J.A. Jaken's Adventures in Writing

Sharing the audiobook cover I made for THE MAGICIAN'S APPRENTICE, which is finishing up production today:



I'd love to know what you all think of it! I'm really excited to get this audiobook finalized and have Dan's magnificent voice acting out there for all of you to enjoy. He did an absolutely fantastic job on this one.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the story, here is a brief description of it:

The Magician's Apprentice
A Prequel to the Dragon Mage Chronicles
by J.A. Jaken

Narrated by: Dan Calley
10 hours 46 minutes (108,000 words)
Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, M/M Romance

Jander Teregnan has never wanted anything more than to become a mage--to serve his king and defend his country as he explores his natural talent at commanding the strange power known as magic. Of course every apprentice needs a master, which comes with its own set of challenges...especially when the master he's chosen for himself is none other than Andrei Teresh, personal advisor to the king and master mage of the city of Vallerin.

Andrei, however, has more pressing problems on his mind than dealing with the unsolicited advances of one untrained mage-apprentice. A fierce and merciless army of unknown intent is sweeping across the land, threatening the kingdom he has sworn to protect. Even worse, dragons--long thought to have withdrawn from the world of mankind--are emerging once again and spreading chaos in their wake. Somehow, Jander must find a way to help; not only to prove that he can be of use in the defense of his kingdom and become a mage, but also to secure his place at the side of the man he hopes to claim as master both of his magic and his heart.

https://jajakenfiction.net/the-magicians-apprentice/

Wardrake is up for book of the week on Love Bytes! I'd love it if you would stop by and give me a vote:

     https://lovebytesreviews.com/2020/09/06/love-bytes-reviews-book-of-the-week-poll-august-29-september-4-2020/

As a reminder, Wardrake is now available at these links:

     Buy Link (Kindle ebook): getBook.at/DMC4_Kindle

     Buy Link (Smashwords ebook): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1037588

     Buy Link (paperback): getBook.at/DMC4_pb

You can find out more about the Dragon Mage Chronicles m/m fantasy series here: bit.ly/DragonMageChronicles

Wardrake has received its first review on the Love Bytes book review blog: 4.5 stars, which is fantastic!!! Here is the link where you can read it:

     https://lovebytesreviews.com/2020/09/04/release-day-review-wardrake-by-j-a-jaken/

Also, I've updated the Dragon Mage Chronicles series webpage to include links to a preview for each of the books. You can check it out here if you're interested: bit.ly/DragonMageChronicles

I've been getting a lot of messages from readers letting me know that they're reading this newest book and are really enjoying the series, which I appreciate more than I can possibly say. I've been starving for feedback on the stories I write, and having that connection with the people who are reading them just makes me light up like Christmas inside. ^_^ I'm so happy that this book appears to be starting out strong and that people are enjoying it.

I feel both happy and sad to have Wardrake finally published. I love this series so very much, and it's a bit of a shock to realize that it's over at last. I absolutely adore Jander and Andrei and Gabrielle and Boaen and Tanith and Alluin... and even Kirin, in his own way. All of these characters have become incredibly dear to me over the years I've been working on writing this series. Publishing this final book feels a little bit like saying goodbye, like sending a child who's all grown up now out into the world to fend for himself. It's a feeling of tremendous accomplishment, but at the same time it's bittersweet.

But what a journey it has been! I'm so grateful for all of you who've given me encouragement throughout all of this, who bought the books and sent me comments to let me know that you've been sucked into this world as much as I have. That's what I strive to do as a writer, to create worlds and characters that will connect with people. By that measurement, it feels as though this series has been a resounding success. ♥♥♥

The Love Bytes blog recently ran a promo post for my upcoming release, Wardrake (Book IV in the Dragon Mage Chronicles series). Check it out here:

     http://lovebytesreviews.com/2020/08/27/spotlight-incl-exclusive-excerpt-j-a-jaken-wardrake-the-dragon-mage-chronicles-4/

Wardrake is all set for release on September 4, 2020. It is currently available for preorder at these links:

     Buy Link (Kindle ebook): getBook.at/DMC4_Kindle

     Buy Link (Smashwords ebook): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1037588

The Dragon Mage Chronicles m/m fantasy series tells the story of Jander Teregnan, a young man with a rare gift of magic that sets him and the renowned Andrei Teresh, the man who has become both his master in the magic and his lover, on a desperate quest to defend their kingdom, their home, and each other. Find out more about the series by clicking here:

     bit.ly/DragonMageChronicles

I now have a series collection page on Amazon for the Dragon Mage Chronicles!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085DL9NYD




There is already a page for the series on Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/48235




It really feels like everything is wrapping up and coming together. I am super happy with how this series has turned out. It's been a lot of hard work, but it is so very worth it to see the finished product at last. ♥♥♥

bit.ly/DragonMageChronicles

Wardrake, Book IV in the Dragon Mage Chronicles m/m fantasy series, is now available for preorder! The buy links on Amazon and Smashwords are now live, although the cover image isn't showing up on the Amazon page yet for some reason. According to their FAQ, it could take a few days for it to start appearing on the page. I've never come across this issue before, but hopefully it will work itself out soon.

