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Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Book Blitz of Magic Unleashed by Delta James (#contest- win an Amazon Gift Card)

Magic Unleashed
Delta James
(The Grimm Files, #1)

Publication date: September 18th 2024
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Mysterious deaths. Impossible magic. And the sexy dragon who might drive her to murder.

In the shadowy heart of modern-day New Orleans, where the supernatural simmers just beneath the surface, Phoenix Landry is a force to be reckoned with. As a formidable fairy enforcer, she stands as the city’s last line of defense against the demonic threats that prowl the night. She’s trained from childhood and is armed with lightning-fast reflexes, mastery over fire, and deadly weapons, Phoenix knows she’ll only come into her full power when she finds and bonds with her fated mate. But Phoenix has never been one to wait for fate—until it throws her into the path of Griff Cavill, a hard-nosed dragon shifter detective with secrets of his own.

Griff has been investigating a series of gruesome deaths that defy all logical explanation. As their paths intertwine, Phoenix is forced to confront the truth: Griff is her fated mate. Together, they form an uneasy alliance to combat a rising demonic cult. But as their chemistry ignites, so too does the danger surrounding them.

Griff becomes possessed by the very demon lord they’ve been hunting. Phoenix faces an impossible choice: uphold her duty as a fairy enforcer, or risk everything—including her life and the fragile balance between worlds—for the man she’s come to love.

As the battle for New Orleans intensifies, Phoenix must confront her deepest fears and make a heart-wrenching decision in a final showdown that will determine the fate of both worlds.

Magic Unleashed, the first book in The Grimm Files, is a gripping paranormal romance where love is a double-edged sword, and the price of power could be everything.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“Well, if it isn’t Detective Broussard, bright and early. Are you doing the walk of shame as well? Come to sweep my sister off her feet again, or just drag her back to bed?”

Griff scowled, brushing past her without a word. He wasn’t in the mood for Savannah’s teasing, not when his mind was spinning with everything that needed to be done.

“Where’s Phoenix?” he asked, his voice low and gruff as he entered the front hall.

Savannah sighed dramatically. “Upstairs, brooding, as usual. You two really are made for each other, you know that?”

Griff didn’t respond; instead, he headed straight for the stairs. He took them two at a time, his boots echoing off the polished wood as he made his way to the second floor where Phoenix’s room was. He could feel her presence even before he reached the door, the faint pulse of her magic brushing against his senses like a whisper.

He pushed the door open without knocking and found Phoenix standing by the window, her back to him, arms crossed. The sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, casting her in a golden glow that made her seem even more untouchable than usual.

“You didn’t even say goodbye?” Griff growled; his voice thick with frustration as he closed the door behind him. “After everything that happened last night, you just disappear?”

Phoenix didn’t turn to face him, but he saw the slight tension in her shoulders. “Griff, last night was…” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “It was what it was. But we both know it doesn’t change anything.”

“Doesn’t change anything?” Griff’s temper flared, and before he could think better of it, he crossed the room in quick strides, grabbing her by the arm and turning her to face him. “It changes everything, Phoenix.”

She met his gaze, her eyes a storm of emotions. “No, it doesn’t. You can’t just—”

Whatever protest she had died on her lips as Griff moved faster than she could anticipate, tossing her over his shoulder with ease, his arm wrapped firmly around her dangling legs. Phoenix let out an indignant cry, her fists pounding against his back.

“Griff! Put me down, you bastard!”

Ignoring her protests, Griff carried her out of the room and down the hallway, the echo of his footsteps loud in the otherwise silent mansion. Her sisters and Aunt Maeve were already standing in the foyer, watching the scene unfold with wide eyes full of mirth—okay, her aunt was pissed, but her sisters seemed delighted.

Geneva chuckled. “Well, this just got interesting.”

“Out of the way,” Griff barked, pushing past them as Phoenix continued to squirm and protest.

He reached the front room, a spacious parlor with high ceilings and elaborate decor, and set her down none too gently on her feet. He’d known he needed to be in a room other than her bedroom. He needed a room where they could have some privacy without the temptation of her big four-poster bed staring him in the face. With one hand, he slid the pocket doors shut, sealing them both inside and locking out her meddling sisters and aunt.

