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Once We Were Kings

Once We Were Kings hits #1 bestseller on Amazon today and…It’s FREE (for a limited time.)

Once We Were Kings hits #1 in SF/Fantasy on Amazon.com again!  And for a very limited time, you can get a copy for your Kindle FREE.


From the Ashes hits #1 on Amazon

As part of the Amazon.com exclusive Kindle promotion, my recent short novella FROM THE ASHES hit #1 bestselling Religious Scifi Fantasy, meaning it’s the most downloaded ebook in this category (Free Kindle ebooks).  It’s usually $1.99 and the 2-day free promotion ends by the end of today.  So be sure to download your free copy while the offer is still good.

Thank you to all who downloaded a copy.  Please tell your friends about the free offer on Amazon.com here:  http://amzn.to/wL70Dh 

FROM THE ASHES hits #1


Once We Were Kings Hits #1 on Two Bestseller Lists!

While Once We Were Kings has hit bestseller lists in the past (several Amazon and Barnes & Noble lists during its opening week last year) yesterday and today it hit #1 in two Amazon Bestseller lists, as well as #2 in a third Amazon bestseller list.

Thank you, kind readers for making this possible.  Along with the awards Once We Were Kings recently won, this is such an honor.  If you haven’t reader it yet, please give it a try.  It’s only $2.99 for Kindle, and the hardcover edition is also available if you “must have” the physical book with the beautiful cover art painted by Anna Steinbauer of Austria.

ONCE WE WERE KINGS $2.99
For Kindle: http://amzn.to/se4JY7
For Kindle UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005Z5FFRS
For nook: http://bit.ly/jeio82
For iBooks: http://bit.ly/k7F5ML
For every reader: Smashwords: http://bit.ly/lUlOM8

Hardcover edition: http://amzn.to/OWWK-hc

 


ONCE WE WERE KINGS Wins Award in the 2011 Forward National Literature Awards

Forward National Literature Awards 2011

Today has been a big day for both my evil twin Joshua Graham and me.  We were both named winners in the 2011 Forward National Literature Awards!  His book Darkroom, won in the Mystery Category, and my book ONCE WE WERE KINGS, won a 2nd Place Award in the Teen/Young Adult Category in the same contest.

As an added bonus, ONCE WE WERE KINGS hit two bestseller lists on Amazon last night in the Epic Fantasy Categories.

It’s a great honor for this, my debut fantasy book and I wish to thank all those who have so enthusiastically supported me and the release of this title.

I’m currently working on the sequel to ONCE WE WERE KINGS and just as soon as I’m able and allowed to leak some teaser information (because I know how much you all loved to be teased), I will post it here and on my facebook page(s).

Have a wonderful weekend, Mates!

 

 

 

PS:  Please click the “like” and/or any of the sharing buttons to help spread the word!  Thanks!

ONCE WE WERE KINGS

 


Once We Were Kings – Finalist in USA Book News’ BEST BOOK AWARDS

For Immediate Release

Ian Alexander’s Epic Fantasy ONCE WE WERE KINGS, finalist in USA Book News BEST BOOKS awards.
By DT Media
Dated: Nov 02, 2011

ONCE WE WERE KINGS by Ian Alexander places in two categories, Fiction: Fantasy/Sci-Fi and Fiction: Young Adult in the USA Book News Best Book Awards

Announced on November 1, 2011 by USA Book News, Ian Alexander’s epic fantasy novel ONCE WE WERE KINGS landed not one, but two finalist awards in the Best Books of 2011. When asked to comment, Mr. Alexander simply said, “It’s divine providence, and a great honor.”

Mr. Alexander (the epic fantasy pseudonym by International Book Award winning author Joshua Graham) wrote ONCE WE WERE KINGS at the request of his then six year old son, who read the entire seven book “Chronicles of Narnia” series of C.S. Lewis. Unable to turn down such a heartfelt request, Graham began the first in his own epic fantasy series known as “The Sojourner Saga.”

ONCE WE WERE KINGS debuted as an ebook in May 2011 and in its first week hit multiple bestseller lists on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. The hardcover edition is soon to be released.

A hit among adult and young readers, ONCE WE WERE KINGS has been enjoyed in middle school classrooms and will soon find its way into the libraries of schools and even juvenile correctional facilities, where Mr. Alexander hopes to bring not only entertainment, but a love for reading, and hope for the future of young people.
ONCE WE WERE KINGS is available at:

Amazon.com in both ebook and Hardcover editions

Barnes & Noble for Nook

 

For more information on Ian Alexander, connect with him on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IanAlex70
The Ian Alexander Official Website: www.IanAlex.com
and Twitter: @IanAlex77
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The ONCE WE WERE KINGS Virtual Book Tour has begun

Today’s stop is a review at Reviews by Molly!

