TEASER TUESDAY: Bloodcraft (Bloodspell #2) by Amalie Howard

Bloodcraft by Amalie Howard

Series: Bloodspell #2

Genre: Upper YA/NA (mature content), Fantasy

Publication: December 15th, 2015

Cover Designer: Alan Pranke

All magic has its price, and no one knows that better than Victoria Warrick. Gifted with a centuries-old blood curse, Tori has finally learned to master her blood’s demands and has emerged triumphant with Christian Devereux, a vampire overlord, at her side.

But the worst is yet to come …

In the infamous City of Lights, home to both the Witch Clans and the Vampire Council, Tori enrolls at the exclusive Belles Fontaines school in Paris, where she is faced with a devastating choice: choose Christian and be an outcast, or choose the coven and secure her place with the witches.

When the fate of the supernatural world is targeted by a sinister new threat, Christian and Victoria must unite their two warring species to defeat it. Their bond will be tested, twisted, and sorely weakened, and Tori will find herself in uncharted territory—a dangerous place to be when her blood’s magic has its own dark agenda.

But to save them all, she may have no choice but to invoke its deadly power.

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Teaser

Victoria shivered, wrapping her arms about herself and staring toward the forest lost in thought. She wasn’t afraid of Christian or the fact that he was a vampire. After all, she was more of a monster than he could ever be.  

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Book #1, Bloodspell

The spell was simple...

Cruentus Protectum (Defend the Blood)

But what do you do if your blood is your enemy?

Victoria Warrick has always known she was different. An outcast at school, she is no stranger to adversity. But when she receives an old journal for her seventeenth birthday, nothing prepares her for the dark secrets it holds -- much less one that reveals she's a witch with unimaginable power.

What's more, when she meets the dazzling but enigmatic Christian Devereux, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. Enemies will hunt her. Friends will turn on her. The terrible curse that makes her blood run black will stop at nothing to control her. And Christian has a sinister secret of his own...

Without knowing whom to trust, can Victoria survive her blood's deadly desires? Or will she lose everything, including herself?

Add Bloodspell on GoodReads

~ Purchase ~

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Kobo | BAM

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~ About Amalie ~ 

AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island (Trinidad & Tobago) where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 25 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.

An aspiring writer from a young age, Amalie’s poem “The Candle,” written at age twelve, was published in a University of Warwick journal. At fifteen, she was  a recipient of a Royal Commonwealth Society Essay Award (a global youth writing competition). A Colby College graduate, she completed simultaneous Honors Theses in both French and International Studies, and graduated Summa Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa. At Colby, she was cited for research and criticism in Raffael Scheck’s article, “German Conservatism and Female Political Activism in the Early Weimar Republic,” and his subsequent book, Mothers of the Nation. She also received a distinction in English Literature from the University of Cambridge (A-levels) as well as a certificate in French Literature from the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris, France. Traveling the globe, she has worked as a research assistant, marketing representative, teen speaker and global sales executive.

She is the author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was a #1 Amazon bestseller and a Seventeen Magazine Summer Read. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children. She is represented by the Liza Royce Agency and is a member of SCBWI.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

Lois Lane: A Real Work of Art by Gwenda Bond - Ashley's Review

*I received a copy of this story from Capstone/Switch Press as an eARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Wattpad | Capstone | Goodreads

Title: Lois Lane: A Real Work of Art
Author: Gwenda Bond
Publication Date: March 4, 2015

Paul's Review

Synopsis: In high school art class, Lois Lane demonstrates her undeniable talent . . . but not for painting.

This is an official teaser short story for the young adult novel LOIS LANE: FALLOUT that takes place before Lois moves to Metropolis.

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Review: I'm a huge sucker for backstories. If there's a novella or a short story that tells about a secondary character and how they ended up as the character we all know and love, I will always give it a chance. So, needless to say, I've been really excited about Lois Lane: Fallout since I heard that Gwenda Bond was writing it. And now, to whet my appetite, there are two teaser short stories! 

A Real Work of Art is the first of the two stories that I read. It's very short, but it's enough that I am so glad that we finally get to meet a teenage Lois Lane, before she ever moves to Metropolis and falls in love with Superman. She's already a pretty great investigator, and I loved how her reporting skills are already starting to show. Lois is also pretty hilarious, and I can't wait to read more about her life from her perspective. Even in this short story, Gwenda has established a really strong voice for Lois, and I'm excited to see where that goes.

Even after this small teaser story, I already have so many question about Lois' life! Like, who is SmallvilleGuy? I'm assuming it's Clark Kent, but there's not enough there to be 100% sure. It could be anyone! How will these events play into Fallout? I just really want to know more about Lois in general.

I loved all of the comic book references and the obvious Superman references, and I hope that Fallout continues these trends. I think Gwenda is the perfect person to write about Lois Lane, and I'm so excited for more. This teaser has certainly done its job, and Fallout will be moving to the top of my TBR list! A 4/5. 


--Ashley

Lois Lane: A Real Work of Art (an official teaser short story) by Gwenda Bond - Paul's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Capstone via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Goodreads


Title: Lois Lane: A Real Work of Art
Author: Gwenda Bond


Synopsis: In high school art class, Lois Lane demonstrates her undeniable talent . . . but not for painting.

This is an official teaser short story for the young adult novel LOIS LANE: FALLOUT that takes place before Lois moves to Metropolis.

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Review: This is a very short story preview for Gwenda Bond's Lois Lane novel Fallout. I am not that familiar with Lois Lane's history, but it is cool to see Superman's future love interest as a high schooler. 

This was a fun short story. The Superman fan service was a little much, but it kept the tone light. Burning vision reference, really? There was also a reference to comic books that I enjoyed. 

I'm intrigued who Lois Lane's "SmallvilleGuy" pen pal is. It's probably Clark Kent, but I'm hoping for Lex Luther personally. 

The story is kind of cheesy, but a lot of fun. It's a lighthearted short story that sets the tone for the novel. From this short story, I bet Fallout is going to be a fun mystery. 

I give this short story a 3/5. I'm going to definitely add Fallout to my tbr list. 


--PAUL

TEASER: Between the Stars and Sky by David James

Character Profiles for Between the Stars and Sky by David James will be released on his Facebook page 

Monday September 15, 2014!

Between the Stars and Sky will be coming out on September 30, 2014. We will be hosting a stop on the Blog Tour next month. Here is a link to Paul's Review of Light of the Moon by David James. 

Are you excited to meet the characters in this upcoming book?

-Paul & Ashley

RELEASE DAY: Primordial Dust by Sarah Daltry + GIVEAWAY!

Hi guys! Today is a really exciting day - it's the release day for Sarah Daltry's newest book, Primordial Dust! This is Sarah's first adventure in YA Fantasy, and we can't wait to read it! We've got some information about the book and Sarah, as well as an excerpt, dream cast, Sarah's Top Ten Fantasy Movies, and a GIVEAWAY!

Make sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post for your chance to win a signed paperback of Primordial Dust or a $25 gift card to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iTunes!

Book Info:

Title: Primordial Dust

Author: Sarah Daltry

Genre: Fantasy (Romance/YA)

READ THE FIRST CHAPTERS HERE!

A princess, trained to behave. An assassin, betrothed to her. A thief, whose eyes she dreams of at night. A kingdom at war, torn apart by the suppression of magic and truth, as well as family secrets that threaten to destroy decades of peace.

Questions of loyalty, of morality, and of free will culminate in a fantasy novel about forging one’s own path and choosing one’s own destiny.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LBJUD1A
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LBJUD1A
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id882388686
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/primordial-dust-sarah-daltry/1119608748?ean=9781498998468
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/primordial-dust
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/441741
All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-primordialdust-1522644-153.html

Excerpt:

Alusia smiles wanly. “What happened in Kooram?” she asks.

“There was a party. We were dancing. Seamus and I were celebrating our engagement...” I pause, ashamed. He sits beside me, unaware of my role in this, oblivious to my own deception. “It was my fault.”

Seamus takes my hand. “Alondra, stop. You know this has nothing to do with you.”

“It has everything to do with her,” Alusia interrupts. “And her mother.”

“Look, although Alondra seems thankful for whatever you want to share with her, I don't care what these secrets are. This is not her fault and she does not need you blaming her.” Seamus's anger is new to me. I have been so amazed by his calm, his kindness; he is more like a Demorian now than I have ever seen him, and I have watched him cut a man's throat.

Alusia sighs. “I do not mean to assign blame. But we can no longer pretend that this was a rogue attack, that these events have not culminated in bringing you here, that fate has not worked its magic to get this book into her hands.” She runs her fingers along the book on her lap.

“It's fine,” I say. “But it was not fate. Maybe I did not make the only bad choices, but choices got us here. And I, for one, am tired of hearing about fate.”

“The attack,” Seamus continues. “It was sudden. A siren spell warned us before the mages were slaughtered. I don't know how they breached the Demorian guard, but without the dying spell of an elder mage, no one would be sitting here right now with you.”

“So you ran?” Alusia asks.

“I don't run,” I argue. “In fact, I am only here because someone kidnapped me in my sleep.”

“It was her father's wish,” Seamus mumbles.

“The forces came quickly. We spread the word to meet in the caves and Kooram split into two groups: those who were running for the caves, and those who would stay behind. My parents were with those running, but I stayed. Ereditus, our commander, rallied the troops. Seamus was already by my side. My friend, Lormander...”

I stop and think of that moment. Sanara's face, broken by the choice he was making, is etched into my memory. I watched her fingers slowly fall from his hand and the agony in her glance as she turned back to see him one last time tore me asunder. And now, somewhere, are they reunited? Did she lead everyone to Tallagut? Did he stay behind in the caves to face his death, remembering her kiss as the blade entered his heart? I choke on the images and tears rest on the precipice of my eyelids.

“We stayed,” I repeat. “There were so many of them. It was chaos. Smoke billowed from the streets, from our homes, from everything that was my childhood. I saw young boys, thinking they were brave, split in twain as the attackers stepped over the corpses, trailing death. What I remember most was the sound. The crash of swords, the screams of the fallen, the crackle of burning. The details are hazy. We left Kooram in ruins when we saw that we were outclassed. I walked through fields of carnage to the caves, only to wake on the other side, in a mirror world, yet untouched.”

“The king, he asked that we come here. He said you had the answers, the only weapon we could use against him,” Seamus adds. My shattered body sits beside him, but my mind and my soul are still with the dead.

“I am an old woman, and a forgotten mage,” Alusia says. “I am also the keeper of secrets and memories. I do not forge steel. My only weapon is knowledge. But that I have in abundance, and I believe it is time Alondra take her share.”

She rises from the dusty chair and approaches. I sense my hands as they lift to take the book she offers; the leather cover is hardened, but smooth to touch. I run my hand along the spine and trace the embossed seal.

“Please take this to your room. You will need time, and you will need privacy. When you are done, I will be waiting for your questions.”

Dream Cast:

Alondra

A princess of a kingdom lost in time and wrapped in secrets. Snarky and difficult, because life has always been easy, she is unprepared to be the leader she needs to be when her city falls.

Seamus:

A trained assassin tasked with keeping his own city, and all the cities of the kingdom, safe. Betrothed to Alondra for diplomatic reasons. Much kinder than his profession reveals.

Layla:

A young girl trained to be an assassin, sent to kill the son of the king. Her hopes rest on succeeding in her quest, because if she fails, there is no alternative but death.

Tevlin:

The mysterious man who captures Alondra’s heart on a night before the world fell apart. His eyes whispered secrets, but they may be secrets that led to the ruin of everything she held dear.

About the Author:

Sarah Daltry writes about the regular people who populate our lives. She's written works in various genres - romance, erotica, fantasy, horror. Genre isn't as important as telling a story about people and how their lives unfold. Sarah tends to focus on YA/NA characters but she's been known to shake it up. Most of her stories are about relationships - romantic, familial, friendly - because love and empathy are the foundation of life. It doesn't matter if the story is set in contemporary NY, historical Britain, or a fantasy world in the future - human beings are most interesting in the ways they interact with others. This is the principle behind all of Sarah's stories.

Sarah has spent most of her life in school, from her BA and MA in English and writing to teaching both at the high school and college level. She also loves studying art history and really anything because learning is fun.

When Sarah isn't writing, she tends to waste a lot of time checking the internet for pictures of cats, shooting virtual zombies, and simply staring out the window.

She has written several books, most notably Bitter Fruits, an urban fantasy in the Eden’s Fall series, Backward Compatible: A Geek Love Story, and the six book New Adult Flowering series, including Forget Me Not, Lily of the Valley, Blue Rose, Star of Bethlehem, Orange Blossom, and Ambrosia.

Social Media Links:

Website: http://sarahdaltry.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahDaltry

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SarahDaltry

Top Ten:

Sarah’s Favorite Fantasy Movies

The Princess Bride

Labyrinth

The Neverending Story

Brave

The Wizard of Oz

Shrek

Pan’s Labyrinth

Harry Potter (all of them)

Bridge to Terabithia

Mirrormask

The Giveaway!

Win a signed paperback of the novel or a $25 gift card to Apple, Amazon, or B&N!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by and supporting Sarah!


--Ashley & Paul

COVER REVEAL: Primordial Dust by Sarah Daltry + GIVEAWAY

We're really excited to be bringing you the cover of Sarah Daltry's newest book, Primordial Dust, today! Primordial Dust is a YA fantasy novel, and will be releasing on June 30. In addition to the cover reveal, we also have an excerpt, the trailer, Sarah's (current) Top Ten Favorite Novels, and a giveaway! You can enter to win an ebook of your choice, a swag pack, and coasters. So be sure to enter your information in the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post!

 The cover! 

About the book

Title: Primordial Dust
Author: Sarah Daltry
Genre: Fantasy (Romance/YA)

Synopsis: A princess, trained to behave. An assassin, betrothed to her. A thief, whose eyes she dreams of at night. A kingdom at war, torn apart by the suppression of magic and truth, as well as family secrets that threaten to destroy decades of peace.

Questions of loyalty, of morality, and of free will culminate in a fantasy novel about forging one’s own path and choosing one’s own destiny.

Buy Links:

Amazon: Coming June 30
Amazon UK: Coming June 30

Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | All Romance 

Excerpt

There are no woods in Demoria, so our hunt is along the back of the city, in a massive canyon. Demorians do not ride, as the area is not very large to traverse, but they do use the uneven terrain to their advantage. We settle in behind a mossy boulder and look out over the expanse. Wild dogs prowl through the trenches; rabbits scamper along elevated knolls.

“Demoria is not so bad when it’s behind me,” I say. The vast landscape is beautiful in the shifting pinks and purples of dawn. It felt the same way yesterday afternoon atop the lighthouse.

“That is how most things are in life,” Seamus concedes. He places his gun on the ground and unpacks his bag. He reveals a box of tarts in ten different flavors. Damn.

“Not fair,” I say, already stuffing my face with passion fruit tart.

“I did my research.”

We sit in pleasant, tart-filled silence for a while, fruit pastries winning over my taste buds. They are less recalcitrant than my stubborn heart.

Sanara is right; Seamus is kind of cute. He has a boyish charm, especially for someone who has probably seen things I could never even imagine.

“How many people have you killed?” I’m not known for my tact.

“Too many to count,” he answers quickly, not ashamed.

“Don't you ever think about who they were? Doesn't it bother you?”

“I know each of their names. I know who they were, and I know who was left behind when I did my job.” He’s defiant. I don't really blame him. He is a Demorian; killing is what he does.

“Still, I mean, just because someone tells you to kill someone...”

“I was ready to get you this morning, with exactly the right kind of bow and arrows, and a box of tarts, because I did not sleep for more than a couple hours. As charming as you are, that was not because my heart was all a-flutter at seeing you. It was because a good night is four hours.”

“So why do it?”

“Because someone has to, and it was destined to be me.”

“I don't believe in fate. We make our own destinies,” I argue.

“It is easier to say that when you are not trained to be an assassin,” he counters.

Silence settles back over us. I think about what he says. Would I be who I am if I’d been raised differently? Does being born somewhere or being of a certain blood dictate the person each of us becomes? I can’t picture a different me somewhere, destined to marry and doing it because it was the assigned path I would take. Although maybe he’s right. None of my choices have involved considering the fate of another human being. If he admits that he had any control over his own life, he admits that he made the choice to murder someone else. That would be unbearable, and I empathize with his conviction that some part of our lives is set out for us before we start.

“I need to be back early. Tonight is a big deal.”

“Ah yes, our betrothal debut.” His tone is mocking, but it’s not an angry mockery.

“It doesn't bother you, does it? Marrying me?”

“I’m lucky to be engaged to you. I understand why you don't feel the same.” He packs up the rest of the tarts and stands. Bending over, he offers his hand to assist me in getting up. I am on my feet quickly, but I don’t let go of his hand right away.

“Seamus, it isn't you. Of the potential mates my parents have proposed, you are the best of them.” It’s the only thing I can provide him, but it’s true. Under different circumstances, he may have even been my own choice.

Dream Cast

About the Author

Sarah Daltry writes about the regular people who populate our lives. She's written works in various genres - romance, erotica, fantasy, horror. Genre isn't as important as telling a story about people and how their lives unfold. Sarah tends to focus on YA/NA characters but she's been known to shake it up. Most of her stories are about relationships - romantic, familial, friendly - because love and empathy are the foundation of life. It doesn't matter if the story is set in contemporary NY, historical Britain, or a fantasy world in the future - human beings are most interesting in the ways they interact with others. This is the principle behind all of Sarah's stories.

Sarah has spent most of her life in school, from her BA and MA in English and writing to teaching both at the high school and college level. She also loves studying art history and really anything because learning is fun.

When Sarah isn't writing, she tends to waste a lot of time checking the Internet for pictures of cats, shooting virtual zombies, and simply staring out the window.

She has written several books, most notably Bitter Fruits, an urban fantasy in the Eden’s Fall series, Backward Compatible: A Geek Love Story, and the six book New Adult Flowering series, including Forget Me Not, Lily of the Valley, Blue Rose, Star of Bethlehem, Orange Blossom, and Ambrosia.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Top Ten

Sarah’s Favorite Novels (as of this moment in time):

The Sun Also Rises – Ernest Hemingway

The Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger

Neverwhere – Neil Gaiman

Days of Blood and Starlight – Laini Taylor

Some Girls Are – Courtney Summers

Monsters of Men – Patrick Ness

Delirium – Lauren Oliver

The Book Thief – Markus Zusak

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – JK Rowling

Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes – Maureen Johnson

The Giveaway! 

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