Archive for the ‘Fantasy’ Category

I’m thrilled to be a part of the cover reveal for Phillipa (Pip) Ballentine’s ~  Harbinger.

I started reading fantasy books a little later in life. Like, my twenties! I fell in love:)

When I discovered a series I liked, I was always there the day the next installment was available, money in hand. I’d be giddy to read it that night.

I still have complete sets of my favorites and still wish for more from those worlds.

My love for fantasy is still strong. Mythical kingdoms, magical beings, and dangerous quests  continue to sweep me away.

I also have an ongoing love affair with fantasy cover art! Harbinger is majestic and gorgeous.

So, what do you think?!

harbinger

~

Harbinger

Philippa (Pip) Ballantine

Release date July 30th

Cover Reveal organized by Bewitching Book Tours

Book Description:

The Deacons of the Order are all that stand between the wicked spirits of the Otherside and the innocent citizens of the Empire. They are sworn to protect humanity, even when they cannot protect themselves…

After the Razing of the Order, Sorcha Faris, one of the most powerful Deacons, is struggling to regain control of the runes she once wielded. The Deacons are needed more desperately than ever. The barrier between the world of the living and the world of the dead is weakening, and the Emperor has abandoned his throne, seeking to destroy those he feels have betrayed him.

Though she is haunted by the terrible truth of her past, Sorcha must lead the charge against the gathering hordes of geists seeking to cross into the Empire. But to do so, she will need to manipulate powers beyond her understanding—powers that may prove to be her undoing…

About the Author:

pip_long hair

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Philippa has always had her head in a book. For this she blames her father who thought Lord of the Rings was suitable bedtime reading for an eight year old. At the age of thirteen she began writing fantasy stories for herself.

She first earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Political Science and then a Bachelor of Applied Science in Library and Information Science. So soon enough she found herself working in the magical world of libraries where she stayed for over a decade.

Her first professional sale was in 1997, and since then she has gone on to produce mostly novel length fiction. In 2006 she became New Zealand’s first podcast novelist, and she has voiced and produced Weaver’s Web, Chasing the Bard, Weather Child and Digital Magic as podiobooks. Her podcasts have won both a Parsec Award and a Sir Julius Vogel award.

Philippa is the author of the Books of the Order series with Ace- Geist, Spectyr, Wrayth and Harbinger coming in July 2013.

She is also the co-author of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series with Tee Morris. Phoenix Rising debuted in May 2011 and The Janus Affair came out in May 2012. Phoenix Rising won the Airship Award for best written steampunk, and was the number eight best Science Fiction book of 2011 according to Goodreads.com. The Janus Affair was the seventh most popular science fiction book of 2012 on Goodreads.com. The series continues with Dawn’s Early Light in December 2013.

In addition she is also the author of the Shifted World series with Pyr Books, with the first book Hunter and Fox released in June 2012, and the second Kindred and Wings scheduled for August 2013.

When not writing or podcasting, Philippa loves reading, gardening, and whenever possible traveling. With her husband Tee and her daughter, she is looked after by a mighty clowder of five cats in Manassas, Virginia.

 

Website: www.pjballantine.com

Twitter: philippajane

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/pjballantine/

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Release Day Book Blast

Author H.D. Gordon

For Release: March 15th

Shooting Stars (A Surah Stormsong Novel, #1)

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Title: Shooting Stars (A Surah Stormsong Novel #1)

Author: H.D. Gordon

Publisher: ShareAread

Release Date: March 15th, 2013

Formats:  E-book

Cover Artist: Regina Wamba

Synopsis

. Once upon a time, a common boy fell in love with a princess. It was a hopeless, forbidden love, grown in a world where sorcery and magic rule over all. Now, dark times are brewing, and destiny will bring them together, while fate works to keep them apart. Extraordinary battles will be fought, and extraordinary choices made. Join the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga for the beginning of a tale of star-crossed lovers and magic, of hope and love and loss, of desperate wishes made on stars.

Early praise for the author

“From the very first sentence the author has you hooked and wanting to read more.”

