Book Spotlight – Johara’s Choice #Fantasy #FairytaleRetelling

Title: Johara’s Choice

Author: Astrid V.J.

Genre: YA Fantasy / Fairytale Retelling

Main character description (short).

Johara is a bundle of contradictions. She has spent her life behind four walls with only small window onto the world beyond because her parents fear a prophecy regarding her future. All Johara wants is the freedom to be herself, unbound from her parents’ fears and worries, but at the same time she wants to be a dutiful daughter and make her parents proud. Forced to stay where she is, Johara escapes through her grandfather’s correspondence, exploring the world beyond her tower through the reports from his advisors and bureaucrats, and gaining a mountain of knowledge.

Erik has always had a lust for adventure. It’s what got him into this fix. Now, he’s been fired, suffers nightmares from all he’s witnessed, doesn’t have a penny to his name and is stuck in a foreign country that hates his people. All he has left when the debt collectors come knocking is a mysterious tinderbox he came by on one of those adventures he loved to seek out before life broke him.

Synopsis:

Locked in a tower with the fear of prophecy holding her parents back, Johara dreams of freedom. However, her time in confinement is spent well, researching the true state of her country. When she realises her father has ignored the importance of ancient ritual, Johara must find a way to break free and avert the gathering catastrophe, or risk the annihilation of her people and their way of life.

Haunted by the horrors of war, Erik has given up hope of ever finding anything truly worth fighting for. When a twist of fate allows his path to cross Johara’s, everything changes and he begins to hope there might yet be a chance at happiness. But can he embrace life and the spitfire princess who never does as she’s told, running headlong into danger at every turn? Or will he let that, too, slip through his fingers.

Embark on a magical high-stakes adventure in this retelling of Andersen’s fairytale, The Tinderbox.

Brief Excerpt 250 words:

How could Father think, even for a moment, that this is a better use of my time?

Johara swayed her head from side to side as she tried to absorb the stacks and stacks of parchment the servants carted in by the crate-full. Earlier that morning, she’d rejoiced at the prospect of her dance and embroidery lessons having been cancelled, but this was beyond all reason.

She stared open-mouthed at her father and was even more perplexed by the satisfied smile playing on his lips as he twirled his moustache. How could he possibly be pleased with himself at this solution to Johara’s ‘problem’, as he termed it? 

“You wished to be useful, Johara,” the sultan announced. “And nothing could please me more. I have meant to go through my late father’s correspondence for quite some time now, but the pressures of ruling have not given me a moment to do so and none of my councillors has the spare time. You could serve the realm and your dear father greatly if you sorted through this and reported to me the most important findings from your grandfather’s letters. Now, I must attend a meeting about the drought over in Derakhtan province.”

He marched out the room in a swirl of silks while Johara sank into a cushioned seat. Her mother stepped through the doorway, a smug smile painted on her features.

“I dare you to complain about this one, Johara.”

Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?

Johara’s Choice includes representation unusual in Fantasy. Mental health is a key consideration in this novel. Additionally, I include nudges for my readers to embrace their own transformation instead of merely reading about the characters’ transformational journeys. I am a certified transformational life coach, and seeing readers embrace their potential is very rewarding.

Links etc.

Johara’s Choice on Amazon https://amzn.to/3Ykcfc2

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Astrid-V.J./e/B07S8WGPTT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrid.v.j_author_official/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Astrid-VJ-USA-Today-Bestselling-Author/100064127106021/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/astrid.v.j_author_official

Book Spotlight – Poisoned Heart: A Retelling of Snow White

Title: Poisoned Heart: A Retelling of Snow White

Author: Abigail Manning

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Main character description (short).

Princess Arabella is the fairest in all the land, and she is well aware. As a rich and beautiful princess, she is dreadfully spoiled and often refuses to acknowledge those below her, but will that change when she is forced out of the crown she’s learned to love?

Synopsis:

Princess Arabella is truly the fairest in all the land, and she knows it. With her pretty face, elaborate ball gowns, and glorious castle, she truly lives the perfect royal life. That is, until she is forced out of her home by a mysterious assassin.
With only the clothes on her back and the tiara on her head, Arabella flees from her castle in the dead of winter. As a last resort for shelter, Arabella takes up work in a laundry mill with seven other women. The once adored princess is now subjected to sleeping in piles of dirty laundry, but at least she is hidden. Well, she hopes so…
In the midst of her deadly game of hide-and-seek, she discovers that her kingdom is endangered by her absence. With the help of a dashing captain, a quirky noble, and her seven new companions, she must protect both her life and her kingdom. Will Arabella learn what true beauty is as she navigates her new life as a nameless commoner? While evil builds and secrets unfold, there may be more than her heart that’s poisoned.

Brief Excerpt 250 words: “I take great pride in hunting down my victims, but you were no challenge.” He eyed me with annoyance. He spoke as if he was disappointed that I was too easy to kill. “I desire more excitement in my hunt than a pompous brat can offer, so princess, I am offering you a chance at escape.”

            I gasped through my tears. It sounded like he was going to let me run just so he could catch me again, delaying my death long enough for me to potentially freeze in the cold on my own. My breathing grew unsteady as panic filled my every bone.

            “So, here’s my deal, princess. I’m going to let you run, and after twenty-four hours, I’m going to come looking for you, just like a game of hide and seek.” I couldn’t see his mouth, but I imagined a sick smile on his face. “If I can’t find you after fourteen days, then congratulations, you win. I’ll return to my kingdom and explain that you got away, but if I find you…” he raised the dagger to my throat and my breath hitched, “then I’ll finish the job I was assigned.” He dropped the dagger and took a step back. I allowed myself to breathe again, filling my lungs with the icy air.

 “Time starts now, princess. Better start running.”

 

Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?

If you enjoy a good clean romance, paired with riveting adventure and peril then this series will be perfect for you! Poisoned Heart offers all the nostalgia of the Snow White you already know and love, while simultaneously twisting your expectations with endless turns.

Links etc.

Abigailmanningauthor.com

https://www.instagram.com/abigailmanningauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074816973438

 

 

 

Forbidden – Blog Tour and Giveaway – Fantasy Romance, Fairytale Retelling

Forbidden: A Red Riding Hood Retelling
by Adrienne Woods
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy Romance
This is not The Little Red Riding Hood we grew up with.
Supernatural races—vampires, werewolves, witches, you name it—all exist.
Eighteen-year-old Rue Chaperon and her family belong to an elite hunting society, the S.H.A—Supernatural Hunting Association—and what the Chaperons hunt best are werewolves. When a new hunting group convinces the Chaperons to team up with them and try a different approach to hunting the supernatural by taking out the Alpha, it sounded like a great idea.
Taking out the Alpha meant they’d eradicate the entire race.
Piece of cake, right?
But nothing is ever easy when you’re a hunter.
A Little Red Riding Hood retelling with a spin that will make you believe not all fairytales were meant for children.
Adrienne is a USA Today Bestselling author.
She’s been in love with books all her life and knew at the age of 13 that she is going to be a writer one day.
That dream happened ten years ago and she started to pen her stories down on paper. Firebolt, her debut novel, was released 4 years after that, and she hasn’t stopped since.
Now she almost has 15 novels under her belt, and it doesn’t look like she is going to stop soon.
Go to her books to discover her series and those that still need to come.
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon

Scarlett and the Big Bad – Blog Tour – Paranormal Fantasy Romance

Scarlett and the Big Bad
Fated Fairytales Book 1
by Sierra Brave
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy Romance
What if Red Riding Hood invited peril and the big, bad wolf was the only hero who could save her?
Promised power and position, Scarlett Capuche left her tiny village to join the prestigious Order of the Phoenix.
Monty Blackwolf never wanted a mate, especially not a human raised on a hidden farm for blood-ritual sacrifice. But his werewolf’s heightened sense of smell drew him to Scarlett’s sweet fragrance from miles away.
Duty-bound to protect her, he will break her of her religious devotion to the magical terrorist group responsible for the murders of his parents and older brother, even if he has to put her over his knee and turn her bottom as red as her hair.
She belongs to him now, and he will claim all of her despite his affliction with a unique, third shifter-form he doesn’t fully understand and isn’t able to control.
Will Monty save Scarlett, or will he prove more dangerous to her than anyone else?
Author’s Note: If you’re offended by steamy fairytale retellings with graphic language, explicit put-you-in-the-moment love scenes, elements of power exchange, and domestic discipline, you might want to look for a different book.
Sierra Brave is a multi-published author of heart-pounding, blush-inducing romance with put-you-in-the-moment love scenes. She enjoys writing about a variety of gorgeous alpha males who can’t resist head-strong heroines. Curvy girls have a special place in her heart and often grace the pages of her books. Tales of shifters, cowboys, twisted fairy tales, space pirates, Amazon warriors, and vampires capture her imagination as do tempting spanking and ménage scenarios, but she also engages in more down-to-earth themes such as office romance. You’ll find lots of unique characters and humor in all of her stories.
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon giftcard, ebook – 1 winner each

Elfhame – Anthea Sharp – Review #Fantasy #Fairytales

Elfhame – Anthea Sharp

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Mara is a girl with adventure in her soul, and she wants more than her mundane village and boring suitor can offer. Her life is one of few future prospects save a dull marriage, hard work and popping out children. She has no special skills of which she is aware, save more intelligence than usual, courage and a curious nature.

