Archive for the ‘Fantasy’ Category

Cinderella’s Crimes by Kelsey Josund ~ Cover Reveal And Giveaway

Posted: August 23, 2023 in Cover Reveal, Fantasy, giveaways
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Today Kelsey Josund and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the cover for CINDERELLA’S CRIMES, her new Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling book which releases October 31, 2023! Check out the awesome cover and

enter the giveaway!

 

On to the reveal!

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CINDERELLA’S CRIMES

Author: Kelsey Josund

Pub. Date: October 31, 2023

Publisher: Kelsey Josund

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 248

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Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/CINDERELLAS-CRIMES 

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Cinna would kill for the throne.

For years, Cinna has been forced to serve her wealthy cousins rather than
attend society events alongside them. She has waited for the chance to prove
herself and exact revenge. When a ball at the castle is announced, promising to
bring many powerful people to town, she seizes the opportunity to strike.

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She bets her best friend, Johann, a small-time thief and con-man, that she can
land a greater score the night of the ball than he can. They embark on parallel
heists. But as their plots unfold, things begin to unravel: by the end of the
night, the castle’s on lock down, a duchess is dead, a mansion has burnt to the
ground – and Cinna hasn’t even stolen anything.

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Or has she captured something far more valuable than gold and jewels?

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About Kelsey Josund:

 

Kelsey Josund is a software engineer and author of scifi, fantasyand young adult  fiction, including a series of forthcoming feminist retellings of classic childhood fairytales.

Originally from Seattle, Kelsey loves getting outdoors and livingin places that allow her  to escape to the mountains on the weekends. She cares deeply about the ecosystems that humans impact and that impact them in return. Her writing
explores these themes through the prism of the traditional coming-of-age arcs of science fiction and fantasy. Kelsey is particularly interested in stories and characters that complicate the traditional and familiar, leading her to
rediscover old tales from new and unexpected angles.

With a passion for storytelling in all its forms, Kelsey approaches writing fiction
the same way she approaches writing code: she likes to know where it’s going,
but wants to figure out the details as she goes. She believes good software is
a lot like a good story—full of neat and clever solutions to tricky problems,
beautiful at a granular level but also from a distance.

Kelsey lives and works in Silicon Valley, California with her partner and their cat. She
holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in computer science from Stanford
University, and is currently plotting her return to the Pacific Northwest and
working on her next novel.

For more information, visit www.KelseyJosund.com.

Sign up for Kelsey’s newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon
| BookBub

 

 

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3 winners  will receive an eBook of CINDERELLA’S CRIMES, International.

Ends August 29th, midnight EST.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Island Of Zoe by Dino Hajiyorgi & Christos Sourligas ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: August 17, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, Romance
Tags: , , ,
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A young Greek American woman travels to the island of Petra….

has she found the fountain of youth?

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The Island of Zoe

by Dino Hajiyorgi & Christos Sourligas

Genre: Fantasy Romance

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A young Greek American woman travels to the island of Petra bearing precious cargo: her late grandmother’s body, to be buried on the land where the old woman spent her youth. But when Zoe arrives on Petra, she finds that her grandmother, Maria, has left her an opulent villa and old family secrets hidden in the mystery of the island.

Zoe notices how spry and fit the island’s elderly residents are. In fact, no one has miraculously died in over seventy years, and time actually stands still on Petra. After Stefanos, a dapper older gentleman, ends his life the night of Grandma’s funeral, Zoe learns that Stefanos and her grandmother were lovers and realizes there’s much more to the island than meets the eye.

Zoe sets out to discover the island and uncovers strange happenings: there isn’t a single working clock or telephone, rich migrants from all over the world live clandestinely in the hills, the island is on permanent lock-down by the Greek Navy, and the main residents are subjected to repeated medical tests. Manos, the raki-loving bon vivant who runs the local general store, hints that the islanders are paying a price for what they did to Grandma Maria and Stefanos but refuses to reveal more.

Hoping to sell her grandmother’s house and use the money to help her troubled retail business back in America, Zoe inadvertently falls for the local priest’s son, Paris, who will soon be a priest in his own right. As romantic tension mounts between them, he admits his reluctance to become a priest. Believing Zoe is a threat to their immortality, several islanders gang up on Zoe and try to expel her from Petra when more truths come to light…

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Smashwords * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Chapter 2 – FIG TREE

 

With her last sip, Maria overturned the cup on its saucer and waited a few minutes. With fingers trembling, she turned the cup again and looked inside. There it was on the smeared porcelain, the whole truth for her to see. Aunt Erato had taught her well, and there was no mistaking the will of the gods.

Chapter 18 – BLUE ZONE

 

“…Petra is unlike any other place on earth. Humans just don’t die here. Remember when you asked me what I would do if I find this elixir? Well, Petra is the elixir. This entire island is eternal life.”

