eBook Sale Promo + Goodreads eBook Giveaway - Talisman Of El by Al Stone

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Enter for a chance to win one of 100 e-copies of TALISMAN OF EL (ARCADIA, BOOK 1) by Al Stone!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Talisman Of El

by Al Stone

Giveaway ends October 30, 2020.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Talisman Of El

Series: Arcadia

Book Description:

WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS A LIE?

One Planet.

Two Worlds.

Population: Human ... 7 billion.

Others ... unknown.

When 14-year-old Char­lie Blake wakes up sweat­ing and gasp­ing for air in the mid­dle of the night, he knows it is hap­pen­ing again. This time he wit­nesses a bru­tal mur­der. He's afraid to tell any­one. No one would believe him ... because it was a dream. Just like the one he had four years ago - the day before his dad died.

Char­lie doesn't know why this is hap­pen­ing. He would give any­thing to have an ordi­nary life. The prob­lem: he doesn't belong in the world he knows as home.

He belongs with the others.

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Night of the Vampire by L.E. Wilson

Night of the Vampire

(Deathless Night-Into the Dark, #1)

Author: L.E. Wilson

Publication Date: October 15th, 2020

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Book Description:

Killian walked into my new voodoo shop late one night with an urgent request – he needed me to heal his friend. Only I know absolutely nothing about voodoo, or healing. I’m just trying to start a new life with what little family I have left after my dream of becoming a star on Broadway went up in flames.

Literally.

At first glance, he was an average looking guy with a European flair. Nothing outside the ordinary in the city of New Orleans. But despite his nerdy-boy attire, Killian was most definitely all man. And as his black eyes made their way up my body to my face, the look reflected within them wasn’t the least bit tame.

More like predatory…

I expected her to cast me down the moment I walked through her door. But I had no choice. One of my own was dying from a witch’s curse, and only another witch could undo the spell. However, Lizzy was not what I’d expected to find. Stunned by her beauty and overwhelmed by her scent, I burned with thirst until the blood raced through my veins and my body tightened with need.

But with one taste, she calmed the beast within me as the truth flooded my wicked soul. The witch is MINE. She is the pulse that feeds my immortal life and the bearer of my death. Taking Lizzy as my mate will bring about the end of my coven’s uneasy truce with the witches.

Leaving her will mean my demise…

My name is Killian Rice, and I am a vampire. Come Into The Dark with this new series by L.E. Wilson, and enter her Deathless Night. A world of immortals with only one weakness: The witches who can destroy us…

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Novice by Ava Lohan

The Novice

Author: Ava Lohan

Publication Date: October 13th, 2020

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

I’m a novice about to take my vows. He’s the embodiment of sin—and the new owner of the convent that’s been my home for the past two years.

I shouldn’t want him. Yet from the moment he walks into Mother Superior’s office and threatens to turn Saint Clare into a luxury hotel, all I can think about are those lush lips, tight muscles, and perfect hair. That, and the devil’s bargain he proposes.

My body in exchange for the convent. For fourteen days, I’m to be with him at Lust, his exclusive sex club. Fourteen days obeying his every command.

Whatever I do, I can’t let myself fall in love with him. Because Kegan Anderson is a beast, and a beast can never love.

He can only destroy.

Buy Links:

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BOOK REVIEW: Frog Boy by Carolyn S. Blevins

Frog Boy

Author: Carolyn S. Blevins

Genre: Children's Fiction / Middle-Grade / Paranormal Adventure

Book Description:

Armed with Pete the frog and Buck his shaggy mutt, Frog Boy sets out for a day of frog-catchin' at the creek.But his adventure takes a surprise turn when he spies Old Man Harris, a man long thought to be dead. Eleven-year-old Frog Boy just wants to catch frogs but seein' the old man diggin'' a big ole hole leads to trouble. Old Man Harris snatches Frog Boy to keep him quiet. Now livin' in a gross shack with only Pete to keep him company 'cause Buck had run home, Frog Boy must hatch a plan to escape the clutches of Old Man Harris. But it becomes more complicated when he meets a mystifyin' lady in the woods.What was Old Man Harris buryin'? Will Frog Boy sneak away from the shack? And how can he defeat Old Man Harris? Frog Boy is a story of resilience flavored with a Southern style that shows how a family and a town work together for justice.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

