The Sunbolt Chronicles

About the Sunbolt Chronicles

There are some stories that write themselves, and other stories you write and write and write. The Sunbolt Chronicles are both for me.

I wrote the first chapter or so of Sunbolt (Book 1) as a short story that ended rather abruptly because I couldn’t figure out what the ending actually was. I wasn’t even sure what the story was about, so I gave it the working title of “Night Story” (since most of it took place at night) and left it at that. It sat quietly on my laptop for a long time, perhaps a couple years. Every now and then I would come back to it, scratch my head, make a few attempts to figure it out, and leave it alone again. Then, while traveling overseas to be with my in-laws during a family illness, the first three installments of the Chronicles came pouring out of me.

Then I left it alone again for nearly three years, while I polished up my debut novel to release and worked on other projects. When I came back to my draft, I knew this was a project I wanted to complete and publish. So I started revising and developing the storyline further. The funny part? Not a single scene from the original beginning that I wrote and pondered over is left. Bit by bit, it got chipped away, re-visioned, and rewritten. But the story that it inspired still has me in its grip, and I’m looking forward to bringing you the rest of Hitomi’s adventures…

 

sunbolt_cover_e-small

Available on: Kindle  |  Nook |  Kobo  |  Apple

goodreads-badge-add-plus

Sunbolt (Book 1)

The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.

When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life.

Media Kit

1. Sunbolt Comprehensive Info

2. Sunbolt Cover

3. Author Photo

4. Teaser Quotes: One, Two, Three and Four

 

MoA_FC_FNL16_BN

Available on: Amazon  |  B&N  |  Kobo  |  Apple

goodreads-badge-add-plus

Memories of Ash (Book 2)

In the year since she cast her sunbolt, Hitomi has recovered only a handful of memories. But the truths of the past have a tendency to come calling, and an isolated mountain fastness can offer only so much shelter. When the High Council of Mages summons Brigit Stormwind to stand trial for treason, Hitomi knows her mentor won’t return—not with Arch Mage Blackflame behind the charges.

Armed only with her magic and her wits, Hitomi vows to free her mentor from unjust imprisonment. She must traverse spell-cursed lands and barren deserts, facing powerful ancient enchantments and navigating bitter enmities, as she races to reach the High Council. There, she reunites with old friends, planning a rescue equal parts magic and trickery.

If she succeeds, Hitomi will be hunted the rest of her life. If she fails, she’ll face the ultimate punishment: enslavement to the High Council, her magic slowly drained until she dies.

Media Kit

  1. Memories of Ash Comprehensive Info
  2. Memories of Ash Cover
  3. Author Photo
  4. Teaser Quotes One and Two

Pay it Forward

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of The Sunbolt Chronicles will be donated to the United Nations Children’s Fund. UNICEF fights for the survival and development of the world’s most vulnerable children. Find out more at http://www.unicefusa.org.

Cover Design

These gorgeous covers were designed by Jenny Zemanek, graphic designer and book blogger over at Supernatural Snark. Hey, stop right there! She’s mine. 😉 Jenny is ultra talented and a pleasure to work with. Anyone who can talk her into doing their covers will not be disappointed! You can see her online portfolio and latest work at Seedlings Design Studio.

  • JL

    Ugh! I just finished this and I can’t believe it ended where it did. Where are the other 200 pages that explain how she becomes a stronger Mage and reunites with the Ghost? Disappointed this book ended where it did…to me it’s incomplete.

    • Oh no! I’m so sorry the ending didn’t work for you. I left Hitomi there because it felt like a natural resting spot to me… she spends almost a year quietly studying and working to recover some part of what she’s lost (trying to be spoiler-free here). The next book starts out the following fall–it seemed like too big of a jump to have in the middle of one book, and honestly Book 2 is already over 300 pages, so putting them together would have birthed a monster! But I am sorry that the end disappointed you. That isn’t what I want to give my readers! I expect part of this is learning and growing as a writer. Hopefully you’ll find the next book more satisfactory, if you give it a try. 🙂

  • Bonnie Martinez

    Loved Sunbolt. When will book 2 be published? I’d like to purchase it immediately.

    • LOL – so glad you enjoyed Sunbolt! As for Book 2… I’m afraid it will take a little longer. 🙂 I am hoping for a late summer / early fall release date right now. It will be a full length book, though, so hopefully that will be some consolation! If you’d like, you can subscribe to my author newsletter (in the sidebar) to get the occasional update (very occasional–it goes out every 2-3 months!). 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!

  • Caz

    Loved the book, looking forward to the second!