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Dino Hajiyorgi was born in Istanbul in 1963 and lived in Chalkida, Greece. An award-winning writer, he was a film school graduate of ArtCenter College of Design in California, and worked as an animation series scriptwriter for Greek and German studios. A honorary member of the Athenian Club of Science Fiction, his short stories appeared in newspapers, magazines, anthologies, and in the Greek edition of Asimov’s Magazine. Dino’s additional published books are: “Nighttime Traditions”, “Ashes on Marble”, “Wolf of the Sea”, and “Saltibango and the Cats of Hydra”.

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Christos Sourligas is an award-winning and bestselling author and award-winning filmmaker. He has created and produced multiple feature films and television shows, and as a former senior executive for several internationally-renowned television production companies, he’s successfully brought shows into the homes of over 1.5 billion television viewers worldwide, airing in over 140 countries, and on 100 airlines. He also serves as a mentor and volunteer with various awards events, festivals and non-profit organizations. Christos resides in Montreal, Canada, and travels often to his ancestral home in Arcadia, Greece.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Genes Of Isis by Justin Newland ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: July 13, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, reviews
Tags: , ,
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ASIN: B07D7FMDZG

Publisher: Matador (May 21, 2018)
Publication Date: May 21, 2018
Language: English

 

Praise for THE GENES OF ISIS

“The book is exquisitely written, with good characterization and a compelling plot… Thoroughly recommended.” —Jennifer’s Reviews

 
“The novel is creative, sophisticated, brilliant! I couldn’t ask for a more Egyptian-esque book!” —Lauren, Books Beyond the Story
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Akasha is a precocious young girl with dreams of motherhood. She lives in a fantastical world where most of the oceans circulate in the aquamarine sky waters.

Before she was born, the Helios, a tribe of angels from the sun, came to Earth to deliver the Surge, the next step in the evolution of an embryonic human race. Instead they spawned a race of hybrids and infected humanity with a hybrid seed.

Horque manifests on Earth with another tribe of angels, the Solarii, to rescue the genetic mix-up and release the Surge.

Akasha embarks on a journey from maiden to mother and from apprentice to priestess then has a premonition that a great flood is imminent. All three races – humans, hybrids and Solarii – face extinction.

With their world in crisis, Akasha and Horque meet, and a sublime love flashes between them. Is this a cause of hope for humanity and the Solarii? Or will the hybrids destroy them both? Will anyone survive the killing waters of the coming apocalypse?

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MY REVIEW

Ancient Egypt has always fascinated me. I’ve watched many documentaries and fictionalized movies about it. And I’ve read up on it. It also fascinates me that a connection to aliens has been delved into. Their advanced technology would explain how the magnificent pyramids came to be.

Genes Of Isis pulled me in immediately. Set in Egypt thousands of years ago, the people are different and they’re ruled by beings that are more than human, aliens from the sun. In order to save humanity they only have a few choices to select from. One is a cataclysmic flood, unleashing the water that fills the skies. I kept trying to picture that. A sky filled with water.

I was caught up in the biblical aspects of the story. The mythological and alien. And the humanity. There’s loss, tragedy, political strife, hope, romance and the wonder of what we are here for.

The synopsis hooked me but I was worried if the plot could keep me intrigued and not get bogged down from the weight of the world the author created. I need not have feared. The short chapters, the intricacies of living in this long ago Egypt and the characters, human, more than human and alien all kept me zipping along. If the author chooses to continue with this story, I’d be happy to venture into this world again.

4 STARS

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You can purchase The Genes of Isis at the following Retailers:
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Photo Content from Justin Newland

JUSTIN NEWLAND’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism. His stories explore the themes of war and religion, and speculate on the human’s spiritual place in the universe. 

 
Undeterred by the award of a Doctorate in Mathematics from Imperial College, London, he conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies. 
 
The historical thriller, The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), is set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall. 
 
The Coronation (Matador, 2019) was another historical adventure and speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution. 
 
The Abdication (Matador, 2021) is a supernatural thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith. 
 
His work in progress is a two-book series, The Island of Angels. Set in the Elizabethan era, it’s an epic tale of England’s coming of age. The Mark of the Salamander (to be published September 2023) takes us across the open seas of discovery with Sir Francis Drake while The Midnight of Eights culminates the series with the repulse of the Spanish Armada. 
 
Author, speaker and broadcaster, Justin appears on LitFest panels, gives talks to historical associations and libraries and enjoys giving radio interviews and making podcasts. 
 
Born three days before the end of 1953, he lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.
      
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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Drunk Slutty Elf And Other Stories by D.G. Valdron ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: July 5, 2023 in comedy, Fantasy, giveaways
Tags: , , , ,
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The lighter side of the other side!

From sly humour to laugh out loud funny, Drunk Slutty Elf is a hilarious collection of stories in the styles of masters such as Terry Pratchett, Frederick Brown and David Barry.

