Helen Garraway's Blog, page 20
September 17, 2023
Book Review Alert: Dragon’s Fear by Sloane McClain
Reviewed: September 17th, 2023
Released: June 29th, 2023
Genre: Arthurian Fantasy
Format: ebook
When the man who raised Roane Pendragon as a son sends a woman in need of protection, what is Roane to do? Well, one thing he shouldn’t do is sleep with her.
Caitlin McGregor is the latest in a long line of Sword Maidens. As the latest Keeper of Roane’s sword, it means both she and Roane are now targets on the radar of the evil sorceress, Morgause.
Morgause needs to stop Roane from using his sword to turn his key. The easiest way is to stop Cait from giving it to him in the first place. If Morgause can get her hands on it before Roane, not only will her lover, Mordred be released, but so will a creature powerful enough to subjugate multiple universes.
Will Cait give Roane the sword before Morgause stops her? Will Roane be able to use it to do his part to lock away the evil creature? Will Cait and Roane have any chance for a happy-ever-after? Read My Thoughts…
September 16, 2023
Author Interview – A.M Vivian
Today, I am thrilled to be chatting to contemporary fiction author, A.M Vivian.
Helen: Welcome, and thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. Tell us a little about your book, The Family Care.
A.M Vivian: The Family Care is my homage to Virginia Andrews. As a teen, I loved the drama and darkness of her early books, particularly the Flowers in the Attic series and My Sweet Audrina. There was something dangerous and transgressive about them that was thrilling. I always wanted to write one, putting a modern spin on her themes of forbidden love and family trauma.
In my book, Milton discovers her biological mother abandoned her by overhearing her adopted siblings arguing about whether to reveal this secret. Cameron may have orchestrated this reveal. He’s her favourite brother. Her best friend. Her prince in every story they created as children. Does he not want to be related to her anymore? Why? When they accidentally kiss she’s not too sure if it is actually an accident. At a party, she discovers alcohol and retreats further into a fantasy world where she has no problems, where she’s wanted, and where people don’t lie to her. She’s terrified her family will get rid of her if she doesn’t behave, leading to her hiding her drinking. But of course, we know alcohol is never a solution and one lie leads to another. As the story progresses, we learn more about the family trauma and explore their struggle to maintain the façade of a perfect family. Add to this the changing nature of her relationship with Cameron and eventually things snap.
Helen: Sounds extrememly emotional, with lots of dark secrets to be revealed. What were your thoughts behind your cover?
A.M Vivian: I had great fun creating the concept for this. I wanted the cover to resemble an art house DVD cover because Milton is a film buff and particularly enamoured with French new wave cinema. The picture resembles a movie reel with the frames splitting up this picture of a happy couple to reflect the dislocation between them and to show that this isn’t a happy-ever-after love story. Blue is her favourite colour and the colour of Cameron’s eyes. It also suggests heartbreak, hinting that this is a tragic love story. The title falling off the cover makes me think of a film unspooling, mirroring Milton’s life becoming messy and uncontrollable.
Helen: What made you write such a dark and tragic romance novel?
A.M Vivian: The idea came to me when I was a teen and had run out of Virginia Andrew’s books to read. This was before they started releasing the new V.C Andrew’s series with ghostwriters. I couldn’t find anything else like her, so I decided I’d write my own. I must have been about 14 or 15. I didn’t finish writing it but I had the main events, the end scene, and the title. 10 years later, I returned to the idea, writing sections as part of my degree course. Again, I didn’t get that far with it. Something was missing. I couldn’t quite capture Cameron. It was like a memory of something you tasted as a child that vanishes as soon as you try to focus on it and describe the flavour. I put aside the story and wrote The Waiting Usurper instead. Then, while travelling, the oddest thing happened. I met someone who was the perfect physical embodiment of Cameron. The way his hands moved. The way he held a group’s attention with his quiet confidence. His walk. It was so surreal. I’d been trying and trying to capture this character and there he was looking right at me, sitting beside me, talking to me. It was the strangest experience. How could I not fall ridiculously in love with him? We had a ‘situationship’, short-lived and a thing that ended messily for me, but for him, it’s probably an inconsequential footnote in his life. I thought writing this story would help get him out of my mind. A cleanse and clean if you will—better than burning old love letters. In retrospect, maybe I also wanted something good and productive to have come out of that whole painful experience.
