books

Cover Reveal: Bound by Promises and Lies – Sienna Archer

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What an absolutely beautiful cover! Read more about the next Realms of Magic book, Bound by Promises and Lies by Sienna Archer.

BOUND BY PROMISES & LIES_smallcover

Bound by Promises & Lies (Realms of Magic Book 2)

Expected Publication Date: February 19, 2024

Genre: YA Fantasy Romance/ LGBTQ2+

  • Fake fiancé
  • Slow burn Sapphic romance
  • Touch her and die
  • Plot twists
  • Family drama
  • Wish-granting sea faeries
  • Complex characters
  • Second in a series
  • YA romantasy

What if the only way to stop a war built on lies is by faking a betrothal?

With rumors circulating that her mama is planning an attack on the magic realms, Alathea must be the one to stop her—but after the disaster in the realm of Mizura, she is loath to leave her sister’s side. When Alathea’s ex-flame shows up uninvited in their safe haven, her best plan may be what she detests most: Leave her sister behind and return home to confront her mama with the high sorceress Lidja, whose tongue sharpens by the day.

As her mama drums the path to war, her ex-flame plots revenge, and whenever Lidja opens her mouth, everything ends up worse, Alathea has to find a way to stop battles on all sides…

…which may just mean making a promise even worse than her last: A magical fake betrothal and all the very real feelings that come with it.

Bound by Promises & Lies is the second book in the Realms of Magic YA fantasy series with a slow-burn queer romance, heart-pounding adventure, and shocking twists. If you liked Throne of Glass or A Vow So Dark & Lovely, you’ll love this fast-paced story by Sienna Archer.

Pre-order on Amazon

About the Author

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Sienna Archer believes romance should be epic, adventures magical, and the best characters are the ones who grow. She writes books featuring diverse characters and strong female leads that make readers laugh, shout, and cry.

Sienna Archer

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Blog Tour: Merde at the Paris Olympics – Stephen Clarke

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Englishman Paul West is living in Paris (where he arrived long before Emily, by the way) and he’s gearing up for the 2024 Olympics.
Paul accepts a job with a French group who are campaigning to get pétanque adopted as an official Olympic event. In Paul’s opinion, lobbing lumps of lead around while drinking pastis is barely a sport – it’s more an excuse for Provençal men to avoid cooking dinner. But he needs the cash.
Meanwhile Paul falls in love with a French tech genius – who thinks he’s an idiot – and tangles with his treacherous ex, Elodie.
Paul also applies for French nationality and has to embark on a war of attrition with France’s Napoleonic bureaucrats.
In the background, Paul’s friend Jake the grunge poet decides that the Olympics and Paralympics discriminate against the lazy, and invents the “Nolympics”.
Let the fun and games begin.

Stephen Clarke is a British writer who writes mainly about France. He has published six novels featuring a British protagonist named Paul West.

My thoughts: this was very funny, I’ve played petanque in the beach in France as a kid, my family are all Francophiles and my great-grandmother was French. I have also been to Paris, which is very different to other parts of France, so I appreciated Paul’s constant bewilderment despite having lived there for some time.

French bureaucracy is infamous and he encounters it both in attempting to get citizenship and in trying to get petanque (sometimes known as boules) registered as an Olympic sport for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Although Olympic bureaucracy might actually be even more impressively labyrinthine than the French.

For Paul, it means tangling with ex-girlfriend Eloise, while attempting to impress solar panel entrepreneur Ambre, translate for a rather rude Provencàl petanque association president, in an attempt to not offend every Olympic official, and avoid being associated too closely with Eloise’s right wing politician and dodgy businessman father.

Paul is a bit hopeless and his friends are rather strange, see Jake the poet, but he’s well meaning and never intends to cause harm or offence. He has a very British take on the French (which is the author’s I imagine) and it comes through in the humour and gently teasing nature, much as we always do when talking about our closest frenemy. It’s been almost 1000 years since the Norman invasion and we will never stop ribbing the French and their strange ways!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

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BBNYA Semi-finalists: The Flaws of Gravity – Stephanie Caye

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This year, the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

The existence of tequila is at stake. Oh, and humanity too.

Half-Faerie Jude’s been playing both sides of a supernatural cold war. While collecting a paycheck from the Consilium for fighting against the Faerie Court, she’s also helping her friend Aubrie search for illicit magic behind their backs. Aubrie wants more than magic, though, and when Jude finds herself pitted violently against her human colleagues on his behalf, he lets her take the fall.

