Tag Archives: young adult

BOOK BLITZ: Serpentina by Faith Consiglio

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SERPENTINA
Faith Consiglio
Publication date: June 27th 2024
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Driven to find a cure for her brother’s illness, Emma embarks on a research trip to the island of Crete, a land brimming with tales of the gods. There, she is drawn to the myth of Medusa, a beautiful priestess turned monster, cursed at the hands of a jealous Athena.

Her exploration leads to a dangerous encounter with a mysterious serpent in the forest, and after the snake’s venom nearly kills her, Emma slips even deeper into the myth, her own fate intertwining with the woman at its heart.

She returns home, eyes set on attending Columbia University after graduation, but it isn’t long before she notices changes to her body and mind… changes that are nothing short of serpentine.

As she pulses through Medusa’s memory, she unlocks an unexpected truth that alters her world. She discovers the scope of her new abilities, including her blood’s power to cure illness, but with a cost. When Emma is betrayed by those closest to her, she finds herself hunted by an enemy hungry for her blood. And she is not the only one in danger; a horrifying plan unfurls as young girls disappear from the streets.

Emma must embrace what she has become to fight an enemy more ancient and evil than she imagined, for the chance to heal her brother, save the girls, and avenge the mythical source of her power.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

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EXCERPT:

“Dark leaves rustled in the forest, their dried tips rubbing against each other like the slow rattle of a snake. Emma paused, a warning echoing in her mind. Since her arrival to the reptile research base on Crete, she had ventured into the palm forest alone each afternoon, wandering deeper each time.

Never enter the forest alone. It was the rule her research mentor emphasized most during orientation. But there was nothing truly dangerous on the island. Hercules had cleared away all the deadly creatures to honor Zeus’s birthplace. She smiled, recounting the myth the airport taxi driver had told them. Emma knew, out of all the snakes there, only the cat snake had venom, and it was too mild to hurt a human.

Still, if Dr. Belken discovered her sneaking out at dusk, she might as well kiss a Columbia University recommendation letter goodbye. Yet the forest called her in, beckoning her to explore its ancient grounds.

She stepped over sandy soil, glancing over her shoulder at the wooden stairs and scanning to see if anyone was watching before turning into the trees. She savored a breath. The air was dry and the heat tame, with an endless breeze carrying wisps of sea salt and the spice of wild herbs through the dancing shadows of leaves.

A rustling halted her steps.

Her eyes darted to catch a beige, reptilian tail slipping into the nearby shrubs.

She held her breath and crept toward it, afraid to scare it off. It would sense the vibration of even her lightest step.

She peered through a thicket of narrow, glossy leaves and clustered pink flowers. Her heart pounded, instincts heightened, but she reminded herself that even a bite couldn’t kill her.

At first, she didn’t see anything. Then scales materialized among the leaves on a thick, coiled body. Only now they were green and pink. She squinted. Was it a different snake, or had it changed?

Its serpentine head emerged through the leaves, forked tongue flickering. She froze.

This was not a cat snake.”

Author Bio:

Faith grew up in Sloatsburg, NY, and finished medical school in Stony Brook to become a psychiatrist, with a passion for storytelling. When she’s not writing or seeing patients, Faith enjoys traveling, taking her cat for walks, trying different types of green tea, and seeing how many plants she can fit in her apartment.

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BOOK TOUR: Tar & Bone by Debbie Iancu-Haddad

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We’re back in Achten Tan, but this time we are going back in time with new characters and a new adventure! Check out Tar & Bone by Debbie Iancu-Haddad!

Tar and Bone (The Sands of Achten Tan Book 1)

Publication Date: August 24, 2024

Genre YA Fantasy Adventure (Ages 12 to 18)

* Magic
* Adventure
* Disability & LGBTQ rep
* Friendly Giant ants!
* Non-European Setting
* A weird Desert town in a ribcage.
*No spice 🚫 🌶️🚫

Thirteen-year-old Kamal has been waiting his whole life to join the An’chers – the giant ant riders who protect the desert town of Achten Tan. Despite his disability, a crooked leg caused by a childhood injury, he’s determined to succeed in the try outs and become a cadet. To overcome the challenge, he strikes a bargain with an unexpected ally.

D’or is a half-elf with a dark secret. When the young giant Tar-tule rider agrees to help Kamal, his hazardous magic and the enemies it attracts put both boys in harm’s way.

Now they must evade the fanatic high elves who see D’or’s very existence as an abomination, and the dread sorcerer C’naga, whose interest in the boy threatens to lead them both down a dark path, from which there is no return.

