Debut Novel Spotlight: The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox + giveaway

The Witch of Willow Hall

by Hester Fox
October 2, 2018
368 pages
Publisher: Graydon House
Two centuries after the Salem witch trials, there’s still one witch left in Massachusetts. But she doesn’t even know it.

Take this as a warning: if you are not able or willing to control yourself, it will not only be you who suffers the consequences, but those around you, as well.

New Oldbury, 1821

In the wake of a scandal, the Montrose family and their three daughters—Catherine, Lydia and Emeline—flee Boston for their new country home, Willow Hall.

The estate seems sleepy and idyllic. But a subtle menace creeps into the atmosphere, remnants of a dark history that call to Lydia, and to the youngest, Emeline.

All three daughters will be irrevocably changed by what follows, but none more than Lydia, who must draw on a power she never knew she possessed if she wants to protect those she loves. For Willow Hall’s secrets will rise, in the end…

About the Author:

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Hester Fox comes to writing from a background in the museum field as a collections maintenance technician.

This job has taken her from historic houses to fine art museums, where she has the privilege of cleaning and caring for collections that range from paintings by old masters, to ancient artifacts, to early American furniture.

She is a keen painter and has a master's degree in historical archaeology, as well as a background in Medieval studies and art history. Hester lives outside of Boston with her husband and two cats.

The Witch of Willow Hall is her debut novel.

Giveaway 

Harlequin’s Graydon House Books is offering one lucky Grand Prize winner a fun witch themed prize pack containing a paperback copy of The Witch of Willow Hall, a pumpkin spice scented candle, a Witch’s Brew coffee cup, a witch’s hat, a witch’s wand, and a bottle of black nail polish! Four (4) Runners-up will receive an eCopy of The Witch of Willow Hall. To enter for your chance to win one these great prizes, please fill out the Rafflecopter link below

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Guest Post: Bad Girls of Fantasy (Veiled Empire by Nathan Garrison book tour)

Bad Girls of Fantasy

Villainess? Anti-heroine? Rebel with a dark side? However you want to label them, we all know who they are. These women never take no for an answer, and always know exactly how to get what they want - which is usually the world. Whenever their scenes pop up in our favorite books or series, we can’t help but grin and hunker down for the delicious ride to come. I give you … my top five “Bad Girls” of fantasy. (Spoilers, of course.)

5) Graendal (The Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan)
Though most of the female Chosen (don’t ever call them Forsaken) have a shot at making this list, for me Graendal is hard to beat. She is a master at manipulating people and events from the shadows, yet when the time for battle comes she can still dish out destruction with the best of them. She keeps herself wrapped in a cloak of excess and sensuality, a disguise few are able to look past, often to their demise.

4) Sabetha (Gentleman Bastard series- Scott Lynch)
Sabetha may be “off-screen” for most of the first two books in this series, but even then we can see the dizzying effect she has on the titular hero, Locke Lamora. If she’s not outwitting him planning a heist or rigging an election, she somehow manages to play his heart like a fiddle without even meaning to. She has no times for his games, after all. She’s got a life of her own.

3) The Lady (Chronicles of The Black Company - Glen Cook)

Escaped a centuries long imprisonment to become ruler of an evil empire? Check. Makes slaves of the most powerful sorcerers in the world? Check? Still manages to have a soft spot for a certain mercenary physician? Check. The Lady takes ‘evil empress’ to a whole new level, letting nothing get in her way. Even gods, her vicious husband, and prophesied heroes can’t stand against her power and cunning.

2) Apsalar (The Malazan Book of the Fallen - Steven Erikson)
As if being possessed by the patron god of assassins wasn’t bad enough, try having your memories scrambled and being stranded half a world away from home. Even from this, though, the girl once known as ‘Sorry’ manages to recover. Retaining enough of the skills left behind by her possessor, Apsalar wreaks vengeance across three continents, picking up a few undead dragons as pets along the way and taking out half of an assasssin’s guild, singlehandedly.

