Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 23

Release Day Blitz Realm of Dreams and Destiny by Stella Dale

Realm of Dreams and DestinyEntwined Hearts Series Book OneStella Dale
Genre: Romantic FantasyPublisher: War of Hearts PublishingDate of Publication: July 22, 2024ASIN: B0CW19LW6SNumber of pages: 365Word Count: 102,000+Cover Artist: War of Hearts Publishing
Tagline: They were bound by destiny long before their hearts were entwined…
Book Description: 
They were bound by destiny long before their hearts were entwined…
Aralin's life is a complex web woven with delicate threads of secrets and destinies. Born into a world where supernatural creatures are hunted, she hides a dangerous reality.
She is not human.
As a princess and pawn in the royal games of power, she finds herself betrothed to the emperor’s son. Yet, her heart beats for another––a warrior in the emperor’s army, a commoner unaware of her true identity.
Just as her world teeters on the brink of disaster, a mysterious vigilante enters her life, his dark allure tempting her toward rebellion against the oppressive emperor. His charm is undeniable, and his cause justified. With each encounter, their fates become increasingly intertwined.
Caught between two men who awaken different desires within her, Aralin struggles with conflicting feelings of duty and desire. However, a new obstacle arises in the form of an ancient prophecy. As signs of the prophecy reveal themselves, Aralin must make a difficult decision: surrender to the expectations placed upon her by others, or fight for her own fate?
Amazon

EXCERPT 2

Marrying someone I’ve nevermet, especially the son of the emperor, would be…

Dreadful.

Disastrous.

Deadly.

My father swallows hard,something he does when he’s pushing down his emotions, but there’s a firmnessin his eyes that conveys the seriousness of the situation. “The emperor hascommanded it, Aralin. This isn’t a simple proposal. It’s an order from theemperor himself.”

This is the finality of adecree.

His words settle like a heavyweight in my mind, and a rush of helplessness washes over me. The emperor’scommands are absolute and impossible to defy. The force of his powerreverberates through me, leaving me feeling small and insignificant in the faceof his authority.

I’m a chess piece in a gameof kingdoms and empires where the greater needs of the realm outweigh personaldesires. The emperor’s demand is a demonstration of his power, a forcefulreminder of the duties and responsibilities that accompany my title.

Let’s not mince words. Mylife isn’t my own, and it never has been.

This proposed marriage isn’ta simple union between two people. It’s a strategic move in a game where I’mthe pawn and the prize is what lies buried deep in the mountains of Wintriness.

I take a deep breath,steadying myself. “Father, the emperor wants this marriage so he’ll gain accessto the natural resources of Wintriness. It’s the truth, and everyone here knowsit.”

I’m referring to newlydiscovered crystallos, a rare and powerful element found only in the frozendepths of Wintriness. Whispers about it have reached my ears, speaking of itsability to bring about the downfall of even the most formidable supernaturalcreatures. The mere mention of it brings goosebumps to my flesh. Rumored topossess a deadly potency, crystallos can stop the most powerful witch, vampire,werewolf, fae and other supernatural being in its tracks. Its power would bedisastrous in the emperor’s hands.

My eyes scan the faces of theking’s hand and the general so I may gage their reactions.

Their expressions areneutral, yet I can’t shake the suspicion that one of them has played a part inthis marital arrangement. Possibly both. Those two have always been adept atmaking power plays and maneuvering behind the scenes to shape the kingdom’sfuture to their advantage.

The weight of their gazes onme is measuring and calculating. There’s a slight shift in Balius’s eyes, buthe gives nothing away. Meanwhile, Indrid maintains his composed facade withperfection.

They’re masters of thepolitical game, and the three of us know I’ve just called out their tactics.All the more reason to get rid of me.

My refusal to accept theemperor’s command would have repercussions reaching far beyond the walls ofthis throne room. The balance of power, the future of Wintriness and my ownfate are all intertwined in this decision.

I won’t be allowed to refuse.

“No matter the motive, I haveno say in the matter.”

I hear the defeat in myfather’s voice, and my frustration flares. The thought of being used as abargaining chip in this political game stirs a fierce blaze within me. “Theemperor can’t take away the only living heir to the throne of Wintriness.”

