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'Blood Debts' by Terry J. Benton-Walker - Book Tour & Review

1/30/2023

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Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker Book Tour
Continue below to read my review of the book and be sure to click this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'BLOOD DEBTS' book tour brought to you by TURN THE PAGE TOURS, TORTEEN, and TERRY J. BENTON-WALKER!

Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker
Blood Debts
Terry J. Benton-Walker


Publisher: TorTeen

Pub Date:
April 4th, 2023
​
Genre:
​YA Fantasy, LGBTQ



Synopsis:


Thirty years ago, a young woman was murdered, a family was lynched, and New Orleans saw the greatest magical massacre in its history. In the days that followed, a throne was stolen from a queen.


On the anniversary of these brutal events, Clement and Cristina Trudeau—the sixteen-year-old twin heirs to the powerful, magical, dethroned family—are mourning their father and caring for their sick mother. Until, by chance, they discover their mother isn’t sick—she’s cursed. Cursed by someone on the very magic council their family used to rule. Someone who will come for them next.


Cristina, once a talented and dedicated practitioner of Generational magic, has given up magic for good. An ancient spell is what killed their father and she was the one who cast it. For Clement, magic is his lifeline. A distraction from his anger and pain. Even better than the random guys he hooks up with.


Cristina and Clement used to be each other’s most trusted confidant and friend, now they barely speak. But if they have any hope of discovering who is coming after their family, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other and their family's magic, all while solving the decades-old murder that sparked the still-rising tensions between the city’s magical and non-magical communities. And if they don't succeed, New Orleans may see another massacre. Or worse.

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rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★  (4 / 5 stars)


​This book has all the earmarks of a great story.. a family steeped in tragedy, rich culture, a regional setting that always draws my attention, and plenty of societal intrigue. Well-written and moderately-paced, it moves well without leaving the reader behind.

Cris and Clem, the twins at the forefront of the Trudeau family, are both likable, easily relatable characters. Though they have strongly differing opinions at times and tend to bicker like only a brother and sister can, it's easy to see the bond between them. Their priorities align. Family comes first.

Both of the siblings have something they're struggling with and I found them to be sympathetic, but never weak. 

The magic system is well thought out, inspired obviously by known ritual magics, but presented in an interesting way. Generational magic is a gift, not a guarantee by birthright. Not everyone can conjure and certainly not as strongly as everyone else, which leaves for some very vengeful rivalries.

The familial warmth is honestly my favorite part of the story. I had really hoped for more of that New Orleans feel, but what little ambience of the fabled city existed.. was a little late to the party for me and not a frequent enough visitor. Though it resulted in me being less immersed and invested, it was still enjoyable.

TJBentonWalker.comPhotographed by Derek Blanks with CrowdMGT
About the Author:


Terry J. Benton-Walker writes fiction for adults, young adults, and children, which also means he spends a lot of time holed up in coffee shops. Terry is the author of Blood Debts, his magical young adult contemporary fantasy debut, coming from Tor Teen in the US on 4/4/23 and from Hodder & Stoughton in the UK on 4/6/23. Blood Debts is also publishing in Poland with Poznaski and We Need YA Books.

Alex Wise vs the End of the World, Terry’s apocalyptic middle grade contemporary fantasy debut, is also forthcoming from Labyrinth Road/PRH in Fall 2023.

Terry grew up in rural GA and holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Master's in Business Administration from Georgia State. He lives in Atlanta with his husband and son. When he’s not writing, he can be found gaming, eating ice cream, or both.
​

You can connect with Terry on Twitter (@tjbentonwalker), Instagram (@icecreamvicelord), or his website: https://www.tjbentonwalker.com.

AUTHOR LINKS: TJBENTONWALKER.COM | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
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'The Severed Thread (The Bone Spindle #2) by Leslie Vedder - Blog Tour & Promotional Post

1/28/2023

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The Severed Thread (The Bone Spindle #2) by Leslie Vedder - Blog Tour Schedule
Continue below to read the synopsis of the book and be sure to follow this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on 'THE SEVERED THREAD' blog tour brought to you by TBR & BEYOND TOURS, RAZORBILL/PRH, and LESLIE VEDDER!

The Severed Thread & The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
The Severed Thread
(The Bone Spindle #2)
Leslie Vedder


Publisher: Razorbill/PRH

Pub Date: February 7th, 2023
​
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance


Synopsis:


Which threads of fate will hold—and which will break?

Clever, bookish Fi and her brash, ax-wielding partner Shane are back in this action packed sequel to the bestselling 
The Bone Spindle, the gender-flipped Sleeping Beauty retelling, perfect for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and The Cruel Prince.

​

Fi has awakened the sleeping prince, but the battle for Andar is far from over. The Spindle Witch, the Witch Hunters, and Fi’s own Butterfly Curse all stand between them and happily ever after.

Shane has her partner’s back. But she’s in for the fight of her life against Red, the right hand of the Spindle Witch who she’s also, foolishly, hellbent on saving.

Briar Rose would do anything to restore his kingdom. But there’s a darkness creeping inside him—a sinister bond to the Spindle Witch he can’t escape.

All hopes of restoring Andar rest on deciphering a mysterious book code, finding the hidden city of the last Witches, and uncovering a secret lost for centuries—one that just might hold the key to the Spindle Witch’s defeat. If they can all survive that long…

Set in a world of twisted fairytales, The Severed Thread combines lost ruins, ride-or-die friendships, and heart-pounding romance.

Content Warning: past abusive/manipulative relationship, abusive parent figure

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www.leslievedder.com
About the Author:


Leslie Vedder (she/her) is a queer ace author who loves fairytale retellings with girl adventurers and heroes! She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction and the Lord of the Rings movies, and met her true love in high school choir. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in creative writing and currently lives in Colorado with her wife and two spoiled house cats.

When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her watching anime and sci-fi shows, walking in the woods and pretending they’re enchanted forests, or playing old video games. She always collects all the Skulltulas in Zelda and all the Dalmation puppies in Kingdom Hearts.

Her debut YA novel THE BONE SPINDLE (Penguin/Razorbill) was an indie bestseller. The sequel THE SEVERED THREAD comes out Feb 7, 2023. Find her online at leslievedder.com.

AUTHOR LINKS: LESLIEVEDDER.COM | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
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'Mysteries of Thorn Manor' by Margaret Rogerson - Book Tour & Review

1/18/2023

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Continue below to read my review of the book and be sure to follow this - [LINK] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'MYSTERIES OF THORN MANOR' tour brought to you by TURN THE PAGE TOURS, SIMON & SCHUSTER, and MARGARET ROGERSON!

Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
Mysteries of Thorn Manor
(Sorcery of Thorns 1.5)
Margaret Rogerson


Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pub Date: January 17th, 2023
​
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy


Synopsis:


Elisabeth Scrivener is finally settling into her new life with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn. Now that their demon companion Silas has returned, so has scrutiny from nosy reporters hungry for gossip about the city’s most powerful sorcerer and the librarian who stole his heart. But something strange is afoot at Thorn Manor: the estate’s wards, which are meant to keep their home safe, are acting up and forcibly trapping the Manor'’ occupants inside. Surely it must be a coincidence that this happened just as Nathaniel and Elisabeth started getting closer to one another…

With no access to the outside world, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas—along with their new maid Mercy—will have to work together to discover the source of the magic behind the malfunctioning wards before they’re due to host the city’s Midwinter Ball. Not an easy task when the house is filled with unexpected secrets, and all Elisabeth can think about is kissing Nathaniel in peace. But when it becomes clear that the house, influenced by the magic of Nathaniel’s ancestors, requires a price for its obedience, Elisabeth and Nathaniel will have to lean on their connection like never before to set things right.

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rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★  (4 / 5 stars)


​'Mysteries of Thorn Manor' is the follow-up novella to 'Sorcery of Thorns' and while I realize I've spoiled a bit of book one for myself, admittedly I'm even more eager to read it than I was before. This author's work is well-rounded, filled with whimsy where it fits, remarkable creativity, and just the right amount of dark, foreboding energy. 

While there's plenty of familiar themes incorporated within the world-building, the details really shine. Specifically, I found the way the grimoires.. and in general.. magic just left to its own devices for too long, was brilliantly handled. I adore the concepts of space and time.. and the chaotic nature of Rogerson's magic.

