his fists to vent his rage. Then a chance at a new life beckons, and he retreats to the foothills of the Ravenwood, the haunt of unbound ghosts. He and his mentor build a freehold, a life of physical labor and the satisfaction of realizing a dream. They raise horses and whittle by the fire until the old man dies, and Raze swallows his first soul.
When his brother reaches out, open wounds begin to scar. But the tenuous peace won’t last. While those who rule the Vales yield to the lure of their ambitions, slavers of Ezar roam the countryside, hunting for human chattel. While one man manipulates the law, another heeds the souls of violence howling in his head.
Raze too listens to his soul’s whispers, and as danger intrudes on his quiet life, he has no choice but to return to his father’s world and join the fight.
***
In this completed series, epic fantasy blends with the wisdom of old souls to create a unique coming of age story of courage and honor in the midst of evil. Slavery is pitted against freedom, anger against forgiveness, and a desire to live peacefully against the necessity to take up the sword.
It’s a story of bitter estrangement and broken hearts, of deception and unfettered ambition. For Raze Anvrell it’s a journey of violence, redemption, and his soul’s growth as he transforms from a reckless youth into a man with a rich legacy of souls.
Thank you, my bloggy friends!
The seeds of this story started a decade ago, and with the first ten chapters written, the tale languished. In 2017, a writing prompt (from Sue Vincent) reawakened Raze, and he walked back into my life. My state of “unknowing” about the nature of the soul, and my belief in its immense beauty and potential, fed the fantastical magic of soul swallowing, and the tale began to unfold.
Many thanks for my wonderful bloggy friends who endure my discussions of the art and craft of writing and encourage my creativity. Special thanks to my beta readers Cathleen Townsend and Erik Tyler whose careful reads of the story added all the spit and polish to my prose. The book shines because of you.
I’m grateful to every reader who picks up a book and is carried away by my stories. I hope you enjoy. ❤
Gif credit: Reaction Gifs – Seinfeld Happy Dance
Myths of the Mirror 
Congrats, congrats and congrats!!! Woohoo!!! What an accomplishment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha. This comment brought me my first laugh of the day. It’s always a thrill, no matter how many books I publish. 🙂 Thank you for helping me celebrate. Happy Writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just so happy for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah how wonderful it is to return to WP and find a new book here! So happy! Off to Amazon! xxxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Inese. Yes, a new book! 🙂 It’s lovely to see you here, and I did miss your beautiful words and photography. I hope you’re well and that your absence has been in the pursuit of beauty and adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Diana. Got the #1 book, all immersed in reading 🙂 Pre-ordered the second book, delighted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww. Thank you, Inese. ❤ You are the best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love when a little thing like a photo, a word, or a song reignite a story we thought lost. Congratulations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for joining in the my little celebration. It is fun when something reawakens a story and gives it new life. This character was very patient! ❤ Happy Weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The same to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I won’t be surprised if you get a movie-deal offer with your novels. 😊
LikeLike
Ha ha ha. Wouldn’t that be amazingly fabulous? One can dream, right? One of my main characters in this series is named Belizae. The others all call her Bel for short. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! I knew my name would be worth something someday 😂 Just don’t forget us little ones when you become famous.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Forget you? Never.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Diana! Exciting times! I can relate with the eyeballs shriveling thing. Ha, ha! The book reads fascinating. I’m adding it to my TBR list. Eventually, I will read all the books I have on there. All the best with your new release! Sharing! 😀 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the lovely comment, Vashti, and for sharing. 🙂 I know those TBR piles can get outrageous and it takes a long time to get to all the books – but like you, I eventually will! Have a wonderful week and Happy Writing. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Happy writing to you too! ❤ xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Belated congratulations, Diana! If the inside is anything like that amazing cover, I’m sure you’ve got a hit on your hands!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be nice! The designer did a great job on the cover and I’m hoping the contents match. Lol. Thanks for the cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations Diana. Hope Soul Swallowed is a huge success. Sounds like a very fascinating concept. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for stopping by, Marje, and for the cheers. It’s been a fun week, and now I’m on to the next project (trying). Have a wonderful week and Happy Writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome. A very happy and productive writing week to you too Diana. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was so excited for this one!!! I can’t wait to read it! 💖💖💖🍻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I hope you enjoy it! 😀 Yay! Another Happy Dance! My feet are getting sore. Lol. Have a great Saturday. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
