Book Tours

Millstone of Doubt Blog Tour

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.

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.

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.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | BOOKBUB | INSTAGRAM GOODREADS | NEWSLETTER

Book Tours

A Kingdom of Flame and Fury Blog Tour

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!

AKingdomofFlameandFury copy

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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.

Add to Goodreads


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


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

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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

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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 19th

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@thenerdybookreview (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/thenerdybookreview

September 20th

@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/

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

@biblio.jojo (Review) https://www.instagram.com/biblio.jojo/

@stepintothepages (Review) www.instagram.com/stepintothepages

Liliyana Shadowlyn (Review) https://lshadowlynauthor.com/

@itsabookthing2021 (Review) https://www.instagram.com/itsabookthing2021/

See Sadie Read (Review) http://sadieforsythe.com/wp/

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

@amber.bunch_author (Review) https://www.instagram.com/amber.bunch_author/

I Love Books & Stuff (Spotlight) https://ilovebooksandstuffblog.wordpress.com

September 21st

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

September 22nd

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

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

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

Riss Reviews (Review) https://rissreviewsx.wixsite.com/website

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

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

@junk.journal.librarian (Review) https://www.instagram.com/junk.journal.librarian/

better_0ff_read (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/better_0ff_read/

Breakeven Books (Spotlight) https://breakevenbooks.com

Freelance Writer, Janny C (Spotlight) https://freelancewriterjannyc.com/

September 23rd

I Smell Sheep (Spotlight) http://www.ismellsheep.com/

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

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

Rambling Mads (Review) http://ramblingmads.com

@savs.books (Review) https://www.instagram.com/savs.books/

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

@_toris.thoughts_ (Review) https://www.instagram.com/_toris.thoughts_/

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

@dany.alvy (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/dany.alvy/

Sophril Reads (Spotlight) http://sophrilreads.wordpress.com

Book Tour Organized By:

R&R Button

Book Tours

Charlie Lavender and the Origin of Everything

Hello Friends Today I’m excited to participate in the Creative Blog Tour for

Charlie Lavender and the Origin of Everything by Carson Patrick Bowie hosted by MTMC Tours.

Charlie Lavender and the Origin of Everything
By Carson Patrick Bowie
Purchase a copy:
Amazon |
Add on Goodreads!

Book one in a YA Fantasy series

releasing on September 20th, 2022

from Lab Partners Publishing!


Title: Charlie Lavender and the Origin of Everything

Author: Carson Patrick Bowie

Series: Volume One: Orientation

Publisher: Lab Partners Publishing

Publication Date: September 20, 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult


SUMMARY

A bundle of awkwardness and social anxiety, Charlie Lavender isn’t sure about starting her freshman year in small-town Normal, Illinois. Little does she know her new best friend, a love triangle, and…a magical owl(?) are waiting for her in the Fall of 1993.

She definitely didn’t expect ominous priests, probable witches, and a secret, several-thousand-year-old war would also become part of everyday life.

Welcome to Normal, where nothing ever is.

As she and her newfound friends search for the truth about a world of magic just out of view, the real question is, can Charlie accept the last thing she ever expected to happen? For the first time ever, she’s fitting in.


REVIEW

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 & 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐁𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐁𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐞

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.

Thanks to the author @carson.patrick.bowie and @mtmctours for my incredible book box and gorgeous print Arc.

“𝙄𝙛 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙇𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙗𝙩𝙡𝙚.”

Charlie Lavender & the Origin of Everything by Carson Patrick Bowie, will delight readers everywhere. A witchy magical coming of age novel, that is not short of spectacular. Set in Norma Illinois, where everything is not. The author delivers a YA fantasy, with atmospheric 90s nostalgia. The smooth transitioning dual time frames, and lush magical realism adds to wonderful storyline. What really captured my heart and soul was the realistic characters, that I couldn’t help but fall in love.

I completely related to social anxiety and perils of high school that Charlie experiences, along with the love triangle. Some of the most key elements of the book is the importance of friendship and family. The air of secrecy of witches and a magical world, along with the science had me captivated. The writing was seamless and I am impatiently waiting for the next installment.

This is one author that you should take notice and follow.. simply an amazing book.!


Tour Schedule:

September 12
@paperfury – Bookstagram & Book Blog
@brittyoreads – Bookstagram

September 13
@library.of.becca – Bookstagram & Booktok
@annoying_sidekick_thoughts – Bookstagram

September 14
@thereaderandthechef – Bookstagram & Book Blog
@alessasbookshelf – Bookstagram

September 15
@pluvioreads – Bookstagram & Booktok
@bookworm_panda – Bookstagram

September 16
@gwendalyn_books_ – Bookstagram & Book Blog
@_bookishparadise_ – Bookstagram

September 17
@coffeebooksandmagic – Bookstagram & Booktok
@kathreadsya – Bookstagram

September 18
@fictionwithalice – Bookstagram & Booktok
@bibliophilesandcoffee – Bookstagram

September 19
@booktreasuresau – Bookstagram & Booktok
@thetalesofabooklover – Bookstagram

September 20
@intriguedonlybybooks – Bookstagram & Book Blog
@readreadnosleeprepeat – Bookstagram

September 21
@fannislibrary – Bookstagram & Booktok
@rebireads – Bookstagram

About Carson Patrick Bowie:


Carson currently resides in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada, along with his two teenage sons, and two rescued cats. He misses the Scholastic book fair and is passionate about great storytelling regardless of the medium. He’s a member of the LGBTQ+ community a disappointment to his father, and believes with all of his heart that representation for all communities is vital. Carson is reasonably fond of Dungeons & Dragons, unreasonably fond of Dan Levy, and he has, when left unattended, been known to use run-on sentences. He is also incredibly proud of both of his sons.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

Hosted by:

Book Tours

The Witch and the Tsar

Hello Readers

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for

The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
Historical Fantasy
09/20/2022 by Ace

Thanks to AceBooks / #BerkleyPartner @berkleypub @olesyaauthor for my copy

Summary:

In this stunning historical fantasy debut, an isolated witch will risk all that she has to save her country and her people from dangerous gods and the twisted hearts of men.
 
As a half goddess possessing magic, Yaga is used to living on her own, her prior entanglements with mortals having led to heartbreak. She mostly keeps to her hut in the woods, where those in need of healing seek her out, even as they spread rumors about her supposed cruelty and wicked spells. But when her old friend Anastasia—now the wife of the tsar, and suffering from a mysterious illness—arrives in her forest desperate for her protection, Yaga realizes the fate of all of Russia is tied to Anastasia’s. Yaga must step out of the shadows to protect the land she loves.
 
As she travels to Moscow, Yaga witnesses a sixteenth-century Russia on the brink of chaos. Tsar Ivan—soon to become Ivan the Terrible—grows more volatile and tyrannical by the day, and Yaga believes the tsaritsa is being poisoned by an unknown enemy. But what Yaga cannot know is that Ivan is being manipulated by powers far older and more fearsome than anyone can imagine.

Olesya Salnikova Gilmore weaves a rich tapestry of mythology and Russian history, reclaiming and reinventing the infamous Baba Yaga, and bringing to life a vibrant and tumultuous Russia, where old gods and new tyrants vie for power. This fierce and compelling novel draws from the timeless lore to create a heroine for the modern day, fighting to save her country and those she loves from oppression while also finding her true purpose as a goddess, a witch, and a woman.

Early Praise for The Witch and the Tsar:

“An utterly enchanting, wholly immersive debut that deftly reimagines the legend of Baba Yaga. This one is unmissable.”—Alexis Henderson, Author of The Year of the Witching 

“A rich and vivid tapestry of old Russia in an age when Tsar Ivan the Terrible grappled not only with political foes but with the legendary witch Baba Yaga and her command of magic and pagan gods. An evocative journey into old Russian myth and history, and a poignant exploration of what it means to be both human and immortal.”– Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of The Splendor Before the Dark

“Weaves myth and history into a poignant tale of love and war and gods in the flesh, with impeccable imagery and a heroine whose strength and courage stayed with me long after the final page. Fans of The Witch’s Heart, Circe and The Bear and the Nightingale are sure to fall in love with Gilmore’s compelling debut.” – H.M. Long, Author of Hall of Smoke


Hello friends let’s take a journey to long ago Mother Russia. A world of rich history, folklore and magic


Excerpt:

Leaving the guard to keep watch outside, I ushered the tsaritsa into the darkened innards of my hut. Little Hen was used to clients coming and going and usually behaved herself enough by staying low to the ground so as not to frighten anyone. I hastily lit a few stubby beeswax candles. The scent of burning honey filled the air as I turned back to my royal visitor, swallowing hard.