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Drunk Slutty Elf and Other Stories

Drunk Elves and More Book 1

by D.G. Valdron

Genre: Funny Fantasy, Wacky SciFi, Horror Comedy

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The lighter side of the other side! Drunk Slutty Elf and Other Stories is a collection of humorous short stories of fantasy, horror and science fiction. In Drunk Slutty Elf, a drunken elf thief hooks up with a gray space alien searching for pieces of his spaceship; Djewel and Djinn features the Elf and Alien in the realm of Arabian nights. In Romance of the Undead; a vampire is pursued by his over-enthusiastic fans. Somewhere in The Monkey Sea, an infinite number of monkeys at typewriters plots rebellion. Lovecraft is parodied in Furry Tentacles of Menace ghost hunters confront hamsters from beyond time and space.; The Princess So Sweet and Fair gives us fairy tales gone horribly wrong, a wicked witch taking an unwanted job seriously and a kingdom overrun by frogs. Stone Blockage; ancient astronauts arrive and want us to build pyramids the old fashioned way. Silver Giant Sexy reveals the truth about Kaiju and the alien giants that fight them. Armageddon When, the antichrist shows up for armageddon and nobody cares. Hard Days Blight gives us a devil that cares too much, and damned souls that don’t care at all. There is Simulaw about the future of litigation, and Courtesy Call about the future of telemarketing, plus many more stories, wicked, subversive and funny. From sly humour to laugh out loud funny, Drunk Slutty Elf is a hilarious collection of stories in the styles of masters such as Terry Pratchett, Frederick Brown and David Barry.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Smashwords * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Salvra, half-Elf, three-fifth’s-Halfling, foursixteenth’s Dwarf, exiled Princess and sixth level thief sidled up to the bar, where she tried to catch the eye of the one-third Orc, but otherwise pretty human bartender, Logo Longlegs.

The bartender gave her a baleful glare, his eyebrow furrowing in disgust.

“Here to clear up your tab?”

“I’m good for it,” Salvra replied nonchalantly.

Longlegs grunted.

“Give me a mug of your best Aelvish Ale,” she said confidently. “I’m a bit hung over, and I need a pick-me-up. On the tab.”

“No.”

“Dwarf Mead then,” she said, “the good stuff!”

“No.”

“Regular Dwarf Mead,” she said.

“No.”

“Beer?”

“No.”

She sighed and gave him a cold look. Something that tried to convey ‘If I weren’t so hung over, I’d pick this place clean.’

It didn’t work.

She sighed and felt through her purse. She thought she’d had more in there. Someone must have picked her pocket while she’d been drunk. She found a lone bent coin. She looked at it in disgust and slapped it on the bar. Longlegs eyed it doubtfully.

“What will this buy me?” she asked.

“A flagon of drunken Orc’s piss,” he said.

She wasn’t sure if he was being sarcastic, but she decided to give it a try.

“I’ll take it.”

Longlegs grunted once. Using tongs, he tossed the coin into a small register, then he grabbed a mug and turned his back to her, fiddling with his trousers.

“Is this going to take long?” she said.

“No more than a minute,” he called back to her. Then he sighed deeply, and she heard the hissing sound of the mug being filled. A second later, he turned back to her slapped the mug on the bar in front of her, careful not to spill any of the thick green liquid in it.

She eyed the mug critically. There was a good head of foam on it, which meant it was fresh. And there were things swimming in it. That was a good sign. She grabbed the handle, threw her head back, and quaffed a deep draught, gasping as the foul liquid slid down her throat. There was a moment when the rest of her stomach contents, appalled at this new visitor, tried to escape. But she’d been down this road before, and held her nostrils closed and lips sealed until everything, including her liver, had resigned itself to fate.

“I’m starting to like the taste,” she said conversationally.

Longlegs gave her a long baleful look.

“There’s work for you,” he said.

She made a face.

“I’m a ninth level thief,” she said, “and an exiled princess. I don’t clean outhouses.”

“Not what I meant.”

“Not that either!” she said indignantly.

“No,” Longlegs said. “That guy.”

He pointed.

She looked. In a corner of the bar, a figure was hunched over a table.

“Nah .. .” she said, after a long look. “I don’t hook up with mysterious strangers in a bar, unless they’re paying up front.”

She hesitated.

“That didn’t come out how I meant,” she said apologetically.

He stared blankly at her.

“Oh all right.” She swallowed the rest of her mug with one deep draught, and when she could breathe again, she ignored his horrified expression, and staggered over, plopping herself into the chair.

“I hear you’re looking for a thief–” but her announcement trailed off as she got a good look at the stranger.

The being in front of her was gray. All gray. Its skin was rubbery. Its head was immense with two huge black almond shaped eyes. The rest of its facial features were tiny, the mouth a mere lipless slit, two tiny notches for nostrils. The rest of it was also incongruously off proportion with its head, the chest narrow, the limbs mere sticks, ending in hands with incredibly long spidery fingers. The sight of those fingers gave Salvra shivers. She wondered if other parts of him were as long and spidery.

“What the hell are you?” she asked breathlessly.

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Drunk Slutty Elf and Zombies

Drunk Elves and More Book 2

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The Drunk Slutty Elf returns, in a new misadventure with zombies. Along the way, there are more funny science fiction and fantasy stories, the foibles of satanic goat hunters, apocalyptic teddy bears, barbarians behaving badly, King Kong’s adventure with Dracula, aliens without a clue, the future of telemarketing, crunchy kaiju goodness and a helpful guide to neighborhood monsters. If you liked the previous collection, you’ll love this.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Smashwords * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Excerpt – Dracula meets King Kong

 

SCENE – SKULL ISLAND, THE CHASM WITH THE LOG UPON IT. DRACULA STANDS ON ONE SIDE OF THE CHASM, DRISCOLL AND THE REST OF THE MEN ARE ON THE LOG.

