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Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Comic Review: Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 (of 4)

The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! comic book cover
Universal Monsters: The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives! #1 (of 4)
April 24, 2024
Writers: Ram V, Dan Watters
Artists: Matthew Roberts, Dave Stewart
Publisher: Skybound (Image Comics)
Lunar Code: 0224IM219
MINISERIES PREMIERE
A NEW HORROR DREAM TEAM RESURRECTS ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC MONSTERS
Acclaimed creators DAN WATTERS (HOME SICK PILOTS, Lucifer), RAM V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Batman: Detective Comics), and MATTHEW ROBERTS (MANIFEST DESTINY) rise from the depths for an all-new epic.
Years after the events of the original film, journalist Kate Marsden hunts for a notorious serial killer in the heart of the Amazon. Hot on the trail of this madman, she soon encounters an unexpected new threat—but is it friend or foe? Or is it simply...THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON?


This miniseries resurrects one of the most iconic Universal monsters. Acclaimed creators Dan Watters, Ram V, and Matthew Roberts rise from the depths for an all-new epic.

Years after the events of the original film, journalist Kate Marsden hunts for a notorious serial killer in the heart of the Amazon. Hot on the trail of this madman, she soon encounters an unexpected new threat- but is it friend or foe? Or is it simply… THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON?

I have been waiting for this comic book since last year, when I first I heard they were spotlighting the Universal monsters from my childhood. And the Creature is still my favorite monster of all time! (Sorry, C.H.U.D.) Image and Skybound did not disappoint.

I have to begin by applauding the artwork. I’m not a fan of comic art that wants to prove how artsy it is, or overdoes splash pages, or worse of the worst- draws my horror or heroes cartoonish. Roberts creates perfect images that hit the realism and never distract from the story. The creators wisely let their multiple variant covers do their bragging. And they are beautiful. It’s hard not to collect them all. Or pick just one to be my new tramp stamp.
The story flies fast, yet doesn’t skimp on plot or characters. We know all about Kate, the attempted drowning that almost murdered her, and her tortured life every day since. Strung out on amphetamine, she follows her target, the serial killer Collier, into foreign countries and unknown territories. It’s clear her need for revenge and closure override most of her common sense and caution towards danger. With the help of a few locals, she is able to close in, as an interesting subplot is laid out.

But here’s the reason I’m diving into this miniseries. My beloved Creature. Watters and Ram V treat him with respect. When another body is found in the river, Collier’s M.O., the gathering of townspeople explain it was the Creature. Kate dismisses the urban legend. She knows fact from fiction. But, uh, no. She don’t. I love how the old woman explains the Creature is not cruel. It is not a monster. It simply takes people for the river. Most importantly, the Creature does not like to be spoken of. My grandmother was very much the same way.

As any good cliff hanger does, our star makes his appearance in the final pages. It’s done with suspense, with horror, so well you can hear the Creature’s classic theme music. I cannot wait for the next issue and the entire series. But at the same time, it’s kinda like Christmas. The anticipation of opening my next present is a huge part of the fun. 

Definitely five waterlogged sheep!


 

 

 

Reviewed by Olga Dickie (the reviewer's name has been changed to protect the guilty) 

 

YA Paranormal Romance: Curses of Midnight Springs Serird by Valerie Jo + giveaway

When a lost wolf shifter meets a beautiful thief, their lives will change forever . . .

 
Brooke and the Wolf (Curses of Midnight Springs Book 1)

by Valerie Jo
April 25, 2023
Genre: Clean YA Paranormal Romance
When a lost wolf shifter meets a beautiful thief, their lives will change forever…

Brooke has been forced to grow up and take care of her ten year old sister all at once during her senior year of high school. With her drug addict mother mostly out of the picture, keeping a roof over her and her sister is more than a challenge. Without any money or food, she resorts to stealing at the farmers' market.

Peter first started turning into a wolf at age eight. When he gets too emotional, the wolf takes full control over his body and mind, and he doesn’t remember anything during that time. To avoid hurting anyone, Peter lives in isolation in the woods, only emerging to sell fish at the farmers' market to get money for supplies.

When Brooke steals a fish from Peter, both of their worlds turn upside down.

Brooke is just trying to get through her last year of high school. With too much responsibility already, is getting entangled with a potentially dangerous wolf boy a huge mistake?

Or will the love Brooke and Peter find in each other be enough to carve out a home in a world that has rejected them both?

If you love young adult paranormal romances, Brooke and the Wolf is for you. Featuring a cursed wolf shifter finding love with a human girl, this story hits all the good stuff. Get ready for one epic love story filled with surprise, danger, and drama as you discover if Brooke and Peter will find happiness in the end.