    • Yay! So glad you enjoyed it. The second is coming along … hoping to have a release date for you soon!

  • Julia

    YOU ARE BRILLIANT!

    Delightfully stunning novella — I absolutely cannot wait for your next release! Although I am darned picky when it comes to purchasing hard copies… Hitomi’s story will definitely make it on my bookshelf!

    Thank you for sharing this adventure!

    p.s. I also loved Thorn… spot on!

    • LOL – Thank you! My mom thinks I am too! 😉 I am thrilled that you enjoyed Sunbolt so much. Hitomi is such a fun character to write, and I am loving developing the world she lives in. And yay for Thorn too–thanks so much for reading!

  • Maren

    I have loved Sunbolt! I’ve read it possibly 5 (possibly more but who’s counting) times. It’s one of my go-to reads when I want something interesting and quick and don’t want to buy another book. However, I will be at the top of the buying list when #2 comes out! Must work faster:) Thank you for giving us such interesting characters, with such a small story I eagerly await to find out more about each of them.

    Faster!!!
    Maren

    • LOL – and thank you! I am so so happy to hear how much you’ve enjoyed Sunbolt. Memories of Ash will be a bit of a different read–it’s clocking in at about 130k words (ginormous would be the technical term), and the pacing is a little different. But then, it’s the next step in the story, so it would be different. 🙂 I truly hope you enjoy it! I am going through what I hope is my third and last major round of revisions. After this, my copyeditor helps me put the final polish on my language, and then it’s only a matter of time before it releases. 🙂 Unfortunately, no firm date yet, but I will keep working at it! (Faster!) 😉

  • Thanks so much, Jennifer! I’m so glad it worked for you, and that you’ve enjoyed it so much! *Beams* You just made my day! I’m hoping to release Memories of Ash in the first half of the year–here’s hoping you enjoy it as much as you expect to! 🙂

  • Cheryl

    I normally do not write anything regarding a book, but am an avid reader of all things fiction. This book was absolutely one of my all time favorites. Like some of the other people who posted, I’ve read this book frequently, especially after reading something disappointing (or when my husband tells me to stop spending money on books). The writing is original and the characters are well developed and keep your interest. I have been, very patiently, waiting to find out more about what happens to Tomi and her entire world. Thank you for writing such amazing stories and keep going with all your projects. It is my opinion that few authors publishing have as much talent as you do with writing and I look forward to anything you put out.

    • Thank you so much, Cheryl! It is such an amazing thing, as an author, to read a message like this. I am so honored that you have enjoyed Sunbolt so much. And thank you for waiting so patiently for Book 2!

      Memories of Ash is almost here… release date is May 30, to be exact! It will go up for pre-order around mid-March, so keep an eye out. And at 99 cents for the pre-order, hopefully no one will notice that little expenditure. 😉 If you’d like, you can subscribe to my newsletter (on the sidebar–it goes out no more than once a month) and you’ll get all the info right in your inbox.

      Thank you again for writing! It means so much to me to know how much you’ve enjoyed and gone back to Tomi and her world.

      • Sierra Van Winkle

        EEEK! This makes me extremely happy! The release date is actually quite close to my birthday, so it feels a little extra special! 🙂 I can’t wait to read it! Thank you so much for working so hard to get it out to us! YOU ARE AWESOME!~????~

        • That’s so cool! Happy birthday! 🙂 It’s actually also the same day Thorn came out four years ago, though I really didn’t intend to plan it that way… perhaps I should just make it a tradition. 😛 I am so excited to share this story, even if I am currently freaking out about the amount of work I need to get done in the next month. It will all be good, right?

          Thanks so much for stopping by!

  • jenifo

    Hi,

    I just wanted to let you know that I loved it! I was kept on edge the whole time wanting to finish it, and following Hitomi’s adventures. Yet I was disappointed by the time I got to the end because I didn’t want it to! :C I agree with the person below (JL), the ending didn’t feel complete to me. Even if it was meant to be a cliffhanger to lead into the second book, I felt that I was left off in the middle of a story, rather than one nearing an end.

    Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the novella very much and the characters. I’ve pre-ordered the second book and am excited for it come out! 😀 My favorite character is Val and hope to see Hitomi reunite with him again!

    By the way, I also really loved Thorn, which led me to read this book. <3

    • And so I learn that I should stay away from novellas. 🙂 I actually hate reading cliffhangers and have been known to drop a series I liked just because of the cliffhangers involved, so I’m feeling pretty bad about your experience with Sunbolt. I really did consider it a good resting spot, but I realize that the longer story arc isn’t resolved (and will continue to run through the remaining books–please don’t hate me!). And perhaps the ending–being left to study magic for a good long time–could have been set up a little better. Writing is such a journey, there is always something that you find you could have done better.