My father is composed, but Isee the impact of the situation in his eyes. “Aralin, you’re well aware thatthe new prince of Wintriness will arrive any day now.”

His words are well-meaningand intended to point out that his line of succession will continue without me,but his words sting. Again, I’m reminded that I’m not the prince everyone longsto have.

“I can’t leave the queen,Father. She needs me. Her health is better in my presence. You said soyourself.”

The thought of abandoning mymother, especially in her fragile state, is a dagger to my heart.

“My beloved daughter, you willgo to Imperia and take your place. This is a great honor, Aralin. In time,you’ll become empress.”

There it is. The king’s dutyas a monarch overshadows his role as a father.

His words, intended toinspire and reassure, fall flat. The title, with all of its power and prestige,holds no allure for me.

“I have no interest in beingempress.”

Life in a foreign land, boundin marriage to a stranger, ascending to a throne I don’t want… it’s a future Ican’t fathom. And then there’s the added problem of being a witch within theemperor’s small circle.

There’s no way I’ll surviveit.

The king’s words, whilespoken with a sense of regal duty, are a reminder of the limited choicesavailable to me. Because I’m a female.

The weight of my royalbirthright is heavier than ever before. The expectations, the responsibilities,this arranged marriage––all chains that bind me to a destiny I never chose. Mypersonal desires, dreams and hopes are secondary to the whims of these men inpower.

My heart aches at the thoughtof leaving everything I know and love behind.

“I want to stay here inWintriness near you and Mother,” I say, hoping somehow my words will sway hisdecision.

“You’ll leave for Imperia inone month when the emperor sends for you.” His tone is resolute.

It’s clear that anyadditional arguments would be futile. So I nod and allow a mask of acceptanceto fall over my face for the sake of appearances. “As you wish, Father.”

I swear I see a flicker of asmirk on the face of the king’s hand, perhaps a slip.

After a deep curtsy, I turnand leave the throne room. Each step feels heavier than the one before as mymind races with thoughts and emotions behind the mask of compliance.

Leaving Wintriness andentering an unknown world is terrifying. But the prospect of marrying theemperor’s son and becoming part of a court that is a world away from everythingI have ever known fills me with panic.

Used as a pawn in a tyrant’s game… that will notbe my story.

About the Author:
Stella Dale is a passionate storyteller who's always had a love affair with books, devouring stories from all genres since she could first hold a book. She spent years as a dedicated nurse, providing care and comfort to those in need, before embarking on her writing journey. However, her true calling beckoned, and she left the medical field to follow her dream of becoming an author.
Nestled in the heart of Mississippi, Stella weaves captivating stories that are brimming with love, adventure, and enchantment. At home, she is surrounded by her loving husband and their three spirited felines, who never fail to provide inspiration and entertainment. When she's not crafting characters and worlds, she loves to embark on international travels, immerse herself in different cultures and landscapes, and satisfy her insatiable curiosity for life's endless tales.

Website: https://www.warofheartspublishing.com/
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3zvVnbr 
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorstelladale
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorstelladale/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorstelladale
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50489949.Stella_Dale

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Guest Blog- Quest for Copia by E.P. Bellows
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Book Spotlight ~ The Storm Breaks (Demon Storm, Book Six) by Valerie Storm ~ #YA #Fantasy ~ @Valerie_Storm ~ #BewitchingBookTours #CharacterInterview
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Fanning Fireflies by LS Delorme #ParanormalMystery #Historical
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"I didn’t know how much time I had, but I felt as I did decades ago, running in the woods with a monster on my heels."
Excerpt from The Hunter's Daughter by Nicola Solvinic https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB
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Please Welcome LS Delorme as She Tells Us About Her Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, BRIGHT MIDNIGHTS, The Limerent Series, Book 2 #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4cJ04NW



Character Interview - The Storm Breaks by Valerie Storm #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3zVI0Bq


Quest for Copia by E.P. Bellows #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4bNyhdR


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What they’re saying about The Hunter’s Daughter: “A GENUINELY CREEPY ATMOSPHERIC DEBUT. A propulsive store of crimes old and new, the power of memory and the darkness that dwells inside us all. You’ll be turning pages all night and searching the woods for dark shadows (which just might be the Forest God…)” - Jennifer McMahon
The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB
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10 Things You Didn’t Know About LS Delorme #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4695BdZ


