Book Tour, Review and Giveaway

#APhoenixRising #VivienneBrereton #HFVBTBlogTours

A Phoenix Rising
by Vivienne Brereton

Publication Date: July 7, 2019
Yuletide Press
eBook & Paperback; 339 pages

Series: The House of the Red Duke (Book 1)
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

“If I have anything to do with it, we Howards will live forever.”

Thomas Howard Charismatic head of one of the most powerful Houses in Tudor England. An indomitable old man approaching eighty: soldier, courtier, politician, a ‘phoenix’ rising from the ashes. After a calamitous period of disgrace, the Howards, renowned for their good looks and charm, are once more riding high at the court of Henry VIII.

Set against the backdrop of the extraordinary 1520 ‘Field of Cloth of Gold’, it is a tale of ambition, love, and intrigue, with Thomas at the centre of this intricate tapestry

Will Thomas’s bold vow be fulfilled? Danger stalks the corridors of the royal courts of Europe. Uneasy lies the head beneath a crown. Every other ruler – a fickle bedfellow…or sworn enemy.

The action takes place in England, Scotland, and France. On either side of the Narrow Sea, four young lives are interwoven, partly unaware of each other, and certainly oblivious to what Dame Fortune has in store for them.

“Nicolas de La Barre laid his lute to one side, hardly bothering to stifle a yawn of boredom. Nevertheless, he couldn’t escape the fact he’d agreed to take on a new wife….”

Explosive family secrets are concealed behind the ancient walls of castles in three lands. But… “There are no secrets that time does not reveal.”

“From the moment I picked this book up, I was enthralled and the story was so well written that I simply had to keep reading. Brereton weaves a fascinating story of several famous houses which lived during the Tudor age, including the Howards, Stewarts, Boleyns and of course the famous Tudors. If you are looking for a new fiction series that will draw you in and keep you wanting more than this is certainly the book for you!” – Sarah Bryson, author of ‘La Reine Blanche’.

“I really enjoyed it. I sometimes struggle with books written from the point of view of several characters, as this one is, but this one worked quite well because it had to be told from the points of view of different characters because it is spread across several countries – England, France and Scotland. The addition of Tudor recipes was a nice touch, and demonstrated that the writer had really done her research.” – Helene Harrison, Tudorblogger

 Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Author,

The House of the Red Duke is a series of historical novels set in Tudor times. A Phoenix Rising is Book One by the British author, Vivienne Brereton.

A stellar historical fiction centered around the famous Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk head of a prominent house in Tudor England.

King Henry VIII, has entrusted him to look after his kingdom while he travels to France to strengthen his friendship between himself and Francis I at the Camp du Drap d’Or. Field of the Cloth of Gold….

A massive extravaganza that took place in 1520 just outside the English Pale of Calais and Ardres, on French territory.

This sweeping saga storyline Is set between the year’s 1497 and 1520 and among 4 different European courts; England, Scotland, France and Hapsburg.

Thomas Howard, vowed long ago that he would restore the Howard’s fortunes, and he has. But Dame Fortune is a fickle mistress.

Thomas has secrets, eventually time will tell whether they will one day catch up with him. Maybe he should have paid more attention to what the old witch, Mairghread, all those years ago. Her predictions seemed to incredible to even believe at the time.. Are they actually coming true?

A Phoenix Rising, is a historical fiction masterpiece. If you are a fan of historical fiction this is a must read for you. Rich details of political intrigue, along an impressive cast characters woven into some of the most iconic historical People during this era of European history. Exquisitely written, seen through the eyes of multiple points of view, expanding over two decades.

The authors descriptive narration brings all the great and noble Houses to life

The House of Tudor, The House of Stewart, The House of Habsburg, The House of Valois, The House of Stafford, The House of Bullens (Boleyn), and of course The House of Howard.

Vivienne Brereton, delivers a compelling, intriguing, and well-written read here with absolutely fantastic characters that totally captivated and fascinated me. The strength of this novel handsdown is the author’s fabulous characterizations. Brereton, definitely shines when it comes to how interesting and fleshed out her well developed characters are. As titles and wealth rise and fall the nobles are like game pieces on a chess board during this chaotic turbulent time period.

I was completely enchanted by medieval recipes the author has included throughout the book. This along with exceptional atmospheric historical settings and entertaining dialogue, made for impressive debut novel.

The author paints a compelling portrait of the times during the Tudor dynasty, with in depth well researched historical facts mixed with her creative fictional characters. This was a fascinating book for me, I was enthralled from the first pages and it held my attention all the way through to the end.

Exceptional debut from Vivienne Brereton, a book I recommend to whoever is passionate about historical fiction.

I am patiently waiting for the next installment in the series.

#APhoenixRising #VivienneBrereton #HFVBTBlogTours

Map taken Vivienne Brereton website

Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk head of a prominent house in Tudor England.

About the Author

Born near historic Winchester in the UK, Vivienne Brereton has been passionate about the Tudors for as long as she can remember. This led to a degree in medieval history at university where she met her future husband. Three sons later and six countries she called home, she finally felt ready to write a novel.

Words have always played an important part in Vivienne’s life whether it’s been writing, editing, teaching English to foreigners, or just picking up a good book. In preparation for her novel, she read intensively on the skills needed to write well and did an enormous amount of research which she greatly enjoyed. Having three sons was helpful when she came to write about the characters, Tristan and Nicolas. All those squabbles she had to deal with came in very handy. She also used her husband and sons as guinea pigs for her Tudor cookery attempts with varying degrees of success (abuse).

Seeing ‘A Phoenix Rising’ in print for the first time was a moment of great jo

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, September 26
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Friday, September 27
Excerpt at Beady Jans Books
Review & Excerpt at Nursebookie

Saturday, September 28
Review at Reading is My Remedy
Guest Post at Short Book and Scribes

Tuesday, October 1
Review at WTF Are You Reading?
Guest Post at On the Tudor Trail

Wednesday, October 2
Excerpt at The Writing Desk

Thursday, October 3
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Friday, October 4
Review at Jessica Belmont

Monday, October 7
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Tuesday, October 8
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, October 9
Review at Red Headed Book Lady

Thursday, October 10
Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Friday, October 11
Review at Donna’s Book Blog
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of A Phoenix Rising! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

A Phoenix Rising
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Hi guys! Today we have a very exciting blog tour! Y’all know how much I love retellings, and this one is extra special. Cursed is going take over, and it is very soon going to be a NETFLIX SHOW. So, you better get on it and read this book now,

Welcome to my stop of the Cursed blog tour! Thank you to @theffbc @thomaswheelerofficial and @simonandschuster @simonteen for allowing me to take part in this tour!

I am a huge fan of anything Arthurian and every year I reread the Mists of Avalon!

So when I was given the chance to read and review this hard copy breathtaking Arc, I jumped at the chance and greatly appreciate The Fantastic Flying Book Tour @theffbc for giving me this incredible opportunity.

In this imaginative fantastic retelling of the Notorious Arthurian legend. The Lady of the Lake takes the role of hero in this tale of king Arthur.Creators Thomas Wheeler and legendary artist, producer, and director Frank Miller of 300, Batman, The Dark Knight Returns, and Sin City.This book features full-color and 30 black-and-white pieces of original artwork by Frank Miller.

Cursed is told through the eyes of Nimue, a teenage heroine with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful and tragic Lady of the Lake.Nimue is a child, living in a nurturing environment still following the old ways of the Druid. When the evil Red Paladins, a section of the Church who have made it their mission to wipe out the Fey Folk, attack her village, Nimue finds herself journeying across England to fulfill her mother’s last wish. She sets out on a quest to find Merlin and deliver an ancient sword. Nimue, finds an unexpected partner in a young mercenary named Arthur.

Rumors grow that the Sword of Power has resurfaced again has spread through out the country. Nimue faces incredible forces who all want to claim the sword for themselves, King Uther Pendragon, the Viking Ice King and the Catholic Church.

All knowing the ancient prophecy of the sword …

Nimue will become the hero and the symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying Red Paladins, and their King Uther.

I can’t wait to see this novel turned into a show. I love the portrayal of Nimue and everything surrounding her story. Make sure to buy this beautiful novel on October 1st and be sure to watch the Netflix series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Star Book

Illustrations: From Frank Miller

GIVEAWAY
1 Finished copy US only

Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86408/?