Helen: That is such an amazing answer, that you actually met the embodiment of your character and then also had to suffer though a messy and painful ending. I’m glad you found writing him into your book, cathartic. Writing is such a good way to express yourself. When did you first realise you had a passion for writing?
A.M Vivian: I was very young, about 11 years old. At school our English teacher asked us to write a story. I don’t remember the prompt but I remember the feeling I had while writing it. It was that feeling of exhilaration you get when an aeroplane accelerates and then takes off. I remember everything else faded: the classroom, me, spelling, and grammar. I wrote reams and reams of this story, even during my lunch breaks. A whole epic series was planned out in my head, one that challenged Tolkien for word count. I was at that age where you weren’t supposed to be playing with Barbies anymore and I resented being made to grow up, wanted no part of it. Writing was a way to get around that schoolyard rule.
Helen: After such a dark and emotional novel, what are you working on next?
A.M Vivian: Depending on when this interview is published, it might be available to buy and download because I’m at the checking the proof copy stage. It’s called At 4 AM, A Shop Window. It’s an eclectic collection of short stories and poems. Some are available on my blog (publishordietrying.wordpress.com) and have been published in various small presses over the years. I also wrote some new pieces especially for this book. The collection is full of outsiders wishing for more from their monotonous lives but unable to grab the opportunities that present themselves. Instead, they find temporary solutions in devilish temptations, illusions of control, and disappointing romantic connections. There are touches of dark humour in there too, such as Barry who’s pondering why he’s been reincarnated as a battery hen. This collection shows the breadth of my writing, both in style and topic. I think it encapsulates who I am as a writer. A friend recently called me a cynical romantic and I think this collection illustrates this.
Helen: How do you write your novels? Do you plan them in detail, or let your characters take charge?
A.M Vivian: I am a pantser. That’s part of the fun for me—figuring out what the book wants to be and what the characters want to say. I don’t really know what the story is until I spend time with the characters, writing and exploring. That’s when their voices appear and I find out what their hopes and fears are. I want to disappear into their world and a plan is too much of an anchor, keeping me tethered to reality. It does mean that I write a lot that never makes it into the book. This is quite freeing because I’m not focusing on the end product and I don’t have that pressure to get it right when writing my first draft. I get to experiment. The more I play and go on meandering trails, the more excited I get about a project which helps push me through those painful slogs of editing and rewriting. However, being a pantser means that the editing and rewriting process takes longer. Much longer. I write a first draft pretty quickly but I need to let it marinate for at least 6 months so I can look at it with fresh eyes. After that, I’m doing extensive re-writes and edits. I wish I could publish my books quicker but I’m too scared my muse will desert me for someone more worthy if I force her to work in ways she doesn’t like.
Helen: We all spend a lot of time on our own, writing and editing. Do you listen to music while you write?
A.M Vivian: I love music. It’s one of my biggest weaknesses so I always listen to music when I write and edit. What I’m listening to depends on what I’m writing and what emotion or mood I’m trying to access. I try to listen to the same few albums and/or musicians when I’m working on a novel so that my brain associates these sounds with the story. This helps me get into that world quicker. It’s a shorthand way of telling my brain what we’re going to do. Sometimes, if I need a bit of an aural hug to boast my confidence and remind me why I write, then I’ll listen to Pearl Jam.
Music is such a big part of The Family Care. Cameron plays the guitar and is a music geek. It’s one of the loves they share. Within the story, I mention musicians they like and are listening to, such as Bowie, Crows, and Idles. The Maccabee’s Given To The Wild album cover makes an appearance, as does Milton’s impression of the singer’s voice. I had fun adding in these little details. It grounded the story in reality and I like to think the reader might seek out some of these songs.
Helen: Music can inspire all sorts of emotions, and it is weird how you end up listening to certain music when writing. Different albums end up on my playlist for different books. What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve recieved?
A.M Vivian: A teacher relayed this piece of advice to me during the degree programme at Bath Spa University. I didn’t catch the name of the writer or the book my teacher was referencing, unfortunately. They recommended creating separate identities for writing and editing, wearing different clothes and sitting in different places for different tasks. The writer us might be in tracksuit bottoms on the couch, dirty hair, and a food-spotted t-shirt. The Editor us will be in chinos and a crisply ironed shirt, hair tied back and sitting on a hard-backed chair at a desk. Doing this makes it easier to access the different sides of the brain. I do kind of follow a version of this—not to such an extreme level. For one thing, I’m rubbish at ironing. I do write and edit in different spaces where possible. I’ve found my kitchen a great place for editing. I think it’s important to make a clear distinction between these two tasks. Otherwise, I’d never get beyond writing that first paragraph. I like how this advice encourages me to consider and change those things I do have control over because so much about writing is out of our control and mysterious. I mean, who knows why some writing sessions are like flying and others are like wading through shitty mud?
