September 20, 2022 – Gwendalyn’s Books

Hello Friends

I am so excited to share

A Kingdom of Flame and Fury with you all today!

Read my review and the exclusive excerpt and a chance to win a signed copy of the book!

A Kingdom of Flame and Fury (The Four Kingdoms #1)

Publication Date: May 26th, 2022

Genre: Dark Fantasy/ Dark Romance

At ten years old, Raven was mysteriously willed to be the next ruler of Seolia, a kingdom nestled within the realm of The Four Kingdoms. Orphaned as a baby, she has spent fifteen years ruling over a kingdom she believes she did not earn all while hiding secrets: she possesses dark magic and she thirsts for blood. Now at almost twenty-five years old and with a sudden addiction to stealing life, Raven must fight through her new procured darkness to save her soul, but when a mysterious stranger arrives in her kingdom, she starts experiencing vivid dreams that detail who she truly is. As she slowly starts to unravel her story, what she uncovers at the end of the spool will change the course of her life and her kingdom forever.

A Kingdom of Flame and Fury is book one in a steamy and thrilling new fantasy series: The Four Kingdoms

This is book one of an epic dark fantasy adventure series and contains scenes of graphic and mature content. Reader discretion is advised.

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Excerpt

I was quiet for a while. Five drinks in and the thick liquid was replacing my blood. “I think I’m in love.” My words were slurred as they tumbled out. “She has purple hair.” Her hair was black, but I saw it when it was purple, and it looked so real.

Arthur chuckled as he cleaned out a glass left by another patron.

“Are soul mates real?” I had never believed in them, having spent at least fifteen years fucking my way through the female population of three of the four kingdoms. Nothing I felt ever resembled love. Or like. More like tolerance.

“Soul mates and twin flames are rare, and they’re both destined to be together.” He leaned his forearms down against the bar top and looked at me. “I think my wife was mine. I never looked at another woman like I saw her. It was something else.”

“What’s the difference between soul mates and twin flames?”

Arthur smiled at me, probably because he couldn’t understand what I said as I tipped back my sixth glass of rum. “Soul mates can be anyone. A friend, a lover, someone you met briefly.”

Raven wasn’t anyone.

“Twin flames are two halves of one soul. There’s an intense connection that can’t be replicated. There’s pain associated with flames, both people mirroring one another. When you find your twin, you can’t be apart from them without going a little mad.”

Mad, as in getting drunk in a pub mid-afternoon because I couldn’t be with her? If so, I was mad.

“How do you know so much about them?” He didn’t seem like the type who would believe in things like this. I didn’t think I could ever be one, either. Yet, here I was, getting wasted in a pub because I was wholly convinced that purple-haired demon was meant to be in my life.

“My wife did,” he answered. “She read often. A lot about how magic used to live in our realm. Mates and flames are a rarity, and they used to be treasured. When they existed, there would be celebrations for days. At least, that’s what her books used to tell her. I haven’t met any, nor have there been any pairings in a very long time. It always intrigued her, so she’d sit on one of these stools every night and tell me about them, or anything else she read.” There was a sadness in his voice as he recalled time spent with his wife, whom I assumed he lost. “Do you think your girl with purple hair may be one of those to you?”

I swished the rum around in my glass as I thought about his question through my unfocused mind, laden with alcohol. “Twin flame,” I said. “I think she’s my twin flame.”

And if they were such a rarity, I was determined to do nothing but treasure her.

Available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble

A Kingdom of Frost and Fear is Now Available for Pre-Order

Giveaway: Signed Copy of A Kingdom of Flame and Fury (US Only)

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REVIEW

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.

This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.

Quote: “Straighten your crown, dear girl. Face those who don’t believe in you with pride in who you are.”

A Kingdom of Flame and Fury, is book one of “ The Four Kingdoms “ by Whitney Dean. This is one book to check out if you enjoy steamy dark fantasy that features an intense love triangle and obsession. Political intrigue, shift-changing magical abilities, along with elemental magic. Told in dual prospectives, and morally grey characters that will have completely immersed. An addictive book with a stellar ending full of betrayal, and spice! 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Just Look at the brand new alternate cover for AKOFAF. Isn’t Gorgeous

I wanted to represent Raven on the cover being held up by puppet strings because her every move was being controlled by an outside force that she wasn’t aware of yet. The back of the dust jacket is Raven as one of her shifts, Blaze, and Zeke. Zeke always encouraged that fiery side of her while others in her life wanted her to shove it down. – Whitney Dean

It was designed by @Romannaboch on IG.

Links for purchase:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Kingdom-Flame-Fury/Whitney-Dean/9798986011837?id=8414148692373

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-kingdom-of-flame-and-fury-whitney-dean/1141458568?ean=9798986011837

About the Author

Whitney was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas and raised in Allen, Texas. She resides in a quaint little town in Arkansas with her husband and two children, along with her labradoodle, Simba.

Her love of reading came from the Harry Potter series when she was seven years old, and frequent trips to the most magical place on earth. Because of it, the fantasy realm has taken up residence in her brain for a very long time.

While her writings include real-life pain and angst, she is a fan of happily-ever-after’s and always strives to bring that forth in her stories.

