A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 52
February 16, 2023
Winter Games Facebook Event
I’m delighted to be part of the Facebook Winter Games Event – check out all the awesome authors for the next month!
All sorts of books, every genre and something for everyone.
Come check it out and there’s a chance of free stuff!
February 15, 2023
Book Spotlight – Citadel of the Fallen #Fantasy
Title: Citadel of the Fallen
Author: J.R. Konkol
Genre: Fantasy
Main character description (short). The Rebirth of the Fallen series is told through multiple points of view. In this first book, we align most closely with Malcolm, a teenage orphan, as he is possessed by an ancient spirit that begins to teach him necromancy.
Synopsis:
Brief Excerpt 250 words:
Malcolm saw the painting vividly, despite the distance. It depicted a noble white horse, with a mane that looked to be spun from slender strands of sun-kissed gold. A long, silver horn stretched out from the horse’s forehead. There was a background, but Malcolm barely registered it. The horse was so incredibly vibrant that it glowed. It was as if its majesty was so great that it pulled the color and light out of everything else around it.
Malcolm’s heart pounded in his chest. He could feel the painting calling to him. His head started throbbing. He burst into tears as he walked towards it. It took him a moment to recognize that the emotions he was feeling weren’t his own. Those feelings belonged to the Other.
“Please,” the voice implored him, “let me touch it?”
Malcolm continued to walk toward the painting. It seemed to look at him as he got closer. He looked back at the Chancellor, but the old man merely smiled and nodded. He felt a warmth wash over his body as he got even closer. He reached out. He was only a few steps away when he heard himself speak. The Other was controlling Malcolm’s mouth, speaking through him.
“I tried. We tried.”
“I know,” came the response. It was ethereal and musical. Beautiful and terrifying. Malcolm somehow knew that only he and the Other were hearing it. Tears poured down his cheeks. “You did everything you could, dark one. You were betrayed. We all were.”
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?
Citadel of the Fallen is the exciting start of the much larger story told across the Rebirth of the Fallen series. Vivid and terrifying, but with an emotional depth that will keep readers yearning for more, JR Konkol weaves a complex tale, with a delicate balance of cinematic action, and political intrigue.
A vast, fallen world, with even deeper mysteries is waiting, just a few clicks away. Unlock it today!
Links etc.
J. R. Konkol | J.R. Konkol – Author (jrkonkol.com)
February 10, 2023
Swift Six Character Interview -Raelyn #Fantasy #Paranormal
Character Name
Raelyn
Which book/world do you live in?
I live in the Rebirth of the Fallen series. I’m summoned by Cinderhorn, in book 1, but you really don’t get to meet me until book 2.
Tell us about yourself:
I’m an over nine centuries old succubus, and I’m tired. I’ve been banished twice, and I don’t think I can endure another century of torture. This recent summoning is my last chance to make a life for myself, and I’ll let nothing stand in my way.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
I spent my second century of banishment mastering several magical schools, including healing. It is quite rare for demons. Being ancient, I know many lost rituals, and approach my illusions and charms with a patience and attention to detail all but lost to younger demons.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).
First, I want to acknowledge my summoner, Cinderhorn. He is an honorable and powerful demon.
I have become quite involved with Derregain’s hospital, the House of Healing. Initially, the sprawling building seemed a perfect place to hide, with the side-benefit of readily available blood and sacrifices, but after essentially taking the place over, I take pride in it.
I have recently taken a lover. Achillion, the Governor of Derregain, and I became somewhat intertwined. He spared my life after I barely survived my battle with Bonewalker, an enormous demon looking to claim the bounty on my head. I saved his life from an angry mob of drugged-up, crazed psycho children. He helped me defeat the moist meat monster… what can I say… we make a good team… and I think his cross dressing is adorable!
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?
It means not taking the easy way out. It means crawling through the dust, no matter how exhausted, until you somehow make it back to the surface.
What do you think of your ‘creator’?
I have no creator.
Give us your favourite piece of advice:
Never sell yourself short. I’m just a lowly fourth order demon, yet I’ve accomplished things demon lords have failed to do. Don’t ever let someone else define you. You are as weak or as powerful as you want to be.