Tar and Bone is a standalone prequel story to Speechless in Achten Tan. It includes themes of friendship, coming of age, and making tough choices. PG content is suitable for younger teen readers.

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BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: Spellcaster Wild Card by Nikki Jefford

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Spellcaster Wild Card
Nikki Jefford
Publication date: October 1st 2024
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Win the game. Change the world.

Winning the show means living forever. It is the golden ticket to fame, fortune, and a place among the vampire elite.

Being remade isn’t on my wish list. I like being me, and with nearly a million online followers, it’s working. My parents and big sister are the do-gooders in our family who want to make the world a fair and just place for all humans and paranormal creatures. I just want to finish high school and keep doing what I do best—sharing hair and beauty tips while discussing Spellcaster and how the show’s vampire judge Malachi Rayne is the hottest male on the planet.

Then, life as I know it ends. There are evil forces who will stop at nothing to maintain world dominance—indefinitely.

It’s hard to care when I’ve become dead inside and out.

After my family is violently attacked, the host of Spellcaster insists I audition for Season 13. For the first time in the show’s history, they want to represent every species of paranormals. That’s me now. Not human. Not vampire. Not the class of creature anyone EVER cheers for.

This season’s prize is power beyond anyone’s imagination. It is the kind of reward that contestants and their sponsors would kill to possess.

Let the other contestants and judges underestimate me. They can gossip all they want about the hotshot wizard and the alpha werewolf behaving as though I’m another prize to be won. And if Coach Malachi can’t handle a bold influencer with abilities, then he can suck it. I preferred watching him from the other side of the screen. He’s about to discover that Haylee Hutchins is a force to be reckoned with. The whole world will.

Someone thought they could silence my family for good. Instead, they created a monster. I’m still here, and I am much harder to kill.

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EXCERPT:

Everything is spinning. My body. My vision. My brain. I clamp my mouth shut to keep from vomiting. The cleaning crew just got the stage cleaned. Then there’s the second reason I keep my lips pressed tight. I refuse to beg Malachi for mercy.

My hands flail and grasp for something to hold on to, but the wind rushing between my fingers is no help. If this is what flying feels like, then it’s highly overrated. I lean forward in an attempt to go vertical, which has the ill effect of pitching me forward so I catch a brief view of how far I am from the stage. My body flips around another time. I don’t want to land on my feet and crush my ankles. I certainly don’t want to land on my head and shatter my skull. I don’t want to break anything on my body!

If I won this season’s prize, I could defend myself instead of swirling helplessly like the roof of a house caught in a tornado.

The wind rips out my hair tie and blows my braid out in an instant. Blond hair whips me in the eyes. My body begins to descend slowly, while the spinning continues in full force. The tornado fades little by little into the stage until I am set down gently and it disappears altogether. I try to remain standing while the theater seats and stage continue to spin, but I tilt to one side and misstep. Thump. I fall to the stage, sprawled out on my side. It could have been worse, though. Way, way worse.

It’s a little hard to feel grateful as partially digested lunch rushes up my throat. I swallow it down.

Malachi stomps over. “What the hell was that, Hutchins?”

Great. He’s using my last name. The coaches never use contestants’ last names. I must be in trouble.

It’s a serious effort to get to my feet, which takes outstretched arms to keep my balance, but I’m not about to listen to this lecture in a crumpled heap on the stage.

My loose hair tickles my cheeks. I swallow again and cover my mouth with my hand. Malachi’s not in my face, but I don’t want him scenting my vomit breath. Well, not technically breath, but whatever foul waft might originate from the leftover taste on my tongue.

Malachi doesn’t wait for me to answer his question before drilling into me. “First rule of magical combat—never lose hold of your wand.”

“You lost yours,” I mutter, which is the wrong thing to say.

Author Bio:

Nikki Jefford is a third-generation Alaskan nomad married to an amazing Frenchman. She loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt! Books, travel, TV series, hiking, writing, and motorcycle riding are her favorite escapes. The dark side of human nature fascinates her, so long as it’s balanced by humor and romance.

To get in on the fun and adventure, visit Nikki at her website for release alerts, updates, exclusive giveaways, and a free story when you subscribe to her newsletter: https://nikkijefford.com/newsletter/

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BOOK TOUR: Bandy by Craig R. Hipkins

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Book Title: Bandy

Author: Craig R. Hipkins

Publication Date: February 15, 2024

Publisher: Hipkins Twins

Pages: 337

Genre: Historical Fiction / Young Adult

Isaac’s only friend is a passenger pigeon named Bandy. He deludes himself in believing the bird talks to him. Bullied, he is resigned to a life of being the misunderstood bookworm by neighboring boys until a disastrous fire kills his parents and little sisters, sparing only his younger brother, Thomas. He and Thomas are taken in by their Uncle Raymond, an abolitionist, who plans to send Isaac to Virginia to buy Joy, a young slave with debilitating health, from her slave owner, Wil Jericho. Shortly after arriving in Virginia, Isaac learns the ugly truth. The butler who accompanied him on the journey killed his uncle before leaving and plans to do the same to Isaac to steal Raymond’s estate.

