Posts Tagged ‘epic fantasy’

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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The Bone Master

Book Two of The Sands of Achten Tan

by Debbie Iancu-Haddad

Genre: Epic Fantasy

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Kaii Haku has lived his whole life in the shadow of his cruel father’s magic.
Rebelling against his father- the Bone Master- by drinking and sleeping around was Kaii’s main occupation for years.


But when one of his best friends is kidnapped by pirates, Kaii embarks on a perilous rescue mission with two retired pleasure house workers, a shy teen bookworm, and a feisty girl from the pirate crew.

The journey will take Kaii and his allies far from Achten Tan, to a sea ruled by dangerous conditions and ships that travel on the backs of monsters.


For the first time in his life, he has the power to make a difference, but if he wields his emerging bone magic to save the girl he loves, he risks losing himself and becoming like his father – a man who tried to kill him.

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Chapter 1 – Kaii

It’s cold beneath the bones.

I can feel them now, all around me.

When I first got my magic back, this awareness overwhelmed me. Sensing the ancient leviathan bones, the city is carved into, and the bones of its occupants. It took me a while to discern the living, breathing residents from the structures surrounding us. These fleeting specks of existence celebrate life today and are reduced to dust tomorrow.

Morbid, Kaii. Really morbid. Gast me. I’m turning into my dad. 

I stride through the Undercity, sensing the vertebrae all around me. Up ahead, I detect two (probably live) bodies before I see them, and one more, further away, the target of my visit.

“Who goes there?”

Long wooden staffs bar my way into the Undercity. Which is really gasting rude, all things considered. The tall sharp-faced elf who spoke is obviously one of Aislinn’s people, the Svaalti elves who moved into the Undercity the day after the cavern gnomes left. The two elves, one male, and one female, regard me with haughty expressions. Sporting long pale hair, braided in intricate patterns, their robes a fine silk rarely seen in Achten Tan. I’m relieved they haven’t replaced the bone weapons my father confiscated the day they arrived, seeking refuge after the destruction of Satama.

“Kaii Haku, to visit Opu Haku.” I state. Not that it’s any of their business. The elves nod and move aside, their expressions still just on the wrong side of respectful. Aislinn and her people have taken control of the Undercity like a rot growing into the marrow. They’ll need to be dealt with eventually, but it’s not my responsibility to do so. At least not yet.

Today I’m here to see my father, though I don’t know why I bother. I can already feel him up ahead. My ability to sense bones doesn’t tell me if he’s dead or alive, but something tells me he still lives. As I enter the passageway below the Undercity, an almost palpable wave of animosity floats my way. It must be my imagination.

Opu Haku hasn’t taken well to his imprisonment. The rock cage at the end of the tunnel is lit only by a flickering torch. The hunched figure in the shadows doesn’t stir as I approach, but I sense a subtle testing of my wards, searching for an opening. If he finds it, he could break my bones, hurl me across the tunnel, try to kill me. Again.

“Still can’t throw me down the hall.” I aim for glib, but my tone misses its mark, sliding off his hunched shoulders to land in a splat at his feet. He can’t attack me with bone magic. I’m shielded by the protection runes tattooed into my skin, so instead, he hurls sharp words, seeking to make a mark.

“Why are you here?” he snarls.

“The usual.” I approach the stone bars and slide the package of food through the narrow gap. Drizko engineered a device that provides a trickle of water. It flows through his cell, washing away waste, and enabling him to drink. The smell down here is foul. Body odor and refuse with a side of dirt and despair. Does he even bother to bathe himself anymore? He’s sunk so low, figuratively and literally. From the top of Chief’s Rib to the deepest hole in the Undercity.

“Any plans of getting me out of here?” he asks. His voice is close. I look up to discover he’s right up against the bars. Grey eyes, the same color as my own, stare me down, and for an instant, I see vulnerability in his granite gaze, but I blink and it’s gone.

“No. Nobody misses you, old man.”

Ok. That was cruel, but the guy tried to kill me, more than once. All my warm fuzzy feelings for him are long gone.

“Then why bother feeding me?” He hurls the package I just passed through at the bars, the loaves of algae bread and dried meat strips scattering on the dirty cell floor. “Why prolong my suffering?”

“Maybe I won’t come back then.” I turn and leave, his eyes stabbing my back like knives.

I don’t mean it. I won’t let my own father starve to death, even if the bastard deserves it. He blames me for his imprisonment, and for my part in the destruction of his bone staff, even though both result from his own actions. But I’m not the one who decided to leave him down here. That was the town council’s decision. Even his toady, Rapaccio Pallor, couldn’t sway them.

As I exit the Undercity, my feet turn right towards Jezebone’s. That’s where I always end up lately. It’s better than going back to my empty rooms.

I’m nursing my second or third drink when a wide smile and an An’cher uniform block my view of the bar.

“What are you drinking?” Kamal swings his large blond frame down onto the bench opposite me, patting the seat at his side for D’or to join him. D’or hesitates a moment, his green eyes swinging from me to Kamal.

