YA Historical Fantasy: Woven Song by Rachel Krotec

Woven Song
by Rachel Krotec
June 7, 2024
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Historical Fantasy, Mythology
Tropes:
Found Family
Fallen Gods
Orange Cat Chaos
Will they, won’t they
Epic fight scenes
Chronic illness rep
DRAGONS
Girls with swords
A BANISHED YOUNG WOMAN. A SEALED GOD. A FOUR YEAR OLD MYSTERY.

Isolated on the moon and yearning for the warmth of family and friends, Kaguya-hime falls to the mortal realm while unknowingly sealing away her divine identity. But the mortal realm isn’t as harmless as it seems…

Banished from the imperial city of Gobe after being accused of murder, Yuki returns on the emperor’s request with the hopes of restoring the family dojo. But when Yuki’s dreams are seemingly dashed after confronting tragedy, she is forced to face the unsettling truth behind her banishment.

On the verge of death, her life becomes intertwined with the dragon god, Ryu, and Yuki finds herself at the center of a fight to save the mortal realm from Izanami, the ruler of Yomi—the land of the dead. Caught between her life as a mortal and her hidden divine identity, Yuki must fight to write her own mythology before the gods do it for her.

Woven Song weaves Asian mythology into an epic tale of love and loss, of betrayal and loyalty—where secrets are currency for the wicked, every friend might be a foe, and love sounds like a lullaby.

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About the Author:
Website
RACHAEL KROTEC grew up in the wilds of Florida, which helped cultivate her vivid imagination and a deep appreciation for the fantastical. With dual degrees in creative writing and psychology, she brings a unique perspective to her writing, delving into the depths of human emotion. She is the author of the Anima trilogy. Visit her at rachaelkrotec.com or on Instagram.

Excerpt: A Wife for the Werewolf (Monster Match Book 1) by Rose Kent + giveaway

Matchmaking monsters, one heart at a time.

A Wife for the Werewolf (Monster Match Book 1)
by Rose Kent
Genre: Paranormal Romance
After inheriting her grandmother's business, Potion Palace, witch Kate Halloway struggles to keep it afloat. In a bold move inspired by the booming world of online matchmaking, she and her best friend Cassie launch Monster Match, a dating service for supernatural beings, hoping to boost sales.

But when their first client, alpha werewolf Trent Everwood, finds success with their help, a rival coven creates their own competing service using Kate's potion recipes. To make matters worse, a death occurs at one of their events. Kate becomes a prime suspect and must fight to clear Monster Match's name.

Trent also has his hands full as humans start breaking treaty laws and trespassing on pack lands. And just when things couldn't get any more complicated, a match between him and Kate threatens the stability of their lives. Can they save Monster Match from scandal and protect the Potion Palace?

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Chapter 1
Kate
Adulting… the bane of my existence. I didn’t imagine myself saddled with so much financial responsibility before thirty. I pondered my current situation while seated at the small desk in the back of the Potion Palace, my grandmother’s shop, surrounded by stacks of bills and a calculator perched precariously atop them. This was my least favorite part of running a business—the constant battle of making ends meet and trying to stay afloat. I vowed when I inherited this business, I’d do everything in my power to make it succeed.

I groaned into my lukewarm tea as the bell above the door jangled, making me jump. Looking up from the ledger where I keep all my expenses, I watched Cassie burst into the shop with far too much energy for this early in the morning. Waving my fingers above my cup, I chanted a warming spell to add some oomph to my morning pick-me-up.

Dust swirled in the air behind Cassie’s hurried movements. Her dark hair was pulled back in a hasty ponytail, strands escaping to frame her face. “You didn’t call me on the way into work this morning. What’s wrong?”

I watched in awe as Cassie pinned me with an intense stare, all while pulling the dusting cloth from under the register and wiping down the ancient bottles that lined the shelves. Cobwebs stuck to her cloth, but she kept moving. Cassie was a hurricane, an unstoppable force, especially when she fretted over things, which was often.

“Cassie, what are you doing?” I asked, taking another sip of my morning tea.

“Inventory,” she answered without pausing, her tone clipped. Another bottle, another swipe of the cloth. Her movements were mechanical, almost robotic. “If you’re mad at me, just tell me, Kate.”

I stepped around the corner and placed my hand on her shoulder. “Cassie, I'm not mad at you. I’m also not giving you the silent treatment,” I smirked, trying to hide my grin. “I’m conflicted.”

“Conflicted about what? I know when you are off, and it’s obvious.” Her blue eyes scanned the room like she was looking for a clue.

"Cass," I finally said, trying to force a smile. "Business has been slow, as you know. The reason I didn't call this morning is because I was occupied with the bank. I currently owe them two months' rent."

