Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 48
October 16, 2024
Blog Tour: STELLAR HEIR by Scott Killiam
STELLAR HEIR
Scott Killian
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GENRE: Science Fiction
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BLURB:
JaelKed’Korhva hadn’t anticipated becoming the galaxy’s most wanted.
Hehadn’t planned on picking up a strange alien artifact, either, but once it wasclasped around his wrist, Jael was granted extraordinary abilities. His senseswere heightened, his reflexes faster, and he could now regenerate from damagethat would spell the end for others, which was a boon, considering he was justa derelict scavenger.
Thatwas until forces from every corner of the stars wanted Jael’s artifact forthemselves, and they’ll stop at nothing to take it back. What initially appearsas a boon swiftly transforms into a weighty charge. Yet, it's a charge Jaelaccepts without hesitation, understanding the catastrophic potential should therelic fall into the wrong hands.
Proddedonward by visions of an ancient ally and a mysterious enemy, Jael becomes apivotal piece in a vast interstellar play of power and dominion.
Anaction-packed space opera, perfect for science fiction fans of Sun Eater byChristopher Ruocchio or The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey.
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ExcerptTwo:
Silence fell over the derelict ship.
An ominous drone vibrated through the ship’s hull that Jaelcould feel beneath his feet and then the cargo hold was violently breached. Asearing streak of plasma sliced through the hull, disintegrating the sturdyalloy walls as though they were made of paper. An Archon corpse floated byJael, their helmet and head nothing more than a smoldering clump of mattervitrified to their pressure suit.
The other Archons unleashed a barrage of gunfire. Emergingfrom the breach, Mortuum biobots slithered into the cargo hold—serpentineconstructs of metal and flesh, each limb a deadly weapon, protecting theircentral brain encased in layers of plasticrete casing.
Jael took a deep breath in and steeled himself for combat.
“Shoot the fraxxing things!” Garlial yelled over the comms,firing wildly at the biobots. His shots were haphazard, more out of fear thanstrategy.
A biomechanical tendril whipped over Jael. Garlial dove ontothe floor to avoid it, dropping his rifle in the process. Their gazes lockedand Garlial sneered, scrambling to grab his weapon.
Jael kicked away the rifle just before Garlial got his handson it. He pushed off the floor, turning his body as he snapped out another kickand it connected with Garlial’s helmet. Jael drew his pistol and fired.
Garlial rolled and the beam barely missed him. He lurchedforward, grasping the pistol before Jael could fire again and eject the lenscartridge.
Pulling free, Jael twisted himself around, positioninghimself on Garlial’s back. He brought the pistol up and slammed it intoGarlial’s helmet. Jael raised it again but leaped off and rolled as a waywardarc of plasma from a biobot raced toward him.
“Fraxxing scav!” Garlial scrambled to his feet and tipped acrate towards Jael.
Jael swung his body around and hopped up, avoiding the crateentirely. Garlial drew a combat knife from a panel on his thigh and slashed atJael. With the palm of his hand on Garlial’s wrist, Jael stopped his attack. Hegrasped the inside of Garlial’s armored cuff and pulled him in close.
Jael dropped his weight on Garlial’s arm, and he felt thelimb snap.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
ScottKillian grew up in California where he consumed every bit of sci-fi and horrormedia he could find. Delving deep into the works of Thomas Harris, Stephen Kingand H. P. Lovecraft to name a few, those dark portals in his mind were openedand his obsession with the macabre began. Story telling, in any form, is hisgreatest passion.
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Scott.E.killian
Twitter:https://x.com/authorsekillian
Email:saltnsulfurpublishing@gmail.com
Newslettersignup: https://mailchi.mp/9f595cbdc394/author-scott-killians-newsletter
BookLink: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DF1RLYLB
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GIVEAWAY
Theauthor will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
October 15, 2024
Blog Tour: THE GOBLIN KING'S MISCHIEF by D. Lieber
THE GOBLIN KING'S MISCHIEF
D. Lieber
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GENRE: Fantasy Romance
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BLURB:
Apromise unkept. A love she can’t forget. This wily human will do anything toreclaim the heart of the Goblin King.
LadyMelody Piobaire never lost faith her first love would come for her when she wasforced from his side. That is, until she finds out he doesn’t even know who shereally is…doesn’t even know she’s human. To make things worse, she’s thepromised mistress of the sidhe king. Rather than bear Tir’s heir, she devises aplan to win back her true love in the most goblin of ways.
Orphanedelf Aodh never forgot what it was like growing up on the mean streets ofGoblintown. And now, as Goblin King, he’s dedicated to being the just andattentive ruler the neglected goblins deserve. So when a spoiled human whoknows nothing of what it means to be a goblin tricks him into marriage, he’lldo anything to be rid of her.