DRACULA – I am afraid, Mister Driscoll, your adventure ends here. This is as far as you go.

DRISCOLL – What are you talking about, Doctor? Anne is still out there.

DRACULA – My name is Dracula, Mister Driscoll. And Anne is no longer your concern. I have business to take care of. I cannot permit you to go further.

DRISCOLL – You were working with the savages! I knew from the start there was something wrong with you. We should never have trusted you. You were probably making us sick.

DRACULA (laughs) – Wisdom comes too late, Mister Driscoll.

DRISCOLL PULLS PISTOL, AND WAVES TO HIS MEN.

DRISCOLL – We’re coming over. And you can’t stop us, Doctor Carfax, or Dracula, whatever your name is. You’re just one man, and we have the guns.

DRISCOLL ADVANCES ACROSS THE LOG, FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL OF THE CREW OF THE VENTURE.

DRACULA – I am not a man, Mister Driscoll, and your guns are nothing to me.

DRACULA SEIZES THE ROOTS OF THE GIANT FALLEN LOG ACROSS THE CHASM, AND TWISTS. THE ENTIRE LOG ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. SOME OF THE MEN FALL OFF. DRISCOLL AND THE OTHERS FALL PRONE, HANGING ONTO THE LOG FOR ALL THEY ARE WORTH.

CUT TO DRACULA’S FACE, SHOWING UNEARTHLY STRAIN AT THESE EXERTIONS.

DRACULA HEAVES THE LOG BACK AND FORTH SHAKING IT MORE AND MORE VIOLENTLY, MORE MEN FALL OFF, BUT A FEW REMAIN CLINGING.

DRACULA – You are persistent, Mister Driscoll, but it will not help you.

WITH A MIGHTY HEAVE, DRACULA COMPLETELY LIFTS ONE END OF THE LOG INTO THE AIR, RAISING IT ABOVE HIS HEAD, AND HURLS IT INTO THE CHASM, THE LOG FALLS, TAKING THE REMAINING MEN WITH IT. AS IT FALLS, DRISCOLL DESPERATELY SEIZES A VINE, SWINGING TO PERILOUS SAFETY.

DRACULA GAZES INTO THE CHASM, A SMILE ON HIS FACE. HE LOOKS DOWN, AND FROWNS.

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D.G. Valdron is a shy and reclusive Canadian writer, living in the wilderness of the Canadian Prairie. Like other shy woodland creatures, deer, bunnies, grizzly bears, he is probably more afraid of you, than you are of him. Probably. A longtime nerd who grew up working at a Drive-In Theatre, he loves exploring interesting and obscure corners of pop culture. A longtime writer of Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror, his published works include a fantasy/murder mystery novel called The Mermaid’s Tale, the alternate history novel, Axis of Andes, several collections of short stories including Dawn of Cthulhu, Giant Monsters Sing Sad Songs, What Devours Always Hungers and There Are No Doors in Dark Places. He’s also a recognized expert on such obscure subjects as the worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs, obscure science fiction television series and fan films. Drunk Slutty Elf and its follow up are his foray into the lighter side of the other side.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Remnants Of Power by H. F. Cunningham

Posted: June 2, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, Romance
Tags: , , ,
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I am so excited that REMNANTS OF POWER  by H. F. Cunningham is available now and that
I get to share the news!

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If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a finished copy of the book & swag courtesy of H.F. & Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

REMNANTS OF POWER

by H. F. Cunningham

 

 

Pub. Date: June 1, 2023

Publisher: H. F. Cunningham

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 698

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Find it:  Goodreads, https://books2read.com/REMNANTS-OF-POWER

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“You’re sure about this?”

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“Absolutely not, but let’s do it anyway.”

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Banished from the only home she has ever known
and still reeling from the knowledge of what she truly is, and just how many
people want to kill her, Tannin has no choice but to ally with dangerous
figures from her past to survive. In a stronghold ruled by wargs, Tannin must
learn to step up and claim her blood heritage. As her own monstrous abilities
develop, Tannin finds that she likes the taste of power. But she isn’t the only
one hungering for it.

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Desperate to correct her past mistakes, Ava –
along with Tannin’s old friend Flint – leaves the safety of Armodan to follow
the wargs. With her fledgling skills as a druidic healer, Ava strives to prove
herself useful and earn her place in Tannin’s new life. Finally free of the
constraints of royal life, Ava discovers that she has only scratched the
surface of her own darker powers. 

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But power never comes without a price. 

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The rise of a queen.

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A cruel betrayal.

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And a nation on the brink of tearing itself apart. 

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Schemes and treacheries are brewing and boiling over on all sides. Unravelling them seems impossible. Perhaps surviving them is too.

 

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Grab book 1 REMNANTS OF BLOOD
now!

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

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Tannin made a disgusted noise as she picked a fat, oozing slug off her shoe. She was
so over camping and the creepy crawlies that seemed to appear out of nowhere
and get into everything.

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Tannin rubbed her eyes. She’d slept like shit again and could feel a bad mood hovering
over her like a storm cloud. Inside the tent behind her, Ava snored in her
sleep. She’d snored most of the morning, even when Tannin kicked her.

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There were…complicated feelings where Ava was concerned that she’d rather not deal
with, and it was only made worse by the fact they had to sleep next to each
other. The tents they slept in were nothing fancy. Just a sheet of
water-proofed canvas, wooden pegs and thin cords that somehow held it all
together. She’d tried every negotiating tactic she knew to try and get out of
sharing a tent with the princess, but with Adair and Flint sharing one and Dana
solidly refusing to give up hers, there was little choice. Ava knew that Tannin
needed her, and it made her insufferable. Worse than that – she kept trying to
talk. Like really talk. About what happened in Armodan. Tannin did not want to
talk about it, and she refused to accept Ava’s apologies.

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Maybe if they did talk it out, it would be better than this horrible stalemate they
were in, but Tannin was bitter about the whole thing, and Ava lording it over
her while she was at her weakest wasn’t doing anything to improve her attitude.

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“What’re you scowling at?” Flint asked as he emerged, tousle-haired, from his tent. His
long limbs unfolded as he yawned and stretched out his cramped muscles. It must
be a tight fit in the boys’ tent, Tannin thought. Flint was long and lanky, and
Adair was even taller, and quite frankly, built like a house.

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Tannin was about to reply when she was interrupted by a shriek from inside her tent.
Ava came barrelling out, wild-eyed and holding a slug at arm’s length.

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“Did you put a slug on me while I was sleeping?!” she demanded, brandishing the slug
at Tannin.

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“No,” Tannin replied innocently.

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Ava glared and scoured her face for any trace of a lie. When she didn’t find one,
she threw the poor slug aside and stomped off in the direction of the river to
wash the slime from her clothes.

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Tannin chuckled and poked at the fire she was trying to get going. Flint leaned
forward, chin on his hand, and gave her a hard look. She glanced at him slyly
out of the corner of her eye.

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“Tannin,” he said sternly.

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“Yes?” She gave him her most angelic face.

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“How many slugs?”

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She grinned evilly just as another shriek came from the river.

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“TANNIN!”

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About Author H. F. Cunningham:

 

Hello! I’m HF Cunningham; a
queer YA/NA fantasy author who likes puns!

My debut novel Remnants of
Blood is launching 14th September 2021 and is perfect for lovers of fantasy,
intruiging characters, enemies to lovers, monsters, scottish accents and witty
banter!

Follow me on instagram
hfcunningham.author or twitter hfcunningham or check out my website
www.hfcunningham.com

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Word Of The Muse by Bridgette Dutta Portman ~ Reviews And Giveaway

Posted: May 17, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, reviews, Science Fiction
Tags: , , , ,
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The Word of the Muse tour banner

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Welcome to my post during the blog tour for The Word of the Muse by Bridgette Dutta Portman.

The Word of the Muse, the thrilling conclusion to the Coseema Saga trilogy, is perfect for fans of space opera, portal fantasy, art-based magic, coming-of-age adventures, and novels about mental health, confidence, and finding the hero in ourselves.

This blog tour is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours and the tour runs from 8 till 21 May. You can see the tour schedule here.

The Word of the Muse book cover

The Word of the Muse (The Coseema Saga #3)
By Bridgette Dutta Portman
Genre: Science Fiction/ Fantasy
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: 25 April 2023

Blurb:
A daring rescue. A villain in pursuit. A battle for the suns themselves.

With Coseema off planet, Olive has bought herself some time—but the clock is ticking. After a risky rescue mission, she and her friends make their way to the center of the rebellion against Emperor Burnash, who is desperate to capture Olive and claim her power for his own. Without her journal, Olive must rely on her newfound courage to elude Burnash and help her friends. But that courage is put to the test as she and Coseema clash in a final showdown—one that will decide the fate of a star system.

The Word of the Muse, the thrilling conclusion to the Coseema Saga trilogy, is perfect for fans of space opera, portal fantasy, art-based magic, coming-of-age adventures, and novels about mental health, confidence, and finding the hero in ourselves.

Links:
– Goodreads
– Bookbub
– Amazon

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MY REVIEW

The pace of the story really picked up between the first and second book in the series. In The Word Of The Muse it’s fast and furious. Will Olive retrieve the pen she so desperately needs to save the universe she’s created? Will those she cares about survive? Will she remain in the universe she created or will she return home? Or will it all implode?

I can’t tell you the answers as that will spoil things. I can tell you this was my favorite of the three books. Not just because I got my ending and my answers.  But also, because these characters became genuine and I very much enjoyed watching them grow and step up in some dangerous and suspenseful situations.

