April 20, 2018
Lady Changeling
Additional Info for Reviewers & Staff
I did obtain an agent for this manuscript. It was shopped to various publishers but did not find a home. I have self-published before with some success and am comfortable with it.
Parts of the novel were work shopped at Writers of the Weird. Ben Parris (of Blueberry lane Books) did edit the book prior to publication.
Hi Bill,
I hope you'll give this book a review. It's a mix of fantasy, horror and a little bit of romance. I chose you because you might appreciate my dark take on faeries. I think you will like the pirate, too. I do.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Ken
Amazon e-book: $0.99
Amazon hard copy: $12.99
Editing, Production, Marketing & Sales
Workshopped with
Writers of the Weird
Edited by Ben Parris
Published Through Amazon Createspace – KDP
Scheduled for review – the information below will be filled out slowly. It will not be visible to the public until it is published on our magazine.
Set in England of the 1870’s, this alternate history world includes fairies and other types of magical creatures. By the time our story begins, it appears only the fae and humans still exist, and those not without their troubles. Theodora is an undercover agent for the Summer Court of the Fair Folk, using unusually strong glamour to present as human to the man she’s been sent to seduce Lord Eric Grayson.
In the course of a decade, Theodora has used her position as Lady Grayson to search for a device that can kill or destroy any magical creature on the grounds where the device was last seen. The end of the world, of course, is now nigh and she must find this “silvered lens” device to save humans and fae alike from a creature of pure chaos.
Things are complicated when her husband, Lord Grayson, begins to suspect his wife, a recently captured prisoner escapes, and Theodora is seen dancing with the fairies in the moonlight.
I really liked this book and the universe it’s set in. The whole thing reads likes the perfect Historical Urban Fantasy.
I read it swiftly, carried it to bed, never left it behind in a restaurant, and general kept it with me until it was finished.
I was really impressed with the characters of Eric and Theodora, especially the richness and drama of Eric’s past as it became part of the story. I enjoyed his internal struggle as he tried to fight against loving his wife upon discovering secret after betrayal after secret. I loved his interactions with his man, March.
Theodora was impressive, too, attempting to stay true to both her mission and her love for Eric and the children. Steadiness and forthrightness isn’t a trait one expects in a fae. Indeed, Lady Changeling seemed as surprised at her deep love as her fairy friends thought she’d fallen for her own illusions.
The only negative was perhaps the dialogue and Eric’s attitudes seemed a little too modern. There was little in anyone’s speech that spoke to me of the late 19th century, but I would much rather have modern slang and American spellings than an overworked attempt to create the proper English of the period.
Otherwise, I look forward to returning to this universe. I see that there’s a sequel: Changelings at Court. It’ll be part of my next buying spree, assuming my wife doesn’t buy it for me first.
The Rundown
Set in England of the 1870’s, this alternate history world includes fairies and other types of magical creatures. By the time our story begins, it appears only the fae and humans still exist, and those not without their troubles. Theodora is an undercover agent for the Summer Court of the Fair Folk, using unusually strong glamour to present as human to the man she’s been sent to seduce Lord Eric Grayson.
In the course of a decade, Theodora has used her position as Lady Grayson to search for a device that can kill or destroy any magical creature on the grounds where the device was last seen. The end of the world, of course, is now nigh and she must find this “silvered lens” device to save humans and fae alike from a creature of pure chaos.
Things are complicated when her husband, Lord Grayson, begins to suspect his wife, a recently captured prisoner escapes, and Theodora is seen dancing with the fairies in the moonlight.
The Recommendation
I really liked this book and the universe it’s set in. The whole thing reads likes the perfect Historical Urban Fantasy.
I read it swiftly, carried it to bed, never left it behind in a restaurant, and general kept it with me until it was finished.
I was really impressed with the characters of Eric and Theodora, especially the richness and drama of Eric’s past as it became part of the story. I enjoyed his internal struggle as he tried to fight against loving his wife upon discovering secret after betrayal after secret. I loved his interactions with his man, March.
Theodora was impressive, too, attempting to stay true to both her mission and her love for Eric and the children. Steadiness and forthrightness isn’t a trait one expects in a fae. Indeed, Lady Changeling seemed as surprised at her deep love as her fairy friends thought she’d fallen for her own illusions.
The only negative was perhaps the dialogue and Eric’s attitudes seemed a little too modern. There was little in anyone’s speech that spoke to me of the late 19th century, but I would much rather have modern slang and American spellings than an overworked attempt to create the proper English of the period.
Otherwise, I look forward to returning to this universe. I see that there’s a sequel: Changelings at Court. It’ll be part of my next buying spree, assuming my wife doesn’t buy it for me first.
The Rating
Top Pick! 5 Stars (out of five): Freaking amazing. Any agent or publishing house that passed this one up made a big mistake. It was selected by our reviewer as a personal favorite. This is also a nomination for our Novel of the Year award.
The Pros & Cons
Pros: Believable, Characterization, Page Turner, Plot, Strong World-BuildingThe Comparisons
For readers who liked these books and authors: A Charm of Magpies, Changling: The Dreaming, Jonathon Strange and Mr. NorrellAuthor’s Summary
Who can you trust?
In the summer of 1750, Eric Grayson discovers his wife of ten years is a faery spy, a member of a treacherous race the British-and the Grayson family in particular-have hunted and reviled for many years. As his dark family secrets unravel, will Eric ever break the cycle of death and madness that haunts him?
Lady Theodora is caught in a desperate situation of her own. In order to fend off a monster from her past, she must completely destroy the man she loves.
Who can you trust?
Not Amalric, the deranged alchemist.
Not Redthorne, the seductive faery assassin.
Not Draven ‘The Raven’ Ketch, a mad pirate.
And certainly not Meadowlark, Theodora’s vengeful faery ex-lover.
Lady Changeling offers a satisfying mix of high fantasy and gothic romance with a touch of Lovecraftian horror. Suggested for mature readers.
Short Description
Lady Changeling – to defeat a monster from her past, she must completely destroy the man she loves. A mix of high fantasy and gothic romance with a touch of Lovecraftian horror.
Catchphrase
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