“Do you want company?” D’or asks me, shoving back his mess of dark curls.

I wave my hand at his already seated boyfriend. “Sure.” I love being surrounded by sickeningly in-love couples. Nothing better. 

“Should you two even be in here?” I toss back the rest of my Xenthalor Venom and motion to the barmaid to hit me again. Hopefully not literally this time.

Kamal scrunches up his pale eyebrows like a confused dasu pup. “First of all, I’m almost seventeen now and I have An’cher privileges… And D’or…” he turns to his boyfriend, “do you get a Tar-tule rider discount?”

I’m just messing with him, anyway. I seriously doubt Jezebone’s gives a gast about a minimum age for drinking or for use of their other services.

“Where have you two been?” I mumble into my empty cup.

They exchange a look. “Oh, we were out of Achten Tan for a few days… Visiting my parents at the caverns,” Kamal responds.

He’s sweet, trying to spare my feelings, but I force the issue, relishing the prickle of discomfort. “Mila and Geb’s ceremony?”

“Yeah.”

I’m not bitter. They invited me and I wanted to go. I was just too busy with my ‘drinking myself stupid’ schedule… I’d built up a rhythm and couldn’t take a break for things like forever ceremonies, especially when it’s the girl who was supposed to be my future.

Kamal and D’or exchange another look.

“Can you two still read each other’s minds? Or mine?” I ask.

I really should have had them sign a non-disclosure agreement before I invited six people into my brain. They know too much. I’d make them disappear, but I kinda like the two brats.

“We can’t read your mind,” D’or says, his green eyes glinting with mischief. “Not since Mila’s mind-reading elixir wore off. And we still have enough material to work through from the night of the heist.”

“That was a long list,” Kamal smirks. The two boys nudge each other, practically giggling. It’s disgusting, in a cute, nauseatingly sweet kinda way.

The barmaid slams my drink down in front of me, sloshing some of the green liquid out of the glass to splash on my hand. I miss Kiva. How was I to know the new girl only tends the bar and doesn’t offer those services? I mean, it’s a pleasure house, for Gast’s sake.

I study my wet hand for a moment before lifting my eyes to her furious black ones and licking my fingers off slowly, one at a time. For a moment it looks like she’s going to hit me again, but then she huffs, throwing her dark tresses over her shoulder and stamping off towards the bar again.

“Actually, we wanted to order a drink…” Kamal calls after her.

D’or sighs and slides out of his seat. “I’ll get it. Your usual, babe?”

Kamal nods and unashamedly watches Do’r’s backside as he moves towards the bar. Not that I blame him. I’d watch too if I wasn’t worried about Kamal thumping me for ogling his boyfriend. Not that I care about being hit, but they are friends, sort of, and I don’t do it with friends. I don’t even think about doing it with friends. I made that mistake before and I’ve learned my lesson.

But as my eyes follow D’or towards the bar, I spot a girl who most certainly is not a friend. In fact, I’ve never seen her before. She’s leaning on the wall by the bar, holding a tankard the size of a pumble and wearing a frown that promises to burn this town to the ground. She’s definitely not from around here. Not to brag, but I’ve slept with every unattached, reasonably young, warm body around these parts, who ISN’T a friend. I’d love to add her to my list.

Her clothes are distinctly foreign and I use the term clothes lightly. Apparently, she thinks knives are a fashion accessory. I’ve counted five from this angle alone and I can only see one side of her. She’s not so much wearing a shirt as a type of leather halter with room for more knives, but it affords a very enticing view of her breasts. Before I think too hard about it, I’m out of my seat and crossing the bar in her direction.

I’m not quite into weaving territory yet, which is good, because this girl looks like she’ll require the use of at least part of my brain, not to mention other parts of me. I wonder if her tongue is as sharp as her knives. Still, I manage to walk a pretty straight line over to the bar, my fresh drink only slightly sloshing over my hand.

She watches me, locking her dark eyes with mine, a smirk lifting one side of her full lips. Challenge accepted. I make it across the room to her side, planting one hand on the wall by her head. Mostly for effect, but also a bit for support.

The girl turns towards me, wiping her luscious lips with the back of her hand, and slaps her tankard back onto the bar.

“Can I get you another?” I ask though I don’t know how she finished the first one.

“I’ll pass.” Her voice is deep and raspy. “It tastes like whale piss.” She scrapes a hand through her hair, pushing the short dark strands back behind her ear. One side is shaved short, while the other brushes her bare tattooed shoulder. Mmmmm, tattoos. No, wait. Tattoos are bad. I’m not into tattoos… anymore. Oh, Gast, who am I kidding?

“Well, if you hate the taste, why did you finish the first one?” Am I imagining it, or is she shifting closer?

She shrugs. “I was thirsty.” Yup, she’s definitely moving closer. Running her hand up my arm, she gives my bicep a squeeze, “but now I’m hungry for something else.” Then she licks those pink lips, my eyes following the motion with fascination.

