Helen Garraway's Blog, page 42

Book Review Alert: Sword and Shadow by Michelle Sagara

Reviewed: April 20th, 2022
Released: February 22nd, 2022
Genre: Fantasy

Beyond the Emperor’s law
In the city of Elantra, the law is upheld by a few groups, and the most feared are the Wolves—the Emperor’s executioners. The newest member of this elite force is Severn Handred.

Granted a leave of absence to pursue information about his unknown past, Severn joins a mission to an enclave well outside the boundaries of the Empire. And he will be in danger the entire time. Still, the instincts that led him to the Wolves and the sense of duty that keeps him there can’t be discarded as easily as the tabard he wears.

While he’s in the heart of the West March, enmeshed in a tangled web of mysteries that have been held for centuries, Severn’s belief in justice is going to be tested. It’s one mortal man and his single ally against a community of immortals who will kill to keep their secrets. But they don’t know who they’re up against. Read My thoughts...

Book Review Alert: Rule of the Night by M.H Woodscourt

Reviewed: April 16th, 2022
Released: January 20th, 2022
Genre: Science Fantasy

Blood called to the stars.
Darkness will answer.

After facing the Wildwood’s wrath, Lekore must set his sights on protecting his people from a threat descending from the depths of space. The key to safeguarding the cities of Erokel lies in an ancient shield system—if it can be repaired in time.

And the faraway threat isn’t Lekore’s only trouble. Closer dangers draw near to claim him and his abilities for their own. Somehow, he must wrestle with his newfound right to the throne, while he fends off a Tawloomez invasion, a slave revolt, and the worshippers of the Night—with only four days until first contact.

Meanwhile, the evil beyond his world has other plans… Read My thoughts…

Awards galore! Sentinals Awaken and Sentinals Rising Win Global Book Awards

I’m excited to announce that both Sentinals Awaken and Sentinals Rising , the first two books in the epic fantasy Sentinal series have been awarded the silver medal in the Global Book Awards.

Sentinals Awaken in the Self-Published Fantasy Action and Adventure category!

Sentinals Awaken is the first book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

As a three thousand-year-old threat reemerges, only one man has the power to awaken the world’s greatest protectors and restore order to the realm. He just doesn’t know it yet. When Jerrol Haven, a captain in the King’s Rangers, discovers treason at the highest level, he knows immediately that the knowledge puts his life at risk. And indeed, though he expected the ailing King to shield him, the ambitious Crown Prince sentences Jerrol to death.

What hold does the Prince have over his weakened father, and who or what is he protecting?

With signs that the veil is weakening and the Ascendants are creeping back into power, Lady Leyandrii has returned and is in dire need of Jerrol’s help. For though he doesn’t know it, Jerrol possesses a rare gift: By chance, he touches a revered Sentinal tree and awakens Birlerion, one of the Lady’s personal guard who have been sleeping in the strange, tall trees since they were last called to battle. Aided by Birlerion, Jerrol flees and begins his journey to help Lady Leyandrii save Remargaren once more.

But time is running out: Jerrol must unravel the mystery of the Ascendants’ return, stop the sinister force that is dividing good families through bloodshed and betrayal, and rescue the King—and his troubles are only just beginning.

And Sentinals Rising in the Self-Published Sword and Sorcery catgeory

Sentinals Rising is the second book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

Jerrol Haven, having rescued the king from the clutches of the malevolent Ascendants, knows they haven’t stopped their scheming. While trying to learn more about the mysterious Sentinals he woke from a three-thousand-year sleep, he has to defend his king and country from further magical attacks.

Should he trust the Sentinals in such vital positions? Can he trust them to protect the king and Vespiri? As Jerrol learns more of their capabilities, he realises there are more secrets yet to be revealed. Maybe those questioning their sudden rise in power have a point.

Before he can delve further, a call for help comes from the neighbouring country of Terolia. The nomadic Families are disintegrating into chaotic infighting. The king sends Jerrol to investigate, instructing him to do whatever is needed to protect the Families from the Ascendants.

The Global Book Awards

In this modern age of 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 its creative book cover design, its captivating book description, its strong ratings on important bookstores like Amazon, or even the number of reviews it has collected from its readers – they all count on how a book should be judged.