Nathaniel is lovely and just my type. He's got the tragic backstory, he's armored with deflection through humor, and he's been left damaged by his past. Damaged, but not broken. Elisabeth, while occasionally displaying traits I'm not wild about in female leads, is still a great character. She's kind and warm, mostly relatable, and has a tendency to sometimes take the blunt approach to a problem. The latter of which is really opposite her usual behavior and gives her a streak of unpredictability I quite enjoy.

All that aside, for some reason Silas is still my favorite character in the story. His actions are in direct conflict with everything he says of himself. Even his darker truths have origin in loyalty, making his choices about how to carry out what he needs to do completely palatable to me. Perhaps strangely, I'm deeply moved by him and I really hope there will be another story to come. There certainly seems to be room for one at the end of the novella.

Though I think I own all of Rogerson's books, in some cases.. more than one copy, this is the first of them I've read and I absolutely loved it.

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About the Author:


Margaret Rogerson is the New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens.


An Ohio native, she currently lives near Cincinnati. She has a bachelor's degree in anthropology, and when not busy reading or she enjoys watching more documentaries than most people consider socially acceptable.

AUTHOR LINKS: MARGARETROGERSON.COM | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | TUMBLR
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'The Stolen Heir' by Holly Black - Book Blitz!

1/5/2023

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Be sure to follow this link - [BOOK BLITZ STOPS] to check out the rest of the stops on 'THE STOLEN HEIR' book blitz brought to you by TBR & BEYOND TOURS, LITTLE BROWN BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS, and HOLLY BLACK!

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The Stolen Heir
(The Stolen Heir Duology #1)
Holly Black


Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Pub Date: January 3rd, 2023
​
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy



Synopsis:
Return to the opulent world of Elfhame, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and dangerous desires, with this first book of a captivating new duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black. 
A runaway queen. A reluctant prince. And a quest that may destroy them both.

Eight years have passed since the Battle of the Serpent. But in the icy north, Lady Nore of the Court of Teeth has reclaimed the Ice Needle Citadel. There, she is using an ancient relic to create monsters of stick and snow who will do her bidding and exact her revenge.

Suren, child queen of the Court of Teeth, and the one person with power over her mother, fled to the human world. There, she lives feral in the woods. Lonely, and still haunted by the merciless torments she endured in the Court of Teeth, she bides her time by releasing mortals from foolish bargains. She believes herself forgotten until the storm hag, Bogdana chases her through the night streets. Suren is saved by none other than Prince Oak, heir to Elfhame, to whom she was once promised in marriage and who she has resented for years. 

Now seventeen, Oak is charming, beautiful, and manipulative. He’s on a mission that will lead him into the north, and he wants Suren’s help. But if she agrees, it will mean guarding her heart against the boy she once knew and a prince she cannot trust, as well as confronting all the horrors she thought she left behind.


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About the Author:


Holly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels, including the Novels of Elfhame, THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN, the Spiderwick Chronicles, and her adult debut, BOOK OF NIGHT.

She has been a finalist for an Eisner Award and the Lodestar Award, and the recipient of the Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula, and a Newbery Honor. Her books have been translated into 32 languages worldwide and adapted for film.

She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library.

AUTHOR LINKS: BLACKHOLLY.COM | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST
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'Gleanings: Stories from the Arc of a Scythe' by Neal Shusterman - blog tour, mood board, & review

10/28/2022

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Gleanings: Stories from the Arc of a Scythe by Neal Shusterman - Blog Tour Schedule
Gleanings: Stories from the Arc of the Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Continue below to read my review of the book and be sure to check out this link for - [TURN THE PAGE TOURS]! Thank you to Turn the Page Tours, Simon & Schuster, and Neal Shusterman for the copy gifted for this tour!

Gleanings: Stories from the Arc of the Scythe
(Arc of the Scythe Series)
Neal Shusterman


Publisher: Simon & Shuster
Pub Date: Nov. 8th, 2022
Genres: YA Fantasy, YA Dystopian


SYNOPSIS:

The New York Times bestselling Arc of the Scythe series continues with thrilling stories that span the timeline. Storylines continue. Origin stories are revealed. And new Scythes emerge!