Thomas Wheeler sold his first screenplay at age twenty-two, to Twentieth Century Fox. He has continued to work on major Hollywood features for the last several years. Wheeler lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Christina, and his son, Luca. The Arcanum is his first novel.

Frank Miller is an award-winning comic book writer, novelist, inker, screenwriter, film director, and producer best known for Daredevil, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City, and 300, among others. He also created Cursed with Tom Wheeler, which is being adapted as a series for Netflix starring Katherine Langford. Visit him online at FrankMillerInk.com or on Twitter @FrankMillerInk.

Week 1

September 23rd

_bookishaestha_-Review/Bookstagram

September 24th

Maddie.TV– Review

Worlds Unlike Our Own– Review & Favorite Quotes

Some Books & Ramblings– Review

September 25th

Gwendalyn’s Books– Review

@thereadingchemist– Bookstagram

September 26th

Kait Plus Books– Creative Post

Feed Your Fiction Addiction– Review

September 27th

Amy’s Booket List– Review

Shelf-rated– Review

Week 2

September 30th

Morgan Vega– Review & Favorite Quotes

Confessions of a YA Reader– Bookstagram

October 1st

Fictitiouswonderland– Bookstagram

Book Blog London– Review & Favorite Quotes

October 2nd

A Bookish Dream– Review/Bookstagram

The Desert Bibliophile– Review

October 3rd

Bookishly Nerdy– Review

Booked J– Review

October 4th

Beast Of The Frozen Sun

Beasts of the Frozen Sun
Jill Criswell
(Frozen Sun Saga #1)
Publication date: August 6th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Burn brightly. Love fiercely. For all else is dust.

Every child of Glasnith learns the last words of Aillira, the god-gifted mortal whose doomed love affair sparked a war of gods and men, and Lira of clan Stone knows the story better than most. As a descendant of Aillira and god-gifted in her own right, she has the power to read people’s souls, to see someone’s true essence with only a touch of her hand.

When a golden-haired warrior washes up on the shores of her homeland–one of the fearful marauders from the land of the Frozen Sun–Lira helps the wounded man instead of turning him in. After reading his soul, she realizes Reyker is different than his brethren who attack the coasts of Glasnith. He confides in her that he’s been cursed with what his people call battle-madness, forced to fight for the warlord known as the Dragon, a powerful tyrant determined to reignite the ancient war that Aillira started.

As Lira and Reyker form a bond forbidden by both their clans, the wrath of the Dragon falls upon them and all of Glasnith, and Lira finds herself facing the same tragic fate as her ancestor. The battle for Lira’s life, for Reyker’s soul, and for their peoples’ freedom has only just begun.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Link Trailer:

Many thanks to @blackstonepublishing for an early ARC, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Book

“The light coming in from the stained glass windows reflects off the silver of golden skin visible in the gasp between my gloves and sleeves”.

BEASTS OF THE FROZEN SUN IS A BLOODY FANTASY OF BEASTS

AND SOUL MAGIC

Jill Crisswell, has written an epic historical fantasy of Viking /Norse-inspired mythology. Where Gods toy with mortals and bend them to their will.

Title: Beasts of the Frozen Sun

Author: Jill Crisswell

Format: Physical – Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

The first book in the series written by Jill Criswell, Beasts of the Frozen Sun, is a fierce saga, beautifully told, that will transport readers to a time of magic and gods, battles and clan warfare. A totally engrossing and epic adventure—I was completely captivated by the storyline of Lira and Reyker’s epic tale.

Lira and Reyker are enemies-to-lovers, and struggled to overcome a language barrier and culture differences while learning to trust one another wholeheartedly. The saga of Lira and Reyker goes far beyond the realm of normal men and deep into the lost myths of those who came before. Is history repeating itself, or is divine intervention weaving the threads of their hearts and souls together? It’s a story that focuses on the corruption of power and battle of control, holding fast in the face of sorrow and suffering, grief and finding solace beyond and in unexpected places.

Criswell has brought to life a cast of magnificent characters with written in voices multiple POV’s. Action packed adventure with intense battle scenes made this a non stop read for me. All leading up to climatic cliffhanger of an ending.

It’s a beautifully fierce, debut –

A trilogy, so Book 2 will be released in 2020 and Book 3 in 2021

Excerpt
Something made me stop. 

There, sitting atop my father’s black warhorse, was a Westlander unlike any other. Long ashen hair trailed behind him. He was bare chested, as if he didn’t fear the threat of blades on his skin, and he radiated a sleek, savage sort of beauty. 

His gaze locked on me.

Beautiful. Savage.

The Savage prodded his mount. Leaning to one side, he brought his axe crashing down into the Sons of Stone who ran at him, wielding his weapon like an extension of himself. My clan’s warriors fell. Blood splashed in waves across his skin.

His eyes never left mine. My limbs were heavy as boulders, stiff as plaster.

A voice called my name. Rhys rushed toward me, sword in hand. His eyes darted from me to the Savage, trying to reach me first.  

The horse was coming. My legs wouldn’t move. 

The Savage veered at the last second, passing between Rhys and me, so close his calf brushed my arm, and I shivered. He circled his horse back in our direction, and Rhys grabbed me, yanking me forward. The warhorse’s hooves pounded, nearly on top of us. We only made it a few steps before Rhys stumbled and choked, eyes widening. His hand slipped from my arm. His sword fell into the grass. 

A battle-axe was buried between his shoulders.

My scream was the raw, wrenching keen of an animal. I caught Rhys as he collapsed, lowering him to the ground. I looked around wildly, calling for Father and Garreth. 

The Savage leaped off his horse.

“Stay away!” I let go of Rhys and picked up his sword. 

With a swift kick, the Savage knocked the weapon from my grip. I drew the dagger, and he slapped it away too. He pulled me to him, smelling my hair, running his fingers through it. I hammered my fists against him, but it did nothing. This close, I saw every detail of his face, his body. I absorbed them through a haze of shock. 

Older than Garreth, younger than Father. Tall, muscled, with thick hair hanging down his back in braided ropes of silvery-white. Eyes a shade of greenish-gold, like a cat’s. Black ink crawling across one entire side of his body: up his stomach, chest, and neck, then back down the length of his arm to his fingertips, coiling along one jaw and cheek, to his forehead, disappearing into his scalp. Knotted patterns, with intricately etched claws and tails and reptilian heads interwoven between the twisted links. 

If the other Westlanders were frost giants, he was a leviathan; if they were beasts, he was their king. 

I struggled feebly, my palms smacking his chest. Anguish had torn my mind wide open, left my abilities untethered; my consciousness plunged into the depths of his soul. Except what I dove into was nothing. Colorless, shapeless, void of sensation. The space was starkly, infinitely empty. A barren abyss.

The Savage had no soul. 

I pulled my hands free, snapping back into my body as the Savage grasped my chin. “What you see, soul-reader?” The words sounded cumbersome to his mouth. He took hold of my wrist, bending it to expose the scar of flame Reyker had marked me with, laughing like my scar was a joke meant to offend him. “He is here.” 

The Savage thrust one of his hands into my hair, holding my head still, and the other tightened around my waist, crushing me against him. He pulled a delicate knife from his belt, pushing my hair back and sliding the stiletto behind my ear. The blade bit into my flesh in short, deep cuts. He was carving me. Marking me, just as Reyker had, only this felt far more violent. I whimpered as blood dripped down my neck. “Mine,” he said. 

A threat and a promise.

 —————————————————————————-

Author Bio:

Jill Criswell is a writer of Young Adult Historical Fantasy. She was born and raised in the swamps of northeastern Florida. She earned degrees in English and Psychology and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida. Her greatest passion, besides reading and writing, is traveling the world; she’s visited fifty countries across six continents, falling in love with places like Iceland, Namibia, and Cambodia. She works as a university English teacher and lives in South Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and daughter (who is named after a volcano in Iceland).

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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GIVEAWAY!
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Please scroll through, check out the synopsis for all three books, an excerpt from The House of Secrets, a little about the author, and…enter the GIVEAWAY!!

#SarahBennettMysteries #SarahBennett #HFVBTBlogTours 

The Spirit of Grace
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: November 26, 2017
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book One
Genre: Historical Mystery

Sarah Bennett doesn’t remember the night her mother tumbled down the stairs at Bennett House, despite allegedly witnessing the fatal fall. There was talk of foul play, dark whispers, and sidelong glances, all aimed at Sarah, prompting her family to send her to The Laurels, an exclusive asylum in San Francisco, under a cloud of suspicion. Now, on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s murder, Sarah has been summoned home. Convinced of her innocence, she returns to Bennett House, hoping to put the broken pieces of her life back together. But when another murder occurs shortly after her arrival, Sarah once again finds herself a suspect, as she is drawn into a web of suspicion and lies. In order to clear her name, Sarah must remember what happened the fateful night her mother died. But as she works to regain her memory, the real murderer watches, ready to kill again to protect a dark family secret.

