Helen Garraway's Blog, page 30
January 16, 2023
Book Review Alert: Bound by Julie Embleton
Reviewed: January16th, 2023
Released: August 1st, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Shifter Fantasy
Would you sacrifice love to stay alive?
Nyah’s wolf has been bound by dark magic. Defenceless and terrified she finds sanctuary on the run, but choosing to live demands an impossible price.
The new alpha of Nyah Morgan’s pack has aligned with dark forces, and his plans for Nyah break the most absolute of Lycan Laws. With her entire pack under his thrall, and her own wolf maimed by his magic, she turns rogue, her incapacity landing her in unfamiliar territory where she catches the unwanted attention of Dean Carson, an alpha determined to learn the truth she hides.
As her crazed alpha closes in, Nyah is forced into making a choice. Her bound wolf is killing her, both alphas can save her, but which one, and at what cost?
Bound launches the suspenseful Turning Moon series, a contemporary world where wolves, vampires, and witches defy prejudices, join forces, and fall in love. The heroines are feisty, the heroes gutsy, and the villains heinous.
January 14, 2023
Book Review Alert: The Borderland Princess by Ophelia Wells Langley
Reviewed: January14th, 2023
Released: November 28th, 2022
Genre: Fantasy Romance
What her people need, or what her heart wants?
Destined to unite the war-torn kingdoms of humans and Fae, Princess Sorcha must do her duty. But her heart has other ideas.
The road to Fae-lands is long, and her Fae escort, Lord Conall, is handsome, dashing, and brave-all things a loyal knight should be. Yet no fae wants a human queen, and more war is on the horizon. Her betrothed, High King of the Fae, has secrets of his own, and she’s not sure that he’s her destiny. But her handsome knight and her heart will have to stand aside, for the princess has a duty-her people need this alliance. Until terrible secrets are exposed and the princess must choose between upholding her duty or following her dreams.
One mistake, one wrong choice and it’s not just her heart that will suffer, it’s her entire kingdom…
January 5, 2023
Book Review Alert: The Reluctant Companion by H. L Day
Reviewed: January 5th, 2023
Released: May 2nd, 2022
Genre: MM Fantasy
Sebastian might have the power to summon animals, but winning Jack over? Far more difficult.
As first encounters go, Jack and Sebastian’s isn’t ideal, leaving Jack nursing a grudge he’s not about to let go of in a hurry. Yet, if Jack is to find his missing sister, and Sebastian is to rescue his captured prince, they’ll need to set their differences aside and work as a team.
Jack is stubborn and somewhat volatile. Sebastian is vain and clearly in love with himself. But as the unlikely companions face all manner of dangers together, they grow closer. Rescuing the prince should be easy. Rescuing him from an impenetrable tower guarded by dragon-shifting knights? Okay, that part is harder.
But once the adventure is over, letting Sebastian go might be the hardest thing Jack has ever had to do.
Indie Author Post: Why do you need an Imprint?
Blog post for writers looking to understand the word of self-publishing.
Alliance of Independent Authors Podcast: Creating an imprint
Check out this podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Have you ever wondered what the purpose of an imprint is? and whether you should create one?
Let ALLi explain the importance of separating your author name from your publishing persona and why, along with demystfying the world of ISBN’s and barcodes.
Still have questions? Then please don’t hesitate to contact me via the contact link.
Great information for when you are just starting out, and want to make sure you create a good base for all your books.
Want to know more about the world of self publishing? Then join Alli as a member.
As an ALLi Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
And don’t forget…
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. 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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January 3, 2023
Book Review Alert: Daughter of the Deep by Lina C. Amerago
Reviewed: January 3rd, 2023
Released: August 15th, 2020
Genre: Fantasy
A wedding to end a war. It’s been four years since the blood feud between the Branwens and Mathonwys started. Four years of sunken ships and loved ones lost, four years of wounds both seen and unseen. Keira Branwen is no stranger to duty. As the first mate of a legendary pirate ship, blessed by the sea-god Lyr, and heir apparent to her clan, she would sail to the Otherworld and back to keep her family safe. But when the Council threatens banishment for her people, Keira is faced with a choice; she must either marry her father’s alleged killer, the sea-snake Ronan Mathonwy, or curse her family to the deep. But in the Seven Isles of the Deyrnas, secrets sleep just beneath the surface of the water. Her father’s death is still shrouded in mystery, and Ronan—her childhood friend, the man she once loved — is hell-bent on proving his innocence. As enemies become friends and friends become suspects, Keira must wade through the waters of doubt to expose the truth, save her family, and restore her father’s legacy. But Keira soon learns that there are ties thicker than blood, and there is more than one way to sacrifice a life.