      I am so, so glad you enjoyed both Sunbolt and Thorn! Thank you for stopping by. 🙂

      • jenifo

        Yes, writing is a journey, as with any long-term creative process. It takes an incredibly patient person to actually finish writing a book, so I really admire you and every author who has completed one. I’m trying to write as well, but its so hard to get passed writing one or two chapters before coming up with a new storyline/entirely new plot with different characters. I tend to get bored at what I’ve started and start over. Its hard to stick to one story.

        And I actually don’t really mind cliffhangers, and don’t feel bad about my experience. I still enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to the future installments of the series! C: I usually quit a series if I don’t like the first.

        • Sticking it out is definitely the hardest part of writing for me–especially through the editing process. *shudders* I have a friend who writes really well by bouncing back and forth between two very different writing projects, sometimes on the same night! I don’t think I could do that, but there are so many ways to write that it’s really just a question of finding what works for you. And then making yourself sit down to do it. 😉 Best of luck on your writing endeavors!

  • Sandra Reyes

    Omgomgomg I just finished memories of ash and I’m a mess it was SO GOOD, I need need need to know what will happen next!! Thanks !!! And I hope the next one will be out soon ????

    • Oh yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed it so much. (Sorry for the emotional trauma…) I am working on Book 3, but I really can’t say when it will be out. There will be some old characters who show back up, and some new allies (yay Hitomi!), and clearly lots of trouble because … Hitomi. That’s about all I can tell you right now! 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by!

  • Zixuan

    Your books are stunningly beautiful to read 😉 ! I’m looking forward to any new releases in the future, especially the third book in this series 😉

    • Thank you so much! And ha! I am indeed working on Book 3, though I’m also trying to get Rae’s story revised (she made her debut in The Bone Knife)…it’s anyone’s best guess what will come out next! 🙂 It really has more to do with what takes more revision. I plan to cycle back and forth between drafts of each until I’m cross-eyed! Thank you so very much for reading. <3

      • Zixuan

        You’re welcome 🙂 though it is I who must thank you for writing something truly awesome! I’m really looking forward to reading the third book, and also Rae’s story 😉 the bone knife is really great 😉 !

        • Oh yay! So glad you enjoyed The Bone Knife too. I have a soft spot in my heart for Rae. She is such a lovely character. (Not that I’m biased or anything.)

  • Sophia

    So I just churned through both Sunbolt and Memories of Ash in one night in order to really get the full “Sunbolt Chronicles” experience, and even though I’ve only just finished and it’s 4:30am, I am as happy as can be! Your novels are a joy to read. I love the diversity of characters and cultures you include – and make so engaging that I have no trouble remembering even little details. And your characters – I could write odes to your characterization. Every character was distinct and beautifully realized. No one felt like they were just there to serve the plot, but rather that we were only getting to glimpse the parts of their lives that intersected with Hitomi’s. And speaking of intersection – I am so looking forward to seeing the Blackflame plot, the Burnt Lands restoration, and whatever’s going on in the Breather City come together. And more of the desert tribes! So exciting. You’ve done an amazing job hinting and setting the groundwork for what I’m sure will be riveting events to come. Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks for writing this series – it’s one of my absolute favorites.

    • Oh wow! That’s one heck of a night’s reading! 🙂 I am so thrilled you enjoyed the stories so much. Thank you! And yes… a lot still has to come together, doesn’t it? *tries not to panic* Thankfully, I’ve got two books left to pull it all together in. And I am so very happy that you enjoyed the characters so much! Thank you for that. 🙂

  • Shelly Marie DeWilde

    I really loved the book! I felt like Hitomi’s story is just beginning, like a rising pheonix. I’m curious and I admit eager to know how the corrupt mage Wilhelm is overthrown. Ill be patiently waiting at the edge of my seat for the next installment.
    In addition I have never met a character that has so much compassion, courage and heart melded so wonderfully. She is beautifully articulated, thank you for that. Simply perfect.

    • Thank you so much! I am so thrilled that you enjoyed Hitomi’s story, and character, so much. She is wonderful to write (though I admit occasionally wanting to shake her). I suppose she’s the kind of person I wish I could be, but since I’m not half so courageous (or clever), I’ll settle for the joy of writing her. Thank you so very much for reading!