Tt ~Goodreads

“This debut novel from H.D. Gordon has everything what I love in ya. Romance, suspense, action, kick ass heroine and of course smokin hot Kayden. I loved every moment of this book and I found it extremely difficult to put down. “ Patrycja ~ Goodreads

“She keeps the reader’s attention throughout the novel with unique twists in the ever unfolding plot.” Tiffany {A Purrfect Read} ~Goodreads

Blood Warrior has one of the best Chapter One opening and ending I’ve ever read.

Cecilia Robert ~ Goodreads

Release Day Book Blast

TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY

$50 Adopt a Tiger package from WWF

  • Baby Samson Plush
  • 5 e-copies of Shooting Stars

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For all of my giveaways go here.

About the Author

H.DauthorpicH. D. Gordon is the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga. Blood Warrior, the first book of the Alexa series was her debut novel and has held a spot in the top 100 fantasy bestsellers for over a month. Half Black Soul is the second book in this series and H. D. plans to complete Alexa’s tales by the end of 2012. In June of 2012, Joe, a fantasy novel about a young clairvoyant, was released as well. H. D. is a lifelong reader and writer, a true lover of words. When she is not reading or writing she is raising her two daughters, playing a little guitar, and spending time with her family. She is twenty three years old and lives in the northeastern United States.

You can follow H.D. Gordon at:

Blog

Author Facebook Page

Twitter

Goodreads Author Page

H.D.Gordon Facebook page

Webpage

Goodreads Fan Club

H.D. Gordon’s Books

The Surah Stormsong Series

Shooting Stars (A Surah Stormsong Novel, #1)

The Alexa Montgomery Saga

     

JOE

Starseed

Author: Liz Gruder

ISBN: 978-1937178291

Publisher: WiDo Publishing

Published: February 2013



SUMMARY

Kaila Guidry has always known she is different. When she meets Jordyn Stryker at school, she finds out just how different.

Jordyn was born and raised far from Earth, a starseed, one of six new students sent to Louisiana’s Bush High to learn human ways. But Jordyn didn’t count on meeting someone like Kaila.

When Kaila is pushed to her limit by high school bullying and cruelty, Jordyn awakens her to a new reality—and to love. But to prove herself, Kaila must look the other way as the real purposes of the starseeds unfold.

As the horrific plan behind the starseed visit to Earth moves inexorably forward, Kaila and Jordan, caught in an impossible love, must determine where their true loyalties lie.
Praise

“You know from the opening paragraph that something very strange is going on… We see Kaila try to live the life of a normal teen, and we see her “otherness” pull her back into an increasingly tangled web of questions, deceit, and hidden intentions. Liz really shines as a writer, lining the closets and drawers of everyday life with spine-chilling suspense that springs out at you when you least expect it. Starseed is an entertaining read. I highly recommend.”

–Patricia B. Smith. Author “What the Animals Tell Me” and “Fifty Shades of Santa” (clean romance fiction)

“Liz Gruder’s characters come alive through youthful, spunky narrative, and her headstrong heroine, Kaila Guidry, elicits a reader’s encouragement from the first page. Fans of Amanda Hocking will find themselves similarly transported into Gruder’s exploration of the dark sides of faith, love, higher dimensions, and, of course, high school.” –Jadie Jones, young-adult fantasy author

Purchase

Author Liz Gruder

As a youth, Liz Gruder saw a series of UFOs with her best friend while riding bikes. Ever since, she’s held a fascination for the stars. An avid reader, she used to hide under her covers and read with a flashlight. She has degrees in English and Psychology from Tulane University, a nursing license and a yoga certification. After going through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Liz realized how short life is and is now slowly fulfilling her bucket list: she’s been to the Egyptian pyramids (totally awesome and thought provoking) and is now teaching yoga and writing speculative fiction. Starseed is her debut novel.

Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/7/13

Click on the link below to enter.

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Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift
Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being
awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your
parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced
here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will
be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter,
Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of
eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized
by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the
authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

DragonFly Top Secret_530x copy

That’s right! I have some cool news.