January 2, 2023
SoulBreather achieves Readers’ Favorite Five Star Review.
Five Star Review from Readers’ FavoriteFor immediate release:
Author’s new book receives a warm literary welcome.
Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Romance – Fantasy/Sci-Fi book “SoulBreather” by Helen Garraway, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BGRMV8XJ.
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.
“Reviewed By Emma Megan for Readers’ Favorite
SoulBreather, the first in the SoulMist series by Helen Garraway, is the best sci-fi romance I’ve read in a very long time. It follows Mav, beaten and confused, as he tries to learn how he ended up in Eidolon without a soul. In Eidolon, Mav will discover who exploits the people and find out how children he found there were cast out, betrayed, and abused. But how will Mav, a fallen angel, be able to protect these children when hunted by one of his kind? Solanji is a soulsinger, a rare human who can touch and take souls and more. A seraphim forces Solanji to perform a risky task in exchange for releasing her brother imprisoned for stealing. Will Solanji succeed, and if so, at what cost?
SoulBreather by Helen Garraway is moving and gripping, with a perfect plot boasting the most incredible, cleverly crafted protagonists I’ve enjoyed in recent literature. It’s a wonderful, utterly addictive series launch filled with detailed worldbuilding, sweet romance, and plenty of intrigue and adventure. I especially loved the romantic chemistry between Mav and Solanji and their determination for justice and to save others. I nearly devoured this brilliant tale in one sitting. Garraway’s narrative is highly immersive and action-packed. I would recommend SoulBreather to all fans of paranormal fantasy and anyone who loves stories with heart, adventure, feisty heroines, and fallen angels.”
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.
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Book One of the SoulMist SeriesOther books by USA Today Bestselling Author, Helen Garraway:
Sentinals Series:
Novella o.5: Sentinals Stirring (Free if you sign up to my newsletter.)
Book One: Sentinals Awaken
Novella 1.5: Sentinals Discovery – Available for FREE as part of the Creatures of Magic and Myth Anthology
Book Two: Sentinals Rising
Book Three: Sentinals Justice
Novella 3.5: Sentinals Recovery
Book Four: Sentinals Across Time
Book Five: Sentinals Banished (February 23rd, 2023)
December 30, 2022
Book Review Alert: Stiger’s Tigers by Marc Alan Edelheit
Reviewed: December 30th, 2022
Released: March 23rd, 2015
Genre: Sword & Sorcery
A tarnished legacy. A dangerous mission. The beginning of an epic destiny…
Nobleman and born soldier Ben Stiger never backs down from a fight. Even as the son of an infamous imperial general, an outcast from society, he refuses to crumble under the unforgiving shadow of his once-powerful family’s disgrace. When he’s reassigned from his crack company to the struggling southern army, he’s eager to help turn the tide against a growing, deadly rebellion.
Supported by his faithful lieutenant, Eli, one of the last remaining elven rangers, and a holy Paladin on a quest for the High Father, Stiger fights to gain control of his new company, resentful and mediocre soldiers… who he must train and then lead on a desperate mission to reach an outpost cut off by the enemy. But as he force-marches his men through hostile territory, the veteran commander faces more than he ever expected, rebels, bandits, a magic relic from an age long gone, and an ancient evil freshly risen that has the potential to destroy the empire he loves and serves.
Can one outcast hero make a difference and save his empire from annihilation?
Stiger’s Tigers is the engrossing first book in the Chronicles of an Imperial Officer epic fantasy series. If you like brave champions, sword and sorcery, breathtaking twists and turns, and authentic battle scenes, then you’ll love Marc Alan Edelheit’s Roman-inspired adventure series.
December 28, 2022
And that’s a wrap!
What a year 2022 was! I’m not sure where it went, it flashed by so fast and yet I managed to pack an amazing amount of writing into it, for which I am very thankful.
Sentinals Across Time released in March 2022, and it has just been announced that it made the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) OZMA Fantasy long list.