Amazon

The House of Secrets
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 11, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery

Sarah Bennett has two secrets: she sees ghosts, and she is in love with a spy.

When Sarah takes a job with occult expert Dr Matthew Geisler, he promises to help her understand the sorrowful spirit that seems to have attached itself to her.

As Sarah struggles to cope with the ghostly presence, she runs into Zeke, the man who left her six months earlier and is recovering from injuries suffered in an alleged accident. But Zeke has secrets of his own, and when an attempt is made on Geisler’s life, Sarah finds herself caught in a struggle between the living and the dead.

Unsure who she can trust, Sarah must solve the mystery of the soul determined to haunt her, and save Dr. Geisler and herself from an unknown threat.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

The Drowned Woman
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 16, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Three
Genre: Historical Mystery

Family secrets won’t always stay buried…

December 1937.

When Zeke’s sister-in-law Rachel Caen was found dead on Christmas Eve, her family assumed that she had taken her own life.

Now five years later, one of the emeralds that Rachel was wearing at the time of her death is discovered at a stonecutter’s house in Portland, Oregon.

With his brother Simon under suspicion for Rachel’s murder and stealing the emeralds, Zeke and detective Sarah are under pressure to clear his name.

But with troubles of their own and in need of a place to hide, the duo return to Zeke’s hometown where a spiritual force helps Sarah find another emerald…

All the fingers are pointing to Zeke’s family; how far will they go to protect their secrets? And will Sarah uncover the killer before it’s too late?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

The House of Secrets
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 11, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery

Excerpt

Zeke limped to the door. He smiled when he saw me. ‘Come in, love. We need to talk.’

I followed them into the office. Once we were all inside, Zeke locked the door and engaged two brand new deadbolts.

‘Extra locks?’

‘We have a situation.’

The ghost shimmered in the corner of the room, her eyes fixed on me. Wade and Zeke carried on, impervious to her.

‘Sarah, are you listening?’ Zeke asked.

‘Yes,’ I said. The ghost smiled and winked at me. I ignored her.

‘I want you both out of here.’ Wade barked out his orders. ‘Go upstairs and pack. Bring enough clothes to stay away for a month or two.’

I stood, ready to lash out at Wade, but one look at Zeke changed my mind. His brow was furrowed with worry. ‘What’s happened? Where are we going?’ I asked.

‘Millport,’ Zeke said. ‘I need to go home.’

‘And you’re not safe here,’ Wade piped in. ‘Zeke’s going to tell you all about it, once you are on your way.’ Wade peered between the blinds again, surveying the street below us, keeping his eyes riveted on the foot traffic as he spoke. ‘I’m sorry, Sarah. I don’t mean to be short. Zeke will explain everything. I want you two on the road in fifteen minutes. You’re in danger. Can you please just go pack?’

‘I started to pack for you, but I didn’t know what you’d want to bring. Your typewriter is loaded up already. I put the extra ribbons, ink, and a case of paper in the trunk, too. I’ll take those.’ Zeke nodded at the sack of groceries I had carried in. ‘We can bring them with us. No meat, I suppose?’

‘Not a scrap,’ I said. ‘Do we have gasoline coupons?’

‘I’ve taken care of that,’ Wade said.

‘Of course you have.’ I sighed and left the room.

‘Stay away from the windows,’ Wade called after me.

With a shaking hand, I unlocked the door to our upstairs flat, frightened now, thanks to Wade Connor. I loved our flat. The bay windows faced the water, angled just enough to the west to allow floods of afternoon sun to fill the room.

The ghost stood before the window now, her image stronger than it was downstairs. She looked like the type of woman who rode horses over tall hedges while perched in a tiny saddle, fearless and bold. Her hair shimmered with golden light. She wore an evening dress of cream silk. It fitted her body and flowed to the floor like liquid pearls.

‘Why have you come?’ I asked. Although I could see ghosts, most of the time I couldn’t hear them. I pointed to a scratch pad which sat on the table near the sofa. ‘Can you write your answers?’

She floated over to the tablet in that particular way of ghosts.

‘Good. I’m going to pack.’ I turned my back on her and headed down the hall toward our bedroom. Zeke’s suitcase sat on the floor. Mine lay open on the bed, ready to be filled with the clothes I would need. Something about Wade’s manner and the look on Zeke’s face struck a chord with me. I realized with a start that I had seen fear, not only in Zeke, but in Wade Connor as well. Urged on by this, I threw clothes into the suitcase without thinking or taking the time to fold them. I jammed the black Lanvin evening gown on top of the pile, not caring that the tiny pleats around the waistline would need to be ironed again – a tedious job that I loathed. I grabbed four sweaters and tossed them on top of the gown.

A blast of cold air on the back of my neck told me that my ghost had joined me. She stood by my small writing desk, holding the tablet that I had left for her to write on. When I moved close to her, she disappeared. Her writing was schoolroom perfect. I am Zeke’s sister-in-law, Rachel Caen. You must find the emeralds to discover who killed me.

Rachel had dumped all the sweaters I had packed onto the bed, and was now replacing them with cotton blouses and light-weight summer clothes. She folded the clothes and placed them in neat stacks inside my case. When everything was properly stowed, she snapped the latches in place with a resounding click. The smile she gave was a sad one. She pointed to the tablet on the table one more time before she disappeared. New handwriting had replaced her prior

About the Author

TERRY LYNN THOMAS grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which explains her love of foggy beaches and Gothic mysteries. When her husband promised to buy Terry a horse and the time to write if she moved to Mississippi with him, she jumped at the chance. Although she had written several novels and screenplays prior to 2006, after she relocated to the South she set out to write in earnest and has never looked back.

Terry Lynn writes the Sarah Bennett Mysteries, set on the California coast during the 1940s, which feature a misunderstood medium in love with a spy. The Drowned Woman is a recipient of the IndieBRAG Medallion. She also writes the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, set in Britain during World War II. The first book in this series, The Silent Woman, came out in April 2018 and has since become a USA TODAY bestseller. The Family Secret is slated for release in March 2019. When she’s not writing, you can find Terry Lynn riding her horse, walking in the woods with her dogs, or visiting old cemeteries in search of story ideas.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 9
Guest Post at What Is That Book About

Tuesday, September 10
Excerpt at Bookish Rantings

Thursday, September 12
Review at Just One More Chapter (Book #1)

Friday, September 13
Review at Coffee and Ink (Book #1)

Monday, September 16
Feature at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Tuesday, September 17
Review at WTF Are You Reading? (all three)

Thursday, September 19
Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, September 20
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #1)

Monday, September 23
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #1)

Tuesday, September 24
Feature at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #2)

Wednesday, September 25
Review at Passages to the Past (Book #1)

Thursday, September 26
Feature at I’m All About Books

Monday, September 30
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #2)

Wednesday, October 2
Excerpt at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #3)

Thursday, October 3
Review at Macsbooks (Books #1 &# 2)

Friday, October 4
Review at 100 Pages a Day (Book #1)

Sunday, October 6
Review at A Darn Good Read (all three)
Review at Spooky’s Maze Of Books (Books #1 & #2)

Monday, October 7
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #3)

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away one eBook of each title in the Sarah Bennett Mysteries series! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 7th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Sarah Bennett
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Book Tour

#GiniGrossenbacher #HFVBTBlogTours

@GGrossenbacher @hfvbt  

Madam in Silk

By Gini Grossenbacher

Publication Date: July 15, 2019
JGKS Press
eBook & Paperback; 476 Pages

Series: The American Madams, Book 2
Genre: Historical Fiction.

San Francisco,1849. Despite her objections, twenty-year-old Ah Toy and her servant Chen voyage from China to San Francisco with her husband who dies on board ship. With little cash and bound feet, how is she to find employment in the Gold Rush town? Since she is the only Chinese woman there, she opens a “Lookee Shop,” catering to miners who pay in gold dust to see her exotic beauty. As her notoriety grows, so does her attraction to the devoted policeman, John Clark. Yet should she put her faith in one man? Will their love survive despite her frightening encounter with Sydney Ducks, threats from rival madam Li Fan, and a tempting offer from Henry Conrad who promises her wealth and security? Armed with her mystical beliefs of the inner dragon and Goddess Mazu, Ah Toy faces much more than the journey from the ancient ways in China to the new world in America. In fact, she must find the true source of courage in a life or death struggle for her own fate, justice, and dignity. Based on page-turning accounts about the life of Ah Toy, one of San Francisco’s most legendary madams.

“Readers were effusive in their praise of Gini Grossenbacher’s dynamic debut novel Madam of My Heart, based on the life of the infamous brothel owner Belle Cora. This, the prequel to her American Madams Series, is inspired by the life of a beautiful young Chinese woman of high birth brought to California against her will. She was able–and willing–to do whatever it took to find security and fortune in Gold Rush San Francisco. Madam in Silk is this year’s exciting addition to historical fiction.” -Cheryl Anne Stapp, Author of Disaster & Triumph: Sacramento Women, Gold Rush Through the Civil War

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Author,

Listen to your Inner Dragon 🐉…..

Madame In Silk, is Gini Grossenbacher’s second novel in The American Madam Series.

Ah Toy, finds herself along with her dedicated lifelong servant Chen, on a ship bond for San Francisco. Her life takes a sudden twist when her husband dies on the voyage. Stepping off the ship she finds herself in the rapidly expanding world of the San Francisco Gold Rush.

In a Tragic turn of events her dead husbands well laid plans comes a halt. Ah Toy is now destitute, and struggles to find employment. With time running out and her resources depleted. Her lotus bond feet were once highly prized in her native Guangzhou, but actually have handicapped her making everyday walking a trial. She decides to capitalize on her one true aspect, her extraordinary beauty. With help from her devoted Chen she opens a Lookee Shop.

Gini Grossenbacher, has written a vividly descriptive, atmospheric, intriguing, well-written and irresistible historical fiction here, that I absolutely loved and was thoroughly impressed by. The characters were extremely interesting, compelling, and definitely held my full attention. Exquisite prose, with great pacing and depth, Victorian San Francisco comes to life within the pages of this beautifully atmospheric, compelling novel. Ah Toy’s narrative voice allows you to struggle along with her and Chen as the find themselves facing obstacles and dangers on all sides.

Grossenbacher, writing ability shines through in the details of the interaction between the characters themselves. To me the the strength of the novel is the trials and tribulations that the main protagonist has survived through. Fierce and inspirational, Ah Toy must listen to her inner dragon to find her way in this truly stunning beautifully written historical fiction.

As her notoriety grows, so does her attraction to the devoted policeman, John Clark. Yet should she put her faith in one man? Ah’s relationship with Chen, is definitely worth noting, his complete devotion to her was truly heartwarming.

This is a touching, raw, heartbreaking and an absolutely wonderful novel that had me emotionally engaged and interested throughout the entire book. I was completely immersed in this deeply moving and beautifully written story here. I connected with and absolutely loved Gini Grossenbacher writing style.

This well researched historical fiction was incredible, I am definitely looking forward to reading the next installment in her series.

I also enjoyed the selective placement of Li Po’s writing in the book. Li Po wrote occasional verse and poems about his own life. His poetry is known for its clear imagery and conversational tone. His work influenced a number of 20th-century poets, including Ezra Pound and James Wright.

The author touches on some critical subjects, the position of the Chinese immigrant in the Victorian era, and the foundation of the Californi’s 19th century sex trade

This is a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book

#GiniGrossenbacher #HFVBTBlogTours

About the Author

California author Gini Grossenbacher was a successful high school English teacher until she abandoned grades and term papers, choosing to write historical novels instead. Now she leads small writing groups and coaches other writers. She loves researching the history behind her novels, and enjoys traveling to the setting where they take place. Her hobbies include needlepoint, nature walks, and Scrabble. She lives in the Sacramento Valley where she grew up, east of San Francisco.

For more information, please visit Gini’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 23
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Wednesday, September 25
Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Friday, September 27
Review at Reading is My Remedy
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Monday, September 30
Review at WTF Are You Reading?

Tuesday, October 1
Review at Books In Their Natural Habitat

Thursday, October 3
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Friday, October 4
Interview at Passages to the Past

Monday, October 7
Review at Passages to the Past

Thursday, October 10
Review at @jypsylynn
Review at my.boys.mom

Friday, October 11
Review at Broken Teepee
Review at Coffee and Ink

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of Madam in Silk! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Madam in Silk
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#SarahBennettMysteries #SarahBennett #HFVBTBlogTours 

The Spirit of Grace
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: November 26, 2017
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book One
Genre: Historical Mystery

Sarah Bennett doesn’t remember the night her mother tumbled down the stairs at Bennett House, despite allegedly witnessing the fatal fall. There was talk of foul play, dark whispers, and sidelong glances, all aimed at Sarah, prompting her family to send her to The Laurels, an exclusive asylum in San Francisco, under a cloud of suspicion. Now, on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s murder, Sarah has been summoned home. Convinced of her innocence, she returns to Bennett House, hoping to put the broken pieces of her life back together. But when another murder occurs shortly after her arrival, Sarah once again finds herself a suspect, as she is drawn into a web of suspicion and lies. In order to clear her name, Sarah must remember what happened the fateful night her mother died. But as she works to regain her memory, the real murderer watches, ready to kill again to protect a dark family secret.

Amazon

The House of Secrets
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 11, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery

Sarah Bennett has two secrets: she sees ghosts, and she is in love with a spy.

When Sarah takes a job with occult expert Dr Matthew Geisler, he promises to help her understand the sorrowful spirit that seems to have attached itself to her.

As Sarah struggles to cope with the ghostly presence, she runs into Zeke, the man who left her six months earlier and is recovering from injuries suffered in an alleged accident. But Zeke has secrets of his own, and when an attempt is made on Geisler’s life, Sarah finds herself caught in a struggle between the living and the dead.

Unsure who she can trust, Sarah must solve the mystery of the soul determined to haunt her, and save Dr. Geisler and herself from an unknown threat.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Author,

Sarah Jane, is returning to her hometown Bennett Cove, a small town nestled just north of San Francisco. She has been summoned home by her father, after residing at The Laurels, a mental institution. Even after a year away she still has no recollection of what transpired the night of her tragic Mother’s death. How did Sarah end up over her Mother’s dead bod? Did she just fall down the stairs, or was she pushed? Sarah needs to find the answers, and clear her name. Many of the folks who knew her in Bennett Cove don’t believe she did it, but who did?

This wonderful murder mystery set in 1942, we get to experience the war and turmoil through Sarah Jane eyes. Tension is in the air as the people of San Francisco awaitan invasion from Japan. Gothic mystery mired in suspicion, lies and deception. The storyline combines historical events, with supernatural occurrences, suspense and a love story. What a page turner of a book, a creative who-done-it. The author has written a fantastic, tension-filled, perfectly paced novel with spies and intrigue.

Spine tingling book with lots of twist creative, enjoyable storyline that was one that I found myself totally drawn into and held my attention to the very end.

Highly recommend, I can’t wait to start the next book in this series

The Drowned Woman
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 16, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Three
Genre: Historical Mystery

Family secrets won’t always stay buried…

December 1937.

When Zeke’s sister-in-law Rachel Caen was found dead on Christmas Eve, her family assumed that she had taken her own life.

Now five years later, one of the emeralds that Rachel was wearing at the time of her death is discovered at a stonecutter’s house in Portland, Oregon.

With his brother Simon under suspicion for Rachel’s murder and stealing the emeralds, Zeke and detective Sarah are under pressure to clear his name.

But with troubles of their own and in need of a place to hide, the duo return to Zeke’s hometown where a spiritual force helps Sarah find another emerald…

All the fingers are pointing to Zeke’s family; how far will they go to protect their secrets? And will Sarah uncover the killer before it’s too late?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

TERRY LYNN THOMAS grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which explains her love of foggy beaches and Gothic mysteries. When her husband promised to buy Terry a horse and the time to write if she moved to Mississippi with him, she jumped at the chance. Although she had written several novels and screenplays prior to 2006, after she relocated to the South she set out to write in earnest and has never looked back.

Terry Lynn writes the Sarah Bennett Mysteries, set on the California coast during the 1940s, which feature a misunderstood medium in love with a spy. The Drowned Woman is a recipient of the IndieBRAG Medallion. She also writes the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, set in Britain during World War II. The first book in this series, The Silent Woman, came out in April 2018 and has since become a USA TODAY bestseller. The Family Secret is slated for release in March 2019. When she’s not writing, you can find Terry Lynn riding her horse, walking in the woods with her dogs, or visiting old cemeteries in search of story ideas.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 9
Guest Post at What Is That Book About

Tuesday, September 10
Excerpt at Bookish Rantings

Thursday, September 12
Review at Just One More Chapter (Book #1)

Friday, September 13
Review at Coffee and Ink (Book #1)

Monday, September 16
Feature at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Tuesday, September 17
Review at WTF Are You Reading? (all three)

Thursday, September 19
Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, September 20
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #1)

Monday, September 23
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #1)

Tuesday, September 24
Feature at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #2)

The Queen Of Warriors

#TheQueenofWarriors #ZenobiaNeil #HFVBTBlogTours 

The Queen of Warriors
by Zenobia Neil

Publication Date: September 19, 2019
Hypatia Books
eBook & Paperback; 363 Pages

Series: Alexandra of Sparta, Book One
Genre: Historical Fantasy

Alexandra of Sparta vowed her sword and her heart to the goddess Artemis. And the goddess blessed her. But no warrior lives at peace, and soon, Alexandra loses her title, her troops, and all she holds dear, including the man who holds her heart.

Cursed by a Babylonian witch, she is forced to return to a city she once conquered to make amends, but is captured by the powerful Persian rebel, Artaxerxes. As his prisoner, she awaits judgment for her crimes. But Artaxerxes is not what he seems. With death approaching, Alexandra must face her violent past and discover the truth of her captor’s identity before it’s too late.

Available on Amazon

 “The Queen of Warriors is a full-blooded adventure into the ancient and mythological world of the warrior queen, Alexandra of Sparta. Imaginative, exciting, and alluring! -Margaret George, author of Helen of Troy

 “A surprising tale of retribution but also of redemption. Sexy yet thoughtful . . . unexpectedly moving.” -L.J. Trafford, author of The Four Emperor Series

A sizzling epic that will tempt you into the Hellenistic age. Neil s writing is smooth, and anyone would be hard-pressed not to fall in love with her kick-ass heroine, Alexandra of Sparta! -Adam Alexander Haviaras, Eagles and Dragons Publishing

TW: Adult Fiction

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Author,

Alexander, The Queen of Warriors has conquered and risen to unimaginable heights with her army. To have it all comes crashing down and Alexandra finds herself broken and seeking forgiveness and all those she has lost.

She finds herself at the temple of the triple head Goddess Hecate, the keeper of the crossroads, the goddess of all witches.

Opening the gate of the underworld she realizes she has to go back to her beginnings to find the answers she seeks. It will not be an easy journey but she starts out in hopes of reaching a state free of the curse that haunts her.

The books well developed portrait of people and their actions during this time table was fabulous. The authors creating a mercenary leader as the main protagonist was so cleverly done. Alexander, Is one strong warrior Queen that is absolutely phenomenal.

Returning to a city she once conquered but Inevitably lost. To make atonement for her past sins.

Once there she is captured by the powerful Persian rebel, Artaxerxes, the Golden Lynx of Ghagae.

The Terror of East, a Greek woman mercenary, fighting for a Greet King. She is now bond and blindfolded waiting judgement for her crimes and atrocities she has committed against Persian subjects, and her own Spartan Generals.

Zenobia, delivers a compelling, intriguing, and well-written read here with absolutely fantastic characters that totally captivated and fascinated me. The strength of this novel handsdown is the author’s fabulous characterizations. This faced past twisty book will definitely have you guessing. The romance is dark and lustful, paring perfectly with the timeframe of when the story takes place.

Zenobia Neil, delivers once again a stunning masterly written novel that will catapult you into Hellenistic age. Bold, gripping, captivating,

Zenobia Neil was named after an ancient warrior queen who fought against the Romans. She writes about the mythic past and Greek and Roman gods having too much fun. She lives with her husband, two children, and dog in Los Angeles. The Queen of Warriors is her third book.

Visit her at ZenobiaNeil.com. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 16
Review at Broken Teepee

Tuesday, September 17
Guest Post by Reading the Past

Wednesday, September 18
Excerpt at Bookish Rantings

Thursday, September 19
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Friday, September 20
Review at Passages to the Past

Monday, September 23
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Tuesday, September 24
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, September 25
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective

Thursday, September 26
Review & Guest Post at A Bookish Affair

Monday, September 30
Review & Excerpt at Clarissa Reads it All

Tuesday, October 1
Feature at I’m All About Books
Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Wednesday, October 2
Review at book frolic
Review at Al-Alhambra
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Thursday, October 3
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink

Friday, October 4
Review at WTF Are You Reading?
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away 2 eBooks and 2 paperbacks of Psyche Unbound and The Jinni’s Last Wish! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 4th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

The Queen of Warriors
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Farewell My Life

#FarewellMyLife #CynthiaSallyHaggard #HFVBTBlogTours 

Farewell My Life
by Cynthia Haggard

Publication Date: April 7, 2019
eBook & Paperback; 586 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Angelina led a life which required her to fib. When Angelina, the black sheep of the Pagano family, meets the mysterious Mr. Russell, she has no idea that she has seen him before…in another country. And so begins Farewell My Life, a novel in three parts, which spins an operatic tale of dangerous love and loss.

The Lost Mother, the first part of this novel, slices back and forth between time and space, opening in the charming village of Georgetown, Washington D.C. while reflecting a family’s troubled past in the lovely village of Marostica in the Italian Veneto.

An Unsuitable Suitor, the second part of the novel, is a Cinderella-ish tale with not-so-charming princes who inhabit the edgy setting of 1920s Berlin.

Farewell My Life, the last part of the novel, set again in Berlin, Germany, during the dark 1930s as the Nazis gain power, takes comfortable lives, assumptions and civilizations and crumbles them into ash

Amazon | IndieBound

Praise for Farewell My Life

“A unique, deftly scripted, and extraordinary novel by an author with a distinctive narrative storytelling style that will hold the readers dedicated attention from beginning to end, “Farewell My Life: Buona Notte Vita Mia” is an impressive and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. One of those rare novels that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book itself has been finished.”–Mid-West Book Review

“The author knows her characters very, very well; this shows in the consistent and very individual way they act. This is not a plot-driven story; it’s character-driven. In this book, the characters are the jam which holds everything together. The best example of this is Grace, the talented violinist, who, simply, jumps off the page. I loved her.”–Wishing Shelf

“This is not your typical mystery; it’s for fans of thrilling action and historically­-inspired events…Contra to the status quo of the genre, the men are the romantics – though in a deranged manner – and the women showcased are the core strength of the novel.”–BookLife Prize.

“The author…adeptly summons the era in all its manners and details with her descriptive prose…Her omniscient, third-person narrator effectively flits through the heads of various characters, offering momentary glimpses of their inner lives.”–Kirkus Reviews

“I loved the elaborate descriptions of all the places in this book. This is the kind of book that shows instead of just telling. The characters are very well-developed and interesting to read about. Angelina is a fascinating character, as is Grace. Along the duration of the book, Grace learns a lot about herself. I was amazed by her quiet yet vibrant personality, and her brilliant talent.”–Pavani Mathur (The Voracious Bibliophile)

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Author,

Farewell My Life is a coming of age period drama, the book is set in between World War I and World War II.

Written in third person narration the author has creatively set the novel into three distinctive parts. The opening of the book is set in Georgetown, Washington DC

Angelina, a single mother to Violent and Grace is the black sheep of the Pagano family. She does not follow the norm. Her morals are questionable to say the least. A chance meeting she finds introducing handsome Nicholas Russell to her daughters. This sets in motion some dramatic events, when Mr. Russell attention toward Angelina’s youngest daughter Grace is unnerving and slowly he becomes sinisterly obsessive…. Grace, Angelina’s younger daughter, whose fabulous talent for the violin promises a shimmering career, takes her from the states to the turbulent political climate leading up to the beginning World War II Berlin Exquisitely written with vibrant characters This book has left a lasting impression on me. The storyline captivated me, and held my attention with interesting content.

The author has masterly written a heartfelt, moving, powerful, thought-provoking, book A book that is definitely going to be a reread for me, the writer’s voice is so captivating. I really enjoyed the well researched content historical events interwoven with fictional characters.

