🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 Author

@suncatcherpress.com

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🏳️‍🌈✒️ Writes heart-in-your-throat, stay up til 3am, pump ur fist & kick ur feet 🌈📚s of heart, heat, & hope 🧠ADHD 👂HoH 🩼Cane 🧳Immigrant 🖖Dork 🏳️‍⚧️They/Them 🏳️‍🌈Pan 🪶IndigiQ 🎨Art usually mine 🧷 ✨ SunlessLand.com 👹 ThereBeMonsters.com 🐉 CozyFantasy.men 💞 Swoony.men

4 ½ stars are shown above some reviewer quotes: surprised me in the best way | nearly melted my kindle | a VERY GOOD representation of bisexuality | great twist on an old plot | WHEN IS BOOK 2 COMING OUT?? WHEN?? | defied stereotypes | I ate this one upppppp | I was snort laughing | 3some…actually moved…plot forward | exceptional • authentic • 10 stars || trope flags: Reverse-Bully RomCom | Enemies-to-Lovers | And They Were Roomates | Nerd/Jock Subversion | Frat Boy In Over His Head || Find it on KU for a limited time!
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for Bully Boys: Fling, one with two men painted grasping hands, the other of a pink mohawk wearing man throwing horns at the viewer, cut in against a posh/preppy-dressed fratboy over a grunge background of black halftones and spray paint in energetically bright yellows and pinks || "New" is shown above a synopsis: "It wasn't supposed to go this far… If Dylan had a type, Ashton would be the furthest from it. Their kiss at the party was a one-time thing, just a single moment of weakness. As was what happened on the rooftop after, and the sexting ever since, and…" || trope flags: Enemies-to-Lovers | Preppy × Punk | Forced Proximity | Spicy Novella | College RomCom || Find it on KU for a limited time!
An ereader featuring the book cover for "Run, Little Wolf, Run" by JA Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'grin' highlighted: △▽△▽△▽△▽△▽△▽△▽△ "Do you ever regret it?" Garmir whispered as his Wolf's snout nuzzled gently against his ear. Around him, Hati shifted. The claws tracing unknown patterns through the thatch of hair across Garmir's chest stilled. "Regret what, my prize?" Garmir swallowed, forging on. "Taking a mate who will not submit to you?" he asked, finally voicing the long-held fear. "Instead of some sweet biddable thing you don't have to keep chasing all over creation?" "Never," his Wolf echoed Garmir's earlier answer; that warm, sure tone holding a grin. "Where would be the fun in that?" Relieved, Garmir chuckled weakly. It died in his throat as one clawed finger touched under his jaw, tipping Garmir’s chin up until his gaze met those glowing eyes. "Never doubt that you are worth the chase and then some; my right arm, my able warrior, my mate, my match, my sweet surprise." Hati's smile shone like the moon as his Wolf dipped his head, demanding another kiss. And this — oh, this submission Garmir could grant him, the world and its worries all falling a million leagues away at the meeting of their lips. △▽△▽△▽△▽△▽△▽△▽△ (...To Be Continued...)
An ereader featuring the book cover for "Run, Little Wolf, Run" by JA Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'massive' highlighted: △▽△▽△▽△▽△▽△▽△ Garmir had been a large man when he'd died, even before the Goddess of Death chose him to guard Her gate, in those miserable centuries before Hati finally freed him. His massive scarred body, twisted and transmuted into the shape She envisioned for Her newly favored hound; quivering now in Hati's hold, stroked and cradled and desired and prized? Swallowing back the shaky breath squeezing tight his throat, Garmir blinked fast. Unable to process the rush of sensations all surging through him in a howling onslaught as it threatened to overwhelm. "Hush now, little wolf," that deep voice rumbled. "My prize, my handsome one. Let go. You are safe here; you are loved; you are mine." Hati's breath was hot on Garmir's cheek, his free hand lay warm where it pressed against the center of Garmir's aching, shuddering ribs. Anchoring him. Supporting him. Keeping him from flying apart. "I would hear you," the Wolf demanded, the order a rough and husky growl that seemed to rumble through the chest at Garmir's back. "Tell me what you need." But speech was somewhere beyond the place Garmir existed in just then. He could barely remember the purpose of his lungs. His breathing grew ragged, head falling back on one broad shoulder. His entire body grew lax in the Wolf's embrace, whispering — Surrender. Surrender. Oh, if only it could be that simple… △▽△▽△▽△▽△▽△▽△ (...To Be Continued...)
