Tag Archives: B’rook Tūrehu

Musical, fantastical novel debuts: Song of the Ocarina

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IMG_0550Today, the post brought to my door a large box filled with copies of my new novel—Song of the Ocarina, book 1 of the Delfaerune Rhapsody series. I experienced an absolute, glorious, Back to the Future George McFly moment! (You remember the character receiving his box of books in the 1985 film?)

That moment… opening the box and lifting out your creation… well, it’s an indescribable. Definitely worth a movie score subtext… if only!

You can currently find my music-filled, fantastical, new-adult novel on Amazon—in both paperback and Kindle format, but…

You may want to consider purchasing it in-person between noon and 4 p.m., Nov. 1, 2014, at the Author Palooza Book Signing Release Celebration at Dog-Eared Pages in Phoenix. [She grins, hoping to see you there. C.L. Gillmore, a wonderful author friend, will also participate with her book A Friend Request, which I edited.]

I’m also staging a one-day “Amazon Rank-Up” sales event, probably on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Watch my Facebook page and this blog for more details.

Another amazing image of secondary characters Axyl Thorne and B'rook Turehu as envisioned by Stacy Lefevre.

Another amazing image of secondary characters Axyl Thorne and B’rook Turehu as envisioned by Stacy Lefevre.

So, what’s it all about, you wonder?

My Song of the Ocarina manuscript won a Top Five Finish award, in the “Realizing The Dream Contest” at the RWA Desert Dreams Writer’s Conference in April 2014.

A great start for something I began writing during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in 2010, even before I self-published my first novel Rhythms & Muse.

Four years later, here I sit with a new book and great gratitude for input from:

  • Seven critique partners
  • Three beta readers
  • Three Maori/New Zealand expert resources
  • Two Fae culture creative consultants
  • Three vegetarian recipe providers
  • Nineteen song aficionados
  • One content editor
  • One generous production designer
  • Two brilliant character illustrators

In a companion post, I list the names of all these contributors… Many more lovely people helped make this book possible. A humble thank you.

About the Novel

Desperate to understand her place in the world, teenage musical prodigy Lark Tūrehu unwittingly follows her handsome music teacher Noel Stone into the parallel realm of Delfaerune. With her extreme height and long, silver-white hair, she already considers herself a freak in her Queenstown, New Zealand university, so how can she possibly deal with the added burden of her role as the Noble Fae’s leading musical spell caster? Not only must she retrieve and master the Kura Ocarina to earn the title of the realm’s “Maestra,” but the faefolk expect her to use the ancient wind instrument to save the human race from extinction at the hands of the Dark Fae.

♫♫♫♫♫

In Delfaerune, you’ll discover a lush world where music joins with Earth energy to conjure balance among all creatures, extinct and mythical creatures talk and live peacefully, and the Dark Fae pattern themselves after burned-out human rock stars.

Explore the Playlists

Song of the Ocarina is filled with music. Listen to and/or watch videos of all the songs mentioned in the novel on my YouTube or Spotify playlists.

Praise for Song of the Ocarina

“Ann N. Videan’s writing, descriptive and engaging, pulled me into the imaginative story she created with all my senses. Lovable characters, vivid descriptions, a truly magical, musical world. I eagerly await the next installment!”
—Jennifer Hartz, author of The Future Savior Series

“Teens and adults alike will find Videan’s story and characters appealing. I enjoyed the Fae musicians’ original lyrics, the animal personas—kiwi, moa, even the dragon—and the New Zealand flora and fauna enhanced the narrative.”—Sara Rebennack, bookseller

About the Author

Ann at Carmel's Cafe in Phoenix, AZ

Ann at Carmel’s Cafe in Phoenix, AZ

I live in Mesa, Arizona, with my awe-inspiring husband and two college-age children. As a Literary Architect, I book-shepherd authors through the writing, editing, self-publishing and word-of-mouth marketing of fiction and non-fiction titles

My women’s fiction novel Rhythms & Muse, along with its complementary soundtrack of five original songs inspired by the story, debuted in 2011. I now create fantastical adventures for new adults in my Delfaerune Rhapsody Series.

A professional writer since 1981, I opened my own award-winning home-based marketing firm, vIDEAn Unlimited, LLC, in 1996. I have served as an editor for corporations, visionary entrepreneurs, and national publishers.

My most joyful moments involve filling pages with words, exploring music, documenting memories in photos, gathering people around me with a cup of green tea in my hand, and rolling smoothly down new pathways on my in-line skates.

Explore blog posts about writing, my books and music CD, and my writing community here on this site. You can always contact me at avidean@videanunlimited.com.

So, could you possibly want to know anything else? I doubt it but, just in case, feel free to ask away!

__________________________

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

B’rook Tūrehu: Final Reveal (#3)

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The bratty wild child character in Song og the Ocarina by Ann Narciian Videan

Here she is! B’rook Tūrehu, as envisioned by Stacy Lefevre.