Her tears had dried, her dull brown eyes taking on a chillingly distant look. Where were the flecks of gold, the quick wit, the uncharacteristic warmth of someone of her social standing? Her vibrancy was gone. Her skirts rustled like dried-up leaves as she sank onto the stool I offered her with the tired, defeated air of one who wishes never to rise again.

A few wandering chickens clucked at my feet. Noch hooted from a shadowy corner. The tsaritsa probably found this-me-uncivilized, disgustingly rustic, even.

But she only said, “It has been months. The doctors do not know what it is. I do.” She struggled out of her cloak. “I am dying.”

The bell-sleeved, flower-patterned letnik gown dragged her down as if bloated with seawater. A little shiver darted up my spine, almost prompting me to ask the tsaritsa how many dresses she wore. For wealthy women, it was customarily a minimum of three. But it was clear it was not the dresses plaguing her.

There was sweat on her brow, a redness at her mouth and eyes, though her skin was missing the telltale blotches and swellings of pestilence. An internal imbalance was possible, but those were the hardest to heal. An illness of the mind or spirit? Stooping under the dry herbs and flowers hanging from the slanted ceiling, I crossed the room to an iron cauldron bubbling over a fire that never went out. Iron possessed mystical and protective powers.

“It has been some time since you visited me,” I said slowly, brushing aside a purple lavender blossom. “Thirteen years?”

“With the wedding, I . . .”

“I have heard weddings eat into time like moths. What about after? I tended to your family for years. To be forgotten so quickly by you and your mother was quite the revelation.” I bent over the cauldron and ladled out hot water into a bowl fashioned from bone. Steam billowed into my face as I flushed with resentment. Or maybe disappointment.

How would the great Earth Goddess Mokosh feel about such neglect? I thought about my beloved mother, the protector of women-of their work and destiny, the birth of their children. I glanced up at her symbol, the wooden horse’s head hanging above the cauldron.

We provide succor regardless of wounded pride, she had once told me. Pride is an illusion and the path to conceit. Gods may be guilty of it, Yaga, but not you.

But our gods, the ancient ones born of the Universe, had been worshipped then. While Mokosh had not spoken of it, tales say she helped to create the Earth with Perun, the Supreme God and Lord of the Heavens, and many other gods besides. Perun forged the sky with his thunderbolts; Mokosh gave birth to the land. Her spindle spun the cloth of humanity, thread by thread, woman by woman, life to death, generation after generation. She was Moist Earth, mother of all living things and my actual mother.

Eventually, mortals began to worship the Christian god. While some believed in the old gods as well as him, I doubted the tsaritsa was of their number, living as she did in the center of the Orthodox Christian faith in Russia. Yet before her ascent to the court, she had gladly partaken of what infuriatingly limited talents I had inherited from Mokosh.

“I made you a tsaritsa,” I said. “I provided your mother with the herbs and charms that got the court to take notice of a dead aristocrat’s daughter. Or have you forgotten?”

Excerpted from The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore Copyright © 2022 by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore. Excerpted by permission of Ace. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.


Buy Links:

Amazon * Apple * Goodreads

About the Author:

Olesya Salnikova Gilmore was born in Moscow, Russia, raised in the U.S., and graduated from Pepperdine University with a BA in English/political science, and from Northwestern School of Law with a JD. She practiced litigation at a large law firm for several years before pursuing her dream of becoming an author. She is most happy writing historical fiction and fantasy inspired by Eastern European folklore. She lives in a wooded, lakeside suburb of Chicago with her husband and daughter. The Witch and the Tsar is her debut novel. Learn more online at www.olesyagilmore.com
LINKS: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Book Tours

Hello There

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour

The Witches of Moonshyne Manor

Title: The Witches of Moonshyne Manor
Author: Bianca Marais
Genre: Fantasy, Contemporary
Publisher: MIRA
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc, Ebook
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Rating: ★★★★★

goodreads-badge-add-plus-71eae69ca0307d077df66a58ec068898

A coven of modern-day witches. A magical heist-gone-wrong. A looming threat.

Five octogenarian witches gather as an angry mob threatens to demolish Moonshyne Manor. All eyes turn to the witch in charge, Queenie, who confesses they’ve fallen far behind on their mortgage payments. Still, there’s hope, since the imminent return of Ruby—one of the sisterhood who’s been gone for thirty-three years—will surely be their salvation.

But the mob is only the start of their troubles. One man is hellbent on avenging his family for the theft of a legacy he claims was rightfully his. In an act of desperation, Queenie makes a bargain with an evil far more powerful than anything they’ve ever faced. Then things take a turn for the worse when Ruby’s homecoming reveals a seemingly insurmountable obstacle instead of the solution to all their problems.

The witches are determined to save their home and themselves, but their aging powers are no match for increasingly malicious threats. Thankfully, they get a bit of help from Persephone, a feisty TikToker eager to smash the patriarchy. As the deadline to save the manor approaches, fractures among the sisterhood are revealed, and long-held secrets are exposed, culminating in a fiery confrontation with their enemies.

Funny, tender and uplifting, the novel explores the formidable power that can be discovered in aging, found family and unlikely friendships. Marais’ clever prose offers as much laughter as insight, delving deeply into feminism, identity and power dynamics while stirring up intrigue and drama through secrets, lies and sex. Heartbreaking and heart-mending, it will make you grateful for the amazing women in your life.


BUY Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Moonshyne-Manor-witchy-rom-com/dp/0778386996/

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor-bianca-marais/1141674843?ean=9780778386995 

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/books/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor/9780778386995 

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780778386995 

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9780778386995 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor 

AppleBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor/id1609763913 

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Bianca_Marais_The_Witches_of_Moonshyne_Manor?id=WKteEAAAQBAJ 

Libro.FM: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781488215506-the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor 

Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor/9780778333920-item.html 

Target: https://www.target.com/p/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor-by-bianca-marais-paperback/-/A-85998293


REVIEW

Please excuse any grammatical errors, or typos. I have done my best, but in reality I am just reader, and will leave the writing to all the incredible authors out there.

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.

The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais is magical tale of found sisters.


“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”

Six octogenarian witches who make up a modern day coven. An impending threat to demolish their Moonshyne Manor, a magical heist that went haywire, along with Persephone, a feisty TikToker. makes for delightful fun book. These ride or die sisters, were so engaging and I loved everything about this book. The storyline was creative and the characters were so engaging and enjoyable. All around a great book, I am so happy to be adding this one to my favorite book list for 2022.

Thank you to @htpbooks and @biancamarais_author for the early review copy of this novel.


AUTHOR
About the Author:

Bianca Marais cohosts the popular podcast The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing, aimed at emerging writers. She was named the winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award for Creative Writing at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies in 2021. She is the author of two novels, Hum If You Don’t Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh, as well as the Audible Original The Prynne Viper. She lives in Toronto with her husband and fur babies.

Social Links:

Author website: https://www.biancamarais.com/ 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/biancam_author/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/


EXCERPT

1

Saturday, October 23rd

Morning

Half an hour before the alarm will be sounded for the first time in decades—drawing four frantic old women and a geriatric crow from all corners of the sprawling manor—Ursula is awoken by insistent knocking, like giant knuckles rapping against glass. It’s an ominous sign, to be sure. The first of many.

Trying to rid herself of the sticky cobwebs of sleep, Ursula throws back the covers, groaning as her joints loudly voice their displeasure. She’s slept in the buff, as is her usual habit, and as she pads across the room, she’s more naked than the day she was born (being, as she is, one of those rare babies who came into the world fully encased in a caul).

Upon reaching the window, the cause of the ruckus is immediately obvious to Ursula; one of the Angel Oak’s sturdy branches is thumping against her third-floor window. Strong winds whip through the tree, making it shimmy and shake, giving the impression that it’s espousing the old adage to dance like no one’s watching, a quality that rather has to be admired in a tree. Either that, or it’s trembling uncontrollably with fear.