Isaac, with Joy, escape into the backwoods of Virginia. Discovering passages of the Underground Railroad, stowing away in carriages, hiding in churches, and outwitting the mercenaries hired by Jericho, the two teens fight tooth and nail to make it to Boston before they’re caught. Will Joy be taken from this life by sickness before she’s found freedom? On their journey, they learn a lot about each other. Isaac promises to bring Joy to Bandy’s pond, a heavenly place where peace and serenity reign.

Buy Link:

This novel is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/m27zQr

Excerpt:

The afternoon dragged along. Every cracking branch put Isaac on his guard. He kept the derringer loaded and at half cock. Joy had another episode and this one was longer than the one she had earlier in the day. Isaac had kept her as comfortable as possible next to the fire.

As nightfall approached, she felt much better, and they each ate a stale biscuit and a few slabs of bacon. It was a lean meal, but enough to give them energy to continue on their way.

They decided to use the railroad. There was a stillness in the air, and they would be able to hear the clomping of hooves if any horses approached. Isaac prayed Joy wouldn’t have another one of her headaches. They seemed to come on with little warning and were debilitating.

A short time later, they passed by another small village of ramshackle houses. Isaac noticed a blacksmith’s shop. The smithy, a raw-boned man with bulging biceps was hard at work at the forge and did not even notice their passing. The glowing light of a furnace left them longing for the warmth of a fire. With any luck they would be in Portsmouth by midnight.

They were about a mile past the forge when the sound of a neighing horse grabbed their attention and they quickly darted off the tracks into a stand of pines. They crouched down behind some brambles and waited.

A lone horseman came into view. He was a thickset man with a dark beard riding a large stallion, his menacing profile bathed in the moonlight. Isaac immediately felt a gnawing wave of fear in the pit of his stomach. The mounted man had obviously seen them. He had stopped and was peering in their general direction. He was most certainly a bounty hunter.

Isaac quietly pulled his derringer from his small holster and capped it. He felt Joy’s hand find his free one. They glanced at each other nervously.

“Come on out, yuh murderin’ boy! I done seen yuh along with that little slave girl yuh travelin’ with!”

Isaac’s pulse began to race. If he were older, he would pull this man from the saddle and pummel him for that comment.

“Let’s go, boy! I ain’t got all day now. Yuh come outta those bushes and don’t give me no trouble and ah’ll make sure yuh git a fair trial. If not, it ain’t gonna go well with yuh!”

Isaac weighed his options. The way he looked at it, he had three. He could surrender—an option which he immediately dismissed. His second option was to fight it out with the man. He had the drop on him but surely the bounty hunter had a weapon of some kind on his person, almost certainly a revolver, which would neutralize his one-shot derringer. His third and final option was to sit still and do nothing. Let the bounty hunter come to them. There was a chance, albeit a slim one, that he would not find them in the darkness. He chose option number three and quietly whispered his intentions to Joy, who wholly agreed with him. They waited. They would let their pursuer make the next move.

Author Bio:
Craig R. Hipkins grew up in Hubbardston Massachusetts. He is the author of medieval and gothic fiction. His novel Adalbert is the sequel to Astrolabe written by his late twin brother Jay S. Hipkins (1968-2018) He is an avid long distance runner and enjoys astronomy in his spare time.

Author Links:

Website: https://hipkinstwins.com

Twitter: https://x.com/CraigHipkins

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HipkinsTwins

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-hipkins-7a042357

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craighipkins3/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crhipkins.bsky.social

Book Bub: https:// www.bookbub.com/profile/craig-r-hipkins

Amazon Author Page: https:// www.amazon.com/stores/author/B004RDJMNC

Goodreads: https:// www.goodreads.com/author/show/19975162.Craig_R_Hipkins

BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Hard Dog’s Night by Rebecca Hendricks

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YA  Historical Fiction /YA Coming of Age

Date Published: Tuesday, Aug 6th 2024

 

 

In a time when rock-n-roll is deemed evil music and blamed for youth
rebellion, The Hound Dogs and The Dice are set to clash at the Madison
Community Center.

