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Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Fire Called by Edeline Wrigh Excerpt & Giveaway
Fire Called
Edeline Wrigh
(Ember & Ash, #1)
Publication date: July 23rd 2024
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
She’s the ember that started the fire.
He’s the ash that remains when all is dead.When Emberly, a field biologist with a connection to the spirit world, returns to her hometown for her dream job, she thinks she’s prepared to defend her home and confront her destiny. But she’s not prepared for Ashton: the man she must marry to uphold the bargain she made for her life. And no amount of chastising from her ghost twin is going to change her mind.
Ashton, the handsome, reluctant heir to the mining empire that killed Emberly’s grandfather, wants nothing to do with his family legacy. But when his father announces plans to resume mining operations, his only hope at protecting the mountain is to work with the woman he fell in love with at first sight—and who can’t stand to look at him.
Forced into a fake relationship to keep the circumstances of their magically arranged marriage—and the supernatural salamanders—a secret, their annoyance with each other is only heightened by their mutual attraction. But there’s only so long they can avoid fate.
Fire Called is the first in a new contemporary romantasy trilogy. If you like steamy romances, hearing ghost stories around the campfire, and finding magic in so-called ‘mundane’ places, this one’s for you.
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo
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EXCERPT:
The Appalachians are ancient—they existed millions of years ago, before the continents separated. They have stories aplenty to tell those who will listen to the pines sway in the wind, to the howls of the coyotes, and to the stories wildflowers tell when they bloom, each a different shape and color as the weather warms and cools in the spring.
It takes practice, sure. And there are those with gifts, like Virginia—the youngest of seven daughters—who have a special affinity for those conversations.
The sky was overcast, the air was thick with the scent of rain, and the birds chattered warnings about the impending storm on Ember’s first day in the field.
Today’s goal was to survey the area to prepare for future outings.
She had convinced Nicole she could handle the woods alone. And Nicole, ever trusting, had granted her the autonomy she craved.
Ember reveled in the solitude of the mountains. She relished the freedom to explore at her own pace, unburdened by the presence of others.
But then she heard a voice she didn’t recognize.
“Emberly,” it said.
She neither saw anyone nor was sure where it was coming from.
It wouldn’t be the first time she’d heard her name called by someone—or something— she couldn’t see. It wouldn’t be the last either, especially with the amount of time she’d be in the woods after dark. She knew what the tales said about those who acknowledged such voices with words or action; it was best to ignore it.
In the early daylight, it was less likely to succeed at harming her. It was also loud enough it was probably far away. Still, spirits gossiped, and she didn’t want a reputation for being gullible.
It kept talking to her anyway.
“Emberly Jane Whitmore, you have a debt to repay.”
The “debt” mention gave her pause.
It was unwise to talk to spirits you couldn’t identify, especially in the woods. Then again, it was unwise to promise yourself to the spirits, too. Ma had warned Ember about that a thousand times and about the consequences that befell those who promised themselves and attempted to evade payment.
“What do you want me to do?” she asked, directing the question nowhere in particular just in case. “I’m supposed to be working.”
“This is the work,” the voice said cryptically.
“Again, what exactly are you asking me to do? Shed my blood on a rock?”
“You will know when you know. But consider this your summons. When the time comes…”
The spirit voice? Confusing as shit. And not at all helpful.
“When the time comes, I what?”
“Be ready to meet your betrothed.”
Author Bio:
Edeline Wrigh is an eccentric storyteller with a penchant for swearing, drinking too much caffeine, and spending more time with cats than people. She writes fantasy, romance, and love stories without happy endings from her house in the midwest. When she’s not putting words on paper, she’s busy upleveling her martial arts game or taking in stories in any way she can.
GIVEAWAY!
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CABARET MACABRE by Tom Mead Review & Giveaway
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the CABARET MACABRE by Tom
Mead Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to
enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Author: Tom Mead
Pub. Date: July 16, 2024
Publisher: Mysterious
Press
Formats: Hardcover, eBook,
Audiobook
Pages: 320
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/CABARET-MACABRE
This latest puzzle mystery from the author of Death and the
Conjuror and The Murder Wheel takes stage magician
sleuth Joseph Spector to a grand estate in the English countryside.
Victor Silvius has spent nine years as an inmate at The Grange, a private
sanatorium, for the crime of attacking judge Sir Giles Drury. Now, the judge’s
wife, Lady Elspeth Drury, believes that Silvius is the one responsible for a
series of threatening letters her husband has recently received. Eager to avoid
the scandal that involving the local police would entail, Lady Elspeth seeks
out retired stage magician Joseph Spector, whose discreet involvement in a case
Sir Giles recently presided over greatly impressed her.
