Posts Tagged ‘fantasy’

Legends Of Ash And Dust by Kate Cowan ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 24, 2023 in giveaways, YA Fantasy
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Legends of Ash and Dust

by Kate Cowan

 

(Fearless, #1)
Publication date: January 24th 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
They forged her into a weapon. Now, she is the last.

Aerona was raised by legends. Her people, the Shae, are the closest thing this realm has to the supernatural: they train their entire lives to protect, forging their bodies like steel. They are the stories told to children in the night, the monsters who lurk in the woods. Or, they were — until the massive Red Wolf army attacked, slaughtering them all in a single night.

Now, Aerona is the last, and it doesn’t help that she is the only female Shae in history. Besides the revenge she has sworn to get, she has one final mission: to protect Niran, a handsome prince with secrets of his own.

In Niran’s home, the Palace of the Golden City, nothing is as it seems. Aerona’s enemies are lurking around every corner, the Emperor is blackmailing her into becoming his assassin, and an ex-Shae librarian is convinced that she has a long-forgotten Shae magic hidden on her skin.

Caught between two worlds, Aerona must kill, spy and betray… even if it means unlocking the magic this world has long been starved of…

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

““What is it?” I demanded. “What’s happening? Kentric, I saw fire—“

“We’re being attacked,” Kentric said. Shouts and bangs and running footfalls filled the air, filtering in through the dark window.

“What?” I started for the door, but he pulled me back to face him. “We have to go, we have to fight—“

“There are too many, Aerona. Far too many.”

“Too many? We’re Warriors.”

“Fifty of us have already been slain in the Sanctuary,” Kentric said quickly. “More at the outposts and farmhouses. There are hundreds of them, Aerona, an army. We cannot win.”

“No,” I breathed. The world had been opening before my eyes that morning: now, it felt as if it closed in from every angle, crushing me.

Taking a step back, I looked to the glowing window, listened to the screams in the distance.

“We can fight them! Drive them off,” I was pleading, tears in my eyes, but there was ice in Kentric’s gaze.

He had stopped listening. From around his neck, he pulled something on a thin black cord out of his robes. It was small and silver, glinting in the faint light from the window. The symbol of the Shae—all of the Masters wore one, a hand-forged silver pendant. A mountain overlaid with two crossed swords, surrounded by a circle of four dragons. He pushed it into my hands.

“No. I can’t,” I took a step back, looking shakily down at the heavy, cold pendant.

“There’s no time for this. Listen to me carefully,” he took my shoulders, standing so close I could feel his breath on my face. “The prince is your responsibility now. He’s in the barns, Malik told him to meet you there. Take horses and get off the Shae mountain. Get far, don’t stop moving, and don’t use the gates to get past River’s Edge. Go through the river itself. Don’t come back here, don’t try to fight them. You are Shae. You are one of us. Never forget that. We will fight them as long as we can. Stay off the main roads and away from anyone until you reach Dothor.”

I tried to suppress the tears welling up in my eyes, clenching my jaw and my fists, but my heart broke as Kentric wrapped me in a fierce hug. He was old, but like an ancient willow, he was supple and strong.

“Now go, Aero,” he whispered in my ear. “Go!”

I knew I would regret it, Gods, I knew I would—but I did as Kentric told me.

I ran.

Author Kate Cowan:

Hi, I’m Kate Cowan. I’m an author, writer, painter, and illustrator. When I’m not writing or creating art, I love to take my three insane dogs out for hikes and explore the beautiful Niagara region of Canada, where I live. My passion is in telling stories that move people and capture their imaginations. I also strive to create art that is full of life and beauty. I love creating pretty things, both written and painted. I’m also a martial arts instructor, 3rd-degree black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate, and lover of badass characters (which I’m sure you can tell from my books!!)

Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter

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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.

Beauty & The Alchemist by Elle Hartford ~ Author Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: April 22, 2023 in Cozy Mystery, Fantasy, giveaways, Guest Post
Tags: , , ,
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Beauty and the Alchemist

The Alchemical Tales Book 1

by Elle Hartford

Genre: Cozy Fantasy Mystery

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In this magical mix-up of fairy tales and murder, Little Red Riding Hood solves the mystery at the heart of Beauty and the Beast . . .

What does it take to overcome a curse?

Traveling alchemist Red settles into life as a shopkeeper in rural Belville and expects to focus on her potions. But crime stops for no woman. Neither does Red’s friend, police officer Thorn! When a beastly criminal escapes to a nearby abandoned castle and is found murdered, Thorn immediately suspects Luca, a meek-mannered bookseller–not to mention Red’s best friend.

Red knows that there’s more to the castle–and the murder–than meets the eye. But as she rushes to prove Luca’s innocence, she’s beset by a not-dead-yet ghost, a beautiful and ill-tempered suspect, and a horde of mysterious mist creatures that terrify the town. Oh, and then there’s the series of lost books that hold the key to the castle’s curse! If Red and her friends can’t find the books and solve the mystery, Luca might not be the only one in trouble. But in idyllic Belville, appearances can be deceiving. Red will need all of her alchemical prowess and all the help she can get in order to uncover the truth behind this twisted tale.

This special second edition includes a new epilogue, recipes, and a sneak peek at book two of The Alchemical Tales.

 

**On Sale for Only .99cents!!**

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Amazon * Apple * B&N *Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

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When we hit the third corner, I stopped dead. It felt as though a bucket of ice-water raced down my back. The darkness was so thick that even with my goggles, I could barely see beyond my own hand. The front of the castle stretched away into inkiness.