The book will be released on September 4, 2020. Here are the links where you can preorder:

     Buy Link (Kindle ebook): getBook.at/DMC4_Kindle

     Buy Link (Smashwords ebook): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1037588

The paperback version of the book will be coming soon.

I am really excited about how well this book turned out, but at the same time I'm feeling a bit anxious because it's the final book in the series and I'm really hoping all of you will love it as much as I do. I've sincerely enjoyed sharing Jander and Andrei's journey with all of you, and reading all of your comments and reactions to their story. Gabrielle seems to be a particular favorite, which makes me happy because I love her so much. :)

If you haven't had a chance to read this series yet, I recommend that you begin with the prequel novel, The Magician's Apprentice, before beginning the Chronicles series. The Magician's Apprentice is a m/m fantasy novel that begins the story of Jander Teregnan, a young man gifted in manipulating the strange energy his people know as magic. On the road far from home, he arrives in the capital city of Vallerin with the hope of finding a master who will be able to help him understand the arcane forces he can sense and interact with, but not reliably control. Once there, with the help of his loyal companion Gabrielle, he embarks on a journey that leads him into adventure, intrigue, danger, and romance as he becomes caught up in an adventure that will determine not only his fate, but the fate of his entire kingdom.


Wardrake (Dragon Mage Chronicles Book IV)
by J.A. Jaken

Novel (91,000 words)
Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, M/M Romance

Andrei and Jander return home to the city of Vallerin with the grimmest possible news and tell their king to do what he can to prepare his people for war. Kirin is heading toward the capital with a legion behind him, and he is determined to take revenge both on Andrei and on the apprentice he believes supplanted him in his former master's heart. This time, with the might of an entire dragon army at his command, he very well might succeed.

It's done. I just finished the read-through of my final draft for Wardrake. I'm not sure exactly how I feel right now. A lot of triumph, a great deal of satisfaction at a job well done, but also sad, just a little bit. Because what a journey this has been. I still remember when it first started, literally half a lifetime ago.

I am incredibly happy with how this story has turned out. Seeing the words "The End" typed at the end of the page feels a little surreal, after five books in the series (including the prequel). Thank you so very sincerely to all of you who have been taking this journey with me. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed sharing these characters and their world with you. I am looking forward so very much to getting this last book in the series out there for you to read and enjoy. :D

bit.ly/DragonMageChronicles

Firedrake is up for Book of the Week over on the Love Bytes website! I'd love it if you would stop by to give it a vote:

   >>> https://lovebytesreviews.com/2020/06/14/love-bytes-reviews-book-of-the-week-poll-june-6-12-2020/

The top two winners will be nominated for the Book of the Month contest at the end of the month. :)

It's release day!!! *throws confetti*

Firedrake, Book III in the Dragon Mage Chronicles, is now live and available for purchase. Here are the links where you can find it:

     Buy Link (Kindle ebook): getBook.at/DMC3_Kindle

     Buy Link (Smashwords ebook): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1024053

The paperback version of the novel is coming soon. I'll post a buy link just as soon as I have one for it.

This third book in the Dragon Mage Chronicles brings Jander and Andrei into Corascia's inner mountains, searching for the volcano where they believe Kirin is planning to conduct the dark magic rituals that will give him the power of a dragon mage. In this book you'll find harrowing battles and desperate pursuits, old foes and new allies, as well as a healthy dose of magic, adventure, and m/m romance.

I'm so happy to have this book out there at last. I really can't believe the series is almost complete. The final book, Wardrake, is in its final stages of editing right now and will be getting ready for publication very soon.

You can find more information about the Dragon Mage Chronicles m/m fantasy series here: bit.ly/DragonMageChronicles


Firedrake (Dragon Mage Chronicles Book III)
by J.A. Jaken
Novel (60,000 words)
Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, M/M Romance
It's a race against time as Andrei and Jander head deep into the volcanic warrens of their country's inner mountains to stop Kirin from completing the dark magic spell that will awaken the power of the dragons. There they find new allies in unlikely places, but also face betrayal in unanticipated forms. Can Jander overcome his fear of the power he still does not entirely understand in order to save himself and the master he has grown to love?

A preorder announcement for Firedrake was posted today on the Making It Happen book review blog. Stop by to check it out and read an exclusive excerpt from the book!

     https://moonangel23.blogspot.com/2020/06/pre-order-excerpt-firedrake-by-ja-jaken.html

As a reminder, Firedrake releases on June 12th! Here are the buy links:

     Buy Link (Kindle ebook): getBook.at/DMC3_Kindle

     Buy Link (Smashwords ebook): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1024053

For more info on the Dragon Mage Chronicles series, click here: http://jajaken.com/novels/dragonmagechronicles.htm