Heroes of Time Legends: Murdoch’s Choice Book Tour
Cover Blurb
Captain Murdoch has the chance of a lifetime in his grasp…or is it just a fool’s errand?
Zale “the Gale” Murdoch, one of the greatest seafaring merchants in the kingdom of Tuscawny, is at the top of his game. No one has reached the guild’s grandmaster status in generations, and he’s but one job away, with his biggest rival right on his heels. When a mysterious stranger approaches him with information that will seemingly ensure his success, Zale is tempted. The mission: to retrieve the Grimstone, a mythical artifact obscured by the shadows of history and religious folklore…an object of immeasurable value…if it’s real. The journey to find out could cost him more than his reputation and a leisurely retirement. He’ll have to battle dark magic on a perilous voyage to the hostile land where the Grimstone is reportedly hidden…a land very few sailors return from alive.
Starlina Murdoch, Zale’s estranged daughter, wants nothing to do with the sea. But Jensen, the boy she loves, is a member of her father’s crew and determined to make a career as a sailor. As she becomes unexpectedly entangled with her father’s voyage, she must find her bearings amongst the crew and decide for herself where her dreams truly lead.
Other Titles By the Author
Wayne D. Kramer
Author Bio
Wayne Kramer lives in the Southern Indiana countryside. He loves the open spaces and fresh air. His family keeps a small greenhouse, usually a little garden, chickens, and an overweight cat. Wayne has been married to his wife and best friend, Kaly, since 2004. They have five daughters with the nature-themed names of Dawn, Brooke, Holly, Ivy, and Jade. Wayne wanted to be a published author for nearly 25 years before finally doing it. Life finally afforded enough flexibility that Wayne is able to focus a lot more time developing the “Heroes of Time” series that he is very passionate about. Another major novel of the series has already been written. From early on writing was one of Wayne’s favourite pastimes. He wrote short stories throughout middle school and high school for Young Authors contests and group projects. Before “Heroes of Time” dominated his mind, he worked extensively on creating an epic-fantasy novelisation of the popular role-playing game, Chrono Trigger. Over the years, Wayne received frequent feedback on many revisions of this novelisation, making it one of the primary vessels through which he fine-tuned his writing. Throughout high school Wayne was active in the Business Professionals of America, where he placed second in the nation at the National Leadership Conference for Database Applications in 2000. He was part of the school’s Renaissance program for high-achievement students, Fellowship of Christian Students, and the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the highest rank of Eagle Scout. He played trumpet and then euphonium/baritone in high-school band, through which he met Kaly, the love of his life. Wayne graduated from Eastern High School in Pekin, Indiana in 2001 and went on to the University of Louisville to pursue a Bachelor of Business Science. He graduated from U of L in December 2005. He worked for his parents’ company in the field of medical imaging equipment and parts for a total of fifteen years. Wayne also business opportunities in licensed products, which included helping to run a traveling retail presence, ecommerce, and product design. Wayne currently owns and runs his own business, W7 Global, which sells parts for medical imaging equipment all around the world. Throughout his professional and personal endeavours, Wayne has visited nearly 40 countries and about 25 of the United States. He especially loved visiting Hobbiton in New Zealand. Wayne feels truly blessed by God to pursue his dream of writing and publishing stories. The world of Eliorin was inspired by Wayne’s love of stories of classic fantasy and time travel, and he is incredibly excited to share this rich world with you.
