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Friday 25 April 2014

Bookvie: This Is Where I Leave You - out September 12, 2014


Who's in it:
Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver

What's it all about (book blurb from Goodreads):
The death of Judd Foxman’s father marks the first time that the entire Foxman family—including Judd’s mother, brothers, and sister—have been together in years. Conspicuously absent: Judd’s wife, Jen, whose fourteen-month affair with Judd’s radio-shock-jock boss has recently become painfully public.

Simultaneously mourning the death of his father and the demise of his marriage, Judd joins the rest of the Foxmans as they reluctantly submit to their patriarch’s dying request: to spend the seven days following the funeral together. In the same house. Like a family.

As the week quickly spins out of control, longstanding grudges resurface, secrets are revealed, and old passions reawakened. For Judd, it’s a weeklong attempt to make sense of the mess his life has become while trying in vain not to get sucked into the regressive battles of his madly dysfunctional family. All of which would be hard enough without the bomb Jen dropped the day Judd’s father died: She’s pregnant.

This Is Where I Leave You is Jonathan Tropper's most accomplished work to date, a riotously funny, emotionally raw novel about love, marriage, divorce, family, and the ties that bind—whether we like it or not.

Movie Stills:







Thursday 24 April 2014

Blog Tour Author Interview & Giveaway - Justice Buried by Hilary Thompson




Justice Buried
Series: Starbright #1 
Release date: January 15, 2014

Book Description:
The people need Justice, but she's not listening. One hundred years before, the Great Sickness reduced the world to three cities. Now the community of Asphodel is trapped underground, waiting for the prophesied maiden of Justice to return and save them from their Fates. 

Sixteen-year-old Astrea is supposed to be this savior - too bad for them she isn't a believer. Trea fights against her false destiny: she rebels against her family and friends, then refuses her arranged marriage to the charming but deceitful Lexan. Learning her life is in danger, Trea is forced to trust Lexan - until she discovers a power she never knew she had, and one he already knew he did. 

As betrayal closes every door, Trea decides she must submit to her stars and accept her fate. Then a handsome stranger offers her an unexpected escape and the chance to create her own destiny.

Buy Links:

Author Interview

Tell us a bit about your writing background. How did you get started writing for YA?

The first book I tried to write was horrible: the plot was convoluted, the characters were cheesy. The next story I tried was historical fiction; I got bogged down in the research and in trying to be too “literary.” My voice wasn’t right or ready for that. Maybe I’ll grow into it later…never delete!

When I was a young adult, I read adult books - classics from the Official List of Important Books. When I graduated college and had more free time, I read all kinds of genres - anything with a cool cover (yes, I too am that shallow - designers take note).

Eventually I found new favorites, and nearly all were in that YA category I’d been hearing about. YA authors to whom I will always be indebted include: Maggie Stiefvater, Laini Taylor, J. K. Rowling, Veronica Roth, Brigid Kemmerer, Susan Kaye Quinn, and so many others.

Luckily, I also read some bad ones. This was excellent because it made me think “I could do better than that.” Which isn’t nice, but it’s fantastic motivation! So once inspiration struck me senseless, I wrote and wrote until the story left me alone long enough to order a cover and push my baby book into the world. I wouldn’t mind branching out into other genres eventually, but I credit YA with giving me permission to be the writer I am.

Who/What were your earliest influences?

My mom and dad always encouraged me in my love of reading and writing, so that early support was a huge influence that I was insanely lucky to have. I also had lots of encouraging teachers along the way, and friends, colleagues, etc.

But you probably mean writing influences. One of my absolute “formative” books was Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery. It’s old, and it was old when I found it. But Anne is amazing - I think she might be a great-grandmother to Astrea in Justice Buried! She even has red hair. Hence my love affair with the feisty red-haired heroine.

Did you face any early challenges to finding success in writing?

Without dissecting the concept of success, just finishing the book was huge for me! I tried so many times and failed because I wasn’t ready. My voice wasn’t ready, I hadn’t read enough in the right genre, and I hadn’t lived enough to make my characters realistic. I had to make myself just keep writing, even when I had nothing tangible to show except a slowly-growing word count.

