Rise: The Liminal Chronicles Press Kit

Rise: The Liminal Chronicles

Which would you risk: returning to prison or angering a supernatural being?

Author

Amy Winters-Voss is a former programmer who writes Japanese myth-based urban fantasy to reconnect with the country and culture that captured her heart.

Book Details

Urban / mythological fantasy
The Liminal Chronicles Series
310 pages / 97,000 words
April 30, 2021
ShyRedFox Publishing

Retailers for all formats
E-book: $2.99

ISBN 9781736672006

ASIN B08WTK6XWP

Paperback: $15.99

ISBN 9781736672013

Synopsis

An ex-gangster. A mysterious old woman. A mythological world of magic and danger hiding behind everyday life.

Fresh out of jail, Umeji Tatsuya seeks redemption in a small town, far from his Yakuza ties. He’s barely moved in when the town’s feisty dowager, Nakamura Hisako, discovers the tattoos that mark him as an ex-mobster. She hounds his every step as she tries to make him leave, but Umeji is determined. Seeking a break from the ridicule leads him to an out of the way shrine where he discovers Nakamura has a secret of her own: she's a kitsune, an ancient fox spirit—like in the stories Umeji read when he was a kid. But Nakamura is undeniable proof that those tales are true and mythical beings blend in among human kind. Nakamura offers a truce. Keep her secret and she'll help him forge a mob-free future, starting with learning magic. Just when things are looking up, Umeji’s training is interrupted. Date, a kitsune with a centuries-old grudge against Nakamura and a taste for turning former Yakuza members into vicious ogre-like oni to do her bidding, brings destruction in her wake. Worse yet, the one person who could drag Umeji back into the mob shows up on his doorstep, under Date’s control. Is Umeji the next victim in Date’s sights? Or is there more to this magical threat than he wants to believe...

Rise is the first book in the Liminal Chronicles series.
Buy now and enjoy Umeji’s action-packed journey into Japanese myth, personal redemption, and found family.

Praise for Rise

“Overall, Rise: The Liminal Chronicles was a fascinating read that explored ancient magic, Japanese mythology and culture, and deep down, the ability of one man to start over anew. The story was well written and engaging, and had me constantly wondering what would come next. It was a story about change and redemption, one that touched both my heart and soul.”

— Ellie Mitchell author of the Legends of Peradon series via Goodreads, ★★★★★

“Imagine a world where all your favourite stuff about Japanese mythology, anime, and magic kung-fu movies come together with gritty urban fantasy in modern Japan. This is the world of the Liminal Chronicles. It’s a book I didn’t know I needed, but now I need more!”

— Diane Morrison (SableAradia) author of The Wyrd West Chronicles via Goodreads, ★★★★★

“Must read: An engaging fantasy inspired by Japanese mythical lore. Great characters with a fast paced story...Which readers would I recommend Rise: The Liminal Chronicles to, all readers. But especially those that enjoy anime and manga, or are interested in reading them. You may not enjoy this novel as much if you do not have an interest in either of them. While reading it felt like I was watching a movie.”

— Keisha Jackson-LaMon via Reedsy Discovery, ★★★★★

Press Kit Files and Trailer

Press kit PDF

Sample Chapters:

Read the first 4 chapters online

Read the first 3 chapters in a variety of formats downloadable from Prolific Works.

Rise promotional images

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2YoMKWt4IQ

Details for Book Tour Hosts

Further Details

Themes

Redemption

a person’s ability to change

choices have consequences (even generations later)

found family

Target audience

Women in 20s-30s

Interest in Asia / Japan (travel or learning the language)

Watches anime and reads manga

Reads myth-based and urban fantasy

Enjoys history

Likes: former bad boys, adventure, magic, and a bit of romance

Character Ages

Umeji Tatsuya (MC) is 24

Nakamura Hisako appears to be in her 70s-80s

Most characters are in their 20s.

Pitch

An ex-mobster must face the consequences of breaking a promise to his parole officer which will cost his regained freedom or angering a powerful supernatural being.

Trigger warnings / notifications

Intimate scenes are mild or implied, not explicit

Abandonment of MC

Death of a semi-major character

Name Note

Japanese names are reversed from European names. The family name is first. Given name is second. So Umeji Tatsuya’s family name is Umeji.

Comp Titles / Related Genre

Ink by Amanda Sun

Ruroni Kenshin

Dream Eater by K. Bird Lincoln

Minimum Wage Magic by Rachel Aaron

Edited by

Sarah Buhrman

Cover Art by

Odette.A.Bach

Quotes

“Once Yakuza, always Yakuza. The tattoos mark you for life.“ “I don’t care how handsome or how lonely you imagine he is. I’m telling you this as a friend. Stay away from him.” “I-I have a lot to atone for. This is a start.” “Listen Umeji, I was the top club host in Osaka before I moved here to remake my reputation. Spent years telling people what they wanted to hear. I know damned well when someone isn’t speaking the whole truth. “ “...he and I made a deal. I’d be his volunteer parole officer as long as he was frank with me. I can handle all manner of things, but not deception.” “And you’ll go to prison for a secret this old lady asked you to keep?” “I witnessed something. Walked in on it after the tree fell, and I heard a scream—an event I have a hard time understanding. Maybe from the spirit world.”

Learn More

Author Website

https://amywintersvoss.com/

Liminal Chronicles series site - character, setting, species, secrets, maps, and all my other worldbuilding.

https://liminalchronicles.com/

Author Newsletter book updates, beta and ARC reader info, and random life tidbits.

https://go.amywintersvoss.com/news