I’ll admit, this has never worked quite so well on a complete stranger before. Maybe she’s heard about me. I lean in, testing the limits of this arrangement. She doesn’t give an inch, which places us chest to chest, and hers is just as pleasing up close as it was from across the room.

“Are you new in town?” I murmur.

Her dark eyes turn up to mine. I’m half a head taller than her, just the way I like it.

“I’m just passing through. Here today, gone tomorrow. So why don’t you show me a good time while I’m here?” She leans in to speak and her breath whispers along my cheek. Her hand is moving again, sliding across my chest and scraping my jaw. She pushes up on her toes, her mouth hovering close to mine.

“What’s the best view in Achten Tan?” she asks. Her scent is tantalizing. A salty, flowery combination I can’t place. I want to inhale her. Better yet, I want to taste her. I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry, and take the last gulp of my drink. She watches my mouth as I lick my lips, her pink tongue darting out to wet her bottom lip.

“Best view in Achten Tan is from the top of Chief’s Rib, where I live.”

She nods in a type of weird satisfaction, like I got the answer right. I look down again; she’s practically plastered to my front, which is good… or bad… because she’s going to feel…

Her smile widens and her hand is on the move again, sliding down, down, down…

I catch her wrist before her hand can reach its destination. I’d like to continue this, but not in the middle of Jezebone’s. They don’t allow that behavior here unless you’re paying for it.

“How about I give you the tour?” I ask.

“Of your rooms?” I thought she wanted to see the view from my father’s chambers, but apparently, she’s as eager as I am.

“Sure. Of my rooms. This way…” I pause, waiting for her name.

“Tara. Tara Phenix.”

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Speechless in Achten Tan

Book 1 In The Sands of Achten Tan

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Mila hasn’t spoken in the five years since she became an Onra, a first-level Everfall witch. After failing the test to reclaim her voice and control her magic, her mentor sends eighteen-year-old Mila to Achten Tan–City of Dust–a dangerous desert town, built in the massive ribcage of an extinct leviathan.

To reclaim her power, Mila must steal a magical staff capable of releasing it, from Bone Master Opu Haku’s sky-high lair.

Her only resources are the magical luminous elixirs of the cursed caverns where she grew up, and a band of unlikely allies; a quirky inventor, a giant-ant rider, a healer, a librarian’s assistant, a Tar-tule rider, and the chief’s playboy son.

But in the City of Bones, enemies & friends are not who they seem, and trusting the wrong person can be deadly.

If Mila fails, she will never speak again and her bones will be added to the desert.

This book includes a kick-ass tattooed witch who can’t speak, giant ants, first-person present-tense narration, magic, banter, lots of innuendoes, and cute boys kissing.

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**Don’t miss the FREE prequels!!**

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In the Heart of the Storm

A Prequel to the Bone Master

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Pirate in the Desert

An Achten Tan short story

Get it FREE here!

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Debbie Iancu-Haddad is a Jewish Israeli author living in Meitar in the Negev Desert. Author of Speechless in Achten Tan a YA fantasy novel. And The Bone Master, forthcoming.

She spends her time taking part in Anthologies (seven to date with three more on the way), writing VSS on Twitter, and buying way too much stuff online. Her goal is to promote body positive characters and include characters dealing with physical challenges. #ownvoices

For her day job, she gives lectures on humor, laughter yoga workshops, and chocolate workshops, and sees how often she can make her two teenagers roll their eyes.

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Not only do I have an amazing book to share with you all today, I’m also giving you a chance to enter for a chance to win a brand-new KINDLE FIRE HD 8!!!! Read more about Through Titan’s Trail by Austin Dragon and be sure to enter the giveaway at the end!

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Through Titan’s Trail (The Fabled Quest Chronicles #1)

Publication Date: April 2018

Genre: Epic Fantasy/ Adventure

Many die along the Trail, but to embark on such a magical adventure and behold its ultimate treasures, all shall be gladly risked!

Every three years it arrives—The Kings’ Caravan to the legendary city of Atlantea. From the far reaches of the Seven Empires of Pan-Earth, men travel from Avalonia—the sole gateway into the realm of the Magical Lands for the year-long journey along a path created by the ancient Titans themselves.

It is a journey like no other through unimaginable dangers, both mortal and magical, of men and monsters, by day and night—all to reach the limitless riches of the magic kingdom of Atlantea. Only under the protection of the Four Kings—the Kings’ Caravan—is such a journey possible. Or is it?

A new alliance forms under the stranger known as Traveler as the most fantastic and deadliest adventure of all time, this fable quest, begins!

Through Titan’s Trail is Book One of the Fabled Quest Chronicles.

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PURCHASE YOUR COPY HERE!

The final book in The Fabled Quest Chronicles came it in May which means, you don’t have to stop at Through Titan’s Trail, you can binge the whole series- six book in all!

