Posts Tagged ‘magic’

Stonewiser Series Banner Free Ebook Blitz 450 x 169

I can hardly believe it!

Dora Machado is offering her complete Stonewiser Series FREE to download.

This series will be free August 31st thru September 2nd.

And more!

They will be free again September 6th and 7th!

I’m curious about these Stonewisers and their dying land.

And what are these ‘stones’ they speak of and hold as most sacred?

I’ll know soon enough and so can you!

Mark your calendar.

Check out this series and get your copies by clicking on the Amazon links provided.

Stonewiser: The Heart of the Stone

Stonewiser: The Heart of the Stone

Book 1

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy,Romantic Fantasy,Fantasy Romance, Dark Fantasy

Publisher: Mermaid Press

ISBN: 978-0979968204 / ASIN: B001F7ATEO

Amazon

Book Description:

Winner of the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Award for best Debut Novel

 Finalist for 2009 Foreword Book of the Year Award for SFF

Between truth and deception, between justice and abuse, a stonewiser stands alone with the stones. Or so begins the stonewiser’s oath. But what happens when a rebellious stonewiser discovers that lies have tainted the stone tales?

In a world devastated by the rot’s widespread destruction, only the tales preserved in the stones can uphold the truth and defend the Goodlands. In this world, stone truth is valued above anyone’s word, and stonewisers are the only ones capable of retrieving the tales from the stones, the only link between past and present, order and chaos.

Sariah is the most gifted stonewiser of her generation, but her talent does not atone for her shortcomings. A survivor of the Guild’s brutal training, she is curious, willful and disobedient. Yet not even Sariah is prepared for what she finds when she steals into the Guild’s Sacred Vaults: A mayhem of lies and intrigues that shatters her world.

Hunted, persecuted, and betrayed, Sariah must make an unlikely alliance with Kael, a cynical rebel leader pledged to a mysterious quest of his own. The fate of their dying world depends on their courage to overcome centuries of hatred and distrust. But not even the grueling journey has prepared them for what they are about to discover. Because nothing is really as it seems, and the truth is more intricate and devastating than they ever suspected….

~~~

Stonewiser: The Call of the Stone

 

Stonewiser: The Call of the Stone

Book 2

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy,Fantasy Romance, Dark Fantasy

Publisher: Mermaid Press

ISBN: 978-0979968228 / ASIN: B0047DWZTU

Amazon

Book Description:

Winner of the 2010 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Gold Medal for SF/F

 Finalist for the 2010 ForeWord Book of the Year Award for SF/F

Sariah’s reward for revealing the stone truth: a death sentence.

The executioners have arrived and Sariah, the most powerful and controversial stonewiser of her generation, has been judged and condemned to death. For the last few months, Sariah has been hiding in the Rotten Domain, trying to find the elusive tale capable of uniting a divided people teetering on the brink of a catastrophic war. As she is dragged to the nets, where an eel rave has been stirred to maximize her execution’s gruesome spectacle, Sariah knows she cannot escape her sentence. She is guilty of the crimes for which she’s been condemned and no one, not even Kael, the Domain’s foremost rebel leader, can save her from the executioners’ righteous justice.

But Kael is more than just a formidable warrior; he is also a cunning strategist and Sariah’s steadfast lover. Risking all he has, he bargains with the greedy executioners, bribing them into delaying Sariah’s execution, buying her precious time and a last chance to realize the mysterious legacy that the stones have imposed on her. The agreement is hardly a reprieve. It encourages a mob to hunt Sariah for ransom, banishing her from the Rotten Domain and imposing heavy fines on anyone who tries to help her. Worse, it requires her to wear an irremovable, mysterious bracelet. If she doesn’t return to the executioners with the tale in hand when the allotted time expires, Kael and his kin will be ruined and the bracelet will kill her.

Hunted by the executioners, the Guild and the Shield, Sariah and Kael embark on a desperate search. Their journey will take them to the depths of the Rotten Domain, where Sariah must wise a guiding beam out of the wild tale stored in a stone-carved game. The beam will lead them through the warring Goodlands—where the rot is on the move—to the land beyond the Bastions, where a zealous people guard an ancient stone that could hold the key to their search. Along the way, Sariah and Kael must overcome deadly traps, torture, heartbreak, agonizing defeat and devastating losses in a desperate attempt to avoid war and answer the mysterious call of the stone.

~~~

Stonewiser: The Lament of the Stone

Stonewiser: The Lament of the Stone

Book 3

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy,Fantasy Romance, Dark Fantasy

Publisher: Mermaid Press

ISBN: 978-0979968235 / ASIN: B0051H6SUI

Amazon

Book Description:

“Do you know why the stones grieve?” the woman said to Kael. “Not for a soul, I’ll tell you that much. The stones don’t grieve for the passing of a lowly woman or the madness of a smitten man. They don’t mourn death, or lost love, or broken dreams, or loneliness or despair. Yet you will make them wail. For you, the stones will weep.”

In their most perilous adventure yet, Sariah, the rogue stonewiser who stunned the world by discovering lies in the stones and defying the all-powerful Guild, and Kael, the rebel leader who against all odds loves her, must find a stolen child, the only one capable of setting rule upon chaos, preserving the future of stonewising, and defeating the rot ravaging the land. The stakes couldn’t be higher. The coveted child they seek is said to be an abomination. He is also their son.