How awesome! Congrats, Diana! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Lana. It’s been a pretty fun week of celebration. 🙂 Now I’m on to the next project and slogging through an outline. *Sigh*. Thanks for the visit and for putting a smile on my face. 😀 Happy Saturday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many congratulations on the new book, Diana. It’s wonderful reading how this story was raised from its long sleep. Gives me a lot of hope with a book I put to bed back in 2014. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the only book that I had abandoned, and I’m so glad Sue’s prompt found it again. The story changed a lot, but it was worth it. I hope your book wakes up and gets another chance too! Have a wonderful weekend. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Diana. This book sounds awesome and one that I would really like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the congrats, Robbie. It’s been a busy few days of celebration, and I’m tuckered out! Ha ha. Not really. Everyone is so kind, including you. Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on the birth of a new baby, Diana!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Jan. It was a fun launch and now the less-fun of marketing starts. Lol. And it does feel like a new baby…. or maybe a teenager that I finally kicked out of the house! Have a great day and Happy Writing!
LikeLike
How cool! You are going to be reading my book while I’m reading yours! It’s on its way to me now. ps love the cover and description
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Ellen. That’s fun to think about, isn’t it? Your book is next on my list. 😀 I had a fun launch, and of course, now the marketing work starts (not nearly as exciting). Hope you have a great day and Happy Writing!
LikeLike
Congratulations, my dear friend! I’m joining you in a happy dance as I can relate to “writing, rewriting, rewriting again, and editing until my eyeballs shriveled”. And at last, the book is out. Love the creative process. ❤
Now comes a crisis, I still have to finish The Rose Shield Tetralogy, what a reader to do? 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. All these wonderful crises, huh? Thanks for the congrats and for joining me in a happy dance. I know you can relate. 😀 Have a wonderful day and Happy Writing!
LikeLike
Many congratulations, Diana! And you’ve absolutely deserved this happy dance! 😄 putting this straight to my TBR list and in my Amazon wish list. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, thank you! I did a lot of celebrating and enjoyed all the enthusiasm from this community of writers and artists. ❤ Can't beat it! Happy Creating!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How out of this work fabulous. Much success dear friend. A beautiful book! 🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Holly. It’s been a few fun days of celebration, and I’m busily working on the outline for the next! Happy Fourth! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Fourth Busy lady!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This book sounds fantastic! Congratulations!
Now please tell me that souls taste like chicken.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha ha ha. *Sigh* Ha ha ha. They taste like chewable vitamin C.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do souls prevent scurvy, then?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, but there can be terrible side effects…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I fear I am a bit late for the celebratory dance, Diana!! I will do a tiny bop by myself. 💃I am SO HAPPY for you and congratulations on your latest book!! 🎉🍾 Well done to Cathleen and Erik for all their superb help and also kudos to Sue for unintentionally rekindling your interest in Raze and the book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Annika. No such thing as late to the party. I’m still dancing, but maybe not quite so frenetically. Ha ha. And I don’t know any of us who can do this without the inspiration and help of friends or this lovely community of writers. Thanks for the tiny bop and huge happiness. Have a wonderful week. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome, Diana! How true that none of this writing business would be possible without the support and inspiration of friends. I gave a talk/interview yesterday to a group of over 40 (I thought it was going to be 14!) and I sang the praises of the encouragement and inspiration I received here from so many and said my first book would not have been written if it wasn’t for so many’s persistence!! I am forever thankful & grateful. Wishing you a lovely rest of the week too and glad you’re still so excited and happy about your latest book venture! Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you for getting 40 people to show up for a talk. Awesome. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just started this book. The ‘About this book’ summary has me addicted already!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Thanks, Jacqui. I hope you enjoy it. Doing another little happy dance. Ha ha. Have a great week and Happy Writing!