Officer Thorn, already a pace ahead and nearly disappearing, looked over her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“Something here,” I mumbled incoherently. “There’s something wrong with being here. Don’t you feel it?”

“To tell you the truth, I’ve never been haunted, so I wouldn’t know what it feels like,” Thorn replied blithely.

I sucked air into my lungs. The fastest way out of here is forward, I reminded myself. Gritting my teeth, I began following the officer once more. “Just stay close, okay? No bounding off after evidence or what have you.”

She looked back and grinned, her long teeth flashing. “The sooner we catch Owl, the better.”

“I don’t think Owl is what’s making these shadows,” I said.

Thorn was impervious. “Then it could be Gloria alone, and that’s worse. See, Red, your problem is—”

I never got to hear what my problem was, unfortunately. The grass we’d been edging along gave way to a stone patio set a few inches below the surrounding ground, and I stumbled. With that jarring step came recognition of the fact that we were right in front of the castle’s main entrance, and another bone-penetrating chill.

“Wh-wh-whatever it is y-you want to s-see, it must be h-here,” I said, my teeth chattering.

“It’s just a little cold, Red. Are all islanders such wimps?”

“Hush, and look around!” I insisted. I was starting to think that maybe Thorn hadn’t ever been haunted simply because she refused to see anything other than what she wanted to.

“It’s the front of the castle,” she informed me matter-of-factly. She began stalking about the patio, with me close on her heels. “I was on the inside team during the search earlier, so I missed this. Nice carvings on the doorway. Old and worn down, but they’ve held up well considering. Good sturdy door. See that ironwork across the front? Guess we’re not dealing with the fey, eh? And what’s this—gems inlaid in the doors, too. Surprised those haven’t walked off over time. Maybe they’re locked down—get it? Ha ha. What’s this?”

I’d only been paying half-attention to Thorn’s monologue, but the repetition of the phrase in a new tone of surprise caught my ear. I turned from looking over my shoulder to see that Thorn held something small and rectangular in one large hand.

“Did you just find a book?” I asked, startled.

“Did I?” She handed the object to me for inspection. As I took it, though, the air around us thickened. I had to hold the slim volume very close to my face to see the bark binding. My gaze drifted over the title and the gold leaf to notice that, rather than blackness, a silver fluidity filled my vision.

“Why is it foggy?” I tucked the book into a pocket in my cloak for safe-keeping and frowned as I looked up. Officer Thorn looked just as surprised as me. I could see her face well, despite the cloudiness, because the moonlight had reappeared. It bounced off the water in the air. The world was brighter now, but it was also much closer.

Officer Thorn’s club rose, sending swirls ricocheting through the air. “Never mind the fog, Red. Look here, at the corner of the doorway. Doesn’t that look like—”

Again, I was destined not to hear the officer’s thoughts. Only fair, really, considering how often she interrupted mine. But I wasn’t thinking that at the time. At the time, I was screaming like a banshee, because something had grabbed me from behind.

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“Hauntings and Stars”: A Character Interview with a Magical Dog

Today we’re interviewing William, one of the lead characters in Beauty and the Alchemist. William, would you introduce yourself?

 

W: I’ll say this once, so listen up. I’m an arcane familiar, which isn’t the same as just a talking dog. I’m magic. I know all kinds of things. This poofy black fur is a disguise–all the better to intimidate villains with.

 

Well, I have heard you described as a “wolf dog” by the uninitiated, so that makes sense! Do you often run into villains?

 

W: I’ve seen all kinds. Though they’re usually smart enough not to pick a fight. I’ve been traveling with Red for a long time, and before that I traveled on my own a lot, too.

 

Could you tell us about Red, your current companion?

 

W: When I met Red, she was a traveling alchemist. You know, the sort who goes from town to town selling potions and little science-y things. She was alone at the time, and I could tell that she was the kind of person who attracts trouble. She’s smart, don’t get me wrong, but she needs someone to keep her from getting in over her head sometimes. And I wasn’t busy, and she didn’t try to do any experiments on me or steal my magic, so I thought, why not?

 

And that “why not” has become the basis for a years-long friendship! How do you feel about Red’s decision to settle in Belville and open a shop?

 

W: Part of being a magical familiar is it gives you perspective on people. So I know something that Red doesn’t know: when she settled in Belville, she thought she was doing it for work–you know, “wonderful natural resources for potions” and “great place to sell to traders” and all those other things she says–but what she really wanted was a home.

 

Unfortunately, that home has been the scene of several mysteries and even murders, isn’t that so?

 

W: Yes, and one particularly suspicious bookseller, if you ask me. But nowhere is perfect. Listen, some people who won’t be named think of me as just a big loyal dog. In only one particular, they’re right: I’ll go wherever Red goes. It doesn’t matter to me where we settle down. What does matter to me is that Red finds what she needs to find (because she was getting a little strange and mopey being on the road all the time, let me tell you).

 

That sounds rather sweet of you, actually. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

 

W: Look out for haunted books. But other than that, Belville isn’t so bad. It’s got a great view of the stars. And if you come into Red’s Alchemy and Potions, just don’t call me a “dog” and we’ll be fine.

 

That wraps up our interview! To find out what William means about hauntings, stars, and home, check out Beauty and the Alchemist wherever you buy books.