It’s a daunting challenge. Their child is in the hands of a deceitful enemy who has fled to a mysterious ruler, a rival deity with unfathomable powers pledged to destroy the goddess and eradicate stonewising from the world. Worse yet, the land is engulfed in strife, the rot is spreading faster than ever, and Kael is haunted by a malevolent curse compelling him to kill the woman he loves.

In a dangerous journey fraught with shocking twists, Sariah and Kael must do more than defeat their foes, unravel the mystifying forces vying to control their lives, and discover the mysteries of ages past. They must challenge the stones, defy the goddess and confront their cursed fates. Because only by embracing their destinies do they stand a chance to save their child and their world.

~~~~

About the Author:

Dora Machado is the award winning author of the Stonewiser series and her newest novel, The Curse Giver, from Twilight Times Books, available July 2013. She is one of the few Latinas exploring her heritage and her world through the epic fantasy genre today. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from GeorgetownUniversity. She was born in Michigan and grew up in the Dominican Republic, where she developed a bilingual fascination for writing, a love for history, and a taste for Merengue. After a lifetime of straddling such compelling but different worlds, fantasy is a natural fit to her stories. She enjoys long walks, traveling, and connecting with the amazing readers who share in her mind’s adventures. She lives in Florida with her indulging husband and three very opinionated cats.

To learn more about Dora Machado and her novels, visit her website at www.doramachado.com

Subscribe to her blog at http://www.doramachado.com/blog/ , sign up for her newsletter at http://doramachado.com/newsletter.php  and follow her on Facebook and  Twitter.

About Dora Machado’s Novels:

Dora Machado is the award winning author of the Stonewiser trilogy and her newest novel, The Curse Giver. She is one of the few Latinas exploring her heritage and her world through the epic fantasy genre today. Her first novel, Stonewiser: The Heart of the Stone, won the 2009 Benjamin Franklin award for best debut novel. Her second novel, Stonewiser: The Call of the Stone, won the 2010 Independent Publishers Book Award’s (IPPY) Gold Medal for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy book of the year. Her third novel, Stonewiser: The Lament of the Stone, won the 2012 Independent Publishers Book Award’s (IPPY) Silver Medal for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy book of the year. All three novels were finalists in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Award in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Category. Her latest novel, The Curse Giver from Twilight Times Books is available July 2013.

Website: http://www.doramachado.com/

Blog: http://www.doramachado.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoraMachado101

Twitter: @DoraMachado or https://twitter.com/DoraMachado

Amazon Author Central: amazon.com/author/doramachado

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew.

For all of my giveaways go HERE.

Join the celebration organized by AToMR Tours.

Jenna-Lynne Duncan is celebrating the release of her new book, Aftermath.

You’ll learn what Aftermath is about and sneak a peek inside, and don’t forget to enter the awesome giveaway!

Living on the Gulf Coast, I was here during Hurricane Katrina. While my area wasn’t hit hard, the aftermath was felt deeply all along the coast.

Anyone living on the Gulf has experienced these powerful and deadly storms and as a community, strangers are no more. Everyone helps everyone else to pick up the pieces and go on.

I am really looking forward to reading this series and I’m always looking for books set in the south as I feel an instant connection and often recognize places mentioned in the stories.

Aftermath book cover

goodreads-badge-add-plus

Title:  Aftermath

Author: Jenna-Lynne Duncan

Publisher:  Stolen Kiss Press

Release date:  July 2013

Genre: Paranormal romance/urban fantasy

Age Group: Young Adult

Event organized by: AToMR Tours

Available Soon

~~~~~~~

Book Description

Adriana can’t decide which is harder— living in post-Katrina New Orleans or living with two immortal brothers. Ana and Hayden are finally together but Hayden’s brother Luke is trying to come between them… and he’s never been known to play fair. While Ana still attempts to cling to her normal life, psychic visions take over her dreams. With Mardi Gras season approaching and a vision of a murder, Ana will find out if she can really change the future or if she’s just upsetting a very delicate balance. What she could never predict was just how far Luke would go to satisfy his obsession…

How about a little peek inside!

As I went to follow them, Luke stopped me. I stared at his hand curled around my arm, acutely aware of his touch.

When I looked up at him, his eyes became stormy. He licked his lips and then bent down to whisper in my ear. The heat of his breath tickled the sensitive area of my neck as he whispered, “ You can’t expect me to play nice, when you wear something like that. I’m afraid I simply won’t be able to keep my hands off of you.”

My jaw dropped open. His words appalled me—and at the same time excited me.

I recovered my composure. “You’d better keep your hands off me, unless you want me to break your fingers.” I gave him my best menacing smile. Where was this side of me coming from? Strangely, I knew.

“Ohh,” his chest rumbled with laughter. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

“Both.” I snapped as he slowly made his way around to my other ear. This had to stop.

“I look forward to any time where you touch me.” He had circled me, like he was a vulture and I was his prey.

“You’re disgusting!”

“We’ll talk more of what I am later, love. Right now, your friends are waiting.” At his last words, he left me there in the hallway, weak-kneed and boiling with anger.