The forest, encroaching at the garden’s boundary, looks disquieted. It hangs its head low, bowing to a master who’s ordered it to bend the knee. As the charcoal sky churns, not a bird to be seen, the trees in the wood whisper incessantly. Whether they’re secrets or warnings, Ursula can’t tell, which only unsettles her further.

That infernal billboard that the city recently erected across from the manor property—with its aggressive gigantic lettering shouting, ‘Critchley Hackle Mega Complex Coming Soon!’—snaps in the wind, issuing small cracks of thunder. A storm is on its way, that much is clear. You don’t need to have Ivy’s particular powers to know as much.

Turning her back on the ominous view, Ursula heads for the calendar to mark off another mostly sleepless night. It seems impossible that after so many of them—night upon night, strung up after each other seemingly endlessly—only two remain until Ruby’s return, upon which Ursula will discover her fate.

Either Ruby knows or she doesn’t.

And if she does know, there’s the chance that she’ll want nothing more to do with Ursula. The thought makes her breath hitch, the accompanying stab of pain almost too much to bear. The best she can hope for under the circumstances is that Ruby will forgive her, releasing Ursula from the invisible prison her guilt has sentenced her to.

Too preoccupied with thoughts of Ruby to remember to don her robe, Ursula takes a seat at her mahogany escritoire. She lights a cone of mugwort and sweet laurel incense, watching as the tendril of smoke unfurls, inscribing itself upon the air. Inhaling the sweet scent, she picks up a purple silk pouch and unties it, spilling the contents onto her palm.

The tarot cards are all frayed around the edges, worn down from countless hours spent jostling through Ursula’s hands. Despite their shabbiness, they crackle with electricity, sparks flying as she shuffles them. After cutting the deck in three, Ursula begins laying the cards down, one after the other, on top of the heptagram she carved into the writing desk’s surface almost eighty years ago.

The first card, placed in the center, is The Tower. Unfortunate souls tumble from the top of a fortress that’s been struck by lightning, flames engulfing it. Ursula experiences a jolt of alarm at the sight of it for The Tower has to signify the manor; and anything threatening their home, threatens them all.

The second card, placed above the first at the one o’clock position, can only represent Tabitha. It’s the Ten of Swords, depicting a person lying face down with ten swords buried in their back. The last time Ursula saw the card, she’d made a mental note to make an appointment with her acupuncturist, but now, following so soon after The Tower, it makes her shift nervously.

The third, fourth and fifth cards, placed at the three o’clock, four-thirty and six o’clock positions, depict a person (who must be Queenie) struggling under too heavy a load; a heart pierced by swords (signifying Ursula); and a horned beast towering above a man and woman who are shackled together (obviously Jezebel). Ursula whimpers to see so many dreaded cards clustered together.

Moving faster now, she lays out the sixth, seventh and eighth cards at the seven-thirty, nine and eleven o’ clock positions. Ursula gasps as she studies the man crying in his bed, nine swords hovering above him (which can only denote Ursula’s guilt as it pertains to Ruby); the armored skeleton on horseback (representing the town of Critchley Hackle); and the two bedraggled souls trudging barefoot through the snow (definitely Ivy). Taking in all eight sinister cards makes Ursula tremble much like the Angel Oak.

Based on the spread, Ursula absolutely should sound the alarm immediately, but she’s made mistakes in the past—lapses in judgment that resulted in terrible consequences—and so she wants to be a hundred percent certain first.

She shuffles the cards again, laying them down more deliberately this time, only to see the exact same shocking formation, the impending threat even more vivid than before. It couldn’t be any clearer if the Goddess herself had sent a homing pigeon with a memo bearing the message: Calamity is on its way! It’s knocking at the window, just waiting to be let in!

And yet, Ursula still doesn’t sound the alarm, because that’s what doubt does; it slips through the chinks in our defenses, eroding all sense of self until the only voice that should matter becomes the one that we don’t recognize anymore, the one we trust the least.

As a result of this estrangement from herself, Ursula has developed something of a compulsion, needing to triple check the signs before she calls attention to them, and so she stands and grabs her wand. She makes her way down the hallway past Ruby’s and Jezebel’s bedrooms at a bit of a clip before descending the west wing stairs.

It’s just before she reaches Ivy’s glass conservatory that Ursula breaks out into a panicked run.

Excerpted from The Witches of Moonshyne Manor @ 2022 by Bianca Marais, used with permission by MIRA Books.

Book Tours

The House With the Golden Door

Hello Friends welcome to my stop on the blog tour for

The House With the Golden Door By Elodie Harper

Title: The House With the Golden Door

Author: Elodie Harper

Release Date: September 6, 2022

Genre(s): Adult — Mythology

Buy Link: https://bookshop.org/a/11727/9781454946625




SYNOPSIS

The life of a courtesan in Pompeii is glamorous yet perilous . . .

Amara has escaped her life as a slave in the Wolf Den, the city’s most notorious brothel, but now her survival depends on the affections of her patron: a man she might not know as well as she once thought. At night, in the home he bought for her, the house with the golden door, Amara’s dreams are haunted by her past. She longs for her sisterhood of friends—the women at the brothel she was forced to leave behind—and worse, finds herself pursued by the cruel and vindictive man who once owned her. To be truly free, she will need to be as ruthless as he is. Amara knows her existence in Pompeii is subject to Venus, the goddess of love. Yet finding love may prove to be the most dangerous act of all.

REVIEW

The House With The Golden Door by Elodie Harper,

Thank you to @turnthepagetours and @elodielharper

The House with the Golden Door by Elodie Harper is just as captivating story as the The Wolf Den. Elodie Harper creates a world that is immersible, and harsh.
We follow a greek woman Amara, solid into slavery and living in a brothel as a prostitute, in Pompeii, known as the Lupanar or ‘Wolf Den.
Following the events of the end of Wolf Den, The House with the Golden Door is a continuation of Amara’s turbulent life. She has left the brothel and is walking a fine line of a courtesan.
Harper does a wonderful job in giving the reader class structure and traditions. Meticulously researched, you are easily catapulted into this world.

The characters grow and expand,I am excited to read what’s next from this author


Author Info
Elodie Harper is a journalist and prize-winning writer. She is currently a reporter and presenter at ITV News, and before that worked as a producer for Channel 4 News. Elodie studied Latin poetry both in the original and in translation as part of her English Literature degree at Oxford, instilling a lifelong interest in the ancient world. The Wolf Den, the first in a trilogy of novels about the lives of women in ancient Pompeii, was a number one London Times bestseller. Elodie lives in the UK. You can visit her at elodieharper.com and find her @ElodieLHarper.

Book Tours

The Portraitist: A Novel of Adelaide Labille-Guiard by Susanne Dunlap

Hello Gracious Readers

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for

The Portraitist: Adélaïe Labille-Guiard

By Susanne Dunlap

The Portraitist: A Novel of Adelaide Labille-Guiard by Susanne Dunlap
Buy The Portraitist
Publication Date: August 30, 2022
She Writes Press

Based on a true story, this is the tale of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard’s fight to take her rightful place in the competitive art world of eighteenth-century Paris.

With a beautiful rival who’s better connected and better trained than she is, Adélaïde faces an uphill battle. Her love affair with her young instructor in oil painting gives rise to suspicions that he touches up her work, and her decision to make much-needed money by executing erotic pastels threatens to create as many problems as it solves. Meanwhile, her rival goes from strength to strength, becoming Marie Antoinette’s official portraitist and gaining entrance to the elite Académie Royale at the same time as Adélaïde.

When at last Adélaïde earns her own royal appointment and receives a massive commission from a member of the royal family, the timing couldn’t be worse: it’s 1789, and with the fall of the Bastille her world is turned upside down by political chaos and revolution. With danger around every corner in her beloved Paris, she must find a way to adjust to the new order, carving out a life and a career all over again—and stay alive in the process.