Please go and check out her review of my book.  Here are some highlights:

 

“I sat down to read it on Monday night, and had it finished by Tuesday evening. It was just THAT good!”
“The characters were striking and the plot line gripping…”
“…truly amazing characters.”
“The lessons that they take the reader on through the actions and twists in this epic novel, are awesome”
“From good verses evil to romance and finding oneself, this was filled to overflowing with something for every reader!”

~Reviews by Molly

http://www.reviewsbymolly.com/2011/05/blog-tour-once-we-were-kings-by-ian.html

Ebook edition $3.99


Free Friday ebook Giveaway! LEGEND OF THE TIGER’S THRONE

Happy Friday, friends!

My evil twin Joshua Graham has held a tradition of giving away free ebooks from time to time, and I thought I’d follow with one of my own.  Please enjoy LEGEND OF THE TIGER’S THRONE free!  It’s a tale of the loyalty, honor and sacrifice of a young tiger, the heir to the mystical throne in a fantastical animal kingdom.

This story is very short, and can be enjoyed by children from 6 to 90 and up!  I happen fall right into the middle of that age-range.  Also, you’ll get  a free excerpt (20 chapters) from my recently released bestselling epic fantasy book ONCE WE WERE KINGS!

Enjoy!

This short story is free for ALL ebook readers, mobile phone apps, and can be read on your computer.

It also includes a hefty sample (20 chapters) from my bestselling Epic Fantasy novel ONCE WE WERE KINGS.

Download a free copy for your Kindle, Nook, iPad, SONY Reader, Kobo here:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28420


LEGEND OF THE TIGER’S THRONE


ONCE WE WERE KINGS hits three bestseller lists on opening day!

What an amazing launch we had yesterday for ONCE WE WERE KINGS!  On facebook, we had an all day chat session with readers, fans and the author (me), and generally celebrated the birth of not only a book, but an entire literary world!  I say that with humility, of course.

There was so much excitement about this book that on its opening day it hit #22 in bestselling SF/Fantasy ebooks on Barnes & Noble!

And it also hit two bestseller lists on Amazon.com in the Epic Fantasy category!

The great news is that it’s still climbing!  Today on Amazon, it’s #50 in the top 100 bestselling Epic Fantasy ebooks, topping MISTBORN: The Final Empire, by Brandon Sanderson!

 

And on Barnes & Noble it’s currently the #18 bestselling ebook in SF/Fantasy, topping titles by Charlene Harris and George R.R. Martin!

And it was so nice to see ONCE WE WERE KINGS on the front page of BN’s bestselling SF/Fantasy ebook page!

 

Thanks to all who made this a wonderful opening day for Once We Were Kings!

It’s $3.99

For nook: http://bit.ly/jeio82
For Kindle: http://amzn.to/iAWsMm
For all other eReaders, mobile phones, or online reading from computer: http://bit.ly/lUlOM8


Opening Day: ONCE WE WERE KINGS hits top 100 bestseller list in SF/Fantasy on Barnes & Noble

What a fantastic opening day!  Nook readers have placed ONCE WE WERE KINGS in the top 100 bestselling SF/Fantasy ebooks on Barnes & Noble!

Thanks everyone!  Let’s see it go to #1!  🙂

 

Top 100 Bestselling SF/Fantasy ebook on B&N!


ONCE WE WERE KINGS ebook launch!

Today’s the official ebook launch for ONCE WE WERE KINGS!

We’re going to be doing a live chat throughout the day on the  ONCE WE WERE KINGS launch group, and open group on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_221903941169898

Please join in on the chat throughout the day.  Watch for my chat status (AFK means away from keyboard, and BAK means back at keyboard)

The virtual book tour starts today with a review by THE TOP SHELF!

Please come and visit the top shelf here:  http://the-top-shelf.com/?page_id=1115

ONCE WE WERE KINGS is now officially on sale at:

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/jeio82 for nook/nookcolor

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/iAWsMm for Kindle

and

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/lUlOM8 for all other ebook readers or to read online.

 


Excerpt from Once We Were Kings

FORE WORD

Gathered round the wide and level stump of the Great Ancients’ Tree, the Twelve Elders of the Sojourner’s Council stood within the stone walls of the courtyard and rejoiced that the fulfillment of Shamis the Stargazer’s prophecy was now at hand.

By the alignment of the northern constellations they knew that the time of deliverance drew nigh.  By the anomalous tide shifts and the unprecedented lunar phases, they knew that the dark reign of Malakandor would soon come to an end.

What they knew not was that a traitor lurked amongst them.

