THIS is my SKYRIM character... and she rocks.

Hi all,

So, I recently had some people ask me about my SKYRIM character. Being that I am still playing the game I thought it would be a great time to take a moment to talk about her. OK… OK, I admit, could talk about my character and this game for days…


TALA – named after one of the leads in the SOUL BORN SAGA—is a Wood Elf Thief class. She specializes in Archery, Stealth and Light Armor, so most of the time I am armed with a bow sneaking around. At level 40 now I am just starting to put more points in Speech and One Hand Weapons. I had, from time to time, added points to speech to raise the amount of money I made selling things, but now I am getting to the end of that line where I can invest money to make more.

Funny thing, I did not intend to make her look like any actresses, but the other day I realized she kinda reminded me of someone and I just figured it out. My Skyrim version of Tala looks like Lake Bell. See;




It's not just me, right? I mean Lake Bell is prettier but...


So I am currently 100 hours into the game and I just finished the Civil War Quest. I sided with Ulfric Stormcloak and the rebels. We just took Solitude a couple nights ago. It turned out to be a little harder than I expected. All the other fortresses were easy picking. Something about the city attack had me… a skilled archer… stuck full of arrows. I kept moving to high ground, but I was targeted more than Ulfric himself. So I was not getting off as many shots as I wanted. I had to shout away a lot of Imperials that rushed me too. Not complaining there. I love a good shout.

When we finally cornered the General and Legate it was a three on two fight and the Legate dropped fast. Fearing I might not have a chance to properly loot her, I quickly grabbed her armor before the General and Ulfric started talking. When given the option, I let the big boss kill the general, which ended with a funny little moment. Ulfric chopped him in the back and he stumbled forward, tripped over the Legates corpse and his knees buckled… (LOVE that Skyrim physics engine). When he dropped it was right on top of the other body. I had to take a cell phone photo and I swear to the Nord Gods, this is how it was. I did not move the bodies.

That is how they landed. Which was a great WTF moment for me.

So after staring a moment, I joined Ulfric outside for his speech. See me there below;

This is what Tala normally looks like with the Nightingale armor on and her ebony bow.

You know, my character did not always look so bad. I swear the game ages you and you get more war torn. Well off to finish the rest of the main quest. I guess another 50+ hours of game play at least! What is this I hear about Mass Effect 3 coming out this week?


Kevin James Breaux
http://www.kevinbreaux.com/

Dark Water: Beaming Smile on sale this weekend!



Bram Stoker Award recommended reading



Dark Water: Beaming Smile is on sale this weekend on Amazon.com.

http://amzn.com/B005TX2H86

Sarah should have left Montgomery County when she had the chance, but now it's too late. She is trapped on the rooftop of her family home which is almost completely submerged by dark flood waters. The air smells of a mixture of sewage and mold and it’s still raining. Alone with only her thoughts Sarah is mad she did not leave town years ago when she was right out of high school, before she became the one things she dreaded most; her mother.

    Haunted by the reoccurrence of an eerie thumping sound, Sarah is startled when she discovers a large hairy animal, almost the size of a cow, brushing against the corner of her house. What is it? Where did it come from? What other horrors are hiding in the dark water?

If you read it, please leave a review. Thanks!!! 

BTW- updated my author site with more information.


Kevin James Breaux
http://www.kevinbreaux.com/

I exist. I do. Don't I? Do I exist?

lost...

Being an author sometimes you start to question whether or not you exist. Lost in a sea of a million other people... You need a little recognition, something to legitimize your hard work and prove that you are real.

http://www.horror.org/stoker/2011readinglist.htm

After eight recommendations, months and months of following rules, and making it to the preliminary nominations ballot of the Bram Stoker Award, I was sure I would get nominated and finally feel alive. Finally feel like I was getting some real credit for all my hard work.

Sadly, that did not happen. Somehow I did not make the final nominations ballot.

http://www.horror.org/blog/?p=2331

Now I am back to wondering, who am I? Am I real?

Yeah, I'm glad this is not the Oscars, cause had the camera been on my face when they listed the final nominations I would have looked like I was going to cry. And you never cry on national TV.

Congratz to... meh... nevermind they have heard it before last year and the year before that...


Kevin James Breaux
http://www.kevinbreaux.com/

Updates: New Gues Posts and Interview! Queries and Submissions!