Praise

“An imaginative work that brings the story of a little-known artist to vivid life.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Deeply researched and imagined, The Portraitist offers a fascinating and dramatic plunge into the world of a brilliant female artist, struggling to make her mark before and during the turbulent and treacherous era of the French Revolution. I loved this novel.” –Sandra Gulland, international bestselling author of The Josephine Trilogy

“Written with breathless drama, The Portraitist follows the rise of the gifted portraitist Adélaïde Labille-Guiard in Paris during the last years of the late eighteenth century. The novel is a luminous depiction of Paris and those terrible times seen through the astute, compassionate eyes of a woman who had to paint. Every bit of lace, or royal carriage or bloody cobblestone is alive in the writing. The rain drumming on the skylight and a misbuttoned coat speak. Go to those streets with this book in your hand to follow her footsteps and those long-gone turbulent times will come alive to you as if they were yesterday.” –Stephanie Cowell, award-winning author of Claude and Camille

“In The Portraitist, Susanne Dunlap skillfully paints a portrait of a woman struggling to make her way in a man’s world — a topic as relevant today as it was in Ancien Regime France. Impeccably researched, rich with period detail, Dunlap brings to life the little known true story of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, who fought her husband and society to make a name for herself as a painter to the royal family, the very apex of success– only to find everything she had built threatened by the Revolution. A stunning story of determination, talent, and reversals of fortune. As a lifelong Elisabeth Vigée-LeBrun fan, I am now questioning my allegiances!” –Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Country and Band of Sisters

“[The Portraitist is a] luminous novel of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, whose livelihood and longing for respect are threatened by the institutions that deny women artists their due, compounded by the tumultuous events of the French Revolution. Deftly written and impeccably researched. Highly recommended.” –Michelle Cameron, award-winning author of Beyond the Ghetto Gates


REVIEW

The Portraitist: Adélaïe Labille-Guiard

By Susanne Dunlap

Publisher ‏ : ‎ She Writes Press

Pub Date August 30, 2022

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 296 pages

⚜️‧͙⁺˚*・༓☾⚜️♥︎⚜️☽༓・*˚⁺‧͙⚜️

Susanne Dunlap, brings the 18th century France portraitist artist, Adélaïe Labille-Guiard, richly to life.

⚜️♥︎⚜️

Set pre-Revolutionary France, Dunlap’s newest historical fiction she tells the story of the artist Adélaïe Labille-Guiard, not as a victim, but as revolutionary. She becomes one of the earliest female members of the Royal Academy of France, and also the first first female artist to receive permission to set up a studio for her students at the Louvre. She was an advocate for women who desired to be artists, giving them instructions and a place to develop their craft.

Most professional women painters who were usually born into families of artists or artisans. Not so with our heroine, Labille-Guiard, who was born to a Parisian shopkeeper. Unlike her advisory Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, who was the daughter of a painter, and later Vigée on in life married Jean-Baptiste Pierre Le Brun, a connected art dealer. This allowed Vigée to rise swiftly and gain a foot hold in portrait paintings to the Royal Parisian Family. She became good friends with the Queen, and the official painter of Queen Marie Antoinette.

Adélaïe, Labille-Guiard goes against her father’s good judgment and marries Louis Nicolas Guiard. Immature and easily deceived, she realizes her husband Nicolas is not the man she thought he was. Instead of remaining she is granted legal separation from her husband, which at that time was hard to come by unless there was factual evidence. While separation was legal, divorce was out of the question.

Adélaïe life long dream is to be a sought after portraitist, already accomplished pastelist. She further her artist education by taking classes with the young François André Vincent at the Louvre. Determined to be recognized in her own right, she stays stead fast, and dedicates her life to her art.

The author uses historical facts along with meticulously research to bring Adélaïe, Labille-Guiard character vividly to life. Wonderful atmospheric details along with a character I thought that she was an extremely well-written. Dunlap seamless narration Adélaïe ‘s realistic, believable character jump off the page. She is compassionate and one that you can easily root for.

I enjoyed the realistic rivalry that may or may not have been created by male painters during this time. Both women use what they can to bring profits as they struggle to rise in a male dominated art world. The author’s carefully constructed storyline was everything I wished it to be, both enlightening and captivating from start to finish. The character development and complex relationships, and the setting and world building with its unique artistic details, making for a highly compulsive read.

⚜️♥︎⚜️

If you are not a fan of Susan Dunlap, this book will sure make you one!

I highly recommend this addictive book to my family and friends ⚜️


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.


⚜️Giveaway⚜️

Enter to win a paperback copy or Audiobook of The Portraitist by Susanne Dunlap!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on September 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

👇

The Portraitist

AUTHOR

Susanne Dunlap is the author of twelve works of historical fiction for adults and teens, as well as an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach. Her love of historical fiction arose partly from her studies in music history at Yale University (PhD, 1999), partly from her lifelong interest in women in the arts as a pianist and non-profit performing arts executive. Her novel The Paris Affair won first place in its category in the CIBA Dante Rossetti awards for Young Adult Fiction. The Musician’s Daughter was a Junior Library Guild Selection and a Bank Street Children’s Book of the Year, and was nominated for the Utah Book Award and the Missouri Gateway Reader’s Prize. In the Shadow of the Lamp was an Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award nominee. Susanne earned her BA and an MA (musicology) from Smith College, and lives in Biddeford, ME, with her little dog Betty. For more information, please visit Susanne Dunlap’s website. You can follow author Susanne Dunlap on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, Pinterest, and BookBub.

Blog Tour Schedule
Book Tours

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men

Hello Readers

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men

A novel set in 10th century Ireland, published from AdAstra/Head of Zeus coming September 1st.

Read on to find out more about the book and author, how you can preorder, and of course see the stunning cover art from Micaela Alcaino (@micaelaalcaino).

Amazon UK

Waterstones

Amazon US

Make sure you preorder it now! And add it to Goodreads

Highlander meets The Last Kingdom as feuding clans of magical undying vie for control of tenth-century Ireland in this assured and captivating debut. Themes of motherhood and conflicted obligation lie at the heart of Shauna Lawless’s historical fantasy, explored through the eyes of two powerful women compelled to navigate a land where men hold sway, or think they do. I was hooked from page one‘ — Anthony Ryan

SYNOPSES
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is the first book of the Gael Song series – and is due for release on the 1st September 2022.

The first in a gripping new historical fantasy series that intertwines Irish mythology with real-life history, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is the thrilling debut novel by Shauna Lawless.

They think they’ve killed the last of us…

981 AD. The Viking King of Dublin is dead. His young widow, Gormflaith, has ambitions for her son – and herself – but Ireland is a dangerous place and kings tend not to stay kings for long. Gormflaith also has a secret. She is one of the Fomorians, an immortal race who can do fire-magic. She has kept her powers hidden at all costs, for there are other immortals in this world – like the Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of warriors who are sworn to kill Fomorians.

Fódla is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann with the gift of healing. Her kind dwell hidden in a fortress, forbidden to live amongst the mortals. Fódla agrees to help her kin by going to spy on Brian Boru, a powerful man who aims to be High King of Ireland. She finds a land on the brink of war – a war she is desperate to stop. However, preventing the loss of mortal lives is not easy with Ireland in turmoil and the Fomorians now on the rise…


REVIEW

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless

A stellar fantasy of mythologies, along with Irish, historical rivalry, set in 981 AD.

Shauna Lawless gives readers a stunning tale, told in in dual perspectives of two strong female characters. Vikings and Irish kings, along with Witches made for a compelling storyline.

We follow the ruthless and cunning, Gormflaith, who is one of the last remaining Fomorian, an immortal race. Seeking to rise her son Sitric, to the seat of king of Dublin, she will stop at nothing to get her way. The Fomorian, an immortal race that has the ability of Fire magic. Hiding from their magical rivals the Tuatha Dé Danann, who have all but annihilated their kind.

Fodla, who is known as a Descendant, of the Tuatha De’ Danann. She is blessed with the magical ability of healing. When her beloved sister Rónnat, is banished to an island after becoming pregnant by a mortal. She takes up the responsible of the care of her nephew, Broccan. She finds herself tasked with spying on Brian Boru, who ultimately becomes the high king of Ireland from 1002 to 1014.