There are still countless tales of the Scythedom to tell. Centuries passed between the Thunderhead cradling humanity and Scythe Goddard trying to turn it upside down. For years humans lived in a world without hunger, disease, or death with Scythes as the living instruments of population control.


Neal Shusterman—along with collaborators David Yoon, Jarrod Shusterman, Sofía Lapuente, Michael H. Payne, Michelle Knowlden, and Joelle Shusterman—returns to the world throughout the timeline of the Arc of a Scythe series. Discover secrets and histories of characters you’ve followed for three volumes and meet new heroes, new foes, and some figures in between.


Gleanings shows just how expansive, terrifying, and thrilling the world that began with the Printz Honor–winning Scythe truly is.
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PURCHASE LINK: SIMONANDSCHUSTER.COM

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​The Arc of the Scythe series has been on my TBR list for some time, and never have I been more sorry that I still haven't read the rest of the books than I am now. 

Wow, this set of stories from the world of the Scythedom is a stunner. 

Rife with cautionary tales, as well as political, social, and economical parallels to issues already plaguing society, it's difficult to imagine Shusterman didn't intend to place some eye-opening commentary in the hands of the readers. I find this is often the case with the more cerebral fantasy and science fiction authors and the result is a more unnerving dystopia than one might otherwise experience.

This particular addition to the series is made up by a variety of stories that follow different Scythes, touching significant moments in their lives. For some, their origin may be revealed, while for others.. we get a glimpse of their comeuppance. Herein lies one of my favorites, but that's in no way to diminish any of the others. 

Gleanings is dark and sometimes surprising. Shusterman's Scythes are both beautiful and terrible, sometimes all at once, and I can't wait to go back and read the rest of the series. His writing is elegantly crafted, complex enough to really hook me, and his stories are bold. He's unafraid to paint his stories brightly with discomforting truths, yet creative enough to allow the reader just enough breathing room so they're not simply overwhelmed with the possibilities of the future. 

The lines between realistic outcomes and fantasy are blurred expertly and I couldn't recommend this series more highly. 

Home | Neal ShustermanPhoto Credit: Gaby Gerster
About the Author:


Neal Shusterman is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty award-winning books for children, teens, and adults, including Dry, Roxy, the Unwind dystology, the Skinjacker trilogy, Downsiders, and Challenger Deep, which won the National Book Award.

Scythe, the first book in his series, Arc of a Scythe, is a Michael L. Printz Honor Book.

Neal has earned the respect and recognition of the library community; three of his books have been ALA Best Books for Young Adults and all of his books have been consistently well-reviewed.

He's a popular speaker on the IRA/NCTE circuit, and at schools all over the country. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows.

Neal is the father of four, all of whom are talented writers and artists themselves.

Visit Neal at STORYMAN.COM and FACEBOOK.COM/NEALSHUSTERMAN
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'The Bone Thief's Tale' by Heleen Davies - Blog Tour & Review

10/19/2022

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Continue below to read my review of the book and be sure to check out this link for -
[TURN THE PAGE TOURS]! Thank you to Turn the Page Tours, Ingram, and Heleen Davies for the copy gifted for this tour!


The Bone Thief's Tale by Heleen Davies
The Bone Thief's Tale
(Bone Thief Saga Book One)
Heleen Davies


Publisher: Ingram

Pub Date: Oct. 14th, 2022
​
Genres: Fantasy, Romance


SYNOPSIS:


Introducing a newly reimagined tale written in the vein of The Little Mermaid meeting Hades and Persephone.


Bound to steal her queen magical bones, thief Lynne knows only one mistake equals death. And yet, she dreams of living in the forbidden world upon the surface, hating every minute in the Underworld. When she secretly develops a crush on a human, she loses a bone in his realm and has no choice but to strike a deal with the only one who could help—an evil witch. To save her life, she must earn the man’s love and bring back the bone in 99 days.


Rio Renero is a notorious gang leader in Chicago and his life has been set to one purpose—to get back at his enemies. With a mysterious, beautiful girl showing up on his doorstep, he sees the solution to his machinations. She offers him a chance at a deadly heist that could destroy all his enemies. In return, he must help her steal a book. What a cinch.


