Thursday, December 18, 2014

THE KINGDOM LIGHTS, by Steven VS




 From Goddess Fish Promotions a new MG/YA Fantasy/steampunk Virtual Book Tour 
from Author Steven VS….The Kingdom Lights.  About a boy 
who discovers he can have a well of magic if he so desires…
I'm currently reading  this book, however, I am sorry to say I did 
not finish in time for a full review…you can see my thoughts at 
the end here.  Our tour is offering a giveaway…a $50 Amazon
card and a $25 card of the same to two lucky random winners…
so put your name in the hat and maybe the stars will be with you.  
This is the last day of the tour, so I do hope you enjoyed 
following along….as always, please leave us a comment so 
that we know you were here…thx from our newly opened 
division of PLP…Thornton Berry Shire Press.

BLURB:   

In a world where cities float, airships sail the skies and mythical creatures are summoned in a pinch, Celes Vale is distinctly average. Living in the shadow of his talented cousin and his powerful aunt and uncle, Celes is resigned to a future of soot, factories and well, more soot.

But on the night of his twelfth birthday everything changes. A blinding light, a whispered voice and in an instant Celes becomes the first ordinary child in history to develop magic, sending him on a fast-track ticket to the greatest of the floating cities, Gardarel. Boasting grand, elegant buildings wrought from shimmering white stone, the entire city appears as though it has been built from light, and so it has come to be called the Kingdom Lights.

Though some welcome Celes, others want the dirt-ridden up-start off their city preferably head first. Nowhere is this clearer than in the attitude and actions of the beautiful and haughty Lady Ban and her sneering nephew, Marcus Blackwood. But Blackwood, with his gang of goons and unimaginative one-liners, is soon the least of Celes s problems.
With a little magic and a lot of detective work, Celes and his group of Scurriers and Wisps unravel the dark truth behind Lady Ban s prim, perfect smile an alliance to the villainous Wardens and the masked man who leads them. However, in his attempt to expose Lady Ban, Celes unwittingly stumbles onto an even darker conspiracy a plan that could lead to the complete destruction of Gardarel itself.


EXCERPT

With his immaculately polished shoes, carefully preened suit and even more carefully preened moustache Jaime Milton was the last person one would expect in the sooty factory city of Midgard. His father, Lord Milton, Sr., a great wobbly man with fat flapping fingers like purple bananas was a close second.

It was a brilliant June morning and the city of Floating City of Midgard was alight with life. Jaime walked through the weathered cobblestone streets and watched as houses flung their windows and doors open, lapping in the sunlight. Jaime had not been here for two years and yet the City of Factories was exactly as he had remembered; there were rows of homes huddled together, tightly packed into the little street as high rising billows of smoke sailed into the sky. The cobblestones of rose-tinged granite underfoot were boisterous and uneven and Jaime had to be extra careful so as not to fall over as racing children zoomed past, chasing one another furiously through the street. Some were covered in soot whilst others were rosy clean but, he noted, all were breathless.

Jaime Milton couldn’t help but smile.

“What are you smirking about?” barked Lord Milton, Sr. as his son pushed him through the streets in a beautiful silvery wheelchair.

“Just thinking about the first time I came to Midgard,” replied Jaime. “It was a…”

“I didn’t ask!” announced Lord Milton, Sr., brandishing his polished walking cane. “Always answering questions I didn’t ask! And stop your smiling! There’s no reason to smile!”


________________________________________________


Beautiful Cover by the way.


My Thoughts.

First of all, I'm nearly finished, my Kindle says I'm 70% done with the bookso I have a good feeling for what is going on.  And the main thing I wish to comment on first and foremost is this.  

I've read quite a few times already on other reviews that most people find the parallel with Harry Potter to be a big mark against the story.  That it's not original and too similar…?  I have to tell you that I must be the only person who never ONCE picked up on Harry Potter in the least, nothing in this story takes me there or brings him to mind.  Having said this, I can see where if you are picking things apart and comparing the idea that a 12 year old boy finds out he has magic, goes to a school for magic where he is bullied but has a couple misfit friends, and has to fend off the evil sorcerer, then I suppose the comparison could be drawn.  However, for me, I just started reading and the "feeling" that comes from Harry Potter did not come up for me in the least, so the comparison, along with the apparent disappointment, never came in this regard.