A captivating debut to what looks like a thrilling series, full of political intrigue and drama. Strong female POV’s that really standout, and I quite partial to Gormflaith character. The characters are well developed and all are morally grey or dark, which suits me just fine. This is one of those books that you just have to read to know what feeling I’m getting at. This one of those books that sucks you in and keeps you hungry for more. It’s a unique and unforgettable story told through a brilliant narrative.

⚔️

I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy!

Thank you Head of Zeus and Ad Astra for the ARC.

The Author

Shauna Lawless is an avid reader of Irish mythology and folklore. As an Irish woman, she loves that Irish mythology has inspired so many stories over the years, however, she wanted to explore the history and mythology of Ireland in a more authentic way. She lives in Northern Ireland with her family.

Follow Shauna on twitter @shaunaLwrites – or on her blog and website at www.shaunalawless.com


Book Tours

Beguiled by Cyla Panin

Hello everyone!

I am so excited to be apart of blog tour for

Beguiled by Cyla Panin.

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publishing date: August 23rd, 2022

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound

Synopsis:

A dark and enthralling story about a young woman who makes a deal with a spirit to try and gain her independence—and the twisted price she has to pay for it

Ella is a 17-year-old weaver whose entire livelihood depends on her loom. She dreams of opening her own shop, but when her father died in debtor’s prison, she had to support herself by taking whatever clients she could get. In order to buy her supplies she goes into debt of her own, and when her loom breaks, Ella realizes she needs more help than a repairperson can give her. She, like everyone, has heard about the old washerwoman spirit called the Bean-Nighe who will grant any one wish—for a price.

But Ella is desperate, so she asks the Bean-Nighe to fix her loom. And it works. The loom is fixed, and she’s creating beautiful pieces she could have never imagined before. All she has to do is feed the loom a drop of blood each time she weaves—a small price to pay for such magnificent silks. And when she brings two bolts to a rich client, she meets a mysterious young man named Callum and bargains for an invitation to his exclusive party. At that party, he’s so mesmerized by her talent, he offers Ella a place to live and patronage for her art. It seems like Ella’s fortune is finally turning for the better . . . until she begins to notice the loom taking more from her than she offered.

As she becomes entangled in the lives of the city’s rich, swept into Callum’s allure, and trapped by the Bean-Nighe’s magic, Ella must figure out a way to secure her future while she still has a future at all.

Content Warning: mild self-harm, gaslighting and emotional abuse


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.

BEGUILED By Cyla Panin Is An Enchanting YA Fantasy.

Beguiled follows a seventeen-year-old struggling weaver Ella, who is barely able to get by. She only has one customer, and when a series of events happens leaving her weavers loom broken. She is unable to fulfill her order, and goes down to the river and seeks out the Bean-nighe, a type of ban-sìth that haunts desolate streams and washes the clothing of those about to die.

Casting aside all good judgment she makes a careless deal, that call for one drop of blood each time she sets done to use her weaving loom. Wanting a better life, Ella sets about changing her circumstances, but everything comes with a cost. Innocently drawn into a world of power and decadence by the mysterious Callum. Dreaming of owning her own textile shop, she risk everything for independence. She produces gorgeous magical bolts of material, that can influence whoever the wearer desires.

Cyla Panin, masterfully creates a memorable tale, atmospheric and slightly dark. She draws you in slowly. Setting up the book perfectly with an assertive heroine, that wants more in life than what she has been dealt. The world building and magical elements were spot on, and they didn’t overshadow the characters. The book was engaging and kept me entertained from start to finish with its twists.


AUTHOR

Cyla Panin is an MG, YA and Adult Author who prefers to look at the world through a dusting of magic.

After spending most of her childhood wanting to escape into the wonderful worlds her favourite authors created, she’s now using her own words to craft magical places. When not writing, Cyla can be found playing dinosaurs with her two young boys, watching swashbuckling and/or period TV shows with her husband, and, of course, reading.

Her YA debut, STALKING SHADOWS will be out with Amulet, Abrams Fall 2021. She is represented by Chloe Seager of the Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV, and Film Agency.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads


SCHEDULE

August 22nd
Kait Plus Books – Interview
Nine Bookish Lives – Promotional Post
This Soul’s Devouring Words – Review & Favorite Quotes

August 23rd
Pages & Plots – Promotional Post
Phannie the ginger bookworm – Review & Playlist
Gwendalyn’s Anderson – Review
Avni Reads – Review

August 24th
The Book Dutchesses – Promotional Post
Littlefoot Reader – Review
PopTheButterfly Reads – Review

August 25th
A Court of Coffee and Books – Interview
The Moon Phoenix – A reel aesthetic/teaser
Books and Babble – Review
Sadie’s Spotlight – Promotional Post

August 26th
Confessions of a YA Reader – Promotional Post
Thindbooks Blog – Review
The Nerdy Nook – Review & Favorite Quotes

August 27th
Stuck in Fiction – Promotional Post
Rae’s Reading – Review & Favorite Quotes
The Girl Who Reads – Review
The Momma Spot – Review

August 28th
The Clever Reader – Interview
Dear Rivarie – Top 5 Reasons to Read Beguiled & Mood Board
One Book More – Review & Favorite Quotes

Book Tours

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Hello and welcome to my stop on the book tour for The Drowned Woods By Emily Lloyd-Jones

@tbrbeyondtours & @em_llojo

#thedrownedwoods #TBRBeyondTours #emilylloydjames

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publishing date: August 16th, 2022

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound

Synopsis:

A magical, ethereal fantasy from IndieBound bestselling author Emily Lloyd-Jones.

Once upon a time, the kingdoms of Wales were rife with magic and conflict, and eighteen-year-old Mererid “Mer” is well-acquainted with both. She is the last living water diviner and has spent years running from the prince who bound her into his service. Under the prince’s orders, she located the wells of his enemies, and he poisoned them without her knowledge, causing hundreds of deaths. After discovering what he had done, Mer went to great lengths to disappear from his reach. Then Mer’s old handler returns with a proposition: use her powers to bring down the very prince that abused them both.

The best way to do that is to destroy the magical well that keeps the prince’s lands safe. With a motley crew of allies, including a fae-cursed young man, the lady of thieves, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy, Mer may finally be able to steal precious freedom and peace for herself. After all, a person with a knife is one thing…but a person with a cause can topple kingdoms.

The Drowned Woods—set in the same world as The Bone Houses but with a whole new, unforgettable cast of characters—is part heist novel, part dark fairy tale.


REVIEW

The Drowned Woods

By Emily Lloyd-Jones

Publisher‏ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pub Date August 16, 2022

‧͙⁺˚*・༓☾ ༺♥༻☽༓・*˚⁺‧͙

⁣⁣Emily Lloyd-Jones newest book is set into the same world as The Bone Houses.

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones is an adventurous heist infused with nuisance mythology of the Welsh Myth Cantre’r Gwaelod. Which happens to be an ancient sunken city governed by cruel Prince Garanhir.

⁣⁣ Eighteen-year-old Mererid “Mer” is the last living water diviner who has been hiding from a cruel prince. Branded as a slave, she has escaped his clutches and is on the run, when she Is rescued by Renfrew, her former trainer, and former spy master to the prince. A treacherous plan to destroy the magical well that protects the prince’s lands is hatched. Joining forces is Fane, a bold young man, who is indebted to the otherfolk for avenging his family’s murder. He traded seven years of service as an ironfetch for the fae, for seven human lives. His charismatic sidekick, a corgi named Trefor, who sneezes when near magic, who just might be a spy for the otherfolk. Ifanna, a somewhat sketchy lady thief, and heir of the Thieves Guild.

This book had me hooked from start to finish – I literally couldn’t put it down. This was unique and absorbing, I found myself completely immersed in Emily Lloyd-Jones vibrant world. The characters are fleshed out, and I enjoyed them all, along with the corgi. The storyline was super easy to follow along with different POV’s.

I have to say this is one of my favorites this year.

