Saturday Spotlight

 

Tooth and Blade
by Julian Barr

Parts 1-3 of the legendary TOOTH AND BLADE series together for the first time!

Two worlds. One destiny.
​
Dóta has dwelled sixteen years among the trolls. She knows nothing but the darkness of her family’s cave. Her mother says humans are beasts who would slay them all. Yet the gods of Asgard whisper in the night: Dóta is a child of men, a monster unto monsters.

To discover her human side, Dóta must take up her bone knife and step into the light above. Secrets await her in the human realm—beauty, terror, the love of a princess.

Soon Dóta must choose between her clan and humankind, or both worlds will be devoured in fire and war.

A monster sheds no tears.

Norse mythology meets historical fantasy in Tooth And Blade. Step into a realm of haunted meres, iron and magic.

Amazon • Books2Read

 

My Review:

I enjoyed this book, made up of the 3 novellas; Foundling, Between Worlds and Well of Fate. They flowed seamlessly from one to the next.

Dota has been brought up alongside her troll brother, Grethor, by Modor, also a troll, and has been taught that humans are beasts. However, as a human herself she wants to know more about her kind.

When things go wrong during a hunting lesson with Grethor, Dota finds herself living in the human world, and discovers she’s the only one with the magic to stop Grethor.

The writing immersed me in the two very different ‘worlds’ that Dota inhabits and I liked being with Dota as she explored the human world, met some wonderful characters, and came to terms with her new identity.

( I received a complimentary copy of the book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.)

 

The Author:

Julian Barr first fell in love with all things ancient and magical in childhood, when he staged his own version of I, Claudius using sock puppets. After his PhD in Classics, he did a brief stint as a schoolteacher, hated being called ‘sir,’ and dived into storytelling. Although he remains open to the possibilities of sock puppet theatre, historical fantasy is his passion. He has published scholarly research on Roman medicine and the gastronomic habits of Centaurs, but prefers to think of himself as an itinerant bard. He is also the author of the Ashes of Olympus trilogy.

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The Dark Valley by Claire Plaisted

 

Fantasy YA portraying a strong woman and a start to romance.

A dark fairy tale with some not very likeable creatures called Trolls who run mines to source precious gems.

The Crones are witch-like characters who want what every older woman wants – to be young and pretty.

The Crones have magical powers, and they take the soul of the young people to help them achieve this. That is until along came Clarissa who finally breaks the curse on their valley.

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt:

      “Father,” he grinned. “What’s with the next valley over? It’s like winter over there, all cold and dark.”
      “Evil is there, don’t say you…”
      “No, I stayed in the forest father. I didn’t like the look of it.”
      “Good, remember to stay away, too,” he scolded.
      “Evil? What type of evil lives close to us?”
      “Why so interested Caspian?”
      “I – I heard a girl singing with such a pure voice, it was beautiful.”
      “Pure evil,” he frowned. “Stay away, the witches don’t like strangers, most never come back.”
      “Don’t worry father, I was only wondering.”
      “Remember, curiosity killed the cat.”
      They entered the house, grabbing a drink of ale each as they sat waiting for their dinner.

 

Meet The Author:

You want to know who I am? Well, let’s see!

I’m British born and bred, although I have lived most of my life in New Zealand. Sweet as? (Kiwi Saying) I love New Zealand, best little country in the world today, though I’m sure others will have different opinions.

First and foremost, I am a wife and mother of four children, though we lost our youngest 17 years ago. My husband and I have been married for 28 years this year. Our two eldest daughters are in the UK having their OE (Overseas Experience as they call them in Kiwiland). My son is about to start university to study architecture.

This will be the first time my husband and I will have true freedom to do as we wish, when we wish, without the phrase “Get a room” from the kids with our reply of “Don’t need one. Got a house.” And that was just about kissing…lol. Kids these days!

I am a Family History Researcher and have been for the past twenty years. I fell into writing in 2012 and became a multi-genre author because the muses…yeah more than one…wouldn’t shut the up. I have published over thirty books and have over a hundred drafts on my computer. My main genres are Children’s Adventure Stories, Young Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, New Adult Murder Mystery Romance under my own name. Under my pen name of Beth Bayley, I write Contemporary Billionaire Romance (reverse aka the woman is the billionaire) as well as a set of Mythical Welsh stories. I also have one wayward muse who I call Chloe King who is an Erotic Author. Pain in the … and a nympho. Meanwhile, I’ll stay prudish, thanks.

