SLUMBER by Christy Sloat

I have a soft spot for fairy tale retellings.  There’s something exciting about taking a classic tale and seeing the author’s new take on it.  SLUMBER is one of the best Sleeping Beauty retellings I’ve read.  Not only is it unique, but the characters are captivating.  This is a dark, delicious story.

LEATHER HEAD by Matt Converse

I decided to read this book because it is unlike anything I read on a regularly basis.  Normally I’m into fantasy and Amish fiction.  It never hurts to branch outside your comfort zone.

This book is emotional and dark.  It is creepy.  It is sexual. 

Years ago I read some erotica novels.  I remember them being flat.  It was all sex sex sex.  I was excited to find that LEATHER HEAD delved more into the emotional backgrounds of the characters.  They were well-rounded and real.  They were so real that they made the story even creepier!

If you’re looking for a book that will leave you unsettled (but not in a bad way), check out LEATHER HEAD. 

TIVA BOON: ROYAL GUARDIAN by Jenn Nixon

This is the first book in the “Tiva Boon” series. 

This is a longer book, but it was actually pretty fast to read.  Each chapter leads into the next so you want to keep going.  The adventure is intense and I didn’t come across any dull moments.

This is a fantasy, and toward the end, I would consider it to be a dark fantasy.  Some moments get pretty intense.  You’ll find plenty of emotion in here and lots of world building.

I look forward to seeing where the adventure continues. 

Carolyn M. Walker’s Debut Novel Immortal Descent is to release April 3, 2018!

Immortal Descent is a supernatural thriller about one man’s journey into a dark world of buried mythology, secret societies, and the true origin of immortality. Ethan West hopes for a fresh start in college, after a lifetime of pain and loss. But instead he gets a curse—a rebirth that closely resembles a death sentence. Now wielding a mysterious new ability, Ethan is hunted by a ruthless faction of ancient creatures known as Lorns.

On the run, Ethan quickly learns he possesses a gift that is more powerful than anything the world has seen in over a thousand years. Unfortunately, a power this great always comes with an unspeakable price… Based on the ancient lore of the Nephilim, the principles of order & chaos, and history’s mysteries, Immortal Descent goes where few tales have gone before.

What if one man’s beginning meant everyone else’s end?

Excerpt: “Ethan didn’t realize he was screaming until he felt Rue shaking him. His eyes flew open and he stared up at her face and into those bright silver eyes. For the briefest instant, all his fear melted away when he looked up at her. He remembered the shadowed eyes of the woman from the alleyway. These eyes were so different. Never had he seen eyes as hers before, so intense—so bright, so capturing. He held her gaze, almost afraid to look away. If he looked away, what would he see?”

Praise for Immortal Descent:

Readers have called Immortal Descent “amazing storytelling” and “completely original” and have said it’s a read that is “absolutely impossible to put down!”

About the Author: 

                                                                                                

Carolyn M. Walker grew up surrounded by books and has a particular soft spot for fantasy stories and psychological thrillers. With a Bachelors degree in both English Literature and Psychology from Florida State University, Carolyn loves exploring the many sides of the human psyche and building worlds that address some of life’s greatest “what-if” questions. In addition to being a creative writer, Carolyn is also a certified Copywriter, Copy Editor, and Marketing Consultant.

 

More about Immortal Descent:

Q) Why did you write Immortal Descent?

Immortal Descent originally came to me as a short story idea about a glimpse into the life of an immortal, witnessed by an ordinary man. But after sitting on the idea for a while, I realized the story deserved so much more. I’d read plenty of stories about immortality, but few addressed the origin of it and why. That’s when I thought this would make a great story, so I began researching on it. Add to that: dark factions, secret societies, an underground war, plus magic and you’ve got

the world of Immortal Descent.

Q) Will this be a standalone novel or a series?

A) This story took on a life of its own. It’s become an epic tale involving ancient lore, taboo history, and the idea of immortality existing in the real world. I’d written a paranormal thriller novel revolving around a (seemingly ordinary but not) young man named Ethan West and his experiences with the supernatural, but there is SO much more. Because of the scope of Immortal Descent’s universe and the extensive history it pulls from, readers can expect a series of books. We’ll be seeing more of Ethan, learn more about the original immortals known as the Lorns, as well as dig deeper into the stories of the antagonists of this book.

 Q) This book is at the threshold of New Adult with the protagonist Ethan West being just 20-years old. Was this intentional?

A) When the idea came to me as a short story, I was in my early twenties. I was still growing up and the feelings I had during that time in my life were very strong. I always knew I wanted to write a story with a protagonist at that particular age—there isn’t quite a time like it. Just as the teen years are a remarkable time, so is that short span of years thereafter. Ethan suffers from anxiety, struggled with his identity, and has other concerns common for someone his age. He’s turbulent, impetuous, and lost at times, but evolving—all elements that are pivotal to this dark story.

Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/carolynmwalkerwrites/

https://twitter.com/MissWriteWise

Author Website:

https://carolynmwalker.wordpress.com/

Goodreads Author Profile

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17271041.Carolyn_M_Walker

Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koGpNlfFqto

BLACK WINGS by Iryna K. Combs

If I thought PAY FOR MY SIN was good, then BLACK WINGS is excellent.  The world building is what really stands out to me.  It feels so unique and is a one-of-a-kind high fantasy. 