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Elle adores cozy mysteries, fairy tales, and above all, learning new things. As a historian and educator, she believes in the value of stories as a mirror for complicated realities. She currently lives in New Jersey with a grumpy tortoise and a three-legged cat.

Find more stories of Red and her friends at ellehartford.com. And while you’re there, sign up for Elle’s newsletter to get bonus material, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, and terrible jokes!

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Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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$10 Amazon giftcard,

Signed Papeback of Beauty and the Alchemist

– 1 winner each!

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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.

Prince Of Blue Flowers by Ryu Zhong ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 17, 2023 in Action/Adventure, Fantasy, giveaways
Tags: , , ,
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for the Prince Of Blue Flowers organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Ryu Zhong 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.

Prince Of Blue Flowers

by Ryu Zhong

Genre: Fantasy / Adventure

Synopsis

Young boy Hatsukoi leaves his village to become a monk, only to find monastic life incredibly boring. With a new-found name and a new-found friend, Hatsukoi travels the countryside and plays tricks at the expense of corrupt, irate, greedy, and ignorant people. Nobles of all ranks—from petty governors to crown princes—fall victim to the boy’s wit and cunning.

 

As his tricks evolve from childhood frolics to elaborate cons, Hatsukoi grows as well. He learns not only the craft of his trade, but also its higher purpose.

 

Join Hatsukoi’s journey, laugh at his exploits, and learn with him.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Governor Tu Fang was the first to notice Hatsukoi, who was lying on the roof of the well with his head hanging down.

“What are you doing there?” he asked.

Hatsukoi shrugged his shoulders. “I’m looking to see if the well has a bottom.”

Tu Fang frowned at the boy’s response. Why would someone need to look for the bottom of a well? It sounded very suspicious to him.

“Well, get down!” he barked.

“No,” Hatsukoi answered.

“Get down by your own will, or my hunters will shoot you with their arrows.”

Hatsukoi slowly climbed down. Tu Fang waved to one of his hunters, who immediately grabbed the boy by the scruff of his neck.

“Ai! What are you doing?!” yelled Hatsukoi, struggling, but the hunter held him tightly.

“Tell me at once,” demanded Tu Fang, “what is in this well, and then perhaps I’ll let you go.”

Hatsukoi trembled like bamboo in a strong wind. He began, “I have seen—”

“What did you see?” Tu Fang interrupted impatiently.

“I saw a thief hide his bounty here.”

“Bounty?” Tu Fang exchanged glances with his brother.

It must be said that unselfish people rarely went on to become governors. Tu Fang was no exception. He thought only of ways to feed his insatiable greed. And Tu Liwei, being his half-brother, was a pea from the same pod. So, at that moment, the brothers came up with the same thought.

And Hatsukoi was counting on it.

“A whole bag filled with all kinds of stuff,” he said confidently. “Gold, jewels, pearls… If you look from the roof, you can see how it glitters at the bottom.”

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Author Ryu Zhong

‘Ryū’ means ‘dragon’ in Japanese, and ‘Zhong’ can be translated from Chinese as ‘flute’. This amalgam of languages represents the fusion of cultures that characterises the writings of Ryū Zhong.

In their books, Ryū Zhong explore challenges that humanity might face as our technology gets more and more complicated to the level where it becomes magic. Such a shift would force people to look towards religion and reinterpret realities that today, we call fairy tales.

Ryū Zhong were lucky to be born and grow in Asia. Now they live in Amsterdam, study Dutch, and adapt their writings to English.

Author Links: Website / Blog / Instagram / Twitter

Purchase Links: Amazon / GooglePlay / B&N

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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.

Malketh And The Undead by Dave Maruszewski ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 6, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, middle grade
Tags: , ,
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Malketh And The Undead organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Dave Maruszewski 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.

Malketh And The Undead

Raven, Ramda and Ravai

by Dave Maruszewski

Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy

Synopsis

Raven, Romda and Ravai are settling into their new knightly duties well. With the Dark Beast defeated, their normal tasks almost seem mundane.

 

Amidst the boredom, Ravai asks, “Why does no one talk about villains from the past?”

 

Romda reasons, “What would be the point?”

 

There is a point. Even though villains may have been defeated in the past, they may still be around, waiting in the background ready to resurface once again.

 

Malketh has returned to the kingdom, but something is different about him this time. He is back with an entire army … an entire army of undead soldiers!

 

“Whether you want to read this aloud to your little one or let them explore this magical world on their own, parents can rest assured that this second installment in the Raven, Romda, and Ravai series will be a playful, whimsical addition to their bookshelves.” –The Book Review Directory

 

“… the squires are appealing characters, as is their comical banter.” – Blue Ink Review

 

A great story for the fantasy loving youth, this adventure will appeal to those who like action and humor in an easy reading environment.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

They keep going until they hear a large rumble.  A small mass of rocks fall to the ground.  The three look up and see a gigantic figurine of a man holding a giant emerald.  Romda puts her lantern up to the emerald, and the light refracts and bounces off the many faces such that the whole room is lit.  This brings relief to the three.

 

Unfortunately, they notice something else.  When the room comes up from the dark, Raven, Romda and Ravai notice all these eyes staring at them.  The undead are here.  The three are surrounded.

 

Perplexed, Raven, Romda and Ravai freeze.  They are scared.  However, the entire horde of undead does not approach them.  What is wrong with them?  What do they want?