Now she’s got enemies everywhere. Before she can cut and run, preferably to a warm, sandy beach somewhere in the vicinity of “The Hell Away from This Mess,” a shady group of Faeries steps in. They want her to steal the spell Aubrie’s searching for, that would give him the power to merge the human and Faerie worlds and control both. In return for Jude’s help, the Fae promise her freedom and safe, anonymous passage to her chosen sandy paradise.

There’d better be one hell of an umbrella drink waiting.

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Stephanie Caye grew up in Michigan wanting to be a famed, reclusive novelist.

Then she moved to Texas, got a job in tech, started volunteering with shelter cats and dropped both “famed” and “reclusive” from her childhood dream.

She now lives in Montreal–happy to have four seasons again–still working in tech, still volunteering with cats, and still writing.A former recipient of a University of Michigan Hopwood award, her urban fantasy novel The Flaws of Gravity was published in 2022. The sequel comes out this fall.

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Book Review: The Sisters – Ruth O’Neill

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In a web of deceit, escape is just the beginning.

Ava Cressman’s life takes a twisted turn after her divorce from Spencer. Seeking comfort, she falls into the arms of a mysterious man named Joel Carney, a former college acquaintance. However, when Joel meets Ava’s sister, Tanya, an unsettling connection sparks between them.

Tanya, seemingly innocent, invites Ava and her twin sister, Belle, on a secluded trip to a remote lodge. From the moment they arrive, an ominous atmosphere hangs in the air, hinting at a hidden darkness beneath the surface.

As shocking truths emerge, will Ava find a way to expose the tangled labyrinth of secrets before it’s too late?

The Sisters is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the depths of manipulation, betrayal, and the darkest corners of the human mind. As Ava fights for her freedom and tries to untangle the lies, she also must face her own demons and find the strength to outsmart those who want to control her life.

My thoughts: I was kindly sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I have a sister, and while we do have our moments, our relationship is thankfully nothing like the one Ava has with Tanya. Both see themselves as the protagonist of their families – main character energy if you will. And they both remember their childhood very differently.

Ava starts a new relationship with Joel, and they’re taking it slowly, but Tanya just keeps showing up, flirting and chatting with Joel, driving Ava mad. Then Tanya arranges for their mother, who isn’t well, to have a home nurse while the sisters are away, without talking to Ava, who takes it personally. Her twin, Bella, seems to have been cast as peace maker in the family, trying to get her sisters to get along better.

Joel invites himself to the sisters’ trip, causing another row. But is there something more sinister going on? Do Tanya and Joel know each other? Ava has so many questions and as the holiday takes a sinister turn, she’s desperate to get some answers and save herself, Bella and their mum from danger.

Twisting, shocking and with some slightly bewildering moments (mimicking Ava’s experiences), this is the dark side of sisterhood.

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BBNYA Semi-finalists: The Crew – Sadir S. Samir

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This year, the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Kings of the Wyld meets Deadpool in this action-packed fantasy adventure set in an Arab-inspired landscape.

Varcade fled to the deserts of Harrah to escape his past as an Educator, a member of an order of zealot warrior-monks that aims to shape the world according to their sacred Teachings by force. Varcade makes his living as a reckless sword-for-hire, caring only about himself, until his self-centered lifestyle is turned on its head when he is contracted to recruit a misfit team of unruly assassins and take out the mighty Bone Lord of Akrab.

But the Bone Lord is aware of the plot and sends her band of Dusters to stop them; individuals who have gained bizarre and lethal magical powers by snorting the pulverised bones of dead gods. Hunted by Educators and Dusters in a city-state where an escalating conflict between the human and demon population threatens to boil over in a civil war, will Varcade and his ragtag crew save Akrab from the cruel Bone Lord, or will they make things even worse?

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SADIR S. SAMIR spent his first years in the Middle East before moving to Sweden. A passion for storytelling manifested early in childhood, and he always knew that would be his guiding light in life growing up. That passion eventually led him to the video game industry where he’s been working as a game writer and a producer for over a decade. Now he lives in the medieval city of Uppsala, where he writes tales of the fantastical and bizarre.

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Blog Tour: A Power Unbound – Freya Marske

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Jack Alston – Lord Hawthorn – would love a nice, safe, comfortable life. He renounced magic after the death of his twin sister. But with the threat of a dangerous ritual risking every magician in Britain, he’s drawn reluctantly back into that world.