LikeLike
Fantastic achievement, Diana. Huge congratulations on your new release. I hope it does very well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jennifer 🙂 I don’t know whether it’s more a sense of excitement or relief! But I’m enjoying having another book out there. Happy Writing, my friend. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers to you, Diana! Wishing you continued success! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the cheers, Natalie. It’s been a busy couple days and lots of fun finally getting this one out to the world. Have a wonderful week and Happy Writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations. Wish you all the best for its success.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks you! 😀 Have a most wonderful day and week ahead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, dear. Wish same to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting Title. Would love to read it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Indira. The title implies a bit of horror perhaps, but it’s not a horror book, more a fantasy about the power of souls. If you give it a try, I hope you enjoy it. Thanks so much for the visit! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s amazing!! Wishing you all the success 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by to check out the latest and for the kind wishes. It’s always exciting as well as a relief to finally kick a book out of the house. 🙂 Have a great week.
LikeLike
you are a genius Diana, thank you for letting us know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Juli. It’s been a fun launch and everyone is so sweet to cheer me on. Hope you have a lovely week! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow congratulations! You should be dancing and singing! YEAH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been, Lynn. Now my feet are sore and I need a back rub. Lol. It’s always a thrill to press that publish button. You shall see. 🙂 Thanks so much for the cheers and the congrats, my friend. ❤
LikeLike
Woot!!! I know it’s as much a relief as a celebration… at first. But I hope you’re just all out celebrating now, Diana. What a tremendous accomplishment. I love the concept of this series. It’s so fresh and imaginative. Congratulations! Huge hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Teagan. It’s been a fun couple days. I’m working away on the plot outline for the next series, doing some character profiles and brainstorming stuff. It’s been a challenge, but I’m slogging through it. 🙂 The darn muse didn’t make it easy on me! Happy Writing ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You amaze me. So much writing and such quality!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have the great luxury of not having to work, and having no other interests. Ha ha.
LikeLike
Congratulations and celebrations are definitely in order
LikeLiked by 1 person
My feet are sore from all this happy dancing! Thanks for the congrats and cheers; it’s been a fun couple days. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congregations Diana for such a beautiful book. One small suggestion, one USA dollar is almost 70 in Indian rupees, so price of your book is showing too high in Amazon.in, please try to keep your book price under one dollar in Amazon.in. So it’ll affordable for Indian reader.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the compliment, Bibhuti. I didn’t realize that the cost is so high in India. Usually I put in the US price and Amazon does all the calculations. I wasn’t aware that I could price it differently in different countries myself. I’ll take a look at that. Thanks so much for the tip. 🙂 And thank you for the cheers. It’s been a busy and fun couple of days. Happy Writing, my friend.
LikeLike
Thanks to take my suggestions seriously.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very excited for you! Everyone loves a good launch, and I feel like this will be one. Just a side note, for some reason your blog post has this nice white background I can read, but your homepage only has the picture of the tree and I couldn’t read anything on there. It may be my browser (Firefox), or there may be something glitching on your website, I don’t know but I just wanted to warn you if someone else came here and couldn’t read about your great books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Kay. Thanks so much for the note on the background! I wonder what’s up with that? I’ll have to check it out. You’re the first who’s mentioned it so maybe it’s a glitch (fingers crossed!). Thanks for the cheers on the launch. It’s bee a couple fun days and hopefully more to come. Have a great week, and thanks again for the note. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope it’s just a weird thing that happened to me, for your sake. Website bugs are such a headache to work out, so I hope you don’t have one! Hopefully this will only build even more momentum over time for you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I changed the background and lowered the pixel count of the book image a little, so hopefully it will load better – if that was the problem to begin with. Thank you, again, for the kindness of letting me know. ❤
LikeLike
I’ve been offline enjoying a long weekend, but I pre-ordered this and it showed up on my Kindle, all ready for reading. I’ve have two other books to finish in a trilogy I’m reading and Soul Swallowers is next. I’m so looking forward to escaping into your magical worlds.
