Welcome to The Elements of time
Book 1
The Winds of Change
Synopsis
Destiny, personal responsibility, what the future holds – common concerns for anyone graduating high school. But usually not because of a cosmic war between timeless beings where you’re the central player.
As the end of school quickly approaches, and Cooper Bailey watches his perfect world slip away, his only concern is savouring every last minute of his high school career. For his best friend, Reid Patterson, graduation is a doorway to the future, where his discipline and focus will finally allow him to meet his true potential.
When a mysterious mirror-masked man begs for their help to stop a dangerous heretic, Cooper and Reid find themselves thrust into unknown worlds, wrestling with a destiny as old as time itself. As the truths about their roles in the universe unfold, and enemies disguise themselves as allies, their only hope is to trust each other - and learn fast! Far from home and in mortal peril, Cooper and Reid attempt to hone their newfound abilities and come to grips with their purpose for being.
Inspired by classic and modern science fiction and fantasy, and drawing upon timeless themes of destiny and personal responsibility, The Elements of Time is a series written for anyone who loves an escape into a rich and deep world. With references to Star Wars (the Original Trilogy), The Last Bender, Stargate SG-1, Supernatural, and much more, The Elements of The Winds of Change is fun action-adventure, with it’s own unique magic system, and themes that touch what it means to grow up and take on the challenges of life.
Audiobook Sample: Prologue
Audiobook Sample: Chapter 4
Prequel Novella
Paschia’s Hidden Journals: Volume 1
Paschia’s Hidden Journals is a brand new prequel series within the Elements of Time universe. In this first entry in the new series that will be released alongside the main series, we see through the eyes of one of the most enigmatic and powerful beings in the series.
Taking place millions of years before the start of Cooper and Reid’s adventures, we get a glimpse into the mind of Paschia - the Keeper struck down by his siblings for his betrayal to their cause. Through Paschia’s eyes, we see his creation, his search for purpose, and the actions that lead to his inevitable divide with his siblings.
Paschia’s Hidden Journals are an exploration into the lore and history of the Elements of Time universe. It takes a deeper and complex look at the magic system, the underlying themes of the story, and the most mysterious group of characters in the series - The Keepers.
Synopsis
Audiobook Sample
Concept art
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Concept art 〰️
The Spreeta of Fire:
Creature Type: Elemental
Form: Spreeta (baby)
Element: Fire
Name: (have to read book one)
Partner: (have to read book one)
Abilities: Control of all things related to fire, as well as a deep connection to the mind
Character Design: Paks
Concept art of a central character in The Winds of Change, created by Oliver Pollard.
The Spreeta of Air:
Creature Type: Elemental
Form: Spreeta (baby)
Element: Air
Name: Ikerys
Partner: (have to read book one)
Abilities: Control of all things related to air - flight, speed, air currents, and more - as well as a deep connection to the spirit (will).
Praise for The Elements of Time!
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Don’t settle for another predictable novel
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The Winds of Change" by Sam Paisley is one hell of a debut novel with damn near perfect pacing between excitement and build-up, all while sprinkling in just enough foreshadowing to keep you on your toes from start to finish.
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One of the easiest 5⭐️'s I've ever given!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved every moment of reading this book, there is nothing about it I would change or do differently.
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This book is amazing!!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you are sleeping on it, you need to move it up on your list. You can most certainly tell that Sam took the time to get it written perfectly.
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A Mesmerizing Debut!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rarely does a debut, one such as ambitious as this, manage to implement so many elements of fantasy, and nail them all.
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a fantastic debut novel from Sam Paisley, that mixes sci-fi and fantasy perfectly
9 STARS (OUT OF 10)
The elemental magic system was excellent in this book, taking some ideas from other popular fiction, whilst giving it a unique twist.
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Blown away by this book!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The simple message is: this is a story to pick up and read. I'm already planning on buying and reading the second one (hoping you're already working on that, Sam 😉)
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Did I really just read a debut?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Winds of Change is a phenomenal start to what is going to be a top-tier adventure. The careful detail of the plot and worldbuilding was on a level I have rarely seen in the first book of a series. Packed with mystery, intrigue, edge-of-your-seat action, and heartfelt emotional moments, I’m struggling to find what this book didn’t have.
Bryan Wilson. Author of The Power of the Stars series
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nothing short of captivating
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I believe one of Paisley’s greatest strengths, showcased in the book, was his worldbuilding and plotting skills. The sheer scope of the settings was an admirable feat, but each part was diligently thought out, ultimately producing something utterly immersive.
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2023 Reviewers' Choice Winner
Great care and a lot of thought were put into the creation of the world and characters of this fantasy adventure story. The author went to great trouble to give the reader a fantasy story as close as possible to reality.
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A fun ride
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is especially fantastic for a debut novel. The depth and layers of the plot were well written […] Highly recommend checking this book out if you loved Percy Jackson, Pendragon, The Golden Compass, or Fablehaven.
Awards and Nominations
2023 Reviewers Choice Award - Winner (Sci fi)
bOOK nerdection
Best Book Cover (2023) - Nominated
Best Friendship (2023) - Nominated
Best Mentor Character (2023) - Nominated
Best Morally Gray Character (2023) - Nominated
Best Setting (2023) - Nominated
Best Use of Tropes (2023) - Nominated
Best Side Character MVP (2023) - Nominated
Indie Ink Awards
Indieverse Awards
Debut Author of the Year (2023) - Nominated
Biggest Plot Twist I Didn’t See Coming (2023) - Nominated
Most Interesting Fictional (2023) - Nominated
Prologue (Excerpt)
Time came to a halt. Sofyross gazed at the slain bodies of the men and women who once believed he might be their path to Elevation. This was his doing. His inability to convey the truth had caused this war; their blood would forever stain his hands and his heart. Tegryn, his temple, his home, and the holiest place in all creation, would forever more be marred by the bloodshed that had taken place in his name.
“Enough,” he whispered so softly that his tightly braided beard barely moved under his breath. His broad shoulders slumped and his head dropped, curving a posture perfected through decades of training and meditation. His wizened eyes sank behind bags that had never before appeared in his nearly two hundred years, and the pain of every lost soul rang through his heart. His acute senses, honed to feel changes in air currents, now made the layers of his robes – almost a second skin – feel like weights that hung too long off his limbs and dragged his body to the ground.
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Interviews & videos
Review on The Winds of Change by book reviewer Abel Montero.
As the title says - he was blown away!
Interview with Bibliotheory and The Break-ins on how to publish and get noticed in the indie sphere
Interview with on the Bald & Balding podcast - we discuss inspirations, having kids, and what it takes to write an epic fantasy
Interview with Kay’s Hidden Shelf where we talk about everything from inspiration, process, and the world building in The Elements of Time Series
Interview with Storyline Sessions - we talk about how psychology influences my work, dive into symbolism of the magic system in The Elements of Time and much more.
TBRCon 2024 Panel on the Psychology of Villains in Fiction.
Moderatd by M.J. Kuhn, with panelist including Andy Peloquin, Richard Swan, Gourav Mohanty, and Louise Holland.
Interview with fellow Canadian author, Herman Steuernagel, on his podcast - The Greatest Podcast in the Multiverse.
Interview with Brendan Herjavec on his Building Blocks Podcast. We talk about the merging between sales, writing, and running a small business
Interview with Nicholas Fuller on the Person Behind the Pages podcast.
We talk about my obsession with stories, being a debut author, and what it means to be a Break In.