Saturday, April 30, 2022
Friday, April 29, 2022
Thursday, April 28, 2022
NBTM Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: Blood of Azure Series by Jonathan J Michael @GoddessFish
Blood of Azure Series
by Jonathan J. Michael
GENRE: Epic Fantasy
Four races with powers dictated by the seasons seek balance and prosperity. However, life instinctively primes itself for survival, and when one race commands the touch of death, all others fall in line. Tyranny plagues Azure as an immortal ruler governs the knowledge of the seasons and those wielding its power.
Four young protagonists, Stone, Jaymes, Goose, and Astor, each navigate their way to escape his shadow and reclaim their freedom. Simple ambitions for young souls. But little did they know, they would uncover the secrets the realm is built upon, and the unique talents they each carry. Their ignorance allows the knowledge of the seasons to escape into the world around them little by little, and with it, a power loosing anarchy upon the realm. A power most aren’t worthy of wielding. It is up to Stone and his companions to tame that power and reclaim the balance.
Four seasons to balance the land. Four sages to balance the life.
SEASON OF SACRIFICE, BOOK 1
BLURB:
Courage is for the bold. It is not for Stone McLarin. He’s been in hiding for four seasons after being orphaned by the Taoiseach. He doesn’t care for the heroic antics of avenging his parent’s death or securing his freedom. He only desires one thing—to protect his sister’s life.
This proves challenging when his sister, Jaymes, possesses a rivaling power of decay to that of the tyrant ruler’s. She’s a threat to his dominance, and there will be no escaping his shadow.
When the Taoiseach manipulates his way into Jaymes’s life and steals her away, Stone has no choice but to follow. He must venture into the heart of the tyrant’s domain and figure out how to penetrate the impenetrable. And if he succeeds there, he will have to slay the most powerful man in Azure.
In a world ruled by decay, what chance does life stand?
Season of Sacrifice is part one of the Blood of Azure series—an epic fantasy full of grim encounters, heroic adventures, unique magic, and a captivating world to explore.
Author’s Note: Contains explicit language and some graphic descriptions.
Purchase Season of Sacrifice on Amazon
EXCERPT:
SEASON OF SACRIFICE – STONE
The four men are at a standstill with the monstrous fish as it splashes and rolls in the water. The captain, first mate, and second mate all look tense as they rush over to the other boom on port side. They raise it in no time and ready another line. Except this one doesn’t have a hook. They tie the end of the line into a slip-knot and throw it into the water where the battle is. Are they trying to lasso a fish? I’m just the greenhorn here, so I keep my mouth shut and follow suit regardless of how ridiculous their actions are.
Captain Crowbill pulls the line taut. They’ve lassoed it! What?
The goliath fish is wearing now with two lines tugging at it in separate directions and a third restraining its thrashing. They’re making progress, and both me and the captain crank our pulleys as fast as we can to keep up with the momentum of the anglers. The fish continues to fight hard, splashing and rolling until it is slowly raised out of the water.
For the first time, I get a glimpse of what we’re reeling in. It’s no fish. Or at least it doesn’t look like a fish. Not any I’ve ever seen. It’s a third the length of the ship, and it has legs! It has a long snout with massive teeth protruding from it and a long rigid tail with its spine bulging from its back, head to tail. And no scales. Don’t all fish have scales? Tigershit! It’s a river monster!
SEASON OF SUFFERING, BOOK 2
BLURB:
A villain in his own mind, Stone McLarin is labeled the hero for murdering a man.
Not only is Stone weighted down as a hero, but he’s idolized by the dominant religion, and he’s the sole protector of the knowledge of the ages. The pressure of the entire realm is on his shoulders.
Carib Reign, a shapeshifter building an army of immortals, plans to purge the Crimson Capital to find this hidden knowledge. His motive, to give the people of Azure the freedom they deserve.
With many adventures along the way, Stone will lead the charge to defend the Crimson Capital against the Immortal Army. Should he fail, anarchy is inevitable. Death for all Azure, a possibility.
Where there is life, death anticipates. But what if death is abandoned? Life will rebel.
Season of Suffering is part two of the Blood of Azure series—an epic fantasy with both light and dark hearts. You’ll experience many fantasy tropes, clashing swords, unique magic, fantastical beasts, and a wide range of Azure’s scenic terrain.
Author’s Note: Contains explicit language and some graphic descriptions.
Purchase Season of Suffering on Amazon
Interview with Jonathan J. Michael
Have you ever had an imaginary friend?
This is absurd. We’re all imaginary. Of course I have. His name is J.R.R.
Do you have any phobias?
Heights. The irony, I really want to go to space. I’m also afraid of new experiences. Send me to a location I’ve never been, and I’m hesitant. Put me in a room with people I don’t know, and I want to escape. And here’s another weird one, I avoid looking at mirrors in a dark room. You never know what scary faces will appear on the other side. Oh, and Trader Joes. I don’t know if it’s a phobia, but I certainly feel uncomfortable in that place, like everyone is judging me. Haha.