 

At last, the undead begin to slowly stir.  They begin to walk slowly.  At first they seem to move in random directions.  Then, a pattern to their motion becomes apparent.  They move about, revealing an opening in their numbers in the shape of a small circle.  That opening reveals a hooded figure.  The hooded figure says…

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About Author Dave Maruszewski:

Dave Maruszewski is blessed with a great family.  He was originally inspired to write stories by his wife and son.

 

He strives to develop stories with sound moral values that will be enlightening as well as entertaining to youths and adults.  The Raven, Romda and Ravai books are targeted especially for children who shy away from reading.  His stories are created from an accumulation of experience from careers/backgrounds as a physicist, engineer, teacher, artist, video game designer and software developer.

 

In between writing stories and running his own company, Digital Tumult (DigitalTumult.com), Dave enjoys video games, watching internet videos and hanging out with his family.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Goodreads / NetGalley / Amazon

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

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.

Wizard War by Paul Smith ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 4, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways
Tags: , ,
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Wizard War organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Paul Smith will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn host. Don’t forget to enter!

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

Wizard War

An Introduction To Magic

by Paul Smith

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Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis

Wizard War is the story of Maxwell, who discovers he has magical powers. He is trained by the council of wizards who provide Maxwell with his introduction to magic and the wizarding world while teaching him about the perils of dark magic.

Check out this peek inside

It was Remembrance Day. Maxwell and the council were attending the ceremony in Avalon at the epitaph in front of the Circle. It was dedicated to all magical beings who had died or been experimented on during the war. This year, compared to his other twelve, Maxwell had a deeper appreciation for why Canadians paused to remember the dead every year and honoured the service of those who had survived. Maxwell was standing between war veterans. Wizards who played their own part in helping to defeat Hitler. They were not only there to remember the lives lost, but also why the war was waged in the first place. To safeguard in memory and commit to never again seeing such bloodshed. Never again would one madman plunge the world into war.

Maxwell was haunted by something Oscar had said. “It’s all happening again.”

About Author Paul Smith:

Paul Smith is an author who was born and raised in British Columbia and now lives in Newfoundland and Labrador. He is an avid dog lover and former nurse who now lives with PTSD.

Author Links: Twitter / Instagram

Purchase Link: Amazon

Giveaway contest ribbon promo label prize. Vector giveaway banner badge design template

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

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.

Kingdom Of Blood & Salt by Alexis Calder ~ Excerpt And Giveaway

Posted: April 2, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, Romance
Tags: , ,
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I am so excited that KINGDOM OF BLOOD & SALT by Alexis Calder is available now and
that I get to share the news!

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

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This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon GC’s courtesy of Alexis & Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

 

KINGDOM OF BLOOD & SALT (Blood & Salt #1)

 by Alexis Calder

 

 

Pub. Date: March 30, 2023

Publisher: Illaria Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 328

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Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/KINGDOM-OF-BLOOD-SALT 

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An epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout, Raven Kennedy, and Sarah J Maas.

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After spending years training to defend my people from our enemies, I never expected that my enemy would be the one keeping me alive.

 Athos is the last human city. A treaty with the Fae keeps the fae, the vampires, and the wolf shifters at bay, while we fight against the dragons at our border. Being a human in this world is dangerous and we all make sacrifices to survive. 

When the delegation sent by the Fae King arrives to claim the human tributes required by our treaty, I never expected to forge a connection with their leader.

Ryvin is as dangerous as he is handsome. I know he’s my enemy, and I know I’m supposed to hate him, but with each passing day, he’s more difficult to resist.

But things are changing in Athos. Humans no longer want to bend to the Fae King.

Alliances blur and centuries of lies begin to unravel. 

And I’m faced with a choice.

No matter how much I hate him, Ryvin might be the key to preventing war. 

But it may mean sacrificing everything…. 

Kingdom of Blood and Salt is the
first book in a fantasy romance trilogy with fae, vampires, and shifters. This
enemies to lovers series contains violence, mature language, and spice. This is
a NA/adult fantasy romance and steam level will increase as the series
progresses. Mind the cliff.

 

 

Excerpt from Kingdom of Blood and Salt by Alexis Calder 

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The delegates settled around the table, and my sisters took
their places between them. Morta was seated at the far end, near my father. The
queen was at the other end, facing him. As soon as everyone was seated, I took
a seat next to a delegate, as far away as I could from the strange woman. There
were a few empty chairs next to me, giving me a buffer between me and the
queen.

At least I’d only have to make small talk with one of the
delegates, and I could avoid being too close to Ophelia. Istvan took a seat
near the queen, leaving one empty chair between us. I was grateful he’d chosen
to be closer to her than me.

Servants brought out drinks, then followed with platters of
fish and lamb, bowls of rice and vegetables, and gorgeous towers of figs
dripping with honey. My stomach growled at the sight, and I breathed in the
mingling scents.

“Your kingdom is lovely,” the man sitting next to me said.

I looked over at him, doing my best to force a smile. “Thank
you.”

The man smiled widely, and I caught sight of two gleaming
white fangs. “Not so different from my home.”

Swallowing down the initial burst of fear, I forced my gaze
to his eyes. They were watery blue. A faded, unimpressive color. After
everything I’d been told about these creatures, I expected something more. They
were said to be beautiful, experts at seduction. But this man wasn’t any prize.
There were plenty of guards in our armies who were more handsome.

“You don’t seem to be afraid of me,” he said.

“Should I be?” I asked.

“Most humans are,” he said.

“And you enjoy being feared?” I asked.

He smirked. “Fear is power, princess.”

“Respect is power,” I countered.

