Book Summary: Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening

Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening

A Science Fiction/Fantasy Adventure that combines real-world events with the legend of Merlin & Arthur.

In the future, Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Ambrosius are brought back to life, but neither of them have any recollection of who they are or where they came from. Once they finally discover each other and their memories return, the reason for their awakening becomes clear.

 

An international event has occurred in the Koryak Mountains in Siberia, and that event has reignited earth’s old magic, revived the two legendary heroes, and set off a chain of events that not only threatens Britain but the very future of all life on earth.

 

It will take all of Merlin and Arthur’s skill and cunning, along with those of a large cast of characters within the mighty Western Alliance, to have any chance of stopping what has been set loose upon the world.

 

Follow the twists and turns of this epic tale, and it will take you to places, scenes, and events beyond imagining.

Update: MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING!

 

Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening is my best selling novel to date. It's my fifth novel and is a cross-genre work. It is part fantasy, part science fiction, and has elements of magical realism and international intrigue. It was published on Amazon at the very end of March, 2020. I've sold paperback and Kindle eBook copies every month since then, and it's received excellent ratings and reviews.

It was four years in the making, and I believe it is my most complex book, both in plot and character development, and I thoroughly enjoyed writing it!

Recently I've begun working on the third and final book of the Alban Saga, which include Beatrice and Black Grotto. The title of that book will be The Vortex. It seems to be taking a long time to write, but I'm hoping to publish it in 2023. I'll keep you updated as it progresses.

I want to thank all of you who are reading my books and my blog. I really appreciate your feedback and your support! This has been an incredible journey!

To learn more about Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening or any of my other books, just click on the BOB'S BOOKS tab at the top of my blog.

Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening - A New Review

 

A new review from Goodreads for

Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening

“Merlin and Arthur awake in modern times to help save the world from a pandemic. Awesome blending of modern times and mythology!!!

The third and final book of the Alban Saga is being written!

MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING - Goodreads Kindle Book Giveaway Is Complete

  

Goodreads Book Giveaway

     

Merlin & Arthur

by Bob Stegner

Giveaway ends August 19, 2021.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

As you can see, the Kindle Book Giveaway of my NEW adult FANTASY/SCI-FI/MAGICAL REALISM novel, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening was completed on August 19th.

I want to thank the 673 readers who entered the contest and congratulate those who won a copy!!

To learn more about Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening or any of my other books, you can go to the BOB'S BOOKS tab at the top of this blog.

MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING - To Win A Copy, Enter The Goodreads Kindle Book Giveaway

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Merlin & Arthur

by Bob Stegner

Giveaway ends August 19, 2021.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

From July 20th - August 19th, you can win a copy of my NEW adult FANTASY/SCI-FI/MAGICAL REALISM novel, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, by choosing it on the Giveaway section of Goodreads and entering. 100 Kindle copies will be given away, so you have a good chance to win if you enter.

To learn more about Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening or any of my other books, you can go to the BOB'S BOOKS tab at the top of this blog.

I hope you win a copy!

SOME FUN NEWS!

 My new sci-fi/fantasy/international intrigue paperback MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING just made it to the upper 19% of all books about Merlin and Arthur on Amazon.com. I'm 460th out of 3000 books on that topic! I was excited about the achievement and wanted to share it with you!

Hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season!

🎉

MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING - Free Kindle Book Offer on Amazon from October 10-14

 

FREE KINDLE GIVEAWAY!

From October 10-14, you can get a FREE KINDLE COPY of of my NEW adult FANTASY/SCI-FI/MAGICAL REALISM novel, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, on Amazon and download it to your Kindle. If you have a stand-alone Kindle or a Kindle reader on your phone or computer, you can sign in to Amazon, purchase it for FREE, and it will be sent to whatever device you have.

If you don't have a kindle book reader on your phone or computer, simply Google "Kindle Reader App", and you can get one free.

To learn more about Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening or any of my other books, you can go to the BOB'S BOOKS tab at the top of this blog.

I hope you enjoy your Kindle copy of Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, and after you read it, I would really appreciate it if you could review it on Goodreads, Amazon, or both.

Update: MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING!

Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening is my best selling novel to date. It's my fifth novel and is a cross-genre work. It is part fantasy, part science fiction, and has elements of magical realism and international intrigue. It was published on Amazon at the very end of March, 2020. I've sold paperback and Kindle eBook copies every month since then, and it's received excellent ratings and reviews.

It was four years in the making, and I believe it is my most complex book both in plot and character development, and I thoroughly enjoyed writing it!

Recently I've begun working on the third and final book of the Alban Saga. I believe the title of that book will be The Vortex. I'll keep you updated as it progresses.

I want to thank all of you who are reading my books and my blog. I really appreciate your feedback and your support! This has been an incredible journey!

To learn more about Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening or any of my other books, just click on the BOB'S BOOKS tab at the top of my blog.

THANK YOU!

FREE KINDLE EBOOK GIVEAWAY HAS CONCLUDED!

I wanted to say thank you to everyone that participated in the Kindle eBook Giveaway on Amazon.com for my NEW adult FANTASY/SCI-FI novel, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening.

I hope you enjoy your Kindle copy of Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, and after you read it, I would really appreciate it if you could write a review on Goodreads.com, Amazon.com, or both.

If you weren't able to participate and would like to learn more about Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening or any of my other books, you can go to the BOB'S BOOKS tab at the top of this blog.

Thanks again!

MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING - Free Kindle Book Offer on Amazon from July 18-22

FREE KINDLE GIVEAWAY!

From July 18-22, you can get the latest Kindle version of my NEW adult FANTASY/SCI-FI novel, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, FREE on Amazon.com and download it to your Kindle. It doesn't matter where you live in the world. If you have a stand-alone Kindle or a Kindle reader on your phone or computer, you can sign in to Amazon.com, purchase it for FREE, and it will be sent to whatever device you have.

If you don't have a kindle book reader on your phone or computer, simply Google "Kindle Reader App", and you can get one free.

To learn more about Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening or any of my other books, you can go to the BOB'S BOOKS tab at the top of this blog.

I hope you enjoy your Kindle copy of Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, and after you read it, I would really appreciate it if you wrote a review on Goodreads.com, Amazon.com, or both.

Finally! MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING Has Been Published On All Amazon Websites Around The World!

Cover Image

By Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8733781

My new fantasy/sci-fi/international intrigue novel, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, has been published in both Paperback and Kindle eBook format on all Amazon websites around the world!

I had originally intended to stay in Europe to complete this project, but because of the coronavirus I was not able to do that. I had to leave early and finish it in the U. S. I'm fine and incredibly happy that, after almost four years of work, the book is done and ready for you to read!

Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening is the culmination of not only a lot of work, sleepless nights, and long hours of research, but it's also the fulfillment of a dream that I've had for a long time. Like many of you, I've been enamored with the legend of Merlin & Arthur since I was young, and to bring them into the future and finally write a book about their latest adventures has been incredibly rewarding...and a lot of fun!

Enjoy reading and let me know what you think of my new creation by either doing a review on Amazon or Goodreads, commenting on my blog, or just sending me an email. I'll be excited to hear from you as always!

Below, I've included the blurb that will be on the back cover of the of the book!

BLURB

In the future, Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Ambrosius are brought back to life, but neither of them have any recollection of who they are or where they came from. Once they finally discover each other and their memories return, the reason for their awakening becomes clear.

An international event has occurred in the Koryak Mountains in Siberia, and that event has reignited earth’s old magic, revived the two legendary heroes, and set off a chain of events that not only threatens Britain but the very future of all life on earth.

It will take all of Merlin and Arthur's skill and cunning, along with those of a large cast of characters within the mighty Western Alliance, to have any chance of stopping what has been set loose upon the world.

Follow the twists and turns of this epic tale, and it will take you to places, scenes, and events beyond imagining.

My New Novel Will Be Out Soon!

Cover Image

By Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8733781

In my last post about my new fantasy/sci-fi/international intrigue novel, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, I mentioned that it was nearing completion and would be published sometime during February! I've been traveling and haven't felt well. It's taking longer than expected to finish reviewing the edits and publish it. I hope to complete the work soon and will notify you when that happens and when it's up on all the Amazon sites around the world in both paperback and Kindle eBook format.