So obviously, one of my biggest challenges is patience. I want everything to happen NOW. I wanted to snag the first agent I queried and get the six-figure book deal and movie rights…and on and on. But that just doesn’t happen. (If it happened to you, don’t tell me…please, for my own sanity.)

For me, that waiting game was the time I needed to step back and evaluate what exactly I wanted out of a writing career. Once I looked at ALL the options, I decided to go with self-publishing. I’m a bit of a control freak (okay, a lot of one) and this path allows me to succeed in the ways I want to, and in as many ways as I have time for!

What are your favorite books as a reader today? What qualities in them appeal to you?

There are so many writers I enjoy, and I’m so lame at favorites. Every new book becomes my new favorite! However, I adore Laini Taylor’s Smoke and Bone series, Maggie Stiefvater’s Raven Boys series, and Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles series. Those writers are my role models now - great, original stories with gripping characters and lyrical writing.

What do you do outside your writing life?

Right now writing occupies a small percentage of my hours - hopefully that will begin to shift soon! I also teach high school English, which I really love doing, even though it keeps me so busy. I try to spend lots of time with my babies, ages five and three, and my husband, when he’s not working too!

What encouragement helped you along the way?

I found a few good buddies to read my stuff - people who know their books, but still love mine! My editor is my best friend, and her daughters are my favorite beta readers! Their enthusiasm keeps me going when I get mad at my characters for making a mess of things.

What advice do you have for beginning writers?

Read and write, then repeat. Read widely, and write in a variety of styles and genres. Otherwise you’ll stagnate. I’m always suspicious when writers don’t read much. You wouldn’t aim to be a musician without listening to music. You wouldn’t expect to play a sport well without ever watching others play. To me, it’s the same thing. If you want to improve, you look at the masters, the ones who are doing well. If you want inspiration, you read outside your favorite genre. If you want to stand out, you need to know what’s already been done.

What's up next for your fans?

The second book in the Starbright trilogy, Balance Broken, will be out this fall. I have a lot of work to do over my summer vacation! I have a truckbed full of other ideas, too, but I want to finish this series before I start another!

What has been your biggest compliment?

I get so many warm fuzzies when people say they couldn’t put the book down, or that they stayed up late to read it. That means I did my job and held your attention - I entertained you. With all the stress of daily life, if I can make a few hours of a person’s day better (like many writers do for me) then I am supremely happy!

Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans and readers?

Thank you so much for reading and talking about the book, and everything else you do! I could write without you, but it just wouldn’t be any fun! <3


About the Author

Hilary Thompson is an independently-published author who released her debut Young Adult novel, Justice Buried, in January, 2014. Justice Buried is the first in a dystopian fantasy series incorporating mythology and astrology, with the second full-length title due later in 2014.

She also teaches high school English, which gives her some insight into her target audience, and helps her maintain a thick skin.

Author Links:



***Giveaway***

A signed copy of Justice Buried (U.S. only) and an Amazon gift Card (INT) up for grabs.

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Blog Tour Author Interview - The Landfill by Kevin Hopson




The Landfill   
Author: Kevin Hopson
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
Pages: 53
Genre: YA Dark Fiction/Horror
Format: Kindle


Book Description
Billy, a high school senior, has lost a lot in the past year, including his younger sister, Sara. Billy lacks excitement and purpose in life until his curiosity takes him and his best friend, Connor, to an old, abandoned landfill along the river. Connor would rather forget the experience, but Billy can’t help but feel invigorated by their findings. Taking it upon himself to uncover the mystery, Billy finds his life coming full circle – but is that a good or bad thing?

Buy Links:







Author Interview

1. What inspired you to write your first book?

My first book, World of Ash, was inspired by the Eyjafjallajökul volcano that erupted in Iceland in 2010. I thought the setting would be incredibly scary, so I built my story around a giant ash cloud. However, I made the storyline a little more sinister, as if the ash cloud – alone – wasn’t enough.

2. Do you have a specific writing style? 

I have a simplistic writing style. I like to be descriptive when necessary, but I don’t feel the need to bog down the reader with pages of description, especially when I’m writing short stories and words are at a premium. Instead, I use a lot of dialogue in my stories. I find that you can learn a lot more about the characters based on the words they choose, the tone in which they speak, and their mannerisms (among other things). Dialogue can really move a story along, too, which is another reason I utilize it so much.