“You are young, but you’ll learn,” he said.

“Orion, are you trying to scare our new friend?” A familiar
deep voice cut in.

I tensed, knowing my good luck was up. I looked to my right
just as the ambassador pulled out the chair and sat next to me.

“I thought perhaps you’d fallen into the sea,” I said.

“Alas, I’m an excellent swimmer. I was… occupied,” he said,
his eyes darting toward one of the servants in the corner. She caught his eye,
then giggled, her face flushing deep crimson.

My stomach tightened in what felt an awful lot like jealousy.
Gritting my teeth, I sent the thought away. First Lady Marlette at the party
and now servants? With any luck, he’d be too busy finding women to seduce to
have any need for me.

A grim thought struck me. Perhaps this was how he chose
tributes. Or maybe he promised his lovers a reprieve. “Already making notes for
your selection?”

“That wasn’t my intention,” he said. “I was simply getting to
know your household.”

“With a servant, Ryvin?” Orion wrinkled his nose.

“None of the princesses were available,” Ryvin said with a
shrug.

“Nor will they be,” I bit out. “You will not touch me or any
of my sisters. That applies to all of you.” I glanced at each man next to me,
before turning back to Ryvin. I knew he was the highest ranking out of their
delegation. “You understand me?”

A hand gripped my thigh and squeezed. “I like your fire,”
Orion whispered in my ear.

Before I could push him away, Ryvin was out of his seat, his
chair clattering to the ground. He yanked Orion from his seat. In a blur of
black fabric, Orion was on the ground and Ryvin’s knee was on the man’s chest.
The ambassador held a dagger to the other man’s throat. “She gave you an order.”

Gasps and the screeching of chairs over the stone floor
surrounded us, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the men on the ground.

“You take the side of a woman over me?” Orion hissed.

“We are their guests,” Ryvin said. “If you touch her again, I
will remove your head myself.”

My heart thundered in my chest, and I had to clamp my thighs
together to tamp down the rising need. I’d grown up around the fiercest
warriors in our kingdom, but never once had any of them defended me.
Apparently, it was a major turn on.

Blowing out a breath, I gave myself a moment to enjoy the
thrill of seeing a man stand up for me before reminding myself of who he was.
He was still a monster. Just because he stood up to another monster didn’t
change anything.

“Is everything alright, ambassador?” My father asked.

Ryvin removed his knee, then tucked his dagger into his boot.
He stood, then smoothed out his tunic. “I apologize, your highness. We aren’t
used to human protocols. Sometimes, I forget myself and a little bit of the
beast within breaks free.” He glanced at me before he turned back to my father.
“Please, forgive me.”

A lump rose in my throat. His words were a reminder of what
simmered below that handsome exterior. I’d wondered if he was human, and it
seemed he was giving me a hint. Or a warning.

“I apologize for my forwardness, your highness,” Orion said
softly. He was standing next to me, eyes downcast.

Everyone in the room was staring at me, waiting for me to
react. I licked my lips reflexively.

“If you’d like me to further punish him, I’m happy to
oblige,” Ryvin said so quietly I was certain I was the only one who heard him.

“That’s not necessary.” I had a feeling if I said the words,
Orion’s head would be torn from his body. I glanced at the man standing to my
left. “A misunderstanding”

Orion bowed. “It won’t happen again; I can assure you.”

“Well, if that’s settled,” the queen said. “Shall we get back
to our meal?”

Orion settled into his seat, and after a few tense moments of
silence, the table erupted into general chatter.

Sophia caught my eye, then silently mouthed the words, are you okay? I nodded, then made myself
eat, keeping my attention on my food.

“I will keep my men in line,” Ryvin said.

“Can you send your men home?” I countered.

“As soon as our job here is done,” he said.

“You mean after you kidnap humans so you can take them to
their deaths?” I hadn’t meant to say it, but the words tumbled out.

“I can assure you; all the tributes are well cared for and
live a far more luxurious life than they’d have here,” he said.

“If you say so,” I mumbled.

“I can offer my personal…”

I stood, not waiting for him to finish. The table quieted and
Ophelia glared at me. I ignored her, turning my attention to my father. “I’m
afraid the excitement has made me tired. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my
leave.”

“Of course, darling,” my father said.

Ryvin stood. “Please, allow me to escort you safely to your
room.”

“Oh, that is not necessary,” I said.

“I insist,” he smiled, flashing straight white teeth. No sign
of fangs.

My brow furrowed slightly. What exactly was he if not a
vampire? He couldn’t possibly be human, could he?

It didn’t matter what he was. He was a threat.

“That’s very kind, ambassador,” my father said. “Of course,
Ara is happy to accept.”

“Shouldn’t I have a chaperone?” I asked, flashing my most
demure smile.

Ophelia laughed. No, not laughed. Cackled. “I think that ship
has sailed, Ara.”

I narrowed my eyes at her and threw her my nastiest glare.

“I promise, I won’t bite,” Ryvin said.

Ophelia stopped laughing. The whole room went so silent I
swore I could hear the waves crashing against the cliffs in the distance. If I
wasn’t so tense, I might have appreciated the way the color drained from
Ophelia’s face.

“Shall we, princess?” Ryvin offered his elbow, and as if
driven by something outside myself, I complied, sliding my arm into his. I
could feel the eyes of everyone at dinner on us as we exited the dining room.



About Alexis:

.