A heart drawn around the rank #9 flag, over an Amazon listing for The Dancing Tree (Songs of a Sunless Land #1) by J.A. Skald, along with an ereader featuring the clinch cover, and trope arrows listing Complete Trilogy, Grumpy/Sunshine, Sword & Sorcery, Hurt/Comfort, Dark Folklore Adventure, Heroic Dark Fantasy, Disability Rep, & There Was Only One Bed. Showing a rating of 4 stars & priced $0.99 USD (as of this posting) Also shown is "What readers are saying about Songs of a Sunless Land" and reviewer quotes: "dark and distinctive" | "amazing worldbuilding" | "entrancing" | "unique premise and wonderful characters" | "I immensely enjoyed it" | "compelling" | "Dark Fantasy at its best"
A heart drawn around the rank #13 flag, over an Amazon listing for The Dancing Tree (Songs of a Sunless Land #1) by J.A. Skald, along with an ereader featuring the clinch cover, and trope arrows listing Complete Trilogy, Grumpy/Sunshine, Sword & Sorcery, Hurt/Comfort, Dark Folklore Adventure, Heroic Dark Fantasy, Disability Rep, & There Was Only One Bed. Showing a rating of 4 stars & priced $0.99 USD (as of this posting) Also shown is "What readers are saying about Songs of a Sunless Land" and reviewer quotes: "dark and distinctive" | "amazing worldbuilding" | "entrancing" | "unique premise and wonderful characters" | "I immensely enjoyed it" | "compelling" | "Dark Fantasy at its best"
A heart drawn around the rank #25 flag, over an Amazon listing for The Dancing Tree (Songs of a Sunless Land #1) by J.A. Skald, along with an ereader featuring the clinch cover, and trope arrows listing Complete Trilogy, Grumpy/Sunshine, Sword & Sorcery, Hurt/Comfort, Dark Folklore Adventure, Heroic Dark Fantasy, Disability Rep, & There Was Only One Bed. Showing a rating of 4 stars & priced $0.99 USD (as of this posting) Also shown is "What readers are saying about Songs of a Sunless Land" and reviewer quotes: "dark and distinctive" | "amazing worldbuilding" | "entrancing" | "unique premise and wonderful characters" | "I immensely enjoyed it" | "compelling" | "Dark Fantasy at its best"
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for Under Ghostfire Mountain (Tales of a Sunless Land), one with two men wrestling, the other of a campsite below a mountain & northern lights in a starry sky || 4.5 stars are shown above some reviewer quotes: well-written and engaging right from the beginning | felt as though I were immersed in it | another great visit to the sunless land || trope flags: Enemies-to-Lovers | MM Romantasy | Hurt/Comfort | Sword & Sorcery | Standalone || Now on KU for a limited time! 99¢ SALE
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for Chance's Harbor: Go the Long Way (one with a shirtless cowboy, the other of two men walking up the drive to a beach house overlooking a sparkling ocean while a horse watches om) || 4.5 stars and the number 50+ (indicating the review count) are shown above some reviewer quotes: "There were times I wanted to cry, laugh, blush. It was an amazing read" | "it broke my heart and put it right back together again. Honestly, I just can’t recommend it strongly enough. 5 stars!!" | "Didn’t know how much I needed a dirty talking ex-NFL star calling his cowboy boyfriend “darlin’”" || trope flags: MM Romantantic Suspense | Second Chances & Small Towns | Cowboy/Teacher | Jock/Jock | Country Boys Figuring It Out | Best Friends to Lovers || Back on KU for a limited time! 99¢ SALE
A heart drawn around the rank #72 flag, over an Amazon listing for The Dancing Tree (Songs of a Sunless Land #1) by J.A. Skald, along with an ereader featuring the clinch cover, and trope arrows listing Complete Trilogy, Grumpy/Sunshine, Sword & Sorcery, Hurt/Comfort, Dark Folklore Adventure, Epic Dark Fantasy, Disability Rep, & There Was Only One Bed. Showing a rating of 4 stars & priced $4.99 USD (as of this posting) Also shown is "What readers are saying about Songs of a Sunless Land" and reviewer quotes: dark and distinctive | amazing worldbuilding | entrancing | Unique premise and wonderful characters | I immensely enjoyed it | compelling | Dark Fantasy at its best | pick up this series if this is your genre. You will be glad you did
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for Bully Boys 1: Fresh || 4.5 stars are shown above some reviewer quotes: surprised me in the best way | nearly melted my kindle | a VERY GOOD representation of bisexuality | great twist on an old plot | WHEN IS BOOK 2 COMING OUT?? WHEN?? | defied stereotypes | I ate this one upppppp | I was snort laughing | 3some…actually moved…plot forward | exceptional • authentic • 10 stars || trope flags: Reverse-Bully RomCom | Enemies-to-Lovers | And They Were Roomates | Nerd/Jock Subversion | Frat Boy In Over His Head || claim all covers & more at suncatcherpress.com