**Only .99cents!**
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Raven and the Ghost (Curses of Midnight Springs Book 2)

If you know the guy you love is lying, do you call him out on it?

If you love young adult paranormal romances, you will swoon over Raven and the Ghost. Featuring a fake relationship, a terrible secret, magic, and ghosts, you will stay up late to read “one more chapter.” Get ready for the second installment in the Curses of Midnight Springs series, full of more surprises, romance, and drama as you discover if Raven and Nash can find their way to each other through the web of lies.

Buy this book to continue the epic series today!

Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

Juliet and the Assassin (Curses of Midnight Springs Book 3)

Would you fight to remember your past, no matter how terrible it was?

Read Book Three of the Curses of Midnight Springs Saga today to find out!

Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

Holly and the Unseen (Curses of Midnight Springs Book 4)

If your greatest enemy was your only hope, could you trust them?

Order Book Four to read the epic final installment of the Curses of Midnight Springs Saga today and find out!

Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

Darcy and the Wildfire (Experiments of Midnight Springs Book 1)

Who would want to live forever in chains?

Can Jeff and Darcy save each other from their seemingly sealed fates?

How many casual kisses does it take to fall in love?

Read Book One of the Experiments of Midnight Springs series today to find out!
**Only .99cents!**
Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

**Check out the newly released coloring book! **

Curses of Midnight Springs Coloring Book

This coloring book is a must-have companion for the Midnight Springs fandom!

Featuring 46 colorable pages, the Curses of Midnight Springs coloring book will help readers dive even deeper into the world of Midnight Springs. Included are a variety of mandalas, quote pages, object-based designs, and decorative floral patterns--all printed on one side of the page with a blank back to avoid bleed-through (because everyone hates that, right?)

Elements from the following books are included:

Brooke and the Wolf
Raven and the Ghost
Juliet and the Assassin
Holly and the Unseen

If you can't get enough of the Curses of Midnight Springs series, this coloring book is for you!

(Also, be sure to check out the next series in this world, the Experiments of Midnight Springs.)

Get it on Amazon!


About the Author:
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Amazon-Goodreads
Valerie Jo is a young-adult paranormal romance author. Her goal as an author is to merge the fantasy worlds of Sarah J. Maas and Richelle Mead with the contemporary romance styles of Simone Elkeles and Katie McGarry. (If you haven't read anything by these authors, add them to your tbr list. You won't regret it.)

Valerie is a Christian, a wife to an amazing man, and a mother to two beautiful and brilliant children, so she knows all about love and being loved well. Sadly, she had to experience much heartache to get to this point. Her greatest desire is for her readers to find love and peace in the pages of her books, and to never settle for less than that in their own lives. ❤


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon giftcard,
Curses of Midnight Springs Coloring Book
-1 winner each!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 29, 2024

The Musician and the Monster: A Gothic Beauty and the Beast Retelling (The Castamar Duology Book 1) by Megan Van Dyke

If you’re looking for a gothic romantasy that’s a fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast, this book is for you! Pre-order The Musician and the Monster today!

The Musician and the Monster book cover, Gothic romantasy
The Musician and the Monster: A Gothic Beauty and the Beast Retelling (The Castamar Duology Book 1)

by Megan Van Dyke
May 7, 2024
Genre: Gothic Romantic Fantasy
💖 Forbidden love
☑️ Morally grey MMC
⚔️ Determined heroine
🎶 Music is powerful
🔥 Slow burn to steamy
❄️ Wintertime
🥀 Gothic vibes
❤️‍🩹 Hurt/comfort
🗡️ Touch her and 💀
✨ Magic
🎭 Masquerade
Music says things words never can. I love you. I miss you. I’m sorry I killed you.

Every night, Ceridwen Kinsley plays music on her rooftop for the spirit of her dead mother. A peaceful if odd ritual, until she witnesses a murder by something not quite human. The monstrous encounter earns her notoriety within the city and a visit from the reclusive Lord Protector Drystan Winterbourne.

Charged with protecting the backwater city of Teneboure by the king, Drystan is failing at his task, and he can’t afford another slip up. But when fate and the very monster he means to conquer bring Ceridwen to his notice, he seizes the opportunity and presents her with an offer: play music for him at his manor in exchange for the money her impoverished family desperately needs. Music eases the strain of his magic, and who better to hire than the woman whose tunes he secretly listens to at night?

At first, Ceridwen is put off by Drystan’s unkempt appearance and harsh demeanor, not to mention the odd ailment that plagues him. But as he embraces her passion for music and she draws the recluse out of his lonely tower, the two develop an unlikely attachment. Class lines begin to blur as fearful indifference shifts to unexpected desire, and Ceridwen yearns to help Drystan subdue the monster as well as provide for her family. However, the monster prowling the night isn’t their only enemy, and as terrible secrets come to light, protecting those they love may risk their lives and their hearts.