Character development is also on point.  I read a lot of books, and I can easily recommend this one for being unusual and satisfying.  There is romance, but it takes a back seat to the emotion and action.

A Fairy Tale Reveal

Valentine's Day means different things to different people. Honestly, sometimes in the past I hated the date (thought it was a way for couples to make singles feel inferior), but this time around I have something to really celebrate. This year, my beloved fairy tale will become a reality! Which means that this year, Valentine's Day will mean the following: - Princesses and dragons - Shape-shifting nuns and meek scientists - Giants (both good and bad) and royalty (also both good and bad) - Sword fighting and demon hunting - and so much more!

An Occasionally Grim Fairy Tale

Prince Bane Baronne has baby fever. He is in search of a wife with the proper mystical bloodline to bear him the heir of prophecy. Anna Leon is chosen, but Bane only pretends to be Prince Charming. When Anna questions his intentions, she vanishes from the castle. Convinced she is to blame for her younger sister's disappearance, Maria Leon is coerced into the royal marriage instead. She is older, wiser, and should know better--but Bane always gets what he wants. And he is not above using trickery or treachery to do so.

Maria attempts to salvage what she can of a "happily ever after" by working hard to be the best mother and wife. Until the day she learns that every woman who has married into the Baronne line disappears soon after they have produced an heir.

And she is next in line.

Available for purchase on AMAZON starting February 14th, 2018! Also available on Kindle Unlimited. About the author:

More about me: Growing up an only child, I learned to entertain myself. During summer vacations, my greatest form of exercise consisted of turning the pages of a book. Now I'm all grown up, and full of stories half-written in my head. I have to write them down so I can find out what happens next. What I enjoy: Writing, reading, being a small animal veterinarian, trail running, being a mom (although sometimes the hours do not promote good sleeping) and wife, and yoga (not saying I'm good at it, just that I enjoy it) Why I wrote this book: Almost thirteen years ago I became a mother to my son. I had no idea how over-protective I would become over this little baby. That's why I started writing this book -- because new moms have so much free time, I thought I'd pick up a new hobby. Makes total sense, right? I've written several other books since then, but kept coming back to revise and rewrite this one -- my first writing love, so to speak. So happy it will finally be out in the world, and I sure hope the world enjoys it! Social media links: twitter facebook pinterest blog

TURNING THE STONE by S. L. Perrine

This is the second book in the “Blood Rites” trilogy.  I really enjoyed book 1 and I was worried this wouldn’t stand up.  Happily, I was wrong.

Generations have passed, and I felt bad at first that I couldn’t read more about Seraphina, who I loved.  This book is about Gwen and Silas instead.  Their love made me smile, and I kept rooting for them.   

This is another fast-paced book about adventure and magic.  I was totally into the love story.  I needed that in my life right now. 

PAY FOR MY SIN by Iryna K. Combs

What I liked best is that the action starts right up.  There is never a dull moment in this story. 

As I was reading, I was reminded of the LEFT BEHIND series.  A friend in junior high had me reading those books and I didn’t really care for them.  I started to grow concerned that this would be the same case, but it wasn’t.  I found myself immersed in this story and couldn’t wait to keep reading.  I had to force myself to finish the LEFT BEHIND books.  If you’re a fan of that series, definitely check out PAY FOR MY SIN, and if you aren’t a fan, still check out this book.

With that said, this book isn’t just another retelling of the rapture.  This reads as quite original and I was blown away by it.

Phoebe's Light

I received a copy of PHOEBE’S LIGHT by Suzanne Woods Fisher from Revell in exchange for an honest review.  It is the first book in the “Nantucket Legacy” series.

I have mixed feelings about this book.  Overall, I greatly enjoyed it, and I recommend it to fans of historical fiction and Christian romance.  Phoebe was excellently drawn; in fact, every character was exquisite.  Fisher is a wonderful writer. 

The scenes at sea were detailed and realistic.  It was interesting to read about Quakers.

There were two things in particular that bothered me.  One was that the book wasn’t really based in Nantucket.  Rather, it mainly took place at sea.  While I did enjoy those sea scenes, I was hoping for a book just about Nantucket.  The other part that bothered me was the diary.  I couldn’t connect with Mary.  The diary felt forced to me and I found myself starting to skim the diary entries.  I had to force myself to read them word for word.

PHOEBE’S LEGACY has sparked my interest in Nantucket, and I’m thinking about planning a vacation there for this summer.

EMBER by Heather Anne

Beautiful cover?  Check.  Creepy but beautiful town that feels oh so real?  Check.  Teen romance?  Check.  Unforgettable main character?  Check.

I ate this book up.  I am such a sucker for fantasy stories and lately I’ve been trying to get into teen romances.  This book had both, and it is fast-paced enough to entertain even the pickiest young adult reader.  Well done! 

This is the first book in the “Keeper of the Fae” series.  I look forward to seeing what Heather Anne does with book two.

BLOOD RITES by S. L. Perrine

This is the first book in the Blood Rites trilogy. 

The cover is so beautiful I want to just keep looking at it.  I read this as an ebook and can’t wait to get my hands on the paperback.

This is the story of a teenage witch who decides to fight back against everyone.  The setting is described in rich detail and you fully understand how the world works well before the action sucks you in too deeply. 

Emotion.  Magic.  Romance.  Definitely pick this book if you’re looking for an exciting adventure.  Its short, so you can easily read it in one sitting.