 

Alexis Calder writes sassy heroines
and sexy heroes with a sprinkle of sarcasm. She lives in the Rockies and drinks
far too much coffee and just the right amount of wine.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |  Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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The Stained Sea by Paul Carver Williams ~ Excerpt And Giveaway

Posted: April 2, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways
Tags: ,
2

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I am so excited that THE STAINED SEA by Paul Carver Williams 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.

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

 

THE STAINED SEA (Omen Book 1)

 by Paul Carver Williams

 

 

Pub. Date: March 31, 2023

Publisher: Paul Carver Williams

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 279

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Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-STAINED-SEA 

 

In the wake
of a lost messiah, an oppressed religious sect known as ‘the singers of Oros’
are targeted by those in power. A lone singer calling himself Runo works
tirelessly to revive the faith of his people by any means necessary. Even if it
leads to bloody experiments, and cold-hearted manipulation. A young slave named
Cai is called on by a philosopher to aid in a catalogue of the wealthiest
families in Grecuria, starting with the owner of the library where he works. On
his journey he must confront a past that isn’t his own. Lastly, Sailing on a
sky ship surrounded by merchants, Mele Amahki was given passage to begin a new
life. However, everything changes when their pink sky turns blue, and they find
themselves in a new, unexpected world where things are much the same as back
home, except her people do not exist. She finds herself thrust into positions
of power, entirely unsure of what is best for her crew. Knowledge, religion,
power, and blood run through the veins of the Grecurian islands. But through
three headstrong individuals, the veins will be cut, and darkness will stain
the sea.

Enjoy this peek inside:

“Something has already happened to Akamai. And what—
we’re to trust this, this Lili Mele in
his place?”

Mele bristled, but tempered herself with a glance to
Akamai, finding his eyes staring dead into hers. To her surprise, he tapped his
lips. A gesture on a list he wrote. It meant she was allowed to speak freely.
Mele burst from her seat and pressed her hands into the table. “Lili Mele? I am not the one who sold
myself to the council of nobles in exchange for a good word with the emperor.
Don’t fool yourself, Lili Takaahae,
this is not the world we used to live in, and I am the most valuable asset you
sniveling council of cowards has. What choice is there but to wait for now? Min
needs the energy when he returns. I’d imagine tracing the edge of the land has
drained his stores far lower than any of ours. Now I’m begging to return to our
plans for when the search parties return. My brain has been decaying with every
syllable that exits your mouth.”

 

 

About Paul Carver Williams:

.

 

An LGBTQ, Black-Latino young adult with an eclectic taste in
music, Paul Williams has struggled with his identity, eventually leading to
mental illness. However, with support from his siblings, he gained new
confidence to express his inner emotions through art and writing. At age
seventeen, he published his first book. In 2018, along with his friend, Icesis
Street, Paul won the technology Student Association (TSA) 1st place State award
for Children’s storybooks. He is now working endlessly to carve a place for himself
among the creative professionals and pave the way for other talented ‘students’
of art and literature.

In his newest book, Shadow of Hades, Williams reveals themes
of grief, often what we commonly associate with death. He hopes readers are
moved to examine their lives on a smaller scale, feel invited to empathize with
all aspects of the world and see the magical playground that is our shared
universe. The world seemed uniquely grim at the time Williams wrote Shadow of
Hades, and that darkness is nuanced in the characters, however, he still
provides a glimmer of hope to the readers for a world that desperately needs it
and that we should all keep close to our hearts.

Website |  https://instabio.cc/20520NQozji

 

 

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Excerpt And Giveaway ~ Piercing The Veil by Steven A. Guglich

Posted: March 31, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, Magic
Tags: ,
3

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I am so excited that PIERCING THE VEIL by Steven A. Guglich is available now and that I get to share the news!

.

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 courtesy of Steven & Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

 

 

PIERCING THE VEIL (The Veil Saga #1)

 by Steven A. Guglich

 

 

Pub. Date: March 31, 2023

Publisher: Your Wildest Dreams Publishing LLC

Formats: Paperback, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 614

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Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/Steven-A-Guglich

 

They say that legends are born, not made.

But for Jeremy Goodson and Masaru
Hagen that is far from the truth. Confronted by something that neither of them
can explain, two complete strangers from opposite sides of the world embark on
an unforgettable journey that will forge them into living legends.

It has been almost 4,000 years since
magic disappeared from the Earth. Hidden from humanity by the Veil, those who
possess magic live in ancient settlements across the globe. Over the centuries,
these beings have pierced the Veil, leaving behind glimpses and shadows of the
fantastic and arcane. Fueled by distant memories and humanity’s desire for
wonder, familiar stories of myths and legends have been passed down for
thousands of years in nearly every culture and nation.

Jeremy Goodson, an average, overweight teacher in New York City finds his entire world turned upside down when a stranger tempts him to leave everything behind and start a journey that
will test Jeremy’s mysterious gift and bring magic and hope back to humanity.

Masaru Hagen, the adopted son of American tech entrepreneurs living in Tokyo, has been guided by an unseen voice all his life. On the eve of his twentieth birthday, the voice leads him across
thousands of miles, on a mysterious and perilous mission he alone can undertake.

But there are principalities of this world that will do whatever they can to stop Jeremy and Masaru and keep magic

out of the hands of humanity forever.

One of these men will bring hope to the world; the other will bring death. The world they once knew will be changed forever, not only for themselves, but for everyone on Earth…and maybe not for
the best.

 

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Excerpt:

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Part 1

Chapter 1

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An Exceptionally Ordinary Man

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“To most, he was under-ordinary; a man of little consequence
to his people.”

