Tag: fantasy

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: Buried Heroes by Beth Ball

In my spotlight today is Buried Heroes, the first book in the Age of Azuria series. Once you get hooked, books two, three, and four are also available in this ongoing series!

Let’s look into the first book-in-series novel by Beth Ball!

Buried Heroes (Age of Azuria Book 1)

Genre: High-Fantasy/ Epic Fantasy

Features

⦁	Chosen one
⦁	Found family
⦁	Slow-burn (like super slow)
⦁	Romance subplot
⦁	Fated lovers
⦁	Search for true self

As the Festival of Renewal approaches, Iellieth must choose: Stay with her distant mother and abusive stepfather or accept an arranged marriage to a cruel, power-hungry nobleman from another kingdom.
But just as she faces the consequences of her decision, her father’s amulet whisks her away to a snow-covered mountainside. Hidden within is an ancient warrior waiting to be awakened—waiting for her. He holds the key to the life of adventure she’s always wanted and—most importantly of all—to her destiny.

And that’s only the beginning.

TW: Death of a mentor, allusion to past assault (not on page).

Amazon

AVAILABLE NOW

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beth Ball is a weaver of words and worlds spinning stories of druidic magic and the power of nature that span the epic fantasy realms of Azuria and Eldura. If you enjoy lyrical tales of action and adventure, dragons, werewolves, fae, wily foxes, and more, then grab your enchanted amulet, flaming longsword, poisoned dagger, or other mystical accessory of choice, and let’s start our journey together!

When she’s not writing fantasy fiction, Beth is a tabletop RPG designer whose adventures, as you might imagine, incorporate lots of druids!

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Tide Song (Melody of the Deep) by K.E. Hummel

Today, I’m spotlighting “Tide Song, Melody of the Deep” by K.E. Hummel. “Tide Song” is a spellbinding tale of bravery, friendship, and the transformative power of a single voice. Dive into an enchanting adventure perfect for readers who believe in the magic within themselves and the strength found in unexpected friendships.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Tide Song: Melody of the Deep

 Pub Date: Jan 18

Genre: YA Fantasy/ No Romance

Tropes: 
🐙Coming of age,
🐙 Reluctant hero
🐙 Mythical creatures, 
🐙Found family, 
🐙Epic quest,
🐙 Overcoming prejudice


"A young woman’s extraordinary voice is the only hope to save her tribe and their allies, a civilization of intelligent octopi, from annihilation. But doing so may cost her freedom and her life."

In the tranquil waters of Tirahanko Bay, Kei's voice holds the power to bridge worlds. As a NetSinger, her melodies forge a deep bond with the mysterious Kopri, intelligent octopi essential to her people's way of life. But peace is shattered when a Kopri Prophet arrives, begging Kei to use her voice to speak to a ruthless seafaring people, the Koru-Kah, who are intent on exploiting the Kopri for their own gain.

When Kei is captured and taken far from home, she must find a strength she never knew she had. Despite partially paralyzed legs, Kei navigates the treacherous waters of captivity and forges unexpected alliances with Jacuti, a young enslaved sailor, and her loyal Kopri friend, OldFish. Together, they face the cruelty of the Koru-Kah who have destroyed the Kopri's spawning grounds and disrupted the balance between worlds.

With her voice as her greatest weapon, Kei sets out on a perilous quest to protect the Kopri and restore harmony between land and sea. Amidst danger and uncertainty, Kei discovers that her voice has the power to change destinies. Through the power of song and the strength of friendship, Kei’s journey becomes one of courage and resilience, as she fights to save her world and the Kopri.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

“Life is beauty. You just have to open your eyes.” – K.E. Hummel

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BOOK REVIEW: Bonded Nightmare by E.M. Rinaldi

I actually finished this book on December 31st, 2024, so I am welcoming the new year with a review for the spicy paranormal romance BONDED NIGHTMARE by E.M. Rinaldi.

*This book is intended for mature readers 18+

Bonded Nightmare

Publication Date: May 2024

Genre: PNR/ Spicy

Tropes

⚫Enemies to lovers

⚫Fated mates

⚫Shadow daddy

⚫Touch her and die

⚫Slow burn

⚫F0rced pr0ximity

⚫He falls first

⚫Dual POV

Synopsis

She can run but she can’t hide…

As the last unbonded nightmare in existence, Eryn Montalli has been hunted her entire life for the mere potential of her magick. She’s only ever wanted a quiet life tending to the hurt and sick animals that seek her out. Those dreams go to absolute shit with four little words…

They found your bond.