The Hound Dogs search for a drummer to complete their lineup while The Dice
hires Patrick McNeil as Danny Bruer’s replacement. Unbeknownst to The Dice,
Patrick carries a hidden agenda to sabotage his former band and settle old
scores.

As Patrick and his accomplice, Stu, execute their plot, questions loom over
the Madison Community Center. Can The Hound Dogs triumph against the odds?
Will the controversy ignite a community torn between tradition and
rebellion?

In a world where rock-n-roll rebels against societal norms, the destinies
of two bands hang in precarious balance. The echoes of their battle will
resonate far beyond the Madison Community Center.

Hard Dog’s Night, the second book in The Hound Dogs Series, is a
unique blend of historical fiction, coming-of-age, and the power of music as
it forever alters lives in the name of rock-n-roll.

 


 

 

Excerpt

Stately elm tree branches shaded James while he strolled down the tranquil street of Granger. A group of unruly children scampered past him on their way to the park. Their laughter and high-pitched squeals caused a few dogs to bark and a few residents to lift their heads like curious ostriches. Crossing the street, James continued his path toward the Coffee Grounds. He’d spent the entire week at home studying for finals, and he was anxious to see his girlfriend. James had tried to study at the Coffee Grounds once, but it was a disaster because he couldn’t keep his eyes or mind off Marcy. It’s not like he didn’t think about her constantly, but at least she wasn’t close enough to talk to or steal a kiss.

A popular college hangout, the Coffee Grounds was generally packed with students. Still, Saturdays tended to be quieter, and the atmosphere was more casual. The large ceiling fan lazily circulated the air through the establishment. Marcy took advantage of the quiet afternoon by cleaning and filling sugar dispensers. James’s arrival sparked delight in her grin as he sat at the counter. Wiping her hands on her apron, Marcy walked over to him.

“You’re here early.” “Disappointed?” James asked, perching his elbows on the counter.

“Of course not.” “It’s been a long week.”

“It has,” Marcy said, straightening the napkin dispenser. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

James slid his hand under his chin. “Well, I’d rather have a kiss, but I’ll settle for coffee.”

Marcy smiled, took a cup from the shelf, and filled his cup. From her shiny auburn hair to her pert little nose, everything about her enchanted James. He would never tire of gazing at her.

Marcy brought James his coffee and sat it on the counter. “I guess you know you’re making me nervous.”

James picked up a spoon. “And why is that?”

“Because you’re ogling me.”

“So?” he said, clinking the spoon in the coffee cup.

“So, I know what you’re thinking.”

James’s grin spread, and Marcy nudged him. “I guess you know there is no sugar in your coffee.”

“Oh, yeah,” James said, taking the spoon out of the cup.

Marcy laughed. “You’ll never guess what I bought the other day,” James said, adding sugar.

Marcy leaned across the counter. “What?”

“You need to guess,” James teased.

“Can’t you give me a hint?” “It’s a book.”

“A book?”

“Yep.”

Marcy pressed her index finger to her lips. “Hmmm, let me guess. The Joys of Accounting?”

“Very funny.”

“What then?” James grinned.

“Kiss Me Deadly.”

“No kidding?”

“No kidding.” Marcy ran her finger over James’s hand.

“Are you going to lend it to me?”

“Maybe.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You better be nice to me, James, or you won’t get a kiss.”

He smirked. “We’ll see about that.”

A faint pink hue brushed her cheeks. “Say, do you think it would be all right if I posted a couple of flyers?” James asked.

“Is it for the drummer auditions?”

“Yep,” James said, setting one on the counter before Marcy.

“Sure. You can put it on the bulletin board by the front door and one on the back wall.”

“Okay, thanks.” Marcy returned to work, and James walked over to the bulletin board.

Advertisements and business cards covered the board like wallpaper. Pulling a tack out of an old advertisement, James covered it with the flyer and secured the tack. Smiling, he pulled out another spare tack and headed toward the back wall.

A young man was sitting at the back table by himself, reading a book. James probably wouldn’t have noticed him if his right leg wasn’t resting on a chair. At first glance, James thought he was lazy, but when he noticed the leg was encased in a metal leg brace with a thick platform shoe, he knew he was mistaken. James didn’t mean to stare and didn’t want to feel pity, but he couldn’t help himself. Securing the flyer to the wall, his eyes drifted back to the young man. He was wearing a checkered shirt with a worn wool jacket. Tufts of blond hair stuck out from underneath his faded grey porkpie hat with what looked like a turkey feather tucked under the band. Was he homeless? James’s heart sunk as his mind fired off several other sad scenarios. The young man sensed James’s presence, and he turned around to look at him.

