Tag: fantasy books

The Cottontail by Jennifer Renson Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

An exciting prequel explores the dark origins of a monstrous villain and the impact he had on the emerging story in author Jennifer Renson’s The Cottontail. Here’s the synopsis:

Victorio is one of few children blessed to live in the palace under the rule of the King and Queen of the small but prosperous Kingdom of Lucca. The palace is a prison in the young boy’s eyes, as he desires to see the world and be of greater service. What Victorio doesn’t realize is he’s become the interest of the mysterious Feletti, who’s looking to expand his collection of dolls. The clock is ticking, and Victorio must escape the clutches of the mysterious doll maker as his influence spreads and another unforeseen danger approaches

This incredible prequel to Carousel, (read my review of that here), was an immensely impactful short story. The tale of Feletti and his dark deeds enraptured me as a reader. Getting to see life before Feletti and his rise of power in the kingdom of Lucca was fascinating to read. Getting to see life inside the former royal palace through the eyes of Victorio was a masterful choice, allowing players to see the privilege the royalty felt and how they viewed the commoners, and how this ultimately led them to their fates. Your heart went out to the children of the palace, who fought against this mindset but found themselves bound by law and tradition.

The setting was beautiful, bringing Lucca to life in such a short amount of time and making the reader feel as if they could walk through these larger than life palaces. The eerie nature of Feletti seeped through every page of his story, painting a vivid image in the reader’s mind as if it were playing on a television screen.

Overall I loved this story. Although a quick read, the story itself was both fun and an exciting new entry into this wonderful world of Lucca the author has created. It leaves me wanting more to say the least. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copies of author Jennifer Renson’s The Cottontail today!

Rating: 10/10

https://www.amazon.com/Cottontail-Jennifer-Renson/dp/154710399X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1524113813&sr=8-5&keywords=Jennifer+Renson

 

Author Photo.JPG

Social media links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennyRenson

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

Tumblr: http://jenniferdarjeeling.tumblr.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHS5sW_xOgZSXhpUwhK36Bw

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/45251647-jennifer-renson

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jennifer+Renson

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Jennifer+Renson?_requestid=976857

Happy Holiday Homicides By Micah Minnefer Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

What should be a day of celebration turns into a deadly game of espionage and mayhem in author Micah Minnefer’s novel, Happy Holiday Homicides. Here’s the synopsis:

Murder is on the list of gifts this holiday season. At least it is when you’re apart of the deadliest gang in town. When young Anuaka’s family discovers her involvement with the local criminals, they give her an ultimatum. Get out of the gang or get out of their lives. However, removing herself from the gang is inconceivable. The only way out is death.

Anuaka must choose between her loving family and a new family promising something she truly desires. A life out of poverty. On the surface the decision is unimaginable. Underneath lies something more sinister. Anuaka is powerful, stunning, and downright conniving.

Happy Holiday Homicides takes you to the land of Serenium. An island of gods, pharaohs, and ancient power. An incredible short, that releases and action-packed opening to Anuaka’s twisted world.

This short story was an explosive introduction into a fantasy driven world of mythological beings. Anuaka’s story is one that reflects the struggles of our own world’s lower class people, who struggle day in and day out and sometimes feel forced to become something they never wanted to become. The story also has quite a few shocks in store for the reader, as the true story of who Anuaka is and what she truly desires slowly gets revealed through the amazing character development of this story.

Overall I loved the tale. The origins of a high stakes, action fueled world like Serenium is a breathtaking story that fantasy readers will devour immediately. The imagery used create this magical and surreal environment you can easily picture playing out across a television screen. As the introduction to a larger story, readers will immediately be drawn into the story of Anuaka and want more. If you haven’t yet pick up your copies of Happy Holiday Homicides by Micah Minnefer today!