The second thing that I'd like to point out is that this book is marketed as a steampunk fantasy….again, other than the floating cities, which is a hugely terrific idea, there has been no steampunk edge to the story whatsoever, which for me, was very disappointing.  I was looking for something magical in the floating city idea, and that's pretty much as far as it goes.
I also see people commenting on the current time of the story and the language.  Again, I never picked up that it was anywhere near our current time.  The story is written in the Victorian flavor of language, more proper English and words that suit a period piece, which is probably why it is labeled steampunk, as that would fit into that world.  I took it as a fantastical, other worldly kind of tale…nothing to do with today.  If anything, future maybe…but the beginning in particular reminded me of Renaissance feeling with the street markets and cobblestone…so there's that.  I actually loved this style of writing.

I really enjoy the main character, Celes, which is the main reason I have continued to read this story…..I truly wish to discover what really will happen to him.  For me, it wasn't as simple as "on his twelfth birthday he discovered he had magic and went to school to learn more"….this isn't what happened at all actually.
The story is very confusing in the beginning, too many things going on.  This happened throughout the book for me I must admit.  But the overlying story kept my attention.
The truth is that some kind of magical "myst" "fog", energy, enveloped the boy and gave him the choice to accept the gift of magic, at his own risk of course.  This deal was made and the magical mysterious being that gave him this power doesn't come back into the story to explain anything….at least not 70% through.  He ventures off to this other city to learn his craft and the bulk of the story involves everything else BUT this.  I kept thinking…when is he going to learn magic or cast a spell or something, what is the point of this whole story?

The friends are fun, the bad guys predictable and the hero…well, like I said, so far the hero is a very enjoyable character.
Some things are very elementary, as would be fitting of a middle grade tale, yet there is a very confusing thread running through the story that makes me believe a nine year old might get very lost…unless they are just in it for the fun and surface reading, they may be able to skim over these advancing story lines that never actually seem to play out to anything…it's like a dozen starts to an adventure and I read to get to a conclusion or a twist or turn in the road, hope there's magic already, and then it just keeps going….no pay off.

So I shall continue to read this story and see if by the end anything changes for me…one would hope!  The ending better take me somewhere, or I'm afraid it's just been a decent story with one note running through, no peaks or valleys or intrigue.  But I'm a grown up,  a kid might discover the magic…let's hope for the best.
I'll post my full review on Goodreads and Amazon as soon as I finish, which should be during the next week.
Remember, these are just my thoughts for now….thx for listening.




AUTHOR INFORMATION:

A resident of the sleepy coastal town of Bexhill, East Sussex, England. Steven graduated in the summer of 2013 from the University of Southampton with a Bachelor of Medicine Degree and a Master’s Degree in Global Health from Sussex University – where he spent the majority of his time in Shawcross writing this novel!
In between writing and dreaming Steven is a medical doctor and has worked at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire and the Princess Royal where he fights the system with quirky lanyards.
Steven’s debut novel steampunk fantasy The Kingdom Lights is out on October 17th published by Neverland Publishing.


Thursday, December 11, 2014

EVER DARKENING - COVER REVEAL


Ever Darkening
Release Date: 01/28/15

Summary from Goodreads:
Perfection. Goodness. Elimination of evil. It's whatseventeen-year-old Kaylyn has trained her entire life to achieve. But no one is prepared for the consequences of her actually defeating all evil people on the planet. Finally successful in her mission, Kaylyn faces an unfamiliar world, full of good people doing good things, in which she no longer has purpose.


When the skies grow dark, and a stranger from another village pleads for her help, her instincts roar to life. It turns out their perfect world isn't exactly what it seems. Kaylyn's new quest, harder than any she's been on before, will rip apart her friendships, her life, and her soul more than any evil man ever managed to.