This book is the culmination of not only a lot of work, sleepless nights, and long hours of research, but it's also the fulfillment of a dream that I've had for a long time. Like many of you, I've been enamored with the legend of Merlin & Arthur since I was young, and to bring them into the future and finally write a book about their latest adventures has been incredibly rewarding...and a lot of fun!

Below, I have included the new blurb that will be on the back cover!

BLURB

In the future, Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Ambrosius are brought back to life, but neither of them have any recollection of who they are or where they came from. Once they finally discover each other and their memories return, the reason for their awakening becomes clear.

An international event has occurred in the Koryak Mountains in Siberia, and that event has reignited earth’s old magic, revived the two legendary heroes, and set off a chain of events that not only threatens Britain but the very future of all life on earth.

It will take all of Merlin and Arthur's skill and cunning, along with those of a large cast of characters within the mighty Western Alliance, to have any chance of stopping what has been set loose upon the world.

Follow the twists and turns of this epic tale, and it will take you to places, scenes, and events beyond imagining.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

Cover Image

By Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8733781

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

After almost four years of work, my new fantasy/sci-fi book, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, is nearing completion and will be published sometime during FEBRUARY of 2020! I'll notify you when that happens and when it's up on all the Amazon sites around the world in both paperback and Kindle eBook format.

This book is the culmination of not only a lot of work, sleepless nights, and long hours of research, but it's also the fulfillment of a dream that I've had for a long time. Like many of you, I've been enamored with the legend of Merlin & Arthur since I was young, and to bring them into the future and finally write a book about their latest adventures has been incredibly rewarding and...a lot of fun!

Before I forget, I also want to mention my editors and let them know how much I appreciated the many hours of hard work they put into this new book. THANK YOU! I couldn't have done it without you! 

Below, I have included the new blurb that will be on the back cover. Exciting times!

BLURB

In the future, Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Ambrosius are brought back to life, but neither of them have any recollection of who they are or where they came from. Once they finally discover each other and their memories return, the reason for their awakening becomes clear.

An international event has occurred in the Koryak Mountains in Siberia, and that event has reignited earth’s old magic, revived the two legendary heroes, and set off a chain of events that not only threatens Britain but the very future of all life on earth.

It will take all of Merlin and Arthur's skill and cunning, along with those of a large cast of characters within the mighty Western Alliance, to have any chance of stopping what has been set loose upon the world.

Follow the twists and turns of this epic tale, and it will take you to places, scenes, and events beyond imagining.

"MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING" - Manuscript Finished!

The manuscript of my latest SciFi/Fantasy novel, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening is done. It is over 162,000 words and has thirty-four chapters, plus a Prologue.

I began the research for this novel, which I originally entitled "M", in March of 2016. After three months of preparation, I actually started writing it in June of 2016, and just finished it yesterday, August 26, 2019.

It has been an unbelievable journey that has included some wonderful characters such as Merlin and Arthur, of course, but also many, many others. The plot takes place across the globe in such places as Carmarthen Wales, Glastonbury England, many cities and villages across Russia, and in Alaska. It has magic as well as science fiction, real places mixed with fictional scenes, humor, great sorrow and pain, international intrigue, love, joy, adventure, and events based on current politics, history, legend, and imagination.

I am extremely proud of all the hard work, sweat, tears, and dreams that have gone into this, and I hope to be able to share it with you in the not-too-distant future. But my approach with publishing this book will be different than with my others. I just sent it off to be edited, and in the meantime, I'm leaving on a trip to Europe where I'll be gone for a year. We'll get the manuscript into its final form, and then I'll send it off to as many agents as I can. Then while I'm in Europe, I'll attempt to meet with some agents and publishers there, as well as enter it in some writing competitions.

If I can find a publisher or an agent, I will go that route to publish the book. If not, I'll publish it independently as I have my others.

While I'm in Europe, I've also decided to step away from writing prose for a time and work on my poetry. Many of you have read some of my poems on the blog. I'd love to write more and publish a book of poetry. It was my first love after leaving the music business. Now I'm anxious to get back into it.