Do you listen to music when you're writing?
Almost always. Please, let me recommend the best writing music. LOTR soundtrack from any of the movies. Epic Score: any of their albums. Audiomachine: any of their albums. And basically any James Horner, John Williams, or Hans Zimmer station you can find on whatever streaming service you have. I tend to enjoy the block buster soundtracks with music tied to great scenes. And another brilliant artist, who has inspired me quite a bit is Lindsey Sterling. If you can’t tell, I’m into the instrumental type of music.
Do you ever read your stories out loud?
Hardly. My mom had me read an entire chapter out loud to the family when I published my first book. It was a bit awkward, especially when I started reading about breasts. Whoops! Forgot that bit was in that chapter. We’re far from a prude family, but it was still weird because they were my words, intended for all to read. All, except my mother. Aside from that, I’ll occasionally read a paragraph here or there to make sure it sounds as intended.
Tell us about your main character and who inspired him/her.
Well…I have multiple main characters. Is that too much for the average reader? Yeah? I’ll stick with the main main character then.
His name is Stone McLarin. I don’t choose anything of relevance when naming my characters. It’s just what sounds good at the time. And now that I’m thinking about it, this one was inspired by my son. His middle name is Stone, and he loves exotic cars (McLaren).
Stone McLarin is an orphan (a common trope, I know) and he has a severe helicopter-parent thing going on with his younger sister. He fears losing her and does everything within his power to keep her safe. It works until she decides her favorite thing is independence. Stone finds himself chasing after her, and… well… you’ll have to read the story to find out where this leads them. He’s a natural leader, but reluctant and in denial about how talented he is. He has a morally sound heart, he’s level-headed, good with a sword, a tad clumsy, and afraid of heights. He’s also really good at taking a beating. And he wants nothing to do with being anyone’s hero. He only wants to save his sister. To summarize, Stone McLarin is the reluctant hero.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jonathan J Michael was born and raised in the greater Seattle area in the scenic state of Washington. Jonathan is an advocate of science, nature, and exploration, which has a heavy influence in his debut series, Blood of Azure.
When I drive down the freeway, I often want to veer onto the backroads and head for the mountains. When I'm at an evening gathering, I'm eager to step outside and gaze at the stars. When I'm on a ferry, I'm at the guardrail staring into the depths wondering what kind of leviathans lurk below. I'm an explorer, and since I'm not on the next Crew Dragon headed for the ISS, fantasy novels let me have what I seek. I write to explore a world of wonder.
~ Jonathan
Connect with Jonathan J Michael:
Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
Giveaway:
$50 Amazon/BN GC
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Blog Tour + #Giveaway: Restrained Desires by Katherine McIntyre @pixierants @HotTreePromos @hottreepubs
Title: Restrained Desires
Author: Katherine McIntyre
Series: Rehoboth Pact, #3
Genre: F/F Romance
Release Date: April 8, 2022
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover Designer: BookSmith Design
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pEoO3Y
All Links: https://books2read.com/restraineddesires
One rule: don’t fall for your best friend’s straight sister. Especially not when she’s pretending to be your fake girlfriend.
Chelsea Moore is officially divorced from her asshole husband, and after wasting her early twenties putting up with his shit, she’s burning to get out there and play the field—especially a certain kinkier side he made her feel like garbage about.
Kyle Walker’s terrified to put herself out there. According to her mother, she doesn’t have the looks to hook anyone, but what makes it worse is that her dating history falls in line. However, when her family tries to claim she’s not really a lesbian, she tells them she’s bringing her girlfriend to Christmas. Only problem? She doesn’t have one.
In comes sexy, newly divorced, and straight Chelsea Moore to the rescue—her best friend Aubrey’s little sister. She’s doing Kyle a favor—like any friend would—except Kyle’s half in love with her from the moment they start hanging out. All too soon those lines begin to blur—lingering touches, flirting, kissing…. And when they connect on kink and begin hooking up, that’s when Kyle knows she’s screwed.
Chelsea might have Aubrey to protect her heart, but Kyle could lose both her best friend and the only woman who’s made her feel like she's worth more.
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3pEoO3Y
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3nOO2uf
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3EgDrPd
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3jFpfaJ
iTunes: https://apple.co/314Kzjo
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3Ce7Pcl
“So, care to explain how I ended up here?” Chelsea asked, leaning against the counter. “Everything got a bit hazy after I jumped onstage to do amateur burlesque.”
Kyle ducked her head, the blush lighting up her cheeks. “Yeah, no one managed to top your performance.” The tension in the air between them thickened, and Chelsea cocked her head in curiosity. Before she could ask anything, Kyle continued. “Then we all proceeded to drink. A lot. And when Aubs was ready to ship you home, you told her if you got in a car you’d hurl. Then you explained that we were having a sleepover, since I lived right up the street.”
