Brain Lag’s most prolific author Arlene F. Marks delivers again with her latest novel The Bloodstone, now available through bookstores everywhere.
This standalone second book in the Nash’terel series, about a race of alien, shape-shifting, life essence vampires, has been praised by critics, with advance readers calling it “terrifying, witty and delightful,” “a joy to read,” and “a story I couldn’t resist.” Booklist adds, “Fans of morally gray societies or aliens like Marvel’s Skrulls should give this a look.”
Marks recently gave a preview of the book during a Strong Women, Strange Worlds Quick Reads event, now viewable on YouTube. The reading highlighted one of the many dysfunctional family dynamics in the book, mixed in with a tale of assassinations, super powers, fitting in, science, and hockey.
The Bloodstone is now available in trade paperback (364 pages, ISBN 978-1-998795-09-3, $23.99 CAD) and ebook (ISBN 978-1-998795-09-3, $4.99) formats through all major bookstores, including Amazon, Chapters/Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Kindle, Kobo, Google Play Books, Apple Books, and more.
As part of the book’s release, a virtual launch party is being held on Twitch on Thursday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. This free event will feature a Q&A, readings, and a giveaway, and is free to attend. For those in the Collingwood area, Marks will be hosting a reading and signing at the Collingwood Public Library Saturday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m.
A compulsive writer, Marks already has two additional books signed with Brain Lag and more in the works. She retired from a teaching career to the shores of Georgian Bay and spends her days working on the many story ideas developed during her years as an educator.
The Bloodstone is Brain Lag’s fifth release from Marks since 2021, following up Adventures in Godhood (2021), Imaginary Friends (2022), Weekends Can Be Murder (2022), and the first Nash’terel book, The Earthborn(2023). The Bloodstone is the fourth release in 2024 from Brain Lag. With eleven more books signed from nine different authors, the Milton, Ontario-based SFF publisher will be returning to releasing a new book per month later this year.
Media inquiries and requests to contact the author can be directed to publishing@brain-lag.com.
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