Just yesterday, I noticed that my blog is now being read in 70 countries, and I wanted to thank all of you for your interest and support of my work. When I started all this, my goal was to share my struggles as well as my writing. I didn't want to merely try to impress; I wanted to be real and honest.

I'm looking forward to improving everyday, gaining more readers, and producing work that I can continue to be proud of. If you want to read any of my other books, you can get a printed copy or download it onto your Kindle through any of Amazon's websites around the world. Just do a search on Amazon with my name in quotes: "Bob Stegner". I wish my books were written in other languages, but for now they're only in English.

So...keep watching my blog. I'll let you know what's going on with my writing, what's happening with Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, and when it will be available. I'll also be publishing some of my new poetry on my blog, so keep an eye out for that.

Thanks for taking this journey with me!

Bob Stegner

New Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel & 2nd Edition of "Black Grotto"

In my new fantasy/science fiction book, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, I completed chapter 23 and am working on chapter 24. I hope to finish the novel sometime during 2019.

As I've been working on it, even I've been amazed at where the story is going. It originates in the time of Merlin and Arthur, during the late part of 6th century AD, and moves into the modern day, a bit into the future. Yes, Merlin and Arthur awaken, but at the start, they have no idea who they are. In fact, Arthur is homeless. The reason they awaken... Well, you'll discover that in the book.

The blending of the old and the new is obviously a challenge, but with all the research I've done, it's coming together. When I planned the book, I generally knew where I'd be going, but as always, when I write I see what's happening in my mind - like watching a movie. Sometimes things occur that I don't expect. That's what makes it fun!

The novel takes place in Wales, England, Siberia, other parts of Russia, the Bering Strait, and in Alaska. There's also an episode of international intrigue that complicates the plot and carries Merlin and Arthur around the globe as they interface with many characters and attempt to solve an unsolvable dilemma.

And as you know, if you've been following my blog, I've begun writing a second edition of all of my previous novels. I finished "Beatrice: Book I of the Alban Saga". Now I'm working on the second book of that series - "Black Grotto". I should be done with that sometime during January.

Keep checking my blog for updates. 2019 will be a busy year!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Final Title of New Book!

As promised, I am excited to finally share with you the actual title of my new book. It was previously titled "M", but the real title will be "Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening".

I began doing research for this book in June of 2016 and started writing it in October, 2016. It's by far the most complex book I've ever written and takes place in Wales, England, and inside Russia. It's been a slow write, but well worth the time and effort.

I'm hoping to complete it and get it published sometime in 2018, but we'll see how that goes.

In my next blog entry, I will include a new summary that will explain in a more concrete way what the book will be about, but for now, I'll just say that it is a fantasy/science fiction book that also includes international intrigue.

It's been a dream of mine for a long time to write a book about Merlin and Arthur, and that dream is finally coming true!

M: Beginning of Chapter 16

Below is the first paragraph of Chapter 16 of my latest science fiction/fantasy novel entitled "M". It's going to be an extremely important chapter in the book.

The nervous tapping of the pencil, to anyone other than the man sitting at the massive wooden desk, would have been insignificant and virtually unnoticeable compared to the voluminous size of the opulent room, the wooden inlaid floor of intricate and beautiful design, the elegant Persian rug, the dark glass-fronted cabinets full of legalities and policies of government, the white and gold embellished and vaulted ceiling, and the extravagant crystalline chandelier that hung just above his head. But to him, the sound and sense of the instrument in his hand as it struck the polished surface over and over and over again, gave voice to his fears, doubts, and uncertainties; and he was a man not used to such. He was the leader of a great and powerful nation and had achieved that role through strength, confidence, and an undying belief in his abilities; but here he sat, immovable and completely at odds with himself. He could find no direction, no choice that would satisfy both his needs and the needs of his country. It was an impossible quandary that required a decision that only he could make.

M: Updated Synopsis Of My Latest Novel

Below is the updated synopsis of my latest novel, "M". I also wanted to let you know that the current title will change when the book is actually published. I just completed the fourteenth chapter and am hoping to finish and have it available sometime during 2018.