In 2014 I set up my own Publishing Company called Plaisted Publishing House Ltd, which now runs an Author Assist program for Formatting, Editing and Book Covers. We’ve helped over 32 clients in various different ways. We also do Family History Books.

I join EE last year, though I have only recently found the time to get my first book sorted. It is called ‘The Dark Valley’ by Claire Plaisted and is about a young woman who is strong in nature.

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Beth Bayley
Chloe King Website – Adults Only
Plaisted Publishing House

 

 

See all Electric Eclectic books on our website

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Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker.

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. It’s very easy to play along, as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• -BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

Twyla assured me tending the goats and fetching water were part of my training, like stargazing and talking of the Norns and the fates, but I suspected she just needed the help. She should have asked, no need for tricks.

~Tooth and Blade by Julian Barr

Valentine Countdown Blitz 2020 ~ Day 5

 

The Lilac Plague
by Kristin j Dawson

 

An oath betrayed. A centuries-long curse.
A kingdom teetering on the edge of destruction.

In a world of magic, Nicoleta is unremarkable, except for her cursed, stuttering tongue. No special powers, no renowned apprenticeship, just the terrible, stammering aftereffects of the Lilac Plague.

Until she opens the ghostly blue vision from her mother.

Instead of words of endearment, the vision reveals that Nicoleta’s mother was a Guardian entrusted with a magical key — a key so powerful that those who rule will do anything to find it.

The burden of protecting the key now falls to Nicoleta. In a race against the crown, she must find the treasure and the true heir, the only one who can stop the curse from being fulfilled. Impossible? Almost certainly. One false step spells disaster. But Nicoleta is no fool. Where those before her died trying, Nicoleta forges a new path, relying on her wits and some unlikely allies.

Do you dare face the Lilac Plague? This coming of age, young adult fantasy adventure with mysterious magic, evil emperors, and a thread of romance will leave you amazed and clamoring for the next book.”

Amazon

 

Kristin J. Dawson is a non-recovering chocolate and romantic English movie addict who loves to read science fiction and fantasy. You can find her most often indulging her favorite things at 2 am — night owls unite!

Kristin writes high fantasy with political intrigue, a bit of romance, and of course, magic. When she’s not writing, toting her kids around to sports practices, or cleaning out the chicken coop, she’s probably trying to talk her friends into more shenanigans.

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Top Ten List:

Ten Things I Love

– My family*

– Reading books

– Shopping for books

– Talking about books

– Writing books

– Watching historical movies, like Pride and Prejudice (Kiera Knight version)

– Chocolate (The good stuff. No Hersheys for me, please! #grownup)

– Star Wars (especially the original trilogy!)

– Helping my friends (some people might call this bossy)

– Talenti Ice Cream (Sea Salt Caramel – yum!!)

* my kids helped me write this list — and they came up with the order, too! hahaha!

 

 

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Valentine Countdown Blitz 2020 ~ Day 2

 

Mercy

(Third Novel of Rhynan)

by Rachel Rossano

 

The royal wedding approaches and the country is alive with anticipation. 

Among the craftsmen traveling to the capital is Constance Rendare and her family. An artist, a widow of an unhappy marriage, and the mother of a young son, she dreams of escaping the cruel servitude of her father’s household.

Wilard Naron serves the Earl of Dentin. He returns to the capital, his childhood home, to collect his earnings and finally free himself from his father’s reputation.

Kidnappings, bandits, and a plot against the king complicate the journey. The conflicts throw Constance and Wilard together as their circumstances grow steadily worse. The more the pair uncovers, the direr the future looks for the country and for them.

Pre-order

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Other Books in the Series:

Duty First Novel of Rhynan Amazon • B&N • Kobo • iBooks

Honor Second Novel of Rhynan Amazon • B&N • Kobo • iBooks

 

Rachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the children are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books.

Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction.

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Top Ten List:

10 Fun Facts about Rachel Rossano
(In no particular order)

1.Diana Wynne Jones is one of my favorite authors. At least once a year, I go on a massive rereading binge and consume a whole bunch of her books at once.

2.Growing up, I loved dressing up and acting out plays. As a preteen, I directed three plays and put them on with my local homeschool group.

3.I took four years of Biblical Greek in high school, and I am currently trying to learn Latin.

4.Science fiction has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate (all except the SGU series), Firefly, and Farscape.

5.I am a Marvel fan (mostly of the movies).