Meanwhile, Miss Caroline Silvius is disturbed after a recent visit to her
brother Victor, convinced that he isn’t safe at The Grange. Someone is trying
to kill him and she suspects the judge, who has already made Silvius’ life a
living hell, may be behind it. Caroline hires Inspector George Flint of
Scotland Yard to investigate.
The two cases collide at Marchbanks, the Drury family seat of over four
hundred years, where a series of unnerving events interrupt the peace and quiet
of the snowy countryside. A body is discovered in the middle of a frozen pond
without any means of getting there and a rifle is fired through a closed
window, killing a man but not breaking the glass. Only Spector and his mastery
of the art of misdirection can uncover the logical explanations for these
impossible crimes.
An atmospheric and puzzling traditional mystery that pays homage to the
greatest writers of the genre’s Golden Age, Cabaret Macabre is
the third book in Tom Mead’s Joseph Spector series, hailed by the Wall
Street Journal as “a recipe for pure nostalgic pleasure.” The books
can be enjoyed in any order.
Reviews:
"Ingenious . . . Mead hides all
the clues in plain sight, constructing a fair-play puzzle that will delight and
challenge readers who love pitting their own wits against the author’s. It’s
another crackerjack entry in an exceptional series."― Publishers
Weekly STARRED REVIEW
"Mind-bogglingly complex . . . A lovely valentine to Mead’s idol, John
Dickson Carr, and even more to Clayton Rawson’s tales of The Great
Merlini."― Kirkus
My Review:
I really enjoyed this story. It begins with an old murder masked as a suicide. Present death threats bring a slew of characters to Marchbanks. What ensues is murder, mystery and family bonds. I am a huge fan of the movie Clue. I met Tim Curry, collect Clue board games, and had a Clue themed rehearsal dinner. I loved that there was a dead guy in the middle of a frozen pond and another dead guy killed in a locked room with no one else there. The author uses a magician to help Scotland Yard solve the murders, and the reader also gets to see magic tricks preformed and explained. The clues are all there and I had fun putting them together. I was surprised at the end because I did not see the involvement of a certain character. I can not recommend this book enough. The characters and their families are definitely interesting. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy, however all opinions are my own.
About Tom Mead:
Tom Mead is a Derbyshire mystery writer
and aficionado of Golden Age crime fiction. His debut novel, Death and
the Conjuror, was an international bestseller, nominated for several
awards, and named one of the best mysteries of the year by The Guardian and Publishers
Weekly. Its sequel, The Murder Wheel, was described as “pure
nostalgic pleasure” by the Wall Street Journal and “a delight”
by the Daily Mail. It was also named one of the Best Traditional
Mysteries of 2023 by CrimeReads. His third novel, Cabaret
Macabre, will be published in 2024.
Subscribe to
Tom’s newsletter! Scroll to the
bottom.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub
Giveaway Details:
3 winners
will receive a finished copy of CABARET MACABRE, US Only.
Ends August 6th, midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Schedule:
Week One:
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7/1/2024 |
Interview/IG Post |
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7/2/2024 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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7/3/2024 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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7/4/2024 |
Excerpt |
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7/5/2024 |
Excerpt |
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7/6/2024 |
Excerpt |
Week Two:
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7/7/2024 |
IG Review |
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7/8/2024 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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7/9/2024 |
IG Review |
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7/10/2024 |
IG Review |
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7/11/2024 |
IG Review |
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7/12/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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7/13/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
Week Three:
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7/14/2024 |
Review |
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7/15/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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7/16/2024 |
IG Post |
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7/17/2024 |
IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
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7/18/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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7/19/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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7/20/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
Week Four:
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7/21/2024 |
IG Review |
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7/22/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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7/23/2024 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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7/24/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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7/25/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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7/26/2024 |
IG Review |
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7/27/2024 |
IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
Week Five:
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7/28/2024 |
IG Post |
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7/29/2024 |
Review |
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7/30/2024 |
Review/IG Post |
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7/31/2024 |
Review |
Monday, July 22, 2024
Realm of Dreams and Destiny by Stella Dale EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY
Realm of Dreams and Destiny
Stella Dale
(Entwined Hearts Series, #1)
Publication date: July 22nd 2024
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
They were bound by destiny long before their hearts were entwined…
Aralin’s life is a complex web woven with delicate threads of secrets and destinies. Born into a world where supernatural creatures are hunted, she hides a dangerous reality.
She is not human.
As a princess and pawn in the royal games of power, she finds herself betrothed to the emperor’s son. Yet, her heart beats for another––a warrior in the emperor’s army, a commoner unaware of her true identity.
