Let’s welcome Ivan back to the
Scribbler.
.jpg)
For all you fantasy and sci-fi
lovers, he has a new book and he’s here this week to share the SBTS and an
excerpt.
He’s been a guest before and if you
missed his previous visit, please go HERE.
Read on my friends.
I
am a former American Mensa member with a passion for adventure and a lifelong
love for the open road. Since 1986, I’ve ridden my 1979 Harley Shovelhead,
embracing every mile as part of the journey. My diverse career spans service as
a Private Military Contractor and former Blackwater member, along with training
U.S. Army soldiers on Heavy Tactical Vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008.
In 1986, I invented the CRV Child’s Riding Belt, a device designed to aid in
the rehabilitation of paraplegic children, which earned me a nomination for an
Honorary Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. Beyond my professional
achievements, I am deeply passionate about the realms of fantasy and science
fiction. I have a special appreciation for Harry Potter, Tolkien’s works,
Dungeons & Dragons, cosplay, and Comicon, where I fully embrace the magic
of imagination.
Title: Merlin Ragnarr – Curse of the
BloodDrinker
Synopsis:
A sixteen year old freshman, the
half human / half god - son of Thrud Thordottir, conceals his identity while studying
at the esteemed Şeiðrune School of Viking
Sorcery. Tragedy strikes
when Merlin's girlfriend and her twin sister become vampires,
victims of a plot orchestrated by the malevolent Darkmind,
who previously attempted but failed to force him to
unlock an evil Grimoire.
Swamped in
guilt, Merlin Ragnarr embarks on a quest for a cure. He visits the lair
of Valsorra the Vile, the mother of all dragons, who informs him of a
banished Norse god, who has been living on Earth for eons, posing as Lucifer.
Armed with a magical compass guiding him through the Mirror Realm, Merlin's
journey takes him to Mississippi's crossroads where he traps and eventually kills Lucifer, and his blues playing demon.
On his return to the Mirror
Realm, a Mongolian necromancer named Sokkhora Sain, a god-cursed ghost locked in the maze, battles Merlin but later offers
knowledge of an Egyptian blood amulet, which could suppress the twins' vampiric
tendencies. In exchange, Merlin must find Sokkhora’s long-lost love, Mjöll.
Back at
Şeiðrune school, with a group of allies - Mouse, Jackyl, Jenna Bug, and Angus,
Merlin navigates the mystical Mirror maze, retrieving Sokkhora's demonic Katana
and a Jade pendent, he is able to reunite
the necromancer with Mjöll.
The reward for his efforts is the knowledge
that the amulet lies in circa 1590 Scotland, where
Merlin, accompanied unexpectedly by his cockatoo Sidney, lands in
ancient Scotland.
Merlin allies
with Tara, a teen healer accused of witchcraft, and faces adversaries,
including a Viking warlock-turned-vampire named Gerhardt Wolfthorn. A treacherous turn sees Merlin betrayed
by Tara's friend,
Randall, who reveals
the theft of the original
amulet by Wolfthorn. In an intense confrontation, Merlin defeats Wolfthorn but
suffers the loss of an innocent, Ella, who becomes collateral damage.
Further
complexities arise as Merlin discovers that King James VI is exploiting the
witch trials, exchanging the souls of the condemned for occult secrets,
using a book called the 'Key of Solomon'.
Facing
capture and threats to his companions, Merlin hunts down a royal galleon,
confronts a demon- possessed king, and saves both Sidney and Tara. Before
returning to his time, Merlin is forced to navigate a delicate emotional landscape with Tara,
who briefly contemplates destroying the compass
to keep Merlin in her era. But, cunningly he convinces Tara to turn over
his compass, and returns to the school.
The
Story Behind the Story:
This novel is book #2 of my Merlin Ragnarr series—a standalone story in its own
right—and I believe it represents my best work to date. It took me three years
to complete, a journey that has not only refined my writing but also deepened
my connection to those I’ve lost. Friends and family members who have passed
away live on as characters in my novels, keeping them close to my heart.
Through these stories, I create a space where I can continue to interact with
them, ensuring their presence remains part of my life.
At 66,890 words, this young adult/urban fantasy novel embodies my
lifelong passion for the genre. That passion began with a cherished possession
from my childhood: the very first Dungeons & Dragons dice bag I received at
12 years old. Now, at 65, as a Tolkien aficionado, devoted Potterhead, and
admirer of Viking Magick, I bring a unique, reflective perspective to this
story.
While the larger saga continues to unfold, The Curse of
the Blood Drinker stands complete as its own rich narrative, while
laying the groundwork for future adventures in the series.
.jpg)
A couple of questions before you go, Ivan:
Scribbler: Where is your favorite spot to write?
Ivan: In my Arcane Officer! lol
Scribbler: Are you messy or neat?
Ivan: I’m a neat person with a messy office.
Scribbler: Your beverage of choice?
Ivan: Joe Muggs coffee shop - The Frappe That Shall Not Be Named
An Excerpt:
Merlin lowered
his hood, sporting
a triumphant smirk
that only fueled the Devil's tempestuous rage.
Clawed fists pounded the pentagram’s invisible barrier as Helblindi’s primal
fury shook the ground of his mystic prison.
“Are you angry because
you’re trapped?” Merlin
taunted, his voice a blend
of confidence and mischief. “Or because it was I who
trapped you?”
Frothing through
his fangs like a rabid
dog, Helblindi bellowed, ramming his horns against the impenetrable barricade.
“You didn’t trap me, you little shit! You
tricked me!” His voice reverberated with murderous malice, “And when I get out
of here, you insolent little mongrel, I’m going to roast you alive in the
eternal flames of Hell!”
Knowing the devil’s rage stemmed from injured pride,
Merlin hoped it would fuel his
determination to broker a deal.
Boldly the young sorcerer positioned himself nose to sternum with Helblindi.
“That Beelzebub crap may scare
your weak-minded minions, but it doesn’t scare me,
so let’s cut the crap. Give me the vampire fix, and I’ll cut you loose.”
"Fine!" The Devil sneered,
fangs snapping in annoyance. “Now
release me.” “Not until you
tell me first.” Merlin stated.
Helblindi slammed
his horns and hands against
the impenetrable curtain. "You really think I'm going
to trust a filthy Æsir mongrel like yourself?"
A powerful jolt from Splinter sent the Devil to his knees, as Merlin raised his eyes to the flash of chain lightning in the distance. The
incoming storm mirrored the escalating intensity of their confrontation.
“Bastard, son of Thrud!” Helblindi hissed,
digging his claws into the earth at his knees.
Merlin retaliated with a swift neck strike, delivering a second powerful
jolt. “Tell me!” A mouthful of blood spattered
the ground as Helblindi raised a malicious grin.
“I’ll tell you this. Your
wench will gorge herself on blood till the day you spike her!” Helblindi’s
insolent snicker transformed into a gurgling gasp as Merlin drove Splinter into
his chest.
The dying Devil fossilized
into a charcoal statue as the almighty hand of the Cosmos ripped his black soul from within.
Merlin booted the satanic sculpture, reducing it to a mound
of ash. “I had no choice!” He
grumbled under his breath, his frustration unmistakable.
“Helblindi would
never have talked,
and there was no way in hell I could
trust him. He’d have
ghosted me the second I cut him loose. I just gotta find another way.”
 |
| Book 1 of the series. |
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.