Whitney Dean | Instagram | Facebook | Amazon

Book Tour Schedule

September 19^th

R&R Book Tours (Kick-Off) http://rrbooktours.com

Reads & Reels (Spotlight) http://readsandreels.com

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Balancing Books and Beauties – https://balancingbooksandbeauties.wordpress.com

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@margiebythebookcase (Review) https://www.instagram.com/margiebythebookcase/

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September 20^th

@its_b.e.l.l.e (Review) https://www.instagram.com/its_b.e.l.l.e/

Gwedalyn’s Books (Review) https://gwendalynbooks.wordpress.com/

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September 21^st

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Jessica Belmont (Review) https://jessicabelmont.com/

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Bunny’s Reviews (Review) https://bookwormbunnyreviews.blogspot.com/

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September 22^nd

Misty’s Book Space (Review) http://mistysbookspace.wordpress.com

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September 23^rd

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@what.kerry.reads (Review) https://www.instagram.com/what.kerry.reads/

Latisha’s Low-Key Life (Review) https://latishaslowkeylife.com/

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Book Tour Organized By:

Hello Gracious Readers,

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for

Millstone of Doubt by Erica Vetsch

• Title: Millstone of Doubt: Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries (Book 2)

• Series: Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries

• Author: Erica Vetsch

• Genre: Historical Mystery, Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction

• Publisher: ‎Kregel Publications (September 20, 2022)

• Length: (304) pages

• Format: Trade paperback & eBook

• ISBN: 978-0825447143

• Tour Dates: September 19 – October 3, 2022

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A Bow Street Runner and a debutante in London Society use their skills to find the killer of a wealthy businessman, but the killer’s secrets aren’t the only ones they will uncover.

Caught in the explosion of the Hammersmith Mill in London, Bow Street runner Daniel Swann rushes to help any survivors only to find the mill’s owner dead of an apparent gunshot–but no sign of the killer.

Even though the owner’s daughter, Agatha Montgomery, mourns his death, she may be the only one. It seems there are more than a few people with motive for murder. But Daniel can’t take this investigation slow and steady. Instead, he must dig through all the suspects as quickly as he can because the clock is ticking until his mysterious patronage–and his job as a runner–comes to an abrupt and painful end. It seems to Daniel that, like his earthly father, his heavenly Father has abandoned him.
Lady Juliette Thorndike is Agatha’s bosom friend and has the inside knowledge of the wealthy London ton to be invaluable to Daniel. She should be in a perfect position to help with the case. But when her trusted instructor in the art of spy craft orders her to stay out of the investigation, Lady Juliette obeys. That is, until circumstances intervene, and she drops right into the middle of the deadly pursuit.

When a dreadful accident ends in another death on the mill floor, Daniel discovers a connection to his murder case–and to his own secret past. Now he and Juliette are in a race to find the killer before his time runs out.

ADVANCE PRAISE

• “An artfully told story that will have you wondering at the outcome until the final pages are read.” —Ruth Logan Herne, USA Today best-selling author

• “…a fully satisfying mystery. I can’t wait to read the next one!” —Jocelyn Green, Christy Award–winning author of Drawn by the Current

• “I am sure fans of the first book in this series will revel in the deepening relationship between Daniel Swann and Juliette Thorndike.” —Alissa Baxter, author of The Viscount’s Lady Novelist

• “Millstone of Doubt captivated me from the first sentence and kept me guessing the entire novel…Erica Vetsch is the master of all things Regency.” —Lorri Dudley, author of The Duke’s Refuge

• “5 Stars. Millstone of Doubt is a compelling Regency mystery with plenty of romance. Michelle Griep fans (or any Regency fan in general) will love this novel.”— Jennifer Purcell, ChristianBooks.com

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

REVIEW

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.

Millstone of Doubt: Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries (Book 2)

By Erica Vetsch

Series: Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries

Pub Date: September 20, 2022

Publisher: ‎Kregel Publications

Genre: Historical Mystery, Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction

Millstone of Doubt by Erica Vetsch is the second installment in the Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries. Another curious mystery is afoot, one that Mr Daniel Swann and Lady Juliette Throndike find themselves thrown together again.

London 1816, Debutante, Lady Juliette Throndike first season out in London’s society and she has promised herself not to fall for any man. Juliette’s {Jules} parents along with her uncle Bertie work behind the scenes of society as agents to the crown. Since Juliette’s abduction last month her uncle has provided her with some necessary self defense instructions to better prepare herself as fledgling agent, and develop her skills in spy craft.

Mr Daniel Swann, a detective from the Bow Street Magistrate’s Court, twenty-fifth birthday is fast approaching. This would bring to end the support from his mysterious patron would end. He would no longer be obligated to cary out the multitude of tasks in exchange for financial support.

When a explosion of a flour mill and what looks like the murder of Juliette’s good friend Agatha’s father, Mr Garfield Montgomery. Garfield Montgomery who owns the flour Mill that was threatened and may be have targeted by the Rabble rousers who don’t use critical thinking, instead they use vengeance and violence as away of stating their viewpoints on industrial progress. Causing more harm and job loss to the workers and their families.

This book follows first book in the series The Debutante’s Code. Told in dual perspectives, this warmhearted regency romance, provides underlying meaningful messages to its readers. I enjoyed the light hearted romance and the way mystery unfolds. The characters are likable, and you will find yourself drawn into their lives.

AUTHOR BIO

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota.