A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 5
September 18, 2025
The Cost of Magic Blog Tour and Giveaway #Fantasy
What would you risk to prove you belong –
Your life? Your freedom? Or the fate of a kingdom?
The Cost of Magic
Prequel to The Intrigue of Magic Series
by L.J. Evias
Genre: YA Epic Fantasy, Swords & Sorcery
She’s young, gifted,and desperate to prove she belongs. But some lessons come with a cost.
Torvia has one goal: to earn her place as a royal guard and repay the princewho saved her life. But despite her powerful magic, the prince refuses to sendher into danger, and the princess wants her in court.
Everyone has a plan for Torvia’s future. None of them match her own.
So when a charming older boy offers secret lessons and a chance to escape heroverprotective guardian, Torvia is tempted. He’s clever. He listens. And themagic he shows her is unlike anything she’s seen before.
But every step she takes draws her further from the path she planned – and onewrong move could cost her the mission, her future, and the prince who’scounting on her.
The Cost of Magic is a dark coming-of-age prequel to TheIntrigue of Magic, a young adult epic fantasy series, perfect for readerswho crave fierce heroines, tangled loyalties, and the high price of choosingyour own path.
Start The Cost of Magic todayand discover how one girl’s ambition can change the fate of a kingdom.
** Only .99cents for a limited time! **
The Discovery ofMagic
The Intrigue ofMagic Book 1
A world ruled bymagic. A palace full of secrets. A girl who refuses to back down.
Seventeen-year-old Alice Harper had her future mapped out—win an archeryscholarship, protect her friends, and stay in control. But when a portal hurlsher into a kingdom where magic rules and obedience means survival, she lands ina palace gripped by fear—and under the eye of the most powerful man in the realm.
The Royal Mage doesn’t just control the court—he controls people. With power,with fear, with enchantments no one dares resist. And for reasons Alice can’texplain, he’s taken a disturbing interest in her.
The only person who seems to want to help is the prince. He’s charming,clever—and very possibly lying. Caught between dangerous truths and beautifuldeceits, Alice must decide who to trust before her friends are lost forever.
She’s not afraid of a fight. But in a world where magic is control, and trustis the most dangerous choice of all, surviving will take more than arrows—itwill take everything she’s got.
The Discovery of Magic is the thrilling first book in TheIntrigue of Magic, a YA epic fantasy series perfect for fans of courtintrigue, character-driven fantasy, and bold heroines who don’t justsurvive—they fight for each other.
Buy The Discovery of Magic todayto enter a world where freedom is fragile—and every alliance comes at a cost.
What readers are saying:
‘A creative first novel in the Intrigue of Magic series, thecontemporary characters are endearing and believable figures with magicalthreats, delicate alliances, and savvy manipulators at every turn. Theworld-building is strong, with thematic undercurrents pointing back tocontemporary life in a way that inspires a continuing sense of empathy for thecharacters. Evias’ care with character interaction and modern-day socialparallels make it a distinctly compelling start to a new series.’ – Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
‘The world-building is great withdetailed political structure and magical elements…Evias dishes up the angstthat accompanies young love, and…is authentic in depicting the frustrationsof youth…Overall, this is a thoughtful and well-executed entry to a newseries and I look forward to seeing where we go next’ – Asher Syed, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★
‘…offers a balance oflightheartedness and tension, making it accessible to both younger and olderaudiences. This first book in the series holds great promise and delivers acharming and enjoyable story.’ – CarolThompson, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★
‘L. J. Evias’ thrilling fantasy adventure will keep readers glued to thepages…The Discovery of Magic is a well-written, clean fantasy tobe enjoyed by fantasy lovers young and old’ – Delene Vrey, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★
‘The Discovery of Magic is a compelling start to what promises to be anexceptional fantasy series for readers who appreciate carefully crafted magicalworlds and meaningful character growth. I cannot wait to see what comes next.’– K.C. Finn, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★
‘A suspense-filled, magical adventure with a strong, reckless protagonist toroot for. Highly recommended!’ – TheWishing Shelf, ★★★★
L. J. Evias writesexclusively in the fantasy genre, infusing stories with a dash of adventure andmystery. In Evias’s worlds, moral absolutes do not exist, giving life to adiverse cast of intriguing characters.
The Intrigue ofMagic is Evias’s debut series, featuring accessible world-building, intricateplots, and unforgettable heroes and villains. Released in 2024, The Discoveryof Magic is the first book in this series.
When not immersedin the pages of a novel, Evias enjoys real-world adventures both in the UK andabroad. The enchanting settings of The Intrigue of Magic series drawinspiration from personal travels, notably the unique architecture andevocative landscapes of Morocco.
Bonus material anda sample short story are available from the author’s website.
Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon *Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Bienvenue à ma Semaine internationale du livre – Éditions françaises – 5
Nous sommes en 1888, à Whitechapel, au cœur même de la capitale londonienne. Mais le cœur saigne. Un tueur mystérieux traque les femmes dans les rues — sa véritable identité est inconnue, mais ce personnage mythique entrera dans l’histoire. Jack l’Éventreur est au centre de cette nouvelle.
Scènes de violence : récit destiné aux plus de 18 ans.
https://books2read.com/TapiDansLOmbre-Watcher-French
September 17, 2025
Bienvenue à ma Semaine internationale du livre – Éditions françaises – 4
https://books2read.com/StolenTowerFrench
Là où la magie est interdite, une chamane troll, sur son lit de mort, appelle son héritière, Mirandra Var, fille de la tempête. Mirandra fait le serment de retrouver ses parents disparus, de distinguer les amis des ennemis, et de s’approprier les secrets dangereux gardés par des créatures inimaginables. Si elle réussit, elle deviendra la chef de sa tribu. Si elle échoue, il n’y aura aucune tribu à diriger.
September 16, 2025
Switch Blog Tour and Giveaway #Thriller
A fast-paced techno thriller that brings a grippingconclusion to the E&A Investigations series as Mari Ellwyn faces her past,her nemesis, and a web of high-stakes crimes.
Switch
E&A Investigations Book 3
by Lisa Towles
Genre: Mystery Crime Thriller, Suspense
A body vanishedfrom the morgue. A coastal town gripped by bank heists.
The only link is apast that someone will kill to keep buried.
In Book 3 of the E&A Investigations series, Mari Ellwynand Derek Abernathy return to track a string of unsettling bank robberies.Their case takes a dark turn with the bizarre disappearance of a body from thelocal morgue, a mystery connected to the vanishing of the previous MedicalExaminer, Dr. Camille Bota. Their investigation plunges them into the dangerousworld of a multi-national organization involved in suspected fraud and fringetechnology research. For Mari, the case ignites a personal quest, forcing herto confront the long-unresolved disappearance of her father, CIA operativeRichard Ellwyn.
The deeper she digs, the more Mari realizes that both sheand her father are inextricably linked to their lifelong nemesis, the notoriousinternational crime boss Jacques Martel. The missing body and the secretssurrounding Dr. Bota become entangled with her father’s shadowy past andMartel’s deadly machinations. In a high-stakes collision of family secrets andcriminal enterprise, Mari must confront her father and their shared enemybefore they both become casualties in Martel’s lethal game.
REVIEWS:
“A taut, high-intelligence thriller with real emotionalteeth…” – The Prairies Book Review
Fast-paced, smart, and full of twists, this is a thrillerthat delivers both heart and heat.” —Scott Olsen, San FranciscoBook Review
“A breakneck techno-thriller that crackles with smart dialogue, raw emotion,and relentless tension.” – Literary Titan
This exhilarating, action-infused crime thriller deftly incorporates suspensewith harrowing drama to keep readers turning the pages. – The BookCommentary
**Releases on Sep 30th!!**
Salt Island
E&AInvestigations Thriller Series Book 2
“Thisbook is an intricate, immersive, and riveting thriller, with plenty ofsurprising twists and turns.” — Readers’ Choice
In the heart-pounding international thriller Salt Island, MariEllwyn, a former-CIA private investigator, finds herself thrust into a perilousworld of high-stakes corporate espionage and ecoterrorism. As her newly formedpartnership with Derek Abernathy is put to the ultimate test, Mari faces adaunting challenge that forces her to confront powerful ghosts from her past.