1) Daenerys Targaryen (A Song of Ice and Fire - George R.R. Martin)
With titles like Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, the Unburnt, Freer of Slaves (shall I go on?), this is one lady that practically needs no introduction. Though she started penniless and starving, she now commands legions and the loyalty of her followers, and will not rest until she sits in her rightful place upon the Iron Throne of Westeros.

Veiled Empire
by Nathan Garrison
Harper Voyager Impulse
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Kindle/Paperback

The Empire is Shrouded, not only by the barrier that covers the land, but by the lies and oppression of the mierothi regime. Magic is the privilege of the elite, and the people of this shadowed country have forgotten what it means to hope under their rule.

But there are some who would resist, with plans put into motion millennia before. For returned to the Empire is a valynkar, servant of the god of light, and with him come the strength and cunning that could tip the scales to end the Emperor's reign. He has gathered a group of heroes ready to ignite the flame of rebellion and fight against the dark power that has ruled for nearly two thousand years. A power that has champions of its own.

Nathan Garrison's Veiled Empire throws a mythical land into chaos, with races long thought forgotten, and magics only just discovered. Steel and sorcery clash as brave souls vie for freedom and control in this astonishing debut novel.

amazon buy link B&N

Link to excerpt

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u9hgHsOfxDD9G4ltcCDQb6roK6FFn-TSRjLmKmVIlHM/edit

About the Author:

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Born in 1983, Nathan Garrison has been writing stories since his dad bought their first family computer. He grew up on tales of the fantastic. From Narnia and Middle-Earth to a galaxy far, far away, he has always harbored a love for things only imagination can conjure up. He counts it among the greatest joys of his life to be able to share the stories within him. He has two great boys and an awesome wife who is way more supportive of his writing efforts than he thinks he deserves. Besides writing, he loves playing guitar (the louder the better), cooking (the more bacon-y the better), playing board/video/card games with friends and family, and reveling in unadulterated geekery. Veiled Empire is his first novel.

Interview: Keri Arthur Fireborn Book Tour + giveaway

Today we have the amazing and very busy Keri Arthur to talk about Fireborn, the first in a new series. What had her delving into the phoenix mythology? What would she do with an invisibility cloak? And does she prefer Pepsi or Coke? Read on my flock...

Sharon: For those who don’t know, tell us a little bit about your new series and Fireborn.
Keri: Fireborn is the story of Emberly, a phoenix blessed (or cursed) with foresight. When she sees the death of the man she once loved, she steps into alter fate. In the process, she becomes involved in not only the investigation of her boss’s murder, but the efforts to recover his stolen research--research that could forever change the human race--before it falls into the wrong hands.

behold the fantastic!

Donna: The cover for Fireborn is fantastic. Did you have any control over it or were you just pleasantly surprised? More importantly did you strike the pose on the cover when you saw it?
Keri: I didn’t strike a pose, but I certainly did a happy dance! I was asked for suggestions and/or scenes that would work for the cover. There’s one scene where Emberly goes to the rooftop of her building and shifts into firebird form, and that’s basically a snapshot what you’re seeing on the cover. The fabulous Tony Mauro did the cover, and if you go to his website (http://tonymauroillustration.com/galleries/book-covers/ ) and scroll down, you can see the full picture; that’s actually Melbourne in the background!


Sharon: What sparked (see what I did there?) the idea for a series about Emberly, a Phoenix? And clever name for a Phoenix by the way <G>.
Keri: And you have no idea how long I scrolled through baby name sites looking for a suitable name <g>. Basically, I just wanted to write something other than vampires and werewolves, so I spend a lot of time on many different myth and legend sites. The idea of a phoenix--capable of being born time and again out of the ashes of its past--snagged my muse’s interest, simply because of the story lines and history it could offer a character. Plus, there’s not a lot of stories out there at the moment that feature a phoenix as the main character :) 

Donna: I noticed on your blog that you are continually apologizing for not blogging enough. Do you think that sometimes with all the social media outlets now, it might be too much of a good thing? How do you keep up?
Keri: Well, I think it’s obvious I don’t, hence the constant apologizing! Lol. I’m also really bad at answering fan email, which is why I have a warning on my website that while I look at emails, I don’t always answer them. It generally depends on where I’m at with my writing, and how busy I am. I tend to concentrate more on Facebook and Twitter (and Google plus when I remember it), simply because they’re just so much easier to check and reply to. Plus, I’ve been blogging for so long now I think I’ve run out of interesting things to talk about!