As Lynne and Rio dig deep into a dark net of politics, magic and passion, they need to learn to trust each other.
​


Not so easy, considering they’re not quite sure whether to kiss or kill each other.

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​If you're like me, the cover alone was a head-turner. I'm also a huge fan of both The Little Mermaid and the Hades and Persephone stories, so I'm always excited by new tales woven from either of them. Something that is a bit of a mix? I knew I had to read.


What it did well:

Conceptually, it conveyed The Little Mermaid theme in more of a classic mythology setting, while modernizing the Hades and Persephone angle. I enjoyed the change-up between the two in that way.

The magic system at its base is also really interesting. I love the idea of the way it lingers, leaving its mark, so to speak. That's all I can say though without ruining the details for you.

There are also a couple of cute supporting characters, as would be expected for the sort of Ariel idea and I love the twist on her collection.


What could be better:

Though it's a YA title, the genre is more about the age of the characters, but lately I'm seeing a lot of 'young writing' and that's the case here. 

Both the prose and the characters could use a real flex of development. This seems to be Davies' first book and as that it makes sense. The idea is bold and simply needs a more seasoned hand to live up to its potential. I'd love to see her return to it and rework the manuscript once she has a few more books under her belt.

I would have loved to swoon for Rio and cheer for Lynne. I think I could have even, with a bit more depth throughout. 


All in all, if you're looking for a quick read and love an underdog story, you might give this one a try.
AUTHOR LINKS: HELEENDAVIES.COM | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM
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'Forestfall (World at the Lake's Edge #2) by Lyndall Clipstone - promotional post

9/30/2022

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Forestfall (World at the Lake's Edge #2) - Book Tour Schedule
Continue below to read the synopsis of the book and be sure to follow this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] to check out the rest of the stops on the 'FORESTFALL (WORLD AT THE LAKE'S EDGE #2)' book tour brought to you by TBR & BEYOND TOURS, HENRY HOLT & COMPANY, and LYNDALL CLIPSTONE!

Forestfall (World at the Lake's Edge #2) by Lyndall Clipstone
Forestfall
(World at the Lake's Edge #2)
Lyndall Clipstone


Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.

Pub Date: Sept. 27th, 2022
​
Genres: Young Adult Fantasy


Synopsis:

​Some oaths can never be broken…


The curse that haunted Lakesedge Estate has been broken, but at great cost. Violeta Graceling has sacrificed herself to end the Corruption. To escape death, Leta makes a desperate bargain with the Lord Under, one that sees her living at his side in the land of the dead.

But this world of souls and mist hides many secrets. And when Leta realizes she is still connected to Rowan by a tethering spell, she will risk everything— even her soul— to try and reach him.

Torn between power and love, life and death, Leta struggles to keep hold of her humanity as she falls further and further under the spell of the world Below… and the Lord Under.

Content Warning: Body horror; Gore and blood (including description of wounds); Discussions of death and grief; Descriptions of drowning and deep water; Drowning-related imagery; Self-injury.


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LyndallClipstone.com
About the Author:
​


Lyndall Clipstone writes about monsters and the girls who like to kiss them. A former youth librarian who grew up running wild in the Barossa Ranges of South Australia, she currently lives in Adelaide, where she tends her own indoor secret garden. She has a Bachelors in Creative Writing and a Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Management.

Her debut novel, Lakesedge, has been published in three countries, was a Dymocks Books bestseller, and has been nominated for numerous awards. The sequel, Forestfall, will publish in 2022.
​

She is represented by Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

AUTHOR LINKS: LYNDALLCLIPSTONE.COM | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST | SPOTIFY
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'Whispers in the Waters' by Sarah Chislon - Book Blitz

9/29/2022

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Whispers in the Waters
Sarah Chislon
Publication date: September 27th 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Mystery

Ladies don’t shame their families.

Ladies don’t confront Otherwordly threats.

Ladies certainly don’t admit some taint of the fae has touched their souls—unless they wish to find themselves confined to an Institution.

Gently-bred herbalist Jessa Caldwell is trying to be a lady. She conceals her true nature amongst her plants and her sketches—where she can almost shut out the whispers she alone hears. But a threat to her beloved aunt forces her from the comfort of home to a town perilously near an Otherworldly Crossing, with its ever-present risk of fae incursions.

