Tag: fantasy

Mistress of the Rock (The Cyprus Mysteries Book 1) by Myron Edwards Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

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

A veteran of the Gulf War returns to the island of Cyprus where his nightmares began in an attempt to rid himself of that nightmare once and for all, only to discover the line between mythology and reality is not as solid as he thought in author Myron Edwards’s “Mistress of the Rock”, the first book in the Cyprus Mysteries series. 

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The Synopsis

All is fair in love and war. Or is it?

For Richard Cole, ex-veteran of the First Gulf War, the memories of conflict have become the nightmares of his reality, and only by confronting them can he begin to live again.

He returns to the Island of Cyprus some twenty years later to where it all began, for a vacation with his wife, Julie. But a chance discovery places him in a dilemma, as he learns that Greek Gods and mortals should never mix.

Now, with Richard powerless to stop the momentum of a phenomenon that tests him to his limits, challenging all that he knows and loves against a fantasy of myth and legend, he must struggle to find the truth between what is real and what is not; but at what cost?

On the island of love, one man’s obsession turns to possession, as his mind, body, and soul are trapped between two worlds and two women.

‘Mistress of the Rock is a very possessive spirit; she does not give her affections lightly.’ As Richard Cole is about to discover.

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The Review

This was a fascinating and gripping fantasy read. The balance the author struck in the buildup of Richard’s character arc and the fantasy-driven Greek mythology aspects of the narrative were superb, and the detail the author put into the everyday life of Richard really made the reader feel the relatability of the character. 

The imagery and the atmosphere made the story really come to life on the page. The author’s writing style allowed the pacing to build up slowly and capture the shock and awe that comes with discovering the realities of the existence of the Greek gods. The larger-than-life battles with the gods themselves and the themes of love, betrayal, and passion perfectly reflected the internal battle within Richard as a character and made the reader become really invested in the arc of his story. 

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and captivating, author Myron Edwards’s “Mistress of the Rock” is a must-read fantasy novel. Infused with elements of horror, adventure, and intrigue, the author not only delves into the impacts of war on those who were forced to fight in them but the power of mythology and how we relate to it as well. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Born in 1952 in Orsett, Essex in England, the youngest son to Welsh parents Iris and Bill Edwards. Upon leaving school, he went into the travel industry, where he travelled the world, working in travel agencies, tour operators and airlines for some 30 years. In 1976 Myron began freelance writing for BBC, radio and television, his credits include the Two Ronnies, Week Endings, and the News Huddlines. In 1980, he joined JWT advertising, as a copywriter writing his first TV commercial for dog food inside 10 days. His love for the creative never left him and in 1987 he created Tubewalking, a new map concept, to help people get around London easier on foot, which still operates today. In 1990 he married Niki, whose family background is Greek Cypriot. On a family trip to Cyprus, visiting Aphrodite’s Rock for the first time, the beginnings of his passion to write the story of Mistress of the Rock came into fruition. Moving his family in 2005 to Cyprus to live, gave him the opportunity to write, as during this time he worked on campaigns for TV and Radio in an advertising agency in Limassol. The first manuscript of the book was completed in 2007, released by a local publisher it had a limited audience, but was well received by those who had read it. He has now completed the sequel and is working on the third part of this story. Myron has three children, two sons and one daughter all grown up.

https://www.myronedwardsbooks.com/

Recruited (The Elisha & Elijah Chronicles Book 1) by DC Gomez Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

In a dystopian future in which the world has been ravaged by a war between mankind and witches, and subsequently a zombie outbreak, one witch must take on a deadly assignment to find a potential cure for humanity in author DC Gomez’s “Recruited”, the first book in The Elisha & Elijah Chronicles. 

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The Synopsis

Zombies. Necromancer-Kitty. How can a witch be bored with this combination?

Nobody knows who did the most damage, the witches or the humans. But the results are the same, the world is destroyed. The war made it easier for the spread of the virus, and even more zombies now roam the world.

With the war over, Elisha enjoys her quiet life watching her familiar control zombies for landscaping duties. Yeah, she is truly bored to death.

It’s no wonder, when her mortal enemies knocked at her door with a job offer she is willing to entertain it. Curiosity can be deadly, even to a powerful witch. But is Elisha ready to follow this mission through?

* Recruited is book one in the Urban Fantasy/ Post-apocalyptic Series The Elisha & Elijah Chronicles. Recruited takes us sixty-five years in the future where a terrible plague follow by an even more destructive war has left the world in shambles. Now with a potential cure to save the human race, the only one they can turn to is their own nemesis.