3. How did you come up with the title? 

With regard to my most recent book, The Landfill, the title is a very simple one. I make a weekly drive across a local river, and there’s a landfill in the distance that I look at every time I cross the bridge. It’s just a big pile of dirt out in the middle of nowhere, which always seemed creepy to me. I already had an idea in my head for the type of story I wanted to write, so the landfill was the location I was looking for. I figured that since the landfill plays such an integral part in the story, using it for the title only made sense.

4. Is there a message in your short story that you want readers to grasp? 

I don’t always have a message with my stories. Even when I do, sometimes it’s unintentional. However, there are a couple of messages readers might take away from The Landfill. As cliché as it sounds, one is to be careful what you wish for. Secondly, there are many forces at work in this world, and you can’t always control them.

5. How much of the book is realistic? 

Part if it is based on the beliefs of certain cultures, which is realistic in a sense, while other parts are definitely stretching the truth at best.

6. What book are you reading now? 

Dragons of Autumn Twilight (Dragonlance Chronicles – Volume One) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.

7. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? 

Blake Crouch is an author I have taken a huge interest in lately. His “Pines” series has been a fabulous read. I absolutely love his writing style. He is very engaging, and his stories move along at a great pace. I’m eagerly anticipating the release of his third book in the series this summer.

8. What are your current projects? 

I recently signed a contract with my publisher, MuseItUp Publishing, for a science fiction novella – Shifting Alliances – that is scheduled to be released this fall. I will be working on editing this manuscript in the coming months, and I’m sure I’ll have other writing projects in the works as well.

9. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 

Yes. Without disclosing too much, I learned that I can’t get away from the way I write. More specifically, if people have read my work before, they know how I typically end stories. I was going to go a different route with The Landfill, but I ended up sticking with my status quo.

10. What were the challenges (research, psychological etc) in bringing your story to life? 

The main characters are teenagers (high school seniors), so I had to make sure their behavior and dialogue matched those of a typical kid their age. Fortunately, I used to coach high school sports, so I’ve been around enough kids this age to get a feel for how they act and talk.


Excerpt from The Landfill

“You feel like being adventurous?” A rare burst of energy came over Billy.

“Maybe,” Connor replied with a drawn-out voice. “What are you thinking?”

“Take a left up here on River Road.”

Connor perked up, slowing the vehicle and making a left onto the road. “You actually want to hang out at the river?”

“Not quite.”

“Then where are we going?” Connor turned to look at him. Billy could tell his friend was putting the pieces of the puzzle together. “Wait. We’re not going to that landfill, are we?”

“Yeah. Why not?” Even with what his father had told him, Billy was captivated at the thought of checking it out. “Let’s do it,” he said with excitement.

“We don’t even know how to get there.”

“This road runs parallel with the river,” Billy commented, “and it can’t be more than a couple miles.”

“All right,” Connor said. “I’m only doing this for you, though.”

A few minutes passed and Billy continued to watch with eagerness, waiting for a sign as to which direction to go. He noticed a light making its way through a small forest of evergreens to their left. The source of illumination came from an elevated position, possibly atop the nearby hill. Billy scanned the area in front of them as well as the trees off to the side.

“Slow down,” Billy demanded.

Connor brought the SUV to a crawl.

“It has to be over there.” Billy pointed to his left where the light shined through the tops of the trees. “Do you see a road that goes up there?”

Connor stopped the vehicle. “I don’t see anything but woods.”

“Do you have a flashlight?

“Yeah. Why?”

“I’m going to get out and take a look,” Billy said.

“In the glove compartment,” Connor noted.

Billy snatched the mini flashlight from the glove compartment and stepped out of the vehicle. He left the door open, making Connor visible inside. Shining the light along the edge of the pavement, Billy spotted a crude road. Made primarily of dirt, it curved through the forest like a serpentine and didn’t appear to have any guardrails.

“Put your brights on,” Billy said, easing back into the vehicle.

Connor pulled a lever on the side of the steering wheel, enhancing the view in front of them.

“There’s a dirt road up here on the left.”

