Category: Top Five Saturday

#TopFiveSaturday | It is a #WyrdAndWonder weekend! Get ready for our 5th Year of @WyrdAndWonder!

Posted Saturday, 30 April, 2022 by jorielov 7 Comments

#TopFiveSaturday (Wyrd And Wonder edition) badge created by Jorie in Canva.

About: *Wyrd & Wonder*

Wyrd and Wonder is an annual celebration of the fantasy genre. Sign up to join the party as we explore worlds of myth and magic, re-imagine traditional tales, cheer on heroes (prefer villains? Sure, we won’t judge you) and discover the secret doors that lead from familiar streets to adjacent realms where a discourtesy or a misstep may land you in hot water. We’ll be reading books, watching movies, playing games and sharing our thoughts online through blog posts and social media with as many like-minded adventurers as care to join us – there’s always room by the fire for a newcomer with a tale to share. (official 2022 blurb)

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Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!!

I cannot imagine how it has become MAY already!? Do you!? I cannot fathom it! I still remember being in the planning stages with Imyril & Lisa whilst we also brought onboard Annemieke and Ariana this year to round our team to the Power of Five – in full celebration of our 5th Wyrd And Wonder!! What a wild ride it has been these past several months – the organising behind the scenes and the prep work we’ve all put into the event in regards to what we’re individually focusing on whilst the event goes LIVE.

It is quite incredible and I am blessed to be in such esteemed company as my co-hosts!

Each of them gravitate towards different corridors of Fantasy as much as I do myself – I believe this is the beauty of the event and echoes the founding reasons why Imyril, Lisa and I wanted to create Wyrd And Wonder. We wanted a lovely community to be built round our mutual love & passion for the genre but to have it open to interpretation and individualised focus and interest. Everyone finds their niche of Fantasy along the passageways they take to endeavour to entreat inside the genre and that makes it such an interpersonal journey! I love finding out which routes of Fantasy everyone undertakes every year – even if I tend to continue to trod down the Indie side of the ledger as that’s where my wings tend to fly the most. Although I am open to reading Major Trade – it just happens I read less of those stories than I do the Self-Published & Indie published varieties.

As this post is a final nod to the #TopFiveSaturday pre-Wyrd And Wonder posts – it is also a segue of kicking off the celebrations here on Jorie Loves A Story! (*big smiles*) I have loads planned for the event – from a dearly ambitious reading queue, to weekly reviews of our RAL of “The Summer Tree” to responding to the Fantastic Fives on Sundays to hosting the chats on Saturdays!

I need to put my thinking cap on to decide which topics I’ll be sharing every Saturday throughout Wyrd And Wonder this year for #TopFiveSaturday! However, I might take a few nudges from our prompt challenge and/or the Bingo Card; or somewhere else within the realms of topics & subjects interconnective to Fantasy. It is a work-in-progress at this point and you’ll have to wait until next Saturday to see what I unearth! I will try to get those posts released early in the mornings stateside in order for those of you participating overseas to have a chance to see what I selected and decide if you want to give it a go yourself and join me that weekend with a response on your own blog!

IF you want to suggest a topic to explore – leave your ideas in the comments on this post!

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Are you ready?

It is a Wyrd And Wonder’ful Weekend!

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Posted Saturday, 30 April, 2022 by jorielov in #WyrdAndWonder, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Jorie Loves A Story, Top Five Saturday, Twitterland & Twitterverse Event

#TopFiveSaturday | Jorie gets her #WyrdAndWonder Chat Groove on! Whilst showcasing more Power of Five posts from the first five years!

Posted Saturday, 16 April, 2022 by jorielov 0 Comments

#TopFiveSaturday (Wyrd And Wonder edition) badge created by Jorie in Canva.

About: *Wyrd & Wonder*

Wyrd and Wonder is an annual celebration of the fantasy genre. Sign up to join the party as we explore worlds of myth and magic, re-imagine traditional tales, cheer on heroes (prefer villains? Sure, we won’t judge you) and discover the secret doors that lead from familiar streets to adjacent realms where a discourtesy or a misstep may land you in hot water. We’ll be reading books, watching movies, playing games and sharing our thoughts online through blog posts and social media with as many like-minded adventurers as care to join us – there’s always room by the fire for a newcomer with a tale to share. (official 2022 blurb)

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!!