The Review

This was definitely one of the most unique twists on a zombie apocalypse tale with a magical dystopian setting. The rich world-building and fast pace of the novel really immerse the reader into this setting, and the pacing also allows for more action to take place which establishes the protagonist’s strength and heroism. The tension between the humans and witches is palpable, as the opening chapter of the book explores the chilling nature of the war and the animosity that still exists between them.

The character development and witty banter of the characters made this novel what it is today. The story allows Elisha as a character to shine, not only revealing her gifts but her humorous attitude with her ally Elijah and the people she meets on the way. The power of the character’s arc is something that is both fun and engaging, allowing the reader to instantly get lost in Elisha’s world with ease.

The Verdict

Action-packed, fast-paced, and entertaining, author DC Gomez’s “Recruited” is a must-read dystopian fantasy and sci-fi novel that will keep readers enthralled as the story progresses. With a cliffhanger ending and a brilliant balance found between the magic of the witches and the mythological background, the author taps into, this is one fantastic read you won’t want to miss. Be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

D. C. Gomez, is a fast-talking extra-quirky Dominican with a dark sense of humor.

She used to enjoy long walks at the park and all that fun outdoors activities; unfortunately, due to a mysterious condition she is now allergic to the sun.

Rumor has it, that her true nature is coming out and her vampirism is now showing. If you would like to learn more about her, or join her at an event, check out her website at dcgomez-author.com. We promise she doesn’t bite (much…).

One for Ahl (The Ahlian Chronicles Volume 1) by H.H. Moss Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A young woman chosen by her people to become a part of a hero program must battle demons both within and around her and find a way of helping the refugees she comes from in author H.H. Moss’s “One for Ahl”, the first book in the Ahlian Chronicles series.

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The Synopsis

When refugees from the war-torn country of Ahl face extreme discrimination, Jane is nominated to represent her people in Listuan’s hero program, which trains a handful of idolized saviors for each generation. However, instead of bringing peace to the refugees, Jane is possessed by a demon of forgotten origins and targeted by a powerful abuser. Pulled into conflicts both ancient and young, Jane must fight for control and search for her purpose, all without understanding her past.

The Review

This was a truly masterful fantasy world the author crafted. The world-building that went into making the world of Ahl and all its accompanying lands was breathtaking thanks to the rich imagery the author utilized in their writing. The mystery behind Jane and her connection to Astrid and her role in the world she was forced into as a whole were great to see explored in this narrative and kept the reader engaged as the action and fantasy world grew naturally.

The heart of the narrative rested in the themes the author explored and the dynamic character developments that occur. The themes of social inequality, destiny, mental health awareness, and LGBTQ character development made this book truly impactful, yet felt natural to the world-building and story beats that the book held. It also added to the protagonist’s evolution, as Jane’s mental health and the impact of the dangers the magical and supernatural world around her have on her mind is extensively explored, and the LGBTQ background of these characters plays naturally to the world in a refreshing way.

The Verdict

If The Hunger Games included fantasy and supernatural elements, then author H.H. Moss’s “One for Ahl” is a must-read LGBTQ-driven fantasy novel and a great first book in the author’s “The Ahlian Chronicles Series. The twists and turns in the narrative and the cliffhanger ending will have fans enraptured by the author’s narrative, and the rich setting and natural progression of the mounting tension in the story will have readers hanging onto the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Hannah H. Moss (she/they) has been writing stories for as long as she can remember, from her hyperlexic childhood continuing into her adult life. She writes to process the traumas and personal growths resultant of entering adulthood in a less than ideal world.

While Moss currently lives in California with her husband, their daughter, and the family cat, they move often and consider Kanagawa, Japan, their favorite “home” of many.

https://www.ahlianchronicles.com/

@h.h.moss_author

I WAS PICTURING A DIRTY TAVERN, THEN SHE COMES AT ME WITH ELECTRIC CHANDELIERS AND CHAMPAGNE.

♬ original sound – H.H. Moss | Author

Walking the Dusk by Mike Robinson Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

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

A college professor must revisit the terrors of his childhood after the passing of his father and the return of his older sister and rediscover a hidden world beyond what we thought possible in author Mike Robinson’s “Walking the Dusk”.

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The Synopsis

“Hey.”

With that one word, uttered in the dead of night, young Charlie’s life veers down a dark and unbelievable road.

Some thirty years later, Dr. Charles Barry teaches physics at a small California college. Only in dreams do those childhood events reach him: the strange presence in the house, the otherworldly visits and the shadow over his beloved older sister, Megan, whose troubled inward life he could only glimpse.