6 eReaders facing front, with alt covers angled behind featuring two themes: [XMAS Traditions] + Chance's Harbor: Go the Long Way + Bully Boys 1: Fresh [Winter Vibes] + The Dancing Tree (Songs of a Sunless Land: Hymns of Winter #1) + The Shattered Isles (Songs of a Sunless Land: Hymns of Winter #2) + The Hollow Palace (Songs of a Sunless Land: Hymns of Winter #3) + Under Ghostfire Mountain (Tales of a Sunless Land) Other UI elements include: "FREE in KU!" "Discover all the covers & more at SuncatcherPress.com/Kickstarter" & all atop a sparkly red background
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for The Witching Woods (Tales of a Sunless Land) || "Out Soon!" is shown above a snippet: Keep sharp your claws, child | Pray be luck-kissed | For the old gods hunt | Out there in the Mist || Mercy is such a human concept, after all… || trope flags: Curses & Riddles | Dark Folklore | Fae Mischief | Sword & Sorcery | MM Romantasy || claim all covers & more at suncatcherpress.com
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for The Hollow Palace (Songs of a Sunless Land #3) || "Out now!" is shown above some reviewer quotes: The third book cannot come fast enough (- A Reader) || trope flags: Rescuing A Prince | Fae Court Intrigue | Sword & Sorcery | Complete Trilogy | MM Romantasy || claim all covers & more at suncatcherpress.com
A banner saying "Happy Pan Pride Day!" above a sticker on a laptop, a holographic sticker, a notebook, a pair of mugs, a postcard, and a waterbottle bearing a bookcase filled with pan-pride color themed books and the words "Read With Pride", Also shown: two pencils, and a stack of books Below all this are 11 ereaders bearing eBooks featuring pan characters: 12 Gays of Xmas, Go the Long Way, Double Header, Bully Boys 1: Fresh, The Dancing Tree (Songs of a Sunless Land #1), & Don't Stop Believing. In the corner is the rainbow burst logo of Suncatcher Press
A heart drawn around the rank #90 flag, over an Amazon listing for The Dancing Tree (Songs of a Sunless Land #1) by J.A. Skald, along with an ereader featuring the clinch cover, and trope arrows listing Complete Trilogy, Grumpy/Sunshine, Sword & Sorcery, Hurt/Comfort, Cover Art by Author, Epic Dark Fantasy, Swashbuckling Adventure, & Open Door (Spice). Showing a rating of 4 stars & priced $4.99 USD (as of this posting) Also shown is "What readers are saying about Songs of a Sunless Land" and reviewer quotes: dark and distinctive | amazing worldbuilding | entrancing | Unique premise and wonderful characters | I immensely enjoyed it | compelling | Dark Fantasy at its best | pick up this series if this is your genre. You will be glad you did
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for The Shattered Isles (Songs of a Sunless Land #2) || 4.5 stars are shown above some reviewer quotes: Dark Fantasy at its best | pick up this series if this is your genre. You will be glad you did || trope flags: Secret Identities | Fae Mischief | Sword & Sorcery | Complete Trilogy | MM Romantasy || claim all covers & more at suncatcherpress.com
A heart drawn around the rank #75 flag, over an Amazon listing for the new The Hollow Palace (Songs of a Sunless Land #3) by J.A. Skald, along with an ereader featuring the clinch cover, and trope arrows listing Complete Trilogy, Fae Court Intrigue, Sword & Sorcery, Your Prince is in Another Tower, Cover Art by Author, Epic Dark Fantasy, Swashbuckling Adventure, & Open Door (Spice). Currently $4.99 USD (as of this posting)
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for The Dancing Tree (Songs of a Sunless Land #1) || 4 stars are shown above some reviewer quotes: dark and distinctive | amazing worldbuilding | entrancing | Unique premise and wonderful characters | I immensely enjoyed it | compelling || trope flags: Dark Folklore | Grumpy/Sunshine | Sword & Sorcery | Complete Trilogy | MM Romantasy || claim all covers & more at suncatcherpress.com
A heart drawn around the rank #95 flag, over an Amazon listing for the new The Hollow Palace (Songs of a Sunless Land #3) by J.A. Skald, along with an ereader featuring the clinch cover, and trope arrows listing Complete Trilogy, Fae Court Intrigue, Sword & Sorcery, Your Prince is in Another Tower, Cover Art by Author, Epic Dark Fantasy, Swashbuckling Adventure, & Open Door (Spice). Currently $4.99 USD (as of this posting)