Farewell My Life is one of THREE books awarded the “Best Books” honor in Historical Fiction for the National Association of Book Entrepreneurs (NABE) Pinnacle Award.

A little History

The book contains the story of the Oster Conspiracy, one of about 20 attempts to assassinate Hitler between 1934 and 1944

The Oster Conspiracy (German Septemberverschwörung, eng. September Conspiracy) of 1938 was a proposed plan to overthrow German Führer Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime if Germany went to war with Czechoslovakia over the Sudetenland. It was led by Generalmajor Hans Oster, deputy head of the Abwehr and other high-ranking conservatives within the Wehrmacht who opposed the regime for behavior that was threatening to bring Germany into a war that they believed it was not ready to fight.[1] They planned to overthrow Hitler and the Nazi regime through a storming of the Reich Chancellery by forces loyal to the plot to take control of the government, who would either arrest or assassinate Hitler, and restore the exiled Wilhelm II as Emperor.

About the Author

Cynthia graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University, Cambridge MA, in June 2015.

Her first novel, Thwarted Queen, a frustrating tale (hence the title) of Lady Cecylee Neville (1415-1495) who was nearly crowned Queen of England, was shortlisted for many awards, including the 2012 Eric Hoffer New Horizon Award for debut authors. To date, sales have surpassed 38,000 copies.

Her forthcoming novel, Farewell My Life, is a Cinderella-ish tale with not-so-charming princes who inhabit the edgy setting of 1920s Berlin.

When she’s not annoying everyone by insisting her fictional characters are more real than they are, Cynthia likes to go for long walks, knit something glamorous, cook in her wonderful kitchen, and play the piano. You can visit her at www.spunstories.com. You can also find Cynthia on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 9
Interview at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, September 10
Feature at Books In Their Natural Habitat

Thursday, September 12
Excerpt at A Darn Good Read

Friday, September 13
Excerpt at Maiden of the Pages

Monday, September 16
Review at girl-who-reads

Tuesday, September 17
Feature at Beth’s Book Nook Blog

Wednesday, September 18
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books

Thursday, September 19
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Saturday, September 21
Excerpt at Broken Teepee

Monday, September 23
Feature at The Book Junkie Reads

Tuesday, September 24
Review at Unabridged Chick

Friday, September 27
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink

Sunday, September 29
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Monday, September 30
Interview at Unabridged Chick

Saturday, October 5
Review at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, October 8
Feature at I’m All About Books

Wednesday, October 9
Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals
Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away two eBooks of FAREWELL MY LIFE! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 9th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Farewell My Life
https://js.gleam.io/e.js

Releases Day

The Immortal City

Anxiety, Yoga Poses, and the Lost City of Atlantis: Author Amy Kuivalainen Gets Up Close and Personal With Her Characters and the Inspiration Behind Her New Fantasy Release THE IMMORTAL CITY

The Immortal City is out in the world at last! I wanted to share a bit of background and inspiration for the main players in The Immortal City, Penelope and Alexis. Don’t worry, I’m going to make these as spoiler free as possible, while giving you a bit of insight into who they are and how they wandered into my brain and developed into the characters you’ll meet in the book.

Penelope Bryne started as a panic attack.

I had been thinking about writing an Atlantis book for a while, and having a female archaeologist as my protagonist, and I’d been working for universities/academia and had an insight into the daily struggles but didn’t have a feel for her just yet. Then life got in the way.

I’m not a sharer, but I’m comfortable enough to say I was not in a good place anxiety wise in early 2017. My workplace wasn’t a healthy one so I knew that it needed to change, and I was locked into a contract until May and thought I could keep it together and wait it out. In April, I started having public panic attacks. In restaurants that were too crowded, on the train going home from work etc and then as I sat holding in tears in the bathroom of a stranger’s house, at a party I’d been convinced to go to…there was Penelope. Anxiety filled and in the darkest place, feeling like a failure and unable to even control her own mind and body.

I started writing her, and I felt like if I could write a character and how she dealt with her anxiety, maybe I could figure out my own. Pen was doing yoga and meditation, so I got back into it and man, has it helped on so many levels. I’m not saying Penelope is a reflection of me, or that her triggers are the same, but writing her struggles as I went through my own was therapeutic. It still is. I wanted a character who had the panic attacks and anxiety, but still got up and did what she had to and manage it as best as she could. I wasn’t thinking of an audience at the time I planned and wrote The Immortal City, I was thinking how as a reader I don’t see people with anxiety being the heroes. Yeah, sure, there are some that I’ve found where the character has anxiety, but it tends to mysteriously get cured pretty early on when they find the right man/place they belong/the ‘source’ of their anxiety like magical interference. I’m going to tell you right now—Penelope’s anxiety doesn’t go away through the whole series because you don’t get cured of that shit, you only learn to manage it.

Penelope has an impossible dream—to find the historical Atlantis. This dream has shaped her life in all aspects as a daughter, an academic and as a woman. It’s impacted her relationships and drives her waking moments. I wanted a character to get a glimpse of achieving that dream and having it taken away, her hard work and research panned, and her grant money gone. I work in a creative industry, so I know a little bit about having the impossible dream, especially when it gets trodden on. I was also working closely with academics and seeing firsthand how they spend so much of their professional life trying to get grants, publish articles and get recognition for the work that they do and have the means to continue it. I’ve seen people burst into tears when they’ve been denied grant funding because it means they have to leave their research and go back to teach in order to pay the bills. I’m not saying that there’s something wrong with teaching or it’s a lesser vocation because it’s not, but I wanted to share this side of academia because you never see Lara Croft or Robert Langdon being forced to say no to an adventure because they don’t have the cash or means of obtaining it.

Penelope is absolutely the kind of person obsessed with her dream enough to leave her holiday to go to Venice because something pertaining to her research has turned up at a crime scene. While I don’t like to inflict talk of ‘themes’ onto readers, obsession in all its forms plays a big part in the Magicians of Venice series, and nearly every single character in is obsessed with something.

Okay, I don’t think I can say tooooo much more about Pen without giving out spoilers apart from adding she’s an Aussie and an only child. For a bit of fun, I’ve created a yoga flow for her that you can find below. It’s not intensive, as she uses yoga to calm down, and I’ve enjoyed putting this one together for anyone who’s interested.

FYI: I’m not a yoga teacher, this is for fun, please practice safely.  

• Mountain

• Forward Fold

• Plank

• Upward Dog

• Downward Dog

• Warrior 2

• Reverse Warrior

• Crescent pose

• Mountain

(seven rounds, three breaths per pose)

Developing Penelope and Alexis was night and day by way of process, but I love them both like crazy. They’ve really pushed me as a writer and have helped me through the last few years of anxiety and growth.

I hope you love them as much as I do!

Alexis Donato started as a dream.

Before I had Penelope, I had Alexis. Penelope made me work to see her character and her motivations clearly, Alexis was a god damn freight train of ‘Here I am. Try to understand me at your peril. No, I’m not changing because you want me gentler, or easier, or less complicated.’ Alexis turned up in a dream, in fact a bunch of dreams. And yes, I know how lame this sounds, and yes, just because I had a cool dream doesn’t mean it makes a cool story. Dreams can be pretty bullshit but bullshit fertilises.

Dream 1, came about as all of the Atlantis and research primordial ooze was percolating in my brain. In the dream I knew I was someone else. I wasn’t *me* but I was in Venice at night and someone stepped from the shadows and stabbed me as I was admiring the view from a bridge. I toppled into a canal and when I came to, I was in a stranger’s house and that stranger was Alexis, who told me he was a magician from Atlantis. For those who’ve read The Immortal City this scene may seem familiar although not in this form. It’s because I couldn’t leave this moment out of it. Alexis had arrived and I woke up thinking I really shouldn’t eat so much before bed, but this character refused to go away. The following week I had about three different dreams including having coffee with him in the San Marco piazza. The bastard wouldn’t leave me alone and I knew in my bones I had one of my main characters. The weird thing was, once I had Alexis, every bit of random research I had scattered through notebooks all clicked into place. He was the keystone, the spider in the web, and the plot connected in the most surprisingly creepy way. Writing this series has been like that from day 1 and even now I’m in my third book things keep connecting randomly.