That is, until his father dies, and Megan, now an artistic wanderer, comes back into his life. With her come memories of unearthly creatures, a predatory entity and a harrowing trek behind the walls of the known cosmos, toward places of the alien and seemingly impossible, in order to save the very essence of his sister.

Now, caught once more by the same forces, Charles returns to those places in the hopes of setting certain things right—and to keep Megan from slipping away forever.

With Walking the Dusk, Mike Robinson delivers a contemporary Dantean vision, one of both sweepingly surreal vistas and intimate bonds, a mind-and-genre-warping journey into the twin infinities of the universe within, and the universe without.

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The Review

This was such an engaging, complex, and mesmerizing read. The author did a fantastic job of world-building this narrative’s setting, taking readers back and forth between the past and the present in a kaleidoscope of rushing emotions and painful memories. The layers of mystery the author delves into when discovering the complexities of the history that are shared between the protagonist Charlie and his sister Megan make their relationship such an integral part of the story.

To me, the heart of this narrative rested in the almost poetic imagery of the author’s writing style and the rich character dynamics that helped elevate the more fantastic and horror-driven elements of the narrative. The pacing allowed readers to see the psychological and emotional pitfalls of the past building between these siblings and underscored the chaos that would soon follow, but it was the dynamic between Charlie and Megan, the painful journey of a brother desperate to save his sister, not only resonated with me as an older brother but gave the fantasy and horror elements a more grounded foundation to be built off of.

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The Verdict

Memorable, engaging, and heartfelt, author Mike Robinson’s “Walking the Dusk” is a must-read occult horror meets fantasy and metaphysics novel. The twists and turns in the narrative, and the journey that Charlie goes on, reminding me of a blend between Stephen King and Peter Straub’s Black House, Dante’s Inferno, and the character development of Robin William’s Peter Pan in Hook, made this story shine brightly, and the reader will find themselves drawn to this narrative time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mike Robinson is the award-winning author of multiple speculative fiction novels and dozens of short stories which have appeared in the likes of 2019’s American Gothic Fantasy anthology, Storyteller Magazine, A Woman Unbecoming, Underland Arcana and more. He has received honors from Writers of the Future, Publishers Weekly’s BookLife Contest, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Maxy Awards and others, and is also the editor of J.P. Barnett’s popular, award-winning “Lorestalker” series.

In between, he hikes (often with his two dogs), swims, draws, tries to learn the didgeridoo and, yes, has even been known to actually write a screenplay or two, some of which have received their own notices.

www.mike-robinsonauthor.com

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Blog Tour + Character Interview: A Priest, a Plague, and a Prophecy by M.D. Grimm

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, InterviewsLeave a comment

Good day lovely readers! Thank you for joining me. I am M.D. Grimm and I am here to promote my newest release, “A Priest, a Plague, and a Prophecy.” This is a single title involving a sweet man who enjoys food, plants, and books, and the manly (secretly sweet) orc warrior who falls in love with him. I am thrilled to finally publish this story. I finished it as the dreaded virus ramped up and decided to shelve it since it involves a plague. But the plague is an off-page impetus to certain events later in the book. Rest assured this is a sweet, low(er)-angst, no-sexy-times-but-lots-of-snuggles, sort of story. Elias is ace but wants romance, and Gurrkk is just the orc to give that to him!

Let’s meet the man—or orc—of the hour, Gurrkk.

ME: Welcome back lovely readers! Thanks for joining me for another interview. This time with Gurrkk, the orc in the relationship. We’ve fed him and strapped him down so he can’t leave.

GURRKK: I bet I can break ropes.

ME: Please don’t. Now—

GURRKK: (wiggles and yanks at ropes) I can do it.

ME: But we don’t want you to. Please stop. Now, when you first met Elias, what did you think? Was it love at first sight?

GURRKK: (still straining against ropes, growling) Nah. He smell nice and no run me through with sword. And he feed me. And get me out of trap. He save my life.

ME: When did you realize you were in love with him? (whispers) Stop trying to break the ropes!

GURRKK: When we hide in his room with bed. Slept on bed. And bathed together.

ME: Oh, uh, right. Let’s move on—

GURRKK: He was shy. No touch. (grins) He not shy now.

ME: Right. About your clan—

(Gurrkk snaps the rope off one arm and bends to use his teeth and claws on the other)

ME: Seriously, Gurrkk, please stop. I only have a few more questions. All these people came to see you and—

GURRKK (muffled by rope) I almost ‘ave it! I will win contest.