Rating: 10/10

Looking for Dei by David A. Wilson Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young woman learns her destiny is far greater than she could have imagined in author David A. Wilson’s Looking for Dei. A brand new YA Fantasy novel that is filled with magic, war torn countries and love, this brand new release is an amazing first novel in what I hope will become a full fledged series. Here is the synopsis:

Fifteen-year-old Nara Dall has never liked secrets. Yet it seems that her life has been filled with them, from the ugly scar on her back to the strange powers she possesses. Her mysterious father refuses to say anything about her origins, and soon, she and her best friend must attend the announcement ceremony, in which youths are tested for a magical gift.

A gifted youth has not been announced in the poor village of Dimmitt for decades. When Nara uncovers the reason, she uses her own powers to make things right. The decision sets her on a path of danger, discovery, and a search for the divine. In the process, she learns the truth about herself and uncovers the biggest secret of all: the power of broken people.

From the books first page we get a glimpse into the complex and chaotic world of this incredible read. A society where religion is law and your station in life is determined by a dangerous coming of age ceremony, this whole society has their world turned upside down by the power one young woman wields. The relationship between Nara and those around her is powerful and emotional, drawing the reader in with their connection to one another and the lengths to which each of them will go to fight for one another. This story is a coming of age tale to be sure, filled with betrayal, sorcery and a journey of self discovery the likes of which you’ve never read before. The story is filled with twists and turns galore, and by books end you will be on the edge of your seat, praying to Dei himself that the next book will magically appear in your hands.

Overall I loved this book. I thought the story does a great job of showcasing not only the power we all have within ourselves to rise above ordinary and become extraordinary in our own way, but it showed the way completely unrelated strangers could becoming a loving and caring family. It proves that blood doesn’t define you, but the bond you share with someone does. It’s a wonderful entry into what sounds like a promising fantasy series, and the writing was expertly crafted to create an intriguing and emotional tale that showcases just how much the author has mastered the genre. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of Looking for Dei by David A. Wilson today!

Rating: 10/10

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/looking-for-dei/id1350253461?mt=11

 

Blog Tour: The Pariah Child & The Ever-Giving Stone by Natasha D. Lane

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, book launch, book news, Book Promotion, Book Related Blog PostsLeave a comment

Blurb:

When Sarah was four, she promised her mother she would be a good girl — a proper young lady in their small country town — and that she would ignore the creatures who appeared to her and whispered in her ear of things unknown. But like all creatures of myth and legend, they won’t be ignored forever.

Now thirteen, Sarah is attacked by a wolf with poisonous black fur and strange, human-looking eyes. With the help of a few unexpected friends, she manages to survive the attack but soon discovers the creatures have returned. They want Sarah to find a powerful gemstone and bring it to them in Lyrica, their magical homeworld.

Her new friends urge caution, however. There may be more monsters like the black wolf. And the creatures themselves are frightening. Can Sarah trust them? Stuck between reality and imagination, her mother’s wishes and her own desires, Sarah faces an impossible choice – break her promise or do nothing to save a world in peril.

AUthor Photo B&W

Interview with Author Natasha D. Lane

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I started writing as a kid. I was probably in elementary school when I realized how much I loved writing. Eventually, it became an outlet for me. I took everything I had to hold inside and put it on paper. It started with poetry,then eventually grew to short stories, before I started my first novel. My middle school teacher Ms. Snyder was the one who saw my talent and pushed me to write my first novel. It was called (get ready for this) “An Imperfect Utopia.” Great title, right?

Anyway, I never stopped writing. I was traditionally published as a romance author in college and did that for several years, before returning to the genre that always held a special place in my heart: fantasy. Now, here I am with one of the first fantasy novels I have ever written ready to be published.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

So much! Life experiences, other stories, and just a simple desire to write.

“The Chronicles of Narnia” and the movie “Eragon” (I know, I know, it was a horrible adaption) gave me a lot of fuel to write my novel. I love the sense of pure adventure both stories have and I wanted to write something like that, too. At that time, most of the fantasy novels I read had heavy aspects of romance in them which I didn’t mind but I began to wonder what it would be like to read a story that focused on the journey and less on some love triangle, ya know?

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Love yourself even when the world tells you that you’re somehow wrong or unlovable. Love yourself.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Fantasy is a genre known for escapism. I think as a kid I wanted to escape from a lot of the crap that was happening. I was bullied at school and had very few good relationships with the adults in my life, so everywhere I looked there was this chaos, this negativity, and so much stuff out of my control. When I read fantasy I got to leave all of that behind.