Phoenix glared at him, breathless and flushed. “Have you lost your mind?”

Author Bio:

Delta James is a USA Today Bestselling Author known for her captivating paranormal and contemporary romantic suspense novels. She crafts stories featuring complex, curvy heroines and the dominant alpha males who adore them, creating a romantic journey filled with challenges and thrills.

After embarking on a transformative second chapter in her life, Delta now calls Florida home. She enjoys relaxing on warm summer evenings with her lovable pack of basset hounds, watching birds, squirrels, and lizards. When she's not weaving fast-paced tales, she indulges in horseback riding, beach walks, and white-water rafting.

Discover more about Delta, including her complete list of books and audiobooks on her Delta James website.

Delta deeply values her readers and strives to respond personally to as many messages as possible. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, or join her private reader group: Delta's Wayward Pack

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter


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Thursday, September 26, 2024

Book Blitz of The Discovery of Magic by L.J. Evias (#contest- Win An Amazon Gift Card.)

The Discovery of Magic
L.J. Evias

Publication date: September 26th 2024
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Transported to an ancient realm of magic and mystery, can a young woman survive scheming royals, shifting alliances, and impending war?

Alice Harper yearns to determine her own fate. Desperate to change her parents ’minds about moving away from everything she knows, the gifted archer, magic sets out to win a coveted scholarship. But the seventeen-year-old feels completely out of control when she and her friends stumble through a strange portal to a mysterious world.

Separated from the others, the bold and reckless teen finds herself whisked away to an impossible palace where charming mages offer help. But as she becomes entwined in the politics of the court, Alice grows suspicious of her new allies, and she struggles to distinguish friend from foe…

As she’s pulled deeper into treacherous plots, can the daring young adult rescue her peers and get everyone home?

The Discovery of Magic is the captivating first book in The Intrigue of Magic YA epic fantasy series. If you like relatable characters, powerful enchantments, and fast-paced action, then you’ll love L. J. Evias’s battle for courage.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

EXCERPT:

Jaime dodged sideways, almost too late, as a sword slashed at him from his right. It wasn’t like him to be this distracted in a fight, but with his escalating schoolwork, his brothers ’nagging and now Jordan’s revelation, it was a wonder he could pay attention at all.

Fortunately, the large boy who had swiped at him stumbled before regaining his footing, allowing Jaime an easy victory. Others wouldn’t be that cumbersome, yet Jaime’s thoughts returned to Jordan and Alice.

A small hope remained that the girls wouldn’t turn up, but that was currently being devoured by a monster that had recently taken up residence inside him, writhing in his stomach and filling him with anxiety.

Perhaps he could distract Alice or Jordan and delay the situation until he’d figured out what to do. Or maybe he could introduce Jordan to someone else. Then Jaime would have plenty of time to figure out whether he really did have feelings for Alice.

Up the hill, blonde hair blowing in the breeze caught his attention. Alice and Emily, with Eliot running ahead. This was no time to be putting all his hope into wishful thinking. He’d just have to tell Jordan he didn’t like the idea.

His mind made up, he threw himself back into the melee, finding a new opponent, more skilled and more eager than the last. He lunged, then dodged, spun around his opponent, then lunged again, his sword slashing. Back again, dodging out of reach, then thrusting forwards until the other boy’s tiredness began to show. Enthused, Jaime delivered the final blow, the clang of his sword ringing out above the din of the other combatants.

As his adversary yielded, two more rushed Jaime, one from each side, making him regret taking his time with his previous opponent. He couldn’t afford to tire himself out yet, not while several people still fought.

Sucking in a quick breath, he swiftly sidestepped, swung his sword around above his head, and cut across the first rival before they could do anything to stop him.

At the same time, the other lunged, but he was not quick enough for Jaime. Darting behind the felled boy, Jaime brought his blade round to strike, and with a few well-timed blows, had the second boy on his knees, capitulating.

With the rush of victory surging through him, he glanced around for his next opponent.