Sentinals Discovery, a short story set in the world of Remargaren, released as part of the FREE Creatures Magic and Myth Anthology.
SoulBreather launched with the Realm of Darkness Anthology, and hit the USA Today Bestseller list on October 13th, 2022. So excited to have launched the first book in a new Fantasy Romance series and to achieve the USAT letters!
Sentinals Awaken and Sentinals Rising are now available on Audiobook, via Audible, Apple or Amazon.
Both Sentinals Rising and Sentinals Justice received a Readers’ Favorite Five Star Review, and Sentinals Rising won the Readers’ Favorite Honorable Mention Award for Epic Fantasy for 2022.
I was selected to become an Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) Ambassador, supporting independent authors to maximise their opportunities.
So what’s next? What does 2023 hold for me?
Sentinals Banished, Book Five of the Sentinals series is on preorder and launches February 23rd, 2023. Make sure you enter the launch giveaway running until release day.
SoulBreather releases as an individual ebook on January 23rd, currently on preorder, once the Limited Edition Realm of Darkness anthology is no longer available.
Narration on the Sentinals Justice audiobook by the amazing Matt Coles has begun and should be complete by March.
Narration for SoulBreather, book one of the SoulMist series will commence in April.
Book two of the SoulMist series is 60% complete and will release in the summer of 2023.
I have a standalone dystopian fantasy ready for editing and I am determined to release it in 2023!
A new series is on the drawing board, and I am excited to be writing more diverse characters in my next epic fantasy romance series. Look out for a short story coming in the summer as part of a free MM fantasy anthology introducing some of the characters. Sign up to my newsletter to keep informed as to when it will be available.
And finally, I am pleased to share that Book Six of the Sentinals series has now moved into editing! I can’t believe I’ve reached the final book of the Sentinals series. I’m not sure I want the Sentinal adventure to ever end. I love writing these characters, but at some point the story has to reach it’s conclusion.
Thank you once again for your interest in my books and for joining me on this journey. Welcome to the wonderful world of Remargaren and many others I can’t wait to introduce you to. I hope you stay for all the exciting adventures that are surely coming your way.
And don’t forget…
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. 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
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December 19, 2022
Book Review Alert: The Winter Spirit by Indra Vaughn
Reviewed: December 19th, 2022
Released: November 16th, 2015
Genre: MM Romance
Nathaniel O’Donnelly likes his life quiet, his guests happy, and his ghosts well-behaved.
Although a boyfriend wouldn’t go amiss. Someone to share his beautiful B&B with, even if it is in the middle of nowhere and he’s long past the wrong side of thirty. Problem is, Nathaniel’s living with a ghost who thinks he’s cupid, and whose arrows fly a little too straight.
Gabriel Wickfield had the unfortunate luck of dying before his time, and now he’s stuck trying to make romance happen to earn his right to move along. Not that he’s bored in the meantime—Nathaniel is just too easy to tease. And also a little bit scrumptious…
With the curse reaching its expiration date, Gabriel needs to make a final match this Christmas. Without it, nothing but darkness awaits.
Love can conquer all, but can it beat death?
December 12, 2022
Book Review Alert: The Half-Torn Page by David Palin
Reviewed: December 12th, 2022
Released: November 26th, 2019
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Ilsa Wlich, a striking, mysterious woman of indeterminate age and steeped in lore, ancient and new, arrives one fateful evening in beautiful, but remote and insular Reimersberg at the end of the Adventurer’s Road.
The town, deep in the mountains and wolf-inhabited forests in the Valley of the Witches, is seldom reached by outsiders and not particularly welcoming to them. Proud of their traditions, the people frown upon change and those who bring it.
Ilsa saves the life of a sick boy, Karl, but is suspicious of the cause of his sickness; a fact she keeps from the townsfolk for fear of causing panic. She earns the boy’s undying love, but also the enmity of some Town Elders, in particular the incompetent doctor and the mayor, Meister. Both feel as threatened by Ilsa as she feels wary of them.
Weary in mind and body from years of travelling, and still charmed by the town, Ilsa asks to settle in Reimersberg. Her presence there awakens a long-hidden darkness. She finds herself, together with Karl, treading paths far more mysterious, bloody and perilous than anything the Adventurer’s Road could conjure if they are to survive. Read my Thoughts…