Now she’s hiding amongst the humans at Moorcroft University, trying to make a life for herself—if one overprotective witch wasn’t so determined to set her carefully laid plans on fire. His arrogance is enough to make her want to punch him in the face…but his touch has her questioning why she’s fighting so hard to stay away.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Eryn and her family are the near last of their supernatural kind called Nightmares. When the tribunal counsel says they found Eryn’s bonded mate, who happens to be of the Witch faction, Eryn flees. She is not into all that. At least not having one chosen for her.

Deciding to come out of hiding and hoping for a new life, Eryn enters college to continue her life and studies. When she encounters an upperclassman named Kaiden, who she is annoyingly drawn to and seems to know all about what is suitable for Eryn, much to Eryn’s protest. Unbeknownst to Eryn, Kaiden is her bonded, and when hunters come calling, Kaiden will risk life and death to protect her. 

Bonded Nightmare features a duel pov format, which I like. In fact, my own book features a dual pov format, and Rinaldi does a nice job of keeping the plot of the story going between the two characters.

I usually gobble up paranormal romances. Bonded Nightmare is a gobble-up good, spicy read, yet I had a hard time getting fully engrossed in it. The character of Eryn seemed too stereotypical of a typical college girl to me, and I really had a hard time believing she loved Kaiden in the end.

Kaiden, on the other hand, was the perfect too-good-to-be-true hunky guy and what can I say I like too good to be true hunky guys. I did kind of like him.

Maybe I have outgrown college-age paranormal romances? The spice, though, was pristine! I enjoyed the slow burn pace as I was squirming in my panties along with Eryn over Kaiden’s antics, I will say that. 

My favorites were the side characters Ezra and Rani, and learning their story will be next I am utterly there for. 

Therefore, my rating for Bonded Nightmare is still 4 out of 5 stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Visit https://www.emrinaldi.com/

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Lion of Zarall by Eddy Rose

This cover is so alluring! Lion of Zarall by Eddy Rose is an adult dark fantasy featuring gladiators, morally ambiguous characters, forbidden love, and gritty settings. Let’s read on!

Lion of Zarall (Twilight of Blood Book 1)

Publication Date: December 3, 2024

Genre: Dark Fantasy/ Gladiators

Features

⦁	Gladiators
⦁	Dark fantasy
⦁	Arena battles
⦁	Action-packed
⦁	Forbidden romance
⦁	Hidden Identity
⦁	Slavery
⦁	One bed
⦁	Forced proximity
⦁	Morally ambiguous
⦁	Gritty
⦁	Bred to kill
⦁	Injury care

A gripping dark fantasy featuring gladiators, morally ambiguous characters, forbidden love, and gritty settings.

In a kingdom built on slave trade, slaves are bought and sold like property. Among them is Lion, a purebred beast who was bred for the blood-soaked arenas. A man who exists for violence and entertainment.

A man whose life hangs by a thread.
Olira, a simple farmer, never wanted to own a slave. But when she finds herself entangled with a shady slave merchant, she reluctantly becomes the owner of an injured purebred beast. Renowned for their unwavering obedience and lack of emotions, purebred beasts are stripped of their humanity from birth, making them the perfect tools. As Olira grapples with her principles and the harsh realities of her world, she soon discovers that the slave has a deadly secret.

Can a beast learn to love?

Can a gladiator threaten a kingdom?

Can a man filled with hatred hold the key to unleashing the horrors of Darkhome?
Lion of Zarall is a fast paced dark fantasy novel that will captivate readers who enjoy complex, morally ambiguous stories that explore the themes of power, consent, and the blurred lines between humanity and savagery, making it a perfect fit for fans of gritty, thought-provoking fiction.

GET IT NOW here

Content Warning: Lion of Zarall is an adult dark fantasy and deals with some heavy subject matter that some readers may find triggering. Please refer to the full list of content warnings available on the author’s website.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eddy B. Rose started her writing career when she was in third grade. Her first readers were a small but dedicated group of her classmates who stopped by at her desk at recess to read the next chapter of the story she wrote on a notebook.

Eddy lives in Queensland, Australia, with her husband, toddler, and two German Shepherds (the original babies), Kara and Kal-El. She enjoys getting up at 4:30 a.m. to write.

Learn more about Eddy Rose at https://eddyrose.com/

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: Even Angels Fall by E.V Sauvage

Welcome to a thankful Book Spotlight Thursday! In our limelight today is EVEN ANGELS FALL by E.V. Sauvage, which is releasing today!