“You sure this is a good idea?” Connor asked.

“You’ve got four-wheel drive, right?”

“Yeah.”

“We should be fine then,” Billy said.


About the Author

Prior to hitting the fiction scene in 2009, Kevin Hopson was a freelance writer for several years, covering everything from finance to sports. His debut work, World of Ash, was released by MuseItUp Publishing in the fall of 2010. Kevin has released several other books through MuseItUp since then, and he has also been published in various magazines and anthology books. Kevin's writing covers many genres, including dark fiction and horror, science fiction, and crime fiction.

His latest book is The Landfill.

You can visit Kevin’s blog at www.kevin-hopson.blogspot.com.

Author Links:


Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE

Blog Tour Spotlight - A Comedy of Erinn by Celia Bonaduce





A Comedy of Erinn
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Author: Celia Bonaduce
Publisher: eKensington
Pages: 231 
Format: Paperback, Kindle

Book Description:
Erinn Wolf needs to reinvent herself. A once celebrated playwright turned photographer, she’s almost broke, a little lonely, and tired of her sister’s constant worry. When a job on a reality TV show falls into her lap, she’s thrilled to be making a paycheck–and when a hot Italian actor named Massimo rents her guesthouse, she’s certain her life is getting a romantic subplot. But with the director, brash, gorgeous young Jude, dogging her every step, she can’t help but look at herself through his lens–and wonder if she’s been reading the wrong script all along…


Buy Links:




Excerpt from A Comedy of Erinn

“You’ve made your point. Now let’s go,” Jude said, trying to take the camera case out of her hands.

“Oh? And exactly what is my point?”

“That you’re the teacher’s pet…the good little camera girl who won’t let a blizzard stop her. Now let’s get out of here!”

The wind picked up and Erinn almost lost her balance. She realized that the ground was starting to freeze underneath them. She admitted to herself that there was no point in being out – she’d never get a shot worth having, even if they didn’t freeze to death.

“When defeat is inevitable, it is wisest to yield,” Erinn yelled to Jude.

“Whatever, dude. Let’s bounce.”

Jude threw the gear in the back and felt his way to the passenger side. They both got in and Erinn started the car. She hoped Jude would stay quiet. She was feeling so shaky.  Not from the cold, but from the realization that she was not being a good producer. To put it in Jude’s vernacular, she sucked!

Erinn tried to pull out onto the road, but the wheels just spun on the ice. Erinn and Jude looked at each other.

“Are we stuck?” Jude asked.

“We can’t be,” Erinn said. “This is an SUV. It must be four wheel drive.”

“Not necessarily,” Jude said. “Do you see any kind of lever or button or anything that would let you switch to four wheel drive?”

“No. There isn’t anything. Are we doomed?”

Doomed? Jesus, Erinn. You are a glass empty kind of girl, aren’t ya?”

“Actually, I’m a “the glass is the wrong size” kind of girl…woman…but I think that’s beside the point right now. What should I do?”

“Start rocking the car. Put it in first, then reverse, then first, then reverse. Then give it a little gas and see if we can get out of this.”

Erinn started shifting gears and made a mental note. Next time, she wouldn’t settle for anything less than an SUV with four wheel drive.

Miraculously, the car shot forward. Erinn gasped and Jude slapped her on the shoulder approvingly. Erinn turned slightly towards what she hoped was the road…it was so covered in snow that she couldn’t actually see a road, but it must be there. Making sure no one was coming – fat chance, she thought – she started inching the Explorer through the ice and snow. She was creeping forward, when the car became completely unresponsive and started sliding towards the right. Pushing the gas did nothing. Turning the steering wheel did nothing.

“Oh, no,” Erinn said.

“What?”

“The car has lost traction. We’re skating on the ice.”

Erinn frantically turned the wheel to right and then to the left. The car continued to slide.

“Stay cool, Erinn. We’re on flat ground. Nothing can happen. Just chill.”

Erinn tried to relax, but the car kept sliding sideways, the weight of the vehicle causing it to pick up speed. Clearly, they weren’t on completely flat ground or the SUV wouldn’t be hurling itself sideways, but Erinn decided now was not the time to argue this point.