Melodyis certain she can win Aodh’s heart again, so she isn’t prepared for his hotand cold hostility. Aodh is unsettled by the forward human in his home and theway she seems to know just how to get to him.
Whatcan Melody do if her only love no longer wants her, or worse, no longer exists?
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ExcerptThree:
Themoment Selwyn saw Aodh’s dark eyes on us, he released my arm, and Tadhg stoppedgrowling. But the displeasure in the Goblin King’s expression wasn’t aimed atSelwyn.
“Whyam I not surprised?” Aodh said flatly. “A commotion at my door could be causedby no one else.”
Myface flushed at his unfair statement. I wasn’t causing a commotion—Selwyn was.And even though I was using it as an opportunity to speak with him, I did havelegitimate business.
“Selwyn,wait inside for me.”
“Aodh—”Selwyn murmured.
Aodh’sgaze didn’t leave mine. “I won’t be a moment.”
Iclenched my jaw as Selwyn retreated to Aodh’s study. He doesn’t even addressthe Goblin King properly. Are they that close? Is he that trusted? That doesn’tbode well for me.
Aodhcrossed his arms. “What is it this time?”
Iraised my chin. “When I went into town this morning, I heard some concerns fromthe citizens I thought you ought to know about.”
Aodhraised an eyebrow. “Did you go into town this morning?”
Isnorted. Is that how you want to play this? You know I did. You sent Charlie toprotect me. Are you so desperate to appear indifferent toward me? I nodded myanswer.
“Thatwas very foolish,” he said. “Though I have tried to make Goblintown safer sincebecoming king, nowhere in Faerie is completely safe for humans.”
Normally,the scolding would only annoy me. How had I survived twenty-five years inFaerie without his sage advice? But this time, it didn’t annoy me because Iknew where it came from.
Icouldn’t stop my small smile, so I lowered my face as I dipped in a curtsy. “Iappreciate your concern for my well-being, Your Majesty.”
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
D.Lieber has a wanderlust that would make a butterfly envious. When she isn’tplanning her next physical adventure, she’s recklessly jumping from onefictional world to another. Her love of reading led her to earn a Bachelor’s inEnglish from Wright State University.
Beyondher skeptic and slightly pessimistic mind, Lieber wants to believe. She hasbeen many places—from Canada to England, France to Italy, Germany toRussia—believing that a better world comes from putting a face on “other.” Sheis a romantic idealist at heart, always fighting to keep her feet on the groundand her head in the clouds.
Lieberlives in Wisconsin with her husband (John) and cats (Yin and Nox).
Links
Website:www.dlieber.com
Goodreads:www.goodreads.com/dlieberwriting
Bookbub:www.bookbub.com/profile/d-lieber
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF5RBP8M
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-goblin-kings-mischief-d-lieber/1146215356?ean=2940179972006Universal: https://books2read.com/u/4NpOJJBookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-goblin-king-s-mischief-by-d-lieberGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217142610-the-goblin-king-s-mischief~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
D.Lieber will be awarding a $10 Bookshop gift card (so you can support your localbookstore!) to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
October 14, 2024
Blog Tour: HEY! THERE ARE MONSTERS AT MY HOUSE by Marlene Thalman
HEY! THERE ARE MONSTERS AT MY HOUSE
Marlene Thalman
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GENRE: Children's Picture Book
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BLURB:
Reggieis a young child who is afraid of the dark and worries about monsters. He andhis pet cat, Rufus, try to find monsters in various places but they areunsuccessful. Reggie starts to doubt that monsters are real when he begins tofind natural explanations for what he mistakenly believed were monsters. Rufusis often mistaken by Reggie as a monster. Reggie continues to face his fearsabout monsters while protectively caring for Rufus. Reggie is very brave duringthe day but his fear of the dark makes him less secure at night.
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Review: Where do the monsters hide? Reggieand Rufus give us an exploratory overview in this delightful, little book. Withfun rhymes and cute imagery, this would be a great read for any child.
A fun game of Hide n’ Seek that’sperfect for Halloween!