You might have noticed a small reduction in features running on Jorie Loves A Story as we move closer to May and Wyrd And Wonder. I was originally meant to share these featured posts for #TopFiveSaturday on the following dates: 19th of March & 2nd of April. I had to yield to my fellow co-hosts to pick up the reins of cheering on our event those weekends as I was unable to release my posts. This has been a difficult and rocky start to 2022 for me and my family as I referenced quite a bit on my Sunday Post from February; however, despite the hurdles and challenges – I am still trying to carve out space for myself to read, to unwind and to find a moment of breath despite the chaos which seems to have consumed me.

Last week, Annemieke recapped the Discussion Posts from past Wyrd And Wonders – in case you missed her featured showcase of discussion posts – kindly visit her blog! Discussion posts are something I have been wanting to bring to my own blog over the years but somehow have managed to fall a bit short!? I tend to lengthen my book reviews at times to be inclusive of a topic or discussion at hand which re-directs back into the book I’ve just read *but!* to write a discussion post wholly independent of itself and a story I’ve read is something I haven’t yet brought to my readers on my blog. It is part of my goals and plans for my blog but something I haven’t explored in earnest as of yet. I admire those who can write them regularly and truly give a wonderful capture of the topic they’ve chosen to discuss as well.

The inspiration behind this series of #TopFiveSaturday on Jorie Loves A Story is giving participants (new and old) a new chance to get to ‘know’ the hosts and team behind #WyrdAndWonder whilst allowing everyone the chance to re-visit our blogs and see content they might not have had the chance to see as it originally published. As let’s face it – May comes quick and furious every Spring and we’re all balancing loads of life behind our blogs and social spheres online whilst participating in an event which brings us all together for 31 fantastical days. It would make sense at some point – some posts could be missed in the shuffle.

Now is your chance to see them with a fresh perspective and hear why I’ve chosen the posts I have during this limited series of #TopFiveSaturday focused concentrations featuring the Power of Five: Imyril, Lisa, Jorie, Annemieke and Ariana! Although, expect more during our lovely event where I select topics everyone else can join in on as well!

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Posted Saturday, 16 April, 2022 by jorielov in #WyrdAndWonder, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Jorie Loves A Story, Top Five Saturday, Twitterland & Twitterverse Event

#TopFiveSaturday | The Power of Five (from #WyrdAndWonder) explore the roads less travelled

Posted Saturday, 5 March, 2022 by jorielov 1 Comment

#TopFiveSaturday (Wyrd And Wonder edition) badge created by Jorie in Canva.

About: *Wyrd & Wonder*

Wyrd and Wonder is an annual celebration of the fantasy genre. Sign up to join the party as we explore worlds of myth and magic, re-imagine traditional tales, cheer on heroes (prefer villains? Sure, we won’t judge you) and discover the secret doors that lead from familiar streets to adjacent realms where a discourtesy or a misstep may land you in hot water. We’ll be reading books, watching movies, playing games and sharing our thoughts online through blog posts and social media with as many like-minded adventurers as care to join us – there’s always room by the fire for a newcomer with a tale to share. (official 2022 blurb)

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!!

Wickedly enthused to bring you my second #TopFiveSaturday in our chase-up to May’s arrival for #WyrdAndWonder – as last week, Annemieke did a wicked fantastic job of shining a lovely light on a collection of posts I had overlooked myself from past Wyrd And Wonders. This is the beauty of this new featured series of posts we’re crafting together for you this year – to give you a chance to re-visit our hosts & our participants alike to see the content you might not have had the proper chance to view previously or if this is your first year seeing the signal flare for the event – it is a wicked brilliant way to get properly introduced to what Wyrd And Wonder gives to the fantastical niche of the book blogosphere and all social channels where the bookish and fantastical interact!

We’ve been having a bit of a go announcing ourselves a bit EARLY this year – which you can happily revisit with my own ANNOUNCING OUR 5TH YEAR post. This year, along with getting our ducks in a row even earlier than usual whilst expanding our lovely team to a Power of Five, we’re also wickedly happy starting new traditions & new ways of celebrating the JOY of #WyrdAndWonder, which is why Annemieke and I are sharing duties bringing special content to the blogosphere every other Saturday whilst featuring posts & revelations from the first four years of #WyrdAndWonder.

In particular, on my Saturdays I’ll be sharing content from the Power of Five – the posts, reviews and other showcases we’ve shared during the years whilst sometimes dipping outside of Wyrd And Wonder (the event) to re-feature posts from our blogs which are fantastically highlighting a part of Fantasy we individually either consumed and loved OR gushed about in a discussion post!