Erinn felt the vehicle tipping. She was jolted violently sideways and caught, suspended, by the seatbelt. She craned her neck to look at Jude, who was looking UP at her from the passenger seat. The SUV was completely on its side, like a gigantic dead beast.

“Now, we’re doomed,” he said.

Erinn tried without success to free herself from the seatbelt. With every gyration, the belt tightened around her neck. She tried to hold still. She craned her neck and watched Jude brace himself against the passenger door with his right arm. This gave his seatbelt some slack and he was able to release the lever. He thudded against the passenger door, but at least he was free. Erinn felt her breastbone pressing into the seatbelt as she hung sideways. She watched as Jude twisted himself around, crablike, and faced her. She looked into his eyes.

“The camera case,” she said.

Jude sat back on his heels.

“Dude,” he said. “Seriously? Forget the gear right now. We’re in deep shit.”

“The camera…” Erinn breathed heavily. “Check the camera…”

“What are you…one of those freaks who needs to record their own death?

“His or her own death,” Erinn corrected, gasping. “ ‘One freak’ is singular.”

“You are so pushing your luck, lady,” Jude said.

Erinn was running out of breath, and she hung limply forward.

“Come on, Tin Lizzy,” Jude said, wedging his back against her.

He must look like Atlas with me on his back instead of the world.

She had her eyes closed, but she vaguely sensed that he must be standing on the passenger window…or the passenger arm rest. What if he broke one of them? Would the rental company charge them? Did she buy the right insurance? Weren’t they in enough trouble having skidded into a ditch?

Erinn heard Jude’s voice through the fog. His back was to her.

“When I lift you up, you need to unhook your seatbelt. Come on, Erinn, you can do this.”

Jude gave the faintest of pushes, but not enough to lift her.

“Crap,” Jude said. “I can’t get enough traction with the console in the way.”

Jude turned around so that he was facing her. Their eyes met.

“The camera case,” she said.

Jude ignored her, and tried to lift her off the seat belt, but there was no way around the console.

“Shit! Crap!” Jude said.

“Jude…there’s a knife…” Erinn croaked.

“…in the camera case!” he said.

Erinn could hear him scramble to the back of the SUV and unlock the camera case. Erinn was reminded of sounds one hears when one is drifting off to sleep. Every noise sounds strangely amplified – and yet the sound is of no interest. She had the vague sensation of falling and when her head cleared, she was laying on Jude, up against the passenger window. Jude was panting for breath, knife held aloft. She could hear the slit seatbelt clanking behind her.

She reached around Jude’s neck. His expression changed, softening. She touched the passenger window behind his head.

“Thank God it’s not broken.”

“Lady, I have a knife.”

Erinn was suddenly very aware that she was pressed up against Jude. She tried to lift herself off him, but each time she thudded back against him.


About the Author

Celia Bonaduce is an award-winning producer whose credits cover a lot of ground – everything from field-producing ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to writing for many of Nickelodeon’s animated series, including Hey, Arnold and Chalkzone. If Celia Bonaduce’s last name is any indication, she is proof that TV talent runs in the family. 

An avid reader, entering the world of books has always been a lifelong ambition. The Merchant of Venice Beach is book one of her three-book deal with eKensington, a digital imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp. The follow up novel, A Comedy of Erinn, has also been released, and book three, Much Ado About Mother, will be coming out on May 14, 2014.

You can visit Celia Bonaduce’s website at http://celiabonaduce.com/

Author Links:







Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Dark Light of Day and Fiery Edge of Steel by Jill Archer



Dark Light of Day
Noon Onyx
Book 1
Jill Archer

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Ace
Date of Publication: September 25, 2012
Cover Artist: David Palumbo

Book Description:
Noon Onyx has been accepted into the prestigious St. Lucifer’s Law School where her mother hopes she’ll be trained as a Maegester. But Noon doesn’t want to control demons, set fires, or destroy things. She wants to become a Mederi so she can grow gardens and heal people.

Noon's best friend, Peter Aster, is an Angel spellcaster who thinks he has the answer to Noon's predicament - an ancient, mysterious, lost spell that can turn Noon into the Mederi she always wanted to be. Only one person stands in the way of Noon's dream - Ari Carmine, a fellow classmate who seems fascinated by Noon's fiery side.