About the Author

Austin-Dragon_130_CROP

Austin Dragon is the author of over 20 books in science fiction, fantasy, and classic horror. His works include the cyberpunk detective LIQUID COOL series, the epic fantasy FABLED QUEST CHRONICLES, the international epic AFTER EDEN Series, and the classic SLEEPY HOLLOW HORRORS. He is a native New Yorker but has called Los Angeles, California home for more than twenty years. Words to describe him, in no particular order: U.S. Army, English teacher, one-time resident of Paris, ex-political junkie, movie buff, Fortune 500 corporate recruiter, renaissance man, futurist, and dreamer.

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Welcome to my stop during the blog tour for The Twelve Tasks by Katharine E. Wibell. The Twelve Tasks is the first book in a new epic fantasy series called The Djed Chronicles where the future of the twelve magicked worlds rests upon the shoulders of a girl from earth.

This blog tour is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 18 till 31 January. See the tour schedule here. You can enter the tour wide giveaway at the bottom of this post!

The Twelve Tasks (The Djed Chronicles #1)
By Katharine E. Wibell
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: 13 November, 2020

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Synopsis

The precarious balance between two opposing forces has begun to shift and threatens the very existence of life throughout the universe. Only the Djed—the prophesied savior—has a chance of thwarting a catastrophe that could destroy the cosmos. And the next Djed is predicted to be a child of Earth.

Katie awakens on a world far from her own, a world bound in magic, one of twelve that hosts entities of vast power and might. She is suspected to be that savior. However, to be acclaimed Djed, difficult and dangerous tasks, one on each of the magicked worlds, must be completed. Katie and a menagerie of misfit companions—a precocious witch, a half-blood elf, and a humanoid pup—work together to discover her fate. If proven true, a terrible burden will be placed upon her, one that will link her destiny with war, a war led by a thirteen-year-old girl.
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The Djed Chronicles follows Katie over her teenage years as she confronts dark forces and discovers that the right choices are not always apparent and wrong choices can have deadly consequences.

Links:
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Katharine E WibellAbout the Author:
Katharine Wibell’s lifelong interest in mythology includes epic poetry like the Odyssey, Ramayana, Beowulf, and the Nibelungenlied. In addition, she is interested in all things animal whether training dogs, apprenticing at a children’s zoo, or caring for injured animals as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. After receiving degrees from Mercer University in both art and psychology with an emphasis in animal behavior, Wibell moved to New Orleans with her dog, Alli, to kick start her career as an artist and a writer. Her literary works blend her knowledge of the animal world with the world of high fantasy.

Wibell grew up in a rural town in Georgia, and this series was inspired by her childhood play with her sister. Together, they set up the groundwork for the twelve magicked worlds, the Djed, and the plethora of characters that come to life in these books.

You can find and contact Katharine here:
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Knights of the Dragon
Of Knights and Wizards Book 1
by A.J. Gallant
Genre: Epic Fantasy
In a fantasy land full of knights, dragons, kingdoms and wars, a boy is transformed into a sorcerer before his time.
To save his kingdom he must learn fast, but not a single spell has worked for him. As he sleepwalks, he conjures, driving people away from him and even transforming his father – the king – into a chicken. It might be too dangerous for King Darrius to allow his son to remain in Leeander.
He’s a Tarcranian Wizard of the highest power, and distracted enough without a female to grab his attention. But Raina’s beautiful face captures him, and after Marcus befriends one of the dragons, she discovers his quandary.
And so the adventure begins.
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Knights of the Wizard
Of Knights and Wizards Book 2
Young Marcus is trying hard to become a respectable sorcerer, but he’s failing miserably… and casting spells while he sleepwalks doesn’t help either. But will he really be banished from his own kingdom?
Meanwhile, a grey dragon awakens from a four-hundred-year nap and discovers that there is a new and powerful wizard in existence – and that he just might be a danger to him. Ash must be killed.
With the Dwagord residing on the other side of the mountain range, never before able to venture into Leeander’s part of the world, their wizards have finally blown their way through the mountain, and are planning to conquer everyone and everything. But to the Dwagord, this new land is as puzzling as it is fascinating, with much more magic than exists in their homeland.
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Knight of the Sword
Of Knights and Wizards Book 3
Marcus still hasn’t mastered his powers, he’s not the suave and in control wizard he would like to be. Now poor Marcus is now contending with courting and try as he may, is fumbling around in the dark, trying to win his lady’s favor. How long will Raina wait for his full attention? Is she being too demanding? Marcus has been warned that he must find and keep the Staff of Herding, a powerful magical tool for its owner out of the hands of three dark sorcerers. But is it too late? Who is the guardian that protects this staff? How can anyone get past such a powerful protector who has hidden it away deep where no one would dare to look.
Meanwhile, in a dragon cave, a young and powerful dragon wizard is growing into his powers, but what does he have to do with Marcus? In a world filled with magic, will their paths cross again? A powerful sword, that can only be handled by the pure of soul has become a quest for Princess Alexa as she sets off on a deadly quest to retrieve this sword and bring it home as a gift. Can the sword help win back the stolen staff? Will Marcus finally come into his own and get a handle on his magic or will evil overtake the world?
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Knights of the Full Moon
Of Knights and Wizards Book 4
“A.J. Gallant is back and Knights of the Full Moon has got to be right up there as one of his best medieval fantasies to date.”
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Who will be transformed into a new sorcerer? Who will perish?
The source of magic is releasing an excessive amount of magical ingredients into the world with dire consequences. Never before seen monsters, dragons with no wings and whales floating up and out of the sea. Marcus and his dragon friend who’s also a sorcerer tried but failed to contain the source.
What will happen to this magical world now?
An epic fantasy of sword and sorcery, medieval adventure, romance, and magic. Sprinkled with humor. Arthurian with lots of twists and turns. Ever changing enchantment makes life a complicated affair.
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Knights of Ash
Of Knights and Wizards Book 5
Dragon fantasy and romance collide in this series of a coming of age wizard and his many trials and tribulations of suddenly being thrown into the wizarding world. A medieval world of dragons, wizards and wizards and of course knights. Did I mention talking dragons? And one dragon in particular that bonds with Marcus which is unheard of in this land. A wonderful series of great and unpredictable adventure.
Marcus always thought that dragons were at the top of the food chain, but crunchers are moving into the area and they kill dragons. The Tar-Cranian Wizard cannot imagine his land without dragons, but even the sorcerers, including Raina and Ash may have enough experience to stop them.
And Marcus must journey to the Upside-Down forest to replenish his magical ingredients, but at more than five hundred leagues away the chances of returning are not good.
Meanwhile, a hunter named Shaun has eyes for the woman that lives across from him, but his father is ready to sell her.
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A. J. Gallant is the best selling author of several books, including Knights of the Dragon (of Knights and Wizards series) and Dracula Hearts series, the first book in the series is Dracula: Hearts of Stone.
Detective Olivia Brown Mysteries is also gaining in popularity. (Anita’s vacation in New York City ends tragically when she’s killed in Central Park, but instead of the end, it’s only the beginning. Her soul remains at the scene trying hard to process what happened. There are other ghosts that don’t seem to be much help. And,of course, the new reality of being a ghost does not sit well with Anita.
What is she supposed to do now?)
The author has two cats that make him rise at 5 each morning to keep him on his toes.
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Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