About the Author
Janeal Falor lives in Utah where she’s finally managed to live in the same house for more than five years without moving. In her spare time she reads books like they’re nuts covered in caramel and chocolate, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and enjoys the outdoors. Her husband and three children try to keep up with her overactive imagination. Usually they settle for having dinner on the table, even if she’s still going on about the voices in her head.




Author Links:
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GIVEAWAY:

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Thursday, December 4, 2014

Welcome, from Thornton Berry Shire!

Welcome to Thornton Berry Shire Press, a division of Pressed Leaf Publishing.

We are super excited to open this new division in YA publishing.   Thornton Berry Shire will be dedicated to all Young Adult fantasy writing only.  Including, adventure, dystopian, time travel, steampunk, sic-fi and some paranormal.
We will continue to feature Authors here on our home blog who fit in these genres.
We are still looking at the big picture of becoming a full publishing house one day…concentrating on this particular division first and foremost…this is where my heart lies, YA Fantasy.  As you are aware, I'm all about "Keeping the Magic Alive!"

So keep an eye out….great things coming from Pressed Leaf Publishing and it's new sister division, Thornton Berry Shire Press.  Hope you enjoy the new logo/banner!  Thx for following!


Monday, December 1, 2014

RUINATION by Amanda Thome


"It’s only a fraction of a second but in that moment I see the life leave his eyes. I realize the gravity of what I’ve done. I’ve just killed a man. I killed someone’s son, maybe some-one’s father.
The gunfire to my left closes in and snaps me back to reality. I string the second arrow. I have a clear shot but I can’t take it. I won’t take another life even if it means dying.
Suddenly a veil of absolute darkness falls over me and my body feels like it’s plunged into an icy bath. My ears strain to hear but I no longer perceive the sound of gunshots from the foreigners." 

From YA Bound Book Tours comes a terrific dystopian novel 
by Author Amanda Thome, Ruination.
There's a giveaway with this tour, so be sure and add your name 
to the list.  And as always, please leave us a comment so we 
know you were here.  Thx, enjoy the rest of the tour, PLP



Ruination (Worlds Apart #1)
Release Date: 04/15/14

Summary from Goodreads:
What if everything came down to a single test? If your life was defined at seventeen, could you handle it? Could you accept your fate leaving the ones you love, or would you risk it all and stay?

One test stands between Vanessa and Central. One chance to make the leap across the walls to a better life. At seventeen, Central considers Vanessa an adult. Her labor role, marriage, and housing divisions will be dictated by her performance on the leap.

Dedication and unfaltering friendship has bonded Vanessa to Garrett as they fight for their chance to leap into Central. But what happens when love overtakes reason? When defiance in the name of love creates an unintentional fracture in their nation.

Without warning Vanessa is at the mercy of the nation that’s supposed to protect her. Exiled and abandoned she must fight but she find’s she’s not alone. With her heart divided she seeks her revenge, but will her stand be enough?

Ruination is the next YA dystopian trilogy that will hook you from the start! If you liked Veronica Roth's Divergent series or Suzanne Collins Hunger Games series then be prepared to get addicted to Ruination.



Buy Links:
   



About the Author
Amanda Thome is the Author of Ruination, book one in the Worlds Apart dystopian trilogy. Amanda grew up in Maine and later moved to Pennsylvania where she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Ursinus College. She later received her doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Columbia University. Amanda currently resides in San Antonio, TX with her husband Clint.


Author Links:



Saturday, November 29, 2014

Book Two from the Benjamin McTish Series…Benjamin McTish and the Wizards of Coranim…is available in ebook format here at Smashwords...https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/456814


Sunday, November 9, 2014

SCEADU by Prashant Pinge



 From Bewitching Book Tours a new YA Fantasy from 
Author Prashant Pinge, a Crossword Book Award Finalist. 
 This book really caught my attention, I want to get my own copy 
and see how it goes.  You know I'm always on the hunt for good 
YA Fantasy/adventure to recommend to the young ones.  
The Giveaway is for three copies of Sceandu, (pronounced shadu)
so make sure and add your name to the rafflecopter below
 and don't forget to leave us a comment and let us know 
you were here…thx, PLP.