~ From The Second Gift Giver Chronicles compiled by Erwin
Albowyn, a Chronicler

of the Master Construct, Second Order, an alfargnym of
Unterbaum

 

Present Day

.

On a warm early summer’s day on the bustling streets of New
York City, people avoided one another with the skill that only New Yorkers
possess. Among the hustle and bustle, one unmoving figure kept watch over a seemingly
ordinary human.

Mercurio stood on the sidewalk, busy humans rushing around
him. Most of them towered above him, but he was used to that. In some cases, if
he wanted to blend in without using his cloak, he could hide among human
children. But not today. Today he needed to be unnoticed. The elf stood silent
and observing, an unseen watcher hidden in a shroud of magic; the familiar
energy of his Veil Cloak surged over his body. The surrounding magic united
with his aura and weaved the light around him, making the armor-clad elf
invisible to the humans that passed him by. They were completely unaware of his
presence, yet they avoided contact with him as if they knew he was there. The
cloak’s secondary enchantment acted as a deflector, repelling the

humans at a subconscious level, causing them to move around
him like a river flowing around a large rock.

With humans darting all around him, the elf’s eyes focused on
his target; a young male sitting on a bench, reading a book. He’d observed this
human for weeks and was convinced that this one was indeed worthy of the
calling.

This ordinary, plump twenty-eight-year-old man appeared
average by most human standards. Perhaps even below average. Jeremy Goodson
wore eyeglasses. His round cheeks and belly indicated he ate more than he should.
The mustard stain on his blue collared shirt confirmed that conclusion. His
brown khaki pants were wrinkled. Was this because he didn’t make and care for
his own clothing? He did live alone.

Curious.

 

About Steven A. Guglich:

.

 

Steven A. Guglich grew up in New York City. He lives in
Williston, North Dakota with his wife, his four children, and his collection of
books. He is an Elementary School Principal and is the 2020 North Dakota
Principal of the Year.

In 2022, he and his wife launched Your Wildest Dreams
Publishing, LLC to fulfil a dream born in the imagination of Steven’s Dad,
Stanley and to publish Steven’s books.

For more information on Steven’s books, please visit Steven’s
website. 

Subscribe to Steven’s newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | 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.

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers Of The Future

Posted: March 2, 2023 in Cover Reveal, Science Fiction
Tags: , ,
0

 

From vampires and werewolves to space exploration and time travel, you will love these 12 original and diverse stories because they were selected by some of your favorite authors… 

 

Title: L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Volume #39
Author: L. Ron Hubbard, Kevin J.
Anderson, S.M. Stirling, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Lazarus Chernik and 24
Award-Winning Authors and Illustrators
Publisher: Galaxy Press
Pages: 544
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy Anthology

This is an anthology with 24 new authors and illustrators and bonus content
by L. Ron Hubbard, Kevin J. Anderson, S. M. Stirling, Kristine Kathryn
Rusch.

Short Description of Each Story:

Join a team of time travelers who set out to save London from a terrorist’s
nuclear attack … when a blast from the past changes everything.

Meet a vampire, a dragon and a shape-shifting Chihuahua in Key West … this is one beach party that’s about to get wild!

Follow Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I., who’s investigating the craziest case of his so-called life.…

A miracle? An omen? Or something else? One day, they arrived in
droves—the foxes of the desert, the field, the imagination….—“Kitsune”
by Devon Bohm

When a vampire, a dragon and a shape-shifting Chihuahua meet on a beach in
Key West, fireworks go off! But that’s just the background.—“Moonlight
and Funk” by Marianne Xenos

The Grim Reaper, trapped in an IRS agent’s dying body, must regain his
powers before he dies and faces judgment for his original sin.—“Death
and the Taxman” by David Hankins

In a metaverse future, a woman who exposes falseness in others must decide
what is real to her—the love she lost or the love she may have
found.—“Under My Cypresses” by Jason Palmatier

Vic Harden wasn’t lured by glory on a daring mission into the reaches of
outer space—he was ordered out there by his editor.—“The Unwilling Hero”
by L. Ron Hubbard

Dangerous opportunities present themselves when an alien ship arrives in the
solar system seeking repairs.—“White Elephant” by David K. Henrickson

With her spaceship at the wrong end of a pirate’s guns, a former war hero
must face down her enemies and demons to save Earth’s last best chance
for peace.—“Piracy for Beginners” by J. R. Johnson

Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I., faces one of his funniest and most perplexing
cases ever—an enlightened ogre, a salamander with low self-esteem, and a
raging fire dragon terrorizing the Unnatural Quarter!—“Fire in the
Hole” by Kevin J. Anderson

Years after the Second Holocaust, the last surviving Jews on earth attempt to
rewrite the past.—“A Trickle in History” by Elaine Midcoh

When I said I’d do anything to pay off my debts and get back home to Earth, I
didn’t mean survey a derelict spaceship at the edge of the solar
system—but here I am.—“The Withering Sky” by Arthur H. Manners

High-powered telescopes bring galactic life to our TVs, and network tuner Hank Enos
figures he’s seen everything—until the day an alien boy stares
back.—“The Fall of Crodendra M.” by T. J. Knight

Knights, damsels and dragons, curses and fates foretold—the stuff of legends and
stories, but unexpectedly perverse.—“Constant Never” by S. M. Stirling

