Tag Archives: Sword and Sorcery

Rayden Valkyrie, Rayden Valkyrie Television Pilot, Seventh Star Studios, Stephen Zimmer

Seventh Star Studios Announces Sól Geirsdóttir for Rayden Valkyrie Role in TV Pilot

Seventh Star Studios is proud to announce the casting of Sól Geirsdóttir to bring the heroic Rayden Valkyrie character to life onscreen in the TV pilot Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart.

 

Sól will star as Rayden Valkyrie, an iconic warrior in a dark age who leads a mercenary war band to rescue a group of captives destined for slave markets. When some of the surviving raiders take a pair of female captives with them, seeking escape into an ancient forest said to harbor deadly perils, Rayden does not hesitate to pursue them. In the shadows of the forest, Rayden and her companions must overcome monstrous threats and deadly sorcery to prevail.

“Sól Geirsdóttir is our Rayden,” Director/Screenwriter Stephen Zimmer said. “During our extensive search, we have seen many very talented actresses, but Sól conveyed the right kind of presence needed for this pivotal character. Sól has a passion for the genre, for history, and loves a good sword fight. I know that Sól is dedicated to bringing the best performance possible to the screen, and I am absolutely confident that audiences are going to love Sól and the Rayden Valkyrie character when they see this show. Rayden Valkyrie is my favorite character to write, and I am thrilled that Sól will be the one to portray her onscreen.”

 

Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart represents the first onscreen portrayal of the Rayden Valkyrie character. The character’s literary debut occurred in Stephen Zimmer’s sword and sorcery novel Heart of a Lion. The story in the TV pilot is not an adaptation of the novel, but rather an original storyline envisioned to be the foundation for a series of episodes filled with Rayden Valkyrie adventures.

Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart is scheduled for production late spring on locations in Kentucky and represents the first visual media project for Seventh Star Studios, a division of Seventh Star Press, a publisher of speculative fiction based out of Lexington, Kentucky.

More about Sól Geirsdóttir: Sól Geirsdóttir made her stage debut at the age of 13, performing traditional norwegian folk songs. Since then she has been creating and producing music with her band Vǫluspá, who will be releasing a full album in 2017. Sól has also appeared in several theatrical plays and was given a part as “Jora” in the TV pilot ‘Rangers: A Shadow Rising’ in 2014. She has worked with Ron Newcomb, Ian Hencher, John Wells, Marita Tathariel and many more.

Sól is an alternative model and has been featured in several magazines such as Fae Magazine and Dark Beauty. She currently attends the University of Oslo pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. In addition to this, she is a trained vocalist, an accomplished belly dancer and a seemstress specialized in Viking Era clothing. Sól is thrilled to embark on the epic journey of playing the role of “Rayden Valkyrie” in the Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot.

Follow Sól Geirsdóttir online at the following links:

Website: www.thevikingqueen.com
IG: @thevikingqueen 
Twitter: @solgeirsdottir 

To follow the Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV pilot on Twitter and Facebook, use these links:
Twitter: @RaydenValkyrie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/raydenvalkyrie

 

Rayden Valkyrie, Rayden Valkyrie Television Pilot

A Big Thank You For a Successful Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot Kickstarter Campaign

Seventh Star Press would like to thank everyone who supported the Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot Kickstarter Campaign.   After 42 days, we crossed the goal line with just 2 hours to go!  A dramatic finish but a wonderful outcome!  We look forward to bringing you a great TV pilot and introducing a wonderful, inspiring heroine for the screen!

RaydenThankYou

Heart of a Lion, Rayden Valkyrie, Stephen Zimmer

Campaign Underway to Support TV Pilot Based on Stephen Zimmer’s Rayden Valkyrie Character!

With exclusive memorabilia, credits, and events and experiences offered in the reward levels, we have a great new campaign to support the creation of a TV Pilot based upon the character Rayden Valkyrie from Stephen ZImmer’s novel Heart of a Lion.

Yesterday, the first concept art piece of Rayden Valkyrie for the project was unveiled, from artist Jerome Sayers.

RaydenValkyrie_Concept1_JeromeSayers

This project represents a new area of activity for Seventh Star Press as well, entering the realms of original television and movie content!

See the intro video and get involved in making this project happen! Just follow this link:

http://ow.ly/Z1IPq

eBooks, Gorias La Gaul, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, press release, Steven L. Shrewsbury

Born of Swords from Steven L. Shrewsbury Now Available in Print and eBook Formats!

