Review Roundup of Greater Treasures

Get Greater Treasures on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/greatertreasureskindle 

The blog tour is almost over, and the reviews are in.  Here are some highlights from what reviewers and readers are saying about Vern's latest book:

Karina proves once more that she is a veritable fount of puns and one-liners, causing random hoots of laughter at the twists she puts into the language of the hard-headed dragon. Vern's smart-aleck character leaps from the page in 3D, weaknesses and all, but don't forget, the dragon always wins. This world she has created involves complex interactions between Faerie and Mundane, religious and anti, science and magic. Splashdown Book Reviews http://reviews.splashdownbooks.com/2013/05/greater-treasures-by-karina-fabian.html

Greater Treasures would be the perfect weeknight read for anyone who love pun-filled fantasy in the style of Esther Friesner. If you get huffy at the mix of spec fic elements, you can't abide religion in your fantasy, or magic in your religion, then you might want to skip this one. Or better yet, pick it up and give it a read. You might find your tastes expanding! http://www.letters-to-the-cosmos.blogspot.com/2013/05/blog-tour-greater-treasures-by-karina.html

Rebecca Ryals Russel, http://www.spellbindingsblog.com/2013/05/my-two-cents-about-greater-treasures-mg.html#.UZvYUMr3XYw: One evening recently I read Greater Treasures while my husband was watching television.This is significant only in that he kept glancing at me then telling me to please be quiet because I COULDN'T STOP LAUGHING. It is clear Karina enjoys and understands the Noir detective style of story-telling. She has infused such a sly, smart-alec sense of humor into all of the characters in any of her DragonEye Pi books they are a delight to read. Greater Treasures is also short enough to be read in one or two sittings. But the best thing is that this story would be enjoyed and understood by anyone able to read--Middle Grade through Adult. 

“(In Vern), , I found someone who carries the weight of remorse, responsibility and the hope of redemption on very large shoulders. His humor comes out of a history of loss and the challenge of caring. His care for Sister Grace, a siren turned nun, drives this story.” http://speculativesalon.blogspot.com/2013/05/greater-treasures-starring-vern.html

I love the idea of taking the Mystery that suffuses Catholicism and using it to drive the “magic” of another world. Yes, there are clichés being wielded here, but Karina uses our expectations to turn the story on Vern's wit. http://speculativesalon.blogspot.com/2013/05/greater-treasures-starring-vern.html

 “It is a great read. You’ll keep following along with Vern’s adventures. And, the best part for me is the underlying story. Fabian’s research about the Lance of Longinus is well done and makes the book very interesting to read.” Dianne Sagan,

http://diannesagan.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/welcome-to-the-greater-treasures-book-blog-tour/

 

Meet Cambridge Ramada

One of my favorite characters in The Maltese Falcon is Kasper Gutman.   I liked that he was affable yet dangerous, had cunning and intelligence, and in the end, could shake off defeat and consider it an adventure.  He was also comfortable with his weight, and didn't keep him for dressing well.  Here's a clip of him with Sam Spade in the movie:

I kept those qualities in his Greater Treasures analog, Cambridge Ramada.  I needed a good buy (or at least one who was neutral) to offset my villains.  Ramada is a private detective with an unusual specialty: artifacts and valuable items (lost stolen or simple greatly sought after).  He's been on the trail of the Lance of Longinus for a collector, and that trail crosses Vern's.  Here's their first meeting:

Mr. Ramada surprised me by having one of the more modest suites in the hotel, with a long couch and a large, sturdy chair. He needed it, too. I could live for a week on this guy—if my taste buds could handle that much blubber. He was either an early riser or Junior had called him before he started following me, because Ramada met us dressed in a casual outfit obviously tailored to compliment his girth. Maybe he'd planned to take Junior to the Country Club after he was done with me.

"Well," he said, not bothering to rise from his comfy chair, "this is not quite what we'd had in mind."

"Next time, send somebody less hygienic," I replied. "You should pour that bottle of cologne down the sink."

"Yes, why don't you do that while the dragon and I talk?" Ramada waved toward one of the bedrooms, and like a sulky teenager, Junior disappeared into it. "I'd offer you a seat, Mr.—?"

"Vern will do. What I really want are answers. Why'd you send Junior Detective Boy after me?"

"Junior Detective Boy," Ramada chuckled like he was trying to force it out of his throat and the roof of his mouth simultaneously. Maybe he was trying to sound like Sydney Greenstreet playing Kasper Gutman, but it came out like an asthmatic Beavis and Butthead.