“No, we will not talk about this later!” I called after him, but it was too late, I had already heard the door to the garage open. And he’d had the last word.

~~~~~~~~

Here’s a little bit about Hurricane, Book #1

Hurricane (Hurricane #1)

goodreads-badge-add-plus

Adriana couldn’t decide what was worse—that Hurricane Katrina was heading for New Orleans, or that she might not survive her kidnapping to see its potential effects. She had trusted Hayden, even fallen for him, and now he and his brother Luke were taking her deeper and deeper into the Bayou. Why had two of her classmates, the mysterious Boudreaux brothers, kidnapped her? Why had Adriana’s dreams started predicting the future? Most importantly, would she make it out of the Bayou alive…

 

About the Author

Jenna-Lynne Duncan graduated from the University of St. Thomas with degrees in Political Science, International Studies and Middle Eastern Studies. She is the author of the popular young adult series Hurricane. She is currently working on a fourth Hurricane novel as well as another YA series. Besides writing, Jenna-Lynne likes children and travelling. Preferably together.

To know more about Jenna-Lynne, please visit her website at www.Jenna-Lynne.com

Author social media links:

Twitter: @JennaLynneD or www.Twitter.com/JennaLynneD

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Lynne-Duncan/198137450227636

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4957254.Jenna_Lynne_Duncan

giveaway photo: Giveaway giveaway.gif

A Hurricane gift basket which will include a signed copy of Hurricane, a signed copy of Aftermath, an eBook copy of Tempest, a fleur de lis necklace, a love potion necklace, Aftermath book charms, Hurricane book mark, Cafe Du Monde beignet mix, and a mardi grad mask! – US Only

Laissez les bons temps rouler

Let the good times roll!

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.

Rafflecopter Giveaway

~~~~~~

AToMRTours_large

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways go here.

LostBlitzBanner

I was a part of the blitz for Hidden, Book #1 and just had to be a part of the Blitz for Lost, Book #2!

Enjoy the character interview and don’t forget to enter the giveaways!

Yep, that’s right, two giveaways!

~~~~~

Lost cover

goodreads-badge-add-plus

Lost by M. Lathan  Series: Hidden, #2
.
Publication date: June 20th 2013
.
Genre: YA Paranormal
.
.
Synopsis:

Three months ago, Christine Grant found herself, her love, and impossible friends, while losing the memories of the biggest piece of her past.
Now, her powers are spinning out of control and must be tamed by the woman who saved the world, the same woman Christine is predicted to kill in less than a month.
Wanting to punish catty girls was just the beginning. It’s only a matter of time before she discovers that the world is not as safe from her as she hoped it was.

~~~~

Let’s get to know Leah, shall we?

Character Interview with Leah –  Prior to Lost

So, Leah … or is it Christine?

Leah is what the nuns named me at my school. My real name is Christine.

Which one would you like me to call you?

Whichever you want.

Okay, I’ll go with Leah. First, I want you to relax. I know what you’re hiding. Your secret is safe with me. Okay?

Okay.

So when did you first realize you weren’t … human?

It sort of becomes apparent when you can’t seem to think of another room without accidently moving to it.

That must have been scary. I guess I can answer my next question on my own, then. I was going to ask if you had one wish, what would it be. I’d bet it would be to be human. Am I right?

Yeah. Life would be … uh … simpler that way.

Tell me a little about the disguise you keep up. How do you hide your powers?

It’s difficult. I have to be quiet and careful. I have to watch my every move. But I’m still alive so … I obviously don’t suck at it too much.

Obviously. Hats off to you. Have you picked up anything from imitating a human? Do you have typical teenage quirks? A favorite color or food?

I guess I have a favorite food. If oranges count.

Yeah, that counts. What about other typical high school things? Do you have a most embarrassing moment?

There’s too many to choose from. Let me see. Eighth grade, right after a math test I’d completely bombed. I’d been fighting with my magic all day. It seemed like every time I moved, something else in the classroom would move with me. So naturally, I’d stopped moving. A girl I hate, Sienna, screamed my name from the back of class and asked if I was constipated. I guess I looked kind of constipated. Anyway, I tried to move so I wouldn’t look as strange, and the American flag hanging over the chalkboard crashed to Sister Margaret’s desk. Scared out of my mind, I ran out of class. Of course, everyone thought I ran to the bathroom because of stomach issues. They called me Pepto for weeks.

Yikes, that’s embarrassing, all right. It doesn’t sound like you have friends, so what do you do in your spare time?

I draw. I’m pretty good at it. I did a full-scale sketch of the orphanage with shading and everything when I was six. That should have tipped me off that I wasn’t normal.

That sounds spectacular. Do you see yourself becoming an artist when you grow up?

Grow up? I’ve never thought about it. I guess I’ll have to pray that I’ll live long enough to make career decisions. Wish me luck.