Links to book
J. R. Konkol | J.R. Konkol – Author (jrkonkol.com)
January 31, 2023
Book Spotlight – Meadowvale #Fantasy #YoungAdult
Meadowvale
Author:
N. M. Rudolph
Genre:
Young Adult, Fantasy
Main character description (short):
There are a number of prominent characters, but the primary one is Werbel. He is a young rabbit, roughly 11, who lives on a farm. Early in his story, he learns basic farm skills as well as sword fighting from his father. As the tale progresses, he’s captured and trained by a ruthless lizard. Ultimately, Werbel becomes a fierce warrior.
Synopsis:
The story begins with the Highfallows, a charming family of rabbits whose livelihood is farming. An army of lizards sweeps in and shatters their peace. Those left behind must figure out how to rescue lost loved ones. When Meadowvale elders realize the problem extends far beyond just themselves, the story’s scale increases exponentially. Clashing cultures, the struggle for unity, wrestling with despair, festering regret, battle, forgotten magic, and beyond: it’s all there.
While each character’s tale has its own wisdom to impart, the full story of Meadowvale will capture the hearts and minds of readers young and old.
Brief Excerpt 250 words:
“Skoar! Wait!” Jeremy called after him, but the man sprinted into the void as voices reverberated back. The whistling of the arrows was soon replaced by shifting feet and shouting lizards.
Only Skoar’s softly glowing silhouette could be seen sprinting, leaping toward the center of the huge cavern. His light shone brighter, and Jeremy saw a swarm of lizards circling around him. The cavern went completely dark for a second before Jeremy had to throw an arm in front of his face to block the glare that emanated from that mass. He could not distinguish Skoar from the light that glowed around him, but he could clearly see the lizards that were flung through the air to crash some ways off.
Another moment of darkness collapsed throughout the cavern, and another blast of light sent more lizards flying off. Jeremy’s eyes adjusted, and he was able to see a furious rabbit face burning in the murky distance.
One more wave of darkness fell, and it was followed by silence. Even Skoar’s subtle glow had been completely doused. The only audible sounds were pounding hearts. Then, darts of light sprouted from the center and struck torches scattered about the cavern. They sizzled to life, and the full space came into view. It was larger than anyone first thought. It resembled something like an underground town.
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?
With Meadowvale, Rudolph does an elegant job not only of visiting familiar themes like good and evil but also unique realms where rabbits and lizards clash and, in rare cases, coexist. The end result is that you are taken to a whole different world that feels unexpectedly welcoming.
Links etc.
Books
MeadowvaleRuminationUnhinged: 36 x 36Untold TalesSocials
Website: nmrudolph.comPatreon: patreon.com/nmrudolphInstagram: @n.m.rudolphFacebook: facebook.com/nmrudolphauthorAmazon Author Link
January 25, 2023
Sight Beyond the Sun – Blog Tour and Guest Post
Sight Beyond the Sun
Love Beyond Book 2
by Melody Johnson
Genre: SciFi Romance
Separating truth from lies is impossible in the game of spies…especially the lies you tell yourself.
A prison break.
Adrenaline junkie and explosives specialist Kinsley “Switch” Morales had a chip on her shoulder long before being caught in what she suspects is some sort of intergalactic human-trafficking ring. Aliens not only exist, their reptilian bodies are stronger, their honed reflexes faster, and their shiny scales nearly impenetrable. But nothing will curb Kinsley’s resolve to commandeer their spaceship and return home to Earth—even if that means crawling behind enemy lines and cozying up to their uncompromising captain.
An undercover mission.
When Raveno Hoviir catches Kinsley outside her cell, wreaking havoc in his control room, he sees more than just her strength, resolve, and courage. He sees a golden opportunity to finally root out the traitor under his command and prove his brother’s loyalty before the coming revolution. After so many years undercover, Raveno is finally one mission away from saving his planet from its tyrannical ruler. He’s sacrificed everything to protect his people—his love life, his anonymity, his left leg—but in his efforts to right his father’s wrongs, has he inadvertently become the very monster he plans to overthrow?
An unlikely alliance.
As Kinsley and Raveno each attempt to exploit the other, they find more than just leverage for their separate missions. Inexplicably, they find common ground in their mutual devotion to family and service. Kinsley knows all too well the grief and guilt of making the wrong decision in the field, but will Raveno keep his word to send her home if she flips loyalties? Is Raveno’s softening heart compromising his judgment, or is Kinsley’s intelligence accurate? Separating truth from lies is impossible in the game of spies. Seeing beyond their surface differences and trusting in love again may be the only way to save both their people—and each other
Beyond the Next Star
Love Beyond Book 1
An intolerable order. A desperate charade. A deadly secret…
Before Commander Torek Renaar can return to active duty, he’s ordered to purchase an animal companion to help relieve his PTSD symptoms. But having been a caretaker for and lost a loved one, keeping even one little human alive is a challenge he feels doomed to fail. It doesn’t help that his animal companion is the newest, most exotic breed on the market, demanding constant attention, daily grooming, and delicate handling. If she doesn’t die first in his incompetent care, she’ll be the death of him.