Helen: I’ve not heard that advice before, thank you for sharing! How about writer’s block. Do you have any tricks for overcoming that obstacle?
A.M Vivian: I hate writer’s block. It’s like someone’s got hold of your arms when you’re trying to take off into a run. I need to trick my brain a little to get out of that slump. Distractions can help. (‘Look here’s an interesting documentary,’ and then bam! I’m scribbling pages in response to it.) Changing things up helps, too. For example, I sit on the floor in my front room to write because sitting at my desk feels too much like working on a report. I’m writing by hand because that feels more like playing and personal. It’s easier to switch off the critical brain away from the computer. Maybe because it’s less tempting to delete things and edit as you go along. I find the physical act of putting pen to paper quite meditative too, especially if I have a nice pen and the gods have blessed me with pretty looking writing that day. I can focus more on the act than whether what I’m writing is any good.
If I get really stuck with a novel I might decide to write something that I know won’t go into the book but is related to the story. For example, I might write about a character’s favourite toy. It’s just a way to take the pressure off, get the creative mind going, and break the curse of writer’s block. Anything is better than nothing and if I can remind myself how fun writing it is then that’s usually enough to defeat those horrible thoughts that lead to writer’s block.
Helen: Thank you so much for sharing all your great hints and tips. Hopefully they will help other writers to overcome these challenges. Just to finish, how do you address that little voice of self doubt that drags us all down?
A.M Vivian: I think the advice I mentioned before helps with this to a certain extent. When I feel this fear I go back to writing in bed where I can forget that the outside world exists. It’s just me, my pen, and my imagination, the same as it was when I first started writing. I have to switch off thinking about the market or readers, especially when writing a first draft. A lot of authors write to the market, working out what sells and hitting those tropes but I can’t because it feels too much like a bunch of people are looking over my shoulder. Annoyingly, the less I write the louder the fear becomes.
I’ve found meditation a useful way of dealing with counteracting this doubt and fear. There are some great ones on Youtube. I listen to one in the morning and then go straight into writing. Starting early in the day is another way I bypass the critic in my head, mainly because he takes longer to wake up so I can sneak in a few sentences before he’s up and pestering me. Sometimes though, I think we have to accept that we’re having a down day and give in to it. Forcing yourself to write can be counterproductive. There’s a quote from Nietzsche that I often return to when I’m in a bad mood. He wrote, ‘When we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago.’ Maybe I need to relax. Read a book. Watch a film. Maybe I need to eat something and get a decent sleep. Sometimes, it’s the lovely PMT saying I’m a useless piece of shit and no one will ever want to read anything I’ve written. There’s nothing wrong with taking a day off and indulging in misery. If you need permission, here it is. The danger is in letting it drag on beyond a day because then it can tip into writer’s block. If it lingers a nice bit of boxing helps—imagining I’m punching and drop-kicking my critical thoughts is a great way to release that negative energy and make me feel like a badass who can conquer anything.
About the Author
A.M VivianA.M Vivian is a British writer. She holds a degree in Creative Writing and English Literature from Bath Spa University, a masters in the Therapeutic Uses of Creative Writing from Sussex University, and another masters in Creative Writing from Cardiff University. A member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, she is passionate about self-publishing. She splits her time between writing, running a successful beta reading business (Walter’s Writing Emporium), and working in a library. If she’s not lost in fiction, then she’s at a gig, sweating and singing away her worries. You can follow her on Instagram @a_m_vivian & learn more about her books at http://www.amvivian.com
Purch ase The Family Care from Amazon
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather, or my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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SoulBreather wins a SILVER medal in the Global Book Awards
Even more celebrations! Not only has Sentinals Justice acheived a gold medal, but SoulBreather, the first book in the Fantasy Romance/Paranormal Romance SoulMist Series, has achieved a silver medal in the 2023 Global Book Awards in the Fantasy Myth & Legend category.
The 2023 Global Book Awards for Self-Published Authors.