༺♥༻

-A high stakes heist

-Dark magic

-Morally gray characters

-Ragtag unlikely group of misfits

-A corgi named Trefor


AUTHOR

Emily Lloyd-Jones grew up on a vineyard in rural Oregon, where she played in evergreen forests and learned to fear sheep. She has a BA in English from Western Oregon University and a MA in publishing from Rosemont College. She currently resides in Northern California, where she enjoys wandering in redwood forests. Her young adult novels include Illusive, Deceptive, The Hearts We Sold, The Bone Houses, and the forthcoming The Drowned Woods. Her debut middle grade, Unseen Magic, will release in 2022.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

SCHEDULE

August 15th
Brinns Books – Review & Favorite Quotes
Whimsical Dragonette – Review & Favorite Quotes
Gwendalyn’s Books – Review
& She Reads – Review

August 16th
Stuck in Fiction – Promotional Post
Pages & Plots – Review
A Court of Coffee and Books – Review & Favorite Quotes
Thindbooks Blog – Review

August 17th
The Book Dutchesses – Promotional Post
Books Over Everything – Review
One More Chapter – Review
Avni Reads – Review & Favorite Quotes

August 18th
Abigail’s Lost in a Book – Review
Confessions of a YA Reader – Review & Favorite Quotes
Balancing Books And Beauties – Review
Lost Girl in Bookland – Review
The Bookish Coven – Review & Favorite Quotes

August 19th
Nine Bookish Lives – Promotional Post
The Clever Reader – Review
Midsummer Night’s Read – Review
Metaphors and Miscellanea – Review & Favorite Quotes

August 20th
dinipandareads – Review & Favorite Quotes
Books and Bookish – Review & Favorite Quotes
bookloversbookreviews -Promotional Post
Beneath A Thousand Skies – Review

August 21st
The Nerdy Nook – Review & Favorite Quotes
Books We Lovee – Review
itsKooreviews – Review & Favorite Quotes
Rampant Reading Reviews – Review & Favorite Quotes

Book Tours

River of Ashes Blog Tour

Hello Friends

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for

River Of Ashes

River of Ashes by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor
(St. Benedict, #1)
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Publication date: August 2nd 2022
Genres: Adult, Psychological Thriller

Selected as one of Apple’s Most Anticipated Books for Summer, River of Ashes by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor (Vesuvian, Aug 2, 2022) is a gripping Southern Gothic series debut inspired by real people and places, including the abbey located in the actual town of St. Benedict, Louisiana. Reminiscent of the Gothic horror/family-sagas by V.C. Andrews, book one of the St. Benedict series, “… offers an inside look into the mind of a psychopath,” says Pearry Teo, PhD, Award-winning Director of The Assent, “and is a cautionary tale that the scariest monsters are the ones you know but never suspect.”


“A psychological portrait akin to Lord of the Flies.” ~Midwest Book Review

SOME TRUTHS ARE BETTER KEPT SECRET. SOME SECRETS ARE BETTER OFF DEAD.

ALONG THE BANKS OF THE BOGUE FALAYA RIVER, sits the abandoned St. Francis Seminary. Beneath a canopy of oaks, blocked from prying eyes, the teens of St. Benedict High gather here on Fridays. The rest of the week belongs to school and family—but weekends belong to the river.

And the river belongs to Beau Devereaux.

The only child of a powerful family, Beau can do no wrong. Star quarterback. Handsome. Charming. The “prince” of St. Benedict is the ultimate catch.

He is also a psychopath.

A dirty family secret buried for years, Beau’s evil grows unchecked. In the shadows of the haunted abbey, he commits unspeakable acts on his victims and ensures their silence with threats and intimidation. Senior year, Beau sets his sights on his girlfriend’s headstrong twin sister, Leslie, who hates him. Everything he wants but cannot have, she will be his ultimate prize.

As the victim toll mounts, it becomes clear that someone must stop Beau Devereaux.

And that someone will pay with their life.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble


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.


River of Ashes is the first novel in the St. Benedict series by authors Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor. We follow high school seniors, twins Leslie and Dawn Moore, and the popular boy Beau Devereaux.

Rich and handsome, the high school quarterback, Beau Devereaux comes across as a stellar young man. Except for one thing, that if you peel back the layers of his personality you will uncover a true psychopath. Who violent tendencies are just below the surface. He is a manipulator and seeks out young girls. Dating Dawn Moore, the captain of the cheerleading squad, he becomes obsessed with obtaining his girlfriend’s twin sister Leslie.

The books urban gothic setting, Bogue Fayala River, Louisiana, helps create a thrilling atmosphere. Written in third person, the reader is given from row and center into these three teens lives. One that just happens to be a sinister psychopath.

It’s dark and disturbing, which I found very addictive!

TW : graphic and depicts sexual assault.


AUTHORS

Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight.

Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers Association, Weis writes mystery, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.

He is an award-winning author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face. IG: @lucasastorauthor

Book Tours

Violet Made of Thorn Book Tour

Hello Gorgeous Readers

Welcome to my stop on the book tour for

Violet Made of Thorn book tour


Violet Made of Thorn

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Romance
Publishing date: July 26th, 2022

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound

Synopsis:

A darkly enchanting fantasy debut about a morally gray witch, a cursed prince, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies—perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and Serpent & Dove.

Violet is a prophet and a liar, influencing the royal court with her cleverly phrased—and not always true—divinations. Honesty is for suckers, like the oh-so-not charming Prince Cyrus, who plans to strip Violet of her official role once he’s crowned at the end of the summer—unless Violet does something about it.

But when the king asks her to falsely prophesy Cyrus’s love story for an upcoming ball, Violet awakens a dreaded curse, one that will end in either damnation or salvation for the kingdom—all depending on the prince’s choice of future bride. Violet faces her own choice: Seize an opportunity to gain control of her own destiny, no matter the cost, or give in to the ill-fated attraction that’s growing between her and Cyrus.

Violet’s wits may protect her in the cutthroat court, but they can’t change her fate. And as the boundary between hatred and love grows ever thinner with the prince, Violet must untangle a wicked web of deceit in order to save herself and the kingdom—or doom them all.


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 This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.


“That you are worthy of so much more, little star.

That you should never again kneel for the scraps of kings. “

Violet Made of Thorns is a debut book by Gina Chen. It features memorable unapologetic anti-heroine that is both refreshing and intriguing.

Orphaned and living on the streets in the Moon district, gifted with ability to see bits and pieces of the future through threads. When a chance opportunity presents its self, she takes it, rising herself up from bottom and becoming King Emilius seer. Used by the Kings own ambition, she finds herself in a constant struggle with the Kings son Cyrus. A curse looms over Cyrus’s life and the kingdom’s future hangs in the balance.

Gina Chen delivers quite an a phenomenal atmospheric, fantastic fantasy tale. Full politically motivated characters, along with a solid storyline that propels this story. Seamless narration by one of my favorite characters of all times in a YA fantasy. The romance is not instant, because both Violet and Cyrus having been sparing back and forth since they both were younger. Their backstory adds so much to the present day tale. The magic and details were engaging and fun to read about.

Truly a captivating fairytale styled fantasy, that made for an delightful reading experience.

The journey to love never runs smooth, and yours, your father would not approve.

They will catch you by surprise, hidden in disguise,

but leave your grasp by midnight strikes.


AUTHOR

Gina Chen tells stories about fantastic worlds featuring heroines, antiheroines, and the kind of cleverness that brings trouble in its wake. A self-taught artist with a degree in computer science, she generates creative nonsense in all forms of media and always has a project stewing. Violet Made of Thorns is her debut fantasy novel. For more info, visit actualgina.com and follow @actualgina on Twitter and Instagram.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Tumblr

Schedule


July 25th

The Caffeinated Rareder – Review
A Realm of Books – Review
One More Chapter – Review
Rae’s Reading Lounge – Review & Favorite Quotes

July 26th
The Book Dutchesses – Promotional Post
Metaphors and Miscellanea – Review & Favorite Quotes
B for Bookslut – Review
PopTheButterfly Reads – Review
A Court of Coffee and Books – Review & Favorite Quotes

July 27th
Abigail’s Lost in a Book – Review
Stuck in the Stacks – Review
Pages & Plots – Review
Clouded Galaxy Reads – Review & Favorite Quotes

July 28th
The Clever Reader – Review
We Write at Dawn – Review & Favorite Quotes
Confessions of a YA Reader – Review
& She Reads – Review
Modest Hiccup – 15 Reactions While Reading Violet Made of Thorns

