Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Of Blade and Ash by C. F. E. Black #giveaway #booktour #yafantasy

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Blade of Ash
(Scepter and Crown #1)
By C.F.E. Black
Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Hardcover & ebook, 363 Pages
January 25, 2022 by Hillcity Press

The only way to beat death is to chase it. 
 
Newly crowned, Red blames one person for his father’s murder: the secret sorceress sworn to protect the king. Alyana Barron, Royal Sorcerer to the throne of Tandera, fears her magic is weakening. For reasons they don't fully understand, a powerful enemy twisted by dark magic wants them both dead. 
 
When Red is cursed, his life entwines with Aly’s in ways neither of them expected. Together, they chase after a cure that will heal the king and restore her magic, but the closer they get to a cure, the nearer they step toward death, for the path to the cure is as dangerous as the curse itself. 
 
Blade of Ash is the first in a new, epic YA fantasy series perfect for fans of clean enemies-to-lovers romance packed full of royal intrigue, legends, and plenty of ballgowns. If you like female bodyguards and forced proximity with life-and-death stakes, check out Blade of Ash.

My thoughts:  I wasn't sure about this book when I agreed to review it. I decided to take a chance and I am glad that I did!

I love the fantasy world where magic is fueled by truth.  If you tell a lie, your magic is weakened.  The dark magicians use lies to corrupt and destroy.

Aly is the sorcerer for the new King Frederick, aka Red.  Their bond is created under feelings of mistrust.  Reds father died of a curse and he blames Aly for it.  At his coronation Red is cursed and finds he has to trust her.

For the majority of the story they work together to find a cure before the curse destroys Reds body.  Along the way they find friendship, trust, attraction, and many perilous circumstances.  

I found this story and the prequel novella very interesting.  I really want to know more.  This is the first book in a series and I am excited to see what the future holds for them.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

(Affiliate links included.)

Other Books in the Series

Shield of Shadow
(Scepter and Crown #0.5)
By C.F.E. Black
Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
E-book, 141 Pages
November 2021 by Hillcity Press

Alyana Barron is tired of living a secluded life apart from society, hiding her magic from watching eyes. When a nobleman offers Aly the chance to train as a Master Sorcerer, secrets hidden in her past will come to light and she'll have to fight to keep her safety and guard her heart.

My thoughts: This is an interesting novella.  Aly is a young woman who has been hiding her magical gifts.  The people do not trust magic wielders.  

This novella sets up the description of magic and how it is used.  The idea of pulling "truth" out of another was unique.  It didn't take long to figure out that this was a religious connotation for the use of magic. Lying weakens magic.  There are so many ways to compare this symbolism.

This is a very quick read and sets the stage nicely for "Blade of Ash."

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

(Affiliate links included.)

About the Author


C. F. E. Black loves to get swept away in books, both reading and writing them. When she’s not writing or chasing her son, she’s teaching high schoolers and trying her best to be a light in their lives. She lives in beautiful north Alabama with her superhero husband, sons, and fur-family. Connect with her and find free stories at www.cfeblack.com.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


A signed hardcover of Blade of Ash by C.F.E. Black, a character art print of Red and Aly, and a map print (US only; $20 Amazon e-gift card will be substituted for INT)

Ends March 30, 2022

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Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:30 AM 6 comments

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Royal captive by Heather Frost #BlogTour

 


BOOK DETAILS

TITLE: Royal Captive (Fate of Eyrinthia #3)

GENRE: YA Fantasy Romance

RELEASE DAY: March 18, 2022

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Source: Received to Review



Book Description: A DECOY trapped in a dangerous lie

A SERJAH searching for the truth

A PRINCE caught in a deadly game

A WORLD choked by secrets


Abducted during a devastating ambush, Clare is now the captive of ruthless mercenaries. Dragged through the wilderness while grieving heart-rending loss, she must maintain the illusion that she is the princess. Because if she lets the mask slip, even for a moment, the Mortisians will have no reason to keep her alive.