Buy Links:

PRAISE FOR DARK LIGHT OF DAY:


“A spectacular debut novel.”—USA Today bestselling author Faith Hunter

“There is a fresh new voice in urban fantasy, and she has a unique take on Armageddon…With her unusual heroine, Noon Onyx, Archer has created a brilliant character who struggles against fate to find her place in the world. Set against the backdrop of university life, there is an abundance of adventure, mystery and passion!”—RT Book Reviews

“[D]elightfully dark and unique.” Bitten By Books

“Archer is now down on my ‘never miss’ author list.”–Night Owl Reviews


“[A] fascinating story line… Jill Archer has created a dark world that will grab your attention from the very start.”—The Reading Cafe


Excerpt from Dark Light of Day

“I’ve been watching you, wondering, waiting to see where you’d end up. After all, there are other demon law schools,” Seknecus said, making a moue of distaste that made it clear exactly what he thought of them. “But I was happy to see that you chose St. Lucifer’s.”

Technically my mother chose St. Lucifer’s . . . But there seemed no reason to interrupt to clarify that bit of misinformation. Seknecus wandered around the room, picking through papers, flipping open and quickly shutting the front covers of various leather-bound books, never meeting my eye. I had no doubt, however, that his attention was fully focused on me.

“So, you see, seeing your name on my list wasn’t exactly a surprise, although it appeared much later than I would have liked.”

He did look at me then, with a frown of disapproval. I did my best to look expressionless because none seemed appropriate. It wouldn’t do to look amused, bored or, Luck forbid, rebellious. Seknecus stared at me with narrowed eyes and then went back to wandering.

“You’ve got some catching up to do,” he said, addressing a copy of Sin and Sanction: Codification & Case Law. “It doesn’t matter why or what excuses you’ve got for yourself. You will be held to the same standards as everyone else, regardless of whose daughter you are. And you’ve missed a lot of class already.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off with a wave.

“Manipulation class,” he clarified. “You’re going to have to work ten times as hard as everyone else just to pass. Quintus Rochester doesn’t go easy on students and he’s likely to see your absence during the early part of the semester as a challenge. You know, failing is not an option. Not if you want to live . . .”

Fiery Edge of Steel
Noon Onyx
Book 2
Jill Archer

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Ace
Date of Publication: May 28, 2013
Cover Artist: Jason Chan

Book Description:
Noon Onyx is the first woman in memory to wield waning magic. Her unique abilities, paired with a lack of control and reluctance to kill, have branded her as an outsider from her peers. Only her powerful lover, Ari Carmine, and a roguish and mysterious Angel, Rafe Sinclair, support her unconventional ways.

When Noon is shipped off to a remote outpost to investigate several unusual disappearances, it seems Luck is not on her side. But when the outpost settlers claim that an ancient and evil foe has stepped out of legend to commit the crimes, Noon realizes that she could be facing something much worse than she ever imagined…


PRAISE FOR FIERY EDGE OF STEEL:

“Archer delves deeper into the enticing and magical world of Dark Light of Day in this original and clever urban fantasy… Excitement and action leap from the pages as Archer’s skill with description pulls readers fully into her magical world.” Publishers Weekly

“The second Noon Onyx story is an astounding adventure tale. Archer’s unique world, where Lucifer’s army triumphed at Armageddon, is filled with adherence to strict laws that keep an uneasy peace between races. This is proving to be a really fresh and fascinating series!” RT Book Reviews

“[D]arkly disturbing in the very best of ways, with complex characters, extremely detailed scenes, and a believability that sucks you in like world-bending magic.” Bitten By Books

“[A] moving and fun story about choices and consequences and love… If you like your fantasy with a twist, blended with some evil, [and] an incredible mystery… grab this series and get ready for book three.” Cabin Goddess

“[Noon] is extremely brave and outspoken. She is passionate and strong and she doesn’t falter in her core beliefs… Archer has a great ability to keep the story moving along through character’s dialogue and through her imaginative and unique world… Fiery Edge of Steel is a great follow up second book in this series.” Rabid Reads


“[T]he themes are ethereal… leaving lots of space for subjective interpretation…  The story moves with lots of action and little extraneous dialogue or other word waste… If you like a mix of medieval, modern and fantasy with a kick-ass heroine, this is the series for you!” Fangs, Wands, and Fairy Dust


Excerpt from Fiery Edge of Steel

“You are familiar with Empyr wine, Ms. Onyx?” Rochester asked.

