Book Review: Fairytale Christmas: A Fair Folk Saga (The Fair Folk Saga Book 1) by Merrie Destefano + Giveaway

Fairytale Christmas: A Fair Folk Saga (The Fair Folk Saga Book 1)

by Merrie Destefano
December 4, 2017
Genre: YA, fantasy, folktale,
Three thousand years ago, a war began between the immortals and the mortals. It's a war that continues to this day...

Before history began, a legendary queen battled a foreign army, braved the death of her husband, and faced betrayal at the hand of someone she trusted. This is the story of Eire, Queen of the Faeries, the Immortal One, and the leader of the Tuatha de Danann.

To this day, her homeland, Ireland, bears her name, and this is the story of the war that drove the Immortal Ones into exile. It's also the tale of how she found help from an unexpected place, leading her to a love like she had never known before.

Fairytale Christmas is a story that spans thousands of years. It's also the beginning of all of our fairytales and legends; it's where mortals and immortals survive because they love one another, proving that love is the greatest gift of all.

This is the first installment in the Saga of the Fair Folk, a journey that lasts until the end of time.

amazon

What a magical and beautiful cover and fitting for a story about Erie, Queen of the Faeries. The reader experiences Erie’s betrayal and eventual fight for her life and that of her two sons from her point of view. The story moves quickly and has lots of action and suspense. The writing has a fairy tale quality to it much like Merrie’s novel Feast, which you should also read. Merrie has a flair for writing magical tales.

As strange as it sounds, I think this would have been a stronger story without the introduction of the romance. The love shown between Erie and her sister, and Erie and her sons was magical enough. Maybe if this had been a longer story there would have been enough time to develop chemistry between Erie and Kellen.

I don’t know how much of this story is from the folklore and how much was Merrie’s imagination, but this is a beautifully written story about family and fighting against a terrible adversary. If you are looking for just a romance story, you might be disappointed. But if you like fairy tales about good vs evil then check it out.

3.5 “howling” Sheep

SharonS

About the Author:
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Born in the Midwest, magazine editor Merrie Destefano currently lives in Southern California with her husband, two German shepherds, a Siamese cat, and the occasional wandering possum. Her favorite hobbies are reading speculative fiction and watching old Star Trek episodes, and her incurable addiction is writing. She loves to camp in the mountains, walk on the beach, watch old movies, and listen to alternative music—although rarely all at the same time.

GIVEAWAY

http://merriedestefano.blog/giveaways/12-days-of-christmas/

$.99 Pre-order Fairytale Christmas: A Fair Folk Saga (The Fair Folk Saga Book 1) by Merrie Destefano

Fairytale Christmas: A Fair Folk Saga (The Fair Folk Saga Book 1)

by Merrie Destefano
December 4, 2017
Three thousand years ago, a war began between the immortals and the mortals. It's a war that continues to this day...

Before history began, a legendary queen battled a foreign army, braved the death of her husband, and faced betrayal at the hand of someone she trusted. This is the story of Eire, Queen of the Faeries, the Immortal One, and the leader of the Tuatha de Danann.

To this day, her homeland, Ireland, bears her name, and this is the story of the war that drove the Immortal Ones into exile. It's also the tale of how she found help from an unexpected place, leading her to a love like she had never known before.

Fairytale Christmas is a story that spans thousands of years. It's also the beginning of all of our fairytales and legends; it's where mortals and immortals survive because they love one another, proving that love is the greatest gift of all.

This is the first installment in the Saga of the Fair Folk, a journey that lasts until the end of time.

Pre-order for only $.99

amazon

About the Author:
website-FB-twitter

blog-tumblr-instagram

goodreads-newsletter
Born in the Midwest, magazine editor Merrie Destefano currently lives in Southern California with her husband, two German shepherds, a Siamese cat, and the occasional wandering possum. Her favorite hobbies are reading speculative fiction and watching old Star Trek episodes, and her incurable addiction is writing. She loves to camp in the mountains, walk on the beach, watch old movies, and listen to alternative music—although rarely all at the same time.