Only Jordan remained, surveying him with a smirk. The expression unsettled Jaime. Although Jordan was more committed to LARPing, Jaime’s fencing skill gave him a strong advantage, and Jordan knew it. Whatever Jordan had planned, he would not be easy to beat.

Approaching slowly and purposefully, Jordan let his gaze drift towards Alice. Both girls were watching intently. Even Eliot was quiet and still beside them.

Suddenly, Jordan’s smile vanished, and he locked his eyes on Jaime, his intent to impress Alice written all over him.

Adrenaline coursed through Jaime, reawakening his tired muscles. The previous fighting had been just for fun, but this was his chance. He could stop Jordan. Beat him for his own good. He’d never ask out Alice then.

Author Bio:

L. J. Evias writes exclusively in the fantasy genre, infusing stories with a dash of adventure and mystery. In Evias’s worlds, moral absolutes do not exist, giving life to a diverse cast of intriguing characters.

The Intrigue of Magic is Evias’s debut series, featuring accessible world-building, intricate plots, and unforgettable heroes and villains. Released in 2024, The Discovery of Magic is the first book in this series.

When not immersed in the pages of a novel, Evias enjoys real-world adventures both in the UK and abroad. The enchanting settings of The Intrigue of Magic series draw inspiration from personal travels, notably the unique architecture and evocative landscapes of Morocco.

Bonus material and a sample short story are available from the author's website.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Sunday, September 22, 2024

Review of the Book The Man in Black and Other Stories by Elly Griffiths (#review)

I want to welcome Elly Griffiths to Books R Us. Elly is the author of numerous novels that include The Ruth Galloway Mysteries, The Brighton Mysteries and other works. She recently published a collection of short stories called "The Man in Black." The Book will be available on October 15th. 

 

About the Book:

 

Elly Griffiths has always written short stories to experiment with different voices and genres as well as to explore what some of her fictional creations such as Ruth Galloway, Harbinder Kaur, and Max Mephisto might have done outside of the novels. The Man in Black gathers these bite-sized tales all together in one splendid volume.

In the title story, Ruth Galloway crosses paths with a mysterious man in a bookstore, setting in motion a rescue mission that hinges on the legends and lore of Norfolk.

Looking into the past, a young magician in 1920s Leeds wonders just what happened to his missing landlady in “Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act.”

In “Justice Jones and the Etherphone,” a witty girl detective investigates the dire prediction of a fortune teller in dreary postwar London.

A flashback in time reveals Harbinder Kaur as a Detective Sergeant surviving her first day on the job at Shoreham DCI.

To celebrate the holidays, Ruth gets her very first Christmas tree, and her beloved cat narrates his own seasonal story in “Flint’s Fireside Tale.”

And readers can armchair travel with stories set on the Amalfi Coast, in Capri, and in Egypt as Ruth and DCI Nelson experience their very own version of Death on the Nile.

The Man in Black illustrates the breadth and variety of Elly Griffiths’s talent for blood-chilling, page-turning stories all with her trademark humor and heart.

My Thoughts:


I recently had the opportunity to review "The Man in Black," a collection of stories by an author whose other works I haven't read. The book features a mix of themes, including mystery, magic, ghost stories, Christmas traditions, and tales of love and loss. While I didn't enjoy every story, one highlight for me was "Flint's Fireside Tale," which offered a unique perspective by being told from the point of view of Ruth Galloway's cat. This story made me smile and wonder what my cats might think when I interact with them. However, I felt that I would have better understood the characters' backgrounds if I had read some of the author's other novels.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

Disclaimer:

The publisher gave me a copy of the book for my honest review, and I was not compensated for my review.



Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Review of the Book Sprites and Scuttlebut (Magical Mystery Book Club # 7) by Elizabeth Pantley

I want to welcome Elizabeth Pantley to Books R US. Elizabeth is the author of the Magical Mystery Book Club Series. I had to pleasure to read "Sprites and Scuttlebutt" Number 7 in the series. Let me tell you a bit about the book and my thoughts.

 

About the Book:

This book club is hooked on traveling into books to become the amateur sleuths! In this journey, the club travels to the Kingdom of Everglow.