So, unlike most book award sites that depend on the views of a small panel of judges, we use much of the above criteria to decide on which books deserve to be award winners.

We run mainly two competitions each year: 

the first focusing just on self-publishers, and the other more broadly on both traditional and self-published authors who have written books with global appeal. Whether you are a veteran author or a first time novelist, we welcome you to join. 

The awards we give out are grouped by category or genre, and divided into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Award Finalists. In providing such awards, our aim to help readers discover new and often undiscovered talent. As such, we hope these awards will give 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.

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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Sentinals Awaken now available on Audiobook!

So excited to share that the audiobook of Sentinals Awaken is now live! You can find it on Audible, Amazon or Apple Books.

All 11 hours and 17 minutes of it, narrated by the amazing Matt Coles. Check out the audio sample and start the adventure now.

The Sentinal series

It has been quite an adventure working with Matt to complete this audiobook. Learning a whole new side of the business and listening to my book over and over ensuring that it is the best it can be. Listening to a book, proofing an audio book is a very different process to the print version but just as fun!

Now you can meet Jerrol and the Sentinals whilst you drive, exercise or work. Pick up your copy from Audible, Amazon or Apple Books.

As a 3,000-year-old threat reemerges, only one man has the power to awaken the world’s greatest protectors and restore order to the realm. He just doesn’t know it yet.

When Jerrol Haven, a captain in the King’s Rangers, discovers treason at the highest level, he knows immediately that the knowledge puts his life at risk. And indeed, though he expected the ailing King to shield him, the ambitious Crown Prince sentences Jerrol to death. What hold does the Prince have over his weakened father, and who or what is he protecting?

As Jerrol flees for his life, he is rescued by a vision of the enigmatic Lady Leylandii, a goddess who, according to legend, once saved the land of Remargaren from malevolent wild magic users known as the Ascendants by raising a veil to nullify their power and exiling them. Now, with signs that her veil is weakening and the Ascendants are creeping back into power, she has returned and is in dire need of Jerrol’s help. For though he doesn’t know it, Jerrol possesses a rare gift: By chance, he touches a revered Sentinal tree and awakens Birlerion, one of the Lady’s personal guard who have been sleeping in the strange, tall trees since they were last called to battle.

Aided by Birlerion and an old friend, Jennery, Jerrol begins his journey to help Lady Leyandrii save Remargaren once more. But time is running out: As it was with the King, the old guard Lords are everywhere being usurped, attacked, and assassinated, while their heirs behave strangely and refuse to honour the Lady as Remargarens have done for millennia. Jerrol must unravel the mystery of the Ascendants’ return, stop the sinister force that is dividing good families through bloodshed and betrayal, and rescue the King—and his troubles are only just beginning.

Sentinals Awaken is the first book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

If you’ve read this far you deserve a gift! I have a few Audible promo codes allowing you to download my audiobook for free. You can apply for a free code here. (Limited number of codes available so don’t delay. When they are gone, they are gone!

Happy Listening!

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.

Join my email list

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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Book Review Alert: Dragon Storm by Sloane McClain

Reviewed: April 14th, 2022
Released: March 31st, 2022
Genre: Paranormal Romance Fantasy

Taylor Lyon knows how to take care of herself. Her family made sure. But when she pulls an injured man from the night surf, she finds herself defenseless against his charms. Plus, the energy she picks up from him matches that of the sword her aunt hid while dying of cancer. A sword the women in her family have protected for centuries. Taylor has no intention of giving it to the wrong person. Is it possible this waterlogged stray is the rightful owner?

            Iain Pendragon can’t believe fate dropped him in the hands of a Sword Maiden who should know the whereabouts of one of the four remaining missing swords. Swords his family require to imprison an ancient evil for eternity. Claiming the sword means claiming his destiny and it leaves no room for love.

            But Taylor can only tell if the sword she guards is Iain’s by touching it once more. That means recovering it from its hiding place. If Taylor can even find it. Taylor worries that spending more time with Iain will make her fall more in love with him. Iain is concerned that he’ll be forced to choose between the woman he’s coming to love and the fate of the world. Read My thoughts…

Book Review Alert: Angel’s Abdication by Katherine D. Graham

Reviewed: April 11th, 2022
Released: April 9th, 2022
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy

Angel Princesses are not supposed to be forced into marriages with Devils.