ME: There is no contest! I just needed you to sit still for—

(Gurrkk tears free of rope and jumps to his feet, waving his hands in the air.)

GURRKK: Did it! I WIN.

ME: Good lord.

GURRKK: Where is prize?

ME: There is no prize. There’s no contest!

GURRKK: (sounding sad) No prize? But I win.

ELIAS: (off screen) Just give him something please! Or he’ll pout for the rest of the day.

ME: For the love of… here, take my last chocolate bar.

GURRKK: (cruelly snatches bar) Chocolate.

ELIAS: (off screen) What do we say, Gurrkk?

GURRKK: (mumbles) T’ank ‘ou.

ME: (sighs) You’re welcome. Can we get back to the questions now?

GURRKK: (looking puzzled) Questions?

ME: Yes. The reason we’re here.

GURRKK: I thought it was for contest.

ELIAS: (off screen) Stop playing with her, Gurrkk!

GURRKK: (smirks)

ME: Get out. Just get out. Smart ass.

GURRKK: Chocolate good. (exits)

ME: Now I really need alcohol.

I am currently working hard on the final draft of the next The Shifter Chronicles. This will be book 16 (!), and will revisit the couple from book two, Love is a Whirlwind. This one is Blood of the Whirlwind, and I hope to have it ready for a January 2024 release.

As for this year, I have book 9 of The Stones of Power, Jade: First and Last available for preorder, due out in July 2023, and the first book in my Sisters of Song duology, titled Song of Flames will hopefully be ready by October. Flames will be a mmf involving two dragon mates and the woman thief who steals their hearts (instead of their treasure).

More information on my catalog can be found at my website. (Make sure to sign up for my newsletter!)

I hope you stay safe and healthy, and may dragons guard your dreams,

M.D. Grimm

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A Priest, a Plague and a Prophecy - M.D. Grimm

M.D. Grimm has a new MM fantasy romance out (ace, bi, demi): A Priest, a Plague, and a Prophecy. And there’s a giveaway.

“Orcs are the answer but what is the question?”

Elias is a priest at the Temple of the Divine Sibyl. When he becomes lost in the woods after his brother’s hunting party abandons him, it’s just his luck that he’d stumble upon an angry orc caught in a trap. Unable to stomach the suffering of others, Elias throws self-preservation to the wind and frees the orc. Then Gurrkk—that’s a name?—ends up leading him to safety.

Gurrkk finds himself rather smitten by the sweet, awkward human. He’s always been fascinated with his people’s sworn enemy, and now he has a life debt to fulfill to maintain his honor.

Hiding an orc among the temple’s crypts wouldn’t have been Elias’s first choice but Gurrkk is stubborn about leaving. As they learn each other’s languages and spend more time together, Elias realizes they’ve become friends… and maybe more. And when the dying sibyl gives her last prophecy, Elias knows it wasn’t chance that brought them together, it was the gods.

But why?

This is a sweet, ace romance, so no sexy times, but plenty of snuggles and cuddles!

Universal Buy Links | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

Giveaway

M.D. is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card with this tour:

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Excerpt

A Priest, a Plague and a Prophecy meme - M.D. Grimm

Elias closed his eyes and clasped his hands under his chin, sending a fervent prayer to the gods, asking for a sign. Any sign that would lead him home. Seconds passed. Minutes. He cracked open one eye to look around. Seeing nothing, he glared and set his fists on his hips.

So much for divine intervention.

“I’m one of your priests, and you don’t give me the time of day,” he mumbled as he set off down the left-hand path.

He was hungry again.

Even as he was contemplating the pros and cons of eating one of his last apples, he stumbled around a thick tree before halting in shock.

An orc sat on the ground, his greenish-gold skin glistening with sweat and his coal-black eyes glaring with menace. He was almost bald, except for a spiky strip of green hair running from his forehead to the back of his skull. The lack of hair accentuated his large ears that moved independently of each other. Two pronounced fangs jutted up from his lower jaw, which was square and blunt, and more sharp teeth showed when he growled.

Elias stayed frozen, taking in the long black tunic cinched at the waist by a gold cord. The short sleeves were trimmed with gold thread, baring muscled arms. The stately garb struck Elias, making him wonder as to the status of the orc. Did they have hierarchy as humans did? The tunic ended around his knees, leaving the rest of his muscled legs bare. Also, this orc wasn’t of monstrous size, so he couldn’t be of the mountain variety. He was certainly taller and broader than Elias, but also leaner, corded with muscle, like that big cat Elias had spotted earlier. And his face was… not horrible. Brutish and sharp but not hideous or even ugly. Those illustrators of tomes really set out to depict orcs as the most horrific creatures ever to grace the earth.

