Day: November 19, 2019

Hello Bookish Friends

Today I’m really excited to be taking part in the Book Tour of, The LordsOf Wind
by, C.J. Adrien, which is being hosted by HFBT

The Lords of the Wind
by C.J. Adrien

Publication Date: July 3, 2019
Runestone Books
eBook & Paperback; 339 Pages

Series: The Saga of Hasting the Avenger, Book One
Genre: Historical Fiction

#TheLordsoftheWind #CJAdrien #HFVBTBlogTours

 

 

For indeed the Frankish nation, which was crushed by the avenger Hasting, was full of filthy uncleanness. Treasonous and oath-breaking, they were deservedly condemned; unbelievers and faithless, they were justly punished.

Orphaned as a child by a blood-feud, and sold as a slave to an exiled chieftain in Ireland, the boy Hasting had little hope of surviving to adulthood. The gods had other plans. A ship arrived at his master’s longphort carrying a man who would alter the course of his destiny, and take him under his wing to teach him the ways of the Vikings. His is a story of a boy who was a slave, who became a warlord, and who helped topple an empire.

A supposed son of Ragnar Lodbrok, and referred to in the Gesta Normanorum as the Scourge of the Somme and Loire, his life exemplified the qualities of the ideal Viking. Join author and historian C.J. Adrien on an adventure that explores the coming of age of the Viking Hasting, his first love, his first great trials, and his first betrayal.

Available on Amazon

 

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

A name is given, a reputation is earned

The Lords of the Wind, by C.J. Adrien, is the first installment in The Saga of Hasting the Avenger series. An enthralling Viking historical fiction that takes the reader on a thriller adventure, from Ireland to the great northern freezing, unforgiving land of the Fjords.

The author C.J. Adrien, newest stunning epic novel, catapults the reader in this compelling first person narration, of Hastings The Wolf, Son of the danish chieftain Ranger. Hastings is sold into slavery and sent to Ireland. to a loathsome man named Hagar. After his father is slain for his coveted wealth and lands.

As young boy he neglected and beaten, surviving under harsh circumstances. When In a series of events, leads Hastings to be purchased by visiting Viking Eilif. He is given his freedom and is recruited as a ship’s boy on Eilif Ship. While onboard he learns all aspects of what it means to sail a Viking ship. In an almost near death drowning, Hastings has a profound vision of a mythical god.

From this point on book takes the reader on a harrowing, dramatic journey. From the protagonist enslavement to his seafaring days as a captain of his own ship. Impeccable historical research, along with rich atmospheric world building, makes this book standout from other Viking inspired books I have read in the past.

The authors vast expert knowledge and fleshed out details, allows you to be fully immersed into Adriens Viking world. Adrien’s, intricately plots a character driven adventure, with vibrant characters, with an interesting storyline. This brilliantly executed book, inspired by the authors creative imagination, along with historical facts, makes for an riveting, nonstop read.

The Lords of Wind, will draw you in and keep you turning the page for more. It’s the perfect sort of diverse escapist fiction we all need. A chance to get away from all the stresses of the real world. I loved the overall premise of the novel, and the quick pace kept me engaged. The storyline and the authors stellar narration carries the reader along; therefore, it’s like living through the eyes of the lead protagonist, Hastings.

The Lords Of The Wind, is a brilliant, harrowing tale, that makes for a gripping and wonderful read, and if you love anything that is Viking, then I definitely recommend you read this one!

Don’t forget to enter the Giveaway at the end!

About the Author

C.J. Adrien is a French-American author of Viking historical fiction with a passion for Viking history. His Kindred of the Sea series was inspired by research conducted in preparation for a doctoral program in early medieval history as well as his admiration for historical fiction writers such as Bernard Cornwell and Ken Follett.

C.J. Adrien’s novels and expertise have earned him invitations to speak at several international events, including the International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds.

For more information, please visit C.J. Adrien’s website and blog. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, November 18
Review at Al-Alhambra Book Reviews

Tuesday, November 19
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Wednesday, November 20
Review at @ya.its.lit

Thursday, November 21
Feature at The Book Junkie Reads

Monday, November 25
Interview at The Writing Desk

Tuesday, November 26
Review at Coffee and Ink

Wednesday, November 27
Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Friday, November 29
Feature at Let Them Read Books

Monday, December 2
Review at Hoover Book Reviews

Tuesday, December 3
Feature at Just One More Chapter

Thursday, December 5
Interview at Jathan & Heather

Friday, December 6
Review at RokinRev

Monday, December 9
Review at Books and Zebras

Thursday, December 12
Review at WTF Are You Reading?

Friday, December 13
Review at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a copy of The Lords of the Wind! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on December 13th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Paperback giveaway is open to US residents 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 Lords of the Wind
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Congratulations to Candace Robinson on the release of this beauty! Veiled by Desire is the second installment of the Laith series and will be available on November 19th!

Read on for an exclusive excerpt and a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card, AND a digital copy of book #1, Clouded by Envy!

Veiled by Desire: A Laith Novel

Publication Date: November 19, 2019

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: The Parliament House Press

In Laith, when the moons are high, Tavarra is allowed to walk the land as a human for one day, losing her seahorse-like tail. But should she remain out of the water, a curse will overtake her, turning her into a beast with sharp fangs and long claws. A beast that, on some nights, takes the shape of a rampaging, uncontrollable monster.