This retelling of Beauty and the Beast incorporates themes and motifs from Phantom of the Opera, and is set in a gaslamp fantasy world with strong gothic vibes. It should appeal to fans of romantic and atmospheric retellings and fairy tales by authors such as Hannah Whitten, Tessonja Odette, and Stephanie Garber.


About the Author
Website
Megan Van Dyke is an award-winning fantasy romance author with a love for all things magical and romantic, especially fairytales and anything with a happily ever after. Many of her stories include themes of family (whether born into or found) and a sense of home and belonging, which are important aspects of her life as well. When not writing, Megan loves to cook, play video games, explore the great outdoors, and spend time with her family. Megan currently lives with her family in Florida.

X: @AuthorMeganVD @RRBookTours1 #RRBookTours

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TIKTOK: @MeganVanDyke @shannon_of_rrbooktours

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#rrbooktours #rrbtthemusicianandthemonster #TheMusicianAndTheMonster #romantasy #fairytaleretelling #beautyandthebeast #beautyandthebeastretelling #forbiddenlove #gothicromance #meganvandyke #gaslampfantasy #morallygrey #gothicfantasy
 
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Sunday, April 28, 2024

PNR: Alder King Spring (Wild Wanderings Book 2 - Standalone) by Talia Greer

It's release week so you don't need to wait any longer for Talia Greer's latest book, Alder King Spring!

Alder King Spring book cover, paranormal romance by Talia Greer
Alder King Spring (Wild Wanderings Book 2 - Standalone)
by Talia Greer
April 30, 2024
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Shifter Romance
⛈️Grumpy/Sunshine
🌲Small-Town Wooded Setting
Woodland Magic
🔥Slow Burn
💭Sentient Forest
🏳️‍🌈Demisexual and Bisexual Rep
🕰️Loose Beauty and the Beast Vibes
📖German Folklore Inspiration
As his curse’s deadline approaches, Kaspar and his beloved enchanted forest stand on the brink of doom.

Deep in the snowy forests of Germany, the Alder King of legend runs short on time. Cursed by a vengeful sorceress for his father’s misdeeds, Kaspar’s desperate quest for the one elusive remedy–love–becomes increasingly dire. Each passing day, his hope dwindles, for who could ever see past his face, marred by the scars of ancient magic?

Eliza Wilson has two missions: write her dissertation and savor her fleeting days of freedom. Her fiancé considers her interests pointless, and while her family loves him, Eliza longs for a deeper connection. With their wedding on the horizon, this research trip is her last chance to indulge her interest in all things mythical.

Though the country house she rents a room in is breathtaking, the surly landlord–who covers his face and seems reluctant to acknowledge her unless they’re discussing literature–soon becomes more fascinating than her research.

As her determination to unravel his secrets brings them closer, Eliza unearths the grim destiny of the ailing king and realizes that she holds the sole key to his salvation–if only he would allow himself to be saved.

Will she make a dutiful return to her indifferent fiancé? Or will she choose the risk of a lifetime and indulge her forbidden attraction to a stubborn and lonely mythical king who refuses her help at every turn?

Perfect for readers of Kathryn Moon and Lillian Lark, Alder King Spring is a dual-POV, full-length paranormal monster romance that draws inspiration from German folklore. It has a guaranteed HEA and features a grumpy/sunshine dynamic and a loose Beauty and the Beast retelling. See author’s website for more detailed content warnings.

Alder King Spring is the second in a series of small-town standalones, each set in a different location and season. All books in the Wild Wandering series can be read in any order.

Amazon

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Thursday, April 25, 2024

YA Fantasy: A Bond of Fate by Stephanie Duley

A Bond of Fate
by Stephanie Duley
Publication Date: March 23, 2024
Genre: YA Fantasy
🗣️Witty Banter
💕Fated Mates
🥨Plot Twists
🐺Fey, Werewolves, & Vampires
🥰Love Triangle
"A Bond of Fate" presents a captivating narrative about two destined young mates in a world where supernatural beings coexist with humans. The tale follows the incredible journey of Evelyn Latham, a strong and self-reliant young woman, and Liam O’Leary, a compelling and resilient young man.

One fateful night, Evie and Liam's paths cross, revealing an ancient prophecy that designates them as the world's saviors. Unaware of a looming malevolent threat rising from Hell, endangering both humans and supernatural beings, they embark on a dangerous quest guided by destiny. Together, they seek to unravel their origins, unlock their latent powers, and confront the encroaching darkness.

As their bond strengthens, Evie and Liam navigate through the challenging landscapes of the Fey lands, facing formidable foes and battling their inner demons. To restore balance to the realms, they must embrace their true selves, wield their unique abilities, and confront the impending darkness.