Especially not the Crown Princess… to The Devil Himself.

When Angel Crown Princess Seracuse discovers her hand has been pledged to Lucef, the Devil himself, she falls from The Heavens to avoid a life at his mercy.

Abdicating the Angel throne is not an easy feat, though–not with the forces of both The Heavens and The Underworld on her trail.

Stumbling into The Human World, the wounded fallen Angel is rescued from Harpies by a charming, enigmatic Demon who takes her in and nurses her back to health.

The spark between them is undeniable, and the bond she finds herself forging with her rescuer is the strongest one she’s had with another person in centuries. But that bond brings out a darkness from deep within her–a darkness the future Queen of the Heavens cannot tolerate.
If only the man fanning the flames in her heart wasn’t the Demon King, Draco.

Or The Devil’s brother. Read My thoughts…

Book Review Alert: Immortal by Lauretta Hignett

Reviewed: April 10th, 2022
Released: March 31st, 2022
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Immortality sucks.

Just ask Imogen Gray – over two-hundred thousand years old and teetering on the edge of total insanity.

All throughout history, she’s been hunted by an ancient creature who finds her and rips her to pieces every time she dares to access her deepest powers. But Imogen always regenerates. Slowly. Painfully.

She’s on a mission to find answers. She’s almost found them.

Unfortunately for her, there’s a delinquent psychic kid, a dangerously hot Vampire King, and a power-crazed blood witch hell-bent on bringing about the apocalypse standing in her way. Read My thoughts…

Writing Challenge- Day Seven #TurvyTruthOrDare

Join the Sentinals as they navigate their way through a new writing challenge! Back to the dares!!

Last day is the Wildcard- so let’s see what the result of the prank was!! Ari is having so much fun!!

It’s another Turvy-inspired #WritingChallenge! This time the stakes are raised: #TurvyTruthOrDare! AND this time it’s an easy-peasy 7-day mini challenge. So they say!!

Follow all the participants on Instagram.

You can find me at: https://www.instagram.com/helengarrawayauthor follow us and join in the fun!

The #TurvyTruthOrDare runs April 1–7 and is hosted by:
 @nimmisheikhauthor –Writing a New Adult, sci-fi murder mystery trilogy planned for 2023 release: #Frostieverse
@saffron.amatti –Writes the spooky, ghosty, and oh-so-twisty #LucasRathboneMysteries
@sharitmitchell –Writes the thrilling #MarnieReillyMysteries with canine companions and haunting spirits
@writertracybrown –Writes the quirky #DoorToDoorMysteries + #BelleroseWitchline fantasy series

#Writers, whether your characters are in a published book or percolating in your WIP, this challenge is for YOU!

Day Seven

Time for the Arifels to joins in!! Make a prank call, or in this case, send an Arifel with a prank message!!

The Sentinal series

At dawn the next morning, Tagerill arrived at the Lady’s temple decked out in his dress uniform. Not quite what it should be, but he was sure Leyandrii wouldn’t mind the discrepancies on such short notice. He frowned as he waited outside the locked temple door as he wondered why Leyandrii was being so secretive.

His weapons gleamed; the leather straps were polished to a brilliant gleam and the lacy ruffles agitated his neck.

He huffed as he paced, feeling ridiculous in his fancy clothes. Why anyone wanted to wear ruffles was beyond him. Even the tailor had been insistent they were out fashion, but dress clothes demanded these silly frilly layers.

Maybe he would suggest to Leyandrii that she should update their wardrobe, after all they lived in a different time now. He suddenly wondered how she was even able to appear in Vespers. They hadn’t seen her once since they had awoken. He knew Birlerion would have told him if she had.

A low snicker behind him had him spinning, and he peered into the bushes. “Who’s there?” he demanded. The bushes rustled but no one appeared. He was distracted as the father walked up the path, eyed him in surprise and then unlocked the temple door.

Tagerill entered the temple behind the father and walked up to the altar. He hovered unsure what to do next. Running a finger around his collar he blew the ruffles away from his face. Where was Leyandrii?

Time passed and he knelt before the altar. “Leyandrii?” he whispered. There was no answer, and he was beginning to feel a bit foolish.

