Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mandy Schimelpfenig

@riverstonesaga.bsky.social

370 followers 360 following 200 posts

Hopeful author, stressed vet tech, sarcastic wife and mother. Food is love. Sometimes I draw. I write historical fantasy focusing on strong women, adventure, animal bonds, and incandescent happy endings. https://linktr.ee/riverstonesaga

linktr.ee

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · Jan 19

I love my world so much I have a main series and a spin-off series 😁
#Fantasy worldbuilding, character-driven stories, and lovely endings are what I'm all about. If you like tales of strong women, family sagas, and intrigue set in the 16th century, check out my books: riverstonesaga.square.site

22 35

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 2d

Book 4 in my #historicalfantasy Daughters of Riverstone series has a (broad) release date! Cover designer has been booked and editing is going strong. I'm so excited for everyone to become immersed in this Russian-inspired, arranged marriage romance with an assassination plot.
#writing #bookseries

The Riverstone Sacrifice Release Date October 2026

2 1

Reposted by Mandy Schimelpfenig

Indie Book Spotlight @bookspotlight.bsky.social · 7d

✨ FANTASY SHORT STORY ✨

🐉 a dragon (with a princess)
🗡️ a knight (with a plan)
👑 a palace (with a cruel king)
🏰 second pov

🔖 universal link: mybook.to/eJsBfU
💌 itch.io link: rebecca-crunden.itch.io/the-knight-s...
📖 goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...

Cover for The Knight Saves the Dragon by Rebecca Crunden; background is a water colour type picture of a castle with trees and mountains behind, leaves surround the edges

16 34

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 7d

Not me plotting out the worldbuilding and rough ideas for book 5 while The Riverstone Sacrifice is in the hands of my beta reader...
Meanwhile, I worked on Milanote boards for several hours today. Book 5 awaits writing when TRS is wrapped up!

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 10d

I only sold 2 books at the book sale last weekend, but someone came up to me who'd purchased book 1 at our local bookstore just to tell me how much she loved my book! I gushed and she raved and I left a happy author.

Reposted by Mandy Schimelpfenig

Aubrey 💖🏳️‍🌈 is being a hermit in the woods rn @clericofthevoid.bsky.social · 10d

My sapphic space fantasy is still on sale for ✨🌸$1 on my kofi🌸✨

Come get your cosmic lesbians holding hands while the horrors persist 🫶🏻

ko-fi.com/s/748ece637a

33 38

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 14d

There are 2 hours left in the 3rd Annual PNW Author Book Sale located on the beautiful Washington coast! Take a day trip to the beach and support #indieauthors!
I'm here with copies of my #historicalfantasy Daughters of Riverstone and Beyond Riverstone series!
#booksale #bookevent #authorevent

BOOKS
PNW Author Sale
Escape from reality while supporting local authors.
Oct 4, 10am-3pm
5000 N Street, Seaview, WA

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 14d

TODAY!
Shop 30+ regional authors representing multiple genres!
I'll be there with copies of my #historicalfantasy Daughters of Riverstone and Beyond Riverstone series. Support local authors and spend the day at the beautiful Washington coast!
#bookfair #bookevent #booksale #books #indieauthors

PNW Author Book Sale
Oct 4, 10am-3pm
5000 N Street, Seaview, WA

2 1

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 15d

Nothing beats meeting authors in person and seeing the joy on their faces when you buy their books! Shop real authors tomorrow from 10am-3pm in Seaview, WA, located on the beautiful Long Beach Peninsula!
#shoplocal #supportindieauthors #readmore #bookevent #bookfair

Third Annual PNW Author Book Fair
Support local authors, shop for the holidays, and decimate your TBR!
Peninsula Church Center 5000 N Street, Seaview, WA
Oct 4, 2025 10am-3pm

Reposted by Mandy Schimelpfenig

C. J. Daley (BestGhost Out Now!) @cjdaleywrites.bsky.social · 15d

Thanks Gabino! Tales From Cemetery’s preorder is live now! Out 10/7 and will be KU! A horror short story collection just in time for the spooky season!
books2read.com/u/br8AgE

My debut crime thriller, Welcome to Cemetery, is on KU too!