This enchanting story blends romance, fantasy, and adventure, delving into themes of love, sacrifice, and the timeless clash between good and evil. Will Evie and Liam fulfill their destined roles, triumph over evil, and bring light to the world, or will darkness prevail, casting the realm into eternal gloom?


Kindle Unlimited

IG: @stephduley_author @rrbooktours

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#rrbooktours #rrbtabondoffate #abondoffate #yafantasyromance #yafantasy #romantasy #fatedmates #mythicalcreatures #yabookstagram #ireadya

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Excerpt: The Divine and Deadly (Magorian and Jones Book Five) by Taylen Carver + giveaway

The Divine and Deadly urban fantasy book cover by Taylen Carver
The Divine and Deadly (Magorian and Jones Book Five)
by Taylen Carver
April 18, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Publisher: Stories Rule Press
ISBN: Amazon 9781779432049
ASIN: B0CQ98S9GK
Number of pages: 220
Word Count: 81,000 words
Cover Artist: Dar Albert
The old gods have arrived, ready to punish humans and Old Ones with tribulations that resemble hell on Earth.

Magorian, the world’s first modern wizard, and Dr. Michael Jones, failed to stop the Siren, Aurelius, from summoning the old gods. Now the world is reeling from the destruction that Agrona, God of Slaughter and Carnage, is hailing down upon every mortal, no matter what their race.

Magorian and Jones must find a way to send the old gods back to where they came from before their ways crack open the world and destroy everyone upon it, both human and Old Ones.

The Divine and Deadly is the final book in the urban fantasy series, Magorian & Jones, by Taylen Carver.


Praise for the Magorian & Jones Series:
1.0: The Memory of Water
2.0: The Triumph of Felix
3.0: The Shield of Agrona
3.1: The Wizard Must be Stopped!
4.0: The Rivers Ran Red
5.0: The Divine and Deadly

Plenty of exciting twists and turns.

Feel the tingling of danger, the aha's of escaping death, and the excitement of magic.

I loved this and will continue on with the series.

I’m a sucker for wounded, conflicted heroes, and Jones was just that.

I loved it; a magnificent first book in this really different new series.

Will definitely look for further books by this author and series.

Fast paced, exciting reads you won't want to put down!

I'm overjoyed to be back in this amazing world building series

I highly recommend this series to all who love fantasy with a twist, adventure, surprises, and the occasional human, aside from one of our human heroes of course

story manages to be more intimate than ever

This book gets dark and gritty right from the beginning and does not shy away

the kind of story that will drag you in and keep you reading

Well paced, good balance between action and character development

Such is the joy of reading the works of an excellent writer with a great imagination and the ability to tell an absolutely fascinating story.

Excerpt: Chapter One
I have watched hundreds of humans suffer through their transformation from human to Old One. Some say I am an expert in this, but I would dispute that. I don’t think there are any experts. Too little is known about the transformation process for anyone to claim the status. The experience I have lets me ease my patients’ agony a little, and avoids harming them in the process. But no skill of mine changes the course of the transformation by a single micron.

I watched Henry Magorian writhe and twist on the bed I stood beside, reviewing my uselessness, and finding it ironic that I was so helpless. Henry was Benjamin Magorian’s older brother, and a slimey wretch of a man. Yet he was my patient. I was required to give him the best care possible. His family had flown us out to Montreal from Toledo, Spain, on a private and very expensive jet, for this purpose.

Pain is pain. I hated seeing the man claw at the expensive sheets, the tendons in his neck and wrists standing out like ships’ hawsers. He wore only boxer briefs and his entire body was bathed in sweat. He had been sweating for hours, now. We had changed the sheets twice.
I made myself look away. Watching him helped no one. I put the stethascope on the tray table the family had thoughtfully provided and looked at Jaimie.

She held her hands out over Henry’s body, just above the thrashing shoulders, concentrating on whatever information travelled through her palms. I wasn’t certain what she could detect, for the mystery of fae magic was not readily shared by any of them.

Jaimie wore her thick pale hair up in a pony tail at the back of her head, which allowed her pointed ears to be seen. Normally, she was careful to drape her hair over her ears when among humans, but we’d long since passed that consideration. We’d been in this room for nearly thirty hours, and members of the family had stopped stepping in to check on their cousin/uncle.

She held her flawless face in a stiff, neutral expression. She was not allowing herself to show how worried she was. But I’d had seen too many transitions. I was worried myself.

“He’s fighting it,” I said.

Jaimie looked up, then back down at her patient. “Yes.”