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Quest for Copia by E.P. Bellows

Quest for CopiaJohn William DrakeBook TwoE.P. Bellows
Genre: Children’s FantasyPublisher: Azra’s Pith booksDate of Publication: 11/1/24ISBN: 979-8865821205ASIN: B0CLJ2BQDPNumber of pages: 197Word Count: 38,000
Tagline: Join John William Drake and his friends on their Quest for the Lost City of Copia… but beware, something evil lurks in the shadows.
Book Description:
John William Drake believed there was something special about the medallion Celeste found. It chimed and sparkled in the sunlight. He was right; the medallion was from Copia, a lost city masked in time. Legendary tales were repeated of a golden city inhabited by Empyrean Wizards until it was plagued by dark sorcery when a meager fledgling magician by the name of Imperious the Great wandered in.
Some did not believe the city ever existed; others who knew better wanted it to stay lost. How did it all start? How would it end? The answer simmered for hundreds of years waiting for the right moment to escape.
John and Celeste were more than ready for another adventure. The journey to Copia was also a search for his missing father. They were unaware of just how dangerous their quest was until it was too late. The medallion’s power could bring the lost city to life again, unlocking the dark past dormant within its walls. The young explorers were in the middle of a battle of ancient sorcery that could end with an evil capable of destroying the realm and they held the key.
Amazon

ExcerptUnearthed:

~The Copian Mediallion isdiscovered after being buried for years by layers of the realm.

Come on, wings! Don't fail me!" Gusts of wind blew thelittle bird in all directions. Her vivid red feathers stole the sun’s beamsfrom the sky.

This was not an ordinary bird. This was a young Empyreanwizard named Celeste. Empyrean wizards lived in an extraordinary place wherefantastic creatures and magic were a part of every day. All Empyrean Wizardshave a bird form appropriately coordinated with their personality. Thisparticular Empyrean was fearless and kind. She also had a knack for finding

"Made it!" Her small but determined wings descendedinto the trees below. There was a peculiar tree she heard whispers about, andshe was on her way to see it for herself. The tree was believed to be apassageway to the other side. Of course, she had no idea what the other sidewas, which only drove her curiosity. She perched on a boulder next to a singledead tree that boasted the broadest tree trunk in all of Copious Forest. Thetree was surrounded by a blanket of thriving greenery. Celeste cautiouslyglanced around and gave her feathers a ruffle. A young girl emerged through thefeathers with wild hair the same shade of vibrant red.

“Incredible!” she gasped and scuttled over to the tree. Shepoked her fingers out of the sleeve of her cloak and ran them along the rigidbark on the trunk. The bark chimed a soft melody as her fingers went along.

“So it is real.” Her eyes beamed. She stepped back and pulleda scroll out of her cloak. As she unraveled the scroll, the verses of anancient spell were revealed. “The Tunnel of Light Enchantment ...

Cuniculum lucis incantationis tempus sit, electiingrediantur. Cum tempus est, electi per cuniculum lucis relinquere possunt.

 When it is time, the chosen may enter. When it is time,the chosen may leave through the tunnel of light." She gazed at the deadtree, waiting for even a small flicker of magic. The trunk looked like it hadnot been seen or touched in years. “Hmm ..." Celeste raised her brow.

A prickly chill traveled down her spine. She squeezed herarms across her chest to soothe her goosebumps.  "Hello? Is-is someonethere?" Celeste frantically glanced around.

An angry groan rumbled through trees.

“I'm not afraid of you!" she declared. “Come out andshow yourself!”

Twigs and bits of forest flew past her curls. She scrambledbehind the boulder. Sharp whispers buzzed through the gaps in the trees.

“The moan went from a groan to a vicious roar. A wind funnelshaped like a pair of long, wretched claws appeared.

“Oh, no—it’s the Rive.” Her body tensed.

The dark spell was strong enough to twirl her straight intothe air with one dizzying burst. It plowed through trees and shot rocks in alldirections. Celeste's cloak whipped around in a frenzy. She crouched behind theboulder and gripped her hands around the base. Then her body lifted off theground. Inch by inch, her fingers slipped from the boulder. "Oh no!"Her head throbbed from intense pressure as the wind consumed her.