Rating:4 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
MarleneThalman is a former high school art teacher, with many years of experiencereading thousands of books to her children and grandchildren; from BerenstainBears to Dr. Seuss to Where the Wild Things Are. Now happily retired, she hopesthat readers will join Reggie and his cat Rufus as they bravely explore theirbig dark house and the monsters that may be within!
https://www.amazon.com/Hey-There-are-MONSTERS-house/dp/B0CR8QQMNL
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GIVEAWAY
Theauthor will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
Book Blast: SPIRIENCE by V.I. Lakshmanan, Mahāmahopādhyāya Bhadreshdas Swami , Dr. Lakshmanan, S. Kalyansundaram
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The authors will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Spirience: Experiencing Peace and Prosperity through Spirituality and Science is a unique and comprehensive look at the importance of spirituality and science to guide our day-to-day living at a personal level, and to achieve peace and prosperity at a global. The term 'spirience' is a blend of two words: spirituality and science. It captures the essence of spirituality in its prefix "spiri-," and the domain of science in its suffix "-ence".
The importance of such a work lies in the challenges faced by the world today, conflicts between nations and ideologies at the global level and the explosion of mental health issues at a personal level. The book will first set the scene to understand the challenges faced by humanity today and the tools that we have to overcome them. An in-depth look at the treasure trove of texts from India's Vedic past, highlighting the spiritual as well as scientific aspects, will be complemented by a study of the evolution of mankind over the past millennia, changes in the way of life and the current levels of extreme discontinuity brought on by an onrush of technological innovations.
Recommendations for going forward will be presented for the readers to ponder and hopefully incorporate in their personal, professional and social lives. The book will be of great value to anyone interested in or active in personal well-being and global peace and prosperity.
Read an Excerpt
Spirience: A Fusion of Experiences
By knowing a single lump of earth, you know all objects made of earth. All changes are mere those of words . . .
Chāndogya Upaniṣad 6.1.4
Spirience is an experience. It’s my experience, your experience, everyone’s experience. It is an experience that celebrates the solidarity between spirituality and science. Spirituality and science are like flowers and their fragrance; they share an inseparable bond. When it comes to prosperity and achieving inner peace, integrating these two fields proves immensely beneficial. Any discovery or reflection that strays from life proves fruitless. The union of spirituality and science forms a magnificent connection to life’s more profound experiences. While our bodies are crafted from “star stuff,” our souls seek peace and prosperity. We’ve all observed how deeply woven they are into the fabric of our existence, even if only in simple ways.
Today, we live in an era where understanding the interwoven relationship between spirituality and science has become essential. Our connections have extended beyond our families to include those of the larger world. We are even exploring life on other planets, signifying our desire to expand our relationships even further. Our existence now extends from our homes to the cosmos. Today’s human beings see themselves as part of the universe. The ancient Indian scriptures often mention pinḍeṣu brahmāṇḍeṣu—likening the individual self to the cosmos. The microcosm of humankind is reflected in the macrocosm of the universe and vice versa.
The term “spirience” is a blend of two words: spirituality and science. It captures the essence of spirituality in its prefix “spiri-,” and the domain of science in its suffix “-ence.” This innovative term goes beyond its grammatical structure to emphasize the sentiments integrated within. It represents a harmonious fusion of life’s two great streams encapsulated in a single word that symbolizes the profound interconnection between these two realms.
My Journey with Spirience
My journey with the title Spirience is deeply intertwined with a few experiences I’ve had. The concept and title of this book took shape last year when I was in America. I had the fortunate opportunity to witness the creation of the Swaminarayan Akshardham complex in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Akshardham is a beacon of spirituality and culture. While observing its construction, I was captivated by the seamless blend of spirituality and science that expressed itself. It was as though they were intertwined in dance to co-create a rejuvenating spring of inspiration for all of society. It repeatedly felt as though science had lifted spirituality on its shoulders or spirituality had extended a welcoming invitation to science.
About the Authors:
Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami
An esteemed Swami of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and Head of the BAPS Research Institute in New Delhi, Bhadreshdas Swami’s scholarly work Svāminārāyaṇabhāṣya is a profound Sanskrit commentary on the Prasthānatrayī. With a Ph.D. in Sanskrit and multiple honorary degrees, his contributions to the field are widely recognized.
V. I. Lakshmanan, O.C., Ph.D.
Co-founder of Process Research ORTECH and a leader in sustainable technology, Lakshmanan holds numerous patents and has published over 150 scientific works. His accolades include being named an Officer of the Order of Canada and receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from the Government of India.
S. Kalyanasundaram
With 25 years of experience in advanced technologies for telecommunication networks and serving as the former Executive Director of the Canada India Foundation, Kalyanasundaram enriches the book’s exploration of the synergy between ancient knowledge and modern science.
Spirience is available through major retailers. Discover how this book’s unique integration of spirituality and science can guide you toward a more peaceful and prosperous life.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Spirience-Experiencing-Prosperity-through-Spirituality-ebook/dp/B0DG17QF5S/ref=sr_1_1
a Rafflecopter giveaway
October 12, 2024
Review: HALLOWEEN PARTY by R.L. Stine
You have been invited to anall-night Halloween party! Location: a haunted mansion on Fear Street. Oooh!