It was the first time either of us had said it, although I think we’d both guessed as soon as we’d walked into the elegant pale blue and cream room. The family had bundled all three of us, including Ben, onto a jet on standby at Toledo’s small private landing field, the moment Henry Magorian had shown the first signs of transition. It had taken nine hours to reach Montreal, plus an hour at either end for local travel and ten minutes of lightning-speed packing.

So we had first seen Henry over eleven hours after he had begun transitioning, and we’d been here, save for small cat naps in the bedroom next door, for thirty hours.

Forty hours, more or less, and he still showed no physical changes.

Henry kicked and moaned, then curled up into a tight ball.

“I can take away the pain. A little, at least,” Jaimie said. Her voice was strained. She had slept less than I. Fae could reduce pain by breathing in bad humours—which was not a medieval conceit for them. It wasn’t as effective as an angel breathing on the patient, but it did work.
“You know the danger in that.” We’d both learned that reducing the pain too much let the patient relax. The transition required that they move, so that the metabolism was elevated, allowing the organs to evolve. The extreme fever was another function of the transition. It was the mechanism that changed the patient’s DNA expression, the key to the transition. Lowering the body temperature could suspend the transition, too.

Jaimie put her fingers to her temples. She had no medical training in her human history. She had been a soldier in the British army. It was only her transition to a fae that made health work feasible. She was less used to watching a patient suffer than I, although she would always find it stressful, no matter how used to it she became. We all did, despite a hardening of one’s empathy once exposed to too much of it.

“He should have changed by now.” Her voice wavered. “I don’t know of anyone taking this long.”

“I have seen some cases last this long,” I said grimly. I didn’t add the remainder of that statement—that everyone who had fought their transition for this long did not survive. Jaimie didn’t need that additional worry. It was quite likely she was well aware of this statistic. I just didn’t want to bring it to the forefront of her thoughts.

“Is there anything else we can do?” Her wonderful silvery eyes were red-rimmed, but still worth staring into. Even after thirty hours of hard work and worry, even wearing the travel creased clothing she’d arrived in and slept in, she looked wonderful.

I pushed away the betraying thought and tried to find an answer to her question, for the fear in her voice was real. It wasn’t fear of death. She had been a soldier and now was a fae who dispensed magical healing. She was accustomed to death.

I knew the source of her fear. This was Henry Magorian. Ben’s brother. Jaimie did not want to let Ben down. She wanted to save Henry for him.

So did I, even though I had learned to loathe Henry not long after meeting him.

I’d sent Ben out of the room hours ago. His pacing and his unhelpful suggestions, along with his anxious questions every time Henry moaned or moved, had not helped either Jaimie or I concentrate. As far as I knew, Ben was in the next room and, as it was two in the morning, Toledo time, he was probably sleeping, even though bright summer sunlight streamed through the windows.

It was eight in the evening, Quebec time, on a blazingly hot day, but none of the external weather reached us, for this house had a controlled environment kept at a pleasant twenty-three degrees with just the right degree of humidity. The window of the room we were in had remained closed and sealed against the heat outside. The view from the window was magnificent, for the house stood high upon the exlsuive Summit area, with a jaw-dropping view of the Old City and the St. Lawrence river twinkling on the horizon.

The Magorian family could afford the luxury of whole-house environmental controls, just as they could afford private transatlantic flights, and bribes to ease an Old One through two nations’ customs and immigration border checks.

Ben had insisted that they make the arrangements to bring Jaimie into the country. He had argued that Jaimie could help Henry as much as I could. The family, desparate as they were, had complied, although I had no idea what it had taken to make it happen. Canada was particular about who they let into their country, especially when it came to the Old Ones. Unlike Spain, Canada had so far refused refugees, although there were many unofficial refugees flooding across the Canada/United Stated border. Canada was not xenophobic, though. It was the first country in the world to acknowledge the Old Ones legally.

Here, Old Ones were not automatically considered “dead” after turning. They were in a legal limbo, still, but the assets they’d held as a human, and might acquire as an Old One, were also held in legal stasis, rather than passed onto heirs. It was a half-step toward giving Old Ones full citizenship, or at least residency, and the rights and obligations that came with it. The government was still arguing the point in Ottawa.

But Jaimie, despite a lack of indentity documentation, had merely received a nod of acknowledgement from the customs official who had stamped Ben’s and my passports. I had spotted a photograph of Jaimie attached to his clipboard.

She stared at me now, hope showing in her eyes, as I appeared to be thinking of another way to save Henry Magorian.

I desparately wanted to come up with a solution. I wanted her to look at me with relief and gratitude. I wanted her to….well, that was never going to happen. But still, I wanted to please her.

So I made myself consider every single possibility. What had we not done for this horrible man? What else could we try?