After witnessing the murder of her domestication specialist, Delaney McCormick allows her new owner to treat her like the pet he believes her to be. If anyone suspects she’s more intelligent than a golden retriever, her murder would be next. She endures the humiliation of being washed, the tediousness of being trained to “sit” and “come”, and the intrigue of hearing private conversations. But in Torek’s care, she finds something unexpected on this Antarctic planet, something she never had in all her years on Earth while house-hopping between foster families: a home.
As companionship grows to love, must Delaney continue the charade, acting like an animal and hiding from the murderer waiting for her misstep? Or can she trust Torek with her secrets, even if the truth threatens everything he holds dear—and both their lives?
**Also available in Audiobook !**
Audible * Amazon Audiobook * iTunes
Amazon * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads
Melody Johnson is the award-winning author of the “out of this world” Love Beyond series and the gritty, paranormal romance Night Blood series published by Kensington Publishing/ Lyrical Press. She graduated magna cum laude from Lycoming College with her B.A. in creative writing and psychology.
Earning the 2021 Maggie Award of Excellence, Beyond the Next Star (Love Beyond, book 1) is an exciting branch from Melody’s paranormal romance roots, keeping the dark grit from her Night Blood Series and taking it to new worlds. Her first published novel, The City Beneath (Night Blood, book 1), was a finalist in the “Cleveland Rocks” and “Fool For Love” contests.
When she isn’t writing, Melody enjoys swimming, hiking, reading, and exploring her new home in southeast Georgia. Stay in touch with Melody on social media or her website: authormelodyjohnson.com
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner,
Free ebook – 10 winners!
Raveno Hoviir: The Hero of Sight Beyond the SunAn eight-foot-tall beefcake, Raveno cherishes his privacy. Nearly more than anything else, he enjoys peace and quiet and solitude, something he rarely gets to enjoy while undercover as the captain of Sa Vivsheth and his father’s “killing hand.” After over ten years of counter missions to acquire off-world allies, Raveno is finally one mission away from saving his planet from its tyrannical ruler. He’s sacrificed everything to protect his people—his love life, his anonymity, his left leg—but in his efforts to right his father’s wrongs, has he inadvertently become the very monster he seeks to overthrow? Even without breaking cover, his mission is at risk: someone on board Sa Vivsheth is sabotaging his command. When Raveno catches our heroine, Kinsley, outside her cell, he sees more than just her strength, resolve, and courage. He sees a golden opportunity to finally root out the traitor in his midst and prove his brother’s loyalty before the coming revolution.
One of my favorite themes throughout Sight Beyond the Sun is escaping cages: physical, personal, familial, societal. Both my hero and heroine struggle to free themselves from the limitations of other people’s expectations and to shed the blinders forced upon them since childhood. But as they discover through the healing growth of love, “Our past molds our present…one must learn to live in that mold, make accommodations for it, and unapologetically be it.” So once freed from the cage of this fierce interstellar spy game, who is Raveno Hoviir beneath his fearsome exterior? Let’s interview our hero and find out!
Favorite memory from childhood: playing on my school sheshzi team with my brother and best friend.Favorite smell: burning woodProudest moment: overcoming my medical condition and passing the qualifying combat exams to enter Havar’s military academy.Secret desire: to spend an entire shoaz (25 hours) at home, answering to and being responsible for no one.Favorite food: food is meant to nourish the body.Deepest emotional wound: when Josairo murdered my mother to solidify unilateral military and political power.Never have I ever: seen a woman’s breastsMama or daddy’s boy: mamma’s boyFavorite place: my new apartment, free from all memories of Cresha, my ex-wife.Secret fear: to die before my siblings, leaving them to the mercy of our father.
January 22, 2023
Tomorrow Belongs to Us – Blog Tour #Romance
Tomorrow Belongs To Us
by Lily Zante
Genre: Age Gap, Second Chance Contemporary Romance
A young woman’s life is disrupted when a decade later she crosses paths with the caring high-school teacher she fell in love with as a student.