11-year-old "Frog Boy" Tommy heads out one day with his pet frog Pete and his dog Ole Buck to catch some frogs at the creek but ends up in a right pickle when he crosses path with Old Man Harris, a man long thought to be dead. Curiosity getting the better of him, Tommy decides to follow Old Man Harris and spies on him digging a large hole. When he's caught and kidnapped by Old Man Harris, his only help is in the form of a mysterious lady named Katy, who just so happens to a ghost, having been brutally murdered by Old Man Harris. Can Tommy escape and unveil the truth or will he meet the same fate as Katy? With his best friend Hal, Hal's brother Billy and Tommy's grandmother teaming up for the challenge, anything could happen.

I wasn't expecting to like the story as much as I did, but it was a jolly good read indeed. Tommy is a brilliant character. He's very likeable and makes you want to go on an adventure with him. He made me feel like a kid again. I absolutely loved the deep Southern dialect. It was very fitting and transported me to Tommy's reality. Catching frogs is a strange hobby, but hey, to each his own. I mean, I collect mugs, so no judgements here. A good ensemble of characters who had their own quirky personalities. Tommy spoke like an eleven year old, behaved like an eleven year old, so I thought the characterisation was great. Underneath all the adventure and mystery, there's a weighty story buried within the pages and that's the sad tragedy of Katy's murder. I liked how the author handled this tragedy and how the burden of Katy's story didn't overshadow the fun and youthful aspect of the story. Beneath the sadness was a sense of justice, and it was down to Tommy's perseverance.

I really enjoyed the story. I thought the story went on a little longer than was necessary, and the illustrations, while they were cute, didn’t do much for me in the way of inciting emotions. All the same, it was a fun journey.

VERDICT:

GOLD

Award: Gold

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Source: Courtesy of Author

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Magic Ingredient by Lindy Miller

The Magic Ingredient

(A Bar Harbor Holiday Novel)

Author: Lindy Miller

Published by: Rosewind Books

Publication Date: October 13th, 2020

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

The end of summer is approaching, but even at the height of Bar Harbor’s tourist season, Eve Silver is having a hard time keeping enough money in the bank to sustain the family business. Her only hope of paying past due bills is to win the catering bid for the town’s upcoming Harvest Happening Festival. Otherwise, it’ll be lights out for Mount Desserts & Tea by Christmas.

Widower Jeff Parish is moving with his twelve-year-old daughter, Candy, from Manhattan to Maine with one goal: starting over. When sparks fly between Jeff and Eve as the town readies for the annual harvest festival, Candy wishes she had a love potion to help her dad fall in love again.

Will Eve be able to save Mount Desserts & Tea—and open her heart to Jeff—by the most bewitching night of the year? It’ll take a lot of love, a little bit of luck … and just a pinch of magic.

Buy Links:

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Cover Reveal - Betrayed by Jacklyn Daher

Betrayed

(The Chronicles of Luxor Everstone, #2)

Author: Jacklyn Daher

Publication Date: November 19th, 2020

Genre: Adult Paranormal / Urban Fantasy

Book Description:

With the revelation Luxor Everstone is the daughter of the Prince of Darkness, an entirely new door fraught with danger is opened. As Cane is lying in wait, Luxor is forced to have constant protection, leaving her suffocated.

When new help arrives in the form of a witch, and a mysterious and dreamy boy who seems to soothe her more than anyone else can, she doesn’t hesitate to invite them into her life despite her growing affection for Hunter.