Seventh Star Press is proud to announce that Born of Swords, the latest novel from Steven L. Shrewsbury featuring the iconic warrior Gorias La Gaul, is now available in eBook and print!

This latest adventure in sword and sorcery and dark fantasy joins other Steven Shrewsbury novels that feature Gorias La Gaul, such as Thrall and Overkill, and the short story collection Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul.  This is one character and novel that fans of writers such as Robert E. Howard are sure to love!
Follow the direct links below to get your copy of Born of Swords!
Kindle Version
Kobo Version
Print Version via Amazon.com
Synopsis: Deliverance will come… 


But that is another story. 

What makes a legend but the stories told about him? Interviewing Gorias La Gaul, the biggest legend of them all, is a dream come true for young scribe Jessica. Where other girls her age would swoon beneath the steely gaze of the warrior, Jessica only has eyes for his mouth, and the tales that come from it…when he takes a break from cursing or drinking. 

Unfortunately for Jessica, Gorias doesn’t really have time to babysit. She’s found him in the midst of an annual pilgrimage of sorts, and though he agrees to let her come along, it’s not without a warning: You may not like what you see and hear. Just don’t come crying afterward. 

Whether viewing past visions with magical gemstones or jumping into the fray alongside the barbarian, Jessica’s about to get firsthand accounts she won’t soon forget…and discover legends are far from reality, and just as far from being pretty. You wouldn’t expect a youth of love and friendship from the greatest killer to walk the Earth, would you? 

These are tales of some of Gorias’ earliest days, back before he’d found his swords, to a time when a dragon needed killing. Tales back before his heart had hardened. Maybe. For most men, the future is not certain and the past is prologue. For a legend like Gorias La Gaul, even the past is up for debate. One thing is for certain about these tales. They will be bloody. Such is always the way for a man… 

Born of Swords…



About the Author: STEVEN L. SHREWSBURY lives, works and writes in rural Central Illinois. Over 365 of his short stories have been published in print or digital media since the late 80s. His novels include WITHIN, PHILISTINE, OVERKILL, HELL BILLY, BLOOD & STEEL, THRALL, STRONGER THAN DEATH, HAWG, TORMENTOR and GODFORSAKEN.   


He has collaborated with other writers, like Brian Keene with KING OF THE BASTARDS, Peter Welmerink in BEDLAM UNLEASHED, Nate Southard in BAD MAGICK, Maurice Broaddus in the forthcoming BLACK SON RISING and Eric S. Brown in an untitled project. 

He continues to search for brightness in this world, no matter where it chooses to hide. 
Cover Reveal, Enggar Adirasa, Gorias La Gaul, press release, Steven L. Shrewsbury

Cover Reveal for Steven L. Shrewsbury’s Born of Swords, the New Gorias La Gaul Novel!

Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the cover by Enggar Adirasa for Born of Swords, the new Gorias La Gaul Novel from Steven L. Shrewsbury.

Born of Swords will make it’s debut at Hypericon, a speculative fiction convention in Nashville TN June 19-21, and then be made available in all eBook formats and print the following week.

Born of Swords is the latest novel starring the iconic hero Gorias La Gaul, returning readers to the world unveiled in the novels Overkill, Thrall, and the short story collection Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul.

What makes a legend but the stories told about him? Interviewing Gorias La Gaul, the biggest legend of them all, is a dream come true for young scribe Jessica. Where other girls her age would swoon beneath the steely gaze of the warrior, Jessica only has eyes for his mouth, and the tales that come from it…when he takes a break from cursing or drinking.

Unfortunately for Jessica, Gorias doesn’t really have time to babysit. She’s found him in the midst of an annual pilgrimage of sorts, and though he agrees to let her come along, it’s not without a warning: You may not like what you see and hear. Just don’t come crying afterward.

Whether viewing past visions with magical gemstones or jumping into the fray alongside the barbarian, Jessica’s about to get firsthand accounts she won’t soon forget…and discover legends are far from reality, and just as far from being pretty. You wouldn’t expect a youth of love and friendship from the greatest killer to walk the Earth, would you?