"Where is it? I must find it," the Rive whisperedsharply, bringing a sting to Celeste's ears.

"Where is what? What are you talking about?" sheshrieked.

"Where is it? I must find it!" the Rive's whisperwas now at a rattling shrill.

Celeste closed her eyes and fisted her trembling hands. Shefelt herself drifting into a dizzying slumber. “I have to channel the élan.Come on, Celeste ... concentrate. I can do this!"

She took a deep breath. "Azra lucem tuam ostende. Azratua industria illuminet …

Azra lucem tuam ostende. Azra tua industria illuminet."

A warm, vibrant energy burst through her cloak. The darkspell released its grip. It hissed and hurled rocks at Celeste. She stood herground and

Celeste collapsed to the ground, breathless. “I just didthat.” She examined the palm of her hand in astonishment.

She scooped up the shimmering clump and scraped the forest coating offit until all that remained was a medallion with strange markings and featheredwings carved in the center. It chimed and sparkled in her hands. Celestestuffed it in her cloak and cautiously looked around. An excited giggle slippedout just before she morphed back into a little red bird and flew above the trees.

About the Author:
A little about me…
Let's see... When I was eight, I had a pet turkey. I used to take it with me on my short-lived paper route. Needless to say, I was terrible at delivering the paper. No one wanted a "Dollar Saver" with turkey poop splattered across the best coupons on the front page.
Books... "Treasure Island" is a fantastic pirate tale. I love just about anything by Roald Dahl. Who could ever leave out Tolkien? I would also like to thank C.S. Lewis for sending me on an unrelenting childhood quest for portals to amazing worlds.
I write fantasy stories for children. Yep - proud fantasy geek here. It's pretty darn awesome to escape to another realm with sorcerers and wizards for a chunk of the day. The underlying theme in my stories is empowerment and living purposefully. We all have that spark inside just waiting to shine ;)
When football is on I turn into a cookie-eating pottymouth. I have a theory that avocados are the Jedi of all foods. I also believe the aroma of garlic and butter sizzling in a pan is pure magic.
Last random nugget… few things make me smile more than chocolate, cheese, and a nice splash of vino... AND, if the Chargers would make it to the Super Bowl again - just once 
X - https://x.com/lizzypbellows  
Website https://www.azraspithbooks.com/
Blog - https://lizzypbellows.blogspot.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/epbellows
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/e.p.bellows/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-p-belllows-aa9b6221/
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20564105.E_P_Bellows

A Bewitching Monday

A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops


10 Things You Didn’t Know About LS Delorme #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4695BdZ


Please Welcome D. S. McColgan as She Tells Us About Her Paranormal Fantasy Romance, A TALE OF SOMETHING NEW, Book 1 #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4bKn91a


The Storm Breaks by Valerie Storm #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3WjIw50


INTERVIEW WITH CRAIG A. PRICE AND SHAYNE PRICE (Space Cats Series) #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3W2lwX0


Fanning Fireflies by LS Delorme #ParanormalMystery #HIstorical #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/462Rwik


INTERVIEW WITH E.P. BELLOWS (QUEST FOR COPIA) #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3W6PzN0


To Anna’s horror, a serial killer emerges who is copying her father – and who knows who she really is. Is her father still alive, or is this the work of another? Will the killer expose her, destroying everything she has built for herself? Does she want him to?
But as she haunts the forest, using her father’s tricks to hunt the killer, will she find what she needs most…or lose herself in the gathering darkness?
The Hunter's Daughter by Nicola Solvinic https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB https://amzn.to/48NTMdP
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YA Fantasy Author E.P. Bellows's character, Roman, has questions... + giveaway #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3xJLBSF


Book Spotlight ~ A Tale of Something New (Book One) by D. S. McColgan ~ Paranormal Fantasy, Romance, Gaslamp #BewitchingBookTours https://buff.ly/3zE34w9

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Underground Railroad Stop to Spectral Hideaway: A Haunting Journey Through the History of the National House Inn
Haunted Hotels of Michigan by Roxanne Rhoads
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The Storm Breaks by Valerie Storm