Good luck. That’s for chatting with me today.

~~~~~~~~

Purchase (Book 1 is currently 0.99c!):
.
lost Hidden
.
goodreads-badge-add-plus
.
~~~~
AUTHOR BIO
.
lost author pic M
.
M. Lathan lives in San Antonio with her husband and mini-schnauzer. She enjoys writing and has a B.S. in Psych and a Masters in Counseling. Her passion is a blend of her two interests – creating new worlds and stocking them with crazy people. She enjoys reading anything with interesting characters and writing in front of a window while asking rhetorical questions … like her idol Carrie Bradshaw.
Author links:
.
Giveaway
Two Giveaways
.
I have one e-book copy of Lost to give away.
Open Internationally
.
To enter, please leave your email address and answer this question:
.
****What memory would you most hate to lose?****
.
This giveaway ends July 21st.
~~~~~~
.
Grand Prize Giveaway
$45 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
.
Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.
.
.
Lost XpressoBannerTours
.
.
Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!
.
For all of my giveaways go here.

ParaNormal Detective_Banner

How can you resist a paranormal detective novel?

I sure can’t.

The idea that Cassie is a ‘Normal” detective sure makes this sound fun.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Cassie gets into and out of!

ParaNormal Detective cover

goodreads-badge-add-plus

Cassie Scot: Paranormal Detective

by Christine Amsden

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private investigator in the shadow of her family’s reputation isn’t easy. When she is pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

 

My parents think the longer the name, the more powerful the sorcerer, so they named me Cassandra Morgan Ursula Margaret Scot. You can call me Cassie.

I’ve been called a lot of things in my life: normal, ordinary, and even a disappointment. After the Harry Potter books came out, a couple of people called me a squib. Since I haven’t read them, I have to assume it’s a compliment.

Personally, I prefer normal, which is why the sign on my office door reads: Cassie Scot, Normal Detective.

You have to understand that around here, when your last name is Scot, people are easily confused. Not only are my parents powerful practitioners, but I have six talented brothers and sisters. Plus, my family hasn’t always been known for its subtlety. When weird stuff happens around here, the people who are willing to believe in magic are prone to suspect the Scots.

The day I opened for business I got a call from an old woman who swore her cat was possessed by the devil. She also swore she’d read my web site, which clearly stated the types of work I did and did not do. Exorcisms were on the No list, and while I hadn’t specified pet exorcisms, I would have thought it was implicit.

.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

para detectChristine Amsden author

Award-winning author Christine Amsden has written stories since she was eight, always with a touch of the strange or unusual. She became a “serious” writer in 2003, after attending a boot camp with Orson Scott Card. She finished Touch of Fate shortly afterward, then penned The Immortality Virus, which won two awards. Expect many more titles by this up-and-coming author.

Links

Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Google+

~~~~~~

Giveaway

ParaNormal Detective_CoverBanner

Christine will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

The tour dates can be found here.

goddess fish button

~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways go here.

Blood-Destiny-Series-Animated

Check out this series I just found!

The cover art blows you away and when you read the blurbs for these books you’ll be just like me, saying, “Gimme, Gimme!”

Welcome Helen Harper and her Blood Destiny Series.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

Blood-Destiny-Series-Book-Cover-Banner

BLOOD DESTINY SERIES

by Helen Harper

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURBS:

Bloodfire

Bloodfire1
goodreads-badge-add-plus

cfe8d-am

Mackenzie Smith has always known that she was different. Growing up as the only human in a pack of rural shapeshifters will do that to you, but then couple it with some mean fighting skills and a fiery temper and you end up with a woman that few will dare to cross. However, when the only father figure in her life is brutally murdered, and the dangerous Brethren with their predatory Lord Alpha come to investigate, Mack has to not only ensure the physical safety of her adopted family by hiding her apparent humanity, she also has to seek the blood-soaked vengeance that she craves.

Bloodmagic

Bloodmagic1

goodreads-badge-add-plus

cfe8d-am

After escaping the claws of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the Brethren, Mack is trying to lead a quiet lonely life in Inverness in rural Scotland, away from anyone who might happen to be a shapeshifter. However, when she lands a job at an old bookstore owned by a mysterious elderly woman who not only has a familiar passion for herbal lore but also seems to know more than she should, Mack ends up caught in a maelstrom between the Ministry of Mages, the Fae and the Brethren.

Now she has to decide between staying hidden and facing the music, as well as confronting her real feelings for the green eyed power of Corrigan himself.

Bloodrage

bloodrage1

goodreads-badge-add-plus

cfe8d-am

Mack begins her training at the mages’ academy in the hope that, by complying, the stasis spell will be lifted from her old friend, Mrs. Alcoon. However, once there, she finds herself surrounded by unfriendly adults and petulant teenagers, the majority of whom seem determined to see her fail.

Feeling attacked on all fronts, Mack finds it harder and harder to keep a rein on her temper. Forced to attend anger management classes and deal with the predatory attentions of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the shapeshifter world, her emotions start to unravel. But when she comes across a familiar text within the walls of the mages’ library, which might just provide the clues she needs to unlock the secrets of her background and her dragon blood, she realises that her problems are only just beginning…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT  from Bloodfire:

Bloodfire1

I scanned the bookshelves again, looking for something that might help and was about to pull down a precious gems and magical objects encyclopaedia when I suddenly heard voices and the slamming of doors from outside.  Bugger it.  Quickly closing down the computer, I stepped back into the outer office.  I was just in time because Staines came suddenly striding in with the Lord Alpha.  They were in mid conversation and didn’t see me at first.