Happy, happy day to you!! I’m doing a happy dance right along with you. Congratulations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for the enthusiasm and support, Mae. I’ve certainly gotten my fitbit steps in with all this dancing. Lol. I hope you enjoy the story. 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats Diana! So happy for you. Enjoyed reading about your writing journey! Your books sounds like a great fantasy epic read. The cover draws you in! Happy writing! 📚Christine
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Christine. I’ve been enjoying the cheers and kind encouragement. I hope that readers enjoy the story in its final form. I’ve started mulling ideas around for the next series. The fun never ends. Have a lovely week ❤
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein and commented:
New from Myths of the Mirror
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the reblog! Another happy dance! Ha ha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
(many smiles of delight)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations Diana!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robert. I love how encouraging everyone is and full of good wishes, yourself included. Have a wonderfully creative week, my friend.<3
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful news, Diana! We all join you for a dance party!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that a cute little clip. It’s what I think of when I feel a happy dance coming on. 🙂 Thanks for the cheers and enthusiasm. Happy Writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We used to watch the replay of many episodes. 🙂 Thank you, Diana!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’ve seen them all 3 or 4 times. It’s one of those shows that I never got tired of. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I know, they’re so entertaining, we’vw seen them so many times. 🙂 There are movies that I watched many times also such as The Italian Job, The Pianist, and Les Misérables. Oh, The Phantom of the Opera!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations. What a wonderful achievement.
All the best
Tom
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tom. It always feels good no matter how many books we have out there. A fun couple days of celebration and then on to the next one. 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
LikeLike
Absolutely. Well done. I love your enthusiasm.
All the best with your books!
Tom
LikeLiked by 1 person
So happy for you Diana. And I loved the story about when you first began the book and the inspiration that followed to continue with the series. Isn’t creative inspiration the bomb when it hits! 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the cheers, Debby! I’m trying to get my head around a new project but having a bit of difficulty. Hopefully, now that this one is off and running, new inspiration will come. 🙂 Happy Writing, my friend. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
So happy for you Diana. I’m sure your muse will have you standing attention before long! 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
YAYYYYYY!!! … ** waves arms like Kermit and runs around in circles** … may it sell like hotcakes! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol. Thanks so much for the enthusiastic cheer and wonderful wishes. Between your running in circles and my happy dance… quite a mental picture! Have a great week! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh wonderful news! Congratulations. your muse must be so proud of you.
I’m also the type who saves unfinished stories here and there in hope i’ll pick them up someday and turn them into a book.
And yours sound like a great epic.
I’m happy for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the kind comment, Jina, and the congrats! I’m still grinning. 😀 This was my only backlog, so from now on, I have to yank new things out of the brain. I wish I had a few stories kicking around! Have a wonderful week and Happy Writing! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful Diana! I am so excited for you 💕💃🏻💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the cheers, Val. It’s been a couple of exciting days and I’ve been doing a lot of happy dancing. 😀 Now to start on the next one!
LikeLike
Loved the cover and the title. You almost don’t need a description to sell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Chuck, for the wonderful comment. I worried a bit that the title may evoke thoughts of horror, which this isn’t. But the cover hopefully reinforces the fantasy genre. I’m so tickled that you stopped by. Have a great week. 😀
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Colleen Chesebro ~ The Fairy Whisperer and commented:
I’m thrilled!! Guess what everybody, D. Wallace Peach has a new book out. Stay tuned… I’ll be reviewing this soon! Congratulations, Diana. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, thanks so much, Colleen, for the reblog and the lovely intro. Yay! I just love this WP community and the great support we give and receive (reminds me of a tanka prompt) haha. You’re the best. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Hmmm… let me think what words will work for this week. 😀 Always a pleasure, Diana. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Diana!!! This is so exciting – I am so unbelievably happy for you! You are such an inspiration to me and countless others. Hope you are celebrating the hell out of this achievement! You deserve it. CAN’T WAIT TO READ IT!! 🤗❤️👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been celebrating, Tanya. Lots of Happy Dancing – getting my exercise these days! Thanks so much for the kind words and enthusiasm, my friend. If you get a chance to pick it up, I hope you enjoy! ❤ Have a wonderfully sweet week.
LikeLike