Today’s book just released today and you’ll want to check it out!

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Beyond Night

by Eric S. Brown and Steven L. Shrewsbury

Genre:  Epic Fantasy /  Horror

Beyond Night front cover

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My Review

Bigfoot, a Roman legion, Picts, wizards and bloody carnage. I knew I had to read this book. I’ve enjoyed Eric’s Bigfoot War Series and this is my first time reading something by Steven. I was curious how this author team would handle the disappearance of a Roman legion consisting of 5000 battle seasoned men.

They did an outstanding job, giving a fascinating historical account of the Roman invasion into Pict lands, spicing it up with some magic in the form of wizards, a weaver and a long dead Pict queen.

And let’s not forget Bigfoot. They are huge, mad with a lust for carnage and damn near unstoppable. When the slew of creatures attack the Roman’s its absolute chaos and this horror fan loved it.

There was a hitch in my reading pleasure though. It was hard going at the beginning. The sentences were oddly written. I’m guessing its written as the character’s would speak in their time. And commas often felt like they were in the wrong place, breaking the flow of the story for me. Once I got the hang of it, I was able to concentrate more on the story. My copy is an ARC so I have no idea if the published book has these same occurrences.

There’s so many agendas in play. Each side believes theirs is the right one and use any means necessary to win. Subterfuge, strategy, magic and blunt force all come into play as all move toward an epic battle.

Egad, this was one dark, vicious read, filled with heavy atmosphere. The writing was powerful and I easily visualized many scenes, my imagination fueled by movies like The 13th Warrior and The Centurian.

If you’re a fan of Bigfoot, Lovecraftian and historical horror, you’ll want to read this one.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

A tale of action, adventure, heroism, horror and sorcery…

BEYOND NIGHT pulls back the veil of nearly two thousand years of jaded history. Come trod in the bloody footprints left by monsters, soldiers and wizards and behold what lies hidden BEYOND NIGHT itself.

It’s Bigfoot War mixed with Lovecraftian horror on the edge of the Roman Empire.

How could Rome lose a Legion? What could’ve happened to blot out the existence of over five thousand men not only form history but the Earth itself?

As the Legion moves north to engage the forces of Pictdom, a dark horror emerges from the bowels of the Earth. Thought to be random attacks by hulking monsters, Decurion August soon learns a dire truth, that these bloody events are directed by opposing the wizards of the Picts. While one side assembles all tribes in a confederated army to battle the Legion, the other pulls these Greyman beasts from the depths of the Earth.

August fights not only these creatures and workers of magicks, but internal passions in the Legion itself.

Beyond Night full cover

Can he discover a way to survive the enormous bloodletting about to take place that will only serve to satisfy the wizards of Pictdom?