“My lord, we need to focus on the magic trail before anything else,” Staines was saying.

The Alpha growled.  “The mage can do that better than us.  It’s the tree markings that interest…” his voice trailed off as he saw me and his green eyes narrowed.

“Hi!” I said brightly.  “Found it!”  I held up my mug for display.

They both just stared at me silently.  I cleared my throat.  “Well, I’ll get out your way then.”  I moved towards the door but the Alpha was blocking it.  I looked up at him, waiting for him to move out my way.  He folded his arms and continued to stare.

I felt a flicker of irritation from my bloodfire.  This was my keep, not his.  I moved to brush past him, registering the hard steely curve of his muscles as my arm touched his.  He moved further back, blocking the doorway completely.

“Miss Mackenzie,” he drawled softly.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway

Helen will award a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here.

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.

Rafflecopter Giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Helen Harper is an English teacher currently living abroad in Malaysia. As a long time reader of urban fantasy, she finally bit the bullet and began to develop her own series of novels.

Helen has always been a book lover, devouring science fiction and fantasy tales when she was a child growing up in Scotland. “I always loved the escapism provided by those genres,” states Helen. “No matter how bad life gets, you can always find a route out, even if only temporarily, in the pages of a good book.”

The growth of urban fantasy fascinated her – the mix of reality and fantasy along with strong heroic female characters appealed from the very beginning, and inspired her to write her own.

Facebook Author page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Helen-Harper/101590660022586

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarperFire

Amazon.com buy links: Just click on the Amazon button below the covers.

goddess fish button

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways go here.

highwitch-vbtbanner

What a fun Book Tour for High Witch.

Toady I share with you the beautiful cover art and an exciting excerpt from the first book in this series by Mona Hanna.

What do you think of the cover art?

It is rich in so many shades of blue and purple and it sparkles too.

The font is fun and the title makes you itch to read this.

Enjoy getting to know more about High Witch and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

High Witch (High Witch, #1)

goodreads-badge-add-plus

 High Witch (High Witch #1)

by Mona Hanna

Paranormal/Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Self/Indie

Release Date: November 4, 2012

Heat Level: Sensual

Word Count: 25,000

Available at:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | B&N | iTunes

Description:

Ariel is a High Witch, one of the most powerful witches in the world. There are only three like her in existence. She finally learns who she is, but immediately has to flee from a malicious warlock, out to claim her for his own. With Brayden, her new love by her side, she attempts to outwit the warlock, and the High Witch who protects him. But what will she do if she has to go through ‘The Test’?

~~~~~~~

Enjoy this excerpt!

They traveled for a few more days, stopping one afternoon at an empty field to rest for lunch. Ariel had been practicing every day, Brayden astonished at how much she’d improved. They sat eating under a tree in the cold day, sunlight shining through the clouds. They didn’t speak, both very tired from all the traveling. Ariel finally stood up, saying she needed to work on her magic some more.

“Try to focus on nature, like we discussed,” Brayden said. “Remember, you can draw from every source of magic there is, from wherever there’s power. You’re doing so well — try to master this now.”

Ariel nodded, then walked several paces away to the center of the field, standing in a large expanse of grass. Brayden watched her from where he sat, thinking she looked so beautiful. She looked at him for a moment, then shut her eyes.

She held out her arms, standing silently for a long while, her hair slightly blowing around her in the breeze. She remained still for several more moments, then gradually the wind grew stronger. Ariel’s hair flowed behind her, her skirt twirling around her ankles. Leaves swirled around her; a howling sound was in the air. The wind was focused on her, turning around her as she stood on the spot, as if she was at the center of a tornado. Flashes of lightning cut through the sky. A white glow illuminated her skin.

The clouds above them became grey and dark. Ariel stood, frozen, at the center of the tempest. The wind swirled around her, howling, screaming. She maintained control of the storm. Thunder crashed above them, interspersed with more lightning. Brayden shivered in the now freezing temperature. Ariel didn’t move. The air around them screamed, building until it erupted in a thundering cry. Ariel held her face up to the sky, the elements under her control.

Finally, she lowered her arms. The sounds began to fade. The storm began to dissipate. Gradually the wind died down, the clouds became lighter and grew apart, the thunder and lightning dissolved. Eventually, things were as they were. Ariel looked over at Brayden, the faint white light still touching her skin. He rose and slowly approached her. He stood before her in amazement.

“That…” he began, then had to clear his throat. He was still stunned. “That was astonishing. Ariel, you’re amazing. I don’t know how you did that.”

She smiled at him, the glow around her fading, her skin returning to normal. Brayden looked around them, wanting to capture this moment; take advantage of her control of her powers.

“Try to lift one of those rocks,” he said, pointing to a small pile of rocks in the distance, similar to the pile that had been in the yard at the inn.

Ariel turned to them, and held out one arm. She moved one of her fingers, and a grey, fist-sized rock rose from the pile, hovering in the air. She moved her fingers again, then the other rocks joined the first, delicately balanced at head height, floating as if they were on water, as light as leaves. Ariel flattened her hand, and the rocks gracefully dropped back down to the ground. She turned to look at Brayden. She smiled.

“It’s easy, now,” she said. Brayden moved up to her and drew her into his arms.

“You’re wonderful,” he breathed, embracing her, holding her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and Brayden smoothed his hand over her hair. He couldn’t believe how amazing she was. He held onto her, mesmerized by her. His body was tingling just holding her. He felt her tremble.

“I hope I can save us,” she said, her breath against his neck. He couldn’t take it any more. He cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her, hungrily moving his mouth over hers, his other hand clutching her hair. She held onto him and he pressed her against him, unable to control his feelings for her. He groaned, loving how she tasted, the feel of her lips, the touch of her tongue moving with his. They clung to each other, unaware of anything around them. He couldn’t believe how good it felt. He began kissing her neck, and she moaned in his arms. His body was on fire for her.

“Oh, Ariel,” he breathed, wishing more than anything they were somewhere private. He was desperate for her. He kissed her lips again, then held her to him, his heart racing. She put her arms around his neck, and gently nibbled his ear. He couldn’t breathe.

“We should get moving,” he said, barely remembering his own name. “We can’t…I mean…we have to…oh, Ariel, you have to stop that.”

She laughed, stepping back a little from him. He gazed at her, consumed with thoughts of her. She looked back at him, a mischievous smile touching her lips. Oh, how he loved her.

“Not here, not when we’ve got a madman after us,” he said, kissing her roughly then taking her hand, leading her back to their things. She laughed again. He was addicted to her. Her laugh, her touch, her beauty — but, really, her. Her heart. Her soul. He wanted to love her for the rest of his life. To protect her. To always be with her. He wouldn’t be able to stand it if he lost her. He would do anything to keep them together.