Rhona, along with her village, are under a sinister leader’s control. Their leader has taken Rhona from the boy she loves, stripped away her abilities and, under the threat of killing everyone she loves, forces her on a dangerous task to retrieve a dark prism that will increase his already massive powers.

When Tavarra and Rhona cross paths, they discover they need each other. Rhona knows how to help the cursed sea creature, while Tavarra knows where to find the dark prism. They embark on a mission that could help them break Tavarra’s spell and save Rhona’s family and village. But with an untamable beast inside Tavarra, nothing is certain..

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In Laith, when the moons are high, Tavarra is allowed to walk the land as a human for one day, losing her seahorse-like tail. But should she remain out of the water, a curse will overtake her, turning her into a beast with. A creature that, on some nights, takes the shape of a rampaging, uncontrollable monster.

Rhona, along with her village, is under a sinister leader’s control. He took Rhona from the boy she loves, stripped away her abilities, and forces her on a dangerous task to retrieve a dark prism that will increase his already massive powers.

When Tavarra and Rhona cross paths, they discover they need each other. Rhona knows how to help the cursed sea creature, Tavarra knows where to find the dark prism. They embark on a mission that could help them break Tavarra’s spell and save Rhona’s family and village. But with an untamable beast inside Tavarra, nothing is certain…

After reading “Clouded by Envy,” I have impatiently to get back into the magical world of Laith. Once again the author pulls you in to her fascinating, solid epic fantasy. There a lot of familiar magical items and creatures, along with the mythology of Luca, jovkins, bats, and the Stone of Desire.

Veiled by Desire,is a stunning book in this series, the author engages the reader with a whole new depth to Laith. This wonderful wonderful fantasy is incredible, with stellar world building. The characters are compelling and fleshing out.

They compliment this fantasy world in a way that drew me right in the beginning, and kept me reading all the way through to the end.

The prose and writing flows and the chapters are told in alternating points of view and there are many places where the past is explained through past-present meticulous transitions.

This riveting storyline had me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole novel and the relationships and the friendships in this story are beautiful depicted.

Engaging, strong female led characters makes this one of my favorite books this year.

I love love fantasy books, and this book is exceptional, and has exceeded my expectations for a second book in a series. It can be standalone novel all by itself, but since I really enjoyed the first book, I would definitely recommend reading the first book book in the Laith series. Veiled By Desire is a companion book to Clouded by Envy.

I would definitely recommend this to my family and friends !

Quil picked up the instrument from the top of his pack and played a new melody that made her body want to dance, her soul to fly, and her heart to beat with the rhythm. Rhona wished she could stay here, live beside the river, and dance to his music all day, every day. But that could never happen.”

Excerpt

Seven years of this. Tavarra closed her eyes and gripped the chains around the tree that bound her wrists together. She howled with urgency, screamed, and bared her fangs. As she stared up at the twin moons in the darkening sky, she knew her fate was coming. A fire spread throughout her entire body with a wicked touch, and she shook violently.

“The chains will hold this time,” her friend Eza said, landing on Tavarra’s shoulder. If Tavarra killed the pesky bat, there would be nothing, no one, and she had grown to love Eza after all these years.

“Get out of here, Eza! Now!” Tavarra screamed.

“I’ll be right here,” the bat murmured and flew up into the tree above. Eza looked incredibly similar to a fairy except for the thin blackened wings, fangs, and sharper-pointed ears. She was a little taller than the size of Tavarra’s hand from wrist to the tip of the claw on her middle finger.

Tavarra was trying to fight the change. She would win this time. As she breathed in the scents of Laith, Tavarra knew it was a lie, and indeed, she knew she’d failed when her skin began to stretch. She could feel her face taking on a new shape, and that was when the terror came because the night would be unknown to her. That was what haunted her the most. Tavarra held back the tears, unwilling to break, unwilling to bend and show weakness.

All that remained in her soul, heart, and existence, was hunger. She yearned and thirsted for blood, meat, and bones.

Amazon | B & N | Kobo | iBooks

Clouded by Envy (Laith #1)

Brenik has always been envious of his twin sister, Bray. Growing up as fairy-like creatures, known as bats, everything came easier to Bray. While Brenik spent his time in her shadows, never feeling he was enough. After escaping their world of Laith, and living on Earth for ten years, Brenik attempts to strike a deal with the Stone of Desire to become human. Though true humanity is not an option, he will accept the curse that will alter him to get as close as he can.

Living in a tree trunk for the past year hasn’t been easy for Bray, more so after her brother disappears again. When a human boy and his brother, Wes, find her, a new friendship is struck. Through Wes, Bray learns there can be more to life than waiting within a tree. But worrying over where Brenik has vanished to always remains in the back of her mind.

When Bray reunites with Brenik, she realizes she must help him break the curse after she discovers the need for blood is beginning to overpower him. The curse not only damages those who get close to Brenik, but it could also destroy whatever is blooming between Bray and Wes.

Goodreads

Giveaway: Click the link below to enter for a chance to win a digital copy of book #1, Clouded by Envy, and a $10 Amazon gift card (North America Only)!

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About the Author

Candace Robinson spends her days consumed by words and hoping to one day find her own DeLorean time machine. Her life consists of avoiding migraines, admiring Bonsai trees, watching classic movies, and living with her husband and daughter in Texas—where it can be forty degrees one day and eighty the next.

Candace Robinson | Literary Dust | Twitter

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