When billionaire CEO Jack Darcy’s reputation and IPO deal are under threat,Mari finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, lies and corporate fraud. Thedisappearance of Jack’s glamorous wife, coupled with the unraveling of a darksecret within his esteemed environmental startup, leaves Mari with unansweredquestion and a thirst for Justice.
While Mari’s partner Derek goes undercover to investigate a series ofsuspicious deaths on a local farm in California’s Central Valley, Mari grappleswith the haunting truth about her missing father—a man with a double identityand secret agenda. Determined to uncover the depths of her father’s involvementwith her case, Mari embarks on a solo journey to the British Virgin Islands, ahidden Caribbean refuge that holds the key to her own identity and future.
With Derek gone and time running out, Mari must decide whether to riskeverything to uncover the truth or succumb to the powerful forces that seek tobury it forever. Get your copy of Salt Island now and braceyourself of a relentless rollercoaster. Secrets can’t stay buried forever, butnow Mari is alone, exposed and fighting for her survival.
What readers are saying about theaward-winning Salt Island:
“An often engaging tale of money, danger, and family.” – Kirkus
“An intricate, gorgeously written, character-driven page-turner with someshocking twists.” – Prairies Book Reviews
“An intoxicating read, hugely entertaining.” – The Book Commentary
“An exceptional thriller and a riveting work of espionage, wrongdoing, anddiscovery.” – Midwest Book Review
Hot House
E&AInvestigations Book 1
Who killed Sophie Michaud? Stay up all night readingthis award-winning psychological thriller that has readers obsessed.
Shot in the line of duty, exCIA operative Mari Ellwyn is again chasing adrenaline, when she reinventsherself as a private investigator on a quest to find the killer of collegestudent Sophie Michaud. Every door Mari opens proves to be more perilous thanthe last, but she’s hell bent on bringing the killer to justice—for Sophie,students, and all women.
Teaming up with seasonedinvestigator and former detective, Derek Abernathy, the crime-savvy pairdiscover Sophie’s journal, which is filled with names and controversialsecrets—listed among them is Mari’s own father.
What secrets was Sophiehiding?
As they connect the dotsleading to Sophie’s death, the blackmailing of a federal judge, and Mari’s ownfamily, Sophie’s murderer is closing in for the next kill. Facing an adversarylike none she’s ever experienced before, Mari must find her missing father andreconcile her broken past before she becomes the killer’s next victim.
A multiple award-winningnovel, Hot House is a page-turning psychological thrillerpacked with tension, secrets, suspense, and surprises. If you like BlakeCrouch, Harlan Coben, and Lisa Gardner, discover Lisa Towles’ E&A Seriestoday.
· First Place Winner of The Book Fest 2022 Literary Award, Mystery &Crime category
· Literary Titan Gold Award for Fiction
Escape into this devious mindmystery by getting your copy of Hot House now, so you cansolve the puzzle of who killed Sophie Michaud.
What readers are saying:
“A dark,edge-of-the-seat thriller. Highly recommended!”Chanticleer Reviews
“Memorable characters make for a winsome, absorbing detective tale.” – KirkusReviews
“Towles does a fantastic job of pacing thestoryline so that the reader hangs on to every clue… I recommend this forfans of crime fiction writersBaldacci, Slaughter, and Gardner.” San Francisco Book Review
“Award-winning author Lisa Towles delivers again and again withher gripping thrillers…” SarahLovett, Bestselling author
“The plot is propelledforward by the clever use of suspense,measured action, and ingeniously written conflict. It is amoving and delightful read with cinematicscenes and characters that will stick with readers for a long afterthey turn the last page.” – The Book Commentary
“Hot House is an intricatemaze of blackmail, surprise and suspense delivered byquirky characters, pithy dialog and LOL humor. Another hit by my favorite thriller writer, Lisa Towles.”– Ana Manwaring
“Fans of investigative thrillers and mysteries will be the audience forHot House, but its ability to craft a sassy, fun series of dialogues andinspections… creates an exceptionalread with a powerfully unexpectedconclusion... This will attract audiences both within and beyond the thriller and mystery genres.” –Midwest Book Review
“Towles has produced aknockout novel with Hot House. Towles’s plot is as twisted and unpredictable… Nowhere will thriller fans find a moreengaging keep-you-on-your-toes read.” –Literary Titan
“This meticulouslyconstructed, remarkable mystery deftlyexplores people’s darkest flaws while revealing hard truths about the hiddenworkings of the world. A fast-pacedand psychologically astute thriller.” Prairies Book Review
“Hot House is one of those books that pries your eyelids open anddoesn’t relent until you’ve reached the end. Good luck getting Mari out of your head!” – Benjamin Bradley
Amazon* Apple * B&N* Kobo * Smashwords * Bookbub* Goodreads
Lisa Towles is anaward-winning, Amazon bestselling crime novelist and a passionate speaker onthe topics of fiction writing, creativity, and Strategic Self Care. Lisa has 11crime novels in print with her newest title Specimen freshly released inNovember 2024. The first two books of her E&A Investigations Series (HotHouse and Salt Island) were both #1 Amazon Kindle Bestsellers. Lisa also writesstandalone thrillers, such as her 2022 political thriller, The Ridders, whichwon an American Fiction Award. Lisa is an active member and frequentpanelist/speaker of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, andInternational Thriller Writers. She has an MBA in IT Management and worksfull-time in the tech industry.
Read more about Lisa’sbook on her publisher’swebsite.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * TikTok * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!
Bienvenue à ma Semaine internationale du livre – Éditions françaises – 3
Des humains viennent abattre la dernière forêt, et ils pourraient bien avoir une mauvaise surprise.
Une nouvelle fantastique sombre sur le courroux de la nature.
https://books2read.com/LaDerniereForet
#Fantastique, #Nouvelle, #Fantasy, #Nature, #Conte #Dystopique
September 15, 2025
Bienvenue à ma Semaine internationale du livre – Éditions françaises – 2
Une douzaine d’années tumultueuses après les événements dramatiques de l’Opéra de Paris Raoul, le comte de Chagny est toujours hanté par le mystérieux fantôme de l’opéra — la créature de légende qui a tenu le personnel de l’Opéra sous son emprise, a enlevé l’amour de Raoul et assassiné son frère. Dans l’imagination troublée de Raoul, les fantômes du passé sont partout, et une musique étrange et puissante appelle encore dans ses rêves.
La folie, l’obsession et l’héritage du passé tissent leur charme dans ce court récit tragique basé sur le Fantôme de l’Opéra.
Meilleure Fantasy 2019 sur le site de critiques NN Light Book Heaven! https://books2read.com/echo-dune-chanson-french
#Une douzaine d’années tumultueuses après les événements dramatiques de l’Opéra de Paris Raoul, le comte de Chagny est toujours hanté par le mystérieux fantôme de l’opéra — la créature de légende qui a tenu le personnel de l’Opéra sous son emprise, a enlevé l’amour de Raoul et assassiné son frère. Dans l’imagination troublée de Raoul, les fantômes du passé sont partout, et une musique étrange et puissante appelle encore dans ses rêves.
La folie, l’obsession et l’héritage du passé tissent leur charme dans ce court récit tragique basé sur le Fantôme de l’Opéra.