As fresh dangers loom on the horizon, she begins to unravel different details about her past, while greater powers are introduced, and the others continue to evolve. Conflicted between the pull toward her darkness and her desire to be good, Luxor juggles the priorities—and her opinionated guardians—while trying to find some semblance of balance.

When the darkness returns to claim her completely, can she trust herself to make the right choice?

Pre-Order Links:
Amazon US ¦ UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Night’s Chosen by Emily Hornburg

The Night’s Chosen

(The Cursed Queens Series, #1)

Author: Emily Hornburg

Published by: City Owl Press

Publication Date: October 6th, 2020

Genre: Adult Fairy Tales / Retelling / Romance

Book Description:

Chosen of the Moon Goddess. Destined to rule. Fated to marry.

A quest to save her family, kingdom, and heart.

For the past five years Princess Eira has run from her impending wedding.  As much as she loves her goddess and kingdom, she’s searched the kingdoms for another way to rule as queen someday while also choosing her own husband.

Yet, Eira’s claim to the crown falls into jeopardy when her father, King Brennus, is poisoned and fated to a sleep of living death and Eira is next on the assassin’s hit list – who happens to be her stepmother, Queen Amelia.

After Eira escapes Queen Amelia’s clutches she journeys to the northern Paravian mountains in search of an enchanted cup to save her father.

Her quest is more than she anticipated with evading Queen Amelia’s guards, traveling with the one man she shouldn’t be with, and having to bargain with the ancient dragon guarding the enchanted cup.

She’ll have to decide how to save her family and kingdom, even if it means sacrificing her heart and all she’s wanted her whole life.

If you like Sarah J Maas, Jennifer Estep, and Maxym Martineau, then you’ll love this adult fantastical retelling of the classic Snow White fairy tale.

Buy Links:
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Cover Reveal - Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? by Janie Marie

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
(The Big Bad Wolf Trilogy, #1)
Author: Janie Marie
Publication Date: October 27th, 2020
Genre: YA Coming of Age / Fairy Tales

Book Description:
Fantasizing about Trevor Grimm is Kylie Hood’s favorite escape from her cruel reality. So, when he asks for her help on a school project, sparks are bound to fly and her dreams are going to come true . . .

Not in this fairy tale.

No, everything changes when Kylie meets Logan Grimm, Trevor’s older cousin and a professional MMA fighter some call the Big Bad Wolf.

He’s the first person to peer under the hood she hides beneath. He’s the first person to see the signs that something is wrong. He’s the first person to give her any attention. And he’s offering to help protect her.

But Logan’s world isn’t safe. It’s dirty, exhilarating, and dangerous. It’s everything Kylie needs to stay away from.

Pre-Order Links:
Amazon US ¦ UK

About the Author
Janie Marie is a native Texan and resides in her hometown north of Austin, Texas, where she devotes her time to family, pets, and her writing.

Much of her life experiences--good and a lot of bad--are where she has chosen to draw inspiration from to create her characters and stories. It's important to her to create the kind of characters she needs or needed at one point in time because she wanted to create something only the saddest souls would recognize as brave and strong. 

Be ready for raw, emotional tales, as Janie never holds back. With her darkest thoughts she found light is still possible, that the sad girl can sometimes glow the brightest. Because she is beauty surrounded by darkness.

Author Links:
Website ¦ Goodreads ¦ Facebook Page ¦ Facebook Group ¦ Twitter ¦ Instagram ¦ Bookbub ¦ Newsletter

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Say You’ll Be There by Billie Dale

Say You’ll Be There

Author: Billie Dale

Publication Date: October 1st, 2020

Genre: NA Comedy / Romance

Book Description:

From award winning author Billie Dale comes a second chance love story muddling the line between love and hate. As young love goes Joey and Preslee were perfect but nothing last forever and the world is ready for the taking. Dale’s sassy wit shines in comedic fashion with Say You’ll Be There, book two in Love in Seven Mile Forge.