July 29th
Stuck in Fiction – Promotional Post
Brinns Books – Review
Kait Plus Books – Journal Spread
Books Over Everything – Review

July 30th
Binded by Letters – Review
dinipandareads – Review & Favorite Quotes
Koo’s Reviews – Top 5 Reasons to Read Violet Made of Thorns
YA Sci-Fi & Fantasy Addicts – Review & Favorite Quotes
Sadie’s Spotlight – Promotional Post

July 31st
Nine Bookish Lives – Promotional Post
Gwendalyn’s Books – Review
thisbellereadstoo – Review & Mood Board
Betwixt The Sheets – Mood Board

Book Tours

Love Every Lasting + Giveaway + Review

Hello Gracious Readers

Welcome to my stop for

Love Every Lasting by Michelle Helen Fritz and E.A. Shanniak

@MichelleFritzP1 @hfvbt

Love Every Lasting by Michelle Helen Fritz and E.A. Shanniak
Publication Date: July 14, 2022
Genre: Historical Romance/Regency
Series: Bramley Hall Regency Romance, Book 3

SYNOPSIS

Miss Grace Buchanan has given up any hope of marrying. She’s been too occupied raising her younger siblings while her drunkard father spends all of their funds. When a horrid sickness envelops the cottage, she meets the new Parson of Bramley, whom she’s never forgotten. All she desires is an everlasting love, but with her family dynamics, it makes any sort of relationship a touch complex.

When tragedy is set to strike, Matthew Morten is called home suddenly. It’s time for him to take his place as the parson of Bramley. With his meddling mother and a sickness that is sweeping through the town, Matthew has to lean on his faith to get him through. But when he sets eyes upon one industrious woman, he can’t seem to keep her, nor her hazel eyes, far from his thoughts.

Will these two wounded souls find a Love Ever Lasting, or will responsibilities and family drama keep them forever apart?

Love Ever Lasting is a clean Regency Romance and the third book in a three-story series that will entertain and delight you with its swoon-worthy heroes and the compelling leading ladies that capture their hearts. Each book can be read as a standalone, but are best read in release order.

Available on Amazon


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.


From the desk of Gwendalyn G. Anderson

Love Every Lasting by Michelle Helen Fritz and E.A.

Publication Date: July 14, 2022

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency
Series: Bramley Hall Regency Romance, Book 3

Mathew Morten, finds himself traveling from Sussex, to Bramley, hastened to his father bedside before illness takes him. Once there he promises his beloved father he would stay in Bramley and take over the parsonage. Shortly after assuming his duties, a sicknesses draws Mathew, and his much need services into action.

Grace Buchanan mother passed away when she was just thirteen, leaving her to care for her four younger siblings. Now nineteen, she has given up on any kind of life of her own. She knows full well that no suitor would agree to a marriage with her, along with four other Buchanan children who would Accompany her.

Her siblings day to day care is still her responsibility, along with keeping her surly drunken father happy. Her father’s temperament has her walking on eggshells, and she knows that she she needs to keep her father away from his own children, for their benefit. When an unforeseen tragedy happens, Grace’s life and her siblings change.

Mathew is a sincere gentleman, who is caring and honorable, happily helping this less fortunate. So when the opportunity to help Grace, his generous nature brings both Grace and her young siblings closer to Morten family.

Will family drama keep this lovely couple budding romance from flourishing?

This was such a warm and delightful book. Full of found family dynamics and caring for loved ones. It was pure joy to read about Grace and Mathew’s story, along with the other sub characters . The writing is smooth, and you find your are full invested in the lives of the people within this book. Beautifully written, the character are fleshed out and three dimensional. This is a lovely proper romance, one that will stay with you long after you close the book. I highly recommend this book to my family and friends!


About the Authors

Michelle Helen Fritz was born and raised in Maryland and Arizona with lots of traveling throughout the States. She began her literary career as a personal assistant to Indie authors and loves to see the process of an idea turn into a finished book. Michelle loves to write about dashing heroes, and the compelling women that tempt them, with a dash of intrigue, an abundant amount of romance, and scenes that hopefully make her readers swoon. She is the mother of four children whom she homeschools and currently resides in Maryland with her own jaunty hero who makes all of her dreams come true.

 
Author Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram
 

E.A. (Ericka Ashlee) Shanniak is the author of the successful fantasy romance series – A Castre World Novel. She is hobbit-sized, barely reaching over five feet tall on a good day. When she wears her Georgia Romeo’s not only does she gain an inch, she is then able to reach the kitchen cabinets. Ericka loves to write at her desk that her daughter’s cat destroyed. Fortunately for everyone, she can see over it.

 

Ericka resides in the small town of Coldwater, Kansas with her husband, two kids, two dogs and two grumpy cats. The cats were her kids’ idea.

Author Facebook Page | Instagram

Blog Tour Schedule
Thursday, July 14
Review at Books, Cooks, Looks
Excerpt at Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Romance
Saturday, July 16
Feature at Passages to the Past
Monday, July 18
Review at Bookworlder
Tuesday, July 19
Review at Ms. Darcy Reads
Friday, July 22
Excerpt at Heidi Reads
Monday, July 25
Feature at Lisa Everyday Reads
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books
Tuesday, July 26
Review at Pages and Paws
Wednesday, July 27
Review at Cover Lover Book Review

Giveaway
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on July 27th. You must be 18 or older to enter
👇
Love Ever Lasting
Book Tours

The Oath & The Valley by A.M. Linden Tour

Hello My Bookish Friends

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for

The Oath & The Valley by A.M. Linden!


#TheOath #TheValley #AMLinden #HFVBTBlogTours

The Valley by A.M. Linden
Publication Date: June 28, 2022
She Writes Press
Paperback & eBook; 464 pages
Series: The Druid Chronicles, #2
Genre: Historical Fiction/Medieval



Llwddawanden is a hidden sanctuary where remnants of a once-powerful pagan cult carry on their ancient ritual practices, supported by a small but faithful following of servants, craftsmen, and laborers.
Cut off from the outside world by both geography and conviction, the Druids of Llwddawanden continue to venerate the Great Mother Goddess and to view themselves as the first-born and favorite of Her mortal children. While the belief that the most important of all divine beings gave birth to their ancestors and that Her spirit inhabits the body of their highest priestess is a tenuous conclusion in view of their reduced lot in life, the Druids of Llwddawanden believe it and are, for the most part, committed to carrying on the traditions handed down to them by their forbears.
Herrwn, the shrine’s chief priest and master bard, has the responsibility of overseeing the education of Caelym, the orphaned son of the cult’s previous chief priestess, as well as keeping the peace within the upper ranks of their order—two tasks that grow more difficult as the rivalry over which of the three highest priests will claim Caelym as his disciple grows, and as mounting conflicts between the current chief priestess and her only living daughter threaten to rend the fabric of a society that has endured for more than a millennium.


Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound


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.

The Valley by A.M. Linden is second installment in The Druid Chronicles series. A.M. Linden newest book takes us back before The Oath. The Valley is more of a prequel story. As the spread of Christianity advances, people start to change faiths, turning away from old traditions of the pagan gods and goddesses. A sect of Druids living in a secluded valley of Llwddawanden, still follow Great Mother Goddess. We follow Herrwn, the shrine’s chief priest and master bard, as the continuous division amongst Druids grows steadily.

Once again I was completely drawn into the engaging writing, of the very talented author, A.M. Linden. A beautiful created historical world with pagan rites and rituals. Readers will be absorbed deep within these characters fleshed out lives. The political drama within the religious sect, keeps you turning the pages. Loyalties will be questioned, and Herrwn will become a peacekeeper, as choices arise that could change everything.


The Oath by A.M. Linden
Publication Date: June 15, 2021
She Writes Press
Paperback & eBook; 336 pages
Series: The Druid Chronicles, #1
Genre: Historical Fiction



In the wake of a betrayal that threatens an end to their way of life, the last members of a secluded pagan cult send the youngest of their remaining priests in search of Annwr, their chief priestess’s sister, who was abducted by a Saxon war band fifteen years ago. With only a rudimentary grasp of English and the ambiguous guidance of an oracle’s prophecy, Caelym manages to find Annwr living in a hut on the grounds of a Christian convent.
Annwr has spent her years of captivity caring for the timid Aleswina, an orphaned Saxon princess who was consigned to the cloistered convent by her cousin, King Gilberth, after he assumed her father’s throne. Just as Caelym and Annwr are about leave together, Aleswina learns that Gilberth, a tyrant known for his cruelty and vicious temper, means to take her out of the convent and marry her. Terrified, she flees with the two Druids–beginning a heart-pounding adventure that unfolds in ways none of them could have anticipated.