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for Rules of Play: Double Header (one with a pair of shirtless soccer players, the other of two men waving to a stadium of fans, with their arms around each other's waists) || 4 stars are shown above some reviewer quotes: "IAN. That’s all you need to know about this book, I promise | Alex speaking Spanish throughout this story when he can’t find his words was the cutest thing I’ve ever read | Angst, heat and a whole lot of love | authentic and relatable- and overall is wonderfully written" || trope flags: MM College Sports Romance | Rivals-to-Lovers | There Was Only One Bed | Black Cat / Golden Retriever | First Times & Body Worship || claim all covers & more at suncatcherpress.com
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for Chance's Harbor: Go the Long Way (one with a shirtless cowboy, the other of two men walking up the drive to a beach house overlooking a sparkling ocean while a horse watches om) || 4.5 stars and the number 50+ (indicating the review count) are shown above some reviewer quotes: "There were times I wanted to cry, laugh, blush. It was an amazing read" | "it broke my heart and put it right back together again. Honestly, I just can’t recommend it strongly enough. 5 stars!!" | "Didn’t know how much I needed a dirty talking ex-NFL star calling his cowboy boyfriend “darlin’”" || trope flags: MM Romantantic Suspense | Second Chances & Small Towns | Cowboy/Teacher | Jock/Jock | Country Boys at Christmas | Best Friends to Lovers || claim all covers & more at suncatcherpress.com
two ereaders featuring the alt covers for Tales of a Sunless Land: Under Ghostfire Mountain (one with two men wrestling, the other of a campsite below a mountain & northern lights in a starry sky) || 4.5 stars are shown above some reviewer quotes: well-written and engaging right from the beginning | felt as though I were immersed in it | another great visit to the sunless land || trope flags: Enemies-to-Lovers | MM Romantasy | Dog Sledding | Hurt/Comfort | Standalone || claim all covers & more at suncatcherpress.com
Screen grab of two figures in carved and painted wooden masks of exaggerated human faces, wearing garb of layered cloth patches in red, green, gold, and white. by Couleur Carnival, Fasnet, Swabian alemannic image. Free for use. https://pixabay.com/photos/carnival-fasnet-swabian-alemannic-2092819/
8 ereaders on a red bokeh background for the upcoming happy holigays series, featuring trope arrows calling out such favs as rockstar/rockstar, best friends to lovers, brother's best friend, single dads, open door, city boy/country boy
Stickers, hoodies, shirts, mugs & more featuring pride & book cover designs from J.A. Skald at sunctcherpress.com, between the words: (top) Black Friday is over (bottom) bring on the rainbow week sale! Up to 27% off @ suncatcherpress.com/shop
Two ereaders with book covers for Happy Holigays: Hard Candy Christmas by CJ Pines, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'world' highlighted: "You’re a mess, Lee.” Tracing the pad of his thumb over the scar splitting one dark eyebrow, Cole frowned at the memories it conjured up. Lee's grunt as he caught the edge of a bottle in a fight with a so-called 'fan' after a show. Head snapping back, dazed and reeling; bleeding like a stuck pig all down one side of that handsome face. Cole had been livid. With a drunken roar, he'd knocked the guy out, bundling Lee into a taxi headed straight to the ER. His knee hadn't stopped bouncing the whole time they'd sat in the waiting area; Lee slumped against him until a nurse finally found a moment to stitch him up. In the darkness of the cab, Lee had been plastered against Cole's shoulder on the ride home; each passing streetlight making the bandages on his face glow eerily bright. The whole way, the damned fool kept trying to make Cole laugh, too. As if Cole was the one who'd been hurt, who needed distracting. They'd just moved into that dinky little shack of a beach house, every last dime they could scrape together barely covering the rent. But you could walk right out the door and down the stairs to the sandy strand, the entire ocean stretching out to the end of the world. Cursing each one of those blasted wooden steps that night though, Cole had hauled a giggling Lee up as fast as he could. He'd nearly broken the damn door handle getting them both inside, before promptly throwing Lee onto their bed; three years and a lifetime ago. Fuck, that'd been a hell of a good night.