I’ll let Charles tell ya!

Project X: DragonFly

It’s been quite awhile since I last posted. I apologize for that. The principal reason is that my new ‘Project-X’ has been extremely time consuming and blogging has taken a back seat. Last time, I said I was writing a new series but left you guessing on what its genre was. I said it wasn’t a mystery or a thriller like my Scott Forrester FBI novel, Tiger Paw. But other than that I was quite vague. So here is the first inkling of what Project-X is all about!

I’m calling it… DragonFly (and yes, the F is capitalized!)

I wouldn’t be a mystery writer if I gave out all the clues at once! This name is not the complete title of the series. If I added just one more word, it would give too much away. Yes, you’ve probably guessed that it will be a combination of science fiction and fantasy. But I can assure you there will be even more than that. Yes, it does have a dragon in it, but nothing like what you imagine a dragon to be! Yes, it has an evil wizard, but again like no other wizard I have heard of before in a fantasy work. If I’m saying that I’m trying to develop something VERY unique, in its own sci-fi & fantasy niche, then the answer is… yes, I am! (or else why do something that has been done before?)

It is a very ambitious project and because of that I’m going to need a lot of help.

DragonFly already has two very important collaborators… two artists whose talents are at the top of their respective fields. Coincidentally, they are both based in Europe. For the science fiction aspects of DragonFly, I have engaged a computer graphics artist from Spain whose code name  is ‘Mr. C’. For the fantasy elements, including a very unique creature spawned from the evil mind of my wizard, I have commissioned work from a fantasy artist from Belgium who I will call ‘Mr. J’. In due time, their identities will be revealed and their work on DragonFly will be published here on my blog, on a new website I’m creating, and as illustrations in the first novel of the series.

Work on Lucifer’s Key, the sequel to Tiger Paw continues, but at a reduced pace. DragonFly is easier to write and I plan the first draft to be complete by the end of May. At that time I will go into revision mode and when ready I will be soliciting beta readers for DragonFly before it is published. Several of you have already volunteered, so I thank you in advance!

I expect the first novel in the DragonFly series to be published before Sept 1 and will have a website launch party this summer!

I’m very excited about DragonFly. As an author it has special writing challenges beyond the genre bending aspect of it, which in itself is a bit of a risk. I can also reveal that it will be written in first person from the perspective of a heroine whose quest will define the destiny of her country and will change the course of history. Be patient, you will meet her shortly!

Regards

Charles

“But it is one thing to read about dragons and another to meet them.”
―    Ursula K. Le Guin,    A Wizard of Earthsea

Cool isn’t it! I can’t wait for this one! Charles is a wonderful, talented writer and an all around great guy.

You’re going to want to read this book(whatever it is?)!!

Have you read Tiger Paw yet?

It will blow your mine!

Tiger Paw

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Description

As a serial killer wreaks havoc on Wall Street, dismantling a corrupt financier’s empire one body at a time, FBI profiler Scott Forrester uncovers the deadly secret of a demon-worshipping Hindu cult that is determined to change the very fabric of society. Firmly in their assassin’s crosshairs, Scott Forrester is forced underground to stop the killing spree. But will he survive the deal he must make with the Devil to thwart their satanic plan?

Royal Palm Literary Award Winner for Best Thriller of 2012 –from the Florida Writers Association
Best Indie Thriller Nominee – Kindle Book Reviews

Go here to read my review.

You can read my exclusive interview with Charles here.

The Tiger – a poem by William Blake

Tiger, Tiger burning bright,

In the forests of the night;

What immortal hand or eye.

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies.

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand, dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?

And when thy heart began to beat.

What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain,

In what furnace was thy brain?

What the anvil? what dread grasp.

Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears

And watered heaven with their tears:

Did he smile His work to see?

Did he who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger, Tiger burning bright,

In the forests of the night:

What immortal hand or eye,

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

For more about the Charles:

http://www.CharlesACornell.com

http://www.facebook.com/CharlesACornell

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5768487.Charles_A_Cornell

Click on the image to purchase Tiger Paw.