“Hello,” James said with a sheepish grin.

The young man didn’t say anything. Was he mute too?

“Nice day, huh?” James said.

The young man didn’t answer. James noticed he had a Life magazine on the table with a picture of Marilyn Monroe on the front cover.

“You like Marilyn?” James asked.

“She’s my girlfriend.”

“Ha, ha,” James chuckled.

The young man tilted his head with a raised eyebrow. James walked back to his stool, wondering if the young man was crazy too. Marcy walked over to the young man’s table and refilled his cup. James watched Marcy chat with him for a few moments before she returned to the counter.

“So, you know that guy over there?” James asked.

“What guy?”

“You know, the one over there,” James said, pointing into his hand.

“You mean Ronnie?”

“I guess so.”

Marcy sat the coffeepot down. “Yes, he comes in here every once in a while.”

“He seems to be a little . . . nutty.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because he said his girlfriend was Marilyn Monroe.”

Marcy smiled. “He tells everybody that.”

“Do you think he believes it?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him that much.”

James fingered the handle on his coffee cup. “I feel bad for him.”

“You shouldn’t. He’s always in a good mood, even though some people say mean things to him.”

“That’s horrible.”

“If someone is mean to him, we kick them out.”

“That’s good.” Marcy untied her apron.

“I’m going to hang my apron up, and we can go.”

“Okay.”

Marcy walked away, and James glanced over at Ronnie. He was bobbing his head and tapping his thumbs on the table while he read. Maybe Marcy was right. Maybe he was perfectly happy despite his circumstance. With all his heart, James wanted to believe it. He wanted to believe that the cruel world did not affect Ronnie. With that thought in mind, James gathered his books and pushed his sorrowful thoughts aside and joined the beautiful young woman who waited at the door for him.

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BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: Wormwood by D.H.Nevins

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Wormwood
D.H. Nevins
(Wormwood, #1)
Publication date: October 10th 2011
Genres: Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Angels. Demons. Love. Deceit.
“Nevins should be at the top of the New York Times Best-sellers List with this series.” – Amazon Reviewer

Tiamat and his brothers, a legion of one hundred half-angels, have orders to end all of humanity. Yet in a moment of weakness, Tiamat risks his life to rescue a hiker named Kali from the very destruction he initiated.
Kali, thrust from the surety of her world into the boundless hell of Tiamat’s, must try to find a way to survive on the Earth’s vast, devastated landscape. Plagued by a legion of Nephilim bent on sending her on, she is forced to trust Tiamat – the one being who could prove to be her greatest enemy.

“OMG … Fabulous. Unputdownable. 5 stars” – Fundinmental Reviews

“A new kind of tormented romance that is absolutely captivating.” – Carlyle Lasbuchane, USA Today bestselling author

Goodreads / Amazon

Only 99c for a limited time!

—

EXCERPT:

I hastily threw the saddle on Hero and was up and riding before anyone in the group had a chance to ask me what was wrong. With my pulse thundering in my ears, I pushed the horse, leapt over crevasses and rode hard in a wide circle around the camp, scouring both sides of the stream and looking fiercely for anything that might indicate where my three friends had gone. But after a thorough, fruitless scout of the countryside, I began to slow my pace, the gravity of what may have transpired sinking in like a corrosive poison.

“Tiamat!” I screamed, my voice laced with venom. “What have you done with them? Where are they?” I turned the horse and scanned the gray skies but could see nothing. “Show yourself, you son-of-a-bitch!”

And he did.

Tiamat appeared as a speck on the western horizon. White wings spread out behind him, he grew larger by the second as he neared our location. And all around him, pacing his approach and stretching wide across the sky, rolled towering black clouds, thick and heavy with impending rain.

With my heart hammering in my chest, I kicked Hero into motion and raced back to the camp, watching Death approach on silent wings. He was incredibly fast—we reached the camp at almost the same moment—Tiamat, a vulture circling overhead while I thundered in on my horse.

There was a loud clang as the stew pot fell and splattered into the dirt. The group’s hunger was replaced by awe as they took in this supposed heavenly sign. They stood frozen, gawking at Tiamat in wonder and ignorance. Obviously unaware of the danger they faced, they looked expectantly at him, believing, perhaps, that mercy would come from above.

It did not. Like a warning, rain began to fall in a steady drizzle. It gathered and beaded on our upturned faces, and dripped from Tiamat’s wings and body as he circled overhead.