After arresting traitors close to the crown, Desfan fights to rebuild his court, knowing that the imminent arrival of the Devendran princess will further upset the precarious balance in Mortise. But Desfan’s world is rocked when he discovers a rumor that rewrites the most devastating event in his life. He will stop at nothing to find the truth–no matter where it leads.


As Grayson struggles to find his footing in Mortise, he discovers new friends and enemies. His life is further complicated by the tenuous alliance with his spymaster brother. With secrets deepening around him, Grayson must decide where his loyalties truly lie. Through it all, his heart remains in Ryden with Mia. Unfortunately, his love for her is no secret, and the Black Hand is a coveted weapon . . .


Eyrinthia holds its breath as allies and enemies collide. Secrets. Lies. Betrayals. Nothing will be the same.


My thoughts: 

Holy Fates!  This is such a good series. I started to list the fantastic characters, but there are so many.  Some of them I love to hate and others completely took me by surprise.


I love the fantasy world that Heather Frost has created.  I am hooked with the Fates of Eyrinthia series.  I don't know how Heather Frost keeps track of all of her characters, kingdom's, settings, etc.  She is so good with the details.


The lives of many are entwined in this complex world.  There is so much going on between the characters.  The distance between them is narrowing. The struggle for power is becoming more intense.  I am really hoping that the bad guys will be punished in the end.

This book leaves you with so much up in the air.  The next book can't come out soon enough.  I want to read it now while everything is fresh on my mind.

This story makes me want to read them all again.  It's been awhile since I started the series and some of the details are a little hazy.  This series is all about the details.  I want to read again how the characters got to the point in this book.  I want to revisit some of the political intrigue, traitorous activities, and romance.

If you are looking for a great fantasy series, I highly recommend this one.

LINKS

Kindle * Amazon Hardcover *  Goodreads * BookBub


Read an Excerpt


********************

Serene kept her eyes on the table, though she was aware of a game of cards turning heated in the corner. There were two different accents—Mortisian and Rydenic—and accusations of cheating littered the air.

Not interested in becoming part of a brawl, Serene stood. Others must have had the same idea, because the crowd was thick as she made her way toward the door.

She was nearly there when a strangled yell pierced the air, followed by the fleshy thud of a hard punch. Serene shot a look over her shoulder and saw the gaming table flip—and then chaos ensued. Chairs were thrown, bottles shattered, and bodies flew. The patrons around Serene turned into a frenzied crush, and elbows stabbed into Serene from all sides. She grunted at each blow, but steeled herself against the pain as she shouldered for the door. 

A heavy body slammed into her from behind and she hit the floor hard, elbows and knees banging against the wooden floor. She couldn’t breathe because of the crushing weight planted on top of her. She lay there, stunned, surrounded by the explosive sounds of the fight. The smack of knuckles striking flesh, shouts and curses from two different kingdoms, and the crack of tables and chairs being broken.

The man flattening her kicked off suddenly, sending an elbow into the back of her head. Her ears rang and her vision blurred as her chin hit the floor. She could feel blood welling to fill the cut.

That would not be easy to explain tomorrow.

Gritting her teeth, Serene scrambled to her feet—then ducked hurriedly to avoid a hurled chair. She hugged the wall and darted for the door. Her only goal was to make it out of the tavern without being further pummeled. When needed, she fell back on the lessons her bodyguards had taught her over the years—all ways to end a potential fight quickly. A kick between the legs. A quick jab to the throat.

“Soldiers coming!” someone yelled.

Fates. The last thing she needed was to be arrested for brawling in Duvan’s slums. Cardon would never let her hear the end of it. Dirk would be utterly disappointed. And Desfan and his court would probably struggle between laughing at the absurdity of it all, or simply voiding the marriage alliance.

I’m sorry, she could almost hear Desfan say. There can only be one reckless royal in Mortise, and I’ve already taken on that mantle.

She sniggered, but instantly winced.

Perhaps that elbow to the head had done more damage than she’d thought. There was nothing funny about this.

She rushed for the door, finally pushing through the crowd. Once on the street, she bolted—but her run was short-lived. She smacked into a hard chest after only a few leaping steps.