Even Angels fall (The Even Ever After Series Book 1)

Publication Date: November 28, 2024

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Features

⦁	Enemies to lovers
⦁	Marriage of convenience
⦁	He falls first
⦁	She’s badass
⦁	Found family
⦁	Shapeshifters (she’s a crow/he’s a dragon)

300 years ago, my world collided with Earth.
My kind has been ruling over the world ever since, passing as archangels.
Doves, swans, cockatoo, their white wings in half shifted form are the sign of their power.
I should have been the next in line.
I should have been the new archangel Michaël.
But my wings aren’t white.
So instead I have to stay hidden. Instead, I’ve been trained my whole life. Instead, I’m their weapon.
Because who would be best suited to kill the dragon shifter living inside of Notre Dame than a fallen angel?
My name is Angélique. I’m a crow-shifter, and my mission is to marry Elhyor and to kill him on our wedding night.
But nothing is the way it seems, and the dragon might be harder to kill than I thought.
He might also be my only chance at freedom…
Do I have any chance of surviving unscathed?
Only time will tell…

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

E.V. Sauvage is a French author who writes in English and lives in Paris.

When she’s not writing, you can find her reading books, collecting them, trying to paint or sew.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Heir of the Beast by F.R. Black

Spotlighting this week is the first book in F.R. Black’s Fairy Godmother Inc. series, HEIR OF THE BEAST. The cover is eye-catching, and a book where it seems Fairy Godmothers are in a league. Let’s check this book out!

Heir Of The Beast: Fairy Godmother Inc. Series. -Book 1 

Publication Date: February 2024

Genre: Romantic Fantasy/ Spicy Fairytales

Features

⦁	Touch Her and 💀
⦁	Morally Gray Male Characters
⦁	Enemies-to-Lovers
⦁	Spicy Fairytales

"All you must do is sign on the dotted line, and all your romantic dreams will come true," the Fairy Godmother says with a twinkle in her eye.

This is what happens when you do not read the fine print in a very detailed contract. You miss all the things that are immediate deal breakers.
Viola, a proud resident of New Orleans, lives on the top floor of an old Victorian mansion on a very normal street. But normal is no longer a word she can use to describe her life since signing the official contract of Fairy Godmother Inc. They forgot to tell her that she would be competing against other women in a very dangerous game. A game where she would be thrust into an alien world for the mere hope of catching the dashing Prince's heart.
And let me say this: this prince is one hot alpha male with a serious attitude problem. We do not get along, save for the fact that he can turn my insides to mush with one look. But the silver lining here is that you can have a happily-ever-after if you survive. You can't fall in love if you're dead. It tends to spoil the romance.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON AND KINDLE UNLIMITED

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

F.R. Black is the author of the FAIRY GODMOTHER INC SERIES. She is a hopeless romantic and fantasy enthusiast based in the beautiful state of Colorado. When she’s not whisking readers away to mystical realms filled with passionate romance, you can find her indulging in her favorite hobbies – reading with a glass of wine in hand and hanging out with her wacky family.

As a die-hard romance lover, F.R. Black’s writing is heavily influenced by her readers, who inspire her to create immersive worlds and swoon-worthy love stories. Her books are full of thrilling adventures, heart-melting romances, and a healthy dose of humor.

When F.R. Black isn’t penning her next enchanting novel, you might catch her daydreaming about castles and dashing heroes or searching for the perfect recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Her true passion for storytelling shines through in every word, and her books are guaranteed to transport you to a world of enchantment and blissful romance.

With a flair for drama and a lovable quirkiness, F.R. Black is a force to be reckoned with in the world of romance fantasy. So grab a copy of her latest novel, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get ready to fall head over heels in love with her captivating tales.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: All the Sacrifice of Shadows by Hillary Raymer

The cover has a dragon on it, so of course, I am spotlighting this book. All the Sacrifice of Shadows is the exciting next installment in the Starstorm series, coming November 13th.

All the Sacrifice of Shadows (Starstorm Series Book 2)

Expected Publication Date: November 13, 2024

Genre: Romantic Fantasy/ Dragons

Features

Arranged Marriage
Grumpy x Sunshine
Shadow Daddy 
Morally Grey
Very Spicy
Dragons
His Dragon Like Her Better

Synopsis

She was a storm of violent sunbeams and catastrophic rainbows.
Marrying for love was never in the stars for Creslyn, as evidenced by her future husband. Drake is calculating, cruel, and wields a blade of death. By all rights, he should be terrifying. But something about him draws her in, his shadows call to the darkness she keeps locked away inside of her. She isn’t foolish enough to expect love from a marriage contract, but when they bind their vows in blood, Creslyn does the unthinkable—she claims Drake as her mate.