The Global Awards aim to discover new talent as well as recognize fine examples of self-published books. As such, we hope they will give self-published authors the recognition they deserve, whether that is in their writing creativity, or in the way they have marketed their books to attract new readers.
In this modern age of self-publishing, books need to be appraised not only by their content and writing style, but also by the way they present and market themselves to the prospective buyer, whether that is in the good ratings it has on important stores like Amazon, its book cover and description, or the number of reviews it has collected. They must also appeal to new readers so part of the evaluation included a survey asking avid readers to select the top 5 books they enjoyed the most.
The awards are grouped by category (or genre) and divided into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Award Finalists.
If you fall in love with the shadows, does that mean you are fallen too?
A dying angel. A fractured realm. The mortal who might be able to save them both.
Solanji has a secret. One that is becoming increasingly difficult to keep. She can touch souls and see into a person’s inner thoughts. Soulbreathing is exhilarating and addictive, until the day Solanji caresses the wrong person’s soulmist.
Dragged into a long forgotten angelic mystery, she is forced to venture into Eidolon, the godforsaken last resort for those without souls. In order to save her brother, she must rescue a broken and tortured man. Can she save him from the shadows? Does he even want to be saved? And can she find a way to return to the light before the darkness engulfs them both?
SoulBreather is the first book in the fantasy romance SoulMist series.
Originally published as part of the USA Today Bestselling Realm of Darkness anthology.
Receipient of a Reader’s Favorite Five Star Review
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Sign up to my newsletter and download Sentinals Stirring for free
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
Sentinals Justice wins GOLD in the Global Book Awards
I am so thrilled to announce that Sentinals Justice, the third book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series won the gold medal in the 2023 Global Book Awards in the Sword & Sorcery category.
The 2023 Global Book Awards for Self-Published Authors.
The Global Awards aim to discover new talent as well as recognize fine examples of self-published books. As such, we hope they will give self-published authors the recognition they deserve, whether that is in their writing creativity, or in the way they have marketed their books to attract new readers.
In this modern age of self-publishing, books need to be appraised not only by their content and writing style, but also by the way they present and market themselves to the prospective buyer, whether that is in the good ratings it has on important stores like Amazon, its book cover and description, or the number of reviews it has collected. They must also appeal to new readers so part of the evaluation included a survey asking avid readers to select the top 5 books they enjoyed the most.
The awards are grouped by category (or genre) and divided into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Award Finalists.
Lost guardians. Tensions brewing in the frozen north. Can a goddess-appointed champion prevent a looming war?
Jerrol Haven’s last run-in with evil has left deep scars. Recovering from the torture that damaged him mentally and physically, the guilt-ridden commander searches for the whereabouts of one of his captured allies. But he feels the chance to rescue the awakened sentinal slipping away when his king requests his aid in peace negotiations at a remote and unstable border.
Accompanied by his beloved, Jerrol arrives at his destination only to discover the enemy’s corruption running rife. And after he’s cut down by a shocking betrayal, the skilled soldier’s destiny plunges into bloody chaos.
Can he overcome his failures to forge a desperate victory?
Sentinals Justice is the thrilling third book in the Sentinal epic fantasy series. If you like courageous characters, action-packed suspense, and gritty battles, then you’ll love Helen Garraway’s emotional rollercoaster ride.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Sign up to my newsletter and download Sentinals Stirring for free
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
Sentinals Justice is a Gold Medal winner!
Hope you've started the Sentinal adventure and are enjoying it as much the judges did!
September 12, 2023
Book Review Alert: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Reviewed: September 12th, 2023
Released: May 2nd, 2023
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Welcome to the brutal and elite world of Basgiath War College, where everyone has an agenda, and every night could be your last . . .
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general – also known as her tough-as-talons mother – has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away . . . because dragons don’t bond to ‘fragile’ humans. They incinerate them.
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter – like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.
Alliances will be forged. Lives will be lost. Traitors will become allies . . . or even lovers. But sleep with one eye open because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die. Read my thoughts…
September 7, 2023
Author Interview – Nat Kennedy
Today, I am excited to welcome fantasy author, Nat Kennedy, to my blog. Nat is chatting to us about her book Blooded. I read Blooded when it first released, I thoroughly enjoyed it and you can find my review here.
Helen: Welcome Nat, and thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. Tell us a little about your book, Blooded.