The Book Tour
Day 1 - Favourite Quotes
Day 2 - Character Summaries
Zale! - Hands down, Zale. He’s not a young buck, which is refreshing. His nicknames are epic! I want him to nickname me. And he seems like a good fellow too. What’s not to like? His dialogue is epic. (Eryn McConnell)
Fulgar - I have always felt a connection to spiritual characters who are not overly pushy with their theological beliefs. Fulgar is a man who believes deeply in his religious and moral duties but is very accepting of others' less pious personalities. He is a model for how religious people and characters should handle their interactions with different outlooks. It is refreshing to see a character with both a heavy religious tie and magical powers without tying the two together. His ability to control ethereal energies with the help of novidian is an interesting ability that can then be passed on to other characters who can then be shown to grow in their ability. His forthrightness and willingness to explain not only his abilities but also how several characters are connected to them gives exposition and world building without feeling stale. By being limited in how he can use his powers, the rate and method by which his abilities are revealed over the course of the book is thankfully reasonable. Hopefully his order will be an interesting and fitting extension of his purpose to the series. (Lucas Walker)
Wigglebelly - I really enjoyed Wigglebelly. With his distinctive laugh and way of speaking and his love for his chickens, I felt he brought a lot of heart and colour to the novel. I find that the way that he and other characters are written creates a vivid world in a genre that's always at risk of feeling remote, both in terms of setting and emotional impact, from reality. (Tim Marshall)
Fulgar - He intrigued me from his first appearance. As the story progressed he only became more fascinating. There’s an air of mystery surrounding him and I found him pulling me in, as I sought to get to know him better. He keeps us guessing whether he’s a friend or foe and each time he entered a scene, I felt myself becoming excited about what hints may be revealed regarding this. His knowledge serves to drive the plot forward and he’s a wealth of information and thought provoking statements. He serves as a spiritual guide, both on the ship and in the story and has both steely strength and serenity. He also happens to be the owner of a delightfully described dagger!
(Michelle Marshall)
Jensen - It’s very difficult to choose a favourite character, they are all so well developed and different to each other! I think that most people would choose Starlina, or the Captain himself Zale, or even Jensen. I did love Boomer, although his role is relatively minor. Jensen is a typical young man who needs experience before he will truly find his ‘sea legs’ and become a valuable ship’s mate. His relationship with Starlina gives a romantic love interest side plot, interweaving and later merging the main story of the historical magic between Dark and Light, involving the Captain’s family from generations ago. I don’t want to reveal too much as to spoil the story, but Jensen’s character develops as the adventure does. The author has written each of his characters very, very well. They are all very real to the reader, which is key for achieving a great book! (Yvonne Weston)
Can I say I loved them all? I am finding it hard to pick one that I liked even a little bit more than the others. The Author has done a fantastic job in his character development, they are all very believable, and extremely likeable. I absolutely adored the banter and humour between all of the ship mates. Zale's wit is hilarious and he makes a great sea captain. I love Starlina's character too and the mystery that surrounds her, and who could not be fascinated by Fulgar and his remarkable abilities? A brilliant cast, highly entertaining and they all bring an added dimension to this sea-faring story. Move over Captain Jack Sparrow and his pirate crew! (Kirsty McKay)
My favourite character is Fulgar. Whilst being an unknown quantity at first meeting it quickly becomes apparent that Fulgar is much more than a simple physiker (or healer). Fulgar joins the crew seamlessly and what an impact he makes. The skills this character possesses are fantastic. The author really provides great balance in Fulgar who is humble and unassuming, throughout the book. This endearing quality also makes Fulgar even more relevant in the context of his support to his fellow crew mates. (Niall McKay)
Day 3 - Favourite Excerpts
I really enjoyed the Raiders of the Lost Ark style mission at the end to collect the grimstone. (Eryn McConnell)
“The writing said we had walked in the past,” he said quietly. Boomer watched him with wide eyes. “That was the Shadow Age we walked through to get here—the past. What we just saw . . . it said that was what comes last. Could that be . . . the future? A possible future because of the Grimstone?” (Lucas Walker)
“Hen overboard!” Zale burst out of his cabin. “What under the rings is happening?” he growled. “Sorry, Cap,” Fump said. “Just a bit of morbid humor. One of Wigglebelly’s chickens went egg-bound and died overnight. We just cast it to sea. Of course, the bigger problem is that we’ve got one less egg-layer and already-stretched rations.”