6.I have three children in scouts.

7.I am married to an engineer who comes from a family of engineers.

8.I collect dramatizations of Jane Eyre and Jane Austen.

9.From my teens, I have been completely fascinated with English history and studied the Tutor dynasty extensively for years. I still have the book collection to prove it. Since then, I have expanded my interests, though.

10.I enjoy watching, dissecting, analyzing movies and plays. 

 

 

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The Haunting At Paradise House by Killian Wolf

 

 
If you were given the chance to become a powerful sorceress, would you leave behind everything you thought you knew?

When Addison is offered the position of her dreams through a mysterious phone call, she rises to the occasion and moves to the Florida Keys to a mansion called Paradise House. Footsteps from playful ghosts, a room of killer dolls, and an all too intelligent owl lead her to the mysteries that lie within the walls, to reveal the true reason behind her invitation. When dark forces get a hold of her and her patient, Addison is left with no choice but to take extreme measures to protect the ones she loves. Will Addison be able to acquire the necessary skills fast enough in order to protect her patient, and defeat the evil entities that thrive in the mansion?

Amazon • B&N • Kobo

 

 
My Review:

When Addison accepts a job in South Florida, taking care of Dax Castillo’s father, Orlando, she takes on more than she was expecting.

The Haunting At Paradise House is a book of two halves, the first half being spooky as Addison is ‘haunted’ by ghosts, and things she doesn’t understand. While in the second half deals with how the demon can be defeated.

With surprising twists, magic, spirits, another dimension and much more, the story was atmospheric and intriguing, and kept me turning the pages.

( I received a complimentary copy of the book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.)

 

Meet The Author:

Killian Wolf is a Miami, FL native who enjoys pirates, rum, and skulls as much as she loves writing about dark magick and sorcerers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology and a Master of Science in Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoeconomy.

Killian writes books about obtaining magickal powers and stepping into other dimensions. She lives in England with her husband, a tornado of a cat, and the most timid snake you’d ever meet.

When she isn’t writing, you might find her at an Archaeological dig, rock climbing, or sipping on dark spiced rum while working on a painting.

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Saturday Spotlight

 

Nite Fire by C.L. Schneider

Books 1, 2 & 3

 

Flash Point

Slated for execution, shapeshifting assassin, Dahlia Nite, flees her world to hide in the human realm. As payment for the shelter they unknowingly provide, Dahlia dedicates herself to protecting humans from what truly lives in the shadows. Moving from town to town, she hunts the creatures that threaten an unsuspecting human race; burying the truth that could destroy them all.

But the shadows are shifting. The lies are adding up. And when Sentinel City is threatened by a series of bizarre brutal murders, light is shed on what should never be seen. The secrets that have kept humanity in the dark for centuries are in danger of being exposed.

Wrestling with a lifetime of her own deceptions, Dahlia investigates the killings while simultaneously working to conceal their circumstances. But with each new murder, the little bit of peace she has found in this world begins to crumble. Each new clue leads her to the one place she thought to never go again. Home.

Flash Point is the first book in The Nite Fire Series.

Amazon

 

My Review:

An amazing start to a new series by C.L. Schneider.

I loved the multi-dimensional characters, the humans, the dragons and the half human/half dragon like Dahlia. Dahlia is a strong and complex female character, and completely believable.

The plot was original and well thought out. The story is fast-paced, easy to read and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this outstanding series.

 

Chain Reaction

If anyone can tell the difference between monsters and humans, it’s Dahlia Nite. For nearly a century, she’s hunted one to protect the other; safeguarding humanity from the creatures that slip through the torn veil between the worlds—creatures like her. But the lines are blurring. As people begin mutating and combusting on the streets, Dahlia realizes a strange affliction has descended upon Sentinel City. The mysterious ailment strikes all walks of life, from the posh, high-end nightclub district to the homeless community. Its victims, driven to random acts of savagery, are drawing attention too fast to cover up.

Assigned to the case, Dahlia and her human partner, Detective Alex Creed, investigate the deaths. But all they have are questions and bodies, and a public on the verge of panic. Working behind the scenes with her self-appointed sidekick, Casey Evans, Dahlia struggles to discover what, or who, is behind the alarming transformations. As the violence spreads and the mystery unfolds, she wonders: are the victims still human? Were they ever?

Chain Reaction is the second book in the Nite Fire Series.

Amazon

 

My Review:

The second book in the Nite Fire series is another great book from C.L. Schneider.