Book Review: Dreamer's Pool (Blackthorn and Grim #1) by Juliet Marillier

Dreamer's Pool (Blackthorn and Grim #1)
by Juliet Marillier

Hardcover, 448 pages
November 4th 2014
by Roc 
Award-winning author Juliet Marillier “weaves magic, mythology, and folklore into every sentence on the page” (The Book Smugglers). Now she begins an all-new and enchanting series that will transport readers to a magical vision of ancient Ireland...

In exchange for help escaping her long and wrongful imprisonment, embittered magical healer Blackthorn has vowed to set aside her bid for vengeance against the man who destroyed all that she once held dear. Followed by a former prison mate, a silent hulk of a man named Grim, she travels north to Dalriada. There she'll live on the fringe of a mysterious forest, duty bound for seven years to assist anyone who asks for her help.

Oran, crown prince of Dalriada, has waited anxiously for the arrival of his future bride, Lady Flidais. He knows her only from a portrait and sweetly poetic correspondence that have convinced him Flidais is his destined true love. But Oran discovers letters can lie. For although his intended exactly resembles her portrait, her brutality upon arrival proves she is nothing like the sensitive woman of the letters.

With the strategic marriage imminent, Oran sees no way out of his dilemma. Word has spread that Blackthorn possesses a remarkable gift for solving knotty problems, so the prince asks her for help. To save Oran from his treacherous nuptials, Blackthorn and Grim will need all their resources: courage, ingenuity, leaps of deduction, and more than a little magic.

Blackthorn is a magical healer who has been wrongfully imprisoned in the worst of all places. The only thing keeping her alive is her longing to right a wrong. When it seems her time in prison may never come to an end, she makes a deal that wins her back her freedom. However, it puts her in the debt of the person who helps her. Bound by a promise for a period of seven years, Blackthorn is forced to work as a healer in Dalriada and help anyone who asks for her aide during that time.

Grim, who was imprisoned with Blackthorn, feels it’s his duty to protect her. He takes it upon himself to follow Blackthorn and eventually becomes her traveling partner and friend. When they reach Dalriada, Blackthorn settles in under the watchful eye of Prince Oran, whom later enlists Blackthorn’s help.

Blackthorn is an angry woman who is trying to find her way back to some form of a normal life. Or as normal as it can be as she waits for the day that she can seek vengeance on the man who imprisoned her in the first place. As you learn more of her story, you can’t help but understand her need for revenge. Grim, who is also a bit of a mystery, turns out to be the perfect companion for someone as torn apart inside as Blackthorn. Although there is no romance, their relationship is a complicated one as they rely on each other just to survive. Furthermore, they work together to unravel Prince Oran’s mystery and to right a terrible wrong. 

The ending wasn’t much of a surprise but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book. The tale was interesting and the characters were complicated, making it a very enjoyable read. It covered some darker topics and that really stuck with me after I was done. I will definitely be reading the next book when it comes out. 

5 Healing Sheep 

LisaA

About the Author:

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Juliet Marillier was born July 27, 1948 in Dunedin, New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Juliet was educated at the University of Otago, where she majored in music and languages, graduating BA and a B Mus (Hons). Her lifelong interest in history, folklore and mythology has had a major influence on her writing.

Juliet is the author of seventeen historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet's novels and short stories have won many awards.

Juliet lives in a 110 year old cottage in a riverside suburb of Perth, Western Australia. She shares her home with a small pack of waifs and strays - she is a foster carer for an animal rescue group. She has four adult children and six grandchildren. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)

Sheep Book Review: Haunting Warrior by Erin Quinn

Haunting Warrior, by Erin Quinn, is the second installment in her PNR Mists of Ireland saga. Originally released in early 2010 I happened to run across the re-released mass-market paperback in the aisles of my grocery store, of all places! Haunting Warrior is absolutely a well-written and whimsical tale but not really what you would expect for a PNR.

Plot:

When his father vanished after uncovering the secrets of the ancient Book of Fennore, Rory McGrath transformed from an innocent boy into a troubled, cynical man. Leaving Ireland, he shunned his family, his heritage-and the very magic that defined his people for centuries.

Then he began dreaming of an ethereal beauty, who calls him to return home to a destiny that will take him beyond the realm of anything he imagined.