At sixteen, Joey Holmes handed me his heart.

At eighteen, I threw it at the Now Leaving Seven Mile Forge sign on my way out of town.

A silly teenage game of seven minutes in heaven spiraled us from friends to more.

We shared our firsts. Loved with the innocence of immaturity.

I wanted out. A fresh start far away from our tiny home town. Joey didn’t care where we were so long as we were together. I couldn’t spread my wings without clipping his. My heart told me I was doing what was best when I left him broken in my rearview mirror.

With a threat breathing down my neck, I’m forced to return home but Joey isn’t the skinny boy I knew. Nope, now he’s the sexiest Chief of Police in three states and he hates the very air I breathe.

Can the hot cop keep me safe from the danger lurking in the shadows or will the bleached bones of the skeletons in my closet be our tragic end?

Buy Links:

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BOOK REVIEW: The Words of My Father by Mark Nemetz

The Words of My Father

Author: Mark Nemetz

Genre: Picture Book
Publication Date: 9 July 2020
Publisher: Higher Ground Books & Media

Book Description:

The Words of My Father captures the nightly dialogue between a father and son before the boy falls asleep. Every evening, before tucking him in, Giuseppe tells his son stories, some from his own life, some fictional, which serve to illustrate the phrases which make up the Lord's prayer. "Papa, I don't understand!" the boy protests. So his father, step by step, illustrates what the words mean for him in the light of his life and imagination before his son dozes off. The stories transport the boy into far off kingdoms or into his father's childhood where he learns to reflect on the meaning of words and experiences captured by the Lord's Prayer rather than simply passing over them. Little by little, both son and father reach a deeper understanding of fatherhood, kinship, faith and gratitude.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

I got a great sense of nostalgia as I read The Words of My Father, a story about a father and son bonding during night-time bed routine with young Joseph asking his dad to explain the Lord's Prayer in a bid to prolong time so he can stay up longer. Admiring the cleverness of his son, his dad makes a deal that he will explain the Lord's Prayer but one line at a time, which Joseph agrees to.

The bond between father and son in this book was beautiful. The way Joseph's dad explained the Lord's Prayer was very eye-opening, and it certainly made me question my understanding of certain passages and their meaning. I liked how he drew from his past experiences with his own father as he explained his interpretation to his son. Joseph was also well portrayed as an inquisitive young boy, asking questions you would imagine a child his age would ask. It was an authentic portrayal of the relationship between a father and his son. I also liked the inclusion of Joseph's mother, providing her own perspective and interpretation. It made for a wonderful family dynamic.

It was an enjoyable read. I found myself laughing at times. That little Joseph is a clever one, I tell you. I tried not to get distracted by the grammatical errors and the formatting, but it took some getting used to. Separating the dialogue would have made it easier. All the same, I still enjoyed the story.

VERDICT

Award: Gold

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Source: Courtesy of Author

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Trapped Daughter by Jay Kerk

The Trapped Daughter

Author: Jay Kerk

Publication Date: September 12th, 2020

Genre: Adult Psychological Thriller

Book Description:

Have you ever been trapped somewhere? I have.

Have you ever found that the world does not believe you? I did.

I have been betrayed by the people I trusted the most. They coil around me like snakes, lulling me with whispers about protection and safety and for your own good.

They offer up pills like sweets, promising me relief. Just take the meds and everything will be fine, Belle – the meds, Belle, the meds.

Everything will not be fine, and it never will be again. Justice is gone from the world. I have been wronged by Gabe, the man I loved most, and when I turned to others for backup, they sided with him because he’s a star. When I ran to my father for safety, he locked me up in his great big mansion and threw away the key. Now I drift like the ghost Gabe pretended I was, my bare feet tasting the coldness of rich tiles, my breath turning to ice.

Gabe isn’t real, they tell me. They insult me, they spit at me, then smile and pretend that they wish to help. Meanwhile, Gabe is out there, luxuriating in all that I won for him, and I suffer and burn.