I stared down at his curled up body. If he continued to fight the transition, it would not end well. Did he know that? Did he resent the idea of becoming an Old One so passionately, that he was putting up this marathon resistance?

That gave me an idea. I looked at Jaimie. “It’s a long shot.”

“I don’t care.”

That was exactly what I had expected her to say. “That thing Ben did, in New York, with the proto-wizard?”

“The mind meld?” She didn’t smile at the pop culture name we’d adopted for whatever it was that Ben had done to the man, as she usually did. She was a huge Star Trek fan, which I found, well, illlogical, given her former profession. Or perhaps that was exactly why she liked the show so much. A professional soldier would appreciate a peaceful utopia. “What of it?” she added.

“If he could reach Henry, he could tell him to stop fighting the transition.”
Jaimie looked down at Henry, who certainly couldn’t hear us now. “Do you think he doesn’t already know that?”

“He quite likely does know that. But Henry likes to get his own way.” He’d fooled Ben into signing over his portion of the family inheritence because he didn’t like Ben’s choice of lifestyle. “If Ben could appeal to him, let him see…” I made myself say it. “Let him see that if he doesn’t let this happen, he’ll die. Henry’s sense of self-preservation might kick in.”

Jaimie pressed her lips together. She hadn’t met Henry, but I’m sure Ben had shared with her the reason why he had to rely on his income as a wizard, when his family was so well off.

“I’ll go and get him,” she said. “A long shot is better than the nothing we’ve got without it.”

About the Author:
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Taylen Carver is the pen name used by bestselling author Tracy Cooper-Posey.

As Taylen Carver, she writes contemporary, epic and urban fantasy stories and novels. As Tracy Cooper-Posey, she writes romantic suspense, historical, paranormal, fantasy and science fiction romance, plus women’s fiction. She also writes science fiction, including best-selling space opera, under the pen name of Cameron Cooper.

She has published over 180 titles under all pen names since 1999, been nominated for five CAPAs including Favourite Author, and won the Emma Darcy Award. She turned to indie publishing in 2011. Her indie titles have been nominated four times for Book of The Year. Tracy won the award in 2012, a SFR Galaxy Award in 2016 and came fourth in Hugh Howey’s SPSFC#2 in 2023. She has been a national magazine editor and for a decade she taught romance writing at MacEwan University.

She is addicted to Irish Breakfast tea and chocolate, sometimes taken together. In her spare time she enjoys history, Sherlock Holmes, science fiction and fantasy and ignoring her treadmill. An Australian Canadian, she lives in Edmonton, Canada with her husband, a former professional wrestler, where she moved in 1996 after meeting him on-line.

Tweet:
Last book in Taylen Carver’s contemporary fantasy series, The Divine and Deadly, now out! See how the goblyns, fae, dragons, survive the arrival of the gods themselves. https://books2read.com/DivineandDeadly https://amzn.to/4a9pDGA
#contemporaryfantasy #fantasy #orcs #dragons #newrelease #magic #wizard

Tour Giveaway
3 sets of ebooks of the first five titles in the series
1.0: The Memory of Water
2.0: The Triumph of Felix
3.0: The Shield of Agrona
3.1: The Wizard Must be Stopped!
4.0: The Rivers Ran Red

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Excerpt: Darkness Falls (Nature’s Fury, #1) by A.E. Faulkner + giveaway

Darkness Falls (Nature’s Fury, #1)

by A.E. Faulkner
March 31st 2019
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult
Book 1 of 5: Nature's Fury

Our family trip to the beach ended before it even began. Mother Nature made sure of that.

Our parents…gone in an instant. It’s just me and my sister. 100 miles from home. No car. No phones. No money. Down to our last crumbs of food.

But just when we figure out what to do, she vanishes.

Mother Nature reached her breaking point and everyone’s paying the price. I have a feeling she isn’t done just yet.

But guess what? Neither am I.

Can Quinn survive the dark side of humanity and outrun nature’s fury? Click Buy Now to find out.

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Darkness Falls, Excerpt 1:
“Aidan, man, we should probably get going soon,” Jeff says, pulling me away from the threatening spiral of memories. His interruption is a welcome distraction.

“You’re right,” Aidan says, his eyes locked with mine. “But before we go, Quinn, you need to know, you’re not safe here. Do you have somewhere else to go?”

“What are you talking about?” My head volleys back and forth between the guys. Jeff runs a hand through his short brown hair and exhales a sigh. He leans in conspiratorially and says in a hushed voice, “Look, we’ve been checking out the unoccupied homes around here. You know, just borrowing things to help us get by. But one of the trailers we went to, we thought it was empty…”

Aidan finishes for him. “Quinn, one of your neighbors is dead. We thought the trailer was vacant, so we went inside. We grabbed some canned food and other stuff from the kitchen and then we went to the bedroom to see if there were any blankets and pillows.”

Tag-teaming again, Jeff continues. “We thought the smell was some food rotting. But… we found her just lying there on the bed, lifeless. Looked like she was stabbed. There was blood on the sheets and blanket.” He pauses momentarily before breaking the silence. “We would have helped her if we could, but she was gone.”

I raise a hand to cover my gaping mouth. The scream I heard the other night. That must have been it. Why didn’t I think to go see what was happening? Maybe I could have helped her. Maybe I could have stopped it.

“Guys, which trailer? Where did you see this?” I don’t know many of the permanent residents, and if it was someone who is only here for vacations, there’s no chance I know her.

Aidan steps to the edge of the porch and points, “Two homes down in that direction. The one with the wishing well in the front yard.” I wrap my arms around myself to contain the shiver running through me. The guys exchange a look and I know what’s coming next.

“Look, we gotta go,” Aidan says. “How about we check on you tomorrow? Would that be okay? Just make sure you’re alright.” Before I can filter my thoughts, they escape my lips. “That would be really nice. Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Okay,” Jeff says, nodding. The guys eye each other, silently communicating. They hesitate for just a moment and then Aidan speaks again. “Quinn, just keep a low profile, okay? Try to keep yourself hidden. We’ll come back tomorrow night after it gets dark and we can talk more then.”

“Okay,” I say. “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow. Or, today I guess.” The guys watch me head inside the trailer. I lock the door and peer out the window, watching them leave. I barely know them, but I sense they’re like me and Riley—good people trying to navigate their way through a bad situation.

As I tiptoe back to the bedroom and settle under the covers, I vow to tell Riley everything. She deserves to know we could be in danger here and she needs to meet Aidan and Jeff. Maybe they are our ticket out of here.


About the Author:
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A. E. Faulkner was born and raised in Pennsylvania. When she’s not lost in a book, she loves spending time with her husband and two sons, especially while hiking, biking, or exploring nature. She loves almost everything about nature—ticks excluded, and one of her biggest fears is the repercussions we will face when nature can no longer tolerate human destruction. As such, she never tires of reading dystopian-themed tales. Stories about the end of the world absolutely fascinate her.

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Thursday, April 18, 2024

Historical Romance Author Rachel L. Demeter: 7 Tips to Beat Writer’s Block + giveaway

7 Tips to Beat Writer’s Block
By Rachel L. Demeter 
 
With Red Kingdom’s recent release, I’ve found myself overwhelmed and stumbling into that scary domain of writer’s block.

Storytelling is a magical art, where words have the power to transport readers to distant lands, evoke deep emotions, and ignite the fires of imagination. But even the most seasoned writers sometimes find themselves in need of a spark to ignite their creative engines.


Inspiration lives all around us.

Here are a few ways I personally beat writer's block.

1. Explore Nature's Tapestry:
Nature, with its breathtaking beauty and captivating mysteries, has been a timeless muse for writers. A leisurely stroll through a forest, the crashing waves of the ocean, or the delicate petals of a flower can stir your imagination. Observe the intricate details of the natural world—the play of light, the symphony of sounds—and let them inspire scenes, settings, and even the essence of your characters.

2. Dive into History's Depths:
Being an author of historical romance, this is one of my favorite places to unearth inspiration. History is a treasure trove of fascinating stories, both big and small. From the grandeur of ancient civilizations to the poignant tales of individuals, history is brimming with moments of triumph, tragedy, and transformation. Look into historical events, and immerse yourself in different time periods. Let history's secrets spark your own unique twists and perspectives, breathing life into your stories.

The research behind Red Kingdom transported me to the medieval era, where contrasts were everywhere: brutality and religion, life and death, poverty and gluttony, chivalry and treachery.

3. Engage with People and Conversations:
Human interactions are a wellspring of inspiration. Engage in conversations, listen to others' experiences, and observe the way people express themselves. Whether it's a heartfelt conversation with a friend or snippets of dialogue overheard in a coffee shop, these exchanges can provide insights into the depth of emotions, conflicts, and motivations that drive your characters' journeys.

Remember: every person you meet is the protagonist in his or her own story.

4. Harness the Power of Dreams:
Dreams are the canvas on which your mind paints the most vivid and surreal landscapes. Dreams can offer a wealth of imaginative idea and help you push the boundaries of reality. Keep a dream journal by your bedside to capture fleeting visions that might later weave themselves into the fabric of your stories. Dreams provide an avenue for exploring the unexplored, making them a limitless source of inspiration.

Fun fact: I dreamt the first scene of The Frost of Springtime, and that's where the story came from!