To protect her aunt and the townsfolk she comes to care for, she must uncover the individual responsible for a series of increasingly dangerous attacks—but to find this saboteur will require embracing the part of herself she fears most, an act that could cost her dearly. In a world where Vigilists lock up fae-touched mortals, Jessa must decide if she’s willing to risk exposing her true nature to obtain the truth and protect those she loves.

Whispers in the Waters, a gaslamp fantasy novella, serves as the prequel to Tattoo of Crimson, the first book in the Blood of the Fae series. If you like quick-minded heroines who solve cases with logic and intuition, Otherworldly intrigues, and beautiful yet deadly fae, then you’ll love this mystery set in a world of manners and mythical monsters.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

I rounded a bend, and the slight woman I’d seen in the stratesman’s shadow when we’d arrived in Milburn stumbled down the lane, her gown of muslin streaked with dirt and littered with forest debris. She clutched a ragged silk shawl around her shoulders, as though it could shield her from notice.

Nelda, Mrs. Wilkins had called her. Her palm dripped blood, and tears streaked her cheeks. For a moment, I remained rooted in place. If the townsfolk were to be believed, Nelda had brought a vengeful attack against Melle and her family. But the downcast lines of her body spoke of brokenness and distress, not malice.

“Nelda?” I hoped she wouldn’t take offense at the use of her given name from a stranger. I hurried forward. “You’re hurt. What happened?”

“I . . . I don’t know.” Nelda lifted her hand and watched as blood wept from it, one drop after another splatting against the dusty surface of the road. The wound cut deep.

Could Mrs. Wilkins have been right when she’d suggested madness? I shifted the bundle of clothes from one arm to the other. “Can I accompany you home and find someone to tend your injury?”

She laughed, a wild, off-key sound. “Home? I have no home.”

“Then where are you staying?” I lowered my voice in an attempt to soothe her. “I’ll help you there and fetch an herbalist, if it suits you.”

“Staying? No one will house me. Not after what’s happened at the mill.” She jabbed toward the trees with her uninjured hand. “I stay in the forest. At least here, I’m close. Close to where home used to be.”

I drew in a sharp breath. To live in the forest, this close to a Crossing? It was unthinkable. Otherkind might lurk anywhere, not to mention natural predators. Had the entire town truly forsaken her, simply because she’d wed the wrong man and he’d abandoned her? Or was there more that I missed? Society offered swift condemnation for those who failed to abide by its strictures, but other than a poor choice in a husband, what wrong had she done?

She swayed, and I rushed to steady her. “You can’t stay out here. You need proper shelter and someone to look at your wound. Come with me into Milburn, and we’ll find an herbalist.”

“No, I can’t.” She backed away, every scrap of color leeching from already-pale features. “No one here wants to help. They’d only try to lock me up!”

Author Bio:

Sarah Chislon lives in Virginia with her husband and three daughters. When she’s not writing, she’s homeschooling her children and running a web development business with her husband. As an avid reader and a lifelong story-weaver, she delights in creating fantastic worlds and exploring them alongside her characters.

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'Avalon' by Liv Knight

9/28/2022

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Avalon by Liv Knight
Avalon
Liv Knight


Publisher: Hegge Press

​Pub Date: January 24, 2022
​
Genres: Urban Fantasy, New Adult Romance


Synopsis:



Kohl Merrifield is a Fallen Fae: breathtakingly beautiful but of criminal blood – and banished to the human world to entertain women for the rest of his days at the infamous Avalon Club. They clipped his wings and took his magic; ensured there’s no chance of him ever rebelling or wielding any power. But there is something they overlooked. They forgot that beauty is power - and that’s the one thing they left him with.


After her first night at Avalon, a night club famous for the entertainment provided by the beautiful Fallen Fae, Bree gets swept up in the smoldering gaze of one of the club’s most coveted Fae: Kohl Merrifield. Just a pretty distraction. Easy... Simple.

Until she starts to notice there might be more to Kohl than his devilish grin, the lean muscles, and those intense green eyes.

Until she starts to suspect he might be dangerous.