I watched him closely, my limbs shaking from anger and adrenalin. Keeping my eyes glued to his still passive movements, I slid from Hero’s saddle and scooped up the crossbow—Tiamat’s crossbow, actually. But while I loaded a bolt and cocked it, Tiamat matched my ante and calmly pulled out a knife. I was confused by this move at first. He could kill us in any number of ways; quickly and effortlessly. Why use a blade?

I moved to the center of the throng, trying to protect the others by maintaining a simple proximity to them. “Keep close to me,” I told them. “He’s come here to kill us.” A few of the group moved in toward me, but most looked at me like I was insane. Nellie and the tattered-looking business woman, whose name I had learned was Jennifer, actually stepped a few paces away, as if to show this celestial being they did not share my sentiment.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath. What was I to do? Did they think he was going to bless them with his knife? “If you want to slaughter them, you’ll have to kill me too!” I shouted at him. My hands shaking, I aimed the crossbow up into the drizzle.

Tiamat didn’t respond and made no move toward us, but instead brought the edge of the knife to his bared wrist. He held it there for a moment, appearing to exert pressure with the blade, and I lowered the crossbow in shock. “Tiamat, don’t…” I gasped.

With a swift, violent movement, he slashed his left wrist deeply and the blood pumped out like a river, running down his arm as he held his gashed limb above his head. Wasting no time, Tiamat flew straight up into the drizzling sky, gaining height at an incredible speed. Then he ceased flying and immediately began tumbling downward, plummeting as he deliberately smeared the blood from his wrist across the feathers of his right wing. At the last moment, he pulled out of the free fall and swooped above our heads, scattering bloody water droplets onto our upturned faces.

“Oh … oh shit!” I cried, realizing what he was doing. There was something with his blood … what was it about his blood? I raised the crossbow again, watching as he tightly bound his wounded left wrist while he circled us, flinging blood from his wings with every beat. I had to shoot him … I had to…

My hands were slippery on the crossbow and my eyes blurred with tears. With quick, angry swipes, I dragged my arm across my eyes to clear them, and tried to aim again. I had him in my sights; he was about to slice into his right wrist—all I had to do was pull the trigger. I could feel the tears running freely now as a sob escaped my throat. The crossbow shook, but I fought to hold it steady, and focused my aim on his chest, the only way I could be sure…


Author Bio:

D.H. Nevins was born in Toronto and currently lives in a quiet area of Ontario, surrounded by forests and lakes. By day, she is a personable, friendly school teacher. By night, she silently chuckles as she writes about destroying the world. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys world travel, hiking, camping, flying around on her motorcycle or dabbling in live theatre.

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BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: Storm and Flame by Mallory Wanless

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Storm and Flame
Mallory Wanless
(Enchanted, #1)
Publication date: September 22nd 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Elena has always been a disappointment. Her magic is practically non-existent and now, on her sixteenth birthday, she is expelled from magic school by the strict headmistress–also known as her mother. Cast out into the world of the magically inept with only her familiar for company, Elena feels lost and alone until she meets a strange boy in the woods.

Quinn is a thief, a hunter, and a hothead. His unexpected friendship with Elena awakens a fiery side in him–quite literally– and uncovers new and surprising magical abilities. Except men aren’t supposed to be capable of magic.

With Quinn’s help, Elena carves a safe new life as a barmaid, but when she is attacked, her powers awaken with shocking ferocity. Elena’s explosion of magic creates a power surge that attracts the attention of magical investigators, sent to uncover and contain the source of the power surge.

But the awakening of their powers kickstarts an ancient prophecy. Will they be able to escape those that hunt them? Can they fulfill the prophecy, destroy the turmio and save magic from being destroyed once and for all?

Content warning: the story mentions incidents of child abuse, sexual assault, and birth trauma. May not be suitable for some readers.

Storm and Flame is the first in a completed trilogy. A found family low-spice series perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber’s Caraval series, Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns, and Phillip Pullman’s Golden Compass.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

“Come on. Just work, dammit,” Elena muttered to herself, trying for the millionth time to cast her spell.

Agon had stretched his lithe, weasel-like body across a long, skinny patch of sunlight on the floor of the testing room. He’d spent the morning basking in the warmth of the sun-drenched stone and flicking his fluffy blue-black tail back and forth. As her closest, and arguably only, friend, Agon knew nothing he could say would make her feel better. She was in a mood, and the best thing he could do was to leave her be.

Sparks flared and quickly sputtered out from Elena’s fingertips.

“Dammit. Why can’t I get this stupid spell right?” It was a rhetorical question, but Elena was so frustrated by her own ineptitude that she would have traded everything she owned to successfully complete a spell on the first try.