~~~~~~

About the Author:

high witch mhanna-authorphoto

Mona Hanna is the author of the books The Nature of God and God’s Promises of Love. She has been a devotional writer since 2008, creating the blog Mona Hanna Devotions, focusing on expressing God’s love, acceptance, and compassion. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Australia, with a sub major in professional writing. Mona is now writing fantasy books. Myriad is her first novella.

Connect with Mona Hanna

Website | Facebook

~~~~

Giveaway

Prize is 10 eBook copies (1 each to 10 winners) of “High Witch (High Witch #1)” from Mona Hanna.

Contest ends July 15. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.

Rafflecopter Giveaway

You can follow the tour and see other fun and exciting posts here.

For all of my giveaways go here.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

cblspromosbtnew button

Copper Cauldron Banner copy

Looking for a fun summer read. I recommend you try Copper Cauldron. It’s a fast read, filled with romance and danger, angels, witches, and an evil wizard.

A magical battle of good vs. evil.

Read on for an inside look and my review.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

coppercauldronnewbookcover

goodreads-badge-add-plus

Copper Cauldron

by Terri Talley Venters

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

 

Penelope Manchester, a good witch with one green and one blue eye, awaits her destiny: a warrior of God with the face of an angel, the heart of a saint, and eyes which match her own. St. Michael the Archangel flies into her life and sweeps her off her feet. Meanwhile, an evil sorcerer captures witches, steals their powers and most of their nine lives, and shrinks them to the size of a doll–a Nürnberg, doll. But when he turns two of the Manchester witches into dolls, the Manchester clan fights back with St. Michael and divine intervention. Armed with the legendary copper cauldron, a fire breathing dragon, and an arsenal of spells, good battles evil.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enjoy this Excerpt!

“The battle against the devil, which is the principle task of St. Michael the archangel, is still being fought today because the devil is still alive and active in the world.”

–Pope John Paul II

Prologue

“Can you tell me a bedtime story, Great-Grandma?” Penelope asked.

The nine-year old girl looked at her great-grandmother whose eyes matched her own, one blue and one green. She lay in her pink bedroom on the second floor of the ancestral mansion located in the Garden District of New Orleans. Penelope, born in this house, represented the seventh generation of Manchester Witches to live here.

“Of course, my dear. Which story would you like to hear? Or do I even need to ask?” Violet said, smiling.

“You know the one, my favorite,” Penelope answered. She laid her small head down. Her long black hair spread across the pillow.

“I love this story too. Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Penelope. Her beautiful long black hair hung to her tiny waist. Her pale skin gave her a beautiful, youthful complexion. She possessed the most unique and treasured eyes, one blue and one green. One day, she will meet her one true love, her soul mate, her destiny. He is a warrior of God, with the face of an angel, the heart of a saint, and eyes which match her own,” Violet said.

“Thank you, Great-Grandma. When are Mommy and Daddy coming home?” Penelope asked.

“Your parents are busy fighting bad people. I hope they’ll be home very soon.”

“Why didn’t Grandma Beatrice go with them this time?” Penelope asked.

“Beatrice wanted to stay behind and keep an eye on us,” Violet replied.

“Why do we have to keep our powers a secret?” Penelope asked.

“Because it scares people,” Violet said.

“Am I really the youngest Manchester Witch to receive her powers?” Penelope asked.

“Yes, you are. You will be a very powerful and very good witch. It is part of your destiny. Your true love will be very powerful too. But your children will be even more powerful than you,” Violet explained.

“When can we go see another Church of St. Michael?” Penelope asked. She looked over at the wall behind her great-grandmother. She stared at the painting of St. Michael the Archangel, her family’s patron saint.

“We just went to the one in Charleston. How many St. Michael’s churches do you want to visit?” Violet asked.

“I want to go to all of them.”

“What is your infatuation with St. Michael the Archangel?” Violet asked.

“He’s the one I’m going to marry. He is my destiny,” Penelope said, smiling as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review

Copper Cauldron opens with Penelope at bedtime. Her great-grandmother Violet tells her favorite bedtime story about Penelope, a young witch with one blue eye and one green eye. She is descended from a long line of Manchester witches with this unique trait.

One day, she will meet her soul mate, her destiny.

He will be a warrior of God, handsome and pure of heart, with eyes like hers.

Flash 20 years later. Penelope has grown into a beautiful young woman and she is obsessed with the churches of St. Michael.

Ever since she was young, she’s believed St Michael is her soul mate and she searches for him all over the world.

While on vacation and visiting yet another church, she sees a man slip past her vision. When she looks up to a portrait of St. Michael she is stunned. The man could be his spitting image.

She searches, but never sees him again.

Penelope meets up with her friend, Cat, a Manchester witch from the Scottish line, who’s with her on vacation.

Cat needs a rare ingredient for her potions and they head to a biergarten in Nurnberg to get it.

There, they meet the charming wizard, Marcus.