Alexis is a great character and one of the most fun I’ve ever gotten to write. I love writing about magicians and magic in general, so building the myth of Atlantis up around Alexis and the other magicians was such a blast. His duty has been to protect the other magicians and prevent mankind from learning the truth about Atlantis, so you can imagine him butting heads with Penelope who’s determined to discover the truth. He’s a general, a big brother, a son and he does his best to keep the other magicians in line. I really loved being able to use him as my storyteller, and crafting mini stories and memories was a way I could go to Atlantis without losing the book completely to full fantasy territory. Alexis has lived a LONG time, and there’s so much room as a writer to play with and use to develop layers and motivations.

I recently saw a reviewer describe Alexis as ‘part romance, part violence’ and its pretty spot on. He’s a scholar and a warrior. He doesn’t always play well with others but he’s loyal and fierce and damn charming when he wants to be. I’m shamelessly in love with Alexis. I’ve also created him a yoga flow because the poor guy has a lot on his hands.

Alexis’s ‘I’m Trying Not to Murder These Magicians’ Yoga Flow

• Mountain

• Forward Fold

• Plank

• Upward Dog

• Downward Dog

• Warrior 2

• Reverse Warrior

• Crescent pose

• Mountain

(seven rounds, three breaths per pose)

Developing Penelope and Alexis was night and day by way of process, but I love them both like crazy. They’ve really pushed me as a writer and have helped me through the last few years of anxiety and growth.

I hope you love them as much as I do

About the author:

Amy Kuivalainen is a Finnish-Australian writer who is obsessed with magical wardrobes, doors, auroras and burial mounds that might offer her a way into another realm. Until that happens, she plans to write about monsters, magic, mythology and fairy tales because that’s the next best thing. Amy is the author of The Magicians of Venice series, The Firebird Fairytales Trilogy and The Blood Lake Chronicles series that mash up traditional tales and mythology in new and interesting ways.

About The Immortal City

Dr. Penelope Bryne is ridiculed by the academic community for her quest to find the remnants of Atlantis, but when an ancient and mysterious script is found at a murder site, she flies to Venice determined to help the police before the killer strikes again.

Read an excerpt of The Immortal City

https://issuu.com/bhcpress/docs/immortal_city_a_kuivalainen

Praise for The Immortal City

“Fans of fantasy, murder mysteries, and romance will admire Kuivalainen’s skill…” —Publishers Weekly

“Magic. Mystery. The Lost City of Atlantis. What more could you want? Amy Kuivalainen has truly impressed me with the amount of research that went into this book. Her approach to explaining the theory of Atlantis is unique and captivating.” —The Book Lyst

“…a rapid-paced, suspenseful, gripping, well-written and perfectly executed fictional fantasy/ thrilling murder mystery.” —LuluinHollywood.com

“…an exciting and page turning novel which draws from many influences to create a new take on the Legend of Atlantis.” —Crime Classics

“…combines both present day Venice and the myth of Atlantis flawlessly. Full of mystery, danger, intrigue, magic, and romance… I anxiously await the next installment.” —Just Jaime’s Reviews

“I loved this new take on the lost city [of Atlantis]. The addition of magicians was brilliant. The heroine was smart and strong…the book was filled with magic and took a legend and [turned it on its head] in a wonderful way.” —The Book Dragon

“…diligently brings the real world into fantasy, in a breath-taking way.”  —Radzy Writes and Reviews

What’s next in The Magicians of Venice series

The thrilling story of Penelope and Alex continues in Sea of the Dead, book two of The Magicians of Venice series, available fall 2020 from BHC Press.

For more information on The Immortal City, including where to purchase and a free digital promo pack with posters, visit her publisher’s website.

WindBorn

Mary Fan

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It’s cover reveal day for Windborn (Fated Stars, #1) by Mary Fan! This sweeping YA fantasy will be released on February 11, 2020 by Snowy Wings Publishing. An epic adventure across an enchanted fantasyland, this story follows air nymph Kiri on her desperate journey to escape from dark magicians. The cover painting was done by Anne Drury, with titles by Story Wrappers.

And here is the full wrap for the hardcover:

DESCRIPTION

The Age of Fire is coming. It’s written in the stars.

Trapped by dark magicians, the air nymph Kiri is running out of time. Like the rest of her kind, she’s bound to her homeland, and if she doesn’t return in seven days, she’ll die. Her only hope is in the magicians’ young apprentice, Darien, whose fierce gaze belies a kind heart. Despite her warnings, he helps her escape, and Kiri soon finds herself fleeing from relentless pursuers who will stop at nothing to recapture her and kill the boy who dared defy them.

With the magicians hot on their trail, Kiri and Darien embark on a treacherous journey through dangerous lands. But she soon learns that there’s more at stake than her own life. An ancient evil is stirring, one foretold to consume the world with fire. And Darien is at the center of it—though how, she doesn’t know.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking on her life, and unless she can make it back to her land, she won’t live long enough to unravel the dark puzzles surrounding the intriguing, secretive young man—or stop the monstrous force bent on destroying everything.Add it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36668159-windbornABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Fan is a YA and sci-fi/fantasy author based in New Jersey. Her books include Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon (YA steampunk fantasy, Page Street Publishing), the Starswept trilogy (YA sci-fi, Snowy Wings Publishing), the Flynn Nightsider series (YA dark fantasy, Crazy 8 Press), and the Jane Colt trilogy (a space adventure series from Red Adept Publishing comprising Artificial Absolutes, Synthetic Illusions, and Virtual Shadows). In addition, she is the co-editor of the Brave New Girls YA sci-fi anthologies about girls in STEM, which aim to encourage girls to explore STEM fields and raise money for the Society of Women Engineers scholarship fund.

When she’s not writing, she can usually be found at choir rehearsal, at the kickboxing gym, or falling off a flying trapeze.

Website: www.MaryFan.com
Facebook: facebook.com/mfanwriter
Twitter: @astralcolt
Instagram: @astralcolt

Relic

The Relic Trilogy

Book 1

Title: Relic

Author: Bronwyn Eley

Publisher: Talem Press

Publication date: 12 September 2019

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:  Book Depository | Amazon

In the city of Edriast, there is no deadlier duty than to serve as the Shadow.

As the personal servant of the powerful Lord Rennard, the Shadow’s life is all but forfeit. Rennard possesses one of five rare and dangerous Relics – a jewel that protects his bloodline, but slowly poisons everyone else in its proximity. When the current Shadow succumbs to its magic, nineteen-year-old blacksmith Kaylan is summoned to take his place.

It’s an appointment that will kill her.

As the time Kaylan has left ebbs away, hope begins to fade… That is, until she discovers a plot to destroy all five bloodlines in possession of the Relics.

A rebel force plans to put an end to Rennard’s rule and Kaylan suddenly finds herself embroiled in a cause that might just be worth fighting for. But no cause is without its costs…

As her life hangs in the balance and rebellion bears down on Edriast, Kaylan must decide where her loyalties lie – and how she’ll leave her mark on the world.

Relic is the absorbing first novel in The Relic Trilogy, a thrillingly dark YA

Thank you Caffeine Book Tours and Talem Press for a review copy in exchange for my honest review and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour

In the city of Edriast, there is no deadlier duty than to serve as the Shadow.

As the personal servant of the powerful Lord Rennard, the Shadow’s life is all but forfeit. Rennard possesses one of five rare and dangerous Relics – a jewel that protects his bloodline, but slowly poisons everyone else in its proximity. When the current Shadow succumbs to its magic, nineteen-year-old blacksmith Kaylan is summoned to take his place.

It’s an appointment that will kill her.

As the time Kaylan has left ebbs away, hope begins to fade… That is, until she discovers a plot to destroy all five bloodlines in possession of the Relics.A rebel force plans to put an end to Rennard’s rule and Kaylan suddenly finds herself embroiled in a cause that might just be worth fighting for. But no cause is without its costs…As her life hangs in the balance and rebellion bears down on Edriast, Kaylan must decide where her loyalties lie – and how she’ll leave her mark on the world. I loved the overall premise of the novel, and the quick pace it kept me engaged. I absolutely enjoyed every page of wonderful book. I have a feeling that it’s definitely going to make impression on fans of Ya and Ya Fantasy.

Bronwyn Eley, debut Ya Fantasy is going to blow you away.

This imaginative fast action incredible storyline is a must read for Fantasy and Ya Fantasy readers.

Relic is the absorbing first novel in The Relic Trilogy, a thrillingly dark YA fantasy series. I am impatiently waiting for the next installment.

Bronwyn joined the military right out of high school, where she learnt (among other things) to disassemble and reassemble a rifle blindfolded. After that, she spent a lot of her time travelling around the world. Her favourite places (so far) are Scotland, Mongolia, Iceland, and Ireland.