Sceadu
Prashant Pinge
Genre: YA fantasy fiction
Date of Publication: Nov 10, 2014
ASIN: B00NVCV0I0
Number of pages: 246 
Word Count: About 70,000
Cover Artist: Reptile FX 

Book Description:
All this while, Matilda’s shadow had been growing larger and larger. Suddenly, it lunged out of the ground and swallowed her, like a python does its unsuspecting prey.
Nine year old Matilda ends up with a century old book through a series of strange coincidences. And disappears. Her brother and cousins are forced to suspend their hostilities and pursue her to Sceadu, a land inside the human shadow. Once there, the reluctant visitors find themselves chased by the vicious Hefigans, creatures of Sceadu. However, everything changes with the revelation of an ancient prophecy that foretells the doom of the world they left behind. 
With the stakes suddenly raised, the children must now navigate the dangerous terrain, overcome grave challenges, and unlock the secrets of the shadow. But can they do it in time to thwart the plans of the treacherous Hefigans? Or will they succumb to the guile of a ruthless enemy who is equally determined to destroy mankind? 
Sceadu is a fast-paced adventure which blurs the boundary between the physical and the psychological, the real and the mythical.
Available at Amazon

Excerpt: 
Matilda sat at her old wooden desk, staring into the thick yellowed pages of a book under a dull moth ridden beam cast by the night lamp. But every time she blinked, it seemed as if the words had played a round of musical chairs. And the moths, fluttering through the words at times and hovering over them at others, did not make things any easier. 
Matilda was about to turn the page when there was a tug at her feet. It was a very gentle one, almost imperceptible. Surprised, she glanced down, but there was nothing. Perhaps it’s just my imagination, she thought. She was about to shake her thick dark brown curls out of her face when she felt it again. 
Matilda pushed her head down and looked into the dark void with furrowed brow. Her skinny legs stared back. But before she could decide on whether she had actually felt anything, there was another tug, an unmistakable one this time. And another one. The truth suddenly dawned upon Matilda. It was her shadow, trying to drag her into itself. 
Matilda jerked back the chair, kicking hard at her shadow. But it snapped back, pulling at her even more viciously. She stomped upon it repeatedly. But the dark grey shape began jabbing at her feet and ankles. Matilda pushed herself up and made a frantic attempt to run. But her legs refused to move, and she almost toppled forward. 
All this while, Matilda’s shadow had been growing larger and larger. Suddenly, it lunged out of the ground and swallowed her, like a python does its unsuspecting prey.


About the Author:
Prashant Pinge was born and brought up in the picturesque neighbourhood of Shivaji Park in the bustling city of Mumbai in India. 
A quiet and diligent student throughout his schooling and college years, Prashant proceeded to pursue electrical engineering at Purdue University in the United States. Over the next decade, he accumulated three more degrees, a master of science in management from Lancaster University, a post graduate program in management from Indian School of Business, and a post MBA master in international management from Thunderbird School of Global Management. 
Apart from enjoying the company of books, Prashant had always had an imaginative bent of mind. But writing only happened in the fall of 2003, when a remarkably intriguing dream interrupted an uncharacteristically deep spell of slumber, compelling him to stagger to his desk and pen down the idea. That book is still a few years away from being written. Prashant, however, continues to work from his cauldron of creativity and churn out critically acclaimed works of fiction. 
In addition to his literary pursuits, Prashant is Managing Partner in his marketing and branding firm, Media Panther. In his spare time, Prashant enjoys collecting old coins, reading fiction, travelling to exotic destinations, watching movies, and listening to music. He recently wrote and produced a short film titled Freedom of Expression. Prashant is also keenly interested in the subjects of psychology, mythology and ancient history. 
Prashant lives with his wife and son in Mumbai.

Author website - http://prashantpinge.com
Author Facebook page - http://facebook.com/PrashantPingeAuthor 
Sceadu Facebook page - http://facebook.com/SceaduTheBook 
Tour giveaway 
3 ebook copies of Sceadu

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

REVIEWS FOR THE SERAPHINA PARRISH SERIES

My GoodReads Reviews for books one and two in the Seraphina Parrish Series.  A YA time travel/fantasy/ by Michelle Warren…REALLY good books….click on titles to link to full review of second book...enjoy!