Buy Links:

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Book Blast & Giveaway - Seed of Tamaris by Penni Louise

Seed of Tamaris

Author: Penni Louise

Genre: Fantasy

Book Description:

In a treacherous world, is it safe to be powerful?

A Brother with a tainted past. A Lord seeking a legacy for his daughters. A Queen in exhile from her ancestral home. For decades, the Lords and Ladies in the land of Tamaris have known peace among their Houses, unlike the Outlanders who face death everyday outside the kingdom’s borders. But when the King, consumed by power, turns against the beloved Queen, she is forced into hiding, and plots brew among the Houses. The threads of peace begin to unravel. From a Lord’s daughters facing the subordinations of womanhood, to the outcast who flees to The Coven of Sacred Sisters for redemption, to the boy in the mines who prefers darkness and worms to the Lightlands, the lives of the people of Tamaris are unknowingly tied to their Queen’s fate. Only the Witch knows to what end their loyalty leads them. They must navigate political ambitions, social expectations, the complexities of relationship, and traitor’s plots to survive in the midst of the building war. But many will forget that the worst peril often comes from those closest to home. SEED OF TAMARIS is an epic fantasy brimming with magik, desire, and wickedness. It is Book One of the Archipelago Series, and Penni Louise’s debut novel.

Buy Links:

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Mine To Keep by M.C. Cerny

Mine To Keep

(Love By Design #7)

Author: M.C. Cerny

Publication Date: September 29th, 2020

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Remington Kennedy was out of “bless your hearts” to give. She moved North for a chance at something better. Her compass to success was getting an education and getting out of tornado alley. A failed scholarship led her to tending bar. A lie drove her into the arms of the town football star filled with hopes and dreams. A year later, she found herself with a baby on the way, more lost than ever, alone, and terrified. 

Evan Rooney was nobody’s hero. As a good cop in a small town, he felt the daily weight of responsibility. Known as the Preacher’s son, he struggled to keep his faith…but secrets have a way of finding the surface and Evan finds himself drawn to the red headed barmaid with a bun in the oven like a moth to it’s flame.

Both need a little saving…both need love, and a baby needs a family made of more than just DNA.

Book seven in the Love By Design series of contemporary romantic comedies.

Mine To Keep is written to be read as a standalone, but many readers prefer to read the series in order.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Learner's Plight by Muhammad Hamza Shah

The Learner's Plight

Author: Muhammad Hamza Shah

Genre: YA Coming of Age / Contemporary Fiction / Short Story
Publication Date: 5th July 2020

Book Description:

Gavin Hawthorne has recently emigrated from Ireland to United States and is faced with an uphill battle to fight against blatant indifference. He undergoes rampant bullying at the hands of school’s athletic team and finds temporary solace in Linda, another student who has just arrived from Poland. However, this dependency doesn’t last for long as Gavin is plunged into the world of depression, stuck in a vicious cycle of self-hatred.

In harrowing times like these, a close acquaintance becomes his much-needed ally and helps Gavin re-discover fondness for the gift of life.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

Gavin and Linda share a lot in common having both emigrated from across the other side of the ocean, so it's no surprise that they start hanging out and become besties. What is surprising, however, is when Linda decides to shift gear and leave Gavin behind, hanging with the school bullies who make Gavin's life a living hell every day. Gavin is left puzzled and heartbroken, wondering what he has done to cause her to ditch him for his arch-nemesis. As Gavin sinks deeper and deeper into depression, he finds solace in a fellow student, who encourages and supports him as he builds the courage to stand up to the bullies and tell Linda how he really feels about her, the fear of losing her forever weighing heavy on his mind.