Synopsis

The year is 2022, and two seemingly unrelated events will set in motion the narrative of this science fiction/fantasy novel. One is an earthquake whose epicentre is located in the Bristol Channel between Wales and England. The other is a huge explosion at what is thought to be an observatory in the Koryak Mountains in eastern Siberia. Because of these events, two of the most legendary, medieval heroes in Britain's history come back to life, and an international incident begins to hit the newsrooms around the globe.

The story incorporates two plot lines. The first contains the awakening of the two legendary Brits who enter this new and strange world confused and unsure. As they struggle with their identity, they come in contact with people who give them aid. There is Nim who has two young boys and runs the family sheep farm near Carmarthen, her husband, Duncan, a history professor and MP in Parliament, a vicar and his wife in Glastonbury, and a woman named Gwawr who works with the homeless. The second includes two MI6 agents that have secretly entered Russian territory on a hazardous mission, twenty-four black ops from four western countries, Abram Zima, the President of Russia, the heads of four of his agencies, and, most importantly, the people who live in the towns and cities across Russia that are caught up in tragic events inside their own country.

What started in Siberia could not only threaten the lives of the Russian people but all life on earth. And with no solution in sight and virtually all hope lost, the world's future could come down to the revival of the old and ancient magic, some dangerous and delicate diplomacy, and an almost impossible quest that has little to no chance of succeeding.

New Quote From Chapter 12 of "M"

Below, I have included a recent quote from chapter 12 of my latest fantasy/science fiction/international intrigue novel, "M".

Enjoy!

Trembling from the numbing cold and hopeful that there were no longer any Russians nearby, Tristan fumbled with the small pack that he still had cradled to his chest and took out a flashlight. He forced his way up through the layers of snow above him as carefully and inobtrusively as he could, and broke free. Once through, he hesitated a moment before standing and scanned the area to make sure the Russians were gone. It seemed they were. He sighed, feeling some relief, and then glanced up at the clear, black sky overhead. It was covered in stars and on any other night would have left him in awe, but he had no time for that now. Once he was exposed to the elements, it was dramatically colder. He checked his watch. With the wind chill, it was about minus fifty degrees Celsius. He knew that he would have to find shelter again, and soon. He readjusted his coat and hood to help keep out the cold as long as possible, brushed away the ice crystals from his face, and clicked on the flashlight that he held in his hand.
    He was standing waste deep in snow, and before attempting to move to open ground, shined the light around him and was relieved to see movement nearby. Several of his friends were either just breaking out of the snow as he had or crawling on all fours onto the flat ground just beyond the perimeter of the collapsed snow cave.

Took 3 Months Off, But I'm Back to Work on "M"!

I stopped writing in November of 2016 after I had started work on my new novel, but I'm back at it now. I had completed the Prologue and Chapter 1 before I took a break. Now I've completed Chapter 2 and just started work on Chapter 3.

It wasn't easy getting back into writing, especially considering that up until I took the time off, I was spending six to eight hours a day, five days a week, working on my novels for almost three and a half years straight. I had established a rhythm, but I was also tired. The rest did me a lot of good!

I think part of the reason that I needed the time was that Black Grotto was such an all-consuming project, and this new book, I knew, would be even more so. It is, but now that I'm working on it again, I also know it's going to be a lot of fun!

Just as a reminder, M is going to be a combination of science fiction and fantasy. The two main characters will come from medieval times, but the bulk of the novel will occur in the near future, beginning in 2022, and include several countries and an episode of international intrigue.

Below, I've written down the first paragraph of the Prologue, just to give you a feel for how the book begins. This novel, as with Black Grotto, will take the reader on a long journey with several intermingling plot lines and some very compelling and unexpected characters.

So...here's your first look at M!

Prologue

She had taken the last of his secrets as her own and had drained and exhausted her aged lover. He was stretched out in her arms and could barely open his eyes any longer. His features were brutally drawn and haggard from the suffering she had caused, and his skin was the color of tallow. There was no doubt that he was slipping away. She held him close and talked softly as she gave him wine mixed with herbal potions to ease his passing. But despite her acts of tenderness, terrible guilt emerged over what she had done. She assuaged herself with the truth that her love for him had not been false, and that even though his sight and magic had left him long ago, he still possessed considerable knowledge that needed to be shared. Yes, it would cause him pain, but it had to be done before it, too, was lost.