5. Find Magic in the Mundane:
Never underestimate the potential for storytelling in everyday life. The simple act of people-watching, observing the quirks of daily routines, and experiencing the small moments that often go unnoticed can lead to profound narratives. Mundane settings and situations can be transformed into extraordinary tales when seen through the lens of creativity.

6. Read Newspapers, Human-Interest Stories and News Headlines:
The news is a cove of events, trends, and human stories that can fuel your creative fire. News headlines can serve as springboards for exploring unique angles, imagining what-if scenarios, or addressing pressing societal issues within your narratives. The world's happenings offer a plethora of ideas, emotions, and conflicts to infuse into your stories.

7. Art and Other Creative Mediums:
Music, films, books (of course), and other creative mediums can fuel your storytelling imagination. A painting might inspire a scene's atmosphere, a melody might evoke a character's emotions, or a film's plot might serve as a springboard for your own story's development. Let yourself be moved by various forms of art to infuse fresh energy into your narratives.


Fun fact: I have a go-to YouTube playlist called "Creative Inspiration," which houses all my favorite TV and film scenes! I also often reread my favorite book scenes when I’m feeling a lack of motivation.

Red Kingdom: A Dark Little Red Riding Hood Retelling (Fairy Tale Retellings Book 2)
(Stand alone)
by Rachel L. Demeter
04-10-2024
Genre: Historical Romance (Medieval)

Little Red Riding Hood reimagined with a dark and realistic twist.

Princess Blanchette’s world shatters when the Black Wolf tears apart her castle and everything she holds dear. All she clings to is the vow she made to her grandmother on her deathbed.

Hailed as the people’s champion, Sir Rowan Dietrich liberates the capital in a quest for vengeance. He takes Winslowe Castle with an army at his back and his wolf, Smoke, at his side.

United by a shared cause and powerful attraction, Rowan and Blanchette embark on a journey of self-discovery and redemption—a path filled with loss, transformation, and ultimately, the healing power of love.

Can Norland’s resplendent princess, with her captivating beauty and spirit, tame the fabled Black Wolf?

Inspired by the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Red Kingdom is a passionate historical romance about the enduring quest for love and the longing for a world at harmony.

*Red Kingdom is a standalone installment in a series of reimagined classic fairy tales. Due to adult content and themes, it is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

What you can expect from Red Kingdom...
Dark, Medieval Setting
Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Broken Alpha Hero
Strong Heroine
Wolf Companion
He Falls First
Redemption
Warring Kingdoms


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Blanchette spots the Black Wolf during the siege
Death at her feet. Death in her home. Death in the air.

Death screamed in every corner of her mind.

Then she saw him.

Rowan Dietrich, the fabled Black Wolf of Norland, strode through her castle like a waking nightmare. His armor was crudely made, black as the surrounding night, the helm’s dark metal twisted into the shape of a wolf’s snarling head. But the most striking thing about him was his height. He towered above the other fighters and battled with a chilling methodicalness. How he moved and fought frightened Blanchette the greatest.

He looked collected. Even mildly amused. As if this were nothing more than a game. Blood soaked his sword as the blade whirled, whipped, slashed, and claimed lives in a macabre dance of death. And that wolf clung to his heels, its muzzle wet with blood, snarling and leaping at any man who dared come close to its master.

Monster. Demons.

The Black Wolf of Norland had always had a mist of legend around him. She remembered the stories her mother and governess had often whispered after the feasts and in the dark of the night.

“To me,” the Black Wolf called to a soldier a few yards away, his deep voice effortlessly carrying above the tumult. He didn’t need to yell, not even over the mayhem. The force of his tone was enough.

One of her father’s guards raised his blade, but too slowly. Rowan Dietrich’s longsword cut his head off, then came flashing back in a terrible two-handed slash that took another soldier in the leg.

With quivering anger, she realized that this man—this wolf, this beast—was the reason the sky was falling on her family. She clutched the dagger, wishing she could stand a chance against him. How good and right it would feel to plunge the blade deep into his heart and avenge what would likely be the end of her family’s dynasty.

Of course, she’d never survive him or his demon wolf. And if she was ever to avenge her family, if she was to keep her promise, survival meant everything.


About the Author:
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I live in Sunny California with my dashing husband, who inspires my romance novels every day!

Writing has always been an integral part of my identity. Before I physically learned how to write, I'd narrate stories to my mom, and she'd record them for me.

I graduated from Chapman’s film school, where I often received the feedback on my scripts, “Your stories and characters are great, but this reads like a novel!” That’s when I realized my true calling.

In my free time, I frequent reptile expos, lift double my body’s weight, and indulge in dinosaur trivia.

I'm passionate about writing stories that explore what it means to be human and to be loved. My books focus on hope, courage, and redemption in the face of adversity.

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