Lured to the castle ruins where his father disappeared, Rory is plunged back in time, and into the body of another man-a man betrothed to the very woman of Rory's dreams. In possession of the secrets of his past, his family, and his identity, her hold on Rory is inescapable. For she is his doom, his salvation-and his destiny.

Haunting Warrior opens with our Irish lead male, Rory, who’s currently residing in America plagued with the recurring dream of a young fiery gal on what seems to be her wedding night. As the story starts to unfold in the first pages you quickly find that things are not what they seem, a family of ghost comes to haunt in the present as Rory is forced to return to Ireland. These first few chapters really sucked me into the book from the start.

Saraid comes into the story as the young gal who’s been forced into a marriage with a savage rival clan's bloodthirsty son. Hated and feared in equal measure, this warrior male and soon to be husband is the key to Saraid’s clan's peace and the end of a long and gruesome war. What I liked about Saraid was her spirit and wit; even in the face of danger she tuffs it out with gritty courage and determination to get the job done, whatever that job may be. Body and soul this gal’s got a lot going for her mixed with passion and loyalty that only added to the overall character.

What threw me for a loop though was the epic feel of this story, it has such a strong fantasy flavor it felt more like a regular fantasy book instead of a Paranormal Romance. With loads of magic and spells and a book that holds deep and dark magic I would think this should be moved to a Fantasy Romance genre. As with fantasy you can really dive deeper into the world of myths and legends.

A few of the dream sequences were a little over the top and dragged longer than they should have. In addition, some of the fighting sequences between the bad guy overlords with powerful armies and the smaller folks who should have been out numbered seemed to stretch the already fantastical scale far into the “ok this is just so fake” category. But that being said the tale itself is one that’s well thought out and gripping.

The romance between our lead pair was believable and touching at times as their feelings grew throughout the story, but as we move along it becomes rushed and predictable. Even though plenty of time is given to “inner debate” the actual act of romance (or gettin it on) felt pushed along. I wouldn’t want to read the story again BUT I was happy with what I got and would most definitely try this author again.

Getting 3 and ½ Sheep

KD

Feelin' Lucky Giveaway Hop!

[Official button by: Jeni Darling]

Feelin' Lucky Giveaway Hop! You feelin lucky?

It's time to get this Irish flavored party started! A big thanks to Liz at Fictional Candy for co-hosting this giveaway with us. It's been a ton of fun and work but well worth it! We are honored to have every single stop with us and hope you'll check out each site. LOADS of stuff to win with a chance to make new friends or gab it up a wee bit with old ones.

**Random Ireland fun fact: known as the land of saints, sinners and poets Ireland is also well known for it's wool***

This is a US CONTEST ONLY but fear not International folks because we have many other giveaways that will include you all too. Now on to the prize pack!

Feelin' Lucky Prize Pack

Song of Ireland by Juilene Osborne McKnight

Heir of Danger by Alix Rickloff

Bloodfever by Karen Moning

Lucky Clover Necklace

Leprechaun Hat Headband

Clover Scarf

St. Patricks Day Lip Gloss

Kool-Aid & Moonpie

Sheep Swag!

Yes, that's an Irish themed boat-load of fun right there! Make sure to follow the rafflecopter directions below to get your official entry in AND stop by all the other hops taking part. Contest ends March 14th at midnight PST.

Sheep Book Review: Heir of Danger by Alix Rickloff

Heir of Danger, by author Alix Rickloff, the third installment in the 'Heirs of Kilronan' fantasy romance. This was an impulse buy at a grocery store checkout and my first peak into this mystical world of Fey and Lore, amazingly I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued by the characters.

Plot:

After seven years outrunning enemies, friends, and his own soulcrushing memories, Brendan Douglas is risking everything on a desperate mission. He has vowed to thwart the evil mage Máelodor’s plans to unlock the past and reshape the future; unfortunately, the precious treasure that is his key to success lies with a woman Brendan jilted seven years before.When her golden-eyed childhood hero abandoned her at the altar—disappearing in a storm of magic and mayhem, destruction, betrayal, and disaster—Elisabeth Fitzgerald struggled to put away her humiliation and loss. Finally, she has found a new fiancé and a comfortable future. Then, the one man she thought she would never see again appears—among her wedding guests. Brendan Douglas has returned.It’s not just that Elisabeth is promised to another; Brendan knows he is drawing her into terrible danger. But he cannot resist the bewitching, brave, wholly unexpected woman his youthful nemesis has become. He promised to sacrifice everything, but is he willing to sacrifice Elisabeth?