Now Jack is living in a bizarre puzzle-box of a magical London townhouse, helping its owner Violet track down the final piece of the Last Contract before their enemies can do the same. And to make matters worse, they need the help of writer and thief Alan Ross. Cagey and argumentative, Alan is only in this for the money. He’s loud in his hatred of the aristocracy and their unearned power . . . and unfortunately, he happens to be everything that Jack wants in one gorgeous, infuriating package.

When a plot to seize unimaginable magic power comes to a head on Jack’s own family estate, Jack, Alan and their allies will become entangled in a night of champagne, secrets and bloody sacrifice – and the foundations of magic in Britain might be torn up by the roots before the end.

Filled with magic, murder and romance, A Power Unbound is the thrilling third book in The Last Binding trilogy by Freya Marske. Start the series with A Marvellous Light and A Restless Truth.

My thoughts: all good things must come to an end, and so we come to the final book in the The Last Binding trilogy. The gang is all here, and all trying desperately to stop their enemies from finding the last piece of the Contract – the knife, and stealing magic from the magicians.

Jack, Lord Hawthorn, has seen what can happen when you do just that, but he can’t tell anyone, thanks to a fiendish spell. But having to return to his ancestral home, the scene of his sister’s death, might change things.

As events begin to get worse – and they’re all threatened with arrest, Jack must stop his evil cousin George, and Edwin’s horrible brother Walter, on home turf.

But he’s distracted by the journalist Alan Ross, aka Alonzo Rossi, who infuriates but also bewitches him. Could this man, with the ability to negate magic, be the love he’s needed for so long? And can they stop the scheme and save magic?

Delightful, very spicy, full of the humour and adventure this trilogy is known for, as the gang attempt to out-think and out-scheme their enemies with some disguises and misdirection. A fitting end to a series I have thoroughly enjoyed.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

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BBNYA Semi-finalists: The Blood of Crows – Alex C. Pierce

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This year, the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Ren is a thief and a con-man. You want something stolen, big or small, he’ll get it. No matter how well it’s protected. All while being the only person in the city without any magical knack.

There’s just one rule: He doesn’t kill people.

Murder is rare in the walled city of Lenmar, thanks to the magic-eating Inquisitors that can sniff out and track any individual by their particular knack. So, when a serial killer starts killing the nobility leaving no trace for the Inquisitors to follow, Ren becomes the prime, and only suspect.

All Ren wants to do is stop a serial killer, clear his name, and protect the people he cares about.

To do that, he’ll have to pull one more high-stakes heist— And steal the proof he needs from the very people who want to catch him.

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Alex C. Pierce is the father of 2 wonderful children (+ 1 dog and 2 cats), Husband to another wonderful person, Writer, and Salary Man among millions.

Growing up, Alex wanted to be either a Writer or a World Renowned Thief. Deciding between a career of morally grey choices, complex planning, difficult execution, lies, and misdirection, or potentially going to jail? Alex naturally gravitated toward writing.

His debut book The Blood of Crows, a Fantasy Thriller with heists, murder, and magic eating monsters, came out May 26th, 2022. The sequel, The Blood of Queens is targeting a 2024 release.

He has numerous other stories in varying stages of being outlined and revised, spanning genres from Science Fiction, to Urban Fantasy, to Fantasy Thriller.

He lives in Canada and is a life-long reader and writer, and lover of all things magical.

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Cover Reveal: Crimson Promises – Jocelyn Bleu

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We are thrilled to share this stunning cover with you all today! Crimson Promises is Jocelyn Bleu’s debut novel!

CrimsonPromises_Final high

Crimson Promises

Expected Publication Date: Decemember 27, 2034

Genre: Romantic Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance

Secrets untold. A stranger’s allure. A choice that could ignite a war of worlds.

To escape her dangerous secret, Aurora James flees to Arch Cape University. When she meets Bennett Caelum, her life takes an electrifying and terrifying turn. Bennett is alluring and aloof. As a fallen angel with his sights set on revenge, Bennett has managed to keep a safe distance while guarding Aurora’s angelic gifts and protecting secrets of his own.

Aurora doesn’t know that the very past she is running from is Bennett’s sworn duty to protect.

A fiery attraction ignites between the two, threatening to sway Bennett from his path of vengeance. Aurora is forced to decide between two worlds as she discovers more about her abilities.

Linked by a prophecy as old as time, unexpected truths could spell downfall for all. But sinister forces lurk in the shadows, intent on claiming Aurora, as decisions kindle the flames of war.