  • kate277

    I will confess, I was a little on the fence after finishing Sunbolt. I sort of felt everything moved so quickly that I didn’t get to know anyone. And honestly was thinking this story seems way similar to Sunshine by Robyn McKinley which is one of my favorites. Val and Con seemed so similar and I didn’t feel I understood Hitomi at all. I decided to give Memories of Ash a chance and I couldn’t put it down. About a third of the way through, I was like of course I didn’t understand her, that wasn’t yet her. I cannot wait for more of her story or for her to meet back up with characters as at least two will know her ultimate destination and one of those will likely share with at least one other where she is which she might not even reach in the next book.

    • You know, I read Sunshine something like fifteen years ago when it first came out and (terrible truth) I didn’t enjoy it and moved on to other reads. But something must have burrowed into my writer’s brain, because even though it was at least a decade later that I drafted Sunbolt, and a few more years after that that I published it… yeah. There are definitely some curious similarities there. It was unintentional, and I had a rather dark little while there trying to figure out if my stories were nothing more than glorified fan fiction, or if I did have my own stories to tell. I am trying very hard now not to let it happen again. So thank you–thank you for giving me a chance despite the similarities, and reading on. And I’m so very glad you’re enjoying Hitomi’s story so very much! As for what happens next–she really does know how to brew trouble for herself, doesn’t she? I’ve been working and reworking the outline for months now, and I’m getting to the point of writing (and editing the initial chapters I wrote some time ago). Book 3 is going to be a fun ride–and, I hope, a fun read! 😉

      • kate277

        I think it always happens. I like to make up stories (I have a hard time focusing on the writing because I have to switch from my work style) and I think my favorite of my stories honestly started as a spin off of Supernatural. You can find influences everywhere and plus more of Hitomi’s story is like what could have happened to Rae. Rae probably wouldn’t be as hard on herself as Hitomi is though but I think I was that hard on myself when I was 16 or 17 (that is about how old she is right, I thought I understood her to be about 15 in the first book so that Ghost at 19 seems so much older). I kind of hope Stonefall might have overrode her request and maybe caught up with Kenta to direct him almost less for her sake and more for his. I’m not sure if he is like other shapeshifters but he seems to consider her part of his pack.

        • You’re making me think I should re-read Sunshine! 😉 Yes, Hitomi was 15 in Sunbolt, so about 16 in Memories of Ash. Definitely a formative time, and a time when you’re still learning not to go too hard on yourself (or else, to go hard on yourself in order to push yourself to be what you want). Hmm. I suspect if Stonefall had connected with Kenta, a certain tanuki would have caught up by the last pages of the book. But you’re right, Kenta does consider Tomi family, and he’s going to be whopping mad that she gave him the slip… what happens next has yet to be seen. 😉

          • kate277

            Well, i still like it as a story. I read it again recently and probably the most annoying thing is that it is a standalone and you have so many questions. Like less about what goes on with Sunshine and Con and more who exactly was her father and what were the Voo Doo Wars. It probably has a soft spot in my world because it was my introduction to more of the world of fantasy than just vampire stories. I was a little worn out my Anita Blake at the time. I think that quickly switched me to Holly Lisle and, well half the books still in my closet.

            Perhaps Kenta took a more direct route since no one was looking for him and will basically be sitting there when Hitomi finally arrives. You’d know better though and I wouldn’t be surprised if the girls in the desert and the phoenix are the only ones we meet up with in the next story.

          • Very cool that Sunshine did that for you! I think it drove me firmly back in the realm of YA. 😛 As for characters we might meet again… well, there will be a couple three who show back up from Book 2, but I can’t say more for fear of spoilers. (Also, they may change their minds. Stranger things have happened!)

  • Annie Overose McGill

    I love your books! I stumbled across Sunbolt as a recommended read on my Kindle and I fell in love with the characters and the wonderful writing. There are so many books that seem promising but once you read a few chapters then they turn out to be utterly disappointing. Your books are a delight! I love both Sunbolt and Memories of Ash. I am counting down the days until the third book comes out. Thank you for creating quality characters and writing stories that have my anticipating your next book!

    • Thank you so much! The third book is being difficult, but I’m hoping the story itself will come together by January or so. After that, though, comes the epicly long revision process… I wish I could give you a possible release time frame, but it turns out I’m really bad at estimating these things. 🙂 I’m so very glad that you’re enjoying The Sunbolt Chronicles–thank you for stopping by! 🙂

  • Marissa S

    I have absolutely adorded these two books, I’ve reread them countless times. They are my go-to to get out of a reading slump! Will there be a book 3? Is there a release date?
    Much love, Marissa

    • Thank you so much! I am so thrilled that Sunbolt and MoA are your go-to anti-slumping agents! 😉 There will be both a Book 3 and a Book 4 (if all goes well), but I’m afraid I don’t have any release dates as yet. I learned the last time around that I have a hard time assessing editing time (and number of revisions needed!), so I’m going to have to just keep at it until I really am just about ready to release before setting a date. Sorry I can’t give you more info! I will definitely post and share the date with my newsletter when I’m there.