Praise
“Linden’s well-researched tale eloquently brings to life a lesser-known period of transition in Britain…The author has created a strong foundation for her series with well-developed characters whom readers can embrace…[a] layered, gripping historical fiction…”
–Kirkus Reviews
“A fantastic well-crafted, well-written historical novel, about early medieval Anglo-Saxon Britain and with great characters! 5 stars”
–Readers’ Favorite
“Linden uses a fairy tale-like style almost as though this story has been passed down orally over the centuries. Though the kingdoms are fictional, Linden’s tale draws on meticulous historical research, especially in her dramatization of the Christian persecution of the druids.”
–Booklist
“The story rolls along at a lively pace, rich with details of the times and a wide cast of characters….Those interested in goddess-worshipping religions will be drawn to the novel. Any reader curious about 8th-century Britain will enjoy Linden’s innovative focus on the little-known Druids as well as early medieval Christians. Her plotting, shifting points of view of the three engaging protagonists, and evocative writing style make The Oath a pleasure to read. Highly recommended!”
–Historical Novels Review
“The Oath urges readers along on a richly textured quest among the Saxons and Celts of 8th-century Britain. Young and rather humorously naïve Druid priest-healer Caelym swears to ‘rescue’ a damsel in distress who turns out to be neither a young damsel nor in distress. With a feminist slant, this engaging tale brings the conflict between Druids and early Christians to vivid life through sympathetic and well-rounded characters. I particularly enjoyed the ironic voice of the aging midwife Annwr. Brava!”
–Sara Stamey, author of The Ariadne Connection
“Thrilling historical fiction with heart and soul.”
–Tim Pears, author of The West Country trilogy
“The Oath will appeal to a wide-ranging readership, reflecting Linden’s rich imagination and gift for weaving tales within tales evoking the romance of medieval Britain. Vibrant, determined, and relatable characters with disparate ethnic and religious identities discover their own strengths, and each other’s, as the intricate and engaging plot unfolds.”
–Anne Marie Tietjen, PhD, clinical psychologist and instructor at Western Washington University
“Linden’s knowledge and passion for history is soaked into every word of The Oath, combined with an obvious skill at storytelling. Linden succeeds at every level, but the world building is truly spectacular. Historical fantasy is hard to do well, but Linden makes it look easy. What could be dry details are presented so effectively that the world is elevated to almost being a character of its own. And in a cast of characters as well drawn as these, that’s saying something. I can’t wait to see what else this skilled author comes up with!”–Bishop O’Connell, author of the American Faerie Tale series



Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound


Advance Praise
“A. M. Linden brings her imagined druid community to life with a skillful combination of research and informed guesswork. The Valley provides an intriguing glimpse into an 8th century Britain that might have been.”
–Juliet Marillier, author of the Sevenwaters and Warrior Bards series
“With the attention to detail, explanation of ancient rituals, and the mythology within the clan’s legends, this novel builds a community, exploring a people about which little is actually known. It’s an extraordinary portrayal, breathing life into a long-dead civilization….Highly recommended!”
–Chanticleer Book Reviews


About the Author
Ann Margaret Linden was born in Seattle, Washington, but grew up on the East Coast before returning to the Pacific Northwest as a young adult. She has undergraduate degrees in anthropology and in nursing and a master’s degree as a nurse practitioner. After working in a variety of acute care and community health settings, she took a position in a program for children with special health care needs where her responsibilities included writing clinical reports, parent educational materials, provider newsletters, grant submissions and other program related materials. The Oath is the first installment of The Druid Chronicles, a five-volume series that began as a somewhat whimsical decision to write something for fun and ended up becoming a lengthy journey that involved Linden taking adult education creative writing courses, researching early British history, and traveling to England, Scotland, and Wales. Retired from nursing, she lives with her husband, dogs, and cat in Bellingham, WA.


Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, June 28
Review at Jessica Belmont
Excerpt at Jathan & Heather
Wednesday, June 29
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books
Thursday, June 30
Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals
Friday, July 1
Review at The Page Ladies
Monday, July 4
Review at Jorie Loves a Story (The Oath)
Tuesday, July 5
Interview at Books and Benches
Wednesday, July 6
Review at Pursuing Stacie
Friday, July 8
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews
Monday, July 11
Review at Bookworlder
Review at Novels Alive
Tuesday, July 12
Review at Potpourri of Opinions
Wednesday, July 13
Guest Post at Jorie Loves a Story
Thursday, July 14
Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Friday, July 15
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective
Monday, July 18
Review at Jorie Loves a Story (The Valley)
Wednesday, July 20
Review at The Book Junkie Reads
Friday, July 22
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink



Giveaway
Two readers will win copies of The Oath & The Valley by A.M. Linden!
The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on July 22nd. You must be 18 or older to enter.
The Oath


<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61329157-the-

Book Tours

A Secret History of Witches

Hold on to your Grimoires Witchy Babes♥︎


Louisa Morgan’s THE GREAT WITCH OF BRITTANY
Is Coming February 15th

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Synopsis

Return to the world of A Secret History of Witches with the bewitching tale of Ursule Orchière and her discovery of magical abilities that will not only change the course of her life but every generation that comes after her.

Brittany, 1762

There hasn’t been a witch born in the Orchière clan for generations. According to the elders, that line is dead, leaving the clan vulnerable to the whims of superstitious villagers and the prejudices of fearmongering bishops.

Ursule Orchière has been raised on stories of the great witches of the past. But the only magic she knows is the false spells her mother weaves over the gullible women who visit their fortune-telling caravan. Everything changes when Ursule comes of age and a spark of power flares to life. Thrilled to be chosen, she has no idea how magic will twist and shape her future.

Guided by an ancient grimoire and the whispers of her ancestors, Ursule is destined to walk the same path as the great witches of old. But first, the Orchière magical lineage must survive. And danger hovers over her, whether it’s the bloodlust of the mob or the flames of the pyre.

A tale of magic and fate, triumph and heartbreak, and the powerful bonds between mothers and daughters unfold in the late 1700s in this spellbinding novel from master storyteller, Louisa Morgan.

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.

❀⊱Gwendalyn’s Books⊰❀

Once again Louisa Morgan transports readers to the 18th century. In her latest book The Great Witch Book Of Brittany she continues her incredible generational tale. An exquisitely written, immersive early life of Grand-mere Ursule Orchiere.

Ursule She helps her mother in her fortune telling, by collecting payments from seekers. There has been a true Witch born to the Orchiere’s in generations. Her mother uses her wits to create a revenue for them both. But the the ancient crystal stays dark under Agnes hands. Thirteen year old Ursule guards a great secret from her own mother Agnes, and the the rest of her Romani clan. When she becomes of age her powers awaken and the stone sparks alive.

Romani are outcast, and always remain guarded as they are easily targeted. Witch hunters are always on the look out. Danger comes from those seeking to blame, they incite mobs and Ursule will have do everything in her power to protect mother and herself. All she needs to do is trust herself and her new found abilities.

I am always impressed with Louisa Morgan seamless narration that brings the place time and her exquisite characters fully to life. Just like her past books, this book grabs you and doesn’t let you go until the end. Once that once I started I couldn’t stop.


The Author: Louisa Morganlives and writes and rambles with her Border Terrier on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. A musician and a yogini, she finds inspiration in the artistic environment where she makes her home. [Amazon]

Louisa Morgan is the author of A Secret History of Witches, The Witch’s Kind, and The Age of Witches. She’s looking forward to the publication of The Great Witch of Brittany in 2022!

Louisa is a yogini, a musician, a mom, and a dog lover. She lives in scenic Northern Idaho with her family and her spirit familiar, Oscar the Border Terrier. Visit her at www.louisamorgan.net. [Goodreads]