I can’t wait to tell you about Glory Alley and the Star Riders!

Glory Alley and the Star Riders (The Glory Alley Series, #1)

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According to legend, Wybbils are small hairy creatures who live deep underground in caves. Ancient people both feared and venerated them.  It is said that Wybbils leave their tunnels at night to snatch Tullahn children from their beds and bring them to their lair.

A girl rock collector risks everything for the chance at a better life.

This story takes place on a world very similar to ours. The inhabitants are as human as you and I, just trying to make their way in their world.

Glory and her best friend, Crash, have agreed. They will meet at “the pools” of Queen’s Mesa. There’s got to be some really good stones in the cavern. Glory just knows she’ll find what she’s looking for there.

Glory arrives ahead of Crash and breaks the rules. She enters the cave alone and makes her way to the pools. And there it is. The stone that will save her family. Little does she know that by taking this stone she may be able to save her family, but she could be destroying another world.

This is no ordinary stone. It’s absence wreaks havoc on another world and the guardians have come to take it back. Glory is not a mean girl despite the abuse she receives from her father and her siblings. Since her mother’s death, her family has been dying a little death too and she needs to sell the stone before they foreclose on her home. She stalls the guardians while she tries to find a solution. But time is running out.

This is not my usual genre to read, but I’ve been reading “outside the box” lately and I’ve discovered some wonderful authors and their books.

Glory’s life is not pretty. She’s bullied at school, her older sister has no time for her, her brothers like to torture her and her Dad is in an alcohol induced fog most of the time, when he’s not swinging his fists or his belt The only good things in her life are her best friend, Crash, and her baby brother, George.

I really feel for Glory. All she wants is to have her family back the way they used to be. She’s bold and wise beyond her years. Her connection to her brother George is so sweet. I’ll let the author show you.

Three-year-old George perched on a stool, trying to string white puffs of popcorn. Face streaked with jam, he sat there in a diaper and nothing else. Glory knew from experience that her little brother defied all clothing. He had a stubborn streak, but she liked that about him. His messy hair was in need of a trim and looked like delicate threads of gold when it caught the light. Glory paused in the doorway quietly singing his name.

“Georg-eee.”

He jerked to attention. “Gwo-wee?” A smile of recognition spread across his face until he forgot the task at hand and stabbed his finger with the needle. “Ow?” He held out his injury for her to see. “Gwo-wee?”

Glory carried him to the sink, washing the dot of blood under the faucet. He cried, offering his wounded finger. “Kiss.”

Glory kissed it. “Better?”

“Uh-huh.” He nodded, giving thanks with a runny-nosed peck on the cheek.

Now that’s showing me something! My face broke out in a smile when I read this.  The quality of the author’s writing spills from the pages, taking you deeper into Glory’s story.

You’ll meet a really scary dog-wolf creature, some strange beings, kind of like munchkins, and visit a mysterious, magical world filled with wonders and perils.

Glory Alley and the Star Riders brought some magic to me, like a fountain of youth. I felt the wonder of seeing( or reading)  through young eyes. Kind of like falling down the rabbit hole or going somewhere over the rainbow.

This book is great for all ages. A good, clean, scifi/fantasy. I’ll be following this series.

Oh, even though this is the first book in a series, the author wraps it up nicely and gives you an astonishing ending to this chapter in Glory’s journey.

       

Giveaway

I have one paperback to giveaway!

Entry is easy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “What would you like to find at the end of the rainbow?”

This giveaway is International. Everyone can enter!

****Please note: The paperback has the older book cover. You can view it below****

Giveaway ends Feb. 4th.

Thank you and Good Luck!

About the author

Image of C. Deanna Verhoff

C. Deanna Verhoff grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She has worked in education, business, insurance and finance. Writing has been an important part of her life since childhood. Her stories usually contain an element of fantasy, science fiction or the paranormal. Currently, she resides in rural Ohio with her husband, two children, a dog, a cat and a goldfish.

Contacts

Website

Goodreads

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Amazon

Purchase her books by clicking on the covers. Glory Alley shows the old book cover here.