I also got to leave some of the things I used to hate about myself behind. When I read fantasy novels I wasn’t a nerd or loser. I was a warrior going on a journey to save the world or a magician with hidden powers that no one understood. I felt like an underdog and fantasy novels are famous for turning the underdogs into the heroes of the tales.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

Oh, good question! Hmmmm. If I had to pick, I think I’d sit down with Serwa. She’s one of the main characters in the story and a very powerful witch. I think I’d ask her how she manages to carry all the burdens she does and how she handles people’s misconceptions about her. I don’t want to go into too much detail because her background has more explanation in the sequel. However, I will say that Serwa is one of the most misunderstood characters in the series. She’s often viewed as mean or a monster when in reality she’s trying to do what she can to save everyone.

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Twitter and Instagram are my favorite platforms. Specifically, Insta for readership but Twitter is good for branding and networking. I like Insta because it’s such a positive sight. Seems to me like it has less drama than other social media platforms.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

“Write your way through life.” That’s my mantra because, like any form of art, writing is an outlet. When life gets tough (which it always does) write out all madness, the beauty, the good and the ugly. It’s a healthy form of expression.

Beyond that, I’d say take any marketing classes you can and build your platform now! The sooner you build your platform, the more opportunities you’ll have to test what works best for your brand and how best to develop it.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Lots of new projects. After “The Pariah Child & the Ever-Giving Stone” is released into the world, I plan on publishing my second novel. It’s tentatively titled “The Woman In the Tree” and is an Arthurian legend retelling that takes a different spin on how Arthur became king. I’m already writing the book, so it won’t be too long a wait.

Once that’s done, the sequel to The Pariah Child is next on my list.

Author Photo Color

Author Bio

Natasha Lane enjoys reading a wide variety of genres, but fantasy has always been dear to her heart. After a brief stint in romance, Natasha’s returned to fantasy and currently has two works in the making. She plans on releasing her first fantasy novel “The Pariah Child & the Ever-Giving Stone” March 22, 2018.

Natasha hopes one day to be a well known published author, whose writing informs as well as entertains her reader.

Besides being a bookworm, Natasha is a documentary junkie, rom-com addict, health advocate, entrepreneur, and chef (in her own way).

She currently resides in Baltimore, MD. Despite where life may take her, one thing is certain. Natasha will always keep writing.

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8547000.Natasha_D_Lane

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natasha_lane1

Website: https://www.natashalanewrites.com/

Excerpt: https://www.natashalanewrites.com/excerpt/

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

Copy of Pariah Child - Final Cover - front cover only - ebook rgb

A Precarious Beginning: Chronicles of Castlemount Book 1 by Siena Rollins & Fritz Rollins Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

An orphaned street girl finds herself thrust into the spotlight of a magical kingdom in A Precarious Beginning: Chronicles of Castlemount Book 1. Written by Siena Rollins & Fritz Rollins, this larger than life tale follows a young child who has experienced a harsh and cruel life, only to find she’s been chosen for a much grander destiny than she could have ever imagined. Here’s the synopsis:

“There are only two powers in the universe that determine what a person will become in life — luck and willpower.”

Orphaned at a young age and forced to become a pickpocket to survive, a chance meeting with the King’s Assassin is the lucky break Hyla needs. At the massive fortress city of Castlemount, Hyla discovers she is destined to become a Dragonrider! Training every day to understand her new role and the magical dragon bond, Hyla learns that mingling with the rich and powerful has its own dangers. Will her street smarts keep her alive? Join Hyla in the precarious beginning to her incredible adventure!