He was a monster of shadow and night, of death and destruction.
Cursed since his first breath, Drake has only known power and a realm of shadows. But now he’s bound to a faerie whose heart bleeds for him, and his obsession with her only grows with each passing day. Unfortunately, his world of violence puts her life at stake. Not only is he still the Shadowblade Assassin, but unrest is brewing in Aeramere, and an attack on House Celestine confirms an ill-fated prophecy. War is coming.
As Creslyn longs to find a way to break Drake’s curse and struggles to embrace her own darkness, Drake will be faced with a terrible choice—one that will only end in sacrifice.
Secrets will be unearthed and their bond will be put to the test, because love might be enough for a hero, but it will never save a villain.
Don’t forget Book 1

Pre-Order Here

Content Warning: The book contains the following triggers.

⦁ Voyeurism
⦁ Foul language
⦁ Explicit sexual content
⦁ Attempted murder
⦁ Death
⦁ Blood
⦁ Brief on pages attempted SA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hillary Raymer is a fantasy romance author. She’s a wanderer, a storyteller, and believes in happily ever afters.

Hillary has always been a dreamer, and lucky for her, she turned those dreams into stories. She has an unfinished Bachelor’s Degree in English, because she ran off and married a Marine halfway through college. She has an affinity toward plants, loves flowers, and enjoys scoping out metaphysical markets for crystals. Wanderlust comes naturally to her, and she’s doing her best to instill the same wild and free values in her daughters. When not writing, Hillary can be found attempting to do yoga, buying more makeup she doesn’t need, or discovering small businesses on Etsy.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Between the Moon and Her Night by Jaclyn Kot

In the spotlight today is the beautiful “Between the Moon and Her Night.” It’s a prequel to the Between Life and Death series, but it is intended to be read as the third book. This dark fantasy romance series is great for readers who enjoy Raven Kennedy, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Sarah J. Maas. Let’s read on!

Between the Moon and Her Night (Between Life and Death Series Book 3)

Publication Date: October 23, 2024

Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance

FEATURES

🖤 Stalker Spirit Realm King
🤍 Traumatized, lonely FMC
🖤 Take your rival’s wife
🤍 Non-Con Forced bond
🖤 REAL enemies to lovers
🤍 He stole me = he saved me
🖤 DV Rep - Mental Health Rep
🥞 Spice that will fold you like a pancake 

Synopsis

Centuries before the events of Between Life and Death and Between Sun
and Moon . . . Centuries before she was Sage . . . She was Aurelia, the Goddess of Life.

The decades-long Immortal War has ended and a new deal has been struck
between the two warring sides. In exchange for the freedom of others, Aurelia reluctantly
agrees to live in the Spirit Realm where she will give her hand in marriage to
the God of Death—Von.

The lethal, sexy, immortal claims he will make her his queen, but she
knows full well that she will not be wearing a gilded crown upon her head, but
rather a tight collar around her neck. Having no intentions of becoming his
prisoner, on the day she is supposed to go with him, she makes a swift decision
and runs from him instead.

Thunderclouds and swords are not the only things that collide when Von
tracks her down in the dark, foreboding woods. There, steamy passions and
shadow chains lure Aurelia into making another deal with him—a deal that she
won’t be able to run away from this time. A deal that will forever lock her to
his side.

. . . Right where Death wants her to be.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jaclyn Kot is a prairie girl, an avid reader, occasional Netflix binger and a total foodie. She is a proud mama of many chickens, two fabulous kitties and a good doggo. She lives on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada with her husband.

She writes high fantasy fiction and likes her fantasy served with plot twists, a side of spice, and morally grey males with a palate for strong-willed females.

It is her hopes that readers will fall in love with Sage and Von’s story just as much as she has.

Looking for the latest information on the Between Life and Death Series, or wanting to connect with Jaclyn? You can here:

www.instagram.com/jaclyn.kot/

http://www.tiktok.com/@jaclyn.kot

www.jaclynkotbooks.com

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BOOK REVIEW: One Star Hero by Yimje Lee

Over at Indie Promotions, we had a chance to review the dynamic YA action pack fantasy ONE STAR HER by debut author Yimje Lee! Let’s go!

One Star Hero (Book 1)

Published: September 26th, 2023

Genre: Teen & YA/ Epic Fantasy/ Fantasy Adventure

Length: 340 pages

People who want to become Legions have an Armament with a star rarity that defines one’s magical capabilities. 