Delfaerune Rhapsody series’
bratty wild child
B’rook Tūrehu,
full character profile.

Age: 17

Stature: 6’2” tall

Race:
Noble Fae, a tall, wingless, magical people sometimes called the “Goodies” by their unscrupulous Dark Fae “cousins.”

Residence:
B’rook lives on a plane parallel to Queenstown, New Zealand, in the Fae land of Delfaerune. There, in Queens’tyn, the animals talk, extinct and mythical creatures thrive, and sentient foliage lends magical glamour to the Noble Fae.

Family:
Daughter of the Magister of Karakia (good magic) Knyt Tūrehu and Magistra of Music Fern Tūrehu, and sister to Lark Tūrehu (the heroine).

Job:
She’s been a captive of the Dark Fae for three years but, in better times, she spent her time as a student.

Strengths: Harassing her older sister, and tempting famous rocker Axyl Thorne.

Flaw: Her infatuation with Axyl, and the Dark Fae.

Quirk: Her penchant for human rock music and fashion. Also, she and Lark are the only two Noble Fae with silver-white hair.

Animal familiar(s): At some point, probably in book two, she’ll acquire a gremlin named “Vexi.”

Love interest: Axyl Thorne, Delfaerune’s famous rock star.

…………………………………………………

Learn more about B’rook in the Delfaerune Rhapsody series—my new-adult, fantasy-adventure trilogy-in-progress. Her story begins in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the series, due out soon.

Watch in the coming days for more character information about the trilogy. Also, watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #1             Back to Reveal #2             To Mikk Stone Final Reveal
To Noel Stone Final Reveal      To Lark Tūrehu Final Reveal

B’rook Tūrehu: Reveal #2

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Brook Tūrehu

Another glimpse of Delfaerune Rhapsody character B’rook Tūrehu, as envisioned by Stacy Lefevre.

B’rook just turned 17, a coming of age in Delfaerune, and her edgy attitude is about as tall as her 6’2″ height.

Her penchant for human rock music makes her seriously jealous of her sister Lark’s iPod. But she has one thing her sister never will… famous Fae rocker Axyl Thorne.

See B’rook’s Reveal #1

…………………………………………………

Learn more about B’rook in the Delfaerune Rhapsody series—my new-adult, fantasy-adventure trilogy-in-progress.  Her story begins in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the series, due out soon.

Watch in the coming days for more character information about the trilogy. Also, watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

B’rook Tūrehu: Reveal #1

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Partial image of B'rook Turehu, character from Song of the Ocarina

First glimpse of Delfaerune Rhapsody character B’rook Tūrehu, as envisioned by Stacy Lefevre.

B’rook Tūrehu… sister to our heroine Lark. Both girls, daughters of the Magistrates of Magic and Music in the Fae realm of Delfaerune, are the only two Noble Fae with silver white hair.

Can you tell from her boots she’s a bit of a wild child? Maybe that’s why she’s fallen for famous rocker Axyl Thorne.

…………………………………………………

Learn more about B’rook in the Delfaerune Rhapsody series—my new-adult, fantasy-adventure trilogy-in-progress.  Her story begins in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the series, due out soon.

Watch in the coming days for more character information about the trilogy. Also, watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Axyl Thorne: Final Reveal (#4)

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Delfaerune Rhapsody series’ famous Fae rock star
Axyl Thorne,
full character profile.

Axyl Thorne illustration

Debut of Delfaerune Rhapsody rocker Axyl Thorne, by Stacy Lefevre.

Age: 28

Stature: 6’10” tall

Race and class:
Axyl’s unique lineage affects his Fae race, but you’ll need to read the book to find out why. Though he currently prefers to hang out with Mikk Stone and the dark class of Fae—the tall, wingless, magical residents in the realm of Delfaerune—
Axyl remains neutral.

Residence:
Our rock star lives in a plane parallel to Queenstown, New Zealand, in the Fae world of Delfaerune.  There—in Queens’tyn, Zealynd—extinct and mythical creatures thrive, sentient foliage energize the Noble Fae, and speaking animals lend magical spell casting to the Dark Fae.

Job:
He’s a famous musician and leader of a band with the eponymic name “Thorne.” His raw talent and exceptional sex appeal draw women who follow him everywhere, and he makes it his job to keep them happy.

Strengths: Musical skill and the only Fae with the special power to meld stone silently with hand movements.

Flaw: His secret lineage.

Quirk: His soft-hearted love for one specific, notable, young woman of Noble lineage.

Animal familiar(s): His fangirls.

Love interest: B’rook Tūrehu, our heroine’s sister.

…………………………………………………

Learn more about this bad-boy rock star in the Delfaerune Rhapsody series—my new-adult, fantasy-adventure trilogy-in-progress. His story begins in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the series, due out soon.