Prince Bran is the heir to not only the Hawthorne Throne, an-end-of-the-world prophecy, but he’s a fearsome Dark Elf. His life is filled with duty, war and magic. He is taciturn, a powerful sorcerer and fearsome warrior.

These two are linked – by a prophecy one has lived by and the other is blissfully unaware of. Aside from that, they have little in common.

Fate has her way and our two fine heroes meet; there are deceptions, battles with unpleasant monsters, surprises, unlikely friendships and a rollercoaster ending.

Told like a fairytale, the story is engaging (I read it through in a couple of hours as I couldn’t put it down), and the characters are great. Mara quickly captures the readers – feisty and brave, a bit naive but knows her own mind and is not afraid to say so. She is not a wallflower.

Bran is a sympathetic character – doing his duty and fulfilling a prophecy that will save his people, despite his own reservations, safety and happiness. The elves are seen by the humans as alien and ‘hideous’, with strange and mythical ways; the humans are viewed as primitive and weak. And both factions are proven wrong.

Well-crafted and filled with adventure this fantasy tale is definitely one for readers of mythic tales and fairy tales. Younger readers may find the monsters and the battles unsettling but this is a good read for any age.

5 stars.

New Release – Might Have Been – Tales and Retales Bundle #Fantasy #Fairytales #adultfairytales #bundles

Might Have Been – Tales and Retales

only 5.99 for all 17 stories!

From retellings of classic fairy tales to legends and lore told around the hearth, this collection presents stories of wonder and fantasy—some straight up and others with a twist.

Children’s tales from Serbia and Russia feature water spirits and household sprites, knight princes and giants, whirlwinds and the Golden Horde.

An unusual visit to Wonderland follows Alice as she encounters the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and Humpty Dumpty under horror’s shadow. The secrets of a most infamous castle, Burg Frankenstein, deliver up ghosts.

While a trio of sexy gender-swap tales yield Snow White, Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast with spice.

Romeo and Juliet—and vampires, the Three Little Pigs as you’ve never seen them, Cinderella embracing witchcraft…these are the Might Have Been, folklore, granny tales, and fairy tales turned upside down or glimpsed darkly in the mirror.

*Not all stories suitable for kids.

Might bundle cover UPDATED JPG.jpg

https://books2read.com/MightHaveBeenTalesRetales

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/might-have-been-2

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0813VKLYG/?tag=kydala-20

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1486609937

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/might-have-been-a-l-butcher/1134771863

https://bundlerabbit.com/b/might-have-been-tales-retales

  1. Fairy Tale Fatesby Leah Cutter
  2. The Charming Trilogy Vol. 1 by Kristine Grayson
  3. The Legends of Castle Frankenstein by DeAnna Knippling
  4. Snow Truer Loveby AJ Tipton
  5. Brick Houses (Uncollected Anthology: Fairy Tales) by Annie Reed
  6. The Return of Alice by Robert Jeschonek
  7. Into the Forest Shadows by J.A. Marlow
  8. Handsome and the Beast by AJ Tipton
  9. THE RUSSIAN STORY BOOK – 12 Illustrated Children’s Stories from Mother Russia by Richard Wilson
  10. Tales of Old Giralliyaby J.M. Ney-Grimm
  11. R+J Sucks, vol 1 by Ann Hunter
  12. Hunting Red by AJ Tipton
  13. Lost: Cinderella’s Secret Witch Diaries (Book 1)by Ron Vitale
  14. Return to Wonderland by Tanya Lisle
  15. Fairy Tales Revisited on Silvery Earthby Barbara G.Tarn
  16. Redd’s Hoodie by Karen C. Klein
  17. HERO TALES AND LEGENDS OF THE SERBIANS – over 80 Serbian tales and legends by Woislav M. Petrovitch

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New Release – Here Be Unicorns Bundle – Preorder #Unicorns #Bundle #Fantasy

I am delighted to announce the forthcoming release of the latest in the Here Be series.

Here Be Unicorns

From fable to legend, these wondrous beasts enchant us. Healers or harmers, no one truly knows the heart and horn of the unicorn—dare you seek the answers?

A collection of tales featuring unicorns and magical horses. A collection of tales featuring unicorns and magical horses.