“A Precarious Beginning” is a classic tale of insurmountable odds, high adventure, and the power of friendship. It is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

This is a fantastic first entry into a gripping new fantasy series. Dealing with themes of poverty, tragedy and family, this story expertly crafts a rich world filled with magic and enemies galore. Hyla is the perfect protagonist, young enough to view the world around her with wonder while still having lived a life that makes everyone suspect and able to see beyond the magic and glamour of the life of a Dragon Rider. Exploring the way the high levels of society not only view but interact with those lower on the social scale, this book does a great job of blending real life societal issues with a larger than life fantasy realm. The action is great and the story evenly paced as we open up to a heart pounding chase scene and quickly dive into the life or death scenario Hyla finds herself in.

Overall this was a wonderfully written story. Engaging and addicting, this fantasy series is set to light the literary world on fire with a truly unique and creative fantasy world, and all fantasy fans are going to want to jump onto this wagon as it begins to take off. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of A Precarious Beginning: Chronicles of Castlemount Book 1 by Siena Rollins and Fritz Rollins today!

Rating: 10/10

 

The Adversary’s Good News by Israfel Sivad Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Trigger Warning: This book deals with themes of suicide, drug use and abuse. Reader discretion is advised.

An intense fantasy horror adventure takes a troubled young man through the bowels of the afterlife in author Israfel Sivad’s The Adversary’s Good News. Here’s the synopsis:

A divine comedy – inverted. Christian Michael Anderson hasn’t been doing so well lately. He’s out of work, out of money, and out of alcohol. But when he loops a stolen rope through the exposed rafters in his ceiling and places that noose around his neck, his adventure has only begun… Encountering joke-telling gargoyles, the “Great Beast” imprisoned in a cage, a drug-dealing Tinkerbell, and much more, Christian eventually realizes he’s entered a psychologically haunted world far beyond anything his nightmares ever envisioned. But it’s not until his final imprisonment in the serpentine city of Pandemonium that he realizes he’s been tricked into confronting his own, personal demons.

The story of Christian was an exhilarating and terrifying journey through death. I would describe it as a much more horror filled version of Alice in Wonderland on acid. A world filled with dead artists, gargoyles, demonic sirens and more, these creatures help establish the chaotic world the author has created. The story itself is one of the most thought provoking I’ve read in 2018. The novel deals in some pretty serious themes, and helps show the reader why it’s important to examine the life we lead and make the most of it. Our lives are filled with ups and downs, and we often make mistakes. However this book felt like more than just a horror story. It felt like life, in which we all have to find ways to accept the things we cannot change and move on to rebuild our lives once more.

The writing was phenomenal. The protagonist Christian was complex and filled with inner turmoil. While he felt a desire to do the right thing, his addictions and fantasies held a massive pull within him, tearing him apart from the inside out. The imagery was strong throughout, creating a colorful and sometimes gruesome world where up was down, black was white and the people spoke in constant riddles.

Overall this was a great read. While filled with some triggering topics, the story overall was powerfully intelligent and allowed readers to think about the broader aspects of life, as well as the inner turmoil of their own lives. It was a breathtaking horror adventure through the afterlife, and if you haven’t yet you have to check it out for yourself. So be sure to pick up your copy of The Adversary’s Good News today!

Rating: 10/10

 

Interview with Author(s) Two Sisters

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Book Promotion, InterviewsLeave a comment
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
My name is Steph (I wrote the book under the pseudonym Two Sisters), I live on a farm and I have a pet tortoise called Squirtle. I started writing for fun when I was fourteen, I enjoyed writing mini stories and because I loved books so much, writing became a hobby. My first book was about pirates but I never managed to finish it. I started to seriously get into writing when I went to university and I worked as a content writer for some digital marketing agencies. Since then, I’ve been writing feature film scripts (animation and horror) and fantasy stories.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
I absolutely love fairy tales so I wanted to write a collection of my own tales. What’s great about fairy tales is that they can be incredibly dark and provide important messages for readers too. As my sister loves to draw and is working to become an artist, I asked her to be my book’s illustrator and that gave me the push to write the book and get it published.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Each short story in this collection has its own message so I want readers to interpret them in their own way. I do hope that readers will be inspired to look back at Brothers Grimm and Angela Carter fairy tales as most people believe fairy tales are animated and fun because of Disney. It’s insightful to look back and see that fairy tales were originally created to SCARE people and TEACH people lessons.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
Darkness and evil fairies. When writing dark fairy tales, it’s fun to write about evil characters that don’t always get their comeuppance in the end, sometimes the heroes are the ones who are punished because they are unwilling to change. 
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
This is a great question. If I only had to choose one character to speak to, it would be Princess Emelia. I would ask her: “If you had a chance to break your curse, would you take it? Even if it meant your mother would be unhappy forever.” Emelia is a sad character who still loves her mother even when she is cursed by an evil faerie because of her mother, at the end of the story it looks like she has accepted her fate.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I would say Twitter but it’s been great talking to readers on Goodreads.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Just write and be confident in your writing. I feel like I’ve wasted years with my writing because my confidence had been knocked down by nonconstructive feedback. If you love to write, keep writing and get your work out there.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’m currently working on an urban fantasy YA book series which I’m really excited about. I’m also writing a horror feature screenplay so I’m hoping in the next couple of months to start sending my work out and see what happens.

