We all love a great deal. And most of us aren't too willing to spend money on something we aren't sure of. 

I get it. It's the same for trying out new authors. That's why so many of us put first books in a series for free. We want to give you a chance to get to know us, our writing style, and see if we will be a good fit. 

So, today I'm going to offer you a list of virtual bookstores that can be delivered right to your mailbox.
I have no affiliations with any of these sites. I have promoted books on a few of them. But they do offer a good lists of books daily, some weekly. All do require that you sign up with your email address.

Let's face it, even though many of us will never give up or print book, the fact of the matter is that e-books are also a great way to read books, and lots of them. 

This week, I'm going to share some great hacks to get the most out of your e-reader. Though your mileage might vary according to the type of reader you own, most of the tips work across the board. 

As a side note, this article does contain a few affiliate links meaning if you purchase something, I'll get a little bit of pocket change in return. =)

January has been a crazy busy month for me. Before it comes to an end, I wanted to share the promotional deals I've been involved in this month one last time. 

There is still time for you to grab some great deals, but don't hesitate. Most are over at the end of January. Dates included below. 

This is one of my favorite seasons of the year.
Today, I want to bless you with some special deals I'm running this week. And, at the very end, you'll find my gift to all of you.
Don't hesitate to grab your Christmas gifts. The freebie offers only last until the 26th.

Thank you all for allowing me to do what I love most. Blessings to you this holiday season and in the new year ahead.

Enjoy!
Jackie Castle and J.R. Castle

​Promise Forever: Fairy Tales with a Modern Twist

Same old fairy tales - but with a modern twist.

Everyone knows the stories of Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and more, but you haven't heard the stories quite like the ones in this limited edition set! Some of these tales take place in our time, others take place in the past or a fantasy world, but all of them will twist what you think of the old stories. This set has a PG-13 rating, so expect some language and moderate adult situations.

Welcome to the Encircled Blog Tour.

I joined in with this tour because I know that if you've read my Chronicles of Alburnium  or Grimwood Legacy Books, then you love fairytale retellings. And if you love fairytale retellings, then you're going to love Encircled.

As of the time I've written out this post, I've read a few of the enchanting stories included in the anthology collection. I've enjoyed each one and have gone on to check out what else these authors write. 

Interested in learning more? Check out the complete blog tour. Links at the bottom of this post. Be sure to enter to win the great prizes they are giving away. Check out the rafflecopter to enter to win. There's so much to do in this one little post. Enjoy yourself. 

A Dream Within A Dream is the second book in the Dreamworld Duology Books. If you like dark fantasy, then you might want to give this book a try. Read more about this new release below. 

I have not had a chance to read this story yet, so this is only a feature of this series, not a recommendation. 

Welcome to the Spring Into Christian Books Blog Hop!

Thank you for stopping by.

Spring is almost here! Fresh blooms, the leaves bursting from dormant trees, and (hopefully) warmer weather. I know some of you are still dealing with snow storms. Here in Texas, the storms have consisted of a ton of rain and fierce winds. Then, the next morning, the sun peeks out, everything sparkles, the fresh loamy scents fill my senses, and hope for better days ahead blooms!

Today I'm sharing a fun little story with you that I wrote one spring several years ago. It's just a silly little piece about Spring's arrival, but I hope you enjoy it.

After the story, there will be an offer to leave a comment for a chance to win one of my novella collections. Details at the end of post. And finally, you'll find the links to all the other Blog Hop participants at the very end. 

Thanks again for stopping in! Grab yourself a cup of tea or coffee (or whatever your favorite beverage is) and let's visit for a spell while I tell you all about Spring's Folly...

Archetype. It means an original pattern of which all other similar persons, objects, or concepts are derived, copied, modeled, or emulated. 

Basically, archetypes come from the basic personality types that make up all people. And we take those strong personality types to create our larger-than-life characters. I think, the more thought and planning one puts into developing a fictional character, by weaving in a few realistic traits, the more three dimensional of a character ends up coming alive on the pages.

These are our Frodo's, our Aslan's, Harry's, Peter Pan's and I can go on. Those characters that stick with us, are unforgettable and so realistic that readers talk and think about them as if they were real people, indeed. 

Today, I'll go over some of the archetypes that are most popular. These are ones that have resonated most over the past generations of literature.