The urge to run made his palms grow damp and his breath to quicken. Not that he could run for more than a few steps before wheezing because he was so damn out of shape, and why the hell didn’t he train with his brother? I’m going to die, I’m going to die….

Then his gaze traveled down to the reason the orc was sitting on the ground and not eating his face. Vicious steel jaws had the orc by the ankle, piercing deeply into his flesh. The jaws were attached to a chain that was buried into to the earth. The fact the orc hadn’t freed himself meant this was one of the trick jaws. One specifically made for capturing orcs. The scoured earth around the chain proved that the orc had tried to dig himself free but clearly hadn’t succeeded. His ankle was a mess of torn flesh and caked blood, and only then did Elias notice the buzz of flies.

How long had he been sitting there, in pain? In fear?

Sympathy rose with anger not far behind. Elias and the orc stared at each other, and Elias found himself stepping closer without consciously deciding his actions. The orc growled deeper, eyes narrowed in warning. Elias stopped again, wondering what he was doing. This was an orc! The enemy! The beasts that kept trying to take their lands. Attius’s tirades whirled through his mind even as the battle songs about marauding orcs jangled in his memory.

He’d never joined in. He’d never had anything personal against orcs. He never thought one way or another about them. Fighting them wasn’t a part of his world. Most of his life had been spent ensconced in the Temple of the Divine Sibyl, which was safely behind fortified stone walls and separated from the general populace of the city.

He was sheltered and he knew it. To see such ugly pain in another living creature struck him to the core. That was one of the reasons he didn’t eat meat. He couldn’t reconcile killing just to feed himself when there were plenty of other things to consume if he simply looked.

At that moment, this orc was no different than any other wild animal caught in a trap. And would he let such a creature die so horribly? No, he would not.

Taking a deep breath, and with more courage than he would profess to have, Elias crouched before slowly pushing off his pack. He kept his eyes on the orc and opened the top flap before tilting it to show the orc that it only held medicines, plant samples, parchment, and ink.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said gently. “Can you understand me?”

The orc made no indication either way. He continued to growl and glare.

“I want to help you.” Elias took the one weapon he had, a long dagger, and showed the orc the blade before tossing it away. The orc stopped growling and blinked in apparent surprise. Elias shuffled closer on his knees, keeping his demeanor as non-threatening as possible. He almost snorted—as if a soft priest like him could be threatening. He kept speaking in low tones as he would to a frightened animal. He kept his pack held out in front of him, hoping the harmless items would convince the orc he wasn’t a hunter.

The orc’s large nostrils flared, and he squinted into the bag. He must have smelled the remaining apples, the plant samples, and the few healing ointments Elias carried with him everywhere. Elias set the bag within easy reach of the orc just in case he wanted to investigate. Then he took a good look at the steel jaws and winced.

The orc didn’t wear shoes, his sturdy, rough feet tough enough not to need them. His nails were more like claws, almost identical to those on his fingers. The trap would have been covered, and he’d stepped directly onto the triggering mechanism. The blades had barely missed his foot to cut into his ankle, probably scraping against the bones and tendons.

Elias took a moment to fight nausea.

“Damn. Once I free your leg it’s going to bleed profusely. I have to wrap it fast and tight.” He glanced up and met the orc’s eyes. Grim determination stared back at him and Elias blinked. “You do understand me.”

Author Bio

M.D. Grimm logo

M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade (kind of young to make life decisions, but whatever) and nothing has changed since then (well, plenty of things actually, but not that!).

Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills (they never let her forget it!). After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, (let’s be honest: useless degree, what else was she going to do with it?) she started on her writing career and couldn’t be happier.

Working by day and writing by night (or any spare time she can carve out), she enjoys embarking on romantic quests and daring adventures (living vicariously, you could say) and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, (or else what’s the point?) finding their soul mate in the process.

Author Website: https://www.mdgrimmwrites.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001710645622

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4574220.M_D_Grimm

Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-grimm/

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-grimm/

Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.D.-Grimm/e/B00I0KZMY6/

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Lover Betrayed by JP McLean Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A man desperate to find his wife and save his late father’s crumbling company travels down a path of deception and revenge that will lead to untold dangers in author JP McLean’s “Lover Betrayed”, a companion novel to the author’s The Gift Legacy series. 

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The Synopsis

A son in mourning. A disputed inheritance. A shocking betrayal.