Now that the series is finished I’m curious what the author pens next. Could it be a new series with some of the old characters and worlds? Or something else just as intriguing as this sci-fi/fantasy portal adventure. I’ll be watching to find out.

5 STARS

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Earlier books in the series:

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The Twin Stars book coverThe Silver Sail book cover

– The Twin Stars (The Coseema Saga #1)
– The Silver Sail (The Coseema Saga #2)

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MY REVIEW FOR THE TWIN STARS

Just imagine boarding an airplane, passing through a portal and entering a universe you’d created with your own imagination. That’s what happened to Olive. She’d given up ever finishing the story after the passing of her grandmother. Looks like the story is writing itself now.

Wow, what a universe it was. The world building was incredible and it was easy to visual much of it. Thanks to all of the shows and movies I’ve watched in the sci-fi/fantasy genre, my own imagination showed me a lot.

The plot was very intriguing. Especially as I’d not read much about portals. I do remember when I was a young girl, creating a magical world in my mind that I could enter through an old tree stump in my backyard. Since this began on an airplane, I wonder if I’ll think of this series the next time I get on one.

There was a diverse cast of characters in this story too. They were fleshed out and well represented. Some I liked more than others. And some I didn’t care for at all. But yeah, I don’t think I was supposed to like those.

While the story wasn’t fast paced, I didn’t mind. The author was creating a universe, showing it to me. And introducing lots of different personalities of all ages and sexes. I imagine the next two books may read more swiftly as this has all been done in The Twin Stars and things will be more familiar. Looking forward to more soon.

4 STARS

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MY REVIEW FOR THE SILVER SAIL

I was left with many questions and loads of curiosity about where the series was headed after finishing The Twin Stars. The Silver Sail picks up pretty much where the first book left off. I quickly and easily fell through the portal again and was shown so much more about the universe and the consequences Olive and other’s face after a damaging loss.

The first book wasn’t fast paced. That’s to be expected when building a new world. This one zipped along at a much faster clip, with so many more challenges and dangers and some planet hopping too. Many of these characters are growing on me and I’m developing a strong dislike for a certain villain. Which makes me invested in the lives of these character’s as they grow and face so many new things. I’m really excited to read The Word Of The Muse and see how it all ends. What a great title for the conclusion to an exciting series.

4 Stars

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Bridgette Dutta Portman author picture

About the Author:
Bridgette Dutta Portman is an author, playwright, and teaching artist. Dozens of her plays have been produced across the United States and overseas. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Spalding University, as well as a PhD in political science from the University of California, Irvine. She is past president of the Playwrights’ Center of San Francisco and is currently a member of Same Boat Theater Collective, the Pear Playwrights’ Guild, and the Dramatists’ Guild. She recently joined the board of the Pear Theatre in Mountain View, CA. The Twin Stars is her debut novel, and the first of a planned trilogy. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband Deepanshu and their two young children.

Author links:
– Website
– Newsletter
– Facebook
– Twitter
– Instagram
– Goodreads
– Amazon

 

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There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Word of the Muse. One winner wins a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card (winner’s choice).

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

A Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Shattered by Cassie Swindon

Posted: May 12, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, Romance
Tags: , , ,
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Shattered organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Cassie Swindon will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Shattered

by Cassie Swindon

Shattered (The Linked Trilogy Book 3) by [Cassie Swindon]

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis

Darkness is gnawing at my soul. The shadows swallow me a little more each day. But someone needs to destroy Elana Elidi. And I may be the only one who can. There’s a spell to stop her from destroying the remaining Ordulls. But it requires a sacrifice from my true love. The problem is—who does my heart belong to—Jadox or Isaac?

 Enjoy this peek inside:

The silent moon loomed over us as a steady reminder of Gemm’s last prophecy. Her words rang in my head again and again.

“On the full Teal Moon, one man will lay down his life for love.”

I gulped and squeezed my eyes shut, praying to the goddess above that she was wrong. I only had two weeks left to find a way to prevent that fate. It wasn’t fair. I had worked too hard to keep them both alive, and we had all sacrificed so much. Maybe if I had never picked either of them, then neither man would be doomed to this fate.

Tears pooled behind my eyes. “You won’t win,” I whispered up at the moon, but she only smiled down in return.

Following Chocolate’s tug, I lumbered through the tall grass toward the abandoned skyscrapers of Vayu. Trying to claw myself out of the fog, I contemplated Gemm’s other words for the hundredth time.

One of them became cursed and was trudging toward death.

I shook my head in frustration and shot a random burst of fire at one of the buildings. “No! I won’t let anyone die. I won’t.” Flames shot through a window, and glass shattered, cascading over the sidewalk.

Chocolate barked and tugged hard, her leash slipping from my hand as she darted into one of the shadowy buildings.

“Chocolate! Hey. Come back!” I sprinted over the fallen glass through the quiet streets. Too quiet.

When I reached the threshold of a door, a strange feeling warped my tattoos. I rolled the hem of my skirt down and stared at the gray tattoo on my hip, which now resembled a toxic mist. Shit.