Lance Turner was there for Megan when she needed him, but his sudden departure left her devastated.
All she wants now is closure, but all he wants is a second chance.
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Goodreads
Lily Zante writes emotional contemporary romances that give you all the feels.
Readers say that her books keep you up all night and make you fall in love with characters who you will come to regard as friends.
She has one daughter, two sons and a parrot. Her better half prefers not to be mentioned at all.
Be among the first to receive new release notifications, cover reveals, chapter excerpts and more free romances.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
January 19, 2023
Oracle of Life – Blog Tour #DarkFantasy #Fantasy
Oracle of Life
The Lords’ Gambit Series, Volume 1
by Katherine D. Graham
Genre: Dark Epic Fantasy
Six fallen lords. Three vengeful goddesses. And one mortal, damned to prophesy for them all.
An Exiled Oracle
Nariah, the Heiress of Ellonai, is dead. An exiled, desert-dwelling Doomsayer is all that remains within the shell of the powerful princess she once was.
A Heretic
She isn’t sure which of her visions her people hate more: the one where the three benevolent goddesses they serve have decided to destroy the world, or the vision of six lords falling from the skies to save them.
The World’s Only Hope
Stumbling across the very lords she’s been seeing in her visions for years, only Nariah’s accursed gift of Sight can aid the lords in their rebellion against the goddesses, and determine the fate of her world before it’s turned to ash.
But does she even want to save those who’ve wronged her?
A whole new take on mythological fantasy awaits in this thrilling dark epic by USA Today Bestselling Author Katherine D. Graham.
**This is not a standalone novel, though each book in The Lords’ Gambit series follows a different main character. Book two, Monk of Death, is available for pre-order now.**
**On Sale for Only .99 cents! **
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads
**Coming Soon on Feb 14th!**
Monk of Death
The Lords’ Gambit Series, Volume 2
**PreOrder Now!**
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads
Katherine D. Graham is a USA Today Bestselling fantasy author from Tennessee (USA). She is also a developmental editor and Reedsy Reviewer.
Katherine’s debut indie Epic Fantasy novel, The Vow That Twisted Fate, is an Amazon bestselling New Adult Fantasy and Occult Fiction novel, a Fantasy finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and a five-star IndieReader-approved novel.
The USA Today Bestselling “Realm of Darkness” box set launched in October 2022, which included Katherine’s full-length Dark Fantasy Romance novel “Splitting Dawn”.
Katherine holds a BA in Foreign Language/Lit: Japanese from the University of Memphis in Tennessee, where she also studied English (and editing). She worked for the Memphis Public Library and Information Center in her college years, and is still a vocal supporter of the Friends of the Memphis Public Library.
In addition to the library system, Katherine actively raises support for the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The House of Mews cat sanctuary, the Memphis Zoo, and Swim Across America.
Katherine loves adventures, especially traveling. She also enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and three cats.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
January 17, 2023
Hunter Avenged – Blog Tour #Paranormal #Romance
Hunter Avenged
Forgotten Brotherhood Book 6
by N.J. Walters
Genre: Paranormal Romance
It’s taken Viking hunter Sven Knutson six frustrating months to find her. To track down the angel responsible for compromising the Forgotten Brotherhood and waking the drakon. She may be clever. Resourceful. But no one ever gets away from Sven. Ever.
All Rivka longed for as an angel was a chance to serve on Earth and help humans. Instead, it all went impossibly, horribly wrong, and she still doesn’t understand how or even why. All she knows is that she’s on the run—not only from Heaven’s dangerous elite guard, but also from the Brotherhood, who want answers.
She might just have to trust the immortal Viking whose icy blue eyes make her feel almost wickedly human. Because someone wants Rivka dead and the Brotherhood eliminated. Someone powerful enough to take on the most dangerous assassins who have ever lived. Someone who could unleash the fury of both Heaven and Hell…and Rivka is the key.
Each book in the Forgotten Brotherhood series is STANDALONE:
* Fury Unleashed
* Arctic Bite
* Burning Ash
* Bjorn Cursed
* Ancient Desire
* Hunter Avenged
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Entangled Publishing * Bookbub * Goodreads
Once upon a time N.J. had the idea that she would like to quit her job at the bookstore, sell everything she owned, leave her hometown, and write romance novels in a place where no one knew her. And she did. Two years later, she went back to the bookstore and her hometown and settled in for another seven years.