Watch in the coming days for more character information about the trilogy. Also, watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #3             To Mikk Stone Reveal             To Noel Stone Final Reveal
To Lark Tūrehu Final Reveal

Axyl Thorne: Reveal #3

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Axyl's known for his long, thick, blond locks. Image by Stacy Lefevre

Axyl’s known for his long, thick, blond locks.
Image by Stacy Lefevre

Reveal #3: Axyl Thorne… oh, he of the luscious blond mane

A few things you should know about Axyl Thorne, the famous Fae rock star character in my pending Song of the Ocarina novel:

  • He’s kind of gorgeous and among the most talented musicians ever.
  • He picked the Bush Lawyer—a very thorny plant—as part of his marketing for his band “Thorne,” for a good reason.
  • Most Dark Fae pick an animal familiar to help befriend and protect them, but Axyl‘s only ever-present companion is his posse of fan girls. Hey, a posse provides the same basic support—with benefits—right?
  • His wandering eye is paused for the moment on our heroine Lark’s younger sister B’rook, who’s just coming of age.
  • He carries a secret about his lineage, which not even B’rook knows. As an opportunist, he likes to hang out with the Dark Fae, but is that where he really belongs?

To find out more, you’ll just have to read about it in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in my pending new-adult fantasy adventures — the Delfaerune Rhapsody series.

Watch for a full character image reveal of Axyl here in my blog, and also in my Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn feeds.

See Axyl reveal #2.

…………………..

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
avidean@videanunlimited.com

Fae react to iPod, in “Song of the Ocarina” excerpt

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Lark and her ever-present iPod, as illustrated by John Taylor.

Lark and her ever-present iPod, as illustrated by John Taylor.

The first time I heard about an iPod, I thought, “Great. Another electronic contraption I’ll need to manage.” [sigh] Really. I could not wait not to have one. Of course, now that I understand how the elegant and useful device truly serves me, it never leaves my side.

In the first book in my Delfaerune Rhapsody series of young-adult novels, Song of the Ocarina, my heroine Lark Tūrehu (pronounced “to-are-air-who) introduces the concept of an iPod to her sister B’rook. Here’s a book excerpt showing her reaction:

Lark’s heightened emotion pushed all thoughts from her mind, and she suddenly blanked on how to start this conversation with her sister. Reaching for calm, she merged her energy with one of the ripples on the pond, now smoothing after its choreographed orchestration. The bright flare in her aura settled it into a calm glow. With a deep breath, she reached down to turn off her iPod.

“What the heck is that thing, Lark? You’ve had it on both times I’ve seen you since I got back. Another human habit you can’t quite get rid of?”

Lark touched the iPod attached to her waistband, and smiled begrudgingly.

“Actually, you’re right, B’rook. This is an iPod, an electronic music player. It goes with me everywhere now. I can pull up any song I want, from any of my favorite artists, at any time, as long as I’ve loaded them into this device.”

B’rook frowned, but with interest. She probably wanted to hate it, but couldn’t get past her weakness for human rock music, which the girls had developed as small children in their tutored Human Culture class.

“Beatles?”

“Yes.”

“Van Halen?”

Lark nodded, smiling. “Even Linkin Park.”

B’rook’s gaze devoured the device.

“Here, give it a try.” Lark held out the ear buds to her sister, who placed them in her ears. Lark dialed up “Faint,” her sister’s favorite Linkin Park song, wondering if B’rook’s eyes could widen any further.

After a few moments, B’rook grinned and returned the earbuds. “I may just have to pick me up one of those.”

“In the meantime, sis’, I have something to distract you.”

“Oh?”

“In honor of our return, and the successful retrieval of the Sacred Pākiri drum, our Magistra of Glamour and Administrator of Protocol are planning a masquerade ball.”

How did/would you react the first time you saw an iPod work?

Lark Tūrehu, Reveal #4

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A unique fae, sporting her human look, as illustrated by John Taylor.

My unique fae leader, sporting her human look,
as illustrated by John Taylor.

Reveal #4:  Eighteen-year-old Lark stands 6’5″ feet tall, flies without wings, and is one of only two Noble Fae in Delfaerune with silver-white hair.

Lark Tūrehu, my heroine, and her sister B’rook are the only two fae with the color of hair shown in this image, throughout my Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress. They are the daughters of the Magistrate of Glamour (magic), and the Magistra of Music.

I actually saw a young woman with hair this color at the Phoenix Comicon last month, although I doubt it came naturally. Do you know anyone with locks like this?

My heroine belongs to a race of fae, based on the original mythological fairies who, per The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Elves and Fairies, Chapter 9: “Elf and Fairy Behavior,” are “in Irish folklore…referred to as…opalescent beings…about 14 feet tall!”

Lark’s story unfolds, starting in the Song of the Ocarina, the first book in my young-adult, fantasy-adventure series, due out in late 2013.

Watch for more clues in the coming days to reveal Lark’s whole character image — and, also, image reveals of the books’ Dark Fae brothers: hero Noel and antagonist Mikk Stone. Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #3                                        To the Final Reveal (#5)