Hands gripped her arms, steadying her, and Cardon’s scar jumped in his cheek as he glared. “Of all the fates-blasted idiotic things you’ve done, this is legendary!”

“Soldiers,” she rasped.

Cardon scowled, but he released one of her arms. “Come on,” he snapped.


********



Pre-order Gift Form (More Details Below!): https://forms.gle/nDubVYVaB7EPYRfh8




NEW TO EYRINTHIA? GET BOOK 1 FOR FREE DURING THE VIRTUAL TOUR!


Royal Decoy (Fate of Eyrinthia #1) is currently FREE on Kindle (U.S.)

Grab it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085299HQN


***The series is also available on Kindle Unlimited!*




PRE-ORDER GIFT: THE CAPTAIN AND THE TROUBLEMAKERS



Pre-order ROYAL CAPTIVE (Fate of Eyrinthia #3) in any format, then fill out the form below to receive an exclusive short story: The CAPTAIN AND THE TROUBLEMAKERS.


About the Story: 

When Wilf steps in for Bennick’s father during an important rite of passage at the military academy, he gets more than he bargained for. Eleven-year-old Bennick has a fight to pick with another student—a boy named Venn Grannard . . .


The story will be emailed to you after ROYAL CAPTIVE releases on March 18th. Here is the link to the form: https://forms.gle/nDubVYVaB7EPYRfh8


Thank you for pre-ordering!



BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE





HEATHER’S BIO:

Heather Frost is the author of the Seers trilogy and the Fate of Eyrinthia series. Her books have been Whitney Award Finalists and Swoony Award Finalists. She has a BS in Creative Writing and a minor in Folklore, which means she got to read fairy tales and ghost stories and call it homework. When she's not writing, Heather likes to read, travel, and hold Lord of the Rings movie marathons. She lives in a beautiful valley surrounded by towering mountains in northern Utah. To learn more about Heather and her books, visit her website: www.HeatherFrost.com. 




Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:30 AM 0 comments

Monday, March 14, 2022

"A Stolen Heart" by Clarissa Kay #Giveaway #BookTour #AmReading

 

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

A Stolen Heart
(Victorian Retellings #3)
By Clarissa Kae
Historical Romance, Fairy Tale
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 264 Pages
January 29, 2022 by Carpe Vitam Press

A Victorian twist on Robin Hood.

The Earl of Rochelle, Nikolas Whitworth, is handsome, charming. And a traitor.

He can outwit and outcon any Englishman—and any Englishwoman. When his debts are called in a savior appears, the criminal mastermind known only as the Tailor.

Nikolas is bought and sold, his future no longer his. But when a beguiling thief picks his pocket, Rosalyn Devereaux steals more than his coin. Orphaned as a child, Rosalyn trusts no one. She picks the pockets of lords and ladies alike, donating her spoils to the poor. The Tailor notices her skills and demands Rosalyn enlist in his cause.

With every moment beside Rosalyn, Nikolas changes from a life of lies to a man with a conviction. She occupies his every thought but can Nikolas outcon the Tailor and secure Rosalyn’s heart before the Tailor steals his love?

My thoughts: I love the story of Robin Hood.  This is a re-telling with a twist.  The archer is a woman!  Rosalyn is a lady on a noble mission.  She steals from the rich to help suffering orphans.  

Her love interest, Nikolas Whitworth wants to help and ease her burdens.  He broke her heart in the past and she doesn't know if she can let him back into her life and heart.

The villain is a person with a hidden identity known as the Tailor.  He is causing havoc on the nobles of Sherwood, I mean London.  Nikolaus (under duress) and his soon-to-be brother-in-law team up to stop the Tailor.

This re-telling has a story and voice of its own.  I really enjoyed it and finished it in one day.  I wanted to see who was behind the name of the Tailor.  I wanted to know if Roselyn and Nikolas could overcome the hurt from the past and finally come together.  I wanted to see Roselyn use her mad archery skills.  