Determined to save his wife, Tumelo takes an unlikely client through South
Africa’s ruins to the heart of the Desolation—a journey that will cost
or save everything.—“The Children of Desolation” by Spencer Sekulin

When a terrorist smuggles a nuclear weapon into London, a team regresses in
time to AD 1093 to assassinate a knight on the battlefield, thereby
eliminating the terrorist a millennia before his birth.—“Timelines and
Bloodlines” by L. H. Davis

The Grand Exam, a gateway to power for one, likely death for all others—its
entrants include ambitious nobles, desperate peasants, and Quiet Gate,
an old woman with nothing left to lose.—“The Last History” by Samuel
Parr

This is the cover reveal event address:

Website / Twitter / Facebook

Other Social: Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / TikTok

Amazon / Kindle / Books a Million / B&N / Bookshop.Org

 

 

 

 

About the Contest

The international Writers of the Future Contest was created and endowed by
L. Ron Hubbard. After several years of success in fostering new writers,
the Illustrators of the Future Contest followed. The winning stories
are illustrated and published in the annual L. Ron Hubbard Presents
Writers of the Future anthology. Described by critics as a perennial
“glimpse of tomorrow’s stars,” a “must-have for the genre reader,” and
“the bestselling science fiction anthology series of all time,” it is
today the most enduring and top-ranking publication of its kind.

The blue-ribbon panel of judges is what makes this possible. The winning
stories are selected by bestselling authors, including Brandon
Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, Nnedi Okorafor, Kevin J. Anderson, Brian
Herbert, Jody Lynn Nye, Larry Niven, Robert J. Sawyer, Katherine Kurtz,
and many others. The best of the best are hand-picked each year.

There is no entry fee, and stories are judged blind, making it a fair
competition for all authors and illustrators who enter from anywhere in
the world. There are cash prizes. The winners are paid professional
rates and maintain their rights.

It is an excellent program for new authors and readers, who often discover their next favorite writer.

Quick links to free resources:

Enter the Writing Contest https://www.writersofthefuture.com/enter-writer-contest/

Free Writing Workshop https://www.writersofthefuture.com/writing-workshop/

Writing Podcast: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/podcast/

Writers Forum: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/forum/

Writing Contest Rules https://www.writersofthefuture.com/contest-rules-writers/

Contest Judges: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/writer-judges/ 

Contest Blog: www.writersofthefuture.com/blog

List of Writers of the Future & L. Ron Hubbard books https://galaxypress.com/l-ron-hubbard-books/

 

 

 

 

Sponsored By:

 

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The Ties That Bind by Susan L. Markloff ~ New Release Blitz

Posted: February 1, 2023 in YA Fantasy
Tags: ,
1

TheTiesthatBond copy

T-minus 7 days till The Ties that Bind by Susan L. Markloff goes live! Pre-order the next exciting book in The Human Born Era series to get it on publication day!

Ties_Kindle Cover

The Ties that Bind (The Human Born Era #2)

Expected Publication Date: February 7th, 2023

Genre: YA Fantasy

Seven continents. Seven teenagers. Seven protectors. One world hinges on their actions.

Three months ago, seven pillars of light lit up the continents. Seven teenagers rose to fight. The world survived.

Now Jen Monroe is tasked with finding the six other Human-Borns. Still reeling from her traumatic encounter with the monstrous Cregorous, she faces cultural barriers, personality clashes, and a worldwide trek to find those destined to help her. But threats sleep in the shadows, and the humans were not blind to what they witnessed seven teenagers accomplish.

Meanwhile, the very enemy the Human-Borns are fated to encounter lies in wait.

He is patient. He is cunning. He is ruthless.

Soon, these seven teenagers find themselves in a battle they never expected. But in their drive to save those they care about, what might be lost in the process?

Add to Goodreads

PRE-ORDER HERE!

Front_cover_rgb_1

The Rise of Raidin

Publication Date: November 1st, 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy/ Urban Fantasy

Jennifer Monroe is an average eighteen-year-old girl, and she knows it.

Which is precisely why no one—least of all herself—would suspect anything extraordinary from the quiet, boring girl who only has a few good friends to call her own. But that all got flipped on its head about a year ago, when two imposing men, a complete goofball, a werewolf, and two large four-legged creatures barged into her life.

Now over a year later, Jen leads a double life. Mild mannered, quiet, high schooler by day; dragon slayer and raw-energy-wielding-warrior (in training) by night. Juggling SAT scores, papers, and mastering the art of flying, she’s managed to keep her friends and family oblivious of her hybrid abilities and continue on a track for college. Everything was going swimmingly.

Until one normal, foggy, November morning, when a dragon crashed through the clouds, heralding a small army to descend on her high school. All for little, forgettable her. Making her realize that maybe there’s a whole lot more going on than she originally thought.

Available on Amazon and Also in a Dyslexic Friendly Edition

About the Author

IMG_2927

Susan L Markloff is a rising YA Fantasy author. Upon devouring fantastical worlds as a child, she often spent her days playing make-believe and spinning stories with friends and family. At the age of 18, she wrote what would become the first draft of her debut novel, The Rise of the Raidin. While at Houghton College, she cultivated a love for the written word, and majored in Creative Writing. There she was encouraged by other aspiring authors and by her professors to hone her skills and write the best version of her stories. The Rise of the Raidin, book 1 of The Human-Born Era, is the first of over twenty planned novels revolving around the world of Tilion.

Susan L. Markloff | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Book Blitz Organized By:

R&R Button

R&R Book Tours

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