The Storm BreaksDemon Storm Book SixValerie Storm
Genre: Young Adult FantasyPublisher: Shadow Spark PublishingDate of Publication: 7/13/2024ISBN: 978-1-956883-22-0Number of pages: 416Word Count: 102,166 Cover Artist: @Ginkahederling
Tagline:  Cast into the hands of enemies old and new, Kari is losing her grip. Will she fall?
Book Description: 
Wolf and demon born…under storm the land is torn.
Tendrils of darkness reach from the depths of her mind and shadows flicker around every corner. Still reeling from Raven’s horrific display of power, Kari suffers in silence.
When Guine finally returns with stories of a mirror that could help him with his problems, Kari finds herself hoping that maybe, just maybe, it could help with hers as well.
With the promise of a relatively straightforward outing, Kari, Ari, and Guine set forth to find the mirror.
But what they find beyond the looking-glass threatens not only Kari and her sanity, but also the world she loves.

Amazon

Excerpt:

Suddenly a hand shot out of the wallahead of her, giving her no time to react or slow her pace as it grabbed hershoulder. Kari pulled at the fingers, tugging at their grasp, trying to hurry.She had to escape the damn water!

            Lightningsparked along her claws. She raised her hand to attack again, intending to cutthe fingers right off of her.

A familiar voice growled, “Do itand we’re dead.”

            Karifroze long enough for the hand to pull her straight into the wall. She stumbledthrough and fell face-first on something hard and cool.

Groaning, she rolled onto herback and looked up into the sweat-dotted, strained, and frowning face of Guine.Above him hung a ceiling of some kind of jagged, translucent, blue rock.

            “Whydid you stop?” he demanded rather angrily. “I said we had to keep moving,didn’t I?”

            Fora moment Kari thought she was still waiting for the water to overtake her. Thatfilthy, disgusting-smelling, murky water. Slowly she realized they had changedlocations again; now they were in some sort of cavern. Completely dry andrelatively safe, at least for the moment.

Kari jumped up and bared herteeth at Guine. “You didn’t say if I stopped that would happen!”

“Why would I say, ‘don’t stop’ ifthat wasn’t a vitally important thing to do?!”

“You’re often unclear andexaggerate!” she snapped back.

            Theyglared at each other for a long time. He was mad, but she was madder. He hadnot been very upfront with her about this wretched maze, and that enraged her.She did not need the Catalyst to fuel her anger; her heart thrummed against herribs, taking all of her breath with it, and it had not stopped since that firstroom.

            Thedanger here was real, and yet intangible. She had faced so many people whowanted her dead, or worse. But this place would kill her at the slightestmistake.

            Finally,Guine sighed, his face relaxing into exhaustion. He turned away from her.

            “Itdoesn’t matter now. It’s done. But now…now we face a problem.”

            Thewalls were just like the ceiling, seemingly made of something crystalline.Ahead of her, she could see an opening in the circular room.

            “Whatproblem? Besides being in this yutemi you’ve created, that is.”

            Guinechose to ignore her snappy tone. “We got off-track. Things will change now. Ican find the way since I did make this as an option, but now it will take uslonger.”

            Kari’sgaze slowly trailed back to him. He’d said…what? Two or three days? Withoutfood.

            Nowit would take longer?

            “Justhow much longer are you talking about, Guine?” Kari hissed.

            Heshrugged, not quite nonchalant, but rather resigned. “Maybe tack on a week. Atthe very least.”

            Kari’smouth dried. Already her stomach rumbled; now that the adrenaline had passedthrough her system, she was hungry. She wasn’t stupid. She knew her body wouldbe capable of going quite a long time without sustenance, but that long? Andwhat of their water supply?

            Shefelt for the bag, but her fingers were too numb to reach inside for thewaterskin. The cavern suddenly seemed very small.

“Guine…”

            “Thirstwill not be a real issue,” Guine said as if he had read her mind. “When Idesigned this way, I made a room for myself so that I could survive if Islipped up. There will be a room ahead that provides fresh, drinkable water.Hopefully, we can store enough to last us the rest of the time if we rationit.”

            “Andwhat about food?”

            Hehesitated. “The room…also has a solution for that. For humans. There’s no waywe could know it would work for you, or at the very least not kill you.”

            Karistared past him. The only exit out of the cavern they were in was a singletunnel that turned sharply into darkness.

            “Iwill not die in here, Guine.”

            “Idon’t intend for you to,” he said wearily. “But if things were serious at allto you before, it’s worse now.” He walked to one of the walls and sat down. “Weshould rest before we go on. Exhaustion and stress make the mind do stupidthings.”

            Karididn’t move. She thought of a time long ago when she had left behind SnowShade. Then she had perhaps gone a day or so without a real meal. It was liketorture to her, weakening her body and senses until she had come acrosssomething to eat.

            Shecould have adjusted to the idea of three days with no food. But more than aweek?

About the Author: 
Valerie Storm was raised in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up, she fell in love with everything fantasy. When she wasn’t playing video games, she was writing. By age ten, she began to write her own stories as a way to escape reality. When these stories became a full-length series, she considered the path to sharing with other children & children-at/heart looking for a place to call home.
Twitter https://twitter.com/valerie_storm
Blog https://rantsofawriter.home.blog/ 
Tumblr https://www.tumblr.com/valeriestorm
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/valeriestorm3135
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/valeriestorm_author/ 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0B18WB88R 
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22413211.Valerie_Storm 

A Bewitching Friday

A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops


Author Interview - A Tale of Something New by D. S. McColgan #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3zwQdvJ


Space Cats: Making Enemies by Craig A. Price and Shayne Price #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3xVJJ9u


What they’re saying about The Hunter’s Daughter: “DELICIOUSLY UNPREDICTABLE & ABSOLUTELY ENGROSSING… With a dash of magical realism and the kind of complicated, conflicted heroine I love, Solvinic pulls off a nearly impossible feat: making the reader care about a woman who may well be following in her serial killer father’s footsteps.” - Karen Dionne, author
The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB
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YA Fantasy Author E.P. Bellows's character, Roman, has questions... + giveaway #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3xJLBSF


A Tale of Something New by D. S. McColgan #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3LjQ5lT


Author Interview- A Tale of Something New by D. S. McColgan #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3xR4TFx


INTERVIEW - CHILDREN'S FANTASY - QUEST FOR COPIA by E.P. Bellows
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From Aylesworth Playground to Spooky Sanctuary: The Haunting Transformation of the Lakeside Inn
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Guest Blog- Bright Midnights by LS Delorme #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4eXWnVS


Diego the cat (Space Cats) shares his Top 10 Cat Songs + excerpt (Middle grade, Sci-fi)
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2024/07/mi...


Quest for Copia by E.P. Bellows Virtual Book Tour #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3xVKhMk


A Tale of Something New by D. S. McColgan #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3xEJ1NP


When sheriff’s lieutenant Anna Koray kills a man in the line of duty, her suppressed memories return...
The Hunter's Daughter by Nicola Solvinic from @berkleypub
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Mob Bosses, Bootleg Booze, & Restless Spirits: Escanaba's Ludington House
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A Tale of Something New by D. S. McColgan

A Tale of Something NewBook OneD. S. McColgan
Genre: paranormal fantasy, romantic, gaslampPublisher: A Tale of LtdDate of Publication: 22 March 2024ISBN: 978-1-7385050-0-5 ISBN: 978-1-7385050-1-2 ASIN: B0CW1BZRZT Number of pages: 242Word Count: 69’522
Cover Artist: Lukas Lauener 
Tagline: Saving a mysterious stranger might come back to bite her.
Book Description: 
Liliana is shocked to find a dying man in the middle of the forest, surrounded by the remains of a brutal fight. She brings him home to her father’s farm to nurse him back to health. However, when the stranger regains consciousness, he doesn’t remember who he is or how he came to be there.
Intrigued by the mystery of it all, Liliana sets out to discover who this handsome, well-mannered stranger is. Could he be the man who whisks her away and shows her the world? Or will whatever happened in the forest put her and everyone she loves in grave danger?

This is the start of a new supernatural fantasy series focusing on the decisions one woman has to make in her effort to balance love, morals, ambition and responsibilities as her world expands from her little cozy village to the events that span her continent.

Amazon     BN     Waterstones

Excerpt:

At dinner, Liliana repeated what the stranger had said.After all, he now had a name.

Then the weather was discussed, and the whole tableagreed that they were expecting another cold snap. Grandmother felt it in herbones, the farmhands and Cedric observed it in the animals’ behaviour andFather smelled it in the air. The chicken broth was well received.