“Bloody battles, Roman legions, Pictish armies, supernatural entities and the mist covered hills of my homeland… how could I fail to be charmed? Fans of David Gemmell will lap up this earthy, brutal fantasy.”William Meikle

“Vivid Lovecraftian horror set on the northern fringe of the Roman Empire. A powerful book with very real soldiers—and definitely not for the squeamish.”David Drake, Hammer’s Slammers

Amazon / B&N

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About The Authors

Eric S Brown

Eric S Brown is the author of numerous book series including the Bigfoot War series, the Kaiju Apocalypse series (with Jason Cordova), the Crypto-Squad series (with Jason Brannon), the Homeworld series (with Tony Faville and Jason Cordova), the Jack Bunny Bam series, and the A Pack of Wolves series. Some of his stand alone books include War of the Worlds plus Blood Guts and Zombies, World War of the Dead, Last Stand in a Dead Land, Sasquatch Lake, Kaiju Armageddon, Megalodon, Megalodon Apocalypse, Kraken, Alien Battalion, The Last Fleet, and From the Snow They Came to name only a few. His short fiction has been published hundreds of times in the small press in beyond including markets like the Onward Drake and Black Tide Rising anthologies from Baen Books, the Grantville Gazette, the SNAFU Military horror anthology series, and Walmart World magazine. He has done the novelizations for such films as Boggy Creek: The Legend is True (Studio 3 Entertainment) and The Bloody Rage of Bigfoot (Great Lake films). The first book of his Bigfoot War series was adapted into a feature film by Origin releasing in 2014. Werewolf Massacre at Hell’s Gate was the second of his books to be adapted into film in 2015.  Major Japanese publisher, Takeshobo, recently bought the reprint rights to his Kaiju Apocalypse series (with Jason Cordova) and it is slated for 2018 release in Japan. Ring of Fire Press will be releasing a collected edition of his Monster Society stories (set in the New York Times Best-selling world of Eric Flint’s 1632) later this year.  In addition to his fiction, Eric also writes an award-winning comic book news column entitled “Comics in a Flash.” Eric lives in North Carolina with his wife and two children where he continues to write tales of the hungry dead, blazing guns, and the things that lurk in the woods.

 

Steven L. Shrewsbury

Award winning author Steven L. Shrewsbury lives and works in Central Illinois. He writes hardcore sword & sorcery and horror novels. Twenty of his novels have been published, including Born of Swords, Within, Overkill, Philistine, Hell Billy, Thrall, Blood & Cell, Stronger Than Death, Hawg, Tormentor and Godforsaken. His horror/western series includes Bad Magick, Last Man Screaming and the forthcoming Mojo Hand. He has collaborated with Brian Keene on the two works King of the Bastards and Throne of the Bastards and Peter Welmerink on the Viking saga Bedlam Unleashed. A big fan of books, history, guns, the occult, religion and sports, he tries to seek out brightness in the world, wherever it may hide.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

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Cedric the Demonic Knight
The Cedric Series Book 1
by Valerie Willis
Genre: Epic Fantasy
 
Known for hunting the supernatural, no mortal man realizes Lord Cedric is
one of Sorceress Morrighan’s abominations. After competing in a
tournament, he is wed to a Lady of the Court, Angeline. Cedric’s
senses begin to overwhelm him and he struggles to decipher his
feelings; Are they a creation of his incubine bloodline or truly
heartfelt emotions for the girl who has lost it all to him? He finds
himself forced to choose between falling in love or continuing his
suicidal quest to kill his creator. Epic battles against all manners
of beasts and demons fill this story with memorable antagonists such
as Morrighan and her two sisters; Romasanta the Father of Werewolves;
Succubus Queen Lillith and many more. Find yourself engulfed in lores
and history long forgotten from the 12th Century and beyond.

 
 
Romasanta: Father of Werewolves
The Cedric Series Book 2
 
Romasanta finds himself a cursed man and struggles with his internal demon,
literally. All his troubles start with a stone and after that he will
be losing everything he’s ever loved. Faced with clinging on to what
little humanity he has, he will lose it many times before reaching
the end of his journey. His life’s tale will take you through time to
see how every lore, every moment in history tied in with wolves all
come back to him. They call him the Ancient One, others simply refer
to him as the Father of Werewolves, but we know him by his name,
Romasanta. Many battles will be fought before he gets closer to his
goals, but will he be ready to finish what was asked of him at the
very beginning of his horrible fate. Will he be able to return the
Eye of Gaea and free the love of his life from the laurel tree in the
Black Forest?
 
 
The Oracle
The Cedric Series Book 3
 
Released Sept 1st
 
With Angeline back in Cedric’s arms and the Eye of Gaea in Romasanta’s
grip, the next step in their journey begins. All eyes are set on Mt.
Parnassus where the Oracle is protected by Delphyne, the mother of
all dragons and beasts. Assembling a group of willing patrons,
Romasanta leads them to Delphi, Greece where they will cross into a
realm void of technology. Only brute strength and magic reign in a
place where packs of Mimick dogs, Wyverns and Jaculus still run wild.
Meanwhile, back home Lillith takes on a mysterious curse cast on Tony
who will have to make a life changing choice. The question weighing
on all their minds is if two werewolves, the Incubus King, and a
demonized sorceress will live to fight their way into Gaea’s Gate
to enter the Otherworld?
 