“Perfect,” Zale said flatly. Wigglebelly looked crestfallen. “I asked Fulgar to perform last rites on Flappy. It was beautiful, man.” “Yeah, it was already dead at that point,” Fump muttered. “Hey!” deckhand Jonas shouted from the quarterdeck. “A shark just snatched that hen!” Wigglebelly gasped in horror. Tate slapped him on the back. “It’s just the food chain, Wigglebelly. Don’t take it too hard. Say, what’s for supper, anyway?” “Chicken soup, man. My own mother’s recipe, in honor of Flappy.” Zale walked off. He couldn’t have made this stuff up if he’d tried. (Tim Marshall)
Starlina’s gaze was fixed on the weapon, its starlight glimmer a solid match to the twinkling in her eyes. “May I hold it?” she asked. “Of course,” Fulgar answered. Jensen handed it to her. As soon as it landed in Starlina’s grasp, a nimbus of soft white surrounded the weapon and played about her hand. She turned it back and forth in examination, her expression dazzled. “Hey, it’s glowing again!” Chim exclaimed, pointing. “So it is,” Fulgar replied. “How does it feel?” “It’s like . . . something fond . . . like something familiar,” Starlina said. Jensen leaned toward her, his face alight. “Does it feel warm? Does it pulse or vibrate?” “No, it’s not like that,” she replied. “It’s more like holding something very dear to me, something so familiar that it’s almost a part of me.” She looked at Fulgar. "For something that indicates power, it seems remarkably . . . welcoming." Fulgar took it back from her. "There are some within the Order who say those with a strong connection to ethereal materials will achieve great purpose in life." (Michelle Marshall)
“Boomer was a pure menace to the enemies, hopping about between heads, weaving around legs, and firing the occasional bow from his miniature crossbow. Zale heard his animalistic cackle rise above the action and couldn’t help but smile.” (p251) This is such a good example of how the reader can ‘see’ the scene, as the author has so cleverly described the action. I can picture Boomer having great fun fighting the enemies upon him and his new friends. (Yvonne Marrs)
Evette leaned her hip against the rail and swept her hand toward the ocean. "He stumbled overboard." "It was more a cause-and-effect thing," Yancy added. "He stumbled ... because the Shrew clobbered him in the face." "I hit him middeck!" she shouted. "It was his own stupor that tripped him over the side." "It was quite spectacular," Jensen said from the ropes. Evette stood tall, rubbing absently at her nails and wearing a self-satisfied smirk. "Explain yourself!" ordered Zale. "Insubordination, Captain," Evette said with inarguable sureness. "He pretended to bump into me by accident and just happened to be ready for a two-handed squeeze in the process." She gestured at her breasts. "It's true, Captain," Jensen said. "I saw the whole thing. Miles made a very blatant advance." Moments later, Miles was brought over the rail, dripping. A nice, red welt had already formed on his left cheek. "Crew, listen well!" Zale bellowed. "I don't care that we have two ladies aboard. They are part of this crew. Any further uncouth advances, and I will personally ensure the offender is keelhauled from bow to stern and back again!" (Kirsty McKay)
“D’ ye take me serious now, Zale?” Her father fumbled with his coat. “Stop, Rummy! Look, I have it… right here.” He pulled out a cylindrical casing. “This is what I found. I just haven’t been able to open it yet.” Seadread again had his sword pointed at Starlina’s chest. “Theres a riddle” her father said. “Dark opens dark. It means byrne – I figured out that much. It takes Dark Ethereal to release the shard of the Dark Entry. But all the byrne you’ve used against my crew has been destroyed.” “Well Zale , not all.” Seadread gestured towards the commander of the grimkins. “But even if he doesn’t survive , it’s but an exercise in patience. (Niall McKay)
Day 4 - Video Interview
Day 5 - Reviews
Overall rating: 5 stars. Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise will love this superbly written fantasy sea-faring adventure. Each character is extremely likeable, bringing an added dimension to the story. I simply loved them all! With their different attributes and personalities brought together onboard, Queenie's crew, led by the hilarious and charismatic Captain Zale, make for a highly entertaining read. I therefore commend the author for his characterisation and the work and commitment he has invested in each one to make them larger than life. This is no easy task for an author to accomplish, especially in their first novel. The dialogue itself is extremely well written and compliments the story well, with plenty of action, excitement, laugh out loud, and feel good moments, the author makes it simple for a reader to visualise each scene as it happens and to build an emotional connection with the cast. A born story teller, Wayne Kramer, does not disappoint, and I am thrilled that I don't have to wait to read its sequel, Murdoch's Shadow, as it is now available at The Book Dragon. (Kirsty McKay)