"I hope you're not going to tell me you're looking for a black bird," I said.

Again the laugh. "No, nor will I say Peters is like a son to me. And I think you're suspicious enough of your client? She did not steal something from me, though it is true we are both after the same object. You are familiar with the Lance of Longinus?"

Want more?  Get Greater Treasures on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/greatertreasureskindle

Self-Publishing: Another Arrow in My Quiver

When I tell folks that I self-published Greater Treasures, some assume that I'm changing direction from my previous path of traditional publishers. I'm not.  I have enjoyed working with each of my publishers.  They've all treated me fairly, been great help in polishing my novels, and do their best to promote my books and support my writing efforts.  In fact, I credit them with giving me the confidence and tools I needed to embark on this adventure.

I chose to self-publish the novella for several reasons, which I've talked about on the blog tour, but today, I want to talk about using this as a marketing tool.  They say the best way to gain more readers is to write and publish more stories.  Self-publishing lets me do that a little more quickly and according to my own schedule.  In addition, since I'm bearing the expenses and not having to share the profits, I can price the book as low as I want to encourage more readers.  I've chosen to put it on Kindle Select for at least a while for that same reason--folks can borrow it for free, and I can pick freebie days without having to coordinate with my publisher, who had to work with scores or hundreds of other authors and books.  Also, I can promote my traditional books by adding samples of my other books.  The print version of Greater Treasures has the first chapter from both Magic, Mensa, and Mayhem and Live and Let Fly, even though they are published by two different publishers.  It's my hope that my self-published book will help sell more of my traditionally published works.

There's no reason in this day and age to have to pick between self-publishing or traditional publishing.  It's just another arrow in your writing and marketing quiver.

Get Greater Treasures on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/greatertreasureskindle

Exclusive Scene From Greater Treasures

As some of you who follow me know, Greater Treasures came to me while watching The Maltese Falcon.  Naturally, I had to change a few things, one of which was the falcon itself.  After all, if someone offered Vern a cure for Grace in exchange for a bird statue, he'd probably fly to his lair in Faerie and dig one out of his treasure pile. So I replaced it with the Lance of Longinus, which is the spear used by the Roman centurion to pierce Christ's side.  That, of course, changed things.

Here is the scene when they unwrap the bird in the movie:

Here's my take:

Then, she turned to me, her eyes pleading and innocent. "Please, Vern, please. We are certain it's the real one; even more, those from whom we were stealing it know it's the real one. They're the real enemy here. And he's in their employ!" She pointed theatrically in Ramada's direction, but he only chuckled. "After what you told me, I know we have to spirit it away. I wish I had an antidote, I really do. But isn't it more important that we get the Lance away from here? I've been watching the news. I know there's a big Fourth Reich cell here. They're behind all that, too, don't you see? Help us, Vern. Help us get the Lance. We'll escape to Faerie, have it destroyed…”

Her solilo-plea was interrupted by a knock on the door. The courier, right on time. I took the package between my teeth so no one would be tempted to wrest it from me.

"Pay the nice man, Eva," I instructed through my mouthful.

Despite her feigned tension, she managed to "Tuh!" but Ramada, chuckling all the while, paid the delivery fee and tip.

They gathered around the table as I ripped apart the packaging. They began ooh-ing and aw-ing at once.

"It's amazing!" Ramada murmured.

"It's beautiful!" Eva breathed.

“It’s ours,” Weylin hissed.

"It's fake." I chanted.

They turned to me in surprise. I rolled my eyes. "You can't fool this nose. The blood staining the shaft? Not more than five hundred years old. The shaft itself is aster plantanoides. They didn't have Olmsted Norway Maples in the Roman Empire. You're looking at a bona fide copy—no power potential whatsoever."

Eva gave a small gasp. Weylin opened and closed his mouth several times, but nothing came out.

Ramada sighed deep within his throat. "A shame, a shame. Nonetheless, my employer is more interested in the historical content. As I am the one most likely to obtain an antidote, may I assume the prize goes to me?"

"No!" the other two shouted in desperate unison.

On cue, sirens began to wail outside.

"Actually, I think the police will have to decide that..." I said as uniformed officers burst into my lair, guns drawn.

Vern does not get off as easy as Spade does, however.  Want to know more?  Get Greater Treasures on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/greatertreasureskindle