Wander Dust (The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy, #1)

Wander Dust by Michelle Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yeah, this was a pretty awesome book. It grabbed me somewhat slowly in the very very beginning, (I have an issue with the first person dialog/writing, so the first few pages just bugged me, but I got over it) however, then it just built and built until I was curious to see where it would go…half way through I couldn't put it down, seriously. Very visual, very strong and well written characters. Super imaginative, well thought out…I loved it! Off to buy book two…well done Michelle…ps. the back of the book is striking as well, nice design.

View all my reviews





Protecting Truth (The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy, #2)Protecting Truth by Michelle Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Thursday, October 30, 2014

ENNARA AND THE BOOK OF SHADOWS, by Angela Myron



 Today we are excited to share book two in the
middle grade fantasy series by Angela Myron,
Ennara and the Book of Shadows. 
 You know me, I'm always on the hunt for good mg/ya
fantasy books to recommend.  And the first book,
Ennara and the Fallen Druid
is a perfect tale to share with your fantasy loving kids.
 The main character is a good read, she's clever and real,
very easy to fall in love with and wonder 
what will happen next.  The perfect story for little ones
to get lost in.  And what comes next is the Book of Shadows.
Hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions, please enjoy this book blast.  
The author is sponsoring a very generous giveaway in this tour, 
check the details below and make sure you include your name 
for a chance to win.  And as always, please leave us a comment 
so we know that you were here, thx PLP.


BLURB:

When strange accidents start happening around thirteen year-old necromancer Ennara and her friends, she must search for the mysterious stolen artifacts causing the attacks while learning the highest form of magic--the spells that could prevent the fruition of a terrible prophecy.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
Ennara looked at the pansy. Still dead. Then at her teacher, who was staring at her, waiting. The class remained silent. Didn’t he see the plant wasn’t alive at all? His expression remained questioning. Did she want to admit she couldn’t do this, and be separated from the rest to re-learn how to do a blessing?

She took a deep breath. A sideways glance at Kithe showed him smiling at the end of the desk. He shot her a secret thumbs-up under the table. Failure was not an option. Healing spells were a major part of light magic and she had to master the path of light. Fulfilling the good part of the prophecy demanded it.

“No, I can do this.”

The greenish glow filtering through the classroom’s life tree, an ancient, knotted maple, darkened as a cloud passed over the room’s large sun-dome. Outside, the wind picked up. The life tree’s broad leaves shivered. A breeze whistled through the castle corridor on the other side of the heavy wood door.

Ennara focused on the delicate head of purple petals and yellow stamen. She lifted a delicate indigo-stained pine wand lying next to her scribbled notes on healing incantations. 

“Mag koil.” Make unharmed.

Nothing happened. 

Darsys and her friends at the front of the room giggled. Inunsolus folded his arms, his white beard pulling the creases in his face into several versions of a scowl.

Ennara bit her lip. How was she supposed to rely on holy magic if it didn’t work?

“Mag koil.” She glared at the plant, imagining its stiff little cells burning with potent life force. A brief indigo shimmer fell onto a limp purple petal.

Her teacher inhaled sharply and took a step away from the bench. The pansy, lifeless only moments earlier, slowly curled and relaxed a leaf. Ennara had seen that shimmer once before. Last summer, when she and Kithe traveled aboard the Cissonius to the sunken city of Ililsa. And just before a cabinet of curios, including a severed hand, came to life.

The bloom slowly straightened, its violet color deepening to black. A faint hissing sound tickled Ennara’s ear. She bent toward the little plant, squinting. Suddenly the pansy lunged, revealing a row of crystalline teeth under its bed of stamens.