The night was definitely filledwith tricks at this strange party. Stine certainly plays some tricks on youhere. Eventually, we come to the horrible realization that someone at the partywas a murderer. The whole night seems to be a night of revenge.
A scary good read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: THE PERFECT LIAR by Debra Lynch
Meet Rachel Goodman, a famousYouTuber, a vlog instructor, and a rich California girl. But a traumatic eventwhen she was 9 also made her a compulsive thief and a perfect liar. Aftergetting caught stealing a priceless letter opener, she gets caught in ablackmail scheme by the dorky security guard.
Story is told in Rachel’s snarkyand witty voice, which I enjoyed. Some of the chapters were a little too long,particularly when narrating the video recordings of the yoga show.
Part 1 was all about how annoyedRachel was about the sick, creepy security guard and she was only focused onone thing: Don’t ever blackmail Rachel Goodman. But what Rachel didn’t know wasthat this creep had more access to her life than she thought.
Part 2 recapped the same storyfrom Dennis’ (the security guard) point of view. So basically, we have 2 conartist liars.
I gotta say that reading this feltkind of long. In fact, part 1 takes up half the book. I just kept hoping thatsomething eventful or mysterious would happen, so I kept reading. I just gotcurious to see how this would end seeing that we get a major stand-off betweentwo talented con artists.
I’m glad I kept reading becausethis led to a surprisingly satisfying conclusion. A good read of twin masterstrying to outdo each other.
Rating:4 stars
Review: THE MANY LIVES OF SAM WELLS by Michelle Files
It all started when Sam Wells diedof lung cancer at 79 and woke up at 18 again. To Sam, this was a chance tore-live his life and make different choices like not smoke, not marry his wife,and not turn into a serial killer again. It’s only a matter of time before Samstarts killing again. The urge to kill seems to stick to him in every life.Something interesting that happens in Sam’s 3rd life was that hemeets a fellow time-traveler that died in the 9/11 attacks. She also happenedto get strangled to death…by him possibly?
Even though that this Sam is aserial killer that I should hate, I still couldn’t help feeling a sense ofempathy for him because he loses his son in every life. Despite it all, youstill root for Sam to get it right in a life. You can’t help but see how thiswill turn out. A terrific read!
Rating:5 stars
Review: VOICES AND VISIONS by LaShell Collins
For Sidney, it was “wrong place,wrong time.” She was pretty sure she witnessed a murder, but all she caredabout was getting away. The narrative spends a good portion dictating herprecise movements of looking out at every corner as she drives and walks to herfront door. Okay, we get it already: she got away. Next, we go to a detectivewith psychic abilities and a dead body. We don’t even get to see his abilities.Meanwhile, Sidney’s a nervous wreck. The narrative as nice, but the story wasway too slow. I’m sure it develops more as you get deeper into it, but I wasalready bored out of my mind. Just too boring!
Rating:2 stars
Review: SEX, MARRY, KILL by Todd Travis
The five of them could have somuch fun together. Let the game begin.
For 2 chapters, all the book doeswas explain that had they not been five, it wouldn’t have happened. Whatwouldn’t have happened? Chapter 3 doesn’t even begin to tell us. So, we have abunch of misfit senior kids on a school trip. I appreciate the mysteriousinclination, sure, but, c’mon, enough is enough. Get on with the story alreadyand tell us what it’s all about! It just didn’t give the story. Just talkingabout these loser kids. This was a bad read!
Rating:2 stars
October 11, 2024
Blog Tour: THE NEPHILIM'S FATE by Eliza Hampstead
THE NEPHILIM'S FATE
Eliza Hampstead
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GENRE: Fantasy Romance
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BLURB:
Shewill find a way, even if it leads to a war between Heaven and Hell.
Inthe heart of London, Alissia's ordinary life takes a thrilling turn when she isattacked by bloodthirsty vampires. When Nate, the man she dreamed about foryears, swoops in to save her, her reality shatters as she discovers a shockingtruth: she's a witch, and he's a Nephilim. But their love is cursed, forbiddenby ancient laws that threaten to tear their world apart.
Asold rivalries resurface and dark secrets come to light, Alissia and Nate mustconfront their deepest fears and fight for their love, even if it meansigniting a war between Heaven and Hell.
Withunforgettable characters, steamy romance, and gripping plot twists, thiscaptivating new fantasy series by award-winning author Eliza Hampstead delvesinto a world of angels and demons, forbidden love, and the inexorable power offate.