Dark & Darker Faerie Tales by Two Sisters Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

If you thought the fairy tales of the Brother’s Grimm couldn’t get any darker, then you thought wrong. In Dark & Darker Faerie Tales by Two Sisters, the stories we all grew up on are twisted in shocking and creative ways. Here’s the synopsis:

Inspired by Brothers Grimm and other sinister tales, Dark & Darker Faerie Tales is a collection of dark stories about evil faeries, corrupted heroes, vengeful innocents and malicious monsters. Delving into the darker side of fairy tales, each story offers a twisted journey that’ll make you wish for a happy ending.

Written and illustrated by Two Sisters, witness an unlikely friendship in “The Woodcutter and The Oak Tree,” discover what happens next to Little Red Riding Hood, and learn why it’s so important to be wary of who you meet in the woods.

This is one of the most unique story collections of 2018. The dark twist on tales like Red Riding Hood made for highly entertaining and nostalgic reading all at once, while tales of evil witches and heroes turned villains made the stories become even creepier than you could have ever imagined. The writing fit perfectly in line with the classic fairy tale style, while bringing a much darker horror twist into the genre. The stories are rich with vivid imagery, each page dripping with twisted characters and surreal settings that only a fairy tale world could bring to life.

Overall I loved this story. In fact so far it’s one of my top reads of 2018. The stories managed to be original and unique while paying respects to the fairy tale classics. Taking these stories in fantastically unexpected ways, this is the fairy tale collection horror fans around the world have been waiting for. If you haven’t yet, be sure to pick up your copy of Dark & Darker Faerie Tales by Two Sisters today!

Rating: 10/10

Spellcaster by George Bachman Review

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I received a free copy of this book for a fair and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

If a hybrid of Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice were to have it’s own shown on the History Channel, then you’d get author George Bachman’s Spellcaster. A breathtaking blend of fantasy and historical fiction (with a bit of steampunk mixed in for good measure), this book brings to life a fantastic blend of action, character growth and a plot filled with twists and turns you won’t soon forget. Here’s the synopsis:

In a turn-of-the century England steeped in steampunk and magic, sixteen year-old Christine Daniel learns her life-threatening illness stems from her paranormal visions. During the London Season, Allie, her beloved sister and the family heir, seeks a noble match while she searches the occult underground for answers. But the only witch who can help will not do so unless Allie marries her beau, an impoverished aristocrat, so that the illicit pair can share Allie’s wealth.

This is such an incredible read. Full of classical humor, a rich handle on historical culture in several different eras, and a phenomenal tapestry of deep characters, Spellcaster does just that; it casts a spell on the reader throughout the entire journey. The protagonist Christine delights and draws you into this world of high society and dark magic. The plot brings the reader through the era of history where magic, superstition and religious persecution were at it’s height. The book does an excellent job of bringing the time periods to life, and the story itself flowed evenly throughout.

Overall this was a great read you fantasy and historical fiction fans will not want to miss. Filled to the brim with adventure, wit and a whole lot of magic, this is a book worth reading. If you haven’t yet be sure to get your copy of George Bachman’s Spellcaster today!

Rating: 9/10