Nat: Hi Helen! Thanks for having me. I must say it’s a delight to be here to talk about my writing. I’m Nat Kennedy and I write heroic fantasy with a gay romance bent. The heroics are very important to me. My main characters want to fight the good fight, protect the weak, embrace nobility and honor. My current book is called Blooded.
Blooded is contemporary fantasy where those who can use magic are blooded, descended from a Pure magical being. Nick, a blooded sorcerer, has been on a decade long hunt for an evil megalomanic sorcerer and is burned out on life. Through the words of a prophet, he is led to a dilapidated manor house in the Alps, where he meets his old, hated professor, Byron, who has been turned into a vampire. Byron has given up on life and has tried to starve himself. When Nick arrives, he thinks he is there to kill him. More prophecy leads them to have to create a blood bond to take down the evil sorcerer. Lots of redemption, adventure, love, magic, and heroics.
Helen: I thoroughly enjoyed Blooded when I read it. Nick and Byron are wonderful characters. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?
Nat: My cover artist was amazing! Silvana Sanchez – Selfpub Designs kept tweaking to make sure I was happy with the scene it created. My two many heroes, Nick and Byron, stand side by side. Byron is wearing his cross, because he’s a religious man, Nick has his magical stone – the conduit for any sorcerer’s power. Behind them is the manor house in which they meet and much of the book unfolds.
Helen: Titles are just as important as covers. Why did you choose the title Blooded?
Nat: Blooded fit on many levels. First, the sorcerers are blooded if they have the blood of a Pure in their veins. This gives them the ability to use magic. Pure can be angels, devils, celestials, immortals, elementals, fae, or other types of mystical/magical beings.
Then there is the vampire aspect. Byron must drink blood and he doesn’t for so long, trying to end his misery. When the prophecy demands him to drink Nick’s blood, it takes on another level of meaning of bring him back to health and how the bond of blood has power over their magic.
Helen: The title is perfect for your story. What made you first start writing?
Nat: This is a story you’ve heard before. I always liked making up stories as a kid. I think I discovered I had a passion for it about twenty years ago when I started roleplaying games. I wanted more to happen other than what happened in the game so I wrote stories about my characters. Of course they were heroic and won the day! But I realized that when I couldn’t find stories I wanted, I would just have to create my own. In the era of grimdark and anti-heroes, I really wanted to find more solid men and women who wanted to do the right thing. Sure, not every character starts out as heroic, but I like to see nobility shine through. So, I write more noble characters because, for a while, I wasn’t finding them. That is my passion.
Helen: Blooded is Heroic Fantasy, which genre do you typically write?
Nat: Fantasy, mainly, though other kinds of speculative fiction such as science fiction and horror. And I like romantic elements or subplots as well.
Helen: It’s been a while since Blooded released. What are you working on now?
Nat: I’m currently writing a romantic adventure fantasy. My hero is a mercenary with a dark past and he’s trying to right a wrong that sent the area into war. He meets up with three hermaphroditic cat people, who hate humans but need him as a guide, and they go on this grand adventure, become friends, romance ensues, heroics are enacted, the day is saved. I’m almost done with this novel. It’s gone through 5 drafting stages, but I know it needs at least two more. Writing for me takes a long time. It’s the first in a series.
Helen: Everyone writes at their own pace. As long as you enjoy writing, that’s all that matters. Which element of the writing process do you find the most challenging?
Nat: The middle. I can draft fairly easily and I love the final word-smithing polish, but sometimes I write myself in a hole and I have problems coming out in a reasonable way. I want actions and reactions to be intelligent and make sense. So, the middle where I’m having to assure all plot holes are plugged, all actions make sense, and the pay out is worth it all, that slows me down at times. Writing is hard.
Helen: Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?
Nat: Honestly, I stall out for long periods of time. I have a day job, so when I’m stressed or tired, I don’t tend to write much. I just don’t have the time or energy. I don’t think it’s doubt for me, it’s just lack of ‘success’ that tires me out. I have to remind myself that I love writing and I’m loving what I’m writing and to keep on it. “I write good stories. Keep going.”
Helen: It can be tough to have the energy to write after a long day at work. I’m afraid I am not an early riser, so writing first thing is not for me! Thank you so much, Nat, for spending time with me today. Just to finish, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Nat: Write what you love. Keep writing. Hone your skills. There’s a lot more I would say, but for a newbie I think those are key.