When Jackson Delaney’s father dies unexpectedly, Jackson inherits a booming New Orleans development company with a tarnished reputation. Jackson pledges to clean up his family’s name, but his plans are thwarted by a disowned half-brother who lays claim to Jackson’s inheritance.

Then Jackson’s wife disappears. Desperate to find her, he calls in favours from his father’s nefarious colleagues and flirts with the feared Tribunal Novem—a ruthless organization of elite Fliers.

But nothing is what it seems, and from a single deception grows a suffocating web of lies. And when Jackson meets Emelynn Taylor, a mysterious young woman with no knowledge of her powerful gift of flight, he recklessly lures her into his vengeful mission.

How far will Jackson go? And how much is he prepared to sacrifice before he finds his way home?


Lover Betrayed retells Secret Sky, the first book in The Gift Legacy series, from the viewpoint of Emelynn Taylor’s lover: handsome, charming, ruthless Jackson Delaney.

Lover Betrayed is a dark supernatural thriller, perfect for fans of JR Ward, Deborah Harkness, Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, and Keri Arthur.

This book is intended for an adult audience. (Lover Betrayed was previously published as The Gift: Betrayal)

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The Review

This was a great addition to the author’s Gift Legacy series. The way the author is able to relay the original book’s story in such a new and refreshing way was great to see, as it added more background and mythos to the already established mythology, and the added elements in both the Flier and the human world made this a memorable story.

For me, the new POV through Jackson’s story made this the cornerstone of this novel. The desperation and fear that drives Jackson’s mission forward made his story both more painful and yet more compelling at the same time, as the character’s determination to find his wife and keep his father’s company afloat made this so engaging to read. The lengths he is willing to go to and the emotional pull of his plight and the pain he ends up causing made this a gripping story.

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The Verdict

Thoughtful, entertaining, and gripping, author JP McLean’s “Lover Betrayed” is a must-read new adult fantasy novel and a great addition to the growing Gift Legacy series. The heart and mesmerizing new take on the author’s iconic novel will keep readers invested in the novel and such a pivotal character in the franchise. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

JP (Jo-Anne) McLean writes contemporary fantasy thrillers with a provocative edge. She is best known for The Gift Legacy series. The first book of the series received Honourable Mention at the WhistlerIndependent Book Awards. Reviewers call the series addictive, smart and fun.

Her books include endorsements from Ethel Wilson fiction prize winner, Jennifer Manuel, and Globe and Mail bestselling author,Elinor Florence, among others. The series has been described as fantasy light and is a good introduction to the genre for the uninitiated.

Jo-Anne neglects the gardens and housework to write full time from her home on Denman Island, off of Canada’s west coast. She writes best when she’s within sight and sound of water, even if it’s just a fountain, and hopes never to stop reading, writing or imagining the impossible.

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Hunted by Fire (Fires of Innovation Book 1) by Jim Hepburn Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A young man harboring rebellion in his heart as humanity is forced to serve under the dragon gods finds himself in a fight for his life and the lives of those he loves in author Jim Hepburn’s “Hunted by Fire”, the first book of the Fires of Innovation series. 

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The Synopsis

Finding one’s place is never easy.

What is fifteen-year-old Felix Deltorei supposed to do when he longs for rebellion? In his world, where the dragon Gods reign with barbaric force, such thoughts could cost him his life.

The risks have been drilled into Felix and his friends since they were children. The war between humans and the winged Gods ended with a treaty; humanity would serve them or be driven extinct. Hundreds of years later, under the watchful eyes of the Gods and their devoted followers, those same laws remain.

Felix knows he has to find his place in the world before he’s found out. Surrounded by teachers who only ever value faith, obedience, but also technological advancement, Felix strives to achieve security and a better life in the only way he knows how; with his inventive mind. However, just as he gets his chance, one of the province’s famed inquisitors arrives in town. Little does Felix know, the devastating events about to take place will risk exposing him, but they will also push him out into a journey that might mean the deaths of the ones he loves if he can’t escape in time.

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The Review

This was a compelling and gritty high fantasy read for YA fans. The chilling environment that the author’s narrative encompasses takes the reader to new heights, exploring a frightful world in which the protagonists are thrust into a race of survival against impossible odds. The terror that encompasses the opening chapters as the power of the “gods” and those that serve them becomes apparent made this a gripping tale immediately.

For me, the heart of this story comes in the world-building and mythos that the story encompasses. The concept of these all-powerful forces of nature and the need for rebellion taking heart in the cast of characters made this story flow smoothly. The themes of forced conformity and religious oversight made this a thought-provoking read as well and helped elevate the fantasy elements of the story.