 
 
Valerie Willis is a sixth generation Floridian who loves crafting novels with
elements inspired by Mythology, Superstitions, Legends, Folklore,
Fairy Tales and even history. She braved the Independent Publish
route at the end of 2012 and has devoted herself for being a pillar
of “Self-Publishing How-to” from formatting of both print and
digital versions to book cover designs. 


Her fantasy romance novels within The Cedric Series is a wonderful blend
of genres that appeal to a wide-range of readers whether they like
paranormal, fantasy, romance or action adventure. The characters are
flawed in mental and emotional ways while being amazing powerful
creatures, demons, witches and Gods. Many of the monsters presented
in battle derive from Medieval Bestiaries and adds a fun flavor of
new yet deeply rooted assortment of creatures such as Coin Iotair,
Shag Foal, Cynocephali, and many more. 

 

For Young Adult readers looking for a Dark Fantasy and coming-of-age
lessons, Tattooed Angels Trilogy is an ode to her teenage life for
those teenagers getting ready to step out in the world on their own.
Hotan is a failed reincarnation and is becoming immortal against his
will. Life is complicated and often we withdraw within ourselves,
shut others out, when life becomes hard. As the story unfolds we
learn the importance of opening up and asking for support in all its
forms to the people in our lives even beyond friends and family. Each
immortal controls amazing powers of Nature, like fire, or elements of
Humanity, such as fear.

 

You can often find this Author hosting workshops about writing and
self-publishing in the Orlando, Florida area or working on the next
novel. She loves to inspire other writers and creative minds. Be sure
to visit her blog for some of the advice she has to offer from a
perspective that has influences from Game Development and Graphic
Design.
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 
 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

This tour hosted by Page Turner Book Tours is so exciting.

I’m not sure what the Airians and Cellians are, but I’m going to read AIRION: Return to Zire and find out!

Airion: Return to Zire

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Title: Airion: Return To Zire

Author: J.S. Council

Series: Airion Series

Genre: Young Adult Epic Fantasy

Publisher: Self Published

Formats Available In:

Paperback, Ebook (HTML, Kindle, Epub, PDF, RTF, LRF, Palm Doc, Plain Text (download), Plain Text (View)

Blurb:

Aside from his outward appearance, Kobi is a normal thirteen-year-old boy. Living with his mother, his father, and his identical twin brother, Raili, with whom he spends most days at the cove watching dolphins and whales feed, he is happy with his life just the way it is. But his fourteenth birthday is coming and Kobi has no idea how much his life is about to change.

            When Raili is pulled through a puddle in the floor of their second floor bedroom by a monster armed with poisonous, spiked tentacles, Kobi goes in after him. What he finds isn’t Raili, but a new world all together, buried beneath the ocean. With a bounty on his head that has been there since he and Raili’s birth, Kobi will have to learn to fight or die before he can be reunited with Raili again. Everything he knew to be true was a lie.

            People he loved and trusted are not who they seem. He isn’t the normal boy he thought himself to be. A transformation is coming. Raili is gone. Blood is shed. Traitors lurk, waiting for their chance. War is inevitable. The fate of the world of Airion rests in his hands. The Wiseone speaks. Failure is certain.

Book Links:

Smashwords /  CreateSpace  / Barnes & Nobles  / Amazon

About The Author:

 

“Although I didn’t fully commit to making writing my life’s work until my sophomore year of college, I have always been a writer at heart. I was the only student in class to get excited about school papers, even asking to write a few for extra credit on occasion. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in Creative Writing – Fiction. After graduating, I moved to Japan where I wrote most of my debut novel, Airion: Return to Zire and all of my second novel Airion: Light and Dawn – the first two of a four book series. Japan was a peaceful place to just sit and write, but life in Japan was also filled with adventure. However much I loved it there, I had to return home to do what I love most. Write.”

Social Media Links:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Excerpt:

“If the Cellians just wanted us dead, why didn’t they just kill Raili instead of taking him?” asked Kobi.

“That is the question, isn’t it?” said Kaiyen slowly. “If they only wanted to use his power, wouldn’t they have taken them both?”

“Not necessarily,” said Rick, fist to his chin. “Having both would probably be too dangerous to risk. They may have been afraid of being destroyed from the inside if they worked together to free themselves. Even with one son of the prophecy, they could cause considerable damage, or so they may think.”

“But Raili would never do that though,” Kobi protested. “Dad…I…I mean, Black Master Rick. You know Raili; you know he wouldn’t do anything like that.”

“It may not be his choice,” said Kimi. “The Cellians can be very persuasive.”

Kobi’s heart sank. “What would they do to him?” he asked, not wanting to hear the answer.