  • becCat

    You dear brilliant author extraordinaire. I have a bone to pick with you.

    I read Thorne. And I fell in love. I searched for more and discovered The Sunbolt Chronicles. When I read further, I realised it was a series and so decided to read The Bone Knife and re-read Thorne while I waited for The Sunbolt books.

    See, I have this rule of not reading books that are part of a series, because I end up nagging the author (like this or in my head) or I lose interest.

    So, please Ms Khanani. I’m begging you. Gimme all the Sunbolt books! ‘Cause if they’re anything like Thorne, these are books that will sit with my classics – shoulder to shoulder – well deserving of the position.

    Just in case all that ^ came of sounding garbled, allow me to summarise.

    Me, HUGE fan. Love your books. Desperately want more of ’em. All the very best for your writing!

    • Ha! Thank you so much for this wonderful note. Just yesterday I was chatting with some readers about the challenges of reading series before they’re done. Believe me, writing them before they’re done is also tough. 😉

      I am definitely working on the next Sunbolt book! There will be four overall–Sunbolt is just a novella, but the remaining three will be full length novels. I’m afraid that it does take me time to get each book right, and I have yet to find a shortcut. But if I do, I will be sure to get the work done even quicker. 😉 Thank you so very much for the well wishes! It’s back to writing with me now…

  • Hannahmarie

    Any news on book 3 of the sunbolt chronicles?

    • I’m working on it (right now!), but at this point it’s unlikely that it’ll be ready for release before the end of the year. I know, it’s only Jan 4, so there *is* a whole year, but a full length novel usually requires 4-6 rounds of revision, and I most likely won’t be able to get that all in before the end of the year. I am hoping to have it for you next year, and I’m hoping to have some other release before then (though what, precisely, remains to be seen…). More details on what I’m working on here: http://booksbyintisar.com/2017-writing-resolutions/ … and I always share writing updates when i have them with my monthly newsletter subscribers. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!

  • Jenna Jay

    Sooooooooo…. third book?

    • Ha! So glad you’re enjoying the series. 🙂 The storyline has changed so much from my first draft that I had to completely chuck what I wrote back before I published Sunbolt. I’m working on a new first draft now, and hoping to wrap it up by the end of the month. How much revision is still left depends a lot on what my beta readers think, so it’s hard for me to estimate a release date at this point. (I learned the hard way with Memories of Ash not to talk about release dates until the book was 99% ready!) But, I can promise you that I am working on it!

  • Nina

    Loved Sunbolt! I can’t believe I only discovered you two days ago!

    I’ve blazed through The Bone Knife and Sunbolt and am so excited to sit down tonight and read Memories of Ash. Any idea when you’ll be able to get the 3rd book out? 🙂

    Thank you so much for writing such beautiful stories – writers like you are the reason I love reading.

    • Thank you so much! Readers like you are one of the reasons I love writing! ???? And wow, you are fast! The third book is still very much in process. It’s hopefully going to beta readers after a marathon editing session this weekend, so we’ll just have to wait and see what they think of it. (Always a scary time as a writer!) I’m afraid I don’t have a release date yet, but I’ll definitely update the blog and my newsletter when I do! Thank you so much for reading and for stopping by!

  • Nikita Russell

    Here i am, sniffing around like a dog after their steak is gone, gnawing on the bones and pawing the ground. I’m so hungry for the next installment. I can’t wait. I’ve enjoyed every bit of the sunbolt chronicles so far. They are brilliant. You have me agonizing every time people are like “Hitomi don’t do that” and then she does it anyway. Any idea when the next book will be released? Until then I’ll be pining at your feet.

    • Oh my, Hitomi does need to work on her self-preservation skills, doesn’t she? Ha! Thank you so much for stopping by–I wish I had some news for you! Sunbolt 3 (which still doesn’t have a title) is with early beta readers right now. Depending on their feedback, it will either go through major revisions and *another* beta reading round, or move forward toward final revisions (I bet you can guess what I’m hoping they’ll say!). So at this point, it’s really hard to estimate a release date.

      However, I am very excited to share that I am working on a Sunbolt short story that takes place about a year before Sunbolt itself. I’m hoping to put that out in the meantime–it’s more of a crumb than a steak to chew on, but it’s something! ??