Bronwyn finally found her natural habitat when she landed her first job in the publishing industry. While she has always been a writer, it was only when surrounding herself with books that she realised her life’s dream was to become an author. Relic is her first novel.

Bronwyn lives in Sydney and spends her time eating chocolate, reading and practicing her martial arts.

Bronwyn lives in Sydney and spends her time eating chocolate, reading and practicing her martial arts.

Author website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Follow the Blog tour and Join the Twitter Chat!

Blog tour Schedule: https://shutupshealea.com/2019/09/16/relic-tour

Six Goodbyes We Never Said

SIX GOODBYES WE NEVER SAID

by Candace Ganger

on sale September 24, 2019

I want thank the publisher reaching out to me for this incredible book tour.

Thank you so much for opportunity

Title: Six Goodbyes We Never Said
Author: Candace Ganger
Release Date: September 24, 2019
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 320

Goodreads

@candylandgang @WednesdayBooks

Two teens meet after tragedy and learn about love, loss, and letting go

Naima Rodriguez doesn’t want your patronizing sympathy as she grieves her father, her hero—a fallen Marine. She’ll hate you forever if you ask her to open up and remember him “as he was,” though that’s all her loving family wants her to do in order to manage her complex OCD and GAD. She’d rather everyone back the-eff off while she separates her Lucky Charms marshmallows into six, always six, Ziploc bags, while she avoids friends and people and living the life her father so desperately wanted for her. 

Dew respectfully requests a little more time to process the sudden loss of his parents. It’s causing an avalanche of secret anxieties, so he counts on his trusty voice recorder to convey the things he can’t otherwise say aloud. He could really use a friend to navigate a life swimming with pain and loss and all the lovely moments in between. And then he meets Naima and everything’s changed—just not in the way he, or she, expects. 

Candace Ganger’s Six Goodbyes We Never Said is no love story. If you ask Naima, it’s not even a like story. But it is a story about love and fear and how sometimes you need a little help to be brave enough to say goodbye.

“Naima is diagnosed by the author with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, while Dew is diagnosed with social anxiety. These issues are explored with humanizing examples that invite empathy. Sure to be reassuring to those working their way through grief.”

– Publishers Weekly on Six Goodbyes We Never Said

“Candace Ganger weaves a beautiful story of loss, grief and the struggle to move on in Six Goodbyes We Never Said. One of the realest voices of our generation, Ganger infuses this story with relatable, flawed teens who must learn how to cope in this world or be lost forever. I laughed and cried while reading and this book will stick with me for ages.”

– Jessica Burkhart, editor of Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles on Six Goodbyes We Never Said

“Smart, raw, often biting in its reflections of the haves and have-nots, this debut will appeal to fans of John Green’s An Abundance of Katherines…You’ll find yourself not only wanting to (re)study chemistry but learning what you get in life isn’t always what you deserve—sometimes it’s more. [A] must-have for every shelf.”

—Patty Blount, award-winning author of Some Boys

“A stunning and brilliantly crafted debut that peels back layers to the raw and the real. Birdie + Bash = 2 characters impossible not to fall in love with.”

—K.M. Walton, author of Empty and Cracked

“THE INEVITABLE COLLISION OF BIRDIE & BASH is part love story, part page-turner, and part intricate character study. Ganger writes her characters with great care, and the beautifully structured story is filled with giant truths and tiny, perfect details. Falling for this book was quick, thrilling and, yes, inevitable.”

―Corey Ann Haydu, author of OCD Love Story and The Careful Undressing of Love

“Smart, emotionally rich, and beautifully written, THE INEVITABLE COLLISION OF BIRDIE & BASH is an unforgettable, heartfelt novel―realistic YA at its best.”

―Jamie Kain, author of Instructions for the End of the World and The Good Sister

Content Warnings: mental illness, suicide attempt, self-harm, death of parents

Chase light like a firefly in darkness.”

That’s the thing about absence – it sinks into your skin, clinging to the bone until it’s so much a part of you, you can no longer tell where it ends and you begin.”

I want thank St. Martin’s Publishing Group an imprint Wednesday Books, for reaching out to me for this Book Tour.

This book was received from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Candace Ganger’s Six Goodbyes We Never Said, is a profoundly emotional story touches on some deep and critical topics.

The novel is raw, heartbreaking with creative spot on dialogue about two flawed teens struggling under the weight of tragedy and lose, while coping with some serious issues. This a powerful unflinching in your face moving testament of connecting with others, and ultimately finding forgiveness. The authors writing captivated me in this exceptional touching heart wrenching story. With just enough humor to keep glued to the pages.

Candace Ganger, uses blunt humor in thought provoking book. Some of the best parts of this wonderful read are in the small moments in this unconventional storyline. On thing that really stood out for me was how the author included therapy as a positive tool in this novel.

The author carefully alternates the dual protagonists points of view. The writing style reveals the way Naima navigates through her OCD, anxiety and depression, and PTSD, and Dew handles his social anxiety while struggling within their grief, loneliness, and sorrow

Namia -has OCD GAD and is suffering the loss of her father.
Dew -has PTSD and is suffering the loss of both of his parents.
This book takes a look at how differently we deal with grief and mental illnesses. 
Dew Desperately trying to reach out to his neighbor Namia. While Namia struggles with letting down her guard.

This well written contemporary story will touch your heart in so many ways. 

This is a novel I won’t forget this.

 #OwnVoices mental health

About the Author:

Candace Ganger is the author of Six Goodbyes We Never Said and The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash as well as a contributing writer for HelloGiggles and obsessive marathoner. Aside from having past lives as a singer, nanotechnology website editor, and world’s worst vacuum sales rep, she’s also ghostwritten hundreds of projects for companies, best-selling fiction and award-winning nonfiction authors alike. She lives in Ohio with her family.

Twitter: @candylandgang + @WednesdayBooks

Link to retailers: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250116246

Julian Fox The Dream Guardian

Continue reading “Book Tour” →

Watch the official trailer for The Harp of Kings

To celebrate the release of Juliet Marillier’s anticipated new novel, The Harp of Kings, here’s the official book trailer!

Tags: Book trailer, Fan Art, Fan Trailer, Fantasy, Fantasy novel, Juliet Marillier, Official, The Harp of Kings, Video, Watch

This book was received from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

The Harp of Kings

The Harp of Kings was one of my most anticipated reads of the year for me.

Juliet Marillier’s new novel The Harp of Kings marks the promising beginning to an entirely new series focused on warrior bards in an ancient Ireland. Though some of the main characters have ties to her previous Blackthorn & Grim series.

This work is first installment in a new Warrior Bard Series

Juliet Marillier’s writing style grips you from the start with a mixture of magical Celtic atmosphere, gripping storyline, slow-burning romance.

A young woman is both a bard–and a warrior–in this thrilling historical fantasy

Eighteen-year-old Liobhan is a powerful singer and an expert whistle player. Her brother has a voice to melt the hardest heart, and a rare talent on the harp.

18-year-old girl Liobhan who is attending Swan Island to learn how to fight and spy. Swan Island is an organization of warriors for hire. Liobhan hopes to join their ranks if she can prove her skills exceptional. Her training gets interrupted when she is asked to go on a mission to locate a missing item. This is a trial and Liobhan along with her comrades must prove to the Swan Island Elders they have what it takes to get the job done. Liobhan ends up uncovering many truths in her journey along with the fact the Otherworld

The books intriguing storyline with characters that are complex and intriguing,

Strong fearless women are again at the forefront – with Liobhan just as kick-ass And definitely holds her own.

#JulietMarillier, #Fantasy, # #PanMacmillan #gwendalyns_books_

Juliet Marillier’s new book, The Harp of Kings is superb Celtic fantasy blended with sweeping historical magical realism. The book is Captivating with rich gorgeous writing.

Her book are so enjoyable they have become rereads for me.

Juliet Marillier was born July 27, 1948 in Dunedin, New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Juliet was educated at the University of Otago, where she majored in music and languages, graduating BA and a B Mus (Hons). Her lifelong interest in history, folklore and mythology has had a major influence on her writing.

Juliet is the author of seventeen historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet’s novels and short stories have won many awards.

Juliet lives in a 110 year old cottage in a riverside suburb of Perth, Western Australia. She shares her home with a small pack of waifs and strays – she is a foster carer for an animal rescue group. She has four adult children and seven grandchildren. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)