Meilleure Fantasy 2019 sur le site de critiques NN Light Book Heaven! https://books2read.com/echo-dune-chanson-french
#fantasyhistorique, #fantomedel’opera, #fantome, #histoirecourte #nouvelle, #heritagedumasque #
, #fantomedel’opera, #fantome, #histoirecourte #nouvelle, #heritagedumasque
September 14, 2025
Bienvenue à ma Semaine internationale du livre – Éditions françaises – 1
Dans un monde sombre où la magie est illégale et où les elfes sont réduits en esclavage, une jeune sorcière elfe s’enfuit de la maison de son méchant gardien. Poursuivie par ses hommes et l’Ordre corrompu des chasseurs de sorcières, elle doit trouver refuge. Alors que les esclavagistes parcourent les terres en volant des elfes de ce qui reste de leur maison ancestrale, les chasseurs de sorcières ferment les yeux sur la tragédie et une histoire de pouvoir, d’amour et d’une terrible vengeance se déroule.
#Elfes, #Fantastique, #Dark Fantasy, #Érotisme fantastique, #Magie
https://books2read.com/LBTS-Chroniques-de-la-lumiere-au-dela-de-la-tempeteFrench
Book Blast – New Release – Murder at the Yacht Club – Rita Lee Chapman #Mystery, #Crime
Murder at the Yacht Club – Book 2 in the DI Mark Williamson series
DI Williamson is faced with another murder on the Sunshine Coast. A Member of Parliament’s assistant is found dead outside the Yacht Club. Was this murder politically motivated, or was it personal?
September 12, 2025
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
September 9, 2025
The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder – Blog Tour and Giveaway #Paranormal #HistoricalFiction #Mystery
To solve a baffling murder – search both sides of the grave…
The Crooked Medium’sGuide To Murder
by Stephen Cox
Genre: Spooky Paranormal Victorian Murder Mystery
London 1881. Can twocrooked women stop a murder?
Extravagant medium Mrs Ashton and her lover,blunt working-class Mrs Bradshaw, run a spiritualist scam. Mrs Ashton secretlyreads minds.
Believing that Mrs Ashton is genuine,grieving Lady Violet craves the truth behind her mother’s untimely death. ButLady Violet’s powerful husband Sir Charles hates spiritualists. Has he killedbefore?
Uncovering this MP’s wicked crimes will putall three women in terrible danger…
To solve a shockingmurder, look on both sides of the grave.
“An astonishing feat of twisting plots and perceptions”
“It’s deliciously twisty, with women who won’t be told, a young bridein peril, and the delicate art of a con.”
“A book I’ve been looking for all my life. Queer found family allwrapped up in a supernatural murder mystery. Absolute perfection.”
“a brilliant, gripping story. .. if you’re looking for a great new bookto read, I encourage you to check it out.”
“…an actually intriguing mystery.”
“with a new murder thrown in and a couple of pre-existing onesuncovered, we get an astonishing story of redemption with well-plotted butnever signposted twists and turns thrown in at every stage.”
“…a murder mystery with a supernatural spin. … the premise and plotwere great. The story is very atmospheric with a very nasty aristocrat villain...an entertaining read…”
**Only.99cents!**
Amazon * Author’s Site * Bookbub* Goodreads
Stephen Cox is a writer living in London.He’d read every Holmes, Christie, and Sayers before he was 21 and did Holmesfanfic in school. He has also read the Moonstone six times. With a sciencedegree he has always been a fan of history and the imagination.
The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murdercontains the strong characterisation, women protagonists, authentic periodsetting, and wide roaming imagination of his other works.
He says ‘It’s a rip-roaring twisty story,with relationships under stress and surprising readers at every turn.”
His first two novels, Our Child of the Starsand Our Child of Two Worlds were called “heartfelt, imaginative and gripping”,with wide praise in the national press.
Stephen says ‘I wanted female rogues as myleads – people who lead a crooked life, who need to keep secrets, yet can bekind and generous too. This is a rigorous detective story with a client introuble and old crimes to be solved. It has everything – a brutal man, a Ladyin danger, and the past and present feeding the action. Can these outsiderspossibly win? Queer women certainly existed and made lives together inVictorian England, as those with eyes to see can see,’
Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bluesky * Amazon *Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special contentand a $10 giveaway!