Oreus, the chief elder stood and raised his chalice.  “Brethren, thou hast honored the name of Valhandra with longsuffering and steadfast hope.”  He turned to the elder on his right.  “Hephesta the Wolf-Hearted, thou hast endured three wars over the course of five hundred years.”

With deep humility, Hephesta arose and inclined his head.

(more…)


The early reviews and endorsements are coming in!

cover art by Anna Steinbauer

I’m really excited about the first few reviews that have come in for ONCE WE WERE KINGS, the launch date of which will soon be announced.

Here’s what they’ve been saying so far:

“…[Ian Alexander] delivers a very pleasing fantasy epic.”
“…seems to parallel some of our own socio-political climates, in regards to terrorism, racial and cultural biases, religious biases…”
“…many pleasant surprises…”
“…definitely recommend it, especially to those who are fans of novels such as Narnia”
“…I look forward with great anticipation to see what occurs next with some of the characters from this [book].”
“…You won’t be disappointed.”
~Rhodes Review

“…a page-turning epic fantasy adventure…”
“…right out of the Golden Age of fantasy…”
“…elements of Tolkien…the Belgariad, the ‘Adept’ trilogy by Piers Anthony, and a healthy dollop of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia Chronicles.”
“…Ian Alexander provides a spark, a momentum often absent in other epic fantasies.”
“…Compulsively readable…”
“…an admirable debut novel.”
~Michael Bellomo, Amazon Bestselling Author

“Ian Alexander’s ONCE WE WERE KINGS sets new standards for epic fantasy.”
“ONCE WE WERE KINGS transcends the qualities found in such great works as “The Chronicles of Narnia” to “The Lord of the Rings”.
“Alexander stands alone as a true master of the written word.”
“…a thoroughly magical story filled with memorable characters, danger, hope,inspiration and romance.”
“Alexander’s ONCE WE WERE KINGS should sit on the highest shelf of your library.”
“A sparkling story that will leave the reader breathless and wanting more.”
~Susan Wingate, author of DROWNING and the award-winning BOBBY’S DINER series


How it all came to pass.

Once upon a time, a scribe who wrote tales of suspense and mystery spent many a night reading bedtime stories to his first born.  This boy, who was only six years of age at the time most enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia, which his father the scribe read to him every night.  And each night, the boy would say, “Please Daddy, just one more chapter.”

The boy came to love all the characters and far off lands in all seven books and could even recite all their names, and what each book was about.  It was somewhere around the time when Eustace Scrub became a dragon in THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, that the scribe’s son stopped the reading, looked at his father with eyes twinkling and said, “Daddy, will you write a book for me?”

And thus began the journey in which this scribe, Ian Alexander (yours truly)  began his quest to write a series of books that he hoped might one day delight and inspire his son perhaps as much as those by the scribe’s hero C.S. Lewis.  At first, the story flowed from the scribe’s heart–the story of a young slave boy who one day would become the saviour of his kingdom.  Then came the peasant girl from the enemy nation.  As their stories began to converge, however, life for the scribe took several unexpected turns.

Artwork by Anna Steinbauer

There were illnesses and deaths in the family, the scribe who’s employment of the past nine years had been terminated and his entire department shut down, and in the midst of all that, he almost gave up writing altogether.  Well, to make a long story not quite as long, three years had passed and the scribe had since written about thirteen other books (yet only one of them completed.)  In the interim, his second novel BEYOND JUSTICE came into publication, hit multiple bestseller lists, and came into critical acclaim.  From all the feedback, and after hearing from fans about how moved they were by this book, the scribe who took on the public persona of “Joshua Graham” realized it was is his calling to devote his life to this craft.

Finally, before the book (only half-completed) he promised his son slipped from his mind forever, the scribe decided he must finish it to fulfill his promise.  And so he did.  However, while he completed this book, his next suspense thriller entitled DARKROOM was picked up by a major NY Publisher who offered him a contract to publish it.  New responsibilities and obligations arose.  Undaunted, the scribe pressed forward and completed his promised book, ONCE WE WERE KINGS, the first in an epic saga of a race called The Sojourners.

This would be a fine place to say that they lived happily ever after, however, the story has just begun.


ARCS for Once We Were Kings are going out!

I’m excited.  Very excited indeed.

I’ve got reviewers, early readers and others looking at ONCE WE WERE KINGS.  The hope is that I’ll gather a good number of reviews and endorsements before the official launch.  Some of the reviews will go into the front matter of book itself.  Others will hopefully appear on Amazon and BN.com and even in a section on this website.

If you are interested in reviewing ONCE WE WERE KINGS, please leave a comment with contact information and your review site.

Thanks!

Ian