Cassie raised an eyebrow as she leaned against the counter, her posture relaxing but her gaze sharp. “It’s the weather. Spring in this area is drab at best. Who would want to shop?” Cassie continued to ramble on. “Summer is our busy season. We should prepare for that.”

I smiled, appreciating Cassie’s interpretation of the situation. But even her attempt at explaining away the lack of business fell flat as she resumed dusting and organizing, moving a jar of eye of newt a fraction to the left.

She wasn’t wrong. This lazy, coastal New England beach town was always busier in the summer and fall. Before long, tourists would come strolling in, talking animatedly about the lighthouse and the delicious lobster rolls they had for lunch. In the meantime, I needed to be patient and find a way to make some money.

About the Author
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Step into the supernatural world crafted by Rose Kent, me, the daring alter ego of a passionate science teacher, devoted mom, and proud pet owner. Within my paranormal, fantasy romance stories you will find a fiery mix of lust, love, and magic. I work hard to weave vivid tales of forbidden love, uncomfortable angst, pulse-pounding action, and otherworldly creatures that will keep you hooked from the very first page. Come join me on a wild ride through the realm of the supernatural, where passion and the unknown collide to create a truly magical reading experience.

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TV Show Review: Outer Range: Season 2 (TV Series) on Amazon Prime (Spoiler Alert)

Spoiler alert

Outer Range: Season 2 (TV Series)
2022- present
Created by: Brian Watkins
Genre: Drama; Mystery; Neo-Western; Science fiction; Thriller
Network: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots, Lewis Pullman, Tom Pelphrey, Isabel Arraiza, Tamara Podemski
The Abbotts are coping with the disappearance of their daughter-in-law when the neighbouring Tillersons make a play for their ranch land. Tension comes to a head when a mysterious black void arrives in the Abbotts' pasture.

Outer Ranger Season 2 on Amazon Prime stars Josh Brolin, Lili Taylor, Imogen Poots, Lewis Pullman and Tamara Podemski. I had a free month of Prime shipping so I figured, what the heck I'll try this. Holy Moly. What a crazy show!

Season 1 leaves us with so many questions, what is this hole? What is the purpose and why is it just popping up? There's so much to unpack. We know Josh Brolin who plays Royal Abbot is somehow a key of sorts to this whole sci fi phenomena, but we don't know much else.

We watch Sheriff Joy who got trapped in the past and thankfully she gets back to her family. Although so mush time has passed on her end. My girl is CHANGED. To her core. She's seen some things man and I can not blame her for coming back with all kinds of PTSD. Of course she wants to talk it out with Royal, but he's trying to save his family and possibly the world from this dang-gum hole!

All the bodies and debris they keep throwing in that thing, have to be just piled up some place in time. Some poor souls in another time are just seeing bodies fall from the sky. No wonder we believe in Alien abductions! But I digress, this town has so much going on it's hard to keep track.

Plus, this show feeds you just a drop at a time. I feel like so many cards are being held back, maybe more unseen players are coming up. I have no idea and often find myself almost frustrated to watch another episode. Yet, I do. The show is very compelling, I just wish they would explain more. My god, talk Royal! Use your words! He's so closed lipped, it's like pulling teeth with a fork! You're killing me dude.

I have no idea why Amy/Autumn is so being so weird, why she thinks that she's almost like a god. But she's got some real mental health issues and hopefully more will come in season 3. Is she really going to be bad? I'm not so sure, but it's very hard to tell.

Getting 4.5 Sheep

KD

 

Cover Reveal: Illusion of Stars: A Banter Filled Romantasy by Sarah Marie Page

Illusion of Stars
by Sarah Marie Page
July 16th 2024
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance
She’s stealing more than secrets.

As the royal physician of a tiny, windswept island, Isabel spends her days trying to keep the queen from dying and the mad king from streaking naked down the halls. But when her best friend is found murdered on the beaches, her world is ripped apart. Desperate for answers, she discovers a stash of letters that reveal a terrifying truth: the neighboring kingdom of Volgaard possesses a kingdom-shattering weapon and is poised to conquer everything in its path.

Seeking vengeance, Isabel infiltrates the enemy. Her mission? Woo Erik Lothgarson, the general’s steamy, illusion-magic wielding son, and steal the dangerous weapon. She can bring Volgaard to its knees—if she isn’t caught.

But as Isabel dances along the knife edge of deception, the lines between truth and fiction blur, and she must wrestle her quest for vengeance against her undeniable attraction to the enemy.

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About the Author:
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Goodreads
I'm Sarah, an award-winning author who writes fluffy fantasy. I live in Phoenix, Arizona with my equally fluffy cat (starting to see a pattern here?) And fine, I have a husband too.