Two ereaders with book covers for Happy Holigays: What Are You Doing New Queer's Eve? by CJ Pines, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'glass' highlighted: "Probably time to recast that," Owen said with a nod towards the pole in Zach’s hand. Reeling in his own line, Owen slotted his pole in one of a trio of tubes that looked made for the purpose; cut lengths of battered PVC pipe attached to a bit of scrap wood, all bolted to the side of the boat. Shifting around towards the cooler, their boat shifted with him. Startled, Zach grabbed for the side to steady himself; his whole world rocked with Owen's movement. "You want a beer?" Owen asked over the sound of sloshing ice as he rooted around inside. "Sure," Zach replied, reaching out absently. He kept his eyes locked safely on his red and white bobber, floating all serene and frustrating-like on the surface of the water without a hint of any fish to be seen. And not the way Owen's jeans bunched and stretched in interesting ways; the way it might feel to simply lean over, slide his palm down the swell of canvas-clad — Zach reared back without thinking as icy slick glass and warm fingers brushed his hand, yanking his hand away as if he'd been burned. Face falling, Owen's hair dropped down to hide his eyes as he looked out over the water. "This was a bad idea," he said in a low, flat voice; a scowl twisting up his features. "Reel your pole on in. I'll drop you off at the marina across the cove. It's not far from your car." "What — ?" "This ain't my first rodeo." Owen's brows had this crease going that made Zach's fingers itch to smooth over. "Don't think I didn't notice you've been jumpy all morning. Bring in your line. It’s time to go.”
Two ereaders with book covers for Happy Holigays: What Are You Doing New Queer's Eve? by CJ Pines, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'direction' highlighted: Zach swallowed against the knot that was forming in his throat as Owen leaned closer. The intensity in those cinnamon-flecked eyes sent a shiver down his spine, the way they were locked on his; searching, watching. Alert for any sign of rejection, the slightest hesitancy as Owen's hands settled on either side of Zach’s waist. There was no denying his nervousness. Here on the precipice, it was like he was a teenager again; all awkward angles and sweaty palms. Calm down, it's just a fucking kiss. Such a simple thing. Stupid to get this worked up over it, really. But after so many years spent denying himself exactly this? His mind was caught in a tailspin; anxieties buffeting him from every direction. What if it's not any good? What if I'm not any good? What if I like it, and everything changes? What if I'm wrong, and nothing does? What if — What if — What if — Drawing a deep breath, Zach pushed away the thoughts crowding into his skull, sending them scattering like so many startled birds. Here could be the answer he'd always secretly needed, the answer he'd never allowed himself to seek out before. Hope fluttered inside him like a golden thing, caught fast within that liminal space; cradled between his ribs as Zach reached out to cup Owen’s jaw in his hand, so solid and warm, stubble rough against his palm. After all his years of questioning, at this moment he could only cling to one certainty, one truth — There's no way to know unless…until I try. "You okay there, darlin'?" Owen whispered, eyes flicking to Zack's lips and back. Mm, think I'm about to be.
8 ereaders on a red bokeh background for the upcoming happy holigays series, featuring trope arrows calling out such favs as rockstar/rockstar, best friends to lovers, brother's best friend, single dads, open door
A heart drawn around the rank #46 flag, over an Amazon listing for the new Under Ghostfire Mountain (Tales of a Sunless Land) by J.A. Skald, along with an ereader featuring the clinch cover, and trope arrows listing Grumpy/Grumpy, Forced Proximity, Dog Dad, Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone, Cover Art by Author, Hurt/Comfort, & Open Door (Spice). Currently on sale for $0.99 USD (as of this posting)
A heart drawn around the rank #79 flag, over an Amazon listing for the new Under Ghostfire Mountain (Tales of a Sunless Land) by J.A. Skald, along with an ereader featuring the clinch cover, and trope arrows listing Grumpy/Grumpy, Forced Proximity, Dog Dad, Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone, Cover Art by Author, Hurt/Comfort, & Open Door (Spice). Currently on sale for $0.99 USD (as of this posting)
ereader with book cover for a new Tales of a Sunless Land by J.A. Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the words 'tunic' highlighted: "Go away, little man," Grom grunted at the human who'd dared to dog a bergsrå's footsteps the past three days. "A storm is coming. This mountain is no place for you." In the moonlight, the creature that stepped cautiously out from behind the knobbled trunk of the ancient pine looked nothing like the figure Grom had spotted trailing his goats on the far side of the mountain. Once, the tunic he wore had been the light blue of a morning sky, and whole. His dark hair and beard had been sleek and tidy, his rucksack full, his eyes bright. That had been quite some time ago, however. Now, after chasing Grom's path up and down and through some of the mountain's worst terrain, the man's gaze was wary and tired, his pack gone, and all of him mud-streaked and ragged. Standing there in the tall summer grass, the human looked about as stubborn as the most mischievous little goat of Grom's herd, and twice as disheveled. Grom grinned to himself. That first day, he had assumed the human was simply lost, and had decided to follow Grom's herd of goats under the simple logic that, because they were behaved and well fed, they must obviously belong to someone. Someone who might be willing to help a confused traveler. Or at the least, direct him to the nearest village. By the second day, it had become obvious it wasn't the goats the human was following, but Grom himself. For what reason, Grom did not care. It had been amusing leading the stubborn little man in circles around and about Grom's mountain each night; up this ravine and down that cliff, always staying three steps out of sight. Even better though, might've been the days. How the man would squawk and search fruitlessly for his quarry; the bergsrå's trail gone cold as stone in the Daybringer's stark light. Hidden in plain view, Grom had chuckled sleepily to himself, watching