When Birlerion and Serillion entered the temple, broad grins on their faces, which morphed into peals of laughter, he flushed.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I’d ask the same question of you. Tage, by the lady, you’re wearing ruffles!” Birlerion said, a chuckle not far away.

When Ari landed on Birlerion’s shoulder and chittered, Tagerill’s eyes grew wide. “You didn’t,” he said.

Serillion folded over, unable to stay upright, he grabbed Birlerion’s arm as tears streamed down his face. “Y-your expression,” he stuttered.

“You sent the message? You made me wear this?”

“You look so pretty, Tage!” Birlerion choked.

“I’ll kill you.”

“Not in the Lady’s temple, Tage.” Birlerion wagged his finger.

“She won’t mind.”

“Of course she will.”

“And that fleabag is in on it?” Tagerill growled, glaring at the Arifel.

“Don’t offend him again,” Serillion said in a strangled voice. “He might do worse next time.”

Tagerill glared at them, until a sheepish expression stole over his face. “It wasn’t real? Leyandrii isn’t coming?”

“I wish she was, but even if she could, do you really think she would expect you to be in dress uniform?” Birlerion asked.

Tagerill exhaled, and then laughed as he looked down at himself. “I suppose not, though she did like the dress balls.” He ripped off the ruffles at his throat. “Thank goodness I can get out of this stupid outfit. But you just wait, I’ll get you back. Both of you.”

Serillion held up his hands. “Nothing to do with me, I found out accidentally. It was Birlerion and Ari.”

Ari flapped his wings, chittered at Tagerill and settled on Birlerion’s shoulder with a definite smirk on his face.

Tagerill glared at him.

“Be careful,” Birlerion warned with a grin. “You represent the pride of the Sentinals. Don’t let us down.”

“Pride, be damned. When I get my hands on you …”

Birlerion ran, his laugh echoed around the temple mixing with Ari’s chitters as he flew out behind him.

Start the award winning epic fantasy Sentinals series now with Book One, Sentinals Awaken.

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.

Join my email list

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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Writing Challenge- Day Six #TurvyTruthOrDare

Join the Sentinals as they navigate their way through a new writing challenge! Back to the dares!!

Admit kissing someone not your partner OR make a prank phone call

It’s another Turvy-inspired #WritingChallenge! This time the stakes are raised: #TurvyTruthOrDare! AND this time it’s an easy-peasy 7-day mini challenge. So they say!!

Follow all the participants on Instagram.

You can find me at: https://www.instagram.com/helengarrawayauthor follow us and join in the fun!

The #TurvyTruthOrDare runs April 1–7 and is hosted by:
 @nimmisheikhauthor –Writing a New Adult, sci-fi murder mystery trilogy planned for 2023 release: #Frostieverse
@saffron.amatti –Writes the spooky, ghosty, and oh-so-twisty #LucasRathboneMysteries
@sharitmitchell –Writes the thrilling #MarnieReillyMysteries with canine companions and haunting spirits
@writertracybrown –Writes the quirky #DoorToDoorMysteries + #BelleroseWitchline fantasy series

#Writers, whether your characters are in a published book or percolating in your WIP, this challenge is for YOU!

Day Six

Time for the Arifels to joins in!! Make a prank call, or in this case, send an Arifel with a prank message!!

The Sentinal series

Birlerion peered around the door, and finding the room empty, he slipped inside and silently shut it behind him. Calling the little Arifel, he moved over to the window and stared out over the formal palace gardens.

They were nothing like Leyandrii’s. Her rose arbors had been beautiful; a riot of colour no matter the season.

He smiled as Ari, the little Arifel, arrived and perched on his open hand, wrapping his scaly tail around Birlerion’s wrist to balance.

“I need your help,” Birlerion murmured to the kitten like creature.

Ari cocked his head and cheeped. His green eyes grew larger as he stared at Birlerion.

“I know, but Tagerill has it coming after the scaring me like that. How he got the king to agree …” Birlerion closed his eyes. He had jabbed the king in the ribs. Lady kill him now! He stiffened. “It’s his turn to be on the receiving end.”

Ari sent a suggestion, and Birlerion chuckled as it materialised in his mind. An image of Tagerill working in the kitchens.

“No, he’d enjoy that too much! We need something that will make him uncomfortable, that he’ll take seriously.”

Ari sighed.