A little dark. A little spooky
books2read.com/u/b5Kn0l

8 11

Reposted by Mandy Schimelpfenig

Indie Book Spotlight @bookspotlight.bsky.social · 15d

📝 400+ pages
🥀 urban fantasy
🌃 set in washington state
🔥 slow burn
🤍 romance and angst
🗡️ demons and vampires
📕 first in a duology

🔖 universal link: mybook.to/D3rL5
💌 itch.io link: rebecca-crunden.itch.io/the-wish-and...
📖 goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/23...

#booksky

Cover for The Wish and the Demon, book one in the Half Swallowed by Shadows duology, by Rebecca Crunden. Cover shows three men's silhouettes standing in the middle of a road in winter. There's dark red trees and snow on the ground. One figure is approaching the other two, surrounded by shadows.

18 43

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 16d

Spend the day at the World's Longest Beach then browse books written by real authors with real gratitude! This Saturday in Seaview, WA!
I'll be there signing copies of my #historicalfantasy Daughters of Riverstone and Beyond Riverstone series!
#bookevent #booksale #bookfair #indieauthors #books

3rd Annual Book Fair
A world of words awaits.
Oct 4, 10am-3pm
5000 N Street, Seaview, WA
30+ authors! Multiple genres!
Find something for every reader while supporting independent creators!

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 17d

This Saturday! Enjoy a day at the beach and browse books written by 30+ regional authors. Your TBR won't thank you, but they will!
#booksale #bookevent #PNW #Washington #books #authorevent #indieauthors

Third Annual PNW Author Book Fair
Meet 30+ regional authors including featured author Fredrick Cooper
Oct 4, 10am-3pm
Peninsula Church Center 5000 N ST, Seaview, WA

2 2

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 18d

I'll be at the 3rd Annual PNW Author Book Fair located on the beautiful Washington coast! Shop local authors and enjoy a weekend at the beach!
#PNW #bookfair #authorevent #booksale #books #shoplocal #readmore #bookevent

Third Annual PNW Author Sale
Oct 4, 10am-3pm
Seaview, WA
Meet 30+ regional authors representing multiple genres!
Shop local and support independent authors!

3 1

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 19d

This weekend! Come meet regional authors at the 3rd Annual PNW Author Book Fair! Multiple genres are represented and there's a raffle to win book baskets!
#bookevent #bookfair #authorevent #books #shoplocal #Washington #booksale

Third Annual PNW Author Book Fair
What's your favorite book? You'll find it at the fair!
Oct 4, 10am-3pm in Seaview, WA

2 3

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 20d

Next Saturday! Come see me and 30 other #indieauthors at the 3rd Annual PNW Author Book Fair from 10am-3pm on the beautiful Washington coast.
I'll be signing copies of my #historicalfantasy Daughters of Riverstone and Beyond Riverstone series.
#bookfair #booksale #authorevent #books

PNW Author Book Fair
Oct 4 Seaview, WA 10am-3pm
Shop 30+ regional authors, including featured author Fredrick Cooper. An enrolled member of the Shoalwater Bay Tribe, Fred has authored four suspense-filled novels set in SW Washington and SE Alaska.

2 1

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 21d

Do you live in the #PNW and want to meet some regional authors? Come see us at the 3rd annual PNW Author Book Fair Oct. 4 in Seaview, WA! Chat with 30+ authors, shop multiple genres, and enjoy a day at the beach!
#authorevent #bookfair #booksale #authorfair #books #shoplocal #readmore #bookevent

Third Annual PNW Author Book Fair
Saturday, October 4
10am - 3 pm
5000 N ST, Seaview, WA
30+ Local Authors!
Multiple genres! Find something for every book lover in your life!

1 3

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 22d

Come see me and 30 other regional authors Oct 4 from 10am-3pm at the 3rd annual PNW Author Book Fair in Seaview, WA!
Meet authors, shop for the holidays, and add to your TBR!
#bookevent #authorevent #booksale #books #shoplocal #supportindie #indieauthors

1 3 2

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · 28d

Do you live in the PNW? Come check out the 3rd Annual PNW Author Book Fair in Seaview, WA Oct 4 from 10am-3pm. Myself and 30 other regional authors will be there! Our featured author is Fredrick Cooper, who writes suspense novels set in SW WA and AK.
#booksale #authorevent #supportindie #shoplocal

Save the Date!
Books: The Rise of Riverstone, The King's Cure, The Pride of Riverstone, The Fox & The Nightingale, Voyager of Riverstone.