These are tales of some of Gorias’ earliest days, back before he’d found his swords, to a time when a dragon needed killing. Tales back before his heart had hardened. Maybe. For most men, the future is not certain and the past is prologue. For a legend like Gorias La Gaul, even the past is up for debate. One thing is for certain about these tales. They will be bloody.  Such is always the way for a man…

Born of Swords…

For further information on Born of Swords or Seventh Star Press, please visit www.seventhstarpress.com

About Steven: STEVEN L. SHREWSBURY lives, works and writes in rural Central Illinois. Over 365 of his short stories have been published in print or digital media since the late 80s. His novels include WITHIN, PHILISTINE, OVERKILL, HELL BILLY, BLOOD & STEEL, THRALL, STRONGER THAN DEATH, HAWG, TORMENTOR and GODFORSAKEN.

He has collaborated with other writers, like Brian Keene with KING OF THE BASTARDS, Peter Welmerink in BEDLAM UNLEASHED, Nate Southard in BAD MAGICK, Maurice Broaddus in the forthcoming BLACK SON RISING and Eric S. Brown in an untitled project.
He continues to search for brightness in this world, no matter where it chooses to hide.
eBooks, Gorias La Gaul, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Steven L. Shrewsbury

Series Spotlight on Steven L. Shrewsbury’s Gorias La Gaul Tales and One Day eBook Sale for Overkill!

Today we are bringing the Series Spotlight to Steven L. Shrewsbury’s Gorias La Gaul novels, powerful dark fantasy and sword and sorcery that readers of Robert E. Howard are sure to love! Gorias is featured in novels such as Thrall and Overkill, and short stories like the collection featured in Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul. Today’s spotlight features a special 99 cent eBook special on the novel Overkill, at Amazon.com, Nook, and Kobo. We invite to read the review quotes and synopsis of the books in the series.

If you have not done so already, pick up the action-packed Overkill today on eBook for just 99 cents on the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo platforms, and begin your adventures with Gorias!

OverkillCover
Here is what a few reviewers had to say about Overkill:


“If you take a 700 year old legendary warrior, and dragon slayer, add Smartass with a dash of finesse, and more charm than a 700 year old man ought to have at his time of life. Toss in shocking violent fight scenes and a lot of humor, sex, gore, and more sex, and even more gore… you have Gorias La Gaul!” – Amazon.com reader review

“Gorias LaGaul is back and as I said in my review of Thrall, he would kick Conan’s butt.” – Azure Dwarf Blog Review

“The action scenes are vivid. The world and culture feels real once you become immersed. And the story never bores. If you enjoy Sword & Sorcery or Epic Fantasy with a dark edge, then you will love Overkill.” – SpecMusicMuse Blog Review


Synopsis: Deliverance will come… A great flood once wiped clean the earth, destroying everything upon it. Before the deluge, in a time now forgotten, the world was a place of warriors and witches, conflicts between kingdoms, and, until their extermination, dragons. In this world, men may live centuries, fallen angels have begotten terrifying spawn, and sometimes, the best hope can be found in a brothel.
In the land of Transalpina, a new religion spreads, and important men are dying mysteriously, slain by what can only be the fire of dragon breath. Summoned by the Queen Garnet, the legendary warrior Gorias La Gaul returns to the place where he once saved the queen’s young granddaughter from treachery and enslavement. The Princess Nykia is gone, and soon others may try to claim the throne. The queen has little choice but to turn to the only man who ever told her no.
With the aid of one of the queen’s elite guard, the battle maiden Alena, and the young palace servant Orsen, the old mercenary will face pirates and traitors, monsters and foul magic in the quest to find the missing heir and learn the truth behind the disconcerting murders. Deliverance will come for Gorias La Gaul, but for now there are women to love, secrets to discover, and killing that needs doing.
Purchase Links
Here’s what some reviewers had to say about Thrall! 
“Shrewsbury is a student of REH and it certainly shows here with THRALL. He hits all the right notes and his prose is sparse, brutal, and directly to the point, there are no wasted words here.” – Amazon.com reader review

“Steven Shrewsbury has a gift – he writes stunningly good fantasy which is gritty and realistic. There is no airy-faerie whiff about his work, and no long, over-complicated back story either.” – Evie Bookish

Steven Shrewsbury crafts an engaging tale, much in the tradition of Robert E. Howard and Clark Ashton Smith. The action scenes are depicted in brutal detail, putting the reader at the center of the action.” – Amazon.com reader review

 

 