He is all too eager to assist these beautiful witches and lures them to the cellar.

Penelope gazes upon the walls lined with dolls. Something twitches in her memories.

Cat’s powers of foresight save them from the clutches of the evil sorcerer, but he’s not finished with them yet.

He’ll come for them, for all of the witches. No one is safe, and they rush to prepare for his coming.

Copper Cauldron is a fast read. Only around 100 pages.

It starts like a happily ever after fairy tale and quickly becomes a race to defeat an evil wizard, bent on stealing all of their powers so he can be immortal.

I really liked Penelope. She never gave up on her destiny, even when her mother scoffed at her childish dreams, and it seemed like she would never find him.

She stuck to her guns and would not settle for anyone less.

When it looks like all is lost, Penelope becomes her strongest. She doesn’t falter, and steps bravely towards her destiny.

I read this book quickly, only pausing once to cool off in the pool. A great summer read for all ages.

4 Stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway

Copper Cauldron Book Cover Banner copy

Terri will be awarding bookmarks or magnetic bumper stickers to randomly drawn commenters at each stop and a $10 Wild Child Publishing GC to a randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour.

Follow the tour and comment. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning!

You can find the tour stops here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

copper cauldron Terri Talley Venters

Terri received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Master’s degree in Taxation from the University of Florida. She is a licensed CPA and a Second Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. She lives in St. Augustine, Florida, with her husband, Garrison, and their two sons.

Terri is the daughter of Leslie S. Talley, author of Make Old Bones which is also available from Wild Child Publishing.

On the first of each month, Terri also posts free short stories on her website. Learn more about the books in her Elements of Mystery series at http://www.elementsofmystery.com/ as she weaves her way through the Periodic Table of Elements.

http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/paranormal-c-84/copper-cauldron-p-417.html

Like Facebook Fan Page:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Carbon-Copy-by-Terri-Talley-Venters/167383506064?bookmark_t=page

Follow Terri on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/TerriVenters

I just love the cover art for Trail of Bones.

How could I resist when I spotted the tour!

I wish I had time to read and review it but I’ll be sure to let you know when I post my review later!

Check out the blurb, enjoy the awesome trailer, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

trail of bones

Trail of Bones
Ready for a new adventure? Are you a fan of fantasy, young adult, science fiction and action stories?
“No mercy, No rules – Welcome to the Trail of Bones!”
Run with Purpose – battle cry of the Shade Wolves

Magnus, the runt of a litter of Shade Wolves, wants nothing more than to be a loyal, strong member of the pack. But when an ancient enemy threatens his friends and family, he faces a choice that could tear him from all he’s known and loved.

Born in captivity, the giant panther Kelor knows nothing but suffering and loss. He struggles to find his place in this world of terror, and he battles to protect his family without succumbing to the darkness lurking inside him.

Falling captive to the evil Warden, the two are forced to fight in the battle of the beasts known as ‘The Trail of Bones’. How will Kelor and Magnus learn to work together? How will they escape a fate of despair and death? How will their choices affect their comrades? Their enemies? And the forgotten magic that could doom all life of their world?

Let the adventures begin!

A fun, exciting, clean read for teens, young adults, adults and readers of all ages. Pick up your copy of this fantasy adventure today!
Are you a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Robert Jordan, Orson Scott Card, Jim Butcher and other fantasy and science fiction authors? You’ll feel right at home with Trail of Bones. This fantasy story offers a strong moral message, suspense, action, and mystery, in a world full of magic, unlikely heroes, and devious villains.
Book Trailer

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VINjGQocwlM]

~

Editorial Reviews

Salisbury is a rising star in genre fiction. This book makes a unique and exciting contribution in the fantasy realm. The first of great things to come. –Jake Black, “The Authorized Ender Companion” “Smallville” “Ender’s Game: Recruiting Valentine”

Amazon Reviews

Conclusion:
A fantasy adventure that features lots of action and intrigue that is geared to a YA audience.
There are moments in this tale that are especially well done… story telling at a level that I’d be interested to see what this author would do with an adult orientated fantasy work.
As a dedicated YA work… 5 Stars.
~ Ray Nicholson

The beginning of a great adventure!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first book of the Trail of Bones series. It is an unpredictable adventure, with heartwrenching acts of love and friendship. The story ended before I was prepared to put my Kindle down, and now I will wait anxiously for the second book to be published. In the meantime, I think I’ll read it again with my eleven-year-old son; I’m sure he’ll love it as much as I do. Give it a read!
~ HRL

Enthralling story line that really pulls you in