This was a very moving and heartfelt exhibition of Gavin's insecurities and how he learns to accept that life sometimes doesn't go as planned or as hoped but that you can't wallow, you have to pick yourself up and carry on, even if it means losing the things most dear to us. Although it was a good read, I didn't feel a connection with the character as it felt as though it was exactly that, an exhibition. I felt as though I was viewing everything through a window and not having a clear vision of the events taking place on the other side. The story felt somewhat hollow, which had nothing to do with the length or the cliffhanger ending (I really liked the way it ended, by the way). We know what happened between Gavin and Linda. We even get to witness her rejecting him and left wondering whether or not she will ever respond to his letter, that maybe somewhere down the line they will find their way back to each other. I'm not expecting a long explanation, but if there had been some form of revelation, I believe it would have felt more complete and I would have better understood the incentive behind some of Gavin's action and better identify the moment that made him realise that now was the time to stand up for himself and let life takes it course.

Having said that, there was enough content and ingredient to keep me reading on. Betrayal was the key emotion throughout, which I comprehended, but it was missing that revelation that would cement the bond I was building with Gavin; instead the bond fizzled out. I wanted to connect with Gavin. I really did, because I liked him as a character. He was someone I think a lot of people would be able to relate to. I liked Shah's writing style. The choice of words and sentence structure throughout evoked a lot of emotion. I felt pulled in by his writing, which doesn't happen to me often, and I think it's one of the reasons I kept reading.

I think there's a lot more to come from this author. I got a Markus Zusak vibe by the connection I felt to Shah's authorial voice. I am not certain where the inspiration for The Learner's Plight came from, but it almost felt as though I was reading a memoir. I look forward to reading more from this author.

VERDICT

Award: Silver

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Source: Courtesy of BookSirens

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Resistor by C.E. Clayton

Resistor

(An Eerden Novel (Eerden 1, Ellinor, 1))

Author: C.E. Clayton

Publication Date: October 1st, 2020

Genre: NA Cyberpunk / Fantasy

Book Description:

Ellinor Rask has wanted one thing for the past eight years: vengeance. But when Ellinor is captured, she finds herself dragged back into the world she walked away from, entangled once more with friends she would rather forget.

As if that weren’t humiliating enough, Ellinor learns first hand that her magic can be stripped away by a piece of bio-tech—and her ex-boss is happy to leash her with the technology in order to get what he wants. If Ellinor behaves, the device will be removed. All she has to do is deliver a package. One containing a creature created from raw magical energy and discarded technology. Simple, right?

But when her goals start getting people murdered, Ellinor has to decide if the year’s planning, her honor, and even her own magic, are worth the lives it’s costing. Dodging ruthless gangsters, she finds herself on the run with a creature of immeasurable magical abilities alongside her one-time friends. Now, Ellinor must relearn to trust the people she once abandoned. She must put her faith in technology, and her life in the hands of independent contractors, all while racing to deliver the package before it gets taken by force, or worse, the creature decides to make an appearance itself.

Buy Links:
Amazon US ¦ UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Sleeping With Shadows by Rachel Hailey

Sleeping With Shadows

Author: Rachel Hailey

Published by: FyreSyde Publishing

Publication Date: September 22nd, 2020

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Book Description:

Once The King of Nightmares, Ashe lost everything when he was betrayed. Released from prison, he’s got one goal: Stay Free. To make that happen he’ll have to rescue the girl who stole his crown while saving the court he’d rather see burn. But he can’t do it alone. He needs Callie.

Abused, neglected, and finally shunned by The Court of Light, Callie is done with court politics. It’s just too damned bad Ashe doesn’t care. He’s arrogant, manipulative, and dangerous. Everything she’s been taught to fear. It would be so easy to hate him, but the sadness in his gaze calls to her heart, and his touch awakens her own darkness. She has never wanted anyone more.

Callie is Ashe’s darkest desire, but to earn his freedom and prevent the destruction of humanity, she must embrace the destiny that will keep them apart. But is the safety of the world worth losing the kind of love he’s only dreamed of?

Buy Links:

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