Three ereaders with book covers for a new Tales of a Sunless Land by J.A. Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the words 'tongue prickling with the taste of magic' highlighted: He really shouldn't, especially if the vættirs' wrath turned out to be justified. Humans were always causing trouble in the valleys below Grom’s mountain; snarling up the Weave and fighting with each other. It was not his problem. Still, this little human had shown spirit coming here, tracking down and arguing with a bergsrå. There was a fire to him Grom found amusing. He was surprised to realize he would be sad to see this one leave. Or worse, learn he'd fallen to some vættir trick. Maybe… And yet, no matter how Grom might feel about it, there were ancient forms that must be observed. Grom blew out the deepest of breaths, and stopped. Closing his eyes, he searched out the nearest threads of the Weave, and listened. "Cardinal's gold, baby's breath, and one year," Grom spoke into the still night air, tongue prickling with the taste of magic. "What?" Sten asked, surprised writ clear across his face as he turned to Grom. "Three things Sten must give, for Grom to help." The little human blew out a breath, looking down the mountain as he thought it over "Alright. How?" But Grom could only shake his shaggy head, the beads in his hair clinking. "Grom cannot help. This, Sten must do alone." "But — " Grom held up his hand to forestall the little human's rebuttal. "Is what makes it price, instead of gift. This is how it must be" For a gift from a bergsrå to a human would create a bond Grom could not imagine the little man standing before him would want. Which was for the best, really. Because if Grom began giving this human gifts, he feared he might never stop…
An ereader with a book cover for a new work in progress (codenamed: Quarry) for the Tales of a Sunless Land series by J.A. Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'local' highlighted: "So," the human echoed the bergsrå with a huff. "Lars grew up in the quarry as a waterboy, before pa apprenticed him to one of the bankers. That kid could scramble across scaffolding better'n any of your goats. No way he misstepped — not with such a clean cut across the plank. I think it's something else. I think someone's upset the quarry’s vættir.” Looking up sharply, Gorm squinted at the tiny human before glancing down the slope of the mountain to the quarry's white scar. In the air just above it, the shimmering Weave eddied alarmingly. The magic that should rightfully flow steadily in and around and through it was instead twisting about itself to avoid a patch of tension; like a loop of thread snagged in a sweater. And Gorm had almost missed it. He didn't come to this side of his mountain much anymore. The bergsrå hadn't meant to today, either, but he'd been distracted by his game of cat and mouse with the strange human that had wandered onto his mountain.The snarl was still small, at least. But it would not stay that way for long. The humans no doubt would continue pulling and tugging at whatever had caused it, just as they always did. Gorm sighed in irritation. "Something is wrong," Gorm admitted at the man's questioning expression. "What did humans do?" "How should I know? We're a small village of stoneworkers, not mages. All three of the local priests made a big show of invoking their gods, but not a one of 'em saved that lad from his fall. We've tried leaving out offerings, but they're still there the next morning, untouched. If it really is just a spate of bad luck, then — that's how it goes sometimes, I guess. But if it is to do with the vættir… There's got to be a way to fix it, right?" "Yes," Gorm answered him. "If humans willing to pay price.”
A lineup of four lined notebooks with fantasy-themed covers
Three ereaders with book covers for Tales of a Sunless Land: Under Ghostfire Mountain by J.A. Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'trail' highlighted: "That is…a strange sensation," Martel murmured as their magic faded, shifting slightly under Käre. "Agreed," Käre huffed, urging his body to calm. "Bad?" "No, it is — " Martel chuckled. "I have teased you enough, I think. Perhaps it is best I do not say." Käre considered that for all of a moment, before letting his hand fall back behind his head until he could brush the tips of his runeglove along what he hoped was a cheek. "If I'm to be completely honest with you," Käre whispered into the all-encompassing dark. "Your teasing may be the only thing keeping me together right now." He bit his lip. "In fact, if I think too hard about it…" Käre trailed off, fear drying up his words; overcome with a feeling that if he said them out loud, they might turn out to be true… "What is it?" Martel murmured, his hand smoothing over Käre's belly in a way he truly hoped was really real… "Just… Please don't be something my mind made up, alright?" Käre said so softly that he was sure only a Relict could hear it. "Some little figment to keep me company as I slowly unspool alone in here." Martel chuckled, but it sounded brittle, almost forced. "And I could ask this of you as well. But here, how can you call this a 'little figment'?" Martel shifted again, fitting an unmistakable bulge against Käre's ass. Käre laughed weakly. As humor went, it was terrible. And yet, that somehow made it all the more reassuring. If he were a figment, then surely I'd be gone enough to believe it'd been a better joke. "How is this?" Martel said quietly. "If I am here, then you must save us. And if I am not, then you must save yourself and come find me."