Bree believes Kohl is part of an underground group fighting to overthrow the system that keeps Fae like him confined to the club – a regime that Bree’s ancestors fought hard to put in place. And now she’s determined to prove that her suspicions are right and bring Kohl and the other rebels to justice.

Only she didn’t count on the fact that getting closer to her enemy would upend everything she thought she knew. And that there might be more sinister things going on at Avalon than the sensual distractions that draw the crowds.

As alliances blur, conspiracies erupt, and violence escalates, Bree is forced to make the toughest decision of her life: is she willing to betray everything she was raised to protect, for a rebel Fae she’s not even sure she can trust?

Come step through the shimmering doors of Avalon...


r e v i e w


Drawn to this book by the rather traumatic experience laid out in the synopsis, I was eager to get to know Kohl and see how he had dealt with what had been done to him. I was also curious what kind of 'civilization' was in place that could set that type of trauma in motion. In what world did the act of clipping the wings of a fae and stripping them of their magic.. seem acceptable?

Most of all, I was curious as to what horrible thing he'd done to be condemned this way. The answer to that last question was shocking actually, leaving me feeling for him immediately. Nevermind the fact he is beautiful and highly sought after for his 'company.' It's an empty kind of admiration and there are things happening behind the scenes that don't quite match up.

Bree, the main character which we follow throughout the story, was the one aspect I really struggled to like. I understand that she grew up a result of her circumstance, just like Kohl, and that certain biases were at play due to that upbringing. I get that at first, there would be doubts and distrust, but there are points in the story where I strongly disliked the way she treated their kind and Kohl in particular. Certainly there were times when I felt she should have known better or given benefit of the doubt to someone, rather than passing the harshest judgements and hurling cruel comments at them.

There's a fairly uncommon dynamic at play between the humans and fae, which I really enjoyed overall and the enemies-to-lovers trope is well done. Knight made a lot of interesting, bold choices with the direction of the story that I felt other authors might shy away from, leaving me both impressed and excited to see more of her work.

Despite my personal conflict over Bree, I loved the story and I'll be keeping an eye out for more!
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'Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked #3)' by Kerri Maniscalco - Book Blitz

9/27/2022

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Check out this link - [TOUR SCHEDULE] for a complete list of the rest of the stops on the 'Kingdom of the Feared' book blitz tour brought to you by TBR & BEYOND TOURS, LITTLE BROWN BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS, and KERRI MANISCALCO!

Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked #3) by Kerri Maniscalco
 Kingdom of the Feared
(Kingdom of the Wicked #3)
Kerri Maniscalco


Publisher: Page Street Publishing/Page Street Kids

Pub Date: Sept. 27th, 2022
​
Genres: Young Adult Fantasy Romance


Synopsis:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stalking the Jack the Ripper series comes the steamy conclusion to Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy. 


Two curses.
One prophecy.
A reckoning all have feared.


And a love more powerful than fate. All hail the king and queen of Hell.


Emilia is reeling from the shocking discovery that her twin sister, Vittoria, is alive. But before she faces the demons of her past, Emilia yearns to claim her king, the seductive Prince of Wrath, in the flesh. Emilia doesn’t simply desire his body, she wants his heart and soul—but that’s something the enigmatic demon can’t promise her.


When a high-ranking member of House Greed is assassinated, Emilia and Wrath are drawn to the rival demon court. Damning evidence points to Vittoria as the murderer and she’s quickly declared an enemy of the Seven Circles. Despite her betrayal, Emilia will do anything to solve this new mystery and find out who her sister really is.


Together Emilia and Wrath play a sin-fueled game of deception as they work to stop the unrest that’s brewing between witches, demons, shape-shifters and the most treacherous foes of all: the Feared.
Emilia was warned that when it came to the Wicked nothing was as it seemed. But, have the true villains been much closer all along? When the truth is finally revealed, it just might end up costing Emilia her heart.

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KERRIMANISCALCO.COM
About the Author:


Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

​


She is the #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series and the forthcoming Kingdom of the Wicked.                         

AUTHOR LINKS: KERRIMANISCALCO.COM | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM TWITTER | FACEBOOK | TUMBLR | PINTEREST
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