The inspiration behind this series of #TopFiveSaturday on Jorie Loves A Story is giving participants (new and old) a new chance to get to ‘know’ the hosts and team behind #WyrdAndWonder whilst allowing everyone the chance to re-visit our blogs and see content they might not have had the chance to see as it originally published. As let’s face it – May comes quick and furious every Spring and we’re all balancing loads of life behind our blogs and social spheres online whilst participating in an event which brings us all together for 31 fantastical days. It would make sense at some point – some posts could be missed in the shuffle.

Now is your chance to see them with a fresh perspective and hear why I’ve chosen the posts I have during this limited series of #TopFiveSaturday focused concentrations featuring the Power of Five: Imyril, Lisa, Jorie, Annemieke and Ariana! Although, expect more during our lovely event where I select topics everyone else can join in on as well!

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

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Posted Saturday, 5 March, 2022 by jorielov in #WyrdAndWonder, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Jorie Loves A Story, Top Five Saturday, Twitterland & Twitterverse Event

#TopFiveSaturday | The Power of Five (from #WyrdAndWonder) share a Fantasy Grab-bag!

Posted Saturday, 19 February, 2022 by jorielov 1 Comment

#TopFiveSaturday (Wyrd And Wonder edition) badge created by Jorie in Canva.

About: *Wyrd & Wonder*

Wyrd and Wonder is an annual celebration of the fantasy genre. Sign up to join the party as we explore worlds of myth and magic, re-imagine traditional tales, cheer on heroes (prefer villains? Sure, we won’t judge you) and discover the secret doors that lead from familiar streets to adjacent realms where a discourtesy or a misstep may land you in hot water. We’ll be reading books, watching movies, playing games and sharing our thoughts online through blog posts and social media with as many like-minded adventurers as care to join us – there’s always room by the fire for a newcomer with a tale to share. (official 2022 blurb)

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!!

You might have seen my signal boosting for #WyrdAndWonder a bit EARLY this year – as the five of us collectively ANNOUNCED our 5th Year of Wyrd And Wonder is arriving this May, 2022! This year, along with getting our ducks in a row even earlier than usual whilst expanding our lovely team to a Power of Five, we’re also wickedly happy starting new traditions & new ways of celebrating the JOY of #WyrdAndWonder, which is why Annemieke and I are sharing duties bringing special content to the blogosphere every other Saturday whilst featuring posts & revelations from the first four years of #WyrdAndWonder.

In particular, on my Saturdays I’ll be sharing content from the Power of Five – the posts, reviews and other showcases we’ve shared during the years whilst sometimes dipping outside of Wyrd And Wonder (the event) to re-feature posts from our blogs which are fantastically highlighting a part of Fantasy we individually either consumed and loved OR gushed about in a discussion post!

The inspiration behind this series of #TopFiveSaturday on Jorie Loves A Story is giving participants (new and old) a new chance to get to ‘know’ the hosts and team behind #WyrdAndWonder whilst allowing everyone the chance to re-visit our blogs and see content they might not have had the chance to see as it originally published. As let’s face it – May comes quick and furious every Spring and we’re all balancing loads of life behind our blogs and social spheres online whilst participating in an event which brings us all together for 31 fantastical days. It would make sense at some point – some posts could be missed in the shuffle.

Now is your chance to see them with a fresh perspective and hear why I’ve chosen the posts I have during this limited series of #TopFiveSaturday focused concentrations featuring the Power of Five: Imyril, Lisa, Jorie, Annemieke and Ariana! Although, expect more during our lovely event where I select topics everyone else can join in on as well!

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

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Posted Saturday, 19 February, 2022 by jorielov in #WyrdAndWonder, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Jorie Loves A Story, Top Five Saturday, Twitterland & Twitterverse Event

A #WyrdAndWonder Top Five Saturday | Top Five Secrets of Travelling within the Verin Empire | Guest Post featuring William Ray who wrote the uniquely fantastically clever “Shadow Debt” (Tales of the Verin Empire, Book Three)

Posted Saturday, 15 May, 2021 by jorielov , , , , 0 Comments

#TopFiveSaturday meme badge created by Jorie in Canva.

#TopFiveSaturday is a meme hosted by Devouring Books

The blogger has been on a bit of a hiatus, thereby this respun meme was inspired by the book blogger who originated a theme base Top Five meme! Usually the host will suggest a theme wherein bloggers can list books associated with the theme they feel honours the topic of choosing their Top Five for that Saturday. I’ve decided to go a different route this Saturday by featuring an Indie Fantasy author’s series.