Three ereaders with book covers for Tales of a Sunless Land: Under Ghostfire Mountain by J.A. Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'trail' highlighted: "The snow's packed hard as stone. I — what?" Käre yelped as something started fumbling at his hip. "Looking for your knife," Martel replied calmly, as if he wasn't pawing at Käre's body. "Think mine got lost in the avalanche. Yours too, by the feel of things." "It's on the back of my belt," Käre hissed. "Which I'd have said already if you'd asked instead of just grabbing." Martel blew out a breath. He sounded about as frustrated as Käre was feeling. "Sorry. I am reaching for your knife, to get us out before we die. Will you allow me?" "Fine," Käre hissed back. "Just — " Alright, the noise Käre let out then wasn't a squeak, but it was a godsblessed sight closer than he'd like to admit. The sheath buckled lengthwise across the small of his back made it easy to get in a fight or under his rucksack, or just sitting down at the long tables in Sigritårn, ready for dinner. Right now, however, the location seemed incredibly inconvenient for Käre's fast unraveling sanity. "You need to get laid," Martel chuckled, no doubt able to feel the reaction Käre's body was having to their continued intimacy, the proof now rather hard to ignore pinned as Käre was against the Relict's thigh. I really, really do, Käre didn't say, unwilling to give Martel even more ammunition than he already had. "Are you quite finished?" he snapped instead. "I cannot find…" Martel trailed off, sounding distracted. "Wait. Which hand do you draw with?" "My left," Käre bit out. "That would have been useful to say at the start," Martel said, much to Käre's irritation as he shifted, reaching for the handle with his other hand now. "Or maybe you are flirting with me, hey? If so, you are very bad at it.” Oh. OH! ”Why, you absolute ars-”
Three ereaders with book covers for Tales of a Sunless Land: The Witching Woods by J.A. Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'steel' highlighted: Up close, the Yaga’s breath was rank with the stench of old tobacco and raw onion. It mixed poorly with the too-sweet cloud of floral perfume hanging about her, the warm spice of gingerbread, and a dozen other scents besides. Ryn jumped as one clawed hand grabbed his arm surprisingly tight; her skin like old leaves as she gripped him hard enough to bruise. “Increased when given away for free, Leaves no trace the eye can see. Hurts when lost or ne'er found, Hard to say, yet sweet the sound. Light as a breath, strong as misteel, Joyous to hold, oft painful to feel. A word, a gift, a glance, a touch — Whatever else could mean so much?” She released him, sitting back wearing a wide grin as she waited for an answer to her riddle. A raven cawed from somewhere deep in the orchard. Or a crow maybe; Ryn had never been good at telling the two apart. He eyed the trees, the ripened fruit bowing their branches. Ryn frowned, something tickling at the back of his mind. A feeling, an image, a memory…
A screen shot of a windows file folder containing 232 items; all either named variations of 'New 17' or random character keyboard smashes. The folder name "New folder (4)" is highlighted
Three ereaders with book covers for Tales of a Sunless Land: Under Ghostfire Mountain by J.A. Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'nice' highlighted: "My retinue won't be happy about being woken so early on their first morning back, but I'm sure we can be ready in three bells. Maybe two, if we plan to don armor onsite instead of before we head out." Käre grimaced, not relishing having to drag a hungover Dursk out of his wife's nice warm bed and into the snow. "How about yours?" But Martel just shook his head. "Let them sleep. Tower-trained humans would be little use where we will go, and two travel much faster. Layer up thick and warm, but flexible. No plate — it will slow you down in the mountains. A quarter bell, then we leave." Käre glared at him. "Who died and made you cadre commander?" The Relict merely raised his eyebrow, those strange silver eyes of theirs flashing in the light. "I traveled in with traders. If we hurry, maybe we still catch them, hey?" Martel said instead, his tone friendly but still as implacable as misteel. "With luck, they will have us there by lunch and back in time for dinner." It was a sound plan, actually. One Käre couldn't find any fault with. Which, of course, just made his mood even fouler.