But yeah, I do think the constant pressure to maintain a media presence can be dangerous, simply because it becomes a time-sink. In the end, the only thing that really matters is writing a book that people want to read, and if Facebook, Twitter and whatever else becomes the next big thing gets in the way of that, then writers need to step away.

Sharon: If I let you borrow my invisibility cloak for a day what would you do?
Keri: Good question! And I’m not really sure...it would be nice to get some great close up shots of the wildlife around here without them getting spooked and running before I could take a shot. But it would also be nice to tag around after some of my favorite actors, just to see what they were like in real life:)

Sharon: *snickers* Uh, huh...you mean like what kind of shampoo Chris Hemsworth uses, cause that is something I would like see...

Donna: You've got a really great site. I loved the Aussie Speak section. Do you have any funny miscommunication stories?
Keri: There was one time when I had to fill a hire car up in the US. Here in Oz, when the pump clicks, it’s generally just a warning you’re getting close to full; we ignore it and go to the second or third click. The pumps I used in the States weren’t like that, so when I ignored the click, it overflowed everywhere. I couldn’t find a bucket of water to wash down the car or disperse the stuff on the concrete, so I went inside and asked for a bucket of water to wash down the petrol. The attendant looked at me blankly; I explained it again, still a blank look. So I said, you know, that stuff you put in the car that runs the engine--I spilled it everywhere. “Ah,” he said, “You mean GAS!” LOL. In Oz, gas is LPG--liquefied petroleum gas, which is actually a gas, and used in heating as well as to run cars. 

in case anyone was confused when Keri mentioned Oz

Sharon: what in the world is chicken chippies? (yes, I stalked your twitter feed)
Keri: Chicken chippies is slang for chicken chips -- potato chips (or crisps in the UK). Australian’s often get confused in the US when we see chips on the menu, because here it also means hot chips (fries). So when we see burgers and chips, we’re expecting hot chips (fries) not a packet of potato chips! (That is a really weird custom, you know. Lol) 

we will be serving these babies down in the dungeon afterwards

Donna: Culturally, what do you think is the biggest difference between the U.S. and Australia?
Keri: I actually don’t think there are many major differences, although I do think the Australian sense of humor doesn’t always translate well in America. And, of course, the gun culture here is very different--Australian’s certainly don’t think it’s their right to carry guns on their person. Our government bought in strict gun regulations after the Port Arthur massacre in the mid 1990’s (in which 35 people died). As a result, there have been no massacres since (there were 11 in the decade before the new rules came in), although there are still gun-related crimes (bad guys will always get guns, no matter how strict the rules).


The main differences are only minor though; for example, while we Aussies love our pets and are more than happy to take them with us to beaches, parks, and on camping holidays, we would never (and indeed are not by law allowed to) take them into supermarkets, restaurants (unless there is outdoor dining), hotels, clothing stores or on public transport (unless it’s a certified guide dog). The serving size of food is also vastly different--we have much smaller servings here in Oz.


Sharon: Got any TV shows you are looking forward to this Summer and Fall?
Keri: I’ve got a lot of shows I have to catch up on--Castle, Game of Thrones, and Arrow, just to name a few. But new show wise, I’m looking forward to Constantine, The Flash, Forever, Gotham, and NCIS New Orleans (because I love the city and enjoyed the NCIS intro episode). 

Sam will always be Flash to me...no judging!

Sharon: You like going to craft shows, are you a crafty person? What do you like to buy/make?
Keri: I actually don’t make anything myself, but I love hand-made stuff, be it jams, honey, art, or clothes. It not only supports home producers, but it generally either tastes better than anything you could buy in the supermarket, or is totally different to anything you’d find in a clothing store.