Elena was easily the worst enchantress in her class, probably the whole school. The other students mocked her mercilessly. It didn’t help that her mother, Madame LaBelle, was the most famous enchantress in the whole country, possibly the world, and the headmistress of their school. She could turn a seed into a centuries-old tree with the flick of her wrist. Elena could grow a seed into a sapling with twenty minutes of chanting, flicking, waving, and praying. Maybe. On a good day.

Madame LaBelle was notorious for her skills with magic as much as her beauty. Unfortunately for Elena, she inherited her looks from her father. At least, she assumed that’s where she got her flat hair and dull brown eyes. She’d never actually met him. In Waverly, as far as enchantresses were concerned, men served one purpose: impregnating women. The men were used and released of all parental rights, whether they liked it or not. Most men didn’t even know the woman they had lain with was an enchantress, much less that they had fathered a child as a result. The women opted to disguise themselves—bar wenches, visitors lost in the big city, damsels in need of aid on the side of the road, etc.—just to get what they needed and be gone before the man even knew her name.

It was crass and cowardly, but Elena had been raised to believe it was for the best. Men weren’t capable of raising children, especially magical ones, and an enchantress always gave birth to another enchantress. Never in the history of the world, had an enchantress given birth to a non-magical child. Or a boy, for that matter. Enchantress beget enchantress. End of story.

Elena dreamed of love and happy endings when she was younger. All the girls did, but their time at Harbor Ridge taught them that magic was their top priority, followed closely by their loyalty to the school and Madame LaBelle. Elena always felt that it was a tad hypocritical how often her mother preached about loyalty to their family—the school and their classmates—when she never paid any attention to her own flesh and blood. What sort of mother neglects her own child to favor those who are more adept at magic? Not a good one, Elena mused glumly.

Agon had been with her since before she was born, like all familiars. They were born together and stayed attached for an “unusually long time,” according to her mother. Typically, familiars disconnected from the baby’s umbilical cord within a few days before settling into their permanent animal form. Agon and Elena stayed connected for two weeks, all the while Agon remained a blob encased in the placenta. Her mother had many specialists, including a Therionology Enchantress, or an animal enchantress, come and inspect Agon and try to coax him into taking any form at all. Nothing worked. Baby Elena just spent her days cuddling “this disgusting blob of goo” and sleeping. Madame LaBelle often liked to remind Elena of how unusual that was, and how that should have been a sign that her daughter was going to be different, and not in a good way.

Author Bio:

Mallory lives in Texas with her husband and their two young boys. She spends her days homeschooling and full-time parenting. Her nights, and any free time she manages to carve out during the day, are devoted to reading and writing.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram


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RELEASE BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: The Storm Breaks by Valerie Storm

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 Demon Storm, Book 6

Young Adult Fantasy

Date Published: 07-13-2024

Publisher: Shadow Spark Publishing


 

Wolf and demon born…

…under storm the land is torn.

Tendrils of darkness reach from the depths of her mind and shadows flicker
around every corner. Still reeling from Raven’s horrific display of
power, Kari suffers in silence.

When Guine finally returns with stories of a mirror that could help him
with his problems, Kari finds herself hoping that maybe, just maybe, it
could help with hers as well.

With the promise of a relatively straightforward outing, Kari, Ari, and
Guine set forth to find the mirror.

But what they find beyond the looking-glass threatens not only Kari and her
sanity, but also the world she loves.

About the Author

Valerie Storm was raised in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up, she fell in love
with everything fantasy. When she wasn’t playing video games, she was
writing. By age ten, she began to write her own stories as a way to escape
reality. When these stories became a full-length series, she considered the
path to sharing with other children & children-at/heart looking for a
place to call home.

 

Contact Links

Website

Twitter

Goodreads

 

Purchase Today



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BOOK REVIEW: The Shadow of the Langham Hotel by Jonathan L. Ferrara

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About the Book:

The third installment of Jonathan L. Ferrara’s young adult paranormal anthology series is here!This past year, Collin Winters has tried to put the events of Chateau Du Coeur behind him. He’s struggling to move on with his life. It’s a new year, in a new school, in a new city, and with a new heart beating in his chest.

Shortly after his first term at the Art Institution in London, Collin is selected by the headmaster to partake in a class field-trip to New York City where he, and four other students, will check-in to an old hotel. Amongst those students is Collin’s roommate—Aaron, who is trying to put his own past behind him. The two boys don’t always get along. One moment they’re the best of friends, the next they’re rolling around the hotel’s lobby throwing punches and nearly getting themselves expelled. The boys’ friendship only strengthens as they attempt to unearth the hotel’s dark secret. It turns out, the building isn’t quite what it seems to be. There’s something lurking in the hotel’s shadows…something watching the classmates from afar. While Collin and his friends attempt to solve the mystery of the Langham Hotel, Collin starts to remember that he might have stayed in the building once before. The past is about to catch up to Collin Winters and will surely put his sanity to the test.