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The Verdict

Harrowing, thoughtful, and engaging, author Jim Hepburn’s “Hunted by Fire” is a must-read YA fantasy novel that is both a great start to a brand new series and a richly developed fantasy world. The dynamics between the protagonists and the depth of their journey both together and separately made this a truly compelling fantasy world to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Like many young men in high school cursed with a dash of creativity, Jim found a love for writing, which everybody else thought was practically useless. Those folks urged him to get good at math and science instead, and so he worked at those, but he was never sure if he could hack them out at a university level. After he graduated said university with an arts degree (where he had to read an awful lot), he wondered what other young people had gone through the same thing. It’s always been his dream to inspire young men and women to pursue STEM projects, as he thinks the world could use as many helping hands it can get and he thinks they are up to the challenge.

In other news, he grew up near Toronto, Canada and devoured any written adventure he could find, including many of the works written by Kenneth Oppel, D. J. MacHale, Christopher Paolini, and Rick Riordan. Later on, it was Jim Butcher, R.A. Salvator, Hajime Isayama, and Tsugumi Ohba who fueled him through his early adult years and to whom he associates much of his personal growth to.

Catching Hell Part 2: Destination by Marc Watson Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

The worlds of magic and technology, the past and the future all collide as two friends navigate two very different worlds to find a way back to one another in author Marc Watson’s “Catching Hell Part 2: Destination”.

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The Synopsis

A critical blow has been dealt to the robotic Army of the Old, but at a great price. Broken and weary, best friends Johan and Aryu have been separated while chasing forces from the distant past that they both fear.

Aryu, the man with wings, pursues the enemy while he slowly slips into the enticing magic and mystery of the Power, led by the great phoenix Nixon Ash.

Johan stands on the steps of Bankoor, a futuristic city full of wonder and mistrust. Here, he must make his stand to avenge his destroyed home and find his friend.

As the gap between the brave warriors closes, the worlds of technology and magic will clash.

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The Review

The author did an incredible job of world-building, giving readers a truly immersive reading experience that made the characters and the setting feel alive on the page. The rich diversity that the cast of characters embodied and the thriving adventure that the story brought to life were brilliantly imagined thanks to great uses of imagery and atmosphere in the author’s writing style.

To me, the heart of the story rested in the author’s command over the genres that were balanced together. Both high fantasy and deep sci-fi storytelling kept the reader invested in the story, touching upon the adventure that sci-fi promises while also showcasing the rich worlds that fantasy brings to life. The compelling story of Aryu and Johan was great to see come to life, as the author took these characters down some dark and shocking paths that will change the course of this fictional world forever.

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The Verdict

Action-packed, thrilling, and entertaining, author Marc Watson’s “Catching Hell Part 2: Destination” is a must-read sci-fi and fantasy novel you won’t be able to put down. The twists and turns these characters make and the shocking conclusion leaves readers with an emotional and engaging finale that will leave you wanting more. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Hello, I’m Marc Watson, and I write stuff. I’m an author of genre fiction (primarily Fantasy and Science Fiction of all lengths). I began writing at the age of 15 with a pen and paper, and I’ve never really stopped, even though until recently it was more of a background to me than my defining trait. 

I have been published on flash fiction site www.101words.org, as well as comedy site www.thecorrectness.com. I’ve been a student of the excellent writing classes at Athabasca University for a number of years.

I live in Calgary, Alberta, and was spawned out of the depths of Southern Ontario. I’m a husband, proud father of two, and can be sometimes found at an actual job. I’m an avid outdoorsman, martial artist of some high repute, baseball player of very little repute, and lover of all Mexican foods. One day ‘World Famous Poutine Aficionado’ will be on my business cards.

You can also find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marcwroteabook, and on twitter at @writewatson. For public appearances and interviews, I am proudly represented by Creative Edge Publicity.

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Anomaly Aftermath (The Mystic Rampage Series Book 3) by Hugh Fritz Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A young man seeking revenge against an “evil” genie must find a powerful new weapon capable of stopping the genies once and for all in author Hugh Fritz’s “Anomaly Aftermath”, book 3 in The Mystic Rampage Series. 

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The Synopsis

Soleil is lost in time, launched through history at the hands of the Old Ticker. Now he is out of his element. He must adapt to his new home, hope it’s possible to return to his original time, and pray for a chance to correct some mistakes along the way.