All is fair in a battle of secrets and betrayal. The only way to survive is freedom or death.

Pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNJ59FHJ

About the Author

JB_Profile Picture

Jocelyn Bleu is a tea, matcha latte, notebook collecting kind of girl. She can be found binging
Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, or Friends. When she’s not reading or writing, she is with her
family or friends or walking (most likely to get some source of caffeine).
She has a master’s degree in creative writing and a bachelor’s degree in history. She is
obsessed with all things supernatural, and anything JRR Tolkien related.

Jocelyn Bleu

@jocelynbleu

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Blog Tour: The Legionnaire – Samantha Traunfield

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TheLegionaire copy

Discover the epic military fantasy where magic determines your place in life. “This grim, passionate tale will scorch readers.” – Kirkus recommended review

We’re celebrating the release of The Legionnaire by Samantha Traunfeld! Read on for more details!

9781958607183

The Legionnaire

Publication Date: November 14, 2023

Genre: NA Epic Fantasy

Saiden, a Blood-Cursed legionnaire—blessed by both the God of Life and Goddess of Death—is a paradox. Called both “death-bringer” and “world-ender,” she is surprisingly careful about taking lives and proving herself to be a monster. Torn between her loyalty to her queen and the need to protect her people, Saiden struggles to decide who she is going to be in a world that has already cast her aside.

Queen Loralei is hiding the fact that she’s been blessed by the God of Life while navigating the manipulative and dangerous landscape of ruling a kingdom. When she discovers a mysterious prisoner in her dungeons, she begins to unravel a complicated plot that shadows her reign and would change the course of history.

Mozare, gifted by the Goddess of Death with the powers to control shadows, is hiding lots of secrets in the dark. As Saiden’s legionnaire partner, he would do everything to protect her—even if that means killing the queen she swore to protect to save her from a fate worse than death.

With friends and enemies becoming indistinguishable from each other, can these three individuals survive long enough to fulfill their destinies without losing those closest to them, or will their missions irreparably ruin them—and possibly the entire kingdom?

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Samantha’s love of stories began when she was about 12—could read a whole book in a day and wrote lots of stories featuring cute ghosts. Now she writes stories about badass women, sharp weapons, and banter-y relationships.

When she isn’t writing she’s usually cuddling her dog, starting a new craft project she might not finish, or trying to figure out how video games work.

There’s a 94.6% chance you can find her curled up in a bookstore somewhere (math is not her strong suit), but if you don’t, you can find more information on her website.

Samantha Traunfeld

My thoughts: I really liked Saiden, she’s the ultimate soldier but also kind and protective of her friends. She hides because of the undeserved reputation and the rumours about her gift, something she never uses and was born with.

Assigned to guard the Queen, Lorelai, as she’s crowned, the two women bond and Saiden gives Lorelai self-defence lessons. There’s a growing anti-monarchy movement, one that involves people close to both Lorelai and Saiden, but they’re unaware. Saiden gets drawn into the movement and is horrified by their plans, but it’s too late to stop them.

With some really shocking twists, and characters you want to root for, this is intelligent and interesting fantasy examining power, how it’s given and how it’s used.

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*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: Pass The Cyanide – Karmen Špiljak

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A deadly feast, a mobster restaurant and a family get-together with fatal results.
Savour the spicy tang of dark and twisted tales in Pass the Cyanide, a follow-up to the award-winning collection of culinary mysteries, Add Cyanide to Taste.
From an old friend hiding a deadly secret to a ravenous house with an appetite for friends, Špiljak masterfully blends the allure of food and the thrill of mystery. Each story is a rich and satisfying
serving of crime, with a twist that will leave you wanting more.
A must-read for fans of culinary noir and foodies who love a pinch of danger with their suspense. All recipes included are cyanide-free.
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Karmen Špiljak is a Slovenian-Belgian writer of suspense, horror and speculative fiction.Her short fiction has been awarded and anthologised. Her short story collection, Add Cyanide to Taste, won the
2022 IndieReader Discovery award for best short stories/Fiction. She lives in Belgrade with her husband, two mischievous cats and an undefined number of literary characters.Find out more – Website

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My thoughts: a series of food related darkly comic short stories, ranging from a chef whose sous chef has had enough, to one that uses a secret ingredient no one must find out about, a mobster who wants only good reviews and a mother who drugs the PTA. Each one is amusing and entertaining, I like when supposedly ordinary people snap and do terrible things. There are also recipes for some of the dishes included but all thankfully poison free!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.