If you like historical romance with a paranormal edge that's well-written and plot-heavy you'll surely enjoy this story. Taking place in Ireland in the early 1800's Elisabeth and Brendan are childhood friends who've grown up and taken on different paths into adulthood. While our damsel was abandoned on the day of her arranged marriage to Brendan years ago, these two get a chance to reunite. Sparks fly, and a few fists but as the story picks up you get a chance to uncover the whys and hows of a painful past.

Leading lady Elisabeth is a sheltered human who knows little of the Fey world, she's got a fiery attitude but is completely oblivious to the real world around her at times. I loved and hated her all at once. I liked her level-headed take on situations but hated how she would freeze up and want to faint all the time. When push comes to shove all your lady like manners need to be kicked to curb! But though she struggled I did find myself enjoying her more and more as the story goes on.

A ton of Lore involving Arthur and the good and bad courts of the Seelie Fey. Magics and spells mixed some well delivered fantasy do keep you involved in the story. While our leading man Brendan was courageous in spurts his tendency to become cowardly starts to grate on the nerves a bit. Chemistry between Brendan and Elisabeth was very believable and held together throughout. Overall this is a very well written story with history and Irish folk flavor to add believability. A mushy too well wrapped up ending was the story's only major downfall. Most series these days hate leaving an open ending or tragic turn but in this case I would have actually enjoyed that more.

Getting 3 and 1/2 Killer Sheep

KD

Deadfast, unforgiving mayhem!

Deadfast is the debut novel of author Mark McCann. It's gritty, raunchy at times with a plethora of action. This story is NOT for the faint of heart or easily offended by vulgar language as many cuss words fill the pages. BUT it is a story that will grip you and having you turning the pages to find out what the heck could possibly happen next!

Storyline:

Meet Terry Fennell, Belfast's guiltiest drunk and most unobliging detector. A former soldier for a secret branch of the army, Terry dealt with all the things that go bump in the night, now cut loose and disenfranchised after a secret handshake between the government and the nocturnal element put him out of a job and on to the dole queue.
When a distraught mother seeks Terry out to help find her kids, kidnapped by her back-from-the-dead ex-husband, he can't resist the lure of fast money. However, a simple no hope case turns into a complex web of lies and misdirection as Terry finds himself plunged into a life and death chase where violence is the fastest route to the truth and hard drinking is a hangover cure. It's the sort of life he wishes was somebody else's. It's the sort of life that could get you... Deadfast.

The main character Terry is one big mess, he's the type of guy to start a fight then take off when things turn ugly fast. A non-stop drinker who can't seem to get his life on track, and constantly relying on the few friends he has left to cover his back. I did find Terry a bit hard to relate to in the beginning but as the story picks up I found myself rooting for the guy. Time and time again he gets in way over his head and if not for his pal The Saint he would be a goner. The Saint is a scarred man (literally) with fists of steel and the charm to match, but little does The Saint know that all that gruff mixed with his vigilante tendencies was kinda a turn on for me. What can I say? I'm a sucker for the rough neck man that just needs a little love. lol

Deadfast is set in Belfast Ireland and picks up a lot of the local flavor so quite a few of the phrases left me scratching my head, but the overall charm of the dialog filled any missing voids. Mark writes in a way that leaves the reader to fill in the blanks with their own imagination in certain areas, and while I may not usually appreciate this in authors it worked out with this story. For those that like it, Mark also uses a ton of similes throughout the book. The story is so chock-full of twists and turns you literally will not be expecting what happens next, it's a fun ride for folks that like a dirty full grit mystery. By the denouement, some life changing events will make Terry have to take a long hard look at himself and the ever changing world around him.

A BIG amount of smut is severely lacking in this story but my hopes are set high with upcoming books. If you would like to get a copy of Deadfast click on the link here. Looking forward to much more from this new and upcoming author.

Getting 3 and 1/2 Tatty Bread Sheep

KD