Ifyou crave the intensity of Shadowhunters with an added dose of spice, don'tmiss out on this spellbinding series!
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ExcerptThree:
My thoughts drifted from one topic to another. Eventually, averger told the visitors that they would close in ten minutes and left.Everyone flowed out of the chapter house except me. Waiting until it was empty,I closed the door silently. I took off my leather jacket and my black t-shirtand placed them on one of the many seats built into the canopies. The air waschilling in the octagonal room. I walked to the middle of the room, spreadingmy dark wings open as wide as I could and looked up at the vast ceiling windowmade of beautiful stained glass. Pivoting eastwards, I closed my eyes,reverently expanding my arms. Suddenly, I was overcome by a wave of power thatsurged through me like a raging river, and with each passing second, it grewstronger and stronger. I felt the portal to Heaven on the east facade pulsingfaintly. It was strongest in the morning when the sun’s rays guided the wayfrom the huge east window upwards. It was calling for me, an intense energythat wanted me to ascend to my ancestors and hasten my destiny. Empowered bythis realisation, a warmth filled me with a newfound fortitude. When I openedmy eyes again, I discovered I had levitated fifteen feet into the air withoutso much as batting my wings! Just as the pull of the portal abated, I heard asoothing voice in my head promising ‘soon’. Confident of the future ahead, Ireturned to the ground.
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Thanks so much for having me on as a guest. I’m thrilledto tell you a bit what I do like best and least about writing in my genre!
Writing in the spicy fantasy romance genre is such afulfilling experience, and it offers a unique blend of excitement, creativity,and emotional depth. There’s so much to love about it, from the vibrantworldbuilding to the intense, steamy scenes between the characters. I find thatmerging romance with fantasy allows for endless possibilities—whether it's settingup magical realms, crafting ancient myths, or diving into the chemistry betweentwo seemingly incompatible characters.
One of the things I enjoy most is the sheer variety withinthe genre. There’s something for everyone! Whether readers love witches,shifters, vampires, angels, or even monsters, there’s always a story waiting tobe told. Each subgenre offers new adventures, power dynamics, andrelationships, keeping the genre fresh and exciting for both writers andreaders. As a writer, I get to explore these worlds and build something thatfeels both familiar and new, keeping readers on their toes.
Some of my favorite tropes to work with include forbiddenlove and enemies-to-lovers. There’s something so compelling about two peoplebeing kept apart by external forces—like an ancient text forbidding theirunion, which is the case for Alissia and Nate in The Nephilim’s Fate.Watching characters struggle against their circumstances, or even against eachother, adds layers of tension that I love to explore. The journey fromhostility to deep emotional connection is one I never get tired of, and it's astaple in so many great fantasy romances.
However, there are aspects of the genre that I find lessenjoyable. For one, predictability can be a problem. When a plot becomes tooformulaic or when I, as a reader, know exactly what will happen next, itdetracts from the thrill of the story. I like to keep my readers on edge,introducing twists that are both unexpected and satisfying, rather thanfollowing a well-trodden path.
Another thing I struggle with is the third-part breakuptrope that often happens due to a misunderstanding. It’s frustrating when themale lead is forced to make amends for something he didn’t even cause, and whenthe heroine doesn’t own up to her part in the conflict. Speaking of heroines, Ialso dislike it when they make obvious, bad decisions just to move the plotforward. It feels forced, and I prefer when characters grow organically ratherthan fall into avoidable traps.
Lastly, the trope of the "tough" heroine who hidesher insecurity behind an unlikable, brash exterior can be a bit tiresome. Iprefer heroines who are complex and willing to show vulnerability, which is animportant part of personal growth and makes them more relatable. After all,being tough doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice their emotional depth.
Overall, while the genre has its challenges, I find itoffers immense freedom for storytelling. Whether I’m creating elaborate worlds,weaving in fantastical elements, or crafting heated love scenes, there’s alwaysroom for creativity.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Awardwinning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her familyin the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing allsorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medievalhistory are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy,she's always planning her next adventure.
Signup for Eliza’s newsletter to get exclusive updates on new releases,behind-the-scenes author news, and exciting extras like character interviews,maps, playlists, and bonus chapters that bring the books even more to life!
https://subscribepage.io/Jsj7Dt
SociaMedia:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61792035-the-nephilim-s-fate
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22627172.Eliza_Hampstead
https://www.instagram.com/authorelizahampstead/
https://www.tiktok.com/@elizahampstead
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BuyLink:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B72G3H1T/
https://www.amazon.com/Eliza-Hampstead/e/B0B7FJW2VQ/
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GIVEAWAY
Theauthor will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