This book is part of a series.  I knew there was a backstory that I was missing, but I kept up with this story just fine.  This means I have a few more stories to read.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Kindle Unlimited

(Affiliate links included.)

Other Books in the Series


About the Author


Clarissa Kae is a preeminent voice whose professional career began as a freelance editor in 2007. She's the former president of her local California Writers Club after spending several years as the Critique Director.

Since her first novel, she's explored different writing genres and created a loyal group of fans who eagerly await her upcoming release. With numerous awards to her name, Clarissa continues to honor the role of storyteller.

Aside from the writing community, she and her daughters founded Kind Girls Make Strong Women to help undervalued nonprofit organizations—from reuniting children with families to giving Junior Olympic athletes their shot at success.

She lives in the agricultural belly of California with her family and farm of horses, chickens, dogs and kittensa plenty.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


Three winners will receive a $25 Amazon gift card (US only)

Ends March 23, 2022

 
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Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:30 AM 5 comments

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Her Country Gentleman #TimelessGeorgianCollection #HistoricalRomance #BookTour #AustenprosePR

 


Her Country Gentleman is the first book in the Timeless Georgian Collection, a new anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from bestselling historical romance authors whose stories reveal that not all love is found in London. 

“Spring at Tribbley Hall,” by Sian Ann Bessey
When Charlotte's grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister's wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he's also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William's sheep's disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.

“Love of My Heart,” by Sarah M. Eden
Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?

“Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire,” by Rebecca Connolly
Martha Smith wants to marry for love and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother's approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha's romantic sensibilities and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great. Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he'd already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he's more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.

My thoughts: Timeless Romance anthologies are always well written.  The stories captured me from the first word until the last.  I honestly wished that there was more.
 
In all of the stories, young women of society who live in London find out there is a wonderful world outside of the city.

In "Spring at Tribbly Hall" there were plenty of embarrassing moments that were funny! Charlotte makes some assumptions that bring a perspective to life in the country that were incorrect.  I adored her and William. A conniving mother and a grandmother are a delightful addition to the story.

"Love of My Heart" is a reminder that "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade".  Cordelia leaves London with her family when they can no longer afford their lifestyle.  Her positive attitude about making Scotland her home is inspiring.  She inspires Sebastian to be happy with his current circumstances and to tell Cordelia who he really is.

"Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire" explored the thought of whether or not love is an important part of marriage. Martha's mother certainly thinks so.  To prove her point she sends Martha to the country to live with a cousin who chose love over connection. (Like that would work out well.)

One thing that I love about this anthology is that you can binge read the stories in a couple of sittings or you can read one a day.  Anyway you go about it, you will be entertained and love the stories.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review 

PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS




AUTHOR BIOS
Sian Ann Bessey
Born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, Sian left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.

She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then, she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today bestselling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.

She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS


Sarah M. Eden

Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple historical romances, including AML's "2013 Novel of the Year" and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, and the Whitney Award's "2014 Novel of the Year," Longing for Home: Hope Springs. 

Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS


Rebecca Connolly

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. 

She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She received a master's degree from West Virginia University, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

 ADVANCE PRAISE
“I have no hesitation in giving five stars collectively to this book. Great writing. Outstanding characters and each story is very compelling and different.”— Ken Reynolds, Goodreads
“This book is authored by three very talented authors, Sian Bessey, Sarah Eden, and Rebecca Connolly. I will admit upfront that these are three of my favorite authors so my expectations were high and they did not disappoint. This book is a truly wonderful read that I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”— Shauna Jones, Goodreads
“I enjoyed the premise of each book - high society lady going to the country. But each heroine found their own adventure as they learned to live a different type of life than they were used to. Each hero was engaging. And of course, I loved their HEAs”— Caleen Picket, Goodreads

ABOUT THE SERIES
The Timeless Georgian Collection is a new series featuring novellas set in England during the Georgian era (1714 – 1830). It is part of A Timeless Romance Anthology series published by Mirror Press — a curated collection of novellas and short stories featuring bestselling authors from the contemporary and historical romance genres. The collection has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com. Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:30 AM 1 comments
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