Hi all,

First up, the celebration of book release giveaway for BLOOD DIVIDED ended this weekend and Goodreads sent me the list of lucky winners. I will be sending out those books at the end of this week. I also have a few more review copies I need to mail... Time to start packing books!

I'm happy to say I had two things go live last week. One guest post and one interview.

The interview I did was with Literary Escapism. I added some nice excerpts in it. You can read it here;

http://www.literaryescapism.com/25919/interview-kevin-james-breaux

The guest post, which is in my series of goofy ramblings about stuff (all for fun), is at Dark Faerie Tales site and can be read here;

http://darkfaerietales.com/guest-post-blood-divided-kevin-james-breaux.html

In other news, I started submitting two books to agents in January. One Urban Fantasy-Action Adventure which I want to turn into a 5-7 book series. The other a brand new Viking Age Dark Fantasy Horror in a Alternate History genre. That book is some of my finest work and I'm very proud of it. I would like that book to start a series too. At least 3 books, maybe 5. 

And.... Starting the first round of queries in the new year! Yay ( /sigh)

Right off the bat, January started with a really interesting email. I was contacted by Unique Features Films, a production company created by the New Line Cinema guys. They saw one of my postings on Publishers Marketplace and asked to read the full manuscript of my Urban Fantasy novel that I am submitting. (good thing its copyrighted) So I sent it to them in mid Jan. Shortly afterwards I had a full request for that same novel by one of the top agents in the business. So I am happy I am getting some interest. So far no solid offers, but I am really hoping 2012 is my year.

In 2012 I'm planning on: sending out queries, finishing book 3 in the Soul Born Saga and writing another new book.  Above all else, I need an agent. You hear that Mayan calendar. I need an agent before the world ends... unless me getting an agent is a sign that the world will end. Whoa... freaky...

Kevin James Breaux

http://www.kevinbreaux.com/

Blood Divided is now out in Print! and on sale at BN!

Blood Divided - Book two in the Soul Born Saga

I am very happy to announce that the sequel to SOUL BORN, book two in my dark epic fantasy series, BLOOD DIVIDED is now out in print.

There exists an ancient elven proverb, dating before the time of man. Life and death, like day and night, meet at a point where they blend into one. It is that brief moment when anything is possible.

There was a time when four sparks of life burned brighter than the sun itself. Megan was born with power, Lucien born with station. Autumn was born full of life, while Nathan was entwined with death.

Peace has come and gone... The conflicts of old have returned-rejuvenated and driven. This is the beginning of the end. The children of Karn have come of age, and now they will take part in shaping the fate of Illyia.

Will they join forces, or with blood will they be divided?

Blood Divided takes place twenty years after Soul Born and it follows the next generation: Opal's children and Tala's children. This story will introduce new characters, but will also keep you up to date with your favorites from book one. Some of the flashbacks in Blood Divided will give hints to what has occurred between books, and tease what is to come in book three.

I like to say that the Soul Born Saga is as much the tragic tale of Opal as it is a story of survival for Tala, the other main character. Of course, in Blood Divided you will meet another main player... Vasche. His life was shaped by events in book one and (spoiler alert) he will be a force to be reckoned with in book threee.

Here is a tiny excerpt from pages 5-6;

---

 

Autumn jogged through the city on her way to the harbor, her movements so precise and graceful, that the hundreds of people around could not help but stare. Autumn was an incredible beauty. Her half-elf blood gave her an exquisiteness nearly matching that of her mother’s. Her long blonde curly hair had a slight tint of green that caught the sun and sparkled like precious jewels on sunny days like this one. Unlike her brother, Autumn looked more elven than human. It was a small blessing, as this helped her gain more acceptance from both the human and elven communities. The only visible human characteristic she displayed was her brown eyes. True elves were never born with brown eyes. It was a detail she good-naturedly referred to as her curse.



Autumn did not have to wear a crown; traveling merchants, soldiers, tavern owners, and farmers alike all knew who she was and always greeted her kindly with a smile and cheery hello. All of Kel Tora treasured the princess, and she loved them in return, donating both her time and coin when possible.


“The ships are almost here. You better hurry, Princess Autumn!” a farmer yelled to her as she jogged up to his stand.


Autumn snatched up an apple in her left hand as she ran past. Still moving, she twisted around long enough to give the farmer a quick wave and a giggle. As she faced forward, another farmer pulling a goat through the crowds blocked her path. Unshaken, Autumn continued to run toward the obstacle before her. In her eyes there was no quandary; instead, it was a perfect opportunity to show off one of her greatest skills. As Autumn was only three steps from colliding with the goat, she bent down, planting her hands in the dirt. Whipping her legs up over her body, the princess performed a handspring over the farm animal.