Tyrell knows Flarence killed Darren. He wants revenge, though a mere human with limited resources has no chance of harming a Genie. But Roy’s body is failing to the point that not even Genie blood can sustain him. The cause of Roy’s slow death may give Tyrell the opportunity he needs to make Flarence suffer.

The Old Ticker’s designs have been leaked. Now they rest in deadlier hands and more mischievous minds. A pair of spell-casting revolvers were nothing compared with the new weapons being developed in secret. The Genies may have met their match when a scientist emerges armed with the most devastating firearm the world has ever known.

These three novellas are the culmination of the Mystic Rampage series—historical fiction, contemporary action, and near-future science fiction. Connecting them all is their shared theme of overcoming regrettable decisions to forge a brighter future.

The Review 

This was a rich and captivating read. Immediately what struck me was the author’s unique format of ending this story with three novellas that culminate in this fantasy and sci-fi action series. The depth the author dives into regarding the mythos and world-building of the series overall was so remarkable, as the story skirted these fantasy elements without sacrificing the real-world setting and character development that made the reader feel more connected to the story and the world found within.

The rich dynamics of the characters and the way the author was able to get multiple perspectives of this conflict between humanity and genies, and sometimes with one another, was so gripping to behold. The bond between Flarence and Claire, for example, or the almost modern-day Shakespearean nature of the conflict between Tyrell and Flarence was so compelling and kept me invested in this story.

The Verdict 

Memorable, heartfelt, and captivating, author Hugh Fritz’s “Anomaly Aftermath” is the must-read action sci-fi and fantasy read you want to have this summer, and a great third entry into The Mystic Rampage Series. The twists and turns in the story and the shocking character development that sees emotional bonds formed and shattered, rise and fall, and all tied into the conflict ahead made this a truly memorable story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Hugh Fritz is thrilled to have completed his Mystic Rampage trilogy, a project eight years in the making. While writing the series he has outlined and written rough drafts of other stories ranging from horror to romance. He is currently bouncing between his works in progress, deciding which one should get his full attention. Whatever comes next will assuredly be a step in a whole new direction. 

Find Hugh Online:

Author website:  http://www.hughfritz.com/   
Blog site:  http://www.hughfritz.com/blog   
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063563318857  
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Hugh-Fritz/author/B072BRDLDD?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=tru

Anomaly Aftermath is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon. You can add it to your GoodReads reading list as well.

Blog Tour Dates 

May 1st @ The Muffin

What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Join us at the WOW blog to celebrate the launch of author Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

May 5th @ Lisa Haselton

Lisa Haselton interviews author, Hugh Fritz about his recently released book:  Anomaly Aftermath. You can read an interview with the author and learn more about the Mystic Rampage Series today on Lisa’s Blog! 

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

May 6th @ A Wonderful World of Words

You won’t want to miss Joy’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by A Wonderful World of Words today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! 

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

May 14th @ Word Magic with Fiona Ingram

Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series,  Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Word Magic with Fiona Ingram to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “Advertising and Finding an Audience” and delves into developing a pitch as an author. 

https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

May 20th @ Madeline Sharples, Choices

Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series,  Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Choices with Madeline Sharples to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “Developing a Pitch for a Book-to-Film Adaptation”.

http://www.madelinesharples.com/

May 24th @ Author Anthony Avina

You won’t want to miss fellow author Anthony Avina’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Author Anthony Avina’s blog today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! 

https://atomic-temporary-124910902.wpcomstaging.com/

May 26th @ Nikki’s Book Reviews

You won’t want to miss Nikki’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Nikki’s Book Review blog today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! 

https://nikkitsbookreviews.wordpress.com/

June 8th @ Knotty Needle Creative

You won’t want to miss Judy’s  review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Knotty Needle Creative today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! 

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/

June 10th @ Bring on Lemons with Carmen Otto

Hear from a teenager  about Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Bring on Lemons today to hear from Carmen Otto as she reviews the book and you can learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! 

http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

June 12th @ World of My Imagination  

Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series,  Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by World of My Imagination to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “Returning to School to Seek an Advanced Degree”. 

https://worldofmyimagination.com/

June 13th @ Storey Book Reviews

Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series,  Anomaly Aftermath. Storey Book Reviews to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “What to do When the Series is Over”. 

https://storeybookreviews.com/

June 14th @ The Mommies Reviews with Glenda Cates

You won’t want to miss Glenda’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by  The Mommies Reviews today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! 

http://www.themommiesreviews.com/

June 15th @ Lady Unemployed

You won’t want to miss Nicole Pyles’ review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by  Lady Unemployed today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! 

https://ladyunemployed.com/