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Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Cover Reveal: Widdershins by Helen Steadman

Title: Widdershins

Author: Helen Steadman
Publication: July 1st 2017 by Impress Books

Genre: Historial Fiction

‘Widdershins was inspired by the seventeenth-century witch trials in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Although fifteen people were executed on the same day for alleged witchcraft, the trials aren’t widely known about outside the north east of England. So, I’m pleased that the story of this travesty will now reach a much wider audience.’ (Helen Steadman, Author)
‘I’m thrilled that we are publishing Helen Steadman’s engrossing novel, Widdershins. I loved following the interplay of John and Jane’s stories in this vividly evoked and fascinating period of history.’ (Laura Christopher, Commissioning Editor)
‘Her writing reminds me of Hannah Kent’s bestselling novel, Burial Rites, which follows the final days of a young woman accused of murder in Iceland in 1829. Helen’s writing has a similar persuasive and empathetic force, weaving together historical fact with modern concerns about the treatment of women.’ (Helen Marshall, Award winning author)
‘Did all women have something of the witch about them?’
Jane Chandler is an apprentice healer. From childhood, she and her mother have used herbs to cure the sick. But Jane will soon learn that her sheltered life in a small village is not safe from the troubles of the wider world.
From his father’s beatings to his uncle’s raging sermons, John Sharpe is by bad fortune. Fighting through personal tragedy, he finds his purpose: to become a witch-finder and save innocents from the scourge of witchcraft.
Inspired by true events, Widdershins tells the story of the women who were persecuted and the men who condemned them.

Book Blitz: Queen of Emeralds by Kelsey McKnight + Giveaway (INTL)

Queen of Emeralds
Kelsey McKnight
Published by: Limitless Publishing
Publication date: April 4th 2017
Genres: Adult, Historical

British heiress Charlotte Holloway never had any interest in marrying…
However, a woman in Victorian England spends her life in the control of men, making finding a husband necessary. Fearing his daughter losing everything when he dies, Charlotte’s father forces a match with an old friend, Richard Howard. But Richard is much more interested in an heir than a wife, and will do anything to continue his bloodline.
Beaten and battered, Charlotte sees no way out of the union…
Then the handsome Scottish laird Conner MacLeod crashes the social scene. He sets her body on fire with a mere touch, but he has a bad reputation of leaving a string of women in his wake. Nonetheless, when Conner offers his emerald queen sanctuary in his Highland castle, Charlotte flees with him into the night, escaping her marriage. But those who wish to trap her are never far behind.
The Highlands give her hope, but fill her life with new perils…
She and Conner begin growing closer, although the shadows of his former relationships haunt her. Still, the magnetic forces that pull them together are making it harder for her to stay away. And just as Charlotte is beginning to settle into her life, she learns someone wants her gone for good and will do so…by any means necessary.
When Charlotte escapes one marriage only to find herself on the cusp of another, will she ever be free?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

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EXCERPT:

When Penelope was whirled away for a dance by some lord’s youngest son, Charlotte took the opportunity to slip away from the crush and make a hasty exit out to a balcony door. Her head had begun to spin and she feared she might be sick from the drink if she couldn’t get out of the stifling crowd. The balcony was large and its stone railing wrapped around most of the lavish building her father owned. The new electric streetlights illuminated the foggy London streets with a dim yellow glow. The large glass doors that led inside did surprisingly much to mute the loud music and Charlotte was grateful for the cold winter breeze and bit of privacy the balcony offered.

She pulled off the long white gloves she wore and leaned against the railing, inhaling large gulps of fresh air. “How I wish this was all over,” she whispered to the empty streets.
“How can ye wish your own party to be done?” A deep voice asked from the most shadowed of corners.
Charlotte turned around, her light purple skirts flying with the quick motion. “Who’s there?”
A tall man stepped from the darkened place where he had sat on a stone bench. His loose blond hair brushed his shoulders and his blue eyes seemed to flash brightly in the dark. He wore a black military jacket and a sharp yellow and black kilt that looped about his shoulder and was fastened with a silver and emerald pin. Traditional high socks covered his strong legs. A short sword was fastened to his hip by a rugged leather belt and his hand lay casually on its silver hilt. “Conner MacLeod. Chief o’ the MacLeod clan.”
“Charlotte Holloway, daughter of the Duke of Glenwood,” Charlotte answered, stunned by the strange dress and deep Scottish lilt. She wasn’t sure where he had come from, as he certainly would have stood out in the crowd of morning coats and ball gowns. She tried to advert her eyes from the bare swatch of leg that showed between his socks and kilt but could hardly bring herself to look away.
“I know who ye are, of course. This entire party is in your honor. But, I must ask…why do ye wish it over so soon?”
“I’m not much for balls.”
“A pretty lass like you? How can ye no’ be much for balls?” His lips curled in a mischievous smirk. “Do you not like the pomp and circumstance?”
Charlotte felt her cheeks grow warm and she wasn’t sure if it was from the drink or the way the Scotsman looked at her from under his dark lashes. All the same, she sensed in him a kindred spirits of sorts. “I’m not much for society at all. I’d rather be out riding or reading a good book than be stuffed in this dress meeting every eligible bachelor in the city.”
He laughed deeply. “I admire your honesty. Not many lasses are willin’ to admit when a party does no’ suit them.”
“I assume the party doesn’t suit you much either?”
“Not much. Us Scots have been tryin’ to be more respected in our own right. One o’ the ways to do that is to spend a bit o’ time with the English. Make them see we’re not all barbarians.”
“Ah, fraternizing with the enemy?” Charlotte could almost hear Penelope chastising her for speaking so familiarly to a man, and about politics at that!
“Ye could say that.” He brushed his hands through his hair and leaned against the railing beside her, looking over the side. “Ye aren’t cold out here in the night air?”
“No, I rather like being outside no matter what the weather is.” She took another deep breath. “Besides, I do think I drank a bit too much punch.”
“And danced with a few too many borin’ men, most like.”
She giggled, despite being told a hundred times by Abigail that it was very unladylike to do so without shielding your face with a fan. “I suppose that might have something to do with it. But, that’s the job of a duke’s daughter.”
Conner stepped toward her and extended his hand. “Well, since we are both trapped at this comin’ out party, we may as well have a bit o’ fun. Fancy a dance, Lady Glenwood?”
Charlotte took his rough, warm hand in her own. His palms were worn, much unlike those of English gentlemen with their silky smooth hands kept clean in powdered gloves. This man was obviously used to physical activity and hard work. She kept their hands together before remembering she had removed her gloves and left them on the railing. “Oh, I’m sorry!” She pulled away from his grasp before slipping her fingers inside her gloves once more.
“You ladies and your gloves. Scared o’ touchin’ anythin’ without a barrier o’ silk?” he teased.
“I hate them, personally. However, one must play the part at times.”
“And what part are ye playin’?”
“The part of a dutiful daughter.”
“Then it looks to me that you are doin’ a right fine job.” He offered his arm, which she gladly took. “Now, my lady, let’s go have us a dance.”
***
The room hushed slightly as Charlotte entered on Chief Conner MacLeod’s arm. Penelope watched, wide-eyed, as the couple began a lively waltz with the other colorful pairs of dancing guests. Conner was an animated dancer and whirled Charlotte around the floor with surprising ease for someone as rugged as he. She was enjoying herself so greatly that she hardly notice the strange looks some of the guests gave them, nor the look of disapproval on Abigail’s tightly pinched face.
His hands clutched her closely, perhaps closer than was really appropriate. He grinned with the self-confidence that only good-looking men rightly had and gazed at Charlotte with true merriment in his sapphire eyes. Conner didn’t attempt the usual small talk that most men would try during a dance, but just let their mutual joy at having a fine partner fill in the silence between them.
“What a crowd,” Conner whispered into her ear as the music winded down and the dancing couples slowed to a halt. “Ye would think they’d never seen a pair o’ dancers before.”
Charlotte felt a chill go up her spine that she tried to ignore. “I suppose your appearance has caused quite the titter. I must say, we do not see very many Scottish Lords and it always is the surprise.”
“I suppose the man approachin’ us would agree with ye.”
“I am here to collect my dance.” Richard Howard’s monotone voice greeted Charlotte’s back.
Conner dipped a short bow and lightly kissed Charlotte’s hand. Even through the silk of her glove, she felt the heat of his mouth on her skin. “A pleasure, my lady.”
Charlotte blushed again and felt bold enough to ask, “If you stay longer, perhaps we might dance again?”
“Perhaps,” he answered smoothly as he backed away into the crowd. “Perhaps.”

Author Bio:
Kelsey McKnight is a university-educated historian from southern New Jersey. She has married her great loves of romance, history, and literature to create her newly finished works. Her first books, "The Scottish Stone Series", are coming in April of 2017 by Limitless Publishing. Book one is titled "Queen of Emeralds", and is available now. "The Scottish Stone Series" take readers on a journey through the bustling streets of Victorian London and into the lush hills of the Scottish Highlands. Her second book, a contemporary romance titled "The Non-Disclosure Agreement", will also be available in May of 2017 and feature a bad boy politician and the small town girl that could change his ways. When she’s not writing, Kelsey can be found reading, drinking too much coffee, spending time with her family, and working on two nonprofits.

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Monday, April 3, 2017

Cover Reveal: Crazy Little Spring Called Love

CRAZY LITTLE SPRING CALLED LOVE

Eight Magical Stories of Fantasy Romance

Stars and Stone Books

Featuring: Heather Bythesea, Elsa Carruthers, M.T. DeSantis, Traci Douglass, L.J. Longo, Cara McKinnon, Sheri Queen, and Mary Rogers

Traci Douglass - "When Hermes Met Eos"

One night. Two star-crossed immortals. Will their vibrant connection survive beyond sunrise?

Sheri Queen - "The Girl with a Broken Wing"

A story of courage and sacrifice--and finding love where you never thought to look.

Cara McKinnon - "Love at Dawn"

Sometimes mortals need a little push from a god and goddess to fall in love…

M.T. DeSantis - "A Hunt for Love"

Can a djinn and a clueless guy beat the clock, avoid the curse, and maybe even find true love?

L.J. Longo – “Seaweed and Silk”

A mermaid: hundreds of miles from her home on the ice, on a ship with a troll, a goblin wizard, and a pack of wolves. What else can go wrong? Oh, right. A flippin’ sea monster.

Mary Rogers – “Spring Fling”

A druid’s bargain gives Carson revenge against his former lover Carrie–at the price of her memories of them together. But did she truly steal his magic all those years ago? Or was the real theft his heart?

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR AUTHORS

STARS AND STONE BOOKS: http://starsandstonebooks.com/

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34686292-crazy-little-spring-called-love

FACEBOOK RELEASE PARTY: https://www.facebook.com/events/2062183134008615/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/starsstonebooks

ANTHOLOGY WEBSITE: http://starsandstonebooks.com/crazy-little-spring-called -love

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Review: Song of Princes by Janell Rhiannon

Title: Song of Princes
Author: Janell Rhiannon
Series: Homeric Chronicles #1
Publication: June 22nd 2016
Genre: Fantasy ~ Mythology
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Rating: 4/5

Sing Muse. Sing of the shining citadel of Troy rising from the hot sands of Asia. Sing of the Greek palaces ascending from their rocky hilltops. Sing of one woman’s dream heralding the madness of men and the murder of innocents. From bull dancing rings and wild meadows, the Forgotten Prince must choose between love and a golden crown. From seclusion and safety, the Golden Warrior must choose between his honor and his life. From behind the Great Wall, the Golden Prince must choose between his family and his city. And from a rugged realm on the far side of Greece, the Warrior King must choose between his son’s life and certain exile. Here shepherds and princes, warriors and kings, and seers and lovers seek to conquer their passions, outwit destiny or surrender to it.

PARIS, the FORGOTTEN PRINCE. Abandoned at birth and raised as a shepherd, Paris believes he is destined for a simple life. His heart belongs to the nymph, Oenone, until the beautiful Helen forces him to choose.

ACHILLES, the GOLDEN WARRIOR. Destined to live a short life, Achilles becomes the young lover of a princess who he abandons for the passions of war. He discovers that love is his only weakness.

HEKTOR, the GOLDEN PRINCE. As guardian of the citadel, Hektor must balance his heart’s desire between the beautiful Andromache and the people he’s sworn to protect.

ODYSSEUS, the WARRIOR KING. Forced into a war against his will, Odysseus leaves his young wife, Penelope, behind. Their love must stand the test of time and temptation.

The HOMERIC CHRONICLES tell the stories of Paris, Achilles, Hektor, and Odysseus in one chronological tale, beginning before the ILIAD and ending long after the ODYSSEY. Blending both history and myth, this series will satisfy your love of Greek mythology, while paying homage to the original storyteller, Homer.

HOMERIC CHRONICLES is an epic mythological trilogy about the Trojan War meant for grown-ups who like to mix a little warfare with their romance

It's been a few days since I finished reading Song of Princes and I still can't stop thinking about it. I've been a huge fan of (Greek) mythology since I was a kid so when I saw this book on sale I bought it right away. It sounded right up my alley and luckily for me I really enjoyed it.

I finished this book in only two days, which is something I can't seem to do anymore lately unless I'm really into the story and can't stop reading. I did exactly that with this book.

The thing that struck me the most when I started reading the book was how amazing the writing was. It was written in such a beautifully detailed way that I couldn't help but love it.

This book was the kind of read about mythology that I hadn't know I was waiting for. It featured well known characters like Paris, Helen, Hektor, Oddyses, Achilles but also less known ones as well. The story mostly led up to how the Trojan war started. I just loved it.

Overall, Song of Princes was such a good book. The writing, the characters, reading about some of my favorite mythologies combined with how the author doesn't shy away from the tough stuff is what made this a great read.

Janell Rhiannon always had her nose in a book when growing up, reading by flashlight when it was "lights out" time. Her love of reading turned into a desire to tell stories. She now writes in all the spare moments she can squeeze out of a day. She adores historical fiction, historical romance, mythology and epic fantasy. Anything magical and mystical. And dragons. And gargoyles. She is an avid Game of Thrones fan. A complete geek about it, actually. Writing takes up a huge chunk of time, but she makes time for those important people in life. She texts a lot. Loves coffee. And still hangs out with her very first best girlfriend!
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Saturday, April 1, 2017

New Releases ~ April 2017

New Releases
April 2017

Every month I'm spotlighting new releases that I'm excited for. ♥

{Click on the covers to add them on Goodreads}

Hello April! There are so many new book releases that I'm looking forward to. I'm most excited for Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer. I've been a huge fan of her since the Elemental series so I'm really curious about her new contemporary YA novel. I've been hearing such great things about it. Also, the US edition of The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown is releasing. I already read and reviewed this one back in February. Feel free to check out my review of it (the link is below). ❤️