Lyrriken (half human/half dragon), Dahlia Nite, is back along with her partner, Detective Alex Creed and side-kick, Officer Casey Evans.

Once again, the story is gripping and filled with action, as the trio investigate the strange transformations and deaths caused by a new drug, while trying to keep the existence of other worlds from the public.

The plot is original and well thought out, the world-building is fantastic, and the characters multi-dimensional.

I’m going straight into book three, Smoke & Mirrors.

 

Smoke & Mirrors

Secrets are a dragon’s best friend. Deception is a close second. Both provide a sturdy armor, allowing half-dragon shapeshifter, Dahlia Nite, to live undetected among the humans. Walking in two worlds, belonging in neither, she wraps herself in a shroud of lies to hide in plain sight. But nothing stays hidden forever.

When dismembered bodies of multiple species are dumped on the riverbank, the case falls to Dahlia and Detective Alex Creed. Backed by Sentinel City’s new task force, the pair find themselves urged along by clues that seem too good to be true. Bouncing from one crime scene to the next, they hunt for a clear motive in a murky sea of conflicting evidence. Already on edge from the recent string of unexplained crimes, the city begins to unravel.

Drowning in missing creatures, slaughtered remains, masked men—and the search for her sidekick’s missing sister—Dahlia burns the candle at both ends. Seeking answers, she employs her empathic abilities, and uncovers something deeper and more sinister than a simple serial killer’s web. As the dots connect, and worlds collide, she struggles to shields her friends from the truth. But secrets can be deadly. And Dahlia’s not the only one who keeps them.

Smoke & Mirrors is the third book in the Nite Fire Series.

Amazon

 

My Review:

Another enthralling, action-packed read, instalment in the Nite Fire series.

It’s becoming harder for Dahlia, and her friends and colleagues, to keep the existence of other worlds a secret, as multiple body parts turn up in Sentinel City, and they’re not all human.

C.L. Schneider’s world-building is amazing, and I am transported to Sentinel City and the other worlds with Dahlia and the others, as they investigate the case.

This is the third book in this series and I enjoyed it from start to finish. I love the characters and really hope we get another book before too long!

Meanwhile, I’m hoping to find time to read the author’s other series, The Crown of Stones.

 

The Author:

C. L. Schneider was born in a small Kansas town on the Missouri River. Growing up in a family of readers, all with diverse interests, she developed an early and avid love for the written word. Her fascination with science fiction stories and anything supernatural, as well as a keen interest in the Middle Ages, drew her to fantasy. At the age of sixteen, she wrote her first, full-length novel on a typewriter in her parents’ living room. While her primary focus is adult epic and urban fantasy, she dabbles in the occasional science fiction or post-apocalyptic story.

​Schneider’s debut novel was The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price, the first book in her epic fantasy trilogy. The Crown of Stones is a gripping account of one man’s struggle to accept who and what he is. It’s the journey of a flawed hero, a fallen race, and a land at war. A page-turning tale of prejudice, betrayal, secrets, and lies.

“The Crown of Stones Trilogy evolved from the creation of my protagonist, Ian Troy. I wanted to construct not just a character, but a person that I, as a reader, would want to get lost in. One that would embody the characters I’d come to love from the stories I read in my childhood home, so many years ago. My goal was to develop a character that was capable of being both a cowboy and an outlaw, a detective when he needs to be, a monster when he can’t help it, and a hero even when he tries not to be.”

Her new series, Nite Fire, is a gritty, action-packed, urban fantasy featuring shapeshifters, dragons, parallel worlds, and various creatures of myth and legend.

​​C. L. Schneider lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with her husband and two sons. An active member of the indie author community, you can often find her on social media chatting about the daily ups and downs of a writer’s life.

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Saturday Spotlight

 

Origin of Shadow by D.M. Cain

The voice broke into his thoughts, everywhere and nowhere at once, deafening, yet somehow a whisper. “Are you ready to learn the truth?”

Heir to a notorious crime syndicate, sixteen-year-old Vincent Wilder is determined to live up to his father’s intimidating legacy, and expand his violent empire. The Wilders have terrorised the city of Pabell for decades and Vincent knows the business inside and out – and has dirtied his own hands more times than he dares to count.

But no matter how ready he thinks he is, nothing could have prepared him for life at the helm. His father was a man of many things, but secrets wasn’t one of them. Or so Vincent had thought. The deeper Vincent gets into his leadership role, the more terrifying and inexplicable skeletons he uncovers.