On Preorder Now – out 16th March 2019

Part of the Here Be Myth Monsters and Mayhem series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P7BJ2JN/?tag=kydala-20

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1454984222

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/here-be-unicorns

https://bundlerabbit.com/b/here-be-unicorns

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130765937

Here Be Unicorns

Featuring:

Hidden Eyes – Meyari McFarland

The Dreamweaver’s Journey – Diana L. Wicker

A Game of Horns – Lisa Mangum

The Hunt of the Unicorn – J.M. Ney-Grimm

Rider – Diane J Cornwell

Unicorn Magic – Roz Marshall

One Horn to Rule Them All – Lisa Mangum

Fossil History – Meyari McFarland

And The Unicorn You Rode In On – Robert Jeschonek

Escape (The Peena Colada Song) – Mark Leslie

Here Be Merfolk Bundle – Coming Soon

The first bundle of 2019!

OUT 26th Jan 2019!

I’m pleased to announce the forthcoming release of Here Be Merfolk Bundle – the latest in the Myth, Monsters and Mayhem series. This should be on sale from 26th Jan.

The call of the deep rings ever in our ears, from myth and legend to crime and mystery. Sea-people, mer and monsters, immortals and reluctant heroes feature in this sea-worthy bundle.

Featuring

The Women of Whale Rock – Kristine Kathryn Rusch

We, the Ocean – Alexandra Brandt

Oshenerth – Alan Dean Foster

Deep Dreaming – Debbie Mumford

Dolphin Knight – Robert Jeschonek

On Desperate Seas – Kate MacLeod

Fate’s Door – J.M. Ney-Grimm

The Murky Depths – Linda Jordan

Dark, From the Sea – Linda Maye Adams

Ondine – Brenda Carre

Merfolk bundle cover  UPDATED.jpg

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MYBCJG7/?tag=kydala-20

Kobo  https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/here-be-merfolk

Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/2U6IVoF

I books https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1450090032

Bundle Rabbit https://bundlerabbit.com/b/here-be-merfolk

Sinners of Magic – Lynette Creswell Reviews 2019 #Fantasy

Sinners of Magic by Lynette Creswell is a fantasy tale following the adventures of young adults Crystal and Matt. Crystal is a strange girl, haunted by visions, and odd occurrences and has no answers for her skills. After she saves her friend from drowning a strange bird arrives on her windowsill. Then answers start coming and a splendid adventure really starts. The world is interesting – with elves, sorcerers, monsters and orc-like beings. The rules of the world are strict, and inevitably get broken and this leads to more problems. There is death, there is wicked magic, there is love, courage and intrigue.

It took me a while to get into the book and to connect with the characters (it may be an age thing as they are young adults – and I haven’t been that for 25 years…). That said once the adventure gets going the story is exciting, well-written and the world well crafted. The two protagonists are out of their depth, taken to a strange realm they never believed existed, and faced with life-threatening revelations and situations but the bond of friendship doesn’t wane. I found myself really wanting Crystal to find the answers, the evil lord to be defeated and the good guys to win out. Did they? Read and find out.

I shall definitely pick up the other two books in this trilogy.

4 stars.

 

Kitchen Imps – Best Fantasy Book of 2018

I am very pleased to announce the Kitchen Imps and Other Dark Tales has been voted Best Fantasy read for 2018 on the following popular blogging/website.

I am happy-dancing all around the house!

https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/

Winner announcement

NN Light Book Award Winner

N. N. Light Book Award Winners (1)KitchenImps cover.jpg

If you’d like to know the winning books in the other categories then check out the list below for some awesome reads.

Contemporary Romance

Betting on Cinderella by Petie McCarty

Paranormal

The Cauldron Stirred (Guardians of Erin, #1) by Judith Sterling

Fantasy

Kitchen Imps by A. L. Butcher

Historical Romance

When the Marquess Returns by Alanna Lucas

Historical Fiction

The Du Lac Prophecy by Mary Anne Yarde

Thriller

Game Six by Judy Bruce

Suspense

Malthus Revisited (Lindsey McCall #4) by Lin Wilder

Romantic Suspense (tie)

Gray’s Promise by Anni Fife

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm by Kathryn Knight

Nonfiction

Everyday Enchantments by Maria F. DeBlassie

Young Adult

The Broken Branches by Becky Villareal

Erotic Romance

In Deep by Stacy Gold

Paranormal Romance

Haunted Hearts by Kimberly Dean

Science Fiction/Science Fiction Romance

The IX: Prelude to Sorrow by Andrew P. Weston

Women’s Fiction

Once Broken by D.M. Hamblin

Children’s Fiction

Hockey Wars by Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence

Holiday Romance

Dante’s Gift (A Chicago Christmas #1) by Aubrey Wynne