Chelsea snorted. “Yeah, sounds about right. I’m sure my sister went apoplectic.”
“I got a stern talking to, but that was about it,” Kyle said, bringing the laden plates over to the small two-seater stationed in her kitchen. “And then I got you into the bed, and I took the couch.”
Christ, this woman. She’d never met someone as genuinely caring as Ky, and she wouldn’t again. Her brows drew together. “Wait, why’d you get the talking to?”
Kyle arched a brow, a blush spreading to her entire face. “Because we’re both single women, and she seemed to think I’d try to jump you in the middle of the night or convert you to the gay.”
“That ever-contagious gay.” Chelsea rolled her eyes. “Aubrey’s one to talk. Besides, I’d way rather wake up in bed next to you than half of the guys at the bar last night.”
Until the words escaped her mouth, she didn’t realize how suggestive they sounded. Right, that was going to go over great, flaunting herself in front of her sister’s best friend. Not like the woman wasn’t hot as fuck, especially all relaxed like this in her own environment. Kyle glanced away, letting out a slow breath. Chelsea’s heart sped a little faster, probably from the coffee kicking in.
“Better dive into breakfast before it gets cold,” Ky muttered, as if she wasn’t trying to divert the conversation. “Cold eggs just taste like scrambled rubber.”
Chels snagged a slice of bacon and began to chew, enjoying the salty flavors exploding on her tongue. When she added the buttered toast to the mix, she almost let out a groan. Breakfast might be simple to fix up, but this was cooked to perfection. The yolk of the sunny-side up eggs split, running across her plate, and she dipped the pieces of toast into it. The breakfast and coffee started to invigorate her, as if she wasn’t roadkill in the wake of bad decisions.
Still, she refused to count her divorce as one. Marrying Noah, yes, that had been a grievous error on her part, but leaving him had been her best choice, even if Dad had been disgruntled about the whole thing the past few months.
“Did you have fun last night?” Chelsea asked, curious to have some of the blanks filled in. The outing had been necessary, a chance for her to let loose and declare her freedom to the world. “Sorry if me crashing here vag-blocked you or anything.” She scratched her wild waves, more than aware she looked like a train wreck right now.
“Please. Me?” Ky responded, shaking her head. “Do I look like the type who’s bringing home girls every night? Maybe like the type who owns a thousand dogs, but I don’t play the field like that. I had a blast, mostly because you were so trashed it kept Aubs and Sky from trying to hook me up with any single lady they found at the bar.”
“What would be so bad about that?” Chelsea asked, taking a sip of her black coffee. She’d known Kyle for years but never got a chance to talk with her one-on-one like this.
“If we could skip past the awkward introductions where I say something horrifying, nothing. But I’m the least charming person in the tristate area, and I’ve scared more women away in the first five minutes than I can count.”
“No fucking way,” Chels said, shaking her head. She took a minute to wipe under her eyes, realizing her makeup probably streaked everywhere. “Sorry, I didn’t even look in the mirror. I probably look horrible.”
Kyle shook her head. “Nah, you’re gorgeous.” Her voice was so soft when she said those words in an earnest tone that made Chelsea melt.
“Wait, you’re telling me women walk away from this?” she asked, circling her finger around as she pointed at Kyle. “Between the genuine grin of yours that would make hardened criminals weak in the knees and the way you put the people around you at ease, you’re a freaking catch.”
“I’m going to hope the earth swallows me up in the next five seconds so I don’t die from embarrassment,” Kyle said, taking a bite from her bacon all while avoiding Chelsea’s eyes.
Kyle’s tendency to dodge compliments and downplay herself never struck her before, but while talking one-on-one like this, she noticed immediately.
Kyle swallowed her bacon and glanced back up. “Most women don’t seem to agree. Whenever I meet someone new, rational conversation escapes my brain, and I end up telling them they’ve got great sternocleidomastoid muscles or ask if free will is real or just an illusion.”
Chelsea pursed her lips. Disbelief coursed through her. How had no one found those questions charming? Everything about Kyle Walker was endearingly cute. Maybe her sister had the right idea after all. After Noah, the idea of hopping into bed with another guy made her gut roil.
* * *
Rehoboth Pact SeriesConfined Desires (bk 1)
Opposed Desires (bk 2)
Katherine McIntyre is a feisty chick with a big attitude despite her short stature. She writes stories featuring snarky women, ragtag crews, and men with bad attitudes—and there's an equally high chance for a passionate speech thrown into the mix. As an eternal geek and tomboy who’s always stepped to her own beat, she’s made it her mission to write stories that represent the broad spectrum of people out there, from different cultures and races to all varieties of men and women.
Monday, April 25, 2022
Review: Liza Fury: Catch 22 (The Terrian Chronicles #2) by TC Marti
Liza Fury: Catch 22
The Terrian Chronicles #2
by TC Marti
Published: April 25, 2022
Publisher: Phoenix Rising
Genre: Science Fiction, Superhero, Fantasy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