Reposted by Mandy Schimelpfenig

Indie Book Spotlight @bookspotlight.bsky.social · 29d

🧙 wild witches
🐦‍⬛ a crow (or two)
🔮 portal fantasy
🐈‍⬛ a cat who wanders in
👨‍❤️‍👨 true love
🗡️ revenge
👑 evil faeries

🔖 universal link: mybook.to/rlEOgP
💌 itch.io link: rebecca-crunden.itch.io/enlil-aris-t...
📖 goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/23...

Cover for ‘Enlil and Aris: The Complete Collection by Rebecca Crunden’. Cover is purple, yellow and orange with white font. Image shows two silhouettes of men with a crow above them, the sun behind.

1 11 29

Reposted by Mandy Schimelpfenig

Kara Jorgensen @authorkaraj.bsky.social · Sep 5

THE REANIMATOR MYSTERIES series is perfect for lovers of Gothic coziness. There are 3 (going on 4) books with
💀Pushing Daisies x Sleepy Hollow vibes
🫀An autistic necromancer
⚰️His reanimated lover
🪦 Solving mysteries in 1890s NYC
🏳️‍🌈MM paranormal historical romance
🔗⬇️Available wide!

Available now in ebook, audiobook, or paperback The Reanimator's Heart by Kara Jorgensen
Mm romance, forced proximity, a lavender marriage, murder/magic/mysteries, food tour of 1890s NYC, unbury your gays, an autistic necromancer, everybody's queer

The Reanimator's Soul by Kara Jorgensen is out now in ebook and paperback, book 2, autistic necromancer x undead adhd-er, mm romance, a sinister clinic, new powers, 1890s NYC, a murdered patient, a cure for magic, a horrible ex, rich people behaving badly, the tether becomes a #problem

The Reanimator's Remains by Kara Jorgensen, out now in ebook, audiobook, and paperback, book 3, mm romance, autistic necromancer x undead adhd-er, the trees are watching, dealing with trauma... poorly, dont go where I can't follow, family secrets, breaking the cycle, the dead are out for revenge

5 9 22

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · Sep 2

Last month took me on quite the reading adventure!
#readingwrapup #readmore #reading #tbr

Books I read in August
Top L to R: An Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton, Wild in Seattle by David Williams, Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate.
Bottom L to R: Thorn Hedge by T. Kingfisher, The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab.

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · Aug 28

I'm looking for a very specific #bookrecommendation:
Historical romance, prefer regency, where the girl is jilted and enlists the ex's curmudgeonly brother to win him back, leading to revelations of hidden pining leading to HEA.
Open to self recs. I need a comfort read.

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · Aug 26

The Rise of Riverstone is $0.99 worldwide for another hour!
Meet Risteard, a taciturn knight who approaches our FMC with a startling proposition that will make her question her loyalties and her own heart.
The saga beings: a.co/d/7BediCV
#historicalfantasy #medieval #politicalintrigue #romance

A figure crashed against the door, sending it flying into the wall. A knight in tarnished black armor emblazoned with a red eagle across the chest loomed in doorway.
The Rise of Riverstone by Mandy Schimelpfenig

Mandy Schimelpfenig @riverstonesaga.bsky.social · Aug 26

The Rise of Riverstone is $0.99 for 3 more hours!
Laria's story is one of tragedy and triumph, and it kicks off the Daughters of Riverstone #generationalsaga. If you love stories of strong women rising above their circumstances to control their fates, you'll love this series!
a.co/d/2ZqR248

"You're a daughter of Riverstone, Laria. No matter what these people do to you, don't ever forget."
The Rise of Riverstone by Mandy Schimelpfenig
$0.99 Kindle Sale

Reposted by Mandy Schimelpfenig

Indie Book Spotlight @bookspotlight.bsky.social · Aug 25

The Narratess Indie August Sale is ALMOST OVER! Dozens of indie fantasy, sci-fi and horror books are on sale or even free! Go check out this amazing sale before it ends!!!

indiebook.sale

💙📚

Narratess Indie Book Sale, August 23-25. Banner shows several ebooks around a graphic of a dragon, skulls, crystals and planets.

1 38 56