Synopsis: Set in the mists of ancient times, Thrall tells the story of Gorias La Gaul, an aging warrior who has lived for centuries battling the monstrosities of legend and lore. It is an age when the Nephilum walk the earth, demonic forces hunger to be unleashed, and dragons still soar through the skies … living and undead.
On a journey to find one of his own blood, a young man who is caught in the shadow of necromancy, Gorias’ path crosses with familiar enemies, some of whom not even death can hold bound. Thrall is gritty, dark-edged heroic fantasy in the vein of Robert E. Howard and David Gemmell. It is a maelstrom of hard-hitting action and unpredictable imagery, taking place within an incredible antediluvian world. In Gorias La Gaul, Thrall introduces an iconic new character to the realms of fantasy literature.
Thrall invites the reader to go on a perilous journey where it is not a matter of whether one has the courage to die, but whether one has the courage to live.
Purchase Links

BloodAndSteel_HiRes1200X800


Here’s what a few reviews had to say about Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul:

 

“I highly recommend checking this one out. Its a short read and allows a reader to try out Sword and Sorcery, get to know Gorias and for those Gorias/Steven Shrewsbury fans its a must read.” – Jess Resides Here Blog Review
Synopsis: Journey into the dangerous and exciting world of Gorias La Gaul in this collection of short stories from highly-acclaimed author Steven Shrewsbury! Volume One includes the tales “Day of Iniquity”, “Ashes of the All-Father”, “Author and Finisher of Our Flesh”, “Insurmountable”, and “Beginning of the Trail” (a prequel story leading into the events found in the novel Overkill).
Fans of authors such as Robert E. Howard are sure to love the adventures of Gorias La Gaul, as he battles all manner of adversaries wielding two blades fashioned from the wings of angels!
Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul is Sword and Sorcery as the genre was intended to be!
Purchase Links
About Steven: Steven L. Shrewsbury, from Central Illinois, enjoys football, history, politics and good fiction. Over 300 of his short stories have been published in print or digital media. His small press novels include OVERKILL, HELL BILLY, THRALL, BAD MAGICK, BEDLAM UNLEASHED, STRONGER THAN DEATH, HAWG, TORMENTOR, GODFORSAKEN, PHILISTINE and BLACK SON RISING. His works also include the weird western novella The Black Bible of Juarez. These titles run from horror to historical high fantasy. He tries to drown out the rumors that he is Robert E. Howard reincarnated with beer. When not wrangling his sons, he can be found outside in his happy place.
Connect with Steven Online at:
Bonnie Wasson, Book Trailer, Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy, eBooks, Frozen Creek Studios, Kindle, Kobo, Kylie Jude, Nook, Rayden Valkyrie, Scott Sandridge, Stephen Zimmer

New Trailer and eBook Release for Stephen Zimmer’s Heart of a Lion!

Seventh Star Press is proud to unveil the new video trailer for Heart of a Lion, the new novel from Stephen Zimmer and Book One of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.  The eBook version is available today!  Links to the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo versions are below the trailer.

The new novel is Stephen’s 10th book release and the first one starring Rayden Valkyrie, who first appeared in the short story “All the Lands, Nowhere a Home” in the Thunder on the Battlefield: Sword anthology.  Heart of a Lion had Scott Sandridge as editor and Bonnie Wasson created the cover art.

Here is the new video trailer created by Kylie Jude of Frozen Creek Studios for the new novel:


eBook Links:

Kindle

Nook

Kobo

Synopsis:
Rayden Valkyrie. She walks alone, serving no king, emperor, or master. Forged in the fires of tragedy, she has no place she truly calls home.

A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt. To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances.

The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion. For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between.

Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power. Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north.

Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people.

Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion.

Heart of a Lion is Book One of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.

A Tale of Goliath, Cover Reveal, Matthew Perry, Philistine, press release, Steven L. Shrewsbury

Steven Shrewsbury’s Philistine! eBook Available! Cover and Illustrations Unveiled!

Seventh Star Press is proud to unveil the new cover art and illustrations by the award-winning Matthew Perry for Steven Shrewsbury’s epic-scale sword and sorcery novel Philistine!  The eBook version of Philistine is available as of today with the print version to follow the first week of February.

Readers who enjoy Steven’s acclaimed Gorias La Gaul tales, featured in novels such as Thrall and Overkill, and the short story collection Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul, will love Philistine!  Set in the same world as the Gorias La Gaul stories, Philistine tells the story of the giant warrior Goliath, with all the trademark elements that have sparked many to comment on a Robert E. Howard-like spirit to be found within Shrewsbury’s work.

Philistine is also the first book of a new collection, called A Tale of Goliath, which will feature more adventures with the time, setting, and characters to be found in the novel.