Just as her world teeters on the brink of disaster, a mysterious vigilante enters her life, his dark allure tempting her toward rebellion against the oppressive emperor. His charm is undeniable, and his cause justified. With each encounter, their fates become increasingly intertwined.
Caught between two men who awaken different desires within her, Aralin struggles with conflicting feelings of duty and desire. However, a new obstacle arises in the form of an ancient prophecy. As signs of the prophecy reveal themselves, Aralin must make a difficult decision: surrender to the expectations placed upon her by others, or fight for her own fate?
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EXCERPT:
Ezerick’s POV
She was, in every way, an enigma––a beautiful witch who appeared from the shadows, capturing my heart and imagination. And leaving me forever changed.
The witch with chestnut hair and vibrant green eyes has been appearing to me for five years. Each visit is our shared secret, a hidden world that unfolds within the confines of the empire grounds. She meets me in the courtyard, gardens, and stable, always under the veil of secrecy.
She believes I’m a knight in the emperor’s service because it’s what I’ve allowed her to believe. Perhaps it’s the way she often finds me in training, always clad in golden armor. Or maybe it’s the way I carry myself with the discipline and bearing of a soldier.
In her eyes, I see a mixture of curiosity and innocence. It’s a wonder that the harsh realities of our worlds have not marred what we share. She speaks to me of her life, her dreams, her fears. But never once has she asked about my lineage. Never once has she voiced suspicions that I’m more than what I appear to be.
To her, I’m a knight. Not the crown prince. Not the heir to the empire. There’s a simplicity in that identity, a freedom that allows me to be someone other than the person everyone else expects me to be. With her, I’m not burdened by the weight of the crown, the expectations of an empire or the gaze of a demanding father.
Our conversations meander through topics both mundane and magical. She speaks of her world, a place of beauty and enchantment, so different from the structured life I lead. Her tales are a balm to my soul, providing a respite from the rigors of my princely duties.
Yet with each visit, a part of me aches with the guilt of deception. I long to tell her the truth and reveal who I am, but fear holds me back. I’m afraid of losing the connection and bond we share. The truth could tear us apart. I don’t know how I might cope with losing her and what we have. So I remain silent, cherishing each moment we have, living in the stolen time of our secret encounters.
In her presence, I find a peace I never knew I needed. It’s a connection that transcends the boundaries of our respective worlds. As the crown prince and future emperor, my life is filled with duty and expectation. But with her, I’m just a young man caught in the spell of a beautiful young witch.
Sometimes I wonder if she ever looks at me and sees beyond the armor and guise of a soldier. Does she ever glimpse the prince hidden beneath the golden metal? Does she sense the lineage coursing through my veins or the destiny that awaits me outside our secret meetings?
The connection we share has grown beyond mere friendship. I’ve found a confidante in her, a kindred spirit who understands me in ways that others can’t. Our conversations drift from the mundane to the profound, each word a thread in the intricate web of understanding and acceptance we’ve built.
In the quiet moments we share, I often catch myself marveling at the ease with which we interact. There’s an effortless flow in our conversations, a rhythm as natural as the ebb and flow of the tides. She listens with a depth that makes me feel heard in the truest sense, her responses thoughtful and genuine.
There’s a vulnerability in our interactions and a mutual openness that has grown. I’ve revealed hidden parts of myself I’ve kept guarded from the world, and shared fears and dreams that I’ve never voiced aloud. In return, she’s entrusted me with her own inner thoughts, her hopes and her sorrows.
The ability to be my truest self with her is liberating and poignant. In her company, I find a sense of peace and belonging that eludes me in my royal life. She’s become a sanctuary and haven where I can lay down the burdens of my title and just be me.
This witch who’s cast a spell over my heart… I like her more than I ever thought possible. And lately, I’ve grappled with a startling realization.
I might have fallen in love with her.
Author Bio:
Stella Dale is a passionate storyteller who's always had a love affair with books, devouring stories from all genres since she could first hold a book. She spent years as a dedicated nurse, providing care and comfort to those in need, before embarking on her writing journey. However, her true calling beckoned, and she left the medical field to follow her dream of becoming an author.
Nestled in the heart of Mississippi, Stella weaves captivating stories that are brimming with love, adventure, and enchantment. At home, she is surrounded by her loving husband and their three spirited felines, who never fail to provide inspiration and entertainment. When she's not crafting characters and worlds, she loves to embark on international travels, immerse herself in different cultures and landscapes, and satisfy her insatiable curiosity for life's endless tales.
GIVEAWAY!
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Sunday, July 21, 2024
Wormwood by D.H. Nevins Sale, Excerpt & GIVEAWAY
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 ReviewerTiamat 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
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 sh*t!” 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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