In her mind, it was nothing but a simple move she had mastered long ago, but the crowds around her saw it as truly amazing. As she planted her feet firmly on the ground and centered her weight to regain balance, the citizenry who had watched her began to applaud.


Autumn stopped her race through town for just a moment, and took a quick bow before jogging toward the harbor.


“That girl is phenomenal,” a farmer stated to a young customer at his stand.

---

Who is Autumn? She is the princess of Kel Tora and the whole island continent of Illyia. She is also Tala's daughter.

Intrigued? Check it out. Amazon and BN both have it listed. More online sites will follow soon.

Blood Divided at Amazon.com 

http://amzn.com/1937051242  

Blood Divided at BN.com      

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-divided-kevin-james-breaux/1108138646?ean=9781937051242

 
 
Thanks all,
 
Kevin James Breaux
http://www.kevinbreaux.com/

Happy Holidays from Kevin James Breaux!

Happy Holidays all!

I always like to give back to my fans and friends, new and old, so this year I will be gifting out copies of my horror novelette DARK WATER: BEAMING SMILE. It's currently listed on the Horror Writers Association recommended reading list. I am very proud of this one.

Check it out:

Sarah should have left Montgomery County when she had the chance, but now it's too late. She is trapped on the rooftop of her family home which is almost completely submerged by dark flood waters. The air smells of a mixture of sewage and mold and it’s still raining. Alone with only her thoughts Sarah is mad she did not leave town years ago when she was right out of high school, before she became the one things she dreaded most; her mother.

Haunted by the reoccurrence of an eerie thumping sound, Sarah is startled when she discovers a large hairy animal, almost the size of a cow, brushing against the corner of her house. What is it? Where did it come from? What other horrors are hiding in the dark water?

 http://www.hellfirepublishing.com/dark_water.html?r=20110905202359

on Kindle here: http://amzn.com/B005TX2H86

So how do you get a copy for free this holiday? Well, next week I will pick two days and go on Twitter (@kevinbreaux) or Facebook (look me up) and I will announce that I'm giving away copies. Just be ready and send me a direct message when I make the announcement. I will gift out (5) Kindle copies each time I make the announcement. So the first people to respond will win.

I really appreciate everyone who has taken time to email, facebook and twitter with me in 2011. Thank you all.

Check back in late January.  I will have a contest for print copies of BLOOD DIVIDED, book two in the Soul Born Saga then.

Thank you,

Kevin James Breaux
http://www.kevinbreaux.com/

Short Story Accepted for New Anthology to be released at WHC!

From Dark Moon Books - Slices of Flesh

A couple of months ago I was invited to submit a piece of flash fiction to a new anthology. I submitted two and today I found out which one was accepted. The story is called SHE. HER. YOU. And it is new to the world. It is actually the intro to a horror novel I was writing, but never finished. Funny how that works.

Here is more information: the anthology is called Slices of Flesh and will be released at World Horror Con (WHC) in late March by Dark Moon Books.

http://www.darkmoonbooks.com/Slices_of_Flesh.htm

I am always happy when publishers ask me to submit things for anthologies. This is a great honor, and I am very excited to be part of a book with so many other great authors inside. I will post more information as more is released.

Thanks all,

Kevin James Breaux

http://www.kevinbreaux.com/

Blood Divided is out on Kindle. Ready to read!

Book 2 in the Soul Born Saga; Blood Divided.

Are you curious what happened after Soul Born? Well get ready to find out by reading the events of the next generation.

There exists an ancient elven proverb, dating before the time of man. Life and death, like day and night, meet at a point where they blend into one. It is that brief moment when anything is possible.

There was a time when four sparks of life burned brighter than the sun itself. Megan was born with power, Lucien born with station. Autumn was born full of life, while Nathan was entwined with death.

Peace has come and gone… The conflicts of old have returned-rejuvenated and driven. This is the beginning of the end. The children of Karn have come of age, and now they will take part in shaping the fate of Illyia.

Will they join forces, or with blood will they be divided?

Click here to order: http://amzn.com/B006FDHTF0

NEWS: My publisher released Blood Divided early on Kindle. The print version of the book (which was delayed) should be ready mid-late December.

Thanks all!

Kevin James Breaux
http://www.kevinbreaux.com/