About the Author
Nat KennedyNat Kennedy writes romantic fantasy of all kinds. She prides herself in delivering engaging, plotty romantic stories. In her worlds, Heroes abound. Here you’ll find good men taking positive actions in rough places. Come along to lands of magic and enchantment—from epic, fantastical worlds to contemporary America, she’ll take you on a journey you won’t soon forget.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest where the rain keeps the world green.
Follow Nat:
Thanks for having me! It was great to meet your readers. If anyone is interested in keeping abreast of my current happenings, please find me, reach out and say hi!
Website – https://natkennedy.com/ – Heroes, Magic, Amore
Purch ase Blooded from Amazon
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather, or my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free copy of Sentinals Stirring
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
September 5, 2023
Book Review Alert:
Reviewed: September 1st, 2023
Released: December 23rd, 2018
Genre: Science Fiction
Format: eARC
The Princess Problem
by Jeanne Adams
It’s Christmas on Outcast Station and Chief Station Marshal Brad Carruthers has a princess problem. It seems one of orphans from the station’s accidental plague is a princess––soon to be queen––and several people want to kill her. Brad isn’t about to let that happen on his watch. Outcast Station already has enough of a bad reputation without losing princesses. However, when she’s kidnapped, the station springs to action. In the end, can a motley assortment of crew and orphans help Brad find the lost princess before Christmas?
Scorpions for Christmas
by Nancy Northcott
For Federated Colonies Deputy Marshal Hank Tremaine, the only bright spot in his posting to the back end of beyond is its proximity to the Drachan Empire. Fascinated by the scorpioid Drachans, he’s eager to learn more about them. He should’ve been careful what he wished for. A Drachan has been murdered at the local spaceport and a priceless religious artifact stolen. As diplomatic tensions mount, Hank and his comrades race to find the killer and the missing relic before interstellar war breaks out. Read my thoughts…
September 3, 2023
Book Review Alert: A Wolf So Grim and Mangy by Caroline Noe
Reviewed: September 3rd, 2023
Released: September 20th, 2022
Genre: Humourous Fantasy
Format: Paperback
A Land of Darkness drowns in despair.
It’s called My Office.
When I’m not typing manifests, I churn out fantasy books no-one reads.
Less Young Adult, more MAD: Middle Aged Disappointment.
So, when I’m gifted a magic book for Secret Santa, I can’t believe my luck.
One miserable ‘Once Upon a Time’ later and I’m marooned on a frozen mountain, heaving with weirdos, biting each other’s throats.
The Snake’s oily,
The Eagle’s bald,
The Bear’s accident prone,
My ‘Handsome Prince’ is more cheesed off Wolf, busy scratching, and I’ve no idea who the Villain is (unless it’s me).
Worst of all…
I’ve no way home and the Mangy Wolf’s got the hots for me.
Growing old is no fairytale. Read my thoughts…
SoulBreather by Helen Garraway wins Readers’ Favorite Finalist award.
Finalist award from Readers’ FavoriteFor immediate release:
Readers’ Favorite recognizes “SoulBreather” by Helen Garraway in its annual international book award contest, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BGRMV8XJ.
The Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries, ranging from new independent authors to NYT best-sellers and celebrities.
Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
We receive thousands of entries from all over the world. Because of these large submission numbers, we are able to break down our contest into 140+ genres, and each genre is judged separately, ensuring that books only compete against books of their same genre for a fairer and more accurate competition. We receive submissions from independent authors, small publishers, and publishing giants such as Random House, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, with contestants that range from the first-time, self-published author to New York Times bestsellers like J.A. Jance, James Rollins, and #1 best-selling author Daniel Silva, as well as celebrity authors like Jim Carrey (Bruce Almighty), Henry Winkler (Happy Days), and Eriq La Salle (E.R., Coming to America).
“When the right books are picked as winners we pay attention. We will be spreading the word about Readers’ Favorite.” –Karen A., Editor for Penguin Random House
Readers’ Favorite is proud to announce that “SoulBreather” by Helen Garraway won the Finalist Award in the Romance – Fantasy/Sci-Fi category.
You can learn more about Helen Garraway and “SoulBreather” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/soulbreather where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.
Readers’ Favorite LLC
Media Relations
Louisville, KY 40202
800-RF-REVIEW
support@readersfavorite.com
https://readersfavorite.com
Book One of the SoulMist SeriesBooks in the SoulMist Series:
Book One: SoulBreather
Book Two: DragonBound
Book Three: OblivionGate (Spring 2024)
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