…The characters were some that I will not easily forget because he explains their background in a way that makes the reader really connect and believe they are real. He creates a world that I long to see. I really grew to both love and hate different characters. I think that is a sign of a really great author when they can make us feel so much emotion towards a character.
~ Janason

~

About Chris Salisbury
Chris Salisbury has been writing fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and action thrillers for years in independent films. Now he’s expanded his love of good movies, such as Gladiator, Counte of Monte Cristo, Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, Star Trek, to the world of books. Trail of Bones is the first book in a planned four part fantasy, young adult series targeted at readers of all ages.
The father of four enjoys a wide range of interests from scuba diving to softball, coaching basketball to playing Battlefield 3 on his Xbox 360 or NCAA Football with his sons. He is also a big advocate for literacy and reading for young boys. There seem to be few titles that appeal to young boys and young men to hold their attention, trigger their imaginations and create a love of reading. Chris is out to change that.
In addition to the Trail of Bones series, he also has a number of other titles in development including historical fiction, action, suspense thrillers, and several science fiction properties. There’s a lot more on the horizon, so enjoy Trail of Bones but be sure to look for more captivating titles from Chris Salisbury in the near future.
~
trail of bones tour
~
Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 5/24/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

I’ve only just started reading this series and heard great things about it.

With the final book, Endure, set to be released in June, I wonn’t have to wait for the books. I can load them all in my kindle and read from beginning to end. That works for me, as I’ve heard once I start I won’t want to stop.

Available June 5th 
YA Urban FantasyFinal book in The Protector Series

Wrapped in darkness and woven with defeat, every action Chase has taken since being exiled from the Circle has been met with a devastating response. Now heÕs been burdened with a quest that seems impossible, and he needs to evolve into something moreÑsomething greater than he ever thought he could be.Armed with magic, friendship, and an unbreakable will, Chase must build an army and find a weapon capable of defeating the ultimate evil. But he knows that nothing great comes without sacrifice. Blessed by the very gods who have abandoned him and carrying the fate of all the worlds on his shoulders, Chase Williams is about find out just how much one man can endure.
 Book 1 – Exiled is FREE!

About the author:

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian
writer, and author of Exiled, the first installment in The Protector
Series. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through
his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and
proud breakfast enthusiast, he’s usually found at the computer, between a
pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

Welcome to my stop on the tour for Beyond the Iron Gate

Zara’s Journey by Alicia Michaels

Organized by Girl Who Reads

~

Chat LIVE with Alicia Michaels
Saturday, April 27 at 2 pm ET
#IronGate
(use tweetchat.com for easy access to the party)
Connect with the author: website  *  Twitter  *  Facebook
~
~Beyond the Iron Gate (A Lost Kingdom of Fallada Novella)
~
goodreads-badge-add-plus
~
In the year 1845, before the mystical land of Fallada was separated from the realm of men forever, the two worlds coexisted in harmony. Man could mingle freely in the world of the Elves and Faeries at will and peace reigned.
In the hills of Shropshire, England, just miles from the gate separating the village of Ludlow from the world of mystical creatures, farmer’s daughter Zara Wells longs for answers. It is not only the golden hair that trail feet behind her, or the strange hue of her violet eyes that separates her from the other girls in her village. There is something inside of her, something touched by magic that longs to know more about what lies on the other side of the gate.
In Fallada, darkness has begun to spread. As the youngest and most beautiful girls of her village begin to disappear, Zara comes closer to discovering the true circumstances surrounding her birth. Little does she know, that the closer she comes to the answers she so desperately desires, the closer she will come to being ensnared in the dark queen’s web of growing treachery.
Buy the book at Amazon!
~
Giveaway
Enter below for you chance to win!
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Tote Bag
Rubber bracelets (2)
Handmade beaded necklace and earrings set
Keychain
Autographed postcard and bookmark
Magnets
Series trading cards
~
Panel 0
Click on the link below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author

alicia m

Ever since she first read books like Chronicles of Narnia or Goosebumps, Alicia has been a lover of mind-bending fiction. Wherever imagination takes her, she is more than happy to call that place her home. The mother of two and wife to an Army sergeant loves chocolate, coffee, and of course good books. When not writing, you can usually find her with her nose in a book, shopping for shoes and fabulous jewelry, or spending time with her loving family.

Alicia can be found on the web at any of the following links:

http://www.fantasybyalicia.com

http://www.facebook.com/fantasybyalicia

http://www.goodreads.com/alicia_michaels

Follow her at https://twitter.com/fantasybyalicia

A GWR Publicity promotional event paid for by Anchor Group Publishing. Giveaway is sponsored by the author.

~