Rapid Fire 

all together now...awwwww!

Donna: Platypus or kangaroo?
Keri: I’d have to say Kangaroo, simply because they’re everywhere where I live. And baby roos are very cute.


Sharon: Coke or Pepsi?
Keri: Neither by choice (I’m a water or tea woman) but Pepsi if I had to drink one 
Sharon: YES! *balloons and sheep fall from the sky. Sharon looks at Donna* You've got to clean that up :P

in case you don't speak Aussie

Donna: Forest or swamp?
Keri: Forest. Less mozzies.

Sharon: ship or plane? Keri: Depends on where I was going, but plane if I wanted to get there relatively fast (Australia is a long way from anywhere. Lol)


Donna: Vanilla or Chocolate?
Keri: Vanilla if a milkshake, Chocolate if hot


Sharon: fried or baked? 
Keri: Baked. Always. Unless we’re talking chips (fries)


Donna: Early bird or night owl?
Keri: Early bird


Sharon: rainbows or storms?
Keri: Both?

Donna: Chocolate milk or hot chocolate? 
Keri: Hot Chocolate. Always

Donna and I would like to thank Keri for talking with us today. She also has a flock load of other series for you to try, including the Dark Angels series.

Fireborn
Emberly Pearson isn’t just a phoenix who can take on human form at will, she’s also cursed with the ability to foresee death. So when her dreams reveal the death of Sam, a man she once loved, she does everything in her power to prevent it from happening. But in saving his life, she gets more than she bargained for.

Sam is working undercover for the Paranormal Investigations Team, and those who are trying to murder him are actually humans infected by a plague-like virus. Now all those infected must be eliminated.

But when Emberly’s boss is murdered and his irreplaceable research is stolen, she needs to find the guilty party before she goes down in flames…

About the Author:
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Keri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson Guardian series, has now written more than twenty-eight novels. She’s received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and has won RT’s Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives with her daughter in Melbourne, Australia.

Book Review: Angel Kin by Tricia Skinner

Angel Kin (Angel Assassins #1)

by Tricia Skinner

Kindle Edition, 183 pages
Expected publication: April 28th 2014 by Entangled: Edge

While channeling Robin Hood's "steal from the rich and give to the poor" attitude at a local politician's house, ex-con Katie Logan witnesses a forced suicide. Dirty or not, supernatural or not, he didn't deserve to die, especially not by his own hand. But with her record, stepping forward as a witness isn't an option. On the run from the police and the murderer, she turns to The Bound Ones for help.

When a beautiful woman comes to The Bound Ones, half-angel assassin Cain is immediately drawn to her. But when she fingers him as the killer, he can come to only one conclusion. The twin he thought was dead is very much alive…and trying to send him a message. Unfortunately, that message is: "You're next."

It's a race against time as Cain fights to save the woman he's falling in love with before his brother Abel destroys them both.

Angel Kin is the first installment of the new Angels Assassins Series by Tricia Skinner. The story revolves around beautiful burglar, Katie Logan, who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time when she witnesses a murder. In need of help and afraid to turn to the police, she finds herself asking for assistance from The Bound Ones. There she meets Cain, a half-angel assassin, who looks remarkably like the murderer. Leading all involved to the same conclusion, the murderer could be none other than Cain’s twin brother, who everyone thought was dead.

Angel Kin left me slightly conflicted. It was a good paced novel with a nice touch of romance. I’m sure many people will read it and truly enjoy what it has to offer. Make no mistake about it, I enjoyed it too. It had my prerequisite hunk of a hero, and the beautiful damsel in distress. It should have been a slam-dunk, but somehow it wasn’t. It just missed the mark for me. Although the story moved right along with lots of action, it lacked some depth. I tend to like stories with lots of things going on. In addition, even though the gorgeous hero was everything you could want, some of his actions just seemed out of character. Those things have a tendency to stick with me and detract from the story.

So, how to rate it? Maybe now you can understand my dilemma. Would I read another book by Tricia Skinner? Yes. Would I try the second in the series? Probably. But, I can't say she hit it out of the pasture.