“I thought you could tell him Leyandrii will be arriving in Old Vespers at the temple, and she is expecting him to be her escort. He needs to be on duty at dawn, in full ceremonial uniform.” Birlerion swore that Ari smiled. He rose, flapping his wings and then settled again. “Yes, very formal. Leyandrii is expecting him, but it is very hush, hush. He’s not to tell anyone.” Birlerion grinned. None of them had worn full ceremonial uniform since they had awoken. He could just see Tagerill trying to polish and prepare everything without anyone seeing him. With a wicked grin he sent Ari on his errand.

***

Tagerill was surprised when Ari dropped onto the table in front of him. Surprised because he was seated in the dining hall, surrounded by off duty palace guards. The little Arifel bombarded him with images and he stiffened. “Leyandrii? When?” he gasped out loud and the guards eyed him a little suspiciously.

Ari scolded him and he clapped his hand over his mouth. The guards edged away from him and continued with their conversation.

“Why me?” he whispered. Ari chittered and Tagerill preened. He was one of her first Sentinals. Ari shared a few more images and Tagerill spluttered. “Full ceremonial dress?” He didn’t have a full ceremonial dress. He ignored the side glances he was receiving, another rumour about Sentinals talking to themselves no doubt beginning. From their reactions he had no doubt Ari was only visible to him.

Abandoning his lunch, he hurried out of the hall, racking his brain for where he would find a white shirt with ruffles, velvet jacket and pantaloons, and buckled shoes on such short notice.

***

At every opportunity Birlerion sent a Sentinal or a ranger, or a palace servant to interrupt Tagerill. They returned with wide grins and reports of Tagerill trying to conceal whatever he was working on and getting more and more frustrated by the interruptions. Ari reported Tagerill had a tailor hidden in his rooms, with pins and patterns and swathes of material and Birlerion couldn’t stop laughing. Tagerill hated all forms of dress clothes.

Serillion, discovering Birlerion in paroxysms of laughter, demanded to know what was going, and Birlerion gave up the attempt, leaving Ari to tell him.

“How did you get Ari agree?’ Serillion asked, his eyebrows nearly in his hairline. “I’ll never believe a word he says to me again.”

Birlerion choked down his laughter. “Tagerill had it coming. He called Ari a flaky, fluff ball. Ari took offence.”

Serillion grinned. “Do not offend the Arifels. Noted.” He stroked Ari’s white chest, and then scratched his ears as he nudged Serillion’s hand. “You really think Tagerill is going present himself at the temple at dawn?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t he?”

“Well, the fact that Leyandrii is unable to cross the Veil for one.”

“Tage won’t think of that,” Birlerion replied, unable to keep the smile off his face.

Serillion shook his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing. He is going to be so mad at you. And disappointed.”

Birlerion’s smile faded and then he shrugged. “Teach him to keep secrets from us, won’t it? If he’d told you, you would have set him straight.”

“Well, I would have tried to, but I can’t now, can I? You’ve made me an accomplice.”

To be continued…

Start the award winning epic fantasy Sentinals series now with Book One, Sentinals Awaken.

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.

Join my email list

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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Book Review Alert: Definitely Deacon by Vawn Cassidy

Reviewed: April 7th, 2022
Released: March 29th, 2022
Genre: Contemporary MM Romance

Jesse Ainsley’s life running his busy veterinary practice in the sleepy Cornwall bay he grew up in leaves no time for a serious relationship… at least, that’s what he tells himself, but the simple truth is much more cliché. He’s been in love with his best friend forever, but when he starts pulling away and goes radio silent on him for six months, Jesse begins to wonder if their friendship is finally over.

Deacon James lives his life at two speeds, a hundred miles an hour and stop. He’s spent the last decade travelling the world, winning races, partying with the most beautiful men and women, and living life on his terms, a life which was pretty close to perfect… with just one caveat… he’s never quite been able to get over the boy he left behind. His best friend Jesse has always made him yearn for something he’s too afraid to face and cutting him out of his life seemed like the only answer.

But things are never that simple. When Deacon wakes from an accident in Italy with Jesse asleep in the hospital chair beside him, he discovers Jesse’s been keeping secrets of his own.
At a crossroads in their life, they’re faced with a choice, build something deeper and stronger from the ashes, or let words unsaid and secrets tear them apart forever. Read My thoughts…