Eden Alistar is a sixteen-year-old boy who lives in the Kingdom of Basintroll. He lived his whole life as a fisher but always dreamed of exploring the world outside as a Legion, saving people from monsters known as Menaces. 

Then he finally gets the chance he waited so long for; the day of his summoning, Eden reaches into the void. Light and wind blast out of the portal as he pulls a sword and a shield with a gray eight-pointed star on it. A One Star. Everyone laughs at him, calling him names and insulting him. Enraged, Eden slams his blade onto the ground, silencing the crowd. Then swears to everybody that he will become The True Hero of Legend and prove to everyone that a One Star can also be a Legion.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Once Piece meets Dragon Ball Z in the action-packed adventure from debut author Yimje Lee. It was like reading manga but without the pictures. However, anime-style artist Mustafa Ejaz sprinkles some illustrations throughout the book. And that is how Lee wanted it. A lover of anime, video games, and pulse-pounding Hong Kong action flicks is what brought One Star Hero to life…

CLICK TO READ THE FULL REVIEW FEATURED ON MEDIUM.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yimje Lee was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a young Hmong American who enjoys many things, from playing video games to watching movies and Anime to martial arts. With a big imagination, Yimje dreams of making his own animated show one day. To get there, he decides to finally put his imagination onto paper and write “One Star Hero.”

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Book Release: An Immortal Threat by T. R. Kavanaugh

I had the honor of receiving an advanced copy of this book back in August. Now it’s book release day, and I am letting loose!

An Immortal Threat (Fractured Gods Book 2)

Publishing Date: September 21, 2024 

Genre: Fantasy, New Adult Fantasy

Synopsis:

Attempted assassination. Consequences from shattering a portal. Factions maneuvering to gain power. The dangers of this new world are closing in.

As a human in the elven court of Efalune, Keiro has spent the last few months adapting as quickly as she can to her new life as a princess. Tutors and festivities have distracted her from both the revelations about her family as well as her quest to find the next relic piece. Not to mention the pain she experiences every time she tries to open a portal.

But an encounter with members of Hidden Gate reminds Keiro just how unstable her situation is. There are those in the elven court who cannot accept a human wielding the Corvaal, while the humans of the Veiled Bastion want her and her magic returned to them.

Keiro’s only hope to gain control of her life again is to find the remaining relics and free Sahale. But doubts are festering as secrets build walls between them. Can she trust the imprisoned god?

There are threats at every turn…

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON!

REVIEW

Now, An Immortal Threat is book 2 in the Fractured Gods Series. I missed the bus on reading the first book. This is epic fantasy, so it’s kind of important that you read the first book. To my surprise, Kavanaugh did an excellent job, and I instantly felt welcomed into her world.

In An Immortal Threat, we pick up with Keiro, still adapting to her new life as the human princess in the elven court of Efalune. She is also the bearer of the Corvaal that hosts an imprisoned God, Sahale, whom she bargained with to help release. A life of diplomatic parties is Keiro’s life now. All while danger looms as others seek the power Kiero welds. Secrets get revealed, though, in this next chapter, as the secret human organization known as the Veiled Bastion has its own agenda. Trusts are shaken, and truths are revealed in this epic fantasy adventure that burns with trepidation.

Kanvaugh entices her readers with slow-burn world-building, which I think helped since I didn’t read the first book; I could still get to know the characters and become invested in them before Kanvaugh sped up the action later in the book.

Characters are my jam in books, and I loved Keiro’s character growth in this second book. Keiro is still a bit mediocre when we start the second book, but by the end, she is amazing! Transformed! Her growth was a chef’s kiss! Seeing a character grow with you as you read brings me joy as a writer and reader. It is a beautiful thing. Not all authors do this, especially in the case of Indie.

My only downside is that while I praised the slow burn pace, it hindered me in some spots. Still, when Kavanaugh gets to the climax, she does not disappoint.

Therefore, my rating is 4 out of 5 Stars.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Don’t forget to check out Book One in the Fractured Gods Series!

Available on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A voracious reader all her life, T. R. Kavanaugh has always been fascinated with strange, magical worlds full of different customs. She wrote stories for herself and her friends when she was younger and worked on her skills throughout her school years. She taught English in Japan for a year after getting her BA, worked in the public library system, and is currently an academic librarian. Her first book was published in March 2022. She is working on her upcoming projects with a mug of coffee and her calico cat, Asriel nearby.