With the threat of a revolution, a mysterious and intrusive voice in his head, and a long-lost history he had known nothing about, is he really up to the challenge?

You’ve read the Children of Light’s origin story, now experience the same events from a different perspective with this prequel novella from The Light and Shadow Chronicles.

Amazon

 
My Review:

Origin of Shadow is part of The Light and Shadow Chronicles, which the author says can be read in any order. That certainly holds true for this book, however it does make me want to find out more about the world that D.M. Cain has created, and the characters that inhabit it.

Following the death of his father, Vincent has to take over the Wilders Crime Syndicate, but is unprepared for the introduction to his new constant companion, the Bavelize, and the Brotherhood of Shadow.

Origin of Shadow is a gripping and intriguing short story, and, for me, a great introduction to this series.

 

The Author:

D.M. Cain is a dystopian and fantasy author.

The Light and Shadow Chronicles series features a range of books which can be read in any order. The series instalments to date include A Chronicle of Chaos, The Shield of Soren, Genesis of Light and Origin of Shadow.

Cain has released one stand-alone novel: The Phoenix Project, a psychological thriller set in a dystopian future. The Phoenix Project was the winner of the 2016 Kindle Book Review Sci-Fi novel Award.

Cain lives in Leicestershire, UK with her partner and two young children, and spends her time reading, writing, reviewing and indulging in geek culture (Marvel, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Final Fantasy).

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker.

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. It’s very easy to play along, as easy as 1, 2, 3!

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• -BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Vincent responded by slowly wiping the knife across his chest, marking his shirt with a streak of her husband’s blood. “Karla Nienna, leader of the so-called Children of Light, I believe?”

~Origin of Shadow by D.M. Cain

Saturday Spotlight

The Sentinel’s Alliance by Suzanne Rogerson

Can new alliances save the islands of the Silent Sea from the murderers stalking their shores?

As the island of Kalaya and its people recover from civil war, a new threat surfaces. Invaders from the island of Elkena hunt the seas, butchering those who possess magic. Their scar-faced captain seeks the Fire Mage who it has been foretold will kill him and Tei and her people are in his warpath.

Tei and a band of Kalayans travel to Stone Haven, the home of their new allies, planning to restore magic to the dead island. But the Stone Haven Council have abhorred magic since their people were massacred by Elkenan invaders twenty years before. Commander Farrell must persuade his people to accept magic again, but his plans expose them to their biggest fear and he risks leading Tei and her people into danger, and jeopardising the safety of both their islands.

Under Farrell’s guidance treaties are forged, but is the newly formed Silent Sea Alliance enough to defeat the invaders and stop their bloodthirsty quest to destroy magic forever?

The Sentinel’s Alliance is the final book in the Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy.

Amazon

 
My Review:

Having read the first two books of the series, The Lost Sentinel and The Sentinel’s Reign, I had become attached to many of the well-developed characters and was looking forward to reading this book.

Suzanne Rogerson’s third and final book was an great ending to a fantastic trilogy, and I’m sad to have got to the end. The world building throughout the three books has been amazing and fully immersed me in the surroundings.

The whole series has been filled with action, intrigue and heart stopping moments, that kept me turning the pages to see what would be thrown at the charaters next, and how they would deal with it.

I will be reading more from Suzanne Rogerson, and would love to see more about the Silent Seas and the characters I have got to know.

 

The Author:

Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her husband, two children, a highly strung cat and a crazy puppy.

Her writing journey began at the age of twelve when she completed her first novel. She discovered the fantasy genre in her late teens and has never looked back. Giving up work to raise a family gave Suzanne the impetus to take her attempts at novel writing beyond the first draft, and she is lucky enough to have a husband who supports her dream – even if he does occasionally hint that she might think about getting a proper job one day.

Now an author of four novels including the recently completed Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy and a Czech translation of her debut, Visions of Zarua, Suzanne hopes the dreaded ‘W’ word will never rear its ugly head again!

She loves gardening and has a Hebe (shrub) fetish. She enjoys cooking with ingredients from the garden and regularly feeds unsuspecting guests vegetable-based cakes.

Suzanne collects books, is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles and old ruins whilst being immersed in the past. She likes to combine her love of nature and photography on family walks, but most of all she loves to escape with a great film, binge watch TV shows, or soak in a hot bubble bath with an ice cream and a book. (less)

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