Release Date: April 23, 2024

Add to your Goodreads

My Review – 5 stars!

Be prepared for a twisted ride through Wonderland…

I’m not sure what I expected when I accepted an ARC of this book. I got something entirely different but in a good way.

I will say the beginning was a bit slow for me. It wasn’t until I was five or six chapters in that I was truly hooked. This one may be a ghost story, but it’s not scary. It’s a story of overcoming your obstacles or darker parts of your life and finding not only acceptance of yourself but also allowing yourself to be happy.

First, I didn’t read the previous book in the series. There was enough information in this story that I didn’t feel lost. So don’t hesitate to jump right in!

And second… you’re going to love this book!

The characters were well developed and intriguing, although Charlotte had a tendency to annoy me. The glimpses we see of Ruby during Collin’s childhood honestly made her my favorite character. There was more to her than most people saw.

It’s full of romance, intrigue, and lots of riddles! Honestly, I’d consider this more of a ghost mystery.

This story will keep you guessing and there’s one heck of a plot twist! More than one actually…

But reader beware … closer to the end, be prepared to cry! Not because of a horrible ending by any means. The opposite in fact.

This book will put you through an emotional roller coaster. But it’s one heck of a ride!

* Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. The review above is only my opinion.

BOOK TOUR: Autumn and the Silver Moon Stallion by V.P. Felmlee

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Autumn and The Silver Moon Stallion
Book 3, The Abandoned Trilogy
V P Felmlee
Publication Date: November, 2023
Publisher: TCS Publishing
Page Length: 280
Genre: Young Adult / New Adult Fiction

An abused, neglected filly is abandoned on a remote country road, left to die.

A young woman grieves the loss of her best friend, the champion horse she had built

her life and future around.

The heir to one of the largest ranches in Wyoming comes home to face the ire and

disappointment of his grandfather.

A world-renown scientist clashes with the U.S.government over a brutal,

decades-long war to decide the fate of thousands of

mustangs, a beloved icon of  the American West.

Autumn and The Silver Moon Stallion is their story of love, hatred, and death.

Will their struggles give them hope to fight for their beliefs, or tear them forever apart?

Buy Links:

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4NDrwY

Excerpt:

The next night, they were ready to move. There were a few clouds; an almost-full moon broke free from time to time, giving them some light.

Quietly, almost as one, the stallion led the way down the ledge onto the soft dirt below. They did not stop to forage; when they reached the river, they did not stop to drink.

With one mind, with one purpose, they crossed at a narrow point. These mustangs were strong and young, but the water was cold, the current swift.

In a single line, they treaded the water. The black mare got ahead of the stallion, the current almost carrying her away from them. She raised her head, eyes wide in panic. He drifted to her side, then around, and nudged her body back to the straight course.

Finally, all three found their footing and splashed to the shore, dripping wet and huffing.

The mare who almost drifted away was trembling. The stallion walked over to touch her neck and back.

She appreciated his concern. “I’ve never gone into water before. I won’t do that again.”

“You won’t have to,” he promised.

He looked around, getting his feel for this new land. A trail led north into open range. He rejected this, they needed as much shelter as they could get, not to be seen nor discovered for as long as possible.

Another possibility was a wide opening with high walls on either side. The clouds wafted across the sky, allowing the moon to brighten his view. A narrow path beckoned him. He followed it a short distance, then returned to the mares.

“Follow me,” he told them. “We’ll be safe here.” Without hesitation, they followed him and were soon wrapped in the darkness.

The white stallion now belonged to Silver Moon Canyon.

Author Bio:

V P Felmlee is the author of The Abandoned Trilogy: Price Tadpole & Princess Clara; Good Boy Ben; and the third book in the series, Autumn and the Silver Moon Stallion. A former newspaper reporter and editor, she has a degree in geology, and has been active in historic preservation and animal welfare issues. Her articles have appeared in several magazines and she has won numerous awards.

She will be the 2025 president of Women Writing the West and lives in Grand Junction, Colorado, with her husband, two dogs, and six cats.

Author Links:

Website: www.vfauthor.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilhistorian

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicki.felmlee.7

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/V-P-Felmlee/author/B0BQJKNSKJ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23381045.V_P_Felmlee