The royal family is rocked to the core when a key staff member falls dead at a community event. In the turmoil that follows, any evidence of what happened is destroyed, so they must go by the recollection of witnesses who were too busy enjoying the celebration to offer any valuable testimony.

The royal family is further distressed when they return to the castle to see signs of a break in that somehow defied their complex security system. They wake the next day to discover that one member of the royal family has fallen into a deep, deathlike sleep.

Can the Snapdragon Inn Book Club uncover the plot behind this attack on the royal family? Can they find the antidote to wake the sleeping royal from a supernatural slumber? Can they bring peace back to the worried royal family and the frightened community?

Let’s hope they can, since they must solve the mystery and reach The End to get out of the book and back to their home in Colorado.

 

 My Thoughts:

I recently finished reading "Hexes and Hooligans," the previous book in the series, and I adored the story. The sequel, "Sprites and Scuttlebutt," continues the adventures of the magical book club as they travel into different books to solve mysteries. In this book, the club members discover Frank's backstory, which helps them unravel a plot against the Royal Family in the Kingdom of Everglow. The author's talent in creating a world of adventure, fun, friendship, and mystery has left me eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series, "Meditation and Mischief."

Connect with the Author:

https://elizabethpantley.com/

Facebook 

Goodreads 

 

Thanks for Stopping By:

 


 

 

Disclaimer:

I was given a copy of the book by the author and I was not compensated for my review.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

BOOK SPOTLIGHT OF THE SILVER FOREST BY J.D RASCH (INTERVIEW AND CONTEST)

 
I want to welcome J.D Rasch to Books R Us. J.D. is touring the blogosphere with iRead Book Tours. Mr. Rasch is the author of two fantasy novels Called the Silver Forest (Book One and Two). He has written a guest interview for my blog. Make sure that you enter the giveaway below. You may win a signed copy of both of the books. Thanks for stopping by.

 




Book Details:

Book Title:  The Silver Forest, Book Two by J.D. Rasch
Category:  Adult Fiction 18 yrs +,  438 pages
Genre:  Fantasy
Publisher:  Lamina Press
Release date:  July, 2024
Content RatingPG: Brief, non-explicit scenes of battles and one brief, non-explicit sex scene

“Engrossing, spiritual, thought-provoking and unique.” — Patrick J. LoBrutto, World Fantasy Award winning editor

"A respectable and compelling novel of accomplishment and discovery that introduces engrossing concepts accompanied by a moral and ethical fiber that compliments the story’s adventure." — Midwest Book Review

Book Description:

Will the young wizard Asmar decide his own fate?

Asmar continues his quest to defeat Malzus and retrieve the powerful golden pulcher staff. Aided by a mysterious figure known only as the Wanderer, Asmar must combat the many types of influences that try to control his mind.

But Asmar is yet unconvinced of the Great Council’s true intentions when they sent him on this quest. Again, he wonders if he must follow the path created for him, or forge his own.

The Silver Forest is a literary fantasy adventure exploring magic, morality, and self-determination. Please note that Book Two is the direct continuation of Asmar’s story, and should only be read following Book One.
BUY THE BOOK:
AMAZON
add to Goodreads
Begin THE SILVER FOREST with Book One:
Book Details:

Book Title:  The Silver Forest, Book One by J.D. Rasch
Category:  Adult Fiction 18 yrs +,  466 pages
Genre:  Fantasy
Publisher:  Lamina Press
Release date:  May, 2024
Content RatingPG-13: Non-explicit mentions of sex, and non-graphic battle scenes.

Book Description:

Asmar, a young and naïve wizard, is sent on an impossible quest—to stop the renegade wizard, Malzus, from finding the tree of wisdom.


The Great Council of wizards, desperate to find the golden pulcher tree, the source of all knowledge, sent nine wizards over the impassable seas to the far away land of Bracat—only to face years of frustration and failure.

Until one of their own turned against them.

Armed with a golden staff to amplify his power, the rogue wizard Malzus fled the wizards’ city of Dolcere and began a ruthless hunt for the tree.

Meanwhile, in the small, protected village of Tuland, Asmar, a misfit, is suddenly called to Dolcere. There, he learns that he is to become a wizard, tasked with stopping the death and destruction caused by Malzus.

The Great Council tasks Asmar with not only defeating Malzus but returning the golden staff to them. But Asmar doesn’t trust the wizards and their influence over him. Can he break the cycle of violence and selfishness and determine his own destiny?
Buy the Book:
Amazon
add to goodreads
 
Meet the Author:

J.D. RASCH is a writer, artist, social activist and author. His debut fantasy series, The Wanderer, explores social, political and religious themes. His writing, like his painting explores the mysteries of the world and our place in the greater scheme of the universe. For many years he worked in international finance, both in developed and emerging economies. Even in his work in finance he was interested in social justice, developing ways to assess the social behavior of companies. He also serves on a number of not-for-profit boards in an attempt to make the world a better place.

Connect with the author: website instagram ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Aug 5 – Liese's Blog – book spotlight of THE SILVER FOREST – BOOK ONE
Aug 5 - Country Mamas With Kids – book review of BOOK TWO / giveaway
Aug 6 – Liese's Blog – book spotlight of THE SILVER FOREST – BOOK TWO
Aug 7 – Diane’s Book Journal – book series spotlight / giveaway
Aug 8 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of BOOK ONE / giveaway
Aug 13 – Ilovebooksandstuffblog – book series spotlight / giveaway
Aug 14 – Cover Lover Book Review – book series spotlight / giveaway
Aug 15 - China Sorrows – book review of BOOK ONE / giveaway
Aug 15 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of BOOK TWO / giveaway
Aug 19 – WELCOME TO MLM OPINION'S REVIEWS – book review of BOOK ONE / giveaway
Aug 20 – WELCOME TO MLM OPINION'S REVIEWS – book review of BOOK TWO / giveaway
Aug 20 - China Sorrows – book review of BOOK TWO / giveaway
Aug 20 - Books R Us - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Aug 21 – Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's – book review of BOOK ONE / giveaway
Aug 22 – My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews – Book Review of BOOK TWO / giveaway
Aug 23 – Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's – book review of BOOK TWO / giveaway

INTERVIEW:

The Silver Forest, Book Two by J. D. Rasch

Author Interview: Books R Us

1. If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?

Definitely Remer. Asmar is too much of a commitment and the others are a bit too serious. I like the fact that Remer is self-effacing, and he also gets to have a love interest.

2. Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

The inspiration for my stories comes from wanting to explore questions that I have. At one point I was thinking of writing an essay on ethics, but that seemed too dry and uninteresting. Instead, I thought that I could write a fantasy novel and put my characters in different situations and think about how they would react. So, much of the inspiration for my stories comes from politics, religion, social justice, and science.

3. Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?

I live with writer’s block, but I used to listen to other author’s talks and what they did to overcome it. Everyone seemed to have the same solution – write. Don’t worry if it’s any good as you can always go back later and redo it. So, if I hit a point where I don’t know what to say, I just keep writing and eventually it becomes clear. Then I go back and edit out the fluff.

4. Why do you write fantasy? If you were to write in another genre, what would it be?

I write fantasy because I think it’s the best format to explore social issues. I like the fact that I make the rules, I control the environment of the characters, and nobody can tell me that something doesn’t really exist if I got it wrong. I’ve thought of some ideas that would fit in better with SciFi and may someday pick up that story. My background is in economics and I have been fascinated by our financial system and how people believe that money actually means something and that there’s a reason why we should have such a divide between rich and poor. I find writing SciFi more daunting as it involves trying to forecast technology and you’re bound to get that wrong. So, we’ll see.

5. Can you talk about the next book in The Wanderer series?

I don’t want to talk too much about the next book as I don’t want to give away plot lines. But The Silver Forest, Book Two continues the quest Asmar and his friends are on. There are a few plot twists so I hope there will be some surprises along the way. But the book isn’t really about surprises, but rather getting readers to think about the choices they make. If I can do that through my writing I’ll consider the books successful.

 

Enter the Giveaway:

THE SILVER FOREST (BOOK TWO) Book Tour Giveaway