Pick up Philistine today for just $3.99 on Kindle or Nook (Kobo, iBookstore, and other versions will be live shortly)

Interior illustration by Matthew Perry from Philistine
Interior illustration by Matthew Perry from Philistine

Synopsis: The Philistines, a mysterious warrior people known now for mainly one man: Goliath. The giant.

Goliath. A name grander than even the man himself. You’ve heard of his infamous end at the hands of a shepherd as written in a famous book, but what of the life of the man himself? What book tells his tale?

A warrior among warriors, a son of a god, a living legend. Goliath, the warrior champion of the Philistines. On the battlefield, he runs like a horse, wields killing instruments no normal man may heft, and revels in the fear his presence evokes. Off the field, his will is immutable, his trust invaluable, and his appetites unbearable. Goliath. This man knows no challenge.

But such a reputation will not discourage all men. Scheming rulers and generals, prophetic priests and powerful cults, dauntless warriors looking to make their own legend. Monsters. Gods. For one seemingly unkillable, at the very least, these things can ruin an otherwise pleasant day.

Along with his shield bearer, Abimelech, and soldiers more in awe than they are useful, Goliath will set out on missions for kings, face foul magic users, and walk in the shadows of mysterious halls. History tells us Goliath died at the hands of an Israelite.

Goliath may have something to say about that.

Philistine is the first Tale of Goliath, set in the same world as Steven Shrewsbury’s novels such as Overkill and Thrall, and his Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul short stories.

About Steven: Steven L. Shrewsbury, from Central Illinois, enjoys football, history, politics and good fiction. Over 300 of his short stories have been published in print or digital media. His small press novels include OVERKILL, HELL BILLY, THRALL, BAD MAGICK, BEDLAM UNLEASHED, STRONGER THAN DEATH, HAWG, TORMENTOR, GODFORSAKEN, the forthcoming PHILISTINE and BLACK SON RISING. These titles run from horror to historical high fantasy. He tries to drown out the rumors that he is Robert E. Howard reincarnated with beer. When not wrangling his sons, he can be found outside in his happy place.

Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul, Gorias La Gaul, Steven L. Shrewsbury, Sword and Sorcery

Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul by Steven Shrewsbury Now Available on Kindle!

We are proud to bring you some great “Shrews News”, as we call it!  Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul, Volume 1, by Steven Shrewsbury, featuring 5 Gorias La Gaul Tales, is now live on Kindle for just $2.99!

Hard-hitting sword and sorcery/dark fantasy that fans of Robert E. Howard are sure to love!

Spread the word and pick up a copy today to give Steven a great kickoff!

Kindle Edition
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Steel-Legends-Gaul-ebook/dp/B00EI5BFHA/

Cover Reveal, Matthew Perry, Steven L. Shrewsbury

Cover Reveal of New Single-Author Collection of Sword and Sorcery Tales from Steven Shrewsbury!

Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the cover art by Matthew Perry for the first of a new line of novella-sized single-author collections!  Steven Shrewsbury’s Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul, Volume 1 features five exciting sword and sorcery tales spotlighting Gorias La Gaul, the heroic star of the novels Thrall and Overkill.  

Available Tuesday in eBook formats, and next week in print, this title will carry very affordable pricing.  In print, these titles will be in the range of 175-200 pages, and will be great additions to the collections of speculative fiction readers everywhere.  

Fans of Steven Shrewsbury will discover much more about Gorias La Gaul and the world he inhabits in these five stand-alone tales!  Get ready for some sword and sorcery garbed in blood and steel!

cover_vol1b (1)
Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul, Volume 1
Softcover: 978-1-937929-28-2
eBook: 978-1-937929-29-9

Book Description: Journey into the dangerous and exciting world of Gorias La Gaul in this collection of short stories from highly-acclaimed author Steven Shrewsbury! Volume One includes the tales “Day of Iniquity”, “Ashes of the All-Father”, “Author and Finisher of Our Flesh”, “Insurmountable”, and “Beginning of the Trail” (a prequel story leading into the events found in the novel Overkill).
Fans of authors such as Robert E. Howard are sure to love the adventures of Gorias La Gaul, as he battles all manner of adversaries wielding two blades fashioned from the wings of angels!
Blood and Steel: Legends of La Gaul is Sword and Sorcery as the genre was intended to be!
Other Gorias La Gaul novels available from Steven Shrewsbury: