Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Book Blitz: The Viking’s Captive by Quinn Loftis + Giveaway (INTL)


I'm not fully back to blogging yet but I have some more book blitz and book tours coming up so enjoy! ;)

The Viking’s Captive
Quinn Loftis
(Clan Hakon #2)
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: November 27th 2018
Genres: Historical, Young Adult

Prophecy spoken.
Alliances broken.
Will duty come before love?
The Viking’s Captive is the exciting sequel toThe Viking’s Chosen by USA Today Bestseller Quinn Loftis.
Two worlds collide in this epic historical fiction centered on an undeniable chemistry that smolders against the odds. Richly written and injected with moments of humor, this action-packed romantic tale will leave you breathless.
Novels in The Clan Hakon Series Include:
The Viking’s Chosen (February 12, 2018)
The Viking’s Captive (November 27, 2018)
The Viking’s Consort (Fall 2019)
EXCERPT:
“If you vomit on my lap, I will most likely throw you overboard,” Dayna, my incredibly helpful sister, told me for the fourth or fifth time.
“If you hadn’t come running after me like a sodding fool, you wouldn’t have gotten yourself captured. Then you wouldn’t even be on this boat, and you wouldn’t have to worry about me vomiting on you, now, would you?” I asked as I clutched my midsection. My stomach seemed to think it should take its cues from the ocean upon which we sailed. It rolled and flipped just like the waves.
“First, if I hadn’t come after you, then that would make me a coward and not much of a sister, so that was never an option. Second, if I hadn’t gotten captured, then you would be all alone with no one to hold your hair while you vomit, now, wouldn’t you?”
“Do we have to use the term vomit in every sentence?” Hilda, the Hakon clan Oracle, healer, and Torben’s mother, asked dryly.
“Apparently, we do since you just used it yourself,” Dayna pointed out.
Hilda shot me a sly grin, with one eyebrow raised, asked, “You don’t mind if I just put a small hex on her, do you?”
“She is my sister, so I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Thank you,” Dayna said a bit smugly.
“But if you feel it’s absolutely necessary, I guess I could overlook it,” I added, earning me a pinch from said sister.
I had no idea how long it had been since Magnus, Torben’s jarl, had captured us. On one hand, he’d done me a favor. I certainly wasn’t going to have to marry Cathal now. On the other hand, my sister and I were now the prisoners of a man who was slowly losing his mind. I wasn’t sure which was worse, being married to a madman or being stolen by one. For whatever reason, I seemed to have suddenly become a hot commodity to lunatics. I chuckled to myself.
“Pray tell, sister, what is so funny?” Dayna asked.
“Madmen want me,” I said as I groaned and shifted my head, which was indeed lying in my sister’s lap, where I very well might have been sick at any second.
“Do you think she’s already delirious from being at sea?” Dayna asked Hilda.
Hilda snorted¾a most unladylike sound. “We’ve only been at sea for half a day at most. If she’s already delirious, then we are going to need to shore up her constitution.”
I was just about to tell her where she could shove her shoring up when I quickly covered my mouth and sat up. I refused to vomit. If I did, it would feel like Magnus was winning in some bizarre, silent game between the two of us. Once I was sure I could open my mouth without anything but words coming out of it, I addressed Hilda. “I am feeling more than just my own illness, worry, and fear.” I pressed my hand to my heart and rubbed it as if that could somehow remove the ache. “There’s a pain deep in my breast.”
Hilda nodded. “That would be the anchor bond between you and my son. You are feeling his worry and fear as well as your own. And knowing how deeply Torben feels anything, I imagine he is in quite a bit of distress, though he won’t show it on the outside.” She shook her head. “No, he’s a warrior through and through. On the outside, he will look as though he could slit your throat without a second thought. But on the inside, he is frantic to get to you.”
“Is that why you weren’t wailing about the possibility of Torben being dead when Magnus said he was?” Dayna asked.
“I would know if he were dead. A part of me would die inside as well.” I looked back to Hilda. “Will he kill Magnus?” I asked.
She nodded. “It is his destiny to become jarl of the Hakon clan, as it is your destiny to rule at his side. For that to happen, the old jarl must die. Magnus will never relinquish power willingly. Our two nations will grow stronger, not only because they embrace one another’s differences, but because they need new blood. Your offspring will be strong.”
The boat gave a mighty heave, and Dayna and I both nearly fell off the small bench upon which we were perched. Hilda didn’t appear bothered at all by the motion. She noticed the expression I was giving her and shrugged.
“I’ve lived at sea a long time. She and I are well acquainted.”
“Forgive me for speaking out of turn,” Dayna said, gripping the seat beneath her as though it might try to toss her into the bottom of the boat, “but your life has been about as fun as a house rat’s on cleaning day if you’ve spent that much time on the ocean.”


Author Bio:
Quinn is an award winning author who lives in beautiful Western Arkansas with her husband, two sons, Nora the Doberman, and Chewy the Cat who thinks he's a dog. She is the author of 17 novels, and 2 novellas, including the USA Today bestseller, Fate and Fury. Quinn is beyond thankful that she has been blessed to be able to write full time and hopes the readers know how much all of their support means to her. Some of her hobbies include reading, exercising, crochet, and spending time with family and friends. She gives all credit of her success to God because he gave her the creative spirit and vivid imagination it takes to write.

XBTBanner1



Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Book Blitz: Jaws of the Wolf by Charlotte Jardine — Excerpt + Giveaway (INTL)


Jaws of the Wolf
Charlotte Jardine
(The Visigoth Chronicles, #1)
Publication date: October 30th 2018
Genres: Historical, Romance, Young Adult

He’s her father’s slave. She’s promised to another. But war changes everything.
Tervingi Territory, 376 AD. Gelvira dreams of becoming a powerful jeweler. But the arrogant son of a tribal elder wants her for a wife instead. After a Hun raid sends her people into exile, her chance to master the ancient secrets of her craft are stripped away…
Adafuns yearns to become a great warrior and win Gelvira’s affection. But as a slave in her father’s service, he has little chance of either. Captured and carried off by the Huns, Adafuns’ dream of being a warrior could come true… at the cost of losing Gelvira forever.
With her people starving, marrying the tribal elder’s spoiled son may be Gelvira’s only hope to save her family. Will Adafuns reunite with the exiles in time to free Gelvira from her loathsome vows?
Jaws of the Wolf is the exciting first novel in the epic Visigoth Chronicles series of YA adventures. If you like strong heroines, thrilling action, and rich historical detail, you’ll love Charlotte Jardine’s page-turning saga.
EXCERPT:
After the meeting broke up, Gelvira sat by the fire, mulling over everything she’d heard. The wood creaked as someone sat beside her. Their reiks’ son, Widin. She scowled. She wasn’t in the mood to talk to him. Not after the way he’d treated Pa.
“It must be a lot to take in,” Widin said. “Most of the men will be riding to war. Sorry, not to war. To rebuild old Roman fortifications.” His face darkened and he compressed his lips.
“Did you come to Erdeu to round up warriors in Lord Angmar’s name?” Gelvira asked.
He smiled. “Also to see you.”
She glanced around. Praise the Great Mother, Ma hadn’t heard. She’d be planning their wedding feast.
Widin motioned toward her amulet. “This is new. Did you make it?”
She nodded. “After the raid. I worked on it in the evenings, to take my mind off the Huns.” There was no way she’d tell him its purpose.
He traced the outline of the wolf. “I would have thought flowers or birds more appropriate for a maiden?”
A shiver ran through her. A wrongness. Then heat flared from the metal.
Widin snatched his hand back. “It … burnt me. Was it made using the Becoming One?”
“Yes,” she replied, head spinning with excitement. Had her amulet really done that?
He scowled. “Our people are under attack. You shouldn’t be wasting your time making baubles.”
“It’s a practice piece,” she replied, biting down on her anger. “Master Raginmar used it to teach me the rudiments of the Becoming One.”
“Ah, I see.” Widin’s black look faded. “You must make me something useful, once you’ve mastered the art. I’ll need the gods’ aid far more than you, safe behind your palisade.” He wound his fingers through hers and pulled them against his chest.
Ma noticed the gesture, and beamed.
“If it wasn’t for the Huns, I’d marry you before summer’s end,” he said, leaning close so his breath brushed her skin. “My father would prefer I took a wife who brings more political advantage. He doesn’t see it, but you’ve much in your favour: you’re well born, brave, and quite lovely to look at. And your jewellery will bring me renown, now you’re learning the Becoming One.”
“You honour me,” Gelvira replied, lowering her eyes so he couldn’t see her dismay. Marry him after the way he’d behaved? She couldn’t bear the thought. “As you said, you’re a warrior. You must deal with the raiders first. At times like these, marriage must wait.”
For one terrible moment, she felt almost grateful to the Huns.



Author Bio:
Charlotte Jardine writes Historical Fiction, Contemporary Romance and Romantic Adventure. Her books feature courageous heroines, big-hearted heroes, adventure and love.
Her love of history came from reading the adventures of Asterix and Tintin at a young age and continued into adult life, when she studied Classics and Roman History to postgraduate level at university.
While working as a desk slave by day, she spends her evenings escaping into other worlds via her writing.

XBTBanner1


Monday, November 12, 2018

Book Blitz: Daisy's Run by Scott Baron — Excerpt + Giveaway (INTL)


Daisy’s Run
Scott Baron
(The Clockwork Chimera , #1)
Publication date: November 14th 2018
Genres: Adult, Science Fiction

Life in deep space could be a drag sometimes, but Daisy supposed things could have been worse. They were still alive, after all, which was always a plus in her book. Now if only she could figure out who, or what, was endangering her return home, things would be just peachy.
It had been one hell of a way to start the day––being rudely snapped from a deep cryo-sleep, and in the middle of a ship-wide crisis to boot––but Daisy was pleased to note that the ship had not decompressed, the crew hadn’t been blasted into space, and, most importantly, they hadn’t simply blown up. At least not yet. So, they had that going for them, but being stuck on a damaged ship in the inky depths of space as it limped toward Earth was not exactly the relaxing trip home she’d imagined.
With the powerful AI supercomputer guiding the craft beginning to show some disconcerting quirks of its own, and its unsettling cyborg assistant nosing into her affairs, Daisy’s unease was rapidly growing. Add to the mix a crew of mechanically-enhanced humans, any one of whom she suspected might not be what they seemed, and Daisy found herself with a sense of pending dread tickling the periphery of her mind.
Something was very much not right––she could feel it in her bones. The tricky part now was going to be figuring out what the threat was, before it could manifest from a mere sinking feeling in her gut into a potentially deadly reality.
EXCERPT:
“Should we wake them? I mean, the ship is on fire, after all.”
Barry didn’t seem stressed. In fact, his voice rarely showed any extremes of emotion at all, though that was to be expected of a cyborg.
“It is a bit early, but yes, given the problems I am experiencing with my internal sensors and fire suppression systems, I think that would be prudent,” the disembodied voice of Malorie, the ship’s artificial intelligence system, replied. “Though I would like you on hand, just in case there are any issues cycling the crew out of cryo-sleep so early, and on such short notice.”
“Of course, Mal. Understood.”
The handsome flesh-and-metal man with sandy-blond hair rose from his seat in the control room and stepped into the double airlock leading to the central passageway network. Starboard Peripheral Corridor One would have been the faster route, but after the impact, with the possibility of undetected depressurization in any of the damaged and offline pod sections or one of the unmonitored inter-compartmental conduit routing spaces, he’d just have to take the long way. The inconvenience, he reasoned, was certainly preferable to being unceremoniously blasted into space.
The Váli was a sturdy ship, and she had only been nudged slightly off course by the collision. There was time to set things right, but sooner was far better than later. At the speed and distance they were traveling, “slightly” could easily become “a lot” quickly.
Normally Mal would simply right the course herself, diverting a fraction of her attention toward adjusting the maneuvering thrusters to gently ease them back on target. In the event of a fire of any significance, however, protocol required her to wake the crew of the Váli.
The ship’s unusual name had been taken from old Norse mythology, given to it by a cybernetically-enhanced engineer with a fondness for ancient texts. Váli, the son of Odin, brother of Thor. A god prophesied to survive Ragnarok, the end of times.
She was a fast ship, no doubt, and extremely nimble, when not laden with additional research, living, and lab pods locked to her support frame for such a long voyage. That bulk-saving performance, however, came at a price. The multiple layers of outer shielding found on larger, sturdier vessels—the kind that would have prevented such a minor impact from damaging them in the first place—were sorely lacking, and so it passed that the ship had succumbed quite spectacularly to what would have been an otherwise minor incident.



Author Bio:
A native Californian, Scott Baron was born in Hollywood, which he claims may be the reason for his off-kilter sense of humor. Before taking up residence in Venice Beach, he spent a few years studying abroad before settling into the film and television industry, where he has worked off and on for some time. Scott not only writes, but is also involved in indie film and theater both in the U.S. and abroad.

XBTBanner1


Friday, November 9, 2018

Blog Tour: The Highlander Who Protected Me by Vanessa Kelly + Giveaway (INTL)

The Highlander Who Protected Me by Vanessa Kelly

Publication Date: October 30, 2018
Kensington Books
Paperback & eBook; 352 Pages
Series: Clan Kendrick, #1
Genre: Historical Romance/Scottish


Bestselling author Vanessa Kelly returns with an enthralling new series about the men of the Kendrick clan—and the women who claim their hearts... Lady Ainsley Matthews, heiress and darling of the ton, was expected to make a magnificent match. Instead she’s hiding on a remote Scottish estate, terrified that her vicious former fiancé will use her pregnancy to force her into marriage. One man can help her—Royal Kendrick, son of a distinguished Highland clan. Though a mistake drove them apart long ago, Royal is the only person Ainsley trusts to protect her baby—even if that means agreeing to never see either of them again . . . Scarred in body and soul by war, Royal suddenly has a purpose—caring for an innocent babe and thereby helping the woman he can’t stop loving. But when Ainsley ultimately returns to Scotland, determined to be a real mother to her child in spite of the risk, there’s only one solution: marriage. And only one likely outcome: surrendering to the desire that’s simmered between them for so long, no matter how dangerous it may be...

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | iBooks | Google Play | IndieBound | Kobo

About the Author

Vanessa Kelly is the award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of The Improper Princesses series, The Renegade Royals Series and The Stanton Family series, in addition to other historical romances. Named by Booklist as one of the "New Stars of Historical Romance," she is a Maggie Medallion winner and is well known for developing vibrant Regency settings, appealing characters, and witty storylines that captivate readers. When she's not dreaming up plots for her next Regency historical novel, Vanessa is writing USA Today Bestselling contemporary romance with her husband under the pen name of V.K. Sykes. You can find Vanessa at vanessakellyauthor.com or at vksykes.com. For all of Vanessa's latest news and contests--and to receive a free story--please sign up for her newsletter on her website.

Clan Kendrick Facebook Group | Facebook Author Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, October 30 
Feature at Passages to the Past 

Wednesday, October 31 
Review at Bibliophile Reviews 

Thursday, November 1 
Excerpt at What Is That Book About 

Friday, November 2 
Feature at Donna's Book Blog 
Excerpt at Clarissa Reads it All 
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit 

Monday, November 5 
Review at Let Them Read Books 

Tuesday, November 6 
Feature at The Lit Bitch 
Feature at CelticLady's Reviews 

Wednesday, November 7 
Feature at Maiden of the Pages 

Thursday, November 8 
Review at A Bookish Affair 

Friday, November 9 
Excerpt at Bookfever 
Interview at Passages to the Past 

Monday, November 12 
Feature at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots 

Tuesday, November 13 
Review at Pass Me That Book 

Wednesday, November 14 
Feature at The Book Review 
Review at The Reading Woman

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a print copy of either Three Weeks with a Princess or The Highlander's Princess Bride, plus a magnet, signed cover flats and a free digital download of the anthology, The Dukes of Vauxhall! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on November 14th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. The Highlander Who Protected Me


Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Cover Reveal: Ragnarök Rising by Nora Ash


Ragnarök Rising
Nora Ash
(The Omega Prophecy #1)
Publication date: December 6th 2018
Genres: Adult, Fantasy

Five possessive gods and the end of mankind. That’s my fate.
I always thought the end of the world was a myth. But then, I also thought Norse gods were make believe too.
They’re not.
Five of them are coming for me and claim I will only survive if I surrender to them, body and soul.
But they don’t realize it’s about so much more than carnal servitude. I am so much more than they could ever suspect. So much more than even I knew.
I am the only one who can stop Ragnarök from covering the world in ice and darkness. The only one who can save gods and men alike from annihilation.
And in the shadows lurks betrayal so deep it will change the fate of the world…


Author Bio:
Nora Ash writes the sort of books that have your toes curling and your blood pulsing. Her stories are often dark and always thrilling, with lots of sexy bad boys and the women who spur their desires. When not typing away at a story, Nora paints, eats chocolate or go for hikes around the English countryside with her very own bad boy.
Sign up to get updated about new releases at: http://www.nora-ash.com/newsletter/


XBTBanner1



Monday, November 5, 2018

Review: Edgar Allan Poe: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History

Title: Edgar Allan Poe: A Life From Beginning to End
Author: Hourly History
Publication: July 31st 2018

Genre: Nonfiction, History
Purchase Link: Amazon

Rating: 3/5

What would literature be without the works of Edgar Allan Poe? Would we have the detective story, as was created by this master of the art of deductive reasoning? How would the horror genre have turned out?

Inside you will read about...
✓ The Poe Family and the Allan Family
✓ Poe Joins the Military
✓ Poor and Disowned
✓ Writing Career and Famous Works
✓ Poe’s Mysterious Death
And much more!

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most influential literary figures of all time. He did a lot to change the way people viewed writers and their value. This book dives into the life of this well-known poet and author and explores all the ways he impacted the literary world, both in his own time and up to date. Start reading and be transported back to the nineteenth century to learn about one of the most well-known American writers of all time.
I love Edgar Allan's Poe's work. His stories and poems are some of my favorite writing ever. I always jump at the chance to read more about his life because it's pretty interesting to learn more about where an author comes from and his backstory. I already knew most of the things mentioned in this short book but it was still a pretty good as well as a fast read. It can easily be read in one sitting.

Edgar Allan Poe certainly was an enigmatic person from what I know from his life. He married his cousin when she was only 13 and he was 27 so that was pretty problematic (although it was a different time back then) to say the least but you have to admire his talent and drive to make the publishing world better and to have authors earn more for their hard work.

Whether you like or dislike his writing without Edgar Allan Poe the horror and detective genre wouldn't be what it was today as many authors of these genres were inspired by him and his work. My personal favorite short story of his is The Fall of the House of Usher. I just love this creepy story so much. As for his poetry I'm a big fan of Annabel Lee and of course The Raven.

5 interesting facts I learned:
  • Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (the creator of the character of Sherlock Holmes) was inspired by Poe's work
  • Poe wrote poetry, hundreds of essays, a novel, short stories, a book of scientific theory, a textbook and hundreds of book reviews in his lifetime.
  • Poe has been called the Master of Macabre, the Father of the Detective Story and a pioneer of science fiction
  • Poe was fascinated by the writings of British poet Lord Byron
  • Poe fathered the modern-day detective story back in his time.
Some pictures related to Poe:

Daguerreotype of Edgar Allan Poe, known as the "Annie" (late May to early June 1849)

Signature of Edgar Allan Poe.

This plaque in Boston marks the approximate location where Poe was born.

Illustration by French impressionist Édouard Manet for the Stéphane Mallarmé translation of "The Raven", 1875. 




Check out my other Hourly History reviews:


More Hourly History reviews to come soon!
--


What is your favorite Edgar Allan Poe story or poem? Share your thoughts!




Saturday, November 3, 2018

Stacking The Shelves: November 3, 2018

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly bookish feature hosted @ Tynga's Reviews & Reading Reality.



This is my highest anticipated book of the Fall so you can imagine how excited I am about reading it, which I will do as soon as I finish Kindom of Ash (so it might take a while... lol)


Freebies:
With Visions of Red by Trisha Wolfe




I hope you will all have a great weekend and happy reading! ♥


Friday, November 2, 2018

New Releases — November 2018

This is a bookish feature where every month I will spotlight new releases that I'm excited to read. ♥
~


Lots of historical and nonfiction books that I'm looking forward to in November as you can see. Take a wild guess which one I'm most excited for. ;)

November 6, 2018 — Tiber: Eternal River of Rome by Bruce Ware Allen {Nonfiction, History}
November 6, 2018 — The General's Cook by Ramin Ganeshram {Historical Fiction}
November 6, 2018 — The Re-Origin of Species: a second chance for extinct animals by Torill Kornfeldt {Nonfiction, Science}

November 6, 2018 — Hate Notes by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward {Contemporary Romance}
November 13, 2018 — A Light of Her Own by Carrie Callaghan {Historical Fiction}
November 13, 2018 — The Glovemaker's Daughter by Leah Fleming

November 13, 2018 — Becoming by Michelle Obama {Nonfiction, Memoir}
November 15, 2018 — When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt by Kara Cooney {Nonfiction, History}
November 15, 2018 — The Blue Salt Road by Joanne M. Harris {Fantasy, Folklore}




What new releases this month are you looking forward to?