I asked a dear friend, Louise @foxesfairytale (hostess of @Mythothon) to help me find a Top Five meme and I was grateful she knew about #TopFiveSaturday! I might have to participate once the host of this meme resumes her themed schedules.

Jorie’s topic for William Ray:
Top Five Secrets of Travelling within the Verin Empire ??

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Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

As you know, I positively love Indie (Press and Publishers) and Self Published Speculative Fiction storycrafters who are giving me wicked good literary wanderings within Cosy Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy.

I’ve been sitting on this lovely guest post by Mr Ray since I originally hosted his blog tour with Storytellers on Tour – a blog touring company whose championing Indie Storytellers and giving us all a lovely chance to feature their collective works. I originally hosted a Top Ten Tuesday respun meme for him and this guest post was kicked out during the tour, as I knew I wanted to showcase him during #WyrdAndWonder.

We’ve amassed our largest gathering of adventurers this Wyrd And Wonder – we’re 100x strong this year, imagine!? And, next year is our 5th Year!! I know a lot of adventurers are seeking series and novels to put on their TBR and I’m hoping the Verin Empire might tempt you to add it to yours! I, for one am trying to source copies of the novels myself through my local library – including submitting a purchase request this May to see if I can start reading them myself.

I am hoping you will feel a part of this world, as you take a sneak peek of it through the illustrative artwork and the cheekiness of the humour which you can see through how Mr Ray approached writing this guest post! Welcome to your #TopFiveSaturday welcoming you into the Verin Empire!

Brew yourself a cuppa and let’s go on a Wyrd And Wonder adventure!

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A #WyrdAndWonder Top Five Saturday | Top Five Secrets of Travelling within the Verin Empire  | Guest Post featuring William Ray who wrote the uniquely fantastically clever “Shadow Debt” (Tales of the Verin Empire, Book Three)Shadow Debt
Subtitle: A Tale of the Verin Empire
by William Ray

Glynn Sorley is sheriff of Keat’s Field, a tiny settlement in an otherwise lawless frontier. With the discovery of diamonds, her town is flooded with fortune-hunters looking to strike it rich. It’s also a target for competing colonial powers, savage goblin tribes, and outlaws.

A rustler on the run from the law stumbles across his father’s mysterious legacy – a weapon of immense magical power. He uses it to ravage across the territory as the notorious outlaw Gentleman Jim.

But the weapon’s power comes at a terrible cost, and Keat’s Field may just have to pay the price…

This third Tale of the Verin Empire returns us to the world of Gedlund and The Great Restoration. It explores a frontier trapped between competing nations, where goblins reign and a lone sheriff fights to keep the peace.

Drawing inspiration from L’Amour’s Comstock Lode, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, and our own late 19th century, Shadow Debt continues William Ray’s bold, critically acclaimed reinvention of classic fantasy in a world of memorable characters and unique perspectives, and features sketches from acclaimed illustrator Tom Parker.

Genres: Fantasy Fiction, Blackpowder Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Gaslight Fantasy, Paranormal Urban Fantasy, Noir Crime Drama, PI (Private Investigator)



Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 979-8681940616

ASIN: B08JF16LBM

Also by this author: Shadow Debt (Guest Post)

Published by Self Published

on 17th September, 2020

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The stories of the Verin Empire:

Gedlund by William RayA Case of Eager Heirs by William RayThe Great Restoration by William RayShadow Debt by William Ray

 

Illustration Credit for Book Covers: Ramona Marc

Connect with the illustrator Tom Parker via @papagaeioFun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Gedlund (book one) : Blackpowder Fantasy

A Case of Eager Heris (short story) :
Gaslight / Urban Fantasy | Private / Noir Detective

The Great Restoration (book two) :
Gaslight / Urban Fantasy | Private / Noir Detective

Shadow Debt (book three) : Weird West | Western Fantasy

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Top Five Secrets of Travelling within the Verin Empire

William Ray's Verin Empire illustration provided by Storytellers on Tour and is used with permisison.
William Ray’s Verin Empire series illustration provided by William Ray
and is used with permisison. Art Illustration Credit: Tom Parker.

Martin’s Guide — Touring the Frontier

Readers wishing to venture into these strange lands can find them chronicled in Tales of the Verin Empire, by William Ray.

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Posted Saturday, 15 May, 2021 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Book Spotlight, Bookish Memes, Fantasy Fiction, Indie Author, Storytellers on Tour, Top Five Saturday