“Eeep!” Ennara bashed the little flower with the thick end of her wand. Green slime sizzled the end of the stick.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~




~~~~~~~~~~~~~


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Angela Myron was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1973. She grew up in the piney forests of southern British Columbia, studying tiny blue bells, dodging hidden cacti, and creating fantasy worlds in her back yard. She loved to imagine lands of fairies and goblins, then invite friends over to introduce them.

Angela studied biology and professional writing at university, starting her degree at the University of Victoria in Canada and finishing it at San Francisco State University. She wrote grant proposals for nonprofits, technical manuals for software, and freelance journalism before writing fiction.

www.angelamyron.com 

Angela will be awarding a the winners choice of one of the following prizes (international giveaway -- All photos used from Etsy shops that she plans to purchase the gifts from. Actual gift will be sourced from winner's country and will likely look different for international winners):

1.  Dragon earcuff. A tiny dragon that wraps around your ear just like Ennara's wraps around her wrist! Ennara would not approve.

2. Potions master decal kit: Trick out your Kitchenaid with this decal kit! Ennara approved.

3. Emergency Potion Necklace: Potion/necklace dependent on winner's location. Ennara approved.

Or the winner may choose something from Ennara Swag (if they live in the US).




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, October 27, 2014

GATEWAY TRILOGY by CHRISTINA GARNER


Release Date: 06/2014

Summary from Goodreads:
Ember has always known she doesn’t belong in this world. But when she tries to correct the mistake, she wakes to find herself in a mental institution.

She’s soon drawn to Taren, the mysterious boy with hazel eyes. He’s not what he seems, but what is he?

When chaos erupts, they are forced to flee the institution together, and the secret that Taren has been keeping brings Ember closer to understanding her own. And leads her to… the Gateway.



Buy Links:
Amazon (on sale for $.99)



Release Date: August 2014

Summary from Goodreads:

**Description Contains Book 1 Spoilers** 


Two months have passed since Ember Lyons nearly died killing the powerful Root Demon threatening the Los Angeles Gateway. Physically healed, images of the day still haunt her and she can no longer access the power she once wielded. She can't talk about it with anyone at The Institute--not even her handsome, demon-hunting boyfriend, Taren. Besides there are bigger things to worry about: Gateways around the world are weakening, Keepers' Marks are fading, escaped lesser demons are populating Los Angeles, and it looks like the Root Demon wasn't alone.

When the Institute sends Ember and a team to Europe, she hopes to find answers and security on the journey, but another attempt on her life reminds her she's never really safe.

Then she's thrust together with the mysterious Alexander. Ember can't be sure if this charismatic man is her most formidable enemy or greatest ally. Either way, she needs him, because he's the only one who can bring her to... the Chasm.

Buy Links:
Amazon (on sale for $2.99)


Tether (The Gateway Trilogy Book 3)
Release Date: 09/23/14

Summary from Goodreads:
**Description Contains Book 2 Spoilers**

Ember was only trying to keep a promise when she jumped into the demon world. But instead of saving Cole and his people, she found herself just as trapped as they are. She lives and learns with the Daemon survivors while the demon threat grows every day.

Meanwhile Taren struggles with his guilt for not stopping Ember. He’s desperate to know she’s alive, but there's been no sign of her except in his own vivid dreams.

As they struggle to reconnect, the Gateways around the world weaken, and the demons begin to amass for war. The end is near and Ember must face her fears if she has any hope of saving the world – or herself.

With everything falling apart, her only hope is to find...her Tether.


Buy Links:
Amazon

About the Author
Christina Garner began writing stories at the age of six. Her first–about a young girl who busted up a nefarious ring of furniture thieves–was a huge hit with her mother. At eighteen, her aspirations as an actor had her loading up her Buick and setting off for Hollywood. Since then, she has written and directed 10 short films, including Rewind and Reminder, both of which received acclaim on the festival circuit. In 2006, she began writing screenplays. A year later, she even got paid for one. In May of 2011, her debut novel, Gateway, became an Amazon Bestseller. Chasm, Book 2 in The Gateway Trilogy, did the same.

When she’s not writing novels, Christina spends her time working in the movie business, traveling, watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, and playing with her dog, Griffin.

Author Links:
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GIVEAWAY:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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