Overall rating: 5 stars. This is a great yarn that I would say does not take itself too seriously. The story starts with what appears to be a young romance, which isn’t entirely my cup of tea, I admit, but it soon moved into the more interesting world of quests and pirates and treasure. I loved Zale. He absolutely carries the plot and his verbal shenanigans makes this book great. None of the other characters can hold a torch to him, including in my opinion, his daughter Starlina or her hapless suitor. The pace is fast. It gallops along at a rate of knots, and the conclusion hits fast. Could it have meandered a little more? Maybe. Is it the worse for it? I don’t think so. It’s fun, it’s a little irreverent and it’s piratey. (Eryn McConnell)
Overall rating: 5 stars. With intriguing lore, a unique magic system, and some rather engaging characters, Murdoch's Choice was an entertaining read in an interesting world that leaves you wanting more. (Lucas Walker)
Overall rating: 5 stars. Making a story that is both epic and relatable is a difficult balance to strike, but I think one that has been struck wonderfully here. Wayne has a cinematic storytelling style, with wit, warmth and drama, which I felt really transported me to the world of Eliorin. I love fantasy settings, but I often feel that fantasy novels can risk either having the pace bogged down in explanation of the world's workings or lack immersion for lack of explanation. Murdoch's Choice suffers from neither of those pitfalls, and I enjoyed both the narrative and worldbuilding. The extra elements of the preface, maps, artwork and appendices all help to make the setting feel even more alive. I look forward to reading more of the Heroes of Time: Legends series! (Tim Marshall)
Overall rating: 5 stars. A beautifully written book. Wayne’s writing has a rhythmic quality and I found myself delighted to partake in the dance. The characters are vivid and wonderfully described, with both their physicality and traits easy to visualise. The book contains a lot of love and passion. I don’t just mean in the romantic, familial and friendship relationships demonstrated by the characters, but also that you can tell that Wayne cares about the world he has created. The story is full of fun, but it also has moments that moved me and made me think. I loved the mythology explored around the Grimstone and Shadow Age. Wayne has cleverly managed to capture a stirring sense of adventure, whilst simultaneously creating a cosy feel within the confines of life on the ship. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fun fantasy novels with a sense of heart. It’s witty, warm and a real winner. (Michelle Marshall)
Overall rating: 5 stars. This is the second book that I’ve read meant for a younger audience (teenage) but can be equally enjoyed by adults. I absolutely loved it. I’m a huge Sir Terry Pratchett fan, and it is extremely difficult to find something similar. Wayne has written a story that engaged me in the same manner, smooth and fast paced action - dangerous adventures - memorable and very vividly real characters - I haven’t been this excited by a book for ages! At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Captain Zale, seen through his estranged daughter’s eyes he seems almost irresponsible and an overachieving entertainer for the crowds that draw around him. As the story progresses into Zale’s last minute decision to go after the supposedly mythical Grimstone on a journey of undoubted peril, my thoughts changed. If it is real, the bounty Zale and his team will earn is hugely plentiful - and it would earn him the almost unobtainable guild Grandmaster status that he craves. Nobody can blame him for trying it, especially when we learn that his ancestors from generations ago were involved and it seems only he is the one for this mission. We learn more about his family, and the man himself. As Captain, he has a responsibility for his crew and his craft - naming his ship Queenie after his beloved cat gives us an insight into his true nature. I would never hesitate to recommend this book, even if the reader didn’t choose the fantasy genre as their two top favourites. It is worth reading by everyone, high praise indeed! (Yvonne Marrs)
Overall rating: 5 stars. Murdoch’s Choice is a seafaring adventure with a difference. It is set in in an entirely new world not too dissimilar to our own but with some subtle differences. Following Captain Zale “The Gale” Murdoch and his crew of dogged misfits the adventure follows several key characters on their search for the Grimstone. Against the backdrop of competition and the more important factor of saving the world, Murdoch is seemingly manoeuvred into chasing the artefact (albeit not being his first choice). Wayne has produced a rare gem of a story here. Characters are bold and distinctive and you can’t help but engage with them. The story is well edited, fast paced with just enough time to take breath before the next exciting event and keeps you hooked from cover to cover. Dialogue is natural and really helps to add depth to each character. The twists and turns keep you guessing as to what will happen next and the intricate relationships developed over the course of the story also add great appeal. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the next adventure. A great start to what will no doubt be a hugely popular “Heroes of Time” series. (Niall McKay)
Book Tour Reviewers