3 Sheep, all standing on a fence

Lisa A

About the Author:
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I’m Tri­cia Skin­ner and I write Urban Fan­tasy with Roman­tic Ele­ments. I’m a for­mer jour­nal­ist who dis­cov­ered my inspi­ra­tion to write fic­tion as an escape from “real life.” My read­ing tastes are all over the place, but I’m mainly drawn to fan­tasy (and its sub­gen­res), para­nor­mal, sci-fi, and history.

When I’m not writ­ing, I’m a new­bie “green” prac­ti­tioner, fit­ness pro­cras­ti­na­tor, and a tech­nol­ogy geek. I’m a mother and a wife. My fam­ily includes two Great Danes. I’m also a gamer. I enjoy inter­act­ing with my fel­low geeks and help­ing other writ­ers, espe­cially through the Fan­tasy, Futur­is­tic& Para­nor­mal Chap­ter of Romance Writ­ers of Amer­ica where I’ve served as Newslet­ter Edi­tor. I’m rep­re­sented by Lau­rie McLean of Fore­word Lit­er­ary.

Sheep Book Review: Night Owls by Lauren M. Roy

Night Owls (Night Owls #1)
By: Lauren M. Roy
Paperback, 304 pages
Published February 25th 2014 by Ace

Night Owls book store is the one spot on campus open late enough to help out even the most practiced slacker. The employees’ penchant for fighting the evil creatures of the night is just a perk…

Valerie McTeague’s business model is simple: provide the students of Edgewood College with a late-night study haven and stay as far away from the underworld conflicts of her vampire brethren as possible. She’s lived that life, and the price she paid was far too high to ever want to return.

Elly Garrett hasn’t known any life except that of fighting the supernatural werewolf-like beings known as Creeps or Jackals. But she always had her mentor and foster father by her side—until he gave his life protecting a book that the Creeps desperately want to get their hands on.

When the book gets stashed at Night Owls for safe keeping, those Val holds nearest and dearest are put in mortal peril. Now Val and Elly will have to team up, along with a mismatched crew of humans, vampires, and lesbian succubi, to stop the Jackals from getting their claws on the book and unleashing unnamed horrors…

Night Owls is one of those books that has me rubbing my hands together cackling with glee at a new urban fantasy series in the making. The story starts out with a bang as Elly is running for her life and keeps on going from there introducing Val and the each of the characters in turn making up this wonderful world as the tale progresses. As we are introduced to the characters the storytelling is broken up into multiple points of view, which made a lot of sense in the world building and the how and why of the merging of the characters, especially since this is book one. The author has introduced a new twist on vampirism, as well as some of the more well-known thoughts, and blended them together composing a new concept. Of course we still run into the nasty power hungry vamps and also have a new collection of baddies called Jackals or Creeps who are well and truly creepily delicious zombified long-snouted folk, somewhat resembling Anubis, that rather than leaving a scent of myrrha in their wake, produce a scent of o-de-rot and wet dog. 

The story of course is one of good versus evil and protect the innocent and what a fun ride it is along the way. There is plenty of action with sword slicing, head lopping gore, gun toting, staking, and holy water sizzling to keep a UF fan content. There are even a couple of succubi that are absolutely delightful and can kick heinie with wonderfully vicious results. The world building, as well as the character development is very well executed and full of colorful intriguing folks I can't wait to get to read more about. The book, as with most series, concludes a bit open-ended and left me hungry for the next adventure to see what happens next. While there bloodshed and action galore, this is more of a lighter urban fantasy blended in with the dark and I definitely recommend it for fans of the genre. I received this book from NetGalley.

5 Sheep

DeniseZ

About the Author:
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Lauren M. Roy has flexed her literary fantasy muscles over the past several years contributing to various role playing games, including Green Ronin's Dragon Age Set 3 sourcebook, Pelgrane Press' Mythos Expeditions anthology (part of the Trail of Cthulhu line), and Green Ronin's Song of Ice and Fire. NIGHT OWLS is her first novel.