A bunch of swag available on suncatcherpress.com using cover art from JA Skald's books plus several pieces of pride art; postcards, pin buttons, flasks, notebooks, stickers, holographic stickers, mugs & more
Three ereaders with book covers for Songs of a Sunless Land 2: The Shattered Isles by J.A. Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'web' highlighted: "Names," the boy said then, thinking hard, "What we call something. It's all important, isn't it?" "Of course!" She looked affronted by the question. "How else do we know what something is?" "What about describing what it looks like?" The boy offered weakly. "That only says something about you," the bird-like tryllan huffed. "Specifically, that you are a fool. Your description would be based on yourself; your experiences, your beliefs, your desires. What use is any of that to me?Utter foolishness. Especially here in the fae realm." "Where everything is always shifting," the boy said slowly, working it out. He felt as if he could almost see the shape of what they were saying, as if it hovered just out of the corner of his eye. But if he tried to look at it full on, it escaped him again. "So do you just… ask everyone? All the time? Isn't that confusing?" "Life's confusing," the fishlike fae hissed, laughing. "Simple is for the dead." "But what if you can't keep up with it?" "Then you shall be gobbled up by those who can. What else?" the bird-like tryllan said with a sniff, turning back to her work. "It's no business of mine, I'm sure." "I can change," the boy assured them both. "You'd better," the fishlike fae said in a considering tone, cocking his head as he studied the boy's expression. "But if you can't… Can I have your teeth when you die?"
Three ereaders with book covers for Songs of a Sunless Land 2: The Shattered Isles by J.A. Skald, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'web' highlighted: "Stay with me, stay on the path. Don’t go waltzing off by yourself, not even to leave to pick a flower or take a piss," Askogen warned, his tone turning serious. "The faewastes are in constant flux. Like a fast-flowing river; the terrain just as volatile, just as ever-changing. Stray too far and — bargain or no — I simply won’t be able to keep you safe from getting snared in its current. Or eaten by what things might lurk just below its surface." "Dangerous, got it," Sebastian said almost absently as the scent of freshly baked bread and meaty stew being prepared for the dinner crowd caught his attention. "More than merely dangerous. Hungry," the fae explained as he inspected mournfully the desolate contents of the tankards around him. "As if a spider and its web were both one, and you yourself the fly with no choice but to cross it. You must trust nothing there, not even your own senses." Sebastian just looked at him skeptically. "But I should trust you?" "Now when did I ever say that, my dear Relict?" Askogen replied, flashing him a grin so toothy it couldn't be described as anything other than feral.
Laptop with stickers and scattered postcards
a triptych of eReaders showing books in A Sunless Land series by J.A. Skald, and Bully Boys by CJ Pines (alternate pen names of the same author)
Two eReaders featuring the covers for Tales of a Sunless Land: The Witching Woods by J.A. Skald Light text on a dark background: Keep sharp your claws, child Pray be luck-kissed For the old gods hunt Out there in the Mist… The boy ran, snatches of the old nursery song ringing mockingly in his ears. Ancient and uncaring, the forest clawed at his clothes, his hair, his skin as he raced through the darkness; darting between gnarled trees and thorny underbrush with only the barest scraps of moonlight to guide his way. Thin lines of fire burned where unseen branches caught and tore, scoring his hands and face as he fled into the night. His legs ached. His lungs heaved like bellows. The chilly autumn air made the tear tracks on his cheeks burn like twin brands. Against his ribs, his heart was hammering so hard he was sure it would burst from his chest at any moment; go scampering off into the woods faster than a frightened hare, abandoning him to his fate alone. He didn’t know how much longer he could last like this, but he had an inkling of how long he'd last if he stopped. Which is to say: a pitifully short time, all of it punctuated by blood and fangs and screaming. With a hastily offered prayer to the ancestors, the boy ran on. (ancestors is highlighted)
6 eReaders featuring the MM Epic Fantasy trilogy: Songs of a Sunless Land. Tropes such as fae mischief, grumpy/sunshine, hurt/comfort, disability rep, monsters & magic, open door, earned HEA are labeled with arrows, along with a badge for Kickstarter's "Projects We Love"
An eReader and 4 mobile phones featuring the MM Epic Fantasy trilogy, Songs of a Sunless Land. Tropes such as fae mischief, grumpy/sunshine, hurt/comfort, disability rep, monsters & magic, earned HEA, open door, morally grey cast, and only one bed are labeled with arrows, along with a badge for Kickstarter's "Projects We Love"
A moody photo of black eyed susans, a flower with many pointed yellow petals and a large fuzzy brown "eye" in the middle. (The inspiration for a type of cookie with a chocolate piece in the middle.)
Racing cars tearing down the track at Silverstone under a big blue sky
A screenshot of an email from Kickstarter in light text on a dark background, saying: "Your project has been successfully funded! Kickstarter CONGRATULATIONS!"