Armed with a portion of said broth, Liliana venturedto the stranger’s bed after dinner. He awoke immediately and swallowedgreedily, his gaze fixed on the bowl. There were so many questions swirlingaround in her head that she didn’t quite know where to start. If he was missinghis memories, he couldn’t answer most of them, and she didn’t want to overwhelmhim.

‘Do you remember me?’

He looked up briefly. ‘Yes.’

The fact that he could remember newer things was agood sign.

‘How’s the pain?’

‘Don’t ask.’

Liliana would’ve liked to know if his curt manner waspart of his personality or due to the pain he was in. To wake up in a strangeenvironment, in this agonising state and unable to recollect anything … No, shedidn’t envy him.

Once the bowl was empty, she gave him the medicine,and Grandmother came to look at his wounds. She loosened the bandages in someplaces, careful not to damage the skin that had already healed. She rubbed onsome of the ointment containing the resin Liliana had collected.

The stranger grimaced but made no sound.

‘That’s my grandmother,’ Liliana said. ‘She’s nursedmany people back to health.’

Since he lay there quietly afterwards, Liliana stayedin the room. She was eager to talk to him more, but he kept his eyes closed,exhaustion on his face. So she sat down with her book, in front of thewardrobe. It was a precious, carved piece of furniture that Father had given toher mother after their wedding.

‘How did I get here?’

Astonished, she looked up. His eyes were still closed,but it seemed he felt her presence in the room. ‘I found you half-dead in thewoods and brought you here.’

A pause followed, during which Liliana watched himover the edge of the book. What a peculiar way of speaking he had … Althoughshe understood him clearly, the melody of his sentences sounded strange to herears. His lips formed the words with precision, as if every single one of themdeserved to be heard.

‘Be honest, what are my chances?’

‘The fact that you survived the first few days isamazing. If you keep going like this, I’m sure you’ll make it.’

A hint of a smile appeared on his lips. He opened hiseyes and slowly turned his head to look at her, quietly grunting with pain.‘What … are you reading?’

The bronze colour of his eyes still fascinated her.‘Oh, this? A collection of fairy tales.’

Another pause followed while they studied each other.

‘You like books?’

‘I do. Would you like me to read you one of thestories?’

‘Yes, please.’

Liliana cleared her throat. ‘Most farmers strugglewith reading. While I am by far the best reader in the family, it probablystill sounds bungled to trained ears.’

The stranger gave her another smile to acknowledge herefforts and closed his eyes.

Liliana began to read. She hadn’t read out loud in a long time. No onehere shared her enthusiasm for books. Why would they? There always seemed to begossip to share, and after a day of hard work, most people in the villagedidn’t want to overexert their tired brains. For them, books were an expensiveand superfluous possession. When Cedi had been younger, she’d taught him toread. As with many other activities, her little brother started on it withgreat zeal, only to lose interest after the first few strides. Reading tosomeone who may be well educated made her nervous. But she soon found her rhythm.As intended, the stranger relaxed. Distraction was a good antidote to pain.

About the Author:
D. S. McColgan emigrated from the Swiss mountains to Wales, where she now writes her stories surrounded by green hills, countless sheep and castles. She writes in German and English, and her short stories reside in the realm of fairy tales or magical realism. This year, she has published the first two books of her fantasy series: A Tale of Something New & A Tale of Something Red. 
If you are not afraid of blood and fancy a historical tale with slow-burn romance, secrets, authentic characters and atypical twists, you will love her series.
Website https://www.ataleofbooks.com 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ataleof_books/  

A Bewitching Friday

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A TALE OF SOMETHING NEW Book One by D.S. McColgan #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3LhjzRi


THE HUNTER'S DAUGHTER is a raw, gritty, all-consuming psychological thriller that is masterfully rendered - a unique jewel in the genre. Author Nicola Solvinic's skill is evident as she expertly manipulates characters and readers and monsters through a tunnel of darkness to emerge at the end. - Sandra Hoover Goodreads
The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic
https://amzn.to/48NTMdP
https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB
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Space Cats: Making Enemies Book Tour
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Murder, Shipwrecks, and Spectral Guests: The Haunting History of Big Bay Point Lighthouse
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