About Author Cassie Swindon:

Cassie Swindon isn’t only an Indie author of six fiction books, but she has also tackled a stranger for a pair of Michael Phelps’ personal goggles, cried when the Cubs won the World Series and chose where to move cross-country by the flip of a coin. If you’d like to learn more about how her cat caused a flood in her house, or maybe to buy a book or two of hers, then check out the social media accounts below.

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Email
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Amazon

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Old Dragon’s Head by Justin Newland ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: May 12, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, Historical
Tags: , ,
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Book Details:

​The Old Dragon’s Head by Justin Newland
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  257 pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy, Supernatural Thriller 
Publisher:  Troubador Publishing Ltd.
Release date:  November 2018
Content Rating: PG-13 +M. Mild sex and cruelty. Mature themes.

 

 

Book Description:

The Great Wall of China may be constructed of stone and packed earth, but it is home to a supernatural beast – the Old Dragon. Both wall and dragon protect China’s northern borders from Mongol incursion. Just beyond the fortress of Shanhaiguan, the far eastern end of the wall protrudes into the Bohai Sea – that’s the Old Dragon’s Head.

​Bolin, a young man working on the Old Dragon’s Head, suffers visions of ghosts. The local seer suspects that he has yin-yang eyes and other supernatural gifts. Bolin’s fief lord, the Prince of Yan, rebels against his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor. In the bitter war of succession, the Mongols hold the balance of power. While the victor might win the battle on earth, China’s Dragon Throne can only be earned with a Mandate from Heaven – and the support of the Old Dragon. In every era, a man endowed with the powers of heaven – the Dragon Master – is born. Only he can summon the Old Dragon, providing he possesses the dragon pearl. It’s the year 1402, and neither the Old Dragon, the dragon pearl, nor the Dragon Master, has been seen for twenty years. Bolin’s journey of self-discovery is mirrored by that of old China, as both endeavour to come of age. When Bolin accepts his destiny as the Dragon Master, heaven sends a third coming of age – for humanity itself. But are any of them ready for what is rising in the east?

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Author Guest Post
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Twelve reasons to read THE OLD DRAGON’S HEAD 

 

  1. Set in the year 1400, The Old Dragon’s Head is a historical adventure and secret history of China’s coming of age. In 1205, China had suffered the ignominy of a Mongol invasion, and it wasn’t until 1368 that the founder of the Ming Dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor, expelled them.
  2. The novel’s young protagonist is Bolin, and the story follows his coming of age, which mirrors China’s struggle to find a new identity and shrug off the bad karma that invited the Mongol invasion in the first place.
  3. The Old Dragon’s Head – or Laolongtou in Chinese – is not just an intriguing title, it’s a real place on the far eastern end of the Great Wall of China, where the wall meets the sea for the only time. That provides the dramatic setting for the novel.
  4. In 1380, the Hongwu Emperor built a great fortress at the Laolongtou to defend China’s northern borders from the now-defeated Mongols. The main gate in the fortress – which exists to this day – is the formidable Zengdong Gate, above which was inscribed the enigmatic saying: “The First Pass Under Heaven.”
  5. You’ll get to know more about the Bagua – the eight trigrams of Taoist cosmology that supposedly represent the fundamental principles of reality. These appear in the book of portents, the I Ching.
  6. Bolin is a young man working as an apprentice on the Great Wall. When he experiences visions and strange dreams, he tries to find out what they mean. From then on, his life takes off and, like all reluctant heroes, he persistently refuses to follow his destiny until… it catches up with him and he can no longer avoid it.
  7. Each chapter in the novel starts with a saying from different Chinese philosophers and thinkers, such as Confucius, Mencius, Lao Tzu, and others. These highlight the unusual and enigmatic Chinese way of thinking. In some ways, the novel is a homage to Chinese thought, literature, and wisdom.
  8. One of them is the ancient Chinese saying – ‘May you live in interesting times.’ Read The Old Dragon’s Head to find out if it’s a blessing, or a curse.
  9. Belief in demons, ghosts and spirits… Feng-shui, Almanacs and Acupuncture… the novel explores the incredibly superstitious mind-set of the Chinese in the year 1400.
  10. You’ll learn that the Zhongguo – meaning Middle Kingdom – is the Chinese name for China.
  11. The book is a mix of Chinese history, crime, fantasy, and thriller all with a supernatural twist. And don’t forget smatterings of Chinese poetry and philosophy or that the novel highlights how different the Chinese criminal justice system is to the western model.
  12. Find out what Yin-Yang eyes are and more about the Yin-Yang symbol. You’ll also encounter the Buddhist idea of the transmigration of souls, and don’t forget the incredible cosmic instruction manual conceived by mandarins from the Ming Dynasty – The Great Ming Code.
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Meet the Author:

JUSTIN NEWLAND’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres from historical fiction and crime, to supernatural thrillers and mystery. His stories deal with the themes of war, religion, and evolution and speculate on the human’s spiritual place in the universe.

Undeterred by the award of a Doctorate in Mathematics from Imperial College, London, he found his way to the creative keyboard and conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies.

Next came the historical fantasy, The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.