One day she gave notice at her job on a Friday morning. On Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first romance novel and life would never be the same.
N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks–all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.
Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
January 15, 2023
Swift Six Author Interview – Hannah-Louise Smith #Fantasy
Name: Hannah-Louise Smith
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so): I love reading, especially fantasy, I’m a huge Harry Potter and Star Wars fans, but only episodes 1-6. My preferred hot drink is tea and I have a Siberian husky called Logan, named after my favourite X-man
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short) Awakening and Darkness are the first two books in the Mythics and mortals trilogy. They are urban fantasy novels based on Ancient Greek mythology and center around our heroine Christina Jones
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it? I started writing during the first 2020 lockdown, I always wanted to write a book so I just went for it. I had an idea and put my pen to paper
What writing plans do you have for the future? I have so many books planned, I’m currently working on an epic fantasy based on the popular role playing game dungeons and dragons, called Gameplay. After I plan on finishing the Mythics and mortals trilogy with the final book
What do you like to read? I like to read A song of fire and ice. George.R.R.Martin is truly a genius
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure? Don’t listen to the doubts, just go for it. The only time you will fail is if you never try
Author bio and book synopsis
Lover of books, tea and fantasy. I have a joint degree in English literature and history and a Siberian husky named Logan. Awakening and Darkness (first two books in the Mythics and mortals trilogy), are out on amazon.
Percy Jackson meets The Mortal Instruments
Christina Jones had always thought that she was normal, just your typical unlucky woman. But this all changes on her twenty-first birthday when she falls, quite literally, headfirst into a world that was thought only to exist in Ancient Greek mythology.
With her new friends, Sophie Romain and Lucas Teravin, by her side, Christina has to fight, not only to control her developing powers and remember who she is, but also to fight the demon that hunts her for a mysterious figure called The Master.
Links/Social media
https://www.facebook.com/hannahlouisesmith19
https://www.instagram.com/hannahlousmith/?hl=en
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22231590.Hannah_Louise_smith
Twitter-@HannahLouiseSm
TikTok- @hannahlousmith0
January 14, 2023
Book Spotlight – Darkness (Book 2 Mythics and Mortals) #Fantasy
Title: Darkness (Book 2 Mythics and Mortals trilogy)
Author: Hannah-Louise Smith
Genre: fantasy fiction
Main character description (short). Christina Jones is a blonde haired, green eyes Greek goddess and is the long lost daughter of Hades and Persephone. She is very powerful which surprises everyone.
Synopsis: Darkness is coming for you Christina Jones.
You, and everyone you love.
After the fateful events of the charity gala, Christina Jones is now crowned Queen of the Underworld. But ruling isn’t easy. Oxyllion is rising, and danger is stalking ever closer to Christina’s friends and family.
When mythic women start being taken by Oxyllion, Christina must delve into the past and hunt for answers in the most unlikely places. Answers that could not only save her father but the mythic and mortal realms.
Brief Excerpt 250 words:
Christina began to follow the drops of blood that soon became spatters from the hallway and into the living room, ignoring the calls from Jared to stop and the protests from forensics and other MPD officers. The image would haunt her for the rest of her immortal life. There were bodies everywhere. But they weren’t mortal, their gleams had dropped upon their deaths. A family of centaurs were strewn about the room, their blood coating nearly every surface in rust-coloured spatters, their dull lifeless eyes were staring up at her, never to blink again, Christina instantly recognized one of the victims. They had only met once a short time ago at The Collective. Christina’s stomach lurched horribly at the sight of her mangled body, her insides were in a pile next to her, and her forelegs lay at odd angles. Her eyes were drawn away from the stomach-churning scene by the sight of something else. On the living room wall, written in blood that was still dripping wetly, was a message.
Merry Christmas Christina Jones. Don’t think that we’ve forgotten about you.
The message was signed with a symbol, one that made Christina freeze where she stood. An octagon in a spiked circle. Beneath the message, lay the small, broken body of Luna the centaur foal
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)? It’s a great book and is the sequel to Awakening (book 1 Mythics and mortals trilogy). If the reader loves mythology, fantasy, horror and a bit of romance then this is definitely the book for them. Plus it’s on kindle unlimited so that helps.
Links etc. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Darkness-Mythics-Mortals-Hannah-Louise/dp/B0BNV4R588/