I nodded warily.

Angels were obsessed with apples. They took their love of this fruit very seriously, worshipping it as a symbol of the lost world they once ruled. A common motif in Angel art was the fallen apple that never rotted. Empyr wines were apple wines that were “enhanced” by some of the best Angel sommeliers in Halja. The enhancements were spells. Each batch had its own name, flavor, coloring, and associated spell. They were served upstairs in the Angels’ infamous restaurant on this building’s thirty-third floor.

I’d had Empyr wine exactly two times in my life. Each time it had produced life-altering effects, although in an indirect manner and not of the kind I could have guessed.

Friedrich turned back toward me and offered me the cup. Inside, the liquid was pink and fizzy and flecked with gold. I reached for the cup and there was a brief moment when I wasn’t sure Friedrich would let go. Was the spell tied to his touch? I yanked harder and the wine nearly spilled out of the cup as it broke free from his grasp. Rochester’s signature nudged mine, like a parent pinching an errant child. I glanced back at Ari, who gave me a tight smile.

I tipped the cup to my lips and drank. Immediately, a bitter, chalky taste filled my mouth. I hid my grimace, finished, and handed the cup back to Friedrich.

“This batch is called ‘Fortuna’s Favorites,’” Friedrich said. “Think you’re one of them?”

Time will tell, I thought, but said instead, “Fortes fortuna adiuvat.” Fortune favors the bold. Another of Dorio’s sayings. Maybe Fitz had the right idea.

Friedrich grunted. Ari grinned.

Rochester held off magically pinching me again. Instead, he handed me a white linen napkin.

“A gift from this batch’s sommelier,” he said. “Some words of wisdom regarding this semester’s assignment.”

I choked back a laugh. From tea leaves to wine tannins, where Angels fear not to tread . . . I accepted the napkin and wiped my mouth gently. I’d been generous in this morning’s application of Daredevil Red lip paint. Who knew what my fortune might be if I added too much of that to the mix? But the laugh died in my throat as I looked down at my napkin. Slowly, a stain of words appeared:

When traveling into the unknown, sometimes the biggest danger is the one you bring with you . . .



About the Author:


Jill Archer writes dark, genre-bending fantasy from rural Maryland. Her novels include Dark Light of Day, Fiery Edge of Steel, and White Heart of Justice. She loves cats, coffee, books, movies, day tripping, and outdoor adventuring.

Author Links:





***Giveaway***

$25 Amazon eGift Certificate (or bookseller egift card of winner’s choice).


BONUS: FUN PROMO TWEETS AND TWITTER CONTEST
Anyone who tweets one of these will be entered to win ANY fantasy book of their choice from Book Depository (so long as Book Depository ships to your address) (up to $10.00). Contest ends on June 3, 2014. One tweet/entry per person.
Lucem in tenebras ferimus. Into the darkness, we bring light.” @archer_jill #DARKLIGHTOFDAY
“When traveling into the unknown, sometimes the biggest danger is the one you bring with you…” @archer_jill #FIERYEDGEOFSTEEL

“One out of every two hunters who follow the Old Trail will not return.” @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE

Finally! I’m looking forward to seeing Noon embrace her fiery magic. @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE

Ari Carmine is smokin’ hot. I wanna see if Noon can forgive him for that nasty surprise at the end of B2. @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE

I heard a rumor that Rafe Sinclair makes a wish and I wanna know if it’s granted. @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE

Nocturo. Tall dark handsome. Heard his scalpel’s put to good use. Is he gonna threaten Brunus w it again? @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE

I love the characters, but I’m really just in it for the monsters and magic. Bring on the ice demons! @archer_jill #WHITEHEARTOFJUSTICE

Armageddon is over. The demons won. But it’s not as dark as all that. Parts of it are romantic and sweet. @archer_jill #NOONONYXSERIES