His next historical fantasy, The Coronation (Matador, 2019), speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution.

His fourth, The Abdication (Matador, 2021), is a supernatural thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.

His work in progress is a two-book series, The Island of Angels, set in Elizabethan England, and is an epic tale of England’s coming of age. The first novel, The Mark of the Salamander, travels with Sir Francis Drake across the wide open seas of discovery from 1577-1580 and is due to be published in September 2023. The second, The Midnight of Eights, culminates in the repulse of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

He regularly gives talks to historical associations and libraries and enjoys giving radio interviews and making podcasts. Born three days before the end of 1953, he lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ pinterest ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

 
 
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THE OLD DRAGON HEAD Book Tour Giveaway

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

2023 Favorite Fan Contest

Posted: May 8, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, Science Fiction
Tags: , ,
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2023 FAVORITE FAN COMPETITION

World Famous author, Opëshum will be opening The 2023 Favorite Fan Competition on June 1st and closing it for entries on June 30th.

If you love SciFi and Fantasy Fiction Novels, and have a solid following on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok, you are eligible to enter the competition, and compete with others for the title of being her FAVORITE FAN of 2023 along with a cash prize of $75 U.S.

CONTEST RULES:

• Read “Beyond the Father -Book 1 of gods on Trial: The Series™️”

• Prepare a video reel on Instagram, FaceBook or TikTok, sharing your analysis of the book, the plot, theme, greatest problems facing at least two characters, and what you liked most about the book.

• Reels must be authentically yours and reflect ACTUAL content in the book. Brief recap summaries of the book synopsis are not eligible to win.

• The competition opens on June 1, 2023 which means those competing may start posting their Instagram, Facebook or TikTok reels as early as June 1st.

• The competition closes on June 30, 2023, meaning the last eligible reels must be posted on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok no later than 12 midnight IST on June 30th

• Opëshum and staff members from 1iR3 Publishers will be viewing each reel to judge them for quality, depth, and to look for the person who provided the BEST analysis and details on the book. The person with the best analysis posted to Instagram, Facebook or TikTok will be selected as Opëshum’s Favorite Fan of 2023!!

The winner will be named in mid July via 1) an announcement on Goodreads, 2) the author’s Instagram and FaceBook page, and 3) on the publisher’s Twitter page.

• Only ONE winner will be selected.

• Contestants can borrow a copy of the book from a friend, check out a copy at the library, or get a copy of the book on Kindle
here.

• REGISTRATION TO ENTER THE COMPETITION IS FREE: However, you must email the author directly to register for the competition before you start. Email Opëshum Patroz directly at BookReviews@GodsOnTrial.com.

• In your email include your name and link to your Instagram, TikTok or Facebook page so that the author and judges at the publishing house can view your reel when you start posting your book analysis in June.

• The winner will receive:

$75 U.S
A personally autographed paperback collector’s copy, signed with the author’s famous purple pen
A gods on Trial T-shirt
And the coveted title of Opëshum’s FAVORITE FAN OF 2023!!

Sponsored by:
 

1iR3 Publishers

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”To register for the Favorite Fan Competition you must email the author directly. However if you only want to enter for a chance to win the paperback, simply click on the rafflecopter below.”

Enter to win an autographed copy of GODS ON TRIAL:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Cover Reveal And Giveaway ~ Wilhelmina Quigley: Magic School Dropout by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

Posted: May 2, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways
Tags: , ,
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Wilhelmina Quigley: Magic School Dropout

by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

Genre: Teen Fantasy

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Family wields the greatest magic.

A missing father. A mother bewitched. Wilhelmina must use her unpredictable magic to catch whoever—or whatever—is stalking her parents. Will her powers be enough to restore her family?

When Wilhelmina accidentally sets her remedial magic class on fire, she is sent to live in the ordinary world with a mother she barely knows. Her adjustment gets off to a very rocky start. She has sudden, unexplainable bursts of magic—mostly while navigating the middle-school minefield—and her mother’s behaving like she’s under some spell. Despite her handicapped magic, Wilhelmina vows to get to the bottom of it all—even if she could vanish without a trace just like her father.

“Wilhelmina Quigley: Magic School Dropout” is a fish-out-of-water story with touches of mystery, fantasy, and humor. A witty tale of enchantment.

Buy this book now to laugh along with Wilhelmina as she learns about the ordinary world.

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**On Sale for a limited time – Pre-Order now!**

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Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Liese Sherwood-Fabre knew she was destined to write when she got an A+ in the second grade for her story about Dick, Jane, and Sally’s ruined picnic. After obtaining her PhD, she joined the federal government and worked and lived internationally for more than fifteen years. Returning to the states, she seriously pursued her writing career, garnering such awards as a finalist in RWA’s Golden Heart contest and a Pushcart Prize nomination. A recognized Sherlockian scholar, her essays have appeared in scion newsletters, the Baker Street Journal, and Canadian Holmes. She has recently turned this passion into an origin story series on Sherlock Holmes. The first book, The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife, was the CIBA Mystery and Mayhem 2020 winner.

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Website * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the reveal HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

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