“Whatever they had to,” said Kaiyen. “That is why we must focus on a plan of rescue, before Raili Saio acquires the powers they seek.”

“On our fourteenth birthday,” said Kobi.

“Yes,” said Kai Ventra. “Almost all Airians change on their fourteenth birthday. Along with the natural changes they undergo, such as growing gills, they also acquire unique individual skills, allowing them to thrive more than most others in that ability. These abilities can be anything from designing exceptional clothing to controlling the elements.”

“The stronger the ability, the harder it is to control,” said Kaiyen. “No doubt Cella is depending on this.”

“It won’t work,” said Rick.

“Agreed,” nodded Kaiyen. “But there is another matter that must be discussed, if I may.” Questioning eyes turned to Kaiyen. “Lady Sara,” Kaiyen continued after a swift nod from the King. He was addressing the old woman seated beside Kimi, “have you seen anything in your Kubec about a traitor in Zire.”

Whispers filled the room. “You go too far, Captain,” said Bran.

“What are you saying,” said the advisor to Bran’s left.

“Silence,” said Sai Thayne. The talking ceased instantly. The King’s questioning eyes fell on Kaiyen then turned to Lady Sara. “Wise One?”

“This man possesses a tainted heart,” said the old woman, her eyes gazing into the diamond block. “His treachery dives deep.”

“Do you know who this man is?” asked Kaiyen.

“I see not his face nor his rank,” said Lady Sara, her brow creased and her hands resting on the Kubec. “However, he knows all that we know and some we do not.”

“It is as I thought,” said Kaiyen, “Zire’s traitor has resurfaced.”

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I’m hooked. I need to know more about the Airians and the Cellians!

Check out the other stops on the tour!

02/06/2013 – Page Turner Book Tours – http://pageturnerbooktours.com/ – Top 10

03/06/2013 – The One Saga – http://www.theonesaga.com/ –  Interview

04/06/2013 – Breathless Blog – http://www.breathlessblog.com/ – Spotlight

05/06/2013 – IWAssociation – http://iwassociation.com/ – Excerpt

06/06/2013 – Lissette Manning – http://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning/ – Spotlight and Review

07/06/2013 – Alaine’s Blog (Anna Winters) – http://alainebatty.blogspot.co.uk/ – Spotlight and Review

08/06/2013 – Unwritten – Http://www.mystiparker.blogspot.com – Excerpt

09/06/2013 – Dina Rae Write’s Stuff – http://www.dinaraeswritestuff.blogspot.co.uk – Guest Post

10/06/2013 – The Cro’s Nest – http://p45crok.wordpress.com/ – Interview

11/06/2013 – Vixie’s Stories – http://vickiejohnstone.blogspot.co.uk/ – Interview

12/06/2013 – Marian L – http://www.marian-l.blogspot.co.uk/ – Excerpt

13/06/2013 – Constance Phillips Blog – http://constancephillips.com/blog/ – Guest Post

14/06/2013 – Author M.J. Kane – http://authormjkanebooks.wordpress.com/welcome-to-m-j-s-world/blog – Excerpt

15/06/2013 – Decadent Decisions – http://wlynnchantale-decadentdecisions.blogspot.co.uk/ – Review

16/06/2013 – The Many Muses of MaryLynn – Www.mlbast.com – Review

16/06/2013 – FU Only Knew – http://fuonlyknew.com/ – Spotlight

17/06/2013 – Warrior Princess Romance Writer – www.authorbernadettemarie.blogspot.com – Interview

18/06/2013 – Ann B Harrisson – http://www.annbharrison.com/ten-minutes-with.html – Interview

19/06/2013 – M.M. Shelley – http://mmshelley.blogspot.co.uk/ – Excerpt

20/06/2013 – Nicole Morgan – http://nicolemorganauthor.blogspot.co.uk/ – Excerpt

21/06/2013 – Author Mirelle Chester – http://mireillechester.blogspot.co.uk/ – Excerpt

22/06/2013 – Bubblews – http://www.bubblews.com/account/28249-bertena – Guest Post

23/06/2013 – M.M. Shelley – http://www.mmshelley.blogspot.co.uk/ – Review

24/06/2013 – Spellbindings – http://spellbindingsblog.com – Guest Post

25/06/2013 – Pure Jonel  – http://purejonel.blogspot.ca/  – Guest Post

26/06/2013 – Castle Macabre – http://castlemacabre.blogspot.com/ – Interview

27/06/2013 – Self Publish Or Die – http://www.selfpublishordie.com/ – Review & Spotlight

28/06/2013 – Muffy Wilson – http://muffywilson.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=642c8583e8bf79c – Spotlight

29/06/2013 – Read Between The Lines – http://rbtlreviews.com – Guest Post

30/06/2013 – Read 2 Review – http://read2review.com – Review

01/07/2013 – The Writing Network – http://thewritingnetwork.com/ – Guest Post

02/07/2013 – Horsham Writers – http://horshamwriters.co.uk/ – Guest Post