He's not fluffy.

My debut novel, ILLUSION OF STARS, comes out July 2024. I'm currently working on the (untitled) ILLUSION OF STARS sequel and SERPENT GREEN, VENOM BLUE. I also have a witchy manuscript that lives in a trunk under the bed.

We don't talk about that.

My work has been featured in Y Magazine, The Advocate, The Crow’s Quill, and Hippocampus Magazine (among others) and I've been a guest on a ton of podcasts like The Outspoken Artist, Bookish Flights, Books are Magical and the Author's Alcove.

If I got some pity laughs out of you, I suggest signing up for my newsletter where I will make you pity laugh some more.

I'm also a frequent flier on Instagram, so if you still can't get enough of me, you can also follow me there. 

 

Excerpt: Clowders by Vanessa Morgan + giveaway

Clowders
by Vanessa Morgan
March 1st 2018
Genres: Adult, Supernatural, Thriller
Clervaux, Luxembourg. This secluded, picturesque town in the middle of Europe is home to more cats than people. For years, tourists have flocked to this place – also known as “cat haven” – to meet the cats and buy cat-related souvenirs.

When Aidan, Jess and their five-year-old daughter, Eleonore, move from America to Clervaux, it seems as if they’ve arrived in paradise. It soon becomes evident, though, that the inhabitants’ adoration of their cats is unhealthy. According to a local legend, each time a cat dies, nine human lives are taken as a punishment. To tourists, these tales are supernatural folklore, created to frighten children on cold winter nights. But for the inhabitants of Clervaux, the danger is horrifyingly real.

Initially, Aidan and Jess regard this as local superstition, but when Jess runs over a cat after a night on the town, people start dying, one by one, and each time it happens, a clowder of cats can be seen roaming the premises.

Are they falling victim to the collective paranoia infecting the entire town? Or is something unspeakably evil waiting for them?

Their move to Europe may just have been the worst decision they ever made. 

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EXCERPT:

Who is she?” Eleonore asked when Jess drove her to school Friday morning.

“Who’s who?” Jess countered, not sure what her daughter was talking about.

“The girl. The one who’s always watching us.”

“No one’s watching us,” Jess said.

“Yes, there is. All the girls in my baking class say the same.”

Normally, Jess wouldn’t have put much thought into such a remark – children can say weird things sometimes. But now it seemed Eleonore might be right. Jess felt like there was indeed someone watching them, no matter what they were doing.

She felt it everywhere she went. When she took Eleonore to baking class, when she was lying in bed at night, even in the shops. But not all the time.

Some of the time.

More often than not, everything seemed normal, and then all of a sudden, she felt as if someone was checking up on her. Sometimes it was only briefly, like a minute or so, but at other times, she could feel it for several hours.

Sometimes she could feel it on the streets.

But mostly at home.

And never outside Clervaux.

You’re imagining things, she told herself.

In fact, every day since she’d arrived in Europe, it had gotten worse. More and more, she’d get that tingly feeling, and know that someone behind her was watching her. She’d try to ignore it, tried to resist the urge to look over her shoulder, but eventually the hair on the back of her neck would stand up, and the tingling would turn into a chill, and finally, she’d turn around.

And nobody would be there.

Nobody, except for the cats. The sight of cats waddling along the pavement had never seemed eerie to her, but the fact that they were always there, no matter where she was – on the sidewalk, at the main square, in a café, in the forest – made her skin crawl.

Whenever she was running errands in Clervaux, she kept looking into store windows, but it wasn’t the merchandise she was looking at; it was the reflection in the glass.

The reflection of something sinister watching her.

Sometimes she could have sworn she saw something. The reflection of a small, squatting figure. But then she glanced over her shoulder and all she could see once more were the cats of Clervaux staring back at her.

She decided to not let her imagination get to her, to resist the urge to glance over her shoulder every few seconds.

And then her daughter muttered the words, “Who is she? The girl. The one who’s always watching us,” and the paranoia tightened its grip on her once more.

About the Author:
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Vanessa Morgan is the editor of the movie reference guides When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals, Strange Blood: 71 Essays on Offbeat and Underrated Vampire Movies, and Evil Seeds: The Ultimate Movie Guide to Villainous Children. She also has had one cat book (Avalon) and four supernatural thrillers (Drowned Sorrow, The Strangers Outside, A Good Man, and Clowders) published. Three of her stories have been turned into movies. She has written for myriad Belgian magazines and newspapers and introduces movie screenings at several European film festivals. She is also a programmer for the Offscreen Film Festival in Belgium. When she's not working on her latest book, you can find her reading, watching movies, eating out, or photographing felines for her blog Traveling Cats.

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